This was reported by Dr. Cesar Carreno, who serves as Central Manager of Health Operations at the State-run Social Health Insurance System (EsSalud). The official specified that the contracts only support the transfer of insured patients who need ICU beds and emergency care due to COVID-19. On the other hand, patients with mild and moderate symptoms will remain at EsSalud-run hospitals. Carreno reported that through an integrated system the availability of ICU beds will be determined so that an EsSalud manager can be contacted for the referral of critically ill patients. He said that a second call is being worked on to expand contracts with other clinics nationwide to serve insured patients infected with the new coronavirus, within the framework of the benefit exchange policy. Contracts have so far been signed with the clinics San Gabriel, Congregacion Hijas de San Camilo, La Merced, Cerro Colorado, Vesalio, La Esperanza, San Pablo, Santa Martha del Sur, Jesus del Norte, Internacional, and San Felipe. The contracts were inked within the framework of Legislative Decree 1466, enacted to extend the protection of insured patients in their right to access health services, under conditions of quality in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. SIS Furthermore, it must be noted that more private clinics managed to sign similar contracts with the State-run Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS) system to serve COVID-19 patients who need intensive care with mechanical ventilation. Thus, Clinics San Juan Bautista, Javier Prado (both in Lima), and San Pablo (Huaraz) join 14 other institutions that have already signed the agreements. Las clinicas San Juan Bautista, Javier Prado y San Pablo (sede Huaraz), se suman a otras catorce instituciones que ya suscribieron el acuerdo. Mas instituciones privadas de salud seran parte del intercambio prestacional. pic.twitter.com/2Yygbr0GZb Ministerio de Salud (@Minsa_Peru) July 14, 2020 (END) NDP/LIT/MVB Insured patients infected with the new coronavirus who are in critically ill and require ICU beds will be treated at 12 private clinics located in Lima, Arequipa, and La Libertad regions, where they will receive timely treatment supported by mechanical ventilation equipment. Published: 7/14/2020 WEXFORD COUNTY, MI A drunken Michigan man was charged with child endangerment after he was pulled over with a garbage can stuck under his vehicle in Wexford County. The incident occurred when troopers from the Michigan State Police Cadillac Post responded to a report of a man passed out behind the wheel on Gitchegumee Drive near Ponemah Trail in Wexford Countys Hanover Township at 9:45 p.m. on July 14. Troopers searched the area and found the driver, who had apparently woken up and drove away with a child in the front passenger seat. Witnesses said he hit a street sign and a garbage can, which became lodged underneath the vehicle, in the process. RELATED: Man vacationing in Northern Michigan caught dumping stinky garbage in strangers driveway The driver was later identified as a 33-year-old man from Traverse City. Troopers conducted field sobriety tests on the driver and found his blood alcohol content to be .132. He was arrested for operating while intoxicated, child endangerment and failure to stop and identify at a property damage accident. There were no injuries because of the incident, police said, and the child was released to the mother who was called to the scene. The man was lodged in the Wexford County Jail. His name has not been released. DP World, one of the world's largest port operators, and provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, and California-based Virgin Hyperloop, have both lauded a decision by the US House of Representatives to pass legislation requesting a regulatory framework for the safe deployment of hyperloop systems. The Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT), Council in the US is expected to issue guidance within the next six months to help set out a clear regulatory framework for the industry. The Dubai-based group had launched the DP World Cargospeed international brand in 2018. The first initiative of its kind, DP World Cargospeed represents a vision for the future of cargo transportation. The new venture was created through a partnership between DP World and Virgin Hyperloop to provide hyperloop-enabled cargo systems that will facilitate the fast, sustainable and efficient delivery of palletised cargo around the world. DP World Group Chairman and CEO and Virgin Hyperloop CEO Sultan bin Sulayem said: "We are excited to see this revolutionary vision becoming part of the future of transportation, as much as we are confident that Virgin Hyperloop will take a leap forward and deliver on a 21st century transportation solution." "The decision is a huge vote of confidence that we are all on the right side of history. The move, which brings hyperloop systems one major step closer to reality, validates our decision to take this technology seriously and support this innovation," he stated. Virgin Hyperloop has been engaging with governments in the region including UAE, Saudi Arabia and India. It recently conducted the worlds first national-level study in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Transport. "We seek to revolutionise regional transport and trade sectors through a passenger and cargo hyperloop-enabled system, powered by artificial intelligence (AI)," stated Bin Sulayem. "This month, Virgin Hyperloop signed a MoU with the UAEs Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the worlds first graduate-level, research-based AI university, to initiate a collaborative approach to research and innovation that we believe will culminate in making the UAE a centre for the development of this technology. Our aim is to be a catalyst for global adoption and expansion of this new mode of transportation that will be faster, safer, cheaper, and more sustainable than other existing modes," he stated. Virgin Hyperloop is the California-based category leader in hyperloop development and the only hyperloop company in the world to successfully test its hyperloop technology at scale. It has raised more than $400 million in investments, including funds from DP World. Virgin Hyperloop CEO Jay Walder said: "DP World has been a key enabler of developing this technology for deployment, and the inclusion of hyperloop transportation in this legislation is a great moment in history for us and for DP World." Hyperloop systems would not only support passengers, but also high-priority, on-demand goods, allowing deliveries to be completed in hours versus days with greater reliability and fewer delays. It will expand freight transportation capacity by connecting with existing modes of road, rail, ports, and air transport, and will provide greater connectivity with manufacturing parks, economic zones, distribution centres, and regional urban centres. "This can shrink inventory lead times, help reduce finished goods inventory, and cut required warehouse space and cost by 25 per cent. DP World Cargospeed networks could also enable just-in-time, agile manufacturing practices. The system is powered by a zero-emission propulsion system that, in the GCC, could be completely unplugged from the grid," he added.-TradeArabia News Service News18 Daybreak | 'Young Turks vs Old Guards' Debate in Congress Party Ignites Again after Pilot's Removal and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For Jul 15, 2020 07:42 AM IST Share Today's Big Story With Sachin Pilot's removal, debate on 'young turks vs old guards' in Congress party ignites again The sacking of Sachin Pilot from the Congress and his imminent exit have once again ignited the debate of young turks vs old guards and spawned fears of a fresh wave of defections from the party. The former Rajasthan deputy chief minister's refusal to yield to the party high command's overtures is already being linked to his proximity to Jyotiraditya Scindia, who earlier revolted and left the Congress in March. Sanjay Jha suspended: Sanjay Jha was suspended from the Congress party with immediate effect "for anti-party activities and breach of discipline". Last month, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had removed Jha as a party spokesperson days after he wrote a newspaper article critical of the party. Pilot sacked: The Congress sacked Sachin Pilot from the posts of Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit chief, two days after he openly revolted against the Ashok Gehlot-led government in the state. Vasundhara Raje to attend BJP meet: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje will reach Jaipur today and attend a meeting of BJP MLAs at 11 am to take stock of the political situation in the state, sources have said. In Other News Lockdown reimposed: Nearly a dozen states have so far reimposed lockdown in selected areas for varying periods to check the surge in COVID-19, while Bihar extended the curbs to the whole of the state from July 16 to July 31. A week-long total shutdown came into effect in Bengaluru. Critical questions: The initial post mortem report of BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy prepared by Dr Joydeep Roy seems consistent with ante mortem hanging and death due to effects of hanging which the civil surgeon has concluded, except, it curiously misses out on some obvious but vital points. Far apart: Seven years after the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the worlds largest trading bloc, the European Union, came to a grinding halt, EU official sources have again said that "conditions are not there yet to engage in formal negotiations". App ban: Chinese companies such as TikTok owner ByteDance have been asked by India to answer 77 questions about their apps that have been banned by New Delhi, including whether they censored content, worked on behalf of foreign governments or lobbied influencers. On Our Specials Reckoning: In politics they say it's never too late to learn a lesson though it may come at a cost. The Gandhis perhaps have realised this which is why no time was wasted in trying to keep Sachin Pilot in the fold. Rahul Gandhi spoke to him once and Priyanka Vadra who's had a good equation with him, is believed to have called him at least four times, Pallavi Ghosh writes. Fleeing Bengaluru: A large number of people, mostly from the lower strata of the society, have fled Bengaluru in the last three days. Conservative estimates put the number at five lakh. After promising that there would be no more lockdown, CM BS Yediyurappa imposed a one-week-long stringent lockdown starting July 15, which has come as a shock to the industries, businesses, migrant workers, poor and lower middle class people, reports DP Satish. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Choi Ji-won (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) Wed, July 15, 2020 14:31 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406667a899 2 Entertainment Peninsula,South-Korea,thriller,zombie,Movie,Yeon-Sang-ho,Train-to-Busan Free While director Yeon Sang-hos zombie universe expands over two films and one animation flick, the director says he never imagined he would do a series about zombies. When we were location hunting for Train to Busan, we saw really shabby spots and jokingly talked about what a sequel might look like if we shot it there. I thought then that it would be fun if a little girl drove a huge dump truck and swept a zombie horde -- and that actually became the start to Peninsula, Yeon said during a media interview conducted in Seoul on Monday. South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho. (NEW/The Korea Herald/File) He never knew that Train to Busan would be a hit in South Korea, let alone abroad, as there had never been a successful Korean zombie flick. We were even banned from using the word zombie during our promotional events for Train to Busan because the zombie flick was such a minor genre back then and the word might discourage audiences even before the films release. We would refer to them as infected beings instead. Im not sure what the exact characteristics of a K-zombie are, but I think I took a gamble. Luckily, it worked out well. Thanks to the unexpected success of his first zombie film, Yeon got a chance to do a sequel, and another one might be on the horizon if Peninsula is received well globally. There could be another piece taking place in the same universe or not. We dropped a lot of ideas as we made Peninsula, and we could develop the next story from those ideas. But this depends on whether the audience anticipates another one. If the viewers want more, of course we could make it. For example, Im already hearing people are curious about what happened in the four years between (the two films), like a spinoff. We have all the possibilities open until the result comes out, Yeon said. While his smash-hit debut flick was a high-concept movie, Yeon said, with Peninsula he wanted to try something more experimental and interactive. I thought about what it would mean for people to come to the theater to watch a movie. Its an experience, Yeon said. At the same time, postapocalyptic film was a trend in the international film scene and I wondered whether it would work in Korea. But I didnt want to just pile up trash and call that postapocalyptic. I wanted to do it properly. The fictitious universe in which the zombie apocalypse takes place is the main character of Peninsula, according to Yeon. Thats why the cast of characters from Train to Busan did not reappear in the sequel. Read also: 'Peninsula', sequel to 'Train to Busan', premieres in Seoul Instead of making the story complex, he pushed through with a simple narrative, changing the setting several times early on to heighten the tension. The film starts four years back when Gong Yoo is headed to Busan on a train as the zombie disease breaks out. Gang Dong-won, as Jung-seok, is on his way to Incheon to board a ship out of the country. The first change of setting comes with Jung-seoks arrival in Hong Kong. Hong Kong noir films were a huge hit back in my childhood, and I wanted to take that unique ambiance portrayed in Hong Kong films. The Hong Kong scenes in the start of the film depict that feeling, Yeon said. The second change of setting, from Hong Kong back to Korea, accompanies a break from traditional gender stereotypes. The female hero, a teenage girl named Joon, drives a sport utility vehicle in the dark of the night, chasing a horde of zombies and racing against the villains of the mysterious Army Unit 631. She saves the male lead, Jung-seok -- a realistic, ordinary person who sees hope in Joons courageous acts. Joon and (her sister) Yu-jin represent the good in the film, and I wanted to illustrate them three-dimensionally. For example, back in the 1900s, we heard of 3- or 4-year-olds driving herds of cattle, but we cant expect kids these days to do that. Although Joons driving might seem unrealistic to us, she has grown up in a postapocalyptic world, and to her zombies may not be something scary but ordinary. This fact enables Min-jung (played by Lee Jung-hyun) to endure what seems like a hopeless situation and why the film ironically sends a hopeful message, Yeon said. Yeon is famous as a workaholic who continually takes on new job titles -- not just director, but producer, screenwriter and webtoon author as well. Yeon wrote the script for the tvN fantasy-thriller The Cursed earlier this year and has another series, Hellbound (working title), coming to Netflix next year. Prior to his debut in 2016, Yeon made dark, satirical animated films, including Train to Busan prequel Seoul Station and hits The King of Pigs (2011) and The Fake (2013). About making supernatural films across the thriller, horror and occult genres, Yeon said: I think fear of the unknown is innate in human beings. There are unexpected fortunes and misfortunes, and the anxiety we feel is also along the same lines. I believe all these fears about things we do not understand have turned into such genres, and I wanted to depict those universal fears that everyone experiences. Peninsula opened in South Korean theaters Wednesday. Topics : This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post You don't have to be an experienced trailblazer to know that if you choose to hike in the heat, you better be hydrated. Yet scientific literature on the subject reports that roughly 25% of heat-related illness cases are a result of a fluid imbalance, rather than heat exposure alone. New research out of Arizona State University seeks to understand exactly what is going on in the body as it responds to heat stress, looking in particular at hydration levels, core temperature and sweat loss, in the hopes of developing interventions and best practices for those whose mountainous wanderlust just can't be quenched. The findings of one such related study, recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, show that compared to moderate weather conditions, hikers' performance during hot weather conditions was indeed impaired, resulting in slower hiking speeds and prolonged exposure to the elements, thus increasing their risk of heat-related illness. Perhaps most telling, though, the research team found that most hikers did not bring enough fluid with them on their hike to compensate for their sweat loss. They also found that less aerobically fit participants were most negatively affected by heat stress and performed worse overall compared to their more aerobically fit counterparts. The current guidelines for hikers in general are very broad and geared more toward safety than quantifying the adequate amount of fluid they need. The guidelines also do not take into account fitness levels or the importance of incremental exposure to the heat, which can be affected by acclimatization to specific environments and weather conditions." Floris Wardenaar, Assistant Professor, ASU College of Health Solutions, Corresponding Author on the Paper Former College of Health Solutions master's degree students Joshua Linsell and Emily Pelham are the first and second authors of the paper, followed by School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning Assistant Professor David Hondula and Wardenaar. In their study, 12 participants -- seven women and five men in their 20s -- were asked to hike "A" Mountain on a moderate day (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and then again on a hot day (105 degrees Fahrenheit). They were told to prepare as they normally would, bringing however much fluid they thought they would need, and were asked to hike as quickly as possible without becoming uncomfortable. Each time, they hiked up and down the mountain four times, which adds up to roughly the same distance and incline as Camelback Mountain, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Phoenix area that sees its fair share of heat-related illness cases. Before their trek, participants' resting metabolism was recorded to estimate their energy production during the hike. Their weight, heart rate, core temperature and hydration status were measured before and after the hike, and their drinking behavior - how much or how little fluid they consumed - was monitored throughout. Using that data, researchers were able to calculate participants' rate of sweat loss through their bodyweight reduction, which averaged out to about 1%, whether conditions were hot or moderate. "The 1% bodyweight reduction had different reasons," Wardenaar said. "During hot conditions, participants' sweat rates were higher while drinking more, often resulting in consuming all of the fluid brought, whereas during moderate conditions, sweat rates were lower, but participants drank less. A 1% bodyweight loss is considered manageable and not likely to result in detrimental performance decline. My concern is that when people hike longer than 80 to 90 minutes in hot conditions that they will not bring enough fluid, resulting in larger bodyweight losses." Overall, compared to moderate conditions, hot conditions significantly impaired hiking performance by 11%, reduced aerobic capacity by 7%, increased rate of perceived exertion by 19% and elevated core temperature. On average, participants took about 20 minutes longer to complete the hike during hot conditions than during moderate conditions, which theoretically could exponentially increase the chance of developing heat-related illness. "Heat slows you down," Wardenaar explained. "This means that what you normally can hike in 75 minutes under moderate conditions may take up to 95 minutes in the heat. That is something that people should take into account, especially when their hike will substantially exceed the 90 minute cut-off." Based on their findings, Wardenaar suggests preparing for a hike by familiarizing yourself with your personal hydration needs. You can do so by multiplying your weight before the hike by .01, then subtracting your weight after your hike from your starting weight. If the difference between your starting weight and your ending weight is greater than the product of your starting weight multiplied by .01, you need to be drinking more fluid during your hike. It's also important to be well-hydrated before you even get out on the trail, Wardenaar said. And avoid alcohol, as it can contribute to dehydration. The order blocks two further planned executions which the Trump administration heralds as a return to law and order. A United States District Court in Washington, DC has blocked what would have been the second federal execution in 17 years, hours before it was due to take place. The US Department of Justice had planned to execute Wesley Purkey, who has been convicted of raping and murdering a 16-year-old girl, despite objections by Purkeys lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment. Wednesdays order by District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to block Purkeys execution also prevents the federal government from executing two others Dustin Honken and Keith Nelson convicted of murdering children. The court finds that at least one of plaintiffs claims has a likelihood of success on the merits, and that absent a preliminary injunction, plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm, Chutkan said. Purkey, 68, was convicted in 2003 in Missouri. He dumped his victims dismembered and burned remains in a septic pond. The Justice Department immediately appealed in both cases. A separate temporary stay was already in place from the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The early morning legal wrangling suggests a volley of litigation will continue in the hours ahead of Purkeys scheduled execution, similar to what happened when the government executed Daniel Lee, following a ruling from the Supreme Court. Inmate Danny Lee was executed on Tuesday at the US Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, the first federal execution [Michael Conroy/AP Photo] The US government carried out its first execution in 17 years on Tuesday, putting to death convicted murderer Lee after the Supreme Court cleared the way with an overnight ruling. Purkey, of Lansing, Kansas, would be the second, but his lawyers were still expected to press for a ruling from the Supreme Court on his competency. This competency issue is a very strong issue on paper, Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, told The Associated Press news agency. The Supreme Court has halted executions on this issue in the past. At a minimum, the question of whether Purkey dies is going to go down to the last minute. Read the statement of our executive director, @RDunhamDPIC concerning the Department of Justice's efforts to restart federal executions. https://t.co/AX0I2AaY6U #deathpenalty pic.twitter.com/t90042yrKZ DeathPenaltyInfoCtr (@DPInfoCtr) July 13, 2020 While various legal issues in Purkeys case have been hashed, rehashed and settled by courts over nearly 20 years, the issue of mental fitness for execution can only be addressed once a date is set, according to Dunham, who teaches law school courses on capital punishment. A date was set only last year. Competency is something that is always in flux, so judges can only assess it in the weeks or days before a firm execution date, he said. In a landmark 1986 decision, the Supreme Court ruled the constitution prohibits executing someone who lacks a reasonable understanding of why he or she is being executed. It involved the case of Alvin Ford, who was convicted of murder but whose mental health deteriorated behind bars to the point, according to his lawyer, he believed he was the pope. I could say I was Napoleon, Dunham said. But if I say I understand that Napoleon was sentenced to death for a crime and is being executed for it that could allow the execution to go ahead. Purkeys mental issues go beyond Alzheimers, his lawyers said. According to them, he was subject to sexual and mental abuse as a child and, at 14, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and psychosis. Last week, three mental health organisations urged US Attorney General William Barr to stop Purkeys execution and commute his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and the Treatment Advocacy Center said executing mentally ailing people like Purkey constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and does not comport with evolving standards of decency'. We remain unequivocal in our belief that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. This form of punishment is infected with racial discrimination and has resulted in 160 innocent people being convicted and sentenced to death since 1973. https://t.co/EwXtn4KusS Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) June 29, 2020 The mother of the slain teenager, Glenda Lamont, told the Kansas City Star last year she planned to attend Purkeys execution. I dont want to say that Im happy, Lamont said. At the same time, he is a crazy mad man that doesnt deserve, in my opinion, to be breathing any more. The run-up to Lees execution demonstrated that a lot can still happen before Purkeys scheduled one. On Monday, hours before Lee was set to be put to death, a US District Court judge put the execution on hold over concerns from death row inmates on how executions were to be carried out, and an appeals court upheld it. The Supreme Court overturned it early on Tuesday, with the five conservative justices joining and the four liberals dissenting. The justices dismissed Lees claim that his execution was cruel and unusual, an appeal to the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits such punishments. The justice department had scheduled Honkens execution on Friday. Nelson had been set to be executed on August 28. Orders from lower courts to block executions often end up before the Supreme Court. The high court rarely permanently blocks executions, though it has happened in recent years. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 23:56:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China will roll out new measures to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation with special focus on employment of and business start-up by college graduates and other key populations, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided Wednesday. The nationwide initiative spurring entrepreneurship and innovation is a crucial underpinning for sustaining and expanding employment, and nurturing new drivers of growth. Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the need to further take forward the entrepreneurship and innovation initiative, and catalyze its role in promoting employment, especially for college graduates. The meeting underlined the imperative to make all-round efforts to maintain stability on the six fronts and security in the six areas. Given the shocks caused by COVID-19 and shifting environment for development, the meeting urged keeping to the strategy of innovation-driven development, and spurring society-wide entrepreneurial activities and innovation, to unleash market vitality and people's creativity. New drivers of growth will be fully harnessed to support jobs and market entities, with a particular focus on the employment of college graduates, rural migrant workers who have returned to their hometowns and other key populations. "Stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation is highly important for providing employment for key groups of people and increasing their income. Competent departments should work out greater support for the employment of college graduates and rural migrant workers," Li said. A series of concrete measures were adopted at the meeting. Support for entrepreneurs and innovators will be scaled up. Special funds will be earmarked from central budgetary investment for the development of the entrepreneurship and innovation demonstration centers. Idle factory buildings and under-used land will be brought into full play as part of greater support for key entrepreneurial and innovation projects. Government-invested incubators will provide a portion of their venues free of charge to college graduates and rural migrant workers. One-off subsidies may be granted to first-time entrepreneurs returning or moving to the countryside, who have kept their business start-ups in regular operation no less than a year. Demonstration programs for boosting employment by entrepreneurial activities will be carried out. Enterprises, entrepreneurship and innovation demonstration centers, and online platforms will be encouraged to jointly provide training on entrepreneurial skills in nursing, elderly care, domestic services, tourism and e-commerce to help shape the expectation of job-seekers and broaden their prospects for employment. "We need to provide proper guidance for college graduates in their expectations for jobs, and encourage them to start their own businesses," Li said. The entrepreneurship and innovation demonstration centers will be encouraged to build platforms for integrated cross-regional development involving companies of different sizes. And platforms providing specialized services will be built for the commercialization of scientific and technological research outcomes. Financial institutions will be encouraged to provide insurance services for the financial leasing of equipment and entrepreneurial activities. Restrictions on sectors where insurance funds may be used for financial equity investment will be lifted, and the quota transfer of equity investment and venture capital investment will be piloted in regional equity markets. The meeting urged stepping up basic research in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and encouraging teenagers to learn and explore basic theories. "University students need to be further encouraged to study and research basic theories, to underpin the country's ability to innovate. Without a solid ground in basic research, it is impossible to make significant progress," Li stressed. Enditem State Sens. Eddie Melton and J.D. Ford say they were rushed by Capitol Police inside the Indiana Statehouse on July 11 after they helped a crowd of people move inside to avoid a thunderstorm. The senators recalled the alleged incident in a joint press release July 14. According to the press release, the senators helped lead a group of about 50 people who were attending the Beyond the Big Tent Black Voices in Politics rally inside the Statehouse. Capitol Police later rushed over to the senators, quickly escalating the situation into an aggressive confrontation. Ford (D-Indianapolis) said in a statement they were first approached by staff and private security who demanded to see their credentials. Security initially said it was OK for them to be at the Statehouse, which is closed to tours because of COVID-19, but then called over two Capitol Police officers. This interaction with the officers was aggressive from the start and could have been de-escalated, but was not, Ford said. State Senate candidate Belinda Drake was a guest at the event and said in a press release the officers were singularly focused on Melton, who is Black, and one of the officers popped the clip on his firearm holster. That detail wasnt included in Ford and Meltons press release. A spokesperson for Ford said the senator can only confirm what was quoted in his statement and that he cant comment further because of an ongoing internal investigation. Ford did say in his statement that Melton experienced some of the same police bias we were there to speak out against. A spokesperson for Melton (D-Gary) did not respond to a request for clarification. Its unfortunate that this situation had to take place, Melton said in a statement. I want to be clear that I dont want this situation to become a distraction from the work that were doing through the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus on our police reform agenda. Capitol Police officers are part of Indiana State Police (ISP). A spokesperson for ISP confirmed there is an internal investigation. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Indiana Sen. Eddie Melton 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Romania looks forward to resuming the talks with the Azerbaijani side as soon as the overall epidemic situation allows, considering the expected completion of the last segment of the Southern Gas Corridor and of the BRUA gas pipeline as well as to assess all the opportunities for expanding and consolidating the Romanian-Azerbaijani cooperation in the energy sector, Niculae Havrilet, State Secretary of the Ministry for Economy, Energy and Business Environment of Romania, told Trend. It is worth mentioning also that the decisions adopted at EU level on the energy transition towards a sustainable and decarbonized economy might further shift trends in the natural gas industry. This in turn require, in our view, quick steps to capitalize on all the opportunities we currently have in this sector at various levels - exploration, exploitation, underground storage, transport infrastructure etc. Therefore, every infrastructure project must maintain and strengthen its competitiveness in an ever more volatile and demanding environment, said the state secretary. Havrilet said that Romania and Azerbaijan have a very solid Energy Partnership, which is integral to Strategic Partnership and recognizes the increasingly important role Azerbaijan is playing for the security of gas supply in Europe's energy landscape. From the beginning, Romania has been a constant and firm supporter of the Southern Gas Corridor project, nearing its completion and undoubtedly essential for the diversification of routes and sources of supply on the European market. Azerbaijans central role in the SGC, through its contribution in gas production and transport is well defined and appreciated, said the state secretary. He pointed out that the European market is facing a new energy reality, marked by events that have significantly changed the gas markets. We are currently trying to answer to the unprecedented effects of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic crisis, which have manifested dramatically in the natural gas market, a market that requires more than ever effective efforts to revive demand and consumption severely disrupted during this period, noted the state secretary. Havrilet noted that on its side, Romania will thus consolidate its position on the map of the major energy infrastructure projects, by implementing the Bulgaria Romania Hungary Austria/BRUA pipeline, which is an essential component of the regional network through the Vertical Gas Corridor. The project, developed by the Transgaz company (the Romanian transport system operator) on the Romanian territory, is integral part of the National Natural Gas Transmission System, and upon implementation, it will physically ensure the permanent reverse flow for interconnections with Bulgaria and Hungary; more specifically, after the completion of Phase I in October, it will ensure a transport capacity to Hungary of 1.75 billion cubic meters / year, respectively 1.5 billion cubic meters / year to Bulgaria. The BRUA project will be completed in October 2020 and will serve the objectives sought out by SGC by opening up important regional business opportunities for both Romania and Azerbaijan. At the same time, we welcome the progress made on the Interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece, an important link in the regional gas transmission grid, and We hope that the project promoters will ensure completion within the deadline of Q2 2021, he added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Global rating firm S&P Global on July 14 applauded the decision of India banks to raise fresh capital stating that the move will provide solidity to the organisations during these rocky times and assist them to withstand the economic slump amid the coronavirus pandemic. The rating agency said in a release that "the large capital-raising is credit positive," appending that "large capital increases across India's financial institutions support the system's stability during these rocky times." S&P said that the Indian banks have expressed an intention to increase equity include ICICI Bank (Rs 15,000 crore), Axis Bank (Rs 15,000 crore), Yes Bank (Rs 15,000 crore), State Bank of India (Rs 20,000 crore), Bank of Baroda (Rs 9,000 crore), and Punjab National Bank (Rs 7,000 crore. Kotak Mahindra Bank and IDFC First Bank are other banks that recently issued substantial amounts of capital. "We believe top-tier Indian private sector banks are adequately capitalised," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Michael Puli. 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 They are raising further capital to strengthen their balance sheets, unlike state-owned banks, which generally have only small buffers over regulatory capital, he said. "We expect large private sector banks, State Bank of India and a few other major public sector banks to be able to raise capital relatively easily," the release said adding that Yes Bank's follow-on public equity offer at a huge discount to the market price shows that the banks are willing to go the extra mile as well to get sufficient capital. Further, S&P Global Ratings projected non-performing loans to shoot up to 13-14 per cent of the total loans in the current financial year, from an estimated 8.5 per cent in 2019-20. It also said credit costs may rise to about 3.7 per cent of average loans in 2020-21. "This cost should drop to 2 per cent in fiscal 2022, but this would still be above the 15-year average of 1.5 per cent," it said. According to the release, most Indian public sector banks improved their capitalisation last year, which should provide some support. The common equity tier-1 (CET1) ratio of public sector banks (PSBs) was 10.1 per cent as of December 31, 2019, higher than the regulatory requirement of 8 per cent (including a capital conservation buffer). Similarly, PSB' tier-1 capital adequacy ratio was 11.1 per cent, higher than the regulatory requirement of 7 per cent, it said. The agency expects that government-owned banks in India in aggregate will be able to absorb the estimated credit losses without breaching the regulatory minimum, but these banks need capital to grow. "In our base case where we have factored in 4-5 per cent credit growth for government-owned banks in the current fiscal year, we estimate these banks need additional capital of Rs 35,000 crore-Rs 40,000 crore this year," it said. Some finance companies are also looking to bolster capital adequacy to address asset quality issues and improve liquidity, it said. Bishop Vital Corbellini and a group of people in front of the Hospital de Campanha, Maraba Pope Francis donates a ventilator and a thermometer to a hospital in Brazil for use in treating indigenous peoples who have contracted Covid-19. By Vatican News Pope Francis donated a ventilator to the Campanha de Maraba Hospital in Brazil, as the number of infections and deaths due to the Covid-19 virus continues to increase in the South American country. Expressing his gratitude in a video, Bishop Vital Corbellini of Maraba said that it was a beautiful charitable action of Pope Francis through the Apostolic Nunciature which will be used to save as many lives as possible. We ask that it be used especially for the Indigenous Peoples, because they are the most in need, Bishop Corbellini told Vatican News. The Popes gift The respirator, one of four sent by the Holy Father to Brazil, along with a temperature monitor, arrived in Maraba on Sunday. Bishop Corbellini, in turn, presented them to the health facility's coordinator during a small ceremony on Monday, 13 July. The hospital, which is situated in Para, has ten beds reserved for indigenous patients who have contracted Covid-19, two of which are currently occupied. Pope Francis's closeness The Pope cares about Indigenous Peoples whose rights are often violated, said the Bishop, adding that the government does not pay much attention to them. Their lands, forests and rivers are occupied, so it is necessary to look after them with affection and help them live well, he stated. Now we have this device that can help save lives. That is why we are delivering it here - to this very important hospital of Maraba, Bishop Corbellini added. According to the Department of Health of the State of Amapa, 91 percent of the beds in intensive care are occupied. Rep. Sim Sang-jung, second from left, leader of the minor progressive opposition Justice Party, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Rep. Jang Hye-young, right, and Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong, second from right, are also seated, as Sim apologizes for the controversy over their refusal to visit Park Won-soon's memorial altar due to sexual harassment allegations against the former mayor. Yonhap By Jung Da-min Members of the minor progressive Justice Party have shown mixed stances over the recent death of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and the sexual harassment allegations made against him. Its older-generation members paid tribute to Park while the younger ones refused to do so to express their support for the alleged victim. The former's actions brought criticism from some party supporters for going against the party's identity that has advocated for social minorities and victims of abuse of power. Other party supporters, on the other hand, criticized the young party members for not paying their respects to Park, saying the former mayor was the party's political comrade who led the move for a civic society together with them as a human rights lawyer. After Park was found dead on a mountain near his residence in Seoul, early Friday morning, Reps. Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young, newly elected lawmakers of the party representing the younger generation of the country's progressive groups, said they would not pay their respects at Park's memorial altar as a show of solidarity against sexual harassment by powerful men. "I can't offer condolences as if nothing had happened. What should be done is not a city-led funeral but a truth-finding effort on sexual violence committed by ranking public officials who abuse their authority," Jang wrote on Facebook. The young lawmakers' messages were criticized by supporters of the country's progressive bloc who said it was a time to mourn his death, not to assess whether the former mayor was good or bad. Many such supporters broke from the party citing this matter, while others showed their support for the young lawmakers by saying "we will not leave the party." Following the row, Justice Party leader Rep. Sim Sang-jung, who was among the senior party members who visited Park's memorial altar, July 10, said she and the party leadership believed paying tribute to the deceased and expressing solidarity to the alleged victim were not at odds with each other. "The two lawmakers, Reps. Ryu Ho-jeong and Jang Hye-young, were more focused on expressing solidarity with the victim, as they were concerned about any secondary damage against her," Sim said during a party meeting, Tuesday. But she also made an apology, saying, "I apologize, as party leader, if the two lawmakers' message hurt the feelings of Park's bereaved family members and citizens who were mourning his death." Hours after Sim made these remarks, Jang said on Facebook that she was embarrassed as she had been expecting Sim to respect her stance and message. Jang said she went to Sim's office right after the party meeting and the two confirmed that Sim was still respecting Jang's stance. "I know that there is a huge disagreement on this matter within the party. I feel dizzy at such a huge difference of perceptions," Jang said. "But if we want to make a society where no one's dignity as a human is ruined, we have no reason to neglect a woman who started a fight to regain her dignity. This is the time to narrow differences of opinions and make joint efforts." Despite Jang's post, the row is only growing, with those supporting her saying Sim should not have apologized because the two young lawmakers did nothing wrong. They say Sim's remarks only make the Justice Party look like an "affiliate" of the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The Justice Party has often had such internal feuds over controversial issues, as some party members have urged the leadership to show a more differentiated political identity so that it can distance itself from the DPK instead of just agreeing with the ruling party's policies. Last year Justice Party members were divided over how to deal with the controversy over former Justice Minister Cho Kuk who stepped down from the post amid a corruption scandal including the accusation that he and his wife used their influence to ensure their children's admissions to top universities. Critics said the Justice Party, which used to fight against the vested interests of the establishment, has been failing to take a stern stance when it comes to such controversial issues, as it is afraid of losing support from enthusiastic followers of President Moon Jae-in. Regarding the row, political critic Chin Jung-kwon, who was a Justice Party member but left after the controversy surrounding Cho, said the party doesn't need to stop members from leaving the party over Park's case. "They mistakenly joined the Justice Party; they should have been DPK members from the beginning," he wrote on Facebook. "With this incident as momentum, the Justice Party needs to reset its identity and invite new members who are progressives." The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing's claims there. "Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action," David Stilwell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, told a Washington think tank when asked if sanctions were a possible U.S. response to Chinese actions. Stilwell spoke a day after Washington rejected China's claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea as "completely unlawful," a stance denounced by Beijing. Washington has long opposed China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and has sent warships regularly through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year, to demonstrate freedom of navigation. But Monday's announcement was the first time it declared Chinese claims illegal. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it. Beijing has built bases on atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Greg Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said declaring Chinese claims illegal opened the way for a tougher U.S. response, such as through sanctions, and could also lead to more U.S. naval presence operations. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian condemned the U.S. move, saying it "destroys regional peace and stability and is an irresponsible act." A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation on Tuesday near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the military said. "This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan," the Navy said. Such operations have been increasingly common in recent years. The U.S.-China relationship has grown increasingly tense recently over various issues, including China's handling of the novel coronavirus and its tightened grip on Hong Kong. Stilwell said the tougher U.S. position meant "we are no longer going to say we are neutral on these maritime issues." "When a (Chinese) drilling rig plants itself in Vietnamese or Malaysian waters, we're going to be able to make a positive statement," he said. Stilwell had a particular warning over the Scarborough Shoal, a strategic outcrop 200 km (124 miles) from the Philippines claimed by Beijing and Manila that China seized in 2012. "Any move by (China) to physically occupy, reclaim or militarize Scarborough Shoal would be a dangerous move ... and would have lasting and severe consequences for (China's)relationship with the United States, as well as the entire region," he said. Also read: US quashes China's 'unlawful' claims in South China Sea The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has proposed the Government to allow petrol and oil businesses to transfer stakes to foreign investors, but not exceeding 35 per cent. A petrol station of PetroVietnam Oil Corporation in the southern province of Tien Giang. Photo PVOIL The proposal is part of the draft revision and supplement of several articles in the Governments Decision No 83/2014/ND-CP on petrol and oil trading, creating favourable condition for foreign investors to participate in petrol and oil distribution in Viet Nam. In a report submitted to the Government, the MoIT said petroleum is a strategic commodity, greatly affecting peoples living and energy security, so it has calculated carefully the appropriate time to allow foreign investors to take part in the local distribution network. When Viet Nam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, petroleum was a field that the country did not commit to opening up so that domestic enterprises had the opportunity to grow, build facilities and keep an important position in the domestic petroleum distribution system. Today, after 13 years, Viet Nam has opened its doors to foreign investors to invest in most important areas such as electricity, oil and gas, and aviation, the MoIT said in the report. The ministry said the Prime Minister has just approved the participation of foreign investors in a number of large State-owned enterprises, including PetroVietnam Oil Corporation with 35 per cent and Vietnam National Petroleum Group with 20 per cent. This participation has significantly contributed to improving corporate governance, raising efficiency and competitiveness. The ministry said that the foreign investors participation is expected to help domestic enterprises attract capital, technology and business management skills. 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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 Man, dog pronounced dead after early morning explosion, structure fire near Harbor Springs A man and a dog have both died as the result of an explosion and structure fire early Tuesday morning in West Traverse Township near Harbor Springs. Aruba Wired, Wireless and Security Solutions Enable Wide Range of Connectivity and IoT Applications for Nobu Hotel's Three New Properties, Opening 2020 Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company (NYSE: HPE), today announced that Nobu Hospitality, a luxury lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, is standardizing on Aruba as its preferred network infrastructure vendor for three of its new hotels in Chicago, Warsaw and London Portman Square. Using the foundation of Aruba ESP, a combination of Aruba wired, wireless and security solutions, Nobu Hotels is enabling highly secure and reliable Wi-Fi, as well as a range of IoT applications, that help provide a superior experience for its guests, replete with all of the comforts and technologies they have at home. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005227/en/ Nobu Hotel Chicago, pictured here, uses Aruba networking technology to provide a superior experience to its guests. (Photo: Business Wire) To accomplish this, the edge where data is generated, secured, analyzed and acted upon must serve as the foundation for leveraging actionable analytics from Nobu Hotel's integrated network, business applications and guest preferences, to deliver new on-property guest experiences. According to Rodney Linville, Global Corporate Director of IT for Nobu Hospitality, Aruba's open, secure and nimble cloud-native infrastructure was the ideal choice to reflect the Nobu Hotel brand. "The Aruba infrastructure allows us to easily layer services and add applications that will deliver the customer experience our guests are seeking, as well as help our employees become more efficient," said Linville. "The performance, reliability and built-in firewall and security features Aruba offers stood out and will make it easy for our IT team to continually upgrade and provide a superior experience for our guests and hotel teams." With the help of key integration partners, Nobu is deploying a range of Aruba solutions at its various properties. Among these are Aruba edge and core switches, ClearPass Policy Manager, and Aruba location-ready APs, the latter of which are designed specifically for hospitality and IoT use cases. This is particularly important for Nobu as the IT team is pairing the Aruba Bluetooth beacon and Zigbee radio technology in the APs with solutions from key IoT and analytics partners including the following: ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions for automating access and identity controls with door locks and enabling contactless check-in, allowing guests to use their smartphones to gain secure room access React Mobile to create a safe working environment for their staff with an enterprise class Employee Safety Device platform, as required by local or union regulations Skyfii for improving hotel operations and the visitor experience The secure Aruba infrastructure also supports the hotel's mobile Point-of-Sale and Property Management Systems which are critical to addressing guests' needs, regardless of where they are located on the property. For example, guests will be able to check in or out of the property, or access concierge services without having to visit the front desk or lobby area. As Nobu continues to add new services and applications to streamline operations and enhance its guest experience, and expand its global footprint, Linville says that the IT team will continue to rely heavily on its Aruba network infrastructure, and will evaluate additional Aruba solutions such as Aruba Central and SD-Branch. About Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, is a leading provider of secure, intelligent networks that enable customers to thrive and deliver amazing digital experiences in the mobile, IoT and cloud era. We are changing the rules of networking to make it simple for IT and organizations to bridge the physical and digital worlds at the Edge. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates, follow Aruba on Twitter and Facebook, and for the latest technical discussions on mobility and Aruba products, visit the Airheads Community at http://community.arubanetworks.com About Nobu Hospitality Named one of luxury's 25 Most Innovative Brands by Robb Report, Nobu Hospitality is ranked among an elite selection of global luxury brands. The natural growth of Nobu Hospitality, built on service, image, and reputation, offers the complete spectrum of hotel, restaurant, and residence management for unique projects around the world. Founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, with operations spanning five continents, the Nobu brand thrives in the world's capitals as the ultimate destination lifestyle experience. Nobu Hotels have been awarded an array of accolades, including Hottest New Hotels by CNN Travel, Wallpaper Best Urban Hotel, Top North America Hotel Opening by Luxury Travel Advisor, Luxury Travel Advisor's Award of Excellence, and Readers' Choice Awards by Conde Nast Traveler. The first Nobu Hotel opened in 2013 as a boutique hotel within Caesars Palace Las Vegas followed by Nobu Hotel City of Dreams Manila in 2014. Since then the brand has opened properties in Miami Beach in 2016, Malibu, London Shoreditch, Ibiza Bay and Palo Alto in 2017 and Marbella 2018. In 2019, Los Cabos and Barcelona opened, and in 2020 the opening of Chicago, Warsaw, Riyadh, and London Portman Square are expected. Nobu Hotels are in future development for Toronto, Sao Paulo, Atlanta, and Tel Aviv. Nobu is strategically focused on further expanding its global portfolio of hotels through a solid development pipeline. www.nobuhotels.com. Follow us on Instagram @NobuHotels. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005227/en/ Contacts: Kathleen Keith Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company +1-707-529-4507 kathleen.keith@hpe.com Jennifer Miu Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company +1 650-236-9532 jennifer.miu@hpe.com (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 15 - Finance police on Wednesday searched offices at Rome's Link University and seized documents in relation to a probe into alleged tax fraud. Sources said 14 people with direct or indirect relations to the university are under investigation, including the dean, Claudio Roveda. Investigators believe the suspects involved with the university and the 'Consortium for Research on Intelligence and Security Services' falsely stated they had carried out research and development projects to obtain tax credits. These credits were allegedly then used so that the university did not have to pay taxes it was due to pay. (ANSA). Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) says its findings rather show parents are pleased with the instituted protocols contrary to the concerns raised by anxious parents over the poor handling of COVID-19 cases and their accompanying measures in schools across the country. Director-General of the GES, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa on Face to Face on Citi TV, disclosed that so far the parents who have called me and my other officials, are so glad about the measures we have put in place and how we are handling the issues. Justifying this position albeit the large number of parents who have besieged schools with recorded cases of COVID-19 to demand the release of their children , Prof. Amankwa said it was because the media created panic which for me was needless. Since the reopening of schools for final year students to enable them to partake in their exit examinations, parents, educational stakeholders, the Minority in Parliament, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the National Council for Parent Teacher Association (PTA) have called for the closure of the schools given the increase in the number of cases being recorded in the schools. The NDC, for instance, said a reversal of the reopening of schools would be the only way to express the government's commitment of not endangering the lives of students and staff as promised. Some have also called for the mass testing of students as an additional infection management protocol. Although some guidelines have been outlined to stem the spread, these groups say they are not completely enthused about existing situations in the schools hence, students should be allowed to return home in a bid to safeguard them against the virus. The GES boss dismissed calls for students to be allowed to return home insisting that they will come back with the infections they have collected in the schools into the larger society for the bigger society to be infected. Is that what we want? I don't think this is what the conversations should be. The conversations should rather be on what measures have been put in place for issues like safety. The health people tell us that we will be better off keeping them in there and treating them, Prof. Amankwah stressed. Apart from the Accra Girls SHS where 55 individuals including students and staff have contracted the virus, other schools across the country have also confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 but GHS and GES say those cases have not experienced a surge, as seen in Accra Girls' SHS. As a result, both school and health authorities have announced a number of measures put in place in Accra Girls as well as the other schools to curtail any further spread of COVID-19. ---citinewsroom A duck with an arrow sticking out of its head for three months was finally rescued after being picked up in a three-man kayaking operation. The mallard miraculously survived after being shot by thugs with a crossbow on the river Radbuza in the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. But despite attempts to capture him and remove the arrow, the duck had fled whenever rescuers got close. Injury: This mallard had an arrow stuck in its head for three months after it was shot by crossbow-wielding thugs in the Czech Republic Rescuers: Hana Makonova and Radek Zeman hold the injured mallard after they saved it in a kayaking operation on the river Radbuza X-ray: An image of the arrow in the duck's head after it was taken to a local vet to have the weapon removed Karel Makon, head of the animal rescue centre in the city, said: 'The first time we tried to catch him was in April. 'But it was in vain. We tried many times but he always flew away, and he recognised us. He couldn't be caught.' The duck, which had been shot through the neck and head with a steel-tipped arrow attached to a fishing line, was eventually caught this week after a coordinated kayak chase. Makon said: 'On Monday we succeeded by taking advantage of the fact that the duck was molting, so he wouldn't be able to fly until new feathers grew. 'This time I was standing on the shore with a landing net on a long pole. Hanka and Radek distracted him in their kayaks.' Animal rescue chief Karol Makon, pictured left in the right-hand image, said the duck (pictured at the veterinary facility after having the arrow removed from its head) had flown away when they initially tried to save him Despite attempts to capture him and remove the arrow, the duck had fled whenever rescuers got close Sighting: The rescuers eventually succeeded by taking advantage of the fact that the duck was molting and was temporarily unable to fly Describing the moment the duck was caught, Makon said: 'I was on the shore above him, it was luck and I happened to see him. 'I quickly swung the landing net into the grass and managed to catch him. He didn't have a chance to escape.' The duck was taken to a local vet where he was x-rayed before the arrow was safely removed and he was released back into the water. Makon said: 'It is possible that he was the victim of poaching. There was a fishing line on the arrow. It looks like a targeted hunt, but we lack evidence. 'Or it may be vandalism.' Police are now looking for the attacker. The collaborators are Kazan Federal University, Vereschagin Institute of High Pressure Physics (Russian Academy of Sciences), Queen Mary University of London, Imperial College London, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, and Sichuan University. Co-author, Chair of the Department of Computational Physics of Kazan Federal University Anatolii Mokshin explains, "The key difference between the liquid state of matter and the solid state is the presence of shear stiffness in solids. In other words, solids can retain their shape in contrast to liquids and gases, which take the shape of the vessels in which they are placed. Together with our foreign colleagues, we found out that such an understanding is not entirely correct. We were able to obtain experimental confirmation of the presence of shear stiffness in a liquid. And this means that on a spatial scale comparable to the size of molecules and atoms, a liquid exhibits elasticity and rigidity, like a solid. This is very surprising. In particular, a liquid at these extremely small scales will respond to external deformation influences like an ordinary solid. The results are obtained for the case of gallium melt. However, they are true for any fluid." The uniqueness of this work, according to the interviewee, is that for the first time a comprehensive study was carried out, including experiments on inelastic neutron scattering, large-scale molecular dynamics calculations performed by the Kazan University computer cluster and the supercomputer of the Interdepartmental Supercomputer Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a theoretical explanation in the framework of the original self-consistent relaxation theory of the liquid state. "New data are important for understanding a number of fundamental scientific questions related to liquid state physics. They must be taken into account when designing nanodevices, nanostructures and metamaterials. Firstly, it is now possible to more accurately evaluate the physical parameters of liquids near the solidification temperature and the conditions (temperature and pressure) under which nanostructures can be constructed. Secondly, new possibilities have appeared for controlling liquids confined by nanometer-sized structures. One of the branches of modern physics, nanofluidics, is studying these issues," concludes Mokshin. Pitney Bowes (NYSE: PBI), a global technology company that provides commerce solutions in the areas of shipping, mailing, data and ecommerce, today announced the election of Sheila A. Stamps to its board of directors, effective September 1, 2020. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005558/en/ Sheila A. Stamps named to the Board of Directors at Pitney Bowes (Photo: Business Wire) We are pleased to welcome Sheila Stamps to the Pitney Bowes Board of Directors, said Marc B. Lautenbach, President and CEO, Pitney Bowes. Sheila brings significant business, banking and accounting expertise in both the private and public sector to our Company. Throughout her career, Sheila has played key roles in helping companies transform and grow. We look forward to having her perspective as we further strengthen and diversify our Board. The election of Ms. Stamps to the Pitney Bowes board of directors will bring the total number of directors to 10. Ms. Stamps will serve on the Audit and Executive Compensation Committees. About Sheila A. Stamps Sheila A. Stamps currently serves on the boards of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Audit Chair), and CIT Group, Inc. and CIT Bank, N.A. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of IES Abroad, a non-profit organization facilitating global educational opportunities and internships. She is a former Commissioner and Audit Committee Chair for the board of the New York State Insurance Fund, the States largest worker's compensation insurance provider. Previously she served as Executive Vice President at DBI, LLC, a private mortgage investment company, from 2011 to 2012. She served from 2008 to 2011 as Director of Pension Investments and Cash Management at the New York State Common Retirement Fund, and from 2004 to 2005 as a Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Prior to this, Ms. Stamps served as Managing Director and Head of Relationship Management, Financial Institutions, at Bank of America Corp. (formerly FleetBoston). From 1982 to 2003, she held several executive positions both domestically and internationally with Bank One Corp. (now JPMorgan), including Managing Director and Head of European Asset-Backed Securitization and a member of the EMEA Strategic Operating Committee. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. About Pitney Bowes Pitney Bowes (NYSE:PBI) is a global technology company providing commerce solutions that power billions of transactions. Clients around the world, including 90 percent of the Fortune 500, rely on the accuracy and precision delivered by Pitney Bowes solutions, analytics, and APIs in the areas of ecommerce fulfillment, shipping and returns; cross-border ecommerce; office mailing and shipping; presort services; and financing. For 100 years Pitney Bowes has been innovating and delivering technologies that remove the complexity of getting commerce transactions precisely right. For additional information visit Pitney Bowes, the Craftsmen of Commerce, at www.pitneybowes.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005558/en/ President Donald Trump today joined the online chorus of Iranians warning the government against the imminent execution of three young men sentenced to death after participating in last years mass protests against rising gasoline prices. Three people have been sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests, Trump tweeted in Farsi under the dont execute hashtag. Their execution is expected at any moment. The execution of these three people sends a deplorable message to the world and should not be done. Why it matters: Irans judiciary upheld the death sentences this week against three men in their mid-20s, Saeed Tamjidi, Mohammad Rajabi and Amirhossein Mordai. Despite widespread outcry from human rights groups, Iran has charged them with sabotage, armed robbery and illegally fleeing the country. Human Rights Watch noted that Iranian courts have issued or upheld at least four execution sentences since late June. These sentences have been issued on vaguely defined national security charges, and defendants have had restricted access to lawyers and alleged that the authorities tortured or abused them to produce coerced confessions, Human Rights Watch reported. Iranian authorities should immediately repeal the death sentences. Turkey deported Rajabi and Tamjidi from a refugee camp in December after they sought asylum. Iranian authorities killed hundreds of protesters and arrested thousands more during last year's protests. Whats next: It remains to be seen whether the online campaign can save the three protesters and whether Trumps decision to chime in has an impact one way or another. The online campaign to save the three men has also coincided with widespread internet outages throughout Iran. Know more: Iran has already executed two Kurdish political prisoners, ignoring a campaign from human rights advocates, Al-Monitor reports. After implementing strict measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 and thereby asserting their sovereignty over their territories, First Nations have been largely spared from the feared coronavirus outbreak. However, the threat posed by the possibility of a second wave remains very real. Historical and contemporary forms of colonialism predispose First Nations to increased risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As researchers and experts in human rights and Indigenous Peoples' rights, we argue that the landmark 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal decision in the case between the federal government and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations sets the legal standard for Canada in the provision and funding of services to address COVID-19. Canada's funding measures to date to address the risk of an outbreak do not meet this standard. From White Plague to COVID-19 On Nov. 15, 1907, a headline in the Ottawa Evening Citizen stated, "Schools Aid White Plague: Surprising Death Rolls Among Indians Revealed. Absolute Inattention To Bare Necessities of Health." The article described the findings of federal Indian Affairs Department Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter Bryce on the link between inequities in health care funding for "Indians" and the alarming mortality rates of residential school students. In the century that followed, many other credible voices, such as the Auditor General of Canada and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, denounced the inequality in public services to First Nations and proposed solutions to address it. Canada has failed to act. Canada's failure to take adequate action has resulted in disparities, including in access to housing, health care and safe drinking water. These inequalities increase the risks to First Nations in health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Confusing instructions For example, while public health authorities consider hand-washing to be the most effective way to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, many First Nations communities on reserves still lack access to clean, safe water. The chronic housing crisis also exacerbates the situation. Nearly one-quarter (23.1 percent) of First Nations people living on-reserve are in overcrowded housing, which prevents families from following public health guidelines regarding physical distancing and isolation of the sick. It also puts women and children at risk of domestic violence. These structural inequities, combined with discrimination in access to health care, healthy and affordable food and effective telecommunications infrastructure, severely limit First Nations' ability to respond to health crises. Legal standards The pandemic poses distinct and unforeseen challenges in First Nations communities across Canada. Yet there are valuable lessons to be learned from past experiences. The tribunal's 2016 decision, which deals with government services for First Nations children, clarifies the legal standard that Canada must meet in order to fulfil its obligations under the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA). First, the decision establishes that Canada must provide sufficient funding to enable the provision of services that take into account the needs and cultural, historical and geographic distinctiveness of different communities. Second, the additional costs associated with responding to emerging public health crises cannot be offset by reducing existing services and programs for First Nations. Finally, measures taken in the context of the pandemic will invariably prove to be useless if they are not accompanied by effective strategies to address inequalities in government services and programs for First Nations in a comprehensive manner. Inequitable measures At the time of this writing, Canada's specific measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in First Nations communities in Canada represent less than one percent of the federal government's funding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, even though First Nations represent nearly five percent of the population of Canada. In other words, the measures do not meet even the modest standard of formal equality. In addition, the federal government has yet to announce measures to address the systemic inequalities experienced by First Nations communities that predispose them to increased risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Dr. Bryce pointed out 113 years ago, effective public health care interventions for First Nations must include remedial action and substantive equality in the delivery of public services. One without the other is doomed to failure. For decades, Canada has been aware of the inequities in funding for First Nations services and programs, but has not acted. According to evidence presented before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in 2005, the federal government estimated that it provided at least 22 percent less funding to First Nations for children's services compared to funding for other children. Instead, the federal government has encouraged First Nations to be patient as it makes negligible changes to inequitable government services for First Nations. Indeed, the tribunal had to issue nine orders after its landmark 2016 decision in order to hold Canada to its legal obligations to First Nations children. In the case of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations against the Government of Canada, the Human Rights Tribunal ruled that it is illegal for Canada to put financial considerations ahead of the best interests of First Nations children. The decision echoes what First Nations people have long asserted: that discrimination as a tax policy is a manifestation of racism and colonialism rooted in Canadian society. If there is one thing we have learned from Canada's response to the pandemic crisis, it is that various levels of government can move quickly to deliver billions of dollars in social programs and economic support when they are deemed priorities. If substantive equality is not seen as an immediate policy objective in government programs and services, Canada's colonialist policies will once again have predictable and fatal consequences for First Nations people. Explore further Canada and the U.S. working on extending border closure This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A tradesman who illegally parked in a disabled park at Bunnings went on a rampage and hit a woman after he noticed she was filming him. Ventzislav Branimirov Kostov, 29, parked in his Mitsubishi Pajero in the bay outside the store in Springfield Central, south of Brisbane, on December 17 last year. The female shopper questioned why he was using the disabled spot without a permit and she began to take pictures of him as he made his way into the hardware store. Ventzislav Branimirov Kostov, 29, attacked a woman after she filmed him parking in a a disabled bay at Bunnings in Springfield Central, south of Brisbane Kostov lashed out telling the woman 'don't take f***ing pictures' of him before smashing her phone out of her hand, Prosecutor Senior Constable Bernard Elmore told Ipswich Magistrates Court court. The assault destroyed the woman's phone and Kostov drove away, the Queensland Times reported. Kostov recently fronted court where he pleaded guilty to common assault and doing wilful damage to a mobile phone before he claimed he parked in the disability bay by accident. Snr Const Elmore said when officers tracked down Kostov three days later he told the officers the assault was not intentional. 'He said he was getting into his vehicle and tapped her phone. He did not want the person to photograph near his face,' he said. Kostov's defence lawyer said his client had attempted to negotiate with the woman verbally before the assault. Kostov pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman and breaking her phone but told officers earlier that he only 'tapped' her while he was getting into his car In his sentencing Magistrate David Shepherd said Kostov had 'no right' to attack the woman for filming him. 'I do have difficulty accepting that you parked there by accident. It appears to have caused her to become upset which is not an uncommon concern with people,' Mr Shepherd said. Magistrate Shepherd fined Kostov $750 and did not to record the conviction. Bombay HC blames Bengal for handling of migrants issue India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Mumbai, July 15: The Bombay High Court said the migrants' issue was not handled properly in West Bengal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government there at one point of time even refused to permit labourers from other parts of the country to return to their homes. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Anuja Prabhudessai made the observation while hearing a petition filed by Centre of Indian Trade Unions, a Mumbai-based trade union body, raising concerns over the plight of migrant workers stranded in Maharashtra in the wake of the coronavirus-induced lockdown. According to the petitioner, the process laid down by the Maharashtra government wherein migrant workers have to register themselves to travel by 'Shramik Special' trains to their native states was cumbersome and should be simplified. 60 lakh migrants ferried at cost of Rs 600 per person on Shramik Specials: Railways Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News The government last month told the court that presently there are no demands for 'Shramik Special' trains. Senior counsel Gayatri Singh, appearing for the petitioner, on Tuesday told the court that the governments submission that there are no stranded migrants who desire to go back to their native states was "incorrect". "The petitioner has got in touch with several such migrant labourers and has learnt that there are some 56,000 labourers who still want to travel back to their native states, Singh said, adding many of these labourers are from West Bengal. The court, however, asked how can it accept this. "Do you know the situation in West Bengal? The government there at one point did not even permit migrant labourers to return...we do not want to say anything against anyone but the situation there was not handled properly", Chief Justice Datta said. He also gave an example of 30 labourers stranded in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra who had arranged a bus on their own and travelled to West Bengal a few months back. "Each and every migrant labourer is not banking upon the state government. Many are making their own arrangements to travel back to their native states," the court said. Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the Maharashtra government, on Tuesday told the court that a similar matter pertaining to the issue of migrant workers was pending before the Supreme Court. Withdraw cases against migrants, provide employment, SC directs Government The high court, after perusing the order passed by SC on July 9, noted that it was specific to Maharashtra. "The Supreme Court, in its order dated July 9, 2020, expressed its displeasure at the state governments reluctance to find out if there are migrants stranded in Maharashtra and were ready to leave for their native states. The apex court sought Maharashtra governments response and has listed the matter for further hearing on July 17, the high court said. In view of this, the bench posted the petition for hearing in the first week of August. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Matthieu Demeestere (Agence France-Presse) Brussels Wed, July 15, 2020 20:09 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066694cbc 2 Art & Culture Inca,mummy,tintin,Museum Free The mummified corpse of Rascar Capac thrilled and terrified generations of young fans of the Tintin comic book story "The Seven Crystal Balls". Now, Herge's fictional Inca has sparked a row between rival Belgian tourist attractions, each of which displays a mummy they say inspired Tintin's creator. The very serious Art and History Museum is in Brussels' Jubilee Park, near where Herge used to live, and he was known to frequent its collections. The museum's Andean mummy, squatting upright with knees bent, appears similar to the haunting effigy in the author's illustrated tale of the be-quiffed reporter Tintin's adventure. Curators thought they had established the link beyond doubt 10 years ago, but the Pairi Daiza safari park in southern Belgium is touting a rival mummy. Last week, the popular zoo began marketing an exhibit of the "authentic mummy nicknamed Rascar Capac". The royal museum is not taking this well, and has all but accused the zoo park of false advertising. "We don't attract visitors by promising them pandas," sniffed museum director general Alexandra de Poorter. The zoo has expressed regret over an "argument started by the royal museums" but admits that "no one can say for sure which mummy inspired Herge." If there is confusion, it dates back until at least 1979, when the 2,000-year-old preserved corpse now on display at the zoo appeared in Brussels at an exhibit titled "Tintin's museum of the imagination". The collection was assembled to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1929 release of the boy reporter's first book-length adventure, "Tintin in the Land of the Soviets". Author and illustrator Georges Remi -- better known under his pen name Herge -- attended the show, adding some credibility to the mummy's significance. But this, according to the Art and History Museum's curator of Latin American relics, Serge Lemaitre, was a mistake. The mummy in question had been bought by a Belgian collector in the 1960s, long after Herge published the "Seven Crystal Balls" book in 1948. Read also: Peru recovers priceless Inca manuscript stolen during occupation French connection? "And in the first frames serialized in 1941 in the newspaper Le Soir, Rascar Capac was hairless and had very bent knees, just like our mummy," Lemaitre says. Herge lived near the Jubilee Park -- still a popular spot in Brussels' European quarter -- and knew the museum and its curator Jean Capart well. Capart even seems to have been fictionalized as Professeur Bergamotte -- or Professor Hercules Tarragon in the English-language version of "The Seven Crystal Balls". Not only that, but items drawn from other pieces in the museum's ethnographic collections have appeared in the Tintin tales, notably a Peruvian figurine that inspired its eponymous twin in "The Broken Ear". The museum is thus confident in its claim, but -- as is often the case in a Tintin mystery -- the plot may have a further twist, according to independent expert Philippe Goddin. "We should stop arguing. Herge looked at lots of Inca mummies, but his first sketches of Rascar Capac are essentially based on a drawing in the Larousse dictionary," he said. This is an explanation that will not suit anyone in Belgium, where tourist attractions have seized upon any Tintin link to exploit as a key draw. The drawing in the Larousse was based on a mummy brought back from Peru by the 19th-century French explorer Charles Wiener and is today in the Quai Branly Museum ... in Paris. Topics : Inca mummy tintin Museum A balding conman who splashed out on a 10,000 hair transplant after he duped an old couple into selling their home has been ordered to pay back more than 300,000. Syed Bukhari, 38, masqueraded as a customer services advisor for a bank to persuade the victims to hand over their confidential details, which he used to sell their 200,000 property without their knowledge. The unnamed couple genuinely believed the conman was 'Gerry from the bank'. Both the husband, 83 and a former merchant navyman, and his wife, 84, have dementia and thought Bukhari worked at their local Lloyds branch in Blackpool, Lancashire. Bukhari had falsely told them there had been 'fraudulent transactions' on their bank accounts and had vowed to help them, warning their home could be at risk of repossession. By the time police unravelled the scam, their home in Fulwood, near Preston which they had lived in for 40 years, had been sold to a private company for 160,000 and they also lost their life savings of 150,000. Syed Bukhari, 38, conned the couple out of their life savings of 150,000 and sold their 200,000 home. He used the cash to stay at luxury Dubai hotels, buy cars and get a hair transplant (pictured left before the procedure and right after it) Bukhari used some of the stolen cash to fly business class to Dubai and splurge 11,000 on a stay at a luxury hotel. He also rented Lamborghini supercars and spent tens of thousands of pounds on the cosmetic implants procedure for his receding hairline plus Rolex watches, jewellery, designer clothes, bags and mobile phones. He was arrested when officers met an Emirates flight at Manchester Airport from Dubai after inquiries revealed he had set up multiple bank accounts in the couple's name, redirected their mail and diverted the telephone landline and attempted to take a 40,000 bank loan. In 2018 Bukhari of Withington, Manchester was jailed for seven years 11 months after he admitted fraud amid fears he was part of a gang targeting OAPs by posing as bank workers claiming their accounts had been compromised. On Tuesday, he was ordered to pay back 307,759 within three months or face a further three years in jail. An investigations under Proceeds of Crime powers found that Bukhari had made 561,058 from his crimes after he faked his own death in a bid to claim a 1m insurance payout. His unnamed victims who have four children and seven grandchildren are still living at their home but are on a waiting list for a care home after their health deteriorated. The family had to instruct lawyers after receiving a letter saying the couple had a week to leave their home because the new owner was moving in. On Tuesday, Bukhari was ordered to pay back 307,759 within three months or face a further three years in jail. Pictured is the couple's son outside their home They then received letters informing them the old man owed a credit card debt, and had to contact around 15 financial institutions to deal with it. The Land Registry eventually transferred the ownership of the house back to the couple and the buyer was refunded from public money. In a statement the couple's son Graham Worsnopp, 57, said: If someone had made a drama on TV, people still wouldn't believe it. 'The sad thing is my dad and stepmum's health conditions have actually protected them because they don't know what has happened. 'My dad's dementia has got worse and my stepmum has Alzheimer's. They don't even know about the Covid situation. The judge's order is closure in a way - it puts a full stop on things. But the unresolved matter is how did he, a criminal from south Manchester, target my dad in the first place?. We still don't believe he'll cough up the money. We think he has it hidden waiting for him in Pakistan somewhere.' The son added: 'It's been awful. Every time I'm sorting through my dad's financial affairs he asks what I'm doing and I have to tell him he's been conned - each time the shock and upset is exactly the same as the first time. 'His condition means he can have a full conversation with you, but as soon as you walk out of a room he doesn't realise you were there because his short term memory capacity is affected. An investigations under Proceeds of Crime powers found that Bukhari had made 561,058 from his crimes after he faked his own death in a bid to claim a 1m insurance payout 'He is a very private, proud man and never shared his financial situation with anybody. My stepmum still believes to this day that Bukhari is a bank worker. 'I keep thinking its a bad dream and I'm going to wake up. I feel angry towards him.' Preston Crown Court was told Bukhari began preying on the couple in November 2017 when he contacted the couple under the guise of 'Gerry Patel' from their bank. He told them that he had resolved fraudulent transactions on their accounts and their house was at risk of repossession but he would help them. He used this to befriend them and gain their trust. He later went as far as befriending their son over the phone, convincing him he was acting on behalf of the bank. Shortly after the scam began the couple's bank manager became suspicious about a 40,000 online loan application made in the husband's name. The manager contacted the couple who said they had not asked to borrow money and the loan application was cancelled. But the following day, a mystery man - purporting to be the couple's son - contacted the bank complaining that that his 'father' had been contacted. A few days later the husband was persuaded to attend the bank with a letter which stated if he was in the bank and appeared confused, their son, had authority on the account and should be contacted. A contact number was given for Bukhari and in a subsequent call he falsely stated all transactions on the old man's account were genuine and requested the credit limit be increased to 10,000. Police visited the couple after concerns about unusual financial activity but the wife declined any help having been convinced Burkhari was offering genuine help. She insisted no money was missing and 'Gerry from the bank' was helping them. Within weeks, 10 different bank accounts and credit cards in the victim's names had been opened fraudulently via online applications. One of the accounts had almost 100,000 deposited into it, which was later found to be from savings and investments belonging to the couple. The bank froze the account after becoming suspicious but Bukhari began making multiple calls to the bank falsely claiming to be the son, questioning why the account was blocked stating his 'father' would be attending the Blackpool branch to resolve the problem. Later that day, the elderly husband attended the bank with a note apparently confirming Bukhari's call but appeared confused as to why he was there with no knowledge of the account. Staff at the bank were so concerned about him, they helped him find his car and contacted the police and left the block on the account in place. Two PCSOs later visited the couple's home to find the door answered by Bukhari using the name Gerry Patel and who was on the phone to the bank still trying to get the account unblocked. The elderly wife said 'Gerry was a friend of their son' and that they were fine. The bank unblocked the account and all of the money was withdrawn or transferred. The couple's mail was also redirected allowing Bukhari the opportunity to intercept any bank cards being delivered to the victims. The redirection was cancelled by Royal Mail when the couple asked their postman why they were not getting any letters. But the couple's landline phone was diverted to a line used by Bukhari and their telephone number was changed to gain control of the victims' existing accounts and intercept communication for the new bank accounts. The fraud began to unravel in January when the couple's real son contacted police, concerned that his parents had been victims of fraud after seeing letters about various overdrafts they had not applied for. Detectives started an investigation and it was revealed that the couple had been driven round various banks in Chorley, Blackburn and Manchester. New accounts had been opened, requests were made to reactivate frozen accounts or to transfer various sums of money between accounts, all the while believing that 'Gerry from the bank' was helping them from losing their home It was also found that their house - where they had lived for 40 years - had been sold to a private company without their knowledge for less than the market value. Bukhari was identified as a suspect and officers discovered he had made six trips to Dubai and Pakistan in three months often travelling in first and business class. He was traced to Dubai and was arrested on February 11 when police found him in a business class seat on an Emirates flight at Manchester Airport. He was found to be in possession of the couple's identity documents and documentation relating to them and the fraudulent accounts. Nomi Lillystone, from the Lancashire Police Economic Crime Unit, said: 'Bukhari has shown no remorse throughout this investigation and had instead sought to prolong proceedings for as long as he could. 'We will proactively and robustly target those who seek to exploit the most vulnerable in society and hopefully the conclusion of this case will provide some form of closure for Bukhari's victims and their family.' Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen gave Taoiseach Micheal Martin no option but to sack him last night after he refused to publicly address the remaining questions about his drink-driving ban. Hours after defending Mr Cowen in the Dail, the Taoiseach returned to the chamber just before 9pm to announce he was sacking his minister just 17 days after he was appointed. On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Cowen was replaced by Dara Calleary. While not from a farming background, he represents a large rural area and also plugs the hole in the Cabinet on the lack of representation from the west of Ireland. Mr Calleary is the Fianna Fail deputy leader. Mr Martin said he asked Mr Cowen to publicly address new questions about the night he was stopped for drink-driving but the Offaly TD said he would not be making any further comment. "This decision has created a situation where legitimate doubts and additional questions are being raised, and Government colleagues are expected to address these. This is simply untenable," the Taoiseach said. Mr Martin said he was forced to contact President Michael D Higgins to "terminate" Mr Cowen's appointment as a cabinet minister. The Taoiseach had given Mr Cowen the day to consider addressing the outstanding questions but when he called him yesterday evening the minister still refused to publicly address the matter. Mr Martin asked Mr Cowen for his resignation but this too was refused and the Taoiseach was left with no choice but to sack the minister. The Taoiseach discussed his decision to sack Mr Cowen with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who both supported the move. In a statement, Mr Cowen said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the Taoiseach's decision to fire him via a phone call yesterday evening. He said he furnished the Taoiseach with "all the facts" regarding his drink-driving case, including "confidential details" of his interactions with gardai. "Ten days ago and this afternoon, the Taoiseach believed my failure of 2016 didn't warrant my removal from office but he now appears to have changed his mind based on a Pulse file I gave him this morning," Mr Cowen said. He said the file was leaked in "contravention of the protections every citizen is entitled to expect" in their interaction with gardai. He said Mr Martin's decision to remove him from office had "undermined and potentially prejudiced" his entitlement to fair process. Last night, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney told RTE's 'Prime Time' that Mr Varadkar did not demand Mr Cowen's removal from Government. He said the sacking was "something that Fine Gael obviously are not happy about" and that it is "clearly not good for the Government". A senior Fianna Fail source said a "series of questions" had been emerging, and specifically from the weekend, and it was unfair that Mr Cowen's other Government colleagues were being forced to address them. It came as the Government looked set to be on a serious collision course with An Garda Siochana over accusations made by Mr Cowen about his drink-driving ban. Mr Cowen sparked a new crisis for the Government after alleging gardai incorrectly entered information about his arrest into official records and leaked the file. The move has sparked anger in Garda Headquarters, with one senior source saying it was "very strange" for a Cabinet minister to launch an attack on serving members of the force. "If the guards involved stand over the version of events on the file, we won't be changing the record," the senior source added. Gardai are currently investigating Mr Cowen's claim that his Garda record is inaccurate. Russian and Turkish forces conducting a joint patrol along the M4 highway in Idleb have been hit by an explosion, causing minor injuries reports Al-Masdar. On Tuesday, the Russian Center for Reconciliation announced, that a joint Russian-Turkish military patrol was targeted by a terrorist group along the M4 highway in the Idleb Governorate. The center issued a statement saying that the explosion targeting the joint Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria is the work of terrorists located in the Syrian city of Idleb. The statement indicated that after the incident all joint military patrols were stopped and the competent authorities are investigating to find out the details of the terrorist act and those involved in it. The statement added, Three Russian soldiers were lightly wounded and at least one Turkish soldier was transferred to the Russian Hemeimeem military base for treatment. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Russian and Syrian media have accused terrorist forces in Ideib Governorate. In the past, the jihadist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party have either targeted or engaged these joint Turkish-Russian patrols in hostilities. The attack has prompted the Turkish and Russian forces to increase their security measures during these patrols. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Darlene Rondeau is desperately trying to ensure her father gets the care he needs, despite being trapped more than 2,200 km away from her elderly parents. Rondeau who lives in Dallas, Texas, where thousands of cases of COVID-19 are being reported daily said her 83-year-old father Paul Rondeau was taken by ambulance to St. Catharines hospital on June 26 with pneumonia, dehydration, a urinary tract infection and other chronic health concerns. Her father, who moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2010 after retiring from a career with the provincial government, also suffers from dementia, a heart condition, breathing problems, requires a catheter, and only has one lung as a result of a motor vehicle crash 55 years ago. She said he tested negative for COVID-19 and was discharged two weeks later into the care of Rondeaus 82-year-old mother Carol, who is living with health concerns of her own. Rondeau said her mother is emotionally and physically unwell, suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nevertheless, Rondeau said her mother agreed to try to care for her husband of 61 years, feeling it was her wifely duty. She tried to care for him for 24 hours and then broke down emotionally and physically, Rondeau wrote in an email sent to The Standard, as well as Niagara Health, Local Heath Integration Network and provincial government officials. Despite the assistance of a personal support worker assigned to provide nine hours of care per-week, Rondeau said her mothers valiant effort lasted less than two days before Paul was again rushed back to the St. Catharines hospitals emergency department on Friday. She said her father was severely confused at the time, with swollen and purple feet, and salivating excessively. Hes been in the hospital emergency department ever since. And Rondeau is pleading with hospital and LHIN officials from her Dallas home, asking that her father remain in the hospital until he can be transferred to a long-term care home. Rondeau said her brother lives hours away north of Orillia, and they hope their father can be placed in a home in that community. Their mother would then move to the Orillia area, too, to be close to her husband. She said health care officials, however, have remained steadfast in plans to send her father home to his wife, as soon as he recovers. They continue to insist that the best possible care for my father is in his house, which is an absurd suggestion given the circumstances, Rondeau wrote in her email. Niagara Health emergency program patient care director Heather Paterson said she cannot discuss details for patient privacy reasons. Paterson said shes very sorry for this patient and familys experience. We are in contact with them and are working with our LHIN partners to address their concerns, she said in an email. Our commitment is to actively involve patients and families in conversations about their progress and discussions about their care plans and next steps. Rondeau said she was also recently contacted by a LHIN representative who assured her that theyre working on a solution. I dont know what that is yet, but were hoping their solution will be to keep him in the hospital until such time as we can move him to a place in the Orillia area. She said the worry she feels about her parents is exacerbated by trying to navigate through the local health care system from her Dallas home. There are different LHIN people and the hospital and the community, and shift changes and my mothers unwell. As a Canadian citizen, Rondeau said she would likely be permitted back into the country to help. But shed be in quarantine for 14 days once she arrived, unable to help her parents anyway. It sort of defeats the purpose of making an emergency trip up there, and then Id have to quarantine coming back. Who knows what will happen, she said. Despite the impact the virus is having on her family, Rondeau who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 30 years said she understands the need to keep the border closed. Texas is one of the hot spots. All of the south at the moment is being particularly hard hit, she said. Our government isnt doing much to address the issue. Im Canadian by birth and I keep up with Canadas sentiments about whats going on down here. You guys are right not to let us in. 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. Francis recalled that Mr. McCarrick told him that boys could begin traveling with him at age 13. But when Francis was 12, a rare family trip to Ireland happened to coincide with one of Mr. McCarricks visits to the old country. During that trip, Francis said, Mr. McCarrick took him and his brother to an estate owned by a wealthy Irish-American, where they spent the night together. After that, Francis said, traveling with Mr. McCarrick became a fairly regular occurrence. According to Francis, the eagerly avuncular priest took him fishing in upstate New York, dined with him at the Tonga Room in San Francisco, treated him to a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles and even took him to Walkers Cay, a privately owned island in the Bahamas. McCarrick introduced the boys as nephews, Francis recalled, and they called him Uncle Ted. Ted told us that these wealthy people were generous to him, he explained, but they wouldnt be generous to some random group of unrelated boys. They had to stick to the script or he wouldnt be able to bring us along. Perhaps enlisting the boys in that ruse was a kind of overture for what would follow, habituating them to a climate of silence and fear. Mr. McCarrick routinely booked single hotel rooms, Francis said, and at night Mr. McCarrick would peel out of his clothes to T-shirt and underwear, and energetically jump onto a bed, where he would arrange himself in a cross-legged position, usually next to one of the nephews. The familiarity made Francis uncomfortable: We came from these typical Irish Catholic, working-class households. You still shook hands with your dad. After Mr. McCarricks exuberant displays in the evenings, Francis remembered, he would recruit one of his traveling companions to sleep in bed with him. It was hard for Francis to describe what happened when it was his turn to sleep in Mr. McCarricks bed, which he estimated happened a dozen or more times, starting when he was 12 and trailing into his early adulthood. Francis looked down and spoke quietly when he said that Mr. McCarrick would usually offer to scratch his back and that he would sometimes press his body against Francis and slip his hands under the boys shirt or slide his fingers underneath the waistband of Francis underwear. While Mr. McCarrick was touching him, Francis said, he would murmur little entreaties: You have to pray for your poor uncle, Francis recalled his saying, as though it were Francis responsibility to reconcile the priest to God, even as he lay helpless and confused against him. Brendan L., one of Francis cousins, shared a similar account. Ted would say, when youre old enough, you can come travel with me, Brendan remembered, and that became a highly anticipated privilege. Brendan said he traveled with Mr. McCarrick up and down the East Coast and occasionally overseas. But when night came, he recalled, the anxiety set in. It was an accepted norm, nobody talked about it, you just kind of did it. You would think, Ah, [expletive], its my turn tonight. I was always very anxious. In bed, Brendan said, Mr. McCarrick would be in his underwear, he would snuggle up to you, put his legs over your hips, Brendan recalled uneasily. A couple of times, he slipped his hand under the back of my underwear and I kind of slapped his hand away. Sometimes, Brendan said, he would climb out of bed and sleep on the floor; on those occasions, he told me, Mr. McCarrick would become angry. He estimated he had slept in bed with Mr. McCarrick more than two dozen times, beginning when he was around 12. The National Youth Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, popularly known as Nana B, has defended his decision to visit some Senior High Schools in the country despite a Ghana Education Service ban on all such visits. Nana Boakye has come under fire after a photo of him interacting with some SHS students went viral. But speaking to journalists on the matter in Kumasi, Nana B denied any wrongdoing. He insisted that he visited the schools to monitor the registration exercise being held in the various Senior High School. He added that he was appropriately accredited to monitor the exercise by the Electoral Commission. For the records, I never campaigned in any of the schools I visited. I visited these schools as an accredited party official and I received the official accreditation from the Electoral Commission. Indeed, all political parties obtained the official accreditation from the EC and some NDC members also visited the SHS campuses. Background The Electoral Commission registered eligible students in senior high schools between July 10, 2020, and July 11, 2020. The Commission took the decision because SHS students are not allowed to go out of the premises of their schools. The opposition National Democratic Congress insisted that the exercise was illegal since the senior high schools were not gazetted for the registration but the EC was adamant. ---citinewsroom The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to explain the basis for the detention of Kashmir Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom in jail here after the lapse of one year period. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Indu Malhotra decided to take up the matter on July 23. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave questioned the detention of 73-year-old Bar leader beyond one year period as per the order passed under the Public Safety Act. "We would like to know the basis for his detention in Tihar jail here," he asked. Mehta, for his part, sought 10 days time to respond to the contention. He also claimed that he has not been served with a copy of the petition. Countering Mehta's submission, Dave questioned the additional time sought in a habeas corpus petition. The court then asked Mehta to respond to the plea, pointing out all cases cited against him pertained to the year 2010 and prior to that. Qayoom challenged the validity of the High Court's judgement of May 28 dismissing his plea against the detention following the scrapping of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. The septuagenarian-petitioner, a senior advocate, contended that the Hig Court's order was illegal, unconstitutional and untenable as it erred in relying upon four FIRs lodged against him in the year 2008 and 2010. Thank You Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) secretariat in the Savannah Region has lambasted the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) for playing the propaganda cards with the voters registration exercise in the region. The NDC in the Savannah region accused the New Patriotic Party of busing people from across the country into Damango and Daboya Constituencies for the purpose of registering them in the ongoing voters registration exercise. According to the NPP, the allegation is a palpable falsehood and that only the noisy NDC would put out such false allegations calling on the general public to disregard the claim. The NPP claimed that three buses were intercepted by some vigilant Damango Youth on Saturday, July 11 on its way into Damango. The occupants confessed that they were rented from Accra by the NDC candidate and transported to be registered in Damango Constituency. The research assistant of the Member of the Parliament for Damango, Mr Kudus, was later identified as the one that led the said activity. The ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) said the buses were accompanied to the police station and the case reported accordingly. How then would anyone accuse the NPP of doing exactly what a shameless political party as NDC is doing?. The Savannah Regional Communication Director, Mohammed Issah who addressed a press conference in Damongo told journalists that every single potential voter who hails from the Savannah region and or eligible to register and vote in the region must make it a point to come out and register to add that no one would be left behind in the exercise. He stressed that the NDC has threatened to kill anyone who presents him/herself to register and subsequently vote for the NPP and its candidates. We take this opportunity to avert the minds of the Police and security agencies through the media on the inherent threats at the lives of the good people of the Savannah Region who may present themselves to register. The NPP Savannah Regional Communication Director assured that the party shall assist the security agencies in any form or shape to guard the lives of every citizen in the Region noting that the NPP stands for everyone regardless who you intend to vote for. the NPP stands for Peace and Development: no desperate opposition shall be allowed to hurt a single citizen in their desperate attempt to come back for another round of miserable misrule. Mr Issah said the NPP Damongo constituency parliamentary candidate, Lawyer Abu Jinapo has been vilified unjustly by the NDC for his relentless efforts at helping the poor and vulnerable in the constituency. It forms part of the normal grieving process. They are equally calculated to distract the young man and the NPP from delivering. Thankfully, the party and government are very well focused. Lawyer Abu Jinapo, and all Parliamentary Candidates and the Nana Addo's government shall form the next government. ---Daily Guide If you go back over many years, President Trump has said a lot of disparaging things about the city of Chicago. He likes to use us as a political punching bag, Lightfoot said. But if the president was really committed to helping us deal with our violence, he would do some easy things. What he would push for is universal background checks, he would push for an assault weapons ban, he would push to make sure that people who are banned from getting on airplanes cant get guns. TOWN OF LINN The summer boating season is off a rough start here, as the town grapples with the sudden resignation of its harbormaster and most of his staff. Harbormaster Richard Leonard and three others stepped down just before the Fourth of July holiday weekend, leaving the town struggling to manage a busy lakefront that includes up to 50 boats a day. It was kind of a shock to all of us, town board member Alex Palmer said of the staff departures. Theories about reasons for the employee exodus range from dissatisfaction with their town salaries to fears that they could catch the coronavirus around crowds of people on the waterfront. There also are indications that the harbor staff was irked about internal politicking within the town government. Contacted at his home in Fontana, Leonard declined to comment about his abrupt resignation. The other harbor workers who walked off the job identified by the town as Amy Rossmiller, George Bremner and Tracy Bateman could not be reached for comment. In letters of resignation, some of them alluded to a controversial restructuring approved by town officials, which put the harbor staff under the control of the town administrator rather than an independent harbor commission. It has just turned out to be too much, Bateman wrote. Im not interested in all of the political drama. The harbor staff is entrusted with managing and operating the towns two lakefront beaches and boat piers on the southern shore of Geneva Lake. The job includes collecting fees from boat owners, enforcing rules and restrictions, and directing traffic on busy boating days. The operation generates more than $100,000 a year in revenues for the town. Town Administrator Jim Hurley said that when the harbormaster and staff quit on July 2, he scrambled to enlist police officers and others to keep the harbor functioning smoothly during the busy holiday weekend. Its been a challenging summer, Hurley said. With summer now in full swing, the town is seeking applications for four vacant positions on what is generally a six-person harbor crew. The job pays $11.54 an hour, with the potential of earning about $7,000 in a summer. Former harbormaster Chuck Krause, who retired last year, has returned to the position temporarily to help out during the unexpected turmoil within the towns staff. Krause said he remembers hearing Leonard in previous years complain that working as a boat launch and pier attendant should pay more than $11.54 an hour. Krause said he was surprised, however, to learn that Leonard and others had walked off the job. I dont know whats the big deal? he said. Hurley offered another theory, saying that Leonard had expressed concern that large crowds of beach goers and others on the lakefront were putting people in jeopardy of spreading the coronavirus. The town has taken steps to guard against such public health risks, partly by limiting crowd sizes on beaches and other public areas at both the Linn Road and Hillside Road piers. It was something that the harbormaster was a little bit more concerned about, Hurley said. In Lake Geneva, a longtime beach supervisor and other staff members similarly resigned in protest this summer out of concern that the city-owned Riviera Beach was unsafely being reopened to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. Others in the town of Linn, however, point to the squabble that has developed over the towns restructuring as the cause of the harbor staff departures. Just three days before the resignations, town board members approved a reorganization that centralizes oversight of the harbor and other operations under Hurley, who last year became Linns first-ever town administrator. Opponents say the reorganization strips too much authority from the harbor commission, a five-member board that had operated independently of the town board. Kathy Leith, a town board member who serves on the harbor commission, called the reorganization an improper power play. Leith believes the harbor staffers quit because they feared being dragged into town government politics rather than remaining independent. Under the harbor commission, Leith said, staff vacancies had been filled and the boat piers and beaches were ready for a successful Fourth of July weekend. The reorganization, which was approved June 29 by a narrow 3-2 vote at a special town board meeting, created an uproar that led to the harbor staff walking off the job, Leith said. You dont mess with a good thing, she said of the reorganization. Im not sure why you would rock the boat on a holiday weekend. Other town board members defended the reorganization, although they agreed that it could have led to the harbor staff walkout. Now that the town has a full-time town administrator, the reorganization was designed to give Hurley authority over all of the towns operations and employees. Palmer said that has been the plan ever since officials created the position of town administrator. Town board member Tim Rasch agreed, saying the new organization makes clear that all town employees answer to the town administrator. It just makes sense to me, Rasch said. I absolutely think it was the right thing to do. 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. We are delighted to welcome Donald Webbe to our board, said Elton Johnson, Jr., U.S. Army disabled veteran, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AVI. He brings decades of leadership and experience to the team; his talents and operational background will be a huge asset to AmeriVet as we continue to grow and expand in multiple lines of business. Mr. Webbe currently serves as the Managing Director and COO at SSSHI. He began his career in financial services in 1986 at Citibank as a Treasury Specialist, eventually rising to the position of Vice President, where he oversaw finance, funding and futures operations, as well as domestic and international clearance. I truly appreciate the warm welcome from the leadership team and employees at AVI, said Mr. Webbe. AVI is uniquely positioned as the only Black owned, service-disabled veteran firm in the area, combining the expertise of military veterans with capital markets specialists; I look forward to getting started and collaborating with so many well-respected members of the veteran community. After a 15-year tenure at Citibank, Mr. Webbe left to join SSSHI in 2001. His current responsibilities include but are not limited to oversight of all administrative functions, back and middle office operations, technology infrastructure and third-party outsourcing. Donald Webbes contributions to South Street have been immeasurable thus far, said James Tabacchi, President and CEO at SSSHI. He is a key player in strategy and operations, and Im confident he will continue to make a constructive, positive impact as a member of the AVI board. About AmeriVet Securities, Inc. AmeriVet Securities, Inc., is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business broker-dealer that specializes in Capital Markets, Public Finance, Institutional Agency Trading, Loan Sales and Investment Banking. Established in 1994, AmeriVet is dedicated to providing the highest level of service in the industry, while providing meaningful employment opportunities to post 9/11 military veterans. About South Street Securities Holdings, Inc. South Street Securities Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a leading provider of U.S. Treasury and Agency repo financing to Agency Mortgage REITs, asset managers, banks, broker-dealers and other capital market participants. The company is a broker-dealer and Tier 1 FICC member running a matched book portfolio that provides low-cost financing for high-grade security positions and a source of secure short-term investment for money market funds, municipalities, GSEs, insurance companies, and other alternative deposit clients. South Street is a leading provider of MBS repo financing to the Agency REIT sector by acting as a credit intermediary between the Agency REITS and high-quality liquidity providers in the repo space. South Street's mortgage business provides access to the capital markets for mortgage originators that hedge their forward pipeline exposure. South Street Securities Holdings, Inc also provides other servicing, collateral management, technology, and administrative services for banks, broker-dealers and other capital market participants. Contact Jessica Borriello [email protected] SOURCE AmeriVet Securities, Inc. Related Links https://amerivetsecurities.com The Supreme Court has put a strange mark on the church, one that could gradually shift its place in our culture. There have been numerous attempts to understand just what it is that the ruling philosopher-kings on the Supreme Court intend for the country. Nettlesome political problems that should be dealt with in Congress, the place where contrary interests are supposed to be conciliated through compromise, are instead simply kicked over to the big bench. In this term the Court swung surprisingly far in one direction, with two conservative justices ruling in Bostock that the plain text of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which forbids sexual and racial discrimination, also forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation and transgender status. In the following weeks, religious-liberty protections were expanded with the help of two liberal justices, in rulings that would effectively prevent religious schools from being subjected to Bostock. Just what is happening here? My colleague at the American Enterprise Institute, Adam White, argues these decisions may very well be related, writing that the Courts earlier decisions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other issues might have been facilitated by the fact that religious liberty moderates their impact. David French, meanwhile, writes that in the absence of legislative action, the Court seems to be trying to hammer out a compromise itself, and that the results look a great deal like Utahs legislative attempts at compromise on these issues, often called Fairness for All. He holds that the Courts recent decisions followed a pattern laid out in the conclusion of Justice Anthony Kennedys decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide, which held that there was no rational basis for the law to discriminate against same sex couples, but that religious believers were due proper protection as they seek to teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths. Story continues The court is extending nondiscrimination protections in secular spaces while blocking targeted discrimination against people of faith, French writes. Religious institutions have more autonomy. The secular workplace is now more open to LGBTQ Americans. There are still a great many unanswered questions. While it is obviously true that religious schools are places where religious people teach the principles that are so fulfilling and so central to their lives and faiths, theyre not the only such places. Nor is it the case that merely advancing moral claims is the only or primary way that religious people practice their faiths. How will religious hospitals operate? Can private secular employers oblige behavior from their employees in such a way that conscientious religious people are driven to quit, or would that sort of thing fall afoul of our traditional understanding of civil-rights legislation, which would look askance at actions that have a disproportionate impact on religious minorities? The First Amendment and the religious-freedom legislation that was used to bolster it were designed to give the entire American polity believers and non-believers alike the character of a free nation. And that is a problem, because as we unpack the T and Q in LGBTQ, we find gender theories that are rejected by at least as many secular Americans as religious Americans. The Bostock decision elides this issue by obliging employers to treat trans women as women. But for many in the sexual-identity wars, fluid and non-binary identities are part of the cause too. How will those work? For several centuries, the Christian Church has been denounced by liberals as a hothouse of oppression, shame, and guilt, a place where people go to be told the rules and ordered around by clerics spouting unprovable metaphysics. But in a curious way, what the Supreme Court has done has marked the church as a zone of freedom the Calvary Hill Autonomous Zone, if you will. Dont want to be dragooned into a social project of disrupting the nuclear family or overturning cisgender privilege? Want to live in a world where women and only women become mothers, and where youre free to say there is a male and female? Then Id suggest you find faith, because the Court has made being free to live in nature contingent upon the acknowledgement of natures God. The secular is now marked as a zone of taboos and superstitions, and the church as a house of freedom from ideological cant, metaphysical impossibilities, and bullying. Come on in. More from National Review Following a failed drone attack against the Hemeimeem Airbase, Russia and the Syrian army have retaliated, striking a number of different points in Lattakia and Idleb writes Al-Masdar. The Russian and Syrian forces launched airstrikes and attacks against jihadi forces in both provinces of Lattakia and Idleb. The Russian Air Force issued its response to the attempted militant drone strikes on the Hemeimeem Airbase over the weekend, with their warplanes hammering the jihadist rebel positions in the Jabal al-Akrad and Jisr al-Shughour regions. According to a field report from Lattakia Governorate, the Russian warplanes carried out several airstrikes over the jihadist stronghold of Kabani, resulting in the destruction of bases and trenches. The report said the Russian Air Force then carried out several airstrikes along the Lattakia-Idleb axis, with the primary target being the jihadists of the Turkistan Islamic Party and the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group. At the same time, Russian warplanes were seen flying over the Jabal al-Zawiya region of southern Idleb. These reconnaissance flights were likely giving the Syrian Arab Army coordinates of the jihadist rebels in Jabal al-Zawiya, as the latter later launched several artillery and missile strikes against the militants there. According to reports from southern Idleb, the Syrian army targeted the jihadist forces between the Jabal al-Zawiya, the al-Ghaab Plain, and Jabal al-Akrad regions, with the primary focus of the strikes on the positions of the Turkistan Islamic Party and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The wide-scale attack by the Syrian Arab Army comes in retaliation for the attempted jihadist drone strikes on the Hemeimeem Airbase on Saturday evening. Over the weekend, the jihadist rebels attempted to bomb the largest Russian airbase in Syria, Hemeimeem, which prompted Tuesdays large-scale assault. It should be pointed out that the jihadist drone strikes on the Hemeimeem Airbase were unsuccessful, and were foiled by the joint air defenses of the Russian and Syrian armed forces. The Russian Reconciliation Center confirmed the attack on the Hemeimeem Airbase during a press briefing on Sunday. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Meghan Markle's BFF Misha Nonoo has confessed to 'massively missing her friends' while quarantined in New York with her four-month-old son Leo. The British-Bahraini fashion designer, known for her eponymous clothing line, revealed that she 'needs her girlfriends to have a laugh with and make light of things' when speaking to People magazine. Misha, who is rumoured to have introduced Meghan, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, and her oil heir husband Mikey Hess, 33, announced the birth of their first child Leo in March. The first time mother has since been making an effort to connect with friends virtually, with New York's lockdown only having eased last month. Meghan Markle's BFF Misha Nonoo (pictured together in 2015) has confessed to 'massively missing her friends' while quarantined in New York with her four-month-old son Leo Misha and her oil heir husband Mikey Hess, 33, announced the birth of their first child Leo in March (pictured together) 'Its very stressful not having your normal life to return to I knew having a baby would change my life, but I never expected this,' she told the publication. 'Ive massively missed seeing my friends. As soon as Leo was born we would have been in the store and seeing friends and been to London by now and, obviously, all of those plans are on hold,' the designer added. Visitors from America wishing to travel to the UK currently need to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. In the meantime, the fashion designer has been taking advantage of FaceTime, but admits its not the same. Being a new mum, you need a support network, and I definitely miss having in-person time with my new baby and my friends,' she explained. Misha worked with the duchess (pictured together in 2019) on her Smart Works charity clothing line, calling Meghan 'wonderful, thoughtful and considerate' I miss having my girlfriends to have a laugh with and make light of things. This is a challenging and stressful and discombobulating time, but we have to look forward to the time when we can all be together. However, Misha said she has really enjoyed the family time shes been able to have, since her husband wouldve been travelling for work under normal circumstances. During her pregnancy, Misha told People, that the Duchess of Sussex had been sharing her advice about becoming a first-time mother. The designer revealed: 'As with all friendships, you share lots of tips and everything.' Her baby announcement came less than a year after close friend Meghan gave birth to baby Archie in May 2019. Future friends? Misha gave birth to baby Leo less than a year after Meghan and Prince Harry welcomed baby Archie in May Misha married her husband Mikey in a ceremony in Rome in September that was attended by Prince Harry, Meghan, Princess Eugenie, 29, and Princess Beatrice, 31 before announcing her pregnancy at the end of the year. The fashion designer is believed to have been close to Meghan for many years, with the Duchess continuing to support her friend by wearing Misha Nonoo styles over the years. Meghan donned the famous 'Boyfriend shirt' for her first appearance alongside Prince Harry, and also wore another of Misha's designs for her final day of meetings in the UK before stepping back from royal duties. Misha, who worked with the Duchess on her Smart Works charity clothing line, opened up to FEMAIL earlier this year about her friendship with the royal. Reflecting on the experience of working together, Misha described Meghan as 'the ultimate professional' and very 'considerate' of the women the collection was helping. 'It was such an ideal, incredibly easy collaboration,' she said. 'It was, from start to finish, wonderful, thoughtful, considerate, as is she.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:09:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday strongly condemned the signing of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law by the United States and firmly opposed the U.S. gross interference in Hong Kong affairs. The liaison office said in a statement that the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR was adopted by a unanimous vote by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and promulgated in the HKSAR on June 30. In recent days, various sectors of Hong Kong society and the general public have expressed by different means their support for the national security law for Hong Kong, expecting Hong Kong to end the year-long social unrest and get back on track soon under the protection provided by the law, it noted. The United States, in disregard of China's repeated representations and objections, maliciously smeared the national security law for Hong Kong and persisted in signing the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law, the statement said. This is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and an outrageous desecration of the common will of the 1.4 billion Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots, it added. "We express firm opposition to and strong condemnation of it." Since the social unrest last year, Hong Kong has been facing the gravest situation after its return to the motherland as radicals committed violent and terrorist activities and anti-China forces blatantly advocated "Hong Kong independence," the statement said, adding that law and order in Hong Kong was seriously jeopardized and the interests of Hong Kong residents were harmed. The statement said the role of the United States in the unrest is apparent and some U.S. politicians also know the truth well. It is in line with the sovereignty principle and the international practice for China to enact a law to safeguard national security, end the chaos and close legal loopholes in Hong Kong, which is a special administrative region of China, the statement said. The U.S. interference and threats were bullying and unreasonable, the statement said. The United States has reaped enormous interests in Hong Kong and its so-called economic sanctions will only damage its own interests, rather than having real influence on Hong Kong, the statement said. As national security is under protection, Hong Kong will return to stability and make new progress, guaranteed by "one country, two systems," the Basic Law and the support of the nation, the statement said. No external force can undermine China's resolve and confidence to safeguard national sovereignty and security and Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, the statement said. Enditem A ctress Winona Ryder is due to give evidence today in support of ex-fiance Johnny Depp in his High Court libel battle with The Sun newspaper. The Stranger Things star, 48, was engaged to Depp for three years in the early 1990s, and she has already come to his defence over allegations of domestic violence. Depp, 57, is locked in a blockbuster court fight with The Suns publishers, News Group Newspapers, after the star was dubbed a wife beater in a 2018 article by executive editor Dan Wootton. The actors ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, 34, claims she was subjected to repeated bouts of violence fuelled by drink and drugs, but Depp insists the claims are all invented. Ms Ryder, in a statement to US court proceedings earlier this year, said: I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting knowing him as I do. Ms Ryder is due to give evidence to the High Court in London this afternoon via videolink from Los Angeles. In the US court, where Depp is bringing a US$50 million (40m) defamation lawsuit against Heard, Ms Ryder said: I knew Johnny very well years ago. We were together as a couple for four years, and I counted him as my best friend, and as close to me as family. I count our relationship as one of the more significant relationships of my life. She added: I obviously was not there during his marriage to Amber, but, from my experience, which was so wildly different, I was absolutely shocked, confused and upset when I heard the accusations against him. The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. I cannot wrap my head around these accusations. Also due to give evidence in support of Depp is Katherine Kendall, an actress who has accused disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of preying on her and is part of the #MeToo movement. Ben King and Kevin Murphy, who have worked as Depps estate managers, are also due in the witness box, as well as Kate James, a former assistant to Heard. Yesterday, the court heard claims that Heard had attacked Depp on his private Bahamas island with a can of lacquer thinner, and a bodyguard said Depp had accused the actress of severing his finger with a vodka bottle. Celebrity stylist Samantha McMillen said she had seen no signs of injury on two occasions when Heard said she was attacked, including when she claimed to have had two black eyes before an appearance on the Late Late Show with James Corden. Depps LA housekeeper also told how she was horrified and disgusted when she discovered faeces in the stars bed at his penthouse. Hilda Vargas said: I pulled back the top sheet on the bed and saw a large pile of faeces, saying it had an awful smell and she knew it was from a human. Depp claims Heard or a friend soiled the bed, while Heard claims one of the couples dogs was responsible for the 2016 incident as their marriage was collapsing. The trial continues. AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) reported Wednesday that its second-quarter net income climbed to 751 million euros from last year's 476 million euros. Earnings per share were 1.79 euros, up from 1.13 euros a year ago. Gross margin was 48.2 percent for the latest quarter, up from 43 percent last year. Net sales were 3.33 billion euros, higher than prior year's 2.57 billion euros. Sales of lithography systems grew to 61 units from 48 units last year. The second-quarter net bookings were 34 units with a value of 1.1 billion euros, including 461 million euros from EUV systems. The prior year's net booking were 61 units with a value of 2.83 billion euros. Looking ahead, President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Wennink, said, 'We expect Q3 revenue between 3.6 billion and 3.8 billion with a gross margin between 47 percent and 48 percent ... Our 2020 growth expectations are largely unchanged relative to our view at the start of the year.' Further, ASML said it has agreed to acquire all shares of Berliner Glas, a privately held manufacturer of ceramic and optical modules, which are important to support the future roadmap for its EUV and DUV products. The acquisition will be completed once all the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained, which is expected before the end of 2020. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. In new verbal spat that has heightened risk of military conflict, China warned the US not to aggravate discord and stir division between China and its South-East Asian neighbour countries in the disputed region of South China sea. Chinas statement comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused China of a "campaign of bullying to control smaller island nations in the resource-rich region. Further, the US called Chinas expansive maritime claims as unlawful, a move viewed as the thaw in already fraught bilateral relations between the two nations. In retaliation, China launched a verbal attack on the US, saying, the US was 'inciting confrontation'. Under the pretext of preserving stability, it is flexing muscles, stirring up tension and inciting confrontation in the regionChinas Embassy in the US said in a statement on the website. The US @StateDepts statement on #SouthChinaSea deliberately distorts the facts and international law including #UNCLOS, exaggerates the situation in the region & attempts to sow discord btw #China and other littoral countries. We are firmly opposed to it. https://t.co/jDa3v1bX3I pic.twitter.com/VAr9dHqTRz Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) July 13, 2020 Accusing China of deploying intimidatory tactics in the potentially rich disputed waters to side-line claimant nations with belligerence, Pompeo called Chinas occupation and its military bases on artificial islands as illegal. China exercises coercion over Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam and lays claims on the large swathes of the South China Sea, which, according to several reports, is contested by smaller island nations. The United States is not a party to the dispute in the South China Sea, but has frequently intervened in the South China Sea issue, under the guise of maintaining stability in the South China Sea, showing off force, showing tension, and instigating confrontation in the region; under the guise of maintaining the rulesChinas Embassy in the US . We are strengthening U.S. policy on South China Sea maritime claims, according to international law, in rejection of Beijings intimidation, bullying, and claims of maritime empire. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) July 13, 2020 No coherent legal basis for ambitions Further flaring the regional tensions and wading into a conflict, the US secretary said, We are making clear: Beijing's claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful. Moreover, in a statement issued on July 13, the US said that China had no coherent legal basis for its ambitions in the South China Sea. The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empireUS secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Read: 'Impossible To Misguide': VHP Flays Nepal PM's Ayodhya Claim, Hints At Pressure From China Read: China On Huawei, Japan, Arms Sale To Taiwan Calling the US a troublemaker, and condemning Pompeos assertiveness China responded to the statement, saying, United States' comments were "completely unjustified". "The United States is not a country directly involved in the disputes. However, it has kept interfering in the issue," the Chinese Embassy in the US said in a statement published on its website. While China and its smaller neighbours have resolved contention in the disputed territorial waters through UN-backed arbitration in the past, US indicated that it now considers all Chinese maritime claims, including those internationally recognised as illegitimate, as per the reports. However, China called the US a bully and reportedly slapped sanctions on Lockheed Martin over exports of military arms to Taiwan. Read: Japan Accuses China Of Pushing Territorial Claims In Indo-Pacific Amid Pandemic Read: UK Bans China's Huawei From 5G Network, Company Calls It 'disappointing' And 'politicised' (Images: AP) (With agency inputs) Basic Needs Ghana, a Mental Health and Development advocacy organization, has called on the government to improve the supply of Psychotropic and anti-epileptic medicines to health facilities to help their member to access treatment services within proximate distances from their homes. Basic Needs Ghana is also liaising with the Mental Health Authority of Ghana and the Department of Social Welfare to register and renew cards of persons with mental health conditions and epilepsy onto the National Health Insurance Scheme. Speaking exclusively to Radio Ghana, the Project Officer in charge of the Upper East Region, Bernard Azure indicated that vulnerability of persons with mental illness and epilepsy affects their ability to work and earn an income, making it difficult to meet their basic needs not to mention buying psychotropic drugs. He called on various municipal and district assemblies to consider persons with mental health in their social intervention programs. According to Mr. Azure, Basic Needs Ghana donated some quantities of psychotropic drugs to the health directorate for onward distribution to the mental health units of the various health facilities. He hinted that Basic Needs Ghana intends to procure Personal Protective Equipment to the about 15 and 53 members each of the 55 self-help groups in the Upper East Region. He disclosed that there is no confirmed case among its members in about 55 self-help groups in thirteen Municipals and districts in the Upper East Region but urged them to continue to observe the health protocols. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Ridgestone Mining Inc. (TSXV: RMI) (OTCQB: RIGMF) (FSE: 4U5) ("Ridgestone") is pleased to report the first three holes from a recently completed 1,674 metre drill program on its wholly-owned Rebeico gold-copper project in Sonora, Mexico. The holes were part of a maiden drill program conducted on the New Year Zone to investigate the subsurface extent of significant gold and copper mineralization previously sampled on surface. Highlights Hole 20REB013D intersected 2.13 g/t gold and 1.79% copper over a 16.25 metre interval from 3.05 metres to 19.30 metres, including a higher-grade 4.35 metre interval @ 5.25 g/t gold and 1.46% copper. Copper mineralization in hole 20REB013D commenced from surface for 19.3 meters averaging 1.56 % copper. Holes 20REB014D and 20REB015D collared 60 metres west and about 10 metres south of 20REB13D encountered significant copper mineralization from near surface to 18 metres. Pervasively hydrothermally altered rocks with variable amounts of pyrite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite were encountered in all three of these holes. Mr. Jonathan George, CEO, commented "We are very pleased that all three of these holes intersected multiple runs of elevated copper and visible chalcopyrite over tens of metres of length down-hole from the reported, near-surface significant results. As well, extensive intercepts with veinlets containing variable mixtures of pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, chlorite, calcite and quartz, and the intercepts of hydrothermal breccia, taken together confirm we have penetrated a highly-prospective copper and gold bearing mineral system." Hole 20REB13D was drilled vertically to a depth of 98 metres (Table 1), encountering abundant iron and copper oxides and sulphides in veinlets and disseminations in brecciated and silicified andesite and hydrothermal breccia from surface to greater than 19 metres (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Narrower intervals of hydrothermal breccia were penetrated to depths of 68 metres. Pyrite and minor amounts of chalcopyrite magnetite were observed in more extensive intervals in veinlets and as disseminated grains, as well as in narrow veins with calcite and/or quartz. Table 1: Summary of Drill Intercepts Hole # Azimuth (deg) Inclination (deg) Final Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Cu (%) 20REB013D 0 -90 98.5 0 19.30 19.30 1.80 1.56 including 3.05 19.30 16.25 2.13 1.79 which also includes 8.65 13.00 4.35 5.25 1.46 20REB014D 0 -90 170.1 1.6 17.8 16.2 n.s.i 0.25 20REB015D 270 -55 167.2 1.80 12.70 10.90 n.s.i 0.19 n.s.i. = no significant interval Figure 1: New Year Zone Phase 1 Drill Collar Location To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_001full.jpg Figure 2: Cross Section 3,188,100N To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_002full.jpg Holes 20REB014D and 20REB015D were collared approximately 60 metres west and 10 metres south of 20REB13D (Figure 3) and drilled vertically and west at -55 degrees, respectively. Hole 20REB014D was drilled to depth of 170.10 metres and intersected 16.2 metres grading 0.25 % copper from 1.6 to 17.8 meters (Table 1). Hole 20REB15D was drilled to a depth of 167.20 metres and intersected 10.90 metres at a grade of 0.19% copper from 1.80 meters to 12.70 metres (Table 1). Both of these mineralized intervals were within brecciated andesite. Multiple zones of hydrothermal breccia were intersected in 20REB014D from 100 to 155 metres, and both holes intersected multiple intervals with veinlets and disseminated grains of sulphides as well as anomalous gold and copper values at various depths. Figure 3: Cross Section 3,188,090N To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_003full.jpg Figure 4: Core Photo from 20REB013D Assaying 7.79 g/t Gold and 1.66% Copper To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_004full.jpg The New Year Zone diamond-drill core program was completed by Layne de Mexico under the guidance of Steve Weiss (Chief Technical Advisor) and Jonathan George (CEO), with onsite supervision by geologists from Ridgestone's partner YQ Gold. Drill core of HQ size was recovered by conventional wireline methods and was transported daily from the drill sites to a secure logging and sample storage area. After logging by geologists, intervals selected for sampling were sawed in half lengthwise. The -core samples were placed in pre-numbered sample bags and weighed. Blanks and certified reference material samples were inserted into the sample stream for Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC") purposes. The samples were transported by YQ Gold personnel to the ALS Chemex ("ALS") preparation laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora. At ALS the samples were crushed in their entirety to 70% less than 2 mm, then riffle split to obtain a 250 gram sub-sample that was pulverized to > 85% passing 75 microns. After preparation, the sample pulps were air-freighted by ALS to their assay laboratory in North Vancouver, British Columbia. All samples were analyzed for gold by 30-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption ("AA") finish (ALS method code AuAA23). The samples were also analyzed for multiple minor and trace elements by inductively-coupled plasma-emission mass-spectrometry ("ICP-MS") following a 4-acid digestion (ALS method code ME-MS61). The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Steven I. Weiss, PhD, CPG, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Weiss is independent of Ridgestone Mining and YQ Gold, and all their respective subsidiaries. About Ridgestone Mining Inc. Ridgestone is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its wholly-owned, high-grade Rebeico gold-copper project located in Sonora, Mexico. For further information, please contact: MarketSmart Communications Inc. Telephone: 877-261-4466 info@marketsmart.ca This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. In this news release such statements include but are not limited to any ongoing drilling programs, timing of such programs, or exploration results. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the Company's regulatory filings available on www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent on other factors, and the Company's course of action would depend on its assessment of the future considering all information then available. All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59780 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15 2020 Lawmakers at the House of Representatives have floated a plan to form a special committee following the Immigration Office's failure to detect the arrival of longtime fugitive and graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra into the country. Two political party factions in House Commission III overseeing legal affairs the NasDem Party and the Democratic Party proposed the formation of the committee to investigate the matter during a hearing with officials from the Law and Human Rights Ministry on Monday. 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 TOKYO and DEVENTER, Netherlands, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Quirem Medical B.V., a Netherlands-based healthcare startup specializing in the development of next-generation microspheres for Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), a treatment for liver tumors. Under the terms of the agreement, Terumo acquired 80.1% of the shares of Quirem Medical. This is over and above its current share position of 19.9%, making Quirem Medical now a wholly owned subsidiary of Terumo. Terumo will make a one-time, up-front payment of USD 20 million with up to USD 25 million additional payments based on the achievement of future milestones by 2030. It will be funded through cash on hand and will not significantly impact the company's financial projections for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2021. Quirem Medical has developed and manufactures QuiremSpheres, the only commercially available microspheres containing the radioactive isotope Holmium-166. Recent trials have shown the safety and efficacy of holmium microspheres for the treatment of unresectable liver cancer. To improve patient selection, therapy planning and treatment verification, QuiremSpheres can be visualized and quantified even in low concentrations by means of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This is unique and cannot be done with currently available Yttrium-90 based microspheres. Furthermore, Quirem Medical also produces QuiremScout, a low dose holmium microsphere that helps evaluate the biodistribution of microspheres prior to therapy, and a dosimetry software package, Q-Suite, which is used to plan QuiremSpheres treatments based on QuiremScout dose imaging. Q-Suite is also able to determine SIRT success immediately after the procedure by converting SPECT and MR imaging into absorbed dose distributions. Together, these three integrated products (QuiremSpheres, QuiremScout and Q-Suite) make up the full Holmium SIRT Platform. The Holmium Platform equips physicians with the necessary tools to optimize SIRT outcomes through more personalized treatment, addressing the individual needs of each patient. QuiremSpheres, QuiremScout and Q-Suite are CE-Marked and currently available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In the coming years, Terumo intends to launch the Holmium Platform globally as part of the ongoing expansion of its interventional oncology (IO) portfolio. "The acquisition of Quirem Medical further strengthens our business, expands on our manufacturing and clinical development activities, and complements our comprehensive suite of offerings to support our customers," said Jim Rushworth, Chief Commercial Officer of the Interventional Systems Division of Terumo. Using Quirem's innovative Holmium-166 platform technology, physicians are further empowered to drive treatment outcomes after SIRT. "By adding the Holmium-166 platform to our existing IO portfolio, we will further contribute to giving liver cancer patients a better future," said Laurent Domas, Vice President, Global Interventional Oncology Strategy & Therapy Development, Terumo Europe. "This acquisition reflects Terumo's commitment to build a broad platform of loco-regional treatment options for liver cancer and is another step forward as we aim to develop and provide treatment solutions for other organs as well." "We are very excited with the acquisition of Quirem Medical by Terumo as it will further drive the adoption of our unique product offerings worldwide and accelerate our pace of innovation, reaching more patients that will benefit from our technology," said Jan Sigger, CEO of Quirem Medical. The global interventional oncology market value is more than USD 1 billion, which is a rapidly growing field with a CAGR of 7%. Within this field, SIRT is one of the main treatments that is expected to help to drive this growth year on year. Terumo has been building its presence in the interventional oncology field, with product offerings such as the micro catheter system (Progreat), compressible microspheres for embolization (HydroPearl), drug-eluting microspheres (LifePearl), and biodegradable drug eluting microspheres (BioPearl). In 2015, Terumo invested in Quirem Medical and became the exclusive global distributor of their technology. About Quirem Medical B.V. Quirem Medical develops and commercializes the next-generation Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) microspheres based on the radioisotope Holmium-166. The company believes the treatment outcome of unresectable liver cancer with SIRT can be optimized with Holmium-166 microspheres, which can be visualized and quantified to improve SIRT patient selection, treatment planning and treatment verification. Its innovative Holmium-166 platform technology provides physicians a complete CE-marked SIRT solution including QuiremScout, QuiremSpheres and the supporting dosimetry software Q-Suite. The company is based in Deventer, the Netherlands and has approximately 30 employees. About Terumo Terumo (TSE: 4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to "Contributing to Society through Healthcare" for nearly 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 25,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214359/Terumo_Logo.jpg French English Vilmorin & Cie has just successfully completed the cash tender offer launched on July 6, 2020 to repurchase its bond issue of a total nominal amount of 450 million euros, maturing in May 2021 (ISIN FR0011921881). The maximum amount of the tender offer announced to bondholders was 103.8 million euros. Settlement and delivery took place on July 15, 2020. The nominal amount outstanding prior to the repurchase was 450 million euros and therefore stood at 346.2 million euros after the settlement date. This operation has enabled Vilmorin & Cie to anticipate its financial maturities. Vilmorin & Cie is thus pursuing its strategy of optimizing its financial capacities, after significantly strengthening its financial resources during the course of 2019, on the one hand with a private "Schuldschein" placement (private placement under German law), for a total of 250 million euros, and the renewal of its syndicated bank loan for 300 million euros, along with the signing of a long-term funding agreement worth 170 million euros with the European Investment Bank, completed during the current fiscal year. Vilmorin & Cie has been accompanied for this transaction by CACIB and Natixis as dealer managers and advised by Degroof Petercam Investment Banking. COMING DISCLOSURES AND EVENTS Monday August 3, 2020(1): Disclosure of sales for fiscal year 2019-2020 Wednesday October 14, 2020(1): Disclosure of results for fiscal year 2019-2020 Monday November 2, 2020(1): Disclosure of sales at the end of the first quarter 2020-2021 Friday December 11, 2020: Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in Paris Dates provided as an indication only, and liable to be changed (1) Disclosure after trading on the Paris stock market. FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION Vincent SUPIOT Chief Financial Officer vincent.supiot@vilmorincie.com Valerie MONSERAT Head of Financial Communication and Investor Relations valerie.monserat@vilmorincie.com Tel: + 33 (0)4 73 63 44 85 www.vilmorincie.com Vilmorin & Cie, the 4th largest seed company in the world, develops vegetable and field seeds with high added value, contributing to meeting global food requirements. Accompanied by its reference shareholder Limagrain, both an agricultural cooperative owned by French farmers and an international seed group, Vilmorin & Cies strategy for growth relies on strong, sustained investments in research and international development to durably strengthen its market shares on promising world markets. True to its vision of sustainable development, Vilmorin & Cie ensures its achievements fully respect its three founding values: progress, at the heart of its beliefs and its mission, perseverance, inherent to farming and the seeds business, and cooperation, in the fields of science, industry and commerce. Attachment Highlights TRAI blocked Airtel and Vodafone Ideas premium plans citing discriminatory service to regular customers. As per a report, before TRAIs order, Reliance Jio had filed a complaint with the regulator against Vodafone and Airtel premium plans. Now, Reliance Jio seeks to be a party in the Vodafone Vs TRAI case. Reliance Jio had reportedly filed a complaint on July 8 against the premium plans offered by Vodafone Idea and Airtel with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Jio alleged that Vodafone Idea's RedX plan and Bharti Airtel's Platinum plan was discriminatory and misleading. Jio, in its complaint to TRAI, said that the premium plans would cause deterioration in the quality of service for one class of customers by providing priority to others, and was premised on false and misleading claims being made to customers. TRAI blocked Vodafone Idea and Airtel's premium postpaid plans on July 13. TRAI had cited concerns over the quality of service received by regular customers as against premium customers. Soon after TRAI's orders, Vodafone Idea moved the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) challenging the order. The TDSAT refused to stay TRAI's orders and said it will take it up on July 16. "TDSAT has asked Trai to file an affidavit in response to Vodafone Idea's appeal. TDSAT has not admitted Jio's application, but will take it up on 16 July," a source told Mint. In the latest development of the matter, Reliance Jio has asked TDSAT to make it a party of the said case contending that it will be impacted by the outcome of the case, as reviewed by Mint. TRAI blocked Airtel's Platinum and Vodafone Idea's RedX premium plans that offer faster data speeds and priority services to customers. TRAI has written to both the companies asking them to detail their priority plans which are designed for certain priority customers willing to pay more. TRAI has emphasised and questioned how the companies were willing to protect the interest of other general subscribers. It has asked if priority to high-paying customers for those specific plans comes at a cost of deterioration of services for other subscribers. Vodafone's officials noted that after the directive by TRAI, Vodafone will be compelled to stop the services for customers who have enrolled in the REDX plan for more than three months. TRAI has given the premium subscriber's tariff protection that is only available for 180 days from the day of onboarding under present rules. "We have made it abundantly clear to VIL and Airtel that they have to continue giving services to their onboarded customers for a mandatory protection period of 180 days from the date of their onboarding, and so the telecom service providers have to work accordingly," a senior Trai official told ET. Private equity firm Prcstnt Asset Management is in the box seat to pick up one of Australia's oldest family-owned wine companies, McWilliam's Wines Group, with creditors to vote on a $50 million deal next week. McWilliam's, which has been operating for nearly 150 years and been led by six generations of the McWilliam family, appointed voluntary administrators from KPMG in January after battling inadequate cash flows and a long history of trading losses. McWilliam's Wines Group would continue its long history under a proposed $50 million deal to guarantee its survival. Credit:Monique Patterson KPMG's Gayle Dickerson, Tim Mableson and Ryan Eagle have recommended that creditors support the recapitalisation proposal from Prcstnt Asset Management. McWilliam's, which has about 150 employees, owed close to $40 million to about 300 creditors when it went into voluntary administration. The McWilliam's/Prcstnt Asset Management deal comes after a number of parties expressed interest in the winemaker. In a 257 page report the administrators said the return to unsecured creditors under the deed of company arrangement proposed was estimated at 94 cents to 100 cents in the dollar. Award-winning Australian wineries have been snubbed by a prestigious vineyards award. The Worlds Best Vineyards award takes into account the best places to 'taste terrific wines' across five continents and 18 countries. Topping the list for the second year in a row was Zuccardi Valle de Uco in Argentina thanks to its 'stunning high-altitude wines, brooding behemoth of the Zuccardi winery and the Piedra Infinita Cocina restaurant'. But there is no mention of celebrated vineyards in Barossa, the Margaret River or the Hunter Valley. Topping the list for the second year in a row was Zuccardi Valle de Uco in Argentina (pictured) In second place Bodega Garzon in Uruguay which is looked after by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann (Pictured, friends enjoying the vineyard) In second place Bodega Garzon in Uruguay which is looked after by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann. Lucky third was awarded to Domane Wachau in Austria, which jumped 19 places from the previous year. Australia's first vineyard made an appearance at 24th place with Penfolds in Adelaide Hills. 'This is one of South Australias finest food and wine experiences as befits the most famous name in Australian wine,' the judges said. Henschke in the Barossa Valley was right behind it at 25th place dubbed 'possibly Australias most famous vineyard'. 'The Henschke Hill of Grace Experience is a must for the wine lover, offering exclusive access to this renowned vineyard,' it read. Australia's first vineyard made an appearance at 24th place with Penfolds (pictured) in Adelaide Hills Henschke (pictured) in the Barossa Valley was right behind it at 25th place dubbed 'possibly Australias most famous vineyard' 'Together with a tour of the winery and the chance to taste ten world-class wines, including the limited release single-vineyard Shiraz wines Mount Edelstone, Hill of Roses and the ultimate South Australian icon, Hill of Grace.' New Zealanders had two wineries placed in the top 20 with Central Otago Rippon coming in at 13th and was named the best vineyard in Australasia. The Hawkes Bays Craggy Range was not far behind placed in 17th in the awards. 'All the places on the Worlds Best Vineyards Top 50 list are worth visiting. All offer an experience to remember and delicious wines!' the website read. A Saudi-trained imam has stepped into the world spotlight as powerbroker in the troubled West African state of Mali. Mahmoud Dicko is de-facto head of a protest movement that has shaken President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, stirring fears among allies and neighbours for the country's stability. The so-called June 5 Movement has staged a string of protests since last month, the latest of which last Friday unleashed clashes with police in Bamako that led to 11 deaths over the weekend. The 66-year-old imam is a former president of the Islamic High Council, a position that already made him one of Mali's most influential figures, but one that was little known in the broader world. His clout, and visibility, have soared with the rising wave of discontent. The June 5 Movement has tapped into a deep well of anger -- from a disputed parliamentary poll and government corruption to failures to roll back a bloody eight-year-old jihadist insurgency. The opposition alliance is demanding that Keita resign and has forced him into offering a number of concessions. In a sign of Dicko's growing political clout, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse paid a visit to him in the early hours of Monday morning, seeking his help in the crisis. A canny operator Among his supporters, Dicko and Keita are playing chess, and there are no prizes for guessing who is the grand master. "This is where everything is played out, not in Koulouba," the presidential palace, said Moussa Doumbia, a smiling man in his thirties, in front of the mosque where Dicko has been preaching since the 1980s. A native of the northern city of Timbuktu who received Wahhabi religious training in Saudi Arabia, Dicko was president of the Islamic High Council between 2008 and 2019. He has long been a proponent of traditional values in the Muslim-majority country, and is an outspoken critic of corruption or perceived indecency. But he also has a reputation as a canny behind-the-scenes operator. He is not formally a member of the June 5 Movement despite being its figurehead. His close ally, Issa Kaou Djim, is a member, however. The movement is being driven by a disparate group of religious leaders, political and civil society members, some of whom have apparently different goals. Mali. By (AFP) It notably is demanding that Keita quit, but this is not a goal that Dicko has publicly endorsed. Ibrahim Maiga, a researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in Bamako, said Dicko's strategy remained unchanged: "To influence politics and the government." "He has always flirted with political questions but without officially stepping into" that arena, Maiga said. Just last year, in an interview with AFP, Dicko dismissed the idea of seeking political office, saying "playing politics doesn't interest me." Jihadist go-between - Dicko's leadership of the Islamic High Council put him at the forefront of Mali's recent ideological battles. In 2009, following protests, he made the government revise a family code that gave more rights to women, and in 2018 he successfully fought to get a draft textbook on sex education dropped. The following year, he joined protests against surging violence in central Mali, which led to the then prime minister's resignation. But Dicko was also a former ally of Keita, helping him to power in 2013 before turning opponent. A rapprochement appeared on the cards at one point when the government appointed Dicko to head a mission to mediate with Islamic militants. Under pressure: President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, pictured at a Sahel summit in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott last month. By Ludovic MARIN (POOL/AFP) Mali, a former French colony, has struggled to contain an insurgency that first emerged in the north in 2012 before spreading to the centre of the country and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes. Dicko had long urged dialogue with the jihadists as a way of ending the bloodshed, but his role in the mediation effort was dropped. Some analysts argue that a dispute over how to engage jihadist leaders provoked the rift between Dicko and Keita. Despite this, his central role in shaping Mali's future seems undisputed. Brema Ely Dicko, a sociologist at the University of Bamako, said no person "other than Dicko is capable of creating the framework for dialogue" between the government and protest leaders. Maiga predicted: "Dicko will play a key role in Mali's future no matter how the struggle with IBK plays out". 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 SUGAR LAND, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trecora Resources (NYSE: TREC), a leading provider of specialty hydrocarbons and waxes, today announced the planned release of its second quarter 2020 financial results after market close on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick D. Quarles, and Chief Financial Officer, Sami Ahmad, will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 5 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time/10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern Toll-free dial-in number: +1-866-417-5724 International dial-in number: +1-409-217-8234 Conference ID: 6689633 Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zucq82i6 The conference call will be simulcast live and available for replay via the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://www.trecora.com/ The presentation slides will be available before the call begins under the investor relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.trecora.com/presentations A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call through August 7, 2020. Toll-free replay number: +1 855-859-2056 International replay number: +1 404-537-3406 Replay PIN number: 6689633 About Trecora Resources (TREC) TREC owns and operates a specialty petrochemicals facility specializing in high purity hydrocarbons and other petrochemical manufacturing and a specialty wax facility, both located in Texas, and provides custom processing services at both facilities. In addition, the Company is the original developer and a 28.3% owner of AMAK, a Saudi Arabian joint stock company. Investor Relations Contact: Jason Finkelstein The Piacente Group, Inc. 212-481-2050 [email protected] SOURCE Trecora Resources Related Links http://www.trecora.com/ Hundreds of people turned out early Wednesday morning at the Tulsa fairgrounds in hopes of securing a spot in front of an unemployment claims agent. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission brought the event to the River Spirit Expo to help those who have been unable to navigate the antiquated jobless claims system, which is overwhelmed by COVID-19-related layoffs and furloughs. I think its going pretty well, Shelley Zumwalt, executive director of the OESC, said about 7 a.m. as an intercom voice boomed out the names and numbers of those due up next to be helped. Its always a gamble when we put these on because we want to make sure people are safe when they get here, Zumwalt said. Whats the most efficient and time-conscious way to get people in the door and make sure they are not waiting outside or arriving and staying before the call time? The OESC held a handful of mass, in-person claims processing events in Oklahoma City prior to coming to Tulsa. In the tough times we find ourselves in, its even more important to recognize higher education professionals who lead confidently through good times and bad, said Susan Whealler Johnston, president and CEO of NACUBO. In recognition of their outstanding contributions to higher education, five business and finance leaders and one university have received 2020 NACUBO Awards from the National Association of College and University Business Officers. NACUBO's annual awards recognize individual and institutional excellence in higher education business and financial management and primarily were presented virtually this year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the tough times we find ourselves in, its even more important to recognize higher education professionals who lead confidently through good times and bad, said Susan Whealler Johnston, president and CEO of NACUBO. No matter the circumstance, these awardees work tirelessly to support their institutions, colleagues, and the higher education industry as a whole. NACUBO is pleased to recognize the following award recipients: 2020 Distinguished Business Officer Award Al Little, vice president of business services at Florida State College at Jacksonville, has received the 2020 Distinguished Business Officer Award for his outstanding achievements to higher education and to NACUBO over an extended period of time. He has worked within the Florida State College system since 1989, and in his current role led the Jacksonville campus through external and internal challenges while it implemented a new ERP, reorganized units, centralized services, and increased institutional growth. A longtime volunteer to higher education, Little twice served on the NACUBO board and is a former president of SACUBO. 2020 Service to NACUBO Award Maeesha Merchant, senior vice president, finance and operations, chief financial officer, and chief innovation officer at the California Institute of the Arts, has received the 2020 Service to NACUBO Award for her outstanding contributions to the associations professional development programs. Merchant has served on NACUBOs New Business Officers Alumni Panel, mentoring program, and several program committees. She also has shared her expertise on the NACUBO in Brief podcast and serves on NACUBOs Advisory Group on Leadership Diversity. 2020 Daniel D. Robinson Accounting Award Tom Ewing, director of financial reporting at The Ohio State University, has received the 2020 Daniel D. Robinson Accounting Award in recognition of his leadership and continuous commitment to the advancement of college and university accounting and reporting. Ewing guides his institution through complex transactions and developed a tax function within the controllers office. Ewing also serves as the higher education representative to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Disclosure Framework Taskforce. 2020 Student Financial Services Award Charmaine Daniels, associate vice president of student financial services at Morehouse College, received the 2020 Student Financial Services Award. At Morehouse, she leads the student financial services department and manages the administration of the $34 million-dollar donation the college received to pay off students loan debt. Daniels is a frequent presenter at NACUBO conferences, a former member of the NACUBO Student Financial Services Council, and a member of the Student Financial Services Conference planning committee. 2020 Rodney H. Adams Endowment Management Award Craig Woody, who recently retired from the University of Denver as senior vice chancellor for business and financial affairs and treasurer after a 35-year tenure, received the 2020 Rodney H. Adams Endowment Management Award. Under Woody, the University of Denvers endowment grew from $25 million to more than $700 million. He helped to lead the creation of the universitys spending policy as well as the foundational analysis and implementation of its UPMIFA compliance. 2020 Excellence in Sustainability Award Indiana University has received the 2020 Excellence in Sustainability Award for its Indiana Sustainability Development Program (ISDP), which aims to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for sustainability jobs within the state. With a multi-prong approach, ISDP trains future sustainability workers with the hope that they ultimately find employment within Indianas corporate, nonprofit, government, and higher education sectors. About NACUBO NACUBO, founded in 1962, is a nonprofit professional organization representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,900 colleges and universities across the country. NACUBO works to advance the economic vitality, business practices, and support of higher education institutions in pursuit of their missions. Azerbaijan Launches Military Offensive Against Armenia Despite Global Ceasefire Appeal, Incites Pro-War Protests in Baku Calling for "Death to Armenians" Los Angeles, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and UNs global ceasefire appeal -- which Armenia has endorsed and Azerbaijan refused to sign -- Azerbaijan has launched a military offensive against Armenia starting on July 12, deploying tanks, heavy artillery, and drones against civilian and military targets alike. On July 12th and 13th, Azerbaijani forces attacked Armenia's northern province of Tavush on multiple occasions, with 4 Azerbaijani soldiers killed and 7 Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers wounded. According to the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Defense, Azerbaijan's intermittent cross-border mortar fire continues. While no Armenian civilian casualties have been reported, targets have included Tavush Textile -- a factory that produces face coverings used during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing its closure to ensure the safety of its workers. The attack comes less than a week after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev slammed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group U.S., France, and Russia Co-Chairs, calling their Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) mediation efforts "pointless" and threatening to resolve the issue militarily. The attack also comes less than two months after Azerbaijans Armed Forces held large-scale tactical military exercises from May 18th through 22nd. In the announcement about the exercises, the Azerbaijani army stated massive artillery, air, and high-precision weapons will be fired at the enemys operational depth, calling the exercises offensive in nature. The Armenian Defense Ministry condemned the exercises noting that they exacerbate the security environment in the region, under the conditions of a global imperative for joint actions against the COVID-19 pandemic and despite the call for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish a global ceasefire. Story continues The Congressional Armenian Caucus condemned the Azerbaijani military exercises and, in letters to Secretary of State Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Esper, expressed concern about the $100 million allocation in U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan, noting that the aid appears to have allowed Azerbaijan to shift resources toward offensive capabilities and further threaten Armenian lives and regional stability." Unfortunately, Azerbaijani sniper attacks on Armenia's Tavush region are an ongoing occurrence, leading to multiple casualties and injuries of both Armenian civilians and military personnel. On March 30th a 14-year-old child in the Tavush village of Voskevan and 2 Armenian soldiers were injured as a result of Azerbaijani fire. On May 13th, civilians in the Tavush village of Berkaber were the target of large caliber weapons, leading to damage to homes, but no injuries. The Azerbaijani military has also been using civilians as human shields, placing artillery close to the village of Dondar Gushchu in the Tovuz district about six miles from the border. Additionally, Azerbaijan has launched cyberattacks on Armenian government websites. Demonstrations have erupted in Baku with thousands of Azerbaijanis calling for war against Armenia. Protestors can be heard chanting, End the quarantine, start the war. Order us to (go to) war. Allahu Akbar. Turkey, which has close ethnic and cultural ties with Azerbaijan, has voiced unconditional support to Baku in the conflict, with the countrys Foreign Minister declaring, the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish people are with Azerbaijan with all our capabilities. Congressional condemnation of Azerbaijans latest attack against Armenia continued to grow today, as reports emerged from the region of more than 15 casualties during the worst cease-fire violation since the April, 2016 Azerbaijani incursion against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Azerbaijan is once again attempting to start a war with Armenia, said Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Azerbaijans constant use of caustic rhetoric aimed at Armenia and Artsakh are part of a concerted effort to provoke another conflict. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) shared his support for Armenias right to territorial integrity and Artsakhs calls for self-determination. I stand with Armenia as they protect their territorial integrity. Azerbaijan and Turkey must respect the Armenian/Azeri border, respect the aspirations of the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh, and should deescalate this conflict immediately, stated Sen. Markey. Central California Congressman TJ Cox (D-CA) noted Azerbaijan's recent attack on the region of Tavush, Armenia is a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the nations, as well as a result of Azerbaijan's refusal to allow international monitoring of their borders. The US must take a firm stance in condemning this threat to peace. Rep. Cox cited his support for an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, led by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), that would prohibit funds from being used to send defense articles or services to Azerbaijan. Senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Brad Sherman (D-CA) noted, I am very concerned by Azerbaijans provocations along the Armenian border. Such actions put the lives of soldiers and civilians at risk. Unfortunately, these actions do not come as a surprise given Azerbaijans increasingly bellicose rhetoric towards Armenia & Artsakh. House Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) was the first U.S. House member to condemn Azerbaijans attack. I am very concerned by the recent provocative and destabilizing actions taken by Azerbaijan in recent days along the Armenian border, including the shelling of Armenian soldiers, stated Rep. Schiff. These acts risk the lives of soldiers and civilians and raise the danger of a spiraling conflict that could be devastating to the region, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic. These actions must also be viewed in context of Azerbaijans consistently bellicose rhetoric towards Armenia and Artsakh, and its refusal to allow international monitoring of their borders. I urge the State Department to make clear to all parties the need for restraint and diplomacy, and reduced tensions, concluded Rep. Schiff. The ANCA welcomes these powerful Congressional condemnations of Azerbaijans attack, said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, We thank each of these Senate and House leaders and look forward to supporting legislative opportunities in the coming days and weeks to more forcefully challenge Bakus escalating aggression. The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause. Alex Galitsky Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (818) 745-4555 alex@ancawr.org The Manitoba Metis Federation was to set off fireworks in many communities simultaneously across the province last night to celebrate the proclamation of the Manitoba Act July 15, 1870 but not in the southwestern region. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The Manitoba Metis Federation was to set off fireworks in many communities simultaneously across the province last night to celebrate the proclamation of the Manitoba Act July 15, 1870 but not in the southwestern region. "The Manitoba Metis government is inviting all Manitobans to take a few moments to escape from the difficult times caused by COVID and witness history," stated federation president David Chartrand in a news release. "Never before has there been a simultaneous firework display province-wide." In its news release, the federation stated that the fireworks display was to begin at 10:45 p.m. in Winnipeg, West St. Paul, The Pas, Cranberry Portage, Dauphin, Duck Bay, St. Laurent, Grand Marais, Portage La Prairie, Wabowden, as well as many other communities throughout Manitoba, all the way up to Churchill. To enable fireworks in those locations, the federation received the proper permissions. "As part of our agreement with our contractor, each community was contacted along with the fire departments in each community for approval and permits," stated a federation spokesperson by email. According to a City of Brandon spokesperson, Brandon was not included as a location for the July 15 fireworks. However, when another community pulled out, the contractor did contact the citys fire and emergency services on Tuesday for Brandon to be a possible replacement location. "But there had to be somebody who is certified to set off fireworks in order for us to even consider issuing a permits," said the city spokesperson. "The company could not provide anybody to Brandon that was certified because they have their staff all busy doing the other communities." Additionally, City of Brandon staff are not certified to handle fireworks. Leah LaPlante, vice president for the federations southwestern region, said the company responsible for the fireworks did not have enough people for all locations, such as Brandon. "In regards to the MMF locals doing a smaller version of that, weve been turned down by different RMs (Rural Municipalities) and cities, but the MMF itself, I think, needs to take responsibility for that," LaPlante said. "They waited too long before we (region) knew we were going to be asked to do these small fireworks displays. The reason were being turned down is sometimes it has to go through council, and in the RMs theyre a little hesitant because they didnt have enough time, too, to have the people in place to make sure conditions are OK." LaPLante said to be fair to the rural municipalities and towns "it's important that we, the MMF, take responsibility that requests didnt happen in a timely manner." In locations where fireworks were to be set off, the federation was encouraging Manitobans not to watch the displays at the actual sites. "Instead, citizens are asked to watch from the safety of their backyards, homes, vehicles, or on your screens as the event will be live streamed on mmf.mb.ca and metisnation.ca," according to the news release. The federation has found ways to celebrate key dates in Manitobas history this year, Manitobas 150th birthday, even as the province elected in April to postpone celebrations to 2021. The federation also celebrated May 12, the date the Manitoba Act received Royal Assent, with a series of historical vignettes that aired on CTV and other activities. The federations enthusiasm is due to the fact Metis leader Louis Riel and his provisional government, which was half Metis and half Anglophone, negotiated for Manitoba to become the fifth province to enter Confederation. "We want to ensure that our celebration brings together Manitobans of all backgrounds so we can celebrate the shared history of our beautiful province we are fortunate enough to call home and do so together," stated Chartrand. "We hope that the timing does not discourage elders or children from enjoying the event and if it does, the live stream will remain available on our website after the event so it can be enjoyed at any time." mletourneau@brandonsun.com Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism. An interdisciplinary group of chemistry and mechanical engineering researchers developed a novel process to 3D print latex rubber. Latex rubber parts, such as this impeller printed at 100 micron resolution, allow nondestructive reuse of complex molds because the parts exhibit a unique combination of flexibility and toughness. Credit: Virginia Tech Virginia Tech researchers have discovered a novel process to 3-D print latex rubber, unlocking the ability to print a variety of elastic materials with complex geometric shapes. Latex, commonly known as the material in gloves or paint, refers to a group of polymerslong, repeating chains of moleculescoiled inside nanoparticles dispersed in water. 3-D printed latex and other similarly rubbery materials called elastomers could be used for a variety of applications, including soft robotics, medical devices, or shock absorbers. 3-D printed latex has been documented only a handful of times in scientific literature. None of the previous examples come close to the mechanical properties of the latex printed by an interdisciplinary team affiliated with the Macromolecules Innovation Institute (MII), the College of Science, and the College of Engineering. Through novel innovations in both the chemistry and mechanical engineering disciplines, the team overcame some long-standing limitations of 3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. The researchers chemically modified liquid latexes to make them printable and built a custom 3-D printer with an embedded computer vision system to print accurate, high-resolution features of this high-performance material. "This project represents the quintessential example of interdisciplinary research," said Timothy Long, a professor of chemistry and a co-principal investigator on this project along with Christopher Williams, the L.S. Randolph Professor of mechanical engineering and interim director of MII. "Neither of our labs would be able to accomplish this without the other." This project is a joint collaboration between Virginia Tech and Michelin North America via a National Science Foundation award aligned with the Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry program, which supports teamed research between academia and industry. Details of their initial results are detailed in a journal article published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Novel materials development in science After unsuccessful attempts to synthesize a material that would provide the ideal molecular weight and mechanical properties, Phil Scott, a fifth-year macromolecular science and engineering student in the Long Research Group, turned to commercial liquid latexes. The researchers ultimately wanted this material in a solid 3-D printed form, but Scott first needed to augment the chemical composition to allow it to print. Scott ran into a fundamental challenge: liquid latex is extremely fragile and difficult for chemists to alter. "Latexes are in a state of Zen," said Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, a fifth-year mechanical engineering Ph.D. student in the Design, Research, and Education for Additive Manufacturing Systems Lab who collaborated with Scott. "If you add anything to it, it'll completely lose its stability and crash out." Then, the chemists came up with a new idea: What if Scott built a scaffold, similar to those used in building construction, around the latex particles to hold them in place? This way, the latex could maintain its great structure, and Scott could add photoinitiators and other compounds to the latex to enable 3-D printing with ultraviolet (UV) light. "When designing the scaffold, the biggest thing you have to worry about is stability of everything," Scott said. "It took a lot of reading, even stuff as basic as learning why colloids are stable and how colloidal stability works, but it was a really fun challenge." Novel processing development in engineering While Scott tinkered with the liquid latex, Meenakshisundaram had to figure out how to correctly print the resin. The researchers chose to use a process called vat photopolymerization, in which the printer uses UV light to cure, or harden, a viscous resin into a specific shape. Needing a printer capable of printing high-resolution features across a large area, Meenakshisundaram built a new printer. He and Williams, his advisor, came up with the idea to scan the UV light across a large area, and in 2017, they filed a patent for the printer. Even with the custom printer, the fluid latex particles caused scattering outside of the projected UV light on the latex resin surface, which resulted in printing inaccurate parts, so Meenakshisundaram devised a second novel idea. He embedded a camera onto the printer to capture an image of each vat of latex resin. With his custom algorithm, the machine is able to "see" the UV light's interaction on the resin surface and then automatically adjust the printing parameters to correct for the resin scattering to cure just the intended shape. "The large-area scanning printer was a concept I had, and Viswanath made it into reality in short order," Williams said. "Then Viswanath came up with the idea of embedding a camera, observing how the light interacts with the material, and updating the printing parameters based on his code. That's what we want from our Ph.D. students: We provide a vision, and they accomplish that and grow beyond as an independent researcher." Meenakshisundaram and Scott discovered their final 3-D printed latex parts exhibited strong mechanical properties in a matrix known as a semi-interpenetrating polymer network, which hadn't been documented for elastomeric latexes in the prior literature. "An interpenetrating polymer network is like catching fish in a net," Meenakshisundaram said. "The scaffold gives it a shape. Once you put that in the oven, the water will evaporate, and the tightly coiled polymer chains can relax, spread or flow, and interpenetrate into the net." A molecules-to-manufacturing approach The novel advances in both materials development and processing highlight the interdisciplinary environment fostered between the two groups. Long and Williams both credited their counterpart's expertise for making the collective breakthrough possible. "My philosophy is these types of innovations are only achievable when you partner with people who are very different from you," Long said. The two professors said 3-D printed latex provides the conceptual framework for printing a range of unprecedented materials from rigid plastics to soft rubbers, which have been unprintable until now. "When I was a graduate student working on this technology, we were excited to get unique performance from the shapes we could create, but the underlying assumption was we had to make do with very poor materials," Williams said. "What's been so exciting about this discovery with Tim's group is being able to push the boundary of what we assumed was the limit of a printed material's performance." Explore further Expandable foam for 3-D printing large objects More information: Philip J. Scott et al. 3D Printing Latex: A Route to Complex Geometries of High Molecular Weight Polymers, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2020). Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Philip J. Scott et al. 3D Printing Latex: A Route to Complex Geometries of High Molecular Weight Polymers,(2020). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b19986 BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that cooperation between China and Singapore in the fight against COVID-19 has become a new highlight of bilateral relations and added significant connotations to their all-round cooperative partnership. In a telephone conversation with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Xi congratulated Lee on leading the People's Action Party to victory in Singapore's recent general election. Xi said he is glad to see the positive results Singapore has achieved in its fight against the coronavirus epidemic, and confident that the Singaporean people, under Lee's leadership, will prevail over the disease and restore economic and social vitality at an early date. China, he added, will continue to provide Singapore with firm support. In the battle against COVID-19, China, upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, has been sharing its experience unreservedly with other countries, and providing supplies and technical support for the international community to the best of its capacity, Xi said. China, he added, stands ready to work with Singapore to cement global solidarity in combating the pandemic, support the World Health Organization in better playing its role, and jointly build a global community of health for all. Since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out, the governments and various communities of the two countries have been helping and supporting each other, Xi noted, adding that they took the lead in establishing a "fast-track lane" for exchanges of essential personnel and have made concerted efforts to guarantee smooth operation of supply and industrial chains in the region. Bilateral cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, he stressed, has once again demonstrated that the relationship between the two countries is foresighted, strategic and exemplary. Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of China-Singapore diplomatic ties, Xi said that the bilateral relationship is standing at a new historical starting point, and that the two sides should hold celebrations in flexible and diversified forms, so as to deepen public support for their friendship. The two sides, he suggested, should strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation and ensure the safety and health of each country's citizens in the other. The two countries should make good and full use of the "fast-track lane" to speed up their resumption of production and work and boost the development of their economies, he added, also calling for closer cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and better collaboration concerning the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and third parties. China, Xi said, will continue to deepen reform and opening-up and improve the domestic business environment, and hopes that the Singaporean side will provide sound conditions for Chinese enterprises doing business in the country. China stands ready to work with Singapore to overcome distractions and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, added the Chinese president. For his part, Lee said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a profound influence on the world, and that China has successfully contained the disease under Xi's strong leadership. Noting that Singapore and China have been supporting and helping each other in the fight against the virus, he said that has played a positive role in Singapore's COVID-19 battle. Singapore, he said, is willing to work with China to promote high-level exchanges as well as strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various areas and within bilateral and multilateral frameworks. He added that Singapore looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in such areas as vaccine and medicine research and development, and working with China to continuously make good use of the "fast-track lane" and advance the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, so as to steadily resume work and production and restore economic development. Singapore stands ready to work with China to safeguard free and open trade and keep supply and industrial chains in the region running smoothly, he said, adding that his country welcomes participation of Chinese enterprises in its economic construction. In addition, Lee conveyed his sympathies over the recent flooding along the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers in China, and Xi expressed gratitude for that. Texas school districts will be able to delay a return to campuses with a doctors note from their local public health authority, a Texas Education Agency spokesman said Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the citys Metropolitan Health District declined to predict if or when it would issue such an order. But a task force convened by the health district will meet this week to consider it, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said at his daily coronavirus briefing. Let me be very clear ... schools are not ready to open in August in person, Nirenberg said. The TEA had said school districts must allow parents to send their kids to school this fall, but after days of mounting pushback from educators, politicians and parents, the agency now says it wont withhold funding from districts that continue teaching students remotely and are prevented from reopening classrooms by local health authorities. Marvin Pfeiffer / San Antonio area superintendents are expecting more details Thursday with a phone call from Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. We are glad there will be more flexibility allowed, said Aubrey Chancellor, spokeswoman for the North East Independent School District. Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox Students have the option of learning remotely at home, but last week, the TEA released long-awaited guidance that doubled down on Moraths instructions that school districts also let parents send their kids to reopened schools. The guidance said students that come to school must be granted in-person learning five days a week, which stymied plans by some districts for a hybrid arrangement that would combine virtual learning at home with classroom instruction for just part of the week. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer The guidelines allowed districts a transition period of up to three weeks before the requirement to open classrooms takes effect, and as the coronavirus pandemic worsened in Texas by the day, many districts adjusted their fall calendars to delay reopening campuses as long as possible. In El Paso, the local health authority issued an order prohibiting schools from reopening until Sept. 8. Cities and school districts watched to see if the TEA or Gov. Greg Abbott would oppose the order, but the agency told the El Paso Times that it will support state and local decisions that are made pursuant to applicable law" and fund remote learning if a district is legally ordered to close its buildings. Marvin Pfeiffer / Its been like a yoyo, said Roland Toscano, the superintendent of East Central ISD, which has hosted weekly communications with community members online to try to explain the constant changes. It seems like our community appreciates it but theyre confused, he said. Were all in a state of uncertainty. The Metro Health task force will deliver recommendations on school reopenings as early as next week, and will include teachers, parents, students, teachers union representatives, school district leaders, pediatricians and public health professionals, Nirenberg said. Now Playing: Animation shows spread of COVID-19 across Texas from March to April. Video: mySA We dont want to waste any time, he said. Some districts are looking at implementing emergency plans they had developed for possible use later in the fall, when health experts predicted a second wave of the virus, Toscano said. East Centrals plans include hybrid models, in case state or local rules set classroom occupancy limits that cant be met. On ExpressNews.com: Texas tells districts: Keep schools open all week, make older students wear masks We were creating what were calling an emergency schedule, which might actually turn out to be appropriate given whats starting to unfold, Toscano said. San Antonio ISD announced Tuesday that it plans to delay in-person learning until after Labor Day. As of now, that plan will not change if Abbott grants school districts the ability to operate longer remotely, but SAISD will follow the guidance of the city and Metro Health if they order longer closures, spokeswoman Leslie Price said. Were not looking to be all remote for a long time, Price said. We want children to be in schools. Particularly, we know some need to be in that environment but some families want to keep their children at home learning remotely and we want to allow that. Josie Norris /Staff Photographer On ExpressNews.com: SAISD, Harlandale look to delay the start of classes because of coronavirus surge SAISD has a high poverty rate and many families living in substandard housing. Some parents who are essential workers have voiced concerns about obtaining child care in the fall, and distance learning has not been feasible for some children with special educational needs. We know many families have difficulties and their children need to be in the school, Price said. SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez has asked the state for permission to impose a hybrid model, alternating between classroom and remote learning, in schools that see large numbers of children return in person. North East ISD Superintendent Sean Maika, through Chancellor, the district spokeswoman, praised the states focus on local control to make decisions in the best interests of district students and staff. The current start date in NEISD is Aug. 17. The school district has been awaiting Thursdays guidance before making decisions on reopening and Chancellor did not say if the district has determined the best time for its classroom starts. Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Krista, become a subscriber. Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva By Eric Beech and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday shut the door on 'Phase 2' trade negotiations with China, saying he does not want to talk to Beijing about trade because of the coronavirus pandemic By Eric Beech and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday shut the door on "Phase 2" trade negotiations with China, saying he does not want to talk to Beijing about trade because of the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm not interested right now in talking to China," Trump replied when asked in an interview with CBS News whether Phase 2 trade talks were dead. "We made a great trade deal," Trump said, of the Phase 1 agreement signed in January. "But as soon as the deal was done, the ink wasn't even dry, and they hit us with the plague," he said, referring to the novel coronavirus, which first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan. For months, Trump has blamed China for sending the coronavirus to the United States, saying that China must be "held accountable" for failing to contain the disease. The pandemic has taken a stiff toll on the U.S. economy, endangering Trump's hopes for re-election in November. China pledged to increase purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy and services by $200 billion (159 billion pounds) over two years as part of the Phase 1 trade deal, but Trump has said the pandemic changed his views on the agreement. At the White House, Trump announced that he signed legislation and an executive order to hold China accountable for the "oppressive" national security law it imposed on Hong Kong. The measure approved by Congress, the latest in a series of moves aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Beijing, gives Trump's administration the authority to penalize banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement Beijings new national security law on Hong Kong. Trump said he has no plans to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, few trade watchers in Washington were expecting Phase 2 negotiations to bear fruit before the 2020 election. While Phase 1 focused mainly on Chinese purchases of U.S. goods, improved U.S. access to China's financial services market and some intellectual property issues, Phase 2 was meant to tackle far more difficult issues associated with China's technology transfer policies, industrial espionage and government subsidies to state-owned enterprises. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Chris Reese, Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The news that 365 soldiers resigned from the Nigeria Army this week is one of the bad news coming out from the camp of the Nigerian Army. About three or four weeks ago, it was reported that Boko Haram insurgents killed some soldiers in a reprisal attack at a village in Borno state. Although the Nigerian Army has denied the news about the voluntary resignation of 365 of its men, lawmakers in the Federal House of Representatives had said they would launch an inquiry into the news in a bid to substantiate the true nations of things. But beyond this, there are some things that should be considered in this matter. The Nigerian military has come into news for ignoble reasons. Some weeks ago, there was a viral video of a soldier objurgating the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and decried his leadership of the Nigerian Army. The man and his wife was said to have been arrested following his dismissal from the military. Before that, sometimes in 2019 there was an audio that went viral of soldiers bemoaning their non-payment of salaries. When you take the words of these disgruntled soldiers are taken into cognizance, the resignation of 365 soldiers wouldnt be a surprise. About 400 were reported to have fled to Cameroon in 2018. It shows that the soldiers are not happy with the way their welfarism is handled by the Nigerian military, show how demoralized many of the soldiers have become, and it further shows the Nigerian Army is embattled and needs saving from itself. These soldiers whose welfarism is neglected are not oblivious of the humongous salaries and allowances of legislators who are experts at bickering instead of legislating and also see how the men in the top brass of the Nigerian military dont suffer what they suffer. They have also seen how some of their fallen colleagues were treated with disdain, the most indignant being the victims of Metele attacks on November 18, 2018. Apart from the military hierarchy disputing the total number of men killed in a bid to save the public image of the military, the burial was rather shameful. They were buried as if they have died for nothing. When people decide they dont want to be doctors or engineers but chose to fight for the territorial integrity of their country, this type of undeserving treatments have demoralising effects on the concerned. When you put your life on the line for your country and youre rewarded with unpaid salaries while you read of how politicians enrich themselves at the expense of the country, know that poor military intelligence puts your life and purpose at risk and also watch your fallen colleagues sent to the world beyond with utmost disdain, you cannot but be uncommitted to a cause such as national security and voluntarily withdrawing your service to save yourself. The fact that the Nigerian Army is underequipped is even a more disturbing issue. This puts them at a disadvantaged position against the insurgents. Unfortunately, it had been like that for a long time. Since the battle against insurgency has started in 2009, it is as if the soldiers were systematically been pushed to die in the guise of fighting for their country. Yet billions of naira is budgeted for security every year. One could therefore wonder what gulped the money if they are not used to improve the military arsenal. Modern warfare against insurgents is now fought with high-tech weaponry many of which the Nigerian army for some reasons dont have. The fact that the soldiers continue to go to battle against the insurgents and watch some of their comrades-in-arms die almost like an unarmed man is enough to demoralise them and prompt as many as 365 soldiers to resign at once. The way the soldiers are sent out daily to fight people with better weapons is like sending a man with a cutlass to fight a man with a gun. These are not the days of David and Goliath when a young boy killed an armoured giant through divine providence. I am not sure the level of morality in Nigeria qualifies us to enjoy that sort of divine providence in the fight against Boko Haram. As the spate of attacks on military camps is increasing, it points to one thing going to a battle against an enemy that is well equipped with sophisticated weapons of war would only lead to an easy defeat in a way that will make it look like you are not committed to the battle. If you are prosecuting a war and you dont have enough weapons in your arsenal to match that of your enemy, defeat is inevitable. And when as a soldier you are aware that the men charged with equipping you and making your job easy have failed to do so thereby leading to strains of defeats by your enemies, it is enough reasons for you to get dispirited. After all, you are the one doing the fighting not your ogas at the top and you bear the brunt more than the men giving orders. Thus, when the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai said men of the Nigerian Army are still encouraged enough to take up arms against Boko Haram insurgents, it is more of him defending himself and other security chiefs who have constantly been under public indignation since their appointment in 2015 than him saying the truth about the true nature of things. The resignation of 365 soldiers in a week from an army that has complained of being understaffed in recent times shows that the soldiers are not happy. Apart from the President, the security chiefs themselves and their sympathisers who dont see any reason why they should be fired, several other Nigerians would be pleased to have the heads of all the security chiefs on a spike as reparation for their shameful performance in the fight against terrorism. These days, the words of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai should not be taken seriously as he appears to be talking with both sides of his mouth. The same man that said this week that the soldiers were encouraged to keep up the fight against insurgents even as the Nigerian Army now struggle to salvage its reputation in the public, is the same man that said the soldiers at the frontline of the battle against Boko Haram were not committed to fighting the insurgents shortly after he praised them for decimating the insurgents in June 2018. The implications of this type of news coming from the camp of the Nigerian Army are far-reaching. Apart from the fact that it would decimate the public trust in the Nigerian Army and accentuate the existing outcry that the service chiefs should be fired, it would also mock the Nigerian military for its ineptitude in prosecuting a successful war against insurgents and further call to question poor welfarism in the military that. Also, the soldiers who now must have heard about the voluntary withdrawal of 365 of their comrades-in-arms would be discouraged and some would even contemplate following suit before they also become victims of the poor handling of Nigerian military. This type of news could also dispirit some of the young men that are aspiring to join the military. Nobody wants to be part of an organisation where 365 of the members could throw in their hats when they have done nothing wrong other than taking up arms for their country. Therefore, men at the frontline of battle needs encouragement more than ever before to keep the war against insurgency going. That encouragement includes procuring modern weapons of war for the military so they could prosecute a successful war in the protection of the countrys territorial integrity. Without improved weaponry and matching sophisticated weapons of war, it would be hard for the Nigerian military to fight against the insurgents who now enjoy the support of ISIS West Africa. Failure to equip the military arsenal and expecting a good show against insurgents would not only remain a mirage at best, we could also see some soldiers opting out of service to the nation they swore to protect. The welfarism of the soldiers should also be improved upon to boost their morale. That should not be difficult for people who dont think about their lives when they go to the battlefront to protect others by exposing themselves to danger. They need to be ensured that fighting for the country is not an offence and that when they die doing that, it wouldnt be as if it was for nothing. They should not be told to lead, follow or get out of the way. As it is now, we could only pray and hope that more men wouldnt turn in their resignation letters because they were no longer convinced about the reasons for which they agree to take up arms in the first place. Indeed, the Nigerian military needs saving and if it needs being reiterated, all the service chiefs should be fired for failure and maladministration of military activities in Nigeria. God bless Nigeria. As if 2020 hadnt already had enough piled on it, its cicada time throughout west-central Illinois. Of the approximately 20 types of cicadas found in Illinois, this is the year of the Periodical cicada, which emerges every 13 to 17 years after laying its eggs in the ground. Periodicals usually are black with red eyes and can damage trees as they emerge. Some parts of the state had that earlier this year some of the 13- to 17-year cicadas re-emerging, said Ken Johnson, horticulture educator for University of Illinois Extension. Morgan Countys neighbors already have seen the cicadas emerge, Johnson said. Annual cicadas also emerge every year, living in trees and singing as the summer goes on, Johnson said, noting that the sound comes from males trying to attract a mate. Annual cicadas, which have green and black camouflage coloring, typically spend two or three years in the ground before emerging and are harder to spot. After emerging from the ground, they take cover in trees. Once they get up high into the trees, theyre camouflaged real well, Johnson said. Some cicadas can fly and spend much of their time in the tree canopy, flying from tree to tree, looking for their mate, Johnson said. Cicadas use their mouth as a straw to suck from trees the plant juice on which they feed. They dont chew but can get loud, especially as a group. July and August is when you really start hearing them, Johnson said. Cicadas typically emerge in June or July, depending on the species, and peak in July, though larger populations can peak in August. During the winter, cicadas hibernate underground. Adults lay their eggs and then die, leaving the immature cicadas to survive on their own underground for a few years before emerging, Johnson said. Temperatures arent going to affect them very much, he said, adding that cicadas are harmless, so coming across one in the wild is nothing to worry about. Virginia Tech announced Wednesday the creation of an Academy of Data Science that will collaborate with government agencies and industries. The hub will give graduates expertise in data analysis to help meet the demand for such jobs in the state, particularly in Northern Virginia, the university said. Tech has committed to produce thousands of computer science graduates as part of the states deal to bring an Amazon headquarters to Virginia. Techs Innovation Campus under construction in Northern Virginia was also a key part of that effort. The new academy, housed under the universitys College of Science, emerged from facultys desire to put greater emphasis on data science as a part of scientists education and as an interdisciplinary field. This is not merely about processing data, its about how we can use data analysis and computational modeling, melded with fundamental science, to better understand how our world works and find solutions to vexing societal issues, Sally C. Morton, dean of the College of Science said in a news release. This understanding allows people to make well-informed decisions that can improve the human condition. Tom Woteki, director of data analysis and applied statistics at a Tech research center in Arlington, was named founding director of the academy. Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. It has been a decade since the release of Christopher Nolans Inception, and the science-fiction thrillers ending continues to mystify fans. Inception remains one of the most successful non-franchise films of all time, and was instrumental in establishing Nolan as one of the worlds most bankable directors. On the films 10-year anniversary, heres what Nolan and star Leonardo DicCaprio have said about the ambiguous ending, which left fans wondering if what they were witnessing was a dream of reality. At Princeton Universitys 2015 commencement ceremony, Nolan said, The way the end of that film worked, Leonardo DiCaprios character, Cobb he was off with his kids, he was in his own subjective reality. He didnt really care any more, and that makes a statement: perhaps, all levels of reality are valid. Also read: Is Christopher Nolans Tenet a secret sequel to Inception? Fan theory offers clues He continued, In the great tradition of these speeches, generally someone says something along the lines of chase your dreams, but I dont want to tell you that because I dont believe that. I want you to chase your reality. Nolan added: I feel that, over time, we started to view reality as the poor cousin to our dreams, in a sense ... I want to make the case to you that our dreams, our virtual realities, these abstractions that we enjoy and surround ourselves with, they are subsets of reality. In a 2011 interview with Wired, the director said: I choose to believe that Cobb gets back to his kids, because I have young kids. People who have kids definitely read it differently than those who dont. Clearly the audience brings a lot to it. The most important emotional thing about the top spinning at the end is that Cobb is not looking at it. He doesnt care. At a 2019 event, actor Michael Caine, revealed what Nolan had told him about the films ending. When I got the script of Inception, I was a bit puzzled by it and I said to him I dont understand where the dream is, Caine said. I said, When is it the dream and when is it reality? He said, Well when youre in the scene its reality. So get that - if Im in it, its reality. If Im not in it, its a dream. While promoting his 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio said that he has no idea what happened at the end. Sometimes youre just focused on your character, man, DiCaprio said on Marc Marons podcast. I actually do get involved, but when it came to Chris Nolan and his mind and how that was all pieced together, everyone was trying to constantly piece that puzzle together. Nolan will soon release what promises to be another mind-bender, the sci-fi film Tenet. The film has been delayed several times, because of the coronavirus pandemic, but is currently slated for an August release. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON There are many reasons for CIOs to support competitions designed to encourage girls into technology careers. It helps address the gender imbalance in the sector, it provides mentoring opportunities for their IT teams, and there is a chance theyll assist in the creation of a world-class application. Those are just some of the reasons cited by Theresa Corballis, New Zealand ambassador for Technovation, a global competition designed to get more girls interested in computer science by asking them to create a mobile app that addresses a social problem. [ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through CIOs newsletters. ] Technovation is backed by the Silicon Valley companies such as Google, Salesforce and Adobe, as well the prestigious US university MIT. In only the second year that Corballis has run the New Zealand arm of the competition, a local team has made the finalsone of only ten finalists split between senior and junior divisions. The top ten were chosen from more than 1,500 mobile apps submitted by 5,400 students from 62 countries in the competition this year. App designed to teach young people about politics Epsom Girls Grammar students Drishti Murara and Anjali Mistry called their team Almost Vegan and created Eunomia, a mobile game designed to teach 18- to 24-year-olds about politics and how the New Zealand government functions. Technovation Anjali Mistry (left) and Drishti Murara (right), the New Zealand creators of the Eunomia app, a finalist in the 2020 Technovation girls programming competition. Named after the ancient Greek goddess of law and legislation, Eunomia asks players a series of questions about what kind of public services they would fund. The app matches the answers against the information supplied by New Zealands main political parties to find the party most aligned to the players views. Murara says the idea came about when they were discussing the 2020 general election and she realised that, despite being eligible to vote for the first time, politics bored her. Mistrywhose 18th birthday falls after the 19 September 2020 New Zealand election thought she should take more of an interest, and the idea for the app was born. Were at that age where we have to decide who we have to vote for, and we realised we arent exactly educated on how the government system actually works, so we wanted our peers to also have that information too, Murara says. Technovation Screens from the Eunomia mobile app The girls met regularly with the mentor assigned to them by the Technovation competitionAnne Dunne, global supply chain director at Rocket Lab. She helped them refine the idea and encouraged them to contact the political parties directly for information for the app. While the concept was devised before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the research phase, coding, and other activities such as creating the demo video for the competition all took place during the pandemic lockdown. The pair had become conversant in Java after taking part in the competition last year, so were able to create Eunomia using the Android Studio platform. Getting the information from the political parties was the hardest partthat took the longest time. The actual coding took about three weeks, Mistry says. Both girls are in their final year at secondary school, and while Mistry is keen to pursue a career in software development, Murara says she is undecided about her future plans but thinks it will be something in the STEM field. When asked about the most surprising aspect of taking part in the competition Murara says it was learning about the importance of teamwork. Honestly, this was a lot of teamwork and team effort. We had to get on with it really quickly because there wasnt much time, then the coronavirus happened, then we had Wi-Fi troubles and Android Studio crashing multiple timesit was the support that we have for each other that got us through, she says. The biggest surprise, though, was making the finals. But unfortunately due to COVID-19 they wont be flying to Boston to compete face-to-face. Instead, they will take part in an online World Summit in August. The Technovation programme in New Zealand Corballis says that while Murara and Mistry wont be able to attend the event in person, they will get a chance to showcase their app on a (virtual) world stage. Theyll get a huge amount of visibility because the venture capitalists go, and a lot of the time they will fund these apps for these kids to take forward. She says the pandemic resulted in a drop of New Zealand registrations for the second year that Technovation has been run locally. This year, 100 girls signed up, as opposed to 160 in the first year, but the number of industry mentors has grown to more than 70, with support from about 15 New Zealand companies. Corballis, whose day job is at Jade Software as a client director, was inspired to become the New Zealand ambassador of Technovation, because she believes that competitions like this are hugely inspiring for girls who might not see technology as an appealing career option. I have an 11-year-old daughter, and I want to make sure that when she goes through school and begins her studies that she knows that this is absolutely a career path to go down and that she has a voice and she can be represented just as much as her male colleagues can, she says. Ive been in tech my whole career. Ive had the situation where most times Ive been the only woman in the room. So many opportunities always go to your male counterparts. You dont get considered for promotionall those things. I wanted to make a difference for helping girls to be involved in considering technology as a career and as another avenue for study. Corballis says Technovation complements other local programmes and competitions designed to encourage New Zealand school students into technology careers. What makes Technovation appealing is that it provides the opportunity for girls to compete on the global stage. Next year, Corballis is planning to introduce the second Technovation competition locallyTechnovation Families, which is about getting girls and their families to create mobile apps and AI solutions together. Meanwhile, Corballis plans to present a showcase of all the New Zealand entries to Technovation during this years apps during Techweek in late July 2020. Yesterday the US Secretary of State said that Beijing's territorial claims are completely illegal". Until now, the United States had limited itself to demanding freedom of navigation in the strategic region. For Manila, Beijing must respect international law. Jakarta views support from other countries for its positions is normal. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) The Philippines and Indonesia are the only two ASEAN[*] countries to express open support for the strong stance taken by the United States against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. In a tough speech, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday said that Chinese claims over this vast body of water are completely illegal". Although critical of Beijing's actions in the region in the past, Washington had never taken such a clear stance, limiting itself hitherto to demanding freedom of navigation and overflight in the area. Washington's position is based on a ruling by the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, which described as baseless Chinas claims to almost 90 per cent of the South China Sea. Secretary Pompeo said that the United States would take action to protect the sovereign right of Southeast Asian nations to exploit their maritime resources. For several observers, the US statement reinforces the position of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and Indonesia against Chinas claims in the strategic waterway. The Asian giant has occupied and militarised a number of coral atolls and sandy banks in the South China Sea. Chinese warships and coast guard vessels, along with fishing militia vessels, frequently operate in the waters claimed by other states. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed Pompeo's words, noting that they reflect the expectations of the community of nations, which calls for compliance with international laws in disputes over the South China Sea. Secretary Lorenzana urged Beijing to respect the Hague Court ruling. More cautiously, Indonesia agrees. The Indonesia Foreign Ministry said today that any country's support for Indonesian rights in the Natuna Sea is normal. At the same time, Indonesian leaders stress that their country is not a party to the disputes in the South China Sea. China however claims historical rights to the rich fishing grounds around the Natuna Islands, an area which, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, falls within Indonesias exclusive economic zone. ASEAN countries tend not to take sides in the geopolitical confrontation between Washington and Beijing. They need China for their economic growth - severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic - and the United States to contain Beijings hegemonic claims. Recently, the two superpowers flexed their muscles in the South China Sea. In early July, China carried out a large-scale amphibious exercise in the waters around the Paracel islands. In response, Washington sent two aircraft carriers with their respective strike group to the region. [*] Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:55:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma said Wednesday that he tested positive for novel coronavirus, becoming the first governor to publicly confirm infection since the pandemic spread in the country. "I got tested yesterday for Covid-19 and the results came back positive," Governor Kevin Stitt told reporters. "I feel fine; I felt a little bit achy yesterday." The Republican governor said he was isolating himself from other family members and working from home. According to local media report, Stitt led a meeting of the Commissioners of the Land Office on Tuesday. He wore a mask around his neck, instead of covering his mouth with it, when hosting the meeting and answering reporters' questions afterwards. Despite his positive test, Stitt didn't think it necessary to reinstate lockdown measures, saying that "going back and bunkering in place doesn't remove" the virus. Neither was the governor interested in reversing the state's reopening. "It's way way premature to think of slowing down or backing up," he said. Oklahoma has seen record increase of cases since President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in the city of Tulsa in the state on June 20, which Stitt also attended. The state recorded a total of 21,783 cases as of Tuesday, up 993 cases compared to the previous day, according to the latest data from Oklahoma State Department of Health. The death toll reached 428. Particularly in Tulsa, a senior local health official said the surge in cases might be linked to the Trump rally and the protests against it that happened at the time. "The past two days we've had almost 500 cases, and we know we had several large events a little over two weeks ago, which is about right," Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Bruce Dart said during a news conference on July 8. "So I guess we just connect the dots." Enditem Jones, in that story, defended his management approach which includes setting firm work goals for employees and reviewing worker performance every 90 days and adhering to a motto of fire fast, hire slow. He and members of the Board of Trustees said that goal-setting is a good thing, and that some workers have resisted needed changes at History Nebraska, including an aggressive push to digitize collections and documents to make them available online. Drake, in her statement to the board, said that she realized she might face suspension or dismissal for speaking out, but that shed had a spotless performance record until Jones arrived and imposed impossible goals via the management system he uses, known as the Entrepreneurial Operating System for Businesses. And if I cant do it, they accuse me of being incompetent, insubordinate, unwilling to change, that I want to do things the old way, etc., said her statement, which was obtained by The World-Herald. Drake, who is 63, said that when she tries to work things out, nothing I suggest would be accepted since it came from a 43-year employee. Britain on Tuesday bowed to growing US pressure and ordered the phased removal of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from its 5G network despite warnings of retaliation from Beijing. The policy reversal hands a long-sought victory to US President Donald Trumps administration in its geopolitical tug-of-war with China. The White House said the decision reflects a growing international consensus that Huawei and other untrusted vendors pose a threat to national security, as they remain beholden to the Chinese Communist Party. But the move threatens to further damage Britains ties with the Asian power and carry a big cost for UK mobile providers that have relied on Huawei equipment for nearly 20 years. Huawei called it politicised and likely to put Britain in the digital slow lane. Chinas ambassador in London, Liu Xiaoming, called it a disappointing and wrong decision. It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries, he wrote on Twitter. The politically-fraught change in Britains digital future was made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a meeting with his cabinet and National Security Council. It requires companies to stop buying new 5G equipment from Huawei starting next year and strip out existing gear by the end of 2027. This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, digital minister Oliver Dowden told parliament. - US sanctions - Johnson infuriated Trump and upset some members of his own Conservative party by allowing the Chinese leader in global 5G technology to help roll out Britains speedy new data network in January. The UK was then completing its tortuous departure from the European Union and looking to establish strong ties with powerful Asian economies that could fulfil Johnsons vision of a Global Britain. But the Trump administration told the UK government that its choice imperilled intelligence sharing because British signals could be intercepted or manipulated by China. Washington believes the private company can also shut down rival countries 5G networks under Beijings orders in times of war. Huawei has always denied this and pointed to two decades of cooperation with British security agencies that checked on the safety of its existing 3G and 4G networks. The British review was triggered by Washington sanctions in May that blocked Huaweis access to US chips at the heart of 5G networks. The sanctions did not impact older 3G and 4G providers and Britain left its guidance for those networks unchanged. Outages Johnson had come under intensifying pressure to not only dump Huawei but also adopt a tough line with China for its treatment of Hong Kong and repression of ethnic Uighurs in the western Xinjiang region. But he also pledged to voters last year to bring broadband access to all Britons by 2025. British telecoms companies had lobbied strongly against the policy reversal because of the cost of taking existing equipment out and finding untested alternatives. Dowden conceded Britons will now have to wait longer to get full access to the rapid new network. This means a cumulative delay to 5G roll-out of two to three years and costs of up to 2 billion ($2.5 billion, 2.2 billion euros), he said. This will have real consequences for the connections on which all our constituents rely. But officials insisted that Huawei had managed to install only a small amount of equipment since the 5G system began being offered to UK consumers last year. Diversification Johnson has challenged the Trump administration to come up with a reliable and cost-effective alternative to the Chinese firm. Britain is pushing for the creation of a 5G club of nations that can pool their resources and provide individual components for an alternative solution that could be applied across the world. The UK government said the process would begin with South Koreas Samsung and Japans NEC -- two veterans with broad production capabilities -- while offering protection for Finlands Nokia and Swedens Ericsson to ensure they remained viable players in the field. Ericssons regional head Arun Bansal said his firm was ready to work with the UK operators to meet their timetable, with no disruption to customers. Nokias chief executive for UK and Ireland, Cormac Whelan, said the firm also has the capacity and expertise to replace all of the Huawei equipment in the UKs networks at scale and speed. But UK officials caution that all existing players have some Huawei equipment in their supply chains that needs to be taken into account. GREENWICH Ann Suger, owner of Anns Hobby Center in Cos Cob, keeps her store packed with anything and everything for fans of hobbies, models and more. Suger began working at the hobby shop as a part-time employee, then spending 15 years often running the store. Eventually she took it over, providing plastic and wood model supplies for the past 20 years. Washington: US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said he did not understand the White House effort to discredit him in the battle against coronavirus and believed it was a "major mistake" that reflected poorly on them. The White House over the weekend distributed a list of statements Fauci made early in the pandemic that turned out to be wrong as understanding of the disease developed, according to media reports. Trump said earlier this week he valued Fauci's input but did not always agree with him, but on Wednesday made efforts to distance himself from the latest attacks by a White House adviser. Aides for US President Donald Trump appear to be actively trying to discredit the disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci. "You know, it is a bit bizarre. I don't really fully understand it," Fauci said in an interview with The Atlantic. He said he believed the people involved in releasing that list, which was misleading because it did not include the entirety of Fauci's statements or other context, are really "taken aback by what a big mistake that was." Midland resident and business owner Billy Strawter Sr. said when he moved to Midland in the 70s, it was a culture shock and very challenging for him to compete in the workforce as a person of color. It was just disappointing, he said. I felt like because of the color of my skin that I wasnt able to get where I wanted to get early on in my career here in Midland. But, I overcame that. Strawter worked for Dow for many years and now has his own business, EnviCare Consulting, Inc., but he said even as hes raised his kids in Midland, theyve all faced moments of racism. When youre pulled over (by police) when youre not wrong, and havent done anything, it just cuts you to the core of your heart and its painful, he said. And you never forget it. I could tell you every place I have ever been stopped. This was a story Strawter shared with Midland City Council Monday night as a member of a newly-formed coalition. The coalition formed in the last month, in the wake of Minneapolis, Minnesota resident George Floyds death and social unrest across the nation. The coalition made of community leaders such as Mayor Maureen Donker, Midland Police Chief Nicole Ford, City Manager Brad Kaye and Councilwoman Diane Brown Wilhelm is looking to listen to the community, collect data to identify problems specific to Midland, create partnerships with organizations that already exist, and implement local solutions where needed. Brown Wilhelm said the focus is to create solutions that are unique to Midlands needs, rather than look outside the community for resolutions. Everything that happens at a national level, doesnt happen necessarily here in Midland, she said. But, we need to understand what is happening here to make sure were addressing the right issues and making sure that the change were making is the change thats needed here in Midland. Just as important is that these efforts not be city-driven, but rather community-driven through partnerships with other people and organizations. The goal is to establish a dashboard to track progress of the coalition and share information. At the council meeting, multiple coalition members spoke about their experiences in Midland as members of the African American community and their excitement for moving forward. Though each of them expressed their love and appreciation for the Midland community, they recognized a need to make it better. Brown Wilhelm made it clear this was not a political issue, but rather a human one. As a mother that has a son and a grandson, and to just see how (George Floyd) died it made me feel like that could have been my child, she said. She said the upcoming changes wont be comfortable, but a safe environment for discussion is needed to make the community more welcoming for future generations. We arent going to not talk about the things that are happening or pretend it doesnt exist, because it does, she said. Council gave its full support for the coalition to move forward with its efforts. Even in such a strange, normality-disrupted time, creative people are making lemonade out of the big, fat lemon that is 2020 as small events are popping up across the state to help distract us from the pandemic. At still-young Rosabianca Vineyards in rural Northford (North Branford), theyre making wine from homegrown and California grapes and accompanying the vino with comedy, art and picnics in their country setting. A comedy night July 16 sold out, although with all the COVID restrictions requiring distancing and keeping parties to five or less, theres not a huge capacity. (Next comedy night is Aug. 13.) Painting classes at the winery are also sold out in July and August at the 1536 Middletown Ave. location, but more dates may be added, so check their website, rosabiancavineyards.com, said the winerys Lisa Rosabianca. The winery also has pizza every Friday and Saturday and Sunday via rotating food trucks, she said. Typical hours are Friday, 4-8 p.m., Saturday 12-7 and Sunday 12-5. For a scenic drive on a weekend or off day, check out Priam Vineyards at 11 Shailor Hill Road off Route 149 in Colchester (northeast of Moodus). They have a Friday night unWINEd Concert series in the vineyard from 6-9 p.m. and food such as oysters and shrimp or the occasional pizza truck. Standard COVID safety rules are in place, of course, so have a mask for arriving and exiting. Picnic baskets are also welcome but not outside beverages. Tents and picnic tables are available, but bring your own blankets or folding chairs for lawn seating. Concert tickets are $14 in advance and $16 at the gate. Kids under 12 are free. Order advance tickets online at: priam-vineyards.com. The Friday, July 24, band is the groove, rock and blues crew called Mixed Singles (with Tacos La Rosa Food Truck). July 31 will be Nightshift band (1960s to 1980s music, with Pizza Pixie Food Truck). Hours 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (but 5 p.m. on music nights). Priam Vineyards is on the Connecticut Wine Trail and is a completely solar-powered winery and sustainable vineyard in the Salmon River Watershed area, and has been declared a nature conservation area by the World Wildlife Federation. Its also the first winery in New England to be Vegan Certified by the BevVeg organization. Out at Foxwoods, the drive-in show will turn to Disney flicks Thursday-Sunday, July 23-26, with Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin and Dumbo. And Oakdale Theatre may be silent on the live music front but its doing what it hasnt shut its property down completely. The theaters lot has hosted several successful community events, including drive-in graduations for Wallingford high schools Lyman Hall and Sheehan, and the Meals Masks and Music Food Drive in mid-June, which collected 10,500 pounds of food for the CT Food Bank and distributed over 1,000 masks said an official. And the theater at this writing was planning another Pets, Masks & Music drive for Wednesday, July 22. The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will collect pet supplies, dog food, cat food, leashes, collars, treats, toys, bird seed or a monetary donation for local shelters and animal advocates, set to music as you drive through. Michael Andrews, general manager of Toyota Oakdale, said in an email, It feels good to give back to the region that has supported us at Oakdale for over 60 years. We are in the business of entertaining, and we cant do that right now - so instead , we will look to explore efforts to entertain in other ways - through community efforts like these. Jamarante@nhregister.com; Twitter: @Joeammo Centrify, a leading provider of Identity-Centric Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions, today announced the hiring of Flint Brenton as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Brenton replaces former Centrify CEO Tim Steinkopf, who recently retired for health reasons. Brenton most recently was President and CEO of CollabNet VersionOne (now Digital.ai), which pioneered the Value Stream Management (VSM) market. Behind Brentons leadership and vision, the company influenced the creation of a new space that has become mainstream for enterprises in need of an integrated Agile and DevOps solution. CollabNets customer-driven approach to innovation has resulted in recognition as a leader across a range of industry analyst reports for Agile Planning and Agile Project and Portfolio Management, as well as Value Stream Management. CollabNet was acquired by TPG Capital in October 2019. I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead Centrify forward as we continue to redefine Privileged Access Management for modern IT environments, in particular for securing access to the cloud based on the strength of our cloud architecture, said Brenton. We have all the pieces in place to not only grow our leadership in a maturing PAM space, but also to expand into evolving, high-growth market segments including cloud security, DevOps, and automation. Thats where privileged access will be critical to securing machine identities and service accounts, the next growth frontier of the enterprise IT estate. Prior to leading CollabNet for almost five years until its successful exit, Brenton was President and CEO of AccelOps, the leading IT operations security and network performance analytics platform for cloud and virtualized infrastructures. The company was acquired by Fortinet in 2016. He also served as President and CEO of Tidal, a leading application automation software solution provider that was acquired by Cisco in May 2009, where he led engineering for cloud and systems management. Brenton has held various other engineering leadership positions at NetIQ, Compaq, BMC Software, IBM, and more. Flint is somebody that weve known for over a decade, and is absolutely the right person to continue pushing Centrify into this next growth phase, drawing on his proven success leading high-growth, profitable companies, said A.J. Rohde, Partner at Thoma Bravo LLC. We thank Tim Steinkopf for his leadership over the past two years and wish him all the best. With Flint as our leader, Centrify can continue to fulfill our core mission for our world-class customer base, while innovating for those same customers in emerging use cases around both security and operations. Centrify is a leader in the most recent industry analyst reports for the Privileged Access Management space including the Gartner Magic Quadrant, the Forrester Wave and the KuppingerCole Leadership Compass. According to the Forecast: Information Security and Risk Management, Worldwide, 2018-2024, 1Q20 Update* report from Gartner, cloud security is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in 2020 at 35.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), while PAM is the third fastest-growing segment at a 13.9% CAGR. For more information about Centrify, visit http://www.centrify.com. About Centrify Centrify is redefining the legacy approach to Privileged Access Management by delivering multi-cloud-architected Identity-Centric PAM to enable digital transformation at scale. Centrify Identity-Centric PAM establishes trust, and then grants least privilege access just-in-time based on verifying who is requesting access, the context of the request, and the risk of the access environment. Centrify centralizes and orchestrates fragmented identities, improves audit and compliance visibility, and reduces risk, complexity, and costs for the modern, hybrid enterprise. Over half of the Fortune 100, the worlds largest financial institutions, intelligence agencies, and critical infrastructure companies, all trust Centrify to stop the leading cause of breaches privileged credential abuse. Centrify is a registered trademark of Centrify Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. *Gartner, Forecast: Information Security and Risk Management, Worldwide, 2018-2024, 1Q20 Update, Rustam Malik, Mark Driver, Ruggero Contu, Lawrence Pingree, Elizabeth Kim, John A. Wheeler, Nat Smith, Christian Canales, 20 May 2020 Study suggests that Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Increases Survival in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients requiring Intubation with Mechanical Ventilation Overall survival was 60.8% in the treatment group which received IVIG (octagam 5%), versus 38.1% in the control group which did not receive IVIG, corresponding to a trend of 2.2 times reduced risk of death when receiving IVIG treatment The Effects of IVIG in COVID-19 May Be Related to its Known Immunomodulatory Activities in Various Auto-immune Diseases Topline results from a retrospective study in 93 critically ill COVID-19 patients have become available. The data shows that IVIG treatment reduces inflammation, which is associated with poor clinical outcomes and death, and points to an increase in survival, in critically ill COVID-19 patients, when compared to a control group. The study was conducted at the Istanbul University Hospital, Turkey, under the lead of Prof. Dr. Figen Esen. In critically ill COVID-19 patients, the cause of death often implicates an abnormal pulmonary immune response. This abnormal immune response is characterized by high levels of inflammatory markers, which are associated with poor clinical outcomes.1, 2 Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiorgan failure are major causes of mortality in COVID-19 patients.3 High levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are part of a severe inflammatory response known as a "cytokine storm" which may cause multiple organ dysfunction and ARDS in critically ill COVID-19 patients.4 There is no known effective treatment for patients infected with COVID-19, except for remdesivir and dexamethasone. Early treatment of COVID-19 patients with systemic immune modulators such as IVIG may reduce aberrant immune responses and the subsequent inflammatory responses, which are observed in the severe stages of ARDS and may cause lasting lung damage and death.5, 6 IVIG has been proven to protect from infections in immunodeficient patients and has also been increasingly recognized for its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the mechanisms of action of IVIG are not completely understood, it may modulate the immune response via multiple mechanisms, including blocking a wide array of pro-inflammatory cytokines that potentially lead to severe inflammatory responses, including cytokine storm, as well as Fc-gamma receptor binding of activated macrophages)4 Octagam (5% and 10%) is a polyvalent IVIG preparation that is approved in over 80 countries worldwide for the treatment of immunodeficiency and other immune disorders. It is hypothesized that octagam can treat critically ill COVID-19 patients by reducing and/or preventing hyperinflammation as it has been observed in severe disease.4 In the Istanbul University Hospital study, octagam 5% was administered at approx. 0.4g/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days (2g/kg body weight total dose) to 51 critically ill COVID-19 patients, all requiring intensive care with intubation and mechanical ventilation. Biomarkers and clinical outcomes were compared with those of 42 critically ill COVID-19 patients who did not receive IVIG. Other treatments used in both treatment groups included favipiravir, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, oseltamivir, tocilizumab, and anakinra. A higher survival rate was observed in the octagam treatment group. At the end of the study, overall survival was 60.8% in the treatment group which received octagam, versus 38.1% in the control group which did not receive IVIG (p 0.0906 after controlling for baseline factors), corresponding to a trend of 2.2 times reduced risk of death when receiving IVIG. At 6 days after start of treatment, the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly reduced by 46% versus baseline in the IVIG group, whereas there was no reduction compared to baseline in the control group (p=0.0488). Prof. Dr. Figen Esen, Head of the Intensive Care Department, Istanbul University Hospital, commented: "In the critical care setting, the management of sepsis includes modulation of the immune system and the host response. Whilst IVIG treatment in sepsis has shown positive beneficial effects in terms of infection and lowering inflammation and mortality, the relatively small amount of data generated from high quality clinical trials has prevented its widespread incorporation into clinical guidelines. The clinical picture of severe COVID-19 in the critical care setting includes many of the same features as sepsis, however with a much more severe inflammatory chaos induced by cytokine storm. There is one other difference; here we do not have any proven effective treatments, apart from manipulating the patient's immune system, either by augmenting or suppressing. IVIG therapy presents a perfect choice to modulate the patient's immune system and calm down the situation. Although our results have certain limitations, we have observed in routine clinical use of IVIG in severely ill COVID-19 patients, a significant reduction in inflammation in the group receiving IVIG treatment, leading to an improved clinical outcome in terms of a much higher survival rate. We are happy to see the results of our data leading to further prospective randomized multicenter trials in severely ill COVID-19 patients, and we are really very excited to see the results". "These positive results from Istanbul University Hospital appear to demonstrate the immune-modulating properties of IVIG in severely-ill COVID-19 patients, in reducing hyperinflammation and the associated cytokine storm syndrome and improving clinical outcomes", said Wolfgang Frenzel, M.D., Head of Research Development at Octapharma. "We are hopeful of further positive results in our ongoing Phase 3, multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of octagam 10% therapy in COVID-19 patients with severe disease progression, currently being conducted at a number of study sites in the USA". These results from Istanbul University Hospital contribute to a growing body of clinical evidence suggesting the role IVIG plays in increasing survival and improving clinical outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients, by preventing and/or reducing hyperinflammation and the associated cytokine storm syndrome. Following on from this positive data from Istanbul University Hospital and also a prospective investigator-initiated study conducted by Dr George Sakoulas of Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, USA), Octapharma has started a Phase 3, multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy and safety of octagam 10% therapy in COVID-19 patients with severe disease progression. This study is currently being conducted in various centers in the United States and compares the efficacy and safety of IVIG plus standard of care (SOC) versus placebo in the treatment of COVID-19 patients at risk of requiring mechanical ventilation. Information about Octagam5% Octagam 5% is a ready to use, liquid preparation of highly purified immunoglobulin for intravenous administration (IVIG). It was originally approved in Europe in 1995, and is now approved in over 80 countries worldwide for the treatment of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and a variety of other immune disorders. It is approved as immunomodulation therapy in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and Kawasaki disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in selected geographical areas. About Octapharma Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma is one of the largest human protein manufacturers in the world, developing and producing human proteins from human plasma and human cell lines. Octapharma employs more than 10,000 people worldwide to support the treatment of patients in 118 countries with products across three therapeutic areas: Hematology, Immunotherapy, and Critical Care. Octapharma has seven R&D sites and six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Austria, France, Germany, Mexico and Sweden, with a combined capacity of approximately 8 million litres of plasma per annum. In addition, Octapharma operates more than 140 plasma donation centres across Europe and the US. For further information on the action of Octapharma in the fight against COVID-19 see this article. References 1. Tisoncik JR, Korth MJ, Simmons CP, Farrar J, Martin TR, Katze MG. Into the eye of the cytokine storm. Microbiology and molecular biology reviews: MMBR 2012; 76(1) 16-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22390970 2. Lee KY. Pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Early Immune-Modulator Therapy. International journal of molecular sciences 2017; 18(2). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28208675 3. Ruan Q, Yang K, Wang W, Jiang L, Song J. Clinical predictors of mortality due to COVID-19 based on an analysis of data of 150 patients from Wuhan, China. Intensive Care Med. 2020; 46: 846-848. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32125452/ 4. Mehta P, McAuley DF, Brown M, Sanchez E, Tattersall RS. COVID-19: consider cytokine storm syndromes and immunosuppression. Lancet. 2020 Mar 28;395(10229):1033-1034. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32192578/ 5. Calabrese LH. Cytokine storm and the prospects for immunotherapy with COVID-19. Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32393592 6. Wright DJM. Prevention of the cytokine storm in COVID-19. The Lancet Infectious diseases 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32386610 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005632/en/ Contacts: Macarena Guillamon corporatecommunications@octapharma.com Conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan announced he is leaving New York magazine this week, saying the reasons for the split were 'pretty self-evident'. He said he would elaborate in his final column on Friday Conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan has announced he is leaving New York magazine this week, saying the reasons for the split were 'pretty self-evident'. Sullivan, who has worked at New York magazine since 2016, said he would elaborate on his reasons in his final column on Friday. It comes just weeks after he was allegedly banned by the publication from writing about the riots across the US in the wake of George Floyd's death. Sullivan's announcement came the same day New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss revealed on Tuesday she had quit in a scathing resignation letter that slammed the newspaper for fostering an 'illiberal environment' and allegedly allowing her to be bullied by coworkers for 'wrongthink'. 'This will be my last week at New York Magazine,' Sullivan tweeted on Tuesday. 'I'm sad because the editors I worked with there are among the finest in the country, and I am immensely grateful to them for vastly improving my work. I'm also proud of the essays and columns I wrote at NYM - some of which will be published in a collection of my writing scheduled for next year.' While Sullivan didn't give specific reasons for leaving the magazine, he said he had 'no beef' with his colleagues. 'The underlying reasons for the split are pretty self-evident, and I'll be discussing the broader questions involved in my last column this Friday,' he said. 'I've been preparing for this eventuality, and the column will continue elsewhere. See you on Friday, when I'll detail some exciting news.' Sullivan, who was was born and raised in the UK but has lived in the US for decades, has previously expressed concern that a 'woke' culture is crowding out dissenting opinion. The British journalist didn't elaborate on his reasons for leaving the magazine but said he had 'no beef' with his colleagues and that he would elaborate in his final column Sullivan's announcement came after New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss revealed on Tuesday she had quit in a scathing resignation letter that slammed the newspaper for fostering an 'illiberal environment' and allegedly allowing her to be bullied by coworkers for 'wrongthink' In a June 12 column titled 'Is There Still Room to Debate?' Sullivan wrote about an increasingly furious campaign to quell dissent from the central idea that society's evils stem from discrimination against blacks. 'In these past two weeks, if you didn't put up on Instagram or Facebook some kind of slogan or symbol displaying your wokeness, you were instantly suspect,' he wrote. New York magazine also faced backlash last month for allegedly banning Sullivan from writing about anti-racism protests across the US. Sullivan had tweeted that his column wouldn't be running in mid-June and Cockburn, an American blog run by UK-based news outlet The Spectator, claimed it was because editors didn't want him writing about the riots. The blog claimed, citing a source close to New York magazine, that Sullivan had to have his work vetted by sensitive junior editors to make sure it doesn't trigger them before being published. Neither Sullivan or the magazine commented at the time. David Haskell, editor-in-chief of New York magazine, said he and Sullivan both agreed that his ideas and the magazine's were no longer a match. 'Andrew and I agreed that his editorial project and the magazine's, though overlapping in many ways, were no longer the right match for each other,' he said in a memo to staff. 'While I found myself often disagreeing with his politics, I also found it valuable to be publishing work that challenged my thinking.' 'I am trying hard to create in this magazine a civil, respectful, intellectually honest space for political debate. I believe there is a way to write from a conservative perspective about some of the most politically charged subjects of American life while still upholding our values.' Haskell went on to say that publishing conservative commentary in 2020 'is difficult to get right' and that 'thoughtful, well meaning people can come to different conclusions about it'. Sullivan's departure from the magazine came on the same day Weiss, who joined the Times in 2017, revealed she was resigning and accused the newspaper of only publishing stories that 'satisfy the narrowest of audiences'. Sullivan referenced Weiss' resignation letter in several tweets and retweets soon after, including one in which he wrote: 'I'd say Bari's future is a lot more promising than the NYT's.' He also tweeted: 'The mob bullied and harassed a young woman for thoughtcrimes. And her editors stood by and watched.' Journalist Yashar Ali tweeted on Tuesday that several sources had told him in recent weeks that Sullivan and Weiss were working on a new project together. Sullivan referenced Weiss' resignation letter in several tweets and retweets soon after it was published on her website on Tuesday Journalist Yashar Ali tweeted on Tuesday that several sources had told him in recent weeks that Sullivan and Weiss were working on a new project together ANDREW SULLIVAN: THE CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR Andrew Sullivan, who is openly gay, is a conservative political commentator who lives in Washington DC. He was born and raised in the UK but has lived in the US for decades. Prior to joining New York magazine in 2016, he was an editor at The New Republic. He founded the Daily Dish, which is a political blog published by Time and The Atlantic before going independent. Sullivan, who has also written six books, retired from blogging in 2015 and became a writer-at-large at New York magazine the following year. Advertisement President Donald Trump weighed in on Weiss' resignation on Wednesday when he tweeted that people were fleeing the New York Times. 'Wow. The @nytimes is under siege. The real reason is that it has become Fake News. They never covered me correctly - they blew it. People are fleeing, a total mess!' he said. In a lengthy resignation letter addressed to NY Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger and posted on her website, Weiss said the paper of record was among the media institutions now betraying their standards and losing sight of their principles. Weiss, who has previously said she doesn't support Trump, went on to claim that the opinions of those on Twitter had become the newspaper's 'ultimate editor'. Weiss, who once dated SNL's Kate McKinnon while studying at Columbia University, also accused the outlet of creating a 'hostile work environment' for employees that essentially had anything other than left-of-center views. She claims this mentality resulted in her being constantly bullied by coworkers who have called her a 'Nazi and a racist' because of her 'own forays into wrongthink'. 'Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery,' Weiss wrote. Weiss started her letter saying she optimistically joined the newspaper three years ago in what she described as the outlet's efforts to bring in voices that wouldn't normally appear. 'The reason for this effort was clear: The paper's failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn't have a firm grasp of the country it covers,' she wrote. 'The priority in Opinion was to help redress that critical shortcoming. 'But the lessons that ought to have followed the election - lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society - have not been learned. 'Instead, a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isn't a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else. In a lengthy resignation letter addressed to NY Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger and posted on her website, Weiss said the paper of record was among the media institutions now betraying their standards and losing sight of their principles President Donald Trump weighed in on Weiss' resignation on Wednesday when he tweeted that people were fleeing the New York Times WAVE OF CONSERVATIVES PRAISE WEISS' EXIT FROM NYT President Donald Trump weighed in on Weiss' resignation on Wednesday when he tweeted that people were fleeing the New York Times. 'Wow. The @nytimes is under siege. The real reason is that it has become Fake News. They never covered me correctly - they blew it. People are fleeing, a total mess!' he said. He was part of a wave of conservative figures who praised Weiss' decision to leave. Donald Trump Jr. tweeted Tuesday: 'NYT editor @bariweiss resigns in STUNNING fashion & exposes the Times' rampant attacks on anyone who breaks from the far-left narrative.' Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, also praised Weiss' letter as 'eloquent, profound, incisive and true.' 'They've been replaced by authoritarian statists demanding complete uniformity & subservient obedience to government. No free speech. No civil liberties. Just totalitarian tyranny,' he added. Meghan McCain, a conservative commentator and daughter of former Republican Sen. John McCain hailed Weiss as a 'true original' and 'a fearless thinker'. She called her exit from the Times 'another nail in the coffin for diversity of though in mainstream media.' Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who has lobbied for a GOP bill to allow users to sue social media companies and accuses tech giants like Facebook and YouTube of silencing conservative speech, said her letter was 'powerful'. Her support came from across the political aisle as former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweeted: 'If someone like @bariweiss feels like she can't do her best work at the @nytimes they should make some real changes over there.' Advertisement 'Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor. As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space. Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.' Weiss went on to claim that intellectual curiosity and risk-taking was now a 'liability' at the Times. 'Why edit something challenging to our readers, or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher, when we can assure ourselves of job security (and clicks) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world? And so self-censorship has become the norm,' she wrote. 'What rules that remain at The Times are applied with extreme selectivity. 'Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble, if not fired.' Weiss has repeatedly drawn criticism during her time at the newspaper. Most recently, she tweeted that there was a 'civil war' brewing inside the Times in relation to the controversy surrounding the publication of the Tom Cotton op-ed. The Times ran a column calling the Senator's op-ed 'fascist' after he called on Trump to use the military to crack down on rioting, looting and violence in the wake of George Floyd's death. Initially, publisher A.G. Sulzberger stood behind the column but the outlet later backtracked. James Bennet, the New York Times editorial page editor responsible for publishing Cotton's column, resigned over the ordeal following the outrage from inside and outside the Times' newsroom. At the time, Weiss tweeted: 'The civil war inside The New York Times between the (mostly young) wokes the (mostly 40+) liberals is the same one raging inside other publications and companies across the country. The dynamic is always the same.' In response, staffers called for Weiss to be fired. In her resignation letter, Weiss noted that it took the Times 'two days and two jobs' to say the Tom Cotton op-ed 'fell short of our standards'. Weiss repeatedly drew criticism during her time at the newspaper. Most recently, she tweeted that there was a 'civil war' brewing inside the Times in relation to the controversy surrounding the publication of the Tom Cotton op-ed The Times ran a column calling the Senator's op-ed 'fascist' after he called on Trump to use the military to crack down on rioting, looting and violence in the wake of George Floyd's death The article was initially defended by publisher AG Sulzberger (left) who said the paper aimed to share 'views from across the spectrum'. The newspaper's opinion page editor James Bennet (right) also defended the decision to publish. Bennet later resigned over the ordeal She was also among those to sign an open letter published in Harper's Bazaar Magazine last week that slammed 'cancel culture' and warned of an 'intolerant climate' for free speech. Weiss was also criticzed for her opinion on the #MeToo movement after cautioning on immediately believing every woman who comes forward. When she weighed in on the Brett Kavanaugh controversy, she was slammed for asking on MSNBC if the accusations stemming from his teen years should be 'disqualifying'. Weiss later admitted that her soundbite about Kavanaugh sounded 'glib' or insincere. Weiss, in her resignation letter, said her opinions had resulted in her being bullied by coworkers. She described the Times as a 'hostile work environment' and criticized management for allowing her coworkers to 'publicly smear' her on Twitter and also on company-wide Slack channels. Weiss said some employees would post an ax emoji next to her name on company Slack channels and others would discuss the need for her to 'rooted out' if the NYT was 'truly inclusive'. 'My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I'm 'writing about the Jews again',' Weiss wrote in her resignation letter. 'Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. 'There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly 'inclusive' one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.' She went on to describe that behavior as unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment and constructive discharge. 'I do not understand how you have allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper's entire staff and the public. And I certainly can't square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage,' she wrote. The Madhya Pradesh government ordered on Wednesday a high-level inquiry into the case of a Dalit couple consuming pesticide in Guna district after police allegedly tried to remove them from a piece of land. The couple and local residents said they were forcibly removed but the local administration refuted these allegations and said a local land mafia was resisting an anti-encroachment drive by the police and using poor people to thwart the governments efforts. The couple -- Ramkumar Ahirwar, 37, a resident of Janakpur Chak village and his wife Savitri Ahirwar, 35 -- were rushed to the district hospital in Guna on Tuesday where their condition was said to be stable, added police. On a complaint of a revenue officer in Guna, police on Wednesday registered an FIR against Ramkumar, Savitri, Shishupal Ahirwar [younger brother of Ramkumar] and four others, all residents if Janakpur Chak village for deterring him from discharging his government duty. A separate case has been registered against Ramkumar and Savitri for making an attempt to commit suicide, said Tarun Nayak, superintendent of police. A video of the incident went viral on social media where police personnel could be seen beating Ahirwars brother and sister-in-law. Late on Thursday, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhans secretariat ordered the transfer of collector S Vishwanathan and superintendent of police Tarun Nayak. It also ordered a high-level inquiry. Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia said, Guna incident is unfortunate. I had a discussion with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and requested him to take action against insensitive and irresponsible officials. Taking a serious note of the incident the CM has ordered shifting of Guna collector and SP. Vishwanathan refuted allegations that the family was beaten up and harassed by the administration. The collector said, The land at Janakpur Chak was earmarked for a science college but a land mafia Babbu Padri is trying to encroach upon the land by using poor people. He alleged that Ahirwar and his family were being used by Padri to encroach upon the four acre land. The government had allocated the fund of ~12 crore to PWD for construction of the science college one year ago. The administration was trying to free the land from encroachment for a long time...Ramkumar Ahirwar and his family resisted, said Vishwanathan. State Congress president Kamal Nath said, In which direction is Shivraj government taking the state If there was any land dispute the same could have been addressed legally. BJP state spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said, The government will provide all the possible help to the family and will not allow any land mafia to use poor to encroach upon the land. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Head of the Department of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Professor Kwesi Aning has blamed the chaos that led to the death of a man in Banda in the Bono region on the activities of vigilante groups. The security expert says the development is an indication that vigilante groups are still alive and growing and in strength in political parties. The 28-year-old man was killed after a scuffle at the registration center. The scuffle was sparked after some persons associated with the NPP parliamentary candidate for the constituency confronted brother of the MP for the area, Ahmed Ibrahim, over reasons not yet known. Speaking to sit-in host of Morning Starr Wednesday, Dr Aning said the situation could worsen if immediate measures are not adopted before the December polls. It is naive for anyone to think what is happening is a surprise. Members of vigilantes have now recognized the power that they have and are now using their power to intimidate those who formed them. They now know they are an alternative source of power and so they are using it. "What should be done is that immediately we need to go back to the drawing board and find measures to really deal with the menace and there is the need to be practical and realistic with the solution and approach, he said. Since the commencement of the voters registration exercise, there have been reports of violence in centres especially in Accra and the Ashanti region. ---starrfmonline Automotive Engine Management System Market Research Report by Vehicle (Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles, and Passenger Cars), by Engine Type (Diesel and Gasoline) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19 New York, July 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Automotive Engine Management System Market Research Report by Vehicle, by Engine Type - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913390/?utm_source=GNW The Global Automotive Engine Management System Market is expected to grow from USD 180,777.80 Million in 2019 to USD 272,392.30 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.07%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Automotive Engine Management System to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: On the basis of Vehicle , the Automotive Engine Management System Market is studied across Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles, and Passenger Cars. On the basis of Engine Type, the Automotive Engine Management System Market is studied across Diesel and Gasoline. On the basis of Geography, the Automotive Engine Management System Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market including Continental AG, Delphi Automotive, Denso Corporation, Hella KGaA Hueck, Hitachi Automotive Systems, Infineon Technology, MBE Systems, NGK Spark Plug, Robert Bosch, and Sensata Technologies. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Automotive Engine Management System Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on sulfuric acid offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Engine Management System Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913390/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 ST-APOLLINAIRE, Que. - Quebec police have searched for seven days and have failed to locate the father of the two girls found dead over the weekend in a rural area southwest of Quebec City. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Police officers pause as they search a back road on Saturday, July 11, 2020 in Saint-Apollinaire, Que. The search for the father of two girls found dead in southwest of Quebec City over the weekend is now in its seventh day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot ST-APOLLINAIRE, Que. - Quebec police have searched for seven days and have failed to locate the father of the two girls found dead over the weekend in a rural area southwest of Quebec City. Investigators say they consider Martin Carpentier, 44, the key to understanding what happened to sisters Norah and Romy Carpentier, who were the subject of an Amber Alert last week before their bodies were discovered. As the operation stretched into its seventh day Wednesday, Quebec provincial police scaled back their communications effort surrounding the manhunt. Late Tuesday, they took to social media to say they would no longer provide updates unless there was new information. Police officers search a back road looking on Saturday, July 11, 2020 in Saint-Apollinaire, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Earlier this week, Sgt. Anne Mathieu told The Canadian Press the search would continue as long as they had evidence to guide it. "The day we won't have any further elements, then probably it will be the time to suspend what is going on here, but as long as we have the elements to pursue, we will be there," Mathieu said. The search has been concentrated on a 50-square-kilometre area around the Quebec City suburb of St-Apollinaire, where the bodies of Norah and Romy Carpentier, aged 11 and 6, were located Saturday. Police have said the girls and their father were believed to have been in a serious car crash on Highway 20 in St-Apollinaire one week ago, but there was nobody inside the vehicle when they arrived on scene. 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. An Amber Alert was launched Thursday but lifted two days later when the girls were found dead. Provincial police said they found "pertinent elements" in the search area Sunday but as of Tuesday, they said it's unclear whether the suspect is alive or dead. Autopsies were performed on the two girls, but police have declined to reveal the cause of death as long as Carpentier isn't found. A funeral will be held for the sisters next Monday afternoon in Levis, Que., the girls' hometown. On Wednesday, police combed the park where a memorial had been set up for the sisters following a tip about a sighting that proved unfounded. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) today announced that it will be celebrating the opening of its 100th Chipotlane, the brand's drive-thru digital order pick-up lane, later this month. The milestone restaurant is in the greater Columbus, Ohio area, where the concept was first introduced in 2018. The new restaurant, located at 7162 Longhorn Dr. in Sunbury, Ohio, will feature the brand's open design, eco-friendly materials, and premium placement for digital pick-up shelves. Chipotle continues accelerated growth announcing the opening of its 100th Chipotlane and 10,000 new jobs. Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the opening of its 100th Chipotlane, the brands drive-thru digital order pick-up lane.To support the brands growth, Chipotle plans to hire as many as 10,000 employees over the next few months, including hourly and salaried management positions as well as crew. Of Chipotle's 19 new restaurants that opened during the first quarter of 2020, 11 featured a Chipotlane, giving the concept a presence in 32 states. Chipotlanes are expected to be included in more than 60% of new Chipotle restaurants. Despite stay-at-home orders in recent months, Chipotle successfully navigated the first quarter with digital sales growing more than 80% year over year. Due to an increase in digital business, restaurants featuring a Chipotlane require more staff than traditional Chipotle restaurants. To support the brand's growth, Chipotle plans to hire as many as 10,000 employees over the next few months, including hourly and salaried management positions as well as crew. "Customers want convenience and appreciate the ability to personally retrieve their orders without leaving their car," said Scott Boatwright, Chief Restaurant Officer. "With a dedicated team and kitchen devoted to digital orders, we need to continue to grow our workforce to support the increasing demand, especially in locations featuring a Chipotlane." The company's 'We Are Open. We are Growing. We Are Hiring' campaign kicked off in May and has resulted in approximately 8,000 hires to-date. Since the beginning of the year, Chipotle has received close to 700,000 applications nationwide due to its best in class benefits and inclusive culture. Ranking number one among quick serve restaurants for top COVID-19 safety measures, Chipotle's people-first mentality has made it a top employment destination. "Today's purpose-driven culture has created an expectation from people who are looking to work for companies that align with their values," said Marissa Andrada, Chief Diversity, Inclusion and People Officer. "At Chipotle, we are dedicated to cultivating a better world not only through our food, but through our people." With world-class benefits, including the option to earn a debt-free college degree and access to mental healthcare for employees and their families through Employee Assistance Programs, Chipotle believes growing business is rooted in growing people. Additional benefits include recently enhanced paid parental leave, an all-crew bonus, paid time off, and much more. To learn more about Chipotle's benefits and job opportunities visit ChipotleNowHiring.com. Additionally, Chipotle is utilizing the signage for its new restaurant openings as an opportunity to showcase the work of emerging artists across the country. Instead of the traditional "coming soon" message, those passing by new locations prior to opening will see real illustrations of farms and natural ingredients, beginning with Josie Portillo, a Salvadoran-American artist based in Los Angeles. ABOUT CHIPOTLE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,600 restaurants as of March 31, 2020, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. With more than 85,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells, founder and former executive chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill Related Links http://www.chipotle.com Dr. Anthony Fauci (R), director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and U.S. President Donald Trump participate in the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House on April 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. Drew Angerer | Getty Images Dr. Anthony Fauci said the "bizarre" recent efforts from White House officials to discredit him ultimately harm President Donald Trump, and offered some choice words for the president's trade advisor Peter Navarro. "I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that," Fauci said in an interview with The Atlantic published Wednesday. Fauci was responding to a list shared over the weekend by a White House official that resembled an opposition research-type document used in political campaigns, highlighting Fauci's past comments about the coronavirus. That list, Fauci told the outlet, "is totally wrong. It's nonsense. It's completely wrong. The whole thing is wrong. The whole thing is incorrect." "I think they realize now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it's only reflecting negatively on them," said Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, in the interview. He was also asked about a scathing op-ed published Tuesday night by Navarro, who wrote that Fauci "has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on." "I can't explain Peter Navarro; he's in a world by himself. So I don't even want to go there," Fauci said. Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro speaks to members of the press outside the West Wing of the White House June 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Alex Wong | Getty Images The White House said earlier Wednesday that it had not approved Navarro's article. Navarro's op-ed, which was published in USA Today, "didn't go through normal White House clearance processes," White House spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said on Twitter. The piece is "the opinion of Peter alone," Farah said in the tweet, adding that Trump "values the expertise of the medical professionals advising his Administration." Farah TWEET Trump, when asked in the Oval Office later Wednesday if he was OK with the piece, said, "That's Peter Navarro, but I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci." The administration's efforts to distance itself from Navarro's article came days after the White House denied it is seeking to discredit Fauci, who has provided sometimes dire warnings about the trajectory of the coronavirus that clash with Trump's more optimistic rhetoric. 12:24 (ist) Plus Two Result 2020 Kerala LATEST Updates Steps to check Kerala Class 12 exam results on official website Those who took the plus two exams will be able to check their result by visiting the official website of Kerala Examination Results at keralaresults.nic.in. How to check Kerala Board plus two results: Step 1: Go the official website of Kerala Examination Results keralaresults.nic.in. Step 2: Click on the link for Class 12 result. Step 3: Log in by entering details like roll number. Step 4: Result will appear on the screen. There were church burnings this month, and statues of the Blessed Virgin were vandalized. You wouldnt know it, though, if you depended on the local media for your news. When I searched the internet for Catholic churches vandalized near the newspaper of record, or used the terms Catholic relics destroyed near papers for which I do not write, the only thing that came up were cases from almost ten years ago. And there was scant mention in the national media as well. There was this interesting quote from a column about a renegade church that styles itself as independent catholic (small c) but that is not affiliated with the Vatican: They dont admit theyre on fire until its too late And now the whole church is burning. Clearly, the conflagration they were referring to was the exodus of worshippers from the one true and holy apostolic church, as we say at every Mass. They werent talking about hate crimes. So I will talk about hate crimes, the kind that rarely gets the type of attention they deserve. The following incidents happened in July: Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Marion County, Florida, was set on fire after a man named Steven Anthony Shields (why do they always have three names?) rammed his vehicle into the vestibule and poured gasoline in the foyer; The Church of San Gabriel in Los Angeles caught fire under suspicious circumstances, right before its 250th anniversary; A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which had been set up decades before in honor of World War II veterans was set on fire outside of a Boston church; A similar statue of Mary was vandalized outside of Cathedral Prep School and Seminary in Queens, N.Y. And in June, the statue of Father Junipero Serra was forcibly pulled down from its pedestal in the park bearing his name in Los Angeles. Serro was a Franciscan friar who is credited as the principal architect of the California Mission system when that part of the country was under Spanish colonization. Native Americans have long argued that Serra was behind the forced conversion of indigenous to Catholicism, and that the terms of that conversion were often brutal. While I strongly oppose the removal of that piece of history from its legitimate location, just as I condemn the attacks on statues of Christopher Columbus in Philadelphia and other historical figures, and while I definitely place this trend to cancel the culture we dont like in the category of vandalism, there is an argument to be made that controversial figures can be expected to attract this sort of attention in contentious times. What is not legitimate, what is not acceptable and what is not something that the media should be ignoring with the blithe attitude of what the public doesnt see wont hurt them is the deliberate, obvious, coordinated and (to my mind) condoned attacks on my faith. As someone once told me, anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice. There are those who object to the term anti-Catholicism when it comes to anything that smacks of a hate crime. They prefer the sanitized phrase anti-clericalism, which acts as a form of gaslighting. In other words, if a Catholic such as myself dares to raise the specter of sectarian bigotry, we are generally told that its not the Catholics that people hate, its the people and the policies of the church. This is commonly employed when those self-styled cleric-haters criticize the churchs position on same-sex marriage, or abortion, or most commonly when they want to describe my faith as a training ground for pedophiles. We dont hate Catholics, they say with a straight face. We hate what they stand for. Well I am here to say that when you burn a church to the ground, you are setting me on fire. When you paint vile words on a statue of the Blessed Mother, you are smearing those words onto my own skin. When you throw rocks through the windows of a chapel to destroy the jewel-like stained glass, you are bruising my body. And when you are a member of the media, and you look away as this is happening but make sure to point out every offense perpetrated against every other group that has you as its free P.R. director, you are ignoring my righteous cries and my pain. This is not a popular position. I will be accused of playing the victim, which I suppose is fitting since I have pointed the finger at those who have whined about perceived offense in the past, particularly those excesses endemic to the #MeToo movement. Ill deal with whatever blowback comes. But just as swastikas painted on tombstones at a Jewish cemetery are evidence of bigotry, and just as the vilification of women in hijabs is bigotry, and just as crosses burning on an African-Americans lawn is bigotry, so is the torching of my spiritual home and the defiling of my mothers image. The difference is that I need to scream louder to get noticed. And that, in and of itself, is the most insidious sort of prejudice. Christine Flowers is an attorney and a Delaware County resident. Her column usually appears on Sunday. Email her at cflowers1961@gmail.com. DENVER, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With millions of Americans experiencing reduced hours, furloughs, and job loss, the coronavirus pandemic is taking its toll on the U.S. economy. According to data sourced from GigSmart, a staffing company connecting businesses seeking labor with available workers, demand for its gig economy apps has increased by 25% since the virus was declared a national emergency in the United States on March 13, 2020. GigSmart GigSmart's two apps, Get Workers and Get Gigs, leverage user location data and Skills matching to connect businesses with short-term labor needs to skilled, temporary workers. Since the start of the pandemic, several Skills have experienced significant increases in their hourly pay rates. Furniture Movers, Warehouse Laborers, and Handymen all experienced pay bumps north of $5 per hour. Furniture Movers topped the list, earning $8.17 more per hour. Overall, the average Get Gigs Worker's hourly pay is just shy of $22 per hour, up from $17 per hour from the period before COVID-19. Rich Oakes, President of GigSmart, said, "We're extremely proud to be connecting displaced Americans with local, available hourly opportunities. We've been able to adjust and pivot as the COVID-19 situation unfolds, which has allowed us to continue to grow our user base while providing businesses and workers access to more jobs at great hourly pay rates." In addition, the top five most requested Skills in GigSmart Gigs completed during COVID-19 have been Warehouse Labor, Moving Van Driver, Laborer, Packer, and Loader. "The increase in hourly pay and Skills demand in our apps closely aligns with the overall shifts our economy is experiencing during this crisis. In essential businesses like warehouses, the demand for more workers has led to increases in their hourly pay," Oakes added. "We're also serving more residential requests as a result of Americans spending most of their time at home." Not surprisingly, the Skills experiencing a drastic reduction in usage during COVID-19 closely align with the industries hit hardest. The Skills with decreased demand include Hostess, Food Prep Worker, Bartender, Retail Merchandiser, and Stocker. The above data compares two periods, "Before COVID-19" and "During COVID-19," to look at Gigs completed on GigSmart's staffing platform from Jan. 1, 2020, to March 13, 2020, and March 14, 2020, to June 30, 2020. To learn more about hiring skilled temporary labor for your business or to instantly access local, hourly job opportunities in your area, please visit GigSmart.com. SINCE COVID-19, THESE GIG SKILLS HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN THEIR HOURLY PAY RATES: Furniture Moving (54%) Warehouse Labor (46%) Handyman (42%) Security Guard (14%) Carpenter (13%) SINCE COVID-19, THESE GIG SKILLS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN DEMAND: Warehouse Labor Moving Van Driver Laborer Packer Loader THE AVERAGE HOURLY PAY RATE FOR ALL COMPLETED GIGS: Before COVID-19 ( Jan. 1 to March 13 ): $17.22 During COVID-19 ( March 14 to June 30 ): $21.97 About GigSmart GigSmart is a software development company focused on providing modern solutions to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving economy. GigSmart's hiring platform provides smarter staffing solutions to connect businesses looking for labor with available workers. Launched in December of 2018, GigSmart's Get Gigs and Get Workers apps have already surpassed 300,000 installs. GigSmart's apps are available in all 50 states in industries like construction, manufacturing, transportation, retail, customer service, and professional services. GigSmart is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with 35 full-time employees. MEDIA CONTACT: Rich Oakes [email protected] 720.892.6371 Related Images image1.png SOURCE GigSmart Black business owners are more likely to be hindered in seeking coronavirus financial aid than their white peers, a new study has found. The study looked at how more than a dozen Washington-area banks handled requests for loans under the federal governments Paycheck Protection Program. It was conducted by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a nonprofit in Washington, in partnership with researchers from universities in Utah and New Jersey. From late April to late May, the researchers and the nonprofit, which advocates better access to capital for low-income and minority communities, sent pairs of would-be loan applicants to branches of 17 banks. In each pair, a Black borrower and a white borrower shared similar credit and asset characteristics, so the only difference between them was their race. To make the study more conservative, the researchers gave each Black borrower a slightly better financial profile than his or her white counterpart. The Black borrowers were offered different products and treated significantly worse by employees than white borrowers were in 43 percent of the tests, the study found. Of the 17 banks, some of which were tested through multiple branches, 13 had at least one test in which a white borrower was treated better than his or her Black counterpart. In the rest of the tests, the pairs were treated relatively equally or the difference wasnt significant enough to count as a violation of fair lending laws, in the researchers view. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Councilmen Steve Matteo (R-Mid-Island) and Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) are calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to reinstate the NYPDs anti-crime units amid an uptick in gun violence across New York City. In a letter addressed to de Blasio, the councilmen argued that the elimination of the NYPDs plainclothes anti-crime unit -- which was announced by Police Commissioner Dermot Shea exactly one month ago amid community tensions -- has created a dangerous environment throughout the city. After each weekend New Yorkers have been waking up to headlines detailing the carnage happening on our streets that seem to be coming out of a horror movie, the letter states. Citing the tragic death of a 1-year-old child who was killed in Brooklyn over the weekend, the Council members said predictions of a summer filled with gun violence after the NYPDs anti-crime units were disbanded have quickly come to fruition. We simply cannot and should not be conducting policing experiments at a time like this, the letter states. New Yorkers are dying unnecessarily and want to be protected by the NYPD. Respectfully, we write to ask that you consider reinstating the important anti-crime units that did so much good work getting illegal guns off our streets and, with their work, saving countless lives throughout the years, Matteo and Borelli wrote. In response to calls to bring back the unit, Bill Neidhardt, the mayors press secretary, tweeted: The solution to violence is not to reinstate an utterly outdated unit that put officers at tremendous risk and pitted them against the people they serve. Absolutely. The solution to violence is not to reinstate an utterly outdated unit that put officers at tremendous risk and pitted them against the people they serve. https://t.co/YO1wDUpyaW Bill Neidhardt (@BNeidhardt) July 14, 2020 The NYPDs anti-crime units were a part of a disproportionate number of complaints and shootings, Shea said at the press conference where he announced the units would be disseminated to other areas within the department. Touting the move, among other recently passed reforms, as a seismic shift in the culture of how the NYPD polices this great city, Shea said the decision was not a reflection of the police officers on the ground, but rather a policy decision made as an effort to move forward and change how we police in this city. Police unions and high ranking members of the NYPD have cautioned the increase in shootings on Staten Island and across the city are a sign of things to come amid several reforms impacting law enforcement, but some community leaders describe those claims as scare tactics in an effort to turn the public against new policies. I guess the initial reaction is that weve heard this before from the police department, this is kind of a tool from their classic playbook, which is that they respond to any sort of change or effort to rein in abusive policing by invoking gun violence, said Darius Charney, senior attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights. I havent seen any data to, you know, empirically link the disbandment of the anti-crime units with spikes of gun violence, Charney said. I know there have been spikes in gun violence citywide over really the past couple months, and I think that spike actually started before the anti-crime units were disbanded. An Advance/SILive.com analysis of NYPD data showed that police responded to 585 shooting incidents so far in 2020, as of July 5, compared to 381 in the same timeframe in 2019. Of the 585 shootings, 223 occurred over a span of four weeks in June and early July seven of which were on Staten Island. In 2018, the NYPD responded to a total of about 750 shooting incidents, and in 2017 that number was about 790. As of July 12, police on Staten Island have responded to 19 shooting incidents so far this year compared to 10 at the same time last year. The Council members calls come as they were involved in a joint statement issued by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, numerous other Staten Island elected officials, anti-violence community leaders and Assistant Chief Kenneth Corey, the NYPDs borough commander, taking a stand against a recent surge in citywide gun violence the group called terrible and disconcerting. LAFAYETTE, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Monte Nido & Affiliates, one of the nation's leading providers of eating disorder treatment for over 24 years, announces the opening of a new residential eating disorder treatment center in the Northern California Area. Located just northeast of Oakland, in the town of Lafayette, Monte Nido East Bay will provide eating disorder programming for adults of all genders in a residential setting. The center's opening also marks a significant homecoming for Monte Nido, originally founded in California in 1996, and is Monte Nido's first adult residential expansion within the state in over a decade. Monte Nido East Bay is accepting inquiries for treatment and plans to open soon. "Monte Nido opened its doors in California nearly a quarter-century ago with a clear mission and purpose: to provide holistic, person-centric care for those struggling with eating disorders, so that they might realize their healthier selves and become fully recovered," said Candy Henderson, MS, Chief Executive Officer of Monte Nido & Affiliates. "We are proud to continue to offer the needed treatment for our clients nationwide during these unique times, and particularly happy that we are able to expand our offerings and respond to their needs in the state where Monte Nido began." Monte Nido East Bay will offer programming for adults of all genders with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and/or exercise dependency, as well as co-occurring substance use, trauma and psychiatric presentations. The program's treatment approach focuses on the restoration of physiological and nutritional balance, the implementation of mindful eating and exercise routines, the elimination of destructive behaviors and the development of motivation for recovery. The residential setting in a home, zoned for providing care to those in need, is designed to ensure provision of the highest level of care outside of a hospital, with 24-hour nursing and personalized treatment models. "Eating disorders do not discriminate and the current environment has presented challenges and obstacles for many traditional treatment models as well as many diverse populations," noted Kelly Souza, PhD, Senior Director of West Coast Clinical Programming. "Our current environment has presented additional challenges and obstacles for those struggling with eating disorders. We are pleased that our individualized, evidence-based, research-backed approach to treatment can now be offered to those in the Bay Area." According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 20 million women and ten million men in the U.S. will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health illness, and early intervention can be a major factor in recovery. Identifying and treating an eating disorder within the first three years of illness improves the speed of recovery, reduces symptoms and increases the likelihood of permanent healing. Nevertheless, Monte Nido & Affiliates believes recovery is possible at any age, and help can be provided to everyone irrespective of the duration of his or her eating disorder. For more information, or to inquire about treatment at Monte Nido East Bay, please contact: 888-228-1253, or visit www.montenido.com About Monte Nido & Affiliates Monte Nido & Affiliates is the country's leading eating disorder treatment provider, offering residential and day treatment programs for eating disorders. Founded in 1996, Monte Nido & Affiliates operates twenty-five facilities in ten states, with residential programs being Joint Commission accredited. Monte Nido & Affiliates includes three distinct eating disorder treatment brands: Monte Nido, Oliver-Pyatt Centers and Clementine. Media Contact: Jack Kay Makovsky (212) 508-9629 [email protected] SOURCE Monte Nido Related Links https://www.montenido.com/ Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 4.7x Chorus Aviation Inc. (TSE:CHR) may be sending very bullish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in Canada have P/E ratios greater than 14x and even P/E's higher than 33x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be quite low for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. Chorus Aviation could be doing better as its earnings have been going backwards lately while most other companies have been seeing positive earnings growth. The P/E is probably low because investors think this poor earnings performance isn't going to get any better. If you still like the company, you'd be hoping this isn't the case so that you could potentially pick up some stock while it's out of favour. Check out our latest analysis for Chorus Aviation Does Chorus Aviation Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry? An inspection of average P/E's throughout Chorus Aviation's industry may help to explain its particularly low P/E ratio. You'll notice in the figure below that P/E ratios in the Airlines industry are also lower than the market. So we'd say there could be some merit in the premise that the company's ratio being shaped by its industry at this time. In the context of the Airlines industry's current setting, most of its constituents' P/E's would be expected to be toned down. Ultimately though, it's going to be the fundamentals of the business like earnings and growth that count most. pe If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report on Chorus Aviation. Is There Any Growth For Chorus Aviation? There's an inherent assumption that a company should far underperform the market for P/E ratios like Chorus Aviation's to be considered reasonable. Story continues Taking a look back first, the company's earnings per share growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 23%. This means it has also seen a slide in earnings over the longer-term as EPS is down 24% in total over the last three years. Accordingly, shareholders would have felt downbeat about the medium-term rates of earnings growth. Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 21% per annum during the coming three years according to the seven analysts following the company. That's shaping up to be similar to the 22% per year growth forecast for the broader market. In light of this, it's peculiar that Chorus Aviation's P/E sits below the majority of other companies. It may be that most investors are not convinced the company can achieve future growth expectations. The Final Word While the price-to-earnings ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of earnings expectations. Our examination of Chorus Aviation's analyst forecasts revealed that its market-matching earnings outlook isn't contributing to its P/E as much as we would have predicted. There could be some unobserved threats to earnings preventing the P/E ratio from matching the outlook. It appears some are indeed anticipating earnings instability, because these conditions should normally provide more support to the share price. And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Chorus Aviation (of which 2 are potentially serious!) you should know about. It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20x). 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. It seemed like a major crime for Allenhurst, a town of less than 700 people in southeast Georgia. A female body was spotted by the railroad tracks at around 2pm on Tuesday, not far from Dunlevie Road. Liberty County deputies gathered at the scene and waited for the coroner. It took a while before they realized the joke was on them: The corpse was actually a sex doll. Liberty County deputies arrived at the scene near Dunlevie Road at around 2pm on Tuesday, where they found what appeared to be a female body Detective Mike Albritton said officers found the female humanoid Tuesday afternoon, WSAV-TV reported. Under department policy, deputies cant touch a dead body until the coroner arrives. Under department policy, deputies could not touch the body and had to wait for the coroner to arrive. The coroner determined that the body was actually a sex doll Once the coroner came to the scene, detectives began checking the body for injuries and immediately realized it was a sex doll. Detectives said it was anatomically correct, with realistic features and was fully dressed. Its unclear whether authorities will investigate. Albritton said hes never encountered an incident like this. 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 President Donald Trump bristled at a reporter's question about police killing African Americans and defended the right to display the Confederate flag as he continued to play into racial divisions in a pair of interviews Tuesday. In one interview, Trump seemed taken aback when asked why African Americans are still dying at the hands of police. "And so are white people. So are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people," Trump told CBS's Catherine Herridge. "More white people, by the way. More white people." There is no national database tracking police-involved shootings. But studies have shown that Black Americans are much more likely to be killed by police, even though more whites -- who make up a larger portion of the population -- are killed. One study that examined the use of lethal force by law enforcement from 2009 to 2012, for instance, found that while victims were a majority white (52 per cent), they were disproportionately Black (32 per cent) with a fatality rate 2.8 times higher among Blacks than whites. Trump's comments drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union's Jeffery Robinson, who issued a harshly worded statement, saying Trump's answer "not only ignores the fact that per capita Black and Brown people are disproportionately killed by police, it provides the foundation for the dangerous and unconstitutional police practices that result in the deaths of Black people with regularity. "Trump's racism is so absolute that he continues to refuse to give even a tacit acknowledgment to the epidemic of police violence against Black people in America," Robinson alleged, accusing Trump of "using the violence and suffering perpetrated against Black communities as a white-supremacist dog whistle ahead of the coming election". In the interview, Trump also defended the use of the Confederate flag, despite saying in 2015 that he believed the flag belongs in a museum. "All I say is freedom of speech. It is very simple. My attitude is freedom of speech," Trump responded. "Very simple. Like it, do not like it, it is freedom of speech." Asked whether he understood the flag is a painful symbol to many because it is a reminder of slavery, Trump told CBS that some "people love it", adding: "And I know people that like the Confederate flag and they are not thinking about slavery." Trump has been under fire for his response to the mass anti-racism protests that broke out across the nation following the killing of George Floyd in police custody. In the face of demands for racial justice and equality, Trump has instead leaned in on a law-and-order message, painting mostly peaceful protesters as domestic "terrorists" and continuing to stoke divisions. In a second interview with the conservative Townhall Media, Trump defended the white St Louis couple captured on video brandishing guns as they defended their home during one racial injustice protest. Trump claimed that Mark and Patricia McCloskey "were going to be beat up badly, if they were lucky" and said their house would have been "totally ransacked and probably burned down" had they not been out there. "And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. It is a disgrace," he said. Missouri Governor Mike Parson told reporters that he spoke with Trump and US Attorney General William Barr by phone earlier Tuesday and that the president expressed concern that St Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, may file charges against the couple. "I think the president did not like what he was seeing, and the way people are being treated," Parson said, adding, "I think you'll see some sort of action. Sorry! This content is not available in your region " " Phytoplankton absorb CO2 and sunlight to produce energy in photosynthesis. Photo courtesy NOAA Global warming has become one of the leading issues of the 21st century. As scientists predict more ominous scenarios, like Florida being underwater within decades, people are demanding action. Enter forward-thinking scientists and companies like Planktos and Climos, who propose adding iron to the world's oceans to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and, in turn, to decrease temperatures. The idea of dumping iron in the oceans to lower temperatures has been around since the late 1980s and has been known variously as carbon sinking, ocean seeding or iron fertilization. Advertisement The premise is actually simple. Iron acts as a fertilizer for many plants, and some, like the phytoplankton that form the base of the marine food web, need it to grow. Adding iron to the water stimulates phytoplankton growth, which in turn gobble up carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. The resulting decrease in carbon dioxide is supposed to help reduce temperatures since carbon dioxide is one of the main gases responsible for trapping heat on the earth's surface through the greenhouse effect. Numerous iron dumping trials have been conducted since oceanographer John Martin suggested the idea more than 15 years ago [source: Haiken]. One trial conducted in 2004 indicated that each atom of iron added to the water could draw between 10,000 and 100,000 atoms of carbon out of the atmosphere by encouraging plankton growth [source: Schiermeier]. Some scientists theorize that adding iron to the Southern Ocean alone could reduce carbon dioxide levels by 15 percent [source: Schiermeier]. Scientist Oliver Wingenter suggests a more cautious approach, arguing that adding massive amounts of iron to the ocean could cause a major cooling of more than 10 degrees Celsius [source: Wingenter]. He recommends fertilizing just 2 percent of the Southern Ocean to cause a 2 degree Celsius cooling and to set back the tipping point of global warming 10 or more years [source: Wingenter]. Instead of focusing on cutting carbon dioxide levels, Wingenter's research concentrated on increasing other gases that result from the phytoplankton blooms, namely dimethyl sulfide, or DMS. DMS is largely responsible for cloud formation in the polar region and could increase cloud reflectivity, which would in turn reduce temperatures. During his iron fertilization experiments, Wingenter found that adding iron increased the concentration of DMS five-fold [source: Wingenter]. Still other scientists suggest avoiding using the ocean as a testing ground. Learn more about their concerns on the next page. On July 13, Major General Stefano Del Col, head of mission and force commander of UNIFIL, delivered a speech at the completion ceremony of the observation outposts along the Blue Line at the camp for Spanish peacekeeping battalion near the border between Israel and Lebanon. (Photo by Xue Lei) By Peng Xi and Li Minggui BEIRUT, July 15 - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) held a completion ceremony for the construction of observation outposts along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel on July 13. Major General Stefano Del Col, head of mission and force commander of UNIFIL, spoke highly of the most challenging engineering tasks accomplished by the Chinese construction engineering unit (CHINCEU) with high standard. The ceremony was held in front of the reinforced observation outpost newly constructed for the Spanish peacekeeping battalion. Representatives of peacekeepers from ten countries, including China, Cambodia, and Spain, attended the event. At the ceremony, all personnel stood in silent tribute to those soldiers who had died from attacks when standing guard at the original observation outpost in 2015. Major General Del Col cut the ribbon for the completion ceremony and checked the quality of the newly-built observation outposts. He said, "I must say that all the peacekeeping contingents under the UNIFIL should be grateful to the Chinese engineer detachment for its professional skills and outstanding ability." After the border clash between Lebanon and Israel in September 2019, the headquarters of the UNIFIL issued an emergency decision to construct a total of 19 reinforced observation outposts in camps near the Blue Line last December, to safeguard the security of peacekeepers stationed nearby and improve their ability to respond to emergencies. Eight of the 19 outposts were completed by the 18th batch of CHINCEU, and another three by the 18th Chinese peacekeeping multi-functional engineer contingent to Lebanon. After the work for 7 months, Chinese peacekeepers overcame multiple difficulties, including operations near minefields and long-distance maneuvers, and insisted on completing the construction with high quality. Chen Wei, a staff officer assigned to CHINCEU, said: "Most construction sites have undiscovered minefields and large machinery could not be deployed. All these greatly increase the risk in construction and enhance the difficulty of the task. It's really a big challenge for us." It is learnt that these reinforced observation outposts newly constructed are located in sensitive areas along the border between Lebanon and Israel, and could ensure the security of the UNIFIL personnel while effectively fulfilling missions. At the same time, the observation outposts also serve to prevent militants from entering and destroying camps, thereby improving the defense security of the camps. On July 13, all peacekeepers stand in silent tribute to those soldiers who have died from attacks when standing guard at the original observation outpost in 2015, during the completion ceremony of observation outposts at the camp for Spanish peacekeeping battalion located along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. (Photo by Peng Xi) Allentown, PA (18103) Today Turning out mostly cloudy and not as cold. There might be a rain or snow shower late.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with some rain and snow showers. Any rain will be early in the night. London: The only surprise about Boris Johnsons Huawei backdown - his government has banned the use of new Huawei equipment in Britain's 5G rollout - is that he failed to claim it as his own victory. Instead, he hid behind the cover of the Trump administrations sanctions, suggesting that it is Washington and not Westminster that determines the safety of the UKs critical infrastructure. Masked avenger: PM Boris Johnson has U-turned on his Huawei policy, as part of a tougher stance on China. Credit:Bloomberg, Getty "I talked many countries out of using it [Huawei]," US President Donald Trump boasted at a news conference on Tuesday. "Just today I believe that UK [sic] announced that they're not going to be using it and that was up in the air for a long time." Sea of Forgetfulness: a brilliant novel about a budding romance amidst the darkness of personal struggles is the creation of published author Kareena Gracia-Desir. She served as a youth director at her home church for over a decade and has been in education for over twelve years. She has a passion for not just writing but forging community and helping others find and follow their own dreams. Gracia-Desir shares, For Anna, having grown up in a small church being loved and respected by the people around her matters more to her than her own sanity but her perfect persona begins to crack under the heavy weight of secrets and lies. Protecting her family from ugly truths seems like the right thing to do but the truth is she cant admit to anyone that something ugly has happened to her, changed her in ways she cant even begin to grasp. She sits quietly in church, silently raging against a God she feels has betrayed her. Closing her heart, she decides no one else would get close enough to hurt her, including God. Michael, a newcomer to their small town, is a Christian man with his own battle scars. He wasnt looking for love, but he wasnt expecting to meet anyone like Anna. From the moment they met, he felt something more powerful than he could explain. It shocked him how easily he could see beyond the performance, saw the pain she was so good at hiding. He couldnt help but try and save her. What he doesnt realize is that the journey could cost him more than he could ever imagine. Could their love be the answer or would it open the door to things neither of them are ready to handle? Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Kareena Gracia-Desirs new novel is about unexpected love and the ultimate power of a God that can find us in the darkest moments of our lives and create beauty from the embers of a burnt out soul. Here, readers will find a complex narrative that will challenge them to live and love authentically as they follow along Anna and Michaels journey. View a synopsis of Sea of Forgetfulness on YouTube. Consumers can purchase Sea of Forgetfulness at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Sea of Forgetfulness, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. News Vietnam Vietnam reaffirms support for peace deal in Colombia Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh has written a letter to Union minister of electronics and information technology Ravi Shankar Prasad demanding ban on digital release of the film Muhammad: The Messenger of God. Deshmukh said the movie, which is scheduled to be released on July 21, may hurt sentiments of a particular community. The movie, if released on scheduled date, will be considered an attempt to blasphemy by a particular community and can potentially disturb religious sentiments. The film is likely to create religious tension leading to law and order problems in the country. Using the powers under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, we request you to block/suspend those digital platforms on which the movie is being released. You are also requested to issue instructions/directions to all digital platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, WhatsApp to ban the release of the film, the letter stated. The move comes after the home minister received a complaint from Raza Academy. Saeed Noori, president of Raza Academy, said, The film was scheduled to be released in 2015 in theatres, but after we raised the objection, the release was stopped. Now it is set to be released on OTT (over-the-top media service), to which we have strongly objected. It is an Iranian film and is against the teachings of our religion. Projection of Prophet is not allowed in Muslim religion. It could lead to the religious tension. Maharashtra Cyber department, too, has written a separate letter to the senior director of the ministry to halt the release of the movie. (ANSA) - MILAN, JUL 15 - A man who hijacked and later torched a school bus with 50 children, two teachers and a janitor aboard near Milan in March 2019 on Wednesday got 24 years in jail for attempted murder. Ousseynou Sy, 47, was found guilty and given the term which prosecutors had requested. The crime was committed at San Donato Milanese. Senegalese-Italian Sy was in full possession of his mental faculties when he hijacked the bus, experts ruled recently. Sy had told the court he is neither a killer nor a terrorist despite his apparent attempt to kill the occupants of his vehicle. "I am neither a killer nor a terrorist and I hope justice will be done also for us Africans", the defendant said in a spontaneous statement to the court. "I am also a son of Africa, the Africa that you know very well, that has seen its sons deprived of human dignity, of any right to serenity, of happiness, even today". "As an Italian citizen and an African, I accuse" (anti-immigration League leader Matteo) Salvini, (who was deputy premier and interior minister at the time of the hijacking), "and his government of crimes against humanity and genocide". Sy argued that Salvini had condemned many migrants to death and torture by blocking Italian ports to NGO run rescue ships. Salvini says his hardline policy saved lives. Sy, a man with a criminal record who is originally from Senegal but has been an Italian citizen since 2004, got off the bus after it was stopped by police, who were alerted by students on board. He had just set it alight. The Carabinieri managed to get the children out by smashing windows at the back. The two Egyptian boys who were hailed as heroes after phoning the police when Sy was not looking have been granted Italian citizenship. (ANSA). Maharashtra: Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway gets CRZ nod, 1K mangrove trees to be lost by Badri Chatterjee July 15,2020 | Source: Hindustan Times The state has granted coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to cut 1,001 mangrove trees for the eight-lane Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway, which will pass through the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The details of the clearance came to light earlier this week when the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) published the minutes of its June 11 meeting, during which the proposal was discussed and accorded conditional clearance. It has now been recommended to the Union environment ministry. The 379-km greenfield expressway connecting Mumbai to Vadodara expects to reduce the travel time between the two cities to four hours instead of the current seven through national highway (NH)-8. Of the 379-km, 78.1km (phase II) extends from Vasai to Talasari across 4km CRZ area, encompassing 32.4 hectares (ha) crossing the Vaitarna River. Of this, 3.2ha is CRZ1A (the most protected coastal zone), which is home to 1,001 mangrove trees, while 2.68ha is mangrove buffer. The maximum mangrove losses would occur at Navghar and Vadiv villages in Palghar, falling under the Safale forest range. As the project proponents (NHAI) have decided to build much of the road through the mangroves on stilts and considered the least damaging alignment to forest cover, the project was issued conditional clearance, said a senior MCZMA official. On September 17, 2018, the Bombay high court (HC) had said that no development permission shall be issued by any authority in Maharashtra for any area under mangroves. Regardless of ownership of land having mangroves, all constructions taking place within 50 metres (m) on all the sides [of mangrove stretches] shall be forthwith stopped, the HC had said. According to Neenu Somraj, deputy conservator of forest and member, MCZMA, NHAI will need permissions from the HC to cut the trees. Minimal mangrove areas will be affected. However, the planning body will need permissions from the HC, and apply for forest clearance under the Forest Conservation (FC) Act, 1980. An area for compensatory afforestation will be identified during the forest clearance process. The exact loss of mangrove trees was identified by the Dahanu forest department, but NHAI has not been asked to obtain any clearances from the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority. According to the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project, which HT has reviewed, the project is likely to have an impact on a total forest area of 191.58ha across Vasai, Palghar, Talasari and Dahanu (including Dahanu taluka eco-fragile zone across 28 km) would lead to the diversion of 13% reserve forest, 2% mangrove forest, 71% protected forests and 14% private forests, and a total of 69,095 trees are expected to be lost. The expressway would pass at a distance of 1.28 km from the boundary of the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and 0.45 km away from its eco-sensitive zone boundary, the EIA read. NHAI had applied for clearances under the FC Act for 94.5ha forest diversion for phase II in 2018 but retracted the proposal as a much larger forest area is involved. We welcome the CRZ clearance. Based on the clearance, we will be applying for FC for the entire 191.58ha. All the conditions proposed by the authorities concerned will be followed. We are ready to ensure compensatory afforestation as much as 10 times the number for the mangroves lost, said B Mukhopadhyay, general manager, environment, NHAI. Meanwhile, during MCZMAs meeting on Tuesday, a conditional clearance was accorded to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to construct sea walls (anti-sea erosion bunds) at Gharapuri Island, Panje village in Uran, and a boat landing jetty at Nhava. The proposal was deferred last year by the coastal authority over concerns of mangrove loss. Loss of mangroves is yet to be ascertained but JNPT needs to obtain the HCs clearance, said Somraj. Environmentalists were upset with the latest decisions. At a time when we need to protect the remaining mangroves and wetlands in MMR, such clearances defeat the purpose of having an environment and climate change department, said BN Kumar, director, NatConnect Foundation, a not-for-profit environment group. Debi Goenka, a petitioner before the HC in the matter of mangroves, said, A short-sighted approach under the guise of creating artificial infrastructure is destroying natural carbon sinks without any realisation of how it will impact us in the future. Davis County A 36-year-old mans death has died in Utah police custody, becoming the tenth such fatality in the state since 2016, say reports. Deputies discovered the inmate, Matthew David Lach, unresponsive inside his cell on Tuesday morning some hours prior to a medical assessment, said Davis County Sheriffs Office (DCSO) in a statement. Paramedics provided treatment to no avail, said DCSO, who conducted 30-minute round checks on Lach and other inmates. Lach, who was arrested on Sunday over domestic violence, intoxication, and warrants, becomes the tenth person to die in Davis County custody since 2016, reported local news station KUTV. Sheriff Kelly Sparks said last month that all protocols including new ones designed to stop inmate suicides were carried-out prior to a 25-year-old mans death on 6 June. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the deceased, said Ms Sparks on Tuesday. Public trust and accountability are priorities to our Office, and the death of someone in our care and custody is never something we take lightly. The death will be investigated internally and will also be investigated both by an outside police agency and by the State Medical Examiners Office, she added. The DCSO suggested that a Safety Committee investigation, which includes Davis County citizens, could see more procedures introduced. The committee was set-up last year amid multiple inmate suicides in Davis County, and two lawsuits against authorities over wrongful deaths, reported KUTV. The first changes the committee made which see new inmates medically screened had been implemented prior to Lachs death. More inmate deaths per capita took place in Utah than any other state in 2017, leading lawmakers to ask all counties to report inmate deaths. A statewide report last year said some 38 deaths had been suicide, among 71 deaths overall in Utah county jails. Lachs death comes amid intense scrutiny over police actions following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody in May. Story continues Read more Number of US prisoners with coronavirus passes 50,000 mark US Supreme Court paves way for executions of federal prisoners Trump attempts to blame Fauci for coronavirus mistakes White House says Supreme Court did not rule against Trump in tax case Roger Stone begs Trump for pardon days before prison term set to begin Couple Accused of Attack at Connecticut Hotel Arrested in NY: Officials A couple accused of assaulting a 59-year-old hotel worker in Mystic, Connecticut, while yelling slurs after complaining about a lack of hot water in their room, were arrested early Monday in Brooklyn, New York. Philip Sarner and Emily Orbay, the couple, were extradited to Connecticut on Monday. They now face assault and other charges, Stonington police said in a statement, according to reports. They are accused of beating a black hotel worker and using racial slurs, officials said. Sarner will face a second and third-degree assault charge, while Orbay will be charged with two counts of third-degree assault, reported the New York Post. Crystal Caldwell, the worker, told The Day publication that the two were staying at the hotel in late June when a man called the front desk to complain that the hot water wasnt working in their room. M. John Strafaci, Caldwells attorney claimed to Newsday that Sarner and Orbay were using racial slurs while they were beating her. Philip Sarner (C) and Emily Orbay (R) allegedly assaulting a 59-year-old hotel worker in Mystic, Conn., in a file photo. (Stonington Police Department) To just brutally assault a 59-year-old woman because of the color of her skin, people like that dont belong in the civilized society She has been having nightmares and flashbacks and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he said. Surveillance footage released by the hotel and obtained by police allegedly shows the two approach Caldwell while she is near an ice machine. The man then allegedly punches her, pushes her to the ground, and appears to kick her. I understand that it was a lot of work to track these people down in New York and get them, said Strafaci, according to the Day. That just underscores that when you have people from out of state who commit crimes in Connecticut, you cant allow them to leave the state, because it becomes incredibly difficult to get them back to Connecticut. A Stonington Police spokesman told the New York Post that both Orbay and Sarner were kind of transient people. Other officials told Newsday last week that the two do not have permanent addresses, but are known to be primarily in Nassau County, N.Y. It feels great, I definitely want to see them fully prosecuted, Caldwell told The Day. I want to go to their arraignments and to look at them one more timeI think it will ease my mind once I actually see them handcuffed, she said. Opinion Article 15 July 2020 I recently wrote about taking the extra step to deliver amazing service. There were three steps: pay attention, care about your customers and put forth extra effort. Advertisements For this article, I want to focus on the first steppaying attention. Paying attention is more than just the first step. It may be the most important step. One of our readers, Scott Anderson, shared a story about staying at a resort in Mexico. The porter followed Scott and his wife to the room with their luggage. Scott mentioned to his wife how much he would love a Dr. Pepper. (Funny Dr. Pepper was in the example of the aforementioned article.) He didn't ask the porter for a Dr. Pepper, nor did he think the porter was paying attention to what they were talking about. He wasn't even sure if the porter spoke English. They hit the beach that afternoon and when they returned to their room, the mini-fridge was stocked with Dr. Pepper! That reminded me of something similar. I was staying at a hotel that had an executive lounge. One of the "treats" they put out in the evening was the most delicious chocolate cookies I may have ever eaten. They were almost like a fudge brownie but in the shape of an oversized cookie. One word to describe them, other than amazing DELICIOUSin all caps! One night, I commented on the cookies to the server in the lounge. She smiled and said, "Thank you." When I was leaving the hotel the next day, the front desk clerk said, "We have a package for you." It was a bag with half a dozen chocolate cookies inside! The server in the lounge did more than just acknowledge my comment. She truly listened. Beyond that, she paid attention and took action on that one little piece of information that put an exclamation point on an already great experience. Paying attention can help you find opportunities to create higher levels of customer amazement. My definition of "customer amazement" is to be better than average all the time. Typically, you just need to be a little better than average. Once in a while, an opportunity to truly WOW a customer "falls in your lap." That comes from paying attention. You must not only hear what customers say, but you must also listen and take action. That's when opportunities to soar way above expectations occur. Whenever we do business with a person or company, we expect to be treated well. If all goes the way it should, it's easy. When there's a problem, it's an opportunity to not only fix it, but restore confidence. When you add in a little something extrabecause you paid attention to the customerthat's when they say, "Wow"! You can't WOW the customer every time. It's impossible to do so. However, being amazing is possible. Just focus on a predictable and consistent above-average experience. While doing that, pay attention. That's where you'll find those opportunities to take amazement to the next level! Shep Hyken is a customer service expert, keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling business author. For information, contact 314-692-2200 or www.hyken.com. For information on The Customer Focus customer service training programs, go to www.thecustomerfocus.com. Follow on Twitter: @Hyken (Copyright MMXX, Shep Hyken) WASHINGTON -- The United States has threatened to sanction any individual or company helping Russia build a controversial natural gas pipeline to Germany as the Kremlin moves to complete the last kilometers of the nearly $11 billion project. Get out now -- or risk the consequences, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said July 15 during a press conference in Washington announcing the new sanction guidelines for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The State Department essentially removed language that excluded the pipeline from the powerful Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was passed in 2017. Unable to use CAATSA, the United States in December passed legislation to sanction any vessel laying underwater pipes for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, forcing Swiss-based Allseas to quit the project with just about 160 kilometers remaining. The pipeline, which consists of two parallel lines running under the Baltic Sea, is a combined 1,230 kilometers in length. Russia is now trying to use its own vessels to finish Nord Stream 2 after receiving permission from Denmark earlier this month. The unfinished portion of the pipeline lies in Denmarks economic waters. However, the Russian ship would still need to use the services of Western companies, such as port facilities and insurance, giving the United States the potential to hamper their efforts. CAATSA allowed Congress to sanction Russian energy export pipelines but contained guidance put in by Pompeos predecessor, Rex Tillerson, that grandfathered in Nord Stream 2 and the second leg of TurkStream, which runs under the Black Sea to Turkey. Pompeo said the State Department is updating the public guidance for CAATSA authorities to include the two Russian-led projects, which he described as Kremlin tools to expand European dependence on Russian energy supplies and undermine Ukraine. Pompeo is set to visit Denmark on July 22 to discuss the pipeline, among other issues. Nord Stream 2 would pump up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Germany annually upon its completion, doubling the European nations import of Russian gas. The project enables Moscow to significantly reduce natural gas shipments through Ukraine, which currently earns billions of dollars annually in transit fees. They are winding up and laying the ground for the imposition of additional sanctions if Russia attempts to deploy its pipe-laying vessels, said Dan Vajdich, an adviser to Ukraines state-owned energy firm Naftogaz, which lobbied Washington to impose more sanctions. The United States is seeking to export more natural gas to Europe while helping Eastern and Central Europe develop the necessary infrastructure to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas. Congress last year approved up to $1 billion in financing for energy infrastructure projects in the region. James Carafano, a national security and foreign policy fellow at The Heritage Foundation, told a congressional hearing on July 14 that the completion of Nord Stream 2 would destroy the economic rationale for such U.S.-backed projects. The State Department has denied that the threat of new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream are designed to help U.S. exporters of natural gas. Nonetheless, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told RFE/RL in an interview that Russia and Gazprom are in a "difficult position" to be able to finish Nord Stream 2. "Companies basically have to choose -- you can do business with the Russians and Gazprom or you can do business with the United States. We think that companies will make the decision that it is more lucrative to do business with the United States," she said. Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) urged Congress to give the White House more firepower to stop Nord Stream 2 by passing legislation that would impose more sanctions on the pipeline, including on insurance and certification companies. "The Kremlin will no doubt continue its frantic efforts to circumvent American sanctions, and so it is imperative that Congress provide the administration the broadest possible authorities to counter these ever-changing attempts at evasion," he said in a statement. Cruz's home state of Texas is the largest producer of natural gas in the United States and a key energy exporter. Iran's Former Defence Ministry Worker Executed for Allegedly Spying for CIA Sputnik News 11:21 GMT 14.07.2020 TEHRAN (Sputnik) Tehran has executed a former Iranian Defence Ministry official over charges of alleged espionage for the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili said on Tuesday. The sentence against Reza Asgari, a retired employee of the ministry's aerospace sector, was carried out last week, Esmaeili said, as quoted by the Mizan Online news agency, which covers judicial affairs. While supposedly working for the CIA, Asgari had handed over information about Iranian missiles. The death sentence against Mahmoud Mousavi Majd, accused of transferring information about Iran's military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq on 3 January, has not yet been enforced, according to the spokesman. Alongside these two defendants, a further three people have been sentenced to death in relation to unrest endured in November 2019, Esmaeili said. "The information that the sentences are confirmed is correct", the spokesman noted. After their detention, authorities had found videos of setting a bank, public transport and places on fire, Esmaeili said, adding that the defendants sent these files to "international news outlets." However, the country's official IRNA news agency reported that two of them were arrested at the scene of an armed robbery. In mid-November, protests broke out in several Iranian provinces over the government's decision to suddenly increase gas prices and introduce quotas for it. Some of them turned violent and resulted in casualties among demonstrators and security officers. Afterward, a number of counterrallies took place in protest against the unrest. Following these events, the US State Department said that more than a thousand people died in the riots, however, Tehran refuted these claims and said after six months that the number of casualties was over 220. According to President Hassan Rouhani, the demonstrations were organised by the US and Israel to undermine Iran's national security. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By PTI LONDON: The UK government ended days of speculation and declared on Tuesday that wearing a face mask or face covering will become mandatory in shops across England from July 24, as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus as the country eases out of lockdown. The enforcement powers for the new policy will be handed to the police and anyone failing to wear a face covering while shopping will be subject to a fine of up to 100 pounds, or 50 pounds if paid speedily within 14 days. "There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from coronavirus," a 10 Downing Street spokesperson said. "The Prime Minister [Boris Johnson] has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from July 24," the spokesperson said. While shop workers will be encouraged to prompt customers to comply, they will not be expected to enforce the rules, allaying retail union concerns about their involvement in the enforcement process. The British Retail Consortium said it hoped the announcement "will make shoppers feel even more confident about returning to the High Street". The decision will be fully outlined by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock in a House of Commons statement following days of conflicting statements from Cabinet ministers. The confirmation follows Johnson's intervention over the issue on Monday, when he called on people to wear masks while the government considers enforcement measures. "I think people should be wearing [face masks] in shops. And, in terms of how we do that, whether we make it mandatory or not, we'll be looking at the guidance; we'll be seeing a little bit more in the next few days," he had said. The Opposition Labour Party, which has been in favour of stricter enforcement of face coverings as a measure to curb the transmission of coronavirus, had called for more clarity after some contrary messages on compulsory face coverings. "The government has been slow and muddled again over face coverings," said Labour's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth. "Given the government's own guidance issued on May 11 advised in favour of face masks, many will ask why yet again have ministers been slow in making a decision in this pandemic, and why it'll take another 11 days before these new guidelines to come into force," he said. London mayor Sadiq Khan, who has been campaigning for the move for some time, called the government's "confused communications" on the subject a "disgrace". "We can't afford to wait another day and the government should bring this policy in immediately-further delay risks lives," he urged. At present, it is mandatory to wear face coverings only on public transport in most regions of the UK, but there has been a growing debate around a wider mandatory approach as Britain undergoes a phased return to business as usual after the lockdown imposed on March 23. In Scotland, face masks in shops have been mandatory since July 10 and while shoppers in Wales and Northern Ireland are not currently required to wear them, both regions have said this will be kept under review. In line with the rules on public transport, children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt from face coverings in shops. Many scientists have been keen on a rethink over face masks as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on the issue were also updated in favour of their use in enclosed spaces to curb the transmission of the deadly virus. UK-based Indian-origin Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was among those who had warned that the UK was lagging behind other countries in the mandatory use of face masks to prevent the rapid spread of coronavirus. "Just treat it as another item of clothing that is part of the new normal and wear it whenever you cannot socially distance safely. It is the right thing to do, and a small price to pay, to help keep infections down and the economy open in the pandemic," he said. The latest move will bring England into line not only with Scotland but also other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany. After a few days of confusion over a new state guidance that temporarily barred outdoor dining in Alameda County, the state has granted the county a regional variance that will allow the county's restaurants to serve patrons outdoors. Alameda County officials announced late Friday night that the state now prohibits outdoor dining in counties that have not received a regional variance from state officials. Alameda County and Southern California's Imperial County were the only two counties in the state that had not gone through the attestation process for a variance at the time. Concerns about boat access points on the Trent River have led to Asphodel-Norwood Township council revising some bylaws. At a meeting Monday, changes were made to the townships parks and facilities bylaw and parking bylaw which will restrict and define the use of these water access points. What we have seen this summer, which staff does believe is COVID-19 related, is an influx of tourists using these areas for uses that have created a health and safety concern, chief administrative officer Candice White told council members while presenting the report. Some people have been launching boats at the same time as people are swimming and fishing, White said. There have also been issues with day-campers at these sites. Some are using hibachi barbecues, which is currently a safety concern with it being so dry, White said. The fire chief has concerns in regards to some of the incidents we have seen there in the last three to four weeks, White said. Another worry is the inability for emergency vehicles to access the area and the water if needed, she said. Theres just logistically not enough space down there to have all of those uses happening in the same location at the exact same time, without there being a great concern for health and safety, White said. The changes made to both bylaws will solely permit people to use the access points to launch their boats; picnics, fishing, or swimming, for example, wont be allowed. Signs will make it clear whats prohibited in the area. To ensure there is enough space for individuals to park who are using the site appropriately, she said staff from the township have measured out a 120-metre section. Assuming people are parking with appropriate spacing we would be able to fit 10 trucks and trailers, or 25 cars or vehicles without trailers, White said. Obviously well be monitoring the area, but at this time we feel that that should be enough space to allow individuals to utilize the trail. Public works staff will also be going to the area to widen it by taking some space back thats been overgrown and to try and improve site lines in the area. The restrictions that have been implemented in the new bylaws will be revisited by the townships management team come fall to see if theyll need to remain in effect, she said. Northern Ireland's economy could still be missing out on up to 2.7bn in five years' time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an expert has warned. Dr Esmond Birnie, senior economist at Ulster University's Business School, says that by 2025 UK GDP could be between 3% and 6% below where it would have been in the absence of the crisis. That translates into an output loss of between 1.35bn and 2.7bn here. Taking the higher figure, it means the average level of output per person in Northern Ireland would be around 1,420 lower than if Covid-19 had not struck. The bleak assessment came as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) yesterday warned the "UK is on track to record the largest decline in annual GDP for 300 years", warning that the economy could shrink by as much as 14.3% in 2020. In its latest set of financial forecasts, the fiscal watchdog said a worst-case scenario would also not see GDP recover to pre-coronavirus crisis levels until the third quarter of 2024. Government measures to address the impact of the virus will also result in an "unprecedented peacetime rise in borrowing" this year to between 13% and 21% of GDP, with the OBR currently predicting borrowing of 322bn. UK GDP is set to fall by 10.6% in even its most optimistic projection, the OBR said. However, this scenario also projects that GDP could recover to its pre-virus peak by the first quarter of next year. In its middling scenario, the OBR suggests that GDP could fall by 12.4%, before returning to its pre-virus level by the end of 2022, with "elevated" levels of unemployment and business failures Despite a recovery in output starting in May, the OBR said it assumes that GDP for June will be "20% below its level in February". Yesterday the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that UK GDP grew by 1.8% in May following the easing of the lockdown, but remained a quarter below its pre-pandemic levels. This figure was also far short of the 5% rise predicted by a consensus of economists. Dr Birnie said the figures are double confirmation that the recovery from the Covid recession could be very protracted both for the UK. He said: "The ONS provides further evidence of just how broad and deep the current virus recession is." He said that from February to May, UK GDP was 19.1% lower than it had been in the previous three months. "By comparison, the worst quarterly decline during the banking crisis recession was 'only' 2.1%," he pointed out. "Figures for some individual sectors are striking: education 37.8% decline (schools closure); heath 31.4% decline (less elective surgery and A&E); manufacturing 18% decline, and accommodation and food services 71.7% decline. "The ONS data are consistent with other indicators which suggest that the bottom of the lockdown recession happened in late April/early May. UK GDP grew by 1.8% in May, services by 0.9%, manufacturing by 8.4% and construction by 8.2%. "So, this is the good news, but that good news is qualified. "The growth is much less than some had expected and would suggest it will be a long time before the economy climbs out of the hole. "It is true that in May 2020 the volume of sales in paint and hardware stores was back to February levels - evidently due to a lot of DIY activity during lockdown." A US Senate committee is likely to vote next week on a bill from Republican Senator Josh Hawley that would ban federal employees from using social media app TikTok on government-issued devices. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will take up the "No TikTok on Government Devices Act" at its hearing on July 22. TikTok's Chinese ownership and wide popularity among American teens have brought scrutiny from US regulators and lawmakers. TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, is known for its ability to create short videos. The company last year said that about 60% of its 26.5 million monthly active users in the US are aged 16 to 24. One of the company's harshest critic, Hawley has repeatedly raised national security concerns over TikTok's handling of user data and said he was worried that the company shares data with the Chinese government. "For federal employees it really is a no-brainer. Its a major security risk. ... Do we really want Beijing having geo-location data of all federal employees? Do we really want them having their keystrokes?" Hawley told reporters in March when he announced the introduction of the bill https://reut.rs/30cqS58. Several US agencies that deal with national security and intelligence issues have banned employees from using the app, which allows users to create short videos. Recently, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is looking at banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, suggesting it shared information with the Chinese government. He said Americans should be cautious in using the app. TikTok in the past has told Reuters it has never provided user data to China. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under a law introduced in 2017 under Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese companies have an obligation to support and cooperate in China's national intelligence work. Search Keywords: Short link: According to the general, the said special operation was developed by ex-Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko and ex-SBU Chief Oleksandr Yakymenko. Ex-chief of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, General Mykola Malomuzh has said the then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's interior minister wanted to use about 50,000 police officers to disperse Maidan protesters in February 2014. "Special forces were being prepared, about 50,000 police officers had to be deployed on the Maidan. The ranks of the protesters had to be infiltrated by secret agents, who would have provoked shooting. And this would have served the grounds for the final dispersal of the Maidan where 10,000-12,000 people remained," he told the Fakty newspaper. Read alsoKyiv court postpones hearing of appeal of Yanukovych custody remand "We tried to persuade Yanukovych through different channels, we wanted to avoid new shooting on the Maidan. Now it remains behind the scenes. But really large-scale dispersal was being prepared in February 2014," Malomuzh said. According to the general, the said special operation was developed by former Interior Minister Vitaliy Zakharchenko, former SBU Chief Oleksandr Yakymenko, as well as other security officials. "At that time, I was a freelance adviser to Yanukovych, therefore I decided to tell him what I knew about the planned dispersal, to inform that a real war might begin if that had happened. And then he, Yanukovych, would have had nowhere to flee. Viktor Fedorovych felt fear and decided to flee Ukraine before it was not too late," Malomuzh said. However, as the general said, he did not communicate directly with Yanukovych, but shared information through head of Yanukovych's security Kostiantyn Kobzar. I was getting reading to contact the FBI, Sheriff Vrbka said, because at that point, we wondered if she had been picked up by someone on the interstate. Then, Tuesday evening, July 14, rural residents in the area of Road I, between Roads 4 and 5, reported that they definitely had seen her. They immediately called the sheriffs department, who in turn also dispatched the McCool Junction and York Fire Departments to help with the search. Darkness arrived and they still hadnt found her. I was worried she was going to spend another night out in the elements, Sheriff Vrbka said. Think of what she had been through. She had been out there this whole time, walking, with no shoes on, through two major thunderstorms, with such heat during the day. The corn is eight, nine feet tall now. I cant even imagine. We think she probably drank water from irrigation wells, in order to stay alive. We just dont know. About 11 p.m., Tuesday night, Captain Gillespie radioed his fellow officers, saying they should check culverts. A federal judge ordered Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein, held without bond Tuesday after the British socialite pleaded not guilty to charges that she helped procure young victims for the disgraced financier's child sex trafficking operation that began more than 25 years ago. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan said Maxwell posed "a substantial risk of flight" given her considerable wealth, international connections and the charges against her, noting that she faced a maximum of 35 years in prison, if convicted. Even electronic monitoring and the posting of private security guards would be "insufficient," Nathan said. "The risk of flight is too great." Nathan set a trial date of July 12, 2021, meaning that Maxwell is likely to spend at least the next year in a New York federal detention center. Maxwell's arraignment in a Manhattan federal court, staged by video conference amid the threat of the persistent coronavirus, marked her first formal response to the criminal charges lodged against her this month. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Moe argued that at the time of her arrest Maxwell was "living in hiding" on a large estate in New Hampshire, posing "serious concerns that the defendant would flee if afforded the opportunity." "There are serious concerns here," Moe told the judge. Lawyers for the 58-year-old defendant had argued for her release on a $5 million bond, secured by properties in the U.S. and Great Britain. Attorney Mark Cohen suggested that his client had not sought to leave the country despite the government's ongoing investigation. He also indicated that prosecutors had had exaggerated Maxwell's wealth. Cohen said Maxwell's continued confinement would also restrict her ability to assist her lawyers in preparing a defense. "The government has not made a required showing of an actual flight risk," the attorney said. Story continues Prosecutors, meanwhile, had cast Maxwell's proposed bail proposal as "little more than an unsecured bond" because some of the the property Maxwell was pledging as collateral is outside American jurisdiction and "therefore is of no value." Ghislaine Maxwell denies accusations that she helped Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell was arrested and charged this month, nearly a year after Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial in a New York federal detention center. A federal grand jury in New York indicted Maxwell on perjury and conspiracy charges that accuse her of helping Epstein recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims between 1994 and 1997. Both allegedly knew the victims were under age 18 and as young as 14. Victim steps forward: Days after Ghislaine Maxwell's arrest, Epstein accuser demands investigation into sexual battery allegation Since the arrest, investigators have talked to more witnesses who want to provide information about Maxwell. "The Government is in the process of receiving and reviewing this additional evidence, which has the potential to make the Government's case even stronger," prosecutors said. In court filings ahead of Tuesday's bail hearing, prosecutors reasserted their claim that Maxwell represented a serious flight risk, citing her vast financial resources and citizenship in multiple countries. They said Maxwell has a track record of living in hiding and has not been forthcoming about details of her wealth, which they said would reveal her financial means to escape. Prosecutors also revealed new information about Maxwell's arrest on July 2 at a remote New Hampshire property, which they said was guarded by former members of the British military hired by Maxwell's brother. More: Federal officials seek interview with Prince Andrew as part of Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case Jeffrey Epstein's inner circle "As the agents approached the front door of the main house, they announced themselves as FBI agents and directed the defendant to open the door. Through a window, the agents saw the defendant ignore the direction to open the door and, instead, try to flee to another room in the house, quickly shutting a door behind her," prosecutors wrote. Agents later found Maxwell in one of the rooms. They also found a cellphone wrapped in foil, "a seemingly misguided attempt to evade detection." More: After Jeffrey Epstein suicide, Bureau of Prisons tells guards: Stop surfing the web and watch inmates Jeffrey Epstein was connected to many celebrities, scientists and politicians. A who's who of his network, explained. Inner circle: Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend Contributing: Kristine Phillips and Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty as Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice With an unspecified number of mail-in ballots still pending, the congressional race between Navy veteran Tony Gonzales and retired Air Force officer Raul Reyes was still too close to call Wednesday. Gonzales, backed by President Donald Trump, held a seven-vote lead over Reyes, supported by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, when El Paso finished counting the election-day votes after midnight in the hotly contested battle to replace Congressman Will Hurd, who chose not to seek reelection. Reyes had been ahead most of the night but toward the end, Gonzales pulled ahead of his opponent by the barest of margins. When all of the votes cast during the 10-day early vote period and during election day plus all the mail-in ballots that had been received as of the close of election day had been counted, the tally stood at 12,346 for Gonzales and 12,339 for Reyes. But state allows mail-in ballots coming from overseas to be counted if they are received no later than five days after the election is held. And members of the Armed Forces get six days after the election is held to have their mail-in votes counted. When Gonzales was behind as few as 11 votes earlier in the evening, his campaign hadnt ruled out a recount. Tony wants to ensure that every legal ballot is counted to protect the integrity of this election, Gonzales spokesman Matt Mackowiak said. The margin is razor thin and there are still ballots to be counted. A Reyes spokesman declined to comment election night. Democrats, however, were delighted with the outcome. Regardless of which woefully underfunded Republican emerges from this disastrous runoff, his campaign will be sunk by its lockstep commitment to raising the cost of health care and stripping it away from Texans with pre-existing conditions, Avery Jaffe, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said. The victor will face Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, a San Antonio native and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, in November. She won her primary outright in March. Intraparty drama had come to define the Republican race in recent weeks as top Republicans split over their pick. Gonzales narrowly bested Reyes in the March 3 primary but couldnt avoid a runoff. Hurd who opted not to seek re-election along with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise backed Gonzales, a 38-year-old San Antonio native. But in late June, Cruz threw his weight behind Reyes, an immigration hardliner and a staunch Hurd critic. Cruz put out a 30-second ad for the former Air Force lieutenant colonel. There were reports that Cruz tried to get Trump to back Reyes, 49, of Castroville. Instead, Trump endorsed Gonzales. For years, Texas 23rd Congressional District which stretches 550 miles from San Antonio to El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border has been a hotly-contested partisan battleground, flipping between Democrats and Republicans four times since 2006. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the district by about 3 percentage points. Hurd, a Republican, snagged the seat from Democrat Pete Gallego in 2014. Hes kept the seat since, though by increasingly smaller margins. Jones nearly ousted Hurd in 2018, coming within 1,000 votes of Hurd. The National Republican Congressional Committee alone pumped $2.1 million into the race that year. In all, campaigns and outside groups spent more than $20 million on the race. Jones a veteran of the war in Iraq who was deployed there for three years heads into the general election with more name recognition and a bigger cash advantage than either of the Republican candidates. Last week, her campaign said it had more than $3 million in the bank. By contrast, Gonzales had more than $398,000 on hand as of June 24. Reyes had a little more than $59,000 on hand. Gonzales, a retired Navy cryptologist, was deployed multiple times in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Other races In Congressional District 20, nightclub owner Mauro Garza easily defeated retired educator Gary Allen, 60 percent to 40 percent, in the Republican runoff to face U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro in November, the four-term Democratic incumbent. That district is completely within Bexar County. In the 35th Congressional District, which stretches from San Antonio to Austin, GOP activist Jenny Garcia Sharon outdrew ostrich rancher William Hayward in the Republican runoff, 53 percent to 47 percent. Sharon now faces longtime Democrat Congressman Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, in the November general election. Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio government and politics. To read more from Joshua, become a subscriber. jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports BOSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenzabar, Inc., a leading technology innovator in higher education serving the new student, today revealed that more than 80 percent of higher education institutions said improving student success and completion rates was a top priority for 2020 and beyond. Another 74 percent of institutions said increasing enrollment was a strategic priority. These findings come from a survey conducted in partnership with University Business. Despite the drive to improve student engagement, success, and completion, many colleges and universities are struggling to meet the needs of nontraditional students, which include individuals who may attend college part time, work full time, have dependents other than a spouse, etc. The survey revealed that 11 percent of respondents said the population of nontraditional students has increased significantly in the past five years, while another 38 percent said the population increased slightly during that time. When asked about the impact that nontraditional students are having on their institutions, 66 percent of the respondents who said the population is increasing said their institution is struggling to meet the needs of this demographic. However, 50 percent of respondents said they have implemented new methodologies to provide more flexible or alternative learning paths. For example, some 22 percent of respondents said they are currently offering competency-based education (CBE), micro-credential, or badging options. An additional 37 percent said they do not currently have these capabilities but intend to offer them in the future. Institutions Not Leveraging Data to Make Decisions Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions were facing tightening budgets and increasing expectations. Today, most college departments do not have access to the data and resources they need to optimize operations, improve collaboration, and enhance processes. The survey revealed that 87 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that their teams have been required to "do more with less" during the past five years. In many cases, departments across campus do not have access to student or institutional data that can help them make more informed decisions. The survey revealed that 56 percent of respondents said they only had access to "some of the data" they needed, while another 7 percent said they had access to "very little" of the data they needed. But even if they do have access to data, many teams do not have the means to make sense of it. Roughly 43 percent of respondents said they do not have an analytics tool or platform that would enable them to leverage data to make decisions. Of the group not using analytics, 32 percent said using such a platform would "definitely" help, while 56 percent said it "probably" would help their department. "The survey data surfaces trends we have been seeing among institutions for the past several years: student demographics are rapidly shifting, expectations are changing on and off campus, and institutions are being forced to manage and analyze increasingly large volumes of data brought about by digital transformation," said Jeff Elliot, Director of Product Management at Jenzabar. "Now more than ever, institutions need to leverage innovative technologies and methodologies that can empower student success and optimize business processes in the post-pandemic environment." Survey Methodology The survey was conducted in February 2020 in partnership with University Business. It polled 175 higher education leaders from a variety of sizes and types of institutions in the U.S. Functional titles of respondents included President/Vice President (21%), followed by Dean/Faculty (16%), Provost/Vice Provost (11%), Enrollment/Admissions/Registrar (11%), Finance/Business Officer (8%) and Institutional Research (7%). About Jenzabar Created out of a passion for education and a vision for technology, Jenzabar offers disruptive, innovative software solutions and services that empower students' success and help higher education institutions meet the demands of the modern student. Over 1,350 higher educational campuses harness Jenzabar solutions for improved performance across campus and a more personalized and connected experience for the student. For further information, please visit www.jenzabar.com or on Twitter @Jenzabar or LinkedIn. SOURCE Jenzabar, Inc. Related Links http://www.jenzabar.com A Chinese man has been rushed to hospital after he was stabbed on his head with a folding knife during a heated row, according to reports. Viral footage shows the unidentified patient covered in blood calmly walking towards an ambulance while the blade is lodged in the back of his skull in south-western Chinese city Chongqing. The man is believed to have been recovering after undergoing an operation to remove the weapon while police are investigating the case, says Chinese media. Viral footage shows the unidentified patient covered in blood calmly walking into an ambulance while the blade is lodged in the back of his skull in Chinese city Chongqing The shocking incident allegedly occurred on Saturday in Chongqings Fuling district. A video filmed by an onlooker shows the Chinese man getting into the hospital vehicle while part of the folding knife is sticking out of the back of his head. A medical worker can be seen standing next to the patient while holding a drip bag. Another picture emerged online shows the man lying on a hospital bed after having his head shaved, preparing to receive the removal surgery. The incident was initially reported by Chinese media, claiming that the knife was thrown from a high-rise building before landing it on the residents head. But local police quashed the rumours on Monday, confirming that the man had been attacked during a brawl, reported China Youth News. The incident occurred in Chongqing's Fuling was initially reported by Chinese media, claiming that the knife was thrown from a high-rise building before landing it on the residents head An investigation for the case is underway, says the Fuling authorities. The patient is believed to have been recovering at a local hospital following the operation. The news comes after another Chinese man has been spotted walking into a hospital with a cleaver stuck in his head after 'being assaulted during a fight'. Viral images and footage from June show the unnamed patient covered in blood while the steel blade is stuck deep in his skull at an A&E department in Hubei province. 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... A hugely controversial nationalist group has launched a petition to stop a Muslim celebration from taking place at Croke Park. The GAA announced on Monday that 500 worshippers would be permitted to Croke Park for the celebration of the Islamic festival of Eid at the stadium on July 31, provided government public health advice allowed such gathering. Gatherings of that sie will be permitted if the country moves to Phase 4 of the roadmap to reopening Ireland as planned on July 20. Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council described the use of Croke Park for the event as "symbolic to Irish Muslims in their dual-identity as being both Irish and Muslim" given the "significance Croke Park and the GAA have in Irish history." The GAA is making great strides in embracing all communities nationwide. Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council is profoundly grateful to Croke Park for facilitating Eid in Croke Park which is a clear demonstration of the GAAs unflinching commitment to promote social inclusion and intercultural diversity," he added. The historic Muslim celebration of Eid Al Adha at Croke Park this year will be a positive representation of Irelands growing diversity of many different faiths. Invitations have been extended to other faith leaders and politicians in Ireland to the Eid Al Adha in Croke Park. The announcement of Croke Park as the venue for Eid given the closure of mosques around the country due to Covid-19 has caused very little controversy but the far-right Siol na hEireann group has launched a petition to stop the event taking place. They say they oppose the staging of the event in Croke Park for the following reasons: "Ireland Belongs To The Irish: we oppose the importation of foreign and dangerous creeds like Islam. "Croke Park is important to Irish nationalism as the GAA formed the backbone of resistance to foreign rule in this country Gaelic games are an integral part of Irish culture and must take precedence over the foreign and dangerous ideology of multiculturalism. "We oppose absurd liberal policies which place the interests of foreign people over those of the Irish people. "Mass immigration is a danger to Irish nationality, if things continue like this we will be a minority in our own homeland." The self-proclaimed leader of Siol na hEireann, Niall McConnell stated: "Croke Park is holy ground stained with the blood of Irish patriots, built by the hands of pure-blooded Gaelic Catholics." "Why should we allow a foreign celebration to be held in our Gaelic grounds while Gaelic games are still not permitted? This is our Mecca, how dare the GAA sell-outs allow this desecration?" The petition has received minimal support. With the state recording fewer new coronavirus cases and people returning to restaurants and stores, residents in need of routine or urgent medical care have also ventured back into hospitals. After months of sluggish emergency room traffic and no elective surgeries, Connecticuts hospitals have seen a rise in demand for those services. Outpatient procedures and primary care appointments have resumed, even if some patients are still keeping their distance. But hospitals, pummeled financially by months of added expenses and a steep drop in revenue, havent recovered. Many are still projecting sizable losses for the end of their fiscal year in September. Federal stimulus money and belt tightening measures have not balanced the books, and hospital leaders are now looking to the state for support. They have asked Gov. Ned Lamonts administration to contribute $450 million. We are in discussions with the administration, and were hopeful that our ongoing talks regarding the need for state relief will be resolved in the near future, said Mark Schaefer, vice president of system innovation and financing for the Connecticut Hospital Association. Were looking for the maximum assistance the state can provide to the hospitals to get them back to a place where they can be relied upon to respond swiftly and successfully like they did in March. Max Reiss, a spokesman for Lamont, did not comment on the request by CHA but confirmed state officials are in talks with hospital leaders. The state must ensure it has adequate resources to pay for personal protective equipment, to provide resources for our local school systems, and to pay for adequate testing capacity, he said. Our hospitals have been an incredible partner throughout this public health emergency and we will continue to work with them to address their needs. Next month, the administration expects to finish divvying up Connecticuts $1.38 billion share of the Coronavirus Relief Fund - Congress chief vehicle to provide direct pandemic relief to states and large cities. But with more than $760 million already committed - and outstanding needs far greater than the $620 million yet to be assigned - state officials could be facing hard choices unless more relief comes soon from Washington. State leaders have not provided an estimate for how much of the relief funds will be directed to hospitals, but Melissa McCaw, Lamonts budget director, said the facilities will be a major beneficiary of the remaining $620 million. One way to ensure that state money gets to all of the hospitals in need would be to create a stabilization fund, from which dollars could be dispersed or allocated to individual hospitals proportionate to their need, Schaefer said. The needs vary. Some health systems have recorded losses of $6 million a month while other, larger hospitals have lost as much as $40 million a month. Statewide, hospitals are expected to be short as much as $1.4 billion this fiscal year, despite receiving $625 million in federal relief so far. To stay afloat, some have sought and received up to six months of advanced Medicare payments that must be returned starting in August. That makes the request for state assistance urgent, Schaefer said. He estimated that hospitals collectively owed more than $1 billion for their advanced Medicare payments. If they dont pay it back within a certain time period, interest will accrue. Were hoping we can conclude these discussions in relatively short order, Schaefer said. If that money doesnt get paid back timely, there are interest penalties. So thats something of great concern to the hospitals. Patients return, but fiscal troubles persist As the COVID-19 crisis escalated this spring, hospitals canceled elective surgeries, and trips to physicians offices and emergency departments plunged as people fearful of exposure stayed away. That meant millions or tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue each month, along with added expenses for protective gear, staffing and infrastructure improvements to keep staff and patients safe. In May and June, as the state lifted certain restrictions and businesses began to reopen, residents who had delayed medical care returned to hospitals and doctors offices. The return rates differ from hospital to hospital, but most reported a significant increase in patients coming back for services. In the Yale New Haven Health system, which includes five hospitals, emergency room visits dropped to about 40 percent of their normal volume and elective surgeries ceased at the height of the pandemic. Today, ER volume is 60 percent to 80 percent of what it was pre-pandemic, depending on the facility, said Christopher OConnor, executive vice president and chief operating officer. Surgeries - elective and emergent - are about 80 percent of where they were before coronavirus spread in the state, and inpatient services are at 90 percent, he said. Its climbing back, but its still not where it was before, OConnor said. Its continuing to build on a week-over-week basis. In March and April, the Yale New Haven system lost $140 million each month. The losses have slowed recently - to $60 million in June, OConnor said. And the system has received about $200 million in federal stimulus money. But officials still expect to come up short in September. We were averaging about a 3 percent margin when we closed the month of February and were on pace to have a 4 percent margin for the year, OConnor said. Now, were likely not going to have a margin, and we will likely lose money. Thats going have a significant toll. He did not reveal an end-of-year estimate for the losses. At Bristol Hospital, officials expect to be short about $16 million when the fiscal year ends, even after receiving $4.2 million in federal aid. During the spring, emergency room visits were down by 40 percent and elective surgeries were canceled. The hospital has rebounded somewhat since then - emergency department visits are down only 15 percent and elective procedures are at 85 percent of the typical volume. But the hospital is still struggling. Administrators furloughed more than 100 employees and reduced hours for about 200 more. Some of those furloughs have turned into layoffs, though officials did not say how many people were out of a job. President and CEO Kurt Barwis is hoping for more help from the federal government and the state. The hospitals that got everything ready - spent all their time and money to prepare - but didnt see the influx of patients and, accordingly, didnt get hotspot money from the federal government, basically got crushed in this, he said. So hopefully theres going to be another round of federal support because come Sept. 30, Im looking at my debt covenants and I know Im not going to make one of those. As of April, hospitals statewide had spent about $200 million above their planned expenses to cover the cost of protective gear, infrastructure improvements, additional staffing and other resources related to the pandemic. More recent figures on those expenses were not available. While some hospitals saw a surge in patients, others didnt see as large of an increase and didnt qualify for federal funds available to facilities with higher admission rates. At Hartford Healthcares seven Connecticut hospitals, patients have steadily begun returning for services. Trips to the emergency department, which plummeted in the spring, are back to about 85 percent of their normal volume, said Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO. Surgeries are at 98 percent of the normal volume - up from 30 percent at the height of the pandemic. But the system could lose as much as $200 million by the end of the fiscal year without additional federal or state aid, Flaks said. It has received more than $120 million in federal stimulus money so far. Our performance this year could be anywhere from breakeven to an approximately $200 million loss depending on what occurs with the [state and federal] distributions, and to the extent that we dont see a second wave, Flaks said. Trinity Health of New England, which operates Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center and three other Connecticut facilities, was losing $30 million to $40 million a month in the spring. Its finances have improved recently as patients returned; the system recorded a loss of just under $30 million in May and expects to have lost about $15 million in June (calculations are not yet complete). But even after receiving more than $60 million in federal funds, the system is running the red, said Jennifer Schneider, senior vice president and chief financial officer. By September, Trinity Health expects its Connecticut facilities to be short about $45 million. It has announced layoffs, furloughs and reduced hours for employees. I hate to say it, but thats likely the best-case scenario because it does include all of the things that we tried to implement quickly to really mitigate these costs, Schneider said of the $45 million loss estimate. The last thing we want is for the burden of these losses to be on our patients or on the community. Advertising safety Hospital leaders have taken out advertisements and launched social media campaigns to encourage patients to come back. Those campaigns focus on safety measures and the importance of not delaying care. Some people are still practicing quote-unquote medical distancing, so were very focused on pushing out the message that hospitals are following the highest standards of reopening to ensure the settings are safe, Schaefer said. Every protocol is being followed around mitigating the prospect of transmission. At Hartford Healthcares facilities, emergency room visitors are triaged outside. COVID-19-postive patients or those suspected of having the disease are separated from people with other conditions. Weve made many modifications to our facilities, from where and how we board and room people to how we segment patients based on different needs, Flaks said. The hospitals have also amassed a considerable stockpile of protective gear for workers, he said. Employees at Bristol Hospital take the temperature of all patients and their visitors upon arrival, and the facility also screens its workers before each shift. Registration for outpatient procedures and radiology is now done in one large room, and chairs in the waiting area are spaced six feet apart. Weve created a controlled environment where were not leaving it up to people to decide how far theyre going to sit apart, Barwis said. Were trying to control the flow of people and keep them away from the different departments until the exact time theyre needed. Anyone coming in for an elective surgery is tested for COVID-19. Tests must be negative before the surgery can go forward. Emergency room patients who are likely to be admitted also receive a coronavirus test. From a patient safety standpoint and from an employee safety standpoint, we absolutely have to do that, Barwis said. The Yale New Haven Health system has arranged television commercials and social media ads reassuring the public that its hospitals are safe. While the patient volume hasnt reached pre-pandemic levels, OConnor is optimistic more people will return. Were in a very good place relative to equipment and supplies for our staff, and were adhering to the proven mitigation steps around social distancing, hand washing and face covering, he said. If we continue to do all that, I believe people will continue to come back. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. New Delhi, July 15 : Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a pot shot at Narendra Modi government saying its foreign policy is in tatters and India is losing power and respect everywhere. "India's global strategy is in tatters. We are losing power and respect everywhere and Government of India has no idea what to do," he said in a tweet attaching a news report. The news report claimed that Iranian government has decided to proceed in the construction of a rail line on its own from Chabahar port to Zahaden along the border with Afghanistan citing delays from Indian side in funding and starting the project. India had signed an agreement with Iran to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan. Rahul Gandhi has been critical of the government in the recent days and has sharpened his attack on the government over several issues like handling of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic situation, face off with China in Ladakh and economic issues etc. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Efforts by defense attorneys to derail riot charges against people who took part in the May 30 melee in downtown Grand Rapids so far have not worked. The latest to be ordered to trial was 23-year-old Chase Vladimir Spencer on Monday, July 13. Grand Rapids police said surveillance video caught a man using a stop sign to smash a window at Urban Obsession Salon, 44 Fountain St. NW Police used facial recognition technology and Spencers own Facebook page to link him to the damage. On his Facebook page, a photo taken just hours before the rioting showed him wearing a distinctive sweatshirt also seen on the surveillance video. Defense attorney Anthony Greene, during a hearing Monday, didnt dispute that Spencer was the person seen using the stop sign to ram a window. But he argued that Spencers actions did not meet the definition for Michigans riot charge. The statute states that someone must act in concert with five or more persons while causing damage. Given the fact that Mr. Spencer is totally deaf, it would be very difficult for him to act in concert with others, Greene said. He also said there is no video evidence that Greene was around more than one or two people. But Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Dan Helmer argued that Spencer did not need to be in close quarters with other people causing damage. It was clear that hundreds of people were in downtown Grand Rapids that night and many were breaking windows, trying to set fires, with some looting as well. It was chaos downtown. There is lawlessness everywhere, he said. Its very clear what is going on. Grand Rapids District Court Nicholas Ayoub agreed. This wasnt simply a completely fortuitous coincidence that Mr. Spencer took a stop sign and rammed it through a window, Ayoub said. Spencer also is charged with malicious destruction of a building and was ordered to stand trial on that count as well. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion WOULD you rather be wealthy or healthy? One thing the coronavirus pandemic has made clear is that no earthly treasure can compare to having a clean bill of health. Most people who have white-collar jobs and sit very comfortably in the middle class have had an easier time weathering and surviving the pandemic. They can work from home or, in the case of job loss, usually have savings to see them through some leaner months. And low-income people, including many essential workers, who already had poorer health outcomes, are bearing the brunt of the caseload in hot spots such as New York and elsewhere. But at the end of the day, the virus is just as deadly, regardless of the balance in your bank account. If you get infected, no amount of money or possessions or assets will help you beat the disease quicker if at all. The pandemic has caused all of us to think more about the health of our families, children and grandchildren. In my case, its also helped me better understand the plight of our citys homeless. The fact is that if it wasnt for our health, many of us would struggle to survive. What would you do if you didnt have a job to go back to tomorrow? If a debilitating disability caused you to have a hard time coping with everyday life? If a crushing mental illness spiraled you into a deep depression and you couldnt even muster the energy to get out of bed in the morning? Without a strong support system around you, chances are you would lose everything. I know I would. And for those who end up losing everything, getting back their health is the best chance they have at getting back their life. We often talk about providing housing and jobs as the best way to help people experiencing homelessness to move forward in life. And for good reason. If we, one of the richest nations on earth, can help our most vulnerable get back on their feet by providing safe and affordable housing, along with employment training to help them enter the workforce again, we could effectively end homelessness. Without a strong support system around you, chances are you would lose everything. I know I would. And for those who end up losing everything, getting back their health is the best chance they have at getting back their life. But all of that would be for naught if we didnt address the health of our vulnerable people first. What good is a home if you are too sick to take care of yourself? And what good is being qualified to work if you cant make it through a shift or even get to your shift in the first place? The Winnipeg Street Health Report in 2018 revealed that more than 50 per cent of people experiencing homelessness regularly feel pain, and more than 60 per cent struggle with some kind of mental health condition. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. At Siloam Mission, we know that more than 50 per cent of people who end up on our doorstep looking for help are struggling with mental health illnesses oftentimes depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. Thats why any strategy to end homelessness needs to include a strategy to end the physical and mental health epidemic plaguing our homeless population. Its not an easy challenge to solve. While we are making strides, we are still working on how to properly address mental health in our general population. It is much more challenging to address mental health in our vulnerable population that also struggles with addictions and physical and cognitive disabilities. But if we can meet this very moment in time when a new and highly contagious virus is spreading around the globe with creativity and resolve, we can solve almost anything. And while I wish it didnt take a global pandemic, I appreciate how it has made us reflect on whats most important in life. I believe that for most of us, our support systems and our health are at the very top of the list. Because no matter how wealthy we might be, our real treasure is our health. Jim Bell is CEO of Siloam Mission. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. As I wrote yesterday, one depressing aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic is to see two of the usual suspects Big Tech and Big Pharma trying to distort what we hear, learn, and understand about the ongoing situation. Yesterday, I discussed the fallacy of conflating contact tracing with contact tracing by app a mistake big Tech wants you to make so we all spend money on something that may not work all that well rather than relying on tried and tested methods of contact tracing. Similarly, Big Pharma wants us all to believe that the way to manage COVID-19 is with a new, expensive, proprietary patented vaccine; or with some new expensive proprietary drug, rather than with a tweaking of an existing therapy, or an off-the-shelf generic approach. Im going to try to pitch this post at a fairly general level and include what I think might be useful links for people to study: asking questions, rather than supplying anything like definitive answers. Why? Well Im not a medical doctor or a scientist, and though I identify avenues that might look promising, I cannot hope to begin to supply answers (nor, to be sure, is the state of science such that there are answers to be supplied). Vaccines Today, the newspapers featured positive news about Modernas efforts to produce a viable COVID-19 vaccine (see this WSJ account, Modernas Covid-19 Vaccine Moves to Bigger Study and this report from Stat First data for Moderna Covid-19 vaccine show it spurs an immune response). Meanwhile, The Times of India discussed the efforts of Indian pharmaceutical maker Zydur to make its own vaccine in Indias Zydus begins human trials for potential Covid-19 vaccine, Now, as you are no doubt aware, developing a new vaccine poses formidable challenges. And for surmounting those challenges, the rewards will be vast. But two studies suggest some existing vaccines, the Bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG) TB vaccine, and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, might convey some protective effect which would be more or less immediate. It should be emphasized that neither of these approaches was developed to address COVID-19 directly. Nonetheless, there is some evidence that each may provide some benefit. I was first informed about the MMR connection by my friend Dr. Sara Borwein, when I mentioned the interesting situation with the BCG vaccine. Sarah sent me a clip discussing the MMR connection, which originated in Kazakhstan, while noting the source was not the best. Permit me to discuss each in turn. First off, how does the mechanism work. Believe it or not, a decent laypeson explanation is provided by The Daily Mail, Why experts think the MMR jab may save adults from: Childhood vaccine at heart of dramatic new trial: Most of the 100 or so Covid-19 vaccine trials under way worldwide focus on specific targets unique to the virus itself, and are made either with traces of the spike protein found on the surface of the virus, or fragments of its genetic material. The idea is the immune system recognises the virus material in the vaccines as foreign and creates infection-fighting cells (antibodies and T cells) should it then encounter Covid-19. In other words, they are designed to work against Covid-19 and nothing else. The same applies to most infectious disease vaccines. But a small group of vaccines, including the MMR, the BCG jab given to protect against tuberculosis (TB) and the oral version of the polio vaccine, are different. These are made with live but massively weakened versions of the viruses or bacteria (in the case of the BCG) themselves. As well as priming the immune system to produce disease-fighting cells that target the infectious organism, live vaccines pep up the whole immune system so its more alert to any invading organisms. Its thought this is because the presence of any live virus or bacterium is enough to put the whole immune system on alert. Its a bit like an army putting all its snipers on duty, ready to take out anything that is a potential threat, explains Eleanor Riley, a professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Edinburgh University. The best evidence so far for the efficacy of the MMR vaccine comes from the good ship Theodore Roosevelt. Again from the Daily Mail: The protective potential of MMR hit the headlines when the crew of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was struck by a Covid-19 outbreak. More than 1,100 sailors on board tested positive, yet just one needed hospital treatment, (and later died) according to a report published last month in the journal mBio. Even allowing for the likelihood that many were young and fit, researchers calculated it would still be expected that about 14 per cent (over 150 in this case) would need to be hospitalised. But the sailors all had one thing in common; as new recruits mostly in their late teens or 20s, each had been given the MMR vaccine, in line with U.S. military policy. Some scientists think the jab may have protected many crew members against serious illness and could also explain why so few children develop symptoms from Covid-19. In the UK, children make up less than two per cent of confirmed cases. Between 80 and 90 per cent of all UK children, teenagers and young adults have had the MMR jab, their first dose aged one, and a booster, at three years. Now the idea that the readily available and relatively cheap vaccine (it costs about 50 privately) could be used to protect millions of adults against Covid-19 is attracting wider interest.< Ill stop there, for as I said, questions, not answers. As for the BCG vaccine, Ill once again begin with a popular account. this from yesterdays Hindustan Times, TB vaccine averts severe infections, deaths from Covid-19: Study: The inexpensive and widely-used Bacillus CalmetteGuerin (BCG) vaccine that protects against childhood tuberculosis also prevents severe infection and death from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), concluded two peer-reviewed studies released last week, including one led by Indian researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi. The JNU study from India found that the quality of protection depends on the BCG strain used to make the vaccine, with Mixed, Pasteur and Japan strains being superior to the three other strains which together account for more than 90% of the BCG vaccines being used in the world. The peer-reviewed study was published in Cell Death and Disease, which part of the Nature group of journals. The second study from the US, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also linked BCG vaccination with reduced Covid-19 deaths. Those who got BCG vaccination, not just in India but in other countries, are more protected than those who were not, shows this analysis of data for countries with over 1,000 reported cases. We think BCG-mediated immune response would help in lowering both incidence and severity of infection, said study author Gobardhan Das, chairperson, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Around 100 million children around the world get the BCG vaccine every year. Again, rather than targeting the aim of reaching any definitive conclusions, Ill just refer interested readers to the two underlying studies, BCG vaccination policy and preventive chloroquine usage: do they have an impact on COVID-19 pandemic? in Cell Death and Disease; and BCG vaccine protection from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Now, unsurprisingly, big Pharma is, to my knowledge, not promoting further exploration of either of these vaccines, as either an interim or stopgap if and until a COVID-19-specific vaccine emerges. Why not? Each has been around for a while, in the case of BCG, for more than a century. And while these options might prevent or lessen suffering from COVID-19, no one is going to get rich from making and distributing them. Whereas the profit potential from a new vaccine..Well, the sky looks to be the limit there. Cure and Prophylaxis: What About Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)? From the onset of this pandemic, Ive been hearing about the efficacy -or lack thereof of HCQ, sometimes combined with zinc and azithromycin, either for treatment of COVID-19 or prophylaxis. By now, the scientific record is muddied and for a while, the reputation of two respected medical journals, The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine was damaged by their publication of studies based on dubious data from the US company, Surgisphere. The studies led to a shift in World Health Organization (WHO) policy (see Surgisphere: governments and WHO changed Covid-19 policy based on suspect data from tiny US company). HCQ is something that has become highly politicized, partly because Donald Trump has advocated its use and continues to do so. You cant be for HCQ if youre anti-Trump. You cant be pro-mask if you are pro-Trump. Which is obviously ridiculous. These are scientific questions, not political ones. But many Americans have lost their ability to think seriously about scientific questions if they ever had it in the first place. But without getting too foily, i cant help but think that its big Pharma that benefits most from all this confusion about HCQ, and I wonder whether this is an accident. I guess it all boils down to which general approach to history one takes. Big Pharma wont profit if this cheap, widely available generic drug proves to have a COVID-19 protective effect; it barely costs $1 per dose.. But someone certainly benefits from the use of remdesivir, which even at concessionary rates, is priced so I believe they still make out very well from each course of treatment, according to Stat, Gilead announces long-awaited price for Covid-19 drug remdesivir: For all governments in the developed world, including the U.S. governments Indian Health Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Gilead will charge $2,340 for a five-day course. U.S. insurers, in addition to Medicare and Medicaid, will pay 33% more, or $3,120. Countries in the developing world will get the drug at greatly reduced prices through generic manufacturers to which Gilead has licensed production. And the drug is in short supply so that in Hong Kong, where along with interferon, it is the preferred therapy, doctors cant secure enough to treat patients. Now, one very basic issue Ive noticed with HCQ studies is a failure to appreciate and distinguish its use as a prophylactic from that of a cure, especially once massaged and presented in the press. Many studies have looked at its use as a cure for those who have late-Stage COVID-19, and those poor results are extrapolated to conclude the drug has no utility whatsoever. India thinks otherwise, and has combined HCQ does with use of PPE to reduce the COVID-19 risk of its healthworkers (see this India Today account 4 or more hydroxychloroquine doses reduced risk of coronavirus in healthcare workers: ICMR study). I cant help but think that the muddy scientific record is partly because big Pharma doesnt benefit from clarity here, Imagine, for example, we made the same type of logical mistake in evaluating the efficacy of birth control pills, e.g., conflation of the use of something as a cure, and as a prophylaxis. Assume you waited til week 24 of your pregnancy to take your birth control pills and then concluded that the drug didnt work very well: the pills didnt prevent pregnancy at that stage and for all I know, their use might lead you to bring to term a damaged fetus or spontaneously abort. Whereas, if you used the drug as directed taking the pills regularly, before and after you have sex, they work just fine. The Indians seem to think that the same applies to HCQ and perhaps it does even if Donald Trump thinks so. But no one at big Pharma will get rich if that is the case. So theres a whole lot of conflation of prophylaxis and cure going on with people who should know better. LOVELAND, Colo., July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquatic Informatics Inc. has been acquired by Danaher's Water Quality platform from XPV Water Partners. Aquatic Informatics provides software solutions that address critical water data management, analytics, and compliance challenges for the global water industry. The business is the trusted provider of water management solutions to over 1,000 organizations around the world that collect, manage, and make decisions with large volumes of water data. "I am thrilled to welcome Ed Quilty and the Aquatic Informatics team," said Kevin Klau, Danaher Vice President and Group Executive, Water Quality platform. "Aquatic Informatics has developed industry-leading capabilities managing large data sets and helping customers improve decision-making to enable better outcomes. With our deep applications expertise, we can combine hardware, software, and services together to help environmental, municipal, and industrial customers save money, improve asset performance and reduce risk. Uniting Aquatic Informatics together with Hach's Claros offering will accelerate our ability to solve the most critical problems for customers across the water cycle." "We are delighted to be joining the Danaher Water Quality platform," said Ed Quilty, the CEO of Aquatic Informatics. "We have built Aquatic Informatics into one of the largest water-focused software providers in the world over the past 17 years, and we still see a tremendous amount of growth potential. We're excited to join our new colleagues on the journey as we aspire to empower industry experts to make data driven, smart decisions with timely water insights." Dave Henderson, Managing Partner XPV Water Partners, said "We want to congratulate Ed Quilty and the team at Aquatic Informatics. We are proud to have partnered with them in scaling the business into a global digital water leader and we are confident they are well-positioned for continued strong growth in the future." About Danaher Water Quality Platform The Danaher Water Quality platform partners with municipal, environmental and industrial customers to address many of the most critical challenges faced in the water sector today, and includes such leading water technology companies as Hach, ChemTreat, OTT HyrdoMet, Trojan Technologies, Pall Water and Sea-Bird Scientific. Leveraging water quality application expertise, the operating companies in the Water Quality platform deliver an unparalleled combination of hardware, software and service across water analytics, chemicals, and treatment workflows. About Aquatic Informatics Aquatic Informatics is a mission-driven software company that organizes the world's water data to make it accessible and useful. As the world's largest water data management company, and with more than 1,000 customers in 60 countries, Aquatic Informatics is unique in that it provides information technology solutions for all water: source water, drinking water, municipal and industrial wastewater, and the receiving environment. Aquatic Informatics is guided by its "3P" core values which balance Planet, People, and Prosperity. These values run through the entire business and can be seen in decision making, employee support, software donations, volunteer work, and commitment to customers. For more information, please visit aquaticinformatics.com. About XPV Water Partners XPV Water Partners is comprised of experienced water entrepreneurs, operators, and investment professionals dedicated to make a difference in the water industry. XPV invests in and actively supports water-focused companies to enable them to grow and deliver value for all stakeholders. XPV manages over $400 million USD in investment capital from institutional investors in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.xpvwaterpartners.com. SOURCE Hach; Danaher Water Quality Platform Related Links http://www.hach.com Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The late state Sen. John Pinto was known for his relentless support of the Native American film industry. In 2019, legislation provided $100,000 for a newly created grant called the Senator John Pinto Memorial Fund. I am very grateful to (Senator) John Pinto for creating this grant for Native American filmmakers in New Mexico, said filmmaker Leahn Marie Cox. It takes effort to appreciate traditional indigenous knowledge in the world today. I do not lament this, but see this serious challenge as unique and demanding. The grants are open to include members from several tribal affiliations, exploring topics including missing women, ancient healing, modern-day culture clashes and entrepreneurship. The New Mexico State Film Office announced the winners Monday. Supporting diversity in the film industry is vital to expanding diversity on a larger scale, as film is a cornerstone of our culture and history. Each of these filmmakers has an essential story to tell and the Senator John Pinto Memorial Fund awards will help bring these stories to the screen, said Amber Dodson, New Mexico Film Office director. We are immensely thankful to the late Sen. John Pinto and his granddaughter, Sen. Shannon Pinto, and truly thrilled to support diverse storytelling and filmmaking in New Mexico. Twenty $5,000 grants were awarded to Native film students and filmmakers living and working in New Mexico. The funds can be used toward pre-production, production and post-production. Grantees must be registered members of one of the tribes or pueblos of New Mexico. All of these filmmakers expressed an enduring need to be the bearers of their own stories, and no longer accept the inconsistency of having stories told about their culture from an outsiders viewpoint, said Alicia J. Keyes, state Economic Development secretary. Thats the legacy of Sen. John Pinto and why we are honored to highlight this work. The SJP applications were reviewed by judges Chris Eyre, Nanobah Becker, Ramona Emerson and Beverly Morris. Sen. Shannon Pinto thanked the applicants for helping make this a reality. Congratulations to the Native American filmmaker awardees, I hope your endeavors lead to extraordinary experiences and long-lasting relationships that change lives for you and the underrepresented communities, said Shannon Pinto. The following projects were approved for SJP funds: Chindi, submitted by Robert Mesa (Navajo and Soboba) Diyin Holy Project, submitted by Carrie House (Dine) Dream Touch Believe, submitted by Jenna Winters (Santa Clara Pueblo) Feeding PoPay, submitted by Geoffrey Kie (Pueblo of Laguna) Heroes of the West, submitted by Lydell Mitchell (Dine) Homeopathy for Native America (working title), submitted by Leahn Marie Cox (Navajo) Just Kids, submitted by Forrest Goodluck (Dine) Lloyd Kiva New: An American Entrepreneur, submitted by Nathaniel Fuentes (Santa Clara Pueblo) Marlon, submitted by Kevin Brown (Navajo) Meow Loses a Button (working title), submitted by Melissa Henry (Navajo) Mothers Day, submitted by Natalie Benally (Navajo) No Love 4 Lamb, submitted by Jonathan Sims (Pueblo of Acoma) A Public Service Announcement Video for Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIW), submitted by Cameron L. Martinez Jr. (Taos Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo) Re-Indigenizing Minds, submitted by Colleen Gorman (Dine) River Bank, submitted by Charine Gonzales (San Ildefonso Pueblo) Rez Dogs, submitted by Steven Tallas (Navajo) Rude Girl, submitted by Joshua Zunie (Zuni Pueblo) Three Generations: A Family of Artists, submitted by Dawning Pollen Shorty (Taos Pueblo/Sioux and Dine) Together, submitted by Stanley Bain Jr. (Navajo) Yazhi Boy, submitted by Daniel Edward Hyde (Navajo and Belizean) Click here to read the full article. Going into a Walmart or Sams Club store for the foreseeable future will require a face covering for the first time. As the coronavirus rages on, with the U.S. seeing record cases of people contracting the illness on a daily basis over the last two weeks as several states reopened their economies or had lax public health requirements, Walmart is now insisting that shoppers and workers in its stores wear a face covering or mask at all times. The mandate takes effect July 20. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols, Dacona Smith, Walmarts U.S. chief operating officer wrote in a blog post. We know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities, Smith added. According to the CDC, face coverings help decrease the spread of COVID-19, and because the virus can be spread by people who dont have symptoms and dont know they are infected, its critically important for everyone to wear a face covering in public and social distance. It is the first time the largest retailer in the country has set a storewide mandate on mask-wearing, despite being one of the few retailers in the country that did not close during the initial weeks of economic closure due to the outbreak of the pandemic. Other major retailers, like Target, also do not have a storewide mandate on face coverings. It seems likely that stores will begin to follow the lead of Walmart. The National Retail Federation recommended as much in a statement after Walmarts decision, saying it hopes the move is a tipping point in this public health debate. Since the onset of the pandemic, retailers of all sizes have been on the front lines safely serving customers and supporting their communities, the NRF said. Stores are private businesses that can adopt policies permitted by law for the health and safety of their associates and their customers. Shopping in a store is a privilege, not a right. If a customer refuses to adhere to store policies, they are putting employees and other customers at undue risk. Story continues Major retailers that currently have a mask requirement in all stores include Apple, Costco and Best Buy. In a brief note on the new mandate, which includes customers and workers, a Walmart spokesperson noted that about 65 percent of its 5,000 Walmart and Sams Club stores in the U.S. are in states where there is already some form of government mandate on face coverings. That this is only now a requirement for workers as well is telling, as Walmart has come under some legal fire for its workers falling ill, and in some instances dying from the virus. But there is no federal mandate on anything regarding the coronavirus, let alone mask-wearing, which has been pushed by all public health officials as one of the surest ways of preventing community spread of the virus. This, along with the politicization of mask-wearing by the Trump administration and some other Republican politicians, has led to numerous instances of people across the U.S. belligerently refusing to wear masks in stores. Video of such moments have become a viral sensation on social media. They also show retail workers taking the brunt of the outrage. People refusing to wear masks in the many videos available online often become violent with retail workers tasked with enforcement of the rule, screaming maskless in workers faces, throwing baskets and goods, even punching and kicking. With Walmart being such a common shopping stop for people in the U.S., it seems inevitable that the retailer will have its own run-ins with customers who refuse to wear a face covering, particularly in states that have no public mandate, and still feel they have the right to enter a store, despite it being private property. We know some people have differing opinions on this topic, Smith wrote in her post. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials like the CDC. In an effort to combat the trend of non-mask wearing in stores among some members of the public, Walmart and Sams Club stores will all operate with a single customer entrance. Those entrances will have a heath ambassador, a new role at Walmart, who will remind those without a mask of our new requirements. They will also receive special training to help make the process as smooth as possible for customers and will work with customers who show up at a store without a face covering to try and find a solution. Asked how exactly Walmart intends to deal with customers who refuse to wear a face mask, a spokesperson referred to Smiths blog post, but added: If there is someone who just refuses to wear a mask, our goals is to keep our associates from a physical confrontation situation. We believe this requirement will result in many more people wearing masks in our stores and clubs that before and thats ultimately what we are aiming for. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Put your money and your mask where your mouth is. Thats what a couple of Niagara-on-the-Lake entrepreneurs are doing through their plan to help protect the community while supporting one of the regions biggest charity agencies. Locomotive Marketing Inc. co-founders Domenic and Patrizia Trapasso are selling silver ion fabric masks to protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic and donating the proceeds to United Way Niagara. In a release, United Way said that kind of reusable mask is considered to be the best on the market, eliminating more than 99 per cent of bacteria. They are made with the Sanitized hygiene function, which helps reduce the growth and spread of microorganisms. The masks sell for $10 each or two for $15, and will be available this week at various locations around Niagara, each day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will be sold Thursday at Brock University in parking lot A; and Friday at Locomotive Marketing Inc, 242 Mary St. suite 8 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Trapassos have supported United Way in the past, including through care packages for its After School Matters childrens program. They are incredibly generous and always look for ways to engage their two young children in their philanthropic effort, said United Way Niagara executive director Frances Hallworth, in the release. Rens Pets to open on Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines Heres some news for all the dogs and cats out there Rens Pets, a specialty retailer of pet supplies, will open its newest retail store July 18 in St. Catharines. The Canadian company, with 27 other outlets around the country, offers everything for pets from food, treats and toys to other supplies. In a news release, Rens said it strives to be more than a pet store, Rens is part of the community. We take pride in supporting our communities by joining hands with local humane societies, charities, rescues and other organizations, said president Scott Arsenault. We also partner, not compete, with local pet groomers and other pet professionals to provide good customer and pet care. The new store is at 121 Fourth Ave. in St. Catharines. Anyone who goes to the Rens website to RSVP for its month-long celebration will receive a $20 voucher. Partners open third sub shop, this one in St. Catharines Theres another source for sub sandwiches on Fourth Avenue in St. Catharines. Recently, Firehouse Subs opened at 295 Fourth Ave, owned by franchisees Purvang, Pete and Vishal Patel. It will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and remain open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Patels brothers Purvang and Pete and cousin Vishal opened their first Firehouse Subs in Niagara Falls back in 2017, and a second one last September in Stoney Creek. At the new store, they will offer third-party delivery and in-house catering services as well as online ordering through their website and the Firehouse Subs app, plus call-in order and takeout. Home construction up sharply in Niagara during June Across Canada, the number of new housing starts in June was down compared to June 2019 but Niagara bucked the trend. Overall starts dropped 13 per cent, but in Niagara there were 404 new starts this June compared to 180 during the same month last year an increase of 124 per cent. There were 155 new starts of single-detached homes, up from 122 last June. The rest semi-detached and others rose to 249 in June this year, compared to 58 in the same month in 2019. Editors note: This story was updated to reflect the current status of the lakes affected. Toxic algae blooms have been spotted at Spruce Run Reservoir and ten other New Jersey lakes, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections new mapping tool. The ten other bodies of water where samples indicated toxic algae blooms include Amico Island Pond, Rosedale Lake, Greenwood Lake, Mountain Lake, Dramasei Park Lake, Sunset Lake, and Branch Book Park Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Hopkins Pond and Pemberton Lake. Swimming at Spruce Run is closed for the summer for reasons unrelated to the algae blooms. Last year saw a record-setting amount of harmful algal blooms in New Jersey that shut down several beaches in Hopatcong State Park. The blooms are caused by naturally-occurring cyanobacteria, which rapidly increase when hit by sunlight if there are nutrients in the water. They can kill dogs and cause health problems like rashes, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms and worse for humans. Earlier this summer, the DEP launched its new mapping tool and color-coded system to provide guidelines to the public on harmful algal blooms. We cant predict with certainty when harmful algal blooms will occur, but with this enhanced communication and color-coded alert index, we hope that the appropriate responses to harmful algal blooms will become much more predictable and targeted, which should provide much more certainty as well as flexibility for residents and businesses to make sensible decisions, said DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe, in a press release. NJ Sierra Club President Jeff Tittel sharply criticized the DEP for its harmful algal bloom response. This is a game theyre playing, using colors instead of actually cleaning up our lakes. We already know when the color system is its blue-green algae and people should be turning red because of DEPs failure to take action over the past year, Tittel said in a press release. Since last summers influx of blooms, the DEP has invested more than $13 million in state funding to mitigate the blooms and communicate with the public about the risks, its said. Below, NJ Advance Media answers common questions about the harmful algal blooms popping up across the state. What is the toxic algae affecting New Jersey lakes? Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, is responsible for most of the blooms throughout New Jersey. When the bacteria, which is naturally present in lakes and streams in low numbers, forms toxic blooms, it often leaves a thick mat that looks like pea soup on the surface of the water. Exposure to the algae blooms can cause skin rashes. If consumed, it can cause abdominal pain, headaches, vomiting, nausea, blistering around the mouth, flu-like symptoms and even liver toxicity and neurological damage. The bacteria can also harm pets and animals. Why are so many lakes affected and why isnt the algae going away? The blooms have impacted businesses and spurred political controversy, as lawmakers argue over how to resolve the issue. Experts say climate change plays a huge role in all of this, according to a report by The New York Times. Its not a Jersey-specific problem, but is happening nationwide and throughout the globe, experts say. Stormwater from heavy rains washes fertilizer and other nutrient-laden substances into the lake. If you combine that with hotter, wetter summers, and warmer water, it creates a perfect soup for the algae to thrive, previous reports said. What should you do if you suspect youve identified a bloom? Report any suspected HAB sighting by calling the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337), or send a mobile alert through the WARN NJDEP mobile app (available via iTunes, Google Play or Windows Phone), or report via the DEPs HAB website. Reporter Spencer Kent contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. New Delhi: In the Palghar lynching case, Mahrashtra's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed a charge sheet of 4500 pages at Dahanu court in Palghar district on Wednesday (July 15). The charge sheet has named a total of 165 accused including 11 juveniles. In the mob lynching, two Hindu Sadhus and their driver were brutally killed at Gadhchinchale village in Palghar district on April 16, 2020. About 5 cops were suspended and more than 30 were transferred and the case was transferred to the state CID. Two saints, Kalpavriksha Giri Maharaj, Sushil Giri Maharaj, were killed amid rumours that they belonged to a gang involved in the kidnapping of children to harvest organs, including kidneys. The two sadhus and Nilesh Yalgade, who was driving a Maruti Eeco Van, were going to Surat to attend the funeral of a saint from their Kandivali ashram in Mumbai when they were attacked by the mob. Earlier on June 11, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Maharashtra government seeking response on a petition demanding a CBI probe into the lynching of two sadhus. The relatives of two Juna Akhara priests had filed the plea in the top court seeking a CBI probe into the incident. The plea has said that they have no faith in the Maharashtra government or police. In another petition filed in the apex court, the petitioner had claimed that it was widely reported by the media that the Maharashtra police had failed to use force to stop the mob from lynching the two sadhus. The petition alleged that the police failed to take any concrete step to protect the innocent men which could be proved by the fact that they did not use any force to disperse the crowd and one of the videos even shows that one of the police officials actually pushed saints to the crowd when they were asking for the protection. An Arizona woman is accusing a police officer of misconduct after he allegedly slammed her to the ground and shoved her against a car during a January arrest, leaving her with injuries. Mariah Valenzuela, 23, was stopped by Phoenix police officer Michael McGillis just before midnight on Jan. 16 for allegedly driving on the wrong side of a city street, according to a police report. Police body-camera video obtained by NBC News shows her pulling over in a parking lot and getting out of her car as McGillis approaches. The video was also obtained by NBC affiliate KPNX in Phoenix The videos obtained by NBC News, which have not been publicly released by police, appear to be the complete footage of the arrest. The officer asks for Valenzuela's license, and she says she doesn't have it on her, the body-cam video shows. "Do you have any ID on you?" the officer asks, one of his repeated requests for her ID. Valenzuela turns toward her car, then asks McGillis why she was pulled over, the video shows. McGillis does not appear to respond. The officer then attempts to arrest Valenzuela and yells for her to put her hands behind her back. Valenzuela starts screaming and repeatedly asks why she is being arrested as the officer takes her to the ground, according to the video. Mariah Valenzuela indicates where she sustained an injury in footage recorded by a police-worn body camera in Phoenix on Jan. 17, 2020. (Courtesy James Palestini) "What did I do? ... What did you tackle me? You tackled me for no reason," she says. McGillis picks Valenzuela up off the ground and then appears to shove her against her car. "Why don't you act like a young lady?" he says. Valenzuela accuses the officer of manhandling her. "You act like I'm a f---ing threat. You serious?" she says before the officer leads her to the back of a police vehicle. Video showed that Valenzuela had a bruise on the top of her head that was bleeding as well as injuries to her hand and face. McGillis could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. Valenzuela's attorney, James Palestini, told NBC News in a phone interview Wednesday that when the officer decided to arrest Valenzuela, "he immediately grabs her and throws her on the ground violently, causing her some pretty nasty injuries." Story continues He said his client "had several abrasions, cuts. There was some bleeding as well and the vessels in her eye, they were damaged." She received medical treatment at the scene, Palestini said. Ann Justus, a police spokesperson, said in a statement that McGillis repeatedly asked Valenzuela for identification, but she refused. "Due to Valenzuela failing to provide her identification as she was legally required to do, despite the three opportunities Officer McGillis provided her, the decision was made to place her under arrest for the misdemeanor violation," the statement read. "Officer McGillis asked Valenzuela to put her hands behind her back. Up to this point, even though she refused to provide her identification, Officer McGillis and Valenzuela had a cordial exchange, and he did not believe she would suddenly become uncooperative. Officer McGillis then attempted to place her in handcuffs," the statement continued. "Valenzuela immediately became uncooperative and actively resisted the lawful arrest by pulling away and refusing to place her hands behind her back," the statement said, adding that McGillis took Valenzuela to the ground "for the safety of both the Officer and Valenzuela." "Due to Valenzuela actively resisting the arrest, it took Officer McGillis one minute and twenty-seven seconds to place both hands in handcuffs," the statement read. "When Officer McGillis thought she had calmed down enough to stand up, he helped her up and they began walking towards a vehicle when she began yelling again. Officer McGillis pushed her against her car to stop her from resisting again." Officers wrote in a police report that Valenzuela smelled of alcohol and marijuana. She admitted to drinking and smoking marijuana, the report states. The police report also says that Valenzuela has a medical marijuana card. Palestini said his client's blood-alcohol content came back as .043, which is below the legal limit of .08 in the state. Valenzuela was arrested and charged with several misdemeanors, including driving under the influence. She was also charged with felony resisting arrest. Her attorney said Wednesday that all of the charges were dismissed Tuesday. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office confirmed that the resisting arrest charge was dismissed. A phone call to the City of Phoenix Prosecutor's Office, which police said is handling the DUI and misdemeanor charges, was not immediately returned Wednesday. Valenzuela's lawyer said, "I think the thing that shocked her the most was seeing everything that's going on on TV in the news. And now she's like, 'That's me too, now.'" He said Valenzuela plans to sue the police department over the misconduct allegation. Another body-camera video from the scene, that was obtained by NBC News, and which is apparently from after Valenzuela's arrest, shows a different officer calling a supervisor and saying that he's going to write a use-of-force report. "She's like super emotional, super Looney Tunes," the officer says about Valenzuela. The supervisor tells the officer "just to CYA ourselves," an apparent acronym for "cover your a--." The police spokesperson's statement to NBC News acknowledged the supervisor's comment and said he was "directing the officers to complete a Use of Force Report." Police said in a statement obtained by KPNX, "The Phoenix Police Department takes allegations of misconduct seriously and the complaints are investigated thoroughly. In these investigations, body worn camera footage is reviewed and documented ... The incident was reviewed by the Professional Standards Bureau and no police violations were found." The statement to NBC News on Wednesday said Officer McGillis has no other sustained allegations of misconduct within the last five years. The Phoenix Police Department fired an officer last year after he pointed a gun at Dravon Ames, his fiancee and their children while they were in their car. The confrontation with the police began after the officer accused the couple's daughter of taking a doll from a Family Dollar store. Actor Alia Bhatt on Tuesday posted a candid picture of herself with one of her pets. She cut a picture of tranquillity and wrote, My calm in every storm. The picture showed Alia with one of pets, possibly, Edward. While Alia is looking at the camera and has a faint smile on her face, Edward is fast asleep. The Bhatt family has been at the receiving end of a lot of abuse online lately. Alias mother Soni Razdan, her sister Shaheen and elder half-sister Pooja have written about the online abuse. On Monday, Soni has tweeted and written: @instagram I do hope youre reading this and taking some note of it. Because it really gets to the root of the issue. So easy na to let the abusers off the hook. To let yourself off the hook. To let the onus fall on the abused to take action to protect themselves. Its basically and fundamentally ALL WRONG. Soni shared a screengrab of Shaheens original post, and wrote that social media has become antisocial. Shaheen had earlier written that she would expose and report any person who sends her inappropriate messages on social media. I will use all legal recourse available to me to take action, she wrote. has said that she will expose and report any person who sends her inappropriate messages on social media. I will use all legal recourse available to me to take action, she wrote. Also read: Nawazuddin Siddiquis wife Aaliya accuses him of infidelity, claims he had girls over while she was in labour Taking to Instagram stories, Shaheen shared screengrabs of the sort of hateful messages she has been receiving. On the work front, Alia has films like Ayan Mukherjis Brahmastra, Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Gangubai Kathiawadi and Karan Johars Takht. She has also been shooting for her father Mahesh Bhatts Sadak 2 through much of 2019. Last year, Alia had remained occupied shooting for Brahmastra, which saw her part of extented shoots in Varanasi and Mumbai. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In this file photo illustration taken on April 13, 2020 the social media application logo TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone, in Arlington, Virginia. TikTok has been caught up in the escalating disputes between the United States and China, with the Chinese-owned firm accused of acting as a spying tool for Beijing an allegation it denies. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Wednesday it fined video sharing platform TikTok Pte Ltd. 186 million won ($155,000) for mishandling user data amid growing global privacy concerns of the social media service. The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said the social media app popular among teenagers violated local telecommunication laws by collecting data of children under the age of 14 without parental consent, and did not properly notify users of its overseas transfer of personal data. TikTok illegally collected 6,000 pieces of data of users younger than 14, while local user data were transferred to its servers in the United States and Singapore without prior notification, according to the KCC. The regulator has investigated TikTok since October last year after the United States fined the company $5.7 million in February that year for illegally collecting children's data. The United States military command in Africa has accused the Kremlin-connected military contractor Vagner Group of violating a United Nations arms embargo and endangering the lives of innocent Libyans by laying land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in and around Tripoli. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement on July 15 that it had "verified photographic evidence" showing "indiscriminately placed" booby traps and minefields around the outskirts of Tripoli down to Sirte, a coastal city about 450 kilometers to the southeast. The Russian-state sponsored Vagner Group is demonstrating a total disregard for the safety and security of Libyans, said U.S. Marine Corps Major General Bradford Gering, director of operations of U.S. Africa Command. The Vagner Groups irresponsible tactics are prolonging conflict and are responsible for the needless suffering and the deaths of innocent civilians. Russia has the power to stop them, just not the will, it added. It's not the first time the United States has accused Russia of violating the embargo in the country's civil war. The Pentagon has said Russia introduced MiG-29 fighter jets into the conflict. Russia, mainly through the Vagner Group, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have backed eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar in the battle against the National Accord government, which is recognized by the United Nations and supported by Turkey. Russias alleged introduction of land mines, booby traps, attack aircraft, and their continued support of the 2,000-person strong Vagner Group in Libya changes the nature of the current conflict and intensifies the potential risk to noncombatants, AFRICOM said. Our intelligence reflects continued and unhelpful involvement by Russia and the Vagner Group, said Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, AFRICOMs director of intelligence. Imagery and intelligence assessments show how Russia continues to interfere in Libyan affairs. Vagner Groups reckless use of land mines and booby traps are harming innocent civilians, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:28:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China is steadily reviving its economy as the country has kept COVID-19 under control. The following facts and figures indicate how the country is forging ahead in the resumption of work and production: -- China's civil aviation regulator said Tuesday that China Eastern Airlines is allowed to increase the number of international flights because of its effective COVID-19 control. Flight MU2574 from Vientiane, capital of Laos, to Kunming and MU524 from Tokyo, capital of Japan, to Shanghai, are the first batch of "rewarded flights" following the introduction of a reward-and-suspension system by the Civil Aviation Administration of China on June 4. -- Vice Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday stressed effective delivery of policies for the country to achieve the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year. China has made notable progress in coordinating the control of the COVID-19 epidemic as well as social and economic development, Han said, calling on authorities to keep a clear head and fine-tune policies to achieve development goals. -- Chinese authorities on Wednesday unveiled a guideline to support the healthy growth of new business models, in the latest move to boost consumption and create jobs. Efforts will be made to further strengthen the digital economy, said the guideline jointly released by 13 central government departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission. The country will work to nurture more independent business owners and support self-employment, amid measures to spur on new types of private businesses to create new space for consumption. Efforts will be stepped up in promoting the micro economy and encouraging the innovation of side businesses, the guideline said. Enditem "For many of our guests, Vietnam and Cambodia remain top destinations because of their significance in world history," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. "We have led the river cruise industry with our fleet development and experiences that bring travelers closer to the cultures of the world for more than two decades. This will be the most modern vessel on the Mekong and will feel like 'home' to our loyal Viking guests who are familiar with the comfortable design of our ships." Viking Saigon Purpose-built for the Mekong River, the new Viking Saigon will host 80 guests in 40 outside staterooms. Featuring the clean Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, all staterooms will have hotel-style beds and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with a Veranda or French Balcony. Guests on the three-deck Viking Saigon will also enjoy a Spa & Fitness Center, Infinity Pool and open-air Sky Bar on the Upper Deck. Magnificent Mekong During this 15-day journey, guests explore the cultural treasures of Vietnam and Cambodia with 16 guided tours. Hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) bracket an eight-day Mekong River cruise on this unique cruisetour itinerary, during which guests can enjoy shopping in Old Hanoi's markets; exploring the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat; visiting Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins; and seeing the sights of Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw. On the river cruise portion of the itinerary, guests can discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and floating markets. Multiple departure dates beginning in August 2021. Pricing starts at $5,299 per person, with discounted airfare from $1,199 per person. About Viking Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia and now offers scenic cruising on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for discerning travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests "the thinking person's cruise" in contrast to mainstream cruises. In its first five years of operation, Viking has been rated the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure's 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 "World's Best" Awards. In addition to the Travel + Leisure honors, Viking has also been honored multiple times on Conde Nast Traveler's "Gold List" as well as recognized by Cruise Critic as "Best Overall" Small-Mid size ship in the 2018 Cruisers' Choice Awards, "Best River Cruise Line" and "Best River Itineraries," with the entire Viking Longships fleet being named "Best New River Ships" in the website's Editors' Picks Awards. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. SOURCE Viking Related Links www.viking.com President Trump quickens verbal attacks on Chinese technological threats to security and sovereignty, takes on 'national security threat' Huawei amid its UK ban, claims he has convinced many countries to boycott Huawei and other Chinese apparatus. The United States confronted untrustworthy Chinese technology and has convinced many countries not to use Huawei-produced equipment because of its big security risk, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. We confronted untrustworthy Chinese technology and telecom providers. We convinced many countries not to use Huawei because its a big security risk. Just today, the UK announced that they are not going to be using it, Trump said while addressing reporters here. The United States had designated Chinese telecom companies Huawei and ZTE Corp as national security threats, saying they have close ties with the Chinese Communist Party and Chinas military apparatus. Also read: UK bans Huawei from 5G network Also read: China announces reciprocal sanctions against US lawmakers The UK on Tuesday announced its decision to ban British companies from buying Huawei-produced equipment for 5G networks from the end of the year. Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G network. He said that countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights. Also read: Amid rising tensions, Donald Trump rules out second phase of trade deal with China For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Amber Heard wrote in her diary how Johnny Depp wrapped his shirt around her neck during their honeymoon aboard the Orient Express. The entry on July 27, 2015, read: 'After three hours of sleep and the terrible fight we got in last night, we are both walking zombies today. 'We finally fell asleep with one another smashed together in desperate childlike anger, fear and love. 'Our fight was terrible. J at one point found himself with his shirt wrapped around my neck. He hit me several times. 'I don't even know how I wound up with this huge, rather annoying knot round back of my head. F*** I hate that.' Amber Heard (left) claimed Johnny Depp (right, both pictured outside the High Court in London yesterday) wrapped his shirt around her neck The couple's cabin on the luxury train - which winds through South East Asia - was three or four doors down from Depp's bodyguard Malcolm Connolly. He agreed he would not have known about the 3.30am argument. The evidence was heard at the High Court yesterday as it was also claimed Heard branded Depp fat and washed up, mocking him, 'Your career is over, no one is going to hire you'. Heard is said to have added, 'You'll die a lonely man' before hurling away her wedding ring on the actor's private island in the Bahamas. Tara Roberts, manager of the 45-acre island, told the court the Pirates Of The Caribbean star was an 'unusually kind man' but Heard was 'a thrower someone who threw projectiles', saying she saw her 'lunge violently at Johnny' and pull his hair. Depp, 57, is suing The Sun newspaper for calling him a 'wife beater'. The Oriental Express travels over the Tham Kra Sae viaduct in Thailand (file picture) He denies ever hitting a woman and claims Heard, 34, was a gold-digger who married him 'for success and fame' then constantly harped about his drink and drug binges, pillorying him as a 'sad old man'. In a text message to his private doctor David Kipper, Depp complained about the actress's 'hideously and purposely hurtful tirades and her goddamn shocking treatment of the man she was meant to love'. Heard has accused Depp of hitting, throttling, and headbutting her, ripping out clumps of her blonde hair and kicking her during 14 separate incidents of drug-fuelled domestic violence. Giving evidence via videolink from the Bahamas, Miss Roberts said she had worked on Little Halls Pond Cay, which Depp bought for 2.8million in 2004, for 11 years and that 'prior to Johnny's marriage to Amber, he was outgoing, friendly and social' whenever he visited. Depp, 57, and Heard, 34, met on the set of the 2011 comedy 'The Rum Diary' and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. They are pictured at the film's premiere in London in November 2011 Depp drove his beach buggy to her office on the evening of December 29, 2015, 'to get away from Amber', who then showed up, she said. 'Amber repeatedly berated him with increasing ferocity. She was insulting him, calling him names. I heard her say specifically 'Your career is over', 'No one is going to hire you', 'You're washed up', 'fat', and 'You will die a lonely man'. Amber's screaming and berating rose to a fever pitch, and Johnny continued to yell 'go away' and 'leave me alone'. 'I saw Amber lunge at Johnny, clawing, tugging and aggressively pulling him. I never saw Johnny hit Amber, or push her back, nor did he physically react to the attacks. She would calm down and hug and apologise.' Miss Roberts said Depp had a gash on the bridge of his nose which he told her came from a can of lacquer thinner Heard threw at him. 'I never saw her with any sign of injury,' Miss Roberts said. Heard made the diary entry about their honeymoon aboard the Orient Express (file image) The next morning, staff searched for the wedding ring and returned it to Heard. Depp's bodyguard Malcolm Connolly told how a month after Depp's wedding in 2015 he went to 'extract' him from a blazing row described by Heard as a 'three-day hostage situation' which culminated in Depp sustaining a severed finger. Mr Connolly said the panicking actor told him: 'Look at my finger. She's cut my ****ing finger off. She's smashed my hand with a vodka bottle.' Heard had also stubbed out a cigarette on his cheek, he said. It has been alleged that Depp went on a three-day cocaine and whisky-fuelled rampage, choking Heard and daubing 'I love you' on the mirror with the blood from his finger, which she says was injured when he smashed a telephone against a wall. Depp appeared in the 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express. The Orient Express runs from London to Venice, while the Oriental Express runs between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand Mr Connolly said Heard 'did not have any marks on her face or arms', adding: 'I was much more concerned about Johnny.' The Sun's QC Sasha Wass accused former prison officer Mr Connolly of making up a false account to support his boss. Mr Connolly replied his account was the truth. The judge was shown photographs of the soiled sheets at the centre of an incident on April 21, 2016, after Depp was late for his wife's 30th birthday, prompting a row. Depp claims Heard or one of her friends deliberately soiled the bed. Hilda Vargas, a cleaner who took the pictures on her phone before clearing up the mess, told Mr Justice Nicol that Heard later accused her of destroying her marriage to Depp with the photos and claimed there had been no defecation. Last night Heard issued a statement in which she blamed Depp for the mess. The case continues. The increase in the tariff - to 50% from 25% - was a violation of statutory procedures and of equal protection guarantees, the CIT stated in a 22-page ruling on Tuesday July 14 The ruling follows a complaint filed by US steel importer Transpacific Steel against the US government over the doubled tariffs. The US government had requested that the CIT dismiss the case, but the court in November 2019 denied the governments motion. The original report that served as a legal basis for the Section 232 order... TUNIS - The Islamic party Ennahda, the top political force in the Tunisian parliament, announced after a meeting of its leadership that it will withdraw confidence from the government. The future of the coalition government in Tunisia led by Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, currently facing pressure from conflict of interest allegations being examined by a parliamentary investigation commission, is becoming increasingly uncertain. Ennahda made its announcement after Fakhfakh's recent decision to substitute the party's ministers in the government coalition, following positions taken against the prime minister by the party for the government's alleged conflict of interest and for not having wanted to accept the enlargement of the governmental team. In a statement from the party's leadership, Ennahda said it is entrusting its leader Rached Ghannouchi with the task of holding the necessary consultations with the various political parties, parliamentary groups, and MPs to present a no-confidence motion in parliament to Fakhfakh. (Natural News) A black woman who writes angry opinion pieces for The Washington Post recently tweeted a violent message towards white women, saying that they are lucky that black people are not calling for revenge against them. Karen Attiah, the Posts Global Opinions Editor, apparently has a major axe to grind with white women, who she believes are responsible for all sorts of atrocities against blacks all throughout history, including the 1921 Tulsa massacre, the murder of Emmet Till, the exclusion of black women from feminist movements, and the election of Donald Trump as president. White women are lucky that we are just calling them Karens (sic) [a]nd not calling for revenge, Attiah, who hilariously is an actual Karen herself, wrote in a now-deleted tweet. As is often the case, Attiah pulled down the inflammatory tweet after receiving backlash, only to later tweet again in French that she was not actually sorry for her earlier tweet. Instead, she claimed that she only took down the earlier tweet because she wanted it to be a quick retort of passing judgment. When I tweet something and then delete it, its not because I regret it, tweeted another black woman by the name of Quinta Brunson, to which Attiah tweeted back with a response of, Same. Lol. Its almost never that, lol, Brunson added. I just want to say some s*** real quick and then leave. Its very much the energy of squidward running away manifested. These two black women unequivocally hate white women, in other words, and are not afraid to say so on social media. And because they both have black skin, they possess unlimited privilege to spew hate speech all over Twitter without repercussion. Does this mean The Washington Post hates white people? This is the nature of black privilege in America today, by the way, which allows people with black skin to say and do pretty much whatever they please while being lauded as stunning and brave. Meanwhile, people with white skin are not even allowed to call the police anymore because doing so is racist. Keep in mind that Attiah holds a top position at the Post where she often writes on issues relating to race, gender and international politics, with a special interest in Africa, according to her official company profile. She also holds two college degrees, both of which are focused on non-white studies. To help right the wrongs in society, Attiah believes that the dominant group, meaning white people, must be made to feel uncomfortable. She has been very vocal about this on social media, explaining that this is how civil rights progress. Hilariously, Attiah despises white liberals, especially those of the female variety. Roughly a year ago, she tweeted that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, along with Maureen Dowd and President Trump, is part of an axis of shevil that relies on dismissing, silencing, and undermining women of color. Attiah also helped perpetuate the Jussie Smollett hate-crime hoax, once describing it as a heinous attack that serves as yet another reminder that Trumps ascendance and the resulting climate of hate has meant that lives have been increasingly at stake since 2015. Smollett could have been killed by those thugs screaming MAGA, Attiah further tweeted, full of dramatics. Let that sink in. Attiahs presence at the Post helps explain the papers far-left agenda, which especially ramped up after the 2016 presidential election. Immediately after the election, the Post adopted the slogan, Democracy Dies in Darkness, which has appeared on the papers website ever since. More related news about black supremacist privilege and the anti-white agenda of black-skinned leftists like Attiah is available at CivilWar.news. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com NaturalNews.com DENVER, CO, / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / CBD Global Sciences Inc. (CSE:CBDN) (the "Company") announces that the Company will further postpone the filing of its audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the "Annual Filings") and the unaudited interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 (the "Q1 Filings", and together with the Annual Filings, the "Required Filings") beyond the previously announced July 15, 2020 filing deadline. In anticipation of the delayed Annual Filings, the Company applied to the Alberta Securities Commission (the "ASC"), its principal regulator, and was granted a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") on June 16, 2020. The Company has recently informed the ASC that due to further delays due to COVID-19, among other things, the Company will not be in a position to file the Required Filings by July 15, 2020. The ASC has acknowledged this delay and communicated to the Company that it will extend the MCTO until July 29, 2020. The Company now expects to file its Required Filings on or before July 29, 2020. During the MCTO, the Company confirms that it will comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a news release. The Company also confirms as of the date of this news release that there is no insolvency proceeding against it and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. Until the Company has filed the required Required Filings, members of the Company's management and other insiders are subject to an insider trading black-out period reflecting the principles contained in section 9 of National Policy 11-207 - Failure to File Cease Trade Orders and Revocations in Multiple Jurisdictions. ABOUT CBD GLOBAL SCIENCES INC. CBD Global Sciences Inc., is a vertically integrated hemp-based CBD producer, extractor, and branding investment vehicle which currently owns two product categories, branded under the name AETHICS (www.aethics.com) and CANNAOIL (www.cannaoilshop.com), which include CBD Oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD capsules, CBD topicals and CBD hydration products. CBD Global's hemp-derived CBD extracts are sold through select distributors, brick and mortar retailers, and online. CBD Global Sciences, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Strasburg Pharms, grows and operates irrigated land in Colorado that grows hemp with only all-natural Colorado water, soil, sun and nutrients that is NEVER sprayed with pesticides or chemicals. Our genetics are hand selected and maintained to present the best cannabinoid profile with extremely high CBD. The extraction/processing facility, operated by CBD Global, is located approximately 40 minutes from the farm. For further information, please contact Bruce Nurse, Investor Relations, (303) 919-2913, info@cbdglobalsciences.com. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future developments and the business and operations of the Corporation after the CSE listing. 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; and delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION INTO THE UNITED STATES SOURCE: CBD Global Sciences Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597654/CDB-Global-Sciences-Inc-Provides-Update-on-the-Delayed-Filings-of-Its-Annual-and-Interim-Financial-Statements-and-MDA Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 01:24:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TIRANA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian government has decided to make the use of masks mandatory in indoor spaces and will impose a fine of 2,000 Albanian lek (around 18.4 U.S. dollars) to those who fail to respect the decision, Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu announced on Wednesday. Via a video communication through Facebook, Manastirliu stated that this measure would help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. "Through today's government decision and normative act, the obligation to use non-medical masks or protective barriers to protect against COVID-19 transmission will be an obligation for every individual in all indoor spaces, in public and non-public administration, in public transport, offices, elevators, shopping malls, shops, supermarkets, markets and service units," Manastirliu said. The minister warned that a fine of 2,000 Albanian lek (around 18.4 U.S. dollars) will be put to those who fail to respect this measure. The fines are expected to be imposed by the police, municipal police and state inspectorate structures. According to Manastirliu, the strict measure is taken in order to protect citizens' health. During her address to the public, the minister underlined that health system in Albania is continuing preparations for facing the pandemic situation, adding that currently there are 500 beds ready for COVID-19 patients. According to her, the Health Ministry has increased hospital capacities with respirators, the Public Health Institute has around 90,000 COVID-19 tests available and that work is underway to open a second testing laboratory in "Mother Teresa" Hospital in the capital Tirana. The minister confirmed that considering the increased number of coronavirus infections in the country, the authorities have decided to reopen a second hospital to treat COVID-19 patients to cope with the influx of patients. As of Wednesday, according to health authorities, 88 patients are being treated in the Infectious Disease Hospital in Tirana, of which 12 patients are in intensive care and four are in serious condition. Over the last 24 hours, the health authorities have reported 85 new coronavirus cases and four COVID-19 related deaths, raising the total number of confirmed cases to 3,752, with 2,091 recoveries and 101 fatalities. Enditem CHRISTIANSBURG Charges are pending against a former town police officer based on a child pornography investigation, Virginia State Police said Tuesday. Town patrol officer Ethan Havens became the subject of a state police investigation last month after Twitter flagged a conversation between users for including likely child pornography, according to a statement the town released Tuesday evening and to search warrants filed in the case. The Christiansburg Police Department recognizes that children are the communitys most valuable and most vulnerable asset. We are both shocked and outraged by the conduct demonstrated by a now-former agency member, the towns statement said. This is not representative of our values or who we are. We want to assure the community that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. The town said that on June 25, the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce alerted the Christiansburg department to Havens alleged actions. The Taskforce had been tipped by Twitter after a May 20 conversation raised concerns, according to search warrants. The town said it promptly requested a state police investigation and began an internal review. On July 1, state police investigators took a computer, portable hard drive and Sony PlayStation from Havens home in Lee Hy Court in Christiansburg, search warrants and the town said. Havens was suspended without pay and the next day, the town police department gave him a notice of intent to terminate, a legally required step that gave him five days to respond, the town said. The officer, who had joined the force in December 2017, was fired on July 7, the town said. Havens had no prior disciplinary record, the town said. The state police investigation continues and charges are pending against Havens, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller wrote in an email Tuesday. Search warrants recounted the Twitter exchange that led to the investigation, saying that a Subject A who described himself as a police officer offered to send nude pictures of minors to another Twitter user. Ill send a pic of a nude 15 year old first ok, Subject A wrote on May 20, according to search warrants. The other Twitter user, labeled in the warrant as Subject B, replied You said you would send everything you got lol. Three minutes later, Subject A sent a picture of a female who looked under the age of 18 exposing her face and a bare breast, search warrants said. Subject A followed the first image with a series of pictures that included three images of females who appeared to be minors either showing their genitals or engaged in a sexual act. Search warrants said that after one of the pictures was sent, Subject B asked, How old? Subject A responded, 14, search warrants said. The search warrants said that Subject A had described various aspects of police work on his Twitter account and had several times sent pictures of a man in uniform to other accounts. That picture of the uniformed man was identified as Havens, search warrants said. State police also used a cell phone number, computer IP addresses, a user name and the registration of email in building a case, search warrants said. On Tuesday evening at the Lee Hy Court address that the search warrants listed for Havens, a woman answered the door and said he was not there and she did not know who he is. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Beni Prasad Verma preferred to have his smoke before anything else. Even if it meant keeping top party leaders waiting for a while. Those who knew Verma made allowances for the tallest Kurmi leader in the Awadh region. And so it happened that in the winter of 2011, Rahul Gandhi was touring Uttar Pradesh ahead of state assembly polls. Mayawati was in power. The Samajwadi Party had suffered a setback in the general election. The Congress had romped home with an impressive 20-plus tally from the state in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls to win another term at Centre. Ahead of an election meeting in central UP, Rahul stopped the convoy and sought to know where Verma was? Word reached the MP from Gonda who was also a minister in the Manmohan Singh government. Verma was enjoying a quiet smoke in a car away from the UP Congresss troupe led by Rita Bahuguna Joshi (now in BJP). Rahul ji waited for me. And then we moved ahead to our next destination, Verma, a raconteur par excellence, who passed away this year, told this reporter many years ago during an interaction at his home on Delhis Kushak Road. The scenes that awaited Verma and others at the meeting were reported by papers the next day. We will come to that a little later. Vermas induction into the Congress just ahead of the 2009 Lok Sabha polls had helped the party win six seats in areas where he held sway in which the backward Kurmi community had pockets of influence: Gonda, Barabanki, Bahraich, Shravasti, Faizabad and Kheri. This was the Congresss first tryst with backward especially Kurmi politics. Verma, an old and trusted lieutenant of Mulayam Singh Yadav, had fallen out with the Samajwadi Party president with the rise of Amar Singhs clout. The Congress saw an opportunity and reaped the benefits of an apparent split in the SP vote base. The Kurmis are numerically the largest land-proprietary backward caste group after the Yadavs in UP and Bihar. And perhaps the biggest if one were to consider their spread across north, western and central India. In Bihar they have been largely aligned to the Janata Dal (United) because of Nitish Kumar. In UP, in the absence of a pan-state leader, the community aligned itself with different political parties under the influence of the local leadership. In Awadh region, for instance, the SP had a hold over the Kurmi votes due to Verma. In the Rohilkhand region, the Kurmis are economically and socially upwardly mobile and are aligned to the BJP. Santosh Gangwar has won all but one election from Bareilly since 1989. In eastern UP and Bundelkhand, Kurmi leaders like Jang Bahadur Patel and Sone Lal Patel helped the Bahujan Samaj Party make initial inroads into the community in the early 1990s. The Kurmis are a decisive vote bank in pockets of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. Outside Uttar Pradesh, the Kurmis go by various other caste names: the Kunbis in Maharashtra, Patidar or Kurmis in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Patidars or Patels of Gujarat, however, are politically the most organised and influential. For the first four decades after Independence, the Congress in north, west and central India sought to build its social coalitions by stitching together an alliance between the upper caste and the most marginalised communities like Dalits, tribals and Muslims. This mobilisation was aimed to polarise and pit mid-segment land-owning proprietary castes like Jats, Yadavs and Kurmis against the upper and lower castes. In the process, the Congress managed to harvest a large section of the most-backward caste dependent on land-owning backward communities for sustenance. In the south, though, the Congress post-Independence was more accommodating of middle-segment agrarian communities for political mobilisation. The partys investment on political leadership in the Reddy community in Andhra and Vokkaligas in Karnataka has paid dividends and helped the Congress survive in these states after fizzling out of contention in UP and Bihar. The lack of any support base among OBC communities proved fatal for the Congress in the Hindi heartland. Rajasthan is an exception, where the party could manage to survive due to a varied socio-political landscape where leadership in mid-segment castes among Jats and OBCs have lent the necessary heft to the party to remain in contention. The Congresss Kurmi experiment in the past one decade is a paradigm shift from the partys traditional strategies and ways to move away from its means and methods to gain political dominance in many states. And it seems to have paid rich dividends. The first MP to defect from the BJP to Congress during Prime Minister Narendra Modis first innings was a Kunbi from Maharashtra. The community has a strong presence in Vidarbha. Nana Patole first challenged Nitin Gadkari in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He is now the speaker of the Maharashtra assembly. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress chose Bhupesh Baghel over TS Singh Deo as the chief minister after an emphatic victory in the last assembly polls. Baghel comes from the Kurmi community which is a decisive voter in the rice-bowl in central Chhattisgarh sandwiched between the tribal-dominated Bastar division in the south and Sarguja forests in the north. In Gujarat, too, the Congress chose to nominate a young Patidar representative in Paresh Danani as leader of opposition in the assembly after a closely fought election in 2017. And now Hardik Patel has been appointed the state working president. Patidars have been the most influential political community in Gujarat since Independence. The caste mobilisation started more than a century back during British India when one Kunvarjibhai V Mehta, a Leuva Patel from south Gujarat, established Patidar Yuvak Mandal in 1908, publishing "caste journals, holding caste meetings and founding caste hostels" for students of the community. A meeting of the All India Kurmi Mahasabha was held in Ahmedabad in 1913. For some time around this period there was a concerted attempt to bring other agrarian communities like Marathas from Maharashtra, Patels from Gujarat, the Reddy clan from Andhra and Vokkaligas from Karnataka on one platform. The Patidar Yuvak Mandal was renamed Vallabh Seva Mandal in 1962. The Patidar dominance in Gujarat polity was challenged by Madhavsinh Solanki in the early 1980s when his Kshatriya-Harijan-Aadivasi-Muslim (KHAM) combination won more than 150 seats in the 183-member assembly. A record which stands intact till date. The Patidars of Gujarat used the Bharatiya Janata Party as a political vehicle to reclaim their dominant position in the state politics. When the BJP came to power, building a larger social coalition under the pan-community Hindu umbrella, the chief ministership went to Keshubhai Patel. The BJP appropriated Sardar Patel to challenge Jawaharlal Nehrus legacy. Except for a short period under Anandiben Patel, Gujarat has had a non-Patidar CM for almost two decades. Hardik and Dananis appointment is aimed to fill that void. Coming back to Rahul Gandhis tour or UP in 2011, at a public meeting in his home town, Verma was shouted down by a section of the old Congressis. Despite repeated interventions by Rahul, the sloganeering did not stop. A few Congress leaders present on the stage that day have moved on. Rita Joshi, then UP unit chief is now in the BJP along with her brother Vijay Bahuguna. Jagdambika Pal is now a BJP MP. Beni Verma quit the Congress after the 2014 elections to join the SP and remained a Rajya Sabha member till his death this year. The Congress continues to strive to find its feet in Uttar Pradesh, the state which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. You might consider class held in massive circus tents a little unconventional, but Rice University believes it's a perfect social distancing strategy. When Rice University plans to resume its on-site classes in August, students will be bringing their laptops and chairs into nine large tents and temporary buildings in order to manage social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials. "Reducing population density will require us to use spaces in non-traditional ways and increase the number of large venues on campus," the Rice University statement read. According to Rice University's director of news and media relations, Doug Miller, the plan calls for five (40 x 60 foot) tents which are currently on order. These will hold anywhere from 25 to 30 students. In addition to the tents, there will be four temporary buildings which are designed to accommodate 50 students and an instructor with the requisite 6 feet of distance maintained. "In order to make best use of all our outdoor spaces, we will ask students who have portable chairs to bring them when they return to augment those already around the campus. We will also purchase a number of lightweight, portable camping-style chairs for student use," the statement read. Yes, Houston is scorching hot in August, but not to worry. The temporary structures will be "lighted, cooled, heated and ventilated," according to Rice University officials. "Being in Houston, we can be outdoors the entire academic year," Kevin Kirby, Rice's VP for administration and chair of its Crisis Management Advisory Committee told the Houston Chronicle. "As we've all learned about coronavirus, the risks decrease when you're outside." "So...students pay tuition to sit under tents with masks to listen to lectures in the Texas heat with high humidity. I just don't know if that will work--maybe November to March (Unless we have a crazy front - tropical weather)," wrote Debra Cerasa Courville on Facebook. "Mosquitoes!" wrote Nancy Caraway Tucker Chambless on Facebook. "Winter should be nice," wrote Sandy Hawkenson on Facebook. The concept was first noted by New York Times columnist David Leonhardt who touted this open-air plan as uniquely innovative. "Students and professors will decorate the spaces with murals and video projections," Kirby told the New York Times. Kirby added this was a testament to Houston as a community. "We are creative. We're resilient. And we do what matters," Kirby said. alison.medley@chron.com Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 (8:16 am) - Score 37,881 Mobile operator Three UK still appears to be slowly dragging its feet over the proposed addition of eSIM support to their 4G and 5G network, which is despite last December pledging to launch customer trials within the next few months. Were still waiting, but it may now launch around the start of autumn. Just to recap. Traditional SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards are the tiny chips that authenticate your identity to a mobile operator, usually as soon as you slide one into a new mobile phone or other supporting device. SIM cards can also store a basic list of your contacts, although online contact lists have largely superseded that feature. Meanwhile a growing number of new Smartphones are now shipping with eSIM technology, which essentially embeds an electronic SIM into your phone and makes it easier to switch between carriers via multiple account support (i.e. no more waiting for new SIM cards to arrive or fiddling with different ones when trying to change network). Rival operators including O2, Vodafone and EE have had this feature for a while, albeit with varying different levels of support (i.e. its sometimes only enabled for selected devices). Under the original plan Three UK signalled that theyd add support by autumn 2019, but it didnt materialise. After some prodding by ISPreview.co.uk the operator told us in December 2019 that theyd be trialling eSIMs within the next few months. Fast forward over 7 months and our inbox has once again begun receiving a steady stream of requests for an update from frustrated customers. Sadly a spokesperson for Three UK duly informed us that there was no update on eSims at the moment, which is despite this their social media accounts giving out a little bit more detail to some users (were unsure why they couldnt just give this to us too but.. hay ho..). The operator has, over the past couple of weeks, confirmed to some customers that were still working on it but we dont have an actual date. However, they told another customer something different a couple of days later (last Friday): Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, weve had to delay our trials, which were due to take place in March. This is now likely to move out to July with launch in September 2020. Sadly, the operators support staff have said their trial is not something you can volunteer to participate in and they remain coy on whether or not their implementation will work with the Apple Watch. Were aiming for a wider eSIM for phone release later in the year, said the operator to another customer. Mind you customers have been told by Three UK that eSIM support is coming soon since.. what must now feel like the dawn of time. Take all of this with a pinch of salt and hopefully we wont be back here again in December 2020 to mark off yet another missed year for launch. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has said that more white Americans are dying at the hands of law enforcement than the black Americans. Trumps response came during an interview with CBS News. Upon being asked by the interviewer on George Floyds death, Trump reiterated that it was a terrible thing. On being further asked as to why African Americans are still dying at the hands of law enforcement, Trump said, And so are white people What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people by the way, Trump added. A mounting wave of protests demanding police reform after the killing of a black man in Minneapolis swept across the United States The outpouring of protests followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after being pinned by the neck for nine minutes by a white officer`s knee. The renewed calls for racial equality are breaking out across the country with support from big companies, NGOs and celebrities for Black Lives Matter. US Democrats have largely embraced the activists packing into streets to decry the killings of black men and women by law enforcement, but have so far expressed wariness at protesters` calls to defund the police. A major super fund is warning further changes to the retirement system like the early-access scheme will undermine the $3 trillion industry's plans to underwrite major job-creating projects. Aware Super chief executive Deanne Stewart said super funds were on "standby" to help with the economic recovery but would be hindered if significant changes are made to the superannuation system. First State Super rebranded to Aware on Wednesday. First State Super chief Deanne Stewart. Aware, which has 1.1 million members and $120 billion worth of funds under management, is doubling its investment in affordable housing this year to $400 million, including a project in Victoria she said would not have gone ahead if it wasn't underwritten by the super fund. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in June superannuation was a "massive pool in savings that should be harnessed more" for domestic infrastructure assets to help boost the economy. MONTREAL - Quebec will allow private sector employees to head back to the office in an effort to revitalize the struggling downtown cores of the province's largest cities. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Quebec Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity Jean Boulet responds to reporters during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, Monday, June 8, 2020 at the legislature in Quebec City. Quebec is announcing that private sector businesses can begin recalling up to 25 per cent of their workforces to the office as of Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot MONTREAL - Quebec will allow private sector employees to head back to the office in an effort to revitalize the struggling downtown cores of the province's largest cities. Labour Minister Jean Boulet told a news conference Wednesday businesses can bring back up to a quarter of their employees to the office starting Saturday. The province is strongly recommending, however, people continue working remotely if possible. Boulet said remote working is difficult for some people, while for others, in-person interactions are necessary. "It's also a question of economic vitality for a downtown, particularly in Montreal, to allow people to return to work in their offices, as long as it is done in a safe way and in compliance with the sanitary guidelines," Boulet said. Mask-wearing will be mandatory where physical distancing is not possible, such as in elevators and common areas. Dr. Richard Masse of Quebec's public health department said he was confident allowing workers back is safe to do, despite a recent rise in the daily number of COVID infections in Montreal. "We are really sure that opening the services in downtown Montreal is something that is safe, that can be done and it's not something that creates a risk," Masse said. Authorities can lock down specific parts of cities if outbreaks occur, rather than reconfining the entire province, he added. "We're going to focus on places where transmission happens, but there are other measures that apply across the board," he said. Employees who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, he said, should not go to work or frequent public places. Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said the city could use the infusion of workers. "It's been difficult for downtown Montreal, which lives on students and workers," Plante said. "We don't want other outbreaks, we want to minimize the risks, but we also need to help those that are in great difficulty at this moment." The Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed the decision, saying the future survival of many businesses depends on workers heading back to the office. "This is a first step towards the profitability of businesses whose income depends mainly on the high traffic of businesspeople, tourists, conventioneers, festival-goers and students," the organization said in a statement. Meanwhile, Quebec reported three new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, for a total of 5,636. The province also reported 129 new cases of the novel coronavirus, for a total of 56,859, of which 26,097 are considered recovered. The number of people in hospital went down by 10 patients compared with the prior day, for a total of 285, including 20 patients in intensive care, a reduction of one. Public health authorities said Wednesday they are trying to increase testing capacity in Montreal after they requested over the weekend that anyone who had visited or worked in a bar since July 1 get tested for COVID-19. Montreal public health reported Tuesday it had identified at least 30 confirmed cases tied to nine different bars in the city. Masse said the public health department is trying to test 200 people per hour at Montreal's Hotel-Dieu hospital, where a walk-in clinic has been inundated. "It takes some time to mobilize human resources moved elsewhere in the health system," Masse said. Plante called the situation unacceptable. "We were the epicentre. I do not want to relive that, and clearly Montrealers don't want to either," Plante said. "To see people waiting in line for hours to get a test, I see people who are responsible, who take it seriously, so we have to make it easier for them." She says the city is ready to help with mobile testing centres and has asked if other sites could be opened. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. On Monday, the last day for which data is available, the province performed 9,952 tests. Premier Francois Legault said the province has the capacity to "easily" conduct up to 16,000 tests per day, but the resources are not in the right spots, and he is expecting adjustments in the coming days. With the province's annual construction holiday beginning Saturday, Legault stressed the importance of wearing masks, even in regions that have been largely spared by COVID-19, like the one he visited on Wednesday. As of Saturday, masks will be mandatory in all indoor public spaces. After meeting with health authorities in the Lower St-Lawrence, Legault noted that in 35 of the 36 bars in the region visited by inspectors last week, staff were not wearing proper protective equipment. "We saw 129 cases today in Quebec, an increase in the number of cases compared to last week," Legault told reporters in Riviere-du-Loup, Que. "We must absolutely have more discipline in bars." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. Nuisance high-tide flooding has been 'extraordinary' along the US coasts since 2000 and a new reports projects it will only become worse. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns rising sea levels will bring tides from 1.75 to two feet above the daily average, which will spill over into residential areas. The team also projects that by 2021, the national high tide flood frequency could accelerate to an average of two to six days each year. By 2030 these natural disasters could triple and 20 years later that number is set to 15 times greater, with the typical coastal community flooding between 25 and 75 days a year. Scroll down for video High tide flooding is 13 times greater than it was in 1920 and a new report suggests it will only get worse. NOAA warns rising sea levels will bring tides from 1.75 to two feet above the daily average, which will spill over into residential areas. Nicole LeBoeuf, acting director of NOAAs National Ocean Service, said: Americas coastal communities and their economies are suffering from the effects of high tide flooding, and its only going to increase in the future. NOAA is committed to working with coastal communities to provide the information and data they need to tackle the problem of high tide flooding, both now and in the coming years as sea levels continue to rise. NOAA refers to high-tide flooding as a nuisance because the event leads to public inconveniences such as destruction of property and road closures. Waters typically accumulate about 20 inches above the average daily high-tide mark and is a result of rising sea levels they were 13 times higher across the US last year than compared to 1920 levels. Using data from May 2019 to April 2020, the organization found coastal communities saw an average flooding frequency of four days last year with record high tides in 19 places in the country. And locations along east coast and Gulf of Mexico broke or tide with the all-time high tide flooding records. Pictured is flooding over the Boston Harbor Using data from May 2019 to April 2020, the organization found coastal communities saw an average flooding frequency of four days last year with record high-tides in 19 places in the country. And locations along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico broke or tied with the all-time high tide flooding records. The Southeast saw a three-fold increase in flooding days compared to that of 2000. This included Charleston, South Carolina, which had 13 days of intense flooding. Along the Western Gulf, percentage increases were the highest - greater than five-fold. In Texas, Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi had 21 and 18 flooding days in 2019, and in 2000 those locations only experienced about one and three days of high tide flooding. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns rising sea levels will bring tides from 1.75 to two feet above the daily average, which will spill over into residential areas. Pictured is the aftermath of high-tide flooding in Texas on September 20, 2019 William Sweet, Ph.D., an oceanographer for NOAAs National Ocean Service and lead author of the report, said: As a Chesapeake Bay resident, I see the flooding first hand and it is getting worse. Records seem to be set every year. Communities are straddled with this growing problem. Fortunately, NOAAs tide gauge network is keeping a close watch and helping us provide guidance about the disruptive flooding that is likely next year and for decades to come. The team is primarily looking at long-term projections, as climate changes seems to worsen as time progress. By 2030 they believe high-tide flooding will increase to seven or 15 days. The average is again set to rise by 2050 with 25 to 75 days, suggesting high tide flood levels may become the new high tide. Amidst criticisms by many Nigerians and an opposition leader, the Nigerian government has defended its decision not to allow students in the country take part in this years West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). PREMIUM TIMES reported the governments decision last week amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The education minister, Adamu Adamu, explained the governments decision last week. He said the government was concerned about the spread of COVID-19 should it allow the students congregate for the examinations, organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). The stance was criticised by opposition leader Atiku Abubakar and the House of Representatives with the lawmakers urging the government to rescind the decision. However, the federal government reiterated its stance on Wednesday but said it was meeting stakeholders on the matter. We are still meeting with parents over the decision of the ministry, the minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, told journalists after Wednesdays Federal Executive Council meeting. What the minister (Mr Adamu) said reflects the true position of the ministry; we are not confident yet that everywhere is safe. The numbers from the NCDC are still alarming and we have put this before parents and all the stakeholders in the education ecosystem, we are still meeting with them. In fact, theres a stakeholders meeting convened for Monday. WAEC on its own part is also negotiating with other West African countries to look at possible shift in date. Once they are through with that meeting and hopefully when we are through with the consultation with stakeholders, if theres any change in the ministrys position, we will communicate. But as it stands, the position of the Honourable Minister, as communicated to you last week, remains the position of the ministry until further evidence to the contrary or further agreements that may alter those arise, Mr Nwajiuba said. Two more sailors had been injured as of Wednesday morning as the Navy's fight to save a warship that caught fire over the weekend reached its fourth day. Forty sailors and 23 civilians have been hurt battling the blaze on the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego. A fire broke out in the ship's "Deep V" lower cargo hold on Sunday. Teams have been fighting to extinguish it since, with the fire at one point reaching 1,000 degrees. None of the 63 people have suffered serious injuries. Most have been heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, according to Naval Surface Force Pacific. Read next: Esper Bans Use of Promotion Board Photos, Orders Review of Hair and Grooming Standards At one point, five people had been hospitalized; they have since been released. Wednesday was the first day Navy leaders haven't held a press conference on the situation, but Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Expeditionary Strike Group 3's commander, on Tuesday cited progress in getting the fire contained to two spots on the ship: one forward and one aft. However, Sobeck added that he was no longer certain the ship is salvageable, after telling reporters on Sunday that "we're absolutely going to make sure it sails again." As firefighters take on the blaze from inside the ship, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three has dropped more than 1,500 loads of water from the air. Retired Damage Controlman Chief Petty Officer Robert Cummins, who taught crews how to combat and extinguish fires aboard Navy vessels, said that shipboard firefighting is a lot different than fighting one on land. He offered insight into what those battling the Bonhomme Richard fire are up against. "[The] primary goal is to, of course, extinguish the source of the fire, but [firefighters] also set both primary and secondary fire boundaries," Cummins said. "A shipboard compartment has six sides. The fire will heat up the top boundary first and ignite any flammable materials, then will spread sideways with the same result." The fire will continue burning, he added, until it is either extinguished by firefighters or all the flammable materials in its path are consumed. The ship was undergoing maintenance when the fire started Sunday. About 160 people were onboard, and Sobeck said the Bonhomme Richard's fire suppression system was not on at the time. The ship is still holding about 1 million gallons of fuel, but Sobeck said Tuesday that the fire was not at risk of reaching it. The fuel and fire were about two decks apart, putting at least 20 feet between the heat source and the fuel, Cummins said. The Navy will investigate the cause of the fire and the ship's damage. As crews continue battling the blaze, the Navy is warning about possible scammers looking to benefit from the situation. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service warned people to reconsider contributing to donation sites claiming to raise money in the wake of the Bonhomme Richard fire. "At this time, the Navy is assisting Bonhomme Richard Sailors affected by the fire with all essential items," Navy Region Southwest said in a social media post. "If you are considering making a donation, please be aware of scams and unofficial sites." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Related: Too Soon to Tell if Bonhomme Richard Can Be Saved After Fire, Navy Says DUBLIN (dpa-AFX) - Ireland's trade surplus increased in May amid a rise in both exports and imports, figures from the Central Statistics Office showed on Wednesday. The trade surplus increased to EUR 6.67 billion in May from EUR 5.65 billion in April. In the same month last year, the trade surplus was EUR 5.30 billion. Exports rose by a seasonally adjusted 12.0 percent monthly in May, and imports increased 5.0 percent. On an unadjusted basis, exports decreased 5.0 percent annually in May, while imports declined 20.0 percent. Data showed that exports to Britain decreased 9.0 percent on year in May, while imports were 3.0 percent lower. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump's administration decided to revert its previous controversial plan to bar international students from living within the United States if they were to take online-only classes. Turning the wheel back The decision came after a massive number of lawsuits challenged the policy and criticism from multiple educators and local state governments. According to USA Today, the decision was announced by a Massachusetts judge in a federal court hearing after Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a case against the policy last week. Judge Allison Burroughs stated the two universities; request for the court to obstruct the rule was moot after Trump's administration decided to retract the policy. On Monday, 18 state attorney generals had filed to sue the Department of Homeland Security over its decision with the legislation which would have caused international students to be barred from the country if they chose to enroll in online-only classes this fall amid fears of the coronavirus pandemic. L. Rafael Reif, the president of MIT, expressed his celebration of the government's decision to rescind the policy. On Tuesday, Reif posted on Twitter stating the case revealed that the lives of students and personnel were at stake with the policy putting them in harm's way. David Leebron, the president of Rice University, told reporters he was delighted to hear the news as the government announced the reversal of the policy, as reported by CNN. The university president said he and his team believed the policy's rules were misguided and wicked, adding it did not serve the universities nor their students or even the country's purpose and vision. Also Read: Trump Signs Executive Order Against China, Ending Special Treatment of Hong Kong Student lives at risk The policy resulted in multiple students bracing for the effects and being forced out of the United States or choosing to transfer to a school which offered both online and personal classes. A molecular biology student, Shreeya Thussu, told reporters that the abrupt decision to pass the policy had inadvertently thrown her life into chaos during an already taxing time amid the coronavirus pandemic. Thussu has already been attempting to apply to a medical school. The student said she was taken aback when she saw the news while she was browsing on social media on Tuesday afternoon. Thussu immediately contacted her friends and fellow students, looking to confirm what she had just seen online. Before the rescindment of the policy, Thussu stated her school was sending out online emails to its students but has given no details of the news. The emails were urging students to quickly enroll in person-classes if possible, leading many to become anxious and fear for their lives. According to Politico, more than one million international students are studying in US colleges and universities that would have been affected by the new policy, 57 percent of which came from China, India, or South Korea. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the National Foundation for American Policy announced the enrollment of new international students at US universities could fall to an all-time low since the end of World War II. The drastic decline would come as a result of travel bans and several other difficulties. Related Article: CDC to Revise Guidelines on Reopening Schools After Trump Said They Were 'Too Tough and Expensive' @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Virgin Atlantic Airways announced a 1.2 billion ($2.2 billion) rescue in a major victory for Richard Branson, who snatched his UK airline from the brink of failure under the weight of the coronavirus crisis. US hedge fund Davidson Kempner Capital Management will provide about 170 million in secured financing, according to a statement released on Tuesday, while Branson will contribute 200 million after raising money from space venture Virgin Galactic Holdings. The plan also relies on creditor deferrals, with Virgin Atlantic planning to use a court-sanctioned process to overcome any dissenting minorities. Richard Branson, who turns 70 this weekend, is set to retain control of the airline he founded in 1984. Credit:Bloomberg Branson and his team, led by chief executive Shai Weiss, secured the private bailout after Britain refused to contribute taxpayer funds when the carrier was grounded by the pandemic. After months of uncertainty, the mogul, who turns 70 this week, is set to retain control of a business he founded in 1984, though future prospects will hinge on the return of US travel. With Google coming on board, Reliance has completed its target of capital raising for Jio Platforms, Ambani said. Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday addressed the conglomerate's first virtual annual general meeting (AGM). In his address, he made major announcements from Google buying a 7.7 percent stake in exchange for an investment of over Rs 33,000 crore to the progress on indigenous 5G network and expansion of JioMart. Ambani said RIL has become the first Indian company to exceed market cap of $150 billion. Consumer business continued to deliver EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization) growth of 49 percent this year, he added. Following were the key points that emerged from the annual general meeting: Google picks up 7.7 percent stake in Jio Google has agreed to invest Rs 33,737 crore to buy a 7.7 per centstake in Reliance Industries' technology venture, adding to a slew of investments since April that has crossed Rs 1.52 lakh crore. California-based Alphabet Inc joins Facebook Inc, which opened the investment cycle in Jio Platforms by picking 9.99 percent stake for Rs 43,573.62 crore, as well as chipmaker Intel Corp and Qualcomm Inc. "We are delighted to welcome Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms. We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement under which Google will invest Rs 33,737 crores for a 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms," RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani said at the company's annual general meeting. With Google coming on board, Reliance has completed its target of capital raising for Jio Platforms, he said. With this deal, Reliance has sold 32.84 per cent stake in Jio Platforms Ltd - the unit that houses India''s youngest but largest telecom firm Jio Infocomm and apps. In total, Jio has raised Rs 1,52,055.45 crore. 'Jio developing homegrown 5G telecom solution' Ambani also announced that his group''s digital arm Jio is developing a homegrown 5G telecom solution. "Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year," Ambani said at Reliance Industries'' annual general meeting. Jio''s global-scale 4G and fibre network is powered by several core software technologies and components. "It is this capability and know-how that positions Jio on the cutting edge of another exciting frontier 5G," he said. Jio Platforms, with over 20 startup partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding and Computer Vision, he said. "Using these technologies, we can create compelling solutions across multiple industry verticals like media, financial services, new commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, smart manufacturing & smart mobility," he said, adding Jio Platforms is conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world. In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments, Ambani said. Saudi Aramco deal on hold due to pandemic The RIL chairman also said the deal with Saudi Aramco has not progressed according to the scheduled time due to ongoing pandemic situation. "The deal with Saudi Aramco hasn't progressed per original timeline due to unforeseen situation in the energy market and COVID-19 situation. We value our two-decade relationship with Aramco and are committed to long term partnership," Ambani said while speaking at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of the company. Reliance will be spinning off the oil-to-chemical (O2C) business into a separate subsidiary "to facilitate multiple partnership opportunities," he said. "We expect to complete this process by early 2021," he said. Ambani in August last year had announced talks for sale of 20 per cent stake in the O2C business, which comprises of RIL''s twin oil refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat and petrochemical assets, to the world''s largest oil exporter, Saudi Aramco. The deal was to be concluded by March 2020 but was delayed. "Reliance is working to complete the contours of a strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco," Ambani had said in the firm''s latest annual report without giving timelines. The partnership with Aramco would give Jamnagar refineries "access to a wide portfolio of value-accretive crude grades and enhanced feedstock security for higher oil-to-chemicals conversion," he had said in the annual report. 'Received interest from strategic investors for Reliance Retail' On the subject of RIL's retail venture, Ambani said it has received strong interest from strategic and financial investors. "We will induct global partners and investors in Reliance Retail in the next few quarters," he said. Reliance Retail has already started pilots of its ecommerce venture. "We have successfully piloted JioMart grocery model with kirana partners. The beta version of JioMart grocery platform is being piloted in 200 cities. Daily orders have crossed 2.5 lakh, and the number is growing each day," Ambani said. Connecting farmers and delivering their fresh produce directly to homes is a key part of the firm''s grocery strategy. "This will significantly improve farmer income and incentivise higher productivity," he said. More than two-thirds of Reliance Retails'' nearly 12,000 stores are operated in Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV towns. "It sources over 80 per cent of fruits and vegetable directly from farmers," he said. With inputs from PTI Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Slightly more than 17% of Alabamas registered voters cast a ballot in Tuesdays primary runoff, according to the Alabama Secretary of States Office. Unofficial results show 626,551 ballots were cast out of 3,608,572 registered voters for turnout of 17.36%. The greatest number of votes 549,721 were cast in the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Winner Tommy Tuberville received 333,890 votes, or 61%, to Jeff Sessions 215,831 votes, or 39.26%. The totals do not include provisional or ballots cast from military or overseas voters. Sessions, Alabamas former Senator who resigned his position as U.S. Attorney General under pressure from the White House, won three of Alabamas 67 counties. Sessions was the top vote getter in Mobile, Madison and Wilcox counties. Madison County gave Sessions his greatest margin of victory, 22,027 votes to Tubervilles 16,971. Tuberville faces Democrat incumbent Senator Doug Jones in Nov. 3rds general election. Starting from noon on July 12, the Armenian armed forces violated the ceasefire in Azerbaijan's Tovuz region on the border with Armenia by artillery fire and tried to capture Azerbaijan's positions. Baku claims that having additionally militarized the border areas between the two countries, the Armenian side purposefully and systematically targets the civilian population, seeking to involve military-political organizations, member of which it is, into the Karabakh conflict, as well as to avoid responsibility for its aggression against Azerbaijan. The aggravation of the situation caused public outcry globally. Berlin political scientist Heiko Langner commented on the situation in the Tovuz region, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza. - What are the reasons for the resumption of the conflict? - There have been no active clashes between the Armenian and Azerbaijani military for a long time. The end of this period of calm has become a sign that the peace talks had failed and that the parties to the conflict had returned to "business as usual". Azerbaijan hoped that a change of government in Armenia two years ago would make the Armenian side more inclined to compromise. Instead, new Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan quickly became a hardliner who openly designated the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which was occupied by Armenian forces, as part of Armenia. Such a position deprives peace talks of a basis. The immediate cause of the current clashes on the state border is hard to see from the side: both sides regularly accuse each other of escalating tensions. - Why this time there are lashes on the state border, and not on the military contact line around the Nagorno-Karabakh region? - The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a classic interstate territorial conflict between the South Caucasian republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan, since Armenia's regular armed forces make up the majority of the armed forces that occupy Nagorno-Karabakh and other territories of Azerbaijan in violation of international law. Therefore, military clashes are possible not only on the line of military contact around Nagorno-Karabakh, but actually on the entire border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The danger always exists when both sides of the conflict have concentrated large numbers of military equipment and military personnel and watch each other. - What can Russia do to support a political settlement of the conflict? - Russia is undoubtedly the most influential mediator in the OSCE Minsk Group. Moscow will have to significantly increase its mediation efforts and put more pressure on the negotiations. I think that all officially known Russian proposals are appropriate. However, it is no longer sufficient to focus only on confidence-building measures. Negotiations have been ongoing since 1994 without changing the status quo. It is necessary to change the status quo to ensure peace. In particular, this means that it is necessary to begin the implementation of the so-called Madrid Basic Principles, agreed by the parties to the conflict. They provide for a partial withdrawal of Armenia from the occupied territories outside Nagorno-Karabakh, which were populated by the Azerbaijani population before the war. If this happens, Azerbaijan will almost certainly remove the military option from the table. I am absolutely sure. The redefinition of the line of contact should be linked to an effective ceasefire in order to guarantee the legitimate security interests of the Armenian civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. This will qualitatively improve the prospects for a final peace settlement and save enough time. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 10:05:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HARARE, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has halted further reopening of the economy and deferred the resumption of schools amid a spike in COVID-19 infections, a minister said Tuesday. Lockdown restrictions will be tightened, through such measures as introducing localized lockdowns in hotspot areas to curb the further spread of the virus, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-cabinet press briefing. Reopening of schools, formerly scheduled for July 28, has also been deferred pending a review of the situation, she said. Mid-year public examinations that started last month will continue as per schedule while private schools that have already opened without government permission will be penalized, she said. Inter-city public transport that had been banned since introduction of a nationwide lockdown in March will partly resume operation under the sole responsibility of the government and only for essential travel such as seeking medical treatment, the minister said. The government, she said, will send two buses to ferry people who test positive from the border town of Beitbridge to provincial isolation centers. The majority of the country's imported cases are found in Zimbabweans who returned from neighboring South Africa through the Beitbridge border post. A total of 1,064 cases were reported as of Tuesday with 20 deaths and 343 recoveries. Of the total, 740 are imported cases while 324 are local transmissions. "Cabinet is disturbed by the spike in COVID-19 locally transmitted cases and the number of deaths," Mutsvangwa said. She added that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will soon announce comprehensive measures in response to rising cases. Enditem Meghan McCain of The View continues to appear on the air from home during the coronavirus crisis. Never shy about giving her opinions on the current political climate, the conservative co-host is often vocal on sharing her perspective. In 2018, the talk show panelist used her platform to help make the wish of a cancer patient come true and recently penned an emotional tribute in her honor. Meghan McCain of The View | Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Honoring the late Senator John McCain In December, McCain spoke with the End Well Foundation about her father, the late Senator John McCain. Diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly brain cancer, in July 2017, the Senator passed away in August 2018. Since her dads diagnosis, The View co-host does everything in her power to call attention to the horrific disease. When my dad was diagnosed, I was obviously very angry, McCain told the foundation. One of the things I promised myself is that I was going to talk about death and cancer and grieving as much as possible, and as much as my platform afforded. The View panelist shared how she actively educated herself on the illness and encourages others to talk more openly about the process. RELATED: The View: Why Meghan McCain Misses Joy Behar The Most Out of All Her Co-Hosts I felt like it was a language I needed to learn. It felt so overwhelming, McCain revealed. I just wanted to be more open because its such a taboo subject that makes people so uncomfortable. And I think no matter what your faith is, its something were all going to go through, and were all going to experience. And I think, had I been more open about it, it wouldnt have been so traumatic for me. The View co-host tweets Taylor Swift In July 2018, McCain came across a tweet asking pop icon Taylor Swift for a special favor. my bestfriend lexi was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma) in december, the tweet read. were going to the #reputationStadiumTour on july 14th in philly and its her dream to meet @taylorswift13 !! McCain saw the post about Lexi Caviston, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania native battling the disease. The talk show host decided to add to the tweet to get the mega stars attention. Hey @taylorswift13 we have never met, but anyway you can meet Lexi at your concert in Philly? McCain asked on Twitter. She is fighting the same #glioblastoma cancer my father has and this would make both of our days! xo Meghan McCain. RELATED: The View: Meghan McCain Says Theres Been A Lot To Deal With During Her Time on the Show The View team also reached out to Swift, and the music star was happy to meet up with Caviston. Shortly after, the Scranton resident appeared on The View to describe her one-on-one with the superstar. It was life-changing. I literally sobbed the entire time, Caviston said. Meghan McCain honors Lexi Caviston Last month, McCain celebrated Caviston marrying her longtime love Joshua Ashmar, wishing the couple well on the air. Sadly, Caviston passed away on July 14. I am heartbroken by the news of the passing of Lexi Caviston after her long and courageous battle with Glioblastoma, McCain wrote alongside of pic of Caviston when she was on the show. I met Lexi in 2018 when she joined @theviewabc to share her brave fight and just last month we shared news of her marriage. Wanting to provide some details about the special young woman that people may not know, The View co-host described Caviston as an inspiration. RELATED: The Views Meghan McCain Shares Why She Changed Her Mind About Marriage I am sending my sincere condolences, love, light and strength to the Caviston family, her loved ones and all the people around the country she impacted with her story, McCain posted. She was a beautiful soul who touched me in many ways and I am a better person for knowing her and witnessing her bravery. She was an effervescent, bright light in a dark world that has left us far too soon. Fresh capital will help Flipkart further grow its e-commerce marketplace in India as the world's second-largest internet market begins to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Flipkart said. (Photo | Facebook - Flipkart) New Delhi: US retail giant Walmart will lead a USD 1.2 billion (about Rs 9,045 crore) investment in Indian e-commerce company Flipkart to give it extra firepower to compete with Amazon and billionaire Mukesh Ambani's JioMart. The fresh equity round values Flipkart, where Walmart acquired a majority stake for USD 16 billion two years ago, at USD 24.9 billion post-money, the two companies said in a statement. Flipkart was valued at USD 20.8 billion two years ago. The investment is led by Walmart along with a group of existing shareholders, the statement said. The other shareholders investing in Flipkart were not identified by the company. Fresh capital will help Flipkart further grow its e-commerce marketplace in India as the world's second-largest internet market begins to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, Flipkart said. "The investment is led by Walmart, Flipkart Group's majority owner, along with a group of existing shareholders and values the company at USD 24.9 billion (about Rs 1.87 lakh crore) post-money. It will be funded in two tranches over the remainder of the fiscal year," it added. In 2018, Walmart Inc had invested USD 16 billion for acquiring 77 per cent stake in the group. Flipkart's other investors include Tiger Global, Accel, Tencent, Microsoft and others. "Since Walmart's initial investment in Flipkart, we have greatly expanded our offer through technology, partnerships and new services. "Today, we lead in electronics and fashion, and are rapidly accelerating share in other general merchandise categories and grocery, all while providing increasingly seamless payment and delivery options for our customers," Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy said. The company will continue innovating to bring the next 200 million Indian shoppers online, he added. Both Amazon and Flipkart have pumped in billions of dollars over the past few years - ramping up warehousing and delivery logistics - as they aggressively expanded their footprint in India, a market where brick-and-mortar stores still account for a lion's share of the retail sector. The fresh infusion also comes at a time when billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is making deeper inroads into the e-commerce segment with JioMart. Founded in 2007, the Flipkart Group includes Flipkart, digital payments platform PhonePe, fashion specialty site Myntra and logistics and delivery services provider eKart. Flipkart offers 150 million products across more than 80 categories and has recently surpassed 1.5 billion visits per month. It had reported 45 per cent growth in monthly active customers and 30 per cent growth in transactions per customer for FY20. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The city council in North Carolina's capital city on Tuesday chose its first Black councilwoman to fill a seat vacated after a council member resigned. Stormie Denise Forte, 49, an attorney and community radio host, was chosen from among 54 candidates to fill the position that represents Raleigh's District D, which covers the southwest portion of the city, news outlets reported. She received six out of seven votes, and her first meeting as a council member is August 18. "I can honestly say I am a little emotional thinking of the historical impact of being selected," Forte said. "Being Black and being female and being a person within the LGBTQ community all those things make up the person I am." Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said Forte stood out because of her experience as an attorney, work in the criminal justice system, her understanding of government and her community involvement. "She will also bring a unique and needed perspective as an African-American woman and as a member of our LGBT community," Baldwin said. Raleigh, with a population of more than 470,000 as of 2018, is 27.1% Black and 53.5% white. Forte will serve the remainder of Saige Martin's term, which ends next year. Martin was elected to the seat in 2019 but resigned last month after The News & Observer of Raleigh published accounts of four men who accused Martin of sexual misconduct, which he denies. After months spent watching the devastating impact of COVID-19 isolation on nursing-home residents, families, neighbours and close friends will soon be allowed indoor visits. Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton announced Wednesday the new rules that will permit indoor visits of no more than two friends or relatives at a time, starting July 22. That is magic! said Verna Andrews, who previously spent six hours a day with her husband, who has Lewy body dementia and lives in Peel Regions Sheridan Villa. It will mean everything to my husband. He was doubting me, thinking that I was leaving him. He went through a great depression and just walked through the hallways, calling my name. Visitors can help with eating or washing and can provide emotional sustenance for people who have declined from months of loneliness and depression. Before mid-March, when visitors for all but palliative residents were locked out by COVID restrictions, many families and friends provided hours of care for their loved ones, freeing up staff to spend time with other residents. Next week, before entering the home, all visitors will be required to attest they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 14 days. Outside visits, which began June 18, no longer require a COVID test. During his daily news conference, Premier Doug Ford said it is heartbreaking to hear the stories of isolation but we have to do it safely and put the proper protocols in and make sure it is done safely. The government later said long-term-care homes must give all residents meaningful and equitable access to visitors, consider staffing and space when organizing visits and schedule visits to ensure that essential caregivers, who help with feeding and other supports, are able to attend at the necessary times. While the virus devastated some long-term-care homes, resulting in 1,730 deaths of residents and eight deaths of staff, the loss of family connection left some residents and their relatives emotionally and physically devastated. Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), said those who died with a COVID diagnosis after months on lockdown may also have declined from depression, malnourishment or dehydration. Most long-term-care residents are very old and fragile and cannot simply put off such important contact with loved ones until a COVID vaccine is distributed or the virus is eradicated, Grinspun said. That is why we are pleased that the premier has stepped up to the plate, she said. We cannot continue to steal precious time. Every minute counts. They cannot wait one more year. They cannot wait. The RNAO released a plan to help homes adapt to visitors in the age of COVID. It includes guidance for identifying residents visitors and the providing of personal protective equipment for visitors. The new government rules say outdoor visitors must bring their own masks, although the home will provide masks for indoor visitors. The governments announcement comes as the National Institute on Ageing, based at Ryerson University, released recommendations to guide provinces on the safe return of family visits to long-term-care homes. Written by two geriatricians (Dr. Nathan Stall and Dr. Samir Sinha), and two infectious-disease specialists, (Dr. Jennie Johnstone and Dr. Allison McGeer), the paper, called Finding the Right Balance, makes a series of evidence-based recommendations. Among its proposed guidelines for provincial governments is that their policies must: recognize the difference between essential family caregivers and general visitors; balance the risks of COVID-19 with serious risks of social isolation; and give residents access to enough visits to maintain their health. Sinha said what was initially seen as an extreme but necessary move to protect vulnerable long-term care homes opened the door to another wave of problems brought on by loss of residents emotional connections. I think what the first wave has really shown us is that these homes are vulnerable to COVID-19. But equally, the residents are even more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, said Sinha, Sinai Healths director of geriatrics. Now, he said, many are recognizing that family caregivers have for years offered time and energy, freeing up staff homes to work with other residents. Family members dont want to do any harm. I think if there is clear and consistent guidance, that is actually grounded in science, I think there is a good balance we can achieve, he said. Lisa Levin, CEO of Advantage Ontario, which represents not-for-profit homes, said it is critical the government let visitors inside homes because the outdoor visits became too challenging for many, due to rain or heat. People are dying of loneliness, Levin said. Jill Knowlton, chief operating officer of Primacare Living, a small privately operated nursing-home chain, said there are three groups that make a home work: residents, staff, and families. We are missing a third, Knowlton said earlier this week. From a practical perspective, the families provide a lot of care. We miss that. They really form part of our team. More importantly, they are the support system for our residents. For them to lose their support system, I couldnt imagine it myself, let alone being an older adult. To me, it is essential. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office at the White House after receiving a briefing from top law enforcement officials on operations against the MS-13 gang in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2020. Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images WASHINGTON There is one outlier amid all the gloom of President Donald Trump's cratering poll numbers this summer: Public approval of his handling of the economy. According to Real Clear Politics' polling average, voters currently disapprove by double digits of Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic, his handling of foreign policy and the general direction of the country. When it comes to the economy, though, even in the midst of a historically rapid recession and an unemployment rate of 11%, Trump remains above water. But even that edge is disappearing, with just under four months until Election Day. New polling released Wednesday by CNBC/Change Research found that only 46% of likely voters approved of Trump's handling of the economy, versus 54% who disapproved. The poll also showed a dramatic shift over the past two weeks in how independent voters grade the president's handling of the economy. In late June, the same poll showed Trump's economic approval ratings underwater by eight points with independents. Two weeks later, that deficit had swelled to a 28-point deficit, with 64% of independents telling pollsters they disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy. Biden and his campaign strategists know the economy is Trump's traditional strong suit. So they're moving quickly to do something about it, by releasing a series of plans. The first is a "buy American" platform that takes the fight to Trump's economic nationalist turf. The second, released on Tuesday, is a green jobs plan. So far, Trump has struggled to respond to them. After the buy American plan was released last week, Trump claimed that Biden's proposal ripped off his own policies while also going too far left. Following Biden's Tuesday event, Trump convened the White House press and spent more than an hour reading a list of Biden's proposals aloud, inadvertently drawing more attention to his opponent's agenda than his own. President Donald J. Trump stops to talk to reporters as he walks to board Marine One and depart from the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, July 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. Jabin Botsford | The Washington Post | Getty Images Trump's mixed-up messages are not isolated examples of the president getting caught flat-footed. Instead, they reflect a broader failure throughout Trump's political universe to craft an economic platform for the president to run for reelection on. Such a plan could come from Trump himself, much like the bulk of his 2016 campaign economic platform did. Alternatively, it could be spearheaded by top White House economic advisors, like the massive 2017 Trump tax cut bill was. The third option is that an economic platform for Trump could come out of his reelection campaign itself. As recently as late May of this year, top strategists for Trump's campaign were reportedly working with the White House on an overhaul of the GOP's official platform to better fit Trump's priorities. "As a Republican, economic messaging is your bread and butter," said Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster who has closely studied what messages resonate most with moderate Republicans and independent voters. Republicans "might not always have the best answers on, say, the environment, but the economy is where they run the tables," Matthews said. Given that the public still gives Trump relatively high marks on economic policy, "why would you not embrace that, and run into that?" But with just over 100 days to go before Nov. 3, time is running out for Trump to chart an economic course for his reelection effort. Trump prefers culture wars Trump has always approached economic policies not as part of a grand vision, but as a way to deliver on specific campaign promises he made to his supporters in 2016: Tax cuts, trade wars and deregulation. Taken together, these tactics came to define Trump's first-term economic agenda. This time around, Trump is furious that, as he sees it, the coronavirus pandemic "stole" the prosperous economy that was his surest path to reelection. Determined to move on from the pandemic, Trump insists he and his administration have "done a great job," despite the current explosion of daily infections. The closest Trump has come in recent months to laying out a second-term economic agenda was part of a response he gave earlier this month to his friend and Fox News host Sean Hannity. "What's your second-term agenda?" Hannity asked Trump in a phone interview. After first pledging to "defeat the invisible enemy," one of the terms he uses for coronavirus, Trump said: "We are going to rebuild the economy, we're going to bring back jobs from all of these foreign lands that have stolen our jobs on horrible trade deals. We are going to continue to make great trade deals." At that point, Trump pivoted from the economy to the border wall. Given exchanges like that one, it's easy to see why Trump might prefer to focus on culture-war issues such as the Black Lives Matter protests and the removal of Confederate monuments. "Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children," Trump said in a speech at Mount Rushmore over the Fourth of July that offered a preview of how he plans to frame the election. Earlier this month, Trump attacked a recent decision by NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at races, and he demanded that Bubba Wallace, the league's only full-time Black driver, apologize after NASCAR officials investigated a noose found in Wallace's garage. TRUMP TWEET Trump has hosted official White House events featuring police officers, called racial justice protesters "thugs" and encouraged violent responses to peaceful demonstrations. He signed an executive order increasing the penalty for vandalizing federal monuments in response to the toppling of statues featuring slave owners and Confederate generals. On Tuesday night, Trump tweeted: "You & your children won't be SAFE in Biden's America, and neither will anyone else!" For Trump, this is all part of a wide-ranging effort to style himself as the candidate of "law and order," and Democrats as the party of lawlessness, crime and mayhem. Yet several Republican donors and strategists say Trump's pivot to law and order is a mistake, one that risks alienating voters the party needs if it hopes to build a winning coalition in November. "Trump's a businessman first and foremost, and focusing on the economy is a pillar of Trump's success, along with judicial appointments and his America First agenda," said Dan Eberhart, a Texas-based Republican political donor and a Trump supporter. "This recent pivot to law and order and culture wars is ill-conceived and will ultimately not convince the pursuable centrist voters Trump needs to defeat Biden," Eberhart told CNBC. "Though it was just launched, it's already time for a U-turn." "The voters Trump is losing right now are white, college-educated men, the ones who actually respond best to economic messaging," said Matthews, the Republican pollster. She explained that for the past four years, white college-educated men have been able to justify supporting Trump by ignoring his divisive and racist rhetoric in favor of pointing out how great his economic policies are. "They'll say, 'Well, he tweets too much,' or 'I don't really agree with some of the things he says,' but then they always come back around to, 'Well, he's great on my taxes and my 401(k)s and my investments,'" she said. "But now, by doubling down on this culture-war stuff and refusing to provide an economic road map for a second term, Trump is making it so that these same white, college-educated men can't claim anymore that they support Trump because they like his economic plans," she added. "He's forcing them out of his coalition by leaving them nothing to hold up as a reason to vote for him. "It's 'you're either with me for the culture wars, or there's nothing here for you.'" US President Donald Trump arrives for the Independence Day events at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, July 3, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty images Any potential Trump campaign U-turn would also be made more complicated by the president's ongoing refusal to fully address the deadly threat posed by the coronavirus. "Trump can't really have a positive economic message until he gets a handle on the pandemic. But he lives in his own thought bubble, with magical thinking like that the virus is going to just disappear on its own, or that parents shouldn't worry about their kids getting sick," Matthews said. "Out here in the real world, no one wants to do magical thinking about their kids and their health and their family's health," she added. Confusion and division Another potential source of ideas for Trump's economic platform is his economic team at the White House, which has taken the lead on implementing Trump's first-term economic priorities. But there are problems here, too. There is an exodus underway among key members of Trump's economic team. In the past month alone, a half-dozen staffers have either left their positions or announced plans to leave. The most high-profile departure was that of Kevin Hassett, a former chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors who had returned to help oversee the coronavirus economic recovery plans. Another significant departure was that of Bimal Patel, who served as assistant treasury secretary for financial institutions until the end of June. Most recently, Patel was the chief liaison between the Treasury Department and the thousands of banks and credit unions that made individual Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses. Should there be a second round of PPP loans later this summer, Patel will no longer be there to oversee the lending side of the massive program. The rise in White House departures "reflects a great deal of confusion about the path going forward by the Republican economists there and the terrible situation we find ourselves in," said Bill Hoagland, a senior VP at the Bipartisan Policy Center, to the Washington Post. "It's a high level of frustration, especially at the career staff level." Kevin Hassett, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, speaks to members of the media outside the White House in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Biden's rollout last week of his "buy American" plan highlighted some of the tensions inside the White House economic team. Specifically, the plan revived speculation about the fate of a proposed executive order to shift pharmaceutical and medical supply production back into the United States. Drafted several months ago by hawkish White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, the executive order stalled after it encountered opposition from the more laissez-faire faction within Trump's economic team. It didn't help that Steve Bannon, Trump's former advisor, publicly praised the Biden plan, noting that the vice president "has very smart people around him, particularly on the economic side." Another symptom of the dysfunction within the White House economic team is the failure so far to lay out a comprehensive plan, or even a set of consistent principles, to guide the federal response to the economic devastation wreaked by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the administration has reacted to historic job losses and business closures with a series of ad hoc recovery bills, the fourth of which will be debated in Washington this month. With a week or so left before negotiations begin in earnest, it remains unclear where the president stands on key issues in the next round of funding, such as another round of small business loans. Congressional negotiators have also previously complained of conflicting messages coming from different White House advisors. Trump has signaled that he favors more direct payments to individuals. Yet most experts chalk this up to election-year considerations, rather than to any specific idea that Trump has about how to address the pandemic's ongoing economic fallout. With the White House focused on more immediate problems, the task of crafting a cohesive economic message for the president would typically fall to the campaign, whose leaders bear responsibility for making sure that the issues important to voters don't get lost amid the daily news cycles. But so far Trump's campaign team has not produced a forward-looking economic plan. No movement from the campaign Given the Trump campaign's well-known emphasis on digital fundraising, data and organizing, one might think staffers would also prioritize keeping the Trump campaign reelection website up-to-date. On the contrary, it looks as if it's been at least a year since the Trump campaign updated the bullet points on its "Economy and Jobs" issue page. Other Trump issue pages, including those for hot-button issues such as "Law and Justice" and "Health Care," are equally skimpy and out of date. CNBC reached out to the Trump campaign to ask whether there was somewhere else on the website that had a more up-to-date list of Trump's accomplishments or maybe even a second-term agenda. In response, deputy national press secretary Ken Farnaso emailed CNBC a boilerplate statement the campaign had previously given to other news outlets when they asked about Trump's campaign agenda. The statement read, in part: "The best is yet to come. Whether it be keeping taxes low for Americans, renegotiating failed trade deals like NAFTA, protecting and enforcing immigration laws, creating an economic renaissance with record low unemployment rates, or strengthening our military, 'Promises Made, Promises Kept' isn't just a motto, it's a bold track record of success." Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks about the U.S. economy during a campaign event at McGregor Industries, a metal works plant that manufactures stairs and stair railings, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, July 9, 2020. Tom Brenner | Reuters CNBC also reached out to the Biden campaign for this story. Trump's "presidency has thrown American manufacturing into a recession, killed tens of millions of jobs, and sent the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden Administration into a full-on meltdown," said Biden's director of rapid response, Andrew Bates. "Joe Biden's vision for reinvigorating American industry, building our economy back better, and restoring the middle class is the antithesis of Donald Trump's failures." One reason the Trump campaign's lack of an economic message is particularly galling, say Republicans, is because it would be so easy to put one together. "Even though the economy is struggling, there's still room for a positive economic message this year," said Matthews, the founder of Bellwether Research and Consulting in Alexandria, Virginia. Unlike 2008, she said, when the housing collapse tore through middle-class communities, "many white-collar workers are doing OK, and their jobs are not in jeopardy." Matthews also pointed out that the stories behind the trillions of dollars in coronavirus recovery funds Republicans have already distributed this year basically amount to ready-made campaign ads for GOP candidates. US President Donald Trump shows a signed Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 24, 2020. Olivier Douliery | AFP | Getty Images Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday recorded 32 fresh Covid-19 infections, taking the states tally to 1,341, officials said. Eleven cases were reported in Bilaspur, nine in Solan, six in Kullu, three in Chamba, two in Una and one Sirmaur. In Bilaspur, nine migrant labourers from Bihar have been infected. They were engaged in building work at Hydro-Engineering College campus at Bandla. One of the labourer had tested positive three days ago after which others were quarantined at the college campus. Three labourers tested positive early in the morning while seven more cases were detected in the afternoon. Besides, a woman, who had returned from Delhi, has also tested positive in the district. In Chamba, a 29-year-old woman and 5-year-old girl from Salooni sub-division have tested positive. A 23-year-old pregnant woman from Mohalla Govindgarh of Nahan town in Sirmaur district has also contracted the disease. The woman was undergoing treatment at a hospital where her Covid-19 test came out positive. She has been shifted to a Covid-care centre and her primary contacts are being traced. In Kullu district, six people tested positive, including a 31-year-old man, who had returned from to Delhi from Sudan on July 4 and from there he arrived in Kullu and was under home quarantine. Nine cases were reported in Solan and two in Una late evening. Their details are awaited. ACTIVE CASES RISE TO 351 Special secretary (health) Nipun Jindal said active cases in the state have reached 351 as 966 people have been cured till date. The recovery rate in the state is 72.03% %. Kangra is the worst-hit district with 314 cases, followed by Hamirpur with 276 cases. Solan has 268 cases, Una 146, Chamba 71, Shimla 62, Bilaspur 63, Sirmaur 47, Mandi 40, Kinnaur 36, Kullu 14 and Lahaul-Spiti district four. CM directs district authorities to keep strict vigil on migrant labourers Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday directed all district authorities to keep a strict vigil on arrival of migrant labourers particularly in industrial units. He was addressing a meeting of deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and chief medical officers through video conferencing. The CM said the state government has decided that industrialists or their contractors will be allowed to bring labourers after due approval of the administration and will be kept in quarantine as per guidelines issued by the health department. He said big industrial units will have to create adequate quarantine facilities, whereas small units can pool for creating the quarantine facility. He also directed the industries and labour and employment departments to keep a strict vigil on industrial units to follow the SoPs issued from time to time. The government has decided not to open the temples and other religious places in the state to avoid overcrowding, the CM said. He directed the officers to strictly enforce the decision of not allowing more than 50 people in marriages and other family functions. The chief medical officers have been asked to increase testing capacity of Covid-19 in their respective districts. He said all persons with symptoms should be invariably tested for the virus besides ensuring proper testing of all the primary and secondary contacts of patients. Thakur said about 1,560 residents have arrived from 78 cities of 61 countries and all of them were examined medically. He said out of these 1,117 persons arrived at New Delhi Airport, 192 at Amritsar Airport and 248 persons at Chandigarh International Airport. He said 613 flights were attended by the officers of the state government at New Delhi, Amritsar and Chandigarh airports. The CM also directed the deputy commissioners to be more vigilant keeping in view the rainy season. He said this may increase the cases of viral and related ailments causing extra burden on health institutions. He also directed the superintendents of police to keep strict vigil on persons furnishing false information about their origin of arrival as well as Covid-19 status. Billy Calzada /Staff file photo Since July 8, H-E-B has reported 28 employees in San Antonio have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the grocery store's website. Some stores have also reported multiple infections since the start of the month. So far in July, 69 H-E-B employees working in grocery stores in San Antonio have contracted the coronavirus. In June, more than 120 H-E-B employees were infected with COVID-19. Photo: (Photo : Instagram/dakoyoia.billie) Dakoyoia Billie left her family and traveled to another state to care for people with COVID-19. She told Parents that she did not hesitate to step up and help COVID-19 patients in New York. She has a busy life taking care of her four kids, but she could not say no when asked to do her duty even if she had to move to another state. At the end of March, the mom of four received an "emergency request" about looking for healthcare workers in New York City. The request came weeks after she and her husband, Marcus, brought their newborn twins at home. Born at 29 weeks in December, twins Karrington, boy, and Kinsley, girl, stayed in the NICU from birth. See also: Mom who adopted 2 biological siblings now adopts the third sibling Protect and provide Marcus told Billie that she should go if she feels that she could make a difference. She realized that she could protect and provide for her family if she is away from them in the meantime. She was afraid of bringing her family at risk if she went home after treating COVID-19 patients. Billie struggled with the 12-hour shifts for the three weeks straight. She said that the beginning was tough for her until she reminded herself that everything was temporary. Billie thought that she was only there to help, and soon everything will be history. Once it is over, she could go back to her family. A world of difference She said that even if they had adequate protective equipment, the hospital staff were overwhelmed by the situation. It resulted in little communication with the family members of the patients. She said that to make a world of difference, she would set up Zoom calls to connect patients and their family members. See also: Mom of Triplets Dies After Second hospitalization Due to COVID-19 After each shift, Billie would leave her shoes outside the hotel room door and spray disinfectant on all her clothes before taking a bath. She would Facetime her family in Atlanta after she was clean. The calls kept her motivated during the toughest of times. She assured her family that she would be home after she is done saving lives. Even if she is away, the mom is still involved in caring for her grandmother and children to help her supportive husband. She even pumped breast milk for her twins and kept them in a cooler until Fridays then sent it home. See also: Mom Terminated From Job Because Manager Did not Want to Hear Her Kids During Calls Short family reunion Soon, things got better in New York, where fewer patients got cardiac arrests or die. Billie returned to Atlanta by June. She got reunited with her family only for a short while because a month after, San Antonio, Texas, needed her help. Billie said that she does not regret leaving her family for a greater cause. She said that she would be ready and willing to help when the needs arise. He continued: Youve heard of the Donner Party? Maybe some of you havent. The Donner Party, the Donner family and a bunch of travelers trying to get to California over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. They made the mistake of trying to make the trip in the middle of winter. Were talking the Lake Tahoe region. They get to the peak. It was so bad that they had to turn to cannibalism to survive. They didnt complain about it, because there was nothing they could do. They had to adapt. This is whats missing. There seems to be no concept of adaptation. There seems to be no understanding in the millennial generation that we can adapt to this. Lucknow: The Kanpur Police has recovered the AK-47 and INSAS rifles that were looted from the cops during the killing of eight policemen in Vikru village in Kanpur on July 3. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Prashant Kumar, ADG Law and Order, said several teams were set up to recover the stolen items. In the same sequence, another aide of Vikas Dubey, Shashikant, who was absconding and carried a reward of 50 thousand, was arrested. As per the information given by Shashikant, one AK-47 and 17 bullets of the police were recovered from Dubey's house, while an INSAS rifle and live cartridge were recovered from Shashikant's house. Shashikant told police during interrogation that he was involved in the incident in which eight cops were shot dead. Shashikant has admitted to his involvement and on the traces given by him looted weapons were recovered from Dubey and Shashikant's house, Kumar said. So far nine accused, including Shyamu Bajpayee, Jahan Yadav, Dayashankar Agnihotri and Shashikant have been arrested and sent to jail. In this case, six accused including Dubey have been killed in police encounters, while 11 of the 21 accused named in the FIR are still absconding. Efforts are underway to nab the remaining criminals, he said. Kumar said that apart from this, Mumbai Police have arrested Guddan Trivedi and Sonu Tiwari and both are being brought back to UP Police on transit remand. The prime accused in the killing of eight policemen in Kanpur, Vikas Dubey was gunned down in an encounter in the outskirts of Kanpur on Friday as he tried to flee after the police vehicle carrying him met with an accident. He was arrested by Ujjain police on Thursday and was being brought to Kanpur by a team of STF sleuths. Four personnel of STF were also injured during the encounter. Former Air Force base in Gettysburg on market for $4.5 M A former air force base near Gettysburg is up for sale. The base is listed as having 50 beds and 15 bathrooms on a 42-acre parcel of land. Advertisement The world's first private icebreaker ship with its own deep-sea submarine is now available to charter for 665,000 a week after it was commissioned by a Russian billionaire. The 253ft long ship called La Datcha was commissioned by Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov, 52, but is also available for private charter for the mega rich. The vessel features a deep-sea submarine, two helipads and snowmobiles and can stay afloat without refuelling for 40 days. Pictured: The La Datcha is towed out to sea. The 665,000 per week icebreaker can stay afloat for 40 days without refuelling Pictured: The world's first private icebreaker ship, La Datcha, which is able to reach the most remote destinations on earth, is available to charter for a staggering 665,000 a week after being launched this week in the Netherlands Pictured: The La Datcha being towed from its dock in the Netherlands. The boat, which is the world's first icebreaker, features a deep-sea submarine and two helipdads The ship was launched this week by shipbuilding firm Damen Yachting from her building hall in the port city of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. La Datcha cost Tinkov, who is the chairman of Tinkoff Bank and worth 950million ($1.2billion), an estimated 79.5million to build. An icebreaker is traditionally used to navigate through icy waters and provide safe passage for other boats and ships. Oleg Tinkoff, chairman of the Board of Directors at Tinkoff Bank, talking on the phone in 2018 in St Petersburg Pictured: An aerial view of the La Datcha icebreaker in the Netherlands. The ship was launched this week by shipbuilding firm Damen Yachting from her building hall in the port city of Vlissingen in the Netherlands. La Datcha cost a reported 79.5million to build An icebreaker is traditionally used to navigate through icy waters and provide safe passage for other boats and ships Thanks to advanced fuel tank and waste disposal systems, La Datcha (pictured in the Netherlands) can spend up to 40 days on open sea without the need to return to port to refuel Thanks to advanced fuel tank and waste disposal systems, La Datcha can spend up to 40 days on open sea without the need to return to port to refuel. And while would-be passengers are out exploring the high seas, they will be living in the lap of luxury. Crew members and guests can take out the snowmobiles, relax in a sauna, frequent the massage room or take a dip in one of two onboard hot tubs. The world s first private icebreaker ship which is able to reach the most remote destinations on earth is available to charter for a staggering 665,000 a week In total there are six cabins, each featuring a dressing room, lavatory and either a shower or bathtub. The icebreaker, intended for travel to both the north and south poles as well as tropical regions, is designed to hold 24 crew and 12 additional passengers. Mr Tinkoff told media company Yacht Harbour: 'The world is so big and our life is so short that we need to explore as much as possible.' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Overseas Filipinos sent home approximately $2.276 billion in April, a 16.1 percent dip from the $2.713 billion remitted in April of last year. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also showed that personal remittances of overseas Filipinos from January to April was at $10.494 billion, a 2.9 percent decrease from $10.811 billion the year before. Remittances of land-based and sea-based workers with contracts of one year and less declined by 17.9 percent and 10.2 percent, respectively in April. An approximate of $1.677 billion came from land-based workers, while sea-based workers contributed $2.043 billion. The BSP attributed the downturn in cash remittances to the unexpected return of overseas Filipinos to the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the limited operations and closure of banks providing money transfer services during lockdowns in different countries where Filipinos live. The lowest cash remittance of overseas Filipinos was recorded in February 2014 with $1.989 billion. SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingUSA, a leading point-of-sale financing solution, is enhancing its powerful fraud detection capabilities by incorporating SentiLink technologies into its processes through a partnership with GDS Link. In taking strides to address fraud, LendingUSA has proven to be an innovative and trusted lending operation. LendingUSA In partnership with GDS Link, a leading credit management provider, LendingUSA's implementation of SentiLink's products has enhanced fraud detection within the organization. "McKinsey's research has identified synthetic ID fraud as the fastest-growing financial crime in the U.S. Partnering with SentiLink and GDS Link, the goal is to be one step ahead of the fraudsters and ensure LendingUSA takes an active stance in combating fraud across the industry. We are not just a financial services company; we are a technology company," explains Manoj Mathew, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Servicing & Collections at LendingUSA. "LendingUSA will continue to push the envelope in terms of innovation and continuously improve our product to create a richer experience for our merchants and borrowers." LendingUSA's unique implementation of SentiLink's powerful technology expands its capabilities to not only identify application fraud and synthetic fraud but also catch fraud networks with a larger footprint. "Fraud technology is constantly evolving and it is imperative that fintech operations invest in technology to remain one step ahead," says Jon Barhorst, Chief Risk Officer at LendingUSA. "With these solutions, we've found a frictionless way to address fraud and we'll continue to be innovators in adapting new technology to protect our borrowers and merchants." "LendingUSA has built an incredible product and business by helping people access credit at the most important moments of their lives," says Naftali Harris, CEO at SentiLink. "We're thrilled to partner with the amazing teams at LendingUSA and GDS Link to make customer onboarding smoother and fight the criminals that make those moments harder for real customers and merchants." About LendingUSA LendingUSA is an award-winning point-of-sale fintech company that offers merchants a seamless financing solution with access to loan decisions in seconds, promotional financing terms, and low monthly payment options for its customers across various niche markets. Founded in 2015, LendingUSA has grown to over 8,000 merchants nationwide and has processed over $2 billion in borrower loan requests. LendingUSA is committed to creating the best financing experience available through its proprietary point-of-sale lending solution. The company boasts a consumer rating of 4.8 out of five stars on BirdEye. All loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank, Member FDIC. About GDS Link: GDS Link is a global leader in credit risk management, providing tailored software solutions and analytical and consulting services. Our customer-centric risk management and process-automation platforms are designed for the modern lender in their pursuit to capitalize on the entire credit lifecycle. Press Contact: Amanda Krebs, Marketing Manager [email protected] Related Images lendingusa-gds-link-sentilink-logos.jpg LendingUSA, GDS Link, SentiLink logos SOURCE LendingUSA Related Links http://www.lendingusa.com ALBANY Wayne Holmes owned a nice brown house on Krumkill Road. But on March 23, Holmes arrived from work in the afternoon to find the house ablaze. The fire was a nightmare that, in the days and weeks that followed, would be followed by several others. Firefighters seemingly doused the flames, but a city of Albany inspector delivered some bad news: The house at 120 Krumkill Road would have to be demolished, he said. It could not be saved. What's more, the city would not allow allow Holmes to remove valuables from the home until the next day. The city did offer, however, to watch the four-bedroom house overnight for a fee to safeguard it from burglars and harm. Holmes agreed, reluctantly, and went to his daughter's home for the night. What you've read so far is all according to Holmes, who is 59 and had lived in the house since 1998. He's a large man with grown children, a white beard and a thick Boston accent. Holmes lives alone and works as a trucker, he said. Holmes relayed his plight to me in person and during several subsequent phone calls. His version of events never varied. The city, meanwhile, declined to comment, citing litigation filed by Holmes. In any event, a distraught Holmes struggled to sleep that Monday night at his daughter's. He was too upset. So he got in his pickup and headed back to Krumkill Road. When Holmes arrived home, he was stunned by what he found. "The whole house was engulfed in flames," he said. And the city employee who was supposed to be watching the house was nowhere to be found. Holmes was livid, as you might expect. He says he lost his mind. He was, after all, watching 22 years of his life burn to the ground. When police arrived at the scene, Holmes demanded that they file a report noting the city's negligence. Officers arrested him. Here, we have two versions of the story. Holmes says he did nothing that justifies his arrest, while a spokesman for the police department said he was taken into custody for obstructing the work of firefighters. "He was asked multiple times to back away from firefighters and he refused," Steve Smith said. A Notice of Claim filed by Holmes' lawyer, Kevin Luibrand, says police "used unconstitutional excessive force" during the arrest, breaking Holmes' hand. Photos taken subsequently show Holmes with a badly beaten face. "Why did they do this to me?" Holmes recalled asking that night, again and again. "I went from one nightmare to another nightmare." Smith said the department has not received an excessive-force complaint about the arrest and had no comment on the claim. When Holmes eventually returned to Krumkill Road, the damage was extensive. Little of value could be retrieved from the house after the fire apparently rekindled, Holmes said. He lost almost everything. Nearly four months later, he is still distraught. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Where the nice brown house once stood, there is now an ugly pile of rubble. When I visited recently, a white trailer sat nearby, up against a garage. That's where Holmes was living after the fire. But toward the end of June, a city inspector arrived. Citing zoning restrictions, he slapped a cease-and-desist order on the trailer, declaring it unlivable. Holmes describes the order as yet another nightmare. And if it seems to you that the city is being a little unkind, you aren't alone. "It's the ultimate kick of a guy when he's down," Luibrand said. "You would think they would try to work something out." Holmes claims that the cease-and-desist order is retribution for the notice of claim, which secures his right to file a formal lawsuit that may seek $450,000 in damages. Why else, he asks, would the city be so heartless? Given that his property near the Bethlehem line is remote, at least by Albany standards, he was bothering nobody by living in the trailer, he says. It would be wonderful to hear the city's take on all this, including an explanation for why booting Holmes from the trailer was necessary. But as I said, City Hall was unwilling to discuss Holmes' claims. "Were going to decline to comment regarding this pending litigation," said David Galin, chief of staff to Mayor Kathy Sheehan. (A notice of claim is not a lawsuit.) A few days ago, Holmes moved the trailer to a campsite about an hour from Albany. That's where he lives now, as he tries to put the nightmares behind him and stitch his life back together. He hopes to rebuild the house. Despite all that has happened, he doesn't want to leave Albany behind. "I'm not running," he said. "I've been there for so many years." cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill Voting took place in North Macedonia on July 15 in parliamentary elections that may determine the pace of the Balkan states Euro-Atlantic trajectory. The vote was the country's first poll under its new name, with opinion polls showing the pro-EU Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and right-wing VMRO-DPMNE in a tight race. The vote was originally scheduled for April but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. With the outbreak resurging, the decision was made to hold the vote on July 15 and keep polling stations open for two additional hours, until 9 p.m. local time, to reduce crowding and risks. The country's State Electoral Commission said that turnout by 8:45 p.m. in Skopje was nearly 51 percent of the 1.8 million registered voters. A caretaker government has been running the country since Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned in January after the EU failed in the autumn to provide a start date for accession talks. After months of delay due to opposition from France, the EU in March finally gave North Macedonia a green light to start formal talks to join the bloc. Zaev, the SDSM leader, has done more in a short time than any of the countrys leaders to mend fences with neighbors and advance integration with the West. Landmark Deal Since becoming prime minister in 2017, he reached a landmark deal with neighboring Greece to change the countrys name, clearing the way for Athens to lift its veto over Skopjes membership in NATO. He also signed a friendship deal with neighboring Bulgaria, removing another impediment to prepare for EU membership. Zaevs is telling voters that his party has achieved results and promises a brighter, more prosperous future for one of the poorest countries in Europe. We built bridges, we built friendship, we...opened the doors to NATO and the European Union, Zaev told supporters in his final preelection party rally in the southern town of Bitola. Hristijan Mickoski, the VMRO leader, has run a negative campaign attacking Zaev and tapping into nationalist-populist resentment. VMRO opposed changing the countrys name from Macedonia to North Macedonia, which removed Athens' concerns about a perceived claim to the Greek province of Macedonia. The party also opposed the deal with Bulgaria. Mickoski also accuses SDSM of corruption, influencing the judiciary, nepotism, and destroying the economy despite his own partys own record of graft while in power. Polls suggest the two main parties will each secure less than 25 percent of the vote, meaning neither will win the 61 seats needed in the 120-member parliament to be able to govern alone. Fifteen political parties are vying for seats. The largest ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), is the most likely coalition partner. The DUI has been in coalition governments for the past 18 years. It has suggested an ethnic Albanian, who make up about a quarter of the population, should be prime minister. SDSM and the DUI formed a coalition after the last elections in 2016, which ousted the increasingly authoritarian and corrupt VMRO after nearly a decade in power. Geopolitical Implications The election also marks the first time an Albanian party, BESA, has formed a preelection coalition with one of the Macedonian parties, the SDSM. If Zaev secures enough votes to assemble a majority in parliament,"it will confirm the countrys will to leave behind the destructive and divisive politics of populism and score-settling," Keith Brown, a politics professor at Arizona State University, wrote in an analysis. Skopje analyst Petar Arsovski told Reuters that if VMRO wins it would not abandon the deal with Greece but might try to delay implementing some aspects, creating new obstacles for the countrys EU bid. The vote carries broader geopolitical implications, as the EU and the United States seek to bring North Macedonia closer to slow moves by Russia and China to increase their influence in the Western Balkans. U.S. and European observers see Russia actively involved in propaganda and disinformation to sow divisions in North Macedonia in a bid to undermine NATO and EU expansion. The election is being held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which was handled relatively well until a lockdown was ended and cases began to spike in recent weeks. The country of around 2 million people has registered 8,000 infections and about 380 deaths, making it one of the worst-hit countries in Europe in terms of per capita cases. The pandemic and its economic consequences have become a major election issue and could dampen voter turnout despite health protocols at polling stations. With reporting by Reuters Political newcomer Rebeca Becky Clay-Flores defeated four-term incumbent Sergio Chico Rodriguez on Tuesday, pulling away with a surprise upset in one of two hard-fought primary runoff races for Bexar County commissioner. Clay-Flores, special project manager for the Metropolitan Health District, held a commanding lead throughout the night in the Democratic runoff in Precinct 1. Since he was first elected in 2004, Rodriguez has represented that precinct, which encompasses the countys southern sector. Clay-Flores, 44, had 61 percent of the vote. It was a turnaround from the March 3 primary, in which Rodriguez received about 48 percent of the vote, while Clay-Flores carried 43 percent. Another Democrat, Fred "Freddy" Mendoza, had about 9 percent in March. On ExpressNews.com: Rodriguez in runoff with Clay-Flores Clay Flores, who grew up in a low-income family and did her undergraduate work at Princeton University then earned a master's degree in education from Harvard, has said she ran against Rodriguez because people on the South Side told her Rodriguez was not engaged with the neighborhoods and community groups. Some of her friends tried to persuade her not to run against Rodriguez, brother of former congressman and current Justice of the Peace Ciro Rodriguez. No one, not one single person, told me, 'He's doing a great job, Clay-Flores, a Brackenridge High School graduate, told the Express-News earlier this year. In appearances with community groups, she has advocated for improving delivery of mental health services and breaking cycles of generational poverty. I dont think there was one knockout punch. We worked endlessly since the primary, Clay-Flores said late Tuesday, attempting to explain her victory at the polls. We knew that our community deserved better. I was tired of this part of town being left behind. Calls to Rodriguez for comment were not returned. On his campaign website, Rodriguez vowed to work on "transportation and infrastructure needs," public safety, and assistance for seniors and veterans. A former City Public Service electrical lineman and Bexar County sheriff's deputy, he has served on numerous boards related to housing and transportation. Clay-Flores faces a Republican candidate, Gabriel Lara, a retiree, in the Nov. 3 general election. Lara was unopposed for the GOP nomination. If elected in November, Clay-Flores, who identifies as Hispanic and Black, would be the first woman of color on the Commissioners Court, which is comprised of the county judge and four commissioners. On ExpressNews.com: DeBerry, Rickhoff head to runoff in Precinct 3 In another hotly contested race for commissioner, in Precinct 3 on the North Side, Trish DeBerry, CEO and president of The DeBerry Group, a public relations firm, took nearly 55 percent of the vote in a runoff with retired judge Tom Rickhoff. DeBerry, who ran for San Antonio mayor in 2009, has spoken in favor of term limits for county commissioners; campaign finance reform; election of members of the Bexar Appraisal District board; and city-county consolidation in such areas as economic development and public works. DeBerry, 55, said her campaign shifted to social digital strategy during the pandemic and focused her website on ways to help the community, through public health messaging and volunteer work, such as food bank support and blood donation. Things have got to change at the county. Theyve been the same for a very, very long time, she said Tuesday night. Weve got to take a hard look at bringing accountability back to Commissioners Court. Rickhoff, 75, has been critical of the county's history of using debt to fund capital projects, including widening of San Pedro Creek downtown for beautification and flood control. In comments Tuesday, he spoke of four areas of concern: campaign funding and ethics; accrued debt that he said will force the county to cut essential services because of the pandemic; and aquifer protection, which he believes should continue through extension of a 1/8-cent per dollar sales tax. DeBerry will face Christine Hortick, a Democrat and San Antonio lawyer who defeated two other candidates in March. Hortick, 41, is a lawyer from San Antonio whose practice represents children and parents in Bexar County Children's Court. The runoff results indicate a high likelihood that Commissioners Court will seat at least one woman its first female member in more than 20 years, and possibly just its third overall at the start of 2021. Cyndi Taylor Krier was Bexar County judge from 1992 to 2001. Helen Dutmer was a Precinct 4 county commissioner from 1991 to 1994. Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. To read more from Scott, become a subscriber. shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, contact tracing is downright buzzy, and not always in a good way. Contact tracing is the public health practice of informing people when they've been exposed to a contagious disease. As it has become more widely employed across the country, it has also become mired in modern political polarization and conspiracy theories. Misinformation abounds, from tales that people who talk to contact tracers will be sent to nonexistent "FEMA camps" a rumor so prevalent that health officials in Washington state had to put out a statement in May debunking it to elaborate theories that the efforts are somehow part of a plot by global elites, such as the Clinton Foundation, Bill Gates or George Soros. At the very least, such misinformation could hinder efforts to contain the virus, and at worst has sparked threats against tracers, say some observers, including the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a London-based organization that studies polarization. The dynamic, ISD notes in a June report, "is being generated both by individual social media users and by key influencers in conspiratorial communities" and plays on fears that Big Brother is watching us. According to that report, social media posts, mainly videos, have been associated with "widespread sharing of petitions and other efforts to galvanise political action against contact tracing." The videos, steeped in disinformation and conspiracy think whether alleging tracers' ties to the deep state or casting them as part of a Democratic effort to interfere in the 2020 election "are receiving more than 300,000 views each on YouTube and are being shared tens of thousands of times across public Facebook pages and groups." Of course, the real story behind tracing is nothing like these colorful conspiracy theories. It's an age-old infection control strategy, and it's a bit tedious, actually. "We've been doing it in public health for decades," said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Part old-fashioned shoe-leather detective work, part social work, the goal is to interrupt the spread of the illness by reaching out to people who test positive and people they have been in close contact with and provide needed support for them to isolate. It has to be done quickly, and it takes a lot of people. Recent case count surges in some parts of the country are making the task more difficult. So let's take a look at what it is and isn't. What's the process? When a person tests positive for certain communicable diseases, health care providers must report their contact information to public health departments. Contact tracers then try to reach out quickly, generally by phone. The tracer will ask for the patient's address. Some social media sites have decried this as nefarious, but it's not. The tracer does not want to provide private medical information Mr. Smith, I see you tested positive for COVID to the wrong person. Those contacted should also feel free to confirm it really is the public health department calling, experts note, as there have been reports of fraudulent calls. During the initial call, the tracer makes sure the patient is OK and understands the disease and what to expect. Ideally, the contract tracer builds a relationship with the patient. Some can link the patient with local resources or services, such as food delivery or needed medical supplies, that can make it easier to stay isolated until they have recovered from the virus. What's a close contact? Contact tracers ask where the infected person traveled and with whom they came in close contact generally defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more from about two days before they started showing symptoms until they isolated themselves. That does not include such things as simply passing people on the street or opening the door to pick up a package dropped off by a FedEx driver. Providing the information is voluntary, but it is the only way the programs will work. Most patients happily comply, but a few are reluctant, said Plescia. "That was a little surprising," he said. "You would think if you might cause another person to become ill, you would have an interest in that person being notified. But some worry they are snitching on other people." Tracers do not disclose the name of the infected person. Contacts simply "receive a call saying 'You have had a significant exposure,'" said Crystal Watson, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and co-author of a report on contact tracing. To assist with tracing, some restaurants, stores, salons and other businesses are keeping daily logs of customers. Some voices on social media have raised concerns about those logs, saying they are intrusive and suggest that Big Brother is watching. Their purpose, though, is to make it easier for health officials to notify other employees and patrons in the event that someone tests positive. Close contacts are urged to quarantine for 14 days, check their temperature regularly and avoid contact with other household members, if possible. For each infected patient, tracers need to contact an average of 10 other people, said Watson noting, however, that the number could be far higher. "If contact tracing is done in a place where there's a big epidemic and no one is under social distancing restrictions, you'll have to contact more," she said. Speed is of the essence in finding close contacts. Infected people start showing symptoms within two to seven days of exposure although it can take up to 14 and they may be contagious before symptoms appear. Who asks all of these questions? In the early days of the COVID pandemic in the U.S., tracing was limited because testing for the virus was also limited. The two really go together. That meant the nation used the other tool at its disposal, the blunt instrument of stay-at-home orders. Now, with testing more available, and with many states in the fits and starts of reopening, the more targeted effort of contact tracing becomes important. Used effectively, it can sharply slow outbreaks, as seen in countries that have employed comprehensive tracing programs, such as Japan, New Zealand and China. So far, though, the U.S. has a more limited effort, and it varies by state. An estimated 37,000 contact tracers are now employed by public health departments nationwide, triple the number just a few weeks ago, according to an NPR state survey and tracking effort. Still, those numbers are far below estimates of what many say is necessary. Indeed, Watson and other Johns Hopkins researchers say the U.S. needs to add a minimum of 100,000 contract tracers. Can they force me into quarantine? Although health officials do have the authority to isolate people who pose a danger to others, that power is almost never used. "Mandatory quarantine hasn't really been used since the days of smallpox in this country, although the president used it in the beginning of the pandemic for some people repatriating back to the county," said Watson. Public health officials avoid such aggressive tactics because they don't want to discourage people from getting tested. As for hauling people away from their homes by force, that also doesn't happen here, although it does in some authoritarian countries. Instead, a number of cities and regions have set up special hotels or other facilities where infected or exposed people who live in homes where they can't isolate themselves from other family members can voluntarily spend their convalescence. Is it working? It has certainly worked in other countries, said Howard Koh, professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former assistant secretary for health in the Obama administration. "Italy, Spain, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and New Zealand have all gotten to the other side of the curve," said Koh. "When they have outbreaks, they are relatively small and they jump on them right away." One difference, he said, is those places have a national strategy. "In our country, we have a 50-state strategy, a patchwork response including contact tracing, with some states having embraced it and some have barely started." Massachusetts and New York have reported success with tracing, said Watson. But there are many areas of the country, especially the Sun Belt, where cases are spiking, complicating efforts to control the virus. With more interest in getting tested, turnaround time for results grows. And large numbers of new cases mean contact tracers have far more people to track down, making it challenging to do so in the short time frame needed to be effective. "I'm discouraged that a lot of the states where we are seeing a big surge right now have not put a lot of effort into developing their contact tracing workforce," Watson said, echoing Koh's call for a national plan. "We need an initiative by the federal government focused on contract tracing." Doctors have called out the government for its new messaging regarding face coverings after it shared a video featuring a graphic of a man wearing a mask with a valve. Yesterday Number 10 shared a tweet explaining that face masks will become compulsory in shops in England from July 24 in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus. Following Health Secretary Matt Hancock's announcement, the official Downing Street Twitter account shared a clip which told how wearing a face covering means you're 'protecting others'. Doctors have called out the government for its new messaging regarding face coverings after it shared a video featuring a graphic of a man wearing a mask with a valve But dozens of users, including several doctors, pointed out that the type of mask pictured doesn't stop the wearer from spreading Covid-19. Masks containing valves are usually used in construction and aren't appropriate for medical settings because, although they filter the air used by the person wearing it, they offer very little protection for others around them. Julia Simons, the medical student representative of the Doctors' Association UK who has worked on the frontline of the pandemic during her final year of studies, spotted the blunder. She tweeted: 'Please do wear a cloth face covering. Don't wear a face mask with a valve. The valves mean your face mask is no use for protecting others. Julia Simons, the medical student representative of the Doctors' Association UK who has worked on the frontline of the pandemic during her final year studying, spotted the blunder 'How can the government video not get this right? Continuous dither, delay and disaster.' Dr Nisreen Alwan, an epidemiologist, consultant in public health and an associate professor at Southampton University also criticised the video, tweeting: 'The graphic is wrong. 'Don't use a mask with a valve because it pushes air out and doesn't protect others. Use any cloth face covering over mouth and nose.' Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter Medical School with over 20 years experience in communicable disease control and infectious disease management, added: 'Just don't use masks with a valve. 'It propels expired breath forcefully and this, as in Bernoulli's principle, it will travel with greater velocity a lot further. It is not fit for purpose.' Doctors Nisreen Alwan and Dr Bharat Pankhania also explained the reasoning behind not wearing a mask with a valve in response to the government's video Numerous Twitter users waded in on the debate, all criticising the video for promoting masks with valves which don't protect others What are the rules on face masks? The face mask rules vary across the UK. In Scotland they are mandatory on public transport, and they became required in shops from last Friday. In England, they have been required on public transport since last month. Anyone who fails to use one can be refused passage or hit with a 100 fine. From July 24, face coverings will also be mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England. Outlets 'will be expected to encourage compliance with the law' and can refuse entry. The government's guidance says: 'In both cases, if necessary, the police have the powers to enforce these measures, including through issuing a fine of 100.' Matt Hancock suggested this morning that cafes such as Pret will be covered by the rule when they are acting 'as shops', for example selling takeaway coffee. However, those sitting down to eat in the same venue will not be required to wear face masks. The advice adds: 'You are also strongly encouraged to wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing may be difficult and where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.' Advertisement The video remains on the government's Twitter account, where it's had over 153,500 views, however an additional one has now been shared featuring a woman wearing a mask without a valve. The new video, shared earlier this morning, also states that exemptions to the face covering rule include young children, people with breathing difficulties and people living with a disability. Masks with valves have been banned in parts of the US, including Florida and California. An additional video has since been shared by Downing Street featuring a woman wearing a mask without a valve. The new video, shared earlier this morning, also states that exemptions to the face covering rule include young children, people with breathing difficulties and people living with a disability Marisa Glucoft, director of infection prevention Children's Hospital Los Angeles, previously said: 'When you wear a mask with a valve, people around you are not protected because the valve lets all of your breath into the air. 'From that perspective, its almost like youre not wearing a mask at all.' The San Francisco Department of Public Health also tweeted in May that masks with valves are 'NOT safe' and 'may actually propel your germs further'. The government's face mask rules descended further into confusion today as Matt Hancock insisted they must be worn to get takeaway coffee but not in pubs. Health Secretary Matt Hancock struggled to explain the new system coming into force from July 24 amid warnings from police that it will be completely unenforceable The Health Secretary also denied speculation that Boris Johnson wants to make masks compulsory in offices as part of a drive to convince workers to return. Meanwhile, official guidance published by the government overnight has raised fresh doubts about how it can be policed. Despite the threat of 100 fines, the document says people can have a 'legitimate' excuse for not wearing a face covering if it causes them 'distress'. The Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, has said it is 'unrealistic and unfair' to expect them to patrol the aisles looking for people breaking the coronavirus regulations. Most creche owners in a major providers' group claim they will have to close permanently without a cash boost. In a new survey, an overwhelming 87pc of members of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers said they will be unable to keep their businesses open without more Government support. Just 30pc said they had reopened since they were forced to shut their doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of those that have opened, just 22pc are operating at full capacity, 27pc have cut staff, and 69pc said they were operating at a loss. Some 91pc said emergency Government supports were inadequate and 79pc feared for the survival of their business. The federation represents more than 1,600 providers who care for almost 55,000 children. Its members' fears of closure come despite a 75m Government package to support the sector that included the extension of a wage subsidy scheme and grants ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. Chairperson of the federation Elaine Dunne said another 150m is needed as the grants are not enough to cover operating costs. "We are facing the total implosion of the sector unless the Government acts urgently," she said. She said the survey is "a dire omen for further waves of closures in the sector." Former provider Gillian Powell, who ran the Haven Montessori in Bandon, Cork, said she closed permanently on June 29. She said five childcare services have closed in Cork, including two large services in the city. "If that is replicated across the country in every county, we are looking at 150 services closing across Ireland," she said. "By allowing this to happen we are also affecting the ability of parents to go to work, for people to drive the economic engine of this State." Just under a third of providers said they had reopened - although the numbers that normally operate during the summer months are generally lower. This pessimistic outlook was revealed in a survey of 868 providers, carried out earlier this month. Some 78pc would prefer if the Department of Education, rather than Department of Children and Youth Affairs, managed childcare. A total of 93pc did not think there is enough support for children with additional needs, and 74pc felt these children were "regressing". A spokesman for the Department of Children said 68 services had notified their closure to Tusla since the start of the year. He said this was lower than last year when 92 services indicated they would close between January and July. However, Ms Dunne claimed many creche owners did not inform Tusla when closing. MINNEAPOLIS, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Preventice Solutions, a leader in digital healthcare solutions and remote cardiac monitoring services powered by deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI), today announced that it has raised $137M in a Series B financing to accelerate investment in salesforce expansion, technology and product innovation and further development of clinical evidence supporting its flagship solution. The financing was led by new investor, Vivo Capital, with participation by another new investor, Novo Holdings A/S, as well as significant support from existing investors, including Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Boston Scientific and Samsung Catalyst Fund. "Vivo is extremely pleased to partner with Jon Otterstatter and his management team, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Boston Scientific, Samsung Catalyst Fund and Novo Holdings to provide expansion capital to accelerate the tremendous growth the company has achieved in the cardiac monitoring space over the past few years," said Joe Siletto, Managing Director of Vivo Capital, who has also joined Preventice's board of directors. "Preventice's team has leveraged its software industry experience to design a scalable, mobile and cloud-based solution and establish the company as a leader in the rapidly growing remote monitoring space." "We are pleased to have Vivo Capital and Novo Holdings as new investors, and with this funding we are poised to further accelerate our growth," said Jon P. Otterstatter, Chief Executive Officer of Preventice Solutions. "We are setting a new standard for monitoring of cardiac arrythmia patients. Our robust and growing success with physicians and payers accentuates the compelling value proposition of using novel technology to improve diagnosis, while also increasing the efficiency of healthcare delivery." Over the past few years, Preventice's growth trajectory in remote cardiac monitoring has increased significantly, driven by the rollout of its new BodyGuardian MINI family of monitors and its PatientCare Platform. PatientCare, a cloud-based subscription platform, provides best-in-class solutions for all constituents in the cardiac monitoring ecosystem including patients, physicians and hospital networks. Preventice has over a decade of experience as a trusted service and technology partner providing monitoring for millions of patients, supporting thousands of practices nationwide and leveraging its proprietary BeatLogic deep learning platform. In May 2020, Preventice was the first to publish in the Heart Rhythm Journal and show that BeatLogic outperformed the leading gold standard algorithms on Afib in the MIT Atrial Fibrillation Database (AFDB) library and MIT Ventricular Ectopic Beats (VEB) classification. Preventice recently launched BodyGuardian MINI, the first, single holistic solution for the patient, practice and provider covering all four cardiac monitoring modalities including short and long-term Holter, cardiac event monitoring and mobile cardiac telemetry. Using ECG Insight, physicians can gain instant access to the raw data within telemetry reports, helping to improve timely diagnosis. Provisioned wirelessly via its cloud-based infrastructure, these new technologies have been well received by healthcare professionals, who appreciate the simplicity of inventory management, enhanced experience and refined service. In addition, the company's proven PatientCare Platform and its discrete data and electronic medical record integration expertise, not only provide leading clinical accuracy and reporting but also enable Integrated Delivery Networks (IDN) to leverage Preventice's world class solutions. Designed around flexibility, Preventice allows physicians and IDNs to tailor their cardiac monitoring to meet their specific service needs and best match payer requirements. About Vivo Capital Founded in 1996, Vivo Capital is a global investment firm focused on healthcare. Vivo has approximately $4.3 billion in assets under management, invested in over 260 public and private companies worldwide. The firm is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in Asia. The Vivo team consists of more than 50 multi-disciplinary professionals, including, physicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, operating executives, and industry experts. Vivo provides a multi-fund investment platform, covering growth equity, private equity including buyout, venture capital, and public equity. Across all fund strategies, Vivo invests broadly in the healthcare sector including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. About Novo Holdings A/S Novo Holdings A/S is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. It is the holding and investment company of the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, and is responsible for managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets. Novo Holdings is recognized as a leading international life science investor, with a focus on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets. Further information: http://www.novoholdings.dk About Preventice Solutions Preventice Solutions is a leader in digital healthcare solutions and remote monitoring services that connect patients threatened by cardiac arrhythmias with their care teams. Using insights to create revolutionary monitoring technologies, this tech-enabled, service-based approach can ultimately reduce the cost of care and improve health outcomes. The Preventice wearable portfolio includes the PatientCare Platform and BodyGuardian family of monitors. For more information please visit: www.preventicesolutions.com SOURCE Preventice Solutions Related Links http://www.preventicesolutions.com By Nandita Bose WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee is likely to vote next week on a bill from Republican Senator Josh Hawley that would ban federal employees from using social media app TikTok on government-issued devices. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will take up the "No TikTok on Government Devices Act" at its hearing on July 22. TikTok's Chinese ownership and wide popularity among American teens have brought scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers. TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, is known for its ability to create short videos. The company last year said that about 60% of its 26.5 million monthly active users in the U.S. are aged 16 to 24. One of the company's harshest critic, Hawley has repeatedly raised national security concerns over TikTok's handling of user data and said he was worried that the company shares data with the Chinese government. "For federal employees it really is a no-brainer. Its a major security risk. ... Do we really want Beijing having geo-location data of all federal employees? Do we really want them having their keystrokes?" Hawley told reporters in March when he announced the introduction of the bill https://reut.rs/30cqS58. Several U.S. agencies that deal with national security and intelligence issues have banned employees from using the app, which allows users to create short videos. Recently, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is looking at banning Chinese social media apps https://reut.rs/2DCfwQ3, including TikTok, suggesting it shared information with the Chinese government. He said Americans should be cautious in using the app. TikTok in the past has told Reuters it has never provided user data to China. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under a law introduced in 2017 under Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese companies have an obligation to support and cooperate in China's national intelligence work. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) KATY, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2020 financial results before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Friday, July 31, 2020. This release will be followed by a conference call for investors on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss the results. Hosting the call will be Bryan Shinn, chief executive officer, and Don Merril, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of the conference call by visiting the "Investor Resources" section of the Company's website at www.ussilica.com. The webcast will be archived for one year. The call can also be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (877) 869-3847 or for international callers, (201) 689-8261. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or for international callers, (201) 612-7415. The conference ID for the replay is 13707078. The replay will be available through August 31, 2020. About U.S. Silica U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. is a global performance materials company and last-mile logistics provider and is a member of the Russell 2000 Index. The Company is a leading producer of commercial silica used in a wide range of industrial applications and in the oil and gas industry. Over its 120-year history, U.S. Silica has developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 400 diversified product types to customers across its multiple end markets. U.S. Silica's wholly owned subsidiaries include EP Minerals and SandBox Logistics. EP Minerals is an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays. SandBox Logistics is a state-of-the-art leader in proppant storage, handling and well-site delivery, dedicated to making proppant logistics cleaner, safer and more efficient. The Company currently operates 23 mines and production facilities. The Company is headquartered in Katy, Texas and has offices in Reno, Nevada, Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas. U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Investor Contacts Arjun Sreekumar Manager, Treasury and Investor Relations 281-394-9584 [email protected] SOURCE U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Related Links www.ussilica.com Head of the press office of Azerbaijans Defense Ministry, Colonel Vagif Dargahli, has denied as false Armenian media reports on the use of the Grad multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS) by the Azerbaijani army against the Armenian armed forces in the direction of Tovuz district. "We declare that this type of weapon was not used by our units. If the Armenian side has any evidence of the use of this type of weapon, it must prove it," he told local media. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A learning management system (LMS). A robust LMS is the backbone of a hybrid learning environment. It provides a location-independent place for individualized student assignments, instructional resources, assessments, links to online curricula, and a hub for student-teacher interactions and student collaborations. Though the LMS is especially important for the days when students are working away from the classroom, it will afford the greatest benefit if fully used for students in-class days as well. Additionally, the LMS offers parents the ability to keep tabs on their students progress, grades and deadlines. Individualized learning. One of the advantages of hybrid learning is the opportunity it provides teachers to better individualize their instruction for each student. Since teachers will be working in class with only half of their students at a time, they can better focus on each student's needs and learning goals, and then use the LMS to provide lessons and assignments personalized to each student. Project-based learning (PBL). When teaching and learning is more individualized, the possibilities increase for students to work on projects they self-select with their teachers consultation. This is especially true when students are working half-time from home, without the time and space constraints of their classrooms. Doing PBL has long been a goal for many teachers, but doing it well with a class of 25+ students is challenging. However, with the opportunities afforded by a hybrid learning environment, PBL becomes more doable. Teacher-created video. For teachers who use lectures or mini-lessons as part of their instruction, video recording these lessons and posting them in the class LMS serves two functions: It allows students to view them at their own pace, both at school and home, and it frees up class time otherwise devoted to these lectures, letting the teacher work with students individually or in small groups. Widely used by middle and high school teachers who have adopted the blended learning Flipped Classroom model, simple teacher-created videos recorded on a computer or smartphone are a great fit for hybrid learning. Additional hybrid learning resources: The College of DuPage, an Illinois community college, developed an Introduction to Hybrid Teaching workbook for its instructors that should prove helpful to teachers at all levels. A Clark County, Nev., teacher with a successful background in online instruction, writes in EdSurge about what her district is doing to prepare teachers for working in a hybrid learning environment, while also anticipating that their schools may have to revert back to a full remote learning schedule. A recent Education Dive article looks at some schools that have already been using the hybrid learning model and examines how COVID-19 is leading them to further consider their options. The Christensen Institute has long been working at the forefront of blended learning. Their Enriched Virtual model is akin to hybrid learning and is discussed in an article on blended learning models that can help schools reopen. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools to explore new instructional models they never anticipated using, at least not at such an extensive level. And now with many districts planning to reopen for the upcoming school year with what they describe as a hybrid learning model, its worth taking a look at what this will or should mean.For this discussion, well leave aside all of the many health-related questions and concerns about schools reopening and focus just on the instructional aspects of their plans.Hybrid learning is not a new concept. But its one that has never been tested on the kind of scale were about to see. In most schools view, it will be a combination of the remote learning model they used to finish the past school year, coupled with face-to-face instruction. A common plan is that half of a schools students will be in class two days a week, and then the rest of the week theyll work online from home while the other students attend class, with schools closed one day each week for deep cleaning.But at the risk of being overly academic, is that really hybrid learning?The terms hybrid learning and blended learning are often used interchangeably, but theyre not the same. They both pair face-to-face instruction with online learning. But the primary difference between them is this: Blended learning uses online learning resources to supplement face-to-face instruction, while hybrid learning uses online resources to replace portions of students instruction that would otherwise be delivered face-to-face. So, by this definition, yes, what schools are proposing is hybrid learning. But the more important question remains as with any instructional model will it be done well? And if so, what are some of the key components of a high-functioning hybrid learning environment that teachers should consider?To date there has been little research on hybrid learning in K-12 schools, so we have a lot to learn about what it takes to build out successful hybrid learning environments in a diverse range of schools. But as with their recent scramble to deploy remote learning, schools preparations for hybrid learning have been equally rushed and will unfortunately leave most teachers untrained in this new model and encouraged to simply do their best not a recognized formula for success. But many schools and teachers will rise to the occasion, and theyll provide the rest of us a chance to learn more about the potential of hybrid learning in K-12 schools. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said he is 'proud to partner' with Reliance Jio as the tech giant will invest Rs 33,737 crores for 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms. Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd, announced the investment by Google during 43rd annual general meeting of Reliance Industries Limited.. Both the firms will now work together to come with a smartphone at a cost less than the current criteria in the market. Pichai took to Twitter to respond to the announcement and said everyone should have access to the internet adding that the partnership will increase access for millions of Indians. He further announced an investment of $4.5B from the Google for India Fund. Everyone should have access to the internet. Proud to partner with @reliancejio to increase access for the hundreds of millions in India who dont own a smartphone with our 1st investment of $4.5B from the #GoogleForIndia Digitization Fund.https://t.co/1fP8iBZQfm Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) July 15, 2020 Read: Reliance AGM: JioMeet Saw 5 Million Downloads Within First Two Weeks, Says Mukesh Ambani Google invests in Jio platforms "Today we signed an agreement to invest $4.5 billion (INR 33,737 crore) in Jio Platforms Ltd, taking a 7.73 percent stake in the company, pending regulatory review in India. This is the first investment from the Google For India Digitization Fund announced earlier this week, which aims to accelerate Indias digital economy over the next five to seven years through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments," Pichai said. Ambani welcomed strategic partner Google in Jio platforms, announcing that it signed a binding partnership on July 15. We welcome ADIA and Mubadala of the UAE, and PIF of Saudi Arabia as our valued partners. What they bring is more than money they bring faith in our economys immense growth potential: Mukesh Ambani at #RILAGM #NayeIndiaKaNayaJosh #JioPlatforms #Jio Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) July 15, 2020 Jio and Google to develop smartphones After selling over 100 million Jio Phones in the market until now, Ambani expressed confidence in designing an entry-level 4G or even a 5G smartphone along with the US-based company. Pichai, in his blog, mentioned that Google and Reliance will together work to rethink how millions of users in India can become owners of smartphones. "Google and Jio Platforms have entered into a commercial agreement to jointly develop an entry-level affordable smartphone with optimizations to the Android operating system and the Play Store. Together we are excited to rethink, from the ground up, how millions of users in India can become owners of smartphones. This effort will unlock new opportunities, further power the vibrant ecosystem of applications and push innovation to drive growth for the new Indian economy," said Pichai Earlier during the event, Mukesh Ambani announced that the two firms will work together to bring entry-level 4G and 5G smartphones. The highlight of these phones is that they will cost much less compared to the current price in the market. These low-cost smartphones aim to increase internet access among millions of people in India. "Have sold 100 million Jio Phones till date. But there are many feature phone users waiting to upgrade to a conventional smartphone. We believe we can design an entry-level 4G or even a 5G smartphone. We believe that we can design such a phone at a fraction of the current cost. Google and Jio are partnering to build a value-engineered Android-based smartphone Operation System, Mukesh Ambani had said. Read: Reliance AGM: Google To Invest Rs 33,737 Crore For 7.7% Stake In Jio, Says Mukesh Ambani As India is standing at the doorsteps of the 5G era, we should accelerate the migration of 350 million Indians, who currently use a 2G feature phone, to an affordable smart phone: Mukesh Ambani at #RILAGM #NayeIndiaKaNayaJosh #Jio #5G Reliance Jio (@reliancejio) July 15, 2020 Google aims to increase smartphones and apps The Google CEO said that the company's mission with Android has always been to bring the power of computing to everyone. He added that the company is humbled "by the way Indians have embraced Android over recent years." Pichai concluded by saying that "We look forward to bringing smartphone access to more Indiansand exploring the many ways we can work together to improve Indians lives and advance Indias digital economy." "We think the time is right to increase our commitment to India significantly, in collaboration with local companies, and partnership with Jio is the first step. We want to work with Jio and other leaders in the local ecosystem to ensure that smartphonestogether with the apps and services in the Play Storeare within reach for many more Indians across the country. And we believe the pace of Indian innovation means that the experiences we create for India can ultimately be expanded to the rest of the world," Pichai said. Read: Jio Glass: Reliance Debuts Mixed-reality Glasses At AGM; Features & Stunning Video Here Read: Reliance AGM: Jio Ready With 'world-class 5G Solution', Expected To Roll Out In 2021 LOS ANGELESCooper Hefner yesterday launched an exploratory campaign to run as a Democrat for the California Senate in the state's 30th District, which includes much of the western and southern parts of Los Angeles County. Cooper Hefner, the 28-year-old son of the late Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, told AVN that he has considered a post in politics for some time, but the timing for new leadership in office is right now. "I am deeply concerned about my community and country, Hefner said in an interview. I believe it is essential for new leadership that is committed to public service and lifting up all Californians. Hefner held on to the chief creative officer position at Playboy Enterprises Inc. for several years after his fathers death and sale of the company in the last few years of the past decade. After he departed Playboy, he ripped the company for its decision to cut nudity in its U.S. magazine. Nudity was later restored to the magazine when he came back to the adult publisher. Cooper Hefner said that his pivot to politics is natural and comes on the heels of other public service he's been involved in. Whether that's serving as an airman in the U.S. Air Force Reserve or working with various non-governmental groups to develop and implement strategies designed to support the public good, I have been walking down this road for a long time," he said. Cooper Hefners run for the 30th District will have a policy platform that includes dealing with the climate crisis and energy sustainability, addressing the homelessness crisis and delivering police reform. The district represents nearly 1 million residents from Century City to South Los Angeles, including Culver City, Cheviot Hills, the Crenshaw District, USC, Downtown Los Angeles and a portion of Inglewood. The incumbent in the district, state Sen. Holly Mitchell, is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in November. If Mitchell wins her election, Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for a special election in early 2021. If Mitchell loses that race, then the election cycle will move into 2022. Cooper Hefner told AVN that hes aiming for wholesale change if all goes as planned. He said that its particularly needed during the pandemic. "Our current public servants have too often fallen short on delivering well defined and comprehensive solutions for problems facing Los Angeles and California as a whole, he said. My biggest concern right now is COVID-19 and how it will exacerbate the issues our communities already face. Issues like affordable housing, homelessness, and wealth inequality, require local and federal government to work immediately to provide a comprehensive plan for mortgage and rent relief, income replacement and healthcare strategies that are sustainable, he said. This is the crisis of our lifetimes, but I am also dedicated to addressing long term issues like climate change and inequality. Effective action is needed now and well into the future." Growing up in the Playboy Mansion in Westwood, Calif., Cooper Hefner is the son of Hugh Hefner and Kimberley Conrad, the Playboy founder's second wife. Hugh Hefner founded Playboy in Chicago in 1953 and died in September 2017. The Hefner familys trust sold its last shares in the company in 2018, and the company is now wholly operated by Icon Acquisition Holdings Inc. Cooper Hefner is married to actress Scarlett Byrne. The pair are expecting a baby next month. Check out Cooper Hefners campaign page here. This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Shibu BS By Express News Service KOCHI: Producer Ashiq Usman and his crew pulled off a remarkable feat of sorts when they successfully wrapped up the shooting schedule of a movie that went on the floors at the peak of the COVID pandemic when most people were confined to their homes. The shooting of production number 10 from the banner Ashiq Usman productions, written and directed by Khalid Rahman, had been wrapped up in Kochi on Tuesday and it is now in the post-production phase. Rajisha Vijayan, Shine Tom Chacko, Veena Nandakumar and Sudhy Kopa don lead roles in the movie which was completed in 25 days. "During the pandemic, our team went ahead boldly to make a movie while fully complying with government protocols. By Gods grace, we have completed the filming. I would like to thank everyone who stood by us during these challenging times, Ashiq Usman, whose production venture Anchaam Paathira released earlier this year and which was a blockbuster, told The New Indian Express. He said due to the restrictions, they were able to drastically slash the production cost. "Most of the scenes were shot indoors. The crew comprised a mere 40 members. The artistes and technicians too cooperated with us and were not adamant when it came to remuneration. I don't know whether it will be possible to have indoor sets for all other subjects. Our content demanded it and we could complete filming within 25 days," he said. ALSO READ | 'Anjaam Pathira' review: An efficient, well-crafted mystery But one crucial question remains. Will the film have an OTT release or take the traditional theatre route, considering the fact that the Film Chamber has warned against releasing it now? "The team's priority was to complete shooting. We are yet to decide on the release," added Ashiq. The Kerala Film Chamber, the apex body of film associations in Kerala, had earlier made it clear that Ashiq has not registered the new movie with them. The office-bearers of the chamber said they do not know whether Ashiq is planning an OTT release for the movie. Last week, the executive committee of the Film Chamber had convened a virtual meeting. Though there have been reports of the apex body imposing a ban on certain movies that are expected to commence shooting, the office-bearers sought to trash them. "The decision to prioritise already completed movies for release was taken unanimously by the film bodies. We have also come across reports of the chamber imposing a ban on movies like Drishyam 2. The movie, which is the sequel to blockbuster Drishyam, was announced under the banner of Antony Permubavoor. He is one of the active members of the film body and according to our knowledge, he has not announced the exact date on which filming will start," said B Rakesh, KFPA treasurer, who is also a member of the executive committee of the chamber. ALSO SEE: The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Green Party leader will have up to 17 special advisers between them in Government, the Dail was told yesterday. Opposition TDs said it was "irregular" and "incredible" that the leaders of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party would share so many special advisers, after details of the appointments were disclosed by Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Mr Martin confirmed to the Dail that an office of the Tanaiste and a new office of the Green Party leader were being set up in Government Buildings. Mr Martin told TDs that he has appointed a chief of staff, a deputy chief of staff, three special advisers and that he intends to appoint an adviser on economic policy. Mr Martin also confirmed the new office of the Tanaiste, occupied by Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar, would consist of "approximately five or six special advisers". It will include a private office and a policy and programme implementation unit, he said. A new office of the leader of the Green Party would also be set up in the Department of the Taoiseach and it would "consist of approximately four or five special advisers" to Eamon Ryan, Mr Martin confirmed. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was a "most irregular arrangement" and "absolutely extraordinary", adding: "I'm very concerned that we now have a Holy Trinity of Taoisigh or at least a Holy Trinity of very senior actors located in the Department of An Taoiseach at a considerable expense to the taxpayer." Labour leader Alan Kelly described it as an "incredible amount of advisers" and also criticised the decision to allow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney to retain a State car and a Garda driver. "Why are you tolerating such excesses?" he asked Mr Martin. Defending the decisions, Mr Martin said the model for the "tripartite government" went back to when Labour was in government with Fianna Fail between 1992 and 1994. He said Labour had been the architect and pioneer of the idea of policy people coming into to "ensure implementation of a programme for government". Mr Martin said special advisers were to ensure "cohesion, genuine partnership and parity of esteem". "It's not about one party lording it over the other and I've made that very clear from the beginning," he said, noting the last government had appointed advisers for the Independent Alliance and Independent Ministers. He said it was "hardly earth-shattering" that the new Government had one more minister of state than the last government. Mr Martin said he would provide further detail on the adviser appointments and whether they overlapped with the departments for which Mr Varadkar and Mr Ryan are responsible. Defending the decision to allow the Tanaiste to retain an aide-de-camp, Mr Martin said this was needed to assist Mr Varadkar in his duties and public events he would be attending. Mr Martin said the "security issues" related to Mr Coveney travelling to the North necessitated the use of a State car and a Garda driver. The Taoiseach also signalled that the law could be changed to allow all three 'super junior' ministers at Cabinet to avail of the 16,000 salary top-up. "There should be equality between the three, I am not going to tiptoe around that," he said. | By Wanda Haskel The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law presented the first in a new faculty webinar series July 1. Born out of the COVID-19 era necessity to gather remotely, the online program provides a forum for the Maryland Carey Law and wider legal communities to remain connected to the intellectual life of the law school. Im very excited to announce this new series in which faculty will be talking about timely issues and their scholarship, said associate dean for research Peter Danchin, LLB, LLM, JSD, as he welcomed more than 70 students, alumni, faculty, and community members to the Zoom meeting. Our hope is to keep our community involved with the rich work going on at the law school even during the COVID crisis. Moderated by Mark Graber, JD, the inaugural event featured Maryland Carey Law professors Maureen Sweeney, JD, and Robert Percival, JD, MA, as well as Dean Donald B. Tobin, JD, bringing their expertise to bear on notable Supreme Court cases from this term. Percival presented first on current environmental law cases, including United Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association in which the court held June 15 that the U.S. Forest Service has the authority to grant rights-of-way under the Mineral Leasing Act through lands traversed by the Appalachian Trail within national forests. Percival is the Robert F. Stanton Professor of Law and director of Maryland Carey Laws Environmental Law Program. Sweeney followed, discussing the courts June 18 decision in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, which held that the Department of Homeland Securitys decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Rounding out the program was Tobin on cases including Trump v. Mazars USA, which involves subpoenas issued by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform to the accounting firm for Donald Trump (in his capacity as a private citizen) and several of his businesses, demanding disclosure of private financial records. Tobin is a leading scholar in tax law. The second webinar in the series takes place July 15 and will feature Maryland Carey Law alumna Rebecca Tabb Simmons, JD 87, interviewing Larry Gibson, LLB, on his upcoming book on Thurgood Marshall, the history of civil rights, and controversies over the removal of Confederate statues in Maryland, among other topics. Gibson is the Morton and Sophia Macht Professor of Law. People feeling stressed by lockdown are being invited to let off steam by having their screams played over loudspeaker in a remote part of Iceland. The offer comes from the Scandinavian nations tourist board, which has set up a website allowing people to record themselves venting their frustration. The results will then be played from one of seven speakers set up around the sparsely-populated country. The website reads: Youve been through a lot this year and it looks like you need the perfect place to let your frustrations out. Somewhere big, vast and untouched. It looks like you need Iceland. Visit Icelands campaign is inspired by scream therapy, or primal therapy, which was popular in the 1970s as a way to attempt to tap into repressed issues and relieve stress and anxiety. Psychotherapist Zoe Aston said: The events of this year mean most of us have experienced increased feelings of frustrations, fear, loneliness, anger or guilt, and we have all coped in different ways. Speakers have been placed in seven remote locations in Iceland, including Djupivogur (Inspired by Iceland/PA) She added: Using a scream as a way to release pent up emotion allows you to reconnect with yourself, hear your own voice and reclaim the power that is inside you. Participants can choose where their scream will be played, with locations including the peak of Festarfjall in Reykjanes Peninsula and Skogarfoss waterfall in the south of the country. Iceland has seen relatively few coronavirus cases, with only 10 confirmed deaths, on the back of measures including high-volume testing and the quarantining of at-risk people. 15 Jul 2020, 10:18 AM Coronavirus: Moderna early stage trials prove experimental vaccine safe Moderna Inc's experimental vaccine for COVID-19 showed it was safe and provoked immune responses in all 45 healthy volunteers in an ongoing early-stage study, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday. Volunteers who got two doses of the vaccine had high levels of virus-killing antibodies that exceeded the average levels seen in people who had recovered from COVID-19, the team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. Roads can offer higher returns than RBI, Nitin Gadkari tells banks Risk-averse banks earning interest income by parking their money with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can invest in road projects and get much better returns, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said. Speaking at a webinar, Gadkari noted that toll income of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is expected to reach Rs 1 lakh crore in coming years and traffic density was on the rise offering a good opportunity for banks to invest. Russia plans mid-August roll out, Covaxin human trials begin at AIIMS Patna As the world vies to develop a coronavirus vaccine, human trials for Bharat Biotech' Covaxin began at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna. The first dose of the experimental vaccine has been administered to the study participants, who will be given the second dose after 14 days. Meanwhile, Russian scientists said that they are planning to launch one by mid-August. Indian Council of Medical Research has also acknowledged Russia's efforts to fast-track vaccine development.Coronavirus fallout: NPAs may see unprecedented rise in next six months, says Raghuram Rajan Trump administration reverses course on barring many foreign students In a stunning reversal of policy, the Trump administration on Tuesday abandoned a plan that would have forced out tens of thousands of foreign students following widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses. The government said it would drop the plan amid a legal challenge brought by universities. However, the administration still intended to issue a regulation in the coming weeks addressing the issue. China fully responsible for concealing coronavirus, WHO its 'puppet': Donald Trump US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said of late he has not spoken with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and has no plans to do so. He expressed anger over China's inability to prevent the spread of the coronavirus out of the country, from where it originated. Trump also slammed former vice president Joe Biden, who is his Democratic challenger in the November presidential polls, for being "soft" on China. UK to exclude Huawei from role in high-speed phone network Britain's government on Tuesday backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company -Huawei a limited role in the UK's new high-speed mobile phone network in a decision with broad implications for relations between London and Beijing. Britain imposed the ban after the US threatened to sever an intelligence-sharing arrangement because of concerns Huawei equipment could allow the Chinese government to infiltrate UK networks.CBSE Class 10th Result 2020 Live Updates: Check out result on cbse.nic.in, cbseresults.nic.in Five weeks in November and December have been set aside for the hearings into private plan change and resource consent applications by Waste Management NZ to build a regional landfill in the Dome Valley. Evidence and submissions will be heard at the Warkworth Town Hall from Monday, November 9, through until Friday, December 11, with overflow days between December 16 and 18 if required. The applications will be heard by hearing commissioners Sheena Tepania, chair, and Alan Watson, David Mead, Dr Wayne Donovan and Michael Parsonson. Auckland Council has said it will accept late submissions on both the plan change and resource consent applications until Friday, July 31. Any submissions received after this date will be decided by the panel on a case-by-case basis. Waste Management, owned by Beijing Capital, owns 1010ha, off State Highway 1 and wants to begin construction on the landfill in 2022 with a proposed opening in 2028. The landfill will be a 24/7 operation and will generate an estimated 300 truck movements through the Dome per day. Two military police officers in Brazil will face criminal charges after they were filmed violently arresting a black woman - including one cop who stood on her neck. The officers, who have already been sacked after the incident in Sao Paulo on May 30, are now subject to a criminal investigation, governor Joao Doria has confirmed. It is not clear what charges they will face, but the victim's lawyer has called for the officer who stood on her neck to be charged with attempted murder. The case has chilling echoes of George Floyd, who was killed during an arrest by American police after an officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes. Two officers filmed violently arresting a group of people in Sao Paulo, Brazil, back in May will now face criminal charges - including cop who stood on a black woman's neck (pictured) The woman, pictured struggling with officers as they arrest her friend, said she passed out four times during the ordeal that also left her with a broken leg and needing 16 stitches The incident in Brazil took place after officers were called to reports of loud music being played outside a bar that was supposed to be shut during the pandemic. Video shows the officers pointing a gun at one man while a second is shown lying in the curb and being handcuffed as the woman, a 51-year-old who owns the bar, tries to speak to officers. More footage then shows her lying face-down with her hands cuffed behind her back as an officer places his foot on the back of her neck, then shifts his weight so that he is standing on her. The woman says she was assaulted by officers who punched and tripped her, causing her to break one of her legs. Her lawyer says she passed out four times during the sustained assault. Police records show she was taken to hospital after the arrest with a fractured tibia and cuts on her face and body that required 16 stitches. The woman, a widow and mother of five children, said she was attempting to play peacemaker between the police and her friend who was seen being handcuffed. 'I asked the policeman not to hit him anymore because he was already passed out, lying on the floor,' the woman said. While it is not clear what charges the officers will face, the woman's lawyer has called for the one who stepped on her neck to be charged with attempted murder The officers initially tried to claim that they had been assaulted with an iron rod, and charged the group with contempt, disobedience, resisting arrest and bodily injury. While the video released by Brazilian TV channel G1 does not show the whole incident, it also does not show anyone threatening the officers. During a Monday press conference, Governor Doria said he was shocked by the cops, whose behavior tarnished the integrity of the law enforcement force. 'I want to make it clear that the State of Sao Paulo does not tolerate and will not tolerate any behavior that is violence practiced by the Military Police, the Civil Police, the Fire Department or any other police that is under the command of the State of Sao Paulo,' Doria said. 'It is unacceptable that few compromise many. In other words, condemnable actions by a few compromise an organization with more than 80,000 police officers and who do their job well.' On June 22, Doria introduced a 20-day training program aimed at prevent the use of unnecessary force employed against civilians by 'one percent of bad policemen'. Starting in August, at least 2,000 police officers will have body cameras. The announcement was made on the heels of a string of incidents in which cops were recorded on video using extreme force, including an incident in the Sao Paulo neighborhood Carapicuiba on June 21 when a police officer choked a 19-year-old man. StartOut & Socos When George Floyd was killed in May, Ceek Virtual Reality Founder Mary Spio wrote a column for Entrepreneur imploring, "Let not his death be in vain. Let's not protest black and blue and forget green." The idea being that nurturing inclusivity in the business community and creating real pathways to leadership and success among minorities is one of the many systemic changes that can mitigate existing cultural imbalances that culminate in tragedy and hate that we are all innovators with the potential to buoy our collective fortunes. That notion was echoed when the U.S. Black Chambers ushered in this past Juneteenth with a new platform dubbed ByBlack to boost networking capacity for black businesses and founders. And such efforts are now being mirrored in the latest initiative by LGBTQ+ entrepreneur-advocacy nonprofit StartOut. The organization, in collaboration with J.P. Morgan Chase and independent think tank Socos Labs, has launched and trademarked the StartOut Prime Economic Impact Index (SPEII), an online tool that per an official press release is powered by "big data analysis and a corresponding AI-driven engine to both measure contributions in close to real time and calculate what they could be with equal access, thus quantifying the unused potential for job creation and innovation by LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs." Rajasthan crisis: Sachin Pilot to hold press conference at 11 am India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, July 15: Amid rising political turmoil in the state of Rajasthan, sacked Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister in the state, Sachin Pilot will hold a press conference today at 11 am. Sachin Pilot cancels presser, says 'not joining BJP' | Oneindia News The Congress Party had sacked Pilot from the posts of deputy chief minister and state president of the party and in the process put the Ashok Gehlot government on the brink. Sachin Pilot welcome to join, say BJP leaders as party weighs its options Minutes after his removal as Rajasthan deputy CM, rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot said "truth can be rattled, not defeated". He also changed his profile on Twitter deleting all references to his position as deputy CM and Rajasthan Congress chief and only described himself as MLA of Tonk and a former minister of IT, telecom and corporate affairs, Government of India. Rebel Sachin Pilot's removal from the posts of Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Congress state unit chief on Tuesday evoked mixed reactions from the party leaders, with a section of them still hoping for resolution of the matter and the rest blaming the young leader for his haste. Most of the leaders, however, described the turn of events as "unfortunate" and "sad". A day after the Congress said the "doors are open" for Pilot and gave him a second chance, the party virtually closed them for him on Tuesday, sacking him as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and state party chief, three days after he mounted a rebellion against his state chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Rajasthan crisis: BJP to hold crucial meet today; Vasundhara Raje to join Soon after the Congress action, party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said Pilot was holding constitutional post and some of his actions may not be in sync with that position. "Some doors have to close if the open doors are not utilised for constructive closures. We still hope that closure of options will be an exception, and harmonious settlement the rule," Singhvi told PTI. While BJP has denied any contact with Sachin Pilot, they have not ruled out a floor test if the number game gets more complexed than it already is. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced bought deal offering, including the exercise in full of the over-allotment option (the "Offering"). A total of 24,150,000 common shares of the Company were sold at the price of US$1.46 per Offered Share for gross proceeds of approximately US$35.3 million. The Offering was completed pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated July 10, 2020 among the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation, as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of underwriters including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC., Paradigm Capital Inc., TD Securities Inc., Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Velocity Trade Capital Ltd. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). The proceeds of the Offering are anticipated to be used to fund the Company's activities in connection with the advancement of the development of the Pebble Project, including (i) ongoing work with Alaska and federal regulatory agencies, (ii) maintaining an active corporate presence in Alaska by continuing to build relationships with both federal and Alaska state governments and agencies and Native Corporations and communities, (iii) commencement of the Alaska state permitting process, (iv) maintenance of the Pebble claims in good standing, (v) ongoing discussions and possible negotiations to secure a potential project partner or partners, and (vi) general corporate purposes. The Offering was completed by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") and related U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (SEC File No. 333-238933) (the "Registration Statement"). The U.S. form of Base Shelf Prospectus is included in the Registration Statement. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority, nor has any such authority passed upon by the accuracy or adequacy of the Prospectus Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus or the Registration Statement. About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly-owned, Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, the Pebble Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 2,402 mineral claims in southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project, an initiative to develop one of the world's most important mineral resources. Ronald W. Thiessen President & CEO US Media Contact: Dan Gagnier Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897 Forward-Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information"). The use of any of the words "expect", "plan", "update" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. These statements include expectations about the use of proceeds of the Offering, the finalization of the Environmental Impact Study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the issuance of a positive Record of Decision with respect to permitting of the Pebble Project, the ability of the Company to proceed with permit applications for the development of the Pebble Project, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary federal and state permits for the development of the Pebble Project and the ability of the Company to secure the required Canadian and US regulatory and stock exchange acceptances for the Offering. Though the Company believes the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to future events and third-party discretion such as regulatory personnel. For more information on the Company, and the risks and uncertainties connected with its business, Investors should review the Company's home jurisdiction filings at www.sedar.com and its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597500/Northern-Dynasty-Announces-Closing-of-US353-Million-Bought-Deal A former journalist has appeared before the High Court in Dublin as he fights his extradition to France over the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Ian Bailey, 63, was arrested last year after a High Court judge endorsed a European Arrest Warrant issued by the French authorities. He is wanted in France for the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier, who died in Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996. Mr Bailey's lawyer Ronan Munro said he has a "vested" or absolute right not to be surrendered to the French authorities following his conviction, in his absence, for the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier. Mr Bailey - who appeared in court wearing a navy suit and a green scarf as a face covering - did not speak as he listened from the back of the courtroom. Mr Munro insisted that Mr Bailey has an "iron-clad" and "unassailable" right not to be surrendered to the French authorities as two previous extradition attempts by them had been struck down by Irish courts. "The central submission is that there is a binding judgment of the Supreme Court that prohibits the surrender of Ian Bailey," said Mr Munro. "In Mr Bailey's case there was a final judgment in 2012 - and if that wasn't enough, there was another judgment in the High Court in 2017. "He has an unassailable right not to be surrendered in this sense," he added. Mr Munro said the Irish Supreme Court finding that Mr Bailey could not be extradited was "vested" by his client. He said the attempt by the French authorities to extradite Mr Bailey for a third time could amount to "an abuse of process". "Where there a third set of proceedings, I say prima facie that it is indicative of an abuse of process. I don't think it is controversial to say that. "There have been cases of three warrants being issued unknown to the person being surrendered, but in general in criminal proceedings, if you're going to do it a third time then there would want to be a good reason," Mr Munro said. "If we're looking at a third attempt to have him prosecuted then the court must apply a very high level of scrutiny and this may be indicative that the process is being abused. "The very fact of a third set of proceedings is indicative that an abuse of process is taking place." Mr Munro said the extradition attempt is a breach of Mr Bailey's human rights, as was the delay in the trial and the fairness of the trial that may await in France. He read out a written statement from Mr Bailey in which he maintained he "had nothing to do with" the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier. In the affidavit, Mr Bailey said he could not pursue his career as a journalist due to the negative media coverage he has received and his ongoing legal battle. Mr Bailey said his mental health has suffered in the 23 years since Ms Toscan du Plantier died. The court was told that as he cannot work as a journalist, he is in receipt of social welfare, which he tops up by selling poetry and doing casual odd jobs. Mr Bailey said he suffers from depressive moods and a skin condition brought on by the stress of all the court cases. He has a law degree from University College Cork and wanted to attend the King's Inns in Dublin to pursue his legal studies further but has been prevented from doing so due to the ongoing legal cases. Mr Bailey said he found writing poetry has had a cathartic effect, as counselling has proved unsuccessful for him, and he has published two collections of poetry. He said he wrote a poem called "Nightmare" which has summed up his experiences to date. The former journalist suffers from nightmares and sleep disorders due to flashbacks from his previous arrests. He said that since 2010, his European Arrest Warrant means he has been unable to travel freely. Mr Bailey could not visit his elderly mother in the UK when she was dying and said the fact that he could not attend her funeral "was one of the cruellest aspects of the whole process". He said while he has attempted to live a normal life, with legal proceedings starting again, his standing has been lowered significantly in the eyes of the small west Cork community he lives in. Mr Bailey's solicitor Frank Buttimer said in an affidavit to the court that the French authorities had not communicated with him or his office to get Mr Bailey to attend the trial. This, Mr Munro noted, was "very strange". The case continues this afternoon. The legislation allows for penalties on foreign financial institutions that knowingly do business with sanctioned individuals. Big U.S. banks are at risk since their foreign subsidiaries may have Chinese officials, their relatives and associates as customers. Investment banks get a big chunk of their Chinese revenue from stock sales, financing for companies and big shareholders. Commercial and retail banks in the U.S. could be even more exposed because most global transactions are done in U.S. dollars and flow through the U.S. banking system. The report on banks will be submitted after individuals are disclosed, giving lenders time to adjust. MADRID - Authorities in Spains Balearic Islands ordered the closure Wednesday of bars and nightclubs in beachfront areas popular with young and foreign visitors, pulling the plug on endless drunken nights to the beat of techno music. Arguing the need to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, regional authorities issued the order for all establishments along Mallorcas Beer St. and Ham St., as the popular party areas near the beach of Palma de Mallorca are known, and another boulevard in nearby Magaluf. The regions tourism minister, Iago Negueruela, said the Mediterranean archipelago also wants to shake off its reputation as a wild party destination. We dont want uncivil tourists in our islands, we dont want them to come, Negueruela said at a press conference, announcing that the establishments should close as of Thursday until further notice. Scenes of boozy Mallorca visitors ignoring social-distancing rules and going without face masks went viral on social media in recent weeks and made headlines in Germany and the U.K., home to many of the tourists that Mediterranean islands typically court. Spanish regional authorities are also banning straws and glasses containing more than 0.5 litres of alcoholic beverages because they want to stop drinks from being shared by different people, as well as bar stools that might tempt party-goers to linger. Negueruela warned that authorities would take action against tourists who disregard the regulations. We are not going to allow this lack of control, he said. Its not the first that the popular Balearic Islands have attempted to curb binge-drinking. Earlier this year, the regional government passed a law prohibiting the organization and promotion of pub crawls and publicizing alcohol sales by means of open bars and happy hours. They also banned the practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools, a practice known as balconing that has led to many injuries and several deaths. The archipelago is trying to brand itself as a safe destination for tourists after a three-month halt on all economic activity during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 30% of the islands economy depends on tourism. Spain has recorded at least 28,400 COVID-19 deaths and is grappling with dozens of fresh outbreaks after the country started to reopen last month. On Wednesday, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays resumed flights to Spain and holiday packages for various Spanish destinations. Majorca, Ibiza and Minorca are among these, as are Alicante, Almeria, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Murcia and Tenerife. Flights are from Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted. Edinburgh and Glasgow are scheduled to be added from July 25. CEO Steve Heapy observed: "We have been saying for some time that the sun will shine again and that when it does, we will be there to take customers away on their well-deserved holidays. That day has finally arrived and we were delighted to wave our first flights off. It is fantastic to be back in the air and recommencing our award-winning flights and package holidays to sunny destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. "These have been incredibly uncertain and difficult times for everyone, and we have been very busy looking after our customers and doing the right thing for them. Now, we are focused on doing what we do best delivering award winning customer service and package holidays you can trust." Ethiopia reportedly started filling its controversial mega dam on the Nile River today though no agreement has been reached with Egypt and Sudan. The unilateral action is sure to exacerbate tensions between Ethiopia and the two countries, as both Egypt and Sudan have made their staunch opposition to the move clear. Ethiopia's public broadcaster, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, reported that the filling of the dam on the Blue Nile River began today, citing the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy. Reuters also reported the dam is filling based on Minister of Water Seleshi Bekeles comments on television. Later, however, Bekele denied the report, saying that "pooling" took place in the dam today due to heavy rainfall. Ethiopia started building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in 2011. It is a giant hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile River, which flows into the Nile. Ethiopia wants the dam to provide energy to the country and help lift it out of poverty. Upstream nations Egypt and Sudan believe filling the dam will dangerously deplete the river's water level in their countries. The river and its tributaries play a major part in the east African economy. The latest round of negotiations between the three countries ended without an agreement yesterday. Although there were progresses no breakthrough deal is made, Bekele tweeted yesterday. Ethiopias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today that the unchanged stances and additional and excessive demands of Egypt and Sudan prohibited the conclusion of this round of negotiation by an agreement. Years of negotiations have failed to produce an agreement, despite recent months of talks observed by South Africa, the African Union, the European Union and the United States. Ethiopia has long said it planned to start filling the dam in July. It is possible the news has caught Egypt and Sudan by surprise, however. In a statement yesterday, Egypts Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said the countries would submit reports on the latest round of talks to the African Union in preparation for a future summit. The state-run Sudan News Agency also reported on an expected summit yesterday. There were immediate effects of the reported filling on the Sudanese section of the Blue Nile, according to Sudan's Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources. The ministry recorded that water levels in the river went down by 90 million cubic meters (more than 3 billion cubic feet) at a station today, according to a press release. Egypt also said this month that it is willing to partner with Ethiopia on electricity projects in an effort to break the stalemate. It is unclear how Egypt and Sudan will react now. The UN Security Council heard the three states' arguments on the issue late last month. The body usually deliberates on conflict-related issues. Egypt called the filling of the dam a threat of potentially existential proportions at the meeting, indicating the high level of opposition from Cairo. An Ethiopian military leader said, Egyptians and the rest of the world know too well how we conduct war before the UN meeting. Update: July 15, 2020. This article was updated to include comments by Minister Bekele denying that Ethiopia was filling the dam. FlexTrade Systems (@FlexTrade), a global leader in multi-asset execution and order management systems announces direct availability of Liquidnet's Targeted Invitations in its multi-asset trading blotter for equities. The functionality provides traders with targeted natural liquidity from other Liquidnet buy-side members and selected brokers, directly into the parent order blotter. With a minimum order size of 3 x LIS for EMEA equities, 25k shares/15% ADV in Americas, and $1.5M/25% ADV in APAC, and an average execution size of about $1.8M*, this quick availability of this actionable liquidity is critical for achieving Best Execution. Traders can access the liquidity through one- or zero-clicks, with the appropriate routing strategy being defined in the targeted invitation itself, maintaining full control and further improving efficiency. Andy Mahoney, Managing Director EMEA at FlexTrade Systems, noted: "We are very excited to offer this innovative new functionality in partnership with Liquidnet. While highly targeted, actionable liquidity, with zero information leakage, has been available for some time in our parent order blotter, this really takes it to the next level. Targeted Invitations contain machine-readable instructions on what strategy the trader should employ, which is key to workflow optimization." Tony Booth, Head of Liquidnet Dublin stated: "Working with FlexTrade has allowed Liquidnet to deliver high quality, LIS actionable Targeted Invitation liquidity, directly into the trader's EMS for immediate execution. This is part of a broader collaboration with FlexTrade which also includes delivering leading indicators and predictive signals from Liquidnet Investment Analytics to improve our mutual customers' decision-making processes." FlexTRADER is the industry's market-leading, multi-asset execution management system (EMS) that encompasses all facets of electronic and algorithmic trading. It is trusted globally by tier-one asset managers and hedge funds trading equities, FX, derivatives and fixed income for its unparalleled performance, quantitative analysis, and worldwide connectivity to liquidity sources. Backed by a strong team of 400+ fintech developers, FlexTRADER's open architecture is fully customizable and designed to unify your trading solution with FlexTRADER EMS at the center. For more information, visit www.flextrade.com About FlexTrade Founded in 1996, FlexTrade Systems is the global leader in high performance execution management and order management systems for equities, foreign exchange, options, futures and fixed income. A pioneer in the field, FlexTrade is internationally recognized for introducing FlexTRADER, the world's first broker-neutral execution management system, which allows clients to completely control and customize their execution workflows while maintaining the confidentiality of their trading strategies. Source: Liquidnet internal data, H1 2020. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005050/en/ Contacts: Matthew Halicki Vice President, Marketing matthew.halicki@flextrade.com o: +1 516-304-3672 516 m +1 516-287-3215 Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infects Person in Florida, Prompts Health Officials to Issue Warning A person in Hillsborough County, Florida, was found to have contracted a rare yet often fatal brain-eating amoeba infection; and the states Department of Health has responded by issuing a public warning. The microscopic single-celled organism, known as Naegleria fowleri, lives in fresh, warm water, and is typically found in southern states of the United States during the warmer summer months of July, August, and September. Health officials warned locals to avoid nasal contact with freshwater sources such as tap water, lakes, rivers, and canals. The organism is most commonly contracted from engaging in recreational activities such as swimming or diving. The organism cannot be contracted from drinking, however, nor can it be transmitted from person to person. (Illustration Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock) The amoeba enters the body through the nose and migrates to the brain. There, it sets about destroying brain tissue and can cause a potentially fatal infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri include: nausea, fever, vomiting, a stiff neck, and headaches; and it is often fatal, with most cases resulting in death within a week. The Department of Health did not specify the location where the case of infection was found or the patients current condition, though they stated that anyone experiencing the symptoms should seek medical attention right away, as the disease progresses rapidly. (Illustration Air Images/Shutterstock) Remember, this disease is rare and effective prevention strategies can allow for a safe and relaxing summer swim season, the department added. The CDC confirmed that cases of Naegleria fowleri infection are rare in the United States. There were only 34 cases of the brain infection reported in the United States between 2009 and 2018. Out of these, 30 were contracted from recreational water, 3 were caused by nasal irrigation with tap water, and 1 was from using backyard tap water on a slip-n-slide. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc A judge has halted the execution of a 68-year-old inmate who is said to be suffering from advanced Alzheimers disease. Wesley Ira Purkey of Lansing, Kansas, was due to die by lethal injection on Wednesday at the US Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. The 68-year-old inmate would have been the US government's second execution after a 17-year hiatus. Purkey was convicted of the gruesome kidnapping and killing of a 16-year-old girl in 1998. His lawyers said in recent filings that he is suffering from dementia. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington DC imposed two injunctions on Wednesday, prohibiting the Bureau of Prisons from moving forward with Purkeys execution. In this 1998 photo, Wesley Ira Purkey is escorted by police officers in Kansas City after he was arrested / AP The Justice Department filed immediate appeals in both cases. A separate temporary stay was already in place from the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals. The early morning legal wrangling suggests a volley of litigation will continue in the hours ahead of Purkeys scheduled execution, similar to what happened this week when the US Government executed Daniel Lewis Lee following a ruling from the Supreme Court. Lee, who was convicted of killing an Arkansas family in a Nineties plot to build a whites-only nation, was the first of four condemned men scheduled to die in July and August despite the coronavirus pandemic raging inside and outside prisons. Purkey would be the second but his lawyers are still expected to press for a ruling from the Supreme Court on his competency. Purkey's execution was due to take place at Terre Haute / AP Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Centre, said: This competency issue is a very strong issue on paper. "The Supreme Court has halted executions on this issue in the past. At a minimum, the question of whether Purkey dies is going to go down to the last minute. Ms Chutkan did not rule on whether Purkey is competent but said the court needs to evaluate the claim. The issue of Purkeys mental health arose in the run-up to his 2003 trial and when, after the verdict, jurors had to decide whether he should be put to death in the killing of 16-year-old Jennifer Long in Kansas City, Missouri. Donald Trump calls for death penalty for mass murderers Prosecutors said he raped and stabbed her, dismembered her with a chainsaw, burned her, then dumped her ashes 200 miles away in a septic pond in Kansas. Purkey was separately convicted and sentenced to life in the beating death of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales, of Kansas City, Kansas. But the legal questions of whether he was mentally fit to stand trial or to be sentenced to die are different from the question of whether he is mentally fit enough now, in the hours before his scheduled execution, to be put to death. He has long accepted responsibility for the crime that put him on death row, one of this lawyers, Rebecca Woodman, said. But as his dementia has progressed, he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government plans to execute him. In a landmark 1986 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled the Constitution prohibits putting someone to death who lacks a reasonable understanding of why they are being executed. Additional reporting by the Press Association. Adnoc Distribution, the UAEs largest fuel and convenience store retailer, has launched a new range of lubricants that offer greater fuel efficiency for hybrid vehicles. The new range of Adnoc Voyager vehicle engine oils is the UAEs first to meet the needs of the latest engine technologies and to be certified by the world-leading industry body, the American Petroleum Institute (API). Voyager Star Plus HB, is designed specifically for hybrid vehicles, offering fuel savings and engine lubrication protection. In addition, the advanced Voyager Star Plus Eco engine oil is fully compatible with vehicles manufactured since 2002, and can be used for a variety of cars, including American, Korean, Japanese and European manufactured vehicles. The new lubricant is manufactured using Adnocs high quality Group III base oil, ADbase, which is produced by Adnoc Refining using Adnocs high paraffinic crude oil at its state-of-the art Ruwais refinery in the UAE. The high Viscosity Index (VI) of ADbase makes it an ideal lubricant component, ensuring efficiency and fuel economy for high performance engines, while meeting ever stringent environmental regulations. The launch of Adnoc Distributions latest Voyager range follows three new oil standards set by the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC). The new standards, introduced by the API on 1 May 2020, are designed specifically for hybrid vehicles and the new Voyager range is one of the first globally to meet these new international standards. Commenting on the new range, Adnoc Distributions Acting Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Al Shamsi said: We are proud to be one of the first companies in the Middle East to introduce the latest international standards in vehicle oil technology to the UAE and also to some of our core export markets in the GCC as well as throughout Africa and Asia. The new range meets the needs of the latest engine technologies to enable better fuel efficiency, extend an engines lifespan and create cost savings for our customers. Our lubricants bring together quality from their very base to the expert technology used to create specific solutions that, together with regular lube change, maintain the efficiency of hybrid engines. Adnoc Voyager engine oils are available to consumers as well as meeting the requirements of commercial fleet operators and the construction, manufacturing, marine and power generation sectors. The offering comprises automotive and marine engine lubricants, automotive gear and transmission fluids, and industrial lubricants and greases. The Voyager lubricants are currently available at Adnoc Distribution stations and are exported to distributors across the GCC, Africa and in Asia. TradeArabia News Service Best known in Germany as a novelist, Ohler is also the author of Blitzed, a controversial 2017 best seller about rampant drug use in the Third Reich. With the opening scene of The Bohemians, another work of nonfiction, he masterfully establishes his trustworthiness as a narrator, which is crucial as we travel with him back to the 1930s and then on through the war. He weaves a detailed and meticulously researched tale about a pair of young German resisters that reads like a thriller but is supported by 20 pages of footnotes. I find it particularly important in this case, where the truth has been distorted many times, he writes, not to add another legend but to report as accurately as possible, combining my skills as a storyteller with the responsibility of the historian. The story he reconstructs is that of Harro and Libertas Schulze-Boysen, drawing on letters, articles, diaries and interviews to acquaint us with the couple in all their complexity engaging, bold and flawed. Harro, originally a student activist, underground writer and publisher, and eventually an employee of the German Air Ministry, is the pairs intellectual driving force. He is ambitious and stoic, an idealist. Libertas is more whimsical, and also initially a Nazi Party member. She dreams of being a poet and is working for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer when she first encounters Harro. Her decision to resist seems to be based more on circumstance than principle, but she is deeply resourceful and loyal. We feel the couples triumphs intimately and, as the net tightens around them, their sorrows. As Vietnam has set new policies to encourage domestic production, car manufacturers have resumed the assembling of some bestsellers in Vietnam to enjoy incentives. Under Decree 57 which took effect on July 10, the car part import tax was removed. The vehicle registration tax has been cut by 50 percent, applied to applications from now to the end of 2020. The government has allowed extension of the luxury tax payment deadline, applied to domestically made or assembled cars. The government has also proposed amending some provisions of the Special Consumption Tax Law to support domestic production. With big incentives offered by new policies, some car manufacturers have begun resuming domestic assembling instead of continuing to import cars for domestic sale. Honda CRV, Fortuner of Toyota and Xpander of Mitsubishi, the three best sellers of the crossover, SUV and MPV market segments, respectively, have been and will be assembled in Vietnam. Previously, Honda and Toyota decided to stop assembling Honda CRV and Toyota Fortuner in Vietnam. Instead, they imported cars from Thailand and Indonesia for domestic sales to optimize the profit. The assembling in Vietnam was expected to be costly and uncompetitive. All car markets in the world have seen a decline in recent months because of the pandemic. The automobile factories in Thailand, Indonesia and China face difficulties exporting products to the US and Europe. However, the manufacturers have changed their production strategies, resuming assembling in Vietnam after attractive policies were set. Nguyen Van Nam, an economist, agrees that automobile manufacturers are resuming assembling in Vietnam to enjoy the investment incentives, but thinks that the manufacturers also are considering long-term development strategies. All car markets in the world have seen a decline in recent months because of the pandemic. The automobile factories in Thailand, Indonesia and China face difficulties exporting products to the US and Europe. Meanwhile, Vietnam is a very promising market and has been growing fast, though it remains small. Vietnam has signed the EVFTA, which means that manufacturers assembling cars in Vietnam will receive favorable conditions to export products to the EU and enjoy preferential tariffs. Vietnam has succeeded in attracting foreign automobile manufacturers but it needs to take full advantage of the opportunity to develop the Vietnamese automobile industry. Meanwhile, some analysts warn that once car manufacturers do not have to pay tax for car part imports, Vietnam will fail to encourage the manufacturers to use domestic products. Vietnam imported up to 140,000 cars in 2019 worth a total 3.16 billion, up 84 percent on-year, with the majority from Indonesia and Thailand, according to Dan Tri. Mai Lan Vietnam's automobile market sees 62 percent surge after social distancing The sales of automobile surged 62 percent month-on-month in May following the end of social distancing measures, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA). Reliance Industries held their 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) today and announced a bunch of digital and technology products. One of them being a total home-grown 5G technology that is ready to deploy as soon as the spectrum is available. The company has detailed that the new 5G solution will help in creating new solutions for various industries such as Media, Financial Services, New Commerce, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, Smart Cities, Smart Manufacturing & Smart Mobility. Youtube_Jio "Jio has developed a complete 5G solution from scratch that will enable us to launch a world-class 5g service in India. Jio is ready with a world-class 5G solution. Field deployment can happen next year. This 5G product will be available for trials as soon as the spectrum is available. Jio Platforms will be positioned for 5G solution to other telecom operators, said Mukesh Ambani at the digital event. I am proud to share that the entire 5G stack has been made by Jio employees. It is ready for deployment once the spectrum is allocated, said Akash Ambani at 43rd annual general meeting of Reliance Industries Limited. Youtube_Jio Mr Amabani also added that the company is well-positioned to be an exporter of 5G solution to other various telecom operators to around the world. This comes at a time when countries including the U.S., U.K. and France have already banned the use of Huawei 5G equipment. It would be interesting to see if Reliance Jios offering could be a good alternative for countries that are looking to upgrade 5G networks. Reliance Jio has not detailed how the company developed the 5G solutions and whether it was achieved in partnership with Qualcomm and other stakeholders. During the presentation, 5G capabilities on Jio were showcased such as facilitating autonomous vehicles, 5G connected drones for farmers and mixed reality (AR & VR) for creating more jobs and commerce. Otiko Djaba 15.07.2020 LISTEN Lawyers for the former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Djaba have said a publication by a news portal, Opera News which alleged that their client had called the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) names has caused their Client great embarrassment. The Lawyers have, therefore, called for an immediate retraction of the article. The publication followed Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumis unprintable comments he made about Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, a running mate to John Mahama, the flagbearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the lawyers of Ms Djaba, on Wednesday, 15 July 2020, the Opra news app published an article on 12 July 2020 titled: Otiko Djaba fires at Wontumi as 'bushman' for anti-women comment. The story which is said to have been edited contained statements which were alleged to have been made by their client. That is the character of the NPP, you can ask Ursula. They hate to see women at the height of decision making. What didnt they do to Hajia Alima? And you have a Bush like Wontumi as the chairman of the Ashanti Region spewing rubbish about a whole Professor? Such a Kamboo kraatchi. I am happy I left such a useless party. Its time for change and Ghanaians must vote them out. Reacting to this, the lawyers for Ms Djaba in a statement noted that we wish to state emphatically that our client has not on any occasion made any such comments. Our instructions are that you only introduced our Clients name into your article as a disguise to libel the persons named in the article and by so doing also libelled our client. It also described the publication as malicious and targeted at inciting antagonism and hostility between our Client and the named persons in the article and to pit them, against our Client. It continued that: Your publication has thus caused our Client great embarrassment and we have her instruction to demand that you immediately retract the article, apologise to our Client, and cause same to be published with equal prominence as the offending publication. The statement added: We trust that you will comply with the demands herein within 2 days from the date hereof to avert the expense and tedium engaged in litigation." ---classfmonline Regional authorities on Spain's Balearic island of Majorca on Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of bars on three streets popular with hard drinking tourists to limit the potential for coronavirus outbreaks. Concerned many tourists are not respecting social distancing guidelines, authorities elected to close the venues on the Platja de Palma strip in the capital Palma and Magaluf, a favoured haunt with young booze-fuelled Britons. One of Europe's hardest-hit nations with almost 30,000 deaths, Spain last month exited one of the globe's toughest virus lockdowns. But as the summer season starts to take off authorities on the island feared matters could get out of hand unless they took tough action. Earlier this week, Germany's health minister had expressed concern after hundreds of German tourists were seen partying on the island without masks or keeping a safe distance, fuelling fears of another coronavirus wave. Local media on the Spanish island voiced outrage after video footage showed mainly German holidaymakers carousing outside bars and terraces on Friday evening, leading the German-language Mallorca Zeitung to note "it was as if no one had ever heard of the corona pandemic". The regional government last week had already announced hefty fines for those caught organising illegal parties or flouting rules on social distancing and face masks. "We do not want uncivil tourists on our islands," said regional tourism minister Iago Negueruela. Negueruela warned that if the tourists simply took their boorish behaviour elsewhere then the crackdown would simply be widened. Authorities in the Balearic Islands off Spain's eastern coast say they need to protect public health even as summer tourism, on which some 200,000 local jobs depend, begins to ramp up. People enjoy a day out at Magaluf Beach -- but regional authorities are clamping down on tourists whose idea of a holiday is to get drunk and ignore social distancing guidelines 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. 65-year-old sentenced for Hendersonville bank robbery U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. sentenced a 65-year-old man to 10 years and eight months in prison plus three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Hendersonville and three other banks in the Carolinas, U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced. Cogburn also ordered the defendant to pay $8,569 in restitution. According to court records, John Howard Johnson entered TD Bank at 535 Greenville Highway last Aug. 23 and handed a teller a note that read, This is not a joke, I have a gun, I will kill you. Johnson took the money the teller handed him and left the bank in his vehicle. Prosecutors said at a sentencing hearing July 15 that Johnson robbed four banks in North and South Carolina from July 3 to Aug. 23 last year. Court records show that on July 3, Johnson walked into a BB&T bank on Meeting Street, in Charleston, S.C., and passed a demand note written on an envelope to a teller that read, I have a gun. Give me $100s and $50s. According to court records, Johnson lifted his shirt and exposed what appeared to be a firearm and threatened to shoot the teller. The teller placed $1,800 into an envelope and gave it to Johnson, who then fled the scene in a vehicle. The second bank robbery occurred on July 23, 2019, when Johnson entered a First Bank in Wilmington and passed a demand note to the teller, threatening to kill the teller and asking for cash. After the teller handed Johnson the money, Johnson again fled in his vehicle. The third robbery occurred on July 31, 2019, at a BB&T bank in Mount Holly. As with the prior robberies, Johnson handed a demand note to a teller that read, I have a gun in my shorts. Give me all of your 50s and 100s. Dont make me kill you. Dont make me shoot you. After the teller put the cash into an envelope and gave it to Johnson, the defendant fled in the same vehicle. Law officers arrested Johnson in Charleston last Septembe. He pleaded guilty to bank robbery charges on Feb. 3. Johnson is in federal custody and will be transferred into custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making the announcement, Murray thanked the FBI, the Mt. Holly Police Department, the Hendersonville Police Department, the Wilmington Police Department, the Charleston Police Department and the Sever County Police Department for investigation of this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Gast, of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Asheville, prosecuted the case. A woman's estranged husband has been charged with murder after her body was discovered underneath her home on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. Elaine Pandilovski, 44, was found dead at Mill Park at about 9.30pm on Tuesday during a welfare check at her home. Zoran Pandilovski, 45, was arrested the following day after being involved in a head-on car crash which detectives suspect may have been a deliberate act to kill himself. Zoran Pandilovski has been charged with the murder of his estranged wife. Pictured: Elaine and Zoran Pandilovski Elaine Pandilovski's (pictured) body was discovered after police conducted a welfare check at the home on at Mill Park at about 9.30pm Tuesday Family of the special needs school teacher, who also cared for her 10-year-old son with autism, described Ms Pandilovski as a 'beautiful angel'. 'My beautiful niece, words can't explain how we are feeling now. Your life was taken from us and we couldn't help... I love you always, life will never be the same, our hearts will never be the same,' Ms Pandilovski's aunt wrote on social media. 'Rest In Peace my beautiful Angel.' The couple were high school sweethearts and had been together for 15 years. But according to neighbours they had recently separated and Mr Pandilovski was living in the nearby suburb of Epping. Local residents said Ms Pandilovski was a devoted mother and had been living at the single-storey home with the couple's son, Thomas. Elaine Pandilovski and Zoran Pandilovski (pictured) were high school sweethearts. They had a son together Ms Pandilovski's aunt shared a heartbreaking post about the loss of a 'beautiful, caring and compassionate' woman Mr Pandilovski had been at the house earlier in the day to pick up an Ipad or computer which was broken, the Herald Sun reported. Thomas had been staying at his grandmother's house when his mother's body was discovered by police. 'She was the most beautiful person in the world. She was caring, compassionate did everything for everyone,' the aunt said. 'She was more my best friend more like a sister than a niece. I did everything with her.' One nearby resident described the woman and her son as 'good people'. Detectives (pictured on Wednesday) are seen leaving the Mill Park property on Wednesday 'I just can't believe it,' the neighbour said. 'There was a kid outside crying. Feel sorry for who it is. This is a quiet area.' In 2011, Mr Pandilovski opened up about their relationship, telling the Sydney Morning Herald the first year 'was probably the toughest' year in their relationship. 'We've since had a little boy and that, of course, adds even more pressure to a relationship. But I think now that we've made it this far we are pretty well-equipped to work our way through any problems that might arise.' Mr Pandilovski is set to face Melbourne's Magistrate's Court on Thursday and is currently being held under guard in hospital. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence you can call the national hotline 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 13 11 14. There are many ways to look for dividend stocks on the GuruFocus website, including one that's new to me: The Dividend Income Portfolio from the Screeners tab. After the market closed on July 14, it had just nine stocks that met all the screening criteria, a list that is short because it sets the following criteria for the fundamentals, profitability, growth and dividends: Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with CBOE. Click here to check it out. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio CBOE). It began as the Chicago Board Options Exchange in 1973, and since then has added other securities, most notably futures, and expanded its geographic footprint globally. It became a publicly-traded company in 2010. Options fees provide the lion's share of its earnings. According to the first-quarter earnings release for 2020, $188.5 million of its total revenue of $358.3 million originated with options. U.S. equities was the second-largest contributor at $86.6 million. Business has been good, with records set during the first quarter of this year when many companies were hurting. That happened because investors turn to options more often when economic conditions are uncertain, and that was certainly the case when the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in the first quarter. Generally, business has been good for the past 10 years, with CBOE having been profitable in every one of the past 10 fiscal years--that's one of the criteria. The share price reflected that record until the first quarter of this year: GuruFocus CBOE share price chart Fundamentals According to the screener's criteria, a company must show financial strength of at least 6 out of 10, and CBOE meets it: GuruFocus CBOE Financial Strength It also has to have a profitability rating of at least 7 out of 10: GuruFocus CBOE profitability The third criterion under the fundamentals is that it have a predictability rank of at least 2.5 out of 5: GuruFocus CBOE predictability Finally, the fundamental criteria requires a 10-year median return on capital (ROC) of at least 10%. CBOE is well above that, at 79.79%, but within the median is a disconcerting trend. Over the past decade, ROC grew from 69.43% in 2010 to 111.90% in 2014. Since then, however, it has been on the decline, reaching 9.05% in 2019. Story continues Growth In the growth category, there are two criteria a stock must meet to be in the Dividend Income Portfolio. First, it must have a five-year revenue growth rate averaging at least 5% per year: GuruFocus CBOE revenue chart The second criterion requires that the company be able to turn that increased revenue into increased earnings per share. Specifically, over the past five years, a company should have been able to grow its EPS without NRI (non-recurring items) by an average of at least 5% per year. GuruFocus reports Cboe has increased its earnings per share by an average of 11.5% per year. Profitability First, a company must have a 10-year operating margin averaging at least 10% per year. CBOE meets that, but behind the average is a declining rate over the past five years: GuruFocus CBOE operating and net margins chart Second, a company must have been profitable in all 10 of the previous 10 years, and that criterion is found under the heading of Net Margin. CBOE meets that challenge as well, although that's about all we know of that requirement. Dividends There are four required dividend hurdles to get into the Dividend Income Portfolio. The first is a yield of at least 1.5%, which is below the roughly 2% average for the S&P 500. At the current share price of $90.54, CBOE squeaks by with a 1.59% dividend yield. As the below chart shows, the firm also clears the dividend criterion of posting dividend increases for 10 straight years: GuruFocus CBOE dividends per share chart To ensure the company isn't dipping too deeply into its earnings to keep raising its dividends, the screen also requires a dividend payout ratio of less than 70%. CBOE is well below that and in conservative territory with a ratio of 36%, leaving ample earnings to be reinvested for future growth and profits. Finally, a company must have a fice-year yield-on-cost of at least 2.3%. CBOE barely satisfies that criterion with a yield-on-cost of 2.6%. There is one more matter we should review: a negative stock buyback record. When companies repurchase their own shares, and assuming they buy them at or less than their intrinsic/fair value, the value of the remaining shares should go up. When companies do the opposite and issue more shares than they redeem, the value of each share is diluted. That appears to have been the case in 2017 and 2018 for CBOE: GuruFocus CBOE shares outstanding chart Such dilution is likely to offset any gains from dividends and frustrate investors who want compounding growth. Conclusion As we've seen, the criteria for the Dividend Income Portfolio are more rigorous than those for the high-yield dividend screeners. Companies like CBOE that make it through the former screener should be of better quality than those that only qualify for the latter. Overall, there's much to like about Cboe, but not necessarily as a dividend stock. Its yield and yield-on-cost are too low to attract much attention from income investors, and if the company continues to issue more shares, dividends will be essentially worthless. The stock appears to be more suited for investors looking for capital gains, assuming they do further analyses to at least understand the declining operating margin and slumping return on equity. Disclosure: I do not own shares in any companies named in this article. Read more here: Not a Premium Member of GuruFocus? Sign up for a free 7-day trial here. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Reacting sharply to Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis claim that Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, is in Nepal and that he was Nepali, members of the saints community have urged him to keep religion out of regional politics. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust and saints in Ayodhya have strongly condemned Olis statement. Although real Ayodhya lies at Thori city in the west of Birgunj, India has claimed that Lord Ram was born there. Due to these continuous claims even we have believed that deity Sita got married to Prince Ram of India. However, in reality, Ayodhya is a village lying west of Birgunj, Prime Minister Oli claimed at an event at his residence in Kathmandu. Oli also accused India of cultural encroachment by creating a fake Ayodhya. Oli questioned how Lord Ram could come to Janakpur to marry Sita when there were no means of communication. Cartoonist: Satish Acharya Source: Sify What a few weeks it's been for Trident Royalties. The company listed on AIM at the beginning of June, announcing as it did so the first of what it hopes will be a long sequence of royalty acquisitions. The Koolyanobbing iron ore deal and the 16million in new money laid a couple of solid cornerstones for further developments, and chief executive Adam Davidson didn't waste much time moving ahead. Trident Royalties listed on AIM for the first time in June On listing, he had been reckoning that the company would cut its first deal as a public company within four-to-six weeks, but as it happened the subsequent $5million acquisition of a copper royalty on a Zambian mine came in slightly ahead of that schedule. So far so good. There's one iron ore and one copper royalty in the bag, and the way these deals have been structured there are fairly clear timelines to a payback point where the cash that flows into the company starts being earnings accretive. Because that's the art here in the royalty space familiar in Canada, but less so on the eastern side of the Atlantic acquiring cashflow is easy, but getting it at a price that makes sense for shareholders is much more of a skill. The copper deal was a case in point though. For a $5million payment upfront, Trident gets a staged but chunky income stream from the Milumba mine all the way up until the $5million gets paid off, at which point it starts getting much smaller payments. But that's the point too at which it is in for nothing, and the money flowing in is all income and no cost. So, that's the model: how's it going to work in practice? Chief executive Adam Davidson understands that to some degree Trident is going to have to educate the UK market about royalty companies. There's venerable old Anglo Pacific of course, which has had the UK market to itself almost since records began, but Anglo Pacific is a company built around one major asset, that is only now beginning to see the fruits at a concerted effort at diversification. It's also got its own preferences when it comes to commodity, something that won't, in the long-term, be an issue for Trident. For one thing, this is a company that although only recently listed, has been in the planning a long time. That means deals have been in the offing for a fair while too, waiting, as Adam Davidson explains, for proof of concept. 'Our counterparties said that once you've raised the money and we know you have the capacity to pick things up, then we can really get down to business.' Well, the counterparties have been served notice: the company is away, cashed-up and doing deals. Expect a few more fairly soon: Davidson reckons that by 2021 Trident could be bringing in upwards of $5million in royalty revenue, and that if all the deals he has in mind come in, that number could be much higher. There is even the possibility that investors will start to see a notional dividend too, once those initial royalty income streams are in place, as a statement of intent of greater things to come. Initially, deals will get done solely according to how profitable and accretive they are. But in time a broader pattern is likely to emerge. The plan is to make the Trident royalty portfolio broadly reflective of the mining industry as a whole, with the idea that investors can come to the company for exposure to the commodity cycle, while offsetting almost all of the execution risk. It's a smart idea, and has made Canadian companies like Altius, Sandstorm and Franco Nevada billion-dollar propositions. Trident is obviously starting at the bottom, but a clear direction of travel has already been laid open to it. 'We want to build a royalty company that's representative of the sector,' says Davidson. 'In 12 months' time we hope we'll be well on our way there.' See for yourself how and where vaccinations are ramping up, plus how COVID-19 infections and deaths still persist in most states. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and Tennessee Court of Appeals will both continue live-streaming oral arguments this week. Since June, the intermediate appellate courts have live-streamed more than 50 oral arguments to YouTube. The Court of Criminal Appeals has been holding in-person proceedings while the Court of Appeals is holding remote hearings via Zoom. Subscribers to the TNCourts two YouTube channels will receive notice when a case begins. The Court of Appeals will hear five cases on Tuesday on the TNCourts secondary YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTqR4bu-iF7q_ZDOlMos7uQ. The morning docket will be heard by Judge Steven Stafford, Judge Arnold B. Goldin, and Judge Kenny Armstrong. In the afternoon docket, Judge Carma Dennis McGee will join Judges Stafford and Armstrong. In Re Treylynn T. Et Al. 9 a.m. CDT This is an appeal of a determination of dependency and neglect based on a finding of child abuse. Friendship Water Co. v. City of Friendship Tennessee 10 a.m. CDT This interlocutory appeal asks whether a citys exclusive water purchasing agreement met competitive bid requirements Richard Alan Ellis v. Donica Ann Woods Ellis 11 a.m. CDT This is an appeal from a divorce case with alimony and attorney fees. Christina Knapp v. Jason Boykins 1 p.m. CDT The appellant is challenging an order of protection in a stalking and harassment claim. Debra Smith Et. Al. v. Ronnie Outen M.D. Et Al. 2 p.m. CDT This appeal focuses on the sufficiency of the certificate of good faith for a co-defendant in a health care liability case. The Court of Criminal Appeals will hear two days of cases in Nashville. All cases will be live-streamed to: https://www.youtube.com/user/TNCourts and will be heard by Judge Thomas T. Woodall, Judge Robert L. Holloway, Jr. and Judge Timothy L. Easter. Brian Pillow v. State of Tennessee 9 a.m. CDT This post-conviction relief case involves claims for ineffective assistance of counsel related to the deadline in plea negotiations and alleged perjury at trial. The case originated in Maury County. State of Tennessee v. Tommy Charles Simpson, Jr. 10:45 a.m. CDT This appeal focuses on the admissibility of sexually explicit photos of a minor found on a cell phone left in a bar and turned in to police in Davidson County. State of Tennessee v. Edward Walsh 1:30 p.m. CDT The issues raised in this appeal are joinder of a first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse charge; reasonable inference during closing argument; and hearsay. This case is from Clay County. State of Tennessee v. Joseph Christopher Hendry II 3:15 p.m. CDT This appeal questions Rule 35 sentencing relief in a case where the defendant took a plea deal and testified against other defendants in Wilson County. On Wednesday, the Court of Criminal Appeals will hear four more cases, which will be streamed to: https://www.youtube.com/user/TNCourts State of Tennessee v. Lawrence Eugene Allen 9 a.m. CDT This appeal focuses on the admissibility of preliminary hearing testimony after the victim was killed and unavailable when an email to a detective contradicts some of the statements. It is from Rutherford County. State of Tennessee v. Janice A. Campbell 10:45 a.m. CDT This Franklin County case questions whether the defendant can be charged with DUI when no officer actually saw her driving while intoxicated and she was encountered on a porch by police following up on a tip. Tiffany Michelle Taylor v. State of Tennessee 1:30 p.m. CDT This juvenile homicide case asks for retroactive application of Miller, a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States found life sentences without parole for juveniles unconstitutional, by a juvenile defendant serving a life sentence. It is from Putnam County. State of Tennessee v. Michael Domonic Sales 3:45 p.m. CDT This appeal in a premediated murder conviction focuses on inconsistent statements in later trials and closing arguments. It is from Lincoln County. BERLIN - German police have have raided 20 homes and businesses in Berlin in connection with suspected Islamist terror-related offences. Some 450 officers were involved in the early morning raids, according to German news agency dpa. The Berlin prosecutors office said in a tweet that 20 search warrants were issued against 12 suspects belonging to the Islamist scene and suspected of different crimes including financing of terrorism It said it would give more information later in the day. Qatar Airways said Wednesday it will seek compensation for losses sustained from an "illegal airspace blockade" imposed since 2017 by four Middle East nations. The announcement came a day after the International Court of Justice ruled Qatar could challenge airspace restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt over three years ago before the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). "Qatar Airways will pursue its case for appropriate compensation of the financial injuries inflicted on Qatar Airways as a result of the illegal airspace blockade," the airline said in a statement. The four Saudi-led blockading nations severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 and imposed a land, sea and air embargo, accusing Doha of backing radical Islamist groups and forging close relations with Iran. Qatar repeatedly denied the allegations and sued the four countries before the ICAO. "The arbitrary and abusive measures that these four states have taken against us have devastated our carefully planned decades-long programme for investment and growth in those countries," Qatar Airways said. "They have arbitrarily prevented us from serving hundreds of thousands of passengers, and transporting tens of thousands of tons of cargo to and from each of these countries annually." Qatar Airways is the second largest airliner in the Middle East after Dubai-based Emirates, operating a modern fleet of 250 aircraft. Since the start of the air blockade, the national carrier has posted losses of hundreds of millions of dollars. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday evening, during which they discussed the continuation of active cooperation. "We highly appreciate the comprehensive support provided by the IMF during this difficult period for our country," Zelensky said during the conversation. The head of state stressed that continued active cooperation with the IMF within the new Stand-By Arrangement is an important priority for Ukraine. During the conversation, the President noted that he had met with representatives of commercial and state-owned banks and compiled a short list of candidates for the position of governor of the National Bank, who had been nominated by representatives of the banking sector. He assured that by the end of the week he would propose the candidacy of the NBU governor to the parliament. Zelensky expressed his conviction that the NBU together with the government should continue to implement a balanced monetary and fiscal policy, which will serve as a guarantee of macroeconomic and financial stability and promote economic growth and resumption of bank lending in Ukraine. "Discussions on the activities of the National Bank of Ukraine should be deprived of political complexion, which may have a negative impact on the institutional capacity and independence of the regulator," the President said. The head of state noted that the main criteria for choosing a candidate are professionalism, honesty and an impeccable reputation. During the conversation, Volodymyr Zelensky assured Kristalina Georgieva of Ukraine's strong desire to continue cooperation with the IMF and stressed that the adopted banking law was a direct evidence of that desire. As reported, on July 1, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Yakiv Smolii filed a letter of resignation to the President due to "systematic political pressure." In turn, the President's Office assured that the NBU Board would continue its activities on the basis of independence and professionalism, adding that "ensuring the independence of the National Bank of Ukraine remains an unconditional priority." On July 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a motion to dismiss Smolii from the post of NBU Governor to the Verkhovna Rada. On July 3, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dismissed Yakiv Smolii from the post of the Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine. ish TRENTON City police director Sheilah Coley will not stand down. Her pointed response came after a resident called on her to resign as TPDs leader over her decision to tell officers to stand down from responding to a reported arson at Tony Liquor in downtown Trenton during a May 31 riot. I will not be stepping down. Lets be clear about that, she said. The directors stand-down order, which is being reviewed by Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, dominated Tuesdays Latino Symposium, held with the Guatemalan Civic Association. Pastor Karen Hernandez-Granzen of the Westminster Presbyterian Church moderated and translated the event. The public forum was part of what some suggested is a politically expedient media-blitz for the usually reclusive director, who grants few interviews. The city said that, beginning July 21, Coley will take part in a seven-week call-in radio show on WBCB 1490 AM radio hosted by lobbyist Jeannine LaRue. This is an important opportunity for Trenton PD to connect with residents, Coley said in a statement. Now more than ever we need to strengthen police-community communications and deepen our connections with residents and community leaders. The announcement came a day after residents, business owners and community stakeholders grilled Coley, in Spanish and English, about her efforts to improve policing and better address the needs of the Latino community in the capital city amid nationwide efforts to reform the police in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Attendees brought up a range of issues from police response time to allegations that cops are always responsive to reports of petty crimes. The May 31 riot, when looters caused havoc, ransacking dozens of businesses across the city, was on everyones mind. One resident compared what the uprising to the movie The Purge. Like she has in previous interviews, Coley defended her decision to tell a group of officers to stand down as they prepared to respond to Tony Liquor. Coley said at least 100 officers from New Jersey State Police and Bucks County covered that stretch of the city. She said Trenton officers didnt have the proper riot training to adequately respond to a dangerous situation. Waldemar Ronquillo, the capital city resident who demanded Coleys resignation, said he was upset seeing his friends business destroyed, referring to Tony Liquor. Ronquillo said after the meeting that he was dissatisfied with the directors excuses. He planned to continue pressing for Coleys ouster at council meetings. The way she responds is not professional, he said. I want her to resign because she failed that night. Coley urged those in attendance not to judge her based on one day. Going around the room, Coley quizzed officers who were at the meeting about the last time they received riot training. Trenton Police Lt. James Slack said he hadnt had been trained in many years on how to disperse rowdy crowds like the once cops faced the night of the riot. Coley said she wouldnt send officers into a situation that she wouldnt respond to herself. I didnt tell them not to do anything. [It was], Let me go see whats going on, and then I will tell you what to do next. Because thats what leaders do. I will not send them where I wont go, she said. That was the right decision to make that night. Ex-Trenton cop William Osterman and the Latino Merchant Association of New jersey filed complaints against Coley with the MCPO. The complaints are still pending. Liquor store owner Tony Arias has estimated looters caused $300,000 worth of damage that night. Coley said more than two dozen people were arrested the night of the riot, many of them Trentonians, and another seven people were charged since then. Later in the night, Coley was involved in a heated exchange with Manuel Hernandez, president of the Latino Merchant Association of New Jersey. Rejecting some of his claims, the director told him to walk in the light. Its always productive, Hernandez said afterward about the exchange. We had two or three appointments with to meet with her to talk about the business conditions, and she never showed. We still want to work with her. While she has faced heat for sending officers home early before the riot broke out, Coley said the riot was hard to predict despite the departments intelligence efforts. Police identified social media posts that suggested some capital city residents invited outside agitators to cause havoc after two days of peaceful protesting over the death of Floyd, Coley said. Among those arrested were Earlja Dudley, 27, of Trenton, and Justin Spry, 21, of South Plainsfield, who were charged with federal crimes for torching a TPD cruiser. Hernandez wondered whether city officials encouraged Coley to take on more public appearances to stem perception that she is MIA and staunch some of the criticism shes faced. I think thats part of it, he said. Shes been here for over a year. Better late than never. Lawyers seek an amount to be determined by a jury, hope it will be so costly as to stop future killings by police. George Floyds family has filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death, alleging the officers violated Floyds rights when they restrained him and the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. Wednesdays lawsuit seeks compensatory and special damages in an amount to be determined by a jury. The complaint also asks for a receiver to be appointed to ensure the city properly trains and supervises its police officers in the future. We seek to set a precedence to make it financially prohibitive that the police wont wrongfully kill marginalised people, especially Black people in the future, lawyer Benjamin Crump said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit. The complaint, emailed to Al Jazeera by Crumps office, alleges the Minneapolis Police Department is at fault for Floyds death, due to its ratification of the culture of systemic racism and disparate treatment of the Black Community, vague and unconstitutional use of force policies and Killology training that teaches officers to consider every person and every situation as a potential deadly threat and to kill less hesitantly'. The pursuit to get #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd continues! On behalf Georges family, we're announcing a civil lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and police officers today at 1PM ET / 12PM CT. Watch the news conference virtually: https://t.co/7hqmTWN28b Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) July 15, 2020 Crump said in a statement that accompanied the complaint: The City of Minneapolis has a history of policies, procedures and deliberate indifference that violates the rights of arrestees, particularly Black men, and highlights the need for officer training and discipline. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd said he could not breathe. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers at the scene Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Kueng have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired the day after Floyds death, which set off protests that spread around the world and turned into a national reckoning on race in the US. Floyds death also sparked calls to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a new public safety department. A majority of City Council members support the move, saying the department has a long history and culture of brutality that has resisted change. A public hearing was planned later on Wednesday on the proposal, which requires a change in the citys charter that could go to voters in November. The lawsuit came on the same day a court allowed public viewing by appointment of video footage from the body cameras of Lane and Kueng. A coalition of news organisations and attorneys for Lane and Kueng has been advocating to make the videos public, saying they would provide a more complete picture of what happened when Floyd was taken into custody. The judge hasnt said why hes not allowing the video to be disseminated more widely. According to documents in state probate court, Floyd is survived by 11 known heirs, including five children and six siblings. They live in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and New York. All but one of Floyds children are adults. He has no living parents or grandparents. The families of victims of other high-profile police shootings have received high payouts in Minnesota. Last year, Minneapolis agreed to pay $20m to the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, an unarmed woman who was shot by an officer after she called 911 to report hearing a possible crime happening behind her home. Protesters carry a portrait of Philando Castile on June 16, 2017 in St Paul, Minnesota. Protests erupted in Minnesota after Officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted on all counts of shooting and killing Philando Castile [Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFP] The settlement came three days after the officer, Mohamed Noor, was convicted of murdering her and is believed to be the largest payout ever stemming from police violence in Minnesota. At the time, Mayor Jacob Frey cited Noors unprecedented conviction and his failure to identify a threat before he used deadly force as reasons for the large settlement. The mother of Philando Castile, a Black motorist killed by an officer in 2016, reached a nearly $3m settlement with the suburb of St Anthony, which employed the officer. The officer, Jeronimo Yanez, was acquitted of manslaughter and other charges. Cambridge researchers have shown how rapid genome sequencing of virus samples and enhanced testing of hospital staff can help to identify clusters of healthcare-associated COVID-19 infections. Since the start of the UK pandemic, when the virus was spreading between people, a team of scientists and clinicians at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) have been reading the genetic code of the virus to see if cases within the hospital are connected. This has enabled the hospital to fully investigate these outbreaks and to improve infection control measures to reduce the risk of further infections. In addition, the introduction of a screening programme that involved repeat testing of staff, has helped the hospital to investigate clusters of COVID-19 infections, informing infection control measures and breaking chains of transmission. This has helped reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections, ensuring maximum safety for patients and staff as the NHS aims to re-start other services. Researchers have published details of these investigations in two peer-reviewed journals, Lancet Infectious Diseases and eLife. Genomic surveillance Researchers in Cambridge have previously pioneered the use of genome sequencing as a way of managing hospital infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile. They have also used real-time sequencing to rapidly identify transmission chains in epidemics such as the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone. The researchers have now turned their attention to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is an RNA virus and as such its genetic code is prone to errors each time it replicates. It is currently estimated that the virus mutates at a rate of 2.5 nucleotides (the A, C, G and T of genetic code) per month. Reading - or 'sequencing' - the genetic code of the virus can provide valuable information on its biology and transmission. As part of the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium, researchers have been sequencing all available positive samples from patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 infection as well as a selection of samples collected from patients in regional hospitals across the East of England. In a five week period from mid-March to late April, the team sequenced over 1,000 viral genomes. They used phylogenetic trees - akin to a 'family tree' - to look at how clusters of virus samples might be related, allowing them to help pinpoint particular wards or locations where the disease was spreading. Dr Estee Torok from the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge said: "Genome sequencing gives us a rapid and reliable way of identifying cases of COVID-19 infection that are closely related within the hospital. This approach can provide vital information to help us to investigate the possible routes of transmission and to improve infection control measures to limit the spread of infection." The researchers analysed 299 COVID-19 patients and found 35 clusters of genetically identical viruses involving 159 patients. By examining the patients' medical records and ward location data researchers identified strong links between 58% of cases and plausible links between 20% of cases. The epidemiological and genomic data were fed back to the hospital infection control and management teams resulting in implementation of a range of measures to prevent further transmission, including isolation of infected patients, revised procedures for ward cleaning, enhanced use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and changes in staff social distancing behaviour. As an example, six dialysis patients were admitted to different locations in the hospital with COVID-19 infection over a three-week period. Sequencing revealed that their viral genomes were identical. Epidemiological investigation showed that the patients dialysed at the same outpatient dialysis unit on the same days of the week and identified shared patient transportation and neighbouring dialysis chairs as risk factors for transmission. This enabled the infection control team to enhance infection control measures and prevented additional cases. Professor Ian Goodfellow, from the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, said: "We're able to combine genomic data with patients' medical records to provide real time information to help the hospital review its infection control on a weekly basis. It's also highlighted possible transmission networks less well documented, such as care homes, outpatient units and ambulance services." The COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium is supported by funding from the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the National Institute of Health Research and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Screening asymptomatic and symptomatic healthcare workers In addition to genomic surveillance, CUH has implemented a screening programme in which all staff - both symptomatic and asymptomatic - are screened. In May, Cambridge researchers reported that of the more than 1,000 staff members reporting fit for duty during April, 3% tested positive for the coronavirus. Now, in a follow-up study published in eLife, they have found that, alongside a decline in patient admissions with COVID-19, the proportion of both asymptomatic and symptomatic healthcare workers testing positive declined rapidly throughout the following month. The team performed 3,388 tests at CUH between 25 April and 24 May. These included 2,611 tests on asymptomatic healthcare workers. The samples were analysed using a technique called PCR to detect genetic information from the virus on the swab. The researchers found that just 21 (0.8%) of the 2,611 tests carried out on asymptomatic healthcare workers returned positive, a large drop compared to the previous month. Of the 771 tests carried out on symptomatic healthcare workers or those living with someone with possible infection, just 13 (1.7%) were positive - compared to 13% the previous month. Dr Mike Weekes, from the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID), said: "Screening all staff at the hospital regardless of whether they are showing symptoms has helped us see a dramatic fall in the number of hospital-acquired infections. It means we're able to spot new outbreaks faster, limiting their opportunity to spread. "It's important not to be complacent, though. There will inevitably be new outbreaks that occur - that is, unfortunately, the nature of a pandemic. But we hope our approach will help reassure both staff and patients that the hospital remains a safe place to give and receive care." In their report, the team give an example of where four symptomatic staff from the same general medical ward tested positive. In response, the team was able to carry out targeted screening of staff on the ward, allowing them to identify a cluster of infections and prevent further onward transmission. "The existence of clusters of infection in specific areas of the hospital shows the potential for staff and patients to become infected within the hospital environment," said Professor Steve Baker from CITIID. "If left unchecked, these clusters could lead to self-sustaining outbreaks. Frequent testing at CUH allowed us to spot these clusters quickly and stop any further transmission." ### The research was supported by Wellcome, the Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, the Medical Research Council, NHS Blood and Transfusion, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and Cancer Research UK. She recently hit out at her Selling Sunset co-star, Christine Quinn, for spreading 'complete lies' about her marriage to Justin Hartley. And Chrishell Stause is ready to put all the marriage drama behind her, filing court documented to remove 'Hartley' from her name, according to The Blast. The 38-year-old beauty wants to return to her maiden name - eight months after the This Is Us star cited 'irreconcilable differences' and filed for divorce. Wants her name back! Chishelle Stause has filed legal documents to restore her maiden name following her shock split from Justin Hartley eight-months ago MailOnline has reached out to Chrishell's representatives for further comment. The new developments come after the beauty hit back at her Selling Sunset co-star, Christine Quinn, for spreading 'complete lies' about her marriage. Christine claimed on Monday that Chrishell's marriage to Justin was in trouble before their shock November split, when speaking to Page Six. 'Check the source': Chrishell Stause has hit back at her Selling Sunset co-star Christine Quinn for spreading 'complete lies' about her marriage But Chrishell hit back at the claims the former couple were in therapy, insisting her co-star 'has absolutely zero knowledge of the marriage we had.' Chrishell's split is set to be the major storyline of the third series of Selling Sunset, but the real estate agent has denied there were signs she knew her actor ex was planning to file for divorce. Taking to Twitter, Chrishell shared: 'I just learned Christine is giving press 'information' about my divorce. 'Let me be VERY clear. She knows absolutely nothing about the situation and is obviously desperate to gain attention by doing so. Anything from her is either a complete lie or total conjecture on her part.' The 38-year-old added: 'It's so frustrating and unfortunate that someone would use someone's personal painful situation to get press for themselves. I can't say I am surprised, but please check the source. She has absolutely zero knowledge of the marriage we had.' Split: Christine claimed that there were signs Chrishell's marriage to Justin Harley was in trouble before their shock split in November (pictured November 14) When This Is Us star Justin filed for divorce from his wife of two yearson November 22, she claimed she was 'blindsided.' But Christine told Page Six on Monday that the estranged couple had been 'in therapy' for 'a while.' 'We all just thought maybe they were having communication problems for a while,' the 31-year-old self-described 'villain' told the magazine. Not true: Taking to Twitter, Chrishell shared: 'Let me be VERY clear. She knows absolutely nothing about the situation and is obviously desperate to gain attention' 'We heard that they were in therapy, so obviously there were some issues going on with them.' Chrishell locked Christine on Instagram over her 'toxic insults and toxic energy' last month. 'I have her blocked. And it's one of those things where I think that's that does come across very childish and ridiculous,' told Radio One's The Reality Tea podcast. 'But I have the screenshots. She knows why she's blocked. I'm sure she hopes that I never show you guys why she's blocked, because it would be embarrassing to her.' 5'Problems': Christine told Page Six on Monday that the estranged couple had been 'in therapy' for 'a while' Let it go: The blonde Texan told Page Six everyone was 'exhausted' by Chrishell 'ignoring me' - name-dropping their co-stars Maya Vander, Heather Rae Young, Davina Potratz as being 'tired of it' (pictured in 2019) The blonde Texan told Page Six everyone was 'exhausted' by Chrishell 'ignoring me' - name-dropping their co-stars Maya Vander, Heather Rae Young, Davina Potratz as being 'tired of it.' Chrishell- who's asking for spousal support - was stepmother to Justin's 16-year-old daughter Isabella from his eight-year marriage to Lindsay Korman, which ended in 2012. Curiously, Hartley listed the day of their legal separation as July 8 (despite sightings together months later) while she listed November 22. Adding insult to injury: The 43-year-old Illinois native was seen passionately kissing his former Y&R co-star Sofia Pernas on May 29 - six months after his divorce filing (pictured in 2015) Adding insult to injury, Justin was seen passionately kissing his former Y&R co-star Sofia Pernas on May 29 - six months after his divorce filing. Catch more drama from the dueling Oppenheim Group realtors on the eight-episode third season of Selling Sunset, which starts streaming August 7 on Netflix. Christine recently told Goss she had COVID-19 when she wed retired tech millionaire Christian Richard on December 15 at LA's Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in front of 75 guests. Meanwhile, Justin will resume his role as rehabbed actor Kevin Pearson in the fifth season of the critically-lauded, time-hopping hit show This Is Us, which premieres this fall on NBC. Geoengineering - spraying sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to combat global warming - would only temporarily and partially benefit apple production in northern India, according to a Rutgers co-authored study. But abruptly ending geoengineering might lead to total crop failure faster than if geoengineering were not done, according to the study - believed to be the first of its kind - in the journal Climatic Change. "This study reminds us that there is no perfect technical method to address the impacts of global warming, and that we need to mitigate global warming and adapt as best we can," said co-author Alan Robock, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "To reduce the impacts of global warming, in this case on the production of deciduous fruits such as apples, we need to leave the fossil fuels in the ground and move to powering society with wind and solar power as quickly as possible." In a 2018 study, Robock and other researchers examined the biological impacts of starting and abruptly ending geoengineering efforts to cool Earth's climate. Society, responding to a climate emergency, may eventually spray sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere (upper atmosphere). Such geoengineering, or climate intervention, would create a massive sulfuric acid cloud to block some solar radiation and cool the Earth. But if the spraying were to suddenly cease, there would be a major impact on animals and plants, which would be forced to try to move to suitable habitat to survive. The airplane spraying technology may be developed within 10 or 20 years, and a geoengineered cloud would last only about a year if the airplanes stopped continuous spraying. In their new study, scientists studied the impact of global warming and stratospheric geoengineering on the production of deciduous fruit in Himachal Pradesh, the second-largest apple-producing state in India. They used a climate model to project temperature changes and shifts in suitable habitat for apple orchards under a moderate greenhouse gas emissions scenario and efforts to limit warming. "We found that global warming would reduce apple production by affecting the winter chill period necessary for the plants," Robock said. "Adaptation by moving to higher elevation cooler areas, would only partially be successful as the soil there is not as suitable and the overall area where apple production could succeed would be reduced. Geoengineering to counter some of the global warming would have limited benefits and could backfire if it ever ended suddenly." Since the study was done with one global warming and geoengineering scenario for one crop in one part of the world, other studies are needed to see how robust the results are in general, Robock noted. The work was done in collaboration with Jyoti Singh and Sandeep Sahany from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in India and the Centre for Climate Research Singapore. ### Were in the business of sharing our collection and our exhibitions with our visitors, said Rondeau. I hope were not just going to help people navigate a safe visit to the museum. I hope were going to help people navigate a safe return to some of our former commitments (throughout society). So that feels like the super energizing part of it. Twelve alleged Bangladeshis, including women and children, are stranded in Tripura's Sepahijala district for four days, with the BSF trying to push them back and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) refusing to take them, suspecting they could be Indians, police said on Wednesday. They have been stuck since Saturday last week in Miyapara village of Kamalasagar, about 30 km from here. The village stands hemmed in between the international border and the barbed wire fence India has erected 150 yards away from it on its side to check smuggling and infiltration. During the patrolling, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel found a group of people who had allegedly entered India illegally, a senior police officer said. During preliminary interrogation, they were claimed to have admitted they were from the neighbouring country and also showed their citizenship documents. "They admitted that they are from Kuthi village under Kasba police station in Brahmanbaria district of the neighbouring country. "The BGB refused to take the stranded people back, suspecting that they could be Indians," a senior police officer told PTI. When contacted, a BSF official said, "A commandant-level meeting between the two forces on Tuesday was inconclusive. We will continuously pursue the BGB to take them back." "Some relatives of the stranded people met the BGB personnel and submitted many documents claiming that they are from Bangladesh," the police officer said. BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro told reporters on Wednesday in Brasilia that he has tested positive for coronavirus again, a week after he announced he had become ill with COVID-19, and said he would get tested once more in a few days. Local outlet CNN Brasil had reported the positive test result earlier on Wednesday. (Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto; Editing by Chris Reese) BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro told reporters on Wednesday in Brasilia that he has tested positive for coronavirus again, a week after he announced he had become ill with COVID-19, and said he would get tested once more in a few days. Local outlet CNN Brasil had reported the positive test result earlier on Wednesday. (Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto; Editing by Chris Reese) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, developed by Moderna Inc. and the U.S. government, was deemed safe and effective against the virus, according to data released Tuesday. Research data released by the biotech company showed the candidate vaccine successfully triggered the body's immune response. The neutralizing antibody levels produced during the clinical trials matched those seen in patients who recovered after getting infected with the coronavirus. Additionally, the vaccine did not generate an immune cell that has made vaccinated people worse off when faced with other diseases. However, the experts who reviewed the results said it is still unclear whether the immune response is enough to protect someone from contracting the virus. Moderna's chief medical officer, Dr. Tal Zaks, said the findings indicate that the mRNA-1273 vaccine would most likely be safe and effective. While several patients suffered side effects - with some severe, the team of researchers will move into a more extensive phase three trial this month. The late-stage testing will determine whether the coronavirus vaccine will get approval from U.S. regulators. Possible COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects According to a report by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the side effects reported by the scientists were not severe enough to require further testing. More than half of the patients who received three doses experienced mild to moderate side effects, including fatigue, chills, and muscle pain. Forty percent of people from the same group also developed a fever after receiving the second dose. Among the 14 patients who receive the highest dose, three reported severe side effects. The group decided to drop the 250-micrograms dosage in the more extensive trials, the USA Today reported. Late-Stage TrialsModerna Inc. collaborated with the Vaccine Research Center to hold the clinical trial. The experimental drug, which is being produced at lightning speed, was launched in early March. The vaccine will now be tested during the late-stage trial that may involve over 30,000 participants. The highly anticipated trial is set to begin on July 27. The study is expected to run for three months. According to The Motley Fool, each participant would be given one dose of either 100-micrograms of the mRNA-1273 vaccine or a placebo on the first day of trials. Another dose would be delivered on the 29th day. Trial to be Held Across 87 Locations in the United States The news comes after much speculation that the final phase of the trial would face delays after the company modified its testing protocol. Multiple reports also claimed the biotech company and government health officials had disagreed over many aspects of the trials. However, both parties said that was not the case. Moderna Inc. is relatively new compared to other companies that are also developing COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The drugmaker has never held a clinical trial of this size. It has also never received approval for a single product. However, numerous health experts and industry observers believe the research results may give Moderna a strong chance of becoming the first company to market a COVID-19 vaccine. Want to read more? Check these out: Anunt de selectare a participantilor si participantelor la cel de-al doilea curs de instruire din cadrul Programului educational pentru dezvoltarea competentelor lucratorilor de tineret Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE The New Mexico Environment Department on Tuesday suspended food permits for four restaurants that had defied a revised public health order by remaining open for indoor dining. The permit freeze marks the latest salvo in an escalating food fight between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration and restaurants, as many restaurant owners have said they feel unfairly targeted by the governors decision to halt indoor dining just weeks after restaurants were allowed to reopen. However, Environment Secretary James Kenney on Tuesday cited several recent instances of rapid response state testing interventions launched in response to restaurant employees testing positive for COVID-19. We are grateful to the hundreds of food establishments around the state who are committed to protecting their employees, customers and their industry, Kenney said. The four restaurants, all in southeastern New Mexico, are three Pizza Inn franchises two in Carlsbad and one in Hobbs and the Trinity Hotel in Carlsbad. The Environment Departments decision to suspend their permits was based on a state law that allows such action in cases in which a food establishments conditions present a danger of illness, serious physical harm or death to potential customers. With their permits suspended, the restaurants must cease all operations or face the possibility of additional legal action. But the permits could be reinstated if the restaurants agree to abide by the revised public health order, according to the agency. Although some restaurant owners have supported the Lujan Grisham administrations reimposed restrictions, others have expressed strong opposition. The New Mexico Restaurant Association, along with six restaurants, filed a lawsuit in the Roswell-based 5th Judicial District Court on Tuesday, seeking to bar the state from enforcing its ban on indoor restaurant dining. Meanwhile, the lawsuit was filed a day after the restaurant association organized a Let Us Serve protest in response to the revised public health order issued Monday by Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel that still allows limited patio dining at breweries and eateries. Restaurant workers and owners from around the state including Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Gallup and Clovis took part in the protest by holding up signs in their parking lots and social media pages. One of the restaurants involved in both the protest and the lawsuit is the Trinity Hotel, which posted on Facebook that its Monday lunch special was a smothered We the People steak burrito. In addition, an online fundraiser for New Mexico restaurants facing state fines for violating the public health order had raised roughly $6,600 as of late Tuesday well short of its $150,000 goal. The restaurants with suspended permits did not include two Wecks restaurants in Santa Fe and Farmington that stayed open for dine-in services Monday. The owner of the two restaurants reversed course Tuesday and said he would comply with the state order, after both locations were visited by Environment Department inspectors. Journal staff writer Pilar Martinez contributed to this report. The Nigerian police counter-terrorism unit in Base 8, Maiduguri, has rescued a patrol team of soldiers attacked by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday along Auno road. The incident occurred at about 2:48 p.m. Monday, authorities briefed on the matter said. Before the arrival of the police, the Boko Haram elements had killed two soldiers, kidnapped others and carted away two gun trucks, about 60 AK47 rifles and some ammunition. But in an exchange of fire, the police rescued two soldiers, recovered one of the gun trucks and some of the other ammunition, this medium learnt. In a video seen by this newspaper where the Nigerian police team gave an account of the rescue mission, the leader of the team said their patrol vehicle was moving along Auno road when they saw a military vehicle packed on an untarred and deserted road. We decided to move across the road so see whats happening. We saw a military vehicle on an interred road. We saw a dead body. We thought it was a bomb, the unnamed police officer said in the video. I said let us scrutinize the vehicle. (It was there) we saw this number of arms and decided to pick them out, the officer, who wore a bulletproof vest and face cap with SARS crested on them, noted. He added that they decided to retrieve (the ammunition) and go back, when they saw a vehicle burning along the road and a fighter jet hovering above them. He said their decision was taken to avoid being mistaken for terrorists since we didnt communicate with the army. Auno town, which is about 20 km from Maiduguri, has seen recent onslaught from insurgents. In February, over 30 stranded travellers were charred and over 18 vehicles burnt at the towns gate. Also, during COVID-19 lockdown in April, at least seven persons were killed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on the outskirts of the village. The army spokesperson, Sagir Musa, could not be reached as his phone was switched off when it was called. Police spokesperson, Frank Mba, declined comment as calls and a text message sent to him were not replied. A screenshot of the Fox News shows Yan Limeng receiving an interview with the US media organization. Medical experts and the University of Hong Kong dismissed claims made by a former postdoctoral fellow of the school that the university and Beijing withheld key information about the epidemic, calling such claims "unfounded" and "hearsay". Yan Limeng, who was a fellow at HKU's School of Public Health, told Fox News in a recent interview that HKU had failed to act on her findings that COVID-19 can be transmitted among humans. She said the findings came from research on the virus in late December that she participated in, and she was told to conduct a secret investigation of what was happening on the Chinese mainland. Yan said in late December she obtained what she called firsthand information from a scientist friend of hers who works for the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. She said her friend claimed human-to-human transmission might exist as family-cluster cases had been found. She said she reported her findings to her supervisor but was asked to keep silent. In late April, she fled from Hong Kong to the United States. In a statement written on July 11, HKU rejected Yan's claims, saying she never conducted any research on human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 at the university between December and January. HKU said that what Yan might have emphasized in her interview has "no scientific basis" but "resembles hearsay". The university also noted that it does not act on hearsay and it will not comment further on the matter. Chow Pak-chin, an ophthalmologist who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of HKU in the 1970s, said he had some doubts about the credibility of Yan's remarks after he watched the interview. "Her accusations lack direct evidence, and some of it was even based on information from social media," said Chow, who is also president of Wisdom Hong Kong, a local think tank. Yan seems to have no scientific evidence to prove her "findings", but instead just based her remarks on what her friend said in a chat group on social media, Chow pointed out. "We call such information, without fact-checking, 'hearsay'," he said. Chow added that he also thinks Yan's claims that she is worried that she will be killed and face threats from the Chinese government are not convincing. "Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, and the Hong Kong police have been committed to protecting residents' safety." The public should not readily believe one-sided claims and should also avoid spreading rumors, Chow suggested. Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the advisory committee on communicable diseases of the Hong Kong Medical Association, said Yan has not presented any supporting evidence for her accusations toward Beijing or HKU. Regarding whether human-to-human transmission existed, health experts could have drawn varied conclusions but there was not enough epidemiological evidence in early January to support any of the theories, according to the doctor specializing in respiratory science. "I don't think HKU had gotten some different statistics from others at the end of 2019, when the epidemic emerged," Leung added. He noted making a conclusion on human-to-human transmission without statistical support is not convincing and may not conform to facts. Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese CDC, said Chinese health authorities have been open and transparent in releasing information regarding the COVID-19 epidemic, including notifying the World Health Organization of the outbreak and sharing with the whole world the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus as soon as possible. "China notified the WHO and other countries such as the United States about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia as early as Jan 3, and at that time it did not even know the cause of the outbreak yet," he said. "Since then, China has been releasing epidemic information to the WHO and other countries and regions." Wu said he did not see WHO officials acting partially to China on its handling of COVID-19. "As far as I see, most of them are technical experts and just express views based on facts," he said. China's rainy season, often called plum rain, typically begins in late spring or early summer across southern areas before typically expanding north into central China through the summer months. This year's plum rain has been particularly active, setting records and causing widespread, devastating flooding across much of the country. Virtually all of mainland China has been affected, excluding vast far western areas such as Tibet and Xinjiang, according to Vice Minister of Emergency Management Zheng Guoguang. In the last six months, the Yangtze, Asia's longest river, and parts of its watershed, have reported the second highest rainfall since 1961, Zheng added. A vehicle travels through a flooded section of a road following heavy rainfall in Wuhan, Hubei province, China July 6, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS This record-setting rainfall has caused 433 rivers across central, eastern and southern China to rise to flood stage, with 33 rivers reaching record high levels early this week, according to Reuters. On Sunday, the Xingzi and Poyang hydrological stations located on the Poyang Lake in Jiangxi province, reached 22.53 meters (73.92 feet) and 22.74 meters (74.61 feet), respectively. This broke the old records of 22.52 meters (73.88 feet) in Xingzi and 22.61 meters (74.18 feet) in Poyang, set back in 1998, according to officials with the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP On Saturday, July 11, the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest capacity power station, was forced to cut back discharge amounts for a fifth time to ease downstream water levels. The reservoir's levels have reached 153.2 m (502.6 feet), 6.7 m (21.98 feet) higher than the warning level, according to Reuters. In Hubei, the flood response was raised to Level II, the second highest on a four-level scale, after a record-breaking 426 mm (16.8 inches) of rain fell on Sunday, July 5, the official China Daily reported. Story continues In Hubei's capital of Wuhan, the original epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak that was locked down for months, residents were told to stay indoors once again, but this time due to severe flooding. Floodwaters rushed over the banks of the Yangtze River, which runs alongside the city, Reuters reported. Footage captured on July 14 showed floodwaters from the river spilling onto walkways in a local park in Wuhan. Several city parks and walkways were closed last weekend in the city, according to Storyful News Agency. By Friday, July 17, flood response levels were increased to Level I, the highest on the scale, for rising rivers across Hubei as well as Jiangxi. In Wuhan, red alerts were declared as rivers and lakes approached their guaranteed safety levels. The ongoing flooding in the initial epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak and surrounding areas is impacting efforts to control the pandemic, including delaying shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE). "It's just creating another major roadblock here in terms of PPE getting into the United States - it is the worst of times for it to happen but that's what we're dealing with right now," Michael Einhorn, president of Dealmed, a U.S. medical supply distributor, which sources disposable lab coats and other products from Wuhan and nearby regions, told Reuters reporters. "We cannot get product out for over a week, which is a very long time in our business," he said, adding that the delays could last up to three weeks. "Xiantao, just west of Wuhan, is China's biggest manufacturer of nonwoven fabrics used in PPE production. A third of China's total exports of nonwoven fabric products are from the city," reported Reuters. Aerial view of housed flooded by rising water near Yongxiu Sanjiao Lianyu Dam in Jiujiang City, east China's Jiangxi province, on July 14, 2020. Flooded rivers and heavy rainfall have impacted over 38 million people across 27 provinces across China since June and more than 2 million people have been evacuated. At least 141 people are dead or missing due to the flooding. Numerous rescues have taken place across the country as quickly rising waters and sudden landslides have surprised residents since the first rounds of flooding downpours arrived in June. As of Friday, at least six more people were killed in three separate landslides in the Kaizhou District of Chongqing. According to Reuters, the devastating flooding has caused economic losses at around 60 billion yuan ($8.57 billion), adding to the economic impact from shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The flooding of key tourist attractions across southern China is expected to add to the financial stress in the region already in place thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Associated Press Emergency workers have been sandbagging rivers to reinforce their banks and digging channels to redirect some of the water, but officials in the water ministry are preparing for more "grim" weather in the form of heavy rainfall. AccuWeather forecasters say a storm system that moved into central China the end of the week will continue to bring widespread, heavy rainfall from the mega city of Chongqing in central China to the Jiangsu province through Sunday. Chongqing, Wuhan and Shanghai are just a few cities that can receive rainfall totals of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches), but any amount of rain will further exacerbate flooding across the region and heighten the risk for landslides as well. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. Murder detectives have charged a man and his mother over the killing of a mother-of-two in her own home. Kerry Woolley, 38, was discovered dead in her apartment in Solihull, West Midlands, on Sunday. It is understood the 'bubbly, kind and warm' insurance worker died from a fatal cut to her neck. West Midlands Police tonight charged Ian Bennett, 37, with her murder. Bennett from Solihull, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning. Kerry Woolley was discovered with fatal injuries to her neck at her Solihull flat on Warwick Road at about 3.20pm on Sunday, July 12 West Midlands Police guard a ground floor flat on Warwick Road in Solihull. A blue tent was placed to protect evidence at the scene following the discovery on Sunday His mother, Lynda Bennett, 62, also from Solihull, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. She will also appear before magistrates tomorrow morning. Officers this morning closed off the town's Prospect Park - around two miles from the murder scene at Westley Heights. Teams conducted line searches for the weapon used to kill Ms Woolley, a claims team manager for Zurich Insurance. A forensics investigator was later pictured carrying a blade sealed in an evidence tube. An onlooker said: 'It looked like they found something of significance quite quickly. 'The search team went in and started hacking away at undergrowth and shouted over to forensics, who put their white suits and masks on. 'I could see they had evidence bags and had started putting evidence markers down. 'I've got a feeling they found what they were looking for.' A murder investigation is underway after the body of a woman was found in a flat in Warwick Road, Solihull Police and paramedics discovered Ms Woolley's prone body in the ground floor flat on Sunday afternoon. A post-mortem revealed she died from a 'serious neck injury'. Neighbours paid tribute to Ms Woolley and said she lived with her son, 12, and daughter, nine. One woman said: 'It's absolutely shocking. They only moved in a few months ago. 'She was a lovely lady - always smiling. She would take the kids to the McDonald's over the road. It was clear she doted on them. 'I think she had a couple of dogs as well. You'd see her out walking.' Another added: 'The police came on Sunday afternoon and you could tell it was serious straightaway. 'They cordoned off the entire area outside the apartments and they've put up a tent outside the front door. 'There have been police officers coming and going, as well as crime scene investigators. 'All the windows have been opened. 'I didn't know what happened until I read that a woman had died. I don't know who she is but it's so sad. 'This is quite a nice area. You don't expect this at all.' Police were called to the apartment complex at around 3.30pm on Sunday. Evidence markers could be seen surrounding a child's 'stay safe' rainbow picture stuck to a glass door. A blue police tent was erected in front of a door to protect evidence and people viewing inside the apartment. Officers and forensics workers today remained at the ground floor property to comb for clues. Ms Woolley leaves behind a son, 12, and daughter, nine. She was described as a 'beautiful soul' and 'warm personality' in the wake of the tragedy, as a bunch of sunflowers were laid at the scene. One friend took to Facebook to pay her respects and said: 'Kerry Woolley, you were a beautiful soul my darling. 'You will be heavily missed by all who knew you, worked with you and was lucky enough to be called a friend. 'Please find peace! My thoughts are with your family and friends and beautiful children. I will always remember your laugh and smile.' Her grieving family released a short statement through West Midlands Police. Friends and family members, including parents Steve and Lynda, changed their Facebook profile pictures to lit candles in her memory. The statement read: 'As a family this has devastated us. We would like to thank everyone for their support.' Detective Inspector Nick Barnes from the force CID team, added: 'My thoughts remain with Kerry's family who are devastated by their loss. 'Our investigations are continuing and I'd urge anyone who may have any information to contact us as soon as possible.' Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation, has been named publisher at Pantheon and Schocken Books. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Lisa Lucas didnt want to leave her job as executive director of the National Book Foundation, which hands out the prestigious National Book Awards every year, but when the offer came to become publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books, she simply couldn't refuse. It felt important enough to become more uncomfortable if that makes sense, Lucas said in a phone interview. I could not be more excited, but it is an interesting sort of feeling. The bus comes and you get on or you dont. Its the bus Ive dreamed of my whole life. It just came at a time I did not expect. Reagan Arthur, the executive vice president and publisher in charge of Knopf, Pantheon and Schocken Books, began discussing the position with Lucas over the phone in early June. But Arthur, who moved from Little, Brown this year after the death of legendary Alfred A. Knopf publisher Sonny Mehta, has long had an inkling they'd eventually collaborate. You're in this fairly small world of books, and you have these people and you think, Wouldn't it be great to work together someday?" Arthur said over the phone. "And then when I got here thinking about Pantheon in particular, what a great opportunity it is suddenly the ideas merged in my brain. The qualities that had always attracted her to Lucas also made her feel the foundation director, formerly the publisher of the online magazine Guernica, was right for the new role: excitement, conviction and a new perspective. I look forward to her unique and irrepressible energy and enthusiasm and serious belief in literature, Arthur said. I think that's going to be a combination that serves us all well. She'll bring a great appreciation for a wide range of books, a great sense of identity about the history Pantheon has and a great vision for its future. Decades before the publishing houses were acquired by Random House, Pantheon and Schocken were separately founded in the U.S. by Jewish refugees in the 1940s; among their early authors were Martin Buber, Gunter Grass, Elie Wiesel and Boris Pasternak. In recent years the imprints have published Ali Smith, Charles Baxter, Marjane Satrapi and Ha Jin. Story continues I think that my job, hopefully, is not just to imagine what the vision of a particular imprint is but to imagine the audience, said Lucas. To really be as open-minded as possible about who might want to connect with any given book. And so, obviously my worldview is quite diverse Black literature, Latinx literature, Korean literature, science writers. I'm interested in global voices." Her move comes a week after Simon & Schuster's namesake imprint announced its new publisher as Dana Canedy, a journalist and the administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes. Canedy and Lucas will be the first Black people in their respective positions, at a time when the publishing industry like many fields is engaged in conversations about diversity and inclusion. Lucas took the reins of the National Book Awards in 2016 and has been credited with revitalizing the foundation and its annual ceremony. In recent years, award recipients have included Ibram X. Kendi, John Lewis, Colson Whitehead and Jesmyn Ward. Lucas feels that job has prepared her well to work inside book publishing. I want people to understand that you cant just make an award, she said. You have to make readers, and that starts with children. Her mission, she said, will remain the same in many ways: I think the aggregate effect all the books that we read have on our courage, our behavior, our culture it's enormous. I feel excited to work collaboratively with the team that is already in place here and to really think about how you protect and preserve the best of the past and build. You know steady tracks that lead us into the future. She will depend on this teams experience in areas of publishing that she doesnt know much about yet and their patience. I'm excited to learn from them, to listen to them, to humbly acknowledge what I don't know as a person who has not spent my life in traditional publishing, she said. And then also, with fresh eyes and clear eyes, figure out how we're going to do this together. The long legacy of Pantheon, where she will start in January, reminds her of her current position. I have a very clear perspective and point of view in the work that I do, she said, "but the way I have worked is to take those ideas and see how they sit with the existing framework of an organization, find balance there, and to push forward. I think that the synthesis of those two things can yield something really beautiful. I'm just super excited to get to work. Lucas recognizes the baby steps that publishing has taken with regard to diversity but believes the process will be a long one. This is not going to be an easy road," she said, "but I am encouraged by the movement. I'm encouraged by the fact that we seem to be moving into a new era. And she sees her appointment as representative of more than just her individual success. Historically, as a Black woman who now works in the publishing industry, albeit at a nonprofit, it's always felt very difficult to enter the spaces that are existing, she said. I think that's not about me. That's about a reckoning, right? That's about a realization, and I just hope that this continues and creates opportunities for everyone. It also will benefit publishing on the whole. "We have been reading work by people who aren't our color our whole life," Lucas said. "So we're in a unique and valuable place, because we understand all literature. We've grown up with the American curriculum, the American canon, we are fluent. We are multilingual in a way that many folks aren't. As for when she might feel comfortable calling herself a publisher, Lucas said, The idea of walking into a bookstore and seeing a book that you and your team saw value in, shepherded into reality and sold beautifully that is the day that I look forward to." TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Gratomic Inc. ("GRAT" or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT)(FRANKFURT:CB81)(WKN:A143MR) officially welcomes Armando Farhate aboard as Chief Operations Officer and Head of Graphite Marketing and Sales. Mr. Farhate was previously appointed as Head of the Advisory Board. Due to his extensive and successful experience in the graphite mining industry, Gratomic is thrilled to have him onboard in his new role with the Company. Mr. Farhate will oversee all operations for the Aukam Graphite Mine in Namibia, Africa. This includes the completion of the final 10% of construction required to take the processing plant into the full commissioning phase. He will also be responsible for the management of graphite product sales and marketing, leading to the procurement of purchase contracts and the vertical integration required for the creation and sale of end-user products. Mr. Farhate's appointment as Chief Operations Officer is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval Mr. Farhate's prior experience in the planning, engineering, project management, marketing and sales areas of the graphite mining industry make him the ideal candidate to fill this role. In past projects, he was responsible for quality management, environmental management, and implementing strategic and tactical planning. In addition to operations and graphite marketing and sales, Mr. Farhate will oversee the quality management of the Aukam Graphite Mine and he will coordinate important decisions regarding processing. Some notable accomplishments in Mr. Farhate's experience include Natural Graphite Operations/Product Director with Imreys Graphite and Carbon and COO at National de Graphite Ltda. Some of Mr. Farhate's responsibilities at Imreys included acting as Operations Director, directly responsible for the mining and processing units in Lac-Des-Iles, QC, and Terrebonne, QC, Canada, with 60 employees and annual sales revenue of $ 18 MM CDN. Farhate obtained 15% of OEE improvement and reduction to zero of lost time accidents. He carried out technical visits and operational due-diligences in projects of new industrial units in several countries, including a project that resulted in a joint venture in Namibia, with assets of US$ 40MM and Imreys holding a 51% share of the joint venture. While at Imreys, Farhate was also responsible for ensuring that the product offering was adequate to the needs of the target markets, which included the preparation and development of business cases aimed at launching new product lines and new production processes; the definition of sales price policies, and the development of Marketing and Sales plans for new industrial units. He was in charge of the long-term strategy for Natural Graphite, including the definition of new production locations and sourcing strategies. During his time at National de Grafite Ltda., Armando Farhate was responsible for the direct management of Geology, Mine Planning, Mining, Processing, Industrial Engineering, R&D, Quality System, Environment, and Sales & Marketing. He performed high level contacts with federal and state regulatory public organizations in Brazil, as well as with municipalities and state congressmen, regarding mining permitting and environment licensing processes. Mr. Farhate coordinated new mine opening processes, including the obtaining of mining permissions and environment licenses. He coordinated, together with specialized consultants, mineral assets evaluation processes and implemented control tools generating integrated information about output, efficiency, cost and inventory levels of three different plants and more than 20 product lines, optimizing production planning and order fulfillment and obtaining OEE improvements up to $1.25 MM/yr. CDN at the three industrial units held by NDG. He led new product and process development, including the negotiation of partnerships with public and private universities in Brazil and abroad with emphasis on the obtaining of graphite oxide and graphene from natural crystalline graphite, and on the development of process technology for lithium-ion battery anode. He conducted, in partnership with HR and Controlling, a restructuring process on administrative and supporting areas, including upper management, with saving of $300,000/yr CDN. Mr. Farhate's experience and expertise will undoubtedly be of great value to the Company. About Gratomic Inc. Gratomic is a materials company focused on mine to market commercialization of graphite products and components for a range of mass market products. The Company currently holds two off-take purchase agreements for graphite product sourced from the Aukam facility. One agreement is with TODAQ and the other is with Phu Sumika. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GRAT. For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact: Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or 416 561-4095 "Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). SOURCE: Gratomic Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597570/Gratomic-Appoints-Armando-Farhate-as-Chief-Operations-Officer-and-Head-of-Graphite-Marketing-and-Sales Since the remains of Pvt. Gregory Wedel-Morales were discovered in a shallow grave outside Fort Hood last month, the mystery of his disappearance has only intensified. The Army declared Wedel-Morales a deserter a month after he was reported missing in August. But his family said he probably walked away from his post. He was days away from leaving the service for good, propelled by his goal of working on wind turbines on the Texas coast. Officials have said the Army does not track down alleged deserters, but Wedel-Morales' family is left wondering: What if it had tried? "The military failed him by not looking," his mother, Kimberly Wedel, told The Washington Post. "They just assumed the worst and let it go." Wedel-Morales, 23, was a goofy prankster with a cowboy hat always within reach, his family said, and drove a truck constantly splashed with mud back home in Sapulpa, outside Tulsa, Okla. He enlisted as a truck driver in 2015, serving tours in Kuwait and South Korea while stationed at Fort Hood, the Army said. He was days away from leaving the Army when he called his mother on June 19 last year to ask for gas money, Wedel recalled. That was the last conversation she had with her son. The last time anyone heard from him was the next day, according to Army investigators. His case sputtered for nearly a year as the family reached out to Army investigators nearly daily for updates that rarely came, his mother said. But his disappearance rose in prominence during a search for another missing soldier at Fort Hood, Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was last seen in April in a separate case. The remains of the two soldiers were found outside the installation in late June, two days apart. Both families said the Army had not searched for either one with enough urgency and empathy. The Army offered a $15,000 reward for information on the disappearance of Wedel-Morales more than nine months after his disappearance. That came one day after Kimberly Wedel asked in an email why there was no previous reward, as there was in the Guillen case, according to an email provided to The Washington Post. The reward increased to $25,000 on June 15. His remains were found four days later, after investigators received a tip, the Army said. The Army then said officials suspected foul play was involved. The Wedel family said it was tangled in complex military bureaucracy and the Army's initial disinterest in finding him. A soldier who does not report for duty after 30 days away is automatically designated a deserter, the Army said, even if it doesn't have evidence of where the soldier is, or if the soldier is under physical or mental duress. Another soldier then takes the place in the unit. "Generally, the Army doesn't proactively search for deserters unless a serious crime has been committed," said Lt. Col. Emmanuel Ortiz, an Army spokesman. In this case, the Army said, Wedel-Morales's status as a deserter meant his family could not hold a funeral with military honors or bury him in a national cemetery - a fact that left the family in turmoil for months. The Army would not pay to have his remains shipped back to Oklahoma, his family said. Family members started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs. Wedel said she learned late Tuesday during a conversation with a commander that her son died before Sept. 21, when he was designated a deserter. He has been reinstated to active duty and will be buried with honors, the Army said Wednesday. "They didn't do any real searching until they got a lead," Nick Wedel, Wedel-Morales's younger brother, said of the Army. "If an M16 goes missing, they shut down an entire unit to find it. Why don't they do that for people?" The family has been told he may have been shot in the face, Nick Wedel said; medical examiners have not provided a cause of death. In the military, missing troops are commonly viewed as malingerers or cowards who have shirked duty, said Kayla Williams, a former Army noncommissioned officer and director of the military, veterans and society program at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank. That clashes with efforts the military has made to curb suicide and destigmatize mental health issues, she said. When a soldier is missing, Williams said, "commanders are not thinking what is wrong and if this person having a mental health crisis." The intensity of the search for a missing soldier comes down to the commander, said an Army officer and former military attorney who worked on AWOL and desertion cases, including at Fort Hood. Some commanders may call family members and inquire about known whereabouts, or speak with soldiers who know them. But for many others, it's "out of sight, out of mind" as the focus turns to the soldiers in their formation, said the officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the news media. "There was no real effort to look for him," he speculated. "It's more antipathy." However, it is also difficult to throw a lot of resources into looking for every soldier declared a deserter, he said. More than a 1,000 soldiers are listed as active deserters, with some on the lam for decades. The family plans to bury Wedel-Morales in a ceremony at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in eastern Oklahoma, where his great-uncle is buried and where his grandfather plans to be interred. The family feels some vindication now that Wedel-Morales has been reinstated as a soldier who died on duty, Kimberly Wedel said. "It answers one question and opens the door for so many others," she said. "We still don't know who or what or why." Bhubaneswar, July 15 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday inaugurated the Covid Plasma Bank at SCB Medical College in Cuttack for treatment of serious Covid-19 patients. With this, Odisha joins a select club of states shich have introduced Convalescent Plasma Therapy for the treatment of serious Covid patients. Odisha is the third state after Delhi and Maharastra to launch Plasma Bank. While SCB Medical College will be the nodal agency for Plasma Therapy, SUM Hospital, KIIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar and Aswini Hospital in Cuttack will provide Plasma Therapy treatment. Inaugurating the facility, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to provide advanced medical care and treatment to the people of Odisha. "For me and my government, life of every person is precious and the state would do everything possible to save lives of our people. I would like to announce that Plasma Therapy will be made available free of cost to the people of Odisha," said Patnaik. He further assured that the government is committed to provide highest standards of medical care and treatment procedures for the people of the state. Appreciating the work of doctors, the Chief Minister said that medical professionals are working hard to provide their best in serving the people in these difficult Covid times. "We need to encourage and boost their morale," he stressed. He appealed to all eligible Covid survivors to come forward and donate their Plasma which will go a long way in helping the treatment of serious Covid patients. Photo: CTV News The federal government has announced funding for eight more projects as part of the B.C. Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund. Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan addressed the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Tuesday, saying climate change and increasing demand for seafood products has put unprecedented pressure on Pacific wild salmon. The latest projects will receive about $10.5 million from the joint federal and provincial fund established in 2018 to help the recovery of stocks in steep decline. The recipients are the Pacific Salmon Foundation, 'Namgis First Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the University of B.C., Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance Society and Spruce City Wildlife Association. The projects range from improving wild salmon monitoring to hatchery upgrades and aquaculture research. Less than half of the $142.85-million fund has been allocated so far and the applications for the next round of funding are set to open on Wednesday. Jordan says her department is also moving forward with draft regulations to protect more than 130,000 square kilometres of ocean off the coast of Vancouver Island and work has begun on Canada's first-ever Aquaculture Act, with public engagement starting next month. "Speaking to British Columbians, I want to assure you that our government is moving ahead with the transition from open-net pens," she said, adding Ottawa will develop a comprehensive process to ensure all voices are heard in the decision-making process. ~ 12.5% cuts in personnel costs will be across board.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maartens finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Wednesday that St. Maarten will receive the NAF23M as the final amount for the second tranche for the SSRP support. Irion said that St. Maarten has met all the conditions required by the Dutch Government for SSRP support. He said just recently the CFT confirmed that St. Maarten has done what is asked of them and they were requested to send all decisions taken by the Council of Ministers with regards to SSRP to the CFT. The Dutch Government has asked that St. Maarten cut personnel costs across the board by 12.5% while cutting salaries for directors of government-owned companies. The Finance Minister said the Dutch Government made clear that none of the countries should not reduce its staff to meet the requested cuts. In the meantime, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs who recently returned from the Netherlands said the Prime Minister of the Netherlands has a better understanding of what is taking place in the overseas countries since St. Maarten, Aruba and Curacaos Prime Ministers attended the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting where they defended their countries. Jacobs said St. Maarten is in favor of financial reforms and has this outlined in its National Development Plan which will soon be launched. Jacobs said the focus will be placed on further empowering its civil servants through courses such as the law course and policy writing workshop. KWizCom is competitive in price especially for larger companies with over 500 users in the cloud, as well as non-profits and perpetual server licenses KWizCom, a leading developer of SharePoint Forms & Workflows, as well as multiple other no-code SharePoint add-ons and apps for Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online) designed to expand Microsoft SharePoint, is pleased to announce its newest partner dataBridge, LLC. dataBridge, LLC is a one-stop source for SharePoint consulting, design, branding, development, and much more. For those who require any SharePoint consulting, SharePoint hosting, and SharePoint development, dataBridge is the place to find it all. The company covers all SharePoint versions from Microsoft SharePoint On-premises to hosted SharePoint, to SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365) or a SharePoint hybrid farm. When our clients need enhanced form development with features such as repeating rows, validations, views, cascaded lookups, and enhanced or conditional formatting that cannot be accomplished using out of the box SharePoint forms we recommend a 3rd party form builder, says Michael Fuchs, the Chief Executive Officer of dataBridge. KWizCom is competitive in price especially for larger companies with over 500 users in the cloud, as well as non-profits and perpetual server licenses. dataBridge and KWizCom will work closely to deliver Microsoft SharePoint based turn-key add-ons and apps for SharePoint Online for their joint clients. We are happy to have joined forces with dataBridge the SharePoint experts! The company is known for their exceptional customer service and premier SharePoint consultants and developers, adds Nimrod Geva, the Product Group Manager of KWizCom Corporation. We look forward to a continuous and fruitful business partnership!. Partnership with KWizCom facilitates reaching new customers with innovative leading-edge products achieving increased sales and profits for both companies. KWizCom Partners benefit from joint activities, a special discount program arrangement with sales incentives, training, licenses to KWizCom add-ons for internal use, technical support, sales and marketing support, and much more. KWizCom has a standing partnership invitation and any interested parties are encouraged to inquire further by visiting the KWizCom website. About dataBridge, LLC SHAREPOINT IS ALL WE DO! Its more than just a tag line We are SharePoint experts. Consulting, Design, Development, Support & Training. dataBridge is your one stop for everything SharePoint. There are companies out there who have added SharePoint to their offerings, but our sole focus is SharePoint. Who would you rather be treated by, a generalist or a specialist? The answer is obvious, isnt it? To learn more about dataBridget, please visit https://getsharepoint.com/. About KWizCom Corporation Since 2005, KWizCom has provided innovative solutions and services to make SharePoint even better for over 10,000 companies worldwide. KWizCom is a leading provider of SharePoint Forms, Mobile, Wiki solutions, and over 70 other add-ons for SharePoint on-premises and apps for Microsoft 365. KWizCom is a Certified Microsoft Partner headquartered in Toronto, Canada to find out more about the company visit http://www.kwizcom.com. Follow KWizCom on Twitter @KWizCom Join KWizCom on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/kwizcom Become a fan of KWizCom on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KWizCom Contact a KWizCom Account Specialist at +1-905-370-0333/+1-855-KWIZCOM or info@kwizcom.com Riot police detain a woman as they clear protesters taking part in a rally against a new national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020, on the 23rd anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. (Dale de la Rey/AFP via Getty Images) Trumps Executive Order on Hong Kong Will Inflict Pain on Chinese Regime, Experts Say The United States actions in response to Beijings expanding control over Hong Kong will inflict pain on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, while dampening the citys attractiveness as a financial hub, analysts said. President Donald Trump on July 14 signed into law a bill that stipulates sanctions on officials and banks involved in eroding the citys autonomy. He also signed an executive order ending Hong Kongs preferential treatment by the United States. Trump said the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, passed unanimously by Congress, provided powerful new tools to hold responsible the individuals and the entities involved in extinguishing Hong Kongs freedom. The executive order, meanwhile, revokes or suspends privileges that Hong Kong has enjoyed in areas including immigration, trade, and investment. Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China, Trump said. No special privileges, no special economic treatment, and no export of sensitive technologies. The actions were in response to Beijings imposition of a national security law over Hong Kong, which criminalizes acts deemed as secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces. Many residents are worried that the law has ushered in an era of authoritarian rule over the territory. Read More New Security Law Ushers in Authoritarian Era for Hong Kong Punishing CCP Officials John R. Mills, former director of cybersecurity policy, strategy, and international affairs at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, said the executive order contains a very powerful provision allowing the administration to freeze the U.S.-based assets of Chinese and Hong Kong officials responsible for abuses in the city. This applies to officials and leaders involved in drafting and developing the national security law, undermining democratic processes in Hong Kong, censoring or limiting freedom of expression or the press, and human rights abuses in the city. Secondary sanctions could also be imposed on people or entities that have provided financial, material, or technological support to sanctioned officials. This measure, coupled with the sanctions under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, sends a strong message to the CCP, according to Mills. We are inflicting cost for bad behavior, he said in an interview. Mills added: One of the untold stories of whats going on is the amount of senior people in the CCP and China that have property holdings in the United States. He said that the high volumes of foreign assets held by officials amounted to a vote of no confidence in the communist regime. Thus any move to freeze U.S. properties would hurt many high-level CCP members. Theres a lot of officials that are not very happy about it, and its gonna cause clamor, discord, and likely conflict inside the CCP, Mills said. No Different From Mainland Gordon Chang, a U.S.-based analyst on China, said the combined effect of the new security law and the U.S. decision to withdraw Hong Kongs special trade privileges have drastically reduced the citys attractiveness for businesses. Instead of going to Hong Kong, [investors will] just go directly to Shenzhen, Shanghai or wherever, he told NTD, an affiliate of The Epoch Times. And you got to remember that Hong Kong really prospered when China closed itself off because people had to go to Hong Kong. A number of business tycoons and former Hong Kong officials have moved their riches abroad following the national security laws implementation, said Hong Kong hedge fund manager Edward Chin. The law can claim your lifes worth any time, Chin told The Epoch Times, describing the laws terms as land mines. Its no different from mainland China. Ask ten Hongkongers about the national security law, 11 people would oppose it, he added. In an American Chamber of Commerce business survey released July 13, three-quarters of the 183 respondents expressed concerns about the law, with many pointing to its ambiguities. I find it very hard, as a non-mainlander and non-communist, to feel secure and confident with a law worded and structured such that the law means whatever we say it means, one respondent said in the survey. One-third of those surveyed were mulling relocating their offices. The law has also prompted the New York Times to shift a-third of its Hong Kong staff to Seoul. As the city gets buffeted by the stringent Chinese law and international sanctions, the international financial hub will lose its former glory, Chang said. Itll remain a financial center, but only a financial center for China. Kitty Wang of NTD, an affiliate of The Epoch Times, contributed to this report. 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. Philadelphias LOVE Park, featuring a sculpture by American artist Robert Indiana, shows how love can shape our cities and their futures. Credit: Shutterstock It's the most famous city slogan in the world: I Love New York. And yet, surprisingly, love doesn't seem to play a part in how urban planners build cities. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future for cities looks dire. Urban areas may empty, and the death of urban density might bring an end to mass public transit, storefronts on streets, kids jostling in schools, parks and playgrounds, and festivals in the park. Throughout the modern history of urban planning, high-density living has been seen as dangerous. And with or without a global pandemic, living in dense cities carries risks, from disease to social conflict. For some leaders, love has played a major part in the management of this pandemic. British Columbia's Medical Health Officer Bonnie Henry refers to the need to "be kind." And New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's March 24 coronavirus news briefing earned him a new moniker as the "Love Gov" when he said: "We're going to make it because I love New York, and I love New York because New York loves you. New York loves all of you. Black and white and brown and Asian and short and tall and gay and straight. New York loves everyone. That's why I love New York." The time-tested ratio of urban risk and reward Urban planners who study and design cities often explain them through growth, power, efficiency and grandeur. We have Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, with his Radiant City, Robert Moses as the "power broker" and Harvey Molotch and his "growth machine" theory. The discipline of regional science emerged in the 1960s to render the study of cities more serious and less personal, and interest has again surged in the creation of a "science of cities." Urban researchers Andrew Zitcer and Robert Lake, however, have asked: "What might it mean for a planner to love the people and communities that are the subject of planning?" But what would it mean for all urban planners to confess to their love for the places they plan? And why? In cities, the sheer number of people in a concentrated space poses challenges to containing the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Shutterstock As American philosopher Charles Peirce said, radical love not competition, conflicts or challengeis "the great evolutionary agency of the universe." According to urbanist Libby Porter, radical love is key to decolonizing planning. One of the possibilities that opens up for urban planning when decolonized is the possibility of more explicit and even reciprocal consideration of love as method and as purpose of planning. As a colonial practice, urban planning has always been about taking a long-term view. Decolonized urban planning, as viewed by Indigenous planners, goes further in considering planning for cities whose future residents we already love, and planning to make a gift of the city to them. Decolonized urban planning permits us to think about cities loving us back. The three types of love for a city Different kinds of love feed and starve our cities. This shows up in the way urbanites of many stripes are motivated differently for the work they do. In Voices of Decline, city lover Robert A. Beauregard writes: "I grew up when the cities were dying." He exemplifies the necrophiliac urbanist who loves cities when it seems no one else will, especially the dying parts of cities, the desperate and forgotten places of decline, disinvestment and blight. They seek to offer dignity, a sense of rights and a voice to the marginalized. Others optophiliacs fall in love with the city because the city opens their eyes. In cities, optophiliacs see how richness in diversity and density overfills their cups with creative potential best exemplified by urbanist Richard Florida's theory of the creative class. They define urban success as a city dense with independent, multitudinous creative pursuits of all kinds. Then there are the plutophiliacs, whose love for the city begins and ends with their love for money and the creation of private wealth. Some critics call them disaster capitalists. Cities have an opportunity now to think about how love can shape the post-pandemic world. Credit: Shutterstock Cities and the love of money These three different varieties of urban love act as rivals for the city's favour and the forms that this takes in the urban form, function and structure. Necrophiliac love focuses on the city's life-support systems for the sake of the most vulnerable its economic base, basic democratic institutions, transportation system. While Georges-Eugene Haussmann, master urban planner of Paris in the mid-19th century, was celebrated for sanitary works that saved the city from plague, necrophiliac city lovers Marshall Berman and Neil Smith derided "Haussmannization" as the obliteration of the urban commons in favour of capitalist modernity. They suspected the sanitary planning works were a plutophilic plot to clear the slums and prevent uprisings. Optophiliac city lovers, who express their creative love through the arts, culture and the finer details that make city life worth living, find themselves particularly scorned during this pandemic. With local shops, galleries and creative venues of all kinds shut down, boarded up and verboten, it is as if the city they love is being stolen right out of the hands they have been using to sculpt it. While sometimes shrugged off in times of crisis like this as being non-essential, the laments of the optophiles for the cities they are losing are real, too. When the arts sector scrambles to generate ways to engage and show their work to others, despite the pandemic restrictions against gathering, this is not only an effort to earn a livingthese optophiliac urbanists are fighting against a cultural retreat with far-reaching implications for cities as "the most human of all things," as Claude Levi-Strauss averred in Tristes Tropiques. Plutophiliac urban lovers are the ones that cities seem both to love best, and love to hate. All of that sad dark stuff about the city we see in the present pandemicit is their black gold. When business and political leaders rally support for cities as a necessary part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a plutophiliac love they are invoking. As in previous disasters gone by, they are busy devising new ways to create what they love from the wreckage, and that is private wealth. In a spirit of loving attachment to our cities, we can see these different varieties of love as offering entirely different risks, and different reciprocal gifts that our cities are likely to give back, as we recover from the pandemic. In the rich mix of urban density and diversity that inhabits all our cities, our love takes all three shapes of: a lifeline, a fount of inspiration, a cash cow. The coronavirus has brought these different stakes in the city into sharp focus. If we can summon the courage to profess our love for the city, although it is dangerous, now as throughout history we may be better able to hone our plans so that the city of the future will love us back. Explore further How the pandemic could reshape Edmonton's urban landscape This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. As school districts across the country decide how and when they can bring students back to campus safely, a major sticking point is emerging: the money to make it happen. Keeping public schools for 50 million students and more than 7 million staff safe from the coronavirus could require more teachers and substitutes, nurses and custodians. School districts will need to find more buses to allow for more space between children and buy more computers for distance learning. Theyll need to buy sanitizer, masks and other protective equipment. Some are putting up plastic dividers in offices and classrooms. While public health concerns are getting most of the attention, especially with the nations infections and hospitalizations rising, costs have become a major consideration. Many districts are hoping Congress will step in. The Council of Chief State School Officers says safely reopening public schools could cost between $158 billion and $245 billion, while the American Federation of Teachers put the figure at $116.5 billion. The Association of School Business Officials International estimates that reopening will require additional spending equivalent to about 3.5% of districts normal budgets. If you dont have this money, how are you going to afford PPE? How are you going to have cleaning every day? asked Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, a major union. Thats why youre going to see more and more districts, even when they dont have surges, staying with remote learning. School officials in Los Angeles and San Diego, the two largest districts in California, said this week their year will begin with online classes only. Many others, including New York City, are planning to have each student attend class in person only some days while doing work online the rest of the time. The school district in Columbus, Ohio, expects to bring back younger students in shifts while having high schoolers take all their classes online. But district spokesman Scott Wortman said those plans are not certain, and the ability to pay for measures needed to safely reopen will play a role in the final decision. The district estimates its reopening costs at $100 million nearly four times the previously approved federal funding that it expects to get. Virginia Department of Education spokesman Charles B. Pyle said school districts there will need more than the $282 million the state received in the previous congressional relief bill to safely reopen and respond to the spikes that will inevitably occur during the year. In Georgias Bibb County School District, based in Macon, chief of staff Keith Simmons said cleaning materials, temperature-taking kiosks, masks and other materials could cost $750,000 to $1 million. But that does not include everything the district probably needs to do, he said. Weve calculated the cost based on what we think we can afford, not based on what we need, he said. The district has pushed back its opening day from Aug. 10 to Sept. 10 to make adjustments in a state where cases have been rising. Up to 45% of students are choosing to start the school year by taking classes only remotely, according to Simmons. That should leave enough room for the remaining students to return to classrooms, he said. Coronavirus aid will be the highest-profile item on the agenda when Congress returns next week, including how much money to make available for school districts. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, has scoffed at the $3 trillion overall aid package Democrats are calling for, but he has said funding education will be a priority. President Donald Trump has said in recent weeks that schools that dont reopen for full, in-person classes could see federal money reduced. Congress has already approved more than $3 trillion in aid to address the coronavirus outbreak and economic fallout. That includes $150 billion for states, territories, large local governments and Native American tribes, plus more than $13 billion directed specifically to education. On conference calls with governors and in a briefing this month, Vice President Mike Pence has been critical of states because only a small portion of the $13 billion 1.5% as of last week had been paid out. Chip Slaven, the chief advocacy officer for the National School Boards Association, said slow spending of that money should not keep Congress from providing more money to make schools safe for reopening. Districts are still trying to figure out how they can spend the money in accordance with guidelines set by U.S. Department of Education, he said. Slaven said the federal government should send at least $200 billion to state education departments and school districts. Thats in line with what the Council of Chief State School Officers has called for. The whole point of the federal government is when theres a national emergency like this is to step up to the plate with a plan, with resources and with help, he said. For schools in many states, high reopening costs are only one side of the coin. State tax collections plunged when much of the economy was shut in the spring. That had a trickle-down effect on school funding, typically the largest part of a state budget. The Sioux Falls School District, the largest in South Dakota, estimates it will need $7.8 million for protective equipment, cleaning supplies, putting high-powered filters on ventilation systems and other items to make it safer to reopen school buildings The district plans on using $4.1 million from earlier federal funding but is applying for other grants to make up the rest. At the same time, the district has slashed $1.3 million from its regular budget to prepare for possible funding cuts from the state. District business manager Todd Vik said administrators canceled plans for building expansions and hiring 15 teachers and reduced planned salary increases. While were looking at cutting on one hand, he said, were looking at responding to the coronavirus and increasing spending in other areas. ___ Follow Mulvihill at http://www.twitter.com/geoffmulvihill ___ Associated Press reporters Kantele Franko in Columbus, Ohio, and Stephen Groves in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, contributed to this report. Online marketplace Real Estate Wire (REW.ca) has announced the addition of more than 10,000 rental listings to its platform, which is accessible to Canadians everywhere. The decision to place these listings on the platform stemmed from a long-running market trajectory, said Simon Bray, president of REW. In recent years, weve seen generational and economic factors drive a trend towards rentals, Bray said. Were excited to add rental listings to our real estate marketplace. We believe that renters should have access to the same great tools, insights, and resources as buyers. India will play a crucial role in scaling up production of any Covid-19 vaccine that is developed anywhere in the world, the head of Indias top medical research body said on Tuesday, citing the size of the domestic pharma industry and expressing hope that the country will be well poised for the production of successful candidates. The comments come weeks after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) appeared to rush the trial process of one of the two Indian vaccines by setting an August 15 launch deadline, before widespread criticism forced officials to clarify that a letter mentioning that date was meant to speed up the regulatory approvals process rather than lay down a hard timeline. India is well-known as the pharmacy of the world... It also supplies 60% of the worlds vaccines, whether it be Africa, Europe, south east Asia or anywhere. So, any vaccine candidate thats produced or developed in any part of the world will ultimately have to be scaled-up in India or by China because these are the two major vaccine producers of the world, said Balram Bhargava, the head of ICMR, while adding that several developed nations are in touch with Indian entities for vaccine distribution. Also read| Covid-19: What you need to know today Bhargava said two India-made vaccines are now being trialled with 1,000 volunteers each, and the focus will be on easing regulatory clearances for the process without compromising on scientific or ethical parameters. The two indigenous vaccine candidates have undergone successful toxicity studies in rates, mice and rabbits and their data was submitted to the drugs controller general of India, following which both these candidate vaccines got clearance to start the early phase human trials early this month, he said. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage Among the two is Bharat Biotechs Covaxin, which received drugs controller general of Indias nod for human trials on June 29 . On July 2, a letter sent by Bhargava to hospitals where vaccine trials were to be done said, it is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all clinical trials. Criticised for setting an unrealistic timeline that would compromise vaccine safety, the ICMR later backtracked and said international trial protocols will be followed. Another vaccine candidate is from Zydus Cadila called ZyCov-D, which received the drug controllers approval for human trials on July 2. It was developed indigenously at the companys Vaccine Technology Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Also read: Regulate Covid treatment costs at private hospitals, orders Supreme Court They have got their sites ready and they are doing their clinical studies on approximately a 1,000 human volunteers each at different sites, some have six and some 12. They are trying to do the early clinical testing for these two indigenous candidate vaccines. Over and above there are pre-clinical experiments for other vaccine being done at National Institute of Virology in Pune, which is trying to work day and night to do these experiments because it is our moral duty to develop these vaccines as fast as possible, said Bhargava. The world over, vaccine candidates that have been put on a fast-track are from Russia, China, United States of America and the United Kingdom. We are making all efforts to fast-track developing the vaccine and it is the moral duty that there should not be a delay even by a day for the regulatory clearances for these vaccines so that we can break the transmission of the virus as soon as possible, said Bhargava. Dr VK Paul, member, Niti Ayog, in an earlier interview to HT, also had said that India will take the lead in manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine when it is developed. Experts also say that eventually it is the vaccine that will provide the key to break the transmission cycle.The vaccine will be ultimate to check the disease spread but we dont know when will an effective vaccine be available for use even though all our efforts are being directed towards making it happen as soon as possible. A good vaccine is the most cost-effective way of preventing a disease, said Dr Amita Jain, head, microbiology department, KGMU, Lucknow. Bhargava was speaking at briefing organised by the Union government on Tuesday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A veteran of multiple NASA missions to Mars, Northern Arizona University planetary scientist Christopher Edwards will closely watch the upcoming launch of a space probe to Mars that carries a unique new instrument he co-designed in collaboration with engineers from the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Arizona State University (ASU). The first mission ever launched by the Arab world into our solar system, the Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope' orbiter is expected to lift off in July (exact launch date depends on weather conditions) on an H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima, Japan. The spacecraft, which is about the size of a small car, was constructed at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado, Boulder by a joint MBRSC/LASP team led by project director Omran Sharaf from MBRSC and deputy program manager and science lead investigator Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri. The overall team working on the Mission comprises some 200 staff from MBRSC, 150 from LASP and 100 from other partners around the world, including NAU. The probe, designed to advance scientific understanding of the red planet's atmosphere, will arrive at its destination in February 2021 and will spend two years collecting images and data. Hope's unique orbit will enable the spacecraft to provide a weather-satellite style view of the Martian atmosphere with near-complete daily geographic coverage. The mission's scientific goals are to use three scientific instruments on board the probe to create the first holistic picture of the Martian atmosphere, which will give scientists deeper insight into the past and future of our own planet as well as the potential of life for humans on Mars and other distant planets. The Hope mission also supports several key goals of NASA's Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group related to preparing for human exploration of Mars. Edwards, assistant professor in NAU's Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, and Regents' professor and program manager Philip Christensen of ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration worked with engineers at MBRSC and ASU to develop the Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS). EMIRS is an interferometric thermal infrared spectrometer designed to provide a unique view of the lower and middle atmosphere of the planet, measuring the distribution of dust particles and ice clouds while tracking the movement of water vapor and heat through the atmosphere. The other scientific instruments onboard the orbiter are a multi-band camera (Emirates eXploration Imager) and a far-ultraviolet imaging spectrograph (Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer). Edwards' role on the project is that of an instrument scientist. "What that basically means is that I provided the link between the engineering and the science, so I looked at the instrument's capabilities and performance and tried to understand how they would meet the mission's science goals. This was complicated because of all the trade-offs that needed to be made, for example, sacrificing spectral resolution for spatial coverage. I worked as an integral part of the ASU team, helping to shepherd the development process from concept to design to fabrication, assembly, test and integration onto the spacecraft." The mission's name, Hope, was chosen to send a message of optimism to millions of young Arabs, according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai for whom MBRSC is named. The resulting mission data aims to make major advances in our understanding of the Martian climate system and will be shared freely online with more than 200 institutions worldwide. "Collaboration and knowledge transfer have been key to the development of the Emirates Mars Mission," said Sharaf. "Our partners at ASU and NAU have been key to ensuring the success of the mission, delivering an extraordinary instrument in almost half the time of conventional missions but also in providing the resources and knowledge we need to drive our own development of space systems engineering and planetary science." Mission helps train next generation of UAE engineers and scientists "It has been a wonderful experience to work with the UAE team on this unique international partnership," said Christensen, a planetary scientist. "Only a very small number of nations have sent missions to Mars, and it is a real honor for ASU to have been invited to participate in this exciting adventure." "The science enabled by the Emirates Mars Mission will be second to none, but the goals of the mission don't stop there," said Edwards. "The collaboration developed through this project has helped train the next generation of engineers and scientists in the UAE through professional and student opportunities. It's been an amazing experience and has cultivated life-long colleagues and friendships that will endure beyond the Hope Mission to Mars." Edwards is a participating scientist on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover (MSL). He has worked on numerous other Mars missions including the 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and the Mars Exploration Rovers Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES). A major element of his research has been the design and development of infrared remote sensing instruments for use in space, the laboratory and for fieldwork. His research uses infrared spectroscopy, radiometry, laboratory spectroscopic measurements, geologic field observations and numerical modeling. Live launch coverage The Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope' launch is currently on a weather hold with the next opportunity scheduled for Thursday, July 16 at 1:43 p.m. PDT. Visit http://www.emm.ae/live for updates to the launch status. ### About Northern Arizona University Northern Arizona University is a higher-research institution providing exceptional educational opportunities in Arizona and beyond. NAU delivers a student-centered experience to its 31,000 students in Flagstaff, statewide and online through rigorous academic programs in a supportive, inclusive and diverse environment. Dedicated, world-renowned faculty help ensure students achieve academic excellence, experience personal growth, have meaningful research opportunities and are positioned for personal and professional success. NAU is an approved US Higher Education Institution by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). About the Emirates Mars Mission Announced in July 2014 by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the Emirates Mars Mission was developed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) working in conjunction with its knowledge transfer partners and funded by the UAE Space Agency. EMM was conceived to disrupt and accelerate the development of the UAE's space sector, education and science community and will send the Mars Hope probe to orbit Mars in February 2021. Hope aims to build the first full picture of Mars' climate throughout the Martian year. EMM and the Hope probe are the culmination of a knowledge transfer and development effort started in 2006, which has seen Emirati engineers working with partners around the world to develop the UAE's spacecraft design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The Mars Hope Probe will reach Mars orbit in 2021, the 50th anniversary of The Emirates, which became an independent nation on December 2, 1971. Sir Jeremy Farrar said today the US President's enthusiasm about hydroxychloroquine had held back global efforts to find Covid-19 treatments Donald Trump's endorsement of hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus wonder drug has slowed down global efforts to beat the disease, a UK Government scientist suggested today. Sir Jeremy Farrar implied the US President's enthusiasm about the anti-malaria drug which has since been proven not to have any effect on Covid-19 patients 'delayed and slowed down our progress in developing treatments'. Trump first touted hydroxychloroquine in April, saying there were 'very strong signs' it could treat the viral disease based on limited anecdotal reports from US doctors and poor studies. But last month, Oxford University's Recovery trial, the biggest in the world, stopped enrolling participants to its hydroxychloroquine arm after concluding that it showed no clinical benefit. President Trump has also admitted to taking the drug as a preventative therapy, to stop him from getting infected from the disease in the first place. Trials are currently ongoing to see if the tablets can work in this way. Sir Jeremy, a member of Downing Street's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said out of more than a thousand clinical trials of Covid-19 treatments around the world, 16 per cent are looking at hydroxychloroquine. He told a Chatham House briefing it 'didn't make any organised sense' and blamed comments politicians for making statements about 'certain drugs' which proved not to be true and holding back progress of other potential therapies. Trump first touted hydroxyhcloroquine in April, saying there were 'very strong signs' it could treat the viral disease based on very limited anecdotal reports from US doctors The anti-malaria drug has since been proven not to have any effect on Covid-19 patients Only one drug the 5 steroid dexamethasone has been conclusively proven to treat coronavirus. Ebola drug remdesivir has been approved to treat patients but the evidence is still mixed. The Recovery trial found it reduced the risk of death by 35 per cent for patients relying on ventilators the most dangerously ill and by a fifth for all patients needing oxygen at any point. Sir Jeremy said today: 'I think there are 1,200 clinical trials currently in place around the world, of which 16 per cent are looking at chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine. That doesn't make any organised sense.' He suggested statements made by politicians in relation to drugs, which ended up not being true, had 'delayed and slowed down our progress in developing treatments'. But he did not name any politicians in particular. Sir Jeremy, who is also director of the Wellcome Trust, a research-charity based in London, claimed too many trials of potential treatments were too small to show definitive results. He praised the Recovery trial which has recruited 11,000 trialists and the World Health Organization's Solidarity trial, which has 5,000 volunteers. But he added: 'Many of the trials, and I think here the clinical community does need to take a harsh look at ourselves, many of the trials are too small. 'I think 40 pre cent will enrol less than 100 patients. It's very unlikely in less than 100 patients you're going to provide definitive evidence of the efficacy and safety of a treatment. VACCINE NATIONALISM 'HAS NO PLACE' IN THE COVID-19 FIGHT Sir Jeremy Farrar, who is a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), also warned against 'nationalism' when it comes to treatments and a vaccine. He said the pandemic will affect all of us 'until every country manages to steer a way through it', adding: 'So theres no point being nationalistic, theres no point saying "Ive got my vaccine in America and nobody else will have it", because that wont work, and it wont actually protect Americans. 'Vaccine nationalism, therapeutic nationalism, has no place in enlightened self-interest, and they have to be seen as global public goods.' His comments come after Donald Trump was earlier this month accused of 'undermining' the global Covid-19 fight by splashing the cash on one of only two drugs approved to treat the disease on the NHS. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) revealed it had secured more than 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir for American hospitals. It represented the entire global supply for July and 90 per cent of stocks for August and September, leading to fears of an autumn shortage. Advertisement 'You have to do things at scale as Recovery and Solidarity have done, and small trials will often be unhelpful, and will often be politicised as we have seen in this epidemic, where politicians sadly made statements about certain drugs which proved not to be true and I think delayed and slowed down our progress in developing treatments.' Last month Oxford University scientists pulled the controversial drug from the Recovery trial after results showed it had no benefit on patients hospitalised with the virus. A quarter of NHS patients given hydroxychloroquine died from Covid-19, compared to 23.5 per cent who were not prescribed the drug. The scientists running the trial said the results were 'pretty compelling', adding: 'This isn't a treatment that works.' Professor Martin Landray, lead author of the study, added: 'If you're admitted to hospital with Covid you, your mother or anyone else hydroxychloroquine is not the right treatment. It doesn't work.' He called for doctors around the world to stop using the drug, which can cause a slew of nasty side effects including heart arrhythmias, headaches and vomiting. But Professor Landray said the results do not necessarily mean the tablets cannot prevent people from catching Covid-19 in the first place, which several studies are still investigating. Early results on hydroxychloroquine from the RECOVERY trial were not supposed to released until July. But the study's chief investigators said they felt compelled to release the data and set the record straight on the drug, which has been at the centre of furious debate. It comes after another study last week claimed that hydroxychloroquine can boost survival odds for some coronavirus patients. Hospitalized coronavirus patients given hydroxychloroquine were 50 percent less likely to die of the brutal infection than those who did not receive the drug. President Trump's top economic adviser Peter Navarro claimed the US 'could have saved 10s of thousands of lives' if it used the drug from the start. But critics slammed the Henry Ford Health System retrospective analysis of 2,541 people, saying it wasn't a randomised trial the gold-standard type of scientific evidence. Exerts warned more of the hydroxychloroquine group were given steroids, which data suggests combats dangerous inflammation in coronavirus patients. T oddlers are balls of energy that are easily entertained. Constantly exploring, pre-schoolers are learning sponges. And this is why there are lots of toys out there geared towards pre-schoolers that can be both fun and help develop their vital skills. Children these days get an excessive amount of screen time thanks to numerous cool things online - my children are definitely not an exception. Even Im hooked on repeatedly watching Hey Duggee, Cocomelon and Pink Fong. I chose durable unisex toys that can help develop their social skills, speech, sharing and turn-taking. What I love about the selection below is that they keep my children entertained for hours and aids their creativity. Plus, I also get a bonus of playing with great toys that werent around during my pre-school days. LEGO Duplo Bakery A childhood staple, LEGO allows you to create a world beyond your wildest dreams. This Duplo Town Bakery playset comes with a cafe van as well as the cutest unicorn cake and food processor. The dinky cupcakes are so cool and the best thing about Duplo is that theyre big enough not to be swallowed by my tiny testers and they are compatible with other Duplo products, we were able to make this part of our Duplo Big Fair and High Street sets. I must admit, I squealed when I got this set even though Im 10 times older than my children.What I love about Duplo is that it helps toddlers develop fine motor, social and emotional skills as they build, play, redesign and play again. Its entirely battery free and its powered by the childrens imaginations. My little ones enjoyed building scenarios where theyre busy baking and serving food in the toy cafe whilst one of them were driving the van to deliver the cupcakes. 34.99 | LEGO Little Dutch Kitchen Imaginative play is a very important part of a childs education. Not only does it aid intellectual development, it also improves their creativity. We absolutely love how the Little Dutch Kitchen appeals to both boys and girls. This Scandi style play kitchen, fits into any living room or play corner and were talking hours of endless fun with this. We also love that this kitchen comes with extra 6cm that you can place under the kitchen legs, so that my budding cooks can use this kitchen set for a few more years. 114.95 | Scandiborn VTech Kidizoom Duo Camera 5.0 Its the perfect first camera. My young ones can drop it and it wont shatter. The little ones can actually take decent photos and videos with this dual lens 5MP camera by VTech. We love the fun effects, stamps and frames that can be added to the photos and videos. The voice effects have also been a big hit with our little testers. This camera is also handy when travelling as it has games, so it kept them entertained even more. Its so nice to see how my children have developed a love for photography thanks to this camera. 42.99 | Amazon Toniebox Its an interactive boombox speaker packed with great stories and songs. The colourful collectible figurines called Tonies add a cool touch as they control the portable speaker. The headphone jack allows the Toniebox to be used at quieter times. Setting up is easy, once Ive connected it to our homes WiFi, it was all good to go. The little ones loved choosing from the figurines that have their own content like audiobooks, audio plays, music or educational content. A starter set includes three figurines - a Story-Player, Music-Player and a Creative-Tonie (a figurine you can personalise via the Tonie App or Toniecloud), which has space for you to upload 90 minutes of your own audio content. Ours had Maya the Bee, nursery rhymes, The Highway Rat and a customisable Tonies. Its so good for story time, that we got more Disneys Little Mermaid and The Jungle Book as well as Princess Lillifee. 59.45 | John Lewis Melissa and Doug Learn-to-Play Piano Our mini Mozarts enjoyed playing on this colourful upright piano. With 25 keys and two full octaves, our little testers enjoyed exploring the concepts of high and low notes, soft and loud. For the more experienced maestros theres a colour-coded songbook to learn nine kids classics like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. And for oldies like me, I really enjoy playing Baby Shark, so we can have our own sing along. 69.99 | Bright Minds Personalised Paddington Bear book and plush toy gift set This personalised set includes a book and plush. I totally love how you can personalise the book with our little ones names and they got to see their names at the top of every page. Story time became extra special as our young bookworms cuddled the plush toys whilst they listened to the adventures of Perus finest bear. 39.95 | Prezzybox Le Toy Van Honey Market British designed luxury wooden toys company Le Toy Van has created this wonderful Honeybake Shop and Cafe. My little testers had fun creating their own grocery stall, bakery, toy shop, takeaway cafe and even newsstand with this reversible shop and cafe. Its sturdy, beautifully made and has entertained the little ones for hours as they enter a world of make believe. 55 | Amazon Lunii My Fabulous Storyteller Storytelling is a long-standing art that has allowed families to create connection, evoke emotion and stimulate imagination for centuries. I still remember my mum taking the time to read me a book a night before bedtime. Fast forward to 2020, I now have my own babies to read to. Whats really impressive with this interactive story creator from French childrens brand Lunii is that it gives children from the age of three the opportunity to build their own bespoke audio stories. Slightly larger than a walkman (remember those?), little ones can personalise the stories by selecting from a range of characters, settings and objects with an easy to use wheel. It then narrates a personalised audio narrative, which makes it part of the fun and help them flex their creativity by inventing a whole new world based on a library of more than 1,500 stories that can be loaded onto the device. And for parents with two children, the headphone has a jack that allows another headphone to connect, so story time still is a shared experience. 69.90 | Amazon Chad Valley Playhouse Works indoors and outdoors, this playhouse allows children to step into their own world using their imagination. Easy to assemble, the UV resistant playhouse is also a nice chill spot for reading and comes in different colours and themes like Magic Unicorn and Wendy Playhouses. You won't necessarily think that a playhouse is an educational toy, but not only are playhouses excellent retreats, they are also a place where your child's imaginations can be let free and where their creativity can really take flight. 50 | Argos LeapFrog Scoop and Learn There are 20 playing pieces in this ice cream cart that gives hours of open-ended play. The best feature is the magnetic ice cream scooper (which I think is pretty cool) that recognises the ice creams and toppings which allows the little ones to learn about colours, numbers, sequencing, memory and matching. Theres also a catchy tune as my bubbas pushed the cart around. Its fun and practical, perfect for curious and active pre-schoolers. 44.99 | Smyths Toys Verdict You just cant beat the LEGO magic and so my top pick goes to LEGO Duplo Bakery. For the cool factor, LeapFrogs Scoop and Learn and VTechs Kiddizoom Duo Camera 5.0 are worth a mention. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (July 15, 2020) addressed the nations youths on World Youth Skills Day also the day marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Skill India Mission. PM Modi emphasised that skill is timeless and that its ones skill that makes him or her different from others. Skill is something which we gift ourselves, which grows with experience. Skill is timeless, it keeps getting better with time. Skill is unique, it makes you different from others, he said. I extend my best wishes to youngsters on World Youth Skill Day today. During this time of coronavirus pandemic, along with work culture, the nature of job has also changed and the ever-changing new technology has also been affected, but youth is gaining new skills in the changing times, Modi said. People ask me that in these times when businesses and markets are changing so fast, how should we stay relevant. This question is even more important during this COVID-19 pandemic. Mantra to be relevant is to skill, reskill and upskill, PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also spoke on how ones skills make them self-reliant and can take them to great heights even in these hard times. Learning new skills, reskilling and upgrading ones skills are the demands of the times we are living in, he said. The Prime Minister said that hundreds of skill development centres are being established across the country., adding that more than 5 crore people have undergone skill development in these centres. The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is a UN recognised event and is marked on July 15 every year. The aim of WYSD is to recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, and to highlight the crucial role of skilled youth in addressing current and future global challenges, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The resignation of Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan on Monday added another layer of uncertainty to Cote d'Ivoire's political future, as the country kicked off a week of mourning for late Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the front-runner in looming presidential elections. Rumours that Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan wanted to quit were well known in Cote d'Ivoire, nonetheless his resignation on Monday took many by surprise. The announcement came less than a week after the sudden death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly and during a time of shock and mourning for the West African nation. President Alassane Ouattara presided over a national tribute to the late prime minister on Tuesday, in a ceremony attended by his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The day before, Ouattara issued a statement explaining that his vice president was resigning due to "reasons of personal convenience." Duncan first tendered his resignation in February. The president finally accepted it on Wednesday 8 July, the same day Coulibaly, who had longstanding heart problems, died after a cabinet meeting. Coulibaly had been Ouattara's preferred successor to run in October's presidential election. Fallout Some analysts argue that the vice president's resignation may have been due to a fallout with Ouattara over the candidate selection process. A constant figure on the Ivorian political scene, holding down roles as foreign minister, prime minister before becoming vice president, Duncan was considered a close ally of the president. He was originally a member of the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), but stepped down in July 2018 after the PDCI broke away from the ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). Duncan remained loyal to Ouattara and stayed with the RHDP. "His decision to break ranks with the PDCI must have come with conditions and promises, notably linked to the presidential election," Sylvain Nguessan, head of the Strategy Institute of Abidjan, told RFI's sister station France 24. "The moment Gon Coulibaly was chosen as party candidate instead of Duncan, was perhaps the tipping point that pushed the vice president to take his distance with the RHDP and Alassane Ouattara," Nguessan said. Departures In March, Marcel Amon-Tanoh, Cote d'Ivoire's foreign minister and another party heavy weight also resigned, denouncing the RHDP party's method of selecting Coulibaly as its candidate for the 31 October election. The successive resignations, coupled with the unexpected death of Coulibaly has further unsettled the ruling party and left it scrambling to find a suitable candidate for the upcoming polls. Some within Ouattara's RHDP party have pressed the president to rethink his decision about not running for a third term. They say a Ouattara candidacy could help unify the party but the opposition is fiercely against. Whoever the RHDP frontrunner is, they will face off against former President Henri Konan Bedie, who declared his candidacy last month, while other politicians, including ex-leader Laurent Gbagbo could join the race. Gbagbo's refusal to concede power to Ouattara in 2010 sparked a brief civil war in which 3,000 people died. The memory of that war is still fresh in people's minds as they gear up for one of the most hotly contested elections in a decade. The deadline for the RHDP to submit its candidate's name is 31 July. A British tourist has been arrested after allegedly coughing on restaurant diners in a trendy area of the Majorcan capital Palma and telling them he had coronavirus. The 43-year-old was detained around 11pm on Monday night after several diners called police to say he was wandering between tables and coughing on people. When the restaurant manager told the man, who was not wearing a mask, to leave the customers alone he was also coughed on, according to police. A 43-year-old British man was arrested in Palma (pictured) on Monday night after allegedly coughing on people and telling them he had coronavirus Officers then arrived in the Santa Catalina area - one of Palma's most sought-after neighbourhoods filled with bars and cafes - and tried to arrest the man. He tried to flee, and when officers caught him he resisted arrest and had to be restrained. The man was taken to the police station where he was given a coronavirus test which came back negative. Had he tested positive he could have been charged with causing bodily harm and violating health laws, but instead is facing a charge of resisting arrest. National Police in the Majorcan capital Palma said in a statement: 'The suspect was arrested for a crime of disobedience and resisting arrest. 'We were alerted around 11pm on Monday that a man had been walking around different bars and restaurants in Palma's Santa Catalina neighbourhood, in a drunken state, insulting people without a face mask on and allegedly coughing deliberately over diners while telling them he had Covid-19. 'The individual we held disobeyed officers when they arrived and was aggressive towards them. He was subsequently arrested.' Masks have been mandatory in Mallorca since Monday with people facing fines of 90 for refusing to comply as authorities try to slow the spread of coronavirus (file image) A well-placed source added: 'He was tested for Covid-19 because he was claiming he had the virus. 'The test has come back negative. He was held for resisting arrest but would have faced further charges if he had tested positive. 'They would have been a public health offence and a crime of wounding if he had been found to have infected others with coronavirus as a result of his actions.' The Brit, who has not been named, was staying at a hotel in the municipality of Calvia which includes the party resort of Magaluf. The police source said: 'He was alone when he was held and had been drinking. 'His behaviour appears to have been fuelled by excess alcohol.' While Spain has been one of the hardest-hit countries with coronavirus, the Balearic Islands - Mallorca among them - have been spared the worst of the disease. Nevertheless, masks were made mandatory in all public spaces on the islands from Monday in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease, amid fears that hotspots could be caused by tourists. Once the global epicentre of the virus, Spain now has 256,000 infections and more than 28,000 deaths. Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week? Kuwait has put off plans to construct a solar energy plant with output capacity of 2,500GWh, near the Saudi border, owing to fallout from covid-19 pandemic, reports say. The decision, Trade Arabia reports citing Reuters, was made during a cabinet meeting, after evaluating the project in the context of spreading of coronavirus and its impacts on the global oil and financial markets. The project, dubbed Al Dabdaba solar plant, was set to be built at Al-Shagaya renewable energy complex, nearly 100 miles west of the capital Kuwait City and near to the Saudi border. Upon completion, it would generate 2,500GWh of electricity per year and will cover 15 per cent of the oil sectors needs from renewable sources. Kuwait National Petroleum Company won the tender for project after proposing KD439 million ($1.4 billion). The plant was set to be operational from February 2021. Monday Kuwait Oil Company announced it slashed by 25 per cent its budget for the next five years. The Gulf country also last month ordered a reduction by 20 per cent of 2020-21 budgets to mitigate pressure caused the countrys finance by the coronavirus outbreak and a global drop in oil prices. Uon Chhin (L) and Yeang Sothearin (R) speak with reporters outside the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh, July 15, 2020. Cambodias Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected appeals by two former RFA reporters to halt an investigation into charges that they illegally produced pornography, as well as a labor activist seeking to overturn his two-year jail sentence for incitement, drawing condemnation from a free speech watchdog. Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhinwho had worked as an editor, reporter and news anchor, and a photographer and videographer for RFAs Khmer Service, respectivelywere taken into custody in November 2017. They were charged with illegally collecting information for a foreign source after RFA closed its bureau in the capital in September that year and were slapped with additional charges for illegally produced pornography in March 2018. If convicted of the first charge, they could face a jail term of between seven and 15 years. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the two reporters to halt a reinvestigation into the pornography case, allowing a new investigation into those charges to proceed as ordered by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The court did not cite provide any reason for its decision. Sam Chamroeun, the lawyer representing Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin, told RFAs Khmer Service that the Supreme Court did not provide his clients with justice in its ruling, which he said was an abuse of the law. He said all parties involved in the case had already agreed the investigation into their case was complete and that the pair should proceed to trial. [The court] decision gravely impacts our clients, especially their right to a fair and just trial, he said, adding that if the court lacks enough evidence to convict them, it should set them free. Yeang Sothearin told RFA after the decision that that the court did not give us a just trial. If it had taken into consideration how long it took for the prior investigation, the court would have provided us justice, he said. Yeang Sothearin suggested that the decision to proceed with an investigation against him and his former colleague was made because they failed to find evidence against us during the earlier probe into their espionage charges. He said that the court was dragging out his case because authorities regard them as hostages. I would request that the court not look on us as hostages who can be manipulated for its benefit because we are citizens and human beings, he said. Please return our freedom back to us as citizens. It seems the court is trying to seek crimes against us but when they cannot find any, they simply continue investigations. It affects our right to a fair trial. Labor activist appeal Also on Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected Cambodian Construction Workers Trade Union Federation (CCTUF) president Rath Rott Monys appeal of his June 2019 sentence to two years in prison for incitement. Rath Rott Mony fled Cambodia for Thailand to seek asylum after helping a visiting crew from Russian state-owned TV network Russia Today (RT) to make a documentary about child prostitution in the country that was broadcast in October 2018. He was arrested by Thai police two months later and handed back to Cambodian authorities. After a six-month investigation, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ordered Rath Rott Mony jailed for two years and fined 35 million riels (U.S. $8,600) each to plaintiffs Keo Malai and Tep Sreylin, who said he had promised to help them solve a land dispute and open a shop if they made up stories about forcing their daughters into prostitution for the documentary, entitled My Mother Sold Me. Authorities have said the film contained fake news and damaged Cambodia's reputation. Speaking to RFA after Wednesdays ruling, Rath Rott Monys lawyer, Sam Tithseiha, said the court had failed to deliver justice to his client and suggested that sending the case back to an appellant court could lead to him serving more time in detention than his actual prison sentence. We are frustrated because the court should not have decided to transfer the case back to the Appeals Courtit will likely delay my clients detention, he said. Am Sam Ath, deputy director of Cambodian rights group Licadhos Human Rights Investigation Team, called the Supreme Courts two decisions a blow to freedom of the press. He said the two former RFA reporters had committed no crime and echoed Yeang Sothearins concerns that the court had failed to gather sufficient evidence to prosecute them. The Cambodian Journalists Alliance (Camboja) issued a statement Wednesday in which it also condemned the two Supreme Court rulings. Camboja believes the decision to reinvestigate the ex-reporters [Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin] is part of a continued campaign of threats and intimidation against press freedom, the statement said. Opposition activist In another ruling on a case related to freedom of speech on Wednesday, the Supreme Court also dismissed an appeal by banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) activist Kong Mas of his 18-month jail sentence for posts he made on Facebook in early 2019 criticizing government policies. In March, a Cambodian appeals court upheld the Oct. 18, 2019 sentencing of Kong Mas for insulting the government and incitement to commit a crime based on a Facebook post, which contained comments critical of Prime Minister Hun Sens government and predictedcorrectlythat Cambodia would be the target of European Union trade sanctions for rollbacks on democracy and human rights. On Wednesday, Cambodias top court upheld the Phnom Penh Municipal Courts conviction and sentencing of Kong Mas, prompting his lawyer Sam Sokong to call the decision unfair and unjust. He said his client was innocent of the crimes he had been convicted of, as he had only expressed criticism of the ruling partys poor governance. Kong Mas didnt commit any crimehe was simply exercising his freedom of speech, he said. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. SA Premier Steven Marshall (M) speaks to media on August 31, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Mark Brake/Getty Images) SA Still A Long Way From NSW Hard Border South Australia is still a long way from imposing a hard border closure with NSW despite concerns over a spike in COVID-19 cases in Sydney, Premier Steven Marshall says. But SA has decided to keep border quarantine measures in place for both NSW and the ACT, amid the outbreak of 28 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel as Casula. Were being cautious, were looking at the epidemiology of whats going on, were looking at the results in NSW, Marshall said. But at this stage, theres too much uncertainty. SAs decision will also impact on AFL teams planning to travel to Adelaide from Sydney. SA has already lifted the quarantine restrictions for people coming from Queensland, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. But it has imposed a hard border closure with Victoria, only allowing locals to return and essential travellers through, because of the surge of infections in Melbourne. The states transition committee is expected to next review the border measures on July 17. Adelaide JZ CAPITAL PARTNERS LIMITED (the "Company" or "JZCP") (a closed-end collective investment scheme incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 48761) LEI: 549300TZCK08Q16HHU44 Recommended Proposals to approve: The Company's proposed reduction of its commitments to Spruceview Capital Partners Amendments to the Company's investment policy and Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting 15 July 2020 Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms used in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Circular of the Company dated 15 July 2020. On 27 November 2019, the Company announced its interim results for the six month period ended 31 August 2019, in which it was explained that the Company's Investment Adviser, Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers, Inc. ("JZAI"), was working with the Board to reduce the Company's commitments and future subscription obligations to certain managed funds. The Board is now pleased to announce that, as foreshadowed in the Company's annual results for the year ended 29 February 2020, it has secured agreement with David W. Zalaznick and John (Jay) Jordan II (together, being the "JZAI Founders", who are the founders and principals of JZAI) (or their respective affiliates) for the proposed reduction of the Company's commitments to its investments in Spruceview Capital Partners ("Spruceview") in the amount of approximately US$8.640 million. Accordingly, the Board is now requesting approval from Shareholders for such proposed reduction of the Company's commitments to Spruceview (the "Spruceview Proposal"). The Spruceview Proposal would be considered a Related Party Transaction of the Company thereby requiring Shareholder approval to be sought and obtained. In addition, as also set out in the Company's annual results, it remains the case that the JZAI Founders have also agreed to relieve the Company of certain of its commitments to the Orangewood Fund by each of them assuming the obligation of US$2 million and with the balance of the Company's remaining commitments of US$20 million intended to be transferred to third parties. The Company will make further announcements as required in relation to the status of its commitments to the Orangewood Fund as matters progress. Separately, on 22 April 2020, the Company announced a proposed change to its investment policy, pursuant to which the Company will make no further investments except in respect of which it has existing obligations or to the extent that investment is applied to support certain selected existing investments (the "Investment Policy Amendment Proposal" and together with the Spruceview Proposal, the "Proposals"). The intention of the change is to realise the maximum value of the Company's investments and, after repayment of all debt, to return capital to Shareholders. The Board is now also pleased to announce that, as previously indicated, including most recently in the Company's annual results, it is requesting approval from Shareholders for the proposed amendments to, and restatement of, its investment policy. Further details of the Proposals are set out in the sections of this announcement below. Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting The Company is today posting a Circular to Shareholders containing details of the Proposals and convening an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company in order for Shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, approve the Proposals. The Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company is being convened to be held at 1.15 p.m. on 12 August 2020 (or as soon thereafter as the Annual General Meeting of the Company convened for the same day and place has been concluded or adjourned). The Extraordinary General Meeting will be held at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3QL, Channel Islands. The Notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting, which contains the Resolutions to be proposed at that meeting concerning the Proposals, is set out at the end of the Circular being posted to Shareholders. Attendance at the Extraordinary General Meeting The Company has been closely monitoring the evolving situation relating to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), including the current guidance and restrictions on travel and public gatherings and social distancing. The priority of the Company's Board at this time is the health, safety and wellbeing of all Shareholders and Directors. With effect from 20 June 2020, the States of Guernsey implemented Phase 5 of its transitional plan to ease the stay at home and travel restrictions originally introduced on 25 March 2020 in light of COVID-19. Whilst restrictions within Guernsey have been eased, permitting gatherings to take place within Guernsey, any persons arriving into Guernsey are presently required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days upon arrival. In light of the restrictions in place from 20 June 2020, whilst Guernsey based Shareholders are permitted to attend the Extraordinary General Meeting in person, Shareholders from outside of Guernsey are strongly encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the meeting or the Company Secretary as their proxy and provide voting instructions in advance of the Extraordinary General Meeting, in accordance with the instructions explained in the Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting set out at the end of the Circular. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to exercise their voting rights by completing and submitting a Form of Proxy. It is highly recommended that Shareholders submit their Form of Proxy as early as possible to ensure that their votes are counted at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Company will continue to closely monitor the situation in the lead up to the Extraordinary General Meeting and will make any further updates as required about the meeting on its website at www.jzcp.com. Spruceview Proposal As mentioned above, the Board has secured agreement with the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) for the proposed reduction of the Company's commitments to its investments in Spruceview in the amount of approximately US$8.640 million. Spruceview, which is a portfolio investment of the Company, includes its affiliated funds from time to time, and in particular CERPI. Spruceview is an asset management business in the United States and aims to address the demand from corporate pensions, endowments, family offices and foundations for fiduciary management services through an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer model as well as specific products per asset class. CERPI is an investment fund established and managed by Spruceview for its client, a Mexican retirement fund administrator. As the general partner of CERPI, Spruceview is required to make co-investments in CERPI which are permitted to be made by various of its affiliates, including the Company and the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates). The key individuals important to the Spruceview business are Richard Sabo (Partner, CEO and Co-CIO) and Neetesh Kumar (Partner). The Company has previously obtained Shareholder approval for certain investments in Spruceview jointly with the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates). Such approvals included, in March 2019, the Company increasing its investment together with the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) in Spruceview Capital Partners by an additional US$1.475 million from the Company (with a further US$1.475 million being contributed by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates)). This increase was considered by the Company not to be a material change to the terms of the 2015 Spruceview Approval (as defined in the circular) and, therefore, Shareholder approval was not obtained for such increase. All of the Company's increased investment of US$1.475 million (being the "2015 Spruceview No Material Change Approval"), was to be used to support Spruceview's share of the co-investment in CERPI. In addition, in June 2019, Shareholders approved the Company's proposed joint investment of US$30 million (with the Company investing US$15 million, and a further US$15 million being contributed by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates)) (the "2019 Spruceview Approval"). Of the US$1.475 million and the US$15 million approved for investment by the Company pursuant to the 2015 Spruceview No Material Change Approval and the 2019 Spruceview Approval respectively, approximately US$8.640 million represents the Company's maximum potential commitments to CERPI, with the remaining approximately US$7.835 million representing its maximum potential commitments to Spruceview (excluding CERPI). With respect to the Company's commitments in CERPI and in light of the Company's desire to reduce its commitments and future subscription obligations, it is proposed that the Company will have its CERPI commitments reduced in full (by approximately US$8.640 million), with such commitments being taken over by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates). Those commitments also include an amount of approximately US$969,000 in respect of certain commitments to CERPI to which the Company did not fully subscribe and were instead subscribed to by affiliates of the JZAI Founders on an interim basis. The Company is therefore being relieved of an aggregate amount of approximately US$8.640 million of commitments. Shareholders should note that the CERPI commitments comprise funded commitments, unfunded commitments and potential future commitments, in each case to CERPI, which are subject to change between 10 July 2020 and the time of the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) taking over the commitments (expected to be the later of 14 August 2020 and the second business day following receipt of Shareholders approving the Spruceview Proposal). The price payable by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) to the Company for the transfer of their commitments will be equal to a price equivalent to the net asset value of the aggregate funded commitments, which is equal to (a) the total amount of such funded commitments (being as at 10 July 2020 an amount equal to approximately US$1.287 million), less (b) the total accumulated net realised and unrealised capital gains and losses of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary (which has made the subscriptions) with respect to such commitments to 31 March 2020 (being the date of their most recent valuation) (and being as at 10 July 2020 an amount equal to approximately US$4,500). The Company intends to utilise the proceeds received in connection with the Spruceview Proposal in accordance with the Company's revised investment policy as further detailed below. With respect to the Company's commitments in Spruceview (excluding CERPI), it is proposed that those commitments (of approximately US$7.835 million) are to remain in place with the Company continuing to invest together with, and jointly alongside, the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) on a 50:50 basis economically and on the same terms and conditions as above for the 2019 Spruceview Approval, albeit limited to Spruceview (excluding CERPI) and excluding the Company's commitments to CERPI as so taken over by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates). Specifically, the Company would propose to continue to invest approximately US$7.835 million (with a further approximately US$7.835 million to be contributed by the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates)) in Spruceview (excluding CERPI). The proposed joint investment would, as above, be on the same terms as the joint investment in Spruceview approved by the 2019 Spruceview Approval, being 50:50 economically and on the same terms and conditions but with certain structural features intended to afford each side appropriate US tax protections. The proposed reduction in the Company's commitments in CERPI and the proposed joint investments in Spruceview (excluding CERPI), would be considered to be a material change to the 2019 Spruceview Approval, and would therefore be considered a Related Party Transaction under Chapter 11 of the Listing Rules (with which the Company voluntarily complies and insofar as the Listing Rules are applicable to the Company by virtue of its voluntary compliance). JZAI is the Company's investment adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement and, under the Listing Rules, would therefore be considered a Related Party of the Company. As founders and principals of JZAI, the JZAI Founders are associates of JZAI and would also be considered Related Parties of the Company. In addition, each of the JZAI Founders are substantial shareholders of the Company as they are each entitled to exercise or to control the exercise of 10 per cent. or more of the votes able to be casted at a general meeting of the Company. As such, each of the JZAI Founders are considered to be Related Parties of the Company on this basis as well. The Spruceview Proposal, which involves the JZAI Founders as Related Parties of the Company, would be considered to involve arrangements between the Company and its Related Parties. Accordingly, the JZAI Founders as Related Parties and the Spruceview Proposal as arrangements between them would be considered a Related Party Transaction under Chapter 11 of the Listing Rules, insofar as the Listing Rules are applicable to the Company by virtue of its voluntary compliance with the same. As such, the Spruceview Proposal, as a Related Party Transaction of the Company, requires approval of Shareholders to reduce its commitments in CERPI by divesting them to the JZAI Founders (or their respective affiliates) and for the Company to invest jointly together with them in Spruceview (excluding CERPI). As such, a Resolution is to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting in relation to the Spruceview Proposal as a Related Party Transaction of the Company and is being proposed to seek Shareholder approval for the Company's proposed reduction of its CERPI commitments and joint investments in Spruceview (excluding CERPI). Investment Policy Amendment Proposal Also as mentioned above, the Company is proposing to amend and restate its investment policy to enshrine the Company's new strategy of making no further investments except in respect of which it has existing obligations or to the extent that investment is applied to support certain selected existing investments. The intention of the change is to realise the maximum value of the Company's investments and, after repayment of all debt, to return capital to Shareholders. The rationale for this change in policy is that, whilst JZAI, as the Company's Investment Adviser, has been working assiduously in difficult circumstances to stabilise the Company's investments, the Board recognises that, as a result of the disappointing and significant losses in value of its real estate portfolio and poor performance, and having reviewed all available options, there has to be a change in investment policy. The policy of making no further investments (with a limited number of exceptions), whilst representing only a change in emphasis from the existing investment policy, is nonetheless a significant change and is considered to be material alteration to the policy. The principal amendment to the Company's existing investment policy relates to the Company's approach with regard to new investments. The Company's existing investment policy provides that the Company anticipates that no meaningful capital will be dedicated to new investments other than honouring its funding commitments and supporting its portfolio of assets. The Company is now proposing to alter the emphasis of this concept by amending the policy to provide that no new investments will be made except in respect of which it has existing obligations or to the extent that investment is applied to support certain selected existing investments. The Company's strategy for implementing the policy will also be changed to realising the maximum value of the Company's investments and, after repayment of all debt, to returning capital to Shareholders. The strategy will remove the other existing objectives and will not be expressed as being limited in duration to the next few years. Save for those amendments as set out above, the Company is not otherwise proposing to make any other material changes to its existing investment policy (including its corporate objective and borrowing policy) and, as such, the existing investment policy otherwise remains largely unchanged. The Company's amended and restated investment policy is set out in full in the Circular, with copies of the same being on display and available for inspection as described in the Circular. The Company has previously voluntarily agreed that, in line with Chapter 15 of the Listing Rules (with which the Company voluntarily complies and insofar as the Listing Rules are applicable to the Company by virtue of its voluntary compliance), it would not materially alter its existing investment policy without the prior approval of Shareholders. The Investment Policy Amendment Proposal is considered to be a material change to the investment policy and Shareholder approval is accordingly being sought for the proposed amendments to the same. As such, a Resolution is to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting in relation to the Investment Policy Amendment Proposal and is being proposed to seek Shareholder approval for the amended and restated investment policy to be approved and adopted as the investment policy of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the Company's existing investment policy. Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting and Shareholder Circular Notice is hereby given that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3QL, Channel Islands at 1.15 p.m. on 12 August 2020 (or as soon thereafter as the Annual General Meeting of the Company convened for the same day and place has been concluded or adjourned). Further details of the Proposals are included in the Notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting and in the Circular. The Notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting is being distributed to members of the Company and will shortly be uploaded to the Company's website at www.jzcp.com. Copies of the Circular the Company is posting to Shareholders are available for viewing, during normal business hours, at the registered office of the Company at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3QL and will shortly be available for viewing at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/nsm. The Notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting is also included within the Circular. For further information: Ed Berry / Kit Dunford FTI Consulting +44 (0) 20 3727 1046 / 1143 David Zalaznick Jordan/Zalaznick Advisers, Inc. +1 (212) 485 9410 Sam Walden Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited +44 (0) 1481 745385 Important Notice This announcement is not an offering of securities. Any securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This announcement also includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements relate to matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual investment performance, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, policies and the development of its strategies may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. In addition, even if the investment performance, result of operations, financial condition, liquidity and policies of the Company and development of its strategies, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. Subject to their legal and regulatory obligations, each of the Company, the Investment Adviser and their respective affiliates expressly disclaims any obligations to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein whether to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based or as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Three-quarters of Ontarians say universities should give students a tuition discount if they are learning online this fall because of COVID-19, says a new poll. The survey, conducted by Campaign Research for the Star, found that just 13 per cent of those polled thought tuition should remain the same. I think everybody is looking for a bit of a discount, said Campaign Research principal Nick Kouvalis. Its partly a reflection of how people feel about online learning, he said, and if people think they are not going to get the full experience of being on campus, spending thousands on tuition doesnt sit well. A number of student groups have also been pushing for a break on tuition for this fall. Campaign Research polled 1,434 people across Ontario last week, using the Maru Blue opt-in online panel. The equivalent margin of error for a random sample of the same size is plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The survey found the public is split on universities offering in-person classes this fall, with just over one-third supporting the move and 31 per cent opposing it. The remaining third were unsure. However, if classes were smaller, some 67 per cent of respondents feel it would be safe for students to be learning on campus. But when it comes to living on campus, just 27 per cent of those surveyed said it is safe to reopen residences, with 39 per cent saying its not. However, if universities only allow for one student per room, 55 per cent agree residences could safely operate this fall. About 50 per cent of respondents felt January 2021 to the best time to reopen residences. Some Ontario colleges and universities are planning for online-only learning this fall, with others promising a hybrid of remote and in-class sessions where possible. Some have closed residences or are planning for one to two students per room depending on the size of the space. Last month, the province announced a summer pilot project allowing post-secondary institutions to partially open their campuses to allow academically stranded students to complete lessons or labs they missed during the COVID-19 shutdown. Schools across the province including all 24 public colleges are taking part in the pilot, targeted at students studying health care, nursing or the trades, which call for practical, hands-on experience to graduate. Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano said the pilot will help guide schools as they plan to reopen safely this fall. An international con artist and his partner Sara Bharat Yadav, 40, have been ordered to hand over more than 1 million after he defrauded wealthy victims to fund an extravagant lifestyle. Ayodele Oluseye Odewale, 42, trawled through public records to find information about the victims so he could apply for credit cards in his name. Investigators found 797,431 in the bank accounts of Odewale and Yadav, along with a stash of three Patek Philippe watches valued at 199,000. They also owned a private car registration plate worth 15,000. The Nigerian conman and his British partner of 21 years, led lavish lifestyles, renting a home in Chiswick for 42,000 per year, despite their combined declared annual income never exceeding 49,000. Odewale had no job since his release from prison in 2005 while Yadav worked as an operations manager at London University Imperial College (pictured) Odewale had no job since his release from prison in 2005 while Yadav worked as an operations manager at Imperial College. Odewale is said to have impersonated clients in phone calls to banks so he could order and intercept replacement debit cards, which he then used to purchase designer watches. The timepieces were then traded and sold with the proceeds being laundered through bank accounts belonging to Odewale and Yadav. But the High Court ordered them to hand over 1,011,431 to the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Odewale, who fled the UK for Nigeria in 2016, is a career fraudster with convictions for dishonesty between 1998 and 2016. Yadav and Odewale used cash to buy a property in Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London On 11 September 1998, he was convicted of attempting to obtain property by deception and sentenced to community service. In 1999 he was jailed for a year for conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and making a false statement to obtain a passport. On 7 December 2011, he was jailed for two years for identity fraud. NCA detectives found that huge sums of cash were passing through the couple's bank account each year. Yadav and Odewale used the cash to buy properties in Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, and Conwy Drive, Liverpool respectively, with significant deposits involved on each. These properties were subsequently sold in what the NCA believed was an attempt to launder the proceeds of Odewale's criminal activities. Conwy Drive, Liverpool, where the couple bought a property with a significant deposit The couple have owned a series of expensive cars, including a Porsche Carrera, two Mercedes, and Yadav currently drives a Audi RS4 which when new is worth around 60,000 The couple also sent their children to private schools, with fees of 37,000 per year. They also enjoyed frequent luxury holidays in India, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Cape Verde and Turkey. NCA investigators described one of Odewale's explanations that he made 'hundreds of thousands of pounds' to fund his lifestyle at betting shop fixed odd terminals as 'inherently unlikely'. Odewale gave evidence to the High Court via video from Nigeria, as he is subject to a deportation order and cannot return to the UK. The judge who heard the case found he showed 'little concern for the victims of the fraud' and offered 'bare (often angry) denials to questions put to him by the NCA's barrister. Yadav, who remains in the UK, was also found by the High Court judge Mrs Justice McGowan to have knowingly benefited from assets gained through unlawful conduct. The judge stated that Yadav 'dishonestly chose to turn a blind eye to the illegitimacy of those funds' and enjoyed the luxuries it provided such as the gold Rolex she wore to the hearing. In her judgment, Mrs Justice McGowan found the NCA's evidence to be 'detailed, cogent, and helpful.' Andy Lewis, head of Asset Denial at the NCA, said: 'Odewale and Yadav had extravagant lifestyles funded from stealing the identities of honest, law abiding citizens. We have recovered their assets so they see no benefit from their unlawful activity. 'We are pleased our commitment to this investigation has paid off, having worked closely with partners including the Metropolitan Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. 'We will continue our work to identify those linked to economic crime, and take away their illicit assets.' While Ben Russell, Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre, added: 'Fraud causes real harm to people across the UK and we are determined to use all our powers, including civil recovery, to disrupt criminals and take money and assets out of their hands. 'The National Economic Crime Centre has a unique role coordinating the response to economic crime, bringing together the full force of our partners from across the public and private sector. 'Fraud is an absolute priority for us and today's fantastic result shows what can be achieved when we use all our tools and powers to safeguard the people and prosperity of the UK.' The High Court ordered that one of the watches and 140,759, which could be traced back to two specific frauds, be handed to NatWest Bank to replace money used to compensate two of their customers. They must hand over 1,011,431 to the National Crime Agency. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) The Philippines has "successfully" flattened the curve of coronavirus infections, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday. But he appeared to have taken this back moments later, saying in a series of tweets that the country has "bent" rather than flattened the curve a month after a Luzon-wide lockdown since mid-March. Duque made the initial statement when asked about the steady rise in local COVID-19 cases, which has reached 57,545 infections as of July 14. Of these, 20,459 have recovered while 1,603 died. "We have successfully flattened the curve since April. The metrics for arriving at that conclusion of flattening the curve is actually one, the case doubling time of the COVID-19 infection has actually become longer," the Health chief said during the government's Pre-SONA forum. The case doubling time or how fast the number of infections double in an area has slowed from a 2.5-day window during the early days of the local outbreak, Duque explained. Duque said it now takes eight days for infections to double in the country as of July 15, which he said is past the critical one-week threshold. "The other metric to say that we've flattened the curve is also the mortality doubling time has also got longer and is now in the moderate risk classification," he added, noting that new cases have stabilized to about 200-250 per day. Duque turned to Twitter to clarify his remarks after getting the ire of netizens, switching to a different term: "bent." "This means we bent the curve in April after the March ECQ but we are seeing an increase in cases due to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as we allow movement of people," the Health chief said. He added that this was expected and was the experience of foreign countries which have revived business activities. The DOH also said in a statement that flattening the curve entails decreasing the rate at which the outbreak spreads to gain adequate time for a health system to prepare for a possible surge in cases. The department noted flattening the curve is not only dependent on the reported number of cases, but how the cases relate to the health system capacity, as well as the case doubling time. It added that since the curve was flattening by late April as a result of the ECQ in March, additional steps have been made for the COVID-19 response to prepare for the expected surge when restrictions are relaxed, like increase testing capacity, better contact tracing, and prepare hospitals for critical care needs. New infections recorded the past few days are in the hundreds, with an all-time high increase of 2,434 tallied last July 5. On Tuesday, Duque mentioned in a separate media briefing that the country needs to pull the epidemic curve down: "Kailangan iliko natin bandang huli 'yung kurba pababa. That is our ultimate objective." A health expert who was once a consultant of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases disagreed with Duque's view. "I dont think we have flattened the curve based on our increase in cases, number of deaths, and full critical care capacity of NCR and Cebu hospitals. Perhaps DOH should review their own data to guide IATF, whole government and the public of the situation," Dr. Tony Leachon said. Infectious diseases expert Dr. Benjamin Co told CNN Philippines The Final Word that the country still has a lot of work to flatten the curve. Co said if only the countrys testing capacity and quarantine facilities were implemented better during the ECQ, there would have been a better scenario. These two important mitigating strategies should have been done together when the ECQ was implemented a lot of things should have been done during the early stages of the pandemic so that we would not have come to this point, he said. On his projections, he said COVID-19 cases in the country will likely breach 60,000 this week if numbers will not go down. Otherwise, this will be reached next week. This is based on the countrys 7-day average ranging from 1,300 to 1,400, and how the backlogs will be addressed, he explained. Netizens also bashed Duque's pronouncement. "Which planet did he come from?," asked one Twitter user. A number of lawmakers also refuted the Health chief. Senator Sonny Angara, himself a COVID-19 survivor, pointed out that hospital wards are "filling up again." "The only thing that is flat are the backs of all the poor patients in fully-occupied COVID wards all around Metro Manila fighting for their lives! 'Wag magbulag-bulagan [Stop acting blind] and act to stop the surge instead of imagining it," added Sen. Migz Zubiri who also battled the disease, pointing out that the country is close to recording the most number of cases in Southeast Asia. However, Zubiri said that Duque has since apologized to him over the mix-up. He said he then told the Cabinet official to be careful with his statements. Back in May, Duque was under fire for claiming that the country is already in the middle of its "second wave" or another surge of COVID-19 cases and that the government has begun controlling the spike in numbers. He also claimed two months ago that the local COVID-19 curve has been flattening, as local health facilities are not being overwhelmed by patients anymore. His agency later apologized for the confusion and clarified that this remains to be the first wave of the local outbreak. The official said that since local authorities have flattened the curve, this should be taken as a "window of opportunity to improve and increase" the capacity of the local health system. RELATED: DOH sets up coordination unit as some hospitals report COVID-19 beds nearly full Several big hospitals in Metro Manila and Cebu City have declared full capacity for COVID-19 beds in the past few days, just as cases saw a spike as quarantine rules are being eased nationwide. In May, the Department of Health explained that flattening the curve is not solely based on the number of cases. It includes the health systems' testing capacity as well as ability to manage suspect, probable and confirmed cases. The Philippines has 58,850 confirmed cases as of July 15, of which 20,976 have recovered and 1,614 died. Duque said more than 90 percent of patients have mild or no symptoms. One of Britain's top generals today warned that China had 'broadened the definition of warfare' to include 'capturing control of key technologies like 5G' as Beijing blasted the UK over its decision to ban Huawei. General Sir Patrick Sanders, commander of Strategic Command which leads in the cyber domain for defence, said China and Russia had 'developed counter-strategies to our western way of warfare'. This means using 'all the state levers of power to accrue advantage' in areas like trade, foreign aid and new technology. Sir Patrick's warning came as Beijing hit back hard at the UK's decision to exclude Huawei from the nation's new 5G network. Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK, suggested Chinese firms could pull out of Britain because of the decision as he said 'the way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses'. Mr Liu said Downing Street had 'undermined the trust between the two countries' by reversing the decision it made in January when it gave the green light to the Chinese tech giant to play a role in building the infrastructure. General Sir Patrick Sanders, commander of Strategic Command which leads in the cyber domain for defence (pictured right) said China and Russia had 'developed counter-strategies to our western way of warfare' Earlier, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying had accused Boris Johnson of being 'America's dupe' and of colluding with the White House to 'discriminate' against Huawei. She warned the UK's actions 'must come at a cost' while the hardline state-backed Global Times publication said in an editorial it is 'necessary for China to retaliate' in a way which is 'public and painful'. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced yesterday that telecoms firms will be prohibited from buying Huawei 5G equipment from December 31 this year. Meanwhile, all of the firm's existing 5G technology will be stripped out of the network by the end of 2027. The U-turn has sparked a further deterioration in relations between the UK and China, with tensions already strained over coronavirus and the imposition by Beijing of a controversial national security law on Hong Kong. The UK Government yesterday announced it is banning Huawei from Britain's 5G network over national security concerns China's Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming said the Huawei decision will be 'followed very closely by other Chinese businesses' Donald Trump suggests HE convinced Boris Johnson to ban 'unsafe' Huawei from Britain's 5G telecoms network Donald Trump said at the White House last night (pictured) that he 'convinced' countries such as the UK to cut ties with Huawei Donald Trump has appeared to take credit for having 'convinced many countries' including the UK not to use Huawei after Boris Johnson ordered a ban on the Chinese firm within the country's 5G network. The US president said, 'I did this myself, for the most part', as he spoke of having worked to pressure nations to not use Huawei, adding: 'If they want to do business with us, they can't use it.' In a major U-turn provoking criticism from China, the Prime Minister ordered telecoms firms to remove Huawei equipment from the 5G network by 2027. The move, costing billions and delaying the deployment of 5G by up to three years, came after a Government-ordered review found the security of Huawei's equipment could not be guaranteed because of US sanctions. Mr Trump boasted in a press conference that no White House 'has been tougher on China' than his administration, which the UK is trying to broker a post-Brexit trade deal with. 'We convinced many countries - many countries - and I did this myself, for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk. It's a big security risk,' he said. Advertisement Speaking at the Air and Space Power Conference, Sir Patrick said: 'Russia, China and other adversaries have developed counter-strategies to our western way of warfare with its emphasis on full spectrum dominance, reaching the apogee in the first and second Gulf Wars.' He continued: 'These states have become adept at integrating all the state levers of power to accrue advantage and to accrue the initiative, including as we can see today, through trade wars, foreign aid assistance, cyber and information warfare and crucially capturing control of key technologies like 5G or artificial intelligence or indeed space control. 'This approach broadens the very definition of warfare well beyond the narrow boundaries within which our traditional approach can be brought to bear.' Sir Patrick said the UK needed to respond by better integrating all of its capabilities 'across government, with our allies' so that Britain is able to counter and deter all kinds of threats. His comments came after the Government moved to ban Huawei from the UK's 5G network after the White House imposed sanctions on the firm which prevent it from using US technology in its 5G equipment. The UK said the sanctions meant it can 'no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment'. The US has long urged its allies not to use the company's technology because of national security concerns - concerns which have always been rejected by Huawei. Mr Liu told a think tank event this morning that the decision to expel Huawei from the 5G network was 'disheartening' as he hinted it could prompt other Chinese firms to rethink their UK operations. He said: 'I think it undermined the trust between the two countries. Trust, mutual trust, mutual respect are really the basics for a relationship, not only between countries but even between individuals. 'When you look at the UK decision yesterday, I tweeted it is disappointing and the wrong decision on Huawei. 'Now I would say it is not only disappointing it is disheartening. When you see this company, good company, who have been here for 20 years, they not only invested 2 billion in this country, created 28,000 jobs and pay tax and contribute greatly to the telecoms industry of this country and to the local community, that you simply dump this company.' He added: 'The way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses. 'When mutual trust was undermined it would be difficult for the businesses to have confidence.' Mr Liu said the UK Government's treatment of Huawei would be seen as 'symbolic' of its overall approach to China. 'Look at how the UK treats Huawei,' he said. 'The way they treat Huawei is, I always say Huawei is not about a private company. The big picture is about China. Huawei merely symbolises how you treat China.' Ms Hua had earlier told reporters in Beijing that China strongly opposed the UK's decision. She said the move was driven by political reasoning and not by national security concerns as she also said Beijing will act to safeguard its interests in the wake of the U-turn. How could China respond to the UK's decision to ban Huawei from the 5G network? Increase trade tariffs The UK and China are expected to sit down for post-Brexit trade talks in the coming years. But the Huawei move could prompt Beijing either to toughen its negotiating stance or to boycott the talks entirely. Down the line it could go even further by increasing tariffs on UK imports, like automobiles, starting a full blown trade war with Britain. Increased red tape The Chinese market is key for many British bands and Beijing could make it more difficult for companies to export their goods there. That could come in the form of increased red tape or bureaucracy which could significantly impact sales. Tourism and education pressure The Chinese government could pressure its citizens to simply avoid travelling to the UK. This would have a potentially significant and harmful impact on the tourism sector as well as the higher education industry which welcomes thousands of Chinese students to the UK every year. Cyber attack UK officials are braced for Beijing to launch disruptive cyber attacks in retaliation for the Huawei decision. Key national infrastructure could be targeted to cause major headaches for the UK Government. Advertisement The Associated Press quoted her as saying: 'Without any concrete evidence, the United Kingdom took unfounded risks as an excuse and cooperated with the United States to discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies.' She said the UK's actions 'must come at a cost' but did not elaborate on how Beijing could respond. She also claimed Britain had become 'America's dupe'. Downing Street rejected the suggestion and insisted the decision had been made following an assessment of the US sanctions by the National Cyber Security Centre. As soon as the sanctions were imposed by the US the NCSC began a detailed piece of work on their impact,' the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said. 'Once that work was concluded the NCSC reached a verdict that it could no longer guarantee the security of the Huawei equipment in the future. That advice was given to ministers and following the NSC meeting yesterday they announced that no new Huawei equipment could be purchased from the end of this year and it will be removed by 2027. On the suggestion that China could retaliate, the PM's spokesman said: 'We remain committed to a constructive relationship with China. Yesterdays decision does not change that. Downing Street today confirmed that Mr Johnson and President Xi Jinping have not spoken since March. The US, along with Tory backbench MPs, had lobbied intensively for the UK Government to reverse the original decision it made in January. Donald Trump appeared to claim credit for the U-turn, telling a press conference last night: 'We convinced many countries - many countries - and I did this myself, for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk. 'It's a big security risk. I talked many countries out of using it. If they want to do business with us, they can't use it. 'Just today, I believe that UK announced that they're not going to be using it. And that was up in the air for a long time, but they've decided.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock sought to down play Mr Trump's comments as he said the move to ban Huawei was a 'sensible decision' based on the latest available evidence. 'We all know Donald Trump, don't we?' he told Sky News. 'All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision, but this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest quality 5G systems in the future. 'We are looking for a good US trade deal and working very closely on that, I think that's a very important consideration.' Meanwhile, the Global Times today took aim at Britain in its editorial as it said Beijing must now hit back. It said: 'It's necessary for China to retaliate against UK, otherwise wouldn't we be too easy to bully? 'Such retaliation should be public and painful for the UK. But it's unnecessary to turn it into a China-UK confrontation. 'The UK is not the US, nor Australia, nor Canada. It is a relative 'weak link' in the Five Eyes.' The decision to exclude Huawei from the UK's 5G network comes at a time when relations between the UK and China are already strained over coronavirus and Hong Kong. China's ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said expelling Huawei was a 'disappointing and wrong decision'. 'It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries,' he tweeted. Times are changing on the African continent Digital does not necessarily mean smooth Transforming operations to enable cross-platform experience Windows of opportunity to leverage on The world has experienced enormous disruption in the broadcasting arena. As newer and more innovative technologies change how content is created, distributed and consumed, the entry of global players is threatening the local South African market share and compelling local media organisations to rethink their traditional business models to take up the competition in the global context. Radio stations, for instance, are moving towards DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) and internet distribution, enhancing their offers into video distribution and alternative advertising models. Norway switched off analogue FM radio broadcast in 2017 and Sweden plans to switch off analogue radio in 2022. South Africa has also run a DAB+ trial with 21,5% population coverage initiated by Sadiba.Accenture research (NYSE: ACN) indicates that by embracing digital technologies, South African media could generate an additional R93bn in value by 2026 for the local media industry and society. This is a huge opportunity for broadcasters to unlock greater value from their offerings.The monopoly of broadcasters delivering generic packaged content to the audience is over as distribution methods are widely available even for user-generated content on video and social media platforms, creating new stars. With audience demographics becoming more varied and a wider choice of video and internet-based distribution channels available, viewers are more selective about what content they spend their time and money watching, and most importantly, on what platform.South Africas media industry, in particular, has so far been an essential engine for nation-building. It gives voice to a plurality of views, offers entertainment choices to a diversity of cultures and provides employment to journalists, artists and the technical and support staff required to produce news, drama, sport and general entertainment. However, the growth of the industry has not been substantial in former years as it has depended on the traditional broadcasting model with the limitations of the technology and related broadcast frequencies for FTA (free to air) available.The main public broadcaster the SABC has held a monopoly share of the industry, covering almost 77% - 91% (SABC 3 vs SABC 2) of the population and sustained itself mainly via advertising revenue which makes up 70% of their earnings of R 6.46 billion in 2019. Their major competition has so far been a private FTA station with eTV (with a 90% reach and R1.6bn revenue) as well as pay-tv providers such as Multichoice with a population reach of only around 15-20% (8,2m subscribers in 2018).Relying on subscriptions, the pay-tv earnings in advertising are only a fraction of the total revenue which can be seen as an additional gain rather than the main revenue source. Although this may seem more sustainable, they too have been disrupted by newer models, i.e. digital broadcasting platforms where content is king and service offerings are consumer-centric.International players are entering the African market with digital solutions, creating new content hubs, going into head-on-head competition with the traditional broadcasters, all while delivering consistent cross-device user experience at very low cost and ubiquity access through internet and mobile devices.Netflix is one such example. Earlier this year they announced that Africa will be one of their main hubs, following the success of Queen Sono, as they are already heavily producing content from within Africa with plenty of local content available even to other parts of the world.The launch of digital platforms in broadcasting is not entirely positive especially if the rollout strategy is not carefully thought through. Traditional linear channels provided a trusted brand of choice and enabled constant content discovery, while digital video on demand (VoD) based offers are relying on the consumer engagement and information to enable discovery and choice of content.Although Netflix has enjoyed substantial success over the years based on a massive content catalogue which developed out of the initial DVD-rental business model and the best recommendation offer as content discovery was key, they have also experienced major losses. Netflix lost their most valuable and most engaged content from Disney, who left to develop their own network. Around eight out of ten of their top consumption pieces used to be Disney content.Losing most of your valuable content makes it very difficult to keep the subscription pricing low for the end-user which could cause revenue problems in the near future unless a compelling content proposition is developed in parallel. Netflix started early and continues to invest heavily in different geographies across the world with localised operations to climb up the value chain, becoming a content producer rather than a distributor. The table below shows their content investment over the years:Only two years ago, we began to see these long-expected changes on the horizon but now the change for South Africa is imminent and begins to re-shape the South African media landscape. Broadcasters should position themselves to survive the future and avoid maximum disruption which we have seen regarding Multichoice entering into strategic partnerships with two major streaming partners.By failing to update the business offerings, a media broadcaster can quickly enter a downward spiral, typically being forced into a cost-cutting exercise and inevitably losing out on the future due to disruption and the lack of utilising the cost-cutting exercise to enable digital transformation.Modern broadcasters can survive disruption by transforming from the operations perspective to enable a cross-platform experience, creating a horizontal capability-based operating model rather than vertically arranged (based on channels and distribution platforms) content chain. All content should be accessible from all consumer platforms running through the same content processing chain with common metadata models, ensuring optimized efficiency within the organisation.This starts with content contribution/delivery, automated metadata creation, sports highlight generation, transcoding, marketing content generation and finally, a personalised omnichannel user experience based on audience segments (also called Personas). These segments should be defined by robust and consistent consumption data and engagement patterns to enable the delivery of tailored user interfaces and a personalised experience across all consumer touchpoints. To enable an outstanding user experience especially on digital platforms, CRM data and history of issues and problems are important to keep the new generation engaged and loyal.As far as digital integration is concerned and content becoming platform agnostic, there is an opportunity for new providers in this geography to flourish. Platforms like Acorn TV which is available across the Apple TV, phone, online and IPTV services where the consumer has greater choice. However, success depends on the business model. Investing billions into content for example without a good strategy on subscription, content resale and advertising return on investment can lead to failure. If the platform does not acquire enough users and engagement, they will not make enough revenue back. Careful phasing of the strategy is therefore essential to the platforms success.This was the case of Kwese who rolled out too quickly and made bold moves from the start. The platform purchased content for all territories at the same time, offering FTA (free-to-air) Premier League content which led to a reported debt of over $130 million. For such a big investment, a business needs to have a very strong advertising sales department with very high profile and robust consumption data to convince advertisers and agencies that ad campaign money is well invested. It should be a careful balance between the speed of rollout versus the number of users, gaining critical mass of users before expanding further.While growth is still on the cards, most of it will come from digital. Local broadcast media needs to move quickly to maintain and grow its stake in this sector as internet access explodes, and global players enter the market forcefully, enticing users to migrate toward their digital channels with outstanding user experience. The local media broadcasting industry needs to evolve at a similar pace to the global industry, investing in digital capabilities and infrastructure, deploying multispeed architectures and related operating models or risk being left behind. Additionally, significant network and infrastructure improvements are required to address the challenges local media players face in terms of reaching audiences.Accenture identifies three key digital themes that media organisations must explore if they hope to compete successfully and grow. The effective adoption of digital media technologies to unlock value will require a collaborative effort by all the stakeholders within the media industryspecifically, policymakers, industry bodies and business. ALBANY, N.Y. Albany County saw a spike of 44 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday. During a press conference with Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy noted the increase marked the countys highest one-day jump since May 20, which saw 71 positive cases. Hearkening back to some of the higher spikes in previous months, McCoy attributed the trend to holiday gatherings. Wednesdays announcement was no different, as McCoy cited a large party of 200 people on the Fourth of July in Albany. Whalen added that the 200 number stemmed from a number of backyards along Hudson Avenue. Theres a cluster on the Fourth of July party in Albany where we had up to 200 people that were there, not socially distancing, not wearing masks, not doing the right thing, McCoy said. So we have six known positive cases from that party so far, McCoy added as the county health department continues its contact tracing efforts. Also among the 44 cases are healthcare workers and eight residents at St. Peters Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In addition, four cases were people who flew into Albany County in the last two weeks from Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and Cancun. Two more positive cases were traced back to people who drove from South Carolina and Florida. The other cases appear to stem from community spread. So people decided to go traveling and not do the right things have come back positive. Thats again that ripple effect of tracing and its like that domino. How many people have they met and how many people are they going to knock down as we go along? McCoy remarked on the travelers. Whalen also remarked on the latest rise in positive cases. I do think it is likely a reflection of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The party that was referenced that we have six cases currently tied to was not at a single home from what were hearing but in a large area of backyards on Hudson Avenue in Albany, Whalen said. So if you were at that party on Hudson Avenue in the backyards, please consider being tested, please get tested. We need to stop this, we need to make sure that those that are infected dont continue to spread this disease to others, Whalen advised of the party-goers. Whalen also expressed concern for what the latest cases may foretell of the hospitalization rate in the weeks ahead. I would like to express some caution with the good news that the rates of hospitalizations and deaths are low. What we saw previously with COVID is that first, we saw the spike in cases and then about a week to two weeks later we saw a spike in hospitalizations and started to see deaths. This is not what we want to have happen. I say that because I dont want to give the message that these infections are not potentially harmful to people. In addition to the 44 new cases, there have been 2,053 cases in the county overall. Plus, there are 544 people under mandatory quarantine and 77 active cases. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has nearly doubled to 16 from 8.8 Tuesday. Thus far, 6,176 people have completed quarantine, with 1,976 of them having tested positive and recovered. Presently there are two people hospitalized and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.09%. Amber Heard 'wilfully lied' to US immigration by telling them that her British personal assistant was just 'a friend' and was not working unlawfully, her former aide has alleged in a High Court battle. Kate James, who was fired by the actress in February 2015, also claimed Ms Heard 'deliberately' smuggled her dogs into Australia, leading her to be caught breaching quarantine rules, and she thought she was 'above the law'. The claims were made in a witness statement by Ms James', which was submitted to the High Court as part of Johnny Depp's libel action against The Sun newspaper. The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 57, is suing is suing The Sun publisher News Group Newspapers and its executive editor Dan Wootton over an April 2018 article which labelled him a 'wife beater' over allegations he attacked Ms Heard. He strenuously denies the allegation. Amber Heard (pictured right) 'wilfully lied' to US immigration by telling them that her British personal assistant was just 'a friend' and was not working unlawfully, her former aide has today alleged during Johnny Depp's (pictured left) High Court libel case against the Sun Kate James, who was fired by the actress in February 2015, also claimed Ms Heard 'deliberately' smuggled her dogs into Australia, leading her to be caught breaching quarantine rules, and she thought she was 'above the law' During today's hearing the High Court heard from Ms Heard's former personal assistant, Ms James. In her first witness statement, Ms James said she had been asked by Ms Heard in September 2014 to send a letter the actress had drafted to Homeland Security officials in the US about a woman named Savannah McMillan. She claimed Ms Heard, 34, had hired the woman to work as a set assistant. But she said that when immigration officials held and questioned Ms McMillan over her frequency of trips to the US, Heard produced a letter denying Ms McMillan was working for her. She claimed Ms Heard said in a letter that Ms McMillan was 'a personal friend'. In written statement. she said: 'Savannah, a British citizen, had been held in immigration and questioned about the frequency that she had been coming and going from the USA. 'In Amber's letter, she called it fraudulent that it was being alleged that Savannah was working for Amber unlawfully. 'She (Ms Heard) said that, as Savannah's "friend", she could "say truthfully and unequivocally that this allegation is entirely false ... I would like to go on the record saying that Savannah McMillan is a personal friend, and to my knowledge, has never worked unlawfully or otherwise in the United States. Or for me." Ms James alleged in her statement that she 'knew this to be untrue'. She added in her statement that 'Amber was therefore wilfully lying to the US immigration department', and included a photo of the letter and a pay cheque from Ms Heard to Ms McMillan. Ms James said in her statement that Ms Heard had 'willfully lied' to US immigration officials and included a photo of a letter (pictured) she claims Ms Heard asked her to send to Homeland Security regarding Savannah McMillan Ms James also included a photo of a cheque she claims Ms Heard used to pay Ms McMillan Her statement also referred to the episode when Ms Heard faced criminal proceedings over her dogs entering Australia illegally. She claimed she had attempted to talk to Ms Heard about a date discrepancy in the time needed for the dogs' immigration process, but said the actress's eyes 'would glaze over and she would walk away'. Amber Heard (right) in Los Angeles with assistant Kate James (left) on September 27, 2012 Ms James alleged Ms Heard 'chose to ignore' her and Mr Depp's then estate manager, Kevin Murphy. 'She deliberately smuggled the dogs into Australia,' Ms James said in her statement. She added: 'As in several circumstances which I observed, it was as if she felt that she was above the law.' Ms James said she had been told about a discussion in which the actress is alleged to have considered asking Mr Murphy to ask her to sign a statement supporting Ms Heard's position that 'she (Ms Heard) did not know the dogs were not ready to be taken into Australia'. The witness statement said: 'The fact that she was willing to ask me to sign such a statement under oath... is a reflection of her approach to me... in general. 'She did not care about throwing anyone under the bus, if it meant saving her own skin.' Johnny Depp v The Sun: Key issues in libel trial Hollywood star Johnny Depp's libel claim against The Sun enters its second week on Monday. These are the key issues the trial judge, Mr Justice Nicol, has to determine. - Whether the April 2018 article by the tabloid's executive editor Dan Wootton was defamatory of Depp. Under the Defamation Act 2013, a statement is not defamatory unless its publication causes 'serious harm to the reputation of the claimant'. - The Sun's publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), is defending the claim and relying on a defence of truth. It is for the publisher to prove that the allegations made in the article are 'substantially true'. - The meaning of the article, which is defined as what it would mean to the 'reasonable reader', will have to be determined by the judge. But NGN's lawyers say the differences between the rival meanings contended by each side are 'not significant' and the outcome of the case will therefore not turn on meaning. - Depp's case is that the article bore the meaning that he was 'guilty, on overwhelming evidence, of serious domestic violence against his then wife, causing significant injury and leading to her fearing for her life, for which he was constrained to pay no less than 5 million to compensate her, and which resulted in him being subjected to a continuing court restraining order; and for that reason is not fit to work in the film industry'. He strenuously denies the allegations and claims he 'has never hit or committed any acts of physical violence against Ms Heard'. - The meaning which NGN will seek to prove is true is that the Claimant beat his wife Amber Heard, causing her to suffer significant injury and on occasion leading her to fearing for her life. They rely on 14 separate allegations of violence and allege more generally that Depp was 'controlling and verbally and physically abusive' towards Ms Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, throughout their relationship. NGN's lawyers say an important issue for the judge to decide will be what substances Depp was using during the relationship. They contend that he frequently lost control of himself, partly because of his heavy drug and alcohol use, and also that his memory has been impaired by his heavy use of drugs. - If Depp wins his case, the judge will have to decide what level of compensation he should receive for the harm to his reputation and for the 'distress, hurt and humiliation caused'. There is an upper limit on general damages for libel of 300,000 to 325,000. However, if he succeeds, Depp may also be entitled to aggravated damages. The actor is also asking for a final injunction against NGN, who his legal team say 'have retained the article on their website and maintained their allegation to the bitter end'. Advertisement Today Ms James also accused the actress of 'stealing' her own harrowing story of being the victim of sexual violence - and 'twisting' it for her own benefit. Ms James chose to break her anonymity by submitting a statement in the High Court declaring that she was violently raped at knife point when aged 26 while she was travelling in Brazil and that Johnny Depp's ex-wife subsequently 'twisted it into her own story to benefit herself'. In her statement, parts of which were read out in court, Ms James revealed that she only received documents related to the High Court libel hearing last month. She adds: 'As I perused the documents, much to my utter shock and dismay, I discovered that Ms Heard had in fact stolen my sexual violence conversation with her and twisted it into her own story to benefit herself. 'This of course caused me extreme distress and outrage that she would dare to attempt to use the most harrowing experience of my life as her own narrative.' When asked by Sasha Wass, representing the Sun in Johnny Depp's libel trial, why she was giving evidence Ms James declared: 'I'm a sexual violence survivor and it's very serious to take that stance if you are not one and I am one and that's the reason I'm here because I take offence.' When further questioned by Depp's lawyer David Sherborne, Ms James added: 'Amber Heard referred to conversations about me being raped in Brazil. She twisted it into her own story, she used it for her own use.' Ms James earlier told the court that Heard would drink 'vast quantities of red wine' each night and then subject her to a 'barrage' of abusive texts. She added: 'I knew she drank wine because when I would go (to her house) in the morning there would be a lot of bottles there. I would also receive a barrage of drunken, incoherent abusive text messages between the hours of 2-4 in the morning.' Ms James, who has been a PA to a number of notable figures in the entertainment industry, described Ms Heard as the 'least famous person' she has ever worked for. Ms James also claimed Heard drank 'vast quantities of red wine each night' and would only allow Depp to drink non-alcoholic beer. Ms James, who worked for Heard for three years until 2015, said in a statement to London's High Court that she would be asked to buy the 0 per cent beer for Depp. She added that she 'never saw any physical violence' by either Heard or Depp, despite visiting her house in Los Angeles almost every day including on weekends. And she praised Depp for being 'calm and quite shy' as well as 'always thoughtful and kind and a genuinely decent person' who taught her son how to play guitar. Heard was already dating Depp when Ms Jones first started working for her in March 2012, but she claimed the actress only referred to him as 'dating this old man'. Heard later said it was Depp, and Ms Jones said her first impression was of a 'softly spoken and peaceful' man who was 'very pleasant and courteous upon meeting me'. Ms James added that she never saw any bruising or swelling on Heard despite often seeing her naked or semi-naked when she was getting dressed or at fittings. The Anlo Youth Council has called on the government to reconsider the closure of the countrys borders, especially, the Eastern border with Togo to allow stranded Voltarians to return home to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise. The Council has also asked the government to withdraw the joint deployment of the Armed Forces and the Military Service along the countrys border in its Eastern part. Speaking at a press conference in Accra last week, at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Philip Kwasi Banini said that, the military force had been maltreating and frightening citizens in the Volta and Oti regions, respectively. We are under siege in many towns and villages, particularly Ketu South Municipality, where a military lockdown has been ordered in the name of COVID-19, quite in contrast to other parts of Ghana, he said. Mr Banini further stated that, the situation had led to the denial of Voltarians along the Ghana-Togo enclave access to livelihood. Our peoples access to clean water, health care, markets, and cultural relations have been severely curtailed by the Ghana Armed Forces and the Immigration Service, all because we straddle the border with our neighbours to the East, Mr Banini stated. To this effect the Council had admonished the government to withdraw the military force in the Volta Region, whom they say have been intimidating the people in the region with respect to the ongoing registration exercise. We take exception to the deployment of the military force in our communities that is simply brutalising and intimidating innocent and unarmed citizens whose only crime is to have been born Togolanders and in that part of Ghana called Volta and Oti regions. We therefore join our chiefs, traditional leaders and well-meaning Ghanaians to call for their immediate withdrawal from our communities and without pre-condition, he added. In addition, the Council has expressed their disappointment over what they describe as ethnic hatred by all arms of government against the people in the Volta Region. They also voiced out their displeasure over comments made by the Member of Parliament, Kobina Tahir Hammond, who openly said on Joy News that, they were not Ghanaians, which they say, had not received any condemnation by the President. This open admission of ethnocentric and bigotry has received not even a comment, much less, condemnation from our self-proclaimed Human Rights lawyer and President of the Republic much like many other such statements and actions in the recent past, Mr Banini complained. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Fri, July 17, 2020 21:02 550 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406667558f 1 National ICW,corruption,natural-resources,climate-change,climate-crisis,environmental-damage,KPK,Corruption-Eradication-Comission Free Long-standing corruption in the natural resources sector could worsen the climate crisis and hurt the country's efforts in mitigating it and adapting to the ensuing changes, an anticorruption activist has said. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Egi Primayogha said that widespread corruption in the uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources could lead to greater use of dirty energy through burning coal as well as greater environmental damage, such as deforestation. "This will hamper our transition to renewable energy sources," Egi said at a discussion on Tuesday. Indonesia has been working to reduce deforestation in the remaining tracts of tropical rainforest. Tropical rainforests are important natural "lungs" that adsorb and store carbon and other greenhouse gases that are responsible for the planet's increasing temperature. The country is also moving toward the increased use of renewable energies and phasing out fossil fuels. Read also: Indonesia likely to miss renewable energy target again Egi added that natural resource management in the country was still prone to graft in many areas, in particular licensing, spatial planning and monitoring corporate adherence to environmental regulations. He highlighted that bribery was still rampant in licensing, with companies bribing regional leaders with the authority to issue business permits for natural resource exploration and exploitation. Supian Hadi, the regent of East Kotawaringin in Central Kalimantan, was named as a corruption suspect in early 2019 for alleged abuse of power in issuing business licenses to three mining companies in 2010-2012. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) estimated that the bribery case had caused state losses of more than Rp 5.8 trillion (US$402 million) in revenue from bauxite production, as well as from the environmental damage caused by mining activities. Graft has also marred spatial planning in natural resource management, with companies bribing officials to illicitly convert forests into mines or plantations. For example, the KPK prosecuted former Riau governor Annas Maamun for accepting over Rp 1.5 billion in bribes from companies that converted forest areas in three regencies into oil palm plantations. Annas was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2015, but was granted clemency by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in November 2019. The graft reportedly caused Rp 5 billion in state losses. Egi continued that corruption had also contributed to the poor monitoring of businesses' environmental responsibilities, such as mine reclamation, as well as losses to the state from unpaid taxes, royalties and other tariffs. Read also: Omnibus bill to centralize permit processing, offer incentives for miners Mining companies are mandated under a 2010 government regulation on mine reclamation to submit their environmental restoration plan when they apply for the mining permit. The latest research by the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) shows that at least 3,092 open-pit mines had not been reclaimed as of April. Jatam also estimated that at least 143 people, mostly children, had been killed in accidents linked to mining pits. "There is a problem with weak supervision due to the lack of will among law enforcers and officials in [conducting] surveillance. We suspect collusion between mining companies and officials," said Egi. The recent political move by the House of Representative in passing the revised Mining Law had also benefited mining companies, he said. Egi pointed to Article 169A of the revised law, which he said allowed miners to resume operations at their mining concessions under a special mining permit (IUPK) instead of a contract of work. The revision would also allow seven coal miners that are subsidiaries of large conglomerates to extend their mining contracts, meaning that coal production would continue despite the country's target to achieve a 23 percent renewable energy mix by 2025. Read also: KPK shows lack of willingness to fight corruption in natural resources sector: Activists KPK deputy chair Lili Pintauli Siregar asserted the antigraft body's commitment in eradicating corruption in the natural resources sector through its National Movement to Save Natural Resources (GNP-SDA), which had been producing research-based policy recommendations since it launched the initiative in 2009. "The KPK is pushing all state institutions to improve the [natural resource management] system. We are also committed to developing cases and recovering more assets through the work of our task forces on natural resource and asset recovery," she said. Margaret Sullivans new book about the decline of local news was not written for journalists, she says. Its written for people whose daily lives and interests are tied up in the implications of journalisms loss, in ways they might not yet understand. With this perspective, Sullivan inspires two necessary questions: How might the journalism industry look backward with a more critical eye, and how might it communicate its own importance with people outside the profession? In a conversation Monday between Dan Rather, longtime anchor of the CBS Evening News, and Sullivan, the media columnist at the Washington Post and author of the newly published Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy, both noted that the American public is woefully underinformed about the crisis facing local news. In 2019, the Pew Research Center reported that 71 percent of survey respondents believed that local news outlets were doing well financially. But as I noted in last weeks newsletter, more than a quarter of the countrys newspapers have disappeared since 2005, along with half of the countrys journalists. Many of the papers that remain are ghost newspaperswhich Sullivan defined as papers that still circulate with a small staff as a shadow of what they once were. The crisis extends beyond newspapers, she added, to include threats to local radio and television stations. Despite this reality, Dan Rather agreed, so many people dont understand that theres a crisis in American journalism. Though the publics ignorance on this matter signals yet another failure from journalisms present, it also presents a dual opportunity for journalisms future: the opportunity to reevaluate priorities and to communicate them to non-journalists. If the public is misinformed about the economic state of our industry, its the role and responsibility of the press to fill the voidto identify those elements that make local journalism uniquely worthwhile to civil society, to preserve them, to clarify them, and to amplify them. It surprises me how eager most people are to talk about at least some part of this, Rather said. But people dont have much patience for journalists saying, Well, my professions in trouble. Every professions in trouble. We have to relate the crisis of journalism to society as a whole. Communicating the importance of journalism to people outside the profession requires humility and honestynot overinflating journalisms past or its role in the present. When the digital world came along and really dealt newspapers this very difficult blow, we didnt respond very well. We were fat and happy, we were complacent, we wanted things to go back to the way they were, Sullivan said on Monday. We have to be a lot more savvy and forward-thinking. We need to admit that we got some things wrong, and do better. In order to do better, journalists need to focus on the fundamental strengths of local news that are worth preservinglocalized beat reporting, informational accountability, civic sense-makingand stop preaching to the choir. The Journalism Crisis Project aims to train our focus on the present crisis, tallying lost jobs and outlets and fostering a conversation about what comes next. We hope youll join us (click to subscribe). CONTRIBUTE TO OUR DATABASE: If youre aware of a newsroom experiencing layoffs, cutbacks, furloughs, print reductions, or any fundamental change as a result of covid -19, let us know by submitting information here . (Personal information will be kept secure by the Tow Center and will not be shared.) Sign up for CJR 's daily email Below, more on recent changes in newsrooms across the world: JOURNALISM JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES: MediaGazer has been maintaining a list of media companies that are currently hiring. You can find it here. The Deez Links newsletter, in partnership with Study Hall, offers media classifieds for both job seekers (at no cost) and job providers. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites. London: Malcolm Turnbull says Britain will be feeling "anxious" about sparking retaliation from Beijing over its decision to block Huawei from its 5G network because the UK has made itself economically vulnerable to other countries with Brexit. But the former prime minister warned that China's aggressive diplomacy was weakening Beijing's hand abroad and vindicating the boycott by Australia and other countries of Huawei over security concerns. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Nic Walker British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has angered China but pleased Tory hawks, the Trump administration and Australia's intelligence community with his decision on Tuesday to have all Huawei equipment removed from Britain's 5G networks by 2027. Turnbull personally lobbied British ministers, including his former counterpart Theresa May, to emulate Australia's ban, which was world-leading at the time it was announced on the day Turnbull was removed from the Liberal leadership. During a podcast led by the team at Desiring God, a woman from Sweden, who described herself as a "relatively new Christian" asked Pastor John Piper about her church that does not preach against sins. One argument John Piper stated is, "I think the church is profoundly defective. It is unfaithful to the Word of God... Why would pastors presume to be wiser than the Scriptures in the way they speak to God's people?" Many church leaders believe they know more than what the Scripture says. Piper continued the podcast by giving four reasons from the Bible that it is unfaithful to not denounce and call for repentance from sins that are in the world and in the church. Piper's first reason was regarding the prophets, apostles, and Jesus. God's spokesmen wrote not only the good news of the forgiveness of sins, but the condemnation of sinning. They also include a call for repentance and obedience before the Lord, for God's grace covers one's sins. Piper gave scripture based examples, Malachi 3:5, Matthew 5:29, Luke 6:24, Matthew 23:29, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18. The prophets, apostles, and Jesus named the sins and that was their method of preaching. They did not only name the sins, but they called for repentance and shared the good news of forgiveness. Piper concluded his first reasoning with, "So if a pastor wants to find an authority for preaching that does not name and denounce and call for repentance from sins, he's not going to find it in the Bible." "The pattern of sanctification comes about by a combination of God's conquering sin by divine action, together with God's command to kill sin in reliance on that divine action. It's unbiblical to separate God's conquering of sin and his command for us to kill it." Piper added, "The problem with pastors who do not preach against specific sins is their own problem, they do not understand how God works. These pastors do not submit to the patterns of sanctification, but they create things up." Piper gave three illustrations to clearly explain the pattern of sanctification. First, the commands from the cross. Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive sin, also so that sin might die in people's lives. 1 Peter 2:24 says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." Christ defeated vengeance on the cross for his people and commanded not to return evil for evil. The victory and conquering of Christ and the order to kill sin is the pattern of sanctification. "That's how we are made new: the divine sin-destroying work of Christ and the divine sin-naming, sin-denouncing word of Christ," described by Piper. He gave another illustration, but about the new birth of Christians. The work of the new birth is that Christians become people who hate sin and love righteousness. God designed sanctification to work by: "Christ conquers sins by the new birth, and then he commands us to kill what he has conquered." The last illustration Piper talked about was about the Fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." The Spirit is alive and bears fruit in one's life. Piper mentioned that people can be unbiblical if they want and make things up along with pulling inferences that the Scripture does not mention. That is not a good way of preaching or ministering. Piper delivered, "Don't try to be smarter than God. God conquers our sins by the Spirit and commands that we kill those sins by means of the Spirit. That's the biblical pattern." Pastors who do not name sins is a way of putting human wisdom above the divine wisdom. They are ignoring the way Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles preached and not fully understanding how sanctification really works in the Bible. Piper concluded with this, "The cross, the new birth, the fruit of the Holy Spirit actually conquer sin through God's command for us to kill it." C40 Cities release a detailed agenda for delivering a sustainable and equitable recovery in the worlds cities. The C40 Mayors Agenda for a Green and Just Recovery is led by mayors and supported by business leaders, youth climate activists and trade unions. Mayors outline bold steps to create green jobs; invest in fundamental public services; protect mass transit; support essential workers, and give public spaces back to people and nature. Mayors call on national governments to support their vision with an end to fossil fuel subsidies to avert climate breakdown. London, 15 July 2020 C40 Cities today released C40 Mayors Agenda for a Green and Just Recovery outlining bold steps to deliver an equitable and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda includes specific measures, already being delivered in many cities around the world, which must become the new normal to contain and better prepare for future pandemics, address systemic injustices and keep global heating below the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement. Amongst the measures championed by mayors today include green job creation programmes; increased rights and support for all workers whose efforts have proved essential during the COVID-19 crisis; investments in green industries such as guaranteed access to resilient public services, particularly for the most vulnerable; building retrofit programmes; investing in safe and reliable mass transit; and new protected spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. Recognising that delivering an equitable, low carbon recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will require a global effort, C40 Cities and their allies have also called on national governments to support their efforts. C40 mayors call for commitments to ensure that all economic recovery funds and stimulus packages support a fair and sustainable transition. Calling for an end to all public investments in fossil fuels, C40 mayors are clear: Nations must seize this moment to decisively move away from investments in high carbon and fossil fuel intensive industries and increase investments in a low carbon future. The mayors agenda makes clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has starkly exposed deep inequalities in cities and across cities in different regions of the world, including by disproportionately impacting Black people, Indigenous communities and people of colour, low-income communities, isolated elderly, and those living in informal settlements. Mayors commit to addressing these injustices, and call on national governments to ensure stimulus investment and recovery funds create more just and inclusive societies and communities, and directly address long-standing inequalities and ongoing discrimination based on race, gender and income. This vision of a green and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis was immediately welcomed by leaders and activists around the world, including the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, representatives of business, trade unions, youth climate activists, economists, citizen groups, and many more. It is based on the principles of the Global Green New Deal announced by C40 Chair and Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen. The mayors agenda was released by the C40 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, established at the direction of C40 Chair and Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and chaired by Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala. The Task Force was guided by a Statement of Principles, already endorsed by more than 40 city leaders from around the world. In contrast to national governments and multilateral organisations, mayors have been collaborating throughout their response to the COVID-19 crisis. This unparalleled co-operation will form the basis of the just and green recovery in the worlds leading cities. Roger Petersens time as co-host of the Toronto morning show Breakfast Television has come to an end. The broadcast journalist announced the news in a video on his social-media accounts, calling his two years on the TV program an incredible time and praising the crew and co-host Dina Pugliese. Neither he nor Citytv gave a reason for his departure. Petersen only said hes done for now and taking a little break. A statement on Petersens departure from a Citytv representative said they are always striving to best serve their audiences and deliver a great morning experience to Breakfast Television viewers. Charmaine Khan, senior manager of communications for Citytv, said they thank Petersen for his dedication and significant contribution to BT and CityNews and wish him continued success. Khan said there are no immediate plans to replace Petersen, who joined the show in July 2018. He had replaced the role vacated by Kevin Frankish on the show, after working as a news reporter and anchor. All good things must come to an end, Petersen wrote Tuesday on Twitter. Wont miss waking up at 3:30. Will miss our amazing viewers and crew. In his video message, Petersen noted hes not done yet. But for now, he plans to sleep in for a little while, do some sailing and hang out with his son. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 05:46:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces on Wednesday killed six Islamic State (IS) militants in northern Iraq and arrested four others near the capital Baghdad. In the early morning, the CTS troops, backed by the international coalition aircraft, conducted a security operation in an area in the southern part of Kirkuk Province and killed six IS militants, the CTS said in a statement. In a separate operation, the CTS forces arrested three IS militants in al-Taji area, some 25 km north of Baghdad, and another militant in Abu Ghraib area, some 20 km west of Baghdad, the statement said. The operations came as the extremist IS militants have intensified their attacks on the security forces, including Hashd Shaabi forces, and civilians in the formerly IS-controlled Sunni provinces, resulting in the killing and wounding of dozens. The security situation in Iraq has been improving since Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Enditem As new COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County topped 853 on Wednesday, health district officials say the agency is changing the way it reports cases amid the increasing numbers that has resulted in a backlog for staff. Montgomery County Hospital District Spokeswoman Misti Willingham said the health department will now report all cases it receives before an investigation is launched into each case to gain more information from the patient including sex and status. We will only have preliminary information we receive from individual healthcare providers on the laboratory report age and address, Willingham said. Sex and status will be filled in once a contact investigation is initiated. County Judge Mark Keough has committed federal CARES Act funding and more county staff to help clear the backlog. In order to get caught up, I have committed the resources of Montgomery County Emergency Management, the Montgomery County Fire Marshals Office and people to make the necessary calls and verify status, he said. We need to get caught up so it never happens again. While the number of new cases has spiked due to the backlog, hospitalizations in the county have remained steady. According to the data from the hospital district, total hospitalizations, including both county and non-county residents in Montgomery County hospitals, dropped 14 Wednesday to 232 with 64 patients in ICU. Of those 232, 44 are Montgomery County residents. The county total number of cases is now 4,324, with 2,101 active. Health officials also confirmed the countys 45th death. The Conroe woman in her 80s, was hospitalized at the time of her death and had other health conditions. Keough urged people to not become complacent. He noted the focus on masks gave residents a false sense of security and many people stopped the other important precautions to stop the spread including social distance, hand washing and staying home if you feel ill. If we want to continue to move forward and not open and close the state, because this isnt going away, we must apply all the CDC guideline all the time and stay on our guard, Keough said. The CDC recommends the following measures in a public place: stay at least six feet from others at all times; wear a cloth face covering to help protect yourself and others; 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; and bring hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to use if soap and water are not available. For those needing to be testing, MCPHD has launched an online registration process for its voucher program for both symptomatic and asymptomatic. The testing is for Montgomery County residents only. To get a voucher, go to mchd-tx.org or mcphd-tx.org and click on the need to be tested link. Fill out the information. A voucher will be emailed. Once you have the voucher, make an appointment at your choice of testing center and get tested. cdominguez@hcnonline.com EBRD commits up to US$ 100 million loan to Bank of Georgia Focus on supporting private sector businesses following coronavirus pandemic Financing to strengthen resilience of local economy The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to US$ 100 million to Bank of Georgia (BoG) for on-lending to local private businesses to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. BoG will provide longer-term loans to firms with a special focus on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that form an important segment of the Georgian economy. Supporting these companies is a priority for the EBRD now more than ever. BoG has been financing businesses in all sectors in Georgia for almost 30 years. The bank is listed on the London Stock Exchange through its parent company, Bank of Georgia Group PLC. The EBRD is stepping up efforts to help combat the impact of the coronavirus and support the recovery. The Bank is committed to providing support worth 21 billion over 2020-21 to the 38 economies where it currently invests. The support includes a Resilience Framework for existing clients, offering short-term liquidity and working capital. Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, EBRD Regional Director for the Caucasus, said: Bank of Georgia is our longstanding partner and well placed to channel EBRD funds to companies that are going through this unprecedented period of volatility. Getting financial help to businesses and providing uninterrupted lending is essential for keeping the economy going. Archil Gachechiladze, Bank CEO, commented: I am very pleased to see that the EBRD continues to be Bank of Georgias strong and reliable partner in providing both local and foreign currency funding for our micro, small and medium-sized business and corporate clients. This is our first cooperation with the EBRD in 2020, which will help us to overcome the challenges to support our clients during the global pandemic and the current economic downturn. Long-term facilities of this kind are increasingly essential for us to continue to offer the most-needed financial products to our business clients during the crisis. I would like to thank our partner for being a reliable supporter of the Georgian economy and look forward to working with the EBRD on many more successful deals in the future. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Georgia. Since the start of its operations in the country, the Bank has invested over 3.8 billion in 251 projects in the financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 87 per cent of these investments in the private sector. Music from the Windows at theatre in centre of Rome. Rome classical musicians perform a series of free concerts from the windows of Teatro Argentina in the city centre. The Musica dalle finestre initiative is organised by Teatro di Roma and Roma Tre Orchestra and comprises Saturday evening concerts throughout July. Under the artistic direction of Valerio Vicari, the concerts are dedicated to the music of 20th-century composers, including the recently-deceased Ennio Morricone, to the backdrop of Largo Argentina. The next two concerts, both at 19.00, will take place on 18 and 25 July, and will feature the music of Phoinikes Sax Quartet in a musical journey through cinema and jazz, including the soundtracks of Nino Rota and a tribute to Fellini. For full concert details see Roma Tre Orchestra website. Photo and video La Repubblica By PTI BENGALURU: Kannada film actor Dhruva Sarja on Wednesday said he and his wife Prerana have tested positive for coronavirus with mild symptoms. The 30-year-old actor tweeted,"My wife and I have both been tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and hence chosen to get ourselves hospitalised." "Im sure well be back all fine! All those who were in close proximity with us please get yourselves tested and remain safe," he added. The actor's brother Chiranjeevi Sarja had died following cardiac arrest last month in a private hospital here. Schools in Orange County like Pacifica High School in Garden Grove would reopen for in-person learning if the county's board of education had its way. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The great American sickness that has made the coronavirus crisis here much worse than it should have been is the sickness of partisanship, which has infected everything from wearing masks to reopening schools. Into this fray leapt the board of education of Orange County, which on Monday voted to advise schools to reopen without requiring that children wear masks or participate in social distancing. The board minimized the risk of the disease for children and dismissed fears that they could infect adults in their households. Many of the specific recommendations embodied in a "white paper" the board approved Monday by a 4-1 vote contradict those of the California Department of Education, the Orange County Department of Education, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of which recommend instituting face coverings and social distancing wherever practical in the schools. A true medical crisis has been hijacked by politicians up in Sacramento to make things difficult for the economy. They want to hurt the economy to beat Trump. Orange County Board of Education President Ken Williams They also run counter to decisions by the Los Angeles and San Diego unified school districts, which will start the school year with online-only classes. The Orange County board's white paper states that in K-12 classes, "social distancing of children and reduced census classrooms is not necessary and therefore not recommended." It says that "children play a very minor role in the spread of COVID-19 and that "requiring children to wear face coverings may even be very harmful to the child." These conclusions are supported by some research, but it's by no means definitive, especially given the early state of research into the virus and the multiplicity of classroom situations. The lone dissenter on the board, Beckie Gomez, criticized the white paper for making blunt assertions without citing specific research. Story continues As an educator, when you say something you should be able to back it up," she said. "And there are many places we dont back it up." The white paper also made much of the difficulty of keeping children wearing cloth masks. It's tempting to view the county board's action as a recrudescence of Orange County's historic conservative past, which seemed to have been overcome by a wave that swept Democrats into all six of the county's congressional seats in 2018. Indeed, the actual drafters of the white paper hail distinctly from conservative or libertarian politics. "What we're seeing now is that a true medical crisis has been hijacked by politicians up in Sacramento to make things difficult for the economy," Ken Williams, the county board president, told me. When I asked why the state government would wish to harm the state economy, he replied: "They want to hurt the economy to beat Trump. That's what it's all about." As my colleagues Hannah Fry and Sara Cardine observe, the county has been a hotbed of resistance to public mask-wearing. The county's former chief health officer, Nichole Quick, was hounded out of her job after she imposed a mandatory mask order in May. Orange County is one of the 29 that have been ordered by Gov. Newsom to severely ratchet back their reopenings because of a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The board's vote is both worse than it seems and not as bad. To take the second point first, the board has no authority whatsoever to direct local schools to reopen, or stay closed. It's essentially an appeals body with jurisdiction over expulsions, suspensions and interdistrict transfers, with some other nebulous oversight of the county education department's budget and programs. "The ultimate authority determining who's going to open schools and under what conditions is the individual school district trustees," says Williams. In other words, anything you may have read suggesting that the "county" had ordered maskless school reopenings is a vast overstatement. Indeed, the Irvine Unified School District has already told the board, essentially, to jump in the lake. "IUSD is not governed by the O.C. Board of Education and our district will not follow their nonbinding recommendations," it said. What about the aspect of this action that's worse than it seems? The material the board published prior to its vote Monday implied that its "white paper" was the product of deliberations by 11 "expert panelists." It was nothing of the kind. The "panel" came together exactly once for a public meeting June 24 at which each one gave a statement of a few minutes setting forth his or her views on school reopenings, then gave a closing statement following public comment. They didn't deliberate together. The four I reached on Tuesday hadn't even seen the white paper. The panel comprised six medical doctors, including Clayton Chau, who succeeded Quick as county health officer and rescinded her mask mandate; former Los Alamitos School Superintendent Sherry Kropp; urban policies expert Joel Kotkin of Chapman University; public policy expert Michael Shires of Pepperdine University; Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner; and Larry Sand, an education pundit at the California Policy Center. The moderator of the July 24 meeting and also the drafter of the white paper was Will Swaim, president of the California Policy Center. How some of these members got onto the board is a bit of a mystery, but a few clues exist. Of the six medical doctors on the panel, five all except Chau appear among the more than 500 doctors who signed a May 19 letter to President Trump urging him to reopen the American economy because of the "exponentially growing negative health consequences of the national shutdown." Another signatory is physician Jeff Barke, the husband of the county board's vice president, Mari Barke. Simone Gold, a panel member and emergency physician who was the lead signatory of the physicians' letter, has described advice to wear masks as "a con of massive proportion." She says the media has "an agenda ... to make you think that there's no actual facts out there that you can discern for yourself. ... That's a really good way to let people live in fear." The California Policy Center affiliates with right-wing organizations such as the State Policy Network and through the SPN the American Legislative Exchange Council, which has received funding from the Koch brothers network. The California group has militated against public employee unions, including teacher unions, and celebrated the Supreme Court's 2018 Janus decision, which undermined the finances of public unions. Mari Barke disputed that the "expert panel" had been politically stacked. She said the presence of five signatories of the May 19 letter to the president among the board panel's six physicians was "random. ... It certainly wasn't our recruiting basis." Barke said the board launched the white paper process because some of its members felt excluded from the county education department's effort to develop its reopening guidelines. Bristling at the suggestion that the board's panel was politically slanted, she challenged me to examine the original committee assembled by County Superintendent Al Mijares to draft the departmental guidelines. So here goes: It comprised 28 school superintendents, 13 representatives of local school boards, eight county health and social services officials and seven officials of the Department of Education, including Quick and Chau. That's a pretty broad spectrum of direct expertise with public education and public health. By comparison, the board's panel had a single (former) public school official. None of this means that the members of the county's expert panel were insincere in expressing concern for the mental and physical health of children forced to stay home from school. "My position has been consistent from the very beginning of the pandemic, which is that the biggest single mistake in the government response was the closure of the school system," says Mark McDonald, a panelist who is a specialist in child psychiatry. "My rationale is that there is significant known harm, emotional and physical, to children who are kept at home and away from school for long periods." The consequences include poor nutrition, emotional disorders and vulnerability to abuse. "Children under 5 have poor hygiene, but they're a very minor part of this epidemic and they don't seem to spread it to adults," said Michael Fitzgibbons, a panel member and an infectious disease specialist on the staff of St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. He acknowledged, however, that adolescents have an "adult pattern of spread" to adults and other adolescents. "For them, masking seems to be more reasonable." (The "white paper" didn't distinguish between children and adolescents.) Those viewpoints would have been made more effective if the Orange County board had sponsored a nonpolitical roundtable in which professional positions could be set forth, weighed against the best evidence at hand, and presented to the public as a measured program with all the options set forth objectively. That wasn't the board's method. "They stacked the panel with people with a particular point of view and they didn't listen to others," says Kotkin, whose view is that policies on reopening schools need to take into account the wide range of socioeconomics among families with school-age children. Kropp says that she was intent on talking about what was best for children in the reopening process. But when she arrived at the June 24 meeting, "it was clear to me and rather heartbreaking that the discussion had become so political. I didn't feel like there was an open discussion at all. Twelve individuals each had an opinion." The Orange County Board of Education could have augmented the public's understanding of how best to serve children in the K-12 system by allowing its experts to develop a program together. Instead it paraded them before a crowd in their individual silos, gave ideologues the task of creating a "white paper" and turned what could have been a serious discussion into an opportunity for right-wing propaganda. The board delivered a lesson to the public all right a lesson in how to undermine one's own goals. LONDON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report by IPPR, supported by Housing Association Stonewater, shows that at least 12 million homes in England need to be fitted with heat pumps and new energy efficiency measures, if the UK is to meet its net zero targets by 2050, and lift millions of households out of fuel poverty. In his Budget announcement last week, the Chancellor pledged 50million on a pilot to fund the decarbonisation of social housing properties. However, this pilot will only benefit a fraction of those who need it most. This latest IPPR report sets out a detailed 'Home Improvement Plan'(HIP) to deliver the energy efficiency and low-carbon heating measures needed to reduce energy demand and emissions. The report outlines an ambitious plan for decarbonising all homes in England but makes the case for the social rented sector to be prioritised, to deliver a wide-reaching programme that delivers at the scale needed. Stonewater CEO, Nicholas Harris, said: "Urgent action is needed to decarbonise our homes. Without support and intervention, tenants will suffer from inefficient homes and high energy bills - or choose between paying for heating bills or putting meals on the table. Time is running out, and the sector and Government must act now." The report shows: 12 million homes in England need to be fitted with heat pumps and energy efficiency measures to hit UK net zero targets by 2050. in need to be fitted with heat pumps and energy efficiency measures to hit UK net zero targets by 2050. 2.4 million households in England are in fuel poverty and the government is likely to miss its target to upgrade the efficiency of their homes by at least 60 years. and the government is likely to miss its target to upgrade the efficiency of their homes by at least 60 years. The government's proposal for a Clean Heat Grant for heat pumps would cost the poorest households up to 60 per cent of their average annual income . . In England it would require 10.6 billion per year through to 2030, reducing to 7 billion per year from 2030 to 2050, to retrofit all homes in England below an EPC standard of C with heat pumps and to high energy efficiency standards. it would require below an EPC standard of C with heat pumps and to high energy efficiency standards. Investing in heat pumps, heat networks and the energy efficiency of these homes would generate 275,000 new jobs in England by 2035. A challenging reality for England's social housing tenants Over the next ten years, 36billion is needed to retrofit 1.76 million social rented homes - reducing household emissions and eliminating the risk of fuel poverty. By region, this means: In Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, over 180,000 social rented homes require over 4.7billion of investment. Investing in HIP would provide an estimated 36,600 jobs in the North West region. and the Liverpool City Region, over 180,000 social rented homes require over 4.7billion of investment. Investing in HIP would provide an estimated 36,600 jobs in the North West region. In the West Midlands Region, retrofitting over 110,000 social houses will cost approximately 3.1billion. Investing in HIP would provide an estimated 29,400 jobs. Across the North of Tyne Region over 36,000 social rented homes need retrofitting at a cost of 900million. Investing in HIP would provide an estimated 15,300 jobs North East region. http://www.ippr.org/research/publications/all-hands-to-the-pump The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission expects to decide on what mix of new generation will replace the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station by July 29. Thats critical, because contracts for two huge solar power plants with back-up battery storage currently under consideration must be signed with third-party developers by July 30 if commissioners choose to approve those projects. Hearing examiners Ashley Schannauer and Anthony Medeiros on Tuesday morning presented their recommendations to commissioners on the best mix of generating resources to replace San Juan after Public Service Co. of New Mexico abandons the plant in 2022. The examiners said the states new Energy Transition Act sets important policy goals for commissioners when selecting replacement power. That includes locating some new resources in the Central Consolidated School District in San Juan County to offset the loss of local tax revenue and jobs connected to the coal plant. It also emphasizes use of clean energy to reduce environmental impact from new generation. Traditional concerns about reliability and cost are important but secondary under the ETA, although commissioners must decide how to fairly balance those issues when choosing a mix of new resources from an array of proposals discussed during a week of public hearings last January, the commissioners said. Under the ETA, location in the school district is particularly important. Legislators made that abundantly clear in the ETA, Medeiros said. Theres no doubt legislators intended that as a priority, and possibly the highest priority. Based on ETA priorities, the examiners recommend an all-renewable portfolio of generation that would place 950 megawatts of new solar facilities with back-up battery storage in San Juan and neighboring McKinley and Rio Arriba counties, bringing at least $877 million in new investment to the region and about 1,200 construction jobs. That would essentially preserve the tax base lost from the coal plant, Schannauer said. If commissioners choose to prioritize cost, the examiners recommend a mix of solar and battery storage along with a new 200-MW natural gas plant in San Juan to provide back-up power when the sun isnt shining. Including natural gas might be cheaper than an all-renewable approach. But it would run counter to the ETA goal of achieving carbon-free generation by 2045, Schannauer said. No commissioners voiced any preferences. But PRC Chair Theresa Becenti-Aguilar said location in San Juan County will be a critical priority in any decision, especially given the devastating impact of coronavirus in Northwest New Mexico. All decisions by the commission should take a humanitarian approach to help families there, she said. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan have held a working meeting to discuss the novel coronavirus pandemic and efforts to develop a vaccine against the disease, the Russian Health Ministrys press service said. The sides discussed the novel coronavirus infections spread in Russia and the United States, peculiarities of the situation in certain regions of the two countries and issues of providing timely and professional assistance to novel coronavirus patients. The Russian health minister suggested holding a video conference of experts from the two states to share experience, TASS reported. The sides also discussed the development of novel coronavirus vaccines and other medicines to prevent and treat infectious diseases in Russia and the United States. "Although the novel coronavirus mortality in Russia is low, every human life matters to us, and we would like to increase our knowledge to make those figures even lower," the statement quoted Murashko as saying. The sides also thanked each other for humanitarian assistance. In April, Russia sent a batch of medical goods to the U.S., and afterwards, the U.S. delivered a batch of 200 ventilators to Russia. "The U.S. ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Russian side for providing medical equipment at the initial stages of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States. <...> Mikhail Murashko, in turn, thanked the American colleagues for the batch of lung ventilators, which had been donated to Russia and will be used in Russian regions," the statement says. The Niagara Freedom Trail brings an almost forgotten history the role of Niagara as a major terminus of the fabled Underground Railroad vividly to life. Historians estimate that as many as 40,000 people found freedom on the west bank of the Niagara River, escaping from slavery in the American South and fleeing to Canada. Local towns all supported substantial populations of escaped slaves and their families throughout the 19th century. The Freedom Trail is an initiative begun by their descendants who stayed on for generations in the land where they first found freedom. St. Catharines: The Salem Chapel On the fringe of downtown St. Catharines you will find one of the most significant monuments of black history in Canada, the Salem Chapel of the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church, built by former slaves and still a thriving hub for the surviving community of their descendants. This is where legendary Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman worshipped during the 1850s and planned the daring raids that brought so many more people north to freedom. I brought them all clear off to Canada, she famously declared, and the first stop was always this neighbourhood in St. Catharines. The existing 1853 chapel, the third one the congregation built on this site, is the oldest surviving Black church in Ontario. Niagara-on-the-Lake: Parliament Oak School It was a Canadian slave owner trying to sell a woman across the Niagara River in the United States who inspired Upper Canadas first Governor General, John Graves Simcoe, to write his 1793 Act to Limit Slavery. Simcoe hoped to eliminate slavery in the new colony, but the fact that so many of his colleagues owned slaves forced him to compromise: keeping the existing slaves in chains while banning the creation of more. It was still the first act of its kind in a British colony. You can find a dignified memorial limestone bas-relief on the wall of Parliament Oak School at 325 King Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake, believed to be the site of the colonys first parliament, where the act was passed. Harriet Tubmans Historic Crossing into Canada In June 2017 the Niagara Parks Commission unveiled a interpretive plaque commemorating Harriet Tubmans first crossing into Canada in 1856. She crossed on a suspension bridge near the current Whirlpool Bridge Plaza along the Niagara Parkway north of the falls. Students from nearby schools petitioned for the plaque which details Tubmans life from her time as a slave in Maryland to her escape to freedom in Canada. Bertie Hall Thirty kilometres south on the Niagara Parkway is the handsome Bertie Hall, an imposing Greek revival mansion that was used as a warehouse for trade goods in the early 19th century and also as a safe house where newly escaped slaves could hide while U.S. bounty hunters searched for them. A plaque on the grounds details the history of the building and its role in the Underground Railroad. A descent into the basement shows where the runaways hid. The Crossing The Crossing at Fort Erie marks the spot where thousands of fugitives first set foot in Canada. Former Maryland slave Josiah Henson, who escaped in 1830 and became a pioneer community builder in Upper Canada, described how the riotous exultation of his feelings upon first landing here caused him to fall to the ground and to execute sundry antics which excited the astonishment of those who were looking on. They thought he was suffering from a seizure. But no, Henson explained, it was his first intoxicating experience of freedom that caused his fit of happiness. You can find a plaque marking the Crossing in the aptly named Freedom Park at the foot of Bertie Street on the Fort Erie waterfront. This adapted excerpt was taken from Day Trips Around Toronto by John Barber, with permission from Firefly Books. Correction July 20, 2020: This article was edited from a previous version that incorrectly said a U.S. bounty hunter snatching back a freed Black woman in Niagara and returning her to slavery inspired John Graves Simcoe to write the 1793 Act against slavery. MARYLAND Confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Maryland rose for the second straight day on Wednesday, as Gov. Larry Hogan urged residents to wear face masks and social distance. The latest data released by the Maryland Department of Health brings the total number of cases to 75,016. That's an increase of 756 overnight, and marks the second consecutive day that Maryland reported more than 700 new infections. Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday warned that the positivity rate among Marylanders under 35 is about 84 percent higher than it is for those who are older. The Republican also urged residents to wear face masks and called on local leaders to ramp up enforcement for public health requirements in bars and restaurants. Those between the ages of 30 and 39 make up the most cases (18.7 percent; 14,028 cases), according to the latest data. Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Health On Wednesday, the number of hospitalized coronavirus patients increased by 32 to 447, continuing a recent rise in admitted patients. It's the second day that hospitalization numbers were above 400. Before Wednesday, the largest single-day increase was recorded on May 26, with 39 new patients. Unlike a number of states in the South and West, Maryland is not seeing a spike in coronavirus deaths. The daily fatality count has remained below 20 since the end of June, according to state data. As of Wednesday, there have been 3,209 coronavirus deaths. That's an increase of seven fatalities overnight. The latest death toll does not include the 132 others whose deaths were linked to the virus, but never confirmed by a lab test. They are considered "probable deaths" and will not be added to the official total until officials can confirm the cause of death. The state on Wednesday also released data for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. Based on the latest data, COVID-19 has infected 3,907 residents and 2,039 staff members. Residents make up a majority of deaths, with 897. The death toll for staff members now stands at 15. Story continues Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Health Click here to see a breakdown of the data. This article originally appeared on the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Patch A worker wearing a mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus speaks on the phone near the Huawei logo in a store in Beijing on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. China's government accused Britain on Wednesday of colluding with Washington to hurt Chinese companies after tech giant Huawei was blocked from working on a next-generation mobile phone network. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China accused Britain on Wednesday of colluding with Washington to hurt Huawei after the Chinese tech giant was blocked from working on a British next-generation mobile phone network. A government spokeswoman said Beijing will protect Chinese companies but gave no indication of possible retaliation. Washington accuses Huawei Technologies Ltd., the biggest maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies, of being a security risk, which the Chinese company denies. The Trump administration wants European and other allies to exclude Huawei as they upgrade to fifth-generation, or 5G, networks. On Tuesday, the British government announced Huawei would be excluded from work on the network because U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the security of Chinese-supplied equipment. "Without any concrete evidence, the United Kingdom took unfounded risks as an excuse and cooperated with the United States to discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Last year, Washington imposed curbs on Huawei's access to American components and other technology. In May, the Trump administration tightened controls by blocking non-U.S. companies from using American technology to produce processor chips and other components for Huawei without Washington's approval. A man wearing a mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus walks past a soon to open Huawei store in Beijing on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. China's government accused Britain on Wednesday of colluding with Washington to hurt Chinese companies after tech giant Huawei was blocked from working on a next-generation mobile phone network. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Chinese officials accuse Washington of misusing national security concerns to block a rising competitor to U.S. tech suppliers. "China will fully and seriously evaluate this incident and take all measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Hua said. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said Washington told other governments to avoid Huawei "if they want to do business with us." "We convinced many countriesmany countriesand I did this myself, for the most part, not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk," Trump said in Washington. "I talked many countries out of using it. If they want to do business with us, they can't use it." Huawei is at the center of U.S.-Chinese conflicts over technology development and possible spying. The company's chief financial officer is under house arrest in Canada and fighting extradition to the United States to face charges related to possible violations of trade sanctions on Iran. A man wearing a mask to curb the spread of the coronavirus walks past a Huawei store promoting 5G technologies in Beijing on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. China's government accused Britain on Wednesday of colluding with Washington to hurt Chinese companies after tech giant Huawei was blocked from working on a next-generation mobile phone network. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) A Huawei sign is displayed on their premises in Reading, England, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Britain's government on Tuesday backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a limited role in the U.K.'s new high-speed mobile phone network in a decision with broad implications for relations between London and Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) A Huawei sign is displayed on their premises in Reading, England, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Britain's government on Tuesday backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a limited role in the U.K.'s new high-speed mobile phone network in a decision with broad implications for relations between London and Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Hua said Beijing would warn Chinese companies "to attach great importance to the increasing political security risks" they face in Britain. On Tuesday, Huawei reported its revenue grew 13.1% in the first half of 2020 compared with a year earlier despite U.S. pressure and the coronavirus pandemic. Huawei is, along with Nokia Corp. of Finland and Sweden's LM Ericsson, a leader in development of fifth-generation technology. 5G is meant to expand networks to support self-driving cars, remote surgery and other futuristic applications. That makes the technology more intrusive and sensitive politically. U.S. officials have suggested Washington might provide financing so that other countries can buy Nokia or Ericsson technology instead of Huawei's lower-priced gear. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government agreed in January to allow Huawei to supply some equipment for the 5G network while it would be barred from providing core components. London reversed course after the Trump administration threatened to end an intelligence-sharing agreement due to concern that Huawei's involvement might allow Beijing to infiltrate British networks. 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Commentary By Geoff McMaster Public acceptance of protective face masks has evolved dramatically in Canada since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new psychology research from the University of Alberta. Its a sign people are heeding the advice of public health officials. But many in the Asian-Canadian community see it as confirmation of what they knew all along, according to the researchers. Many are saying its about time, said Doris Zhang, who is examining the stigma of masks in Canada along with U of A anthropologist Heather Young-Leslie. North Americans havent experienced severe respiratory epidemics since the so-called Spanish flu, whereas in Japan and in China they have had more serious epidemics, said Young-Leslie. Those societies have had a lot more practise and time to develop etiquette and social behaviour to get over concerns about things like wearing a face mask, whereas we are a bit behind that curve in North America, she said, especially when it comes to wearing a mask while not showing symptoms. The ongoing study looks at differences in perceptions of masks between Asian and non-Asian Canadians. It is supported by a federal grant awarded to U of A psychologist Kim Noels through the federal governments Rapid Research Funding Opportunity, created to aid in the battle against COVID-19. Zhang and Young-Leslie have been collecting data mainly through focus groups and surveys of Canadians from across the country. Before the pandemic, the prevalent assumption among non-Asian Canadians was that someone wearing a mask must be ill or overly sensitive to toxins in the environment. However, those from East Asian cultures such as China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan are accustomed to wearing masks for a variety of reasons, said Zhang. Its so prevalent that, even if you see somebody on the street wearing a face mask, you wouldnt automatically go straight to thinking theyre sick. In fact you wouldnt think much about it at all. (In Asia) we wear face masks for everything from preventing the cold air from hurting our face to protecting ourselves from pollutants or allergens. Asian celebrities will often wear masks like the Japanese Pitta to achieve anonymity in public or as fashion accessories, said Zhang. Masks are also regarded as a sign of social responsibility in Asian cultures, said Young-Leslie. Its a way for people to demonstrate solidarity for their fellow human beings: I put a mask on, you put a mask on and well be looking after each other. Canadians are now approaching that same degree of acceptance, said Young-Leslie, seeing masks as a sign of goodwill. Whereas just three months ago they were regarded as only for the weird or the sick, pressure is mounting for everyone to wear them, especially in grocery stores or crowded spaces. In a poll conducted last month by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, 51 per cent of Canadians surveyed said theyve worn masks to go grocery shopping. Fifty-three per cent said masks should be mandatory in public and confined spaces like shopping malls and public transit. Zhang and Young-Leslie also found there were differences between non-Chinese-speaking Asian-Canadians and recent immigrants. Before the pandemic, we had some non-Chinese-speaking Canadians saying, I dont wear a mask when I go out because Im afraid its going to make me more targeted, said Young-Leslie. Seeing more people wearing face masks made them feel supported when they did wear them outside. For Chinese immigrants to Canada, however, the behaviour of others did not seem to affect their own behaviour, said Zhang. One surprising finding was the stigma attached to N95 masks, especially early in the pandemic when there was a shortage of them, said Young-Leslie. Those wearing the medical-grade masks were seen as diverting critical PPE from the front line. People were ashamed, embarrassed or reluctant to wear an N95 mask in a non-medical setting, because they felt like it was somehow demonstrating disloyalty for health-care workers, she said. Even those who already owned N95 masks for other purposes, such as smoke protection or construction, said they preferred to wear a paper or cloth mask in public, or nothing at all. The encouraging conclusion of the study, said the researchers, is that attitudes towards masks directly reflect advice from public health authorities. But that advice must be consistent to be effective. If we dont get clear messaging about how to properly wear masks, and about what the science is showing on whether or not masks make a difference, people will lose trust, said Young-Leslie. I think thats a big concern. This article was originally published in University of Albertas online publication Folio. Photo credit: CHRIS DELMAS - Getty Images From Harper's BAZAAR Authorities believe that actress Naya Rivera summoned the last of her strength to save her son before her fatal drowning at Lake Piru last week. Officials recovered a body from the lake yesterday that was later confirmed by police to be the Glee actress. "[Her son] told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water," the Ventura County Sheriff said at a press conference. Naya Rivera, who tragically drowned at Lake Piru in California last week, very well may have spent her final moments alive assuring that her son was safe, reported People. The Glee actress was confirmed dead by authorities yesterday, with officials recovering her body yesterday after a five-day search at the site of her initial disappearance. Police said that they believed her death showed no signs of foul play and that there was no reason to consider suicide. "We know from speaking with her son, that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey. It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him onto the deck from behind," said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub at yesterday's press conference. "He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water." Photo credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN - Getty Images The sheriff added that Lake Piru experiences heavy currents throughout the day. "There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particularly in the afternoon," continued Ayub. "The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself." Though swimming is allowed in Lake Piru, the body of water has been the site of several drownings over the years. A petition has since been created in the Glee star's honor, demanding that warning signs be placed at the lake site. Story continues Since the recovery of Rivera's body, her friends and former costars have taken to social media to share their grief over the actress's untimely death. Many of her Glee castmates came together at Lake Piru ahead of the news conference to show support for Rivera's family who had been active in the past week's search efforts. You Might Also Like PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), a global trade association for card manufacturers, personalizers, issuers and suppliers will postpone its 30th anniversary celebration until its 2021 ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO on May 17-20, 2021 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. ICMA will host a new virtual event for its membership this fall in place of its 2020 EXPO and CardTREX events, which have been cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainties. Details involving the online event, which will include virtual trade show booths where exhibitors can feature their products and talk live with visitors will be announced soon. The virtual event will also feature a series of educational panels, presentations and roundtables. Winners of the 2020 ICMA Elan Awards of Excellence, which celebrate the pinnacle of design innovation, security and technical achievements in the card industry, will be announced at ICMA's virtual event this fall. "ICMA's EXPO, which remains one of the card industry's leading-edge events, will adapt to the current business climate," Jeffrey Barnhart, executive director and founder of ICMA said. "We will host a new virtual event in late October or early November to help our members in the short-term and plan for an in-person celebration next year that will feature essential education that global industry leaders rely on, as well as an opportunity to see the latest technology and newest equipment firsthand during dedicated exhibition hours." Geared toward small businesses and large corporations, ICMA's EXPO is attended by representatives from more than 200 companies from 40 countries worldwide and includes speed networking sessions, dedicated exhibition hours and leading-edge education, as well as presentations on trends, technology and the future of the card industry. Winners of the 2021 ICMA Elan Awards of Excellence will be announced at ICMA's EXPO May 17-20, 2021. The seven award categories include: Secure Payment Cards, Loyalty, Promotional and Gift Cards, ID and Access Control Cards, Unique Innovation, Personalization & Fulfillment (Product, Service or Project), Best Supplier or Vendor for a New Product, Service or Innovation and the People's Choice. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities for the 2021 ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO are now available. For more information, visit icmaexpo.com. Invaluable Networking and Industry Connection Since 1990, the annual ICMA Card Manufacturing & Personalization EXPO has served as the world's only manufacturing-focused global card conference and exhibition. A global meeting of leading card industry professionals, the EXPO is replete with information sharing and networking opportunities. Geared to prepare attendees for the changing future of the card industry, presentations feature valuable insight on trends and new technologies, as well as market forecasts. EXPOs regularly feature more than 50 exhibitors, made up of global industry leaders who manufacture and supply materials and services to the card manufacturing and personalization industry. In addition to its annual EXPO, ICMA offers its members two other important events through the year. CardTREX North America and CardTREX Europe are geographic-specific conferences that focus on regional trends, challenges, opportunities and emerging technologies for card manufacturers, personalizers and suppliers. Each one-and-a-half days long, the conferences are geared to technical and production staff, as well as executives and business owners in the transaction card industry. The conferences also feature tours of local members' plants. Throughout the year, ICMA hosts live webcasts featuring expert tips from card manufacturers, personalizers and issuers about the card industry. Webcasts are archived and members may access them on ICMA's website. Sample topics include, "European Card Market Statistics," "Card Security: Ink Solutions and Trends in Security Features" and "Effectively Designing and Introducing New Trends in Card Design." Cutting-Edge Training, Education ICMA maintains several industry-leading training and education programs about card manufacturing. These include the Advanced Card Education (ACE) program, which provides information on key areas of the industry, as well as online tutorials and webinars on specific topics from card industry experts and leading industry suppliers. The ACE program is the global standard of recognition for advanced knowledge of the card manufacturing industry. There is a certification level curriculum and designations offered in manufacturing, personalization and advanced technologies. The newest addition to the program is ACE-Commercial, a virtual training series, which offers education to various segments of member companies. The ACE program is designed to offer companies an edge in an intensely competitive field. As the demand for experts grows, continual training and expertise is crucial for individualsand companiesto stay ahead of the crowd. ICMA continues to invest in education for its members, keeping them knowledgeable and current on new innovations in the marketplace. CITE The Card Industry Training & Education (CITE) program provides a basic overview of the industry, its history and manufacturing processes. It provides a basic education for individuals new to the card industry or who otherwise want a better understanding of the industry. The self-led online course covers general card manufacturing, personalization and applications. Key sections of the CITE curriculum include card history, card markets, industry scope, card product categories, card manufacturing, materials, components, card-based financial transactions, industry trade associations, basic concepts of card personalization, data recording technologies, machine-readable recording technologies and the card personalization process. There are self-tests at the end of each section. Card Manufacturing Magazine Published six times a year globally, Card Manufacturing is the flagship publication of ICMA. The magazine outlines industry news and trends, member news, product releases, standards updates and member/ACE spotlights. Technical Standards Reports ICMA officially participates in two major standards organizations, the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). An ICMA representative attends ANSI and ISO meetings, offering card manufacturing and personalization perspectives to the standard-making bodies and providing guidance to members about forthcoming changes to standards. ICMA maintains representation on both of these committees through its official standards representative, David Tushie of Magellan Consulting. Tushie is at the forefront of current and emerging standards for all types of cards and related devices. ICMA maintains a library of reports published by Tushie detailing outcomes of ISO and ANSI meetings from 2011 to present that impact the card manufacturing process. Global Market and Personalization Statistics Reports ICMA publishes two annual reports that analyze the industry and assess the industry's present environment and future. Designed to assist ICMA member companies with strategic planning, the reports are segmented by global views, industry verticals and geographic regions and they cover trends in manufacturing, personalization, and fulfillment statistics. The reports are free to members. About ICMA Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2020, ICMA is a nonprofit association of card manufacturers, personalizers, suppliers and related industry participants. With more than 200 members globally, ICMA is a resource for industry issues, including the production, technology, application, security and environmental issues of cards. More information is available at icma.com. SOURCE ICMA Related Links http://www.icma.com New Delhi, July 15 : Military delegates of India and China held deliberations stretching for nearly 15 hours on the disengagement and de-escalation of troops and materials on their borders in eastern Ladakh, during which the Indian side asked PLA troops to completely withdraw from Pangong Lake and Depsang area. The talks started at 11.30 am on Tuesday and ended only at 2 am on Wednesday. Both the countries are locked in a 10-week-long stand-off at multiple points, hitherto unprecedented, along the border in Ladakh. Before the parleys started, India's main aim was to get the Chinese People's Liberation Army remove its tanks, artillery and additional forces at Pangong Lake and Depsang areas. The latest meeting between 14 Corps Commander Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin took place on the lines of the one held at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh on June 6. It is the fourth meeting between the delegates. The third meeting between the two sides continued for almost 12 hours wherein India put out a strong message that PLA troops had not abided by the disengagement consensus. Both the countries are engaged in military and diplomatic deliberation to de-escalate the tense situation in the border areas. On Friday, a diplomatic meeting took place between both the countries delegates. The meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on July 10. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation. The two sides recalled the agreement reached between the two foreign ministers on June 17 as well as the agreement between two Special Representatives during their telephonic conversation on July 5, and reaffirmed that both sides will ensure complete disengagement of the troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and de-escalation from India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols. They also agreed that for the overall development of bilateral relations it was essential to maintain enduring peace and tranquillity in the border areas. The two sides also agreed to maintain the ongoing communication both at the diplomatic and military levels to ensure early resolution of the situation. As many as 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops were killed on June 15 in a clash in the Galwan Valley. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Outgoing National leader Todd Muller is being described as a man of mana. Long-time friend Tommy Wilson says he was happy to hear Muller had resigned from the partys top job. The pair grew up in Te Puna in the Bay of Plenty. Wilson heads Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services Trust, in Tauranga, which Muller has been a long-time supporter of. My comment is: hes too good for politics, says Wilson. Whanau comes before politics, and we support him not because he was leader of National, but because he is a son of Te Puna, hes one of our own and we will support his decision. Tommy Wilson, of Tu Tuinga Whanau Support Services in Tauranga, has known Todd Muller for 26 years and hopes the former National Party leader will stay on as an MP for the Bay of Plenty. Photo: Dominico Zapata/Stuff . He is a great family man and is a good bastard, a good person, a man of mana. Wilson says he first met Muller about 26 years ago at an event when the MP was working with the then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger. They struck up a conversation and found they were both from Te Puna. Wilsons parents worked for Mullers parents on a kiwifruit orchard. A picture of Todd Muller hangs on the wall of Wilsons office, marking the occasion when Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services opened its first home for use for families in need. We had Alfred Ngaro, who was the associate minister for housing and Simon Bridges was there too, to open our first home. Todd kept supporting our housing initiative, financially and physically, donating his time and goods for every new house we set up for families since then. Wilson said he hoped Muller would stay on as the MP for Bay of Plenty. Politics is in his blood and so is caring about other people. Sometimes you need to take off your political potae [hat] and put on the korowai [cloak] of kindness. We need to keep him in there because he cares about our community. Other people dining at Nourish Cafe in Te Puna agreed. Long-time resident Barbara Schlierike says Muller still has a lot to offer. I hope he stays on, I hope Simon [Bridges] does too. [Opposition leader is] a very difficult job, just the responsibility of it all and being in front of the media. "Hes made a brave decision, though it is a shame to have so many changes. She thinks Judith Collins will make a good leader for National. So did another Te Puna local, who only wanted to be known as Lynne. Her husband, Jim, thought Mark Mitchell, MP for Rodney, would also be a good choice. Lynne was blown away by news of Muller's resignation. Its really just a shambles for the National party, they've given the whole election away. Jim thought Muller didnt give himself enough time to find his place as leader. I'm not sure if he was the right choice for leader but maybe he could have been, in a couple of years. Mullers Tauranga neighbour, who only wanted to be called Marie, is critical of comments made against the former leader. We do not see him as a politician but really as a father of the family next door. They are a very happy family, and lovely. I think people have been very cruel to him, from his own party in my opinion. He has done a darn good thing resigning, it took some pluck to do it. -Stuff/Lawrence Gullery An MLA has said the the scene of a six-car crash in Co Down was more like a bomb-site, than a car crash. No one was seriously injured in the Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, crash on Tuesday at around 7pm. Some of the cars looked to have been left completely destroyed in the incident and the residential street was left strewn with debris. It is thought one car hit a number of parked vehicles in the area. A number of residents also came out from their homes after the crash. Police, the Fire Service and the ambulance attended the scene, and the driver of one of the vehicles was taken to hospital, where he was checked for injuries and subsequently discharged. Expand Close Six-vehicle road traffic collision on the Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, on Tuesday evening (14 July). Pic: Caroline Overend / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Six-vehicle road traffic collision on the Clarkhill Road, Castlewellan, on Tuesday evening (14 July). Pic: Caroline Overend SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath called for a full police and Transport NI investigation. The South Down MLA said: The images from the aftermath of the incident near Castlewellan are truly horrific. It looks more like a bomb-site that a traffic accident. "As I understand it only one car was moving and its impact has caused the destruction of a number of vehicles and property in the area. "This is a serious incident and will need fully investigated by PSNI. I will be speaking with senior officers to ensure this is fully examined and a thorough explanation provided." He said local residents had been complaining for years about traffic in the area. "An absolutely shocking event on their doorsteps," he added. Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash, or who may have captured dash cam footage, to contact officers on 101 quoting reference number 1772 of 14/07/20. Canada is facing renewed pressure to ban Huawei from its 5G networks, after Britain's decision to block the Chinese tech firm on Tuesday risked marooning Ottawa from its intelligence allies. The decision makes Canada the last of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence consortium " also made up of the United States, Australia and New Zealand " to have blocked Huawei on security grounds from at least part of their high-speed 5G internet infrastructure. Charles Burton, a former counsellor at the Canadian embassy in Beijing and a senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said "it now becomes very difficult for the Canadian government to agree to the installation of Huawei 5G". The UK government announced that it would both ban the purchase of new 5G components from Huawei after the end of this year, and purge existing Huawei equipment by 2027. Burton said "the will of the government" of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been to approve Huawei's participation in Canadian 5G, and it remained under pressure from "the China lobby" to do so. But Tuesday's move by London made it "very difficult to make a decision that would distinguish us from our partners in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing consortium." "I think our government will have to make a decision against Huawei, and make that announcement, and they'll probably have to do that soon," said Burton. He said that concerns about Huawei from retired Canadian intelligence officials and the public had made it impossible for Trudeau's government to find "an opportune moment" to approve Huawei 5G. Canada's public safety ministry did not provide comment at time of publication. Polls have shown a large majority of Canadians are opposed to Huawei's participation in 5G internet infrastructure. An Angus Reid poll released on May 13 found 78 per cent of 1,518 respondents in Canada thought the federal government should ban Huawei from 5G, up from 69 per cent in November. Two weeks later, Research Co polling of 1,000 people in Canada put support for a ban at 75 per cent. Story continues Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is seen in January after an extradition hearing in British Columbia's Supreme Court in Vancouver. Her arrest in 2018 threw Canada's relations with China into disarray and has complicated Ottawa's decision on whether to ban Huawei from 5G networks. Photo: AFP alt=Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is seen in January after an extradition hearing in British Columbia's Supreme Court in Vancouver. Her arrest in 2018 threw Canada's relations with China into disarray and has complicated Ottawa's decision on whether to ban Huawei from 5G networks. Photo: AFP "In four rounds of nationwide polling, most Canadians have never regarded Huawei as a welcome addition to Canada's 5G network," Mario Canseco, president of Research Co, said at the time. Canseco said the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing extradition battle over Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou meant this position had "hardened considerably". Meng's arrest at Vancouver's airport in December 2018, at the request of US authorities who want her extradited to New York and put on trial for alleged fraud, has worsened China's relations with the Ottawa and Washington. Soon after Meng's arrest, China detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and has now charged them with espionage. Their treatment is widely regarded in Canada as hostage-taking. "One of the reasons we've made no progress on Kovrig and Spavor is that Canada has not made any kind of response of a retaliatory nature to the Chinese government and therefore we are perceived as weak, and therefore the Chinese government is not inclined to negotiate," said Burton. People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou at the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver in March. Photo: Reuters alt=People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou at the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver in March. Photo: Reuters "If we were to make a statement against Huawei 5G, I think that would strengthen our negotiating position re Kovrig and Spavor. It would show that Canada is prepared to take action against China regardless of threats," Burton said. "In any case, our existing policy of appeasement towards China has not been effective; Kovrig and Spavor have now been detained for 19 months with no indication of their being freed any time." Trudeau's Liberal government had said in April 2019 that it would release a ruling on Huawei before the October election that year, but it was postponed and has been stalled ever since. The US, which has introduced a range of sanctions on Huawei that effectively ban it from 5G networks, has warned allies that intelligence sharing would be imperilled if they did not follow suit. Burton said that "making a decision consistent with what our allies are doing with regards to Huawei 5G would make a great deal of sense." Polling by Angus Reid has shown a large majority of Canadians do not want Huawei involved in building Canada's 5G infrastructure. Graphic: Angus Reid alt=Polling by Angus Reid has shown a large majority of Canadians do not want Huawei involved in building Canada's 5G infrastructure. Graphic: Angus Reid But he was dismissive of the suggestion that a ban would amount to simply satisfying the demands of the current US administration of Donald Trump. "Canada has its own concerns regarding Chinese cyber espionage and the risk of China gaining potential control over our telecommunications [that] impinge on our domestic interests," he said. He cited "massive hacks" into government bodies that he said were attributable to Chinese sources. "Put all these factors together and it's clearly just not a viable option for Canada to have Huawei 5G, regardless of the US stance or our allies'. For Canadian domestic interests, it would be highly unwise to take the risk to our Canadian national security." Australia banned Huawei and other Chinese companies from being part of its 5G network in 2018, while New Zealand blocked a plan by telecoms company Spark to exclusively use Huawei 5G technology late that year, citing a "significant network security risk". But New Zealand has since taken an ambiguous stance, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern denying there was an outright ban on Huawei 5G tech. Huawei Canada's vice-president of media affairs, Benjamin Howes, referred the South China Morning Post to a statement by Huawei's UK spokesman, saying the decision by London was "bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone". The company has previously denied posing a security risk to Canada or elsewhere. Major Canadian telecoms operators Telus and Bell last month announced that they were bypassing Huawei for their 5G networks, with Bell saying it was opting for Sweden's Ericsson and Telus saying it was selecting Ericsson and Finland's Nokia. A third major operator, Rogers, is already using Ericsson. "So things are moving towards resolving themselves," said Burton. "But as an approach to China this is the wrong way to go: we really ought to make a decision, and make it clear to the Chinese government, that we don't believe the Chinese technology would not be used by the Chinese state ... to give it a geostrategic advantage, including in any possible future conflict with the United States." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. We have reached a crossroads in the fight against Covid-19 and from now on the decisions on loosening or tightening restrictions will be much more agonising and uncertain. There is the growing tension between the reality that we have to take risks, learn to live with the virus and move forward, while at the same time preventing a second wave. The recent increase in the spread of the virus, leading to 197 cases in two weeks, including 32 yesterday, has cast another dark shadow over the many victories this country has had in curbing the pandemic. It has the potential for a flare up into large outbreaks of the disease again. Thankfully, we are no longer counting daily deaths from the virus in double digits. It is now no cause for headlines if there is a day with no fatalities. Other indicators are also favourable. As of yesterday there were 14 patients with confirmed Covid-19 in hospital with 10 in intensive care. It's worth remembering back in early April as many as 160 patients were fighting for their lives in intensive care. It's a good place to be after the quick-step exit from lockdown since May and the reopening of so much business and leisure activity. But travel into Ireland remains a major potential source of a spread of infection that can be difficult to control and has the capability of being a large driver of clusters that can roll out into the community. The advice remains not to holiday abroad. One thing is sure, the so-called 'green list' of countries with very low levels of the virus where Irish people can travel to and return without having to quarantine for two weeks, will be very limited. The greater headache is about travel to and from other countries, including favourites like Italy and France. The two-week quarantine on arrival here now looks likely it will remain voluntary rather than mandatory. If somebody follows the recommendation it is a blunt instrument that mitigates risk. The entreaties from public health doctors are likely to have some impact on Irish holidaymakers who return from their foreign trip. But who comes here as a tourist to look at four walls for two weeks? The proposed introduction of testing for the virus at airports, in place of mandatory quarantine, is also problematic although better than nothing. Some people who have Covid-19 will be tested and found to be clear because of only being recently infected and it is not possible to pick it up. The decision on the reopening of pubs which only serve alcohol presents another dilemma. But is it really fair to keep them shut while at the same time permitting quarantine-free trips to Greece? Pubs are high on the league table for risk of transmission of the virus. But so far no clusters have been associated with pubs which serve food since they reopened on June 29, although it is still early days. However, clusters have emerged in house parties where safety measures are unheeded. Paris (AFP) - France's new Prime Minister Jean Castex won solid parliamentary backing Wednesday as he outlined plans to revitalise the nation, vowing to make jobs his overarching priority. With the economy having taken a battering over the effects of the coronavirus Castex, drafted in by President Emmanuel Macron to head a new government and lead the nation out of its worst health and economic crisis since World War II, said he was up for the challenge. He duly won the support of 345 lawmakers to 177 against with 43 abstentions amid opposition claims that confidence in him is already "broken". With France's COVID-19 death toll exceeding 30,000 one of the world's highest, Castex also confirmed to Le Parisien daily what Macron had trailed in his July 14 national day address, that from August 1 masks in shops and other enclosed public spaces will be mandatory to stop a virus resurgence. "Let's get to work," said Castex, whose government has pledged billions of euros for investments as well as measures to limit job losses in an economy expected to shrink by around 10 percent this year. After poor local poll results two weeks ago for his centrist Republic on the Move (LREM) party, Macron turned to Castex, a senior but low-profile bureaucrat who on Wednesday vowed to "reconcile" and bring together the various factions in French society. He pledged to reinforce social protection while stepping up efforts to transition to a green economy. Castex said preserving jobs would be the key plank of his programme over the coming 18 months and also fleshed out some details of a mooted 100 billion euro ($114 billion) EU scheme to tackle unemployment as the bloc's 27 economies reel from the effects of the coronavirus. The health system is also to receive support -- six billion euros having been earmarked, including support for wages rises for health workers. Kanye West attends the WSJ Magazine 2019 Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on Nov. 6, 2019. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) Kanye West Adviser Claims Rapper Is Out of 2020 Presidential Race An adviser to rapper Kanye West, who announced he was running for president in 2020 earlier this month, said that he will no longer run. Hes out, adviser Steve Kramer told New York Magazines The Intelligencer on July 14. West hasnt confirmed the news publicly. Ill let you know what I know once I get all our stuff canceled. We had over 180 people out there today, Kramer added, saying that he was hired to help the rapper get on ballots by gathering signatures in several states. We had overwhelming support to get him on the ballot, he said of attempts to get West on ballots in Florida and South Carolina. I have nothing good or bad to say about Kanye. Everyone has their personal decision about why they make decisions. Running for president has to be one of the hardest things for someone to actually contemplate at that level, Kramer said. On July 4, West said he was running for the nations highest office, which was publicly supported by Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk on Twitter. We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! West wrote. However, the deadline for him to file with the Federal Election Commission already passed in several states. President-elect Donald Trump and Kanye West pose for a picture in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 13, 2016. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo) Like anything Ive ever done in my life, West later told Forbes, Im doing to win. In the interview, West said he no longer supports President Donald Trump and added that former Vice President Joe Biden isnt special, adding: And Joe Biden? Like come on man, please. You know? Obamas special. Trumps special. We say Kanye West is special. America needs special people that lead. Bill Clinton? Special. Joe Bidens not special. West said he is pro-life, pro-prayer in schools, and anti-death penalty, adding that he will run as an independent. He mentioned in the interview that it may be called the Birthday Party. I was threatened as a black man into the Democratic Party. And thats what the Democrats are doing, emotionally, to my people. Threatening them to the point where this white man can tell a black man if you dont vote for me, youre not black, he added, possibly referring to comments that Biden had made on a radio show that African Americans aint black if they dont vote for Democrats. Biden later apologized for the remark. Trump brushed off Wests comments last week. He is always going to be for us, and his wife is going to be for us, Trump said of West on Fox News. Kramers comments came after consulting firm Redfield & Wilton Strategies found that West garnered only about 2 percent support in a poll of 2,000 registered voters. A representative for West hasnt yet responded for a comment. NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: In a stunning reversal of policy, the Trump administration on Tuesday abandoned a plan that would have forced out tens of thousands of foreign students following widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses. US officials announced last week that international students at schools that had moved to online-only classes due to the coronavirus pandemic would have to leave the country if they were unable to transfer to a college with at least some in-person instruction. The government said it would drop the plan amid a legal challenge brought by universities. But a senior US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said the administration still intended to issue a regulation in the coming weeks addressing whether foreign students can remain in the United States if their classes move online. There are more than a million foreign students at US colleges and universities, and many schools depend on revenue from foreign students, who often pay full tuition. The July 6 move by the administration blindsided many universities and colleges that were still making plans for the fall semester, trying to balance concerns about rising cases of the novel coronavirus in many US states and the desire to return to classes. A flurry of lawsuits were filed challenging the rule including one brought by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and another by a coalition of state governments. Dozens of big companies and colleges and universities filed "friend-of-the-court" briefs opposing the rule. Harvard planned to hold all of its classes online for the upcoming academic year. President Donald Trump, who is pushing schools across the country to reopen in the autumn, said he thought Harvard`s plan not to hold in-person classes was ridiculous. The universities argued the measure was unlawful and would adversely affect their academic institutions. In a highly anticipated court hearing on Tuesday in the case brought by Harvard, US District Judge Allison Burroughs in Massachusetts said the US government and the two elite universities that sued had come to a settlement that would roll back the new rules and restore the previous status quo. The hearing lasted less than four minutes. The controversy began after US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it would re-instate rules for international students on F-1 and M-1 visas that limit the number of online courses foreign students can take if they want to remain in the United States. Those rules had been temporarily waived due to the public health crisis. Many academic institutions assumed they would be extended, not rolled back. The DHS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the details of any future regulation on this issue remain under discussion. In particular, DHS officials are still deciding whether to treat students already in the United States differently than students seeking to enter the country for the first time, according to the official. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who led a separate lawsuit challenging the visa rules, said in a written statement Trump`s "arbitrary actions" put the health of students and communities at risk. "In the midst of an economic and public health crisis, we don`t need the federal government alarming Americans or wasting everyone`s time and resources with dangerous policy decisions," Becerra said. ICE and the US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While pent-up demand likely plays a role given that February, March, and April were slow, very slow, and dead before giving way to movement in May and an insane June, Reynolds attributes much of the spike in activity to the fact that many knowledge workers have taken to telecommuting in the last few months. Reynolds says he has observed many of the properties near him in Breckenridge are being occupied by owners who typically reside in a distant city and return to their second homes only occasionally. A lot of people who can work from home are spending more time up here, Reynolds says. Theyre coming to their second home and telecommuting. People are migrating away from the cities. The population is leaving the metro areas and moving to the mountains. I had two calls in the last few weeks from people in downtown New York City looking to buy property in Colorado. Reynolds feels city-dwellers may be considering smaller markets as a reaction to the recent rash of civil unrest in some of the countrys largest cities. People are worried about terrorist groups tearing down monuments, burning churches, defunding police. A lot of us dont want to live in the city without a police department for protection. A lot of us are very worried. Theres such lawlessness in these places. Its scary, he says. (In 2018, violent crime in rural America reached its highest level in a decade.) TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Nubian Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:NBR) ("Nubian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that on July 11, 2020 the Company entered into a binding letter of intent ("LOI") with Stavely Minerals Limited (SVY) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Stavely Tasmania Pty Ltd. (collectively "Stavely") to acquire Stavely's interest in three projects: Fosterville East (map 1 attached) and the Lefroy and Mathinna projects (map 2 attached) (collectively the "Projects"), subject to final due diligence and negotiation of definitive agreements (the "Acquisition"). Together, the Projects comprise six exploration licenses that include the Fosterville East Project located in central Victoria, approximately 10 km east of Kirkland Lake Gold's Fosterville Gold Mine, and the Lefroy and Mathinna projects located in northeast Tasmania. Further details on the Projects are included below. Martin Walter, President & CEO of Nubian, commented, "With the Fosterville East Project's close proximity to the Fosterville Mine and the Lefroy and Mathinna projects having similar geology as central Victoria, these exploration projects are a perfect addition to the Company's more advanced Yandoit Gold Project that is at development stage. The Company is working to finalize definitive documents for the Yandoit Gold Project and is looking forward to executing on its exploration and development plans in Australia." Chris Cairns, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Stavely added, "We are pleased to have undertaken this transaction with Nubian which allows Stavely to focus its efforts on exploration of our recent copper-gold discovery in western Victoria. Nubian's technically experienced team progressing a focused exploration campaign at these high-potential orogenic gold assets will provide Stavely with exposure to future upside from exploration success via a significant shareholding in Nubian at a time of significant investor interest in the Victoria gold exploration industry in the North American market." In exchange for acquiring 100% of Stavely's interest in the Projects, Nubian has paid an AU$100,000 (CA$94,900) non-refundable deposit and will issue Nubian shares equal to AU$2,400,000 (CA$2,278,000) based on the volume weighted average price of Nubian shares on the five trading days prior to the execution of definitive agreements, subject to a minimum of 5,050,000 common shares being issued. Closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur by September 12, 2020 and is subject to, among other things, the receipt of all necessary approvals and all conditions having been satisfied or waived with respect to the terms of the LOI including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Central Victoria The Fosterville East Project (100% EL006668 - 82 km2), located within the Bendigo Structural Zone approximately 10 km east of Kirkland Lake Gold's Fosterville Gold Mine and immediately east of a recently lifted exploration moratorium area, is largely covered by shallow cover which has limited the amount of past exploration. There is at least one major interpreted structure (Mount Pleasant Fault) running through the tenement which appears to be sub-parallel to the main north-northwest structures that control gold mineralisation at the Fosterville Gold Mine. Like several major Victorian goldfields, the Fosterville Mine lies in the hanging wall of the west-dipping Redesdale Fault, Bendigo lies in the hanging wall of the Whitelaw Fault, and Ballarat in the hanging wall of the Williamson Creek Fault. Gold mineralization is associated with smaller faults that are interpreted to splay off these major structures. Most of the Fosterville East licence lies within a few kilometres of the hanging wall of the major north-northeast trending Heathcote Fault Zone, with the target Mount Pleasant Creek Fault interpreted as a north-northwest splay off of the west-dipping Heathcote Fault. In addition to carrying out a comprehensive review of all historical exploration data pertinent to the licence area, Nubian will evaluate various cutting-edge exploration targeting techniques which have been refined and tested in recent years. In particular, the Company will investigate the application of reprocessed thermal remote sensing imagery for the identification and quantification of mineral alteration assemblages masked by transported overburden. Another source for state-of-the-art exploration methodologies is the State Geological Survey of Victoria which has been applying predictive structural and tectonic analysis for vectoring into district-wide mineralisation pathways. By availing itself of these relatively low (or zero) cost "pre-drilling" tools, Nubian will aim to effectively locate and prioritise 'blind' targets within the Fosterville East tenement. Northeast Tasmania The 27 km2 Lefroy Project consists of one Retention Licence (RL1/2011) which covers the historical Pinafore and Chum mines, and one Exploration Licence (EL3/2015) which covers the majority of the remaining historical Lefroy Goldfield. The Lefroy Goldfield is dominated by high-grade, east-west trending gold reefs that have historically been mined to depths of 30 to 100 metres. Historical reporting from Mineral Resources Tasmania show that the Lefroy Goldfield produced more than 167,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 26 g/t Au, with the bulk of production coming from four mines that included the Pinafore and Chum mines1. The area has seen limited regional exploration activity in the last 20 years with most exploration focused near the past-producing mines. The 142 km2 Mathinna Project consists of four Exploration Licences (EL2/2015, EL19/2018, EL4/2019, EL6/2019) that cover about 30 km of structural trend within the historical Alberton-Mathinna Goldfield. Historical reporting from Mineral Resources Tasmania show that production from the Mathinna Project area is about 315,000 ounces of gold at an average reported grade of 26 g/t Au, with 20,000 to 30,000 ounces coming from alluvial production2. The Company notes that limited recent exploration and drilling has been completed and the selected sampling disclosed above are not necessarily representative of the mineralization currently hosted on the Lefroy and Mathinna projects. A Qualified Person has not verified the data disclosed in respect of the Lefroy and Mathinna projects, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying this information. The data comes from historic reports prepared by previous owners and available in the public record including Mineral Resources Tasmania. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo.), a Director of Nubian, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the National Instrument 43-101. References: 1Tasmania Department of Mines, Report 1994/03, Northeast Goldfields: A Summary of the Beaconsfield, Lefroy, Back Creek and Gladstone goldfields, McClenaghan, 1994. 2Tasmania Department of Mines, Report 1992/10, Northeast Goldfields: A Summary of the Tower Hill, Mathinna and Dans Rivulet goldfields, Taheri and Findlay, 1992. ABOUT NUBIAN Nubian Resources Ltd. is a public traded precious and base metals exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company is managed by a team of experienced mining and geological professionals. In May 2020, Nubian entered into an agreement to acquire and develop the Yandoit Gold Project in central Victoria, Australia. Nubian's main asset is the Esquilache Silver-Zinc Project located within the Tintaya porphyry copper belt of southern Peru. For further information, please contact Martin Walter, Chief Executive Officer, Nubian Resources Ltd., at +1-416-389-5692 or martin@nubianr.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Nubian's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward looking information relating to, among other things, statements with respect to the potential completion of the Acquisition, the terms and conditions of the Acquisition and the potential benefits of the Acquisition and the Projects. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Nubian. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Nubian's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the Projects and the Acquisition, and other similar matters. While Nubian considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in parameters of the Projects as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic and current global financial conditions, increased competition, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the Acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to delay or failure to satisfy the closing conditions to the Acquisition. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Nubian is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Map 1 - Fosterville East Project Location Map 2 - Lefroy and Mathinna Projects Locations CONTACT: Martin Walter Chief Executive Officer Nubian Resources Ltd. +1-416-389-5692 martin@nubianr.com SOURCE: Nubian Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597494/Nubian-to-Acquire-Stavelys-Fosterville-East-Tasmanian-Gold-Projects Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 00:34:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The British government's decision to ban Huawei's involvement in 5G networks is "a hammer blow" to the country's ambition to become a global 5G leader, an industry analyst warned Tuesday. "Having been on the back foot in 4G, the UK has enjoyed a strong 5G start with four live commercial networks already in place since the start of the year," said Kester Mann, director of consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight, an industry analyst firm. "The decision will inevitably lead to delays in 5G network roll-out and higher overall costs for operators," Mann told Xinhua via email. Earlier Tuesday, the British government announced that buying new Huawei 5G equipment will be banned after Dec. 31, 2020 and all Huawei equipment will be removed from the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027. "The timing (of the announcement) is particularly unfortunate, with the demand for high-quality connectivity never higher due to the coronavirus lockdown," Mann said. The British government announced in January its plans to safeguard the country's telecoms network, approving a restricted role for Huawei in helping build the country's 5G networks. Tuesday's decision marks a U-turn in Britain's policy concerning the Chinese technology company. "We will conduct a detailed review of what today's announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain," said Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK in a statement. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden admitted that the latest decision by the British government is expected to delay the country's 5G roll-out. From an economic viewpoint, eliminating Huawei from Britain's 5G infrastructure market could be expected to lead to higher prices and delays in roll-out, according to a recent report released by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a research institute in Britain. A previous study, conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Huawei, also said that restricting Huawei from helping to build Britain's 5G infrastructure market would increase roll-out costs by 9 percent to 29 percent. "Ultimately, this will impact consumers who could end up paying more for their service and have to wait longer to connect," Mann said. Enditem 18-meter-high Gundam statue coming to Shanghai By:An ranran | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-07-15 17:29 At the Gundam G conference held online on July 11, Sunrises Chairman Mr. Asama announced that Bandai Namco is looking to accelerate its push into China. Barring accidents, Gundam China Project (GCP) will be actively and steadily promoted. In 2021, a 1:1 Freedom Gundam statue, with a height of 18.03 meters, is expected to be constructed in Shanghai, China. Freedom Gundam first debuted in Gundam SEED, a famous Japanese animation series with fans all over the world. For about 20 years, it has gained popularity among Chinese Gundam fans. It is reported that the statue will be on display with the opening of LaLaport in Shanghai Jinqiao. Following Unicorn Gundam in Odaiba, Tokyo and Gundam Factory Yokohama which is expected to be completed in Yokohama this winter, Shanghai's Freedom Gundam will be the first life-sized Gundam statue outside Japan. Besides building the statue, the Gundam China Project also includes shooting films and opening new shops in China. Moreover, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Gundam, Bandai Namco is planning to launch limited edition models for Chinese fans. In the conference, Yin Zheng, a Chinese actor and also a great fan of Gundam, expressed his enthusiasm for this project. He has collected more than 100 Gundam models including Unicorn Gundam and Wing Gundam. I am looking forward to their future plans, Yin said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:19:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan healthcare practitioners are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 as a growing number of workers contract or die of the virus. Ministry of health officials on Wednesday acknowledged that healthcare workers have borne the brunt of COVID-19 as they attend to a rising number of infected patients in both public and private healthcare facilities. Rashid Aman, chief administrative secretary in the ministry of health, revealed at a briefing in Nairobi that 450 healthcare workers had become positive for COVID-19 while four had succumbed to the disease. "It is the priority of the government to protect health workers from COVID-19 given their high risk of infection. We will be applying international guidelines and protocols to ensure that health workers are protected from the disease," said Aman. Kenya lost the first medical doctor to COVID-19 on July 10 amid rising concern over their safety while treating critically ill patients in emergency wards. Doreen Adisa Lugaliki, a 38-year old gynecologist contracted the virus while in the line of duty and her demise triggered a national debate on the plight of healthcare workers amid their vulnerability to the highly contagious pathogen. Aman said the government was concerned that COVID-19 was taking a toll on frontline health workers hence jeopardizing efforts to contain the pandemic in the country. "The risk of COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers mainly relates to overcrowding in facilities, lack of personal protective equipment and poor understanding of the virus," said Aman. He said the state has prioritized occupational safety for health workers, promotion of hand and respiratory hygiene, availability of protective gear to minimize their exposure to the virus. Aman revealed that 41 healthcare workers at Nairobi's Pumwani Maternity Hospital had tested positive to COVID-19, adding that they were receiving adequate care at an isolation facility. He said the central government will provide technical capacity to counties to boost testing and treatment of healthcare workers amid risk of contracting the COVID-19. Patrick Amoth, acting director-general for health, said that frontline health workers were grappling with higher exposure to the COVID-19 and required special attention to prevent infections and fatalities. "We are concerned about the rising number of our nurses and doctors who are testing positive to COVID-19. They require enhanced care and protection given their huge contribution to the fight against the disease," said Amoth. He said the government will support establishment of isolation centers in the country's main referral hospitals to support treatment and care of healthcare workers who contract the COVID-19 while in the line of duty. The development comes as the ministry of health announced that COVID-19 cases passed the 11,000 mark on Wednesday. Aman said that 461 people tested positive from 4,261 samples over the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 11,252. Out of the 461 cases, 432 are Kenyans while 29 are foreigners, he said. The official said that 51 patients were discharged from various hospitals in the country, bringing the total number of recoveries to 3,068. "Sadly, we lost seven patients to the disease, bringing our fatality to 209," he added, warning that the number of infections is likely to increase as cases approach the earlier projected peak. The ministry of health said currently 1,041 patients are admitted in hospitals suffering from COVID-19 with 39 are in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 21 are with ventilator support. Kenya has so far tested 225,495 samples since the disease was announced in the country in mid-March. Enditem - The Presidential Delivery Unit visited young innovators in Kiambu county who assemble unique hospital beds - The team promised to equip the youths with the necessary skills and tools to upscale their production - Further, they were promised funds to help them recruit more youths to work with them to deliver on the order within one and half months President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the government to immediately buy at least 500 beds from two youthful innovators behind locally assembled hospital beds. The beds that are made by Mungai Gathogo, 26, and Joseph Muhinja, 35, in Githunguri, Kiambu county, will be subjected to standardisation tests by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). READ ALSO: Gavana Sonko asema huenda akawania ugavana katika kaunti nyingine 2022 Officials from the Presidential Delivery Unit when they visited the young innovators in Kiambu county. Photo: Presidential Delivery Unit Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Met dept warns of very strong winds, large waves likely to blow off roofs and uproot trees in 15 counties In a Twitter post by the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), a team of officers who were sent to visit the innovators at their site in Githunguri told them to prepare for the big order. Speaking during the visitation on Wednesday, July 15, PDU Secretary Andrew Wakahiu said the government, through the Numerical Machining Complex, will help the young entrepreneurs with equipment to hasten production and improve quality. "We will get you some engineers from Numerical Machining Complex in the department of industrialisation, they will come here tomorrow so as to see how quickly they can upscale you," said Wakahiu. READ ALSO: Gavana Sonko asema huenda akawania ugavana katika kaunti nyingine 2022 Further, the government will also link up the artisans with Small-to Mid-size Enterprise (SME) fund to raise capital to expand their existing businesses in a drive towards the realisation of the manufacturing pillar under the Big Four agenda. Mungai and Muhinja who currently employ seven youths promised to hire more young people to ensure the new order is delivered in one and a half months time. The Presidential Delivery Unit reached out to innovators following a recent story of another group of artisans who made similar beds. The visitation came amid urgent need to scale up capacity for local hospitals in an anticipated upsurge of the COVID-19 cases across the country. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Follow us on Telegram: Tuko news Source: TUKO.co.ke Slightly more than 200 votes separated the candidates for Jefferson Countys next Precinct 1 Place 1 Justice of the Peace on Tuesday night a seeming symptom of a runoff election during a global pandemic. In total, nearly 8% of Jefferson County voters turned out for the election. About one-third of those voters cast their ballot on election day. Naomi Showers Doyle came out on top in the only countywide race in Jefferson County. And because no Republican ran for the seat, if her lead holds, she will be Jefferson Countys newest JP. Related: Runoff early voting moves ahead amid coronavirus surge On Tuesday night, results showed Showers Doyle leading George Milhouse with 52.3%, or 2,365, of the votes. When asked what her first steps will be upon taking office, she pointed to the 90-day plan shes already laid out. Priorities included in the document are a comprehensive audit of the courts operations, redesigning the JPs website to make information more accessible and ensuring the website has a feature that will allow translation to Spanish and Vietnamese. Im very, very excited to come into the JP Court to use it for the best way for the community, she said after results were announced. Thats what I ran on: Making sure we use those courts to fight for our community. Milhouse could not be reached for comment on the races outcome or if he has any plans to request a recount. Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox State law says the losing candidate can request a recount if the winning margin is less than 10% of the winners total votes, among other provisions. The 216 votes separating the two falls below the 10% or, in this case, the 237-vote threshold. Across the region, Republican voters also cast their ballots for the next chief justice of the Texas 9th District Court of Appeals. And statewide, Democrats chose their candidate to face U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the November election and the Democratic candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner. Related: Texas votes as new virus cases again surge past 10,000 In Hardin County voters chose Amanda Young to represent Republicans in the race for Hardin County Precinct 1 Commissioner. The race was the only one in Southeast Texas to be sending its winner to the November election. Young received 757 votes compared to Russell Rusty Trests 615. Young will face Donald Owens, the only Democrat to run for county office this year, in November. Related: Hardin County Precinct 3 Commissioner primary Young, who has worked for the county for 10 years, previously told The Enterprise that she decided to run for office because this is a critical time with many opportunities for grants to fix drainage and other problems. Newton County Republican voters gave their candidate for Precinct 1 County Commissioner the most decisive victory in Southeast Texas races. Danny Bentsen was elected with 229 votes compared to Jim Walkers 92. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain The Congress chief whip in the Rajasthan assembly Mahesh Joshi wrote to speaker CP Joshi seeking the disqualification of former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 members of the legislative assembly under the provisions of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution (popularly known as the anti-defection law). But it emerges that the party may have taken an expansive view of the anti-defection law. While Joshi confirmed to news agency PTI that disqualification proceedings have begun with notices being issued to the 19 legislators, efforts continued to convince Pilot, who reiterated on Wednesday that he doesnt plan to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, to return to the fold -- although HT learns that chief minister Ashok Gehlot is keen to disqualify Pilot. Congress leaders involved in the strategy said on condition of anonymity that Pilots conduct, statements by his close aides and his absence from two meetings of the Congress legislature party in Rajasthan together make a strong case for his disqualification. Some constitutional experts say Pilot may take the legal route to respond to the disqualification notice and even seek the removal of CP Joshi as the speaker on the ground of partial conduct to gain more time. The disqualification of the 19 will reduce the effective strength of the House to 181, with a majority mark of 91, well below the 104 legislators Gehlot whose support Gehlot confirmed to the states governor on Tuesday. The 10th Schedule says that a lawmaker can be disqualified from the House if he has voluntarily given up his membership of such political party or if he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs or by any person or authority authorised by it in this behalf without obtaining prior permission of such political party. Two of the Congress leaders cited above argued that the law can be extended to behaviour outside the House. An elected lawmakers conduct, his speeches, his hobnobbing with rivals too can be counted as grounds for disqualification, said one of them. He skipped two meetings of Congress legislature party, his loyalists gave three interviews demanding trust vote are proof of his intention. There are several examples how Supreme Court considered such issues in the Ravi Naik and the BS Yediyurappa cases, said the second leader. The BS Yediyurappa case related to the defection of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs in Karnataka in July 2019 that resulted in the ouster of a coalition government headed by the two parties last year, paving the way for the BJPs Yediyurappa to become CM. The court, while adjudicating on a petition challenging the disqualification of the 17 MLAs by the speaker on the grounds that they had voluntarily given up their membership of the party, through their undisputed conduct, partly upheld the presiding officers decision. The Ravi Naik case refers to former Goa CM Ravi Naik, and dates to 1994. In its judgement the Supreme Court said that lawmakers need not necessarily resign from their parties to attract disqualification under the 10th schedule, referring to the conduct of a member that indicates that he has voluntarily given up his membership of the political party to which he belongs. The emphasis here seems to be on conduct of the member but P Sreedharan, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha, does not believe this will work in this case. Disqualification on grounds of defection is mentioned clearly in para two of the 10th schedule: If he has voluntarily given up his membership or if he votes against the party or abstains from voting. The issues of not following the direction of the party is connected to the House only. So any whip issued for non-House activities cant be a sufficient grounds (for disqualification). For Rajasthan assembly speaker Joshi, too, these are testing times. In the recent past, Joshi has advocated that the speakers powers vis-a-vis the 10th schedule be curtailed and the decision to expel a member be left to political parties. In two conferences of presiding officers, he spearheaded the campaign to delink speakers from anti-defection issues because he said that speakers come under unnecessary political pressure and the courts have often tarnished the image of speakers in their rulingson defection issues. Now, Joshi himself has a high-profile defection issuethe first in 2020on his table to decide on. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Professor Deborah Terry returns from Western Australias Curtin University to become the new vice-chancellor of the University of Queensland. Current vice-chancellor Professor Peter Hj will retire from the position after more than eight years. Professor Deborah Terry, Chair of Universities Australia and Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University, addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on Wednesday 26 February 2020. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald. Professor Terry began her academic career as a lecturer at UQ's School of Psychology in 1990, before leaving more than 20 years later as UQs senior deputy vice-chancellor. She is the current chair of Universities Australia and will begin her time as University of Queensland vice-chancellor from August 3. Taiwan commences its 5-day strategic military exercises as threats of invasion from Beijing intensify, puts to test preservation capabilities and preparedness in reserve forces amid attempts of China to undermine sovereignty. As tensions with China escalating, Taiwan commenced a five day long live-fire war games exercise putting its defences to the test against a Beijing invasion, South China Morning Post reported. Chief of the General Staff Huang Shu-kuang kicked off the annual drill dubbed Han Kuang on Monday, giving orders from the Taiwan top command centre in Taipei. According to a military source, the first day involved simulated Peoples Liberation Army missile attacks targeting command centres, airports and military bases in Taiwan. We are testing the preservation capabilities of our forces in such a scenario and how ready our reserve forces would be, said the source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Also read: Trump sanctions China, ends preferential trade agreement Also read: Huawei big security risk, convinced many countries to not use it: Donald Trump For decades, the Chinese government has claimed authority over Taiwan. Though Taiwan is not recognised by the UN, its government maintains a relationship with the US and does not accept the Chinese authority. Lately, there has been a marked increase in military operations around the islands territorial waters. In response, the Taiwan government has tried to project strength, appearing alongside officers at a conferral ceremony and calling on the military to remain vigilant. Taiwans massive underground Chiashan airbase in Hualien, strategically located on the islands east coast, was a key part of the drill so far, the military source said. Meanwhile, naval vessels and the islands two submarines were sent to waters off Taiwans southwest coast to prepare for a counter-attack, while army surveillance and attack helicopters were also deployed, the source said. This years Han Kuang exercise will primarily focus on testing Taiwans defence strategies, which involve maintaining combat capabilities, pursuing decisive victory in coastal zones and subduing enemies in beach areas, Taiwans defence ministry said. Also read: Chinas claims on S China sea unlawful, US warns China For all the latest World News, download NewsX App AirAsia, one of the top budget airlines in Asia, is confident it can bounce back to a profitable position next year, even as the threat of a resurgence in coronavirus cases is weighing down the global aviation industry, Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said on Wednesday. That target "sounds incredibly bullish, but I've been through many, many crises before," Fernandes told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia." He explained that Asian authorities have become "much, much smarter" in the way they handle further outbreaks of the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19. That will help the region's aviation industry to recovery in a "much more sustainable" way, he said. "I think that's giving me a lot of confidence in some of my bullish statements," he added. Measures to contain the spread of the virus which include border closures and movement restrictions brought demand for air travel to a sudden halt. Airlines around the world were left struggling financially, with many having to cut jobs and turn to government aid to stay afloat. Malaysia-based AirAsia is no different. The low-cost carrier earlier this month reported a net loss of 803.8 million Malaysian ringgit ($188.4 million) in the quarter ended March 30. That was the airline's largest first-quarter loss since it listed on the Malaysian stock exchange in November 2004, reported Reuters, citing Refinitiv data. Due to Turkish insistence to remain militarily involved in Libya, the south of the Mediterranean is full of tensions, on both the political and military levels. Egypt, France, Italy, Greece and Cyprus have all taken steps to ensure the security of the region and their strategic interests in it. Perhaps Egypt, Italy and France are not only concerned with their interests in the Mediterranean; they are mainly concerned with the Libyan file. Other countries like Greece, Cyprus and even Israel are concerned with their gas and oil interests in the region that Turkey is starting to threaten and violate. The south of the Mediterranean is an extremely rich spot in natural gas, and naval military powers within it are quite significant. Egypt has been for almost three weeks keen to bring back a political process to the scene in Libya, one that is built upon Libyan-Libyan negotiations between legitimate parties. But Turkish persistence to intervene in the region made the Government of National Accord (GNA) in West Libya quite adamant to resort to military solutions or in other words to secure the maximum limit of military gains before going back to a political process. After several efforts, Egypt had to resort to other tools than the political course. Egypt announced its willingness to start a series of military manoeuvres under the title Hasm 2020 a display of naval military exercises to prove its power within the south of the Mediterranean. In similar manner, Italy, France, Greece and Cyprus followed the same course, and joint manoeuvres were declared and naval components started to move. But if Egypt is interested in the Libyan file due to border security issues and millions of Egyptian labourers that used to work in Libya, and if Italy is interested in the Libyan file due to its battle against illegal immigration and its investments in the Libyan oil sector that are worth billions of dollars, other countries are involved because of the regional security of the Mediterranean. Turkish intervention in Libya, and military presence in the south of the Mediterranean, is making the state of security in the region very vulnerable, and is escalating political and military tensions between the various countries involved. Both the United States and Russia have taken vague positions towards what is happening in the region. The United States is consumed within its own internal problems, mainly the coronavirus, mobilisation on an anti-racist platform, and the upcoming presidential elections. However, the US has refused a Turkish request for purchasing a missile defence technology, and stated that it will participate in joint military manoeuvres with Cyprus in the Mediterranean. This means that the US started to believe that the bet on Ankara is a losing one amid these tensions. Russia, on the other hand, is in quite a dilemma. Moscow is very careful to maintain its Turkish ally, mainly for political and military support in the Balkans region. Politically, Russia refused any foreign intervention in Libya, via its spokesman in the Security Council, and indeed Russia does not want to lose a strategic ally like Egypt in the Middle East and North Africa. The Mediterranean at this moment is a scene of potential conflict between countries that have significant naval military powers. If one single shot is fired within this tension filled scene, the whole region will pay a very high price. Egypt has stated more than once its refusal of any foreign intervention or any violations of UN decisions. But it also stated that its national security is top priority that Egypt will not ignore, neither now nor in the future. Similarly, European countries declared that they have a vested interest in the south of the Mediterranean, one that Turkish intervention currently threatens. As tensions rise between regional powers, the Libyan interior is not calm. The ongoing fight over legitimacy between the east and the west in the country is still active. The current scene puts Libya several steps further from a political solution. Military influence seems to be the determining factor within the Libyan interior. The foreign fighters that Turkey managed to smuggle into Libya complicates the problem more. There is a new genre of militias emerging, exercising their rule over cities like Tripoli, Misrata and Zintan. The Mediterranean as a region is in a state of doubt. Egypt is between a rock and a hard place because it does not want to violate the mechanisms borne of the consensus of the international community, but at the same time it will not underestimate its national security priorities. The overall scene in Libya is not promising, and its the Libyan people who will eventually pay the price. The writer is a senior researcher and director of the Programme for Mediterranean and North African Studies at the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Mumbai: Union Minister J P Nadda on Saturday sought corporate sector and non-government organisations' involvement to make healthcare services available for people across the country. "The provision of healthcare, though primarily the responsibility of the government, cannot be undertaken by the government alone... Corporate sector and NGOs must share the responsibility and supplement the efforts of the government in providing healthcare services," he said. The Union Minister for Health was here to present National Oral Healthcare Sushruta Awards organised by Indian Dental Association (IDA) in Mumbai. Oral diseases are becoming the leading health problem these days and are attributed mainly to the rapidly changing lifestyles, wide-spread use of tobacco and increased consumption of alcohol, he said, adding they pose a major threat to our public health. Socially and economically weaker sections of the community need to be educated on the importance of oral health and access to dental services in rural areas must improve, he added. The IDA has set up Oral Cancer Foundation for the early detection and treatment of oral cancer and in this regard a registry for exclusive oral cancer cases is also in place apart from the tobacco intervention initiative, the minister said. The association has also developed a software for the effective management of dental resources personnel which could prove useful to the Health Ministry in monitoring the deployment of dental personnel and shaping oral health policies, he said. The Minister expressed confidence that the tools devised by the IDA to combat oral ailments would make a significant contribution to oral healthcare management. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A Rs 78,225 crore project which involves setting up a mega hydrocarbon complex in coastal Odisha district of Balasore and likely to give employment to about 10,000 youths is facing public opposition over land acquisition. The hydrocarbon complex near the proposed port at Subarnarekha river in Balasore to be developed by Haldia Petrochemicals Limited and it would comprise a 1.08 million tonnes per annum of polyethylene plant, a 1.6 million tonnes of paraxylene per annum and 1.25 million tonnes of purified purified terepthalic acid per annum. The first phase of the project involving an amount of Rs 28,700 crore was sanctioned by the state last year. Kolkata-based HPL had promised to rope in a global oil and petrochemicals company as a strategic partner to provide the feedstock supply. Odisha industry department officials described it as the biggest domestic investment project in the country. However, the project seems to have hit a roadblock with people in Baliapal block, the project site, now opposing land acquisition. On June 9 and June 12, the local administration tried to conduct a public hearing over the project at Aladiha and Jambhirai villages respectively but met with strong public resistance over govt move to remove encroachers of government land. Of the 3,520 acres of land needed for the project, 2,979 acres of land belongs to the government while the rest are private. However, hundreds of people in 6 grampanchayats of Baliapal block of Balasore are doing farming and have set up betel vines over government land. In Jambhirai grampanchayat, one of the project-affected grampanchayat, people are up against the project, saying it would snatch their livelihood. Kartik Nayak, sarpanch of Jambhirai grampanchayat said people would not allow their land to be used for any industrial purpose as it is a highly fertile land. Our people have been eking out a livelihood for decades. Many villagers dont have any land which they can call their own and are tilling government land. They are unlikely to find employment in the industrial project due to low literacy level. We are going to oppose this, said Nayak. Nayak said a couple of days ago, hundreds of women in the affected grampanchayat of Jambhirai had blown conch to show their opposition to the project. Arun Jena, who is leading the protest under the banner of Upakula Bhitamati Suraksha Committee, said people in the affected grampanchayats make at least Rs 7 lakh a year by cultivating paddy, groundnut and betel. In the name of an industrial project, the government is out to make paupers out of farmers. The government should not forget that people here in the 90s had opposed DRDOs plan of establishing its missile test range. The hydrocarbon project would meet the same fate, said Jena. Sambit Kumar Nayak, additional district magistrate of Balasore admitted that the opposition to the project was growing, but added that efforts are on to persuade the villagers. We are trying to reach out to the people in batches to make them understand about the all-round development that the project would bring to the region. Odisha should not miss out on such a project, said Nayak. Haldia Petrochemical Limited officials refused to comment on the developments. Meanwhile, business leaders of Odisha said contrary to what some people are trying to portray, the opposition is not widespread. Some people who have made a career out of opposing any big-ticket project are inciting people against it. The kind of development the project would bring is unimaginable and may change the face of Balasore for all time to come. The government should give a good rehabilitation package to villagers and ensure that land is acquired at the quickest, said Amit Behera of North Odisha Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Another business leader said the opposition to the project may have been fuelled by popular mistrust over lack of progress in the proposed port project at Chumukh over Subarnarekha river in Baliapal block at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore. Though the foundation stone for the port project was laid over a year and a half ago, no work has started yet. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON People gather in Laguna Beach in May to protest Gov. Gavin Newson's order temporarily closing Orange County beaches. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times ) Recommendations approved by the Orange County Board of Education to welcome students back to campuses without increased social distancing in classrooms or the mandatory use of masks were met with a fierce backlash from educators and parents Tuesday, highlighting the larger divide in the county over the use of face coverings and other coronavirus protections. How to reopen schools has become a major political battle, with President Trump pushing educators to get kids back into the classroom despite a surge of new COVID-19 cases and concerns that in-person instruction is simply not safe. Los Angeles, San Diego and a growing number of other communities in California are putting off reopening plans, citing the coronavirus spike and a lack of testing and contract tracing. The debate in Orange County has been different. A majority of the conservative-leaning board said Monday they believe students would be best served returning to school in the fall, in part because they contend data has shown school-age students are not at great risk of contracting COVID-19. Their guidelines which call for daily temperature checks, frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, in addition to the nightly disinfection of classrooms, offices and transportation vehicles, among other measures oppose guidelines recently issued by the Orange County Department of Education. Some school officials are already saying they don't intend to go along. It is, frankly, politically driven, Ocean View School District Board President Gina Clayton-Tarvin said of the boards action. Its reckless and its causing undue fear among teachers, students and parents alike, for no other reason than to wind people up. Seven members of Congress, including Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Laguna Beach) and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine), penned a letter to the board Tuesday in response to their recommendations, saying they were "deeply concerned" by the officials' decision not to address the health threats that COVID-19 poses to the community. Story continues County health officials Tuesday reported 865 new coronavirus infections, sending the total number of cases countywide past 26,000. Officials also reported nine more fatalities, bringing the county's death toll to 433. The county also reached a new record in hospitalizations, with 712 people being treated in hospitals for COVID-19. "Last nights board meeting highlighted the worries held by parents about their childrens sense of normalcy and emotional health," they wrote. "Just as valid are the concerns for childrens, teachers' and staffs physical health." The debate over school reopenings marks the latest fight in a series of battles that have raged in the county over how much the coronavirus pandemic should shape public policy. In recent months, Orange County has emerged as a hotbed of opposition to mandatory mask rules in public places. The county Board of Education's recommendations, outlined in a white paper, attempted to cast doubt on the necessity of wearing masks and social distancing among students. Health experts widely say masks are critical to slowing the spread of the virus. Some residents, however, applauded the board's action and urged other elected officials to take a similar stance. On Tuesday, more than 80 speakers packed the county Board of Supervisors meeting to rail against the use of masks and what they believe are unfair and increasingly restrictive government mandates handed down by Sacramento. "We here in Orange County are the heart of the resistance. We need to stand up. We need to show these people that we are not afraid," Andi Goud said. Others say they often will choose to wear masks and adhere to other government regulations, but want Orange County residents to be able to decide for themselves what is best. "Why do people try to impose their beliefs or their advice on us? We know what we need health-wise and if we want to wear something or not wear something, that's our business," said Larry Castillo. The idea of local choice was also present in the emerging debate over education as districts across the county begin cementing their plans for how and when to resume in-person classes. Clayton-Tarvin said her school district, which serves a portion of Huntington Beach, is not interested in adopting the recommendations of the County Board of Education, which officials have noted has no authority over local districts. Instead, district officials plan to reopen an online academy for families who wish to commit to a year of distance learning. Others will be brought into smaller classes, with guidelines in place, where they will learn in distanced plexiglass safety corrals, Clayton-Tarvin said. Leaders at Santa Ana Unified School District said Tuesday that that they have decided to pivot entirely to a virtual education model in the fall as the number of COVID-19 cases across the region continues to climb. During these challenging times, the safety of our school community continues to be our top priority. While we hope at some point to have our students attend our schools alongside their classmates and teachers, now is not the time, said Supt. Jerry Almendarez. Meanwhile, we are working to develop a rigorous distance learning plan that will allow students to continue their education at home. Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials were expected to vote Tuesday night about how to tackle educating students starting next month. Officials are presenting plans for elementary students to return to campuses full-time with certain social distancing measures in place or attend a virtual academy, said Board President Martha Fluor. Fluor noted that the district does not take direction from the Orange County Board of Education and instead looks to the California Department of Health, the Orange County Department of Education and the California Department of Education for advice about reopening its schools. "For us, we take the health and safety of our students and staff very seriously," she said. Dan Cooper, a professor of pediatrics and UC Irvine's associate vice chancellor for clinical and translational science, said the idea of students returning to schools where their environment can be strictly controlled is not necessarily a bad one, as long as certain safety measures are in place. He points to the examples of businesses going underground during the state lockdown, when barbers and hair stylists would go to people's homes or open up their own homes to take in customers. If schools were to stay closed, many parents forced to work may turn to private childcare for their kids and such places may be unregulated or not following safety guidelines, he said. "My question is: Wouldn't you rather have the kids go to school where the child has the chance to learn about regular social distancing, pick up healthy habits and be in a situation where there are stringent rules about how to stay safe?" he said. "You can regularly emphasize hand washing and sanitary standards. You make games out of it. You wear masks, you put superheroes on it." With many schools set to resume in August, the uncertainty of whether students will return to classrooms has put some parents on edge. What we know about online schooling is that it is ineffective, a speaker named Leigh said during Monday's board meeting. Board policy does not allow broadcasting of last names. She and others said they worry about disadvantages plaguing children stuck at home, especially among low-income families who may not have access to educational materials online. Others who tuned in to the virtual county board meeting questioned whether the elected officials would send their own children back into classrooms without rules governing face coverings and social distancing. "Yes, the statistics show that children are hardly affected now but how do we know that won't change? Nothing is for sure anymore," said Tracy Lewis of Anaheim. "When was the last time all of the people who said they welcome kids learning the normal way actually stepped foot on a campus at an assembly with hundreds of screaming kids? When one kid in your room comes down with the flu, other kids right away come down with the flu. And this disease is even worse." No other solution comes close to FocusPoints deep and seamless integration with SAP Business One. Focused Impressions, making eCommerce and marketing easy for SAP Business One users, today announced a new partnership with Pristine Solutions, a gold-level SAP Business One partner serving customers across Sri Lanka, Central Africa, Australia, and Bangladesh. Pristine will resell FocusPoint, the first certified cloud-based solution for B2B and B2C eCommerce and marketing built exclusively for SAP Business One. On July 16, 2020, Pristine Solutions will introduce its customer base to FocusPoint in a joint webinar with Focused Impressions. FocusPoint: Best-of-Breed eCommerce for SAP Business One Pristine Solutions is passionate about digitizing our customers businesses so that they can experience the fastest return on their investments, said Sanath Madhawa Premachandra, CEO of Pristine Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. To achieve our mission, we work with technology leaders who bring best-of-breed innovations to our solution portfolio. Focused Impressions distinguishes itself as an eCommerce technology leader with their FocusPoint solution for SAP Business One. No other solution comes close to FocusPoints deep and seamless integration with SAP Business One, which will enable our customers to move forward quickly with their eCommerce initiatives. Pristine Solutions serves a variety of vertical industries in the SAP Business One space including agribusiness, apparel, food and beverage, and healthcare. In todays world, its incumbent upon every one of these businesses to have a robust webstore that is continually updated in real-time with access to all the order and account information in their SAP Business One ERP system -- and FocusPoint delivers, noted Craig Stockmal, founder and CEO of Focused Impressions. We are thrilled to be working with an SAP Business One powerhouse like Pristine Solutions in bringing the value of FocusPoint to their customers. A single platform for both B2B and B2C eCommerce and marketing with multi-channel capabilities, FocusPoint features include: Flexible Installation Options with cloud and on-premises versions Out-of-the-Box Integration to accelerate the solutions time-to-value SAP Integration Tools for fast implementations and automatic SAP Business One updates Unlimited Customer Webstores/Portals setup in minutes at no additional cost Fully Integrated Point-of-Sale to ensure pricing, inventory, and SKUs are up to date Built-In Product Customizer for creating pixel-perfect images Intelligent Product building and routing with automated eForms Social Media Integration to give sales and marketing programs an added lift These capabilities and more will be demonstrated in the Pristine and Focused Impressions Webinar: eCommerce Made Easy for SAP Business One Date: July 16, 2020 Time: 3:00 pm IST (GMT +5:30) Free Registration About Focused Impressions Founded in 2014, Focused Impressions is a certified SAP Solution Provider dedicated to the SAP Business One global community. The companys flagship product FocusPoint provides innovative and affordable B2B and B2C eCommerce and marketing software with enterprise-level capabilities that are easy to use and manage. The solution is available from SAP resellers as well as direct sales to consumer products, retail eCommerce, wholesale distribution, and B2B management companies. Visit Focused Impressions. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Pristine Solutions In a fast-moving world, Pristine Solutions combines deep industry experience with the latest in technology to design information system solutions that meet the demands of evolving businesses. Pristine Solutions is an SAP Gold partner with a global presence in Asia, Pacific and the USA. Pristine Solutions implements and services SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign with more than 150 SAP implementations over the past decade. From its founding in 2005, the company has focused in delivering value-add solutions to customers in the process of creating new technology-driven solutions from Pristine software development. Software solutions developed by Pristine Solutions have received numerous awards including SAP SMB Seedx Development Challenge in 2018 and 2019 and have been recognized by NBQSA organized by British Computer Society in Sri Lanka and presented at Asia Pacific ICT Awards. These solutions embrace new technologies such as Block Chain, Machine Learning, IoT, and mobile applications that give our customers a competitive edge. Proud to be an SAP Gold-level Partner for SAP Business One, we support a variety of industry verticals. Visit Pristine Solutions. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. ### All product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. LINDSAY City of Kawartha Lakes Police are hunting for a man after a robbery Monday night at a store on Lindsay Street South business in Lindsay. The man entered the store at about 8:12 p.m. while wearing a disguise, displayed a knife and demanded money from the clerk, police said. He fled the store with some cash and headed west on Durham Street. He is white, slim and was wearing a black hoodie, jeans, a black cap, a face mask and white rimmed glasses. Police have released a security image of the robber. Investigators want any witnesses or anyone with information about the robbery to call police at 705-324-5252, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or online at kh.crimestoppersweb.com Cape Town, July 16 : South Africa has released over 6,000 inmates in a bid to reduce Covid-19 transmissions in prisons, Police Minister Bheki Cele announced on Wednesday. The authorities had released a total of over 6,128 inmates as the coronavirus kept spreading in prisons, Cele said at a virtual briefing on the country's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua reported. The release of prisoners is a meticulous process involving victim-offender mediation and the taking of DNA samples by the police, he said. The released inmates are those who have undergone the relevant rehabilitation programs aimed at correcting their offending behaviour, Cele added. Progress is also being made to place low-risk inmates on parole as per the parole dispensation, authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cele said. Over 3,600 infections have been recorded at the country's 243 prisons, involving over 2,200 officials and about 1,400 prisoners, said Cele. In May, Ramaphosa authorized the parole of 19,000 inmates as a measure to combat the spread of Covid-19 in prisons. But only low-risk inmates who are convicted and imprisoned for petty crimes can be released. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) By Trend The Foreign Ministry of Belarus has made a statement in connection with the aggravation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Trend reports referring to the media outlets of Belarus. Belarus has expressed concern over the ongoing escalation of the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, the message said. Belarus has stressed the necessity of resolving all conflicts peacefully, the report said. The use of power only aggravates the situation. Belarus urged the sides to adhere to the ceasefire regime and avoid any steps leading to an increase in tension and human losses. The Foreign Ministry of Belarus expressed hope that Baku and Yerevan will restore the dialogue. Belarus also thinks that all countries having friendly relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia will use their authority for de-escalation, within the OSCE Minsk Group as well, said the message. Starting from July 12 afternoon, while grossly violating the ceasefire regime in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, the Armenian armed forces fired at the Azerbaijani positions by using artillery. As a result of the appropriate measures, the Armenian forces was struck back while suffering losses. Azerbaijani personnel sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Despite the efforts of the Azerbaijani doctors, severely wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Khayyam Dashdemirov also died. The tension remained in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani serviceman, senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. There were fierce battles in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on July 13 night. Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev and career soldier Elchin Mustafazade heroically became martyrs during the battles. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913341/?utm_source=PRN The Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is expected to grow from USD 61,405.19 Million in 2019 to USD 94,706.03 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.48%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: On the basis of Airbag Type, the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is studied across Curtain Airbags, Frontal Airbags, Knee Airbags, and Side Airbags. On the basis of Seatbelt Type, the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is studied across 2-Point Seatbelt and 3-Point Seatbelt. On the basis of Electric Vehicle Type, the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is studied across Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVS), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVS), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVS), and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVS). On the basis of End User, the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is studied across Buses, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVS), Passenger Cars (PCS), and Trucks. On the basis of Geography, the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market including Aptiv, Autoliv, Continental, Denso, Hyundai Mobis, Infineon Technologies, Joyson Electronic, Robert Bosch, Takata, Toshiba, Toyoda Gosei Co., and ZF Friedrichshafen. FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on sulfuric acid offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market?6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Airbags & Seatbelts Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913341/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1-339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links www.reportlinker.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend: Turkmenistan received a shipment of medicines from the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO/Europe), said Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan Nurmuhammed Amannepesov, Trend reports with reference to Arzuw News information portal. WHO/Europe experts have been working in Turkmenistan since July 6 at the request of the government, to support Turkmenistan in the aspects of preparedness and response to COVID-19. The country has introduced mandatory wearing of masks in public places, as well as for drivers of vehicles. Turkmenistan presented its program to fight infectious diseases to experts of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). The Turkmen side noted that the country follows the WHO recommendations and is currently implementing a program to ensure preparedness for countering and responding to infectious diseases, said the report. In addition, Turkmenistan is currently working with UN agencies to develop a third national plan that covers the humanitarian component of the country's measures to combat COVID-19. To the date, Turkmenistan has reported no coronavirus cases. 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. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva Purkeys execution is one of three the Justice Department scheduled for this week as it sought to resume carrying out federal death sentences for the first time since 2003. That effort has given way to a tangle of court battles between the federal government and those attempting to stop or delay the executions, including death-row inmates, their spiritual advisers and some victims relatives. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:09:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TAIYUAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and one was slightly injured when a cave house being built for storing vegetables collapsed in north China's Shanxi Province Wednesday, local authorities said. The collapse at around 10:00 a.m. at Xiaowang Village in Pingyao County, buried four of the five workers, according to the information office of the county. The accident was caused by the lack of effective support structures in the cave, where the soil had become soft due to continuous rain, according to local authorities. Enditem A man who wore a T-shirt questioning the Thai monarchy has been put in a psychiatric hospital against his will. Tiwakorn Vithiton, 45, was admitted to the Rajanagarinda Psychiatric Hospital in Khon Kaen after posing with the controversial T-shirt in a Facebook photo. The message on the shirt read: 'I have lost all faith in the institution of monarchy.' Publicly criticising the monarchy in Thailand is both socially taboo and legally risky because of a 'lese majeste' law which means offenders can face three to 15 years in prison. The legal basis for putting Tiwakorn in hospital is not clear and has drawn concern from human rights activists. Tiwakorn Vithiton, 45, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Thailand after posing with a T-shirt saying: 'I have lost all faith in the institution of monarchy' Yingcheep Atchanont was one of a small group of human rights defenders who visited Tiwakorn on Monday at the hospital. 'He seemed to be OK but wasn't sure in what legal capacity he is being held,' the activists who works with iLaw, an independent justice watchdog group, said. He said Tiwakorn's family told him hospital staff and police had to force him when he resisted going to the hospital, following an earlier visit to their home by doctors who questioned him. Yingcheep said there has been a surge of public interest this year in expressing opinions on Thai politics and society, and people had found workarounds to speak out without violating repressive laws. He said there are 13 lese majeste cases out of 89 that iLaw has monitored where the accused have ended up confined in mental hospitals. 'Tiwakorn's case is the first in which the authorities had someone committed someone straight to the psychiatric facility without having gone through filing charges and legal detention first,' Yingcheep said. He described Tiwakorn, who is not a public figure and not known to be the member of any organised group, as 'clever' in how he expressed his opinion. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida during their wedding ceremony in Bangkok in May last year. According to tradition, the King has a semi-divine status and must be seated higher than those around him Khon Kaen police chief Major General Puttipong Musikul says Tiwakorn has not been charged with any crime and was taken to hospital for medical reasons. Hospital director Dr Nathakorn Jampathong said Tiwakorn has been undergoing psychiatric evaluation since being admitted on July 9. 'All I can tell you is that he is fine and the evaluation is still going on,' the medic said. The lese majeste law has long been abused for political purposes to silence dissidents, but in recent years the number of cases has declined as the government has instead used laws covering computer crimes and sedition. In June, King Maha Vajiralongkorn told the government it should not prosecute lese majeste cases. In addition, authorities have put pressure on people with other methods such as visiting their families' homes and talking to their teachers. Express Entry: Federal Skilled Workers are back in business Why the newest Express Entry draw should be celebrated. Express Entry: Federal Skilled Workers are back in business Why the newest Express Entry draw should be celebrated. Express Entry: Federal Skilled Workers are back in business Why the newest Express Entry draw should be celebrated. Kareem El-Assal Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A Last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first all-program Express Entry draw since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to Canada imposing travel restrictions to help contain the spread of COVID-19, the federal government was considering all eligible candidates during its bi-weekly Express Entry draws. This meant that eligible Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates all had a chance to secure an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence if their CRS score met IRCCs cut-off requirement. Once Canada introduced coronavirus travel restrictions, however, IRCC began to hold PNP- and CEC-specific draws, much to the disappointment of FSWP and FSTP candidates. In 2019, the FSWP accounted for 45 per cent of all ITAs issued by IRCC. The CEC came in second at 36 per cent, followed by the PNP at 18 per cent, and the FSTP at 1 per cent. Fortunately, last weeks draw provides plenty of good news. Assess your eligibility for a Canadian permanent residence visa Why resuming FSWP draws is the right thing to do IRCCs rationale for the program-specific draws was that CEC and PNP candidates are more likely to be in Canada, and hence, less likely to face coronavirus-related challenges during their permanent residence application and landing process. This rationale was problematic for several reasons. A candidates physical location in the world is not determined by what Express Entry program they are eligible for. A candidate can be eligible for the CEC but is currently living overseas. Meanwhile, a FSWP candidate can be currently living in Canada. It was unfair to exclude FSWP and FSTP candidates while other candidates overseas had been securing ITAs since March. Secondly, IRCCs permanent residence processing standard for successful Express Entry candidates is six months or less. This provides candidates overseas such as FSWP candidates with ample time to navigate potential coronavirus disruptions to submit a completed permanent residence application and hopefully complete their landing in Canada (assuming that flights are readily available and Canada relaxes its travel restrictions). Even if a successful FSWP faces obstacles in the coming months, IRCC has been very clear that it will accommodate candidates as much as possible so that candidates can achieve their immigration goals. Hence, there was little reason to exclude FSWP candidates in the first place. Third, the rationale behind Express Entry is that Canada wants a competitive immigration process where the highest-ranking candidates earn ITAs. This approach, the logic goes, is fairest for candidates since they are all treated equally, and best for Canada since the country selects the candidates most likely to succeed in its economy. While it is understandable that the coronavirus has resulted in changes to Canadian immigration policy, it is regrettable that we temporarily deviated from Express Entrys reason for existence. FSWP candidates are excellent for Canadas economy since they have very high levels of human capital. In fact, recent Canadian government research shows that FSWP candidates, just like CEC and PNP candidates, integrate very well in Canadas economy. It is unfortunate that Canada excluded such strong immigration candidates in recent months. Such FSWP candidates may have been doubly punished for other reasons. For example, a candidate who would have otherwise obtained an ITA may have lost CRS points after turning one year older during the program-specific draws. Am I eligible for Express Entry? Find out now What does this all mean for current Express Entry candidates? PNP candidates are not affected by the return to all-program draws since the 600 points they gain through a provincial nomination effectively guarantees they will be issued an ITA. The tension exists between CEC and FSWP candidates. CEC-specific draws saw CRS scores decline. Whereas the CRS cut-off was 471 prior to the pandemic, it fell to 431 in the last CEC-specific draw on June 25. The CRS fell because the bar to become eligible for the FSWP is higher than it is for CEC. To become eligible under the FSWP, a candidate needs to obtain a minimum of a CLB 7 on their official language test and they need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for their foreign education. In addition, FSWP candidates can claim additional points for their spouses language skills. On the other hand, CEC candidates with NOC B work experience can become eligible for Express Entry with a CLB 5 and CEC candidates do not need to obtain an ECA to enter the Express Entry pool. These reasons help us understand why FSWP tend to drive-up CRS cut-offs when IRCC holds all-program draws. Discover if youre eligible for Express Entry Why the new draw should be celebrated The pandemic has created unpredictability around the world throughout 2020 and as such, no one knows what the near future has in store. However, IRCC continues to do its best to provide immigrate candidates with peace of mind. Last weeks draw is evidence that IRCC will return to treating Express Entry candidates equally regardless of where they are currently located in the world. This means that FSWP candidates should not hesitate to enter the Express Entry pool as soon as they are able to in order to give themselves a chance to be drawn from the pool. Unlike at the start of the pandemic, candidates can now complete an IELTS or CELPIP test and obtain an ECA. CEC candidates may be concerned that it will be more difficult to obtain ITAs now. On the other hand, they should not lose sight of the fact that they are very competitive Express Entry candidates due to their Canadian experience. Moreover, they should not forget they were provided with a significant advantage over FSWP candidates during the program-specific draws. Third, CEC candidates should also not discount the possibility of IRCC holding CEC-specific draws again during the pandemic. Every immigration candidate wants to be treated fairly and hence, all-program draws is the fairest way to treat those in the Express Entry pool. Imagine how upset CEC candidates would be if IRCC only held FSWP-specific draws. Therefore, the return to all-program draws should be celebrated by candidates. The last major reason for celebration is last weeks draw indicates we are inching closer to normalcy. The all-program draw strongly suggests IRCC believes the immigration system will return to a semblance of normalcy in the coming months. IRCC would not have resumed FSWP invitations if it was not confident in its ability to process their permanent residence applications within a reasonable amount of time and that FSWP and other candidates overseas would not be able to travel to Canada in the near future. Whether you are a CEC, FSWP, PNP, or FSTP candidate, the return to a normal immigration system, and normal world, is something that we all desperately want. Click here to see if youre eligible for Canadian immigration 2020 CIC News All Rights Reserved Video above: Doctors in Wisconsin concerned about the rise of coronavirus cases in children State data shows that approximately one-third of the people under the age of 18 tested for COVID-19 in Florida have been positive. According to state data released Friday, Florida has tested 54,022 Florida residents under the age of 18. Of those tests, 16,797, which is just over 31%, have come back positive. The positivity rate for Florida's entire population stands at roughly 11%. Florida has tested a total of 2,737,169 people, meaning that roughly 2% of the people tested in the state have been under 18. The data shows that 908 people under the age of 18 have tested positive for coronavirus in Orange County, which equates to about 24% of the tests conducted on children in the county. Orange Countys total pediatric cases are eclipsed in Florida only by Broward, Dade and Palm Beach counties. Seminole County has seen 218 people under the age of 18 test positive, which is about 20% of the people under 18 tested. Osceola County has 257 positive pediatric tests and a pediatric patient positivity rate of 29%. Of the pediatric cases in Florida, just about 1% have been hospitalized. Florida has reported four deaths of people under the age of 18. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been pushing for Florida schools to reopen next month. DeSantis said earlier this month that its not only a matter of getting a child the education they deserve but making sure they have the social experience of classmates and extra-curricular activities. We need to give them the opportunity to go in person, DeSantis said during a July 10 event in Jacksonville. The governor added that if his kids were old enough to attend K-12 school, he wouldnt hesitate to send them, saying the risk for kids is extremely, extremely low. July 15 is Tax Day, which was extended three months this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more U.S. taxpayers were given an additional three months to file tax returns this year because of the coronavirus crisis, but even the extra time hasn't been enough for some businesses struggling to pay the government as the pandemic threatens to worsen. While the shift to the July 15 deadline was meant to help filers weather disruptions caused by virus-related shutdowns, companies are facing the added problem of navigating a confusing and constantly changing patchwork of disaster relief at a time when the work of the Internal Revenue Service has been slowed along with the rest of the nation's economy. "This is the never-ending tax season," said Steve Rossman, a partner at Philadelphia-based accounting firm Drucker & Scaccetti. "July 15 is just as bad as April 15, plus there are all these other nuances, like helping clients with their Paycheck Protection Program loans." Further complicating matters, many firms that welcomed relief in the spring are now faced with potential cash crunches as multiple bills come due at the same time: any income taxes they owe for 2019, as well as their estimated tax payments for the first two quarters of this year, which were also delayed. Deadline day comes with the U.S. facing a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in states including Florida and Arizona and steps by some others, such as California, to re-close parts of their economies to try to stem the pandemic. Congress is beginning negotiations to pass another relief bill by early August that could include an extension of unemployment benefits, another round of stimulus checks and more business tax breaks. The IRS said in a statement Monday that taxpayers should file a return by the July 15 "regardless of whether or not they can pay in full." The agency offers several payment options, including delayed collection or a process to compromise for a lower liability. The traditional April 15 deadline was pushed back at a time when companies were living in the nightmare of a broad economic shutdown while trying to navigate a makeshift system for obtaining federal relief, such as PPP loans or payroll tax deferrals. They were met with repeatedly revised rules and a lack of access to professional tax help that left many of them fending for themselves in applying for desperately needed aid, said Rick Lazio, a senior vice president at AlliantGroup, a tax consulting firm." "A lot of businesses may not be operating on the latest guidance," said Lazio, who served in Congress as a New York Republican. "If you don't have a sophisticated tax adviser, it can be very easy to miss all of the changes." The internal watchdog for the IRS acknowledged the concerns facing businesses and other taxpayers in a report released this month. "The IRS has not been able to perform many of its essential functions as a result of the pandemic," the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said in the report. "Trying to balance restarting operations with employee safety will challenge the IRS to provide quality customer service, deliver the filing season and enforce compliance with tax laws." The agency, led by Commissioner Charles Rettig, has garnered praise for its handling of the pandemic from some that have been critical of the agency in the past: congressional Republicans. "Tax Day isn't anyone's favorite day of the year, but I'd like to compliment the work of Commissioner Rettig and everyone at the IRS for adapting to the most difficult and complicated tax filing season in memory," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said in a statement. The IRS backlog and companies saying they needed more time led some business groups and the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents the agency's workers, to ask Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for another delay. Mnuchin declined to push back the due date again, but said taxpayers could request an extension to file until Oct. 15, an option that is available every year. Filers who seek an extension still have to pay by Wednesday or they will start incurring interest and penalties. The decision to keep the July 15 date may ultimately help some taxpayers avoid racking up large tax bills that they'd be unable to pay later on, said Pete Isberg, vice president of government relations at payroll processor Automatic Data Processing Inc. "Tax deferrals can be a good way to get into trouble," Isberg said. "They can be helpful in the short term, but in the long term it just kicks the can down the road and can make things more difficult." While this filing season has been uniquely challenging for the IRS, the agency has faced a string of difficulties in recent years. Last year, it was largely closed during the first weeks of the filing season because of a government shutdown stemming from funding squabbles in Congress. Two years ago, the IRS website faced technical glitches on deadline day, forcing the agency to give taxpayers another day to file. One bright spot in this filing season is that most individual taxpayers, who are more likely to receive refunds than owe the IRS, have already submitted their paperwork, according to agency data. The IRS had received 142.4 million tax returns as of July 3, down about 2% from the same time period last year. The agency anticipates it will receive more than 150 million individual returns this year. "I was struck by the fact that most taxpayers have their stuff together," said Gordon Gray, director of fiscal policy at the Washington-based American Action Forum. "Folks had the freedom to delay, and most people filed despite that." And those who are owed refunds and havent received them yet could be getting a little something extra from the IRS. The agency said last month that it will pay 5% interest on refunds that havent yet been processed from April 15 to June 30 and 3% after that. Support for Daniel Andrews in the Victorian community still runs deep, despite everything. How do we know? Well, try publishing a newspaper column even mildly critical of the Premier and his governments recent performance on the COVID-19 pandemic and youll soon find out how strongly some people feel. But how broad that confidence is in Andrews and his efforts to contain Melbournes second surge of the killer virus in the wake of his governments hotel quarantine debacle is a trickier question and the most recent evidence may not be heartening for the Dan fans. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Fewer than half of Victorians think their state government has handled the pandemic well. Credit:Getty Melbourne pollsters JWS Research were surveying Victorians while nine public housing towers in Melbournes inner north west were locked down in controversial circumstances. Only about half those polled said the government was doing a good or very good job in responding to the pandemic, against about 66 per cent of participants approving of the federal governments efforts. Essential Research also reported new findings this week that numbers of Victorians feeling positive about their state governments performance in the crisis had plummeted from a whopping 77 per cent in late April to just 49 per cent last week. This article has been updated to reflect that Chuck Tanner is the proprietor of the Two Bit Saloon, and not the owner of the property. A judge ruled the public may view the police footage by appointment, a move critics say is equal to keeping it sealed. Video footage from the body cameras of two officers charged in George Floyds alleged murder is being made available for public viewing by appointment on Wednesday, but a judge thus far has declined to allow news organisations to publish the footage for wider distribution. Footage from the body cameras of Thomas Lane and J Kueng was filed with the court last week by Lanes lawyer, but only the written transcripts were made public. A coalition of news organisations and attorneys for Lane and Kueng has said making the videos public would provide a more complete picture of what happened when Floyd was taken into custody. The viewing will take place on the same day Floyd family lawyer, Ben Crump, will announce a lawsuit against the city and the police officers involved in his death. Members of the media and the public will view the video on Wednesday by appointment at the court. The media coalition has said this arrangement is the equivalent of keeping the videos under seal, and the coalition is asking Judge Peter Cahill to allow the media to copy the videos and publish them. Cahill has not said why he is not allowing the footage to be disseminated more widely. Media lawyer Leita Walker said in a court filing the footage should be made widely available to all members of the public concerned about the administration of justice in one of the most important, and most-watched, cases this State perhaps this country has ever seen. She also said allowing journalists to copy the footage, watch it multiple times, transcribe it and compare it with the transcripts and to time stamps from a circulating bystander video will help reporters piece together a more complete story. As the days of unrest in the Twin Cities showed, it is vitally important that the public have full confidence in the process and outcome of this criminal prosecution, she said. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Tou Thao, Lane and Kueng have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers have been fired. Police spray mace at protesters to break up a protest in the wake of George Floyds death, one of many across the world [Eric Miller/Reuters] The body camera videos and transcripts were filed in court last week by Lanes lawyer, Earl Gray, as part of a motion to have Lanes case dismissed. Gray said at the time he wanted the videos to be made public, telling the Star Tribune they would show the whole picture. Gray said the bystander video shows just the last piece of what happened and is not fair. Grays motion highlighted portions of the body camera video that show Floyd actively resisting and acting erratic with officers. It also noted Floyds request to be put on the ground. Gray also argued that Lane did not have a clear view of what Chauvin was doing. Kuengs lawyer, Tom Plunkett, said in a court filing he also wants the videos made public. He said releasing information in piecemeal fashion has been catastrophic, leading to incomplete reporting by the media and unfairly portraying evidence in favour of the prosecution. Four now former police officers were charged in the days following the killing of George Floyd on May 25. From left: Derek Chauvin, who placed his knee on Floyds neck and J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao [Hennepin County Sheriffs Office/via AP Photo] The footage could provide a more vivid picture of what happened the night Floyd was arrested on suspicion of passing a fake $20 bill. The transcripts show Floyd appearing cooperative at times but becoming agitated as he begged not to be put in a squad car, saying repeatedly he was claustrophobic. The transcripts also detailed Floyd thrashing about in the back of the squad car to the point where he injured himself. The footage will likely also show what Lane, Kueng and Floyd did during the struggle, rather than what was merely said. It could also pick up on nonverbal cues that are not captured in the transcripts, such as laboured breathing, tone of voice or physical reactions. The video could also show what Chauvin was saying and doing, and how much Lane and Kueng saw. It could also dispel some discrepancies in the two transcripts that Walker, the media lawyer, said raise questions about their accuracy. Floyds family plans to unveil a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis on Wednesday, the same day the footage becomes publicly available. Rajasthan has been the latest on Congress' long list of political misadventures and rollercoaster rides. The Congress government there, led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot, is on a shaky ground after deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot's rebellion. The situation in Rajasthan is Congress' dreaded deja vu of what happened few months ago on Madhya Pradesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia switched sides to join the BJP. There have been statements, allegations, clarifications, rebuttals and counter attacks. On Wednesday afternoon, Gehlot once again made an attack on Pilot whose act of coup threw the party in another crisis situation. But of all things that Gehlot could talk about, he chose Pilot's looks, eloquence and media presence to attack the disgruntled leader. Speaking good English, giving good bytes and being handsome isn't everything. What is inside your heart for the country, your ideology, policies, and commitment, everything is considered: Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister pic.twitter.com/xHS5WzajWb ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2020 Generation gap resonated through the words. However, Twitter was quick enough to make witty reactions to it and since Congress has a record of good looking, English speaking leaders, Twitterati made sly remarks. 'Is he talking about Shashi Tharoor? Or is it Rahul Gandhi?' people remarked. Direct attack on Rahul Gandhi by Gehlot Niranjan (@The_Saffron_Guy) July 15, 2020 Shashi Tharoor after reading this.... pic.twitter.com/ysTRwxHnNC ajinkya (@ajinkyatrue) July 15, 2020 This old man is taking digs on Shashi Tharoor. Isnt it against party discipline? Harshil Mehta (@MehHarshil) July 15, 2020 Hey Rahul, Are you listening ? https://t.co/5lHXhYo2cg Sandeep Gadwe (@gadwe_sandeep) July 15, 2020 Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also asked Pilot to show his strength and express his support for the party instead of appearing to hobnob with the BJP. "We've seen Sachin Pilot's statement that he won't join the BJP. I'd like to tell him that if you don't want that, then immediately come out of the security cover of the BJP's Haryana government, stop all conversations with them and come back to your home in Jaipur," said Surjewala. Day after being sacked as deputy chief minister, Sachin Pilot today reiterated that he is not joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha, who was suspended for 'anti-party activities' after supporting Pilot, said that the 'battle has just begun'. By Ayya Lmahamad In January-June current 2020, Azerbaijan exported 415.97 million kWh of electricity to Georgia, local media reported with the reference to Commercial Energy System Operator of Georgia on July 14. During the reporting period, Georgia imported in total 787.05 million kWh of electricity. Out of these 787.05 million kWh, 52.8 percent or 415.97 million kWh amounted to Azerbaijan. The second largest electricity supplier to Georgia was Russia, accounting 371.08 million kWh. Moreover, during the reporting period Azerbaijan exported 88,800 tons of automobile fuel to Georgia, accounting to 17.8 percent of total Georgias import. By this indicator, Azerbaijan became third main fuel supplier of Georgia, while Russia with 90,200 tons and Romania with 90,200 tons became first and second. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. BERLIN The call to the German police on Sunday seemed a bit odd but routine enough. A man armed with a bow and arrow had been squatting illegally in a small shed outside the village of Oppenau in the foothills of the Black Forest. When four officers arrived, Yves Etienne Rausch, 31, greeted them calmly while seated behind a table in the red shed. He handed over his bow and arrow, and a spear that was by his side. But when officers asked to search him, he drew a gun, threatened one policeman at point blank range and demanded their weapons. Then he ran. And for three days and three nights he has evaded capture despite a manhunt that has involved more than 1,500 police officers and attracted a growing online following. A Facebook page set up in his honor has more than a thousand subscribers and the manhunt has become a running story in Germanys tabloids, which refer to Mr. Rausch as Forest Rambo. The search has turned into an embarrassment for the highly trained and well-equipped state police, who have admitted that they are at a disadvantage against a single foe who had extensive local knowledge and the ability to survive for an extended period of time in the 2,100-acre forest. "The federal New Markets Tax Credit is a unique and flexible community development tool with a successful track record, attracting investment capital and boosting economic activity in low-income areas," said Bob Rapoza, spokesman for the NMTC Coalition. "In fact, the NMTC has leveraged an unprecedented level of investment to low-income communitiesgenerating over $105 billion in total capital investment through public-private partnerships that created more than one million jobs." The CDFI Fund indicated 206 CDEs applied for allocations for a total demand of nearly $14.7 billion in credits. With 76 successful applications (37 percent) receiving $3.5 billion, meaning the availability of credits only meets a fraction of the demand. VIDEO: Watch to learn more about the impact of the 2019 NMTC allocation awards. Established in 2000 in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act (P.L.106-554), the New Markets Tax Credit is a bipartisan effort to stimulate investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities. The NMTC provides a shallow federal tax credit of 39 percent, taken over seven years, for investments in census tracts where the individual poverty rate is at least 20 percent or where median family income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median. However, 75 percent of NMTC activity is in the poorest rural and urban communities in America, characterized by poverty of at least 30 percent and unemployment rates 1.5 times that the national average. More than half of NMTC allocation goes to communities where a majority of residents are people of color. Of the $51 billion in NMTC allocation deployed through 2019, $27.8 billion went to went to majority-minority census tracts, creating 244,000 permanent jobs. The vast majority of NMTC projects are in areas of extreme economic distress, with a recent independent report commissioned by the CDFI Fund to evaluate the operation and outcomes of the NMTC program found that CDEs are meeting and generally exceeding program requirements. To date, the NMTC financed about 6,400 projects, including nearly 3,000 community services and facilities, such as hospitals, schools, daycare centers and non-profit service providers all in areas that weren't able to provide access to residents before NMTC was invested. As a result, more than 18 million patients have been treated in NMTC-financed healthcare projects, and over 200,000 children participate in youth enrichment programs or receive care in early childhood learning centers. At the end of 2019, Congress extended the Credit through 2020 at $5 billion in annual credit authority, an increase of almost 40 percent. There is currently bipartisan legislation in Congress aimed at expanding the allocation level and investor base of the NMTC as well as making it permanent. The NMTC Extension Act of 2020, H.R. 1680 in the House and S. 750 in the Senate. There are presently 37 Senators signed on in support of S. 750, which was introduced by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). H.R. 1680 has 126 cosponsors and is led by Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Tom Reed (R-NY). In addition, on July 1, the House passed a proposal to modernize America's infrastructure, H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, which includes a permanent extension and expansion of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) at $5 billion in annual allocation with additional credits totaling $3.5 billion provided over the next three years to help communities combat the economic downturn. "The NMTC is a great deal for the federal government, leveraging eight dollars in other investments in communities for every dollar in credits. But, most importantly, the NMTC is a critical tool for our country's small, overlooked rural towns and blighted urban neighborhoods that have been left outside of the economic mainstream for far too long. One-fifth of the 2019 awards will be made in rural communities, with $708 million in NMTC investments going to revitalize non-metropolitan counties," said Rapoza. For examples of how the NMTC is making an impact in each state, see the NMTC Coalition's NMTC at Work in Communities report or check out its Project Profile Map. The Coalition also released the sixteenth edition of its NMTC Progress Report on June 30, which documents the NMTC impact in Calendar Year 2019 and features a special section on the 20th anniversary of the NMTC. About New Markets Tax Credit Program the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was enacted in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. Since its inception, the NMTC has generated more than one million jobs. Today due to NMTC, more than $95 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org. Contact: Ayrianne Parks [email protected] (202) 393-5225 SOURCE New Markets Tax Credit Coalition A missing crude oil tanker subject to US government sanctions over alleged involvement in Irans oil exportation was hijacked, according to the ships captain. The MT Gulf Sky, which has been based in the United Arab Emirates for months, stopped transmitting its location on July 5. The Dominica-flagged ship was then spotted on satellite imagery just a few miles off Irans coast near Hormuz Island on Tuesday by TankerTrackers, a website that monitors maritime oil trade, the Associated Press first reported. The ships captain told the UK-based NGO Human Rights at Sea (HRS) that two of the ships crew members are in currently Tehran, according to AP. Twenty-six other members of the Indian crew returned to India, said HRS CEO David Hammond. The vessel had previously been based at Khorfakkan on the UAEs east coast after it was seized by local authorities due to a civil action suit by its Greece-based seller because a US bank froze the funds used to transfer the ship two Iranian buyers. In May, the US Justice Department unsealed criminal charges against two Iranians accused of laundering some $12 million via Wells Fargo Bank to purchase the ship, then called the Nautic. The buyers purchased the ship from Crystal Holdings, a subsidiary of the Greece-based Polembros Shipping company in September 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported. US prosecutors accused Amir Dianat and Kamran Lajmiri of attempting to purchase the vessel in coordination with the US-sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Company and the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the United States considers a terrorist organization. An attorney for the seller of the ship denied the Greece-based company was aware of the pairs plans. The company was also not named in the Justice Department allegations. Crystal Holdings later filed the civil action suit in hope of reclaiming the vessel after not receiving payment. It was not immediately clear how the ship was permitted to leave the UAE. The ships crew were reportedly stuck on board for months without pay after its Iranian owners abandoned the Gulf Sky and its crew in March of this year, the International Labor Organization said. In May, the United States announced sanctions against Dianat, who also holds an Iraqi passport, accusing him of smuggling weapons for the IRGC. The US Treasury Department said Dianat founded Taif Mining Services, LLC as a way to purchase the Nautic, and that he is a longtime associate of senior IRGC officials. The US Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A group of ministers, headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday recommended increasing the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar by Rs 2 to 33 per kg to ensure mills clear the pending cane arrears of around Rs 20,000 crore at the earliest, sources said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal were present in the meeting. Sources said the GoM took stock of the pending sugarcane dues to be paid by sugar mills which stand at around Rs 20,000 crore so far in the current 2019-20 season (October-September) and ways to ensure mills clear this at the earliest. One of the proposals discussed was to increase the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar. The GoM directed the Food Ministry to move a Cabinet note with a proposal to hike the MSP of sugar as recommended by the Niti Aayog, the sources said. The government will consider other options if an increase in MSP of sugar does not help in reducing substantial cane arrears to farmers, the sources added. A task force constituted by Niti Aayog on sugarcane and sugar industry had also recommended a one-time increase of Rs 2 per kg in MSP of sugar. Last year, the government had increased the price at which mills sell sugar to bulk buyers by Rs 2/kg to Rs 31/kg. The minimum selling price of sugar is fixed taking into account the components of FRP and minimum conversion cost of the most efficient mills. According to the official data, mills have purchased sugarcane of around Rs 72,000 crore from farmers during 2019-20 season (October-September). Of that, around Rs 20,000 crore of arrears are yet to be paid to farmers. Arrears comprise payments to be made on the basis of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Centre, and State Advisory Price (SAP) determined by the states. Official White House Photo by Tia DufourBy LIBBY CATHEY, ABC NEWS (WASHINGTON) As the White House tried to discredit the nation's top expert on infectious diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci, with President Donald Trump saying he's a "nice man" but "made a lot of mistakes," Fauci continued to break from the administration's rosy messaging on the coronavirus, warning Monday the pandemic is "unprecedented" and the worst is yet to come. The White House's attempt to marginalize Fauci and limit his press appearances comes after months of Trump downplaying the virus -- even going so far in February to claim that "one day -- it's like a miracle -- it will disappear" -- Fauci has emphasized "the virus dictates the timeline. Here's a timeline of notable moments in Trump and Fauci's different takes as the pandemic has progressed: Jan. 29, 2020: White House coronavirus task force created US cases: 5; US deaths: 0 Roughly one week after the first American is confirmed to have the coronavirus -- someone who had recently visited China and returned to Washington state, the White House starts its coronavirus response task force. Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is immediately appointed. Feb. 2, 2020: Trump partially blocks travel from China US cases: 8; US deaths: 0 Trump's executive order blocking entry to the U.S. from anyone who has been in China in the last 14 days takes effect. It does not apply to U.S. residents and family members or spouses of U.S. residents or citizens. Trump would later claim Fauci was opposed, counting it among his "mistakes." Fauci responded its effectiveness was limited since the virus was already in the U.S. Feb. 26, 2020: Trump says US cases will be 'close to zero' US cases: 59; US deaths: 0 "We're going to be pretty soon at only five people," Trump says at a public task force briefing. "And we could be at just one or two people over the next short period of time." He adds, "when you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that's a pretty good job we've done." Feb. 29, 2020: Fauci says current risk to Americans is low but could change, Trump compares COVID-19 to flu US cases: 69; US deaths: 1 "There's no need to change anything that you're doing on a day by day basis," Fauci says on NBC's "Today" program, another of the "mistakes" Trump and the White House would later point to in its effort to undermine him. But the White House list of Fauci quotes does not include the rest of what he said: "Right now the risk is still low, but this could change. When you start to see community spread, this could change and force you to become much more attentive to doing things that would protect you from spread. March 11, 2020: Trump bans travel from Europe, Fauci shows support citing virus US cases: 1,039; US deaths: 32 Trump announces a ban on travel from Europe during a national address from the Oval Office. The ban does not apply to U.S. citizens and excludes the U.K. and Ireland. The next day Fauci tells House lawmakers that he supports Trump's travel bans calling the case for them "pretty compelling." He also calls the U.S. testing system "a failing." "The idea of anybody getting it easily the way people in other countries are doing it, we're not set up for that. Do I think we should be? Yes. But we're not," he tells the House Oversight Committee, after Trump said at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Anybody that wants a test can get a test. March 17, 2020: Trump compliments Fauci's popularity US cases: 5,894; US deaths: 96 In a task force briefing, Trump pays Fauci a back-handed compliment, calling him a "major television star for all the right reasons." March 20, 2020: Fauci downplays Trump's declaration that 'approved' malaria drug is a 'game changer' US cases: 19,285; US deaths: 242 A day after Trump declared hydroxychloroquine an anti-malaria drug a "game-changer" in the fight against coronavirus, Fauci says signs of the drug's promise was purely "anecdotal evidence." Trump then stepped forward to add: "We'll see. We're going to know soon. March 22, 2020: Fauci says he can't 'jump in front' of Trump US cases: 33,276 ; US deaths: 417 Fauci tells Science magazine in an interview that he "can't jump in front of the microphone and push him down. OK, he said it. Let's try and get it corrected for the next time." When asked how he is avoiding being fired, Fauci says that even though he disagrees with Trump, "on some things, he listens. He goes his own way. March 24, 2020: Trump says he wants the country open by April 12, Fauci cautions to 'be flexible' US cases: 51,542; US deaths: 674 Trump says on Fox News he would "love to have the country opened up, and just raring to go by Easter." "The president clearly listens. I mean, he has this aspirational goal of hoping that we might be able to do it by a certain date. We talked with him about that. We say we need to be flexible. He realizes that and he accepts that," Fauci tells Fox News. April 3, 2020: CDC issues cloth face covering recommendation US cases: 270,473; US deaths: 6,889 Trump announces that his administration is recommending people wear cloth face coverings to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Trump at a task force briefing says the measure is voluntary, and he does not see himself partaking. "I just don't want to wear one myself. It's a recommendation. I am feeling good," Trump said at task force briefing. "I just don't want to be doing -- I don't know, somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens. I don't know, somehow, I don't see it for myself. April 5, 2020: Trump continues to push hydroxychloroquine, Fauci says data is 'at best suggestive' US cases: 331,151; US deaths: 9,441 After Trump says in successive briefings that U.S. citizens should try an unproven anti-malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat COVID-19, Fauci tells CBS, "In terms of science, I don't think we can definitively say it works." "Take it. What do you have to lose?" Trump said, before eventually telling reporters in May he took a dosage of the drug himself. "The data are really just at best suggestive," Fauci says. April 12, 2020: Fauci says 'no one is going to deny' that earlier mitigation efforts would have saved lives US cases: 547,681; US deaths: 21,692 "Obviously, you could logically say that if you had a process that was ongoing and started mitigation earlier, you could have saved lives. Obviously no one is going to deny that," Fauci says on CNN. "If we had, right from the very beginning shut everything down, it may have been different. But there was a lot of push back for shutting everything down back then." April 13, 2020: Trump retweets #FireFauci US cases: 572,587; US deaths: 23,078 After Fauci says prevention efforts would have saved more lives, rumors stir that Trump will fire Fauci. Trump retweets a tweet with the hashtag #FireFauci, adding the comment: "I banned China long before people spoke up." Fauci clarifies in a task force briefing his comment was a "poor choice of words." April 23, 2020: Trump suggests injecting disinfectants could help treat the virus, Fauci says testing is lagging US cases: 856,209; US deaths: 49,861 At a task force briefing, Trump discusses injecting disinfectants into the body. "And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So, that, you're going to have to use medical doctors with. But it sounds -- it sounds interesting to me." In an interview with Time, Fauci says the U.S. isn't ready with the level of testing needed to reopen the country as Trump wants. "I am not overly confident right now at all that we have what it takes to do that. We are doing better, and I think we are going to get there, but we are not there yet," Fauci tells Time. April 24, 2020: Trump says 'I don't agree' with Fauci US cases: 889,661; US deaths: 50,890 The president openly disagrees with Fauci, who was not present at the day's task force briefing. Neither was White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx. "I don't agree with him on that. No. I think we're doing a great job on testing. I don't agree -- if he said that, I don't agree with him," Trump says. May 5, 2020: White House moves to dismantle task force US cases: 1,199,238; US deaths: 70,646 The White House announces plans to dismantle the task force around Memorial Day. The move to end the briefings -- and with that Americans being able to hear from Fauci regularly from the symbolic and authoritative setting of the White House -- comes as roughly 30 states ease social distancing restrictions. May 6, 2020: Trump says he had 'no idea' that 'respected' task force was so popular US cases: 1,223,419; US deaths: 72,812 In an Oval Office event, Trump explains why he reversed himself in saying the task force will continue for now but "at a certain point, we won't need the task force." "I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually yesterday when I started talking about winding it down I got calls from very respected people saying, 'I think it'd be better to keep it going. It's done such a good job. It's a respected task force,'" Trump says. "I knew it myself, but I didn't know whether or not it was appreciated by the public but it is appreciated by the public." Trump says "by adding two or three additional members" to the task force on Monday who he suggested will bring expertise on "opening our country." May 12, 2020: Fauci testifies again on avoidable 'suffering and death' US cases: 1,359,319; US deaths: 81,847 In his first congressional testimony since Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency on March 13, Fauci bluntly lays out the dangers of ignoring federal reopening guidelines. Fauci says Americans would experience "suffering and death that could be avoided," if states ignore federal guidelines. "My concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks." Fauci also tells the Senate committee it was a "bridge too far" for schools to expect a vaccine or widely available treatment for COVID-19 by the time students return to universities in the fall. May 13, 2020: Trump calls Fauci's response on schools 'an unacceptable answer' US cases: 1,385,639; US deaths: 83,648 Asked about Fauci's concerns with reopening schools in the fall where there are localized outbreaks that might get out of control, Trump says Fauci "wants to play all sides of the equation." Pressed to clarify what he meant by all sides, Trump says he was speaking on schools specifically and didn't think Fauci's response to the topic on Tuesday was "an acceptable answer." "I was surprised by his answer, actually, because, you know, it's just, to me, it's not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools," Trump says. June 1, 2020: Fauci says meetings with Trump have 'dramatically decreased' US cases: 1,799,747; US deaths: 104,702 In an interview with Stat, Fauci says the task force is no longer holding daily meetings. "But as you probably noticed, that the task force meetings have not occurred as often lately," he told Stat. "And certainly my meetings with the president have been dramatically decreased." June 23, 2020: Fauci warns of 'disturbing surge' as Trump says virus is 'going away' US cases: 2,329,637; US deaths: 121,029 Fauci warns lawmakers of the need to continue or increase strong precautionary measures to contain what he called a "disturbing surge. Trump speaks at a mega-church in the hot-spot state of Arizona packed with supporters not wearing masks. "It is going away," Trump says, calling coronavirus "the plague" and repeating that the surge in U.S. cases could be chalked up to an increase in testing. June 30, 2020: Fauci says US could reach 100,000 new cases a day US cases: 2,620,224; US deaths: 126,628 Fauci issues a stark warning to lawmakers, telling them he wouldn't be surprised if the U.S. sees new cases of coronavirus rising to a level of 100,000 a day. "We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day. I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around and so I am very concerned," Fauci tells the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee during a hearing on the pandemic. July 7, 2020: Trump says he disagrees with Fauci's outlook on the virus US cases: 2,980,906; US deaths: 131,238 "Well, I think we are in a good place," Trump tells "Full Court Press" with Greta Van Susteren in response. "I disagree with him." July 8, 2020: White House doesn't say directly whether Trump has confidence in Fauci US cases: 3,035,231; US deaths: 131,960 At an afternoon White House briefing, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany doesn't directly answer when asked whether Trump still has confidence in Fauci. "The president has confidence -- confidence in the conclusions of our medical experts, but it's up to him to determine what to do with that information and to take what we hear from Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx and others and take what he values in their opinion and come to the ultimate consensus that's best for this country," she says. Fauci is notably absent from the day's task force briefing, and therefore unable to answer questions from reporters on schools reopening. July 9, 2020: Trump says Fauci has 'made a lot of mistakes,' Fauci says US is 'just not' doing great US cases: 3,088,913; US deaths: 132,934 "Dr. Fauci is a nice man, but he's made a lot of mistakes," Trump tells Fox News' Sean Hannity, repeating Fauci was against his travel ban on China and wrong on face masks. Fauci tells FiveThirtyEight's Anna Rothschild the country's hyper-partisan environment has made it more difficult to suppress the virus: "I think you'd have to admit that that's the case." "You have to be having blindfolders on and covering your ears to think that we don't live in a very divisive society now, from a political standpoint," Fauci says. "You'd have to make the assumption that if there wasn't such divisiveness, that we would have a more coordinated approach." "As a country, when you compare us to other countries, I don't think you can say we're doing great. I mean, we're just not," he says. July 10, 2020: Fauci says he hasn't briefed Trump in two months US cases: 3,158,183; US deaths: 133,777 In an interview with the Financial Times, Fauci reveals the last time he saw the president in person at the White House was on June 2 and that he has not briefed him for at least two months. "I have a reputation, as you probably have figured out, of speaking the truth at all times and not sugar-coating things," Fauci says. "And that may be one of the reasons why I haven't been on television very much lately. July 13, 2020: Fauci visits White House to meet with Meadows, not Trump US cases: 3,346,246; US deaths: 135,477 Trump shares a message on Twitter Monday, saying doctors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are "lying." Then, after retweeting a message critical of Fauci, Trump later in the day pointedly says he likes Fauci "personally" and that they "don't always agree." Fauci, meanwhile, says, "This is a really serious problem. It is truly historic. We haven't even begun to see the end of it yet." He meets with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Oval Office. July 14, 2020: Fauci: 'I think you can trust me,' advises students not to get involved in 'political nonsense' US cases: 3,406,945; US deaths: 136,244 Asked during a Georgetown University Global Health Initiative webinar whom the public should trust on coronavirus as cases surge, Fauci says, "I believe, for the most part, you can trust respected medical authorities. You know I believe I'm one of them. So I think you can trust me. But I would stick with respected medical authorities." Later questioned on how to keep politics out of science, Fauci says, "It doesnt matter who you are and whether you are Republican or Democrat or anybody else. We are all in this together." Do your thing, and dont get involved in any way in any of the political nonsense. Thats a waste of time, and a distraction, he added. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. JOLIET, Ill., July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- National food safety law firm Pritzker Hageman, P.A. has filed a Cyclospora lawsuit in conjunction with local counsel Tim Whiting, against Fresh Express in Illinois in connection to the outbreak linked to the produce manufacturer's bagged salad products. The lawsuit (case number 20L528) was filed on behalf of a female client who was sickened after eating salad purchased from an ALDI store. Our client, who is a type 1 diabetic, was hospitalized as a result of her Cyclospora infection. "We rely on food manufacturers, producers, and sellers to keep our food safe from dangerous pathogens like Cyclospora. Outbreaks like this happen when food companies fail to follow the proper food safety procedures needed to protect consumers from developing serious foodborne illnesses," says food safety attorney David Coyle. Cyclospora salad outbreak linked to Fresh Express a company with a history of food safety violations On Friday, June 19th, the CDC and FDA announced a Cyclospora outbreak linked to salads (containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots) produced by Fresh Express. The outbreak has sickened more than 500 people. When it comes to food poisoning outbreaks, Fresh Express has a history of producing contaminated products. In the summer of 2018, the company was implicated in a Cyclospora outbreak linked to McDonald's salads that sickened more than 500 people. And just last December, Fresh Express salad was linked to an E.coli outbreak that sickened 10 people. What is Cyclospora? Cyclospora is a parasite that causes an infection called cyclosporiasis. People can become seriously ill after eating food that has been contaminated with Cyclospora, which often happens when produce is washed or irrigated in water that has been contaminated with human feces. Since Cyclospora is colorless and odorless, people have no way to detect contamination before consumption. This is one of the many reasons why it is important for food companies to ensure that the food they sell to consumers is free from contamination by Cyclospora and other foodborne pathogens. Pritzker Hageman, P.A. is a national food safety law firm that represents people sickened by contaminated food. Pritzker Hageman's food safety lawyers, including attorneys Fred Pritzker, Eric Hageman, Raymond Konz, and David Coyle, have won hundreds of millions of dollars for clients throughout the United States. CONTACTS Pritzker Hageman, P.A. 1-888-377-8900 Fred Pritzker [email protected] Eric Hageman [email protected] Raymond Konz [email protected] David Coyle [email protected] SOURCE Pritzker Hageman, P.A. Related Links https://pritzkerlaw.com Kyle Sandilands is being slammed for controversial comments he made about Chinese women on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday. The shock jock made the comments after an encounter he had with a sex worker, where he claims he made an unusual discovery. Kyle Sandilands is getting slammed for controversial comments made on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Photo: KIIS Yahoo Lifestyle has chosen not to repeat the comments made by the shock jock and has contacted KIIS FM. Speaking with Confidential, the National Council of Women of Australia President, Robyn Nolan, called Kyles comment appalling and unacceptable. "Such a discussion warrants an immediate apology to all women and Sandilands should be taken to task for his behaviour yet again, she said. Earlier this year, Kyle made a series of remarks during an interview with Meghan Markle's estranged half brother that caused outrage amongst listeners, with many labelling them racist and disgusting. From joking about offering sexual services to the Queen, to calling Meghans mother Doria Ragland the black mum, the station was forced to remove some of the comments when the interview was shared online. Kyle was asking Thomas about the familys strained relationship when he referred to Doria Ragland as the black mum. He also suggested women would open their legs for Thomas because he has a princess sister. Despite the uproar, the radio network defended Kyles comments claiming they were cheeky and meant to be light hearted. This was a cheeky and irreverent interview in the style that regular listeners of the show are accustomed to, an Australian Radio Network spokesperson said in a statement to the publication. When listening to this interview within the context of the show, it is clear this is a light-hearted and inoffensive chat. In September he was forced to apologise after protesters called for him to be fired over offensive jokes made about the Virgin Mary. Story continues Among the shock jocks comments were claims that anyone who believed the story of the immaculate conception was an idiot. He also made lewd remarks about the real way Mary conceived Jesus, while co-host Jackie O protested that religious communities had a right to believe what they wanted to. Kyle told The Daily Telegraph: "Im sorry if I offended anyone with my comments." "Everyone is entitled to their own religious beliefs and Im fully supportive of that right." KIIS FM has been contacted for comment. Sign up to our daily newsletter here to get all the latest news and hacks. Or get in touch at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com. CUSTOMER INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM ZEOTAP RAISES OVERSUBSCRIBED SERIES C AT $42M FOLLOWING 431% YOY REVENUE GROWTH; FORMER LEADER OF DATALOGIX AND ORACLE DATA CLOUD ERIC ROZA JOINS BOARD Customer intelligence platform (CIP) Zeotap announced today an oversubscribed $42 million Series C round following 431% growth in revenue run rate in the previous accounting year. The new funding reflects Zeotap's achievements in building a leading platform that enables brands to connect and transform their first-party data into actionable customer intelligence in more than a dozen countries. Half the new investment was secured this year; the remainder was raised last year from existing backers. In addition, Eric Roza, former leader of Datalogix and Oracle Data Cloud, has joined Zeotap's Board of Directors. "Zeotap is the most important data platform to emerge in years. Unlike legacy data and identity vendors, Zeotap offers a robust, integrated CIP in 8 of the top 10 global markets. I'm thrilled to join the team and confident we'll become a key partner to virtually every multinational marketer over the coming years," said Eric Roza, Zeotap's newest Board Member. Since its inception in 2014, Zeotap has evolved from a diversified data company to a SaaS-based customer intelligence platform (CIP) that enables companies to better understand their customers and predict behaviors, to invest in more meaningful experiences. The latest institutional investors include: US, Israel and Germany-based VC firm Neue Capital German state, European Investment Bank (EIB) and KfW-backed fund coparion Kathaka, Caroline Rupert's family office MathCapital, martech-focused VC firm (affiliated with MediaMath) TTCER Partners, an investment partnership established by key founding team members and investors in Asurion, the world's leading provider of technology protection and support services for mobile devices In addition, Zeotap attracted several prominent business angels including Eric Roza, former leader of Datalogix and Oracle Data Cloud, Chris Scoggins, former GM at Oracle Data Cloud and Board Member at Kissmetrics and Samba TV, Taylor Barada, former VP of Corporate Development, Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Adobe, Bernd Miehler, former EVP at TeamViewer, Andy Bursky, Chairman at Atlas Holdings, and Jim Thoeni, current CRO at Zeotap and former AVP at Salesforce, among others. Existing investors that also participated include New Science Ventures, Capnamic Ventures, Iris Capital, HERE, Innov8 (Singtel), and IONIQ. Zeotap's platform comprehensively addresses marketers' needs with an integrated suite of solutions for first-party data unification, identity resolution, enrichment, analytics/modeling (including in data clean rooms), and activation to 100+ partners in the marketing ecosystem. "Based on my experience, I can honestly say Zeotap's platform is without equal. Brands can happily jettison a complex and inefficient patchwork of point solutions in favor of their unified stack for all data-related activities," said Kay Schwabedal, Chief Digital Officer at Virgin Media and former Chief Commercial Officer at E-Plus Group (now Telefonica Germany). With the new funding, Zeotap will not only continue to invest in its customer intelligence platform but will also double down on ID+, its recently launched universal marketing identity solution. The ID+ project will empower the marketing ecosystem brands, publishers, and vendors alike with a privacy-compliant mechanism to overcome identity resolution challenges arising from cookie/identifier restrictions and increasingly stringent regulation across the world. As a German company, Zeotap was one of the first martech platforms to get GDPR-certified, by ePrivacy in 2016, and has continued to employ best-of-breed governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) measures across its platform, including those pertaining to the company's long-standing ISO 27001 and CSA STAR certifications. In addition, many members of its legal and technology teams have secured CIPP and CIPT credentials, issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), as well as CCISO and CISSP certifications issued by EC-Council and (ISC), respectively. "Zeotap has always set the bar when it comes to quality and security. It is part of their DNA," said Steffen Roehn, former CIO of Deutsche Telekom and one of the earliest angel investors in Zeotap. "As custodians of our clients' most valuable assets, we continue to push the envelope in ensuring their protection," added Projjol Banerjea (CIPT), founder and CPO at Zeotap. "Once again, some of the world's most established investors have placed their trust in us," said Zeotap founder and CEO Daniel Heer. "In a tumultuous time for the industry, this will allow us to continue on our mission to deliver solutions to marketers' most pressing problems." Zeotap works with over 70 of the top 100 global brands, including Mercedes Benz, Red Bull, BBVA, Orange Telecom, and Vodafone. It has won several industry awards, such as Best Data-Enabling Technology (2019) from AdExchanger, and was recognized by Gartner as a "Cool Vendor" (2020). The company's global footprint spans more than a dozen countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia. About Zeotap Zeotap is a Customer Intelligence Platform (CIP) that helps companies better understand their customers and predict behaviors, to invest in more meaningful experiences. We enable brands to build on a nucleus of first-party data to win new customers and grow their loyal base. Our independent but integrated modules include customer data unification, identity resolution, enrichment, analytics/modeling (including in data clean rooms), and activation to 100+ partners in the marketing ecosystem. Recognized by Gartner as a "Cool Vendor" (2020) and by AdExchanger as the "Best Data-Enabling Technology" (2019), our platform meets the highest enterprise data privacy and security standards, including GDPR, ISO 27001 and CSA STAR. We serve the world's top brands, agencies and publishers across a dozen countries in Europe, North and Latin America, and APAC. Zeotap is also the founding member of ID+, a universal marketing ID initiative. More info: www.zeotap.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005169/en/ Contacts: Mariona Prat Vila (917 582-9742) mariona.pratvila@zeotap.com Global Director Marketing at Zeotap Jenny Mulholland (732 245-0021) jennymulholland39@gmail.com Principal at Mulholland PR The site of the landslide at a jade mine in Kachin state in northern Myanmar on July 2, 2020 Leaders of various faiths in Myanmar are appealing to the leaders of the nation and faith communities to listen to one another with respect, end the internal conflicts, and work for the good of all. By Vatican News Forty-three leaders of various faiths released a statement on Monday, appealing to Myanmar's civilian, ethnic, armed groups, political parties and religious leaders, in view of the upcoming election. The statement of Myanmars religious leaders comes ahead of the November 8 national election and the 21st Century Panglong Conference, which seeks to bring together the country's diverse ethnic groups to discuss how to end conflicts and negotiate a permanent solution. Representatives of the Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities, as well as members of the Religions for Peace (RfP) group of Myanmar and others who signed the appeal, view the election and the Panglong conference as a golden opportunity to work for the good of the nation. Good of all We appeal directly to all leaders of Myanmar and to our fellow religious leaders to listen with respect to one another and determine to seek the good of all, they say. Among the signatories of the appeal are over 15 bishops and churchmen, including Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, who is president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), as well as co-president of RfP. Three-fold crisis The leaders particularly point to the nations three-fold crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, environmental threats, and ethnic divisions and conflicts. They lament that despite the countrys beauty of diversity, its people cling to the folly of assuming a ranking in ethnic differences. While they distract themselves fighting one another, foreigners run away with the wealth of the land, which is rich in gold, teak wood and jade, according to the appeal's signatories. Earlier this month, at least 174 poor people scavenging for stones in the loose earth in a jade mine in Kachin State, were buried in watery graves following a landslide. Without any opportunities at home, the religious leaders say, young people are taking to drugs or going abroad to work as slaves and losing their dignity and lives. Environmental threats are a serious problem in Myanmar, which is one of the worlds five countries most affected by climate change this century. Future of peace, justice, inclusiveness Myanmars religious leaders denounce flimsy peace agreements, which cannot prevent the countrys forests and wealth from being plundered. In this way, they add, the country's leaders act like aggressors when they dont protect the rights of the poor. Rather, civil leaders need to invest in hope and prepare for the future world after the pandemic. Buddhists, Christians and Muslims of Myanmar, along with ethnic and community leaders, the leaders say, can live the message that the world yearns to hear. When they unmask insincerity, heed one another, and look in harmony to the future, they will promote a world that is peaceful, just and inclusive. There can be no peace without justice. There can be no justice without truth, they stress, wishing that a future of hope, peace and prosperity dawn on Myanmar. Marian, a leading global manufacturer of precision die-cut components, has added a certified ISO class 8 cleanroom (class 100,000) to its operations in West Chicago, IL. Manufacturing capabilities in the ISO class 8 cleanroom include rotary die cutting, steel rule die cutting, matched metal die cutting, and assembly/manual packing. Within the 1,500 SF cleanroom, die-cut components are produced, inspected and packaged to ensure parts are free of foreign particles and contaminants, such as dust, that could impact product integrity. Marian understands that this can be particularly important for applications in the medical and electronics industries. Mike Hurrle, President of Marians Operations in West Chicago, IL, further explains, With a growing need for sensitive medical, diagnostics, and automotive display components, this cleanroom provides added flexibly and capacity for our medical and diagnostic customers in the Chicago area. Over the course of the companys history, Marian has continued to grow and evolve, investing in new capabilities in order to best meet customer needs. The addition of the cleanroom in West Chicago, IL is an example of Marians commitment to their customers and to providing the most exceptional products and service in the industry. Marian is a leading global converter of innovative flexible materials into precision components. Utilizing state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies at 11 locations around the world, Marian partners closely with customers to solve complex manufacturing and assembly problems. Marian strives to provide customers with quality products and exceptional service at competitive prices. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra Wed, July 15, 2020 17:36 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406668d292 1 Politics PKS,PDI-P,North-Sumatra,Medan,NasDem,Pilkada-2020,Medan-mayoral-election,Democratic-party,Akhyar-Nasution,pilkada,Bobby-Nasution Free The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has announced that it will nominate acting Medan mayor Akhyar Nasution as its candidate for the Medan mayoral election in North Sumatra later this year. Akhyar, who leads the North Sumatra branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), is set to square off against President Joko Jokowi Widodos son-in-law, Bobby Afif Nasution. PKS regional chairperson in North Sumatra, Hariyanto, conveyed the partys support for Akhyar following the acting mayors visit to his office on Tuesday evening. God willing, PKS will stand by Bang Akhyar, Hariyanto said after a private meeting with the incumbent mayor and Democratic Party regional chairperson Burhanuddin Sitepu. In addition to PKS nomination, Akhyar has already secured backing from the Democratic Party. Since the PKS and the Dems have gained a combined total of 11 seats on the Medan Legislative Council, the two parties have exceeded the minimum 10-seat requirement for Akhyars nomination as a mayoral candidate. Read also: What political dynasty? Jokowi's son-in-law says bid for Medan mayor is for development We will walk hand-in-hand as a coalition. As for [the deputy mayor candidate], its entirely up to the PKS leaders to decide, Akhyar said. Separately, the PDI-Ps North Sumatra branch acting chairperson Djarot Saiful Hidayat said the party would announce several regional head candidates in North Sumatra on Friday. On Jul. 17, the PDI-P will virtually announce 15 regional head candidates, Djarot said during an online event on Monday, while calling on every party member to respect the partys decision. In February, the NasDem Party confirmed its plan to nominate Bobby as its Medan mayoral candidate. NasDem chairman Surya Paloh said the party had decided to give its support to Bobby because the latter had earned the top spot in the partys recent internal survey. The Presidents son-in-law registered with the NasDems North Sumatra branch on Jan. 22 to run in the mayoral election. Aside from NasDem, Bobby had also registered with the PDI-P and the Golkar Party. (rfa) Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Polycythemia Vera Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2030" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Polycythemia Vera, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Polycythemia Vera market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, Polycythemia Vera market share of the individual therapies, current and forecasted Polycythemia Vera market size from 2017 to 2030 segmented by seven major markets. The report also covers current Polycythemia Vera treatment practice/algorithm, market drivers, market barriers and unmet medical needs to curate best of the opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the market. Epidemiology The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Prevalent Population of PV, Prevalence Population of PV Based on Symptoms, Gender-specific Symptomatic Prevalence of PV, Age-specific Symptomatic Prevalence of PV, Prevalence of PV Based on Risk, and Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation scenario of PV in the 7MM covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017 to 2030. Key Findings The total prevalent population of PV in the 7MM was 283,442 in 2017. The estimates show the highest prevalence of PV in the United States with 157,290 cases in 2017. The epidemiology model for PV estimates that out of the total population of 157,290 cases in the US for PV, 62,916 cases and 94,374 cases were contributed by asymptomatic and symptomatic, respectively. Among the European five countries, Germany had the highest symptomatic prevalent population of PV with 14,502 cases, followed by France and the United Kingdom. Japan had 18,954 symptomatic prevalent cases for PV in 2017. Japan accounts second among the 7MM in terms of prevalent cases with 31,589 cases among the 7MM. Drug Chapters Drug chapter segment of the Polycythemia Vera report encloses the detailed analysis of Polycythemia Vera marketed drugs and late stage (Phase-III and Phase-II) pipeline drugs. It also helps to understand the Polycythemia Vera clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, approval and patent details, advantages and disadvantages of each included drug and the latest news and press releases. Marketed Drugs Jakafi, Jakavi (Ruxolitinib): Incyte Corporation/Novartis Jakafi is a kinase inhibitor developed by Incyte Corporation/Novartis, designated for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary myelofibrosis, post-Polycythemia Vera (PV) myelofibrosis and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis in adults. This drug is also approved for adult patients of PV who have had a poor response to hydroxyurea. It is approved in the US, EU and Japan for the treatment of PV. Jakafi is also approved for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. Some trials of the Ruxolitinib are ongoing in phase III and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of PV. Besremi: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/ PharmaEssentia Besremi (ropeginterferon alfa-2B/AOP2014/P1101) is mono-pegylated proline interferon approved as first-line monotherapy in adults for the treatment of PV without symptomatic splenomegaly. It is long-acting, mono-pegylated proline interferon developed using PharmaEssentia's novel pegylation technology platform. Besremi has been shown to induce complete hematologic and high clinical response rates with good tolerability, as well as high molecular response rates and disease-modifying capabilities, which may result in a delay of disease progression. It also showed high molecular response rates, associated with the ability to reduce the allelic burden of both mutant JAK2 and importantly also non JAK2 mutations, which are believed to play a role in disease progression. It is currently approved in the EU and data from AOPs development program will be presented to the US FDA for approval for commercialization in the US by PharmaEssentia. Emerging Drugs Givinostat: Italfarmaco Givinostat (ITF2357) is an orally bioavailable hydroxymate inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC) with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and antineoplastic activities. Patients with PV have abnormalities in a gene that is responsible for the production of an enzyme known as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). JAK2 is involved in the reproduction and growth of red blood cells. In PV, JAK2 is over-activated. Givinostat is thought to work by reducing the levels of JAK2. In patients with polycythemia, the reduction of mutant JAK2 concentrations by givinostat is believed to slow down the abnormal growth of erythrocytes and ameliorate the symptoms of the disease. The company is investigating givinostat in phase II clinical trials in patients with PV. PTG-300: Protagonist Therapeutics PTG-300 is an injectable compound that mimics the effect of the natural hormone hepcidin, but with greater potency, solubility, and stability. Hepcidin is a key hormone in regulating iron equilibrium and is critical to the proper development of red blood cells. As a hepcidin mimetic, PTG-300 may redistribute iron to the macrophages, reduce iron-induced oxidative stress in the bone marrow, and allow sufficient production of red blood cells. Also, by limiting the release of iron into the blood, PTG-300 may inhibit the damage caused by excessive absorption of iron by vital organs such as the liver and heart. Protagonist Therapeutics is currently developing PTG-300 for beta-thalassemia (non-transfusion dependent and transfusion-dependent), polycythemia vera, hereditary hemochromatosis, and myelodysplastic syndromes. The company has announced initial phase II results of PTG-300 in the treatment of PV. PRM-151: Promedior/Roche PRM-151 is a recombinant form of the endogenous human innate immunity protein pentraxin-2 (PTX-2), which is specifically active at the site of tissue damage. PRM-151 is an agonist that acts as a macrophage polarization factor to prevent and potentially reverse fibrosis (PR Newswire, 2019). PRM-151 prevents reverse fibrosis in animal models of myelofibrosis (MF) by targeting the differentiation of fibrocytes (essential cells in the fibrotic process) from monocytes (Verstovsek et al., 2018). Promedior is currently evaluating PRM-151 in phase II clinical trial in the subjects with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera MF (Post-PV MF), and post-essential thrombocythemia MF (Post-ET MF). Market Outlook The therapeutic market of PV in the seven major markets was assessed to be USD 951.68 Million in 2017 and is expected to grow during the study period (2017-2030). Cytoreductive therapies have been used in older patients and those with a history of thrombosis to achieve these goals. Hydroxyurea (HU) remains the first-line cytoreductive choice; however, up to one in four patients treated with HU over time will develop resistance or intolerance to HU and go for the second-line therapy. More importantly, patients who fail HU have a 5.6-fold increase in mortality and a 6.8-fold increased risk of transformation to myelofibrosis or AML; therefore, alternative therapies are needed for these patients. Interferon- has been used in PV and has shown significant activity in achieving hematologic responses and decreasing the JAK2 V617F mutation allele burden. JAK inhibition has also been investigated and recently garnered regulatory approval for this indication. The outcomes of PV patients who fail or are intolerant of hydroxyurea are poor. Although pegylated interferon can be considered in younger patients, currently, ruxolitinib is the only US FDA approved agent in this setting, representing a viable option, leading to hematocrit control and a reduction in spleen size and constitutional symptoms. Although a small number of patients achieve a molecular response with continuous treatment, the implications of such a response to the clinical outcomes are still unknown. Patients whose disease is not adequately controlled with ruxolitinib, or who lose their response, can be treated with low-dose busulfan or pipobroman; however, they should be encouraged to participate in trials with novel therapies. The treatment for PV has been classified as first-line and second-line treatment. Of the current treatment regimens, hydroxyurea (alone or along with Phlebotomy), and aspirin constitute the first-line treatment therapies. The second-line treatment for patients who are intolerant to hydroxyurea constitutes the only approved drug in the US, Jakafi, and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha (such as PEG-Intron and Pegasys) Furthermore, the second-line therapies primarily constitute the only approved drug, Jakafi, and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha. Among these, Jakavi contributed the highest share in the PV market in 2017 in the 7MM. Of the emerging therapies for the second-line treatment, companies like Protagonist Therapeutics, Italfarmaco, and Imago BioSciences are expected to enter the treatment market, with their respective products, during the forecast period [2020-2030]. Givinostat and PTG-300 in the upcoming years will create a significant impact in its launch year. Out of the emerging therapies, Besremi (AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/PharmaEssentia), which is an interferon-alpha 2b stimulant, and has already approved in the European countries, will enter the market for PV as a first-line treatment, thereby giving a stiff competition to hydroxyurea, which is the mainstay for treatment in patients with PV. It is approved recently (2019) in European countries and expected to launch in the United States and Japan by 2021 and 2022, respectively. The market size of PV has been assessed to undergo tough competition, wherein Jakafi is likely to maintain dominance in the hydroxyurea-refractory (second line) PV market. On the other hand, Besremi represents an even small risk, as the drug is being positioned in first-line treatment for PV vs. hydroxyurea. Key Findings Of the current treatment regimens, hydroxyurea (alone or along with Phlebotomy), and aspirin constitute the first-line treatment. Furthermore, the second-line therapies primarily constitute Jakafi (Jakavi) and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha. Among these, Jakafi contributed the highest share in the PV market (USD 556.54 million) in 2017 in the 7MM. Of the emerging therapies for the second-line treatment, Protagonist Therapeutics, Italfarmaco, and Imago BioSciences are expected to enter the treatment market, with their respective products, during the forecast period [2020-2030]. Key Topics Covered 1. Key Insights 2. Executive Summary of Polycythemia Vera (PV) 3. Polycythemia Vera (PV) Market Overview at a Glance 3.1. Market (%) Distribution of PV in 2017 3.2. Market (%) Distribution of PV in 2030 4. Polycythemia Vera (PV): Disease Background and Overview 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Polycythemia Vera: A Type of MPN 4.3. Signs and Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera 4.4. Causes of Polycythemia Vera 4.5. Complications due to Polycythemia Vera 4.6. Clinical Aspects of Polycythemia Vera 4.7. Pathophysiology of Polycythemia Vera 4.7.1. JAK2 V617F in Polycythemia Vera 4.8. Diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera 4.9. Diagnostic Guidelines 4.9.1. British Society for Haematology Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera (PV) 4.9.2. WHO Diagnostic Guidelines 4.9.3. British Society for Haematology Guideline 5. Case Reports 5.1. The role of advanced practitioners in optimizing clinical management and support of patients with polycythemia vera 5.2. A case study on polycythemia vera: diagnosis through CBC management with ruxolitinib 5.3. A case of severe dermatitis in a patient with polycythemia vera during cytoreductive therapy 5.4. Perioperative management of polycythemia vera with advanced gastric cancer: a case report 6. Epidemiology and Patient Population 6.1. Key Findings 6.2. Epidemiology Methodology 6.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in the 7MM 7. United States Epidemiology 7.1. Assumptions and Rationale 7.2. KOL Insights 7.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.4. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in the United States 7.5. Gender-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.6. Age-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.7. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in the United States 7.8. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in the United States 8. EU5 Epidemiology 8.1. KOL Insights 8.2. Germany Epidemiology 8.2.1. Assumptions and Rationale 8.2.2. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.3. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in Germany 8.2.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.5. Age-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.6. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in Germany 8.2.7. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in Germany 8.3. France Epidemiology 8.4. Italy Epidemiology 8.5. Spain Epidemiology 8.6. United Kingdom Epidemiology 9. Japan Epidemiology 9.1. Assumptions and Rationale 9.2. KOL Insights 9.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.4. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in Japan 9.5. Gender-specific Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.6. Age-specific Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.7. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in Japan 9.8. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in Japan 10. Treatment Algorithm, Current Treatment, and Medical Practices 10.1. Treatment Algorithm 10.2. Proposed Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera 10.3. A British Society for Haematology Guidelines for PV 10.4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera (PV) 10.5. European Society for Medical Oncology Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera 11. Unmet Needs 12. Marketed Products 12.1. Jakafi (Ruxolitinib): Incyte Corporation/Novartis 12.1.1. Drug Description 12.1.2. Regulatory Milestones 12.1.3. Clinical Development 12.1.4. Safety and Efficacy 12.1.5. Product Description 12.2. Besremi: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/PharmaEssentia 13. Emerging Therapies 13.1. KRT-232: Kartos Therapeutics 13.1.1. Product Description 13.1.2. Clinical Development 13.1.3. Clinical Trials Information 13.1.4. Product Profile 13.2. Givinostat: Italfarmaco 13.3. PTG-300: Protagonist Therapeutics 13.4. PRM-151: Promedior/Roche 13.5. Imetelstat (GRN163L): Geron Corporation 13.6. Bomedemstat (IMG-7289): Imago BioSciences 14. Polycythemia Vera (PV): 7MM Market Analysis 14.1. Key Findings 14.2. Market Methodology 14.3. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera in the 7MM 14.4. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by Therapies in the 7MM 15. United States: Market Outlook 15.1. United States Market Size 15.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 15.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by Therapies in the US 16. EU-5 countries: Market Outlook 16.1. Germany Market Size 16.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 16.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by therapies in Germany 16.2. France Market Size 16.3. Italy Market Size 16.4. Spain Market Size 16.5. United Kingdom Market Size 17. Japan Market Outlook 17.1. Japan Market Size 17.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 17.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by therapies in Japan 18. Market Drivers 19. Market Barriers 20. SWOT Analysis 21. Reimbursement and Market Access For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mc8tbe Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. India and the European Union (EU) will launch a dialogue on maritime security to enhance naval cooperation to preserve safety and stability in the Indian Ocean, the Ministry of External Affairs said after the 15th India-EU virtual Summit on Wednesday. The Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on a varied of subjects with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. The excellent dialogue at the #IndiaEUSummit concludes as PM @narendramodi, @eucopresident Charles Michel and President of @EU_Commission @vonderleyen set a template to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership. See the outcome documents at https://t.co/PDlBRULpJw pic.twitter.com/2yTar0hI6X Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) July 15, 2020 As part of the 'India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025', New Delhi and Brussels will strengthen military-to-military relations and exchanges and further enhance mutual understanding through seminars, visits and training courses hosted by defence institutions on both sides. The two sides have also agreed to deepen cooperation between the Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA for counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean. READ | India-EU Summit: PM Invites Investment From Europe; Asks For 'action-oriented' Agenda Cooperation in Indian and Pacific Oceans In a clear signal to China over its territorial adventurism in South and East China Seas, India and the EU have reiterated the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law and through avoidance of the threat or use of force. They have committed to "work together on maritime initiatives for mutually-beneficial cooperation in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, including for sustainable development, protection of marine ecology, elimination of plastic waste and marine debris, and to offer financially-viable models for development of connectivity and infrastructure". These discussion holds significance given that China has increasingly sought to bolster its presence in India's maritime backyard and has disturbed stability by growing territorially ambitious. Although, MEA's Vikas Swarup told reporters in a briefing that relations with Beijing did not come up during discussions but PM Modi "shared our views on the India-China relationship in general and the current situation in the border areas". READ | India-EU Summit: PM Modi, European Leaders Open Talks On Trade, COVID-19 And Security Combat terrorism The MEA, in a joint statement, said the two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to global peace and security, disarmament and non-proliferation and to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing and countering radicalization. Unsurprisingly, Pakistan also came up during discussions on terrorism. "Both leaders went into considerable detail in exchanging views on the shared challenge of terrorism. Pakistan came up-in context of activities it has been continuing against India and other countries in region as well as in context of global terrorism," MEA's Vikas Swarup told reporters in a briefing. India and the EU have "confirmed their full support to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, and their commitment to foster the responsible and liable behaviour of all the actors in the cyberspace. They underlined the need to increase global cyber resilience, including the health sector", MEA said, adding that the two sides will continue to cooperate on international and regional issues like Iran and Afghanistan. (Photo: Twitter/@MEAIndia) READ | PM Modi Lauds Outcome Of India-EU Summit, Stresses On Technology Use For People's Benefit READ | Latest News: Support For Sachin Pilot, India-EU Summit, JioMeet's Rise; Top Stories Today Apple News gets a big new update with audio, local news and more. Apple Apple News is getting a big update through new software that's rolling out to iPhones on Wednesday. Additions include the option to listen to premium Apple News+ stories, a local news section and a daily news recap podcast that will be available to everyone. Apple says it has more than 125 million active users of the free Apple News app, which comes preinstalled on iPhones, iPads and Macs and includes free stories from publications including CNBC. But its subscription service, Apple News+, has reportedly gotten off to a slow start. Apple hasn't provided any official subscription figures. CNBC reported in the fall that Apple News+ has struggled to add subscribers since its launch week in March 2019, when it added 200,000 sign-ups in 48 hours for the free trial. Apple News+ costs $9.99 per month and includes access to hundreds of magazines and stories from newspapers including The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times. Wednesday's update adds a few features to both the free and paid versions of Apple News but seems to be an effort to attract more people to pay for Apple News+. Apple News+ Audio Stories Users will be able to listen to stories narrated by voice actors. About 20 will be published a week. The biggest change is Apple News+ Audio Stories. Each week, about 20 stories will be available in audio form, narrated by voice actors. Apple said it's working with publishers to select the best stories for voice narration, but they'll generally be long-form articles. Partners include GQ, New York Magazine, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair and others. If you're an Apple News+ subscriber, you'll access these narrations through a new Audio tab. If you already started reading and got partway through, the audio will pick up where it left off. A new CarPlay app will let you listen in your car as well. Apple News audio works in CarPlay. Apple Users will be able to add stories to a playlist, and they'll also download automatically for offline playback. There aren't any ads. People who don't pay for Apple News+ can get free samples of each story. Apple News Today daily briefing Apple News has a free new daily briefing called Apple News Today. Apple Apple News Today, available to all users, will be a seven- or eight-minute daily audio show that recaps the biggest news of the day. While Apple didn't call it a podcast specifically, it seems like it's trying to dip its toes into original content. And that makes sense given the recent explosion in popularity of podcasts. It's hosted by Duarte Geraldino, formerly of Al Jazeera and PBS NewsHour, and Shumita Basu, formerly of WNYC, and will be available each morning both inside the Apple News app and inside Apple Podcasts. Like Apple News+ audio stories, you'll be able to listen to the daily briefing through CarPlay in your car, too. Local news Apple News is getting local news in some markets. Apple Meghan Markle has told girls at a leadership summit that their voices can be louder than negative noise as she praised them for already changing the world. Speaking at the UNs Girl Up event, she encouraged girls watching to use their voices to drown out the outsized and negative voices, particularly online. The Duchess of Sussex also revealed that the hardest part for her was chasing convictions with actions. She said: Your generation is often referred to as digital natives, and you understand that our online world has the power to affirm and support as much as it does to harm. We are not meant to be breaking each other down; we are meant to be building each other up. So use your voice both on-and-offline to do just that build each other up, support each other. There will always be negative voices and sometimes those voices can appear to be outsized, and sometimes they can appear to be painfully loud. You can and will use your own voices to drown out the noise. Because thats what it is just noise. But your voices are those of truth. And hope. And your voices can and should be much louder. The Duchess of Sussex spoke to girls as part of a UN summit. (Duchess of Sussex) Read more: 100 days on from Megxit, have Harry and Meghan got what they wanted? The Duchess of Sussex was closing a plenary session called The Time Is Now and spoke on the same day as former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg. She said: Many of you have already spent years embodying and yes, even enacting the change youd like to see in the world. Yet the opportunity that lies ahead for you is the same one that those graduates and millions of young women around the world, have as well. I want to share something with you. Its that those in the halls and corridors and places of power from lawmakers and world leaders to executives all of those people, they depend on you more than you will ever depend on them. And heres the thing: they know this. She also said: They know that all of you, at a younger age than any modern comparison, are setting the tone for an equitable humanity. Not figuratively, literally. Story continues This is a humanity that desperately needs you. To push it, to push us, forcefully in a more inclusive, more just, and more empathetic direction. To not only frame the debate, but be in charge of the debate on racial justice, gender, climate change, mental health and wellbeing, on civic engagement, on public service, on so much more. Thats the work youre already out there doing. Girl Up members are organising Black Lives Matter protests around the world, you are creating films to encourage your peers to become activist leaders, you are reforming the criminal justice system, you are telling your school boards we need more mental health resources for all ages, you are leading coalitions to end gun violence. You are standing up and demanding to be heard, yes, but youre also demanding to own the conversation. Harry and Meghan are living in LA, where they have been volunteering through the pandemic. (Duke and Duchess of Sussex) Read more: Martin Luther King Jr's son was 'disappointed' at way Meghan Markle was treated in the UK A source close to the duchess said areas like gender equity, civic engagement and youth empowerment are a key focus for her. Meghan, 38, and her husband Prince Harry, 35, are in Los Angeles where they are shaping their future non-profit Archewell, which they plan to launch next year. In the message on Tuesday, she also said it would not be enough to believe in equality, adding we have to work for it every day; even when it's hard and even when it makes others feel uneasy. It echoes the comments she and Harry made in a discussion with Queens Commonwealth Trust leaders, in which they said people would have to be uncomfortable to bring change. The UN summit was aimed at girls aged 13-22 and this year, 40,000 people signed up to attend, from 172 countries. Meghan told them not to doubt that they had some of the answers. Meghan's comments echoed what she and Harry spoke to young Commonwealth leaders about earlier this month. (QCT) Read more: Meghan Markle tries to stop Mail On Sunday naming her five friends in court papers She added: Dont underestimate your ability to push through the fear. You have, rooted in your convictions, the ability to craft a world that you know is just and kind. Your gut will tell you whats right and whats wrong; whats fair and unfair. The hardest part and it was the hardest part for me is to chase your convictions with action. She closed her message by saying: I will be cheering you on, so will my husband, so will Archie, as you continue marching, advocating, and leading the way forward. Meghans speech came after a message from her friend Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who attended her wedding in 2018 in Windsor. Chopra Jonas spoke about the coronavirus pandemic, reminding attendees that social distancing and water are privileges, as many dont have the ability to keep 2 metres apart or access to running water. She said: Even if all you have is a voice, I hope you use it, for all of those who cant. Opportunity is not fairly distributed, but if each and every one of us raises our voice, we will build a world where no girl is silenced because of who she is. Before marrying, Meghan was a UN womens advocate for political participation and leadership, and delivered a speech at the UN on International Womens Day in 2015. She started campaigning for equality at a young age, writing to Proctor and Gamble about an advert in which they implied only women do the dishes. In a full-circle move, Girl Up 2020 was sponsored by the same company. A day after Tom Bergeron, the longtime Dancing With the Stars host, announced on Twitter that ABC had not invited him to return for the shows 29th season, the network revealed his replacement: Tyra Banks, the former supermodel and businesswoman. Banks, whose reality TV credits include hosting Americas Next Top Model and Americas Got Talent, will also serve as the shows executive producer, the network announced late Tuesday night. Tom has set a powerful stage, Banks said in a joint statement from ABC and BBC Studios, the shows production company. And Im excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats. The network parted ways with Bergeron, who had hosted the show for 15 years, and Erin Andrews, who had done so for six, earlier this week, citing a desire to take the show in a new direction after several seasons of sagging ratings. Rubbish has piled up on Hanoi streets after local people living near a local dumping site gathered to block trucks from entering the waste treatment complex. An environmental worker pushes a cart full of rubbish on Chua Lang Street, July 14. Photo by Laodong On the evening of July 14, piles of rubbish could be seen on many streets including Trung Kinh, Pham Van Dong, Kim Ma, Chua Lang, and Nguyen Van Huyen, creating foul smell. Carts full of litter lined up on Chua Lang Street. Photo by Laodong. An environmental worker said that rubbish is usually taken away by trucks at around 8 pm every day. However, they have been piled up for two days. On the same day, the Hanoi Urban Environment Company sent letters to concerned agencies to inform that dozens of people living near Nam Son Rubbish Dump in Soc Son District have gathered to prevent rubbish dumping. According to the company's report, the protest started from the evening of July 12. The blockade has led to rubbish being piled up in the city. Local people living near Nam Son Rubbish Dump in Soc Son District gather to prevent rubbish dumping on July 13. Photo by the Hanoi Urban Environment Company. Head of Nam Son Commune's Xuan Thinh Village, Vu Tien Luc, said that the sluggish compensation payments for site clearance for people living near the dump whose land was taken led to the protest. "The city's authorities promised to complete the payment by the end of the second quarter this year but by now people have not received enough compensation," he said. To deal with the current situation, the Hanoi Department of Construction has planned to transport the rubbish to another dumping site in Son Tay Town. Sluggish compensation payments for site clearance for people living near the Nam Son Dump in Soc Son District has led to multiple protests of local people. There were three such protests in 2019 and local authorities had promised to complete compensation by the second quarter of 2020. Nam Son dump, covering 83.5ha, was established in 1999. It receives more than 4,000 tonnes of waste every day. Bac Son, Nam Son and Hong Ky communes nearby are suffering from severe air and water pollution. Laodong/Dtinews New regulations on rubbish disposal to be tightened Households who discharge more waste will have to pay more according to an amended Law on Environmental Protection. Abdulaziz Yari The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN on Wednesday morning, July 15 via its Twitter handle, called out immediate past governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari, for blatantly flouting all COVID19 guidelines at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday, July 11. According to FAANs statement, Yari arrived at the airport and refused to adhere to the protocols put in place by the Federal government, insisting he is a VIP. The Tweets Reads; The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby strongly condemns the conduct of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Abdulaziz Yari who blatantly violated the Public Health procedures (COVID19) on travels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday 11th July 2020. He refused to adhere to the protocols and procedures put in place by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on #COVID19 by forcefully pushing away an officer of the Environment department when he insisted that his luggage must be disinfected. The former Governor said the officer should have known he is a VIP. This irresponsible act endangers all other airport users, it is unacceptable, and as such it has been duly escalated. FAAN hereby cautions all airport users, especially our esteemed VIPs , to please respect the Presidential directive by observing the Public Health travel protocols put in place to protect all air travellers against infection and the spread of the covid-19 pandemic. Retail stocks were trading lower, with Future Retail and V2 Retail falling more than 4 percent, after Reliance Industries announced expansion plans for JioMart, its omnichannel retail platform. Aditya Birla Fashion, Arvind Fashions, Future Enterprises, Future Retail, Mandhana Retail, Shoppers Stop, Spencer Retail, Trent, V-Mart Retail and V2 Retail were down 1-5 percent at the time of publishing this copy. JioMart will cover electronics, pharma, fashion and healthcare going ahead, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani said while addressing 43rd AGM. The group will induct global partners, investors into Reliance Retail in the next few quarters. "JioMart and WhatsApp will be working together with Kirana stores. WhatsApp's 400 million users bring unique value to Jio-Facebook partnership," Ambani said. Track all the updates on RIL AGM by following our LIVE blog here So far Facebook, the owner of Whatsapp, is the biggest shareholder in Jio Platforms after Reliance Industries, acquired 9.99 percent stake for Rs 43,574 crore. Ambani said Reliance Retail was Indias largest and most profitable retail business. "In the last five years, retail business revenue has grown 8x and profits 11x." "Our growth model is based on partnership with small merchants. We have successfully piloted JioMart grocery delivery and reached over 2.50 lakh orders per day on JioMart," he said. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin has a serious challenge on his hands trying to determine if an Allentown police officer was justified in the amount of force he used in an encounter not long after 6:30 p.m. Saturday outside St. Lukes Hospital-Sacred Heart. In the end, it will come down to if the officer was operating within department guidelines and the law. Hamilton police rescued a family of three on a giant inflatable pink flamingo that drifted too far from shore in Lake Ontario early Wednesday. The family two adult children and a parent called police for help around 2 a.m. July 15 when they couldnt paddle back, said Const. Lorraine Edwards. They had entered the water from Pier 4 around 10 p.m. Tuesday with oars and an air horn, but not wearing life jackets, police said. They floated for four hours on the water and decided to call 911 when the temperature dropped and they started seeing large ships passing them. The marine unit found the family four kilometres from the shoreline, Edwards said. No one was hurt. Its not clear why they went out at 10 p.m., or why they waited four hours to call for help. Police are reminding the public that large floating devices should be tied up when used on large bodies of water. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 23:50:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A child who was injured by an airstrike in al-Jawf Province lies in bed while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen, July 15, 2020. At least 25 people were killed on Wednesday when the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on three houses in Yemen's northern province of al-Jawf, local medics told Xinhua. And nine others were critically wounded in the airstrikes in al-Msaefah residential area east of al-Hazm, the capital city of al-Jawf, said the medics. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) SANAA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people were killed on Wednesday when the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on three houses in Yemen's northern province of al-Jawf, local medics told Xinhua. And nine others were critically wounded in the airstrikes in al-Msaefah residential area east of al-Hazm, the capital city of al-Jawf, said the medics. The victims were mostly women and children, local residents told Xinhua. The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV also reported the airstrikes and accused the Saudi-led coalition of targeting civilians. There was no comment yet from the coalition over the airstrikes. It was the second such attack in less than a week. On Sunday, a family of 10 members were killed in another Saudi-led coalition airstrike in Washhah district of the northwestern province of Hajjah. Yemen has been mired in civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north, forcing the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in the Yemen conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. The war has since killed tens of thousands of people, displaced over 3 million and pushed more than 20 million to the brink of starvation. Health Minister Robin Swann is to recommend to the Executive that the wearing of face coverings in shops in Northern Ireland becomes mandatory. "I have no wish to pre-empt Executive decisions, but I am firmly of the view that everything possible must be done to encourage the wearing of face coverings in retail stores and other indoor spaces where people are not eating, drinking or exercising," he said. "The chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser agree. "It is also the case that making it mandatory would provide clarity and reassurance for members of the public. "We need to promote every available measure to stop the spread of Covid-19, both now and into the autumn and winter, given the risk of further waves of infection. Wearing face coverings in enclosed spaces will have to become second nature if we are to keep each other safe. "I am also very mindful that shielding is due to be paused from July 31. People who have been shielding will need our support as they resume everyday activities. Wearing face coverings in shops and indoor spaces is an important way to show solidarity with them." The news comes after the Department of Health confirmed that there have been no further been no new deaths related to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours. The death total remains at 556. There were nine new cases of coronavirus taking the number of confirmed cases to 5,799. So far, 123,285 people have been tested for the disease in Northern Ireland. Read More Meanwhile, official figures today provided a comprehensive breakdown of the Covid-19 death rates across Northern Ireland down to a postcode level. Previously only council level data was available. Read More All parts of Belfast were badly affected by the virus, according to the figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Read More Check out our live blog below to see how Wednesday's developments unfolded: Warning: this article contains graphic content A technology entrepreneur who founded Nigeria's Gokada ride-hailing app was found decapitated and dismembered in a luxury New York apartment with a power saw plugged in nearby, New York media has reported. Police on Wednesday, local time, confirmed the death of Fahim Saleh in a statement and deemed it a homicide but offered none of the grisly details reported in New York media. Detectives found Saleh's torso near a power saw and later discovered his head and limbs sorted into plastic bags, police told New York crime reporters. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 18:26 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066691069 1 Business Honda,recall,Indonesia,faulty Free Automotive firm PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) announced on Wednesday a recall of 85,025 cars of the Honda brands, over suspected faulty fuel pumps. The company identified such pumps in their Brio, Mobilio, Jazz, BR-V, HR-V, CR-V, City, Civic and Accord models built between 2017 and 2019. The move is to prevent cases where engines die abruptly or do not start at all, the company statement reads. The component replacement service will also be free of charge at official Honda workshops. We urge and remind customers with identified vehicles to immediately take their cars to an official Honda garage, HPM service & parts assistant general manager Denny MT said in a statement, adding that the recall was in the interest of customer safety. Denny added that some garages offered vehicle pick-up services. The company estimates the replacement to take between 60 and 90 minutes. Honda has claimed to have contacted the registered owners of the vehicles. However, Honda car owners may check whether or not their cars require servicing by visiting HPMs official site or by calling their customer care number during work hours. Customers can also book a fuel pump replacement through their mobile application Honda e-Care, which is available on both the App Store and Google Play. Honda also urges contacted car owners who have given away their vehicles to inform the company, so the company can contact the new owner. Topics : Honda recall Indonesia faulty Europes most visited theme park was one of several sites of summer activities to reopen or get underway in the Paris region on Wednesday, launching a subdued tourist season that comes at a time of warnings of a resurfacing coronavirus epidemic. The day following the Bastille Day national holiday on 14 July typically marks something of an unofficial start of summer holidays in France, with families going on vacation and foreign visitors arriving for the height of the tourist season. The coronavirus epidemic that shut down the French economy in late winter and early spring and obliged heavy restrictions on international travel is destined to make for a low-key summer period this year. As Disneyland Paris emerged from a four-month shutdown on Wednesday, strict health restrictions and limitations on the number of admissions all but ensure Europes most popular private tourist destination will not draw its usual 15 million annual visitors. Health restrictions make for limited reopening Advanced bookings are required and no tickets are sold at the entrance. Playgrounds, makeup workshops and many rides where it is difficult to ensure distancing remain closed. Hundreds of disinfecting and hand-washing stations were scattered throughout the park, and face masks are mandatory for anyone aged 11 and up. Staff are charged with maintaining physical distancing and ensuring limited capacity. Unions representing workers told Le Monde newspaper they expected the park would allow no more than 24,000 visitors per day, compared with the 80,000 daily visitors in a typical peak season. The economic fallout is expected to spread beyond the theme park itself. Walt Disney World says its Paris location employs some 17,000 people directly and another 39,000 indirectly, a major driver for the economy of Marne-la-Vallee, a city 45 kilometres east of Paris. Many hotels around the park remained closed, anticipating fewer foreign visitors who tend to spend more money during their visits than French tourists do. Story continues Paris tourism expected to suffer Tourism is a key sector of Frances economy, and the government announced in May it was pledging rescue funds for the industry worth 18 billion euros, a larger sum than its offers for both the automobile and aeronautics industries. Attractions that are open have to balance their business needs with the need to ensure public health and safety. French theme parks in other parts of the country have been able to open since mid-June. One of them, Puy du Fou in western France, came under scrutiny due to images circulating of visitors ignoring physical distancing rules. In Paris, the top floor of the Eiffel Tower also reopened on Wednesday, and city workers began preparing the quays along the Seine River for the annual Paris Beach attraction, both major drivers of tourism expecting lower turnout this year. Retailers struggle with summer sales Wednesday also saw a subdued launch to the summer sales period in the retail sector, which was already three weeks after the initial launch date of 24 June. Clothing stores did not see the usual rush of shoppers trying on everything in sight, with limits placed on access to changing rooms and the number of articles that can be touched. Given the restrictions and climate, some in the textile industry considered calling off the summer sales entirely. We see Covid-19 is taking off again, Laurent Milchior, president of retailer Etam, told BFM television on Monday. We all have responsibilities, business leaders and citizens, to ensure the virus does not spread. The sales have to do with volume, there needs to be a lot of people in a store for them to work, he continued. Its not completely reasonable. This article by Jeff Schogol originally appeared on Task & Purpose, a digital news and culture publication dedicated to military and veterans issues. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has lifted her hold on more than 1,000 promotions to the rank of O-6 and above after learning that both the Army and Defense Department approved Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman's promotion to full colonel, a news release from the senator's office says. Duckworth has received written confirmation that an Army promotion board selected Vindman to advance and the Army promotions packet was formally submitted without White House interference, the news release says. "I'm glad the Department of Defense was finally able to set the record straight that Vindman had earned and was set to receive a promotion to colonel," Duckworth said in a statement. "We must always protect the merit-based system that is the foundation of our Armed Forces from political corruption and unlawful retaliation." Duckworth, who is reportedly being considered as former Vice President Joe Biden's running mate in November's presidential election, had blocked the nominations for 1,123 promotions starting on July 2 amid media reports that the White House was trying to pressure the Army and Pentagon to stop Vindman's promotion. VIndman was a key witness in President Donald Trump's impeachment inquiry. He testified that Trump explicitly pressured Ukraine's president to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter in exchange for a military aid package that the president had frozen. Trump and his allies in the media launched a smear campaign against Vindman as a result, calling him a "Never Trumper." Vindman was dismissed from the National Security Council in February and he announced on July 8, and his attorney said at the time that the Army had made clear that Vindman faced "limited" opportunities going forward. Task & Purpose has confirmed that both Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Defense Secretary Mark Esper had approved including Vindman in a list of recommended promotions that had been sent to the White House before Vindman announced his retirement. Earlier, the White House had requested the Army Inspector General's office look into any "allegations of inappropriate behavior" by Vindman, a defense official told Task & Purpose on Wednesday. The inquiry quickly found there were no substantiated claims of wrongdoing against Vindman. "Donald Trump's unprecedented efforts to further politicize our military by retaliating against Lt. Col. Vindman -- for doing his patriotic duty of telling the truth under oath -- are unconscionable," said Duckworth, who lost both of her legs when her helicopter was shot down over Iraq in 2004. CORRECTION: The Army Inspector General's Office conducted a preliminary inquiry into Vindman, not the Defense Department Inspector General's office. More articles from Task & Purpose: PC Dean Greenslade and PC John Curry rescued a man from the sea. (South Wales Police) Two police officers have been praised after they waded into the sea to rescue a vulnerable man. PC Dean Greenslade and PC John Curry risked their own safety to follow the man who had run off into the water on Aberavon beach, in Wales, on Wednesday morning. The Port Talbot officers had responded to a concern for welfare call at 8am. When they arrived the man, who was injured and agitated, ran off. He continued to walk into the sea until he was up to his neck in water. Read more: Remarkable 99-year-old who survived Nazis, plane crash and cancer beats COVID-19 The man ran into the sea at Aberavon beach in Wales. (Getty) The officers then decided to wade into the sea to get him after they became concerned he would be dragged under. South Wales Police later tweeted a picture of PC Greenslade and PC Curry moments after the rescue. They wrote: This morning, two of our Port Talbot officers went in to the sea on Aberavon beach to save a vulnerable man. Being a police officer is a job like no other, and our officers continue to go and above and beyond to keep our communities safe. Thankfully, the man is safe and well. Read more: Migrant boats 'should be intercepted' near French coast and sent back, says Priti Patel The vulnerable man is in a stable condition in hospital. (Getty) Sergeant Gary Humphreys added: PC Greenslade and Curry went above and beyond the call of duty this morning to save this vulnerable man. The outcome could have been very different if it was not for their actions. Facebook users were also full of praise for the officers. One person wrote: Brilliant well done guys where would this country be without our emergency services. Another person added: Well done and thank you for keeping our community's safe. Police said the vulnerable man had been taken to hospital where he is in a stable condition. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News A Grand Island Police Department patrol unit was involved in a two-vehicle accident Monday night at the intersection of Second and Walnut streets. The civilian vehicle rolled and wound up on its top. The accident was reported at 7:08 p.m. Grand Island police dont conduct the investigation when department employees are involved in a traffic accident, said Police Capt. Jim Duering. It is deferred to another agency. Hall County Sheriffs Department deputies handled traffic control, but a Nebraska State Patrol trooper did the accident report. The police officer had his lights on, responding to a call, said Cody Thomas, public relations director for the State Patrol. The other vehicle had four occupants. No one was transported to the hospital, but some of the occupants may have gone to the hospital on their own, Thomas said. Duering said the police officer sustained minor injuries. The Police Department will await the results of the accident investigation. The names of the drivers were not available yet from the State Patrol. The airbags deployed in both vehicles. Soon after Sachin Pilot, who was on Tuesday removed as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state party chief, announced that he will not join the BJP, the Congress on Wednesday appealed to him to return back to his party as it said that the BJP's attempt to topple the Ashok Gehlot government has fairled again. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, addressing a press conference, accused the BJP of trying tto destabilise the otherwise stable government led by Gehlot. "The last 24 hours have proved that BJP's attempt to topple the government has failed in Rajasthan," he said. Also noting that it was learned through the media that Pilot does not want to join the BJP, Surjewala said: "If this is the case, then, we request him to reject the facilities being offered by the Haryana government and return back to Jaipur. "If there are ideological differences, then you can talk in the party forum. We are all ready to listen and find a solution with a generous heart." Expressing the party's "soft corner" for Pilot, he said that he has been invited to attend the meeting of the legislature party more than once, and the action against him was taken "with a heavy heart". Noting how Pilot was favoured by the Congress right from the start, Surjewala said: ".. We gave him the MP's position, he became a Union Minister, the PCC Chief and then the Deputy CM. There is hardly anyone who has been pushed forward to such heights by any political party. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi tried to keep the family member retained in the family.... however, unfortunately, nothing could be done and action had to be announced on Tuesday with a heavy heart." He urged Pilot to come out of the 'chakravyuh' (trap) of ITC Grand and Lemon Tree Hotel. "Stop discussions and conversations with any BJP leader and return to your own house in Jaipur.... I appeal to all who seem to have lost their way, said Surjewala. LEHI, Utah, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Utah Black Chamber and Podium announced they have joined to create the state's first portal to find and connect consumers with local Black-owned companies. The joint resource, called Utah Black Pages, will enable consumers to easily find and support Black-owned businesses across the state through an online portal. Over the past 10 years, both the Utah Black Chamber and Black Lives Matter Utah have hosted similar lists of companies on their websites, the new site will combine those efforts and will provide a space where people and businesses can easily connect. "Building resources that help support Black-owned businesses has been the central focus of the Utah Black Chamber since we first began," said James Jackson III, founder of the Utah Black Chamber. "We are grateful for Podium's support and are proud to partner with them to create this central webpage, which will offer people across the state an easy place to find black businesses and support them by purchasing their products and services." Among many other goals, the Utah Black Chamber helps build strong foundations and create networking opportunities for Black business owners. The Utah Black Pages will help build those connections, as well as create new customers for local businesses. The Utah Black Pages website is available now at utahblackpages.com. "We believe that it is crucial to support black owned businesses and black business owners," said Lex Scott, founder of Black Lives Matter Utah. "We are appreciative of Podium and the Utah Black Chamber for this opportunity to expand the database of black owned businesses and to help these business owners gain new opportunities, as well as potential increases in revenue." "Podium is all about supporting and bringing people to local businesses, so we are in a perfect position to help raise awareness and improve connections to Black-owned businesses in our local area," said Eric Rea, co-founder and CEO at Podium. "We are enthusiastic about working with the Utah Black Chamber and Black Lives Matter Utah in helping however we can to bring real change." For more information on black businesses in Utah visit, utahblackpages.com. Learn more about the mission of the Utah Black Chamber at utahblackchamber.com . About Utah Black Chamber The Utah Black Chamber of Commerce is the premier organization serving the economic needs of the Utah Black community since 2009. By building networking and educational pathways for black Utahns, the Utah Black Chamber operates as a resource center and knowledge share for corporate stakeholders both in Utah, and the Mountain West Region to actively promote the personal and professional growth of black individuals across the state. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, corporations, and community members, the chamber will continue to empower and strengthen the foundation of black businesses, and ensure everyone has a strong network to thrive and experience a more fulfilling life within our communities. To learn more, visit utahblackchamber.com or contact us at @utahblackchamber.com. About Podium Podium is a customer messaging platform that enables companies with a local presence to conveniently connect with their customers at critical touchpoints to help them strengthen their business. By conveniently facilitating millions of customer interactions, such as driving customer-generated online reviews and providing improved customer messaging tools, Podium serves more than 55,000 local businesses in the United States, Canada and Australia. Headquartered in Lehi, Utah, and founded in 2014, Podium is currently backed by YC Continuity, Sapphire Ventures, Alkeon Capital, Recruit Co. Ltd., IVP, Accel, Summit Partners and GV. To learn more, visit www.podium.com or contact us at [email protected] . SOURCE Podium Related Links http://www.podium.com TEL AVIV, Israel, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American: ELLO) (TASE: ELLO) ("Ellomay" or the "Company"), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe and Israel, today announced that it is one of the winners of a first-in-kind quota tender process published by the Israeli Electricity Authority (the "Authority") for combined photovoltaic and electricity storage facilities in Israel. The Authority accepted bids in an aggregate quota of 168 MW from several entities, among them two bids of the Company in an aggregate quota of 20 MW. The tariff per kWh determined in the tender process is NIS 0.199. This tariff is linked to the Israeli CPI and is valid for a period of 23 years commencing on the commercial operation of each relevant facility. As noted, the tender process was for a quota and the Company is currently examining and expects to further examine potential sites for the construction of the facilities. With respect to each project, the Company shall be required to obtain approvals, if applicable, from the Israel Land Authority in connection with the site for such project, and to take all other actions necessary for the promotion of such project. Pursuant to the terms of the tender, the Company is further required to receive approvals for connection to the electricity grid and a grid synchronization approval from the Israeli Electric Company within up to 37 months. In addition, the Company is required to replace the tender guarantee it previously provided with a performance guarantee in an aggregate amount of NIS 12 million (approximately $3.5 million) within 21 business days. The continued development and construction of the facilities depends upon various factors, including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to locate sites for construction, enter into EPC agreements and obtain project finance and all other required approvals, all upon terms acceptable to the Company. Therefore, there is no assurance as to whether and when such process will be completed. About Ellomay Capital Ltd. Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ELLO." Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe and Israel. To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy and Spain, including: Approximately 7.9MW of photovoltaic power plants in Spain and a photovoltaic power plant of approximately 9 MW in Israel ; and a photovoltaic power plant of approximately 9 MW in ; 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel's largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 860MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel's total current electricity consumption; largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 860MW, representing about 6%-8% of total current electricity consumption; 51% of Talasol, which is involved in a project to construct a photovoltaic plant with a peak capacity of 300MW in the municipality of Talavan, Caceres, Spain ; ; 100% of Groen Gas Goor B.V. and of Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V., project companies developing anaerobic digestion plants with a green gas production capacity of approximately 375 Nm3/h, in Goor, the Netherlands and 475 Nm3/h, in Oude Tonge, the Netherlands , respectively; and 475 Nm3/h, in Oude Tonge, , respectively; 75% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd. (including 6.67% that are held by a trustee in trust for us and other parties), which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel . Ellomay Capital is controlled by Mr. Shlomo Nehama, Mr. Hemi Raphael and Mr. Ran Fridrich. Mr. Nehama is one of Israel's prominent businessmen and the former Chairman of Israel's leading bank, Bank Hapohalim, and Messrs. Raphael and Fridrich both have vast experience in financial and industrial businesses. These controlling shareholders, along with Ellomay's dedicated professional management, accumulated extensive experience in recognizing suitable business opportunities worldwide. Ellomay believes the expertise of Ellomay's controlling shareholders and management enables the Company to access the capital markets, as well as assemble global institutional investors and other potential partners. As a result, we believe Ellomay is capable of considering significant and complex transactions, beyond its immediate financial resources. For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com. Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company's plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements, including the specific risks relating to projects under development in general and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations and projects, including in connection with steps taken by authorities in countries in which the Company operates, regulatory changes, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company's facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, changes in demand and technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Kalia Weintraub CFO Tel.: +972-(3)-797-1111 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Ellomay Capital Ltd Related Links https://ellomay.com Spring Branch Independent School District has announced its reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year, LearnSBISD, which allows families to choose in-person classes or distance-based home learning. According to a Spring Branch ISD news release, families will be asked to choose an initial nine-weeks schooling option online by July 31 or submit the learning model selection form at the students campus by July 22. Spring Branch ISDs first day for in-person classes is Aug. 17. IN THE KNOW: SBISD provides bond updates LearnSBISD allows our schools to resume in-person learning with rigorous health and safety measures in place and provides an opportunity for families interested in distance learning, said SBISD Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. Both options provide families great instruction from our amazing educators, while also leveraging much that is the very same - carefully planned district curriculum, attendance requirements, counseling supports, and extracurricular and UIL activities. However, the district will revert to online instruction if it needs to, according to the news release, as LearnSBISD is subject to change based on updated guidance from local, state or national government or health agencies. MORE FROM RYAN NICKERSON: Houston hairstylist creates solution to 'COVID hair' For in-person learning, students will be required to wear a face covering/mask in classrooms and indoor common spaces, including school buses, as well as follow other key health and safety measures. Both learning options will have similar attendance requirements, campus staff support, opportunities to participate in UIL and extracurricular activities and grading guidelines. Meals will also be provided for both learning options with the district releasing additional information on that in the future. For in-person classes, students will be required to sanitize their hands before entering campuses and boarding buses; classrooms will be cleared of extra furniture; student desks will be placed as far apart as possible and face one direction; students temperatures will be screened daily; table seating may include Plexiglass dividers; and families will be encouraged to drop off and pick up their children from school, if possible. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Some Texas schools may not reopen for in-person classes in August. Heres how. Were going to ask that if you display symptoms of not feeling well or symptoms aligned with COVID, that you please not come to work and that you not send your child to school, Blaine said in a video message to the district. School districts around the country have been grappling with concerns around the safest way to reopen schools. Fort Bend ISD, one of Houstons largest school districts, recently decided to start its 2020-21 school year 100 percent online. Houston ISD plans to delay the start of its school year until Sept. 8, and remain in online-only classes for at least the first six weeks of school, keeping students and teachers home during that time, district officials said Wednesday. To learn more about LearnSBISD go to www.springbranchisd.com/learn-sbisd. ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com Rebel Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilots declaration that he wouldnt be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was met with silence from the BJP on Wednesday. Pilots comments came a day after several BJP leaders said he was welcome to join the party. BJP leaders avoided commenting on Pilots statement and limited their response to blaming the Congress and the Gandhi family, in particular, for not being able to keep their flock together. The party also attacked Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot for trying to blame the BJP for an internal Congress rift. Also read: 24 hours of twists and turns in Rajasthan political drama The very statement of Gehlot ji confirms the ownership of Gandhi family over Congressmen, Union minister and MP from Rajasthan Gajendra Singh Shekhawat tweeted. Shekhawat, among the BJP politicians who had said any leader with the peoples mandate was welcome to join the party, commented: They blame every bit of their dispute on the neighbor, and when dealing with the neighbor, they curse the family members! In response to Gehlots jibe at Pilot that speaking good English, giving good quotes and being handsome isnt everything, Shekhawat took a dig at the Gandhis, Speaking good English does nothing, committing to family matters! Shekhawat also clarified that his comment about welcoming Pilot into the party had been misconstrued. What I had said was anyone who aligns with our partys ideology and has the mandate of the people is welcome. It did not mean that we have laid out a carpet for anyone, he said. The party also chose to remain silent on the issue of pushing the Gehlot government to prove its majority in the house. We will let the issue play out before taking recourse to other democratic and legal options available to us. Right now what we are seeing is internal rift for which the BJP is being blamed, said a senior leader in Delhi. In response to Gehlots comment that the Congress had proof of the BJP tying to topple the government, Shekhawat said the CM should furnish the proof and reveal who all were part of the conspiracy. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Salem police are investigating a shooting that left a 19-year-old man wounded last week. The victim is refusing to cooperate with detectives, police say. Police responded to the corner of Union Street and East Broadway just after 2 p.m. on July 7 for a report of a shooting and found the Salem resident in the side yard of an East Broadway residence suffering from gunshot wounds to an arm and leg, according to Salem Police Chief John Pelura III. Officers used a tourniquet to control bleeding from a leg wound and EMTs then arrived to take him to Christiana Hospital in Delaware. Once at the hospital, the victim became uncooperative and would not allow medical staff to collect evidence, Pelura said. He also refused to provide any information to a detective. Police have not revealed a motive for the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation. They do not believe this case is related to a shooting a block away that claimed two lives on Sunday. Lee A. Willams Jr., 29, of Carneys Point Township, and Jerry D. Taylor, 25, of Salem, were in a car on Olive Street when investigators say someone armed with a handgun fired on them around 5:15 p.m. Williams was found on the side of the street and later died at Salem Medical Center. Taylor tried to drive from the scene, but crashed a short distance away, where he died of his wounds. Anyone with information concerning the killings is asked to contact Salem County Prosecutors Office Detective Quenton Mulford at 856-769-0235 or Salem City Police Detective Sgt. Sean Simpkins at 856-935-0033, ext. 2. Investigators dont see a connection between these killings and a 2008 murder-for-hire case in which Williams was implicated. Brooks G. Harris, of Pilesgrove Township, was accused of paying two teens, Williams and Jerry M. Loatman Jr., $25 each to kill a man who was dating Harris estranged wife. The victims body was found in his Quinton Township home in August 2008. He had been stabbed more than 40 times. Williams was indicted for murder, but pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2012. His attorney said Williams was never at the scene of the killing, according to news accounts at the time. Loatman, now 29, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence. A jury found Harris, now 39, guilty of first-degree murder in 2010 and he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. The Government must set out a five-year spending plan for implementing Northern Irelands deal to restore devolution, a committee of MPs said. A total of 2 billion of UK funding has been branded insufficient to meet the objectives of the agreement and the coronavirus has created another dent in the economy. Legal changes intended to ensure Stormont cannot collapse as quickly as it did in 2017 have not yet been implemented and parliamentarians warned of the danger of sleepwalking into more problems. Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairman Simon Hoare said: Meeting the commitments enshrined in New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) is the only way to restore trust in the devolution settlement and its ability to deliver for the people of Northern Ireland, who have been ill-served by stagnating public service provision for too long. New Decade, New Approach was the name given to the accord between the British Government and the five main parties in Belfast with the support of the Irish Government. It was sealed while Julian Smith was Northern Ireland secretary after months of dialogue. Mr Hoare said: All parties, the Executive, UK Government and Irish Government must work constructively to meet their commitments to forge a better future for Northern Ireland and to nurture healthy devolved governance. The UK Government must provide a realistic and long-term financial plan that recognises the challenges imposed by coronavirus. His committee said the economic effects of the pandemic will exacerbate pressure on public finances in Northern Ireland. The group of MPs took evidence about the need to prioritise commitments to enact in the agreement because insufficient funding could destabilise Stormonts ministerial Executive. Mr Hoare added: No amount of money will make NDNA work without the development of a more productive working culture at Stormont. To restore trust, the implementation of NDNA will require regular monitoring and review. Story continues He said there should be no excuses for failure. We cannot sleepwalk into another Executive collapse, because the people of Northern Ireland deserve more. Powersharing was restored in January after months of negotiations between the parties led by then Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith (Liam McBurney/PA) Powersharing was restored in January after months of negotiations between the parties. Addressing long waiting lists for healthcare, tackling educational underachievement, boosting funding for key roads projects and renewing the sewerage system and official recognition of the Irish language were listed as priorities in the agreement. Stormont ministers have said not enough cash was available to meet them all. The committee said the Government must set out a long-term financial plan for the implementation of the agreement that is costed over the next five financial years and that acknowledges the effects of Covid-19. It said the plan should be made available before this years autumn budget and the Government should issue quarterly updates on its progress. It also urged the Government to re-examine the powers to borrow funds available to the Executive and local authorities to help meet ongoing pressures and exploit the historically low cost of borrowing. As part of the deal an Independent Fiscal Council was envisaged to assess Stormonts finances. The committee said its long-term success will depend on establishing strong working relationships with the Treasury and Stormonts Department of Finance. Conor Murphy said funding provided by the British Government falls significantly short of what is required (Liam McBurney/PA). Stormont finance minister Conor Murphy said: I welcome the recommendation by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that the British Government should put in place a long-term financial plan for the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach document. The funding provided by the British Government falls significantly short of what is required. I continue to impress upon them to deliver adequate funding to fulfil the New Decade, New Approach commitments. A request to extradite Ian Bailey to France for a third time, where he is facing a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, is an "abuse of process", his lawyers have told the High Court. Ronan Munro SC, for Mr Bailey, today argued that his client has an "ironclad right" not to be surrendered to France and it had not been threatened in any way by subsequent developments in law. This is the third time French authorities are seeking Mr Baileys surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier, whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996. Mr Bailey (63), with an address at The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, west Cork, was convicted of the French womans murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019. The three-judge Cour dAssises (criminal trial court) in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on Mr Bailey in his absence. The Englishman, who denies any involvement in the mother-of-ones death, did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings, which he has described as a farce. Mr Bailey was arrested at the Criminal Courts of Justice Building on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in December 2019. He was remanded on bail after a High Court judge subsequently endorsed the third European Arrest Warrant (EAW) seeking his extradition to France. Mr Bailey is facing a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of Ms du Plantier and the three-day full extradition hearing, where he will contest the request for his surrender, commenced in the Irish High Court today, a day after Bastille Day in France. At the outset of this morning's hearing, counsel for Mr Bailey, David Conlan Smyth SC with Ronan Munro SC and Marc Thompson BL, said Mr Munro would make legal submissions concerning the issue of "res judicata" - a matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court and therefore may not be pursued further by the same parties - and Mr Conlan Smyth would deal with Mr Bailey's fair trial rights. Read More Physio John Casey wanted more substitutes to prevent GAA injury carnage Opening an application for surrender, counsel for the Minister for Justice, Robert Barron SC with Leo Mulrooney BL, took Mr Justice Paul Burns through the formalities of the EAW. Mr Barron said the EAW had been filled out by the French authorities indicating that Mr Bailey did not appear for his trial last year and he will have a right to a retrial if surrendered. Opposing an application for Mr Bailey's surrender to France, Mr Munro said the central submission in the hearing was that there is a binding judgment from the Supreme Court in 2012 which prohibits the surrender of his client based on section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, which remains untouched and intact. Section 44 states that a person shall not be surrendered under this Act if the offence specified in the EAW was committed in a place other than the issuing State and the offence does not, by virtue of having been committed in a place other than the State, constitute an offence under the law of the State. The lawyer submitted that his client had an "ironclad right" as well as an "unassailed right" not to be surrendered to France. Mr Munro argued that the State's legal submissions set out that the Supreme Court decision in 2012 can be distinguished due to a change in the law with the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act 2019. "I think what they mean is if an Englishman ordinarily resident in Ireland is sought today for the murder of Ms du Plantier in 1996 then that person wouldn't have the benefit of the interpretation of section 44 because of legislative change," said Mr Munro, adding that he did not accept this proposition for one second. The barrister said he "threw down the gauntlet" to Counsel for the Minister for Justice, Mr Barron, to show why legislative change dis-applied the Supreme Court decision. In addition, Mr Munro said he did not accept that the Criminal Law Act 2019 brought about a material change. Read More Book of evidence due in case over animal cruelty charges Mr Justice Burns interjected at this stage and asked if the change in the law last year did not materially affect the decision of the Supreme Court in 2012 then was the High Court bound by that. In reply, Mr Munro said it was and pointed out that the 2019 legislation had not sought to "dismantle" or set aside Mr Bailey's "vested right" not to be surrendered. Furthermore, Mr Munro submitted that a third set of proceedings and a third attempt to have his client prosecuted was "an abuse of process", something the court must apply a very high level of scrutiny to. "The very fact that there is a third set of proceedings is the very indicator that an abuse of process has been taking place," he said. Mr Munro also told the High Court that his client had sworn an affidavit setting out his objections to being surrendered to France as well as certain factual matters particularly in relation to his health. In the affidavit, Mr Bailey said he had nothing to do with the murder of Ms du Plantier and had been in a relationship with Ms Jules Thomas for over 25 years. He spoke about his difficulty in finding work as a journalist as a result of the direct consequences of the false allegation made against him. He said he suffered from depressive episodes, which can manifest in outbreaks on his skin and also had panic attacks. The seriousness of the allegation, the manner of the garda investigation and the extradition requests had placed considerable strain and unwelcome attention on himself and his family, he said. Mr Bailey said that whilst he has not been the subject of criminal court proceedings in Ireland, he has been subject to the criminal process and his standing had suffered greatly in the small rural community where he lives. He tries not to dwell "on being hunted" and writing poetry has had a cathartic effect on him, he said. His sleep patterns have been disturbed and he has a reoccurring dream of being rearrested and confined in a cell saying: "It is so realistic that is why I reawaken and it can take me some time to recover." Furthermore, Mr Bailey said he has been greatly restrained and unable to travel freely since the issuing of the EAW in 2010. He explained that he was unable to visit his mother in a nursing home in the UK or attend her funeral, something he said "had been one of the cruelest aspects of this entire process". Mr Munro said one of the unique features of this case is that the French trial was based primarily on the "fruits" of the garda investigation. Mr Munro also raised the issue that the French authorities did not seek to invite Mr Bailey to attend his trial in 2019 and his solicitor, Frank Buttimer, was not invited either. The barrister said this seemed strange and described it as an "unusual feature" of the trial. Mr Munro questioned why the 2017 proceedings were brought, where it must have been obvious to a competent lawyer that the Supreme Court had blocked the way. "If there is an absence of an abuse of process in the past, it is clearly relevant to this third set of proceedings," he said. The lawyer relied on the 2012 Supreme Court case of Minister for Justice v Tobin, where he said the finality of proceedings was of fundamental importance to the administration of justice and the courts ensure there is no abuse of this. In conclusion, Mr Munro said the only statute mentioned in this case - the Criminal Law Act 2019 - was a straw in the wind and this act was "blowing around in the wind". Mr Bailey's declared right under section 44 prohibited his surrender to France and nothing that has happened since had come close to prohibiting that right, he said. French authorities previously sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010 but this application was refused by the Supreme Court in 2012, which held that section 44 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law did not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen. A second French extradition request in respect of Mr Bailey was dismissed as an abuse of process by the High Court in July 2017. On that occasion, Mr Justice Tony Hunt held that the unique features of the case justified termination of the proceedings. He said the Minister was estopped or halted from obtaining an order for Mr Bailey's surrender in light of the Supreme Court's judgement in 2012 on identical relevant facts. Mr Bailey and filmmaker Jim Sheridan were present in court for today's hearing. Mr Munro will continue his submissions when the extradition hearing continues tomorrow (Thurs) before Mr Justice Burns. It is expected to last three days. Chron.com is following the latest headlines on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the Houston area. 3 p.m. After the Texas Education Agency last week released new guidelines on reopening schools during the pandemic, Houston ISD on Wednesday announced its back-to-school plans for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. The district said via its website it will begin the school year virtually for six weeks starting on Sept. 8. Face-to-face instruction will begin on Oct. 19, but parents will have the option to opt-out and continue virtual instruction if that is preferred. 9:30 a.m. Tuesday marked the single-highest day for new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Texas and the third-highest day for new deaths since the pandemic began, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. From Monday to Tuesday, Texas cases increased by 4.02 percent, or 10,859 cases, to 281,085 cases total. The state reported 104 new deaths; the death count is now at 3,378. The rolling average of viral tests conducted is now at a record high of 53,913 and 16.89 percent of all Texans tested yesterday tested positive for the virus, a figure that has been steadily increasing for three months. This is the highest positive test rate yet, per the Chronicle's data team. As of Tuesday evening, there were 10,569 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 across the state. There are 11,402 beds available, including 949 in ICU, and 5,051 ventilators available left in state hospitals. Tuesday also marked the sixth straight day Texas hospitals recorded having fewer than 1,000 ICU beds available. 'COME AND TAKE IT': Pasadena bar openly defies Abbott's order with 'Texas Bars Fight Back Rally' In the Houston region, cases had risen by 3.98 percent, or 2,653 cases, to a total of 69,275 cases. The region reported 18 new deaths since yesterday and the death count is now at 676 deaths. Harris County saw a 3.5 percent increase, or 1,658 new cases, and is now at 49,027 cases total. As Houston and Texas cases continue to trend upward, Houston leaders such as Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner have publicly expressed the need for a second shutdown order. Gov. Greg Abbott has toed the line when it comes to another shutdown. Last week he warned a second shutdown could be possible if Texans do not abide by the state mandate to wear masks and cases continue to climb. Later that same day, he told KSAT 12 News that an imminent shutdown was a "rumor". "Let me be clear about this because a lot of people are asking about that question, Abbott said. There are rumors out there that there will be an imminent shutdown and that is not the case. While local and state officials openly debate the necessity of a second shutdown, Houston hospital executives have remained silent, the Houston Chronicle reported. Nine of ten executives of the Texas Medical Center did not respond when asked if they would support a new order to lock down the state. NOTE: The numbers included in this report represent a one-day change in confirmed cases from Monday, July 13 through Tuesday, July 14. It is still unclear how many of the state's new cases can be attributed to jail inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect numbers that the state's positive test rate indicates the percentage of positive tests out of all the tests administered. rebecca.hennes@chron.com By Fabian Cambero SANTIAGO, July 15 (Reuters) - Chile's Antofagasta and unionized workers at its Zaldivar mine entered into mediation with the government on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to stave off a strike amid a coronavirus outbreak in the South American nation. Workers at the mine voted in favor of a walk-off late last week after rejecting a new contract offer, which they said had stripped some current benefits. The company has agreed to continue to dialogue. A period of government mediation will run through July 22, the union told Reuters. Antofagasta still has until Friday to request government mediation at another of its copper mines, Centinela, where supervisors paved the way for a strike after rejecting the company's pay offer. Major copper miners operating in Chile, the world's top copper producer, have largely maintained output even as measures to combat the coronavirus have devastated other parts of its economy. The fast-spreading virus, however, has prompted calls in recent weeks for shutting down mines and beefing up sanitary protocols. Zaldivar, which is co-owned by Barrick Gold Corp , accounts for around 2% of Chile's annual copper production. (Reporting by Fabian Cambero in Santiago Writing by Dave Sherwood Editing by Matthew Lewis) 4224)) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said Tuesday that it will never allow any illegal manipulation in the Legislative Council (LegCo) election in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The spokesperson condemned the so-called "primaries" recently organized by the opposition camp in Hong Kong, saying that such acts have constituted illegal manipulation of the LegCo election and posed a blatant challenge to the HKSAR Basic Law and the national security law for the HKSAR. The spokesperson expressed resolute support for punishing such illegal acts in accordance with the law. Hong Kong is scheduled to hold a general election for the seventh-term LegCo in September. The so-called "primaries" sought to hijack public opinion under the pretext of a "referendum," said the spokesperson, noting that they posed a grave threat to the constitutional order of the HKSAR and harmed the democratic electoral system in Hong Kong. The so-called "primaries" and "referendum" are not stipulated in the Basic Law or any existing law on an election in Hong Kong, rendering such acts organized by any group or individual illegal, the spokesperson said. Also, the so-called "primaries" have severely disturbed the election order and may have violated the national security law for the HKSAR, the spokesperson added. The HKSAR government has received a large number of complaints regarding the so-called "primaries," said the spokesperson, stressing the need for serious investigation and severe punishment in accordance with the law. The so-called "primaries" are an extension of the turbulence that has lasted more than a year following the proposed ordinance amendments in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. Benny Tai Yiu-ting, the major plotter and organizer of the so-called "primaries," was also a key mastermind behind the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement, an advocate of both "Hong Kong independence" and the terrorist suicidal tactic of "burn with us," and a political proxy of foreign and external forces in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. Tai and other like-minded people are among the culprits of the chaos which has jeopardized Hong Kong and the wellbeing of its residents, the spokesperson added. They used "safeguarding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy" as a disguise to create chaos, attempting to turn Hong Kong into a base for waging a "color revolution" against the country and conducting infiltration and subversive activities, the spokesperson said. With the national security law for the HKSAR in place, Hong Kong is embracing a turnaround to end the chaos, restore order and bring itself back to the right track, said the spokesperson. "We sincerely hope that people in Hong Kong can tell right from wrong and resolutely say 'no' to any acts challenging the bottom line of 'one country, two systems' or undermining prosperity and stability in Hong Kong," the spokesperson said. The Ministry of Health does not exclude the possibility of revising the criterion for dividing the countries into the "red" and "green" zones and using the incidence rate [the number of new cases in the last seven/14 days] instead of the number of active patients per 100,000 people, Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov said during a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. "At the stage of agreeing on what principle borders will be opened, including in the EU, the level of active patients per 100,000 of population was discussed. At the end of June, we introduced the criterion of 40 active patients per 100,000 people. After that, EU countries changed this indicator to incidence rate. We also monitor this and do not exclude that we will revise the criteria in the direction of incidence rate in order to take such an indicator as in Europe," he said. Stepanov added that the ministry had initiated an increase in the rate of active patients to 55 per 100,000 of population. "In connection with the increase in the number of active patients in Ukraine (more than 62 per 100,000), we proposed to increase this criterion to 55 per 100,000 of population. That is, countries with the number of active patients more than 55 per 100,000 of population will fall into the 'red' zone, less than 55 - in the 'green' zone," he said. The minister emphasized that those who arrived from the countries of the "red" zone may early withdraw from self-isolation mode by passing the PCR test for COVID-19. "Regarding laboratories at airports, according to our information, the Ministry of Infrastructure is considering the possibility of installing laboratories at the Boryspil Airport and at the Lviv Airport," he added. 100 Years Ago 1920: Embarrassment to the nth degree was suffered by a Fifth Ward resident, a boarder, who landed in his plight because of his carelessness in acquainting himself with the scenery of his boarding house. Last night he returned from his work, bolted up the steps of a house, kept on upstairs and filled the bath-tub for a cool immersion. He was somewhat horror-stricken when he suddenly realized he was in the wrong house, two houses away from his real boarding house. To make matters worse, the inmates of the private dwelling heard the splashing and grunts in the bath-room and made an investigation which had all the elements of a movie comedy. The boarder was permitted to dress and after profuse explanations, he made his way to his boarding house, but joke soon was being told by his fellow-boarders and he was roundly joshed. 75 Years Ago 1945: There are more than 2,000 jobs available immediately in Chester and Delaware County plants, with indications that reconversion in some industries is takin gup the slack which developed when war orders were completed or cut back early in the spring, it was learned today. The United State Employment Office, at Ninth and Welsh streets, has 2,011 jobs to fill, including 800 requiring unskilled help, Manager William Lafore reported. 50 Years Ago 1970: Chester City Council passed a resolution Tuesday giving Mayor John H. Nacrelli authorization to put policemen on overtime duty at his discretion to help curb crime. Nacrelli this resolution is more flexible.. and the men will be used when needed most compared to the similar 1969 resolution to increase patrolmen to 12-hours shifts instead of the usual eight. 25 Years Ago 1995: Regionalism may be a current hot topic in the Delaware Valley, but if regionalists insist on calling this area Greater Philadelphia, Swarthmore Mayor Guy Smith is having none of it. Smith told borough council he had spoken his piece at a recent regionalism meeting and would continue to protest that Greater Philadelphia is one more thing were going to have to be very careful of Its another one of the ways they take away individual identity. 10 Years Ago 2010: The mixture of passionate emotions that emanated from city hall when Chester City Council extended the state of emergency last month was absent when the board reconvened Wednesday. With the state of emergency expected to be lifted July 23, Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr. said after the meeting that he planned to reveal his plans for the transition publicly sometime next week. COLIN AINSWORTH Burma Myanmar Green Lights Commercial Crocodile Breeding for Zoos, Meat, Leather A crocodile at Meinmahla Kyun in Ayeyarwady Regions Bogale Township. / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe Myanmar government says it will now allow commercial breeding of crocodiles, according to the Forest Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. The ministry will allow breeding of saltwater crocodiles, mugger crocodiles and Siamese crocodiles for zoos, commercial displays and meat and leather production. The move is part of a plan to conserve endangered species under the Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law. The Forest Department said it will announce details later about requirements for crocodile farming. The decision presents an opportunity to turn Yangons Thaketa Crocodile Farm, which was established in 1978 for crocodile conservation and tourism, into a commercial business, said U Myint Zin Htoo, deputy director-general of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. It costs us a lot to feed the crocodiles, so it would be better to make a business out of them, he told The Irrawaddy. He suggested that, depending on the changes in the policy, the Thaketa Crocodile Farm may partner with experienced private companies on a profit-sharing basis to breed crocodiles and produce meat and leather. According to the Fisheries Department, there are more than 500 crocodiles at Thaketa Crocodile Farm, ranging in length from 1 ft to over 10 ft (3.5 m). In 1997, Myanmar signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an agreement between governments to ensure that the trade of plants and animals does not threaten their species survival. Under the convention, crocodiles cannot be sold commercially until they have been bred in captivity for three generations, and a certain proportion of the crocodiles will have to be released into wild habitats to ensure the species survival. Other countries also engage in this business. It is good if crocodiles can be bred for profit because they have to be fed anyway [at Thaketa Crocodile Farm], U Win Ko Ko, who worked as senior technical coordinator at the Wildlife Conservation Society, told The Irrawaddy. However, he warned that allowing commercial production of crocodile meat and leather will also give rise to illegal killing of wild crocodiles. Myanmars neighbor Thailand is home to some of the worlds biggest crocodile farms, part of a booming industry for tourism and production of meat and leather. Some 1.2 million crocodiles are kept on more than 1,000 farms in Thailand, according to figures from the Thai Department of Fisheries. Sri Ayutthaya Crocodile Farm is one of Thailands biggest and has been operating for 35 years. It is registered with the CITES, allowing it to legally export products made from the critically-endangered Siamese freshwater crocodile. China is the biggest buyer of crocodile products, followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan and countries in the Middle East. Under the socialist regime of military dictator General Ne Win, the Peoples Pearl and Fisheries Corporation starting exporting live crocodiles caught in the Ayeyarwady Delta in 1972. The overhunting put the reptile on the verge of extinction and the military regime stopped exports in 1994. Meinmahla Kyun in Ayeyarwady Regions Bogale Township was then established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1994 to conserve crocodiles. It hosts Myanmars largest wild crocodile population; according to a 2015 survey, there are more than 110 crocodiles in Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko Ko. By Trend The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the Deposit Insurance Fund are taking all necessary measures to ensure the return of funds in the manner prescribed by the law to depositors who have problems in closed banks such as AtaBank OJSC, Amrahbank OJSC, AG Bank OJSC and NBC Bank OJSC, Trend reports referring to the CBA. As known, the licenses of AtaBank OJSC, Amrahbank OJSC, AG Bank OJSC and NBC Bank OJSC were canceled by CBA due to the complete loss of capital, their failure to fulfill obligations to creditors and false accountancy. In accordance with the decisions of the administrative board of the Baku Court of Appeal dated April 28 and May 14, 2020, these banks were declared bankrupt. The Deposit Insurance Fund was appointed as their liquidator. "The register of transactions on closed banks was transferred to the Deposit Insurance Fund, the message said. The process of paying compensation on the deposits was launched in a short period of time. Kapitalbank OJSC was chosen for paying compensation on deposits of AtaBank OJSC, Amrahbank OJSC upon the decision of the board of trustees of the Deposit Insurance Fund while Azerbaijan International Bank - for paying compensation on deposits of AG Bank OJSC and NBC Bank OJSC. The process of paying the compensation on deposits in AtaBank OJSC and Amrahbank OJSC up to 30,000 manat ($17,647) has been launched since June 1, 2020, and the compensation on deposits worth more than 30,000 manat ($17,647) - since July 1, 2020. The compensation on deposits worth up to 30,000 manat ($17,647) in AG Bank and NBC Bank have been paid since June 16, 2020, and the compensation on deposits worth more than 30,000 manat ($17,647) will be paid from July 15, 2020, the message said. The CBA stressed that as a whole, as of today, compensation worth 229.7 million manat ($135 million) was paid to 12,900 depositors. The CBA and the Deposit Insurance Fund found violations in the process of revoking the licenses of banks and their liquidation, the message said. A corrective measure was applied on January 27, 2020, to completely stop accepting deposits from individuals. However, NBC Bank did not comply with the order on additional corrective measures and these facts were revealed by the interim administrator appointed by the CBA. Along with the lack of capital and other factors, this factor was taken into account when revoking the banks license, CBA added. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz New Delhi: South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics will enable its upcoming flagship smartphone Galaxy S8 with artificial intelligence assistant service. Samsung is making an untiring attempt to post a recovery from its global smartphone recalls. The Galaxy S8 will let users order food or perform othertasks without going through a third-party application but bysimply asking the phone's virtual assistant, Samsung said in astatement. The artificial intelligence service will also be madeavailable in Samsung's other consumer electronics products,such as refrigerators. The company declined to disclose what specific tasks the S8 phone will perform through its artificial intelligencefeature. Samsung is expected to unveil the next iteration for itsflagship Galaxy device in spring as it has typically done inthe past. Sales of the Galaxy S8 will be crucial for therecovery of Samsung's mobile business, which saw its latestquarterly profit nearly wiped out by two global recalls of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone. Samsung estimates it has lost at least $5.3 billion as itdiscontinued the model, which overheated and caught fire.The company said last month that it has not figured out whatwent wrong with the Note 7 phones. The South Korean company joined the race to create thedigital assistant service when it acquired in October Viv LabsInc, a Silicon Valley startup launched by the sameentrepreneurs who sold Siri to Apple. Past and current Samsungphones offer a voice assistant service called "S Voice"developed internally, but the feature did not gain muchtraction. Samsung's acquisition of the Silicon Valley firm was seenas its taking another step to seek independence from Google,which offers its brand of virtual assistant service inAndroid-powered devices. Executives at Samsung and Viv Labs said that the biggestdifference between the existing digital assistant and the onethey are jointly developing is that the latter will be an"open AI platform," meaning that third-party developers willbe able to offer their services through Samsung's AI platform. "Our Galaxy smartphones don't provide services that enableconsumers to order pizza or coffee, but does provide thirdparty applications. But the new AI platform will enableconsumers to do things that they would usually do through aseparate third party application," Samsung's statement said. People working from home during the pandemic are more vulnerable to bullying and harassment, with legal researchers warning the high cost of litigation is also stifling complaints. Associate Professor Dominique Allen and Adriana Orifici from the Monash University Business School said working from home has made it more difficult for workplaces to detect sexual harassment. There were fewer opportunities for incidental observation of inappropriate behaviour and early intervention by supervisors or bystanders during online communication. Workers based away from the office were often isolated from supportive networks, an expert said. Credit:iStock This meant sexual harassment might go undetected for longer or escalate before it was reported by the victim. Ms Orifici said working from a remote location also prevented informal communication between employees and managers. Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media WILTON To assist seniors during the coronavirus pandemic, the campaign team for State Senator Will Haskell (D-26) made more than 10,000 calls over the past three months to check in on them. A team of 37 volunteer interns teamed up to call the 10,129 households in the 26th District in which at least one occupant was over 70 years-old, according to a press release issued by the Haskell campaign. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Origina, a leading global IBM third-party software support provider, announced its partnership with Bramble Hub today. The collaboration enables Origina to work with the UK's public sector using Crown Commercial Services frameworks to deliver quality independent software support for IBM applications at an affordable price. Bramble Hub is a specialist in government procurement, operating as a Crown Commercial Services Supplier across a wide range of frameworks for public sector customers. Since 2006, it has developed relationships with over 300 of the UK's most brilliant and capable ICT companies and works with all public sector verticals. "Bramble Hub was created to enable high-quality SME suppliers to offer their services to the government and wider public sector," Matt Bell, Bramble Hub's Partner Manager, said. "We welcome the continued involvement of Origina and its intuitive service offering, which helps IBM software customers reduce annual costs and get better software support." Bramble Hub has successfully worked with Origina to deliver solutions into Central Government, enabling customers to reduce cost and procure software support. Origina is an independent software support provider for over 800 IBM software products like DB2, Cognos, MQ, InfoSphere, FileNet and others. Its team of 600+ Global IBM Experts - many of whom were the original coders for the application they specialise in - help companies maintain their software and extend the lifecycle of those products while saving 50 percent annually on costs. Origina is available for the CCS RM3821 Data & Application Solutions and RM3804 Technology Services 2 frameworks and is now also available through NHS LPP framework for software and managed services. To learn more about how to work with Origina through Bramble Hub, contact Origina today: https://www.origina.com/contact. About Origina Origina is the world's leading provider of independent IBM software support in a rapidly expanding independent third-party software maintenance (TPSM) market. The company works with some of the largest companies across the world, saving them hundreds of millions of dollars. Addressing the demand from organizations needing lower-cost alternatives to the escalating price of technical maintenance, support, and consulting services offered by IBM, Oracle, and SAP, the TPSM market is anticipated to pass $1bn by 2022. Origina is one of the most exciting high-growth technology support companies to come out of Ireland. Using a unique platform-enabled and flexible business model allows it to help IBM software clients to switch from IBM, generate savings of 50 percent and get a vastly improved service. Contact: Bryan Arnott +353-(01)-294-2300 b.arnott@origina.com The Internal Revenue Service is one of the few government agencies that make money. For every 33 cents in its budget, the I.R.S. collects $100. Its budget-to-revenue ratio ranks among the lowest for tax collection agencies in the world. Yet the I.R.S. also lets hundreds of billions of dollars slip through its fingers each year. This tax gap recent estimates pegged it at $381 billion a year between 2011 and 2013 comes from people and businesses that underreport their income, pay less than what they owe or owe taxes but simply dont file a return. Most of the gap is owed by the wealthy, who can pay accountants to mask their income and lawyers to protect them if the taxman comes knocking. The I.R.S. asked Congress for $900 million in additional funding to help recover some of the tax gap as part of its 2021 budget request. Clawing back even a quarter of the revenue could pay for proposals like tuition-free public college or an expanded border wall. But over the past decade, Congress has starved the I.R.S. of badly needed resources. Budget cuts have whittled away at staffing levels and forced auditors to leave hundreds of thousands of identified tax violations on the shelf, essentially unchallenged. Every taxpayer service and enforcement statistic has declined considerably since 2010, noted I.R.S. officials in the agencys budget request. Heres how the I.R.S. has fallen: Note: Showing fiscal year budget appropriations, in 2019 dollars. The I.R.S. has received additional money at various points to help the agency implement laws like the CARES Act and 2017 tax cuts. Source: I.R.S. The I.R.S. is facing historically low funding levels this year, even after a $500 million boost from a coronavirus relief bill.The agencys enforcement budget, which funds tax audits, has been hit especially hard. As a result of the budget cuts, the I.R.S. instituted a hiring freeze in 2011. Since then, the number of employees has dropped from 94,700 to 73,600 in 2019. A relatively large share of the staffing losses has been among revenue agents, who take on the complicated, in-person examinations of high-income taxpayer cases. As enforcement withered, so did the share of returns that were audited and the amount of unpaid taxes that auditors uncovered. The wealthy have benefited the most from hobbled enforcement.Audits of people making more than $1 million and corporations worth more than $20 billion have plummeted. All these cuts havent gone unnoticed by people looking to skirt the law.One of the few statistics thats increased since 2010? The number of people who arent filing their taxes. The pandemic has presented a special challenge for the I.R.S. So much unanswered mail flowed in while employees were sheltering at home that the agency rented trailers to store the backlog. On top of the disruptions due to the coronavirus, the agency was asked to distribute more than 160 million payments as part of coronavirus relief efforts. Also on the agencys docket: implementing last years Taxpayer First Act, which aims to improve the agencys customer service efforts and expand electronic filing programs. Add to that the continuing work of modernizing the departments software (We still have applications that were running when John F. Kennedy was president, wrote John Koskinen in 2015, when he was the I.R.S. commissioner) and you have a picture of an agency stretched to its limit. The I.R.S. doesnt have the resources to give high-income tax audits the attention they deserve. Theres no question that more lower-income people are being examined than upper-income people, said J. Russell George, a Treasury Department inspector general who oversees tax administration, at a House appropriations meeting last year. Asked to explain the disparities, Mr. George said that the short answer is resources. A lot of the work that relates to poor people is the type of work thats relatively simple for the I.R.S. to conduct, especially with the work of junior I.R.S. employees. The more sophisticated the income tax, the more involved it is and the longer it takes. When revenue agents do have time to pursue high-income audits, the returns are astounding. In 2013, agents conducted more than 6,000 audits on taxpayers who made more than $5 million. Those audits resulted in about $880 million of recommended additional taxes. That works out to $4,545 for every hour each agent spent on those cases. A report last week from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is one more reminder that investing in the I.R.S. pays off. The budget office conservatively estimated that adding $20 billion more to the I.R.S.s coffers over the next 10 years would result in $61 billion more in revenue. As the government looks for ways to keep Americans afloat during the recession, Congress cant afford to keep the I.R.S.s hands tied. Authorizing the agencys 2021 budget request in full is the least the government can do to make sure every taxpayer especially the rich ones pay their fair share. Correction: An earlier version of the chart accompanying this article included incorrect percent-change numbers. The figures at the end of each line have been changed to reflect the correct numbers. Almost one billion people around the world fear losing their homes or land within five years, with owners and tenants in Burkina Faso and the Philippines the most concerned, a survey of 140 nations showed on Wednesday. About one in five adults (19%) worry that their housing, fields or other land could be taken away from them in the near future, hampering their ability to invest or plan, according to the Prindex global property rights index. "Land and housing insecurity is a huge issue hiding in plain sight," said Malcolm Childress, executive director of the Global Land Alliance, a Washington-based think tank that compiles the index with the British Overseas Development Institute. "Tenure security is important for individual decision making and has knock-on effects on what people do with their assets, whether they send their kids to school, or invest in better crops," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A lack of formal documentation and poor implementation of land laws threaten tenure in many countries, experts say, with more than 5 billion people lacking proof of ownership, according to the Lima-based Institute for Liberty and Democracy. People in the Philippines and Burkina Faso reported the highest levels of concern, with nearly half of respondents (48% and 44%) fearing their homes could be taken away. That compared with Singapore and Rwanda, which had the lowest rates of concern in the same two regions, with 4% and 8% respectively. "It's not surprising, given the unrest in both Burkina and the Philippines, that expressed levels of insecurity are rising," said Karol Boudreaux, chief programme officer at land rights charity Landesa. "Violent conflict displaces many people, and those left as well as powerful actors take advantage to seize properties," she said in emailed comments. The survey, conducted by US polling firm Gallup and launched on Wednesday, is the largest-ever effort documenting how secure people feel about their homes and land at a global level. Although data collection was completed before the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, housing insecurity could further increase as the easing of lockdowns in cities may lead to a rise in evictions, Childress said. "We already have a lot of insecurity globally and the pandemic has thrown a huge shock on top of that," he said. "The United States for example is facing a massive eviction crisis." Improving land and housing security will require training and awareness campaigns for people to exercise their rights and prove property ownership, and protecting renters from evictions, the report said. For example, authorities from Colombia to Nepal are using digital evidence such as photographs to establish property claims, in particular for the estimated 70 million people who have been forced from their homes by wars, natural disasters and other events. Nearly 170,000 people in 140 countries were questioned about ownership or tenure for the index. Prindex is an initiative of PlaceFund a venture fund with which the Thomson Reuters Foundation has a partnership on property rights coverage and the UK's Department for International Development The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, on Wednesday, approved the sack of elected council chairpersons by Governor Seyi Makinde. The sacked chairpersons have, however, vowed to appeal at the Supreme Court. The former council bosses announced the plan to appeal in a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday. The former chairpersons, led by Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, had approached the court to vindicate them saying they were illegally sacked. Mr Makinde had shortly after his inauguration as governor in 2019, sacked the officials. He ordered the council bosses who were elected in 2018 to hand over the property of their councils to the most senior staffer in their respective local government areas. The officials, drawn from the 33 local government areas (LGAs) and 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) and their councillors, were members of the APC who were elected during the tenure of the immediate past governor, late Abiola Ajimobi. The officials after their sack approached an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. They argued that they were illegally removed by Mr Makinde. The case later moved to the court of appeal. But, the appeal court in its ruling on Wednesday ruled in favour of the governor, elected under the PDP. Justice Haruna Tsamani read the judgment in the presence of the two other judges who were members of the three-member panel of the court of appeal. Heading to Supreme Court Mr Abass-Aleshinloye, who is the spokesman of the group, said they will proceed to the Supreme court to challenge their removal. The ex-chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, noted that their lawyers have been informed of the decision to proceed to the Supreme Court. We humbly reject the judgement and we shall proceed to the Supreme Court for a review. Our lawyers have been informed to take the necessary action, he said. As elected chairmen and councilors, we will continue to defend democracy and our freely given mandate legally and peacefully until justice is done and seen to be done. The struggle continues, he said. Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC has said it will give the judgement of the appeal court to its legal team for scrutiny. Its publicity secretary, AbdulAzeez Olatunde, in a statement, said the party would await the legal advice on its next step. The judgement of the court of appeal in the unconstitutional and illegal dissolution of the elected Local Government Administration in Oyo State of Wednesday 15th July 2020 would be given to Oyo State APC legal team for scrutiny when received. Thereafter, the Oyo State APC would await the legal advice on the next step and way forward. APC Oyo State has been known for peace and as such would counsel all APC members in Oyo State to go about their endeavours peacefully and await the next step to be taken in line with the advice of our team of legal experts, the party said. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / GGX Gold Corp. (TSXV:GGX)(OTCQB:GGXXF)(FRA:3SR2) (the "Company" or "GGX") is pleased to provide an update on the 2020 exploration program at the Gold Drop property in the Greenwood Mining Camp. This field season began with development and implementation of protocols and measures to prevent and control the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Personnel received training and individual daily temperature self-monitoring was implemented. Initial field work has focussed on preparation for trenching and drilling, with targets being marked out at the C.O.D. vein, Rhoderick Dhu, and Gold Drop mine areas. These areas will be trenched first and then drilled. Also, all the previous drill holes and trenches from 2017 and 2018 at the COD were surveyed with a Trimble Geo7X instrument for sub-meter accuracy, and prospecting and rock sampling was started. Trenches were marked at two parallel veins located west of the C.O.D., one of which returned a grab sample last year that assayed 55.8 grams per tonne gold and greater than 100 grams per tonne silver. Most recently, an excavator was mobilized to site to start the trenching program. The first trench will be on the C.O.D. vein at its southern end where some of the world's best intercepts of the year were obtained (as announced in a news release dated March 18, 2019): COD18-67: 129 g/t gold, 1,154 g/t silver & 823 g/t tellurium over 7.28 meters core length. COD18-70: 107 g/t gold, 880 g/t silver & 640 g/t tellurium over 6.90 meters core length. Photo of part of the Gold Drop Property showing the location of target areas. Photos of geologists in the field at Gold Drop Property showing shaft at Rhoderick Dhu (left), and locating the gold-bearing parallel quartz vein west of C.O.D. (right) Aerial photo showing excavator preparing to trench at C.O.D. area. Analytical results reported above were provided by ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver, BC., an independent and accredited commercial laboratory. Analyses for gold were done by fire assay with AA finish on 50 gram sub-samples, or by metallics sieve analyses. Analyses for silver were by four acid digestion with ICP-MS finish. Quality control was monitored using analytical results for reference standards and blank samples inserted into the sample stream at a frequency of 5% each. David Martin, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and consultant to the Company, approved the technical information in this release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Barry Brown, CEO 604-488-3900 Office@GGXgold.com Forward Looking Statement This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the acquisition of certain mineral claims. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates, including that: the current price of and demand for minerals being targeted by the Company will be sustained or will improve; the Company will be able to obtain required exploration licences and other permits; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms; the Company will not experience any material accident; and the Company will be able to identify and acquire additional mineral interests on reasonable terms or at all. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fluctuating prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition; potential inability to find suitable acquisition opportunities and/or complete the same; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the Company's public filings. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release SOURCE: GGX Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597495/GGX-Gold-Initiates-Trenching-at-COD--Previously-Drilled-Over-7-Meters-of-4-Oz-Gold WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday after industry data showed a sharp drop in U.S. crude inventories and investors closely watched for news from a meeting later in the day on the future level of production by OPEC and its allies. Benchmark Brent crude rose 29 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $43.19 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 37 cents, or 0.9 percent, at $40.66 a barrel. The American Petroleum Institute reported late Tuesday that U.S. crude supplies fell by 8.3 million barrels in the week to July 10, beating forecasts for a decline of 2.1 million barrels, Inventory data from the Energy Information Administration will be out later in the day. Key members of OPEC and allies including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, are meeting today to decide oil output policy from August. They will decide whether to extend output cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) that end in July or ease them to 7.7 million bpd as the global economy slowly recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. OPEC said in its monthly report that global oil demand would rebound sharply next year, surpassing levels seen before the coronavirus crisis. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. NEW HAVEN City police are investigating a shooting in the Fair Haven neighborhood Tuesday night. Capt. Anthony Duff said police responded to the area of Ferry Street near Fox Street just after 7 p.m. for a reported shooting. One victim was taken to the hospital by medics, Duff said. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Haven police at 203-946-6304, call in an anonymous tip to 1-866-888-8477 or text NHPD and the tip to 274637. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL July 15, 2020 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Pfizer Inc. PFE, BioNTech SE BNTX, Moderna, Inc. MRNA, Novavax, Inc. NVAX and Johnson & Johnson JNJ. Here are highlights from Tuesdays Analyst Blog: Race to Coronavirus Vaccine Heats Up: 5 Stocks in the Spotlight The coronavirus outbreak is aggravating in many parts of the United States, compellin several states to pause their reopening plans. The state of Florida for instance reported 15,299 positive cases on Jul 12, a new record for a U.S. state. And with the spike in cases, an increasing number of hospitals are getting overburdened. Meanwhile, two of four experimental coronavirus vaccines, manufactured jointly by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, received fast track status from the FDA on Jul 13. The candidates, BNT162b1 and BNT162b2, are being evaluated in Phase 1/2 clinical studies in the United States and Germany. Notably, BNT162b1 showed positive results on humans in the United States in early July, while results from the German trial of BNT162b2 are expected to be released this month. If the ongoing trials prove successful, the companies said that they will be able to jointly develop up to 100 million doses by the end of the year, and most likely more than 1.2 billion doses by the end of next year. Lest we forget, the FDAs fast track process is designed to increase the pace of development and review of drugs that have the potential to treat serious conditions. Meanwhile, Peter Honig, Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Affairs, Pfizer said that the FDA's decision to grant these two COVID-19 vaccine candidates Fast Track designation signifies an important milestone in the efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Story continues No doubt, the fast track designation bodes well for Pfizer, whose shares had fallen 13.7% year to date (till Jul 10). Shares of Pfizer, by the way, jumped 4.1% on Jul 13. Similarly, BioNTechs shares soared 10.6% yesterday. Whats more, shares of both the companies are further expected to advance in the near term since both are likely to begin another large trial of up to 30,000 participants later this month, subject to regulatory approval. And Pfizer, in particular, expects continued strong growth of key brands like Ibrance, Inlyta and Eliquis to drive sales in 2020. Other biotech stocks, tied to a coronavirus vaccine development program, have been surging lately. In fact, shares of Moderna, Inc. and Novavax, Inc. have skyrocketed 202% and 2521.1% year to date, respectively, as investors remain optimistic about the biotech firms coronavirus vaccine programs. Even though Moderna started to venture into the vaccine development business, it has been a pro in raising capital. The company drew attention after it received funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine to fight the novel coronavirus. Moderna has collaborated with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to develop the experimental mRNA vaccine. Moderna started injecting patients with its SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, in a phase 2 clinical trial in May. The companys manufacturing unit is also aiming to improve production capacity so that it can produce millions of doses, provided the vaccine is safe and effective. And when it comes to American biotech company Novavax, it began its first human study of its experimental coronavirus vaccine on May 25, and expects preliminary results from the trial this month. In its Phase 1 clinical trial, Novavaxs coronavirus vaccine candidate NVX-CoV2373 that includes Matrix-M adjuvant has been helpful in boosting immune responses. Once the Phase 1 trial is successful, Novavax said that the Phase 2 trial will begin in many countries, including the United States, and will assess immunity, safety as well as focus on COVID-19 disease reduction among a broader age range. To top it, Novavax recently received $1.6 billion from the U.S. government to conduct advanced human studies and develop 100 million doses of vaccine by this year. The fund will help the company study its vaccine candidate on at least 30,000 subjects, as early as fall. Novavax, in fact, received as much as $388 million in May from CEPI, the single largest contributor for the organization at that time. Johnson & Johnson is also among the front runners to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Its stock hit a low in March 2020 but quickly recovered in less than a month on bullish expectations for its COVID-19 vaccine. Chief Executive Alex Gorsky admitted that he sees a high degree of probability of being successful. He categorically said that the company could have a coronavirus drug available in the first or second quarter of 2021. The company is aiming to have 1 billion doses available by the end of next year. The company, in itself, is doing good. Its sales of immunology, oncology and neuroscience drugs grew in the first quarter. J&J is making rapid progress with its pipeline and line extensions. And several pivotal data readouts and regulatory milestones are expected in 2020. While Pfizer, BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), Moderna and Novavax flaunt a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was hand-picked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2020. Each comes from a different sector and has unique qualities and catalysts that could fuel exceptional growth. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Click to get this free report Johnson Johnson (JNJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) : Free Stock Analysis Report BioNTech SE Sponsored ADR (BNTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research South Africa: IEC urged to expeditiously confirm voters addresses The Home Affairs Portfolio Committee has urged the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to move with speed to update the details of 9% of voters with incomplete or without addresses listed on the voters roll. This will ensure that the voters roll is in line with the 2016 Constitutional Court ruling in the Electoral Commission v Mhlope and others case, portfolio committee chairperson, Advocate Bongani Bongo, said on Tuesday. The committee welcomed the announcement that the IEC has plans to investigate the 1.1 million people with incomplete addresses and the 1.2 million without addresses on the voters roll. The committee also welcomed the initiative to use geo-coding of addresses to confirm that locations are within wards of registration. The committee believes that the confirmation of addresses will play a critical role in confirming that the elections are free and fair. The committee has emphasised that the IEC must focus more of its energies on Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape -- the provinces with the highest number of voters without addresses on the voters roll, Bongo said. Readiness to hold local government elections Meanwhile, the committee said it is impressed with the IECs readiness to hold the 2021 Local Government Elections. It also welcomed the IECs assertion that it has made provision to procure personal protective equipment for electoral staff to protect them against any infection, and ensure that voting stations do not become vectors of COVID-19. With regards to voter education, the committee said it is cognisant of the challenges COVID-19 presents to the IEC in rolling out outreach programmes and the impact it may have on voter registration weeks. E-voting As a result, the committee has urged the IEC to look at electronic registration as a means to encourage registration and the update of addresses. The committee remains of the view that in order to increase efficiencies in the electoral process, e-voting must be considered going forward. This is essential because the use of technology has the potential to drive down the costs of elections and increase operational efficiencies, as well as encourage greater voter participation, Bongo said. The committee has also called on the IEC to urgently implement its voter education to increase voter participation, especially in the 18 - 29 age group. As per Section 159 of the Constitution and Section 24 (1) of the Municipal Structures Act, the committee notes that the earliest possible date for Local Government Elections in 2021 is 4 August 2021, while the latest date is 1 November 2021, Bongo said. The committee further welcomed progress in relation to Voter Management Devices, and urged the IEC to finalise procurement processes. The committee noted the possible impact of COVID-19 on the processes of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB), especially in relation to stakeholder consultations. It called on the IEC, together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and the MDB, to work on a strategy to ensure adherence to deadlines. The committee further called for a comprehensive voter plan within the context of COVID-19, to ensure that the commission is ready with a fool-proof plan to address the possibility of COVID-19 impacting the elections. The committee has, for its part, committed to further engagements with the IEC to assess further progress on planning, Bongo said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Four unit heads of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented some documents to the panel investigating corruption al... Four unit heads of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented some documents to the panel investigating corruption allegations against Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the of the anti-graft agency, on Tuesday. The unit heads first appeared before the panel last week but a source told TheCable that the committee headed by Ayo Salami, a former president of the court of appeal, was not satisfied with their responses to questions, hence they were asked to return at a later date. The senior officials of the agency presented some documents to the panel on Tuesday, the 7th day of grilling Magu who has been accused of abusing his former office. Magu was at the old banquet hall of the presidential villa, venue of the screening, with his lawyer. He is facing 21 corruption allegation brought against him by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended him three days after his arrest in Abuja. The panel began sitting three weeks ago, but was only able to compel Magu to appear before it last week. Magu has been detained since his arrest while Umar Mohammed, director of operations, has taken over the commission in an acting position. The Governing Council of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has condemned the ethnocentric and personal attacks on Professor John Owusu Gyapong, Vice-Chancellor of the University. The attack was by Mr Henry Ametefee, Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement signed by Mrs Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, Registrar of the University and Secretary to the Council, it expressed dissatisfaction with the comments, which alleged that the Vice-Chancellor was doing so many dirty things there with the removal of Voltarians." It indicated the Governing Council of UHAS at its meeting on July 10, 2020, discussed the issue and felt greatly disappointed at these ill-informed comments, personalised attacks against the Vice-Chancellor with unfortunate ethnocentric undertones. It acknowledged Professor Gyapong had maintained an appointment system free of bias, and which served the University with high-quality staff. We wish to reaffirm for the benefit of the Volta Region, the entire Country, and our International collaborators that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gyapong, under the guidance of the University Council, has been consistent in putting in place a robust, transparent and competitive appointment system and procedure. It said this is to ensure that at all times, the most competent and capable officers take up available positions in the University, irrespective of which part of the country or the world they came from. The statement assured all Ghanaians that the alleged practice of dirty things and removing Voltarians or any other employee on the basis of their ethnic background is entirely untrue and will never have the support of the UHAS Council in any shape or form. It said, this is at variance with our vision of building an equal opportunity University of international repute that can compete globally. The statement said the Council, in affirmation of its confidence in the professionalism of the Vice-Chancellor, has renewed his tenure to enable him to steer the affairs of the University into its desired position. Council unreservedly affirms its confidence in the character, professional capabilities and managerial acumen of Vice-Chancellor Professor John Gyapong, who was inducted into office in October 2016, after a highly competitive appointment process." Indeed, the moral character, integrity, competence, and efficiency in managing the University has earned Professor Gyapong, a renewal of his tenure for another two years, to expire July 2022," it said. The statement said Council wishes to express the Universitys readiness at all times to openly address any additional concerns that Mr Ametefee or members of the public might have regarding the administration of UHAS. It affirmed that UHAS would continue to remain apolitical in its dealings, offer equal opportunities to all, and pursue diversity as its culture, it stated. 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 Shekhar Kapur Predicts The Death Of The Star System As Well As The 100 Crore Weekly Collections With Influx Of OTT Releases Reliance Jio has confirmed that it is focusing on 5G as a technology and is committed to make a home-grown 5G solution for mobile networks. This was announced at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited, in what is the first ever virtual AGM for the company. This comes just a few hours after US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo had praised Indias Reliance Jio as a clean network while being critical of Huaweis 5G equipment as threats to national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual and human rights. Reliance Jio says it is developing a 5G mobile network solution from the ground up, which will eliminate the need for the company to depend on third-party vendors including Huawei. It is expected that 5G network solution will be ready for testing sometime next year. There are plans to export this home-grown solution to mobile networks globally. The investment by technology giant Qualcomm could give Reliance Jio the technological advantage in the push for a new 5G mobile network solution. "Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year," says Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries. Chinese technology company Huawei has been under the scanner in many countries, including India, for potential data privacy and security issues in their 5G equipment for mobile networks. Clean carriers like Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and others have also prohibited the use of Huawei equipment in their networks, said Pompeo in an official statement. At the same time, Reliance Jio is also focusing on pushing affordable 5G smartphones in India. This comes as Reliance Industries announced the Rs 33,373 crore investment by technology giant Google in Jio Platforms for a 7.7% stake. As India is standing at the doorsteps of the 5G era, we should accelerate the migration of 350 million Indians, who currently use a 2G feature phone, to an affordable smart phone, said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries. The attempt is to get all users in India to upgrade from 2G mobile networks to a much faster data experience. Reliance Jio also confirms that they are working with Google for a custom Android-based smartphone operating system which is expected to power the affordable 5G smartphones, while retaining strengths including the Google Play Store for apps. This platform will also be developed in India. Jio also says they will also provide affordable 4G devices to more than 300 million feature phone users in India. JioPhone remains the most affordable 4G phone in the world. Google and Jio Platforms have entered into a commercial agreement to jointly develop an entry-level affordable smartphone with optimizations to the Android operating system and the Play Store. Together we are excited to rethink, from the ground up, how millions of users in India can become owners of smartphones, says Sanjay Gupta, Country Head & VP, India at Google, says in an official statement. 'As an international student, I am constantly living in fear.' 'You're always on guard as to what will happen next.' ** Photograph: Kind courtesy Francisco Osorio/Creative Commons Nearly a week after the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ordered international students to leave the country if their courses went fully online, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew its controversial order on Tuesday, July 14. The administration told the federal district court in Massachusetts that it was cancelling the order that made it mandatory for international students to be enrolled at US universities that offered in-person classes in the fall semester or they would either not be allowed to enter the country or be deported to their home country. Tuesday's decision comes after Harvard and MIT -- along with a number of other institutions, teachers' unions and at least 18 US states -- initiated legal action against the ICE's move. The verdict is a huge relief for international students currently studying in the US including at least 200,000 students from India, particularly those with F-1 (pursuing undergraduate, post-graduate or doctoral studies) and M-1 visas (vocational courses). "You have no idea how happy I am. I hadn't slept all of last week simply thinking what I could do to stay back at least till I finish the course," Srinivas*, who is in his third semester of a graduate course in information technology at an American university, tells Divya Nair/Rediff.com. "I had quit my job in 2018 to prepare for entrance examinations (to enroll at a US university). I took a loan of Rs 30 lakhs (Rs 3 million) and put everything at stake to pursue this course," he explains. "Going back to India at this time would have ruined everything for me and my family," Srinivas adds. "I am glad I have some hope now," "Last week's announcement was really stupid, heartbreaking. International students contribute $41 billion to the US economy. They couldn't have just let us go back after taking a full fee amount from us. I hope the universities will do something about refunding or reducing a part of our fees," says Nisha*, who travelled from Bengaluru to New Jersey in 2019 to pursue an MBA. Sunidhi*, who traveled to New Jersey from Hyderabad in January to pursue a master's in analytics, feels the battle has just begun for international students. "Although I came here in January, we did 65 per cent of the course online. We couldn't really learn much. There is no personal interaction. We lost our on campus jobs," says Sunidhi. "I was working with the career counselling desk which is now gone. As an international student, I am constantly living in fear. You're always on guard as to what will happen next," she adds. "Last week my father sent a list of universities for backup where I could consider applying if the courses moved online. Of course, this new announcement is a relief," she sighs. "But we are going to have to battle a lot of things in 2020 and 2021. The job market hasn't opened up for us. We have paid full fees and have zero personal interaction or networking happening," Sunidhi points out. "We are not really getting value for our education or money," says Sunidhi who will graduate next year. "My faith in the system is restored. But it doesn't change anything financially," says Akash*, a graduate student in Texas. "It's still difficult for international students to get a scholarship or a paid internship." "Even start-ups are not willing to hire international students because of the general uncertainty and COVID restrictions," Akash adds. "If the classes go online, we want a rollback on our fee amount at least for the remaining semesters. This is not what we signed up for," he says. "In January, I was helping my brother apply for an undergraduate course at Caltech or MIT," says Akash, "now, we are looking at universities in Canada and the UK, because the cost of education would be much cheaper there." "I wouldn't recommend coming to the US right now." *Names changed to protect privacy **Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. A massive 55,000 has been raised by the INTO, teachers union, for CMRF Crumlin, which is part of the Childrens Health Foundation family. This year due to Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines, tickets were available online from 10 with the chance to win incredible prizes up to a value of 10,000. All proceeds from the 2020 draw will provide continued support for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research project in the National Children's Research Centre (NCRC). The INTO is delighted and very proud to once again support CMRF through their annual members raffle, says Mary Magner, President of the INTO. Thank you to our members for their generosity in raising 55,000 in the 2020 raffle. This year despite restrictions with Covid-19, our members got behind the online raffle. It will benefit thousands of children all over Ireland in their most vulnerable sick moments, and their parents through periods of strain and worry. The Childrens Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF) Crumlin, the fundraising body for CHI at Crumlin and the National Childrens Research Centre, has praised the INTO for their continued fundraising. Every year, we meet fundraising groups like the INTO and were just overwhelmed by their generosity and their ability to create such a fantastic fundraiser, says Chief Executive of Childrens Health Foundation, Denise Fitzgerald. On behalf of all the children that these funds will ultimately benefit through the research funded we thank the INTO for their amazing ongoing support. The hospital treats upwards of 150,000 children each year from all over Ireland. Every family in our school communities knows of a child who has received treatment in Crumlin hospital, says Mary Magner. We support the hospital in providing the best possible care for children and are mindful of the constant need to invest in research projects. Therefore, the proceeds from the 2020 INTO members draw will be used to fund the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research project. IBD is a term used for two chronic relapsing conditions, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohns disease (CB). Unfortunately, childhood IBD is on the rise with a tripling of cases in the past ten years in Ireland. Current treatment strategies are ineffective in a large number of children, so further research is vital. The INTO launched their annual members online raffle in April and with the support of INTO staff representatives in schools who encouraged members to participate in the raffle, they were delighted with the very generous response. INTO President Mary Magner presented the cheque to Sinead Nolan, Schools and Youth Development Executive with CMRF Crumlin and says the work here in CMRF Crumlin is vital and urgent. Children are suffering right now from the most serious and harrowing illnesses and conditions, Mary says, we need to provide the best research and treatment to save their lives, ease their burden and speed up healing. As 2020 marks 25 years of Leon, assessing the latent sexual potential that defines adolescent girl representations and the need to focus on authenticity By Lois Burke This year marks the 25th anniversary of Luc Bessons controversial thriller Leon: The Professional and a special directors cut has been released to mark the event. In 1995, the film caused a stir on its release over its portrayal of the relationship between the two main characters, the loner hitman Leon and his girl apprentice Mathilda. The representation of Mathilda as a sexually precocious pre-teen was shocking to both viewers and critics, but the film made stars of both actors, Natalie Portman and Jean Reno, and catapulted Besson into mainstream Hollywood. Adolescent girls stories have long been presented in terms of their sexual precociousness. Yet the history of youth can offer insights into girls culture that provides an alternative view to the more common perspective of the male gaze. In film theory, the male gaze provides a view of the world through the eyes of straight men, since they tend to dominate positions within the film and television industry. But looking at the nature of girls culture, which involves adapting adult conventions to suit their needs, can provide a radical rereading of girlhood. Looking at Leon Though Bessons film was critically acclaimed and in many ways has stood the test of time, its representation of girlhood has long been seen as problematic and still jars. Leon presents the story of Mathilda (played by a 12-year-old Portman in her debut role), who is orphaned when her family is murdered and seeks refuge with her neighbour Leon. Mathilda tells Leon that she is 18, though she is clearly prepubescent. Due to her traumatic formative experiences, she believes that she has finished growing up and just getting older. Over time the two become close as Mathilda becomes Leons protege. Eventually, Mathilda tells Leon that she loves him, and and that she wants to have it with him. In a scene that reinforces her precociousness, Mathilda dresses up as a series of celebrities, impersonating Madonna, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin for Leon. The scene wasnt rehearsed, so that Renos response would be one of genuine surprise when Portman croons 'Like a Virgin' and 'Happy Birthday (Mr President)' while clad in make-up and costumes. Girls cultural history Although the scene invites controversy and is uncomfortable to watch, what it actually demonstrates is undeniably girls play, showing typical girlhood amusements: dressing-up and impersonation. My research into the history of childrens cultures demonstrates that girls have long experimented with appropriation and imitation. Before mimicking celebrities from film and popular music, 19th-century girls would imitate the magazines they read, and write homages to, or critiques of, notable authors. They drew on the media they were immersed in at the time, much like Mathilda. Her impression of Marilyn Monroe is part of her cultural arsenal, despite never having seen Monroes films. An example of 19th-century girls appropriating culture can be seen in the youthful writings of Eglantyne Jebb (18761928), who went on to co-found the Save the Children Trust and define the rights of the child. Her home-made magazines are held in the Womens Library at the London School of Economics. One shows that young Eglantyne copied the The Pickwick Club fictional magazine from Louisa May Alcotts Little Women (1868), which was in turn inspired by Charles Dickens first novel The Pickwick Papers (18367). Experts in sociology and education have also observed childrens tendency to appropriate. The sociologist William Corsaro calls this interpretive reproduction, which captures the balance of imitation and agency in girls play. Yet this phenomenon is just one aspect of childrens rich cultural lives. Improving how girls are seen It is undeniable that latent sexual potential has defined girlhood for many writers and creators, whether they have realised it or not. The depiction of overtly sexualised girlhood is tiresome at best, and dangerous at worst. Natalie Portman has spoken out about the sexual terrorism she experienced as a result of appearing in Leon, leading her to say in 2019 that no one would make Leon today. Yet many film-goers informed by #MeToo and intersectional views which consider the overlapping of social categories such as race, gender and class expect more. It was only a few months ago that convicted child rapist Roman Polanski won the Cesar award for best director, sparking protests in France and condemnation from actresses including Adele Haenel, star of the recent French hit Portrait of a Lady on Fire. In recent years, even before the #MeToo movement, female writers and directors have been emerging to take the subject of girlhood into their own hands, which has resulted in more authentic representations of girls experiences. Some, including French director Celine Sciamma are trailblazers in their depiction of female adolescence, eager to redress the balance. Her films such as Water Lilies (2007), Tomboy (2011), Girlhood (2015) and this years Portrait of a Lady on Fire, all place girl characters at the heart of the story. Sciammas example shows that stories of girlhood relationships, pastimes and creativity all make for dynamic cinema. They also sensitively deal with questions of adolescent sexuality. Whether we consider a film made 25 years ago or a novel written 125 years ago we see that girlhood is often framed by the wilful misunderstanding of young womens experiences. The films of Sciamma and her contemporaries indicate that a sea-change is possible. Writers and directors can and must do justice to their girl subjects. They need to look to the real experiences, interests and creative lives of young women, instead of pandering to tropes of sexual precociousness favoured by the male gaze for far too long. Lois Burke, Research Associate in English, Edinburgh Napier University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. TDT | Manama Bahrains Non-Resident Ambassador to the Netherlands Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed Al Khalifa said yesterday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has delivered two judgments upholding the jurisdiction of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) over complaints filed by Qatar. The first complaint was filed against Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE, and the second against Bahrain, Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, concerning the sovereign legitimate measures adopted by the quartet within the framework of terminating diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017. The ambassador expressed Bahrains full respect for the decisions of the ICJ and the principles of international law, in relation to preserving the security, safety and flow of air traffic. He clarified that the two judgments relate to whether the ICAO has competence to hear the complaints brought by Qatar, under the Chicago Convention in 1944 and the Convention on International Air Services Transit, and thus the two judgments have no bearing on the substance of the dispute or the merits of the baseless Qatari claims which target the interests and security of the four abovementioned nations. Throughout this pandemic, youve probably had quite a few questions cross your mind. I know I have. Some of these questions might even be defining moments for your businesss future. So, what are the answers to the questions business owners are asking? Unfortunately, I dont have all of them. But, I do have over 30 years of experience, complete with dealing with recessions and other trying times. I can share what I know and what I know is how to ask the right questions and weigh your options. 4 coronavirus-related questions you may have Covid-19 temporarily changed the way businesses operate nationwide. But could these temporary changes lead to permanent shake-ups? In my opinion, Covid-19 has changed business forever. So, here are some of the top questions business owners are asking: 1. Should I take my business fully remote? For 31% of businesses, the coronavirus was the push they needed to start allowing remote work. If youre like one of the many businesses that took flight and moved to remote work at the start of the pandemic, you might be wondering whether you should stay remote after social distancing dissipates. Well, I cant answer that for you. But if this great work-from-home experiment has been working out for you, it might be worth looking into. Related: 5 Ways the Cloud Can Benefit Your Business During the Pandemic Speaking for my company, Patriot Software, the work-from-home experiment has gone really well. COVID-19 expedited our ability and need to work remotely. Its been nearly three months, and weve learned a lot about what works and what doesnt. Ask yourself some more questions like: Did my businesss productivity levels drop? Is this maintainable over a longer period of time? What will my employees think about it? What will my customers think about it? You have to look at your business model and operations to assess whether a permanent work-from-home model would be right for you. In some cases, it wont work. And in some, it can work. Some advantages of working remote include: Greater flexibility for employees The ability to attract talent from anywhere Decreased overhead costs Some disadvantages of a fully remote office might be: Inability to maintain long-term Increased security risks Poor communication On the fence? Carry out the experiment a little while longer. Try incorporating remote work into your business (if you didnt already) even when you go back to the office. Have employees work from home a few days a week and on-site part of the week. Related: Airbnb CEO: It Took Us 12 Years to Build, and We Lost Almost Everything in 6 Weeks Take notes, gather statistics and metrics (I cant emphasize this enough), get employee feedback, and whatever else you can think of to figure out if going completely remote is the way to go for your business. 2. Should I offer employees paid time off? Another question Ive heard some business owners asking is whether paid time off (PTO) should be part of your benefits package. When Covid-19 was kicking into high gear, one of the concerns was sick employees refusing to take off work because of money. Although the coronavirus sparked emergency legislation that requires eligible employers to temporarily offer paid sick and family leave to employees, its not permanent. So, when the federally-mandated coronavirus paid time off expires, what will you do? You might consider adopting a paid time off policy in your business. That way, employees can take time off when they are sick, have an appointment, or need a break without having to worry about money. At the very least, you might insist on having employees work from home if they have a nagging cough or stuffy nose. 3. How can I prepare for future emergencies? If your emergency preparedness plan was nonexistent pre-coronavirus, you might have been left scrambling. But instead of thinking in terms of What if? and If only, you can take it as a lesson and plan for the future. An emergency plan wont be the end-all-be-all when disaster strikes. You just never know what will be thrown your way. But by having a guidebook in place that outlines things like company communications, youll be better prepared. Whether its a pandemic, natural disaster, or another emergency, your plan should outline things like: How youll communicate with employees Who to contact (e.g., vendors and insurance agents) Alternative work arrangement procedures (e.g., working remotely) 4. What are my businesss strengths and weaknesses? Covid-19 may have highlighted your businesss strengths. Unfortunately, it probably called to light quite a few of your weaknesses, too. Related: How Three Different Tech Companies Are Tackling the Common Fight Against Coronavirus Heres what you need to do. Jot down your strengths and weaknesses. You can even make a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to better organize your observations. Look at your business throughout the coronavirus and ask yourself: What is my business doing well? What am I doing better than my competitors? What made me stand out? Where did I fall short? How can I improve ineffective systems? What are some areas that were costly or time-consuming? Of course, dont beat yourself up. Youre going to have some weaknesses when dealing with a global pandemic, and some of those arent your fault. But by observing your businesss strengths and weaknesses, you can find ways to build up your weaknesses and showcase your strengths. Related: Airbnb Hosts: 3 You Can Do to Reassure Travelers Right Now (Infographic) StartOut Pride Economic Impact Index to Help Quantify Value of LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs The Road Ahead: Visa Webinar Discusses How A Shift To Digital Can Help In The Recovery Of SMEs In The UAE Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved T ributes are being paid to Stardust nightclub fire campaigner Christine Keegan, who died on Tuesday. The mother, who campaigned for decades for the 48 people killed in the 1981 Valentines Day fire in North Dublin, was described as a fighter and hero. Mrs Keegans two daughters Mary, 19, and Martina, 16, were killed in the fire while another daughter, Antoinette, survived the fire. Antoinette and Christine became leading campaigners for justice and were heavily involved in the Stardust Victims Committee. Attorney General Seamus Woulfe said in September he was ordering a fresh inquest into the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane in Dublins Northside. The decision came following a renewed campaign by families and survivors. A statement posted on the Justice for Stardust 48 Twitter page said: It is with deep sadness that we have the announce the passing of Christine. Our thoughts are with Antoinette and all the Keegan family. Christine was an amazing woman, our hero, our fighter for justice for our loved ones. She is now at rest with John, Mary and Martina. Previous inquiries showed that a number of escape routes from the dance hall were blocked because emergency doors were locked by chains. Concerns have also been raised about the investigation of the scene, which allowed politicians and media representatives to walk through the building just days later. Despite findings of safety breaches, there were no prosecutions over the incident. An initial finding of probable arson meant that the relatives of the dead and injured were unable to sue the club owners and operators for alleged negligence. In 1983, the owners of the Stardust were awarded damages equivalent to more than 730,000 euro after suing Dublin Corporation. Families and survivors have been lobbying the Irish Government for years in order to obtain a fresh inquiry. It has been more than a month since the murder of George Floyd by police officers sparked global protests against racism and violence in our law enforcement ranks. It most likely will go down as one of the biggest movements for racial justice in modern history and its still going strong. Americans of all backgrounds now are engaging in new and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about the role that systemic racism plays in our everyday lives. The truth is that through 400 years of American history, anti-Black racism has been woven into the DNA of the institutions and systems that govern us, including and certainly not limited to law enforcement. That is, at its core, why we call it systemic racism and why we need to consider it in every context. One of the most pernicious forms of this systemic racism is residential segregation. In cities and towns across Virginia and the U.S., there is a clear pattern: Black people and white people often live in different neighborhoods with vastly disparate access to services like public transit, quality education, and even healthy food and clean water. Now more than ever, we need to acknowledge how exclusionary zoning practices greatly contribute to that pattern. Watkinss path to Congress was rocky, with Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale writing a pre-election op-ed warning voters not to choose him. A Harvard- and West Point-educated Army veteran who had never sought office before, Watkins was boosted by a super PAC largely funded by his father, a physician in Topeka. The candidates own ties to the district were tenuous, and rivals pointed out that he had never voted there in a partisan election there. Senior Pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries, Rev Chris Okotie has said that holding of Church service online due to the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is totally unscriptural. Rev Okotie, in a sermon titled, The COVID-19 Mystery, maintained that the deadly disease is a satanic conspiracy to challenge the power of God by keeping Christians out of the church. He said: We are dealing with one of the most sinister conspiracies in human history. What we call the online church is absolutely untrue, because for you to be in church, you have to be ecclesia, which is translated from the Greek word, ec, which is out, and the word caleo, called out. You cannot gather unto God until you are called out. Thats why Israel was called out of the world. So, this thing, this phenomenon that we are talking about, the Internet and cyber churches, is totally unscriptural. God knows where you are; if He was not interested in the assembly, you dont need to come to church; you can pray in your house. I pray in my house. You praise in your house. I praise in my house. He can see all of us. He doesnt need computers. But that denies Him who He is; so, we must thats why the bible puts that verse as an imperative you must not forsake the assembly of yourselves together. Okotie had earlier accused Microsoft founder Bill Gates of leading a global conspiracy to destabilize the world economy and execute a satanic agenda against the church. Last month, he also kicked against the Christian Association of Nigerias (CAN) proposed social distancing guidelines for churches, saying: Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the Word of God. Bunch did not respond to a request for comment, but the Smithsonian released a statement Wednesday in response to the letter emphasizing the museums commitment to diversity. The museum leaders are cognizant of the need to recruit, employ and empower more curators and artists that represent diverse fields and backgrounds, the statement said. While our collections and exhibits represent a rich diversity of thought, artists and scholarship, we recognize that we must continue to increase diversity within the museum, and drive inclusive behavior among all Smithsonian staff. Former Philly mayors must be sighing in relief that they did not have to manage the city through this springs triple catastrophes: coronavirus, BLM protests and police response, plus a suddenly mail-in primary election. While the city gets generally good marks for containing COVID, the administration, starting at the top, massively failed to contain the initial protests that turned into a violent night of destruction in Center City and then business corridors in some of the citys poorest neighborhoods. Likewise, police teargassing protesters on the Vine Street Expressway turned into a national story of bad management. Managing Director Brian Abernathy has taken the fall, announcing his resignation Tuesday evening. For folks in charge, that leaves.... Editorial cartoons from this month include: Apple's European headquarters in Cork, Ireland. (Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images) Apple (APPL) on Wednesday won its appeal against a 2016 European Union ruling that found Ireland had provided 13bn (11.7bn, $14.7bn) in illegal tax benefits to the technology giant. In a significant blow to the landmark ruling by EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the EUs General Court said that the European Commission was wrong to declare that two rulings by Irish tax authorities constituted illegal state aid. In 2016, the commission found that the rulings, issued by Irish tax authorities in 1997 and 2007, had substantially and artificially lowered the tax paid by Apple in Ireland since 1991. But the General Court said on Wednesday that the commission incorrectly concluded that Irish tax authorities had granted Apple an unfair advantage by not allocating the intellectual property rights of its products to two Irish subsidiaries. The 2016 finding was a signal moment for Vestager, who has staked her reputation on a series of increasingly aggressive competition rulings. The 13bn fine the worlds largest-ever anti-trust penalty was issued on the basis that Apple had avoided taxes by directing profits from the subsidiaries, which are responsible for all of the companys sales outside of the Americas, to a head office with no employees, no premises, no real activities. READ MORE: UK inflation rose in June as businesses emerged from lockdown But a core part of the commissions argument turned on the allocation of intellectual property rights of Apple products to this head office, an arrangement that supposedly allowed Apple to pay significantly less tax than other firms, which is forbidden under the blocs state aid rules. The General Court said that the commission had not demonstrated that this was the case, and that it should have instead shown that the income represented the value of sales actually carried out by the Irish branches themselves. In a forthright statement, the court on Wednesday upbraided the commission for failing to prove to the requisite legal standard that Apple had gained an unfair advantage, and said that it had not proved that the tax rulings had led to a reduction in the companys taxable profits in Ireland. Story continues Ireland, which controversially joined Apples appeal, had strenuously denied the commissions claims, arguing that the fundamentally flawed decision interfered with its national sovereignty by overriding its own tax laws. The Irish finance ministry said on Wednesday that it welcomed the judgement, noting that Ireland has always been clear that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies. READ MORE: Burberry to axe 500 jobs worldwide as sales slump Some 14.3bn the fine, plus interest has been resting in an escrow account since 2018. While the sum would be a drop in the bucket for Apple, which has a mammoth $193bn cash pile, it told the court in September that the ruling defies reality and commonsense. Apple said on Wednesday that it was pleased with the decision. This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it, it said in a statement. We're proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society. Though appeals to General Court rulings can only be made on points of law, it is likely that the commission will appeal to the EUs top court. Vestager said on Wednesday that the commission would examine the ruling and will continue to look at aggressive tax planning measures under EU state aid rules. Irelands tax laws have been under scrutiny for years, in part because it is home to the European headquarters of several major technology firms. The country has a low 12.5% corporate tax rate, but many giants in the country pay effective tax rates that are even lower a fact that has helped it attract dozens of multinationals. Following the collapse of international negotiations to introduce a global minimum corporate tax, the commission has pledged to resurrect plans to introduce an EU digital services tax, and on Wednesday announced a new taxation package for the bloc. TDT | Manama A return to regular classes in Bahrains public and private schools will be permitted only if the health and safety of students and staff can be guaranteed, according to a top Ministry of Education official. The ministrys General and Technical Education assistant undersecretary Latifa Isa Al Bonoodha said yesterday that an initial plan has been outlined for the start of the new academic year in September, taking into account all conditions related to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. She added that the ministry is ready to continue with distance learning, should the need arise, or even have a combination of both traditional and remote education. Students will gradually attend classes based on the current health condition and as per the directives of the National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19, said Al Bonoodha, who was speaking in a virtual conference organised by the National Communication Centre. Al Bonoodha revealed that, in the event that a return to traditional education would be permitted, classes would host only a limited number of students. Moreover, she said that morning assemblies, as well as recesses and physical education classes, could be cancelled as further measures to help protect the health and well-being of all involved. The full details of the mechanisms of a return to regular classes will be determined by the relevant authorities based on the health situation, she added. Schools will be equipped with sanitisers and other health equipment, while students will need to commit to social distancing throughout school days to protect their health as well as that of the staff, she noted. Al Bonoodha indicated that public schools technological facilities would be upgraded in case students would need to continue with distance learning in the new academic year. Students in both public and private institutions in Bahrain at all levels had recently successfully completed the previous school year via distance education, following the COVID-19 outbreak, she noted. Explaining further, Al Bonoodha stated that combining traditional learning with remote education means that students could physically attend classes just twice or thrice a week. She said that the Education Ministry has done plenty to accommodate students through virtual classes, including the creation of thousands of online lessons as well as 14 YouTube channels. The Education Ministry had recently announced that the new academic year for public schools will begin from September 6 for administrative staff and September 16 for students. The San Francisco Unified School District will begin fall semester classes August 17 via distance learning exclusively, district officials informed staff and families Wednesday. The news, sent in a letter by Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews, notes that the district eventually hopes to implement a "hybrid approach" to learning. This involves a combination of in-person classroom learning and virtual instruction, but only "when science and data suggest it is safe to do so." Administrators intend to release a plan detailing ways in which virtual learning can be improved in a meeting with the San Francisco Board of Education on July 28 at 3 p.m. The "most essential details" will be shared with parents the following day. The goals for the plan are manifold: SFUSD will seek to find creative ways to safely bring students back to the classroom, will attempt to better support teachers with remote learning curriculum and methods to connect with students virtually, and will work with families to deliver "consistent access to technology and the internet." The latter point has been an ongoing concern for teachers, as students without internet access or a tablet to view online classes are likely to fall behind their peers. "The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in so many ways," Dr. Matthews wrote. "There is a range of viewpoints regarding the best course of action. I want you to know we are listening and I am grateful to be part of a community that cares deeply for all children." The decision follows the release of a set of guidelines by the San Francisco Department of Public Health earlier this month detailing obstacles to reopening, including frequent hand-washing, face mask use, and social distancing mandates all rules that could be difficult for children to consistently follow. "I know that many parents, caregivers and kids cant wait to get back to the routine and the supportive learning environment of our schools, but reopening depends on us and how successfully we are able to control the spread of COVID-19, Mayor London Breed said at the time. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus here. California announces new testing guidelines Airbnb asks people to donate money to landlords, backlash ensues Telluride Film Festival 2020 Canceled Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Administration orders hospitals to bypass the CDC with key virus data Burger Boogaloo 2020 cancelled and rescheduled for next summer Alyssa Pereira is an SFGate digital editor. Email: alyssa.pereira@sfgate.com | Twitter: @alyspereira Wells Fargo on Tuesday reported its first quarterly loss since 2008, losing $2.4 billion as the pandemics economic shocks ravaged nearly every line of its business. In a sign of more trouble ahead, the bank added $8.4 billion to its reserve for loan losses, more than twice what it set aside last quarter. It said it would, for the first time since the Great Recession, cut its dividend this quarter, dropping its payments to investors to 10 cents a share, down from the 51 cents it has paid for the last few quarters. Charles W. Scharf, the banks chief executive, said he was extremely disappointed with the banks performance. While the negative impact of the pandemic is unprecedented and many of our business drivers were negatively impacted, our franchise should perform better, he said in a statement. We will make changes to improve our performance regardless of the operating environment. The Portland school board will likely propose voters approve this fall the largest construction bond in the districts history: $1.14 billion. The sum includes extensive renovations to North Portlands Jefferson High School, which district officials and community members say is a promise thats been overdue to the historically Black Alberta neighborhood. All told, district officials anticipate it will cost $320 million to tear down and reconstruct much of the building , which dates to 1900 and has suffered from poor renovations and warren-like construction. We see immense possibility and potential to advance our communitys vision, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero told the school board Tuesday. I believe we have the incredible opportunity to advance deeper learning for our students. The likely bond package is nearly identical to one board members discussed in mid-June with a couple of key additions. District officials are now proposing to spend $22 million to update more than 82 special education classrooms, or about $18 million more than what they presented to the school board last month. Another $60 million would go to updates at schools surrounding Jefferson High to create a so-called Center for Black Student Excellence, developed in conjunction with the Albina Vision Trust. The nonprofit is devoting to repairing and uplifting the neighborhood around Jefferson that was once home to nearly 80% of Oregons Black population. The district also says it needs $200 million to deliver on construction projects approved by voters in 2017, particularly upgrades to citywide career magnet Benson High. A poll the district commissioned of a little more than 2,000 likely voters showed 66% would support a Portland Public Schools bond in November. Pollsters from ALG Research said they typically look for approvals of 60% or higher to signal support for a measure. Of the bond options supplied to respondents, the $1 billion-plus package that includes extensive renovations to Jefferson High plus the Center for Black Student Excellence polled highest, with half of respondents saying they strongly favor that option and 75% approving overall, polling company officials said. But the same poll found fewer than half of likely voters approve of how the district handles tax dollars. Forty-one percent of those surveyed gave favorable answers with only 7% signaling strong satisfaction. Seventeen percent of respondents said they were not at all satisfied while 35% overall gave a negative answer. Twenty-three percent said they dont know how they feel about Portland Public Schools use of tax dollars. District officials came under scrutiny when they discovered the $790 million construction bond would come in about $100 million shy of fully funding a complete rebuild of Kellogg Middle School and Lincoln High and extensive renovations to Benson, Grant and Madison high schools. An external audit showed the actual cost overruns were closer to $230 million, bringing the total price tag for construction to more than $1 billion. Rather than adjust the scope of projects funded by that bond, district officials opted to roll the cost overruns into a future campaign, which is the $1.14 billion package the board will likely be referred to voters in November. That measure is about $250 million shy of the districts original plans to pitch voters on a $1.4 billion package that would extensively renovate Cleveland, Jefferson and Wilson high schools. Those plans were scuttled in favor of a leaner measure in the wake of the battering the state economy took during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. But district officials and board members said the passage of other education funding measures during the May election spurred renewed talks for a larger bond package. Their current plan would still leave Cleveland, which is old and cramped, and Wilson, which suffers from a lack of interior natural light due to its 1960s construction, unimproved. The board will vote on the final bond package July 28. --Eder Campuzano Fifty-year-old Lakyntiew Syiemlieh, a single mother to four and a grandmother to two, has cleared her class 12 examinations, more than 30 years after dropping out of class 10 in Meghalaya. She is fondly called as "Mei", Khasi for mother, by kids at her school. Meghalaya Board of School Educations Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSLLC), Arts stream examination declared results on Monday. She has already decided what she will pursue next - a Bachelors degree in Khasi language. I understand the importance of education without it we are simply nothing," she told The Indian Express on phone. Lakyntiew was one of the 24,267 students who appeared for the state boards Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Arts stream examination this year. The results were declared on Monday. Indian Express She lives with her son, daughter, and two granddaughters. My children are so thrilled that they started shouting, hugging and kissing me when the results were declared yesterday. In fact, it was the happiest day of my life, she told the Indian Express. Lakyntiew dropped out of school in 1989 due to the struggle she faced in mathematics. At 21, she got married and had four kids, Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out. She continued to support her family as a single mother by teaching Khasi to children at a local village. Lakyntiew, dressed in school uniform, attended classes with students at least three decades younger to her. A 'self-obsessed' man shoved a knife down his pants, pulled out a fake bomb and chased his estranged wife through Brisbane Airport to get custody of his children, a court has been told. Gamal Elsaied Elboushi, 51, from the Gold Coast is yet to be sentenced after pleading guilty in March to the 2019 bomb hoax, a weapons offence, stealing and assaulting police. Elboushi smuggled a knife and fake bomb into the airport's passenger terminal inside his suitcase. On Wednesday, prosecutors ask he be jailed for eight years. Gamal Elsaied Elboushi, 51, from the Gold Coast is yet to be sentenced after pleading guilty in March to the 2019 bomb hoax, a weapons offence, stealing and assaulting police over the 2019 incident (pictured) He then remove the knife and placed it down his pants. He told Australian Federal Police the bomb contained C4 and he would detonate it unless he was allowed to take his children, who were at the airport, and travel back to Egypt. He also threatened to stab himself to death. A Queensland police officer, who spoke Arabic, helped diffuse the situation, which ended when Elboushi was shot with non-lethal bean bag rounds. The Brisbane District Court on Wednesday heard the Crown would ask for Elboushi to be handed an eight-year jail sentence and be required to serve at least half. Magistrate Suzette Coates previously labelled his actions as 'entitled'. 'They are a compelling set of facts as to his belief as to his entitlement to this behaviour, without any regard to any other people, his family, other members of the travelling public,' she said. Elboushi has been remanded in custody to appear in court on July 29. A Republican Senate candidate recently declared herself one of the thousands of digital soldiers in service of QAnon, a convoluted pro-Trump conspiracy theory about a deep state of child-molesting satanist traitors plotting against the president. A congressional candidate in Colorado who made approving comments about QAnon bested a five-term Republican incumbent in a primary last month. And then there is Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who is perhaps the most unabashedly pro-QAnon candidate for Congress and has drawn a positive tweet from President Donald Trump. She recently declared that QAnon was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles out. More than two years after QAnon, which the FBI has labeled a potential domestic terrorism threat, emerged from the troll-infested corners of the internet, the movements supporters are morphing from keyboard warriors into political candidates. They have been urged on by Trump, whose own espousal of conspiracy theories and continual railing against the political establishment have cleared a path for QAnon candidates. And even as party leaders publicly distance themselves from the movement, they are quietly supporting some QAnon-linked candidates demonstrating the thin line they are trying to walk between radical elements among their base and the moderate voters they need to win over. Precisely how many candidates are running under the banner of QAnon is somewhat open to interpretation estimates range to more than a dozen, with many more defeated in primaries and nearly all are expected to lose in November. Some candidates have clear connections to the movement and use its language and hashtags on social media and in real-world appearances. Scores more have cherry-picked some of the movements themes, such as claims that Jews, and especially financier George Soros, are controlling the political system and vaccines; assertions that the risk from the coronavirus is vastly overstated; or racist theories about former President Barack Obama. Many have appeared on QAnon-themed podcasts and in news outlets. On Monday, Jeff Sessions, caught in a tight race to reclaim his former Senate seat in Alabama, recycled an old QAnon meme about himself in a Twitter post. All of the candidates, though, present a fresh headache for Republican leaders. They were already struggling to distance the party from conspiracy theories steeped in racist and anti-Semitic messaging. Now they must contend with candidates whose online beliefs have inspired real-world violence, including the killing of a mob boss. It is a development that threatens to further alienate the kinds of traditional Republican voters who typically care about lowering taxes, not chasing imaginary satanists from the government. Democrats are eager to pounce. We will point it out loudly and clearly, said Rep. Cheri Bustos of Illinois, who leads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The moral of the story is the Republican Party is silent on all of this. Yet Republican leaders also cannot afford to turn off voters who share those conspiratorial views if they hope to retain the Senate and retake the House. So while the party has publicly sought to keep its distance from most QAnon candidates, campaign finance filings show that some have clearly won its tacit backing. In April, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a high-profile lawmaker and a favorite of the president, donated $2,000 to Greenes campaign. A political action committee with which Jordan is associated, the House Freedom Fund, gave her thousands of dollars more. A month earlier, the Republican National Committee gave $2,200 to Angela Stanton-King, a House candidate in Georgia who has repeatedly posted QAnon content and obscure hashtags, such as #trusttheplan. The Georgia Republican Party gave an additional $2,800 to Stanton-King, who was pardoned this year by Trump for her role in a car-theft ring. She is expected to be roundly defeated in her heavily Democratic district. Stanton-King has since denied believing in any QAnon conspiracies. Yet in recent days she was again tweeting about global elite pedophiles, as well as a new conspiracy theory involving a purported child-trafficking ring run by an online furniture retailer. Few of the QAnon candidates appear to share any formal ties with one another, beyond mostly being Republicans. But as they move onto ballots this fall, the candidates and their fellow travelers are increasingly taking on the trappings of a discrete political movement, though one with incoherent ideas whose adherents typically focus on wild accusations, not policy changes. In recent weeks QAnon followers, including a Republican Senate candidate, have begun to publicly pledge allegiance to the movement, posting videos of themselves reciting what they are calling the digital soldier oath. On social media, where the conspiracy theory first took root, QAnon candidates and followers often amplify one another. A favored topic of the candidates on social media is Trump. From February to June, QAnon candidates quoted, retweeted or replied to Trump roughly 2,000 times. In many instances, they sought to spread a core tenet of the QAnon conspiracy: that Trump, backed by the military, ran for office to save Americans from a so-called deep state filled with child-abusing, devil-worshipping bureaucrats. Backing the presidents enemies are prominent Democrats who, in some telling, extract hormones from childrens blood. The president, for his part, has repeatedly retweeted QAnon supporters, and cheered on candidates who openly support the conspiracy theory, such as Greene of Georgia. A big winner. Congratulations! Trump tweeted after Greene, whose ads have been banned by Facebook for violating the platforms terms of service, placed first in the Republican primary in a deeply conservative corner of northwestern Georgia. But she failed to clear the 50% mark and is now the favorite in a runoff election for the Republican nomination in district long held by the party. The movement defies easy political labels, and its adherents include a smattering of Democrats and independents. Mostly, what unites it is a hatred of the establishment. Its not like a QAnon supporter went down a path where they got into George Bush and then started to read Ronald Reagans speeches, and then bought Milton Friedmans Capitalism and Freedom, and then believed in satanic baby eaters, said Joseph Uscinski, a professor at the University of Miami who studies fringe groups. It doesnt work like that. Trump won by saying that he wanted to drain the swamp, Uscinski said. By doing that, he essentially built a coalition of people with anti-establishment views. Those who believe in QAnon, the professor added, are probably the most extreme part of that coalition. In western Colorado late last month, Lauren Boebert, a gun-rights activist who has made approving comments about QAnon, beat a five-term Republican incumbent and will now defend the sprawling district in November. In recent weeks she told the QAnon-aligned web show Steel Truth that everything Ive heard of Q I hope this is real. In a recent interview, Boebert said she was not a follower of the group. But, she added, I dont believe thats a radical notion to want to get rid of people trying to undermine the president of the United States. In Southern California, Mike Cargile, who is challenging an incumbent Democrat for a House seat, includes #WWG1WGA in his Twitter bio, a shortened version of the QAnon motto Where We Go One We Go All. He has repeated many of the groups racist theories about Obama and Black Americans. In an emailed response to questions, Cargile said that he sought only to discover the truth and that Americans needed to resist Marxists efforts to deceive and divide. He said well see what becomes of the QAnon theories. But, he added, all Americans should be alarmed by the efforts of the presidents opponents in Washington, and even more so when we discover that the saboteurs and propagators are the very men and women tasked with safeguarding our system of Justice. In Oregon, the Republicans long-shot Senate candidate, Jo Rae Perkins, posted a video in May declaring, I stand with Q and the team. She followed up with another video in late June in which she faced the camera and took the QAnon digital soldier oath. The oath is lifted from the pledge taken by senators at their swearing-in, with one small addition tacked on at the end, the letters WWG1WGA. Though the precise origins of the oath are murky, it spread from hard-core QAnon followers and into Republican ranks in a matter of weeks, illustrating how adherents of the conspiracy have enmeshed themselves and their theories in conservative circles. There appear to be vague references to the oath on social media and internet message boards going back to early June. But it took off on June 24 after a so-called Q drop that is, a post by the person purporting to be Q, the originator of the movement who claims to be a high-ranking official with access to top-secret information. The post was on 8kun, a new message board that has quickly become a home for all flavors of conspiracy theorists and extremists, especially QAnon followers. Under the subject line Digital Soldiers: Take the Oath and Serve Your Country, the user laid out the text of the oath. The user then added: Take the oath. Mission forward. Q. It quickly gained traction outside QAnon circles. Among the most recent people to take the oath was Michael Flynn, the presidents first national security adviser, who is expected to soon begin campaigning for Trump. He posted a video on Twitter over the July Fourth weekend with guests reciting the oath and intoning the phrase where we go one, we go all. His lawyer said Flynn, whose case on a charge of lying to the FBI remains in limbo, was interpreting the works of a 16th-century poet, though she did not specify which bard he was referring to. Soon after the tweet, Flynn made his Twitter account private, limiting who could see the video. How far QAnon candidates can go remains an open question; the vast majority of Republican voters have shown little inclination to buy into the movements wildest claims. Yet some of its themes are now a regular feature of conservative political discourse, and even candidates who only espouse parts of QAnons racist, anti-Semitic and violent conspiracies could pose real threats if elected. It is really more like flat-earth adherents who have a different way to interpret the world, which colors everything they see, said Alice E. Marwick, a principal researcher at the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. No matter how many of the candidates win, their mere presence on the political scene is helping to further spread a conspiracy that, at its core, sees the government as a dangerous enemy. The latest example of how deeply QAnon themes have become embedded in Republican politics came Monday when Sessions, the former attorney general who is running to reclaim his former Senate seat in Alabama, recycled an old QAnon meme about himself, Sessions Activated. The Sessions Activated meme first became popular in 2018 when Sessions was still attorney general, and QAnon followers thought he was going to lead the prosecutions of deep-state bureaucrats and their Democratic backers. But after he resigned later that year, the meme faded away. Sessions grabbed the meme off the shelf this week, tweeting it just before he faced a primary election against an opponent who has led in polls. His post has since been retweeted nearly 9,000 times. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. A woman who is carrying a sign rejecting Chinese incursions into Philippine territories in the South China Sea joins other protesters outside the Chinese Consulate in Metro Manila, Nov. 20, 2018. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met this week to talk about managing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a day after a stern warning from the United States. The virtual meeting took place on Tuesday at Wangs request, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday, adding that both men engaged in open, cordial and fruitful discussions that centered on the conflict in the maritime region. Secretary Locsin reiterated the importance of continued dialogue to propel Philippines-China cooperation forward across various fronts, under the new normal brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the department said. The two foreign ministers recognized that Philippines-China bilateral relations have achieved a positive turn around and a sound momentum of development through joint efforts and mutual trust of both sides, it said. Locsin and Wang agreed that the contentious maritime issues did not make up the totality of bilateral relations. With mutual respect, sincerity and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation, the Philippine statement read. The top Chinese and Philippine diplomats met after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Beijings claim over rocks and reefs in the Spratly Islands, a chain in the South China Sea, was unlawful, and its maritime claims based off alleged ownership of those features was in clear violation of international law. In his statement issued on Monday, Pompeo cited Chinas insistence on holding economic rights to waters around Scarborough Reef, Mischief Reef, and Second Thomas Shoal, all of which are claimed by the Philippines. Apart from the Philippines and China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the Spratlys. Any PRC action to harass other states fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters or to carry out such activities unilaterally is unlawful, Pompeo said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. Chinese response During his meeting with Locsin, Wang called the South China Sea situation stable, thanks to Beijings efforts with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a statement from Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. However, driven by its geopolitical agenda, the United States does not want to see peace in the South China Sea and has been stoking instability by sending the most advanced vessels and aircraft to flex muscles and scaling up militarization in the region. Such dangerous moves deserve high alert from regional countries, Wang said, according to the statement. Two days before Locsin met with his Chinese counterpart, he issued a statement commemorating the fourth anniversary of the July 12, 2016, ruling of the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Locsin said the Philippines had clearly won the ruling and that the contested area was indeed under its ownership. He called on China to comply with the courts decision. Following a standoff between the navies of the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal, the court ruled in favor of Manila and struck down the legal basis of Beijings vast claims in the sea region. The shoal is a traditional fishing ground west of the Philippines main island of Luzon and is closer to the Southeast Asian country than the nearest Chinese landmass. Instead of enforcing the ruling, President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, 2016, sought to appease Beijing and to repair bilateral ties. On Wednesday, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said the government continued to assert the countrys sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, the name Filipinos use for the South China Sea. We have not waived nor have we relinquished these rights. Unfortunately, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling has no way of being enforced by the body which rendered it, so we must look to other means to resolve the dispute, he said. Photo: The Valens Company A new study will use a Kelowna companys cannabis oil as part of its research into the therapeutic effects of THC and CBD to help with chronic pain, sleep problems and anxiety issues. The Valens Company is contributing its Nuance oil for the first-of-its-kind study led by the University Health Network and Shoppers Drug Marts medical cannabis division. Researchers are looking to enroll at least 2,000 people from across Canada who will be followed for 24 weeks. To be able to participate in this real-world study and have the opportunity to understand how our products could be used as a treatment is an exciting step in the right direction for us, said Valens CEO Tyler Robson. With insights and data from this study, we look forward to further advancing our commitment to developing and testing the highest-quality and most reliable products for patients using cannabis for both medical purposes as well as recreational consumers. As part of the study, the Nuance line of THC and CBD oils will be tested, with the verified results on each batch made available through the Medical Cannabis by Shoppers portal for each physician and patient. The goal is to provide physicians, pharmacists, and patients with confidence in medicinal cannabis products as an alternate treatment for numerous ailments. Ken Weisbrod, VP of business development and cannabis strategy at Shoppers Drug Mart, said the pharmacy is the best placed organization to offer Canadians reassurance that medical products that have been tested and validated. For more local business content, visit okanaganedge.net. Okanagan Edge staff T ourism minister Nigel Huddleston today urged visitors to return to London to help bring back life to the capitals struggling economy. He was speaking after the Standard revealed the scale of the threat to thousands of central London shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and cafes starved of normal spending by millions of tourists. Mr Huddleston said: After months of lockdown, Londons attractions including world-leading museums and galleries and an array of bars and restaurants are coming back to life and my message is clear our capital city is open for business. A strong London tourism market is good for the visitor economy across the country too as people use the capital city as a gateway to then go and experience wonderful places across the rest of the UK. We want people to come and see what London and beyond has to offer and to enjoy a summer holiday here safely. I am committed to doing all I can to support and bang the drum for our tourist industry. It makes a significant contribution to the economy, supports many jobs and plays such a crucial part in making Britain a great place to visit. The appeal came amid growing evidence of the damage being done to the West End where an estimated 50,000 jobs are at risk as well as the City and Docklands. Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of pubs giant Greene King, said: Its tough for pubs all over the country but its particularly challenging in central London with fewer than two thirds of our 81 pubs back open again. The West End is the hardest-hit for us with only around half of our 44 pubs there back open at the moment as we would end up losing money by reopening the others. Its very early days but those pubs that have opened have seen reduced trade compared with pubs outside central London. Michel Roux Jnr, chef patron of two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in Mayfair, said: We are hoping that by cost-saving initiatives we will be able to not lose too much over the summer and there will be a big uplift for November and December. We need the landlords to play their part in this recovery and the insurance companies to pay up. We also desperately need local and central government to promote UK holidays. Look whats happening in France and Italy: a huge investment in staycationing. All French radio and TV channels are running campaigns/documentaries on where to go. Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster City Council, said: In normal times, Westminster generates 53 billion a year for the UK with 39,000 businesses on the patch. But the Westminster economic engine needs people coming to work, visiting, shopping and spending to keep it turning over. As a council we are doing all we can to give people the confidence its safe to return and that there is lots to return to the shops are open, galleries and attractions are welcoming tourists, weve just been given the green light for open-air music and theatre and you can eat out London didnt stop being a fantastic place to visit and spend money on March 23. Captain Denny Palandro Sr. leads the South Philly String Band down South Broad St. in the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day Jan. 1, 2020. Palandro's son, Dennis Palandro, Jr. 31, was killed along with two others in a car crash hours after the 2019 parade. The Palandro-Ferry Memorial Foundation, which was set up a day after the crash, continues to provide monetary scholarships and goodwill among the Philadelphia Mummers community. Read more Philly said shut it down. There wont be any parades or other large events, including neighborhood block parties, for the next seven months. The repercussions of the citys announcement have stoked fear in several industries, which were banking on a late-year boost. This means no fans at Eagles games this season, too. Also on Tuesday, Managing Director Brian Abernathy gave a little more context to his resignation as more than 140 people moved to sue the city for abuse of police power. Madeline Faber (@maiden_memphis, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) Philadelphias parades, block parties, and big runs wont happen until at least next year. This is a rarity for iconic events like the Mummers Parade, which has been canceled only twice in its 120-year history. Some events are issuing attendance refunds, while others, including the Blue Cross Broad Street Run, are not. Additionally, Lincoln Financial Field will be closed to spectators this season, so Eagles fans will have to watch games at home. The business travel has pretty much stopped, all of our conventions have been canceled, and this was all we had left, a key hotel representative said of what could be a harbinger of business shutdowns in the city. In three separate federal lawsuits filed Tuesday, 146 Philadelphia protesters and residents alleged the police and city officials violated their constitutional rights to free expression and freedom from excessive force. The cited altercations are from when police teargassed people on I-676 and shot rubber bullets at protesters to quell looting in West Philadelphia. You can read the lawsuits here. What you need to know today Through your eyes | #OurPhilly No, its the other July holiday. Happy Bastille Day from the French bistro Parc. Thanks for the photo, @mnouc! Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats interesting Opinions The past few weeks call into question Mayor Jim Kenneys level of involvement in the management of the city. He is the one who was elected not the managing director and he is the one who needs to step up and take responsibility for leading the city through this difficult time, The Inquirer Editorial Board about the resignation of Philadelphia Managing Director Brian Abernathy. Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, has nine requirements the Philadelphia School District has to meet to ensure that students and teachers can work together safely. This Philadelphia teen is creating pro-Black Lives Matter T-shirts. Her Uncle Will Smith is an early supporter of the conscious clothing line, columnist Jenice Armstrong writes. What were reading First, we scrambled to buy toilet paper. Now, folks are scrambling to get married. THE CITY writes about how New Yorkers who need to wed urgently to secure health insurance or their immigration status are running up against a marriage-license logjam. WHYY speaks to the woman who is preventing overdoses in Kensington by handing out Narcan to everyone who will take it, including drug dealers. A Michigan teenager didnt do her online schoolwork during the pandemic and a judge ruled she violated her probation, called her a threat to [the] community, and sent her to juvenile detention, ProPublica writes. Your Daily Dose of | Family love When Hope Wells, 23, battled leukemia, her five sisters banded together to create a heartwarming video to support their sister during her hospital stay. Click through to watch the video, which features more than 200 peoples messages of support. I was in a lot of pain when I watched it. But it was a really healing video for me, said Hope. Russian UN envoy slams exploitation of aid delivery mechanism for Syria Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 2:48 PM Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia has condemned the exploitation of a cross-border mechanism for aid deliveries to Syria by some members of the UN Security Council, and their disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the war-ravaged Arab country. "Terrorist organizations positioned in Idlib use the humanitarian aid as a tool to exert pressure on civilian residents, and gain advantages. There is direct and indirect evidence for that," Syria's official news agency SANA quoted Nebenzia as saying in a Monday statement carried by Russian RIA Novosti news agency. He added, "Moreover, some foreign parties exploit the mechanism of the cross-border aid deliveries to Syria in a way that threatens secession of a number of areas from the rest of the country." Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Vershinin, had denounced politicization of aid deliveries to Syria, emphasizing that any humanitarian assistance to the country must be coordinated with the Damascus government. The United Nations Security Council has approved aid deliveries to Syria from Turkey, but only after accepting a Russian call to close one of the two access points into the war-torn country. The 15-member council had also been split on whether to renew authorization for six months or one year. Following a week of division and seven ballots, the UNSC on Saturday passed a proposal submitted by Germany and Belgium allowing the use of the Bab al-Hawa crossing point for one year. "Russia is consistently in favor of humanitarian deliveries to Syria with full respect of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and with coordination of its legal government. This issue should not be politicized," deputy Russian UN envoy Dmitry Polyanskiy said after the vote. China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said Beijing always had reservations about the delivery of cross-border aid, but given the current situation in Syria, it does not object to retaining it "at this stage." Moscow and Beijing argue that the mechanism violates Syria's sovereignty and that aid should be channeled through the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Concerns have also grown over Western efforts, which are made under the guise of humanitarian assistance, to support Takfiri terrorist groups that have been suffering heavy defeats against Syrian government forces. US forces bring reinforcement into northeastern Syria Separately, US forces brought in military reinforcements from neighboring Iraq into Geweran neighborhood in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, SANA reported on Monday. Two truckloads of military equipment and logistical gear, accompanied by vehicles equipped with radar systems and jamming devices, entered the Syrian territories and headed to the provincial capital city of Hasakah. The development took place only a few days after members of the Kurdish-led and so-called Syrian Democratic Forces occupied a number of government buildings in the neighborhood. Since late October 2019, the United States has been redeploying troops to the oil fields controlled by Kurdish forces in eastern Syria, in a reversal of President Donald Trump's earlier order to withdraw all troops there. The Pentagon alleges that the move aims to "protect" the fields and facilities from possible attacks by Daesh, ignoring the fact that Trump had earlier suggested that Washington sought economic interests in controlling the oil fields. Syria, which has not authorized the presence of the US military in its territory, says Washington is "plundering" the country's oil. The presence of US forces in eastern Syria has particularly irked the civilians, and local residents have on several occasions stopped American military convoys entering the region. Syrians rally against new US sanctions under Caesar Act Meanwhile, dozens of people in al-Rashwaniyeh village, which lies in the Qamishli district of Hasakah province, have staged a rally to demand the immediate withdrawal of US and Turkish military forces from their area, and condemn new US economic sanctions against Syria under the so-called Caesar Act. The protesters burnt US flags as well. "We in the village of al-Rashwaniyeh stand with our brothers in other villages of the Qamishli countryside to demand the expulsion of American invaders, who attacks the locals," a citizen identified as Abdel Hamid Sinjar told SANA. Hamdiya Mohammad Hasoud, another local resident, said she was participating in the rally with other fellow villagers to reiterate rejection of the presence of US and Turkish forces and to demand their immediate departure from their regions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unigold Inc. (Unigold or the Company) (TSX-V:UGD) is pleased to provide an update on the status of its exploration program at the Neita Concession in the Dominican Republic. The Company completed 48 diamond drill holes (10,087 meters) as of March 15, 2020, when travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID in Canada and the Dominican Republic forced the suspension of active exploration drilling. Two holes (97 meters) were in progress at the time of the suspension with both holes targeting extensions to the high grade epithermal feeder zones at Targets B and C respectively. Significant results for the project to date are summarized in Tables 1.0 (Candelones Sulphide Drilling) and 2.0 (Candelones Oxide Drilling). Joseph Hamilton, Chairman and CEO of Unigold notes: We are anxious to resume active exploration at our Neita Concession. The results from earlier this year are very encouraging. We believe we have successfully upgraded portions of the current inferred mineral resource to the measured and indicated classification. Our preliminary metallurgical results suggest that the at-surface oxide resource may be amenable to heap leach recovery, with 80% gold recovery in 72 hours during column leach tests. Flotation recoveries of gold range from 92 to 97% with gravity recoveries ranging from 13 to 53%. Leaching of flotation concentrates yielded gold recoveries ranging from 30% to 88% with the best recoveries originating from the late stage, epithermal mineralization at Target B, which remains open at depth. Mineralogically, there are similarities between Targets B and C and our follow-up exploration for the remainder of the year will focus on expanding the known mineralization and transitioning into prospective, weakly drilled areas along strike. We expect active exploration drilling will resume by July 31, 2020. Early Q3 drilling will be focused on Targets B and C before transitioning to exploration drilling along the structural trends identified to date. We also plan to initiate work on a Pre-Feasibility Study of the oxide mineralization, positioning the Company to apply for an Exploitation Permit in the near future. Story continues The Company is targeting July 31, 2020 to resume active exploration. Initial drilling will be focused on expanding Targets B and C, both of which are currently interpreted to be late stage, epithermal feeder systems with the potential for gold recoveries in excess of 85% using gravity-float-leach circuits. Table 1.0 Candelones Sulphide Drilling - Summary of Significant Results 2019-2020 Target Hole (#) From(m) To (m) Interval (m)1 Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) A LP19-131M 244.30 381.00 136.70 1.94 NSV 0.20 NSV including 284.00 309.00 25.00 5.67 NSV 0.40 NSV LP19-132M 237.50 336.50 99.00 3.42 2.8 0.33 NSV including 287.30 318.70 31.40 4.72 4.1 0.50 NSV LP19-133M 221.00 323.00 102.00 1.65 NSV 0.26 NSV including 283.00 300.00 17.00 7.31 22.5 1.22 NSV LP19-137 258.20 393.50 135.30 1.28 1.1 0.14 NSV including 306.50 321.80 15.30 5.75 3.7 0.52 NSV LP19-138 292.50 422.00 129.50 1.29 0.9 0.13 NSV including 351.00 394.00 43.00 3.04 1.8 0.26 NSV LP19-141 393.00 407.00 14.00 1.69 2.4 0.70 NSV LP20-143 340.60 344.80 4.20 1.58 5.0 0.60 0.07 LP20-145B 198.80 202.80 4.00 2.00 1.9 0.64 0.01 LP20-147 DELAYED DUE TO COVID SITUATION B LP19-134M 286.00 392.00 106.00 1.90 2.8 0.22 0.30 including 368.00 392.00 24.00 4.59 3.4 0.54 0.23 LP19-135 303.70 440.60 136.90 1.83 2.0 0.15 0.20 including 397.30 421.00 23.70 6.03 4.9 0.31 0.10 LP19-139 275.00 392.50 117.50 1.91 3.2 0.14 0.80 including 309.40 326.00 16.60 3.37 13.0 0.30 2.13 LP19-140 180.00 297.00 117.00 1.27 18.1 0.08 0.84 including 188.30 197.00 8.70 4.38 74.6 0.44 3.42 LP19-142 180.10 411.50 231.40 1.11 2.7 0.12 0.37 including 180.10 194.10 14.00 2.60 5.4 0.09 0.85 and 498.40 506.10 7.70 3.65 1.1 0.27 0.23 LP20-144 238.50 334.00 95.50 1.23 2.1 0.10 0.34 including 268.50 292.00 23.50 1.52 1.2 0.07 0.37 LP20-149 HOLE AT 17.0m - DRILLING SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID WORK RESTRICTIONS C LP20-146 111.00 161.00 50 4.19 15.7 0.26 0.15 including 111.00 120.50 9.5 14.14 46.6 0.26 3.20 LP20-148 103.00 177.70 74.70 3.41 3.7 0.07 0.56 including 105.00 150.00 45.00 4.95 5.7 0.10 0.89 including 130.50 149.00 18.50 10.18 4.5 0.19 1.53 LP20-150 133.00 278.00 145.00 1.97 6.2 0.07 0.58 including 208.00 235.90 27.90 6.24 8.7 0.17 1.84 including 212.00 222.50 10.50 12.94 15.6 0.27 3.03 including 273.40 277.00 3.60 2.25 2.7 0.14 0.02 LP20-150A RESULTS PENDING LP20-152 RESULTS PENDING LP20-154 RESULTS PENDING LP20-156 HOLE AT 80.0m, LOGGING AND SAMPLING SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID WORK RESTRICTIONS (1) Intervals are reported as drilled length not true width. There is insufficient data at this time to estimate true width. Figure 1.0 Candelones Extension Longitudinal Section Looking North A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0e28f3f-3086-4928-bd3c-04cd82070441 Table 2.0 Candelones Oxide Drilling - Summary of Significant Results 2019-2020 Zone Hole (#) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Connector DCZ19-54 0.0 13.4 13.4 0.65 DCZ19-55 0.0 22.5 22.5 0.65 DCZ19-56 0.0 23.0 23.0 1.37 DCZ19-57 0.0 21.0 21.0 1.08 DCZ19-58 0.0 21.0 21.0 0.93 DCZ19-63 0.0 18.0 18.0 0.44 Main DC19-143 0.0 14.2 14.2 0.31 DC19-146 0.0 16.3 16.3 1.25 DC19-148 0.0 30.3 30.3 1.33 DC19-149 0.0 29.8 29.8 0.54 DC19-150 0.0 25.1 25.1 0.46 DC19-151 0.0 23.0 23.0 0.93 DC19-152 0.0 32.4 32.4 1.19 DC19-153 0.0 31.6 31.6 1.52 DC19-154 0.0 20.0 20.0 4.07 DC19-157 0.0 17.4 17.4 0.41 (2) Intervals are reported as drilled length not true width. There is insufficient data at this time to estimate true width. The Company is focused on resuming active exploration as rapidly as possible. To that end, Unigolds Board of Directors have approved a CAD$ 4,975,000 Budget for the period July through December 2020. The Budget includes an initial drill program of 15,000 to 20,000 meters at an estimated cost of CAD$ 1, 800,000. Drilling will be focused on expanding Targets B and C. By Q4, 2020, the Company plans to begin drilling the Candelones Gap, an 800 -1000 meter gap between the Candelones Main and the Extension deposit to the east. Historical drill coverage is sparse with fewer than twenty historical drill holes. Interpretation of the latest drill results suggests that structural trends identified at the Candelones Extension may continue through the Gap and that historical drilling may have overshot the mineralized system. The Budget also includes approximately CAD$1,250,000 for additional metallurgical testing and flow sheet design, site geotechnical work and preliminary engineering to support a Preliminary Feasibility Study of the at-surface oxide resource. Completion of the Preliminary Feasibility Study will support the Companys future application for an Exploitation Permit for the Candelones Project. Approximately $700,000 has been budgeted to support Community Relations, stakeholder communications, publicity campaigns and G&A. These efforts will support a higher profile for the Company within the Dominican Republic and abroad. Community support for our project is an important element to obtaining an Exploitation Permit. Finally, the Budget includes approximately CAD $825,000 for capital improvements to the Companys existing drilling and support equipment aimed at improving mechanical availability and reducing down time due to mechanical failure. The Company has initiated ordering critical parts, components, instrumentation and consumables from our local and global suppliers. We have begun re-hiring our local work force to service and repair our two CS1000 drill rigs and transport them to the field in preparation to resume drilling. The Company is sourcing a further two drill rigs which will support our deeper drilling programs. These drills are expected to be operational before the end of Q3, and will accelerate our drilling programs. Drill hole locations and hole alignment will be designed in Canada under the supervision of Unigolds geological staff and consultants. This information will be communicated to our site management team who have been trained on locating and aligning drill holes. Hole alignment will be verified using modern, downhole survey equipment to ensure the hole is aligned correctly. The core will be photographed daily and the photographs will be transmitted to Canada using a secure server. The photos will be used to generate a working log of major lithologies and structure and to identify intervals for sampling. The sample log, indicating the start and end points of all intervals, will be transmitted to the site management team who will then ensure the core is sampled according to the sample log forwarded from Canada. Standard Reference Materials will be inserted by site management as per Unigolds standard operating practices and the samples will be forwarded to our selected laboratory for analysis. Drilling will be supervised by our Dominican management team, supervised digitally by our Canadian management and consultants. Remote management will continue until travel restrictions allowing international travel are lifted, allowing the Companys technical staff to return to the Dominican Republic. Correction to PR202-14 Unigold Announces Closing of Private Placement of 33,333,334 Units for Gross Proceeds of Approximately $6 million On June 24, 2020 the Company announced the closing of a Private Placement of units comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 at any time prior to June 23, 2022. An incorrect expiry date was published in the June 24, 2020 press release. QA/QC Diamond drilling utilizes both HQ and NQ diameter tooling. Holes are established using HQ diameter tooling before reducing to NQ tooling to complete the hole. The core is received at the on-site logging facility where it is, photographed, logged for geotechnical and geological data and subjected to other physical tests including magnetic susceptibility and specific gravity analysis. Samples are identified, recorded, split by wet diamond saw, and half the core is sent for assay with the remaining half stored on site. A minimum sample length of 0.3 meters and a maximum sample length of 1.5 metres is employed with most samples averaging 1.0 meters in length except where geological contacts dictate. Certified standards and blanks are randomly inserted into the sample stream and constitute approximately 5-10% of the sample stream. Samples are shipped to a sample preparation facility in the Dominican Republic operated by Bureau Veritas. Assaying is performed at Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd.s laboratory in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. All samples are analyzed for gold using a 50 gram lead collection fire assay fusion with an atomic adsorption finish. In addition, most samples are also assayed using a 36 element multi-acid ICP-ES analysis method. Wes Hanson P.Geo., Chief Operating Officer of Unigold has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. About Unigold Inc. Discovering Gold in the Caribbean Unigold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol UGD, focused primarily on exploring and developing its gold assets in the Dominican Republic. For further information please visit www.unigoldinc.com or contact: Mr. Joseph Hamilton Chairman & CEO jhamilton@unigoldinc.com 416.866.8157 Forward-looking Statements Certain statements contained in this document, including statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to risk and uncertainties. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words like strategy, expects, plans, believes, will, estimates, intends, projects, goals, targets, and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We wish to caution you that such statements contained are just predictions or opinions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Where applicable, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements provided by the (United States) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Trump administration on Wednesday hardened its efforts to prevent the completion of new German-Russian and Turkish-Russian pipelines by ending sanctions exemptions for companies involved in the projects and warning they'll be subject to penalties unless they halt their work. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the administration is ending grandfather clauses that had spared firms previously involved in the pipelines' construction from sanctions authorized by the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, a 2017 law aimed at punishing Russia, in particular, for interference in elections and other matters. The move opens the door for U.S. economic and financial penalties to be imposed on any European and other foreign company over the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream projects, including those that had been working on the pipelines before the passage of CAATSA and had been exempted from the penalties. The Trump administration has lobbied Europe, particularly Germany, to abandon the pipelines, which it believes will increase the continent's dependence on Russian energy. Wednesday's step comes as congressional legislation that would mandate the imposition of sanctions that had been authorized by CAATSA is advancing. The has been an outspoken opponent of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which would transport natural gas about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) under the Baltic Sea from to Germany. Along with eastern European countries that also oppose the project, the US government argues that it will make Europe dangerously dependent on Already the threat of US sanctions has led one company that had not been covered by the grandfather clause to suspend its work on the pipeline. Late last year, the Swiss firm Allseas, which operated ships laying sections of the undersea pipeline, said it was halting work in anticipation of sanctions. Nord Stream 2 is owned by Russia's Gazprom, with investment from several European companies. The German government has said it regrets the sanctions threat and considers them interference in the country's domestic affairs. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear last week that Germany isn't considering retaliation against the sanctions. has said it is, however, considering retaliatory measures. Pompeo spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday, and President Donald Trump spoke to Turkey's president on Tuesday, but there was no indication that the pipelines had been discussed. With TurkStream, Russian gas passes through the Black Sea to Turkey. Together, the two 578-mile TurkStream lines under the Black Sea, along with the Russian and Turkish onshore pipes, have the capacity to carry 31.5 billion cubic metres (1.1 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas annually. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bars in New Orleans have closed just a month after they partially reopened because of a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana. After the state become an international coronavirus hot spot in March, with New Orleans a focal point of cases, hospitalizations began to drop after businesses were closed following a peak in April. Businesses including bars, dine-in restaurants, gyms and tattoo parlors closed, which appeared to flatten the curve, and in May a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions culminated with Mayor LaToya Cantrell deciding to reopen bars at 25 percent capacity on June 13. However, the good times have been put on hold once again on Saturday when Governor John Bel Edwards - supported by Cantrell - issued a set of new restrictions following a new spike in cases and hospitalizations. The restrictions will be in place until at least July 24 across Louisiana. Following a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, bars in New Orleans are now limited to takeout and delivery services, although some have chosen to close completely. Above, A deserted stretch of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans is seen Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Governor John Bel Edwards - supported by Mayor Latoya Cantrell - issued a set of new restrictions on bars and restaurants in New Orleans following a new spike in cases and hospitalizations A number of bar owners have chosen to close completely following the implementation of the new restrictions. Above, closed bars are seen in the French Quarter on July 14, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana While the new restrictions do not close bars completely, they are limited to take out services or delivery. Restaurants cannot allow seating at the physical bar, and customers must wear masks unless actively eating or drinking. The new restrictions, in effect from July 11, also limit indoor gatherings to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings to 100. However, when news outlet The Republic contacted bars in New Orleans on Monday, it found the new restrictions were being treated like closures by a number of bar owners. One bartender and general manager of cocktail bar 'Bar Tonique' in the French Quarter - Mark Schettler - said that the new restrictions on top of state law appeared to limit his businesses to the sale of packaged liquor, beer and frozen daiquiris. Pictured: A man walks by the closed Tropical Isle Bar on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Pictured: A sign hangs outside Bruno's Tavern in New Orleans on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 'A bar like mine, that doesn't help us,' he told the news outlet. 'Who the hell's going to come buy a six-pack of beer from Tonique?' Will Wilson, gemenral manager or Brunos' Tavern - neighborhood bar and grill in New Orleans' Carrollton area that has been open since the 1930s - said that it would also make little sense to offer a takeout and delivery service. 'We could stay open but we'd be bleeding money,' Wilson said. Before and after: On July 9, customers sit outside Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, top, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Below, on July 14, the bar sits closed Meanwhile, Cherie Boos, manager of Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, a bar in an 18th century building on Bourbon Street said the bar would also be closing. 'Anytime they changed a compliance rule, we were right there changing with it,' she said. 'This one, it's a blow.' Sate officials have said that they had no other choice but to implement a new round of restrictions of New Orleans. 'No mask, no service': A sign sits outside of El Paso Mexican Grill on Magazine Street in New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020 asking customers who enter the restaurant to wear a mask Pictured: A walking tour guide assembles in front of Pat O'Brien's Bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020 'Since the start of the crisis, Louisiana has identified at least 36 outbreaks, affecting at least 405 people, involving bars,' Edwards' office said in a Saturday press release. 'Public health officials believe going to bars is a higher public health risk than visiting other types of businesses because people are socializing and cannot wear masks when they drink.' The new restrictions have also set back hopes of the city's tourism and music industries from reopening any time soon. The tourism industry employs around 94,000 people, but in April nearly half of those jobs were lost. Before the new restrictions, New Orleans' famous french quarter was beginning to look like its old self again. Above, People sing and dance to karaoke on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020 Pictured: People look at menus for Steings Market & Deli on Magazine Street in New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020 Schettler draws a comparison to when the city was hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but that recovery from the virus is more complex than the recovery following the hurricane. 'The flood waters don't recede with COVID,' he said to The Republic. So far, Louisiana has seen 82,042 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 3,445 deaths. Jefferson parish and Orleans parish - which are home to the city of New Orleans and the wider metropolitan area have seen the highest number of cases in the state. Pictured: Maitre d' Chad Martin writes the name and phone numbers of patrons entering after taking their temperature, at Pat O'Briens Bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020 Pictured: People are seen outside a bar with no customers on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 By June 20, Covid-19 hospitalizations had fallen in the New Orleans area had fallen to fewer than 70, from a high of more than a 1,000 in April. Statewide hospitalizations that had peaked at around 2,000 in April had fallen well below 600 in June, according to Dr. Joseph Kanter, director of the state health department for New Orleans. However, as restrictions on business were eased, the number of cases increased, and the number of hospitalizations were back up to 120 last week, with statewide hospitalizations reaching over 1,300 and trending upwards - according to the state's health department figures released on Monday. Furthermore, as the state increased testing numbers, the percentage of positive tests statewide went from around 7 percent in early July to as high as 18 percent at one point last week. During that time, the positivity rate rose from 5 percent to 10 percent in New Orleans. Speaking in a recent press conference, Edwards said: 'We have lost all the gains made in June and are seeing some numbers that rival our peak back in April.' For decades, Dr Daniel Lucey, an infectious disease specialist at Georgetown University, has crisscrossed the globe to study epidemics and their origins. His attention now is on the Covid-19 pandemic, which first came to public notice late last year in Wuhan, China. Its exact beginnings are sufficiently clouded that the World Health Organization has begun a wide inquiry into its roots. The advance team left for China this past weekend, and Lucey has publicly encouraged the health agency to address what he considers eight top questions. Its not a legitimate investigation if the team doesnt ask them, Lucey said in a recent interview. He cited public reports and scientific articles as starting points for his queries, adding that Beijing has never come out and answered these questions. Clear answers, Lucey said, would cast light on how the deadly pathogen spread so rapidly and, perhaps, how exactly the outbreak began. China has not been forthcoming with information, and the Trump administration has inflamed the situation with threats and bullying. It has charged, without presenting evidence, that the microbe jumped to humans from a Wuhan lab. Last week, after long threatening to do so, the administration began formal steps to end its WHO membership. A student of epidemics, Lucey has traveled to Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, at times as a caregiver. In 2014, working for Doctors Without Borders, he treated Ebola patients in Liberia. He posed his eight questions last month in a post for his blog, which he writes for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The post came in response to an announcement by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, that the agency would be sending a team to China to investigate the pathogens source a move long sought by the Trump administration. Ever since the outbreak erupted late last year in central China, the global rumour mill has buzzed with speculation and conspiracy theories. Experts have ruled out the idea that the pathogen was concocted as a bioweapon. They agree that it began as a bat virus that probably evolved naturally in another mammal to become adept at infecting and killing humans. But so far, after months of concentrated research at sites and laboratories in China and elsewhere around the globe, no clear intermediary has come to light. The first three of Luceys eight questions center on the Wuhan wet market a sprawling marketplace that sold fresh fish and meat before being shut down. It was initially viewed as the viral point of origin. That idea was quickly thrown into doubt when a study by Chinese scientists reported that roughly one-third of the earliest hospitalized victims including the first had never visited the market. In a May blog, Lucey quoted the head of Chinas Center for Disease Control as ruling it out as the pandemics place of origin. The market, the Chinese health official said, is just another victim. Hundreds of environmental samples were reportedly collected at the wet market, producing 33 positive results, but few details have been made public. Lucey asks: Were any of the positive results linked to human infections? And from what kinds of surfaces doorknobs, cutting boards, sewage, garbage trucks were the samples collected? So far, none of the reported positive tests have come from animals. His fourth question widens the scope of investigation to other markets in Wuhan and across China. Were any samples collected from animals now known to be susceptible to the virus including cats, tigers, mink and ferrets? (Ferrets are routinely used to gauge the transmissibility of human flu viruses.) He also asks about pangolins, which were initially considered a possible intermediary in the human outbreak. Luceys fifth question addresses a detailed report in The South China Morning Post, published in Hong Kong, that identified an early human coronavirus case Nov. 17 in Hubei province. The province is the size of Washington state, and Wuhan is its capital. In March, Lucey wrote a blog post about the report, which described the viruss rapid spread in Hubei, based on information that the report said came from the government. Now Lucey is urging the WHO investigators to determine where each of these early Hubei cases were reported, if indeed they occurred, and whether any other documented or suspected human infections may have occurred even earlier. The sixth and seventh questions go to whether the deadly pathogen leapt to humans from a laboratory. Although some intelligence analysts and scientists have entertained that scenario, no direct evidence has come to light suggesting that the coronavirus escaped from one of Wuhans labs. Even so, given the wet markets downgrading in the investigation, it is important to address questions about any potential laboratory source of the virus, whether in Wuhan or elsewhere, Lucey wrote in his blog post. To that end, he urges the WHO investigators to look for any signs of gain of function research the deliberate enhancement of pathogens to make them more dangerous. The technique is highly contentious. Critics question its merits and warn that it could lead to catastrophic lab leaks. Proponents see it as a legitimate way to learn how viruses and other infectious organisms might evolve to infect and kill people, and thus help in devising new protections and precautions. Finally, Lucey asks the WHO team to learn more about Chinas main influenza research lab, a high-security facility in Harbin, the capital of Chinas northernmost province. In May, he notes, a Chinese paper in the journal Science reported that two virus samples from Wuhan were studied there in great detail early this year, including in a variety of animals. It reported that cats and ferrets were highly susceptible to the pathogen; dogs were only mildly susceptible; and pigs, chickens and ducks were not susceptible at all. In his travels, Lucey went to Brazil to study the Zika virus; to Madagascar to study pneumonic plague; to Jordan to study the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS; and to Guangzhou, China, to study severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. He said his wide travels over the decades had informed his current inquiry. In an email, he added that the WHO was aware of his eight questions and had given him good feedback. Lucey likened his queries to the process of unlocking a large building. The key thing is to open the door, he said in the interview. Where you go once you get inside, thats beyond me. Cape Town: The head of Cecil Rhodes has been chopped away from a bust of the 19th century colonialist at a monument on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, park rangers said on Tuesday. The bust housed at the top of a flight of steps at the Rhodes Memorial shows Rhodes with his arms folded. His right hand now cups what would have been his cheek - only with most of his face and head missing. Lauren Clayton, a spokeswoman for South African National Parks in the Western Cape, said rangers patrolling Table Mountain came across the disfigured bust during regular patrols on Monday. The incident likely occurred on Sunday night or Monday morning, she added. She said no one had claimed responsibility. Author Cecilia Hercik formed C-SPA Consulting as president in 2013 with the goal of contributing to spa organizations and collaborating with inspired people to create sustainable and meaningful spa business solutions. Cecilia Hercik brings over 25 years of experience in resort and day spa openings, both nationally and internationally, and has an extensive background in spa management and hospitality operations. She has worked for such companies as Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Aveda-Neill Corporation, Waldorf Astoria Resorts and WTS International Spa Consulting Company. An Advertisement & Marketing graduate of the Instituto Metropolitano of Lima, Peru and with Leadership courses at FCCJ Jacksonville, Florida, Cecilia is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is also certified by the Global College of Natural Medicine as a Nutritional Consultant. Cecilia started her career working in various management positions with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for 12 years, eventually becoming their first Executive Spa Director at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. She then spent the next two years as the Corporate Spa Director for Aveda-Neill Corporation overseeing 10 Day Spas Salons before returning back to resort spa operations as the Director of Spa Sales & Operation for the renowned Spa Grande at The Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. At Spa Grande, Cecilia was responsible for the full operation of the renowned 50,000 square foot spa facility with its 40 treatment rooms and 200 workers for over 7 years. In September of 2011, she joined WTS International as the Regional Director of Spa Operations for Hawaii responsible for the day to day operations for 2 High-end spas, the the award winning Kapalua Spa in Maui, a 45,000 square foot Destination Spa, and the Spa at Trump Waikiki Hotel at Oahu, a luxurious Boutique Spa. And now, she is the owner and founder of C SPA Consulting & Management firm offering an array of Spa, beauty and Wellness Services. Hercik is a member of the International Spa Association (ISPA) as well as a member and the Board Treasurer for the Hawaii Spa Association (Hi-Spa). She is also a member of Maui's Hui Hoaloha, a dedicated group of successful women who represent a diverse cross section of the community and who continue to impact the lives of others through their philanthropy. MBABANE Despite having been found in possession of dagga, it was all joy for 16 women of KaNcesi when the court granted them freedom yesterday. This came after Chris Sibandze, who represented the Crown in the matter, applied for the withdrawal of the charges against the women. They were charged for contravening Section 12 (1) (a) as read with Section 12 (1) (c) of the Pharmacy Act of 1929. They are; Ntfombi Mnisi, Gugu Hlophe, Nonophile Fakudze, Simiso Mhlanga, Jabulile Mncina, Nonjabulo Mhlanga, Marry Tsabedze and Nolwazi Magagula. Rest The rest are Nomcebo Mncina, Ncamsile Mavuso, Queen Mhlanga, Dumsile Dlamini, Noncedo Mncina, Zanele Maseko, Sebenele Shabangu and Siphesihle Magagula. The first accused was also charged for contravening Section 7 as read with Section 8 (1) of the Opium and Habit Forming Drugs Act of 1922. It was alleged that the accused persons were found in possession of dagga weighing 73kg while at KaNcesi area. The charge sheet stated that the first accused was found in possession of dagga seeds weighing 0.818 kg. The women were arrested on February 5, 2020 and the matter was due for trial yesterday. They were standing in the dock about to enter a plea when the crown moved an application for the withdrawal of the charges. At first, Sibandze applied that the matter be removed from the roll. However, he then applied for the withdrawal of the charges against the accused persons. He stated that he would approach the Mbabane Principal Magistrate, Fikile Nhlabatsi, in her chambers concerning the reasons for the withdrawal. Application Sabelo Chicken Dlamini, who represented the women in the matter, had no objection to the Crowns application. The women left the courtroom and assembled outside the court premises after they were freed. The arresting officers were found leaning on some dagga exhibits outside the courtroom. Their relatives, who eagerly awaited the verdict, were taken by surprise when they learnt that the charges against them had been withdrawn. It appeared that the women had hired two kombis which were parked on the other side of the road. Some of them failed to contain their happiness after the charges were withdrawn. St. Catharines will open two outdoor small pools and a large pool this summer due to demand despite the threat of drowning in COVID-19 debt. Council passed a motion by St. Patricks Coun. Karrie Porter 10-3 to open Port Dalhousies large and small pools to help provide relief to residents experiencing near-record temperatures this July. They also passed a motion St. Andrews Coun. Matt Harris 7-6 to open Lincoln Park Pool in Western Hill, a popular small pool intended for children 10 and under. This is us trying to provide a service to the municipality and to the residents that they expect from us, Porter said, presenting her motion to open the Port Dalhousie pools. Its been very hot and I am concerned that the beach isnt the best place for some families, that they do want to use a pool. I think that we are obligated to open a pool safely. City staff presented a COVID-19 re-opening and recovery strategy to council on June 3 that did not include opening outdoor pools this year. But Porter said many residents dont have access to a pool and live without air conditioning in the heat. While St. Catharines has beaches where people can cool down, there has been overcrowding and they can be closed to swimming by Niagara Region depending on e-coli water test results. The Port Dalhousie small and large pool was the location chosen by staff as the quickest to open. Its estimated to cost $110,000 for one month, mostly in staffing costs for lifeguards, and $10,000 in set up costs. Porter, who sits on the budget committee, said she understands the city is facing a nearly $7 million budget shortfall with increasing costs due to COVID-19. Her motion asked for the one pool location to open. But councillors ran with it, voting to also open the Lincoln Park pool in Western Hill for an estimated $40,000. Another motion from Merritton Coun. Greg Miller to open the Lion Dunc Schooley Pools, also estimated to cost $110,000, was defeated. Miller noted that Port Dalhousie has a beach and is one of the most affluent areas of the city. Council heard the large Lion Dunc Schooley Pool in Merritton requires repairs to peeling paint that left people with small cuts on their feet last year. It also has staining on the floor of the pool that casts a shadow which does not allow lifeguards to adequately supervise swimmers. While the small pool in Merritton doesnt require repairs, the large pool wouldnt be ready to open for six to eight weeks. Anthony Martuccio, director of engineering, facilities and environmental services, said it will take seven to 10 days to open the Port Dalhousie and Lincoln Park Pools. They have to be filled with water, inspected by Niagara Region Public Health and set up with appropriate protocols on site for COVID-19. Lifeguards working at the citys splash pads to disinfect them and enforce social distancing will be relocated to the pools. Non-aquatics staff will take over the special COVID-19 duties at the splash pads, which in other years are not staffed at all. Council heard from two residents who urged them to open pools so children could swim. Port Dalhousie Coun. Carlos Garcia said hes been getting a lot of emails from people in and out of his ward concerned they have little kids and cant take them to the beach. The other municipalities like Niagara Falls, Welland, Toronto have been able to re-open their pools. This is an expense, but its a COVID related expense, and its something we need to address. I would support opening all of the pools we can open. But Merritton Coun. Lori Littleton voted against the openings, saying the city is going to have a tax increase next year if they cant get the numbers down. Tax revenue is not coming in and we dont have money to open these pools. The move to open all the citys pools by fellow council members left Porter in shock. My mission tonight was to try and restore some service to the public because I think its fair and I think its the right thing to do, Porter said, But as Coun. Littleton said, were going to be facing a huge tax increase next year if we dont watch what were doing. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Kyodo News) Tokyo Wed, July 15, 2020 12:35 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406666cc4e 2 News ANA,Airlines,travel,Japan Free All Nippon Airways Co. said Tuesday it will increase its domestic flights next month, potentially resuming about 90 percent of its coronavirus-hit services, as it expects a recovery in demand due to summer holidays and a tourism-boosting subsidy campaign. Ahead of the annual rush of travelers during Japan's "Bon" summer holidays, ANA will reopen 22 domestic routes connecting Hokkaido and Okinawa to other areas. Regional economies are gradually reopening after travel restrictions were eased. The Japanese airline will resume flights between Kobe and Sapporo from Aug. 1 and those from Nagoya to Hakodate from Aug 7, among other services. The announcement comes as the government begins on July 22 the Go To Travel Campaign aimed at spurring domestic tourism hit by the coronavirus. The initiative will eventually subsidize up to half a traveler's expenses, including accommodation and transport fees. Read also: Japan plans to expand airport PCR testing capacity to 10,000 per day Under its business plan, ANA said out of the 24,814 domestic flights it initially planned to operate in August, 2,932 services will be suspended or reduced. It suspended 12,227 domestic flights on 109 routes in July. As for international flights, ANA's flights linking Tokyo's Haneda airport to Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City, Washington and Paris will resume next month. ANA said, however, that roughly 90 percent of its international services will remain suspended, the same level for this month amid the pandemic. Topics : ANA Airlines travel Japan NEW YORK - Several New York City police officers were attacked and injured Wednesday as pro-police and anti-police protesters clashed on the Brooklyn Bridge, police said. The confrontation happened hours before Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a series of police accountability measures inspired by the killings of George Floyd, Eric Garner and other Black people. At least four officers were hurt, including Chief of Department Terence Monahan, and 37 people were arrested, police said. Information on charges was not immediately available. It was not clear how many protesters were injured. An Associated Press photographer witnessed several people getting roughed up by police, including a woman who ended up on the pavement with an officer pulling on her hair. Surveillance video posted on social media by the police department showed a man on the bridges pedestrian walkway rushing toward a group of officers and reaching over a fence to smack one of them in the head with a cane. Police photos of the aftermath showed a lieutenant with a bloodied face, a detective holding a bandage to his head, and a bicycle officer helping a fellow officer dress a head wound. Monahan, who last month knelt in a show of solidarity with protesters, sustained injuries to his hand. He and the other injured officers were marching with a pro-police group led by local clergy when they were met on the bridge by activists, some of whom have been camping outside City Hall in recent weeks to demand severe cuts to police funding. Some people in the pro-police group marched with a banner that said, We Support the NYPD. The leader of that group said they were calling for an end to a recent spate of violence, including the shooting death of a 1-year-old boy in Brooklyn. De Blasio helped paint a Black Lives Matter mural on a Bronx street before signing the police reform measures. They include a ban on chokeholds and other restraints that could restrict a persons breathing. The NYPD has long barred chokeholds, but that hasnt stopped some officers from using them in recent years most notably in Garners death on Staten Island just shy of six years ago. Other reforms include requirements for officers to have their shield numbers visible and not obscured by things like black mourning bands; for the NYPD to create and publish to its website a schedule of officer disciplinary violations and penalties, and for the department to disclose information about its secret surveillance technology. Another makes clear that the public has a right to record police activity. Wednesdays demonstrations and mural painting were the latest in a wave of protest activity across the country since George Floyd was killed May 25 by Minneapolis police. The first few nights of protests in New York City were marred by stealing, unrest and violence inflicted both by and on police officers. Since then, protests have largely been peaceful. __ Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak Former vice-president of Rosgosstrakh insurer to appeal 8-year sentence Vedomosti/TASS 13:52 15/07/2020 MOSCOW, July 15 (RAPSI) Sergey Khachaturov, former vice-president of Rosgosstrakh, the largest insurer in Russia, plans to appeal an 8-year prison sentence for his role in a stock fraud and money laundering scheme causing 8 billion rubles loss, according to his lawyers. We will definitely appeal. This document [conviction] causes nothing but a feeling of annoyance and bitterness. It goes against fundamental principles of law, - Alexander Gofshtein, Khachaturovs lawyer, said. Maria Blagovolina, another Khachaturovs lawyer, also claims the sentence was unjustified and contradictory. The court has ignored the evidence and arguments presented by the defense, the conviction just copies the indictment, Blagovolina said. Nadezhda Klepalskaya who was indicted along with Khachaturov in this case was given 6 years in prison. Prosecutors claim that Khachaturov acting in conspiracy with Klepalskaya and several other persons misappropriated assets of an investment foundation worth almost 2.3 billion rubles (about $32.5 million at the current exchange rate). Besides, they embezzled over 5 billion rubles ($70.7 million) from Rosgosstrakh and laundered the money they got as a result of crime. ANDREJ Plenkovic went on a weekend getaway, Nova TV reported. The Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, together with his wife Ana Maslac and their children Mila and Marijo, vacationed in a luxurious villa in Costabella, which some people call Villa Capone. The prime minister will stay there until the end of the weekend, and he will cover the expenses for this vacation, as they reported from his office. Advertisement Villa Costabella is also called Villa Capone due to an urban legend that Al Capone himself stayed in the villa, since, according to some, his mother was from Rijeka. The estate covers nearly 6,000 square meters and has two houses; the main house where PM is staying, a smaller one for his security, and a pool. Villa Costabella is the property of the Republic of Croatia and was built in the 20s. Not a single photograph of the villa was published, making it one of the most mysterious villas owned by the state. Except for Villa Costabella, Croatia owns seven more luxurious villas on the Adriatic coast, including Villa Brijunka. Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutron scattering and supercomputing to better understand how an organic solvent and water work together to break down plant biomass, creating a pathway to significantly improve the production of renewable biofuels and bioproducts. The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds light on a previously unknown nanoscale mechanism that occurs during biomass deconstruction and identifies optimal temperatures for the process. "Understanding this fundamental mechanism can aid in the rational design of even more efficient technologies for processing biomass," said Brian Davison, ORNL chief scientist for systems biology and biotechnology. Producing biofuels from plant material requires breaking its polymeric cellulose and hemicellulose components into fermentable sugars while removing the intact lignin -- a structural polymer also found in plant cell walls -- for use in value-added bioproducts such as plastics. Liquid chemicals known as solvents are often employed in this process to dissolve the biomass into its molecular components. Paired with water, a solvent called tetrahydrofuran, or THF, is particularly effective at breaking down biomass. Discovered by Charles Wyman and Charles Cai of the University of California, Riverside, during a study supported by DOE's BioEnergy Science Center at ORNL, the THF-water mixture produces high yields of sugars while preserving the structural integrity of lignin for use in bioproducts. The success of these cosolvents intrigued ORNL scientists. "Using THF and water to pretreat biomass was a very important technological advance," said ORNL's Loukas Petridis of the University of Tennessee/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics. "But the science behind it was not known." Petridis and his colleagues first ran a series of molecular dynamics simulations on the Titan and Summit supercomputers at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, a DOE Office of Science user facility at ORNL. Their simulations showed that THF and water, which stay mixed in bulk, separate at the nanoscale to form clusters on biomass. THF selectively forms nanoclusters around the hydrophobic, or water-repelling, portions of lignin and cellulose while complementary water-rich nanoclusters form on the hydrophilic, or water-loving, portions. This dual action drives the deconstruction of biomass as each of the solvents dissolves portions of the cellulose while preventing lignin from forming clumps that would limit access to the cellulosic sugars -- a common occurrence when biomass is mixed in water alone. "This was an interesting finding," Petridis said. "But it is always important to validate simulations with experiments to make sure that what the simulations report corresponds to reality." This phenomenon occurs at the tiny scale of three to four nanometers. For comparison, a human hair is typically 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers wide. These reactions presented a significant challenge to demonstrate in a physical experiment. Scientists at the High Flux Isotope Reactor, a DOE Office of Science user facility at ORNL, overcame this challenge using neutron scattering and a technique called contrast matching. This technique selectively replaces hydrogen atoms with deuterium, a form of hydrogen with an added neutron, to make certain components of the complex mixture in the experiment more visible to neutrons than others. "Neutrons see a hydrogen atom and a deuterium atom very differently," said ORNL's Sai Venkatesh Pingali, a Bio-SANS instrument scientist who performed the neutron scattering experiments. "We use this approach to selectively highlight parts of the whole system, which otherwise would not be visible, especially when they're really small." The use of deuterium rendered the cellulose invisible to neutrons and made the THF nanoclusters visually pop out against the cellulose like the proverbial needle in a haystack. To mimic biorefinery processing, researchers developed an experimental setup to heat the mixture of biomass and solvents and observe the changes in real time. The team found the action of the THF-water mix on biomass effectively kept lignin from clumping at all temperatures, enabling easier deconstruction of the cellulose. Increasing the temperature to 150 degrees Celsius triggered cellulose microfibril breakdown. These data provide new insights into the ideal processing temperature for these cosolvents to deconstruct biomass. "This was a collaborative effort with biologists, computational experts and neutron scientists working in tandem to answer the scientific challenge and provide industry-relevant knowledge," Davison said. "The method could fuel further discoveries about other solvents and help grow the bioeconomy." ### Coauthors of the study include Sai Venkatesh Pingali, Micholas Smith, Yunqiao Pu, Riddhi Shah, Barbara Evans, Volker Urban, Brian Davison, Hugh O'Neill, Arthur Ragauskas, and Loukas Petridis of ORNL; Shih-Hsien Liu, Takat Rawal, and Jeremy Smith of the UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics and Charles Cai of the University of California, Riverside. The Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the DOE Office of Science supported the study and the Bio-SANS instrument at the High Flux Isotope Reactor. The research used resources at HFIR and the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility; both are DOE Office of Science User Facilities. UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science. The single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit https://www.energy.gov/science. A pair of British Army soldiers have been praised after they helped two mothers with the births of their babies. Serjeant Wayne Delahunty, 35, and Lance Corporal Dan Ells, 25, jumped into action during separate call-outs with the ambulance service. Both men, from 1st Battalion The Rifles based in Beachley Barracks, Chepstow, are among 60 soldiers from army units in Wales who have been trained to support the Welsh Ambulance Service during the coronavirus outbreak. Their link-up is part of UK Defences 20,000-strong Covid Response Force, set up to put service personnel and reservists on standby to support public services in response to the pandemic. Brigadier Andrew Dawes (left) with Lance Corporal Dan Ells / PA Former carpenter L/Cpl Ells is a section second-in-command who has been with 1 Rifles since 2015, having been deployed overseas on exercises and operations to Afghanistan, Kenya, Bosnia and Georgia. He was working in the Tredegar area of South Wales when he was called to a home to assess a pregnant woman at about midnight. He said: We were called to a house and the idea was to assess before a crew arrived to take over, and it seemed like we had enough time, but then all of a sudden the baby started coming. Ive not been involved or seen a baby born before but I wasnt nervous about it at all because the paramedics we work with are absolutely fantastic. Whatever is going to happen, they are 100% in control. I can remember a feeling of excitement. It was all new to me. Its very humbling. When you join the Army the idea being at the birth of a newborn was something I could never have imagined being involved in. The paramedic I was with took the lead on it and my role was to provide pain relief. But when the baby came the umbilical cord was wrapped around its leg so I was asked to help to untangle the cord. I then continued to administer pain relief with gas and air. Serjeant Wayne Delahunty (left) with Jason Killens / PA Sjt Delahunty, a former nightclub manager who has been with 1 Rifles since 2008, serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, was also working in Tredegar when he and a paramedic responded to a mother who was in labour. He said: When we got to the house the woman was crowning, which I believe is the term used for someone on the brink of giving birth. The mum was lodged in between the living room and stairway. I set up the gas and Entonox for pain relief and was helping to reassure the mum when the midwife came in to take over. I realised my calf was also involved in providing pain relief because, even though I didnt offer it, the mum gave it a proper squeeze. I was just very happy to support the paramedic and midwife doing what they are absolutely brilliant at. Another paramedic who had been in the job seven years said to me Id been really lucky to have witnessed a birth because sometimes years pass before they see one its quite a rarity apparently. It was a magical experience to be involved in. Jason Killens, chief executive for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, presented both men with Certificates of Commendation at their headquarters in Beachley Barracks. Markets are extremely volatile as the large but opposing forces of gradual economic recovery and the new wave of coronavirus infections keep investors on the edge. Hence, it is of utmost importance to create a portfolio of low-beta securities since such stocks not only deliver healthy returns but also provide a shield against market volatility. Meaning of Beta Beta measures the volatility or risk of a particular asset in comparison to the market. In other words, beta measures the extent of a securitys price movement relative to the market. In this article, we are considering the S&P 500 as the market. If a stock has beta of 1, then the price of the stock will move with the market. So, the stock is more volatile than the market if its beta is more than 1. In the same way, the stock is not as volatile as the market if its beta is less than 1. For example, if the market offers a return of 20%, a stock with beta of 3 will return 60%, which is overwhelming. Similarly, when the market slips 20%, the stock will sink 60%, which is devastating. Screening Criteria: We have taken beta between 0 and 0.6 as our prime criterion for screening stocks that are less volatile than the market. However, this should not be the only factor to be considered while selecting a winning strategy. We need to take into account other parameters as well that can add value to the portfolio. Percentage Change in Price in the Last 4 Weeks greater than zero: This ensures that the stocks saw positive price movement over the last month. Average 20 Day Volume greater than 50,000: A substantial trading volume ensures that the stocks are easily tradable. Price greater than or equal to $5: They must all be trading at a minimum of $5 or higher. Zacks Rank equal to 1: Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks indicate that they will significantly outperform the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. Here are five of the 10 stocks that qualified the screening: Story continues BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. BJ: BJs Wholesale is an operator of membership warehouse clubs, primarily in the U.S. East Coast. Sporting a VGM Score of A, this Westborough, MA-headquartered companys expected EPS growth rate for the next five years is 13.5%, which compares favorably with the industry's 12.3%. Eli Lilly and Company LLY, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, is a leading manufacturer of pharmaceutical products. The stock is likely to see earnings growth of 12.9% and 15.8% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. SFM, based in Phoenix, AZ, is among the fastest growing retailers in the domestic market and primarily offers affordable organic food products. The stock is likely to see earnings growth of 35.2% in 2020. Based in Cincinnati, OH, The Kroger Co. KR is a leading retailer in the domestic market. For fiscal 2021, the stock is likely to see earnings growth of 29.1%. Also, in three of the past four quarters, the company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, Everbridge Inc. EVBG is a leading software company. The stock is likely to see bottom-line growth of 14.3% and 159.4% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge. The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out. Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today. Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (BJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Kroger Co. (KR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Everbridge, Inc. (EVBG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Glass related artifacts excavated from Igbo Olokun, Ile Ife. Left: glass beads, Right: fragments of glass making crucibles. Credit: Abidemi Babatunde Babalola The story of humankind from the earliest times to the present is in many ways a story about technology. Archaeologists tend to study the development of technology to show how people lived and how they interacted with their environment. Discoveries of technological innovation and skill in ancient African societies have challenged western theories that had no place for such evidence. Western scholars tried instead to explain these findings as the result of external influence. For example the debate on the invention of iron metallurgy in Africa remains unsettled. And it took several decades before Africans were credited for the construction of the Great Zimbabwe stone architecture. My ongoing research is another example of how archaeological evidence continues to overturn assumptions about technology in African societies. I found archaeological evidence of sophisticated indigenous glass technology at Ile-Ife, in southwest Nigeria, dated to about 1,000 years ago. The evidence shows that the region was not just a consumer of glass made elsewhere but also contributed to technological development, innovation and creativity. It also suggests that glass beads were mass-produced at Ile-Ife and traded as prestige items. Looking for evidence The first evidence of glass made by humans dates to 2,500 BC. Globally, archaeologically known centres of primary glass production are few and concentrated in the Middle East, Mediterranean and Levant. When investigating ancient glass making, archaeologists look for furnace remains, tools, finished objects, production waste, and presence or availability of raw materials. To complicate the matter, glass production does not generate much waste because failed products, scrapings, or droppings are added to and melted with the next batch. But sometimes archaeologists are fortunate to have more than one form of material relating to glass production to work with. This was the case at Ile-Ife, where my research on indigenous glass making has been going on for nearly a decade. Over the years, we focused on a site called Igbo-Olokun, where evidence of a glass workshop had been known for over a century but never studied in detail. We also studied archaeological materials stored in the Natural History Museum at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. The findings from the archaeological excavations at Ile-Ife include several pits that appeared to be furnace ruins, over 20,000 glass beads, 1,500 crucible fragments (ceramic vessels used in glass production), and several kilograms of glass waste. Another artifact from the site is semi-finished glass, which is the object of study of my recently published work. Semi-finished glass is a halfway vitrified glass. The raw materials for the glass have coagulated but not yet turned completely into glass. Laboratory analysis of this material with my colleagues Professor Thilo Rehren and Dr. Laura Dussubieux provided a better understanding of the chemical signature of the glass. We could determine the source and types of the raw materials used, and decipher the technological process. Results of the analysis show that Ile-Ife glass is chemically distinctive. It is now referred to as high lime high alumina (HLHA) glassnot known from anywhere else in the world. What this tells us The Ile-Ife site is the first known primary glass workshop in sub-Saharan Africa. Like their counterparts in other parts of the world, the glass makers at Ile-Ife explored the raw materialsgeological and forest resourcesthat were available in the area. The concentration of the elements of the glass is consistent with that of the geological components in the region, which suggests that the glass makers invented their own glass recipe using the available resources. The glass makers in ancient Ile-Ife used feldspar-rich granitic sand and/or pegmatite as the source of silica. They also used snail shell, which would have helped to reduce the melting temperature of the silicate materials and improve the quality of the glass. The quality was as good as glasses from other ancient societies. Besides telling us how sophisticated this technology was, the research also tells us more about the role of West African forest communities in early regional commercial networks. We have established that bead was the main product manufactured at the workshop in Ile-Ife. It appears to have been produced in large quantities for trade. This means Ile-Ife was a producer and supplier of prestige items. It is known from the archaeological evidence that sub-Saharan Africa was entwined in global connection through importing items like glass beads as far back as 600-400 BC. But this luxury item was also available within the region a thousand years ago. Africans patronised the local sources, circulating and consuming locally made items. Ile-Ife HLHA glass beads have been found in early West African trading towns and cities such as Gao and Essouk in what is now Mali, and among the glass beads used to adorn the elite burial at Igbo Ukwu in eastern Nigeria. This research has illuminated an aspect of Africa's past that is often misrepresented or completely obliterated. Africa has always contributed to global technological breakthroughs and economic systems. The continent has an untold history of creativity. Explore further Researchers find first evidence of sub-Saharan Africa glassmaking This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said no matter how educated a person is, one must always be ready to acquire new skills. He said skill, reskilling and upskilling is the only way to remain relevant in the ever-changing market scenario. Speaking on the occasion of the World Youth Skill Day, Modi said, The biggest strength of the millennials is their ability to get skilled. Modi said the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has changed the work culture and started the concept of work from home. He added young people are acquiring new skills keeping in mind the new work culture and new nature of jobs. People ask me business and markets are changing too fast; it is hard to remain relevant. In times of corona [Covid-19], this is even more relevant. My answer to that is to skill, reskill and upskill. To keep learning new skills is to reskill and continuing to scale it up is to upskill, he said. Modi, who has stressed on self-reliance and the need for becoming employment generators, added: Skill is something which you give yourself and which is timeless and keeps getting better with time. It is unique and makes you different from others. He added it is self-reliance and also self employability. Modi underlined there is a difference between skill and knowledge and said people often confuse the two. People get confused between knowledge and skill. You can watch on YouTube or read in books how to ride a bike; this is knowledge, but to ride a bike you need skill, he said. Referring to the work opportunities for skilled people, he said there is a requirement for tens of thousands of skilled people, especially in the health sector. ...That is why we have started skill mapping. Information about which country needs skilled works in which sector will be available. Modi referred to the portal for skill mapping of migrant labour that has been recently started. He added employers can connect with the labour at the click of a button. Modi said in todays rapidly changing world, millions of skilled people are needed in many sectors. He also spoke about the skill centres opened by the government and how the number of Industrial Training Institutes was increased. ...skill development of more than 5 crore [50 million] people has been done. And this campaign continues, he said. Modi reiterated that since there is a raging worldwide pandemic, people should remember to stay healthy, maintain social distancing and wear masks, and stop spitting. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Rajasthan unit of the BJP is in a wait and watch mode not wanting to muddy its hands in the ongoing political crisis that has rocked the Congress government of Ashok Gehlot in the state. The BJP claims that the government is in a minority but says it will not seek a floor test. Leader of opposition in the assembly Gulab Chand Kataria said Wednesday it was for the Congress government or the rebel MLAs who are supporting former deputy CM Sachin Pilot to seek a floor test. On the notice issued by the assembly Speaker to the 19 MLAs who are supporting Pilot, Kataria said the assembly secretariat had no locus standi in the matter. Who attends or does not attend a party meet is not in the assembly secretariat. It is for the party to decide. The assembly cannot issue notices to MLAs. Such notices will be struck down by the courts, he said. He also played down the absence of former CM Vasundhara Raje from meetings of the BJP. I am in touch with her. She was supposed to come today for a meeting. But since Sachin Pilot cancelled his press conference, we also put off our meeting. After Pilot clears his future course of action, we will hold a meeting, Kataria said. Earlier in the day, Pilot ruled out joining the BJP Kataria said all MLAs have been asked to be available on phone as they could be called to Jaipur on short notice. State BJP president Satish Poonia said the government is trying to intimidate MLAs and the notice is an attempt to put the MLAs under pressure. The notice is laughable... If some action takes place within the house then a whip is issued. But if some MLAs skip a party meeting but are held in a resort that cannot be the basis for a notice by the Speaker, he said. He said the Congresss aim was to get these MLAs disqualified and then call for an assembly session. The government and the Speaker are working in tandem and the effort is to kill democratic traditions. Poonia said the government was resorting to strong-arm tactics to scare the legislators. They talk of democracy but they are threatening MLAs using the SOG and ACB and the notice shows that their intentions are suspect. Poonia cited a video circulated by a BTP MLA who said he was stopped by police who snatched his car keys and held him hostage for several hours. If they have the numbers then why are all these actions being taken? Why are the MLAs under lockdown in a resort? he asked. Poonia said Congress has 107 MLAs of which about 20 are with Pilot which brings down the figure to 87 which is short of the majority mark of 101. He said smaller parties which supported Congress in the Rajya Sabha are not with them any longer. BTP has said it will remain neutral, one of two CPI (M) MLAs is not supporting Congress. They had made 13 independents as associate members of which three have jumped ship. So they are still short of majority. Poonia said the BJP has also given a petition to the Speaker some months back challenging the merger of the six BSP MLAs with the Congress. Poonia said the Speaker has not taken a decision on that. The petition is pending with the Speaker but no decision has been taken yet. If he had given a decision, we would have appealed in court, if required, he said. Russia-Turkey Joint Patrol Hit By Bomb Attack In Syria July 14, 2020 Russia's Defense Ministry said on July 14 that a roadside bomb planted by militants hit a joint Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria, wounding three Russian soldiers, Russian news agencies reported. Several Turkish soldiers were also wounded in the blast, according to reports. The blast occurred in the southern part of the rebel-controlled Idlib region in northeastern Syria during a joint patrol mission along the strategic M4 highway, which connects Aleppo to Latakia on the Mediterranean coast. "The explosion damaged an armored personnel carrier belonging to the Russian military police and a Turkish armored vehicle. Three Russian servicemen sustained minor injuries. There were also injuries on board the Turkish armored vehicle. All injured servicemen were rapidly evacuated from the area," the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria said in a statement quoted by Interfax on July 14. Turkey and Russia brokered a March cease-fire in Idlib following a months-long Russia-backed offensive by Syrian forces that displaced nearly 1 million people and threatened to send a flood of refugees into Turkey. As part of the cease-fire deal, Turkish and Russian troops conduct joint patrols in a buffer zone between rebel fighters and Syrian government forces along a section of the M4 highway. Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-turkey-joint-patrol- hit-by-bomb-attack-in-syria/30725458.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 Millions of people faced new coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday as infections surge, but in one sign of hope, an American firm said it would soon start final-stage human trials for a possible vaccine. Countries around the world re-imposed lockdowns and curbs to contain new outbreaks, as global cases surged past 13.2 million with more than 576,000 deaths. Parts of the Asia-Pacific region, which had been somewhat successful in fighting the pandemic, provided fresh evidence of the deadly threat still posed by the virus. Hong Kongs bars, gyms, and beauty salons closed again on Wednesday and a ban on gatherings with more than four people came into force as the city battled a fresh outbreak after months of impressive success against the virus. Most of the citys residents voluntarily adopted facemasks as a barrier against the virus when it was first detected in mainland China late last year, but the Hong Kong government now requires passengers on public transport to wear them or risk a US$650 fine. There was alarm in Japan too, where Tokyos governor warned that the capital was on its highest coronavirus alert level after a spike in infections. That came after the Indian state of Bihar, with a population of around 125 million, announced a 15-day virus lockdown starting Thursday. Indias IT hub Bangalore has already started a week-long lockdown. Authorities in Australia, meanwhile, pleaded Wednesday with the public to heed social distancing guidelines, with roughly five million people in Melbourne in lockdown since last week in a bid to contain a new outbreak. That request came just days after a group was fined Aus$26,000 (US$18,200) when their house party was exposed by an unusually large order of KFC. A particular concern for us is the ongoing parties and gatherings people playing poker, people holding parties, said Rick Nugent, acting assistant commissioner of Victoria state. Please stop. You are part of the problem Such pleas from experts and authorities have been ignored and even mocked in many of the worlds most populous parts, including the United States the worst-hit nation in the world. Tens of thousands of cases are now being reported every day in the US as authorities scramble to roll back reopenings. The national 24-hour infection count was more than 63,000 on Tuesday, according to a Johns Hopkins University tracker. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, again warned Americans against carelessness especially young people who may feel they are not vulnerable and would rather be sipping my margarita at a bar in a crowd. Given asymptomatic transmission, such young people need to understand that given the nature of this outbreak You are inadvertently propagating the pandemic, you are part of the problem and not the solution, Fauci said at an online Georgetown University event on Tuesday. Hopes rose, however, when American biotech firm Moderna said it would start the final stage of human trials for its vaccine candidate on July 27, after promising results from earlier testing. Moderna is considered to be in a leading position in the global race to find a vaccine, and while its study should run until October 2022, preliminary results should be available long before then. Less work, less money With no vaccine or effective treatment widely available, experts have advised lockdowns and social distancing measures in some form to prevent the deadly pandemic from gaining even more momentum. Face masks will become compulsory in Englands shops and supermarkets from next week, while South Africa reimposed a nationwide curfew to prevent a coronavirus storm. Authorities worldwide are under immense pressure to ease the economic pain caused by the widespread lockdowns, however, with the poorest hit the hardest. In Cairo, Zeinab, a young mother, was struggling to survive by selling tissues when the coronavirus hit leaving her and thousands of other homeless people and street children even more vulnerable. With fewer people in the streets, she said, we have less work and less money. SOURCE> AFP The Brazilian leader yet to recover from COVID-19 as he tests positive for the second time. India joins many other countries and cities across the globe in reimposing localised lockdowns following a spike in the number of new coronavirus cases in the country. Researchers in the United States say the first vaccine tested in the country had worked to boost patients immune systems and is set for final testing. The number of cases nationwide rose by 65,682 for a total of 3.45 million, with at least 919 more deaths added to the tally of about 136,000. The blood from seriously ill coronavirus patients on ventilators was found by researchers to be highly inflammatory and harmful to the body, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a study by Dutch scientists. More than 13.3 million people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19, 7.4 million have recovered, and more than 579,300 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The US, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Italy have recorded the most deaths. Here are the latest updates. Wednesday, July 15 21:30 GMT Brazils Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus again Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has again tested positive for coronavirus, he told reporters in Brasilia, suggesting he has yet to recover from an infection first diagnosed last week. Since catching the virus, the president has said he remains in good health and he would resume his normal work schedule if he tested negative this week. On Wednesday, he said he would get tested again in a few days. Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro adjusting his face mask at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil [Adriano Machado/Reuters] 20:40 GMT South Africa COVID-19 cases cross 300,000: Health ministry South Africas coronavirus cases of crossed 300,000, the most in Africa and amongst the top 10 in the world. Africas most industrialised nation recorded a rise of 12,757 cases on Wednesday to reach 311,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases, its health ministry said in a late evening statement, a little more than four months since the first case was confirmed in the country. It has tested nearly 2.3 million people so far and has seen a total of 160,693 recoveries and 4,453 deaths, the statement said. A student is screened as schools begin to reopen in Langa township in Cape Town [File: Mike Hutchings/Reuters] 19:30 GMT Trump administration takes control of COVID-19 data in US The Trump administration is taking control of data collection on COVID-19 hospitalisations in the United States from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raising questions about whether the information will be politicised as cases in the US surge and deaths rise. More than 141,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 nearly a quarter of the global total [Sandra Stojanovic/Reuters] Patient information will now be sent to a new central database in Washington, DC run by the US Department of Health and Human Services instead of to the CDC, which has been criticised for slow and inconsistent public reporting of the number of cases, available beds and ventilators. Today, the CDC still has at least a week lag in reporting hospital data, HHS spokesman Michael Caputo said in a statement issued to US media outlets. America requires it in real time. The new, faster and complete data system is what our nation needs to defeat the coronavirus, and the CDC, an operating division of HHS, will certainly participate in this streamlined all-of-government response. They will simply no longer control it, Caputo said. Read more here. 19:15 GMT 2021 Rose Parade cancelled due to pandemic Organisers said the 2021 Rose Parade will not take place on January 1 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The parade is held on January 1 every year except when New Years Day falls on a Sunday. Since its inception in 1891, the parade has not occurred only three times during the wartime years of 1942, 1943 and 1945. Organisers initially hoped they would be able to hold the parade safely [Mario Anzuoni/Reuters] 18:35 GMT Fauci calls White House effort to discredit him bizarre US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on Wednesday he did not understand the effort by some in the White House to discredit him. You know, it is a bit bizarre. I dont really fully understand it, Fauci said in an interview with The Atlantic. I think if you talk to reasonable people in the White House they realise that was a major mistake on their part because it doesnt do anything but reflect poorly on them. And I dont think that was their intention. 17:50 GMT Bangladesh arrests hospital owner over fake virus results A Bangladesh hospital owner accused of issuing thousands of fake negative coronavirus test results to patients at his two clinics was arrested Wednesday while trying to fleeing to India in a burqa, police said. The arrest marked the end of a nine-day manhunt for Mohammad Shahed over allegations of giving fake certificates to patients saying they were virus-free without even testing them. Read more here. Experts warn the fake negative coronavirus test results have worsened the already dire situation in the country [Mohammad Ponir/Reuters] 17:00 GMT Florida confirms more than 10,000 new cases Florida reported 10,181 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the total number of infections in the state to 301,810. The state confirmed 112 deaths, the third time in the last seven days it eclipsed 100. The death toll stands at 4,626. As of Tuesday, Florida had the second-highest deaths in the US, slightly behind Texas. Read more here. 16:45 GMT Oklahoma governor tests positive for COVID-19 Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced on Wednesday that he is the first governor in the US to test positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home. Stitt, 48, said he mostly feels fine, although he started feeling a little achy on Tuesday and sought a test. He said his wife and children were also tested on Tuesday and that none of them has tested positive. We respect peoples rights to not wear a mask, Stitt said during Wednesdays virtual news conference. You just open up a big can of worms. Stitt attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there [File: Leah Millis/Reuters] There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 in Oklahoma, with nearly 22,000 confirmed cases and 428 deaths. 16:30 GMT LA teachers demand better technology before remote school year After being told to return to remote education in the fall (autumn), Los Angeles teachers are demanding greater technology support to avoid the chaos they say they faced when the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to abruptly switch to online learning in March. The nations second-largest school district and the union representing its 30,000 teachers were due to open negotiations on Thursday to hammer out work rules governing instruction for some 700,000 children at home. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and United Teachers Los Angeles have so far spoken only in broad terms about how they aim to improve an online instruction formula that Grace Regullano, the unions research director, called crisis learning. Oakes McClenahan, 7, doing his school work while watching his teachers recorded lesson on a computer at home, in Seattle, Washington, US [File: Jason Redmond/Reuters] Read more here. 16:15 GMT Walmart to require US customers to wear face masks Walmart will require shoppers to wear face masks, joining an increasing number of businesses in the US mandating face coverings. The worlds biggest retailer, which had previously encouraged masks on consumers but not required them, said the mandate would take effect on July 20. While were certainly not the first business to require face coverings, we know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities, said a memo by two executives at Walmart, US. Walmarts move comes a day after Best Buy joined the list of companies requiring coverings [Mario Anzuoni/Reuters] 16:00 GMT COVID-19 kills four Kenyan health workers Coronavirus has killed four Kenyan health workers and infected 450, the Ministry of Health said, as word emerged of a slew of cases in Kenyas biggest maternity hospital. Health workers handling patients with confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus disease face an increased risk of exposure to the virus, Rashid Aman, the chief administrative secretary at the ministry, told a news briefing. At least 41 of the staff at Pumwani maternity hospital in the capital Nairobi have been infected, said Patrick Amoth, the acting director general of health, adding that the cases were mild. Kenya has confirmed 11,252 cases of COVID-19 and 209 deaths [Baz Ratner/Reuters] 15:30 GMT Vaccine alliance says 75 countries keen to join COVAX access facility More than 75 countries have expressed interest in joining the COVAX financing scheme designed to guarantee rapid and equitable access globally to COVID-19 vaccines, the GAVI vaccines alliance said. The 75 countries, which would finance the vaccines from public budgets, partner with up to 90 poorer countries supported through voluntary donations to GAVIs COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), the alliance said in a statement. The interest, from governments representing more than 60 percent of the worlds population, shows a vote of confidence in the effort to secure global access to COVID-19 vaccines, it added. 15:00 GMT Senegal resumes international flights after four months Senegal resumed international flights on Wednesday, four months after severing air links because of the coronavirus pandemic. An Air Algerie flight arrived at Dakars international airport at midnight on Tuesday and six other flights were scheduled to depart and arrive throughout the day, according to the Ministry of Air Transport. Passengers departing for the West African country are required to present proof from an approved laboratory that they have tested negative for coronavirus within the previous seven days. The certificate has to come from a lab in the country where the trip originated. International commercial flights for repatriation had continued to depart and arrive intermittently in Dakar after the closure of air borders in March. Land and sea borders remain closed. Senegal lifted its state of emergency and curfew, imposed in March to stem the spread of the virus, at the end of June. The restrictions had triggered violent protests, as seen in several countries in the region. The number of cases in Senegal continues to climb, with more than 8,300 infections and 153 deaths recorded since March 2 [Alaattin Dogru/Anadolu]. 14:15 GMT Amid virus spike, North Macedonia holds national elections Voters in North Macedonia are donning masks to take part in a general election, following months of delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. North Macedonia, a former Yugoslav republic with a population of about two million, has reported more than 8,200 confirmed cases, including 385 deaths. The small country north of Greece saw new cases rise in recent weeks after infection-control restrictions were lifted. North Macedonia has had a caretaker government since January [Husamedin Gina/Anadolu] Election campaigns were limited by social distancing rules and calmer than in past elections, which produced vitriolic animosity between the two main parties. Opinion polls suggest no party will achieve an outright victory, leaving the winner to seek a power-sharing deal with parties representing the countrys large ethnic Albanian minority. The election is being monitored by a team of international observers and final results are expected on Thursday. 13:45 GMT UK PM Johnson commits to coronavirus inquiry, but not yet British Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to holding an inquiry into the countrys handling of the coronavirus crisis but said now was not the time as the battle to combat the pandemic continues. Opposition politicians have been pressing for an inquiry after ministers were criticised for being too slow to lock down, to introduce mass testing and to deliver protective equipment. Johnson has repeatedly said his government took the right decisions at the right time but also admits that lessons will have to be learned after the pandemic which has left the UK as one of the worst-affected countries. Boris Johnsons spokesman declined to comment further on the inquiry, but said further details would be set out in due course [Neville Elder/Getty] 13:20 GMT Hello, this is Hamza Mohamed in Doha, Qatar taking over from my colleague Umut Urus. 12:05 GMT Thousands of Catalans return to lockdown Some 160,000 people in the Spanish region of Catalonia went back into confinement as authorities scrambled to control a fresh surge of coronavirus infections in the area, just weeks after a nationwide lockdown was lifted. But just as a judge approved the regional governments stay-at-home order for residents of the Lleida area, about 180km (110 miles) west of Barcelona, tensions rose over how to handle an increase in cases in a suburb of the Catalan capital. Tourism-dependent Spain, one of Europes hardest-hit countries with more than 28,000 deaths from the pandemic, brought a tough national lockdown to an end on June 21. Since then, more than 170 clusters have sprung up, prompting regional authorities to impose a patchwork of local restrictions, confusing locals and angering businesses. Over the weekend 4,581 new cases were recorded, bringing the total to 264,836, she added. More than 28,000 people have died [Nacho Doce/Reuters] 11:35 GMT Austria to lift travel warning for Italian region of Lombardy Austria will lift its travel warning for Lombardy, the region at the centre of Italys novel coronavirus outbreak, because of a fall in infections, Austrias Foreign Ministry said. The relaxation could pave the way for the resumption of flights between Lombardys capital Milan and Vienna, since such travel warnings come with a ban on direct connections. It will, however, make little difference for those travelling by land as Austria lifted controls at the shared border a month ago, three months after they were introduced when Italys outbreak worsened. 11:00 GMT EU urges earlier, broader flu vaccination The European Commission said the European Union states should launch earlier and broader vaccination campaigns against flu this year to reduce the risk of simultaneous influenza and COVID-19 outbreaks in the autumn. The EU executive wants to prevent the risk of hospitals being again overwhelmed by a surge of patients, as happened at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe in March and April. Simultaneous outbreaks of seasonal influenza and COVID-19, would place a considerable strain on health systems, it said in a document which lists actions needed to prepare for a possible large second wave of COVID-19 in the autumn. 10:20 GMT Philippines confirms 11 more deaths, 1,392 cases The Philippines health ministry reported 11 more coronavirus deaths and 1,392 infections in the last 24 hours. In a bulletin, the Department of Health said total deaths had risen to 1,614, while infections reached 58,850. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is due to decide whether to maintain partial restrictions in the capital, set to expire on Wednesday, to slow the spread of the virus as some hospitals reach critical care capacity. Total coronavirus deaths in the country have risen to 1,614, while confirmed infections reached 58,850 [EPA] 09:50 GMT DR Congo gives mines month to end COVID restrictions The Democratic Republic of Congo has given copper and cobalt mining companies a month to stop confining workers on site away from their families as part of COVID-19 restrictions and return to normal operations, the labour minister said in an open letter. Workers have been told by managers to either stay and work or lose their jobs, civil society organisations said last month, citing miners and union representatives and demanding an end to the approach. All mining companies that have confined workers to the operating site are granted a one-month moratorium to return to normal operation, Labour Minister Nene Ilunga Nkula said in the letter, dated July 13, which she shared on Twitter on Tuesday. 09:25 GMT Hong Kong reports 19 new cases Hong Kong reported 19 new coronavirus cases, including 14 that were locally transmitted, as new social distancing measures came into force and as authorities warned that the risk of a large-scale outbreak remained high. The number of cases dropped substantially on Wednesday from Tuesdays 48. The city had registered a sharp increase in the number of cases in the past week with the majority of cases transmitted locally. Since late January, the global financial hub has reported more than 1,500 cases and eight deaths. Since late January, the global financial hub has reported more than 1,500 cases and eight deaths [AFP] 09:00 GMT South Korean city seeks pre-arrival coronavirus tests for US soldiers A South Korean city that is home to the largest US overseas military base has asked for coronavirus tests on American soldiers before they arrive, amid concerns over a recent spike in imported cases, officials said. US Forces Korea (USFK) has reported at least 25 virus infections among its troops and employees in the past two weeks, including 11 on Monday. All were confirmed upon arrival or while spending two weeks in mandatory quarantine. The surge has prompted Pyeongtaek, home to the sprawling Camp Humphreys south of Seoul, to ask the government to request a predeparture test for incoming US soldiers, a city official told the Reuters news agency. 08:30 GMT Asian Tour cancels Taiwan Masters golf tournament The Asian Tour said Septembers Taiwan Masters golf tournament has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to cancel Taiwan Masters was based on health and safety concerns as well as international travel restrictions on players the Asian Tour said in a statement. The tournament will now be staged in 2021 in its traditional time slot. The tournament had been due to be held at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from September 17 to 20. 08:00 GMT Russia reports more than 6,400 new cases Russia reported 6,422 new coronavirus cases, pushing its confirmed national tally to 746,369, the fourth highest in the world. Officials said 156 people had died of the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 11,770. The death toll now stands at 13,192, and 597,140 people have recovered [Reuters] 07:40 GMT UK health minister not to recommend masks in office British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government would not recommend that office workers wear face masks while at work. We will not be recommending masks in the office, Hancock told Sky News on Wednesday. 07:15 GMT India IT hub, other towns reimpose lockdown amid COVID-19 surge Nearly a dozen Indian states have imposed a partial lockdown in high-risk areas after spikes in coronavirus cases, with the countrys infections topping 900,000 just three days after crossing the 800,000 mark. India joins a number of countries and cities across the globe in reimposing localised lockdowns and other restrictions in the face of new outbreaks of the disease that has infected more than 13 million worldwide. In all, India has more than 936,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, with 28,498 new infections reported on Tuesday, according to data from the federal health ministry, the third-highest total in the world behind Brazil and the US. Read more here. India has more than 936,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, with 28,498 new infections reported on Tuesday [EPA] 06:50 GMT Australia weighs further coronavirus curbs as outbreak grows Australias most populous states will impose harsher restrictions on movement if a COVID-19 outbreak is not quickly bought under control, state premiers said. The country has been heralded as a global leader in containing COVID-19, but in the last week, it has seen a surge in new cases. Desperate to contain the outbreak, Victoria state last week forced about five million people into a six-week lockdown. Still, Victoria said it has found 238 new cases in the last 24 hours. Nationally, Australia has now recorded about 10,500 cases, while the death toll rose to 111 on Wednesday after a woman in her 90s died from the virus. 06:15 GMT New Zealand must prepare for new outbreaks: PM New Zealand must prepare for new coronavirus outbreaks as the pandemic spreads globally but will not drop its elimination strategy if community transmission was discovered, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. Ardern said the epidemic was now exploding outside New Zealand and countries that had been models in the fight against COVID-19 had now experienced further community outbreaks. The South Pacific nation last reported a case of community transmission two-and-a-half months ago. It has recorded 22 deaths from nearly 1,200 confirmed cases as of Wednesday. The government has recently released a new framework on how it intended to fight the virus in the event of new cases [File: AP] 05:45 GMT US base on Japans Okinawa confirms 36 more cases Authorities have confirmed 36 more coronavirus infections at Camp Hansen on Japans Okinawa, taking to 136 the tally at US military bases on the island, Kyodo News said. The outbreak emerged at the weekend, provoking the anger of the prefectures governor, who has called into question the US militarys virus prevention measures. Hello, this is Umut Uras in Doha taking over from my colleague Ted Regencia. 05:03 GMT Hong Kong reimposes restrictions amid COVID-19 resurgence The city of 7.5 million people has recorded 1,569 confirmed cases and eight deaths since the outbreak began [Lam Yik/Reuters] Renewed restrictions took effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, with restaurants limited to takeout after 6pm, as the Asian financial centre battles a resurgence of the coronavirus, Reuters news agency reported. Mask-wearing has been made compulsory on public transport for the first time, with fines of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($650). Public gatherings are once again restricted to four people after the limit was eased last month to allow up to 50. The semi-autonomous Chinese territory has seen a return of locally transmitted cases in the past 10 days after a long spell without them. About 300 new cases have been reported since July 6, including more than 220 non-imported ones. The city reversed plans to allow major public events, postponing a highly popular annual book fair slated to open Wednesday. Hong Kong Disneyland, which had reopened last month, shuttered again in accordance with the renewed restrictions. The city of 7.5 million people has recorded 1,569 confirmed cases and eight deaths since the outbreak began. 04:50 GMT Germanys confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 351 to 199,726 The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 351 to 199,726, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing the latest data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases. The reported death toll rose by three to 9,071, the tally showed. 04:45 GMT US bases on Japans Okinawa confirm 36 more cases Authorities have confirmed 36 more coronavirus infections at Camp Hansen in Japans Okinawa, taking to 136 the tally at US military bases on the island, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing Kyodo News. The outbreak emerged at the weekend, provoking the anger of the prefectures governor, who has called into question the US militarys virus prevention measures. 04:25 GMT China to ease restrictions on domestic tourism The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said tourist sites should allow 50 percent of their daily visitor capacity, up from 30 percent, and that interprovince group tours should be resumed as well [File: Andy Wong/AP] China is further easing restrictions on domestic tourism after reporting no new local cases of COVID-19 in nine days, the AP news agency reported on Wednesday. The National Health Commission said six new cases were recorded as of the end of Tuesday, all in people who had arrived from overseas. It has not reported any domestic cases since an outbreak in Beijing that infected more than 330 people before it faded early this month. China has reported 83,611 confirmed cases and 4,634 deaths since the outbreak began. It does not include people who test positive but show no symptoms in its case count. 03:40 GMT New cases surpass 10,000 in Venezuela Venezuelan officials say new coronavirus cases have surpassed 10,000 nationwide, with an alarming number of recent illnesses found in the capital of Caracas. President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday ordered strict enforcement of quarantine measures in Caracas where most of the 303 new daily cases were diagnosed. Venezuela has been in a nationwide quarantine for 121 days starting shortly after the first cases were diagnosed in mid-March. Officials report fewer than 100 deaths. The South American nation has not been overrun by the virus like neighbouring Brazil and Ecuador, which experts attribute to Venezuelas isolation after years of economic and social crisis. 03:15 GMT Mexico reports 7,051 new cases of coronavirus, 836 more deaths Mexico ranks fourth among nations with the highest number of coronavirus deaths and seventh in the number of infections worldwide [Carlos Jasso/Reuters] Mexicos Health Ministry has reported 7,051 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 836 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 311,486 cases and 36,327 deaths, according to Reuters. The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases. 02:58 GMT New coronavirus cases in South Korea below 40 for second day South Koreas new coronavirus cases stayed below 40 for the second day in a row on Wednesday, but imported cases continued to rise, hampering the countrys efforts to contain the disease, according to Yonhap state news agency. The country added 39 cases, including 11 local infections, raising the total caseload to 13,551, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Meanwhile, of the 28 additional imported cases reported, 23 were detected at quarantine checkpoints of airports and seaports. No additional deaths were reported and the countrys death toll stayed at 289. 02:45 GMT Schools partially reopen in Malaysia After almost four months of absence, some students from the secondary and primary levels have returned to schools in Malaysia, as the countrys coronavirus cases have significantly dropped. During the lockdown in mid-March, students were forced to study at home as part of the effort to contain the spread of the deadly disease that infected more than 8,700 people and killed 122 others. More than 8,500 of the patients have recovered. Schools and students are required to follow some safety protocols at school to help avoid the spread of the disease, the education ministry said. 02:25 GMT Maternity ward workers test positive for coronavirus in Kenya Kenyan health officials wearing personal protection equipment prepare to bury coronavirus victim, Dr Doreen Adisa Lugaliki, in Ndalu, Bungoma county [File: Odhiambo Omuoro/AP] Some 41 workers at Kenyas largest maternity hospital have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to AP. Ministry of Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth said 19 cases involve healthcare workers and 22 are hospital support staff. He says those infected are asymptomatic and undergoing medical care under home-based isolation. Three mothers at the facility also tested positive for COVID-19, but Amoth says no babies have been affected. Nurses Association of Kenya President Alfred Obengo says infection control prevention measures at the hospital were not followed. The first doctor in Kenya to die of COVID-19 was buried Monday, amid calls by health professionals for better insurance coverage and compensation. Kenya has recorded 10,791 coronavirus cases and 202 confirmed deaths. 02:05 GMT More than 300 students, tutors test positive at Ghana high schools More than 300 students and tutors have tested positive for coronavirus at high schools in the West African nation of Ghana, AP reported. Health officials confirm the Accra Girls Senior High School has been hardest hit, with 55 students and staff contracting the virus. Its campus remains under quarantine. Parents have thronged the school protesting against the governments refusal to grant them access to their children, the report said. Classes resumed on June 22 for senior high school students, and education officials maintain infection rates at schools are still comparable to those for the general population. Ghana has 139 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and confirmed more than 25,000 total infections since the pandemic began. 01:50 GMT Trump calls school closures a terrible decision as deaths rise US President Donald Trump has criticised the state of Californias two largest school districts for making students learn from home for the upcoming term in the face of the resurgent coronavirus pandemic. The Republican president, in an interview with CBS News, said it was a mistake for the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts to provide only online education for the academic year beginning in August. I would tell parents and teachers that you should find yourself a new person, whoevers in charge of that decision, because its a terrible decision, Trump said. Trump made the comment as the number of cases surged by more than 10,700 in one day, bringing the states total to more than 346,000, with 137 deaths added to the tally of more than 7,000. 01:30 GMT Cyprus to double random tests at two main airports Cyprus is doubling the number of random coronavirus tests that will be carried out on arriving passengers at its two main airports each day, AP reported. The Cypriot government said in a statement that 600 random tests will be performed on passengers arriving from 39 countries whose citizens are not required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Travellers arriving from 17 of those countries are required to obtain health certificates declaring them coronavirus-free 72 hours prior to boarding a flight. The Transport Ministry says approximately 5,500 passengers currently fly in and out of the east Mediterranean island nations airports daily. Tourism is a key industry for Cyprus, directly accounting for 13 percent of the economy. Officials are projecting that this year, the country will receive less than a quarter of 2019s tourist arrivals. 01:15 GMT France aims to reopen schools amid lingering COVID-19 concerns Frances school reopening was driven in part by concerns about getting parents back to work to restart the economy [File: Jean-Francois Badias/AP] France is aiming to reopen all schools for the new academic year under as normal conditions as possible, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday, despite lingering virus concerns from some parents and teachers. France gradually reopened schools in May and June as the country emerged from virus lockdown, and most children returned to class. While new infections prompted a few schools to close again, the vast majority stayed open until the school year wrapped up earlier this month. We have learned a lot from that period, Macron said. We developed a new way of teaching to take the virus into account. Schools adjusted schedules to keep children from mingling freely and kept students in one classroom instead of having them move around for different subjects. They were required to air out classrooms regularly, and masks were necessary for middle and high school students. 01:00 GMT Tokyo to lift coronavirus alert to highest level Tokyo will lift its alert level for coronavirus infections to the highest of four levels on Wednesday, Reuters reported quoting the Asahi newspaper, after a recent spike in cases to record levels in the Japanese capital. Daily coronavirus cases exceeded 200 in four of the last six days, touching an all-time high of 243 cases last Friday as testing among workers in the metropoliss red-light districts turned up infections among young people in their 20s and 30s. The highest alert level suggests that coronavirus infections are likely spreading, the Asahi said. Tokyo confirmed more than 100 new coronavirus infections last Monday [Eugene Hoshiko/AP] 00:26 GMT Coronavirus antibodies highly inflammatory: Dutch scientists The blood from seriously ill coronavirus patients on ventilators was found by researchers to be highly inflammatory and harmful to the body, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday, citing a study by Dutch scientists. The scientists, led by Professor Menno de Winther from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, found that the blood from COVID-19 patients struggling for their life on ventilators was highly inflammatory. They observed during a series of experiments that this could trigger an overreaction of the immune system, destroy crucial barriers in tissues and cause water and blood to spill over in the lungs, the South China Morning Post report said. 00:16 GMT COVID-19 vaccine test moves forward in the US The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the United States revved up peoples immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported as the shots are poised to begin key final testing. No matter how you slice this, this is good news, Dr Anthony Fauci, the US governments top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press news agency. The experimental vaccine, developed by Faucis colleagues at the National Institutes of Health in partnership with Moderna Inc, will start its most important step around July 27: a 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. But Tuesday, researchers reported anxiously awaited findings from the first 45 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves back in March. Sure enough, the vaccine provided a hoped-for immune boost. Those early volunteers developed what are called neutralising antibodies in their bloodstream molecules key to blocking infection at levels comparable to those found in people who survived COVID-19, the research team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. 00:01 GMT US state of Nevada reports record high cases in one day Officials of the US state of Nevada say a record high in the daily number of positive COVID-19 tests in the state may be the result of people failing to wear masks and keep distances apart during the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday, AP news agency reported. State coronavirus response chief Caleb Cage said Tuesday that a resurgence in hospitalisations continues less than a week after Governor Steve Sisolak cited a spike in cases and again closed bars and restaurants in the Las Vegas and Reno areas. The more than 1,100 new cases reported statewide on Tuesday brings the total to nearly 30,000. Cage blamed the Fourth of July weekend. The US has 3.4 million cases and over 136,000 deaths. ________________________________________________________________ Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Ted Regencia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read all the updates from yesterday (July 14) here. HOUSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GoExpedi, an innovative e-commerce, supply chain and analytics company that is reinventing procurement for industrial and energy MRO (maintenance, repair and operations), today announced a substantial expansion of its sales team to meet the increasing energy industry demand for the delivery of critical parts and supplies in North America and beyond. "I am excited for what lays ahead for GoExpedi and our rapidly growing sales team," said Tim Maines, GoExpedi's senior vice president of sales. "We assembled the top-performing energy sales representatives from around the country to help us meet a critical need of efficient, reliable and timely ordering and delivery of cost-effective MRO products in oil and gas. They will be instrumental in our service to new and existing customers as we continue to scale our operations and build a solid foundation for long-term, profitable growth across several industries, particularly energy." Joining the GoExpedi business development team include: Elizabeth Stephens, Director of Business Development covering the Houston region, has more than 13 years of sales experience in the oil and gas industry. Most recently, Elizabeth was the Director of International Sales with DistributionNOW where she managed a team dedicated to growing international revenue and profitability selling to international oil companies, production companies, EPCs and drilling contractors. Elizabeth also acted as vendor relationship manager and product champion for various global organizations. She currently serves on the International Committee for the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) and Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA). Dan Farrell, Director of Business Development covering Mobile, Alabama, has over 20 years of sales experience selling into the downstream and industrial markets. Most recently, Dan was the Director of Sales for DistributionNOW's downstream and industrial group. He has extensive knowledge of the downstream business and will help oversee sales and services efforts in the downstream market. Sammy Steinmark, Senior Business Development Manager, has more than 40 years of sales experience, with 13 years in the oil and gas industry. Most recently, Sammy was the Senior Strategic Corporate Sales Executive for DistributionNOW in the Rockies. Sammy has a diverse background in both sales and management of accounts across all verticals in the oil and gas market. Jody Coffman, Business Development Manager covering the Dallas/Fort Worth region, has more than 12 years of oil and gas sales experience. Most recently, Jody was a Sales Executive for Odessa Pumps, a DistributionNOW company. Jody has also held other senior sales roles within DNOW calling on customers in the upstream and midstream market segments. John Reyes, Business Development Manager covering the Midland/Odessa region, has more than 11 years of sales experience in the oil and gas industry. Most recently, John was the Senior Account Manager with Halliburton Drill Bits and Services in the Permian. John is adept at developing sales to major operators and penetrating the upstream and midstream markets. Jantz Theriot, Business Development Manager covering New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, has more than eight years of oil and gas experience. Most recently, Jantz was an Account Manager for DXP in New Orleans and focused on selling to upstream, midstream and downstream accounts. Jantz has a proven track record of selling into petrochemical, chemical and industrial markets. About GoExpedi Launched in 2017 and based in Houston, Texas, GoExpedi provides over 200,000 critical parts and supplies with complete transparency on price, supplier choice and availability through its online e-commerce platform. The company's innovative supply chain model has created a business that delivers the right part, at the right time, overcoming a fundamental challenge for the industry. Staffed by experts with oilfield management experience and backed by innovative technology, GoExpedi is able to deliver an incredible service at a lower cost than traditional suppliers. For more information, visit www.goexpedi.com. MEDIA CONTACT Linda Madden Pierpont Communications 713-410-2869 [email protected] SOURCE GoExpedi Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:48:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dropped as he is facing a criminal trial, a spiraling coronavirus outbreak and economic crisis, a poll showed on Wednesday. According to the poll, issued by Israel's Radio 103fm, the popularity of the embattled leader has been decreasing even among voters of his right-wing Likud party. Some 41 percent of the Likud voters said that they believe the government has failed in handling the crisis. The popularity of Israel's longest-serving prime minister has been dropping amidst criticism over his government's failure in handling the rapid resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak and the economic crisis that ensued. With unemployment rising over 20 percent, many Israelis think Netanyahu's government has not done enough to help people who lost their jobs and livelihood due to the restrictions and lockdown. On Tuesday night, thousands of Israelis took the streets across the country to protest against Netanyahu. Some 5,000 of them rallied outside the official Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem calling Netanyahu to resign over his corruption charges. Netanyahu's trial over bribery, fraud and breach of trust began on May 24. The next discussion in the case is scheduled to be held on July 19. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said in a statement that some 50 protesters were detained in Jerusalem after clashing with the police. All of them were released by Wednesday. Enditem Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has sought alternative routes for the proposed gauge conversion of a railway line passing through the tiger habitat of the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district. IMAGE: Melghat Tiger Reserve. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons In his letters to Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Thackeray said it would be appropriate to opt for alternative alignment of Akola-Khandwa line considering the long-term irreversible impact the work will have on endangered species like tigers. He has referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'conservation of tigers is not a choice but an imperative' remark in the letters, copies of which have been shared by the Chief Minister's Office on Twitter. The railway line (stretching 176 km) passes through the corecritical tiger habitat of Melghat Tiger Reserve. The proposal includes open cutting of tunnels, involving cutting and blasting of rocks using heavy machinery and explosives, the chief minister said. The plan also involves realignment away from existing track to ease sharp curves, which amounts to realignment and not just gauge conversion along the existing railway track, he said. Spread over an area of 2768.52 sq km, Melghat Tiger Reserve is part of the Satpura-Maikal landscape which has the distinction of being one of the global priority tiger conservation landscapes. "The proposed gauge conversion works between Akola- Khandwa passing through the core area of Melghat Tiger Reserve will result in substantial increase in railway traffic in the long run leading to huge disturbance to the core areas of the reserve," Thackeray said, adding that pollution along the track will also go up. The core area of the reserve has been made inviolate by rehabilitating 13 villages and 6 of these are located within 10 km distance of the existing railway line, he said. "Due to this, wildlife has significantly increased in the area. The project would reverse the benefits accrued from rehabilitation and habitat development," Thackeray said. The CM further said the Wildlife Institute of India has also recommended that the best mitigation for the railway line is 'avoidance' of upgradation through the tiger reserve and opting for alternative alignments. He said the Central Empowered Committee had asked the National Board for Wildlife to reconsider its decision of diverting 160.94 hectare of forest land for the gauge conversion within the Wan sanctuary of the Melghat tiger reserve. The board has returned the proposal to the state government with a request to review the same,Thackeray said. The realignment would not only ensure much required space for the wildlife but also bring railway connectivity and great economic development to unconnected villages located in the Jalgaon-Jamod and Sangrampur talukas, he said. Tiffani Thiessen came up with creative way to celebrate her 15th anniversary with hubby Brady Smith by re-creating the couple's wedding day at home! "Last night I surprised my husband with a special 15 year anniversary gift. I recreated a 'at home' version of our wedding," Thiessen wrote alongside a photo of the couple dressed to the nines that was shot by photographer Rebecca Sanabria. The former "Saved by the Bell" star, 46, continued, "From the table, to the flowers, to the decor and even the menu beautifully re-created by my dear friend @maili_halme who did our wedding." "It was a memorable night to say the least... and I think I blew my husbands socks off. (Brownie Points!)," she added. Thiessen shared more of Sanabria's stunning photos in her Instagram stories, including shots of the couple's original wedding invitation, a re-creation of their original wedding cake, and delectable-looking pics of the couple's lavish meal. Disney Channel Original Movie Thiessen and Smith tied the knot on July 9, 2005 in Montecito, California. Prior to giving fans a glimpse of her anniversary festivities, the former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star shared a wedding-day photo showing her and Brady walking hand-in-hand shortly after they said "I do." "Today @bradysmithhere and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. What an accomplishment that is. I could not feel more blessed or fortunate to be experiencing life next to you babe," she captioned the happy shot. "Thru thick and thin... we are a team. You are my biggest cheerleader and I love you more than words can ever say. So I hope tonight my surprise showed you at least a fraction of how much I absolutely adore you. Happy 15 years baby. Heres to 115 more!" Thiessen and Smith shared two children, daughter Harper, 10, and son Holt, 5. By Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff Consider these data points: Gov. Phil Murphy and the Legislature have spent more than a year arguing over competing proposals to renew and reform New Jerseys expired tax incentive programs, leaving many of New Jerseys most dynamic businesses hobbled as they attempt to compete in the global economy. Murphy and his allies spent much of the last two years advancing progressive policies such as paid family leave and a higher minimum wage without offering any meaningful compensatory measures to help New Jerseys businesses cope with the resulting higher costs. After just one hearing, the legislature is scheduled to approve Murphys reckless plan to borrow up to $10 billion to support expanded state operational spending, mortgaging New Jerseys financial future and all but forcing even higher taxes on New Jerseys businesses and residents. So, where has New Jerseys business community been while our political leaders have advanced proposal after proposal that threatens New Jerseys economy and business competitiveness? M-I-A. Yes, our states leading business organizations dutifully offer testimony at Soviet-style legislative hearings where the anti-business result is a foregone conclusion. And were assured that they engage in quiet but effective lobbying to smooth off the roughest edges of egregious anti-business proposals. But the proof is in the pudding. The sad truth is that New Jerseys business organizations are largely ineffectual in shaping New Jerseys public policy. No wonder our state consistently ranks high in taxes and business-stifling regulations, and at the bottom for business climate and public financial health. Our states political economy is a textbook example of corporate cronyism and regulatory capture. Our business organizations need to shake off their complacent, compromised, and captured torpor and get active, angry, and -- yes -- political. A few suggestions: Engage the public debate. Leveraging cherished access for quiet lobbying may be effective on smaller, discrete issues, but when it comes to the big stuff you need a bullhorn. That means mounting multi-media public relations campaigns that take the business communitys case to the press and public directly. Take the gloves off. Being taken seriously in Trenton takes more than marshaling facts and a cogent argument. It takes being feared. The sad truth is that absolutely no one in Trenton fears the business community. For that, the business lobby needs to be willing to take a stand on contentious issues and hold politicians accountable. How? An obvious first step is to support politicians who favor pro-business policies and oppose those who do not. Keep score. Politicians need to know that someone is watching and unafraid to name names. Imagine the impact if business organizations or their political affiliates took a stand, kept score, and made the effort to communicate directly with the local press and voters in key legislative districts? Politicians also need to know that there is a direct link between their votes and meaningful support for their campaigns. The teachers and other public sector unions spend tens of millions a year on New Jersey political campaigns, a wildly successful investment that has yielded an iron grip on Trenton policymaking. Its a rough and dirty game, but businesses cant afford to sit on the sidelines any longer. Finally, our leading business organizations need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Do they have the appetite and energy to take the necessary risks? Are they organized and managed for real impact? Does it make sense to maintain two large statewide organizations the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association with many overlapping functions and interests? New Jersey desperately needs active, engaged, and effective business advocates, not apologists for the status quo. Memo to management: Please act now before New Jersey is permanently closed for business. Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff is an attorney and served as the state treasurer under Gov. Chris Christie. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. 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. The conversion of Istanbuls Hagia Sophia into a mosque is proceeding apace, allowing President Erdogan to pose as an Islamic conqueror Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to make life more difficult for Christians and Muslims alike, both inside his country and in the world outside. On Friday, a top administrative court in Turkey paved the way for the most visited monument standing in the heart of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia, to be converted, despite international warnings, back into a mosque after it had annulled a 1934 government decree turning the building originally a sixth century Byzantine cathedral into a museum. As soon as the decision was announced, crowds holding flags of Turkey gathered outside the Hagia Sophia chanting Allahu Akbar (God is Great) while President Erdogan went on social media to celebrate. Erdogan tweeted a copy of the decree, which shows transfer of authority over the building from the Ministry of Culture to the Ministry of Religious Affaris, the Diyanet, with a congratulations note added from the president. Many praised the decision, and Erdogan. I will pray for you until I die. You are the new and invincible leader of the Islamic world and Turkey, I offer you my gratitude, was one tweet in reply to the presidents tweet. In the dome that will echo again, believers will meet again. Thank goodness to my Lord who shows us these days, stated another response. On the other hand, as a response to the presidents post, a Greek woman, Helen, tweeted a photo from the interior of the building, a mosaic of Virgin Mary holding child Jesus and a note: Theotokos is watching you Tayyip. Theotokos is Mother of God or Mother of Jesus, the term is used in the Eastern Orthodox Church to describe Virgin Mary. The 27 EU foreign ministers met Monday, the first face-to-face meeting in months, and condemned the Turkish decision to convert such an emblematic monument as the Hagia Sophia, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said, calling on Turkish authorities to urgently consider and reverse this decision. Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Greece will impose sanctions on Turkey. Anyone who violates international law must understand that for this delinquent behaviour there are sanctions that hurt, he said. Greek genocide scholar Vassilios Meichanetsidis is not so optimistic. I am afraid it is hard to have effective sanctions against Turkey. The West appears rather indifferent or mild towards the matter, he told Al-Ahram Weekly, explaining that there was indifference from the West in the past too, when the Ittihadists and the Kemalists slaughtered nearly three million Ottoman Christians (Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks) and burnt to the ground the city of Smyrna and other Christian-inhabited cities across Anatolia. The EU is in obvious moral and political decline. For example, EU member Germany sells weapons to Turkey to carry out its wars in northern Iraq, Syria and Libya. There is no consideration for the loss of human lives, but only economic interests, said Meichanetsidis, calling on neutral countries and those suffering from Turkeys violations to boycott Erdogan regime. UNESCO expressed its deep regret over the conversion without prior discussion, and called for the universal value of the 1,500-year-old World Heritage Site to be preserved. Any modification requires prior notification by the State concerned to UNESCO and then, if necessary, examination by the World Heritage Committee, read the UN affiliated organisations statement, adding that it will review the status of the monument. The building is on the list of World Heritage Sites since 1985. Later, after the statement was issued, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country will inform the organisation about steps being taken regarding the Hagia Sophia. Although the conversion of the UNESCO site was long a demand of Turkeys Islamists, some in the Turkish opposition are siding with Erdogans decision. Former prime minister and leader of the newly formed opposition Future Party, Ahmet Davutoglu, a few weeks ago called the government to stop treating the countrys sacred symbols as a get-out-of-jail-free card whenever you are stuck, it is not a tool in your hands or a bargaining chip. After the courts decision, Davutoglu tweeted: The responsible position expressed by the government and the opposition is appreciated. Best wishes for the symbol of conquest and honesty of the conqueror of Hagia Sophia which is an accumulation of the civilisation of all Istanbul. For the Muslim majority of the country, the Hagia Sophia is a very important symbol, so it is difficult for a major political power or personality to openly oppose this kind of decision. Both Erdogan and Davutoglu are fighting for the same politically oriented votes, so they have quite similar agendas, assistant professor at Yerevan State University Varujan Keghamian, who often writes about Turkey related issues, told the Weekly, adding that only the pro-Kurdish HDP (The Peoples Democratic Party) opposed the decision, as it has not much to lose. HDP Co-Deputy Director and Diyarbekir MP Garo Paylan raised the subject of the conversion in parliament, reminding the speaker of Erdogans stance on the matter a year ago. Erdogan only a year ago during an interview on a TV programme said, Reopening Hagia Sophia as a mosque has a trade-off. The bill for such a decision will be far too heavy. We have thousands of mosques here. As a political leader, I havent gone so far off course as to get into that game. So why is he playing that game now? While the mayor of Istanbul, Erdogan spoke about the importance of the cathedral for Muslims and his desire to see it as a mosque. Starting from the 2010s, when authoritarian tendencies increased in Turkey and Islamic nationalism became the dominant ideology, the ruling elite periodically stated that work is underway to turn the cathedral into a mosque. However, concrete steps have been taken only now, which is not so much related to the desire to see a mosque instead of a museum, as to the domestic political situation, Keghamian told the Weekly. He stressed that social and economic hardship that has further downgraded Erdogans ratings is forcing authorities to take populist steps so as to mobilise the Islamic electorate. However, it is important to note that despite the symbolic importance, and some mobilisation of its electorate, this is unlikely to help in the long term, Keghamian said. Palestine-born historian Basheer Nafie thinks that the controversy over the Hagia Sophia will neither benefit nor change anything. The conversion of the Hagia Sophia to a museum in 1934 was not legal in the first place, and throughout the decades that decision was the source of pain in the Turkish conscience, he tweeted. Turkeys president announced first prayers is scheduled to take place in the Hagia Sophia 24 July. Symbolism is of crucial importance in Turkish politics. 24 July is long commemorated in Turkey as the Day of Lausanne. The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne recognised the government of Kemal Ataturk and in fact became the founding document of the Republic of Turkey, Keghamian explained, adding that the Kemalist elite, against which the Islamist elite led by Erdogan is struggling in recent decades, repeatedly stated that the Lausanne Treaty was not a victory, but a set of defeats for Turkey. In a symbolic struggle against the Kemalist legacy, 24 July will have a new meaning, which symbolises the Islamic victory against secular values. It can be assumed that this was the reason for setting such a date for the opening of the cathedral to Islamist Turks, Keghamian told the Weekly. According to the Diyanet, the religious affairs directorate, two imams and four muazzins (those who call for prayer) will be appointed by the state institution regulating the role of Islam in the country. Necessary steps will be taken in dealing with the icons on the walls. They will be covered by curtains or lasers during prayer times, an AKP spokesman said. We will accept all attitudes and statements regarding this matter, other than voicing views in violation of our independence. Just as we as Turkey do not interfere in decisions on places of worship in other countries, we expect the same understanding about us protecting our historical and legal rights. To what purpose Hagia Sophia will be utilised is a matter of Turkeys sovereign rights, Erdogan said in his address to the nation after he signed the decree. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Hyderabad, July 15 : The outsourced employees at the government-run Gandhi Hospital called off their indefinite strike on Wednesday after the Telangana government assured them of meeting their demands. After successful talks with the top officials of the Health Department, the agitating staff, including sanitation workers and security guards, called off their protest. The striking nurses were assured that their salary will be increased from Rs 17,500 to Rs 25,000 and a daily allowance of Rs 750 will be paid to those who are on duty in Covid-19 wards. The officials also assured that a daily incentive of Rs 300 would be given to class IV employees. They will also be given duty for only 15 days in a month. The outsourced employees were assured that they would be shifted to contract basis. Following the assurance, the staff announced that they are calling off the strike and resumed their duties. Over 700 staff had launched an indefinite strike on Wednesday morning, demanding regularisation of services and a salary hike. The strike impacted the outpatient services and caused severe inconvenience to patients at the hospital, which is designated by the government as the Centre of Excellence for Covid care where critical cases are being treated. The indefinite strike began after four days of protest by the employees in various forms to press for their demands. Over 200 nurses have been demanding a hike in the salary and regularisation of services. The nurses say that their demand is justified as they are risking their lives to render the services in the times of Covid-19 pandemic. Five contract nurses were recently infected by the virus while discharging their duties. Many nurses say they were appointed on contract basis in 2007 and they are still being paid Rs 17,000 while nurses appointed in 2018 were drawing salaries of over Rs 25,000. Gandhi Hospital has seen a series of protests by various sections of the employees over the last three months. Junior doctors had also staged protests on two occasions protesting attacks by the relatives of COVID patients. In The Unwomanly Face of War, an oral history of World War II, the Nobel Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich recounts a strange little story. A woman leaps into dark water to rescue a drowning man. At the shore, however, she realizes it is not a man she has hauled from the water but a gigantic sturgeon. The sturgeon dies. Censors initially cut the scene from Alexievichs book. Youre not asking about the right things, they remonstrated. Focus on bravery, on patriotism. Lets have less about fear, and less about hairstyles. There was no place in the canon for her sort of wartime stories, Alexievich recalled in an interview with The Paris Review. There was no place for reality, which comes stuffed with sturgeons and all manner of misapprehensions and muddle; reality, which shows notable indifference, if not outright hostility, to plot. Perhaps an alternative canon exists, in the work of oral historians like Alexievich, and in the deeply reported narratives of journalists like Barbara Demick. The method is programmatic openness, deep listening, a willingness to be waylaid; the effect, a prismatic picture of history as experienced and understood by individuals in their full amplitude and idiosyncrasy. Alexievich collects the daydreams of her subjects. In Demicks impressive account of life in North Korea, Nothing to Envy, she described a society on the brink of starvation, cut off from the world, lacking even electricity. But she told love stories, too. Darkness proved to be a surprising boon; some North Koreans told her they grew to need it, as it conferred the only freedom they knew. Young people fell in love in the dark: Wrapped in a magic cloak of invisibility, you can do what you like without worrying about the prying eyes of parents, neighbors or secret police. Eat the Buddha is Demicks third book, all of them told in rotating perspectives a model inspired by John Herseys Hiroshima, and one she has made her own. In Logavina Street, she described daily life during the Bosnian War through the lens of one neighborhood in Sarajevo. Nothing to Envy followed six refugees from the port city of Chongjin. The close focus gives her work its granularity, but it also allows her to crosscheck the stories of her subjects. Good reporting should have the same standard as in a courtroom beyond a reasonable doubt, she has said. In her latest, the masterly Eat the Buddha, she profiles a group of Tibetans with roots in Ngaba County, in the Chinese province of Sichuan, which bears the gory distinction of being the undisputed world capital of self-immolations. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden expressed on Monday a willingness to eliminate the Senates practice of imposing a 60-vote threshold for most legislation, contingent upon Republicans behavior. I think its gonna depend on how obstreperous they become, he said of Senate Republicans in a wide-ranging Zoom interview with reporters, the Washington Post reported. I have not supported the elimination of the filibuster because its been used as often the other way around [for Republicans benefit], but I think you have to just take a look at it. The statement of support for measures that would allow legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority vote marks a positional shift from the former vice president who spent more than 35 years as a senator and opposed ending the filibuster as recently as February. President Trump expressed a desire to end the filibuster in a 2017 tweet saying,With the ridiculous Filibuster Rule in the Senate, Republicans need 60 votes to pass legislation, rather than 51. Cant get votes, END NOW! The former vice president said he hopes that with Trump out of office, Republicans will be willing to work with him on items like infrastructure. He also expressed optimism that the Democrats may grow to control 55 Senate seats in November. Biden believes he has a pretty good record of being able to pull together Democrats and Republicans and that he has been fairly good at understanding senators limitations and trying to figure out how you can help them help you without endangering their political position. Biden spoke with reporters about a number of topics, including his four-part economic program Build Back Better, as well as voter suppression, child-care and racial tensions. He took jabs at President Trump, arguing that Trump has done enormous damage to the United States and he is the exact worst president we could have at this moment. Biden described a battle for the soul of the country and said Americans have had their blinders taken off by the death of George Floyd. Story continues I do think weve reached the point where one of those trite phrases everybody uses . . . its a real inflection point in American history and I dont believe its unlike what [President Franklin] Roosevelt [faced], he said. I think we have an enormous opportunity to make some really systemic changes related to racism but institutional ways in which we handle things and I think the country is really ready. Biden joins 18 of the original 26 democratic presidential candidates who said they would support or be open to the idea of ending the filibuster, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Pete Buttigieg and Andrew Yang who expressed full support, and Senators Cory Booker (D., N.J.), Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.), Bernie Sanders (D., Vt.) and former Rep. Beto ORourke (D., Texas) who said they would be open to the idea. More from National Review Addis Ababa (AFP) - Ethiopia on Wednesday acknowledged that water levels behind its mega-dam on the Blue Nile River were increasing, though officials said this was a natural part of the construction process. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a source of tension in the Nile River basin ever since Ethiopia broke ground on it in 2011, with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan worried it will restrict vital water supplies. Addis Ababa has long intended to begin filling the dam's reservoir this month, in the middle of its rainy season, though it has not said exactly when. Cairo and Khartoum are pushing for the three countries first to reach an agreement on how it will be operated. "The GERD water filling is being done in line with the dam's natural construction process," Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopia's water minister, was quoted by state media as saying Wednesday. He did not, however, say whether Ethiopia had taken steps to store the water in the reservoir, which has a capacity of 74 billion cubic metres. "The government has not stated explicitly whether the water backing up behind the dam is due to the remaining outlets being closed, or whether it is simply water accumulating behind the almost complete structure during the rainy season," said William Davison, an analyst with International Crisis Group (ICG). An official at the dam site told AFP this week that heavy rains meant the flow of the Blue Nile was exceeding the capacity of the dam's culverts to push water downstream. "We didn't close and nothing is done. It looks like, when you see some photos, it looks like the river is getting higher and higher because of the amount of water coming from upstream, which is above the charging capacity of the culverts," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. A separate official, an adviser at the water ministry who also insisted on anonymity, stressed that water continued to flow downstream. Story continues "As the construction progresses, the water level behind the dam also will rise, so that's what's happening, nothing more," said the adviser. Ethiopia has long insisted it must start filling the dam's reservoir this year as part of the construction process, though filling will occur in stages. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated the point in an address to parliament earlier this month. "If Ethiopia doesn't fill the dam, it means Ethiopia has agreed to demolish the dam," he said. "On other points we can reach an agreement slowly over time, but for the filling of the dam we can reach and sign an agreement this year." -Egypt seeks clarification- Seleshi's comments Wednesday triggered multiple reports, including from state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate, that Ethiopia had begun filling the dam's reservoir -- a move that would surely raise strong objections from Egypt and Sudan. On Wednesday night Egypt's foreign affairs ministry issued a statement requesting "quick official clarification" about the reports. Sudan's irrigation ministry, meanwhile, said in a statement of its own that the country was experiencing "a retreat in the water levels, equivalent to 90 million cubic metres per day, confirming the closure of the GERD's gates". The statement said Sudan rejected "any unilateral actions taken by any party" while negotiations continue. Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan are in the middle of trilateral talks overseen by the African Union (AU) to resolve the dispute over the dam. Ethiopia issued a statement Tuesday night saying no major breakthroughs had occurred so far but that it expected the AU-led talks to continue. An attempt earlier this year by the United States to broker a deal ended in failure, with Addis Ababa accusing Washington of favouring Cairo. Davison of ICG said the issue of reservoir filling "should not distract Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt from their essential task: to keep talking in order to find compromises on the outstanding areas of disagreement". Two dozen plants already pollute the parish, Rise St. James Vice President Stephanie Cooper said. She blamed pollution from open containers at one plant for repeated bouts of strep throat, which she said ended after she changed her commute to avoid the Sunshine Bridge. And she blamed the plants combined effects for heart disease and other medical problems among her family and friends. Accepted: We'd like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? What is your current job? Prerit: Accepted: Can you tell us about your application/reapplication experience? Where did you apply the first time around? What was the outcome? Where did you apply the second time? Prerit: Accepted: What do you think went wrong the first time and what did you do when you reapplied to improve your candidacy? Prerit: Accepted: Can you share some tips about applying to b-school as an over-represented minority? Prerit: Accepted: Prerit: You can read more about Prerits journey by following him on Twitter at @preritjain1988. Thank you Prerit for sharing your story with us we wish you loads of luck! For one-on-one guidance on your b-school application, please see our MBA Application Packages . For specific advice on how to create the best application for Harvard see: Harvard Business School 2016 MBA Essay Tips & Deadlines You can read more about Prerits journey by following him on Twitter at @preritjain1988. Thank you Prerit for sharing your story with us we wish you loads of luck! This interview is the latest in an blog series featuring interviews with current MBA students , offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top MBA programs . And now for a chat with Prerit Jain, a future MBA student at Harvard Business School My parents moved to New Delhi when I was less than a year old. This is where I grew up, went to school, college and have worked. In fact, its the only city I have ever lived in. (Well, you have to discount living out of a suitcase as a management consultant; more on that later.)I went to the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to study mechanical engineering, and did quite well academically, graduating at the top of my class.Hoping to get diverse experiences, early in my career, I chose to start my career in consulting . Booz & Company had just opened its office in India, and seemed like an exciting opportunity. I worked there for more than three and a half years, before moving to my current role in early-stage venture capital with the First Light Accelerator Fund. I have been in my new role for only about a year now.I submitted my first set of applications in Sept.-Oct. 13 (R1 for the class matriculating in fall 14). I had worked at Booz for about three years, had been promoted twice, had a clear idea about my long-term goals and how an MBA would help. I was sure that I needed the MBA and the time was right. I applied to four schools: HBS, Wharton Booth and Kellogg . I was interviewed by all four schools and in my view they all went well. I felt confident of getting admitted to more than one school. However, when the decisions came out, HBS put me on a waitlist and the other three said thanks but no thanks. I thought the world had come to an end and spent the next 2 weeks sulking!Thankfully, I came out of that feeling in a couple of weeks, and began looking ahead. I decided to reapply. However, I realized that my learning curve at Booz had plateaued, and I needed to pursue something else. I was lucky to quickly find an exciting new opportunity (in venture capital), and by February, I had kick-started my new role.Six months later, I reapplied in Sep 14 (R1 for the class matriculating in fall 15) to three schools: HBS, Booth, and Columbia. I was interviewed at all three schools, and finally received admits from HBS and Booth. I will be heading to Boston in the fall!We can only speculate here! When I applied for the first time, I had only worked in one over-represented industry consulting. Moreover, in hindsight, I perhaps did not practice my interviewing as much.When I reapplied, I had gained some diverse work experience, and had some more interesting stories to tell. Also, I put in hours of practice before the interviews . I got several of my friends to interview me and I video recorded myself to observe softer elements such as body language and posture.Being an Indian-male-engineer-consultant, I knew I was indeed in a fiercely competitive pool. I knew I needed to show that I am both competent and interesting. I looked through the different parts of the application the resume, application, essays etc. and made choices about how I would use each of them.Hard facts and stats went into the CV and the application form. The more differentiated and interesting personal qualities and experiences went into the essays.I see you got a 760 on your GMAT amazing! What are your top 3 GMAT tips? A few weeks of dedicated preparation go farther than months of insincere efforts Practice those 4-hour full-tests. The GMAT is also a test of stamina. Right from day 1 of your preparation, get used to working under time constraint. Never attempt a GMAT question without having a timer in front of you.Related Resources: Get Accepted to Harvard Business School, a free webinar's experienced admissions consultants can help you create the most impressive application possible with comprehensive packages , or provide targeted assistance from picking perfect programs to designing a dazzling resume constructing engaging essays , or preparing for intense interviews and more! has guided thousands of applicants to acceptances at top MBA programs since 1994 we know what works and what doesn't, so contact us to get started now!This advice originally appeared on the Accepted Admissions Consulting Blog , the official blog of ._________________ Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vijay Grover (Agence France-Presse) Bangalore, India Wed, July 15, 2020 09:35 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406665f932 2 World India,coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,coronavirus-prevention,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,COVID-19-lockdown,confinement,Bangalore Free India's IT hub Bangalore went into a new week-long lockdown Tuesday as the number of coronavirus cases surged, while economic data from Singapore to Britain revealed the shocking extent of the damage wrought by the global pandemic. India joins a raft of countries and cities across the globe to reimpose localized lockdowns and other restrictions in the face of new outbreaks of the disease. After imposing one of the world's strictest lockdowns in late March, the country of 1.3 billion people had been steadily easing rules to lessen the huge economic impact -- particularly on vast numbers of poor Indians who lost their jobs. But infections have continued to soar, passing 900,000 with almost 24,000 deaths, according to Tuesday's health ministry figures that many experts say underplay the severity of the situation. Bangalore, home to more than 13 million people, has emerged as a new hotspot and the southern city started new a seven-day lockdown at 8:00 pm (1430 GMT). Firms in the city's lifeblood IT sector handling the back-office operations of dozens of global corporations can continue operating, but with only half the staff allowed on premises at any one time. Transport is banned except for emergencies, and only shops selling essential items are allowed to open. "I do not want to take chances... I am stocking up for two weeks," said Mangala, a housewife, as she joined a long queue to buy provisions ahead of the deadline. Bihar, home to around 125 million people and one of India's poorest states, will follow into lockdown on Thursday for 15 days, the local government announced, following a record surge in cases. The western city of Pune and other states including Uttar Pradesh, home to 200 million people, badly hit Tamil Nadu and Assam have also introduced new restrictions. Other countries have been reimposing restrictions as new infections spread like wildfire. No return to 'normal' "There will be no return to the 'old normal' for the foreseeable future," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday, warning that without governments adopting a comprehensive strategy, the situation would get "worse and worse and worse". In England, face masks will become compulsory in shops and supermarkets from next week, the health secretary said Tuesday in a U-turn on previous policy. Face masks have been mandatory on public transport across the country since June 15, and Scotland has already made the coverings compulsory for shoppers. After overseeing drastically downscaled Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said also said he would like to make masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces. "We have indications that [the outbreak] is accelerating a bit," he said. Macron's comments come as doctors have warned of a potential second wave of infections, possibly in the coming weeks, which could again overwhelm hospitals and require new lockdowns that could further hammer the economy. In the United States on Tuesday, the hard-hit state of Florida posted a record number of deaths for a 24-hour period at 132. New York added four states to its travel blacklist, meaning residents from them must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. California drastically rolled back its reopening plans on Monday and ordered all indoor restaurants, bars and cinemas to close again as cases soared across America's richest and most populous state. Churches -- as well as gyms, shopping malls, hair salons and non-essential offices -- must also shut indoor operations in half of the Golden State's worst-hit and most densely populated counties, including Los Angeles. Alarm bells The bruising economic impact of the pandemic was stark in Singapore, where the economy shrank more than 40 percent in the second quarter, plunging the Southeast Asian financial and trading hub into recession for the first time in a decade. "It's the worst-ever quarterly figure in Singapore's 55-year history," CIMB Private Banking regional economist Song Seng Wun told AFP on Tuesday. The worse-than-expected figures will ring alarm bells for other economies reliant on trade. Britain also saw its economy shrink by nearly a fifth in the three months to May compared with the previous quarter as the lockdown crippled activity. Across the globe, the pandemic has infected nearly 13 million people, killed more than 566,000 and triggered massive economic damage in the seven months since it was detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Since the start of July, nearly 2.5 million new infections have been registered across the globe, with the number of cases doubling over the past six weeks, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Latin America on Monday recorded the world's second-highest regional death toll, declaring a total of 144,758 fatalities to pass the 144,023 recorded in the United States and Canada. It now stands second only to Europe, where 202,505 people have died. South Africa reimposed a nationwide curfew to prevent a "coronavirus storm" from ravaging the continent's hardest-hit nation, where new infections have topped 12,000 a day. In what may prove a blow to those who have recovered, researchers at Kings College London said COVID-19 survivors could lose their immunity within months, leaving them vulnerable to reinfection. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Wed, July 15, 2020 12:30 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406666c4ac 2 SE Asia China,ships,territorial-violation,Malaysia Free Chinese coastguard and navy ships intruded into Malaysian waters in the disputed South China Sea 89 times between 2016 to 2019, and often remained in the area even after being turned away by the Malaysian navy, the government said in a report on Tuesday. The report comes amid escalating tension between the United States and China over Beijing's claims to most of the resource-rich South China Sea, which is also a major trade route. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have their own claims that overlap in part with China's and, in some cases, with each other's. Malaysia has sent six diplomatic protests to China over encroachment in its waters, including one in 2017 in response to a Chinese note asserting its claim to the South Luconia Shoals, a fishing ground off the Malaysian state of Sarawak, the National Audit Department said in the report. Chinese coastguard and navy vessels trespassed in Malaysia's waters despite being turned away by its navy, it said. "The reason for the ... appearances was to assert China's presence with regards to its claims on the South China Sea, particularly in the area of the South Luconia Shoals," the department said. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This year, a Chinese research ship spent a month surveying in Malaysia's exclusive economic zone, amid a standoff with a Malaysian oil exploration vessel near disputed waters. On Monday, the United States rejected China's claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea, drawing criticism from China which said the US position raised tension in the region, highlighting an increasingly testy relationship. Boston Facing eight federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities, the Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded a rule that would have required international students to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was announced at the start of a hearing in a federal lawsuit in Boston brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said federal immigration authorities agreed to pull the July 6 directive and return to the status quo. A lawyer representing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said only that the judges characterization was correct. The announcement brings relief to thousands of foreign students who had been at risk of being deported from the country, along with hundreds of universities that were scrambling to reassess their plans for the fall in light of the policy. With the policy rescinded, ICE will revert to a directive from March that suspended typical limits around online education for foreign students. ICE did not immediately comment on the decision. The president of MIT said the school was pleased by the turn of events but stands ready to protect our students from any further arbitrary policies. These students make us stronger, and we hurt ourselves when we alienate them, President L. Rafael Reif said in a statement. This case also made abundantly clear that real lives are at stake in these matters, with the potential for real harm. We need to approach policy making, especially now, with more humanity, more decency not less. Under the policy, international students in the U.S. would have been forbidden from taking all their courses online this fall. New visas would not have been issued to students at schools planning to provide all classes online, which includes Harvard. Students already in the U.S. would have faced deportation if they didnt transfer schools or leave the country voluntarily. Immigration officials issued the policy last week, reversing the earlier guidance from March 13 telling colleges that limits around online education would be suspended during the pandemic. University leaders believed the rule was part of President Donald Trumps effort to pressure the nations schools and colleges to reopen this fall even as new virus cases rise. The policy drew sharp backlash from higher education institutions, with more than 200 signing court briefs supporting the challenge by Harvard and MIT. Colleges said the policy would put students safety at risk and hurt schools financially. Many schools rely on tuition from international students, and some stood to lose millions of dollars in revenue if the rule had taken hold. Harvard and MIT were the first to contest the policy, but at least seven other federal suits had been filed by universities and states opposing the rule. The unexpected decision was welcome news to students across the country who had been on edge. I feel relief, said Andrea Calderon, a 29-year-old biology graduate student from Ecuador. It would have been a very big problem if I had to leave the country right now. The City College of New York student said returning home would have made it much harder to finish her thesis and pursue a Ph.D. Internet access at home in Ecuador is spotty, and going through the process to come back to the U.S. in the future would be too expensive, she said. Rahul Lobo, 19, from Goa on the west coast of India, said he feels an immeasurable amount of relief. As it is, were living in very uncertain times, and the recent ICE policy just made things even more uncertain, said Lobo, a rising junior at the University of Notre Dame. Suddenly I wasnt worrying about whether I could get back to campus, but more whether I would even be able to finish my degree in four years. The American Council on Education, which represents university presidents, praised ICE's pullback of the rule. The group said the policy was misguided from the start and drew unprecedented opposition from colleges. There has never been a case where so many institutions sued the federal government, said Terry Hartle, the groups senior vice president. In this case, the government didnt even try to defend its policymaking. Some opponents, however, were hesitant to call it a closed case. Massachusetts' Democratic attorney general, who is leading a separate lawsuit against the policy, warned that the Trump administration may attempt again to impose limits on international students. This is why we sue. The rule was illegal and the Trump Administration knew they didnt have a chance, Maura Healey said on Twitter. They may try this again. We will be ready. Harvard and MIT argued that immigration officials violated procedural rules by issuing the guidance without justification and without allowing the public to respond. They also argued that the policy contradicted ICEs March 13 directive telling schools that existing limits on online education would be suspended for the duration of the emergency. The suit noted that Trumps national emergency declaration has not been rescinded and that virus cases are spiking in some regions. Immigration officials, however, argued that they told colleges all along that any guidance prompted by the pandemic was subject to change. They said the rule was consistent with existing law barring international students from taking classes entirely online. Federal officials said they were providing leniency by allowing students to keep their visas even if they study online from abroad. HONG KONG (AP) Renewed restrictions took effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, with restaurants limited to takeout after 6 p.m., as the Asian financial center battles a resurgence of the coronavirus. Mask-wearing has been made compulsory on public transport for the first time, with fines of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($650). Public gatherings are once again restricted to four people, after the limit was eased last month to allow up to 50. The semi-autonomous Chinese territory has seen a return of locally transmitted cases in the past 10 days after a long spell without them. About 300 new cases have been reported since July 6, including more than 220 non-imported ones. The city reversed plans to allow major public events, postponing a highly popular annual book fair slated to open Wednesday. Hong Kong Disneyland, which had reopened last month, shuttered again in accordance with the renewed restrictions. Gyms and beauty salons have been ordered closed, and eateries are not allowed to offer dine-in services from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Schools had already been reclosed from Monday. The city of 7.5 million people has recorded 1,569 confirmed cases and eight deaths since the outbreak began. In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region: China is further easing restrictions on domestic tourism after reporting no new local cases of COVID-19 in nine days. A directive from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism dated Tuesday said tourist sites could allow 50% of their daily visitor capacity, up from 30%, and that interprovince group tours can resume. The National Health Commission said six new cases were recorded Tuesday, all in people who had arrived from overseas. It has not reported any domestic cases since an outbreak in Beijing that infected more than 330 people before it faded early this month. China has reported 83,611 confirmed cases and 4,634 deaths since the outbreak began. It does not include people who test positive but show no symptoms in its case count. Story continues Indias coronavirus cases surged by 29,429, and authorities are reimposing lockdowns in high-risk areas. The new cases took the national total to 936,181. The Health Ministry also reported another 582 deaths, taking total fatalities up to 24,309. A two-week lockdown was imposed Wednesday in eastern Bihar state and its population of nearly 128 million. Nearly 2.5 million poor migrant workers have returned to the state after losing jobs in other parts of the country. Indias key southern technology hub, Bangalore, was also put under a weeklong lockdown on Wednesday. About a dozen states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam, have put high-risk areas under lockdowns, only allowing essential food supplies and health services. The leader of Australias worst-hit state said police were cracking down on a coronavirus lockdown in the nations second-largest city. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews warned that restrictions would be increased unless the spread was contained in Melbourne. The Australian military is bolstering police numbers at checkpoints. Police were scanning license plates to determine drivers addresses and whether they were subjected to stay-at-home orders. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said 238 new cases detected in the latest 24-hours could be the start of a stabilization in the spread of the virus in Melbourne, more than a week into a new lockdown in the city and part of its surrounds. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlined her government plans to contain future community outbreaks in the South Pacific nation that has not recorded a locally spread case in 75 days. Its two new cases recorded Wednesday and all 27 of its active cases are people quarantined after foreign travel. Ardern said a system of local or regional lockdowns would be used and a national lockdown would be a last resort. Local lockdowns might involve buildings, suburbs or a city. Our priority will be to control any cases with the least intrusive measures and over the smallest area we can, Ardern said. South Korea has reported 39 new cases of the coronavirus, most of them tied to international arrivals as the virus continues to spread in Asia, the United States and elsewhere. The figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday brought national totals to 13,551 cases, including 289 deaths. The KCDC said at least 28 of the new cases were linked to arrivals from abroad, but it didnt immediately disclose where they were from. South Korea requires two-week quarantines on all passengers arriving from overseas. Foreign nationals arriving from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan beginning this week must provide health certificates proving they had tested negative for COVID-19 amid widening outbreaks in Southern and Central Asia. The number of travelers who entered and left the Philippines dropped 95% under its coronavirus quarantine. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente predicted the travel slump would remain dire. We do not foresee these statistics to rise in the near future while the entire world is still fighting to defeat this coronavirus, Morente said. The government was forced to ease a lockdown in the capital and quarantine restrictions elsewhere last month to reopen the faltering economy despite infection spikes. Nearly 60,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in the country, including more than 1,600 deaths. Members of Tokyos coronavirus task force raised caution levels in the Japanese capital to the highest on a scale of four and urged officials to secure more hospital beds, increase testing and raise awareness about the situation's urgency. Gov. Yuriko Koike asked residents to avoid non-essential out-of-town trips, but stopped short of requesting business closures. Norio Ohmagari, a member of the task force, said infections appear to be expanding, with the number of untraceable cases on the rise. He said infections are no longer concentrated in nightlife districts and are spreading in workplaces, restaurants, households, nursing homes and childcare facilities. Tokyo reported 8,189 cases including 325 deaths as of Tuesday. By Trend Azerbaijani MP Arzu Naghiyev visited settlements that were intensively shot as a result of a provocation by the Armenian armed forces. Since yesterday night, it is relatively quiet in the districts territory, the MP told Trend on July 15. "Now Im in Tovuz, the district's city center. Recently I have visited the villages of Dondar Gushchu and Aghdam, shelled by Armenian armed forces. The village of Aghdam is located near the height of Garagaya. I met with the residents as well as with journalists who came here. On the past night, large-caliber machine guns did not fire, there were no shell explosions, except for the periodical sounds of machine-gun bursts. After the past three days, only today it was relatively calm." The MP added that on July 14, he participated in the funeral of military personnel who died heroically as a result of the Armenian provocation. He expressed condolences to the families of the dead and wished the speedy recovery to the wounded people. "The most important thing is that the Azerbaijani army fully controls the situation, and the provocation of the Armenian soldiers has been suppressed. They tried to scare and expel the civilians from their homes by artillery shelling, but failed to do so. All Tovuz residents believe in the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani army and support them. The population is not discouraged. Residents of both villages are engaged in their daily activities." Naghiyev added that some persons disseminate information of a provocative nature on the social networks. "Let no one believe this information, since it has nothing to do with reality. The Azerbaijani army is fulfilling their duties with high professionalism," the MP stressed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global electric vehicle battery thermal management systems market size is expected to reach USD 12.1 billion by 2027, registering aCAGR of 28.5% from 2020 to 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Thermal management systems are used in electric vehicles (EVs) for maintaining the heating temperature of the batteries used in these vehicles. These batteries provide power to the motors for the traction of the vehicle and therefore, the vehicle movement is entirely dependent on battery health. Hence, the need to control the battery heat becomes critical for the seamless operation of EVs. Key suggestions from the report: The passive segment held the largest revenue share of over 78% in 2019. This growth was credited to the benefits offered by these systems including low cost and ease of installation in the vehicle The active segment is expected to register the highest CAGR from 2020 to 2027 owing to the benefits of these products, such as enhanced efficiency and improved battery life Passenger vehicles segment accounted for the majority share in 2019 primarily owing to the high penetration of EVs in this segment The commercial segment is expected to expand at steady a CAGR over the forecast period due to the increasing demand for battery-powered buses and lightweight trucks Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest as well as fastest-growing regional market from 2020 to 2027 owing to the highest production and adoption of EVs in the region Read 80 page research report with ToC on "Electric Vehicle Battery Thermal Management Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Passenger, Commercial), By System Type (Passive, Active), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/electric-vehicle-battery-thermal-management-systems-market Stringent government regulations have been observed in various nations for controlling the carbon emissions from the vehicles. Also, governments are taking initiatives to boost the adoption of EVs. For instance, the Chinese government has waived off the purchase taxes on EVs till 2020. In addition, most of the countries are planning for a complete transformation from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to battery EVs. As a result, the sales of new and more efficient EVs have increased. This trend is expected to fuel the growth of the overall market in the coming years. Automobile manufacturers across the globe are increasingly investing in R&D to develop new methods and systems for maintaining & controlling the battery temperatures. For instance, in 2019, Robert Bosch GmbH announced a cloud-connected software service for battery management, which is capable of monitoring and managing the electric battery remotely. Such innovations and developments are projected to bolster the market growth. Grand View Research has segmented the global electric vehicle battery thermal management systems market on the basis of system type, application, and region: EV BTMS System Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Active Passive EV BTMS Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) Passenger Commercial EV BTMS Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. France Asia Pacific China India Japan South Korea Rest of the World (RoW) List of Key Players of Electric Vehicle Battery Thermal Management Systems Market: Robert Bosch GmbH GENTHERM Incorporated Valeo Dana Incorporated Mahle GmbH Hanon Systems Voss Automotive GmbH 3M Grayson Polymer Science, Inc. Lord Corporation Find more research reports on Automotive & Transportation Industry, by Grand View Research: Electric Vehicle Market - The market is driven by initiatives taken by governments of various countries to promote the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs). For instance, in 2019, the government of Germany and auto manufacturers agreed to raise cash incentives under the "Environment Bonus" plan for battery powered cars. The market is driven by initiatives taken by governments of various countries to promote the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs). For instance, in 2019, the government of and auto manufacturers agreed to raise cash incentives under the "Environment Bonus" plan for battery powered cars. Electric Vehicle Battery Market - The growing emphasis of leading automakers, including Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, General Motors, and Ford Motors on rolling out electric vehicles is expected to drive the market growth. The growing emphasis of leading automakers, including Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, General Motors, and Ford Motors on rolling out electric vehicles is expected to drive the market growth. Electric Powertrain Market - Increasing sales of electric vehicles, such as hybrid and pure electric vehicles, is a prominent factor fueling market growth. Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg New York Latin America is scrambling to contain surging COVID-19 infections while confronting near-certain recession and related impacts, but polices that prioritize poor and vulnerable people can help mitigate the regions already extreme poverty and inequality, a new UNDP study finds. Before the pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected only 1.6 percent economic growth for the region in 2020, with recessions in several countries. In April, it projected a contraction of 5.2 percent, with almost every country in recession. Tourism-dependent Caribbean nations could see GDP plunge between 5 and 10 percentworsening the regions chronic poverty, inequality, and insecurity. As of 24 June, Latin America and the Caribbean had 2,154,566 confirmed cases and a total of 100,214 deaths, straining chronically under-funded health systems. Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil now has the highest number of deaths worldwide after the United States. Experts also fear some countries are grossly under-reporting the number of COVID-19 infections and related deaths. The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative has proposed three indicators to capture the risk of COVID-19 infection: lack of access to safe drinking water; use of noxious fuels inside homes; and malnutrition. By those measures, 142 million people are at risk of contracting COVID-19 in Latin Americaroughly one quarter of the regions population. And citizens across the region are worried. A survey of more than 1,000 people in Argentina and reports from 15 other UNDP country offices in the region found Latin Americans cited major worries related to lockdown measures aimed a containing the pandemic. Top concerns were: Income: 12 of 16 countries named falling incomes among the main concerns; 10 named falling incomes as their number one concern. Health: Eight of 16 countries named health-related issues such as access to medication and health services among top concerns. Domestic violence: Six of 16 countries named domestic violence among main concerns, fueled by high levels of alcohol and drug abuse in poor areas. Food supplies: Five countries named access to food among the main concerns. Discrimination: Five countries mentioned discrimination or exclusion of minorities, migrants, or members of the LGBTIQ community as a top concern. Overcrowding. Five countries named cited overcrowding among main concerns. Education: The in-depth report for Argentina found that limited access to online education and the governments failure to provide printed booklets to all children had severely disrupted learninglikely increasing the risk of students dropping out of school for good. Policy actions can limit long-term damage Action is urgent in multiple related areas, the study argues: the epidemiological, healthcare, and sanitation front; the economic front; labor markets; and social protection. In the current state of emergency, governments should prioritize transparent public information campaigns, plan strategies that involve marginalized groups in urban areas and indigenous communities, guarantee access to clean water, soap, food, income, and other essential items, ensure internet connectivity, use spaces other than hospitals to isolate COVID-19 patients, and design strategies to safely move patients among medical facilities. Later, governments should provide free COVID-19 testing to the poorest and most vulnerable groups, keep opening new isolation centers, guarantee access to safe drinking water, ensure marginalized groups own devices that allow them to be tracked, expand digital financial inclusion, protect livelihoods, and provide monetary transfers to the poor. They should also devise temporary employment programs, direct safe food distribution, implement tax cuts or deferrals, prevent cutting of basic services such as water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, mitigate domestic violence, sustain education, and ensure access to health and medication beyond COVID-19, the study says. UNDP at the country level UNDP is working throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to help contain the pandemic and mitigate its social and economic impacts: In Argentina, UNDP has developed a social media campaign promoting inclusive finance. #PlataSinBanco (money without bank) explains current alternatives to withdraw money from a local ATM, even without a debit card or bank account. This program supports the Emergency Family Income effort by the national government to help the poorest and most vulnerable populations, among other measures. UNDP also partnered with regional Innovation Labs through a virtual Hackathon, gathering more than 800 partners and 2,000 proposals to cope with COVID-19. In Barbados, to generate jobs and safely deliver food, UNDP and FarmFinder are devising a digital farming and fisheries portal to more effectively connect vendors and consumers, including a system to trace and track locally farmed and fished products. In Haiti, UNDP is working to reprogram existing funds, with agreement from donors, to procure essential PPE, supporting medical personnel, and supporting the judicial and corrections systems. In Honduras, UNDP is providing technical assistance to prioritize households most affected by the crisis to receive social support and food transfers and launching a cash transfer mechanism that will reach some 500,000 people. In Mexico, UNDP and UN Women are building response capacity and prevention units of the Secretariat of Women of the Government of Mexico City, which support women victims of domestic and gender violence. UNDP is also working with the Zurich Foundation to support 6,000 families from 100 communities with high levels of poverty, in the South of Mexico. One of Russia's largest telecommunications companies turns to HPE GreenLake for flexibility and scalability to support rapidly growing cloud service provider business Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) today announced that Mastertel, one of the largest telecommunications companies in Russia, has selected HPE GreenLake to modernize its IT infrastructure, optimize financial flows, and achieve the flexibility necessary to service the growth of new customers. Today, the demand of the as-a-service IT model is growing in Russia, as customers seek to gain the cloud experience everywhere, including the benefits of paying for what they use. HPE GreenLake allows customers to enjoy all the benefits of the cloud, such as rapid deployment, scalability and cost efficiency, in a fully controlled local environment as selected by the customer. "With the intense growth of our cloud services business, we faced the need to rapidly deploy resources for new customers," said Viktor Safronov, IT Director at Mastertel. "HPE GreenLake helped us accelerate our market entry, avoid up-front capital investments and optimize financial flows. Thanks to our modernized IT infrastructure, Mastertel is now ready to meet all the needs of its existing and future customers." With HPE GreenLake, Mastertel can confidently continue to develop and grow its cloud services business, knowing that it has the ability to scale its IT infrastructure at any time as per its changing needs. HPE GreenLake also enables Mastertel to: Improve the performance and availability of its IT infrastructure to meet workload and customer needs. Ensure flexibility and ability to quickly scale its IT infrastructure to face current business challenges. Minimize costs by eliminating large one-time financial investments. HPE technology, including HPE ProLiant servers and HPE 3PAR 8200 data storage system, increased the performance and reliability of Mastertel's IT infrastructure, while the support of HPE Datacenter Care from HPE Pointnext Technology Services has improved its performance and availability to meet customer needs. "Our cooperation with Mastertel demonstrates that the cost transparency and cash flow alignment provided by HPE GreenLake is an indisputable business advantage," said Andrey Kartashev, Director of HPE Pointnext Technology Services in Russia. "We are excited to be working with Mastertel and very pleased with our first deployment of HPE GreenLake for a cloud service provider in Russia." HPE GreenLake is one of the fastest-growing businesses in HPE with over 4 billion USD in total contract value, more than 850 enterprise customers worldwide, and over 700 partners selling HPE GreenLake today. HPE GreenLake's unique metering, cost controls, cloud services, HPE Ezmeral software portfolio, and backing from HPE Financial Services and HPE Pointnext Technology Services provide a differentiated solution that competitors cannot match. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud platform-as-a-service company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way we live and work, HPE delivers unique, open and intelligent technology solutions, with a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, to help customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005625/en/ Contacts: Patrycja Niewolik, HPE patrycja.niewolik@hpe.com One of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 following the July 4 sandbar party on Littlefield Lake was an employee of a local manfacturer, one of two employees who have tested positive for the disease. But a company spokesman says the two cases are unrelated. The Littlefield Lake outbreak has so far spread to 11 people, seven of them primary infections and four as secondary. A secondary infection is someone who is infected by someone who was infected at the original event. Despite the large number of people infected, the Littlefield Lake sandbar party doesnt quite qualify as a super-spreader event, said Steve Hall, Central Michigan District Health Department health officer. While there is no specific definition for what qualifies as a super-spreader event, Hall said that the person who spread the virus wasnt exhaling especially large amounts of it, one common characteristic. Hall referred to it as more of a perfect storm, where lots of people in tight quarters with an infected person led to an unusually high number of infections. One of those people is employed at Delfield. Two Delfield employees have very recently tested positive for the disease, said Rich Sheffer, vice president of investor relations, risk management and treasurer of Welbilt. Welbilt owns the Mt. Pleasant Delfield operation. The two are unrelated. Sheffer said the most recent positive case was brought to managements attention yesterday, and the company began tracking down people potentially exposed, who were required to get tested. Employees who test positive are told to quarantine for two weeks and require a doctors note telling the company they are no longer sick, Sheffer said. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 increased in Isabella County by nine overnight, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 website. On Tuesday, the county reported 138. By 3 p.m. Wednesday, that number had increased to 147. Eight Isabella County residents have died, and 11 have required hospitalization since March. According to the CMDHD website, 67 people have recovered. A recovery is defined as 30 days past either onset of symptoms or diagnosis with the patient neither dead nor hospitalized. It is an inexact measurement, because some people say their symptoms persist for much longer than a month. Isabella County is the only mid-Michigan county that has seen consistent, steady growth in cases since mid-June. Gratiot County saw a spurt in case growth last week, mostly driven by someone catching the disease out in the community and then infecting members of their households. Gratiot has had a total of 97 cases, with 14 deaths. That is unchanged since Tuesday. Since Tuesday, Clare County added one case for a total of 34, with three deaths; two cases were added in Mecosta, for 38 and two deaths; one case was added in Montcalm County, for 121 cases and one death; one case was added in Gladwin County, for 29 cases and one death; and eight cases were added in Midland County, for 153 and nine deaths. Statewide, another 891 cases and four deaths were announced for a total of 71,197 cumulative cases and 6,085 cumulative deaths. READ MORE: Jasmin Pierre was 18 when she tried to end her life, overdosing on whatever pills she could find. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, she survived two more attempts at suicide, which felt like the only way to stop her pain. Years of therapy brought progress, but the 31-year-old Black womans journey is now complicated by a combination of stressors hitting simultaneously: isolation during the pandemic, a shortage of mental health care providers and racial trauma inflicted by repeated police killings of Black people. Black people who already go through mental health issues, were even more triggered, said Pierre, who lives in New Orleans. I dont think my mental health issues have ever, ever been this bad before. Health experts have warned of a looming mental health crisis linked to the coronavirus outbreak, and the federal government rolled out a broad anti-suicide campaign. But doctors and researchers say the issues reverberate deeper among Black people, whove seen rising youth suicide attempts and suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. Mental health advocates are calling for more specialized federal attention on Black suicides, including research funding. Counselors focusing on Black trauma are offering free help. And Black churches are finding new ways to address suicide as social distancing has eroded how people connect. There has been a lot of complex grief and loss related to death, related to loss of jobs and loss of income, said Sean Joe, an expert on Black suicides at Washington University in St. Louis. Theres a lot of hurt and pain in America going on right now, and you only are getting a sense of depth in the months ahead. Suicides overall have increased. Roughly 48,000 people in the U.S. died by suicide in 2018, with the rate increasing 35% since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all ages. For ages 10 to 19, its second after accidents. The rates of suicides and suicide attempts for Black adults have trailed white and Native American adults. But newer research shows an alarming rise in Black young people trying to take their own lives. Suicide attempts rose 73% between 1991 and 2017 among Black high school students while suicidal thoughts and plans for suicide fell for all teens, according to a study published in November in the journal Pediatrics. The findings, including troubling suicide trends among Black children, prompted the Congressional Black Caucus to issue a report in December deeming the situation a crisis. Experts say the reasons are a complex mix requiring more study. Suicide risk factors include a diagnosis like depression or trauma or having a parent who died by suicide. Many factors are amplified for Black families, who often face higher poverty rates, disproportionate exposure to violence and less access to medical care. The pandemic has heightened the disparities. Black people are dying from COVID-19 at higher rates, leaving them to grieve more in isolation with restrictions on funerals and gatherings. Added to the mix is a national reckoning with racism after George Floyds killing. Dealing with racism and stereotypes and all the inequity that we have to face, its bandaged up, said Arielle Sheftall, an author of the Pediatrics study. It feels like the bandage is ripped off and everybody is looking at it and staring at it, and we are bleeding profusely. Part of the problem is the study of suicide remains largely white, with little race research. Theres also been a misconception of suicide as only a white problem. Michigan psychologist Alton Kirk was among the first to study Black suicides in the 1970s, outlined in his 2009 book, Black Suicide: The Tragic Reality of Americas Deadliest Secret. When I first started, a lot of Black people were in denial about suicide, he said. We had suffered enough. We survived slavery and segregation and all this other stuff. They almost saw it as being a weakness. While many attitudes have changed, obstacles to health care persist. For one, there arent enough mental health professionals. Also, treatment has traditionally been based on white experiences, potentially leaving some clinicians unprepared. Each time theres a publicized episode of police brutality against Black people, calls to the Trevor Projects suicide-prevention lines spike immediately. The organization focuses on LGBTQ youth, including addressing racial disparities. Youre already starting at a different point because you spent your life fighting back racism, said Tia Dole, the organizations chief clinical operations officer. People are walking around with a half-filled tank of emotional resources because of their identity. For suicide attempt survivors, navigating the pandemic means more uncertainty. Kiauna Patterson, who graduated from Pennsylvanias Edinboro University this year, tried to end her life in 2018 as she felt pressure from school and working three jobs to help support family. Since losing university health care, she meditates daily and focuses on her goal of becoming a doula. You dont really know whats going on or whats going to happen, she said. Youre taking each day, just one at a time, to try and grasp some type of control or calmness. Some national holidays are made up on a Monday, but not all of them are deemed important enough. It is not until 2044 that, supposing no changes are made, Koreans will enjoy an unbroken sequence of 10 days off because National Foundation Day, Chuseok and Hangeul Day all happen in sequence, followed by a normal weekend. Koreans will have 64 days off next year, three fewer than this year. Next year will give salaried workers in Korea even fewer days off than this year because Memorial Day, Liberation Day and National Foundation Day all fall on a Sunday. Some workers are so incensed about this year's and next year's lack of substitute holidays that they feel their right to rest is being violated. In some countries, holidays fall on a particular day of the week, so that Easter Monday, for example, is a day off in most Christian countries. A bill tabled by Minjoo Party lawmaker Hong Ihk-pyo and nine other assembly members aims to ensure a more fixed number of days off by shifting certain holidays from a particular date to a day of the week instead. For instance, Children's Day would be the first Monday of May so people can have a three-day weekend. Lee Jae-yong (28), an office worker living in southern Seoul said, "In Korean society, where employees still have to worry about irking their bosses when taking days off, public holidays are the best chances to get some rest. I think fluctuating numbers of public holidays depending on the year goes against the main purpose of the public holidays." But employers are not welcoming the bill, saying that an increased number of holidays reduces productivity. Colglazier Brings Proven Record for Delivering World-Class Consumer Experiences at The Walt Disney Company Company's First CEO George Whitesides to Drive Future Business Areas as Chief Space Officer, Including High Speed Mobility and Orbital Spaceflight Programs Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) ("Virgin Galactic"), a vertically integrated aerospace and space travel company, today announced the appointments of Michael Colglazier as Virgin Galactic's new Chief Executive Officer and George Whitesides as Chief Space Officer, effective July 20, 2020. Michael assumes the CEO role at an exciting time for Virgin Galactic as the Company progresses through its test flight program and prepares for commercial service. He will also join the Company's Board of Directors effective July 20, 2020. Michael joins Virgin Galactic following a long and successful career at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), bringing over three decades of experience in developing and growing consumer-oriented multi-billion dollar businesses strategically, commercially, and operationally. Most recently Michael was President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International, where he was responsible for operations, strategy, and commercial and experiential development of Disney's international parks and resorts. George will assume the role of Chief Space Officer, focused on developing the Company's future business opportunities, including point-to-point hypersonic travel and orbital space travel. George will also chair the Company's Space Advisory Board, and in conjunction with his new role will step down from the Company's Board of Directors. George joined Virgin Galactic in 2010 as its first CEO, after serving as Chief of Staff at NASA. During the past decade, he has built the Company from 30 people to a workforce of over 900 today, and he has successfully guided Virgin Galactic through its human space flight research and development program as well as the progress to date in its flight test program, culminating in two successful space flights. These historic flights saw the first humans launched into space from US soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle, as well as the first woman to fly on a commercial space vehicle. During the last year, George led the transition of operations from Mojave, California to Spaceport America, New Mexico, and oversaw the Company's successful public listing-creating the world's first publicly traded human spaceflight venture. Michael Colglaziersaid, "I am thrilled to join the talented team at Virgin Galactic at this inflection point in the Company's journey. Like so many others, including hundreds of signed-up customers, I have been inspired by this purpose-driven, world-class brand and the incredible opportunity it offers to open space to change the world for good. George's vision and outstanding leadership have enabled Virgin Galactic to reach this point, and I am excited to work with him in his role as Chief Space Officer where he will spearhead our future development efforts. On a personal note, I'd like to thank my friends and colleagues at Disney, especially Bob Chapek for his mentorship and guidance over the years, and Josh D'Amaro, who is bringing superb leadership to Disney's Parks, Experiences, and Products. I am grateful to the Virgin Galactic Board, our chair Chamath Palihapitiya, and our founder Richard Branson for their support and trust as we make history together in this amazing company." George Whitesides added, ''Serving as the first CEO of Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company for the past ten years has been the honor and adventure of a lifetime. The next decade for Virgin Galactic will be commercially-focused, and it is the perfect moment for us to bring a visionary commercial leader like Michael to take the Company forward. Michael brings enormous experience in building customer experiences for Disney all around the world, and scaling businesses into multi-billion dollar organizations. I look forward to supporting Michael as the Company realizes Richard Branson's vision to share the experience of spaceflight with people around the world, now turning my focus to building the next generation of aerospace vehicles and experiences." Sir Richard Branson said, "I want to thank George for his outstanding leadership of Virgin Galactic over the last decade. He has shown dedication and determination as its first CEO to build the Company from early stage development through to space flight, the first from American soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle. In the past year, George has taken the Company public and moved it to Spaceport America. He transitions into his new role as Chief Space Officer having created substantial value as CEO and with Galactic poised for an exciting next chapter." "At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Michael as the new Chief Executive to lead Galactic into commercial operations. I believe Michael's long and distinguished career at one of the world's leading customer experience brands provides a natural fit with Virgin's culture as well as Galactic's requirements as it prepares for commercial service." Chamath Palihapitiya, Chairman of Virgin Galactic, said, "Michael's skillset is highly complementary to that of the incredible team that we have at Virgin Galactic. He has considerable commercial and managerial experience and a proven track record of successfully commercializing new and innovative products and services all over the world. He will create an amazing customer experience for our Future Astronauts as we ramp up for spaceflight operations." Conference Call Information Virgin Galactic will host a conference call to discuss this announcement at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time) today. To access the conference call, parties should dial (833) 350-1375 and enter the conference ID number 3890700. The live audio webcast along with supplemental information will be accessible on the Company's Investor Relations website at investors.virgingalactic.com. A recording of the webcast will also be available following the conference call. Separately, as previously announced, Virgin Galactic will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter financial results on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). For Media Assets: https://www.image.net/virgingalactic About Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic is a vertically-integrated aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers, as well as a manufacturer of advanced air and space vehicles. Using its proprietary and reusable technologies and supported by a distinctive, Virgin-branded customer experience, it is developing a spaceflight system designed to offer customers a unique, multi-day, transformative experience. This culminates in a spaceflight that includes views of Earth from space and several minutes of weightlessness that will launch from Spaceport America, New Mexico. Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company believe that one of the most exciting and significant opportunities of our time lies in the commercial exploration of space and the development of technology that will change the way we travel across the globe in the future. Together we are opening access to space to change the world for good. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws with respect to Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), including statements regarding the Company's future business opportunities. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions. Forward looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to the factors, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company's business described in the documents filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005884/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries please contact: VirginGalacticPress@virgingalactic.com US, Canada, South America, Australia Antonia Gray, FTI Consulting UK, Middle East, Asia, Africa Charles Palmer, FTI Consulting VirginGalacticFin@fticonsulting.com For Investor Relations inquiries please contact: VirginGalactic-SVC@SARDVERB.com Season one of Snowpiercer, the Netflix adaptation of French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (which also served as the inspiration for Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film) came to a nail-biting close on Monday. The following post contains spoilers for Snowpiercer season 1. Looking for a primer on the world of Snowpiercer before you watch the series? Read this article. *** Season one of Snowpiercer, the Netflix adaptation of French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (which also served as the inspiration for Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film) came to a nail-biting close on Monday. The premise of the graphic novel, film and the Netflix show is the same: an intervention meant to reverse climate change goes horribly wrong, causing an apocalyptic event known as The Freeze. As the world collapses around them, a lucky few manage to board a train designed by a man known simply as "Mr Wilford". The train, powered by its "Engine Eternal", must remain in perpetual motion to ensure the survival of its passengers, but this is no benevolent Noah's Ark. A ruthless class system is in practice: the first class lives in untold luxury while the "tailies" (the ticketless passengers who forced their way onto the train just as it was about to depart) are confined to cramped, dark quarters at the very end of the train, kept alive on small rations of a gelatinous protein bar. "Order" is sacrosanct, as is Mr Wilford's name, and the Engine Eternal. Transgressions especially by tailies revolting for some sort of social justice are harshly punished: usually by the simple expedient of having the offender's arm stuck outside the train until it freezes in a few minutes and then shattering the icy appendage with a hammer. Sometimes, more than an arm is lost. While Bong Joon-ho's film followed an uprising led by a tailie leader called Curtis (Chris Evans) and its unexpected end, the Snowpiercer series takes a different route. The tailie revolution is still an important part of the plot, but it ties in with other narrative threads to create a story with many more layers. The narrative thread season one began with, was a murder mystery on board the Snowpiercer. With a sadistic serial killer at work, Melanie Cavell (Jennifer Connelly) Snowpiercer's Head of Hospitality and Mr Wilford's second-in-command seeks the help of Andre Layton (Daveed Diggs) a tailie who was a well-respected homicide detective in the time before The Freeze. Layton's investigation the victims are mostly from the third class, and the prime suspect is from the first serves as a device to highlight the class system on Snowpiercer and also how life aboard it functions. Even as Layton gets busy solving the case (while ferreting away information and resources that could be of use in the next tail insurrection), other threads are being unravelled: a power struggle spearheaded by a few first class passengers and a couple of Melanie's disgruntled colleagues; an uprising in third class; plans for a revolution in the tail. Against these human intrigues is the fact that Snowpiercer itself could be headed for an extinction event the mechanisms that sustain life on the train are exceedingly delicate; there's also little help for the mechanical wear and tear to the train itself. Meanwhile, Layton uncovers two, larger mysteries: 1. He realises that there is no Mr Wilford on board the train; Melanie Cavill has been the one running Snowpiercer for the past seven years since their departure. 2. He finds out a little more about the mysterious "drawers" where convicted criminals and sundry condemned passengers are suspended in a deep coma-like sleep. As all of these story arcs come to a head, Layton and Melanie are forced to form an unlikely alliance to survive. Spoiler alert: they "win" but their victory is short-lived as already, season 2's antagonist has been revealed. The long absent Mr Wilford (Sean Bean), whom Melanie presumed dead, catches up to them on a supply train. Snowpiercer season 1 has evoked mixed reactions, and while it is (usually) unfavourably compared to the film, I preferred Netflix's take. To me, the characters essayed by Tilda Swinton (Mason; a composite of Melanie and her Hospitality colleague Ruth) and Ed Harris (Mr Wilford) were too caricaturish. The menace Swinton chanelled into her role as Mason was undeniable, but Connelly's Melanie is so much more. She rigorously enforces the class system on the train and will go to great lengths to preserve her secrets (including letting a depraved killer escape punishment, and torturing Layton's partner Josie). However, her decisions are guided by what she feels will optimise everyone's chances of survival after all, she's in charge of the very last specimens of the human race. Apart from Melanie and Layton, the Snowpiercer series also turns the spotlight on other flawed but interesting characters Bess Till (Mickey Summer), Miss Audrey (Lena Hall), Layton's ex Zarah (Sheila Vand), to name just a few. By dint of its much longer runtime, the Netflix series is also able to delve into themes the film couldn't fully explore. There's the machine worship that you see in so many apocalyptic narratives the survivors speak of the Engine Eternal in reverential tones, and of the train itself as a sacred entity. There's the Big Brother-like figure of Mr Wilford, the closest thing those on board Snowpiercer have to a god, if not the engine itself. The fact that for most of this season, this all-seeing, all-knowing deity is a myth propped up by Melanie makes for an even more interesting twist than if Mr Wilford was real (as in the film). There's an examination of how invested people are in upholding status quos even when the world around them has shattered especially if they're the ones benefiting from it. Overarching it all of course is yet another glimpse of what society might look like after the collapse of civilisation: Not all that different despite some new trappings, Snowpiercer seems to say. It brings to mind a comment by Ruth, Melanie's colleague in hospitality; she disdainfully asks if the revolutionaries led by Layton think their "Utopian twaddle" will run the train now that they've gained control. Already, the chaos is beginning to spiral. Ruth's remark draws attention to the opposition in which popular ideas about apocalypses find themselves. On the one hand is the philosophy that no real change or progress is possible without the destruction/complete annihilation of the old world order. On the other hand, we see the same old patterns being carried out even after the new order is established. Maybe it's a lack of vision or imagination. Maybe it also explains why narratives about rebuilding society after an apocalypse are overwhelmingly dystopian. Utopia, by its very definition, is a place that does not exist. But dystopia is real, and we're living in it. The Government has announced new Covid-19 restrictions aimed at clamping down on house parties. It comes after the Government decided to postpone plans to reopen pubs until August 10 over concerns about the increase in new Covid-19 cases. The new rules will mean a maximum of 10 people from four separate households will now be allowed to visit friends and family. The move follows growing concerns over the spread of the virus among young people attending house parties. Read More After a cabinet meeting, Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced the country will not move into the next phase of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Mr Martin said he is concerned about the spread of the virus and said phase four of the roadmap for reopening the country will now be delayed. The Taoiseach also announced that face coverings will become mandatory for all shoppers and retail workers. Retail workers will be required to wear face coverings if they are not working behind screens. He said the government will devise penalties for those who do not comply with the new rules. Pubs and nightclubs were due to reopen this coming Monday but the Cabinet has decided the push back the date over fears about the rise in coronavirus cases, as well as limits on gathering numbers raised. Central to the Governments concerns are the rise in infections among younger people who are more likely to go to pubs or attend mass gatherings. Crowd sizes will also stay the same, as currently a maximum of 50 people are allowed to gather indoors and while this was due to increase to 100 on July 20, the limit will remain at 50. The same applies for outside gatherings - the limit will remain on 200, even though it was due to increase to 500. The Taoiseach added that there is "evidence" that "unrestricted house parties" have led to an increase in cases. For this reason, social visits are now limited to a maximum of 10 people, from no more than four other households in one home. Advice against non-essential travel remains, even though this was due to be eased on July 20. Speaking at a press conference taking place after this afternoon's Cabinet meeting, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the concern about the rise in coronavirus cases recent weeks is "very real". "The Cabinet agreed that current public health measures remain," he said. "The country will now not be progressing to phase four of the roadmap. "The priority is to get that R number below one," he added, so that we have the "best chance possible" to reopen schools in August. "I know our people are deeply resilient, I know that we care for our families, our neighbours and our communities." He said that this delay in lifting restrictions will be "disappointing" to many. The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) said that publicans have been dealt a "hammer blow" by the decision. They say it will have huge ramifications for family-run pubs across Ireland. This is a shocking decision not to proceed with the planned reopening of pubs and will be a hammer blow to thousands of pubs and their local communities around the country. "The vast majority of these pubs are small rural outlets run by families who are on first-name terms with their customers and far removed from the crowded venues that concern NPHET," said VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben. Publicans are reeling from this news. They did everything asked of them by remaining shut for over four months and our members had a reasonable expectation the sector would reopen next Monday. All other phases went smoothly so to now tell publicans they cant open like the rest of the hospitality sector makes little sense. This is a decision made by politicians who appear divorced from reality about life in rural Ireland," he added. A "major support package" is urgently needed for pubs which have been closed for five months, the federation added, which would include grants of 20,000 to 50,000. Nigerias immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional bodys mediation mission in Mali. This was made known in a statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze. As a special envoy, the former President is expected to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society as well as religious organisations, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in the West African country. Dr. Jonathan who is billed to depart for Bamako, the Malian capital on Wednesday was quoted as saying he would do his best to ensure that the mission achieves the desired result. He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the support of the Nigerian government, including providing an aircraft and other logistics needed to make the assignment successful. Former President Jonathan, who had led peace missions to many crisis-ridden nations in the past, is expected to deploy his enormous goodwill within the continent to facilitate the process of restoring peace in the troubled nation, the statement noted. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates A second man has been charged with the murder of an Omani student who was killed in an "extremely violent" robbery near London department store Harrods last December, the Metropolitan Police said. Mohammed Al-Araimi, 20, was fatally stabbed in Knightsbridge on December 5, 2019. The King's College politics and economics student had been out for dinner and was walking along the street when he and his friend were stabbed. Mohammed Abdullah Al Araimi, 20, a King's College politics and economics student, was knifed to death on December 5, 2019 as he made his way home from a meal out with friends A tent stands outside Harrods in London's Knightsbridge where the body of the man was found on December 6. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound Arseboon Dilbaro, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged on Tuesday with murder, GBH with intent, attempted robbery and threatening a person with a blade/sharply pointed article in a public place. He was remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. On the night of his murder, Mr Al Araimi left a restaurant with a friend on Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge. He was attacked on Basil Street and collapsed and died on Hans Crescent Dilbaro was arrested by the Met Police shortly after arriving at Heathrow Airport at around 1pm on Tuesday on a flight from Egypt. Badir Rahim Alnazi, 24, of no fixed address, was previously charged with Mr Al-Araimi's murder in January and remains in custody ahead of an Old Bailey hearing on a date to be fixed. On the night of his murder, Mr Al Araimi left a restaurant with a friend on Pavilion Road in Knightsbridge. He was attacked on Basil Street and collapsed and died on Hans Crescent The 20-year-old friend of Mr Al-Araimi was also stabbed in the incident and was taken to hospital but was later discharged. Premier Doug Ford is enriching the provinces funding formula for long-term-care homes to encourage more private-sector operators to build new facilities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Progressive Conservative government, which on Wednesday reiterated its previously announced pledge to spend $1.75 billion in the sector, cannot say precisely how many new beds will be created. The Tories have committed to adding 30,000 beds over the next decade, but no road map to that goal has been made public. Ford said the move would see nearly 8,000 new beds and 12,000 redeveloped beds being built. The last few months have made it crystal clear that when it comes to long-term care, we cant accept the status quo, the premier told reporters. We need to tear down and redevelop old homes and we need to build new ones. We need thousands of new long-term-care beds and we need them fast, he said. But NDP Leader Andrea Horwath warned the move means the for-profit corporations that have failed seniors for years could get even more public money. Today feels like a re-run of years of Liberal re-announcements on long-term care, where beds were announced but never built, said Horwath, noting Liberal premiers Kathleen Wynne and Dalton McGuinty added just 600 beds between 2011 and 2018 while Ford has built 21. If we want to improve conditions, we should be committing to hiring enough staff to deliver four hours of hands on care per resident per day; raising (personal support workers) wages and offering them full-time jobs, and getting the profits out of long-term care. The news came the same day as Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton relaxed the rules for visits to long-term-care homes. Starting immediately, two people can have an outdoor visit with a resident at the same time; as of next Wednesday, outdoor visitors will no longer be required to have taken a COVID-19 test within the previous fortnight. Indoor visits will also be allowed starting next week, but those visitors must still attest that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 14 days. I know that this has been incredibly difficult for many, including loved ones, essential caregivers in families, said Fullerton. We must continue to be vigilant when visiting our loved ones in long-term care. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home. According to the new construction funding subsidy, operators will receive an average $23.68 per diem over 25 years for each new bed. Thats up from the existing $21.53 per diem. The Conservatives are hopeful that $2.15 daily increase a 10 per cent hike will spur more construction. That should mean fewer ward rooms, improved air conditioning and ventilation systems, and safer facilities for residents and staff. Ontarios nursing homes have seen the deaths of 1,730 elderly residents and eight workers accounting for almost two-thirds of the provinces officially reported COVID-19 fatalities since the outbreak began in March. Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said Ford is reneging on his commitment to build 15,000 beds between 2018 and 2023. Del Duca said Ford would only get 4,000 beds built before the 2022 election. Furthermore, the measures announced today will do nothing to help parents and grandparents in nursing homes right now, including those crammed into four-person wards, he said. Flu season and a potential second wave of COVID-19 are on the horizon, but Doug Ford has no plan to fix the ongoing crisis in long term care by fixing the staffing shortage. The Grit chief noted the Tories have left funding approved by the previous Liberal government to build new beds unspent. While the Tories promised an independent commission examining the COVID-19 disaster in long-term-care homes would begin in July, the government has yet to even appoint a commissioner to lead that review. The situation was so bad in some seven Ontario facilities that hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces personnel were deployed to help care for their residents. But Donna Duncan, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, which represents most operators, praised the move. We welcome the opportunity to work with government to renew and expand long-term care across Ontario, said Duncan. The capital investment ... illustrates their understanding of the need to provide Ontarios seniors with the care that they need and deserve. Read more about: B oris Johnson accused Sir Keir Starmer of having more briefs than Calvin Klein as the pair clashed at Prime Ministers Questions over the Government's response to the pandemic. The Prime Minister drew cheers from his Tory colleagues after his jibe against the Labour leader, who he claims is unable to take one stance on key issues. Sir Keir had said Mr Johnson is "kidding no-one" by claiming everything is a "stunning success" in the Governments Covid-19 response and urged the Prime Minister to acknowledge there are problems. Speaking at PMQs, Mr Johnson said Sir Keir should help "build up the confidence" of the people of the country to "cautiously" get back to work and restart the economy instead of endlessly knocking their confidence. Sir Keir hit back: "Its perfectly possible to support track and trace and point out the problems, and standing up every week and saying its a stunning success is kidding no-one thats not giving people confidence in the system. "Theyd like a Prime Minister who stands up and says, there are problems and this is what Im going to do about them. Not this rhetoric about stunning success when its obviously not true. Mr Johnson defended the Governments response, adding: "One day he [Starmer] says its safe to go back to schools, the next day hes taking the line of unions; one day theyre supporting our economic programme, the next day theyre saying our stamp duty cut is an unacceptable bung; one day they say they accept the result of the Brexit referendum, the next day, today, theyll tell their troops to do the exact opposite. "He needs to make up his mind about which brief hes going to take today because at the moment hes got more briefs than Calvin Klein." A spokesman for the Labour leader said after PMQs: It tells you everything you need to know about the Prime Ministers flippant approach to this crisis. "Keir was raising very serious concerns from bereaved relatives and the Prime Minister responded with a pre-prepared joke." Boris Johnson confirms independent inquiry into Covid-19 will go ahead - but not now Sir Keir also questioned the PM over whether the recommendations of the Governments advisory group will be implemented in full, which detail the challenges posed this winter. He said: "That report assessed the reasonable worst-case scenario for this autumn and winter including a second Covid spike and seasonal flu and it set out strong recommended actions to mitigate the risks. "The report was clear July and August must be a period of intense preparation, i.e. now. Can the Prime Minister make clear he intends to implement the recommended actions in this report in full and at speed? Mr Johnson responded: Not only are we getting on with implementing the preparations for a potential new spike, but he will know that the Government is engaged in record investments in the NHS. The PM went on to hail the UKs Covid-19 test and trace system as being as good as or better than any other system in the world, although Sir Keir cast doubt on its success in ensuring people self-isolate. Asked if he had read the advisory groups report, Mr Johnson replied: Im of course aware of the report. Sir Keir also warned that the Governments decision to not provide sector-specific support to those most at risk "could end up costing thousands of jobs" as he highlighted job losses across the aviation industry. He pressed for British Airways to lose landing slots if it continues with plans to rehire workers on worse terms and conditions. Mr Johnson offered assurances over the Governments huge effort to help the sector but Sir Keir pressed: Alongside the 12,000 redundancies already announced, BA is trying to force through the rehiring of the remaining 30,000 workers on worse terms and conditions. Keir Starmer: Saying track and trace is a "stunning success" is "kidding no one" That is totally unacceptable and it is a warning shot to many other working people. He added: Will the Prime Minister now personally intervene and make clear that actions like those at BA cannot be allowed to stand without consequences for landing slots? Mr Johnson said: Lets be absolutely clear, British Airways and many other companies are in severe difficulties at the moment and we cannot, Im afraid, simply with a magic wand ensure that every single job that was being done before the crisis is retained after the crisis. What we can do and what we are doing is encouraging companies to keep their workers on with the Job Retention Scheme, with the Job Retention Bonus and with a massive programme in investing in this country, a 600 million investment programme in this country to build, build, build and create jobs, jobs, jobs. By Fabian Cambero and Aislinn Laing SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's mines minister said on Tuesday there were "no silver bullets" to help the industry weather the coronavirus pandemic, but insisted the world's biggest copper producer was prioritizing workers' health to avoid the spread of infections that could further harm operations. Baldo Prokurica told Reuters that Chile's copper industry had kept the contagion rate to just 2% with a strict testing regime and by keeping half of its more than 200,000-strong workforce at home. "A company that does not take care of its workers will not be able to work, if workers get sick," he said in a video interview. "If we were prioritising production, companies would have 100% of workers on the job." Neighboring Peru, the No. 2 copper producer, opted to shut down all industry for 100 days but still had the world's fifth-highest case rate, he said, while Uruguay had maintained all productive work and reported just 29 deaths from COVID-19. Leading copper miners in Chile, including state-owned Codelco, BHP Group Ltd and Anglo American Plc have maintained and even increased production until now. But as coronavirus cases have recently spiked with at least 10 confirmed deaths, the miners have altered shift patterns, suspended upgrades and smelter operations in a bid to stop the spread. Some unions and local leaders have called for mines in the worst-hit areas to shut down altogether. Prokurica said nothing could be ruled out. "There's no silver bullet with these things," he said. "No one in the world can say what is going to happen. Venturing an opinion on that puts you in a position where frankly there is a very high possibility you end up being wrong." Chile's copper commission, Cochilco, has predicted a 200,000 to 240,000-tonne drop in 2020 production. Prokurica said that projection held only if cases start to decline. Story continues "Everything will depend on how the pandemic evolves," he said. "If cases increase, that will generate a more serious outlook." He said Tuesday's copper price of $2.77 per pound - from an annual low of $2.09 on March 23 - was a more accurate reflection of the market's supply-demand dynamics after many months of distortion driven by the U.S.-China trade war and collapse in the price of petrol. Weve had one thing after another and also that means that the markets are moving towards stabilization," he said. "We feel positive and believe that that price should remain as such because one way or another you're not going to see more copper being produced. Last month, Prokurica underlined the importance of finding "balance" between keeping mining - a major earner for the country's battered economy - on its feet and safeguarding the health of workers. Addressing recent accusations by Chiles Federation of Copper Workers (FTC) that the government had prioritized copper output over health, Prokurica said it was not in the interest of mining companies to risk the health of their very specialized workers. "President Sebastian Pinera, I as a minister and also the companies and workers know that the first priority is the life and health of workers," he said. "Nothing is more important than health." (Reporting by Fabian Cambero and Aislinn Laing in Santiago; Writing by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Matthew Lewis) General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh has taken a swipe at political opponents chastising President Nana Akufo-Addo and his government over the management of COVID-19 situation in the country. Ghana's COVID-19 case count has exceeded 25000 with over 21000 people recovering from the disease and unfortunately, 139 deaths have been recorded; according to the Ghana Health Service. Meanwhile, final year students are in schools preparing for their final examinations. Some Senior High Schools have also recorded Coronavirus in recent weeks, causing parents to panic. The Accra Technical University was the first to record a case after a National Service personnel contracted the virus. The Ghana Education Service also disclosed that 55 students and staff at the Accra Girls SHS have tested positive for COVID-19 and over five Senior High Schools in the Western Region have also had their students infected. The rate of infection has become very alarming and there are incessant calls on the government to immediately close down schools and allow the students to return back home. A group called the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations of Ghana believes the students staying home is the best alternative to resolving the outbreak of the virus in the schools. But James Kwabena Bomfeh popularly called Kabilla thinks otherwise. Contributing to ''Kokrokoo'' on Peace FM, he blamed Ghanaians for the increment in the cases of COVID-19 in the country. According to him, it is the relunctant behaviour of Ghanaians including some of the students to adhere to the health protocols including the wearing of masks that has contributed largely to the increasing numbers infected by the disease. To him, President Nana Akufo-Addo is doing everything possible to safeguard the citizenry against the disease, however without the cooperation of the people; all efforts will go down the drain. ''Until we learn to be disciplined people, no government can succeed in restructuring or turning this country around'' he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. Kabilla also posed questions to the political opponents, particularly the leadership and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have decided to discredit the efforts of the government asking ''what economy in the world, since the COVID-19 outbreak, can we say has been an exception, resilient or above COVID-19? Tell me one economy; the world over. Which healthcare system, the world over, has proven to be robust or strong enough to withstand COVID-19? Which research institution, Professors and academics has shown they have a solution to the COVID-19? Have we not all been reduced to our level that we're human and we're limited?'' Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Director: Anu Menon Release Date: July 31, 2020 Digital OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video Stars: 3/5 Bollywood's bundle of talent actor, Vidya Balan is ready to entice her viewers as 'Shakuntala Devi' in her biopic of the same name. The makers are heading for a digital release on Amazon Prime Video owing to the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak. Nonetheless, this gem of an actress will keep her fans entertained with superlative acting chops. The 2 minutes 47 seconds long trailer shows us how the Mathematics wizard Shakuntala Devi earned the title of a 'Human Computer'. It is about her journey, tumultuous relationship with daughter, played by Sanya Malhotra and her getting a place in 1982 edition of The Guinness Book of World Records. Watch the 'Shakuntala Devi' trailer here: Jisshu Sengupta and Amit Sadh play pivotal roles in the movie. The screenplay is written by Anu Menon and Nayanika Mahtani, while the dialogues are penned by Ishita Moitra. Talking about her character on-screen, Vidya Balan said, "Stepping into the world of Shakuntala Devi was as intimidating as it was exhilarating. Her story is inspirational and makes you see how if we believe in ourselves, the world is our oyster. A direct release on Prime Video will bring Shakuntala Devi one step closer to audiences across the globe where they can watch the movie at their convenience. Anu Menon, the director of the biopic said, Ive always been fascinated by Shakuntala Devi and felt hers is an incredible story that resonates with todays world. While most of us will be familiar with her natural ability for math, the film also explores the lesser-known personal story of Shakuntala Devi a brilliant but vulnerable woman and mother who lived life ahead of her times and on her own terms. I am certain the global audiences will enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed creating it for them. Benchmark equity indices - Sensex and Nifty - ended marginally higher on Wednesday after a heavy sell-off in shares of heavyweight Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) at the fag-end of the trading session. After rallying 777 points amid positive sentiments across global markets on hopes of a coronavirus vaccine, Sensex surrendered gains in the last hour of trade. The 30-share index settled just 18.75 points, or 0.05 per cent, higher at 36,051.81. On similar lines, the NSE Nifty closed 10.85 points, or 0.10 per cent, up at 10,618.20. It had soared 220 points during the session. Infosys, HCL Tech, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Axis Bank and HUL ended with robust gains. "We're seeing a tussle between the bulls and bears for the last couple of sessions and we feel it would be healthy if the market witnesses some correction after the recent surge. However, the resilience of global markets would help the index to limit the downside. Amid all, stocks may continue to witness volatile swings on both sides thus traders have no option but to position themselves accordingly," said Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking. ALSO READ: Why RIL share price slipped 9% from all-time high today Here are 7 things to know before Thursday's opening bell: RIL AGM In its 43rd annual general meeting (AGM), RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced that Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore to buy a 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms, completing RIL's capital-raising target for the digital arm. Shares of RIL plunged around 4 per cent after scaling its life-time high of Rs 1,978.50 as investors rushed to book profits after the company's AGM. Infosys Q1 results IT stocks will be in focus on Thursday's trade after Infosys announced Q1 FY21 results today. Shares of Infosys rallied around 6 per cent ahead of its quarterly earnings. In Q1, the country's second largest company by revenue today reported a 12.4 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,272 crore for the June 2020 quarter. Its revenue grew 8.5 per cent to Rs 23,665 crore in the quarter under review from Rs 21,803 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal, it added. ALSO READ: Sensex, Nifty close flat as RIL ends in red post 43rd AGM Banks, financial stocks down IT was the biggest gainer, up 5.2 per cent post strong results from Wipro. Pharma, FMCG, Auto and Metals also ended marginally in green. However, Banks (-0.2 per cent), Financial Services (-0.3 per cent), Energy (-1.9 per cent), Infra (-1.9 per cent), Media (-1.7 per cent) and Realty (-2.1 per cent) saw selling pressure. Trade data Contracting for the fourth straight month, India''s exports declined by 12.41 per cent to $21.91 billion in June mainly due to drop in shipments of petroleum, textiles, engineering goods, and gems and jewellery items. Imports too plunged 47.59 per cent to $21.11 billion in June, leaving a trade surplus of USD 0.79 billion, compared to a deficit of $15.28 billion in the same month of the last year, according to the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry today. Coronavirus cases India has seen a spike of 29,429 COVID-19 cases and 582 deaths in the last 24 hours, Health Ministry data shows. With this, the total positive cases stand at 9,36,181, including 3,19,840 active cases, 5,92,032 recoveries and 24,309 deaths. Though cases continue to rise in India, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 63.20 per cent. ALSO READ: Mindtree share price gains over 3% as net profit doubles in Q1 Weak global cues Bourses in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul ended with gains, while Shanghai was in the red. Stock exchanges in Europe were also trading with significant gains as of now. Traders said investors turned cautious given rising coronavirus cases and percolating tensions between the US and China. Technical insights "Going ahead the market should consolidate in the near term given persistent rise in virus cases and implementation of fresh lockdowns in certain parts of the country. Further the ongoing earnings season would also keep the markets volatile. Even technically, Nifty has broken its rising support trend line and could continue to decline towards 10,500-10,450 zones. We would advise traders to stay cautious, while investors should be more defensive in their portfolio approach," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. "The short term trend of Nifty is weak. Wednesday's higher levels weakness could signal a possibility of more declines in the short term. Any intraday up moves could run into resistance. The selling momentum is expected to be picked up on a slide below 10,550. The down side targets for Nifty to be watched around 10,350-10,300 for the next one week. Immediate resistance is placed around 10,750-10,800 for the next few sessions," said Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst, HDFC Securities. "Technically, Nifty has been trading in an Upward Rising Channel formation with strong support of its Lower Band of the formation at 10,550 level from where a bounce can be expected. At present level, support comes at 10,550 while resistance comes at 10,850-10,900," said Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director, Choice Broking. ALSO READ: Share Market Highlights: Sensex ends 18 points higher, Nifty at 10,618; Wipro, Infosys top gainers PITTSBORO The 17th Annual Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance has been canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. All tickets purchased for the event, originally scheduled to host the Del McCoury Band, Rising Appalachia, Donna the Buffalo and many others from Oct. 8 to 11, will be honored at the next festival. Despite the beautiful summer weather, we encourage music lovers everywhere to wear masks and stay socially distant so we can enjoy the simple things in life again, like dancing with friends at Shakori Hills, Carol Woodell, board president, said in a news release. The biannual festival, held every spring and fall, is the largest program for the non-profit Shakori Hills Community Arts Center. The Center provides low-cost to no-cost music, art, and sustainability education in the North Carolina counties of Chatham, Orange, and Durham. This year's spring festival also was canceled by the pandemic. Parliament yesterday approved a 56,153,500 loan facility to finance the construction of trauma hospitals in Obuasi and Ayinam in the Ashanti and Eastern regions respectively. Part of the facility is also expected to be used for the construction of an accident and emergency centre at the Enyiresi Hospital in the Eastern Region and a rehabilitation centre at the Obuasi Health Centre. It would also be used to finance the provision of medical equipment and ancillary services to ensure that the beneficiary facilities were fully operational and befitting their status. According to the Finance Committees report on the loan agreement between the government of Ghana and Deutsche Bank AG, as facility lender, and TM Global Services (UK) Limited, as the facility arranger, the project forms part of governments commitment to the provision of universal health in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 3. Moving the motion for the approval of the facility, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah said the scope of work for the trauma hospitals include features like accident and emergency department, a male theatre, public health department, out-patient department, amongst others. Dr Assibey-Yeboah observed that Obuasi and Anyinam presently do not have any major hospitals, hence the need to provide them with one. The existing Obuasi Health Centre is both ill-equipped and inadequate to meet the health needs of the burgeoning population of the catchment area, he stated. The projects, to be completed in three years, Dr Assibey-Yeboah said, would bring quality healthcare to the doorstep of residents of beneficiary communities; and urged his colleagues to adopt his Committees report. Seconding the motion, Adaklu MP, Governs Kwame Agbodza, said the facilities would aid the recovery process of accident victims, adding the facilities would be an addition to Ghanas healthcare sector. According to him, there is difference in what was done in previous arrangements and the current one. Under this agreement, government has already gone to borrow the money by themselves, so they just contracted a local engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company to partner it in executing the project. I am happy that local contractors will play a role in EPC contracts. It is a good thing to do because even if you do EPC with foreigners, it is the local contractors who end up doing the work. It is a good idea that we are trying to introduce local contractors in this, he said. Wa West MP, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, on his part urged that governments in the future considered the elevation of health centres into district hospital status instead of just rehabilitating them, so that they could serve a wider range of people and ailments. Atiwa East MP and a Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare, in whose constituency the Anyinam and Enyiresi facilities would be sited expressed appreciation to the government for reviving the project, which has been on the card since 2008. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 woman has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a stabbing in the Danforth Wednesday afternoon. Onlookers flagged down police after the woman was found just after 12:30 p.m. near Danforth Avenue and Main Street. The woman was rushed to hospital soon after, Toronto police said. While police were in the area, another man with stab wounds was also found, though they said his injuries are not considered life-threatening. The suspect may have a pellet gun, police said. The suspect is described as a Black male, 58, with a light complexion and thin build. He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and red pants. By Robert Popovian & Amanda DeMarzo Many hospitals have shifted staff resources from administrative functions to direct patient care due to the increased demand for inpatient hospital services for COVID-19 patients. A temporary suspension of elective surgeries and a reduction of non-time-sensitive procedures has also reduced the need for many administrative positions in hospitals.1,2 This reduction in administrative staffing and the high demand on hospitals has made it difficult to process the paperwork insurers require for prior authorizations (PA), reviews for medical necessity, and retrospective reviews.1,2 Health care associations, particularly those representing physicians and hospitals, have expressed concern regarding the current high demand on healthcare resources.2,3 They have asked health insurers, as well as local and federal governments, to take action and reduce the administrative burden of the current insurance infrastructure.2,3 The American Medical Association (AMA) drafted policy options for states to implement in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.2 The draft policies include prohibiting PAs for COVID-19 testing, all related services, and medication alternatives necessary due to shortages.2 The policies drafted by the AMA also include extending approved PAs for surgeries delayed due to the pandemic and prohibiting PAs for emergency care irrespective of the circumstances.2 The American College of Cardiology issued a letter to insurers expressing their concern over the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. They recommend payers and PA vendors suspend restrictions and barriers on cardiovascular imaging tests and initial cardiac stress tests.3 On March 18, 2020, the federal government passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), requiring health insurance companies to waive cost-sharing charges for FDA-approved COVID-19 testing, including copayments, co-insurances, and deductibles.4 The Act also waives cost-sharing for telehealth services, in-person doctor visits, urgent care visits, and emergency room visits related to COVID-19.4 A few states (Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island7-11) have implemented laws requiring health insurers to waive PA requirements for COVID-19 related emergency room visits, healthcare, and prescriptions.5,6 Most states have instead recommended or encouraged insurers to waive PAs for COVID-19 related medical care.5,6 The regulations passed by individual states have mirrored the FFCRA Act passed by Congress in waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 testing.5,6 Epicenter Response One state choosing to encourage, rather than mandate, that insurers temporarily waive PAs is New York State (NYS). With elective surgeries temporarily cancelled, NYS has issued an industry guidance advising insurers to suspend preauthorization review for scheduled surgeries or admissions at hospitals for 90 days from March 20, 2020 during the state of emergency.1 Hospitals are advised to provide 48 hours notice to insurers after admission, including all necessary information for insurers to assist in coordinating care and discharge planning.1 The guidance also advises insurers to suspend concurrent review for inpatient hospital services for 90 days from March 20, 2020.1 A concurrent review occurs when an insurer receives notice of continued or extended health care or similar service and is provided one business day to collect additional information and make decisions regarding medical necessity and coverage. The guidance also advises insurers to pay claims from in-network hospitals without performing a retrospective review for 90 days from March 20, 2020.1 NYS recommends that their normal window of one month to perform retrospective review be extended to cover the previous 3 months.1 This is important as it temporarily allows hospitals to shift resources spent on administration and billing to healthcare while still allowing insurers to review services for medical necessity and cost. Insurers Respond to the Pandemic Below is a chart summarizing key policy changes major insurance companies have implemented related to PA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Insurer Response5,6 Aetna PA waiver for transfer to acute care facilities PA reinstated May 31, 2020 Home health does not require PA Anthem PA suspended for patient transfers (duration is state- specific) PA suspended for medical equipment critical to COVID- 19 treatment BCBS Response is state-specific PA waiver for transfer to acute facilities in many states Waived PAs for diagnostic tests and refill limits on maintenance meds Cigna PA waiver for transfer to acute care facilities PAs reinstated May 31, 2020 Emblem PA waived for all inpatient admissions PA waived for refill limits on maintenance meds Extended grace period for non-payment of premium PAs reinstated June 18, 2020 Humana PA for services suspended on April 1, 2020 PA reinstated due to decreased demand May 22, 2020 UnitedHealthcare 90-Day extension on all existing approved PAs PA waived for discharges to acute care facilities PA waiver effective March 24, 2020 May 31, 2020. Improved patient access by allowing members to call and speak to a pharmacist. PA: Prior Authorization UnitedHealthcare United Healthcare has responded to guidance issued by states across the country by providing a 90-day extension on all existing approved PAs.12 All COVID-19 discharges to home-based care requiring a respiratory assist device or a ventilator will not require a PA for the device as long as United Healthcare is notified within three months; this also applies to oxygen deliveries.12 Post-acute care settings such as long-term acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and acute inpatient rehabilitation will not require PAs for admission.12 No prior authorizations will be required for diagnostic radiology or imaging of the chest for COVID-19 patients.12 The waiving of these PA requirements was from March 24 through May 31, 2020.12 No longer having to wait for approval, hospitals can now discharge their patients faster.12 UnitedHealthcare has expanded patient access by allowing members to call and speak to a pharmacist to get an early refill on their prescriptions due to the pandemic; normally the availability of this allowance is plan-based.12 UnitedHealthcare will also monitor the availability of medications and shortages and cover alternatives as needed.12 United Healthcare Summary of Waived PAs & Other Waivers (March 24 to May 31, 2020)12 Discharges to home-based care requiring respiratory assist device or ventilator Oxygen deliveries Discharges to post-acute care settings Diagnostic radiology and imaging of the chest for COVID-19 patients Transfers to a new provider Waived cost sharing for COVID-19 in and out of network visits Waived cost sharing for non-COVID-19 visits in-network for fully insured commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid plans Humana Humana also responded by suspending most PA requirements, referrals, and medical record claims review effective April 1, 2020. Initially, Humana did not set an end date for their suspension.13 Like UnitedHealthcare, Humana has extended previously approved PAs by 90 days.13 The suspension covers nearly all PA requirements for participating in-network providers as well as inpatient, outpatient, and referrals for all plans.13 Out-of-network providers and retail pharmacies must still follow prior authorization requirements.13 With many states reopening and lifting the ban on elective procedures, Humana has seen a sustained increase in procedure and admissions volume. Effective May 22, 2020, all PAs, referrals, and medical record claims reviews have been reinstated.13,14 Emblem Health Emblem Health also waived PA and concurrent review for all inpatient admissions.15 In response to the guidance issued by states like New York, Emblem has waived standard PA, concurrent review, retrospective review, and discharge planning services for inpatient hospital and emergency services for 90 days ending on June 18, 2020.15 Cigna Cigna also waived all out of pocket costs for COVID-19 testing and related visits with in-network providers through May 31, 2020.16 PAs will be waived for the transfer of non-COVID-19 patients from acute inpatient hospitals to in-network long term acute care hospitals to help manage the demands of increasingly high volumes of COVID-19 patients being admitted.16 Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBS) has announced that its network of 36 independently-operated BCBS companies will waive PAs for diagnostic tests and covered services for COVID-19, waive prescription refill limits on maintenance medications, and waive cost sharing.17 Each state has responded differently; however, in many states PAs for transfers or admissions to acute or long term care facilities have been waived.17 Fidelis, a Medicaid plan, is also waiving all COVID-19 related PA requirements and member cost sharing for related screening, testing, and treatment.18 Federally Funded Payer Response The federal governments Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which provides funding to individual states and regulates the provision of Medicaid services, has allowed individual states to apply for waivers for leniency.20,21 The federal government had issued waivers to twenty-three states as of March 26, 2020. These waivers provide relief on several fronts PA, provider enrollment requirements, and suspending certain nursing home pre-admission reviews for Medicaid patients. Each state may ask for waivers for what it deems necessary.20 These waivers, unless otherwise specified, are effective retroactively from March 1, 2020 and will terminate upon termination of the public health emergency.20,21 CMS has also issued information on obligations and permissible flexibilities to insurers who provide Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, to take effect once individual Governors declare a state of emergency. The CMS directs these plans to waive PA requirements, waive cost sharing, waive referrals, cover out-of-network services, and make changes to their plan which benefit the enrollee. This would be effective until the end date of the state of emergency, or for 30 days if the Governor does not provide one.22 Other Responses Pharmacy coverage provider Express Scripts has not followed the example set by medical insurance providers, as their standard PA policies still remain in place.19 Instead, Express Scripts has promised to monitor the COVID-19 situation and to update policies if the situation changes.19 OptumRx, on the other hand, has implemented a one-time 90-day extension of all existing PAs set to expire on or before May 1, 2020.23 Time to Catch Up The federal government took the first step in relieving the financial burden of healthcare on individuals and, to a lesser extent, the administrative burden on hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic by waiving cost-sharing.4 However, this was not enough and hospitals struggled to meet high demand.1 Medical associations and hospitals requested state governments and insurers to intervene and help expedite healthcare by waiving PA requirements for the administration of healthcare and for the transfer of patients out of hospitals and to rehab facilities.2,3 Few states have responded by requiring insurers to waive PAs. Instead, states have issued guidance and recommendations for insurers to implement these policies.1,5,6 Most insurers have responded by waiving and extending PAs for approximately 90 days.5,6 As states begin to reopen and hospitals return to normal, insurers have begun to reinstate PA requirements.5,6 Insurance companies will begin retrospectively reviewing paid claims and requesting documents from hospitals. This means that hospitals will have to shift their resources back to administrative functions. Healthcare systems are learning how to manage and return to normal daily functions as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Will your health system be able to keep up with the surge of retrospective claim reviews? Burden on Healthcare PAs are not a new burden for the healthcare system. The pandemic barely eased the high burden that 75% of physicians experience regularly.24 As seen through the variable pandemic response, payers all had different policies and procedures around the waiving of PA requirements. Policymakers, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations made recommendations to ease the challenges of the pandemic, but only some payers listened. Now that states are opening back up, the reimbursement process is back to business as usual. If asked, most stakeholders (physicians, office staff, nurses, pharmacists and patients) would probably agree that their opinion of the pre-certification and PA workflow process is not a positive. The PA process is convoluted on the best of days and a global pandemic did not ease that process. An AMA survey showed that physicians spend 16 hours or more on PA requests each week, taking away time from patient-facing encounters.24 The AMA has been petitioning for changes to the PA processes for years with little meaningful progress for stakeholders nationwide. PAs continue to increase year after year, requiring dedicated staff for short-term mitigation and legislation for long-term resolution. To support reform of the PA process, AMA has launched a grassroots effort targeting healthcare professionals and patients: #FixPriorAuth https://fixpriorauth.org/. As recently as this year, state-level reform has taken effect in Kentucky and Maryland. In Kentucky, physicians must receive responses within twenty-four hours for urgent requests and five days for nonurgent requests; prescriptions for chronic maintenance medications are valid for one year including changes in dosage; insurers must provide resources online about PA processes and services requiring PA; and the authorizers must be physicians in the same specialty as the requesting physician. Additionally, Maryland now requires insurance carriers to honor PA from a previous insurer for the first 30 days of the new plan; dosage changes and PA requests are honored with plan changes; and insurers must notify patients and HCPs of PA changes implemented. These states provide different pictures of reform for the PA process, but both methods can ease the burdens for patients and providers. With bills championed by healthcare professionals such as General Assembly Delegate Terri Hill, MD, a Maryland surgeon, and State Senator Ralph Alvarado, MD, a Kentucky internist and pediatrician, legislative change can reduce the burden of PAs on the healthcare system. Further progress on legislative reform of the prior authorization process is necessary to ensure patients receive appropriate access to the care they and their physicians have determined is best. One way for healthcare professionals and their staff to tackle the complicated prior authorization landscape is to pursue a certification as a Prior Authorization Certified Specialist (PACS) offered by the National Board of Prior Authorization Specialists (NBPAS). Conclusion No one is arguing that the PA should not be used at certain times to ensure appropriate use of healthcare services and medicines. However, a complicated and arbitrary PA scheme imposed upon the healthcare system does not help patients. We should strive for a real time, online and transparent PA mechanism that does not inappropriately delay care for patients. By Robert Popovian & Amanda DeMarzo Robert Popovian, PharmD, MS, is the Vice President, US Government Relations, Pfizer Amanda DeMarzo, PharmD, MBA, is Associate Director, Patient Access, Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs References The federal government has announced that it will be extending its wage subsidy program which has proven instrumental to the continued survival of many households and businesses to companies severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic until at least December. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that this extension would provide greater certainty and support to businesses as we restart the economy. Trudeau said that more details, including eligibility requirements, will be available in the next few days. Data from the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada indicated that the subsidy played a large part in insolvencies recently seeing their largest year-over-year decrease since 1988. The OSBs figures showed that there were 6,111 insolvency filings in May, falling by 8.8% monthly and 51% annually. Joseph Casciotti calls himself an avid barbecue enthusiast who will put just about anything on his smoker. So when the Katy resident started seeing social-media posts around Memorial Day weekend about smoked queso, he was game. Casciotti recently whipped up a batch of smoked queso, making him one of the many who have embraced a cooking trend that is sweeping Texas. In recent months, foodies on Facebook and Instagram have enthusiastically posted comely photos of the suddenly hot dish. So, what is it? Its an easy, anything-goes approach to the Texas-beloved cheese dip that is accomplished on an outdoor smoker or grill. The components of queso cheeses, chiles, tomato- and onion-stoked salsa, and various meats are assembled in a disposable aluminum pan or a cast-iron skillet and set in the toasty confines of a smoker or grill until hot and bubbly. Give it a stir and bring on the tortilla chips. Voila, a pan of gooey, irresistible queso. Sarah Penrod, a Dallas-based chef and cookbook author, isnt sure where the smoked queso trend originated but knows it has had tremendous traction during this spring and summers pandemic home cooking. It felt like something that was already a thing, but it popped up, said Penrod, whom Texans may remember from her turn on Season 10 of Food Networks Food Network Star. I think everyone is looking for something easy to make, especially now. I also think the reason it got popular is because of all those beautiful colors. Plus, everyone is cooking outside, so the timing of it was perfect. Recipe: Basic Smoked Queso Penrod, who writes about food on her Urban Cowgirl website (urbancowgirllife.com), made a video of preparing two versions of smoked queso a good tutorial for those who havent tried it. Like all chile con queso dips, smoked queso is wide open to personal interpretation. You can fine-tune it to your taste. Put in whatevers in your refrigerator, Penrod said. No matter what you put in it, its going to be pretty good. Social-media posts convey all manner of smoked queso ingredients. The traditional American cheese (Velveeta or H-E-Bs Easy Melt) and Ro-Tel merger reigns. But there are plenty of versions using a variety of cheeses and chiles, onions, pico, cilantro and meats including taco meat, chopped brisket, chorizo, fajita meat and pork sausage. The common denominator is placing the ingredients in a pan and then placing it in a smoker or on a grill (the latter could be called grilled queso). The smoker obviously imparts wood flavors, but queso made on the grill without the benefit of wood smoke taste just as good. A tip: Dont set the aluminum pan over the hottest part of the grill. A low-to-medium temperature works fine. Rita Olsen wanted to take a more natural approach to her smoked queso by avoiding processed cheese and canned tomatoes. The San Antonio resident, who is passionate about barbecue, roasted her chiles (poblano and jalapeno) and combined them with grill-sauteed onions and garlic, cream and half-and-half, and a variety of good cheeses including Oaxacan. She let it melt over a live hickory-wood fire and finished it in an offset smoker. Her recent attempts at smoked queso were a hit with her family and friends, she said. Being a San Antonio native, I obviously love queso, said Olsen, who runs a family farm and hopes to turn her love of barbecue into a food business (qthefire.com). Im a little bit of a purist, so when I have the option of using locally sourced fresh ingredients, Im on it. Smoking the cheese dip lends a unique flavor, she said. The flavor profile you get from it is not comparable to cooking inside, she said. Theres an element of involvement that makes it more rewarding. And anything you can cook outside is always going to taste better than on a simmering stove or a crockpot. Casciotti said he enjoyed making the queso because it easily can be tailored. He recently used Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, mild Italian sausage, pico and green chile. Recipe: Smoked Queso The only thing Id do differently next time is use a little cream cheese, the employee of the Harris County fire marshal said. Even when it was hot, it was still pretty thick. I think it needed liquid, milk or cream cheese to make it a little more loose. It tasted awesome. Candace Lillibridge said she had to make smoked queso once she saw it blowing up on social media. Its been showing up on almost every social feed. It was hitting my feeds so much I was thinking of it day and night, the Houston physical therapist said. Lillibridge recently attempted smoked queso, making it on a Weber grill with applewood smoke. She said smoking took it up a notch. In addition to the ease, she appreciated the ability to attractively compose her queso at the outset. Everyone is into charcuterie. Im not that fancy. I said to myself, I feel like this is like queso charcuterie. Because queso is forgiving, Lillibridge said, she appreciates that leftovers can be used assorted cheeses in the refrigerator, leftover barbecue, random vegetables. She threw some leftover restaurant salsa into her smoked queso. Would she make it again? Absolutely, Lillibridge said: Its my new favorite trend. greg.morago@chron.com China: World must stop US push to reinstate Iran sanctions, kill JCPOA Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 9:17 AM China has reaffirmed its firm support for the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and five other world states, calling on the international community to put pressure on the US which left the deal in 2018 to abandon a hostile push to reinstate sanctions against Tehran and deal even more blows to the multilateral accord. Speaking on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the conclusion of the deal, named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Monday hailed the accord as an efficient and successful model of multilateral diplomacy in resolving international issues. "The JCPOA has become a key element of the international nuclear non-proliferation system, an important positive factor in maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and good practice of resolving regional hotspot issues through multilateral approaches," she said. The Chinese official further censured Washington's decision to abandon the JCPOA, along with other international treaties, saying the move was in contravention of Security Council Resolution 2231, which has endorsed the multilateral deal. In May 2018, US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the nuclear deal and re-impose the sanctions that the agreement had lifted. "Such clear violation of the UNSCR 2231 has led to continued tension over the Iranian nuclear issue," Hua said. The Chinese official expressed regret that "the US has, in recent years, been upholding unilateralism, renouncing its international obligations, and withdrawing from treaties and organizations." She also blasted the US for seeking to further undermine the JCPOA by pushing for an extension of UN arms embargo on Iran, which is due to expire in October, and "threatening to activate the rapid reinstatement of sanctions mechanism." Hua said that "preserving and implementing the JCPOA is the right way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," adding that Tehran's "scaling back of compliance is the result of the maximum pressure exerted by the US." She further called on the signatories of the deal to "strengthen dialog and consultation within the framework of the Joint Commission, seek a solution to the compliance dispute in a step-by-step and reciprocal approach, and restore the balance of rights and obligations under the JCPOA." "The parties should support strengthened dialog and cooperation between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran in order to properly resolve the safeguards issue as soon as possible," she said. "At the same time, the international community should jointly oppose the US pushing the Security Council to extend or reinstate sanctions against Iran and urge the US to return to the right track of compliance with the JCPOA and UNSCR," the Chinese official said. "China's unwavering aim is to maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and peace and stability in the Middle East, and to uphold multilateralism, the authority of the UN, and the international order based on international law," Hua said. The Chinese official said Beijing would continue to "work with other parties to the JCPOA to continue advancing the political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. At the same time, we will firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Police in Chile are training dogs to detect people that may be infected with the novel coronavirus by sniffing their sweat. The dogs -- three golden retrievers and a labrador -- are between the ages of four and five. Until now they have been used to sniff out illicit drugs, explosives and lost people, police say. The training program is a joint effort by Chile's national police, the Carabineros, and specialists at the Universidad Catolica de Chile. It follows in the footsteps of similar efforts taking place in France, said Julio Santelices, head of the police school of specialties. Dogs have 330 million olfactory receptors, and an ability to detect smells 50 times better than humans. They can also smell 250 people per hour. "The virus has no smell, but rather the infection generates metabolic changes" which in turn leads to the release of a particular type of sweat "which is what the dog would detect," Fernando Mardones, a Universidad Catolica professor of veterinary epidemiology, told AFP. According to Santelices, tests in Europe and Dubai shown a 95 percent efficiency rate in canine detection of COVID-19 cases. Medical Detection Dogs, a British charity set up in 2008 to harness dogs' sharp sense of smell to detect human diseases, also started training canines to detect COVID-19 in late March. - Four-legged biodetectors - "The importance of this scientific study is that it will allow dogs to become biodetectors, and detect this type of illness at an early stage," Santelices told AFP. Mardones said that there is already evidence that dogs can detect diseases such as tuberculosis, parasite infections, and even early stages of cancer. Canines can detect subtle changes in skin temperature, potentially making them useful in determining if a person has a fever. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the possibility of contagion from a dog is remote. The canine trainees began their education one month ago, and will use sweat samples taken from COVID-19 patients being treated at the Universidad Catolica's clinic. The experts hope to have the dogs trained and working in the field by August. The plan is to deploy them with an officer in pedestrian-heavy areas such as train stations and airports, and at health control stations. Chile on Tuesday reported 1,836 new cases of COVID-19 -- the lowest figure in two months -- bringing the total of cases since March 3 to 319,493. The viral infection has killed more than 11,000 people, according to the most recent Health Ministry official report, which includes "probable" COVID-19 victims. Clifford is one of three Golden Retrievers that the Chilean Police Canine Training team is preparing to sniff out COVID-19 cases The canine trainees began their education one month ago, and will use sweat samples taken from COVID-19 patients being treated at the Universidad Catolica's clinic Officials hope to put Clifford and his fellow trainees to work in pedestrian-heavy areas such as train stations and airports, and at health control stations According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, the possibility of catching the novel coronavirus from a dog is remote Stocks to watch today: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus in Wednesday's trading session based on latest developments. Investors are also awaiting April-June quarter earnings that are scheduled to be released today. Companies set to announce their earnings are Infosys, Bandhan Bank, Federal Bank, and L&T Infotech. Share Market LIVE: Sensex rises 280 points, Nifty at 10,700; Infosys Q1, RIL-AGM in focus Reliance Industries (RIL): Company will hold its annual general meeting today YES Bank: Lender's Rs 15,000 crore further public offering will open for three days from July 15. Wipro: IT company's net profit for the quarter ended June rose by a mere 0.11% from a year ago. Its services revenue at Rs 14,595.6 crore versus Rs 15,296 crore, EBIT margin at 19.1 percent versus 17.6 percent QoQ. Bharti Airtel: The telecom operator announced the launch of a video conferencing solution with Verizon Century Textiles: Company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 36.36 crore for June quarter 2020-21as against a net profit of Rs 69.35 crore in April-June 2019-20. Lupin: Company has shut one of its manufacturing plants in Gujarat after at least 17 employees at the site tested positive for COVID-19 Delta Corp: Company reported a loss at Rs 28.24 crore in Q1 FY21 as against profit of Rs 42.48 crore in a year ago period. Company's revenue came in at Rs 48.34 crore versus Rs 186.51 crore YoY. Motherson Sumi Systems: Company said Moody's Investors Service has rated Ba1 corporate family rating (CFR) and revised Outlook to negative from "rating under review". India Ratings has also revised outlook on term loan to Negative from Rating Watch Negative and retained AAA rating. Earnings Today: Infosys, Bandhan Bank, Federal Bank, and L&T Infotech among others will report Q1 earnings today Mandate Trade Union has called for compulsory face coverings for customers in shops and supermarkets to protect retail workers from the dangers of contracting COVID19. John Douglas, Mandate General Secretary, today called on the government to engage with the union to discuss and agree protocols for the implementation of the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops and supermarkets. Mr Douglas said, Decisions to protect the lives of retail workers must be taken without unnecessary delay and following direct consultation with the workers representative union, Mandate. Yesterday the UK Health Minister announced mandatory measures from 24th July to protect shop workers who he worryingly said, can be up to 75% more likely to die from coronavirus than the general population. Douglas continued, Therefore it is imperative we act collectively to ascertain the exact high level of risk posed to shop workers in Ireland by the spread of coronavirus, as well as acting swiftly to ensure mandatory face covering measures are implemented and compliance ensured for the protection of shop workers health. Mandate is calling for an agreed protocol in consultation with government for the mandatory wearing of face coverings. Mr Douglas said, Any agreed measures should look at the inclusion of exemptions for health reasons, non-requirement circumstances such as working behind screens and what, if any, punitive measures are to be applied to non-compliance. We are very clear that workers must be free from forcing public compliance on the wearing of face coverings and that employers must put in place measures to protect staff against abusive behaviour in that regard. Any mandatory face coverings in shops and supermarkets must be part of a suite of measures intended to protect shop workers lives for the foreseeable future. Mr Douglas concluded, The wearing of face coverings is not a substitute for alcohol based hand washing and the continuing enforcement of social distancing measures. Rather, the wearing of face masks in shops and supermarkets will be an added protective measure taken to ensure we can keep retail workers as safe as possible. "Wearing face coverings in shops and supermarkets should be seen as a reasonable mitigation against the unprecedented risk posed by the Coronavirus to those brave front line workers. Aishia Lankford, the mother of missing 10-year-old Breasia Terrell, visited Henry Earl Dinkins while he sat in a Scott County jail cell Tuesday. The meeting was the latest development in the search for Breasia, who has not been seen for five days. Just hours later Tuesday, Davenport Police named Dinkins a person of interest in the young girls disappearance, and asked the public to call them if they had any information about three vehicles. Davenport Police investigators believe Breasias last known whereabouts were in the 2700 block of East 53rd Street late last Thursday or early last Friday in the company of Dinkins. It is believed he was staying at an address on that block. Dinkins, 47, was charged Friday with a felony sex offender registration violation. Lankford confirmed Dinkins asked for the meeting earlier this week. Dinkins is the father of her youngest son and she had a relationship with him about eight years ago," she said. I was with (Dinkins) and then I found out about him. He was weird. And then he went to prison, Lankford said Tuesday. There have been a lot of rumors and a lot of things said on social media. Breasia was with her brother. And he was visiting his father. I never imagined I would be here talking about this. Lankford said she turned down Dinkins' first request to speak. Then she reconsidered. I figured it might help the police. I believe he knows something about what is happening with my daughter, Lankford said. I think my daughter is alive. And I think its just a matter of time before Dinkins is ready to crack and tell what he knows. Thats what I honestly believe. Lankford said Dinkins claimed his innocence and asked her, Why did you drag me into this? There is not much more I want to say about what I saw and heard while I was there, Lankford said. I just hope he will speak with the police and somehow we can find my daughter. It is not clear if Dinkins is receiving legal advice at this time. Russell Dircks, the court-appointed attorney representing Henry Earl Dinkins, was the first person to say Dinkins was a person of interest in the case. In a court motion he asked to be removed from the case, noting his wife is a teacher and worked with Breasia and her family. A judge has not ruled on the motion. According to the Davenport police, officers executed a search warrant Friday at an apartment at 2744 East 53rd Street in connection with a missing person investigation. The missing person was not named. The sex offender registry listed Dinkins address as 743 Schmidt Road in Davenport, but detectives found his ID, clothing and other personal property in the apartment, according to a court affidavit. Dinkins was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse in 1990 and police said he failed to register the location of his residence with the Scott County Sheriffs Office within five days as required. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Opposition activists in Hong Kong on Wednesday vowed to keep up the political fight against a draconian security law imposed on the city by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which they blamed for Washington's revoking of the city's special status. The group of mostly young activists were among the winners of the democratic primaries that saw more than 600,000 people turn out to vote last weekend in spite of official warnings that it could be in breach of the new law. Would-be candidate Lester Shum, a former student leader in the 2014 pro-democracy movement, called on the entire pro-democracy camp, including lawmakers and activists, to stand together in this election campaign. "I hope that the whole democratic camp will unite and meet the expectations of voters," Shum told RFA. "In the fight against totalitarianism, we will fight side-by-side, and stand or fall together." "Now that the results of [the primaries] are out, we hope that we will be able to put our differences aside," he said. Many of the candidates who won in the primaries are younger activists, and the group of 16 who spoke to journalists on Wednesday are calling themselves the "pro-protest faction." But their eventual candidacy in the elections is far from certain. Election officials have already disqualified a number of prominent former protest leaders, saying their political views were in breach of the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. Now, the national security law has provided the government with another set of criteria with which to target opposition activists for disqualification and possible prosecution. Hong Kong and Chinese officials have issued a string of statements in recent days saying the primaries, the goal of which is to seek candidates to ensure more than 35 seats in September's Legislative Council (LegCo) elections, are illegal. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of China's cabinet, the State Council, said the unofficial poll was a "flagrant challenge" to the law, accusing pro-democracy politicians of colluding with foreign forces to overthrow the Hong Kong government. And there are other, less obvious dangers to life as an opposition activist in Hong Kong. Pro-democracy campaigner steps down Prominent pro-democracy politician Au Nok-hin, who served in LegCo before being unseated in a by-election, announced on Wednesday he would be stepping down from the opposition campaign. Au had been one of the coordinators of the primaries, but said in a statement on Facebook that he has resigned from his duties following the statement from HKMAO. "I hereby withdraw 35+ primary election duties immediately due to the accusation from the Liaison Office and Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office recently," Au wrote, adding that recent official statements were "creating risk of personal safety." "Withdrawal is the only choice [I have, if I am to] protect myself and others," he said. Executive councilor Ronny Tong refused to be drawn on Wednesday when asked about the consequences for those who had taken part in the primaries. "It is up to the courts to decide whether or not the law has been broken, but at present I can only say that for the time being, there is no real evidence for all elements that [the primaries did indeed] violate the national security law," Tong said. The most important thing is whether there has been force or coercion or illegal methods used," he said. "Maybe someone campaigning for LegCo on a platform of opposing certain bills doesn't constitute illegal behavior in itself." But he backed down from his comments later in the day, saying that Hong Kong still enjoys "freedom and the rule of law," and that his opinions couldn't replace a court decision. 'Stop talking nonsense' Primary winner Fergus Leung, who is among the 16-strong "pro-protest" faction, called on Beijing to make public evidence of the sorts of charges that could be brought against participants in the primaries. "If the government has any substantial evidence, we hope it will lay it out showing how the organizers, the candidates, or the voting public who took part in the primaries broke the law, and which provisions of those laws," Leung said. "I call on them either to start enforcing it immediately, or to stop talking nonsense," he said. Meanwhile, police arrested Democratic Party vice-chairman Lo Kin-hei on Wednesday morning on charges of "unlawful assembly" in relation to the siege of the Polytechnic University (PolyU) on Nov. 18, 2019, government broadcaster RTHK reported. Lo, who was arrested during a mass arrest of local people more than 500 meters away from the PolyU campus, has been released on bail and will appear in court in August. The Democratic Party said the arrest was politically motivated and that the charges against him were "groundless," the report said. Reported by Man Hoi-tsan for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Oh, Republicans and voter fraud. The partys self-serving obsession with excluding specific Americans from the countrys democratic system because someone, somewhere out there might get the bright idea to commit a crime has always been a political boogeyman. But every once in a while, with no sense of irony, some power-hungry, rules-averse Republican politician goes and proves them right! This time we have first-term GOP Rep. Steve Watkins of Kansas, who, on Tuesday, was charged with three felonies related to Watkins pretty iffy looking voter registration on which he stated his home address was a Topeka UPS store. The Watkins campaign said it was a mistake, but the district attorney disagreed, charging the congressman with multiple felonies for voting without being qualified, unlawful advance voting, providing false information, and interference with law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins backstory is hazy, which raised a number of eyebrows during his first run for office in 2018 when he won a crowded Republican primary with 26 percent of the vote. Until then, Watkins was a longtime resident of Alaska before appearing to carpetbag into Kansas to run for office. Watkins does have family connections to the state; he left Kansas after high school, and after 20 years elsewhere, Watkins said the state was always home in my heart. Watkins other home was Alaska, where he owns two condos, purchased in 2005 and 2015, and, according to the Anchorage Daily News, where he applied 11 times between 2002 and 2015 for the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend, a payment to those who have lived in the state for a full year and say they intend to remain indefinitely. The Kansas residence on his 2018 voter registration that allowed him to successfully run for Congress was rented. Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Watkins out-of-thin-air candidacy in 2018 was funded largely by a political action committee set up by his father and by his own personal money, a setup that contributed more than $1 million to the election effort and is now facing Federal Election Commission scrutiny. Watkins, it seems, has always relied on, shall we say, the bright side of the truth. Yes, he was a veteran, but then he spent many more years as a military contractor. On the campaign trail, Watkins said he started and grew his own business, a defense contracting company, but it turned out that he just worked for one. He climbed mountains and competed in races, but there was always an element of bluster in the retelling. Advertisement The Watkins haze continued once in office. In late 2019, after having already eked out a narrow win to become a U.S. congressman, Watkins changed his voter registration ahead of a Topeka municipal election that November. His new voter registration listed a building that housed a UPS store as his home address, shifting his vote into a different city council district that would later be decided by just 13 votes. That seems like a lot of potential fraud for one city council election that he wasnt even involved in. Watkins had changed his residence in August, applied for a mail-in ballot in October, and then voted early ahead of the November race, before later changing his home address to a Topeka rental apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Topeka Capital-Journal perhaps summed up Watkins residential life best in a December investigation into the issue, concluding: It isnt clear where the congressman physically resided in Kansas after August nor what Topeka precinct he was legally qualified to be part of when voting in November. Thats not really a great sign, of anything really. Why all the housing shenanigans then? Heres the best potential answer, if not the correct one, from the Kansas City Star, which reports that some in the state believe that Watkins was living with parents at the time, but used the UPS address to obscure that fact. NEWSAR assist with rescue operation near Llangollen after man fell down a rocky slope This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 15th, 2020 A rescue operation was carried out near Llangollen yesterday after a man fell down a rocky slope. Members from the North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) were called to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service with the incident, which took place in steep woodland above the A5, near Llangollen. NEWSAR say that the man required stretcher evacuation, with a rope system used to haul the casualty back up. A spokesperson for the organisation, said: Working with North Wales Police our vehicles were used to temporarily close the A5 during the haul of the stretcher back up to safe ground, as there was a significant danger of dislodging rocks and loose timber onto the the carriageway from the much steeper lower part of the slope. Pictures: NEWSAR Emirates will deploy its iconic A380 on its daily Amsterdam service, and add a second daily A380 service to London Heathrow starting from August 1. This announcement follows the Emirates A380's return to the skies today with EK001 to London Heathrow taking off from Dubai International airport at 0745hrs, and EK073 at 0820hrs, carrying commercial passengers onboard this flagship aircraft for the first time since March. Emirates flight EK073 will receive a special welcome on arrival at Paris Charles De Gaulle, as it becomes the first and only scheduled A380 flight to operate at this major European airport since the pandemic began. Throughout the day, Emirates will also mark the restart of scheduled passenger services to seven more cities - Athens, Barcelona, Geneva, Glasgow, Larnaca, Munich, and Rome offering its customers more travel options. Over the next two days, the airline will resume flights to Male (July 16), Washington DC (July 16), and Brussels (July 17). Emirates currently serves over 50 destinations in its network, facilitating travel between the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific through a convenient connection in Dubai for customers across the world. Premium customers can enjoy Emirates' Chauffeur Drive service and relax in its Lounge facility at Dubai International airport, with the restart of these signature services after a full health and safety review. Emirates has also re-opened its dedicated Emirates Skywards counters at Dubai International airport to serve its frequent flyers. - TradeArabia News Service Bodycam Shows Armed Man Running at Michigan Deputy Before Being Shot Body-camera and surveillance footage released by the Eaton County Sheriffs Office in Michigan appeared to show a suspect running at a deputy before he was shot. The body-camera footage showed the suspect getting very close to the deputy before trying to grab her. She then opened fire as the suspect dropped his knife before he tried to pick it up again. At one point, it appears her gun jammed before she fired again as the suspect attempted to grab the weapon from the ground. Officials told local media that the deputy, who worked in the sheriffs office for 23 years, feared for her life during the encounter. She wasnt injured. (It is) very unfortunate that she had to use her weapon, but she saved her life, Sheriff Tom Reiche told ClickonDetroit. Thats the most important thing here. He said the suspect, Sean Ruis, appeared to be carrying three weapons as he approached the deputy. He had one screwdriver in his left hand and two knives in his right hand, the sheriff said. Authorities said Ruis had fled the scene of a prior stabbing that occurred at a Quality Dairy store in Dimondale about an hour before. He is accused of stabbing a 77-year-old man during an argument after Ruis refused to wear a mask inside the store. Our thoughts and prayers are for the full recovery of the victim who was stabbed at the Quality Dairy and for his family, and are with our Deputy who was subsequently violently attacked, Sheriff Reich said in a press release. They are also with the family of Mr. Ruis who was killed in this senseless, tragic incident. The video can be viewed below (Warning: Graphic): In this illustration, NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter stands on the Red Planet's surface as NASA's Perseverance rover (partially visible on the left) rolls away. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech When NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida later this summer, an innovative experiment will ride along: the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Ingenuity may weigh only about 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms), but it has some outsize ambitions. "The Wright Brothers showed that powered flight in Earth's atmosphere was possible, using an experimental aircraft," said Havard Grip, Ingenuity's chief pilot at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "With Ingenuity, we're trying to do the same for Mars." Here are six things you should know about the first helicopter going to another planet: 1. Ingenuity is a flight test Ingenuity is what is known as a technology demonstrationa project that seeks to test a new capability for the first time, with limited scope. Previous groundbreaking technology demonstrations include the Mars Pathfinder rover Sojourner and the tiny Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats that flew by Mars in 2018. Ingenuity features four specially made carbon-fiber blades, arranged into two rotors that spin in opposite directions at around 2,400 rpmmany times faster than a passenger helicopter on Earth. It also has innovative solar cells, batteries, and other components. Ingenuity doesn't carry science instruments and is a separate experiment from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. An artist's concept of NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter flying through the Red Planet's skies. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech 2. Ingenuity will be the first aircraft to attempt controlled flight on another planet What makes it hard for a helicopter to fly on Mars? For one thing, Mars' thin atmosphere makes it difficult to achieve enough lift. Because the Mars atmosphere is 99% less dense than Earth's, Ingenuity has to be light, with rotor blades that are much larger and spin much faster than what would be required for a helicopter of Ingenuity's mass on Earth. It can also be bone-chillingly cold at Jezero Crater, where Perseverance will land with Ingenuity attached to its belly in February 2021. Nights there dip down to minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 90 degrees Celsius). While Ingenuity's team on Earth has tested the helicopter at Martian temperatures and believes it should work on Mars as intended, the cold will push the design limits of many of Ingenuity's parts. In addition, flight controllers at JPL won't be able to control the helicopter with a joystick. Communication delays are an inherent part of working with spacecraft across interplanetary distances. Commands will need to be sent well in advance, with engineering data coming back from the spacecraft long after each flight takes place. In the meantime, Ingenuity will have a lot of autonomy to make its own decisions about how to fly to a waypoint and keep itself warm. 3. Ingenuity is a fitting name for a robot that is the result of extreme creativity NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter will make history's first attempt at powered flight on another planet next spring. It is riding with the agency's next mission to Mars (the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover) as it launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station later this summer. Perseverance, with Ingenuity attached to its belly, will land on Mars February 18, 2021. High school student Vaneeza Rupani of Northport, Alabama, originally submitted the name Ingenuity for the Mars 2020 rover, before it was named Perseverance, but NASA officials recognized the submission as a terrific name for the helicopter, given how much creative thinking the team employed to get the mission off the ground. "The ingenuity and brilliance of people working hard to overcome the challenges of interplanetary travel are what allow us all to experience the wonders of space exploration," Rupani wrote. "Ingenuity is what allows people to accomplish amazing things." 4. Ingenuity has already demonstrated feats of engineering In careful steps from 2014 to 2019, engineers at JPL demonstrated that it was possible to build an aircraft that was lightweight, able to generate enough lift in Mars' thin atmosphere, and capable of surviving in a Mars-like environment. They tested progressively more advanced models in special space simulators at JPL. In January 2019, the actual helicopter that is riding with Perseverance to the Red Planet passed its final flight evaluation. Failing any one of these milestones would've grounded the experiment. 5. The Ingenuity team will count success one step at a time In February 2021, NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter (shown in an artist's concept) will be the agency's two newest explorers on Mars. Both were named by students as part of an essay contest. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Given the firsts Ingenuity is trying to accomplish, the team has a long list of milestones they'll need to pass before the helicopter can take off and land in the spring of 2021. The team will celebrate each time they meet one. The milestones include: Surviving the launch from Cape Canaveral, the cruise to Mars, and landing on the Red Planet Safely deploying to the surface from Perseverance's belly Autonomously keeping warm through the intensely cold Martian nights Autonomously charging itself with its solar panel Ingenuity is intended to demonstrate technologies needed for flying in the Martian atmosphere. If successful, these technologies could enable other advanced robotic flying vehicles that might be included in future robotic and human missions to Mars. They could offer a unique viewpoint not provided by current orbiters high overhead or by rovers and landers on the ground, provide high-definition images and reconnaissance for robots or humans, and enable access to terrain that is difficult for rovers to reach. "The Ingenuity team has done everything to test the helicopter on Earth, and we are looking forward to flying our experiment in the real environment at Mars," said MiMi Aung, Ingenuity's project manager at JPL. "We'll be learning all along the way, and it will be the ultimate reward for our team to be able to add another dimension to the way we explore other worlds in the future." Explore further Alabama student names NASA's first Mars helicopter More information: For more information, see For more information, see mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter Violet PR hosts webinar on diversity, featuring prominent creative director and diversity expert, Shena Patel. (Courtesy of Violet PR.) It is my belief that diversity and inclusion must authentically exist at the core of an organizations value system in order for true change to happen, said Shena Patel, creative director at Shena Patel Creative. How can company leaders authentically incorporate diversity and inclusion into their culture, mission and brand? Violet PR, a boutique, New Jersey-based public relations firm, will be exploring this topic as it conducts the webinar, PR in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo and Trump, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, from 4-5 p.m. EDT. The virtual session will be a Q&A format moderated by Violet PR President, April Mason, featuring creative director and diversity expert, Shena Patel. Many organizations including those in the predominantly white male-led real estate, economic development, and architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) industries are grappling with diversity challenges. The July 22 session will identify best practices for achieving an authentically diverse and inclusive culture. It is my belief that diversity and inclusion must authentically exist at the core of an organizations value system in order for true change to happen, said Patel, who has built diverse creative teams for agencies as well as brands such as Chicos and Bed Bath & Beyond. We must make it a priority to have honest conversations about racial unrest and our own inherent biases, create environments in which equality thrives, and make heightened efforts to understand and shift the nuanced cultural and political climate we currently live in. Born in London to parents from India, Patel moved to New York City as a child. With a bachelors degree from McGill University in Montreal and a masters degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, she has studied, traveled and lived around the world. During these rapidly changing times, its critical that organizations recognize appropriate ways to communicate about diversity and inclusion, while seeking to become more diverse themselves, said Mason. Particularly because the fields we work in are predominantly white-led, Im thrilled that Shena is available to talk openly with business leaders and communications experts. No question will be considered off limits during our interactive webinar. The upcoming session will also explore ways to amplify an organizations voice in a way that is authentically supportive and inclusive. It will also discuss ways business leaders can avoid sounding tone deaf when talking about race, gender and privilege. Violet PRs Mason boasts over two decades of experience developing public relations campaigns for clients large and small. An expert in economic and real estate development, Mason seeks to represent underserved destinations and demographic sectors and actively partners with women- and minority-owned businesses. She was named one of New Jerseys Top 50 Women in Business in 2020 by NJBIZ. Please note that the webinar is free, but the limited number of spaces will be prioritized for executives and communications professionals in the economic development, real estate and AEC industries. To register, visit: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7897286655064498191. About Violet PR Whether it is rebranding a city, drawing attention to a revitalized neighborhood, or promoting a new sustainable development, Violet PR helps clients make a difference. Through a combination of news stories, social media and compelling content, our New Jersey-based boutique public relations firm helps clients attract more dollars and supporters. Follow Violet PR on Twitter: @Violet__PR. For more information, visit: http://www.violetpr.com. What just happened? Lenovo has unveiled a workstation that boasts an impressive feature: its the worlds first, and only, professional workstation powered by the new Threadripper Pro chip. The CPU offers a massive 64 cores/128 threads and can boost to 4.0 GHz. It also comes with 8-channel memory support, allowing buyers to add up to 1 TB of DDR4. AMD is using the ThinkStation P620 to reveal its new 3995WX processor, which is the first Threadripper to carry the Pro branding. The workstation is based on the BXB-B chipset, offering PCIe Gen 4 support and 128 PCIe lanes. AMDs Pro line comes with a number of features, most of which are focused on security. These include Memory Guard for real-time encryption of system memory, an on-chip security processor, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. The 3995WX is the flagship in the Threadripper Pro line. It features a 2.7 GHz base/4.2 GHz boost, 288MB total cache, and a 280W TDP. Lenovo notes that this is currently the only PCIe 4.0 workstation and is positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to dual-socket systems such as its P720 machines. Storage-wise, it can be specced with up to 4TB of M.2 PCIe SSD and up to 16TB of 3.5-inch SATA 7,200rpm drives. Graphics are provided by up to two Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 or four Quadro RTX 4000 cards, allowing support for multiple simultaneous displays. Theres plenty of connectivity, too, with four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, two PS/2, 10-gigabit Ethernet, and several audio ports on the rear. At the front, theres pair of USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm jack. Not surprisingly, all this power comes at a cost. The ThinkStation P620 will start at $4,599 when it launches in September. Photo credit: Victor Boyko - Getty Images From Harper's BAZAAR Dior has announced a partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which will help to support disadvantaged, young, female students. The programme is an extension of the Women@Dior mentorship initiative, which has already helped over 1,000 young students by pairing them with Dior employees who took on the role of mentors. Dior is now joining UNESCO's Global Education Coalition, which will give 100 young female students from Niger, Ghana, Tanzania, Jamaica, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka the opportunity to an education focused on inclusion. Each student will receive a mentorship from a Dior employee, a 10-month online educational programme and they will then be invited to take part in a local project which focuses on empowering young girls, through the Dream For Change initiative. "Out of education comes freedom," Diors creative director of womenswear Maria Grazia Chiuri said. "For me, it seems essential to help young girls develop their self-confidence: the confidence to dare, to be independent and to do things. This initiative is more essential than ever in order to create the world of tomorrow." In need of some at-home inspiration? Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for skincare and self-care, the latest cultural hits to read and download, and the little luxuries that make staying in so much more satisfying. SIGN UP You Might Also Like Jaipur: All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and party in-charge for Rajasthan Avinash Pande dissolved all cells and departments of the state party unit. Taking to Twitter, Pandey announced the decision late on Tuesday night. "The state executive, all departments and cells of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee have been dissolved with immediate effect. With the appointment of the new president of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress, new state executive, departments and cells will be formed," Pande tweeted in Hindi. In another tweet, he said that no congressmen will communicate with the media without the permission of newly appointed Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara. "No Congressman will communicate with the media without the permission of the State Congress President Shri Govind Singh Dotasara Ji," he said in the tweet. The State Cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings at the residence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot concluded. In the cabinet meeting, a proposal to be sent to the Centre to designate Eastern Rajasthan Canal Projects a national project was approved. It was also decided to establish 'One Stop Shop' system in the State for quick approval to proposals of investment over Rs 10 Crore. Govind Singh Dotasra has been appointed as the new PCC chief after Sachin Pilot was removed as the State's deputy chief minister on Tuesday. His two loyalists were also removed from the Cabinet. The decision was taken after a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan on Tuesday. Congress leaders Qazi Nizamuddin, Joginder Singh Awana, Shafia Zubair, Mahendra Choudhary, Neeraj Dangi, Hakam Ali and Manisha Panwar were seen at Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur. Congress MLAs of the state have been staying here since Monday when they were brought here after CLP meet. The Rajasthan Congress is in turmoil over the past few days. Gehlot has blamed the BJP for attempting to destabilise the state government by poaching MLAs. The Congress government in the state is facing a political crisis after simmering differences between Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in the open. A controversy broke out in Rajasthan after Special Operation Group (SOG) sent a notice to Pilot to record his statement in the case registered by SOG in the alleged poaching of Congress MLAs in the state. Inside Hook As COVID-19 cases continue to spike across the U.S. after a slight downturn, one of the first battles fought over lockdown orders is flaring up once again. Unsurprisingly, it has to do with Elon Musk and Tesla. According to CBS San Francisco, an industry blog reported that more than a hundred employees have tested positive for coronavirus and more than a thousand have been exposed at the electric vehicle companys factory in Fremont, California. The revelations are inspiring workers to speak out about their experiences at the reopened plant. Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.coms free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m. Weather It's another day of clear skies in the Cleveland area and it will be quite warm ... highs will flirt with 90 degrees. It will remain clear overnight and lows will be around 70. Read more. The headlines Mask complaints: More than 80% of the 555 complaints filed during the inaugural weekend of Cuyahoga Countys mask-violation hotline targeted customers or employees at businesses, including shopping malls and gambling establishments. Courtney Astolfi reports that Ohio Citys TownHall restaurant was the subject of seven complaints, the most among the more than 450 business-related reports received between Friday and Monday. She has the full list. Monitor report: Instead of firing a Cleveland police officer whose lies kept a man falsely imprisoned for eight months, former Cleveland Safety Director Michael McGrath suspended him 30 days. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams recommended officer Steven Fedorkos firing. Instead, McGrath ignored racist messages found on the officers phone and issued his decision. Four months after the false arrest, Fedorko shot and killed a man. Adam Ferrise reports on case, in a blistering report examining leniency in disciplinary actions. Subtext: Cleveland.com has started a new, free Subtext account to send coronavirus updates. Every day, well send updates about the virus -- confirmed cases, major cancellations, relevant scientific information and more. You can even text us back. Go to https://joinsubtext.com/ohiocoronavirus and enter your phone number. Or send a text to 216-279-7784. Did we mention its free? This Week in the CLE: Were talking about the idea of snitching on businesses and neighbors through Cuyahoga Countys mask hotline on This Week in the CLE, cleveland.coms daily half-hour news podcast. Reform efforts: A commission designed to act as a voice of the community to Cleveland police has sputtered, falling victim to apparent struggles with the city and the department over its role, according to filings this week in U.S. District Court. John Caniglia reports the federal monitor overseeing the process to reform the police department said in documents that the city and department have consistently raised barriers to information, data and feedback'' to the Community Policing Commission. New numbers: The Ohio Department of Health reported 1,142 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases Tuesday, pushing totals to at least 67,995 cases. The number of confirmed and probable reported deaths Tuesday increased five to 3,069, Laura Hancock reports. Cleveland numbers: Mayor Frank Jacksons administration announced Tuesday that 58 more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Cleveland. The citys total caseload, including probable cases identified by the Cleveland Department of Public Health, is now approaching 3,800, Robert Higgs reports. Earlier this month, Gov. Mike DeWine rolled out a new heat map meant to communicate the presence of coronavirus on a county-by-county level. (Ohio Governor's Office) Color-coded alert: What will change if Cuyahoga County veers into the highest alert under Gov. Mike DeWines color-coded coronavirus warning system? In counties in purple, or Level 4, people are advised to limit themselves to necessary travel and only leave home for supplies and services. None of the guidance for red and purple counties is mandatory, except that residents under either alert status are required to wear masks in restaurants, stores, and other public spaces. A DeWine spokesman told Jeremy Pelzer that its up to Ohioans to use their own judgment. DeWine briefing: Gov. Mike DeWine, who didnt hold his expected coronavirus update on Tuesday, announced he will address Ohioans about the current state of the pandemic at 5:30 p.m. today, Laura Hancock reports. Cleveland complaints: Mass gatherings and a lack of social distancing are the most frequent complaint calls made to the Cleveland Department of Public Health over coronavirus safety guidelines, reports Robert Higgs. More than 1,830 complaints were filed with the Health Department between March 20 and Sunday about individuals and businesses not following those guidelines. Mayor Frank Jackson said Tuesday the citys requirement that people wear masks in public must be done to try and check spiking numbers of coronavirus cases. (cleveland.com file photo) Coronavirus plan: Mayor Frank Jackson says the city has a strategy for tackling the rise in coronavirus cases, particular among people 20 to 29 the fastest growing age group for coronavirus infections. In addition to requiring masks to slow spread of the virus, the city also will seek to promote social distancing by limiting the number of people who can be in a business at one time to one-half its occupancy limit, Robert Higgs reports. County mandate tabled: Cuyahoga County Council on Tuesday announced it was indefinitely tabling proposed legislation that would require face masks to be worn in most public places to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Courtney Astolfi reports that a statement from county Executive Armond Budish said it was important that residents not be confused, since the state has already mandated masks in red-alert counties, including Cuyahoga. Quarantine list: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will require travelers from Ohio to quarantine upon arrival, a result of the recent spike in coronavirus cases here. Seth Richardson reports visitors from Ohio and 21 other states with recent increases in cases will be required to quarantine for 14 days after arrival. New Jersey and Connecticut require self-quarantine, while New York will impose a fine and possible mandatory quarantine on anyone who skirts the new rules. Pop-up testing: The Cuyahoga County Board of Health works with trusted community organizations and looks at where cases are spiking when setting up pop-up testing sites. Conor Morris reports those locations include homeless shelters, nursing homes and other congregant-living facilities. Coronavirus stress: Almost four months into the COVID-19 pandemic, its no surprise that so many people are stressed, exhausted and sad. People who may have a harder time dealing with stress from the pandemic include young people, those at higher risk for getting COVID-19, health care workers, people dealing with substance abuse, those who are disabled or socially isolated, the homeless, and people of color. Julie Washington reports on what you can do to deal with stress. Cleveland schools: Cleveland schools will offer online, in-person and hybrid options for students, but the current threat level in Cuyahoga County will play a factor in reopening plans. Emily Bamforth reports that the district will finalize its reopening plans on July 24. Policing course: Cuyahoga County could team up with Cuyahoga Community College to provide countywide police officer training focused on de-escalation, protests, bias-free policing, and building trust with the community, Courtney Astolfi reports. Park-N-Ride: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authoritys Park-N-Ride commuter routes and some downtown trolley service will resume in early August, following a months-long shutdown due to the coronavirus. All three Park-N-Ride routes will return to service on Monday, Aug. 10, and will operate every 30 minutes, Courtney Astolfi reports. Uninsured: The new study from Families USA says that 5.4 million laid-off workers became uninsured between February and May, a number significantly higher than the prior record of 3.9 million set between 2008 and 2009. Sabrina Eaton reports that an estimated 139,000 workers in Ohio lost their insurance during that period, bringing the states uninsured rate up to 11%. Settlement: The owners and operators of a now-defunct Warehouse District bar and the building that housed it have agreed to pay a combined $22 million to the family of a woman who suffered permanent, catastrophic brain injuries after she fell from the bars second floor on St. Patricks Day in 2017. Cory Shaffer reports the agreement settled a lawsuit that Megan Keefes family filed against Spirits Bar on West Sixth Street, the buildings owner, WD Downtown, and the property manager, Dalad Realty. Projects funding: Legislation authorizing $555 million in new bonds for school construction and other public works projects was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday, Jeremy Pelzer reports. In addition, the bill allows local governments and hospitals to purchase personal protective equipment during the coronavirus emergency without first launching a competitive bidding process. OSU airport: The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments about whether Ohio State Universitys airport northwest of campus should continue to remain exempt from local property taxes. Jeremy Pelzer reports that if successful, the suit could force the states largest university to pay a significant amount to schools in Dublin, already one of the wealthiest cities in the state. Comet NEOWISE (officially known as C/2020 F3) hangs in the sky as seen from Frohring Meadows near Chagrin Falls on Monday night. (David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com) Comet Neowise: In case youve missed it, theres a pretty bright comet visible in the sky just after sunset for at least the next couple of weeks. Comet Neowise recently made its pass around the sun and is heading back out to space, and can be seen in the northwest sky. David Petkiewicz has photos of the comet, and tips on how to see it and photograph it yourself. Dr. Acton Day: A new bill in the Ohio House would designate Feb. 26 as Dr. Amy Acton Day in a tribute to her leadership during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Laura Hancock reports House Bill 724 is sponsored by Democratic Reps. Kent Smith of Euclid and Mary Lightbody of Westerville, outside Columbus. Confucius: U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez on Tuesday joined a growing number of legislators who are questioning the wisdom of Confucius Institutes at American universities that critics decry as propaganda outfits. Sabrina Eaton reports that a report released last year by an investigative subcommittee chaired by Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman found the Chinese government controls nearly every aspect of their operations in U.S. schools. WEWS: Chicago native Courtney Gousman will be the new anchor for WEWS Channel 5 for its 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. Joey Morona reports Gousman is coming over from her hometown, where she is an anchor and reporter on WGNs morning show. Prior to that, she worked as the main evening anchor on KSDK in St. Louis. Travel agencies: Local travel agents report that most of their work these days is spent canceling and rebooking trips work for which they get paid little or nothing. But despite a spring survey that found that 77% of travel agents across the country predicted they would be out of business within six months, local agents are looking forward to better days ahead, reports Susan Glaser. Downtown restaurants: Downtown Clevelands dining scene faces a world of obstacles as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Restaurants and bars cant draw patrons from local office buildings and large events, and tourism of all kinds has dropped. But Anne Nickoloff reports that work to promote the area is paying off, and downtown Cleveland business has slowly increased over the last month. State secrets: Cleveland.coms sister site, CN Traveler, asked one person from each state in the United States to each spill the beans on the best-kept secret about their home state. Put-in-Bay: Several dozen employees on Put-in-Bay have tested positive for coronavirus, the result of widespread testing on the island last week. Susan Glaser reports Ottawa County Health Commissioner Jerry Bingham was relieved by the results. We can manage this, he said. We had anticipated larger numbers. Other headlines Judge calls critical report about Cleveland police discipline deeply disturbing Read more Grafton man shoots wife, then fatally shoots self in garage Read more Pfizer coronavirus vaccines being manufactured in Michigan get FDAs fast track status Read more One dead, one injured in shooting in Clevelands Glenville neighborhood Read more Man held on $1 million bond in shooting death of man during argument in East Cleveland home Read more Man in critical condition after shooting in West Akron home, police say Read more Former Brunswick Hills administrator charged with felony voter fraud Read more Beachwood Mayor Horwitz speaks of being lucky after undergoing two heart surgeries Read more Mayfield Heights mayor heralds Issue 9 as reason for Genesee Avenue reconstruction; residents group turns in petitions for Issue 9s repeal Read more Hudson library closing temporarily after customer exposed to COVID-19 Read more Walkable neighborhood with 80 homes proposed at former Perkins Middle School in West Akron Read more Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:12:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Sri Lanka's Bank of Ceylon recently signed a long-term treaty with China Development Bank, a joint statement from the state-owned bank and China Development Bank said. Both banks entered into a 140-million-U.S. dollar long-term cooperation through which drawdown will be made under two tranches of 70 million U.S. dollars each. WARSAW, Poland - A Russian prankster posing as the U.N. secretary-general managed to reach Polands president on the telephone and rendered him speechless with questions about Ukraine, Russia and his reelection on Sunday. The prankster, Vladimir Kuznetsov, known as Vovan, posted a recording of the 11-minute call on YouTube. President Andrzej Dudas office confirmed Wednesday that it was authentic. At various points in the conversation, conducted in English, Duda sounds surprised at the line of questioning but still refers to the impostor as Your Excellency. Duda tweeted Wednesday that he realized something was not right during the conversation, which took place Monday afternoon while the president awaited official word of his election victory. Duda said he was suspicious because the real United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres does not pronounce the name of Polish vodka brand Zubrowka as well as the caller did. But he conceded that the voice was very similar. The president ended his tweet an emoticon of tears of laughter. Polish state security is investigating how the prankster got through to the president and whether Russias secret services were involved. The Internal Security Agency said in a statement the call had been authorized by an official with Polands mission to the United Nations and that his actions are under investigation. Polands relations with Russia are tense, especially over Polands support for Ukraines drive for closer links with the European Union. The caller congratulated Duda on his reelection but took the president to task for his hostile campaign comments about the LGBT community, drawing Dudas assurance that he has huge respect for every human being. Duda also rejected a provocative suggestion that Poland would seek to claim back the Ukrainian city of Lviv, which was part of Poland before World War II. No! No! This is Ukraine, Duda emphasized, adding that no political group in Poland harboured such an idea. The president also said that Poland has a discussion about history with Russian President Vladimir Putin about World War II and the Soviet occupation of Poland after the war. Kuznetsov, and the Russian prankster Alexei Stolyarov, who is known as Lexus, have previously embarrassed European politicians including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Elton John and Prince Harry with similar hoax calls. " " The cover of the first issue of Fate depicted a highly sensationalized version of Kenneth Arnold's encounter. Mary Evans Picture Library The date was June 24, 1947, a Tuesday; the time, just before three o'clock in the afternoon. Kenneth Arnold, a private pilot and fire-control-equipment salesman from Boise, Idaho, was flying over the Cascade Mountains searching for the remains of a lost C-46 for which a $5,000 reward had been offered. Arnold never found the missing aircraft, but what he did see put his name in newspapers all over the world. He had just made a 180-degree turn over Mineral, Washington, when a bright flash of light startled him. During the next 30 seconds, Arnold frantically searched the sky for its source -- he was afraid he was about to collide with another airplane. Then he saw another flash to his left, toward the north. When he looked in that direction, Arnold spotted nine objects, the lead one at a higher elevation than the rest, streaking south over Mount Baker toward Mount Rainier. Watching their progress from one peak to the next, he calculated their speed at 1,700 miles per hour. Even when he arbitrarily knocked 500 miles off that estimate, Arnold was still dealing with an impossible speed figure. Advertisement The objects, darting in and out of the smaller peaks, periodically flipped on their sides in unison. As they did so, the sunlight reflected off their lateral surfaces -- thus explaining the flashes that had first caught his attention. Arnold wrote later, "They were flying diagonally in an echelon formation with a larger gap in their echelon between the first four and the last five." The lead object looked like a dark crescent; the other eight were flat and disc-shaped. Arnold estimated that the chain they comprised was five miles long. After two and a half minutes, they disappeared, heading south over Mount Adams. The age of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) had begun. Want to learn more about UFOs and aliens? Check out these articles: Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit has reiterated the bodys rejection of "illegal Turkish interventions" in the internal affairs of Arab countries, specifically in Iraq, Syria and Libya, warning that Ankara's actions are threatening the whole of Arab national security. Aboul-Gheit made the remarks during an interview with Aly Hassan, the editor-in-chief of MENA agency, on Wednesday. He said Turkish interventions are "targeting and impinging on Arab national security" and affirmed that the pan-Arab body rejects any regional interference that "threatens the security, safety and stability of the Arab countries." On 23 June, the Arab League held an extraordinary session via video conference to discuss developments in Libya, and issued a 14-article resolution in which the league emphasised the need for restoring the Libyan state and the role of its institutions in serving the Libyan people, away from foreign interventions. The resolution also referred to the central role of Libyas neighbouring countries in ending the Libyan crisis, and urged combating foreign interventionsregardless of their source and naturethat facilitate the transfer of terrorist, foreign fighters into Libya and rejected the violation of international decisions on an arms embargo. Aboul-Gheit stressed the importance of an Egyptian initiative for Libya, dubbed the Cairo Declaration, saying it lays out a comprehensive roadmap for settling the Libyan crisis and provides executive steps and mechanisms to deal with the military, security, political and economic aspects of the crisis in the conflict-torn country. The oil-rich country has been divided between rival administrations in the east and west since 2014, and the fissure is growing due to political stalemate and the failure of international diplomatic initiatives to reach a truce. The Government of National Accord (GNA), which is based in Tripoli, is backed by Turkish troops and Qatar in its war against the eastern-based LNA and its leader Haftar, who is supported by Egypt, the UAE and Russia. The Egyptian initiative was announced on 6 June by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Haftar, and Libya's parliament speaker Aguila Saleh. It involves a ceasefire, an elected leadership council and a longer-term peace plan. The Egyptian initiative is based on the Libyan political consensus, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the outcomes of the Berlin conference, which resulted in a comprehensive political proposal that includes clear implementation steps in the political, economic and security fields and positive engagement from all Libyan parties with these initiatives. The initiative encourages the Libyan parties to stop fighting and engage in the required political process," Aboul-Gheit told MENA, saying the Arab League fully supports" the proposed plan, which has been welcomed by Arab, regional and Western powers. Earlier this week, Libya's eastern-based parliament, which backs Haftar, passed a motion authorising Egypt to intervene militarily if needed to safeguard the "national security" of both countries in light of what it termed a Turkish "occupation." Last month, El-Sisi said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya and ordered the armed forces to be prepared to carry out any mission outside the country if necessary. He said any intervention by Egypt would mainly be aimed at protecting Egypts western border, achieving a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in Libya, stressing that crossing the Sirte-Jufra frontline is a red line for Egypt. Forces allied with Haftar have recently pulled back east towards Sirte and Jufra airbase in central Libya after forces loyal to the rival government in the west extended control across most of northwest Libya and advanced further south. Regional and international interventions in Libya On the Arab Leagues stance on the regional and international interventions in Libya, Aboul-Gheit emphasised that the league position has always been clear and consistent, rejecting all forms of foreign interference in the Libyan crisis. Libya is an important Arab country and an active member of the Arab League. The league cannot accept turning Libya into a scene for foreign military interventions or an outlet for achieving external agendas or regional ambitions," the secretary-general said. Aboul Gheit had told a League emergency ministerial meeting, held last month at the request of Egypt, that the situation in Libya has become "extremely dangerous. He attributed this to the mounting internationalization of the Libyan conflict, the increase in foreign military interventions in the conflict, the recurrent violations of the arms embargo and the systematic recruitment of mercenaries and foreign fighters. Calling for an end to the clashes, especially around the Libyan city of Sirte, Aboul-Gheit said a truce will only be achieved if there are clear rules and commitment to the exit of foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya and the dismantling and demobilising of armed groups. "No one wants to repeat the Syrian scenario in Libya, and certainly there is an absolute Arab commitment to preserve the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Libyan state and its national unity," Aboul-Gheit said. Search Keywords: Short link: Washington, July 15 : The United States carried out its first execution at the federal level, putting white supremacist and murderer Daniel Lewis Lee to death by lethal injection. The execution on Tuesday was carried out using the powerful sedative pentobarbital early in the day at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana, Xinhua news agency reported. Originally scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern Time (2000 GMT) on Monday, the execution was delayed by some 16 hours due to a federal judge's order to block it, but a five against four vote by the US Supreme Court eventually let it and another three upcoming executions "proceed as planned". US District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, who sought to prevent the execution, said Lee and another two death row inmates whose executions were scheduled later this week -- as well as a fourth whose execution is scheduled for August -- can pursue their claims that the federal government's plan to use a single drug would cause severe pain and needless suffering. The four death row inmates claimed that the use of barbiturate pentobarbital constituted "cruel and unusual punishments" as it would interfere with breathing, causing a feeling of drowning and asphyxiation. The Justice Department subsequently appealed Chutkan's order to both the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court. While the appeals court declined to get involved, the Supreme Court overruled Chutkan's order, saying in an unsigned opinion that "the plaintiffs in this case have not made the showing required to justify last-minute intervention by a Federal Court." Lee was convicted in 1999 of killing firearms dealer William Mueller in Arkansas in 1996, as well as his wife Nancy Mueller and their 8-year-old daughter Sarah Powell. The execution was the first at the federal level since March 18, 2003, when Louis Jones was executed for "kidnapping within special maritime/territorial jurisdiction resulting in death," according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Trump administration resumed capital punishments at the federal level in July 2019. The US has withdrawn a rule that required international students, including hundreds of thousands of Indians, to leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) restrictions a move that was welcomed by students who were at risk of being deported, their families, and universities that had vehemently opposed the decision. The Trump administration on Tuesday conveyed its decision to a federal US district court that was hearing a challenge by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), joined by hundreds of other schools and colleges, and some states. Under the policy, international students in the US would have been prohibited from taking all their courses online this fall. New visas would not have been issued to students at schools planning to provide all classes online, which includes Harvard. Students already in the US would have faced deportation if they didnt transfer to schools with in-person instructors or leave the country voluntarily amid the pandemic. The US is the worst-hit country by the infectious disease, with the virus infecting more than 3.5 million people and killing about 140,000. The government has agreed to rescind the July 6 2020 policy directive and the frequently asked questions, the FAQs, that were released the next day on July 7, district court judge Allison D Burroughs said just as the hearing started. They also agreed to rescind any implementation of the directive, the judge added. According to a recent report of the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP), 194,556 Indian students were enrolled at various academic institutions in the US in January. The issue was raised by Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during an online meeting with US undersecretary of state for political affairs David Hale. Foreign students earlier said international travel restrictions in place due to the pandemic made it increasingly difficult for them to return to their home countries, while those outside America were uncertain if they will be able to travel back. On Tuesday, US district judge Allison Burroughs said federal immigration authorities agreed to pull the July 6 directive and return to the status quo. With the policy rescinded, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will revert to a directive from March that suspended typical limits around online education for foreign students. Harvard president Lawrence Bacow called it a significant victory. While the government may attempt to issue a new directive, our legal arguments remain strong and the Court has retained jurisdiction, which would allow us to seek judicial relief immediately to protect our international students should the government again act unlawfully, Bacow said in a statement. MITs president said his institution also stands ready to protect our students from any further arbitrary policies. This case also made abundantly clear that real lives are at stake in these matters, with the potential for real harm, president L Rafael Reif said in a statement. We need to approach policy making, especially now, with more humanity, more decency not less. ICE did not immediately comment on the decision. The surprise decision was welcomed by students across who would be affected by the ICE policy. Omkar Joshi, a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, said: This is a really good development and we are relieved after the order. Though the university opted for a hybrid model of teaching, it was still not clear to students how many courses they had to take under the new directive, or how many hours they had to spend on the campus, Joshi added. Tanujay Saha at the Princeton University said that though he was not personally impacted by the July 6 directive because he finished most of his coursework as a doctoral student and was focused on research work, the work in his lab came to a standstill as people could not work for a day or two in the aftermath of the order. Immigration officials issued the policy last week, reversing the earlier guidance from March 13, telling colleges that limits around online education would be suspended during the pandemic. University leaders believed the rule was part of President Donald Trumps effort to pressure the nations schools and colleges to reopen this fall even as new virus cases rise. The policy drew sharp backlash from higher education institutions, with more than 200 signing court briefs supporting the challenge by Harvard and MIT. Colleges said the policy would put students safety at risk and hurt schools financially. The US admits an estimated one million international students every year and they generate around $41 billion worth of economic activity and support 450,000 jobs, according to the American Council on Education, which represents US colleges and universities. Incomes generated from foreign students are critical to the financial health of many US colleges. Seventeen US states and the District of Columbia, along with top American IT companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, joined the MIT and Harvard in the US District Court in Massachusetts in seeking an injunction to stop the entire rule from going into effect. The lawsuit alleged that the new rule imposes a significant economic harm by precluding thousands of international students from coming to and residing in the US, and finding employment in fields such as science, technology, biotechnology, health care, business and finance, and education, and contributing to the overall economy. In a separate filing, companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, along with the US Chamber of Commerce and other IT advocacy groups, asserted that the ICE directive would disrupt their recruiting plans The American Council on Education, which represents university presidents, applauded ICEs pullback of the rule. The group called the policy wrongheaded and said it drew unprecedented opposition from colleges. There has never been a case where so many institutions sued the federal government, said Terry Hartle, the groups senior vice president. In this case, the government didnt even try to defend its policymaking. Elizabeth Warren, Democratic senator and former presidential candidate, tweeted: Im glad the Trump admin agreed to rescind this dangerous & xenophobic #StudentBan policy after we demanded they reverse course & MA schools sued them. Ill keep fighting to make sure it stays that way When we fight back, we can make a real difference. International students enrolled in academic programmes at US universities and colleges study on an F-1 visa and those enrolled in technical programmes at vocational or other recognised non-academic institutions, other than a language training programme, come to the US on an M-1 visa. (With inputs from AP and PTI) Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Snow during the morning will give way to lingering snow showers during the afternoon. Some sleet may mix in. High -3C. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulating 3 to 5 inches.. Tonight Snow showers before midnight. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low -17C. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%. WICHITA, Kan., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] will release its second quarter 2020 financial results at 6:30 a.m. Central Time Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Spirit AeroSystems President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Gentile will be joined by Spirit's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mark Suchinski on a conference call presentation to securities analysts about second quarter 2020 results and company outlook at 10 a.m. Central Time. That presentation will be broadcast online. It will include charts and a question-and-answer session. The company's news release detailing the results will also be available. The live audio stream and slide presentation can be accessed August 4, 2020, at http://investor.spiritaero.com/. Individuals are urged to check the web site in advance to ensure their computers are configured for the audio stream and slide presentation. About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe. More information is available at www.SpiritAero.com. SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Related Links www.spiritaero.com The number of coronavirus cases is surging, and congressional leaders are squabbling. Its an ominous foreshadowing of the coming partisan clash over the next relief package. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are straddling opposite sides of a multi-trillion dollar divide, with neither currently willing to budge. Congressional leaders from both parties privately believe theyll reach a deal at some point: the stakes are too high for the nations health and economic well-being, not to mention Election Day is quickly approaching. But it may take several weeks of difficult negotiations and public posturing to strike an accord. Senate Republicans are expected to unveil their own roughly $1 trillion proposal next week, a plan far narrower than the $3 trillion-plus bill pushed through the House by Democrats two months ago. Apart from cost, the parties are still far apart on key issues, including whether or how to extend a boost in unemployment insurance benefits set to expire in the coming days. McConnell and Pelosi havent even begun private conversations about the fifth relief package, according to sources close to both offices. Instead, the two leaders used separate press events Wednesday to highlight their conflicting positions. During public remarks in Cynthiana, Ky., McConnell said hed spoken to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Wednesday morning and would likely offer a proposal next week for discussion with his GOP colleagues and Democrats. McConnell is insisting that any next package prioritize liability protection for employers, a demand hes been making for weeks to Democratic frustration. Senate Republicans are also eyeing providing financial incentives for schools to fully reopen. I expect to begin to lay out to my colleagues in the Senate a proposal, McConnell said. In addition to liability provisions, kids in school, jobs and healthcare are likely to be the focus of the bill. Story continues A few hours later Wednesday, Pelosi sought to claim an initial victory by arguing Republicans have significantly shifted their thinking since calling for a pause when the House passed its bill in May. But the California Democrat also made clear what McConnell is proposing right now isnt nearly good enough. Theres a recognition that theres going to be a bill, Pelosi told reporters. They went from zero to now $1.3 [trillion]. Thats not enough, we need more. But we see the public evolution of their thinking. Pelosi said Democrats behemoth bill largely doesnt need to be adjusted, even as coronavirus cases have skyrocketed in a majority of states over the last month. But Democrats might make a push for extra education money in current talks as President Donald Trump continues to demand schools reopen in the fall. We put our marker on the table. Its very disciplined, its nothing more than we need, Pelosi said. Although, I must say we may need more for education now that the president is making the demand that he is making. While Congress has already pumped more than $2.5 trillion in coronavirus relief into the economy via four bills including a giant $2 trillion rescue package in March McConnell has acknowledged that another bipartisan deal will be harder to reach given the political climate. With 111 days until the election, McConnell must govern a divided caucus, with a number of Senate Republicans shunning additional government spending while vulnerable members up in 2020 are pleading to get something done before the August recess. Both parties know that the forthcoming coronavirus package is likely to be the last before the November election, increasing pressure to squeeze in demands before going home to campaign amid a pandemic-induced recession. If McConnell has any hope of hanging onto his majority, hes got to show leadership and responsiveness and he cant do that by writing a Republican only bill, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) Were going to have to find bipartisan answers to these issues. Senate Democrats have spent weeks criticizing McConnell for not acting sooner. During a caucus call this week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told members that theres been no outreach yet from McConnell and insisted that Senate Democrats will only negotiate if House Democrats are involved, according to a source on the call. Senator McConnell ought to be working across the aisle to prevent mass evictions, a new hunger crisis, and the layoff of more essential state and local government employees all things that will happen if Republicans continue to delay action or act stingily, Schumer warned in a statement to POLITICO. One Senate Republican aide seemed stunned that his own party was blocking more coronavirus relief spending just over 100 days from an election where the majority is clearly in jeopardy and the economy is weak. Its usually the minority that is blocking bills before an election, not the majority, complained the aide. Its like theyre offering us cake, but we say, No, we want the broccoli. But Senate GOP leaders argue that much of the money allocated in the March CARES Act has yet to be spent and they want the next package to be more targeted. While McConnell has told colleagues he wants to keep the price tag for the package at around $1 trillion, some in his caucus are open to spending more if needed. In an interview, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) predicted that the next package would probably not be as large as the $2 trillion CARES package. But Graham added that he wants to go big and consider proposals like infrastructure or a payroll tax cut, both of which appear to have limited support in the GOP caucus. Whats different with Phase 4 and Phase 3? Phase 4 needs to be about jumpstarting the economy, building on the momentum of going back to work, Graham said. Phase 3 was a rescue package, Phase 4 needs to be a stimulus package. In a sign of the difficulties facing Congress, lawmakers can't even agree what round of relief they are currently negotiating. Some classify the last $484 billion relief bill passed in April as only an "interim" measure and describe the current talks as "phase 4." Other members refer to this round as "phase 5" because it will be the fifth coronavirus-focused bill. Among the key sticking points will be addressing the extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits in the March CARES Act. Democrats want to see those benefits extended and are suggesting tying unemployment benefits to economic conditions. Senate Republicans, however, say the increase in unemployment benefits provide a disincentive for people to return to work. A potential compromise could center around return to work incentives. Regardless, the additional benefits for most people are likely to lapse, at least temporarily, before a deal gets struck. While the March law authorizes the extra benefits through the end of the month, the money will effectively stop being paid out on July 25 under the way most state unemployment systems are set up. House Democrats are also pushing for a boost in food aid, another round of stimulus checks to individuals and nearly $1 trillion in state and local assistance non-starters for most Senate Republicans. Adding to the uncertainty is what message the White House will send up to the Hill. Trump is making reopening schools a key focus, even going so far as to suggest that hed withhold federal funds from schools that failed to reopen a threat that has outraged Democrats. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said in an interview that he wants to see schools re-open, but he noted the expenses of school dont go away because youre teaching at a distance, as opposed to teaching in a classroom. Blunt, who is also working with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on bills to fund the government for the next fiscal year, added that 100 days before a presidential election almost everything is a political sticking point. Last year Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg went before Commissioners Court with a plea: give me more prosecutors to investigate the Harding Street raid. Commissioners allocated money for new prosecutors and in October voted to spend up to $200,000 to hire Michael Bromwich, a widely respected internal investigator, to consult on the investigation of the narcotics raid that killed two homeowners, injured several Houston police officers and mired the department in scandal. Bromwich led an independent review of the Houston Police Departments crime lab more than a decade ago, and served as the U.S. Department of Justices Inspector General under the Clinton administration. But internal emails and records show the DAs Office appears to have sidelined the independent consultant. In the nine months since commissioners voted to retain Bromwich, the only significant work he performed came from a two-day work trip to Houston totaling 17 hours of casework. In February, a frustrated Bromwich sent an email to Oggs chief of staff, Vivian King, and Civil Rights Division Chief Natasha Sinclair, noting prosecutors had rebuffed his efforts to meet and had not shown any meaningful interest in allowing him to meet with them or work on the case. Because of the lack of communication from your office, I am unsure of the reasons why you have determined that my assistance is not needed, he wrote, in an email to King on Feb. 21. Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he recommended an outside set of eyes because of the scope of the alleged misconduct and to give the public confidence in the investigation. Its not enough for those of us in public office to say trust us, he said. You have to trust but verify. Wrong Door: Chronicle investigation shows misconduct in narcotics division beyond cops at center of botched raid Commissioner Adrian Garcia said he thought bringing Bromwich in to help could have been very valuable, not just to investigation into the Harding Street raid, but I thought it could be very helpful in understanding the system that failed the department and failed the investigators. Dane Schiller, spokesman for the Harris County District Attorneys Office, said in a statement that the case is being investigated using grand juries, which are secret by law: Commissioner Ellis, Commissioner Garcia and Mr. Bromwich have been notified of this repeatedly, and Mr. Bromwich agreed, that he could primarily be utilized for an after-action report and our work is far from over. This most recent push by Mr. Bromwich to obtain secret information for billable hours is wholly inappropriate and it is unimaginable that he is actually advocating that he be part of the investigation, knowing that is unlawful. Bromwich responded that his contract stipulated that he provid[e] advice and guidance in connection with the Departments review of more than 14,400 cases potentially tainted by the Houston Police Department narcotics officer(s) involved in the January 2019 Harding Street incident. He continued: As this makes clear, much more was contemplated than an after-action report. The DAs Office has every right not to use me to provide the services agreed to under the contract. They dont have the right to misrepresent what I was hired to do, nor make false claims about me. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Pretty doggone thorough Bromwich began his career working as a federal prosecutor, then spent years alternating between private practice and government assignments handling internal investigations at the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and working as an independent monitor for the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, and the Virgin Islands Police Department. Ellis said he first met Bromwich working with The Innocence Project. More than a decade before the Harding Street Scandal, Bromwich investigated the Houston Police Departments crime lab, which was then reeling from a series of scandals. The lab was closed in late 2002 by then-acting Police Chief Timothy Oettmeier after being hit with problems ranging from water leaks that destroyed evidence to unqualified criminalists whose poor techniques destroyed evidence during testing. When you bring someone in like that, hes going to find stuff, if its there, Oettmeier said. Youre baring your soul to someone who is pretty doggone thorough, and you need to be ready to address that when it comes up. Audit Released: An operation completely out of control: Damning HPD narcotics audit reveals hundreds of errors Bromwichs review took more than two years and cost roughly $5 million. City officials ultimately decided to separate the crime lab from the police department and turn it into an independent agency called the Houston Forensic Science Center. Garcia who dealt with Bromwich during his tenure on Houston City Council described the consultant as excrutiatingly, brutally honest. Hes a hardass, Garcia said. He wasnt pleasant to work with, but man did he get it done. Lack of communication Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The countys contract with Bromwich came in nine months after a Houston police drug raid in January 2019 that devolved into gunfire. The officer who led the raid, Gerald Goines, was later accused of lying about buying drugs from the home, and Ogg subsequently announced prosecutors would be reviewing more than 14,000 cases Goines and his former squadmates had handled. In August, she charged him with murder. Goines partner, Steven Bryant, and four other former narcotics officers and supervisors have been charged with an array of other crimes, including tampering with government records, theft by a public servant and misapplication of fiduciary property. Bromwichs contract shows he agreed to work up to 20 hours a month advising Oggs civil rights prosecutors in their case review. Emails obtained by the Chronicle through records requests show Bromwich agreed to assist with the development and preparation of a final report by the DAs Office on the investigation, and an autopsy on the Harding Street raid, assuming the police department agreed to cooperate with the probe. But the emails show that in the time since commissioners voted to retain Bromwichs services, the only significant work he performed came from the two-day February work trip to Houston. This engagement is not what I envisioned, and I dont see that it serves any continuing purpose. I am not accustomed to being ignored, nor am I comfortable serving as window dressing of any kind or for any purpose, he wrote in the February 21 email. I served Houston once before in my investigation of the Houston Police Department Crime Lab, and I had hoped that this assignment would, in a similar way, allow me to help the residents of Houston and Harris County by providing advice and guidance to your Office I obviously cannot do so if I am not allowed to do so. But thats where we are. Questionable Cases: Key Houston police narcotics officers at center of fatal Harding Street drug raid tallied few arrests, low-level busts Two days later, King responded, saying prosecutors were busy reviewing documents that did not require Bromwichs consultation, asked him for an outline of how he could help, and noted that the DAs Office was still operating under disaster conditions left over from Hurricane Harvey. Bromwich responded that couldnt do so because he wasnt knowledgeable about the work prosecutors had performed because of lack of communication from the DAs Office in the first place. If the Civil Rights group is stretched as thin as you say, I would think that would make my potential assistance more rather than less welcome, he wrote, in a followup email. But that is your decision to make. County commissioners said they were disappointed that Ogg appeared to have sidelined Bromwich, and said it was one of the original reasons they had agreed to vote to give her money for more prosecutors. You had the opportunity to use one of the most respected experts in the country in one of the worst instances of civil rights violations in contemporary Houston policing, Ellis said. Im disappointed that there was not a role for Bromwich, because I think it would have given tremendous credibility to what we do. st.john.smith@chron.com Regulatory News: Verimatrix, (Paris:VMX) (Euronext Paris: VMX), the leader in powering the modern connected world with people-centered security, will publish its financial results for the first half of 2020 on July, 29, 2020 after market close. On this occasion, the company will hold an audio webcast conference on July 29 at 6 p.m. CET (Paris). A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible using the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/webcast/verimatrix/20200729_1/. The slide presentation will be available online prior to the conference call on the homepage of Verimatrix's investor website www.verimatrix-finance.com. The instructions for connecting the call with also be available on the homepage of the Verimatrix investors website. The call will also be accessible by dial-in on one of the following numbers: France +33 (0) 1 7099 4740; UK +44 (0) 20 3003 2666; USA +1 212 999 6659; Password: Verimatrix The replay of the event will be available using the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/webcast/verimatrix/20200729_1/ or directly from the Verimatrix website www.verimatrix-finance.com. About Verimatrix Verimatrix (Euronext Paris: VMX) helps power the modern connected world with security made for people. We protect digital content, applications, and devices with intuitive, people-centered and frictionless security. Leading brands turn to Verimatrix to secure everything from premium movies and live streaming sports, to sensitive financial and healthcare data, to mission-critical mobile applications. We enable the trusted connections our customers depend on to deliver compelling content and experiences to millions of consumers around the world. Verimatrix helps partners get to market faster, scale easily, protect valuable revenue streams, and win new business. To learn more, visit www.verimatrix.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005409/en/ Contacts: Investor and media contacts Investor Relations Richard Vacher Detourniere General Manager Chief Financial Officer +33 (0)4 42 905 905 finance@verimatrix.com Contact Media Kelly Foster +1 619 224 1261 kfoster@verimatrix.com NEW YORK Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sams Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proved difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements. The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday to allow time to inform stores and customers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that currently about 65% its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is already some form of government mandate on face coverings. The retailer also said it will create the role of health ambassador at its Walmart stores and will station them near the entrance to remind customers without masks of its new requirements. These workers, who will be wearing black polo shirts, will receive special training to "help make the process as smooth as possible for customers." Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter Walmart joins a growing list of retailers that have instituted mask mandates throughout their chains. Best Buy, the nation's largest consumer electronics retailer, announced Tuesday that it will have a mask mandate for its customers at all of its stores. Starbucks announced last week that customers who visit its company-owned cafe locations in the U.S. will be required to wear face coverings. Both policies were in effect Wednesday. The moves come as new COVID-19 cases are spiking in many states, particularly Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Retailers have been challenged with striking a balance between keeping shoppers safe while making them feel comfortable. Last week, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Walmart, Best Buy and other major chains, publicized a letter it sent to state governors to mandate store customers to wear face coverings. It said the hodgepodge of rules around the country have created confusion for shoppers and that has led to conflict between customers and workers trying to enforce store rules. The National Governors Association said last week that its members are discussing the letter and others like it from different retail groups. Social media is full of videos capturing clashes between those who are asked to wear masks, and employees who are under orders to make sure people wear them. Fewer than half of U.S. states require masks in public places, according to the RILA. And only a handful of major retailers including teen clothing chain American Eagle Outfitters has a mask mandate for customers for all of its stores. Costco Wholesale Club was one of the first major retailers to require face coverings for customers at all of its stores. The policy went into effect in early May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people cover their mouth and nose when around other people to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. We know some people have differing opinions on this topic, wrote Dacona Smith, chief operating officer at Walmart U.S. and Lance de la Rosa, chief operating officer at Sams Club in a blog posted Wednesday. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials like the CDC. Himachal Pradesh governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Wednesday said the Jan Shikshan Sansthan should be set up in every district of the state for skill improvement and qualitative training among the youth so that they can get better employment opportunities. He was speaking during a webinar organised by Himachal Pradesh Skill Development Corporation to mark the World Youth Skill Day. Dattatreya said skill and technology are important in the changing scenario and can help youth in employment and self-employment. Skills should be improved by changing the basic ideas. The labour-based system should be changed to a skill-based system, he said. He said demographic dividend will be fully realised only when India is able to provide universal quality education to its young population. The governor also stressed on promoting entrepreneurship among the youth by encouraging them to provide employment to others. Workers can also be provided employment opportunities through the Gareeb Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, he added. The governor also advocated skill education at the school-level. VOLUNTEERS began swinging hammers once more for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, roughly three months after the non-profit organization normally gets its first volunteer crew of the year. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. VOLUNTEERS began swinging hammers once more for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, roughly three months after the non-profit organization normally gets its first volunteer crew of the year. Thirty employees from Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba showed up around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to work on a bare land condominium project on Templeton Avenue. "By now, we wouldve had all the basements in the ground, and everybody would be framing," said Jason Miller, local director of program delivery. "Because of COVID, weve had a late start." The non-profits employees poured two basements last week. On Wednesday, volunteers worked on the basement, and scaffolding and building roofs. Some wore face masks; all wore hard hats and boots that had been disinfected, as per novel coronavirus pandemic measures. The safety equipment would be disinfected at the end of the day, too, and put into a rotation, sitting for three or four days before their next use. Volunteers worked with individually assigned tools and cleaned power tools before passing them to someone else. They filled out COVID-19 self-assessments before starting their work. Normally, the two groups would visit the site in the same day; this summer, the local Habitat for Humanity isnt allowing groups over 30 people to volunteer at one time. Even with the changes, its good to be back to work, said Habitat Manitoba chief executive officer Sandy Hopkins. "Its good to be on a build site, its good to hear hammers going," he said. "The families whove been waiting patiently for this to happen... have to be feeling much better, as well." The organization plans to build 12 homes in Manitoba this year: nine in Winnipeg, two in Brandon, and one in Selkirk. Its a change of plans from the 23 originally scheduled for 2020 (17 in Winnipeg). The pandemic resulted in a shortened build season, less fundraising because of cancelled events and lower-than-expected donations. The Templeton Avenue condominium will hold 20 partner homes. The non-profit is building eight this year and the remaining 12 in 2021. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It marks the first time Habitat for Humanity Manitoba has built condos, but it has examples from affiliates in Toronto and Edmonton to refer to. "This is not condominiums in the sense of most condo projects, where a developer imagines what the project will be and then tries to sell the units individually to people," Hopkins said. "Weve got our families lined up. We know whos going to want all these homes." Families of four to eight will buy the units. Theyll pay the market value of the house, condo fees, taxes and insurance. They wont pay interest on their mortgage for 15 years or a down payment, and their monthly instalments will be based on their income and ability to pay, Hopkins said. Habitat is ready to change as the pandemic does, he said. "If theres a need to slow down because of a resurgence of COVID, thats exactly what well do." gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca Following yesterdays promise of a major investment in the Indian market from Google theres another Indian investment story in the news, this time relating to Apple products manufacturer Foxconn. According to Reuters, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer plans to invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in southern India where it assembles Apple iPhones. This is, not too surprisingly, seen as part of an ongoing strategy to move some Apple production centres away from China, given news of further tensions between China and the US. However, India is also the worlds second-biggest smartphone market and this move would bring some of Apples phones closer to consumers as well as saving on import taxes. In addition, such a move, if it goes ahead, could be partly influenced by Indian government incentives, announced recently, to encourage local production. Were still waiting for clear guidance from both Foxconn and Apple on the plans, but Reuters suggests that there will be a three-year investment by Foxconn in the Sriperumbur plant some 50 km west of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The plant makes Apples iPhone XR, but some of Apples other iPhone models could also be made there. Whatever else this move implies, it could be a major boost for jobs in the region. It might even signal further investment. Foxconn Chairman Liu Young-way is already in record as having said that Foxconn plans to ramp up its investment in India. ALBANY In late June, the county went through a five day period with just 10 new positive coronavirus cases, an average of two a day. Then July 4th came and ended weeks of progress. The county recorded 44 new novel coronavirus cases overnight Tuesday, it's highest total since late May. County officials said they believe the main cause behind the spike was Independence Day parties, including a large gathering in the city's student housing neighborhood, and a sense of complacency among residents. The increase in cases pushed the county's five day average to 16 new cases a day. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy expressed concern that the region may be forced to again shutdown certain activities if people do not wear masks and quarantine after traveling from states with major virus increases. "The last thing I want to do is say, 'Hey, look you have to close down'," McCoy said at a news conference Wednesday. "If we can continue to go down this path it's going to be a long process." READ MORE: At Albany airport, it's still hit and miss with COVID-19 forms. The jump in cases, which brings the county's total to 2,053 since the pandemic began, is in part attributed to community spread with no clear connection between cases. But the county is also tracking several clusters connected with July 4th parties and people who traveled out of state for the holiday. The county provided data that showed several previous spikes were within two weeks of other holidays or gathering dates such as Mother's Day and Easter. In general, experts believe that it can take up to 14 days for a person to show symptoms after being infected with the virus. On Wednesday, the Capital Region had the highest percent of tests that came back positive - 2.1% - of all regions in New York. New York City, in comparison, had 1.3% of people test positive. Overall, New York's numbers remained steady, with nine deaths and 11 more people admitted to the hospital overnight statewide for a total of 831 people hospitalized. In Albany County only two people were in the hospital Tuesday. But officials worry that rising case numbers will soon impact hospitalizations as well. Albany County is particularly concerned about six cases that have been traced to a Hudson Avenue party that covered several backyards. Photographs of the party obtained by the Times Union showed dozens, if not hundreds, of college-age students gathering together in the street with no masks. McCoy and County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said they are still contact tracing to find other people who may have attended the party and expect more positive cases to come from it. Whalen urged people who were at the party to get tested. It's believed there were about 200 young people hanging out together at that gathering. "The party that was referenced was not at a single home from what we're hearing, but in a large area of Hudson Avenue in backyards," Whalen said. "Please consider being tested. We need to stop this. We need to make sure those who are infected don't continue to spread this disease." Whalen added that some of the people at the party who later tested positive were not showing symptoms. The other clusters include four people who tested positive after flying into Albany from Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Cancun, Mexico. Two others drove from their winter homes in Florida and South Carolina. The increase also includes eight cases from St. Peter's Nursing Home a& Rehabilitation Center residents. That outbreak began around the time a nurse's aide who was in quarantine after traveling out of state returned to work, allegedly due to staffing needs, a person briefed on the situation told the Times Union. Nine healthcare workers were also part of the positive case count Tuesday, but the county did not say where those people work. Nursing home cases are also coming back in the Capital Region after experiencing a lull for several weeks. Riverside Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Castleton-on-Hudson had 30 residents test positive for the virus last week, along with 11 staff members. Four other healthcare workers in Rensselaer County at Living Resources and Evergreen Commons also tested positive Tuesday. The July4th party on Hudson Avenue, one of a cluster of streets in Albany that are favored as off-campus housing for students, occurred as college students are preparing to return to the region for the start of the fall semester. It raises the specter of off-campus parties being hubs for the spreading of the virus. Part of our plan to return is to do significant outreach to all students but especially those living off campus about what our expectations are for adhering to the governors executive orders off campus, University at Albany spokesman Jordan Carleo-Evangelist said. Were encouraging them to avoid large gatherings, period. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The Albany Police Department routinely informs UAlbany officials when officers break up parties in off-campus housing and such notices can lead to investigations into student violations of the school's code of conduct. There is this collective responsibility if they want our campus to remain open then they need to follow theses guidelines, he said. And if that is not enough we can absolutely sanction them under the code of conduct if we can show that they violated the executive orders or acted in any other way that jeopardizes the health and safety of anyone else around them. READ MORE: Nursing home coronavirus flare-up came after ill aide returned to work Albany County hasn't seen new daily case counts in the 40s since 41 people were diagnosed May 22. New cases ranged from the 40s into the 80s every day during the month of April, a time when the coronavirus was climbing in the county and region. Albany County is not the only county to see sudden sharp increases in case numbers in the past few days. On Tuesday, Schenectady County reported 15 new cases. On Monday, Montegomery County said its positive case tally had jumped from 111 to 132 cases in one week. Many of those cases were attributed to family gatherings, graduation parties and out-of-state travel. READ MORE: New York flags four more states for mandatory travel quarantines "What happened was when we didnt see spikes people became complacent," Whalen said, noting the county didn't see a spike attributable to Memorial Day parties. "This is what we feared might happen and it did come to pass. And now we have to double back down on those messages," she said, meaning people need to wear masks when they cannot socially distance from others. Mike Goodwin and Lauren Stanforth contributed to this report Two additional Sydney pubs have been linked to a growing coronavirus outbreak in southwest Sydney. The Macarthur Tavern, in Sydneys southwest, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday a customer has tested positive for COVID-19. The patron was in our venue on Saturday the 11th July between 9pm and 12 midnight, it wrote. We are working closely with NSW health on this case. People undergo tests at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic at Victoria Park in Picton in Sydney on Tuesday. Source: Getty Images The pub is closed for deep cleaning but hopes to reopen on Wednesday at 3pm. NSW recorded 13 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday. Second pub warns patrons of coronavirus infection Wests Leagues Club, in Campbelltown, also advised people on Facebook on Wednesday a customer at its venue tested positive for coronavirus. The club said this person was at the venue on Friday at 8pm and again in the early hours of Sunday morning between 12am 2.30am. Pedestrians cross Macquarie Street in Sydney's suburb of Liverpool. Source: Getty Images Subsequently we made the decision to close the club from 11:30pm last night, the club wrote on Facebook. A deep clean of the premises is presently underway and the club will re-open at midday today (Wednesday). NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Tuesday there were 28 coronavirus cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula - a pub which is also located in Sydneys southwest. In total there are now 34 cases linked to the hotel, with Dr Chant adding six were people who attended the venue. Dr Chant has urged anyone who visited the Crossroads Hotel from July 3 to 10 has to come forward for testing and even those not showing symptoms should self-isolate. Changes to pub rules in NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a number of changes at pubs moving forward as the state tries to stop the spread of the virus. NSW recorded 13 new cases on Tuesday. Ms Berejiklian said among the changes included group bookings reduced from 20 to 10. The Macarthur Tavern says one of its patrons has tested positive for coronavirus. Source: Google Maps (file pic) She hopes smaller bookings will lead to less people standing indoors. We know from the health advice we've received from the beginning of the pandemic, that indoor activity, where people aren't seated is a huge health risk, Mr Berejiklian said. Story continues It increases the chance of transmission and it was actually the AHA's (Australian Hotels Association) advice to us which said that if you reduce bookings from from 20 to 10, it reduces the likelihood for people who may mingle, that when you have a group of 10, the likelihood that everybody stays seated and that behaviour will continue is a safe option. Northern Territory keeps borders closed to Sydney The Northern Territorys Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters on Wednesday the NT will keeps its borders shut to anyone from Sydney. The NT plans to reopen borders on Friday. Victorians are also not allowed in the NT either. The Security and Emergency Management Committee met again this morning with the Chief Health Officer to discuss the recent developments of cases in Sydney, Mr Gunner said. After considering his advice, we will declare all local government areas in Greater Metropolitan Sydney as hotspot areas for the purposes of travel to the Northern Territory. This means that from Friday, if there are any arrivals to the Territory from Sydney, or who have been in Sydney in the previous 14 days, they will be directed into mandatory supervised quarantine. Anyone placed in quarantine in the NT will have to pay for their accomodation. 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. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ramanath Jha Quick on the heels of the horrific incident in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, (June), another tragic news involving the police from Uttar Pradesh has hit the headlines. This comes from Bhikru village in the Kanpur district. While the first occurrence reflected alleged police brutality, the second echoed alleged brutality perpetrated on the police by an infamous gangster and his henchmen. Past midnight, on July 3, more than a dozen policemen went to the village to nab Vikas Dubey, the dreaded gangster, from his village house. However, before the posse could reach its destination, it found an earthmover parked in the middle of the road and darkness in the area as power in the village had been arranged to be temporarily unavailable. The policemen alighted from their vehicle and were walking towards the house when heavy firing was directed on them from the nearby rooftops. The police found themselves outnumbered, outmanoeuvred and outgunned. Eight of them lost their lives and seven were critically injured. The bodies of some of them were hacked with an axe or riddled with bullets and were shot point blank. By the time reinforcements arrived, the gangster and his henchmen had escaped. Expectedly, the police launched a counter-attack. They began by turning Dubeys village house into rubble, junking his cars parked in the house and the liquidation of some of his henchmen. Finally, eight days later, on the morning of July 10, Dubey lost his own life while he was being transported to Kanpur from his place of arrest in Madhya Pradesh. The incident has exposed many myths that the Uttar Pradesh administration had attempted to create. First, the open backing given by the state government to police encounters for the elimination of crime in the state appears to have side-stepped the most wanted and high-profile goons. In this case, the criminals were provided information by a mole within the police ranks that policemen were coming to the village to apprehend Dubey. Despite this, the gangsters decided not to disperse. They chose to confront and take on the police. As it played out, they turned the encounter on its head and practiced it on the police with complete brazenness and cruelty. Second, the capacity of the police as a force to fight and control crime, their preparedness for serious combat, their infrastructure and personal gear, the ability to read the opponents strategy and respond accordingly all of them were found seriously wanting. Third, accurate intelligence about this police operation and their movements was available to the gangsters, but the police found no access to information about the level of intent and preparation the criminals had made to take on the police. Preliminary investigations have revealed Dubeys deep political links and very wide police connections that helped him prosper over several decades. Dubeys death has unleashed the usual debate that follows such incidents on the methods of encounter, the failing criminal justice system, stalled police reforms and political-criminal nexus. These issues are of great relevance. However, till date, major governance and police reforms suggested by a wide array of committees have been ignored at the political level, even for a serious discussion, leave alone implementation. It is now plain that the longer India turns a blind eye to them, the cited systems will further atrophy and vitiate the lives of millions of citizens. A lot of discussion happens in India on its economy, economic reforms, economic targets and ways of rendering the economy more robust. It would be difficult, however, to imagine that great economic heights in the country can be achieved with substandard governance at state and local levels. The criminal justice system and the maintenance of law and order are the very basic functions of a state. These state systems are critically impaired and cast a direct shadow on the economic performance of the state and relay it to the country. In the last crime statistics for 2017, brought out by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), UP was at the top of the violent crime chart and accounted for 20 percent of Indias murders, culpable homicides and dowry deaths. It is easy to see why businessmen would not like to set up industries in the state. The fact that this is the state of affairs in Indias most populated state and politically the most significant one, should draw greater attention from all stakeholders in India. The state holds about 17 percent of the countrys population and sends a little more than 15 percent of members of Parliament. A similar state of affairs prevails in Bihar. Together, the two states constitute about 26 percent of Indias population and elect about 23 percent of the MPs. These states lag behind, not merely in the maintenance of law and order, but also on a wide array of development indicators. In the list of states ranked on the basis of Human Development Index (HDI) for 2018, using UNDP methodology, Bihar and UP were found at the bottom of the ladder with a score of 0.576 and 0.596 respectively. These development indicators reflect those of sub-Saharan Africa, despite the state being innately blessed with great growth possibilities. Clearly, the country has not paid sufficient heed on how to bring them on par in terms of development and modernisation with the states of the south and the west. It should be apparent that concerted outside effort and investment of time, money and good strategy would be needed to achieve those goals. Sometimes, regions get caught in situations out of which they cannot deliver themselves on their own. It should also be clear to the nation that 26 percent is a very large portion of the country that it can ignore at its own peril. In the absence of such a national resolve, the state will continue to be a serious drag on Indias developmental journey. It should also be obvious to a bystander that the state is too cumbersome for good governance. Only half a dozen countries exceed its population. It has 75 districts, 18 divisions, 800 blocks, 15 percent of Indias gram panchayats, more than a dozen metropolitan cities and 600 other towns. Since states have huge implementational responsibilities, it is quite impossible to have any reasonable control on what goes on in all parts of the state. It needs no great administrative acumen to conclude that these are colossal numbers that will not be amenable to be serviced from one secretariat. Moreover, the state appears to be an agglomeration of disparate regions with differences of language, culture and customs. Caste plays a huge role in all aspects of life and decision-making. Despite the political dominance that the state has enjoyed at the Centre, that does not seem to have translated into its socio-economic well-being. The state is beset with massive regional imbalance. It has sub-optimal agricultural and industrial growth and a disappointing education system. It is not able to provide employment to its people. As the COVID19 epidemic and the migrants return to their home states showed, UP accounts for the largest migrant population that leaves the state for jobs in other, more developed states. If one were to begin the process of UPs salvation, out of the myriad initiatives that would be required, cutting it down to manageable size, one would believe, should be the topmost priority. Clearly, UPs elephantine size hangs like an albatross around its neck, disallowing it to rise in governance and development. This becomes even more evident when we find that the states that were carved out of larger states into separate entities, have outdone their parent states. Uttarakhand, carved out of UP, now has a per capita income three times higher than its erstwhile parent state. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh seem to have fared better than Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in terms of development since they separated. Good governance demands that a state as large as UP must undergo a well-thought-out division. (This first appeared in the ORF) Good Morning America The reality is far worse than even parents may realize, according to Danielle Christian, a high school guidance counselor in Paris, Texas. "If youre not currently working in the world of education, theres no way that you can understand what is going on in schools right now," Christian wrote in now-viral Facebook post. Christian, also the mom of a second-grade student, told "Good Morning America" she has worked in education for 13 years and has never seen anything like what teachers, administrators and students are going through now amid the pandemic -- from facing school closures over the past two years to learning loss, experiencing mental health struggles and needing absences due to quarantine and illness. Click here to read the full article. LONDON Farfetch has scored an exclusive tie-in with Rihannas Fenty label, WWD has learned. The retail giant will become the only online retailer stocking Fenty outside the labels own e-commerce channel. The announcement coincides with the brands new summer drop, dubbed Release 6-20, and will be making its debut today. Weve long admired Fentys innovative approach to luxury fashion retail and the way they champion inclusivity for customers. Fenty was looking for a retail partner to double down on its digital-first business model and, with our global customer base and industry-leading platform model, its an ideal opportunity to work together, said Giorgio Belloli, chief commercial and sustainability officer at Farfetch. According to the retailer, the tie-in will also help Fenty reach new global markets like the Middle East and Brazil, where it has yet to be widely distributed. The new collection, slated to debut on Farfetch on Wednesday, includes a range of summer ready-to-wear pieces, as well as the brands new footwear collection designed by star shoe designer Amina Muaddi, and a new multifunctional jewelry range. The range will be divided into three drops, each celebrating different youth cultures and aesthetics that emerged during periods of steep social change. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The city expects 103 child-care programs to reopen in Hamilton by the end of July after shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 85 are back up and running after public health inspections, Grace Mater, director of childrens services and neighbourhood development, told councillors this week. Last month, the Ontario government announced licensed child-care centres could start reopening. But programs in Hamilton are only operating at about 50 per cent of what they could offer, Mater said. Theres still a lot of reticence on families parts about returning at the present moment, she said, noting some have made summer arrangements. But come September, the demand is expected to increase by just how much is hard to predict with plans for the upcoming school year still uncertain. It will very much be contingent upon how schools make those decisions across the board, Mater said. Groups are limited to 10 staff and children to a room at reopened child-care centres, which also must adhere to enhanced cleaning and mandatory screening requirements. The province has also required operators to maintain their fees at pre-pandemic levels until Aug. 31. Coun. Brad Clark said some residents reported a $700 to $1,000 increase in child-care costs because of COVID-19. Mater told Clark to refer those constituents to her office because, technically, thats not supposed to be happening. The city is extending its affordability program which reduces costs by $10 per day until Aug. 31. Kiwanis, Indwell affordable housing gets city boost Two builders of affordable housing in Hamilton are receiving from $1.38 million in grant money for development charges. Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes is to receive $1,000,903 to cover 40 of 60 units at its future building on Acorn Street. Indwells grant is $379,260 for 43 units at its 95-unit complex on East Avenue North. In total, the city is putting $1.6 million toward the Kiwanis project and $1.2 million toward Indwell. Kiwanis operates 997 affordable units in Hamilton and Indwell has 425 in the city. ***Correction: This story was updated July 16 to correct the fact that daycare costs will be reduced by $10 a day rather than to $10 a day. Opposition primary in Hong Kong may violate security law: China Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 5:17 AM China has described an official vote held by Hong Kong's opposition parties as a "serious provocation," warning that the campaign could be found illegal under the new national security law in the semi-autonomous city. "This is a serious provocation against the current election system," China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said in a statement late on Monday. The comments came after an unofficial "primary election" was held to choose opposition candidates to run for seats in Hong Kong's upcoming legislative poll on Sunday. The opposition parties hope to gain a majority in the city's parliamentary elections, which is due in September. Dominating the chamber would give them more power to stall budgets and legislation. However, China's Liaison Office said in its statement that such campaigning was suspected of breaching article 22 the new security law. Article 22 targets "subverting state power." It outlaws "serious interference and obstruction" of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong government, or any act that causes them to be "unable to perform their functions normally." China approved the new security law for Hong Kong in late May. The law was enacted at the end of last month. The law punishes crimes of secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces with sentences of up to life in prison in Hong Kong. Mainland security agencies are also officially based in Hong Kong for the first time under the law. Among other details is a ban on violators of the law standing for elections and greater oversight of non-governmental organizations and news groups. Critics of the law view it as a blow to the region's autonomy and civil liberties. Protests erupted in Hong Kong after the law was proposed on May 22. China says the law is necessary to tackle subversion, following violent anti-government protests that escalated in June last year. Hong Kong has been governed under the "one-country, two-system" model since the city a former British colony was returned to China in 1997. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Even after a runoff election, the Republican race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Will Hurd is still unsettled. President Donald Trumps favored candidate to succeed Hurd declared victory by a narrow margin in Tuesdays nail-biting runoff race but his opponent, backed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, isnt giving up yet. /Courtesy Navy veteran Tony Gonzales, Trumps pick, holds a lead of just seven votes over retired Air Force officer Raul Reyes, the Cruz-supported candidate, in unofficial returns listed on the Texas Secretary of States website. With 100% reporting, the Secretary of States office is showing that we won the primary runoff by seven votes, Gonzales said Wednesday. We will be working to protect the integrity of every legal vote until the canvass is complete over the next week. On ExpressNews.com: Gonzales holds slim lead over Reyes in Republican race for Congressman Will Hurds seat But in a Facebook post, Reyes blasted that lead as tenuous and declared the race far from over given there are still mail-in ballots to be counted. State law allows absentee ballots to be counted if theyre received by 5 p.m. the day after the election is held. And ballots coming from overseas can be counted up to five days after the election. Members of the Armed Forces get six days to have their mail-in ballots counted. /Courtesy This race isnt over until every legal vote is counted, Reyes wrote. And the possibility of a recount looms. The runner-up can request a recount if the gap between the winner and runner-up is less than 10 percent of the winners total vote count. Gonzales is already gearing up for a potential legal battle. His campaign announced Wednesday it had hired two Republican lawyers Chris Gober and J.D. Pauerstein to oversee the final tally. But Reyes so far hasnt made any such moves. Billy Calzada /Staff photographer Theres a process and the process has to unfold, Reyes campaign manager Frank Lopez said. Were allowing the election officials to do what they have to do. The Republican race to replace Hurd who decided not to seek re-election became defined by crisscrossing battle lines among top GOP leaders. Early on, Gonzales, a 38-year-old San Antonio native, drew backing from Hurd, considered moderate, as well as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise. Reyes, who is from Castroville, used those endorsements to try to tar Gonzales as the establishment candidate and position himself as the true Trumpian. But Trump virtually disowned Reyes when he chose to back Gonzales in July, despite pleas from Cruz to join him on Reyes side. Trump put out a robocall for Gonzales in the run-up to Tuesdays vote and sent a cease-and-desist letter to Reyes to tell the former Air Force lieutenant colonel to stop associating himself with the president. For his part, Cruz put out a 30-second ad for Reyes, 49. Trump on Wednesday seemed to take credit for Gonzales runoff performance, calling it a big comeback. But he referred to both men as two very good candidates. By the time I got involved, a lot of the votes were already cast, Trump said. But I got involved, really, at the last moment. We think he can easily win that area. Reyes is a great candidate and so is Gonzales. The outcome of the Republican runoff may be moot, some political observers say. Whoever wins will face Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, a San Antonio native and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, who has far more money and name recognition than either Republican candidate. The November general election is sure to be a contentious battle for control of the Texas border district, which has flipped between Democrats and Republicans four times since 2006. Trumps endorsement could prove a liability for whichever Republican proceeds to the general election and a blessing for the Democrat given the administrations weak response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout, said Rice University political science professor Mark Jones. The professor isnt related to the candidate. That becomes a double-edged sword, the professor said. Gina Ortiz Jones will be able to use that as a way to try to reduce his support among undecided or even Republican-leaning voters. Its a sword the Democratic candidate seems primed to swing. So many people have lost family members and friends and loved ones to this, Ortiz Jones said in a phone interview. You cant help but think that so much of this was needless, on top of the real economic pain that so many people are feeling. But either Republican candidate can claim an advantage in the majority-Latino district, Mark Jones said: they are Latino and she is not. Ortiz Jones, a Filipino-American, brushed that off. Im going to keep focusing on what voters care about, she said, listing examples such as a lack of widespread COVID-19 testing in the district and lost wages and health care for workers amid the pandemic. Democrats see Texas sprawling 23rd Congressional District which covers 550 miles from San Antonio to El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border as a major pickup possibility in November. The border district has been a contentious partisan battlefield for about two decades, getting traded back and forth between Democrats and Republicans. Hurd has had the most stability; he won the seat from Democrat Pete Gallego in 2014 and has held onto it since. But there are signs that the district is trending Democratic. Voters in the 29 counties that make up CD 23 went for Hillary Clinton by 3 percentage points in 2016. And Ortiz Jones, an Iraq War veteran, came within 1,000 votes of taking the seat from Hurd in the 2018 midterms. On ExpressNews.com: Gina Ortiz Jones ready to fight again for Hurds congressional seat Money also will be a factor. Ortiz Jones walks into the November general election with more than $3 million on hand. Gonzales had about $400,000 in the bank as of June 24, while Reyes had just over $59,000. But the Republican candidate could get help from other GOP sources. The National Republican Congressional Committee spent $2.1 million on the District 23 race in 2018. But whether national Republicans spend that much again depends on whether Gonzales, considered more moderate, or Reyes, an immigration hardliner who is critical of Hurd, gets the nomination, Mark Jones said. Will Hurd is the most centrist Republican in the Texas House delegation and he barely held onto that seat, Mark Jones said. It stands to reason that somebody whos notably more conservative than Hurd is going to have a tough time defeating Gina Ortiz Jones. Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio government and politics. To read more from Joshua, become a subscriber. jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFreports A shirtless driver who jumped out of a stolen car in the middle of a road so he could brutally bash his female passenger through the backseat window is still on the run. Disturbing CCTV footage showed the man burst out of the white Volkswagen Passat at an intersection in Darlinghurst in Sydney's CBD on July 12 at 10.35pm. The man stalked the rear of the car before ripping open the left-hand side passenger door and repeatedly punching a woman seated inside. A shirtless man burst out of his car in a fit of rage and savagely punched his female passenger before driving on the wrong side of the road in a stolen vehicle The man stalked the rear of the car before ripping open the left-hand side passenger door and repeatedly punching a woman seated inside A second woman in the vehicle attempted to get the man to stop by yelling at him, which attracted the attention of a passer-by who intervened. The Good Samaritan was assaulted in the ordeal before the driver returned to the vehicle and sped off. The two women were still in the car when the driver sped off down William Street on the wrong side of the road, police were told. Police from Kings Cross Police Area Command began investigating and discovered the Volkswagen, with NSW registration LK36CC, had been stolen. The car had been stolen on July 4 in Morriset, near Lake Macquarie, and had also been spotted driving erratically on July 9 in Campbelltown, south-west Sydney. Police are now searching to find the trio involved in the dispute. CCTV footage showed a man leap out of a white Volkswagen Passat sedan at the intersection of Nimrod and Caldwell streets, Darlinghurst, in Sydney's CBD, on July 12 at 10.35pm The man was shirtless and wearing black tracksuit paints with a white stripe down each leg at the time. The women are both described as being white with one having long brown hair and the other blonde hair. Police said the woman who intervened and was seated in the front seat of the vehicle was wearing red pants and a black top. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. CAMBRIDGE, England, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Congenica, a digital health company enabling rapid analysis of complex genomic data, has launched an update for its clinical decision support platform that will provide automated classification, evidence and reporting of recurrent 'known' variants that customers observe in their rare disease cases, significantly saving time while maximizing diagnostic yield and laboratory throughput. The key to realizing the potential of precision medicine relies on accurate and efficient diagnosis. However, even less complex cases can take experts 11-12 hours using standard tools and workflows - adding over $500 of staffing cost to every analysis.[1] Congenica already reduces the working time for interpretation and reporting by 90%, but the launch of the new Automated Classification of Known Variants capability reduces time to report by an additional 90% - enabling complex genomic data interpretation and reporting in as little as 5 minutes. The flexibility of Congenica allows users to create their own customized curated variant list to be used for the automated process such as recurrent variants common to their test protocols. In a study analyzing 19,000 cases from the Congenica Knowledgebase a team of Registered Clinical Scientists identified nearly 4,000 cases with recurrent pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, which Congenica Automation would have automatically classified, thereby increasing throughput significantly. Using the Congenica Automated Classification of Known Variants pipeline, interpretation and reporting of each of these 4,000 cases could be completed in 5-8 minutes, saving almost 5,500 hours (91%) of combined interpretation effort and 98% of staff costs during interpretation. The availability of expert qualified staff in genetic analysis departments is currently a significant roadblock to accessing genetic services with 71% of clinical laboratories reporting that they are nearly or completely at capacity.[2] Increasing case throughput and reducing interpretation time are therefore essential. Prior to this release, Congenica's core software already enabled rapid evidenced analysis and high throughput of complex genomic cases.[3] With Congenica Automation, it is estimated that labs can increase their throughput and capacity by a further 65%, depending on the frequency of recurrent variants in their cases. This allows for quicker report turnarounds and the ability to process significantly more tests, returning more results in a shorter timeframe while increasing confidence by leveraging clinically verified variant information. Congenica also now enables customers to access the most comprehensive suite of Splicing Variant Tools on the market, which exceed the ACGS best-practice requirements; make automatic ACMG Score-based pathogenicity calculations; and automatically identify relevant evidence to support interpretation from over 7.5 million publications. This means less work and more results, reducing interpretation burdens while increasing analytic capacity for laboratories and allowing experts to focus their time on the most urgent and complex cases. Congenica software is used throughout the UK NHS as the exclusive rare disease clinical decision support platform for the first-in-the-world national Genomic Medicine Service and internationally by private and public hospitals and laboratories, where the software reduces average interpretation costs by up to 95% and helps healthcare professionals obtain genetic information 20-times faster than previously possible. Dr David Atkins, Chief Executive Officer, Congenica: "Congenica Automation functionality further leverages our clinical expertise, extending our platform's extensive automation capabilities to maximize the efficiency of research into genomic diseases." "Where once genomic analysis of these complex cases was incredibly challenging, even for specialists, Congenica Automation provides professionals with a complete bioinformatics solution enabling faster, simplified and reliable variant identification, review and reporting to deliver actionable insights and life-changing answers at scale." Further information is available at www.congenica.com/automation Congenica software is for research use only and should not be used as a primary diagnostic tool. References Schwarze, K. et al. Genet Med 22, 85-94 (2020) Maiese, D. et al. Genet Med 21, 1874-1877 (2019) White Paper: Analyze, Interpret and Report NGS Data Faster than Ever Before - www.congenica.com/efficiency About Congenica Congenica is a digital health company enabling genomic medicine with the world's leading platform for the rapid interpretation of complex genomic data. Congenica software supports healthcare professionals with a 30% higher diagnostic yield than industry averages helping to transform lives. The platform is also maximizing efficiency in clinical laboratories, reducing genomic interpretation costs by up to 95% and enabling genomic data analysis to be performed 20x faster. Born out of pioneering research from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the NHS, Congenica has a global footprint supporting leading international laboratories, academic medical centers and biopharmaceutical companies and is the exclusive decision support partner of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service. For more information visit www.congenica.com. Christine Keegan, whose daughters Mary and Martina were among the 48 victims of the Stardust nightclub fire, at her home in Dublin before a protest march (PA) Tributes are being paid to Stardust campaigner Christine Keegan, who died on Tuesday. The Dublin mother, who campaigned for decades for those killed in the 1981 Valentines Day fire, was described as a fighter and hero. Mrs Keegans two daughters Mary, 19, and Martina, 16, were killed in the fire while another daughter, Antoinette, survived the fire. Antoinette and Christine became leading campaigners for justice and were heavily involved in the Stardust Victims Committee. So sorry to hear of the death of Christine Keegan a wonderful mother who lost two beautiful daughters in the #stardust disaster. She sought justice and justice must be served. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis pic.twitter.com/DCYAhaUmC7 Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 14, 2020 Attorney General Seamus Woulfe said in September he was ordering a fresh inquest into the blaze at the Stardust nightclub in Artane in Dublins Northside, in which 48 young people died. The decision came following a renewed campaign by families and survivors. A statement posted on the Justice for Stardust 48 Twitter page said: It is with deep sadness that we have the announce the passing of Christine. Our thoughts are with Antoinette and all the Keegan family. Christine was an amazing woman, our hero, our fighter for justice for our loved ones. She is now at rest with John, Mary and Martina. Inquiries into the fire showed that a number of escape routes from the dance hall were blocked because emergency doors were locked by chains. Concerns have also been raised about the investigation of the scene, which allowed politicians and media representatives to walk through the building just days later. Despite findings of safety breaches, there were no prosecutions over the incident. An initial finding of probable arson meant that the relatives of the dead and injured were unable to sue the club owners and operators for alleged negligence. In 1983, the owners of the Stardust were awarded damages of more than 730,000 euro after suing Dublin Corporation. Families and survivors have been lobbying the Irish Government for years in order to obtain a fresh inquiry. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald was among those paying tribute to the long-time campaigner. She posted on Twitter: So sorry to hear of the death of Christine Keegan a wonderful mother who lost two beautiful daughters in the Stardust disaster. She sought justice and justice must be served. Sinn Fein Senator Lynn Boylan said: Very sad news tonight that Mrs Christine Keegan, the mother who fought tirelessly for justice for her two daughters has passed away. Solicitor for the families Darragh Mackin said: Truly devastating. Mrs Christine Keegan was a real-life legend who never gave up in her quest for truth and justice for the Stardust. A true champion of the cause. She will be sadly missed by all. The joint United Nations and African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) condemned Tuesday violent incidents in North Darfur state which left nine dead and 20 wounded. UNAMID is deeply concerned about the violent incidents that erupted in Kutum town on 12 July and the attack by unidentified armed men on the Fata Borno IDP (internally displaced people) camp on the morning of 13 July 2020 which left 9 IDPs dead and 20 injured, the peacekeeping mission said in a statement. It is regrettable that these incidents have taken place while the transitional government of Sudan and the armed movements are close to concluding negotiations expected to bring peace and stability to the Darfur region and the whole of Sudan, it added. Darfur has long been plagued by poor security and armed groups. In 2003, a deadly ethnic conflict broke out in Darfur between African minority rebels and forces backed by the government of ex-president Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in April 2019. Bashir is wanted by The Hague-based International Criminal Court over charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The United Nations says the conflict killed 300,000 people and displaced 2.5 million. Sudans current transitional government, comprised of military and civilian figures led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok since last year, has engaged in talks with three key rebel groups to reach a peace deal to end the wars in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. A signing ceremony with various rebel factions slated for Tuesday was delayed once again. In the wake of the recent unrest, North Darfurs governor announced a state of emergency on Monday. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Armenia has committed a provocation to divert the attention of its citizens from the internal problems, Vice-mayor of the Israeli city of Holon Mikhail Sutovsky told Trend on July 15. Of course, I do not see any reasonability for the latest provocation committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan, Sutovsky added. This incident happened because today economic and political situation in Armenia is difficult. There is no stability in the country and therefore, there is need to distract the attention of Armenian citizens from internal problems that the government is not coping with. For this purpose, another round of conflict was provoked to divert public attention to another front." Armenia will be unable to bring the matter to a large-scale war because Azerbaijan today is much stronger in terms of army equipping and external support, the vice-mayor said. "Israel has very close relations with Azerbaijan, including those in the military-industrial sphere, the vice-mayor said. I dont think that it is in the interests of Armenia to continue such a conflict and develop it. I would urge it to return to the negotiating table and start moving forward as about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories is still under Armenias occupation and certainly this is unfair." Sutovsky stressed that lots of empty words are voiced instead of taking real steps. "On the other hand, taking into account the mediators' desire, the consent and desire of both parties are required for their ideas to be realized, the vice-mayor said. While Azerbaijan offers various options for moving towards normalizing relations and creating the stable peace, unfortunately, Armenia is not ready to do this and refuses to follow the logic of reality." Starting from July 12 afternoon, while grossly violating the ceasefire regime in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions by using artillery. As a result of the appropriate measures, the Armenian forces were forced to retreat, suffering losses. Azerbaijan lost sergeant Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, who died repelling the attack. Another serviceman of Azerbaijan's army Khayyam Dashdemirov died from wounds, despite the doctors' efforts. The tensions continued on the border, July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, vehicles, as well as killed Armenian servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. The battles continued on the night of July 13. Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev and soldier Elchin Mustafazade became martyrs during the battles. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Tourism is set to get snap-happy in Ballybunion - if plans for a new photography festival at the resort surmount the pressures of the pandemic. The Zen Way Photo Festival inaugurates what is hoped will prove to be a long-running event into the future, taking place up to four times each year. That's the vision of Ballybunion Photography Club founder Karl White, who has pointed to the massive draw of photography tourism worldwide - at least until 2019 - as a promising way of helping to get Ballybunion back on its tourism feet. Consisting of free photography classes for both camera and mobile-phone owners interested in taking the business of capturing snaps that bit further, the Zen Way Photo Fest is also all about mindfulness. That's where the 'Zen' comes into it, a Japanese school of Buddhism encouraging its adherents to empty their heads of all thought and grasp the real essence of life. "Zen has been around literally hundreds of years. It's not a religion, it's more a form of meditation," Karl explained. "Zen Photography has been around for decades, and it's super relaxing. Rather than attempt to think of absolutely nothing and fail, Zen Photography is simply swopping out all your negative thinking, and focusing on where/how to take the next picture. It's that simple. With practice it's been shown to relieve stress, depression and anxiety. It quiets down the constant jibber-jabber of our modern minds and instead focuses on something that's fun." And the fun is the draw, at a time when photography is becoming a serious part of the tourism industry. "In 2017, photography tourism was worth $79 billion, and it's predicted that by 2042 it could be worth up to $149 billion. It's a growth industry, and the reason for the massive growth is down to the ease in taking photos today with so many excellent camera phones coming on stream," Karl explained. It's a serious business in Ireland already, but with Dublin profiting most from it. That said, Kerry has the second most-lucrative photo-tourism package in the country but, sadly for North Kerry, it exists mostly in the southern half of the county. That's what Karl and Photo Club friends are now looking to change, and nowhere is the industry more promising in North Kerry than in Ballybunion - there's the stunning scenery and excellent accommodation, but also a wealth of native photographers. The first of the festival weekends begins in Ballybunion on Saturday, August 1, next with free photography classes getting underway from the get-go. That night free night-time photo classes will be held at 10pm, with Karl taking photographers around to some of the best-lit icons of the area, from the Castle Green to the Virgin Rock. Namir's Cafe on Main St will be the main location of action on the weekend, with numerous members of the Club on hand to help guests get the very best from their equipment, make friends and empty their minds of cares. The information contained in this release was correct as at 30 June 2020. Information on the Company's up to date net asset values can be found on the London Stock Exchange Website at: https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html. BLACKROCK GREATER EUROPE INVESTMENT TRUST plc (LEI - 5493003R8FJ6I76ZUW55) All information is at 30 June 2020 and unaudited. Performance at month end with net income reinvested One Month Three Months One Year Three Years Launch (20 Sep 04) Net asset value (undiluted) 6.9% 24.5% 10.8% 40.5% 479.9% Net asset value* (diluted) 6.9% 24.4% 10.7% 40.4% 480.2% Share price 6.8% 32.5% 12.5% 42.1% 466.5% FTSE World Europe ex UK 4.9% 18.9% 0.5% 11.3% 268.5% * Diluted for treasury shares and subscription shares. Sources: BlackRock and Datastream At month end Net asset value (capital only): 432.54p Net asset value (including income): 436.48p Net asset value (capital only)1: 432.54p Net asset value (including income)1: 436.48p Share price: 422.00p Discount to NAV (including income): 3.3% Discount to NAV (including income)1: 3.3% Net cash: 8.5% Net yield2: 1.4% Total assets (including income): 368.1m Ordinary shares in issue3: 84,323,101 Ongoing charges4: 1.1% 1 Diluted for treasury shares. 2 Based on a final dividend of 4.10p per share for the year ended 31 August 2019 and an interim dividend of 1.75p for the year ending 31 August 2020. 3 Excluding 26,005,837 shares held in treasury. 4 Calculated as a percentage of average net assets and using expenses, excluding interest costs, after relief for taxation, for the year ended 31 August 2019. Sector Analysis Total Assets (%) Country Analysis Total Assets (%) Technology 24.5 Denmark 17.8 Health Care 18.5 Switzerland 13.4 Industrials 17.6 Netherlands 12.5 Consumer Goods 10.5 France 12.0 Financials 9.8 Germany 9.7 Consumer Services 9.6 Italy 6.7 Oil & Gas 3.6 Russia 5.5 Basic Materials 3.0 Sweden 5.3 Telecommunications 2.5 United Kingdom 4.6 Net Current Assets 0.4 Spain 2.8 ------- Belgium 2.5 100.0 Israel 2.0 ==== Finland 1.8 Ireland 1.8 Poland 0.9 Greece 0.3 Net Current Assets 0.4 ------- 100.0 ==== Ten Largest Equity Investments Company Country % of Total Assets ASML Netherlands 6.6 Novo Nordisk Denmark 5.6 SAP Germany 5.5 Sika Switzerland 5.4 Kering France 5.1 Lonza Group Switzerland 5.0 RELX United Kingdom 4.6 Royal Unibrew Denmark 4.4 DSV Denmark 4.0 Safran France 3.3 Commenting on the markets, Stefan Gries, representing the Investment Manager, noted: During the month, the Company's NAV rose by 6.9% and the share price by 6.8%. For reference, the FTSE World Europe Ex UK Index returned 4.9% during the period. Europe ex UK markets continued their strong performance in June as countries eased lock-down restrictions, allowing economies to re-start. The release of global data during the month boosted sentiment, as PMIs in Europe and the US suggested that activity is surprising on the upside. Europe's flash PMIs posted larger than expected gains across the board. An impressive array of fiscal and monetary measures in Europe is getting into place to bridge the economy through this period of weakness. The latest data points and messages from companies suggest a strong cyclical recovery is underway. We believe the stimulus and the European Union (EU) recovery fund can reduce the risk premia in Europe and improve investors' appetite towards the region overall. Against this backdrop, cyclicals led the market with the financials and technology sectors rallying, while healthcare and consumer services underperformed the overall market. The Company outperformed the reference index over the month, driven by both strong sector allocation and stock selection. In sector terms, the Company benefited from a higher allocation to the technology and industrials sectors, as well as from its lower allocation to consumer goods. Underweight exposures to financials and higher allocations to consumer services and healthcare detracted. The technology sector was the largest contributor to returns. The Company's holdings in semiconductor names ASML and BE Semiconductor contributed to returns. These companies have performed well throughout the COVID period as demand for remote connectivity solutions increased. We believe demand for chips will continue to grow as the trend towards digitalisation is set to continue. They are well positioned to benefit from the roll out of 5G handsets and infrastructure, as well as more general investment in data centres, cloud computing and high performance computing power. Also, within the technology sector, the Company benefited from avoiding Wirecard as shares collapsed with the company forced to file for insolvency on the back of an announcement that there was insufficient evidence to account for 1.9bn of cash. While we did not hold Wirecard, we do hold a position in Wirecard's competitor Adyen which is likely to benefit by picking up market share in an otherwise highly consolidated sector. Positive contribution also came from the positioning within industrials. Sika, a global leader in construction chemicals, was the single best performer during the month, benefiting from better sentiment in construction. Shares correlated to global trade also performed strongly. DSV Panalpina, the Danish transport and logistics company, aided performance as the company said the second quarter had developed better than expected considering the COVID crisis. More resilient than expected global trade combined with a strong management team and business execution led to DSV beating Q2 profit expectations by almost 100%. While an underweight to the financials sector detracted, stock selection was positive. In particular, the Company's position in FinecoBank was amongst the best performers. The business is thriving with total financial assets under administration growing to 82.6bn (+9% year over year) to the end of June despite the clearly difficult market environment, which for us is testament to the strength of its asset gathering model. KBC also contributed to returns, although Russian Sberbank lagged the market rally. Elsewhere, not owning a number of large cap defensive index constituents like Roche, Nestle and Novartis contributed positively too. In vitro diagnostics company Diasorin was the largest detractor for the month. The stock experienced some profit taking after a strong rally, with shares up almost 60% on a year-to-date basis (as of 30 June 2020). Novo Nordisk and Grifols also contributed negatively. While both stocks lagged the cyclical rally, Grifols also suffered on concerns around new competition emerging for some of its products. We believe those concerns are unfounded and see no change in the medium to longer term attraction of the investment case. Lastly, on the negative side, RELX detracted from the Company's returns due to increasing evidence of library budgets temporarily coming under pressure on the back of COVID-19 related disruptions. We see those issues as largely transitory in nature and would point to the fact that RELX's STM division - home to its journals business - has never posted negative revenue growth in the last 70 years, which to our mind highlights the resilience of the model. At the end of the period, the Company had a higher allocation than the reference index towards technology, consumer services, industrials and health care. The Company had a neutral weighting towards oil & gas and telecoms and an underweight allocation to consumer goods, financials, utilities and basic materials. Outlook Over recent years, many investors have avoided exposure to European equities owing to concerns around political risk, rising populism, a challenged financial system and the region's larger than average exposure to China. We have long been of the view that one needs to take an active approach to investing in European equities. With this in mind, we did not need to be positive on Europe as a region to offer our shareholders exposure to some truly unique companies that happened to be listed in the region. The response to the fallout from COVID-19 has the potential to change that view. For the first time we see a strong and coordinated monetary and fiscal response that could deliver real benefits to the region over time. The proposed EU recovery fund of 750bn, which calls for debt mutualisation among member states, could act as a catalyst to reduce risk premium applied to European equities versus other developed markets and create greater, and lasting, political cohesion in the region. In this context, both the economy and local stock markets appear well positioned to make up lost ground, potentially transforming European equities into a standout opportunity in the developed world. 15 July 2020 ENDS Latest information is available by typing www.brgeplc.co.uk on the internet, "BLRKINDEX" on Reuters, "BLRK" on Bloomberg or "8800" on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Manager's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement. Germany is vulnerable to a second Covid-19 wave because only 1.3 per cent of the country has developed antibodies, experts fear. The Robert Koch Institute, the nation's infectious diseases agency, warned almost everyone in the country may still be at risk of getting infected. Even the minority with antibodies thought to be around 1million people are not necessarily protected because immunity may wane over time. It comes as a huge blow to the nation because it means it is nowhere near the level for 'herd immunity', when so many people have had been exposed that any outbreak naturally fizzles out. The RKI analysis, of blood from 12,000 donors, showed that 1.8 per cent of men had antibodies and just 0.8 per cent of women. Scientists are currently baffled by the gender gap, and believe the difference could be down to how the immune systems differ between sexes. Germany is still vulnerable to second wave of Covid-19 as antibody study has revealed only 1.3 per cent of the country has antibodies. Pictured, Berlin, July 6 Germany has recorded 200,436 confirmed coronavirus cases so far and the crisis there is continuing to fizzle out. Some 9,139 deaths have been reported just a fraction of the 45,000 recorded by the UK government. The RKI has been analysing blood samples from 13 blood banks over the past three months, The Times reports. COVID-19 ONLY OFFERS 14% PROTECTION AGAINST SECOND INFECTION Covid-19 survivors do not develop strong immunity against the coronavirus, a study has claimed. Researchers looking at how the immune system reacts in people who have had the disease once already found it did not offer as much protection as expected. With some illnesses such as chickenpox, the body can remember exactly how to destroy it and becomes able to fend it off before symptoms start if it gets back into the body. But the coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 did not seem to trigger this response in everyone who caught it, according to the research that deals a blow to hopes for widespread immunity without a vaccine. A study of 41 people in Australia found that only three of them developed a strong enough antibody immune response that they could block half of the viruses if they got into the body again. On average, the immune system's antibodies were only able to block 14.1 per cent of the coronaviruses if someone was exposed to the illness a second time, making it likely that someone could get ill again. Dr Adam Wheatley and his colleagues looked specifically at antibodies that worked by blocking the connection between the 'spike' on the outside of the coronavirus and the receptor inside the body that it attaches to, known as an ACE-2 receptor. Advertisement They looked for antibodies specific for Covid-19, which signal a person has already had the infection in the past. Generally speaking, antibodies produce immunity to a virus because they are redeployed if it enters the body for a second time. But researchers still do not know for sure whether people can catch Covid-19 more than once or if they become immune after their first infection because the virus has only been known to science since December. Antibody studies, also known as seroprevalence research, are considered critical to understanding how an outbreak has spread and can help guide decisions. People in their 40s were the least likely to have antibodies, while the highest rates were in the over-50s and those aged between 20 and 40. Experts said it was important to bare in mind the results may be skewed by the fact blood donors tend to be young and healthy, so do not truly represent the population. According to The Times, The RKI said: 'Due to the low prevalence of antibodies against Sars-CoV-2 in the sample we investigated, we suspect that a large part of the population remains susceptible to infection. 'This means that if the transmission rate increases another wave of infections could arise.' The research dashes hopes that German people are protected if the virus resurges in the autumn or winter which some scientists believe will be the case, as with the flu and common cold. The findings also clash with one early study that suggested up to 15 per cent of the population had been infected. Research showed around one in six of the population of Gangelt, in Heinsberg district, had been infected, and that a fifth of infected people had not shown any symptoms. But several experts criticised that the study had been made public before publication and expressed doubts about the method of statistical sampling used in the study. Across Europe once the heart of the pandemic antibody surveillance studies have produced varying results. Only one per cent of Danes have had the coronavirus, according to blood samples analysed by the nation's health agency. While researchers in Spain found only five per cent of the population have previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and have built up antibodies. Estimates of how many people have had the disease in England range from between 6.89 per cent (3.79million) to 8.5 per cent (4.67million). To gain 'herd immunity', experts say around 60 per cent of people need to have the virus, and most nations are far from achieving that figure. Other scientists claim herd immunity against Covid-19 could develop if just 10 per cent of the population catches the disease, if the people who first get infected are socially active. Herd immunity was the original strategy of the UK, rather than a strict lockdown, in order to remove the virus from the community. But the government denied it was ever their plan back in March. It is controversial because it means thousands of people die as a result. Germany's Health Minister, Jens Spahn, believes a second wave in the country can be prevented if people stay vigilant Although the level of antibodies discovered by the RKI and various other European health agencies are very low, there are other types of immunity likely to be within the population that have not been accounted for. Other types of immunity such as that produced by white blood cells called T cells are the first line of defence when the infection takes hold. The Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, in Sweden, showed that many people with mild or asymptomatic Covid-19 demonstrate so-called T-cell immunity to the disease. This is even if they have not tested positive for antibodies to the virus. The research would suggest that immunity among the population in the event of a second wave is higher than antibody testing suggests, Philip Thomas a professor of risk management at University of Bristol told MailOnline. 'The point about the Karolinska T-cell results is that the second wave could be a lot less severe, perhaps only as big as the first peak, perhaps twice as big, but ultimately manageable,' he said. Germany's Health Minister believes a second wave in the country can be prevented if people stay vigilant Jens Spahn told a news conference on Monday: 'We have to try to prevent infections, particularly now during the holiday season. 'We don't automatically have to expect a second wave in the autumn and winter. We can prevent that together as a society as we did before breaking the wave and keeping the pandemic in check.' Mr Spahn said he was concerned by pictures of German nationals partying and ignoring social distancing practices in Mallorca, Spain, a popular tourist destination. He said it is important for Germans to remain alert when traveling abroad. 'I understand the impatience, but where there are parties, the infection risk is particularly high,' Mr Spahn said. The health minister also added that 15.5million people have installed Germany's CoronaWarn app and that 500,000 people were tested for the disease last week, the highest figure since the pandemic began. As the face-off between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy, Sachin Pilot, intensified, the Congress dialled its prominent legal brains to guide the formers team at every step even as the experts hold the latter in high regard, people involved in the matter. The legal experts evolved a six-pronged strategy to counter Pilot and his loyalists, which culminated in state assembly speaker CP Joshis move of sending a show-cause notice to them on Wednesday morning. The decision to hold two Congress legislative party meetings, keeping the doors open for Pilot even as he was incommunicado, stripping him of his portfolios but keeping him in the party, and preparing drafts of letters were all done in consultations with top party leader and lawyer Abhishek Singhvi. Gehlot , Randeep Singh Surjewala, Ajay Maken, and Avinash Pandey held frequent consultations with Singhvi, who was assisted by other lawyers. They relied on the Rajasthans state anti-defection law and the Constitutions 10th schedule to make the disqualification case against Pilot and lawmakers loyal to him. As the shadow of the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] loomed large, we realised that we have to try our best to protect the Congress government. We decided to ask for disqualification of Pilot and his loyalists from the assembly as it would reduce the numbers in the House and brighten the prospect of the Congress majority, said a leader involved in the meetings who asked not to be named. Also read: 24 hours of twists and turns in Rajasthan political drama The Congress decided against expelling Pilot from the party as it would benefit him. Under the legislative laws, if lawmakers are sacked from a party, they remain members of legislative bodies as independents. For Gehlot, it was a chance to kill three birds with one stone. He could minimise the prospects of the BJP toppling his government, oust his arch-rival, and consolidate his position within the party, said a second Congress leader who spoke on condition of anonymity. On Tuesday, Pilot called Singhvi and requested him to fight his legal battle, oblivious of the fact that he was actually helping the other side. Singhvi revealed this and told Pilot that the honourable thing for him would be not to take [up] his case, said a Singhvi aide who asked not to be named. The Congress on Tuesday dismissed Pilot as Rajasthans deputy chief minister and the partys state unit chief over his rebellion against Gehlot. It also removed two of his loyalists from the cabinet while accusing his camp of conspiring with the BJP to destabilise the government. PDT Achary, former secretary general of lok sabha said that the Congress wants to use the clause (a) of para 2 of the 10th schedule that says if the member has voluntarily given up the membership of such political party. There is a vague area and that Congress might try to show that as Pilot didnt come for two CLP meetings that were called to save thr government, he has shown his intent. But these interpretations can be challenged in court SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Government borrowing could top 660billion over the next two years as the cost of the pandemic spirals. In its latest update, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) laid out the potential damage which coronavirus will cause to the public finances. In its central forecast, public sector borrowing will shoot up to 372.2billion this financial year and 155.7billion next year. National debt: In the Office for Budget Responsibility's central forecast, public sector borrowing will shoot up to 372.2bn this financial year and 155.7bn next year Borrowing will not fall below 100billion for five years, as the UK tries to prevent the economy stagnating. But the OBR warned that in the worst-case scenario, borrowing could rise as high as 441.4billion this year and 220.4billion next year. Its outlook becomes even more bleak over the long term, as the OBR predicts debt will rocket as the UK struggles to cope with its ageing population. In 50 years, the Government could be borrowing more than five times the size of the economy every year, according to the OBR. That could mean public borrowing would hit more than 10trillion by 2069. The OBR said that the UK was clearly on an unsustainable path, and added that taxes would have to rise by around 60billion every decade. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has ruled out any major changes to taxes for now, as the Government is desperate for households to start spending again. But Sunak wrote to the Office of Tax Simplification yesterday, requesting a review of capital gains tax rules. Individuals and businesses have to pay the tax when they sell or transfer an asset, such as a painting or property that isnt their home. As on Wednesday, Bengaluru witnessed its first day of lockdown after rising number of Corona cases in the city. In a latest development, popular Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja and his wife Prerana Sarja have tested positive for COVID-19 sending shockwaves in the indutry. Dhruva Sarja is the nephew of Arjun Sarja and younger brother of Chiranjeevi Sarja who passed away last month after suffering a massive heart attack. The actor has requested people, who came in contact with them, to get tested immediately. "My wife and I have both been tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and hence chosen to get ourselves hospitalised. I'm sure we'll be back all fine! All those who were in close proximity with us please get yourselves tested and remain safe," he tweeted. In recent times, Mandya MP and popular actress Sumalatha Ambereesh too tested positive, now Dhruva Sarja is the second notable celebrity from Sandalwood to have tested positive for COVID-19. A source close to the actor's family says that "During Chiranjeevi's funeral last month, some sections of people who had attended had also tested positive, as social distancing rules were not followed by those who attended the funeral. But now, the family has quarantined and there is no cause for worry. Dhruva has also requested all his primary contact to come forward voluntarily and get tested." The use of hanko personal seals has become a focus of attention amid the coronavirus-enforced expansion of telework. Hanko are often raised as one of the main obstacles to teleworking, including such cases as employees having to go to their offices for the sole purpose of stamping documents. In a meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy held in April, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a review of the hanko verification system. In a survey conducted in the same month by Tokyo-based software developer DreamArts Corp., nearly 30% of the 1,000 respondents cited the signing of documents and the use of hanko as the cause of telework woes. An era in which hanko seals are no longer required appears to be approaching. The use of seals is said to date back to ancient Mesopotamia, 6,000 years ago. The practice later spread to Europe, and then via the Silk Road and other routes to China and Korea before reaching Japan, according to Masao Kume, a guest professor at the Osaka University of Arts. The history of seals in Japan can be traced back 2,000 years to the King of Na's gold seal that was bestowed by Emperor Guangwu of Han in A.D. 57. "The seal was a symbol of the Chinese emperor's approval of the king's authority under China's tributary system," Kume said. The custom of stamping seals to guarantee the authenticity of a document did not become established in Japan until the Asuka and Nara periods (592-784) when the rulers shifted from an oral-based administration to a clerical one. The enactment in 701 of the Taiho Code, which stipulated the use of official seals, is believed to be when hanko first became established in Japan. The custom subsided with the spread of stylized signatures, but re-emerged during the warring states period in the late 15th-16th centuries when the seal of feudal lord Oda Nobunaga was used widely. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the use of seals spread among commoners, giving birth to a system that would become the framework of modern society. Farmers and villagers were required to take their stamps to community heads, and seal ledgers were created. The Meiji government regulated the use of hanko through laws and ordinances and established a seal registration system. "There is a direct link to the hanko culture of today and the one that emerged in the Meiji era (1868-1912)," Kume said. Explaining why the use of hanko has prevailed, Prof. Masahiko Shoji of Musashi University said: "Governments and businesses may value the fact that it is manual, even if it is inefficient." However, with such technologies as 3D printing making it possible for seals to be easily duplicated, "hanko cannot be trusted as a means of verification," he said. So, does this signal the end of hanko culture? "It is rooted in the wisdom and efforts of the Japanese. Once it is lost, it may never return," Kume warned. Shoji proposed using hanko "from a cultural perspective on such documents as certificates," but not as an official guarantee. An imperial seal has been in use for centuries. The printing method and character style slipped in quality as the authority of the emperor declined over time, according to Prof. Yumiko Maruyama of Aichi Prefectural University. However, the Meiji government, which advocated the restoration of imperial sovereignty, produced a gold imperial seal in 1874 to a high standard similar to those made in the distant past in a deliberate effort to "enhance the emperor's authority," Maruyama surmised. The imperial seal created in that year is still used today, to promulgate such documents as imperial edicts, laws, and treaty proclamations. Japan's hanko heritage has been cultivated over centuries. A departure from seals should be advanced for the sake of convenience, but their cultural value must not be forgotten. (TNS) Despite the United States conducting more COVID-19 tests than ever, most states including Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia are falling behind on testing as their outbreaks grow more severe and slow processing times resurface as a national issue.Tennessee health commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey acknowledged the problem during a news conference on Tuesday, citing a backlog at labs that are struggling to keep up with high influxes of samples."We've got a lot of testing right now. ... The problem right now is lab throughput and getting a reasonable turnaround time," Piercey said.Testing remains a cornerstone of the public health response to COVID-19 until a safe, effective vaccine is readily available. Until then, finding out who's infected, isolating those people and identifying people they've contacted so those people can be tested, too, are key to containing the virus. There's also a great economic need for testing as more businesses begin relying on testing employees to safely return to work.Although the state is working on some creative strategies to improve the situation, Piercey said some labs across the state are taking between five and six days to run a sample once receiving it in the mail."It's going to take a few weeks to get that under control," she said. "We would always want to expand testing as much as we can. Right now, we've got to fix the lab issue."Tennessee was an early leader in COVID-19 testing after a slow rollout nationwide, outpacing all of its neighbors and being one of 10 states to reach testing benchmarks established by researchers at the Harvard Global Health Institute in May.Now those same researchers, who developed new benchmarks based on the evolving pandemic, rank Tennessee in the bottom quarter of states when it comes to testing enough to suppress the pandemic. Georgia and Alabama, which have more severe outbreaks and less testing than Tennessee, have even farther to go to catch up.In order to "mitigate" or manage COVID-19, Tennessee would need to conduct 27,894 tests per day, or 408 tests per 100,000 residents, according to Harvard's estimates. Georgia would need to perform 64,048 tests (603 per 100,000 residents) and Alabama 41,577 tests (848 per 100,000 residents).Far more testing would be needed to successfully detect emerging hot spots in advance and actually "suppress" the pandemic, researchers say.Tennessee now is testing at the rate of 312 daily tests per 100,000 residents, whereas Georgia and Alabama are conducting 200 and 188 daily tests per 100,000 residents, respectively.About 13 states now are meeting the mitigation target, while only four states Connecticut, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii are testing enough for suppression."It is time to invest in building the capacity and infrastructure to test millions of Americans every day, symptoms or not. It will save many lives and billions of dollars," according to the website globalepidemics.org, where the testing benchmarks are outlined in detail.Piercey said during Tuesday's briefing that while some authoritarian countries have effectively suppressed COVID-19, achieving full suppression in a democratic nation such as the U.S. is likely unattainable."Our goal is to mitigate the spread and to minimize the number of cases as much as possible," she said.In addition to fixing the lab backlog, Piercey said the state's positivity rate which is hovering around 9% needs to come down (although it compares favorably to Georgia and Alabama at 16% each)."That's a two-part effort one is having enough testing to make sure we're getting a wide enough sample," she said. "But it's also that illness surveillance curve going down actually less people being sick."The Harvard researchers wrote that while testing has doubled in the nation from around 250,000 to more than 550,000, on daily tests "we are nowhere near where we need to be.""We need to build capacity to test millions of people every day around 4 million based on our latest modeling," they said. "That is an ambitious goal, but it is how we can suppress the virus, revive our economy and return to a new normal."Contact Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or follow her on Twitter @ecfite 2020 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Production has wrapped on the high-profile movie, 'JOURNEY TO HELL' set to hit theaters nationwide in April 2021. Based on the best-selling, highly-acclaimed classic novel by John Bunyan, the film is about a man who goes to hell and back, finding redemption in the end. The producers tapped well-known faith-based director Tim Chey to direct the film. Chey's previous films include 'Freedom' (Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler) for Showtime, 'The Islands' (Mira Sorvino, John Savage, Lehi Falepapalangi), and Sony Pictures 'Slamma Jamma'. "My hope and prayer," says Chey, "is this film scares people out of hell, not scares the hell out of people." At a time when 50% of Christians do not believe the devil exists, according to a recent Barna study, 'JOURNEY TO HELL' will show one man's journey to hell where he discovers a real hell populated by real characters (Hitler, Nero, the Zodiac killer etc). The film will show how the Lord Jesus Christ can save anyone from the harms and schemes of the enemy. "The film is very uplifting in the end," continues Chey. "We have a happy ending compared to Bunyan's version. But we show hell in all its darkness and hopefully will make people think of a literal Biblical hell." Over 9,000 actors submitted for 'Journey to Hell'. "Tim directed a home-run," says the spokespeople for VGC Productions which produced the film. "We're so proud of Tim and this film and believe it will also hit a home-run for God at the theaters next year." The film company is raising $10 million in advertising funds to take 'Journey to Hell' out to 2,000 theaters nationwide in April 2021. "Hell is real," says Chey. "And as CH Spurgeon said, 'Hell is filled with many who were almost saved and he also said, more importantly, 'If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.'" Chey also wrote and directed 'David and Goliath' filmed in North Africa and London, 'Epic Journey' for Daystar TV that took him to 29 countries, and '20 Minutes' which hits theaters in the fall. "Journey to Hell" In Theaters April 2021 CONTACT: Lisa Stahlberg Ripple Effect PR lisa@rippleeffectmanagement.com Phone: 424 319 7117 SOURCE: RiverRain Productions View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597532/Director-Tim-Cheys-JOURNEY-TO-HELL-Movie-Wraps-Filming New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will declare the class 10 results on July 15, it announced on Tuesday. The board had on Monday announced the results for class 12. However, unlike the Class 10 results, there was no prior intimation about Class 12 result declaration. HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' also took to Twitter to share the update and wish luck to the students. "My dear Children, Parents, and Teachers, the results of class X CBSE board examinations will be announced tomorrow. I wish all the students best of luck," he said. The board will announce the results through an alternative assessment scheme after it cancelled remaining exams in wake of rising coronavirus cases in the country. While class 12 exams were rescheduled to be held in July in all parts of the country, class 10 exams were rescheduled only in North East Delhi which was affected by riots in March. However, later all exams were cancelled following spike in COVID-19 cases. Total 88.78 per cent students have passed this year in CBSE Class 12 board examination 2020. This year, the pass percentage among girls is 92.15 per cent and among boys it is 86.19 per cent. Girls have performed better than boys by 5.96 per cent. The pass percentage among transgender students is 66.67 per cent. The pass percentage has increased by 5.38 per cent from last year when 83.40 per cent students passed. The CBSE will not issue any merit list this year. Earlier, CISCE had also announced that it will not announce topper's list for ISC and ICSE exams. Here's how to Check CBSE Result 2020: Step 1: Login to the official website cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in Step 2: Enter your exam details like roll number and date of birth. Step 3: Check your CBSE Board results for classes 10th and 12th. Kylie Jenner has never kept her money a secret. The Kylie Cosmetics mogul loves to show off how much shes worth through photos of expensive handbags, private jets, and luxurious vacations. With the world not yet back to normal amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Jenner has been taking the time to explore new places. But not everyone is happy about it. Kylie Jenner | Toni Anne Barson/WireImage Fans have started to complain about Kylie Jenners Instagram content For the past few years, Jenner has been slowly rising to become one of the most influential celebrities on social media. Ever since Kylie Cosmetics was officially established in 2016, Jenner has arguably become the most famous member of her family. Earlier this year, she officially surpassed her older sister, Kim Kardashian West, as Instagrams most-followed family member. Still, not everyone has loved Jenners Instagram content. On a post during her trip to Utah, fans took to the comments section to express their distaste for her recent images. Does anyone else get annoyed of all her double posts? one user asked. Others noted that her photos proved she wasnt taking the pandemic seriously. Jenner has taken trips to the desert and the beach while in lockdown In early March, most of the country entered into lockdown after the coronavirus swept the world. Since then, public events, filming, and more have been canceled, leaving celebrities with plenty of time on their hands. Jenner was staying home for a while, but she eventually left to spend some time at the familys vacation home in Palm Springs. RELATED: Is Kylie Jenner Dating Jordyn Woods Rumored Ex-Boyfriend, Fai Khadra? Recently, Jenner has started traveling more. She took a trip to the Utah desert, and now, shes posting photos beachside. It appears shes on back-to-back vacations. Some accuse the billionaire of living in a bubble Jenners recent beach photos have once again caused a stir among fans. Thank you God for another beautiful day, her caption read. While some love that Jenner is enjoying herself, others accused the reality star of living an unrealistic life. People are jobless, homeless, with no food to eat At least we have these girls to show us what [it] is to live in a [bubble], one user commented. So covid isnt a prob for you? someone asked. Not when you have your own private jet, another user answered. RELATED: Kylie Jenner Is Allegedly a Terrible Tipper Despite Her High Net Worth Jenner has been at the center of controversy lately Recently, Jenner and her sister, Kendall Jenner, came under fire after they were accused of not paying the Bangladeshi workers who make the clothes for their Kendall + Kylie clothing brand. The clothing brand later responded to the claims, saying it is not affiliated with Global Brands Group, the parent company accused of not paying its Bangladeshi employees. Despite the clothing brands statement, users infiltrated the womens Instagram comment sections to accuse them of not fairly paying their workers. Jenner, whose comment section had always been open, limited her comments to better control who could write something. It remains unclear whether the women were actually involved. Washington: The United States on Wednesday (July 15) announced to impose visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese Technology companies that allegedly abuse human rights. Among these technology firms include Chinese company Huawei. "The State Department will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of the Chinese technology companies that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference. According to the official statement, the United States of America has long been a beacon of hope for the worlds most oppressed peoples, and a voice for those who have been silenced. We have been especially vocal about the Chinese Communist Partys human rights abuses, which rank among the worst in the world." "Under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, an alien is inadmissible to the United States if the Secretary of State has reason to believe the aliens entry would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States, the statement said. The companies impacted by todays US action include Huawei, an arm of the CCPs surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China. Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses, it said. "Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers," the statement added. Mexican immigration has become a hot topic issue with the ascendancy of Trump into a position of significant political power. From calls to build a wall (and make Mexico pay for it) to increasing militarization of the border between the United States and Mexico, it has become apparent that many don't want Mexicans within their border, mostly for misplaced blame and racist distrust. But just because a vocal contingent is against immigration inwards the facts will not change. And the fact still is that the US accepts a large number of immigrants every year. How Many Mexicans Enter The US Each Year? Border of the United States and Mexico in San Diego, California. Image credit: Diego Mariottini/Shutterstock.com As for how many Mexican immigrants are accepted in a year, the latest figures from 2017 indicate that of the over 1 million people that received lawful permanent residence in the United States, 168,980 were from Mexico. Of course, these figures don't include undocumented people who have snuck across the border, a figure which is pretty difficult to effectively count. The stats indicate that there are a bit less than 100,000 undetected unlawful entries across the United States-Mexico border. There are also stats around the number of total unauthorized immigrants living in the United States, and those indicate that, as of 2017, there are a significant 6.6 million illegal Mexicans living in the global superpower nation. Further figures indicate that in 2017 a whopping total of 461,540 unauthorized immigrants were apprehended though there is no break down available by country of origin. As for the actual apprehensions of Mexican citizens, graph data indicates that a bit less than 200,000 were caught in 2016. Suffice it to say, there is a high number of legal and illegal Mexican immigrants in the country, though it should be noted that this number has dipped down in the years since the economic recession. Less Immigration Than Ever Before The international border wall between San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico, as it begins its journey from the Pacific coast and travels over nearby hills. Image credit: Sherry V. Smith/Shutterstock.com Stats show that the total number of Mexicans migrating to the United States from 2013 to 2017 is less than half of the number that were coming in from 2003-2007, for a total drop of 53%. The specific numbers are from a high of 1,664,892 to just 778,248. Furthermore, the overall share of Mexicans among all foreign-born persons who migrated to the United States dropped sharply in the same period from 28.9% to 9.6%. Mexico is now third place in stats of which country sends the most migrants to the United States, coming in behind India and China. This change is significant and there are many reasons that this is the case. An important note is that this decline is specific to Mexicans, as the total number of migrants coming into the country is actually higher than it was a decade ago. So what happened with Mexico? One cause behind this declining figure is that the border between the two countries has become increasingly militarized and stringently guarded since 9/11, making it more difficult to cross the border and causing human smuggler fees to skyrocket over the last decade. Also, the Obama and Trump administrations were both responsible for detaining and deporting many Mexicans from the United States. There are also reasons that have less to do with hostile treatment towards Mexicans. For instance, the economy in Mexico has improved significantly meaning that domestic workers have more employment options and are less apt to leave home. This jump in the economy also pushed Mexico to become a world leader in the training of engineers and computer scientists. Another cause for the lowered migration rate is the lower fertility rate in Mexico which dropped from a high of 7 births per woman in 1960 to just 2.1 in 2019. Thus there is less population pressure to create jobs for young people. And of course, the Trump administration's biased rhetoric and unfair depiction of Mexicans probably makes potential migrants even more hesitant to enter the country. Journalists document a bittersweet reunion between Dreamer Renata Teodoro and her mother, deported earlier, at the US-Mexico border fence. Image credit: Rebekah Zemansky/Shutterstock.com Shifting Demographics Another interesting result of all these changes is the shift in demographics of who is migrating into the country. Mexican migrants were once primarily males with limited educational and monetary resources who clustered in certain low-wage jobs in the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. The Mexicans of today meanwhile have a higher level of education, better English proficiency, and are in larger proportions United States naturalized citizens. As a result of this, there is a notable increase in skilled Mexican migrants, with some reports indicating that the number of Mexican migrants with a bachelor's degree or higher rose 2.5 times between 2000 and 2017. This puts them as the fourth largest group of immigrants with at least a bachelor's degree in the US, behind India, China, and the Philippines. Immigration Overall As for immigration more broadly, the United States is the country with the single largest number of immigrants in the world. More than 40 million people living in the nation were born in another country, accounting for one-fifth of the world's migrants in 2017. In total, they account for 13.6% of the United States population. Approximately 77% of immigrants have entered the country legally, with 45% clocking in as naturalized United States citizens as of 2017. Unauthorized immigrants were at a record high of 12.2 million in 2007, dropping down to 10.5 million in 2017, or 3.2% of the country's population. This decline can largely be attributed to the aforementioned fall in the number of migrants coming from Mexico. Still, Mexico remains the top origin country for the United States immigrant population, with 11.2 million from Mexico in 2017. This figure accounts for 25% of all United States migrants and is followed by the next largest origin groups of China, India, and the Philippines, which make up 6%, 6%, and 5% respectively of the share of immigrants. Nowadays 1 million immigrants still arrive in the United States each year, with Mexico as one of the top countries for new migrants. In the future, however, things may change as Asians are projected to become the largest immigrant group in the United States by 2055, surpassing Hispanics' current majority. On the popular Netflix series You, a stalker accesses his girlfriends texts by stealing her phone. (To the woe of viewers, she fails to unsync the missing device from her iCloud account before replacing it.) Later, he installs spyware on his neighbors phone to read her text messages and track her whereabouts. Though itd be nice to pretend that such people dont exist in real life, stalkerware is a serious problem. In fact, a woman whose partner installed stalkerware on her phone told a British publication that You was scarily accurate. Advertisement Now Google is making it more difficult for people to spy on their significant others and exes. Effective Aug. 11, the search giant will ban ads on most stalkerware apps. Once installed, stalkerware lets users spy on targets text messages, call logs, photos and videos, location data, and what they type into their phone (yes, including important passwords). While some apps require that the stalker have physical access to their targets phone, thats not always the case. Some let a user send their target a link thats camouflaged as something harmless. Once clicked, the link downloads stalkerware onto the device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many stalkerware apps are already banned from the App Store and the Play Store, making them harder to find. Thats where the Google ad ban comes in: Companies promoting stalkerware apps can no longer redirect users to third-party sources where their services are available. Advertisement Advertisement A February poll from the software company NortonLifeLock found that one in 10 Americans have used stalkerware to keep tabs on their significant other or ex. The results can be terrifying and life-threatening. In 2019, the BBC described how a womans husband used surveillance software to track her every move. That same year, someone told the MIT Technology Review that, with the help of a stalkerware app, her boyfriend knew where I was at all times, who I was talking to on email, text messages, social mediaall of it. He could see everything. I had no privacy. Stalkerware has reportedly surged during the COVID-19 lockdown. The internet security company Avast says it has seen a 51 percent uptick in stalkerware usage between March and June. According to CyberScoop, the California-based company Malwarebytes reported a 190 percent spike in stalkerware detections on customers devices since lockdown began. The director of protection labs and quality assurance at Avira, Alex Vukcevic, told CyberScoop, When many countries were starting to announce the lockdowns, we see a parallel between that and the [stalkerware] installation rates. Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, Googles updated advertising policy contains a loophole. It bans the promotion of products or services that are marketed or targeted with the express purpose of tracking or monitoring another person or their activities without their authorization. But it does not include private investigation and child monitoring appswhich can be used for stalking, too. A study from 2018 warns of dual-use apps, which are advertised for nonmalicious services but can easily be repurposed by stalkers. An October 2019 article from the BBC warned that many stalkerware companies advertise their products as parental control or employee monitoring services. As Ars Technica points out, the popularity of dual use apps, as described by the study, also effectively makes Googles ban on stalkerware ads toothless, as many tracking apps already claim to have a legitimate use for parents or investigators. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marlowe Hood (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Wed, July 15, 2020 07:20 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066650ee9 2 World Africa,heatwave,environment,climate-change Free The impacts of extreme heatwaves amplified by climate change are going unrecorded in sub-Saharan Africa, making it nearly impossible to detect patterns and set up early warning systems, researchers said Monday. While detailed records of hot spells and their aftermath exist for the world's wealthier regions, in Africa scientists and governments are mostly flying blind in assessing the damage to human health and economies, the researchers reported in the journal Nature Climate Change. "Both real-world observations and climate modeling show Sub-Saharan Africa as a hotspot for heatwave activity," said lead author Luke Harrington, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute. "But the consequences of these heatwaves are not being recorded," he told AFP. "It is as if they haven't happened, but we know they have." Only two heatwaves in sub-Saharan Africa have been listed over the last 120 years in the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), the most complete registry of extreme weather event impacts in the world. By contrast, 83 European heatwaves -- resulting in more than 140,000 deaths and $12 billion in damages -- have been logged since 1980 alone. "There is an urgent need to address this discrepancy," said Harrington. There is also an absence of data for other types of extreme weather in Africa, such as drought, heavy rains and major storms. Global warming is expected to increase the number of "deadly heat days" -- beyond the threshold of human tolerance -- in coming decades, especially in the tropics, earlier research has shown. But gathering data on the location, duration and intensity of heatwaves is only part of what is needed to plan ahead, the researchers said. African voices not heard "The problem is not the absence of weather data per se," senior author Friederike Otto, director of the Environmental Change Institute, told AFP. "It is the lack of impact data, such as records from hospitals on mortality, or power and infrastructure impacts." Climate models show that sub-Saharan Africa is going to be disproportionately affected by worsening heatwaves due to climate change, and the current lack of data hampers the region's ability to prepare, she said. "Is five days above 40 degree Celsius (104 degree Fahrenheit) the threshold for serious impacts on mortality? Does one extremely hot day lead to infrastructure failure?," Otto asked. "Without assessing impact data and weather data together, you don't know how an early warning system should be designed." In Europe -- where extreme hot spells rarely last more than a couple of weeks -- emergency response measures are usually triggered after three days. A rare "heat dome" settling this week over much of the United States is on track to produce scorching temperatures for weeks. In tropical and sub-tropical Africa, heatwaves can last longer. One in 1992 went on for four months, compounding a record drought. It was never recorded in the EM-DAT registry. "People in Africa are certainly aware of the growing number of heatwaves on the continent," said Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa and former climate lead for Christian Aid, where he saw firsthand the impact of extreme weather on the continent. "But if they are not being recorded by scientists, it will be much harder for African voices to be heard in the climate debate," said Adow, who was not involved in the new research. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Cortus Metals Inc. (TSXV: CRTS.P) (the "Company", or "Cortus"), a capital pool company pursuant to Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V"), announces that the Company has executed a definitive property purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Intermont Resources LLC ("Intermont") in connection with its proposed acquisition of the Grayson and Powerline properties (the "Properties"), as announced on November 20, 2019 (the "Transaction"). CEO, Sean Mager commented, "We are pleased to finalize the terms for Cortus to acquire up to 23 outstanding gold-silver projects targeting epithermal and Carlin-type mineralization within the perennially top-ranked mining jurisdiction of north-central Nevada. They range from grassroots to drill-ready, with the most advanced being fully permitted and bonded. The majority are located near operating mines or known deposits, generally on the same fault structure hosting the deposit. Two-thirds of them are within the prolific Carlin, Cortez, Battle Mountain/Eureka, Getchell and Long Canyon trends, while one-third are within the underexplored, fault-controlled Lahontan basin, which is host to deposits totalling more than 8 million ounces of gold. We will systematically evaluate and expand the portfolio throughout the Great Basin using our proprietary data, generative methods and tenure management. It is our mission to advance the projects to fruition through a combination of in-house and third-party exploration. We welcome proposals." Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company will acquire a 100% interest in the Properties in consideration of (i) the issuance of 1,000,000 post-split common shares of the Company, and (ii) the payment of US$274,400 of which US$19,400 was paid as a non-refundable deposit upon execution of the letter agreement preceding the Purchase Agreement and US$105,000 has been advanced as a secured loan to Intermont, the remaining cash payment due of US$150,000 will be paid on the closing date and is to be used by Intermont to reimburse asset preservation expenses and repay certain loans to Intermont made by third parties. The Company will also grant to the members of Intermont a 2% net smelter return royalty on each of the Properties (the "Royalty"), subject to a buy-back right in favor of the Company whereby the Company may acquire of the Royalty on either Property at any time prior day 180 days following the earlier of (i) a production decision on the property being made or (ii) commencement of commercial production (the "Buyback Deadline") for payment of US$1,500,000, which payment may be made in cash or through the issuance of the Company's common shares at a deemed value equivalent to 20 day VWAP up until 60 days following the Buyback Deadline. Story continues Within the Purchase Agreement, Intermont has granted to the Company the right to acquire any of the additional projects held by Intermont for a period of 24 months from closing in consideration of 200,000 post split common shares per project and the grant of a 2% net smelter royalty, subject to the same buyback rights applicable to the Royalty (the "Property Option"). In the event that the Company acquires four projects pursuant to the Property Option, the Company will have a period of 30 days to exercise the Intermont Option (as described below). Concurrent with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has entered into a definitive option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with all of the holders of the membership interest of Intermont who have granted to the Company the sole and exclusive right to acquire 100% of the membership interest of Intermont for a 24 month period following closing (the "Intermont Option") in consideration of the issuance of 5,000,000 post-split common share. Any shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Property Option will be deducted from the shares issuable to exercise the Intermont Option. Should the Company exercise the Intermont Option, the Company will grant to the members of Intermont a 2% net smelter royalty on the remaining projects held by Intermont on the same terms as the Royalty. The Transaction remains subject to, among other customary conditions, the completion of the non-brokered financing announced by the Company on April 20, 2020. The Company anticipates submitting its filing statement for the Transaction and receiving approval from the TSX-V to close the Transaction and concurrent financing within the next 14 days. In accordance with TSX-V policies, the Company's shares are currently halted from trading and will remain so until completion of the Transaction, or until earlier approved by the TSX-V. On behalf of the Board of Directors s/ "Sean Mager" Sean Mager, Chief Executive Officer Email: seanm@cortusmetals.com Telephone: +1.780.701.3215 Forward Looking Information Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX-V acceptance and if applicable pursuant to TSX-V requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are the risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators including the following: (i) the Company has no commercial operations and has no history of profit; (ii) investment in the common shares of the Company is highly speculative given the unknown nature of the Company's business and its present stage of development; (iii) there is no assurance that the Company will find a profitable undertaking or that it can successfully conclude a purchase of such an undertaking at all or on terms which are commercially acceptable; (iv) the directors and officers of the Company will only devote a portion of their time to the business and affairs of the Company and some of them are or will be engaged in other projects or businesses such that conflicts of interest may arise from time to time; and (v) there can be no assurance that an active and liquid market for the Company's common shares will develop and an investor may find it difficult to resell its common shares. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59821 Chilean President Sebastian Pinera presented a new economic stimulus package Tuesday to help middle-class citizens who are suffering financially because of the coronavirus lockdown. A similar proposal launched a week ago by the president did not get enough support from the Chilean Congress. Pinera's new package is a response to an opposition initiative that would allow pension contributors to withdraw 10 percent of their savings from a total of 200,000 dollars in Chile's Pension Funds Administrator. The package of measures considers a direct transfer of 600 dollars per person, maintaining extension of credits, rental subsidies and loans to pay for university. The opposition rejects Pinera's proposal, arguing it would only add to the debts of the people affected. only mean new debts for the strongly affected middle class. A former Iran defence ministry staffer was executed after being convicted of spying for the Central Intelligence Agency, the country's judiciary said on Tuesday. Reza Asgari, an Iranian citizen, was executed last week for selling information on Tehran's missile programme, according to the Islamic Republic judiciary's spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili, quoted in the country's official Mizan Online News Agency. Mr Asgari worked in the aerospace division before retiring about four years ago, Mr Esmaili added. "In the last years of his service, he joined the CIA, he sold information about our missiles... to the CIA and took money from them," Mr Esmaili said, according to the Associated Press. "He was identified, tried and sentenced to death." Mr Esmaili said that another Iranian found guilty of espionage, Mahmoud Mousavi Majd, would also face the death penalty for helping the US locate Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani, according to an AFP translation of the statement. Soleimani was killed in an American drone strike on 3 January after Washington said he coordinated attacks against US troops in the region. Iran retaliated by firing missiles at US troops stationed at the Ain Al-Asad base in Iraq. No US soldiers were killed in the attack and Donald Trump chose not to retaliate militarily. Mr Asgari is the second former Iranian defence ministry staffer to be executed in the past month over accusations of spying. Tehran said Jalal Hajizavar was hanged in prison in June after admitting in court that he was paid to spy for the CIA. Mr Hajizavar's wife was also sentenced to 15 years in prison after authorities confiscated espionage equipment in their residence. Iran regularly announces arrests and convictions of spies alleged to be working for foreign countries like the US and Israel. In December, Iran announced that it arrested eight people "linked to the CIA" following street protests over petrol price hikes. In July last year, Iran said that it captured 17 spies suspected of working for the CIA. Some were sentenced to death. Iran's judiciary also said on Tuesday that it executed two men over the 2010 bombing of a military parade that killed 12 in the predominantly Kurdish city of Mahabad, according to a Reuters translation from the Islamic Republic News Agency. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has contacted via phone families of Major General Polad Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev, who heroically died during the battles on the Azerbaijani- Armenian border, the presidents press service reported on July 15. Speaking with the Hashimovs mother and Mirzayevs son, Aliyev expressed deep condolences to the families of the martyrs. The president noted that the heroism of servicemen who died for the motherland will never be forgotten and their deaths will be avenged. The funeral ceremony was held for Major-General Polad Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzaev today, who heroically died on July 14 during heavy fighting in the Tovuz region on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. At the funeral ceremony held in the Second Alley of Honor, Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, First Deputy Minister of Defense-Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel General Najmaddin Sadiqov, Deputy Head of Military Affairs Department of Presidential Administration Lieutenant General Yashar Aliyev, Head of Sector for Work with Armed Forces of the Presidential Administration Lieutenant General Elshad Babayev, Head of Baku city Executive Powers Eldar Azizov, as well as public figures and colleagues of the victims expressed their condolences to relatives and friends of martyrs. To the sounds of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan performed by the Military Orchestra, martyrs were buried under the salvo fire in accordance with the military traditions. Defense Ministry stressed to the families of the martyrs and all participants of the ceremony that martyrs death will be avenged. Major General Hashimovs brother Ilham Hashimov and Colonel Mirzaevs son Elvin Mirzaev expressed deep gratitude to Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and the Defense Ministry for high level of organization of the funeral ceremony. Following the path of his father, Elvin Mirzayev promised to join the Azerbaijani army as an officer and avenge his father and all countrys martyrs. On the night leading to July 14, five Azerbaijani servicemen, including a major general and colonel, were killed during the Armenian attack on the border. In three days of fighting, the Azerbaijani army lost 11 officers and soldiers. One civilian was killed as a result of artillery fire by the Armenian armed forces. The cross-border fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan started on July 12 with Armenia's firing artillery at Azerbaijan's positions in the direction of Tovuz region. It should be noted that 43 parties in Azerbaijan issued a joint statement on July 15 in which they expressed full support to President Aliyev amid Armenias provocation on the border. "We, the political parties of Azerbaijan, strongly support the policy pursued by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, to ensure the territorial integrity and security of the population (...) declare close cohesion around the head of state," the statement reads. Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway region, which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France has been mediating the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict since the signing of the volatile cease-fire agreement in 1994. However, final peace deal has not been reached yet. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The chief minister also launched the distribution of free textbooks for the students of classes 10 and 12 for the 2020-21 academic year. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami on Tuesday launched Kalvi Tholaikatchi, a state-run education channel for students of classes 10 and 12. According to a report in The Hindu, the state-run education channel will broadcast lessons for two-and-a-half hours every day from Monday to Friday. As per the report, the chief minister also launched the distribution of free textbooks for the students of classes 10 and 12 for the 2020-21 academic year. He inaugurated a scheme for downloading video lessons for Class XII students through hi-tech labs set up at government and aided schools across the state. The News Minute reported that experts at Tamil Nadu Text Book Corporation (TNTBC) and Higher Secondary school teachers were involved in creating video lessons for the students. The decision to broadcast lessons through the government's Kalvi channel and 14 other private television channels was taken as schools are closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and there is no clarity as to when the classes will resume. Videos are being pushed to a central server and from there to individual schools through labs. The report stated that the lessons for the first 30 days have been made available and will be updated as when the content is ready. According to the report in The Hindu, Commissioner of School Education Siji Thomas Vaidyan, who headed the committee that had been given the task of finding ways to tackle challenges faced due to the COVID-19 lockdown, submitted a report to the chief minister at the launch event. School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam, School Education Secretary Dheeraj Kumar and Director of School Education S Kannappan were also present on the occasion. By Marianna Fotaki, Network Fellow, Edmond J Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University and Professor of Business Ethics, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick and Kate Kenny, Professor in Business and Society, National University of Ireland Galway. Originally published at The Conversation. In March, 10,000 NHS staff signed a letter to UK prime minister Boris Johnson demanding better protection against COVID-19. Nurses and doctors wanted to treat patients without fear of infecting them and to minimise their own risk of falling ill. But they lacked the proper protective equipment. The problem they described was rooted in changes made long before the arrival of the coronavirus. The NHSs reduced capacity for dealing with the pandemic including a lack of PPE has been the result of years of allowing financial considerations to dictate the quality of care. Back in 2017, the government rejected advice that the NHS should stockpile protective equipment in case of a potential influenza pandemic. The reason? An economic assessment found it would be too expensive. Such failings are representative of the long-running trend, beginning in the 1980s, of letting the logic of the market dictate how health and social care systems are run, both in Britain and abroad. It has left many systems without the capacity to withstand a crisis of the scale were currently seeing. In turn, the pandemic has seen whistleblowers in health and social care disclosing systemic failures to protect staff and patients. The marketisation of health and social care, we suggest, has increased the need for these whistleblowers to protect the common good and we need to support them better. The Results of Market Logic The USs private healthcare system epitomises the failure of letting the market govern care services. The country spends 17% of its GDP or US$3.6 trillion (2.8 billion) on health, more than any other nation. Despite this, almost 30 million Americans (9% of the entire US population) remain uninsured because their employer does not offer health benefits or they cannot afford their own insurance. These are mostly working-age adults in families with low incomes. The inaccessibility of health services to those who need them has contributed to the US having the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in the world (together with one of the highest death rates per 1 million population). Yet, even while the pandemic spreads, some of its poorest hospitals and other healthcare institutions have had to put much-needed staff on leave. Having to compete in a ruthless market environment, they cannot afford to pay them. The pandemic has also exposed failings in care homes. Prompted by the rising costs of elderly care and users expectations for personalised services, both the UK and Sweden introduced a market-based system of care in the 1980s. The idea was that encouraging competition among multiple providers would deliver more cost-effective and responsive services and empower consumers by letting them choose among them. Large for-profit businesses with no prior experience of delivering such services were encouraged into the market. In the intervening years, research has clearly shown the deficiencies of these changes. Both sociological and economic analyses debunk claims that the market delivers high-quality care services efficiently. In order to reduce costs, both British and Swedish organisations have come to rely on short-term staff with rudimentary training. During Swedens COVID-19 outbreak, a lack of continuity and skills stemming from using short-term staff has contributed significantly to the high death toll in care homes, exacerbated by the relaxed approach to social restrictions that was adopted by the government. Swedens care homes account for half of the countrys COVID-19 deaths. In the UK, care homes account for half of all excess deaths. Higher rates of infection among residents have been linked to these institutions relying on temporary workers and not offering sick pay to staff (incentivising them to work even if ill). The Need for Whistleblowers Health professionals disclosures have become a societal safety valve. Over 100 UK carers have called a whistleblowing helpline to report safety concerns during the pandemic. Whistleblowers disclosures are invaluable for showing us the necessity of reform, and also the specifics of what must be done. The Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust scandal which saw up to 1,200 patients die as a result of substandard care was made known by a whistleblower. So too the infamous failings in paediatric heart surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the 1990s. However, whistleblowing is typically a last resort, requiring significant moral courage. The sector can be hostile to doctors and nurses who disclose wrongdoing. Because of this, we need stronger systems for making disclosures and effective protection for whistleblowers forced to go outside their organisation to speak up. Offering whistleblower protection that covers all employees at an organisation is also key. But first and foremost, we should bring health and social institutions back to their rightful purpose. This work should start by putting to rest, once and for all, discredited market-driven ideologies and prioritising providing good quality care. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday denied any role in hosting Congress rebel and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and several of his followers in a hotel in Manesar amid suggestions that its location indicated Pilots move had the blessings of the BJP leadership, which leads the ruling coalition in Haryana. Khattar denied the connection and said private hotels welcome everyone. Private hotels are open for everyone, anyone can stay there. The Haryana government has no role in it. Khattar was reported as saying on being asked about the rebel MLAs staying at a hotel in Haryanas Manesar, also not far from the national capital of Delhi. Earlier today, Pilot, too, scorched speculations and stated that he was not considering joining the BJP, the principal opposition party in Rajasthan. Following his statement, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked Pilot to not accept the hospitality of BJP-ruled Haryana, if he was not joining the BJP. Come back to your family, sit with your family and place your view before the family, Surjewala was quoted as saying by ANI in Jaipur, where MLAs loyal to CM Ashok Gehlot are camping. Sachin Pilot and 18 of his followers were earlier served with disqualification notices from the state assembly on the request of the party chief. They have been given time till Friday to reply. While the party is asking Pilot to return and sort things out, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on the other hand sought to set the record straight by accusing his former deputy of direct involvement in the alleged horse-trading of ruling party MLAs in connivance with BJP to bring down his government. How the Rajasthan impasse is different from Madhya Pradesh saga While Gehlot didnt take Pilots name, he also left little doubt over the identity of the person he was targeting. Our deputy chief minister and PCC president himself was doing the deal and was giving statements that no horse-trading was taking place. What clarification are you giving when you yourself were involved? he asked. Pilot was sacked as the deputy CM and partys Rajasthan unit chief on Tuesday. Pilot had earlier indirectly accused Gehlot of conspiring to defame him and lower his image in the eyes of the Gandhi family. He had also denied any truck with the BJP with an aim to topple the Rajasthan government. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 50.6x The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) may be sending very bearish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in the United States have P/E ratios under 16x and even P/E's lower than 9x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be quite high for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. New York Times has been doing a decent job lately as it's been growing earnings at a reasonable pace. It might be that many expect the reasonable earnings performance to beat most other companies over the coming period, which has increased investors willingness to pay up for the stock. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price. Check out our latest analysis for New York Times Where Does New York Times' P/E Sit Within Its Industry? An inspection of average P/E's throughout New York Times' industry may help to explain its particularly high P/E ratio. It turns out the Media industry in general has a P/E ratio lower than the market, as the graphic below shows. So we'd say there is practically no merit in the premise that the company's ratio being shaped by its industry at this time. Some industry P/E's don't move around a lot and right now most companies within the Media industry should be getting stifled. Ultimately though, it's going to be the fundamentals of the business like earnings and growth that count most. pe Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on New York Times will help you shine a light on its historical performance. Does Growth Match The High P/E? There's an inherent assumption that a company should far outperform the market for P/E ratios like New York Times' to be considered reasonable. Story continues Taking a look back first, we see that the company managed to grow earnings per share by a handy 5.9% last year. The latest three year period has also seen an excellent 162% overall rise in EPS, aided somewhat by its short-term performance. Therefore, it's fair to say the earnings growth recently has been superb for the company. In contrast to the company, the rest of the market is expected to decline by 11% over the next year, which puts the company's recent medium-term positive growth rates in a good light for now. With this information, we can see why New York Times is trading at a high P/E compared to the market. Presumably shareholders aren't keen to offload something they believe will continue to outmanoeuvre the bourse. However, its current earnings trajectory will be very difficult to maintain against the headwinds other companies are facing at the moment. The Final Word Using the price-to-earnings ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects. We've established that New York Times maintains its high P/E on the strength of its recentthree-year growth beating forecasts for a struggling market, as expected. Right now shareholders are comfortable with the P/E as they are quite confident earnings aren't under threat. We still remain cautious about the company's ability to stay its recent course and swim against the current of the broader market turmoil. Otherwise, it's hard to see the share price falling strongly in the near future if its earnings performance persists. Before you settle on your opinion, we've discovered 1 warning sign for New York Times that you should be aware of. It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20x). 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. While Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was able to oust the Speaker on July 13, the narrow margin of the vote didnt go unnoticed by the opposition. Mohd Shafie Apdal, a potential prime ministerial candidate, told reporters that the party is preparing for early elections since the vote in the lower house showed Muhyiddin may lack a majority. Muhyiddin passed his first test with a narrow margin in the parliament nearly five months after taking the power from his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad. In February, Malaysian King had appointed Muhyiddin as the Prime Minister after Mahathir Mohamad resigned from the post in an unsuccessful attempt to regain the control. Muhyiddin fell one vote short of a simple majority when only half of the 222 legislators were present in the house and voting for the motion to remove the Speaker. Mohd Shafie highlighted that it is not even a simple majority, anticipating that it is a hung parliament. Elections are not far away, its just around the corner, he said, adding that the parliamentary vote on the 2021 budget would be another crucial test for the government. Read: Mahathir Slams Malaysian Govt For Shortened Parliament Meet Advantage over no-confidence motion? However, the successful removal of the Speaker could help the government to sail through since it is the Speaker who decides on if a vote of no-confidence can go-ahead. Muhyiddin has been facing the challenge to gather support in the parliament with Mahathirs faction supporting Mohd Shafie for the coveted post. Mahathir had resigned from the prime ministerial post following a series of meeting were held on February 23 to plan the formation of a new federal government. Mahathir returned as the interim Prime Minister and started working on a plan to stay at the helm and finally decided to realign with rival Anwar Ibrahim. The 95-year-old Malaysian leader, who also belonged to Bersatu party before getting sacked, had planned to convene the parliament on March 2 in order to allow lawmakers to choose their leader but Malaysian King rejected it saying he will continue to strive to find a solution in accordance with the constitution, in the interests of the people and country. Read: Malaysia Grounds Pakistan-licensed Pilots After Pak Govt Admits '30% Carry Fake Licences' (With agency inputs) Ameya Dalvi This list is for those with deep pockets who are willing to splurge close to 50K on a smartphone. It would be fair to expect some classy designs, top of the line features and processing power, along with ample storage. Some may even expect great value for money in this segment, and we have them covered as well. So lets look at your best options this month under Rs 50,000. Best phones to buy under Rs 50,000 in India OnePlus 8 We recently reviewed the OnePlus 8 and found it to be a much better phone than it seemed on paper. Though it cannot match the value for money offered by its predecessor OnePlus 7T (Review) (which is also a great option to consider), it does offer plenty of all-round goodness. The design and feel are excellent and so is the display quality. The performance of the device is as good as it gets currently, and the battery life has improved. Oh, and the OnePlus 8 is 5G ready too. To shed some light on its specifications, the OnePlus 8 is powered by Qualcomms latest Snapdragon 865 SoC and you get 6 GB and 8 GB RAM options with 128 GB internal storage. Theres a 12 GB RAM variant too with 256 GB storage, but I wouldnt recommend that at its current price. The phone has an excellent 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and 90 Hz refresh rate with Corning 3D Gorilla Glass protection, that also extends to its glass back. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos along with AptX, AptX HD and LDAC codecs for better throughput over Bluetooth. The photography department isnt as versatile as its predecessor but you still get three cameras at the back with a more than decent 48 MP primary camera with OIS (optical image stabilisation) that captures some crisp shots in good to average lighting. You also get a 16 MP ultra-wide camera thats better than most of its kind, and theres a 2 MP macro camera that could have been replaced with something better. The 16 MP punch-hole selfie camera does a good job. The battery capacity has been bumped up to 4,300 mAh and does last in excess of 30 hours on a single charge. A 30W Warp charger gets it fully charged in just over an hour. The OnePlus 8 runs Android 10 with OxygenOS 10 on top, arguably the best Android UI around. OnePlus 8 price in India: Rs 41,999 for 6 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage; Rs 44,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage OnePlus 7 Pro/ OnePlus 7T Pro If you do not care about 5G yet or the extra performance boost that the Snapdragon 865 delivers, and would rather trade them for better cameras, you should strongly consider the Pro variants of OnePlus from previous generations that sell in the same price range or lower. I am talking about OnePlus 7 Pro (Review) or 7T Pro (Review) with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. You get a 6.67-inch higher resolution 1440p Fluid AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support on each of those phones. Theres a 16 MP camera hosted on a pop-up mechanism for selfies. The design is equally stylish with a metal frame and a glass body protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 at the front and back. You get a triple camera setup comprising of a 48 MP primary camera with OIS, a 16 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus and an 8MP telephoto camera with OIS that gives you 3X optical zoom. The cameras manage to shoot some impressive images in different modes and lighting conditions. The OnePlus 7 Pro and 7T Pro are powered by Qualcomms previous flagships Snapdragon 855 and 855+ chips respectively. Their 4,000 and 4,085 mAh batteries last for a day of moderate usage comfortably. They too run Android 10 with OxygenOS 10 on top. OnePlus 7 Pro price in India: Rs 42,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage OnePlus 7T Pro price in India: Rs 47,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage iQOO 3 Moving away from OnePlus, if you still want the power of the Snapdragon 865 chip but at the significantly lower cost, you have iQOO 3 (Review) from the Vivo sub-brand. It flaunts an equally impressive spec-sheet, starting with the latest Qualcomm flagship SoC. You get 8 GB RAM with 128 GB and 256 GB internal storage options for a good Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 cheaper than the OnePlus 8. The iQOO 3 packs a sharp 6.44-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED screen with HDR10+ support and Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on top, but without the 90 Hz refresh rate feature. The camera department is more versatile here with a quad camera setup at the back that has a combination of 48 MP primary camera with PDAF, 13 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus, 13 MP telephoto camera that provides 2X optical zoom and a 2MP depth sensor. It has a 16 MP punch-hole selfie camera too. Its 4,400 mAh battery does a good job of keeping it powered for over a day, and the company also bundles a 55W fast charger to recharge it in double quick time. The iQOO 3 runs Android 10 with their custom UI on top. A 5G variant of this phone with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage is also available under 45K, just in case you are interested in being extra future-proof. iQOO 3 price in India: Rs 34,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage; Rs 37,990 for 8 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage. iQOO 3 (5G) price in India: Rs 44,990 for 12 GB RAM/ 256 GB storage Non-Chinese brand Smartphones under Rs 50,000 in India Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite Samsung is looking to compete hard in this segment too, courtesy of a new member of their flagship S series, the Galaxy S10 Lite (Review). The phone has a large 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus Infinity-O display that supports HDR10+. Despite the Lite suffix in the name, Samsung has opted for a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chip at its heart. It is accompanied by 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage that can be expanded further using a microSD card. You also get a 512 GB internal storage variant of this smartphone, in case you dont want to bother with a memory card. Photography department consists of a 48MP primary camera with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide camera and a 5MP dedicated macro camera. Theres a 32MP camera at the front to have the selfie enthusiasts interested. Another key aspect of this phone is its 4,500 mAh battery that lasts well over a day of moderate usage, and the bundled fast charger does a good job of juicing it up quickly. The Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite runs Android 10 with One UI on top. Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite price in India: Rs 42,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 128 GB storage; Rs 47,999 for 8 GB RAM/ 512 GB storage Apple iPhone SE (2020) I know you have been waiting for this one. The long rumoured successor to the iPhone SE is finally a reality, and its called, well, iPhone SE. Lets add 2020 at the end to differentiate it from its predecessor, though the two have very little in common, except a competitive price tag. The new SE borrows its looks and a lot of specifications from the iPhone 8, except the processor, which is the same as that on all iPhone 11 series phones. It is powered by Apple's latest A13 Bionic chip. So think of it as an Apple iPhone 8 with a faster processor. It has a 4.7-inch Retina LCD display with the typical 326 PPI pixel density. You get Apples ever reliable 12 MP camera at the back with OIS and a 7 MP selfie camera up front. The phone is IP67 rated dust and water resistant and runs iOS 13; it is very much upgradable to the recently announced iOS 14. You get three storage variants of the new Apple iPhone SE and two of them are priced within our budget. Now with a new iPhone selling in this budget, a lot of potential Android buyers may think of switching their loyalties to get a taste of the forbidden fruit. Apple iPhone SE (2020) price in India: Rs 42,500 for 64 GB storage; Rs 47,800 for 128 GB storage Goldman just put out a long-term forecast that sees 90% chance stocks beat bonds over 10 years Published Wed, Jul 15 2020 8:36 AM EDT Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE:4YX) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation positioning itself to engage in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a securities exchange agreement dated July 14, 2020 (the "Securities Exchange Agreement") with PharmaDrug Inc. (CSE: BUZZ) ("PharmaDrug"). Under the terms of the Securities Exchange Agreement, PharmaDrug has agreed to issue 9,333,333 units to the Company (the "PharmaDrug SEA Units") at deemed price of $0.075 per unit, in consideration for the issuance by Red Light Holland of 4,242,424 RLH Units (as defined below) at a deemed price of $0.165 per unit to PharmaDrug. Each PharmaDrug SEA Unit consists of (i) one common share of PharmaDrug (a "PharmaDrug Share"), (ii) 0.9 of a PharmaDrug common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one common share of PharmaDrug at a price of $0.13 for a period of 48 months (each whole warrant, a "Class A PharmaDrug Warrant"), and (iii) 0.1 of a PharmaDrug common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one common share of PharmaDrug at a price of $0.08 for a period of 48 months (each whole warrant, a "Class B PharmaDrug Warrant"). In addition, the Company will make a cash investment for $200,000 of units of PharmaDrug (the "PharmaDrug Subscription Units") at a price of $0.075 per unit, each PharmaDrug Subscription Unit consisting of (i) one PharmaDrug Share, and (ii) one Class B PharmaDrug Warrant. Each RLH Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "RLH Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "RLH Warrant") of the Company. Each RLH Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional RLH Share at an exercise price of $0.26 at any time for a period of 48 months, subject to an accelerated expiry option. If, following the date that is four months and one day following the date hereof, the volume weighted average trading price of the RLH Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for any 10 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $0.50, the Company may, upon providing written notice to the holders of RLH Warrants, accelerate the expiry date of the RLH Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such written notice. Story continues "We are very pleased to be making a strategic investment into PharmaDrug. It only makes sense, as we would want to house our microdose products in their planned Smart Shops anyway. This expedites our partnership and now we're pretty much guaranteed prime shelf space when they arrive, as both of our companies shine a light on the Magic Truffles market, in the Netherlands. We look forward to educating and eventually selling to the legal recreational market together," said Todd Shapiro, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Director. Closing of the transactions contemplated herein is expected to occur on or about July 16, 2020, and is subject to, among other things, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. About Red Light Holland Corp. The Company is an Ontario-based corporation positioning itself to engage in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws. About PharmaDrug Inc. PharmaDrug Inc. is building an international controlled substance and natural medicine company with a focus on Europe. The Company owns 80% of PharmaDrug GmbH, a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the EU. The Company also owns 100% of Super Smart, an early-stage retail company focused on consolidating the fragmented Dutch smartshop market. Smartshops are retail establishments in The Netherlands that specialize in the sale of psychoactive substances including psychedelic truffles. For additional information on the Company: Todd Shapiro Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: 647-204-7129 Email: todd@redlighttruffles.com Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/ Forward-Looking Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements (including, but not limited to, the assumption that (i) the Company will be able to execute on its business plan and/or enter into the medical psychedelics market as proposed, (ii) the Company will receive one or multiple licenses, permits, and authorizations from time to time necessary to execute on its business plan and/or enter into the medical psychedelics market, (iii) the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, (iv) there will continue to be a demand, and market opportunity, for the Company's product offerings, (v) the Company will be able to establish, preserve and develop its brand, (vi) the Company's partnership with Pharmadrug will continue and its products will be sold in their retail stores, and (vii) the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining required personnel), although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods referenced herein or any future periods, and in particular, past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of the Company in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of the Company's future results. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59838 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday described India as "an important partner", saying free nations should unite to face the challenges from China to India and other countries in Asia. "I think that the whole world is coalescing around the challenge that we face (from China)... I am confident that democracies, the free nations of the world, will push back on these," he said while replying to a question about the Chinese confrontation with India in the Ladakh region. Pompeo was referring to the violent clashes between the Indian and Chinese armies last month in Eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley region. At least 20 personnel of the Indian Army were killed in those clashes on June 15. "They are an important partner. I've a great relationship with my counterpart (S Jaishankar), we talk frequently about a broad range of issues. We talked about the conflict they had along their border with China," said Pompeo when asked if Washington considers India as an increasingly important military and trade partner. "You saw their (India's) decision to ban many Chinese software firms from operating software on mobile phones in their country," added Pompeo. On China's claims to the maritime territories of Asian countries and aggressive actions there, he said that the US "will use the tools we have, we will support all countries across the world that recognise that China has violated their territorial claims, their maritime claims as well. We will provide them with assistance". China has maritime conflicts with Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan and has increased its aggressive conduct in the region even as its troops clashed with the Indian Army in Ladakh. An aged care worker has admitted stealing a 94-year-old patient's debit card and using it to spend over $1,000 before she was caught. Illawarra Retirement Trust worker Elizabeth Payne, 37, stole the card from the man's wallet after he was admitted to Wollongong Hospital on April 2. Payne bought $300 worth of cash vouchers from a petrol station and spent $736 on groceries, cigarettes, and more vouchers at a Woolworths in Unanderra - a suburb of Wollongong - between April 6 and 19. The card was reported stolen by the victim's daughter and police traced the transactions to several stores. Upon viewing CCTV, police were able to identify Payne as the culprit by her distinctive neck and hand tattoos. Illawarra Retirement Trust worker, Elizabeth Payne, 37, (pictured) stole the elderly man's blue-coloured debit card from his wallet after he was admitted to Wollongong Hospital on April 2 Payne was arrested at her home on the Princes Highway on April 28 and denied the charges during a police interview. the Illawarra Mercury reported. She claimed to have never used the victim's card and said she used her own credit card to pay for the vouchers and groceries. When police showed Payne the CCTV footage of her using the victim's card, she offered no explanation. She was charged with three counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday. Payne bought $300 worth of cash vouchers from a petrol station and spent $736 on groceries, cigarettes, and more vouchers at a Woolworths in Unanderra, NSW between April 6 and 19 Defence lawyer Melea Mullard said the crime was one of opportunity and Payne was 'extremely remorseful.' 'She was using her wage to support her gambling addiction rather than buying groceries for her family, so she used the victim's card to buy those groceries.' Ms Mullard said. Ms Mullard said her client had been stood down from her job and acknowledged she could never work in the aged care industry again. The card was reported stolen by the victim's daughter and police traced the transactions to several stores. They checked CCTV footage and were able to identify Payne because of her tattoos Magistrate Mark Douglass said Payne used the card many times and not once did she think about the consequences of her actions and return it to the victim. 'She had a lot of time to think during that time whether she wanted to be that type of person,' Magistrate Douglass said. 'The community sees these particular types of offences as being a low act - this is a low act.' He said gambling was not an adequate justification to take advantage of an elderly client. Payne was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and 200 hours of unpaid community service work. An Illawarra Retirement Trust spokesperson said the actions of Payne were 'absolutely unacceptable.' 'She was stood down as soon as we became aware of the allegations,' the spokesperson said. 'Wed like to send our sincere apologies to the resident and his family for this breach of trust and the distress caused.' A federal judge wont give preliminary approval to a proposed $18.9 million settlement between Harvey Weinstein and nine women who claim he sexually assaulted or abused them, saying the tentative deal isnt fair to other women. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in New York said he was rejecting the settlement because the agreement tries to create a group case that covers claims by women who asked to be excluded from a deal. He said the proposal unfairly lumps together women who simply met Weinstein with those who were sexually assaulted by him. Not every woman was captured in the same way, Hellerstein said. Your settlement would create inequality among all of those people. The deal was negotiated with the help of New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of a larger proposal for liquidation of the Weinstein Co. and its parent company, which last year reached a $46.8 million agreement to resolve all of the claims arising from Weinsteins conduct. Lawyers for women who opted out of the settlement lauded Hellersteins decision. They had been critical of the deal, saying it overpaid lawyers and underpaid victims while forcing Weinstein to pay nothing. Unfair Terms We have been saying for over a year and a half that the settlement terms and conditions were unfair and should never be imposed on sexual-assault survivors, said Douglas Wigdor, who represents six women making abuse claims against Weinstein. On behalf of our clients, we look forward to pursuing justice against Harvey Weinstein and his many enablers. The women agreeing to the proposed settlement female actors and screenwriters sued the movie mogul in December 2017, alleging his namesake company, its officers and directors, and Miramax, the studio he once ran, enabled his predatory conduct. The only remaining defendant in the case is Weinstein, after others won dismissals. Weve long held that we needed to find justice for all the women that Weinstein preyed upon in a fair and equitable way, Elizabeth Fegan and Steve Berman, lawyers for the women who supported the deal, said in a statement. Now, we need to turn our attention to litigating our clients individual cases. Fegan and Berman said they will appeal an earlier court dismissal of claims against the Weinstein Co. board of directors, who they say knew of Weinsteins behavior and did nothing to stop it. We believe they should be held accountable for their silence and inaction, the attorneys said. The brave women who stood up to Weinstein and filed this action deserve our admiration, and we will continue to fight on their behalf. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence at a maximum security prison in upstate New York after his conviction at a trial this year. The case is Geiss v Weinstein, 17-cv-9554, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Top photo: Harvey Weinstein, center, departs from state supreme court in New York on Jan. 27. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation Abuse Molestation New York A former New York City restaurant hostess who has worked in some of Manhattan's trendiest eateries is sharing her candid thoughts on celebrities she has encountered. Julia Carolan, 23, just joined TikTok and is quickly going viral with her videos about life as a restaurant hostess, spilling stories good and bad about the stars who have come in to dine. After praising Gigi and Bella Hadid for being 'so nice' and shaming Kylie Jenner for being a bad tipper in her first viral clip, Julia is regaling her followers with more memories of life on the job, Spill! Julia Carolan, 23, has worked as a hostess at Nobu Downtown and a TAO Group restaurant (which include LAVO and Beauty & Essex) and met a lot of stars Introvert? She said Kendall Jenner 'used to come in all the time but was pretty cold toward staff. She also usually has someone speak for her and doesn't speak directly to staff' Julia doesn't specify which Manhattan restaurant she is referring to in the video, but while she attended college, she worked for 10 months as a hostess at one of TAO Group's restaurants, which include TAO, LAVO, and Beauty & Essex, among quite a few other hot spots. She followed that with another 10 months at Nobu Downtown. This week, she went viral for a video rating the stars she encountered on the job, with the clip already racking up 11.3 million views. She is now following it up with a sequel in which she rates more stars, including Kendall Jenner. 'I did not have the best experience with [her],' Julia said. 'She used to come in all the time but was pretty cold toward staff. She also usually has someone speak for her and doesn't speak directly to staff. 'I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt and say she's just shy?' Julia concludes with a skeptical facial expression, but rates her just 4/10. All good! Julia scored Nick Jonas 8/10 but didn't have too many details to share 'He came in with his friends one time and he was really normal and chill. Not too much to report on this but he definitely seems like a nice guy,' she said Sweet! Nickelodeon star Josh Peck visited with his wife Paige O'Brien for lunch and was 'so friendly.' Julia called him 'the nicest celebrity I've ever met' Nick Jonas fared better, scoring 8/10 on Julia's scale. 'He came in with his friends one time and he was really normal and chill. Not too much to report on this but he definitely seems like a nice guy,' she said in her complimentary assessment. Next, she said, former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck visited with his wife Paige O'Brien for lunch and was 'so friendly.' 'I honestly think he's the nicest celebrity I've ever met. He fulfilled all my childhood dreams,' she said, giving him 10/10. So exciting: The former hostess admitted that when Beyonce came in, she was 'definitely the most starstruck' she has ever been 'When she left she made sure to look at me and gave me a big smile and said thank you. She's beautiful,' she said Where it all went down? Julia doesn't specify which Manhattan restaurant she is referring to, but the stories likely came from her time at Nobu (pictured) Finally, she rated the 'queen herself,' Beyonce who broke Julia's rating system, scoring 10,000,000 out of 10. The former hostess admitted that when Bey came in, she was 'definitely the most starstruck' she has ever been. 'We didn't speak to much. Her and Jay Z came in and I walked them to their table,' she recalled. 'But when she left she made sure to look at me and gave me a big smile and said thank you. She's beautiful.' Love them! She said Gigi and Bella Hadid were 'so nice' and 'super polite and friendly' 'These two are literally so nice, I cannot say enough things about them. They're super polite and friendly with staff, which unfortunately, is rare for celebrities,' she said Ride" Cameron Dallas only rated 4/10 for being demanding and entitled In her previous video, most of the stars Julia rated were less pleasant, with the exception of Gigi and Bella Hadid. The model sisters were rated 10/10. 'These two are literally so nice, I cannot say enough things about them. They're super polite and friendly with staff, which unfortunately, is rare for celebrities,' Julia said. Social media star Cameron Dallas, however, only rated 4/10 for being demanding and entitled. 'I kind of had a bad experience with him. Him and his friend called after we were closed and insisted on a table and kind of pulled a 'do you know who I am' moment,' she says. 'He was rude.' Yikes! Of Hailey Bieber, she said: 'I've met her a handful of times and every time she was not nice' Cheap? Worst of all, though, was 'billionaire' Kylie Jenner who, despite reportedly raking in boatloads of cash, was a shockingly bad tipper 'She was fine but she tipped $20 on a $500 dinner bill. Do with that information what you will,' Julia said Hailey Bieber scored even worse, rating just 3.5/10 based on multiple encounters. 'This is gonna be controversial,' Julia says. 'I've met her a handful of times and every time she was not nice. 'I really wanna like her, but I have to give her a 3.5 out of 10. Sorry,' she says with a cringe. Worst of all, though, was 'billionaire' Kylie Jenner who, despite reportedly raking in boatloads of cash, was a shockingly bad tipper. 'She was fine but she tipped $20 on a $500 dinner bill. Do with that information what you will,' Julia says, rating Kylie 2/10. A vast majority of entrepreneurs were after all a bunch of ordinary folks who decided to take that plunge when risk was at its peak There goes a popular adage little hinges swing big doors. The world of start-ups runs on this ideology. Look around: A vast majority of entrepreneurs were after all a bunch of ordinary folks who decided to take that plunge when risk was at its peak. Deccan Chronicle explores what makes these young professionals jump into the world of business. Believe in yourself and push your boundaries Mitali Tandon, 30 years (Founder of Morning Fresh, Indias first natural hangover-detox drink targeted at millennials aged 2140 years as well as health enthusiasts actively seeking natural solutions to maintain their workfun balance). Entrepreneurs who start early, as I did, have made enough mistakes by the time they are 30-years-old. By then, youve put yourself in enough situations to understand your strengths and limitations. You also smarten up about your work and thinking and learn that more than the idea or approach to, it is consistency that works, says Mitali. Mitali used the advantage of her age to better gauge the pulse of her target consumers. I have always wanted to create a natural detox drink that protects the liver, flushes out toxins and keeps you fresh after a night out, she tells us. With a strong focus on wellness, our formulation has been designed to be caffeine-sugar-and-gluten-free keeping our customers healthy lifestyle at the forefront. Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs: 1. Be consistent. 2. Zoom in and out of your business when you need to and believe in yourself. 3. Dont be disappointed if others dont understand you. 4. Stay versatile at work so you can keep finding avenues that help you learn, grow and push your boundaries. Time to blossom Jhelum Biswas Bose, 39 years (Founder of Jhelum Loves that creates products based on Bach flower therapy, aroma remedies and chakra healing theories, personalised as per individual needs). Entrepreneur Jhelum Biswas Bose, who also calls herself flower witch, believes that when one is prepared, the pathways just show up. An erstwhile English literature student who aspired to be a teacher and realised she didnt have the patience for the job! Jhelum first worked as a beauty editor and then a marketing head of a beauty giant for 1012 years cumulatively before becoming a freelance writer. Later, she began exploring alternative remedies. Soon, I decided to make it a career, where I was not only healing myself but also creating skin and haircare products that healed others emotionally, says Jhelum. Thus began her organic move into entrepreneurship. I created just one product with honey, which amassed a lot of appreciation. Then, the orders kept coming in, and thats how Jhelum Loves came about, she adds. Jhelum believes she found mental stability in her 30s. Despite the risks of leaving the comforts of a regular job and perhaps unsettling your family life, starting entrepreneurship in your 30s is rewarding because you havent still lost your zeal. Moreover, by then, youve reached an age when you can judge things objectively, she adds. Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs: 1. Be well-versed in the area you want to create your enterprise in. 2. Get your finances, legalities and licenses in order. 3. Dont rely blindly on those helping you. 4. Keep upskilling be prepared to study and update your knowledge. 5. Stay alert and wise to changes around you its what you need when you run a successful business. Labour of love Nibhrant Shah, 35 years (Founder and CEO of Isprava Luxury Homes) While many entrepreneurs believe that instincts to venture out on your own and clarity comes with time, Nibhrant Shah, believes otherwise. While I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, I knew the advantages of having experience, states Nibhrant, who used his experience as an investment banker in New York and London to nurture and sharpen skills and character traits such as discipline, hard work and business acumen. Then in 2013, he longed to escape his hectic life and seek a place offering tranquillity and luxury. Looking for a perfect home away from home, a getaway to Goa became the first chapter of his ever-evolving entrepreneurial story. Goa then was marred by gated communities, complicated paperwork and lax regulations, where purchasing a home was an ordeal. And the homes lacked a feeling of authenticity and exclusivity, he remembers. So we made it our USP to offer a hassle-free purchase experience, taking away our buyers pain-points from paperwork and procuring licenses to designing and construction. Since then, Nibhrant has celebrated tremendous success by crafting homes with the brands signature aesthetics, furnishings, facilities and amenities, their concierge service, seamless purchase experience, etc. For Nibhrant, the experience and insights he gained in his 30s definitely helped in manoeuvring through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. The experience, expertise, financial resources and backing that you lack in your 20s to support your business, you have just the right amount of all of those in your 30s. Then, there is the enthusiasm and the sheer hunger to achieve big goals, not giving in to any excuses and pushing yourself harder to do better, he says. Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs: 1. As an entrepreneur, youre always on the move working, thinking about your business whether youre at a business meeting or networking at a social event. 2. Incorporate meaningful structure and plan for your life end your day by summing up everything that went right and wrong in it and prioritising your next day. 3. Choose a day in the week, perhaps Sunday, to note down the positive things that happened. List out your short- and long-term tasks so you can build some structure around your work. Dream chasers Cheenu Kala, 33 years (Founder of Rubans Accessory) Cheenu Kalas is the rags-to-riches story that could inspire every enterprising wide-eyed youngster to take the plunge. She tells us how she left home when she was 15-years-old, with merely Rs 300 in her pocket. I had to pretty much fend for myself, learning things the hard way, she says. Then with a chuckle, she adds, I dont think I even knew the spelling of entrepreneurship then but I knew I wanted to be successful, which during my initial days meant getting three meals a day. I wanted to be the best, whether it was as a door-to-door sales girl, floor manager for an apparel store or part-time waitress. But what Cheenu walked away with from those difficult times was experience, which became her biggest asset. I developed a keen sense of consumer understanding while working as a salesperson in the apparel store. For instance, Id guess what customers were looking for by their turn out and would suggest options based on their fashion sensibility and give them their own space to discuss and decide what to buy. Cheenu would go on to realise that this consumer understanding was a subject in MBA curricula, called Consumer Behaviour. When she decided it was time to be an entrepreneur, she founded Fonte Corporate Solutions, a company that specialised in corporate merchandising. But with her innate interest in fashion, in 2016, she started Fonte Fashions India Pvt Ltd parent company of Rubans Accessories to bridge the gap between customer expectation and products sold in the market, offering jewellery for everyone and every occasion, in over thousand designs in western and ethnic jewellery, at suitable price points. Cheenu also believes that 30s is the best age to do anything new. It sets in the right balance of experience, exposure, confidence and risk-taking, she asserts. Advice to upcoming entrepreneurs: 1. Pursue what you are passionate about because passion gives purpose to life. 2. When starting your entrepreneurial journey, dont keep options no Plan Bs. If you do fall, fall forwards, not backwards, so you see where you are falling. 3. Develop the ability to thrive in chaos because then the journey will be exciting, no matter if you are in your 30s or not. Business before pleasure Hari Singh, 38 years (Owner of Briggs Brewery, Bengalurus first home-grown craft beer) Hari Singh talks about how the brand hopes their array of unique and international collection of craft beers serves as the bridge between stories among patrons, serving the perfect mug of cold beer as they swap conversations and build relationships. Ive always believed that the best stories unfold over a great beer, states Hari, who previously worked in the corporate world for five years. Someone who always wanted to run his own firm, Hari started a couple of businesses, with zero investment and watched them sink. However, the learning experience helped me make correct decisions. Its truly been a long battle of patience and persistence that got me to where Im today. As for being in his 30s, an age perceived to be quite flexible in manoeuvring the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, Hari believes age is just a number. It doesnt matter if youre in the 20s, 30s or older. What matters is if you are mentally, emotionally and physically aligned with your passion and in managing your ups and downs, he adds. That being said, I do believe that in my 30s, Ive actually started learning and thinking about every decision, every risk. And its an added advantage that you work with todays youth, whos constantly teaching you fresh ideas, innovativeness, patience and persistence, he says. JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday announced a plan to distribute hundreds of dollars in grants to every Israeli in order to stimulate the countrys sagging economy, days after thousands of people took to the streets to protest his handling of the coronavirus crisis. In a nationally televised news conference, Netanyahu lashed out at violent tactics used by some protesters and said his decision was not connected with the unrest. Instead, he said he was aiming to jump-start the economy when the country is in the midst of a global crisis. I hear your distress. Youre not alone, he said. Under Netanyahus plan, individuals and households without children will receive one-time payments of just over $200, while families will receive roughly $600 to $900 depending on how many children they have. He said he hoped the money would reach people in a matter of days. Israeli media said professionals in Israels Finance Ministry opposed the proposal, which still requires government approval, because it does not differentiate between the struggling and the well-off. But Netanyahu said there was no time for lengthy debates when the situation is so critical, and that the money would encourage all Israelis to spend. This money encourages consumption, and and it encourages employment, he said. Netanyahu was widely praised for his actions early in the coronavirus crisis. He moved quickly to seal the countrys borders and impose lockdown restrictions to contain the outbreak. But after reopening the economy in May, it appears he declared victory too early and there has been a sharp spike in infections. At the same time, unemployment has surged to over 20% while Netanyahus popularity has plummeted. Officials have warned they may have to reimpose a widescale lockdown in the coming days, raising concerns of further economic distress. Over the weekend, an estimated 10,000 people protested in Tel Aviv to draw attention to their economic struggles. On Wednesday, thousands more joined a protest outside Netanyahus official residence in Jerusalem, with many accusing him of corruption. The demonstration outside the prime ministers residence spilled over into violence as hundreds of young Israelis marched through the streets of downtown Jerusalem, clashing with police, setting garbage bins on fire and damaging property. The crowds were dispersed with water cannons and some 50 people were arrested. Netanyahu said he respected the right to demonstrate but that there was no place for violence or ignoring public safety rules on social distancing. He called for national unity and pledged to prevail. East Stroudsburg University says it will be going with remote learning for the vast majority of its offerings for the fall semester amid the coronavirus pandemic. Marcia G. Welsh, president of East Stroudsburg, announced the decision to the university community Tuesday. Today I must announce that East Stroudsburg University will be returning to remote learning for the majority of classes during the Fall 2020 semester, Welsh said in a post on the universitys website. While this will have major implications for many in our community, we must continue to always put your safety as a top priority. East Stroudsburg is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Last week, West Chester University announced it would be offering its fall classes online and wouldnt be having in-person classes. Based in northeastern Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg educates about 5,400 undergraduate students and nearly 800 graduate students. Welsh said the university would be offering a very limited number of classes in a hybrid format, meaning both remote and in-person, to assist students with student teaching, clinical placements, internships, etc. In her message, Welsh seemed to acknowledge the disappointment that students would likely be feeling regarding the move away from face-to-face instruction in the fall. Keep in mind, while we planned to return to full on-campus learning this fall, we told you planning for the semester would be fluid and we were prepared to adjust if necessary. Though we didnt think we would need to make this decision so soon, we were always prepared to make it, Welsh said in the message. She said she hoped the move to remote instruction for the fall enables us to prepare for what we hope will be a more normal University experience when we reconvene for the Spring 2020 semester. Other state system schools, including Millersville University and Shippensburg University, are planning for a mix of in-person classes and online instruction this fall. Across Pennsylvania, more than 96,000 people have contracted the coronavirus and more than 6,900 have died. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has said shes concerned about the recent uptick in cases over the past few weeks, particularly among young adults. More from PennLive The dollars and cents (and sense) of Penn State playing football in 2020; Recruits set decision timelines, more Its about choice: Levine urges Pa. residents to choose masks, choose to avoid people, businesses that reject them Pa. General Assembly sends $667 million natural gas tax credit legislation to governor UPMCs claim of less severe coronavirus strain in Pa. is not supported by science On June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks, an ex-con, was found passed out in his car in a Wendy's parking lot in Fulton County, Georgia. Police determined that he'd been driving drunk and attempted to arrest him. Perhaps because this arrest would have sent Brooks back to prison, he fought violently against the police, stole a taser, and fired it at Officer Garrett Rolfe. In the face of this deadly threat, Rolfe shot Brooks, killing him. Fulton County prosecutor Paul Howard promptly accused Rolfe of felony murder, a crime that carries the death penalty. He also charged the other officer at the arrest with felony crimes. It turns out, though, that Howard may have some serious crimes himself, the most recent of which highlights how corrupt his charge against Rolfe is. The moment Howard appeared in the case, it emerged that he is running for re-election. That meant that, out of the box, he was going to be engaging in whatever pandering behavior he thought could get him the most votes. But that wasn't the half of it. Howard is also being investigated for something that's politely praised as "funneling" $140,000 in funds from the City of Atlanta to supplement his salary (a practice some might with equal accuracy call "embezzlement"), along with committing disclosure violations: The GBI has opened an investigation of Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard and his use of a nonprofit to funnel at least $140,000 in city of Atlanta funds to supplement his salary, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News have learned. [snip] Howard is also facing a state ethics complaint for not disclosing he was a chief executive of the nonprofit, People Partnering for Progress, in personal financial statements. On April 15, the Georgia Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission charged Howard with a dozen disclosure violations, most of them involving PPP. The GBI probe and the ethics complaint followed a report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News about discrepancies between financial disclosures Howard filed with the state and tax filings submitted to the IRS by the nonprofit he heads as CEO. It's entirely possible that Howard is innocent of these charges. However, Howard's going to have a harder time proving he's innocent of the latest charge leveled against him, which is that he issued grand jury subpoenas in the Brooks matter, even though the Wuhan virus shutdowns means there's been no grand jury operating in Fulton County: The Georgia Attorney General has now asked the GBI to investigate grand jury subpoenas issued by Howard's office in the Rayshard Brooks murder case. Senior I-Team reporter Dale Russell says those grand jury subpoenas were issued by Howard's office even though there was no grand jury in place. In the aftermath of the deadly shooting of Rayshard Brooks at Wendy's restaurant, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard flew through the evidence to quickly file charges against Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan. But, the I-Team has learned there was more to Howard's investigation. We obtained a copy of a Grand Jury subpoena, sent from Howard's office to the Atlanta Police department instructing them to turn over its "open investigation regarding Garrett Rolfe and the use of force incident." The subpoena required that the documents be turned over for the "Grand Jury, June/July term on the of 14th day of July." Other grand jury subpoenas were issued for phone and surveillance camera videos. But there is a problem. How can the grand jury issue these subpoenas when there is no grand jury[?] It had been suspended on March 13 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, legal experts we've talked to say Howard's grand jury subpoena with no grand jury in session could be an ethical or possibly criminal issue. That question about how a nonexistent grand jury could issue subpoenas is an excellent one so excellent, indeed, that Howard has offered three separate answers, all of them contradicting each other: Explanation Number one: Pines points out that Howard told the Fulton County Daily report the subpoenas were sent out for a potential "future grand jury." Explanation Number two: Howard later told FOX 5 an employee thought a "past grand jury" was still in session. Explanation Number three: Friday Howard issued a third statement saying wait it was neither there was actually a second grand jury all along that hadn't been dismissed and was still available. That second grand jury's legal term had already ended when the subpoenas were issued. Across America, Democrat prosecutors are releasing Black Lives Matter activists for street crimes that would result in charges against anyone else. They're also persecuting Republican political figures (including Trump) on charges that have never merited prosecution before, certainly not against Democrats engaged in the same conduct alleged against Republicans. Justice is no longer blind. Instead, she has Biden 2020 stamped across her forehead. This is appalling, not just because it's unfair, but because it's fundamentally destructive. A civil society cannot long withstand a corrupt legal system especially if that corrupt system systematically favors one political faction over the other. Image: Public Doman Vectors. Mr Divine Bosson, Volta Regional Manager of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has asked political operatives to be circumspect about their utterances, which had the tendency to plunge this peaceful nation into chaos. Mr Bosson, who led a team of NADMO officials to tour the eastern border districts of the Region on issues of military intimidation and brutality, which he described as disaster-related, revealed calm and peacefulness. He said contrary to the assertion, the situation was rather calm and peaceful as community members, Electoral Commission officials, registrants and detachment of soldiers conducted business with cordiality and without fear or favour. The NADMO Manager appealed to political players to tone down on raising the tensions as the country was the only constituency for the sovereign space available and cannot gamble with peace. He said NADMO was part of the Regional COVID-19 Response Committee and duty-bound to assess the readiness of the Organisation to standby to douse any lingering issues on volatility. He said the Coronavirus is disaster-related and that made NADMO a key partner. Mr Bosson, who interacted with the registrants and Electoral Commission (EC) officials, urged them to continue to adhere to the designated protocols. He praised the EC for keeping their promise to provide the necessary logistics at the registration centres, which included Veronica buckets, sanitizers, tissue papers as well as adhering to social distancing protocols. The Regional Manager urged the people to carry the threat of COVID-19 personal and respond by the principles that would make them safe, stating our destiny lie in our own hands. The team visited Holuta, Aflakpui, Kpedze, Shia, Nyive and Hodzo in the Ho West and Central Constituencies and expected to continue to Akatsi North and South, Agotime-Ziope, Ketu North and South and Aflao to have first-hand assessment of disaster readiness of those areas. 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 In February, Nature published a major new study showing methane emissions from fossil fuel production are 25 to 40 per cent higher than previously understood. The studys lead author, Benjamin Hmiel, from the University of Rochester, said, Weve identified a gigantic discrepancy. Other studies say underestimation has been as much as 60 per cent. This undercuts the industrys claim to provide a clean fuel. On a 20-year time frame, a molecule of methane is 86 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than a molecule of carbon. Put simply, if gas leaks at more than a rate of 3 per cent, its worse than coal. BP candidly reports 3.2 per cent of its gas leaks into the sky. Critics of gas see this as the industrys Volkswagen moment. From 2006, the German carmaker promoted its clean diesel cars. But in 2015 the US Environment Protection Agency exposed VW had used special software to fake emission levels. Emissions of nitrogen oxides were 40 per cent above legal limits. VW was hit with devastating fines and class actions. Mapping of methane will be on the agenda of the UN climate summit planned for next year. It will feed evidence into the rolling update of the Paris Agreement. If Joe Biden wins, hes promised a global climate summit within 100 days of his inauguration, likely to comprise G20 leaders it will have to talk methane. European leaders will present readings from their satellites, Canadians and Japanese from theirs. If the satellite evidence keeps firming, investors will class gas assets as risky. Big energy has been downgrading oil and gas assets, scared they will be stranded, and not just because of COVID-19 market conditions. This year, investors such as BlackRock and Allianz have dumped thermal coal from their portfolios; as the science mounts, gas will probably get the same attention, at first gradually, then with some speed. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th July, 2020) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) registered the Netherlands' complaint against Russia over MH17, according to a court statement shared with Sputnik. On Friday, the Dutch government stated its intention to file a lawsuit against Russia with the ECHR in connection with the crash of flight MH17. The Russian Foreign Ministry regarded the filing of the complaint as another blow to Russian-Dutch relations. "The Netherlands filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights against the Russian Federation. This is due to the disaster on July 17, 2014, of flight MH17 over the territory of Eastern Ukraine," the statement said. The court added that there are currently five interstate complaints and over 7,000 individual complaints pending in connection with "events in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. " "The Dutch government claims that the Russian government was responsible for the deaths in violation of articles 2 [the right to life], 3 [the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment] and 13 [the right to an effective remedy] of the European Convention on Human Rights" the release said. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 crashed in eastern Ukraine on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam. All 298 people aboard died. The Dutch prosecution believes that the plane was downed by a Russian missile launched from Ukraine's breakaway east. Russia, which conducted its investigation, said it had given the Dutch team evidence, such as radar data, proving the plane was shot down by a Ukrainian Buk missile. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 09:48:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Boeing reported on Tuesday major program deliveries across its commercial and defense operations in the second quarter of 2020. In Commercial Airplanes Programs, Boeing has delivered a total of 20 aircraft in the second quarter of 2020, bringing the number of year-to-date delivery to 70. The delivery included two 777Fs to China Southern Airlines in May, the company told Xinhua. In its Defense, Space and Security Programs, a total of 44 aircraft were delivered in the second quarter. "Our commercial airplane deliveries in the second quarter reflect the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers and our operations that included a shutdown of our commercial airplane production for several weeks," said Greg Smith, Boeing executive vice president of Enterprise Operations, chief financial officer and interim leader of Communications, adding that the company will work with customers on specific timing and adjustment to deliveries. According to Smith, Boeing will continue to closely monitor the commercial marketplace by staying engaged with customers around the globe to fully understand their short-term and long-term requirements. "All of this is informing current and future production rates and any further adjustments as needed to balance supply and demand going forward. The diversity of our portfolio including our government services, defense and space programs will continue to provide some stability as we navigate through the pandemic and rebuild stronger on the other side," Smith noted. Enditem Honda Australia has made an urgent recall on eight different vehicle models due to fault with the cars' fuel pump. Product Safety Australia warned the issue could stall the engine while driving or stop the motor from starting, 'increasing the risk of accident and may result in serious injury'. The faulty pump affects more than 22,000 cars in Australia. The cars were sold between July 26, 2018, and May 12, 2020. Honda Australia has made an urgent recall on eight different vehicle models due to fault with the fuel pump (Pictured: A Honda CR-V, there are 7,361 affected vehicles) 'Due to an improper manufacturing process, a component within the fuel pump could swell, causing the fuel pump to become inoperative,' Product Safety Australia said. 'Consumers can contact the service department of their preferred Honda dealer to make a booking to have the repair conducted free of charge.' For more information, visit the Product Safety Australia website. REGINA - The government of Saskatchewan says two recent flights into Regina carried passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Government of Saskatchewan says two recent flights into Regina carried passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19. An Air Canada flight departing for Toronto, bottom, taxis to a runway as a Westjet flight bound for Palm Springs takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck REGINA - The government of Saskatchewan says two recent flights into Regina carried passengers who later tested positive for COVID-19. In a post on its website, the government says Air Canada Flight 7947 from Toronto on July 4 and WestJet Flight 296 from Calgary on July 6 had confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on board. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The province doesn't have information to offer on the affected seats on the WestJet flight, but says anyone sitting in rows 14 to 20 on the Air Canada flight may have been exposed. The government is urging passengers to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after arriving at their destination. People who think they may have been exposed to the virus on those flights can use the Public Health Agency of Canadas self-assessment tool to gauge symptoms. Saskatchewan also offers a self-assessment tool. As of Monday, the province had 90 active COVID-19 infections with three people in hospital. There have been a total of 871 cases, 766 people have recovered and 15 have died. (CJME) Texas hospitals are on the brink of collapse, as a surge in coronavirus cases overwhelms the state's health system. Doctors in the state are ringing the bell, warning that many facilities are close to filling up, and they're already seeing shortages of a drug that's shown promise in treating the virus, the Texas Tribune reported on Tuesday In Hidalgo County, ambulances have been waiting as long as 10 hours to deliver patients to packed emergency rooms. One patient in Anahuac had to be flown by helicopter 120 miles to a hospital in El Campo because hospitals in his area could not take him. Hospitals in Midland and Odessa have also turned away COVID-19 patients who came from rural facilities in West Texas that couldn't offer the care they needed. Dr. Robert Hancock, president of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians, told the Texas Tribune that, while normally overwhelmed hospitals can transfer ICU patients to other facilities, the state's current situation doesn't allow for this. And there really is none of that now, because everybodys in the same boat and theyre struggling to get their own patients admitted, he said. The state has seen a surge in coronavirus cases since late May, a month after governor Greg Abbott allowed some businesses to begin reopening, with the number of available Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in the state falling to less than 10 per cent, according to data from the Texas Department of Health Services. As of Tuesday, only 949 ICU beds were available in the entire state. Abbott put the reopening plan on hold last month, ordering the pause of elective surgeries to conserve hospital capacity and the closing of bars. He also put a limit of 50% occupancy in restaurants. The governor has said he could impose another economic lockdown if the trend and surge in cases continue. According to the latest data, the state's coronavirus cases have increased by 72 per cent and hospitalizations have gone up by 108 per cent. More than 3,322 Texans have died from coronavirus and 275,058 have been infected. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy sidestepped questions Wednesday on when and how the pullout of 9,500 U.S. troops from Germany ordered by President Donald Trump will begin and where those troops will go. "We are in the process of looking into" ways of carrying out the order that would not weaken the NATO alliance, McCarthy said from Germany in a conference call with defense reporters. He had been taking part in discussions in Poland, Britain and Belgium. Read next: An Airman Died After His Chute Opened While He Was Still in the Plane, Says New Report McCarthy declined to give details on how the Army will go about complying with Trump's directive to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany from 34,500 to about 25,000, saying some specifics might be released in the coming weeks. In general terms, Pentagon officials said June 30 that Trump had signed off on a withdrawal plan presented to him by Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, but McCarthy said he could not discuss whether troops withdrawn from Germany would be sent to Poland. "With respect to the repositioning of forces, we are in the process of looking at the mechanics of how to do that and to where" the troops would go, he said. "I'm not going to get out in front of my boss on this one," McCarthy said in reference to Esper. "I'm not involved in macro-level decisions." In a June 24 White House meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Trump said that some of the U.S. troops withdrawn from Germany would be repositioned to Poland. "Some will be coming home, and some will be going to other places," he said. "Poland would be one of those other places." The withdrawal plan has drawn opposition in the House and Senate, including from close allies of the president, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who joined in an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would limit the use of funds for the withdrawal. In backing the amendment offered June 29, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said, "The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany would be a gift to Russia, and that's the last thing we should be doing." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Yankee Go Home: What Does Moving Troops out of Germany Mean? A former commander of Nigerian Armys Operation Lafiya Dole, the counter-terrorism command in the northeast, Olusegun Adeniyi, is to face jurisdiction, which those familiar with the military say means a court-martial. Mr Adeniyi had late March appeared in a video complaining about poor equipment after an attack by Boko Haram terrorists left dozens of soldiers dead. This is the reason he is being court-martialled, army insiders told PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Adeniyi is among 886 officers the army listed for new postings on Tuesday. Mr Adeniyi whose name appears on serial 42 on the list is being moved from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Army Headquarters, both in Abuja, for for jurisdiction, that is, to face a court-martial. In the March video that caused Mr Adeniyis troubles, the major general could be seen among disorganised troops decrying losses of men and equipment in a particular encounter with Boko Haram, who were facing us from every flank with not less than15 gun trucks. He also complained about an intelligence failure resulting in a heavy loss of soldiers. He, however, said he and his troops were committed to remaining on the battlefront to confront the terrorists. The video was widely shared on social media, sparking outrage and renewed criticisms that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the military commanders were giving the public false impressions on war efforts and successes. The military did not publicly comment on the video. But Mr Adeniyi was swiftly relieved of his position as commander of Operation Lafiya Dole and moved to Nigerian Army Resource Centre as Research Fellow. He is now moving from NARC to face a court martial. Insiders said the army allowed the controversy and outrage that followed the video to die down before now court-martialling Mr Adeniyi. His appearance before the court-martial is expected to start July 20 this year. Army spokesperson, Sagir Musa, could not be reached for comment. His phone was switched off when PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach him. The bail hearing for Ghislaine Maxwell ended with a judge ruling that she must spend the next year behind bars awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges tied to her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein. But it also offered hints at her defense strategy. During the two-hour video-conference hearing Tuesday, Maxwell's lawyers questioned the credibility of her accusers as well as the strength of the government's case. While the arguments were designed to win bail, they'll likely be the same ones used at the 58-year-old's trial, which is scheduled to start next July. The raft of federal charges stems from events that are more than two decades old, Maxwell's lawyer, Mark Cohen, said. The government doesn't have "tapes or video" or other such evidence to support the allegations, he said. "Absolutely, the defense is telegraphing where they're going," said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor who listened in on Maxwell's hearing. "While the defense isn't putting all of their cards on the table, they showed they're going to argue that she was as much a victim of Epstein -- much in the same way as these girls were -- and that she didn't know what was going on behind closed doors." Cohen took aim at Annie Farmer, one of Maxwell's accusers. He said she has sued Maxwell and is seeking a payout from a fund set up for Epstein's victims, Cohen said. Established in May, Epstein's victims can be compensated by the financier's estate, valued at more than $600 million. That's a dangerous tactic that might backfire at trial, said David Boies, who represents Farmer and several other women who say they were sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell. It's "a tone-deaf argument" that cost Maxwell her credibility, said Boies, who listened to the hearing remotely. "To mount a 'blame the victim' defense, particularly in today's world and trying to blame these girls for what happened is so contrary to the evidence, is so contrary to people's normal sense of morality," Boies said. "I think that's just going to enrage a jury if she goes to trial -- which I would not do if I were representing her." Boies said he was confident Farmer would stand up to cross-examination if there's a trial. Farmer, who addressed the court by telephone, urged the judge not to grant Maxwell bail, calling her a "sexual predator who groomed and abused me." Maxwell "lied under oath and tormented her survivors," Farmer said. Boies said that Farmer was a 16-year-old who "wanted to go to college" when she met Maxwell. "Maxwell comes along and says there's this rich man who really likes to help bright students get into college," Boies said. "Maxwell and Epstein tell Annie and her mother 'we're having a group of high school students to this ranch to help them get into college.' But when Annie gets there, there are no high school students, all these claims are fraudulent and she's in this isolated place in New Mexico with no one there to help or protect her." Because of the pandemic, Maxwell's hearing was held remotely with press and the public permitted to hear arguments over the phone. About 60 members of the press were allowed to watch the proceeding on monitors in a jury room in the Manhattan courthouse, with the judge, lawyers and Maxwell all in different locations. Prosecutors say they have travel records, photographs and other documents that will support the charges. Prosecutor Alison Moe read from a letter written by another of Maxwell's alleged victims, who asked to be identified only as Jane Doe. "Without Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein could not have done what he did; she egged him on," the woman said in the letter. She called Maxwell "a monster." Austin, Texas, Mayor Steve Adler cautioned states against loosening restrictions meant to stem the spread of coronavirus without having proper measures in place, at an Axios virtual event on Wednesday. The big picture: Adler called on jurisdictions to "be innovative and adaptive and creative" when they reopen, to ensure people's safety. Adler advised states to consider three elements when deciding to reopen: "You don't open up the economy until you have all the testing and contact tracing in place, and until you actually do meet the gates you need to move forward." Adler said reopening in phases, as many states have, is a good idea, but "you shouldn't go from one phase to the next until you can evaluate between each phase." "You can't open it up in a way that looks like what the economy used to look like," Adler said. "If you try to do that you're only going to have to shut down." Adler also said an important component to reopening is people getting comfortable with wearing face masks for an extended period of time. Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN One person was seriously wounded after three separate shootings sent three people to the hospital Tuesday, according to police. First responders first responded for a report of a person shot outside a Munson Street home, near Sherman Parkway in the Dixwell neighborhood, around 6:05 p.m., Capt. Anthony Duff said. Davinci Virtual Office Solutions, the leading provider of virtual office addresses, meeting space for rent and live receptionist services has been chosen to be named to the Parity.org Best Companies for Women to Advance List 2020. This list recognizes 35 organizations that have implemented a mix of exemplary benefits, policies, and programs that ensure women have significant opportunities to advance their careers. Companies on the list were rated in areas of recruitment, benefits, executive preparation, measurement, and representation. These companies have made a significant commitment to the advancement of women. We are very proud to be recognized as a company that embraces gender equality in the workplace, said Martin Senn, CEO of Davinci Virtual Office Solutions. For the past 15 years, Davinci has been an advocate of promoting women into management and executive positions. Today, our leadership team is comprised of 75% females and I am humbled to work alongside them. Senn added. We are thrilled to announce the Best Companies for Women to Advance List 2020, said Cathrin Stickney, Parity.org founder and CEO. These companies are examples of commitment and intentionality in leveling the playing field for women and paving the way for them to succeed and advance their careers, making gender parity at the top levels possible. The efforts they have undertaken are not just worth recognizing, they are worth emulating. We hope that more companies will follow their lead and take similar actions to pave the way for the women in their organization to advance. Davinci Virtual Office Solutions was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Clients can obtain prime business addresses, on demand meeting & work spaces and live receptionist services instantly with the click of a button. Choose from over 1,800 virtual office locations and 5,000+ meeting rooms worldwide! For the past decade, the company provided live receptionist services and virtual office solutions to over 50,000 companies and entrepreneurs throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Central America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Please visit http://www.davincivirtual.com or http://www.davincimeetingrooms.com or contact Davinci at 888-863-3423. About Davinci: Davinci is the leading provider of turnkey virtual communications and virtual office solutions. Davinci's virtual offices and services include local or toll-free telephone and fax numbers, digital voicemail, electronic fax, email, online command center, unified messaging, voice and video conferencing, voicemail to email, fax to email, professional live receptionist services, virtual assistants, live call answering, live web chat, screening and forwarding, find me, follow me, surveys, outbound calling, customer service, appointment scheduling, order taking, and much more. Davincivirtual.com offers virtual office locations and virtual office services worldwide. With professional business addresses in over 1,800 prime locations, mail forwarding, lobby and directory listings, access to conference rooms and day offices, catering, administrative services, virtual assistants, business support centers, resident agent services, license hanging and more, Davinci Virtual helps businesses maintain a global presence on a local budget. DavinciMeetingRooms.com is a comprehensive online reservation platform for business, providing access to over 5,000 conference rooms, day offices, meeting spaces and business support services around the globe. Users can book professionally equipped meeting spaces, as well as critical add-on services such as LCD projectors, video conferencing, wireless Internet access, catering services and secretarial support. Media Contact: Serena Johnston 801-990-9200 About the Best Companies for Women to Advance List Parity.org established the Best Companies for Women to Advance List to recognize organizations that have benefits, policies, and programs that are particularly beneficial for women to advance in the workplace. Thirty-four companies made the 2020 list, based on a cumulative rating across recruitment, benefits, executive preparation, measurement, and representation. Organizations wanting to take the Parity Pledge or learn more about Parity.org should visit http://www.Parity.org. OnePlus fans have something new to be excited about. No, Im not talking about the OnePlus Nord that is scheduled to launch next week, its the accessory every OnePlus fan has been asking for. While OnePlus has made neckband earphones in the recent past; fans have been longing for a truly wireless experience from the brand. Well, your prayers have now been answered as OnePlus showed off their own TWS earbuds that can last seven hours on a single charge. Twitter According to CEO Pete Lau, the OnePlus Buds will strike the right balance between great performance and affordability. According to Laus forum post, they have been working hard to ensure the wireless earbuds offer long battery life. To be specific, they are good for over seven hours of continuous use, and can be fully topped up more than three times from just their charging case, giving you up to 30 hours of use before you have to plug in again, he added. The fact that the TWS earbuds can last for 30 hours is quite impressive for a budget-friendly TWS, as Samsungs Galaxy Buds+ can last 22 hours on a single charge with the charging case. The new earphones are also expected to be lightweight, around 36 grams so that it doesnt put any extra weight on the ears. OnePlus We didnt get any other detail about the upcoming earbuds, including whether it will provide any form of active noise cancellation or whether it will support Warp Charge. We have seen the Warp Charge feature with OnePlus neckbands before and it would be interesting to see if the company has managed to bring it over to the TWS experience as well. However, we did get some other information from Lau, For instance, when in gaming mode on your OnePlus device, the OnePlus Buds achieve ultra-low latency, approaching the speed of wired headphones, he said. The earbuds will also be optimised to work with OnePlus smartphones OnePlus will be launching the OnePlus Buds and OnePlus Nord on July 21st and we can expect news about the products at the launch event. Source: OnePlus Forums Novilytic LLC, a company that secures lifesaving drugs and medical devices and is based in the Purdue Research Park West Lafayette, has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health. (Stock photo) WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. An innovation award will help a Purdue University-affiliated bio-analytics startup commercialize instrument technology for pharmaceutical antibody manufacturers. Novilytic LLC, a company that secures lifesaving drugs and medical devices and is based in the Purdue Research Park West Lafayette, has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health. The $1.4 million Phase II contract will allow Novilytic to continue the research, development and commercialization of its new Proteometer. The new instrument technology is being created for process chemists and engineers who need to develop better process quality and control. The instrument is designed to test antibody purity in process. The Proteometer represents a truly disruptive technology that will allow process research and manufacturing chemists and engineers to monitor and control antibody growth in process, said Fred Regnier, CTO and co-founder of Novilytic, and the former J.H. Law Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Purdue. There is no technology available to do this currently. Novilytic is currently focused on the pharmaceutical bioreactor market that produces monoclonal antibodies, one of the most important biopharmaceuticals used to treat many cancers, diseases and viruses. The company, which also is launching a seed round funding opportunity, will be opening new laboratories and hiring additional scientists in the coming months. Through the support of the Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue Foundry, Novilytic will continue to grow in the West Lafayette area. We are very grateful to the NIH and its support of our various developments, said Paul Dreier, CEO of Novilytic This marks our sixth straight SBIR grant. Initial grants led to the commercialization of patented medical devices. This award signifies our commitment to developing strong technology and patented instruments here in Indiana. Research reported here was supported by the National Institute Of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award No. R44GM137713. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. About Novilytic LLC Novilytic is a biochemistry analytics company that secures lifesaving drugs and medical devices. The company is backed by very strong partnerships with large analytical companies, artificial intelligence leaders, and pharmaceutical consortiums. Our potency is extended by the Novilytic Team, which includes multiple Ph.D. chemists and engineers who have helped us secure significant patents and other IP. Our business plan will increase those forces to insure we meet customer, market, and regulatory demands. Learn more at https://www.novilytic.com. About Purdue Research Foundation The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue's intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park, Purdue Technology Centers and University Development Office. In 2020, the IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The foundation received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about involvement and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org. For more information about setting up a presence at Purdue, possibly in the Purdue Research Park or Discovery Park District, contact the PRF Economic Development Office at parksinfo@prf.org. Writer: Chris Adam, cladam@prf.org Source: Paul Dreier, pdreier@novilytic.com, 317-752-3116 Journalists visiting campus : Journalists should follow Protect Purdue protocols and the following guidelines: Armed group Hayet Tahrir al-Sham that detained Tauqir Sharif last month says aid worker to appear in court in 15 days. A British aid worker living in Syrias opposition-held Idlib province has been released on bail after spending more than three weeks in detention by a dominant armed group. Tauqir Sharif, 33, was taken last month by Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate and United Nations-designated terrorist organisation, that has been in control of the last rebel-held bastion in Syria since 2019. Sharif, also known as Tox from east London, has been working on humanitarian projects in Syria since 2012. He was arrested on June 22 from his family home in the town of Atmeh along the Syria-Turkey border, where he lives with his wife, Racquell Hayden-Best, and their four children. Tauqir has been released on bail, Hayden-Best said on Wednesday, adding she has yet to see him and was not privy to the details of the agreement reached with HTS. Sharifs friend Bilal Abdul Kareem, a journalist living in Syria since 2012, also confirmed his release without giving details about the bail deal. Displaced Syrians walking past their makeshift tents in Idlib, Syria [File: Getty Images] Trial ongoing HTS said on Wednesday that the British aid worker had been released on bail following a request by his family and will appear in court in 15 days. HTS presented the evidence it used to issue an arrest warrant against Sharif to the judiciary. He was then referred to a military court for further investigation, said HTSs media relations manager Taqi al-Deen Omar. He will appear in court for his trial in 15 days. In the meantime, he can prepare his defence. In a media statement issued after Sharifs detention, HTS said Sharifs arrest resulted from dangerous allegations made against him relating to mismanagement of humanitarian funds and its use towards projects that sow sedition and division. 200708140652684 But his family and friends disputed these allegations. Moazzam Begg, outreach director of CAGE, a London-based campaign group working on Sharifs case, said at the time that Sharif was being held incommunicado and his family had not received any official documents to clarify the allegations against him. Begg said Sharifs arrest instead appeared to be related to his refusal to transfer some aid funds to HTS. If the [HTS] allegations are true, they are accusing him of not giving them the money he gets, said Begg before his release, adding Sharif has faced repeated threats. Armed groups, rebels and bandits have tried to come and take over his projects and funds, he added. Although Sharif has denied affiliation with any armed groups in Syria, he was stripped of his British citizenship in 2017 after being assessed by the UK Home Office to be aligned with an al-Qaeda-aligned group. After Sharifs arrest in June, dozens of residents of Atmeh, including many widows and orphans who receive aid provided by Sharifs Live Updates from Syria aid organisation, held demonstrations demanding his release. Spreading terror Sharif, one of the most well-known foreign aid workers in Syria, focuses on providing relief for internally displaced women and children in Atmehs sprawling camps. He also runs schools, housing projects, and food aid programmes, according to his wife. Idlib has been the target of a fierce battle for control since Syrian government forces launched a Russian-backed offensive to regain control of the opposition bastion in late 2019. The offensive left one million people displaced and more than 500 civilians dead before Moscow and Ankara brokered a truce in early March. Idlib continues to suffer a wide-scale humanitarian crisis. In an investigation last week, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria said war crimes were committed by both pro-government forces and HTS during the battle for Idlib. It said Syrian and Russian forces as well as HTS indiscriminately shelled densely populated civilian areas, spreading terror amongst civilians living in government-held areas. [HTS] detained, tortured and executed civilians expressing dissenting opinions, including journalists, confirming reports that in a crackdown on other factions, HTS had arrested dozens of figures in Idlib over the past few months, accusing them of causing division and undermining the objectives of the 2011 revolution, the commission said. Further reporting by Mohamed Karkas on the Syria-Turkey border Shankari Sundararaman By On 26 June 2020, the 36th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held through video conferencing. While much of the focus of the Summit was on the measures to address the pandemic, for the first time, the ASEAN took the stand that the South China Sea conflict must be resolved according to the principles and tenets enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). This is a huge step forward for the organisation that was unable to come out with a joint communique on the South China Sea in its 2012 summit, leading to a range of debates on the role of the ASEANs centrality and cohesiveness in tackling major power challenges in the region. The current position of the ASEAN is actually not surprising given the stresses that have been visible in the region. Using the diverted attention of countries coping with the Covid-19 pandemic, China has continued its political opportunism in the region vis-a-vis the other regional countries. In April 2020, in the clashes over the disputed waters around the Paracel islands, a Vietnamese shipping vessel was sunk by the Chinese coast guard, one of the many transgressions that the Chinese have carried out against Vietnam in its own Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). This followed last years stand-off in August/September in the Vanguard Bank region. The Chinese assertions of the nine-dash line violate the principles of Article 48 of the UNCLOS, which measures the length of the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. The Vietnam EEZ violations are clearly centred around pressurising the regional states into compliance on the nine-dash line, pushing the ASEANs multilateral back against the Chinese wall. Similarly, in May 2020, a drilling vessel owned by Malaysias Petronas was forced to stop its activities by a Chinese vessel off the coast of Borneo. This led to a stand-off between the United States navy and the Chinese, pushing the envelope on geopolitical tensions in the region at this crucial time. On 13 July 2020, in a press statement released by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, the US reiterated that the Chinese position in the South China Sea is unlawful and challenged the rights of those countries that endorsed a rules-based international order. There is probably no greater evidence of Chinese revisionism than the issues plaguing the South China Sea. From the 1990s till date, the Chinese position regarding the South China Sea and the islands have gone through clear revisionism. In 1990, during the visit of then Chinese Premier Li Peng to Southeast Asia, the key objectives were to look at joint exploration of resources and find resolution through negotiations. A decade after that, in 2002, China and the ASEAN moved towards the non-binding Declaration on the Code of Conduct (DoC), which was to become a binding Code of Conduct (CoC) within a decade. Today, nearly two decades later, there is still no move towards a binding CoC. While in principle a Single Draft CoC has been agreed upon, there has been no move towards formalisation of the CoC. The recent events between China and other claimant states only add to the increased regional tensions in the South China Sea. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) gave its resolution against the Chinese assertions of the nine-dash line and irredentist claims relating to the South China Sea. The PCA ruling was in response to the case filed by the Philippines over the issue of its claims to Scarborough Shoal. Typically, this was considered to be a low-tide elevation, which simply means that it is a natural piece of land visible only when the tide is low and remains submerged when the tide is high. Such formations are not considered while assessing the limits of the EEZ and it is only valid for the limits of the territorial sea, which is 12 nautical miles under the UNCLOS. Likewise, the case of Mischief Reef is also critical. This too is a low-tide elevation that falls into the region of the Philippines EEZ and Continental Shelf. However, Mischief Reef has been constructed into an artificial island through dredging with an airstrip and naval facilities, completely in contravention to the UNCLOS. These above instances clearly point to the relevance of the UNCLOS itself and why the summit last month led to a critical step for the ASEAN. Debates relating to the ASEANs cohesiveness attest to the role played by major power rivalry in the region. But it is imperative that cohesiveness must be internal to the ASEAN; it cannot be externally driven. Even as countries within the ASEAN have unresolved issues relating to their individual claims over the maritime spaces and features of the South China Sea, they must recognise the need to remain united in the face of Chinese assertions in the region. From 2003 onwards, as ASEAN countries have made efforts to achieve community building akin to the European Union, there is a critical lesson that the South China Sea conflict brings to the fore. Rising powers such as China will bring structural changes and test the existing normative principles. But the credibility of the ASEAN-driven processes to the wider region of the Indo-Pacific (erstwhile Asia-Pacific) lies in its ability to reiterate the normative order as a grouping, which will definitely send the correct signalthe ASEAN is tethered together in the South China Sea. Shankari Sundararaman Professor at School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi (shankari@mail.jnu.ac.in) Korean actress Lee Young-ae shakes hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a state banquet hosted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae in November 2017. Uzbek First Lady Ziroatkhon Hoshimova, fourth from left, sent a letter recently to thank Lee for her role in "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors," a big-budget K-drama she starred in in 2017, now being broadcast for free in Uzbekistan. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo Lee Young-ae, one of Korea's most famous actresses, has received a letter of gratitude from the first lady of Uzbekistan recently in recognition of a favor she did for Uzbek television viewers. According to her agency, Ziroatkhon Hoshimova, the wife of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, thanked Lee in the letter in June for helping provide "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors," a big-budget K-drama she starred in in 2017, for free broadcast in Uzbekistan by donating the copyright. The first lady wrote that she was "very pleased to hear about Lee's role" in helping the soap opera's broadcasting in Uzbekistan. She called Lee's action "a beautiful one" and that it is "more meaningful in the time of COVID-19 pandemic." "I am always pleased and appreciative for Lee's love and affection toward Uzbekistan. Lee's good deeds have touched us deep inside our heart," the first lady added. Aired in Korea from January to May 2017, the drama had Lee playing Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-era lady who is seen as the model woman for her talents in art and literature while also being a respected wife and mother. The 28-episode drama marked Lee's television comeback after she rose to international stardom with 2003 drama "Dae Jang Geum" (or "Jewel in the Palace") that led the Korean wave in the 2000s. With "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors" being produced at the cost of nearly 22 billion won ($18.2 million), its producer Group Eight went on a sales spree of its copyrights on the international market to generate revenue. The firm had sought to sell copyrights in Uzbekistan as well but Lee "persistently" convinced its executives to "donate" the copyrights instead, out of concern that the soaring price might deprive fans in Uzbekistan of the chance to enjoy Korean dramas including hers, according to her agency. Lee especially was keen about helping 600,000 ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, including 200,000 in Uzbekistan, to get to know more about Korea and its culture through dramas. She personally spent more than 100 million won on dubbing and other relevant steps for the soap opera to be aired in Uzbekistan. Her popularity in Uzbekistan has been notably high, with "Dae Jang Geum" recording a 97 percent viewer rating there. Lee was among the guests when President Moon Jae-in hosted Uzbek President Mirziyoyev and first lady Hoshimova at a state banquet during their visit to Seoul in November 2017. The first several episodes of "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors" aired in Uzbekistan last week, with viewer ratings ranging from 70 percent to 80 percent. 15.07.2020 LISTEN In the midst of soaring numbers of the positive cases of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, fears of many people are rising. Some have attributed it to much neglect by Ghanaians who think the protocols in place are albatross on their necks. Based on these fears, the opposition NDC, the National Council for PTA, and some renowned media personnel and stations are calling for re-closure of schools citing an incidence of reported cases in not less than ten schools. So far, Accra Girls SHS stands tall in the rising numbers of the COVID-19 cases after a report of three people who earlier reported positive to the virus. After contact tracing, it became evident that some hundred residents of the school including teachers had contracted the virus. Aside from Accra Girls other renowned schools in the Western Region such as the Archbishop Porter Girls had also reported similar occurrences. We are all concerned about the health of our school children and the fact that we cannot trade life with school examinations. Despite the concerns, it is obvious to note that the call to close schools in the warm-up to the writing of the WASSCE in particular, is highly misplaced, incongruous, and illogical. The reopening of schools was done after several considerations from medical experts and the government. All stakeholders were consulted and possible ways and means were tabled. During this period, all the parties calling for the re-closure of schools could not raise their concerns until now that the children had gained ground in their various schools. In the first place, it is very important for us all to understand that Ghanas education is on the blink of collapse if we think the coronavirus should continue to dictate our pace as a nation. Two final year batches of students are in dilemma and the future consequences of their inability to write their final exam is very dire. We do not have the luxury of pretending we cannot even help ourselves in such difficult times as a country. Saving their education is equally saving their lives and their future as well. Besides, there are over four hundred thousand students presently in schools and only a handful of them have recorded positive cases. The chances drawn from this premise do not suggest closure of schools. The government is working hard to ensure the safety of all school children who have recorded positive cases and I believe the students' concern would be given the utmost priority of treatment they deserve in order for them to recover. As a country we are recording more cases of recovery and I believe that it is a greater sign of a major breakthrough in the last few months when the virus took a center stage in Ghana. We must also be careful as a country the way and manner we play politics with serious issues. NDC as an opposition party could not offer any alternative of safeguarding the greater health of our school children but rather had taken the stance of fueling the fears of parents over the apparently awful situation. The political undertone had taken too much toll on the discussions so far and I believe it is about time to allay the fear of parents rather fueling it. Parents must understand that should the government decide to recall the children home, they will live to face the future consequences of their call for re-closure of schools. The covid-19 had become a community situational virus and it does not matter wherever you find yourself, you could contract it. It is a matter of time we allay our fears and learn to live with every situation positively as a country rather embracing fear and panic which could take away our common sense and reasoning. Parents must also accept that the government does not have further options for their childrens future examination should this years own be cancelled. I believe a lot is being done to ensure the safety of school children and we must support the government to ensure that no child dies from testing positive for the virus. We are in difficult times and our chances of survival are far greater than we can think. Everything will be fine with us as a country. God bless our homeland Ghana! NORTHFIELD, Ill., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today reported that, through subsidiaries in Mexico, it has entered into an agreement with Clariant (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. to acquire Clariant's anionic surfactant business and associated sulfation equipment located in Santa Clara, Mexico. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of certain other requirements. "The purchase of Clariant's surfactant business in Mexico will enhance our ability to support our customers' growth in the Mexican Consumer and Functional markets for surfactants," said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stepan. "We plan to transition manufacturing from Clariant's Santa Clara site to Stepan's Mexican sites located in Ecatepec and Matamoros over the coming months." Corporate Profile Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500 Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Stepan Company LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Europe's second-top court on Wednesday rejected an EU order to iPhone maker Apple to pay 13 billion euros ($14.78 billion) in Irish back taxes. 'The General Court annuls the contested decision because the Commission did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage for the purposes of Article 107(1) TFEU1,' judges said, referring to EU competition rules. The 2016 ruling and the record sum is part of the European Commission's crackdown on sweetheart tax deals between multinationals and some EU countries. LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Europe's second-top court on Wednesday rejected an EU order to iPhone maker Apple to pay 13 billion euros ($14.78 billion) in Irish back taxes. "The General Court annuls the contested decision because the Commission did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage for the purposes of Article 107(1) TFEU1," judges said, referring to EU competition rules. The 2016 ruling and the record sum is part of the European Commission's crackdown on sweetheart tax deals between multinationals and some EU countries. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, editing by Robin Emmott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The most memorable slogans are concise and to the point. Impossible is nothing. Possible is success. William Safire once wrote, Good slogans have rhyme, rhythm or alliteration to make them memorable. This gold standard of slogan has all four. by Anwar A. Khan Remarkable political movements always employ slogans that encapsulate in a few powerful words the aspirations of those fighting for a new world. French revolutionaries fought under the banner, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, words that still resonate with radicals. The first words of the U.S. Constitution, We the Peoplehave quickened the hearts of generations of populist activists. Emiliano Zapatas soldiers longed for Tierra y Libertad, and the peasant armies of Mao Tse Tung went to war for Land to the Tiller. Similarly, Joy Bangla is such a powerful and most patriotic slogan for the people of Bangladesh to create their own homeland. Every slogan has a context, circumstances that give rise to the words and make them effective. For example, when the Chinese communists were waging their long struggle against the army of Chiang Kai-shek, they relied upon mass support from peasants, who formed the base of the Red Army. By pronouncing the slogan of Joy Bangla, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman echoed and reverberated millions of voices at the speed of light from one end of the country to another to liberate Bangladesh from the brutal hands of Pakistan military junta and its local accomplices.The imprecise nature of political slogans is a virtue. Actual political programmes do not derive from words alone but from the balance of class forces that exist at a particular point in time. What slogans do is clarify the most basic political cleavages; they help people develop the mindset most suited to active participation in whatever struggles are at hand. Joy Bangla slogan has its glorified context. Bangladeshs War of Independence in 1971 was valiantly fought against the blood thirsty Pakistans Army and their mango-twigs in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Joy Bangla slogan. Words change meanings. In our daily life, we listen and say many things to justify our conversation - some words stay out in our mind, many go away with time. With human psychology, nobody can remember everything but when we say Joy Bangla, our mind may immediately pick up that we are talking about Bangladesh. Although slogans work slowly, but this slogan is electrifying and its mighty power are long lasting.The political slogan gives a good feeling to the people. Creating a prominent identity is what every political party goes for and so getting an extra identity is surely a bonus. Slogan is sewed with our political name and is used everywhere along with it so it technically works as a shadow for a political partys name. Joy Bangla slogan, undoubtedly is the most powerful slogan which united the whole nation of Bangladesh into a solitary political platform to fight and achieve our own country, Bangladesh. A political party name cannot stand alone as compressed communication to speak for its people. Thus, political slogans have a key role in communicating the essence of a political party. Slogan is appealing as well as elaborate as compared to the one-word noun. A phrase with a meaning is apparently easier for people to relate to and remember; thus, the impact of this noun is accentuated with its shadow i.e. slogan. And Joy Bangla slogan is standing on this glorious spirit.A slogan actually works as a DNA for any political party. A truly successful slogan, if it is to continue to stay successful, is not just a benefit but a commitment it is what the political party stands for! This DNA for the political party does not only attract the people but also helps in garnering the necessary support from the people. Joy Bangla slogan is much more than that. Many times, a slogan is actually a precis of a political organisation and is designed to mirror the commitment and loyalty of its people. Moreover, slogans can also work as bridge between the political party and the people to build and strengthen the relationship. Since it gives meaning to the name, it can create feelings and attract people towards it. Thus, a person can relate and eventually be inclined towards the slogan resulting in increase of supporters. Joy Bangla slogans support base was huge and it will remain huge in future. Slogans are usually based on a short sentence easy to remember words, long lines are hard to memorise, so the shorter the better! The message they leave and what picture they sketch in our minds when someone reads, hears or simply sees a slogan is crucial. Since the political name can not specify the essence of its goal, it has to make something memorable that represents the party and the country itself. We should keep an eye on the sound it produces and the nerves it touches when it strikes the peoples mind. Joy Bangla slogan truly touches our nerves to fight the evil forces. Slogan also works best to display the real perspective for any political party, this way it can attract the larger audience easily and can also connect with them emotionally. Joy Bangla slogan has by right connected us emotionally with Bangladesh and its founding Father Bangabandhu. For more than 100 years, political parties have used slogans in their political movements. All political parties have used catchy phrases to tell their people what makes their political philosophy or service special or different. When done well, a slogan can become the centre-piece of a political partys identity. Joy Bangla slogan is not only the centre-piece of BangladeshAwami League but also the centre-piece of the country, Bangladesh as well as its entire people. Political parties use slogans because it is an easy and quick way to grab the attention of the public by using simple and catchy phrases and Joy Bangla slogan is such a simple and catchy phrase but its power is strong-boned and strong-willed for emancipation of the people of Bangladesh.A very productive route for a political party to go down is a reliable slogan and Joy Bangla is such a reliable political slogan. The very slogan is believed to have that a phrase with meaning strikes more of a chord with the people and the country than just the political party name alone because the slogan is a deserving of esteem and respect; not only it gives the people a commitment but tells them what the party stands for deserving of esteem and respect of the same breath.Joy Bangla slogan has been exerting great power over the people of Bangladesh since long because it can give meaning to the name so it needs to apply to their everyday lives and should connect emotionally with them. The Sheikhs electrifying voice on Mar 7, 1971 will remain alive all the time in our life, when he roared, My brothers, today I appear before you with a heavy heart...The audience at the-then Race Course Ground (now Suhrawardy Uddan) hung on to every word of his 19-minute-long speech amid pin-drop silence about 50 years ago. The crowd repeated after him when he was seen saying, He didnt agree with me, rather he (President Yahya Khan) yielded to Mr. Bhuttos demand. And people assembled there erupted in an echo when he was heard uttering those immortal lines: ...The struggle this time is our struggle for emancipation, the struggle this time is the struggle for our independence. The crowd endorsed in unison as the deep resolute voice of Bangabandhu was heard saying, You cant keep seven crore Bengalis subjugated. Now that we have learnt to court death, no one can dominate us. People there present resonated with the cry of Joy Bangla as the speech concluded with that immortal slogan. According to Valerie Ann Taylor, Joy Bangla' slogan worked miracle. It is not only the slogan of the Awami League, it is the slogan of our Liberation War, it is the slogan of Bangladesh, and it is the slogan of our people. A slogan is a tag-line or phrase that creates to visually express the importance and benefits of a great speech. By and large, it is a theme to a struggle that usually has a genuine role in peoples lives. It has the ability to loan peoples time and attention by putting people at the heart of the solution. Fact is, it is so crucial for a great armed uprising to fight and defeat the Pakistani occupation forces. Every day, we see millions of messages and catchphrase everywhere from print media to online advertisements. True, there are some slogans that we know by heart but a million of them have come and gone that we hardly ever noticed. What is it about a political slogan that catapults it into fame? Here is a solitary one: Joy Bangla. It is simple, catchy, short and easy to remember and it perfectly defines Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his political party. It makes the persons feel the taste and remind them of the slogan Joy Bangla. It also highlights our pre-independence exploitation, oppression and persecution by the Pakistani rulers and various facets of the Bengali struggle. Aside from having outstanding political recall, the slogan of Joy Bangla - V factor that makes us look twice, think thrice and delight the imagination of success. According to Charles Whittier, "A political slogan should be a statement of such merit about a political service that is worthy of continuous repetitive pronouncement; it is worthwhile for the general public to remember; and is phrased in such a way that the general public is likely to remember it." Joy Bangla is an all-time memorable political slogan. A godemiche slogan must stay consistent and reveal the real purposes and benefits of the common benefits. Using proven words and short keywords Bangabandhu pronounced, Joy Bangla and the whole country became tumultuous and Bangabandhu received a tumultuous welcome from the people of all walks of life. It is very indignant that after 1975 to till 1990, people, especially the young, used to feel shy in voicing the Joy Bangla slogan, because they were taught that they shouldnt utter it by the shenanigan politicians like Gen. Zia, Gen Ershad and a politician like Begum Zia. What is the meaning of the two words of that distinguished slogan? . The meaning is victory of Bangladesh and its people. Joy Bangla the slogan of the 1971 Liberation War is raised by AwamiLeague and its affiliate organisations and all people of Bangladesh during our glorious Liberation War in 1971. But it is not only the slogan of Awami Leagueit is the slogan of our independenceit is the slogan of BangladeshThe future generation must utter the slogan louder shedding the shame. Because the most popular and memorable Bengali slogan is "Joy Bangla" or "Hail Bangladesh. Now the slogan is on everybody's lips. Joy means victory. So,Joy Bangla means victory for Bangladesh. This was the war cry used by the Freedom Fighters during our glorious Liberation War in 1971.The country is moving forward and the youth will make the country forward further through their hard-work and merit. And this will be the future Joy Bangla. We must work hard for full revival of the spirit of Liberation War; and we all need to work together so that the future generation chants the Joy Bangla slogan in a louder voice. For the reasons that the underlying spirit of Bangabandhus unique political activities was embodied in the slogan of Joy Bangla. The basic spirit has not changed since the countrys founding and will never be changed. The large crowd gathered to hear the historic speech of Bangabandhu was at its enthusiastic best, shouting Joy Bangla slogan and beating drums by dozens. People there then were moved.Since the advent of Joy Banglaslogan, it fought the front-line battle to penetrate our minds, and win our hearts. Does this slogan-bite exercise a profound influence on our language, people, and culture? In a word, yes! It moves the country-Bangladesh and the world as well. Correct politics is the life of a political party. It expresses itself through political strategy and tactics. Strategy and tactics are raised to people through slogans and on that basis; people are united and directed to struggle. So, it is long-term. Bangabandhus politics was correct and long-term. First, by putting forward basic political slogans that accord with the course of historic development and by putting forward slogans of action for each stage of development and each major turn of events in order to translate these political slogans into reality. So, in order to lead the whole masses of Bangladesh society, politics led by Bangabandhu had to make political strategy and tactics corresponding to the historic development of Bangladesh on the one hand, and strategic and tactical slogans as reflection of respective strategy and tactics on the other. This slogan is correct with Bangabandhus stance for creating Bangladesh. Among the two aspect of peoples democratic revolution national revolution and democratic revolution the principal aspect is national one because Bangladesh is a colony of Pakistan, the whole nation was oppressed under colonial exploitation and rule and people want its end. The solution of this national revolution is to establish independent and sovereign Bangladesh and this was possible through national Liberation War in 1971 at the clarion call of Bangabandhu and his thunderous voiced Joy Bangla slogan. Bangabandhus strategy was to resolve national contradiction, to establish independent and sovereign Bangladesh by overthrowing Pakistans colonial ruling regime. While chanting this slogan, general people of Bangladesh sought oppressed and suppressed peoples victory over exploiters and dream of freedom and democracy in 1971. So, raising the slogan Joy Bangla is truly patriotic; it means Bangladesh. This matches with the social development of Bangladesh. Clearly, it expresses Bangladesh peoples national spirit, patriotism and victory. This is why, this slogan ends any type of hesitation. This is the solution of the question of national liberation of Bangladesh and solution of any national contradiction. It matches with our politics. So, this is correct. It is definitely Sheikh Mujib, the most prominent figure in Bangladesh's history, if you talk about Bangladesh and the Joy Bangla slogan. This slogan epitomises the aspirations of Bengali people over a thousand years. Right after Bangabandhus six-point demands, another slogan became popular: Tomaramarthikana, Padma, Meghna, Jamuna (The land that is criss-crossed by these rivers is ours.) This is also the reflection of the communal harmony that has always been the cardinal principle of Bengali culture. For the first time in 1971, the aspirations of people of all religions and social classes found a common platform, Shamsuzzaman Khan clearly points out. Two simple words can inspire a generation, unite a community, and change a nation. Two simple words can conjure up images of a multitude of movements. Two simple words can transcend cultural differences. These two simple words provided inspiration for the Bangladesh liberation movement, helped establish Bangladesh. These two simple words are: JOI BANGLA! This great slogan was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation. Yes, we have set up our own country. This slogan resonates positively within our community.A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious, and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. Joy Bangla is such a memorable and adorable political slogan. A slogan can be used for a powerful cause where the impact of the message is essential to the cause. The slogan can be used to raise awareness about a current cause; one way is to do so is by showing the truth that the cause is supporting. A slogan should be clear with a supporting message. Slogans, when combined with action, can provide an influential foundation for a cause to be seen by its intended audience. Slogans, whether used for advertising purpose or social causes, deliver a message to the public that shapes the audiences' opinion towards the subject of the slogan. The most memorable slogans are concise and to the point. Impossible is nothing. Possible is success. William Safire once wrote, Good slogans have rhyme, rhythm or alliteration to make them memorable. This gold standard of slogan has all four. It was a quick and monumental about-face. The Sheikhs slogan emphasised his reasoned demeanor and deliberate decision-making process. There are three simple communications devices that every campaign need: a message, issues that support the message, and an effective political campaign slogan. Memorable slogans often use short phrase bursts, a staccato style that breaks up a longer sentence into easily-recalled phrases. Joy Bangla sounds with resonance of the same category. Our tactical line should be to destroy the anti-national, anti-independence and anti-liberation forces from this sacred soil of Bangladesh as the end result. Long live Joy Bangla slogan. A diamond is forever. The power of dreams is for a limitless time. The taste of a new generation will grow up for Joy Bangla slogan. His masters voice will remain eternal. We should say to rebel is justified. Smash the obnoxious nexus of anti-liberation forces from this country once and for all crying out in a very louder tone of Joy Bangla slogan. The spirit of Joy Bangla will remain immortal in the history of Bangladesh. -The End The writer is an independent political observer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs An oil tanker sought by the United States over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked on July 5 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a seafarers organisation said on Wednesday. Satellite photos showed the vessel in Iranian waters on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear what happened on board the Dominica-flagged MT Gulf Sky, though its reported hijacking comes after months of tensions between Iran and the US. David Hammond, CEO of the United Kingdom-based Human Rights at Sea, said he took a witness statement from the captain of the MT Gulf Sky, confirming the ship had been hijacked. Hammond said 26 of the Indian sailors on board had made it back to India, while two remained in Tehran, without elaborating. Hammond said he had no other details on the vessel. TankerTrackers.com, a website tracking the oil trade at sea, said it saw the vessel in satellite photos on Tuesday in Iranian waters off Hormuz Island. Hormuz Island, near the port city of Bandar Abbas, is some 190km (120 miles) north of Khorfakkan, a city on the eastern coast of the UAE where the vessel had been for months. 200702170317959 In May, the US Justice Department filed criminal charges against two Iranians, accusing them of trying to launder some $12m to buy the tanker, then named the MT Nautica, through a series of front companies. The vessel then took on Iranian oil from Kharg Island to sell abroad, the US government said. Court documents allege the scheme involved Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which is its elite expeditionary unit, as well as Irans national oil and tanker companies. The two men charged, one of whom also has an Iraqi passport, remain at large. Data from the MT Gulf Skys Automatic Identification System tracker shows it had been turned off at approximately 4:30am on July 5, according to ship-tracking website MarineTraffic.com. As tensions between Iran and the US heated up last year, tankers plying the waters of the Middle East became targets, particularly near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the Gulfs narrow mouth through which 20 percent of all oil passes. Suspected limpet mine attacks the US blamed on Iran targeted several tankers. Iran denied being involved, though it did seize several tankers. Some individuals love meeting new people, while others abhor the idea. For individuals with conditions such as autism, unfamiliar social interactions can produce negative emotions such as fear and anxiety. A new study from Scripps Research reveals how two key neural circuits dictate the choice between social approach and avoidance. Neuroscientists who study autism have sought to define the brain circuits underlying these challenges, to enable more precise diagnosis, and to develop protocols for testing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Brain mapping efforts have implicated multiple areas, including the emotional center of the brain and the region responsible for coordinating thoughts and actions. Assigning cause and effect to changes in these regions to the symptoms of autism, however, has been challenging. The study, from the lab of neuroscientist Damon Page, PhD, uses a variety of innovative techniques to address this challenge, finding two specific circuits capable of independently controlling social preference in mice. Both link the areas of higher-level thought and decision-making in the prefrontal cortex to the emotional regulation center of the brain, the amygdala. Sociable animals like mice -- and humans -- generally seek out social engagement, which produces benefits including increased resilience to stress, Page explains. But in conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and others that feature social impairments, an unexpected social encounter may produce a negative emotional reaction. Difficulty communicating and interacting with others is a hallmark of autism spectrum disorders, which now affect 1 in 34 U.S. boys and 1 in 54 girls age 8, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. "To understand something properly, you need to know where to look. It's a needle-in-the-haystack problem," Page says. "Understanding how this circuit works normally enables us to now ask the questions, 'How is this wiring changed in a condition like autism? How do therapeutic interventions impact the function of this circuit?'" The group found that one neural circuit connecting the mouse infralimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala impairs social behavior if its activity is dialed down. The other key circuit connects the prelimbic cortex to the basolateral amygdala. Dialing up activity of that circuit produced similarly impaired social behavior, says Aya Zucca, the study's co-first author. Zucca notes that both mice and humans use corresponding brain regions to process social information, so the mouse model is a good one for studying these issues. "Using a technique called optogenetics in mice, we controlled the neurons that were active during negative experiences at the precise time of social engagement. This manipulation of the circuit resulted in them avoiding social interaction. It's a bit like when you see a friendly face, but then have a flashback of a negative experience that's strong enough to make you decide to walk the other way." With this social preference circuitry now identified, other questions can be addressed, such as, how this circuitry is wired during development, and whether genetic or environmental risk factors for autism cause mis-wiring of this circuitry, Page says. "The brain circuitry underlying the social symptoms of autism is almost certainly highly complex and we're just beginning to map it," Page says. "But this study adds an important landmark to that map." The study, "Social Behavior Is Modulated by Valence-Encoding mPFC-Amygdala Sub-circuitry," appears in the journal Cell Reports on July 14. In addition to Page and Zucca, contributors include co-first author Wen-Chin Huang, currently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, and Jenna Levy, of Scripps Research. This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant R01MH105610, Ms. Nancy Lurie Marks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the American Honda and Children's Healthcare Charity, and an anonymous donor. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 13:47 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066676220 1 Lifestyle COVID-19,pandemic,barber,barbershop,salon,beauty,beauty-clinic,new-normal Free A neighborhood in one of the oldest housing complexes in Bekasi has a regular guest on weekends; a barber. Offering the service through advertisements posted in WhatsApp groups, the barber-by-appointment is equipped with gloves, health masks and face shields, as well as disinfectant and hand sanitizer. Ivan Pratama, the owner of O-DELs barbershop on Jl. Raya Narogong, Cileungsi bordering Bekasi and Bogor started the door-to-door service in April to cope with the current situation. The barbershop has to close for an indefinite period of time and we know that many people are stuck at home and need our service. By offering our service door-to-door, at least our workers can still earn an living, he told The Jakarta Post. Stefani Ribka, who manages the Mutiara Family Salon in Serpong, Banten, began offering home services on April 29 after the salons income had dropped 80 percent. Demand was high in May, during which salon workers could visit 12 houses a day. And the number of customers on each visit varied, so we had to set a limit for the number of visits we could make in a day, said Ribka, adding that in some cases, customers had made arrangements for their neighbors as well. We could send a hairstylist or up to three workers if the customer also requests a manicure and pedicure services. Although many customers have returned to the hair salon, the home service will still be available for those reluctant to leave their homes for a hair trim. Sita Dewi, a journalist, and mother to 4-year-old Bumi, said she used the home service because she personally knew Ribka. I knew that she was not someone who would disregard health protocols and that the hairstylist was her younger sister and lived in the same house as her. Without this knowledge, I would not invite people to come to my house, she said. Sita was more convinced of her decision as she saw the salon equipment had been sterilized before use and the hairstylist wore a hairnet and mask while working. I hope all beauty salons are more attentive to safety protocols even after the pandemic, she added. But would she use the service again? I dont think so. Its my concern to find a service in which the workers are the least susceptible to virus infection. The home service was a good experience but it should be me time when I should not be bothered by house chores or child-rearing. And while at a beauty salon, we can ask for a massage or nail treatment, which are impossible at home. SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EvoNexus, California's leading non-profit technology incubator for startups, announced today the launch of its 5G incubator program, in collaboration with Qualcomm Incorporated as a sponsor of the program, to assist early-stage companies helping to build the wireless 5G ecosystem. Qualcomm and EvoNexus have a 10-year history of collaboration and success in supporting early stage ventures impacting the wireless ecosystem. "5G will drive transformation across industries, fueling a new era of innovation. Qualcomm companies are developing innovative solutions across the entire 5G value chain and are committed to support the roll out and adoption of 5G," said Brian Modoff, Executive Vice President, Strategy, M&A and Ventures, Qualcomm Incorporated. "5G is poised to produce $13.2 trillion in economic value by 2035 and we want to ensure that the full potential of 5G is met. Through our EvoNexus sponsorship, we will be supporting early-stage ventures developing new use cases that leverage 5G's unique capabilities." As a long-time partner, Qualcomm has directly invested in EvoNexus portfolio companies and completed acquisitions of two of them. EvoNexus will capitalize on its rigorous and proven incubation program to attract and develop early stage ventures that accelerate and leverage 5G and AI, regardless of their location. "5G is a foundational wireless technology that will significantly impact mobile devices, automotive, healthcare, computing, and more," said Dr. Jim Cable, CTO, EvoNexus. "5G will present endless opportunities for companies to create new products and services. With its incubator program, track record and experience, EvoNexus provides startups with a jump-start to launch and scale their plans. Whether it's 5G or beyond, EvoNexus is the fastest way to launch a startup." "EvoNexus enables motivated entrepreneurs to turn their transformative ideas into fundable, commercially-viable companies," said Rory Moore, CEO and Co-Founder, EvoNexus. "We are honored to have Qualcomm's involvement with this 5G initiative which will attract numerous entrepreneurs aiming to leverage 5G and AI." About EvoNexus EvoNexus is California's leading non-profit technology startup incubator with locations in San Diego, Orange County, Silicon Valley, and a virtual program. EvoNexus has successfully launched around 230 technology startups with a survival rate of over 85%. since the incubator's formation in 2010. EvoNexus Ventures have secured over $2B in venture funding and outcomes, $6B in pre-exit valuation and 28 acquisitions. EvoNexus is supported by corporate investors, including some of the largest multinational corporations in the world. For more information, please visit evonexus.org. About Qualcomm Qualcomm is the world's leading wireless technology innovator and the driving force behind the development, launch, and expansion of 5G. When we connected the phone to the internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our foundational technologies enable the mobile ecosystem and are found in every 3G, 4G and 5G smartphone. We bring the benefits of mobile to new industries, including automotive, the internet of things, and computing, and are leading the way to a world where everything and everyone can communicate and interact seamlessly. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Media Contact Neha Chauhan [email protected] (858) 354-7823 SOURCE EvoNexus Related Links http://www.evonexus.org The collision of a passenger train with a freight train in the Czech Republic, dozens injured. A man had died, said the Minister of transport, Karel Havlicek, who was rushed to the accident, early Wednesday morning in stations in CT. Two people had severe and eight had been seriously injured. The passenger train was late on Tuesday evening in the city of Cesky Brod, about 30 kilometers East of Prague, in the standing mail train crashed. According to a spokesperson for the rescue service, a total of 35 people were in hospitals in the Region. Most of them suffered bruises or fractures. The salvage work was completed in around three hours. In the case of the dead it should be, according to media reports, one of the two train drivers was trapped in his cabin. The forces were more than a dozen paramedics and ambulance as well as two rescue helicopters on the ground. In the commuter train should have been in the late evening transport about 200 passengers found. The so-called "city Elefant" connects Prague with Recany nad Labem (Retschan on the Elbe). May Signal overlooked The cause of the disaster has yet to be determined. May a halt was overlooked signal, it was on the part of the authorities. References to a technical failure it is not, give said Havlicek. images in social media showed that the trains were after the collision wedged together. The rail traffic on the main axis was diverted. Only a week ago, including a German had come in a train accident in the Czech part of the ore mountains, two people were killed. Updated Date: 14 July 2020, 23:19 Making the transition to a renewable energy future will have environmental and long-term economic benefits and is possible in terms of energy return on energy invested (EROI), UNSW Sydney researchers have found. Their research, published in the international journal Ecological Economics recently, disproves the claim that a transition to large-scale renewable energy technologies and systems will damage the macro-economy by taking up too large a chunk of global energy generation. Honorary Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, in collaboration with Prof Tommy Wiedmann of UNSW Engineering, analysed dozens of studies on renewable electricity systems in regions where wind and/or solar could provide most of the electricity generation in future, such as Australia and the United States. The Clean Energy Australia report states that renewable energy's contribution to Australia's total electricity generation is already at 24 per cent. Lead author A/Prof Diesendorf is a renewable energy researcher with expertise in electricity generation, while co-author Prof Tommy Wiedmann is a sustainability scientist. A/Prof Diesendorf said their findings were controversial in light of some fossil fuel and nuclear power supporters, as well as some economists, rejecting a transition to large-scale electricity renewables. advertisement "These critics claim the world's economy would suffer because they argue renewables require too much lifecycle energy to build, to the point of diverting all that energy away from other uses," he said. "Our paper shows that there is no credible scientific evidence to support such claims, many of which are founded upon a study published in 2014 that used data up to 30 years old. "There were still research papers coming out in 2018 using the old data and that prompted me to examine the errors made by those perpetuating the misconception." A/Prof Diesendorf said critics' reliance on outdated figures was "ridiculous" for both solar and wind technology. "It was very early days back then and those technologies have changed so dramatically just in the past 10 years, let alone the past three decades," he said. advertisement "This evolution is reflected in their cost reductions: wind by about 30 per cent and solar by 85 to 90 per cent in the past decade. These cost reductions reflect increasing EROIs." A/Prof Diesendorf said fears about macro-economic damage from a transition to renewable energy had been exaggerated. "Not only did these claims rely on outdated data, but they also failed to consider the energy efficiency advantages of transitioning away from fuel combustion and they also overestimated storage requirements," he said. "I was unsurprised by our results, because I have been following the literature for several years and doubted the quality of the studies that supported the previous beliefs about low EROIs for wind and solar." Spotlight on wind and solar A/Prof Diesendorf said the study focused on wind and solar renewables which could provide the vast majority of electricity, and indeed almost all energy, for many parts of the world in future. "Wind and solar are the cheapest of all existing electricity generation technologies and are also widely available geographically," he said. "We critically examined the case for large-scale electricity supply-demand systems in regions with high solar and/or high wind resources that could drive the transition to 100 per cent renewable electricity, either within these regions or where power could be economically transmitted to these regions. "In these regions -- including Australia, the United States, Middle East, North Africa, China, parts of South America and northern Europe -- variable renewable energy (VRE) such as wind and/or solar can provide the major proportion of annual electricity generation. "For storage, we considered hydroelectricity, including pumped hydro, batteries charged with excess wind and/or solar power, and concentrated solar thermal (CST) with thermal storage, which is a solar energy technology that uses sunlight to generate heat." Energy cost/benefit ratio approach Co-author Prof Wiedmann said the researchers used Net Energy Analysis as their conceptual framework within which to identify the strengths and weaknesses of past studies in determining the EROI of renewable energy technologies and systems. "We used the established Net Energy Analysis method because it's highly relevant to the issue of EROI: it aims to calculate all energy inputs into making a technology in order to understand the full impact," Prof Wiedmann said. "From mining the raw materials and minerals processing, to building and operating the technology, and then deconstructing it at the end of its life. So, it's a lifecycle assessment of all energy which humans use to make a technology." Renewable transition possible A/Prof Diesendorf said their findings revealed that a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy was worthwhile, contradicting the assumptions and results of many previous studies on the EROIs of wind and solar. "We found that the EROIs of wind and solar technologies are generally high and increasing; typically, solar at a good site could generate the lifecycle primary energy required to build itself in one to two years of operation, while large-scale wind does it in three to six months," he said. "The impact of storage on EROI depends on the quantities and types of storage adopted and their operational strategies. In the regions we considered, the quantity of storage required to maintain generation reliability is relatively small. "We also discovered that taking into account the low energy conversion efficiency of fossil-fuelled electricity greatly increases the relative EROIs of wind and solar. "Finally, we found the macro-economic impact of a rapid transition to renewable electricity would at worst be temporary and would be unlikely to be major." A more sustainable future A/Prof Diesendorf said he hoped the study's results would give renewed confidence to businesses and governments considering or already making a transition to more sustainable electricity technologies and systems. "This could be supported by government policy, which is indeed the case in some parts of Australia -- including the ACT, Victoria and South Australia -- where there's strong support for the transition," he said. "A number of mining companies in Australia are also going renewable, such as a steel producer which has a power purchase agreement with a solar farm to save money, while a zinc refinery built its own solar farm to supply cheaper electricity." A/Prof Diesendorf said the Australian Government, however, could help with more policies to smooth the transition to renewable energy. "In Australia the transition is happening because renewable energy is much cheaper than fossil fuels, but there are many roadblocks and potholes in the way," he said. "For example, wind and solar farms have inadequate transmission lines to feed power into cities and major industries, and we need more support for storage to better balance the variability of wind and solar. "So, I hope our research will help bolster support to continuing with the transition, because we have discredited the claim that the EROIs of electricity renewables are so low that a transition could displace investment in other sectors." NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913343/?utm_source=PRN The Global Automotive Antifreeze Market is expected to grow from USD 7,436.30 Million in 2019 to USD 9,421.14 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.02%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Automotive Antifreeze to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: On the basis of Product Type, the Automotive Antifreeze Market is studied across Ethylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Propylene Glycol. On the basis of Technology, the Automotive Antifreeze Market is studied across HOAT, IAT, and OAT. On the basis of Vehicle Type, the Automotive Antifreeze Market is studied across Commercial Vehicles and Passenger Vehicles. On the basis of Application, the Automotive Antifreeze Market is studied across Aerospace, Automotive, and Industrial. On the basis of Geography, the Automotive Antifreeze Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market including BASF SE, Chevron Corporation, China Petrochemical Corporation, Cummins Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Motul, Prestone Products Corporation, and Royal Dutch Shell PLC. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Automotive Antifreeze Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on sulfuric acid offered by the key players Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: What is the market size and forecast of the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market? What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market during the forecast period? Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market? What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market? What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market? What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Antifreeze Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913343/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links www.reportlinker.com Police found a loaded handgun after arresting a teenager Tuesday night. A city police canine unit was on patrol near Park Street North when the officer saw a youth suspected in an assault July 10. When the officer tried to speak to him, the suspect ran away. The officer warned that police dog Isaac would be sent after him, but the teen kept running. Isaac caught him and the youth was arrested. Police say he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun with magazine, another magazine and ammunition, a large amount of Canadian currency, seven grams of fentanyl, 13.2 grams of cocaine and drug packaging. The Oshawa teen, 15, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, possession of prohibited or restricted firearm/ammunition, possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl), possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and assault, in connection with the July 10 incident. He was to appear in court Wednesday. His name was not released under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The U.S. will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese telecom Huawei and other companies that "provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations globally," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. Why it matters: The Trump administration's latest escalation against Huawei, which U.S. intelligence officials view as a threat to national security due to its ties to the Chinese military, comes the day after the U.K. announced it will no longer allow the telecom to access its 5G network. The U.K. decision was a big win for the Trump administration, which has sought to firewall Huawei from networks around the world while putting intense pressure on its closest ally to make such a move. Pompeo commended the decision and announced he would visit the U.K. and Denmark, which has also banned Huawei from its 5G network, next week. What he's saying: "The tide is turning," Pompeo said. "I think the work that's been done all across the world is now making clear to everyone that there is a real security risk." "Now, every nation is simply asking the question, how do you do it?" "What are the commercial impacts, how quickly can you move in that direction, and how do you ensure we have available, cost-effective solutions that don't subject our people to the risk that comes from having this infrastructure inside our country." What to watch: In recent months, Beijing has met the Trump administration's embrace of reciprocity with a clear tit for tat. The Chinese government is likely to respond with corresponding restrictions of its own. The big picture: Pompeo declined to answer when asked by a reporter whether he considers the Chinese government to be "evil," as he has labeled Iran, but stressed that China's human rights violations are the "stain of the century." GENEVA, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned Perfume and Taste company, is the first in the industry to complete the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Manager assessment, developed by B Lab and the UN Global Compact. A key milestone for its B Corp Certification, the SDG Action Manager assessment confirmed the Group's overall strength in environmental, social and governance performance in areas such as Health, Human Rights and Climate Action. Reinforcing Firmenich's global sustainability leadership in sanitation, female empowerment and biodiversity have proven to be critical integrating the SDG assessment criteria across its operations. "Taking our 125-year legacy of responsible business into the future, we are the first in our industry to have completed this key step towards B Corp Certification," said Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Firmenich. "This will allow us to take our globally-recognized environmental and social performance to the next level, and drive positive impact for people, planet and society." "I am impressed to see how seriously Firmenich have taken their B Corp journey. Through the SDG Action Manager, they started with a diligent assessment of their current operations, as one of the first companies in the world to assess their contribution to the SDGs," said Jonathan Normand, Founder & Executive Director B Lab Switzerland. "I look forward to seeing Firmenich obtain the B Corp certification." "Firmenich has been on a fantastic journey over the past 12 months, working in close collaboration with both B. Lab Switzerland and Europe," said Dr. Berangere Magarinos-Ruchat, Chief Sustainability Officer, Firmenich. "SDG Action Manager is a critical building block on our journey to becoming a B Corp. With this assessment we fast-track the integration of the SDG's across our entire value chain." Firmenich has an established track record in environmental and social performance. One of only 36 UN Global Compact LEAD companies, Firmenich has been an active member of the business coalition for over a decade, placing the SDGs at the core of its growth strategy. Advancing its ambitious sustainability goals, Firmenich received the highest Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing the Group in the top 1% of the 60,000 suppliers assessed. This year Firmenich achieved 100% renewable electricity across all its operations worldwide. An industry first, this significant milestone builds on Firmenich's second consecutive CDP Triple A ranking for Climate Change, Water and Forests, one of only six companies worldwide. As an inclusive business, Firmenich was the seventh company worldwide, and the first in its industry, to be globally certified as a gender equal employer by EDGE, the world's leading certification standard in this area. Bringing together B Lab's B Impact Assessment, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the SDG Action Manager enables meaningful business action through dynamic self-assessment, benchmarking, and improvement. It is informed by the work and feedback of a range of stakeholders, including experts in corporate sustainability, civil society, UN, and academia; and it is inspired by the Certified B Corp community and participating companies of the UN Global Compact. About Firmenich Firmenich is the world's largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895. Driven by its purpose to create positive emotions to enhance wellbeing, naturally, Firmenich has designed many of the world's best-known perfumes and tastes, bringing delight to over four billion consumers every day. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, each year, Firmenich invests 10% of its turnover in R&D to understand and share the best that nature has to offer responsibly. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.9 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2019. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1215061/SDGAM_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/798187/Firmenich_Logo.jpg Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Blood pressure test is done for the patients with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes. Systolic and diastolic pressure is important for continuously monitoring the blood pressure. The test is mostly recommended for the patients with hypertension to determine the risk of any cardiovascular disease such as coronary heart disease. Prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes is on the rise across the globe, especially in the developing countries. The market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in rural areas of the developing countries. Rising geriatric population further increases the chances of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, thereby accelerating the market growth. Additionally, increasing research and development activities, and technological advancements to identify the causes and risk factors for chronic heart diseases is fuelling the growth of the global blood pressure test market. The high cost of treatment may restrain the growth of the market. According to WHO, more than 35% of the total global population was suffering from major or minor cardiovascular complication in 2015 and is the most common cause of death globally. taste the market data and market information presented through more than 55 market data tables and figures spread over 101 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content (TOC) & market synopsis on Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices Market research report Global forecast till 2023. Major Players in Blood Pressure Test Market: Some of the key players in the global market are OMRON Corporation, SunTech Medical, Inc., SPENGLER, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Schiller AG, Spacelabs Healthcare, American Diagnostic Corporation, Bosch + Sohn GmbH u. Co. KG, Withings SA, Welch Allyn, Inc. (Hill-Rom), A&D Medical, and General Electric Company. Regional Analysis The market for blood pressure test is found to be increasing in the Americas. Increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and availability of quality care services in various healthcare centers in the U.S. and Canada also influence the growth of the market. Also, rising emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and increasing demand for technologically advanced diagnostics and presence of major market players in the region also influence the growth of the market. In Europe, the prevalence of diabetes, a major risk factor for heart disease, is rising from last few years. Lifestyle changes, lack of physical exercise, and extensive research and development activities on the medical devices, drive the market growth. Germany and France are the two largest market in the European region owing to extensive use of diagnostic medical devices in healthcare institutes such as hospitals. In Asia Pacific, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising number of healthcare facilities, and rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases are major drivers for the market growth. There is a rising demand for specialty care services in countries such as India, stimulating the market growth. Furthermore, increasing focus on the development of qualitative healthcare services drive the market growth. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, 98.4 million and 65.1 million diabetic patients live in China and India respectively. China is the largest market for blood pressure test in Asia Pacific followed by India. This growth is attributed to the rising geriatric population in China, and increasing demand for diagnostic services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the geriatric population in China in the year 2013 was 22.6 million which is expected to show a massive growth to 90.4 million in 2050. In the Middle East & Africa, rising prevalence of obesity, and diabetes diseases also drives the growth of the market. The Middle East is the largest market for Blood Pressure Test. In Africa, the prevalence of diabetes is low, but there is a continuous demand for diagnostic and treatment services in healthcare. There is also an improvement in healthcare infrastructure in various African countries. Segmentation: The global blood pressure test market is segmented on the basis of product, indication and end user. On the basis of product, the market is segmented into sphygmomanometers, blood pressure transducers, blood pressure instrument accessories, and others. Sphygmomanometers is further sub-segmented into mercury, aneroid and digital. The blood pressure transducers is further sub-segmented into disposable and reusable. Blood pressure instrument accessories is further segmented into blood pressure cuffs, bladders, and bulbs & valve On the basis of indication, the market is segmented into hypertension, coronary heart disease, and others. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, diagnostic centers, home care, and others. Get More Information on Blood Pressure Test Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/blood-pressure-test-market-5489 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. University of Colorado Boulder researchers have used ultra-fast extreme ultraviolet lasers to measure the properties of materials more than 100 times thinner than a human red blood cell. The team, led by scientists at JILA, reported its new feat of wafer-thinness this week in the journal Physical Review Materials. The group's target, a film just 5 nanometers thick, is the thinnest material that researchers have ever been able to fully probe, said study coauthor Joshua Knobloch. "This is a record-setting study to see how small we could go and how accurate we could be," said Knobloch, a graduate student at JILA, a partnership between CU Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He added that when things get small, the normal rules of engineering don't always apply. The group discovered, for example, that some materials seem to get a lot softer the thinner they become. The researchers hope that their findings may one day help scientists to better navigate the often-unpredictable nanoworld, designing tinier and more efficient computer circuits, semiconductors and other technologies. "If you're doing nanoengineering, you can't just treat your material like it's a normal big material," said Travis Frazer, lead author of the new paper and a former graduate student at JILA. "Because of the simple fact that it's small, it behaves like a different material." "This surprising discovery--that very thin materials can be 10 times more flimsy than expected--is yet another example of how new tools can helps us to understand the nanoworld better," said Margaret Murnane, a coauthor of the new research, professor of physics at CU Boulder and JILA fellow. Nano wiggles The research comes at a time when many technology firms are trying to do just that: go small. Some companies are experimenting with ways to build efficient computer chips that layer thin films of material one on top of the other--like a filo pastry, but inside your laptop. The problem with that approach, Frazer said, is that scientists have trouble predicting how those flakey layers will behave. They're just too delicate to measure in any meaningful way with the usual tools. To help in that goal, he and his colleagues deployed extreme ultraviolet lasers, or beams of radiation that deliver shorter wavelengths than traditional lasers--wavelengths that are well-matched to the nanoworld. The researchers developed a set-up that allows them to bounce those beams off of layers of material just a few strands of DNA thick, tracking the different ways those films can vibrate. "If you can measure how fast your material is wiggling, then you can figure out how stiff it is," Frazer said. Atomic disruption The method has also revealed just how much the properties of materials can change when you make them very, very small. In the most recent study, for example, the researchers probed the relative strength of two films made out of silicon carbide: one about 46 nanometers thick, and the other just 5 nanometers thick. The team's ultraviolet laser delivered surprising results. The thinner film was about 10 times softer, or less rigid, than its thicker counterpart, something the researchers weren't expecting. Frazer explained that, if you make a film too thin, you can cut into the atomic bonds that hold a material together--a bit like unraveling a frayed rope. "The atoms at the top of the film have other atoms underneath them that they can hold onto," Frazer said. "But above them, the atoms don't have anything they can grab onto." But not all materials will behave the same way, he added. The team also reran the same experiment on a second material that was nearly identical to the first with one big difference--this one had a lot more hydrogen atoms added in. Such a "doping" process can naturally disrupt the atomic bonds within a material, causing it to lose strength. When the group tested that second, flimsier material using their lasers, they found something new: this material was just as strong when it was 44 nanometers thick as it was at a meager 11 nanometers thick. Put differently, the additional hydrogen atoms had already weakened the material--a bit of extra shrinking couldn't do anymore damage. In the end, the team says that its new ultraviolet laser tool gives scientists a window into a realm that was previously beyond the grasp of science. "Now that people are building very, very small devices, they're asking how properties like thickness or shape can change how their materials behave," Knobloch said. "This gives us a new way of accessing information about nanoscale technology." ### This research was supported by the STROBE National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center on Real-Time Functional Imaging. Coauthors on the new study included JILA researchers Henry Kapteyn, professor of physics, Jorge Hernandez-Charpak; Kathy Hoogeboom-Pot; Damiano Nardi and Begona Abad. Other coauthors included Sadegh Yazdi at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at CU Boulder; Weilun Chao and Erik Anderson at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; and Marie Tripp and Sean King at Intel Corp. She is currently on holiday with her husband Michael Miziner and their two children, daughter Violet, six, and son Dominic, three on the Gold Coast, Queensland. And on Wednesday, Rachael Finch enjoyed some family time as she went on a road trip to the Hinterland Regional Park with her husband and kids. The 32-year-old model shared a video to Instagram stories shortly after the pair and their children hit the road. Family fun! Rachael Finch, 32, (pictured) went on a road trip with her husband Michael Miziner and their two children on Wednesday during a family getaway to the Gold Coast In the footage, Rachael is pictured sitting in the front seat while Michael took the wheel. 'Road trip today, yay! Go papa,' she declared as her children cheered in the background. Rachael, Michael and their two young children are currently visiting relatives on the Gold Coast. Getaway! She shared a video to Instagram stories shortly after the pair and their children started driving. Pictured: Rachael's husband Michael Miziner On Tuesday, the model showed off her incredible bikini body in a series of posts on Instagram. 'Holiday snaps so far. Sorry they're not very exciting, but we're having a ball. Sending you some QLD sunshine,' she wrote on Instagram. In one photo, Rachael showed off her fit physique as she posed with her children in a leopard print bandeau bikini top and snakeskin string bikini bottoms. Fun in the sun: Rachael is currently on holiday with Michael and their two children, daughter Violet, six, and son Dominic, three on the Gold Coast She also shared another picture of herself posing alongside Violet and Dominic and their grandma and wrote: 'At-home shenanigans with grandma'. In February, Rachael revealed what she eats in a day in an interview with Daily Mail Australia's FEMAIL. She revealed that she starts her day with a breakfast smoothie with avocado, almond milk, frozen banana, spinach, a scoop of Kissed Earth Replenish Protein in vanilla or chocolate and nut butter. Family time: On Tuesday, she shared a picture of herself posing alongside Violet and Dominic and their grandma She said: 'I also can't go without my collagen coffee. It's a black coffee with a scoop of collagen powder, medicinal mushrooms and maca powder blended.' For lunch she puts together a 'macro bowl', which includes eggs, grilled broccoli, kale, brown rice, tomato slices and some avocado on the side. Dinner is grilled fish and steamed vegetables with roasted baby chat potatoes, with an aim to balance the protein, carbohydrates and fats in her meals. Rachael also revealed her favourite snacks include brown rice cakes with avocado and fresh tomato slices with sea salt, smoothies, homemade hummus, homemade chocolate mould and banana muffins. A massive police search for a missing surfer who disappeared in huge swell off a Sydney beach has been called off after the man was found alive. Police were called after a board rider on a blue surfboard was struggling in a strong current around 200 metres out from Coogee Beach at about 5.10pm on Tuesday. A witness told police the surfer was close to two other board riders in the dangerous surf conditions in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The pair later met with officers and said they didn't know where the surfer had gone. Officers searched the beach with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter scanning the water but couldn't find the surfer and had to suspend the search overnight. A surfer feared dead after taking on a monster swell at Coogee Beach in Sydney (pictured) has been located Police confirmed seven surfers were in the water after 5pm but only six were seen leaving the water on CCTV cameras. 'It is quite possible the surfer left the beach via an area which was not covered by CCTV cameras,' Acting Inspector Peter Lawlor said on Tuesday. A Randwick City Lifeguards spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the missing surfer had been accounted for on Wednesday. Police confirmed the search was called off on Wednesday, although it's unclear how or when the man safely made it to the shore. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter searched for the man on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning (pictured) but was unable to find him A hazardous surf warning is in place for Wednesday and Thursday from Byron Bay to Eden as monstrous swells and damaging winds from a deep low pressure system lash the eastern seaboard. A peak wave height off the Sydney coast overnight reached 11.6metres, with the NSW police marine area command advising people to stay out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas. Apathy offers an important early warning sign of dementia in individuals with cerebrovascular disease, but depression does not, new research led by the University of Cambridge suggests. Depression is often thought to be a risk factor for dementia but this may be because some depression scales used by clinicians and researchers partially assess apathy, say scientists from the universities of Cambridge, King's College London, Radboud and Oxford. The study, published on 11 July in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry is the first to examine the relationships between apathy, depression, and dementia in individuals with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). SVD may occur in one out of three elderly individuals, causes about a quarter of all strokes, and is the most common cause of vascular dementia. The team studied two independent cohorts of SVD patients, one from the UK and the other from the Netherlands.* Across both cohorts, they found that individuals with higher baseline apathy, as well as those with increasing apathy over time, had a greater risk of dementia. In contrast, neither baseline depression nor change in depression had any detectable influence on dementia risk. These findings were consistent despite variation in the severity of participants' symptoms, suggesting that they could be generalised across a broad spectrum of SVD cases. The relationship between apathy and dementia remained after controlling for other well-established risk factors for dementia including age, education, and cognition. Lead author, Jonathan Tay, from Cambridge's Department of Clinical Neurosciences said: "There has been a lot of conflicting research on the association between late-life depression and dementia. Our study suggests that may partially be due to common clinical depression scales not distinguishing between depression and apathy." Apathy, defined as a reduction in 'goal-directed behaviour', is a common neuropsychiatric symptom in SVD, and is distinct from depression, which is another symptom in SVD. Although there is some symptomatic overlap between the two, previous MRI research linked apathy, but not depression, with white matter network damage in SVD. Jonathan Tay said: "Continued monitoring of apathy may be used to assess changes in dementia risk and inform diagnosis. Individuals identified as having high apathy, or increasing apathy over time, could be sent for more detailed clinical examinations, or be recommended for treatment." Over 450 participants -- all with MRI-confirmed SVD -- recruited from three hospitals in South London and Radboud University's Neurology Department in the Netherlands, were assessed for apathy, depression and dementia over several years. In the UK cohort, nearly 20% of participants developed dementia, while 11% in the Netherlands cohort did, likely due to the more severe burden of SVD in the UK cohort. In both datasets, patients who later developed dementia showed higher apathy, but similar levels of depression at baseline, compared to patients who did not. The study provides the basis for further research, including the mechanisms that link apathy, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia. Recent MRI work suggests that similar white matter networks underlie motivation and cognitive function in SVD. Cerebrovascular disease, which can be caused by hypertension and diabetes, can lead to network damage, resulting in an early form of dementia, presenting with apathy and cognitive deficits. Over time, SVD-related pathology increases, which is paralleled by increasing cognitive and motivational impairment, eventually becoming severe enough to meet criteria for a dementia state. Jonathan Tay says: "This implies that apathy is not a risk factor for dementia per se, but rather an early symptom of white matter network damage. Understanding these relationships better could have major implications for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the future." The most powerful and advanced computing is still primitive compared to the power of the human brain, says Chinedu E. Ekuma, Assistant Professor in Lehigh University's Department of Physics. Ekuma's lab, which aims to gain an understanding of the physical properties of materials, develops models at the interface of computation, theory, and experiment. One area of focus: 2-Dimensional (2D) materials. Also dubbed low-dimensional, these are crystalline nanomaterials that consist of a single layer of atoms. Their novel properties make them especially useful for the next-generation of AI-powered electronics, known as neuromorphic, or brain-like devices. Neuromorphic devices attempt to better mimic how the human brain processes information than current computing methods. A key challenge in neuromorphic research is matching the human brain's flexibility, and its ability to learn from unstructured inputs with energy efficiency. According to Ekuma, early successes in neuromorphic computing relied mainly on conventional silicon-based materials that are energy inefficient. "Neuromorphic materials have a combination of computing memory capabilities and energy efficiency for brain-like applications," he says. Now Ekuma and his colleagues at the Sensor and Electrons Devices Directorate at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory have developed a new complex material design strategy for potential use in neuromorphic computing, using metallocene intercalation in hafnium disulfide (HfS2). The work is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of a design strategy that functionalizes a 2D material with an organic molecule. It has been published in an article called "Dynamically reconfigurable electronic and phononic properties in intercalated HfS2" in Materials Today. Additional authors: Sina Najmaei, Adam A.Wilson Asher C. Leff and Madan Dubey of the United States Army Research Laboratory. "We knew that low-dimensional materials showed novel properties, but we did not expect such high tunability of the HfS2-based system," says Ekuma. "The strategy was a concerted effort and synergy between experiment and computation. It started with an afternoon coffee chat where my colleagues and I discussed exploring the possibility of introducing organic molecules into a gap, known as van der Waals gap, in 2D materials. This was followed by the material design and rigorous computations to test the feasibility. Based on the encouraging computational data, we proceeded to make the sample, characterize the properties, and then made a prototype device with the designed material." Scholars in search of energy-efficient materials may be particularly interested in this research, as well as industry, especially semiconductor industries designing logic gates and other electronic devices. "The key takeaway here is that complex materials design based on 2D materials is a promising route to achieving high performing and energy-efficient materials," says Ekuma. ### New Delhi: After Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Monday triggered a raging controversy by reportedly claiming that the real Ayodhya lies in Nepal and not in India and that Lord Rama was born in Thori in southern Nepal, the Nepalese Government seemed to swing into damage-control mode on Tuesday, saying Mr. Oli did not intend to hurt the feelings or sentiments of anyone by his remarks. Saying its attention was drawn to various interpretations of the remarks, Nepal said its Prime Minister also did not mean to debase the significance of Ayodhya or its cultural value. It may be recalled that under the Communist leadership of Mr. Oli in Nepal who is seen to be deeply anti-India and pro-China, ties between the two neighbours have plunged sharply in the past few weeks after Nepal adopted its new controversial map that shows Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh -- territory in Indias Uttarakhand State -- as part of Nepal. Stating that Mr. Olis remarks on Ayodhya were not linked to any political subject, the Nepalese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, saying Mr. Oli was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Lord Rama and the Ramayana as there have been several myths and references about the Prince of Ayodhya and the places associated with him. The Nepalese PM had been quoted as saying, in his controversial remarks on Monday, Although the real Ayodhya lies at Thori in the west of Birgunj, India has claimed the Indian site as the birthplace of Lord Ram. ... Actually, Ayodhya is a village lying west of Birgunj ... The place called Thori, near Birgunj is the real Ayodhya, where Lord Ram was born. In India there is great dispute on Ayodhya. But, there is no dispute in our Ayodhya. The Nepalese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the Ramayana circuit launched by the leadership of the two countries two years ago signifies the bond of time-honoured cultural affinity between our two countries and peoples. The Nepalese PM had made his controversial remarks during the 207th birth anniversary celebrations of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, the author of the Ramayana in the Nepali language. He said Emirates, the launch customer for the massive 777X that flew for the first time in January, is negotiating with Boeing to delay delivery of any of the jets from next year to 2022. It also wants to swap out some of the remaining 126 of the big jets on order and replace them with smaller 787 Dreamliners. AccuWeather forecasters are warning chances of snow and other wintry weather to break out across portions of the eastern United States, just after a winter storm spent the weekend making a mess of places from the Tennessee Valley through the Southeast and up the Eastern Seaboard into New England. Advertisement An inquisitive polar bear cub raises its paw and appears to welcome a post-lockdown expedition to the Arctic. Wildlife photographer Roy Mangersnes captured the stunning shots of a seemingly friendly polar bear family on Friday. His pictures show a cub standing on its hind legs and appearing to wave towards the camera. The series of delightful images were shot at Svalbard in northern Norway, on one of the first expeditions after lockdown to the region this year. 'All of a sudden, only a few meters away from our expedition vessel one of the cubs got up on its hind legs and waved at us, almost like it was welcoming us back to their frozen home,' said Roy. A polar bear on its back legs, seemingly welcoming a group of post-lockdown visitors to Svalbard in Norway Wildlife photographer Roy Mangersnes captured the stunning shots of a seemingly friendly polar bear family on Friday The cub, flanked by its mother, raises a paw as a photography expedition neared the bears' icy habitat in Svalbard, Norway Roy was part of a photography expedition forced to wait four agonising months for lockdowns to ease. They were finally given the go-ahead and arrived at Svalbard last week. Both last year and this season so far there has been a lot of ice around Svalbard and the conditions have been very good for the resident Polar bears. 'Finally coming back on an expedition, after months of covid-19 lockdown, we hoped to maybe see females with cubs, and we were treated to an incredible encounter on day three,' Roy added. 'We docked the ship at safe distance next to a large ice floe and watched this beautiful family of three as they went on with their lives. 'The mother and her cubs looked healthy and fat, and she was calm and spent most of her time sleeping, while the two seven-month-old cubs did what polar bear cubs do best - play! Both last year and this season so far there has been a lot of ice around Svalbard and the conditions have been very good for the resident Polar bears Pictured: The family of polar bears before the young cub came to the edge of the ice and raised its paws to the travellers to Svalbard in Norway 'They would jump each other, and roll around in the ice, sometimes climbing little icebergs and slide back down like children at the playground.' 'After a while the mother decided to come closer to check us out and give us a proper welcome back to the Arctic,' Roy said. 'The cubs were obviously eager to come closer, as they probably hadn't seen any other ships in their lifetime and jolted forward under the watchful eye of their mother.' Though the display from the cub may have seemed like a friendly welcome, bears have been known to wave either when protecting territory or to warn humans against approaching them. It has also been seen among bears begging for food. At least 14,500 African migrants, mostly Ethiopians, blamed for the coronavirus, rounded up and forcibly moved. Tens of thousands of African migrants, mostly Ethiopians, stranded in Yemen have been harassed and forcibly transferred internally amid fears they are spreading the coronavirus, according to the UNs migration agency. Stigmatised because people claimed they were carriers of the virus, at least 14,500 migrants have been hounded, rounded up and transported to different provinces far from the main urban centres, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. They remain stranded without adequate food, water or shelter in the war-torn country, which is going through what the UN is calling the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. For nearly six years, Yemen has been an extremely unsafe place to be a migrant, Christa Rottensteiner, IOMs chief of mission in Yemen, said in a statement. COVID-19 has made this situation worse migrants are scapegoated as carriers of the virus and, as a result, suffer exclusion and violence, she added. Over the course of Yemens five-year civil war, African migrants determined to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia have endured unspeakable cruelties torture, rape, detention, extortion often perilously close to the front lines. Thousands of Saudi-bound Ethiopian workers cross Yemen each month, but restrictions aimed at curbing the rapid spread of COVID-19 have cut arrivals by 90 percent this year, IOM said, with most of the stranded migrants sleeping out in the open or in unsafe abandoned buildings, putting them at a greater risk of catching the virus. Ethiopians trek hundreds of miles from their home villages through countries such as Djibouti or Somalia, then across the sea and through Yemen. In many cases, migrants are at the mercy of smugglers who may imprison and torture them, leave them stranded along the route or sell them into slave labour. One migrant said he was held and tortured by traffickers for almost two months before reaching the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. We are all tired. It is hard to sleep on the pavement in the dirt and rain with cars driving by, the Ethiopian who was forcibly moved to the port city of Aden was quoted as saying by the IOM. Sometimes, people come and kick us or hit us with sticks while we are trying to sleep. I was wrong for coming here. We all want to go home. At least 14,500 migrants are stranded across Yemen due to COVID-19. The actual figure is likely to be much higher: https://t.co/X0GgQDGH48 pic.twitter.com/ZBet2S5oK2 IOM UN Migration (@UNmigration) July 15, 2020 Another said: There is no food or water, or anything. To sleep, we use cardboard and sleep at the traffic lights. IOM spokesman Paul Dillon declined to give specifics regarding who was responsible for the transfers. An unknown number of the stranded migrants could be held in detention centres that had poor hygiene standards even before the outbreak of COVID-19, he told journalists in Geneva. However, locals and charities were helping some of the migrants. Although government authorities have recorded at least 1,516 infections and 429 deaths as of Wednesday, aid workers, the UN and doctors say the virus is surging across the country and overwhelming a health system already in shambles after five years of war between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemens internationally recognised government. Close to where I live in south-west London a top City trader has set up his lockdown office in his vast suburban home with a bank of trading screens as his window on the world. Across town at Canary Wharf just 10,000 workers have returned to the gleaming towers occupied by the elite of world banking which normally host up to 120,000 people. They support not just wealth creation for the City but jobs in restaurants, supermarkets, upmarket fashion stores and outlets from gyms to dry cleaners. Vital sector: Just 10,000 workers have returned to work in the gleaming towers of Canary Wharf occupied by the elite of world banking which normally hosts up to 120,000 people Financial services are a powerhouse of the UK economy, employing 1.1m citizens, generating 10 per cent of national output and contributing 75.5billion annually to the Exchequer. It is worrying that, as Britain emerges from the pandemic, the towers of Canary Wharf are nearly empty and that City traders and the sellers of financial services are still working from their own homes. They seem blissfully unaware that if a return to work in the City is delayed until September there may be less to do. Energetic financial workers in Singapore, Tokyo and on Wall Street largely are back at work and nibbling away at potential income. The concern must be that when City firms do decide to go back in it will trigger a big jobs cull. Britains biggest bank, HSBC, has reinstated a pre-pandemic decision to reduce its global headcount by 35,000. A new survey by City recruiters Morgan McKinley shows the number of UK financial sector vacancies fell 60 per cent in the quarter ending in June and salary rises took a beating. Moreover, some 14,200 financial firms 41 per cent decided to use the furlough scheme at a cost so far of 246million to the taxpayer. Some 71,000 have been on furlough, or 7 per cent of the workforce, in the sector. A proportion of all furlough jobs likely will vanish. In many ways the Government did its job too well by encouraging home working and discouraging use of public transport. The idea of furlough and the various Covid-19 corporate lending schemes was to limit the scarring to the economy. Every day away from the office in a dynamic and highly mobile sector will mean there is less revenue to be generated. Fashion sense Fast fashion group Asos recognises that alleged supply chain abuses at rival Boohoo could give pause to consumers. It acknowledges the online fashion industrys problems in terms of abuse and modern slavery, and has done its best to clean up its own act. Reliance on Leicester sweatshops has been cut back and Asos says it only works with seven audited factories. That is encouraging. But Boohoo made many of the same claims of ethical compliance and audit before exploitative conditions were revealed. During lockdown the online fashion outfits have been a godsend for consumers. It is gratifying that they have re-shored some manufacturing to the UK and created distribution jobs. But the public will need a great deal more assurance that the boom in low-cost, lockdown leisurewear has not been built on the misfortune of others. Asos did not emerge totally unscathed from the pandemic, with the GMB union claiming in March that the companys Barnsley warehouse was neglecting social distancing. Chief executive Nick Beighton says that the problem has been dealt with. He also underlined the firms ethical underpinnings by paying back furlough funds. After an initial lockdown dip Asos managed a 10 per cent lift in sales in the four months to June, taking in 1billion of revenues. This was less than the market had pencilled in and well below the 45 per cent jump reported by Boohoo. But maybe we shouldnt go there. Tax break You have to feel some sympathy for courageous European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who dared challenge tax avoidance by the Silicon Valley giants. Her 12billion assault on Apple failed to find favour in Europes second-highest court. She wasnt helped in that Ireland, the alleged victim of the tax avoidance, aligned itself with Apple and against the Commission. Ireland may have had little choice, given one in ten jobs there have been created by its tax-friendly regime for tech giants. The decision illustrates how difficult it is going to be for the Organisation for Economic and Co-operation and Development to ever reach an accord on a much-debated common digital levy. Pity! Ruling Paves Way for Foreclosure of Kashagan Field Shares NEW YORK, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amsterdam Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Anatolie Stati et al v Republic of Kazakhstan, affirming recognition on Dutch soil of a US$543 million arbitral award issued by a Stockholm seated arbitral tribunal in December 2013. Kazakhstan has brought multiple challenges to the recognition of the award arguing that it was contrary to Dutch public policy, among other things, on the ground that the Stati parties had allegedly fraudulently inflated the value of an LPG Plant near Borankol in western Kazakhstan, compensation for which formed part of the overall damages awarded to the Stati parties under the award. Following almost three years of proceedings, the Dutch court in its detailed and well-reasoned ruling handed down on July 14, 2020 conclusively and comprehensively rejected all of Kazakhstan's objections. In particular, the court found that the Stati parties had not misled the arbitral tribunal regarding the valuation of the LPG Plant and that the alleged fraud did not have a material impact on the outcome of the underlying arbitration proceedings. Noting that Kazakhstan never contested the construction costs claimed by the Stati parties during the arbitration proceedings, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal held that the LPG construction costs had not been fraudulently inflated by the Stati parties, and that Kazakhstan's arguments in this regard were contradicted by its own expert evidence. In this context, the Court further noted that Kazakhstan was already in control of the LPG Plant and its operating entity at the time of the arbitration proceedings and thus had an insight into the actual state of affairs including by way of carrying out an inspection of the plant at the time. This decision comes in the wake of another ruling by the same Amsterdam Court of Appeal rendered on May 7, 2019, whereby it fully upheld an attachment secured by the Stati parties in September 2017 on the shares held by the Kazakh sovereign wealth fund JSC Samruk-Kazyna in the Dutch entity KMG Kashagan B.V. with a nominal value of US$5.2 billion, through which the Republic of Kazakhstan participates in the international consortium for the exploration of the major Kashagan oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea. Anatolie Stati, CEO and sole shareholder of Ascom Group S.A., one of the award creditors, said: "We welcome this ruling of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, which confirms the pro-arbitration stance of the Dutch courts and represents a total and resounding victory for the award creditors. The judgment also paves the way for the foreclosure of the attached shares in KMG Kashagan B.V. In the meantime, the award creditors will continue unabatedly with their efforts to collect any and all amounts due under the award and related legal costs in all available jurisdictions." In addition to the Kashagan shares attachment, the Stati parties have successfully secured and maintain the benefit of various other attachments of Kazakh state property in Sweden, Luxembourg and Belgium, with the combined total value of all attachments worldwide exceeding US$6.25 billion. The Dutch court ruling is the latest development in the Stati parties' long-running battle to enforce the award for Kazakhstan's violations of the investor protection provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty. In December 2013, a Sweden based arbitration tribunal found that Kazakhstan had violated international law by failing to treat the Stati parties' investments in Kazakhstan fairly and equitably, and awarded the Stati parties more than US$500 million in damages, legal costs, and interest. The award has since been fully upheld by two tiers of the Swedish judiciary, including the Swedish Supreme Court. The claims originally arose out of Kazakhstan's seizure of the Stati parties' petroleum operations in 2010. The Stati parties acquired two companies in 1999 that held idle licenses in the Borankol and Tolkyn fields in Kazakhstan. They invested more than US$1 billion over the ensuing decade to turn the companies into successful exploration and production businesses. By late 2008, the businesses had become profitable and had yielded considerable revenues for the Kazakh state. Just as the Stati parties expected to start receiving dividends, more than half a dozen government agencies carried out multiple burdensome inspections and audits of the companies' businesses that resulted in false accusations of illegal conduct directed at the Stati parties and their Kazakh companies, including criminal prosecutions of their general managers on false pretenses. Kazakhstan's actions challenged the Stati parties' title to their investments, subjected them to hundreds of millions of dollars in unwarranted tax assessments and criminal penalties, and ultimately led to the seizure and nationalization of their investments by Kazakh authorities in July 2010. MEDIA CONTACTS Kimberly Macleod (917) 587-0069 kim@kmacconnect.com Chris Winans (908) 309-3959 chris@kmacconnect.com SOURCE Ascom Group S.A. It's not rock'n'roll and you wouldn't call it bluegrass. "It's an acoustic, stripped-back style of music we like to call rockgrass," says St Kilda musician Craig Johnston, aka Delsinki. Row Jerry Crow members (left to right) Jeff Consi, John Kendall, Dion Hirini, Rob Hornbuckle, Delsinki and Paul Woseen are bringing their feel-good rockgrass to Memo Music Hall. Credit: And if you want to know what that sounds like, Delsinki's band Row Jerry Crow will be live streaming this Saturday night, in a concert that harks back to a significant album from a Californian band in the early 1970s. Row Jerry Crow first played on stage together in March last year, 12 months before coronavirus forced the closure of live music venues. Fiddle player John Kendall and Paul Woseen (better known as a bass player and founding member of Sydney hard rockers The Screaming Jets) wanted to explore with Delsinki the breakthrough '72 release Will The Circle Be Unbroken, by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Hyderabad: An exchange of fire took place between members of banned outfit CPI(Maoist) and police personnel in Telangana's Bhadradri-Kothagudem district on Wednesday morning, following which an extensive search operation was launched to nab the ultras who fled. The exchange of fire (EoF) occurred in the Mallepallitogu forest area at 9 am and on noticing police movement, the Maoists numbering around 30, escaped leaving behind their goods, Bhadradri-Kothagudem District Superintendent of Police Sunil Dutt said. He said 500 personnel in 25 teams were conducting search operations in Manuguru forest area following a tip off that Maoists sneaked into Telangana from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, when the incident occurred. Extensive combing was on in the area to nab the ultras, who escaped, the senior police official said. Moderna Inc's experimental vaccine seems to have crossed an important milestone as the world continues to grapple with a surge in new COVID-19 infections. The experimental vaccine for COVID-19 showed it was safe and provoked immune responses in all healthy volunteers, states a study published in the New England Journal Of Medicine. Reuters According to CNN, in the Phase 1 study which included 45 healthy adults, the vaccine induced immune responses in all of them, The volunteers aged 18 to 55 received two vaccinations of the mRNA-1237 vaccine candidate 28 days apart. The volunteers were separated into groups where they either received the vaccine at a dose of 25, 100 or 250 micrograms. They received their first vaccination between March 16 and April 14. Also Read: Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Developers Optimistic About Immune Response Volunteers who got two doses of the vaccine had high levels of virus-killing antibodies that exceeded the average levels seen in people who had recovered from COVID-19, the team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. According to a CNN report, early results published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Tuesday showed that the vaccine worked to trigger an immune response with mild side effects like fatigue, chills, headache, muscle pain, pain at the injection site. Image For Representation Moderna is the first US vaccine candidate to publish results in a peer-reviewed medical journal and is expected to begin Phase 3 this month before regulators take a call on it's production. "These Phase 1 data demonstrate that vaccination with mRNA-1273 elicits a robust immune response across all dose levels and clearly support the choice of 100 g in a prime and boost regimen as the optimal dose for the Phase 3 study," Dr. Tal Zaks, chief medical officer of Moderna, said in the company's press release on Tuesday. Also Read: Bill Gates' Foundation Promise $750M For COVID-19 Vaccine Developed By Oxford Scientists "We look forward to beginning our Phase 3 study of mRNA-1273 to demonstrate our vaccine's ability to significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 disease," he said. Dr. Penny Heaton, chief executive officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, wrote in an editorial accompanying the Phase 1 study in the New England Journal of Medicine that "the safety and immunogenicity data in this preliminary report are promising, and they support continued development of this vaccine. However, we must bear in mind the complexity of vaccine development and the work still to be done before COVID-19 vaccines are widely available," Reuters Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose researchers developed Modernas vaccine candidate, called the results good news, noting that the study found no serious adverse events and the vaccine produced reasonably high levels of virus-killing or neutralizing antibodies. Also Read: Herd Immunity Possible Even If Just 43% Of Population Is Immune To COVID-19 If your vaccine can induce a response comparable with natural infection, thats a winner, Fauci said in a telephone interview. Thats why were very pleased by the results. The U.S. government is supporting Modernas vaccine with nearly half a billion dollars and has chosen it as one of the first to enter large-scale human trials. A successful vaccine could be a turning point for Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna, which has never had a licensed product. All Inputs CNN and Reuters Disclaimer: The information mentioned in the article is based on facts available in public domain. Indiatimes does not endorse any medication or vaccine for COVID-19. Any course of treatment should only be followed after consulting a medical expert. Postal workers found three tubs of uncounted absentee ballots the day after the Wisconsin primary. Some Ohioans did not receive their ballots in time for the election because of mail delays. And in Dallas, absentee ballots some voters sent to the county were returned just days before Election Day, with no explanation. Problems caused by a spike in absentee voting during this year's primaries are serving as potential warning signs for the U.S. Postal Service, which is bracing for an expected onslaught of mail-in ballots this fall as states and cities push alternatives to in-person voting because of the pandemic. The concern extends to local elections offices that may be unaccustomed to aspects of the mail, such as the time it takes for parcels to reach their destinations and how to design their ballots to meet postal standards. So the Postal Service is regularly sending advice and checklists to thousands of elections officials. Local elections offices are hiring temporary workers to process absentee ballots, and some local elections boards are adding options for voters to do curbside drop-offs of their mail ballots on Election Day. The Postal Service is also recommending that voters request their ballots at least 15 days before Election Day and mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. "Voters: We all have the power to make it better in November," said Tammy Patrick, elections expert and senior adviser to the Democracy Fund, a bipartisan group. "Just because you can [wait until] the deadline, doesn't mean you should." In a statement to The Washington Post, the Postal Service said it was working closely with state and local elections officials to head off problems in the fall. "As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate in the upcoming elections due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are conducting . . . outreach with state, county and local election officials and Secretaries of State so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote," the statement said. The efforts come as elections officials are anticipating a high turnout in November as a result of the presidential election, along with a dramatic increase in voters who choose to mail their ballot instead of risking exposure to the novel coronavirus at polling places. The expected surge in mail ballots has put a spotlight on the Postal Service, already under scrutiny because of President Donald Trump, who has attacked it as a "joke" and made unfounded claims that mail-in voting is susceptible to widespread fraud. The attention has been intensified by a partisan battle over a potential federal bailout of the agency and the recent appointment of a top Trump donor, Louis DeJoy, as postmaster general. DeJoy announced cost-cutting changes in a Monday memo, including slowing mail delivery. In addition, Ronald Stroman, the deputy postmaster general widely credited with improving relationships with elections officials in recent years, resigned from his position in June - raising concerns about who will take over the role under the new postmaster general and whether that person will keep the same emphasis. "We are concerned, because [the Postal Service] shouldn't be political," said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union. "Here's a new postmaster general, and by the way, he just happens to be a megadonor of President Trump. Certainly, on the surface, there's a real worry about cronyism and patronage and whether someone is being put into place to carry out an agenda. We hope that's not the case." The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Another looming concern for November is the financial status of the Postal Service, which faced significant financial troubles for decades. While the surge in package deliveries during the pandemic has boosted revenue, union officials say the uptick likely is temporary. Congress increased the Postal Service's borrowing authority under the coronavirus relief Cares Act, allowing it to have enough money to operate until at least May 2021, according to a June report from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, comprising 21 offices of Inspector General. But the agency suffers from major debt, and the increased borrowing authority may lead to deeper financial concerns, according to the report. Unions and voting rights advocates are urging the Senate to approve an emergency $25 billion to the Postal Service to make up for lost revenue related to the coronavirus. But the Trump administration has threatened to block the spending, and Senate Republicans have rejected large portions of the House Democrats-led legislation. Wendy Fields, executive director of voting rights group Democracy Initiative, said the additional funding would not only help the Postal Service, but also thousands of elections officials who rely on the agency: "This is about an investment in the entire election process." The goal is to avoid messes like the ones that unfolded earlier this year in multiple states. The day after the primary election in Wisconsin, postal workers at a processing center found about 1,600 ballots that were never delivered to the communities around Appleton and Oshkosh, according to a Wisconsin Elections Commission report on absentee voting in the April primary. "The enormous volume of absentee requests for the April 2020 election magnified the effect of typically small concerns that ordinarily presented minor issues," according to the report. In Fox Point near Milwaukee, some ballots that were mailed out through the Postal Service were returned to village officials without any explanation - rather than being delivered to voters. Village officials said it is unclear how many voters were affected by the mail problems. The Postal Service's internal investigation into the Wisconsin problems found that the agency generally followed its procedures but needed to improve communication and coordination with local election officials. Since then, Fox Point officials and the Postal Service have been working to avoid running into the same problems for the November election, when they anticipate more voters will opt to vote by mail, said Scott Botcher, village manager. Residents were calling as early as mid-June to confirm they had received their ballots for an upcoming Aug. 11 election, he said. "A lady called and said, 'Holy smokes, I already got my ballot, thanks a lot.' Everyone knows that last time, we had issues," Botcher said. Wisconsin is among the states that are adopting intelligent mail bar codes for the November election, to avoid mail-tracking problems that several counties faced in the spring. Such bar codes allow both voters and election officials to track ballots in real time while en route. This system is costly, but it would alleviate the workload on county clerks fielding multiple calls from voters asking about the status of their ballots, officials said. In Ohio, state officials shuttered most polling locations for the primaries because of the pandemic and extended mailing deadlines to give voters until the Saturday before election Tuesday to request their mail ballots. That meant ballots had to travel to the voters and back in a matter of two business days. Yet some took up to nine days and were not returned in time to be counted, according to the secretary of state. In one county, more than 300 delayed ballots were not counted, and advocates say the number likely is greater across the state's 88 counties. In a new report, the Postal Service raised concerns about states' new ballot deadlines that do not comport with postal guidelines and warned of potential delays nationwide for the general election if those deadlines are not changed. Whether ballots are submitted in time for counting depends on several factors, including differences in delivery times for First Class Mail, which is more expedited and takes two to five days, compared to standard marketing mail, which could take up to 10 days to deliver. Ahead of the Texas elections this week, some voters in Dallas who had mailed out their votes to the county were inexplicably receiving their ballots back in the mail just days before the election. The Postal Service said in a statement that the ballots were returned because of an issue with the way the return envelopes were printed - highlighting the variety of complex challenges that may lie ahead for local and state officials. Discussing bilateral cooperation on global platforms including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Indian Ambassador to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma met Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin on Tuesday. According to the Embassy of Russian Federation in India, the officials discussed India's election to UNSC in 2021-2022 as a non-permanent member. "Deputy Foreign Ministry Vershinin met with Ambassador of India to Russia Varma to discuss the cooperation at various international platforms, including in the context of India's election to the UN Security Council in 2021-2022 as a non-permanent member," the Embassy said. READ: PM Modi reviews state of economy with Sitharaman READ: PM Modi LIVE address at India-EU Virtual Summit at 4.30 PM; EU Seeking To Expand Ties Earlier on July 2, In a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on the successful completion of the vote on constitutional amendments in Russia. Both leaders discussed the effective measures taken by their respective countries to address the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. On this occasion, they agreed to have a closer India-Russia relationship for jointly tackling the challenges of the post-COVID world. PM Modi conveyed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India for the annual bilateral Summit later in 2020. During the conversation, the Russian President reiterated his commitment to strengthen the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' between the two nations in all spheres. READ: PM Modi spells out 3-point relevance mantra on World Skills Day; lists 4 daily Covid tasks Furthermore, Earlier in June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Moscow for a three-day visit. During his visit, he visited the Indian Embassy and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at his statue. Additionally, Defence Secretary Dr.Ajay Kumar met Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Col. General AV Fomin. In his meeting with Russia Deputy PM Yury Borisov, Singh discussed ways to increase defence cooperation. (With inputs from ANI) READ: Pompeo, Russia's Lavrov discuss Afghanistan-related issues after bounty report BENZIE COUNTY -- A new "summer camp" has begun this month at Lake Ann Elementary, bringing parents and their children back to some sense of normalcy. In essence, this program, which runs from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. daily on weekdays, is daycare. However, Amber Wilson, early childhood education coordinator at Lake Ann Elementary and Frankfort Elementary, said they have tried to make it as special as possible for children. "It's licensed childcare, but we are running it as a camp to make it fun for kids," Wilson said. "We are trying to provide some needed childcare for parents and some time for kids to have a little bit of normalcy." At Lake Ann Elementary, Wilson said they were ready to open prior to this month, however, she said they did not simply because there was not a need at the time. "We just started to get calls and decided that we would open up," Wilson said. "I have had probably close to 50 calls asking about camp. Of course, not all of them will end up coming, but many parents have been trying to work with kids at home for a while now and either need to go back into work or just need some time to focus." Wilson added that Frankfort's camp program has been open since mid-April. The daycare program is open to children ages 3-12, though Wilson said most of the children attending fall in the 4-7 year-old category. "We provide breakfast, and then they have some time to just play inside," Wilson said. "Then they head outside to do fun activities that teachers have planned. There are things such as scavenger hunts and water play." "After outside time, they come in and have lunch," she continued. "Then the older kids have some STEM activities, while the younger kids take some time to rest and have some down time The afternoon basically looks like the morning with more outside time and more time to play." While in-person gatherings have not been the norm in recent months, the daycare program is allowed to continue under additional COVID-19 related guidelines. "Lots of parents will ask questions about safety. We are doing all that we can to follow the CDC guidelines as well as the best practices from other childcares in the area," Wilson said. "Parents for the most part have been very happy to have their kids around other kids again and have a place for them to go and be safe." Frankfort's program is currently operating at capacity, while Wilson said last week that she has perhaps five more openings at Lake Ann, should families be interested in the program, which she is calling a great success. "It has been beautiful to see the kids playing together and laughing again," Wilson said. "Everybody was a little apprehensive to come back at first, but now to see everybody together has been really nice." For more information about the Lake Ann Summer Camp program, contact Wilson via phone at (231) 577-4951, or email at wilsona@benzieschools.net. Black and white Huntsvillians marched downtown again Tuesday night vowing not to stop pushing local leaders until the statue of a Confederate soldier is moved from the front of the Madison County Courthouse. Between 75 and 100 people walked around the building with signs bearing messages like A Heritage of Hate, My black skin is not a weapon and Move the statue now. They sang We Shall Overcome and stood silently for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in memory of how long first reports said it took George Floyd to die in the custody of Minneapolis police. There have been months of protests, months of demonstrations, months of people emailing and calling our county commissioners and telling them what the people want done, said speaker Jacob Morrison of the Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance. They have not done the work. If employees dont do the work their bosses order, Morrison said, theyll be fired. We will call our leaders, we will demand that they work for us., he said. You are the boss! June 3 and the events that have followed have shown us that our city in certain aspects does not deserve our trust, Dantraeon Calvert said. He referred to the night Huntsville police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators protesting the statue. The first step of many they could show us is by removing this monument, Calvert said. Thats why we want it removed. How are we supposed to believe in yall to get with us and work alongside us in these causes for change that take years, that take generations, and yall wont even settle for something that can be moved in a matter of minutes. Get the rope, called a voice from the crowd. We dont have to do that, Calvert said, because at the end of the day, we understand that this foundation is being laid upon right now. That is what we are doing. We are laying the foundation for the type of Huntsville that we want to see. Get the rope, called a voice. We have to conduct ourselves in the right way, Calvert said. We have to continue to gain and learn new information. Information is the greatest tool. Its the greatest weapon that you have. Not rope. The protest movements next official stop is the Madison County Commission meeting July 22. Commissioners control the land on which the statue stands and have sought state permission to move it. Permission was denied, and Alabamas Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 imposes a $25,000 fine for moving such statues without state permission. The City of Huntsville has offered a place for the statue in Maple Hill Cemetery where Confederate soldiers are buried. The progressive alliance says it has raised the money to pay the fine. Mobile and Birmingham both paid the fine after moving Confederate statues this year. Saving Kansas City Youngsters From Shooting Spree Advocacy groups address violence spike in Kansas City, Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Healing Pathway Victim Service Agency is an advocacy group working to provide a safe haven for children who have lost family members to homicides. Executive director and founder of the advocacy group, Monica Roberts, says the organization has been swamped this year due to the violence in Kansas City, Missouri. Northeast Crime Uptick Earns KCPD Attention East Patrol turns attention to Northeast amid homicide spike Abby Hoover Managing Editor Kansas City is experiencing one of the highest homicide rates in recent years. The city has seen 101 homicides so far this year, as of July 13, 2020. This is compared to 71 in the same time period in 2019. Grandview Brutality Argument Family files wrongful death lawsuit against 2 Grandview officers for 60-year-old's killing GRANDVIEW, Mo. - The family of a man killed by a Grandview police officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against two of the department's officers. Jessie San Nicolas regrets ever calling 911 for help on July 1, 2018. Her husband, Larry San Nicolas, was diabetic and was acting erratically without his insulin. Suburban Gunfire Postscript Car crashes into Lee's Summit home, driver found suffering gunshot wound Police in Lee's Summit, Missouri, are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a house overnight, and the driver was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound. Police said officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Northeast Richardson Place around 2:30 a.m. Car Crash Suspect Wanted Police search for suspect in fatal hit-and-run Kansas City Police are searching for a suspect in a fatal Monday night hit-and-run at 12th and Hardesty Avenue. A 58-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man was found lying in the street with life-threatening injuries after 9:30 p.m. on June 13. According to KCPD, he was determined to have either been hit by or fallen out of the southbound vehicle. Kansas City Old School Shares Wisdom In Crime Fight Grandparents Against Gun Violence working for solutions in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As Kansas City, Missouri, reaches triple digits in homicides for the calendar year, one community organization is stepping up to advance the difficult conversations needed for a positive way forward. Grandparents Against Gun Violence began in earnest after the shooting at Sandy Hook in 2013 and now boasts more than 1,000 supporters on both sides of the State Line. Examining Kansas City History Of Politics & Violence New documentary shines light on Kansas City Civil Rights leader assassinated 50 years ago KANSAS CITY, MO. - A sad moment in Kansas City's history is being remembered this week. On July 15, 1970, Leon Jordan was assassinated as he walked out of the Green Duck Tavern, a business he owned, to his car. Right now, according to KCPD dox just updated this morning, the Kansas City homicide number so far in 2020 stands at 101.That number represents a 34.67% increase over last year as KCMO still finds itself in the midst of a historic homicide spike.Accordingly, we take a pause to roundup stories of police action, court cases and anti-crime efforts from across the metro in this compilation . . .Developing . . . I had no idea it was being proposed until it happened. It was a real thrill. They picked the right road, if they were going to name one after me. I think the system of farm-to-market roads is so important. I reckon that to be equivalent to the advance of electricity because these are the roads that connect producers to the markets in town. Mixson also said at that time that he was the only true dirt farmer in the legislature during his six-year term. His roots in agriculture and his childhood years in the pre-WWII Depression would inform and serve him well during those years. We were peanut farmers, and it took a lot of man hours to harvest peanuts, Mixson said in the 2014 interview. My dad and I bought the first peanut combine, that I know of, that came to Jackson County. An old banker in Marianna told me that he had furnished (loans to) as many as 27 families who had been plowing mules. With the combine, it took three or four farm families to do what it had taken 27 families to do. Mixson said at the time that, as he watched technology like the peanut combine progress, he became inspired to help Florida families benefit from the advances. The 27-year-old, arrested under the Terrorism Act in Londonderry, was taken to Belfast for questioning, police say. A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Northern Ireland over last years murder of journalist Lyra McKee. The man was arrested on Wednesday under the Terrorism Act in Londonderry, the second-largest city in Northern Ireland, where 29-year-old McKee was killed in April 2019. He was taken to Belfast for questioning, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. McKee died after she was shot in the head while standing near a police vehicle as dissident republicans clashed with officers in the Creggan area of Londonderry. The city is known as Derry to republicans, who want an end to British sovereignty in the province in favour of union with the independent Republic of Ireland. Dissident republican group New IRA took responsibility for the killing and offered its full and sincere apologies to her loved ones, saying she was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces. Widespread outcry Her death provoked a widespread outcry across Northern Ireland and led to calls for politicians to agree to restore the provinces then-suspended power-sharing institutions. Wednesdays development comes after several previous arrests in the case and investigators charging Paul McIntyre, 52, with murder in February. McIntyre was charged because he picked up the casings from the bullet used in the killing, according to his lawyer. Police confirmed last month that a gun recovered during searches in Londonderry was the weapon that had been used to kill McKee. Ghana and Mexico, Wednesday, held their second consultation under the Bilateral Political Consultations Mechanism towards building a stronger bond. Mr. Charles Owiredu, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration co-chaired the meeting with Mr. Julian Ventura, his Mexican counterpart. They discussed regional and global issues of common interest and reiterated the commitment of their respective governments to multilateralism and international law, a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, on Wednesday, said. The meeting, held via video conferencing, was a follow up to the first, held in Accra in August 2019. "It was an important step towards forging a stronger and sustainable political dialogue between the two countries," it said. "Since then, the level of collaboration has been strengthened over a broader range of issues spanning education, agriculture, and commerce". The two sides also supported the development of closer links between their societies. The deliberations, the statement said, highlighted the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in Accra, and agreed on the need to maximize its benefits by leveraging the close ties they shared. They also charged their respective authorities to explore concrete cooperation schemes, including through the use of virtual meetings and seminars, it said. "While discussing global efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, the two Deputy Ministers agreed on the need to maintain a spirit of mutual solidarity and stressed the urgency of attending to the needs of the most vulnerable populations," it said. The statement said Mexico, as a recently-elected non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2021-2022, reiterated its commitment to act with transparency and openness while maintaining a close dialogue with its African partners, in particular, on the issues on the Councils agenda that most directly affected them. It said the two governments agreed to maintain frequent informal consultations among the relevant offices in their respective capital cities, as well as between their Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York. Deputy Secretary Ventura reiterated the standing invitation for Mr. Owiredu to visit Mexico City as a reciprocal visit to that of his visit to Ghana, to hold further consultations under the bilateral mechanism. 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 DALLAS, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The leader in aesthetic laser technology, Astanza Laser , has expanded its technology line to include the Asclepion MeDioStar. Manufactured in Germany, and FDA cleared for sale in the United States, the MeDioStar is Asclepion's 6th generation high power diode laser for hair removal. Asclepion is one of the largest European manufacturers and suppliers of medical laser systems and has partnered exclusively with Astanza to bring this superior diode laser to the United States, featuring the latest innovations and upgrades in design and technology. "We pride ourselves in offering the most cutting-edge technology to our clients," said David Murrell, President of Astanza. "The MeDioStar is a key component of our extensive aesthetic product line and will help laser hair removal practitioners deliver the fastest treatments and unparalleled results. We look forward to our partnership with Asclepion and more opportunities to offer the best lasers for our clients." "The MeDioStar has more than 10,000 users worldwide and has been used successfully on more than 5,000,000 patients. This is a testament to its effectiveness, safety, and high quality," said Eckhart Wagner, Vice President International Sales. "We are excited to bring this superior technology to the United States and further expand the range of Asclepion products offered through the Astanza's innovative technology line." The MeDioStar is a one-of-a-kind diode hair removal laser that offers the fastest, and most powerful treatments utilizing the largest spot size on the market. The easy-to-use 10.1 LCD touchscreen, intuitive user interface, and multifunctional trolley are just a few highlighting features why practitioners around the world are investing in the MeDioStar. This advanced diode technology features a wavelength combination of 810/940 nm, safe treatment of all skin types I - VI and newly tanned skin, variable pulse length (3400 ms), power of up to 5,000 watts, and an industry-leading spot size of 10 cm2 for greater penetration to target and destroy deeply embedded hair follicles. Furthermore, MeDioStar's dynamic mode produces short pulses at a high frequency of up to 20 Hz. These innovations combined make MeDioStar hair removal treatments faster, gentler, and more effective than ever before. The MeDioStar also supports the newly designed Monolith handpieces that are more ergonomic, lighter, and easier to use. Each handpiece features a homogeneous laser spot protected by a sapphire tip for maximum reliability, a longer service life, and added safety measures. Hygienic single-use caps can easily be applied to handpiece tips before each treatment, ensuring the greatest level of hygiene for added patient safety and sanitation. Patient comfort is enhanced by the Monolith handpieces painless treatment application and 360 contact skin cooling system which cools the epidermis to protect the skin from unwanted burns and thermal injury. The MeDioStar can be equipped with the Monolith XL, Monolith L, Monolith M, and Monolith S handpieces, as well as the Alexandrite and Vascular handpieces. For more information regarding the Astanza MeDioStar , laser hair removal products, and other Astanza Laser devices, please visit our product page or contact Astanza . About Asclepion Since 1977, Asclepion Laser Technologies has been operating as a leader on the international medical laser market. Its ongoing successes, thanks to the constant development of new techniques, have made Asclepion Laser Technologies one of the most qualified companies in the entire optics industry worldwide. Today, more than 70 countries trust in the 'Made in Germany' technology of Asclepion Laser Technologies and its proven scientific expertise. Asclepion has achieved this goal by working on all fronts and by pinpointing an innovative offer system for ensuring the success of its distributors and physicians. The service leadership that Asclepion, true to its own mission statement, has built up over the years ensures the creation of positive effects for all of the company's clientele, local partners, physicians, and patients. For more information about Asclepion, visit https://www.asclepion.com . About Astanza Laser Astanza is the leader in lasers for tattoo removal, hair removal, and additional aesthetic procedures. In addition to delivering cutting-edge medical laser devices such as the Duality, Trinity, MeDioStar, and DermaBlate systems, Astanza offers its customers a complete range of training, marketing, and business consulting services specific to achieving success in this growing field. Astanza Laser is headquartered in Dallas, TX with customers throughout North America and Europe. For product, investor, or press information, call (800) 364-9010, or visit https://astanzalaser.com/ . SOURCE Astanza Laser Related Links http://www.AstanzaLaser.com A new initiative has been launched in Laois to fill the CV gap for third level students unable to find a summer job due to Covid-19. Laois County Council, Laois Partnership Company and Laois Offaly Education & Training Board will co-ordinate the long titled Laois Youth Volunteers and Laois Young Creatives. They hope it will encourage a spirit of volunteerism in people aged 18 to 25 years of age while helping local groups like Tidy Towns, Cemetery committees and Meals on Wheels. At the end of the summer, students have a chance to win Young Volunteer of the Summer awards with cash prizes totalling 2,500. It was launched at the June council meeting by Director of Services for community development Donal Brennan. As a result of Covid-19 young people have less opportunity for summer jobs. We are encouraging them to get involved with their local community groups, to fill a void in their CVs. There will be different categories including biodiversity and history, he said. In addition, if they volunteer with Tidy Towns or cemetery groups, we will increase their annual grant by 20%. It is a small step to help that cohort of people, Mr Brennan said. The idea was warmly welcomed by council members. It will enhance communities and give young people a greater sense of pride, said Cllr James Kelly. It is absolutely brilliant. I know the meals on wheels will welcome help and it gives people work experience, he said. Students must register with the Laois Partnership Volunteer Information Service, naming the group they wish to volunteer with, with that groups agreement then required. The LYV and LYC initiative seeks to: Recognise volunteerism occurring among the 18-25 year olds Encourage more people to volunteer from that age group Recognise Creative work being undertaken this summer among the 18-25 year olds Recognise local research work being undertaken this summer among the 18-25 year olds Encourage Creative and Research work and to provide platforms to capture & display these works Provide an appropriate recognition for CV purposes The initiative will be managed and co-ordinated jointly by Laois County Council, Laois Partnership Company, LOETB. The above partners will work closely with Laois PPN and Foroige in promoting the initiative. Laois County Council will: Increase by 20% this years annual grant to individual Tidy Towns groups who engage at least 5 new student Volunteers in the 18-25 age group for the purposes of this initiative. (Some discretion may apply on numbers engaged, subject to local circumstances, with the size of the Group a determining factor). Increase by 20% this years annual grant to individual Cemetery Committees who engage at least 5 new student Volunteers in the 18-25 age group for the purposes of this initiative. (Some discretion may apply on numbers engaged, subject to local circumstances, with the size of the Group a determining factor). Create a prize fund (bursary fund) of 2500 for Research and Creative projects and for Young Volunteer of the Summer as follows: (a) Individual project in Arts sphere (b) Collaborative project in Arts/Communications/ICT sphere (c) Biodiversity Project (d) Local History research project (e) Volunteer of the Summer In the categories (a) to (d) there will be a first prize of 350 and a runners up prize of 150; in Category (e) there will be a single prize of 500. Nominations for the prize funds to be made by the sponsoring Community/Voluntary bodies. Students and Groups wishing to participate in the scheme must register with the Laois Volunteer Information Service. A Volunteer may register with more than one sponsoring body (eg. a Tidy Towns and a Biodiversity Group). The registration process should be completed no later than Monday, July 20. What must I do to participate if I am an individual volunteer Firstly you must register your interest with Laois Volunteering Information Service Their website registration link is : https://www.i-vol.ie/your- volunteer-profile/ Laois Volunteering Information Service will provide all interested candidates with a list of organisations who are accepting summer volunteers on their programmes. Once you decide which group / groups you wish to volunteer with, you will be furnished with the contact details of this group and must make the initial contact to express interest. Volunteers are also welcome to source their own summer volunteering placement but this community/voluntary group must also register with Laois Volunteering Information Service (if not already registered). When you have been accepted by a Community/Voluntary Group as a Volunteer, the Secretary of the Community Group should email youthvolunteers@laoiscoco.ie with your name & contact details, and the name & contact of the group. At the end of the summer volunteer period (15th September 2020) you should complete a short Validation Report outlining the voluntary work undertaken over the summer. Have this report validated by a member of the Community/Voluntary Group, and submit it to youthvolunteers@laoiscoco.ie After receipt of the Validation Report, you will be awarded an official certificate confirming your participation in the scheme. If your work involved an individual project in the Arts sphere, a Collaborative project in Arts/Communications/ICT sphere, a Biodiversity Project, or a Local History research project, you may also submit your project for consideration for a prize under this scheme. It is intended that a number of the projects submitted would be displayed through the Councils Library Service. You should keep your own copy of any project work submitted. Community/Voluntary Group Their website link for Community/Voluntary Groups is www.volunteerlaois.ie/register- your-organisation/ You must be open during Summer 2020 to accepting Volunteers in the age group 18-25 years, to work in a voluntary capacity with your community group, and to be responsible for the volunteer during the agreed placement period. When you have accepted a relevant Volunteer the Secretary of the Community/Voluntary Group should email youthvolunteers@laoiscoco.ie with the Volunteer name & contact details, the name & contact of the group. At the end of the summer volunteer period (15th September 2020) you should sign off on a short Validation Report prepared by the Volunteer outlining the voluntary work undertaken over the summer. Visitors try out the Huawei Mate S smartphone at the Huawei stand at the 2015 IFA consumer electronics and appliances trade fair on September 4, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Germany Urged to Review Huawei Role After UK Ban Following Britains decision to ban Huawei from its 5G network, Germany has come under increased pressure to review its own relationship with the Chinese telecom firm. The United Kingdom announced on July 14 that it had banned Huawei from further input into its telecoms infrastructure by the end of 2020, and set a deadline of 2027 for the stripping out of existing kit from the countrys 5G network. The reversal has come amid fears of the potential for spying and sabotage on the part of the Chinese telecoms giant, which has close links to the Chinese regime. The UKs decision shows Germanys continuing cooperation with Huawei is untenable, said Norbert Rottgen, a prominent member of Germanys ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Germanys parliament. Norbert Roettgen, a prominent member of the German Christian Democrats (CDU) and former German environment minister, speaks to the media in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 18, 2020. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images) The British decision shows that security and economy can no longer be separated when it comes to our critical infrastructure, Rottgen told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Rottgen echoed the British governments concerns that U.S. sanctions against Huawei will damage the security of the equipment the firm produces. Instead of American chips, Huawei now has to use Chinese ones, said Rottgen, who has long argued against cooperation with Huawei. The federal government must also answer the question of how we are dealing with this new situation. Yesterday UK decided to remove #Huawei from its networks by 2027. Today Chinese state media call for public & painful retaliation against the #UK. The irony: European companies havent been allowed to roll out #5G in #China either. #EU should be clear in standing by on this. Norbert Rottgen (@n_roettgen) July 15, 2020 Britain is not the only European country to turn its back on Huawei. Italys Telecom Italia also excluded the firm from a tender for 5G equipment for the core network it is preparing to build in Italy and Brazil, the Reuters news agency reported on July 10. Following the UK decision to ban Huawei, its main competitors Nokia and Ericsson, both European firms, issued statements saying they were ready to step in and replace Huawei equipment in the British network. A development in favour of a European solution is emerging, which Germany should join forcefully instead of taking a special path within Europe, Rottgen urged. Visitors check products at the Nokia stand at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 27, 2019. (Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images) Alternative for Germany (AfD), a highly conservative political party that holds 89 of the 709 seats in the Bundestag, has also called on Angela Merkels government to follow Britains footsteps. Germany and Europe must maintain their technological sovereignty and must not become dependent on China, a one-party state, said Joachim Paul, member of the AfD federal executive board. The AfD is calling on the German government to completely excluded the Chinese firm from our 5G rollout expansion and, in line with the British model, to set a deadline for network operators to completely strip all Huawei components from German networks. Nancy McDonnell of the German edition of The Epoch Times contributed to this report. NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses around the world have been upended by a raging worldwide pandemic and working from home has become the new normal. Some businesses have folded, others have furloughed or laid off their employees, and yet others have had to drastically reduce salaries. The sudden turn of events has forced organizations to pause and reset. While some have viewed the turn of events a disaster, many women entrepreneurs have leveraged it as an opportunity for creativity and reinvention. The 23rd annual Women Presidents' Organization conference on July 2223now reconfigured as a digital event focused on Reimagining Business (#WPOReimaginingBusiness)offers a two-day immersion into insights, strategy and tactics to help women entrepreneurs thrive in a post-pandemic business landscape. Keynote speakers and sessions include: Adam Grant Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World Lital Marom Think BIG and Act FAST: How to Self-Disrupt in a Crisis Kim Thuy Ly Thanh (in conversation with Marie-Josee Gagnon) Finding Comfort & Joy in Discomfort See full schedule here. "They say rough seas make good captains. Throughout this very difficult time, I have seen our fearless WPO members turn adversity into opportunity. Entrepreneurs have an opportunity to help transform society, by reimagining and re-inventing themselves, creatively pivoting their value proposition to meet new needs that have emerged in the marketplace. This year the conference focuses on reimagining what is next for business how entrepreneurs will overcome this difficult time and go on to thrive in the future," said Camille Burns, CEO, Women Presidents' Organization. "As the VIP Diamond Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 WPO Annual Conference, Prudential shares with WPO a strong commitment to supporting women business owners, a vital group contributing to U.S. economic growth. As businesses adjust to new realities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prudential is pleased to provide WPO members with access to financial tools and capabilities to help their businesses and their employees navigate financial challenges that may arise during this time and beyond," said Salene Hitchcock-Gear, president, Prudential Individual Life Insurance. "We at BMO, are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 WPO Annual Conference. In our ongoing support of women business owners, we are pleased to announce our BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program whereby 10 women business owners will receive $10,000 in grant money to put towards their business," said Sheri Griffiths, regional president, Business Banking, Greater Ontario Region. "Canadian women business owners are invited to apply and showcase their resilience and ability to innovate their business and persevere during this difficult time." Digital Conference Sponsors WPO acknowledges the generosity of our conference sponsors and deeply appreciates their continued support as WPO reconfigured its conference to a virtual platform: VIP Diamond Presenting Sponsor Prudential Presenting Sponsor BMO Financial Group VIP Sponsor Wells Fargo 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned Led Companies Awards American Express Major Sponsors: Premier Sponsors: General Sponsors: Lead Sponsors: Design Sponsor Creative Source Education Sponsors: Member Sponsors: Media Sponsors: About the Women Presidents' Organization The WPO is the premier peer advisory organization connecting successful women who own multimillion-dollar companies. Members in chapters across six continents participate in confidential monthly meetings to share business expertise and experience, based on a peer learning methodology designed to accelerate the growth of their businesses to the next level of prosperity. Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator. Prospective WPO members must have annual gross revenue of at least $2 million, if product-based, or $1 million if service-based. For more information please visit our website www.womenpresidentsorg.com. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Like us on Facebook @TheWPO. SOURCE Women Presidents' Organization Related Links http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com FORMER Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen has said Fianna Fail is definitely bigger than Micheal Martin following his dramatic sacking by the Taoiseach. In a text message sent to party members in his Laois-Offaly constituency on Wednesday Mr Cowen struck a defiant tone, saying he has a right to find out how information about his drink-driving offence entered the public domain. Mr Cowen was sacked as Agriculture Minister on Tuesday night after he refused a request from the Taoiseach to make a further statement in the Dail about his drink-driving offence four years ago. FF is bigger than me. Its definitely bigger than [Micheal] Martin. I have apologised for my actions. I made a stupid mistake but I did not do what they have accused me of, Mr Cowen said in the text message to Fianna Fail members in his constituency. Firstly, I do think I have a right to find out how my records were released and secondly the options I have then to engage in a process to discuss such records with authorities (DPC). Read More Well then regroup, deal with issues in our constituency and give leadership and representation to communities. Thats what we do best. These few weeks and yesterday have been difficult but I hope we can find a pathway forward together. Offaly Fianna Fail councillor Eddie Fitzpatrick told Independent.ie that there was a lot of anger among members over Mr Martins decision to sack Mr Cowen from Cabinet. We're very disappointed, we were looking forward to working with the senior minister, we're in a very difficult time here in the constituency with the Just Transition and job losses. It's a bit of a mess really, for everyone. Mr Fitzpatrick said he hoped the local organisation could meet with Mr Cowen in the coming days to discuss the future. P riti Patel was today unable to say how many people were coming into the UK with coronavirus. The Home Secretary said the figure is held centrally elsewhere in government during a grilling by chair of the home affairs select committee Yvette Cooper. The senior Labour MP asked the Secretary of State how many people she estimated were coming into the country with Covid-19. Ms Patel replied: That I dont know. On a daily basis the number of people coming into the country is approximately 50,000 people and thats across all modes of transport. I dont have a figure of people coming into the country on a daily basis with coronavirus. That figure is held centrally elsewhere in government Ms Cooper suggested that if the average prevalence was similar to Spain that they might expect more than 100 people a day coming into the country with coronavirus. Ms Patel replied: It sounds to me these are figures that are quite hypothetical so its no point asking me if a hypothetical figure is accurate. Ms Cooper replied: No. What Im really keen to know is what is the Governments estimate? Ms Patel said that the only reliable estimate of those believed to be coming in with coronavirus was a proportion of 0.5 per cent. After a terse exchange between Ms Patel and Ms Cooper, the permanent secretary at the Home Office Matthew Rycroft said: The Home Secretary as she said has asked and receives continually updated estimates of the proportion of the cases in the UK that come in from overseas and that number continues to be up to 0.5 per cent. Ms Cooper added: It is just quite troubling that it seems that none of you are able to explain just an assessment of the number of people likely to be coming into the country with coronavirus or the proportion of the 50,000. Alabama GOP voters turned aside Jeff Sessions Senate comeback bid Tuesday night, instead choosing Tommy Tuberville, who had the backing of President Donald Trump, over the former attorney general and longtime senator. Tuberville, the former Auburn University football coach, had a more than 20 percentage point lead over Sessions when The Associated Press called Tuesday's Alabama Senate primary runoff. President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville four months ago and repeatedly bashed Sessions, hoping to scuttle the return of a close ally turned presidential punching bag. Tuberville finished first in the March 3 primary and mostly ducked Sessions in the runoff, which was rescheduled from late March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Alabama Senate race is just one of a handful of competitive contests on the ballot Tuesday. Democrats in Maine picked state House Speaker Sara Gideon to face GOP Sen. Susan Collins in what could be the pivotal Senate race that determines which party holds the majority. Democrats also chose veteran MJ Hegar as their nominee in Texas against Sen. John Cornyn. Tuberville will now face Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, who is the most vulnerable senator on the ballot this fall. Jones narrowly won a 2017 special election and is seeking a full term in the deep-red state. Limited polling has shown him to be slightly behind Tuberville, but Jones has a massive financial edge over the Republican. Republicans are hoping not to blow another race in Alabama after the 2017 special election turned into a slow-rolling disaster for the party. Winning back the Alabama seat is essential for the GOP as the party protects its increasingly endangered Senate majority. Most Republicans thought either candidate could defeat Jones, though some have expressed concerns about Tuberville, who is running his first-ever political campaign. The primary was largely defined by Sessions relationship with Trump, who has often publicly castigated his former attorney general for recusing himself from the Department of Justices Russia investigation. Trump calls appointing Sessions the biggest mistake of his presidency, something he repeated on a call with Tuberville and his supporters Monday night. Story continues Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions delivers his concession speech next to his wife, Mary, on Tuesday in Mobile, Ala. I will tell you I got to know Jeff Sessions very well. I made a mistake when I put him in as the attorney general," Trump said on the call. "He had his chance, and he blew it." Sessions had been increasingly willing to fire back at Trumps Twitter tirades. But he has also attempted to sidestep the issue in the primary and pin the focus on Tuberville. Sessions has repeatedly called the former football coach weak for refusing to debate and unprepared to handle policy issues in the Senate. Tubervilles allies have brushed off those attacks and believe they have less sway with primary voters than Trumps endorsement. Trump barely mentioned Sessions in tweeting about Tuberville's victory Tuesday. "Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. @DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. Represents Alabama poorly. On to November 3rd" Trump tweeted. Sessions, in his concession speech, continued to defend his decision as attorney general to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. He also continued to defend Trump. "I was honored to serve the people of Alabama in the Senate, and I was extraordinarily proud of the accomplishments that we had as attorney general," Sessions said after the race was called. "I leave elected office with my integrity intact. I feel good about it. I hold my head high. I took the road less traveled, didn't try to excuse myself or get in a fight or undermine the leader of our country and the great work he has to do," Sessions said. He also backed Tuberville, saying he looked forward to "helping Tommy Tuberville win this race. It's important for Alabama but it's also important for America." Elsewhere on the Senate map, Gideon won her partys nomination Tuesday to take on Collins, who is facing the most competitive reelection of her career as she seeks a fifth term. And Hegar narrowly defeated state Sen. Royce West in a primary runoff to face Cornyn, who has a substantial financial advantage starting out the general election but is potentially vulnerable in a state that could be competitive up and down the ballot. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate MJ Hegar talks with the media near an early polling site before voting July 9, 2020, in Austin, Texas. Both parties will pick nominees in key swing districts Republicans in rural Maine and suburban Houston and West Texas, and Democrats in two Texas seats. In Maine, three Republicans 2018 Senate nominee Eric Brakey, former state Rep. Dale Crafts and Adrienne Bennett, a former aide to then-Gov. Paul LePage are vying for the chance to take on Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine). The race is almost certain to head to ranked-choice runoff, which election officials will compute once all ballots are received and is mandated if no candidate clears 50 percent. Meanwhile, Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls easily won a nasty GOP runoff in rapidly diversifying Houston-area seat. But megadonor Kathaleen Wall lobbed millions of dollars worth of TV ads against him and Nehls emerges with no money and high negatives. In November, he will face Democratic Sri Kulkarni, who won his primary outright and is has $1.1 million in the bank. The Republican runoff for a sprawling West Texas swing seat has turned into a proxy battle between competing national interests, where Trump might not come out on top. Navy veteran Tony Gonzales, who is backed by House GOP leaders, trailed Raul Reyes, an Air Force veteran who is backed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), by 3 points with 96 percent of precincts reporting. In a central Texas district held by GOP Rep. Michael McCaul, Democrats nominated Mike Siegel, who came within 4 points of beating McCaul in 2018. Siegel, who supports Medicare-For-All and the Green New Deal, beat a more centrist candidate for the nomination. Educator Candace Valenzuela beat Air Force veteran Kim Olson in the race for the Democratic nomination in a competitive, open House seat in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Valenzuela was backed by the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Two big names won safe-seat runoffs in Texas: Ronny Jackson, a former White House doctor, won a seat in the Texas panhandle. Former Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) run a Waco-based seat that is 100 miles south of the one he lost in the 2018 midterms. Bengaluru, July 15 : Aiming to forge a citizen-government partnership in combating the Covid pandemic, the Karnataka government is seeking plasma donations from survivors for a token appreciation of Rs 5,000, a minister said on Wednesday. "I request all those who have recovered from Covid-19 to donate plasma and save lives. As a token of our appreciation, we will give Rs 5,000 to patients who come forward and donate their plasma," said Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar. He said the battle against the pandemic can only be won through citizen-government partnership. On Wednesday, Covid cases swelled by 1,975 infections in Bengaluru, ground zero for the pandemic in the southern state, raising its total number of cases to 22,944, out of which 17,051 are active. In the past 24 hours, the state as a whole registered a record 3,176 cases, raising Karnataka's tally to 47,253, even as 87 people succumbed to the virus. Meanwhile, Sudhakar said 8,134 booth level workforce will conduct a house to house survey along with other Covid control measures in Bengaluru. He said many locals and block level officers will be the members of the workforce. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) A woman casting her vote at the Chung Cheng High School polling centre on 10 July. (PHOTO: Joseph Nair for Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE The Elections Department (ELD) has apologised for human error and miscommunication that caused a Singaporean woman to be unable to cast her vote at the General Election last Friday (10 July). Lianhe Wanbao reported on Wednesday that the 36-year-old woman, who is identified only as Mdm Lum, had made a police report after she was not able to vote as the register reflected that she had already voted. She ended up marking her choice on a tendered ballot paper which would not be counted. Lum told the Chinese evening daily that an error message had popped up when she tried to scan her identity card at her polling station at Block 23A Ghim Moh Link. After several unsuccessful attempts, an election official told her that her NRIC had already been used to vote earlier. According to Lianhe Wanbao, the woman who belongs to Holland-Bukit Timah group representation constituency insisted she had not cast her vote yet. An official eventually issued her a tendered ballot, and she had to sign an Oath of Identity form to confirm her identity and to declare that she had not already voted. According to the Parliamentary Elections Act, tendered ballot papers which are issued to people who apply to cast their vote even after the Presiding Officer has informed them that they have already voted are not counted. Instead, they are placed into separate packets, sealed and retained. Miscommunication between officers at polling station In response, ELD told Lianhe Wanbao that Lums NRIC was not used to register to vote on Polling Day. Instead, the mistake was due to human error and miscommunication between the two election officials handling her registration on Polling Day. It explained that the Presiding Officer (PO) was not able to register Lum's NRIC as he had "not switched out of the wrong module of the e-Registration system. The PO then escalated the matter to the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO). However, a miscommunication between the PO and ARO led the latter to interpret that Mdm Lum's NRIC number had already been used to register for voting earlier in the day. This was then wrongly communicated to Mdm Lum, ELD told Lianhe Wanbao. Story continues According to the Chinese paper, ELD has reached out to Lum to clarify the matter and to apologise. Lums name will be restored to the Registers of Electors without penalty. ELD has made several apologies recently for long queues at several polling stations during Polling Day, which caused voting to be extended until 10pm. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore Related stories: GE2020: ELD apologises, to do thorough review of Polling Day long queues GE2020: Long queues seen in the morning at polling stations across Singapore GE2020: Wearing gloves no longer a requirement at polling stations, say ELD GE2020: Voting hours extended to 10pm, first time ever; higher turnout vs GE2015 Myanmars government has ordered the countrys operators to add more sites to a mandated blacklist. Telenor Myanmar confirmed that the Posts and Telecommunications Departmen had instructed it to block a further two websites that allegedly provided false information relating to Covid-19, extreme weather events, and politics. The operator noted that the order also applied to privately owned Ooredoo Myanmar, state-owned MPT, and military-owned Mytel. None of these operators have commented publicly on the directive. In March, Myanmars authorities ordered operators to block access to over 200 websites on the grounds that they were providing inaccurate information or otherwise inappropriate content. While Telenor argued that it had no legal basis for imposing the ban, it eventually complied in order to avoid adversely affecting its mobile services. The Norwegian group stated that it believes in open communication and is attempting to negotiate with the government over the blacklist, arguing that the current practice appears to be incompatible with international human rights law. On a daily basis, hundreds of patients undergo surgeries that demand precision, updated tools, and rigorous safety procedures. To augment the accuracy of surgeries, healthcare professionals are now harnessing advanced next-generation technology-based devices and processes. One such example involves robot-assisted surgeriesa form of minimally-invasive surgeries that allow better access to hard-to-reach body organs and effectively improve accuracy and precision. Robot-assisted surgeries eliminate the traditional fulcrum effect, reducing patient risk by magnifying images of critical body parts and shortening post-operative stays in hospitals. Also, the increasing adoption of single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery techniques, coupled with the highly advanced image-guided vascular access technologies, are revamping the traditional laparoscopic procedures. AI-based devices are also extensively being used to minimize surgical errors and speed up operating room procedures. AI-based algorithms, additionally, are helping healthcare workers to analyze the overwhelming volumes of data that are being generated so that it can rectify the anomalies. Besides, considering the immense potential of genomic testing, healthcare professionals are heavily using the same to detect genetic diseases, and conduct blood tests for cancer, among others. 3D bio-printing of organs and tissues, on the other hand, is becoming a preferred choice among surgeons as it has the power to diminish the complexities associated with complex organ transplants. Eliminating the likelihood of organ rejection, 3D bio-printing eradicates the need for life-long immunosuppressive drugs. It also aids in developing personalized medicines and abolishes the necessity of animal and human participants in drug trials. In order to assist healthcare organizations in the task of finding accomplished operating room management solution providers, we have compiled this issue of Healthcare Tech Outlook. In this edition, we have listed the top 10 operating room management solution providers to highlight the companies that can increase your chances of growth. This edition also blends through thought leadership from subject matter experts, CIOs, and CXOs, with real-life stories on how the solution providers have enhanced their clients capabilities. We hope this issue of Healthcare Tech Outlook helps you build the partnership you and your organization need to foster a workspace driven by robust and efficient technology. We present to you Healthcare Tech Outlooks, Top 10 Operating Room Management Solution Providers 2020. Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital gets inundated with rainwater after the city received heavy monsoon showers, on July 15, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital gets inundated with rainwater after the city received heavy monsoon showers, on July 15, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital gets inundated with rainwater after the city received heavy monsoon showers, on July 15, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad, July 15 : Rain and drainage water entered into state-run Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad on Wednesday, turning the oldest and one of the biggest healthcare facilities in Telangana into a cesspool. It was a flood-like situation in the over a century old hospital with the employees struggling to prevent the water from entering the building. With heavy rains lashing the city for a second consecutive day, water gushed into the historic building located on the banks of Musi river, flooding the corridors, alleyways and wards, causing severe inconvenience to patients. Videos of water flowing into the hospital and washing away various articles and hospital staff trying to stem the flow went viral over social media. Highlighting the pitiable condition of the government-run hospital and a heritage building, water entered into the in-patient wards. Patients and their attendants were sitting atop beds with ankle-deep water flooding the ward. "This is the state of Osmania Govt Hospital now!! Corona Pandemic sweeping the city and look at waterlogging in one of the most well-known government hospitals in the heart of Hyderabad!! Reflecting the abysmal standards of KCR Administration," tweeted Telangana Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy with a picture of a flooded ward. "This is the state of affairs in Osmania Hospital, Hyderabad & our CM KCR is busy demolishing a functional secretariat and building a Nizam era palace. What an irony," tweeted BJP leader Krishna Sagar Rao. Amjedullah Khan of Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) posted a video on Twitter with a request to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to visit the hospital and take stock of the situation Public health activists say the situation at the hospital is getting from bad to worse. Authorities are not taking up repair works, resulting in the rain and even drainage water entering the building. It was in 2015 that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government had proposed to demolish the building on the ground that it is structurally weak and unfit to run a regular hospital. It wanted to build two towers, of 24 floors each. However, strong opposition from historians, heritage activists and prominent citizens forced the government to drop its plans to demolish the building. Conceived after the Musi floods of 1908, the hospital was built by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad State and hence named after him. Designed by British architect Vincent Jerome Esch and Nawab Khan Bahadur Mirza Akbar Baig in the Indo-Sarcenic style, it was completed in 1919. Heritage experts say the domes of Osmania Hospital added to Hyderabad's charms. Spread over 26.5 acres, the hospital has 11 major blocks. The inpatient block alone was over an area of 2.37 acres with a total bed capacity of 1,168 beds including 363 in super-speciality wards. The United States and six Gulf countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets, accusing them of being affiliated with Islamic State, the US Treasury Department said in a statement. The Treasury said the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) - which also include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - blacklisted three entities and an individual in Turkey and Syria. The Treasury accused money services businesses, which include al Haram Exchange, Tawasul Company, and al-Khalidi Exchange, of having "played a vital role in transferring funds to support Syria-based ISIS fighters and ... provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of liquidity to ISIS leadership." Abd-al-Rahman Ali Husayn al-Ahmad al-Rawi, selected by ISIS in 2017 to serve as a senior financial facilitator, was also blacklisted, the Treasury said, accusing him of being one of a few that have provided Islamic State "significant financial facilitation" into and out of Syria. The TFTC also blacklisted Afghanistan-based Nejaat Social Welfare Organization and its director, Sayed Habib Ahmad Khan, accusing the organization of being used as a cover company to support the activities of the Afghan affiliate of Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K). "The TFTC has brought the US and its Gulf partners closer together to confront shared regional threats and build the lasting capacity to target terrorist financial networks wherever they operate," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. Wednesday's action freezes any US assets of the individuals and entities blacklisted and generally prohibits Americans from dealing with them. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 11:16:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases in the country to 27, according to the Ministry of Health. It has been 75 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country is now 1,197. Wednesday's first case was a man in his 60s who arrived in New Zealand on July 10 from Pakistan via Dubai. He was staying at the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua and tested positive around the third day of his time in managed isolation. The second case was a woman in her 50s who arrived on the same day from Dublin via Dubai. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered a speech on Wednesday, setting out plans in the event of a new case of community transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand. "COVID is now exploding outside our borders and every country we have sought to replicate or have drawn from in the fight against COVID has now experienced further community outbreaks," Ardern said. The prime minister cited experts as saying that even with the best precautions possible, the chances of the virus passing from a surface, or contact with someone who is a carrier are high. There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19, and the number of COVID-19 related deaths was 22, according to the health ministry. Enditem Washington (AFP) - Escalating pressure on Germany, US President Donald Trump's administration opened the way Wednesday for tough sanctions as the ally moves forward with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Russia. "It's a clear warning to companies -- aiding and abetting Russia's malign influence projects will not be tolerated," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference. "Get out now or risk the consequences," he warned. Nord Stream 2, which is near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany, the EU's largest economy, at a cost of 10 billion euros ($11 billion). Trump last year signed legislation that targets contractors working on Nord Stream 2 and another Russian gas project, TurkStream, which goes through the Black Sea. But while those sanctions focused on technical assistance, the separate Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act lays out harsh measures that can include severing access to the US financial system. After President Donald Trump reluctantly signed that act in 2017, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exempted Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream on the grounds that work on the projects had begun before the law. Pompeo announced revised guidelines that lift the exemptions, meaning German companies will suffer sanctions even for small investments. His decision does not in itself authorize any action, which still needs to be determined by the administration. Germany had voiced anger over the earlier sanctions law, saying that it interfered in its internal affairs. But Ukraine, Poland and Baltic states have voiced fear that Nord Stream 2 will further embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin "We are adding our voice to those European voices today that are concerned about Russian aggression," said Chris Robinson, a senior US diplomat handling Russia. "The tools that we have made available today help reinforce that message," he told reporters. Story continues - Different views on security - Germany, despite political differences with Russia, sees Nord Stream 2 as ensuring a more stable and cleaner source of energy as it shuns coal and nuclear power. But critics say that Russia will be able to bypass Ukraine, which is battling Russian-backed separatists. "The Kremlin has continued to push Nord Stream 2 in its effort to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy," said Frank Fannon, the assistant secretary of state for energy resources. "Ukraine's energy infrastructure serves as a deterrent to Russian aggression. Yet the Kremlin now seeks to undermine Ukraine, by making that infrastructure obsolete," he said. Germany is a longstanding ally of the United States, but Trump has tense relations with German chancellor Angela Merkel, once berating her as "captive" to Russia and belittling her welcome to Syrian refugees. Trump recently approved plans to pull 9,500 US troops from Germany, accusing Berlin of treating the United States unfairly on trade while not paying enough on defense. Merkel also apparently upset Trump by declining to attend a Group of Seven summit he had hoped to host in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Former US officials Brian O'Toole and Daniel Fried, now fellows at the Atlantic Council, said Pompeo's announcement appeared to be a "major escalation" over Nord Stream 2. They wrote in an analysis that the administration was likely hoping to put pressure on Germany rather than intending to issue sanctions. "Of course, in this administration, the political will to impose sanctions on an allied nation could materialize quickly, with a decision made by tweet, or in reaction to a news snippet," they wrote. Putin said in January that he hoped Nord Stream 2 would be completed by early 2021 after "several months" of delay caused by the US sanctions. Despite Trump's anger over Nord Stream 2, he has sought to build relations with Putin and has mused of inviting him to an expanded G7 summit. Joe Biden is set to launch his first official general election TV advert in Texas with a flagship message that everyone is in this together" amidst the coronavirus outbreak. In the minute-long ad titled tough, Mr Biden opens the clip by saying: Im thinking of all of you today. I know the rising case numbers is causing fear and apprehension. People are frightened. They're especially worried about their parents, their grandparents, loved ones who are most at risk, he continues. The former vice president, who officially won the Democratic Party nomination in June to challenge Donald Trump in November's presidential election, goes on to advise people to take safety precautions to protect against the spread of the virus. We can stop the spread but it's up to all of us to do it. We have to step up and do both the simple things and the hard things to keep our families and our neighbours safe. "Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home if you can, and socially distance if you go out, he says. In the Texas version of the advert, which will be the first Mr Biden general election TV ad to be aired in the state, he reassures state residents that while the virus is tough, Texas is tougher, CNN reports. I want every single American to know, if youre sick, if youre struggling, if youre worried about how youre going to get through the day, I will not abandon you, were all in this together," he says. The advertisement is set to be customized for Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina in addition to Texas and a Spanish-language captioned version of the ad will also run in Arizona, Florida and Texas online and on Univision. The campaign is part of a mid-six figure broadcast and digital advertisement buy, one of Mr Biden's campaign officials told CNN. The move signposts Mr Biden's attempts to draw support in states long considered a Republican stronghold as the 2020 campaign trail begins to heat up while the coronavirus pandemic rages on. The states targeted have all seen a surge in cases of coronavirus over the last few weeks, with Florida reporting a record increase on Sunday of more than 15,000 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours. Nationally there have been more than 3.3 million confirmed cases of the novel respiratory disease and over 135,000 deaths as of Tuesday according to data from the Johns Hopkins University. July 15, 2020 With more than 75 million users and 400 million site visits per month, WordPress is easily the most popular content management system in the world. But should you choose WordPress for your company website? The short answer is, it depends. In this article youll learn about WordPress, why it is so popular and the many reasons why you should choose it for your company website as well as some of the reasons why WordPress may not be the right fit for you. What is a Content Management System? Before we can explain why WordPress is the best content management system (CMS) for your small business website, you need to know what a content management system is and how they work. A content management system is a platform that enables you to publish, manage and modify content and present content as web pages and blog posts without the need for specialized technical knowledge. In other words, a content management system is a tool that helps you build a website from scratch. Though it is possible to build your own website without a content management system, a CMS makes it possible for anyone to build a website, even if they dont know how to write HTML code. How Does a Content Management System Work? A content management system works by enabling the user to manipulate database information, template files and design styles via a graphical user interface (GUI) which is a fancy way of saying what you see is what you get. With a user friendly CMS like WordPress, you can write content, upload images and manage media with little or no experience writing HTML code. If you wanted to build a small business website without a content management system, youd need to know how to write HTML code, and upload HTML files to your server. Unsurprisingly, HTML code is not something that is easily learned over night. Its also not something you want to get wrong, as HTML code is how a web browser knows how to visually display the structure of your website to the user. Why is WordPress So Popular? There are many content management systems available today but WordPress is, by far, the most popular. It powers nearly 35% of the internet and accounts for more than 60% of all CMS-built websites. In fact, 34% of the worlds most popular websites were built using WordPress, including TED, Etsy, Reuters (News - Alert), Yelp, The New Yorker, TechCrunch, and People. But why is WordPress so popular? The big answer is Its free. 1. Free To Use With no licensing fees and free themes, tools and plugins, WordPress is easily the most affordable CMS on the market today. It also comes with a myriad of affordable hosting options that bring the total cost of building, hosting and managing a website on WordPress far below that of the competition. 2. Open Access Arguably, one of the greatest aspects of WordPress is that it is entirely open-source, which means you can change, alter or improve its source code to improve the look and functionality of your website. If you dont like something about WordPress, you can change it. Because WordPress utilizes open source coding its always improving. WordPress developers are always improving functionality and adding new plugins, while coders are constantly programming new features that you can use to customize your website. 3. Ready To Use WordPress is ready to use as soon as you install it. The only thing you have to do is choose your theme, your plug-ins and how youd like to customize your website. In fact, most of the features you need come with the installation, so you dont even need to install separate plugins for social media feeds and comments. 4. SEO Friendly WordPress provides many SEO advantages, which is one reason so many small business owners choose WordPress for the website. Its no secret that search engines like Google (News - Alert) and Bing rank WordPress higher than those that dont. Its not because Google and Bing are biased, but because the WordPress framework makes it easier for a search engine spider to crawl a WordPress website than one built on Drupal or Joomla. 5. Customizable One of the most endearing characteristics of WordPress is that it is highly customizable. The WordPress interface makes it easy to edit webpages, change your theme and add plugins. You can even add features to improve the performance and functionality of your website with little to no effort. 6. Talented WordPress Developers An often understated advantage of choosing WordPress for your company website is the large community of coders, developers and designers that provide deep support for your business and your website. There are many talented web designers who know WordPress inside and out who are more than ready to help you launch your website, provide expert support and keep it updated. WordPress vs Other CMS Platforms WordPress has many characteristics that distinguish it as superior to other CMS platforms, chiefly its user-friendly interface and functionality. Its simply easier to build and manage a website on WordPress than Joomla or Drupal. Lets take a closer look at the features of each to see their strengths are, and determine which is best suited to meet your needs. WordPress vs Joomla Joomla is the second most popular content management system on the market today, with nearly 6% of the market share and powering approximately 58 million websites. There are many advantages to using Joomla; its optimized for speed and is one of the better choices for social networks and eCommerce. Like WordPress, Joomla is multilingual, mobile-friendly and features thousands of extensions. However, unlike WordPress, themes are not readily accessed or available. Users must seek them out and download themes on their own, which can pose a security threat to your website. Joomla is also considerably more complex than WordPress. Creating content with Joomla is not as intuitive as it is with WordPress and all admin and post creation is done on the backend, which means its not as easy to customize or add plugins and extensions. WordPress vs Drupal Coming in third in popularity behind Joomla is Drupal. Like Joomla, Drupal is more complex than WordPress and not as intuitive. In fact, users need a working knowledge of HTML, PHP and other coding languages to do just about anything with the CMS. Durpal does feature over 4,000 modules and nearly 3000 themes that work remarkably well together. It also tends to be faster than WordPress and Joomla. However, the advanced understanding of HTML code required to operate it makes it very challenging for the average person to use. WordPress vs Do It Yourself Site-builders WordPress is user-friendly, intuitive and very easy to learn. It features a simple, easy-to-use layout for creating content with hundreds of themes and plugins for customizing the look and functionality of your website. WordPress is so easy, in fact, that it makes many of the do it yourself site-builders redundant. DIY website builders are cookie-cutter content management systems that allow you to build a website very quickly. They are also more expensive than WordPress and not all that much easier to use. Whats more, the websites that are most often produced by DIY site-builders are basic with very limited functionality. WordPress vs Wix The biggest difference between WordPress and Wix is that WordPress is a free, open-source standalone software, where as Wix is a service that you sign up for. Like WordPress, WIx is easy to use and designed for non-technical users, which means you dont have to know how to code to use it. However, unlike WordPress, Wix lacks man of the more complex website features that enable you to build a fully customizable website. Templates are Simplistic and difficult to customize and you have less overall control over the look and functionality of your website. WordPress vs SquareSpace Squarespace is a popular DIY site-builder that is intuitive, easy to use and a good choice for websites that need conventional features. Wix and Squarespace are similar in many ways and both have their advantages.Like WordPress, Squarespace is intuitive and user-friendly, but it doesnt compare to the sheer amount of features and flexibility that WordPress offers. It also does not offer as many themes and plugins as WordPress. Is WordPress Right For My Website? The long and short answer is it depends. WordPress is the right choice for business owners who have the time and resources to main their website. If you dont have a budget for maintenance, a good hosting company and the need to expand pages and edit content, than a service like Squarespace or Wix may be a better solution. WordPress is also secure, SEO-friendly and entirely customizable to your needs. It doesnt matter what your company needs your website to do, you can make it happen with WordPress. How Do I Get Started With WordPress? Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the main symptoms of the virus that members of the public have been told by the NHS to look out for have been a high fever, a new, persistent cough and a loss or changed sense of smell and taste. In addition to the main symptoms, people around the world have reported experiencing various other side effects that they believe could be linked to the virus, including Covid toe and rashes on other parts of their bodies. In September, a study conducted by The University of Belfast found that diarrhoea and vomiting could be symptoms for coronavirus. Meanwhile, in July it was reported that researchers are calling for skin rashes to be added to the NHS official list of symptoms after a study found that one in 11 patients who tested positive for Covid-19 developed a rash. The study, which was carried out by Kings College London, was conducted using data from 20,000 Britons who either tested positive or were suspected to have had the virus. Epidemiologists, ophthalmologists and dermatologists have warned about other symptoms that could be indicative of a patient who is positive of the coronavirus. Here are several lesser-known symptoms that are currently being investigated for possible links to Covid-19. Covid tongue In January, researcher Tim Spector, who is the principal investigator of the Zoe Covid symptom app at Kings College, where over 4.5m people have helped record data on potential symptoms, tweeted about a possible new symptom. Spector and his colleagues were among the first to highlight that change in sense of taste or smell should be recognised officially, months before it was added to the NHS list. He said: One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that dont get on the official PHE list - such as skin rashes. Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers." And he also warned people: If you have a strange symptom or even just headache and fatigue stay at home! Although this has not been officially recognised by PHE or the NHS, the Zoe study is the largest community monitoring in the world. Headaches Headaches appear on the World Health Organizations list of less common Covid symptoms. A study of nearly 400 Covid patients published in January 2021 found that 13 per cent developed a headache. Researchers at the Hospital Universitario de La Princes in Madrid, Spain, found that headaches were more likely to be associated with milder cases of the virus. A study of 139 patients conducted at ClermontFerrand University Hospital in France found that 59 per cent experienced headaches during the acute phase of the illness and 3.6 per cent were still experiencing them one month later. The NHS doesnt currently list headaches as a symptom of Covid, and doesnt suggest getting a test if you are suffering only from a headache. Delirium In a study published in The Lancet on Monday 18 May, it claimed that delirium and confusion could be rife among seriously ill coronavirus patients. The team of researchers conducted an investigation on a small number of Covid-19-positive patients. In more than 60 per cent of the cases of intensive care patients, they discovered evidence of confusion and agitation. The scientists, from the UK and Italy, concluded that patients who have to stay in intensive care for long periods of time and who are in need of ventilation treatment may be at greater risk of experiencing delirium and confusion. The research, which assessed patients with Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome), Mers (Middle-East respiratory syndrome) and Covid-19, also found that people who exhibit mild symptoms are less likely to experience as significant an impact on their mental health. Professor Gitte Moos Knudsen, chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurobiology Research Unit at Copenhagen University Hospital, explained that any condition associated with hospitalisation, fever, depletion of sensory inputs particularly in the elderly carries an increased risk for delirium. In Covid-19 patients that have been artificially ventilated, a PTSD condition may arise; but we do not have evidence that the frequency is higher in Covid-19 patients than in any other disorder, Professor Knudsen added. Dr Michael Bloomfield, consultant psychiatrist and head of Translational Psychiatry Research Group University College London, said that the study is important and well-conducted research. This study provides further evidence that the harm caused by Covid-19 extends beyond the widely reported effects on the lungs. This study tells us that Covid can have profound effects on mental health, he stated. Of particular cause for alarm is the finding that a third of patients from previous epidemics experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and it seems reasonable to anticipate similar rates of PTSD in people who have had life-threatening Covid. Tom Dening, professor of Dementia Research at the University of Nottingham, pointed out that scientists know much less about the prevalence of mild or asymptomatic Covid-19, adding that patients who experience milder cases of the virus are less likely to experience mental health issues, especially delirium, which is generally a marker for severe physical illness. The authors draw attention to how delirium is an important and common feature in people admitted to hospital with coronaviruses. In some situations, probably more so in older people, delirium may even be the presenting feature of a severe Covid-19 infection, so its important that health professionals and care home staff are aware of this possibility, the professor said. Covid toe and other rashes On Wednesday 15 July, it was reported that researchers are calling for the NHS to officially recognise skin rashes as a symptom of the coronavirus. Recommended Researchers call to make rashes a coronavirus symptom The study conducted by Kings College London assessed 20,000 Britons who either tested positive or were thought to have had Covid-19 and data from the Covid Symptom Study app, which contained information relating to 336,837 users who self-reported their symptoms. More than 2,000 of the apps users tested positive for the coronavirus, with 8.8 per cent reporting blotchy and itchy skin. Furthermore, 8.2 per cent of the 17,000 people strongly suspected to have had the virus reported developing a rash. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed. Dr Mario Falchi, who led the study, is urging for rashes to be formally recognised as symptoms of the virus in light of his findings. In a statement sent to The Independent, Dr Tanya Bleiker, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, explained that in the early stages of the pandemic, the various skin manifestations of the disease were poorly understood and not common knowledge. However, a series of important studies has done fantastic work in this regard, this study being the latest of these, Dr Bleiker stated. It will play an important role in building our understanding of the disease as a whole. Dr Bleiker said the British Association of Dermatologists is delighted to be working with the team at Kings College London to develop a dedicated website which will host a library of the different skin manifestations of Covid-19. We hope that this will be of benefit to healthcare professionals as well as the public who may be unaware of skin symptoms which would warrant self-isolation, the organisations president said. In May, the term Covid toe was increasingly discussed as a possible symptom of the coronavirus. The condition, which involves chilblain-like lesions appearing on the feet, is one of several skin conditions currently being investigated as potential signs of Covid-19. On 29 April, researchers from Spain published a study concerning the cutaneous manifestations of Covid-19 disease, cutaneous meaning relating to the skin. The scientists came across five different forms of rashes affecting 375 Covid-19 patients. These included itchy or painful chilblain-like lesions on the hands and feet, including Covid toe; small blisters on the torso; small, flat and raised red bumps; blotchy red or blue-looking skin; and pink or white raised areas of the skin that looked similar to nettle rash. Dr John Ingram, editor-in-chief of the British Journal of Dermatology, commented at the time that the investigation was the most definitive piece of research on the skin features associated with Covid-19 to date. There has been speculation for some time that the virus is responsible for a number of skin signs, but until now these had largely been individual or small scale case reports. This study represents a much more systematic and thorough categorisation of the features, he stated. The main beneficiaries of this research will be medical professionals and researchers. It will be useful in diagnosing people with Covid-19, particularly those with relatively few symptoms. It will also provide a firm foundation for future research into COVID-19 and the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology has created a dedicated task force to study Covid toe. Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Show all 19 1 /19 Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Two elderly people chat on a street in Valencia, Spain on 4 May EPA Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent People look at the city from Villa Borghese park in Rome during the first day of Italy's next phase in its coronavirus lockdown Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent An elderly couple who has not been outside for nearly two months enjoys the weather as they sit on a bench in a park in Athens on 4 May AFP via Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Henri de Chassey, wearing a protective face mask, kisses his partner Margaux Rebois, who is returning to Paris after spending two months in Brussels on 4 May REUTERS Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A commuter in protective mask wears gloves at an underground station in Brussels as some companies are allowed to bring workers back to the office EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Paralympic swimmer Inigo Llopis prepares to swim in San Sebastian, Spain, for the first time since the lockdown began Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A worker wearing personal protective equipment disinfects a school in Athens as Greece relaxes its nationwide lockdown REUTERS Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A Spanish National Police officer distributes protective masks in Melilla, Spain, on 4 May EPA Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent An employee poses in front of halfway-cured hams in a factory in Guijuelo, Salamanca, Spain, on 4 May EPA Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Workers in protective suits disinfect a high school in Athens as Greece moves to reopen schools for final-year students on 11 May EPA Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A worker disinfects a bus as transport vehicles are disinfected several times a day as part of Belgium's lockdown exit strategy Belga/AFP via Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A worker from Textilia haberdashery in Brussels holds a fabric that can be used to make customised protective face masks as Belgium relaxes its lockdown measures REUTERS/Yves Herman Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A bride tries on a wedding dress at a bridal shop in Madrid on the first day that some small businesses are allowed to open during Spain's lockdown REUTERS Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent People walk across the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping mall in central Milan as Italy eases its lockdown AFP/Getty Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A couple kiss in the Duomo Square in Catania as Italy starts moving out of its lockdown Reuters Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent Mirel Chetan organises the books of the Antonio Machado bookstore in Madrid after 51 days of closure Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A couple kiss in front of the sea in Catania as Italy begins a staged end to a nationwide lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus disease ANTONIO PARRINELLO/ REUTERS Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A waiter at Caffe Cracco handles takeaway coffee in Milan on 4 May as Italy starts to ease its lockdown Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images Europe emerges from lockdowns across the continent A woman holds a yoga posture as she exercises by the Colosseum monument in Rome on the first day of Italy relaxing its lockdown measures VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images Conjunctivitis Several reports have been circulating as of late regarding the possibility that the coronavirus could cause conjunctivitis, an eye condition that develops as a result of infection or allergies. In April, the American Academy of Ophthalmology released an alert for ophthalmologists highlighting two studies that indicated the potential link between the virus and conjunctivitis. In a study of 30 patients hospitalised for the virus in China, one had conjunctivitis. That patient and not the other 29 had SARS-CoV-2 in their ocular secretions. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the conjunctiva and cause conjunctivitis, and virus particles are present in ocular secretions, the American Academy of Ophthalmology said. In a larger study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which assessed 1,099 hospitalised coronavirus-positive patients in China, nine had conjunctival congestion. In a statement sent to The Independent, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London emphasised that of the many people infected worldwide with Covid-19, there are only a few reports of patients presenting with conjunctivitis. The hospital added that there is therefore a possibility, but it is incredibly rare. The hospital has not noticed an increase in patients being admitted for conjunctivitis during the pandemic, adding that the there is no evidence that the conjunctivitis in Covid-19 is more severe than any other type of viral conjunctivitis. Moorfields outlined that if the virus were to cause a patient to develop conjunctivitis, this would likely occur either through direct exposure of the surface of the eye to Covid-19 (such as by rubbing the eyes) or indirect exposure where the virus tracks up the duct that connects the surface of the eye to the nose and throat. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) and the College of Optometrists explained that if a person presents conjunctivitis after contracting coronavirus, it is unlikely they would do so without also showing other, more recognisable symptoms of the virus. Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Show all 18 1 /18 Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jack Dodsley, 79, with a carer in PPE at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jackie Wilson, a healthcare assistant, wearing PPE before going into rooms Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jack Dodsley, 79, speaks to a carer at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Carers working at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A care worker wearing PPE opens a drink carton Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jack Dodsley, 79, sits with a carer Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jack Dodsley, 79, with a carer in PPE Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A care staff member wearing PPE Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A staff member at Newfield Nursing Home looks after a resident SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A carer wearing PPE uses a speaker Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A carer helps Jack Dodsley, 79, from his chair Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A carer wearing PPE helps Jack Dodsley, 79 Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A staff member at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A carer brings food to a resident at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jack Dodsley, 79, with a carer in PPE Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A staff member puts on PPE at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside Jackie Wilson, a healthcare assistant, puts on PPE before she enters a room SWNS Care home hit by coronavirus: A rare glimpse of life inside A bench at Newfield Nursing Home Tom Maddick/SWNS Recent reports have suggested that Covid-19 may cause conjunctivitis, and it is known that viral particles can be found in tears, which has caused some concern amongst eye health professionals, the organisations stated. It is recognised that any upper respiratory tract infection may result in viral conjunctivitis as a secondary complication, and this is also the case with Covid-19. The RCO and the College of Optometrists stated that as viral conjunctivitis is not listed as an official symptom of Covid-19, medical practitioners should treat patients with the condition as they would usually treat any presentation of viral conjunctivitis, as long as they are not also showing signs of the coronavirus. They stressed that during the pandemic, scrupulous infection control and hand hygiene measures should be carried out when treating all patients, while any close examinations should be kept to a minimum safe level. Loss of smell and taste On Monday 18 May, it was announced that loss of smell and taste is to be officially included on the NHS list of coronavirus symptoms. The announcement came following the governments previous declaration that loss of smell and taste would absolutely not be added to the list of symptoms members of the public should be aware of. For weeks, experts have warned that countless cases of Covid-19 could be being missed due to the lack of guidance being given to people experiencing anosmia, many of whom will have been encouraged to return to work. The NHS is now encouraging anyone who experiences loss of smell and taste, or a noticeable change, to self-isolate for seven days, while other members of their households are advised to stay at home for 14 days, even if they dont show symptoms. Natalie Brookes, a consultant ENT surgeon and rhinologist and medical director at The Harley Street ENT Clinic, told The Independent that prior to the guidance change, her clinic was in contact with its advisory body ENT UK, who stated that they think anosmia could be related to Covid. If I developed a sudden loss of sense of smell, with or without a mild upper respiratory type symptoms, I would definitely self-isolate at the moment, Ms Brooks added. Professor Carl Philpott, director of medical affairs and research at charity Fifth Sense, explained to The Independent that as common colds and viruses often cause initial congestion of the nose, this can lead to post-viral smell loss. If you look at the tissue in detail under the microscope you see that the fine hair-like endings of the receptor cells have fallen off and therefore the cells are no longer able to pick up odour molecules from the nose, Professor Philpott says. He adds that Covid-19 appears to have a high concentration in the nose, and states that as the majority of anecdotal reports are showing people experiencing transient smell loss that lasts for around seven to 14 days, its probably more likely that the virus is causing some sort of inflammation in the olfactory nerves, rather than it causing any damage to the structure of the receptors. Inflammation among children In May, it was reported that up to 100 children in the UK had been affected by a rare disease linked to the coronavirus. The syndrome appears to bear similarities with Kawasaki disease, causing an inflammatory response in children ranging from infants to older teenagers. Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), stated that while symptoms are fairly mild for the majority of children affected, a small proportion have become much more severely ill. Professor Rosalind Smyth, director and professor of Child Health at the UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health added that it remains the case that the great majority of children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms only. In a report on the cases admitted to London Childrens Hospital, it said that symptoms include unrelenting fever, variable rash, conjunctivitis, swelling, pain and significant gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea and vomiting. NHS England released an alert about the condition in late April, stating that the cases of children in intensive care with a multi-system inflammatory state have overlapping features of two health conditions toxic shock syndrome and atypical (or incomplete) Kawasaki disease. The health service added that the children have also had blood parameters consistent with severe Covid-19 in children. Dr Julia Kenny, consultant in paediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Evelina London Childrens Hospital explained that much more research is needed on the subject before it can be more thoroughly understood. Recommended What to do if you get coronavirus symptoms while on holiday As this new syndrome has only been identified in the past four weeks, it will be vital to learn more about its presentation and treatment, and to establish how the disease mechanism is linked to Covid-19 which has pre-dominantly affected adult patients to date, Dr Kenny said. Professor Smyth added that at the moment, it seems that this condition is very rare. One of the purposes of the current alerts and guidance is to increase awareness, so that all possible cases can be identified. This will help to identify the true incidence, the professor outlined. We know very little about the cause and mechanisms. Indeed, our understanding of the mechanisms of the condition which it may resemble, Kawasakis syndrome, is incomplete. Working out a possible relationship to Covid-19 will depend on testing for the virus, repeatedly during the course of the illness, and for the antibody, following recovery, to work out if there is a temporal relationship with SARS-CoV-2, in some, or all, cases. Diarrhoea and vomiting In September, a study conducted by The University of Belfast found that out of 1,000 children around the age of 10, 97 per cent who had tested positive for Covid-19 also had gut-based symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting. While neither of these symptoms appear on the NHS's list of official symptoms for coronavirus, both appear on the US Centers for Disease Control's list of possible symptoms. Lead researcher Dr Tom Waterfield told the BBC: "We know that, thankfully, most children who get the virus will not be very ill with it - but we still do not know how much children may be spreading it. "We are finding that diarrhoea and vomiting is a symptom reported by some children and I think adding it to the list of known symptoms is worth considering." A growing number of countries are recognising the threat to data privacy from using mobile technology from the Chinese giant Huawei, and are likely to shun the company when building out their 5G networks, the top US security advisor said Wednesday. "Each country is going to make their decisions for their own country, but I think there's a growing recognition everywhere that Huawei is a problem," National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien told journalists in Paris. His comments came after three days of talks with counterparts from France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain, which surprised many on Tuesday by banning Huawei entirely from its 5G rollout. "Europe is awakening to the threat of China," O'Brien said, citing the country's aggressive moves against Hong Kong as well as India in recent weeks as Western nations grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. Despite months of US pressure, other European nations have only imposed limits on using Huawei equipment for 5G or declined to do so, in part over fears of angering a major economic power. Washington believes Huawei gear could give Chinese authorities a back door into networks that would allow it not only to spy on government secrets but also sweep up vast amounts of personal data. "Imagine how a country like China could interfere with elections if they knew everything about every single person on earth," O'Brien said. He said he reiterated "strong evidence" of the links between Huawei, founded by a former Chinese army engineer, and the Chinese Communist Party, "and we've made that evidence available to our partners". "I don't want to get into some of the more recent technical information that we were able to provide," he said, but asked if that played into the British government's decision this week, he answered "I think it did". "Our concern with 5G is that it is going to be very difficult to separate the core from the periphery, and that is the track the UK was on, and the UK has decided they now have to brick Huawei out completely," he said. Other countries including Australia, New Zealand and India have already taken a hard line against Huawei, and France and Italy have announced severe limits on its gear for 5G networks. "I don't think you'll see much 5G Huawei in France and Italy," O'Brien said. "We'll have to see about the others," he said. "There's not much we can offer in exchange because we're not trying to sell US telecom equipment to other countries." "But what we do get in return is that we know that we can rely on our partners, and exchange intelligence and exchange technology," he said. He was eliminated from MasterChef on Tuesday, but Callum Hann's family couldn't be prouder of him. In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the 30-year-old chef's wife Crystal Jagger paid touching tribute to him. Sharing a photo of Callum with the couple's 10-month-old daughter Elle on his shoulders, Crystal wrote: 'Congratulations my love'. Out of the running: He was eliminated from MasterChef on Tuesday, but Callum Hann's family couldn't be prouder of him. Pictured with daughter Elle 'I am so proud of you @callums_kitchen for making it all the way to top four! What an adventure it has been,' she continued. 'You created so many beautiful dishes and Australia got to see your kindness, sense of humour and creativity. You are the best husband and father and we love you so much!!' Crystal also thanked the show for allowing her and Elle to move in with Callum during filming amid the coronavirus pandemic. Happy family: In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the 30-year-old chef's wife Crystal Jagger paid touching tribute to him 'I just want to give a big shout out to the @masterchefau crew and contestants. Thank you for welcoming Elle and I in to the Masterchef family,' she continued. In an interview with TV WEEK last month, Callum admitted he almost quite the show in Melbourne to return to Adelaide to be with with his family during the pandemic. 'It was really difficult,' he told the publication. Hard decisions: In an interview with TV WEEK last month, Callum admitted he almost quite the show in Melbourne to return to Adelaide to be with with his family during the pandemic 'When the South Australian border looked like closing, I had to really think about what I was going to do. I couldn't face being separated from Chrystal and Elle for weeks.' Callum said the show was understanding, allowing his wife and daughter to stay with him in his hotel room as filming continued. 'We were given special permission to be together so I could stay in the show. That was a big part in me being able to carry on,' he explained. Spotify is growing its presence in Europe and will now be available in 13 new countries in the Eastern part of the continent. This brings the total markets where Spotify is officially available to 92. Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Ukraine along with Kazakhstan are the new additions Starting today, users in these regions can enjoy the music streaming service, which brings 50 million tracks, 4 billion playlists, and localized music curated for the local audiences. The free ad-supported tier of Spotify will be available alongside the ad-free Premium, Premium Family, Premium for Students and DUO plans. Spotify is also bringing 200 new playlists from artists in the newly added regions, which will be available globally. Spotify for Artists, which brings live statistics and tools for artists and labels to manage their releases, is also available. The Russian market, in particular, is one where Spotify is betting big with even more local artists, special playlists and music recommendations. Instagram music stories that allow users to share Spotify tracks will also be available in Russia. Podcasts will not be available upon launch as the Russian podcast scene is still not mature enough for Spotifys liking. Source SIDNEY In a surprise move to locals, the Perkins restaurant in Sidney has closed permanently. Signs on the doors Monday morning indicated the closing and thanked the people of Sidney for their years of patronage, according to locals. A check of locations on the Perkins corporate website no longer lists the Sidney restaurant. Reached for comment by the Star-Herald Monday, Northcott Hospitality released a statement from vice president of operations Julie Roettger. Due to the economic realities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Northcott Hospitality has made the decision to close our Sidney, Nebraska franchise location as of Monday, July 13, Roettger said in the statement. Unfortunately, the financial impacts of the pandemic were beyond our control and made it untenable to remain open. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served the local community and we are so thankful for the dedicated service of our Perkins team members in Sidney. We know that Perkins plays a special role in the community and in our loyal guests lives and we thank our customers for their many years of loyalty. Mukesh Ambani; US$88.7 billion The 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries (RIL) started with a bang. The Chairman and Managing Director of India's most-valued private company, Mukesh Ambani, held a virtual meeting. Track all the updates on RIL AGM by following our LIVE blog here The oil-telecom-to-retail major recently crossed Rs 12 lakh crore in market-capitalisation, becoming the first listed Indian entity to achieve the milestone. Key highlights: Debt-free ahead of schedule The company had a target of becoming net debt-free by March 2021. However, it achieved the goal ahead of the schedule. Cumulatively, the company has raised Rs 2,12,809 crore through the rights issue, the combined investments in Jio Platforms and investment by BP. "This capital raise is significantly in excess of our net debt of Rs 1,61,035 crore at the end of FY19-20. Reliance is now truly a zero net debt company, well ahead of my goal of March 2021. We now have an extremely strong balance sheet that will support all our growth plans for our three hyper-growth engines Jio, Retail and O2C. Our target for capital raise is now complete and we now look forward to only adding strategic partners who share our vision in each of our current and future businesses," said the Chairman. Ready with 5G solutions Mukesh Ambani said Jio is ready with a world-class 5G solution. Field deployment can happen next year. This 5G product will be available for trials as soon as the spectrum is available. Jio Platforms will be positioned for 5G solution to other telecom operators. Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for a 7.7 percent stake in Jio Platforms, becoming the latest A-list investor in the digital unit of Reliance Industries (RIL).The investment by Googlethe 14th such deal in less than 13 weekstakes the total stake that Reliance sold in Jio Platforms to a little over 33 percent. Mumbai-based RIL has now raised a combined Rs 1,52,056 crore from some of the worlds leading tech investors in the largest fundraising exercise by a company anywhere in the world and during a global lockdown at that.The company's consumer business continued to deliver EBITDA growth of 49 percent this year, said the company's Chairman. Consumer business contributed 35 percent of EBIDTA. Consumer and tech businesses have rapidly achieved scale by their exponential growth. Our consumer and technology business have rapidly gained scale, said Ambani. Google and Jio are partnering to build a new smartphone operating system in India."Have sold 100 million Jio Phones till date. But there are many feature phone users waiting to upgrade to a conventional smartphone. We believe we can design an entry-level 4G or even a 5G smartphone. We believe that we can design such a phone at a fraction of the current cost," Ambani said. "To power such a value-engineered smartphone, we also need an equally value-engineered smartphone operating system. And, such an operating system must be designed from grounds-up. Google and Jio are partnering to build a new smartphone operating system in India," he added. Due to unforeseen circumstances and COVID-19, the deal with Saudi Aramco has not progressed as per the earlier timeline. "Due to unforeseen circumstances in the energy market and the COVID-19 situation, the deal has not progressed as per the original timeline. Our equity requirements have already been met. Nevertheless, we at Reliance value our over two-decade-long relationship with Saudi Aramco and are committed to a long-term partnership," said Chairman Ambani. He added the company has been approached by global companies for strategic partnerships with the petrochemicals business. Potential partnerships will help build competitive manufacturing capabilities. JioMart, Reliance Industries' (RIL) platform for customers and kirana stores has now enabled a multipurpose point of service (POS) services to enable smooth transactions between stores and their customers. Last year, Reliance Retail revenues were Rs 1,62,936 crore and EBITDA was Rs 9,654 crore. The company is India's largest and most profitable retail business. "Four things that give me huge satisfaction are: First, more than two-thirds of our nearly 12,000 stores are operated in Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV towns. Second, the deep-rooted bond with tens of thousands of farmers that has helped us source over 80% of our fresh fruits and vegetable directly from farmers. We sell more fruits and vegetables than any other organised retailer in the country. Third, we continue to provide large employment and development opportunities for lakhs of people across India. Fourth, our growth model is based on partnership with small merchants and shopkeepers," said the company's Chairman. The energy industry must understand that fossil fuels and renewables are not mutually exclusive. The world needs access to clean and affordable energy, said the company's Chairman. The energy industry must adopt a planet-friendly model. We are committed to converting CO2 emissions into high-value products. We are targeting to become net carbon-neutral by 2035. "We will approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) with our proposal to spin-off our oil-to-chemicals (O2C) business into a separate subsidiary," said the Chairman. The company expects to complete this process by early 2021. Jio TV+ will curate OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar, among others, into one app. It will be voice-search enabled.Reliance announced the launch of Jio Glass which is a new mixed reality headset, will enable holographic video calling. JioGlass weighs only 75 grams, offers best in class, immersive mixed reality services. It remains connected by a single-cable and already has 25 apps that allow augmented reality video meetings and more. The company plans to consolidate its media and distribution business. Network18 Group's 72 channel-strong TV broadcast network across news and entertainment reaches more than 80 crore Indians. "Our digital properties are now used by almost 200 million people every month. We are amongst the top 10 digital news players across sectors. We are consolidating our media and distribution businesses. Den and Hathway are being merged with Network18 and TV18, subject to regulatory approvals. This will make the Network18 group the largest listed media and distribution company in the country," said the Chairman. A Melbourne freight worker has been linked to the outbreak of COVID-19 at a Sydney hotel, where the number of positive cases has now swelled to 34. In a clear sign the virus has broken Victorias borders, NSW's COVID-19 operations manager Jennie Musto confirmed genome sequencing had linked the Crossroads Hotel cluster to the Victorian outbreaks. A drive through Coronavirus testing clinic at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. Credit:Wolter Peeters It comes as Premier Daniel Andrews defended Victoria's efforts to trace the source of new infections, saying his government had significantly boosted its contact tracing team amid repeated criticism of the state's efficiency in communicating with close contacts of those diagnosed. Ms Musto said the most likely link to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak, supported by epidemiology, was that a man from Melbourne came into a workplace in Sydney. The winner of this race will challenge Senator Susan Collins, a top target for Democrats trying to flip the Senate. Sara Gideon is seen as the front-runner against two progressive candidates. Theres been hardly a day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that our leaders have failed to assure us that theyre doing what health officials are telling them to do. Whatever the issue, whatever the day, theyre quick to say theyre listening to the experts, following the science, and putting the health and safety of Canadians above all other considerations. Lets hope those same leaders particularly at the federal and provincial levels can finally see their way to applying that same attitude to another health crisis, one that predates COVID-19 and, even now, continues to worsen. Thousands of Canadians die of opioid overdoses every year. Many more are hospitalized and still more are in constant danger of one those fates as well as revolving-door encounters with police, courts and prison. Theyre stuck in a system that treats a health crisis with an ill-suited law-and-order remedy. Even the police can see that treating addicts as criminals is doing more harm than good. Arresting individuals for simple possession of illicit drugs has proven to be ineffective, Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer, who heads the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said last week. Being addicted to a controlled substance is not a crime and should not be treated as such. We recommend that Canadas enforcement-based approach for possession be replaced with a health-care approach that diverts people from the criminal justice system. Its the right way to go. Canada should decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. In calling on the federal government to decriminalize simple drug possession, the police chiefs are joining a long list that includes the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the Global Commission on Drug Policy and countless Canadian medical experts, harm-reduction workers and public health officials. In 2018, Torontos medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, called on the federal government decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use. Too many people are dying, she said. A more public health approach to drug policy is at the very least worth trying. In 2019, British Columbias top health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, called on B.C. to decriminalize possession through the police act because they cannot wait for action at the federal level. Its 2020, and long past time politicians took their lead from experts on the opioid crisis just as theyre doing in the COVID-19 pandemic. Treating addicts as criminals is a costly, dangerous mistake. It drives up the cost of policing. It contributes to a national crisis of court delays and crowded prisons. It compounds racial and class inequities, criminalizes people who need help and leaves them with a record that forever reduces their opportunities. And all without delivering any of the promised benefits to public health and safety. Its time for a new approach. Decriminalizing simple drug possession is not all thats needed. It must be coupled with more addiction treatment and harm-reduction, including safe consumption sites. Thats an area where Ontario has lagged badly under Premier Doug Ford. Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Justice Minister David Lametti said they welcome the police chiefs call for decriminalization. Thats tepid stuff; its time for decisive action. If nothing else, COVID-19 has shown us that so much is possible when theres political will to marshal the right resources. Homeless people have been moved off the streets and into hotels; round-the-clock child-care was made available for some workers; and income support was rolled out for the unemployed or underemployed who dont qualify for employment insurance. These are all measures that advocates have long urged. They werent possible until, suddenly, they were not only possible but desirable and necessary. The opioid crisis is no different. Ottawa should listen to the experts and treat addiction as the public health crisis that it is. China Threatens Sanctions on Lockheed Martin Amid Planned US Arms Sales to Taiwan Sputnik News 07:41 GMT 14.07.2020(updated 08:28 GMT 14.07.2020) On Thursday, the United States approved a $620mln recertification package to Taiwan for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 air defence missiles. The deal comes less than two months after the US approved a sale of torpedoes to the breakaway province. Beijing will put sanctions on US defence corporation Lockheed Martin over the latest US arms sale deal with Taiwan, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The contract in question - a $620 million upgrade package for Taiwan's Patriot surface-to-air missiles - was approved on Thursday. Lockheed Martin is the main contractor in the arms sale deal. Addressing the issue of the contested South China Sea, the ministry's spokesman Zhao Lijian told the press that the United States is undermining peace and stability in the region. US dealings with Taiwan and the issue of the South China Sea are just two of the points of contention in US-China relations. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan's government claims China as the heir to the pre-Communist government under the 'one China' policy. Beijing has been highly critical of Washington's arms deal with Taipei, threatening sanctions on multiple occasions. The South China Sea has also been a sticking point in US-China ties, as Beijing has been disputing the status of a number of territories in the region that it lays claim to, primarily the Paracel and Spratly Islands, as well as the Scarborough Shoal. In recent years, the US has been deploying its naval forces to the islands. Despite protests from Beijing, Washington has maintained that its ships will sail everywhere permitted by international law. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MONACO, July 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG) (Scorpio Tankers, or the Company) announced that Scorpio Services Holdings Limited (SSH), a related party, has purchased 100,000 common shares of the Company in the open market at an average price of $12.83 per share. Additionally, the President of the Company, Robert Bugbee, has purchased call options on an aggregate of 550,000 common shares (or 5,500 call option contracts) of the Company for total consideration of $2.1 million. Of these option contracts, 1,000 contracts have a strike price of $15.00 and an expiration of January 2021, and 4,500 contracts have a strike price of $18.00 and an expiration of January 2022. About Scorpio Tankers Inc. Scorpio Tankers is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. The Companys fleet consists of 135 owned, finance leased or bareboat chartered-in product tankers (42 LR2 tankers, 12 LR1 tankers, 62 MR tankers and 19 Handymax tankers) with an average age of 4.7 years. The Company also has a leasehold interest in an MR product tanker that is currently under construction. Additional information about the Company is available at the Companys website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release. Forward-Looking Statements Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forwardlooking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forwardlooking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forwardlooking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan, target, project, likely, may, would, could and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements. The forwardlooking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although management believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forwardlooking statements include unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, the length and severity of the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including its effect on demand for petroleum products and the transportation thereof, expansion and growth of the Companys operations, risks relating to the integration of assets or operations of entities that it has or may in the future acquire and the possibility that the anticipated synergies and other benefits of such acquisitions may not be realized within expected timeframes or at all, the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with the Company, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of offhires, and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the SEC for a more complete discussion of certain of these and other risks and uncertainties. Contact Information Scorpio Tankers Inc. (212) 542-1616 Ghislaine Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing her of conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls. CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman joins CBSN with the latest developments in the case. [The impressive variety in the Mitsubishi wheelhouse] ensures that many buyers will be able to find a Mitsubishi that adequately fits their unique needs. Continental Mitsubishi, a dealership working to serve the entire Chicago area from its humble home base in Countryside, is currently offering a variety of discounts and lease offers on new Mitsubishi models to residents of this region. The offers described are set to expire on July 31, 2020, so interested buyers should hurry in to take advantage of them while they can. As is usual, the discounts and lease rates do not include tax, title and license fees. The Mitsubishi wheelhouse includes vehicles of several body types and capabilities, from crossover SUVs like the 2020 Outlander, 2020 Outlander Sport and 2020 Eclipse Cross, to sedans like the 2020 Mirage G4 and hatchbacks like the 2020 Mirage. Theres even a plug-in hybrid electric crossover in the form of the 2020 Outlander PHEV. This impressive variety ensures that many buyers will be able to find a Mitsubishi that adequately fits their unique needs. Current MSRP discounts offered on new models at Continental Mitsubishi include: $5,500 off the MSRP of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL. $6,000 off the MSRP of the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander and 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. $5,000 off the MSRP of the 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. $4,000 off the MSRP of the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. Current lease offers in play at Continental Mitsubishi include the ability to: Lease the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander for $249 per month on a 48-month lease, with $2,543 due at signing. Lease the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for $229 per month on a 36-month lease, with $2,528 due at signing. Lease the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 for $149 per month on a 36-month lease, with $3,340 due at signing. Continental Mitsubishi is also currently offering customers the opportunity to receive 0% APR financing for 60 months on all 2020 models. This final offer is in lieu of manufacturer rebates. Those intrigued by the above offers can learn more on the Continental Mitsubishi website at http://www.continentalmitsubishi.com. The dealership can also be contacted by phone at 708-669-0516. It may also be visited at its physical address of 5800 S. La Grange Road, Countryside. In one of its biggest safety recalls in India so far, country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Wednesday announced it was asking customers to bring back 134,885 units of its tall boy small car Wagon R and premium hatchback Baleno to its dealerships to fix a faulty fuel pump. The cars that are covered in this round of recall are manufactured between November 15, 2018 and October 15, 2019. These cars have the 1 litre KB series petrol engine in the Wagon R and the 1.2 litre petrol engine in the Baleno. Diesel version of the Baleno or the 1 litre turbocharged petrol version are not affected. "The Company will inspect 56,663 units of WagonR and 78,222 units of Baleno for a possible issue with the Fuel Pump. Faulty part will be replaced, free of cost," the company said in a statement. "Owners of the suspected vehicles under this recall campaign will be contacted by Maruti Suzuki authorised dealers in due course of time. Customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the 'Imp Customer Info' section on the Company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for WagonR) and www.nexaexperience.com (for Baleno) and fill in their vehicles chassis number (MA3 or MBH, followed by 14 digit alpha-numeric number) to check if their vehicle needs any attention and follow the instructions. The chassis number is embossed on the vehicle ID plate and is also mentioned in the vehicle invoice / registration documents." A fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank of a car and controls the supply of petrol to the engine. Any malfunction can lead to loss of performance and efficiency in the engine. Though the chances of a fire are minimal, it cannot be ruled out. Last month, Japanese car major Honda Cars India had also recalled 65,651 units of a range of its cars manufactured in 2018 to replace a similar faulty fuel pump. Honda had said its pumps may contain defective impellers that could over time result in the engine of the car stopping or not starting. Maruti has not elaborated on the type of defect it is investigating on the pumps fitted in the cars. Once considered a bad word that symbolised poor manufacturing processes, product recalls have become routine in global automotive industry as machines have become more complex and prone to malfunctioning from even a minor oversight in the supply chain. They have also increasingly become a mark of more honest and transparent business practice as more and more companies have initiated recalls in recent times. In December last year, Maruti had recalled 63,493 units of its mid size sedan Ciaz and utility vehicles Ertiga and XL6 to inspect the motor generator units. In July last year, Ford recalled 22,690 units of its SUV Endeavour produced at its Chennai factory over 10 years between February 2004 and September 2014 and around 30,000 units of the Freestyle, Figo and Aspire. The biggest recall so far in India was carried out by General Motors in July 2015 when it conducted the exercise in 1.7 lakh units of the small car Beat. Ford has undertaken recalls the most number of times. In August 2012, it announced an inspection of over 125,000 cars in India for possible defect in the rear axle and a replacement of power steering hose that may result in fire in extreme cases. In September 2013, it had expanded the recall to cover around 1.65 lakh cars. Overall, Ford has recalled more than 300,000 cars in India in the last 15 years. India does not have a mandatory policy for recalls yet but following an initiative to voluntarily call back vehicles for inspection suspected to be defective by industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in 2012, more than 2.5 million cars have been recalled in India so far. The dreaded word has since lost its sting. Also read: Auto sales crash over 40% in June, normalcy to return only by 2023-24, says SIAM Accountability or fantasy? The quest for Mr. Trumps taxes has never been about just his taxes. As Moira Donegan wrote in The New Republic in 2017, it has also functioned for years as an outlet into which liberals could channel both their anti-Trump anxieties and their fantasies of a spontaneous resolution to his presidency. But unless his tax returns contain direct payments from Vladimir Putin, Ms. Donegan argued, they probably dont have the potential to deal him any real political damage. This almost desperate hope for the tax returns raises the question of why those who think that Trump is not qualified for office dont feel sufficiently vindicated by the evidence thats already available, documented publicly, and repeatedly made clear by the presidents own behavior, Ms. Donegan wrote. Yet even if Mr. Trump faces no electoral repercussions, he might still face legal ones. The Supreme Court has never answered the question of whether a sitting president can be indicted, but Mr. Trump could at least be prosecuted after leaving office, as David Cole, the national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, points out in The New York Review of Books. And in the meantime, he adds, a grand jury could continue to gather evidence about potential crimes and indict any co-conspirators. The post-Trump presidency In refusing to reject the subpoenas, the Supreme Court has permanently weakened the presidency, The Wall Street Journals editorial board argues. In practical terms, the board says, the ruling will function as an open invitation to politicians and prosecutors of both parties to harass future presidents under fatuous legal pretenses. Mr. Trump wont occupy the Oval Office forever, maybe not past January, the board writes. Joe and Hunter Biden had better prepare for the subpoenas of their personal and business records. But in The New Yorker, Amy Davidson Sorkin argues that to the contrary, the court saved the presidency from Mr. Trump. His demands for immunity, she says, revealed a kind of contempt for the constitutional protections against prosecutorial overreach that ordinary citizens enjoy, including the right to challenge subpoenas. The decisions represent a victory for the idea that whatever constraints exist for those protections ought also exist for the president. Trump has not entirely disfigured the presidency, nor erased the limits that the Constitution places on it, she writes. This amounts to a hope that, even in a polarized Washington, politics might still function. Yet if politics are to truly function, judicial processes involving the president must be reformed and accelerated, Noah Bookbinder writes in USA Today. The slow pace of judicial action to vindicate legitimate congressional subpoenas, which will not be helped by these decisions, serves the interests of a president like Trump who consistently seeks to expand his power and get away with ever more misconduct by testing which laws and norms are truly enforceable, he writes. In the post-Trump era, we need our courts not merely to say what the law is but also to do so quickly. The 202 year-old clothing retailer Brooks Brothers announced last week it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is seeking to permanently shutter 51 stores. Brooks Brothers has 10 stores in New Jersey, but the locations of permanent closures have not yet been announced. With huge spikes in online shopping sales over the past several months, companies have pulled out all the stops to take advantage of the surge. Lululemon, for instance, held its first major warehouse sale in three years because the coronavirus has crushed business, while Macys just concluded a Black Friday in July sale. Retailers often have big markdowns after declaring for bankruptcy, too. Although not marketed as a liquidation sale, Brooks Brothers is currently holding a summer savings sale with items up to 50% off, along with clearance items 70% off. Below is a roundup of some of the better deals Brooks Brothers is offering following its bankruptcy filing. Mens apparel and shoes The staples of Brooks Brothers, dress shirts and sport shirts, are four-for-$199, instead of $120 per shirt. Casual pants start at $17.85, while shoes are starting at $89. Some other noteworthy deals: Womens apparel and shoes You can find pants, shorts and skirts starting at $17.85, along with tops starting at under $30. Shoes including heels, flats, sandals and sneakers are as under $40. Some other noteworthy deals: Kids apparel Here are some noteworthy deals: Accessories Handbags are under $90, while jewelry is starts at $17.40. Mens ties are also deeply discounted to under $25. You can also find packs of face masks starting at $20. Some other noteworthy deals: RELATED STORIES ABOUT RETAIL: Lululemon is having its first major sale in 3 years after coronavirus crushed business New York & Company closing most stores after bankruptcy, selling everything online for 40% off Where to buy face masks online, from disposable to reusable cloth styles Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Nicolette Accardi can be reached at naccardi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter: @N_Accardi. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Several vessels caught fire on July 15 at Irans port of Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, local media reported. The official IRNA news agency published a photo showing black smoke billowing into the air at a shipyard at the southern port as firefighters battled the blaze. No casualties were reported, according to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency. Reports said at least seven vessels were damaged in the fire. The incident appeared to be the latest in a string of fires and explosions at military and civilian sites across Iran in recent weeks. Two explosions rocked the capital, Tehran, in late June, one near a military site and the other in a health center, the latter killing 19 people. A fire also broke out at Irans underground Natanz nuclear facility on July 2, officials said. Iran's top security body said on July 3 that the cause of the Natanz fire had been determined but would be announced at a later time. Some Iranian officials said it could have been a cyberattack, and one warned that Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks. In an article in early July, state news agency IRNA addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly. Israel's defense minister said on July 5 his country was not "necessarily" behind every mysterious incident in Iran. Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and RFE/RL's Radio Farda Future of AI discussed online By:Wu Jiaqi, Zheng Qian | From:englisheastday.com | 2020-07-14 13:54 During the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2020 a forum entitledGlobal Forum on Legaciesand Development of artificial intelligence was heldon July 11. The online forum hosted 4 academicians and 23 experienced experts from the AI industry, who discussed talent cultivation, industry and research trends and sustainable development. Chinese engineering academician Yunhe Pan preached aboutunveiling the unknown and declared the infinite possibilities of Artificial Intelligence. He also suggested not only to aim for scientific breakthroughs, but also to find ways of applying technology for the well-being of all. A very recent analogy would be using AI in pandemics such as for assisting diagnostics and measuring temperatures. Similar encouragement also came from academician Harry Shum. Moreover, the academicians identified that the focus for future research would most likely be on cognition and language communication, since AIs applications in visual and vocal spheres are already well-researched. Sustainable development and the means of achieving it was also a question which led to a heated discussion. The forum identified Shanghai as being the center of sustainable AI development in the 2030s. The core concept of sustainable development should derive from the 5 UN developmental concepts:people,planet,prosperity,peace, and partnership. At the end of the discussion, experts reached a consensus on the positive potentials of Artificial Intelligence. Both older and younger participants held high hopes of what AI can becomea technology which enables a more balanced, fair, transparent, and environment-friendly society. Moreover, experts have also acknowledged the ability for AI to be used in services such as media, education, and medicine, bringing a bright prospect for the near future. Racaniello: If I had a restaurant, I would first test all employees every three days, then I would advertise that our employees are guaranteed negative. Three days is enough to know youre not yet shedding. If you get infected the day of, or day after your test, you will most likely not transmit an infection before the next test. Mumbai, July 15 : Actor Karan Tacker has temporarily shifted to Lonavala to stay with his parents, owing to the continuing rise in Covid-19 cases in the city. "We are staying at Amby Valley. The reason behind moving out of the city was that there have been a lot of cases being reported in Mumbai. My building had a few cases and my parents are getting older. I am constantly worried about their health," said Karan. "Fortunately, none of us have contracted anything yet, but keeping all of this in mind we thought it's a good idea if we could step away from the city, just to be safe," he added. However, he feels there is a lack of medical facilities where he is currently staying. "The pitfall of moving out from the city is the lack of medical facilities. But I am with my parents and, fortunately, Lonavala and Amby Valley do have medical facilities. Maybe, not as good as Bombay but we are all healthy individuals and, in the worst-case scenario, god forbid, we can all just travel back to Mumbai to a hospital," Karan added. He also spoke about his plans to return to Mumbai. "I hope to be back ASAP because I do miss Mumbai, home and work. All of us do. As soon as the pandemic comes to some sort of (a stage of) settling down that would be the best scenario to return to Mumbai. As far as shoots are concerned, if I do end up going on shoots, I will probably quarantine myself after a shoot because I don't intend to put my parents at risk. If my parents are here I can quarantine myself in my Mumbai house," Karan shared. On the work front, Karan was last seen in the web-show " Special Ops". -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Forty-five years ago, Australias most popular Labor prime minister, a man whose face and words still adorn fashionable tote bags, was sacked by Queen Elizabeth IIs representative. As if this wasnt strange enough, until Tuesday, Australians didnt know whoif anyoneauthorized it. Gough Whitlam was removed from office on an unforgettable Remembrance Day, Nov. 11 1975, after two consecutive election wins but only three years in office, by Governor-General Sir John Kerr and replaced by conservative opposition leader Malcolm Fraser (not to be confused with more recent conservative usurper Malcolm Turnbull). The move was ostensibly to break a deadlock in Parliament, as the opposition-controlled Senate was refusing to pass appropriation bills until another general election was calledan over-the-top demand that left the prime minister with the choice of election or resignation. Whitlam refused and was visiting the governor-general to call for a half-Senate election when he was served his termination notice. While Australia has been politically independent from the United Kingdom since 1942, the queen is still the head of state and appoints an Australian governor-general, on the advice of the prime minister, to act on her behalf. The governor-general has certain reserve powers not included in the constitutionincluding dismissing a prime minister or appointing one if an election result is unclearwhich come via the authority of the monarch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the governor-generals role is mostly ceremonial and is not supposed to involve taking sides in political disputes. Whitlams removal came as a massive shock to Whitlam and to the Australian publicparticularly the left. Despite a short and tumultuous time in office, the reformist Whitlam was responsible for many of the Australian lefts greatest accomplishmentsuniversal health care, free university (since undone), recognizing Indigenous land rights, funding the arts, commencing moves to change the national anthem from God Save the Queen, and asserting a more independent national identity. Whitlam was also a charismatic orator, and that afternoon uttered one of the most famous phrases in Australian history, telling a crowd of outraged protesters from the steps of Parliament House: Well may we say God save the queen, because nothing will save the governor-general! Advertisement Advertisement For many, Kerr has gone down as a crafty and calculating villain, an unelected official who violated his supposed political neutrality. But what of the queen of England, Australias actual head of state, whom the governor-general stands in for? Was this an example of neo-imperialism, of a monarch reining in her unruly subjects on the other side of the world? Australians have long been fascinated by the queens role in the crisis, and after four and a half decades, we finally know. Sort of. Advertisement The so-called palace letters211 archived letters exchanged between Kerr and the monarch, through her private secretary Sir Martin Charteriswere released on Tuesday, after 45 years of intrigue and several years of court battles led by Whitlams biographer Jenny Hocking. (Whitlam died in 2014, Charteris in 1999, Kerr in 1991; the queen, of course, outlives them all.) The letters, written between 1974 and 1977, and with increased frequency around the time of Whitlams dismissal, had been held by the National Archives of Australia but were considered personal records and placed under the embargo of the queen, until an Australian High Court decision in May declared them property of the Commonwealth, over the objections of the archives, Buckingham Palace, and the Australian government, to the excitement of historians, anti-monarchists, and political junkies across the nation. On Tuesday, the National Archives website crashed from the number of people trying to access the letters at once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letters show that the queen was not explicitly told of Whitlams impending dismissal, nor did she order it, but that the palace consulted at length in Kerrs monthslong deliberations, offering legal advice and encouragement as he weighed his options and powers (while the palaces missives are penned by Charteris, they confirm the queen did read Kerrs). The government and the opposition seemed unable to reach a compromise, with the opposition claiming Kerr should sack Whitlam if he could not state how he would break the deadlock. Advertisement Advertisement The last resort option to dismiss Whitmans government was discussed in the letters, and Charteris confirmed to Kerr that he had the authority to use it. But Kerr chose not to forewarn the queen of what was to become known as the Dismissal for her propriety, writing on the day I was of the opinion that it was better for Her Majesty not to know in advanceadmirable consideration for which Charteris later thanked him. The letters also reveal Kerrs fears that he would be replaced by the prime minister if Whitlam got wind of his intentions, implicating the queen (and Prince Charles) in messy political gamesmanship she ought not have been part of. Advertisement Advertisement If such an approach was made you may be sure that The Queen would take most unkindly to it, Charteris assured Kerr. But the ultimate decision, it was stressed, remained with Kerr, with Charteris telling him the unenviable choice was his to make. The palace, he said, was confident Kerr would not do the monarchy any harm in the course of action he chose. (Other juicy details from the letters: 25-year-old Prince Charles having to be dissuaded from buying an Australian cattle station to avoid a PR disaster during a British recession; general bitching about coverage from prominent Australian pro-Labor journalists in the months following the dismissal; and concerns about the support Kerr was receiving from a racist, anti-Semitic but pro-monarchy right-wing group, which has taken up my cause.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of the letters ought to put to rest several conspiracies regarding the queens role in the saga, namely that she personally ordered Whitlams removal. Theres a separate set of conspiracy theories around whether the U.S. was also involved in the removal of a PM who withdrew Australian troops from Vietnam. These are likely to remain. (As comedian Tom Ballard tweeted, Now release the letters from the CIA). At the same time, the letters release has raised further questions over the role of the queen in Australia more generally. The reasons Australia has remained under the British Commonwealth depend upon whom you ask, but its clear that it in some part rests on apathyif being a constitutional monarchy aint broke, dont fix it. But revelations like this can fire up the apathetic in the electorate. After all, why should the palace have been consulted about our constitutional crisis at all? Why should the monarchs unelected representative have had the unilateral power to do this? And why werent Australians allowed to see these personal lettersletters pertaining to the removal of an elected prime ministeruntil now? The palace was quick to respond to the letters release, saying they showed that it had nothing to do with the dismissal, but why should that even be in question? Australians in recent years have seemed relatively cool with sudden, election-free leadership changes, but its a whole different story when an unelected head-of-state enacts one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hocking, the academic who fought for their release, has called the letters every bit the bombshell they promised to be. She says they show that the queen contravened a defining feature of a constitutional monarchy, which is that the monarch remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters. She did this by engaging with Kerr on inherently political matters, even advising him on the powers of the Senate and, critically, the existence and potential use of the contentious and contested reserve powers to dismiss the government. The damage this has done to the Queen, to Kerr, and the monarchy is incalculable, she writes. Advertisement Advertisement Labor figures and Republicans (those who want to see Australia leave the monarchy) have also jumped on the letters, calling for a fresh look at a republic, something Australia last voted down in 1999. Turnbull, the now-former prime minister and a former head of the Republican movement, said that Kerr reported to the queen like a local manager reporting to head office and seeking advice as to his options, while current Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the affair was a blight on our character as a nation that reinforces the need for us to have an Australian head of state. Advertisement Advertisement The release of the letters might finally be enough to rouse a few more Australians to the view that the head of state should not just be Australian but accountable to Australians. There was no secret conspiracy between the queen and the governor-general contained in the letters; rather, there was a simple reminder of the very open secret that the Australian head of state is a hereditary monarch living on the other side of the world, with an unelected representative here who apparently doesnt require her approval anyway. Well may the British say God save the queenthe letters tell us its time Australia moved on. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 10:10:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Chen Chen BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- London on Tuesday announced a sweeping ban on Huawei's involvement in Britain's 5G rollout, marking a U-turn in the country's policy towards the Chinese telecoms company under pressure from Washington and domestic conservative groups. As Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oliver Dowden made the announcement, he said, "it is the right one (decision) for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, both now and indeed in the long run." As a matter of fact, this is both a wrong and bad decision for his country. For starters, the security concerns the British government has evoked to ban Huawei simply do not stand. Huawei, like Nokia or Ericsson, is a private enterprise that is owned by its thousands of employees. Thus those who accuse the company of working for the Chinese government are simply lying. So far, no one -- not even U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien who try to bite Huawei whenever possible -- has been able to present any credible evidence to prove any security threat theories. In fact, Huawei's 91 commercial 5G contracts signed with partners worldwide, over half of which were signed in Europe, can also speak for the company's quality in security management. "We are probably the most open and transparent organization in the world. We are probably the most poked and prodded organization too," John Suffolk, Huawei's global cybersecurity and privacy officer, once said in an interview with the BBC. Moreover, shutting out Huawei does not comply with Britain's long-term interests. In fact, it will bring additional costs, colossal work, and an unpleasant customer experience for the country's drive to build its own 5G infrastructure. In a statement published shortly after the ban was issued, Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK, said the decision "threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane." Over the decades, Huawei has played an integral part in building Britain's 3G and 4G networks, with a proven track record. The Chinese company is also a leader in the field of next-generation telecommunications, with the most 5G patents globally as of 2019 and the largest share of 5G standard contributions, according to a study by market intelligence company IPlytics. Vodafone and BT, both leading telecoms operators in Britain, use Huawei equipment extensively in their networks. According to a CNBC report, BT's network currently consists of equipment from two-thirds Huawei and one-third Nokia, while Vodafone's contains one-third Huawei and two-thirds Ericsson. BT, meanwhile, warned of blackouts for customers throughout the country if it is forced to swap Huawei kit out for another vendor's, while Vodafone said it would have to spend "single-figure billions" to carry out such an operation. "I am concerned that an ultra aggressive imposition of a change in policy could hamper our economic recovery in the UK," Andrea Dona, Vodafone UK's head of networks, told British lawmakers last week. Also, shutting out Huawei will result in less market competition, and more spending. Nokia and Ericsson, the only two other scale suppliers of 5G Radio Access Network equipment that can currently be used in Britain, offer service at a presumably higher price than Huawei's. More importantly, the ban will overshadow Britain's cooperation with China, which has been gaining momentum in recent years, and is of particular significance for the European country to jumpstart a strong economic rebound in the post-Brexit and post-pandemic era. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier this year that he is still committed to the "golden era" of the relations between China and Britain. Thus the British government should do its fare share in preventing external forces from making bad blood in its partnership with China. London's reversal on Huawei will also cost Britain its credibility. As a global financial and trade center, as well as a favorable destination for overseas investments, it is in the country's best interests to maintain a fair, open and indiscriminate market. Yet, stripping out Huawei over groundless charges will cause a chilling effect, and discourage potential investors worldwide from doing business in Britain. Ultimately, policymakers at 10 Downing Street need to sober up to the fact that their current decision is merely helping Washington put "America First" at Britain's own expense. Thus if they truly want to make the right choice for Britain, they should demonstrate the necessary political courage and vision, and go beyond ideology to reconsider the ill-founded Huawei ban. Enditem Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Police have revealed some of the unusual excuses Victorians have used as they're caught breaking lockdown orders. Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire were thrust back into lockdown in an attempt to stem the spread of the deadly second outbreak of coronavirus. Authorities said they'd caught people playing Pokemon on the streets, visiting sex workers and eating KFC late at night in a restaurant. A man who visited a KFC store in Dandenong, Melbourne on July 13 was fined after he refused to leave the restaurant when staff informed him it was closed. Staff told the man it was closed due to restrictions imposed by the Chief Health Officer as Victoria grapples with a deadly second outbreak of coronavirus. Police were called to the scene, where they again informed him of the restrictions. In a statement released on Wednesday, police revealed the man was aware he was in direct violation of the orders, and issued him an infringement notice. A man who visited a KFC store in Dandenong, Melbourne was fined after he refused to leave the restaurant when staff informed him it was closed. The man told police he was aware he was breaching COVID-19 lockdown restrictions During his daily press conference on Wednesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said police would not be issuing warnings for breaching lockdown orders. 'The time for cutting slack, the time for warnings is over,' he said. He reminded people that police are out in full force to ensure people are following lockdown measures. In another example of Victorians breaking the rules, police were forced to break up a gathering of 10 people who were drinking on the street. Police arrived at the Bentleigh street about 6pm on July 14 after receiving complaints of a get together on the street. Ten people were standing together in the driveway of a home, with stools set up around a gas heater. Two men were confronted in a parked car in Seville, and told police they were playing Pokemon. They proceeded to show the officers evidence of the game on their phones The group told police they thought they were following orders as long as they kept 1.5m apart. One of the men who was present had visited from Brighton. The group were all issued fines for breaching the restrictions. Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent urged people to take lockdown orders more seriously. 'We're finding people in cupboards, we are finding people in garages - please stop,' he said. Two men were confronted in a parked car in Seville, and told police they were playing Pokemon. They proceeded to show the officers evidence of the game on their phones. When police told them they were in direct violation of the health directives and would receive infringement notices, both men attempted to change their story. Tests are carried out at a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic at Victoria Park in Picton Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addressed the media on Wednesday morning during his press conference. He confirmed a further 238 cases of coronavirus had been identified overnight Police could not validate their claims, and they were fined for breaching lockdown restrictions. People were also reminded that massage parlours and sex work is banned during the lockdown. 'Since the restrictions have commenced we've issued over 40 infringement notices to individuals visiting [massage parlours],' Mr Nugent said. Two businesses in the same field have also received fines in excess of $10,000 for trading during the lockdown. A total of 63 fines were issued in the 24 hours to Wednesday for breaching the health restrictions. Since Stage 3 restrictions came into effect across metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire on 11.59pm Wednesday July 8, police have issued a total of 546 fines. Anyone who breaches the health directive faces on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. 'We know the vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing and we thank them for that. Following the rules is what keeps our families safe,' Mr Andrews said. 'For those who want to break the rules Victoria Police is out there and you will get caught.' Cars queued for hours to enter Queensland when the borders finally reopened after months of being shut The latest statistics come as Mr Andrews confirmed a further 238 cases of COVID-19 in his state overnight. In addition to the new diagnoses, a 90-year-old woman died - meaning three Victorians have lost their lives in as many days. The state's case total hit 4,448 with 1,931 cases still active. A total of 209 are still under investigation. Mr Andrews said not enough people were obeying Melbourne's lockdown rules and threatened further restrictions. 'We will have to move to additional restrictions being put in place and we will have to prolong the period that the restrictions were put in place,' he said. Meanwhile, New South Wales has recorded 13 new cases, with 10 linked to a cluster which developed at the Crossroads hotel in south-west Sydney. There are now 34 cases linked to the cluster. Anyone who attended the hotel in Casula between July 3 and 10 must get tested for coronavirus and self-isolate for 14 days even if the result is negative. Several hundred people protest after the presidents two main rivals are barred from running in a presidential election. Belarus has opened a criminal case over protests in which more than 250 people were arrested after President Alexander Lukashenkos two main rivals were barred from running in a presidential election next month. Wednesdays move came after several hundred people took to the streets of the capital Minsk on Tuesday and social media reported protests in other Belarusian cities after the central election commission refused to register the two challengers. All video materials posted on the internet are attached to the materials of the criminal case and are currently being studied by investigators, the state investigative committee said in a statement. Lukashenko, who has allowed little dissent in his 26-year rule, is all but certain to win the August 9 election though he has faced mass protests this year. The European Union delegation to Belarus said the election commissions decision undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections. 200714094412778 In defiant comments on Wednesday, Lukashenko said he would not accept preaching on democratic values from Western countries. They start hinting to us: make sure its all democratic, that there are no street clashes, he said during a meeting with supporters in a provincial city. Dont point the finger at us over how we live, he said. We will defend our country with all legal methods. No Maidans or revolutions will save us, he said, referring to a popular uprising in Ukraine in 2014. Main rivals excluded Viktor Babaryko, a banker who was arrested last month, was excluded from the ballot because of a criminal case against him, the commission said. Valery Tsepkalo, a former ambassador who runs an office park for tech companies, was also rejected, after signatures on a supporting petition were nullified. The two men had been seen by some people as the last candidates with any chance of defeating Lukashenko, who faces growing public frustration over the economy, human rights and his playing down of the COVID-19 pandemic in the former Soviet republic. Jordana Brewster had more than a few tongues wagging when she was recently spotted enjoying some very steamy PDA with her new boyfriend - less than a week after filing for divorce from her husband of 13-years. And the Fast And The Furious beauty looked like she was happy with her new romance. Jordana, 40, beamed when she stepped out to walk her dog Endicott around Santa Monica on Wednesday. Beaming beauty: Jordana Brewster couldn't hide her smile while out with her dog in Santa Monica just days after revealing her new relationship with some serious PDA The Panama-born actress embraced a classic summer silhouette, rocking fitted, black overalls on top of a simple tank top. She accessorized with a handsome forest green satchel and a pair of cute houndstooth flats while continuing the laid back look with a makeup free face and smooth, shiny locks. Though she was just taking care of errands during the outing, Jordana couldn't hide her smile - even pulling down her face mask to show off her grin. It seemed her new relationship was heating up fast. Timeless: The Panama-born actress embraced a classic summer silhouette, rocking fitted, black overalls on top of a simple tank top Puppy love: Her dog Endicott was ready for the day of errands On Monday Jordana was spotted locking lips with investment CEO Mason Morfit during a romantic stroll around Malibu. Her new romance comes on the heels of her divorce, which made news on July 7th. On July 1 this year, Jordana applied to legally end her 13-year marriage to Andrew - the father of her sons Julian, six, and four-year-old Rowan - after it was reported they had 'quietly separated' earlier this year. According to TMZ, relations between the former couple are 'amicable', but it is unclear what caused their split. Smitten: Jordana (above in January) made her relationship with investment CEO Mason Morfit public during a romantic beach date on Monday Jordana met the first 48-year-old film producer on the set of their 2006 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning but they initially kept their relationship under wraps as they felt it would have been 'unprofessional' The star previously said: 'We started dating in secret - you know, hanging out in my trailer - because it would have been unprofessional otherwise.' Jordana's new flame is in the finance industry. Mason is currently the President and Chief Investment Officer of ValueAct Capital, and was on the the Microsoft Board of Directors until November 2017. India will likely register a current account surplus again in the three months that ended in June but it would be for all the "wrong reasons," an economist told CNBC. The current account captures the difference between a country's import and export of goods and services, that includes net income and net transfers, such as foreign aid, over a certain time period. When a country runs a current account surplus, it usually implies that it's selling more to the world than it buys from outside its borders, suggesting that the country is a net lender. India has been posting a current account deficit for more than a decade. But data from India's central bank showed that in the January-March quarter, the current account balance recorded a marginal surplus of $0.6 billion, or about 0.1% of its gross domestic product, compared to a deficit of $4.6 billion for the same period a year earlier. "The April-June quarter is also likely to show a current account surplus for all the wrong reasons, as the lockdown of the Indian economy resulted in a steep drop in imports," Rajiv Biswas, Asia Pacific chief economist at IHS Markit, told CNBC. He was referring to India's national lockdown that began late March to blunt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, and was gradually lifted by the end of May. "This will also be helped by a large fall in India's oil import bill, as the lockdown cut Indian oil consumption while the collapse in world oil demand also pulled down world oil prices," he said. Economists said the surplus in the January-March quarter was generated by low commodity prices and weak domestic demand. A slump in global activity also hurt India's export growth while deeper contraction at home depressed core imports, excluding oil and gold, and translated into easing current account pressures. Jason Isaacs has worked with Theater of War artistic director Bryan Doerries for the event (Ian West/PA) Jason Isaacs is to help bring to life scenes from two Greek tragedies in an online production staged on behalf of a veterans charity in Scotland. The actor, known for his work in the Harry Potter and Star Trek franchises, will remotely perform scenes from Ajax and Philoctetes with Lesley Sharp and David Elliot on Thursday night. It will help support the work of Bravehound, a charity based in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, which provides specialist support dogs to former members of the armed forces suffering from PTSD and other mental health problems. Bravehound has partnered with Theatre of War Productions for the performances of Sophocless work, aiming to highlight the visible and invisible wounds of war with panellists and an audience discussion afterwards. Bravehound is a terrific little charity... it's not an exaggeration or hype to say that the dogs have saved their lives Jason Isaacs Speaking to the PA news agency, Isaacs said: Before Bravehound existed, Fiona (MacDonald) who runs it was doing various other charity things for soldiers. Shes been involved a lot and been doing a lot of stuff around (war poets) Wilfred Owen and Sassoon and making sure that they were commemorated, shes been involved in the armed forces and various different aspects of PTSD charities for a long time. Theatre of War was something I knew from my friends who had done it in America and when there was a chance to introduce Fiona to Brian (Doerries, Theatre of Wars artistic director) and let it happen in Britain they seem like the perfect match, so Ive been involved from way back when Bravehound was just a puppy. Whenever the opportunity comes up to be of service or be of use, its a rare thing for an actor to do something that isnt self-serving, and this is using what little skills I have to put something good in the role and to kind of open up channels and doors to help heal other people. Bravehound is a terrific little charity its not an exaggeration or hype to say that the dogs have saved their lives. Expand Close A previous Edinburgh Castle production with Lesley Sharp, Jason Isaacs and artistic director Bryan Doerries (Bravehound/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A previous Edinburgh Castle production with Lesley Sharp, Jason Isaacs and artistic director Bryan Doerries (Bravehound/PA) Video of the Day Isaacs added it would not be acting as you know it and just allowing this pain from 2,000 years ago to scream out of the computer screen so that people hear echoes of their own lives in it. During lockdown, Isaacs has been at home with his wife and two children, and he acknowledged his comfortable circumstances which he is very grateful for. The actors will not have much interaction with each reading from different locations but they will be led by Theatre of Wars artistic director Bryan Doerries. He will also facilitate the audience discussion after the scenes are read to help some open up and talk about their experiences. Do please register for Theatre of War - completely free of charge - and find out more at : https://t.co/WJ7okKyuag https://t.co/AiQlS5iaGy BRAVEHOUND (@bravehounds) July 13, 2020 Isaacs said: When Bryan first came over and we did it for the Parachute Regiment and a couple of other places in Britain, I tried to warn him that however well it went down in America, he didnt really know British people and Scottish people and it wasnt going to be happy clappy and sharing, and he went I think it would be all right. I couldnt have been more off base. Hes so skilled, encouraging people to feel safe and to feel that this is the right place. The people who speak and share their pain or history or stories, its beneficial to them but its also enormously beneficial to the other people witnessing it. Bravehound founder Fiona MacDonald said: Having co-presented Theatre of War performances over five years, we have seen first-hand the power of the production to stimulate conversations which are very difficult for veterans, and those closest to them, to have. It makes them realise they are not alone. We are grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Trust, to the actors as well as our distinguished panel for making this unusual and powerful experience possible. The event is free with tickets available by registering online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theater-of-war-uk-bravehound-tickets-111553124398. By John W. Whitehead If we confuse dissent with disloyaltyif we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodoxif we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought. - Edward R. Murrow July 14, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - For those old enough to have lived through the McCarthy era, there is a whiff of something in the air that reeks of the heightened paranoia, finger-pointing, fear-mongering, totalitarian tactics that were hallmarks of the 1950s. Back then, it was the governmentspearheaded by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committeeworking in tandem with private corporations and individuals to blacklist Americans suspected of being communist sympathizers. By the time the witch hunts carried out by federal and state investigative agencies drew to a close, thousands of individuals (the vast majority of them innocent any crime whatsoever) had been accused of communist ties, investigated, subpoenaed and blacklisted. Regarded as bad risks, the accused were blacklisted, and struggled to secure employment. The witch hunt ruined careers, resulting in suicides, and tightened immigration to exclude alleged subversives. Seventy years later, the vitriol, fear-mongering and knee-jerk intolerance associated with McCarthys tactics are once again being deployed in a free-for-all attack by those on both the political Left and Right against anyone who, in daring to think for themselves, subscribes to ideas or beliefs that run counter to the governments or mainstream thought. It doesnt even seem to matter what the issue is anymore (racism, Confederate monuments, Donald Trump, COVID-19, etc.): modern-day activists are busily tearing down monuments, demonizing historic figures, boycotting corporations for perceived political transgressions, and using their bully pulpit to terrorize the rest of the country into kowtowing to their demands. All the while, the American police state continues to march inexorably forward. This is how fascism, which silences all dissenting views, prevails. The silence is becoming deafening. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter After years of fighting in and out of the courts to keep their 87-year-old name, the NFLs Washington Redskins have bowed to public pressure and will change their name and team logo to avoid causing offense. The new name, not yet announced, aims to honor both the military and Native Americans. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a delegate to the House of Representatives who supports the name change, believes the teams move reflects the present climate of intolerance to names, statues, figments of our past that are racist in nature or otherwise imply racism [and] are no longer tolerated. Present climate of intolerance, indeed. Yet it wasnt a heightened racial conscience that caused the Redskins to change their brand. It was the money. The team caved after its corporate sponsors including FedEx, PepsiCo, Nike and Bank of America threatened to pull their funding. So much for that U.S. Supreme Court victory preventing the government from censoring trademarked names it considers distasteful or scandalous. Who needs a government censor when the American people are already doing such a great job at censoring themselves and each other, right? Now theres a push underway to boycott Goya Foods after its CEO, Robert Unanue, praised President Trump during a press conference to announce Goyas donation of a million cans of Goya chickpeas and a million other food products to American food banks as part of the presidents Hispanic Prosperity Initiative. Mind you, Unanuewhose grandfather emigrated to the U.S. from Spainalso praised the Obamas when they were in office, but that kind of equanimity doesnt carry much weight in this climate of intolerance. Not to be outdone, the censors are also taking aim at To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lees Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about Atticus Finch, a white lawyer in the Jim Crow South who defends a black man falsely accused of rape. Sixty years after its debut, the book remains a powerful testament to moral courage in the face of racial bigotry and systemic injustice, told from the point of view of a child growing up in the South, but thats not enough for the censors. They want to axe the bookalong with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finnfrom school reading curriculums because of the presence of racial slurs that could make students feel humiliated or marginalized. Never mind that the N-word makes a regular appearance in hip-hop songs. The prevailing attitude seems to be that its okay to use the N-word as long as the person saying the word is not white. Rapper Kendrick Lamar would like white America to let black people exclusively have the word. Talk about a double standard. This is also the overlooked part of how oppression becomes systemic: it comes about as a result of a combined effort between the populace, the corporations and the government. McCarthyism worked the same way. What started with Joseph McCarthys headline-grabbing scare tactics in the 1950s about Communist infiltrators of American society snowballed into a devastating witch hunt once corporations and the American people caught the fever. McCarthyism was a contagion, like the plague, spreading like wildfire among people too fearful or weak or gullible or paranoid or greedy or ambitious to denounce it for what it was: an opportunistic scare tactic engineered to make the government more powerful. McCarthy, a young Republican senator, grasped the opportunity to make a name for himself by capitalizing on the Cold War paranoia of the time. In a speech in February 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of over 200 members of the Communist Party working and shaping the policy of the U.S. State Department. The speech was picked up by the Associated Press, without substantiating the facts, and within a few days the hysteria began. McCarthy specialized in sensational and unsubstantiated accusations about Communist infiltration of the American government, particularly the State Department. He also targeted well-known Hollywood actors and directors, trade unionists and teachers. Many others were brought before the inquisitional House Committee on Un-American Activities for questioning. McCarthyism eventually smeared all the accused with the same broad brush, whether the evidence was good, bad or nonexistent. The parallels to the present movement cannot be understated. Even now, with modern-day McCarthyism sweeping the nation and Americas own history being blacklisted, I have to wonder what this sudden outrage and crisis of conscience is really all about. Certainly, anyone who believes that the injustices, cruelties and vicious callousness of the U.S. government are unique to the Trump Administration has not been paying attention. No matter what the team colors might be at any given moment, the playbook remains the same. The leopard has not changed its spots. Scrape off the surface layers and you will find that the American police state that is continuing to wreak havoc on the rights of the people under the Trump Administration is the same police state that wreaked havoc on the rights of the people under every previous administration. So please spare me the media hysterics and the outrage and the hypocritical double standards of those whose moral conscience appears to be largely dictated by their political loyalties. While we squabble over which side is winning this losing battle, a tsunami approaches. While the populace wages war over past injustices, injustice in the here and now continues to trample innocent lives underfoot. Certainly, little of significance is being done to stem the tide of institutional racism that has resulted in disproportionate numbers of black Americans who continue to be stopped, frisked, shot at, arrested and jailed. Ive had enough of the short- and long-term amnesia that allows political sycophants to conveniently forget the duplicity, complicity and mendacity of their own party while casting blame on everyone else. When you drill right down to the core of things, the policies of a Trump Administration have been no different from an Obama Administration or a Bush Administration, at least not where it really counts. In other words, Democrats by any other name have been Republicans, and vice versa. War has continued. Surveillance has continued. Drone killings have continued. Police shootings have continued. Highway robbery meted out by government officials has continued. Corrupt government has continued. Profit-driven prisons have continued. Censorship and persecution of anyone who criticizes the government have continued. The militarization of the police has continued. The devastating SWAT team raids have continued. The governments efforts to label dissidents as extremists and terrorists has continued. The more things change, the more they have stayed the same. Weve been stuck in this political Groundhogs Day for so long that minor deviations appear to be major developments while obscuring the fact that were stuck on repeat, unable to see the forest for the trees. This is what is referred to as creeping normality, or a death by a thousand cuts. Its a concept invoked by Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist Jared Diamond to describe how major changes, if implemented slowly in small stages over time, can be accepted as normal without the shock and resistance that might greet a sudden upheaval. Diamonds concerns related to Easter Islands now-vanished civilization and the societal decline and environmental degradation that contributed to it, but its a powerful analogy for the steady erosion of our freedoms and decline of our country right under our noses. As Diamond explains, In just a few centuries, the people of Easter Island wiped out their forest, drove their plants and animals to extinction, and saw their complex society spiral into chaos and cannibalism Why didnt they look around, realize what they were doing, and stop before it was too late? What were they thinking when they cut down the last palm tree? His answer: I suspect that the disaster happened not with a bang but with a whimper. Much like Americas own colonists, Easter Islands early colonists discovered a new worlda pristine paradiseteeming with life. Yet almost 2000 years after its first settlers arrived, Easter Island was reduced to a barren graveyard by a populace so focused on their immediate needs that they failed to preserve paradise for future generations. The same could be said of the America today: it, too, is being reduced to a barren graveyard by a populace so focused on their immediate needs that they are failing to preserve freedom for future generations. In Easter Islands case, as Diamond speculates: The forestvanished slowly, over decades. Perhaps war interrupted the moving teams; perhaps by the time the carvers had finished their work, the last rope snapped. In the meantime, any islander who tried to warn about the dangers of progressive deforestation would have been overridden by vested interests of carvers, bureaucrats, and chiefs, whose jobs depended on continued deforestation The changes in forest cover from year to year would have been hard to detect Only older people, recollecting their childhoods decades earlier, could have recognized a difference. Gradually trees became fewer, smaller, and less important. By the time the last fruit-bearing adult palm tree was cut, palms had long since ceased to be of economic significance. That left only smaller and smaller palm saplings to clear each year, along with other bushes and treelets. No one would have noticed the felling of the last small palm. Sound painfully familiar yet? Weve already torn down the rich forest of liberties established by our founders. It has vanished slowly, over the decades. Those who warned against the dangers posed by too many laws, invasive surveillance, militarized police, SWAT team raids and the like have been silenced and ignored. They stopped teaching about freedom in the schools. Few Americans know their history. And even fewer seem to care that their fellow Americans are being jailed, muzzled, shot, tasered, and treated as if they have no rights at all. The erosion of our freedoms happened so incrementally, no one seemed to notice. Only the older generations, remembering what true freedom was like, recognized the difference. Gradually, the freedoms enjoyed by the citizenry became fewer, smaller and less important. By the time the last freedom falls, no one will know the difference. This is how tyranny rises and freedom falls: with a thousand cuts, each one justified or ignored or shrugged over as inconsequential enough by itself to bother, but they add up. Each cut, each attempt to undermine our freedoms, each loss of some critical rightto think freely, to assemble, to speak without fear of being shamed or censored, to raise our children as we see fit, to worship or not worship as our conscience dictates, to eat what we want and love who we want, to live as we wantthey add up to an immeasurable failure on the part of each and every one of us to stop the descent down that slippery slope. We are on that downward slope now. The contagion of fear that McCarthy helped spread with the help of government agencies, corporations and the power elite is still poisoning the well, whitewashing our history, turning citizen against citizen, and stripping us of our rights. What we desperately need is the kind of resolve embodied by Edward R. Murrow, the most-respected newsman of his day. On March 9, 1954, Murrow dared to speak truth to power about the damage McCarthy was inflicting on the American people. His message remains a timely warning for our age. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthys methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didnt create this situation of fear; he merely exploited itand rather successfully. Cassius was right. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves. America is approaching another reckoning right now, one that will pit our commitment to freedom principles against a level of fear-mongering that is being used to wreak havoc on everything in its path. The outcome rests, as always, with we the people. As Murrow said to his staff before the historic March 9 broadcast: No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices. Take heed, America. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, this may be your last warning. Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute . His new book Battlefield America: The War on the American People is available at www.amazon.com . Whitehead can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org. Post your comment below See also The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Rating Action: Moody's downgrades 9 Notes and affirms 14 Notes in 3 South African RMBS deals Global Credit Research - 15 Jul 2020 London, 15 July 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today downgraded the global scale ratings (GSRs) of 9 notes in Amber House Fund 2 (RF) Limited - 2018 Refinancing, Amber House Fund 3 (RF) Limited - 2019 Refinancing and The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited, and affirmed the GSR of 14 notes, including one short-term GSR. In addition, Moody's has affirmed the national scale rating (NSRs) of 17 notes, including one short-term NSR, and downgraded the NSRs of 6 notes. The rating action reflects worse than expected collateral performance. Moody's affirmed the GSR of the 14 notes that had sufficient credit enhancement to maintain the current rating on the affected Notes. The three transactions are residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) backed by home loans originated by SA Home Loans (Pty) Ltd ("SAHL"; not rated). The assets supporting the notes consist of South African prime residential home loans extended to individuals and are backed by first economic lien mortgages on residential properties located in South Africa. LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS: Issuer: Amber House Fund 2 (RF) Limited - 2018 Refinancing ....ZAR 1,228,500,000 Class A Notes due 2048, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed A3 (sf)/Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 59,400,000 Class B Notes due 2048, Affirmed Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 62,100,000 Class C Notes due 2048, Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba3 (sf)/ A2.za (sf) Issuer: Amber House Fund 3 (RF) Limited - 2019 Refinancing ....ZAR 364,000,000 Class A5 Notes due 2042, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 364,000,000 Class A6 Notes due 2042, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) Story continues ....ZAR 18,000,000 Class B4 Notes due 2042, Affirmed Ba1 (sf)/Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ; previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 18,000,000 Class B5 Notes due 2042, Affirmed Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 18,000,000 Class C4 Notes due 2042, Downgraded to B2 (sf)/ Baa3.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf) ....ZAR 18,000,000 Class C5 Notes due 2042, Downgraded to B2 (sf)/ Baa3.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf) Issuer: The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited ....ZAR 413,000,000 Class A1 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 519,000,000 Class A2 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 307,000,000 Class A3 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 288,000,000 Class A4 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 800,000,000 Class A5 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 88,000,000 Class A7 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 500,000,000 Class A8 Notes due 2052, Affirmed A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to A3 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 49,000,000 Class B Notes due 2052, Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed Baa3 (sf)/ Upgraded to Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 38,000,000 Class B2 Notes due 2052, Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed Baa3 (sf)/ Upgraded to Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 44,000,000 Class B3 Notes due 2052, Downgraded to Ba1 (sf)/ Affirmed Aaa.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed Baa3 (sf)/ Upgraded to Aaa.za (sf) ....ZAR 44,000,000 Class C Notes due 2052, Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba3 (sf)/ Affirmed A2.za (sf) ....ZAR 25,000,000 Class C2 Notes due 2052, Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba3 (sf)/ Affirmed A2.za (sf) ....ZAR 24,000,000 Class C3 Notes due 2052, Downgraded to B1 (sf)/ Baa1.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Downgraded to Ba3 (sf)/ Affirmed A2.za (sf) ....ZAR 320,000,000 Class Omega 4 Notes due 2020, Affirmed P-2 (sf)/Affirmed P-1.za (sf); previously on Apr 3, 2020 Affirmed P-2 (sf)/ Affirmed P-1.za (sf) RATINGS RATIONALE The rating action is prompted by increased key collateral assumptions, namely the portfolio Expected Loss (EL) due to worse than expected collateral performance. Revision of Key Collateral Assumptions: As part of the rating action, Moody's reassessed its lifetime loss expectation for the portfolio reflecting the collateral performance to date. The performance of the transactions has deteriorated since the coronavirus outbreak. Total delinquencies have increased in the past year, with 30 days plus arrears currently standing at 3.96%, 6.20% and 7.75% of current pool balance respectively for Amber House Fund 2 (RF) Limited - 2018 Refinancing, Amber House Fund 3 (RF) Limited - 2019 Refinancing and The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited as of the latest payment date. Mortgages in payment holidays currently represent 7.5%, 7.2% and 13.7% of current pool balance respectively for Amber House Fund 2 (RF) Limited - 2018 Refinancing, Amber House Fund 3 (RF) Limited - 2019 Refinancing and The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited as of May 2020. Cumulative defaults currently stand at 3.9%, 2.0% and 4.2% of original pool balance plus replenishments, doubling the levels observed a year earlier. In Amber House Fund 2 (RF) Limited - 2018 Refinancing, Moody's has maintained all assumptions unchanged. Moody's has maintained the expected loss assumption at 1.7% of original balance plus replenishments, however it represents an increase in expected loss over current portfolio balance, anticipating a deterioration in collateral performance compared to past observations. In Amber House Fund 3 (RF) Limited - 2019 Refinancing, Moody's has increased the expected loss assumption to 1.7% from 1.3% of original balance plus replenishments as a result of both recently observed and the anticipated deterioration in collateral performance In The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited, Moody's has increased the expected loss assumption to 2.45% from 2.0% of original balance plus replenishments as a result of both recently observed and the anticipated deterioration in collateral performance. Moody's has maintained the MILAN CE assumptions unchanged for the three transactions. In the case of Omega 4 Notes in The Thekwini Fund 15 (RF) Limited, Moody's took into account the different sources of liquidity available, including the liquidity facility in place. The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the government measures put in place to contain it and the deteriorating global economic outlook, have created a severe and extensive credit shock across sectors, regions and markets. Our analysis has considered the effect on the performance of consumer assets from the collapse in South African economic activity in the second quarter and a gradual recovery in the second half of the year. However, that outcome depends on whether governments can reopen their economies while also safeguarding public health and avoiding a further surge in infections. As a result, the degree of uncertainty around our forecasts is unusually high. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. The principal methodology used in these ratings was "Moody's Approach to Rating RMBS Using the MILAN Framework" published in May 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBS_1228742. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. The analysis undertaken by Moody's at the initial assignment of these ratings for RMBS securities may focus on aspects that become less relevant or typically remain unchanged during the surveillance stage. Please see "Moody's Approach to Rating RMBS Using the MILAN Framework" for further information on Moody's analysis at the initial rating assignment and the on-going surveillance in RMBS. FACTORS THAT WOULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS: Factors or circumstances that could lead to an upgrade of the ratings include: (i) performance of the underlying collateral that is better than Moody's expected; (ii) deleveraging of the capital structure; (iii) improvements in the credit quality of the transaction counterparties; and (iv) a decrease in sovereign risk. Factors or circumstances that could lead to a downgrade of the ratings include: (i) an increase in sovereign risk; (ii) performance of the underlying collateral that is worse than Moody's expected; (iii) deterioration in the notes' available credit enhancement; and (iv) deterioration in the credit quality of the transaction counterparties. Moody's National Scale Credit Ratings (NSRs) are intended as relative measures of creditworthiness among debt issues and issuers within a country, enabling market participants to better differentiate relative risks. NSRs differ from Moody's global scale credit ratings in that they are not globally comparable with the full universe of Moody's rated entities, but only with NSRs for other rated debt issues and issuers within the same country. NSRs are designated by a ".nn" country modifier signifying the relevant country, as in ".za" for South Africa. For further information on Moody's approach to national scale credit ratings, please refer to Moody's Credit rating Methodology published in May 2016 entitled "Mapping National Scale Ratings from Global Scale Ratings". While NSRs have no inherent absolute meaning in terms of default risk or expected loss, a historical probability of default consistent with a given NSR can be inferred from the GSR to which it maps back at that particular point in time. For information on the historical default rates associated with different global scale rating categories over different investment horizons, please see https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1216309. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. The analysis relies on an assessment of collateral characteristics to determine the collateral loss distribution, that is, the function that correlates to an assumption about the likelihood of occurrence to each level of possible losses in the collateral. As a second step, Moody's evaluates each possible collateral loss scenario using a model that replicates the relevant structural features to derive payments and therefore the ultimate potential losses for each rated instrument. The loss a rated instrument incurs in each collateral loss scenario, weighted by assumptions about the likelihood of events in that scenario occurring, results in the expected loss of the rated instrument. Moody's quantitative analysis entails an evaluation of scenarios that stress factors contributing to sensitivity of ratings and take into account the likelihood of severe collateral losses or impaired cash flows. Moody's weights the impact on the rated instruments based on its assumptions of the likelihood of the events in such scenarios occurring. For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569. At least one ESG consideration was material to one of the credit rating outcomes announced and described above. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. 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RICHMOND A national organization that seeks to elect Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives is suing Virginias Board of Elections after the panel allowed congressional candidates, including five in swing districts, to qualify for the November ballot despite not filing paperwork on time. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Richmond Circuit Court, a week after the state elections boards split decision. The Board of Elections, which has a Democratic majority, gave leniency to eight candidates who did not meet the June 9 deadline to file a form with the Department of Elections to qualify for the general election ballot. Bob Good, who is the Republican nominee in the 5th District, received an exception. So did four of the six Republicans vying to challenge Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, come November, including Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, who has raised more money than his opponents and also neglected to send the paperwork in on time last year. Democrat Nicholas Betts, who is running against Rep. Ben Cline, R-6th, also received an extension. The DCCC is asking the candidates not be allowed to appear on the November ballot, which substantially would benefit Democrats in the 5th and 7th district races. Virginias election law is clear: to appear on the ballot, you must file before the deadline, or request an extension in a timely fashion. But Bob Good and Nick Freitas did neither, said DCCC Executive Director Lucinda Guinn in a statement. While Bob Good and Nick Freitas may believe that they are above the law of the land, we believe that every Virginian should comply with the laws of the Commonwealth, and that the State Board of Elections decision was flawed. We will continue to push for that accountability in court. Goods campaign did not return a request for comment Tuesday night after normal business hours. Neither did a spokeswoman for Attorney General Mark Herring, who represents state agencies and panels in court. In a statement, Freitas campaign manager Joe Desilets said: Washington Democrats know that Nick Freitas will defeat Abigail Spanberger in November, which is why they have filed this baseless lawsuit in a transparent attempt to scare Republican Convention Delegates. The Virginia Department of Elections has confirmed that Nick Freitas filing requirements have been met, and were confident that the DCCCs attempt to disenfranchise 7th District voters will promptly be rejected. The lawsuit claims the Board of Elections exceeded its statutory authority and upended the states clear and important election laws, effectively waiving the Deadline without any legal authority to do so. Urgent action is needed to ensure that only qualified candidates are included on Virginias ballots in the November 3 general election, the suit says. The panel voted 2-1 last week to grant the extensions, with Chairman Bob Brink, a Democrat who served in the House of Delegates from 1998-2014, casting the tiebreaking vote. Brink said he did so after reluctantly seconding a motion from Vice Chairman John OBannon, the lone Republican on the board. Republicans in the 7th District will decide their nominee Saturday during an in-person convention in Caroline County. The OnePlus Nord is now available to pre-order, in case youre interested. The phone is available to pre-order in both India and Europe as we speak. Lets talk about the Indian side first, shall we. The device can be pre-ordered for INR499 ($7) from Amazon India. Expect limited stock of devices, so if youre interested, you may want to act fast. If you pre-order the OnePlus Nord, youll be eligible for some goodies from the company Those of you who pre-order the OnePlus Nord, will be able to claim gifts worth up to INR5,000 ($65), says the company. It will also entitle you to two gift boxes. One of them will contain a limited edition OnePlus merchandise, while the other will have accessories aka special gifts. Advertisement In fact, the first gift box youll get after you pay for the pre-order. The second one will be shipped your way if you decide to complete your purchase by August 31, 2020. Now, as far as Europe is concerned, you can pre-order the phone directly from OnePlus. This is actually the third round of pre-bookings in Europe. Though, this is the first one that will be open for 24 hours, or until stocks last. Those of you in Europe can pre-order the OnePlus Nord for 20. Those of you who pre-order the device will also receive some merchandise from the company. Advertisement You will get a sticker pack, and a surprise gift. Once the Nord gets released, youll also get an invitation code and a voucher worth 20 to your OnePlus account. Youll be able to take advantage of that voucher during the order process. Those of you who live in the UK, youll need to pay 20 ($25) in order to pre-order the device. You will have the same benefits as users in the rest of Europe, by the way. The device will become official on July 21 This smartphone will become official on July 21. Were still not sure when exactly will it go on sale, but it shouldnt be long after that. Maybe a week or two after the launch, or perhaps immediately after. Advertisement In any case, the OnePlus Nord will be the companys second budget device. It will be a spiritual successor to the OnePlus X which launched years ago, alongside the OnePlus 2. The OnePlus Nord has been leaking for a while now, and the company released a ton of information as well. Carl Pei pretty much confirmed its design and additional information yesterday. The phone will be made out of metal and glass. It will be fueled by the Snapdragon 765G 64-bit octa-core processor. It will not support wireless charging, and dont expect water and dust resistance either, at least not an official IP rating. A flat AMOLED display will be included, and much more. Advertisement Pre-order the OnePlus Nord in India Pre-order the OnePlus Nord in Europe Reliance Industries (RIL) will hold its 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) today, 15 July 2020. Wipro reported a 2.76% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 2390.40 crore on a 5% decline in revenue from operations to Rs 14913.10 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q4 March 2020. Consolidated profit before tax (PBT) stood at Rs 3095 crore in Q1 June 2020, rising 4.3% from Rs 2965.8 crore in Q4 March 2020. Wipro signed an agreement to acquire Brazil based IVIA Servis de Informica. IVIA's local talent and long-standing relationships combined with Wipro's global expertise will help expand the geographical footprint in Brazil. The acquisition will also help Wipro set up delivery centres in the North East of Brazil leveraging IVIA's workforce. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is likely to be completed in the quarter ending September 30. Infosys announces its Q1 result today, 15 July 2020. Bharti Airtel and Verizon, one of the largest communication technology companies in the world, announced a strategic alliance to bring secure, world-class video conferencing solutions to businesses in India. As part of this partnership, Airtel will offer secure enterprise-grade video conferencing solutions under the brand name - Airtel BlueJeans - to enterprise customers in India. Emami said that the group has completed sale of Emami Cement to Nuvoco Corporation for an enterprise value of Rs 5,500 crore. The deal was completed with the transfer of 100% of Emami Cement shares to Nuvoco Corporation (NVCL) by Emami Group on 14th July 2020. Yes Bank said that the Capital Raising Committee of the Board of Directors of the Bank (CRC) , approved the allocation of 3,415,384,614 equity shares at Rs 12 per share to 12 anchor investors. Yes Bank's further public offer (FPO) of around Rs 15,000 crore will open on July 15, 2020, and close on July 17, 2020. The bank has fixed a price band of Rs 12 to 13 per equity share. Oberoi Realty reported 81.54% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 28.07 crore on 79.28% fall in total income to Rs 128.34 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. Delta Corp reported consolidated net loss of Rs 28.24 crore in Q1 June 2020, as compared to net profit of Rs 42.48 crore in Q1 June 2019. Total income dropped 68.51% to Rs 61.31 crore. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Holland America Line announced that the Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam have been sold and will be transferring to undisclosed buyers. The ships have been sold in pairs, with the Maasdam and Veendam transferring to one company in August 2020, while the Amsterdam and Rotterdam will move to another company in fall 2020. According to industry sources, one pair will be going to a new cruise brand. Its always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company, said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of Holland America Group and Carnival UK. However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-Class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace. I recognize and appreciate the deep affection our guests have toward our company and the ships in our fleet, said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. While streamlined, our diverse fleet continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers looking for a mid-sized ship experience to destinations all around the world. I look forward to carrying on those beloved shipboard offerings while cultivating new ideas to bring to our guests. The Maasdam joined the fleet in 1993 as the second of four S-Class ships. Carrying 1,258 guests, it is the fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the Maasdam name. Most recently, the 55,575-ton ship sailed longer South Pacific and Alaska voyages. Veendam, the final S-Class ship, was delivered in 1996. The fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Veendam, the 57,092-ton vessel carries 1,350 guests, according to Holland America. The first ship in the R Class, 61,849-ton Rotterdam was introduced in 1997. Carrying 1,404 guests, it is the sixth Holland America Line ship to be named Rotterdam. Amsterdam joined the fleet in 2000 as the final of four R-Class ships. Carrying 1,380 guests, it is the third Holland America Line ship to be named Amsterdam. Most recently, the 62,735-ton ship operated the lines Grand World Voyage. Guests with bookings on future sailings of these ships will be notified that these cruises will be cancelled or changed. Along with their travel advisors, guests will receive information if the cruise will operate with a different ship or information and special offers on how to book another Holland America Line cruise when operations resume. Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated. HK opposition 'primaries' challenge natl security law, illegal acts may become 1st major case on security in HK: analysts Global Times By Yang Sheng Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 23:23:40 The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) on Tuesday accused the "primaries" organized by the opposition camp and extreme anti-government forces, as well as separatists in Hong Kong, of violating the law and said it will not tolerate any act of manipulating the upcoming Legislative Council (LegCo) elections of Hong Kong in September. Chinese mainland experts said that if foreign forces' interference is spotted or the plan to subvert the state power is confirmed, this would be the first major case involving damaging China's national security in Hong Kong after the enactment of the national security law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). A spokesperson of the office said in a statement on Tuesday that the "primaries" organized by the opposition camp in Hong Kong are a manipulation of the LegCo election and a blatant challenge to the HKSAR Basic Law and the national security law for the HKSAR. The office will firmly support an investigation into this illegal act. The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR also said in a statement released Monday evening that it condemned the city's opposition camp for orchestrating illegal "primaries," saying that such political activity is suspected of violating the national security law for Hong Kong and the local election law. Tian Feilong, a legal expert on Hong Kong affairs at Beihang University in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the "primaries" organized by the opposition camp is neither a normal political activity nor an inner-party election, but an act to mobilize extreme anti-government and separatist forces to manipulate and even hijack the public's will to serve their political purpose of subverting the state power. "Candidates who participated in the 'primaries' haven't gone through any qualification examination, and most of them are all known for their radical political views of supporting violence and riots, and many of them even have strong anti-government and separatist sentiments," Tian said. Li Xiaobing, an expert on Hong Kong affairs at Nankai University in Tianjin, said that in Western democratic countries, primaries are conducted by the political parties to select their candidate for the general elections, but the "primaries" made by the opposition camp this time were not the same case seen in Western countries' system. "Although they claimed that they were selecting candidates for the 2020 LegCo elections, they have no legal and neutral election commission, and have no authority to get eligible voters' data in the city. That means anyone can vote, and the candidates excluded many centrists in the opposition camp, so the 'primaries' can't show the will of the people at all, Li said. "What they want is to build momentum in advance to create an atmosphere that they have the support of the majority," Li said. Tian noted that this is actually a pre-election campaign to build momentum, and this is unfair for the pro-establishment camp's candidates as well as centrists that don't run any primary or get isolated by the "primaries" organized by the opposition camp. "It was like jumping the gun before the race." Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Monday that the HKSAR government has received numerous complaints that the "primaries" were unfair and violated the government's public gathering ban for controlling and preventing the COVID-19 epidemic situation. Hong Kong authorities will continue to investigate and will respond to any illegal practices in these activities. The HKMAO said in the statement that the main organizer of the "primaries," Tai Yiu-ting, a radical Hong Kong anti-government political activist, was also the main organizer of the illegal Occupy Central movement, and an advocate of separatism, as well as a proxy of foreign forces in Hong Kong. "It has already been proven that Tai is the chief culprit of creating chaos in the HKSAR." Some radical forces also threatened or forced the "candidates" to sign a "statement" to promise that if they get elected as lawmakers of the city, they will veto the financial budget plan of the HKSAR government and paralyze the government so that they can force the chief executive to accept their demands, and their real purpose is to seize the governing power of the city and overthrow the HKSAR government, the HKMAO statement said. Such acts are suspected of violating Article 22 of the national security law for Hong Kong and the local election law, said the central government's liaison office in the HKSAR in the statement on Monday. Tian said if the foreign forces' involvement is found behind the "primaries" or the HKSAR law-enforcement agencies find the case involves the issues which fall under the jurisdiction of the central government, this could be the first major case handled by the central government's national security office in Hong Kong after the enactment of the national security law. Hong Kong media reported that signing the "statement" is not a compulsory condition for the "candidates" of the "primaries," but some radical groups have forced the "candidates" to sign the "statement" and this also created divergence within the opposition camp, as some politicians with centrist views were worried about getting disqualified in the formal elections due to the extreme stance to paralyze the government. The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the biggest pro-establishment political party in the HKSAR, also released their candidate list on Tuesday. Starry Lee Wai-king, the party chief of the DAB, said at a press conference that the opposition camp is trying to paralyze the government by controlling the LegCo, and they would force the central government to get involved to handle the situation with military forces, and then the Western countries will sanction Hong Kong, so that all the people of the city will "burn with them." She urged voters to "save themselves and save Hong Kong," to vote for the constructive forces in the upcoming elections in September. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mumbai: Family of Varavara Rao, arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, has been taken to the state-run JJ Hospital after he complained of dizziness. They alleged that the ailing activist may be declared fit without proper treatment before hearing of his bail application on Friday. Rao has moved Bombay high court after his bail application was rejected by the trial court. Venugopal Rao, nephew of poet Varavara Rao, while speaking to The Asian Age, said that a petition was filed in June in the Bombay high court against a special NIA court order rejecting Varavara Raos bail application. The plea has been adjourned a few times and is scheduled for hearing on July 17. However, since his health has deteriorated our lawyer moved an urgent praecipe before the Bombay high court on Monday requesting court to give urgent hearing on his interim bail application but it couldnt be heard, said Venugopal. He further added that the lawyer moved another petition in the HC requesting court to prepone hearing on the petition but it was not heard on Tuesday too. Venugopal Rao said that the family is scared that just like last time he would be discharged from the hospital, before his bail application is heard by the HC, saying he is fine and fit so that he is not released on bail. He also said that the family is not getting any official update on Varavaras health. On Monday, Varavara Rao filed two petitions in the Bombay high court, seeking temporary bail owing to his deteriorating health and a direction to the jail authorities to produce his medical records and admit him to a state-run or private hospital. Raos lawyer Nilesh Uke said, We have filed one more petition in the high court requesting for direction to the Taloja jail superintendent, where Rao was kept before he was admitted in the hospital, to submit all medical records before the court. Family members of the poet on Sunday sought the jail authorities to provide him immediate medical care and claimed that when the veteran activist, who hails from Telangana, contacted them last week he was in a delirious state and hallucinating. Varavara Rao has been in jail for about 22 months and had earlier approached the special NIA court, seeking bail on medical grounds and the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Younger adults make up an increasing share of New Mexicos coronavirus infections, a puzzling new challenge for state health officials trying to contain the disease. About 45% of the states COVID-19 cases in a recent two-week period were adults in their 20s and 30s, up from about 32% of all cases through mid-May. And the share of cases each week involving individuals under 30 has climbed from about 19% in mid-March to 44% this month, according to state data. Ian Martinez, student government president at Santa Fe Community College, said many people his age are missing their friends and interacting with others, especially at a time of year when students come home from college. Weve never encountered anything like this, Martinez, 20, said Tuesday. The duration of this virus its longer than expected. I think a lot of people are just fed up. But he said he is taking the virus seriously and encouraging others to do the same. He wears a mask when leaving the house and works from home. The younger trend in New Mexicos coronavirus cases presents a new challenge for state health officials. They have repeatedly warned about the fatality rate for older adults and individuals with other medical conditions. Now theyre taking a closer look at how to get their public health message to younger adults. Nancy Wright, a Las Vegas pediatrician and president of the New Mexico Medical Society, said adolescents and young adults often feel invincible a barrier for all kinds of public health strategies. Scare tactics, she said, arent likely to get through. But Wright said she hopes young New Mexicans understand that they could carry the disease to someone whos more vulnerable an older brother with a disability, a grandparent or a mom with diabetes even if they have no symptoms. Look, this is about the people around you, even if you get better, Wright said of potential messages. Long-lasting damage In a press briefing last week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and health officials highlighted the increasing share of younger cases and warned that no one is safe from the disease. They said 45% of the cases over the previous two weeks were in people in their 20s and 30s a substantially higher percentage than earlier in the year. COVID-19 has contributed to the deaths of four people in their 30s over the past six days. But Lujan Grisham and health officials said the disease may inflict long-lasting damage even for younger patients who survive. Human Services Secretary David Scrase, a physician, said theres emerging evidence that COVID infections can affect male fertility and damage male sex organs in some patients, citing an April article in Nature Reviews Urology. He also noted that the first COVID-related lung transplant was performed on a patient in her 20s. Scrase said Tuesday that the young people in New Mexico who have contracted COVID-19 the disease caused by the novel coronavirus are less likely to require hospitalization than older folks. About 59% of New Mexicos coronavirus deaths are people 70 or older. But thats no reason, Scrase said, for young people to let their guard down. Strokes and lung damage are among the potential long-term complications of a coronavirus infection, Scrase said, regardless of the patients age. COVID is really serious business, no matter how young or old you are, he said. State health officials reported Tuesday that testing had confirmed 227 new cases of COVID-19, covering people of all ages. They said three more people had died two of them in their 30s pushing the statewide death toll to 551 residents. Two adults in their 30s were also among the deaths announced Thursday last week. Three of the four recent deaths of people in their 30s involved individuals with underlying medical conditions. All of them were residents in the northwestern part of the state two in McKinley County and two in San Juan County. Mixed messages State health officials, scientists and medical executives are researching whats driving the younger trend in New Mexicos cases. The answer is, we dont really know, Scrase said. We have to assume its related to more mobility, more contacts, more interactions that spread the disease. The virus hasnt really changed in this time period. Bars have remained closed under New Mexicos public health restrictions. Martinez, the Santa Fe college student, said young people are hearing mixed messages about whats safe for them to do. And they miss interacting with others at concerts and social events. Martinez said he and his friends are taking precautions to stay safe wearing masks and meeting outdoors, on the rare occasion they do get together. Its definitely been an adjustment, he said. Shashikant Pandey, a close aide of slained Uttar Pradesh gangster Vikas Dubey, on Tuesday (July 14) confessed that he had opened fire at the policemen on July 3 at Bikru village in Kanpur because Dubey had threatened them to do so. Shashikant said that Dubey told his associates to kill policemen or else he will kill them. According to Pandey, Dubey had told them that policemen will be killed today because information has come from the police station that the cops are coming to eliminate him. It is to be noted that CO Devendra Mishra and two other policemen were killed by Dubey and his associates in Pandey's house. A total of eight policemen were killed by Dubey and his associates in Bikru on July 3. Shashikant Pandey is the son of Vikas Dubey's maternal uncle Prem Prakash, who was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh on July 3. Shashikant was arrested on Tuesday (july 14) with the rifles which Dubey and his associates had looted from the police. Shashikant also admitted that he, Vikas Dubey, Amar Dubey, Prabhat Mishra, Bauva and Atul Dubey were among those who executed the gruesome incident. He added that Vikas had arranged the weapons and he had called everyone to meet him. According to Shashikant, Vikas clearly told everyone that today bullets will be fired at the policemen and we have all the necessary weapons. Shashikant was arrested from the Mela Tiraha area in Kanpur. He was carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head. Addressing a press conference in Kanpur, Additional Director General (ADG) (Law and order) Prashant Kumar said that on the information provided by Shashikant, the police have recovered an INSAS rifle and 20 live cartridges from his house. ''Vikas Dubey had asked his gang members to hide the looted arms and ammunition at his residence at Bikru village. During a search at Vikas Dubey's residence, we recovered the looted arms," Prashant Kumar, UP ADG Law & Order, told reporters. Vikas Dubey was shot dead on Friday (July 10) by police after he tried to flee from police custody when the car carrying him from Ujjain overturned on the outskirts of Kanpur. Nothing has surfaced in videos to suggest Donavan LaBella was a threat to anyone as the 26-year-old protester stood holding a speaker above his head on Saturday night. A video shows LaBella briefly lowering the speaker to gently toss a canister that rolled his way back into the street, before resuming his previous stance. But a few seconds later, he crumpled to the ground, hit in the face by an impact munition fired by a deputy U.S. Marshal. Critically injured with a fractured skull, he has undergone reconstructive surgery, his mother said, and remains in the hospital. This is exactly the kind of outrageous use of force that police agencies across the country federal, state and local must answer for. While President Trumps directing federal authorities to intervene in Portland protests may have upped the ante in the response last Saturday, law enforcement officers should not need to be reminded that firing on a peaceful protester is never justified. The blood streaming from LaBellas face and his severe injuries reinforces that officers use of such less-lethal weapons on the public doesnt make them less-deserving of scrutiny. Federal authorities are investigating the incident. But so far, their public statements have emulated the say-nothing approach that has stymied accountability in police agencies for decades. Rather, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Noelle Crombie reported, the Marshals Service wont even confirm if the individual who fired at LaBella was placed on leave a basic move in any such investigation. The top Marshals Service official in Oregon, Russel Burger, declined to answer questions about the events leading up to the incident, instead focusing on protesters who, he said, have assaulted officers, shined lasers at them and engaged in other violent acts. Certainly, these nightly demonstrations have often devolved into vandalism and property damage that unfortunately overshadows the legitimate message that protesters have. Assaults should and are being prosecuted. And despite some elected leaders dismissive attitudes about damage to buildings, police have a responsibility to respond to such actions and protect property and businesses, which represent not only the personal investment and hard work of community members, but also are vital to keeping our decimated economy afloat. But police must use the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve their objectives and target it at the perpetrators. While the federal investigation has only started, the videos of the LaBella incident suggest a concern for neither. Instead, the shooting has only inflamed tensions between the community and law enforcement. That revival is even more unfortunate considering that the most recent protests before Saturdays incident had shown greater restraint by both protesters and police officers. Members of Oregons congressional delegation rightly moved quickly to demand answers from U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, asking questions regarding the deployment and direction given to federal law enforcement officers to Oregon. Burger and U.S. Attorney Billy Williams, both of whom are longtime Oregonians, should also press for transparency from their Washington D.C. bosses and accountability for what transpired. Because once any federal officers dispatched to Portland return to where they came from, Oregonians are the ones who will need to piece our community back together. - The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: With this background, ICMR must come out clean on intellectual property and price negotiations, if at all the vaccine sees the light of the day. In addition to this, the government of India must fully support the proposal of government of Costa Rica, for the development of a global Covid-19 commons for all research, data, technology, treatments and vaccines relating to Covid-19 as a non-proprietary shared global resource. While ensuring that there is no avoidable delay in scientific research, ICMR should not forget that it is also the vanguard for protecting the integrity of science and scientific rigour in the country. In 2015 only 62% of newborn children received basic vaccinations in India. It is important to realize that vaccine-preventable illnesses are a significant cause of unnecessary human suffering and untimely deaths. We have failed to ensure zero-delay in making even the existing healthcare technologies (diagnostics, drugs, vaccines and other healthcare lifesaving procedures and care) available to everyone. While ICMR must ensure absolute adherence to all scientific norms and standards in conducting all research studies, the government also has to ensure that once these scientific breakthroughs come out of the research pipeline, they reach the people in need without any delay where the last person in the queue, as per Mahatma Gandhis talisman, must come first. --- *Shobha Shukla is the founding head of Citizen News Service; Sandeep Pandey, a Magsaysay award winning social activist, is national vice president of Socialist Party (India); Bobby Ramakant is both with CNS and Socialist Party (India) We should remember that right at the onset of lockdown in India, ICMR had landed itself in a controversy of negotiating a maximum price cap for private sector for Covid-19 test which was way high, allowing private sector to reap profits when the nation was reeling under a public health emergency and cascading humanitarian crisis.With this background, ICMR must come out clean on intellectual property and price negotiations, if at all the vaccine sees the light of the day. In addition to this, the government of India must fully support the proposal of government of Costa Rica, for the development of a global Covid-19 commons for all research, data, technology, treatments and vaccines relating to Covid-19 as a non-proprietary shared global resource.While ensuring that there is no avoidable delay in scientific research, ICMR should not forget that it is also the vanguard for protecting the integrity of science and scientific rigour in the country.In 2015 only 62% of newborn children received basic vaccinations in India. It is important to realize that vaccine-preventable illnesses are a significant cause of unnecessary human suffering and untimely deaths. We have failed to ensure zero-delay in making even the existing healthcare technologies (diagnostics, drugs, vaccines and other healthcare lifesaving procedures and care) available to everyone.While ICMR must ensure absolute adherence to all scientific norms and standards in conducting all research studies, the government also has to ensure that once these scientific breakthroughs come out of the research pipeline, they reach the people in need without any delay where the last person in the queue, as per Mahatma Gandhis talisman, must come first.--- If it is joint research of ICMR and Bharat Biotech then why isBharat Biotech listed as the Principal Investigator, trial coordinator, primary sponsor (there is no other secondary sponsor), source of monetary or material support, scientific query lead, etc.?If a private company (lets say a soft drink company) is the only sponsor, funder, principal investigator etc of a research which shows benefit of its product, then will we not call it junk science? Also, it is important to note that no ICMR institute is included in the list of the 12 centres of this multi-centric study. Instead, we see a host of private centres too.Why is ICMR not collaborating with only public healthcare institutions when it is the public healthcare centres that have been majorly managing Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 illnesses since the lockdown? Also, why has the government not leveraged the Epidemic Act to nationalize all health services including biotechs? Indiana faced steep criticism for months from lawmakers and others as the only state among surrounding Great Lakes states not to publicly release per-facility nursing home COVID-19 data. Although the state did require facilities to tell designated caregivers and family, others said they had to scramble for answers. Mandi: At least 18 people were on Saturday killed and 24 others injured when a private bus plunged into the Beas river near Vindravani in Mandi district, about 155 km from here. The ill-fated bus with over 40 passengers on board was travelling to Kullu from Manali when it veered off the road while trying to avoid a motorcyclist and fell into the turbulent Beas, police officers said. Fourteen people died on the spot, three succumbed to their injuries in the zonal hospital at Mandi, while one critically injured person died on the way to Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla, police said. The incident took place hardly 3 km from Mandi. The injured people were rushed to the zonal hospital there. Mandi Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kadam and IG Ajay Yadav immediately reached the spot along with rescue teams. Though there was only a remote possibility of passengers getting washed away in the river, divers have been called in as a precautionary measure to locate missing persons, if any, Kadam said. The Mandi DC said rescue operations were in progress and all possible help is being provided to the victims. Mandi SDM, Vivek Chandel, said Rs 15,000 has been given as immediate relief to the next of kin of the deceased while the injured have been given Rs 5,000 each. Transport minister G S Bali expressed deep shook over the accident and said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered to ascertain its cause. He said besides the insurance claim of Rs 1 lakh, the next of kin of the deceased would be given Rs4 lakh and seriously injured persons Rs 25,000 as relief. Most of the people travelling in the bus were from Mandi and Kullu and other places on the Mandi-Kullu National Highway 21. Meanhwile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to injured. He directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the family members of the victims and those injured in the accident. In his condolence message, Governor Acharya Devvrat expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased and prayed for peace of the departed souls. State Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary and Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development Minister Anil Sharma, all hailing from Mandi district, have also expressed grief over the accident and conveyed their condolences with bereaved family members. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. In an unprecedented fourteenth consecutive deal, US tech giant Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms for a 7.7 percent stake, joining other big-name investors in the digital unit of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani announced on Wednesday at the companys 43rd annual general meeting that Google will be the 13th investor in the Reliance Industries subsidiary. Ambani said the companys target of capital raising was now complete. I look to work with them in a collaborative way. What they bring is more than money. They bring a strong vote of confidence in our bold mission and our ability to execute." Ambani said the Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt (2G-free) and the two companies will jointly develop an entry-level 4G, or even 5G smartphone, for a fraction of its current cost. To power such a value engineered smartphone, we needed an equally value engineered smartphone Operating System, and such an Operating System must be designed from grounds-up. Google and Jio are partnering to build just such a smartphone Operating System right here in India, the RIL chairman said. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said: "Everyone should have access to the internet. Proud to partner with Reliance Jio to increase access for the hundreds of millions in India who dont own a smartphone with our 1st investment of $4.5 Billion from the Google For India Digitization Fund. RIL is the first Indian company to have crossed market capitalization of USD 150 billion, riding on the success of its mobile digital arm Jio Platforms that had already attracted equity investments from the likes of Facebook, Qualcomm, Intel, KKR, TPG, Abu Dhabi Investments Authority and others. This is the first time Indias largest company held a virtual AGM, like many other companies, owing to covid-19 restrictions. RIL reported a consolidated turnover of Rs 6.59 trillion in 2019-20, up 5.4 per cent from a year earlier. The net profit at the group rose 11.3 per cent to Rs 443.24 billion. Facebook bought a 9.99 percent stake for Rs 43,574 crore on April 22. Reliance has since sold stakes in Jio to global investors such as General Atlantic, KKR, Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Abu Dhabi state fund, Saudi Arabias PIF and Intel. This is the largest continuous funds raise by a company anywhere in the world. For some comparison, India's start-up ecosystem raised Rs 1.10 lakh crore last year, in what was its best year. Jio, which runs movie, news and music apps as well as the telecom enterprise Jio Infocomm, has attracted the largest continuous fundraising by a company anywhere in the world. WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, the Back To Work program paid businesses who hired or brought back staff up to $5,000 per employee, to a maximum of five workers, through to the end of August. Premier Brian Pallister said Wednesday the program will be extended until the end of October and funds will be available for up to 10 workers at each business. The program is also being offered for the first time to charities and non-profits. We would all like this pandemic and its challenges to end, but realistically we know that it will take time for our economy to grow back, Pallister said. And so this program will be needed for a longer period than all of us would hope. The program is in addition to others the province has offered, including a one-time $6,000 subsidy for small businesses who are ineligible for federal aid and who want to hire staff. Statistics Canada figures released last week show Manitoba employment levels have rebounded more fully than in all other provinces except New Brunswick. With 330 COVID-19 cases and seven deaths to date among the lowest rates in the country the province was able to move quickly to ease many restrictions on business openings and public gatherings. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed the extra aid but said its members are taking on debt and facing cash-flow challenges. The provinces Back to Work subsidy is only paid out once the period it covers ends. Revenues are far from normal for businesses ... and they need help rehiring staff, said Jonathan Alward, the groups Prairie director. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the new support, but said businesses need help covering rent and paying for protective equipment for staff. The chamber also said the province should consider a public awareness campaign to persuade people it is safe to shop, dine out and go back to work even as the pandemic continues. Poll after poll shows far too many people remain hesitant to re-engage in the economy, chamber president Loren Remillard said. It really needs to be a concerted campaign to get out there to the public, to say businesses are doing everything outlined by ... health officials to ensure, based on what we know, the highest level of safety and well-being for employees and customers. The Opposition New Democrats said the Progressive Conservative government should provide immediate funding for items such as staff protective equipment and child care. We need to see a real plan to restart our economy that provides essential supports, like direct financial assistance and a plan for child care, NDP Leader Wab Kinew said in a written statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020 A day after a trader was shot dead by two bike-borne men in Moga citys New Town area, gangster Sukhpreet Singh, who is better known as Sukha Gill Lamme, on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the murder through a Facebook post. The victim, Tejinder Kumar of Bag Gali, a leading businessman, ran a readymade garments shop. Kumar was shot at his shop with a revolver by two men whose faces were reportedly covered. The victim was rushed to the district hospital but succumbed to his wounds before he could be operated on. Sukha Gill of Ludhianas Lamma village in his post claimed that the Kumar was killed because he contacted the police instead of setting an ongoing dispute with him. The gangster said he had repeatedly warned Kumar to not go to the police over the last two days. Sat Sri Akaal to everyone, what happened to the Super Shine owner was done by me. A matter was going on with him for the last two days. I had informed him if he wanted to settle the matter do it or be ready to face the consequences. Instead of settling the matter, he approached the police, which was his biggest mistake and the result is in front of you, the post read. He requested the police not to bother his family and friends as they were not aware of the matter. He admitted that the he and his friend Harwinder Singh Sandhu committed the murder. He also displayed the last five digits of two mobile numbers saying that the numbers belonged to his friends Prabh and Gurinder. My messages will be conveyed through these numbers and a video will be sent as a proof. You have witnessed the result of contacting the police. We will meet Mann as soon as possible, the post ends. It is not clear who Mann is. Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Barjinder Singh Bhullar said five bullets had been fired by the unidentified assailants. The trader sustained four bullet injuries and succumbed on the way to the hospital. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the case. We are investigating all angles including the claims made by the gangster. Gill is involved in a number of unlawful activities and has cases registered against him in Ludhiana and Moga. The claims could also be an attempt to misguide the police. But as has not denied the claims on any other platform, he is the prime suspect, the DSP said. Puro Politics is a weekly podcast hosted by columnist Gilbert Garcia, covering the drama and nuance of local government issues. Produced by Joy-Marie Scott. Listen and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS | All Episodes Political observers are used to cliffhangers in U.S. District 23. This sprawling congressional swing district, which stretches from South San Antonio to El Paso County, tends to keep people up late on election night, waiting for each new update. But those close races tend to be in November. Tuesday night, we had a remarkably tight Republican runoff in District 23, a battle which probably wont be resolved for several days. With some mail-in votes possibly pending, former Navy cryptologist Tony Gonzales clung to a seven-vote lead over retired Air Force officer Raul Reyes Jr. This dramatic race was one of the topics of conversation on this weeks episode of the Express-News Puro Politics podcast, which broke down Tuesdays runoff results. On ExpressNews.com: Trump pick declares victory in tight race to replace San Antonios Hurd, but opponent isnt calling it quits yet Gonzales was the favorite among GOP elected officials including President Donald Trump who viewed him as a stronger bet than Reyes in November. City Hall reporter Joshua Fechter, who covered the District 23 race, pointed out that Reyes surprisingly strong runoff showing was likely influenced by the support of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who maintains considerable support among grassroots conservatives in this state. Business editor Greg Jefferson said Democratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones, who lost a razor-thin District 23 election two years ago to Will Hurd, must be looking at the divided state of the GOP in District 23 and sensing that she has a golden opportunity to flip the district. Hear this and other topics discussed on this weeks edition of Puro Politics. Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Gilbert, become a subscriber. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 Amazon India has made it compulsory for sellers on its e-commerce platform to reveal the country of origin of new and existing product listings by the middle of August this year, according to sources. The sellers could now face hurdles in the process of listing the products if they dont fill up the country of origin details. Earlier, sellers on platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart had to mention such details only for imported items and this was not mandatory for other products like domestic goods. However, according to industry sources, Amazon is now ready with a ... Maggie Sillero was 28 weeks pregnant with triplets when she got the terrifying news that she had Covid-19. She wasnt sick on May 8 when she went to The Womans Hospital of Texas in Houstonand never showed any symptoms of the CCP virus. She was admitted for observation because she was considered high risk, and her doctor wanted to monitor her and her babies health during the final weeks of the pregnancy. (Illustration Serhii Bobyk/Shutterstock) Sillero told CNN that she hadnt left her house since March, so she thought the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, test would just be a routine precaution. When I got the news, it was very shocking. I could not believe it, she said. Her husband also tested positive and was also asymptomatic, Sillero explained. (Illustration Impact Photography/Shutterstock) Being away from her family was tough, but they were able to FaceTime, and her nurses would sit with her and talkeven though they had to wear their full protective gear. I got to know them each personally, which was great, she said. I felt like I had made new friends. So I didnt feel alone at that time at all. As it turned out, one of the nurses happened to be one of Silleros childhood friends, whom she hadnt seen since they were in middle school. Sillero was tested regularly in the hospital, and on June 4, when she was in her 32nd week, she got her second negative result, which indicated that she was free of the virus. She didnt have much time to celebrate because her ultrasound that morning showed that one of her babies had her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The three babiesa girl and two boyswere delivered by emergency cesarean section that afternoon. Luckily, everything came out good, Sillero said. The doctors were amazed at how well the babies were doing as soon as they were born. Sillero said her mom and her 5-year-old son, Alexander, both tested negative, even though theyd all been together. Her mom was able to care for Alexander. The little boy was still with Silleros mom for the delivery because her husband had not yet gotten word that he was negative. Isabella, the oldest, weighed 3.11 pounds (approx. 1.4 kg), Nathaniel weighed 3.7 pounds (approx. 1.6 kg), and Adriel was 2.1 pounds (approx. 953 g), according to the hospital. They were all taken to the NICU, where Sillero visited them every day. Maggie Sillero holds her triplets. (Courtesy of The Womans Hospital of Texas) They are doing really good. Theyre being healthy. Theyre growing as expected, Sillero said. Of course, they are premature. So theres going to be some delays in certain things, but I mean, theyve been doing really good that weight has been going up. They turned 1 month old on July 4, and the hospital said theyve almost doubled in size. Sillero got to bring Isabella home on July 6, and doctors said the boys would be ready to get out of the hospital soon. Theyre good fighters and theyve been doing really goodprogressing very well, she said. Their weights have gone up, theyre bottle feeding, so theyre doing really good. The mom of four said Alexander is looking forward to having everyone home so he can take on the role of big brother and help his parents change diapers and do things around the house. The CNN Wire and Epoch Times staff contributed to this report. A Lynchburg judge has ruled that Virginia's new universal background check law is "facially" valid in most respects, but is unconstitutional as currently applied to adults under 21 seeking to purchase handguns. In a ruling released just after noon on Tuesday, Circuit Judge F. Patrick Yeatts upheld the law as it applies to both private and retail sales for adults over age 21. But Yeatts wrote that it is unconstitutional for adults 18 to 20 who can no longer purchase a handgun in a private sale. One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed by gun rights activists and several other parties - Wyatt Lowman - is legally an adult but under 21. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, whose office defended the new law, said in a statement that he intends to appeal the judge's "limited, narrow injunction" that bars enforcing the law for handgun sales to people under 21. Herring called it "a potentially dangerous judicially created loophole that is without basis in the law." Prospective buyers under 21 already were barred from purchasing a handgun in Virginia from a licensed firearms dealer. They are automatically rejected as a person prohibited from buying a handgun during the background check process. But the judge noted that prior to the new law, which went into effect July 1, residents between ages 18 to 21 could purchase a handgun through a private sale, but not from a licensed dealer. At the same time, federal regulations and procedures mandate dealers who facilitate private sales to take it into their inventory and record it as an acquisition before transferring it to the buyer. That transaction requires a background check, and the system automatically rejects a sale to someone under 21. In his ruling, the judge said the attorney general's office agreed during a July 2 hearing on the law that adults under 21 can no longer purchase handguns under the law, but "deflects by saying the problem lies with federal law, not the Act." "During the hearing, the Commonwealth twice mentioned that it is working with the FBI to correct this problem," the judge wrote. "At the same time, the commonwealth argues that 18-20-year-olds do not have a constitutional right to buy handguns because age-related firearm restrictions are presumptively lawful." The judge added: "Although the [law] is facially constitutional, the Commonwealth is currently unprepared to administer it in a way that does not infringe on the right of adults under 21 to purchase a handgun, the 'quintessential self-defense weapon.' The Commonwealth cannot create and justify a constitutional violation by transferring the infringement to federal law or federal systems. Lowman, therefore, is likely to succeed on the merits." Yeatts said Lowman had demonstrated "irreparable harm because the temporary violation of a constitutional right is enough. The Court finds that the violation easily tips the balance of equities in Lowman's favor. Finally, the Court finds that the public interest favors enjoining a constitutional violation, not allowing the unconstitutional application of a statute to perpetuate." The judge enjoined the attorney general not to enforce the law on adults under age 21. Herring, in a statement, said he believes the judge "agreed with nearly all of" the state's arguments for the law's constitutionality - with the exception of private gun sales to 18-20 year olds. "Background checks save lives and they are supported by huge majorities of Virginians, including gun owners," Herring said. "Background checks keep guns away from dangerous people who are already barred from possessing firearms, like felons and domestic abusers, but even this simple, commonsense, widely-supported safety measure is still too much for the extremists in the gun lobby who sued to block it." Universal background check systems only work if they are truly universal, and we believe this potentially dangerous judicially created loophole is without basis in the law," he added. "So while the judge agreed with nearly all of our arguments and largely upheld the law, we believe that this injunction, though limited and narrow, is worthy of higher review and I intend to appeal it as soon as possible. Late last month, the attorney general was successful in defending Virginias new one-handgun-per-month law in Goochland County Circuit Court. A judge found that the gun lobby had not met its burden showing that the law was likely unconstitutional. The Balkan country holds the first polls since it ended a dispute with Greece over its name, opening the door to the EU. North Macedonia has begun voting in a tight parliamentary election, the winners of which will face a surging coronavirus outbreak and the start of talks to join the European Union. Wednesdays vote is the first parliamentary election since the Balkan country added North to its name early last year, ending a decades-old dispute with Greece. The accord ushered the country into NATO and opened the door to the EU. But critics are still bitter about what they saw as conceding part of their national identity to appease Greece, which claims exclusive rights to the name Macedonia for its own neighbouring region. The election pits an architect of the deal, Zoran Zaev, leader of the ruling SDSM party and former prime minister, against the deals harsh critics VMRO-DPMNE. Neither is forecast to win an outright majority, setting the stage for complex coalition talks after the results, which are not expected until early Thursday. Zoran Zaev is the architect of the name-change deal with Greece [Ognen Teofilovski/Reuters] A traditional kingmaker party, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) which represents ethnic Albanians, is demanding their candidate be prime minister in exchange for an alliance. Both Zaev who has allied with another smaller ethnic Albanian party and VMRO-DPMNEs nationalist leader Hristijan Mickoski have dismissed the demand as blackmail. But it is not clear if either main party could secure a majority without DUIs help. The coronavirus pandemic has added another layer of uncertainty as authorities try to slow an infection spike without inflicting further damage on an economy already heading into recession. With more than 380 deaths among a population of about two million, the country has the highest per-capita death rate in the Western Balkans, according to official data. Voters wore mandatory masks as they lined up at polling stations in the capital Skopje, which opened at 05:00 GMT and will close at 19:00 GMT. The snap poll The country has been run by a caretaker cabinet since Zaev stepped down six months ago following the EUs initial failure to start accession talks in exchange for the name-change and other reforms. The blocs members later gave the green light in March, though the country is still waiting for a start date. The snap poll was initially scheduled for April, but the pandemic forced a postponement, extending the term of the caretaker cabinet, which has struggled to manage the coronavirus crisis. As a second surge of infections gains ground, health fears threaten to weaken turnout. We should have waited until this crisis had passed, said Skopje resident Ostoja Garac. Just a few weeks after Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled his giant Styrofoam coronavirus mountain, the governor revealed his latest creative endeavor on Monday, a poster celebrating New Yorks triumphs in the battle against COVID-19. I love history, Cuomo said during the press briefing. I love poster art. High res image here. pic.twitter.com/4EitwxlKCj Rich Azzopardi (@RichAzzopardi) July 13, 2020 This is the third poster commissioned by the governor that has been inspired by poster art from the late 1800s and early 1900s. In January, Cuomo unveiled his poster called A Visual Representation of New York in 2020 to commemorate his State of the State speech. And in 2012, he revealed a similarly stylized poster to celebrate his accomplishments. The coronavirus-related poster received mixed reviews, while some were tickled by the unusual work of art, others found it failed to capture the severity of the crisis and made light of the tragedies endured by many New Yorkers. Some also pointed out that the poster failed to capture the governors failures during the height of the crisis, such as the extremely high number of coronavirus deaths at nursing homes. As a professional editorial cartoonist, I am genuinely delighted by Cuomo's bizarre new poster about Covid-19. https://t.co/gQHeNrWUmP Bill Roundy (@bartoonist) July 13, 2020 We're no longer issuing press releases on behalf of clients, just Cuomo posters from now on. Seems to be the thing to do. Andrew Rush (@TheAndrewRush) July 13, 2020 Cuomo taking a victory lap with a poster sale is so insane. He sent COVID-19 patients to nursing homes and didn't give the subways a deep clean until months after the outbreak. New York has more deaths per 1M than every state except NJ. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. https://t.co/mQxc3sVMjY Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) July 14, 2020 (This is the poster sales thing I'm referring to:) https://t.co/1vmtkfi9Fe Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) July 14, 2020 All of the governors posters are known for being extremely symbolic and this poster is no different. Weve pulled out some of the key details in Cuomos latest poster to help you better understand the governors artistic and political vision of the state. The man on the moon President Donald Trump is depicted as the man on the moon, a phrase that typically insinuates that someone is out of touch with reality. Its just the flu is written below the president. Trump has frequently said that in reference to COVID-19, which many public health experts and Cuomo have pointed out is an inaccurate comparison. The sun is on the other side of the mountain, Cuomo said. We just have to make it to the other side of the mountain. The mountain The governor has continuously used the mountain to symbolize the hurdles that the state has overcome during the pandemic. The center of the poster depicts a mountain that looks nearly identical to the forest green foam prop Cuomo unveiled a couple weeks ago. Over the past few years, Ive done my own posters that capture that feeling, Cuomo said. I did a new one for what we went through with COVID, and I think the general shape is familiar to you. We went up the mountain. We curved the mountain. We came down the other side, and these are little telltale signs that, to me, represent what was going on. Economy Falls Running diagonally over the mountain is Economy Falls, a reference to the crushing impact that the states coronavirus crisis has had on the economy. We almost get to the top of the mountain Economy Falls. Get it? Economy Falls like Niagara Falls but then the economy drops, the economy falls, Cuomo said. 111 Days of Hell Located in the middle of the mountain is 111 Days of Hell, a reference to the most horrific and virus-plagued days that the state experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak. The governor held press conferences for 111 consecutive days during the pandemic. Hand sanitizer On the bottom-left side of the mountain is a bottle of New York state hand sanitizer, which was produced by the state at the onset of the outbreak, after hand sanitizer became scarce.However, the hand sanitizer became controversial when it was discovered that the states prisoners were just bottling sanitizer that was produced elsewhere. Press briefing table At the bottom of the mountain is a press briefing table, which has Dr. Knows Best, Smiling Rob, 56 and Magnificent Melissa seated at it. Those nicknames refer to state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, state Budget Director Robert Mujica, Cuomo and Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, respectively. A.J. Parkinson quote The saying, Tell the people the truth and they will do the right thing, by A.J. Parkinson is written on the right side of the mountain. Parkinson is a fake philosopher and poet who was often citedby Cuomos father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and has become something of an inside joke. Cuomo has also quoted Parkinson at coronavirus press briefingsas a nod to his father. The rope A long, golden rope hovers above the mountain and is being pulled down the right side by New Yorkers, health care workers, essential workers, out of state volunteers, Cuomos three daughters and his dog, Captain. Above the rope on the left side of the mountain, Pulling down the curve together is written and the right side says, The power of We. This appears to depict the hard work that was done by various individuals within the state who helped contain the virus. However, it does seem unfair for Cuomos daughters and his dog to be given the same amount of credit as health care and essential workers in flattening the COVID-19 curve. Boyfriend Cliff On the right side of the mountain is the Boyfriend Cliff, which is presumably a nod to the boyfriend of Cuomos daughter Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo, who sheltered with the governor and his family during the public health crisis. Some pointed out that Cuomo took poking fun at Kennedy-Cuomos boyfriend to the extreme. the "Boyfriend Cliff" is when you date one of Cuomo's daughters and he doesn't like it so he draws you dying on a public poster pic.twitter.com/Ubq8m17veZ Katie Sicking (@KatieSicking) July 13, 2020 "Trump's COVID-19 scandal makes Nixon's Watergate scandal look innocent. Nobody died in the Watergate scandal"--@NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/T2HAnQE9J9 Elizabeth Kuster (@bethmonster) July 13, 2020 Rainbow The rainbow above the mountain appears to be a nod to the state legalizing same-sex marriage in 2011, another symbol that was previously seen on Cuomos State of the State poster. Sea of Division Cuomos State of the State poster depicted a ship sailing through the Sea of Division to symbolize the accomplishments that New York had made during his three terms in office. The sea can also be spotted in the bottom-right corner of the governors new poster, presumably meant as a criticism of how divided the country has become when it comes to tackling the current public health crisis. Octopus The octopus in the lower-left corner of the poster is a symbol that previously appeared in Cuomos State of the State poster as an homage to William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate whose posters inspired Cuomos. Above the octopus is a cruise ship, which is most likely a reference to the notable COVID-19 outbreaks that occurred on cruise ships. Advertisement Nick Cannon has accused ViacomCBS of being on the 'wrong side of history' and is demanding full ownership of his 'Wild 'N Out' brand after he was fired for spreading anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on his podcast and accusing white people of being 'evil', 'rapists' and 'true savages'. The 39-year-old made the remarks during a June 30 episode of his talk show 'Cannon's Class' in which he interviewed former Public Enemy member Professor Griff, real name Richard Griffin, who was kicked out of the rap group in 1989 for saying Jewish people 'were responsible for the majority of the wickedness in the world'. During a discussion on racial bias, Cannon - who hosts the MTV series 'Wild N' Out' and 'The Masked Singer' on Fox- said black people are the true Hebrews and that Jews have usurped their identity. He also delved deep into anti-Semitic tropes - ranting about history 'going as deep as the Rothschilds, centralized banking, the 13 families, the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America.' The two discussed the controversial racial ideology of the Black Hebrew Israelites - claiming that 'Semitic' people had nothing to do with being white and that the term 'anti-Semitic' is only used to 'divide' people. 'You can't be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people. When we are the same people who they want to be. That's our birthright. We are the true Hebrews,' Cannon said. Scroll down for video ViacomCBS cut ties with Nick Cannon after the actor made anti-white remarks and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories during an episode of his 'Cannon's Class' talk show on YouTube In the June 30 episode, Cannon sat down with former Public Enemy member Professor Griff and claimed black people are the 'true Hebrews' and spoke out about the Rothschild family and 'the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America' Former Public Enemy member Richard 'Professor Griff' Griffin was kicked out of the rap group in 1989 after saying Jews were 'wicked' and were responsible for the majority of the wickedness in the world' Cannon (pictured with ex-wife Mariah Carey and their twins, Monroe and Moroccan in 2017) became chairman and creative consultant of Nickelodeon's TeenNick channel in 2009 During the hour-plus podcast, Cannon then moved onto a wider discussion on race saying white people of the past were 'savages' and 'barbaric' because they lacked the 'compassion' that comes with melanin or skin pigmentation. 'And I'm going to say this carefully...,' he said before claiming that people who do not have melanin are a 'little less'. 'They're acting out of fear, they're acting out of low self-esteem, they're acting out of a deficiency,' he said. 'So, therefore, the only way that they can act is evil. They have to rob, steal, rape, kill in order to survive.' 'They're the ones that are actually closer to animals, they're the ones that are actually the true savages,' Cannon said, adding that he was referring to 'Jewish people, white people, Europeans,' among others. The controversial episode, which was reportedly filmed last year, aired two weeks ago but resurfaced over the weekend drawing widespread backlash. On Tuesday, ViacomCBS announced it was cutting ties with Cannon for 'promoting hateful speech.' 'ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,' the company said in a statement. 'We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast 'Cannon's Class' on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him.' Cannon responded to his firing in a lengthy statement on Facebook in which he said he did not condone hate speech but refused to say he was sorry. HOW NICK CANNON PROMOTED ANTI-SEMITIC CONSPIRACY THEORIES BY CLAIMING THE ROTHSCHILDS CONTROLLED THE WORLD Nick Cannon was fired by ViacomCBS after spreading anti-Semitic conspiracy theories including those about the Rothschild family, who have long been the subject of anti-Semitic canards. During his podcast, Cannon and rapper Professor Griff, who was kicked out of Public Enemy in 1989 for saying 'Jews are wicked', delved into anti-Semitic tropes such as how Jews 'control' the world. They made references to Rothschilds, the German-based noble family who rose to prominence in the 1700s through their banking business that saw them amass the largest private fortune in modern history. Over the years, myths and rumors have circulated suggesting the Rothschilds were in control of the world's wealth as well as the United States Federal Reserve and Wall Street. Those theories have been slammed by the Jewish Anti-Defamation League who say they were based on the anti-Semitic trope of Jews' prevalence in the banking industry. During their discussion, Griff addressed the controversy that led to his dismissal, explaining he couldn't be anti-Semitic, because the 'Semitic' people had no relation to Caucasians and black people were the true children of Israel. Cannon and Griffin made references to the Rothschild family (pictured) who have long been the subject of anti-Semitic canards after they were rumored to be in control of the world's wealth and the US Federal Reserve The rapper said he was referring to Jews dominating the banks and the media, echoing the sentiments of controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who once called the US Federal Reserve, 'the synagogue of Satan, the Rockefellers, the DuPonts, the House of Rothschild.' Griffin and Cannon then delved into Zionist conspiracy theories mentioning the the 'six major corporations' that control world and the '13 families' with ties to the Illuminati. 'Let's dive into it, who are they? When we talk about the six corporations, when we go as deep as the Rothschilds, centralized banking, the 13 families, the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America...' he said. 'If we were truly the children of Israel and we're defining who the Jewish people are .... I feel like if we can actually understand that construct then we can see that there is no hate involved.' 'When we talk about the lies, the deceit, how the fake dollar controls all of this, then maybe we can get to the reason why they wanted to silence you, why they wanted silence Louis Farrakhan. 'It's never hate speech, you can't be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people,' he said. 'When we are the same people who they want to be. That's our birthright. We are the true Hebrews.' Following the backlash from the video, ViacomCBS - which is owned Jewish-American media executive Shari Redstone - announced that it was cutting ties with television producer. ViacomCBS is owned Jewish-American media executive Shari Redstone Advertisement Cannon doubled down in a follow up statement on Wednesday titled 'Truth and Reconciliation' in which he accused ViacomCBS of trying to 'make an example of an outspoken black man'. The actor detailed his success at the network through the years including the development of his 'billion-dollar brand' that was later 'swindled away' from him Cannon revealed he contacted Viacom boss Shari Redstone, who is Jewish, amid the backlash to have a conversation and offer an apology, but claims his efforts went ignored. He also claimed the company had banned advertising supporting George Floyd and Breonna Taylor He claimed Viacom was on the 'wrong side of history' before demanding full ownership of 'Wild 'N Out' as well as an apology NICK CANNON CLAIMS BLACK PEOPLE ARE THE 'TRUE HEBREWS' IN ANTI-WHITE AND ANTI-SEMITIC RANT ON YOUTUBE TALK SHOW Nick Cannon went on an anti-white rant and delved deep into anti-Semitic tropes during a discussion with former Public Enemy member Richard 'Professor Griff' Griffin on his YouTube talk show and podcast, 'Cannon's Class'. Cannon esponded to his firing in a lengthy statement on Facebook in which he said he did not condone hate speech, but refused to say he was sorry Cannon claimed white people of the past feared blacks due to white people's lack of skin pigmentation or melanin, which he said comes with 'compassion.' 'The people that don't have [melanin] - I'm going to say this carefully - are a little less..and where the term actually comes from...they may not have the compassion when they were sent to the mountains of Caucasus... the sun then started to deteriorate them so then, they're acting out of fear, they're acting out of low self-esteem, they're acting out of a deficiency,' he said. 'So, therefore, the only way that they can act is evil. They have to rob, steal, rape, kill in order to survive. 'So then, these people that didn't have what we have and when I say we, I speak of the melanated people they had to be savages. They had to be barbaric because they're in these Nordic environments... 'They're acting as animals so they're the ones that are actually closer to animals. They're the ones that are actually the true savages.' The episode also discussed Griffin's departure from Public Enemy in 1989 after the rapper himself was accused of antisemitism for saying Jews were 'wicked' and responsible for 'the the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe.' Griffin argued that being 'Semitic' had nothing to do with being white and that Jewish people had stolen black people's 'birthright.' The pair contended that black people are the true Hebrews and that Jews have usurped their identity. Cannon then segued into antisemitic conspiracies talking about 'going as deep as the Rothschilds, centralized banking, the 13 families, the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America.' 'It's never hate speech, you can't be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people,' Cannon said. 'When we are the same people who they want to be. That's our birthright. We are the true Hebrews.' Advertisement He then doubled down on his stance on Wednesday in a follow-up statement titled, 'Truth and Reconciliation', in which he accused ViacomCBS of trying to put a 'young negro in his place' and has demanded ownership of his 'billion-dollar Wild 'N Out brand' that he said was 'swindled away' from him. 'If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize, Cannon said. 'But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar 'Wild 'N Out' brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!' Cannon, who had been with the network for over two decades, said he was 'deeply saddened' that the company 'misused' an important, teachable moment to instead 'make an example of an outspoken black man.' 'I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community,' he added. Cannon accused ViacomCBS of being on 'the wrong side of history' and claimed it had banned advertisements that supported George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in the wake of nationwide protests against racial injustice. Amid the fallout from his podcast, Cannon said he contacted Viacom boss Shari Redstone, who is Jewish, to 'have a conversation of reconciliation' and to offer an apology, but claimed his efforts to make amends went ignored. 'Dead Silence! So that's when I realized they don't want a conversation or growth, they wanted to put the young negro in his place. They wanted to show me who is boss, hang me out to dry and make an example of anyone who says something they don't agree with,' he added. He also apologized to the Jewish community 'for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right.' Cannon has been part of the ViacomCBS network for over two decades, hosting The Masked Singer and Wild 'N Out on Fox In a follow up statement on Wednesday, Cannon demanded full ownership of his 'Wild 'N Out' brand that he claimed was 'swindled away' from him by the company Explanation: As he encouraged more 'healthy dialogue' from experts, clergy, or spokespersons, he reiterated his intentions are to show 'that as a beautiful human species we have way more commonalities than differences' WHO ARE BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES? Black Hebrew Israelites - also called Black Hebrews, African Hebrew Israelites and Hebrew Israelites - are members of an offshoot of a broader religious movement often referred to as Black Israelism, which dates back to the 18th century. The movement's various sects are loosely bound by a belief that African Americans are literal descendants of the Israelites in the Bible. Their identification with the Israelites was largely in response to racial oppression in the United States. The majority of Black Hebrew Israelites are not recognized as Jews by the greater Jewish community, with the exception of a small number who have formally converted to Judaism. Groups differ in specific practices and beliefs, some focusing on adapting principles of Judaism and Christianity and others using terms and traditions of Judaism as part of a distinct, separate belief system. The predominant group in New York City is the House of Israel, whose members are known for street-preaching about the end of times. According to HOI's website, the group is dedicated to 'uniting and building up the nation destroyed by Colonialism, Imperialism, and Slavery'. 'Our chief mission is the uplifting of the so called Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans; who are the 12 Tribes of Israel,' the website reads. Legal advocacy group Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the movement a hate group. They have no connection with mainstream Judaism. Advertisement The former America's Got Talent host has had a relationship with Viacom since his Nickelodeon days in the 90s. Cannon became chairman and creative consultant of Nickelodeon's TeenNick channel in 2009. Cannon had addressed his firing in an initial statement on Facebook saying: 'Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions. I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric.' He added: 'The Black and Jewish communities have both faced enormous hatred, oppression persecution and prejudice for thousands of years and in many ways have and will continue to work together to overcome these obstacles.' Additionally, Cannon called himself an 'advocate for people's voices to be heard openly, fairly and candidly.' Cannon was photographed holding up a fist along with Black Lives Matter protesters in Times Square last month Cannon's firing was met with mixed reactions on Twitter with many taking the actor's side and claiming there was a double-standard when it comes to race Some critics said Cannon's remarks promoted 'anti-white racism' and antisemitism 'In today's conversation about anti-racism and social justice, I think we all - including myself - must continue educating one another and embrace uncomfortable conversations - it's the only way we ALL get better,' the father-of-three continued. As he encouraged more 'healthy dialogue' from experts, clergy, or spokespersons, he reiterated his intentions are to show 'that as a beautiful human species we have way more commonalities than differences.' Cannon also clarified why his remarks and statement don't contain the words 'sorry' and 'apologize' to Fast Company. 'To me apologies are empty. Are you forcing me to say the words 'I'm sorry'? Are you making me bow down, 'cause then again, that would be perpetuating that same rhetoric that we're trying to get away from,' Cannon said. He furthered: 'What we need is healing. What we need is discussion. Correct me. I don't tell my children to say, 'I'm sorry.' I want them to understand where they need to be corrected. And then that's how we grow.' tech2 News Staff Editor's Note: This article has been re-published on 20 July 2020 as the UAE's Hope Probe was launched successfully. Editor's Note: The launch of UAE's Hope Mars mission has been delayed due to poor weather conditions at the launch site in Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. Originally scheduled to blast off on 15 July at 2.21 am IST, the revised launch attempt is now targeting Friday, 17 July at 2.13 am IST. The United Arab Emirates is gearing up to launch its first-ever interplanetary mission this week a Mars orbiter called 'Hope'. The primary goal of the mission is to study the Martian atmosphere, with the hope of preventing the Earth's atmosphere from becoming as uninhabitable as present-day Mars'. With the Hope mission, UAE also hopes to inspire other nations in the region to pursue space, on top of advancing our scientific understanding of the Red Planet. In an interview with Space.com, Hessa Al Matroushi, science data and analysis lead for the mission at the UAE's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center said "I think one of the messages of this mission is hope, which is the name of the probe itself. If a small nation like us (UAE) is able to achieve this kind of mission and get ourselves to Mars, then everything is possible." The Hope probe was developed through a partnership between Mohamed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and Arizona State University (ASU). The Hope mission is a Mars orbiter spacecraft, which will study the thin atmosphere of Mars and help explain how the planet loses hydrogen and oxygen from its atmosphere into space. The mission is officially named the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) and the orbiter has been named Hope or 'Al Amal'. If successful, the Hope orbiter will join six others in studying Mars, from the US, Europe and India. Also read: UAE's Mars orbiter mission seeks to bring Hope to more places than just the red planet The Hope orbiter The Hope probe has a mission life of one Martian year, which is almost two Earth years. The spacecraft weighs around 1.35 kgs, is 3 metres tall and around 8 metres wide. It also has 600-watt solar panels that will charge its battery. The three main objectives of the Hope probe are: to understand the climate dynamics and global weather map of Mars by studying the lower atmosphere of Mars. to explain how the weather of Mars affects the escape of hydrogen and oxygen, by correlating conditions in the lower and upper atmosphere to understand the presence and variability of hydrogen and oxygen in the upper atmosphere, and why Mars is losing these gases to space Another unofficial objective of the Hope probe is to understand how Mars evolved into the Red desert we know. It is a known fact that the Red Planet was once habitable, from signatures of flowing water and organic material that point to a past that could have supported living things. An understanding of Mars' past could help scientists understand the future of Earth. Instruments on the Hope probe The Hope Probe has three scientific instruments aboard to collect data for its mission. 1. The Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI): a multi-wavelength imager capable of capturing 12-megapixel visible-light and ultraviolet imagery of the Martian atmosphere. With EXI, mission scientists are hoping to measure the distribution of water-ice and ozone in the lower atmosphere in 3 different ultraviolet wavelengths of light. EXI can also capture images in 3 visible light wavelengths (RGB). 2. The Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS): designed to study the lower Mars atmosphere in infrared light, to analyse dust, ice clouds and water vapor. EMIRS also measures the temperature of the surface and the lower atmosphere of Mars. The instrument is designed to study the distribution of dust, ice clouds, water vapour, along with its temperature profile of the Red Planet's lower atmosphere. 3. The Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS): designed to study the upper atmosphere of Mars in far-ultraviolet wavelengths. This, scientists are hoping, can determine the distribution and fluctuation of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the upper layers of the Mars atmosphere. EMUS can also reportedly measure the distribution of oxygen and hydrogen in the Martian exosphere the outermost region of the planet's atmosphere. This is also the region where the escape of gases into space is thought to begin. Launch of UAE's Hope Mission The United Arab Emirates' orbiter is scheduled to launch on 15 July 12.51 am UAE time (2.21 am IST). The launch window begins on 14 July and stays open till 12 August 2020. The launch is planned from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan, aboard the H2A202 rocket part of the H-IIA launch vehicle family developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It will take around 200 days to cover the 49,35,00,000-km-distance to reach Mars, with a landing expected in 2021. According to NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive, the Hope probe will enter an elliptical orbit around Mars that is roughly 22,000 x 44,000 km (nearest x farthest) in altitude, taking approximately 55 hours to complete a single orbit after it has breached the gravity of Mars. For an interplanetary mission, the idea for the mission came not from scientists but from the UAE government, as per a report in Nature, chasing a non-negotiable deadline of 2 December 2021 the countrys 50th anniversary. As per plans, Hope is designed to carry out two years of science operations starting May 2021, with a possibility of a two-year extension to do more science till 2025. Also read: UAE's first Mars orbiter Hope to launch at 2.21 am IST tonight: How to catch the action live During and after launch: What to expect After the rocket carrying the Hope orbiter lifts off, the final stage of the rocket will park itself in a high orbit around Earth. Using thrusters and maneuvers, the rocket will be prepared for a launch towards Mars as it comes into perfect alignment with Earth. Once this alignment is achieved, the rocket's thrusters will reignite, propelling itself and the Hope orbiter inside it, on a trajectory towards Mars. Once the right direction and velocity (11km/s) are achieved, the rocket's final stage is expected to release the Hope orbiter to continue on the rest of its journey to Mars. The orbiter will power up after separating from the rocket, and its solar panels will be deployed, kick-starting the spacecraft's charging mechanism to power its flight and communication with the mission control team. The Hope probe's communication link will be transmitting to Earth via the NASA Deep Space Network ground station in Madrid. According to the Emirates Mars Mission website, "once the signal is received on the ground station, the EMM Operations Team will begin their checks on the spacecraft." The team will also ensure the Hope spacecraft is moving along in the right trajectory and its propulsion system is working in tandem. Once Hope reaches Mars' orbit, it will be slowed down using its own thrusters, allowing it to be captured by the Red Planet's gravity. This critical step requires precision, so the orbiter isn't lost to space, and the mission doesn't fail. The EMM team will oversee a series of fuel-burning thrusts to slow the orbiter down from a velocity of 1,21,000 km/h to approximately 18,000 km/h. This phase will continue for around half an hour designed to be completed automatically, since there is a signal delay of 13-26 minutes between the spacecraft and the mission control team depending on the spacecraft's relative position to Earth. Communication with the probe will "go dark" after it inserts itself into a "capture orbit" around Mars, since it will be orbiting the far side of Mars. Once it comes out from behind Mars and faces Earth, the spacecraft will re-establish contact with the ground team. If all goes well, the orbiter will spend the next six weeks preparing for its science objectives. It will also click its first image of Mars in this time, and relay it to Earth. The spacecraft will make its move from the capture orbit to a science orbit, a process that will take around 55 hours to complete, and bring the orbiter to a 20,000 km x 43,000 km (nearest x farthest altitude). This science orbit, the space agency has said, will allow Hope to "complete the first-ever planet-wide, 24x7 picture of Mars atmospheric dynamics and weather." The first images and science data from the Hope mission is due sometime around August 2021. NASA's Perseverance Mars rover and China's Tianwen-1 mission a three-in-one combo of an orbiter, lander and rover are also slated to accompany UAE's Hope probe on its journey, with their launches scheduled for later in July 2020. The Perseverance Mars rover is expected to launch on 30 July, while the Tianwen-1 mission is slated for a 23 July launch. Also read: Launch of UAE's first interplanetary missions to Mars Hope Probe might be delayed due to bad weather in Japan A man shown in a trending social media post that said he preferred crushing ribs to now-banned chokeholds is not a Birmingham police officer, the department announced this morning. A man identified in the post as Greg Hicks was responding on Facebook to a news report about Mayor Randall Woodfin banning the use of chokeholds or stangleholds by Birmingham police. Screengrab of the post. I always preferred literally crushing ribs to gain compliance anyway, rather than a safe choke hold thatll gain compliance with little or no physical damage done, Hicks wrote. If Im gonna have to do paperwork on you, youre gonna earn it. Efforts by AL.com to contact Hicks for comment were not immediately successful. Birmingham police spokeswoman Ariana Garza said the person depicted in the post left the Birmingham Police Department in 2018. The person depicted in a trending social media post is NOT a Birmingham police officer. The individual separated from BPD in 2018. When the individuals distasteful social media comment was brought to our attention, BPD immediately initiated an investigation. pic.twitter.com/xPDcFL5KGT Bhampolice (@BhamPolice) July 15, 2020 When the individuals distasteful social media comment was brought to our attention, BPD immediately initiated an investigation, Garza said. BPD does not condone such comments and takes complaints seriously. Although the individual is no longer affiliated with BPD, we want to thank the public for bringing the comment to our attention in an effort to ensure accountability. Analysts say a dispute between Taiwan and the European Union for its ban on Taiwanese travelers may typify future diplomatic squabbles among governments around the world as they seek consensus on allowing international travel amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Foreign Ministry in Taipei said this week it hoped the EU would put Taiwan on a safe list of places from which citizens can travel in Europe. Taiwan has nearly zero active disease cases but wont reciprocate by allowing in EU citizens, a problem for the European side. Taiwan says the EU isnt safe from disease yet. Taiwans political rival, China, may have asked the European Union to shun Taiwan too, some analysts say. The Taiwan case exposes a lack of standard, internationally accepted consular practices on how governments should reopen to foreign travelers the source of economically crucial trade and tourism in a world where successful disease control varies widely. Some countries want reciprocity in the same spirit they decide the price of visas, experts believe. Others show signs of letting in just business travelers in the short term, they say, and a lot in Asia are expected to stay shut completely until a vaccine comes out. Deglobalization is continuing in the face of COVID-19 with the collapse of many of the systems that underpin global economic development, said Stuart Orr, professor of management at Deakin University in Australia. This will continue to highlight the cultural distances between sovereign states and lead to increasing differences in expectations about border reopening. In the face of deglobalization, shared understandings between sovereign states is decreasing rather than increasing, Orr added. Japan plans to ease travel restrictions by letting in some 250 business travelers per day from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported in June. The target countries all have low COVID-19 caseloads. Singapore and six Chinese cities and provinces have agreed to open an immigration fast lane for business travelers, the Singaporean Foreign Ministry says on its website. The often-deadly disease first surfaced in China, which is also a key source of travel revenue for Singapore. Australian media quoted their countrys tourism minister last month saying the border would stay sealed until 2021. The European Union, by contrast, opened its borders to all 27 member nations on June 15 despite lingering outbreaks in some spots. Hopeful travelers are braced now even for bans on leaving their own countries and on returning to countries where they hold long-term residence permits. The Philippines wont let most citizens out, for example, while China has banned foreign permit holders from reentry. Its a real mess all over the world and the list of rules is so long its really a nightmare trying to figure out whats going on, said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist with the market research firm IHS Markit in Singapore. Theres no standard. Every country makes its own decision about how they want to go about this. Most Asian governments will hold out for a vaccine before any mass reopening moves, Biswas forecast. Taiwans Foreign Ministry said it plans to keep talking with EU officials about letting Taiwanese travelers enter. The European bloc has opened to citizens of 15 outside countries including some that report higher COVID-19 caseloads than Taiwans. The EU decides not only on the grounds of med [medical] records and the factual reality, said Fabrizio Bozzato, Taiwan-based researcher at the CEMAS Center research forum at the University of Rome. Its decisions are also the result of political considerations, so the exclusion of Taiwan from the first iteration of the list does not come as a total surprise. The EUs demand for Taiwans reciprocity is probably just an excuse, said Chao Chien-min, dean of social sciences at Chinese Culture University in Taipei. He suspects European countries want to get on the good side of China because of the Asian powerhouses global economic clout. China claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan and condemns other governments from treating the island like a state. Because their relations with mainland China are already poor, they dont need to make relations even worse because of Taiwan, Chao said. The Delhi government on Wednesday initiated the process of formation of its own school education board and constituted two committees Delhi Education Board Committee and Delhi Curriculum Reform Committee to work on it. In its Budget 2020-21, the Delhi government had announced plans for curriculum reforms and creating a new board of education for the national capital. Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday convened a joint meeting of these committees. Our government schools have showcased exemplary performance in class 12 board exam results. This is a reflection of the work that has been done in the last five years. But 98% result is not enough, we have to work together to take education to the next level, he said. The committee for creation of the framework for Delhi State Education Board will study global best practices in learning assessment, re-imagine current assessment practices and provide a roadmap for an innovative, student-friendly scheme of assessment to be followed by the new board. The committee for the creation of a new curriculum for children up to the age of 14 years will study globally renowned best practices in curriculum and reforms and recommend what is best suited for Delhi, the government said in a statement. The committee is mandated to re-imagine current curriculum, pedagogical practices and provide a roadmap for an innovative, student-friendly curriculum for the pre-primary, primary and upper primary stages in the schools of Delhi. Our past results have been reflective of what can be done within the existing education system in the past five years, by bringing about massive transformation in the quality of education. But now, the team should think about redesigning the education system in a way that will suit the demand and challenges of the 21st century world, he said. Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, who was removed as the president of Congress state unit on Tuesday, said that he is not going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I am not joining BJP. Those saying that are just trying to lower me in Gandhis eyes, he told Hindustan Times. Sachin Pilot also denied colluding with the BJP to conspire against the Congress. Pilot also cancelled a press conference scheduled for today. Also Read: BJP waiting in wings, watching events unfold The Congress had removed Pilot as Rajasthan Congress chief on Tuesday. He was also dropped by chief minister Ashok Gehlot from the cabinet after a meeting of the Congress legislature party (CLP). Also removed along with him from the cabinet were food and civil supplies minister Ramesh Meena and tourism minister Vishvendra Singh. Rajasthan education minister Govind Singh Dotasra was named the new Congress chief in Rajasthan. The party also sacked Mukesh Bhakar and Rakesh Pareek as presidents of frontal organisations Youth Congress and Sewa Dal. Rajasthan has been facing a political crisis after Pilot, along with his supporters, left the state leaving the Congress government led by Gehlot in a lurch. Pilot claimed that after his leaving, the Gehlot government has come in minority and sought a floor test. The grand old party immediately deputed two senior leaders to resolve the crisis and bring Pilot and the other rebels back into the fold. But all the efforts were futile and Pilot did not attend the two CLP meetings called by the party on Monday and Tuesday. Responding to the rebellion, Congress dismissed Pilot as deputy chief minister, sacked him as the state unit president of the party, removed two of his loyalists from the cabinet, accused his camp of conspiring with the BJP to destabilise the government, and contended that its government has numbers. On Tuesday, 101 legislators - in an assembly of 200 - attended the CLP meeting at the Fairmont hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur, which included 10 independent legislators and two from Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) and one from the Communist Party of India (Marxist); the other CPIM legislator was unwell. However, in the afternoon, the two BTP legislators left the hotel, and went home, saying they would take a call on supporting a political party at an appropriate time. Also Read: Numbers behind Rajasthan story Pilots camp claimed to have the support of 22 legislators, including three independents, also said that six other legislators would join it soon, and rejected Gehlots claims of being in a majority. Greg Butz Sumner Schick is a well-respected firm with an excellent reputation. Healthcare is a very complex and challenging industry and I am looking forward to witnessing the firms depth of experience firsthand. Sumner Schick has hired Greg Butz as an associate. Butz has a background in the banking and finance industry and is focusing his practice on healthcare law. Before joining Sumner Schick, Butz gained experience as an in-house staff attorney for a North Texas-based healthcare company. During law school, he completed several legal internships including placements with The United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Bimbo Bakeries USA and YourCause, LLC, a Plano-based software-as-a-service company. Sumner Schick is a well-respected firm with an excellent reputation, Attorney Greg Butz said. Healthcare is a very complex and challenging industry and I am looking forward to witnessing the firms depth of experience firsthand. Greg is a great addition to our healthcare practice, Partner Justin Sumner said. He is able to take his past experiences in banking and apply them in creative ways. We know he will make a fantastic healthcare attorney. Butz earned his Juris Doctor at Texas A&M University School of Law (TAMU Law), where he graduated magna cum laude and in the top 5 percent of his class. While serving as a Law Review staff member at TAMU Law, his article on banking regulations was published. Butz attended Oklahoma City University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Music Business. Sumner Schick LLP is a Dallas-based law firm that represents businesses and individuals in high-stakes litigation, real estate & construction, and business law matters. The firms attorneys advise and advocate for the interests of businesses of every size, including several Fortune 500 companies, in complex commercial litigation nationwide. Focus areas include health care compliance and transactions, information technology disputes, False Claims Act and Qui Tam matters (defense and prosecution), antitrust, corporate fraud, real estate, construction, and unfair competition. Learn more about Sumner Schick LLP at http://www.sumnerschick.com. SOURCE: Sumner Schick Like Sumner Schick on Facebook Follow Sumner Scick on LinkedIn SELBYVILLE, Del., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Global Market Insights Inc., the hollow glass microspheres market valuation is expected to hit nearly $2,418.8 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 4.4% from 2020 to 2026. The report provides a full analysis of the wavering industry trends, top winning strategies, opportunities and drivers, key avenues of investment, the competitive scenario, and market estimations as well as size. Global Market Insights Inc. Hollow glass microspheres are increasingly being used in the construction of energy-efficient building structures by several constructors, designers, and building owners. The product is extensively accepted to be utilized in coatings in order to achieve high overall solar reflectance within building coatings. These coatings have the capability to reflect solar energy back into the atmosphere, which is achieved by utilizing conventional fillers like calcium carbonate, and titanium oxide among others. Request for Sample Report: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/256 Based on the product, the coated segment is expected to account for nearly an 8% demand share over the forecast timeframe. The coatings can be of numerous metals like nickel, silver, and aluminum among others. Silver boasts several different properties, making it an extremely desirable coating for microspheres. It is thermally and electrically conductive and also provides exceptional reflectivity across the entire visible spectrum and infrared region. Key reasons for hollow glass microspheres' market growth Increasing adoptionof titanium oxide coated microspheres. Increasing application scope in paints and coatings. Growing product consumption across Asia-Pacific . 2026 forecasts anticipate the 'plastic, rubber, & composites' application segment showing appreciative growth The plastic, rubber and composites segment will hold a substantial share of over 18% by the end of the forecast timeframe. The product is utilized as a filler in ultra-high molecular polyethylene. It is further used as a lubricant in the manufacturing process and aids in the modification of mechanical properties of the chemical compound to improve its strength and abrasion resistance. Furthermore, the global polyethylene segment is likely to reach high growth, ascribed to growing demand from packaged goods, as well as growing consumer lifestyles. With rising polyethylene demand, the hollow glass microspheres market segment is also anticipated to gain momentum over the coming years. Europe and Asia-Pacific's hollow glass microsphere industry to witness appreciative growth On the regional front, the Europe class microsphere industry is the second-largest market for hollow microsphere systems, contributing to more than 25% of the overall business in 2019. Growth of various industries, which include oil & gas and metallurgical & mining, will further boost the hollow glass microspheres' market share as these industries have been increasingly shifting toward hollow microspheres and lightweight materials, which provide numerous advantages in comparison to other traditionally used fillers. Strict government regulation concerning greenhouse gas emissions from buildings will further drive the product demand. Request for customization of this report: https://www.gminsights.com/roc/256 Asia-Pacific accounted for nearly 32.9% of the worldwide construction business in 2016 and is projected to be the fastest-growing hollow glass microspheres market segment. This growth is ascribed to the increasing development of infrastructure facilities, which would further provide substantial gains to the real-estate industry, especially in China and India. Furthermore, the region is also likely to observe surging demand for building spaces that are non-residential in nature, presenting new opportunities of growth. Leading market players The key market players analyzed in the hollow glass microspheres industry report include SphereTek, Sovitech, Geocon Products, 3M, Kish Company Inc, Sinosteel Maanshan New Material Technology Company Ltd, Mo-Sci Corporation, and Polysciences Inc among many others. They have incorporated several strategies including partnerships, expansions, collaborations, joint ventures, and others to heighten their stand in the industry. Related Reports: Titanium Dioxide Market Future Business Strategies and Revenue Impact Analysis - 2026 Coated Fabrics Market Business Strategies And Competitive Analysis - 2024 Coated Glass Market Future Business Strategies and Competitive Analysis - 2024 About Global Market Insights, Inc. Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider. Offering syndicated and custom research reports, growth consulting, and business intelligence services, Global Market Insights, Inc. aims to help clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data that aid in strategic decision making. GMIPulse, our business analytics platform, offers an online, interactive option of exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top-level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company-level, and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision-makers. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.gminsights.com Related Images hollow-glass-microspheres-market.jpg Hollow Glass Microspheres Market Statistics - 2026 Related Links Aluminum Market | Future Business Strategies and Revenue Impact Analysis - 2026 Ionic Liquids Market Forecast - 2022 SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc. Related Links https://www.gminsights.com Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media A Connecticut prosecutor was disciplined after making a remark about his boss, Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy, during a Zoom call last month. According to letter obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media from Chief States Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr., senior assistant states attorney Mark Brodsky was reprimanded for an incident of "misconduct" that occurred during Hardy's reappointment hearing last month. I've been a reporter and editor at Missouri community newspapers for 35 years and joined the Columbia Missourian in 2003. My emphasis at the Missourian is on local government and elections. You can reach me at swaffords@missouri.edu or at 573-884-5366. Follow this search 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 New research discovers the technical interviews used for many software engineering positions do not necessarily test if someone is good at coding, but instead assess if a job candidate has performance anxiety. Investigators from North Carolina State University and Microsoft found that the interviews may also be used to exclude groups or favor specific job candidates. Technical interviews are feared and hated in the industry, and it turns out that these interview techniques may also be hurting the industrys ability to find and hire skilled software engineers, said Dr. Chris Parnin, an assistant professor of computer science at NC State and co-author of a paper on the work. Our study suggests that a lot of well-qualified job candidates are being eliminated because theyre not used to working on a whiteboard in front of an audience. Researchers explain that technical interviews in the software engineering sector generally take the form of giving a job candidate a problem to solve. The candidate is then asked to write out a solution in code on a whiteboard explaining each step of the process to an interviewer. Previous research found that many developers in the software engineering community felt the technical interview process was deeply flawed. As a result, the current study was created to assess the effect of the interview process on aspiring software engineers. For the study, researchers conducted technical interviews of 48 computer science undergraduates and graduate students. Half of the study participants were given a conventional technical interview, with an interviewer looking on. The other half of the participants were asked to solve their problem on a whiteboard in a private room. The private interviews did not require study participants to explain their solutions aloud, and had no interviewers looking over their shoulders. Researchers measured each study participants interview performance by assessing the accuracy and efficiency of each solution. In other words, they wanted to know whether the code they wrote would work, and the amount of computing resources needed to run it. People who took the traditional interview performed half as well as people that were able to interview in private, Parnin said. In short, the findings suggest that companies are missing out on really good programmers because those programmers arent good at writing on a whiteboard and explaining their work out loud while coding. The researchers also note that the current format of technical interviews may also be used to exclude certain job candidates. For example, interviewers may give easier problems to candidates they prefer, Parnin said. But the format may also serve as a barrier to entire classes of candidates. For example, in our study, all of the women who took the public interview failed, while all of the women who took the private interview passed. Our study was limited, and a larger sample size would be needed to draw firm conclusions, but the idea that the very design of the interview process may effectively exclude an entire class of job candidates is troubling. Whats more, the specific nature of the technical interview process means that many job candidates try to spend weeks or months training specifically for the technical interview, rather than for the actual job theyd be doing. The technical interview process gives people with industry connections an advantage, said Mahnaz Behroozi, first author of the study and a Ph.D. student at NC State. But it gives a particularly large advantage to people who can afford to take the time to focus solely on preparing for an interview process that has very little to do with the nature of the work itself. And the problems this study highlights are in addition to a suite of other problems associated with the hiring process in the tech sector, which we presented at ICSE-SES [the International Conference on Software Engineering, Software Engineering In Society], said Behroozi. If the tech sector can address all of these challenges in a meaningful way, it will make significant progress in becoming more fair and inclusive. More to the point, the sector will be drawing from a larger and more diverse talent pool, which would contribute to better work. The study will be presented at the ACM Joint European Software Engineering Conference and Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering, being held virtually from Nov. 8-13. Source: North Carolina State University Vietnam climbs up two places to rank 86th in the 2020 United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI). Illustrative image With overall score of 0.6667, Vietnam ranks 6th in Southeast Asian, after Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and the Phillippines. The EGDI is a survey conducted annually and whose reports are published every two years by the United Nations Public Administration Program (UNPAP), since its launch in 2003. Involving all the 193 UN member states, the EGDI aims to analyse the capacity and willingness of a nation to utilise e-governance as a vital tool for development. The index is calculated taking into account the weighted average of three indices, which cover the primary dimensions of e-governance, namely: Online Service Index (OSI), Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII), and Human Capital Index (HCI): This year, Vietnam made significant improvements in the telecommunication infrastructure index, jumping 31 spots to 69th (0.6694 points) while its human capital index ranks 117th (0.6779 points), up 3 places from the 2018 version of the EGDI. The countrys online service index, however, decreases by 22 places to 81st (0.6529 points), according to the survey. The 2020 Survey findings are encouraging, showing significant uptakes in digital services in different geographic regions, countries and cities, according to Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. He said e-participation and data-centric approaches have been enhanced, and the focus in building digital capacities has increased. Yet, the progress is confronted with existing and new challenges and risks, such as cybersecurity and data privacy. Some considerations are especially urgent or important in developing countries including countries in special situations. These include lack of digital infrastructures, sustainable e-government platforms and limited resources for implementing digital government policies. VGP/VNA Programme to train 100 e-Government experts opens The Department of Computerisation under the Ministry of Information and Communications held the opening ceremony of a programme to train 100 e-Government experts in Hanoi on June 11. A Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has backed down calls by some members of the public for the Electoral Commission to halt the new voters registration exercise due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. According to the Deputy Minister, many countries are embarking on elections irrespective of the disease. Addressing the media after distribution of hand sanitizers and face masks to applicants for the new voters ID in the Teshie community, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye said quitting the registration process does not guarantee ones safety against the disease. The whole world is out there knowing very much that there is a virus out there and so we are all taught to engage in what is referred to in public health as risk behaviour. The only guarantee you have is to reduce your risk and the only way you can have an avoidance of zero risk is when you are dead and out of this world. So on the thought that quitting the registration, the question I ask is that, those who are asking for government to quit the exercise, how come they still go to work? They go to work now that we are recording positive cases at the workplace but why wont they say close workplaces, close lorry stations, close the markets, close the radio stations and close TV so that all of us will be in our rooms? Immediately you go to that level, the risk of death and the quality of life becomes higher than that of the virus and so let me quickly say that in Croatia, theyve had their elections, Egypt is going to have their elections next month, Japan has had elections and the US will be having their elections. All these countries are having elections with sanitisers around, thermometer guns, and face masks around. That is how the world must behave until we get a vaccine and push this virus out. Meanwhile, Dr. Okoe Boye also urged the public to wear face shields and masks to protect themselves from the virus. Let me speak about this face shield. Once again, the more of the protocols you observe, the greater you reduce your risk. If someone wears a mask and avoids crowds or keeps a distance, theyve applied two protocols so their risk is lower. If you wear a mask and sit next to another person scratch your eyes, the virus can descend so the point we must understand is that no protocol is 100 percent or virus-proof what it does is reduce your risk further so that when Im in a face shield my risk is lower than the one who is without anything but if Im wearing the face shield and the mask, my risk is further lowered. Pause voter registration exercise to prevent more COVID-19 deaths Some health professionals in the country had earlier written to the Electoral Commission asking the electoral management body to pause the ongoing voter registration exercise until safer ways of conducting the exercise are identified to prevent further spread of COVID-19. According to them, suspending the exercise will help prevent needless Coronavirus deaths in the country. Pause the mass registration, figure out safer ways of carrying it out and prevent Ghana from suffering potentially thousands of deaths or continue with the exercise in this form and be remembered by posterity as a leader who supervised an exercise that allowed for the loss of multiple lives, the group said in its letter to the commission. ---citinewsroom New Delhi: Denying property transfer to his sons name cost a 56-year-old man his life as he was punched, kicked, and bludgeoned to death with sticks allegedly by his wife, son and son-in-law at their home in outer Delhis Samaipur Badli last week. After killing the man named Anand Kumar, his three family members allegedly stuffed his body in a jute bag, transported it on a motorcycle and threw it in the Munak canal, almost two kilometres away from their home, the police said on Wednesday. The crime took place a week ago but came to notice only when Kumars brother, Shankar Das, approached the Samaipur Badli police three days after the crime, filed a missing complaint and suspected that his brother may have been killed by his family members. Till that time, the police had not been informed about Kumars disappearance either by his family members or neighbours, many of who had allegedly witnessed the assault on July 8, senior police officers associated with the case said. On Tuesday, the police arrested Kumars wife Vimla Devi, son Yogesh Kumar, and son-in-law Lalit for allegedly killing him and destroying the evidence of the crime by throwing the body in the canal. The body, however, has yet not been recovered from the canal. Our teams have been searching the body in the canal with the help of divers. Kumars wife, son and son-in-law have been arrested and booked for murder, destruction of evidence and common intention under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of Indian Penal Code. They have confessed to their crime, said deputy commissioner of police (outer north) Gaurav Sharma. DCP Sharma said that Kumars brother, Shankar Das, in his complaint on July 11, had alleged that his brothers family members used to ill-treat him and did not give him food because he had been refusing transfer of the houses ownership to his son Yogesh. Kumar used to work as a barber at a local salon, owned by one Ranvir. ...I used to talk to my brother on Ranvirs phone and he used to tell me about the torture he faced from his family members. He often feared his family members would kill him someday..., Das said in his complaint, which was converted into the first information report (FIR). In the complaint, Das said Kumars neighbour informed his son (Das) Prashant that his uncle was assaulted outside the house by his family members until he became unconscious on July 8 afternoon. They dragged him inside in unconscious state and thereafter he was not seen by anyone. Das tried to speak with Yogesh and Lalit but they did not answer his calls. He then filed the missing complaint. Senior police officers said that they checked the CCTV footage of Kumars neighbourhood and found that his family members were dragging a jutebag outside the house on the night of July 8. In another camera, two persons were seen carrying the sack on a motorcycle while a third person on another bike was following them, they said. We interrogated the three suspects and confronted with the video footage. They broke down and confessed to the crime, DCP Sharma said. YOKOHAMA (dpa-AFX) - Nissan on Wednesday introduced its new mid-size electric crossover SUV, Nissan Ariya with an estimated range of up to 300 miles. The $40,000 Ariya, which was unveiled in Yokohama, Japan, is expected to go on sale in the US. market by the end of 2021. When Nissan launched its first and only EV, Leaf hatchback, a decade back in 2010, there were not many players in the market. Currently, the EV market is comparatively more crowded with popular carmakers including Tesla and Hyundai. The Ariya, which comes with 2-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, has the advanced version of Nissan's proPilot technology, that provides steering assistance to the driver. The 5 passenger car can pull up to 1500 kg, and top speed is 160km/h. Nissan plans to roll-out 12 new models of Ariya in 18 months. 'We created the Nissan Ariya as an answer to the aspirations and practical needs of today's customers,' said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. 'Combining our strengths in EVs and crossovers, it's a showcase for Nissan's new era of excitement and design.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Russia has demonstrated to the UN Security Council, through its aggression against Ukraine and its destabilization of the situation in Syria, how easily it resorts to double standards that cost lives and peace for millions of people, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya has said in an exclusive interview with Ukrinform. "Last week alone, the Russian delegation to the UN twice demonstrated how easily it neglects the lives of millions of ordinary people. I mean two Russian vetoes on draft Security Council resolutions on the Cross-Border Mechanism for Humanitarian Aid Delivery into Syria, on which 2.8 million Syrians depend," the Ukrainian diplomat said. Kyslytsya said that Russia had formally accused the cross-border mechanism of violating Syria's sovereignty because it allows the provision of assistance across the border with neighbouring countries without the permission of the Syrian authorities. "Russia has done everything to ensure that only one of the four cargo checkpoints remains open," Kyslytsya said. He said the unofficial reason for blocking the resolution was in order to help the Assad regime decide for themselves who will receive humanitarian aid and who will not and thus changing the balance of power in the region in their favor. "This is a classic example of double standards. After all, the words of Russian diplomats at the UN about Syria's 'sovereignty' eloquently differ from Russia's actions in eastern Ukraine, where so-called 'humanitarian aid convoys' are regularly sent without the consent and control of the Ukrainian authorities," Kyslytsya said. Russia and China last week blocked a draft resolution in the UN Security Council that allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria through two checkpoints on the border with Turkey. op The Burlington County Freeholder Board plans to give itself a new name, abandoning a centuries-old title considered by some to be sexist and racist. Director Felicia Hopson announced a plan Tuesday to introduce a resolution at the boards Aug. 12 meeting to replace the term chosen freeholder with county commissioner. She said the county plans to begin phasing out the use of the word on its materials, website and signs. The action comes days after Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, expressed support for replacing the slave-era term. Lawmakers are expected to consider a bill Thursday to adopt the term commissioner, which is used by most states, and require all 21 counties to use it. New Jersey is the only state in the country that uses the word freeholder to refer to its elected officials. The title is derived from an old-English term that referred to free landowners at a time when only white men could own property. The property could include enslaved people. +5 Is the term 'freeholder' racist? A bill in the state Legislature requiring counties to change the title of freeholder is dr Torrential rain has devastated parts of Japan. In the western region of Chugoku, thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate after a major river burst its banks. Officials are having a tough time helping the survivors while maintaining anti-COVID measures. One of the hardest-hit prefectures on Tuesday was Shimane where the largest river in the Chugoku Region overflowed flooding large areas. Authorities have issued evacuation orders to more than 3,000 households. A local man said, "A factory on the ground floor of my house was submerged. The water was up to my waist. It was very scary." In neighboring Hiroshima, the intense downpours triggered a mudslide that destroyed a home. Rescue crews confirmed that a 55-year-old man was dead. They are scouring the area to locate his 84-year-old mother. Areas previously hard hit won't see any relief soon. The search continues for more than a dozen missing people. More than 70 others have died. But the coronavirus outbreak is making the situation even more difficult. Local governments are sending about 500 officials and nurses to the Kyushu region to help deal with the disaster. But one of them was found to have been infected with the virus. The nurse was there to look after evacuees. Kumamoto officials say they're testing about 400 people who might have been in contact with the nurse. Kuma Village Mayor Matsutani Koichi said, "It's essential to recruit manpower from outside Kumamoto to promote reconstruction efforts. What we need are measures to make sure that everyone coming in is free of the virus." The central government is still trying to get a full picture of the destruction. It estimates the current damage to the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries to be over 170 million dollars. Aside from a new daily routine when he gets home, not much changed for TJ Webb when he is with his wife and their four children between 1 and 8 years old. He said while doctors in previously heavily hit areas have gone to great lengths to isolate from family members, he keeps it simple. When he gets home from work, he changes out of his clothes and removes his shoes on his enclosed back porch, then dives inside straight to the shower. He said he and his wife have always been frank with their children about medical topics, and COVID-19 is no exception, he said. They spent March preparing for whatever would come next, and TJ Webb spent long hours helping the Family Health Center create its COVID-19 policies and volunteering for double duty at Wacos hospitals should they need more doctors. Katie Webb, a nurse who has been a stay at home mother for the past five years, said she and TJ both felt the same call to action since they were college students. As health care workers theyve gone on mission trips in South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burkina Fasso and Cameroon, primarily in areas hit heavily by shortages of doctors and nurses. Plans to work in hospitals abroad again this year likely will not pan out, she said. The United States has set yet another record for new coronavirus cases after hitting a single-day spike of 67,400 with almost half of those infections coming from Texas, Florida and California. Daily cases have been spiking in hot spot states in recent weeks and the US is now averaging about 60,000 infections per day. There were 67,417 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to more than 3.4 million infections across the US. More than 136,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 after 900 additional fatalities were added to the death toll. Texas reported a record 10,745 cases on Tuesday, while Florida reported 10,181 and California hit 7,346 new infections. Florida also surpassed its daily record for coronavirus deaths on Tuesday with 132 additional fatalities. There were 67,417 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to more than 3.4 million infections across the US More than 136,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 after 900 additional fatalities were added to the death toll Deaths related to COVID-19 have been rising in the last week with about a dozen states reporting increases in deaths for at least two straight weeks, including California, Florida and Texas. Meanwhile, 46 states reported more new cases of COVID-19 last week compared to the previous week, according to a Reuters analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project. Nationally, new COVID-19 cases have risen every week for six straight weeks. Cases are only falling on a weekly basis in New York, Tennessee, New Jersey and Delaware. With the virus is spreading quickly in the southern and western states, one of the countrys top public health officials offered conflicting theories about what is driving the outbreak. CDC director Robert Redfield says the current spike in COVID-19 infections in the South may have been caused by people from the Northeast traveling there for vacation and not due to states reopening too quickly. Addressing the alarming surge in coronavirus cases, Redfield said on Tuesday that infections in Sun Belt states 'simultaneously kind of popped' in the second week of June after reopening in various phases. Redfield compared it to the initial outbreak in the Northeast in March, which he says spread out to various states from epicenter New York. TEXAS CASES: Texas reported a record 10,745 new cases on Tuesday TEXAS DEATHS: 87 new deaths were reported in Texas on Monday, down from the record 105 on July 9 CALIFORNIA: The state reported 7,346 new cases on Monday and 47 new deaths FLORIDA CASES: The number of cases in Florida increased by 9,194, bringing the total to 291,629 FLORIDA DEATHS: Florida added a record 132 fatalities to its death toll on Monday 'We tried to give states guidance on how to reopen safely. I think the guidance we put out was really sound,' he said in an interview with Dr Howard Bauchner of The Journal of the American Medical Association. 'I think if you look critically, few states actually followed that guidance, although I don't think the reopening's actually what's driving the current Southern expansion right now. 'If you look at the South, everything happened around June 12 to June 16. It all simultaneously kind of popped. 'We're of the view that there was something else that was the driver. Maybe the Memorial Day, not weekend, but the Memorial Day week, where a lot of Northerners decided to go South for vacations.' Redfield said some states in the South didn't take social distancing measures as seriously as other parts of the country when they reopened because they didn't have huge outbreaks. This allowed the virus to spread rapidly once it was introduced and take hold in southern states, according to Redfield. 'Something happened in mid-June that we're now confronting right now. It's not as simple as saying it was related to the timing of reopening and no reopening,' he said. New cases have been spiking in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California in recent weeks and the US is now averaging about 50,000 to 60,000 infections per day. 46 states reported more new cases of COVID-19 last week compared to the previous week CDC director Robert Redfield said on Tuesday the current spike in COVID-19 infections in the South may have been caused by people from the Northeast traveling there for vacation and not due to states reopening too quickly Redfield did not provide any data to back up his claim that Northeast vacationers may be partly to blame for the current surge in cases. CDC officials said that there are various possible explanations and that Redfield was offering just one. Redfield said that he believes the US could get COVID-19 under control with four to eight weeks if all Americans wear a mask and continue to social distance. 'I think if we can get everyone to wear masks right now, we can bring this under control within four, six, eight weeks,' Redfield said. 'I am glad to see the president and vice president wear a mask. Clearly, in their situation they could easily justify they don't need to... but we need for them to set the example.' He said he was 'worried' about the fall and winter given it coincides with the flu season. 'I do think the fall and the winter of 2020 and 2021 are probably going to be one of the most difficult times that we've experienced in American public health because of... the co-occurrence of COVID and influenza,' he said. By Andrew Hay RED RIVER, N.M. (Reuters) - In the New Mexico mountain resort of Red River, tourists from Texas stroll along Main Street, most disregarding Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's orders they quarantine and wear masks. It's the same in other New Mexican tourist towns such as Taos and Santa Fe, except nearly all their visitors wear face coverings - surrounded by signs warning of fines if they don't. Like governors in at least 15 states, Democrat Lujan Grisham has ordered out-of-state tourists to self-isolate, citing data that about one in 10 of New Mexico's spiking COVID-19 cases comes from visitors. Enforcing the orders is proving difficult, given the lack of a national plan, police reluctance to take on the massive task, and Americans' penchant for driving hundreds or thousands of miles to vacation, even in a pandemic. A U.S. road trip this summer means navigating through a patchwork of quarantine regulations across various states, most of them voluntary. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut require travelers from 19 states with high COVID-19 infection rates to self-quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. New York imposes fines. Hard-hit Florida requires travelers from those three states to self-isolate for 14 days whether arriving by plane or car, or face a $500 fine. Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont all have varying self-isolation rules. 'TAKING AWAY OUR LIBERTY' New Mexico published newspaper ads in neighboring Arizona and Texas, states respectively reporting 27% and 18% positive coronavirus test rates, urging their residents not to visit. Health experts consider a 5% rate to be worrisome. But tourists keep coming. "I think it's bullshit. They're saying the masks should work, so why should you be quarantined?" said Chris Fry, 59, a feed company manager from Dimmitt, Texas, staying in his cabin near Red River and stopping in town for ice before going fishing. Story continues A 45-minute drive south in Taos Plaza, Louisiana tourist Christy Brasiel was frustrated the historic Native American community was closed to visitors and compared Lujan Grisham's rules to "communism or socialism." "They're taking away our liberty," said Brasiel, 49, staying in an Airbnb rental to avoid her voluntary quarantine order enforced by local hotels that turn away out-of-state visitors. As in cities across New Mexico, police in Red River have yet to issue citations for non-compliance to COVID-19 rules, said Mayor Linda Calhoun, a Republican, adding that she is encouraging businesses to require masks. "We live off of tourists, that's all we have, so it's very difficult for us to enforce the order," Calhoun said of the quarantine rule in her town nicknamed "Little Texas" for the number of visitors from that state. Many locals in Taos County, where COVID-19 cases have doubled in the last month, are dismayed by the rule breaking. "It doesn't make any sense to be so selfish," said lawyer Maureen Moore, 67. "WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE" Only three weeks ago, as outbreaks raged across the U.S. Sunbelt, New Mexico reported stable or declining daily cases. A poor state with limited hospital capacity, New Mexico used early, tough restrictions to curb the pandemic. But with its positive test rate rising above 4%, Lujan Grisham has scolded New Mexicans for letting down their guard since she eased restrictions on June 1, and on Monday reclosed indoor restaurant dining. On a shortlist as a running mate to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Lujan Grisham has also rounded on tourism, the state's second-largest industry. "We don't want you here now," she told potential visitors in a July 9 press briefing, taking special aim at Texans. "I want you to stay in Texas." Lujan Grisham said New Mexico State Police would "aggressively" enforce her quarantine and mask orders. The force has handed out 13 verbal warnings for mask violations but none for quarantine non-compliance, a spokeswoman said on Monday. The rules are piling pandemic pain on businesses in the state. Standing outside his Red River supermarket, business owner Ted Calhoun said Lujan Grisham had gone too far. "Ordering visitors to do a 14-day quarantine is killing the tourist industry of New Mexico," said Calhoun, the mayor's husband. (Reporting by Andrew Hay in Red River, New Mexico; editing by Bill Tarrant, Tom Brown and Alistair Bell) The state coroner is expected to investigate why Bourke Street killer Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was granted bail weeks before he fatally stabbed Sisto Malaspina during a suspected terrorist attack in the heart of Melbourne. Meadow Heights father Shire Ali drove a ute down Bourke Street before setting the car alight and killing the much-loved owner of Pellegrini's Espresso Bar and wounding two others in what was suspected to be an Islamic-State inspired attack on November 9, 2018. Following failed negotiations to surrender, the 30-year-old was shot dead by police in front of shoppers. Shire Ali, armed with knives, later died in hospital from his injuries. Hassan Khalif Shire Ali set a ute on fire in Bourke Street before going on a stabbing rampage. During a directions hearing at the Coroners Court of Victoria on Wednesday, State Coroner John Cain said he planned to hold a three-week inquest into the deaths in late November in the hope of identifying ways to stop preventable deaths. A member of a ground crew walks past American Airlines planes parked at the gate during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, April 5, 2020. American Airlines' top executives on Wednesday backed efforts to extend billions in federal aid to protect aviation jobs through March as the pandemic's impact on travel threatens tens of thousands of positions. Some $32 billion in federal aid was set aside to protect jobs in the U.S. airline industry, and it prohibited employers from cutting positions through Sept. 30 under the CARES Act relief package that lawmakers passed in March. But with that deadline looming and a surge in U.S. coronavirus cases hurting a nascent recovery in travel demand, some lawmakers and labor unions are seeking additional aid. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers to notify staff about possible layoffs or temporary furloughs generally 60 days in advance, meaning airlines are beginning to warn workers about potential furloughs this fall. Earlier this week, bipartisan House lawmakers, led by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D.-Ore., chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure urged in a letter to other members of Congress to extend funding for the program through March 2021, which labor unions called for late last month. The Trump administration and drugmakers are fast-tracking work on a Covid-19 vaccine and hope to get one approved for distribution as early as the end of the year. By March 2021, "there would most certainly be more demand for air travel, and along with that demand, much less need for involuntary furloughs throughout the industry," wrote the airline's CEO Doug Parker and its president, Robert Isom, in a note to staff, warning employees about 25,000 potential furloughs. "This is a union-led initiative across our industry, but American is supportive of any legislation that would protect our team's jobs during these extraordinary times," they said. Russian mercenaries have planted mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in support of a rebel leader in Libya whose forces have been struggling against the U.S.-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli, U.S. Africa Command said Wednesday. U.S. intelligence has "clear evidence" that hired fighters from the Russia-based "Wagner Group" have "laid landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in and around Tripoli," extending east to the city of Sirte, the stronghold of Khalifa Haftar and the so-called Libyan National Army. Read next: Esper Bans Use of Promotion Board Photos, Orders Review of Hair and Grooming Standards "Verified photographic evidence shows indiscriminately placed booby traps and minefields around the outskirts of Tripoli down to Sirte since mid-June," AFRICOM said. "These weapons are assessed to have been introduced into Libya by the Wagner Group." Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Libya fighting, but the AFRICOM statement made clear that the Wagner Group is backed by and paid for by the Russian state. AFRICOM described the mercenaries as working for the "Russian-employed, state-sponsored Wagner Group." "The Russian state-sponsored Wagner Group is demonstrating a total disregard for the safety and security of Libyans" in planting the mines and IEDs, said Marine Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, AFRICOM's director of operations. "Russia has the power to stop them, just not the will." The AFRICOM statement followed on charges in May by Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, the AFRICOM commander, that Russia had sent 14 advanced MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft to Libya in an effort to prop up the forces of Haftar, a former Libyan army general who holds U.S. citizenship. "Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya," Townsend said in a May 26 statement on what has become a proxy war in the country, involving U.S. allies on either side of the conflict. Haftar's forces hold sway in much of eastern Libya but have recently suffered a series of setbacks in the long-stalled attempt to take Tripoli from the internationally recognized Government of National Accord. Haftar has the backing of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, while NATO ally Turkey has increasingly deployed air and naval assets in support of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's GNA. In the AFRICOM statement Wednesday, Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, AFRICOM's intelligence director, said, "Our intelligence reflects continued and unhelpful involvement by Russia and the Wagner Group. Imagery and intelligence assessments show how Russia continues to interfere in Libyan affairs." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: Russia's Foreign Minister Mocks Intel on Bounties to Taliban KIT developed a temperature-controlled safety housing that is equipped with a sensing system for testing lithium-ion cells under critical conditions. (Photo: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT) Credit: Amadeus Bramsiepe, KIT For the development of innovative battery systems, reliable real-world safety tests of the lithium-ion cells in use are required. In the ProLIB research project, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) now collaborates with testing and standardization institutes and partners from industry in order to develop improved standards that are intended to ensure greater safety but also more flexibility in battery design. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy funds this research with more than 1.2 million euros. If you can't remember the last time you found your notebook pierced by a nail, rest assured that this indeed happens very rarely. Nevertheless, this is precisely the procedure commonly used today for safety testing of lithium-ion batteries: "In order to perform certain tests, the cells must first be massively mistreated," says Dr. Anna Smith from the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) of KIT. "The objective of these efforts is to trigger assumed worst-case defects inside the cells in order to observe what will happen inside the battery." Besides piercing the cells with nails, it is also common practice to subject the cells to extreme overcharging or overheating. The discrepancy existing between these test methods and a realistic load does have its consequences: The actual error behavior is not the subject of the tests, and thus, manufacturing defects of cells of inferior quality and their risks remain undetected, while actually safe cells are underrated. "If battery systems are designed for unrealistic worst-case scenarios, they will not become safer but bulkier, heavier, less sustainable and also more expensive than necessary," states Smith. Her team at the Battery Technical Center of KIT collaborates with its partners, AVL Deutschland GmbH, CTC advanced GmbH, and TUV Rheinland LGA Products GmbH as well as with the associated partners ads-tec Energy GmbH, Intilion GmbH, Jungheinrich Norderstedt AG & Co. KG, Solarwatt Innovation GmbH, VARTA Storage GmbH, and VDE|DKE (Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik in DIN und VDE) within the scope of a project that is funded with more than 1.2 million euros by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The project is called "Entwicklung eines Propagations-Prufverfahrens fur Lithium-Ionen-Zellen in Batteriesystemen" (ProLIB, development of a propagation test method for lithium-ion cells in battery systems) and it is aimed at developing more realistic safety standards and tests. More safety through more realistic test methods In principle, the concerns about dangerous defects in lithium-ion cells are not unjustified as dendrites, i.e. spiky lithium deposits, can form on the anode. The probability that these will then trigger short circuits, and thus ultimately cause a thermal runaway (this is an exothermic reaction with a fast, self-accelerating heat build-up), is particularly high in cells that contain lower-quality components. The propagation of this fault to neighboring cells results, in the worst case, in a chain reaction. This, in turn, might cause the battery to catch fire. Any increase in energy density, for example, to extend the cruise range of an all-electric car or to improve sustainability by employing less raw materials, is impaired by the use of test methods that are way too coarse. "There is far too little focus on the resistance of the lithium-ion cell to really dangerous defects, which can vary greatly between manufacturers due to the cell design or the cell components, for example. Starting with the thermal runaway criterion is like measuring the safety of a household lighter solely by its explosion behavior," says Smith. Research is currently underway worldwide to improve propagation tests. In other research projects, however, the focus is on triggering a thermal runaway in a manner that is easier to reproduce (e.g. with a laser) - regardless of whether a cell would actually experience it in practice. ProLIB is so far the only research project where real-world and cell-specific faults are investigated. Now, an improved test method for new standards on lithium-ion batteries in stationary and mobile applications will be developed in order to close the existing gaps in the standards with regard to realistic evaluation criteria for the safety and quality of lithium-ion batteries. The new standards will enable a fairer competition, help reduce raw material input, development and product costs by avoiding over-design, and improve the operational safety of lithium-ion batteries. Explore further Building a better battery, faster (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Sometimes, when Im particularly discouraged about how the U.S. is losing the battle against the coronavirus, I daydream about how much better off wed be if Gina Raimondo, the hard-charging two-term governor of Rhode Island, were the one leading the nations response to the pandemic instead of Mike Pence. She has wrestled Covid-19 to the ground in her state and demonstrated ideas and resolve that could help guide the rest of the country in moving forward. As a native Rhode Islander, I had long admired her penchant for solving difficult problems. Raimondo, the co-founder of Rhode Islands first venture capital firm, entered politics in 2010 when she ran for state treasurer. Why treasurer? Because, she once told me, she felt that her negotiating and business skills might allow her help fix the public employee pension system, which was both woefully underfunded and taking an increasing portion of the states budget. She was right. In 2012, her pension-reform plan passed the legislature with bipartisan support and helped pave the way to her run for governor. The coronavirus crisis wasnt exactly something Raimondo or any other governor planned for. But it very much played to her strengths. She believes that you gather good information wherever you can find it; not invented here is not in her vocabulary. Thus she studied countries such as South Korea and New Zealand, which had early successes against the coronavirus, and adopted their strategies as her own. If she had been in charge of a national effort, the country would already have a much better testing system. I had this moment of clarity very early on, at 2 a.m. when I was working in my home alone, she told Politico last week. Theres no way you can outrun this thing. You have to stay a step ahead. Thats when we said we need aggressive testing, very aggressive contact tracing and social distancing. We came to the realization earlier than some other places, because it seemed like the only way to keep a lid on the virus. Story continues Then she would have and these are her words, describing what the president should have done immediately gotten CEOs into the Oval Office early in the year, and used the Defense Production Act to mobilize all the best of what America has to offer innovation, testing, PPE, medical products. But with the White House missing in action, she had to figure out how to mobilize with the resources available to her. April was rough for Rhode Island, just as it was for other Northeastern states like Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. New positive cases peaked on April 27, with 430, with a 7-day average of 15 deaths a day. By then, she recognized the importance that private industry can play in combating the pandemic. She persuaded CVS, the states largest employer, to partner with Rhode Island in making tests widely available. She employed the National Guard to set up drive-through test sites across the state. (Rhode Island has tested 25% of its population.) Then she did something else that showed her willingness to come up with bold solutions to combat the pandemic. She reached out to Marc Benioff, the chief executive officer of Salesforce.com Inc., a man shed never met before. Raimondo realized that Salesforces bread and butter customer relationship management software could be adapted easily to conduct significant contact tracing. One Friday night in April, she cold-called Benioff. God bless him, she told Politico, they sent a whole team of people to Rhode Island, virtually, for free, and helped us build software for our contact tracers. She added, Im comfortable with calling business leaders and asking them to pitch in, and I knew technology was going to be vital. Benioff told me that hes never met a politician like Raimondo before. This is not a hands-off executive, he told me. She was in the middle of everything supervising the technology, constantly calling and texting me to tell me what needed to be changed. He added, She had a lot of clarity. The software was her inspiration. So she helped design the contact tracing tool? I asked him. No, he replied with a laugh. She designed it. Salesforce has since commercialized the technology and launched Work.com, a platform designed to help companies and other institutions mitigate the spread of the virus when offices begin to reopen. I was at a school yesterday, Benioff said. Schools are going to have to use this tool. What happens when someone in the school tests positive? You need to know where that person was yesterday and who they were in contact with. In other words, the governor of Rhode Island has been instrumental in developing a piece of software that is going to play a vital role in helping the U.S. get back on its feet. And you wonder why I imagine where we would be now if she had been the countrys lead pandemic-fighter? In the Politico interview, Raimondo talked about how important it was not be swayed by criticism that, for instance, she was violating freedoms by insisting that people wear masks. I felt so responsible to minimize the loss of life, she said. So the criticism never had any impact on me. I knew how bad this could get. Geographically, of course, Little Rhody is the smallest state in the U.S. Its population is a hair over 1 million. One could argue that it was easier to contain the pandemic in Rhode Island than in other parts of the country. But remember, all the nearby states were getting clobbered. And Raimondo couldnt stop people from other states from coming to Rhode Island, the way Jacinda Ardern could temporarily seal New Zealands borders. (Remember Raimondos dust-up with Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York when she threatened to quarantine anybody coming from New York? Raimondo backed down.) Besides, there are other states with as few or fewer residents than Rhode Island Alaska, North Dakota, Delaware that are experiencing a surge in positive cases now. Meanwhile, the 7-day average for Covid-19 deaths in Rhode Island has dropped to two. There are currently 4 people in ICU beds. Raimondo has now turned her attention to the next big task: making sure that the states public schools can open safely in the fall. Its a lot of detail-oriented issues, a lot more testing and tracing, mask wearing for older kids, a lot of creativity around transportation, a lot more Plexiglas, she said. She is devoting $50 million to the effort. Other states with brewing battles among parents, teachers and politicians about plans to open schools could do worse than look to how Raimondo is handling it. Raimondo is said to be among the women Joe Biden is considering as his running mate. (George Will is among those promoting her candidacy.) In terms of star power or geography, she wouldnt add much to the ticket. But she has something the country truly needs now something that its yearning for as it muddles through this crisis. She is supremely competent. And competence is what its going to take to finally beat this virus. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Joe Nocera is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering business. He has written business columns for Esquire, GQ and the New York Times, and is the former editorial director of Fortune. His latest project is the Bloomberg-Wondery podcast "The Shrink Next Door." 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. By Jesse C. Nelson For avid travelers, COVID-19 is dismaying. I returned to Korea from a winter trip toward the end of February, as cases in Korea first escalated. To go from the country with the second most cases back then, to now being well past the 60th country is undoubtedly an impressive feat. As for traveling, even back then, I acknowledged the likelihood that I wouldn't be traveling outside Korea during the summer as I normally do. Summer travel is possible, but considering that foreigners now have to pay for reentry and provide medical documentation from the country visited proving to be free of COVID-19, it is not worth the hassle of outside travel. In addition, as has been shown with the coronavirus and other countries, one cannot predict with certainty whether or not the country being visited might change its policies. An awful scenario would be to be locked down within the country that you are visiting. But travel does not always have to be to another country. In discussions with my students about travel, as well as asking them where their hometown in Korea is, I often surprise students with my knowledge of their home area. First of all, I have lived in a few different areas. Sanbon, a Seoul satellite city, was my home for a year. I lived for six months in Daegu, and then called Jinhae home, before Jinhae, Masan, and Changwon merged to become one. I resided on the outskirts of Ulsan for a year, before finally settling in Busan, where I have been for six years now. While living in all these places, I have always explored my surroundings. In addition, I've been to Jeju once in early winter when snow flurries fell on the island, and a second time in the fall to climb to the top of Mount Halla. I stayed overnight at Jirisan Park, meeting a bear early in the morning. I've circled the fortress wall of Suwon's palace and visited the royal tombs while biking around Gyeongju. I've seen Cheonan's impressive Independence Hall of Korea and Suncheon's lovely green tea fields and vast wetlands in the national park. I've visited Jinju's fortress along the Nam River and Incheon's lively Chinatown. Long ago, when first visiting Korea in 1995, I went to Seoul's three grand royal palaces. I toured the DMZ and Panmunjeom and saw Geoje's POW Museum and various beaches. I visited Namhae's German Village, America Village, and old Korea village of Ojin, and spent one day walking around Daejeon and another day walking around Gwangju. So I have seen much of Korea. But there remains more for me to see. Living here, my thinking has always been when I have some spare time, I'll see more. Now I do have that time. By the end of the summer, I intend to visit Dokdo via Ulleungdo. For fellow travelers like me, dismayed by COVID-19 complications, now is the perfect time to visit Korea's wealth of excellent sights. The author (razoripress@yahoo.com), currently teaching at Dongseo University, is also a freelance writer and avid traveler, who has visited 104 countries to date. UPPER THUMB When counties in the Greater Thumb Area signed on to be part of the newly created Michigan Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine, they got more than they bargaining for. Tuscola County commissioners have been dealing with complaints from funeral homes in the county about MIFSMs increase to $63 from $10 for a cremation permit. About a year ago, MIFSM, which was the brainchild of Doctors Russell Bush and David Stockman, who have been Tuscola Countys medical examiners, formed the central location for forensic science and medicine rather than each county operating its own. Although the arrangement seems to be working out for the counties that have contracted for the institute's services, Mark Ransford of Ransford-Collon Funeral Homes in Caro said he is concerned about what he perceives as lack of oversight of the institute. Ransford pointed out that when MIFSM formed, it created a monopoly, which is funded with tax money without oversight. MIFSM is a private, full-service regional medical examiner system based at 614 Johnson St., Saginaw. So far 10 countys, including Huron and Tuscola, have contracted for their services. In February of this year, Huron County and the Huron County Health Department, Office of Medical Examiner signed an agreement for medical examiner services with MIFSM. Tuscola County joined last summer. By consolidating county services in one entity, there are now 23 investigators, two pathologists, four medical examiners, and an in-house toxicology lab in Saginaw. Tuscola County agreed to pay MIFSM $75,000 a year, which is cost savings from operating their own medical examiners department, and a cost saving for the other counties as well When Bush was giving a recent overview report of MIFSM to the Tuscola County commissioners, Ransford and Dwight Thabet of Thabet Funeral Home in Cass City questioned the fee increase for cremation permits, and especially how the change was implemented. My biggest gripe is we were not informed prior to the increase, said Thabet. Because funeral homes were not informed the increase was not added to the funerals cost paid by family members. According to Ransford, the seven funeral homes in the county are concerned with the increased cost being passed on by MIFSM as a death tax without any limit on their authority. It comes down to taxation without representation, Ransford stated. It isnt so much the $63 as it is structure that allows a private entity with governmental immunity to set that fee without any input," Ransford said. "Its a combination of combing various parts of governmental authority and private sector independence. Thats a dangerous idea." It is a monopoly that we created with a great incentive to increase fees without any oversight," he said. They have been arbitrary and capricious in the way they have done this, which gave pause to every funeral director in the county. Ransford argued allowing MIFSM to do that now without challenge could foretell other increases to come. It is important to us that there be some sort of accountability by an elected body, the fees are not set by a monopolistic body by a private entity whose sold obligation is to make a profit, Ransford said. This is a death tax without any limitations. They can continue to impose and charge they want." You abdicated your responsibility over to a private sector," he continued. "That combined two different philosophies, free-market and government. Therefore, you have given a private enterprise the ability to choose the best of both. Besides taking over the responsibilities of the medical examiners office, MIFSM is also trains medical investigators and created a fellowship program to train forensic pathologists and medical examiners. According to Ransford, MIFSM has provided good pathologist and medical examiner services, but its organization structure is a bad idea. Bush said he would look into the issue and take the concerns of funeral home directors to his board, and services would be provided. I have to deal with our administrative structure as well," Bush said. "As far as back-billing, I dont know if it will be acceptable or not, but until we get this settled would say pay what you have been paying, $10, for now." However, Ransford contends the fee has not changed. MIFSM has taken the position that if funeral homes do not pay the additional fee, they will not issue cremation permits unless cash is in person. It was that posturing that really set alarms to funeral homes how a fundamental duty of the medical examiner office a statutory duty of the office is to sign health certificates and issue cremation permits," Ransford said. "That is what they are suppose to do. So when they are no longer willing to do their job over a billing dispute, we have a crisis." These is an uncomfortable situation, we work hand and hand with medical examiners office, he added. Commissioners have contacted their legal counsel with questions on the issue, but so far, feel they have not received a direct answer to the key issue of who has control of setting fees. They contacted their attorneys again. During Thursdays 8 a.m. county meeting, commissioners will have a closed session to talk to their attorney again. It will be a virtual meeting using Google meeting conference. To participate by phone dial 1 267-870-7299 and use PIN 688 979 533#, or online at meet.google.com/iqu-ukvu-pai or go the Tuscola County website www.tuscolacounty.org/boc and click "join meeting." Vietnam would have difficulty achieving the goal of having 5,000 science and technology enterprises this year under the 2011-20 science and technology development strategy. Students during a class at FPT University. Viet Nam is striving to reach 5,000 science and technology firms this year, but there are obstacles. The Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed many solutions to reach this goal, including the Decree 13/2019/ND-CP on developing science and technology enterprises effective from March 20, 2019 with better incentives and opened mechanisms. It has also improved policies and institutions, including amendments of some laws on investment, enterprises and corporate income tax and regulations supporting incubation and development of science and technology enterprises. The system of mechanisms, policies and regulations on development of science and technology, and creative innovation is synchronised to ensure efficiency in supporting the development of science and technology enterprises and using results of State-invested research on science and technology. However, Viet Nam now has about 500 science and technology enterprises, reaching 10 per cent of the target. The ministry has found many barriers to having 5,000 science and technology firms this year. Pham Duc Nghiem, deputy director of the ministrys Department for Development of Market and Science and Technology Enterprises, said that the number of enterprises interested in science and technology is not high and programmes as well as disbursement of capital for the development of science and technology firms are also limited. Recently, the ministry has reformed mechanism on investment to create more favourable conditions for businesses in becoming science and technology firms but they still need to renew themselves, Nghiem said. Science and Technology deputy minister Bui The Duy said the failure to achieve this goal firstly is the responsibility of the science and technology ministry because its communication on the target is limited. "The ministry has not cooperated with media agencies to encourage development for science and technology enterprises as well as incentives for those enterprises," Duy told the Voice of Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hong Phong, general director of the Tien Nong Agriculture Joint Stock Company, one of the first science and technology companies in Thanh Hoa Province, said it has had a difficult beginning to be recognised as a science and technology company. Since its establishment in 1995, the enterprise has identified science and technology as a foundation for its development and built a research and development (R&D) centre with modern equipment and technology. With this R&D centre, the company has implemented many research projects to produce high-quality farming products to increase its revenue and output in farmers production. However, to become a science and technology company is not easy, especially for small and medium sized enterprises like the Tien Nong, according to Phong. The State has many incentives to support the development of science and technology companies such as tax, land and credit, but whether they receive these incentives or not is another issue. Besides that, Luu Hai Minh, chairman of the Nhat Hai New Technology Joint Stock Company with a certificated science and technology enterprise, said the right of using a State-invested scientific and technological research project has the same value as land use rights. An enterprise could mortgage its land use right to get loans for development but is not permitted to mortgage the use right of State-invested scientific and technological research to have capital for producing new products, he said. VNS Rush of high-tech breeders expanding into Vietnam Despite the risky nature of animal husbandry associated with diseases and other unpredictable factors, the sector continues to flourish in Vietnam even amidst the global health crisis. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that the recovery from the coronavirus-induced recession will take years for his state and urged the federal government to provide fiscal relief for state and local governments. "We're going to be digging out of this as an economic matter, my guess is, for years," Murphy said on CNBC's "Closing Bell." The coronavirus pandemic has hit state budgets on two fronts, with governments shouldering some of the burden for rising medical and unemployment costs while also facing a dramatic decline in tax receipts. Murphy signed legislation authorizing furloughs for state workers earlier in July. The Democrat said every state in the U.S. is facing similar issues, not just New Jersey, which is regularly near the top of lists for states with unwieldy pension obligations. Some Republican leaders have said that federal support for states shouldn't be a bailout for states with large pension obligations. Murphy said state and local governments would lose front-line workers such as firefighters if they do not get federal help to fill budget holes. "Every state needs direct federal cash assistance to allow us to continue to employ these vitally needed folks, to allow our state to get back on its feet, to help our small businesses, restaurants. We have no other choice," he said. Another area of concern for states is the start of school in the fall, with threats from the Trump administration to pull educational funding for schools that don't meet in person. Murphy said that New Jersey leaders would like to have in-person education but that the federal government's position on funding was not a factor in the decisions to come. "The threats are not our consideration. Our consideration is public health, mental health, education," Murphy said. New Jersey was one of the hardest-hit states during the initial outbreak of Covid-19 in the United States. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the state has had more than 176,000 confirmed cases of the virus and more than 15,000 deaths. The rate of new confirmed cases has declined significantly in the state in recent months, with the Department of Health reporting less than 400 new cases for July 14. This is the astonishing moment brazen drug runners landed their boat on a Spanish beach before unloading sacks of marijuana in front of a group of stunned British sunbathers. A woman can be overheard saying in English, 'Drug delivery daytime, what the heck' as another in a bikini near to her sat up on her sun lounger to watch the extraordinary scene. The boat and the men who carried the cannabis resin ashore had disappeared by the time police arrived and no arrests were made. The broad daylight drugs drop happened at a beach by a residential area called Benamara between Marbella and Estepona. The beach is close to a four-star hotel popular with Brits called the Hotel Sol Marbella Estepona-Atalaya Park. The footage is understood to have been taken by tourists on sun loungers belonging to a beach eatery called Salduna Beach. British sun-seekers look on astonished as half a dozen men dressed in black offload drugs from a speedboat on a Costa del Sol beach Pictured: The shocked tourists can be heard saying in English, 'Drug delivery daytime, what the heck', as the drugs are hauled on the Costa del Sol beach One of the men who hauled the drugs ashore could be seen stumbling because he was carrying the last two bales of cannabis resin handed to him by the group in the boat. A van is believed to have been waiting in a residential street at the back of the beach to speed off with the haul before police arrived. Last September a gang of men were filmed transporting cannabis resin from a speedboat to a parked 4x4 on a beach in the same municipality of Estepona. They threatened to kill witnesses if they alerted police and took less than three minutes to make the transfer and their getaway from the beach. One sun-seeker in black swimming trunks and a white cap could be seen looking on from a few feet away as the incredible scene unfolded before his eyes. The boat and the men who carried the cannabis resin ashore had disappeared by the time police arrived and no arrests were made The men filmed running from the boat to the 4x4 and dumping the drugs into the back almost stumbled over two groups of sunbathers lying on towels on the sand as they sprinted between them with the bags of cannabis resin on their shoulders to reach the car. One of the drugs traffickers could be heard shouting out in Spanish, in a chilling warning to one of the tourists the criminals ran past: 'The mobile. If you call, I'll kill you.' The threat was made, and recorded by witnesses filming the drugs drop from a property overlooking the beach, at the start of the three-minute video. One could be overheard claiming the drugs smugglers had been in the area since the early hours of the morning, monitoring the coastline to make sure there was no police presence. Another said: 'It's amazing. There's people sunbathing on the beach and no sign of police whatsoever.' As the 4x4 pulled away with the cannabis resin on board, one of the witnesses added sarcastically: 'That's it, now to make money.' Pictured: The beach where the drug drop took place, which is by a residential area called Benamara between Marbella and Estepona Police union representatives said at the time it showed more resources were needed to tackle the scourge of drugs trafficking. Last July a group of men were filmed loading a speedboat used in the illegal drugs trade with fuel-filled jerry cans on Tubalitas beach in Manilva near Estepona. Civil Guard union representative Jose Encinas told Spanish daily El Mundo at the time the boat filmed in the footage was a supply vessel used to refuel the speedboats that make the short crossing from Morocco to Spain with cannabis resin. He said: 'The key is being able to demonstrate that this type of vessel is carrying fuel to the narco-boats. 'If that can be demonstrated, they would then be members of an organised gang, but that is something that requires investigation. 'The reason these people act with total impunity is because there is not enough police resources to conduct a proper investigation.' A beach in Manilva was also the scene of a chase last summer involving a police helicopter and a suspected drug smuggler. Some of the tourists were filmed running for their lives, fearing the high-speed boat was going to crash on the beach and into the crowd. Kolkata, July 15 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with her cabinet colleagues on Wednesday to review the state-wide Covid-19 situation. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the state secretariat Nabanno at around 3 p.m. According to sources, the CM would also hold a meeting with all district magistrates, police superintendents and the state's largest civic body Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials through a video conference to take stock of the pandemic. The Covid situation has further deteriorated in the state with the total number of containment zones expected to climb from 512 to 605, as per Covid bulletin released on Tuesday. Sources in he state health department on Tuesday said that at least 24 people died due to Covid-19 across the state in the past 24-hours. With this, the total number of Covid affected patients in Bengal rose to 32,834 till July 14. The state administration also decided to increase the complete lockdown period in all Covid containment zones across the state for three more days. The lockdown will continue till Sunday. In Kolkata's adjoining Barasat locality, a complete lockdown will be observed for next seven days from Thursday in the wake of increasing Corona cases. Everything will remain closed except for the shops selling essential items and that too from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, sources said. Another person has died of coronavirus in Victoria in the past day and the state has recorded 238 new cases. Of those, 209 are under investigation and 29 are related to known outbreaks, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said. The woman who died was aged in her 90s, taking the states death toll to 27, he said. "We send our best wishes, thoughts and prayers to her family," Mr Andrews said. President Trump said American parents are in peril if U.S. schools don't reopen en masse amid the continued first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with CBS News' Catherine Herridge, Trump called the Los Angeles Unified School District's decision to start instruction in the fall online only a 'terrible decision.' 'Because children and parents are dying from that trauma, too. They're dying because they can't do what they're doing. Mothers can't go to work because all of a sudden they have to stay home and watch their child, and fathers,' the president said. President Trump said parents are dying from the 'trauma' of American schools not reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic. The president has pressed hard for schools to reopen and has suggested his Democratic opponents want them to stay closed for political reasons Social distancing dividers are placed on desks in a classroom in Montebello, California. President Trump criticized the Los Angeles Unified School District's decision to begin fall instruction online only during an interview Tuesday with CBS News In Florida a student protests outside the Brevard County Public Schools complex over the state's decision to green-light reopening schools despite new highs in coronavirus cases School buses in San Francisco, California remained parked as some of the state's biggest districts have announced they'll begin classes online instead of in-person as the state deals with an uptick in COVID-19 cases The president added that schools being closed put a 'tremendous strain' on parents, but also said the issue was a 'balancing act.' Trump's remarks were the latest in a string of comments from the president to get schools reopened, despite cases of the virus hitting record highs in nearly half the U.S. states. The president also doesn't have a lot of power to push schools to reopen, as those decisions are made at a state and local level. He has, however, suggested he would withhold federal funds from schools to pressure districts to reopen. 'In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!' the president threatened. The only problem is that the president can't pull back funding that Congress has already approved. That issue was at the center of the president's impeachment. Trump was accused of holding up aid to Ukaine in order to pressure the country's president to announce an investigation into his political rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter, who had business dealings in the country. The president was acquitted by the Republican-led U.S. Senate in February. Washington (AFP) - The US Justice Department announced Wednesday it is using terrorism charges for the first time to indict a member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang. Attorney General Bill Barr announced the charges against Salvador-based gang leader Armando Eliu Melgar Diaz at a White House event meant to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on the group. In an indictment unsealed in the federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, Diaz was accused of directing MS-13 activities in the US East Coast region, ordering and approving numerous murders and overseeing drug deals while collecting payments from around 20 local MS-13 cliques. The Justice Department accused Diaz with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to cross-border terror acts, along with narco-terror financing and other charges. The department did not explain why it was using terror charges for the first time against the gang, but it noted that the Salvadoran government had designated MS-13 a terror group. "MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization, whose criminal activities respect no boundaries," said John Durham, the Justice Department official in charge of a special task force to investigate MS-13. "The only way to defeat MS-13 is by targeting the organization as a whole, focusing on the leadership structure, and deploying a whole-of-government approach against a common enemy," Durham said in a statement. Diaz lived illegally in the United States, mostly in Virginia, from 2003 to 2016 when he was deported, according to the indictment. After that, he became the gang's main coordinator for its eastern US operations based in El Salvador. He is currently under arrest in El Salvador, facing charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the indictments of 21 MS-13 members in New York and Nevada who belong to US operations separate from those run by Diaz. Charges against those involved include murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and weapons violations. The Justice Department also said it would seek the death penalty for a notorious MS-13 hit man in New York, Alexi Saenz, who was indicted in 2017 for seven murders. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday slammed the Yogi Adityanath government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, citing a kidnapping case in Kanpur. In a Facebook post, she said a young man was kidnapped by miscreants in Kanpur and his family was asked for a ransom for his release. "The family collected Rs 30 lakh by selling their house and wedding jewellery. At the behest of the police, the family handed over the bag full of money to the kidnappers and the police could neither catch the miscreants, nor their son could be freed," Priyanka Gandhi said. The family members of the kidnapped man are distraught, the Congress general secretary in-charge UP East added. "This is a case from Kanpur where such a big incident had taken place a few days ago. Now you can imagine the state of law and order in UP from this," Priyanka Gandhi said, referring to the Vikas Dubey episode. Dubey, a wanted criminal, was shot dead on Friday last by police, who claimed he was trying to flee after the car carrying him from Ujjain overturned on an isolated stretch of the highway on the outskirts of the city. Dubey was wanted in connection with the ambush in Kanpur's Bikru village past midnight on July 2, killing eight policemen who had come to arrest him. In a tweet, Priyanka Gandhi also attacked the Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. According to media reports, first it was stated that the report of a deceased person was negative for coronavirus and the body was handed over to the person's family. Then it was said the report was positive, but the ambulance came to take the body after 16 hours, Priyanka Gandhi said. This happened in the home district of the CM in Gorakhpur, she said. "Is this how the UP government is fighting coronavirus?" the Congress leader said. The Help actor Viola Davis hasnt been shy about her regret in accepting the role of Aibileen Clark in the 2011 film. The Academy Award winner, in fact, is refreshingly honest about the ups and downs of her career, most recently in her interview with Vanity Fair, in which she opens up about how a lack of quality film roles for people of color has affected the trajectory of her career. Viola Davis | Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic RELATED: Viola Davis Steps Into the White House as this Iconic First Lady Davis keeps her feelings about The Help real Viola Davis was unflinchingly honest about The Help in her July 2020 conversation with Vanity Fair, telling the outlet the film had been created in the filter and the cesspool of systemic racism. She continued, saying, Theres no one whos not entertained by The Help. But theres a part of me that feels like I betrayed myself, and my people, because I was in a movie that wasnt ready to [tell the whole truth]. Her recent comments werent the first time she has expressed her remorse in taking part in The Help. Viola Davis RELATED: How to Get Away With Murder: Is Annalise Keating the Mastermind or a Martyr? In 2017, speaking at the BAFTA event, A Life in Pictures, Davis began to share her reflections on the film set in Civil Rights-era 1960s Mississippi. The South Carolina-born Davis said, I dont feel like it was from our perspective, thats the problem I had with it. And while at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018, the Emmy-Award winner opened up again saying, I know Aibileen. I know Minny. Theyre my grandma. Theyre my mom. . . I want to know what it feels like to work for white people and to bring up children in 1963. . . I never heard that in the course of the movie. Davis needed the work on How to Get Away with Murder After The Help, there was no flood of top-billing work waiting for her. She explained to Vanity Fair that it amazes her when people ask why she would take a television role as she did with How to Get Away With Murder when she could easily have roles in any movie. RELATED: How to Get Away With Murder: Did Annalise Keating End up With Tegan or Eve? Fans Are Divided I always ask them, What movies? What were those movies? Listen, I got Widows, she said, referring to her 2018 thriller, but if I just relied on the Hollywood pipeline. No, there are not those roles. Davis clearly enjoyed the experience of working with the shows production company, Shondaland (named, of course, after its writer and executive producer, Shonda Rimes). She told The Los Angeles Times in 2015 about working with Rimes, I feel accepted for who I am and acknowledged for who I am. I feel like my ideas are embraced. And before I never quite felt like that. Davis has been called a Black Meryl Streep but says the comparison isnt a complete one An interview with the Tony winner from 2018 resurfaced recently, in which Davis ticks off her issue with being called a Black Meryl Streep. As flattering as the comparison is, Davis says, it basically ends on paper because she has not received the same volume of offers that Streep has. The interview, with Tina Brown during the Women in the World L.A. Salon, captured Davis speaking frankly about her career. I have more than a 30-year professional career, she said. I got the Oscar, I got the Emmy, I got the two Tonys, Ive done Broadway, Ive done off-Broadway, Ive done TV, Ive done film. Ive done all of it. I have a career thats probably comparable to Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Sigourney Weaver. Yet I am no where near them, not as far as money, not as far as job opportunities, no where close to it. Viola Davis Animated as she spoke, Davis made it clear: if an actor is one of caliber, they deserve to be paid on the same scale as other actors. People say, Youre a Black Meryl Streep. You are and we love you. There is no one like you,' she continued. OK, if theres no one like me, you think Im like that, you pay me what Im worth. You give me what Im worth. RELATED: Whats Next for Viola Davis Now That HTGAWM Is Over? At a time when states such as Florida, Arizona, Texas and California are each reporting thousands of new coronavirus cases daily and even Ohio and Wisconsin are reporting record numbers, Michigan is looking relatively good. Michigans seven-day average on Monday, July 13, was 558 cases a day. That compares to 736 for Wisconsin, 1,206 for Ohio, 2,989 for Georgia, 3,196 for Arizona, 8,334 for California, 9,195 for Texas and 10,855 for Florida. The Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic on a visit to their London home today. Camilla, 72, looked elegant in a white Fiona Clare coat and matching gloves as she arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea to deliver a speech and inspect the 30 pensioners on parade. The event was held after the annual Founder's Day, which is normally held in June, was cancelled due to the health crisis. The Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic on a visit to their London home today. Pictured, at the event Camilla looked elegant in a white Fiona Clare coat and matching gloves as she arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. She finished the outfit with a cream clutch, summer hat and nude shoes Some of the Chelsea Pensioners wore face masks, pictured, although others went without. The Duchess of Cornwall left her face uncovered for the public engagement today In a speech, Camilla said: 'I know that you have been through a particularly tough time of late, having lost 10 Pensioners to Covid-19. I should like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who have died, and to each of you as you go through the painful process of adjusting to the gap left by those much-loved friends.' Camilla went on to say that those on parade know 'about the challenges and sacrifices of military duty', adding: 'This has been clearly demonstrated by two recent examples. 'Firstly, a few weeks ago, we marked the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a day which some of you might remember. We recalled with gratitude the great victory that our armed forces won for us. 'Then, in a very different context, we turned to a younger generation of servicemen and women as the recent pandemic broke out. Proving themselves your worthy successors, they have helped to build hospitals, establish testing sites, repatriate our citizens, deliver PPE at home and abroad, and develop a track and trace application to help combat the spread of the virus. Camilla, pictured at the event, was on hand to deliver a speech and inspect the 30 pensioners on parade. The Chelsea Pensioners, pictured, maintained social distancing, as did the duchess The Duchess of Cornwall inspecting the Chelsea Pensioners during the visit in London today 'And all the while continuing to assure our defence at home and abroad. 'In times of war and times of peace, whether seen or unseen, the armed forces support and strengthen our nation, just as each one of you Chelsea Pensioners did throughout your careers.' When the duchess first arrived at the Royal Hospital she was greeted by Professor Deborah Sturdy, director of in-patient health and wellbeing, and asked her how the institution had coped during the pandemic. Prof Sturdy replied: 'It has been a challenge but the staff have been absolutely fantastic and the Pensioners have been incredibly compliant - it's been a difficult couple of months but everyone has been working really hard.' The Duchess of Cornwall heard how the institution had coped during the pandemic Camilla beamed as she shared a light-hearted moment at one point during today's visit Camilla, pictured, was delighted to be visiting after Founder's Day was cancelled in June The Duchess of Cornwall appeared to share a joke with one of the Chelsea Pensioners During the ceremony, the duchess spent time talking to all the Pensioners on parade and also chatted to members of the armed forces who have been working as cooks and performing other roles at the retirement and nursing home. Chelsea governor General Sir Adrian Bradshaw joked during his speech about how the Pensioners had seen the lighter side of the health crisis and set up a 'Covid Arms' pub in the grounds. Chelsea Pensioner Leo Tighe, 77, originally from Dublin, who served with the Irish Guards, remained philosophical about recent events. 'We are where we are, this is an old folks' home and people do die,' he said. Commenting on the Covid Arms, he added: 'But you've got to have a safety valve and basically that's what these things are, they're a safety valve to give you a bit of a break from the routine.' Masks were on display for some of the pensioners, pictured, although others went without Spotify becomes available in Ukraine from July 15 12:30, 15.07.20 5744 Spotify's Ukraine launch, along with its entry into 12 additional markets, brings the total number of Spotify markets to 92. Annie Jefferson Burnett not only had faith in God, she had a strong faith her community and the people who lived in it. She truly believed that people would do the right thing if you gave them the opportunity to do it and she always worked toward that goal. That was something she lived by said Nancy Mikeska, director of Community Development for Conroe. She and Burnett worked side by side on the Conroe Community Development Block Grant Advisory board since the 1990s and she was also a longtime friend of Burnetts. Now she, along with the Conroe community, are mourning the loss of Burnetts following her passing on July 10. Burnett, 73, had a stroke a few months ago and died of complications from it last Friday. A memorial service is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. at West Tabernacle Church on FM 2854 in Conroe. Rev. Anthony Shelton will lead the service. Facial coverings and social distancing is requested during the service. The family will gather at West Tabernacle following the burial. Also, a memorial service will take place Saturday at 6 p.m at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church on the patio, 509 South Third Street in Conroe. Shes being remembered for her commitment to the community and her passion for making it a better place for all who lived her. Burnett was a lifelong resident of Conroe. Burnetts cousin, Amanda Williams, said Burnetts involvement in the community was a family tradition. Burnetts parents, Willie and Annie Jefferson, were involved in the community as well. Her father was the first Black man to work for the City of Conroe. She attended Jarvis Christian College and Texas Southern University. She obtained a degree in Postal Technology and she spent more than 30 years with the US Postal Service while raising a family of eight. She was also a United Way multiyear award-winning donor and solicitor, was on the board of the City of Conroe Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, a Conroe ISD mentor for students at risk and a member of the Montgomery County NAACP chapter. She was recently serving on a 2020 Census committee and had worked on special projects with the current mayor for Conroe and the citys three previous mayors. She was also faithful to her churches - Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and West Tabernacle Church. She also ran for a seat on the Conroe City Council in 2018 and her election went to a runoff with Raymond McDonald who eventually won the seat. One of her passions was advocating for the Dugan neighborhood in Conroe where she lived and raised her family. The Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee provides housing for people in dire situations in the neighborhoods of Dugan and Madeley Quarters of Conroe. Burnett was very involved in this effort because of her knowledge of the neighborhood and the faith she had in these communities. She also lead clean up efforts in these communities and one time pulled a fast one on her husband Fred. They had a fence on their property that she felt needed more attention and she was eager to have Fred work on it. So eager that she asked her friend Nancy Mikeska, who works for the City of Conroe, to draft a letter and send it to their house. They received the letter prompting Fred to fix up their fence. Burnett replied Well I told you to fix up that fence. Mikeska said she didnt feel like she could be telling other people to do what was right unless her stuff was right. She really loved people and was so kind and generous with her time, Mikeska said. Were all going to have to do a little more to fill the void (left by her passing). The practice of burning excess natural gas during drilling operations significantly increases the risk of premature births for mothers living nearby, according to an analysis of births in the South Texas region encompassing the Eagle Ford Shale. When done in high amounts, the practice, known as flaring, was associated with a 50 percent greater chance of preterm birth compared to women with no exposure, according to the analysis by researchers at the University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles. Researchers analyzed more than 23,000 births in the Eagle Ford region between 2012 and 2015. The study was published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed Environmental Health Perspectives journal. Its a pretty large effect, said Lara Cushing, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at UCLAs Fielding School of Public Health and one of the authors. Its on par with what you see for moms who smoke during pregnancy compared to moms who dont. A high amount of flaring was defined as 10 or more nightly flare events within three miles of the pregnant womans residence. Using satellite observations, researchers estimated that more than 43,000 flaring events occurred in the Eagle Ford region between 2012 and 2016. Flaring releases chemicals including benzene, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to climate change and have been linked to harmful human health effects. The practice of flaring increased with the fracking boom as companies drilling for more lucrative oil sought to get rid of the cheaper natural gas that comes out of the ground with the crude. Without pipeline capacity to get the gas to market, oil companies sought and received permission from Texas regulators to burn it away. More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com Oil companies operating in the Permian Basin of West Texas burned a record $750 million worth of natural gas in 2018, or 238.1 billion cubic feet, according to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, a nonpartisan group in Ohio that researches industry trends. The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry in the state, recently said it would curb the practice. In June, regulators said they would consider policies to drastically reduce flaring. Industry groups have acknowledged environmental problems with natural gas flaring and supported steps to reduce it. In March, the American Petroleum Institute applauded the formation of the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition, an industry-led group to minimize methane emissions and flaring. The Texas Oil and Gas Association, a trade group, said the methodology of the preterm birth study is problematic because it used proximity to flaring as an indicator of exposure. TXOGA also noted that the studys authors said that more research would be necessary to establish a link between flaring and preterm birth rates. "Unsubstantiated claims are made about oil and gas on a regular basis to the detriment of every person who needs affordable and reliable energy," said Todd Staples, the president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association and member of the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition. "At the same time, oil and natural gas companies continue to make great strides in environmental progress." Hispanic women at higher risk Of births that occurred to mothers near high levels of flaring, about 14 percent were preterm, researchers found. That compares to a 10 percent rate of preterm births for the U.S. population, according to the CDC. The preterm birth rate identified near significant flaring is more than 50 percent higher than the rate researchers found for mothers who were not exposed to flaring -- a rate of 8.8 percent. Preterm births occur before the 37th completed week of pregnancy and tend to have higher rates of complications such as immature lungs and difficulty regulating body temperature. When analyzing the data by race and ethnicity, researchers found that Hispanic women exposed to flaring had significantly higher preterm birth rates compared with Hispanic women who werent exposed. But among non-Hispanic white women, researchers did not find an association between preterm births and flaring. The findings suggest that factors such as economic and social inequities in health care, pre-existing medical conditions and how often mothers work outdoors could make Hispanic women more vulnerable to pollution from flaring, the authors said. More study, however, is needed to definitively make the link between flaring and preterm births. The study adjusted for other known risk factors for preterm births including age, smoking and access to prenatal care. It excluded women in cities with a population of more than 75,000 since exposure to other sources of air pollutants differs from women in rural areas, and it controlled for potential health effects of living near oil and gas production sites that did not have high rates of flaring. The UCLA and USC analysis adds to evidence that living near oil and gas activities adversely affects the health of pregnant women and infants. Last year, University of Colorado researchers found that children whose birth mothers live near intense oil and gas development have between a 40 to 70 percent higher chance of congenital heart defects compared to those who live near less intense oil and gas activity. The study analyzed 3,000 infants born in Colorado between 2005 and 2011. In 2016, a study published by the journal Epidemiology found statistically significant associations between natural gas development and preterm birth rates in thousands of mothers studied in Pennsylvania. Last year: Infants with mothers near oil and gas production at higher risk of heart defects This corroborates (other studies) and suggests a kind of double whammy in the Eagle Ford a potential cumulative impact of not just flaring, but also the drilling itself, Cushing said. Our research suggests a significant adverse impact (of flaring) on pregnant women and infants who live nearby. --updated with additional comment from TXOGA. erin.douglas@chron.com Twitter.com/erinmdouglas23 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shouldnt waste its resources to go after wrongly sent coronavirus stimulus payments, according to the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, an independent government watchdog agency. Around a million payments were wrongly made to dead people, federal agencies said, while another 74,000 were sent to incarcerated individuals. Erin Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, said in a report that while the IRS did an impressive job implementing the CARES Act, not everything went smoothly when it came to stimulus payments. The Taxpayer Advocate sends a report twice a year to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Collins said the IRS issued nearly 160 million stimulus payments also called Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) worth more than $267 billion as of June 3, but many Americans are still waiting for their payments. Most of these people will have to wait until 2021 to receive either their payment, correct their payment amount or in some cases, get the $500 per child payment, Collins said. Thats not good enough, she said. Because these individuals are likely experiencing financial distress now, the National Taxpayer Advocate recommends the IRS continue to work on solutions and alternatives to ensure that all individuals receive the EIP in its entirety in 2020 rather than having to wait until 2021 when they file their 2020 income tax returns, she said. PAYMENTS TO DEAD PEOPLE During the 2008 Great Recession, the issue whether the estates of deceased individuals should receive stimulus payments was addressed. At that time, the IRS determined stimulus payments would be issued in the name of the individual based on their 2007 tax return. This includes situations where a person dies after filing a return or where the final 2007 income tax return was filed by a personal representative or surviving spouse, it said. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage When the payments were issued in 2008, the IRS did not ask that the payment be returned and took no steps to collect the payment from the decedent taxpayers estate or family. With the 2020 stimulus payments, at first, the IRS said it wouldnt look to recoup wrongly sent payments, including those made to dead people. But that changed when President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the payments must be returned even though some of the checks noted that the recipients were deceased. If the IRS made the payment despite having information in its possession that the individual was in fact deceased, the National Taxpayer Advocate recommends the IRS not spend its resources pursuing enforcement actions against a decedents estate or a family member who received an EIP for a decedent, Collins said. FOR THE INCARCERATED Incarcerated individuals have also been told to return their stimulus payments. But, Collins said, its possible that a person who was behind bars at the start of 2020 was released in the middle of the pandemic. Unlike a deceased individual, a released prisoner could return the EIP and then claim it when filing his/her 2020 income tax return, she said, noting the Taxpayer Advocate Service will suggest the IRS to provide more specific guidance for released prisoners. INJURED SPOUSES AND BACK CHILD SUPPORT If a taxpayer owes back child support, their stimulus payment can be garnished to repay the arrears. But if the taxpayer is remarried and filing a joint return, the couple can file whats called an injured spouse claim. This is supposed to ensure the spouse who does not owe support wont have his or her tax refunds or stimulus payments garnished. Collins said about 862,000 individuals wrongly had their portion of the stimulus payment taken to pay their spouses back child support. This included about 26,000 people who had previously filed injured spouse claims with the IRS. For the 26,000 non-liable spouses, the IRS has been working since about the middle of April to retrieve their portion of the refunds that were improperly offset against their liable spouses past-due child support payments, but at the time of this writing, this issue had not been corrected, she said. There has been no guidance for the 836,000 others who have not filed an injured spouse claim, Collins said. She said the IRS should retrieve the non-liable spouses portion of the EIP regardless of whether an injured spouse claim has been filed. IT WAS HARD TO GET ANSWERS The report said because there were several complex situations related to the stimulus payments, the online resources provided by the IRS werent enough. It was not until May 18, 2020, that the IRS announced it had assigned 3,500 telephone representatives to answer common questions about EIPs; however, resources remain limited, and individuals who call these phone lines can expect long wait times, Collins said. She recommends the IRS make sure operators can answer more complex questions. Also, many taxpayers were unable to update their mailing addresses with the IRS, the report said, so many payments were possibly mailed to outdated addresses and returned to the IRS as undeliverable. In the future, Collins recommends the IRS open a phone line solely devoted to updating taxpayers mailing addresses. THE $500 PAYMENT FOR QUALIFYING CHILDREN The report said the IRS acted quickly to start getting payments out in mid-April to those for whom the agency had direct deposit information from 2018 and 2019 tax returns. But getting payments to everyone else posed more challenges. The law provided that if the IRS did not have tax return information, it could use data from Social Security Form SSA-1099 to determine benefit eligibility for Social Security recipients. But it didnt have information on recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or veterans benefits, and it had to establish agreements with those agencies to get income information. And because the agencies dont have information on dependents, some who received stimulus payments didnt get the additional $500 per qualifying child. Nor did the IRS have dependent information for low-income people who do not have to file tax returns. While the IRS created the Get My Payment tool and the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to help, there were long wait times, error messages and other issues, Collins said. Through the tools, more than 70 million people successfully verified the status of their payments, and as of April 23, about 23 million people provided bank or financial account information, which Collins called no small feat. Another 3.7 million individuals used the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to file a simple tax return and claim their children for the $500 payment. But that tool was shut down on May 5. Because these financially-strapped individuals will have to wait at least nine more months to receive the additional amounts by filing their 2020 tax returns, the Taxpayer Advocate recommends the IRS reopen the tool so people can enter information about their qualifying children, and then immediately issue supplemental payments to those individuals. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Sudans Ministry of Irrigation announced on Wednesday that it has recorded a decline in the water level of the Blue Nile coming from Ethiopia, amid contradictory reports over whether Addis Ababa has started filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) unilaterally. The Ministry of Irrigation asked specialised agencies to measure the level of the Blue Nile to confirm the accuracy of this news, and it is evident from the flow measured at the Dimim border station with Ethiopia that there is a decline in the water level equal to 90 million cubic metres per day. [This confirms] the closure of the GERDs gates, the Sudanese irrigation ministry said. The ministry asserted in the statement its total rejection of any unilateral action by any party, especially with the GERD negotiations still ongoing under the auspices of the African Union. The statement came shortly after reports by Ethiopian media said that Addis Ababa had started the process of filling the reservoir of the GERD, which prompted Cairo to demand Ethiopia issue a clarification about the matter. Both Egypt and Sudan said that they were following the matter closely. Ethiopias water ministry is denying the local Ethiopian media reports that the country has started filling the reservoir. In a statement to The Associated Press, Water Minister Sileshi Bekele said that his country has not started filling the dam, and that the swelling of the dams reservoir, which has been captured in satellite images, is the result of heavy rains. Following his statements to AP, Bekele said on his Twitter account in English, The GERD construction has reached level 560m compared to level 525m last year this time. The inflow into the reservoir due to heavy rainfall and runoff exceeded the outflow and created natural pooling.This continues until overflow is triggered soon. The dam is yet to be constructed to level 640m in the following years. In fact, predicted heavy rain this year is expected to cause huge flooding in the region, he added. Ethiopian State TV has also apologised for what it described as a misinterpretation of statements made by the countrys water minister, who was reported as saying that the filling process had begun, quickly prompting responses from Egypt and Sudan. In statements reported later by the official Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, Ethiopias Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Sileshi Bekele said that the GERD negotiations will continue not only for the benefit of the current generation, but also for the benefit of future generations. Despite Bekeles denial that his country has started filling the dam, he did not deny other statements made to local media that the storage capacity of the dams reservoir will be 4.9 billion cubic meters of water in its first stage of filling. He also added the filling of the dam would go hand in hand with the dams construction. Ethiopia has repeatedly said it would start filling the dams reservoir this month, with or without an accord with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. Both countries have warned about the consequences of Addis Ababa taking any unilateral action on the project, including beginning the filling process. The Ethiopian announcements come two days after the end of the latest round of GERD talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, which were held under the auspices of African Union (AU) and attended by observers from the European Union, the United States and the World Bank. After 11 days of online talks that started on 3 July 2020, the three countries announced that no agreement was reached concerning the major points of disagreement, despite Sudan and Ethiopia indicating that there was limited progress in the talks. The three countries presented their final reports on the progress of the talks to President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is the current chairman of the AU. Ramaphosa is expected to hold a mini-summit of AU officials and heads of member states to discuss the next steps. Cairo, which relies on the Nile for 95 percent of its fresh water, fears the dam will significantly reduce its share of water, especially during the filling stages through periods of drought and dry years. Khartoum has said that the safety of its Roseires dam will be directly impacted by the operation of the GERD, which is located around 100km from the Sudanese dam. Ethiopia, on the other hand, says the project is key to its development efforts. A previous round of negotiations in June had failed to produce an accord due to Ethiopia's refusal to enter into a legally binding agreement and its announcement that it would begin filling the dam in July, with or without the approval of the two downstream countries. Egypt, as a result, presented a draft resolution for deliberation to the UN Security Council, which encouraged the three countries to reach an accord within two weeks and refrain from any unilateral actions related to the dam. Search Keywords: Short link: An increase in invasive plants and animal species as a result of human activity could lead to dramatic biodiversity loss across the globe, scientists have warned. Invasions of non-native species such as the Canada Goose or Japanese knotwood in the UK have the potential to displace local species and even spread disease. Canada Geese, for example first introduced to Britain in the mid-18th Century are aggressively territorial, damage farmland and pose a threat to local biodiversity. An international team of experts led from Austria collated data from 36 specialists in biological invasions to identify key causes and likely impacts on future biodiversity. Human activities like tourism both intentionally and otherwise are key drivers for the establishment of plant and animal species in new regions. The researchers calculated that an increase of 2030 per cent in numbers of invasive species would trigger a 'dramatic' loss of biodiversity across the globe. An increase in invasive plants and animal species as a result of human activity could lead to dramatic biodiversity loss across the globe, scientists have warned. Pictured, the invasive Canada Goose, which first established populations in Britain in the mid-18th Century 'At the moment it is not yet possible to generate precise predictions based on computer models as to how the spread and impact of alien species will change in the future,' said paper author and ecologist Franz Essl of the University of Vienna. 'Therefore, expert assessments via standardised surveys are an important tool to obtain a better understanding of the causes and consequences of the spread and impact of alien species for the coming decades.' From their analysis, Dr Essl and colleagues found that a 2030 per cent increase in the number of newly-introduced invasive species would be sufficient to cause 'massive' global biodiversity loss and that this value would be reached soon. Humans, the team, explained, are the 'main driver' behind the spread of non-native species around the world. The three main ways in which we are causing the spread of invasive species are our increasing global transport networks, human-driven climate change and the impacts of economic developments such as increasing energy consumption and land use. However, the researchers also noted that the spread of alien species still had the potential to be slowed down by developing ambitious countermeasures. Comparing different parts of the globe, the team found that tourism is a major driver of biological invasions in tropical and subtropical regions at present while climate change will favour invasions in the future, especially in polar and temperate zones. Dr Essl and colleagues found that a 2030 per cent increase in the number of newly-introduced invasive species would be sufficient to cause 'massive' global biodiversity loss and that this value would be reached soon. Pictured, predicted uncertainties as to the role that different drivers of invasive species will play in both best- and worst- case scenarios 'Our study illustrates the option space we currently have to reduce the future impacts of alien species,' said paper author and conservation biologist Bernd Lenzner, also of the University of Vienna. 'The results form an important scientific basis for the further development of international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals or the Convention on Biological Diversity, he added. 'This way we will be able to reduce the negative impacts of alien species on global biodiversity and our society.' 'There has been a rapid escalation in the number of non-native species being transported and introduced by humans around the world,' said paper author Helen Roy, of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Lancaster. 'The adverse effects of some of these so called invasive non-native species on biodiversity and ecosystems has been extensively documented,' she added. 'It is now critical that we work collaboratively to predict future patterns so that we can inform appropriate action going forward such as improved bio-security to prevent further introductions of the most damaging invasive non-native species.' The full findings of the study were published in the journal Global Change Biology. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern indicated on Monday that the latest spike of COVID-19 cases in Victoria could delay a travel bubble between the country and Australia. In an interview with public broadcaster TVNZ, Ardern suggested New Zealand could open up exclusively with certain states who had successfully contained the virus. "If it's whole country, we'll be waiting because obviously there is community transmission in Victoria and we can't risk that," she said. Visit Business Insider Australia's homepage for more stories. While the rest of the world appears off-limits, travel across the Tasman has been held out as Australia's sole hope of international tourism. The travel bubble, which had been speculated to open up as soon as this month looks like it's becoming a more far off possibility as Victoria experiences a second spike in COVID-19 cases. "We have a system that would work with a state-by-state approach or a whole country approach; if it's whole country we'll be waiting because obviously there is community transmission in Victoria and we can't risk that," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told local network TVNZ on Monday. Ardern's comments foreshadowed the decision to close the New South Wales and Victorian border for the first time in a century. "Some of the states have actually put their own borders up, so they've created their own state bubbles," she said. "So if Australia chose to say, 'Well OK, we have a COVID-free state,' and they're in a position where they can travel that would be up to them," she said, suggesting a bubble could survive with a state-based approach. As 182 new cases were confirmed in Victoria over the weekend, the Andrews government have moved to tighten restrictions, delaying the state's staged relaxation and tightening significantly in hotspot areas. It pours cold water on suggestions made by Australia's own government. On Friday, Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham maintained the bubble could still be established as soon as September if Victoria could get cases under control soon. Story continues "That's a realistic time frame, however, it clearly is subject to uncertainties like the situation in Victoria and ultimately it requires the agreement of the New Zealand government as well," Birmingham told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Im confident that things will be ready on our end by then. It does, obviously, from their end, depend on seeing us succeed in getting Victoria back under control and delivering them complete confidence in all of our systems." With Victoria introducing the first 'hard lockdown', shutting down nine public housing buildings for at least five days, New Zealand's confidence is hardly guaranteed. As 182 new cases were confirmed in Victoria over the weekend, the Andrews government has moved to tighten restrictions, delaying the state's reopening in hotspot areas. While optimistic that Australia will be able to contain outbreaks, Deloitte economists suspect would-be trans-Tasman travellers may need to wait longer than Birmingham suggests. "International borders [will] re-open gradually, starting with New Zealand in late 2020, and broadening to cover essentially the world by end-2021," Chris Richardson wrote in Deloitte's business outlook on Monday. Declining to define just how late, it throws some cold water on a September reopening, with both Australia and New Zealand needing to balance their respective health and economic prospects. While there are no active cases currently in New Zealand after a tight lockdown, its "success on the virus at home makes it less attractive to open up to elsewhere," Richardson said. Nor will it be encouraged by the fact that Australia remains effectively closed to itself. The likes of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania have proven reluctant to open up domestically, and remain especially wary of Victoria. The latest hard internal border seems to be the last nail in the coffin of the plan to have the two countries entirely open to each other by September. The parameters of Egyptian involvement in the Libyan crisis have been clear since President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis address to the armed forces in the Western Military Zone on 20 June. Underlining that these parameters are informed by the need to defend Egypts national security, he identified a red line from Sirte to Al-Jafra as the boundaries of Egypts vital sphere. He instructed Egypts troops to be prepared for military action abroad in the event of a hostile action intended to breach that sphere. In keeping with this outlook, the Jarbub Airbase was inaugurated in the Western Zone, qualitative military drills were held to focus on potential threats emanating from the West and, just last week, the Hasm (Resolve) 2020 land and maritime manoeuvres were carried out near the Libyan border to demonstrate Egypts readiness to take on a potential advance of the Turkish-backed terrorist and mercenary militias in Libya into Egypts vital sphere. Egypts concept of calibrated involvement in Libya reflects its awareness of the magnitude of the threat in Libya and the intricate dynamics of that crisis which has been exacerbated by attempts on the part of regional powers such as Turkey to exploit it. Turkeys tactical aim in Libya is to engineer a shift in the balances of power on the ground and to restructure Libyan political/military dynamics in a manner overtly hostile to Egypt. If Turkey instructs its mercenaries and militias to breach the red line, Egypt will be forced to act and its actions will unquestionably fall within the exercise of its right to self-defence which is a primary tenet of Egypts defence creed and strategy. Despite the multiple lines of engagement in the Libyan conflict, Egypt has remained determined from the outset to propel the stakeholders towards a political process leading to a transitional phase that would enable the restoration of stability to our neighbour. This is why Egypt sponsored the Cairo Declaration, an initiative to promote a return to the negotiating table, welcomed by a majority of the international community as an important contribution to the Berlin Process. Unfortunately, certain regional powers are working to sabotage the prospects of negotiations. Turkey, in particular, is bent on reproducing the current Government of National Accord (GNA) entity, which is a mutation from the consensual transitional body intended by the Skhirat Agreement, into an Ankara puppet. Not only is Cairo disinclined to offensive strategies and military options, it continues to work to strike a balance between the need to take necessary precautions against precipitous belligerent powers working to complicate the Libyan situation and the need to focus on advancing the agreed upon political process despite all counterproductive parties. Egypts military preparations still remain within its own borders, even if it has had to address certain targets abroad in the framework of a limited strike that did not constitute a military offensive in the proper sense and that clearly fell under the heading of self-defence. Egypt will not intervene militarily in Libya outside this framework, as President Al-Sisi stressed when discussing Egyptian military creed in his speech in the Western Zone. Egypts army is a sensible army, Al-Sisi said. Ankaras behaviour, on the other hand, remains inexplicably contradictory. On the one hand, it calls for an end to mercenaries in Libya and commits to this principle in Berlin. On the other, it trains mercenaries from Syria and sends them into Libya by the plane load. The number of mercenaries in Libya on the Turkish payroll now exceed 15,000 and they together with GNA militias have been transformed into the Libyan equivalent of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (now Ankaras proxy Syrian National Army) which is advancing Turkeys territorial and political aims in Syria. Turkey, itself, now operates out of three military bases in western Libya (Watiya, Matiga and Misrata) and it has set its sights on occupying Ghardabiya and Al-Jafra bases and the petroleum facilities in Sirte. Contrary to its pledge in Berlin, Turkey continues its flagrant violation of the UN arms embargo to Libya and its justification could not rest on a flimsier pretext. It claims to be supporting the internationally recognised GNA whereas the House of Representatives is the only popularly elected governing body and the only body authorised to ratify agreements with foreign powers. But Ankara has an agenda and, in Libya, it is to secure control over Libyan oil behind a GNA facade in order to revive the Turkish economy and to fund the Libyan militias in order to advance Ankaras hegemonic aims abroad. Unlike Turkey, Egypt will not embark on an offensive war that would further aggravate the situation in Libya. This is consistent with its long-held policy of avoiding involvement in similar regional conflicts that have caused the collapse of states and killed and displaced millions. Therefore, Egypt will continue to work with other peace-seeking nations towards the realisation of political solutions. At the same time, it reserves its right to intervene in Libya in the defence of Egypts national security. Egypts national security is non-negotiable and Egypt will never compromise it in backroom deals or sacrifice it to material and megalomaniac ambitions, unlike certain other parties. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: At a White House event last week to encourage the nations schools to reopen, Vice President Mike Pence laid the heroism on thick. Parents and teachers, he said, were two categories of heroes that emerged in the crisis. Since the pandemic is all but over, at least in the magical thinking of the Trump administration, Pence wants parents and teachers to again put on their capes and save the day. To open up America again, we got to open up Americas schools, he said. I want schools to reopen as much any parent does. My wife and I were driven to the verge of breakdown this spring while trying to home-school our kids while working from home, and I am freaking out about having to do that again in the fall. But parents and teachers would be wise to reject any invitation to unnecessary heroism. I dont want educating my kids to be a heroic act of American defiance I want it to be ordinary. And Id rather not sacrifice my childrens teachers, either, so that Americas economy can begin humming once more. Again and again in this crisis, the federal governments callous incompetence has left Americans with no good options. Early research on school reopening suggests that classrooms can be safe when the virus is contained or declining, and so long as schools take necessary precautions to minimize the chance that classrooms become superspreaders. But in much of the nation, the virus remains uncontained, and so we face a grim future. There will likely be danger and chaos if the schools do not reopen, and there will be danger and chaos if they do. Sydney publicans say they fear a second coronavirus shutdown following the Crossroads Hotel outbreak but visits to venues across the city show not everyone is following the government's COVID-19 requirements. The Sydney Morning Herald visited 15 pubs across Sydney's inner west, the inner city and the north shore on Tuesday night to evaluate whether safety measures were being followed. The window of Calaveras Mexican Cantina and Tequila Bar in Newtown. Credit:Jessica Hromas Three of 15 venues did not take personal details. Under NSW government requirements that came into effect on July 1, pubs are required to keep contact details from at least one member of each group of customers inside their pub for at least 28 days. From Friday, tougher compliance measures will come into effect for pubs, including reducing group bookings from 20 to 10 and dedicated "hygiene marshals" who will patrol venues. WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Research Council released a new report today titled "The Crisis of Christian Persecution in Nigeria." It describes one of the worst human rights situations of our dayone which the mainstream media rarely discussesa possible genocide of Christians emerging in Nigeria. Nigeria is Africa's economic frontrunner and most populous country. The country's population is about 53 percent Muslim and about 47 percent Christian. Just today, we learned that 1,202 Nigerian Christians were killed in the first six months of 2020. Our new publication describes how multiple groups violently target Christians, including Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen, how Nigeria's government either fails to protect Christians or is complicit in their slaughter, and how the international community has failed to respond adequately to the crisis. As our publication states: "All too well we remember Rwanda, where we failed to stop a genocide in which one million were slaughtered. Not too long ago, we finally recognized that a genocide took place in Iraqseveral years too late. May this not happen again. May our international Christian communities continue to work together to inspire and cajole our governments to bring this terrible carnage to an endonce and for all. And may our prayersas well as demandscontinue for immediate international action to stop the bloodshed." Lela Gilbert, Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at Family Research Council, who authored the publication, stated: "The current bloodshed in Nigeria is simply unimaginable for most of us here in the United States. Even in our worst cities, we don't face the types of fears and threats Nigerian Christians face every day. For the sake of Nigeria, and the sake of humanity, we must urgently address this issue." To read the full publication, visit: https://www.frc.org/nigeria. SOURCE Family Research Council Related Links http://www.frc.org CHICAGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Relativity, a global legal and compliance technology company, announced that it has provided $50,000 grants to two CPS Early College STEM Schools: Lake View High School and Corliss High School. Both high schools have STEM and IT pathways and additional technology for their staff and students will help further their vision and support student success. "For nearly a decade, Relativity has worked to help close the technology divide that poses challenges to many young people in Chicago. Now more than ever, local students and staff need easy access to technology and related resources as schools must plan for the possibility of continued remote learning as they head into a new school year," said Colleen Costello, Head of Social Impact at Relativity. "For high schools that have STEM and IT pathways, it's especially crucial that these motivated students have the tools and opportunities necessary to maximize their talents." Located in the Lake View community on Chicago's North Side, Lake View High School serves a diverse student population, most of whom live in low-income households. As an Early College STEM school, Lake View High School offers unique STEM coursework and opportunities for students to earn college credit while they're still in high school. This grant for the school will go toward supplementing the school's existing inventory with updated laptops for educators. Corliss High School located in the Pullman neighborhood on Chicago's Far South Side also serves a diverse student population and offers unique programming and college coursework through its Early College STEM program. The school will utilize the Relativity grant funds to purchase 200 Chromebooks, as personal technology for the students is imperative during this remote e-learning period and for needs that will arise at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Remaining funds will support a remote learning incentive program as well as the purchase of graphing calculators and flash drives to help students save assignments. "Access to technology is critical to ensuring students are learning and engaging, especially for our Early College STEM Schools, which have a special focus on science and technology," said CPS Chief Education Officer, LaTanya D. McDade. "Computing devices are the textbooks of today essential tools that will help our students reach their full potential and enable our educators to teach with innovation and creativity. I want to thank Relativity for their generous contribution." This grant will be distributed through the CPS Foundation, Children First Fund. Relativity Gives, Relativity's community outreach program, helps Chicago youth especially those with limited resources gain access to the technology, equipment and training they need to be successful in today's world. To date, the company has committed $2.92 million in direct financial and in-kind donations to local public schools and non-profits. About Relativity At Relativity, we make software to help users organize data, discover the truth, and act on it. Our platform is used by thousands of organizations around the world to manage large volumes of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance operations with RelativityOne and our newest offering Relativity Trace. Relativity has over 180,000 users in 40+ countries from organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 70 Fortune 100 companies, and 198 of the Am Law 200. RelativityOne offers all the functionality of Relativity in a secure and comprehensive SaaS product. Relativity has been named one of Chicago's Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for nine consecutive years. Please contact Relativity at [email protected] or visit http://www.relativity.com for more information. About Children First Fund: The Chicago Public Schools Foundation: The Children First Fund is the philanthropic and partnership arm of Chicago Public School (CPS). It serves as a knowledge hub and liaison between CPS and its community of partners, securing and organizing resources that advance CPS' mission to provide a high-quality public education that prepares every child in every neighborhood for success in college, career, and civic life. For more information, please visit https://www.childrenfirstfund.org or find us on social @ChiFirstFund. Contact Veronica Spak, Relativity Corporate Communications Email: [email protected] SOURCE Relativity Related Links https://www.relativity.com Portland could have become the Paris of the Americas. That was the dream, anyway. Early in the 20th century, the Rose City had a population of just over 200,000, about the same as Seattles, and both were growing rapidly. The race was on to become the Pacific Northwests premier metropolis, the center of the regions commerce and culture. And the best way to win, Portlands movers and shakers decided, was to plan big. Burlington, NC, July 15, 2020 Built on the backbone of 20 years combined programming experience, 13 years of Surety Bonding knowledge, 30 years of Sales and Marketing expertise, and more than 15 years of UX / UI design, iGUARANTEE, a new insurtech startup out of North Carolina, has entered the Bail Bond Software Industry with a ROAR by landing one of the largest bail bond producers in America, Palmetto Surety. iGUARANTEE is a new, powerful, and easy to use Enterprise Level Cloud-Based bail bonds software PaaS. It solves a myriad of todays industry challenges for Carriers, MGAs, Agencies, and Agents alike. iGUARANTEE digitally issues and tracks paper powers offering full life cycle tracking and auditing. A fully online application process includes eSign capabilities (in person or remote), as well as system-generated Bail Bond Document sets that are signed, sealed, and ready to deliver with a single click. iGUARANTEE additionally offers an extensive defendant background checker, At-a-Glance account-based Dashboards that analyze risk exposure, sales, and growth spots, extensive reporting capabilities, and an extremely user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It enables Agents and Agencies to effortlessly share applications, quickly track appearances, update payments, post forfeitures, voids, or exonerations all from a single straightforward bail bond detail page. iGUARANTEE significantly improves the efficiency and the productivity of Carriers, MGAs, Agencies, and Agents by digitizing, streamlining, and simplifying the work, documentation, and accountability flow, providing full visibility of all powers, bonds, and payments allowing each entity to analyze risk better and increase revenue by writing more bonds with fewer forfeitures. About iGUARANTEE (iGUARANTEE.com): Founded in 2019, iGUARANTEE is a privately held company that provides a cloud-based bail bond software platform. iGUARANTEE allows Carriers to issue electronic powers instantly, track traditional powers, and assign either to MGAs or agents in real-time. This process empowers Carriers, MGAs, and Agencies with the ability to create and immediately issue new signed and sealed bail bonds in minutes via the online platform. Media Contact: Haiko de Poel Jr. Director of Sales, UI, and Marketing (888) 368-8440 Option #3 (Sales) sales@iGUARANTEE.com Schedule a DEMO Topics Agencies Insurance Wholesale Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 12:22 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406666baeb 1 Business omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,Airlangga-Hartarto,house-of-representatives,investment,foreign-direct-investment,EuroCham Free The government expects the House of Representatives to finish deliberating the omnibus bill on job creation by late August or early September, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Tuesday. He added that lawmakers had finished deliberating half of the chapters in the bill. Read also: Key points of labor reform in omnibus bill on job creation: What we know so far The omnibus bill contains 15 chapters and 174 articles laid out in over 1,000 pages. It seeks to revise 79 prevailing laws and more than 1,200 articles considered to be hampering Indonesias efforts to attract investment. The government is seeking to conduct structural reform through the omnibus bill on job creation, Airlangga, who also serves as Golkar Party chairman, said in a virtual presser held by the European Business Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Indonesia. President Joko Jokowi Widodo is pushing the omnibus bills deliberation with the aim of cutting red tape and spur investment into the country after failing to attract companies moving out of China in 2019 amid slowing investment growth. Read also: Labor unions demand role in jobs bill deliberation Indonesia failed to climb up the World Banks ease of doing business ranking last year and has been stuck at 73rd place since 2018. The president wants the country to claim the 40th spot this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic hitting countries around the world, Indonesia saw an annual decline of 9.2 percent in foreign direct investment to Rp 98 trillion (US$6.7 billion) in the first quarter. [The omnibus bill] will be a big push for Indonesias economy and help it transform as the fundamental problems we face is having hyper regulations, said Rizal Affandi Lukman, deputy for international economic cooperation at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister. The omnibus bill proposes, among other things, 80 articles to revise prevailing regulations related to investments and business permits. As many as 11 articles are expected to improve the countrys ease of doing business. Read also: Guide to omnibus bill on job creation: 1,028 pages in 10 minutes The bill also contains 19 articles to revise regulations on land acquisition, which has become one of the biggest obstacles for investment realization in Indonesia. Some investment projects saw their realization process stall for up to six years due to land issues, according to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). The omnibus bill also includes five articles related to employment regulations. However, the government decided to delay deliberations on these articles in response to mounting pressure from labor unions over fears that the articles would lure investment at the expense of workers welfare. Manila (CNN Philippines) Specialty coffee is a luxury many have had to give up as the world continues to grapple with a pandemic. The quarantine lockdown implemented to prevent its spread led to an economic pause. But that didnt stop people from finding ways to get their fix. The Dalgona coffee trend that spread through social media, for example, replicates the frothiness of a cappuccino by whipping accessible instant coffee without the use of barista tools and equipment. It originated from Seoul, South Korea, known for its cafe culture. When deliveries of coffee beans and coffee equipment started after the ECQ, people have also used the opportunity to brew specialty coffee in their own houses. In Metro Manila, coffee lovers can enjoy the convenience of homegrown brand Type As premium cold brew concentrate. Using single origin beans from one of the highest peaks in Panama that head of research and development Dani Canlas-Torres hiked up to, the specialty beans are roasted, ground and steeped in cold water. The cold brew technique brings out notes of orange peel and dark chocolate with the least acidity you can get from coffee. Type As premium cold brew concentrate uses single origin beans from one of the highest peaks in Panama. Photo by JOSEPH PASCUAL The former tech and management consultant launched the concentrate for those who like to enjoy their specialty coffee even when they dont have the time to, hence the homegrown brands name so goes the joke between her and her sisters Sarah and Anna, who are also her business partners at umbrella company Can Creative Capital. Type A gives you 900ml of 100% Panama coffee concentrate in a reusable glass bottle. Its easy even for casual coffee drinkers to prepare a good cup because of the concentrate format. You can add water or milk in a glass with ice to make yourself an iced coffee, black or white. You can add soda. You can sweeten it or spike it or sweeten it. You can make desserts with it. There are endless possibilities for your kind of refreshment. Professionals in the F&B industry love it, too. Type A is used by restaurants and bars for coffee items in their menu. Futurist uses their cold brew for cocktails. Pizza Express uses Type A for their panna cotta and granita affogato. The pandemic introduced a new kind of customer to Type A: consumer-entrepreneurs, fans of the product who are looking for a business on the side. Chem Torrente, Type As growth manager says, Consumer-entrepreneurs are the new asset of the hustle era. They are eager to talk to communities personally and through online channels even while at home. They are looking for opportunities to grow their current business or expand their sources of income. Canlas-Torres shares, Most of them are food businesses as well. One of our collaborators is Seed Manila. They use our concentrate for two bottled coffee drinks, the Coco Black and the Soy Latte. Type A was founded when the world went on at a completely different pace. Now that people are spending more time cooped up in their homes, and the welcome distraction of a coffee run is not an option for most people, the brand recognized it was the right moment to brighten up gloomy routines with the launch of a new product. Weve always wanted to expand our offerings, but it was accelerated by the lockdown as we felt our customers, especially our regulars, may want some varietya change of scenery? while they were stuck at home, Canlas-Torres says. Maybe they also unlocked some extra time to brew coffee on less hectic days? After building its name with premium cold brew concentrate, Type A launched coffee beans sourced from Ethiopia and Davao. Photo courtesy of TYPE A Type A's Shared Space breathes with high ceilings and natural light, and is a common area linking Type As coffee roaster and bottling facility. Photo by JOSEPH PASCUAL Type A launched a new category: coffee beans. We considered a couple of different single origin options. We eventually landed on the first three coffees that are recognizably different from the other two in the collection. All the different bean variants are also a nice contrast to our flagship cold brew concentrate, she shares. Each 250 gram variant, all medium roast, tells a story. Marivic is named for the woman who organizes the lots of coffee in her community in Bansalan, Davao. The 100% natural Catimor Arabica bean brews earthy, with notes of green mango, cacao and a tinge of chili. Yirgacheffe is named for a town with family owned farms in Ethiopia. It blooms peachy, with a mild acidity and biscuity notes of burnt caramel. Guji Zone is named for a part of Ethiopia that has perfected a full natural process. It brews with a sugary sweetness, notes of bright berries and black tea. Talking directly to consumers and constantly tasting the product with every batch are two things that have been key in their R&D. Shared Space was a conducive setting for this. Planned by architect Sarah Canlas, it is a sitting area that connects Type As bottling facility on one side and a coffee roaster on the other. Their roasted coffee bean supplier arm Origin Coffee Network is also based here. Aside from Type A, OCN has sourced beans exclusively for Lucky Roasters and El Union Coffee. This is a living room kind of space where we can open up to people and experiment with new things. Its a helpful way to test the market, says Canlas-Torres. On a typical pre-lockdown day, she sets out freshly brewed cups of coffee for home and wholesale buyers to try before they buy. Shared Space features a bar containing different kinds of milk and sweeteners so customers can experiment with different combinations. With coffee as a social lubricant, ideas and collaborations always come up. Anna Canlas (left) and Dani Canlas-Torres at Shared Space. Photo by JOSEPH PASCUAL You dont just drink coffee. You do something over coffee, says creative director Anna Canlas, who furnished Shared Space. Type A has been served at trunk shows by Canlas Studio Josanna, a Marikina-made 70s shoe line reviving its design archive. Everything in the Shared Space is repurposed. The room is anchored by an antique Mexican rug, brought back to life from a friends storage. The bench was originally a column in heavy reclaimed wood. The coffee table came from their coffee stand in Karrivin while the stools were previously in Can. The ledge by the window was previously installed as one of their city apartments first pieces of furniture, harking back to Cans beginnings as a home office. A roomy daybed stays in the shade. Shared Space breathes with high ceilings and natural light. With glass windows looking into the roaster and bottling area, it expresses that the company values transparency. In the meantime, Shared Space is limiting guests to those who are picking up orders or returning their empty bottles. When things are back to normal, the team wants Shared Space to bring people together for conversation, community and collaboration. Says Torrente, "We're here to empower the consumer-entrepreneurs by providing quality coffee and materials, or even just talking through strategies to help them sell. *** Type A is receiving orders at www.type-a.xyz. BOSTON Legislators, veterans and family members on Tuesday weighed in on a state Senate bill to improve governance at the battle-weary Holyoke Soldiers Home during a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Tragically a great, great calamity of epic proportions has befallen our commonwealth. We have lost many of our very brave veterans, said Sen. Walter Timilty, D-Milton, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. As a committee, we are committed to getting this right. The bill was sponsored by Gov. Charlie Baker as a series of reforms he vowed to make after 76 veterans lost their lives over 11 weeks as the coronavirus swept nearly unchecked through the Soldiers Home beginning in late March. Tuesdays hearing came three weeks after Boston attorney Mark Pearlstein issued a blistering report on the COVID-19 response at the long-term care facility. Pearlstein, hired by Baker to conduct an independent investigation into what went wrong, laid heavy blame at the feet of ousted Soldiers Home Superintendent Bennett Walsh and his leadership staff. Pearlstein also characterized members of Bakers administration as too complacent about the Holyoke facility before calamity struck. The Senate bill focuses on retooling the Soldiers Home board of trustees, including expanding its membership from seven to nine and ensuring at least two members have expertise in clinical care or long-term care administration, tinkering with the hierarchy and pipeline to the governors office, making annual inspections mandatory and getting tougher on requirements for a new superintendent. Former top administrators at the Holyoke Soldiers Home who testified at the Beacon Hill hearing said the bill misses the mark and should be more focused on meaningful outreach to staff, veterans and families. Given the track record of the Baker-Polito administration in overseeing the Soldiers Home and the resulting tragedy that has occurred, I ask how is this body even thinking of considering this administrations proposals before the ink is even dry on your own inquiry and that of the investigations being conducted by the U.S. attorney and the state attorney general? asked former Holyoke Soldiers Home Deputy Administrator John Paradis, who resigned in frustration over ongoing staff and funding shortages in 2015. Investigations by those agencies are indeed ongoing, in addition to a legislative review of the Soldiers Home debacle. Walsh was suspended with pay on March 30, then fired on June 24 as the Pearlstein report was issued. Walshs attorney argues the firing was improper and said he plans to challenge it in court. Walsh has previously called accusations that he was neglectful of the patient population at the Soldiers Home outrageous. A decorated combat veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps, Walsh was appointed by the trustees in 2016. Also testifying Tuesday was former Soldiers Home Superintendent Paul Barabani, who retired that year feeling the same exasperation as his deputy. I did not want to be part of an administration that would turn a blind eye to veteran safety, and feared that when an adverse event occurred, I would be the scapegoat for their flawed decisions, said Barabani. He, Paradis, other veterans and family members of those who died of COVID-19 have formed an advocacy network called Holyoke Soldiers Home Coalition. Chief among their initiatives is to revive a decade-old plan to expand the Soldiers Home to include 120 private rooms. Its unacceptable that you have veterans in a room where they can literally put their hands out and touch each other and squeezing veterans into hallways with walkers so their roommates can get in and out of the bathroom, Paradis added during his testimony. China issues five 'self-defense' countermeasures in two weeks amid US provocations Global Times By Zhang Hui and Zhang Han Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 22:38:40 China on Tuesday announced sanctions on US arms dealer Lockheed Martin Corp, the major contractor of US arms sales to the island of Taiwan, which is the fifth reciprocal countermeasure against the US since June 29 in response to US moves that took the initiative in deteriorating bilateral relations and escalating tensions. Chinese analysts believe China's reciprocal measures against the US are usually equal or weaker than compared to US' sanctions against China in terms of its scope and intensity, as China's countermeasures, which are deemed as reactive and defensive, were attempted to minimize the conflicts with the US and restore bilateral relations that have nosedived their lowest point in decades. In response to the $620 million worth of arms sales to the island of Taiwan, China will impose sanctions on the Lockheed Martin Corp, the main contractor of the deal. China urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between the two countries to avoid further damaging bilateral relations and peace in the Taiwan Straits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in Tuesday's routine press conference. The latest is the fifth countermeasure since July 1 in response to US provocations over a range of topics including Xinjiang and Hong Kong. On June 29, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced to impose visa restrictions on personnel from the US who "behave poorly" on Hong Kong-related issues. The decision came amid US pressure on China over Hong Kong and blatant interference into the territory's internal affairs, including the passing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. Two days later, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged US media outlets AP, UPI, CBS and NPR to report and declare information about the operations of their branches in China, including staff and finances as a countermeasure against the US listing of four more Chinese media outlets as foreign missions. On July 8, in a countermeasure against US visa restrictions on some Chinese officials over Tibet, China announced to restrict visas for US personnel who have acted maliciously on issues related to Tibet.. The Foreign Ministry on Monday announced sanctions against the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback, US Senator Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Republican Chris Smith, and the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), following US sanctions on Chinese officials over Xinjiang-related issues. The CECC responded to the sanctions on Twitter, claiming the Chinese move was just trying to intimidate and silence critical voices. Cruz and Rubio expressed that the visa ban would not affect them as they did not have any travel plans to China. Lu Xiang, a research fellow on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China will not actively escalate the situation or stir up more trouble, and China's countermeasures, which maintain the conflict at its lowest level, aimed at creating more space for the US to logically reason and for China-US relations to return to normal. "This is not just for the benefit of people from China and the US, but also for the whole world. The struggle of two elephants may inevitably hurt the small animals nearby," Lu said. US politicians, out of catering to anti-China forces and gaining more ballots in the presidential elections, continue to stir up more issues in bilateral ties, but most of its sanctions and measures are mostly "all talk but little action," analysts said. But if the US moves to provoke China's military forces in the South China Sea or further restrict Chinese enterprises, the nation will be a "competent" opponent, analysts said Some reports predicted that more US sanctions against China are on the way. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Sunday reported that Trump administration officials recently discussed plans for Hong Kong in a White House meeting. Officials will regroup early this week and may announce sanctions or other measures, it said. Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times that the US sanctions against Hong Kong are like committing suicide, and it can only come up with symbolic measures without any actual effect. The WSJ reported that the US government is considering more targeted sanctions against Chinese officials and trade measures against products made in Hong Kong, but it would have little impact. The US is considering taking further steps against China's hacking efforts targeting the US, said the WSJ citing an anonymous official. The US may sanction Chinese military officials or companies with visa restrictions on cybersecurity issues, as it frequently made groundless accusations that the hacking groups they detected were affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), according to Gao. In response, China is likely to sanction certain US officials who frequently make such groundless accusations against China, Gao said. In a recent example, FBI director Christopher Wray claimed Chinese hackers have moved swiftly to target US pharmaceutical and research institutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Toptal, the world's largest fully remote company, today announced a new consulting service to help organizations build and sustain robust remote work environments. Since its inception in 2010, and today with over 4,000 people working remotely, Toptal has been a fully remote company and has never operated from a physical location. The company's Remote Work Solutions consulting practice has been created to help companies transition to lasting remote work solutions. Taso Du Val, Toptal's Chief Executive Officer, said, "Remote Work Solutions practice applies the experience and practical know-how accumulated over a decade of working only as a fully remote company. The events of recent months have forced every organization to evaluate how they operate independently of a physical office. For those that are now working on how to make this permanent, Toptal's Remote Work Solutions can help make that transition lasting and more integrated." The company, which provides highly-skilled freelance talent to organizations large and small, is providing specialist expertise across the two principal areas defining the success of a transition to remote working: People and Operations, and Technology and Tools. People + Operations: These engagements help companies discover the tactics and remote working best practices necessary to lead a thriving remote team or enterprise. The areas they cover include Communication Cadence, Employee Engagement, Resource Management, and Management Training. Technology + Tools: These engagements help companies employ the right technology necessary to support a global remote organizational infrastructure. The areas they cover include Remote Access Capabilities, Virtual & Cloud infrastructure, Remote Tech Project Management Process, IT Solutions, and Security & Access Control. A recent survey by The Conference Board gauged more than 150 human capital executives, mostly in large US companies. The survey found that 83% of companies in professional services (and 77% of all organizations) expect an increase in full-time employees working remotely at least three days per week, even a year after the pandemic substantially subsides. Moreover, including more remote work was named as their organization's #1 most significant change in the recovery phase. One such company in the process of creating their remote work strategy is Fisker Inc., the California based electric vehicle company. In using the Remote Work Solutions tools, the company expects to better plan how it will operate the company through a combination of office-based and remote working. "As the world's first digital car company, the early insights from Toptal have been incredibly helpful as we plan our investments in physical offices and collaboration tools," said Geeta Gupta-Fisker, Chief Financial Officer, Fisker Inc. "The lessons we have learned about technology, productivity, culture, and simply making it work when there is no office at all can serve as a roadmap for both companies and employees finding themselves suddenly remote," said Du Val. "Toptal is in a unique position to help businesses of all sizes realize the value and benefits of a distributed workforce beyond the need to manage through a sudden event such as the coronavirus pandemic." About Toptal Toptal is an elite network of the world's top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on demand. Founded in 2010 and now the world's largest fully remote company, Toptal has served over 10,000 clients and currently has a global network of talent numbering over 10,000 people in 100+ countries. For more information, please visit Toptal. Contact [email protected] SOURCE Toptal Related Links https://www.toptal.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has, since coming to power in 2002, taken pride in representing the will of the nation as the person rightfully elected. His love for public opinion polls is well known. Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been gradually losing the support of the younger generations, including those who grew up in households that supported the AKP in the last couple of local and national elections. The latest evidence of Turkeys youth disillusionment became clear during an event organized by the president's office. On June 26, Erdogan invited the country's youths to connect via a live stream event on YouTube. Unlike a meeting orchestrated in a studio setting, the government does not have full control of what happens on social media. During the June 26 event, viewer comments started pouring in with the trending hashtag #Novotesforyou. The negative comments were so many that finally Erdogans media team disabled the comments option. This is when the participants started clicking on the dislike or like buttons in order to make their opinions clear. As of today, the video has had just under 3 million views, with 421,000 dislikes and 123,000 likes. In any other democratic country, the number of likes or dislikes on a YouTube video would not be an issue, but in Turkey where tone policing and punishing people for not applauding the president is the norm this is a major victory for the Gen Zers (those born in the late 1990s and early 2000s). Erdogan is like that evil stepmother in the fairy tale [Snow White] who asks the mirror daily who is the most popular in the land. Today the mirror replied he was not loved. There will be consequences," a professor of communications from a state university told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. In the days following the event, Erdogan claimed social media was out of control and threatened that he was ready to initiate bans, fees and fines. But who is scared to post on social media? The Social Democracy Association's May 2020 research report writes that the youths associated with pro-Kurdish parties feel overwhelmingly oppressed to express their opinions (54.5%). The ultranationalists, on the other hand, feel the least amount of pressure on their freedom of expression (2.9%). In the meantime, the Turkish public started talking about Gen Z, who made up 15.6% of the population in 2019. The roughly 13 million Gen Zers grew up under the AKP administration, so why do they not like Erdogan? Three reasons emerge: increasing economic difficulties and diminishing returns on their education; a high level of restrictions on freedom of speech; and a government whose policies are mostly irrelevant to the youths. Kemal Ozkiraz, director of the Eurasia Public Opinion Research Center, told Al-Monitor, All polls show that Gen Z mostly favors opposition parties. This generation wants to live freely like their peers around the world. They want to travel and get a proper education. In Turkey, we see a higher affiliation of youths with ultranationalist parties than the AKP itself. The AKP would take about 10% of the newly eligible voters. Seren Selvin Korkmaz, co-founder and executive director of the IstanPol Institute, told Al-Monitor about the recent quantitative and qualitative research results on Gen Zers. She said, The most dominant common feeling we measure across the board is the increasing fear of uncertainty of the future, concern for job security and lack of trust in the current political leaders. Korkmaz highlighted the high levels of unemployment among Turkish youths, even those with college degrees. Upward mobility is curtailed neither jobs nor education are promising a safe future for the youth. Even AKP supporters know merit is not going to get you far unless your family is connected," she noted. Youth brain drain has been a serious concern for Turkey. College debt coupled with unemployment or underemployment produce discontent and unhappiness. Busra Cebeci, a researcher and reporter for Sozcu TV, told Al-Monitor, The AKP lost its equilibrium. Initially it was a party that rose on listening to the pulse of the people. Even though it was conservative, it reached out to diverse groups. Now the pulse is not exclusively on the street, it moved to the digital environment. Overtime the AKP became more disconnected from the public. That's why they cannot connect with the needs of Gen Z, who have grown up. Levent Koker, emeritus professor of public law, told Al-Monitor, They [Gen Z] dissociate themselves from Erdogans aggressive nationalistic position, threatening Turkeys isolation from the developed world. Overall, it will not be illogical to assume that most Gen Z members are fed up with an omnipresent and omnipotent, paternalistic Erdogan figure. Another failure of the Erdogan administration is that despite all the government resources at their disposal, they have failed to raise a pious generation as they promised. To the contrary, the interest of the youth in religion and piety levels are decreasing. Ozkiraz said, Religious school students are more conservative than the rest, but they also are more distant to religious values. The technology connects these children to their peers all around the world. They are into K-pop, and Korean soap operas, and they yearn to live a secular lifestyle. Erdogans Turkey has failed to promise them a future but rather demands several chores, such as be a devout Muslim, protect your country from those who arent pious, dont question, dont get involved, just protect my administration unconditionally. These are not very attractive for the youth. Plus, the Erdogan administrations political Islam arguments are viewed as ridiculous and threatening for the youth. When they try to cover up all their faults with religious rhetoric, the youth don't want to associate with that sort of piety. Social media is a Manichean world for the Erdogan administration. They are desperate to increase their social media visibility, while they suffer because these platforms reveal and ridicule their repeated failures. For the youth in particular, the talk about bans on access to social media touches a nerve. The youth vote is important, but the Erdogan administration has stopped to reach out to most of the people, including first-time voters who are not the AKPs core supporters. The attitude toward social media and the unheard demands of the youth might just be a part of the bigger question about how the next electoral system will be designed. If the government continues this path it would be a safe prediction that the next electoral setup will make sure the incumbent wins the presidency, therefore making the debate about who will the Gen Zers vote for a rather moot issue. The more pressing concern here is understanding the reasons why Erdogan stopped caring about the generation that grew up with his own pragmatic, political Islamist ideology. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) 'poor score' for government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic is unsurprising. The party lacks the moral uprightness to be objective and could not have joined the rest of the world, especially the World Health Organisation (WHO), in showering plaudits on the government for an excellent Covid-19 management. Sammy Gyamfi, the party's spokesperson, as it were, was vociferous as ever when he recently stated without shame that the government is failing in the fight against the pandemic, adding that 'things are falling apart'. It would be interesting to imagine how the NDC would have managed the pandemic given its track record of seeking to fleece money from any situation that rears its head. Anyway, Ghana's management of the health emergency presents one of the best models worldwide. The US, Australia, Hong Kong and many others are still battling with a seeming intractable conundrum. The Yankees are nowhere near getting on top of the pandemic yet a small country like Ghana has a better grip on the situation, with its recovery rate being one of the best in the world. And Sammy wants us to believe that his party could have done better? Blimey! That is fictional thinking and far away from the truth. We could have ignored Sammy and his desperate party but for the need to strip naked so their hypocrisy can be further exposed for those who do not know them to do so. Since the party's preoccupation is to present a picture of a group of Ghanaians with a better governance template ignoring them entirely would be irresponsible. The people of Ghana who are too young to have witnessed firsthand the incompetence of the NDC should be told the party which is talking about a better alternative. Subtly they wished the pandemic would have been as aggressive as it was in Europe and now the US. Pained by the amazing recovery rate, the NDC questioned the authenticity of the number of recovered persons. The WHO reviewed the standards for declaring the status of patients after they undergo a regimen of treatment which is exactly what the health authorities are using to declare patients recovered and, therefore, discharged. Our health authorities, with the support of government, have managed the situation very well hence the excellent recovery rate. What the NDC should be doing is encouraging Ghanaians, especially Accra residents, to use face masks and avoid politicizing a subject which had it been at the helm would have bungled it. We recall the party's call for the return of Ghanaians in Italy. It was declined and that inure to our interest. Whatever happened to the NDC Covid-19 committee of experts? Some subjects, especially health matters, should be spared the political pranks of the NDC, and Covid-19 is one. ---Daily Guide Nick Cannon Fired by Viacom CBS for Anti-Semitic Remarks Podcast host Nick Cannon was fired by ViacomCBS for anti-Semitic remarks, including claims that Jews are the true savages. ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism, the company said in a statement. ViacomCBS said company executives spoke with Cannon about the podcast episode, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him, it said. The podcast in question featured Cannon and rapper Professor Griff, who has in the past called Jews wicked and responsible for the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe. Griff told Cannon he was not anti-Semitic as they discussed ideas about different races. Cannon, 39, claimed that people who lack melanin are a little less. The sun started to deteriorate them. So, theyre acting out of fear, theyre acting out of low self-esteem, theyre acting out of deficiency, so therefore the only way they can act is evil, he said. Melanin is a skin pigment; people with lighter skin have less of it than those with darker skin. They have to rob, steal, rape, kill, and fight in order to survive. So these people who didnt have what we have, and when I say we, I speak of the melanated people, they had to be savages, they had to be barbaric because theyre in these Nordic mountains, theyre in these rough torrential environments, so theyre acting as animals, so theyre the ones closer to animals, theyre the ones that are actually the true savages, Cannon added. Making clear about whom he was speaking, the podcast host then said: So I say all that to say the context when we speak of Jewish people, white people, Europeans, the Illuminatithey were doing that as survival tactics to stay on this planet. Cannon took to social media earlier in the week to defend himself, saying, Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions. I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding, he added. The black and Jewish communities have both faced enormous hatred, oppression, persecution, and prejudice for thousands of years and in many ways have and will continue to work together to overcome these obstacles. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16 2020 Information Technology and cybersecurity experts welcome the idea of establishing a surveillance system on foreigners, but at the same time recommend exercising caution on its implementation over privacy concerns. IT security specialist Alfons Tanujaya said attaching a QR Code to foreigners' passports or visas was positive if it was meant to protect them while in Indonesia. 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 T he Treasury has commissioned a review of capital gains tax as Chancellor Rishi Sunak looks to find a way of paying back the billions of pounds borrowed to support the economy through the Covid-19 crisis. The Chancellor has asked the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) to look at how capital gains tax (CGT) a tax applied on profits on homes and other assets is currently applied. The review comes after the Office for Budget Responsibility said Government measures to address the impact of the virus would result in an unprecedented peacetime rise in borrowing this year, escalating to between 13 per cent and 21 per cent of GDP and reaching up to 322 billion. The fiscal watchdog also warned that the UK economy might not recover from the pandemic until 2024. But Treasury sources suggested there was no truth the review would be used to raise taxes and pin the borrowing bill on the wealthy. Matt Hancock denied the Chancellor was looking to raise Capital Gains Tax / PA A Treasury spokeswoman said: It is standard practice to keep taxes under review. Over the last few years the OTS has reviewed most of the major tax regimes apart from CGT, and a review of CGT will now complete its review of all the major taxes. In a separate statement, a Treasury spokesman added: There is no expectation or plans for policy changes as a result. On Wednesday morning Health Secretary Matt Hancock denied that the Chancellor is looking to raise capital gains tax. Asked about reports the Chancellor is looking to raise capital gains tax, Mr Hancock told Sky News: As far as I understand, there is no proposal and the Chancellor is not looking at tax changes now. Weve just had the summer economic statement and apparently reviews like this are normal all of the time and not connected to any decision one way or the other. The UK Government has been accused of continuing to "play reckless games" over Brexit. The comments from Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney come after the NI Affairs Committee at Westminster slammed the approach to post-Brexit trading arrangements, which has left businesses ill-prepared for the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31. Mr Kearney said the committee's report confirms concerns about the Government's failure to provide clarity or certainty. "It has been increasingly obvious that this British Government is neither properly focused upon, or concerned about, addressing the lack of detail required by businesses," he said. "I am not surprised this British parliamentary affairs committee remains to be convinced the current British Government fully understands its political approach provides neither the clarity nor the detail required by the business community in the north." Mr Kearney also criticised the Government for not seeking an extension of the transition period as "absolutely wrongheaded". Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey was also highly critical of the Government's stance. "Less than six months before the end of the transition period, it is distressing to hear Cabinet ministers denying that there will be a border in the Irish Sea," he said. "This attempt to hide from the reality is doing no service to business or the general public. "There will be a border in the Irish Sea." Alliance MP Stephen Farry said the report posed major challenges to the UK Government. "MPs with different positions on Brexit share common ground in expressing deep concern at the pace of preparation and provision of information regarding the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol," he said. "With just over five months to go, the UK Government need to provide detailed information on how checks are going to operate, and ensure the necessary staffing, infrastructure and IT systems are in place. "There is a real risk of chaos at the beginning of January." SDLP MP Claire Hanna said businesses will face additional barriers to trade with Britain if the UK Government doesn't take action on its pledge to secure "unfettered access" to the British market. "The report reflects on the failure of Boris Johnson's Government to engage with the fundamental contradictions of their position," she said. "To continue to boast about unfettered access to the GB market for Northern Ireland businesses without addressing the need for export and exit summary declarations under EU customs rules is fundamentally dishonest. "As it stands, there has been no indication that the needs of people and businesses in Northern Ireland are a priority, and that needs to change." Rex Patrick speaks in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 4, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Australian Senator Wants Chinese Diplomats Kicked Out A key crossbench senator wants at least 100 Chinese diplomats and consular staff kicked out of Australia. Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick argues the number of Chinese representatives must be radically reduced on national security grounds. The Australian government should bite the bullet and take long overdue action, he said on July 15. The aggressive move would undoubtedly spark immediate retaliation from Beijing, but Senator Patrick believes it would be worthwhile. He argues Australian ministers and diplomats are already routinely ignored by their Chinese counterparts. China has close to 150 diplomatic staff in Australia and Senator Patrick wants two-thirds of them expelled. He argues the Chinese diplomatic presence is somewhat bloated given the country has significantly more staff in Australia than the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. Senator Patrick also claims there is no question Chinese embassy and consular staff are engaging in espionage and political interference. Its an open secret that Chinese intelligence activities in Australia have expanded massively over the past two decades, he said. While there has been much public focus on cyber espionage, Chinas clandestine efforts continue to rely heavily on traditional human intelligence operations, much of it under the cover of diplomatic and consular activity. Relations with China are already under heavy strain after Australia led international calls for a coronavirus inquiry. Beijing has told students and tourists to stay away from Australia, and penalised beef and barley exports. Australias response to new national security laws in Hong Kong has also enraged Beijing. Senator Patrick said Australia must reset its relationship with China and adopt a much firmer footing. By Daniel McCulloch in Canberra Zach Simpson Attorney At Florida Healthcare Law Firm Florida Healthcare Law Firm has announced that they have added Zach Simpson to the team. Zach brings a wealth of healthcare business experience in settings such as private medical practices, large law firms and healthcare management companies. Zach specializes in areas including operations, process, procedures, rules, regulations, management, organization, compliance, analytics, and problem solving. Hes also worked on physician dispensing programs and within numerous medical systems mastering programs like Abbadox, PACS, K-Pacs, Carestream, Merge, and Telax to improve the efficiency of medical centers day-to-day activities. Now more than ever, healthcare businesses are taking the time to attend to important tasks like processes, policies and procedures. The ones who unfortunately closed during COVID had some downtime to focus on what to do better when reopening. Zachs wide variety of experience in medical offices brings first hand knowledge on how to prepare and how to run things smoothly. As we all have adapted to a new normal, Zach is on board to help with business management and development, Florida Healthcare Law Firm COO Autumn Piccolo says. Founder and President, Jeff Cohen, goes on to say that, We help you with the business operation side so that you can focus on what you do best, care for patients. Zachs organizational skills and leadership are a great addition for current and future clients. His analytical and negotiation skills will absolutely benefit healthcare business owners. Zach will also be contributing to the monthly webinar and blogs held by the firm. The law firm has an industry-leading reputation for their heavy focus on community education through their newsletter, blogs and webinars, which provide updated and free information on trending topics in the medical field. Anyone who owns or manages a medical business is free to read the blogs and view the monthly webinar. Dates and topics are announced on social media with weekly reminders and viewers can also request new topics to be covered. We know that its impossible to stay up on the latest trends in the industry. Theres more opportunity now than ever for small healthcare business owners and doctors alike. Think about a doctor who has their own practice and now wants to add telehealth as a delivery system. What do they do? Who can they go to for some basic information? Would you rather read something written by a copywriter or something actually written by a lawyer who works in that field? Our blogs and webinars give us a chance to connect with former and potential clients and provide them with reliable legal advice. For more information, contact 561-455-7700 or visit: https://www.floridahealthcarelawfirm.com/contact-page/ Florida Healthcare Law Firm has been around for years, providing high-quality legal assistance to medical businesses and individual clients throughout the State of Florida. Monthly events including free webinars, blogs and other options are conducted to provide business owners and managers a platform to get detailed information related to their field. If you would like to see a topic covered or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us today. A two-year-old girl is dead and a six-year-old girl is in hospital with serious injuries after a road crash north of Adelaide. A Mitsubishi SUV collided with a parked tyre truck at Shea-Oak Log on Wednesday morning at around 10.45am, police said. The two-year-old girl from Grange was a passenger in the car and died at the scene, SA Police confirmed. A two-year-old girl has died, following a horrific car accident north of Adelaide in Shea-Oak Log. Source: Seven News A six-year-old girl, who was also a passenger in the car, was taken to the Women's and Children's Hospital with serious injuries. The driver, a 63-year-old Adelaide woman, was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries, SA Police said in a media statement. Seven News reports the woman was the grandmother to the girls. The injuries of the six-year-old girl and the woman are not believed to be life-threatening. According to Seven News, motorists did what they could to help the two-year-old girl before paramedics arrived on the scene and the toddler was cut from the car wreck by emergency services. The 63-year-old female driver is reportedly the girls' grandmother. Source: Seven News The death of the toddler takes SA's 2020 road toll to 53 compared to 65 at the same time last year. Following the accident, the Sturt Highway was blocked off for several hours for northbound traffic, while Major Crash investigators examined the scene. Major Crash Investigators want to speak with anyone who may have seen a light rigid tyre repair truck stopped on the northern side of the Sturt highway between 10.30am and 10.43am this morning, SA Police said in a statement. - With AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Seoul city government's spokesman Hwang In-sik speaks during a press conference in the city government building, Wednesday./ Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it will launch a joint investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made against the late Mayor Park Won-soon who was found dead Friday, two days after his former secretary had filed a complaint with the police. "By creating a joint investigation committee of civilian experts and government officials, the city will ensure the probe's fairness and objectivity," spokesman Hwang In-sik said during a press conference held at City Hall. Park was found dead on Mount Bugak, northern Seoul early Friday. Almost 600 officials were dispatched to search for him, two hours after his daughter reported him missing to the police. Hwang didn't give details about the size of the committee; when its investigation would start and how much power it would have, but said: "We will have to start to talk about it. Given that fairness and objectivity are the city's priority, we'll discuss the issue fully with women's rights and human rights groups and make a decision accordingly." The city government was responding to growing calls to uncover the truth about the allegations and seek justice for its employee, as the police are not expected to conduct an investigation. Ben Miller is the associate editor of data and business for Government Technology. His reporting experience includes breaking news, business, community features and technical subjects. He holds a Bachelors degree in journalism from the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, and lives in Sacramento, Calif. The "Which Path?" webinar will touch upon China's democracy movement, political turmoil in Hong Kong and the legacy of Liu Xiaobo, on July 29, 2020 (2-4 p.m. EDT). (Courtesy of Joseph Chan/Unsplash.) "Liu Xiaobos lifelong commitment to individual freedom and to nonviolent action as an agent of change inspires still and is cause for authoritarians to fear him even in death," said panelist and author/editor Joanne Leedom-Ackerman. Some of the worlds leading democracy and human rights experts will gather virtually to discuss prospects for Chinas democracy movement on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, as the nation combats repression via Beijings new controls over Hong Kong and political freedoms. Mandate Democracy, an independent, nonpartisan, civil democracy organization, will present the July 29 session, running from 2-4 p.m. EDT, from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. The panel entitled China: Democracy or Autocracy? What is the Path Ahead? will highlight the leadership, legacy and inspiration of Liu Xiaobo, Chinas Empty Chair Nobel Peace Prize winner and an intellectual force, set against the nations current political turmoil. This month also marks three years since his death while serving an 11-year sentence in Chinese prison. Featured panelists include Teng Biao, a leading, exiled spokesman for democracy advocates, Joanne Leedom-Ackerman, prominent author and editor of The Journey of Liu Xiaobo: From Dark Horse to Nobel Laureate, China Director of Human Rights Watch, Dr. Sophie Richardson, and lifelong China expert and University of California, Riverside, professor, Perry Link. On the event, panelist and author/editor Leedom-Ackerman noted, Liu Xiaobos lifelong commitment to individual freedom and to nonviolent action as an agent of change inspires still and is cause for authoritarians to fear him even in death. Fellow panelist Teng Biao has supported pro-democracy efforts in Hong Kong and continues to denounce legislative measures that strengthen Chinas grip over the city. Because of his promotion of human rights and democratization in China, Teng Biao was kidnapped three times by Chinese secret police. He was detained and severely tortured in 2011 amid Chinas pro-democracy protests and Jasmine crackdown. Teng Biao was eventually released by Chinese law enforcement. Teng Biao noted, Liu Xiaobos life will be an unstoppable inspiration for the fight for freedom and democracy in China. Yet his death is a huge symbol of suffering under the CCPs brutal regime, and a symbol of the evil consequences of the Wests appeasement policy toward China. Richardson, co-panelist, is the author of China, Cambodia, and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which includes information on Chinas foreign policy since 1954s Geneva Conference. As the China director at Human Rights Watch, she has penned numerous articles on domestic Chinese political reform, democratization and human rights. As abuses across China multiply, Lius charges to secure justice and the freedom of expression matter now more than ever, she said. Link, a professor of comparative literature and foreign languages and a contributor to The Journey of Liu Xiaobo, noted, For a decade, Liu Xiaobo was the intellectual north star of Chinas dissident movement, and he can still be that for us, today. Commenting on the event, Lester A. Fettig, founder and managing director of sponsor organization Mandate Democracy, added, Chinas the critical mass test for breakthrough governance mechanics, transcending party-based dysfunction and isolated authoritarianism. Our organization, Mandate Democracy, creates independent, online i-Voting referenda to any cell phone, cyber-secure voting for universal access and suffrage. Responders to the panel will include Andrew Nathan, sinologist and professor of political science at Columbia University and Cui Weiping, a retired professor of the Beijing Film Academy. Nathan is co-editor of The Tiananmen Papers (along with Link) and a contributor to The Journey of Liu Xiaobo. Weiping is a Chinese visiting scholar in the U.S. and fellow contributor to The Journey of Liu Xiaobo. The July program is hosted by Virginia-based Inter-Agency Seminar Group (IASG), which brings together members from government, academia and industry to learn about current issues often related to public policy. About Mandate Democracy The Mandate Democracy Initiative builds a new, tech-based Democratic-Republic using independent i-Voting referenda to command government actions: E Pluribus Unum edicts on national needs and aspirations, to surmount gridlocked, divisive and dysfunctional factional governance. You can find Mandate Democracy on social media: @MandateUSA (Twitter), @mandate.democracy (Facebook), @mandate.democracy (Instagram) and Mandate Democracy Foundation (LinkedIn). For tax- deductible donations to Mandate Democracys cause, visit: http://www.mandatedemocracy.org/donate/. To get involved in the Mandate Democracy organization, visit: http://www.mandatedemocracy.org/participate-jobs/. By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad In January-June 2020, Azerbaijan exported oil and petroleum products to Ukraine for a total of $170,8 million, local media reported with the reference to State Customs Service of Ukraine on July 13. According to the statement, in the first half of the year, Azerbaijan increased export of oil and petroleum products to 773,515 tons, which is by 2.4 times or 453,817 tons more than in the same period in 2019. Moreover, imports of Azerbaijani oil and petroleum products account for 64.52 percent of the total import of these products by Ukraine. It should be noted that Ukraine imported raw material in the amount of $264,7 million, out of which Azerbaijan accounted for $170,8 million, the U.S. for $48.3 million, Libya for $45.5 million and other countries for $0.012 million. By Trend The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the attack by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia on the Tovuz region in the Republic of Azerbaijan and their violations of the ceasefire on the border region between Armenia and Azerbaijan on 12 July 2020, resulting in the death and injury of servicemen of the Azerbaijani forces, Trend reports citing OIC. The Secretary General of OIC, Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, extends his condolences to the families of those killed, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The General Secretariat referred to the resolutions and decisions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions which demand full and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and support a peaceful settlement to the conflict on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognised borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz China and Arab countries have made concerted efforts in the fight against COVID-19. During this process, the China-Arab traditional friendship and strategic partnership have been further deepened, promoting the building of a community with shared future between China and Arab countries. Chinese medical experts visit a public health laboratory in Palestine on June 14, 2020. They discussed detection and treatment of COVID-19 with Palestinian experts. (Photo/Xinhua) During Chinas most difficult time in its battle against the coronavirus, the Arab countries and people provided strong support, according to a statement issued at the 53rd session of the Arab health minister council supporting China's anti-epidemic efforts. Furthermore, Arab countries have donated more than 10 million masks and other urgently needed medical supplies to China, and people in Arab countries have also recorded videos to give encouragement to China and Wuhan, the former epicenter of COVID-19 in China. China has also done its best to provide support and assistance as the COVID-19 pandemic hits Arab countries hard. China has unreservedly shared its anti-epidemic experience and medical technology with Arab countries, assisted them in purchasing anti-epidemic materials in China, and supported them in resuming work and production in an orderly manner. Under the current circumstances, it is more important than ever for China and Arab countries to strengthen cooperation, overcome difficulties and move forward hand in hand. A mask production line of an Egypt-China joint venture has been in operation for several months in Egypt, greatly satisfying local demand. Omar Abdu, head of the production line in Egypt, said that thanks to the help of Chinese equipment and friends, high-quality masks can now be produced to help fight the epidemic in Egypt. The Huo-Yan Laboratory (or Fire Eye Lab), a full nucleic acid testing lab constructed by Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), allowed COVID-19 testing to be conducted for approximately 30 percent of the population of Saudi Arabia over eight months. We need to work together to overcome the epidemic. I would like to thank the Chinese government and BGI for the support, said Turki M. A. Almadi, Saudi Ambassador to China. The joint efforts of China and Arab countries in the fight against the epidemic have proven once again that no matter how the international situation has changed, China and Arab countries have always been great partners of mutual benefit. The anti-epidemic cooperation between the two sides has led to the further deepening of their strategic partnership. Reliance Industries Limiteds (RILs) chairperson and managing director Mukesh Ambani will on Wednesday hold the companys first-ever virtual annual general meeting (AGM). Analysts, according to news agency PTI, have said Mukesh Ambani may announce plans of leveraging recent partnerships as well as a vision to maximise oil to chemical conversion at his flagship at the RIL AGM. Among the key expectations from the 43rd AGM of RIL are strategic directions for the company after the coronavirus pandemic and further details on asset monetisation, analysts have said. Reliance AGM 2020 Live updates: Mukesh Ambani to make key announcements Sixty-three-year-old, who is now the worlds sixth-richest person, may also give a preview of his vision for decarbonisation of energy molecules to create value-added products with almost no carbon emissions. Morgan Stanley said the AGM is expected to report on progress on asset monetisation (INViTs and stake sale in O2C business), more details on strategic partnerships in digital business, growth plans on financial vertical, oil to chemical integration progress and new technologies. Ambani had announced plans to sell stake in RILs technology venture as well as in its oil-to-chemical (O2C) business to help become net debt-free by March 2021 at the last AGM on August 12, 2019. The net debt-free status has been achieved much ahead of the deadline thanks to Rs 1.18 lakh crore amassed through the sale of 25.24% in its digital arm Jio Platforms Ltd to likes of Facebook, and the countrys biggest rights issue of Rs 53,124 crore. Also Read: Reliance, IT stocks lift Indian shares as vaccine hopes boost optimism Jio Platforms houses Indias youngest but largest telecom firm Jio Infocomm and apps. The sale of a 20% stake in O2C business, which comprises its twin oil refineries at Gujarats Jamnagar and petrochemical assets, to Saudi Aramco for an asking of $15 billion has however dragged on, although RIL has said it is on track. We expect investor focus to be on asset monetisation details especially on telecom InvITs and Saudi Aramco stake sale; capital allocation and growth strategy post-COVID-19; plans to leverage the partnerships with global technology peers and integrate its retail, digital and financials business; details on oil to chemicals integration and expansion of oil retail and new energy business with BP, Morgan Stanley said. Goldman Sachs said the focus of the AGM is expected to be largely on product launches around RILs partnership with Facebook potentially ranging from integration of JioMart with WhatsApp, additional colour on payments business and launch of a large product ecosystem (Super App) where Jio could integrate its services with WhatsApp. Also Read: Reliances 43rd AGM today: Here how you can access it We also expect additional colour on their vision to maximise oil to chemical conversion (to over 70 per cent) to create an annuity-like cash flow, potentially leveraging its proprietary Multi-zone Catalytic Cracking process and through a potential strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco, it said. BofA Securities said of the five key initiatives announced in last AGM, RIL completed the strategic stake sale of Jio, petro-retail, and moved to zero net debt. We might get an update on the remaining two - stake sale to Aramco and of Reliance Retail. We may get further updates on how RIL is looking capitalise on the digital trends and how it is leveraging and nurturing the start-up ecosystem, it said. It also added that progress/update on other initiatives from last AGM like home broadband, online grocery/new commerce initiatives, Jio First Day-First-Show along with a few new announcements are expected. JP Morgan said the RIL AGM could have updates on Reliance Retail. While we do not expect any large strategic investor in Reliance Retail any time soon, this is a key potential event the investors will be watching, especially as the Jio Platforms stake sale seems done, it said. RIL shares scaled their fresh record high in Wednesdays trade ahead of the 43rd AGM. It jumped as much as 1.67% to hit its new lifetime high of Rs 1,948.75. (With agency inputs) Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he won't be billing taxpayers for a large chunk of his weeklong trip to Ottawa earlier this month. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says he won't be billing taxpayers for a large chunk of his weeklong trip to Ottawa earlier this month. At a news conference Tuesday, Pallister spoke for the first time publicly about the trip, including an incident at Pearson International Airport, where he and federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer were caught violating the rules requiring the wearing of face masks in the Toronto terminal. Pallister left for Ottawa July 1, but did not participate in any meetings until July 6-7, during which he packed six meetings with business groups and think tanks over the course of a day-and-a-half. JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Brian Pallister spoke with media about his trip to Ontario at the Legislative building on Tuesday. Asked Tuesday if the trip was a combination of business and vacation time, Pallister said he sought advice from the chief provincial public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, before venturing into a part of Canada that has recorded a far greater incidence of COVID-19 than Manitoba. "(Roussin) said that approximately a four-day period of isolation would allow me to monitor my symptoms and see if I caught anything on the plane," the premier said. "Essentially, that's how I took it." Pallister said he followed the doctor's advice, although he didn't elaborate on how he spent his time, except it was in the national capital region. Neither did he wish to elaborate on the involvement of his wife, Esther, who joined him in Ottawa, while also spending time with their daughter in Toronto. She is now self-isolating at home, he said. As an elected official, Pallister is exempt from having to self-isolate. When Pallister first announced to reporters at the end of June he was heading to the national capital, he made no mention his wife would be accompanying him or that the trip coincided with his 66th birthday (July 6), which he celebrated in Ottawa. "Taxpayers of Manitoba don't get a bill for four days of me waiting to see if I'm healthy, though," he said Tuesday of his four days of self-monitoring. Apart from providing a list of the organizations with whom the premier met, his office has provided little information about the trip, other than to say the province's chief civil servant, David McLaughlin, accompanied Pallister at his business meetings. Following his return to Winnipeg on July 7, Pallister issued a brief statement about his failure to wear a face mask at the Toronto airport, calling it "an error on my part" and promising "it won't happen again." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, right, and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister are shown not wearing masks at Pearson Airport in Toronto last Tuesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO Several persons took photos of Pallister and Scheer at the airport, posting them on social media. On Tuesday, without mentioning Scheer and a second person by name, the premier explained the incident further, saying: "I was wearing a mask until I approached two people who weren't. And then, not having seen them for a year, I thought it best to slide my mask down to talk to them at an appropriate distance." It's not the first time the premier has made news for the wrong reasons while travelling outside the province. Last year, Pallister said he would be representing Manitoba at a ceremony in France to honour Canadian soldiers who fought on D-Day during the Second World War. "Taxpayers of Manitoba don't get a bill for four days of me waiting to see if I'm healthy, though." Brian Pallister However, it was later learned the premier skipped the main event, meeting instead with representatives of French agribusiness Roquette, the food manufacturing giant that is investing $400 million in a pea-processing facility in Portage la Prairie. Pallister also raised eyebrows two years ago, when he travelled 1,220 kilometres by car to Iowa, accompanied by his wife, to meet with researchers to learn more about the effects of cannabis-impaired driving. One expert the premier met with said the two had "a good chat," although he was surprised Pallister did not take any staff along with him to the meeting. Pallister v. CERB Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says Ottawa should redesign the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit so it does not penalize Canadians wishing to return to work. click to read more Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says Ottawa should redesign the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit so it does not penalize Canadians wishing to return to work. Pallister told a news conference Tuesday that CERB was "essential" at the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The program pays $2,000 over a four-week period to those who stopped working during COVID-19 or saw their EI benefits run out. However, CERB is increasingly acting as a disincentive to work for some Canadians, as they are cut off from the federal program if their earnings rise above $1,000 a month, Pallister said. "Now is the time to shift our focus more to recovery to help Manitobans and Canadians to get back to work," the premier said. Pallister said Manitoba recognized the disincentive to work early on and created the Manitoba Job Restart Program to support those who voluntarily come off CERB and take full-time work. More than 2,500 Manitobans have applied for the restart program, with hundreds of new applications being received daily, he said. The premier suggested the federal government consider a phased reduction of CERB benefits rather than a sharp cutoff so workers can return to their old jobs or start new jobs without losing money. He also applauded Finance Minister Bill Morneau's decision to extend a federal wage subsidy program until the end of December. A spokesperson for Carla Qualtrough, federal minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, said Ottawa is continuing to assess how best to support Canadian workers affected by the pandemic, and is "evaluating a number of existing systems including those that deliver the CERB and EI" as the country shifts to recovery. "No decisions have been taken as of yet," she said in an email. Close Pallister did not bill taxpayers for the trip. Meanwhile, the premier said his meetings in Ottawa were productive and he is keen on setting up a "task force" that will include several cabinet ministers for a return trip in the first half of August. "You can get a lot done with Skype; you can get a lot done through electronic means. But I think face-to-face meetings have a place," he said. While in Ottawa, the premier met with representatives of the Parliamentary Budget Office, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Business Council of Canada, Conference Board of Canada and the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca 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. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday that many Chinese maritime claims over the South China Sea were illegitimate, and the United States urged relevant countries to oppose China's maritime claims. Pompeo added that the so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration was legally binding to both China and the Philippines. Beijing, July 15 (IANS) The United States was undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea and intended to drive a wedge between regional countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here. In response, spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a news briefing on Tuesday that the US statement disregarded the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, and violated its commitment of holding a neutral position on relevant territorial sovereignty disputes. It also violated and distorted international law, deliberately provoked territorial maritime disputes, and undermined regional stability and peace, he added, Xinhua news agency reported. The US statement said the dotted line in the South China Sea was announced by China in 2009, which is completely untrue, Zhao said, adding that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea were established throughout a long course of history. He said China has exercised effective jurisdiction over relevant islands, reefs, and waters in the South China Sea for thousands of years, and as early as 1948, the Chinese government announced the dotted line in the South China Sea. This was under no doubt from any country for a long time, he said, adding that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis, which is consistent with relevant international laws and practices. China doesn't strive to build an "empire" in the South China Sea, always treats countries surrounding the South China Sea as equals, and always maintains the utmost restraint in safeguarding the sovereignty, rights, and interests of the South China Sea, Zhao said. "On the contrary, the United States refused to join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), frequently pulls out of international treaties and organisations, abides by international rules that suit its purpose, and discards those that it finds obstructive. It frequently promotes militarization of the South China Sea by dispatching large-scale, advanced warships and aircraft. The United States is the destructor and troublemaker of peace and stability in the region. The international community sees this very clearly," Zhao said. As for the arbitration case and the award, Zhao said China's position is consistent, clear, and firm. The arbitral tribunal expanded its power to exercise jurisdiction, and made obvious mistakes in the determination of facts and the application of laws, which was questioned by many countries. The US hyped up the South China Sea arbitration for their own political agenda, which was abusing the international law of the sea, and China would never accept it, he said. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) reached by China and ASEAN in 2002, China is always committed to resolving disputes on territory and jurisdiction through negotiations and consultations with the related sovereign states, maintaining the peace and stability in the South China Sea with the ASEAN countries, Zhao told the briefing. "With joint efforts of the relevant countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains sound and stable at the moment," Zhao said, adding that China and the ASEAN countries not only abide by the DOC, but are also speeding up negotiations on a more binding code of conduct (COC) to safeguard the peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Now the consultations have made positive progress, and the relationships between China and the ASEAN countries have further consolidated and developed during their cooperations against COVID-19, Zhao said. However, the United States, as a non-regional country, has repeatedly stirred up trouble regarding the South China Sea for its own selfish agenda, played off the relationships of regional countries against China, and ruined the joint efforts made by these countries, he said. Meanwhile, the US statement deliberately misinterpreted the Chinese representative's statement at the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in 2010. Zhao said the fact was that China's representative said China has always advocated that all countries are equal, and relevant disputes should be settled peacefully by the direct parties concerned through negotiations and consultations. "China expressed its strong indignation and firm opposition to the US wrongdoing," he said, urging the United States to immediately stop making trouble in this regard, and not to go further down the wrong path. Zhao stressed that China will continue to determinedly safeguard its national sovereignty and security, friendly and cooperative relations with regional countries, and the South China Sea's peace and stability. --IANS rt/ Take No Action - On-Market Takeover Bid By Nord Gold Perth, July 15, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cardinal Resources Limited ( ASX:CDV ) ( FRA:C3L ) ( OTCMKTS:CRDNF ) ( TSE:CDV ) refers to the unconditional on-market takeover offer for Cardinal at $0.66 cash per share (Takeover Bid) from Nord Gold SE (Nordgold) announced on the ASX Market Announcements Platform this morning.Cardinal notes that it has obligations under the Bid Implementation Agreement entered into with Shandong Gold Mining (HongKong) Co., Limited (Shandong Gold) and Shandong Gold Mining Co., Ltd., on 18 June 2020.Cardinal also notes that as the Nordgold Takeover Bid was unsolicited, it will need to be considered in detail by the board, together with the special purpose committee and its financial and legal advisers. Cardinal will provide an update to shareholders as soon as it is able.Having regard to the unsolicited nature of the Nordgold Takeover Bid and the provisions of the Bid Implementation Agreement (which contain, amongst other matters, matching rights in favour of Shandong Gold) Shareholders are advised to TAKE NO ACTION at this time in relation to the Nordgold Takeover Bid.Cardinal's joint financial advisors are Maxit Capital LP (Nth America), Hartleys Limited (Australia), Cannacord Genuity Corp. and BMO Capital Markets and its legal advisors are HopgoodGanim Lawyers (Australia) and Bennett Jones LLP (Canada).About Cardinal Resources Ltd Cardinal Resources Ltd (ASX:CDV) (TSE:CDV) (OTCMKTS:CRDNF) is a West African gold exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa. The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Project with a gold Ore Reserve of 5.1Moz (0.4 Moz Proved and 4.7 Moz Probable) and a soon to be completed Feasibility Study. Exploration programmes are also underway at the Company's Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana) and Subranum (Southern Ghana) Projects. 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 3 April 2019. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed. Sky News Boris Johnson's former chief adviser has said the prime minister knew in advance about a Downing Street drinks party during the first coronavirus lockdown and agreed that it could go ahead, claims that have been confirmed to Sky News by a second source. In an updated post on his Substack page, Dominic Cummings said he raised his concerns about the event in the Number 10 garden in May 2020 directly with the PM and would "swear under oath this is what happened". Mr Johnson's principal private secretary Martin Reynolds emailed officials with an invite to the event on 20 May, suggesting attendees "BYOB" (bring your own bottle, or booze). New York, July 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market Research Report by Fuel Type, by Material, by Product Type, by Vehicle Class - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913389/?utm_source=GNW On the basis of Fuel Type, the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market is studied across Diesel and Gasoline. On the basis of Material, the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market is studied across Carbon Fiber, Glasswool, Polyamide, Polypropylene, and Polyurethane. On the basis of Product Type, the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market is studied across Body Mounted and Engine Mounted. On the basis of Vehicle Class, the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market is studied across Economic, Luxury, and Mid-Priced. On the basis of Geography, the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market including 3M Deutschland GmbH, Adler Pelzer Holding GmbH, Autoneum Holding AG, BASF Corporation, Continental AG, Elringklinger AG, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Greiner Group, Hennecke GmbH, Polytec Holding AG, RoEchling SE & Co. Kg, SA Automotive, Saint-Gobain Isover SA, and Woco Industrietechnik GmbH. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on sulfuric acid offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Engine Encapsulation Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913389/?utm_source=GNW About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ The Covid-19 pandemic and new policies applied by countries receiving foreign students have changed Vietnamese students study abroad plans. Duong Thi Hoai Chan, a parent in HCM City, decided to cancel the plan to send her son abroad to university this year. The son is studying at an international school in Vietnam, which belongs to a pilot project implemented by the HCM City Education and Training Department and the Australian Ministry of Education. The students are following an Australian curriculum, under which the new academic year begins in January and finishes in November. Chan initially decided that her son would go abroad to follow university education in Australia or Canada, the countries which allow admissions in January. However, as the epidemic is escalating and online learning is still maintained in Australia and Canada, Chan has reconsidered her decision. The Covid-19 pandemic and new policies applied by countries receiving foreign students have changed Vietnamese students study abroad plans. Since the son will finish high school in November, he wont be able to enroll in universities which begin new academic years in September. Therefore, Chan is considering opportunities to study finance under foreign curricula at the Vietnam-Germany International University (a member of HCM City National University) and the International School of Business-ISB (a member school of the HCM City Economics University) and some other schools. She also is considering the 2+2 or 2+1 training models, i.e. two-year study in Vietnam and another one or two years in foreign countries. However, the son wants to study medicine or life-related sciences, while these schools have advantages in economics majors. Chan admitted that she considers non-traditional choices for her son. And if the son wants a gap year, she will support his idea. During the gap year, she will encourage him to go to vocational schools or go to Israel to study. The parent said, due to Covid-19, she has had more time to understand what her son wants and where he wants to study. Covid-19 has made her understand that one needs to be very flexible to adapt to all changes in their lives. Tran Manh Hung, a parent in Lam Dong province, has two daughters who were initially planning to go to Australia to study arts and design. However, because of Covid-19, they will stay in Vietnam and study at domestic schools. While the elder sister will study design at an international school, the younger sister has chosen HCM City Architecture University. Le Thi Linh from International School of Business said the number of students asking for information about international training programs at the school is higher this year. She estimates that the number of applications is 50 percent higher than the previous year. Le Ha VN Education Ministry to help Vietnamese students as US issues new visa rules The Ministry of Education and Training has said that it will continue to work with relevant agencies to provide appropriate and timely support for Vietnamese students in the US as the US adjusts its visa regulations. She's the bubbly blonde on The Project that often has viewers in stitches. And Carrie Bickmore, 39, had the show's panel cracking up on Wednesday night when she revealed she once got caught without pants on by her 12-year-old son's friend. Co-host Rachel Corbett was speaking about ACT Police telling residents to wear pants while answering the door, when Peter Helliar dobbed in his co-star. Exposed: On Wednesday, The Project's Carrie Bickmore (pictured) revealed the embarrassing moment she was caught with no pants on by her 12-year-old son's friend Carrie reluctantly recalled how she had gone to take a shower after he son went to school, only to see a boy in uniform enter her front yard. 'I heard the gate click and saw a school kid in uniform, and I thought it was Ollie and I said, ''What have you forgotten?'' and it wasn't him, it was one of his mates,' she said. Carrie roared with laughter at the mishap as she regaled the rest of the story. 'I didn't want to make it awkward, so I asked how he was going!' she said, adding: 'We get along well, he can have a laugh about it.' Oh no! 'I heard the gate click and saw a school kid in uniform, and I thought it was Ollie and I said, ''What have you forgotten?'' and it wasn't him, it was one of his mates,' Carrie said Carrie shares her son Oliver with her husband Greg Lange, who died of brain cancer in 2010. She also has daughter Evie, four, and her youngest child, Adelaide, 11 months, who she shares with her partner Chris Walker. Carrie regularly speaks about funny stories with her family, writing in her Stellar column this month about an embarrassing moment about her son in school. Sweet: Carrie roared with laughter at the mishap. Pictured: Carrie's son Ollie, 12 She recounted: 'One day after a fruit sale at school, I received a note from the teacher informing me they'd asked the class if anyone would like to take the leftover limes home.' Ollie was first to put up his hand and let the class know, 'Mummy would love them for her gin',' she wrote. Laughing off the incident, Carrie concluded: 'They would be handy for a gin, but I didn't want Mrs Jones knowing that!' Data released by a civic group in Mexico showed that the homicide rate increased by 71 percent during President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's first 18 months in power. Using stats compiled by the National Public Security System, Causa en Comun published a report on Monday that found that 45,538 people were murdered between December 2018 and May 2020. Over the same time frame, from December 2012 to May 2014, authorities under the watch of his predecessor Enrique Pena Nieto reported 26,633 killings. Together with Mexico's rising death toll from the coronavirus pandemic, the violence could bring an end to a honeymoon for the president who famously promised to tame organized crime with 'hugs not bullets' and said Mexico is no longer in the business of detaining drug capos. SEE VIDEO BELOW Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has seen a 71 percent increase in murders during his first 18 months in office compared to his predecessor Enrique Pena Nieto. On Wednesday, the Mexican leader initiated a three-day tour of three of the country's most dangerous states Twenty-six patients and one visitor were massacred at a drug rehab facility in Irapuato, Guanajuato, on July 1 The homicide figures for Lopez Obrador by far overwhelmed those that were reported by the National Public Security System during the first 18 months of Felipe Calderon mandate. Calderon, who was in office from 2006 to 2012, has often been a punching bag of Lopez Obrador and has been blamed for the ongoing cartel violence that has engulfed the country as a result of Calderon's decision to declare war on drug cartels at the start of his presidential term when he sent in the military to his home state of Michoacan. The strategy paid off dividends during his term in office as Mexico captured or killed 27 of 37 drug lords. However, a Congressional Research Service report showed that more than 150,000 murders since 2006 were tied to criminal organizations. Leonardo Ortiz (left), a 12-year-old boy from Salamanca, Mexico, was one of five people murdered by armed gunmen who attacked a restaurant in March in Salamanca, Guanajuato. Pictured to the right is the victim's father, Juan Francisco Ortiz, who was not injured in the shooting While Lopez Obrador has pointed toward the opposition governors for the violence, the opposition cites his 'hands-off' policy with cartels. In June, Lopez Obrador admitted he gave federal authorities the green light to release Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son, Ovidio Guzman, after Sinaloa Cartel gunmen staged a massive attack to win his freedom after he was captured at his home in Culiacan. The murder rate over the first 18 months of Lopez Obrador's presidential term come at a tough moment in which the leftist leader is still grappling with ways on how to slow a national problem that has left scores of innocent civilians dead. On Wednesday, Lopez Obrador kicked off a three-day tour of three of Mexico's most violent states. Lopez Obrador spent part of the day in the central state of Guanajuato, where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the local Santa Rosa de Lima gang are engaged in a fight that has left over 1,900 people dead in the first five months of this year, including the slaughter of 27 people at a drug rehab center in Irapuato on July 1. According to Lopez Obrador, 70 per cent of these killings occurred between criminal groups. During Wednesday's daily morning press briefing, the president called for unity instead of casting blame on one another after he had called on Guanajuato governor Diego Sinhue Rodriguez to reform the law enforcement division following the Irapuato massacre. 'In this case, instead of blaming each other, what has been decided is to join us to give security to the people of Guanajuato, a joint strategy is already being implemented, led by the governor,' Lopez Obrador said. Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 13 percentage points among all Pennsylvania registered voters, according to a Monmouth University Poll released Wednesday. But most who were surveyed also believe they live among an untold number of secret Trump voters who could ultimately swing the November election. More than half of those surveyed said they believe their communities are populated by people who support Trump but have not told anyone. Voters were split on whom they expect to win Pennsylvania this year, with 54% saying they were surprised that Trump prevailed four years ago. Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, is polling particularly well in 10 swing counties where the margins were tightest in the 2016 election, the survey found. In those counties, which include the Philadelphia suburbs and Bidens hometown of Scranton, Biden holds a 54% to 35% lead among registered voters. Pollster Patrick Murray said its the voters in those swing counties, not hidden Trump supporters, who are most likely to decide the 2020 election in the state. These are the kind of historical Democratic voters, the old steel-mill voters, who abandoned the Democratic Party in 2016, he said. It seems like Biden has significant strength there. READ MORE: Joe Biden, in latest visit to Pa., says Trump is surrendering to coronavirus In August 2016, a Monmouth Poll had Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by eight percentage points in Pennsylvania. Clinton won Philadelphia decisively, but Pennsylvanias rural and rust belt communities delivered enough votes for Trump to eke out a 44,000-vote win and become the first Republican nominee in nearly three decades to capture the states Electoral College votes. In Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Westmoreland Counties, Clinton drew fewer votes than Barack Obama did against Republican John McCain in 2008. And support for Trump was better than expected in some longtime Democratic cities like Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. Bidens lead shrinks when run through a model of lower voter turnout, Murray said. And overall in some areas, hes not much further ahead than Clinton was at about this point in 2016 meaning those places could still be up for grabs. Polls and studies have not uncovered evidence that secret Trump voters existed in large enough numbers in 2016 to swing the election, Murray said, but some Democratic voters are still scarred by what they saw as Clintons unexpected loss. People are still trying to make explanations for that surprise, he said. Monmouths poll was based on phone interviews with 401 registered voters in Pennsylvania. Results for the overall sample are subject to a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. Of those polled, 53% said they supported Biden, and 40% went with Trump. Biden is ahead with voters who are under 50 years old and over 65, while Trump has an edge with voters between 50 and 64. White voters without college degrees were more likely to support Trump than white college-educated voters and voters of color. More than 40% of voters said they were more enthusiastic than usual about the election. The poll also found that 56% of registered voters say Trump has done a bad job handling the coronavirus pandemic, with 42% approving of his performance. About 70% of voters, meanwhile, said Gov. Tom Wolf has done a good job managing the crisis in the state. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 03:42:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close AMMAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian Education Minister Tayseer Nuaimi said on Wednesday that the country's students will return to school on Sept. 1, state-run Petra news agency reported. The 2020/2021 academic year will be as usual but its nature will be determined by the pandemic situation, Nuaimi said, adding his ministry could resort to online education if needed. A guidance and protocol will be prepared in tandem with the health ministry to ensure safe and sound return for students, he noted. Earlier in the day, Jordan registered three new coronavirus cases among passengers arriving from abroad, raising the kingdom's tally to 1,201, according to the health ministry. China has supported Jordan's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 31, China donated a batch of medical supplies to Jordan to help combat the coronavirus. Enditem A collection of British charities have launched a new appeal to raise funds to fight coronavirus in refugee camps and poor communities in some of the worlds most vulnerable countries. The UK Government has pledged to match the first 5 million in donations made by the public to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The DEC, which is made up of 14 of Britains largest aid charities, will spend donations on providing food, water and medical care to people in countries such as Syria, Yemen and South Sudan. Other target countries are Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. Much of the money will go to refugee camps, where overcrowding and poor sanitation gives the virus much greater opportunity to spread. The DEC estimates there are 24 million internally-displaced people in these countries, as well as a further 850,000 Rohingya people in Bangladesh. Donations will also be spent on providing soap to vulnerable families and on providing information about the dangers of the spread of the disease. DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: Coronavirus has turned all of our lives upside down in ways we could never have imagined. For those fleeing violence and conflict in the worlds most fragile places, the pandemic is a new battle that they are not equipped to fight. These families have already lived through trauma and upheaval. Many are now living in crowded refugee and displacement camps with little access to medical care, clean water or enough food the bare essentials they need to survive the crisis. Millions of lives are at stake. We are urging people to donate now. International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: We are matching generous donations from the British people to the emergency appeal pound for pound, meaning your money will go twice as far in helping to protect millions of the worlds most vulnerable people from the deadly effects of coronavirus. Clean water and healthcare in refugee camps are essential in containing coronavirus in the developing world helping stop the spread of the pandemic and protecting the UK from further waves of infection. So far, 769 million in UK aid has been pledged globally to fight the pandemic, according to the Department for International Development. Among the DECs 14 members are ActionAid UK, Age International, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK. Those wishing to donate can do so online at Dec.org.uk, by phone on 0370 60 60 900, or text SUPPORT to 70150 to donate 10. Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister has appealed to political parties to respect the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999) whilst planning their campaign activities towards election 2020. He said the enactment of Act 999 was born out of the realization that vigilantism could no longer be tolerated in the nations body politic, adding that we have come of age in our democratic dispensation, hence the need to reshape our political activities in order to catch up with the modern trends of politics. Dr Bin Salih made the appeal during the opening of a two-day advocacy campaign workshop on the eradication of vigilantism in Ghana organised by the National Peace Council in Wa. He noted that if political parties respected the Act, the country would once again advance its democratic credentials with yet another smooth and peaceful election come December, 2020. The Security Agencies are encouraged to enforce the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999) to the letter without any fear or favour especially in this election year and beyond, the Regional Minister admonished. Dr. Bin Salih commended the National Peace Council for leading the way to educate and sensitize members of the various political parties on the existence of the Act among others. It is my fervent hope that the leadership of the various political parties will in turn sensitize their followers to adhere to the Act and the Code of Conduct in carrying out their campaign messages devoid of violence, he said. Let me remind all of us that the December 7, 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections is not a do or die affair. It is just a contest of ideas and whoever wins is the one we will follow, he emphasized. Dr Bin Salih therefore urged all to try as much as possible to maintain the peace in the Region before, during and after the elections. Mr Frank Wilson Bodza, Deputy Director, Conflict Management and Resolution, National Peace Council, noted that the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999) was very important and urged political parties to abide by the provisions to ensure peace in the country. He explained that the Act was not only for political parties, but also included land guards, political office holders, an officer or a member of a political party, and public office holders among others. Mr Bodza said under the Act, it was an offense to fund vigilantism activities and urged those engaged in the practice to stop to avoid being caught by the law. Mr Emmanuel Danyomah, the Upper West Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, noted that the concept of vigilantism was a very serious one in the country, hence the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999). He said the objective of the workshop was therefore to create awareness through advocacy campaigns on the Act, as well as the Roadmap and Code of Conduct of Political Parties. Mr Danyomah advised political parties and the general public to be guided by the Act and ensure their activities were in sync with the provisions of the Act to avoid any breach and suffering the consequences. Reverend Father Dr Aloysius Nuolabong, Chairman of the Upper West Regional Peace Council, pledged the commitment of the Council to continue to educate, sensitize and dialogue with stakeholders to ensure peace in the Region and beyond. 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 ALBANY With drug overdose deaths on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuomo administration quietly informed localities last week that it is sharply cutting state payments used to fund drug and alcohol treatment programs. The sudden, 31% reduction in payments made last week to localities that send the money to private, nonprofit treatment providers will further strain a mental health care network struggling to provide treatment to people with drug and alcohol abuse problems. Treatment providers say they were given no notice, and no explanation, for the surprising size of the cut or its timing by the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has been saying for months that many recipients of state funding would face 20% cutbacks unless Washington comes through with a financial bailout package for New York. Programs will close. More people will die and were going to have a real difficult situation on our hands in communities across New York state, said John Coppola, executive director of the New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers. The group represents the range of outpatient and residential treatment programs in the state. Substance abuse treatment programs are reeling with the news. I dont like to throw hysterical words out, but a 31% cut, I honestly dont know how wed figure that out when were already in a dire situation, said Anne Constantino, president and CEO of Horizon Health Services, which provides addiction rehabilitation services in western New York. Constantino said she has not yet been informed of the specific level of cuts that would affect the residential treatment at its Horizon Village. Normally, the nonprofit agency has about 200 people in its residential treatment care; that number was reduced to 70% of capacity to deal with social distancing guidance. While Horizon has not been eligible to receive federal COVID funds available to the private sector, it has not reduced its staff because of the need to treat a rising number of addiction problems in the region. If its 31%, I cant imagine a scenario where we can make that work, Constantino said. Adding to the confusion is how the money is being cut. Funding that the state sends to counties, which in turn fund local, private treatment providers, is on the 31% chopping block. Its not yet clear is how much the state is cutting funding it provides directly to some providers, such as the state money Horizon gets for its residential treatment services. Local impact In Warren and Washington counties, agencies arent cutting back on services yet, said Office of Community Services Director Rob York. He has been quickly calling every agency to talk over the issue. Theyre all developing various strategies. Some have seen some savings in some programs. Maybe they have a vacancy they havent filled. Many applied for the Paycheck Protection loan. So some of them have cash on hand from those loans, he said. Agencies are given an advance on their expenses each quarter. The withhold for the next quarter wont hurt agencies immediately, he said. As you get toward the end of the quarter, thats where you would see the crunch, he said. If the state receives federal help, state officials hope to restore the cuts. If that happens by the end of August, local agencies likely wont have to reduce services, York said. If the fundings not restored, its a different story, he added. Were hopeful for the adequate federal relief so the withholds can be restored, so that critical services can continue. Pandemic The states fiscal year began April 1, and few believed the 2020 budget crafted at the time by Cuomo and lawmakers was in balance. Officially, it then quickly fell out of balance as COVID spread and the economy nosedived, taking tax revenues to Albany with it. Before April ended, Cuomo was warning of $8.2 billion that he would cut in state aid to a variety of local services, including education and a slew of health and mental health services that counties or nonprofit agencies provide on the states behalf. The Cuomo administration recently reduced state funding, worth about $74 million, to a number of cities, including Buffalo. The administration defined the cuts as funding that was being withheld pending decisions in Washington over a stimulus package that a growing number of states say is needed to deal with the COVID economic collapse. Congress is due back in Washington on July 20, at which time lawmakers are expected to consider a bailout package for states and localities, including public schools. New York lawmakers are also due back that day, and some legislators are pushing for a big tax hike program aimed mostly at the wealthy and corporations to reduce the need for spending cuts. Cuomo is driving the fiscal train even more than other years because state lawmakers gave him extraordinary, new powers to cut the state budget this year in different phases if tax revenues did not meet previously promised spending levels. For drug and alcohol treatment providers, the shoe dropped last week. Providers did not know how much in state aid dollars is being cut by Cuomo; all they had been told is that the funding stream to localities to pay for the services in the third quarter is dropping by 31%. Coppola, who represents the treatment providers in Albany, said his group has been seeking to convince Cuomos office that addiction programs should be spared any cuts given the added demand for services during the pandemic. The providers offer treatment programs at schools and community-based agencies, outpatient offices, hospital-based and other inpatient facilities. The worst-case scenario has evolved in the last couple days, Coppola said in an interview Friday. Cuomos office referred questions to the administrations Office of Addiction Services and Supports. The agency Friday afternoon had a confusing response: It said there has been no reduction of support for these services at this time and then also said that instead the state is holding back a portion of the funding as it contends with a cash crunch caused by a 14% drop in revenue due entirely to the pandemic and the federal decision to delay income tax payments by three months. Earlier last week, the agency sent letters to counties saying that it expects to restore the funding cuts if the federal governments provides a bailout to New Yorks finances. It said it also understands that these withholdings will necessitate difficult choices for local services. In its Friday response to The Buffalo News, the Cuomo agency said that counties should equitably allocate funds to maintain vital services while the state awaits federal action. The agency did not provide a dollar amount that it cut in payments last week for treatment services that went out to counties for the fiscal quarter that started July 1. The providers were already trying to figure out how to handle a 20% state funding cut that Cuomo has been suggesting would be coming to groups that rely on the aid to localities portion of the state budget. Coppola said the 31% cut will force programs to target staffing levels, which, in turn, will result in fewer people being able to get treatment for drug and alcohol addictions. Most at risk, he believes, will be adolescent treatment and detox programs, which already operate in the red at many providers. The Buffalo area is among many communities where law enforcement officials have reported a rise in overdoses, due, in part, to the isolation people have been enduring in the pandemic and sharply higher unemployment rates. Coppola said the political dance between Cuomo and Congress over a new stimulus package has ensnared the addiction treatment providers in the form of the new funding cuts. Providers were already financially struggling before COVID, and the 31% cut will force a retrenchment in services to addicted New Yorkers, they say. A 31% cut is on top of years of neglect, Coppola said of the states funding for the local treatment programs. Post-Star reporter Kathleen Moore contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 The United States and six Gulf countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets Washington has accused of supporting Islamic State operations, including by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to leaders of the group in Iraq and Syria. The US Treasury Department said in a statement the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) - which also include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - imposed sanctions on three money services businesses and an individual in Turkey and Syria, as well as an Afghanistan-based charity. "The actions taken today serve as a further warning to individuals and businesses who provide financial support or material assistance to terrorist organizations," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. The Treasury said the blacklisted Syria-based money services businesses, which include al Haram Exchange, Tawasul Company and al-Khalidi Exchange, "played a vital role in transferring funds to support Syria-based ISIS fighters and ... provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of liquidity to ISIS leadership." Abd-al-Rahman Ali Husayn al-Ahmad al-Rawi, selected by ISIS in 2017 to serve as a senior financial facilitator, was also blacklisted, the Treasury said, accusing him of being one of a few that have provided Islamic State group "significant financial facilitation" into and out of Syria. The TFTC also slapped sanctions on Afghanistan-based Nejaat Social Welfare Organization and its director, Sayed Habib Ahmad Khan, accusing the organization of being used as a cover company to support the activities of the Afghan affiliate of Islamic State group, known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K). Wednesday's action freezes any US assets of the individuals and entities blacklisted and generally prohibits Americans from dealing with them. Search Keywords: Short link: Just the idea of Texas schools reopening their doors for fall 2020 has infuriated some Houston-area teachers and parents. They're not afraid to air their opinions and frustrations. As COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations escalate to an unprecedented rate across Texas, the thought of putting students' and teachers' health at risk in order to provide in-class instruction is unacceptable to teachers across the state. "It's pretty atrocious that in preparation for returning to school this fall, teachers are writing wills, getting medical power of attorney established and taking out extra life insurance," tweeted teacher Jessica Schwinn. 'IT'S SO SCARY': Houston, Texas teachers voice concerns about reopening schools this fall According to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, Texas public school districts must reopen campuses for an in-person instruction in August in order to receive state funding, unless the governor issues a school closure or confirmed case of COVID-19. "On-campus instruction in Texas public schools is where its at, Morath said during a conference call with superintendents. We know that a lot of families are going to be nervous, and if they are nervous, were going to support them 100 percent. This is not sitting well with many Texas teachers. "Like everyone, I am desperate to send my kids back to school. Remote learning is hard on my wife and me, and terrible for our kids. If we thought it were safe to do so, we wouldn't hesitate. But there's no way we're going to risk their health or ours, IF IT'S NOT SAFE," tweeted Jeremy Konydyck. "@MikeMorath @GovAbbott Why is it okay for you guys to work from home but you're willing to sacrifice the lives of teachers, administrators, clerks, counselors, custodians, cafeteria workers? If in person classes MUST be offered, both of you should join us in the buildings," tweeted teacher Tania Andrews. SCHOOL REOPENING: With schools ordered to open next month, Texas teachers ask, 'Is it worth risking our lives?" "Last week, it was announced that Texas schools MUST reopen in the fall or risk states funding. This is extremely dangerous and covid cases here are increasing rapidly!! teachers in Texas cannot strike without losing their teaching certificates. they need help, call to action," tweets dirt prince. "And after that, we're going back to school like nothing happened, "tweeted Sol. Texas teachers say they are now forced to choose between their health or their jobs. Some with health issues have already resigned. According to a report by KHOU, HISD teacher Michelle Shah had a difficult time, struggling with a decision to resign, but she said the health of her children comes first. HISD teacher Meghan Hokom also recently resigned over the same concerns. Hokom had a heart transplant three years ago, and has a low immunity after the procedure. While several teachers express that they miss their students and the classroom, they just can't afford to not play it safe. "I miss my students. I LOVE my job. I want to return to work and be able to help students again, as this is my whole heart. More than that, I want YOUR kids to be safe. It's disgusting that @realDonaldTrump is playing politicas with school reopening. It is NOT safe in Texas," tweeted educator, Tammy Tashi. According to HISD officials, the district is still planning to start its academic year in late August, allowing 10 days for students who suffered a delay because of the coronavirus pandemic. The school year is expected to end on May 28. alison.medley@chron.com VINITA, Okla. - A Kansas man charged in the 1999 deaths of an Oklahoma couple and the disappearance and presumed deaths of their teenage daughter and her friend has pleaded guilty to an accessory to murder charge. Ronnie Busick, 68, entered a guilty plea on Wednesday in an agreement with prosecutors. He was sentenced to 15 years, serving 10 years in Oklahoma Department of Corrections custody and five years under supervised release. Busick may get a lesser sentence is he provides information that leads to the recovery of the two Craig County teens, according to Tulsa World. Busick is the only suspect still alive. He is currently being held in the Craig County jail in Vinita, about 60 miles northeast of Tulsa. As part of the deal with prosecutors, charges of arson and kidnapping were dropped in the deaths of Danny and Kathy Freeman; their 16-year-old daughter, Ashley; and her best friend, Lauria Bible. The two girls have not been found despite numerous searches. Bahrain-based Bank ABC, a leading international bank in the Mena region, has announced the appointment of Sedjwick Joseph as its new Group Chief Credit and Risk Officer. Joseph had been serving as the Chief Risk Officer for Bank ABC in Europe since December 2015 and with this promotion he will be joining the Groups headquarters in Bahrain. With this new role, Joseph also joins the Banks Management Committee (Mancom) and will be reporting to the Group CEO Dr Khaled Kawan and to the Board Risk Committee. Joseph will be responsible for Group Credit and Risk functions and will work closely with both the business and support functions to aid the Group strategy as well as further enhance the Group Credit and Risk Management framework and capabilities. Dr Kawan said: We are excited to appoint Sedjwick as our Group Chief Credit Risk Officer. His appointment takes advantage of the distinct opportunities that exist within Bank ABC globally, in a glaring example of our commitment as a Group to grow talent from within the organisation. I have had the opportunity to work with Sedjwick in recent years and have seen first-hand his deep commitment to maintaining and promoting the risk culture of our Group. He fully deserves this recognition and I have no doubt that he will continue in his new role to make a significant contribution. Sedjwick Joseph said: It has been a great experience contributing to the management and transformation of the Banks risk journey and our progress and achievements so far are indeed impressive. I am truly looking forward to build upon this success and taking our risk management framework to new levels. Joseph has over 25 years of banking experience across credit, risk management, portfolio management and analytics. Prior to joining Bank ABC, Joseph worked with a number of leading banks holding both country and regional roles across multiple geographies including Europe, Middle East, Asia, the US and Africa. Joseph has a masters degree in business and a bachelors degree in engineering. He is a regular speaker at Risk Management & Credit conferences. TradeArabia News Service Storyful A pod of Hectors dolphins joined paddleboarders in Te Waewae Bay, New Zealand, recently shared video shows.Footage by Ross Harvey Trafford shows the dolphins swimming alongside and underneath paddleboarders off the southern coast of New Zealands South Island.New Zealands Department of Conservation lists Hectors dolphins as nationally vulnerable, meaning the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium term, reports said.There are about 15,000 Hectors dolphins over the age of one, the department said.The Department of Conservation has rules about flying drones near marine mammals. However, it said that Trafford was not in breach of them as this was an unplanned wildlife encounter, with the dolphins swimming into the frame of Traffords video. Credit: Ross Harvey Trafford via Storyful PokerStars Stadium Series Round Up: Almost $10.8 Million Already Paid Out July 15, 2020 Matthew Pitt PokerStars has paid out almost $10.8 million across the completed Stadium Series tournaments and theres still another two weeks worth of events to go, including the $5 million guaranteed Main Event! The first Weekly Finals crowned their champions on the evening of July 14. Brazils BK AK 171 triumphed in the $5.50 Low edition, which attracted 22,379 entrants. The Brazilian came out on top and banked an impressive $15,401 for their $5.50 investment. Argentinas McFadden92 was the $55 Medium champion. This event also attracted a five-figure crowd with 10,297 players creating a $514,850 prize pool. The Argentinian saw their $55 buy-in turn into a most impressive $69,030. Mike munchenHB Telker took down the $530 High edition and added $157,004 to his lifetime winnings tally. You can read all about Telkers superb victory in its own dedicated article. The first six-figure prize of the Stadium Series went to Austrias klem90 who was the last man standing from the 1,597-strong field in the Stadium Series Heat 01-H: $530 NLHE 8-Max. The eight-handed final table was ridiculously stacked, with the likes of Niall Firadlo87 Farrell and Thomas WushuTM Muehloecker present and correct. Muehloecker eventually fell in second-place and secured an $87,252 prize, leaving klem90 to secure the $121,806 top prize. Place Player Country Prize 1 klem90 Austria $121,806 2 Thomas WushuTM Muehloecker Austria $87,252 3 Mastermandel Austria $62,500 4 BirdUp4 Netherlands $44,770 5 Tudor tdr01 Cristian Romania $32,070 6 Niall Firadlo87 Farrell United Kingdom $22,972 7 James OP-Poker James Mackenzie United Kingdom $16,456 8 Luckbox1326 Romania $11,787 Read about Telker's Massive Weekly Final Victory Stadium Series Heat 02-H: $530 NLHE Progressive KO Before taking down the high buy-in edition of the weekly final, Mike munchenHB Telker got his hands on the Stadium Series Heat 02-H: $530 NLHE Progressive KO title. Telker outlasted 1,258-opponents to bag the $41,416 top prize plus $37,664 worth of bounties for a combined score of $80,080. Telker defeated Austrias Faboulus888 heads-up to secure the victory. The Austrian runner-up walked away with $53,048 when bounties were taken into consideration. A special mention has to go to third-place finisher KingKomeron of Estonia who added $10,899 worth of bounties to the $25,903 main prize pool prize. Only Telker locked up more from the bounty prize pool. Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total Prize 1 Michael "munchenHB Telker Costa Rica $42,416 $37,664 $80,080 2 Faboulus888 Austria $42,415 $10,633 $53,048 3 KingKomeron Estonia $25,903 $10,899 $36,802 4 mirel06 Romania $18,804 $5,906 $24,710 5 Gratitude Estonia $13,651 $8,386 $22,037 6 Jon luckyfish89 Clark United Kingdom $9,910 $6,613 $16,523 7 lcl1988 China $7,194 $2,523 $9,717 8 copag holdem Brazil $5,223 $1,109 $6,332 9 777acenace777 Canada $3,791 $5,125 $8,916 Stadium Series Heat 06-H: $530 NLHE 8-Max Progressive KO British superstars Conor 1_conor_b_1 Beresford became a Stadium Series champion by triumphing over 914-opponents in the Stadium Series Heat 06-H: $530 NLHE 8-Max Progressive KO event. Beresfords victory weighed in at $38,604 plus an additional $28,017 worth of bounty payments for a combined score worth a cool $66,621. All but one of the eight finalists padded their bankrolls with five-figure prizes, a superb return on a $530 investment. The champion aside, the biggest score went to Ukraines MountainRo$e who netted a combined $50,486 for their runner-up finish. Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total Prize 1 Conor 1_conor_b_1 Beresford United Kingdom $38,604 $28,017 $66,621 2 MountainRo$e Ukraine $38,603 $11,883 $50,486 3 mahairong China $22,904 $4,125 $27,029 4 addionutz United Kingdom $16,327 $1,500 $17,827 5 Dachish Russia $11,638 $6,059 $17,697 6 ludako123 Bulgaria $8,296 $2,777 $11,073 7 corresao Argentina $5,913 $1,421 $7,334 8 Chrobson Poland $4,215 $7,966 $12,181 Stadium Series Heat 09-H: $1,050 NLHE The Stadium Series Heat 09-H: $1,050 NLHE event attracted a 515-strong field and ended in a four-way deal that saw the final quartet share almost $250,000! Francisco Tomatee Benitez finished in fourth-place and won $54,919 before Russias needdollarz fell in third and banked $72,572, which was the largest prize awarded. Heads-up pitted Matas NoTilit Cikinas and BC1989RF of Hungary in a one-on-one battle. The latter emerged victoriously and got their hands on $61,295, leaving Cikinas to collect $60,600. Earlier at the the final table, Marty TheLipoFund Mathis saw his tournament end in eighth-place, a finish worth $12,233 while Team PokerStars Pro and Twitch legend Lex L. Veldhuis Veldhuis finished in sixth-place for a $21,712 addition to his bankroll. Place Player Country Prize 1 BC1989RF Hungary $61,295* 2 Matas NoTilit Cikinas Lithuania $60,600* 3 needdollarz Russia $72,572* 4 Francisco Tomatee Benitez Uruguay $54,919* 5 RPILON Canada $28,925 6 Lex. L. Veldhuis Veldhuis Netherlands $21,712 7 Juan Manuel proggrezive Copani Argentina $16,297 8 Marty TheLipoFund Mathis Mexico $12,233 9 BRzRoll Netherlands $9,182 *reflects a four-handed deal The Stadium Series Grand Final Has $5M Gtd Stadium Series Heat 10-H: $1,050 NLHE 6-Max Progressive KO PKO events are action-packed at the best of times but go crazy when play is at six-handed tables. This was the format for the Stadium Series Heat 10-H: $1,050 NLHE 6-Max Progressive KO which drew in a 443-strong crowd who played for a share of $500,000. Any of the six finalists would have made a worthy champion, but only one of them could claim that title, as is tournament pokers nature. That person was UK-based Spaniard Javier que_te_crio Fernandez Alonso who defeated Diego Mr.Bittar Valadares Bittar heads-up. Alonso collected a combined $87,696 with Bittar scooping $55,305. Before that heads-up clash, Aleks Better and Those_Bros fell in sixth and fifth-place respectively. Claas SsicK_OnE Segebrecht was the fourth-place finish while Nathan SneakyBeakyL Schmitt collected the $32,548 third-place prize. Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total Prize 1 Javier que_te_crio Fernandez Alonso United Kingdom $42,702 $44,994 $87,696 2 Diego Mr.Bittar Valadares Bittar Brazil $42,702 $12,603 $55,305 3 Nathan SneakyBeakyL Schmitt Austria $25,627 $6,921 $32,548 4 Claas SsicK_OnE Segebrecht Austria $18,400 $6,437 $24,837 5 Those_Bros Canada $13,211 $2,843 $16,054 6 Aleks Better Russia $9,485 $4,062 $13,547 We're Live Reporting the Stadium Series Weekly Finals here How To Get Involved in the Stadium Series Stadium Series tournaments run every day and continue to do so up until August 2. Head to the PokerStars tournament lobby and buy in now if you have the bankroll for those events. If you dont have the bankroll for the bigger events, or you simply want to save yourself some cash, there are plenty of other routes into the biggest Stadium Series games. The Stadium Series Heats are the daily tournaments. The top finishers in these tournaments receive a free ticket to the coveted weekly Stadium Series Sunday Finals. Reach the final tables of these finals and PokerStars gifts you a $5,200 ticket to the Grand Final where youll play for a share of a guaranteed $5 million. Spin & Go specialists can try their luck in the special edition Spin & Gos. These come with buy-ins of $4 and $22 and award a mixture of cash and Stadium Series tournament tickets. Dont forget you can also complete the Stadium Series Trials via the Challenges Window of your PokerStars account. Start the challenge then play real money multi-table tournaments. You earn one leaderboard point for every $1 spent on tournament buy-ins. Finish in the top 25 of the leaderboard when the promotion ends on August 1 and a $5,200 Grand Final ticket is all yours. Finish in 26-125th place and bank a free Stadium Series Fast track Final ticket worth a cool $1,050. Last, but certainly not least, is the Stadium Series Fast Track program. These are a series of sit & go and MTT tournaments where you can buy into at any stage, but only Stage 4 awards Grand Final tickets. Step 1: $1 Sit & Go Tournament (12 players) Step 2: $11 Sit & Go Tournament (21 players) Step 3: $109 MTT Tournament Step 4: $1,050 MTT Tournament Keep an eye on your email inbox and in the PokerStars lobby for the many planned giveaways. PokerNews has learned PokerStars is giving away more than $2.5 million in Stadium Series tickets and by adding some serious value via other giveaways to make it possible for every player to have a shot at Stadium Series glory. The three Lekhi siblings drove from the crack of dawn Tuesday from Vancouver over a mountain pass to reach their family home in Summerland, where they were born and raised. But when they reached the driveway, it didnt feel like home anymore. The night before, their parents who live in the house alone heard the smash of rocks coming through their windows and called the police. When Ramesh and Kiran Lekhi surveyed the damage, it was worse than they couldve imagined. There was a red swastika, curse words and lewd images of penises all along the front and side of their home. Overnight, swastikas were also spray painted on a bandshell in nearby Memorial Park, but no other private homes were reportedly targeted. The saddest part is that my mom didnt even know what the swastika was and what it meant, said 32-year-old Shivali Lekhi, who works as a respiratory therapist at BC Childrens Hospital. To explain what it means and for her to comprehend it means they hate the colour of our skin. It made her so scared. I dont know how we can protect our parents since we dont live here, she told the Star. That was when Marty Van Alphen, a longtime family friend and city councillor, interrupted to say, Your parents can call me anytime. Ill be here in a flash, putting his arm around Shivali. Over at the front of the house, her mother was sitting in a circle of friends and famly members, wiping tears from her face. Someone had brought a carafe of coffee and was pouring out cups for people to drink. Her oldest son declined an interview, saying he was too angry to speak. But the youngest sibling, Abhishek Lekhi, who had just graduated from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, stood defiantly in front of the swastika graffiti. Theres vandalism that happens and then there is hate crime. What they drew here represents a lot of hate and racism and made us fearful. For someone to come to our home while our parents were inside shows that hate is real, the 23-year-old told the Star. His parents had immigrated to Canada from east India in the 1970s, working various jobs in the Okanagan Valley before buying a piece of farmland to grow apples and cherries. For decades since, Ramesh has managed the farm, while Kiran works as a fruit packing house supervisor. Ramesh appeared calm, as he studied the swastika on the house where he had raised his children, and pointed out the hole a rock made in a bedroom window and where a rock was still lodged in a living room window frame. Luckily, he and his wife werent in either room at the time. What can you do, about these kind of people? Whatever comes I will stay in this house. Were not going to go, he said. Summerland mayor Toni Boot, who is the first Black mayor in the towns history, spent the morning at the home and said she will convene an urgent meeting of the city council to discuss how they will respond. This is not just targeting one family. It is targeting our East Indian community and our town as a whole. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all have to band together to tell people this is not okay, she told the Star. Sgt. Dave Preston, of the Summerland RCMP detachment, said police are investigating the two vandalism incidents as suspected hate crimes. Because this is not something weve seen here before in Summerland, that makes it much more concerning, he said. We are asking if anyone who has information to give us a call. Abhishek and his brother plan to stay in the house to support their parents for as long as they can. We will repair the broken windows and get down this spraypaint as soon as possible. I cant even look at it for very long. It just brings so much heartache. With the support of their neighbours and friends, Abhishek thinks the home will be a safe place for them again. There are people who hate people like us, and think people of different colours and religions dont belong but we have to come together. Who we are should enrich us and not split us apart. Joanna Chiu is a Vancouver-based reporter covering both Canada-China relations and current affairs on the West Coast for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @joannachiu Read more about: Sonu Sood has turned into a superhero figure for many during the lockdown and the COVID-19 crisis in India. The actor has helped many groups of people, majority of whom are migrants stuck in places away from their homes, get back to their hometowns by arranging transport for them. Sonu has been relentless in his efforts to ease the challenges of the crisis on the most vulnerable groups. Sonu has decided to narrate his story of being an actor who reaches out to people seeking help during the pandemic. Sonu is collaborating with Penguin Random House to share what inspired him to help people during the pandemic. He is going to author a book, which will be published by Ebury Press. It is untitled as of now. He was quoted as saying, "I believe I came to this city for this - and this was my purpose. I want to thank god for making me a catalyst in helping the migrants. While my heart beats in Mumbai, after this movement I feel a part of me lives in the villages of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttarakhand and various other states where I have now found new friends and made deep connections." Sonu continued, "I have decided to put these experiences, stories that are embedded in my soul forever, in a book, and I'm very delighted that Penguin Random House is publishing it. I want you to be a part of this journey, so that we can share these special stories and make them immortal. I'm excited, nervous and overwhelmed, and I can't wait to connect with you through my book. I look forward to your support-and love you all." Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India, said, "While most of us in our lifetimes wish to work to help others in need, only a few actually make it our life's mission. Sonu Sood is one such person... . The book will bring together the story of this amazing journey." ALSO READ: Shakti Kapoor Has Become A Big Fan Of Sonu Sood; 'His Efforts Have Nothing To Do With Politics' ALSO READ: Suniel Shetty: Sonu Sood Has Put Hindi Film Heroes On A Different Pedestal Most creche owners in a major providers' group claim they will have to close permanently without a cash boost from the State. In a new survey, an overwhelming 87pc of members of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers said they will be unable to keep their businesses open without more government support. Only 30pc said they had reopened since they were forced to close their doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of those that have opened, only 22pc are operating at full capacity, 27pc have reduced staff and 69pc said they were operating at a loss. Ninety-one per cent of providers said emergency government supports were inadequate and 79pc feared for the survival of their business. The federation represents more than 1,600 providers who care for nearly 55,000 children. Its members' fears of closure come despite a 75m government package to support the sector that included the extension of a wage subsidy scheme and grants ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. The federation's chairperson, Elaine Dunne, said another 150m is needed as the grants are not enough to cover operating costs. "We are facing the total implosion of the sector unless the Government acts urgently," she said. Pessimistic She added that the survey is "a dire omen for further waves of closures in the sector". Former provider Gillian Powell, who ran the Haven Montessori in Bandon, Co Cork, said she closed permanently on June 29. Five childcare services have closed in Cork, including two large services in the city. "If that is replicated across the country in every county, we are looking at 150 services closing across Ireland," Ms Powell said. "By allowing this to happen we are also affecting the ability of parents to go to work, for people to drive the economic engine of the State." Just under a third of providers said they had reopened, although the numbers that normally operate during the summer months are generally lower. This pessimistic outlook was revealed in a survey of 868 providers carried out earlier this month. Seventy-eight per cent of those surveyed said they would prefer if the Department of Education, rather than the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, managed childcare. A total of 93pc did not think there is enough support for children with additional needs, and 74pc felt these children were "regressing". A spokesman for the Department of Children said 68 services had notified their closure to Tusla since the start of the year. He said this was lower than last year, when 92 services indicated they would close between January and July. However, Ms Dunne claimed many creche owners did not inform Tusla when closing their businesses. A federal judge in Manhattan denied bail on Tuesday to Ghislaine Maxwell, the confidante of the dead convicted sex offender and investment advisor Jeffrey Epstein, saying she poses a substantial actual risk of flight. The judge said that Maxwell should remain in jail before her trial, scheduled for July 12, 2021, on charges that she enticed underage girls to participate in Epsteins sex trafficking scheme and also perjured herself about these matters in previous court depositions. During the arraignment, at which she appeared via videoconference from a federal prison in Brooklyn, Maxwell pleaded not guilty. If convicted on all six charges for offenses that allegedly occurred between 1994 and 1997, Maxwell faces up to 35 years in prison. In response to the motion from Maxwells lawyers for a $5 million bail, combined with home confinement in New York, US Southern District of New York Judge Alison Nathan said, The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that no combination could reasonably assure her presence in court. The risks are simply too great. During the proceeding, Assistant Federal Prosecutor Alison Moe repeated the arguments made by the Manhattan US Attorneys Office in their brief filed on Monday that Maxwells citizenship in France and Britain, her significant wealth and her ability to live under an assumed identity show that she has the ability and willingness to live off the grid indefinitely. As evidence of Maxwells ability to evade law enforcement, the federal prosecutors presented the fact that she purchased a $1 million secluded home in Bedford, New Hampshire by using the name Jen Marshall and saying she was a journalist who needed privacy. The prosecutors say that this information contradicted what she had told law enforcement at the time of her arrest, that she did not know who bought the property and that it was owned by a corporation. During the hearing, Moe read out a statement from one of Epsteins victims, identified as Jane Doe, who said, without Ghislaine, Jeffrey could not have done what he did. If she believes she risks prison, she will never come back. ... If she is out, I need protection. Annie Farmer, who spoke at the hearing off-camera, said she was abused by Epstein and Maxwell and that Ghislaine was a a sexual predator who groomed and abused me and countless other children and young women. She has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes or the devastating, lasting affects her actions caused. Farmer added, Those that survived implore this court that she be detained pending trial and the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously. Lead defense attorney Mark Cohen argued for the bail proposal and said prosecutors had failed to show that Maxwell was in fact a flight risk because she had not attempted to flee the US after Epsteins death in jail on August 10 of last year. He said that her attorneys had been in regular contact with the prosecutors office over the past 11 months. Cohen also said that prosecutors were portraying Maxwell as a ruthless, aimless, sinister person, and shes not the monster thats been portrayed by the media and government. He additionally pointed out that the conditions in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, especially with restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, made it impossible for Maxwell and her lawyers to prepare an adequate defense. Judge Nathan denied bail for Maxwell at the conclusion of the three-hour hearing, reiterating verbatim the arguments of the prosecution and saying, The risk is simply too great. During the course of his presentation, Cohen said that the defense will be making a very significant motion that will decide whether this indictment survives, or the shape of this indictment. This was a reference to the fact that Cohen is preparing to argue that the majority of the case against Maxwell is barred by the precedent of the nonprosecution agreement between Jeffrey Epstein and federal prosecutors in South Florida in 2007. In exchange for a guilty plea on a state prostitution charges, a federal indictment against Epstein for abusing underage girls between 1999 and 2007 was dropped. Epstein was sentenced to 18 months, of which he served just 13, in the Palm Beach County Stockade where his jail cell door was never locked, and he was paid for his own security detail while work release for 12 hours a day, six days a week. An unprecedented aspect of the nonprosecution agreement was that Epstein and a list of co-conspirators, including Maxwell, were made perpetually immune from any prosecution on matters related to the original federal charges against him in Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, the nonprosecution agreement was worked out behind closed doors with Epsteins legal team, which included the high-profile defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, US Attorney for South Florida Alex Acosta and Palm Beach State Attorney Barry Krischer. Local law enforcement, along with lawyers representing Epsteins numerous teenage victims, were stunned by the secret deal which denied them the ability to testify against their abuser in court. According to a report by investigative journalist Vicky Ward that was published in The Daily Beast on July 9, 2019 , Acosta, who was being vetted as Labor Secretary for the incoming Trump administration, was asked by the Trump transition team, Is the Epstein case going to cause a problem [for confirmation hearings]? According to Ward, Acosta replied that he had been told to back off, that Epstein was above his pay grade. I was told Epstein belonged to intelligence and to leave it alone, he told his interviewers in the Trump transition. The possibility that Epstein and Maxwell had high-level intelligence relationshipsa plausible explanation for both the sex ring as a tool to blackmail politicians and other members of elite ruling circles around the world as well as for the suspicious death of Epstein in his jail cell one year agowas also revived in interviews published since Maxwells July 2 arrest. In an interview with the New York Post Page Six, Stephen Hoffenberg, a former investment associate of Epsteins who spent 18 years in federal prison for securities fraud, said, Shes going to be naming some big namesnot only in terms of those who abused underage girls at Epsteins partiesbut also those who made financial agreements with Epstein or benefited from his generosity, including flying on his plane and staying at his homes. Hoffenberg went on, Ghislaine thought she was untouchablethat shed be protected by the intelligence communities she and Jeffrey helped with information: the Israeli intelligence services, and Les Wexner, who has given millions to Israel; by Prince Andrew, President Clinton and even by President Trump, who was well-known to be an acquaintance of her and Epsteins. Whether the truth of any of these matters will emerge during the Maxwell trial is difficult to predict. Whatever direction the case unfolds, it is clear that there are many wealthy and politically connected individuals who do not want information about their relationship with Epstein and Maxwelland what went on at their elite social gatheringsto see the light of day. Nuclear power has high hopes of coming back as a serious competitor in the utility sector through nuclear fusion, but its been requiring massive investments and several more years of development before it wins regulatory approval. Dense plasma focus (DPF) could open the door to fusion being adopted much faster and for being economically feasible. Middlesex, NJ-based Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc., known as LPPFusion, may soon be leading the way in transitioning over to nuclear fusion through DPF. So far, expensive, large-scale experimental facilities utilizing ultra-high power lasers and microwave generators, particle beams, giant superconducting magnet systems and other advanced technologies, has been the norm for nuclear fusion projects. But it's quite costly and has several years built into the testing and development process. One of the largest of these fusion projects has been the giant International Torus Experimental Reactor (ITER) under construction in southern France. It now has an estimated cost of over $40 billion. DPF is opening the door to a streamlined, low-cost fusion future and for gaining more support once again for nuclear as a smart power source to tap into. That comes years after the current technology, nuclear fission, lost support. Headed by physicist Eric Lerner, whos considered one of the leading global experts on plasma use in nuclear fusion, the LPPFusion team achieved landmark success in 2016 when its device reached an ion temperature of 2.8 billion degrees, by far the highest temperature achieved on any experiment so far. That came out to be over 200 times hotter than the center of the sun and more than 15 times the projected maximum temperature for the ITER in France. LPPFusion has raised the bar and is coming close to creating conditions sufficient to achieve net energy generation which levels out gross electricity generation minus the consumption of power stations' auxiliary services. So far, thats been done on a small budget of $7 million that the lab has invested, with the support of a few dedicated collaborators. Lerner and team say theyve raised the performance of its DPF technology, and are close to creating conditions sufficient for net energy generation another persuasive argument in gaining support for the technology. Related: Teslas Million-Mile Battery Will Fuel A New Green Energy Boom Its power generator is tapping into hydrogen-boron instead of the standard deuterium-tritium fuel. Hydrogen-boron doesnt generate any radioactive waste, and taps into an unlimited supply of fuel. It also offers the possibility of direct conversion of fusion energy into electricity. While nuclear power lost support after Japans Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011, nuclear fusion has been gaining support as the solution for tapping into the power. One argument being made is that nuclear power plants operate at much higher capacity than renewable energy sources or fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. Another point made by advocates is that nuclear fusion offers a consistent, steady energy source versus wind and solar facing intermittent weather conditions. Nuclear fusion has impressive advocates such as Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor. But overall, renewable energy sources including wind, hydro, and solar, is the main competitor to nuclear. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that in 2019, nuclear made up 20 percent of electricity in America; followed by renewables at 17 percent. Natural gas leads the way at 38 percent, followed by coal at 23 percent. Construction of the power plants could be another competitive advantage of DPF over more costly fusion power generators using lasers and microwave. Its hydrogen-boron fusion power plants would offer a small unit size, low investment cost, low fuel cost, and a high level of safety. Estimates predict that the DPF technology could reduce the cost of producing electricity by 10 times or more compared to existing conventional and alternative energy technology. DPF technology has existed in various forms since the 1960s. Its been utilized in several university and government laboratories around the world for research in the field of plasma physics. Its also being used as a source of X-rays and neutrons. Advocates hope that DPF will become the bridge for nuclear fusion to reach the level of support needed to advance from government regulations and financial backers and become the leading alternative energy power plant source. By Jon LeSage for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Lance Corporal Dan Ells (centre left) and Serjeant Wayne Delahunty (centre right) have been commended after helping deliver two babies (MoD) A pair of British Army soldiers have been praised after they helped two mothers with the births of their babies. Serjeant Wayne Delahunty, 35, and Lance Corporal Dan Ells, 25, jumped into action during separate call-outs with the ambulance service. Both men, from 1st Battalion The Rifles based in Beachley Barracks, Chepstow, are among 60 soldiers from army units in Wales who have been trained to support the Welsh Ambulance Service during the coronavirus outbreak. Their link-up is part of UK Defences 20,000-strong Covid Response Force, set up to put service personnel and reservists on standby to support public services in response to the pandemic. Expand Close Members of the British Army during training to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) in the battle against Covid-19 at the Sennybridge Training Camp in Mid Wales (Jacob King/PA) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Members of the British Army during training to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) in the battle against Covid-19 at the Sennybridge Training Camp in Mid Wales (Jacob King/PA) Former carpenter L/Cpl Ells is a section second-in-command who has been with 1 Rifles since 2015, having been deployed overseas on exercises and operations to Afghanistan, Kenya, Bosnia and Georgia. He was working in the Tredegar area of South Wales around midnight when he was called to a home to assess a pregnant woman. He said: We were called to a house and the idea was to assess before a crew arrived to take over, and it seemed like we had enough time, but then all of a sudden the baby started coming. Ive not been involved or seen a baby born before but I wasnt nervous about it at all because the paramedics we work with are absolutely fantastic. Whatever is going to happen, they are 100% in control. I can remember a feeling of excitement. It was all new to me. Its very humbling. When you join the Army the idea being at the birth of a newborn was something I could never have imagined being involved in. The paramedic I was with took the lead on it and my role was to provide pain relief. But when the baby came the umbilical cord was wrapped around its leg so I was asked to help to untangle the cord. I then continued to administer pain relief with gas and air. Sjt Delahunty, a former nightclub manager who has been with 1 Rifles since 2008, serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, was also working in Tredegar when he and a paramedic responded to a mother who was in labour. He said: When we got to the house the woman was crowning, which I believe is the term used for someone on the brink of giving birth. The mum was lodged in between the living room and stairway. I set up the gas and Entonox for pain relief and was helping to reassure the mum when the midwife came in to take over. I realised my calf was also involved in providing pain relief because, even though I didnt offer it, the mum gave it a proper squeeze. I was just very happy to support the paramedic and midwife doing what they are absolutely brilliant at. Another paramedic who had been in the job seven years said to me Id been really lucky to have witnessed a birth because sometimes years pass before they see one its quite a rarity apparently. It was a magical experience to be involved in. Jason Killens, chief executive for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, presented both men with Certificates of Commendation at their headquarters in Beachley Barracks. Mr Killens said: Delivering babies was probably the last thing that Sjt Delahunty and L/Cpl Ells expected to do when they joined us, but their quick-thinking actions and calmness under pressure led to two successful deliveries and were proud of them. Theres a tradition in the ambulance service where paramedics will try and persuade parents to name the baby after the person who delivered it, but I dont think Sjt Delahunty and L/Cpl Ells were successful on this occasion, despite their persistence. This is a heartwarming tale of how a man, despite facing difficulties, pursued his endeavours of rescuing a coyote pup. This is a story of compassion and some may say its also an incident which perfectly captures the true spirit of humanity. Shared on Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewans (WRSOS) official Facebook page, chances are the heartening tale will leave you emotional. In the caption, the centre detailed the story and also shared some images of the rescued creature. Turns out, the rescuer, named Justin, was on a multi-day raft trip down the Red Deer and South Saskatchewan Rivers when he heard a commotion coming from somewhere along the shoreline. It sounded just like dog fight, so to investigate he hiked up to a higher elevation. He was unable to see anything and went back to his raft to continue fishing. After some time, he again heard something a squeak coming from the water. That is when he discovered an animal swimming in the river. However, since it was dark, Justin was not sure which animal it is but nonetheless he decided to rescue it. The pup sitting on Justins backpack. (Facebook/ WRSOS) However, while trying to reach the animal he ended up falling in the freezing cold water. Thankfully, he was able to locate the animal and catch it. That is when he discovered its a coyote pup. Though he rescued the animal, his troubles were far from over. After bringing the pup back to the raft, Justin discovered that it was unconscious and not breathing. Quickly he performed CPR and after a few pushes, water squirted out of the coyotes nose and it started breathing again. He, along with the pup, ended up back on land again where Justin made a fire and tried to warm the little guy up. Justin named the pup YipYip. (Facebook/ WRSOS) As Justin was out on a rafting trip with limited communication options, he was unable to reach out to a proper rescue agency, so he decided to keep the pup for the next few days. He kept the coyote with him and cared for him the entire time! The little pup would eat with Justin, cuddle in his jacket, and sleep in his backpack while they rafted down the river. Justin ended up naming the little guy YipYip and took really good care of him throughout the trip, the post added. Eventually, Justin managed to call his wife and ask for her advice. They contacted some organizations in Ontario and Manitoba, before they contacted the Swift Current SPCA who got him in touch with WRSOS. One of the volunteers of the organisation finally coordinated with Justin and took YipYip to a rescue center. The tiny tot will stay there for a few days until it is old enough to return to the wild. Little rescued pup on its way to the rescue centre. (Facebook/ WRSOS) If it wasnt for the wonderfully caring Justin, little YipYip would have perished in the river. Thank you Justin! WRSOS wrote and conclude their post. Take a look at the images shared with the post: Since being shared just a few hours ago, the post has already gathered close to 500 reactions and 200 shares. People had a lot to say about this heartwarming story. Aww so glad he was saved and taken care of, wrote a Facebook user. Aww what a beautiful story and a very kind hearted man, expressed another. Thank You Justin for being 100% kind hearted and a super human, commented a third. What do you think of the rescue story? Also Read | Man saves baby eagle from drowning. Watch the rescue SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Passengers on flights to and from Italy can take cabin baggage from 15 July. Italy has lifted a ban on carry-on luggage in overhead lockers on aircrafts to and from Italy, with effect from 15 July, reports Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. The dropping of the ban, which was introduced on 26 June for "health reasons" due to fears of covid-19 contagion, was confirmed on Radio 1 by Italy's undersecretary for health, Sandra Zampa, reports Italian newspaper La Repubblica. From 15 July travellers will be permitted to bring trolley luggage on board, while those carrying items of personal clothing such as jackets must place them in single-use sterilised containers which will be provided on the aircraft. Passengers must wear masks on board planes as well as when boarding and throughout their time at airports in Italy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 05:06:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian health ministry on Wednesday reported 19 new coronavirus cases in government-controlled areas while a war monitor said six new cases were detected in rebel-held areas in northern Syria. The 19 new infections raised the overall number of COVID-19 cases in government-held areas since March to 458, including 140 recoveries and 22 deaths, the ministry said. Meanwhile, the six new cases in rebel-held areas were recorded in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria over the past 48 hours, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A total of 11 COVID-19 cases have so far been recorded in rebel-held areas in Idlib and Aleppo, the watchdog said. The first case in government-controlled areas was confirmed in March while the rebel-held areas reported the first case earlier this month. Enditem BETHESDA, Md., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and GeoPhy announced today the expansion of their multifamily appraisal business, Apprise, with the addition of Doug Koch, MAI, AICP, as Senior Director and Affordable Practice Lead, and Kelly Beigle, as Senior Director. Koch, based in Needham, Massachusetts, will lead the company's affordable housing valuation activities across the United States. Beigle, a specialist in affordable housing, is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and is focused on the Eastern region, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C. "Doug and Kelly's wide-ranging backgrounds in affordable and workforce housing valuation and consulting assignments throughout the nation and Eastern region will create a solid foundation for Apprise's dedicated affordable housing practice," said Meghan Czechowski, Managing Director and Valuation Lead for Apprise. "Combining Doug's affordable expertise and leadership, built over a 35-year career, with unparalleled access to data and our proprietary web-based report writing application will expand our core business beyond conventional multifamily, which furthers our mission of bringing the modern appraisal concept to all multifamily assets." Mr. Koch added, "I look forward to adding to Apprise's multifamily nationwide valuation capabilities and to expand the firm's expertise in affordable housing across all its platforms." "I am thrilled to bolster my expertise in affordable housing and commitment to client service with the cutting-edge valuation technology offered by Apprise," commented Ms. Beigle. "The new platform will be immediately accretive to my existing client base, allowing me to provide faster, more consistent, and data-driven results." Prior to joining Apprise, Mr. Koch was Manager and Principal of Advisory Affiliates, LLC, where he participated in affordable and workforce housing development ventures arranging tax credit and private equity financing, assisting with organizational formation, and coordinating underwriting activities. During his career, he has completed thousands of multifamily property valuations, market studies, and investment due diligence assignments across 46 states and 200 markets. Mr. Koch holds the American Institute of Certified Planner and National Council of Housing Market Analysts (NCHMA) professional member designations. Ms. Beigle was previously a Director in Cushman & Wakefield's Valuation & Advisory group leading the Affordable Housing Specialty Practice in the DC and Baltimore regions, where she provided valuation and consulting services to clients involved in the financing, management, and development of LIHTC, Project-Based Section 8, and HUD/FHA properties. She brings over ten years of experience to Apprise, spanning all property types and asset classes throughout the United States, with a focus on affordable housing and conventional multifamily properties. Apprise, a joint venture between Walker & Dunlop and GeoPhy, delivers USPAP/FIRREA multifamily appraisals in as little as five business days, with unprecedented property- and market-level insights. Apprise employs industry-leading data analytics and valuation software that allows its appraisers to more efficiently and consistently apply valuation methods in truly objective appraisals. Focused exclusively on the U.S. market, Apprise currently covers more than 40 states and is targeting nationwide coverage by the end of 2020. The firm now employs over 20 professionals across the country. In total, the team has completed appraisals for over $70 billion worth of commercial real estate properties, comprising more than 470,000 units per year. For more information on Apprise, visit https://www.apprise.us. About Walker & Dunlop Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop's 850+ professionals in 40 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction. About GeoPhy GeoPhy, with U.S. headquarters in New York City, helps lenders and investors understand property value and its underlying drivers. The company sources, links, and cleanses traditional and unconventional data, then applies advanced algorithms to provide a unique perspective on commercial property values. GeoPhy's unique approach provides the industry's most accurate, objective property valuations and tools that allow users to develop a deeper understanding of the factors influencing property values. SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc. Related Links http://www.walkerdunlop.com The recent shunning of a major investment which would have increased the value of now moldering real estate in the original township of Twin Falls must serve as a cautionary tale. Homeowners, city planners, historians, and developers can now stand back and recalibrate their actions. The recent actions surrounding the development of the area around the vacant clinic property near City Park were both inefficient and ineffective. It is an unhappy failure of public policy that can be corrected. I start with the homeowners and land holders immediately surrounding the development as well as within the plat of the township. The area is historic, but parts of it need extensive rehabilitation. If it is to reach its aesthetic and historic potential, interested parties must collaborate and plan. Every time I see a home or business improve its curb appeal, I applaud. I also become concerned when adjacent property fails to do the same. What is needed is an established organization of landowners which specifically acts to plan and mandate architectural, landscape, and occupancy standards for the residential areas. It is inefficient to complain only after a developer has spent time and treasure to design and arrange financing for a project. Costs accrue which will be added to the price of development. When regulation has already established the parameters which will be allowed, permits are granted without objection. An organization of interested parties can always review creative proposals which differ from regulation at a concept stage. That allows for more creative freedom without greater cost. Good regulations set boundaries while allowing for practical change. The value of structures within the township varies greatly. Some existing structures fit the aesthetics of the Tiny Home movement while others are larger examples of turn of the century architecture. There is also a need to increase housing density which will support retail growth and a sufficient property tax base to pay for public infrastructure in the area. Rental property owners can and should be encouraged to consider the effective use of their properties. Since the area is in a tax advantaged opportunity zone, there is at least some economic incentive already in place. When our city becomes part of a designated metropolitan area and is required to provide public transportation, the Residential Organization should insist on a priority for the area. If residents need only one car or use a ride sharing organization, common in larger cities, parking concerns will become more manageable. Part of higher density housing should require common green areas which are professionally maintained. Many types of homeowners and families do not care to make the time to maintain landscape, but everyone enjoys an urban forest. When I read information from the Arbor Day Organization, I note many creative ideas for urban landscape. Twin Falls is already a Tree City, but there is even more we can do. I believe that we have a forward-thinking city administration. All they need is an indication from the voters of Twin Falls that they should proceed in a more collaborative and coordinated direction. Property owners should feel that there is a significant economic incentive to increased development of their propertys value. Affordable housing should be built with an eye for undemanding maintenance and should be distributed in location rather than in a pocket. A residence is often a persons most valuable asset. Part of restoring our community, state, and nation to a place with fewer have-nots is encouraging profitable investment which benefits a greater good. Areas adjacent to the Historic plat can act similarly. These areas have homes with custom designs and charming curb appeal and already have established landscaping. They are begging for rejuvenation. Forward thinking city planning increases both value and livability of property within an established city. Done correctly, we can eliminate high crime neighborhoods which are often the result of concentrated rental property which is affordable only because it has been allowed to decrease in value. Since a declining population would produce a less robust economy, we must accept growth as a necessity. What is important is that we grow a community we are proud to live in. Collaborative planning is the key. Linda Brugger, retired from the Air Force, leaning Democrat and community activist can be reached at IdahoAuthor@outlook.com. She welcomes feedback. Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The coronavirus pandemic has particularly impacted city tourism. While Austrias capital Vienna is now back open for travellers from most European countries, tourists take their time to visit Wien, as a recent survey by destination site Vienna Unwrapped reveals. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - July 15th, 2020 - Almost two thirds (64%) of potential Vienna travellers who are allowed to visit without restrictions expect only to travel to Vienna next year (34%) or simply dont know the right timing yet (30%). This compares to 65% of travellers (such as from the United States and UK) who are not yet able to travel to Vienna without restrictions. Only 29% of those plan to return next year, whereas 36% are still uncertain about travel timings. In the midst of a series of local outbreaks and subsequent partial lockdowns in Europe, potential travellers take an extremely cautious view. Travelling to and from a relatively safe city such as Vienna is no exception. While there is certainly confusion over travelling to Vienna, people want to come, and enjoy what Vienna has to offer, explains Barbara Cacao, publisher of Vienna Unwrapped. However, once in Vienna, travellers know what to do. Even more so, they are ready to embrace Viennas cultural offer again: Almost half of survey participants (44%) plan to do a private or small-group guided tour when in Vienna. More than 60% remain keen to visit an opera, operetta or a concert during their next visit, provided safety standards are in place. Only 16% wouldn't know yet what to do. To gauge what to expect from potential Vienna travellers in the next 18 months, destination blog Vienna Unwrapped recently ran a survey among its newsletter subscribers and Facebook community. 132 respondents from mostly Europe and the United States shared their views. About Vienna Unwrapped English and German language destination blog Vienna Unwrapped shares free travel advice and sightseeing tips for travellers to the Austrian capital. Run by native Viennese Barbara Cacao, Vienna Unwrappeds individual trip planning service received the Global Excellence Award for Best Independent Central European Travel Planner 2019 by the British LuxLife Magazine. For more information and travel updates on Vienna visit https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com. Contact: Barbara Cacao, Barbara.cacao(at)vienna-unwrapped.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViennaUnwrapped/ Twitter: @Viennaunwrapped Pinterest: bcacao ### PLAINFIELD, IL Walmart joined a growing list of retailers Wednesday when the company announced it will soon require shoppers to wear masks. The requirement applies to Walmarts 5,000-plus U.S. stores. The requirement goes into effect Monday, the company said. There one Walmart stores in Plainfield. Walmart joins a growing list of retailers issuing blanket policies requiring mask use by customers. On Tuesday, Best Buy announced it would start requiring masks in all stores. A similar mandate went into effect at Starbucks on Wednesday, and Costco has required masks since May. Details of the new policy are still being ironed out for Walmart stores, according to The New York Times. In its statement, Walmart said that 65 percent of its stores currently are in areas where there is already some form of government mandate to wear masks. In addition to posting signage at the front of stores, Walmart has created a new role of "health ambassador," who will be stationed near the entrance to remind those without a mask of the new requirements. Walmart in Plainfield is located at 12690 S. Route 59. For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Plainfield Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook! This article originally appeared on the Plainfield Patch Click here to read the full article. You can repeat all the statistics in the world about the alarming Black womens maternal mortality rate in the U.S., but the numbers dont always speak as loudly as the individual stories. Many are still demanding answers about the death of 26-year-old Brooklyn mom Sha-Asia Washington earlier this month, and perhaps the story of another mothers near-death will help more of us realize what this crisis looks like. Its the story of political activist and CNN correspondent Bakari Sellers and his wife, Ellen Rucker Sellers, who believes her survival after giving birth to twins last year is due to the fact that she had Black female doctors at her side. My number one political issue is African-American [maternal] mortality, Sellers told TMZ, discussing a passage in his new memoir, My Vanishing Country. We know that Black women are three times, four times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. In our health-care delivery system, the pain that Black folk go through is not looked at through the same urgency as white folk in this country. So its that implicit bias in our health-care delivery system that we have to root out, and we have to begin to be advocates. More from SheKnows Sellers writes in his book that he and his wife were well aware of this bias in medicine, and he points to the fact that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam posed in blackface in his medical school yearbook. In an interview with Madame Noire last year, Rucker Sellers said she decided to switch from a white male doctor to a Black woman when she was going through IVF in 2018, because the white male doctor made her feel like a number. When she got pregnant with twins, she also decided to go to an OB-GYN practice of Black women. Story continues Bakari and I knew the statistics, Rucker Sellers, a chiropractor and cofounder of Rucker Roots haircare, wrote in a blog post last year. My family had experienced loss when my fathers baby sister died nine days after giving birth more than forty years ago. Unfortunately, the mortality rate for Black mothers has increased since. All of those factors led me to the choices I made when I found out I was pregnant with twins. As soon as I found out, I switched my OB/GYN to a group of doctors that looked like me. Fortunately, I had personal relationships with this group of physicians and I knew that they would take my pregnancy symptoms and treatment seriously. She had a healthy, uneventful pregnancy and carried the twins to 38 weeks. Their birth via C-section appeared to go smoothly, also. It was five hours later, at around 11 pm, when they were meeting with a lactation consultant about tandem feeding, that things went south, fast. Rucker Sellers passed out and threw up. Her husband said he called for nurses, who were slow to respond and didnt seem to recognize the urgency of the situation. [T]he next time I came to, hes out of the door screaming down the hallway, like, Somebody help my wife! and nobody was responding to him, she recalled in her interview with Madame Noire. That was five minutes or so of no response or maybe even longer, maybe even 10 minutes or so. And I was in and out of consciousness. I dont know exactly the timing, but he was very mad. He actually even filed a complaint with the hospital, because he was very upset about the fact that they werent listening. Fortunately, the couple were in close contact with her doctor, via group text, phone calls, and FaceTime. In very little time, three of the doctors in the practice showed up at the hospital. It turned out a uterine fibroid was preventing her uterus from clamping down, causing her to hemorrhage, with the blood pooling in her uterus and clotting there. Black women are more prone to severe uterine fibroids than white women, and while fibroids dont always cause complications in childbirth, they do need to be monitored closely for problems such as what Rucker Sellers experienced. Dr. Paige came in with an Ultrasound machine to ultrasound my abdomen. Dr. Freeman checked my cervix. Dr. Cannon was checking my bleeding and vitals and talking with Bakari, Rucker Sellers wrote of her doctors swift response. Before they took her into surgery, all three held her hands to pray. And in that moment, I knew that this is why I chose these women to care for me, she wrote. I knew they would do everything in their power, wisdom and experience to save my life. Rucker Sellers bled so much, she had to receive 7 units of blood and 6 units of platelets. She was on a ventilator and in the ICU for 36 hours after her surgery. She and her husband dont know what would have gone differently if she had had different doctors and if Sellers hadnt been there to advocate for her. Im just thankful that I was there to raise my voice for my wife, he told TMZ. I dont know if you all have ever said that college prayer when you drink a little too much on a Friday night and in the morning you say dear god, get me through this. I promise Ill never do X, Y, and Z. Well, thats where I was, and we were just thankful that we had Black doctors. Black female doctors who understood my wifes pain and were able to make sure she could be here with me today. We are all for having more Black women doctors in the field. But this story, as well as all the numbers out there that we will keep repeating until something changes, should wake up all the other doctors to the fact that they need to listen to their Black patients and do better. When its story time for Sadie and Stokely, and your kids, we hope they enjoy some of these childrens books starring girls of color. Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The man accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during an armed raid on a credit union has said one of the named suspects for the crime is a wealthy man earning a six-figure sum who would have no reason to be involved in robberies. Aaron Brady (29) also told the Central Criminal Court it was "ridiculous" to suggest that a call to gardai from that suspect's home five nights before the robbery was made to test garda response times. On his second day of cross examination Mr Brady told Brendan Grehan SC for the prosecution that his former friend, known as Suspect A because his name can't be published, owned his own house aged 18 and runs a successful business in America. He denied that he, Aaron Brady, and Suspect A stole a Volkswagen Passat on January 23, 2013 that the prosecution alleges was used in the robbery and was found burnt out on Cumson's Lane in south Armagh. He said he couldn't remember where he was the night the car was stolen but was sure he did not steal the Volkswagen. The accused also said he couldn't remember having a conversation with his former girlfriend Jessica King about another similar car robbery. Ms King has previously given evidence that she was told Mr Brady was involved in stealing a car and when she confronted him about it he told her that it was Suspect A who stole the car. In the box today Mr Brady said he couldn't remember having that conversation with Ms King. He accepted that Ms King had said it but insisted he would never have said that Suspect A was involved in stealing a car. He added: "I wouldn't be saying [Suspect A] was stealing cars. He has owned his own house since he was 18 years old and is working in America making a six figure sum. [Suspect A] is a wealthy man. What would he be doing robbing cars or getting involved in armed robberies?" When asked why his lawyers had not challenged Ms King's evidence he said that if he couldn't remember the conversation he couldn't challenge her evidence. During more than three hours of cross examination Mr Brady denied that he was involved in anything more serious than diesel laundering and insisted he did not tell Suspect A or another friend to lie for him about his whereabouts at the time of the robbery. He also denied that he was providing an alibi for Suspect A when he lied to gardai about going with Suspect A to a friend's house close to the time of the robbery. He accepted that he lied to gardai about his movements on the night but said he only did so to cover up his involvement in diesel laundering. Aaron Brady (29) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Mr Brady has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbing approximately 7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location. Mr Grehan asked the accused about a statement he gave to gardai on February 5 and 6 2013. Mr Brady accepted that gardai made it clear to him that they only wanted the truth. He told them that Suspect A brought him to a yard on Concession Road in south Armagh at about 8pm where he was to load cubes of waste produced during the diesel laundering process onto a truck. He told gardai that he couldn't get the forklift started and so left after about 15 minutes and went to a friend's house on nearby Lough Road. He told Mr Grehan that this was a lie and that in fact he had been able to start the forklift and spent 90 minutes loading the trailer. He didn't tell gardai, he said, because he didn't want to implicate himself in a crime. When Mr Grehan put it to him that attempting to launder diesel is in itself a crime, he replied: "Trying to start a forklift is not a crime. Loading a trailer is a crime." He said he initially didn't want to tell gardai anything about the diesel laundering site but his solicitor advised him to tell the truth. Mr Brady accepted that he was in Suspect A's house five nights before the robbery when gardai were called to the house. Mr Brady said he was in bed but awoke when he heard a noise and looked outside and thought someone was in the yard where a lot of expensive equipment was kept. He told Suspect A's brother who decided to call the gardai. Mr Grehan put it to him that when gardai called they found no evidence of an intruder and despite heavy dew on the grass they saw no footprints. Mr Grehan suggested they had called gardai to see how long it would take them to get to Suspect A's house, which is close to Lordship Credit Union. Mr Brady responded: "Absolutely not Mr Grehan. That is ridiculous." Counsel asked about a claim Mr Brady made previously that Inspector John Moroney had lied when he told the trial that Mr Brady claimed to have no knowledge of Det Gda Donohoe's shooting when questioned about it the day afterwards. Mr Brady said he doesn't know if Insp Moroney's testimony was given out of "malice" or by mistake but insisted it would be "ridiculous" for him to say that he didn't know about the shooting when the area where he was staying was filled with gardai. He accepted that his lawyers had not challenged Inspector Moroney's evidence. Mr Grehan will continue cross-examining the accused tomorrow in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) -PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H) ("PreveCeutical"), is pleased to announce that it has successfully demonstrated that delivery efficiency can be tailored based on vector composition in its Dual Gene Therapy Research Program. This update of PreveCeutical's Dual Gene Therapy Program, (see earlier release on January 14, 2020, and June 29, 2020), has identified a promising modified delivery vector ready for possible pre-clinical experiments. It is based on stable siRNA (small interfering ribonucleic acid) incorporation within the delivery vehicle, with strong cell entry and cargo release, and minimal toxicity. These delivery systems have the potential to combine the benefits of silencing RNAi (ribonucleic acid interference) and modified delivery vectors. PreveCeutical will now proceed with the optimization of the delivery system that will be tested in animal models disease. PreveCeutical's Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Van Deventer, commented, "The current results PreveCeutical has received is very exciting to us and shows a very high probability of success that will now allow us to move to the completion stage of the program." About PreveCeutical PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. PreveCeutical aims to be a leader in preventive health sciences. PreveCeutical's current research and development programs include dual gene curative and preventive therapies for diabetes and obesity; the Cannabidiols Sol-gel Program aiming to provide relief across a range of indications from pain, inflammation, seizures, and neurological disorders; Nature Identical peptides for the treatment of various ailments; non-addictive analgesic peptides as a replacement to the highly addictive analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone; and a therapeutic product for treating athletes who suffer from concussions (mild traumatic brain injury). For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit our website www.PreveCeutical.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. On behalf of the Board of Directors of PreveCeutical Stephen Van Deventer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Stephen Van Deventer: +1 604 306 9669 Or Investor Relations ir@preveceutical.com Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the completion of one aspect of the current phase of the Dual Gene Therapy Program, the efficacy of PreveCeutical's products, matters related to PreveCeutical's current and planned research and development programs, including the Dual Gene Therapy Program, the efficacy of the panel of siRNA constructs and the efficacy, biostability and potency of the Smart-siRNAs, PreveCeutical's anticipated future business plans and its prospect of success in executing thereon. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will", "plans", "expects", "may", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions regarding PreveCeutical, including expected growth, results of operations and research and development activities (including in respect of the successful completion of the Dual Gene Therapy Program and one aspect of its current phase), performance, industry trends, growth opportunities, and that PreveCeutical will be able to obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future business activities, retain and attract qualified research personnel and obtain and/or maintain the necessary intellectual property rights it needs to carry out its future business activities. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, risks and uncertainties relating to the completion of the Dual Gene Therapy Program and one aspect of its current phase, actual results of research and development programs, the inability of PreveCeutical, to, among other things, protect its intellectual property, obtain any required governmental, regulatory or stock exchange approvals, permits, consents or authorizations required, including Canadian Securities Exchange acceptance of any planned future activities, commercialize any therapeutic and diagnostic technologies, execute its proposed business plans, pursue business partnerships, complete its research and development programs as planned, including the Dual Gene Therapy Program, and obtain the financing required to carry out its planned future activities. Other factors such as general economic, market or business conditions or changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the biotechnology, pharmaceutical or cannabis industry may also adversely affect the future results or performance of PreveCeutical. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, PreveCeutical assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Although PreveCeutical believes that the statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, intentions and assumptions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those statements, beliefs, plans, expectations, intentions or assumptions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consider all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to other periodic reports provided by PreveCeutical from time-to-time. These reports and PreveCeutical's filings are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59809 TDT | Manama The Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT) has signed an agreement with Gem-A (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain), becoming the first Gem-A Accredited Teaching Centre in the Middle East. For the first time, DANAT will offer Gem-A accredited Gemmology Foundation and Diploma courses, aimed at individuals pursuing a career in the jewellery industry. Gem-A is the worlds longest-running international provider of gem and jewellery education, with over 110 years of expertise in the field. Gem-A CEO Alan Hart commented: In many ways the foundations of Gem-A were laid thanks to the gemmological riches of the Gulf region. As natural pearls and cultured pearls began to compete in the marketplace, one of GemAs founding fathers, Basil Anderson, created the worlds first gem testing laboratory to reassure customers and the trade. He understood that rigorous scientific knowledge was vital to the health of our trade and for maintaining consumer confidence in natural pearls from the Gulf, as well as gemstones from the wider world. Considering this heritage, we are thrilled that Gem-A has forged a new partnership with DANATan institution that reflects the pursuit for gemmological excellence that has long existed in Bahrain and the wider Gulf region. As a leader in pearl testing, authentication and verification, DANAT is ideally placed to serve as a Gem-A Accredited Teaching Centre (ATC) and embodies our values of gemmological excellence and scientific rigour. We look forward to learning from them in return and discovering more about the efforts to restore and preserve the natural pearling industry that is so ingrained in the history of the region. DANAT CEO Noora Jamsheer said: It is a matter of pride for DANAT to become the Middle Easts first Gem-A ATC, and it highlights our commitment to providing high quality educational opportunities in the field to the region. As a historic hub for pearl trading, Bahrain has a long and important association with gems and jewellery, and we are pleased to bring this tradition into the 21st century by offering this cutting-edge training. We are also proud to support the Government of Bahrains economic diversification. Upon receiving information regarding 58 containers stuck in Nepal and India, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh signed a letter to the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal to request support for Vietnamese businesses. The Asia-Africa Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) stated that the Vietnamese side also held a series of online meetings with their counterparts in Nepal in an effort to devise solutions aimed at resolving challenges faced by Vietnamese firms.If Nepal is unable to import pepper, then it is deemed necessary to create conditions in which Vietnamese enterprises can re-export their consignment. According to the MoIT, Vietnamese firms will be offered support by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of Nepal in accordance with the law. Moreover, in order to provide maximum aid for enterprises, the MoIT in co-ordination with the Vietnam Trade Office in India, concurrently in Nepal, carried on taking part in meetings with the association and pepper importers based in Nepal. This was done in an effort to persuade them to co-ordinate and agree to sign applications for Vietnamese firms to re-export the shipment. At present, the MoIT is working alongside the Nepal Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in a bid to ensure that the shipment is re-exported following all necessary paperwork being completed in order to meet the requirements set out by Nepal. In relation to the case, the MoIT recommends that local enterprises involved in export activities, especially import-export enterprises with South Asian countries, such as India and Nepal, should come up with measures to mitigate risks. With regard to the case, the Nepal Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies issued a decision on March 25 to suspend the import of pepper, HS code: 09041100. Despite coming into effect on April 6, the decision only allowed the clearance of pepper consignments imported into Nepal which had received a Letter of Credit (L/C) declaration before March 29. In line with the measures applied by the Nepalese Government, all firms trying to export goods to Nepal must have an L/C opened before March 29, whilst also wanting to re-export their shipments from Nepal, where they are required to have an application for re-export from Nepali importers. Despite this, the contracts of 13 Vietnamese enterprises mostly did not open an L/C. Furthermore, over the past two months since Nepal stopped its import of pepper, Nepalese importers have displayed no signs of co-operation, offered no documents, and not signed for Vietnamese enterprises to complete their re-export procedures. This makes it extremely difficult for Vietnamese enterprises to re-export their consignments as had been anticipated. Only in early July a few Nepalese importers had agreed to sign an application for re-export and provide re-export documents. VOV Pepper prices become unstable due to faulty information Pepper prices unexpectedly fluctuated on confusing information, placing difficulties for export. Several media outlets have appealed the decision of a High Court judge to bar the media from naming a mother who smothered her three-year-old daughter with a pillow. The judge had ordered that the deceased child should not be identified and, as a consequence, the woman cannot be named as to do so would identify the dead child. The woman was last year found not guilty by reason of insanity of murdering the toddler at her family home. At the outset of her trial in October, prosecuting counsel Paul Murray SC applied for an order preventing publication of anything that might identify the deceased child. He said that, under Section 252 of the Children Act 2001, it was an offence to publish anything that could identify a child who is an alleged victim of an offence. Justice Michael White agreed to make the order and, the following day, a lawyer representing several media outlets applied to trial judge Justice Carmel Stewart to set it aside. On hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Stewart said that the wording of Section 252 was clear, and that it was appropriate to continue with the reporting restrictions. The media organisations, namely RTE, Independent News and Media, News Group Newspapers Ltd and The Irish Times, this Wednesday appealed that decision to the Court of Appeal. Their barrister, Luan O Braonain SC, submitted that the deceased was no longer a child at the time of the proceedings. Court President Justice George Birmingham asked him if the young child had met her death as a result of an offence against a child. Mr O Braonain agreed that this was absolutely the case, before going on to note that the proceedings had resulted in the acquittal of the accused. To describe what occurred as an offence against a child seems not to be correct, he submitted. They were proceedings in respect of an offence against a child, he said of the trial itself. If the question is, did the child die as the result of an offence, the answer is probably no, because the verdict was not guilty, he added. Counsel said that, while it had already been published that the accused had killed her child, the media were then unable to publish the fact that the deceased did not die as a result of an offence carried out by her mother. That part of the story cannot be published as a result of this order, he remarked. He said that the purpose of Section 252 appeared to be to mitigate the harm and secondary victimisation of children in court proceedings, and so that they would be able to progress with their lives. Those are interests that do not arise in relation to the deceased, he said. A distinction therefore falls to be made. Mr O Braonain named a number of cases, where child victims had been named after their deaths. He said the list was very long. There has never been an application by the DPP of the kind made in this case, and never been a prosecution made by the DPP for a breach, he noted. It may be that in that long list of cases, the statute wasnt complied with, remarked Justice Birmingham. Diarmaid McGuinness SC responded on behalf of the woman and the DPP. He said that the deceased had continued to be a child after death. He quoted from a previous case where a court decided that the fact the child dies does not rewrite history. In my submission, the Oireachtas intended to protect children who were murdered from the type of publicity that arises, he said. Unlike Mr O Braonain, Im not going to mention the names of any other deceased children. He said that the Oireachtas had intended that the protection of the identity of a deceased child victim should be no lesser than that of a child victim of a minor assault or nasty neglect. Justice Birmingham, presiding with Justice Isobel Kennedy and Justice Una Ni Raifeartaigh, reserved judgment in the case. AUSTIN, Texas Texas set a record for confirmed new coronavirus cases in a single day with nearly 10,800. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this June 20, 2020 file photo, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is recognized as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the BOK Center, in Tulsa, Okla. Stitt announced Wednesday, July 15, 2020, that he's tested positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home. The first-term Republican governor has backed one of the country's most aggressive reopening plans, has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) AUSTIN, Texas Texas set a record for confirmed new coronavirus cases in a single day with nearly 10,800. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott mandated face coverings this month. Some Texas sheriffs have said they wont enforce the order. But Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way out of avoiding another lockdown, which he has not ruled out. "If we were two shut down for two weeks, as some people are asking, once we open back up you would then see things begin to spread again," Abbott told Houston television station KTRK on Wednesday. "Until there are medications to slow the spread of the coronavirus, there is only one thing that can slow the spread and that is by people adopting the use of wearing a face guard of some sort whenever they go out." ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt tests positive for coronavirus Florida tops 10,000 virus cases, reaches 300,000 White House trade adviser Navarro critical of Dr. Fauci Cars have become mobile markets in Zimbabwe where enterprising residents are selling goods from their vehicles to cope with economic hardships caused by the coronavirus. Its a fresh taste of bitter medicine for New Orleans: A sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is forcing bars to shut down again just a month after they were allowed to partially reopen. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia school district says it plans hybrid instruction in the fall, with most students in class just two days per week and learning remotely the other three. District officials also warned that its "highly likely" evolving coronavirus conditions will require individual schools or entire districts to shut down temporarily or for the balance of the school year. "This school year will challenge all of us in new ways," Superintendent William Hite Jr. said in a video message. "This new normal will not be simple or easy." The school district had hoped to offer elementary students four days of face-to-face instruction but says that plan was too costly. Special education students with complex needs and pre-kindergarten students will be at school four days a week. While theyre at school, students and staff will be required to wear masks, with face shields offered as an alternative for younger students. Masks or shields will be required on buses. The district says it wants to limit classroom occupancy to 25 "when feasible" and install barriers in classrooms that cant space desks at least 6 feet apart. The School District of Philadelphia is Pennsylvanias largest, with an enrolment of about 200,000. ___ ROME Italys main nursing federation says 40 nurses with coronavirus died during the peak of the outbreak. The National Federation of the Order of Nursing Professions released a breakdown of the deaths on Wednesday, based on reporting from its regional chapters in March, April and May. "Its obvious that the lack of PPE, including the FFP2 masks, was one of the principal causes of infection transmission among nursing personnel," the report said. The toll adds to 172 doctors with coronavirus who have died, according to a tally kept by Italys main doctors association. Both associations included retired personnel. The nursing group says 32 nurses died of COVID-19. For four others, coronavirus was a determining factor. Of four suicides, two were in hardest-hit Lombardy region. Italys Superior Institute of Health has confirmed 29,768 positive cases among health care workers. Overall, Italy has 243,506 confirmed cases, with 163 infections and 13 deaths recorded Wednesday. ___ MADRID Authorities in Spains Balearic Islands are pulling the plug on endless drunken nights to the beat of techno music by closing bars and nightclubs in beachfront areas popular with young and international visitors. To slow the spread of the coronavirus, regional authorities closed all establishments near the beach of Palma de Mallorca and the nearby Magaluf. The regions tourism minister, Iago Negueruela, says it wants to shake off a reputation of no social distancing and no masks that went virual and made headlines in Germany and Britain. Spain has confirmed at least 28,400 deaths from the virus. Its dealing with dozens of outbreaks reopening last month. ___ OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says hes tested positive for the coronavirus and is isolating at home. The first-term Republican governor has backed one of the countrys most aggressive reopening plans, has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one. Stitt attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there. ___ MONTGOMERY, Ala. Alabama will require masks in public after a surge of coronavirus cases filled hospitals. Gov. Kay Iveys office announced the rule Wednesday, a day after the state reported a high of 40 confirmed deaths. Officials say the mask requirement starts Thursday for people age 6 or older in public and within 6 feet (2 metres) of someone who is not a relative. There are exceptions, including for people with certain medical conditions, exercising and some work activities. Ivey previously called a statewide mask order unenforceable. ___ FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Florida reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and reached 300,000 total infections. Florida has 10,181 confirmed cases and a total of 301,810 since the outbreak began there March 1. The state confirmed 112 deaths -- the third time in the last seven days its eclipsed 100 and 4,626 total COVID-19 deaths. Floridas rolling seven-day average for deaths has increased to 92 per day, triple the 31 posted a month ago. As of Tuesday, Florida had the No. 2 death rate in the United States, slightly behind Texas. When the coronavirus was ravaging New York three months ago, it recorded 799 deaths on April 9 and a top seven-day average of 763 deaths on April 14. ___ LONDON More countries have signed up for a global coronavirus vaccine initiative to ensure any vaccine is fairly distributed. The vaccines alliance Gavi says 75 rich countries will join its new "Covax facility," along with 90 low-income countries, which hope to receive donated vaccines. The Associated Press reported this week the plan may allow rich countries to reinforce their own coronavirus vaccine stocks while leaving fewer shots for more vulnerable populations. When Gavi approached donor countries last month, it advertised the plan as an "insurance policy" for rich countries that have already struck deals with drug makers for experimental candidates. Gavi told donor governments when an effective shot is found within its pool of coronavirus vaccines, all countries will receive enough to cover 20% of their populations, including rich countries that may have their own stockpiles. It says countries would be encouraged, but not required, to give up any vaccine they might not need. Gavi says it is aiming to raise $2 billion to buy vaccines. ___ BRUSSELS The Belgian government has decided to postpone a further relaxation of its coronavirus lockdown because of a recent increase in cases. Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes says despite the recent weekly 8% increase kept the overall numbers relatively low, the trend "is not good." Wilmes says, "the epidemic is gaining in strength," and delayed until next week any decision on bigger indoor and outdoor events or the opening of night clubs. Last weekend, the government imposed the mandatory wearing of masks in shops, museums, swimming pools and cinemas. ___ LONDON More countries have signed up for a global coronavirus vaccine initiative to ensure any vaccine is fairly distributed. The vaccines alliance Gavi says 75 rich countries will join its new "Covax facility," along with 90 low-income countries, which hope to receive donated vaccines. The Associated Press reported this week the plan may allow rich countries to reinforce their own coronavirus vaccine stocks while leaving fewer shots for more vulnerable populations. When Gavi approached donor countries last month, it advertised the plan as an "insurance policy" for rich countries that have already struck deals with drug makers for experimental candidates. Gavi told donor governments when an effective shot is found within its pool of coronavirus vaccines, all countries will receive enough to cover 20% of their populations, including rich countries that may have their own stockpiles. It says countries would be encouraged, but not required, to give up any vaccine they might not need. Gavi says it is aiming to raise $2 billion to buy vaccines. ___ BRUSSELS The Belgian government has decided to postpone a further relaxation of its coronavirus lockdown because of a recent increase in cases. Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes says despite the recent weekly 8% increase kept the overall numbers relatively low, the trend "is not good." Wilmes says, "the epidemic is gaining in strength," and delayed until next week any decision on bigger indoor and outdoor events or the opening of night clubs. Last weekend, the government imposed the mandatory wearing of masks in shops, museums, swimming pools and cinemas. ___ LONDON Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to holding an "independent inquiry" into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic at some point. The U.K. leader mentioned it during his weekly question and answer session in the House of Commons. His Downing Street office later didnt offer any details on the timing or conditions for such a probe. Johnson has been under pressure to hold an inquiry in hopes of learning lessons to stave off a "second wave of infection. Johnson says he doesnt believe it is "the right moment to devote huge amounts of official time to an inquiry, given the country is still battling the pandemic. But he added "we will seek to learn the lessons of this pandemic in the future and certainly we will have an independent inquiry into what happened." ___ BUCHAREST, Romania Romanias president announced a 30-day extension for the nationwide state of alert declared for the coronavirus pandemic. President Klaus Iohannis says the extension was needed because of the rising number of infections. Among the measures in force are the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transportation and in shops, while restaurants can only serve customers in outdoor locations. Romania set a record for new infections on Saturday with 698 cases. That came days after the constitutional Court banned the government from forcing people infected with the coronavirus to quarantine or stay in hospital for treatment. The government is working on legislation to address the courts concerns and set new regulations for people affected by the coronavirus. Romania has 34,226 confirmed cases and 1,952 deaths. ___ MOSCOW A World Health Organization delegation visiting Turkmenistan, a country with no reported coronavirus infections, is recommending the country take stronger actions. The WHO recommends "activating critical public health measures in Turkmenistan as if COVID-19 were circulating," delegation head Dr. Catherine Smallwood said. Smallwood didnt directly comment on the credibility of the authoritarian and secretive countrys absence of reported cases. "The responsibility of reporting outbreaks sits firmly with the member state and we rely on health authorities to inform WHO of any outbreaks," she said. She noted based on what the delegation saw in its inspections the "country fully recognizes the risk currently posed by the virus." ___ BELGRADE, Serbia Serbias president says he hopes the country will have a vaccine for the coronavirus by the end of this year. Aleksandar Vucic says it would co-operate with an unspecified country. Media reports in Serbia have indicated it could be China. Vucic says the vaccine would be a "saviour for Serbia and our economy." He added: "We are currently in talks with one country in connection with the vaccine. Its testing is done and it is being given to those exposed." Serbia has developed close political and trade relations with China. At the start of the pandemic, Vucic blasted the European Union and the West for allegedly showing little solidarity with Serbia -- an EU member candidate country -- while China quickly provided help in medical equipment and experts. Nearly two dozen possible vaccines are in various stages of testing around the world. ___ WASHINGTON The White House says an opinion piece by its trade adviser thats critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci is the advisers opinion "alone." Alyssa Farah, White House director of strategic communications, tweeted Wednesday the piece by trade adviser Peter Navarro "didnt go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone." Farah adds President Donald Trump "values the expertise" of the medical professionals advising the administration. But Trump has also broken with Fauci and publicly accused him of making "mistakes" in his public guidance about combating the virus. USA Today published Navarros piece. It outlines the ways Navarro says he has disagreed with Fauci, who is the leading U.S. expert on infectious diseases and serves on the White House coronavirus task force. Navarro had shared his views with some reporters and the column comes as allies of Trump, including others inside the White House, have been waging a campaign to discredit Fauci. ___ HARARE, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has postponed the reopening of schools scheduled for the end of this month, citing rising numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19. President Emmerson Mnangagwas government had insisted on a phased reopening of schools despite resistance from teachers unions, who argued the move would endanger pupils and teachers because of lack of adequate planning and personal protective gear such as facemasks and sanitizers. Also, social distancing would be nearly impossible in many schools where up to 70 pupils are often crammed into small classrooms, the unions said. Many schools, like much of the country, have no running water, making it difficult for pupils, teachers and other school workers to practice hygiene methods such as hand washing. The confirmed coronavirus cases reached 1,064 Wednesday and 20 deaths, up from seven at the end of June. ___ TOKYO Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike says the spread of infections in the Japanese capital has escalated to levels tantamount to "issuing an alarm," and requested residents and business owners to step up preventive measures. Koike specifically urged restaurants, shops and nightclub operators to fulfil safety measures and urged customers to stay away from places that dont comply with guidelines. Koike also asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government to revise the law to authorize local governors to penalize business owners who violate requested safety measures. She appealed to residents to avoid non-essential out-of-town trips, and to the government to "think carefully" if its an appropriate timing to push Abes unpopular tourism campaign. Experts on the Tokyo task force say infections are no longer limited to younger generations linked to nightlife districts. Hospital beds are quickly filling up and more are needed. Tokyo has had 8,189 confirmed cases and 325 deaths. ___ LONDON Authorities in the English town of Blackburn have imposed new restrictions on social mingling amid what they say is a "rising tide" of new coronavirus cases. Director of Public Health Dominic Harrison says Blackburns infection rate is 47 per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the country. He says the main issue is transmission within families, mostly in South Asian households. He told the BBC that "what we are seeing is a single case being infected, then going back to a household and all that household becoming infected." He says the borough was limiting the number of people residents can visit, requiring face masks in public places and sending mobile testing units out into the community. Harrison says if infection numbers didn't fall by July 27, officials would begin to reimpose lockdown measures such as the closing of shops and other businesses. Harrison says he hoped Blackburn wouldn't have to impose a blanket local lockdown like one in the city of Leicester. The government ordered restaurants, pubs and non-essential shops to close there on June 30 after the infection rate surged to 157 cases per 100,000 residents. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government would assess Leicesters lockdown on Thursday when the latest coronavirus data is out. Like Blackburn, Leicester has a large South Asian population. Statistics show that Britains ethnic minorities are more likely to contract the virus than their white counterparts. Experts point to a range of factors, including social inequality and the prevalence of underlying health conditions such as diabetes. ___ MOSCOW Russian authorities have lifted mandatory two-week self-quarantine for those arriving as part of easing coronavirus restrictions. Starting Wednesday, both Russian and international travellers will have to either provide coronavirus test results at the border or take a test within three days of arrival in Russia. Self-quaratine will remain mandatory for those who test positive for the virus or whose health deteriorates upon arrival. Its one of several steps in an effort to reopen the country after health officials started reporting a slowdown in infections. Last month, authorities allowed travel abroad for the purpose of work, studying, medical treatment or taking care of relatives. They also let foreigners with work permits or those seeking medical treatment or taking care of family members into the country. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said Russia may resume international flights starting Wednesday, adding that the final decision would depend on the outcome of negotiations with other countries. On Tuesday night, Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko announced reopening of the border with Russia and resuming transport ties between the two countries "in the coming days." Russia has so far reported over 746,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. ___ ATHENS, Greece Stricter health checks have gone into effect at Greeces border with Bulgaria following an increase in tourism-related COVID-19 cases. Starting Wednesday, all incoming travellers crossing the border are required to carry negative test results, issued in the previous 72 hours and translated into English. The new rules saw a drop in arrivals compared to recent days. The Promachonas-Kulata border with Bulgaria is the only crossing that has been open for non-essential travel after lockdown measures were eased. Also, plans to lift a ban on direct flights from the U.K. officially went into effect, with service due to resume Thursday. Health experts advising the government want tougher enforcement of health safety rules, warning that public compliance is low after months of strict lockdown. Dozens of health care workers staged a protest outside the prime ministers office to demand better staffing at public hospitals. ___ NEW DELHI Indias coronavirus caseload is approaching 1 million with a surge of 29,429 in the past 24 hours, prompting authorities to reimpose lockdowns in high-risk areas in nearly a dozen states. Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The new confirmed cases took the national total to 936,181. The Health Ministry reported another 582 deaths for a confirmed total of 24,309 deaths. A two-week lockdown was imposed Wednesday in eastern Bihar state, where nearly 2.5 million migrant workers returned home after losing jobs in other parts of the country and further spread the virus. Indias key southern technology hub, Bangalore, where the offices of Microsoft, Apple and Amazon are located, was put under a weeklong lockdown Wednesday. About a dozen other states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam, have put high-risk areas in lockdown, allowing only essential food supplies and health services. Indias Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said he expected the coronavirus cases to peak in various parts of the country at different times. He says more than 280,000 samples are being tested every day in the country, taking the total to nearly 12 million. ___ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with education, economic and medical experts, urged Michiganders to mask up during the governors press conference Wednesday afternoon. Cases were on the rise across the state, including 13 new confirmed cases in Midland County over the last two days. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said daily case counts exceed 20 per million in Detroit, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Jackson and Upper Peninsula regions; and case numbers in the Upper Peninsula have been rising for six weeks. The daily case count is 53 per million in Grand Rapids, making it the states hotspot. Research confirms that a big part of the reason is spotty compliance. That means that the requirement that people wear face masks is really important to get a handle of these numbers, Whitmer said. Testing efforts have increased steadily over the past few weeks as well. Whats concerning, however, is that as were increasing our testing, the percent of those tests that are coming back positive is also increasing, Dr. Khaldun said, adding that the percentage of positive tests is up to 3.4%. While outbreaks have been recorded in public restaurants, churches, businesses, social gatherings, there are many that come from unknown sources. Age distribution has also changed, with ages 20-29 displaying the highest rate of new cases, followed by the 30-39 age group. Young people have to understand they are not immune from this disease, Dr. Khaldun said. We have a choice to make: Do we double down and get more vigilant in our fight against this virus, or do we let our hard work go to waste? Whitmer stated. Whitmer explained the state has reached a turning point in the COVID-19 fight. She observed that the average first day of school, Sept. 8, is 55 days away. She further explained how the first 55 days of the pandemic in Michigan saw an exponential increase in cases across the state, going from two cases to 40,000, with 4,000 deaths. If we let our guard down now, the next 55 days could look radically different than that initial outcome or it could look a lot the same. Whether our kids get any school depends on what we do today, Whitmer said. Wearing masks can significantly affect the economy. Whitmer cited a study by Goldman Sachs that concluded if everyone was federally mandated to wear masks, the action would save the U.S. economy from taking a 5% hit to the national GDP. The reality is that true, lasting economic recovery is only possible through public health recovery, Whitmer said. WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the East Vietnam Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijings claims there. Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action, David Stilwell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, told a Washington think tank when asked if sanctions were a possible U.S. response to Chinese actions. Stilwell spoke a day after Washington rejected Chinas claims to offshore resources in most of the East Vietnam Sea as completely unlawful, a stance denounced by Beijing. Washington has long opposed Chinas expansive territorial claims in the East Vietnam Sea and has sent warships regularly through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year, to demonstrate freedom of navigation. But Mondays announcement was the first time it declared Chinese claims illegal. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich sea and Beijing has built bases on atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Greg Poling, an East Vietnam Sea expert at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, said declaring Chinese claims illegal opened the way for a tougher U.S. response, such as through sanctions, and could also lead to more U.S. naval presence operations. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian condemned the U.S. move, saying it destroys regional peace and stability and is an irresponsible act. A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation on Tuesday near the Spratly Islands in the East Vietnam Sea, the military said. This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage" imposed by relevant claimants, the Navy said. Such operations have been increasingly common in recent years. The U.S.-China relationship has grown increasingly tense recently over various issues, including Chinas handling of the novel coronavirus and its tightened grip on Hong Kong. Stilwell said the tougher U.S. position meant we are no longer going to say we are neutral on these maritime issues. When a (Chinese) drilling rig plants itself in Vietnamese or Malaysian waters, were going to be able to make a positive statement, he said. Stilwell had a particular warning over the Scarborough Shoal, a strategic outcrop 200 km (124 miles) from the Philippines claimed by Beijing and Manila that China seized in 2012. Any move by (China) to physically occupy, reclaim or militarize Scarborough Shoal would be a dangerous move ... and would have lasting and severe consequences for (Chinas)relationship with the United States, as well as the entire region, he said. Photo: (Photo : Instagram/theroyalfamily) Royal watchers are always on the lookout for royal baby news. From the first announcement of pregnancy to the growing belly until the royal members have given birth, fans keep their radars open. Being a part of the royal family means not only having royal blood but also following certain traditions that ordinary people do not do. Read on to find out the royal baby traditions you probably did not know about. No gender reveal The royals never announce the gender of their babies even after sonogram invention in the 1950s. The Cambridge couple chose to surprise themselves about the sex of their three children. Queen Elizabeth II did not even mention her pregnancy to the public, but just stated her absence for a few months. Usually gives birth at home All of Queen Elizabeth's four children were born at home. Like Queen Victoria, she brought their doctors and midwives at home. Other royals like Princess Anne, Diana, and Kate chose to give birth at the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital. Meghan Markle gave birth at the maternity ward of Portland Hospital. See also: 7 Facts About Meghan Markle's Baby You Probably Did Not Know Obstetric anesthesia was made popular Queen Victoria hated being pregnant according to reports. At least two of her birthing, she used ether. She said it had "soothing, quieting, and delightful beyond measure" feeling. Because of her, other members requested "Chloroform a la Reine" when giving birth to royal babies. "The Crown" revealed that Queen Elizabeth had "twilight sleep" when Prince Charles was born. Royal baby christening uses special water and the same bowl The Archbishop of Canterbury gets water from River Jordan to baptize the royalties. They believe that it is where Saint John baptized Jesus. The ornate Lily Font was created for Queen Victoria to use for her first child's baptism. The silver-gilt bowl from circa-1840 looks like an expanded flower where three cherubs sit at the base. Male heirs used to be above female heirs Throughout history, male heirs were honored more than female heirs. In 2013, the custom was abolished, making male and female heirs of the same importance. Prince William became the first to attend a public school Royal babies attend private schools growing up. Princess Diana was the first to break the rule; she enrolled Prince William to public school. See also: Prince William and Kate Middleton Will Be Sending Princess Charlotte to School After Lockdown Usually have three to four first names The full name of Prince William's is William Arthur Philip Louis. His children Prince George is named George Alexander Lewis, while Princess Charlotte is named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Prince Louis' full name is Louis Arthur Charles. See also: 9 Unusual Royal Baby Names You Might Want to Consider Breastfeeding is practiced Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana breastfed their babies. Although not confirmed, it is reported that Kate also did the same. However, Queen Victoria did not like the idea. She found the practice a ruin of intellectual and refined young ladies, as reported. Only two royal babies born each family For the past 58 years, each royal family only had two children. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are the first immediate family of the Queen to have three children. The last time it happened was when the Queen gave birth to four children. But Estrella Jalisco can't do it alone, which is why we are introducing our first-ever Artists In Residence program, a collective of nine bright and bold artists from across the country for the first initiative of Estrella Jalisco's commitment. This summer, communities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and El Paso will begin to see their neighborhoods painted with vibrant, colorful, larger-than-life murals, taking over blank walls in public spaces. Each piece of art will visually reflect Estrella Jalisco's vibrant, colorful heritage and have a special connection to its neighborhood by featuring a "Local Star," a person who is making a positive impact in their own unique way. "First brewed in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the cultural capital of Mexico renowned for its vibrant art scene, Estrella Jalisco has a long-standing tradition of bringing people together around colorful art and celebrating life," said Jayden Kahl, Senior Director of Marketing, Estrella Jalisco. "Through this program and the artists who join us, we'll collectively extend those values to communities across the country and make a tangible, visible impact on a local level." Los Angeles artist and activist, Ruben Rojas will kick off the initiative by unveiling the program's first piece of art for the campaign video. As the face of the campaign launch, Rojas represents Estrella Jalisco's mission to add color and vibrancy to local communities through public art. "Bringing people together through creativity has always been a part of my purpose as an artist. I'm proud to partner with Estrella Jalisco to launch their commitment and support of art in communities across the country," said Ruben Rojas. "Our shared hope is that by using murals to share stories of our neighborhood heroes we can foster joy and connection in people's lives." As of July 9, consumers are invited to nominate local stars who are making a big impact in their neighborhood, city, and broader communities in Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, and El Paso. To submit a nomination, tag your local star and @EstrellaJalisco on Twitter using #SaludYourStar and #contest. Tell us how this person is making an impact in their community - we can't wait to be inspired by their stories! Those selected will be recognized with a mural created by one of the Artists in Residence along with a donation to help advance their mission. Local stars must be 25+ to be nominated. For more information, follow Estrella Jalisco and #SaludYourStar on Twitter , Facebook, and Instagram . About Estrella Jalisco With more than 100 years of Mexican brewing tradition, Estrella Jalisco is a refreshing, authentic Mexican Lager beer from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and contains 4.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). It is best enjoyed in a wide-top pilsner glass to bring out its true flavor and aroma while allowing drinkers to appreciate the color and carbonation of the beer. Estrella Jalisco was launched in the U.S. in 2015 and it's quickly becoming a Mexican favorite among cerveza aficionados. Estrella Jalisco is available in bottles and foil top cans, in addition to canned mango and pina micheladas for a spin on a Mexican classic. About Beautify Beautify is a technology company created to allow for beautification, everywhere, starting with street art & murals. Grown out of the Beautify Earth non-profit, Beautify's mission is to put an end to blighted walls and aesthetic apathy by empowering artists, encouraging social responsibility and instilling community pride. We connect artists, landlords and funding sources to convert our world's outdoor wall spaces into public art galleries, unlocking economic and social benefits of art for both businesses and communities, while giving brands an authentic, organic way to engage consumers. About Beautify Earth Beautify Earth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international movement that creates impactful murals in neglected areas by engaging with brands, cities, developers, small businesses, neighborhood organizations, schools, and individuals. Our movement networks artists, volunteers, and leaders around the idea that physical change through art creates wellness and positive emotional living experiences. Driven by LOVE, we are champions for communities worldwide. Our murals make citizens feel uplifted, safe, and proud of their neighborhoods, increase foot traffic and revenue for local businesses, and help expand livable spaces by reducing trash and graffiti. Press Contacts: Laura Alito [email protected] Daniel Hernandez [email protected] SOURCE Estrella Jalisco Normally, many college students work as counselors at Jewish summer camps, but the coronavirus forced those camps to cancel this year. Greenberg said the realization that these young adults would have free time this summer is what gave her and her staff the idea for Serve the Moment. We understand the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and are publishing these stories with future trips in mind. Long before Venice became the destination of choice for millions of international holidaymakers, locals had a tradition of flanerie, an aimless stroll through the citys calli, or walkways. They would bump into acquaintances for a chat and the occasional drink, an ombra de vin a shadow of wine as its called in the lagoon. That tradition has been picked up again. The pandemic crushed the tourism industry, curtailing the hordes of annual visitors that made flanerie a near impossibility, and now many residents particularly those furloughed or laid off have more time and space to enjoy the citys slow pace and faded beauty. But money is tight, for that sip of wine and everything else. Local taverns have begun accepting promises of future payments from regulars. People are like, Ill pay you in September, when hopefully tourists will be back, said Matteo Secchi, an unemployed hotel concierge. If we dont help each other, who will? Secchi, a native Venetian, started working in tourism when he was in high school 30 years ago. My first job was to escort tourists from hotels to Muranos glass shops, he said. Since I can remember, tourism has been our only economy. We thought it was a bottomless well, like oil for the Saudis. Venice certainly wasnt alone. The economies of other European cities Barcelona, Prague and others grew to rely heavily on tourism, leaving them now particularly exposed to the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But theres a new feeling many residents and local travel operators share: the crisis creates an opportunity to make future travel to and within their cities and regions more sustainable. This crossroads is sparking conversations about how to make tourism less taxing on urban infrastructure and local inhabitants. In Venice, residents and local leaders hope their city can develop an economy that doesnt revolve entirely around tourism, one that would draw international investors, expand the footprint of the citys two universities, and turn its empty buildings into environmental research facilities. Yes, the pandemic has shuttered Venices lodging industry, said Claudio Scarpa, the president of Associazione Veneziana Albergatori, a body representing 430 hotels in Venice, but it is also a precious occasion to rethink tourism. This is the time to reclaim this city, he said, or in a couple of years well get back to complaining about overtourism. Other Venetians echoed that sentiment. We have to act now, before mass tourism will be back at full capacity, because we wont get a second chance, said Paolo Costa, a former mayor of Venice and an economics professor who also served as the dean of Ca Foscari University of Venice. A commercial hub ebbs The uniqueness of this Italian city has made it a worldwide attraction for centuries. Tellingly, Venices rise as a travel destination coincided with its decline as an economic powerhouse, said Ezio Micelli, an expert of urban transformation at Iuav University of Venice. As a city-state, Venice thrived as a commercial and financial hub for much of the Middle Ages. Its location midway between Constantinople and western Europe made it an ideal junction for the trade of spices, silk and salt. It was the capital of capitalism, Micelli said. But as the centre of trade moved from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, Venice lost centrality, and by the end of the 18th century, when it fell under foreign rule, its decline was unstoppable. It was then that wealthy Europeans started visiting Italys art-rich cities, including Venice, in a tradition known as the Grand Tour. Lord Byron and Stendhal were among the citys earliest holidaymakers. By the 19th century, Venices Lido became the place of pilgrimage for Europes well-off bourgeoise (think of Thomas Manns Death in Venice). But by the late 20th century, Venice became what economists describe as a tourism monoculture, borrowing the term from the risky agricultural practice of growing a single crop. Too many of them Before COVID-19, hotels in and around Venice hosted 10.2 million mostly international guests a year, according to Italys bureau of statistics. But this figure an estimate at best does not account for day-trippers from cruise ships, the train station and bus tours. One estimate puts the actual number of tourists at 20 million annually largely concentrated in an area of five square kilometres and 50,000 residents. They contribute three billion euros, or about $4.66 billion, a year. Tourists grew gradually, year by year, and before we realized it, there were too many of them, just like a boiling frog, Micelli said. The mass tourism of recent decades was a result of globalization, home-sharing platforms, cheap airfares and emerging economies. Ryanair, easyJet and other low-cost carriers began flying into the Marco Polo airport, cruise ships alone brought in 1.6 million visitors each year, and the growing strength of Asian economies allowed new tourists to join the crowds of Europeans and North Americans. Especially in the high season between May and October, and during Carnival in February, Venice was impossibly crowded particularly in its narrow calli, some just two metres wide. When Micelli, the urban studies professor, would visit a brother who lives on one of the citys most touristy streets, he sometimes could not get out the door. Its like a flood, literally. So I just have to wait, Micelli said. Occasionally, the local police would declare some calli one-way. I guess Venice is the only place in the world where you need one-way pedestrian streets. Cristina Giussani, a bookshop owner, often walked home with heavy groceries because the vaporetto, the water buses that serve as public transportation, would be swarmed with tourists. She considers the famous Rialto Bridge off-limits between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. because its impossible to cross it without throwing elbows. Tourism changed the soul of the lagoon. Grocery stores turned into souvenir shops, and rising housing costs and an increasing lack of services pushed residents out. With more than 8,000 apartments listed on Airbnb, Venice has Italys highest Airbnb-to-population ratio. The citys historical centre, consisting of two islands, had 175,000 residents at its peak in the 1950s. In 2009, the population fell below 60,000, the conventional threshold to be considered a city in Italy. A mock funeral was organized, with a coffin wrapped in the citys 1,500-year-old flag. Today, the centre of the city has about 50,000 residents. Being a resident in Venice feels like being part of the resistance, Giussani said. Day-trippers and cruise ships The longer a visitor stays, the smaller his impact on the territory, said Magda Antonioli Corigliano, a tourism industry scholar at Milans Bocconi University. Day-trippers tend to have a particularly harmful effect, she argues, because they are on the move, and always crowding the same spots around St. Marks and the Rialto. If you have only one day, you want to see as much as you can, so you run here and there, take a lot of vaporettos, Antonioli Corigliano said. Overnight visitors can enjoy the lagoon at a slower pace and venture beyond its most obvious spots. Then there are the cruise ships, docking at the Marittima port and navigating through the Giudecca Canal and St. Marks basin. Though responsible for a fraction of day-trippers, they unload a significant number at a time and have a significant effect on the citys environment because of the amount of fuel used. A cruise is a very energy-intensive way you can take a holiday, said Jane Da Mosto, a scientist who heads the environmentalist group We Are Here Venice, which opposes the presence of cruise ships. Cruise ships bring money, but not all goes to Venices historical centre. The COVID crisis Six months ago, Venices overtourism came to a sudden halt. The number of tourists in the city plummeted first in November, when a series of unusually high tides spurred cancellations. Tourism almost disappeared beginning in late February, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted authorities to cancel the Carnival and, soon after, declare a countrywide lockdown. Scarpa, the president of the hotel body, said the sudden drop in tourism could cost the city more than one billion euros in lost revenue. About 10,000 Venetians have been furloughed in the hotel industry alone, Scarpa said. The recovery, he added, will be slow, as hotels expect only one-third the usual number of visitors for the high season this year. Since Italy lifted its restriction on movement in early June, the lagoon has seen few visitors, the vast majority of them day-trippers from the surrounding Veneto region. The role of universities Most of all, Venices two universities are actively working on revitalizing the citys population. People tend to think that everyone in Venice is either a tourist or a resident, but in the middle theres another group, temporary residents, who are part of the social fabric and breathe new life into it, said Michele Bugliesi, the dean of Ca Foscari, Venices largest university. The school, he said, is already a draw for temporary residents Its remarkable how easy we get visiting professors, Bugliesi said but this year, it plans to open a business incubator to attract forward-thinking entrepreneurs. In late 2018, partnering with the Italian Institute of Technology, Ca Foscari launched a centre for applying technologies to the preservation of cultural heritage, which is now expanding. In 2018, the university also founded, with Italys National Research Council, a program on climate change. It is expected to expand; beginning next semester, it will offer a new English-language degree in environmental humanities. Iuav, a small public-arts college, is converting empty bed-and-breakfasts into dorms for its 4,000 students, most of whom were commuters. Taken alone, these three projects arent enough to repopulate Venice. But Bugliesi thinks they have the potential to create a critical mass that would set off a chain reaction. For the first time, Venice may have the space to dedicate to new projects. Very soon, Venice will end up with lots of empty buildings, because some hotels will have to close. Now its the time to think about what to do with them, Costa said. Before the pandemic, every project, every idea had to carve out space from overtourism. But now, theres a whole world out there. Manila: A Philippine mayor President Rodrigo Duterte named as being involved in the illegal drug trade was shot dead in jail on Saturday, police said, the second local official implicated in narcotics to be killed in two weeks. Duterte, 71, won May elections in a landslide on a promise to kill tens of thousands of criminals to prevent the Philippines from becoming a narco-state, and has launched an unprecedented war on drugs that has left more than 4,000 people dead. He had named several local officials, policemen and judges as being involved in the narcotics trade and urged them to surrender. In August, he accused Rolando Espinosa, the mayor of Albuera town in the central island of Leyte, and his son of drug trafficking and demanded they turn themselves in, giving police a "shoot on sight" order if the two resisted arrest. Mayor Espinosa then surrendered to the national police chief, saying he feared for his life, and was arrested last month. But early Saturday morning, police said Espinosa was killed in his cell in the provincial jail after he shot at officers during a search for illegal firearms. "He fired on the raiding team. The raiding team fired back and this led to the mayor's death," chief inspector Leo Laraga of the regional police told . He added that another inmate accused of drug trafficking was also killed, after he too fired at the officers. The national police said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding Espinosa's death as well as possible collusion between guards and inmates to get guns and drugs into the jail. Police chief Ronald dela Rosa previously said Espinosa had been listed in official records as a "drug protector", whose son Kerwin controlled the narcotics trade in the Albuera region. Kerwin was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in October and is set to return to the Philippines to face drug trafficking charges. In August, six of the Espinosas' supporters died in a gunfight with police outside the mayor's property in Albuera where officers said they recovered guns and several grenades. Another mayor accused of drug trafficking was killed in the southern Philippines in late October. Police said Samsudin Dimaukom and his security personnel opened fire after anti-narcotics police stopped their vehicles at a checkpoint on suspicion they were transporting illegal drugs. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Pew Research Center polling (June 30) reveals 89 percent of registered Republicans will vote for Trump on Nov. 3. However, members of six groups -- all lifelong Republicans -- have had enough of Trump. These groups include Lincoln Project, The Bravery Project, 43 Alumni for Biden, Mitt Romney 2012 Alumni, Right Side PAC and Republican Voters Against Trump. Nancy LeTourneau writes in the Washington Monthly (July 8), the proliferation of these groups strikes me as unprecedented in modern political history, so it deserves our attention. The Lincoln Project super PAC was created by 18 prominent Republicans who felt the GOP has pledged their loyalty to Trump instead of the Constitution and the American people. Sarah Lenti, the groups executive director who once worked for George W. Bush, said its important to let dissatisfied Republicans know its okay to cross the line and vote for Biden. Emeritus Rep. Joe Walsh (Rep., Illinois) started The Bravery Project to oppose Trumps corruption (July 8 e-mail). Walsh opined Were working to give voice to regular Americans, not political insiders, to make a difference in defeating Trump. The groups website boldly states Trumpism is destroying this country. John Farner, who assisted George W. Bush become the 43rd president and a Bush administration official, helped bring in hundreds of former Bush staffers to form `43 Alumni for Biden. We continue to look to the White House for leadership that we are not getting, Farner said. In recent weeks, Mitt Romneys 2012 presidential campaign alumni have organized to reject Trumps presidency while supporting Joe Biden. Additionally, last month a group called Right Side PAC was organized to encourage former Trump supporters to vote for Biden. Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT) was created by deep-rooted conservatives. About 355 individuals four from Iowa -- tell their story about life under Trump through RVATs video web page (rvat.org). Bill Kristol, founder of the conservative Weekly Standard, regular panelist on Fox News and who worked in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, is RVATs Director. Jonathan Martin, a Christian author and columnist for The New York Times, noted many Republican leaders who havent joined a group are expressing their displeasure with Trump (e.g., Gen. Colin Powell, Carly Fiorina, Cindy McCain, etc.). The silence of other GOP leaders (e.g., George W. Bush, Paul Ryan, John Boehner, etc.) speaks for itself. On July 10 Reuters reported at least two dozen Republican former U.S. national security officials who served under Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush plan to organize and endorse Joe Biden for president. As of July 8, 88 percent of Trumps executive office have left the White House; we can only project their feelings toward Trumps re-election (Brookings Institution). Likewise, 415 political appointees of Trump have resigned or been dismissed, a record-setting turnover rate. An exhaustive search of conservative-based news outlets and multiple polling sources did not find one `Democrats for Trump or `No Party Independents for Trump organization. According to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll, President Trump has lost significant ground in six battleground states that clinched his 2016 election. If this holds true and the Republican groups who are abandoning Trump gain momentum, its safe to say Joe Biden will be Americas 46th president. Perhaps Republicans dissing Trump recall Ciceros 42 B.C. speech: A nation can survive its fools . . . but it cannot survive treason from within . . . he rots the soul of the nation . . . he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared. Steve Corbin is an emeritus professor of marketing at the University of Northern Iowa. His opinions do not reflect those of the University of Northern Iowa. Reach him at Steven.B.Corbin@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 * Q2 GDP seen growing 2.5%, vs 6.8% contraction in Q1 * Recovery looks fragile as demand at home and abroad * remains weak * Policymakers seen maintaining support for economy * GDP, activity data due 0200 GMT July 16 By Kevin Yao BEIJING, July 16 (Reuters) - China's economy is likely to return to modest growth in the second quarter after a record contraction, as lockdown measures ended and policymakers stepped up stimulus to combat the shock from the coronavirus crisis. The gross domestic product (GDP) numbers, due early Thursday, will be closely watched around the world, especially as many countries continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic even as China has largely managed to contain the outbreak and has begun to restart its economic engines. Analysts polled by Reuters forecast GDP to have grown 2.5% in April-June from a year earlier, reversing a 6.8% decline in the first quarter - the first contraction since at least 1992 when official quarterly GDP records started. However, the expected growth rate would still be the weakest expansion on record. Rising cronavirus infections in some countries, including the United States, have overshadowed improved demand for Chinese exports while heavy domestic job losses and lingering health concerns have kept consumers cautious. China's services sector, which is dominated by smaller firms, has not rebounded as quickly as factory production, though there are some signs that consumer confidence is gradually improving. On a quarterly basis, GDP is expected to have grown 9.6% in April-June, compared with a decline of 9.8% in the first quarter. Data on Tuesday showed the country's imports in June rose for the first time this year as stimulus boosted demand for building materials, while exports also edged up as overseas economies reopened after lockdowns. While China's economy is showing a steady recovery, a hard battle still lies ahead as the situation remains severe both at home and abroad, state radio quoted Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Monday. Story continues Along with second-quarter GDP data on Thursday (0200 GMT), China will also release June factory output, retail sales and fixed-asset investment. DEBT RISKS Central bank governor Yi Gang has said China would keep financial system liquidity ample in the second half but would need to consider withdrawing support at some point, raising questions among investors over when it may start dialing down stimulus. A spike in debt risks remain a worry for policymakers, analysts say. Ruan Jianhong, head of the central bank's statistics department, told a briefing last week that China's macro leverage ratio jumped 14.5 percentage points in the first quarter and climbed further in the second quarter. Still, analysts expect policymakers to maintain support for the economy for a while longer to ensure the recovery remains on track, particularly given the fragile global economic conditions. Credit growth is also expected to remain strong. New bank lending hit a record 12.09 trillion yuan ($1.72 trillion) in the first half of the year. The International Monetary Fund has forecast China's GDP to expand 1.0% for the full year, the only major economy expected to report growth in 2020. (Reporting by Kevin Yao Editing by Shri Navaratnam) Cairo is reviewing its options as the latest round of negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ended in deadlock. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said on Monday that regrettably the African Union (AU)-brokered talks between Cairo, Addis Ababa and Khartoum had ended without an agreement being reached. In phone interview with several satellite channels on Monday Shoukri said Egypt had engaged in the talks in good faith. Cairo has shown much flexibility and understanding over GERD issues and Ethiopian needs, but once again the round ends with no agreement, he said. We were looking forward to a change in some of Ethiopias positions, but they remained the same and we didnt reach consensus. We dont wish to return once again to the United Nations Security Council [UNSC], but if something threatens regional and international peace, the responsibility falls on the Security Council to take action to prevent it. On Tuesday news agencies showed satellite imagery suggesting the reservoir behind GERD was beginning to fill, though the phenomenon could be due to seasonal rains. On Monday, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia presented the AU with their assessments of the outcome of the talks that had unfolded over more than a week. Held via video-conference, and with the presence of the AU, US and EU as monitors and a panel of experts sitting in online, the 10 sessions of talks failed to resolve outstanding points of disagreement. The Ministry of Irrigations almost daily statements on the progress of the negotiations were dotted with words like hiccups, difficulties and disagreements, and phrases such as Ethiopian intransigence. Off record, members of the negotiating team were even more pessimistic. And as one negotiator said on 11 July, the last day of talks, we tried everything and we were open to reasonable compromises but things are not moving. According to the same source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the ball is now in the court of the AU, which sponsored the talks and must now try to produce a text in the next week or so that can be approved by the three countries. No one is holding their breath given the statements coming out of Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa. In Addis Ababa, the line increasingly being adopted is that the first filling, of a little under five billion m3, does not require an agreement given that it is part of the construction and testing of the turbines. Cairo and Khartoum disagree. While neither Egypt nor Sudan have fully closed the door on the possibility of an AU-drafted compromise, the Egyptian negotiator said should one emerge, it will be little short of a miracle. Ethiopia is still not coming round on some very crucial points, he said, including filling in periods of drought, mitigation measures, a dispute settlement mechanism and the necessity for the agreement to be legally binding. Egypt, according to official statements, is unwilling to put such crucial matters on hold for an interim agreement on the first filling. Sudan has been insisting on some, but not all, the points that Egypt is stressing: for Sudan GERD poses problems that relate to the details of water management, rather than the existential issue of access to water. Egypt, which already suffers water poverty, depends on the Nile for close to 98 per cent of its water. The Blue Nile, on which GERD is being built, is the source of 85 per cent of the 55 billion m3 of Nile water Egypt receives. On Monday, the Ethiopian press reported that early filling measures began on 8 July, though this was denied by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew. Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia, last week told his countrys parliament that the filling will begin this month and diplomats who follow internal politics in Ethiopia say it would be political suicide for Ahmed to retreat from this position. Cairo has no illusions. It is preparing for a first filling and considering a set of reactions that according to government officials includes recalling its ambassador to Addis Ababa and requesting a second UNSC session on the issue. Ahead of the first session Egypt requested, Cairo presented the UNSC with a draft resolution seeking a binding commitment that the parties to the dispute refrain from taking any unilateral steps. The draft did not go far. In an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly last week, Maged Abdel-Fattah, the permanent representative of the Arab League to the UNSC, questioned the political appetite of the UNSC to get involved in disputes over transboundary rivers. Still, Abdel-Fattah said that if the AU-sponsored talks failed to strike a deal then the matter would have to be referred again to the UNSC. Egypt maintains that if GERD is filled and operated without taking into consideration Egypts crucial water concerns the dam would constitute a direct threat to peace and security in east Africa. Cairo, according to informed officials, is ready to present the UNSC with a new draft resolution requesting a condemnation of Ethiopias unilateral move. Officials who spoke to the Weekly on condition of anonymity say Cairo is determined to push forward on the political and diplomatic fronts. In an earlier phase of the dispute over GERD, which has been unfolding for over a decade, Egypt secured a suspension of international support and assistance for the dam on the grounds no mega project on a transboundary river should be allowed without prior notice and prior agreement. The 2015 Declaration of Principles, signed by the leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, furnished Egyptian consent for the construction of GERD, but should Ethiopia go ahead with a unilateral filling then Egypt will once again demand suspension of support for the project. According to officials in Cairo, Egypt is fully aware that should it fail to secure a fair agreement before the first filling, it will need to continue the uphill political battle to secure such an agreement before Addis Ababa moves on to the second filling of over 18 billion m3. Unfortunately, as one Cairo-based Western diplomat put it, the difference is at heart about the shares: Ethiopia is not willing to let Egypt keep its annual 55 billion m3 and Egypt is not willing to let go of this share, and it is hard to see how this will change after the first filling. By next year things might be a lot more complicated than they are today, not just because relations between Egypt and Ethiopia will have taken a turn for the worse, but also because Egypt could well have concluded that the AU is not a fair broker. With neither the UNSC nor the AU coming forward to help fix a deal, Egypt might have to resort to the US again. But next year will see either the second presidency of Donald Trump, who maintains very good relations with Egypts President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, or a new administration under Joe Biden. Should the latter come to pass Biden is unlikely to want to get involved in a seemingly intractable dispute during his first year in the White House. In his daily column in the independent daily Al-Shorouk, Editor-in-Chief Emad Hussein quoted a former high ranking and well-informed official as saying that if Ethiopia was to deny Egypt sufficient water, then Egypt could work on denying Ethiopia the electricity that it hopes GERD will generate. Hussein quoted his source as saying that Egypt would not target GERD but could well target the electricity stations connected to the dam. In his statement to the UNSC session on the dam, Foreign Minister Shoukri said that if it is filled and operated without an agreement GERD would constitute an existential threat to Egypt. While our position is that the only viable solution is to reach a fair and balanced agreement, Egypt will uphold and protect the vital interests of its people. Survival is not a question of choice, Shoukri told the UNSC. As well as lobbying for international support should there be no deal sometime this month, Egypt will also reach out to Nile Basin countries. This is crucial, Egypt has been reaching out to Africa for some time now but there is a lot more work to be done, especially when it comes to the countries of the Nile Basin. We need to pursue a multilayered developmental cooperation scheme, says Amany Al-Tawil, expert on East Africa at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. Cairo officials say several Nile Basin countries are already contemplating irrigation and hydrological projects on the White Nile. The sooner we reach out to these countries to help them with these projects and make sure that their interests are served without causing significant harm to us the better it is for everyone, says Al-Tawil. Sooner or later, says Al-Tawil, the dispute over GERD will have to be resolved. It could happen in a matter of weeks if there is sufficient pressure put on Abiy Ahmed, or it may take longer. The question is about the future to make sure that this dispute does not repeat itself with Ethiopia or any other riparian state. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Ramallah/Gaza, July 15 : Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab, head of the Muslim Waqf (Endowment) Council in Jerusalem, warned that Israel's order to close a gate of the Al-Aqsa Mosque may ignite "a religious war" in the region. Salhab on Tuesday told the Voice of Palestine radio that the council received this week an Israeli court's verdict that orders the closure of the Bab al-Rahma gate of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. "Such an Israeli action is an attempt to control Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and this action may ignite a religious war in the region," said Salhab, who stressed that his council rejects "the illegal Israeli court's verdict." The Bab al-Rahma gate is the eastern gate that directly leads to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a holy site for Muslims around the world, Xinhua news agency reported. For their part, the Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," which was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, in which the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israel War. In 1980, Israel annexed the Arab eastern part of the city, but the international community has refused to recognize it. "We affirm that no power can close Bab a-Rahma, we warn against attacking the worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque because it will be a serious issue and will ignite a religious war in the region," Salhab said. He noted that Al-Aqsa Mosque and all its yards are Islamic and all Muslims have the right to pray in every part of it free from interference by Israeli decisions and Israeli courts' verdicts. In Gaza, the Islamic Hamas movement said in an emailed press statement that the closure of the Bab al-Rahma gate of Al-Aqsa Mosque "is a stupid decision that aims at stealing the Muslim gate and turn it into a synagogue." Hamas called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to move as fast as possible to stop the Israeli threat to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. She launched her nonprofit makeup brand, Share The Base, in 2014. And on Tuesday, Lara Worthington (nee Bingle), 33, proved her brand is as popular as ever after revealing she'd received over 500 orders in just five hours. The sudden influx of sales came immediately after Lara had uploaded a simply makeup tutorial user her products to Instagram on Wednesday. That was quick! Lara Worthington (nee bingle), 33, (pictured) announced on Wednesday that her nonprofit makeup brand Share The Base had received over 500 orders in less than five hours after she uploaded a simple makeup tutorial using her products In the footage, Lara was seen standing on a rocky beach applying liquid foundation to her cheeks, forehead and chin. 'It's the only product I've ever used that actually delivers. I wanted to create a 'coverage' product that really just blurred some of the texture and pores and helped create a more even skin tone appearance,' she wrote in the caption. 'But I didn't want it to be a foundation. I wanted a hybrid of skincare and makeup. This. Is. That. If you like natural looking skin this is what you want!' she added. So that's how she does it! The sales frenzy was sparked after Lara uploaded a makeup tutorial featuring a liquid foundation from her product range After being inundated with online orders of the product, Lara returned to Instagram hours later on Wednesday to update fans on her sales. 'You are all awesome - over 500 orders in less than 5 hrs! You're making a difference,' she wrote in a post on her Instagram story. All the profits from the sales go to three Australian-based charities: WWF Australia, The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, and Bowel Cancer Australia. Success: On Wednesday, Lara revealed she'd received over 500 orders in just five hours after uploading the video After making their purchase, customers can nominate which charity they would like their proceeds to be directed. Lara established The Base as a commercial enterprise in 2014, but rebranded the cosmetics company as Share the Base, a non-for-profit organisation four years later. Of the decision to overhaul her business model, Lara previously told Elle magazine: 'When I launched The Base it was a different time in my life. Since then, so much has changed.' 'I like to evolve. So I'm continuing The Base and evolving it to support other people in the community,' she added. WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IDB Invest, the IDB Group's private sector institution, rated Aa1/AA/AAA, raised USD 1 billion in funding through a fixed rate benchmark issue to support its coronavirus response. This represents its second fixed rate benchmark issue of 2020, following a USD 1 billion 2-year COVID-19 response bond priced in April this year. The three-year bond pays an annual coupon of 0.50% and priced at mid-swaps plus 29 basis points, equivalent to 33.75 basis points above the 3-year U.S. Treasury. Bank of Montreal, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and TD Securities acted as joint bookrunners on the deal. The transaction experienced strong demand with 51 investors across the globe participating and orders totaling more than USD 1.55 billion. The high level of demand reflects investors' interest in IDB Invest's sustainable development mission, strong credit profile and support for coronavirus alleviation in the private sector. Central banks and official institutions took the lion share of the allocations at 75%, followed by fund managers (14%), bank/private banks (7%) and insurance/pension accounts (4%). The investor base was very well diversified geographically, with the Americas making up 38% of the demand, EMEA 37% and Asia 25%. Investor Distribution Distribution by Geography % Distribution by Investor Type % Asia 25 Central Banks / Official Institutions 75 EMEA 37 Fund Managers 14 Americas 38 Banks / Private Banks 7 Insurance / Pension 4 Transaction Summary Issuer: Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest) Issuer rating: Aa1 / AA / AAA (Moody's / S&P / Fitch) Format: Reg S Amount: USD 1.0 billion Settlement date: July 21, 2020 Coupon: 0.50% p.a. Maturity date: July 21, 2023 Issue price: 99.959% Issue yield: 0.513%s.a. / 0.514% ann. Listing: London Stock Exchange Clearing systems: Euroclear and Clearstream Joint lead managers: Bank of Montreal, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and TD Securities About IDB Invest IDB Invest, a member of the IDB Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $12.1 billion in asset management and 333 clients in 24 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries. Contacts Ana Lucia Escudero 202- 623-1919 analuciae@iadb.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214658/IDB_Invest.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/753408/IDB_Invest_Logo.jpg Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Cebu City will shift to modified enhanced community quarantine starting Thursday after being placed under the strictest lockdown restrictions for 15 days due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the general community quarantine (GCQ) over Metro Manila will be extended until July 31, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced Wednesday night. The community quarantine status in Cebu City was eased from the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to MECQ despite a recent surge in infections, which involved more patients experiencing severe symptoms and needing critical care. The city is said to be the new epicenter of the local coronavirus outbreak. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases determines quarantine rules for an area based on how fast the number of infections double there and how full critical care facilities are. The national government is paying more attention to Cebu City, which has the highest number of confirmed cases among cities and provinces nationwide. President Rodrigo Duterte on June 22 appointed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu as the new COVID-19 response chief for Visayas, who brought in hundreds of security troops to enforce the strict stay-at-home measures. The Department of Health has also ordered the deployment of doctors including doctors to the barrios to Cebu City to help aid its battle against the COVID-19 crisis. This directive came after Cebu nurses appealed for hazard pay amid surge in COVID-19 cases. The President also heeded the recommendation of the task force to put the following areas under GCQ starting July 16: Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Basilan, and Talisay, Minglanilla, and Concepcion in Cebu Province. Meanwhile, the following areas will be placed under MGCQ (medium-risk): CAR- Benguet, Baguio City Region 1 - Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, La Union, Dagupan City Region 2 Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya Region 3 Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City Region 4A Batangas, Quezon, Lucena City Region 4B Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City Region 5 Albay, Masbate, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Naga City Region 6 Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Bacolod City Region 7 Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu Province Region 8 Western Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Tacloban City Region 9 Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Norte Region 10 Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao Del Norte, Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City Region 11 Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao De Oro, Davao City Region 12 Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, General Santos City Region 13 Agusan Del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur BARMM Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao Other areas not mentioned will be placed under a so-called low-risk MGCQ, according to Roque. Metro Manila may return to MECQ if cases do not drop While experts from the University of the Philippines recommended to revert the quarantine status in Metro Manila to a stricter MECQ, Roque said the President opted to give the region a chance to continue gradually reopening its economy. He said the decision not to tighten restrictions in the countrys capital region was also made amid promises from Metro Manila mayors to intensify efforts to test, trace, and treat residents. Local government officials also vowed to strictly implement quarantine rules in their respective jurisdictions, Roque added. Pero malinaw po sa discussion na pag di pa rin po bumagal ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa Metro Manila, posible pong bumalik sa MECQ pagkatapos nitong dalawang linggo, he warned. [Translation: But it was clear in our discussion that if COVID-19 transmission in Metro Manila does not slow down, it is possible for the region to revert to MECQ after the next two weeks.] Recent daily case reports by the DOH showed that Metro Manila continued to log the most number of new cases in the country. In the latest bulletin which listed over 1,300 new cases nationwide, half or around 700 cases came from the region alone. More hospitals in the area have also declared full capacity of their COVID-19 facilities in recent days. Nationwide, the DOH recorded 58,850 COVID-19 cases as of July 15. Of this number, 20,976 have recovered, while have 1,614 died. A worshiper enters the Central Church for Korean Evangelical Holiness in Seoul, June 2, scanning a one-time QR code on her smartphone after the government implemented a mandatory digital entry log system at densely populated facilities to better track and contain any COVID-19 infections. / Yonhap This is the third in a five-part series on Korea's response to COVID-19, produced in collaboration with the Korea Foundation ED. By Baek Byung-yeul It has been almost six months since Korea reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19. With almost every country and territory worldwide experiencing confirmed coronavirus cases, Korea's response to the pandemic has stood out as the country succeeded in curbing the pandemic quickly without implementing mandatory lockdown measures or closing down the economy. Korea's mass virus testing capability has contributed to better quarantine procedures and helped to mitigate the further spread of the coronavirus. The country also launched a state-of-the-art tracking system to swiftly trace the movements of infected people and those who had come into contact with them. Analysts said the country's agile and aggressive response to contain the outbreak was possible thanks to its innovative information and communications (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and biotechnology. Haksoo Ko, a professor of the School of Law at Seoul National University, said the country learned lessons from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) crisis in 2015. At that time, Korea reported 186 MERS cases and had 38 deaths with a fatality rate of 20 percent. After the crisis, the government decided to set up a center fully dedicated to handling laboratory control of infectious diseases to better analyze pathogens and develop diagnostic reagents. Thanks to this, Korea's mortality rate for the coronavirus is around 2.2 percent, below the worldwide average which stood at 4.4 percent as of July 12. "The 2015 MERS crisis advanced the country's Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention Act. The government amended the law, enabling the health authorities to track the movements of infected people," professor Ko said. Ko added that in addition to this, Korea's fast response well ahead of other countries facing the outbreak was the result of the country's advanced ICT capability. "Combining the country's ICT capability and revised diseases control act, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) was able to receive data from various agencies as telecom operators provided location information, the police gave CCTV footage, credit card firms offered transaction detail, and hospitals provided information of confirmed cases," Ko said. As part of the government's efforts to continue to contain the spread of the virus without imposing a nationwide lockdown, Korea recently introduced a QR code-based entry log system. The digital entry registers are required for people visiting densely populated facilities such as nightclubs, eateries, cinemas, cram schools and churches. The digital entry log is stored at the Social Security Intelligence Service (SSiS). If a mass infection occurs at one of these facilities, the KCDC officials can request the SSiS to provide the records and use the information to track visitors to the facility. Employees of local medical diagnostic company Boditech Med work on a COVID-19 diagnostic test kits production line in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, April 7. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon AI technology also helped the country to curb the pandemic in Korea. Having a sufficient number of COVID-19 test kits is a top priority as it is important to conduct early diagnosis on as many people as possible to control the virus spread. Korea's biotechnology companies could release test kits rapidly thanks to AI technology. Seegene, a local biotechnology company, released its test kits just three weeks after it started to develop them as the company used AI technology to quickly analyze a vast amount of virus data and classifications of patients. Given that it usually takes two to three months to develop a diagnosis test kit for a disease, AI technology helped the company speed up development. "Using its exclusive AI-based assay design platform, Seegene was able to rapidly develop the assay shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak started in China," the company said in a statement. Pandemic advances Personal Data Protection Act' Despite that Korea being praised for its tracking system and the people's voluntary participation in virus protection measures such as wearing masks and maintaining distancing in daily life, concerns have arisen as to whether these kinds of aggressive and strict measures could invade privacy, and the information gathered misused. Against such a backdrop, Ko, who also heads the Korean Association for AI and Law, said the coronavirus outbreak has ironically advanced the country's Personal Data Protection Act after dealing with an enormous amount of data every day. "It has only been nine years since the country enacted the Personal Data Protection Act. So the coronavirus pandemic has made government officials think about what is important and what is not when dealing with the act," he said. "The KCDC is the only government agency that collates all the personal information of people infected with the coronavirus and their contacts. Other agencies including the police only take the role of providing the information they have," Ko added. However, the professor said the administration needs to clarify how it will handle the personal information it has collected. "Previously, the government announced it will discard all the information it collected after the virus pandemic ends. But it needs to clarify more details such as which department will dispose of the information." Iran Drops India From Railway Project As China's Shadow Looms In Background Radio Farda July 14, 2020 The media in India say Iran has dropped India from a railway project that will connect Chabahar, a would be trading hub in southern Iran to Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan Province. The Hindu reported on Tuesday July 14 that the reason for setting aside India from the project is New Delhi's delay in funding. The Economic Times also reported that India has been "shunted out of a key Iran railway project," while "China's shadow looms in the background." Iran's 1350-Kilometer eastern railways is strategically important for the Islamic Republic. It is to connect Chabahar to Zahedan and then to Zaranj at the border with Afghanistan. Chabahar will also be connected to Sarakhs in northeastern Iran via another route. The railways is to connect Chabahar, Iran's only major port on the Indian Ocean, to Afghanistan and Central Asia with a potential to carry seven million tons of goods per year. The $1.6 billion contract for the railways was signed during the 2016 visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tehran. India would have circumvented Pakistan and export its goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia via Chabahar. The IRGC's Khatam ol-Anbia HQ has been a partner in the project since 2013, covering the 730-Kilometer distance between Chabahar and Iranshahr. In September 2019, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei allowed the withdrawal of 300 million euros from the country's foreign currency reserve to enable the IRGC to launch the project. The IRGC subsequently started laying the tracks on the route earlier in July. According to the Hindu, "Last week, Iranian Transport and Urban Development Minister Mohammad Eslami inaugurated the track-laying process for the 628 km Chabahar-Zahedan line, which will be extended to Zaranj across the border in Afghanistan. Officials told the Hindu that the entire project would be completed by March 2022, and that Iranian Railways will proceed without India's assistance, using approximately $400 million from the Iranian National Development Fund." The Hindu added that "the development comes as China finalizes a massive 25-year, $400 billion strategic partnership deal with Iran, which could cloud India's plans." The strategic partnership, much trumpeted by Iran, is not a sure deal yet. China has remained silent about Iranian claims that an agreement is imminent. The Hindu also pointed out that U.S. sanctions may have also contributed to pushing India out of the project. The report added that despite surveys made by Indian engineers, the Indian Tracks Company did not take measures to start the project fearing the consequences of U.S. sanctions. The daily quoted an Indian official as saying the United States has granted sanction waiver for this project, but under the sanctions, the Indian company found it difficult to supply equipment for the project. Nevertheless, the company says it might join the project again later. Meanwhile, The Economic Times opined that "Iran's decision to cancel India's participation in the project, coming at the backdrop of a fast-moving strategic deal with China, could soon whip up a storm in diplomatic circles." Previously, India was one of Iran's most important trading partners and the second biggest customer for its oil after China. Statistics provided by India's Ministry of Economic Affairs indicate that during the first five months of 2020 India's exports to Iran had a major decline and reached $808 million. Meanwhile, India's imports from Iran was than $80 million during the same period. The figure in the previous year was over $2 billion. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-drops- india-from-railway-project-as-china-s-shadow- looms-in-background/30726122.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 Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge at the Department of Justice in Washington on Feb. 27, 2018. (Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images) DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Restore Medicaid Work Rules The Trump administration has joined Arkansas in filing papers with the Supreme Court asking it to reinstate Medicaid work requirements in the Natural State that were blocked by a federal appeals court. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that serves low-income people of all ages and varies from state to state. It is run by state and local governments within federal guidelines. Each state sets its own rules about eligibility and services. Although patients usually dont have to pay for covered medical expenses, a small co-payment is sometimes required. Medicaid work requirements have been a priority of the Trump administrations health care agenda. Under Obamacare, states had the choice of whether to expand Medicaid to childless low-income adults who failed to qualify for the program previously. The Trump administration says able-bodied adults should have to work, and that Medicaid ought to serve children, pregnant women, disabled adults, and residents with very low incomes. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued in a filing with the high court late July 14 that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit erred in a February ruling by preventing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from approving the work requirements in Arkansas. The new case is cited as Azar v. Gresham. The D.C. Circuit Court ruling voided an experimental project in Arkansas called the Arkansas Works Medicaid Demonstration Project that asked recipients to work, go to school, or volunteer in order to be covered by Medicaid. According to the DOJ, the appeals court decision that upheld a lower court decision found that the HHS approval of the work requirements was arbitrary and capricious, and reflects a fundamental misreading of the statutory text and context. The court of appeals found that HHS approvals of the program violated the law. That court stated that the principal objective of Medicaid is providing health care coverage, and that HHS had failed to adequately consider whether the projects would advance that objective. The Trump administration says work requirements assist a state in stretching its finite Medicaid resources. Acting U.S. Solicitor General Jeffrey B. Wall said in the federal governments petition that the Social Security Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project proposed by a State that, in the judgment of the Secretary, is likely to assist in promoting the objectives of the Medicaid program. Exercising that authority, the Secretary approved demonstration projects in Arkansas and New Hampshire designed to test whether certain requirements promote those objectives by requiring certain working-age, non-disabled adults to engage in work or skill-building activities (such as job-skills training or general education) as a condition of continued eligibility for Medicaid benefits. The HHS secretary found that the requirements may help beneficiaries transition to employer-sponsored or federally subsidized commercial coverage and may lead to improved beneficiary health, which, in turn, may help States conserve resources that can be redirected to providing other coverage. Critics promptly attacked the Trump administration, accusing it of heartlessness in tough times. Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik wrote that the administration doubled down on its intention to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. This falls into the category of thumbing its nose at a double-barreled disasterthe spread of COVID-19 and an unemployment rate that is reaching levels nationwide not seen since the Great Depression. Upwards of 18,000 individuals were removed from Medicaid rolls in Arkansas in the five months the so-called workfare requirement operated before the appeal court put them on hold, The Hill newspaper reports. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a Republican, also filed a petition on behalf of her state, asking the high court to review the appeals courts invalidation of the Arkansas Works Medicaid Demonstration Project. Arkansas Works model was designed to encourage able-bodied Arkansans without dependents to transition into the workforce, building a stronger, more resilient connection with their communities, Rutledge said in a statement. I appreciate Attorney General Bill Barr hearing from us last week in Arkansas on this issue and asking the Supreme Court to allow our pilot program to continue as a way to support Arkansans by enabling recipients to obtain employment in exchange for Medicaid benefits and create a sense of accomplishment by improving their health and financial independence. PLANO, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 16, 2020, Huawei Technologies will join WIRED to host a webinar titled, "Globalization and the Future of Tech." The live webinar, which will begin at 12:15 EDT, will examine what the future of an ever connected world will look like on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the semiconductor industry impacts the global telecoms supply chain. Wired Editor-in-Chief Nick Thompson will host the webinar, which will feature Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group and Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation at The Brookings Institution. As the world navigates the impact of COVID-19, connectivity is proving to be essential in keeping everyday activity moving toward a new normal. Businesses are tasked with not only managing risk, but navigating the future of technology and the impact it will have globally. As networks become increasingly foundational due to the normalization of remote work, connectivity will be relied on more than ever before. Both the technology and semiconductor industries, as well as their global supply chains, will play an important role in the ways technology and connectivity impact future business practices. As industries prepare for the implementation of 5G, technological elements that make the network possible will need improved output and higher performance to support the next-gen applications of the future. The semiconductor industry consistently plays an integral role in advancement, but as the demands of 5G increase the pace of progress, semiconductor manufacturing will lay the foundations for refined innovation. This topic will be discussed further during "Globalization and the Future of Tech", where experts will offer their perspectives on the role globalization will play on the future of technology as well the implications it will have on the emerging new normal. For more information and to register for "Globalization and the Future of Technology" visit: https://condenast.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bmnG5yJIRQypKw-cxIEhfQ About Huawei: Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services we are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei's end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes. At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have more than 188,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees. For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on: http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.youtube.com/Huawei Contact: Kimberlee Bradshaw Archibald / [email protected] SOURCE Huawei Technologies USA Related Links http://www.huawei.com Over the last few weeks, Iran has been hit by a series of unusual explosions at such sensitive facilities as its nuclear enrichment complex, factories and gas pipelines. Many analysts and diplomats suspect sabotage by Israel, the United States or some other outside force. While reliable information from within Iran is difficult to come by, and conflicting accounts are emerging, at least two of the incidents occurred at sites linked to Iran's missile and nuclear programs. The New York Times quoted a "Middle Eastern intelligence official" claiming that Israel planted a bomb at the Natanz nuclear facility in the building where Iran had resumed work on advanced centrifuges. The Times of Israel reported that the "official" may be Mossad head Yossi Cohen. These incidents reflect growing tensions and escalation between Iran and the United States and Israel since the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in May 2018. Heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran are a familiar story, including a targeted U.S. drone strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian commander of the Quds forces, the foreign operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in January. Iran retaliated by launching a dozen missiles at Iraqi bases, one of which housed U.S. personnel. Israel's escalating conflict with Iran is not as well understood. Several factors give weight to the reports that Israel might have found this an opportune time to attack a facility like - and may even be engaged in a larger campaign of sabotage. 1.Israeli officials perceive Iran as weakened Like top Trump administration officials, Israeli policymakers believe that Iran is especially vulnerable now. Based on conversations with Israeli analysts, they view the combination of the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign, sanctions, the pandemic and the aftermath of last fall's massive protests as weakening a constrained Iran. With few exceptions, Israeli security analysts and officials widely view the Soleimani killing as a success and endorse the Trump administration's narrative that the operation restored deterrence to prevent further Iranian attacks against U.S. personnel and regional partners. Never mind that rocket attacks against U.S. forces by Iranian-linked military in Iraq have continued, killing two U.S. and one British service member in March. Or that Iran has launched a military satellite and attempted a cyberattack against Israeli water infrastructure in April, provoking an Israeli counterattack. Or that few other nations supported the U.S. attempt to gain international support for extending the U.N. arms embargo that is set to expire this October. In the Israeli view, Iran is weakened and isolated, creating more favorable conditions for kinetic actions. A former intelligence chief for the Israel Defense Forces voiced a common view in Israel that the Iranians are waiting out the Trump administration, hoping for a better agreement under a Biden presidency. 2.Israel's "Octopus" doctrine Second, an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facility would fit the emerging Israeli doctrine of striking Iran itself. Coined the "Octopus" doctrine by Israeli politician Naftali Bennett, the strategy involves directly attacking Iranian personnel in Syria and Iraq, not just proxies like Hezbollah. For years, Israel has been waging a "campaign between wars" to prevent Iranians from gaining a foothold on Israel's border with Syria. But over the last year, Israel expanded that campaign to Iraq, a far more sensitive theater, given the significant U.S. presence. What's more, Israeli leaders have become more willing to acknowledge openly that Israel is behind these attacks, shifting the so-called shadow war with Iran into an open and direct conflict. 3. Israel's history of targeting nuclear sites in the region Israel has a history of targeting nuclear sites to prevent other regional powers from developing nuclear weapons. Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981; the Syrian nuclear facility at al-Kibar in 2007; and reportedly helped test the Stuxnet computer worm that the United States used in its cyberattack on Iran's nuclear centrifuges in 2009. Even if these operations were tactical successes, it is less clear whether they produced strategic gains. In some cases, they may have only increased regional proliferation risks. For example, political scientist Malfrid Braut-Hegghammer found archival evidence that Israel's strike on Osirak propelled Saddam Hussein to embark on a covert nuclear program for a decade. That was only effectively halted in the decade after the 1991 Gulf War, when the International Atomic Energy Agency removed Iraq's weapons-related nuclear material and destroyed all known nuclear facilities. The 2009 Stuxnet operation successfully destroyed Iranian centrifuges. But like the Osirak attack, that appeared to only deepen Iran's resolve to clandestinely develop a nuclear program. At best, it just bought time. Even after Stuxnet, Iran advanced its nuclear program so much that it could have converted its uranium to weapons grade material in just weeks, according to some accounts. The JCPOA restrictions on centrifuge development, enrichment levels and stockpiles extended that period - called its "breakout time" - to approximately a year. That's consistent with findings that, historically, diplomacy and international arms control missions have been more successful in curbing regional nuclear ambitions than unilateral military strikes and cyberattacks. 4.The Trump administration isn't restraining Israel Finally, Washington isn't pushing back against potential covert actions against Iran; in fact, The New York Times recently reported that the United States may be coordinating such operations with Israel. At the very least, Israel is likely to believe it has a green light. Nor do Israel's political or security establishments appear to be debating the merits of military options against Iran, as they have in the past. Given these conditions, Israeli involvement in the Natanz explosion would not be surprising - and more such attacks might be coming. However, Israel's bet that the Iranians will not respond is risky. It's hard to control escalation when things are so volatile, especially as hardline Iranian leaders may increase pressure to retaliate. Israel and the United States may be pushing Iran toward recommitting itself to a nuclear weapons program and dangerous regional actions. - - - Dassa Kaye is a senior political scientist and the director of the Center for Middle East Public Policy at the RAND Corporation. For other analysis and commentary by political scientists from universities around the country, see www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is a regional strategy of Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said during phone conversation with Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov on July 14. Minister noted that Iran is always ready to support the settlement of the conflict. On his part, Mammadyarov stressed the importance of withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan. Moreover, during the conversation, Mammadyarov informed his Iranian counterpart about the military provocation committed by the Armenian forces on the Azerbaijani- Armenian border, prevention of attacks, as well as about current situation and continuing tension in the region. Minister stressed that Armenian aggression is the main source of danger in the region, noting the need for the withdrawal of Armenian occupying forces from the Nagorno Karabakh and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Nearly 14 million children globally were not immunised against preventable illnesses last year, according to a joint report by two UN agencies: WHO and Unicef. More than half of these children are in Africa with those living in countries in conflict being the most affected, Dr Robin Nandy, chief of immunisation at Unicef, told the BBC. Some of the missed vaccines are against [diseases like]: polio; measles; meningitis; diphtheria; tetanus and whooping cough. Of greater concern to us are children who have not been immunised against measles, Dr Nandy said. Children living in remote rural areas and urban slums are also said to be vulnerable. Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Chad, Central African Republic and South Sudan are some of the African countries with high numbers of children who have not been vaccinated. The report also warns that the number of children likely to miss vaccinations this year could double as a result of disruption to immunisation services due to the coronavirus pandemic. In March, the WHO advised countries to temporarily suspend mass vaccination campaigns, until effective measures for reducing Covid-19 transmission were established. So far, Angola, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso are among the few countries that have resumed mass vaccinations following strict guidelines. Source: BBC 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 Graffiti on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (U.S. Attorney's Office) Man Who Vandalized Lincoln Memorial Could Get 10 Years in Jail A man accused of scrawling a message on the Lincoln Memorial with spray paint is facing 10 years in prison. Micah Avery, 26, a District of Columbia resident, described as a black male, was indicted this week on charges of destruction of federal property. Defacing one of our countrys national monuments will not be tolerated, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin said in a statement. According to a criminal complaint, U.S. Park Police officers on May 30 saw Avery graffiti the words Yall not tired yet? with black spray paint on the Lincoln Memorial, a monument to former President Abraham Lincoln. Officers chased down Avery and handcuffed him. They found a spray paint can in his pocket. In the wake of last nights demonstrations, there are numerous instances of vandalism to sites around the National Mall. For generations the Mall has been our nations premier civic gathering space for non-violent demonstrations, and we ask individuals to carry on that tradition. pic.twitter.com/LmIHfW2AHj National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) May 31, 2020 Officers also removed an iPhone from Avery. They saw a message pop up on the locked phone that read I think they saw you tag, an apparent reference to the graffiti. Avery resisted being placed in a patrol car. A crowd converged on the officers and people in it began striking and pushing them. During the melee, Avery broke free and ran away. He was located shortly thereafter by other officers back at the memorial, still wearing the handcuffs. Avery faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the destruction charges. Federal law outlines the penalties for destruction of government property in cases property damage exceeds $100. The damage to the Lincoln Memorial was estimated to cost $1,000 to repair. President Donald Trump emphasized the law and similar laws in a new executive order, which directed federal law enforcement to prosecute to the fullest extent anyone that destroys, damages, vandalizes, or desecrates a monument, memorial, or statue within the United States. Mired in Inequality and Laid Low by the Virus, the US Offers Little to Emulate The Oregon arts and culture community received a lifeline Tuesday, as state lawmakers voted to distribute $50 million in federal relief funds to organizations still struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. Legislators voted Tuesday to direct $24 million to individual organizations including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Oregon Symphony, as well as several dozen local venues, and another $26 million to county coalitions who can distribute funds to other local arts and culture organizations in need. This is a really welcome gift, said Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the High Desert Museum in Bend, which received $700,000 from the bill. The museum is projecting a revenue loss of close to $1.5 million through the end of the year, she said. This starts to cover a significant portion of that. The biggest slices of the pie went to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which received $4.7 million, and Metro, which got $4.1 million. Funds also went to the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Center Stage, Oregon Ballet Theater, Pendleton Round-Up and the Oregon Coast Community College. More than $9.6 million will also be split up among 78 arts venues around the state, from Revolution Hall in Portland to the Elgin Opera House in northeast Oregon. The full list is available online. This is a huge uplift to the organization, said CJ Martinez, spokesman for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Its really a huge win here for the future, and for the future of Ashland and southern Oregon. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival opened its 2020 season March 6 in Ashland, three days after Oregons first coronavirus case was confirmed. After initially hoping to run a truncated season in September, the company canceled all remaining performances this year following Gov. Kate Browns May 7 ban on large gatherings. The festival has not yet announced its estimated losses due to the pandemic, but said its typical $22 million revenue is now effectively zero, forcing the organization to rely on fundraising efforts and money received from lawmakers, like the legislation that passed Tuesday. The $50 million that will be given to arts and culture organizations comes from the CARES Act, a federal coronavirus relief fund that distributed an estimated $2.45 billion to Oregon. The Joint Emergency Board of the Oregon State Legislature approved the bill Tuesday on a 19-1 vote. While broadly supported among board members, the legislation came with some criticism and concerns, primarily that the list of recipients favored the Portland metropolitan area. I dont think this is done equitably by any stretch of the imagination, Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod, who offered the lone no vote, said during debate. Its just a real snub in the nose to everyone else in the state. That dissent came despite a last-minute inclusion of the Pendleton Round-Up, High Desert Museum and the Elgin Opera House in northeast Oregon, as well as the $26 million that will go to county coalitions to distribute as they see fit. Proponents of the bill pointed out that the money will not be divvied up on a per-capita basis, giving rural communities just as much as urban areas. Sen. Betsy Johnson critiqued funds approved to go directly to arts venues, asking for a more robust certification of the figures that venues reported as their monthly operating costs during the pandemic. She also questioned the absence of the Portland Art Museum, a noticeable snub from the list of arts organizations receiving money. Were obviously disappointed the museum was not specifically included in this emergency relief funding, Portland Art Museum director Brian Ferriso said. The museum is an anchor of our states arts ecosystem, and state support is paramount at this time. The Portland Art Museum expects deficits of more than $2 million over the next seven months, Ferriso said, and had to lay off 123 employees over the spring, though the museum expects to reopen at a limited capacity July 16. Several board members who offered critique of the legislation joined the majority in voting yes in the end, citing the importance of funding arts organizations that have canceled performances, museums that have only started to reopen at lower capacity, and events that have had to cancel amid the pandemic. However thats distributed, thats a win for arts and culture in Oregon, its a testament to the state for putting arts and culture at a high priority, Whitelaw said. It is reassuring to know that the state values what we do and wants to see us through this. --Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. In the 2018 midterm elections the Democrats reclaimed the House of Representatives, ushering in Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. This transfer of control eventuated not only in the de facto takeover of the House by the radical arm of the Party, but the callous disregard of any potential long-term damage to the nation as Pelosi and company left no stone unturned to either impeach Donald Trump or irrevocably marginalize his presidency, as well as malign those that voted for him. One myopic and narcissistic voter demographic group was primarily responsible for this outcome in 2018 and they are poised to permanently empower the Marxist/socialists in the 2020 election. In the 2018 election college graduates accounted for 43% of all voters as surveyed in exit polls. Overall 56% voted Democrat and 42% Republican. White college graduates, who accounted for nearly 80% of the college vote, voted 52% Democrat versus 47% Republican. While 53% of white male college graduates voted Republican, 60% of their white female counterparts voted for the Democrats and Nancy Pelosi. This was a large enough margin to flip numerous suburban House seats into the Democrat column. By comparison, in 2016 only 51% of white female college graduates voted for Hillary Clinton. These same exit polls reveal that the primary motivation of the anti-Trump college educated vote, in particular the female vote, was not policy oriented but the belief that Donald Trump was not honest or trustworthy, that he was lacking any ethics and devoid of the right temperament to be president. These social elites had fully embraced the incessant drumbeat of the faux Russian collusion and never-ending and often fabricated character assassination. In their insulated world where they isolate themselves socially, live pretentiously and are concerned with appearances and being part of the in-crowd (which is irreversibly anti-Trump), bothering to inform themselves or speak out about the Democratic Party agenda could potentially cause them to lose their status. This same stratagem is being repeated again in 2020. The Democrats are once more pulling out all the stops to the hoodwink this voting bloc by having them again focus on the shiny object in the distance instead of their nominee, Joe Biden, and their Marxist/socialist agenda drafted by Bernie Sanders and his merry band of revolutionaries. The shiny object: Donald Trumps supposed incompetence, lack of character, civility and sophistication as well as his ill-mannered reliance on social media. To further cement this portrait the constant repetition of any fabrication, fake news or fallacious accusation is permissible, and necessary, in order to rid the nation of the worst reprobate in American history. Meanwhile as the mainstream media is successfully manipulating potential voters to be single-mindedly focused on Trump, the party hierarchy is feverishly formulating the execution of their plans for: The abolishment of the suburbs. Which would be accomplished by forcing an end to single-family zoning and housing as well as the indiscriminate building of low-income housing wherever the federal government chooses. Thus, the federal takeover, transformation and urbanization of the suburbs. The abolition of cash bail nationwide. As part of their plans to further hamstring and defund the police as well as dramatically reduce the prison population, the Democrats want to eliminate cash bail and immediately release back onto the streets all accused of a crime. A program that has been a disaster in New York and other Democrat run cities. A determination to achieve carbon free electricity generation nationwide within 15 years by installing 500 million solar panels ($2 Trillion) and underwriting community solar energy systems throughout the country ($2 Trillion). As well as the rejoining and abiding by the unattainable and exorbitantly expensive objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement, regardless of the potentially catastrophic economic and social disruption to the nation. The Democrats are committed to granting citizenship for 11 - 22 million illegal immigrants, expanding sanctuary centers, dramatically limiting the ability of ICE to deport criminal aliens and increasing legal immigration. Biden and the Democrats are all in on nationwide voting by mail and not just in 2020 but permanently. The Democrats are planning on implementing the largest increase in personal and corporate taxes in history as well as a new carbon tax on all Americans. Because of Bidens incestuous relationship with China, the Chinese will no longer be hindered in what will certainly be a triumphant crusade for global hegemony. They will also return to being the unquestioned supplier of choice to a penitent United States. More important than these radical policy issues, is the reality that once the Democrat party establishment allied themselves with the Marxists masquerading as Democratic Socialists and became willing apologists for their twin militant arms Antifa and Black Lives Matter, they lost all leverage. The Party, if it wins in 2020, will be incapable of thwarting the inevitable extreme ultimatums and policy demands of the radical left as the party leaders will cower and surrender in the face of any threat of orchestrated violence and aggression. The irony in the litany of proposals and policy pronouncements by Biden and the Democrats is that virtually each and every one will have an extraordinarily disparate impact on the college educated, suburban dwelling, upper middle-class voting bloc. Additionally, if the Democrats gain control of the White House and Congress, it is not just the fundamental transformation of the country that is the ultimate objective of the Marxists/socialists, but the absolute marginalization of this same faction because of their current influence, wealth and lifestyle. BLM protestors loot Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills (YouTube screen grab) This nations foremost living economist and philosopher, Thomas Sowell, recently opined that if Biden and the radical left win the 2020 election that event could well be the point of no return for the United States. The ultimate decision as to the future of the country will, in all likelihood, be in the hands of the self-absorbed college educated, suburban dwelling voters come November 3, 2020. Some unsolicited advice for these voters and the American citizenry from someone who has been there. I can attest that when a nation goes past the point of no return there is but one road back and it is strewn with corpses and cities in unfathomable ruin. Gehlot said he has the proof that horse trading was being committed to topple his government Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot of involvement in horse trading with the BJP. Pilot was removed from the posts of the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress president on Tuesday amid a power tussle with Gehlot. In an interaction with reporters here, the chief minister, however, did not mention Pilot by his name but said the "former Pradesh Congress Committee president" was himself doing the deal. Gehlot said he has the proof that horse trading was being committed to topple his government. Those who are giving clarifications were themselves involved in horse trading, Gehlot told reporters. The CM said he (Pilot) would have performed quite good had he "struggled in his youth". Gehlot also hit out at the national media saying it is supporting those who are involved in murdering democracy". Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to step in to prevent an initiative to put an independent commission in charge of redrawing Oregons electoral map from qualifying for the November ballot. Rosenblums administration filed the appeal Wednesday morning, despite Secretary of State Bev Clarnos statement Tuesday night that she would not appeal a federal judges ruling last week that the state must make it easier for the initiative to qualify due to the pandemic. Rising coronavirus cases have sparked fierce debate over everything from the necessity to wear masks or whether a new round of shutdowns is necessary in some states. At the root of many of the fights is real concern over the economic consequences of shutdowns, and a paralyzed economy. Without further federal financial support, the risks of both closure and reopening are falling most heavily on workers at the economic margins - low wage workers, gig economy workers, tipped workers who make less than minimum wage. While the U.S. dynamics are unique, the economic burden of the pandemic is everywhere falling on marginalized workers, exposing some of the instabilities and inequalities of global capitalism. That is the case in Ghana, a West African country where more than 80% of the population participates in an economy closely associated with the open-air markets and jitney buses found in cities throughout the Global South. Such jobs actually share many similarities with loosely regulated economic sectors and gig economies in the United States. Their razor-thin profit margins depend on close interactions between large numbers of people, challenging social distancing recommendations. Both the lives and incomes of workers in these sectors are at risk. While Ghana's government provided some social support at the beginning of the pandemic, including suspending water and electricity bills and easing banking and mobile money restrictions, these have done little to protect the country's most vulnerable people. But the history of Ghana highlights both the underlying structural conditions that increase the vulnerability of these populations - particularly in times of crisis - and the powerful creativity that make these grass-roots economic systems work. Today's inequalities in West Africa have been shaped by the interconnected histories of colonialism and capitalism. Before Europeans arrived on the West African coast in the 15th century, the region was the headquarters of a thriving economy that connected local, regional and international markets in trade. Farmers and traders brought their goods directly to open-air markets for sale and barter. At major hubs like Accra, now Ghana's capital, regional and long-distance trading networks often overlapped in a cosmopolitan economy of exchange that was controlled by Africans. As the British consolidated their control over the Gold Coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, they sought to redirect African economies. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the colonial government imposed regulations that prioritized the economic fortunes of the British, while marginalizing indigenous entrepreneurs. Passed under the guise of improving public health and safety, for example, municipal investments in markets, streets and neighborhoods were more often about "westernizing" Accra than actually supporting the welfare of its citizens. Elite residents and expats benefited from new trading quarters and favorable rents in the center of town. At the end of the workday, they would return to large houses in newly developing suburbs, complete with wide, paved roads, piped water and electricity. Yet these investments did not always benefit local communities. For example, when the Accra Town Council invested in public markets, it often used the new construction as an opportunity to relocate "undesirable activities" to the outskirts of the city, disrupting the lives of the urban poor. Likewise, investments in a municipal bus system in the 1930s, which sought to reproduce public transport systems in Europe, were inadequate to serve the needs of the city's residents who needed to travel back and forth to open-air markets for trading and shopping. Increasing regulation and investment in infrastructure didn't eliminate African economic activity, but it did marginalize the work of African entrepreneurs and ignore the interests of African residents. State regulations sought to protect European businesses and enact European visions for colonial cities. But Africans responded with ingenuity. In the absence of adequate public infrastructure, for example, Accra's residents created their own systems of transit. The trotro (or public minibus system) might be the most well-known. Regulated and organized by drivers and vehicle owners, since the mid-20th century trotros have provided passenger transport through a network of routes across the city. These drivers provided transportation for the vast majority of the country's workers, despite being considered outside the formal, regulated economy. Drivers worked closely with market traders, who brought food stuffs from farms and sold them in the city's open-air markets alongside imported goods and locally manufactured products. At times of economic crisis, however, workers like market traders and trotro drivers became useful scapegoats for government officials unable to support the lives of the poor. In the 1970s and 1980s, for example in the midst of a major economic depression, they were often labeled "profiteers" and cast as enemies of the state. As a result, the government criminalized their economic activities and withdrew investments in public spaces like markets and lorry parks. In some cases, drivers and traders did use underground networks to bypass the official regulations that restricted the opportunities of average citizens. However, just as many drew on creative problem-solving skills and local networks as part of legitimate business practices. Regardless, their work remained the beating heart of the country. More recently, Ghana has been one of the continent's fastest-growing economies, with increases in GDP growth, private consumption and industrial production, fueled in part by the discovery of oil in 2007. Indeed, some parts of the economy have grown dramatically particularly in the service and tourism industries where foreign investment, including Ghana's recent "Year of Return" initiative in 2019, has expanded opportunities for middle-class Ghanaians. And yet, as many as 91% of women and 80% of men still work as artisans, traders, drivers, roadside hawkers and cooked food sellers. Others operate chop bars (local restaurants) and drinking spots (local bars), which are more accessible than the coffee shops, bistros and shopping malls of Accra's middle-class. In the current crisis, these workers are once again being targeted in debates over public welfare. Systems introduced to ensure that minibus (or trotro) drivers were following social distancing recommendations required drivers themselves to pay fees to be recognized. Porters (often young women from Ghana's northern regions known as kayayei) protested the lack of government support and protection in urban markets, seeking out their own masks even as their meager incomes dwindled. In criticizing this work, however, government officials and members of the public alike fail to recognize the historical conditions that gave rise to these sectors and place already vulnerable workers at greater risk. What's more these workers are once again developing creative responses - borne out of both necessity and scientific/technical ingenuity - that are shaping national public health strategies across the continent, as Afua Hirsch, Jina Moore and Nanjala Nyabola have pointed out. How people are making do with less, using common-sense solutions and low-tech alternatives to prevent disease spread, should be getting much more attention in the United States and the United Kingdom, where there are ongoing struggles to expand access to testing and limit spread. Recognizing these achievements does not negate the real challenges. The emergence and persistence of work that is needed but devalued and criminalized should also provoke us to reflect on the inequalities and limits of prevailing systems and models for economic development on both local and global scales. Open-air markets and minibuses are often held up as symbols of poverty and failed state structures unique to Africa. But workers in these spaces face the same conditions as America's "essential" workers: low wages, precarity, health disparities and unequal access to health care, unsafe environmental conditions, limited access to basic resources like water and healthy food - even as their work ensures that the rest of society can function. These are global problems that require us to look beyond our local communities right now to think critically about where our current structures come from. Only then might we be to see possible alternatives. - - - Hart is an associate professor of history at Wayne State University, and the author of "Ghana on the Go: African Mobility in the Age of Motor Transportation" (Indiana University Press, 2016). For 15 years, traveling nurses and amateur chefs Joel and Vicky Meek were rolling stones, moving from one corner of the U.S. to the next in their quest to see the country and explore its regional cuisines. By necessity, the Meeks traveled light, but they always found room in their packing boxes for their growing collection of kitchen spices, like Texas barbecue rubs and hand-mixed Indian curries and Chinese powders theyd found in ethnic markets during their journeys. But when they adopted their now-8-year-old daughter Sloan in 2011, they realized theyd need to settle down, particularly when she started school. The Meeks have since put down roots in San Diego and now the spices are traveling to them. Last weekend at Westfield North County mall, the Meeks hosted the grand opening of The Spice & Tea Exchange, an old-fashioned apothecary-style shop that sells more than 140 spices, 85 hand-mixed seasonings, dozens of infused sugars, salts, peppers and 40 exotic teas and tea drinks. The Escondido shop is the first in Southern California for the 14-year-old Florida-based company, which has 67 stores nationwide. Advertisement Customers can open and sniff the spice blends at The Spice & Tea Exchange at Westfield North County shopping center in Escondido. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune) Just minutes after the store opened on Sunday morning, a crowd of customers filled the aisles, many of them relishing the shops unique hands-on display. While the teas, spices and herbs are sold in shakers and 1- and 4-ounce resealable packets, virtually all of them are displayed in 18th-century-inspired glass apothecary jars that customers can open, sniff and examine up close. On most weekends, they can also taste-test a few items. Joel Meek said that element of the store, which engages all of the shoppers senses, is what made him want to own one after he first discovered it in Grapevine, Texas, in 2015. It was a cool store, he said. Weve always looked for unique and quirky shops like this wherever we lived. Meek grew up about 80 miles away from Grapevine in Denison, Texas, where he decided to go into nursing because he wanted a career helping people. After college, he joined the traveling nursing program and his first stop in 2002 was Los Angeles, not far from his brothers home in Orange County. While working in the operating room at St. Josephs Medical Center in Burbank, he met his future wife, Vicky, a chemist-turned-nurse from Nashville who, like him, loved to travel and enjoyed cooking. Over the years, they lived in Seattle, New York City, Baltimore, Dallas and Richmond, Va. Twice they moved to San Diego, and during their second brief stay in 2005, they got married on a Hornblower yacht cruise. One of their first priorities in every city they moved to was discovering what spices, flavors and ingredients most represented the local cuisine. In Seattle, the Meeks smoked their salmon. In Baltimore, they served seafood with Old Bay seasoning. And during their stays in Dallas and San Diego, they discovered the differences between the Tex-Mex versus Baja Med cuisines. After 18 years in nursing and nurse management, Meek said he tired of working 60- to 80-hour weeks. I decided if Im going to work that hard, Id rather work for myself. Thats when he discovered The Spice & Tea Exchange. The Meeks decided they wanted to open their store, and stay for good, in San Diego. After moving to the Del Cerro area 18 months ago, Meek said it was difficult finding a location. They explored the tourist zones in Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter, but building costs were too high. Then, when Teavana closed some local mall stores last winter, it was a perfect fit for the Spice & Tea Exchange. The Escondido store held its soft opening in December. Meek said the company imports all of its spices from farms in Africa, Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan, Korea, South America and the U.S. All spice blends are mixed in-store and all products are sold within six months of harvest. His favorite spice blend is Backwoods Hickory, which he uses on his burgers. He also likes Jamaican Jerk for his chicken, Tuscany on pasta and Lamb & Pork seasoning for meats and chip dips. The blends are priced at $5.19 an ounce. Teas are $5.89 to $6.89 an ounce. Sugars, like bourbon black walnut and salted caramel, are $4.89 for 1.5 ounces. Prices vary for the peppers and salts, which include unusual flavors like bacon-smoked sea salt, turmeric pepperberry and chardonnay oak-smoked sea salt. The store sells hot and cold teas and an assortment of cooking products. Meek and his shop clerk Chelsea Keehan said their favorite part of working at the store is trying the products at home and introducing the often-exotic ingredients to customers. Meek said finding the perfect calming tea for a shop visitor is in some ways as satisfying as nursing was. I love feeling like Im helping people and these are healthy products that I like to share, he said. The Spice & Tea Exchange Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Where: Westfield North County mall, Space #229, 200 E. Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido Phone: (760) 294-4511 Online: spiceandtea.com/escondido pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Amber Heards former personal assistant has accused the actress of having stolen her story of being violently raped in evidence given in Johnny Depps libel claim against The Sun. Kate James accused Heard, 34, of twisting her own account of the machete-point rape in Brazil almost three decades ago for her own use. Appearing via videolink from Los Angeles on Wednesday, Ms James said she discovered the Aquaman actress had stolen my sexual violence conversation with her and twisted it into her own story to benefit herself. She added: This of course caused me extreme distress and outrage that she would dare to attempt to use the most harrowing experience of my life as her own narrative. Ms James said she was giving evidence on the seventh day of Mr Depps case against the tabloids publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN), because she took offence at Heards actions. NGNs barrister Sasha Wass QC suggested Ms James had been influenced by Depp, 57, and his associates and encouraged to give vicious evidence against Heard. Ms James replied: Im here for my own reasons ... Im a sexual violence survivor and thats very, very serious to take that stance if you are not one and I am one. Thats the reason Im here, because I take offence. Ms James, who worked for Heard between 2012 and 2015, said her former employer would send a barrage of drunk text messages between the hours of two and four in the morning ... on an almost daily basis, describing the messages as abusive. She accused Heard of deleting all the abusive texts after the actress terminated her employment, adding: She saved the ones that werent. In her statement, Ms James said Heard felt she was above the law, and claimed she did not care about throwing anyone under the bus, if it meant saving her own skin. Heard asked her in September 2014 to send a letter the actress had drafted to Homeland Security officials in the US about a woman named Savannah McMillan, who had been hired to work as a set assistant, Ms James claimed. According to Ms James, Heard said in the letter: Savannah McMillan is a personal friend and, to my knowledge, has never worked unlawfully or otherwise in the United States. Or for me. Ms James said in her statement that Heard knew this to be untrue and Amber was therefore wilfully lying to the US immigration department. She also claimed Heard deliberately smuggled two Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into Australia illegally in April 2015. Johnny Depp waves as he arrives at the High Court in London (REUTERS/Hannah McKay) The High Court in London earlier heard evidence from Kevin Murphy, Depps former estate manager, who claimed Heard asked him to contact Ms James and ask her to lie under oath to an Australian court. Mr Murphy said the actress also demanded he make a false statement about the animals being smuggled into the country, and told him: I wouldnt want you to have a problem with your job. In October 2015, Ms Heard faced criminal proceedings in Australia for taking the couples two dogs into the country illegally. She and Mr Depp later recorded a now infamous video, which was played to the court, apologising for doing so. Mr Murphy said he lied under oath because Amber wielded a lot of power and would have made my life miserable. He also gave evidence about the defecation incident, when faeces were found in the couples bed after Heards 30th birthday party in April 2016. Ms Wass read a text from Heard to Mr Murphy in October 2014, when the actress said: Im worried shes got brain damage. She cant seem to predict or control when she uses the bathroom. Last night she shit ON Johnny while he was sleeping, like all over him. Not exaggerating. Mr Murphy said in his witness statement that, when he spoke to Depp in April 2016 about the defecation incident, the actor was sullen and disgusted. Ms Wass read two text messages sent by Depp shortly after the incident, saying that in one, he wrote my wife left a whopper poop on my bed and then he says Amber Turd. She said: In fact, it appears from those texts that Mr Depp found the subject quite amusing, to which Mr Murphy said he thought the actor was being sarcastic. Mr Murphy was asked if Heard had told him the faeces in the bed was a harmless prank, and said: She certainly did. Amber Heard leaves the High Court in London (REUTERS/Hannah McKay) (Reuters) On Wednesday morning, Depps previous estate manager, Ben King, gave evidence that Depp and Heard argued like schoolchildren, with explosive rows starting from banal beginnings. He claimed Heard was the antagoniser in the relationship, often goading and attempting to provoke the actor. Mr King, who worked for the Hollywood star for three separate periods between 2014 and 2016, said he never saw Depp be violent or unkind towards Ms Heard, or indeed towards anyone else. In his first witness statement, Mr King said that in March 2015 he was summoned to the house the couple were renting in Australia, where he found a significant amount of damage and discovered the actors severed fingertip on the floor of the bar area while cleaning up broken glass and debris. Depp has been accused of subjecting Heard to a three-day hostage situation and trashing the house during the Australia trip, which he denies. His finger was severed during the stay, which he says was caused by Heard throwing a vodka bottle at him, which she denies. The court was due to also hear evidence from Depps ex-fiancee, actress Winona Ryder, 48, but there was no time on Wednesday. Depp is suing NGN and Mr Wootton over the publication of an article on 27 April 2018 with the headline: Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be genuinely happy casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film? NGN is defending the article as true, and says Depp was controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. On Thursday, the court is due to hear evidence from witnesses including Depps former long-term partner Vanessa Paradis and Alejandro Romero, a concierge at Depps former LA penthouse, who claims he saw Tesla founder Elon Musk visiting Heard many times over more than a year. Additional reporting by PA Media PM Oli has lost moral and political grounds to rule: Nepali Congress International pti-PTI Kathmandu, July 15: Opposition Nepali Congress on Wednesday strongly condemned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's controversial statements on Ayodhya and said that he has "lost the moral and political basis" to rule the country. The party also sought the official stand of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (NCP) and the government on the Prime Minister's remarks that Ayodhya lies in Birgunj and Ram was born in Nepal. Oli may now claim that Babur was a Nepalese Ashok Gehlot alleges Sachin Pilot indulged in horse trading, says 'himself doing deal'|Oneindia News In a statement, Nepali Congress spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma said his party "strongly disagrees with the Prime Minister's recent statements and behavior". He said Prime Minister Oli has "lost the moral and political basis to govern" the country. "Whether the Prime Minister's statement is the official view of the government or not, it should be made clear," he said. "It is unfortunate that during such grim times, the Prime Minister's responsibilities stand at one corner while his actions stand at the other," he said. "It is upto the ruling CPN to decide whether to entirely change the Prime Minister's thinking, working style, expression, and action or to change the Prime Minister himself," Sharma said. Oli is already facing strong opposition from his own party leaders who are pressing for his resignation over his autocratic style of functioning and previous anti-India statement. "Prime Minister Oli has forgotten the practices, Constitution and sensitivity and running the government on his personal whim," Sharma said in the statement. Nepali Congress youth leader and Parliament Member from Kathmandu Gagan Thapa has said that Prime Minister Oli made the statement deliberately to save his chair at a time when internal feud was going on within the ruling party. "It's a deliberate attempt to save his chair by the means of political stunt," he tweeted. Meanwhile, a group of Hindu youths and Sadhus staged an anti-government rally in Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, protesting against Oli's remarks. They shouted anti-Oli slogans and asked the Prime Minister to withdraw his statement. Oli's statement has hurt the sentiment of crores of Hindus around the world, said Mithilesh Jha, chairman of Hindu Parishad Nepal. Similarly, Ramnandiya Vaishnavi Sangh also opposed Oli's remarks. The Prime Minister's statement has hurt the age-old relationship between Nepal and India, the organization said. Several top Nepalese political leaders from different parties have slammed Oli for making "senseless and irrelevant" remarks and asked him to withdraw his controversial statement. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday clarified that the remarks made by Prime Minister Oli "are not linked to any political subject and have no intention at all to hurt the feelings and sentiments of anyone." It further stressed that his remarks "were not meant to debase the significance of Ayodhya and the cultural value it bears." "As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilization," the ministry said. Nepal's former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai has said, "PM Oli's statements have crossed the limit. Extremism only creates trouble." In his sarcastic remark, Bhattarai said, "Now let's hope to hear the new Ramayan of Kaliyug from PM Oli." Senior leader of the ruling NCP Bam Dev Gautam said that Prime Minister Oli should withdraw his controversial remarks on Ayodhya. "Such senseless and irrelevant remarks made by a person of high position will damage the country's prestige," said Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of the Publicity Committee of the ruling party. Advertisement Rising 500ft out of the grasslands of eastern Ethiopia and spanning 6,000ft across the Blue Nile river, is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam - Africa's largest hydroelectric plant, which is pushing the region close to war. It is a 3billion bet upon which Ethiopia has banked all its hopes for the future, but which could spell catastrophe for its downstream neighbour, Egypt, which relies on the river for 90 per cent of its fresh water. Having strong-armed citizens, business and banks into investing in the project - which has also been supported by China - Ethiopia needs results. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has threatened to start filling the lake behind the dam this month, come what may. Egypt says that would be an 'existential threat', and it may resort to force to stop it. But with pictures appearing to show water already in the damn, questions have been posed about whether the filling project has already begun. Ethiopia's water minister today said that the dam's construction and filling 'go hand in hand' - but later denied that his words meant the country was putting the water in themselves. He instead claimed it was down to heavy rainfall with water remaining stagnant at the bottom. Now, satellite images show the lake behind the dam is starting to fill. Ethiopia protests innocence, saying seasonal rains are swelling the river. Experts in Egypt say they will know by next month whether that is a lie. Neighbouring countries and especially Sudan, which sits between the two and faces its own problems if the dam is activated, face a nervous wait for results. Presidential delegations from both countries are due to meet soon - but with four years of failed negotiations behind them, the spectre of conflict looms large. Ethiopia has been building a 500ft-high, 6,000ft-wide dam across the Blue Nile river - the main source of the Egyptian Nile - for the last nine years. Pictured is a satellite image take in July last year showing the dam at the top of the frame, with the river backed up behind it Addis Ababa had threatened to start filling the lake behind the dam in July this year, a move which Egypt called an 'existential threat' and hinted it could go to war over. Pictured is a satellite image take in July this year, showing the the dam has started filling - though Ethiopia protest innocence, saying seasonal rains are to blame The 500ft-high, 6,000ft-wide dam is linked to Africa's largest hydroelectric plant in a project costing 3billion. The goal is to link 65 per cent of the country which does not have power up to the grid, while generating enough surplus to sell The row which is now threatening to boil over began simmering in 2011, with Egypt in turmoil amid the Arab Spring protests which forced Hosni Mubarak from power and created a leadership vacuum at the top of society. With Cairo effectively blinded, Ethiopia's then-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi launched a five-year Growth and Transformation plan, with the dam at its heart. His country, once among Africa's poorest, was emerging from the end of a decade of unprecedented growth - poverty had fallen, illiteracy rates were down, life expectancy had increased by a decade. But the nation was still being held back, most notably by a lack of electricity - with 65 per cent of the country not connected to the grid. The dam would change all of that, providing enough power not just for the citizens of Ethiopia, but a surplus which could be exported to its neighbours, generating profit and providing opportunities for the whole region. Laying the first brick himself, Zenawi vowed the project would be finished 'whatever the cost'. He died the following year. The actual cost of the project is thought to be 3billion, but its financing is murky. Unusually, Ethiopia chose not to apply for international loans to bankroll it, instead turning to its own citizens and private loans. The central bank, major businesses and everyday citizens were pressured - some say forced - into buying bonds that funded the project, with Ethiopian citizens living overseas saying they also faced pressure to buy in. While China is not officially invested in the project, Ethiopia is a major recipient of Chinese loans - receiving the second-highest total of any African country at 2.6billion, according to the China-Africa Research Initiative. Almost all of the loans were paid after construction on the dam had started. Construction began in 2011 while Egypt was in the midst of the Arab Spring, leaving Cario temporarily blind to the happenings upriver. The country now says, had it been aware, the project would never have got started A satellite image taken on June 26 shows the Blue Nile flowing freely through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the surrounding hydroelectric plant A satellite image taken on July 12 shows the river backing up behind the dam. Ethiopia had threatened to start filling the dam this month, potentially sparking a show-down with Egypt, though experts believe they have not done so yet Egypt has demanded that Ethiopia sign up to legally-binding guarantees to keep water flowing through the dam during droughts to keep the country from suffering, but Addis Ababa has refused (pictured, the dam in May this year) Chinese firms have also been heavily involved in construction, with multi-million pound contracts awarded to companies specialising in hydroelectric dams. Claims of corruption have dogged the project, amid rumours surrounding the sudden death of manager Semegnew Bekele in 2018. Bekele had been due to give a news conference explaining delays to the project, with conspiracy theorists suggesting that he would lift the lid on corrupt activities of those involved. Shortly before the conference took place he was found shot dead in his car with the engine running. Police ruled the death a suicide, saying he sent phone messages to his loved ones beforehand. Meanwhile Egypt says that, had it been aware of the project, it would never have been allowed to get off the ground. The Blue Nile, which begins in Ethiopia, is the Egyptian Nile's main source of water, providing about 80 per cent of its capacity. The Nile, in turn, provides about 90 per cent of Egypt's fresh water, and is already running short. Egypt has long been aware of the threat of a dam being built up-river, with President Anwar Sadat threatening to go to war over any such project as far back as the 1970s. More recent protests from Cairo set off four years of negotiations which have since suckered in UN and US mediators, but which have so-far failed to produce tangible results. The sticking point is a colonial-era treaty signed in 1929, which Ethiopia was not party to, which guarantees Egypt almost exclusive rights over the waters of the Nile. Cairo says the treaty should form the basis of a legally-binding agreement guaranteeing it access to a minimum amount of water, and says the deal must be in place before the dam can be used. The government fears that filling the dam - a process which will take years and create a lake larger than London - will cause severe shortages, especially in drought years. Ethiopia, meanwhile, refuses to recognise the 1929 treaty and says Cairo's expectations are 'unrealistic'. They say they are willing to space out the lake-filling from the two years that they were initially planning to seven years, to ensure the river keeps flowing. But ministers have balked at the idea of legally-enforced minimums, saying they will hinder the country's development. Ethiopia chose not to fund the project through international loans, instead relying on government bonds that citizens, major companies and the state bank were heavily pressured into buying, along with private loans Though China is not officially funding the project, multi-million pound construction contracts have been awarded to Chinese companies, and the country is also a major lender to Ethiopia - contributing 2.6million in loans, the majority made after construction of the dam started The latest round of talks, which concluded this week, also ended without agreement. 'Unchanged and additional and excessive demands of Egypt and Sudan prohibited the conclusion of this round of negotiation by an agreement,' said Ethiopia's Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy said. Meanwhile their Egyptian counterparts said all three countries would submit a report on the talks to mediator Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president and African Union president, who is preparing a new mini summit. Sudanese Irrigation Minister Yasser Abbas said the parties were 'keen to find a solution' but technical and legal disagreements persist over its filling and operation. Analysts who examined satellite images of the dam filling agreed that it is likely due to seasonal rains, with William Davison of the International Crisis Group saying it is not clear whether Ethiopia yet has the capacity to fill the dam. While experts are agreed that filling the dam risks pushing the region into conflict, Kevin Wheeler of Oxford University believes the tipping point is still a way off. River levels in the region are currently high, meaning the debates are largely sabre-rattling over changing power dynamics, he believes. However, he added that 'if there were a drought over the next several years' then things could start to deteriorate. Ethiopia hopes the dam will allow the country to keep growing following a decade of increased prosperity between 2000 and 2011, by making it Africa's largest energy exporter Construction workers are pictured on the site of the dam in December last year, as a diplomatic row over the future of the project rumbled on - with neither Ethiopia nor Egypt willing to give ground Official White House Photo: Tia DufourBY: BEN GITTLESON, ABC NEWS (WASHINGTON) The president's daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, faced backlash Wednesday after posting a photograph of herself posing with a can of Goya beans -- something experts said was a clear violation of federal ethics rules. Trump posted the picture Tuesday night -- showing her smiling while holding a can of Goya's black beans -- on Twitter and Facebook alongside the company's slogan, "If it's Goya, it has to be good," in English and Spanish. U.S. regulations prohibit federal employees from using their public office "for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise." Trump shared the image amid calls to boycott the New Jersey-based food company Goya, known for its foods particularly popular in Latino households, after its chief executive visited the White House last week. "We are so blessed to have you as our leader," the CEO, Robert Unanue, told President Donald Trump on Thursday at the announcement of a White House measure dubbed the "White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative," part of the president's effort to court Latino supporters. President Trump on Wednesday morning tweeted implicit backing of his daughter's posts, writing that Goya was "doing GREAT and that "the Radical Left smear machine backfired, people are buying like crazy! Ethics experts said that Ivanka Trump's promotion of a Goya product on her personal social media accounts, on which she identifies herself as an adviser to the president and which she regularly uses to promote the administration, clearly broke the rules, specifically Title 5, Section 2635.702, of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Walter Shaub, who directed the U.S. Office of Government Ethics from 2013 to 2017 until he resigned after clashing with the President Donald Trump over alleged conflicts of interest involving his business entanglements, wrote on Twitter that Ivanka Trump's tweet was "clearly a violation of the government's misuse of position regulation. "There's a particularly unseemly aspect to this violation: it creates the appearance that the government's endorsement is for sale," Shaub said. "Endorse the president and the administration will endorse your product. A spokeswoman for the White House said in a statement that Trump had been expressing her "personal support" for Goya. Only the media and the cancel culture movement" -- a reference to online calls online to boycott certain figures -- "would criticize Ivanka for showing her personal support for a company that has been unfairly mocked, boycotted and ridiculed for supporting this administration -- one that has consistently fought for and delivered for the Hispanic community," the spokeswoman, Carolina Hurley, said. "Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in the U.S. and has every right to express her personal support. Norm Eisen, who from 2009 to 2011 served under President Barack Obama as a White House special counsel and a special assistant for ethics and government reform, noted that even though Trump posted on her personal social media accounts, those accounts still listed her as an ""Advisor to POTUS" and the posts would still qualify as "a serious ethics violation." Eisen, who more recently served as a special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during President Trump's impeachment and Senate trial, told ABC News "this wouldve been treated as a serious matter in any other administration." "In the Trump administration, she will probably be rewarded," Eisen said. "That bespeaks an ethical degradation for which the voters are about to punish the president severely." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Kanye West is one of the most popular, yet polarizing, celebrity figures in the world. The rapper-producer, clothes designer, and free thinker has no problem expressing his untraditional and sometimes controversial thoughts and opinions. As a vocal promoter of his music and clothing, West is well-suited to campaigning, and his newest campaign is to become one of the most powerful politicians in the world. In an interview with Forbes, West laid out his plan to become president of the United States in the 2020 election. In the interview, West also discussed his thoughts on the other candidates, a number of social issues, and his plan to use the fictional city of Wakanda as a model city for his plans for America. Who is Kanye West? When you go to your boys house and youre both wearing orange pic.twitter.com/IyPOdEKaVY ye (@kanyewest) July 1, 2020 RELATED: Kanye West Reveals Why Hes an Anti-Vaxxer West is undeniably a musical legend, as he is the winner of 21 Grammy Awards and has created some of the most critically acclaimed music of all-time. West got his start in the hip-hop industry as a producer for icons such as Jay-Z, Beyonce, John Legend, and many others. He then burst onto the national scene with his debut album The College Dropout. The rapper is also known for his marriage to reality television star and influencer Kim Kardashian. The high-profile couple were married in 2014, and have four children together Saint, North, Psalm, and Chicago. West is also known for his flurry of outbursts on Twitter, the most recent of which has included his partnership with Gap, a new song and music video with protege Travis Scott, and the announcement that he will continue in his run for president of America in the 2020 election. Wests presidential run We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States ! #2020VISION ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020 West has made many references to running for the office of the president of the United States, mostly on Twitter with the #Kanye2020. Wests tweets have recently caught the attention of another polarizing public figure, Elon Musk. The eccentric entrepreneur quote tweeted the eccentric musicians announcement that he will be running for president in 2020, with the response You have my full support! Full support may have been a hasty choice of words, as Musk deleted the response just days after tweeting. Wests candidacy is controversial, both because of Wests past support of Donald Trump, as well as Wests ideas for the country. The rapper turned candidates recently shared his thoughts about the presidency and plans for America with Forbes, which included a particularly interesting idea about making America more like a famous Marvel Comics city. Wests vision of a Wakanda type America Nakia, TChalla, and Okoye in Black Panther | Marvel Studios In his interview with Forbes, West spoke about a wide variety of topics including, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Wests COVID-19 infection. West also spoke about his plan to make America more like the fictional city of Wakanda from the popular Marvel films Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War. The rapper and supposed presidential candidate said: A lot of Africans do not like the movie [Black Panther] and representation of themselves inWakanda. But Im gonna use the framework of Wakanda right now because its the best explanation of what our design group is going to feel like in the White HouseThat is a positive idea: you got Kanye West, one of the most powerful humansIm not saying the most because you got a lot of alien-level superpowers and its only collectively that we can set it free. Lets get back to Wakanda . . . like in the movie in Wakanda when the king went to visit that lead scientist to have the shoes wrap around her shoes. Just the amount of innovation that can happen, the amount of innovation in medicinelike big pharmawe are going to work, innovate, together.This is not going to be some Nipsey Hussle being murdered, theyre doing a documentary, we have so many soldiers that die for our freedom, our freedom of information, that there is a cure for AIDS out there, there is going to be a mix of big pharma and holistic. West touches on a wide variety of topics in this quote, some of which are not so easily linked. This free-wheeling rant could be considered Wests political platform which as of now is ill-defined. West is also not legally a candidate for the presidency, as he has not filed any paperwork with the Federal Election Committee which is the governmental body in charge of elections in America. Some governors under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed the candidacy of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as World Trade Organizations (WTO) Director-General. The belated nomination of Nigerias two term former minister of finance was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in June, 2020, a move objected to by the Egyptian government on the grounds that another Nigerian, Yonov Agah, had been approved by African Union (A.U) Executive Council for the same post. The replacement of Mr Agah with Ms Okonjo-Iweala has been projected by critics to portend a threat to Nigerias diplomatic communication links and may possibly not garner enough votes from other African countries. However, the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Abubakar Bagudu, in a statement issued on Wednesday, called on member countries of the WTO to rally round Nigerias candidate in the race. Ms Okonjo-Iweala would be jostling for the WTOs DG position against Egypts Hamid Mamdouh, a trade lawyer, member of the WTO Secretariat, and trade negotiator for Egypt; and Beninoise Eloi Laourou, the ambassador and permanent representative of Benin to the United Nations and other organisations in Geneva. The two other African candidates had earlier been shortlisted by the AU, alongside Nigerias former nominee, Mr Agah. In his argument, Mr Bagudu said Nigerias candidate is needed for the job at this time that the organisation is struggling to deliver some of its objectives in Africa. Whoever imagined that one country can seize medical supplies going to other countries? Fixing the global trading system is one of the most important challenges of our time and doing so shall contribute to global prosperity more than any agreement, he said. In so doing, poverty shall be reduced and global prosperity shall be more equitably shared. Reforming the World Trade Organization is at the heart of any of such quest, and thus the choice of the next leader of the Organization matters. In nominating our own Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, Mr Bagudu continued, President Buhari is not just presenting a Nigerian candidate to the world but one of its best President Muhammadu Buhari He added that the former finance minister is eminently qualified to lead the task of fixing the world trading system. An economist, international development expert and a global public servant, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is one candidate that comes with all the experiences and expertise required to reposition the WTO. Both President Buhari and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala deserve commendation for giving the world the opportunity towards correcting the distortions in the world trading system, the PGF chairman said, as he highlighted Ms Okonjo-Iwealas years of achievements. Home Search ICH US sanctions are part of a multi-front war on Syria, and its long-suffering civilians are the main target By Eva Bartlett July 14, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The US is waging multiple fronts of war against Syria, including brutal sanctions, while claiming concern over the wellbeing of Syrian civilians the vast majority of whom are suffering as a direct result of US policies. On June 17, the US implemented the Caesar Act, Americas latest round of draconian sanctions against the Syrian people, to protect them, America claims. This, after years of bombing civilians and providing support to anti-government militants, leading to the proliferation of terrorists who kidnap, imprison, torture, maim, and murder the same Syrian civilians. Just weeks after these barbaric sanctions were enforced, cue American crocodile tears about Syrian suffering, and claims that Moscow and Damascus are allegedly preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid. More hot air from American hypocritical talking heads who dont actually care about Syrians wellbeing. America trigger-happily sanctions many nations or entities that dare to stand up to its hegemonic dictates. The word sanctions sounds too soft the reality is an all-out economic war against the people in targeted nations. Sanctions have, as I wrote last December, impacted Syrias ability to import medicines or the raw materials needed to manufacture them, medical equipment, and machines and materials needed to manufacture prosthetic limbs, among other things. Syria reports that the latest sanctions are already preventing civilians from acquiring imported drugs, especially antibiotics, as some companies have withdrawn their licenses granted to drug factories, due to the sanctions. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter In Damascus, pharmacies Ive stopped into, when I ask what some of the most sought-after medications are, hypertension medications are at the top. But sanctions have yet another brutal effect: they wreak havoc on the economy. The destruction of Syrias economy is something US envoy for Syria, James Jeffrey, boasted about, reportedly saying that the sanctions contributed to the collapse of the value of the Syrian pound. The website Sanctions Killnotes: Currencies are devalued and inflated when sanctions are levied. Countries are pressured to stop doing business with targeted countries. Sanctions violate international law, the UN charter, Geneva and Nuremberg conventions because they target civilians by economic strangulation, creating famines, life-threatening shortages, and economic chaos. So you have Western hypocritical talking heads pretending they want to get aid to Syrian civilians while literally cutting them off from medicine and the ability to purchase food. Resource theft and arson But these crimes against humanity dont suffice for America. The US occupation troops and their Kurdish proxy forces (the SDF) are plundering Syrias oil resources to the tune of $30 million a month as of last October, according to Russian military estimates. In early July, SANA reported another convoy leaving Syria to Iraq, loaded with oil thieved from areas under US occupation. Terrorists and US proxy groups are also thieving Syrias cotton, olives, wheat, and flour. Further, Syria accuses the US of deliberately setting fire to crops using Apache-dropped thermal balloons. Civilians from affected areas near Turkish occupation posts likewise blame Turkish forces for setting fires and firing live ammunition upon those who attempt to extinguish the fires, farmers literally watching their livelihoods go up in flames. The Hasakah Agriculture Directorate director likewise blames Turkey for arson of the crops. Turkish occupation forces are also accused of cutting water supplies at Alouk water pump station, depriving one million people in the Hasakah region of drinking and agricultural water, with no condemnation from the Security Council. The poverty and suffering Syrians are enduring these days is unbearable, with prices of basic goods doubled and tripled from just a few months ago, turning what were affordable items into luxuries, particularly for the 7.9 million food-insecure Syrians. But alarmist Western media and representatives omit the context: the nearly 10 years of war on Syria; the deliberate targeting by terrorists and by US and Turkish occupation forces, and Israel, of Syrias infrastructure; the looting of oil, wheat and cotton, even allegedly stealing parts of an Idlib power plant for scraps sale in Turkey. Likewise, Aleppos heavy industry was thieved during the years when terrorists occupied the industrial zones of the city. Heavy machinery was reportedly trucked in broad daylight to Turkey. With all of these factors, of course there is poverty and a chaotic economy. A safe resolution rejected Recently, the UNSC passed a resolution to maintain one humanitarian border crossing from Turkey into Syria, the Bab al-Hawa crossing. Prior to that, Russia had proposed a resolution enabling the safe delivery of humanitarian aid from within Syria. On July 11, Russias Permanent Mission to the UN issued a statement again noting the need to phase out cross-border deliveries, as the Syrian government has regained much of the territories previously occupied by terrorist factions, and deliveries must be made from within Syria. The UNSC resolution that passed, however, continues the delivery of aid via Turkey, delivering to the hands of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups occupying Idlib. It is with these people the US aid ends up when delivered, from Turkey, not from Syrian territory. Given that the US has supplied weapons to anti-government extremists in Syria before, it is not illogical to believe they hoped to funnel still more weapons in under the pretext of aid deliveries. Russias statement also noted the lack of UN presence in the Idlib de-escalation zone, saying: Its not a secret that the terrorist groups, listed as such by the UN Security Council, control certain areas of the de-escalation zone and use the UN humanitarian aid as a tool to exert pressure on [the civilian] population and openly make profit from such deliveries. This is what Russia and China opposed, not the delivery of aid. Those are details which US Ambassador Kelly Craft slyly omitted when she spoke of callousness and dishonesty being an established pattern. Her verbal guns were aimed at Syria and Russia, but her choice of words perfectly describes US policy towards Syrians. One only needs to look at US policy towards displaced Syrians in Rukban Camp to see that the US has actively worked to prevent aid deliveries there and prevent Syrians from being evacuated from there. Or the lack of US outcry at Turkeys prevention of humanitarian convoys from reaching Idlib areas, which while scheduled for last April still hasnt been successful. On the other hand, on July 4 the WHO acknowledged the Syrian-Russian delivery of 85 tons of medicines and medical supplies from Damascus to Al Hasakah. On July 9, the Russian Reconciliation Center noted that 500 food packages (2,424 tons) were delivered to Idlib province and Deir-ez-Zor province. I wonder how many tons of actual aid the US would send... In case it isnt yet clear, America is weaponizing and politicizing aid, as it tried to do in Venezuela last year. American representatives posture and bellow, and Russia and Syria quietly go about actually delivering aid to needy Syrians. The Russian post-resolution statement also critically noted the brutal impact of sanctions on Syria, which, as detrimental to Syrians wellbeing as they are, somehow dont merit the feigned concern of representatives like Craft. The statement said: These coercive measures seriously undermine not only the socio-economic situation in Syria, but also impede activities of many humanitarian NGOs that are ready to help the population in territories controlled by Syrian official authorities. If America truly wanted to alleviate the suffering of Syrians, all sanctions against the country and people would be immediately lifted. Eva Bartlett is a Canadian independent journalist and activist. She has spent years on the ground covering conflict zones in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Palestine (where she lived for nearly four years). Follow her on Twitter @EvaKBartlett - " Source " - Post your comment below See also The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Search Information Clearing House === The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Hae-chan, right, issues an apology to the people over the sexual harassment allegations involving the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Hae-chan apologized to the people, Wednesday, for the sexual harassment allegations made against the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, and expressed his sympathies to the alleged victim. He promised to come up with "special countermeasures" soon to stop inappropriate conduct by DPK members elected as government officials, including the creation of a body to review claims of misbehavior made against them, and to revise party regulations enhancing education on "gender sensitivity." The belated apology came as the ruling camp is facing an intensifying backlash for its leniency toward Park as well as a series of #MeToo scandals involving other local government heads who were party members. Park was the third high-profile DPK member accused of sexual harassment after former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don resigned in April over similar accusations and An Hee-jung who stepped down as governor of South Chungcheong Province in 2018 after his secretary disclosed his sexual abuse. Park, the capital's longest-serving mayor, was found dead on a mountain in an apparent suicide last Friday, after a criminal complaint alleging sexual harassment was filed against him by his former secretary two days earlier. Police closed the case against Park following his death. She marked her first holiday since lockdown restrictions were eased by jetting off to Ibiza with her pals. And Amber Gill commanded attention as she uploaded a sizzling bikini-clad picture from her enviable Spanish trip onto Instagram on Tuesday. The Love Island 2019 winner, 23, was praised by her followers for promoting a 'healthy body image' by sharing the radiant, unedited snap. Working it: Amber Gill commanded attention as she uploaded a sizzling bikini-clad picture from her enviable Spanish trip onto Instagram on Tuesday Highlighting her curvaceous figure, the former beautician slipped into a clingy black bralet, teamed with matching briefs. With her tresses styled into thick box braids, the TV star showcased her natural beauty as she went make-up free. The bombshell captioned her post with lyrics from Fivio Foreign's Big Drip track as she invited her fans to finish off her message: 'He fell in love with a...'. (sic) The reality star was showered with compliments from her fellow social media users, as well as her Love Island pals. In good company: The Love Island 2019 winner, 23, has marked her first holiday since lockdown restrictions were eased (pictured with Arabella Chi, Kaz Crossley and Harley Brash) 'Finally, someone real': The reality star was praised by her followers for promoting a 'healthy body image' by sharing the radiant, unedited snap They penned: 'Finally. Somebody posting real pictures of themselves and looking even better than these mad photoshopped pics 'Love that you are promoting a healthy body image and not fake, surgery or photoshop! 'If my mrs doesnt look like this I dont want it' YESSSSSS you absolute beauty!' (sic) She's a favourite! The former beautician was showered with compliments from her fellow social media users, as well as her Love Island pals Earlier this year, Amber saw her social presence rewarded when she scooped up Newcomer Of The Year at PrettyLittleThing's Influencer Awards. Due to the pandemic, the curly-haired beauty and the other winners were forced to record their acceptance speeches via video link after the glitzy ceremony was cancelled amid government guidelines. American actor Terrence J, 37, hosted the awards live on PrettyLittleThing's Instagram from his own living room, dishing out gongs to celebrate those in the celebrity and influencer industry. The media personality also topped this year's Love Island's rich list by making 2 million since leaving the villa. Incredible: The media personality has topped this year's Love Island's rich list, after breaking records by signing a whopping 1 million deal with online clothing retailer MissPap Despite failing to hold up her romance with fellow winner Greg O'Shea, the Geordie beauty found success with her career instead, as she broke records by signing a whopping 1million deal with online clothing retailer MissPap. Like Molly-Mae Hague, the bubbly bombshell is estimated to earn up to 10,000 for promotional social media posts, which have featured brands such as EOS and Just Eat. The reality star even enjoyed a stint as a guest panellist on daytime chat show Loose Women, and launched an agony aunt-style podcast, Reality Check, with co-stars Anna Vakili and Yewande Biala. Joshua Collins Inspired by Democratic candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs 2018 Congressional victory in New York, 26-year-old autistic truck driver, Joshua Collins, knew he had to run for political office. Thus, Collins embarked upon a bold challenge to unseat Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.) in Washington states 10th Congressional District, feeling the incumbent was woefully inadequate on issues like climate change. When Heck announced his retirement in 2019 (along with a campaign for another office), it culminated in a free-for-all for the open seat in the House, with 19 candidates from multiple political parties running. The 10th Congressional District comprises portions of three counties southwest of Seattle. In Washington state, the top two finishers in the Aug. 4 primary, regardless of party, advance to the 2020 general election. Collins was originally running in the election as a Democrat but is now the pioneer of the left-leaning coalition Essential Workers Party. If he wins the election, Collins would be the first known openly autistic Congressmember in United States history. The Mighty spoke with Collins about being autistic, the election and his perspective on the future of the country. Related: Download The Mighty app to connect in real time with people who can relate to what you're going through. Meet Joshua Collins Only diagnosed as autistic last year, Collins cannot comprehend how he finished his high school education and completed some undergraduate work without knowing he was on the spectrum. While he came out as autistic early in his Congressional campaign, Collins had to deliberate about how open he would be about his neurodiversity. Story continues My wife and I have discussed this a lot, and the decision to actually be public about it was based on the fact that we naturally drew a lot of people who were autistic into the campaign, Collins explained. In addition to Collins, two of his campaign staffers are also autistic. Furthermore, Collins saw the practical positives that sharing his neurodiversity could provide to other young people on the spectrum who dont see themselves represented in public office. Inspired by climate justice warrior Greta Thunberg, Collins was invigorated by the potential to transform how the larger American society sees neurodiverse people. Related: To My Autistic Son: It Was Always You [S]eeing the impact she had on the autistic community, and just how positively it impacted the way people view people who are autistic [was] why I made that decision, Collins said. That decision would get people to see that if someone is autistic they can do just anything everyone else can do. Running for Office as an Autistic Candidate Like Thunberg and others in the neurodiversity community, Collins sees his autism as a superpower, not a disorder. One of the more positive ways it impacts me is my narrow focus in life, he explained, adding: I spend every waking moment on politics, but I dont get unhappy doing that. Being able to spend all this time working on something and just being completely obsessed and not in an unhealthy way, but in a way that just makes me able to do more, I think thats really the benefit that I have from being autistic. Related: New Apple TV+ Series Little Voice Features Authentically Cast Autistic Character As an autistic candidate, Collins is acutely aware of the legislative priorities facing the disability community. If elected, he would endeavor to fix the Social Security case backlog, increase federal disability payments, and support efforts like the Disability Integration Act to allow Americans to receive home and community-based services. I dont think people should have to choose between not getting care or having to go into an institution in order to get care, Collins said. I think you should be able to get care in your home. Ableism on the Campaign Trail While ableism such as trolls using the r-word was something he expected as a Congressional candidate, Collins was surprised by how cynically his autism has been weaponized by opponents. Due to being neurodiverse, Collins has a very linear way of thinking and has had to ask for particularly vague questions that have underlying meanings to be rephrased. A prominent Democratic Party official and ardent supporter of an opponent, however, tried to frame [it] as me being dishonest or me dodging a question, but all Im asking is for a reframing, Collins said. He further elucidated, People try to ascribe character flaws to my asking for even the most basic sort of accommodation. There are also other challenges to being an autistic candidate. Collins explained that sexual harassment in politics is rampant, and its something to be mindful of, especially for neurodiverse people who are often averse to physical contact. In particular, I dont like being touched, Collins said. If you are autistic and you are just a campaign staffer, you have to be aware of that, too, and try to be vocal about protecting your personal space, because there are a lot of creepy people out there. The Takeaway Collins is cognizant of the challenges of running an unprecedented, social media-based campaign when the COVID-19 pandemic has upended elections. He also recognizes the difficulties of being a progressive candidate in a district that is a mix of Democrats and Republicans. Regardless, Collins has an optimistic outlook about the Aug. 4 primary election. There is going to be a big surprise come election day for a lot of the people who are paying attention to this election, he said. Read more stories like this on The Mighty: Matthew Rushin's Case Shows What Happens When Racism and Ableism Collide When Someone Says Your Child With Autism Will Sleep When They're Tired' Autism Dating Show Love on the Spectrum Heads to Netflix What If You Were Matthew Rushins Mother? By Andrew Osborn and Tom Balmforth MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian security forces on Tuesday detained a former journalist who works as an aide to the head of Russia's space agency and accused him of treason, saying he had passed military secrets to the Czech Republic. Footage released by the FSB security service showed Ivan Safronov being detained outside his Moscow flat by armed agents who searched him before putting him into a van. He could later be heard saying "I'm not guilty" as masked agents led him past reporters to a court hearing that was closed to the public. The court ruled he be held in pre-trial detention for two months until Sept. 6. His lawyers said they would appeal. Safronov, who committed his alleged crime when working as a journalist covering military affairs for the Kommersant newspaper, faces up to two decades in jail if found guilty. His trial is expected to be closed. It is the first time in nearly two decades that a journalist has been accused of treason in Russia, said Ivan Pavlov, one of Safronov's lawyers. Pavlov said investigators alleged that Safronov had passed secrets to the Czech Republic via the internet in 2017. The information concerned Russian arms deliveries to the Middle East and Africa, Pavlov cited investigators as saying, saying the secrets were later passed to Washington. TASS reported last year that prosecutors wanted to bring a case against Kommersant for disclosing a state secret. Russian news portal The Bell said then that an article which Safronov had worked on had disappeared from Kommersant's site. It said Egypt had agreed to buy Russian Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets. Washington threatened Egypt with sanctions if the deal went through. Safronov's detention has raised fears among journalists of a new wave of repression. Staff at Kommersant said in an editorial that the allegations looked absurd because he was a real patriot. Some of Safronov's former colleagues and friends protested outside FSB headquarters before being detained. The FSB had earlier issued a statement accusing Safronov of working for an unnamed NATO foreign intelligence service and of handing over "state secrets and information about military-technical cooperation and about the defence and security of the Russian Federation." (Additional reporting by Alexander Marrow, Maxim Rodionov, Anton Zverev and Alexander Reshetnikov; Editing by Giles Elgood, Gareth Jones, Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Oatis) Riot police in Azerbaijan dispersed early on Wednesday thousands of people who rallied in Baku to demand war with Armenia following deadly clashes on the border between the two South Caucasus countries. The demonstration began on Tuesday evening as a show of support for the Azerbaijani military, with participants reportedly chanting Karabakh is Azerbaijan! and Mobilization! But it appeared to have grown into an angry protest as the crowd reached Bakus central Liberty Square. News reports from the Azerbaijani capital said some protesters called for the resignation of General Najmaddin Sadikhov, the long-serving chief of general staff of the armed forces. At one point late in the protest, a group of protesters broke into the nearby Azerbaijani parliament building but were quickly removed by police, who then used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to disperse those gathered in front. The BBC cited the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry as saying afterwards that seven people were arrested for the "mass riots" and resistance or use of force against a government official which left seven police officers injured. It was the largest demonstration in Azerbaijan in years. The protesters were angered by the deaths of at least 11 Azerbaijani servicemen, including an army general, in three days of heavy with Armenian forces which broke out at a western section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on Sunday. The Armenian army has reported four combat deaths within its ranks. Military officials in Yerevan and Baku said on Wednesday morning that there was no fresh fighting at the border section overnight. The conflicting parties blame each other for the escalation that has prompted serious concern from the international community. The border clashes came days after Azerbaijani President Aliyev raised the possibility of a new war with Armenia and denounced stalled peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh. On July 7, Aliyev threatened to withdraw from negotiations if they yield no results. Eugene Jones Jr., president and CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA), has established himself over a 35-year career as one of America's foremost public-housing leaders. The Atlanta job is his ninth in a leadership position with a major-city housing agency: Jones, 64, served as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority from 2015 to 2019, and previously held top executive positions with the public-housing agencies in Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Mo., and Toronto.The 50,000-resident Atlanta Housing Authority that Jones now leads was one of the first in the nation to build a public-housing project, Techwood Homes , which opened in 1936. Six decades later, in 1996, AHA was the first to use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOPE VI funding to develop a residential project, Centennial Place , as a mixed-income, mixed-use community. I have a particular interest in Centennial Place: I was a member of the Atlanta City Council at the time of its development.Jones will soon publish a book, as yet untitled, that his publicist promises will provide a sharp critique of current local and national housing policy and offer a vision for reforms. I recently interviewed Jones about those issues, the current climate for housing policy, and his own experiences in one of the most challenging jobs in public administration. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.In Toronto, I was an African American running one of the largest systems in the city. There you had no HUD or regulatory bodies to contend with, so things got done a lot easier. We even had our own power plant, which would not have been possible in the U.S. The main thing was we had the full support of the mayor, which was a prerequisite for our being successful. I also directed the Kansas City Housing Authority from 1994 to 1997. This was a challenge because the authority was in federal receivership for past performance issues. Working closely with Mayor Emanuel Cleaver, we were able to move this system forward, although it was still under receivership at the time I left.If you are going to tear down public housing, you need a transparent plan in the beginning, middle and end. Before you act, you need to build loyalty and trust, and there must be open communications with residents, schools, businesses and other stakeholders to make sure everyone is on board.Atlanta, being one of the first communities to implement the HOPE VI grant, had no script, no best-practice models to follow, so mistakes were made. Displaced residents were angry and they were not properly alerted to the fact that they probably would not be returning to the neighborhoods they called home because the process from start to finish could take up to eight years, and by then residents would have resettled and not want to pick up and move again. This couldn't happen today because HUD has instituted more stringent requirements for transparency. Additionally, you have best practices to rely on that mandate stakeholder participation, political support like from the state public officials, mayors, city council members, business leaders, and community and economic and development organizations.I take the politics out of what I do. I don't bash anyone, and I keep a positive working relationship with the professional staff in HUD and Congress. Staff is more important to be on good terms with anyhow. They will or will not recommend your project to HUD's leadership and congressional staff, based on your past performances. I have met and know over a hundred congressional staff members. The top leadership at HUD leaves when an administration changes over, but not the professional staff. I get to know them, have credibility with them and have gained their respect.First, we need people committed to building affordable housing. We must get a handle on this problem and make a financial commitment to addressing the problem. I guarantee you that if we had fully funded an affordable-housing program 50 years ago we wouldn't be facing the problems that we face today. Every city needs partnerships and a clear path for tackling the problem. We also need all types of affordable housing to be built, including modular, pre-fab, corrugated, trailers, etc. We need affordable-housing builders, private and nonprofit, to come to the table and do a better job coordinating. Above all we need mayors across this country to do as [Atlanta] Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms did when she set a goal of spending $1 billion on affordable housing.We need real commitments from political leaders like mayors and city council persons and this might get me in trouble national civil-rights organizations like the Urban League and the NAACP to step up to the plate and do more. We need to demand empathy from more people in a position to do something about affordability of housing. Certainly, we need to make sure individuals have jobs that pay sustainable wages. This is all the more important with COVID-19 threatening so many with the loss of jobs. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, people will also lack access to resources such as food and health services. And many will not be able to pay their mortgages. Come the fall, we are going to see just how terrible this pandemic has been, and the economic fallout.It needs to come from Congress. They need to develop a national plan, pass the plan as legislation, and fund it in its entirety. We need to redefine affordability as well. It changes from location to location. Sixty percent of the area median income won't work everywhere. We don't have a national housing policy, and one of the reasons why is that we have the wrong people at the table. Those advocating change today are largely from advocacy groups. They are needed, but we need everyone to be accountable. We need Rotary Club members, the philanthropic community and national policy institutes. We need a national vision and commitment to solving this problem.When people think about housing needs, they think only about physical structures. They don't think about all the other things individuals need to survive. After you feed the hungry, where do they go to live? All of this is connected, and there are many federal agencies that should help. We have veterans who need affordable housing. Do we think about tapping into the resources of the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs? Many who need affordable housing also need job-training skills, so we should be connecting with the Labor Department. Many who can't afford high rents, including the homeless, have transportation needs. Do we call on the U.S. Department of Transportation to help? The psychological needs of those stressed out about housing need the services of the Department of Health and Human Services. Many individuals threatened by the housing crisis are senior citizens, so we need to involve agencies serving this population. Like they have done in Austin and L.A., we need to figure out how to build affordable housing utilizing Opportunity Zone tax incentives . HUD is just one source of federal funding, but we need to tap into them all.They have to own it. They need to see it as something they can use for bragging rights. The U.S. Conference of Mayors never talks about the need for a national affordable-housing plan. Mayor Bottoms is being accountable, but who else is stepping forward? We need housing development funds like the Atlanta Westside Future Fund on the Eastside and all sides of cities like Atlanta. We need housing authorities to continue to take the lead. When housing authorities lead, generally the private sector will follow. But we don't have much vacant land, and some parts of some cities have negative perceptions of those who live in public housing. We need banks to stop taking a back seat and show up for those needing affordable housing. During the Great Recession, we bailed out banks. We now need them to be part of our solution. If they, and government leaders, were serious, they would postpone all mortgage payments for those who are struggling financially for the entirety of this year. We need the establishment to show more empathy. That's being accountable.I do have hope. And I wish my fears regarding the lack of real commitment from our leaders prove to be wrong.GoverningGoverning FBI Opens China-Related Investigation Every 10 Hours FBI Director Christopher Wray called out the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for using different tactics in stealing U.S. technology and trade secrets during his speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. on July 7. He also warned that the United States will hold China accountable for its malign activities. OE SOTA Day 2020 OE SOTA Day is a popular annual Summits on the Air event, organised by the Austrian SOTA Association. It traditionally includes lots of summits being activated in OE, both from Austrian hams and visiting amateurs, plus a social meet-up somewhere in the Austrian mountains. In 2020, Covid-19 has significantly reduced the possibility of international travel for many, plus a social face-to-face gathering is much more difficult. OE SOTA Day will still take place on Saturday 19th September 2020, but without the social meeting. Instead, the event is being widened to the whole European continent, and will be a festival of SOTA activations to mark the end of summer in Europe. SOTA associations right across the continent are being encouraged to join in, and get as many activators out on summits as possible. As such, there should be a great many opportunities for S2S (summit-to-summit) QSOs throughout the day. It is further hoped that there will be SOTA activity in the Far East & Pacific in the early part of the day, and activations from the Americas into the afternoon and evening. It should be a fantastic festival of SOTA, and hopefully encourage the first-time and occasional activators to be active, as well as the regular participants. Obviously, the day should also offer a very good opportunity for chasers to amass a large number of points and unique summits worked! For more information about the SOTA - Summits on the Air scheme, please visit http://www.sota.org.uk Around 50,000 people are coming into the UK per day, Priti Patel has said - but could not give an estimate for how many might have coronavirus. The Home Secretary revealed the figures as she was grilled by MPs on the government's quarantine arrangements. Ms Patel and her officials were repeatedly pressed by chair Yvette Cooper over whether they had any details of numbers of cases being imported into the UK. The Cabinet minister revealed that 50,000 people per day are now arriving in the UK 'across all modes of transport'. That is up from fewer than 10,000 in April, reflecting the easing of lockdown since then. Ms Patel said she had been 'asking every day' for the figures on how many people coming into the UK might be infected. Around 50,000 people are coming into the UK per day, Priti Patel (pictured) has said - but could not give an estimate for how many might have coronavirus Ms Patel and her officials were repeatedly pressed by chair Yvette Cooper (pictured) over whether they had any details of numbers of cases being imported into the UK But she insisted the 'only reliably estimate' was that around 0.5 per cent of current cases in the country were from abroad. 'That is effectively what I have been presented with in terms of the figure that they say is reliable,' she said. Ms Cooper said: It's quite troubling that none of you seem able to explain just an assessment of the number of people likely to be coming into the country with coronavirus or a proportion of the 50,000.' Questioned about the UK's coronavirus quarantine rules for arrivals, Ms Patel told MPs 383,000 spot checks were carried out between June 6 and July 12 and the compliance rate was 99.9 per cent. However, the overwhelming majority of the checks were carried out at the border, rather than on people who had already arrived. Home Office mandarin Shona Dunn said around a fifth were follow-up checks carried out by Public Health England on addresses where visitors were staying. Last week, it emerged not a single person had been fined by police in England and Wales for breaching the quarantine rules after arriving from abroad up until June 22. But Border Force has issued three penalties. Two British nationals were fined at Coquelles, near Calais, in northern France, on June 28, while a European was issued a penalty in Hull the following day. The figures came as the measures for people returning to or visiting the UK from a list of countries, including popular holiday destinations, were relaxed. The 14-day self-isolation policy for UK arrivals, bar a handful of exemptions, was introduced on June 8, with breaches punishable by fines of between 100 and 1,000. It was met with fierce criticism over the impact on the UK's travel, tourism and hospitality industries. MONTGOMERY, AL / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Warren Averett Technology Group has been selected as a member of the Bob Scott's Value-Added Reseller (VAR) Stars for 2020. This is a group of 100 organizations honored for their accomplishments in the field of midmarket financial software. For the 3rd year in a row Warren Everett Technology Group has received this recognition. Members of the VAR Stars were selected based on factors such as growth, industry leadership and recognition, and innovation. Selection is not based on revenue and those firms that are chosen represent a wide range of different size companies that publish accounting software. "Each year, 100 VAR Stars are picked from the best organizations that market financial software. It is always an honor to recognize those who contribute to the development of our business," Bob Scott said. Warren Averett Technology Group's mission is to provide innovative information technology consulting services of exceptional value and superior quality to those they serve. They do this by supplying a broad range of solutions to clients such as proven business and accounting software, professional network design and support, and comprehensive technology consulting services The company has always been committed to providing the highest level of service to ensure a trusted partnership with their valued clients for years to come. They are led by a well-trained and experienced team of technology professionals that can help any business realize the value of technology in driving growth while at the same time streamlining costs and improving performance. The professionals at the company install and support proven solutions to streamline business and accounting functions, such as HR, payroll, and enterprise resource planning. Warren Averett Technology Group proudly serves clients in many different industries and creates individualized plans to meet each client's unique software needs. "We're honored to receive recognition as a Bob Scott's Top 100 Value-Added Resellers for 2020 and even more honored to receive it for the third year in a row," said Emily Jones, Director of Operations for Warren Averett Technology Group. "We are looking forward to continued growth in our enterprise resources planning (ERP) services and software solutions by continuing to offer and support solutions that help our clients grow and manage their businesses." Those at Warren Averett Technology Group feel this award is important because of the recognition Bob Scott gets from the national mid-market financial software community. Scott has been informing and entertaining this specific community via his email newsletters for over 21 years. He has published this information via the Bob Scott's Insights newsletter which became part of the ERP Global Insights website since 2009. He has covered this market for nearly 29 years through print and electronic publications, first as technology editor of Accounting Today and then as the Editor of Accounting Technology from 1997 through 2009. He has covered the traditional tax and accounting profession during that same time and his newsletters continue to focus on that market. Bob Scott's Insights and the Progressive Accountant are published by a company called PMG360 (www.pmg360.com). They are a leading online media company that provides business-to-business marketers and media planners unparalleled access to a highly qualified and engaged audience through their portfolio of lead generation programs, industry-specific web sites, email newsletters, webinars, live events, podcasts, content/reviews, custom publishing, and direct marketing databases. Their services are highly beneficial to nonprofit, healthcare, and other accounting professionals. CPA firm Warren Averett is one of the largest accounting firms in the Southeastern region. With over 800 employees and 300 CPAs Firm-wide. Warren Averett offers depth and experience in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, construction, real estate, aerospace and defense, life sciences and technology, nonprofit and public sector. They offer services that span beyond audit and tax to include wealth management, staffing and recruiting, technology consulting, financial outsourcing, retirement plan administration, and investments. Warren Averett's 15 office locations include Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Cullman, Anniston and Foley, Alabama; Panama City, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and affiliate offices in Houston, Texas and the Cayman Islands. For those who are interested in the progressive services that this company provides, they can contact Warren Averett by phone or email or refer to the company website. For more information about Warren Averett, contact the company here: Warren Averett Kaleigh Flatt 334-777-2417 Kaleigh.flatt@warrenaverett.com 3815 Interstate Ct., Montgomery, AL 36109 SOURCE: Warren Averett View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597596/Warren-Averett-Technology-Group-Recognized-as-a-Top-100-Bob-Scotts-VAR-Star-for-3rd-Consecutive-Year QUEENSLAND, Australia When a traffic officer pulled over a pickup truck on an Australian highway, he didn't expect to find one of the world's deadliest snakes inside. The driver, a 27-year-old man identified only as "Jimmy" in a police news release published Tuesday, was heading down the Dawson Highway in the state of Queensland at 100 kilometers an hour (62 mph) when he noticed a reptile in the vehicle. It was an eastern brown snake highly venomous and responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia. Here's video from Queensland police after the officer stopped the vehicle: "The more I moved my legs ... it just started to wrap around me. Its head just started striking at the (driver's seat) chair, between my legs," Jimmy said in the news release. He then reportedly used a seat belt and a nearby knife to fight it off while trying to stop the car. According to police: Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:27:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's population in 2020 is estimated to grow 0.4 percent to 32.7 million as compared to 32.5 million in 2019. Malaysian Statistics Department, in releasing the 2020 version of Current Population Estimates, said the decline of population growth rate is attributed to the decrease in the number of non-citizens from 3.1 million last year to 3 million. "This is in line with the closure of our national borders and the return of foreigners to their respective countries during the Movement Control Order following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide," said the department. The growth rate of citizens remained stable at 1.1 percent with the population increasing to 29.7 million from 29.4 million in 2019. Meanwhile, the male population outnumbered the female with 16.8 million and 15.9 million respectively. The percentage of the population aged 0 to 14 years decreased to 23.3 percent compared with 23.5 percent in 2019. The overall percentage of 15 to 64 years also decreased from 69.8 percent in 2019 to 69.7 percent in 2020. "This is due to the reduction in the non-citizen population, which mostly comprises foreign workers," said the department. The percentage of the population aged 65 years and over increased from 6.7 percent to 7 percent over the same period. Enditem Since Saturday, several thousand people have been protesting in Khabarovsk, a city of 600,000 in Russias far east, against the removal of the regions governor, Sergei Furgal, by the Kremlin. Furgal, a member of the far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), was arrested by the FSB (Federal Security Service) in his house on July 9. He is charged with involvement in the murder of multiple businessmen in Khabarovsk and adjacent regions in 2004 and 2005. A court ordered him to be jailed for two months while the investigation continues. Furgal has pleaded not guilty. On Saturday, up to 35,000 people protested in Khabarovsk, the capital city of the Khabarovsk region, which is located almost 4,000 miles to the east of Moscow. Several thousand continued the protests on Sunday and Monday. Protesters chanted Putin step down and Moscow get out. Others carried signs saying, Im Furgal, Im for Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk wont let its own people down and Moscow, listen to us. Sergei Furgal Smaller protests with just a few dozen people took place in smaller towns in the Khabarovsk region. Alexei Navalny, the right-wing leader of the US-backed liberal opposition, enthusiastically welcomed the protests, stating, We are with you, Khabarovsk. His staff in Khabarovsk helped organize several of the protests. A petition demanding Furgals release has been signed by over 40,000 people as of this writing. Furgal was elected in the 2018 regional elections with almost 70 percent of the vote, by far outdoing his rival from the ruling United Russia Party. The LDPR now also controls the regional parliament. During his almost two years in office, Furgal has made limited populist appeals to social discontent. His party, the LDPR, is notorious for its whipping up of Russian chauvinism, especially anti-Chinese xenophobia and anti-Semitism. It has provided a nominal opposition to the Kremlins United Russia Party for almost two decades now, while de facto backing every major initiative of Putin. Prior to his political career, Furgal was one of the leading figures in the regional timber and metal business, two of the main raw material resources of the region. While it is very possible that Furgal was involved in assassinations of other businessmena common practice among Russias criminal oligarchsthe fact that the federal Investigative Committee, Russias highest criminal investigative body, decided to bring charges now, 15 years later, indicates that much broader political issues are behind the conflict. Many things point to growing frictions between the Kremlin and regional elites as well as conflicts within the ruling class more broadly as central drivers behind the arrest of Furgal. The arrest came just one week after a national referendum on constitutional reforms that significantly strengthened the powers of the president and enshrined far-right nationalist values in the Constitution. One significant aspect of the reforms is a limitation of the powers of regional and municipal authorities. In response to the arrest, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, a notorious racist, angrily threatened in the Russian Duma (parliament) that his parliamentary faction would walk out of parliament to protest the treatment of Furgal. In an unusual outburst, he shouted, We gave you the Constitution, and youre putting us in handcuffs. Members of the LDPR have claimed that conflicts between Furgal and elites in Moscow over the company Amurstal constitute a factor in Furgals arrest. Amurstal is the largest steel producer in the Russian far east and the largest manufacturer in the Khabarovsk region. The company maintains close business relations with Chinese companies. Since 2017, Amurstal has belonged to Toreks-Khabarovsk, which is co-owned by Larisa Starodubova, Furgals wife. Khabarovsk was also one of two regions where the Kremlin failed to get a majority for the constitutional amendments, with only 44 percent voting in favor. Many have suggested substantial manipulation of the vote in other regions. Putins approval rating had recently been plummeting to record lows as the coronavirus ripped through the population, exposing the devastating impact of capitalist restoration and decades of austerity, especially on health care. With over 732,000 cases, Russia has the fourth highest number of coronavirus infections in the world, but has already moved to fully reopen the economy. Tens of thousands of miners and oil and gas workers have been infected, for the most part in workplaces that were never properly shut down or reopened prematurely. Many media commentators have pointed out that with the arrest of Furgal, the Kremlin is sending a message to other regional elites ahead of elections that are scheduled for many regions in the fall. In the spring, the Kremlin gave regional authorities significant leeway in dealing with the pandemic, allowing them to both lock down and reopen at different paces and scales. Now it is trying to roll back these limited freedoms. Regionalist and separatist tendencies have long been simmering beneath the surface in Russian politics. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy in 1991, the secession of the far east from Russia was discussed as a real possibility among both Russian and US elites. Throughout the 1990s, fierce conflicts within the rising oligarchy over the control of state assets and raw material resources often took regionalist forms in energy-rich regions like the Urals, Siberia and the far east. In the North Caucasus, a full-blown separatist movement developed in the republic of Chechnya to which the Kremlin responded by waging two extremely bloody wars, in which approximately a tenth of the local population was killed. Under Putin, the growing centralization of government and the establishment of the United Russia Party were aimed not least at suppressing these regionalist tendencies and establishing a firm control over regional governments. The liberal opposition that is heavily supported by US imperialism has deliberately appealed to and fostered these tendencies. Navalny has repeatedly called for greater regional autonomy. He has also participated in several of the annual far-right Russian marches, where he shouted slogans like Stop feeding the Caucasus, which is not only racist, but is advanced by various nationalist and separatist forces advocating the break-up of the Russian Federation. The journalist Ben Judah noted in 2013 that almost all the leaders of the Russian opposition have told me privately that they would let the North Caucasus go. Last year, Navalnys supporters helped organize protests in Yekaterinburg, a major city in the Urals, together with Fedor Krasheninnikov, a businessman and former member of the LDPR who counts among the most prominent advocates of regional autonomy for the Urals. Any progressive movement against the Putin regime and the threat of dictatorship must be based in the working class and oppose these reactionary attempts by the imperialist-backed opposition to foster separatism and nationalism. (Newser) Sri Lankan auto rickshaw driver Prasad Dinesh admits breaking into a house to steal coconuts to sell to buy heroinbut he says it's harsh to blame him for almost half of the country's coronavirus cases. The 33-year-old sustained a leg injury during the April 5 theft and tested positive for the virus after his arrest. Around 100 people in his neighborhood were then ordered to self-quarantine, but chaos ensured after a team of sailors was sent to assist health workers, the AP reports. Dinesh's associates "were climbing trees, they were trying to jump over a fence, trying to have a bath, trying to jump into a canal," says Adm. Javanath Colombage, a member of Sri Lanka's national coronavirus task force. Dozens of sailors involved in the operation later tested positive, leading to around 900 infections after thousands of sailors were quarantined in a single camp. story continues below Authorities, who referred to Dinesh as "Patient 206," accused him of doing "huge damage" to the country. They said that in total, he was responsible for more than 1,100 of the country's 2,600 coronavirus cases. "I cant accept that I am responsible for infecting so many, including the navy sailors," Dinesh tells the AP. He says he is being stigmatized because he is a heroin user, though he managed to kick the habit while hospitalized. "I have now completely given up," he says. "I dont even smoke a cigarette. I am always with my two kids now and play with them. I feel good." The South Asian country has reported only 11 coronavirus deaths, but after a recent rise in cases, doctors are urging the government to reintroduce restrictions including a ban on public gatherings, the Daily Mirror reports. (Read more coronavirus stories.) 15.07.2020 LISTEN The Member of Parliament for Krachi West in the Oti region of Ghana, Honorable Helen Adjoa Ntoso has described the National Democratic Congress' candidature as a perfect match to transform the nation. She expressed happiness and said she is one of the persons who advocated for women to be given the nod to occupy top offices. In an interview with this Reporter, SwanQy Jay, the legislator said the appointment of Professor Jane Opoku Agyemang is a plus to the NDC and the nation as a whole. She added that Professor Opoku Agyemang's credentials are top-notch and blending it with John Dramani Mahamas experience and foresight will help develop Ghana and alleviate people from hardships. Queried on comments from the opposition NPP on Professor Jane Opoku Agyemang's appointment, she replied bitterly that she is disappointed in Honorable Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Bernard Antwi Boasiako AKA Chairman Wontumi, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah MP for Adenta and others who use abusive words on the appointee. It Saddens my heart hearing this from persons who are expected to be role models' Hon Ntoso stated. On Politics of insults', Hon Ntoso said if we as Ghanaians start to seek for legal actions against people who insult and abuse us this menace will fade away from our political space. She is of the view that because nobody has sued anyone yet due to defamation and assault here in Ghana people think they can always get away freely after insulting and lying about people. KELOWNA, BC, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - The Valens Company Inc. (TSX: VLNS) (OTCQX: VLNCF) (the "Company" or "The Valens Company"), a global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products, is pleased to report its second quarter financial results for the period ended May 31, 2020. Key Financial Highlights of the Second Quarter of 2020 Revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was $17.6 million , a 100.3% increase from $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2019. , a 100.3% increase from in the second quarter of 2019. Gross profit increased to $6.3 million , or 35.8% of revenue, for the three months ended May 31, 2020 , compared to $5.1 million , or 57.9% of revenue in the same period in fiscal 2019. , or 35.8% of revenue, for the three months ended , compared to , or 57.9% of revenue in the same period in fiscal 2019. Adjusted EBITDA (1) was $2.7 million , or 15.3% of revenue, for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $2.0 million , or 23.0% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2019. was , or 15.3% of revenue, for the second quarter of 2020, compared to , or 23.0% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2019. Strong balance sheet with $45.1 million in cash and short-term investments and a net working capital position of $90.5 million as of May 31, 2020 . Corporate Highlights The common shares and certain warrants of The Valens Company were uplisted to the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols "VLNS" and "VLNS.WT" on April 16, 2020 , at which time they were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange. , at which time they were delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company repurchased and cancelled 43,600 common shares ("Shares") through its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") during the second quarter of 2020 at prices ranging from $2.24 $2.25 per share. The Company continues to believe its share price is undervalued as compared to its industry peer group and the Company may further use the NCIB to repurchase additional Shares in the coming quarters. per share. The Company continues to believe its share price is undervalued as compared to its industry peer group and the Company may further use the NCIB to repurchase additional Shares in the coming quarters. On May 29, 2020 , the Company entered into a syndicated credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC") as Co-Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent, and ATB Financial ("ATB") as Co-Lead Arranger (together, the "Lenders"). Under the terms of the credit facility, the Lenders have agreed to provide The Valens Company up to C$40 million of secured debt financing, of which C$20 million was drawn at May 31, 2020 . , the Company entered into a syndicated credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC") as Co-Lead Arranger and Administrative Agent, and ATB Financial ("ATB") as Co-Lead Arranger (together, the "Lenders"). Under the terms of the credit facility, the Lenders have agreed to provide The Valens Company up to of secured debt financing, of which was drawn at . Subsequent to the quarter end, the Company completed its name change to 'The Valens Company Inc.,' to further signal its position as a global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of cannabinoid-based products and better reflect the strategic vision of the business. "Although the slowdown across the cannabis industry during the second quarter led to a decrease in toll extraction revenue and bulk winterized and distillate product oil sales, we are pleased to see revenue from our custom manufacturing, white label, and co-packing agreements grow quarter over quarter. Our increasing number of agreements in these segments is expected to drive revenue in the second half of fiscal 2020 as we bring on more partners who recognize the value in our bespoke manufacturing capabilities," said Tyler Robson, CEO of The Valens Company. "As we see increased demand from provincial suppliers with the expansion of our customers' cannabis 2.0 product lines, we continue to create, manufacture, and distribute new and innovative product formats. This includes our recent internal record of launching a new product in only 44 days. In the second quarter, we shifted our focus to extracting Valens-owned cannabis and hemp biomass, processing over 30,000 kilograms to prepare for anticipated inventory requirements for 2.0 product offerings. We plan to continue to leverage attractive biomass pricing to increase margins in our custom manufacturing and white label segments going into 2021. Moving through the second half of fiscal 2020, we remain focused on demonstrating the value of Valens' platform as it integrates into the supply chain of leading companies looking to bring customized, innovative products to Canadian consumers." Key Operating Highlights The Valens Company manufactured a record of 36 SKUs in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 9 SKUs in the first quarter of 2020. The Valens Company launched a line of cannabis-infused beverages, produced under a white label agreement with A1 Cannabis Company (a subsidiary of Iconic Brewing) in Canada . . The Valens Company produced and bottled 30,000 bottles (1,300 litres) of hand sanitizer liquid at its Kelowna facility to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. facility to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Valens Company signed a distribution agreement with Cannvalate Pty Ltd. ("Cannvalate"), Australia's largest medicinal cannabis distributor and clinical research organization. The partnership provides the Company the platform to establish initial operations, pursue required licensing, and bring Valens' high quality, innovative, oil-based products to a growing medical patient base and broader consumer categories as the Australian market evolves. The Company is expected to initially monetize the agreement with Cannvalate through shipments of a broad range of products from its facility in Canada to Australia . largest medicinal cannabis distributor and clinical research organization. The partnership provides the Company the platform to establish initial operations, pursue required licensing, and bring Valens' high quality, innovative, oil-based products to a growing medical patient base and broader consumer categories as the Australian market evolves. The Company is expected to initially monetize the agreement with Cannvalate through shipments of a broad range of products from its facility in to . Subsequent to the end of the quarter: The Company entered a partnership with TREC Brands Inc. to manufacture vape pens across three existing TREC brands; Thumbs Up Brand, WINK, and Blissed, with the potential to later produce other innovative products. The TREC agreement follows a royalty-based payment structure. The Company entered an initial five-year manufacturing and distribution agreement with Verse Cannabis to launch the largest, premium concentrate offering in Canada , including a range of high-quality products, such as vapes, oils, crumble, live resin vape pens and water-based products leveraging SoRSE by Valens emulsion technology. The Verse agreement follows a royalty-based payment structure. , including a range of high-quality products, such as vapes, oils, crumble, live resin vape pens and water-based products leveraging SoRSE by Valens emulsion technology. The Verse agreement follows a royalty-based payment structure. The Company launched a premium, disposable vape line, "Made By," in partnership with BRNT Ltd. ("BRNT"). The Company also announced a strategic amendment to its existing royalty-based custom manufacturing agreement with BRNT, including a partnership on a new product line of 510 thread vape cartridges. The Company entered an initial two-year royalty-based agreement with High 12 Brands ("High 12") to develop and manufacture a premium line of vape products under the DAIZE brand portfolio. The DAIZE brand of vape products will offer experienced consumers unique and potent formulations with premium cannabis oil made from a curated selection of sought-after cannabis strains. The High 12 agreement follows a royalty-based payment structure. The Company entered into a two-year royalty-based agreement with FPS Brands Inc. ("FPS Brands") to develop and manufacture a craft line of hemp-derived CBD products under the ufeelu portfolio. The initial product offering will include cannabis oils, vapes and tinctures. The FPS Brands agreement follows a royalty-based payment structure. Jeff Fallows, President of The Valens Company, said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges with many of our customers experiencing reduced workforces, decreases in cultivation output, and a resulting reduction in demand for extraction services, which we expect to continue into the third fiscal quarter. However, the flexibility of our platform and diverse customer base has helped us navigate these challenges. Since the end of the quarter, we have experienced positive momentum from securing several custom manufacturing partnerships to launch a breadth of new products and showcase more of our product development capabilities. These new contracts give us more visibility into future earnings growth in our custom manufacturing and white label segment which we anticipate will ramp up in the second half of fiscal 2020. We have the most advanced 2.0 platform to manufacture differentiated products, which is demonstrated by the growth and diversity of our product development pipeline, making us a one-stop shop for our customers." The following table of financial highlights is presented in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share, biomass extracted and number of SKUs manufactured amounts. Three-months ended May 31, 2020; Q2 2020 Three-months ended February 29, 2020; Q1 2020 Three-months ended November 30, 2019; Q4 2019 Three-months ended August 31, 2019; Q3 2019 Three-months ended May 31, 2019; Q2 2019 Revenue $ 17,627 31,980 30,624 16,462 8,800 Gross Profit $ 6,318 18,086 22,594 12,807 5,099 Gross Profit % 35.8% 56.6% 73.8% 77.8% 57.9% Adjusted EBITDA $ (1) 2,699 14,282 17,669 9,772 2,023 Adjusted EBITDA % (1) 15.3% 44.7% 57.7% 59.4% 23.0% Net income (loss) $ (3,528) 2,543 4,466 5,893 (10,530) Net income (loss) % N/A 8.0% 14.6% 35.8% N/A Basic / diluted income (loss) per share $ (0.03) 0.02 0.04 0.05 (0.10) Biomass extracted (Kilograms) 30,059 19,962 24,426 26,625 8,547 Number of SKUs manufactured 36 9 6 2 - (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure used by management that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Management defines adjusted EBITDA as income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) from operations, as reported, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted for removing share-based payments, unrealized gains and losses from short term investments and other one-time and non-cash items including impairment losses. Management believes adjusted EBITDA is a useful financial metric to assess its operating performance on an adjusted basis as described above. See reconciliation of "Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP measure)" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended May 31, 2020 for additional information. The management's discussion and analysis for the period and the accompanying financial statements and notes are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Conference Call Details The Company will host a conference call tomorrow, Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 11:00 am Eastern Time / 8:00 am Pacific Time to discuss the financial results and business outlook. Participant Dial-In Numbers: Toll-Free: 1-877-407-0792 Toll / International: 1-201-689-8263 *Participants should request The Valens Company Earnings Call or provide confirmation code 13706344 The call will be webcast on the Valens investor page of the Company website at https://thevalenscompany.com/investors/ or at this link. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available on the Valens investor page approximately two hours after the conference call has ended. Tyler Robson, Chief Executive Officer, Chris Buysen, Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Fallows, President, and Everett Knight, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Capital Markets, will be conducting a question and answer session following the prepared remarks. About The Valens Company The Valens Company is a global leader in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of innovative, cannabinoid-based products. The Valens Company is focused on being the partner of choice for leading Canadian and international cannabis brands by providing best-in-class, proprietary services including CO2, ethanol, hydrocarbon, solvent-less and terpene extraction, analytical testing, formulation and product development and custom manufacturing. Valens is the largest third-party extraction company in Canada with an annual capacity of 425,000 kg of dried cannabis and hemp biomass at our purpose-built facility in Kelowna, British Columbia which is in the process of becoming European Union (EU) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliant. The Valens Company currently offers a wide range of product formats, including tinctures, two-piece caps, soft gels, oral sprays and vape pens as well as beverages, concentrates, topicals, edibles, injectables, natural health products and has a strong pipeline of next-generation products in development for future release. Finally, The Valens Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Valens Labs is a Health Canada licensed ISO 17025 accredited cannabis testing lab providing sector-leading analytical services and has partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific to develop a Centre of Excellence in Plant-Based Science. For more information, please visit http://thevalenscompany.com. The Valens Company's investor deck can be found specifically at http://thevalenscompany.com/investors/. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements All information included in this press release, including any information as to the future financial or operating performance and other statements of The Valens Company that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are included for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "scheduled", "trends", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", "to establish", "believe", "intend", "ability to", or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of these words or other variations thereof, have been used to identify such forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all disclosure regarding future results of operations, economic conditions and anticipated courses of action. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others, regulatory risk, United States border crossing and travel bans, reliance on licenses, expansion of facilities, competition, dependence on supply of cannabis and reliance on other key inputs, dependence on senior management and key personnel, general business risk and liability, regulation of the cannabis industry, change in laws, regulations and guidelines, compliance with laws, reliance on a single facility, limited operating history, vulnerability to rising energy costs, unfavourable publicity or consumer perception, product liability, risks related to intellectual property, product recalls, difficulties with forecasts, management of growth and litigation, many of which are beyond the control of The Valens Company. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risks faced by The Valens Company, and which may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of The Valens Company to be materially different from estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, please refer to The Valens Company's latest Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com or on The Valens Company's website at www.thevalenscompany.com. The risks described in such Annual Information Form are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Although the forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and reasonable assumptions based upon information available to management as of the date hereof, The Valens Company cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. The Valens Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Valens Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Nothing herein should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell securities of The Valens Company. SOURCE The Valens Company Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:07:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's natural rubber production fell 39.2 percent month on month to 21,044 tonnes in May due to the impact restrictive measures imposed by the government to contain COVID-19. Malaysian Statistics Department said in a statement that the natural rubber production slumped 52.7 percent as compared with the same period of previous year. "The decline in the production of natural rubber was also supported by the closing stocks in the previous month. This situation is among the remedial measures taken to address the shortage of production," said the department. Stocks of natural rubber started to decline by 8.2 percent to 295,146 tonnes in May as compared to 321,413 tonnes in April. Exports of Malaysia's natural rubber also decreased by 16.8 percent month on month to 33,780 tonnes. China remains as the main natural rubber export destination, accounting for 50.4 percent of total exports in May. This was followed by Germany (13.4 percent), United States (5.2 percent), Turkey (4.1 percent) and Egypt (2.5 percent). Rubber gloves remained the major export item with an export value of 2.13 billion ringgit (500 million U.S. dollars) in May as compared to 1.98 billion ringgit (460 million U.S. dollars) in April. Enditem Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani laid out big plans for all the three business verticals of Indias largest conglomerate at the companys 43rd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, but there were two big-bang announcements: Googles investment in Jio Platforms, and the company being ready with in-house 5G solutions. Reliance Jio, which has also won the backing of US tech giants Qualcomm Inc and Facebook, has built a completely indigenous 5G solution, Ambani said at the virtual AGM, adding that the digital and telecom arm of his company will be ready to rollout 5G services as soon as spectrum is made available. Ambani said the company has created a 5G mobile network solution from the ground up, which will eliminate the need for the company to depend on third-party vendors, including Chinese telecom major Huawei, which was recently banned from setting up critical 5G infrastructure in the UK due to security concerns. Today, I have great pride in announcing that Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. This will enable us to launch a world-class 5G service in India, using 100 per cent homegrown technologies and solutions, said Ambani, while addressing the shareholders, prospective investors, media and the general public. Calling this a 'Made in India 5G solution, Ambani assured that the upgradation from 4G to 5G network will be easy, and said that once it will be set up in India, the company aims to offer it to other global telecom operators. Once Jios 5G solution is proven at Indias scale, Jio Platforms would be well-positioned to be an exporter to other telecom operators globally as a complete managed service, he said. This comes just a few hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised Reliance Jio as a clean network while being critical of Huaweis 5G equipment because of threats to national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual and human rights. Aiding Jio in scaling up on technology side will be the new member on its board Google - which will pick up a 7.7 per cent stake in the company for Rs 33,737 crore. With this deal, RIL has now sold nearly 33 per cent of Jio Platforms, which houses music, movie apps and telecoms venture Jio Infocomm for Rs 1.52 lakh crore. The deal with Google will bolster Reliance's tech ambitions, such as building smart homes, using solutions similar to Amazon.com Inc's Alexa voice assistant, connected cars and security systems. Ambani said that RIL had already achieved its target of becoming net debt free and insisted it would only take strategic partners on board from now. Jio and Google will partner to build a low-cost 4G, or even 5G smartphone for India, Ambani said, in a move that is likely to get crores of Indians to use high-speed mobile internet for the first time. "Google and Reliance Jio are partnering to build a value-engineered Android-based smartphone operating system. Through this partnership, we can accelerate the national mission of putting a smart device in the hands of every Indian," Ambani said. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a video message that through this partnership with Jio Platforms, we see the chance to have an even greater impact than either company could have alone," adding that the Jio investment was "the first and the biggest" investment Google would make via a Rs 75,000 crore digitisation fund announced earlier this week. The RIL Chairman also announced that the company will induct global partners for its retail business in the next few quarters, and said the company has successfully piloted the JioMart grocery model with kirana partners in 200 cities, and will also include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, fashion and electronics as part of an accelerated launch. The stake sale in the companys oil-to-chemical to Saudi Aramco, however, has been put on the backburner for now. Ambani said the deal did not progress as per earlier timelines due to unforeseen circumstances in the energy market and the Covid-19 situation. Our equity requirements have already been met. Nevertheless, we at Reliance value our over two-decade long relationship with Saudi Aramco and are committed to a long-term partnership, he said, adding that said RIL will be spinning off the oil-to-chemical business into a separate subsidiary by early 2021 "to facilitate multiple partnership opportunities." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) A regulatory body has warned the public against alcohol and alcohol-based products that may contain methanol as some were discovered to contain the toxic chemical. Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo Domingo said this is a cause for concern as sanitizing is important in preventing the spread of coronavirus. Ito ay magandang alternatibo sa paghuhugas ng kamay. Kailangan lamang sigurado tayo doon sa kanyang content, Domingo said during the Health departments online media briefing. [Translation: This is a good alternative to washing of hands. We just have to make sure of the content.] Nakakatakot lang dito sa atin, marami-rami tayong nahuhuli na may laman na methanol, he said. [Translation: It is just concerning here in the country, we discovered many products contain methanol.] Methanol can be toxic when absorbed in the skin or inhaled. Ingestion of at least 30 milliliters is potentially fatal. There were cases of methanol poisoning late last year after victims ingested lamabanog, or coconut wine, with high levels of methanol. Domingo said about 1,570 brands are registered with the FDA. He reminded consumers to make sure to check labels, which include product name and function, ingredients, special precaution, net content, name and address of manufacturer or distributor, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and place of production. The official also said ethyl acetate, or industrial grade ethanol, is dangerous for human use since this is meant to be used for factory machine. He added that Canada previously warned of such products, which he said are not available in the country. He also reminded the public that products with ethyl or isopropyl alcohol at 60 to 70 percent or more are in sanitizing the hands, while anything lower, like alcoholic beverages, are not effective for disinfection. Escalating pressure on Germany, US President Donald Trump's administration opened the way Wednesday for tough sanctions as the ally moves forward with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with Russia. "It's a clear warning to companies -- aiding and abetting Russia's malign influence projects will not be tolerated," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference. "Get out now or risk the consequences," he warned. Nord Stream 2, which is near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural gas shipments to Germany, the EU's largest economy, at a cost of 10 billion euros ($11 billion). Trump last year signed legislation that targets contractors working on Nord Stream 2 and another Russian gas project, TurkStream, which goes through the Black Sea. But while those sanctions focused on technical assistance, the separate Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act lays out harsh measures that can include severing access to the US financial system. After President Donald Trump reluctantly signed that act in 2017, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exempted Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream on the grounds that work on the projects had begun before the law. Pompeo announced revised guidelines that lift the exemptions, meaning German companies will suffer sanctions even for small investments. His decision does not in itself authorize any action, which still needs to be determined by the administration. Germany had voiced anger over the earlier sanctions law, saying that it interfered in its internal affairs. But Ukraine, Poland and Baltic states have voiced fear that Nord Stream 2 will further embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin "We are adding our voice to those European voices today that are concerned about Russian aggression," said Chris Robinson, a senior US diplomat handling Russia. "The tools that we have made available today help reinforce that message," he told reporters. - Different views on security - Germany, despite political differences with Russia, sees Nord Stream 2 as ensuring a more stable and cleaner source of energy as it shuns coal and nuclear power. But critics say that Russia will be able to bypass Ukraine, which is battling Russian-backed separatists. "The Kremlin has continued to push Nord Stream 2 in its effort to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy," said Frank Fannon, the assistant secretary of state for energy resources. "Ukraine's energy infrastructure serves as a deterrent to Russian aggression. Yet the Kremlin now seeks to undermine Ukraine, by making that infrastructure obsolete," he said. Germany is a longstanding ally of the United States, but Trump has tense relations with German chancellor Angela Merkel, once berating her as "captive" to Russia and belittling her welcome to Syrian refugees. Trump recently approved plans to pull 9,500 US troops from Germany, accusing Berlin of treating the United States unfairly on trade while not paying enough on defense. Merkel also apparently upset Trump by declining to attend a Group of Seven summit he had hoped to host in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Former US officials Brian O'Toole and Daniel Fried, now fellows at the Atlantic Council, said Pompeo's announcement appeared to be a "major escalation" over Nord Stream 2. They wrote in an analysis that the administration was likely hoping to put pressure on Germany rather than intending to issue sanctions. "Of course, in this administration, the political will to impose sanctions on an allied nation could materialize quickly, with a decision made by tweet, or in reaction to a news snippet," they wrote. Putin said in January that he hoped Nord Stream 2 would be completed by early 2021 after "several months" of delay caused by the US sanctions. Despite Trump's anger over Nord Stream 2, he has sought to build relations with Putin and has mused of inviting him to an expanded G7 summit. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatens harsher measures against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline during a news conference at the State Department Tubes for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which the United States wants to stop, are loaded on a ship at the Mukran port in Sassnitz on the Baltic Sea island of Ruegen in northeastern Germany in December 2019 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump, pictured August 2019, have had tense relations despite their countries' history of allyship Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy. Morning high of 31F with temps falling to near 20. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 8F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Todays guest bloggers are Jamie M. Carroll, associate project director for the National Mindset Innovation Network , and David Yeager, psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin. This is the fourth piece in a series on growth mindset. The first was on teacher mindsets and racial inequality , the second on how teachers mistakes can help kids learn , and the third on creating a growth mindset culture during distance learning . Should I make my class less challenging when my students are stressed and anxious? Students will face many difficulties in the coming year. They will need to catch up on last years content and learn this yearsall while possibly confronting such issues as social isolation, difficulty with internet or computer access, food insecurity, family responsibilities, and more. For many students, the demands of the schoolwork will exceed the support they have available. Psychophysiologists, who study the connection between the mind and the bodys stress system, call this threat stress (see the left side of the figure below). Scientists like Jeremy Jamieson have shown that students feel threat when theyre being asked to do more than they can handle. Their bodies then prepare for damage and defeat: Their blood vessels constrict, limiting blood flow, which leads to less oxygen to the brain. And their bodies release cortisol, the toxic stress hormone that makes it harder to form new memories. Both of these effects cause students to do worse in school. Two different ways of helping students deal with stress: decreasing expectations vs. increasing support As teachers, we dont want to put our students under threat. Therefore, we often pull back; we decrease our expectations to match the support available. We say, Thats OK, you dont have to worry about that (see the bottom right of figure). While of course we need to be compassionate and flexible with how students complete assignments, we can end up pulling back for precisely the students who need us the most: lower-achieving students or those from low-income families. In fact, in the spring of 2020, teachers in high-poverty schools were less likely to introduce new material during distance learning . Fortunately, theres another way to help students who feel stressed: by keeping schoolwork challenging but increasing support so it matches the expectations. This approach promotes resilience (see the top right of figure). How can teachers help students deal with stress while maintaining high standards? For Sergio Estrada, an OnRamps physics teacher in El Paso, Texas, the move to distance learning meant continuing to challenge students while supporting their growth mindsets . I want to be a support system for them but not necessarily a crutch, he explains. My students are engaged in learning, and they know more than they think they do. But there are a lot of confidence issues. In distance learning, Sergio did whatever it took for his students to know that his support will meet the rigorous demands of the course. When students got a problem wrong, he emphasized to them: You are more than just a number. You can answer this question. He tried to make his students feel comfortable with making mistakes to emphasize that failure is the starting place for growth. Even in the early days of the pandemic, he didnt give them the answers when they were stuck but instead asked them guiding questions to help them connect the dots on their own: I want them to learn how to think and what questions they should be asking themselves. But he let them know he was available on a chat app at any time to help. I tell them, You have Mr. Estrada in your pocket. You just need to reach for him. Teachers like Sergio convey to students that they are up to the challenge and that you will do whatever they need so they can meet the courses ambitious learning goals. I want to think my students are prepared for challenges, explains Sergio. They need to be resourceful because I may not always be there. A chemical engineering professor at Virginia Tech has developed a surface coating that, when painted on common objects, inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Door knobs, light switches, shopping carts. Fear runs rampant nowadays when it comes to touching common surfaces because of the rapid spread of the coronavirus. A Virginia Tech professor has found a solution. Since mid-March, William Ducker, a chemical engineering professor, has developed a surface coating that when painted on common objects, inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. "The idea is when the droplets land on a solid object, the virus within the droplets will be inactivated," Ducker said. Since mid-April, Ducker has been working with Leo Poon, a professor and researcher at the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, to test the film's success at inactivating the virus. Their research was published July 13 in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, a scientific journal for chemists, engineers, biologists, and physicists. The results of the tests have been outstanding, Ducker said. When the coating is painted on glass or stainless steel, the amount of virus is reduced by 99.9 percent in one hour, compared to the uncoated sample. "One hour is the shortest period that we have tested so far, and tests at shorter periods are ongoing," Ducker said. His expectation is that his team can inactivate the virus in minutes. Results have shown that the coating is robust. It does not peel off after being slashed with a razor blade. It also retains its ability to inactivate the virus after multiple rounds of being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and then disinfection or after being submerged in water for a week, based on the tests. If the project's success continues, it is a significant discovery in fighting the virus' spread. "Everybody is worried about touching objects that may have the coronavirus," said Ducker, who recalled that his wife, in March, questioned whether she should sit on a park bench during the pandemic. "It would help people to relax a little bit." Already, Ducker's research was focused on making films that kill bacteria. As the COVID-19 virus began to spread to the United States a few months ago, Ducker asked himself "Why not make a coating that can eradicate a virus, rather than bacteria?" "We have to use our chemical knowledge and experience of other viruses to guess what would kill it [SARS-CoV-2]," Ducker said. Virginia Tech granted essential personnel status to Ducker, his two PhD. chemical engineering graduate students -- Saeed Behzadinasab and Mohsen Hossein -- and Xu Feng from the university's Department of Chemistry so that they could enter campus labs to make the film and test its properties. "It was an interesting experience," Ducker said. "Almost the entire campus was shut down, and we were like ghosts wandering the empty halls of Goodwin Hall. But it was very exciting to have such a clear goal. I know that it was a difficult time for many people who were bored, unhappy, or scared. We were just focused on making a coating." Next, he needed to find someone who could test the coating's effectiveness. Through an internet search, Ducker found Poon, who is known for his work studying SARs-CoV-1, which was the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003 and 2004. Poon has been active in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. For Poon's tests, Ducker and the graduate students spread three different kinds of coatings on glass and stainless steel. Then, they shipped the samples to Poon. Now, Ducker said he hopes to attract funding in order to mass produce the film. To be sure, the film doesn't replace other safety measures that people should take to stop the spread of the coronavirus, such as handwashing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask. Even so, "people won't have to worry as much about touching objects," Ducker said. "It will be both practical and reducing fear." ### Sad to see Sachin Pilot leave Congress: Shashi Tharoor India pti-PTI New Delhi, July 14: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said he was sad to see Sachin Pilot "leave" the Congress and asserted that instead of "parting", the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister should have joined the effort to make the party a more effective instrument for "his and our dreams". However, when asked on Twitter whether Pilot had left the party, Tharoor said, "Not formally. I certainly hope that reconciliation is still possible. The events of the last few days led me to draw an obvious inference." "If he returns to the fold & works for a revived &reformed @incIndia, he would be more than welcome," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said. Sachin pilot to hold press conference at 10 AM tomorrow, Rajasthan crisis deepens | Oneindia News Sachin Pilot welcome to join, say BJP leaders as party weighs its options The Congress on Tuesday cracked the whip on dissident leader Pilot, stripping him of the posts of deputy chief minister and the party's Rajasthan unit president for revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Responding to the developments, Tharoor tweeted, "I am sad to see @SachinPilot leave @INCIndia. "I consider him one of our best & brightest, and wish it had not come to this. Instead of parting, he should have joined the effort to make the Party a better & more effective instrument for his, and our, dreams." Vecchiones willingness to do this is notable because the fashion industry has had an antagonistic relationship with this White House since before Trumps inauguration. Soon after the election, a litany of designers announced they would not dress the first lady. Even now, when she purchases ensembles at retail, companies have been reluctant to take credit. (The most vociferous exception has been Dolce & Gabbana.) When presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway wore Gucci to the inauguration, the brand went out of its way to make clear that her decision to do so was beyond its control. A whole movement was launched encouraging consumers to boycott brands that supported the new administration, and that animosity has only grown during this election cycle. Australia is refusing to join the United States and amend its free trade agreement with Hong Kong after Washington terminated its special status, penalised officials and designated the former British colony as wholly part of China. Days of ricocheting sanctions between the two superpowers culminated in US President Donald Trump signing an executive order on Wednesday that will treat Hong Kong passport holders the same as those from the People's Republic of China, challenging its status as an independent global financial hub. Hongkongers protest against new security laws in the former UK colony. Credit:AP Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said on Wednesday that the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement signed last year provided certainty and transparency for Australian businesses trading and investing in Hong Kong. "We continue to monitor developments in Hong Kong so as to act in accordance with Australias values and interests," he said. There are just 68 dolphins left in 435-kilometre-long Chambal river sanctuary which passes through three states (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan), according to the latest census report of Madhya Pradesh forest department. The report came out in last week of June. According to the census report, dolphins number in Chambal river has been reduced by 13 per cent in four years. The decreasing trend is continuing from 2016 when there were 78 dolphins. In 2006, the Supreme Courts Central Empowered Committee (CEC) ordered a ban on mining in the sanctuary area to save the flora and fauna of the river. But illegal sand mining and consumption of water is so rampant that it is putting the whole ecosystem of the river in danger, said Jyoti Dandotiya, chief scientist of the Deori Gharial Eco-park in Chambal sanctuary in Morena. Principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF), wildlife, SK Mandal said, The decrease in number of dolphins is a matter of concern but Chambal is a lifeline for three states and the locals of MP, UP and Rajasthan are withdrawing water daily. Similarly, illegal sand mining is rampant in Bhind and Morena in MP and Dholpur in Rajasthan. Forest teams face so many life threatening attacks while taking actions against illegal sand mafia. Forest team needs support of locals, which they never get. Dolphin is a sensitive animal and we didnt find many studies so we roped in a team of experts including scientists of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to do a research for safeguarding and increasing the population of dolphins in Chambal, he added. Experts raised concerns on the decreasing number of the national aquatic animal. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, scientist Qamar Qureshi, who is doing a research on dolphins in Chambal, said, The maximum carrying capacity of dolphins in Chambal is 125. Its a rare species of dolphins - platanista gangetica - and has been declared endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It requires at least 3 metre depth and 266.42-289.67 m3 per sec flow of water for sustainable habitat. But perennial problems like illegal extraction of sand from the river bed and water withdrawal projects in Morena, Dholpur and Kota are disturbing the whole ecosystem of the river and decreasing the water level and flow. It needs to be addressed properly to save the dolphins as well as ghariyal, he added. Qureshi said, With research on what is their favourable environment, we are also doing research to know about their communication system. There is lot to know about this species. It has rudimentary eyes. From preying to surfing, dolphins do it through ultrasonic sound. Now, the research has come to a halt due to Covid-19. We would resume it once this pandemic is over to know more about dolphins. The dolphins were spotted for the first time in 1985 in Chambal river near Etawah. That time, the number was more than 110 but poaching reduced the number. Now poaching is not at all a problem but unfavourable habitat is. Not only dolphins, but population of ghariyals has also been affected, said Dandotiya. Supreme Court of India The Supreme Court of India (SC), on July 14, said it may consider appointing a committee to inquire into the encounters of gangster Vikas Dubey and his associates as well as the killing of eight policemen in Uttar Pradesh. The panel could be headed by a former judge. The Uttar Pradesh government told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde that it would file a status report by July 16 detailing the steps taken by the authority on the matter. The apex court was hearing the pleas on the incidents, including those seeking a court-monitored probe into the encounters. The bench, also comprising Justices RS Reddy and AS Bopanna, observed that monitoring of investigation is something which the court is very reluctant to do. Also read: Constable who was in car transporting Vikas Dubey from Ujjain tests positive for COVID-19 The bench said it may consider doing something similar to what was done in the case of encounter of four accused in the gang-rape and murder case of a veterinarian in Telangana. It had appointed an inquiry commission headed by a former apex court judge. "List these matters on July 20. The petitioners-in-person are directed to serve a copy of their respective petition upon Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General appearing for the respondent(s), forthwith," the bench noted in its order. It said that Mehta, who was appearing for Uttar Pradesh, "may file reply affidavit" on the pleas by July 16. Eight policemen, including DSP Devendra Mishra, were ambushed in Bikru village in Chaubeypur area of Kanpur when they were going to arrest Dubey and fell to bullets fired from rooftops shortly after midnight on July 3. Dubey was killed in an encounter in the morning of July 10 when a police vehicle carrying him from Ujjain to Kanpur met with an accident and he tried to escape from the spot in Bhauti area, the police had said. Four policemen, including an inspector posted in Nawabganj, were injured in the July 10 accident, IG, Kanpur Range, Mohit Agarwal had said. The police claimed that Dubey, the prime accused in the ambush in which cops were killed, was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead. Prior to Dubey's encounter, five of his alleged associated were killed in separate encounters. One of the pleas filed in the apex court by advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay has sought registration of an FIR and an apex court monitored probe by the CBI into the encounter of five co-accused, who were alleged to be associated with Dubey in the killing of policemen. Another petition was filed by Delhi-based lawyer Anoop Praksah Awasthi, who has sought a court-monitored probe by CBI or NIA to "investigate/probe and prosecute the police-criminal-politician nexus in the killing of 8 police personnel in Uttar Pradesh...and every killing in encounter by police of the gang members of Vikas Dubey including his own killing on July 10". The petitions filed by Upadhyay, Awasthi and another plea related to the matter was listed for hearing before the bench on July 14. The plea, filed by Upadhyay, has referred to media reports and claimed that encounter of five co-accused by the police is "not only extremely illegal, inhuman, but also it is shocking to the conscience of the court and is nothing but Talibanisation of the country, which cannot be countenanced at all". It has also sought a direction to the Uttar Pradesh government and the police to register FIR for demolition of residential building, vehicles and other properties of Dubey and also regarding encounters of the co-accused. Besides these petitions, a police officer, who has been suspended and arrested for his alleged role in passing on crucial information about the raid to nab Dubey, has also approached the apex court seeking protection citing the spate of encounters in which the gangster and his aides were killed. The plea, filed through his wife Vinita Sirohi, apprehended that her husband Krishn Kumar Sharma may be eliminated through "illegal and unconstitutional means". Sub-inspector Sharma, along with three others, was suspended on July 5 for his alleged involvement in passing on information to Dubey about police movement towards his house in Kanpur district to arrest him. Separately, an NGO, People's Union for Civil Liberties, has also moved the top court seeking an SIT probe into the killing of Dubey and his two aides in Uttar Pradesh, saying the police version of the encounter of the gangster "raises many serious questions". PUCL, which had earlier moved the top court seeking an SIT or CBI probe into UP police encounters between January 2017 and March 2018, has filed a fresh interim plea in its pending PIL urging the court to set up a panel headed by a former SC judge to probe the encounters and the nexus between criminals and politicians. While on July 3, two of Dubey's alleged associates, Prem Prakash Pandey and Atul Dubey, were killed by police in an encounter in Kanpur, on July 8 the police killed Amar Dubey, who carried a reward of Rs 50,000, in Maudaha village in Hamirpur district. On July 9, two more alleged aides -- Kartikeya alias Prabhat and Praveen alias Bauwa Dubey -- were killed in separate encounters in Kanpur and Etawah districts. (With inputs from PTI) Night and weekend curfew in Jammu and Kashmir 2022: Know guidelines, rules: What is allowed, what is not BJP leader kidnapped by terrorists rescued after 12 hours India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, July 15: A BJP worker was allegedly kidnapped by unknown persons in Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, was rescued after being abducted for 12 hours. Mehrajuddin Malla, who is also the vice chairman of Municipal Committee Watergam, was allegedly kidnapped at Marazigund in Rafiabad area of the district while he was on his way to Sopore town. The incident comes less than a week after BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari, his brother and father were shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district. NIA charges 17 ISIS terrorists for plotting attacks in South India Ashok Gehlot alleges Sachin Pilot indulged in horse trading, says 'himself doing deal'|Oneindia News Bari's death sparked outrage in the Valley with many political leaders condemning the incident and calling the killing "an act of cowardice". Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had tweeted: "I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated". Protesters burn a mock Chinese flag with portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during a rally in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila, July 13, 2019. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi met this week to talk about managing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a day after a stern warning from the United States. The virtual meeting took place on Tuesday at Wangs request, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday, adding that both men engaged in open, cordial and fruitful discussions that centered on the conflict in the maritime region. Secretary Locsin reiterated the importance of continued dialogue to propel Philippines-China cooperation forward across various fronts, under the new normal brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the department said. The two foreign ministers recognized that Philippines-China bilateral relations have achieved a positive turn around and a sound momentum of development through joint efforts and mutual trust of both sides, it said. Locsin and Wang agreed that the contentious maritime issues did not make up the totality of bilateral relations. With mutual respect, sincerity and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation, the Philippine statement read. The top Chinese and Philippine diplomats met after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Beijings claim over rocks and reefs in the Spratly Islands, a chain in the South China Sea, was unlawful, and its maritime claims based off alleged ownership of those features was in clear violation of international law. In his statement issued on Monday, Pompeo cited Chinas insistence on holding economic rights to waters around Scarborough Reef, Mischief Reef, and Second Thomas Shoal, all of which are claimed by the Philippines. Apart from the Philippines and China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the Spratlys. Any PRC action to harass other states fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters or to carry out such activities unilaterally is unlawful, Pompeo said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. Chinese response During his meeting with Locsin, Wang called the South China Sea situation stable, thanks to Beijings efforts with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a statement from Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. However, driven by its geopolitical agenda, the United States does not want to see peace in the South China Sea and has been stoking instability by sending the most advanced vessels and aircraft to flex muscles and scaling up militarization in the region. Such dangerous moves deserve high alert from regional countries, Wang said, according to the statement. Two days before Locsin met with his Chinese counterpart, he issued a statement commemorating the fourth anniversary of the July 12, 2016, ruling of the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Locsin said the Philippines had clearly won the ruling and that the contested area was indeed under its ownership. He called on China to comply with the courts decision. Following a standoff between the navies of the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal, the court ruled in favor of Manila and struck down the legal basis of Beijings vast claims in the sea region. The shoal is a traditional fishing ground west of the Philippines main island of Luzon and is closer to the Southeast Asian country than the nearest Chinese landmass. Instead of enforcing the ruling, President Rodrigo Duterte, who took office on June 30, 2016, sought to appease Beijing and to repair bilateral ties. On Wednesday, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said the government continued to assert the countrys sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, the name Filipinos use for the South China Sea. We have not waived nor have we relinquished these rights. Unfortunately, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling has no way of being enforced by the body which rendered it, so we must look to other means to resolve the dispute, he said. Vietnam welcomed Pompeo's comments with a statement that avoided criticizing China and was based on language agreed last month at a virtual summit of the 10-member ASEAN hosted by Vietnam. Vietnam welcomes the countries stance on the South China Sea issue in line with international law and a shared position, which had been announced at the 36th ASEAN Summit, that the 1982 UNCLOS is a legal framework aiming to adjust all activities at sea," said foreign ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang. Vietnam hopes that countries will make efforts to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the South China Sea and to resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful measures, in line with international law," the spokesperson said. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Since humans have bent electricity to war, there has been a hunt for a special weapon that renders the technology particularly useless. Lurking in the annals of weapon design, and periodically re-emerging as a novel solution to some new machine, exist tools that target electronics, and electronics only, Forbes reports in its article Russia Working On Directed Energy Weapon. Early in July, Russian media described a weapon that roughly fits into this tempo, using the phrase EMP cannon. EMP, or electro-magnetic pulse, is a real, observable phenomenon, but the primary way to produce the effect at scale is to use a nuclear weapon.When the nuke is detonated low to the ground, an electromagnetic pulse is one effect of many, limited in range and whose effect is largely overshadowed by the fire and death of the nuclear blast. When the nuke is detonated at high altitude, in the lower reaches of space, the pulse can travel quite a distance, though the effect is mitigated by hardening of second-strike nuclear weapons and the almost certain nuclear retaliation that would follow. This Russian EMP cannon is neither of those effects, which makes the moniker vexing. Instead, the weapon as described more closely resembles microwave guns, a kind of directed energy weapon thats seeing modern usage as an anti-drone tool. In that sense, the weapon can be seen as an extension of Russia's pledge to develop breakthrough capabilities to counter what they perceive as the current Western overmatch in hi-tech and [Precision-Guided Munition] weapons, says Samuel Bendett, adviser to the think tank CNAs Russia program, who specializes in Russian unmanned military systems. Creating a directed energy weapon that can specifically disable drones is one way to leap-frog into the future of war, as human-piloted and robotic aircraft look to contest skies filled with hostile machines. TASS notes that such a weapon is expected to be incorporated in the remotely piloted version of any sixth-generation fighters Russia produces. The cannons as described would also fit into Russia's overall counter-drone research, development, testing, and evaluations, says Bendett. This work is carried out as an extension of Russia's counter-drone lessons learned from its Syria experience, as well as part of defense against Western high-altitude drones that currently conduct surveillance missions near Russian borders. Whatever the nature of the anti-electronics weapon actually being developed, the future of war is likely to see far more new energy weapons, put to familiar use. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 07:35 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066652584 1 City commuter-trains,commuter-line,Janitors,security-guard,SOE-Minister,State-owned-Enterprises-Ministry,insurance,rewards Free After making headlines and going viral on social media for handing in hundreds of millions of rupiah in lost property, two staff members of Commuter Line operator PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia have received substantial rewards for their honesty. The two employees, 34-year-old cleaner Mujenih and 24-year-old security guard Egi Sandi, found a black plastic bag containing Rp 500 million (US$34,690) in cash during their shift on July 6. The plastic bag was left on a passenger seat in one of the commuter trains. Mujenih initially thought the plastic bag contained trash, but he was surprised upon discovering the money. Mujenih and Egi later reported their finding to passenger service officials in Bogor station in West Java. The money was then returned to its owner who came looking for it at the station. "I had no intention of taking it as it wasnt mine," Mujenih said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. Read also: Commuter line sees surge in passengers as 'new normal' begins State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir invited Mujenih and Egi to his office in Jakarta to reward them for their honesty. The minister gave them two life insurance policies, each worth Rp 500 million, from state-owned lenders Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) and Bank Mandiri, They were also rewarded life and health insurance worth Rp 50 million from Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) as reported by kontan.co. Dua pekerja paruh waktu yang dikontrak @keretaapikita dan @CommuterLine, yakni Petugas Pengawalan KRL, Egi Sandi Saputra (24) dan Petugas Kebersihan kereta, Mujenih (34) melakukan tindakan mulia yang patut dicontoh kita semua. pic.twitter.com/xZAy3Mm1vY Kementerian BUMN (@KemenBUMN) July 13, 2020 Telecommunications company Telkomsel, a subsidiary of state-owned communications company PT Telkom Indonesia, also rewarded Mujenih and Egi with free internet quota worth Rp 200,000 every month for a year. Meanwhile, electronic payment platform LinkAja gave them electronic money worth Rp 5 million. "What they did should be an example for other frontline employees who interact with customers. Their actions should also serve as an inspiration for those of us who work in managerial positions," Erick said on Monday. Mujenih and Egi were also granted permanent employment status with the commuter train operator. (nal) New Delhi: Auto major Honda on Wednesday launched the all new Honda City 2020 in India. The Honda City 2020, comes with BS-VI compliant petrol and diesel powertrains. Honda will continue to sell the BS-VI compliant fourth generation City along with the new version. The fifth generation Honda City comes at starting price of Rs 10.9 lakh and goes upto Rs 14.65 lakh for the top model (ex-showroom Delhi). The 1.5-litre petrol versions with manual transmission are priced at Rs 10.9 lakh, Rs 12.26 lakh, and Rs 13.15 lakh, while the 1.5-litre diesel trims are tagged at Rs 12.40, Rs 13.76 lakh, and Rs 14.65 lakh. The 1.5-litre petrol automatic trims (CVT) on the other hand are priced at Rs 12.20 lakh, Rs 13.56 lakh and, Rs 14.45 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). The new City has been developed at Honda R&D Centre located in Tochigi, Japan, following extensive market surveys in India, ASEAN countries and other markets for peoples driving needs and lifestyles. The all new Honda City comes with ASEAN N-CAP 5 Star equivalent safety rating and many first in class segment features like full LED headlamps, 17.7 cm HD full color TFT meter with G-meter, lane watch camera, vehicle stability assist (VSA) with agile handling assist (AHA) among others. The petrol variants of the new City will come with 1.5-litre powertrain mated with six speed manual and seven speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). The manual trims will return fuel efficiency of 17.8 km/litre while the CVT trims will deliver 18.4 km/litre. The diesel trims, which will come with 1.5-litre engine mated to a six speed manual transmission, will deliver fuel efficiency of 24.1 km/litre, Honda said. The Honda City 2020 will come with 20.3 cm touchscreen display audio system with smartphone connectivity, sunroof, six airbags, multi-angle rear camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, among others. The All New City will be available with a choice of 5 colour options Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Golden Brown Metallic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 Trend: An act of vandalism was committed against the building of the Azerbaijani Embassy in France on July 14, 2020, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This act of vandalism, supposedly committed by members of the Armenian radical youth organization, contained elements of terror and is also a gross violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In connection with the incident, French ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the ministry and was issued a note of protest. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors early July visit to Washington went precisely as planned. It was highly scripted, with press statements that did not deviate from prepared remarks. Even Lopez Obradors layover in Atlanta was smooth, with an early arrival into Washington, D.C.. While the purpose was to mark the entry into force of the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the trip did come in for some criticism. The Mexican president faced tough questions for visiting the United States in the midst of a political campaign. Leaders of the Democratic Party, who were critical to the final ratification of USMCA, were left off the agenda. U.S. President Donald Trump did take the opportunity to praise Mexico -- a reversal from past statements -- so, did the trip achieve its objective? Are we now further along the path to a more certain trade and investment climate in North America, even amid a global pandemic? Lets look back for a moment. After a long and bumpy road, the signing of the USMCA was a rare win for all stakeholders. It was a win domestically, for the sake of bipartisanship and for the labor movement, and it was equally so internationally, showing a successful instance of trilateral cooperation. Ultimately, however, the success of the agreement will be determined by a total commitment to implementation and a sustained, long-lived sense of bipartisan support. Implementation on July 1 was not the end goal but the start, and sustained engagement will be needed to ensure that the historic standards set by the agreement are met. This weeks visit could be a part of that effort, but leaders will need to follow up. For instance, given Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's notable absence, a trilateral meeting should be set with political leaders across the ideological spectrum. All of them will be instrumental to the longevity of the agreement. The USMCA differs from its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, in several ways. The agreement rolls back special arbitration systems for corporations that have drawn condemnation across the aisle for undermining sovereignty and granting excessive power to corporate interests. It aggressively incentivizes the automobile industry to produce more cars in North America. That industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but it could benefit from nearshoring opportunities. The deal also opens Canadian dairy markets to American farmers for the first time. Most significantly, it expands protections for workers and the environment, making the agreement attractive enough to domestic labor movements that it even earned the endorsement of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka last December. At the beginning of the negotiation process, the United States, Mexico, and Canada all agreed that the North American Free Trade Agreement needed to be modernized, but they disagreed on how to get there. Further, even after negotiations concluded, Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives made it clear they would not ratify the USMCA without significant progress on labor and environmental standards. After nearly a year of building buy-in from key U.S. stakeholders and forging legislative compromises, the USMCA ultimately included major changes in these areas, demonstrating how bipartisanship can improve legislative and policy outcomes. It was an increasingly rare feat in todays hyperpolarized climate. Still, the true challenge lies in the parties goodwill to adhere to the many new standards. The coalitions that allowed the USMCA to be signed and ratified will be equally critical to its implementation. Though new protections are aimed particularly at workers in northern Mexicos factories, they could benefit workers in the United States as well, especially as questions around going back to work safely become increasingly urgent. While NAFTAs labor standards were added to the agreement, the USMCA deals with labor and environmental practices in the main body of the treaty. As a result, issues like the right to organize and collective bargaining are included in the USMCAs normal procedures for settling disputes. Moreover, the USMCA includes an independent oversight panel empowered to stop shipments from factories found violating labor and environment standards -- a provision House Democrats mandated to ratify the USMCA. As the United States, Mexico, and Canada work toward meeting the USMCAs obligations, each country must move forward with the understanding that the agreement was engineered as a lasting, living endeavor, with periodic opportunities for adjustments and evaluation. Committing to the process and maintaining bipartisan support will not only yield long-term results; it will build much-needed resilience and sustainability within the trilateral relationship, allowing the countries to support each other during the post-pandemic recovery. Ultimately, however, whether the USMCA delivers on its potential hinges on the three countries commitment to compliance and consistency, and on the maintenance of support across the political spectrum. We will need a significant, long-term effort with sustained participation from everyone, including the USMCAs critics. Keeping the bridges between political parties will be essential so that USMCA does not begin to suffer the political pushback that befell its predecessor, NAFTA. Jason Marczak is the Director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center of the Atlantic Council. He is on Twitter at @jmarczak. Maria Fernanda Perez Arguello is Associate Director of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center of the Atlantic Council. She is on Twitter at @MariaBozmoski. The views expressed are the authors' own. Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob has been given notice by leader of The First Wave Movement, Umar Abdullah, that there will be two more peaceful marches this month. It comes on the heels of Abdullah being charged on Monday for leading a march around the Queens Park Savannah without permission from the acting police commissioner. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Authorities allayed fears of numerous critics over the reported house-to-house police search to check for violators of home quarantine protocols, with many comparing it the drug war known as Oplan Tokhang. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Wednesday denied that the government is militarizing its COVID-19 response by deploying more state security to control the spread of the coronavirus. In carrying out the newly-launched Oplan Kalinga program, Ano said policemen will only have a "supporting role" in checking for the compliance of COVID-19 patients who have opted to recuperate at home. "The police will just assist local health authorities so I dont understand why they think this way," he said in a statement. "That is pure speculation." Under the program, COVID-19 patients showing no flu-like symptoms will be fetched from their homes and brought to government quarantine facilities to control the transmission of the disease. The government wants to scrap the home quarantine option for COVID-19 patients who don't have a separate room and bathroom. Home quarantine will also not be allowed for those living with children, elderly, pregnant women, and those with preexisting health conditions. On the other hand, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that there will be no house-to house search. "There will be no house-to-house search for COVID positive patients," Roque said. "They will have to be reported by the persons themselves, other members of the household, or their barangay officials." In a CNN Philippines interview on Wednesday, Joint Task Force COVID Shield Commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the role of the police is to assist the epidemiological surveillance units of the local governments. They (LGU) had to identify kung sino ba 'yung mga nag-positive na sa test at kung ang kanilang lugar ay hindi conducive to home quarantine, he said. [Translation: They had to identify who tested positive and if their homes are not conducive to home quarantine.] Eleazar added that the police will wait for the guidance of the local health offices. Ano said that local health teams have a list of COVID-19 patients in their area. He said the health officers will explain the process to the patients and assess if they comply with the minimum requirements to be permitted to practice home quarantine. Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros and the National Union of People's Lawyers said Oplan Kalinga has glaring similarities to Oplan Tokhang, the PNP's anti-drug operations program. During Tokhang operations, teams led by police and local officials go from house to house in an area, knocking on doors of suspects and pleading with them to end their drug use or turn themselves in. President Rodrigo Duterte's all-out war against illegal drugs has been heavily criticized for being bloody, with police reporting some 6,000 suspects dead after resisting arrest. Human rights groups estimate the number of those killed to be as high as 27,000. Hontiveros said COVID-19 patients may be more scared to disclose their health status due to fear of the state security. "Parang tokhang pero pang-COVID. Imbes na pulis, mas kinakailangan ang mga doktor at health workers sa barangay at mga kabahayan," Hontiveros said in a statement on Wednesday. [Transation: It's like tokhang for COVID patients. Instead of police, doctors and health workers should be deployed, not the police.] NUPL said this new program only reveals the Duterte administrations continuing reliance on police and militaristic approaches to solve a public health emergency. "With a government that has emboldened its own uniformed personnel to violate human rights with impunity, how can we be sure that the police will not abuse this new power to intrude into the privacy of our homes and encroach upon our liberties, targeting those who have been vocal with their grievances and criticisms of the government's callous neglect of the people's livelihood, health and lives?" it said in a statement. Opposition Senator Franklin Drilon also urged the government "to revisit its decision to invade our people's homes," saying there should be no entry into homes without a warrant. "If this government had only acted prudently and expeditiously, we would not have reached this point where our state security forces are being commanded to desecrate our inviolable constitutional right to be secure in their persons, houses ... against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose,"Drilon said. A 15-year-old boy has died from the bubonic plague in Mongolia, health authorities said Tuesday, one of a handful of cases that recently emerged in the country and neighbouring China. The boy caught the rare bacterial illness after hunting and eating a marmot, according to the health ministry. "We quarantined the first 15 people who came into contact with the boy," who lived in the Gobi-Altai region of the country. "Those 15 people are receiving antibiotic treatment," Narangerel Dorj, head of public relations at the health ministry, told reporters. Five districts of the province were placed under six-day quarantine. Earlier this month two other cases of bubonic plague were registered in Khovd province. More than 140 people were tested, but no other cases were found. A herdsman also contracted the plague in China's northern Inner Mongolia region, prompting local authorities to ban the hunting and eating of animals that could carry the plague until the end of the year. Marmot kidney At least one person dies of the plague every year in Mongolia despite government campaigns to discourage people from eating marmot or approaching the animal. But many in rural areas grow up learning to hunt and eat the large ground quirrel, and some believe eating its innards is good for health. An ethnic Kazakh couple died of the plague last year after eating raw marmot kidney. The Moscow Times reports that the recent cases prompted Russia's eastern Siberian region of Burytia to test rodents for the bubonic plague and urge residents not to hunt or eat marmot. It also comes as Mongolia's borders remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Antibiotics Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation says that the Plague has an incubation period of between 3 and 7 days, but can easily be treated. "Although plague has been responsible for widespread pandemics throughout history, including the so-called Black Death that caused over 50 million deaths in Europe during the fourteenth century, today it can be easily treated with antibiotics and the use of standard preventative measures," the WHO says on its website. A demonstrator holds a sign with the image of Breonna Taylor in Denver, Colo., on June 3, 2020. (Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images) Dozens of Protesters Calling for Justice for Breonna Taylor Arrested on Kentucky AGs Lawn Police on July 14 arrested dozens of protesters who gathered on the front lawn of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Camerons Louisville home, calling for justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old woman who was killed in her home in March. More than 100 protesters gathered to march through Louisville, before locking arms outside Camerons home. Authorities said Tuesday that 87 people are facing a felony charge of intimidating a participant in a legal process, a Class D felony; second-degree disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor; and third-degree criminal trespass. The protesters chose to occupy the front yard of a home owned by the Kentucky attorney general and continuously chant toward he and his neighbors, Sgt. Lamont Washington of the Louisville Metro Police Department said in a statement. All were given the opportunity to leave, were told that remaining on the property would be unlawful, and chose not to leave. The crowd had gathered to protest the death of Taylor, a Kentucky medical worker who was killed in her home on March 13 after law enforcement officers executed a no-knock drug warrant after midnight. Protesters march through downtown in Louisville, Ky., on June 5, 2020. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) After the law enforcement officers entered Taylors home, Kenneth Walker, the boyfriend of Taylor, fired a handgun which he legally owned, believing the Louisville home he and Taylor shared was being broken into. In the confrontation, a police officer was struck by a round. Police returned fire, hitting Taylor eight times, resulting in her death. No drugs were found in the home. The Louisville Metro Police department on June 23 fired police officer Brett Hankison, who was involved in Taylors shooting death. In a letter from the citys police department shared on Twitter last month, interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder said Hankison violated procedures by showing extreme indifference to the value of human life when he wantonly and blindly fired 10 shots into Taylors apartment. Schroeder also said that Hankisonone of three officers involved in Taylors shootingviolated the rule against using deadly force. The remaining two officers have been placed on administrative leave. Officer Brett Hankison. (Louisville Police Department via AP) One of the individuals arrested during Tuesdays protests was Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, according to WHAS. She was reportedly with protesters associated with New York-based social justice organization Until Freedom. The special agent in charge of Louisvilles FBI field office said earlier this month that federal officials are working to probe potential civil rights violations by the Louisville police officers involved in Taylors shooting death. The three international institutions have also released sector-specific guides for public transport, manufacturing and construction The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the UK development finance institution CDC Group have issued a document providing practical guidance for the private sector on efforts to address gender-based violence and harassment. The EBRD said that this form of violence and harassment is a systemic and serious global issue that affects individuals, especially women and girls, in their workplaces, communities and homes. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence, the EBRD said. The new guidance, entitled Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Emerging Good Practice for the Private Sector, responds to the need raised by companies and investors for practical tools on best practices to prevent and respond to the risk of violence and harassment, according to the EBRD. In addition, gendered violence and harassment, in particular domestic violence, increase during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, further compounding the adverse impacts on employees wellbeing, health and safety, and productivity, the bank said. The United Nations Population Fund impact assessments estimate that an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence were perpetrated in the first six months alone of the coronavirus pandemic, said director of environmental, social and governance advice and solutions at IFC, Mary Porter Peschka, in the publication. For companies and investors, violence and harassment can pose a range of risks, including litigation, loss of profits and reputational damage. Addressing the risks can have many business benefits, including improved productivity and performance, reduced potential for accidents, improved access to skills and talent, and better stakeholder relations, according to the EBRD. The three institutions have also developed three sector-level briefs covering the specific risks and benefits of addressing the problem in public transport, manufacturing and construction. Search Keywords: Short link: The two former war foes have seen a number of milestones over the past quarter century. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and US President Donald Trump in Hanoi on Feb. 27, 2019. Next year will likely provide an opportune moment for Vietnam and the US to raise bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, according to professor Carl Thayer, one of the leading Vietnam experts. "I expect the United States and Vietnam to resume discussions and eventually reach agreement on a strategic partnership in 2021," said Thayer in a consultancy brief released last weekend. He explained that the US will hold its presidential election on November 3, 2020 and Vietnam will convene its thirteenth national Party Congress early next year. After the leadership settles into office in Washington and Hanoi, the opportunity will arise to address foreign policy issues. "It is in this context the both Vietnam and the United States are likely to boost bilateral relations to the next level." However, the two countries must first address a number of unresolved issues such as US tariffs on Vietnamese shrimp, catfish, aluminum and steel and Vietnams trade surplus with the US, the professor at the University of New South Wales, Canberra (UNSW Canberra) said. Elaborating on the Vietnam-US relations, Thayer said they have undergone a remarkable journey as both countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. He said that Vietnam and the US can clearly see the positive trajectory in bilateral relations from enemies in war to partners for regional and global security over the last quarter century. When Vietnam and the US upgrade their relationship has been a common question to US and Vietnamese diplomats as well as Vietnam experts. Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh told local media that the Vietnam-US relations are already at a strategic level, given their multifaceted cooperation and shared strategic interests. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink has said that the term of such a relationship does not matter, but its "strategic" essence, evidenced by what the two countries have achieved together over the past quarter century. Thayer attributed the impressive path to a number of milestones. Typically, both sides eventually managed to cooperate over war legacy issues such as a full accounting for US service personnel missing-in-action (MIAs) and remediating the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin poisoning, reaching a bilateral trade agreement, an agreement on comprehensive partnership, the end of the US arms embargo, and the exchange of visits by senior leaders. East Sea Over the last 25 years, there has been a growing convergence in strategic interests, particularly over ensuring that the East Sea (internationally knonw as the South China Sea) is an arena for peace, cooperation and development, he added. Vietnam supports the presence of the US Navy in the East Sea as long as it contributes to regional peace and security. Not only have Vietnamese officials flown out to observe flight operations on American aircraft carriers passing through the East Sea, but Vietnam has hosted two visits by US Navy nuclear powered aircraft carriers, the USS Carl Vinson (CV-70) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CV-71). Meanwhile, Chinas bullying and intimidating behavior in the East Sea has contributed to reinforcing the convergence of strategic interests between Hanoi and Washington, the professor said. The US Navy and US Air Force have stepped up operational patrols and military exercises in the East Sea. Both Vietnam and the US share a common perspective on international law and reject the basis of Chinas claim to historic rights and to the land features in the East Sea. The US Department of State on July 13 issued a statement rejecting China's claims over most of the East Sea and called for respect to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. Unfortunately, Covid-19 led to the cancellation of the US-ASEAN Special Summit in Las Vegas and an opportunity for Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to meet with President Trump. PM Phuc was the first leader from Southeast Asia to meet newly elected Trump in the White House in May 2017. The Covid-19 pandemic provided Vietnam with the opportunity to commercially supply 450,000 TYVEK protective suits to the United States with a second order reportedly on its way. As the pandemic continues to rage in the US, Vietnam is in a good position to sell a variety of medical equipment and personal protective equipment to the US. Hanoitimes Linh Pham Vietnam-US ties move from former foes to comprehensive partners 2020 marks 25 years of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations. Though not really a long time it may seem, the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties was significance to both countries. Tensions on Armenias border with Azerbaijan appeared to have eased on Wednesday after three days of heavy fighting that left at least 15 soldiers dead. The Armenian Defense Ministry reported throughout the day that there are no serious ceasefire violations at a section of the border between Armenias northern Tavush province and the Tovuz district in Azerbaijan, the scene of the clashes. A ministry spokeswoman, Shushan Stepanian, said at around 9 p.m. local time that the situation there remains calm. There were only sporadic gunshots fired from Azerbaijani army positions, she said. At the moment the truce is largely observed on the border, Stepanian wrote on Facebook earlier in the day. There were also no repots of fresh Azerbaijani shelling of the local town of Berd and nearby Tavush villages located closer to the frontier. The Armenian military reported on Tuesday Azerbaijani drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Berd. Berd was hit yesterday but there has been no shooting today, a middle-aged resident of the town told RFE/RLs Armenian service. There is some tension but no panic here, said another local man. Everyone is going about their business. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry also did not report serious ceasefire violations. Citing Azerbaijans human rights ombudsperson, the Trend news agency claimed that a border village in Tovuz again came under Armenian fire on Wednesday. It said that nobody was hurt as a result. The Armenian Defense Ministry strongly denied the claim. Eleven Azerbaijani servicemen, including an army general, and four Armenian soldiers were killed in the clashes that broke out in disputed circumstances on Sunday. The fighting marked the worst escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict since 2016. The conflicting parties blame each other for the flare-up along their volatile border. They have released videos of their forces purportedly striking enemy positions with artillery and drone fire. The Armenian side also publicized on Tuesday what it described as footage of a sophisticated Hermes 900 drone of the Azerbaijani armed forces shot down by an Armenian surface-to-air rocket. Hermes 900 is manufactured by an Israeli company, Elbit Systems. Artsrun Hovannisian, another Defense Ministry representative, claimed that Armenian anti-aircraft units shot down a dozen Azerbaijani unmanned aerial vehicles during the three-day hostilities. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was reported to say on Wednesday that his troops dealt a crushing blow to the Armenians during revenge operations ordered by him. The government is looking at loans and government bonds, among others, to meet growing demand of state expenditure. Vietnam government loans up 1.6-fold in 6-month to US$533 million. In the first six months of the year, the Vietnamese government signed five loan agreements to borrow a combined US$533.2 million from foreign creditors, up 1.6-fold compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). In addition to foreign loans, the MoF has increased the sale of government bonds, particularly 10-year notes, to meet growing demand of state expenditure in public investment and the governments support programs for businesses and people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the MoF has been focusing on perfecting the legal framework for public debt management, including the issuance of government Decree No.56/2020/ND-CP on May 25 on the management and use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and preferential loans granted by foreign donors. Additionally, the MoF is revising Decree No.97/2018/ND-CP on on-lending of ODA loans and foreign concessional loans provided by international donors for greater efficiency in public debt management. Under the severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, 90 countries and territories have had their credit ratings downgraded or their outlook adjusted by rating agencies in the first half of the year. In case of Vietnam, Fitch Rating on April 8 affirmed the countrys sovereign credit rating at BB, indicating Vietnams key credit strengths remain intact, while the outlook on Vietnams long-term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) was revised from Positive to Stable. On May 21, Standard and Poors (S&P) announced its decision to maintain Vietnams sovereign rating at BB, with stable outlook. The government has set up two growth scenarios for this year, in which both public debt and fiscal deficit indicators in the 2016 2020 period would stay below the ceilings of 65% and 3.9% of GDP, respectively. For the first scenario where Vietnams GDP growth is forecast at 4.5%, the budget deficit would be around 4.73% of GDP (representing an increase of VND75 trillion (US$3.25 billion) compared to the years estimate), and public debt at 55.5% of GDP. In a worst-case scenario with a slower economic expansion of 3.6%, the fiscal deficit will likely be 5.02% of GDP, or VND90 trillion (US$3.9 billion) higher than the estimate, and public debt at 56.4% of GDP. Under this circumstance, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expected fiscal deficit and public debt could widen by an additional 3 4 percentage points of GDP to provide more support for the people and business community. Hanoitimes Nguyen Tung Bad debts get worse Even after launching a credit package worth hundreds of trillions of dong to support businesses, bad debts will still increase this year. Advertisement A fire raging aboard the docked USS Bonhomme Richard has moved away from the warship's fuel tanks, easing fears that it may explode or spill up to a million gallons of fuel into the San Diego harbor. Efforts to control the blaze inside the 844-foot Navy ship continued for a fourth consecutive day Wednesday, with officials voicing optimism the inferno could finally be extinguished later today. However Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of the strike group that includes the Bonhomme Richard as its flagship, warned there was still 'a major fire inside' being fought by hundreds of sailors near the ship's bow and stern. Fuel was stored below the waterline and the risk of it spilling or exploding was now 'very low,' Sobeck said, although the U.S. Coast Guard was standing by in order to boom off any spill. Navy officials were able to inspect four main engineering rooms and found no major damage, and the external structure of the ship appears to be safe, Sobeck said. A fire raging aboard the docked USS Bonhomme Richard has moved away from the warship's fuel tanks, easing fears that it may explode or spill a million gallons of fuel into the San Diego harbor Efforts to control the blaze inside the 844-foot Navy ship continued for a fourth consecutive day Wednesday, with officials voicing optimism the inferno could finally be extinguished later today Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of the strike group that includes the Bonhomme Richard as its flagship, warned there was still 'a major fire inside' being fought by hundreds of sailors near the ship's bow and stern However, the Admiral added it was too early to determine whether the amphibious assault ship can be repaired and later return to duty. 'We havent been inside the ship well enough to be able to get a full picture,' Sobeck said. It could cost the military an estimated $4 billion to replace the ship, which is akin to a mini-aircraft carrier. The Bonhomme Richard was undergoing maintenance when the fire was first reported Sunday morning in a lower cargo area where seafaring tanks are parked. More than 160 people had been aboard when the blaze erupted at 8:30am Sunday. Around two hours after the fire began, an explosion of unknown origin shook the vessel. None of the (SDFRD) firefighters were on board the ship when the explosion happened, but the blast threw several firefighters off their feet, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department reported. In total 57 people 34 sailors and 23 civilians have so far been injured by the fire. The injuries were not life-threatening, and consisted mainly of heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, Sobeck said Monday. Officials believe the fire was started by drywall supplies in a storage area in the lower half of the ship, and accelerated by maintenance supplies such as cardboard boxes and rags. While the smoke billowing around the ship had decreased significantly by early Wednesday, Sobeck warned that sailors were still fighting a large fire inside, which has been isolated in two areas. The main fire was at the front of the ship, which firefighters initially fought externally because of the heat of the fire 'It looks clearer from the outside but inside, were still fighting a major fire inside,' he said, adding that he was hopeful the ship would sail again. Teams of sailors rotating on 15-minute firefighting shift patterns have been pouring water onto the ship from the pier and from tugboats tirelessly since Sunday morning Helicopters have dumped 1,200 buckets of water on the ship from above, allowing crews to move further on board to fight the blaze Naval Sailors are seen putting on their protective gear as they respond to the fire in this US Navy handout photo provided Wednesday Rear Admiral Sobeck said: I feel absolutely hopeful [the ship can survive] because we have sailors giving it their all Sailors stand at attention and salute the national ensign on the morning of July 14 behind the amphibious assault ship Sailors stand at attention and salute the national ensign during morning colors behind the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard Temperatures had reached up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the ship, causing a forward mast to collapse and threatening the central control island where the captain operates the vessel. Teams of sailors rotating on 15-minute firefighting shift patterns have been pouring water onto the ship from the pier and from tugboats tirelessly since Sunday morning. Helicopters have also dumped 1,200 buckets of water on the ship from above, allowing crews to move further on board to fight the blaze. Sobeck said the ship's design may have helped aid the fire's spread. 'For this class of ship, the open area above the vehicle storage is all open, a big hangar,' he said. 'Once the fire hit that amount of oxygen, it found other ways to go up.' The fire raced along the ship's ventilation and cables, causing it to traverse through the vessel. Cables and duct work snaking through hatches as part of the ship's maintenance fed the fire and later created barriers to sailors trying to fight it, Sobeck said. At least two of the ship's Halon fire suppression systems - which could have extinguished the initial fire - were not able to be used. One of the systems was deactivated while the ship was being worked on, and the other was not able to be launched because of the explosion. A thick plume of black smoke billows into the sky on Sunday July 12, shortly after an explosion shook the vessel, leaving it pitching in the water Sailors enter the USS Bonhomme Richard to combat a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship Fire crews spray water from the dock onto the side of the USS Bonhomme Richard, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in San Diego Teams of sailors rotating on 15-minute firefighting shift patterns have been pouring water onto the ship from the pier and from tugboats tirelessly since Sunday morning Smoke rises from a fire onboard the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego, California, U.S. July 12 The Bonhomme Richard is capable of carrying more than 1,000 sailors, in addition to helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The cost of the ship has been estimated $761 million, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The ship had been docked in the San Diego base to undergo routine maintenance between deployments when the fire broke out, Navy spokeswoman Krishna Jackson said. Jackson told the New York Times that the sailors assigned to the ship at the time were staying in Navy or private housing on shore and were not on board when the fire started. A duty section of sailors trained to fight fires were, however, of whom were first to respond. Admiral Sobeck said that there was no ordnance on the ship at the time of the fire. The ship has light arms but would not normally have large explosive munitions, such as airdropped bombs, on board while docked, according to the Navy. Two other warships, the USS Fitzgerald and the USS Russell, that were docked nearby have since been moved to other piers as a precaution, the Navy said. The USS Bonhomme Richard has been homeported at Naval Base San Diego since its last deployment in spring 2018, when it returned from a six-year port switch to Sasebo, Japan. The Bonhomme Richard was undergoing maintenance when the fire was first reported Sunday morning in a lower cargo area where seafaring tanks are parked More than 160 people had been aboard when the blaze erupted at 8:30am Sunday. Around two hours after the fire began, an explosion of unknown origin shook the vessel. Firefighting efforts have involved personnel from Naval Base San Diego (right) and the City of San Diego Fire Department (left), along with Harbor Police fire boats and fire teams from other ships, according to the Navy Firefighting boats spray water onto the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard as smoke rises from a fire onboard the ship at Naval Base San Diego on Sunday USS Bonhomme Richard is seen ablaze on Sunday evening with a thick plume of smoke billowing into the sky The keel for the Bonhomme Richard was laid down in 1995 and she was delivered to the Navy in 1998. Because of its age, a fire could be particularly destructive, especially if it reached the engine room and other tight spaces with machinery, said Lawrence B. Brennan, a professor of admiralty and international maritime law at Fordham University in New York. 'The heat of a fire of this nature can warp the steel, and that can be a major problem for any ship,' said Brennan. 'On an older ship, it's even more of a problem.' Sobek, however, voiced optimism that the ship can still be saved during his Monday conference, saying that he's 'absolutely hopeful' at his chances of survival 'because we have sailors giving it their all.' The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Michael M. Gilday, called the fire a 'terrible tragedy' in a post on Twitter Sunday. 'Today, we suffered a terrible tragedy aboard USS Bonhomme Richard when a fire broke out aboard the ship while in port San Diego,' Gilday said. 'The remainder of the crew is accounted for,' the admiral continued. 'We are grateful for the quick and immediate response of local, base, and shipboard firefighters aboard BHR. Our thoughts and prayers are with our BHR sailors, their families, and our emergency responders who continue to fight the fire.' San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer tweeted: 'We are here for the sailors and civilians affected by the ship fire at Naval Base San Diego. SDFD and other first responders continue to lend support. All of the crew is off the USS Bonhomme Richard and accounted for. Thank you to our brave sailors and rescue crews.' Tablighi members walk out of Nizamuddin Markaj in Old Delhi. PTI photo New Delhi: A Delhi court Tuesday granted bail to 150 Indonesians who were chargesheeted for attending Tablighi Jamaat congregation here allegedly in violation of visa norms, indulging in missionary activities illegally and violating government guidelines issued in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gurmohina Kaur granted relief to the foreigners on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10,000 each. The accused will file their plea bargaining applications on Wednesday, said advocates Ashima Mandla, Mandakini Singh and Fahim Khan, appearing for them. Under plea bargaining, the accused plead guilty to the offence, praying for a lesser punishment. The Criminal Procedure of Code allows for plea bargaining in cases where the maximum punishment is 7-year imprisonment; offences don't affect the socio-economic conditions of the society and the offence is not committed against a woman or a child below 14 years. These foreigners had attended the event in March, following which in April COVID-19 cases across the country spiked after hundreds of Tablighi Jamaat members, who had attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz event, tested positive. Evan Vucci, STF / Associated Press With the oil and energy industry still reeling from the pandemic, President Donald Trump claimed during a Monday roundtable discussion at the White House that he "saved" and "created" the oil industry in Texas. "I saved the oil industry, two months ago I saved the oil industry," Trump said. "I created it, it became number one, we have millions of jobs and we saved it so Texas is not going to have to let go of millions of millions of people." Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 62F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low 42F. Winds light and variable. CARLINVILLE The city will receive a $250,000 state grant to improve its police station. State Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, said the grant will allow the city to more than double the size of its police department building. The grant will be issued through the states Rebuild Illinois plan. The city will use the money to buy the Frontier Communications property at 225 N. Broad St. for use by the police department. The existing Carlinville Police Department building includes 2,800 square feet; the new property will more than double the departments space, with 6,800 square feet. The police department has outgrown its current space and has needed a larger building for quite some time, Bourne said. This expansion will provide better conditions for staff, officers and the public. As there are pushes across the nation to strip our law enforcement of essential resources, I remain committed to getting our law enforcement and first responders the resources and training they need to keep our communities safe, she said. The City Councils approval of the building purchase is conditional upon receipt of the grant funds within 90 days. In his first season at the helm of Playwrights Horizons, Adam Greenfield is sending a message: The organization may be staging fewer shows because of the pandemic four in its 2021 season, down from the six that were slated for the 2019-2020 season but it is committed to showcasing work by writers of color. The 2021 season, which will be the companys 50th and Greenfields first as artistic director, includes Aleshea Harriss What to Send Up When It Goes Down, a ritual-as-play that honors Black lives lost to racialized violence; Sylvia Khourys Selling Kabul, an Afghanistan-set thriller that examines the human cost of immigration policy; Dave Harriss Tambo & Bones, described as a hip-hop triptych about two characters trapped in a minstrel show; and Sanaz Toossis dramatic comedy Wish You Were Here, which follows best friends who grapple with cultural upheaval amid the Iranian Revolution. Selling Kabul had been scheduled for the theaters 2019-20 season, while What to Send Up When It Goes Down had an earlier, acclaimed New York run elsewhere. Several of the shows are coproductions with other theaters, and female directors will oversee all four of the shows. No dates have been set, but the theaters season announcement said that a timeline would be informed by guidance from federal, state and local authorities. Greenfield said in an interview on Monday that the company doesnt expect to stage any of the productions before 2021. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Global organizations should intervene to stop the aggressive behavior of the Armenian armed forces, Correspondent of Pakistans Morning Mail news agency Shamim Mehmood told Trend. Starting from the afternoon on July 12, units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, shelled Azerbaijani positions using artillery mounts. We as Pakistani have always backed Azerbaijans fair position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We believe that this long standing conflict should be resolved through dialogue but this negotiation process can only succeed if the cross border violations are stopped first, Mehmood said. Talking recent ceasefire violation, Mehmood emphasized that no doubt Pakistan is with Azerbaijan. We have strong brotherly relations since independence of Azerbaijan and we stand firmly with Azerbaijan. And Pakistan has refused to not only establish diplomatic relations with Armenia but also take principled stand on Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The Armenian forces should leave the Azerbaijani land and withdraw forces from that zone, he said. He also called on the world organizations to take action. It is important that the United Nations and other world organizations intervene to stop the aggressive behavior of the Armenian forces. This type of aggression not only violates the reached resolutions but also creates disappointment. We believe that this could be solved on negotiations table not on the field, he said. Starting from July 12 afternoon, while grossly violating the ceasefire regime in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions by using artillery. As a result of the appropriate measures, the Armenian forces were forced to retreat, suffering losses. Azerbaijan lost sergeant Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, who died repelling the attack. Another serviceman of Azerbaijan's army Khayyam Dashdemirov died from wounds, despite the doctors' efforts. The tensions continued on the border, July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, vehicles, as well as killed Armenian servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. The battles continued on the night of July 13. Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev and soldier Elchin Mustafazade became martyrs during the battles. VIIDDO: THE ULTIMATE APP FOR PARENTS We see Viiddo as an all-in-one parenting app, says Espinoza. Photo sharing is just part of our service. Viiddo, a new memory sharing app has just been released on the App Store. Viiddo is designed for parents to keep an online journal and scrapbook of their children. Treasured moments can be shared virtually and privately with family and friends all over the world. The app streamlines the task of keeping loved ones in the loop with a simple to use, secure design, with privacy in mind. Vanessa Espinoza, a mother of three, created the app along with her husband to keep their globally-spread family updated on their kids. They were concerned with a broad audience seeing so much about their children, but they also needed an easy, private and fun platform for sharing family milestones. Together, they created a media-sharing app for parents with a focus on keeping the desired audience informed about family moments and details. As parents, we prefer to keep our childrens photos personal. You just never know whos looking at posts. We tried WhatsApp, but we found that to be repetitive with keeping everyone connected, says Espinoza. And thats how the idea of Viiddo came about. We see Viiddo as an all-in-one parenting app. Photo-sharing is just part of our service. Not only is Viiddo simple to use, but it offers features like photo stickers, a milestone catalog, growth markers and even an immunization tracker. Once the parent(s) set up an account, they can create and manage profiles for their children under that account on separate devices. Then, the parent(s) decide who knows what about their little ones. Viiddo is available now on the App Store, with a Google Play release due in the Fall of 2020. To begin sharing the stories of your heart, download Viiddo here. ### About Viiddo Viiddo is more than just a photo-sharing app. The app provides a platform for sharing childrens milestones with loved ones, editing and posting photos with fun stickers, tracking immunizations and so much more. The family-operated app was founded by Vanessa Espinoza in 2019. She and her husband Tom parent three children and have family in multiple continents. The app was created to ensure privacy for parents sharing childrens photos and for ease in keeping loved ones in the loop. Tom, being a software engineer, thought that an app would be the best way to go. Together, with their children they reside in Eastvale, California. To learn more, visit Viiddo.com. The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick is urging micro and small business owners to look at applying for the ReStart Grant to help affray costs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Apply here: The grant scheme amounts to direct grant aid of between a minimum of 2,000 to 10,000, based on commercial rates bill from 2019. The grant, administered by Limerick City and County Council is to help businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following the Covid-19 closures. So far, 1,032 grants have been processed with 4.46 million in payments going direct to Limerick businesses. Average payments are 4,510 per business with Limerick having paid out the highest amount of money in the country. Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Michael Collins said: As a small business owner I understand the worry and confusion brought about by Covid-19. Some futures are uncertain and it is difficult to live with the not knowing. The ReStart Grant will help allay some of the costs associated with re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers. The grant could be used to defray ongoing fixed costs, e.g. utilities, insurance, refurbishment or for measures to ensure employee and customer safety. It is available to businesses with a turnover of less than 5m and employing 50 people or fewer, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover out to 30 June 2020. The business must have suffered a projected 25%+ loss in revenue from 01 April to 30 June 2020, and must commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed. Not too long ago, Chiranjeevi announced his next with Saaho director Sujeeth. The duo teamed up to work for the Telugu version of Malayalam blockbuster movie Lucifer. There were reports suggesting that the Megastar had asked the director to make a few changes in the original script to appease the Telugu audience, considering the political orientation and other major factors of the Mohanlal-starrer. Sujeeth indeed had ample time to re-write the script during the lockdown, but looks like his hard work has gone in vain, as Chiranjeevi is said to be unhappy with the screenplay. As per the buzz, the actor is not satisfied with the script and is planning to replace him with a more experienced director. Several Telugu reports suggest that Chiranjeevi might rope in VV Vinayak to helm the highly-anticipated movie. For the uninitiated, the director has earlier worked with him in Tagore (2003) and Khaidi No. 150 (2017). However, there is no official confirmation about Sujeeth's exit or Vinayak's inclusion in the project by the makers. Talking about the potential cast of the movie, of lately there were rumours that senior actor Rahman will be essaying the antagonist in the film. The Malayalam version had Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi playing the role. Though there were rumours about Allu Arjun's inclusion, the actor's PR refuted the rumour, calling it untrue and baseless. For the unversed, the Malayalam film Lucifer starring Mohanlal in the lead role is a multi-starrer, and therefore the makers of the Telugu version will have to rope in some talented big stars from the industry. The project is bankrolled by Konidela Productions. Talking about the Malayalam movie Lucifer, it marked the directorial debut of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and also featured Tovino Thomas, Saikumar, Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Saniya Iyappan and Nyla Usha. Actor Rahman To Reprise Vivek Oberoi's Role In Chiranjeevi's Lucifer? Is Chiranjeevi Worried About Lucifer's Telugu Remake? South Africa: SARS makes R11.6 million rhino horn bust Rhino horn worth R11.6 million has been discovered at OR Tambo International Airport, according to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). A total 41 pieces of rhino horn were valued at R115.66 million in a consignment declared as fine art on Tuesday by customs teams aided by detector dogs. SARS said the consignment of six boxes, containing the horns that had been concealed in carbon paper and foil, was destined for Kuala Lampur. The South African Police Services Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (the Hawks) have been alerted of the incident. In addition, a criminal case has been registered with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. Meanwhile, SARS customs officials also found abalone valued at close to R1 million, destined for Hong Kong, and ephedrine valued at R600 000, which had been hidden in two printer cartridges and destined for Madagascar. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter lauded officials for Tuesdays finds. Criminal and illicit economic activities are rife and result in billions of Rands of losses in tax and customs revenue to the fiscus. In addition, it does seriously harm to our domestic economy. I am therefore very pleased with the success at ORTIA by our customs officials. I wish to express sincere appreciation to our customs officers for this diligence in fighting these unacceptable criminal activities, he said. Kieswetter issued a stern warning to those who are engaged in criminal syndicate work. We will spare no effort in confronting and dealing with any criminal acts that threatens the well-being of our country and depriving our future generation from witnessing the beauty of nature as represented by our rhinoceros. We will not rest until all are caught, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Turnover of trade 2021, November Published: 15 July 2020 Turnover and sales volume in trade fell in May According to Statistics Finland, turnover in total trade adjusted for working days fell in May by 5.0 per cent from May 2019. Over the same period, the working day adjusted volume of sales, from which the impact of prices has been eliminated, decreased by 1.8 per cent. The upturn in retail trade stimulated the development of both turnover and sales volume in May. Turnover and sales volume in wholesale and motor vehicle trade were still falling in May. The exceptional situation caused by coronavirus had an effect on the development of trade industries. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G), % Turnover adjusted for working days decreased by 8.6 per cent in wholesale trade in May, while at the same time the sales volume only declined by 2.9 per cent. As in April, trade developed weakest in May in motor vehicle trade, where turnover adjusted for working days went down by 16.5 per cent and sales volume by 17.4 per cent year-on-year. In contrast, working day adjusted turnover in retail trade increased by 6.0 per cent and sales volume by 6.4 per cent. The growth in retail trade was due to positive development in daily consumer goods trade and department store trade, while turnover still contracted in specialised store trade. In daily consumer goods trade, working day adjusted turnover grew by as much as 11.5 per cent and sales volume by 9.6 per cent. In May, turnover in department store trade grew by 6.0 per cent, while turnover in specialised store trade contracted by 3.6 per cent over the same period. The working day adjusted development of trade was strengthened by May Day falling on a Friday and the number of weekends in May 2020 compared to May 2019. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, May 2020, % (TOL 2008) Turnover and sales volume grew month-on-month Seasonally adjusted turnover in total trade grew by 2.3 per cent in May compared to April. Sales volume grew by 1.1 per cent during the same period. In April, turnover fell by 7.2 per cent and sales volume by 2.6 per cent from the month before. Change in seasonally adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G) from the previous month, % Trend of turnover and sales volume in total trade The calculation of indices of turnover of trade is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series. The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well. The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Suvi Kiema 029 551 3509, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (292.9 kB) Updated 15.07.2020 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Turnover of trade [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-0939. May 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 19.1.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/klv/2020/05/klv_2020_05_2020-07-15_tie_002_en.html The man on trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe has said he is the victim in the case, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Aaron Brady (29), who denies capital murder, also accused gardai and the media of "ganging up" on him in the weeks after the fatal shooting, which resulted in him travelling to the US. The accused was yesterday being cross-examined by the prosecution. Beginning his examination, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC asked Mr Brady: "You're the victim in all of this, is that right?" Mr Brady said, "I would suggest I am," adding that his family and wife were also victims. He admitted he lied to gardai in the days after the fatal shooting, but denied involvement in the murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41). Mr Brady told the jury he lied to hide the fact that he was laundering diesel at a yard on Concession Road, in south Armagh, when the robbery of Lordship Credit Union, in Bellurgan, Dundalk, Co Louth, was carried out on January 25, 2013. He accepted that there was no one to vouch for his whereabouts at the time of the murder but said he was sure people knew he was in the yard. Asked by Mr Grehan what lies he had told to gardai, Mr Brady said he lied about working at the diesel laundering yard, his driving ban and a curfew, adding: "I'm here under oath, I'm not lying now." The court heard that the first mention of Mr Brady's account that he was moving laundered diesel cubes in the yard at the time of the fatal shooting came on December 20 last, a month before the trial, when a notice of alibi was sent to the DPP's office. Mr Brady accepted he asked his then-girlfriend Jessica King, then 17, to lie about his movements for him to hide the fact he was at the diesel yard. The accused was also asked what date he started going out with Ms King. Mr Brady said he did not know the precise date, before then telling the court September 12, 2012. Mr Brady knew the date, he said, because he had it tattooed on his back. When counsel accused him of telling "another little lie", Mr Brady denied this and said it is "just embarrassing because me wife is sitting in the courtroom". Asked when he met his wife, Danielle Healy, in the US, he said it was late 2016 but could not remember the date, before addressing his wife and saying: "Sorry, Danielle." Mr Brady accepted that there were "lies" in the account of his movements on the night of the murder. He also accepted that he was in a car with two other suspects in the case, Suspect A and Suspect B, when it passed by the credit union with the front passenger window down on the afternoon of the murder. However, he said "there was no scoping" of the credit union going on. Mr Brady said he travelled to the US in April 2013, adding that he wanted to get away from gardai and the media "blaming me". Mr Brady has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det-Gda Donohoe, who was acting in the course of his duty, at Lordship Credit Union on January 25, 2013. The accused, of New Road in Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, also denies robbery of approximately 7,000 in cash and assorted cheques from Pat Bellew at the same location on the same date. Oman is considering a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) over the issue of pilots' dubious licenses. The European Union Air Safety Agency (EUASA) has suspended PIA authorisation to operate in the EU, while the IATA has expressed its concern. Oman may become the first country to ban the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from using its airspace after the Omani Civil Aviation Authority expressed concern over the issue of dubious licences of Pakistani pilots and sought an explanation from Islamabad regarding curative measures undertaken to ensure flight safety, according to a report in The Dawn. A threat of a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights in the airspace of Oman looms large, the media reported further. Earlier, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EUASA) suspended PIA authorisation to operate in the EU member states for six months, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also shared its concern over the serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator. Also Read: Trump rescinds controversial visa directive on international students Also Read: Trump sanctions China, ends preferential trade agreement Meanwhile, the Pakistan CAA has explained to the Omani Civil Aviation Authority that credentials of all pilots, who were allowed to fly, had been scrutinised before they had been declared fit to fly, the sources close to the matter informed The Dawn. The Omani authorities were further informed that the scrutiny of pilots was initiated by the Pakistani authorities on the directive of the Supreme Court of Pakistan a couple of years ago, the sources explained. Amid the aviation crisis, seven other countries including Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where Pakistani pilots had been employed with different airlines have asked Islamabad to verify their credentials. Meanwhile, the commercial flying licences of 28 Pakistani pilots, who traced to have dubious licences in 2018, have been cancelled. After legal formalities, they would be terminated from service by the airline. Of the 262 dubious licence holders, 34 pilots had been suspended by the aviation division. Twenty four other pilots were suspended last Saturday, while sources said 30 to 40 pilots were expected to be suspended within the next few days. The aviation crisis in Pakistan has caught world attention after the federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar in the National Assembly had declared that 150 pilots of the national flag carrier had been having dubious licences. Also Read: Huawei big security risk, convinced many countries to not use it: Donald Trump For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Rating Action: Moody's changes Alliance Pipeline outlook to negative Global Credit Research - 14 Jul 2020 Toronto, July 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") affirmed the Baa2 senior secured ratings of Alliance Pipeline Limited Partnership (Alliance Canada) and Alliance Pipeline L.P. (Alliance US) and changed their outlooks to negative from stable. RATINGS RATIONALE "Approximately two thirds of the Alliance pipeline contracts expire over the next two years, increasing to 85% by the end of 2023, raising business risk and driving the negative outlook" said Gavin MacFarlane, Vice President -- Senior Credit Officer. "While the pipeline has added some contracts with a longer maturity, there remains a significant re-contracting cliff in the next few years." The company has been modestly successful in adding some contracts for term and now has contracts maturing in both 2025 and 2031, however they are relatively small in terms of the overall size of the pipeline. With such a high percentage of contracts expiring over the near term, re-contracting risk has increased and is now more of a ratings driver. Unless there is an increase in the size and tenor of the pipeline's contracts, a continued very short contractual profile may not be consistent with the pipeline's current credit ratings. In addition, unlike many peers, Alliance does not have any utility customers that act as anchor shippers that we believe are more likely to renew contracts for longer terms, adding some stability to other pipeline contractual profiles. The re-contracting environment may be more difficult this year in particular owing to weaknesses in the AECO-Chicago natural gas price differential that began prior to the onset of COVID-19. The rating affirmation of Alliance Canada and Alliance US reflects the still predictable cash flow resulting from contracted revenues and the pipeline's fundamental credit strengths, including technical specifications that enable it to run at high pressure and carry liquids rich gas, a strategic advantage. The pipeline also benefits from its location in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), particularly its proximity to liquids rich developments in the Montney, Duvernay and Bakken. Strong financial metrics are the product of a consistent operating performance, the contractual profile and amortizing debt. Offsetting these strengths are its position as a single asset pipeline, its relatively weak contractual counterparties and shortening contract tenors. Story continues The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, severe global economic shock, low oil prices, and asset price volatility are creating a severe and extensive credit shock across many sectors, regions and markets. The combined credit effects of these developments are unprecedented. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. We expect Alliance to be resilient to recessionary pressures related to the coronavirus because most of its revenue is generated from contractual agreements with pipeline shippers. Nevertheless, we continue to evaluate possible long-term impacts of the virus, such as on contract renegotiations. As the events related to the coronavirus unfold, we are taking into consideration a wider range of potential outcomes, including more severe downside scenarios. Environmental, social and governance considerations incorporated into our credit analysis for Alliance are primarily related to carbon regulations and social risks related to health and safety and demographic and societal trends. From an environmental perspective, we view the natural gas pipeline sector as having low exposure to carbon transition risks. In addition, we believe the pipeline sector has moderate exposure to social risks. From a governance perspective, financial strategy and risk management are key considerations, although the pipeline's financial policies are established by its respective owners. The outlooks for both Alliance Canada and Alliance US are negative. Assuming there are no other adverse developments related to the pipeline, the outlooks could be returned to stable if there is a material improvement in the contractual profile, with a higher percentage of contracts executed with longer tenor. Alliance Canada and Alliance US are cross defaulted to each other, resulting in a close alignment of their ratings. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS Factors that could lead to an upgrade An upgrade of Alliance Canada and Alliance US is unlikely given the negative outlook. We could upgrade the ratings if FFO/debt is sustained above 45% and there is an improvement in the business risk profile, particularly with regard to the contractual profile. Factors that could lead to a downgrade Alliance Canada and Alliance US could be downgraded if re-contracting a higher percentage of the pipeline's capacity at longer tenors is not successful, if there is a deterioration in the credit quality of its shippers, if the competitive environment becomes more challenging or key financial metrics deteriorate, including FFO/debt below 25%. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Natural Gas Pipelines published in July 2018 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1113727. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. The Alliance Pipeline System (Alliance) is a high pressure natural gas pipeline capable of delivering liquid-rich gas from northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta in the WCSB and the Bakken to the Aux Sable extraction and fractionation facilities located at the Chicago market hub. Alliance Canada and Alliance US own the Canadian and US portions of the system, respectively. Enbridge Inc. (ENB: Baa2 positive) indirectly owns 50% of each of Alliance Canada and Alliance US. Pembina Pipeline Corporation (not rated) owns the other 50% interest in each of Alliance Canada and Alliance US. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569. The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. 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In a crisis, communicating with citizens is one of the hardest and most important things government must do. Maintaining accurate and transparent communication with residents is a vital part of any disaster response and recovery.This has been even more true during the coronavirus pandemic. The unprecedented scale and prolonged nature of the crisis along with a daily swirl of mixed messages from government leaders and misinformation from multiple sources have made communication especially critical.Communicate; make a decision; communicate, says Ohio State CIO Ervan Rodgers II, quoting one of his favorite pieces of advice about crisis response. Making sure that you are communicating and youre making timely decisions is going to be critical in any pandemic or any type of emergency.Rodgers spoke on a recent webinar as part of a series of conversations for the Crisis Response Initiative, a joint program between Governing and Government Technology to help equip state and local leaders with tactics and resources to respond to crises. Its better to make a call than not to make call, he said. You can always go back and make some adjustments.Rodgers said it is important for governments to be flexible and adaptable in getting their message out. Early in the pandemic, for example, Rodgers team had to gain expertise to produce Gov. Mike DeWines daily briefings to the public. From an IT standpoint, thats not necessarily a producer kind of element you would typically perform, he said. We had to get really innovative, because the first couple of press conferences, the governor crashed the internet.Ohios system was set up for a few hundred people to watch; events like the governors State of the State address might garner 500 people tuning in online. But as the coronavirus outbreak began, said Rodgers, We went from 500 to almost a quarter of a million connections at one time. Thats not something you can just handle with traditional IT.The state quickly moved to a streaming service using one of its existing cloud providers.I never would have thought I would have the opportunity to put TV producer on my resume, Rodgers said. But I can say we perfected it pretty quickly and became kind of a model for other states to mimic, to get the much-needed information out to the masses.Orange County, Fla., CIO Rafael Mena, who joined Rodgers on the recent webinar, said his county has one advantage in terms of crisis communication: We spend six months of the year in hurricane season. So, over the years, we have taken the opportunity to implement certain technologies to make sure our citizens are well-informed of whats happening during an emergency.The county, he noted, has developed smart apps and texting tools for getting information pushed out to citizens. But the key aspect of communication in the pandemic, he said, has been tight, ongoing coordination among different parts of local government. For example, Mayor Jerry Demings convened an Executive Policy Group to coordinate the countys virus response efforts. The committee, which meets every day for an hour, includes the health department, the medical director, local health care providers, public safety leaders and others.You have all the key players [providing] feedback, providing information related to the pandemic. And then that information is sent to our citizens, in real-time, via all the different means that we have, said Mena.Interestingly, he noted, despite the rising popularity of social media, text messaging and other new platforms, the most effective forms of communication tend to be old-school.We have a large communication team that is focusing on responding in real time on all these events. But in reality, I think the one that continues to be the most popular is TV and radio.Learn more about how governments are meeting the challenges of the pandemic at governing.com/crisisresponse A sexual predator has lost a Supreme Court battle over the use in criminal prosecutions of evidence gathered by paedophile hunters in covert sting operations. Mark Sutherland, 37, was convicted in August 2018 of trying to groom an older child, and related offences, after paedophile hunters gave evidence to police. He brought a Supreme Court challenge arguing his right to a private life, enshrined in Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, had been breached. But the UK's highest court in central London ruled that the interests of children have priority. Scroll for video Mark Sutherland (pictured), 37, was convicted in August 2018 of trying to groom an older child, and related offences, after paedophile hunters gave evidence to police The court was asked to rule on whether prosecutions based on evidence gathered in sting operations by paedophile hunters are compatible with a person's human rights. A panel of five justices unanimously dismissed Sutherland's appeal and said the public prosecutor was entitled to introduce evidence obtained by a 'decoy' at Sutherland's trial to try to secure a conviction. Lord Sales said the court held there was 'no interference with the accused's rights' under Article 8 - which provides the right to a private life and correspondence. He said: 'It is implicit in Article 8 that in order to be protected the activity in question should be capable of respect within the scheme of values which the Convention on Human Rights exists to protect and promote. The UK's highest court (pictured in a file photo) ruled the interests of children have priority 'Children have rights under Article 8 as well. Under that provision, the state has a special responsibility to protect children against sexual exploitation by adults. 'This indicates that there is no protection under Article 8 for the communications by the accused in this case. 'The interests of children have priority over any interest a paedophile could have in being allowed to engage in the criminal conduct in issue here. 'Since the state has to deter offences against children in order to protect their rights, the public prosecutor was entitled to introduce the evidence from the decoy at the trial of the accused to try to secure a conviction.' The court also found Sutherland had 'no reasonable expectation of privacy'. Lord Sales said: 'His communications were sent directly to the decoy. 'There was no prior relationship between the accused and the decoy from which an expectation of privacy could be said to arise. 'In addition, the accused believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old child, and it was foreseeable that a child of that age might share any worrying communications with an adult.' At a hearing in June, a panel of five justices, including the court's president Lord Reed, heard that in 2018, Sutherland matched up on Grindr with someone who, when he communicated with them, claimed to be a 13-year-old boy. He sent sexual messages and images to the person and they later arranged to meet at Partick station, in Glasgow. In reality, the person Sutherland was communicating with was not a child, but a 'decoy' - a member of a paedophile hunter group. The group confronted Sutherland at the arranged meeting, broadcasting the encounter on social media and handing the evidence to the police. Sutherland appealed against his conviction on the basis the covert investigation, and the use of the resulting evidence by the authorities, breached his human rights. Reacting to the news a member of undercover group Dark Justice, not involved in the Sutherland sting, said: 'Obviously, I am extremely happy the court ruled the way it has. 'But to be honest, I knew it would go this way. He tried to argue that his privacy had been breached, but you forgo that right once you have broken the law. 'These people expose themselves in behaving the way they have, not the other way round. We don't lurk around waiting to catch these people. They come to us.' In light of the recent increase in coronavirus cases in Belgium, the National Security Council (NSC), meeting here on Wednesday, decided to postpone for a week the decision whether to start Phase 5 of deconfinement from Aug. 1 as originally planned. "On Thursday, July 23, we are going to evaluate (the situation) and see whether or not we can continue with Phase 5 (of deconfinement), and to do so, the situation must remain good," said Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes at the conclusion of the NSC meeting. Phase 5 "could relax a number of measures from Aug. 1," the prime minister said. The number of social contacts allowed remains 15 people per individual per week. The current epidemiological situation in Belgium does not seem favorable to relaxing the measures as foreseen in Phase 5. Over the last seven days, an average 96 people have been infected with COVID-19 per day, according to figures published on Wednesday by Belgian health institute Sciensano. To date, 62,872 confirmed cases have been reported by Sciensano. Belgium has recorded 9,788 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Between July 5 and 11, the country saw "an 8 percent increase in new COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week," Wilmes said. "The reproduction number of COVID-19 is again above one, meaning that the epidemic is getting stronger. Even if it remains modest, this is not good," she added. Wilmes called for caution. "Today we are saying be careful, the trend is not good, next week we will know what the situation is, and if this negative trend continues, we will not be able to proceed to Phase 5," she said. With a population just south of 1,300 and a predominantly white demographic, the Borough of West Easton is hardly the first place that comes to mind in discussions about the fight against racial injustice. As protests in the wake of George Floyds killing while in Minneapolis police custody cropped up in towns all over the Lehigh Valley, West Easton stayed the way its almost always been quiet. But for members of West Easton Borough Council, that wasnt an excuse to do nothing. On Monday night, right around the time more than 200 protesters gathered in Allentown to call for action in response to a viral video showing an Allentown cop kneeling on a man, borough council passed a resolution. HONOLULU - A U.S. judge sentenced a former Honolulu police officer Wednesday to four years in prison for forcing a homeless man to lick a public urinal, telling him to imagine someone doing that to his two young daughters. The homeless man was just as defenceless and powerless as the children of defendant John Rabago, U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi said. You took from him his only possession: his dignity as a human being, Kobayashi said. Rabago had taken an oath as a police officer to protect and defend but instead took advantage of someone poor and homeless, she said. Rabago, 44, and another officer had responded to a nuisance complaint in 2018 when they found the homeless man in a stall in a public restroom. Rabago threatened to beat the man and stuff his face in a toilet if he didnt lick the urinal, Kobayashi said. He then grabbed the mans shoulder, held him down and stepped on his legs to keep him on his knees until he licked the urinal, the judge said. Rabago later told the other officer to delete text messages about the incident, Kobayashi said. Im here to judge you on the worst thing youve done in your life, Kobayashi said. However, she noted that he should not let the act define his future. Reginald Ramones, the other officer, has also left the department and is scheduled to be sentenced next week. Ramones pleaded guilty to knowing Rabago committed a civil rights violation and not informing authorities about it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Brady said Rabago had sometimes been a good officer and ultimately took responsibility by pleading guilty to a pair of civil rights violations in the case, but had initially laughed about the incident and later denied it happened. To be homeless, not knowing where your next meal is going to be, to be forced to lick ... a dirty urinal by a uniformed police officer. Theres only one word that comes to mind: hopelessness, Brady said. Rabago offered his apologies to the victim and his family. Two years ago I made a decision Im not proud of, he said. My actions changed the course of life for all of us. His defence attorney, Megan Kau, said after the hearing that she and Rabago expected a sentence of about three years. I think shes taking the national environment and making him an example, Kau said about the judge and the protests against racial injustice and police misconduct across the nation. This is not the same, Kau said, noting that Rabago is Filipino American and the victim is white. Earlier this year, the homeless man filed a lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department and the city. Hes pleasantly surprised that the court punished him appropriately, his lawyer, Myles Breiner, said. He was under the impression that they would coddle him and give him a minimum term, a very low sentence. Many Lowcountry subdivisions use the word "plantation" in their name, but some are beginning to reconsider that. (Natural News) Two Chicagoland churches are suing the city of Chicago for reportedly threatening to bulldoze their facilities over unconstitutional Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. According to Liberty Counsels Matt Staver, whose group is representing the plaintiffs, Chicago officials told these churches that they are now public nuisances for refusing to abide by Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) orders banning large gatherings. Even as rioters and looters were allowed to storm cities like Chicago and burn large swaths of them to the ground in the aftermath of the George Floyd saga, the government in charge of Chicago is laser-focused on going after religious groups and trying to stamp them out of existence for supposedly putting the public at risk of infection. According to the city of Chicago, it now has the power and duty to cause all nuisances affecting the health of the public to be abated. The city has also threatened a summary abatement, which means it could try to raze the two churches facilities if they refuse to comply with its orders. We are very disappointed with all of this, including not being considered as essential in the beginning, as a church, stated Joe Wyrostek, the pastor of Metro Praise International, one of the two churches being targeted. Reverend Cristian Ionescu, the other pastor being represented in the case, says his church has received multiple citations for violating Chicagos Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) policies, none of which went through the proper channels of becoming law, and are thus unconstitutional by default. Listen below to The Health Ranger Report for more about the escalating tyranny being ushered in under the guise of a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, and why it is critical to bug out of blue states like Illinois while you still can: Black-on-black murders are the real public nuisance in the city of Chicago During a recent appearance on the Todd Starnes Radio Show, Staver explained that his group is seeking an emergency injunction against the city of Chicago. The hope is that the case will make it all the way to the Supreme Court, with a motion for an injunction already headed to the desk of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. If all goes as planned, Justice Kavanaugh will issue the injunction against the city of Chicago allowing area churches to resume services until the matter can be definitively decided upon at the highest level of the court system. Keep in mind that Chicago saw its worst day of violence on the last day of May with a shocking 18 murders committed in just 24 hours. This suggests that black-on-black murders are the real public nuisance in Chicago, not church services. But Chicago is more worried about religious people gathering to sing and hear the Word of God preached, which is why it is now focusing its taxpayer-funded resources on spying, surveillance, and snitch efforts aimed at shutting down churches for good. Similar attacks on Christianity are taking place all the way down in Louisiana as well, where area churches are being told to hold off on services or else be in violation of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) orders. Reverend Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central, Louisiana, was actually put on house arrest, ankle bracelet and all, for daring to obey Gods command to not forsake the gathering of the saints rather than the states command to stay home forever in order to stay safe. This is part of a nationwide trend of left-wing government bureaucrats using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to attack Christianity, warns Shane Trejo, writing for Big League Politics. For more related news about the tyranny of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), be sure to visit Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: BigLeaguePolitics.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com Iranian President Rouhani Declares Victory in Economic War With US Sputnik News 14:12 GMT 14.07.2020(updated 14:15 GMT 14.07.2020) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has declared victory in the country's economic war with the United States, adding that Tehran has successfully overcome Washington's sanctions, as reported by domestic media on Tuesday. "The Americans were expecting that the country's economy would come to a halt a while after the onset of the sanctions, but today we have managed to run the country with planning and reliance on oil-free economy," Rouhani said at a high-level economic meeting, as quoted by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. These measures have allowed the Iranian economy to show its strength and not be beaten by the United States, the president added. "This is a display of power and a major victory for the Iranian nation in the economic war," Rouhani was quoted as saying. The United States has levied ever-toughening sanctions on Iran as part of President Donald Trump's campaign of so-called maximum pressure, which began once Washington pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, in 2018. Leading officials in Tehran, such as Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, have called on Washington to ease sanctions amid the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, although the Trump administration refused to take this course of action. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt is demanding that the Ethiopian government issue an urgent explanation concerning reports that Addis Ababa has started the filling process for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafiz said on Wednesday. Hafiz said in a short statement that Egypt is closely following the matter. Earlier on Wednesday, state media in Ethiopia quoted the countrys Water Minister Seleshi Bekele as saying that the country has started to fill the GERDs reservoir. Hours later, however, the minister denied that the filling process had started. Search Keywords: Short link: The Catalan regional government has introduced new lockdown measures in a bid to control the rising number of coronavirus cases in the northeastern Spanish region. The number of weekly infections in the territory jumped to 2,489 between July 6 and 12 double the figure recorded in the previous week. The new restrictions will affect the comarca of Segria a traditional administrative division that comprises 38 municipalities and another six municipalities in the province of Lleida, and the municipality of LHospitalet de Llobregat, located southwest of Barcelona. In an effort to curb infections in these areas, Catalan authorities on Tuesday approved a resolution to introduce new lockdown rules, which include limits on movement and restricted capacity at public venues. The new resolution was passed a day after a judge in Lleida annulled the governments order to confine residents of the city and another seven municipalities in the comarca of Segria to their homes. This order was blocked by the magistrate on the grounds that only the central government has the power to implement such confinement measures. Public prosecutors also criticized the measures, warning that the Catalan government did not have the power to legislate on fundamental rights. To circumvent the judges decision, the Catalan government passed a decree on Monday night that modified the regions public health law to enable it to introduce certain restrictive measures. Regional police conducting road checks outside Soses, in Catalonia's Lleida province, where restrictions are in place due to a surge in coronavirus cases. Alejandro Garcia (EFE) The new restrictions, backed by this change, were approved by the magistrate in Lleida on Wednesday. But there was one exception: the magistrate ruled that the measures could not be applied in the municipality of Massalcoreig, given only three coronavirus cases have been detected there. The judge agreed that social gatherings were a hotspot of contagion, contagions that are trying to be minimized as much as possible. The magistrate did, however, limit the duration of the restriction to 15 days, after which point they can be extended if needed. The resolution, however, has not been made public and the exact restrictions will not be known until it is published in the Official Gazette of the Catalan Government (DOGC) on Wednesday. Catalan authorities have refused to show the media a copy of the document. According to Meritxell Budo, the spokesperson for the regional government, under the new resolution, entry to and from the affected municipalities in Lleida will be restricted, bars will be closed, restaurants will only be allowed to open for delivery and pick-up and residents will have to remain in their homes, unless leaving for work, to buy food, to take care of children or seniors, or to go for a walk with members of the same household. The resolution also bans social gathering of more than 10 people. LHospitalet de Llobregat The Catalan regional government has also ordered new lockdown rules in LHospitalet de Llobregat, a municipality southwest of Barcelona, where 300 coronavirus cases were detected in the last 15 days. Most of these infections have been reported in three neighborhoods: La Torrassa (which went from 18 to 62 cases in a week), Collblanc (eight to 36) and La Florida (11 to 30 in the northern area, and seven to 27 in the southern part). In these neighborhoods, the Catalan government has called for social gatherings to be limited to up to 10 people and that capacity at bars and restaurants be set to 50% in indoor areas. The resolution also orders the closure of nightclubs, cinemas, theaters and sporting events, and recommends residents limit their movement and social engagements. The measures were presented to a judge in Barcelona, who approved them all except for the limit on social gatherings. The magistrate argued that gatherings could be allowed if social distancing measures were respected. With these restrictions, Catalan authorities hope to curb the spread of the virus in the high-density area, which is home to 100,000 residents. In Lleida province, the regional government has been criticized for not taking action sooner. Criticism The Catalan regional government has been heavily criticized for its management of the coronavirus outbreaks, particularly by residents in the comarca of Segria who awoke to more confusion on Wednesday over the new lockdown rules. They are continually sending us contradictory information and in the end its all inconsistent and a lie, complained Josep Maria Munoz, a member of Lleidas neighborhood association Som Veins de Lleida. They ask us to self-quarantine, they are putting fear in our bones, but neither the city hall or the rest of the administrations offer any help to store owners or the hotel industry. Munoz also criticized the lack of support for seasonal fruit pickers in the area, who have been the main victims of the coronavirus outbreak in Lleida. It makes no difference if the rest of the population goes into confinement if those most vulnerable continue on the street because there will continue to be community transmission, he said. Carmen Guerra, the head of the Bordeta de Lleida neighborhood association, agreed: We are indignant because they are not telling us the truth. First we were confined, then we went outside respecting time slots, then safe distances and masks all to return to square one. All this plus the irresponsibility of the administrations will cause businesses to close again and many will not reopen. It will be chaos. English version by Melissa Kitson. The federal government is beefing up its support for training in a bid to equip school leavers and young Australians with the skills the nation will need after the coronavirus pandemic. Along with a $1 billion plan to offer free or very low cost short courses to school leavers and people looking for work, it will also add $1.5 billion to wage subsidies for apprentices and trainees. This will expand the scheme announced in March to cover medium-sized businesses with under 200 employees and extending it for six months, until March 2021. Assistant training minister Steve Irons said this would dramatically improve the viability of apprenticeships in tens of thousands of businesses across Australia. The initial program, announced as part of the government's first tranche of coronavirus economic support, covered half of an apprentice's wage for nine months until the end of September. Apprentices and trainees will see a $1.5 billion boost towards wage subsidies. Source: Getty/STOCK Its expansion gives it the potential to cover more than 91,300 businesses. The new National Skills Commission will identify which specific skills shortages courses should cover, but they are expected to include areas like health care, transport, manufacturing and retail. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is backing the plan with $500 million in commonwealth money, to be matched by the states, and has branded it JobTrainer. The money is an incentive for states to sign up to a revamped agreement on vocational education, which is still being worked out. It's understood most were supportive when the idea was discussed at the national cabinet meeting last Friday. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured at a press conference on Friday, July 10) announced the package on Wednesday night. Source: AAP "COVID-19 is unprecedented but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover," Mr Morrison said. "The jobs and skills we'll need as we come out of the crisis are not likely to be the same as those that were lost." JOBTRAINER SKILLS PACKAGE $2.5 billion in total including $500 million from the states and territories States and territories are also signing up to reforms to the vocational education and training sector $1 billion of the funding (split between the federal government and states) towards JobTrainer, to train and re-skill school leavers and people looking for work Short courses will be free or low cost and delivered through TAFE as well as other providers Courses will focus on areas deemed to be in need of workers: health care and social assistance, transport, postal, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade The National Skills Commission will identify areas in need so employees have skill sets that are in demand $1.5 billion of the funding will go towards extending the apprentices and trainees wage subsidy Eligibility will be increased to include medium-sized businesses with up to 199 employees, who had an apprentice from July 1 It will be extended by six months to cover wages paid up to March 2021 The government says the changes will allow 90,000 business with 180,000 apprentices receive help The subsidy covers 50 per cent of wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7000 each quarter. Story continues Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Friends and Gilmore Girls share a similarly loyal following, but on the surface, they appear to have very little else in common. That is until you notice that the same last name is used for major characters in both shows. Paris Geller was Rory Gilmores nemesis turned a friend on Gilmore Girls, while Monica and Ross Geller, were the brother-sister duo on Friends. Is it possible that Paris and Monica and Ross were related? The New York Gellers and Paris Geller dont just share a last name Geller isnt the most common last name in the world, but its also not the most unique. According to Forebears, about 10,000 people in the United States carry the surname of Geller. Just over 2,000 of those Gellers live in New York, while the surname appears only 100 times in Connecticut, where Paris lived. If Paris, Monica, and Ross just shared a surname, we could consider it a coincidence, but Paris also happens to share a middle name with Ross and, possibly, Monica. RELATED: Gilmore Girls: Paris Geller and Logan Huntzberger Are More Alike Than You Think Monicas middle name is a bit of a mystery. Fans know it begins with the letter E because Monica mentioned her initials were M.E.G. Fans know that Ross middle name is Eustace, though. Thats an awfully unique middle name. Strangely enough, Paris also happens to bear the unique middle name. Could it be possible that Eustace is a family name used on multiple people? The same middle and last name seems too deliberate to be a coincidence. Paris Geller and Ross and Monica Geller were raised in similar environments Paris is introduced to Gilmore Girls fans in the first season of the show. Very little is known about her parents, but from what was mentioned, the Connecticut Gellers were very wealthy. Paris parents were constantly traveling, and they employed a full-time nanny to take care of their only child. Its never mentioned what Paris father did for a living, but fans largely assume he was a high-level executive. Paris relationship with her mother was known to be particularly frosty. Ross Geller and Monica Geller with Marcel | Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Friends writers never mentioned what Jack and Judy Geller did for a living, but its assumed they were fairly comfortable, financially. They lived in a neighborhood were doctors commonly resided, and Jack was wealthy enough to buy a Porsche. Sure, the Connecticut Gellers appeared to be richer than the New York Gellers, but they seemed to fall into the same general social bracket. Monicas relationship with Judy had the same feel as Paris mother-daughter bond or lack thereof. How would Paris Geller and Ross and Monica Geller have been related? While its never stated or even suggested that Paris was somehow related to the Friends characters, if they were related, they would have likely been first cousins. Consider the fact that they share a last name; the connection would have been on their fathers side of the family. So, in order for the theory to work, Jack Geller and Paris father, whose name was never revealed, would have had to have been brothers. RELATED: Friends: Could Monica and Rachel Actually Afford Their West Village Apartment? Paris was significantly younger than Monica and Ross, but that doesnt mean they werent related. In 2000, when Gilmore Girls aired, Paris was 16 years old. Friends was in its seventh season in 2000. When the show premiered, Monica was supposed to be 24 years old, and Ross was supposed to be 26. That means Ross and Monica were 17 and 15 years older than their presumed cousin, Paris, which is totally believable if Paris father had married later in life. MONTREAL - Quebec will allow private sector employees to head back to the office in an effort to revitalize the struggling downtown cores of the provinces largest cities. Labour Minister Jean Boulet told a news conference Wednesday businesses can bring back up to a quarter of their employees to the office starting Saturday. The province is strongly recommending, however, people continue working remotely if possible. Boulet said remote working is difficult for some people, while for others, in-person interactions are necessary. Its also a question of economic vitality for a downtown, particularly in Montreal, to allow people to return to work in their offices, as long as it is done in a safe way and in compliance with the sanitary guidelines, Boulet said. Mask-wearing will be mandatory where physical distancing is not possible, such as in elevators and common areas. Dr. Richard Masse of Quebecs public health department said he was confident allowing workers back is safe to do, despite a recent rise in the daily number of COVID infections in Montreal. We are really sure that opening the services in downtown Montreal is something that is safe, that can be done and its not something that creates a risk, Masse said. Authorities can lock down specific parts of cities if outbreaks occur, rather than reconfining the entire province, he added. Were going to focus on places where transmission happens, but there are other measures that apply across the board, he said. Employees who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, he said, should not go to work or frequent public places. Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said the city could use the infusion of workers. Its been difficult for downtown Montreal, which lives on students and workers, Plante said. We dont want other outbreaks, we want to minimize the risks, but we also need to help those that are in great difficulty at this moment. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed the decision, saying the future survival of many businesses depends on workers heading back to the office. This is a first step towards the profitability of businesses whose income depends mainly on the high traffic of businesspeople, tourists, conventioneers, festival-goers and students, the organization said in a statement. Meanwhile, Quebec reported three new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, for a total of 5,636. The province also reported 129 new cases of the novel coronavirus, for a total of 56,859, of which 26,097 are considered recovered. The number of people in hospital went down by 10 patients compared with the prior day, for a total of 285, including 20 patients in intensive care, a reduction of one. Public health authorities said Wednesday they are trying to increase testing capacity in Montreal after they requested over the weekend that anyone who had visited or worked in a bar since July 1 get tested for COVID-19. Montreal public health reported Tuesday it had identified at least 30 confirmed cases tied to nine different bars in the city. Masse said the public health department is trying to test 200 people per hour at Montreals Hotel-Dieu hospital, where a walk-in clinic has been inundated. It takes some time to mobilize human resources moved elsewhere in the health system, Masse said. Plante called the situation unacceptable. We were the epicentre. I do not want to relive that, and clearly Montrealers dont want to either, Plante said. To see people waiting in line for hours to get a test, I see people who are responsible, who take it seriously, so we have to make it easier for them. She says the city is ready to help with mobile testing centres and has asked if other sites could be opened. On Monday, the last day for which data is available, the province performed 9,952 tests. Premier Francois Legault said the province has the capacity to easily conduct up to 16,000 tests per day, but the resources are not in the right spots, and he is expecting adjustments in the coming days. With the provinces annual construction holiday beginning Saturday, Legault stressed the importance of wearing masks, even in regions that have been largely spared by COVID-19, like the one he visited on Wednesday. As of Saturday, masks will be mandatory in all indoor public spaces. After meeting with health authorities in the Lower St-Lawrence, Legault noted that in 35 of the 36 bars in the region visited by inspectors last week, staff were not wearing proper protective equipment. We saw 129 cases today in Quebec, an increase in the number of cases compared to last week, Legault told reporters in Riviere-du-Loup, Que. We must absolutely have more discipline in bars. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. The vandalised statue of the Virgin Mary outside the Saint Peter's Parish church in Dorchester, Boston: (NBC10) Two statues of the Virgin Mary were vandalised in Boston and New York over the weekend. The authorities are investigating incidents that occurred outside the Saint Peters Parish church in Dorchester, Boston, on Saturday and the Cathedral Prep School and Seminary in Elmhurst, Queens, New York, on Friday. Police were called to the Saint Peters Parish church on Saturday night after the plastic flowers included on the statue were set on fire. The statue was damaged with burn marks on the face, arms and hands, and Father John Currie, who is the pastor of the church, said his reaction the the news was sadness. Disappointment. Our image of our lady is so important to us in our faith. The pastor claimed to CBS Boston that the person who vandalised the statue is obviously someone disturbed, someone who has a lot of trouble, a troubled soul. However, Mr Currie added that his message is of love, and peace, and mercy, and forgiveness. Again, this person may be troubled and we dont want to add to trouble in the world or your life. We want to be an instrument of healing for your reconciliation. Although the church owns surveillance cameras, the statue is not covered by them, and the authorities are asking for help from the public to find any suspects. On Friday, a separate statue of the Virgin Mary, that stands outside the Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary, was vandalised and police are searching for a man who left the scene wearing a pink head covering, according to CBS New York. When staff turned up to the school on Friday morning, they noticed that the word IDOL had been spray painted on the statue. The president and rector of the school, Father James Kuroly, called the vandalism an act of hatred, according to AMNY. He added: Obviously, this tragedy saddens us deeply but it also renews our hope and faith in the Lord as he has shown his goodness in the many people who have already reached out to us. We are sincerely grateful for the help we have received as well as the prayers. Story continues The statue was cleaned during the day on Friday and had been restored by the afternoon. Read more Spanish actor arrested for mocking God and the Virgin Mary TODAY: Hirano is still on the injured list but he has been cleared to join the Mariners Summer Camp. As per the Japan Times and other outlets, Hirano revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19, and was kept from training for almost two weeks while battling virus symptoms. JULY 14: The Mariners announced that they have placed right-handed reliever Yoshihisa Hirano on the injured list. The club didnt provide a reason for Hiranos IL placement, but Greg Johns of MLB.com notes that hes the only Mariner who hasnt been cleared to report to Summer Camp. Hirano joined the Mariners as one of their most notable acquisitions during the winter, when the team handed the former Diamondback a one-year, $1.6MM contract in free agency. If healthy, hes an obvious candidate to rack up a substantial number of innings in a bullpen thats light on proven options and just lost righty Gerson Bautista to a flexor strain. Hirano, 36, is a two-year major league veteran who emigrated from his homeland of Japan after a dominant run there. While last season didnt go nearly as well for Hirano as his initial campaign did, he has overall been a respectable late-game option in the bigs. Across 119 1/3 innings in Arizona, Hirano recorded a 3.47 ERA/3.85 FIP with 9.05 K/9, 3.39 BB/9, a 47.7 percent groundball rate and 47 holds. DALLAS, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Phynd Technologies, Inc., the leader in provider data management and provider search solutions, announced today the immediate availability of Phynd Provider Search. Phynd Provider Search is a breakthrough technology offering that enables health systems to intelligently and simply integrate robust provider search capabilities into their consumer-facing Find a Doctor websites, as well as internal provider search sites for call centers, referral portals, and general provider directories. Phynd Provider Search offers the ideal long-term solution for provider search by consumers, by incorporating cutting-edge search algorithms that uniquely identify the needs of a patient based on their clinical condition, proximity to care, and source of insurance, and matching the patient to the most appropriate care provider within the health system. Phynd Provider Search is powered by the Phynd 360 Platform, the industry's leading SaaS (Software as a Service) provider data management solution. Phynd serves as a health systems' central hub for all provider data people, places, and services, including telehealth. Phynd provider data is continually updated by a combination of health system end users, tightly integrated interfaces with trusted internal systems, such as credentialing and electronic health records, and complementary external sources such as NPPES and state medical boards. The Phynd 360 Platform continuously curates provider data into a client's EHR, marketing, and claims systems, improving overall data quality and optimizing their performance and ROI. Clients deploy Phynd Provider Search using one of two options: Phynd Provider Search Web App or Phynd Provider Search API. Both options are included in Phynd Provider Search's single subscription offering, giving health systems choice, flexibility, and investment protection. Phynd Provider Search Web App is an easy-to-install set of web components that transforms a Find a Doctor website into a modern patient access solution. Phynd Provider Search Web App is a true game-changer for digital marketing teams, enabling them to directly add Phynd's sophisticated consumer search to their branded website powered by the Phynd platform in a matter of minutes. This plug and play solution is mobile-friendly, ensuring health systems are able to reach the broadest possible audience, irrespective of consumers' computing devices. Phynd Provider Search Web App is optimized for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and for meeting ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance. For health systems looking for an even greater level of integration, the Phynd Provider Search API is offered as a set of battle-hardened tools used by either internal or third-party web developers to fully customize and embed provider search capabilities deeply within their digital environment. The API supports digital teams' maintaining multiple search websites, including both health system-wide provider search as well as search microsites for the health system's Accountable Care Organizations and narrow networks, which may require provider search for unique sets of participating provider populations. "We have launched Phynd Provider Search for both digital teams looking to quickly upgrade their digital front door with a better search experience, as well as for teams doing a full website redesign," says Tom White, CEO of Phynd. "By offering health systems a choice in one integrated offering, they can deploy a new patient experience with Web App right away, and then migrate to the API in the future, if and when they desire deeper integration. We offer tremendous benefits to our clients over the long haul." Phynd Provider Search, combined with direct scheduling in an EHR, has been shown to grow online appointment volume and reduce cost. Both Provider Search Web App and Provider Search API offer real-time performance, robust scalability, and a unique set of intelligent search attributes used by health systems to fine-tune search capabilities based on the needs of patients, providers, locations and health plan and network resources. Both use the same high-quality data and tools that reside in the Phynd 360 Platform, and are both highly configurable to meet digital marketing preferences. "Kettering Health Network is committed to ensuring our patients have a best-in-class Find a Doctor search experience," says Dr. Charles Watson, Chief Medical Informatics Officer for Kettering Health. "We are in the process of implementing Phynd Provider Search which we anticipate will give our consumers a user-friendly way to quickly find the provider with the right expertise, that is convenient, and is in network. We now have high-quality provider data, due to multiple teams curating data in Phynd, and data being fed continuously to Phynd from trusted sources." Phynd Provider Search is available immediately. About Phynd Phynd 360 is a cloud-based, Software as a Service (SaaS) integrated provider data and search platform that consolidates departmental and siloed provider data into a single hub. Phynd offers continuous governance and data integration across a health system's digital ecosystem to improve marketing, clinical, and claims system performance. Designed to leverage organizations' existing infrastructure and investments, it is a cost-effective and future-proof solution for enterprise-wide provider data management, provider search, and integration at scale. Phynd is proudly serving over 350 hospitals and 35 health systems across the U.S., including 7 of the top 20 hospitals as ranked by US News and World Report. Phynd is a member of the Epic App Orchard. AVIA has recognized the Phynd 360 provider data platform and Phynd Provider Search as AVIA Vetted products in 2020. The Phynd platform has achieved ISO-27001-certification. For more information visit www.phynd.com. Contact: Phynd Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Phynd Technologies, Inc. Related Links https://www.phynd.com Stop all conversation with the BJP and head back to your home in Jaipur, the Congress urged Sachin Pilot in yet another outreach attempt. The state has been teetering on the edge since Pilot made his differences with chief minister Ashok Gehlot public. It was only yesterday that the party sacked Pilot as deputy chief minister and also from the post of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress chief. The latest peace offering follows the leaders statement this morning where he categorically ruled out joining hands with the BJP. Pilot, 42, said the attempt to connect him to the opposition party was being done to malign his reputation in the eyes of the Gandhis. He further underlined that he fought against the BJP to bring the Congress to power in the state. Weve seen Sachin Pilots statement that he wont join BJP. Id like to tell him that if you dont want that, then immediately come out of the security cover of BJPs Haryana government, stop all conversations with them and come back to your home in Jaipur, said Randeep S Surjewala at a press briefing this afternoon. Pilot, along with his MLAs, has been camping in Delhi since Saturday. Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande also tweeted saying that the party doors were not closed on the leader. The Congress doors havent been shut on Sachin Pilot, may lord grant him good sense and may he understand his mistake. I hope he gets out of the BJPs deceptive ways, tweeted Avinash Pande. Hindustan Times has learnt that KC Venugopal, general secretary, organisation, is trying to convince chief minister Ashok Gehlot to try to bury differences with his former Number 2. Gehlot, however, does not appear too keen and wants his detractor to be expelled immediately for anti-party activities. The CM today claimed that horse trading was being done in Jaipur, and said he has the proof as well. Gehlot, in a swipe at Sachin Pilot, claimed that the new generation in politics was impatient. I have been in politics for 40 years, we love the new generation, the future will be theirs. This new generation, they have become central ministers, state presidents. if they had gone through what we did in our time, they would have understood, Gehlot was quoted as saying. The Irish Farmers Markets returned to Kilkenny at a new venue on Sunday, in the beautiful surrounds of Ballyhales Mountain View. Food lovers of all ages turned out to savour its return. The market, which will be a regular Sunday attraction in the South Kilkenny village over the summer, showcased craft products as well as wonderful local food. There were over 30 stalls at Mountain View on Sunday, serving an indoor and an outdoor market. Attractions included cookery and craft demonstrations and once a month will have an interesting culinary twist. Two chefs from local restaurants will each be given a stall and asked to create a menu from food bought in the market that day. There was also a big emphasis on keeping everyone safe. Stalls were set two metres apart, with customers at a two-metre distance from the front of each stall. Staff on the stalls wore visors and gloves, contactless transactions were encouraged, and attendants helped people with shopping and information. A one-way system was in place, and hand sanitiser available. Irish Farmers Markets Director Sean McArdle said he was delighted with the positive response to the event. It was a fantastic day and I would like to thank all of the producers and people who came for complying with social distancing and hygiene measures to ensure it was a safe event for all," he said. Mr McArdle acknowledged it has been an incredibly difficult time for the food and hospitality sector over the past few months, but praised the huge effort many producers have been making to adapt to the new circumstances. He said the Kilkenny Farmers Market is a good example of the Irish spirit of survival that will ensure innovative producers have a bright future ahead. The Irish Farmers Market returns to Mountain View Sunday, and every Sunday for the rest of the summer, from 11am to 4pm. In another portion of the secondary roads update, the engineers reported on continued discussions with Canadian Pacific Railroad officials over a drainage project near Fredonia. Shutt and Roehl said the railroad company had initially indicated it would drop its $35,000 payment demand to allow Louisa County and the city of Fredonia to install new drainage pipe on railroad property. During this weeks meeting, the two said that decision was now being tied to an earlier railroad request to the county to abandon the X Avenue railroad crossing west of Columbus Junction. In addition to dropping the drainage project payment, the railroad also offered $15,000 to the county for the abandonment. Roehl also said the state would chip in another $7,500. The supervisors advised the engineers to contact property owners along X Avenue to determine if they would be affected by the crossing abandonment. A public hearing would be required before any final decision is made, and county officials indicated the hearing would be set next week. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Nicosia, Cyprus Wed, July 15, 2020 10:34 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666651b3 2 News Cyprus,travel,tourism,Visa Free Cyprus is threatening to fine or turn away incoming passengers who fail to complete online arrival forms aimed at preventing a resurgence of the novel coronavirus. The move comes after a visitor who misrepresented their itinerary later tested positive for the disease. Dubbed the Cyprus Flight Pass, the online form is part of authorities' efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic while allowing some international arrivals to boost its vital tourism sector. The form must be filled out online 24 hours before boarding, irrespective of the departure country. The transport ministry said in a statement Monday that passengers arriving without a valid online pass faced two choices: "either to enter the Republic and pay the out-of-court fine of 300 euros [$340], or, to return to the country of their departure". The warning came after the EU member lifted a commercial flight ban on June 9. The majority of its single-digit daily reported COVID-19 cases since have been among incoming travelers. The Republic of Cyprus currently allows entry to passengers from three lists of countries, categorized according to epidemiological data and regularly updated. Category A countries including Germany, Greece and Austria are considered the lowest risk. Arrivals from countries in the higher-risk category B, currently including France and Spain, must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of departure, if possible, otherwise be tested at the airport. All other countries are considered category C, with entry restricted mainly to Cyprus residents, who must self-isolate upon arrival. The statement said that arrivals from category A countries who failed to fill out the online form would, in addition to a fine, be required to take a virus test at the airport at the passenger's expense. The ministry also warned against passengers misrepresenting their country of departure. "In a recent incident, a passenger entered the Cyprus Republic on a flight from a category A country, whilst his initial country of departure was a category C country" and without a valid online pass, it said. He later tested positive for the COVID-19 illness and admitted that his "initial country of departure was a category C country", it said. Authorities are considering whether there are grounds to prosecute the man for providing false information. The Republic of Cyprus is marketing itself as a relatively safe holiday destination in the face of the pandemic, having reported 1,022 coronavirus cases and 19 deaths and tested over 10 percent of its population. The breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Ankara, has reported 116 cases and four deaths. Topics : Cyprus travel tourism Visa Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily indicated on Wednesday party general secretaries put in charge of States are not doing their job and called for revamp at the AICC level to strengthen the Sonia Gandhi-led outfit. Asked to comment on the political crisis in Rajasthan, the former Union Minister appeared to back Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and also hinted that rebel leader Sachin Pilot should have patiently waited for his turn. The Congress yesterday sacked Pilot as the Deputy Chief Minister as well as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President. "These days many of the youngsters are encouraged in the Congress party. But at the same time there is a need for well-tested leadership because you cant just neglect the veterans also," Moily told PTI. Speaking in general terms, the former Karnataka Chief Minister said many of today's aspiring youth don't have patience at all and they need to have perseverance. Pilot may deserve Chief Ministership but he should have waited for his turn, working within the party, he said noting that the 42-year-old leader was made Lok Sabha member, Union Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and PCC President by the party early in his political career. At the same time, Moily said many a time, AICC general secretaries in charge of States are not "vigilant" and don't understand the problems faced by local party units. "It (the Rajasthan-type crisis) can be prevented. Some of the (partys) disasters could be prevented. Many of the times, they (general secretaries) don't bring it to the notice of the central leadership, and don't keep them informed about developments and take immediate corrective actions," he said. "These days we are not doing this kind of exercise whether it's northeastern states, or Madhya Pradesh or Karnataka, or any of these states. Many a time, vigilance on the part of high-command is also lacking. As a result when everything happens (problem comes to a head) only then they become panicky, thats not the way," Moily said. He recalled that he had earlier served as the party's in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry. "We used to take corrective action (during that period) visit there. These days these exercises are not done. Now-a-days people who are put in charge (of States) have no time to go there or be there, they dont undertake tours of the districts. You will have to understand the aspirations of leaders not only at State level but also at the district level, that's how you strengthen the party," he said. "But at the same time, just like a man-eater, BJP also just waits for the opportunity. Their duty is to concentrate on COVID-19 and how to resolve the problems. They also divert their attention by (trying to) dismantle the non-BJP governments and they catch hold of these aspiring youth (from other parties) who are amenable," Moily alleged. The Congress has to reinvent itself by putting loyal leaders in charge of the organsation in the States. It has to be reorganised right from the booth level. Giving importance to people who only come for power, position and to leaders with money is not good, he pointed out. Consistency in loyalty is very important. "In a month, general secretaries should be there in their respective States for 15-20 days. That is how all these problems can be solved," Moily said. "In the high-command (All India Congress Committee), there should be a revamp." (Corrects to show investment to come from Ibitu, not directly from Castlelake as erroneously reported) SAO PAULO, July 15 (Reuters) - Brazil's Ibitu Energia, owned by U.S.-based asset manager Castlelake LP, plans to invest roughly 4.5 billion reais ($839.43 million) in renewable energy assets in the coming five years, the firm's chief executive said in a statement on Wednesday. The commitment comes after Castlelake reached an agreement with Brazil's engineering group Queiroz Galvao last year to acquire Ibitu's existing assets, comprising a hydroelectric facility and wind power plants with a combined capacity of 832 megawatts. Gustavo Ribeiro, chief executive of Ibitu, said in the statement that Ibitu intends to double its power generation capacity in Brazil by acquiring or building new power plants. Ibitu is also considering new solar and wind projects totaling 1.2 gigawatts, the statement said. ($1 = 5.3608 reais) (Reporting by Luciano Costa Writing by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Tom Brown) A Vietnamese man has been jailed in his home country over the death of a man found beaten and unconscious in South Wales 14 years ago. Tu Minh Le, 47, was handed a 12-year sentence for the killing of 44-year-old Tran Nguyen, who died at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport in November 2006. Three other suspects were convicted of manslaughter following a four-month trial at Cardiff Crown Court in 2008. Efforts to locate Le, who fled to Southeast Asia, had continued. An investigation between the National Crime Agency, Vietnamese authorities and Gwent Police eventually tracked the suspect down in Vietnam, where he was put on trial at the People's Court in Hung Yen Province on July 9. The landmark trial, which concluded on Tuesday, is the first in Vietnam to be held on behalf of a foreign office. Father-of-two Mr Nguyen was killed following a raid at a cannabis farm in Newport, two months after he arrived in Britain in the back of a lorry. Tu Minh Le (pictured middle) was sentenced to 12 years for the killing of 44-year-old Tran Nguyen, who died at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport in November 2006 In the earlier court case, prosecutors said the victim had been at a plantation in South Wales when it was raided by rivals who tied him up and stole the drug, the BBC reported. His gangmaster suspected he had a role in the theft and he was taken to a house in London where he was beaten, the court heard. Mr Nguyen was then driven back to Newport and the unconscious man was left unresponsive outside the Royal Gwent Hospital. He was identified by his brother-in-law a month later. Detective Chief Inspector Justin O'Keefe, who worked on the case, today described the inquiry as one of the most 'logistically challenging' ever faced by Gwent Police. Pictured: Tran Nguyen, who was found unconscious and unresponsive outside Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport in November 2006 Thanh Van Le (left) was convicted of manslaughter following a four-month trial at Cardiff Crown Court in 2008. Pictured right: Tu Minh Le He said: 'This was the first time a trial was held in Vietnam for a foreign offence. It's taken years of work, liaising with a range of authorities, but we never lost hope that we would see the outcome we now have. 'This has been one of the most logistically challenging inquiries ever faced by Gwent Police. For a considerable time we didn't know the identity of the victim or the circumstances leading to his death. 'This outcome demonstrates the commitment of all authorities to work together to bring offenders to justice. 'I'd like to thank the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam who have progressed the prosecution on our behalf, together with the National Crime Agency.' Quynh Van Huynh (right) and Cong Van Le (left) were also convicted of manslaughter over the killing Mark Bishop, the National Crime Agency's head of region for Asia Pacific, said: 'This was a truly landmark case which came about because of unprecedented co-operation between the NCA, Gwent Police and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security. 'We worked closely with them to exchange evidence, resulting in this conviction. 'Tran Nguyen's family have been through a horrendous ordeal and have had to wait 14 years for this verdict. I hope it brings some form of comfort or closure to them. 'It demonstrates that no matter what the offence or where in the world offenders may be, we can track them down and we can bring them to justice.' Germany has banned Tesla from repeating what a court says are 'misleading advertising statements' relating to the capabilities of the firm's driver assistance systems and to autonomous driving, a Munich judge ruled. Tesla can appeal the ruling, which will remove all ads referencing the capabilities of its Autopilot feature in the country where Elon Musk intends to set up shop in Europe with a new Gigafactory. The case was brought by Germany's Wettbewerbszentrale, an industry sponsored body tasked with policing anti-competitive practices and the ruling garnered the backing of vehicle safety experts who have warned that 'over-reliance on the Autopilot system can be catastrophic'. Banned: Tesla adverts in Germany can no longer include references to its self-driving Autopilot system's capabilities The Munich court agreed with the industry body's assessment and banned Tesla Germany from including 'full potential for autonomous driving' and 'Autopilot inclusive' in its German advertising materials. It said such claims amounted to misleading business practices, adding that the average buyer might be given the impression that the car could drive without human intervention and might suggest such a system was now legal on German roads. Tesla's Autopilot system has drawn criticism from regulators, including from the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States, saying it lacks safeguards. Concerns have grown about assistance systems that can perform driving tasks for extended stretches with little or no human intervention, tempting drivers to neglect their obligation to be in control of their vehicles at all times. Tesla has said it has informed customers that its automated driver assistance technology did not amount to a fully autonomous driving system. A spokeswoman for Tesla Germany was not immediately available to comment on Tuesday's ruling. Tesla's Chief Executive Elon Musk said this month the electric car manufacturer is 'very close' to making its cars capable of automated driving without any need for driver input. 'I'm extremely confident that level 5 or essentially complete autonomy will happen and I think will happen very quickly,' Musk said in remarks made via a video message at the opening of Shanghai's annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference. 'I remain confident that we will have the basic functionality for level 5 autonomy complete this year.' A Tesla driver photographed sleeping behind the wheel as his car speeds down the highway with Autopilot activated Thatcham Research said Autopilot is not a self-driving system and is there to 'provide driver assistance, not become an invisible chauffer' Matthew Avery, research director at UK vehicle safety and security firm Thatcham Research, said it had 'long warned of the pitfalls to the Autopilot system', adding that its 'seemingly competent performance can encourage drivers to hand too much control to the vehicle and lose sight of their responsibilities behind the wheel'. In a statement to This is Money, Avery said: 'This is a progressive process that begins when motorists are marketed the 'self-driving' experience. 'Autopilot is not a self-driving system. It is there to provide driver assistance, not become an invisible chauffeur.' Thatcham argues that 'Autopilot' is an 'especially misleading term' and that communication from Tesla about its capability can be give a false sense of security to customers. Another image of a Tesla customer appearing to be asleep at the wheel, relying on the Autopilot system to drive the vehicle It said the term can be viewed as being similar to an airline captain disengaging completely when activating the autopilot. It says people are likely to relate this to scenes in the films when autopilot is engaged in a plane and the captain then leans back in their chair, reaches for a cup of coffee or even leaves the cockpit entirely. Avery added: 'Tesla marketing frequently suggests the car is capable of 'full self-driving'. Just recently some UK customers received an email communication stating: 'Our records indicate that you haven't upgraded your Model S to Full Self-Driving Capability. You can upgrade now at a reduced price of 2,200.' 'The outcomes of driver over-reliance on the Autopilot system can be catastrophic. 'Reports of accidents with Autopilot engaged have become all too familiar. Many are fatal and we don't know if drivers were 'taking a chance' or worse still, literally believing their Autopilot system was fully capable of driving the car itself. Although the current case in Germany focuses on Tesla's Autopilot, Thatcham Research believe it should serve as a brightly flashing hazard light on misleading marketing for all carmakers. 'If the warning is heeded, we look forward to a future where these exciting technologies can truly deliver on their promise,' Avery says. Just last month, security cameras watching a highway in Taiwan captured the moment a white Tesla Model 3 vehicle plowed into truck that was rolled over on its side. Reports say the driver of the Tesla did not see the overturned truck while cruising with the Autopilot driver assistant feature activated. The footage also shows that the cars emergency automatic braking system was applied at the last second, due to smoke coming from the tires moments before the collision. Elon Musk has on Wednesday morning tweeted this rendered image of how the Gigafactory in Berlin could look once completed This image shows the construction of the Gigafactory in Shanghai ahead of its completion On Wednesday, Elon Musk took to Twitter to post a rendered image of how Tesla's new Gigafactory in Berlin could look once completed. The first phase of its construction is already underway, with an ambitious intention to build the new Model Y at the facility from next year. Similar to the Gigafactory in Shanghai, it looks set to be an enormous facility that's covered in solar panels and features multiple loading bays for the movement of parts and vehicles to and from the factory. Musk jokingly responded to other Tweets suggesting it might have an 'indoor/outdoor rave space' and a swimming pool on the roof. Ivanka Trump became the target of social media frustration on Tuesday when she shared a link to the Trump Administration's new jobs website "FindSomethingNew.org." "Americans of all ages and backgrounds can look to FindSomethingNew.org to explore new pathways to career opportunities + resources to support their journey," she wrote on Twitter. Her post included an ad for the new site, featuring people claiming they'd been laid off and found new work. President Trump's eldest daughter described the new campaign as a way of "challenging the idea of the traditional 2 and 4 year college" as the "only option to acquire skills." "We should encourage a college education, of course, and we do celebrate it, we have the greatest college ecosystem of any country in the world, but we have to stop telling students and workers that this is the only viable option," Ms Trump said. Jamison Foser, a Democratic political strategist responded to the new ad with incredulity. "For example, let's say you cannot afford meat and vegetables. You could simply #FindSomethingNew to eat, like cake," he wrote, referencing the "let them eat cake," phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, typically invoked to describe ruling class individuals who do not understand, or do not care, about the plight of common people. In an ironic twist, Ms Trump debuted the new site on Bastille Day, a French holiday marking the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution, which subsequently led to Antoinette being executed by guillotine. Ms Trump, a graduate of the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania, has been in charge of numerous White House initiatives ranging from women's health initiatives to human trafficking despite having no previous experience dealing with politics, policy or public health. In the past, Ms Trump has been a fashion designer, an author and an executive at the family's hotel business. The "Find Something New" campaign is intended to pressure Americans who've suffered from layoffs to find new work, even if it means switching careers from the ones in which they've trained and invested their time and money. More than 20 million Americans lost their jobs during the lockdown period in March and April. While the US is showing some signs of economic recovery - 4.8m jobs were added in June - lack of opportunity is only one of many factors keeping people from participating in the economy. The coronavirus pandemic is worsening in the US, with California, Texas and Florida accounting for 18 per cent of coronavirus cases worldwide. Workers ranging from restaurant servers to teachers are afraid to return to work due as a result of the virus. Asutifi North DCE, Anthony Mensah 15.07.2020 LISTEN The District Security Council(DISEC) of Asutifi North in Ahafo Region has urged political parties to channel their challenges related to the ongoing voter's registration exercise to the appropriate quarters to avert any form of violence in the district. DISEC disclosed this at a meeting termed external due to the inclusion of political parties, district director of Electoral Commission(EC) and security services from the regional level to generally assess the ongoing voter's registration exercise by the EC in the constituency. Addressing journalists after the meeting, the District Chief Executive(DCE), Honourable(Hon) Anthony Mensah said, although the political parties and EC have commended DISEC for ensuring peaceful exercise that does not mean the security council must not review it plans as the exercise progresses. According to Hon. Anthony Mensah who doubles as the Chairman of DISEC, since the exercise revolves around human beings definitely there will be challenges but that must not result to violence just like how the media have let them know that some constituencies have recorded some form of casualties all in the violence. He explained the registration exercise which will permit Ghanaians to elect a president and 275 members of parliament to steer the affairs of the country for four years after 2020 has rules and regulations that must be adhered and respected at any point in time when political parties have issues that need to be addressed. He said instituting violence at the centres must not be entertained because aside the constituency recording casualties, the image of it would be painted black to the world preventing development to thrive as expected. " DISEC has partner EC to tackle your challenges with urgency so violence must be out of the picture " Hon. Anthony Mensah stated. He also urged the leaders of the political parties who were presented with a number of face masks and hand sanitizers to be given to their members who do not have the said items at their disposal, to educate their members on the need for them to comply with all the laid down COVID-19 protocols to avert the wide spread of the virus by the close of the entire exercise. He added that DISEC will keep monitoring the exercise to assist it get first hand information in order to map up excellent strategies for peaceful exercise. The Director of EC for Asutifi North District, Franklina Osei Assibey took time to addressed all questions directed to the EC from the political parties and the members of DISEC for better understanding. She therefore assured them of transparent exercise for the people to avert any form of misunderstanding. She pleaded with the leaders of the parties to help sensitize the people on the need for them to respect the protocols of COVID-19 at the centres especially the social distancing which is a major tool in fighting the virus. According to her, there is no way her outfit will disenfranchise any eligible voter because it is against the country's law so therefore, people must be urged to come out and register. All the security services present at the meeting expressed their readiness to ensure that peace reign at all the centres till the exercise ends. They told the leaders of the parties thus, the chairmen, parliamentary candidates and secretaries who showed up at the meeting to educate their members o the exercise in order not to create any violence even they have genuine challenge because the security will not spear such persons irrespective of who they are. " No excuses and apologies would be accepted when people are apprehended for allegedly causing distractions at centres " the security services stated. Hon. Patrick Banor the Parliamentary Candidate for NPP and Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo the Parliamentary Candidate for NDC jointly promised DISEC of staying away from any form of violence at the centres. They revealed that the measures put in place by the EC for the exercise are on point although there are minor issues been rectified immediately they pop up and it is plus. According to the two, DISEC has also been on top of security matters because the constituency has not recorded any form of violence. They told the members of DISEC headed by the DCE to keep on being proactive to make the exercise peaceful and one of the best in the country. They, therefore, urged the police to enforce the people to keenly respect the protocols of COVID-19 because the Ghanaians will not take it lightly with key stakeholders if cases are recorded out of the exercise. A Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has denied saying schools in Ghana will be shut down if their COVID-19 infection rate reaches 15 percent. He described such report as malicious propaganda. I write to state categorically that I havent said anywhere that schools would be shut down if [their] COVID-19 rate reaches 15 percent, he said in a statement. I stated on the program that the meticulous preschool activities put in place by the Akufo-Addo government and the protocols and logistics put in the schools would help see students through to the end of their examinations, Dr. Okoe Boye added. Calls have been made for the closure of schools due to recent increases in COVID-19 infections among students. Some 55 staff and students of the Accra Girls Senior High School have been infected with the virus. About five schools in the Western Region have also recorded COVID-19 cases. Despite the calls, the government has maintained that there is no need for the closure of schools yet. Dr. Okoe Boye reiterated the governments stance saying: I still am convinced that the government that invested in the tuition and boarding fees of all SHS students can be trusted to take care of students to the very end of their stay in school. He further called on the parents, some of whom have trooped to schools demanding the release of their wards, to exercise restraint. Just as the over 200,000 tertiary students finished their programs without a calamity, so would these SHS students too finish by the grace of the Almighty. Find below his full statement RE: SCHOOLS WOULD BE SHUT DOWN IF COVID-19 RATE REACHES 15%. I write to state categorically that I havent said anywhere that schools would be shut down if COVID-19 rate reaches 15%. It is sad and unfortunate that Myjoyonline would decide to engage in this malicious propaganda at a time when we have to focus on disseminating informed education material on COVID-19 related matters. I spoke on Asempa FM yesterday, the 14th of July, 2020 and helped listeners to appreciate the fact that calling for closure of schools because of recorded cases cannot be just and scientifically sound. This is because COVID-19 cases could be picked anywhere including the church, schools, mosque, market as well as educational institutions. What is important is to find out whether there are protocols to isolate, trace contacts and treat cases. I stated on the program that the meticulous preschool activities put in place by the Akufo-Addo government and the protocols and logistics put in the schools would help see students through to the end of their examinations. MULTIMEDIA recorded some COVID-19 cases; nobody called for its closure. I still am convinced that the government that invested in the tuition and boarding fees of all SHS students can be trusted to take care of students to the very end of their stay in school. I would like to urge all parents to keep calm, call their school heads or 311 in case they have any queries. Just as the over 200,000 tertiary students finished their programs without a calamity, so would these SHS students too finish by the grace of the Almighty. May God bless our homeland Ghana. Dr. Okoe Boye (MP). A deputy minister for Health ---citinewsroom Dhaka, Jul 15 (UNI) Rapid Action Battalion arrested Regent Group chairman Mohammad Shahed in Satkhira near Bangladeshs border with India in the early hour on Wednesday. RAB spokesman additional superintendent of police Sujoy Sarkar told UNI that Shahed was arrested around 0500 hrs. He was now taken to Dhaka, said Sarkar. Director of RAB legal and media wing Lieutenant Colonel Ashik Billah told reporters that he was arrested with arms near Debhata Border of the district. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming on Wednesday urged European politicians to stop interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). "China has never interfered in other countries' internal affairs and we strongly oppose interference in China's internal affairs by any country," Liu said at a webinar with UK think tanks. Last month, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress adopted the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR to deal with the enormous risk Hong Kong faces in safeguarding national security. The law, he explained, is aimed at preventing, suppressing and punishing four types of criminal activities: secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. Liu said nearly 3 million Hong Kong citizens have signed a petition in support of the law, and more than 70 countries in the world, including some European countries, have voiced their support. However, some European politicians have made irresponsible remarks regarding this law to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, which are internal affairs of China, he pointed out. He said he hopes the EU side can view the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR from an objective, reasonable and fair perspective and take concrete steps to observe international law and basic norms governing international relations. Speaking on UK's 5G ban on Huawei, Liu said the decision was "disheartening." "Now I would even say this is not only disappointing this is disheartening," Liu said, adding that Britain had "simply dumped this company." "The way you are treating Huawei is being followed very closely by other Chinese businesses, and it will be very difficult for other businesses to have the confidence to have more investment," he said. Oman, China cooperating on blocked funds belonging to Iran: Zarif Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 5:39 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif say his department would exhaust all means to have the country's blocked funds released, adding that China and Oman have been the most supportive in this regard. In a meeting with Iranian parliamentarians on Tuesday, Zarif said, however, that countries like South Korea have not responded positively to Iran's repeated requests for release of funds that have reportedly been blocked because of US pressure. "Some countries like Oman and China have acted positively on return of these funds but South Korea has not taken any significant action in this regard," said Zarif, according to remarks published by Iranian parliament's news service. The comments come as Iran is struggling to return the funds frozen by foreign banks amid a shortage of hard currency in the country which has been exacerbated by a new coronavirus pandemic. Iranian authorities have been pressing South Korea to release between $6.5 billion and $9 billion in frozen funds so that Tehran could use them for purchase of basic goods. Business sources said last week that Seoul had agreed to allow Iran use part of the funds for purchases of drugs and medical equipment. Zarif said South Korean government claims it has "certain problems" in transferring the money it owes to Iran mainly because of the US sanctions. "On the one hand, we are negotiating for the return of the blocked funds and on the other, there has been some proper legal actions," said the top Iranian diplomat without elaborating on what legal path Iran has taken to secure the release of funds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AIRPORT:--- On Monday 13 July 2020 the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson and her Cabinet, accompanied by senior staff of the Ministry of Justice and two representatives of Stichting Beheer ICT Rechtshandhaving (SBIR) which is the foundation that manages ICT for Law Enforcement on Sint Maarten, visited the Princess Juliana International Airport. Two senior Border Control officers provided Minister Richardson and her delegation with a tour of the immigration areas at the airport. Minister Richardson found a detailed explanation of the immigration check process to be very insightful and commended the officers for their professionalism. During the tour, the Minister was especially interested in, among other items, the handling of visitors that overstay their welcome in the country, which can be identified through the use of the Border Management System (BMS). Also present were Mr. Hans Schreuder, director of Stichting Beheer ICT Rechtshandhaving (SBIR) and Mr. Joel Sanches, contract manager and project leader of SBIR, who provided a presentation to the Minister on the functionalities of the system software used by Immigration at the airport. SBIR is a Curacao based non-profit organization specialized in Justice-related ICT-products. The work carried out is exclusively for the Ministers of Justice of Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curacao and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba). All four kingdom countries are represented in the SBIR via their representative in the supervisory board. In addition to providing Immigration with the Border Management System, the foundation also designs, implements, manages and maintains applications for the Police Force, the Coast Guard, the Public Prosecutors Office, the Joint Court of Justice, the Probation and Rehabilitation Service and the Court of Guardianship. These systems are integrated and support sharing of information within the law enforcement chain of St. Maarten. Minister Richardson expressed her commitment to continue to work closely with SBIR to further professionalize the law enforcement IT and information chain. Some actions that already have been identified are to further improve the Immigration Department by implementing the Foreigners Management System (FMS) and to implement an updated administration system for the prison. Businessman Barry Moore said tonight it took a perfect campaign to win the Republican runoff Tuesday in the U.S. House District 2 race. Moore defeated Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman, who garnered the most votes among seven candidates back during the March primary. With 91 percent of the votes tallied Tuesday, Moore led Coleman 59 percent to 41 percent. Moore will face Democratic nominee Phyllis Harvey-Hall, a Montgomery education consultant, in the November election. Standing before family and supporters tonight, Moore said grassroots were key to taking the victory. We stepped in, and we ran and we worked hard, and here we are, Moore said. The seat was formerly held by U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, who decided not to run for a sixth term. The district extends from the Montgomery area across southeast Alabama. Moore, who aligned himself closely to President Donald Trump, garnered endorsements from the House Freedom Fund, the Club for Growth, the Eagle Forum, the American Workers Coalition and the Christian Conservatives of Alabama. Winning this race and running the campaign - thats the easy part, he said. Going to D.C. and facing the kind of stuff weve got going on in this country; its a spiritual battle for the future of the nation. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. Mike DeWine will address the public on the coronavirus surge underway in Ohio at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The address will come after the Friday Ohio Department of Health report showing Ohio added 1,525 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases. That broke a record. The previous record was April 19 -- 1,380 new cases -- when Ohio was testing heavily in prisons. DeWine last week said he was concerned by the Friday record. A spokesman for the governor dismissed assertions by skeptics that the higher cases were a result of more testing. The spokesman said that the percent of tests coming back positive is higher than in the past, among other factors. The address will be broadcast live on the Ohio Channel. Watch below. On Wednesday, it was lower than the Friday record but still well over 1,000 new cases: 1,316. That is higher than a week ago, when there were 1,277 new cases. The 21-day rolling average for new cases is 1,075, according to the Department of Health. More coverage: Ohio coronavirus cases up 1,316 -- approaching 70,000: Wednesday update Gov. Mike DeWine to address the public about the coronavirus surge Wednesday evening Ohios 1,142 newly reported coronavirus cases continues upward trend: Tuesday update New Ohio House bill would make Feb. 26 Dr. Amy Acton Day Ohio breaks record with 1,525 new coronavirus cases: Friday update NEW YORK (AP) Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sams Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements. The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday to allow time to inform stores and customers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said that currently about 65% its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is already some form of government mandate on face coverings. The retailer also said it will create the role of health ambassador at its Walmart stores and will station them near the entrance to remind customers without masks of its new requirements. These workers, who will be wearing black polo shirts, will receive special training to help make the process as smooth as possible for customers. Walmart joins a growing list of retailers that have instituted mask mandates throughout their chains. Best Buy, the nations largest consumer electronics retailer, announced Tuesday that it will have a mask mandate for its customers at all of its stores. Starbucks announced last week that customers who visit its company-owned cafe locations in the U.S. will be required to wear face coverings. Both policies were in effect Wednesday. The moves come as new COVID-19 cases are spiking in many states, particularly Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Retailers have been challenged with striking a balance between keeping shoppers safe while making them feel comfortable. Last week, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, which represents Walmart, Best Buy and other major chains, publicized a letter it sent to state governors to mandate store customers to wear face coverings. It said the hodgepodge of rules around the country have created confusion for shoppers and that has led to conflict between customers and workers trying to enforce store rules. The National Governors Association said last week that its members are discussing the letter and others like it from different retail groups. Social media is full of videos capturing clashes between those who are asked to wear masks, and employees who are under orders to make sure people wear them. Fewer than half of U.S. states require masks in public places, according to the RILA. And only a handful of major retailers including teen clothing chain American Eagle Outfitters has a mask mandate for customers for all of its stores. Costco Wholesale Club was one of the first major retailers to require face coverings for customers at all of its stores. The policy went into effect in early May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people cover their mouth and nose when around other people to help reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. We know some people have differing opinions on this topic, wrote Dacona Smith, chief operating officer at Walmart U.S. and Lance de la Rosa, chief operating officer at Sams Club in a blog posted Wednesday. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials like the CDC. New York City was completely shut down from a hotel perspective, Florida was majorly impacted, California and the San Francisco area were significantly impacted, listed Evan Simmo ns (pictured, right), senior vice president, regional property and casualty practice leader at USI Insurance Services. But then places like Texas and the Midwest or Oklahoma a lot of the areas that have a lot of land and people tend to be a little bit more spread out so theres not the concentration of people on top of each other have been affected, but not quite to the extreme that the major metropolitan cities have been. In the meantime, some hotels have accommodated medical staff or homeless populations to contribute to efforts to stem COVID-19 and help vulnerable people while also filling rooms. In turn, this has had implications for their insurance programs. Mitch McGrath, SVP and division leader, and hospitality property and casualty adviser for Insurance Programs of America, said that hes recommending insureds work with their broker and insurance carrier closely to pinpoint exactly what these non-traditional activities look like. Medical equipment is very, very expensive, and thats not covered under your normal hospitality policy, he explained. And then from a liability standpoint, whoever the leasing company is thats coming in and leasing out these hotels to make it a non-traditional hotel, they need to fully indemnify the insured (the hotel owner). Other questions that hotel insureds have been asking during this time have included whether business interruption coverage will apply. This issue is escalating, with the Dallas, TX branch of the luxury hotel company Ritz-Carlton recently filing a lawsuit against its insurance company Zurich North America, demanding the insurer pay for business interruption claims related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Another key area of concern is how premiums will address the lower occupancy rates that many hotels can expect to see for the coming months. As some cities are starting to reopen, and [hotels] re-project sales and payrolls, [theyre asking] whats the opportunity to go back to insurance carriers with coverage already in place and renegotiate premiums based on what was anticipated if, say, a renewal occurred in October 2019, said Simmons. Now that were re-projecting payrolls that are going to be 35-45% less than what they were in October, can we go back and renegotiate with insurance carriers to provide some relief? Notably, many hotel insurance programs are based on the number of doors in a given hotel, which doesnt change with COVID-19, so theyre asking about the relief they can seek out based on reduced revenues. There are also some instances where insureds have minimum premiums on their programs, which has presented a challenge during the age of COVID-19 when theyre hoping for premium relief. Youve got these reduced payrolls and reduced revenues, but you have minimum earned premiums on the policies that could be 100%, said Simmons. You project $500 million in payrolls, and now the new projection of payrolls is $350 million, but you have 100% minimum earned premium at $500 million. More broadly, the insurance market has been less than forgiving at the moment. Before the coronavirus swept across the globe, there werent a ton of carriers writing hotels, and the market has since reacted negatively to the pandemic and related economic fallout. It was hardening from a liability perspective and umbrella, and directors and officers coverage before COVID hit, and then it became an extra bottle of kerosene on the fire, noted Simmons. It became challenging and insurers were taking a position of, this is what were offering take it or leave it, so not only were you having businesses shutting down and needing insurance coverage, but [they were] faced with very challenging renewals. Read more: How the hotel industry is responding to the coronavirus crisis As a result, hotel businesses are getting squeezed on both ends. Not only do they have less revenue, but McGrath has seen premiums go up 15-30% at renewal with no claims in the prior year. One of the ways hes helping insureds and their agents is lowering business interruption coverage by 30% right away. Thats bringing down their total insured value, and also bringing down their rate, he explained, adding that, even so, these insureds are still having a slight increase on the renewals. The other major concern for insureds is getting non-renewed altogether, or seeing a huge rate increase if they file a claim. They want to know is their carrier going to give them a go away rate next year for filing a claim that they know is not going to get paid out since it clearly has an exclusion on the policy, said McGrath. And my answer to them is, I truthfully dont know Ive probably had 150 claims on BI coverage and loss of income due to COVID, but until we start seeing some of these renewals come in next year, were not going to know if the carrier is going to non-renew. T he Government's decision to ban Huawei from its 5G network is about "trade" and not security, the Chinese company's UK communications boss has said. Boris Johnson on Tuesday ordered telecoms firms to strip equipment from the Chinese tech giant out of 5G networks by 2027 . The move, which will likely delay the deployment of 5G technology by up to three years and add billions to the cost, came after the UK's experts warned that highly restrictive US sanctions meant the security of Huawei's equipment could not be guaranteed. Speaking on BBC's Newsnight, Huawei's UK communications director Ed Brewster said the decision to remove the company's 5G technology from the UK stemmed from pressure by Washington to maintain its position as a technological leader. "It's a very disappointing decision from our side. We are urging the UK Government to reconsider that decision," Mr Brewster said. "We think its bad news for the UK. We think it's bad news for anyone who's got a smartphone, bad news for anyone who uses the internet. "I think this is clear this is not about security, this is about trade. This is a US campaign focused on attacking our business and attacking the technology and that's because the US is behind in terms of the technology. "Today's decision is as much driven by trade and US trade policy, US concerns around falling behind in technology. We are in a long-term ... trade dispute escalation from the US around how it wants to retain technology leadership." Mr Brewster also moved to distance the company from the perception that it is a state arm of China, adding: "That's the perception but it's incorrect. We're a private technology company. The trust we've built up around the world is with our customers (and) the telecoms networks. "We don't work for governments, we work for the telecoms networks." Mr Brewster's comments come after China's ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, who is set to deliver an online speech on China-Europe relations on Tuesday, called the decision "disappointing and wrong". He tweeted: "It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries." The decision, taken by the National Security Council (NSC), led to concerns being raised in the Commons about the possibility of retaliation from Beijing, but ministers insisted they would not be "cowed" by China. From next year, telecoms firms will be banned from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei and will have to remove all the Chinese company's kit by 2027. They are also expected to be ordered to shift away from the purchase of Huawei's equipment for full-fibre broadband networks over a period lasting up to two years. The decision followed an assessment of the impact of US sanctions by experts from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which removes Huawei's access to products which have been built based on US semiconductor technology. Defence Select Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood said the Government should "expect repercussions from China" as a result of the decision, with Tory former Cabinet minister David Jones highlighting a warning from Mr Xiaoming of "consequences" if Huawei was banned. However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the UK "will not be cowed by the comments of any other country." He added: "This decision has been made in the national security interests of this nation." The decision was welcomed by the US, which has called for members of the Five Eyes alliance - which also includes the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - to avoid Huawei kit. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: "Today's decision by the UK to ban Huawei from its 5G networks advances trans-Atlantic security in the 5G era while protecting citizens' privacy, national security, and free-world values." Meanwhile, BT chief executive Philip Jansen said the company was confident its existing networks would not be significantly impacted by the decision. "The security of our networks is an absolute priority for BT," Mr Jansen said. "Clearly this decision has logistical and cost implications for communications providers in the UK market - however, we believe the timescales outlined will allow us to make these changes without impacting on the coverage or resilience of our existing networks. "It will also allow us to continue to rollout our 5G and full fibre networks without a significant impact on the timescales we've previously announced." A brown booby has stoked excitement among bird lovers in Co Wicklow after Ireland's first sighting of the tropical seabird. The large bird, which is usually found only in tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean like Central America and East Africa, was spotted yesterday afternoon in Greystones in what is believed to be the species' first documented visit to Ireland. In 2016 a brown booby landed on a boat at sea off the Skellig islands in Co Kerry, and in the same year another was found washed up on an Irish beach. However, the decomposition of the latter suggested it died long before it arrived in Irish waters. Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland said the sighting is extremely rare in Europe. "In an Irish context it's extremely rare. This is the first time that the bird has been seen in Ireland in a location people could actually see it," he said. "It's a lovely bird. It's a tropical seabird related to our gannet here in Ireland. The brown booby is like a tropical counterpart of that, so we know this bird would have come from somewhere in the tropical Atlantic so it would have been the West Indies or the coast of central America or maybe even West Africa or somewhere like that. "So it has gone much further north in the Atlantic than it normally would." Mr Hatch said the bird, which is currently still ashore in Greystones, is in a healthy condition and will be left to its own devices. While the brown booby has a wide-ranging habitat, that it could be in such good health so far north may be a concern. An increase in recent sightings across Europe suggests that the effects of global warming are the cause for the bird's visit, said Mr Hatch. A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court Wednesday dismissed all the 40 counts bordering on alleged N34 billion fraud filed by the Federal Government against Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a company linked to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. Mr Ekpemupolo was charged alongside a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpolokemi; Kime Engozu; Rex Elem; Gregory Mbonu; and Warredi Enisuoh. Three other firms Odimiri Electrical Limited; Boloboere Property and Estate Limited; and Destre Consult Limited were also defendants in the criminal case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2015. The ex-militant leader was initially joined as the first defendant in the suit, but his name was removed from the charge sheet after he ignored an order to appear in court, despite the judge issuing an arrest warrant on him. In his ruling on Wednesday, Mr Buba upheld the defendants no-case submission, saying the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them. He dismissed the entire charges and set them free. In the charges, the EFCC had accused the defendants of conspiring among themselves to divert various sums running into over N34bn, belonging to NIMASA to their personal use. The EFCC said they acted contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and were liable to punishment under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. The first count of the amended 40 counts read, That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited in 2012, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of N601, 516.13 and $1,766,428.62, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. The defendants had, during their arraignment four years ago, all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoards Dairyman. The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) board of directors re-elects Jeff Strassburg as the Board Chair at its annual reorganization meeting. Strassburg is a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Wittenburg representing District 9 (Menomonee, Shawano and Waupaca counties). He, along with the newly elected Executive Committee, will lead the organization through the next fiscal year, which began July 1 and will conclude June 30, 2021. We are fortunate to have a strong board of directors, said Chad Vincent, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin CEO. These farmer directors are elected by their fellow Wisconsin dairy farmers and commit an inordinate amount of time and effort in planning and monitoring the organizations marketing and promotion programs. DFW board members elected to serve on the Executive Committee with Strassburg include: Janet Clark, (Rosendale, District 16) will serve as Vice-Chair; Secretary will be Julie Maurer, (Newton, District 17); and Treasurer is Jay Stauffacher, (Darlington, District 23). Also elected to serve on the seven-person Executive Committee are Steven Sternweis, (Marshfield, District 8) Chair, Communications Committee; David Bangart, (Greenwood, District 7) Chair, Channel Management Committee; and Kay Zwald, (Hammond, District 5) Chair, Policy/Bylaw Committee. Additionally, the Board selected Mike Verhasselt (Kaukauna, District 11) to serve as Chair of the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) liaison committee. DFW continues to support the efforts of the internationally recognized dairy research center through funding, research, collaboration and technical support. Before the election of officers, newly elected directors were officially seated on the board. Brenda Schloneger represents District 1, Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Rusk, Sawyer and Washburn counties; Sara Behgat-Eggert represents District 4, Barron and Polk counties; Tasha Schleis represents District 10, Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties; and Mark Crave represents District 19, Columbia and Dodge counties. The DFW Board of Directors is comprised of 25 dairy farmers who are elected by their peers for three-year terms. DFWs directors lead dairy marketing and promotion efforts, set policies and procedures, supervise business affairs and approve annual budgets on behalf of Wisconsin dairy farmers. For more information about DFW programs and promotions, sign up for the newsletter at www.WisconsinDairy.org or connect with the company on Facebook. About Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin exists to be a tireless advocate, marketer, and promoter for Wisconsin dairy farmers and to drive demand for Wisconsin's dairy products. The organization represents Wisconsin farm families and works to increase the sale and consumption of Wisconsin milk and dairy products, as well as build trust in dairy farmers and the industry. Organizational initiatives include generating national publicity, managing digital advertising, and driving sales, distribution and trial through retail and foodservice promotions. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin also supports in-school education about the benefits of dairy and funding for the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For more information, visit wisconsindairy.org. The actress finally broke her silence on the untimely demise of her boyfriend by paying a touching tribute to the late actor The actress, who was deeply disturbed by the loss, had refrained from grieving on social media until now It has been a month since Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide, and slowly his friends, especially his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty is coming to terms with it. The actress, who was deeply disturbed by the loss, had refrained from grieving on social media until now. Taking to Instagram, the Mere Dad Ki Maruti actress finally broke her silence and paid tribute to the late actor by sharing a few unseen pictures of the two alongside a long post. The actress started by expressing how difficult it has been to face her emotions of losing him, as there remains an irreparable numbness in her heart. You are the one who made me believe in love, the power of it. You taught me how a simple mathematical equation can decipher the meaning of life and I promise you that I learnt from you every day. I will never come to terms with you not being here anymore. I know youre in a much more peaceful place now. The moon, the stars, the galaxies wouldve welcomed the greatest physicist with open arms (sic), she wrote. Describing Sushant as a great human being Rhea went on to write, I will wait for you my shooting star and make a wish to bring you back to me. You were everything a beautiful person could be, the greatest wonder that the world has seen. My words are incapable of expressing the love we have and I guess you truly meant it when you said it is beyond both of us (sic). Rhea goes on to call Sushant a person who loved everything with an open heart and has shown her that their love is indeed exponential. Concluding the post, the Jalebi actress wrote, Be in peace Sushi. 30 days of losing you but a lifetime of loving you... Eternally connected. To infinity and beyond (sic). LOWELL Indianas longest-running Labor Day parade wont be flooding downtown Lowell with floats and spectators this year, officials said. On Tuesday, the decision to cancel the Lowell Labor Day Parade, the Kiddie Parade, fireworks and festivities was announced by the Lowell Labor Day Committee. The events were originally slated for Sept. 6 and 7 and this years parade would have marked the 101st anniversary of the tradition, which gathers hundreds of attendees each year. As the parade committee saw other surrounding communities canceling annual events, the members discussed options. Ultimately, safety concerns led the committee to recommend the cancellation, which the Lowell Town Council agreed to. Director of Lowell Parks and Recreation and parade committee member Mindi Arnold-Buchler said the committee is made up of several department heads throughout the town, including public safety officials. It is absolutely our intention to come back in 2021, Arnold-Buchler said. It was a very difficult decision. We have a lot of members who have been sitting on the committee for several years and we had a lot of great ideas. 15.07.2020 LISTEN When I toured around various schools and read from the various media and heard from parents to issues concerning their wards in school in this period of COVID-19 pandemic, tears were just flowing down the cheeks of many and frustration has engulfed then like never before. It is out of this, I call on the government to close the various schools and reopen them when the country is in a stable condition. Mr. President, the number of COVID-19 positive cases that are emerging from the various institutions is becoming dangerous. Something need to be done before we say "had we known..." Mr. President, I am not just saying this out of saying sake. There are evidence to buttress my argument. Not long ago, after the reopening of the various schools, we have had a lot of covid 19 positive cases. We can talk of 6 tested positive cases of COVID-19 from Accra Girls SHS. Is this not bad to hear, Mr. President? It came to my notice that, there were 13 positive cases of COVID-19 been recorded at one of the Senior High Schools at Kwahu but kept unrevealed or covered. This is not the best. Education matters. Life matters. Everything matters. Therefore, act on these matters to close the schools. On the 13-07-2020, GES and GHS declared that, 55 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 at Accra Girls SHS, both students and teachers. What are we waiting for our leaders? Mr. President, I hope and strongly believe that you have also saw the video of how one of the students of KNUST SHS died miserably. I saw it and the reports coming out made my heart bleeded and I can still feel the pain. It came out that, the authorities were afraid to send the student to a hospital for treatment because of the fear coronavirus. The students was left in the hands of his colleagues while teachers stood not far from them conversing. Before his mother could travel all the way from her region to come and send him to the hospital, he died. A good question worthy of asking is, if authorities think that he might be suffering from coronavirus, why can't one person use the PPEs provided to reach out to sick student and sends him to a nearby hospital? This is very heartbreaking, shameful and disgraceful to the highest degree of I don't care! Mr. President, for things not to get out of control in the various schools, put immediate closure to the schools accross the length and breadth of this country. Examinations can be written using various means. Put your education ministers and other stakeholders down and see how we can examine the final year students. "If the wind will not serve, take to the oars". New Delhi, July 15 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will begin day-to-day hearing from July 27 through videoconference on a clutch of pleas filed against reservation for the Marathas in education and jobs in Maharashtra. A bench comprising Justices LN Rao, Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhatt said the case parties should sit together and decide on the modalities of hearing as well as to sort out which party would take how much time to put forth its arguments and to ensure arguments were not repeated. The apex court declined to pass any order for an interim stay on the quota and cited that the chances of resumption of physical courts look remote at present. The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 was enacted to provide quota to the Maratha community in jobs and educational institutions. Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, representing some petitioners, contended that such case should be heard in a physical court and there was tremendous urgency to the matter. "We may also need to revisit the concept of interlocutory relief. There is a whole group of postgraduate students who have their careers at risk," he argued. The bench noted that it will list the case on July 27 and thereafter decide the schedule. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal contended that there is 10 per cent reservation for economic weaker sections, and it also required a hearing. In response, Justice Rao said if it needed to be considered, the bench will do the same. Divan argued that 12 to 13 per cent reservation, which is a huge chunk, has been taken away, and questioned of the High Court was not bound by apex court's nine-Judge bench judgment that the quota should not exceed 50 per cent of the total seats/jobs available. Advocate Shivaji M Jadhav contended that the virtual hearing is not possible as documents and other material running into thousands of pages was involved. In reply, Justice Rao said: "When do you think Covid-19 will subside and regular courts start? Let us start the hearing." In June 2019, the Bombay High Court had upheld the reservation and held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable, and that instead the quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in educational institutions admissions. In February this year, the top court declined to stay the High Court order. Rating Action: Moody's affirms GS Caltex's Baa1 rating with a stable outlook; assigns Baa1 rating to proposed notes Global Credit Research - 15 Jul 2020 Hong Kong, July 15, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the Baa1 senior unsecured rating of GS Caltex Corporation. The outlook remains stable. At the same time, Moody's has assigned a Baa1 rating to the company's proposed senior unsecured USD notes. The company plans to use the proceeds from the notes mainly for general corporate purposes. "The rating affirmation and the stable outlook reflect our expectation that, despite a very weak operating performance in 2020, GS Caltex's prudent financial management and low debt levels at the beginning of 2020 will allow the company to maintain solid credit metrics over 2021-22 once earnings recover," says Wan Hee Yoo, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer. RATINGS RATIONALE GS Caltex's Baa1 rating reflects its underlying credit strength and a two-notch uplift based on Moody's expectation that the company will receive support from its parent, Chevron Corporation (Aa2 stable), and institutional support from the government in times of need, given the Korean government's (Aa2 stable) aim of ensuring stable oil supplies. GS Caltex's underlying credit strength is underpinned by its strong market position as a major oil refiner in Korea and its diversification into the petrochemical and lubricant segments. However, these strengths are partly offset by its exposure to the inherently cyclical conditions in the refining market and large investments in its petrochemical business. Moody's expects GS Caltex to record operating losses in 2020 compared with operating income of KRW880 billion a year earlier, mainly driven by weaker refining margins and sizable inventory-related losses stemming from the steep decline in crude oil prices. Nevertheless, Moody's expects earnings to rebound in 2021, driven by incremental earnings from a new petrochemical facility and in the absence of coronavirus-induced disruptions and the sizable inventory-related losses that incurred in 2020. Moody's assumes the price of crude oil will average $30-$35 per barrel (bbl) in 2020 before returning to $40-$45/bbl in 2021. Story continues Despite the weak earnings and its large capital spending to build a mixed-feed cracker, Moody's expects GS Caltex's adjusted debt to increase only by about 20% in 2020, because of a working capital surplus in 2020 as well as lower dividend payments in response to weak earnings. Moody's believes that the company will gradually lower this debt after the new cracker goes into operation. Consequently, Moody's expects GS Caltex's retained cash flow (RCF)/adjusted debt to rebound to around 22% in 2021-22, after decreasing to 2%-4% in 2020 from 11% in 2019. This ratio would be at the weaker end of the company's underlying credit strength, and downside risk exists to this projection, given the uncertainty around the pace of recovery. The rating also takes into account the following environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. GS Caltex is exposed to increasing environmental regulations and safety risks, especially from its core refining and petrochemical businesses. However, these risks are mitigated by the company's track record of environmental compliance and good operational capabilities. Moody's also regards the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under its ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. The pandemic-induced disruptions will lead to a substantial decline in demand for transportation fuel, and consequently weak earnings for GS Caltex in 2020. GS Caltex has generally maintained a prudent financial policy over the past few years. Although debt will likely increase in 2020-21 owing to large capital spending, the company has a track record of reducing reported debt over the past few years and maintains transparent and reasonably conservative dividend policies. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS An upgrade of GS Caltex's rating is unlikely over the next 1-2 years, given the high cyclicality in its businesses and the heavy capital spending planned during this period. Nevertheless, upward pressure on GS Caltex's rating could arise over the longer term if the company improves its business profile through further business diversification, while establishing a track record of a robust financial profile through improved earnings, such that its RCF/adjusted debt exceeds 35% on a sustained basis. However, Moody's could downgrade GS Caltex's rating if the company's RCF/adjusted debt falls below 18%-20% or adjusted debt/capitalization exceeds 38%-40% on a sustained basis, against the backdrop of a continued weakening in its industry fundamentals, and/or if the company further increases its capital spending, leading to a significant rise in debt levels. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Refining and Marketing Industry published in November 2016 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1040610. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. GS Caltex Corporation is the second-largest oil refining and marketing company in Korea (Aa2 stable), with crude distillation units (CDUs) of 800,000 barrels per day, or around 27% share of the country's domestic CDU capacity. The company is 50%-owned by GS Energy Corporation and 50%-owned by Chevron Corporation (Aa2 stable) through Chevron's subsidiaries, Chevron (Overseas) Holdings Ltd. and Chevron Global Energy Inc. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. 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New Delhi: Aggravating the political crisis in Rajasthan, the Congress Party on Tuesday sacked Sachin Pilot from the posts of deputy chief minister and state president of the party and in the process put the Ashok Gehlot government on the brink. Minutes after his removal as Rajasthan deputy CM, rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot said "truth can be rattled, not defeated". He also changed his profile on Twitter deleting all references to his position as deputy CM and Rajasthan Congress chief and only described himself as MLA of Tonk and a former minister of IT, telecom and corporate affairs, Government of India. The party also expelled Mr Pilots loyalists Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena from the state Cabinet. Soon after the Congress Legislature Party meeting where these decisions were taken, Mr Gehlot drove to the Governors residence and briefed him on the political developments. Sources in the chief ministers camp said he has the support of 109 MLAs. However, some MLAs belonging to Mr Pilots camp rubbished this claim and demanded a floor test in the state Assembly to know the number of legislators backing Mr Gehlot. A floor test should be conducted in the Assembly. This will expose the claim that the Ashok Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs, MLA Ramesh Meena, who is aligned with Mr Pilot, said. Senior party leader and Sardarshahr MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma too claimed that the figure of 109 being projected in support of the chief minister is incorrect. The MLA said he will not join the BJP but wants a change in leadership. "The figure of 109 being projected is completely fake. The Congress has 107 MLAs. We are 22 together and six more will join us. Not more than 81 MLAs are on the other side, otherwise what was the need to show the strength before the media and camp the legislators in a hotel," he said. The demand for a floor test was echoed by Opposition BJP in the state. Shortly after the CLP meeting, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Mr Pilot enjoyed the affection and blessings of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and was given political power at a young age. Yet, he and other ministers were trying to topple the state government as part of a BJP conspiracy. It cannot be acceptable to any political party. Therefore, the Congress took the decisions with a heavy hear. Education minister Govind Singh Dotasara will be the new Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief. Mr Gehlot accused Mr Pilot of playing into the hands of the BJP and alleged that the saffron party wants to repeat what it had done in Madhya Pradesh. I am very sad that horse trading was going on. It is for the first time in the country that democracy is under such a grave threat. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Wednesday it has attached two tunnel boring machines worth Rs 33 crore belonging to a private company Era Infra Engineering Limited (EIEL), which is under investigation in a money laundering case. The attached assets include two tunnel machines kept at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (campus) at Mundka in Delhi valued at Rs 18.31 crore and Rs 15.40 crore respectively. They are owned by Era Infra Engineering Limited, the agency said in a statement. ED had initiated a probe under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the company and its Chairman and Managing Director Hem Singh Bharana, unknown bank officials, some private persons and others on the basis of a CBI case of April, 2018. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against Era Infra pertains to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and use of forged documents and criminal misconduct by Bharana and other accused persons in sanction, disbursement and utilisation of two term loans amounting to Rs 650 crores. Investigations conducted by ED have revealed that the funds were disbursed and utilised in a manner defying the sanctioned purpose. Out of Rs 450 crore disbursed by UCO Bank, amount of Rs 211 crores and Rs 25 crore (respectively) were utilised for purposes beyond the purview of the sanctioned terms, ED said in its statement. Amount diverted by EIEL comes to Rs 236 crore out of the term loan of Rs 450 crore. Further an amount of Rs 14.70 crore was diverted from the other sanctioned amount of Rs 200 crore and thus the total amount diverted by EIEL in this manner comes to Rs 250.70 crore which qualifies as Proceeds of Crime under PMLA, ED added. The agency added that out of total proceeds of crime of Rs 250.70 crore, assets valued at Rs 5.72 crore were provisionally attached earlier. After Wednesdays attachment of Rs 33.71 crore of two machines, total attachment of assets is worth Rs 39.43 crores, it said. Further investigations to trace and identify the proceeds of crime and assets are under progress ED said. Calls made to Era Infra office remained unanswered. Recommended Tools for Lecture Capture and Streaming Ohio State's Justin Troyer, UPenn's Christopher Martin and Notre Dame's Eric Nisly discuss their current eLearning solution deployments in this clip from Streaming Media East Connect 2020. Page 1 Watch the complete panel from Streaming Media East Connect, Education Video Takes Center Stage, on the Streaming Media YouTube channel. Learn more about EDU streaming at Streaming Media West 2020. Read the complete transcript of this clip: Justin Troyer: We've got Mediasite deployed at OSU. So we have a handful of rooms that have the hardware appliance in them. But that doesn't scale well to 400+ classrooms. So we've got computers installed in all of those. We're using the desktop client. Aside from that, we're either using Zoom, if it's an interactive call, some people are using Camtasia Studio. We use Explain Everything if it's on an iPad. I don't think we really have a non-Mediasite, single, enterprise-wide solution for doing things like narrated PowerPoints, but those are a handful of the apps that I know are being used in different pockets around campus. Liam Moran: Does anyone else on the panel have a recommendation? Christopher Martin: At Penn we use Panopto, which also integrates with our LMS, which is Canvas, and that provides that, functionality. So that's what we've recommended generally for folks who are looking to do recordings of their classes or lectures. Eric Nisly: We're doing the same thing. Panopto, Recommendation. Zoom, of course, does the record natively if they want to do that. We just hooked Zoom into Panopto integration. So if they do a Zoom call, we're making it to where it can automatically go into Panopto for longterm storage. And then both of those tools also can automatically show up in their LMS. So they can just flip it on for video capture devices. If they're just on their own laptop, we recommend just using a webcam. But in other cases, we also use a Blackmagic Mini Recorder or a couple of different devices--AJA makes a good one. There's a few out there, if you can actually find them in stock. That was one of our issues. When we flipped our studios over, we had to kind of scrounge to find someplace that actually had had a few to sell us. But it's pretty much whatever tool you have is the best tool to use. Page 1 The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust and saints in Ayodhya have strongly condemned Nepalese PM KP Sharma Olis statement that real Ayodhya was in Nepal and Lord Ram was born in Thori in southern Nepal. Chairman of Sri Ram Jamabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das on Tuesday urged Nepalese PM to keep lord Ram out of regional politics. Oli had made the remarks while speaking at an event to mark birth anniversary of Nepalese poet Bhanubhakta. Nepalese PM must keep Lord Ram out of regional politics. His comments on Lord Ram are unwarranted, said Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Lord Ram was a Chakravarti emperor and Nepal was also part of his kingdom. Ties between India and Nepal are even older than history. His (Nepalese PM) comments are unfortunate, added the chief priest. It may be pointed out that every year Ram Baraat (wedding procession of Lord Ram) from Ayodhya leaves for Janakpur in Nepal with much fanfare. Large number of saints take part in the much-awaited annual event. Commenting on Olis remark, Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson of the VHP, who operates from Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, said: It is at the behest of China that PM of Nepal has given such baseless and unwarranted statement. Nothing can be more absurd than this. All religious scriptures prove that Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya here in India, added Sharma. Raju Das, priest of Hanuman Garhi, dubbed Olis statement as another ploy to divert attention from increasing opposition he is facing in Nepal. At present Nepalese PM is under immense pressure from the Opposition to resign from his post. As there is no option left, he has given this absurd statement just to divert attention of people from ongoing political turmoil in the country, said Das. In recently concluded decades old Ram Janmabhoomi case in Supreme Court all historical facts were present before the court to prove Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya is birth place of Lord Ram, said Das. This is second controversy created by Oli in connection with India. Last month, Nepal cleared a constitution amendment bill to reflect new map in the national emblem kicking off boundary dispute with India. This map shows Indian territories Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as part of Nepal. While Vietnam has been hard hit by COVID-19, it could become well-placed to recover faster than other countries. This is a three-part series exploring some aspects that Vietnam could use to economically transform itself. Yes, this will take a long time, even years. However, Vietnam is uniquely positioned economically to take advantage of what is going on both domestically and internationally. I have found it fascinating to watch Vietnam grow during my 14 years of living here. The speed and pace are astonishing. The humble little two-bedroom house I lived in four years ago became a six-story hotel. Whole streets became nightlife restaurants and beer halls. The original wide spread of gorgeous greenery shrank as the skyline has become cluttered with hotels. The explosion in middle-income employment was to be admired for the Vietnamese hard work and life was good. But now it is tricky. The current situation: based on figures I found from 2018 and 2019, from an overall population of about 98 million, the confirmed workforce was about 55 million, although that number did not account for a high percentage of people working informally in rural areas. As of the end of July, just over 30 million workers will be affected by the impact of the pandemic on economic activity. Roughly eight million have been laid off or working reduced hours and more than 17 million subject to pay cuts. Unsurprisingly, 72 percent of service industry workers were hardest hit by lay-offs and salary reductions, with more than 60 percent of industrial employers also suffering a similar impact. Agriculture, while also reduced, could become one of the shining lights of a recovery based on regional deals and access to EU markets, as per what was noted at a Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs conference on June 29. The most damage has occurred in the textiles, footwear, and hospitality industries, particularly international tourism, with overseas arrivals down by between 80 and 90 percent. It is unlikely these sectors will spring back anytime before the middle of next year and it is very unlikely they will re-emerge in a similar form as pre-coronavirus. Rescuing these industries has already attracted the attention of the national government as they make up a large part of the current unemployment numbers and draw in a significant part of the nation's revenue. Up until the beginning of 2020, Vietnam was growing at around seven percent and, from 2011 to 2017, went from US$105 billion to more than $220 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). Around January 2020, Vietnam had an estimated $260 billion in GDP, according to the World Bank . However, the World Bank went on to say that Vietnam has a strong domestic market and expanding export-based sector that will help the nation in 2021 overcome the shrunken growth rate. Compare that to the uncertain near future of the American and British economies and unpredictable world markets and Vietnam looks like a bright prospect. But it is not all doom and gloom. As Western economies inexplicably struggle to even deal with the virus with any real success, let alone the economic fallout, Vietnam is the mostly ignored, unmentioned yet true success story of dealing with the pandemic. This means Vietnam can focus more on economic recovery than being overwhelmed by the medical demands of containing the virus. The strict social distancing and early lifting of restrictions will buy the nation a valuable window of opportunity to shift and change productivity while more developed nations are still trying to flatten the curve. Indeed, the International Monetary Fund has predicted that it will take two years minimum to bring world economic output back up to 2019 levels. The Vietnamese labor ministry projected a shorter timeframe up until the end of this year to get the local economy moving a hopeful sign. At the current time, Vietnam does not rank very well in productivity due to outdated skill levels, training and the struggle to produce high quality, high-tech products within the domestic industries without international assistance and expertise. But the issue of upskilling has been known for a long time and is now higher on the governments list of things to improve. Yet another way of looking at and measuring national industrial output, based on the diversity and complexity of products, materials and services produced, actually places Vietnam at a higher level of manufacturing ability than either Australia or New Zealand and a host of supposedly more technologically sophisticated, advanced countries, according to Harvard Growth Labs' Economic Complexity Index. So, what is next? How can Vietnam come out of the present worldwide struggle with the health crisis and the massive hit of the globalized world economy? Vietnam is moving fast on the problem and has interesting opportunities in the coming twelve months. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I explore some developments. Even teleprompter could not take so many lies: Rahul's dig at PM Modis Davos speech PM CARES Fund: No curb on use of PM's name, photo, image of flag, emblem, PMO tells HC Chinese aggressiveness discussed at India-EU Summit India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, July 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday briefed the European leaders about the Chinese aggression at the 15th India-EU summit. The summit was held virtually with Prime Minister Modi attending the event along with European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Addressing a press conference, the ministry of external affairs said that "As part of the review of global and regional development, our relations with China did come up. The PM shared our views on the India-China relationship in general and the current situation in the border areas." 'India losing power and respect everywhere': Rahul attacks Modi over foreign policy Confirming the same Charles Michel said, "Yes! We discussed this topic. PM Modi informed us about the latest development regarding this incident with China and we support all the efforts to maintain a channel of dialogue and find peace full solution." Ashok Gehlot alleges Sachin Pilot indulged in horse trading, says 'himself doing deal'|Oneindia News On whether India is more strategic for the European Union than China, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said China and India were both important to the bloc, but both were very different. "If you look at the topics we have with China and with India -- common interest is the fight against climate change." Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed India-EU Summit via video conferencing. Taking to Twitter, the prime minister had earlier tweeted saying, I am confident this Summit will further strengthen our economic as well as cultural linkages with Europe. The Summit is aimed at further broad basing ties on a range of areas including trade, investment and defence, officials of the 27-nation bloc said. Heres what PM Modi said in his address at the summit: India and EU are natural partners. Our partnership is also useful for peace and stability in the world. This reality has become even more clear in todays global situation: PM Modi Both India and EU share universal values like democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, respect for international institutions, multilaterism, freedom and transparency: PM Modi In the post-Covid world, there have been new challenges in the economic world globally. To solve this, democratic countries must come together: PM Modi Weve till date sent medicines to nearly 150 countries. We have also taken the initiative to create a joint operation against COVID in our region: PM Modi Also read: PM Modi participates in India-EU Summit today: All you need to know We invite the initiative of accelerating the access to COVID tools taken by EU and its countries. Indias pharma companies are ready to contribute to this global attempt: PM Modi Today, both the health and prosperity of our citizens are facing challenges. In such a situation, the India-EU partnership can play an important role in economic reconstruction and in building a human-centric and human-centric globalization: PM Modi Apart from the current challenges, long-term challenges like climate change are also a priority for both of us. In our efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, we invite the investment and technology of Europe: PM Modi KEY HIGHLIGHTS FY21 revenue guidance in the range of 0%-2% in constant currency, operating margin around 21%-23% Infosys signed $1.74 billion large deal in Q1 To start phased on-boarding of freshers from this quarter Bengaluru-based IT giant Infosys reported a sequential dollar revenue decline of 2.4 per cent in the first quarter of FY21 with revenues coming in at $3,121 million. The company's digital revenues stood at $1,389 million constituting 44.5 per cent of the total revenues. For the full financial year 2020-21, Infosys has guided its revenue growth in the range of 0-2 per cent and operating margins to be in the range of 21-23 per cent. During the previous quarter, the company had refrained from providing a guidance due to the uncertain environment owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Infosys CEO Salil Parekh said that large deals and traction in newer areas like cloud, cost efficiency automation and consolidation have given some visibility to the company even amidst uncertainty. "All of those factors we felt even with significant uncertainty in the global economic environment where we still see some different scenarios, we felt we were in the position to give a growth of 0-2 per cent in constant currency terms," said Salil. ALSO READ: Infosys Q1 profit jumps 11.5% to Rs 4,233 crore, pegs FY21 revenue growth at 0-2% Infosys also saw its operating margins expand by 150 basis points from 21.2 per cent in the previous quarter to 22.7 per cent in the first quarter of FY21. Explaining what played out in the margin improvement, Infosys CFO Nilanjan Roy said while gains of around 410 bps were achieved - combining 230 bps from reduction in visa expenses and travel costs, another 70 bps by currency, and additional 110 bps by cutting down other discretionary spends - these were largely offset by lower utilisation and increased variable payout for employees. On reports of senior resources from the company being let go, the company said that it is not just because of rationalisation. "As usual, every cycle we have performance-based exits and as a high performance organisation we have always endorsed and adhere to this. There is no structured program to let go senior people," said COO Pravin Rao. Infosys further said that nearly 90 per cent of the lateral hires whose joining were deferred last quarter have been on-boarded and the company will also start recruiting campus hires in the current quarter. "For them we will start on-boarding in a phased manner starting later this quarter. Normally we take 2-3 quarters to on-board freshers from campuses and that is something that we will continue to follow," said Rao. ALSO READ: Infosys Q1 profit jumps 11.5% to Rs 4,233 crore, pegs FY21 revenue growth at 0-2% The world's population is likely to shrink after mid-century, forecasting major shifts in global population and economic power, according to a new study which predicts global, regional, and national populations for 195 countries, and their mortality, fertility, and migration rates. The analysis, published in the journal The Lancet, used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 to project future global, regional, and national population for countries, including India, China, Japan, Italy and the US. It noted that the US is projected to have population growth until just after mid-century, 364 million in 2062, followed by a moderate decline to 336 million by 2100 -- the world's fourth most populous country. According to the scientists, including those from the University of Washington, in 2100, the US is forecasted to have the fourth largest working-age population in the world (around 181 million), after India, Nigeria, and China. They said immigration will likely sustain the US workforce, with the country experiencing the largest net immigration in absolute numbers -- more than half a million more people are estimated to immigrate to the country in 2100 than will emigrate out. However, the researchers warned that the US liberal immigration policies have faced a political backlash in recent years, threatening the country's potential to sustain population and economic growth. The research also predicted huge shifts in the global age structure, with an estimated 2.37 billion individuals over 65 years globally in 2100, compared with 1.7 billion under 20 years, underscoring the need for liberal immigration policies in countries with significantly declining working age populations. "Continued global population growth through the century is no longer the most likely trajectory for the world's population," said Christopher Murray from the University of Washington, who led the research. "This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking their policies on migration, workforces and economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change," Murray said. In the research, they used novel methods for forecasting mortality, fertility, and migration to estimate that by 2100, 183 of 195 countries will have total fertility rates (TFR), which represent the average number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime, below replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. The scientists noted that the global TFR is predicted to steadily decline, from 2.37 in 2017 to 1.66 in 2100 -- well below the minimum rate (2.1) considered necessary to maintain population numbers (replacement level)-- with rates falling to around 1.2 in Italy and Spain, and as low as 1.17 in Poland. They said even slight changes in TFR translate into large differences in population size in countries below the replacement level. According to the study, increasing TFR by as little as 0.1 births per woman is equivalent to around 500 million more individuals on the planet in 2100. Based on the findings, they said in several countries, populations will decline unless low fertility is compensated by immigration. Much of the anticipated fertility decline, according to the scientists, is predicted in high-fertility countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa where rates are expected to fall below the replacement level for the first time. They said it may change from an average 4.6 births per woman in 2017 to just 1.7 by 2100. In the African country Niger, where the fertility rate was the highest in the world in 2017 -- with women giving birth to an average of seven children -- the study noted the rate is projected to decline to around 1.8 by 2100. The scientists also predicted that there may be dramatic declines in working age-populations in countries such as India and China, which they said may hamper economic growth and lead to shifts in global powers. According to the study, the world could be multipolar at the end of this century, with India, Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers. "This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today," they said. The scientists said the numbers of working-age adults in India is projected to fall from 762 million in 2017 to around 578 million in 2100. But they said the country is expected to be one of the few -- if only -- major power in Asia to protect its working-age population over the century. "It is expected to surpass China's workforce population in the mid-2020s (where numbers of workers are estimated to decline from 950 million in 2017 to 357 million in 2100) -- rising up the GDP rankings from 7th to 3rd," the researchers noted in a statement to the press. Citing the limitations of the study, they said while they used the best available data, predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data. The researchers also noted that past trends are not always predictive of what will happen in the future, and that some factors not included in the model could change the pace of fertility, mortality, or migration. They said the COVID-19 pandemic has affected local and national health systems throughout the world, and caused over half a million deaths. However, the scientists believe the excess deaths caused by the pandemic are unlikely to significantly alter longer term forecasting trends of global population. MOSCOW -- Russian police detained almost 150 people in Moscow protesting recently approved constitutional changes that could allow President Vladimir Putin to serve two more terms until 2036. OVD-Info, an independent political watchdog, said at least 147 protesters were detained on July 15. Some were later released. A correspondent for Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, witnessed police dragging protesters on the asphalt, and one of them was pulled by the hair into a police van. Among those detained was Yulia Galyamina, a prominent municipal deputy, and her daughter.* Hundreds of people had gathered Moscows central Pushkin Square on a rainy evening, chanting, "Putin resign" and "Putin's a thief." They turned out officially to sign a petition against the raft of constitutional changes that were passed in a national, nonbinding plebiscite conducted between June 25 and July 1. Among other changes, the amendments allow Putin to seek two more presidential terms after his current second, consecutive presidential term ends in 2024. Katya Grishunina, who works at the Nuzhna Pomoshch (Help Needed) NGO, compared the recent plebiscite to the vote in Crimea in March 2014 on Russia's forcible annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. "I didn't vote for their constitutional changes. The vote was rigged, just like the referendum in Crimea," Grishunina explained to RFE/RL at the demonstration. "Elections are a trigger for people who want real change," she added. "But I don't know if we can effect any change right now." With reporting by Matthew Luxmoore in Moscow *CORRECTION: A previous version of this story reported that Andrei Pivovarov, the executive director of the human rights group Open Russia, had been detained. That has not been confirmed. 15.07.2020 LISTEN All deputy regional secretaries of the opposition NDC have issued a press release congratulating Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman in her appointment as running mate for the 2020 elections. The statement read: We are extremely excited about the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the Vice Presidential Candidate of the NDC for election 2020. It is a great honour to womanhood for this nomination to a high office of a potential Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. Having served as the first woman Vice-Chancellor to any Public University in Ghana and also as a former Minister of Education, we believe Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will serve well as a Vice President. We call on all women to support the candidature of Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to show our delight in this gesture of inclusion by President John Dramani Mahama. This kind gesture will motivate and encourage more women to work hard and strive for their inclusion in higher and noble positions. The release was signed by Ophelia M. Atoklo (Upper East Dep. Regional Secretary), Patricia Naa Akuyea Addy (Greater Accra Dep. Regional Secretary) and Charity Gardiner (Dep Ahafo Regional Secretary). Dr. Bob Polk is a retired intelligence analyst who has served as an aerospace engineer, a marketing executive, an FBI supervisor, and a contractor in the wargame planning division of the J7 sector of USSTRATCOM in Omaha. He has published his new book The Russian Asset: a fast-paced spy drama packed with vivid and authentic detail drawn from his own professional experience. The former Chinese assassin, Ya Ying, a.k.a. Erika Lee, now a former American agent, hunted by the Chinese, banned from the United States and Taiwan, has migrated to Russia and has been welcomed to live and work for the Russian Federation. She assumed the role of language instructor at St. Petersburg State University and became an officer of the SVR and of the Spetsnaz. Here she proves her value to the government in combatting regional insurgencies. But her Chinese enemies continue the pursuit, determined to get revenge for her interference in their plans for the South China Sea and a high-level assassination. Her adventures in Russia result in high favor and position, but the Chinese persist until a violent final showdown ensues to bring closure. Published by Page Publishing, Dr. Bob Polks engrossing book is a thrilling adventure that keeps the pages turning until the stunning conclusion. Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase The Russian Asset at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues to focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Why do investors like Self-Directed Roth IRAs? Some of those reasons extend to why investors like Roth IRAs in the first place. Roth IRAs allow investors to generate tax-free earnings, using after-tax money to build a substantial amount of wealth for retirement. Since the money invested is already taxed, and the growth is not taxed, investors who reach retirement age are then able to take their investments out of the retirement account in the form of tax-free distributions. But why Self-Directed Roth IRAs? According to a recent post at American IRA, a Self-Directed IRA administration firm based in North Carolina, there are some additional benefits to holding a Self-Directed Roth IRA. One of those benefits is the possibility of variety and diversification. Said the post: "Using a Self-Directed model, investors can use their Roth IRA to hold money in different assets like real estate, precious metals, even tax liens." That means that investors can turn to a Self-Directed Roth IRA-still using all of the power that a Roth IRA has-and implement it for a personal retirement strategy that uses a broad range of diversification. Holding assets as wide-ranging as real estate and precious metals might not be a realistic strategy with a traditional retirement setup. But many investors are finding that diversification doesn't just help lessen risk but increases peace of mind for retirement. The post also details the specific advantages of a Roth IRA, such as the liquidity of holding a Roth IRA. "Because you're investing after-tax dollars in a Roth IRA, you might be surprised to find out just how liquid the funds within a Roth IRA can be," the post noted. It is very easy for investors to withdraw previous contributions, since these contributions have already come from taxable money. "A Roth IRA is a powerful tool," said Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA. "But that's not all. A Self-Directed Roth IRA opens a lot of possibilities for investors-and the more they're aware of these possibilities, the better they can build a retirement plan that works for them." For more information on how a Self-Directed Roth IRA works, contact American IRA at 866-7500-IRA. Interested parties can also visit the Self-Directed IRA administration firm at www.AmericanIRA.com. About: American IRA, LLC was established in 2004 by Jim Hitt, CEO in Asheville, NC. The mission of American IRA is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry. Jim Hitt and his team have grown the company to over $400 million in assets under administration by educating the public that their Self-Directed IRA account can invest in a variety of assets such as real estate, private lending, limited liability companies, precious metals and much more. As a Self-Directed IRA administrator, they are a neutral third party. They do not make any recommendations to any person or entity associated with investments of any type (including financial representatives, investment promoters or companies, or employees, agents or representatives associated with these firms). They are not responsible for and are not bound by any statements, representations, warranties or agreements made by any such person or entity and do not provide any recommendation on the quality profitability or reputability of any investment, individual or company. The term "they" refers to American IRA, located in Asheville and Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA." SOURCE: American IRA, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/595952/American-IRA-Discusses-the-Reasons-Investors-Like-Self-Directed-Roth-IRAs New Delhi, July 14 : The employees union of state-run telecom operator BSNL will stage protests across the country on Thursday on a host of issues including the cancellation of its 4G tender and non-payment of salaries. All major unions are organising 'lunch-hour black-flag' demonstrations throughout the country under the banner of All Unions and Association of BSNL (AUAB), said a statement by AUAB. These demonstrations will be organised, by maintaining social distancing and by taking other precautions, like wearing of masks. The BSNL employees will also wear black-badges the whole day on July 16. The employees body would demand that BSNL should immediately be allowed to roll out its 4G services and the tender should be issued immediately. Further, they want that in the matter of procuring new equipments and upgradation, there should not be any discrimination between BSNL and other private telecom service providers. Recently, the Centre cancelled the 4G upgradation tender for BSNL as it had decided to come up with fresh specifications for the upgrade process, in a move to keep Chinese technology companies at bay as the border tussle escalated with the northern neighbour. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would issue a fresh tender for the same, and people in the know said that Chinese companies may not be allowed to participate. "The agitational programme is being organised to express the deep anguish and resentment of the employees against cancellation of BSNL's 4G tender, cancellation of BSNL's proposal for upgradation of its 49,300 BTSs to 4G, abnormal delay in issuing 'Add on Order' for 4G equipments, inordinate delay in the implementation of BSNL's Revival Package and against the non-settlement of the burning problems of the employees," said the statement. The umbrella body of BSNL's employees' unions noted that rolling out of 4G services is the backbone for the revival of this telecom PSU, but the recent cancellation of the tender floated by BSNL for procuring 4G equipments at a cost of Rs 9,300 crore, has brought the company back to square one. It said that BSNL is already having 49,300 base transceiver stations (BTS), which are 4G compatible and through minor upgradation, all these equipment can be con. These demonstrations will be organised, by maintaining social distancing and by taking other precautions, like wearing of masks. The BSNL employees will also wear black-badges the whole day on July 16. The employees body would demand that BSNL should immediately be allowed to roll out its 4G services and the tender should be issued immediately. Further, they want that in the matter of procuring new equipments and upgradation, there should not be any discrimination between BSNL and other private telecom service providers. Recently, the Centre cancelled the 4G upgradation tender for BSNL as it had decided to come up with fresh specifications for the upgrade process, in a move to keep Chinese technology companies at bay as the border tussle escalated with the northern neighbour. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would issue a fresh tender for the same, and people in the know said that Chinese companies may not be allowed to participate. "The agitational programme is being organised to express the deep anguish and resentment of the employees against cancellation of BSNL's 4G tender, cancellation of BSNL's proposal for upgradation of its 49,300 BTSs to 4G, abnormal delay in issuing 'Add on Order' for 4G equipments, inordinate delay in the implementation of BSNL's Revival Package and against the non-settlement of the burning problems of the employees," said the statement. The umbrella body of BSNL's employees' unions noted that rolling out of 4G services is the backbone for the revival of this telecom PSU, but the recent cancellation of the tender floated by BSNL for procuring 4G equipments at a cost of Rs 9,300 crore, has brought the company back to square one. It said that BSNL is already having 49,300 base transceiver stations (BTS), which are 4G compatible and through minor upgradation, all these equipment can be converted into 4G BTSs with an investment of about Rs 1,500 crore. In addition to this, BSNL could have added another 15,000 BTSs, by placing an Add on Order to the existing mobile tender, it added. Noting that in October 2019, the PSU could have rolled out pan-India 4G services, AUAB said: "Being the sole owner of the company, the Government of India also cannot shirk its responsibility in this matter." "Adding insult to injury, the tender floated by BSNL to procure 4G equipment, has been cancelled by the government, based on a complaint from the Telecom Equipments and Services Promotional Council (TEPC)," it said. AUAB said that BSNL is already lagging four years behind the private operators, in terms of 4G and the cancellation of the tender is going to inordinately delay the company's 4G launch. Saying that TEPC's contention has been to bar foreign companies from participating in BSNL's tender, AUAB statement pointed out that when private operators are procuring equipment from multinationals, "why BSNL alone should be compelled to procure 4G equipments from domestic vendors, whose 4G technology is not tested or proven so far." It alleged a conspiracy to destabilise BSNL by disrupting its rolling out of 4G services. AUAB further said that even after the lapse of nine months, the implementation of the much publicised BSNL's Revival Package is moving at a snail's pace. "Except the swift retrenchment of 79,000 BSNL employees under VRS, all other assurances given in BSNL's Revival Package have been put in cold storage." The management should ensure that the salary payment of the employees is made on the last working day of every month. Deductions made from employees' salary, on account of "society dues", should immediately be remitted, it said. Regarding the monetisation of the company's assets under the revival package, the organisation said that the land asset should not be handed over to corporates, at "throwaway" prices. "These lands should be sold in a transparent manner and at the prevailing market rates. They should not be sold at book value or at circle rates. The AUAB will strictly monitor these dealings," it said. An ice rink featuring a frozen waterfall in Beijings Changping district has become a popular destination among climbing enthusiasts and newcomers to ice sports. Located in the Huyu Natural Scenic Area, the rink consists of a 40-meter-high climbing area. With the approach to the Beijing Winter Olympics, ice and snow activities are attracting fans across the country. The China Tourism Academy estimated that 305 million people will visit such venues nationwide this season Jan 18, 2022 05:36 PM D onald Trump's niece has called for her uncle to resign as US President. Mary Trump, 55, will reportedly disclose previously unknown information about her uncle Donald in an explosive new book, including that he suffered from emotional abuse as a child. The book, entitled Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World's Most Dangerous Man, was published on Tuesday, just a few months ahead of the 2020 presidential election In her first interview since the publication of the book, ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos asked Ms Trump: "If you're in the Oval Office today, what would you say to him?" "Resign," she replied. She said her family's deep-seated "issues" meant her uncle was destined to become a man "utterly incapable of leading this country, and its dangerous to allow him to do so". "I saw firsthand what focusing on the wrong things, elevating the wrong people can do the collateral damage that can be created by allowing somebody to live their lives without accountability," she said. The publication of the book was delayed amid legal wrangling / Getty Images "And it is striking to see that continuing now on a much grander scale." The book, which was published with Simon & Schuster, marks the first time that a Trump family member has written a critical book about the president. Trump fought to block the book's release, stating it would violate the nondisclosure agreement he claims she has signed. Though publication of the book was temporarily blocked, Judge Hal B. Greenwald of the New York State Supreme Court lifted the block. He rejected arguments by the president's brother Robert Trump that Ms Trump is blocked from talking about family members publicly by an agreement relatives made to settle the estate of her father after his death. A White House representative told ABC News: "Mary Trump and her books publisher may claim to be acting in the public interest, but this book is clearly in the authors own financial self-interest." GUATEMALA CITY - In Guatemala, death threats have driven two anti-corruption prosecutors from the country in the past year, and their units leader has a protective order from a regional human rights commission because he is constantly harassed and threatened. With the departure of the United Nations-backed anti-corruption commission last year that supported a war against some of the countrys most powerful political, business and criminal leaders, Guatemalas pursuers have become the pursued. The assault has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, as corrupt interests take advantage of a population distracted by the health crisis to extend their tentacles back into the justice system. Manolo Vela, a Guatemalan political analyst and professor of sociology at Mexicos Iberoamerican University, said organized crime sees an opportunity during the pandemic to continue their control of the judiciary and take revenge on the judges and prosecutors who had followed the law in their decisions. The time is ripe because social distancing restrictions prevent the public from taking to the streets in protest, he said. The U.N.-sponsored International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala left the country in September, after then-President Jimmy Morales decided not to renew its mandate. For 12 years, the commission had worked with local prosecutors to investigate and prosecute criminal networks and some of the countrys most powerful figures, including former President Otto Perez Molina, who had to resign the presidency and is awaiting trial. When the commission left, many in Guatemala warned that those who had worked with them could face reprisals. Juan Francisco Sandoval, head of the office of the Special Prosecutor Against Impunity, has had at least 30 legal actions filed against him and constantly receives threats through social media. Many of the lawsuits have been filed by the targets of investigations or their friends and families. Former prosecutor Andrei Gonzalez fled Guatemala in August 2019. He had investigated the high-profile illegal campaign financing against former candidate Sandra Torres and her party. He left after receiving death threats. Luis Mejia, Gonzalezs colleague, had investigated a number of politicians on corruption allegations. He received similar threats and left Guatemala early this year. Both prosecutors are in the United States, which is also where Guatemalas former Attorney General Thelma Aldana went after leading Guatemalas anti-corruption fight. Guatemalan authorities are pursuing her for alleged irregular hiring of staff. Judge Erika Aifan, who has presided over corruption cases against businessmen, officials, judges and lawmakers, is pursued by her own colleagues. Other judges accuse her of overstepping when she ordered the phone company to provide numbers with whom a powerful businessman under investigation for corruption had maintained contact. Some of them were revealed to be other judges and lawmakers. Guatemalas supreme court has ordered that she be investigated. Meanwhile, she has had to contend with staff in her own court sabotaging cases, as parts of files disappear and create delays. Aifan is now also living under a protective order from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Diego Garcia Sayan has asked Guatemalas Congress and government to respect judicial independence. I condemn the harassment of Erika Aifan, an independent judge who has contributed to the fight against impunity and corruption in Guatemala, Garcia said. International condemnation recently followed Guatemalas Supreme Court decision to allow a request to strip immunity from members of the constitutional Court to advance to the Congress. U.S. lawmakers criticized the move and the American Bar Association said in a statement that the situation puts in jeopardy not only the authority of individual judges, but the power of the judiciary itself. Guatemalan lawmakers are currently selecting judges and the constitutional Court had instructed the anti-corruption prosecutors office to share the list of people suspected in corruption cases so that they would not be considered for seats on the courts. One candidate, lawyer Jose Roberto Hernandez Guzman, insisted that the constitutional Court overreached and that only people convicted of corruption can be deemed ineligible to be judges because it would violate the presumption of innocence. Various organizations have said that the candidate field is full of people suspected of peddling influence. The anti-corruption prosecutors office has documented meetings between those evaluating judge candidates, lawmakers and business magnate Gustavo Alejos, jailed on charges of influence-peddling in the appointment of judges. Adriana Beltran, director of the Citizen Security program at WOLA, a Washington-based human rights advocacy organization, said she was concerned over the moves against independent judges. It is a clear attempt by criminal and corrupt networks to take control of the justice system to obtain impunity and protection for themselves, she said. The targets are those who have promoted greater accountability and defended the rule of law, Beltran said. If they reach their objective, it would have a destabilizing effect in the country and the region, potentially wiping out advances made against corruption in recent years. With the justice system under attack from outside forces and from within, President Alejandro Giammattei has remained on the sidelines even though its his party that controls Congress. Were outside, it is a problem that has to be resolved in the courts, its not our problem, he said. (CNN) Apple customers who purchased certain previous iPhone models can now submit claims for about $25 per phone as part of the company's settlement of a class action lawsuit that accused it of slowing down older devices. The settlement, announced in March, applies to customers who purchased the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus and or the SE before December 21, 2017 and experienced performance issues, according to a website set up for users to submit claims. Apple will pay "per eligible device," the settlement says, meaning owners of multiple impacted iPhones can submit multiple claims. Affected users must submit a claim online or via mail by October 6 to be eligible for a payout. A court filing in March said the amount each user receives could increase or decrease depending on how many claims are filed as well as any additional legal fees and expenses approved by the court. Apple agreed to pay out up to $500 million as part of the settlement agreement earlier this year, capping a years-long legal battle in which it tried to ease a global backlash against its practices. The company admitted in December 2017 that it used software updates to slow down older iPhones. Angry customers and tech analysts had previously flagged that the updates were causing diminished performance. Some suggested that Apple did so to force users to upgrade to the latest iPhone model, but the company said it was aimed at addressing issues with older lithium-ion batteries that would make the phones suddenly shut down to protect their components. Apple later apologized and offered battery replacements to its customers for $79, which it then knocked down to $29. CEO Tim Cook admitted a year later that the company's revenue was partly hit by "significantly reduced pricing for iPhone battery replacements." The settlement is still subject to a final approval, with a hearing scheduled for December 4 in US District Court in San Jose, California. "Payments will be made if the court approves the settlement and after any appeals are resolved," according to a notice on the claims website. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Apple customers can now submit claims as part of settlement over slowing down iPhones." US disregard for law, diplomacy threat to own, global security: Iran FM Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 5:31 PM On the anniversary of the 2015 nuclear deal, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran draws attention to the US's unilateral withdrawal from the accord in defiance of international law, saying Washington's "contempt for law and diplomacy" poses a security threat both to America itself and the entire world. Zarif issued the warning in a post on his official Twitter account on Tuesday, concurrent with the fifth anniversary of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which he described as "last decade's greatest diplomatic achievement." The top Iranian diplomat said the occasion also is a "reminder that US lawless behavior should not be the yardstick by which int'l norms are measured." Zarif also shared an image showing news headlines reporting Washington's withdrawal from other international agreements besides the JCPOA and more recently from the World Health Organization. "US contempt for law & diplomacy places it in global disrepute & threatens globaland USsecurity," the Iranian foreign minister said. The historic Iran deal was reached between Iran and a group of countries then known as the P5+1 which included the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany on July 14, 2015. However, in May 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the JCPOA and re-imposed the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. Verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran remained fully compliant with the JCPOA for an entire year, waiting for the co-signatories to honor their commitments and offset the impacts of the US withdrawal. But, as the European parties continued to renege on their obligations, the Islamic Republic moved in May 2019 to suspend its JCPOA commitments under articles of the deal covering Tehran's legal rights in case of non-compliance by the other side. 'No bully allowed to undermine Iran's interests' Also marking the anniversary, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the United States has "repeatedly violated" the JCPOA over the past five years while Europeans have also failed to fulfill their promises. In a tweet on Tuesday, the ministry added that Iran "remained a faithful party" to the deal for five years "To #Iran, #DiplomcyMatters, however it will not allow a bully to undermine Iran's interests by intimidating the int'l community," it pointed out. Russia slams US pressure policy against Iran, JCPOA In a statement, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the implementation of the JCPOA constantly requires enormous endurance and perseverance from its participants. It added that Washington's unilateral abandoning of its obligations and numerous gross violations of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the JCPOA, are the root cause of the many difficulties and challenges facing the process of implementing the agreements. "We urge our JCPOA partners and other UN members to show political will and defend it. The UN member states have no room for error today," the statement said. It slammed as "short-sighted and erroneous" the US so-called maximum pressure policy against not only Iran but the JCPOA, saying, "This policy discredits the United States and opposes it to the rest of the world, which is strongly advocating rigorous implementation of the Security Council resolutions and consistent and comprehensive implementation of the JCPOA in accordance with the initially agreed-upon goals and parameters." The Russian ministry urged the current White House administration to realize that the United States has and will always have obligations to the rest of the world, which it must fulfill. "These are the principles of coexistence in a world based on universally recognized norms of international law, rather than the rules that someone is trying to write and rewrite to suit their own needs to the detriment of others," it said. The statement further warned that the JCPOA detractors' agenda is merely focused on the deal's destruction and said, "For the sake of their own ambitions and a false sense of exceptionalism, they are prepared to act recklessly, break agreements, escalate military-political tension in the Middle East, provoke a crisis at the UN Security Council and to try to achieve their election goals while doing so." However, it emphasized that such a path would lead nowhere as the JCPOA was designed to prevent the implementation of military scenarios and to avert the threat of war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A large private school in Melbournes north has closed, sending staff home and reverting to remote learning for senior students after an IT worker tested positive to COVID-19. Al Siraat College in Epping informed the school community of the positive result late on Tuesday night. Al Siraat College in Epping. Principal Fazeel Arain wrote to parents at 10.45pm to tell them the school would be closed immediately for cleaning. Students in years 10, 11 and 12 were due to begin term three classes on site on Thursday but will now be moved online until further notice, Mr Arain said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: A sitting of NATO-Georgia Commission, co-chaired by Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani and Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana, was held in Brussels, Belgium, Trend reports via Georgian media. Georgian foreign minister reported that the Commission has commended the reforms carried out by Georgia in process of Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgias engagement in global security processes, strengthening of democracy and election systems reform in the country, and effective measures in the struggle against COVID-19 pandemic. NATO allies reiterated their support to Georgia on its path of NATO integration and expressed the expectations that Georgia would hold democratic and high-standard parliamentary elections in autumn. Relations between NATO and Georgia date back to 1992 when Georgia joined the North-Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC). The latter was replaced by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in 1997 as a forum for discussions between NATO and partners. In 1994, Georgia joined the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and since 1996, the country has been actively participating in training and exercises within the program. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356 The Independent today launches a campaign to protect journalism, under attack as perhaps never before: Journalism Is Not a Crime. We are moved to do so most urgently by the recent experience of our correspondent, Andrew Buncombe. Reporting on the Black Lives Matter protests in Seattle and posing no threat to anyone, nor breaking any law, he was summarily detained with some brutality by the police. His latest account of these events can be read here. Hes now been released. It is not so unusual, it seems, these days to see press freedom eroded. Some broadcast journalists have been filmed being interrupted and detained even as they were on camera. Amnesty International say there have been at least 60 reported arrests of journalists covering these protests in the US and some may face prosecution and jail sentences. This the kind of thing that is only supposed to happen in dictatorships. We are not so surprised when media organisations are attacked in Hong Kong, say, or parts of the Middle East, or when correspondents are assassinated in war zones, as was so tragically the case when Marie Colvin was killed during the siege of Homs in Syria. The world was rightly shocked when the writer Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by the Saudis, and he was hardly the first dissident or critic of the regime to be so treated. The Independents foreign and war correspondents have often found themselves in the line of fire. Andrew himself has been detained arbitrarily in Cuba and shot by police during riots in Thailand. Recommended The decline of America under Trump is clear for all to see Indeed, at least 500 journalists have lost their lives worldwide in the last decade. Rather than a press card or media flak jacket offering some protection, the modern way is deliberately to target journalists, most despicably as Isis did during their grisly short-lived caliphate. Yet what is, in its way, more disturbing, now, is when journalists are prevented from doing their jobs, treated as criminals on jumped up charges, in supposedly free societies such as the United States. The first amendment, after all, offers the constitutional basis for free expression and a press fair and free. What we see today is how often the human rights of many, reporters included, seem to be casually disregarded by American police forces that are granted extraordinary immunities from prosecution. A certain institutional ethos has developed that the police are above the law, and have so little to fear from press scrutiny that they can lock journalists up with impunity. It is not healthy for a police officer to treat justice and the tradition of habeas corpus as dispensable, mere inconveniences to clearing the streets. Journalist arrested while covering Seattle protest speaks of police violence The rise of authoritarian nationalist politicians has made things far worse, in America and elsewhere. The mainstream media are portrayed as part of some evil conspiracy against the people. When the population is pounded with the message that they are being fed fake news by failing unpatriotic titles, and when a president feels at liberty to mock a reporter with a disability, then there is something wrong, and there is bound to be growing hostility to legitimate journalism. The phenomenon is not confined to the United States; the British government is presently waging a guerrilla war against the journalism produced by the BBC, using its funding as a way of coercing its political coverage. Earlier this year, journalists took a stand and walked out of a Downing Street briefing on after the prime ministers director of communications tried to restrict it to selected publications and broadcasters. Around the world, from Poland to India, democratic societies are experiencing chilling attacks on press freedoms. Recommended Charges dropped against Independent journalist after arrest But in the land of Woodward and Bernstein, of Martha Gellhorn, of Dan Rather, Barbara Walters and Walter Cronkite, of the Pulitzer Prize and Magnum, of Time magazine and The New Yorker, there is something deeply poignant and worrying about these new insidious trends. A nation that led the world in press freedom is now placing that freedom in jeopardy. The other threat to free journalism, there is no doubt about it, is financial. Quality news gathering, investigations and analysis costs money, whether the organisation is local, national or global. It is increasingly difficult to make money from telling the truth. The digital revolution has vastly democratised news, spread journalism to new audiences (where, that is, it has not yet been blocked) and made citizens better informed, and perhaps more inquisitive about the world around them. Yet that disruption has also upended traditional business models. The Independent, like many others, has to rely on its readers, subscribers and supporters to fund its work, dangerous as it sometimes is. You can do that by contributing to our supporter programme. Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah leaves the federal courthouse in June, 2016 in Philadelphia. Read more The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has accomplished what former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah could not in two appeals. It sprang the disgraced pol early from lockup. A bureau spokesperson confirms that Fattah, a Philadelphia Democrat sentenced in 2016 to 10 years on corruption charges, returned to the city June 8 from a federal prison near Scranton and will serve the rest of his sentence either in a halfway house or under house arrest. But the bureau refused to say why the former congressman had been released more than five years before the scheduled 2025 date. Fattahs attorney, Sam Silver, declined to comment Wednesday. Clout hears that Fattah is staying with his wife, former NBC10 anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, who sold the couples East Falls stone manse in 2018 and moved to Chestnut Hill. The couple did not respond to requests for comment. The release appears to have been a Bureau of Prisons call. The U.S. Attorneys Office referred all questions its way. And there are no filings in the court case about the action. The most recent filing came last week, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit formally rejected Fattahs second appeal after a hearing in May. Fattah has long been trying to shave time off one of the longest prison terms ever given to a member of Congress. The same appeals court tossed some of the bribery counts from his conviction in 2018. But a judge last year kept his 10-year sentence intact. That sentence was based on convictions for racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering, and mail, wire, and bank fraud. A jury found that Fattah had stolen federal grant funds, charitable donations, and campaign cash for years. One source familiar with Fattahs release speculated that it was influenced by concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in federal prisons. As Clout has reported, the pandemic set off a scramble for early release by Philly politicians serving federal time. One of them was Fattahs codefendant, former Deputy Mayor Herbert Vederman, who was released in May to serve on house arrest the rest of his two-year term for bribing Fattah. Vederman had been serving time in Otisville, N.Y. He was sentenced last September. Not everyone has benefited from BOP benevolence. Some have turned to the courts. Former Deputy City Commissioner Renee Tartaglione-Matos lost another bid for release in a court ruling last week, and is still at a Danbury, Conn., prison for bleeding more than $2 million from a publicly funded mental health and addiction nonprofit she operated. Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, imprisoned for extorting campaign contributions from contractors seeking city business, is still set for a 2031 release from the mens facility in Danbury, a hot spot for coronavirus cases. And ex-Traffic Court official William Hird, caught in the ticket-fixing scandal that shuttered the court, is still locked up in Schuylkill County. GOP AG nominee targets Josh Shapiro, hits herself Heather Heidelbaugh, the Republican nominee trying to defeat Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in his bid for a second term, posted a campaign video this week knocking him for not denouncing Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasners call for a reconciliation commission to examine flaws in the criminal justice system. It didnt go as she planned. The video uses the faces of Philadelphia police officers killed in the line of duty. John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police in the city, was furious. Keep our dead heroes out of your political ads especially without permission, McNesby tweeted, urging his followers to contact Heidelbaughs campaign. Heidelbaugh spokesperson Dennis Roddy, in response, complained that she waited months for a sit-down with the FOP and never received a reply to her request. It was very clear the FOP is going to endorse Josh Shapiro, he said. We couldnt even get a meeting. McNesby stuck to his guns, calling for Heidelbaugh to remove the officers from her video. This isnt about Josh or the FOP, he said. I could care less who people vote for. Shapiros camp denounced the use of the fallen shameful and a desperate political attack ad. Johnny Doc has a story to [not] tell It could have been a compelling hour of political talk radio. John Johnny Doc Dougherty, the indicted leader of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, called in Saturday to Talk Radio 1210-WPHT and declared he has a story to tell about loads of corruption in his case. And then, he didnt tell it. Instead, listeners to Saturday Night Live With Philly Labor heard 60 minutes of stream-of-consciousnesses from Dougherty, occasionally interspersed with fawning questions from the hosts. Dougherty, complaining about the feds tapping his telephone calls, vowed to spell out the magnitude of the abuse I went through. When I tell this story, people are going to sit back and their jaws are going to drop, Dougherty said. They listened to my calls for 18 months, 16 or 18, whatever the heck it was. Thats more than any bomber, drug dealer, or mass murderer gets listened to. Clout asked Dougherty to substantiate his claims. He passed. The U.S. Attorneys Office also declined to comment. Dougherty, City Councilmember Bobby Henon, and six other Local 98 officials are accused of embezzling more than $600,000 from the union. They have pleaded not guilty. Their trial is set for Oct. 26. Swansea University researchers have discovered two new species of parasite, previously unknown to science, in crabs in Swansea Bay, during a study on disease in the Celtic and Irish Seas. Both species are emerging pathogens, and were discovered infecting the common shore crab, so they could potentially have damaging effects on fisheries and other marine species. The researchers' discovery will help inform measures to reduce this risk. The common European shore crab is native to the UK, Ireland and the north east Atlantic. It shares this habitat with many commercially important species such as the edible crab and several lobster species. The shore crab is also an invasive species in other countries as it can survive in a wide range of different environments, potentially carrying diseases with it. The discovery was made by researchers from the BlueFish project in the University's Biosciences department. They were carrying out a year-long, multi-disease monitoring survey over two locations in Swansea Bay: Mumbles Pier and Prince of Wales dock. When they were examining the crabs, they noticed parasites in the blood which they had never seen before. They used a range of methods, from analysing diseased tissue from the crabs, to examining the parasite DNA using a technique called Sanger sequencing. The sequences seemed to indicate a new species. Collaborators at the Natural History Museum, London and CEFAS in Weymouth were able to generate a longer sequence of the parasite DNA, verifying the presence of two new parasite species. The team have named the new species Haplosporidium carcini, after the host species, (Carcinus maenas) and Haplosporidium cranc, with 'Cranc' being Welsh for crab, a reference to both their Ireland-Wales funding, and the location of discovery, or 'Welsh' nature of the parasite. The researchers also observed that: Infections were found in only one of the two locations - Mumbles Pier, Swansea Bay Infection levels were very low, around 1-2% Dr Charlotte Eve Davies from Swansea University College of Science, Scientific Officer on the Bluefish project, said: "It is so important to understand the role of the shore crab in hosting parasites and disease, and if they are passing these on to other commercially important crustaceans. The systematic approach we used, employing different detection methods, is vital in getting the best possible picture of these new pathogens. Our study and broader work also suggest that the overall habitat - physical surroundings and ecosystem -may be influencing the presence and prevalence of pathogens, depending on the location. It's been really exciting to be able to characterise two new species and a real team effort. Professor Andrew Rowley first noticed these new parasites and named them parasites x, y and z for months before we realised that we really did have a new species!" The research was published in the journal Parasitology. ### Notes to editors: The research was published in the journal Parasitology.DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020000980 The BlueFish Project has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland-Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020, a cross-border programme investing in the overall economic, environmental and social well-being of Ireland and Wales. Swansea University is a world-class, research-led, dual campus university offering a first-class student experience and has one of the best employability rates of graduates in the UK. The University has the highest possible rating for teaching - the Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) in 2018 and was commended for its high proportions of students achieving consistently outstanding outcomes. Swansea climbed 14 places to 31st in the Guardian University Guide 2019, making us Wales' top ranked university, with one of the best success rates of graduates gaining employment in the UK and the same overall satisfaction level as the Number 1 ranked university. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results saw Swansea make the 'biggest leap among research-intensive institutions' in the UK (Times Higher Education, December 2014) and achieved its ambition to be a top 30 research University, soaring up the league table to 26th in the UK. The University is in the top 300 best universities in the world, ranked in the 251-300 group in The Times Higher Education World University rankings 2018. Swansea University now has 23 main partners, awarding joint degrees and post-graduate qualifications. The University was established in 1920 and was the first campus university in the UK. It currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 350 postgraduate courses to circa 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The University has ambitious expansion plans as it moves towards its centenary in 2020 and aims to continue to extend its global reach and realise its domestic and international potential. Swansea University is a registered charity. No.1138342. Visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk For more information: Kevin Sullivan, Swansea University Public Relations Office k.g.sullivan@swansea.ac.uk Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SwanseaUni Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swanseauniversity Nirupama Viswanathan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Although Chennai's average testing in the week following the release of the 'intense' lockdown has reduced by around 1000, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the city shows it may be on the right track, say experts. In the seven days preceding the release of the intense lockdown, from June 29 to July 5, the city tested an average of 10,060 samples a day. After the lockdown was lifted, from July 6 to 12, testing averaged 9,072. However, the positivity rate for the week following the release of the intense lockdown was found to be much lower than during the week preceding it. From June 29 to July 5, the positivity rate was at an average of 20.7 % whereas between July 6 to 12, it was at 14.1%. The test positivity rate is the percentage of samples that are positive out of the total number of samples tested. During the above two periods, the positivity rate fell by around 32% whereas the reduction in absolute numbers of COVID-19 positive cases was at around 38%. "In this case, when you take into consideration the absolute numbers and the positivity rate, both are reducing proportionally which indicates that the testing is focused," says former director of public health P Kulandaisamy. ALSO READ | Seven doctors under 35 among 99 to have died of COVID-19 in India, another 1300 infected In terms of absolute numbers, the city had registered an average of 2,058 positive cases every day between June 29 to July 5. This has come down to an average of 1283 cases between July 6 to 12. Virologist T Jacob John said that cases in Chennai have peaked and the numbers are coming down. "However, it's too early to celebrate or relax in terms of intensity of containment measures. The (cumulative) numbers in the post-peak period will be higher because it will occur over a longer period of time," he said. When contacted, a senior official of Chennai Corporation said that Chennai is still ahead as far as testing is concerned, according to ICMR testing norms. "The testing numbers will automatically increase as per caseload and positivity," he said. "As labs are working overtime, there's this issue of backlog in clearance and we are associating with private labs as well," he added. ALSO SEE: [Wednesday, July 14th Fruita, Colorado] Top predators dinosaurs like the Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus devouring dinosaur remains isn't all that surprising, but the smaller creatures feasting on dinosaur remains may just give us a more complete picture of what life was like at Mygatt-Moore Quarry outside Fruita, Colorado 152 million years ago. A new study out in PeerJ on Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 authored by Museums of Western Colorado's Paleontologist Dr. Julia McHugh, looks at the insect species who feasted on decaying dinosaurs back in the Jurassic period. Researchers Dr. Julia McHugh (Museums of Western Colorado, Colorado Mesa University), Dr. Stephanie K. Drumheller (University of Tennessee), Anja Riedel (Colorado Mesa University), and Miriam Kane (Colorado Mesa University) examined more than 2,300 fossil bones over a two-year study and found over 400 traces left by insects and snails, a surprisingly high number. The marks researchers found on the fossils also came from at least six different invertebrates. These findings are a huge step to understanding the long-lost paleo diversity, and paleo climate of the Jurassic period. It also gave researchers a better understanding of just how stinky the Jurassic period was too. The abundance of traces meant that the dinosaur carcasses must have been unburied for a long time - 5 months to 6 years or more according to this new study. "Large carcasses take a long time to decompose. The smell from a dead mouse in your basement is bad enough, but then imagine that mouse was a 65-foot long animal! The stench of rotting meat would have been a magnet for carrion insects and other scavengers," Dr. McHugh explains. ### For more information visit: http://www.museumofwesternco.com/ Additional information will be available on the Museums social media channels - Instagram: @museumsofwesternco Facebook: @crossorchards Twitter: @museumsofwc You Tube: Museums of Western Colorado About: Museums of Western Colorado encompass the Dinosaur Journey Museum, Museum of the West, and Cross Orchards historic site. The Museums of Western Colorado inspires and connects our community by championing the scientific and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Artwork: Illustration by Brian Engh, dontmesswithdinosaurs.com Full paper link: https://peerj.com/articles/9510/ About: PeerJ is an Open Access publisher of seven peer-reviewed journals covering biology, environmental sciences, computer sciences, and chemistry. With an emphasis on high-quality and efficient peer review, PeerJ's mission is to help the world efficiently publish its knowledge. All works published by PeerJ are Open Access and published using a Creative Commons license (CC-BY 4.0). PeerJ is based in San Diego, CA and the UK and can be accessed at peerj.com? PeerJ - the Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences is the peer-reviewed journal for Biology, Medicine and Environmental Sciences. PeerJ has recently added 15 areas in environmental science subject areas, including Natural Resource Management, Climate Change Biology, and Environmental Impacts. peerj.com/environmental-sciences Across its journals, PeerJ has an Editorial Board of over 2,000 respected academics, including 5 Nobel Laureates. PeerJ was the recipient of the 2013 ALPSP Award for Publishing Innovation. PeerJ Media Resources (including logos) can be found at: peerj.com/about/press ? For PeerJ: email: press@peerj.com , https://peerj.com/about/press/ ??Note: If you would like to join the PeerJ Press Release list, please register at: http://bit.ly/PressList Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! Christian de Muckadell is the CEO of Eurasia Mining Plc (LON:EUA), and in this article, we analyze the executive's compensation package with respect to the overall performance of the company. This analysis will also look to assess whether the CEO is appropriately paid, considering recent earnings growth and investor returns for Eurasia Mining. See our latest analysis for Eurasia Mining How Does Total Compensation For Christian de Muckadell Compare With Other Companies In The Industry? Our data indicates that Eurasia Mining Plc has a market capitalization of UK463m, and total annual CEO compensation was reported as UK109k for the year to December 2019. That's a notable decrease of 28% on last year. We note that the salary portion, which stands at UK104.5k constitutes the majority of total compensation received by the CEO. In comparison with other companies in the industry with market capitalizations ranging from UK159m to UK634m, the reported median CEO total compensation was UK633k. That is to say, Christian de Muckadell is paid under the industry median. Moreover, Christian de Muckadell also holds UK15m worth of Eurasia Mining stock directly under their own name, which reveals to us that they have a significant personal stake in the company. Component 2019 2018 Proportion (2019) Salary UK105k UK101k 96% Other UK4.9k UK51k 4% Total Compensation UK109k UK152k 100% Talking in terms of the industry, salary represented approximately 64% of total compensation out of all the companies we analyzed, while other remuneration made up 36% of the pie. Eurasia Mining has gone down a largely traditional route, paying Christian de Muckadell a high salary, giving it preference over non-salary benefits. If salary is the major component in total compensation, it suggests that the CEO receives a higher fixed proportion of the total compensation, regardless of performance. Story continues A Look at Eurasia Mining Plc's Growth Numbers Eurasia Mining Plc has reduced its earnings per share by 20% a year over the last three years. It saw its revenue drop 56% over the last year. Overall this is not a very positive result for shareholders. And the impression is worse when you consider revenue is down year-on-year. So given this relatively weak performance, shareholders would probably not want to see high compensation for the CEO. Looking ahead, you might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for the company's future earnings.. Has Eurasia Mining Plc Been A Good Investment? We think that the total shareholder return of 3341%, over three years, would leave most Eurasia Mining Plc shareholders smiling. So they may not be at all concerned if the CEO were to be paid more than is normal for companies around the same size. In Summary... Christian receives almost all of their compensation through a salary. As we noted earlier, Eurasia Mining pays its CEO lower than the norm for similar-sized companies belonging to the same industry. And while earnings growth is in the red, shareholder returns have been great over the last three years, so that's certainly a bright spot! So, while it would be nice to have better EPS growth, our analysis suggests CEO compensation is quite modest. CEO compensation is an important area to keep your eyes on, but we've also need to pay attention to other attributes of the company. That's why we did our research, and identified 4 warning signs for Eurasia Mining (of which 1 is a bit unpleasant!) that you should know about in order to have a holistic understanding of the stock. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a different set of stocks. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Many of us talk about socialism in the abstract, being lucky enough to have been born and raised here. Though we can see the approaching specter of socialism in the Democratic Party and its leaders like AOC and Bernie Sanders, few of us have ever dealt with the cold dead hand of the socialist state ourselves.Victoria Spartz is an exception to that rule because she was born and grew up in the Soviet-controlled Ukraine. As such, this telegenic and articulate GOP candidate for the U.S. House in the Indiana 5th congressional district is just what her district and this country need to keep the American dream alive and free from the kind of system she had to endure.Spartz moved to America in 2000, became a citizen the legal way, then worked her way up from a bank teller to a finance expert and CPA who worked with Fortune 500 companies at multiple Big 4 public accounting firms. This is achieving the American dream in the proper and traditional way.She eventually decided to venture out on her own and started several businesses, maintaining proprietorship in entities including financial consulting, farming and real estate. In 2017, when her local state senator announced he would retire, Victoria decided it was time to serve her community in elected office.Victoria was elected by caucus in a seven-way race to fill the remainder of the term. She built a reputation for standing up to the establishment in the state senate before deciding to run for the open seat in Indiana's 5th congressional district in 2020.Spartz dominated a 15-way primary with 40% of the vote in June to secure the nomination. Nancy Pelosi and her allies are targeting this suburban seat that President Donald Trump carried by 12 in 2016 (thus fat chance, Nancy) and Spartz is the favorite to win the seat in November. Where does she stand on the issues? Let's listen to her.On transparent and affordable healthcare:Pro-free enterprise and fiscal accountability:Safe and secure borders:In essence Victoria Spartz is a suburban mother who grew-up under socialism and understands the damage it would do to America. Her Democrat opponent Christina Hale has been described as an "urban progressive" and a "big city progressive Democrat."During this campaign Hale has already embraced far-left policies like the Green New Deal and a government takeover of our health care system. Nancy Pelosi handpicked Christina Hale and is bankrolling Hale's campaign. If elected, Hale's first vote will likely be to give Nancy Pelosi another term as Speaker of the House. As debate mounted on whether the state could achieve elimination of the virus, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, said on Wednesday that mandatory mask-wearing "shouldnt be off the table", but he warned against police punishing people who could not access a mask. Loading "Its a risk not to have them, especially with the transmission going on in Melbourne," Professor Sutton said. People entering Victorian courts and tribunals are now strongly encouraged to wear face masks with security staff handing out disposable versions. Asked whether Victoria should switch to an elimination approach to the virus, Professor Sutton said: "I'd love elimination, but it's not the right time to be assessing whether that is feasible right now." When pressed on the likelihood of a harsher stage four lockdown in Victoria, Professor Sutton said any potential hardening of restrictions would be targeted at areas creating the biggest problems. "If were seeing a focus in a particular setting, in a particular cohort of people, related to particular activities, that would be the focus of stage four restrictions," he said. Former ABC radio host Red Symons wears a mask on Lygon Street in Carlton. Credit:Eddie Jim Professor Bill Bowtell, of UNSW's Kirby Institue for infection and immunity said, however, that the suppression strategy in Victoria was failing and called for the adoption of an elimination strategy. He also questioned why Victorians weren't encouraged to wear masks sooner when infections began to climb in March. Do we keep on putting people in lockdown or do we go for hard lockdown and aim for eradication, which can be done and has been done? asked Professor Bowtell, who helped lead Australia's response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. "New Zealand did it and they haven't had community transmission in 70 days. This is a virus, it's not a supernatural zombie. It transmits between people so you need to separate people." Tony Blakely, a University of Melbourne epidemiologist, is also pushing for Victoria to move into a hard lockdown. We know from lots of international experience now, the best one being Wuhan, you can basically knock this virus out of the park if you decide to lock down hard," Professor Blakely said. "Given that weve already gone into a lockdown in Melbourne, we should turn something that depresses us into an an opportunity. In the six weeks of hard lockdown we could actually achieve elimination." For this to work, the "loose definition" of what essential workers are must be tightened and Victoria would mirror the "New Zealand prototype", Professor Blakely said. Places such as abattoirs, which have battled multiple outbreaks, should close for at least a month, along with schools, educational facilities and every business except essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies and medical clinics. However, Dr Nick Coatsworth, the federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has warned that elimination would be a risky strategy. "The risk elimination creates is a false sense of security that may diminish the community engagement with widespread testing and lead to a downsizing of the enhanced public health response, based on an assumption we have got rid of the virus once and for all in our part of the world. University of Melbourne epidemiologist Professor John Mathews argued that it might be too soon to aim for zero. "It is impossible to go for elimination without suppressing it first," he said. At the moment, one couldnt rule out the possibility that in a week or 10 days' time, weve got a disaster on our hands." Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. Credit:Jason South Griffith University infectious diseases expert Professor Nigel McMillan said even if the virus was eliminated, Australia must "still deal with the rest of the world in some manner". "Elimination wont be a golden answer to your economic woes, especially in a country like New Zealand or Australia that relies on tourism," he said. Professor McMillan said for the state to avoid future outbreaks, Victorians would have to change their way of thinking and remain vigilant not only during the lockdown period, but for the months or even years ahead. Loading "There are probably quite a few people who have said 'its just one thing, its just a small get-together with my family, but of course it does matter. Weve got to eliminate that sort of attitude," Professor McMillan said. "It only takes one or two people to not do the right thing and its away." There are now 21 cases linked to the JBS Abattoir in Brooklyn, while nine cases have been linked to Embracia Moonee Valley aged care in Avondale Heights and two are linked to St Basil's aged care in Fawkner. Five cases have been liked to Steel Mains, a steel fabrication business in Somerton, and four cases have been linked to Waste Equipment and Hiab Services in Ardeer. The outbreak at the public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington has grown by five more cases to a total of 247 infections, while 36 cases have been reported at the Carlton towers high-rise up four from 32 on Tuesday. Wyndham Council in Melbournes outer west, which takes in suburbs including Werribee, Wyndham Vale and Truganina, now has 249 cases, the highest number of cases of any local government area in Victoria. It registered 18 new diagnoses within 24 hours to overtake Hume, which has 235 cases, and the City of Melbourne and Moonee Valley, which each has 209 cases. Infections outside of lockdown zones are also steadily increasing. Six new cases have been reported in regional Victoria, bringing the total number of active cases outside the lockdown zone to 35. Two cases were reported in Horsham and Macedon Ranges and one each in Geelong and East Gippsland. Window to Rahul's mind After Sachin Pilot said on Wednesday that he was not joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and would remain a Congressman, veteran leader of the party Margaret Alva tweeted, Differences are not anti-party. They have to be sorted out and compromises worked out. We have done it over the years. To this, another Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh, tweeted that he agreed entirely and it triggered speculation that a rapprochement between Pilot and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot could be in the works. Importantly, the Alvas and the Nehru-Gandhis are ... Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wears a mask during a Senate Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on May 7, 2020. Kevin Dietsch/Pool via Reuters) Senator Lifts Hold on Military Promotions After Proof of Vindman Advancement Impeachment witness was selected to become colonel, Pentagon says Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) lifted her hold on U.S. military promotions after being assured by the Pentagon that high-level officials werent blocking the promotion of an officer who had testified during the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Duckworth, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced earlier this month that she would block every promotion unless Secretary of Defense Mark Esper confirmed that he didnt or wouldnt block the expected and deserved promotion of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. The senator said July 14 that she had received that assurance. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in writing that Vindman was selected by the Army promotion board to be promoted to colonel, that the Secretary of the Army approved the recommendation and submitted it to the Pentagon for approval, and that the department signed off on and submitted the Army promotions packet without modification to the White House. Because she received the communication from the Pentagon, Duckworth said she wont object to the remaining promotions when the Senate returns to session the week of July 20. Donald Trumps unprecedented efforts to further politicize our military by retaliating against Lt. Col. Vindmanfor doing his patriotic duty of telling the truth under oathare unconscionable, Duckworth said in a statement. Im glad the Department of Defense was finally able to set the record straight that Vindman had earned and was set to receive a promotion to Colonel. We must always protect the merit-based system that is the foundation of our Armed Forces from political corruption and unlawful retaliation. In this Nov. 19, 2019, file photo National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is sworn in to testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo) Trump repeatedly criticized Vindman after the officer testified against the president during last years impeachment inquiry in full uniform. But theres no evidence that he retaliated against Vindman, although the officer was removed ahead of schedule from the White House National Security Council. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said during a July 8 appearance on MSNBCs The Beat that Trump took actions essentially pushing both [Vindman] and his brother out of their positions at the National Security Council and claimed they were bullied by the White House. Vindman wont receive the promotion, after announcing last week that he plans to retire from the U.S. Army. My family and I look forward to the next chapter of our lives, Vindman said in a statement. His lawyer said Vindman was leaving after it has been made clear that his future within the institution he has dutifully served will forever be limited. Esper previously told reporters that the Pentagon protects all of its people from retribution. Yevgeny Vindman, Vindmans twin brother, remains on active duty but has taken to social media in recent weeks to publicly criticize both Trump and Esper. He shared an anonymously sourced story that claimed the White House was pressuring the Pentagon to block his brothers promotion, calling what allegedly transpired an inappropriate and outrageous attack on Alex Vindmans character. He also retweeted, or shared, a Twitter post that called on Esper to resign. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. ALBANY - New Yorks once-a-decade legislative redistricting process has traditionally been filled with contention, intrigue and backroom dealing. That process is beginning again, and this time will play out with new variables, including COVID-19 and uncertainty about a measure meant to make the process fairer and more transparent, according to witnesses at a state legislative hearing held Wednesday. The redrawing of state legislative and congressional district lines every 10 years is based on the results of the currently ongoing, once-a-decade national census, which picks up shifts in populations within states. For the first time, under a constitutional amendment passed by New York voters in 2014, a 10-person, bipartisan redistricting commission is charged with drawing New York district lines for 2022 and the decade beyond, based on those census findings. But the process is already facing unexpected hurdles. Because of COVID-19, the U.S. Census Bureau has pushed back the timeline for releasing data from its current population count. Michael Li, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, testified that the census results would normally be available by March 2021, but now will not be released until as late as July 2021. That months-long federal delay makes it virtually impossible that the New York redistricting commission will be able to hit a deadline of Sept. 15, 2021, set by the constitutional amendment, to release initial draft maps of proposed new districts, Li said. The commission is also required to hold a dozen hearings around the state on proposed lines. The commission must then submit a final proposed plan to the Legislature by January 2022. If the Legislature does not approve that plan, the commission must release a second set of proposed maps by Feb. 28, 2022. But if the process goes on into the spring of 2022, Li said, it could create chaos in June 2022 legislative and congressional primary elections. A number of witnesses at Wednesday's hearings also questioned whether the new independent redistricting commission would be truly independent. The 2014 constitutional amendment was intended to reform a process that had allowed the longstanding majority parties, state Senate Republican and Assembly Democrats, to draw their own district lines. But even with the new bipartisan commission, history could to a degree repeat itself. As required, the new 10-person commission currently consists of two Senate Democratic appointees, two from Senate Republican, two from Assembly Democrats and two from Assembly Republicans. Two additional members still need to be chosen by the eight politically appointed members. These final two appointees, as prescribed by the constitutional amendment, cannot be members of a political party. If the Legislature votes down the maps drawn by the 10-member commission twice, or if Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo vetoes the plans, then the responsibility to draw the lines would fall back to the state Legislature to amend the second plan as it deems necessary, according to an analysis of the process recently authored by a top longtime New York redistricting expert, Jeffrey Wice. But Wice also wrote that because of the constitutional amendment, minority parties will likely play more of a role in this scenario. If the Legislature is under the control of only one party, Wice wrote, at least two-thirds of the members of each chamber must approve the plans. Democrats hold a firm grasp of the state Assembly, and Senate Democrats now hold a commanding majority in the chamber following the 2018 elections. After the 2020 elections, Senate Democrats are expected to hold the majority for the first time in decades during redistricting. State Senate Republicans are already expressing suspicion about the new, bipartisan process. While this years budget allocated $750,000 to the Department of State to staff the commission, no funding has been released, and the commission has not hired executive directors. At Wednesday's hearing, Republican state Sen. Thomas OMara questioned whether Democrats want the commission to fail so that the legislative majorities can draw the lines themselves. Queens state Sen. Michael Gianaris, a top Senate Democrat, said he believed the funding could be released when the final two of 10 commission members are appointed. Gianaris also said the funding should be released in an expeditious fashion. Under any scenario, new district lines will likely be more favorable to Senate Democrats than those drawn for decades by Senate Republicans. Li testified that upstate New York lost significant white population over the past decade, while theres been a surge downstate in the number of eligible Black, Latino and Asian-American voters. Democrat-heavy New York City may gain two new state Senate seats, Li said. A number of witnesses also questioned the lack of diversity so far among the commissions eight current appointees. Only one is a woman and none are Latino. Lurie Daniel Favors, general counsel at the Center for Law and Social Justice, called the lack of diversity stunning. The two commissioners not affiliated with political parties have not been appointed. The testimony Wednesday was before the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR), a body that's traditionally been key in New York's partisan drawing of legislative lines. LATFOR now faces an uncertain role with the advent of the bipartisan redistricting commission, but has maintained a sizable staff. Technavio has been monitoring the offshore drilling rigs market and it is poised to grow by 3.92 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005307/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Offshore Drilling Rigs Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Archer Ltd., China Oilfield Services Ltd., Helmerich Payne Inc., KCA Deutag Alpha Ltd., Nabors Industries Ltd., Noble Corp. Plc, Patterson-UTI Energy Inc., Transocean Ltd., Valaris Plc, and Weatherford International Plc are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Increase in deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling activities has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, decline in investments in upstream sector might hamper market growth. Offshore Drilling Rigs Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Offshore Drilling Rigs Market is segmented as below: Type Bottom-supported Rigs Floating Rigs Geography APAC MEA North America Europe South America To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43969 Offshore Drilling Rigs Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our offshore drilling rigs market report covers the following areas: Offshore Drilling Rigs Market size Offshore Drilling Rigs Market trends Offshore Drilling Rigs Market industry analysis This study identifies the high potential of offshore marginal fields as one of the prime reasons driving the offshore drilling rigs market growth during the next few years. Offshore Drilling Rigs Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the offshore drilling rigs market, including some of the vendors such as Archer Ltd., China Oilfield Services Ltd., Helmerich Payne Inc., KCA Deutag Alpha Ltd., Nabors Industries Ltd., Noble Corp. Plc, Patterson-UTI Energy Inc., Transocean Ltd., Valaris Plc, and Weatherford International Plc. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Offshore Drilling Rigs Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Offshore Drilling Rigs Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist offshore drilling rigs market growth during the next five years Estimation of the offshore drilling rigs market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the offshore drilling rigs market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of offshore drilling rigs market vendors Table Of Contents : Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2019 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Type Market segments Comparison by Type Bottom-supported rigs Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Floating rigs Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Type Customer Landscape Overview Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Competitive scenario Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Industry risks Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Archer Ltd. China Oilfield Services Ltd. Helmerich Payne Inc. KCA Deutag Alpha Ltd. Nabors Industries Ltd. Noble Corp. Plc Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. Transocean Ltd. Valaris Plc Weatherford International Plc Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005307/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ By Michael Adesina Fahim Saleh, the CEO of Lagos-based Gokada, was found dead in New York on Tuesday, his body dismembered with an electric saw by his killer. According to Police, his body was cut up and sorted into different plastic bags. An electric saw which was still plugged in was also found in the apartment. The incident happened in his luxury Manhattan Lower East Side apartment which he bought for $2.2 million in 2019. According to Daily News, police moved to his apartment after his sister called the emergency line. She was reported to have visited the apartment after not hearing from Saleh in a day and became worried. However, Police made the grisly discovery in a building on E. Houston St. at Suffolk St. on the Lower Eastside about 3:30 p.m. Cops found contractor bags near the torso, sources said, but didnt immediately open them to see if the body parts were inside. Fahim, was last seen on surveillance footage on Monday afternoon around 1:40 pm, when he entered his buildings elevator, which opens right out to his seventh-floor apartment. According to several reports, police believe they have surveillance footage of the suspect entering the building and then using the elevator. The footage is said to show the suspect in a glove and a mask covering his face sharing the elevator with Saleh up to the seventh floor. As the door of the elevator opened directly into Salehs apartment, he was seen to fall to the floor immediately as he walked into his home from a possible gunshot. According to Daily News, Police believe the murder was carried out by a professional because of how the attack happened. We have a torso, a head thats been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We dont have a motive, New York Police Department spokesman Sgt. Carlos Nieves said. Saleh has described his history as an entrepreneur in a series of posts on Medium.com. He got his start creating a prank calling website, then moved on to create a motorcycle taxi company in his parents native Bangladesh. He is well known in Lagos, Nigeria where he helped launch Gokada, the former bike hailing company that has pivoted into delivery services following the governments ban on passenger motorcycles. Friends of Mr. Saleh, according to New York Times, described him as an ambitious man who ran every morning, kept a busy schedule of meetings and often traveled to Nigeria on business. He collected tech gadgets and lived alone with a small dog, Laila, which was found alive in the apartment, they said. Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia 33 years ago. He moved with his family quite a bit before settling in Rochester, N.Y., and, later, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The son of Bangladeshi immigrants, he learned to code and began to develop apps as a teenager, his friends said. After graduating from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., he had early success with PrankDial, an app he invented for making prank telephone calls. Mr. Salehs ride-hailing motorcycle start-up, Gokada, began operating in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2018, and raised $5.3 million in venture capital in June 2019, according to the website Techcrunch. Related AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a+" of Lloyd's (United Kingdom), Lloyd's Insurance Company (China) Limited (Lloyd's China) (China) and Lloyd's Insurance Company S.A. (Lloyd's Brussels) (Belgium). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "a" of Society of Lloyd's (the Society) (United Kingdom) and the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings of "a-" on the GBP 500 million 4.750% subordinated loan notes maturing 30 October 2024 and on the GBP 300 million 4.875% subordinated notes maturing 7 February 2047. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Lloyd's balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorises as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The Lloyd's market benefits from its risk-adjusted capitalisation being at the strongest level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital adequacy is supported by a robust risk-based approach to setting member-level capital and a strong Central Fund, which is available to meet the policyholder obligations of all Lloyd's members. AM Best's assessment of the balance sheet strength of Lloyd's takes into account the fungibility constraints of capital held at the member level and the market's good financial flexibility, which is enhanced by the diversity of its capital providers. The market's exposure to catastrophe risk is an offsetting rating factor. However, the requirement for members to replenish their funds at Lloyd's to meet their current underwriting liabilities, as part of the "coming into line" process, partly mitigates the potential for volatility in risk-adjusted capitalisation due to operating losses. Despite losses associated with the coronavirus pandemic, risk-adjusted capitalisation has been stable as member-level capital has been replenished in line with expectations. The operating performance assessment reflects the expectation that Lloyd's will produce strong technical performance over the underwriting cycle and that capital will continue to be attracted to the market. Technical performance is subject to volatility due to the nature of the business underwritten, and since 2017, the market has experienced higher-than-average catastrophe losses and lower favourable prior-year reserve releases. Adjusted for average catastrophe experience, recent technical performance has been outside AM Best's expectations for the strong assessment. However, AM Best expects that improving market conditions and robust remedial actions by the Corporation of Lloyd's and individual managing agents will support further incremental improvements in the attritional accident-year performance over the next three years. The market's expense ratio continues to be higher than that of its peers. Actions are currently being taken through the Future at Lloyd's initiative to reduce the cost of placing business at Lloyd's, the benefits of which should start to be realised over the short-term. The business profile assessment reflects the strong position of Lloyd's in its core markets, as a leading writer of reinsurance and specialty property/casualty insurance. Lloyd's has an excellent brand in these markets, which are currently experiencing improving market conditions. The market's business mix is well-diversified but with some geographical bias toward North America and product bias toward moderate to high-risk commercial specialty lines. The ratings of Lloyd's China and Lloyd's Brussels reflect reinsurance support from Lloyd's in the form of quota share contracts between Lloyd's and the syndicates participating on the China and Brussels platforms. The rating of the Society is notched from the rating of the Lloyd's market, reflecting the unique relationship between the Society and the Lloyd's market, which means that the ability of the Society to meet its obligations is inextricably linked to the ability of Lloyd's to meet its obligations. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best's Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media Proper Use of Best's Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005750/en/ Contacts: Jessica Botelho-Young, CA Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0310 jessica.botelho@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Manager, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Catherine Thomas Senior Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0281 catherine.thomas@ambest.com Jim Peavy Director, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com Speeding up infrastructure development and improving ease of doing business and vocational training are among things Vietnam should do to make itself more attractive to foreign investors post-COVID-19, according to investment fund VinaCapital. Don Lam, the funds co-founder and CEO, said, Consultants expect 20 percent of Chinas manufacturing sector to move out the country in the coming years. Not all of that will come to Vietnam, but the country stands to attract a good portion of that for several reasons. They included factory wages in the country being less than half of those in China though the quality of the workforces is comparable, Vietnam doing an outstanding job in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak and ranking high in various FDI decision making schemes that companies use to evaluate the potential of a country for building factories. Companies looked for some key factors when considering direct investment in a country. They wanted good supply of labour with skills and experience, logistics convenience in places they set up new factories so that they could easily ship in raw materials and ship out finished products, minimal bureaucratic obstacles to setting up and operating factories, and political and economic stability. Vietnam scored well in most of these aspects, and quickly improves in areas it did not. But there were several things it could do to become more attractive to investors. Its logistics costs continued to be high, and it needed to quickly build and improve physical infrastructure to rise in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index from its current 45th position. The Government also needed to improve the countrys position in the World Banks ease of doing business rankings by streamlining the bureaucratic processes related to setting up and operating a business. In the most recent World Bank survey, Vietnam ranks 70th out of 190 countries, ahead of countries like Indonesia, and the Philippines but behind Malaysia and Thailand. The Governments recently announced fast track initiative to speed up the licensing of FDI projects was a good example of the steps it could take to reduce red tape and bureaucratic hurdles companies faced. The Government should consider promoting quality FDI by setting up an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) to actively market Vietnam advantages as an FDI destination around the world. The Government tended to approach FDI reactively and only worked with foreign companies that approached it though the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant Government departments had become more aggressive in following potential leads. Next, Vietnams vocational training needs to be significantly improved to ensure that the workforce could perform tasks that require higher skill levels, and the country needed to invest in R&D and improve technical universities. Finally, the Government could encourage the formation of industrial clusters around desirable industries such as electronics. This strategy would have the dual advantage of maximising Vietnams benefit from FDI investments and giving firms more confidence to locate their higher value-added activities in the country. According to VinaCapital, Free Trade Agreements help attract FDI to a country, especially when they entail measures that improve a countrys ease of doing business. However, it is important to note that Vietnam is already a party to more FTAs than any country in the world, it said. Lam said, Often countries use a range of tax incentives to attract foreign investment, and of course who does not like tax incentives? But offering overly generous tax breaks is not critical for Vietnam to be successful in attracting FDI. According to the IMF, tax incentives are not critical to attracting FDI and cannot substitute for political stability, good macroeconomic fundamentals, the availability of infrastructure, and a sound legal framework. Lam said his fund expected the next wave of FDI to be driven by companies relocating their factories out of China and have a bigger impact on Vietnams economy than previous inflows because multinational companies now had an incentive to help local firms move up the value chain to build supply chains in Vietnam capable of supporting those companies./. VNA Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 00:03:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close U.S. national flags are blown by gusts of wind in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, the United States, April 13, 2020. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States was undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea and intended to drive a wedge between regional countries, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday that many Chinese maritime claims over the South China Sea were illegitimate, and the United States urged relevant countries to oppose China's maritime claims. Pompeo added that the so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration was legally binding to both China and the Philippines. In response, spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a news briefing that the U.S. statement disregarded the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, and violated its commitment of holding a neutral position on relevant territorial sovereignty disputes. It also violated and distorted international law, deliberately provoked territorial maritime disputes, and undermined regional stability and peace, he added. The U.S. statement said the dotted line in the South China Sea was announced by China in 2009, which is completely untrue, Zhao said, adding that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea were established throughout a long course of history. He said China has exercised effective jurisdiction over relevant islands, reefs, and waters in the South China Sea for thousands of years, and as early as 1948, the Chinese government announced the dotted line in the South China Sea. This was under no doubt from any country for a long time, he said, adding that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis, which is consistent with relevant international laws and practices. China doesn't strive to build an "empire" in the South China Sea, always treats countries surrounding the South China Sea as equals, and always maintains the utmost restraint in safeguarding the sovereignty, rights, and interests of the South China Sea, Zhao said. "On the contrary, the United States refused to join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), frequently pulls out of international treaties and organizations, abides by international rules that suit its purpose, and discards those that it finds obstructive. It frequently promotes militarization of the South China Sea by dispatching large-scale, advanced warships and aircraft. The United States is the destructor and troublemaker of peace and stability in the region. The international community sees this very clearly," Zhao said. As for the arbitration case and the award, Zhao said China's position is consistent, clear, and firm. The arbitral tribunal expanded its power to exercise jurisdiction, and made obvious mistakes in the determination of facts and the application of laws, which was questioned by many countries. The U.S. hyped up the South China Sea arbitration for their own political agenda, which was abusing the international law of the sea, and China would never accept it, he said. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) reached by China and ASEAN in 2002, China is always committed to resolving disputes on territory and jurisdiction through negotiations and consultations with the related sovereign states, maintaining the peace and stability in the South China Sea with the ASEAN countries, Zhao told the briefing. "With joint efforts of the relevant countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains sound and stable at the moment," Zhao said, adding that China and the ASEAN countries not only abide by the DOC, but are also speeding up negotiations on a more binding code of conduct (COC) to safeguard the peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Now the consultations have made positive progress, and the relationships between China and the ASEAN countries have further consolidated and developed during their cooperations against COVID-19, Zhao said. However, the United States, as a non-regional country, has repeatedly stirred up trouble regarding the South China Sea for its own selfish agenda, played off the relationships of regional countries against China, and ruined the joint efforts made by these countries, he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. statement deliberately misinterpreted the Chinese representative's statement at the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in 2010. Zhao said the fact was that China's representative said China has always advocated that all countries are equal, and relevant disputes should be settled peacefully by the direct parties concerned through negotiations and consultations. "China expressed its strong indignation and firm opposition to the U.S. wrongdoing," he said, urging the United States to immediately stop making trouble in this regard, and not to go further down the wrong path. Zhao stressed that China will continue to determinedly safeguard its national sovereignty and security, friendly and cooperative relations with regional countries, and the South China Sea's peace and stability. AURELIUS A loud, lengthy stream of applause greeted Jonelle Murphy when her name was called during the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Practical Nursing Program graduation ceremony Tuesday. Walking steadily to the stage, Murphy, 24, participated in the event despite sustaining significant injuries last month when she was hit by a car. Murphy was one of 25 graduates recognized at the event at the BOCES campus in Aurelius Tuesday afternoon. They received certificates in practical nursing. The perseverance Murphy showed was a theme for the whole graduating class this year, who endured the challenges of learning in a hands-on program amid the coronavirus outbreak that limited in-person education. Andrea Ruff, coordinator of health care occupations, took a moment to put the pin on Murphy, who was originally going to use a cane but decided against it, and helped her down the steps off the stage. The crowd, which socially distanced, again broke out into applause. At one point in the ceremony, the graduates gave gift bags to their families since the the program was not able to hold the normal celebration. Toward the beginning of the event, Ruff congratulated the graduates, saying they handled the obstacles put on them with grace and strength, spending "over 600 hours between hands-on in-person care and practicing their skills on virtual patients in simulated environments." Ruff praised the graduates and the nursing profession. "This year more than ever, you are witnessing firsthand the impact that nurses have on our world," she said. "Whether they be hungry, tired or overwhelmed with emotion, nurses show up, because life depends on it." After all of the graduates received their pins and their awards, graduate Tyler McCann gave the class farewell. He said was nervous when he was first asked to give the speech, comparing the year to a "crazy, fictional tale that no one has read the ending to." "This year was impossible, it really was. How can I describe the events that have transpired in a concise, professional but humorous way?" He said that 40 women and himself started the program in August 2019. By January, 25 people remained. "We continued to progress, and then a global pandemic happened. Friday, March 13, was the last normal day we'd see for almost four months. What luck!" McCann said. "I told y'all, this was an impossible year." Despite the changes that happened as a result of the pandemic, "we adapted and kept moving forward," he added. Once the ceremony ended, many of the graduates came up to Murphy. Recent weeks have been difficult for her. According to an Auburn Police Department report, she was seriously injured early in the morning of June 16 when she was struck by a car that was backing out of a parking space in front of Swifty's Tavern on Perrine Street. Murphy was standing behind the vehicle when it backed up more than 10 feet. She was taken by ambulance to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. The driver was later issued a ticket for unsafe backing. Murphy has had four major surgeries and will find out July 20 if a fifth is necessary. She has a collapsed lung, a broken shoulder and a segment of her liver isn't working. Murphy has been on a steady stream of antibiotics at home for about the last two weeks, all in the hopes of being able to get up on the stage. Before the ceremony, Murphy said it was important to her to be there despite the grueling challenges. She plans on becoming a registered nurse, which she said is "my dream," once she recovers, which could be at least a year. Her focus on that goal has not wavered despite her injuries. If anything, the incident has made her want it more, she said, because she believes she will have a better understanding of what her patients will be going through. The support of the BOCES staff and her fellow graduates, who have reached out every day, has been immeasurable, Murphy added. Though she and her classmates had been through the high and lows of the nursing program together, she said, she sees how much her fellow graduates care about her. "I didn't know how much of a relationship we had built until this happened," Murphy said. "Sometimes, it makes something bad to happen to you for you to realize who's really there, and I walked away with 24 lifelong friends." After the ceremony, Murphy said she "ditched the cane" to capture just a little bit of normalcy. She acknowledged she has a long recovery ahead of her. "This is what I needed," she said. "I feel stronger today." Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Chancellor has ordered a 'review' of capital gains tax, signalling a future raid on the wealthiest taxpayers to help pay the gigantic bill for combating Covid-19. Rishi Sunak's brief to the Government's tax gurus includes looking at whether the levy on asset sales is 'fit for purpose', ways it can 'distort behaviour', and the current regime of allowances, exemptions and reliefs. That all translates as 'tax grab', so what might it mean for people's wealth held in investments, property and other assets that are - and currently aren't - subject to capital gains tax? Raid on wealth: Rishi Sunak's brief to Government officials on reviewing CGT translates as 'tax grab' What will the Treasury's tax gurus investigate? The Chancellor has asked the Office of Tax Simplification, an independent arm of the Treasury, to identify opportunities to simplify capital gains tax in relation to individuals and small businesses. Capital gains on assets ranging from shares to second homes and buy-to-lets are traditionally taxed at lower levels than income because people are taking a risk - whether an entrepreneurial one, or via their investments. Employment income and savings interest is more guaranteed, and so taxed differently and more heavily. The annual exempt amount is currently 12,300, and after that CGT rates are 10 per cent if you are a basic rate taxpayer and 20 per cent if you are a higher or additional-rate taxpayer. The rates are 18 per cent and 28 per cent respectively for capital gains made on residential property - excluding main residences, meaning those people live in. But there is a vast array of rules and exemptions underlying the system, which has created all sorts of loopholes and incentives that weren't originally intended by the Government. So what might the review cover? Aligning CGT and income tax: Gains from investments and dividends, and property aside from people's own homes, are taxed differently from earned income for the reason given above. We could be seeing the tips of the government's fingernails, as it considers how to claw back the enormous sums spent on bailing the economy out of the Covid19 crisis Nathan Long, Hargreaves Lansdown Lower rates of CGT were also introduced to offset the loss of 'taper relief', axed in 2008, which used to benefit people by reducing tax bills on a sliding scale to reward long-term ownership of assets. But there are calls for change. Labour proposed bringing CGT into line with income tax rates, which would mean big hikes for higher earners and smaller increases for basic rate taxpayers, in its 2019 election manifesto. And last year, influential think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research also suggested CGT on people's wealth tied up in assets like investments, second homes and buy-to-lets should be hiked to income tax levels. Labour proposed bringing dividend tax into line with income tax rates too, and axing the 2,000 annual dividend allowance, apart from a 'de minimis' threshold which was not specified. Changing 'main residence' relief: The OTS is bound to look at this, but hitting people selling their own homes with CGT would spark a storm of opposition. It would also run counter to government efforts to get the property market moving again by cutting stamp duty. Labour didn't push for any change on main residence relief at the last election, although a thinktank linked to it had previously toyed with this idea. The IPPR said the exemption on primary homes should be maintained, and property wealth should be taxed separately via a property tax. End the 'uplift': The OTS already recommended getting rid of this in a review of inheritance tax, so it will probably take another look at this issue. The 'uplift' means someone inheriting an asset is treated as acquiring it at its market value on the date of death, rather than the amount it was bought for. This means the beneficiary can sell it shortly after the death without paying CGT. If the asset is a farm or business, and therefore exempted or relieved from inheritance tax, it can be sold without that being due either. 'This can put people off passing on assets to the next generation during their lifetime,' said the OTS in its inheritance tax report. 'It distorts and can complicate the decision making process around passing on assets to the next generation. 'The OTS has concluded that this distortion would be best addressed by amending the CGT rules rather than changing inheritance tax.' But questions were raised over how this would work in practice, and whether it would only apply to businesses and agricultural property and farms cited in the report, or could lead to people who hold onto an inherited property facing big capital gains tax bills. Abolish exempt allowance: Labour wanted to slash the annual exempt CGT allowance, which is currently 12,300, to 1,000, if it had won the last election. The IPPR also favoured this move. Axe other reliefs and exemptions: Many capital gains lie outside the current system, such as winnings from gambling - including lotteries - and wine and car investments. The OTS might find little justification for keeping such exemptions. Meanwhile, 'exemption at death' encourages people to hold assets for life to allow beneficiaries to avoid CGT, although they may still be liable for inheritance tax. 'Entrepreneurs' relief' for assets relating to businesses - aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship - means gains are taxed at a lower 10 per cent. Now renamed business asset disposal relief, the applicable lifetime gain was already cut from 10million to 1million, but it could be reformed again or abolished. How much does CGT raise for the Government? Financial adviser NFU Mutual summarises the recent CGT, tobacco and alcohol tax takes and Government predictions for future years below. Source: NFU Mutual 'The Government will collect four times more cash from capital gains tax in 2023/24 than it did in 2013/14,' says Sean McCann, chartered financial planner at NFU. 'CGT already provides more cash to the Treasury than tobacco duty and will soon outstrip alcohol duties too.' Comparing chargeable gains before exemptions to actual money raised implies an average tax rate of just 15 per cent, according to AJ Bell analyst Tom Selby. How likely is a sweeping revamp of CGT? The Chancellor's request for a review is so broad that the OTS has effectively been given permission to totally overhaul the system, at least on paper - the Government will decide what to do with any findings. The OTS has just launched a consultation on CGT, which is due to run until 12 October, which will probably give it time to produce a response for the Chancellor ahead of the autumn Budget. It's worth noting though that the Treasury is still sitting on two reports on overhauling inheritance tax, requested by a Sunak predecessor, Philip Hammond. The tax gurus suggested overhauling long and complicated forms and scrapping confusing rules on giveaways to loved ones in favour of a single 'personal gift allowance'. New or increased taxes on wealth are likely to be opposed by a strong cohort of Tory MPs, although the size of the party's majority and the gravity of the Covid-related hit to the UK's finances could mute hostility. Given its stance on CGT in its manifesto, Labour is likely to support a radical revamp or stick to constructive criticism. Tax overhaul: The wealthiest taxpayers are likely to be called to help pay the gigantic bill for combating the Covid-19 crisis What do financial experts say? 'We could be seeing the tips of the Government's fingernails, as it considers how to claw back the enormous sums spent on bailing the economy out of the Covid19 crisis,' says Nathan Long, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. 'We'd support a comprehensive review of all capital taxes because we'd like them to be simple and fair. 'We want a system which incentivises people to invest well and for the long term and encourages wealth to trickle between generations. 'A formal, holistic review would prevent isolated knee-jerk tweaks which slowly, but surely, erode even the best designed tax systems. 'Capital gains tax currently doesn't take account of how long people have held an investment, but it should. It also leaves investors semi-trapped in investments to avoid incurring a tax penalty. 'In the case of those with a second property they want to sell, this doesn't really promote sale of housing stock to first time buyers. 'But it would be naive to assume the Chancellor didn't have his eye on tweaking taxes to refill his coffers. 'We're open to seeing findings of a review but fundamentally wouldn't support ramping up tax on wealth to pay for the bailout. 'This retrospective approach would undermine the fragile confidence of savers and investors.' Tom Selby, senior analyst at AJ Bell, says: 'With UK borrowing set to hit its highest level in peacetime history, Chancellor Rishi Sunak's request for a review of CGT feels like the starting pistol for a tax grab ahead of the autumn Budget later this year. 'Given those who pay CGT are twice as likely to pay higher-rate (40 per cent) income tax as taxpayers generally, the Treasury may have its sights set on aligning CGT rates and income tax rates. 'Such a shift could both simplify the system and raise tax revenue particularly if the annual exempt amount, currently set at 12,300, is either slashed or abolished altogether. 'Any attempt to attack CGT would inevitably face stiff resistance from Conservative backbenchers. However, with the Treasury needing to raise funds to pay for its COVID-19 response and a huge Parliamentary majority, the Government may feel CGT cuts are among its least-worst options.' Nimesh Shah, a partner at Blick Rothenberg, says: 'Simplification in this instance could spell bad news for investors as the Chancellor starts to prepare his inevitable tax raid. 'The role of the OTS is to offer proposals to simplify certain areas of UK tax however, they have occasionally strayed into making policy recommendations, which is not strictly within their remit. 'A good example of this was the last review of inheritance tax. 'There is a very compelling case for tax reform and simplification generally. 'There are five different CGT rates which could apply for an individual realising a capital gain 0/10/18/20/28 per cent. 'There is a good argument to say that there should be a single flat rate of CGT. 'There is also an argument to abolish CGT (and inheritance tax) completely the taxes combined raise less than 1 per cent of total tax revenue for the Treasury, but there is significant cost of administration for HMRC to manage the collection of the tax. 'The biggest axe could fall on main residence relief this is a very generous CGT relief which can effectively provide tax exemption for when someone sells their main residence. 'There has been previous speculation that the relief could become subject to a per transaction or lifetime cap or abolished completely. 'Property, and residential property, has become one of the most heavily taxed asset classes in the UK the main residence is one of the few remaining tax reliefs associated with property, and so it's logical to suggest that the Government may be looking at how additional tax revenue could be generated from this area.' Sean McCann, chartered financial planner at NFU Mutual, says: 'There are many traps with CGT that can spring nasty surprises. 'Few people realise that they may have to pay CGT when they give away property, shares, or other investments. 'For example, if a parent gives a second property or a portfolio of shares to their children in order to help them out, that counts as a disposal and could be liable for CGT. 'It's also possible that gift could be hit with a subsequent inheritance tax charge if the parent dies within seven years of making it. Those that hold onto everything until death, see the capital gains slate wiped clean and only have to worry about IHT. 'Given the economic situation facing the younger generation due to the coronavirus pandemic, it would make sense to simplify the rules to encourage the older generation to pass on wealth during their lifetime.' Nick Knowles says lockdown has been one of the best things to have happened to him after he broke up with his girlfriend in January. The DIY SOS star, 57, split from PR executive Emily Hallinan, 26, after a year of dating. But the TV personality said he feels in a better place now than he has in decades. New lease of life: Nick Knowles says lockdown has been one of the best things to have happened to him after he broke up with his girlfriend in January The star told The Sun: 'There are times in your life when you are with someone, and there are times when youre not.And being single can actually be a very positive thing 'Having a three-month, enforced sit-down has actually been one of the best things that's happened to me in my life. 'I feel in a better place now than I have done for probably 20 years, just spending some time getting to know yourself before re-entering the fray.' Nick has been married twice, divorcing his second wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016. Over: The DIY SOS star, 57, split from PR executive Emily Hallinan, 26, after around a year of dating (pictured in December 2019) He has always remained tight-lipped about his love life but has been seen with a number of younger women at his side in recent years. The presenter says he has never confirmed or denied any rumours, and hasn't revealed if he is dating anyone now. But he said lockdown was the perfect time to take stock of himself. Turbulent love life: He has always remained tight-lipped about his romances but has been seen with a number of younger women at his side in recent years Nick shared the news of his break-up in January on Twitter, urging his followers not to worry about Valentine's Day as he was single. He penned: 'Happy Valentine's. And if you're single like me don't worry, we don't have to join in everything every year. I missed national prune day too. Because it's not the end of the world to be single for a while'. Nick poked fun at the annual holiday and seemed amused by a fan who penned: 'Not everyone has a Patrick on St patricks day either Nick.' Tight-lipped: The presenter says he has never confirmed or denied any rumours, and hasn't revealed if he is dating anyone now Fellow TV star Carol Vorderman appeared tickled as he said: 'I missed Cheese Day, International Pizza Day and something else that I can't remember....don't worry Nicko my bud....it'll soon be Christmas'. The pair reportedly began dating last year, after exchanging a series of messages about a work opportunity on Twitter, with Nick telling Emily to get in touch. They were spotted together several times together, once in London's West End where they went to see musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, days after Nick was pictured kissing a mystery blonde in the back of a black cab. Uh oh: Taking to Twitter, the DIY SOS star revealed he is single and urged his followers not to worry about Valentine's Day as he too is single Having a giggle: Fellow TV star Carol Vorderman appeared tickled as he said: 'I missed Cheese Day, International Pizza Day and something else that I can't remember....don't worry Nicko my bud....it'll soon be Christmas' A source told The Sun at the time that the pair looked cosy during the West End show, saying: 'They arrived pretty incognito but were definitely on a date inside. 'She was cosying up to him during the show and they shared a couple of tender moments during the emotional parts.' The source added: 'It didn't appear to be a serious relationship but it's clear that they were into each other.' Nick has remained tight-lipped about his love life following his divorce from his second wife in 2016. He was married to Jessica Rose Moor, 31, but the pair decided to go their separate ways after four years of marriage. Cheeky! The pair reportedly began dating last year, after exchanging a series of messages about a work opportunity on Twitter, with Nick telling Emily to get in touch Despite a bitter divorce battle surrounding the custody of their then three-year-old son Eddie, the pair are now back on good terms with one another, with Nick recently admitting he still cared about his former wife. Speaking to The Mirror in 2018 Nick said: 'It took me a while to figure stuff out. I'm really proud of the fact that Jess and I are really good. 'She's a great mother. Coming out of a marriage is hard, so I just want to make sure it stays respectful. I really care about my ex. She's got a new chap and I'm really pleased. They seem really happy.' Following the couple's split, Jessica entered a new relationship with RAF engineer William Babbage. Six more individuals all 61 years old or older have died of coronavirus in Hale County. The four women and two men are listed among the counts for Plainview in Tuesdays daily report from the Plainview/Hale County Health Department. The numbers bring Hale Countys death toll to 17 with 13 of those in Plainview. The counts mark the highest number of deaths reported in a single report since the city and county began tracking and publicly reporting virus data back in March. A city spokesperson said the deaths are not a result of any significant confined outbreak. They occurred within several days but were confirmed Monday afternoon, which is why theyre all listed together. The other count that shows significant growth in Tuesdays report is the number of recoveries. Fifty-two new recoveries were confirmed by 5 p.m. Monday and theyre all reflected in Plainviews numbers. Plainview is up to 529 reported recoveries. The total recoveries for Hale County are up to 563. The report also shows 32 new reported cases of COVID-19 across the county bringing the overall total confirmed case count to 808. Thirty of the newly confirmed cases were reported in Plainview, one in Abernathy and one in Hale Center. As of Monday, there had been 756 confirmed cases in Plainview, 11 each in Abernathy and Petersburg, 29 in Hale Center and one recovery in Edmonson. There are 228 active cases 214 in Plainview, four in Abernathy, nine in Hale Center, and one in Petersburg. A total of 5,584 COVID-19 tests have been administered at testing facilities across the county 231 more than what was reported in Mondays update. Of those tested, 4,907 have shown negative results and there are eight tests pending. There are also 238 people under monitoring. The 21 to 40 age group continues to show the most number of infections with 314. There have been 218 reported cases among those between 41 and 60 years old, 143 among those 20 years old or younger and 133 among those who are 61 years old or older. Of the total number of confirmed cases, 774 have been results of local transmissions, 32 were out-of-county transmissions and two are listed as indeterminate. As of Tuesday, there were 220 individuals with active cases recovering at home and eight were in a medical facility. Citizens are encouraged to practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and wear a face mask in public. Illegal mining case: ED recovers Rs 6cr in cash from CMs relatives during raids in Punjab SAD starts first of its kind social media initiative to reach out virtually to people in each and every constituency COLUMBUS, OhioThe Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments about whether Ohio State Universitys airport northwest of campus should continue to remain exempt from local property taxes. If successful, the suit could force the states largest university to pay a significant (though not yet specifically calculated) amount to schools in Dublin, already one of the wealthiest cities in the state. The lawsuit, filed by John OKeeffe of Worthington, argues that when Ohio State secured a property-tax exemption for the airport in 1943, the facility was used solely for the universitys flight-education program. But today, OKeeffe argues, 90% of the airports property is used not for educational purposes, but rather by private airport customers. OKeeffe is asking the Supreme Court to lift the tax exemption and send the case back to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals to split-list the property that is, determine what exactly percentage of the airport is not used for educational purposes and charge Ohio State a proportional amount of property taxes. Then-Tax Commissioner Joe Testa (in 2018) and the Board of Tax Appeals (in 2019) sided with Ohio State, which argues that the schools flight-education programs and 30 other degree programs use the airport, and that the airport can only remain in service if it allows corporate and personal aircraft to use it. In its reply brief to the Supreme Court, the university stated that OKeeffes lawsuit continues to look more and more like a personal crusade, noting that Dublin school officials declined to join the suit, even though they would be the beneficiaries of lifting the airports exemption and normally would be the ones to challenge a property-tax exemption. The university also argues that split-listing, the solution proposed by OKeeffe, is a tax category not authorized by law. Oral arguments in the case have not yet been scheduled. Jimmy Fallon, along with other late-night hosts, has been working remotely over the past few months. The studio is largely empty, but Jimmy Fallon is out of his home and back to the Tonight show stage. The NBC late-night host returned to NBCs Rockefeller Center headquarters Monday, saying he hoped he could provide his audience with a little more normal during the coronavirus pandemic. (Click here for LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak) Im here to show you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if we keep each other safe, Fallon said. Fallon, along with other late-night hosts, have been working remotely the past few months of months. The coronavirus pandemic shut down TV and film production in March for safety reasons. New York has slowly been reopening as other parts of the country are now feeling the full effects of the epidemic. He began his show with a filmed piece showing him walking to work, pulling down his mask so a Rockefeller Center security guard knew he was indeed an employee. His backup band, the Roots, were in place. Studio crew members wore face shields and masks. Everyone there had tested negative for COVID-19, he said. There was no audience. Fallon was dressed more informally, with a sweater instead of a suit. Normalcy, any type of normalcy, feels great, he said. So hopefully we can put a smile on your face an hour every night and let you sit back and relax while we try to bring you a little bit of normal. Guests, including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Charlize Theron, werent in the studio as the celebrity interviews continued remotely. Representatives for Stephen Colberts Late Show and Comedy Centrals The Daily Show with Trevor Noah both said plans were in the works to return to studios but put no timetable on it. Conan OBrien last week began broadcasting some of his late-night talk shows from an empty Los Angeles comedy club. Soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful on CBS began filming new episodes last month in Los Angeles, and filmmaker Tyler Perry is shooting two of his series for the BET network at his vast studio complex in Atlanta, Georgia. (With inputs from agencies) The BBC has tonight denied axing political journalist Andrew Neil in their latest round of job cuts, saying he is 'in talks' over a new TV role after cancelling his BBC Two interview show. The veteran broadcaster's political programme -The Andrew Neil Show- has not been on the air during the coronavirus pandemic, and the corporation today confirmed the programme will not be returning. It comes as the corporation has announced plans to cut a further 70 jobs from its news division, meaning the total number of job losses is expected to be 520. Viewers have criticised the BBC for pandering to 'cancel culture' and 'Left-wing, pro-Remain establishment elitists', with Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeting: 'The cancellation of @afneil's show is great news for those in power wishing to avoid scrutiny and a shame for everyone else.' Mr Neil, 71, made no comment today but shared social media posts from viewers and public figures criticising the BBC's decision and praising his tenacious interviewing style. However a BBC source told the MailOnline tonight they currently in discussions with the veteran broadcaster - famed for his forensic no-holds-barred interviews - to start a new interview series on BBC1. The source said: 'Any talk of letting go of Andrew totally misses the mark. We're huge fans of Andrew's long-form political interviews and are actually hoping to put a show like this on BBC One, rather than BBC Two.' 'We remain committed to Andrew Neil's in-depth interviews (as well as the Budget, US Election and other Specials). 'The Andrew Neil Show will not be returning but we're in discussions about a new interview series on BBC1'. Andrew Neil's political programme has not been on the air during the coronavirus pandemic, but the broadcaster said the show will not return even as the crisis subsides. A BBC spokesman told MailOnline that Mr Neil, 71, will not present Politics Live on a regular basis and head of news Fran Unsworth (right) there are no plans to replace his show with anything similar Andrew Neil was today retweeting social media posts critical of the BBC's decision to axe his short-lived programme as the corporation announced plans to axe another 70 jobs today Viewers were quick to defend Mr Neil and accuse the BBC of being run by 'left-wing establishment elitists' bowing under pressure from the 'cancel culture gang' Furious viewers slammed the BBC for axing Mr Neil's short-lived show, with Labour MP Wes Streeting tweeting: 'The cancellation of @afneil's show is great news for those in power wishing to avoid scrutiny and a shame for everyone else' From the 'Empty Chair' to Owen Jones: Some of Andrew Neil's 'greatest hits' at the BBC Andrew Neil explains why he wants to interview Boris Johnson prior to the election The 'Empty Chair': Neil vs Boris Johnson, December 2019 Mr Neil delivered a direct interview challenge to Boris Johnson during the 2019 General Election, telling him it was 'not too late' to accept his invitation to chat before the poll. Mr Johnson had refused to be interviewed by Mr Neil, who had spoken with Labour's Jeremy Corbyn and the Lib Dems' Jo Swinson. During an 'empty chair' moment,Mr Neil said: 'There is of course still one to be done, Boris Johnson. We have been asking him for weeks now to give us a date, a time, a venue. As of now, none has been forthcoming.' 'It is not too late. We have an interview prepared. Oven-ready, as Mr Johnson likes to say. The theme running through our questions is trust - and why at so many times in his career, in politics and journalism, critics and sometimes even those close to him have deemed him to be untrustworthy. 'It is, of course, relevant to what he is promising us all now.' Neil vs Ben Shapiro: May 2019 Mr Neil clashed with US conservative commentator Ben Shapiro on the BBC's Politics Live last year. Mr Shapiro was subjected to a tough interview by Mr Neil about previous remarks he had made, including 'Israelis like to build, Arabs like to bomb crap' and his support for new abortion laws in Georgia. The American, formerly of Breitbart, then accused Mr Neil of bias and suggested abortions after more than six weeks of pregnancy were brutal. 'You purport to be an objective journalist,' Mr Shapiro said. 'The BBC purports to be an objective, down-the-middle network. It obviously is not, it never has been, and you as a journalist are proceeding to call one side of the political aisle ignorant, barbaric and sending us back to the dark ages.' Mr Shapiro later said that he had been 'destroyed' by Mr Neil in the interview. Neil vs Owen Jones: January 2019 Mr Neil and commentator Owen Jones clashed in a row during the broadcast of the This Week programme. The row began after Mr Jones made a film about far-Right protesters who harassed him and other journalists. During the debate, Mr Jones raised Mr Neil's work outside his role at the BBC as chairman of the Press Holdings media group which publishes the weekly magazine The Spectator. As the debate drew to a close Mr Jones claimed the editorial line of The Spectator and other papers legitimised some far-Right views, provoking an angry response from Mr Neil. Mr Neil told Mr Jones: 'Your smears and lies about me are not going to be dealt with tonight so just move off it.' Neil vs Paris jihadists: November 2015 Mr Neil delivered a rousing speech against the Paris attackers who 'slaughtered 132 innocents to prove the future belongs to them, rather than a civilisation like France'. In his rousing message, he listed the artists and theorists who shaped French culture and who overshadow ISIS's beliefs and acts. 'I can't say I fancy their chances. France. The country of Descartes, Monet, Sartre Rousseau to Camus, Renoir, Berlioz, Daft Punk, Zizou Zidane,' he said. 'Liberte, egalite, fraternite and creme Brulee. 'Versus what? Beheadings, crucifixions, amputations, slavery, mass murder, medieval squalor and a death cult barbarity that would shame the Middle Ages.' He then thundered: 'I think the outcome is pretty clear to everyone but you. You will lose. In a thousand year's time, Paris, that glorious city of lights, will still be shining bright as will every other city like it. And you will be as dust, along with the ragbag of fascist Nazis and Stalinists that previously dared to challenge democracy and failed.' Advertisement Martin Daubney, a former Brexit Party MEP, tweeted: 'The Cancel Culture Gang - who claim cancel culture doesn't exist - will be delighted Andrew Neil has been cancelled. The BBC splurges 100million on 'diverse' content, then axes their No1 political journalist Total madness!' His colleague Rupert Lowe said: 'Axing Andrew Neil (@afneil) is a ridiculous decision. The one journalist who was capable of putting together a decent interview. The BBC's reputation goes lower and lower. I wonder which overpaid stars continue on the gravy train'. Kate Hoey tweeted: 'If @afneil no longer on the BBC makes it much easier to stop watching ANY of their political coverage'. Pro-Brexit pundit Darren Grimes said: 'The BBC seem to be doing all they can to make the case for axing the telly tax'. YouTuber Mahyar Tousi said: 'The BBC has cancelled Andrew Neil. Which means the organisation is now fully dominated primarily by left wing pro Remain establishment elitists.' One social media user commented: 'Of course they [the BBC] couldn't let such prolific 'social justice' campaigners go. Watch them on all channels.' Another tweeted: 'The BBC without Andrew Neil is a much poorer institution. When so much content reveals editorial bias across so many channels, he's one of the journalists you can rely on to really grill everyone'. Mr Neil earned 200,000 to 249,999 as a BBC presenter in the financial year 2016-17, according to the BBC. MailOnline has contacted Mr Neil for comment. Mr Neil last week said that his future at the BBC was in doubt and that he may be 'surplus to requirements'. He told The Radio Times: 'I would like to be doing more shows, of course I would. I don't know what's happening. 'There's no clarity at the moment, so I'm just waiting for the BBC to make up its mind,' he added, before hinting that he was weighing up his options. 'Let's say I'm looking at the portfolio and shaking up the mix,' he said. 'I mean, we're all thinking about the balance of our lives, aren't we?' Mr Neil was today retweeting angry social media posts critical of the BBC's decision to axe his short-lived programme. The BBC said the decision 'addresses the BBC's worsening financial position and draws on the experiences of operating' during the coronavirus pandemic. Head of news Fran Unsworth said: 'During this crisis audiences have turned to BBC News in their millions and I'm incredibly proud of what we, as a team, have been able to achieve. 'But if we don't make changes, we won't be sustainable. This crisis has led us to re-evaluate exactly how we operate as an organisation.' BBC plans include having fewer reporters overall, while more correspondents will be asked to work across a range of content. It will invest in new community affairs roles around the country, while reducing numbers in London. The BBC added that 'digital is at the heart of our journalism' and that it 'a new original journalism team will also be created, incorporating several staff from the Derbyshire show, to pursue under-reported and exclusive stories'. Politics Live, currently airing on Wednesdays, will return four days a week. Over 100 MPs and peers called on the BBC this month to protect the programme from the axe. BBC Parliament will 'focus on live and as-live coverage of the elected chambers across the UK and produce daily and weekly highlights programmes'. The BBC said it will 'no longer commission most of the other bespoke programmes we currently make for BBC Parliament, although we will continue to draw on our archive to broadcast our popular historical election coverage'. In January the BBC announced plans to cut 450 jobs in a bid to save 80million, which included axing the popular Victoria Derbyshire Show. The corporation postponed those job cuts and the decision to end free TV licences for the over-75s in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. That contributed to a further budget shortfall, meaning that the number of proposed job losses in news has increased by 70 posts. Ms Unsworth announced that BBC News will concentrate on fewer stories, with journalists pooled in centralised teams rather than working for specific programmes. The BBC News Channel and BBC World will continue to share some output, although they will remain separate channels. Radio 4's In Business and the Business Live page on the BBC News Website will also close, while business news bulletins on the BBC News channel will be reduced. Ms Unsworth said: 'Covid-19 has changed all of our lives. We are still covering the most challenging story of our lifetimes. 'During this crisis audiences have turned to BBC News in their millions and I'm incredibly proud of what we, as a team, have been able to achieve. 'But if we don't make changes, we won't be sustainable. This crisis has led us to re-evaluate exactly how we operate as an organisation. 'And our operation has been underpinned by the principles we set out earlier this year - fewer stories, more targeted and with more impact. The BBC today revealed The Andrew Neil Show will end as the corporation slashes a further 70 jobs in BBC News, taking the total number of redundancies to 520 'We're aiming to reach everyone, every day. For BBC News to thrive, and for us to continue to serve all our audiences, we have to change.' Broadcasting union Bectu said it would hold BBC management to account and seek to avoid compulsory redundancies. 'BBC News is one of the most trusted brands at home and abroad. In an era of fake news and during an unprecedented health crisis this trust in a public service broadcaster is critical,' said Bectu head, Philippa Childs. 'The government needs to take back responsibility for free licence fees for the over-75s, providing precious resources that would allow BBC News to continue to provide its world-leading range of news broadcasting.' SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Resorts World Sentosa, one of Singapore's biggest private sector employers, said on Wednesday it was laying off staff to cut costs as the coronavirus pandemic batters the city-state's tourism industry. The company, owned by Genting Singapore Ltd , did not disclose how many jobs will be lost, but the local Straits Times newspaper said the cuts were "significant". A spokesperson for Resorts World Sentosa said the firm had over 7,000 full-time employees at the end of 2019, but declined to comment on its current employment level. The Genting Singapore website says RWS is one of Singapore's largest employers. Resorts World Sentosa's facilities, spread over 49 hectares, encompass a hotel, a casino and a Universal Studios theme park among other attractions. "We have made the difficult decision to implement a one-off workforce rationalisation," it said in a statement. A handful of staff trudging past mostly quiet restaurants outside the entrance to the casino on Wednesday afternoon told Reuters they had been called in to meet with the human resources department. Singapore's economy plunged into recession in the second quarter, shrinking a record 41% from the previous quarter, data showed on Tuesday, putting it on track for its deepest slump ever. The tourism industry, which contributes about 4% to the economy, has been one of the worst affected sectors due to travel restrictions and a lockdown that lasted more than two months to curb the spread of COVID-19. Across the causeway, casino operator Genting Malaysia was cutting 3,000 jobs, or about 15% of its workforce, media reported last month. Genting Malaysia did not respond to a request for comment. Genting Singapore and Genting Malaysia are part of Malaysian conglomerate Genting Berhad . "COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the tourism industry is unprecedented, immediate, and immense," Singapore's National Trades Union Congress said in a statement on the job cuts. Story continues It added that it was working with Resorts World Sentosa on compensation terms, and would help affected employees with training and finding new jobs. Just last year the company announced it would invest about S$4.5 billion ($3.2 billion) to expand its tourist attractions in the city-state. (Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan, John Geddie and Edgar Su in Singapore; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Kuala Lumpur; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Kim Coghill) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgJunction Inc. (TSX: AJX) ("AgJunction" or the "Company"), today announced that it has reached an agreement in principal to settle the patent infringement lawsuit it filed against Kubota Corporation in August of 2019. The parties will work diligently on a written settlement agreement and associated documents, which they anticipate will take up to 45-60 days to complete. In the event they are not able to reach a final agreement to settle the lawsuit by then, the parties are required to notify the court. About AgJunction AgJunction Inc. is a global leader of advanced guidance and autosteering solutions for precision agriculture applications. Its technologies are critical components in over 30 of the worlds leading precision agriculture manufacturers and solution providers and it holds over 200 patents and patents pending. AgJunction markets its solutions under leading brand names including Novariant, Wheelman, Whirl and Handsfreefarm. AgJunction is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol AJX. For more information, please go to AgJunction.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws and is based on the expectations, estimates and projections of management of AgJunction as of the date of this news release, unless otherwise stated. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to its current and future operations. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Although the Companys management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievement since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and political uncertainties and contingencies as well as unanticipated force majeure events. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Company. In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements with respect to: the Companys strategy, plans, objective sales, financial position and focus. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information contained in this press release. Story continues In respect of the forward-looking information, AgJunction has provided such information in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including, but not limited to, the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; that AgJunction's future results of operations will be consistent with management expectations in relation thereto; product and market expansion; availability of key supplies, components, services, networks and developments; the impact of competition; conditions in general economic, agricultural autosteering and financial markets; uncertainty around the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response on global and regional economies and economic activity; demand for the Company's products; and the continuity of existing business relationships. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, such information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to the risks associated with the industries in which AgJunction operates; competition; inability to successfully introduce new technology and new products in a timely manner; legal claims for the infringement of intellectual property and other claims; negative conditions in general economic, agricultural and financial markets; and reduced demand for the Company's products. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on other factors that could affect the Company's operations or financial results, are included in reports of AgJunction on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including but not limited to, AgJunction's Annual Information Form which may be accessed on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and AgJunction undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Contact: Media press@agjunction.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:46:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MALE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail of the Maldives has assured Wednesday that it is safe for tourists to visit the country as its airport is reopened to international tourists after four months. At a special ceremony held on Wednesday at the Velana International Airport, a A350 flight operated by the Qatar Airways landed at 8:26 a.m. and received a water salute. The flight carried 127 passengers which included 103 tourists, all from European countries. Talking to journalists after the welcoming ceremony, Fayyaaz, also the acting head of the Tourism Ministry said that the Maldives had put up a strong fight against the COVID-19 and now the country had good testing facilities and backup facilities, local media reported. Inviting all tourists to visit and rediscover the sunny side of life, he said that the Maldives had the best system to ensure the safety of the tourists. The government was working to bring in more tourists through discussions with top tourism markets in consideration with the threat of COVID-19 and their precautions, he added. President Ibrahim Solih visited the Velana International Airport on Tuesday to inspect precautionary measures, including screening arrivals for COVID-19 symptoms, enforcing social distancing and good hygiene, and expanding testing capacity. Maldives noted a record 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019 and hopes to attract 850,000 visitors by the end of this year despite shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and that he is isolating at home, making him the first U.S. governor to report testing positive. Stitt, 48, said he mostly feels fine, although he started feeling a little achy Tuesday and sought a test. He said his wife and children were also tested Tuesday and that none of their results came back positive. Stitt has backed one of the countrys most aggressive reopening plans, resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself. We respect peoples rights to not wear a mask, Stitt said during Wednesdays news conference, which was held virtually. You just open up a big can of worms. A lot of businesses are requiring it, and thats fine, he said. Im just hesitant to mandate something that I think is problematic to enforce. Stitt attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there. Stitt said hes confident he didnt contract the virus at the rally. As far as where he became infected, its really unknown, Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr. Lance Frye said. It wasnt so far back as the rally, which took place nearly a month ago. Most people infected by the new coronavirus develop mild or moderate symptoms and recover after about two weeks. The governor doesnt have any underlying medical conditions that would make him particularly susceptible to serious complications associated with the virus, Stitts spokesman Charlie Hannema said. Frye said contact tracing has begun in Stitts case, with a particular emphasis on determining those who may have been within 6 feet of the governor for longer than 15 minutes. In recent months, Stitt has attended numerous meetings and press conferences in which he was in close contact with people without wearing a mask. And he came under fire early in the pandemic after he tweeted a photo of himself and his children eating at a crowded restaurant. One of Stitts cabinet members, David Ostrowe, tested positive for the coronavirus in March. On Tuesday morning, Stitt attended a meeting of the Commissioners of the Land Office in a conference room at the state Capitol that was attended by more than 20 people. Stitt said he has reached out to Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur whom he said he spoke with during the meeting. Pinnell said on Twitter that hes not experiencing any virus symptoms but that he plans to be tested and will quarantine at home. Stitt also attended a meeting earlier this month with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is considering Tulsa as a possible site for the automakers new U.S. assembly plant. A Tulsa restaurant that Stitt visited last week, Kai Vietnamese Cuisine, announced on its Facebook page that it was closing temporarily so that its staff can be tested and the restaurant professionally cleaned. Stitts announcement came as Oklahoma reported a second consecutive day of record-high numbers of confirmed new virus cases, with 1,075, bringing the statewide total to more than 22,000. The previous daily high was 993 confirmed cases on Tuesday. Health officials also confirmed four additional COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the statewide death toll to 432. Coronavirus-related hospitalizations also are surging in Oklahoma, increasing from 458 last week to 561 on Wednesday, although Frye said there is still plenty of hospital capacity. While Stitt has resisted calls for a statewide mask mandate, several local municipalities have enacted one, including the college towns of Norman and Stillwater. Tulsas city council is expected to consider a mask mandate on Wednesday. Dr. George Monks, the president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said Stitts diagnosis is an unfortunate reminder that no one is safe from this rampant pandemic. On behalf of Oklahomas physicians, we wish the governor a quick recovery and encourage all Oklahomans to take protective measures that can help slow the spread of coronavirus. A man is under police investigation after allegedly assaulting a staff member at a McDonalds restaurant over the use of face masks in Hong Kong, according to reports. The male customer who had entered the store without a face covering became angry after the fast-food chain worker reminded him to put one on, said local media. The incident comes as Hong Kong has launched strict measures this week to battle a surge of coronavirus infections emerging in the city since July. A man has faced police investigation after he allegedly assaulted a staff member at a McDonalds restaurant in Hong Kong, according to reports Viral footage shows the furious diner throwing punches at the male employee before pushing him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him. The restaurant worker is being treated at a local hospital after suffering injuries on his face, according to reports. The incident is said to have happened in the early morning of Tuesday at a McDonalds branch at Shan King Commercial Centre in Hong Kongs Tuen Mun district. A man and a woman were ordering food before the restaurant manager asked them to wear face coverings. The franchise business said that they had stopped serving customers who show fever symptoms or not wearing face-coverings, according to local station Radio Television Hong Kong. Angered by the employees reminder, the man is seen in a clip force-entering the restaurants front counter while shouting call the police then. The incident is said to have happened in the early morning of Tuesday at a McDonalds branch at Shan King Commercial Centre in Hong Kongs Tuen Mun district The customer then started hitting the worker before pushing him to the floor and repeatedly kicking him. After the man launched the brutal assault, the couple left the McDonalds in a hurry and were picked up by a van outside the restaurant, reported local newspaper Apple Daily. Police told the local media that they had received a report from the restaurant following the incident. The male manager, known by his surname Luo, is said to have suffered injuries on his face and been treated at a local hospital. A McDonalds spokesperson told the local media that the company would continue to comply with the governments anti-virus measures following the city's new surge of cases. The file picture taken in 2018 shows customers eating at a McDonald's restaurant in Hong Kong The officers have detained a 27-year-old man, known by his surname Zhang, who was the driver of the van but not the attacker, according to reports. The authorities are still trying to locate the male customer who beat the manager amid an ongoing investigation, said Apple Daily. A spokesperson from McDonald's confirmed the incident to MailOnline and said: 'The incident is being handled by the police. McDonalds Hong Kong will fully co-operate with their investigation. 'We are strongly committed to the safety of our customers and employees, and will continue to operate in accordance with the Hong Kong governments anti-pandemic measures, including refusing service to those having a fever or not wearing a mask. 'We hope that our restaurant employees will not be assaulted again when they remind customers to put on a mask,' said the spokesperson. The US company's franchise businesses in mainland China and Hong Kong have been mostly owned by a state-owned company CITIC since 2017. The government had gradually relaxed coronavirus restrictions in May but the city has been hit by a new wave. Pictured, people wearing face masks in an MTR train in Hong Kong on July 13 It comes after Hong Kong government has announced fresh anti-virus measures this week to fight what officials called 'a third wave' of COVID-19 cases. The authorities have banned more than four people from gathering in public and requiring passengers to wear face masks on public transport or risk a 510 fine. Alongside a ban on more than four people gathering in public, restaurants will only be able to serve takeaway food from 6:00pm to 5:00am, however they can still serve those eating in for breakfast and lunch. Amboy, N.Y. State police have identified the Amboy resident involved in a motorcycle accident Monday afternoon. Joseph E. Tilden, 32, was driving his 2000 Harley Davidson south on Foil Road in the Town of Amboy at around 3:20 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve due to speed, New York state police said Tuesday. Tilden was ejected from the motorcycle, police said. Police said Tilden was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with non-life threatening injuries. Tilden was treated at the hospital and released, a hospital spokeswoman said Tuesday. Nolan Weidner is a reporter for the Syracuse Post-Standard and syracuse.com. Got a comment or idea for a story? He can be reached via email at nweidner@syracuse.com. The San Antonio Fire Department needed more than 20 units to battle a house fire east of downtown. Crews arrived at the home around 1:30 p.m. to find heavy flames coming out of the first and second floors of the home, said SAFD spokesman Joe Arrington. One woman was rescued from the home and transported to the hospital with severe burns to her legs and feet. Arrington said she had gone back inside to rescue the familys cat and dog. Both pets were able to escaped the fire. Once firefighters arrived, they immediately went into defensive mode to fight the challenging fire. Arrington said the large, heavy roof of the older home collapsed and blocked water from getting in. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Its a stubborn fire, Arrington said. These old houses in this neighborhood are built very well. Firefighters also needed to be mindful of the outside temperatures. San Antonio was once again hit with triple-digit heat. Benjamin Smith stood across the street as he watched his next door neighbors home burn. I was taking a nap and heard the horns outside, it was a fiery wake-up call, Smith said. Firefighters eventually evacuated Smith, who only had time to grab a pair of keys. They kept Smith's home safe with a curtain of water between the burning home and his. It all happened so quick, I get out and the heat was just stupendous, Smith said. I could just feel the flames roaring. Arrington said it will take several hours to get the fire fully contained. Because crews havent been able to get inside of the house, officials dont know what caused the fire. An arson investigator was on the scene as a precaution, but Arrington said so far nothing seems suspicious about the fire. Heavy smoke cloaked the area as the fire burned, but Arrington assured it wasnt hazardous smoke burning. We dont recommend standing in it, especially if you have respiratory issues, but it is just timber smoke, Arrington said. Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway ORLEANS The Nauset school system has talked the talk, and many members even walked the walk at the well-attended June 5 march in support of Black Lives Matter. Last week, the regional school committee took another step by endorsing an anti-racism resolution being circulated by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees that seeks to ensure that racist practices are eradicated, and diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded for our students, families, faculty and staff. At the committees June 11 meeting, Nauset Regional High School Principal Chris Elsasser had high praise for the students who organized the march, which drew around 1,000 participants. The girls who put that together, they did that on their own, he said. It speaks to the quality of their education. They dont really need us. We educated them up. They know what to do. It was an amazing day to see so many white people walking for such a cause. That is gonna be the change. Its not what it looked like in the '60s. I never thought Id see a march like that take place in Orleans, said member Richard Stewart. Elsasser responded, It speaks volumes to people who have been suffering a very long time that we are all now paying attention. I, too, along with Chris and (middle school principal) Julie (Kobold) am proud to say we marched on that protest day, Superintendent Tom Conrad said. It was very important for the kids to see us walking shoulder to shoulder with them on such an important topic. We can be proud for the girls who led that charge, and the hundreds of Nauset people there supporting this effort. Enough is enough, right? It is time for change. The change called for in the resolution the committee approved last week is wide-ranging and demanding. It requires schools to provide annual professional development for all staff and school committee members on diversity, equity, and inclusion and requires a commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse and culturally responsive teaching workforce and an examination of policies for institutional and systemic racialized practices. The resolution reads, every district will incorporate into their curriculum the history of racial oppression and works by Black authors and works from diverse perspectives. It concludes, We must ensure our own school culture and that of every district in the Commonwealth is anti-racist, that acknowledges that all lives cannot matter until Black lives matter. During a discussion later in the July 9 meeting of a proposed summer retreat for members, Stewart said, There should be some discussion addressing the race question. Based on the resolution, weve really got to drill into it and look to see how even well-intentioned people and institutions might perpetuate residual racism in our system unintentionally. Thats one of the problems thats surfacing in this period. Thats gonna be tough to address, and we ought to take some time to do that. Systemic racism is what Im getting at. Last week, another resolution advanced by the association of school committees received unanimous approval from the Nauset board as well. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that each school district is able to pay for the enormous additional staffing, transportation and material expenses required to re-open this fall in the midst of the COVD-19 pandemic, according to the document. The state cannot expect COVID-19 safety guidelines to be followed without also ensuring that each school district has the funds required to implement these guidelines, the document declares, adding that the state must guarantee every school district full reimbursement for whatever COVID-19 expenses are required to follow state mandates. At its July 9 meeting, high school building committee chair Greg Levasseur told the regional board that contracts with the projects architect and owners project manager have been extended through May of next year, using funds remaining from the original feasibility study. That timeline coincides with the new deadline for voter approval of the project that was granted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. BRIDGEPORT Declan Kot had been hammered, according to his statement to police. He had consumed six alcoholic drinks on a friends boat on July 4 and his girlfriend ended up having to drive his Dodge Ram pickup truck while he slept it off in the passenger seat. But, police said, after dropping his girlfriend off at her home in Fairfield, Kot, 22, said felt well enough to drive to his home in Easton. Marileidy Morel-Araujo never saw Kot speeding towards her. On Wednesday, Kot was arraigned in state Superior Court for the 32-year-old Morel-Araujos death. Standing beside his lawyer, John R. Gulash, before a video camera in a separate courtroom because of pandemic precautions, Kot pleaded not guilty before Judge Kevin Doyle to evading responsibility involving a fatality, misconduct with a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and motor vehicle charges. He and his lawyer also asked for a jury trial. Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Cornelius Kelly told the judge the state may add manslaughter charges as the investigation unfolds. He said they have additional evidence that Kot had been drinking before the crash. Doyle denied a motion from Gulash to take off the restriction, which bans Kot, who is free on bond, from driving. I understand part of the investigation reveals there was drinking that day but the court could satisfy any concerns by requiring he have an ignition locking device. He certainly would be willing to have that as a condition, Gulash argued. But Kelly said he and the victims family, who he has been in contact with, would object to allowing Kott to continue driving. The judge continued the case to July 30. We are going to take it one step at a time, Gulash commented as he and Kot left the Fairfield County Courthouse. Morel-Araujo and her boyfriend, Daniel Fernandez, had gone to Fairfield from their home in Pennsylvania for a 4th of July barbecue with Fernandezs sister, Denise Fernandez, who has a home on Redding Road. At 7:30 p.m. on July 4, police said Morel-Araujo took her dog, Coal, for a walk on Redding Road. A Fairfield man, who had gone out for ice cream with his girlfriend, was driving home to his house on Redding Road when his girlfriend spotted Morel-Araujo bleeding in the roadway. She shouted, Oh my god, stop there is a woman in the road, police said. The couple stopped their vehicle and went to check on Morel-Araujo, soon joined by a Bridgeport man who happened on the scene a minute later. The Bridgeport man got out of his car and held Morel-Araujos hand until help arrived, police said. Meanwhile, Denise Fernandez noticed flashing emergency lights at the end of her driveway and went out to investigate. Police said Fernandez saw emergency personnel hovering over the body of a young woman in the street. A little white dog was wandering around near the womans body and Fernandez thought it looked very much like her brothers dog Coal. A short time later officers arrived at the Fernandez home with the sad news. Police said there was confusion when witnesses initially identified the striking vehicle as a dark green Jeep with an American flag streaming from the back. Video from adjacent homes, as well as pieces of the striking vehicle left at the scene, determined it was a white Dodge pickup, a large American flag affixed to its rear bumper. They said video showed the truck had swerved across the yellow line on Redding Road and the passenger side mirror had struck Morel-Araujo in the back of the head causing her to fall face forward onto the pavement. On July 7, Fairfield Police Officer Virgil Procaccini was on routine patrol when he spotted a pickup matching the description and pulled it over. The driver, Kot, agreed to go to police headquarters. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Kot admitted he had been driving his pickup after consuming six alcoholic drinks. He drove off the road near some bushes/trees and heard a loud bang on the side of his vehicle which startled him; he thought he hit a tree branch at the time, police stated in the affidavit, noting the area of the collision does not have any shrubbery or trees. According to the affidavit, Kot said when he got home, he noticed missing pieces on his passenger side mirror and replaced the mirror. During this interview, Kot began to cry and, the affidavit states, he was internally totally panicked. Then, police said, Kot admitted seeing the victim on the side of the road. At least nine were killed and 20 injured in an attack on a camp for internally displaced people, UNAMID says. The joint United Nations and African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has condemned the violence in Sudans North Darfur province, including a deadly attack on a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs). In a statement on Tuesday, the peacekeeping mission expressed deep concern about the violent incidents that erupted in the town of Kutum on July 12 and the attack by unidentified armed men the following day on the Fata Borno IDP camp that left at least nine people dead and 20 wounded. It is regrettable that these incidents have taken place while the transitional government of Sudan and the armed movements are close to concluding negotiations expected to bring peace and stability to the Darfur region and the whole of Sudan, UNAMID said. Over the past week, unidentified gunmen have waged attacks in the war-scarred region on protesters staging sit-ins to demand better security and a civilian state government. State governor positions in Sudan are held by military officers despite the overthrow last year of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in the face of mass protests. 200713 KUTUM Militiamen break up Fata Borno sit in Radio Dabanga compila https://t.co/HRpMFVN8d1 via @YouTube Radio Dabanga (@Radiodabanga) July 14, 2020 The Sudanese Professionals Association, which spearheaded the demonstrations against al-Bashir, condemned the attack in Fata Borno. It said the attackers burned houses and a market and looted livestock in the area. UNAMID also said it regretted the physical damage to government buildings and private property caused by such violent acts. In Kutum, authorities in said the violence erupted when a government convoy came under attack after a meeting between security officials and the protesters to discuss their demands. Mohammed Ibrahim Abdel-Karim, acting governor of North Darfur, said in a statement that security officials, who met with the protesters on Sunday, immediately met some of their demands and pledged to work on the rest. He said the officials left the area on a plane, but that lawbreakers wielding stones and knives attacked government vehicles carrying reporters, guards and other officials, forcing them to shelter in a police station. Abdel-Karim said the men then attacked the police station, burning it to the ground, along with a dozen vehicles, including the convoy cars. On Monday, the provincial government in North Darfur declared a state of emergency across the province. It said in a statement that more troops would be deployed to Fata Borno and nearby towns to restore security and stability. The conflict in Darfur started in 2003 after mostly non-Arab rebels rose up against the central government in the capital, Khartoum. Government forces and mainly Arab militias, which moved to repress the revolt, have been accused of widespread atrocities. Some 300,000 people were killed in the conflict, according to UN estimates. There has been no serious fighting for years, but the conflict remains unresolved as Arab armed groups are still present and control land they seized. Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after the militarys removal of al-Bashir in April 2019. A civilian opposition coalition agreed to joint governance with the military in a three-year transition towards free elections, but key parts of the deal, such as appointing civilian state governors, have not been implemented. The transitional government has pledged to end the conflict in Darfur and is holding talks with some of the rebel groups that had fought al-Bashirs government. The new patient is a 53-year-old man who returned home on a repatriation flight from Russia on July 9. He resides in Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi. After landing at Can Tho International Airport, he was sent to a concentrated quarantine facility in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. On July 12, he was taken samples for testing and the result showed positive for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. He is being quarantined and treated at Ca Mau General Hospital. Vietnam has now gone 89 days without any community transmissions. Among the total 373 cases, 232 were imported and quarantined right upon arrival. Two more patients have been given the all-clear from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 352 or 94.4% of all cases. Notably, there is zero death. The remaining patients are being treated at health facilities across the country. Most of them are in stable condition. Five have tested negative for the virus once, and one tested negative at least twice. A small number of people who expressed an interest in trying the spacex Starlink broadband service are expected to be given access this summer. The Elon Musk-owned space firm has been launching a constellation of broadband providing devices since 2019 and now has 540 satellites in low Earth orbit. Until now users in the US and Canada wanting to sign up for Starlink broadband were asked to provide a zip or post code - but now they are asked for an address. This is so SpaceX can determine whether those interested in the service will be within the coverage area of the satellites already put into orbit. It is thought users in the Northern United States and lower parts of Canada will be the first to have access once at least 600 satellites have been launched. SpaceX is set to send its tenth batch June 26, but forecasts show the Falcon 9 has just a 40 percent chance of taking off from Kennedy Space Center In an email to people who registered interest in the service, SpaceX said a private beta will begin this summer with select users and a public test will launch later. The firm estimates it will need at least 800 satellites to offer a full service, but will have 600 in orbit later this year providing broadband to selected areas. The company are currently going through the 'regulatory' process that includes applying for a telecom licence in Canada allowing it to provide commercial services. SpaceX plans to launch at least 2,200 satellites over the next five years in order to offer a global broadband service covering even the most remote areas of the world. They have accelerated efforts over the past month, sending dozens of Starlinks to orbit every week to create its global internet network. The firm says it hopes to be able to start offering a basic internet service when it has a constellation of at least 800 satellites - likely to happen later this year. The beta is expected to open up in later this summer or in early Autumn. 'Private beta testing is expected to begin later this summer, followed by public beta testing, starting with higher latitudes,' SpaceX said in an email. If approved, beta testers will be sent a kit by SpaceX that will include a dish and a router that has already been given FCC approval. SpaceX has been experimenting with ways to make the craft less visible from Earth, and the Jun 4 batch included one experimental craft with an inbuilt sun visor CEO Elon Musk said in April: We have a radio-transparent foam that will deploy nearly upon the satellite being released, and it blocks the sun from reaching the antennas' The firm has warned connectivity will be intermittent while it builds up its constellation to minimum capacity but the system will be free for testers. Poor weather conditions postponed SpaceX's tenth launch of Starlink satellites into orbit for the second time earlier in July but the firm is still on target. The launch of these satellites would have brought SpaceX's Starlink constellation to very nearly 600 total spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. This is now expected to happen later this summer with the rest of the 800 'pre-launch' satellites put into low Earth orbit later in the year. SpaceX has permission to put 12,000 LEO satellites into space for its Starlink constellation but has asked for permission to put up to 30,000 into orbit. This would be for a second generation system not yet announced or confirmed. Hyatt Still Bullish on Building New Hotels in Current Economy Coronavirus tanked travel demand around the world earlier this year, and the appetite for hotel construction loans evaporated along with it. But that hasnt stopped Hyatt from moving forward with plans to grow its Thompson Hotels brand portfolio by nearly 70 percent in the next three years. The nine-hotel Thompson Hotels brand is on track to gain six new properties across the southeastern U.S. and Texas, Hyatt announced earlier this month. Hotels in Savannah, Georgia, and Atlantas Buckhead neighborhood are expected to open in 2021. Thompson properties in San Antonio and Dallas are slated to open this fall while one in Austin is on track to open in mid-2021. A Houston Thompson Hotel is scheduled to open in 2023. Hyatt continues to see growth opportunities for the brand, despite the headwinds in pushing forward an entirely new-build concept amid a stark construction lending environment. In truth, new-build projects are, at a minimum, a three-year endurance test and more often four to five, said David Tarr, senior vice president of development at Hyatt. We just happened to have a robust pipeline of projects that were under construction or very advanced in development when things started up. Most of the Thompson Hotels recently announced were already under construction, meaning they already had financing lined up and werent impacted by the lending market drying up earlier this year. But even those properties, slated to open over the next 12 months, face arriving during the most difficult era for the U.S. hotel industry. Of course, nobody wants to be opening hotels into a pandemic, but we remain optimistic and hopeful that between vaccine and therapeutic treatments the things we all need to see, as the American public, to get back to traveling are going to occur, Tarr said. Were very optimistic how each of these will do, it just may take a bit longer to get all the wind in their sails that we know theyll get. No Bank? No Problem Story continues Tarr also acknowledged hotel projects that are further away from opening day and still in need of financing may take longer than expected to open. But the drought in traditional construction loans doesnt mean a new-build brand like Thompson has to halt growth plans over the next few years. Most of those projects are still intending to go forward when debt becomes available or, if they can, find alternative sources of capital, Tarr said. There are groups were talking to and our owners are talking to who can identify less conventional debt sources than institutional banks. Hotel developers looking to cobble together financing in todays tough commercial lending environment still have a menu of financing options to push ahead with new construction, experts say. Its quite clear the lending environment is challenged for new-build projects today across all asset types, with hotels and hospitality probably the most challenged with retail not too far behind, said Aaron Jodka, a managing director of research and client services at Colliers International. The scrutiny on any lending today is higher than it was six months ago. The EB-5 visa program, a pathway for immigrants to the U.S. to become permanent residents if they invest in a U.S. business employing at least 10 people, is still an option for developers despite anti-immigration rhetoric from the Trump administration. New York Citys Hudson Yards mixed-use development and the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles are among the highest-profile U.S. real estate projects funded through EB-5 investors. Hedge funds, private equity firms like Starwood Capital Group and Blackstone both of which invested in Extended Stay America earlier this year, foreign investors, and high-net-worth individuals are also viable alternative sources for developers in a downturn. Each of these options would almost certainly come at a cost. There are a number of tools developers can draw upon as alternative capital sources, but, generally speaking, those sources of capital are going to be more expensive than traditional lenders like the commercial banks of the world, said Sean Hennessey, a professor at New York Universitys Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. To be successful, projects that go that route have to offer a better than average potential return to investors. But higher short-term costs need to be considered in the greater context of the entire project, especially for owners willing to hold onto a property for many years. Perhaps youre spending a little more money on the construction finance side to get the project up and running, but thats an 18-month to two-year period for an asset that will have a 50-year life, Hennessey added. Having more expensive lending in the near-term doesnt mean a project cant have a successful operational life once its up and running. Power Forward Thompson Hotels best near-term growth strategy likely arrived in late 2018 when Hyatt acquired its parent company, Two Roads Hospitality. Lenders focus on the experience and credit of the parent company, and, to the extent it wants to use its own corporate balance sheet, Hyatt gives Thompson Hotels a distinct advantage in securing financing compared to smaller companies, Hennessey said. It also helps that Hyatt, while still in growth mode for the brand, isnt looking to flood the market with Thompson Hotels in the downturn. It really gets down to the quality of the individual project, which is why weve as a company said more is not better. We want high-quality projects. Those are the ones that get financed and get done even in difficult times, Tarr said. And then there are projects of lesser quality that will fall out of the pipeline in some of these markets, which isnt necessarily a bad thing. Subscribe to Skift newsletters for essential news about the business of travel. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was released from a Maryland hospital Wednesday after a health scare over a possible infection, according to a spokeswoman. Ginsburg was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday after experiencing fever and chills. Initially, the Supreme Court said the 87-year-old justice expected to stay at the hospital for a few days to receive antibiotic treatment after doctors had to clean out a bile duct stent she had placed last year after receiving treatment for a cancerous tumor in her pancreas. But a Supreme Court spokeswoman said Bader Ginsburg healed up quickly and was at home and doing well after being discharged Wednesday afternoon. Ginsburg, whos served on the high bench since 1993, has been treated four times for cancer. In addition to the tumor on her pancreas last year, she was treated for colorectal cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer again in 2009. She had lung surgery to remove cancerous growths in December 2018. The liberal-leaning justice earned the nickname the notorious RBG after participating in arguments the Supreme Court heard by telephone earlier this year while at the hospital for a gallstone infection. 2020 New York Daily News Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Early voting for the Tennessee State and Federal Primary and County General Election begins Friday and will continue daily, excluding Sundays, until Saturday, Aug. 1. Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6. Our office has been working diligently to ensure a safe and secure election for voters, said Kerry Steelman the Hamilton County administrator of Elections. I encourage Hamilton County voters to help us minimize the amount of time it takes to cast a ballot by voting early. Early voting provides Tennesseans the opportunity to avoid Election Day crowds, he said. Early voting also offers the flexibility of evening and Saturday hours at any one of the countys four early voting locations. During early voting and on Election Day, Hamilton County voters are encouraged to do their part. This includes wearing a face covering and maintaining a six-foot distance from poll officials and other voters. Voters should expect to see signage with further safety instructions at their polling locations. All poll officials will be wearing face coverings and have been trained to take appropriate protective measures. This includes maintaining six-foot distancing, distributing disposable pens and privacy folders, and routine cleaning of the voting site throughout the day. The safety of voters and poll officials are our top priority, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. With social distancing measures and many other safety precautions with this election, I urge voters to take advantage of Tennessees generous early voting period. Hamilton County voters can find early voting and Election Day polling locations, view and mark sample ballots and much more with the GoVoteTN app or online at GoVoteTN.com. You can download the GoVoteTN app for free in the App Store or Google Play. Reviewing your sample ballot and deciding how you will vote will reduce your time at the polls. Voters who have moved within Hamilton County or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location. Tennesseans voting early or on Election Day should remember to bring valid photo identification with them to the polls. A driver's license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, by Tennessee state government or by the federal government are acceptable even if they are expired. College student IDs are not acceptable. More information about what types of ID are acceptable can be found on GoVoteTN.com. For more information about early voting in Hamilton County visit HamiltonElections.com. A 14-year-old girl accused of murdering her 10-year-old cousin was previously suspended from school for throwing a pair of scissors at a classmate. The teenager allegedly killed the young girl in the family farmhouse just outside Gunnedah in northern New South Wales early on Wednesday morning and fled. Her mother allegedly told police that her daughter recently started behaving strangely for no apparent reason. But family friends, school mums and even the girl's close mates told Daily Mail Australia that was a major understatement. Instead, they described a girl with a history of troubling behaviour and mental health issues. A woman walks two horses across a paddock on the farm where a 14-year-old girl allegedly murdered her 10-year-old niece in Gunnedah The 10-year-old was visiting her cousins on the farm (pictured with the surrounding countryside) a few kilometres out of town for a school holiday sleepover Just before the end of term, sources revealed she flung a pair of scissors at a classmate and was suspended until the end of the holidays. School sources said that was the latest in a series of troubling incidents and concerning behaviour that hadn't been taken seriously enough. 'She's been assigned a social worker for years who put her violent outbursts down to depression or a psychotic break,' they claimed. 'She isn't your ordinary teen but... she has a few mental health issues that affect her brain in sometimes terrifying ways,' they said. 'A few people who know the girl really well like me have been concerned about it.' A member of the family with police outside the home on Thursday. The girls and therefore their family cannot be identified Police and state emergency service volunteers spent Thursday scouring the farm and the route she is believed to have taken to a neighbouring property Another classmate said she pretended to be a tiger and would 'hiss' at people as well as eat food from the ground like a cat. The girl would also wear outlandish clothing and was 'always seeking attention' in the years after she started high school. Even teenagers who didn't know the girl have been badly shaken, fearing they could suddenly die in a town they used to feel safe in. 'My friends and I are scared because she's our age and if she could do this then one of our classmates could too,' Brooke, 15, said at the cafe where she works. 'Nothing like this has ever happened here. We all want to know, how does someone end up like that?' The school announced the girl's death on Sunday and offered students, who resume classes on July 20, counselling. After allegedly murdering her cousin, the girl is believed to have left the farmhouse just outside town and walked across the property's wheat field She then went through a gate and walked about 1km down a main road The 10-year-old is from Orange, about 250km west of Sydney and 350km from Gunedah, and was visiting her cousins on the farm for a school holiday sleepover. Both girls were fast asleep when the older girl's mother checked on them before going out at 6.30am to tend to the farm. When she returned just half an hour later she found her niece horrifically slain and her own daughter vanished. The 14-year-old girl is believed to have walked about 3km to a neighbour's property with a bloodied weapon in her hand. Police and state emergency service volunteers spent Thursday scouring the farm and the route she is believed to have taken to get there. They were looking for the alleged murder weapon, believed to be a knife or axe, but police would not confirm if they found it near the other farm. After allegedly murdering her cousin, the girl is believed to have left the farmhouse just outside town and walked across the property's wheat field. She then went through a gate and walked about 1km down a main road before turning on to a gravel track leading to the other property, past several enormous piles of hay bales. She then turned on to a gravel track leading to the other property, just on the horizon, past several enormous piles of hay bales An SES volunteer examines enormous hay bales piled well above his height that the girl is believed to have walked past after the alleged murder Sources said she was found 'in a dazed state' somewhere on the neighbouring property and was taken into custody by police. On Wednesday night she was charged with murder and refused bail pending her next court appearance, scheduled for September 16. The shocking crime has the small town rocked to its core and forever destroyed two respected families. The details of the alleged crime were so disturbing, a local magistrate banned any details from being published. The accused killer's younger sister, 12, will have to go back to school when holidays are over, knowing everyone looks at her and thinks of what allegedly happened. 'I feel sorry for her going back to school. I don't know how she's going to manage it,' one local told Daily Mail Australia. The girl's family have lived on the mixed-crop farm for at least 10 years and are well respected for their agricultural skill. Police examine a spot of interest during their all-day search of the property on Thursday Forensics collect evidence from in and around the farm house in Gunnedah where a girl, 10, was killed A close neighbour a few paddocks down the road was shocked the little girl he remembered playing in the grass was accused of a heinous crime. 'I used to see her and her sister running around the paddock, playing, or with her parents at cattle market,' he said. 'She was always very polite and happy, I never had any qualms with her. How does this happen?' The fellow farmer said the girls came over for dinner with their parents when they were younger, before school kept them busy. Now he is worried his friends will never recover from an unimaginable family tragedy that will follow them around for the rest of their lives. 'There's two tragedies, the poor girl who's deceased and who knows what's going to happen to the other one,' he said. 'It's a small town so it will be hard to live here with this. 'They are the best farmers I know, they get more production off that place than anyone.' The sleepy town of just 10,000 in northern NSW, was before this week only known as 'koala capital of the world' The mayor is moved to tears, schoolgirls look at every classmate as a potential killer and neighbours can only think of a happy girl playing in her paddock Gunnedah is about an hour west of Tamworth and 450km from Sydney Other neighbours were so shaken they couldn't muster the words to describe the situation. 'It's just another crop farm... they're perfectly normal,' one said. Besides farming, the coal mines outside Gunnedah are the town's biggest employers. But mine worker Renee Frenette, 38, said her coworkers were so shocked by the alleged murder they barely talked about it during her shift on Thursday. 'Gunnedah is such a small town so it really hits home because I know someone I know will be impacted by this,' she said. 'Hearing Gunnedah on the news on Wednesday was quite a shock.' Mine worker Renee Frenette, 38, (pictured holding her daughter Isabella, 3) said her coworkers were so shocked by the alleged murder they barely talked about it during her shift on Thursday Detectives and forensics crews spent all day on the farm gathering evidence Police and state emergency service volunteers meticulously searched paddocks and fields for what is believed to be the alleged murder weapon Police had refused to detail the girl's injuries except that that were substantial. A post-mortem examination in the next few days will disclose more information on how the alleged murder unfolded. SES crews and police arrive at the property on Thursday to search it for clues Homes became entombed as thick two-meter deep layers of mud have blocked streets after flash floods hit Indonesia on Tuesday (July 14). Footage from Luwu Utara in South Sulawesi shows how the single-story homes were battered, leaving debris behind. According to local media, in some areas, the mud reached more than two-meters high, burying everything in its path. At least 16 people have died, and dozens more are still missing, with rescuers Wednesday (July 15) searching the area for survivors. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati explained that flooding was triggered by heavy rain, causing three rivers to overflow. He said: ''The provincial road is covered in mud and that blocks access to the main command post and the affected areas.'' Officials said electricity to homes has been cut off, and access to the district road is currently blocked. Flash floods have hit several countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The region is currently experiencing its annual rainy season, which lasts until September or October and sees strong downpours throughout the week. Tributes have begun to flow for a young Perth father who died at a Goldfields mine on Monday. Michael Johnson was killed when the loader he was driving veered off the edge of a slope and fell about 25 metres down a void at Saracen Mineral Holdings Dervish underground mine, about 120 kilometres north-east of Kalgoorlie. Perth father Mike Johnson died at a Goldfields mine site on Monday. Credit:GoFundMe Mr Johnsons death is the second mining fatality in WA this year after a 64-year-old contractor died at the Roy Hill iron ore mine in the Pilbara in January. The father-of-two, who was a contractor with Byrnecut, leaves behind a wife and two young sons. Emily Ratajkowski recently returned to the Big Apple after spending a large chunk of her quarantine at her home in Los Angeles. But the 29-year-old model looked all the California girl on Tuesday in her latest sizzling Instagram snapshot. Ratajkowski showed off her incredibly toned physique in a slinky black bikini as she soaked up the sun on the beach. Soaking up the sun: Emily Ratajkowski looked all the California girl on Tuesday in her latest sizzling Instagram snapshot The Gone Girl star posed with her head down and her eyes closed as her bleach blonde tresses blew over her face. Emily appeared to be wearing little to no makeup and had a pair of gold hoops in her ears. Her stylish swimwear featured a strappy, triangle bikini top and a pair of high-legged bottoms. Ratajkowski was able to give her 26.6million Instagram followers a glimpse at her gorgeous wedding ring as she twiddled the strap of her bikini top in her fingers. Emily's picturesque beach trip occurred on Sunday, based on her Instagram Stories. Sunday Funday: Emily's picturesque beach trip occurred on Sunday, based on her Instagram Stories Since returning to New York City, Emily has been inundating her following with self-portraits taken inside her spacious home. On Monday, she flaunted her incredibly toned abs as she slipped into a skimpy grey crop top. Emily finished the look with a pair of baggy blue jeans, an understated gold necklace and matching drop earrings. The Lying And Stealing actress wore her newly-styled blonde strands poker straight before draping them over one shoulder. Capturing every moment: Since returning to New York City, Emily has been inundating her following with self-portraits taken inside her spacious home Stylish: On Monday, she flaunted her incredibly toned abs as she slipped into a skimpy grey crop top In April, Emily and her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard caught a flight out of JFK to continue their quarantine in Los Angeles. The flight occurred shortly after the CDC issued an advisory, asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.' Now the pair - who have been married since 2018 - are back at their New York City home with their darling dog Colombo. Back in the Big Apple: Emily and husband Sebastian are currently quarantining at their home in NYC with their dog Colombo LA Getaway: In April, Emily and her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard caught a flight out of JFK to continue their quarantine in Los Angeles; Emily pictured on Instagram on Thursday Emily previously told British GQ that she and her husband had 'been a little bit on the fence' about traveling amid COVID-19. 'My parents are in California, but as we know the responsible thing is to not travel right now. 'But eventually we would like to make it out there just because, well, New York is the epicenter, although my bodega is still open. I live in Tribeca and it is already very quiet,' she explained. There are about 8.7 million species in the world, with around 7.77 million animal species. Seventeen megadiverse countries have more than 70% of the Earths biodiversity. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, endemism and rarity are factors that make a species more vulnerable to extinction. Poaching and habitat loss are also threats to the wildlife population. Organizations have stepped up to protect and preserve some of the worlds most endangered and rare animals. Volunteer work is rewarding and exciting as people can help these animals while also staying in locations that are beautiful and rich with biodiversity. Here are ten places that offer a fascinating wildlife volunteering experience. 10. Costa Rica Image credit: Susan M Jackson/Shutterstock.com Costa Rica is home to about 4% of the worlds known species despite only occupying 3% of the Earths surface. Since the 1980s, it has taken conservation seriously and began investing in nature. People who want to volunteer in Costa Rica can sign up for several conservation projects, including Sea Turtle Conservation. Volunteers get hands-on experience monitoring sea turtle nesting activity and releasing baby turtles into the ocean. Volunteers can also work as an Indigenous Wildlife Rescue Supporter. They will help save vulnerable animals, many of which are indigenous to Costa Rica. 9. Zimbabwe A beautiful black rhino in soft morning light. Image credit: 2630ben/Shutterstock.com Zimbabwe is home to the critically endangered black rhino. Due to large-scale poaching, the black rhino population has drastically decreased since the 1970s. According to Save the Rhino, conservation programs across Africa have risen the rhino population from just under 3,000 to about 5,500 individuals. People can get the chance to volunteer for organizations helping to conserve black rhinos. The Black Rhino Conservation in Victoria Falls is working to protect one of the last remaining black rhino populations in the area. 8. The Philippines A woman snorkelling with whale sharks. Image credit: Max Topchii/Shutterstock.com The Philippines has two-thirds of the Earths biodiversity, with at least 20,000 species that cannot be found anywhere else. There are volunteer opportunities centered on marine wildlife. One program allows volunteers to swim with whale sharks to study them. Volunteers can also help out as a marine resources researcher. Volunteers will collect data about marine life around Malapascua island. The position requires some diving, but people who are not certified can get trained on-site. 7. Malaysia Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). Image credit: Vladimir Wrangel/Shutterstock.com Malaysias oldest national park, Taman Negara, is home to the critically endangered Malayan tiger. The tigers population in the 1950s was about 3,000. In a little more than half a century, the population plummeted to between 250 to 340 individuals. Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT)s goal is to save the Malayan tiger. They hold guided CAT Walks in Taman Negara. Volunteers will look for signs of poaching or encroachment, report illegal activities, and disarm snare and traps to help protect the Malayan tigers. 6. Australia Diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Image credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.com The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is teeming with diverse marine life. It is home to almost 9,000 marine species. There is an abundance of volunteer opportunities to help conserve the reef itself and the wildlife that inhabit it. In one program, volunteers can help care for injured and sick marine turtles from the Great Barrier Reef. Many turtles brought in are suffering from a disease or have ingested plastic. 5. Madagascar Since Madagascar is an island isolated from the rest of the world, it has created its own distinct wildlife and ecosystem. More than 80% of the approximately 200,000 known species in Madagascar cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In a conservation program located in Andasibe, volunteers have a chance to discover unique wildlife endemic to Madagascar. They can build hides in the rainforest where they will spend some nights camped out to observe nocturnal animals. 4. South Africa An elephant sanctuary in South Africa. South Africa is home to the Big 5 lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. However, the population of these animals is decreasing. A program at SAVE Foundation allows volunteers to monitor some of Africas most endangered animals. Volunteers will live in a bush camp, sleep under the stars, learn how to track animals, and have the opportunity to see the Big 5. On the other hand, shark conservation programs in South Africa can be educational and thrilling. Volunteers can go on cage diving trips where they will get up close and personal with sharks and other marine wildlife. 3. The Amazon Visitors learning about local fauna and flora from a naturalist in the Amazon forest. Image credit: Ammit Jack/Shutterstock.com The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering at least five countries, including Peru and Ecuador. It is home to at least 10% of the worlds known biodiversity. More than three million known species live in the rainforest. Volunteers can work at a conservation site in the Peruvian portion of the Amazon rainforest, where they will help remove invasive species, monitor wildlife, and conduct scientific research. Volunteers can also contribute to the Amazon conservation at the Manu Rainforest Conservation in Peru. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most diverse environments on Earth. 2. Indonesia Komodo dragons in Rinca Island, Indonesia. Image credit: Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock.com Indonesia is a hotspot of biodiversity and has the third-largest tropical rainforest. About 12% of the worlds mammals and 16% of the worlds reptiles live in Indonesia. Many of Indonesias indigenous animals, such as the komodo dragon, cannot be found anywhere else. The Komodo National Park was established to protect the komodo and its habitat. People can volunteer at the park as an assistant park ranger. Volunteers will work alongside rangers to help conserve the park while coming face-to-face with the rare komodo dragons. 1. Galapagos Islands A baby Galapagos sea lion. Image credit: Don Mammoser/Shutterstock.com Galapagos Islands is known as the place that inspired Charles Darwins theory of evolution. It has some of the highest levels of endemism on Earth. About 97% of the reptiles and mammals and 80% of the land birds are unique to the island. One of the most famous species in the Galapagos is the giant tortoise. Volunteers can get the chance to work with these iconic creatures through Project Abroad. Here they will take care of giant tortoises and conduct population surveys of other animals. They will have exclusive access to Galapagos National Park and have the freedom to explore the Galapagos Islands. Dozens of people protesting the police death of Breonna Taylor were arrested Tuesday outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, authorities said. Eighty-seven people are facing a felony charge of intimidating a participant in a legal process, police said. "The protesters chose to occupy the front yard of a home owned by the Kentucky Attorney General and continuously chant towards he and his neighbors," Sgt. Lamont Washington of the Louisville Metro Police Department said in a statement. "All were given the opportunity to leave, were told that remaining on the property would be unlawful, and chose not to leave." Syndication: Louisville (Matt Stone / Courier Journal via Imagn) The group had gathered to protest the death of Taylor, 26, who was fatally shot four months ago by police. Officers used a no-knock warrant to enter Taylors apartment on March 13, and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker, 27, believing a criminal was barging in, fired a gun, injuring one officer. He was charged with assault and attempted murder on a police officer, but the charges have been dropped. Police have said they identified themselves as they entered, but Walker and Taylor's family have disputed that account. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency room technician, died after she was hit at least eight times during an ensuing shootout. The raid was part of a warrant search of Taylor's home; police said they believed the 26-year-old was stashing drugs for the main target of their investigation. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, says authorities found no drugs in the home. One of three officers involved was fired last month, and the two other officers have been placed on administrative leave. The FBI, the U.S. Attorney's office and the state attorney general's office are investigating the case. Protesters are calling for the officers to be charged, and they've accused investigators of dragging their feet. On Tuesday afternoon, a group of protesters marched from a high school to Cameron's home, police said. They chanted, "Say her name Breonna Taylor," wore matching t-shirts bearing the name of the nonprofit Until Freedom, and sported masks with Taylor's name. Story continues "It has been 116+ days since Breonna Taylor has been murdered by the Louisville Police Department and no one has been held accountable," Until Freedom said on its website. "We must now escalate our actions so that the powers that be know, we will not stop until we get justice for Breonna and her family." Cameron said in a statement that occupying his lawn was unacceptable. "From the beginning, our office has set out to do its job, to fully investigate the events surrounding the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor," he said. "We continue with a thorough and fair investigation, and todays events will not alter our pursuit of the truth. The stated goal of todays protest at my home was to 'escalate.' That is not acceptable and only serves to further division and tension within our community." The dozens of people arrested Tuesday are also facing charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, Washington said. "Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams was among those detained, according to NBC affiliate WAVE of Louisville. Corey Shapiro, legal director of the ACLU of Kentucky, said by email that the Louisville Metro Police Department's use of a felony allegation against demonstrators was designed to muzzle the protests. "The ACLU of Kentucky condemns LMPDs charging these peaceful protesters with 'Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process,'" he said. "This action is an overblown, outrageous, and inappropriate reaction to a community that is rightfully upset with its governments delay in holding the police accountable. The only purpose these charges seem to serve is to potentially chill the free speech rights of the protesters." Press Release July 15, 2020 As number of distressed OFWs mounts, time to augment DFA assistance fund Malacanang should augment the OFW assistance fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs, as the surge in Filipinos losing their jobs abroad has reduced the P1 billion fund to P300 million. "That lifeline to our kababayans will be gone soon at the rate it is being utilized," Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said. "The cost of repatriating an OFW from the Middle East is P35,000, on plane fare alone. So that plane carrying 350 passengers is chartered for P12 to 13 million," he said. "Our hardworking ambassador to Saudi Arabia has said that repatriating our 80,000 distressed kababayans there will cost around P3.2 billion," Recto said. While the price may be steep, "it is like a drop in the barrel of Saudi oil," if compared to their sacrifices for the country and contribution to the economy. "Lest we forget them, we should remember that ours is an economy lubricated by the katas ng Saudi, the pawis of seafarers, and the tears of homesick Filipinas who have to leave their children behind," Recto said. "Yang P35,000 na presyo ng ticket, mas malaki pa diyan ang annual free college cost ng isang estudyante sa state university," he said. "These are our foreign working legions, our soldiers of the economy. It is our moral duty to bring them home to their families," he said. "Makaraan ang mahabang taong sakripisyo, gusto na nilang umuwi sa mga bahay na kanilang pinundar, sa mga bayang tinulungan nilang lumago, sa mga anak na kanilang pinaaral," he said. Recto said even if the President, "invoking his budgetary realignment powers," will release an additional P2 billion to the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund of the DFA, "that amount will be equivalent to what OFWs remitted in a mere 10 hours last year." "Filipinos abroad sent home P1.7 trillion in 2019, or P4.6 billion per day. Pinoys in Saudi and UAE remitted P190 billion, bigger than the annual gross sales of Jollibee in 2018," Recto said. Recto praised the understaffed and underfunded DFA and DOLE for repatriating almost 57,000 OFWs to date, "and they could have sent home more, if not for the flight restrictions imposed by the government task force on COVID-19." "In the Philippines, a city of 1 million residents will be served by at least 5,000 government workers. In Saudi, they have 190 consular officers serving 1 million Filipinos in a country 7 times bigger in land area than the Philippines," Recto said. "The chokepoint really is in the homeland they have sacrificed so much for and long to return to, where the number of arrivals is being controlled," Recto said. "But the process is improving, the transit time is getting faster. We have to give credit where it is due, kasama na dito ang mga hotel workers na talaga namang nagsakripisyo sa pagtanggap ng mga OFWs," he said. David Reinert holds a Q sign as he waits to get into a Trump campaign rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in August 2018. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press) A fringe theory that President Trump is at war with a global cabal of powerful, Satan-worshiping elites who control the world and run a child sex ring has shifted over the last three years from anonymous message boards to Trump rallies to the 2020 ballot. More than 60 current and former congressional candidates have promoted or embraced the unfounded QAnon theory, according to a count by Media Matters, a left-leaning research site that tracks conservative media. Though some of the candidates have gone viral over unproven claims including the false theory that Beyonce is pretending to be Black and weaves Satanic references into her music few of them have any chance of being elected. The fraction of candidates linked to QAnon who have done well in competitive seats have distanced themselves from the theory. "There is something about this political moment that emboldens these candidates to run, said Joanne Miller, a University of Delaware associate professor who studies political psychology and conspiracy theories. Although the QAnon community is still small a March survey found that most Americans hadnt even heard of it it reflects the growing wave of anti-establishment sentiment that helped elect Trump. And the president's own outsider status is what has endeared him to QAnon followers. Trump is "a genuine Washington outsider, and whats central to the QAnon community is the belief that the whole political system is corrupt, said Travis View, a conspiracy theory researcher who co-hosts the QAnon Anonymous podcast, which breaks down QAnon's various elements. "Only someone who was new to Washington could possibly help fix it." What is QAnon? The QAnon conspiracy theory is founded on the belief that the world is run by a powerful group of evil politicians and celebrities including the Clintons, the Obamas, the Bushes, George Soros and Hollywood celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks. Story continues QAnon followers believe President Trump is aware of this and is fighting against an entrenched "deep state" of bureaucrats within the government to bring them to justice. They call the moment when the Clintons and other members of the cabal will be arrested "The Storm," a term inspired by an offhand comment Trump made during an October 2017 photo-op with high-ranking military officials and their spouses. "You guys know what this represents?" Trump asked the news media. "Maybe it's the calm before the storm." The conspiracy theory has been laid out by an anonymous figure known as Q likely a group of people who leaves cryptic messages for his followers to decipher on the website 8kun (Q previously posted on 4chan and 8chan). Q's followers believe that, once they convince others, there will be a "Great Awakening." A Pew Research Center poll released in March found that 76% of Americans had heard nothing at all about QAnon, 20% had heard a little about it, and 3% had heard a lot. Who is Q? QAnon followers believe Q is a group of high-level military officials who support Trump, said View. He added that variations in Qs tripcode (the unique set of numbers and letters that link posts by the same person on anonymous imageboard websites like 4chan) and writing style over the years suggest the identity of the people behind Q has changed over years. Where did QAnon get its start? In a sense, the basic tenets of the QAnon theory aren't novel. "As wacky as a pedophile deep state working against the president sounds, that's the plot of Oliver Stone's JFK movie from 30 years ago," said Joseph Uscinski, an associate professor of political science at the University of Miami, where he studies why people believe in conspiracy theories. "There's nothing new here." Less than a year before Q started posting, the unfounded Pizzagate theory took off. On Dec. 4, 2016, Edgar Maddison Welch drove from his home in North Carolina to the Comet Ping Pong pizzeria in Washington, D.C., where he was convinced children were being held captive as part of a sex trafficking ring organized by Democrats and Hillary Clinton. Welch fired shots from an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle into a locked door. When he realized there was no evidence of a trafficking ring, he left his weapons in the store, walked out and was arrested. No one was harmed, and Welch was sentenced to four years in prison in June 2017. On Oct. 28, 2017, the first Q drop was posted on 4chan, an anonymous imageboard known for harboring objectionable content. HRC extradition already in motion effective yesterday with several countries in case of cross border run. Passport approved to be flagged effective 10/30 @ 12:01am, Q wrote. Expect massive riots organized in defiance and others fleeing the US to occur. There was no Clinton arrest, or riots. But Q has posted more than 4,500 messages since. The posts are filled with vague clues and questions (Why does Potus surround himself w/ generals? What is military intelligence? Why go around the 3 letter agencies? reads Qs second post), and followers often rely on others to decode the messages. People don't consume the Q drops directly, said View. They often rely upon these internet QAnon influencers who are called decoders. And these decoders, they purport that they are sort of able to understand and break down and demystify the Q drops for the laypeople who may have some trouble understanding what they mean. Why is Trump the central figure of the theory? The president is an outsider, but he has also expressed an openness to unproven claims over the years, most notably that President Obama was not born in America. View says that if a person believes Trump in the past has promoted conspiracy theories "because he has special insight into what's the truth about reality that the mainstream media isn't reporting on, then you might come to believe that he will continue to do that as president." QAnon supporters have been seen holding signs and wearing Q shirts at Trump rallies since 2018, and on several occasions over the last few years, the president has retweeted accounts that promote the theory. But the Trump administration has rarely acknowledged the theory directly. After QAnon supporters attended a July 2018 Trump rally in Tampa, Fla., former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president "condemns and denounces any group that would incite violence against another individual, and certainly doesnt support groups that would promote that type of behavior." Will there be a QAnon delegation in Congress? No. Of the dozens of candidates who appear to have promoted or embraced the theory, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado appear to have the best shot at winning in November. Both have either publicly distanced themselves from the movement or refused to discuss their past support as their campaigns have progressed. There's no evidence at all that the fact that these candidates won has anything to do with Q, Miller said. Greene came in first in the Republican primary for the congressional seat made available by Republican Rep. Tom Graves' retirement but fell short of wining 50% of the vote. If her advantage holds in the Aug. 11 runoff election, she'll almost certainly win the Republican-leaning district in the November general election. Greene called Q a "patriot" in a 2017 video about the figure that was posted on YouTube by a third party. I think that so many Americans are blind, and when they hear these stories about pedophiles, and they hear these stories about Satanic worship, they don't want to believe it's true," she said in the video. Greene did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement to the Washington Post, the candidate did not directly address her QAnon comments, but called the outlet "fake news." Several high-ranking congressional Republicans denounced Greene after Politico reported she'd made several racist comments in Facebook videos. Boebert rose to prominence after she challenged former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke at an event in Aurora over his remark, during a presidential debate, that his administration would take people's AR-15s and AK-47s. Boebert, a resident of Rifle, Colo., is known locally for her restaurant Shooters, where waitresses open carry guns. Boebert reopened the restaurant during the coronavirus pandemic in defiance of state health orders. During a May 2020 appearance on a pro-QAnon YouTube channel, Boebert said she'd heard of the theory from her mother, whom she described as a "little fringe," but said she hoped it was true. After she beat Republican Rep. Scott Tipton in the primary and faced attacks from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, she backed away from the theory. Hey, @dccc! QAnon = Fake News Not a follower. IS THIS ALL YOUVE GOT? Lauren Boebert for Congress (R-CO3) (@laurenboebert) July 3, 2020 Tipton, who was endorsed by Trump, had been favored to win reelection in the Republican-leaning seat. Boebert faces an uphill climb. As of June 10, she had raised $133,000. Her Democratic opponent, Diane Mitsch Bush, has raised nearly $1 million. Shanghai, China -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/14/2020 -- Tencent's cloud server service is a must-have option for businesses nowadays. However, to use the service effectively, one needs the aid of an online blog that can provide details, news and information regarding it. For this purpose, Tengxunyun.net.cn is among the most popular and widely used online blogs. They provide their readers with an abundance of articles and details about the Tencent cloud server. As a result of their coverage, many people have been able to remain informed on various important intricacies. The website covers many facets of information. Not only do they provide the latest news and updates, but also the various prices and packages. As a result, users can remain clear of the best possible prices they can attain, as well as any possible discounts and promotions. One of the major goals of Tengxunyun.net.cn is to remain as accurate as possible. This is why they always fact-check all of the information they provide. This allows them to remain highly useful to all of their readers. As a result of this commitment to useful and effective information, the blog has become the best spot for both newcomers and experienced individuals. With the wide array of available content, anyone can learn something useful about the Tencent Cloud Service from this online blog. As a result, it has quickly risen in popularity and is becoming one of the best ways to learn about the cloud server service currently. With many new readers, Tengxunyun.net.cn continues providing content on Tencent's Cloud servers. Hoping to cover all of the new details, releases and updates, their main goal is to keep their readers informed. Through this, they aim to remain one of the top online blogs that covers news relating to the acclaimed cloud server service. About Tengxunyun.net.cn This online website provides users with news information and details about the latest things relating to Tencent Cloud servers. The blog covers everything in detail and allows readers to remain informed and updated. The blog also provides users with accurate and current prices and packages for Tencent Cloud. Readers can also take advantage of a server promotion to receive a reduced price. For new users, Tengxunyun.net.cn provides a tutorial to get started. This is why they are becoming the go-to online news and information source for Tenement Cloud users and enthusiasts. For more information: http://www.tengxunyun.net.cn/ Kroger, America's largest grocer, has stopped giving coins as change You won't get any coins back with your change if you pay cash at one of the thousands of U.S. grocery stores operated by Kroger. America's largest supermarket chain says its cashiers are having trouble making change because of a national coin shortage related to the coronavirus pandemic. The company is rounding up cash purchases to the nearest dollar and is giving customers options for the coin change they're owed. Some shoppers are OK with it, but others are not happy. What Kroger is doing if you have change coming ToTo Label / Shutterstock Kroger says its stores don't have enough coins for the registers. Chances are, you've shopped at a supermarket owned by Kroger, which has nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. They're not all called "Kroger"; the company also operates Fry's, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers and Ralphs grocery stores, among others. Kroger has been telling customers on Twitter that its stores have been affected by a "significant coin shortage" at the Federal Reserve, America's central bank. "As a result, the company is implementing a new process for providing change to customers," Kroger says. In a June 11 news release, the Fed said its supply of coins had fallen below normal because of the COVID-19 crisis. "In the past few months, coin deposits from depository institutions to the Federal Reserve have declined significantly, and the U.S. Mint's production of coin also decreased due to measures put in place to protect its employees," the statement said. Because it doesn't have coins to give out to shoppers, Kroger says it can apply their pocket change to their loyalty cards, so the money can be used toward a future in-store, delivery or pickup purchase. "Alternately, we can round your transaction up to the nearest dollar and donate it to your local food bank," the company says in its tweets. How customers are reacting FamVeld / Shutterstock Some shoppers are taking the new coin policy in stride. Some Kroger shoppers reaching out to the company on Twitter say they have no problem with the no-coins policy. Story continues "I see cash coin change will be put in our rewards card for future use because of the coin shortage. I like it," writes one. But others are reacting in disbelief or are even ticked off. "What gives you all the right to withhold peoples money? Cant force everyone to pay with credit cards or have a #Kroger card," tweets @BBaum17. Kroger isn't the only retailer that's short on change. Wawa a convenience store chain with a cult following is asking customers to pay with exact change, or allow their purchases to be rounded up and have the change donated to charity. Retail giant Walmart says that while cash is still welcome in its stores, it's also dealing with the coin shortage. "Were asking customers to pay with card or use correct change when possible if they need to pay with cash," says Walmart spokeswoman Avani Dudhia, in a statement given to media outlets. What should a shopper do? samritk / Shutterstock You can avoid the 'no coins' policies by shopping with a credit or debit card. Using a credit card or debit card is the best way to totally avoid the issue if a store is experiencing a coin crunch. Just shop with your plastic and there'll never be an awkward moment at the checkout. If you're inspired by the way the retailers are helping customers donate their change, you can pick a debit card that will put your pennies to good use. One company offers a debit card that lets you round up your purchases and invest your spare change in an automated investment portfolio. You can watch your pocket money accumulate and grow. Or, you might choose a debit card that allows you to use your change to plant trees or support other Earth-friendly projects. Not only that, but this particular debit card pays up to 10% cash back. You may never use cash again. And that might be just fine with a growing number of stores. Advertisement A convicted sex offender was given 74 lashes in a public whipping in Indonesia today - wearing a face shield emblazoned with the name of a local travel firm. The caning was handed out under Sharia law in the arch-conservative province of Aceh, which has continued to carry out its notorious public floggings despite the coronavirus crisis. The victim was allowed to wear a visor which bore the name of BookCabin.com, a website which describes itself as a new Indonesia-based travel company hoping to expand into foreign markets. It was not clear whether BookCabin had sought such prominent advertising or whether it had any connection to the suspect, whose name was given only as MZF. Punishment: A convicted criminal receives one of his 74 blows with a cane in Indonesia's arch-conservative Aceh province today, after he was arrested for sexually abusing a minor Pain: The man grimaces as he is whipped in Indonesia today, wearing a face shield which mysteriously bore the name of local travel company BookCabin.com. It was not clear whether the firm had any connection to the suspect Flogging is common for a range of offences in the region at the tip of Sumatra island, including gambling, drinking alcohol and having sex outside marriage. Authorities said today's victim had been convicted in a 'molestation case' involving minors and received 74 whippings, reduced from 80 after he served a six-month prison term. Local media said the 26-year-old suspect asked for a break and a drink after the 40th stroke, after 'groaning with pain' as he was hit with the cane. The man wore a mask and shield along with his white robe as he was escorted to the whipping venue in Lhoksukon, closely watched by an armed officer. The public canings sometimes attract large crowds of eager spectators taking pictures on their phones, and some people were seen watching today's flogging from outside the canopy where it took place. Officials said earlier this year that the floggings had been moved indoors and shorn of the usual opening speeches because of the virus pandemic. The cane-wielding official who carries out the punishment typically wears a hood in any event. Indonesia has seen 80,094 cases and 3,797 deaths in the pandemic. Under guard: The man wore a mask and face shield along with his white robe as he was escorted to the whipping venue in Lhoksukon, closely watched by an armed officer Audience: A handful of people watched on from outside the canopy where the flogging took place. The public canings in Aceh province can sometimes attract large crowds of spectators Aceh is the only region in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country that imposes Islamic law. About 98 per cent of Aceh's five million residents are Muslims and therefore subject to the law, known locally as Qanun. A 100-stroke punishment is reserved for the most severe crimes and offenders may also be sentenced to prison time. Rights groups have slammed public caning as cruel, and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo has called for it to end, but the practice has wide support among Aceh's population. Amnesty International said earlier this year that the floggings were 'cruel, inhuman and degrading' and said their continuation during the pandemic 'poses a further threat to the population at large'. The charity says more than 100 people have already been flogged in 2020 so far, after 309 such punishments were handed out in 2019 and 235 in 2018. Aceh adopted sharia after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency. Enforcement: The man was led to his whipping by Indonesian police officers who held him by the hands in Lhoksukon today Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 04:24:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A pedestrian walks past a Brooks Brothers retail store in Manhattan of New York, the United States, July 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) "Even though we went into the COVID-19 crisis with a very strong economy, far too many Americans - disproportionately Americans of color - were not sharing in the country's prosperity," a senior Federal Reserve official said. WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The path of the U.S. economy largely depends on developments involving COVID-19 as the country has failed to control the pandemic, a senior Federal Reserve official said on Wednesday. "Despite the enormous sacrifices made by tens of millions of Americans, the country has still failed to control the virus," Patrick Harker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, said at a virtual event by the Center City Proprietors Association. The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 3.46 million as of Wednesday afternoon with more than 136,000 deaths, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. "A Fed president might like to think otherwise, but there is only so much policymakers can do right now to affect the economy. Our country's economic performance in a large part depends on what happens with COVID-19," Harker said. "The projections I'm about to share with you, in other words, come with a huge caveat: They're constantly changing along with the path of the virus," he said, adding U.S. economic growth in 2020 could end up at around minus 6 percent, a much sharper recession than the country experienced during the 2008 financial crisis. A ferry ship docks at the pier of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California, the United States, July 12, 2020. Most of the tourist facilities and stores in the city have been closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. (Str/Xinhua) While White House officials have expressed optimism that the economy will rebound in the second half of the year, economists and public health experts have warned that a hasty reopening of the economy could trigger a second wave of infections, which could reverse the economic recovery. Harker also noted that "even though we went into the COVID-19 crisis with a very strong economy, far too many Americans - disproportionately Americans of color - were not sharing in the country's prosperity." The Fed official suggested that the next period of economic growth should be "strong and more inclusive than the last," urging policymakers to help transition low-wage workers into higher-paying jobs. "Transitioning low-wage workers into higher-paying jobs not only helps companies themselves, insofar as they are tapping underutilized human capital, but it also helps redress structural inequities. Communities of color stand to benefit because they have for far too long and far too often been shut out of higher wage work," he said. Neither East, nor West was Ayatollah Khomeinis slogan for the reconstruction of a post-revolution Iran. This no longer seems to hold in Tehran, if fresh reports of a wide-ranging strategic pact between Iran and China are any indication. Though neither side has officially confirmed details, the Iranian cabinet has signed off on an agreement that has been in the works since President Xi Jinpings visit to Tehran in January 2016. Even if the leaked details are not yet agreed upon, they reveal a direction and scope that should cause major concern to India. Under a 25-year pact, China will invest $400 billion in Irans petroleum sector as well as its core infrastructure banking, telecom, ports, airports, high-speed railways, metro and free-trade zones. Iran will become a crucial pivot of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), linking China to Europe. A military dimension envisages joint military exercises, joint training, joint research and development of weapons. China will get assured supplies of Iranian oil, gas and petroleum products at highly discounted prices. Iran moving closer to China should not come as a surprise. United States (US) President Donald Trump, on a collision course with Iran, walked out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015 between Iran and P5+1 (Germany) and the European Union. The plan had the potential of gradually closing Irans nuclear weapons window and reviving its economy through lifting sanctions and de-freezing its assets. Instead, Trump again imposed crippling sanctions and the European signatories Germany, France and the United Kingdom (UK) though unhappy with the US withdrawal, showed timid resolve. Irans economy, based on petroleum exports, has contracted severely; investments have dried up for fear of sanctions; and the pandemic has taken a heavy toll. Iran clearly needs an economic lifeline as well as international support to counter the US-Israel axis. China is willing to provide both, and in a larger strategic landscape, the two can align interests with Russia. As proof of its intent, and perhaps an indication of the coming pact, China recently opposed US efforts in the United Nations Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran and, on July 14, reiterated its support for JCPOA. However, this proposed long-term alignment with China has its opponents. Former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has led the criticism, and, oddly, found support from Prince Reza Pahlavi, the late Shahs son; an example of a revolutionary mindset combining with a deep sense of Persian superiority. There are fears that Irans valuable natural resources will be mortgaged to an untrustworthy partner. Religious hardliners point to Chinas repression of the Uighur Muslims. The Majlis the Iranian parliament is now dominated by conservatives; most reformist candidates were disqualified by the regime as it circled the wagons in the face of rising public discontent. These conservative members are likely to react strongly to any suggestion of ceding sovereignty to China for economic gains when the pact is put to them. The Supreme Leader, however, supports the proposed deal. This, combined with the attraction of economic prosperity, makes it difficult to say where this needle will stop. All of this, however, is only cold comfort to India. Chinas increased political and economic influence on Tehran can squeeze us on several fronts. First, Tehran has watched our growing proximity to the US and Israel with a resentful sullenness. The cutting of oil imports and delays in project implementation have further shown the limits of the bilateral relationship; civilisational links can only take us only so far and no more. Irans pact with China will strengthen the perception that we are in the other camp. Given our energy dependence and large diaspora, great power rivalry would not be our preferred game in West Asia. Second, Chinas influence will facilitate better relations between Iran and Pakistan, already evident in the conciliatory attitude shown by Pakistan to militant attacks from across the border in Balochistan. The two could also narrow their differences on Afghanistan, with a direct impact on Indias interests. Third, Chinese investment in ports and railways can hamper Indias plans to get access to Central Asia and beyond through Iran. The report that India will no longer be part of the Chabahar-Zahidan railway project foreshadows this scenario. Irans ambassador in Islamabad has spoken of a golden ring of China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey and of a western arm to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)+ that would link Gwadar and Chabahar to China by rail through Pakistan. Further, our own economic limitations and the shadow of US sanctions will make it difficult for Indian companies to compete in Iran, particularly if the hundred proposed projects are aligned to a Chinese economic paradigm. Fourth, even if the Chinese do not get a major slice of Chabahar, they are keen to participate in the development of Bandar-e-Jask, the port outside the Straits of Hormuz. Iran envisages Jask as its main oil-loading point in the near future; it can then close the Straits without harming its own exports. In a worst-case scenario, Jask could become another Chinese dual-use port and with Gwadar and Djibouti threaten Indias energy and maritime security in the Arabian Sea. All of this may not happen, but we cannot afford to wait for the Majlis to kill this deal, or for Joe Biden to become US president and wean Iran away from China. Our interests are immediate: A strong outreach to Iran with expedited work on Chabahar and its integration into the North-South Transport Corridor as well as a vigorous follow-up on Prime Minister Narendra Modis successful 2015 Central Asian visit would be timely initiatives to consider. Navtej Sarna is former ambassador of India to the US and high commissioner to the UK The views expressed are personal The UK governments inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic has put Scottish independence back on the agenda. The constitutional future of the United Kingdom has never looked less certain. According to the latest polling data, 54 percent of Scots want Scotland to become an independent country, compared with 46 percent who back the Anglo-Scottish Union. Support for First Minister Nicola Sturgeons pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) is running at record highs, too. The SNP is on course to win an overall majority at the Scottish Parliamentary elections next May; its signature demand is another referendum on the break-up of Britain. The coronavirus crisis is the immediate catalyst behind Scotlands nationalist surge. The UK governments response to the outbreak, led by Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has been inept. Late into lockdown and early to emerge out of it, the UK, with an estimated 65,000 excess deaths, has one of the worlds worst COVID-19 death rates a trend compounded by Johnsons confused and contradictory messaging around public health. Sturgeon, by contrast, has appeared calm and composed throughout the pandemic. Instead of rushing, like Johnson, to reopen the economy, the Scottish first minister who controls Scotlands health and policing policies from Edinburgh has kept certain Scottish lockdown restrictions in place even as they have been lifted in England, thus slowing the spread of the virus north of the border. The political effect of these (modestly) divergent strategies has been dramatic Sturgeons approval rating among Scottish voters now sits at plus 60 percent; Johnsons, meanwhile, languishes at minus 40. The roots of Scottish discontent predate COVID-19, however, and point to a more entrenched set of divisions. The UK has elected three Conservative governments since 2010, each one rejected, consecutively, by the Scottish public. Over the past 10 years, Conservative politicians in London have imposed a series of sweeping changes on British society radical cuts to public spending, a draconian overhaul of the welfare system, ever-tightening border controls that have chipped away at Scottish enthusiasm for the Union. Johnsons electoral victory last year was a decisive moment. The Conservatives may have won the bulk of English constituencies on December 12, routing Labour in its working-class heartlands and fundamentally reshaping Englands political landscape. But in Scotland, they lost ground, shedding seven of their 13 seats as the SNP swept the boards. Arrogant, opportunistic, and out of his depth, Johnson himself is a major liability to Scottish conservatism and, therefore, to the long-term survival of the UK. The collapse of unionist sentiment in England, linked to Brexit, has been another key development. One poll, published in 2019, showed that 63 percent of Conservative Party members would be happy for Scotland to become independent if it meant England could complete its departure from the EU without disruption; a separate poll indicated that three-quarters of Conservative Brexit voters in England felt the same way. Analysis reveals the shape of Scotlands emerging nationalist majority. Seventy percent of Scots under the age of 35 believe Scotland should leave the UK; almost 40 percent of Labour voters favour independence; crucially, support for independence is now as strong among middle-class Scots as it is among working-class Scots, which was not the case when Scotland first voted against separation in September 2014. One irony here is that the SNP has barely campaigned for independence in recent months. Indeed, Sturgeon has urged nationalist activists to stay off the streets until the COVID-19 pandemic is fully contained albeit chiefly for safety reasons. Grassroots organising may not even be necessary at this stage: the Conservatives are engaged in an elaborate act of constitutional self-sabotage. Austerity, Brexit, the unique toxicity of Johnson to the Scottish electorate, Westminsters catastrophic mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic these factors have combined to push Scots into the arms of the SNP, despite widespread misgivings about the economic case for self-determination. The last time a shift like this occurred was in the 1980s, when Scottish voters coalesced around the idea of Home Rule within the UK as a means of insulating Scotland from Margaret Thatchers free-market reforms. The Conservatives blocked devolution until they were turfed out of power by Tony Blair in 1997; Blairs government then legislated for the creation of a Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, which was established in 1999. Sturgeon argues that Holyrood should be free to call a second referendum on independence at a time of its choosing and without Westminsters consent; most Scots agree. Yet, the Conservatives insist London remains sovereign and it is possible Johnson will simply dismiss Sturgeons request for a rerun of the 2014 vote, regardless of how high support for independence rises or the results of next years poll. There would be a cost to this kind of obstructionism: Scots would soon conclude that their presence in the Union is not voluntary. Independence and democracy would become synonymous concepts in Scottish political culture, and the UK would forfeit what is left of its dwindling legitimacy. Johnson might decide that is a price worth paying, provided someone else a future Labour prime minister, for instance ultimately foots the bill. Alternatively, he could agree to a referendum with the aim of defeating independence and puncturing the SNPs momentum, once and for all. Neither option is risk-free. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything about British politics, it is that Johnson is not the sort of leader who thrives under crisis conditions; Sturgeon, on the other hand, very much is. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. "The best simple introduction to Revelation written in a down-to-earth, accessible, and engaging way.--Dr. Vern Poythress The year 2020 has brought a global pandemic, a shutdown of every major economy, record unemployment, racial unrest, and natural disasters that news commentators often call crises of biblical proportions. A professor at the University of Phoenix agrees that they are, but recommends that we interpret them in light of the Bibles last book, Revelation. Prof. Chuck Colclasures newly reissued book, The Overcomers, says that prophecy was not written to frighten us about current events. The true purpose of the Book of Revelation is to provide hope, comfort, and encouragement to those who continue to trust in God, he writes, even in the most difficult of timesperhaps especially during the most difficult of times. Subtitled Finding Hope in the Book of Revelation, the 208-page paperback was first published in 1981. Reissued in August, it was welcomed by pastors and professors who have long used the first edition as a textbook and small-group resource. I am grateful to see Mr. Colclasure's book being reprinted, says Dr. Vern Poythress, distinguished professor of biblical interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary of Philadelphia. I continue to think that it is the best simple introduction to Revelation written in a down-to-earth, accessible, and engaging way. Dr. Timothy J. Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City, calls The Overcomers an approachable, insightful, and theologically sound reflection on the Book of Revelation. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri, Chuck Colclasure earned Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees, both summa cum laude, from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Subsequently, he pursed Ph.D. studies at the University of Potchefstroom in South Africa. He now lives in San Diego, CA. The second edition of The Overcomers is available in print (ISBN 978-1-891314-17-9) and electronic (ISBN 978-1-891314-18-6) formats at most Christian bookstores, as well as online retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Both are produced by Jordan Publishing. When Attorney General Ken Paxton announced last week he had settled a giant Medicaid fraud case on behalf of Texas, he trumpeted how much money the state would collect from Xerox. AG Paxton Recovers Record $236 Million for Texas in Medicaid Fraud Settlement, he announced in a press release. Yet it might not turn out to be as impressive a haul as it first seemed - in fact, the state could end up losing money. Steep legal fees and money Texas taxpayers had to repay to the federal government lopped a huge chunk of the award off the top. Now, a handful of whistleblowers have filed a legal claim saying they are due a finders fee for helping Texas regulators make the case. Although the amount the state ultimately agrees to turn over will almost certainly be subject to negotiation, experts said the award in what is known as a qui tam proceeding could reach nearly $50 million. The result: despite Paxtons huge-seeming haul, Texas taxpayers may still come out of the five-year legal dispute millions of dollars in the red, illustrating just how relative even an eye-popping cash payment can be in complex and time-consuming litigation. Given the scope of the fraud, the settlement doesnt touch it, said Loren Jacobson, a law professor and qui tam expert at University of North Texas at Dallas School of Law who is familiar with the case. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The settlement announced last week was to repay state taxpayers who unwittingly footed the bill for thousands of unnecessary dental procedures. Texas hired Xerox Corporation and its subsidiaries, including spin-off Conduent, to analyze requests from dentists and orthodontists seeking to perform Medicaid-funded work. But instead of performing meaningful medical evaluations of the charts, molds and x-rays, Xeroxs untrained workers furiously rubber-stamped nearly every procedure request, court filings show. Given the green light, dentists performed hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of questionable procedures at taxpayer expense. Texas fired Xerox in 2012 and filed its lawsuit two years later, claiming that the company had defrauded taxpayers by allowing the unnecessary dental work. According to public documents, state prosecutors claimed Xerox owed Texas $2 billion in payback and penalties. Complicating matters, however, was Xeroxs claim that state regulators were well aware of how it operated and did nothing. Last week, after a nearly five-year legal battle, Xerox/Conduent agreed to settle the dispute for considerably less. The company, which will pay Texas the money over the next three years, admitted no wrong-doing. Still, Paxton said the $236 million deal represented the largest single resolution in a case filed by the attorney generals office for Medicaid-related claims. Federal government took $133M By the time the agreement was finalized, however, most of the money had already been spent by the State of Texas. In 2015, auditors from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, determined many childrens dental procedures paid through Medicaid should not have been covered. They concluded that by failing to oversee Xeroxs shoddy work, Texas ultimately was to blame for allowing $191.4 million-worth of unnecessary dental work during only a 2.5-year period. States share Medicaid costs with the federal government. Texas taxpayers portion of the misspent money came to just under $60 million - money the state already had lost and needed to recover from Xerox. Subtracting that from the $236 million settlement leaves $176 million of the award. The federal regulators also demanded that Texas reimburse them for the federal portion of the money that was unnecessarily spent on the dental work, according to the audit. Last year, Texas wrote a check to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for $133 million. Leaving $43 million remaining of Paxtons settlement. According to the details of the settlement, $24 million of Xerox/Conduents payment was to cover the Office of Attorney Generals cost of suing Xerox - attorney fees and other legal expenses. More than three dozen attorneys worked nearly 60,000 hours on the case. The state also hired professional help from outside the agency. Subtracting those legal fees and other costs leaves less than $20 million of the settlement remaining. But that, too, could quickly evaporate. In legal documents filed last week, seven people said they were due money for helping Texas uncover Xeroxs inferior work. Whistleblowers could claim up to $47M So-called qui tam cases allow whistleblowers to file lawsuits alleging fraud on behalf of the government. If the claims turn out to be legitimate, state and federal laws award a finders fee of between 15 and 25 percent of the total settlement or judgment. The cases have become increasing common as government regulators have concentrated on attacking fraud using the insider information, particularly in huge healthcare and military programs. In recent years about 80 percent of all fraud claims originated with whistleblower lawsuits, said Joel Hesch, a professor at Liberty University School of Law and author of Whistleblowing: A Guide to Government Reward Programs. A recent U.S. Department of Justice study found the number of qui tam lawsuits has grown significantly in recent years. In 2017, there were 669 filed - nearly 13 every week. The money at stake has soared, too. In 2017, $3.4 billion of the $3.7 billion in settlements and judgments reported by the government came from qui tam lawsuits, according to the study. During that period, whistleblowers were paid nearly $400 million for their help in uncovering the fraud. Hesch said that to qualify for the government reward, whistleblowers must file their claims before the government files its lawsuit, and then regulators must agree to accept the case. Jim Moriarty, a Houston attorney representing the Xerox whistleblowers, said both criteria had been met. Several of the whistleblowers worked for dentists or orthodontists and filed their qui tam lawsuits in 2012, two years before the state sued Xerox. Another was a dentist who also filed her lawsuit in 2012. Moriarty added that, in court filings, lawyers for the attorney generals office had accepted the dentist as a whistleblower soon after. In my view, the state is dead in the water, he said. A spokeswoman for Paxtons office, Kayleigh Lovvorn, declined to comment. Hesch, who led fraud investigations for the Justice Department before becoming a professor, said it appears the Xerox whistleblowers have a legitimate case. If so, he added, they were due the 20 percent of the total settlement they sought $47 million, an amount that would leave Texas taxpayers tens of millions in the red in the litigation. Hesch cautioned the state could contest the reward, and it might be lowered significantly. Jacobson said the state might argue that the quality of information from the whistleblowers was low, or that they didnt fully cooperate with state lawyers, for example. Jason Ray, an attorney representing dentists being sued by the state for performing unnecessary procedures, questioned the value of the whistleblowers inside information. Their attempt to money-grab $47 million when theres no evidence they brought anything of value to this is galling, he said. Moriarty said Paxtons office had already offered him a smaller finders fee, however, he said he had quickly dismissed it as insufficient. Millennials, are taking a big hit again. And boomers are not OK, either. Sometimes at odds, Americas two largest generations now have something to agree on: The coronavirus pandemic has smacked many of them at a pivotal time in their lives. For baby boomers, named for the post-World War II surge of births, that means those who are retired or are nearing retirement are seeing their 401(k) accounts and IRAs looking unreliable while their health is at high risk. Millennials, who became young adults in this century, are getting socked again just as they were beginning to recover after what a Census researcher found were the Great Recessions hardest hits to jobs and pay. The long-lasting effects of the Great Recession on millennials, that was kind of scarring, said Gray Kimbrough, a millennial and an economist at American University in Washington. And now when the economy had finally clawed back to where we were before the Great Recession, then this hit at a particularly bad time as well for millennials in particular. Another factor: Millennials had been the most diverse generation, and the pandemic has hurt Black people and Latinos disproportionately both in health and financially. The pandemic has shined a spotlight on massive inequality by race, ethnicity and gender, said Christian Weller, a professor of public policy at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Stereotyped as Self-Absorbed This year has highlighted Americas generation gaps, especially between the two largest generations. Both have been stereotyped as being self-absorbed millennials as selfie-obsessed avocado toast addicts, boomers for their oversized mcmansions and self-indulgence. And both are feeling pandemic pain, though in different ways. When the generations divide, youth will know only youth; the aged will know only the aged, Landon Jones wrote in Great Expectations: America & the Baby Boom Generation, his 1980 book that coined the term boomer. And as always, the boom generation will know only itself. The boomers were mostly born to the Greatest Generation, Americans who survived the Great Depression as children and rallied together to win World War II. But while birth rates slowed down during the ensuing Generation X, the millennial generation expanded, fueled in part by immigration. Millennials became the best-educated generation and more open to social change, only to find that the boomers helped elect Republican Donald Trump president by outvoting them in 2016. Hence the dismissive OK, boomer! And boomers arent amused. The virus has killed older Americans more than others. It left many isolated at home for safety _ and with a sense they are considered expendable in efforts to reopen the economy. Weve become a throwaway generation, said Norm Wernet, 74, an advocate for retiree causes in Ohio. It infuriates us. Its upsetting to see so many younger people going maskless around older people, Wernet said, even as federal disease experts say wearing masks helps protect vulnerable people. Boomers, he said, arent getting to enjoy the golden years they worked decades to reach. Meanwhile, a string of newspaper and magazine stories have dubbed millennials the unluckiest generation. Richard Fry, a senior researcher for the Washington-based Pew Research Center, says early studies of pandemic attitudes have shown that older people see it more as a health crisis, while young adults worry more about economic impact. But researchers are finding older Americans have been hit harder by job loss, too, in this recession. Father and Son Having lunch together on a restaurant deck in suburban Cincinnati, a father and son recently discussed differences in generational views of 2020. Ive had friends that have been laid off. Ive been partially furloughed along the way. Im not accustomed to that, said Chris Newsome, 36, a millennial who went to college under the G.I. Bill after serving two tours of Army duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. That helped his finances through the Great Recession, but hes certainly feeling the sting of this downturn. We havent seen something exactly like this before, Newsome said. We dont really know what were walking into. Its complicated everybodys personal and professional lives. Newsome, who works in job placement, said some businesses he worked with stopped hiring or shut down. His family and peers had to suddenly work from home, leaving many to manage day care and schooling. Gbenga Ajilore, a senior economist at the Center for American Progress, said the pandemic has forced one parent in some two-income families to drop out of the work force. Chris father, Buck Newsome, 64, president of Cambridge Financial Group, said he felt the Great Recession was more visceral for me and my peers. Many boomers were in peak earning years, sailing along toward retirement, when underlying problems with the economy highlighted by the housing bubble finally popped. But the current recession was self-inflicted, caused by shutdowns and quarantines for public health, he said. He thinks the underpinnings remain to get the economy moving again, though thats clouded by uncertainty. Newsome hears from many peers who got so clobbered in 2008 and 2009 that they have sold off. Emotion comes into play, he said. They say, I cant take that kind of hit again. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, 64, had been raising alarms about insufficient retirement savings among older Americans before the current downturn. He and Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, have pushed legislation aimed at the one-fifth of Americans nearing retirement who have little or no savings. A lot of people are low in terms of retirement savings, particularly baby boomers, Portman said, with recent pay cuts and layoffs aggravating that. Congress first COVID-19 relief package allowed people to withdraw money from their 401(k) s without the usual penalties, but that has further drained retirement savings. College Debt Brian Bascom, 30, said fellow millennials already dealing with a sluggish economy werent positioned to weather job loss or furloughs. Many are carrying college debt; some had been wary about the stock market after seeing parents and grandparents savings hammered during the Great Recession. This may have shaped their ideals and perspectives about the investing marketplace, said Bascom, a financial adviser with Morgan Stanley in Cincinnati. He said its important for his generation to trim unnecessary expenses cutting Starbucks runs, frequent restaurant dinners or that extra streaming service. Adding to uncertainty have been the widespread protests sparked by deaths of Black men at the hands of police. Ajilore sees the same line of unequal treatment running through the nations COVID-19 response. These protests may actually benefit and give an impetus to create a more inclusive recovery, Ajilore said. Were a resilient country, and right now were pretty divided, said Buck Newsome, boomer. But if history is any indication, well somehow pull this together. He added, laughing: I hope Ill be around to see it. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics COVID-19 Home Secretary Priti Patel has slammed France for refusing to stop migrant boats just 250 yards off the French coast, as 90 more asylum seekers arrived in the UK today. An RNLI lifeboat is believed to have rescued people on one boat while the Border Force vessel Speedwell dealt with others in a number of small boat incidents. They were pictured being brought into the harbour at the Port of Dover in Kent this morning. Ms Patel has now sought to level blame at her French counterparts as she told the Commons Home Affairs Committee this afternoon of the 'unacceptable' numbers of people making the perilous journey across the Channel in small boats. Record numbers are thought to have made the crossing so far this year - particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. There is a 'major, major problem with these small boats', Ms Patel said, adding that the only way to make that route to the UK 'unviable' was to intercept the boats at sea and turn them back to France. She told MPs: 'We are fundamentally looking at changing ways of working with France. I've had some very, very, I think it's fair to say, difficult discussions with my French counterpart, even looking at interceptions at sea, because currently the French authorities are not intercepting boats at sea. 'And by that I mean boats that are just 250 yards away from the French coast. As many as 90 migrants were detained today, though the Home Office has yet to confirm the numbers An RNLI lifeboat is believed to have rescued people on one boat while the Border Force vessel Speedwell dealt with others in a number of small boat incidents Speaking to the Home Affairs Committee this afternoon, Priti Patel said the number of migrants crossing into the UK is 'unacceptably high' 'I feel there could be stronger enforcement measures on the French side and they have heard that from me. 'We want to break this route, we want to make this route unviable, and in my view the only way we can do this is by intercepting and returning the boats back to France.' Asked by the committee if French authorities have powers to intercept boats in French waters, because officials there claimed they do not, she said: 'That's absolutely right and that is what we are working to achieve, right down to sharing legal advice, legal guidance in terms of maritime laws. 'A lot of this is governed by maritime laws and the French authorities' interpretations of what they can and can't do at sea. 'It is our advice that they can go ahead and do that. That has been part of the discussions that we have been having with the French authorities throughout the entire coronavirus crisis.' Asked whether the 'disagreement' over maritime laws is the basis of the problem as well as the terms of the Cherbourg agreement - which the committee heard is an informal agreement to intercept crossings at sea and repatriate boats back to France - she replied: 'That is absolutely right.' Home Secretary Priti Patel met with France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and police in Calais on Sunday to work on clamping down on the number of illegal migrant crossings over the Channel Ms Patel said the agreement has been 'inappropriately' described by colleagues as a 'gentleman's agreement' but added: 'These agreements are here to stand the test of time and to be operationalised.' She said she had been 'making the point repeatedly to French counterparts', claiming the UK has offered to work with authorities at sea in joint exercises to demonstrate how boats can be returned safely. She added: 'It is equally important, along with maritime law, that we actually prevent loss of life at sea.' Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent in the last 10 years by her predecessors and on bilateral arrangements, Ms Patel said, adding that she wants to see more data and intelligence-sharing but suggested UK systems are 'slightly more agile' than those on the Continent. 'In France, the system is not geared up to work in that way - that is part of the challenge that we have,' she said. Speaking to the Home Affairs Committee this afternoon, Ms Patel said the number of migrants crossing into the UK is 'unacceptably high'. The migrants were pictured being brought into the harbour at the Port of Dover in Kent this morning Home Secretary Priti Patel travelled to France on Sunday to strike a deal with its government to crack down on the 'unacceptable' crossings She said: 'I see figures on a daily basis on small boat crossings. Not just the data but every single incident report that comes in. 'What I would say, and I'll be very clear about it, these numbers are shocking and appalling and they're unacceptably high. 'The figures are unacceptable. We have a major, major problem with these small boats, the route itself. 'I was in Calais on Sunday and I can tell you right now we want to end the viability of that route. 'As of July 2nd there are 166 rivals with a Eurodac hit that are ready to be returned to Italy, Germany and France and we have already made return requests for a further 577 people that have come into the country this year alone. 'I've seen French authorities clearing camps but all it is leading to is more displacement and we have also seen individuals that we have returned back to France, they will still try to come over again. 'We've got repeat people who try and come over again and we are so persistent on sending them back, the fact of the matter is, France is a safe country, Germany is a safe country, Italy is a safe country, people should be claiming asylum in those countries. On Sunday, a record 180 migrants tried to cross the English Channel in small dinghies in 15 separate incidents. On the same day, a further 200 people were prevented from making the treacherous 20 mile crossing by French authorities. So far this year a total of 2,658 people have made the illegal Channel crossing this year with today's figures yet to be made official Ms Patel travelled to France on Sunday to strike a deal with its government to crack down on the 'unacceptable' crossings. She said: 'I have been in France today seeing first-hand the significant work undertaken on that side of the Channel to address the unacceptably high levels of small boats, alongside the efforts of Border Force and the National Crime Agency in the UK. 'But despite all of the action taken by law enforcement to date - intercepting the boats, making arrests, returning people to France and putting the criminals responsible behind bars - the numbers continue to increase. 'This simply cannot be allowed to go on. 'Today, I have signed an agreement with the French to create a joint intelligence cell which will crack down on the gangs behind this vile people smuggling operation and impressed on my French counterpart the need to stop these illegal crossings for the benefit of both our countries. This is the start of a new operational approach with the newly appointed French Interior Minister.' But on Monday, 39 migrants were reportedly detained by Border Force officers in the Channel in four boats. On Tuesday, the French coastguard said they had to rescue 11 men just over a mile off the Calais coast They were alerted by the P&O cross-channel passenger ferry Spirit of France that the inflatable boat had got into difficulty in treacherous conditions at around 12pm. The previous record for a single day was broken on June 3 this year when 166 migrants were detained in eight boats. Last month, 702 refugees reached the UK on small boats - after 741 landed in May. So far this year a total of 2,658 people have made the illegal Channel crossing this year with today's figures yet to be made official. There were migrant crossings on 16 days of last month - including eight days in a row from June 14. New images captured in the last week by the European Space Agencys Sentinel-1 satellite suggest that Ethiopia may have started filling its massive Nile River dam, as tensions over the project continue. Ethiopia denied the assertion but maintains the countrys position that it is still on track to begin the multi-year process of filling the dam later this month. The images set off a flurry of speculation, with Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan deadlocked in talks over the dam's future. The $4.5 billion dam has been under construction for nine years, and once operational, will be the largest hydroelectric power plant on the African continent, capable of producing 6.4 gigawatts of power. But the project has generated opposition from fellow Nile River countries Egypt and Sudan who fear it will affect their access to fresh water. This combination image made from satellite images taken on Friday, June 26, 2020, above, and Sunday, July 12, 2020, below, shows the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile river. International Crisis Group analyst William Davison told The Associated Press that the water seen in the images from July 9 might be a result of rainy season overflow rather than a move by the government. Ethiopia reported that water levels are at record highs. This year is an opportune time to begin impounding water in the GERD reservoir, Taye Atske Selassie, ambassador and permanent representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, said during a recent presentation of the three countries at the Security Council. Currently both the Blue Nile and the White Nile have above normal flow. Lake Victoria is at a record high level. The high Aswan dam is also at its full supply level of 182 meters above sea level, which is a record high for the past 40 years or for decades. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the talks hosted by the African Union between the three nations failed to reach a consensus as Ethiopia moves forward with its intentions. On Monday, the Egyptian irrigation ministry confirmed that the three countries will submit a report, with South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa as a mediator. Speaking to local television, Sameh Shoukry, minister of foreign affairs of Egypt, also said, The desired goal is to always reach an agreement." Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Seleshi Bekele, gives a press conference on March 3, 2020 at the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopia's water and energy minister, said the trilateral negotiations that started after Egypts call to take the issue to the United Nations Security Council had ended again without an agreement. He said in a tweet that the talks lasted 11 days and included 11 observers and other experts, but still, no breakthrough deal is made. The discussion is expected to continue with Pan-African-led mediation and a review by the president of the African Union, the minister added. 1/2 The trilateral negotiation on GERD that was happeninnig for the last 11 days in the presence of 11 observers and augumented experts ended last night. Although there were progresses no breakthrough deal is made. Today we prepare reports to AU and our respective leaders. Seleshi Bekele (@seleshi_b_a) July 14, 2020 Egypt relies on the Nile for 90% of its freshwater needs. Certainly this is an issue that has a very severe consequence on the livelihoods and future and interests of Egypt, and we will do everything possible to preserve our interests, as would any state, Shoukry told AP before the country took the case to the United Nations last month. Representatives from all three countries made their case in a virtual session before the U.N. Security Council in June. While the sides agree on many of the main issues, disagreement remains over how to fill the 70 billion cubic meter dam. Ethiopia has said it plans to begin filling the dam in the coming weeks, which will take up to seven years to complete. Egypt wants additional guarantees that the filling will stop in the event of drought or low river flow. Egypt has called the project a threat of existential proportions to its welfare. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry speaks during a press conference on Sept. 17, 2019, in Cairo. While we recognize the importance of this project to the developmental objectives of the Ethiopian people, a goal that we certainly share and support, Shoukry said, it is essential to realize that this mega-dam, which is Africa's largest hydropower facility, potentially threatens the welfare, the well-being and the existence of millions of Egyptians and Sudanese citizens. The contentious negotiations date back to the beginning of the project and have included several mediators. In January 2020 all sides met in Washington, D.C., for talks mediated by the U.S. Treasury Department and the World Bank. The parties appeared close to a technical agreement at the time, but negotiations hit a standstill more recently over whether the agreement will be legally binding under international law. Egypt and Sudan believe Ethiopia should not move forward with filling the dam until an agreement is signed. Sudan strongly believes that reaching an agreement on the guidelines and principles before the commencement of the filling of the GERD is extremely necessary for the three countries to avoid putting millions of lives and communities at great risk, said Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, the permanent representative of Sudan to the United Nations. Any decision on the timing and the feeling of the GERD has to be agreed upon. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed that it is not a question of if the dam will be filled, but simply how it will proceed. Following a week where more than 100 Ethiopians died in ethnic violence and thousands were arrested, Abiy believes the future of the country is intertwined with the future of the GERD project. Rameshwar Oraon, Jharkhand Congress president and the finance minister in the incumbent coalition government led by chief minister Hemant Soren, has alleged that the BJP is trying to topple the state government by luring some of its legislators but it would not succeed. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oraon claimed that the saffron party tried to entice a few Congress MLAs during the recently-held Rajya Sabha elections in a bid to form a BJP government, following the example of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The BJP has been regularly violating the democratic values. The BJP crossed all limits in Madhya Pradesh and everyone saw how they formed a government there. While there is a provision for appointing non-elected members as ministers as an exception, they have made dozen such appointments. The BJP tried to topple the government in Rajasthan as well by using one person, but has failed, said Oraon. He tried to draw a parallel by claiming Congress MLAs were offered money and posts during the RS elections to jump ship. They tried to topple the government by offering money and post to our MLAs during the Rajya Sabha elections. But the legislators of our party and alliance parties are intact. The BJP will never succeed in Jharkhand as our legislators got elected after fighting the BJP on the street for the people, he added. The coalition government currently has a comfortable majority in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Two seats in the assembly are vacant as chief minister Hemant Soren vacated Dumka seat while retaining Barhait after the assembly polls in December last. The Bermo assembly seat fell vacant after senior Congress MLA Rajendra Prasad Singh died in May. While the JMM has 29 legislators in the current assembly, the BJP has 26 members including former chief minister Babulal Marandi, who merged his party, JVM (P), with the saffron party after the assembly polls. The Congress currently has 17 representatives in the legislature, including two members of JVM (P) who joined the party after a spilt in the party. The RJD is the third partner in the alliance with a single legislator in the House. Requiring 27 first preference votes, both JMM and BJP managed to send one party candidate each to Rajya Sabha in the RS election held for two seats in June by bagging 30 and 31 votes, respectively. The Congress candidate could however, secure only 18 votes. Reacting to the allegations, Jharkhand BJP president Deepak Prakash said Oraons statement was an attempt to divert attention from the failures of the state government in handling the Corona crisis. His statement is objectionable. He should instead put their house in order. They do not trust their own legislators and he is trying to be in the news by making such allegations. The truth is that its an attempt to divert attention of people from the failure of the Hemant Soren government in handling the Corona crisis, Prakash said. The senior partner in the ruling alliance, the JMM said while the BJP might try such tricks, it wont succeed in Jharkhand. BJP will try to destabilise the Hemant Soren government but it wouldnt succeed. JMM is a solid wall and it would not collapse, said JMM principal general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya. A woman in China accidentally infected at least 71 people with COVID-19 after using the elevator in her tower block, according to a stud... A woman in China accidentally infected at least 71 people with COVID-19 after using the elevator in her tower block, according to a study. The study was carried out by researchers at the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the report, the woman returned to her home in the Chinese province of Heilongjiang on March 19 following a trip to the United States. Prior to her arrival, the region had not reported any new COVID-19 case in eight days. It added that the woman did not exhibit any symptoms of the disease and tested negative for the virus upon arrival but placed herself on self-isolation at home. She reportedly did not have any direct contact with anyone in her building and had not taken the lift with anybody but the report said a neighbour downstairs used the elevator after her at some point. On March 26, her neighbour downstairs (described as patient B1.1) invited her mother (patient B2.2) and her boyfriend (patient B2.3) to stay the night and the visitors later attended a party with another group of people three days later. Then, on April 2, one of the people who attended the party (patient C1.1) suffered a stroke and was taken to hospital while his two sons (C1.2 and C1.3) cared for him. He was later transferred to another hospital because of fever. However, at this point, there was no obvious connection between him and the traveller and he was not tested for the disease, On April 7, the mothers boyfriend (patient B2.3) started showing COVID-19 symptoms. He tested positive for the disease two days later, becoming the first confirmed case in the cluster. His close contacts, (the mother and her daughter), as well as the people he attended the party with subsequently tested positive for the disease. The report said none of the patients had a travel history which suggested that they got infected from contact with other persons. The man who had a stroke also tested positive for the disease on April 10 alongside his sons who took turns in caring for him. He had infected a total of 28 other persons in the first hospital, including five nurses and a doctor, during his admission. He also reportedly infected 20 other people in the second hospital he was referred to. After investigators discovered the first womans travel history, she underwent a test on April 11 and it was found that she had antibodies, suggesting that she had previously contracted the virus. As of April 22, she was asymptomatic, and a total of 71 positive cases had been identified in the cluster. The researchers, therefore, concluded that the traveller must have contaminated the elevator, prompting a mass-spread of infections. Her downstairs neighbour is thought to have contracted the virus while using the elevator before infecting her mother and mothers boyfriend when they visited her apartment. The couple then infected the stroke patient and his sons during the party. We believe (the woman) was an asymptomatic carrier and that (the downstairs neighbour) was infected by contact with surfaces in the elevator in the building where they both lived, the researchers said. They concluded that their results showed how a single asymptomatic patient could spark widespread community transmission. Egypt said on Monday that the talks brokered by the African Union (AU) between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) had ended without an agreement. At the end of 10 days of negotiations differences between Ethiopia and Egypt and Sudan on the legal status of the agreement, a mechanism for dispute settlement, rules regulating the filling and operation of the GERD during drought, prolonged drought, and dry years, and the relationship between any GERD agreement and earlier water agreements signed by the Nile Basin countries, remained unresolved. Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri described the failure of talks as regrettable, adding that Egypt had no wish to resort once again to the UN Security Council. Helmi Shaarawi, a leading expert on Africa, had expected the mediation of the AU, the EU and the US to place pressure on Addis Ababa to compromise, especially given both Egypt and Sudan share the same position. The two downstream countries have repeatedly called on Ethiopia not to take any unilateral action over the filling of the dam. Rakha Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, was less surprised by the results of the AU-brokered talks. When Ethiopia decided to take part in the talks, it said it was possible to reach an agreement within two weeks, yet on the same day it stated that the initial filling of the dam would start within two weeks. It was obvious that Ethiopia made no link between an agreement and the filling. Addis Ababa, says Hassan, remains unwilling to commit to any rules governing the filling or operation of the dam during periods of drought, prolonged drought and dry years, let alone a link between any agreement that might emerge and previously signed agreements. A diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity agreed with Hassan. Ethiopia has consistently refused to commit to a legally-binding agreement, and endlessly seeks to defer contentious issues to a later stage. Egypt clearly stated this week that it will not accept a partial deal that fails to address major differences. The AU-brokered video talks were initiated on 3 July and attended by observers representing the EU, the US, the AU Commission, South Africa, as well as AU legal and technical experts. On the eighth day of negotiations Ethiopia proposed that a decision on contentious points in the talks be postponed until an accord is signed and a technical committee formed to follow up on the implementation of the accords provisions. Egypt refused the suggestion, saying the points of disagreement that touch upon Egyptian concerns in key technical issues cannot be deferred to the technical committee after the signing of an agreement. The Ministry of Irrigation revealed that Egypt had proposed several draft agreements on procedures to deal with the annual operation of the dam, especially during periods of extended drought, and on the refilling of the reservoir. Hassan says it is now likely that Ethiopia will come up with more proposals. Its approach has always been to procrastinate and delay any commitment. It is not the first time that Addis Ababa has come up with a proposal that aims to defer agreement on contentious issues to a later stage, he said. In April Addis Ababa prepared a document on the guidelines and rules for the initial filling and the annual operation of the dam and presented it to Egypt and Sudan. Cairo and Khartoum rejected the Ethiopian proposal on the grounds that it backtracked on all previous negotiations and understandings between the three countries, and provided guidelines for the first filling that Ethiopia could amend at any time. A previous round of unsuccessful negotiations brokered by Khartoum was held last month. It ground to a halt due to Ethiopias refusal to accept that any agreement be legally binding. Last week Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered to help resolve outstanding points of dispute in the dam talks during a video conference with his counterparts from Egypt, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is not the first time that Russia has offered to mediate. On the sidelines of the Sochi summit in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to help in bridging the differences between Egypt and Ethiopia. As the clock runs down Ethiopia has said repeatedly that it will start the initial filling in the second half of July the anonymous diplomat believes the intervention of the UNSC, as the international body that is responsible for keeping international peace and stability, is now needed rather than the mediation of a state, however strong and influential. Last month Egypt sent a letter to the UNSC appealing to the international body to intervene. Sudan followed with its own letter stating that the dam could cause substantial risks to Khartoum, endanger the lives of millions of people living downstream, and warning that filling the dam without reaching a tripartite agreement would compromise the safety of the Sudanese Roseires Dam. The Security Council called on the three countries to refrain from taking any unilateral action. In November the US and the World Bank joined forces in an attempt to broker a deal on the dam. After four months of talks the three countries reached an agreement, but Ethiopia failed to turn up to the signing ceremony in February. Egypt relies on the Nile water for more than 90 per cent of its water and is concerned that the filling of the dams reservoir will affect the amount of water reaching the country. Construction of the dam began in May 2011 and is more than 70 per cent complete. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 16) The Department of Tourism published on Wednesday the guidelines for the holding of meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). The DOT Administrative Order No. 2020-03 states that MICE suppliers, exhibitors, and venue operators can only use up to 50 percent of the total venue capacity in their events. Only those living in areas under MGCQ are allowed by DOT to participate in a MICE event. The Tourism Department also orders MICE organizers to implement strict health and safety protocols in the conduct of their events. MICE exhibitors should also comply with relevant guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and other related government agencies in observing the minimum public health and safety standards. DOT also clarified in its directive that MICE events are still not allowed in areas under enhanced community quarantine, modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), and general community quarantine (GCQ). This means that MICE events are not allowed in Cebu City, placed under MECQ by President Rodrigo Duterte last night until July 31. GCQ areas like Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, and Basilan are also prohibited from holding MICE events. Last year, the DOT launched the MICE Roadmap 2030 which targets a 24.4 billion revenue from the convention industry by 2030. French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that he favours making face masks mandatory in public indoor spaces to curtail the coronavirus pandemic. He also said there were warning there were signs infections in France were picking up again. "I would like to make masks mandatory in all enclosed public spaces," he said in a televised interview for the national celebrations around Bastille Day on July 14. He said the measure could come into force as early as August 1st. Responding to concerns that infections are again on the up in France he added: "We have indications that (the outbreak) is accelerating a bit." He said in particular that the virus reproduction rate, the "R" ratio, had risen above one in France, meaning that a single person infected with COVID-19 is likely spreading the disease to others. Masks are already required on public transport across France, "but it's a little spotty in enclosed public spaces", Macron acknowledged. Prominent doctors urged the government this week to require masks in order to prevent a second wave of cases that could again overwhelm hospitals. The mayor of Saint-Ouen, a suburb just north of Paris, on Monday made masks mandatory after several coronavirus cases were discovered at a school. Asked if France had enough face masks in case of a new spike in cases, Macron said: "We will be ready." "We have secured both the stocks and the supply sources, and we are organised on the ground, to allow us to deal with an upsurge, if it comes," he said. "We didnt think he was sick with COVID. He travelled on 30th of June. Hes been in NSW for a while and it wasnt until we interviewed him and his colleagues with more details that we made the link that they were all at the Crossroads on 3rd of July," Ms Musto said. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said it was likely two or three people at the party were infectious. Mr Hazzard said the government would not disclose the name or location of the workplace at this stage. Ms Musto said there was no ongoing risk for people at the workplace. Ms Musto confirmed genome sequencing had linked the Crossroads cluster to the Victorian outbreaks. "We've identified all the links at this point in time, but we'll get more cases and we'll have to identify further links with them and further contacts and get them all to go into isolation as well," she said. Dr Chant said people in the Crossroads cluster had developed symptoms incredibly quickly. Jennie Musto described as NSW Healths "chief virus detective" is the operations manager for the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Credit:James Brickwood The incubation period for COVID-19 is usually within 14 days, but people in this cluster have developed symptoms closer to one day after being infected. "It gives you very little time for the contact tracers, because youve got to get your cases diagnosed and then youve got to lock down those contacts," Dr Chant said. "If you've got a sore throat today, don't wait for two days to get it diagnosed. Work with us. Go get tested on day one because every day you can give us allows us to stop that spread." Dr Chant said she needed a "two-week period of assurance" to confirm virus detectives had blocked the chains of transmission from the Crossroads outbreak. "I am far from relaxed. This is a critical period for us and I need the co-operation of the public for that two-week period," she said. In the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, there were 13 new cases, including 10 of those linked to Crossroads taking the state's total number of COVID-19 cases to 3328. Of those 10 cases, six attended the hotel, two were close contacts of patrons and two acquired infection at the nearby Planet Fitness gym. Loading The remaining trio were returned travellers. Anyone who was at the Crossroads Hotel between July 3 and 10 has been directed to self-isolate and get tested. Dr Chant said the community could not lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 could be spreading throughout other parts of Sydney and NSW. "This is a stealthy virus," she said, urging the public to get tested if they develop any symptoms no matter their location. Three COVID-19 cases who were infectious when they were at Planet Fitness gym have been identified, prompting health authorities to deem anyone who was at the gym between July 4 and 10 as close contacts and directing them to self-isolate for 14 days. Dr Chant said a COVID-19 case had also visited the YMCA at Revesby between 4pm and 8pm on July 9 and from 8am to noon on July 11. The Woolworths supermarket in Bowral where a staff member had coronavirus on July 15, 2020. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer A case also visited the Wests Leagues Club between 8pm and midnight on July 11. Another case visited the club between midnight and 2am on July 12 and the Macarthur Tavern arriving at 8.15pm on July 11 and leaving roughly 45 minutes after midnight. At Woolworths in Bowral, a COVID-19 positive person worked between midday and 9pm on July 11 and July 12. "I'm also very concerned about areas where we may have had a number of visitors from Melbourne and in particular the Mitchell Shire and also, particularly the coastal suburbs and our border communities. We need to have high rates of testing," Dr Chant said. In Sydneys south-west, almost 3300 people came forward for testing in that 24-hour period. "We have had massive pressure in the pop-up clinics," Mr Hazzard said, reminding people they could also go to their local hospitals for testing. There are clinics at Liverpool Hospital, Campbelltown Hospital, Victoria Park in Picton, Camden Hospital, Ash Road Sporting Complex, Narellan Community Health Centre, Bankstown Hospital, Fairfield Hospital and Bowral Hospital. Dr Chant set a new testing target of more than 23,000 swabs a day. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As New York City plans for students to return to classrooms on a staggered schedule through a blended remote and in-person learning model, there are important dates that families need to know before students return in September during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This year, New York City parents will have the option to allow their children to attend school remotely full-time, but if they choose to send their kids back to the classroom, students will only be allowed to return for in-person learning two or three days of the week -- working remotely the rest of the week. Jio Platforms has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch, a pivotal move by digital unit by the digital unit of Reliance Industries (RIL) that will help it capitalise on the new wave of 5G telecom orders in India and abroad. Also read: Why 5G revolution is a big deal The Made-in-India 5G technology can be deployed and launched in a year once spectrum is available, said RIL chairman at the companys 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) on July 15. Jio can easily upgrade its 4G network to 5G because it is all-IP network architecture. Track all the updates on RIL AGM by following our LIVE blog here Once it is proven in India, Jio Platforms would be well-positioned to be an exporter of 5G solutions to other telecom operators globally, as a complete managed service, according to RIL. Jio Platforms along with its over 20 start-up partners who are now part of our family, has built significant world-class capabilities in several cutting-edge technologies, said Ambani. He listed these capabilities: 1) 4G and 5G technologies2) Cloud Computing3) Devices and Operating Systems4) Big Data Analytics5) Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence6) Virtual and Mixed Reality7) BlockChain8) Natural Language Understanding 9) Computer Vision Using these technologies, we can create compelling solutions that span multiple Industry verticals and ecosystems like media, financial services, new Commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, smart manufacturing and smart mobility, Ambani said. Ambani said these are the technologies and ecosystem solutions that hold the power to achieve 360-degree digital transformation of India. Our start-up partners have contributed significantly to our strengths across many of these areas And we are inviting even more start-ups to join forces with us. Follow our RIL AGM 2020 coverage here - RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, JioHealthHub to provide end-to-end digital health services Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Universal background checks could drastically drop gun violence across the nation, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy claimed during a virtual event on Tuesday. Murphy was one of the participants of a kickoff online discussion for the Road to Universal Background Checks Tour, hosted by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords co-founder of Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence. Also on the call were Giffords Executive Director Peter Ambler and gun violence prevention activist Tre Bosley. The focus of the session, which lasted about 45 minutes, focused on what the participants described as a vital need for gun control laws. The Road to Universal Background Checks Tour is a series of virtual gatherings that will highlight universal background checks. The gatherings are hosted Giffords gun violence organization, which she co-founded after she suffered a severe brain injury when she was shot during an assassination attempt in January 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. We can let the shootings continue, or we can act, Giffords said during Tuesdays gathering. We can protect our families, our futures. We can vote ... Please join us in this fight. Tre Bosley, a gun violence activist from Chicago, was a young boy when he was first directly exposed to gun violence by the fatal shooting of his cousin in December 2005. Just months later, Bosley lost his brother to gun violence. Terrell Bosley was practicing bass guitar in the parking lot of a church prior to his choir practice in Chicago on April 5, 2006, according to the Chicago Tribune. Tre Bosley said the deaths of his cousin and brother sparked his activism for violence prevention. I didnt understand what was going on, Bosley said. I knew that I had to try to be the change. He said he started to connect and work with different organizations, including working on petitions and rallies. I didnt want anyone else to experience the loss that I had, Bosley said. Being a younger activist, Bosley said he urges other young individuals to engage their friends in activism and education. He said younger people should also learn and spread the word where possible about things like rallies, injustices and voting, including local elections. Murphy talked about how the December 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School put the importance of focusing on gun violence legislation in the spotlight for him. We still have far too many shootings happening in my state, in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Murphy acknowledged, also citing that illegal guns are an issue not just in Connecticut but in many states. Bosley asked Murphy what can be done to address the daily shootings in Black communities that he said are often going overlooked. Command the country to pay attention to this issue every single day, Murphy said. It has to be our daily focus ... And we have to be honest about systemic persecution. Murphy said studies have shown that poverty is one of the most obvious indicators that someone could become the victim of gun violence in the United States. He said since communities of color end up in what appear to be never-ending cycles of poverty, it also traps those communities in cycles of gun violence. Legally, Murphy said once universal gun laws are checked that make it harder to get access or, or even sell, illegal weapons, he would expect a rapid decrease in gun crimes. He said every gun sale in the country should be subject to a universal background check. Agra July 15 : The collective efforts of the state health apparatus and private medical facilities, plus the sustained campaign by dozens of voluntary groups in Agra, have helped stabilise the average number of fresh cases to around 12 a day. Compared to April, undoubtedly, the state of preparedness and the promptness of response by the district administration has seen a marked improvement. Doctors at the Covid-19 special ward at the S.N. Medical College, feel confident with experience, as a large number of critical cases transferred by private nursing homes are being attended to with success. The Yogi government has been appointing senior IAS bureaucrats as nodal officers to coordinate work being done by various state government departments. Decision-making at the local level has helped save time and given a direction, health activists say. IMA Secretary Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi told IANS: "Compared to April, Agra was definitely in a much better state today, in terms of preparedness, facilities, action taken and interaction among stake-holders. But it is too early to claim any success or breakthrough in the battle to combat Covid-19, as 16 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours. District Magistrate P.N. Singh said there were 87 containment zones, the recovery rate was 81.71. The total number now is 1,427. 1,166 have recovered and discharged. The number of deaths so far is 93. The month of June saw 54 deaths. The posh colonies of Kamla Nagar and Balkeshwar have reported more than 150 cases in the last couple of days. District authorities have sealed the Rajasthan and MP borders to prevent movement after there was an alarming surge in cases in Bharatpur and Gwalior. In neighbouring Mathura district 19 fresh cases were reported, Firozabad 7 including an MLA, Mainpuri 16, Kasganj 17. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text People in Tokyo are watching with wary eyes as the latest daily case numbers hover in the mid-100s after topping 200 four days in a row through Sunday. Officials confirmed 143 new infections in the capital on Tuesday, bringing the total number to nearly 8,200 in the city of 14 million. Many of the recent cases are young people who work at or have visited nightlife districts. Japanese Economic Revitalization Minister, Nishimura Yasutoshi said, "The number of infected people is increasing considerably. We have to deal with the situation with a sense of crisis." Nishimura is in charge of the government's coronavirus response. He says officials and experts will discuss if night clubs that don't act in accordance with anti-virus guidelines should be asked to close. Cluster infections have been confirmed outside nightlife districts. They include about 40 actors, staff members and patrons at a theater in central Tokyo. The infected theatergoers came from across the greater Tokyo region. A woman who attended the performance says the venue was closed and crowded. She said, "The space between rows was less than 1 meter. I had to move my legs to let people pass. And the space between seats was just wide enough, too." Health officials are asking the 800 people who attended the 12 shows held over six days, as well as 50 staff members and performers, to take a virus test. More than 22,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Japan. Nearly 1,000 people have died. An Australian Youtuber has been condemned after painting his face black, using the N-word and dressing up as a police officer to mock the death of George Floyd on webcam chat site Omegle. The YouTube star, who goes by the name of CatboyKami, uttered racial slurs to black people on the randomised chat website. In one video uploaded online, the Youtuber tells a young black boy on web chat: 'What's good my n*****? You're a real young n***** up in this b****. You got some raps for me?' The boy, who appears stunned at the scene, utters 'oh my god' repeatedly. Australian Youtuber CatboyKami has been condemned after painting his face black, using the N-word and dressing up as a police officer to mock the death of George Floyd on randomised chat website Omegle The Youtuber continued: 'Yo, I got a rap for you. You wanna hear it? It starts before the rap, it's going to be a music video', before mocking the death of George Floyd, shouting 'I can't breathe!' In one video, CatboyKami even dressed up as a police officer, pointing a gun at a black woman and telling her to get on the ground so he can 'kneel on her neck'. He said: 'I need you to get down cause I'm gonna lean on your neck. Come on n*****. Get down on the ground, down on the ground!' One fan allegedly donated $50 to the Youtuber, who was receiving tips from his fans while performing his vile antics. CatboyKami uploaded the videos to his Youtube channel, which have since been deleted. The clips, which have been reposted to Twitter, have since gone viral and left users horrified at the man's racist behaviour. YouTube star CatboyKami painted his face black and mocked the death of George Floyd in front of a young black boy, shouting 'I can't breathe!' The social media star uploaded the videos to his Youtube channel but they have since been deleted One wrote: 'This dude is just a evil human being. He is seriously mocking a death of someone that had a long life ahead but he takes this as a joke - unbelievable.' Another added: 'Reported! What a legitimately evil "human" being. Brought me to tears seeing that little boy's face, I remember sneaking on these kind of apps at sleepovers. Parents aren't always watching.' Meanwhile, one said: 'Oh my - people like this actually think it might be funny to more than one other person with a functioning brain stem. This man should be immediately arrested and banned from social media.' When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the YouTuber said the vast majority of responses to his videos have 'been very positive'. Undated photo of Cary Jay Smith, 59, who was sent to Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino in 1999. (O.C. District Attorney's Office) A Costa Mesa man who officials say is a dangerous predator has been released after spending more than 20 years in a mental hospital, prompting Orange County officials to warn residents and urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene. Cary Jay Smith, 59, was sent to Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino in 1999 on a 72-hour psychiatric hold after his wife gave a psychiatrist a letter that detailed Smith describing sexual acts he wanted to perform on a 7-year-old boy who lived in his neighborhood, the Orange County District Attorneys Office said in a news release on Tuesday. Since 1999, Smith has been held by the state under a section of the states Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC 5300) as a result of a series of civil trials that determined he presented a demonstrated danger of inflicting substantial physical harm to children, the news release stated. He was allowed a new trial every six months to determine whether he was still a threat. During those hearings, Smith has repeatedly testified that he fantasizes about raping and then killing young boys in order to avoid being identified, D.A.s Office spokesperson Kimberly Edds said in the news release. He claims that he has killed three boys and molested 200. He prefers to go by the name Mr. RTK, which stands for rape, torture, kill. Over the years, psychologists testified that Smith posed an imminent danger to the public and the county counsel argued to keep him confined. However, the state hospital didn't renew the hold against Smith, allowing it to expire on July 11, the news release stated. The Orange County District Attorneys Office, which is not a party to the civil hold on Smith, filed 20 felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor against him in 2002, but prosecutors were forced to dismiss the charges due to the statute of limitations at the time, the news release stated. In 1985, Smith pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor sexual offense involving a child and was required to register as a sex offender. That registration was removed in 2005, but Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer are urging Newsom to reinstate the registration requirement. Story continues The fact that he is being released back into our community is unconscionable, Steel said. We must take this threat to our community very seriously and ensure that everyone in Orange County is aware of this individuals grave threat to our children. Smith was released on Tuesday from Coalinga State Hospital in Fresno County, to which he was transferred at some point, Edds said Wednesday. He is expected to return to Orange County, where he used to live and still has ties. This sexual predator has repeatedly testified under oath that he will reoffend if he is released and we should believe him, Spitzer said. As a state legislator, I was the author and founder of the State of California Sex Offender Management Board and the author of Megan's Law on the Internet, which allows the public to see where these sex offenders are so that they can protect themselves and their families. He added, The public has an absolute right to know that he is coming back into our community, and we will do everything we can to prevent another child from being harmed." RACINE COUNTY Do you have any quarters? Jim Wuerker asks. He needs those little 25-cent pieces. Badly. Im desperate to get quarters right now, said Wuerker, who owns Quarry Laundromat, 3618 Northwestern Ave. My company runs on quarters. Theres a nationwide coin shortage caused by (you guessed it) the coronavirus pandemic. Many department stores and grocery stores have ceased providing coins as change to hold onto the coins they have left. On Tuesday, the Pick n Save at 5111 Douglas Ave., Caledonia, was still giving out change. But starting today, the manager said, they wouldnt be giving out change anymore. Malickis Piggly Wiggly, 5201 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant, is still giving out change for purchases, but coin rolls are no longer being sold. Some Walmarts across the U.S. have stopped giving out change, but the SuperCenter at 3049 S. Oakes Road, Mount Pleasant, is still giving out pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. It will continue to do so until told otherwise, a manager told The Journal Times. In a statement, Johnson Financial Group Regional President Karla Krehbiel said "At Johnson Financial Group, we are actively working with our clients and cash providers similar to what all financial companies are doing today. At this time, we have been able to meet our clients needs in a sufficient time frame that hasnt disrupted their business. All business clients are aware of the shortage and understand we need to work together. We have associates focused on coin inventory for JFG, providing daily updates so we can stay ahead of our clients needs." Adapting businesses The lack of coins has not been a game-changing issue for most customers at these chains. Kroger, which owns Pick n Save, says that the cents of change owed to customers can be uploaded onto loyalty cards and would be automatically used on that customers next purchase. But for laundromats like Wuerkers, the lack of change poses a big problem. His laundromat is entirely coin-operated. He has a change machine in the building, and he checks to see how empty it is every couple hours when he stops by to clean. If it remains tough to get coins for the next few weeks, he might be out of luck. The problem isnt only that there are fewer coins in circulation right now. Wuerker said he cant get his hands on any coins from banks. Hes tried going to several banks, even ones at which he doesnt have an account, to get coins; only one has given him any, and that was a one-time offer, he said. Many banks have their lobbies closed to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. And ATMs only give out paper currency. No coins. None of the money institutions will sell them to you, Wuerker said. The lack of coin is creating problems for restaurants and gas stations, too, said Katie Stolt, retail operations manager for Union Grove-headquartered Community State Bank, since so many of those businesses are cash-based. Community State Bank, which has seven locations in southeast Wisconsin, still has its lobbies open, but isnt offering coins in exchange for cash because of the shortage, Stolt said. Two weeks ago, Wuerker said, he happened to explain this problem to a friend who is a bartender. That bartender happened to have a cache of coins, and Wuerker was able to buy $200 worth of quarters from his friend to restock his Quarry Laundromat. Wuerker is on the lookout for the next opportunity to turn cash into coin. If he cant find one, he expects he will lose business to the other laundromats in town. It sucks, he said. What caused it? The shortage, the Federal Reserve has reported, has come about because the pandemic disrupted the supply chain for materials and also messed up normal circulation patterns for U.S. coin. As the Fed moved to replenish its coin inventory, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congresss Financial Services Committee on June 17 that it still wont be enough to solve the shortage in the short term. What has happened is, with the partial closure of the economy, the flow of coins through the economy has ... kind of stopped. The places where youd go to give your coins and get credit ... those have not been working, Powell said. So, a whole system of flow has kind of come to a stop. Were well aware of this. Were working with the Mint, and were working with the reserve banks and, as the economy reopens, were seeing coins begin to move around again. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Nigerias contraceptive coverage, indicated by the modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR), currently stands at a mere 16.6 per cent, and has stood at an average of 17 per cent for some time. These were the findings of the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). It is worth noting that this average is below the Nigerian governments national objective to achieve an mCPR of 27 per cent by the year 2023. Coverage and other indicators provide a glimpse of the state of Nigerias family planning sector and are largely attributed to funding. In 2017, the Nigerian Government, through her Federal Ministry of Health committed to set aside US$4 million (N1.2 billion) annually from 2017-2020 to fund the Family Planning (FP) programmes in Nigeria. The government planned to use the set aside sum to facilitate commodity procurement and distribution to respective states. As it stands, only N300 million of the agreed sum was awarded and released in 2019. Currently, the government is yet to release the 2020 family planning budget constituting N1.2 billion. 2020 as the final year in the allocation schedule creates a sense of urgency. Moreover, the constant delay and inconsistency in funds discharged has now created a gap of N2.1 billion. Over the past three years, although the government has tried to keep up with its end of this commitment, shortfalls have occurred, the largest being in the year 2019. In all fairness, the year 2020 has seen a lot of challenges already. The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has brought on a lot of strain on the world healthcare systems, seeming to drive backwards most of the health gains made in developing countries in areas such as the fight against Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis, and uptake of services such as family planning. With the current circumstances, the hope of covering the gap of 10.4 per cent mCPR by 2023 may be prolonged. Government counterpart commitmment to family planning in Nigeria These fears were further driven with the recent budgetary cuts that saw the proposed expenditure on healthcare cut to almost 50 per cent. Over these past five years, governments commitments such as that of the FP funding have made this basic service available to couples at the necessary levels of care. However, the current family planning funding gap has been a significant issue of concern for various stakeholders, given its significance on the womens maternal health as well as the health of the family and the nation at large. On that note, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) in partnership with Development Research and Project Centres (dRPC) Partnership for Advocacy in Child & Family Health at Scale (PAFAH@Scale) project held a webinar on July 3 that centred on this very concern. The theme, Securing the Funding Gap for Family Planning in the face of Covid-19 was aimed at openly discussing these rising uncertainties. The panel discussion featured the representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), the Executive Director, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), the First Vice President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Nigeria (SOGON). The Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of ACIOE associates, Lawrence Anyanwu, Minnie Oseji, Ejike Oji, Habib Muhammad Saduki, and Ekenem Isichei were also in attendance. Also in attendance was one of the winners of the 120Under40 award, 2018, Hameed Adediran. The RASuDiN Programme Manager further doubled as a panel moderator. Mr Anyanwu, the representative of FMoH, remarked that it is true that the federal government of Nigeria committed to the contribution of a certain sum of money annually to the procurement of contraceptive commodities. He added that this is intended to support funding coming from other sources to ensure the family planning needs of Nigerians are met wholly. Presently, money for FP commodities is jointly funded by the Government, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Gender imbalance in decision-making was also noted to be one of the perils that hinder access to family planning services in Nigeria. Historically, our male dominated cultures mean most women have to seek permission from their spouses and choose an agreed method of contraception. Ms Oseji further remarked on how MWAN had actively been involved in sensitisation campaigns that aimed to push for client patronage of services at the community level from this standpoint. Mr Isichei offered some recommendations, which he suggested would tackle the family planning shortfalls. These include an evidenced-based advocacy effort at the highest level, private sector partnership, the Federal Governments need to purchase commodities before October of each preceding year, strengthening last mile community-based distribution, strengthening the capacity of health care workers and lastly, data generation and mapping. Overall, several important questions were raised about advocacy strategy to catalyse action from the government as well as questions on the private sector options for family planning services. Mr Orji noted that on this level, pushing for broader inclusion of FP services into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), that would ensure service provision at public and private facilities, is a sure strategy. Mr Sadauki had also noted the continual active role played by professionals like the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists over the years in service provision. This service, in his opinion, needed to continue. COVID-19 has no doubt brought a lot of uncertainties to a sector that had seen strong advocacy for increased funding and sustainability plans. As we enter the second half of the year, it is hoped that promised funds such as that of the government would be made available soonest to meet the growing need of FP services in the country. Mr Orji noted that this challenge was already great as the estimated cost of dealing with the ongoing pandemic runs two times over the FCTs health budget for instance, which calls for a more significant commitment towards funds to be released for services such as FP. As already seen, even designated family planning facilities are seeing low client turnout due to ongoing social challenges, which would also call for creativity such as providing commodities that can be self-administered by clients, in giving couples better access. The Ministry of Shipping on Tuesday approved Rs 107 crore for augmentation of firefighting facilities on five jetties of Haldia Dock Complex, Port. The allocation was announced by Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya. In a release, the said the modern firefighting facility will enable the Haldia Dock Complex in the safe handling of the movement of petrochemical products. The ministry has prioritised safety and security of cargo operations on all major ports. It is a move towards compliance of global standards for fire safety, the release said. The existing firefighting facility does not support handling the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other petroleum products as per the guideline of Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. LPG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo on Haldia dock are projected to increase in the near future. This infrastructure will help to manage the petro-chemical goods in a safe and secure manner at Port by complying OISD guidelines, the ministry stated. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the largest and most awarded private radio networks in India, 93.5 RED FM has launched a campaign to encourage the recovered Covid-19 patients to donate their plasma for treatment of Covid-19 patients. The campaign, Dilli Deke Dekho will feature stories of recovered patients who have donated their plasma along with on air requests for plasma and blood requirement to create awareness. Indias first plasma bank for Covid-19 patients became operational in Delhi which will allow any COVID-19 patient who recovered from the disease 14 days prior to donate plasma. As part of the campaign, RED FM RJs will be interviewing doctors and will be announcing the plasma donation helpline number at regular intervals so that the message reaches as many number of people as possible. Speaking on the occasion, Nisha Narayanan, Director & COO, RED FM and Magic FM, said, Delhi Governments Plasma Bank is an excellent initiative with an objective to bridge the gap between donors and patients. It is time to motivate people to donate plasma and radio as a medium has a strong reach which can help people get in touch with the potential donors. India has a significantly low mortality rate, experts say it can be further lowered if we treat Covid patients with plasma therapy. Red FM wants to give this movement a push by asking people of Delhi to donate plasma through our campaign, Dilli Deke Dekho. Delhi Government and CM, Arvind Kejriwal have supported REDFMs Dilli Deke Dekho campaign. He tweeted and posted on Instagram in support of the campaign. Border patrol police have been showered in gifts by three young girls who paid for the presents with their pocket money. Officers stationed at the Howlong vehicle checkpoint on the NSW/Victoria border received a care package from the girls to keep them comfortable on the front line. The package included hand warmers, cookies and cup cakes and was all paid for with the girls' pocket money. 'We have been extremely touched by the generosity shown to our officers stationed down at the NSW/Victoria border,' a NSW police Facebook status read. 'The following goodies were dropped off to police working at the Howlong vehicle checkpoint by three young girls. Police were given a care package (pictured) from three young girls at the Howlong vehicle checkpoint on the NSW/Victoria border The package included cookies, cupcakes and hand warmers and was paid for by the girls' pocket money 'We later learned that these were paid for out of their own pocket money! 'This gesture was enough to bring a couple of seasoned officers close to tears.' Comments on the post praised the girls for supporting officers who are doing their utmost to keep the community safe during the coronavirus pandemic. 'Im so glad youre being shown some love. You guys certainly deserve it,' one comment reads. 'Kids raised right!' another post says. 'Glad you are being looked after and treated correctly.' 'Wonderful, what a lovely thing to do,' another wrote. 'Our police do not get enough thanks. Well done girls.' Officers at the Howlong vehicle checkpoint (pictured on July 8) were brought to tears by the girls' generous gesture The NSW/Victoria border closed on July 7 for the first time in 100 years after a dramatic rise in community transmitted coronavirus infections in Victoria. Police and Australian Defence Force personnel have been stationed along the border for 24 hours a day checking vehicles for permits to travel between the two states. Victoria recorded 238 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, marking the 10th day in a row the state has registered more than 100 new cases. Victoria's case total has hit 4,448 with 1,931 cases still active. A total of 209 are still under investigation. A woman in her 90s with the virus has died overnight, meaning three people have lost their lives to the disease in Melbourne since yesterday, taking the national toll to 111. Meanwhile, New South Wales has recorded 13 new cases, with 10 linked to a cluster which developed at the Crossroads hotel in south-west Sydney. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Highlights The Global Surgical Retractors Market held a market value of USD 1,103 Million in 2017 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period. Increasing number of surgical procedures leading to increase demand of surgical retractors. Surgical retractors are one of the important surgical instruments which is used to separate the edges of the wound or surgical incision. Due to increasing prevalence of obesity across the globe many of the companies are in the race to introduce better treatment for obesity. Companies are using a trend of strategic alliance and acquisition to gain the market and minimize the competition in the market. Additionally, the growing research and development expenditure by the government as well as private sector is likely to contribute to the market growth. As per the data by the Office for National Statistics, in 2016, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) was Euro 33.1 billion (USD 35.2 billion) in the UK. However, the cost of surgery and surgical products may hamper the market growth during the assessment period. Regional Analysis On regional basis, the Americas is anticipated to dominate the global surgical retractors market share owing to the growing R&D budgets by both government as well as commercial pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies and increasing adoption of advanced technologies in the region. Europe is expected to hold the second largest position in the global surgical retractors market owing to the presence of strong academic & research base and availability of funding for research in the European countries. Asia Pacific has served an opportunity for developing surgical retractors market in this region due to increasing demand for the better treatment and devices and increasing prevalence of disease like diabetes and obesity. The Middle East & Africa has the least share of the global surgical retractors market. Moreover, the major market share of the region is expected to be held by the Middle East region owing to the increasing government initiatives for the healthcare sector. Intended Audience Surgical Retractors Manufacturers and Distributors Contract Research Organizations Academic and Research Institutes Government Associations Segmentation The Global Surgical Retractors Market has been segmented into product type, design, product usage, application, and end user. By product type, the market has been segmented into hand retractors, self-retaining retractors, table-mounted retractors, wire retractors, and accessories. Based on design, the market has been segmented into fixed or flat frame retractors, angled or curved frame retractors, and blade or elevated-tipped retractors. Based on product usage, the market has been segmented into tissue handling and dissection and fluid swabbing. Based on application, the market has been segmented into obstetric & gynecological, urological, abdominal, cardiothoracic, orthopaedic, head, neck, and spinal, aesthetic surgical, and others. The market, by end user, has been segmented into hospitals and surgical centres, ambulatory care centres, and others. Key Players Terumo Corporation Henry Schein, INC. Johnson & Johnson Medtronic Becton Dickinson and Company Stryker Corporation Globus Medical, INC., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Teleflex Incorporated, Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation, The Cooper Companies, INC., RTI Surgical, INC., Arthrex, Inc., Invuity, Inc., Medline Industries, Inc. Browse Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/surgical-retractors-market-7019 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services Correspondence: Manuel Riemer, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5; Tel: 519-884-0710 ext. 2982; Email: mriemer@wlu.ca Abstract Introduction: As the global climate changes, heat waves are having a disproportionate impact on seniors and other socially vulnerable groups. In order to mitigate the threats of extreme heat, it is critical to develop and promote resources for coping during these events. A better understanding of the role of risk perceptions and the factors that influence them is needed in order to improve public responses to threatening events, particularly among seniors. Methods: This mixed-methods study examined risk perceptions and coping practices in seniors using qualitative interviews (n = 15) and a survey (n = 244) of seniors across Waterloo Region, Ontario. Results: Seniors showed relatively accurate risk tracking as indicated by the link between measures of actual risk and perception of personal risk. While vulnerability to heat is often believed to be associated with inaccurate perceptions of risk, within our sample, vulnerability appears more strongly related to social location and access to resources. Participants described social connections as important resources for resilience, but the stigma surrounding vulnerability, and other social norms, as barriers to seeking support. Conclusion: The positive relationship between participants risk perceptions and actual risk for negative consequences of extreme heat was an important finding, given that problems of emergency preparedness and risk reduction are often framed as issues of awareness of risk, rather than social location and inequality. Along with increased public resources for coping with extreme heat, communicating about resources, fostering social connections and reducing stigma may be important leverage points for increasing the resiliency of seniors to heat waves. Keywords: climate change, heat waves, seniors, health promotion Highlights Mitigating the risks of increasing extreme heat events for seniors requires the development and promotion of public resources for coping during these events. The lack of response to public efforts to mitigate these risks has previously been framed in terms of inaccurate risk perceptions. Vulnerability to heat has been associated with inaccurate perceptions of risk; however, seniors in our sample showed relatively accurate risk perceptions, and vulnerability appears more strongly related to social location and access to resources. Improving communication about available resources, building social connections and reducing social stigma and inequality can help promote better resilience among seniors during heat waves. Introduction Recent climate models predict that extreme weather events will increase in frequency and intensity over the next several decades,Footnote 1Footnote 2Footnote 3Footnote 4 leading to significant consequences for human health.Footnote 5 An increase in heat waves is particularly concerning, given the correlations among increasing global ambient temperature, increases in extreme heat events (also known as heat waves) and heat-related mortality risk. Studies have found a nonlinear association between hospitalization rates and episodic heat waves, with increased temperatures contributing to a seven-fold rise in hospital admission rates.Footnote 6 The severity of heat waves is greater in cities, because of the urban heat island effect,Footnote 7 and has become increasingly salient following the heat-related deaths of over 700 people in Chicago during a heat wave in 1995Footnote 8 and 70 000 Europeans in 2003.Footnote 9 Studies have also begun to demonstrate that heat-related illnesses and deaths disproportionately affect individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,Footnote 3Footnote 10 those who live aloneFootnote 11 and those living in areas with higher crime rates or substandard housing,Footnote 2Footnote 12 suggesting that heat waves are both socially and spatially differentiated.Footnote 2Footnote 13 Seniors (those aged 65 years and older) are at higher risk for the negative consequences of heat, including hospitalization for heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat syncope.Footnote 6 They are also at greater risk for hospitalization for complications of pre-existing conditions and increased mortality rates during heat waves,Footnote 2Footnote 6Footnote 14 a risk that is further amplified by the presence of the additional heat-related illnesses listed above.Footnote 2Footnote 14 While seniors are at particular risk from the negative consequences of heat, there are only a few studies that have examined the effects of heat on this population.Footnote 14Footnote 15Footnote 16 Given demographic trends indicating an aging population in Canada and around the world,Footnote 15 a better understanding of heat mortality prevention strategies among this specific group is urgently needed.Footnote 2Footnote 6Footnote 10Footnote 17 Consequently, public health departments are beginning to use more comprehensive approaches to reduce community-dwelling seniors vulnerability to heat waves, such as revamping infrastructure, increasing knowledge of risks and improving protective measures and response systems.Footnote 4 However, many current heat-health campaigns throughout Canada and abroad report a disconnect between the communication strategies used and the behaviour performed.Footnote 3Footnote 14Footnote 18Footnote 19Footnote 20Footnote 21 Others have reported little consensus on which communication styles are best for communicating an effective and impactful heat wave plan.Footnote 22 Seniors subjective experiences of heat waves are critical to enhancing adaptive capacity,Footnote 10Footnote 13Footnote 19Footnote 22Footnote 23 and changing self-perceptions of risk remains key to preventive action.Footnote 1Footnote 2Footnote 19 However, only a few studies have looked at risk perceptions in relation to extreme weather, and to heat waves more specifically, among older adults.Footnote 9Footnote 23Footnote 24 Enhancing our understanding of these perceptions may contribute to the development of more efficient, effective and better-tailored heat-health communication strategies,Footnote 2Footnote 3Footnote 9Footnote 18 bolstering the information processing and behavioural strategies of seniors living in community or in supportive housing, and those who support them.Footnote 23Footnote 25 Our current understanding of risk perceptions stems mostly from scholarship examining other forms of extreme weather (such as hurricanes or flooding).Footnote 1Footnote 26 Lower risk perceptions have been linked to less effective coping strategies,Footnote 21Footnote 27 whereas increased risk perceptions have been positively associated with more favourable adaptation attitudes.Footnote 27Footnote 28 Those who are more aware of their own constraints are more likely to react appropriately to environmental warnings.Footnote 2 Factors influencing risk perception include personal experiences of extreme weather,Footnote 27Footnote 28Footnote 29Footnote 30 political dispositions,Footnote 30Footnote 31Footnote 32 gender,Footnote 1Footnote 3 attitudes and beliefs about climate changeFootnote 33 and sense of self-efficacy to adapt as needed.Footnote 31 Proximity to structural resources and social networks, or the lack thereof, can also amplify or dampen perceptions of risk.Footnote 24Footnote 33Footnote 34Footnote 35 According to the few studies on seniors risk perceptions of heat waves, many seniors do not consider themselves to be at a vulnerable age,Footnote 11Footnote 22 and consequently see themselves as less affected than others.Footnote 1Footnote 14Footnote 21Footnote 36 In the event of heat waves, many seniors exaggerate the effectiveness of preventive measures used or deny their actual level of risk.Footnote 14 Others may experience cognitive dissonance because of alternative belief systems (e.g. need to be self-reliant) or may underestimate the risks due to their limited understanding of the issues at hand.Footnote 35Footnote 36Footnote 37 While existing research offers some initial insights, the social and contextual circumstances that inform seniors inadequate perceptions of the risks of heat waves and their consequent shortfalls in adaptive capacity remain largely unknown. With several researchers and public health advocates calling for further examination of this issue,Footnote 2Footnote 10Footnote 14 we sought to add to the existent literature by exploring and predicting factors that contribute to the risk perceptions and coping practices and resources used by seniors in Waterloo Region, Ontario. The objectives of this study were to (1) understand seniors current perceptions of the risks of extreme heat, (2) identify factors that contribute to risk and risk perception, (3) explore how to improve risk perceptions and resilience to extreme heat, and (4) contribute to public policy and planning to reduce seniors vulnerability to heat waves. Methods For this project, we took a community-based, participatory approach, using mixed methods and a sequential exploratory design to gain a deeper understanding of how seniors perceive, experience and cope with heat waves. Our approach was influenced by dominant theories of risk perception and planned behaviour, including Edelsteins risk personality,Footnote 38 which generally suggest that an individuals evaluation of possible outcomes and their attitudes toward prescribed behaviours that affect these outcomes can predict their intentions and behaviour,Footnote 38Footnote 39 but also by more recent critiques of these theories emphasis on internal factors and lack of attention to the broader social and environmental context.Footnote 40 The project had a community focus, building on the results of a previous study exploring the impacts of a changing climate on homeless people in Waterloo Region that identified seniors as a group at particular risk, and on the partnerships created through that study. An advisory committee (consisting of representatives from local agencies serving seniors, providing housing and overseeing public planning and policy) was formed to provide input on the study design and to oversee the data collection, analysis and dissemination of results. Two local seniors who were active in their community were also hired as peer researchers and participated in the study design, data collection and analysis and dissemination of results. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is a mid-sized municipality that includes three cities and several rural townships in Canada, where climate models are predicting increased heat waves within the next several decades. With the support and interest of local organizations, we sought to develop research that could inform local planning and policy, with the potential to be generalized to other regions. The study included two data collection phases: an exploratory phase consisting of 15 qualitative interviews with Waterloo Region residents aged 65 and older, and a broader quantitative survey informed by the exploratory phase. We used a combination of snowball sampling and convenience sampling, working with community partners to connect with a sample of participants likely to have important and informative experiences while also conducting broader public outreach at public events such as weekly farmers markets and community dinners. Exceptions to the age requirement were made for participants recommended by our community partners who had experiences that were unique or difficult to capture (such as street-involved and low-income seniors and newcomers to Canada). This allowed one interview participant, aged 51, and three survey participants, aged between 52 and 64, with important lived experiences to participate. Ethical considerations The Research Ethics Board at Wilfrid Laurier University approved all study procedures (REB#4482) including recruitment, data collection, storage and dissemination processes. We obtained informed consent from all interview and survey participants. The research assistants and peer researchers also participated in team interview training, which included a discussion of research ethics and confidentiality. Qualitative interviews In the initial interview phase, seniors were invited to participate in a brief screening questionnaire to determine their eligibility to participate in the study, and to assess demographic factors to improve the representativeness of our sample. We invited eligible participants to participate in an interview covering topics such as experiences of extreme weather, perceptions of current weather and broader climate, perceived risks of heat waves for themselves and other seniors and strategies for coping with extreme heat. In order to increase the quality of content in terms of both academic interest and participant expertise and shared experiences, interviews were conducted in person by pairs of research team members, each including one research staff member and one peer researcher. This allowed conversations to be guided by not only the interview guide and research expertise, but also by the insight and experiences of our senior peer researchers. The interviews were digitally recorded, anonymized and transcribed word for word. Interviews lasted approximately 60 to 90 minutes, and were conducted at locations of the participants choosing. Quantitative survey The questionnaire for the second phase of this sequential design study was developed by the research team and community advisory group based on factors identified in the literature on seniors and heat waves, a measure of risk perception developed for emergency responses to threats of terrorismFootnote 40 and key themes from the qualitative interviews. Topics covered by the survey included demographic information (using questions based on those in the Canadian census form), risk factors, access to resources, perceptions of risk, protective behaviours, use of resources and perceptions of gaps in resources for seniors. The initial survey was drafted by the research team, then reviewed to enhance content validity by additional researchers with expertise in climate change and risk perception and community advisors with experience working with seniors. Our research team adapted the survey questions based on the feedback from these expert reviewers to develop the final questionnaire. The survey was distributed online via email, in person at community events and through community partner agencies, both in person and by mail. Analyses Qualitative interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim by a research assistant from the project team. A second research assistant reviewed a sample of transcripts in order to ensure accuracy. The team conducted an initial, inductive thematic analysis of the interviews, in which two research assistants reviewed each transcript and noted major relevant themes and categories (clusters of themes). These themes were then organized into a coding framework, which was further refined to develop a coding scheme through discussion with the project team (including the two peer researchers). Once a final coding scheme was agreed upon, all transcripts were coded by at least two research team members independently, applying the final coding scheme to all transcripts. The coded transcripts were entered into a database using NVivo qualitative analysis software, version 11 (QSR International Americas Inc., Burlington, MA, USA), which was used to generate summaries of the major themes from the interviews. The research team used these summaries to highlight key results, summarize responses to our central research questions and note other important trends in the interviews. We presented the final overarching categories and themes to the community advisory board to allow for their input and to collaboratively develop the presentation of the final results. Quantitative survey responses were entered into a Microsoft Access form using forced responses to ensure accurate data entry. We then analyzed the quantitative data using R version 3.0 (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). We computed means or frequencies for all study variables. We further analyzed survey responses for Pearsons r or Spearmans rho correlations between various individual-level variables such as demographic characteristics and risk awareness, and factors contributing to risk in seniors in our sample. We developed two risk indices to assess objective risk using the clusters of factors within the survey associated with specific types of risk. For example, health risk, representing the likelihood of negative health effects in extreme heat, included two factors: (a) the presence of health conditions that are negatively impacted by heat, and (b) having previously experienced heat exhaustion or other heat-related illness. Adaptability risk, representing the ability to cope during extreme heat, included knowledge and behaviour factors: (a) knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion; (b) being aware of heat warnings; (c) using or accessing resources during heat waves; and (d) demographic factors such as income level, living alone, and housingincluding ventilation and air conditioning. Results While the qualitative and quantitative components and initial analyses in this study were conducted sequentially, in our final analyses we considered results across datasets to triangulate a more complete picture of seniors risk and resilience. In this report, the results are discussed simultaneously by theme in order to triangulate them and for ease of understanding. Sample Recruitment for this study proved challenging, particularly for the qualitative component, as many seniors seemed to lack interest in talking about the subject of heat waves or climate change in general. Political orientation and beliefs about climate change also influenced peoples willingness to participate in this study. In total, fifteen participants completed qualitative interviews between August 2014 and September 2015, and 244 participants completed the survey questionnaire between April 2016 and September 2016. Of our fifteen interview participants, five (33.3%) identified as male and ten (66.7%) identified as female. They ranged in age from 51 to 84 years, with a mean age of 71.7 (SD 9.6). Nine participants lived alone (60%), while the other six lived with a partner or with other family members (30%). Four participants were born outside of Canada (26.7%). Four participants (26.7%) also identified as visible minorities, with two participants identifying as East Asian, one as First Nations and one as Latino, and the rest identifying as Caucasian and/or Canadian (73.3%). Two participants (13.3%) identified as people living with disabilities. Survey participant demographics are summarized in Table 1, along with local comparison data from Canadas 2016 Census. Participant demographics are summarized in Table 2. Table 1. Demographic characteristics of respondents to survey on seniors awareness of heat wave risks, Waterloo, Canada, 2016, compared to local census data Table 1. Demographic characteristics of respondents to survey on seniors awareness of heat wave risks, Waterloo, Canada, 2016, compared to local census data Demographic N % 2016 Canadian census Footnote a of Table 1 comparison Range Median Mean Age (years) 225 N/A 5297 74 74.3 Gender 231 Female 157 63.6 Male 72 29.1 Other 2 0.8 Born outside Canada 15 6.4 Income 181 Median Less than $5000 15 8.2 $35 714.00 Less than $5000$100 000 or more $20 000$49 999 $5000$19 999 53 29.3 $20 000$49 999 68 37.6 $50 000$79 999 29 16.0 $80 000$100 000 8 4.4 $100 000 or more 8 4.4 Housing condition 230 % Regional population House 107 46.5 55.7 Apartment or condominium 112 48.7 44.2 Retirement residence 11 4.8 N/A Living alone 119 48.8 24.4 Abbreviation of Table 1 Abbreviation: N/A, not applicable. Note of Table 1 Note: signifies no data. Footnote a of Table 1 Data from Statistics Canada. Census Profile, 2016 CensusWaterloo, CY [census subdivision], Ontario and Waterloo, RM, Ontario [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Statistics Canada; 2017. [Catalogue No.: 98-316-X2016001]. Released November 29, 2017 [cited 2019 Apr 11]. Available from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E Return to footnote a referrer of Table 1 Table 2. Summary of results of survey on seniors awareness of heat wave risks, Waterloo, Canada, 2016 Table 2. Summary of results of survey on seniors awareness of heat wave risks, Waterloo, Canada, 2016 Variable N % Range Median Mean Risk factors Health risk 244 03 1.00 1.44 Adaptability risk 241 08 2.00 1.85 Experience of heat-related health problems 241 44 Number of heat-related health conditions 238 06 1.00 1.26 Knowledge of heat-related health symptoms 238 8 Perceptions of risk Negative impact of CC Self 221 14 3.00 2.86 Community 216 14 3.00 3.02 Negative impact of heat waves Self 227 14 3.00 2.88 Community 208 14 4.00 3.41 Protective behaviours Preparedness for heat waves 229 13 3.00 2.52 Check up on others 241 13 2.00 2.20 Resources Knowledge 208 63.5 Access Cooling 232 98.3 Information 205 97.6 Friend/family 181 86.7 Water 208 98.6 Likelihood of use Cooling 178 13 2.33 2.34 Information 157 13 2.50 2.44 Friend/family 133 13 2.00 2.21 Water 145 13 3.00 2.81 Perception of gap 222 03 3.00 2.56 Abbreviation of Table 2 Abbreviation: CC, climate change. Note of Table 2 Note: signifies no data. General awareness Overall, participants reported being aware that weather was changing, and characterized the weather in Waterloo Region as unpredictable. Since we received mixed responses to climate change terminology in our introductory conversations and interviews, we chose to frame our conversations in the context of extreme weather and heat and to avoid broader climate questions unless participants raised the topic themselves. Many participants felt unqualified to make broader predictions about climate, choosing only to comment on immediate weather experiences and experiences from their past. I have tracked this in my mind for the last 20 years because I grew up on the farm and I know our seasons. You had spring you had summer you had fall. You had winter and spring. On the farm you are dependent on the weather for getting crops in and planting crops. I just know that the weather has changed a lot. (Ellen) Among the survey participants, there was considerable variation in perceived negative influences of climate change. As participants perception of negative impacts of climate change increased, so did their perceived risk for people in Waterloo Region (r = .614, p < .001). Risk profile To better understand the process by which environmental stressors such as extreme heat result in negative psychological consequences, Michael Edelstein proposed the formulation of a risk personality.Footnote 38 A risk personality describes the defining characteristics of the specific environmental stressor as it may be experienced by people living in a certain proximity to the stressor.Footnote 38 This is important because the psychological impacts are caused by an interaction of the characteristics of the environmental stressor and the way individuals appraise that risk and cope with its impacts. This framework focusses on three key factors that contribute to how a person evaluates risk: cause, consequence and controllability. In this section, key themes and results that emerged from our analyses are presented within this framework. Causes In assessing risk, people assess the causal attributes of the environmental stressor, such as its origins, its temporal and geographical boundaries and its nature.Footnote 36 In Waterloo Region, seniors considered not only heat waves in isolation, but also increased heat and other extreme weather as a component of global climate change more broadly. When asked to reflect on their perceptions of how weather has or has not changed over time, many interview participants believed that weather patterns had changed, but were reluctant to draw conclusions about overall trends. They frequently described the weather as unpredictable, and often felt unqualified to make predictions for future weather. We are definitely not getting the weather that we did get 10 even 15 years ago. The whole change of weather, the whole atmosphere has changed. I think it has. Like you are not getting the same good weather. Its either good or it has completely gone the opposite direction. It is completely measurable. The smogginess. The sun, you dont get as much sun anymore. It is dull and dreary. Maybe it is because I am getting older, I dont know (Sanaa) Participants had a mixed response to climate change terminology, with some supporting and having knowledge of global climate change and its causes, and others not believing there was a broader global pattern, or that changes to climate were natural long-term patterns. Its been more changeable than before I think yeah. I am very aware of climate change . I even went on a march to Toronto a few weeks ago (Leslie) Experiences with extreme heat were mediated by personal factors such as age, health and resources. Some participants were very aware of heat waves and their effects on their own well-being, while others did not notice any effects or found increased heat easy to deal with. Consequences The second factor contributing to risk perceptions is the potential consequences of the environmental stressor.Footnote 38 This includes the known impacts on the environment and the physical and psychological well-being of the people experiencing the stressor. Participants in this study had varied experiences with extreme heat and its consequences, as well as varied perceptions of the potential consequences of extreme heat and sense of personal preparedness to cope with extreme heat. Interview participants who lived with health conditions such as heart disease or respiratory conditions often reported being aware of the effects of increased heat on their well-being, and took measures to cope and protect themselves during heat waves. Participants mentioned impacts on both their physical and mental well-being: I am slower, I move slower. Sometimes just moving horribly slow. My knees hurt sometimes, you know? I do not, like, my body doesnt like it, and I dont like it. I dont think well. Theres a distract Its a distraction for me because my body doesnt want it. Its a huge distraction for me. (Philip) I dont like heat waves, I cant stand them. I am cranky and I cant tolerate BS from people when its, its overheated. So I stay where I can get angry with em. I stay home (Sanaa) Several interview participants reported specific instances when they became aware of previously unknown risks, often due to a personal experience of overheating, whether their own or that of a loved one: And I said I could sleep in the family room, its no big deal. Well, my son came over to check up on me around 7 p.m., and I thought that I was warmI felt warm, but I guess I looked worse than I felt. He said Thats it, youre coming to my housepack your bag. This is ridiculous! I mean, look at you, your face is as red as that cup. So anyway he packed me up and we went over to his place. It wasnt until we got to his place did we realize how hot I really was. (Eleanor) While some participants who had experiences with heat-related health consequences were aware of the impact of heat on their health, in general, participants awareness of the health consequences of heat and the symptoms of heat-related illness was relatively low. When asked to select the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke from a checklist, only 8.4% of our survey participants correctly identified all eight symptoms, and fewer than half of the participants (46.2%) correctly identified six out of eight symptoms. Waterloo Region is typically cold and snowy in the winter, which often lasts almost six months. Thus, for residents of this area, heat is connected with summer and generally perceived as something positive. This was also true for the participants of this study. Some participants distinguished summer heat (which they liked) from the high humidity during heat waves that bothered them more: No, again, I dont do a whole lot of complaining about the weather, cause the only time I do a lot of complaining, like I said, is in the summer when it is humid like this and that really irritates me. (Maria) Risk assessment In this study, participants were asked about both their perceptions of their own vulnerability to extreme heat, and the objective factors that influenced their risk. In order to better understand the relationship between perceived and actual risk, we created two indices representing actual assessments of risk: health risk and adaptability risk. Health risk represented the influence of health conditions affected by heat and previous heat-related illness. Adaptability risk represented factors and resources that affect the likelihood of coping well with extreme heat, including knowledge of heat-related illness, awareness of heat alerts, access to emergency resources and support, having air conditioning or good ventilation at home, living alone, likelihood of using available resources, and income. Overall, seniors showed some degree of accurate risk tracking as indicated by the link between our assessment of actual risk and their perception of their own risk. Those with higher actual health risk did perceive higher personal risk of negative impacts of extreme heat (r = .443, p < .001). Those with higher adaptability risk (i.e. less awareness and access to resources) also perceived a higher degree of personal risk of negative impacts of extreme heat (r = .184, p = .006). While vulnerability to heat is often thought to be related to inaccurate perceptions of risk, within our sample, vulnerability to extreme heat appears more strongly related to social location and access to resources. Income was one key factor, as perceptions of higher risk of negative consequences of heat were correlated with lower income (r = .198, p = .004), with the level of perceived risk decreasing as income increased. Type of housing was a contributor to perceived risk, with 61.9% of those at high risk living in apartments as opposed to houses (38.1%). In general, the fewer the resources participants felt were available to them, the higher their perceived risk of negative impacts of extreme heat (r = .288, p < .001). Controllability The perceived controllability of a stressor is a final important assessment that affects peoples risk perceptions and response. One way to control negative outcomes is to prepare for them in advance in order to mitigate or avoid negative impacts. We asked our survey participants to rate their general sense of preparedness for extreme heat, as well as their access to specific coping resources. Overall, 50% of participants felt they were well prepared to cope with extreme heat. In terms of specific resources to help cope with heat, 98.7% of participants expected to see some sort of warning in the news if there were an extreme heat event, 97.6% reported having access to information about the weather and coping strategies, 98.3% had access to at least one way of cooling themselves (e.g. air conditioning, fans), 98% had access to extra water at home and 86.7% had friends or family members nearby whom they could ask for help. Based on the broad availability of resources, seniors in our sample did not appear to be a group at particularly high overall risk. However, many of the same demographic factors that affected their actual risk and perceived personal risk of the negative impacts of extreme heat also predicted their perceptions of controllability and preparedness. Fifty percent of participants who felt they were not very well prepared (either completely unprepared or somewhat prepared) for extreme heat lived alone, with 62.5% of those who felt completely unprepared living alone, and 65.2% of those who felt only somewhat prepared living alone. A total of 56.3% of those who lived alone felt unprepared or only somewhat prepared to cope with extreme heat, compared to 32.5% of those living with a partner, 38.9% of those living with family or 25% living with other older adults. This suggests that social connectedness may play an important role in preparedness and risk mitigation. Furthermore, while 86.7% of participants reported that they had friends or family members they could ask for assistance, only 50% of those who had support reported that they would be very likely to use it. Some participants suggested that social stigma, perception of personal control and beliefs about individual responsibility may be factors influencing seniors willingness to ask for help. Many spoke of the need to take personal responsibility for their well-being: taking some responsibility I can stay in if it is not urgent for me to stay out. I can just stay in with AC and do some other things like reading or some hobbies and stuff rather than complain because that is just going to make you hotter and affect your disposition so I am trying that way myself not to. (Florence) take responsibility. If its hot, dont stand there in the sun and say Oh my goodness, it is hot. (Mark) A common theme in the interviews was the need to simply accept and put up with difficult or uncomfortable conditions: I mean in the wintertime if its misty and smoggy and crappy, well ok you dont want to go outside, I understand that, but have some nice weather so you can go out and enjoy the cold here. Suck it up buttercup, you know? (Sophie) Finally, another element that may make seniors reluctant to ask for help may be a fear of being perceived as vulnerable, which could lead to a loss of independence. Resilience Another survey finding was that many seniors took time to check in on friends, family and neighbours during extreme heat, with 43.2% being somewhat likely to check on others, 38.2% very likely, and only 18.7% not at all likely to do so (data not shown). This is noteworthy, given the low likelihood that participants in this sample would ask friends or family for help, as well as the finding that individual knowledge of the symptoms of heatstroke was low and that those who were less likely to ask a friend or family member for help were likely to be at higher adaptability risk (r = .282, p = .001). Building resilience Participants in this study had many helpful suggestions for ways to increase awareness of the risks of extreme heat and for resources that could support or build resilience. Seniors reported that heat warnings did not always reach them, and that there was a lack of information about local resources, such as cooling centres. They identified doctors, pharmacists, community centres and local news as trusted sources of information that could be used to disseminate this information further. Participants also noted that the majority of seniors learned to rate temperatures using the Fahrenheit scale, and that weather reports using Celsius were not as accessible to them. Discussion Risk awareness is an important component of building resilience to extreme heat, particularly in vulnerable populations. In this study, we set out to assess risk awareness, risk perceptions and preparedness for extreme heat among seniors in Waterloo Region. Researchers around the world have called for investigations of seniors risk perceptions and coping practices during extreme heat; however, risk perceptions may not actually be the key to understanding seniors risk and resilience.Footnote 2Footnote 10Footnote 14 We found that the seniors in our sample had a realistic overall assessment of their personal risks during heat waves. However, not all seniors in our sample were at equal risk, and not all seniors had equal or sufficient access to resources to protect themselves during extreme heat events. Seniors who perceived themselves to be at lower risk of negative consequences of extreme heat tended to have better health and access to more resources, while those who had concrete risk factors, such as pre-existing health conditions, lack of social support and lower income, tended to be aware of their elevated risks. Furthermore, stigma and social norms may have prevented some seniors who do have access to protective resources from making use of them. The positive relationship between participants risk perceptions and actual risk for negative consequences of extreme heat was an important finding, given that problems of emergency preparedness and risk reduction are often framed as issues of awareness of risk.Footnote 1Footnote 3Footnote 5Footnote 14Footnote 21Footnote 34Footnote 35 Our participants appeared to have accurate assessments of their own risks. However, there were significant differences in the demographic factors associated with the risks of extreme heat. Participants who were lower income, lived alone or had existing health conditions were at increased risk, and were relatively more aware of these risks, but their awareness did not necessarily lead to a reduction in their vulnerability. Reducing vulnerability Many risk mitigation initiatives focus on informing seniors of their risk and encouraging them to take personal actions to reduce it. This was reflected in participants comments about the personal responsibility to be aware of their well-being, to push through discomfort and to take action on their self-care. Knowledge and self-care are important components of risk mitigation, and our results show that participants could be better informed about the symptoms of heat-related illness and resources in their community to help them take care of their health. However, many participants in this study reported that they were unlikely to make use of community resources or ask for help during a heat wave, and some suggested that social stigma, perceptions of personal responsibility, and fear of being perceived as vulnerable may be barriers to seniors use of resources to stay healthy during heat waves. Risk factors such as social isolation, lack of social support and lack of access to cooling and other protective resources also played important roles in risk, and are more difficult for seniors to change for themselves. Knowledge of risks and resources Seniors in this sample had gaps in their knowledge of the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and were open to receiving more information about the risks of heat and resources for coping. Having information that is directly relevant to seniors, particularly those with specific risk factors, disseminated through trusted sources such as community nurses, general practitioners and family doctors, local clinics, pharmacists and community centres could increase the accessibility, relevance and trustworthiness of heat-related resources to seniors. Finding out which local media outlets seniors favour, through community consultation and by ensuring that heat alerts and resources are disseminated through the best channels, could also increase the likelihood of important heat-related information reaching seniors. Communication Using language that is relevant, accessible and engaging for seniors is critical for the uptake of information.Footnote 22Footnote 34 Since many seniors in our sample learned the Imperial system before Canada switched to the metric system, communicating weather alerts in both Celsius and Fahrenheit degrees could help seniors recognize when the temperature puts them at risk. Avoiding technical, scientific language, referring to weather rather than climate and referencing the experience of humidity rather than heat are also recommended findings. Using strength-based language and avoiding language that may be disempowering or socially stigmatized is also important for supporting seniors independence and sense of agency.Footnote 22Footnote 37 This could include avoiding the use of climate change terminology in broader alerts or preparedness resources, and avoiding terms that seniors may dislike or do not identify with, such as vulnerable or elderly. Community consultation and stakeholder engagement is a vital tool for learning best practices for communication with local seniors. Access to resources While many seniors in our study felt they had the resources they needed to stay well during a heat wave, those who were socially isolated or living on low incomes often felt unprepared. Broader social determinants of health such as livable incomes and social support are important to address over the long-term,Footnote 41 but there are more immediate things that can be done to support seniors whose social location puts them at additional risk. Ensuring there are community resources such as cooling centres or other air-conditioned spaces available throughout the region, and that these sites are well-communicated and accessible by local transit could support seniors who do not have air conditioning or access to other spaces to stay cool. Water fountains or temporary water stations can also be helpful for anyone who cannot stay indoors during a heat wave, along with public washrooms, as many seniors mentioned avoiding drinking water out of fear they may not be able to access a washroom away from home. Social networks A lack of social connections and the stigma surrounding accessing support are important barriers to resilience that were identified by our participants. Many seniors did not have access to emergency resources, and others who did have access to additional support stated they were unlikely to ask for help. However, many seniors in our study and other research have reported supporting other seniors or people who may be at risk by sharing information and checking on them during heat waves.Footnote 22 This peer support could be a helpful and empowering tool to leverage to increase seniors resilience to extreme heat. For instance, the San Jose Buddies ProgramFootnote 42 and the Netherlands Red CrossFootnote 43 local branches have established peer volunteer networks where seniors check on their peers, help with errands and provide assistance during heat waves and other emergencies. Implementing similar systems in Ontario could help improve social connections among seniors, increase knowledge among both low- and high-resource seniors, and help de-stigmatize their access to social support. To support these goals, it is critical to effectively engage stakeholders and include local community-based organizations. It is also important to understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of social networks for seniors, and to establish volunteer-based programs. Strengths and limitations Recruitment was a challenge throughout this study, and while our community partners were extremely helpful in recruiting participants from their networks, this may have contributed to a skewed sample. One particular strength of this study was our partnerships with community organizations, which allowed us to recruit participants for both the interview and survey components who had experiences, risks and resources relevant to our research, including low-income seniors, seniors with disabilities, senior community leaders and newcomers. The majority of our participants were women, and while gender-based analyses have revealed important differences in the ways men and women cope with heat,Footnote 44 our unbalanced sample did not allow for reasonable comparison. Our participants were predominantly white and Canadian-born, which, while representative of previous generations in Waterloo Region, does not represent the areas current overall diverse cultural and linguistic groups. Our sample was also skewed in terms of income, with clusters at the high and low end of the income spectrum, which made it challenging to accurately assess the contribution of demographic factors to vulnerability across a broad spectrum of seniors experiences. Peoples perspectives on climate change and controllability of risk also influenced their willingness to participate, with many of the seniors we spoke to declining to participate because they did not believe in climate change or were not worried because they had air conditioning. Finally, our sample was geographically limited to seniors in Waterloo Region. However, because the municipality includes three cities as well as a number of rural townships, it is representative of many other districts within the province. While this regional focus may limit the generalizability of our results, the data we collected were relevant and useful for local planners and community, social service and public health organizations, and may be particularly useful to other nearby communities. Consequently, we believe that most of our findings are transferable beyond this region. Conclusion Unlike previous studies indicating that the dangers posed to seniors by environmental stressors such as heat waves are heightened by seniors inaccurate perceptions of the risk to themselves and by their lack of response to risk, our study showed that Waterloo Region seniors assessments of their risks from heat waves were relatively realistic. Instead, both their actual risk and their resilience were impacted more by social location and coping resources. Even in those with higher incomes, greater social support and better housing, resilience tends to depend heavily on the availability of coping resources such as air conditioning and clean tap water. During prolonged heat waves, those resources could temporarily become unavailable because of power outages or arid freshwater sources. Communication about community resources, such as cooling centres and emergency water access, could help seniors better prepare in the event of a prolonged extreme heat wave. More generally, different communication strategies may be used for those who have access to appropriate resources and those who do not. This targeted approach would avoid the quick dismissal of the public health communication as irrelevant by those with resources, and the feeling that they are being blamed for their lack of resources by those without them. Realizing that seniors are capable and active partners in the response to heat waves will help prevent them from feeling like vulnerable individuals who have lost their ability to deal with such challenges. Peer-based approaches seem to be highly suitable for this purpose; peer support not only de-stigmatizes the act of asking for help, it is likely to increase the efficacy of information about risks by increasing openness on the part of seniors who attend to this information not only for themselves, but also to offer support to others. Acknowledgements This study was funded through an Insight Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. This project would not have been possible without the help of our peer researchers, Chris Hodnett and Susan Gow, and without the support of our Community Advisory Group. Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to report. Authors contributions and statement AE contributed to project design, participated in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and led the drafting and revision of the paper. BD contributed to project design, participated in quantitative data collection and qualitative and quantitative analysis, and contributed to the drafting and revision of the paper. BH contributed to recruitment strategy, qualitative data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and to the drafting and revision of the paper. MR led project conceptualization and design, supervised qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and contributed to drafting and revision of the paper. AW led project conceptualization and design, supervised qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and contributed to drafting and revision of the paper. The content and views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. Irvine, CA, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FDCTech, Inc. ("FDC" or the "Company," OTCQB: FDCT), a fintech company with a full suite of FX technology and business solutions, today announced that it had engaged Kingswood Capital Markets, a division of Benchmark Investments, Inc. ("Kingswood"). The Company has engaged Kingswood to act as its exclusive general financial advisor for strategic corporate planning and investment banking services. Kingswood is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kingswood Holding Ltd. (Kingswood Group), a publicly trading wealth planning and investment management company with over 3.2 billion in assets under management. The Group is engaged in activities that are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the UK and the Financial Services Conduct Authority ("FSCA") in South Africa. FDC's Chief Executive Officer, Mitchell M. Eaglstein, stated, "The Company is delighted to have engaged Kingswood to assist us with critical strategic decisions. Kingswood's leadership has the right credentials to assist entrepreneurial driven public companies in raising growth capital and advising on potential strategic acquisitions." About Kingswood Capital Markets Kingswood Capital Markets is a global investment bank founded by experienced investment professionals that have collectively financed over $50 billion in public and private capital markets. The firm provides a variety of Investment Banking and Advisory services, including Equity Financing, Debt Financing, and Private Equity Banking. The Kingswood team is dedicated to providing objective strategic advice and financing solutions to companies across a full range of industries. FDCTech, Inc. FDCTech, Inc. ("FDC") formerly known as Forex Development Corporation is a US-based, fully integrated financial technology company. FDC delivers trading technology solutions to forex market participants looking to access the retail and institutional spot forex markets. This article is the fourth in a series exploring the long-term social impacts of COVID-19, written by members of the Trudeau Foundation COVID-19 Impact Committee. The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has exposed the multi-dimensional inequalities that structure Canadian society and many other countries around the world. In Canada, the pandemic caused the death of thousands of elderly, Black, and low-income Canadians, and affected large numbers of racialized immigrants, asylum seekers, and temporary foreign farmworkers. While many Canadian citizens and permanent residents have been able to access government programs to alleviate the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic, the temporary status of foreign workers and international students has worsened their precarious situations by limiting their access to Canadian relief programs. The exclusion of temporary foreign workers from government relief programs and COVID-19 death toll among racialized foreign residents shine a negative light on Canadas international reputation as a world leader with respect to immigrant and refugee resettlement. The arduous COVID-19 context, however, provides Canadians with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to socially, economically and politically include immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents into Canadas immigration-driven economy. Canadian policy-makers and civil society should re-examine how newcomers integrate into this country, which relies on a continual flow of immigrants for its economic stability and growth. The social, economic, and political inequalities that affect the integration of immigrants, refugees, and temporary residents in Canada require that governments and civil society adopt a pluralistic and intersectional vision to think about immigration in the post-pandemic world. A pluralistic vision of immigration based on a plurality of ways of thinking should combine a top-down approach of immigration policies with bottom-up consultations among resettlement organizations, immigrants and refugees. This vision will allow policy-makers and civil society to consider newcomers social integration into Canada beyond their mere economic benefit to the country. It will allow addressing immigrants and refugees specific concerns about social ties, social risks, stigma, and socioeconomic impacts during the pandemic. This means that policy-makers should reconsider the exclusion of temporary foreign workers and international students from government relief measures, especially as many of them may have been essential workers during the pandemic. Policy-makers should reassess the differential or even inhuman treatment of asylum seekers in Quebec, migrant farmworkers in Ontario, and detained undocumented migrants in fighting the spread of the virus. It is critical to rethink the forced confinement of foreigners on agricultural farms in inhuman conditions. This pluralistic vision will also be important to implement policies to palliate the nonrecognition of foreign credentials and the Canadian experience requirement that have limited newcomers to find employment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. An intersectional vision of immigration is imperative to understand how the lives, job opportunities and outcomes, as well as the mental and physical health of immigrants and refugees in Canada, are impacted by their sociodemographic characteristics, such as race, income, gender, sexuality, nationality, employment, residential zones, language spoken, political affiliation, among others. This vision will be vital for civil society to hold federal, provincial, and municipal governments accountable for their promises of post-pandemic change. Indeed, human history has shown us that social transformations do not only stem from the enactment of new laws and public policies, but also from a profound cultural change in civil societys ways of thinking and behaving. Part of civil societys cultural change requires that Canadians recognize the vital contribution of immigrants, refugees and other temporary residents as some of the heroes of the pandemic and the backbone of the Canadian economy and labour force during this crisis. Bottom-up consultations with immigrants and refugees will allow policy-makers to address how social, economic, and political inequalities have impacted the lives of permanent and temporary residents in Canada. These consultations will allow Canada to include the lived experience of permanent and temporary residents in its immigration policy. As immigration is vital to Canada, the country should continue ensuring decent living conditions for its foreign residents who have contributed billions of dollars yearly to this countrys economic growth and stability. (Alliance News) - MaxCyte Inc on Wednesday predicted a sharp rise in first half revenue on increased client usage of its products and said that its research & development subsidiary is expected to be self-funded by the end 2020. Shares in the clinical-stage cell-based therapies & life sciences firm were trading 5.7% higher at 233.52 pence each on Wednesday afternoon in London. MaxCyte licences out its technology to life sciences companies that use its cell engineering know-how in drug development. The company expects to post revenue of USD10.9 million for the six months to the end of June, up 30% year-on-year. The rise in revenue was attributed to increased adoption and usage of the company's products by its client base. MaxCyte highlighted that its R&D business, CARMA Cell Therapies, is now established as a wholly-owned subsidiary to facilitate independent investment and new partnerships. Scientists working for CARMA are currently developing MCY-M11, which is a potential therapy for ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma, the company said, adding that results from a Phase I study are expected in the second half of 2020. CARMA Cell Therapies is expected to be self-funded by the end of 2020. Looking ahead, Chief Executive Doug Doerfler said: "We are pleased to have delivered positive momentum across all aspects of our business in the first half of 2020 and into July. We were delighted to expand our cell therapy partnerships with three industry-leaders as well as the continued clinical progress of the first CARMA therapeutic candidate, MCY-M11. "We remain mindful of the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic and continue to work diligently to mitigate any potential restrictions and delays in our operations and to protect our team, their families, our customers and patients. We remain confident in our prospects for long-term growth fuelled by our next-generation gene-editing enabling technology and a resilient business model." By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse University will rely largely on students to fill critical roles during the schools reopening, with plans to train students in order to build a team of 30 to 50 contact tracers. The students will be trained through the Johns Hopkins University Contact Tracing Certification program, said Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation Mike Haynie. Full-time staff will manage the team. The school opted to rely primarily on students because of the likelihood that other students will be more candid with them than other individuals, Haynie said. One of the things we recognized and that the literature supports is the efficacy of contact tracing is really a function of cultural competency, he said. The likelihood that our students will open up and be more authentic with students who are like them (i.e. their student peers) is much enhanced. As a consequence, we will have students be that contact tracing army. Haynie provided the update during a question-and-answer session with the campus community Friday. The session is part of a weekly forum open to 500 individuals with a campus e-mail and was published on Tuesday. The contact tracing process will begin when any Syracuse University student tests positive for coronavirus, Haynie said. He noted the goal of contact tracing is not to identify and quarantine every student who might have been in a classroom with an infected person but to identify close contacts who were more likely to have contracted the virus. Under SUs plan, any student who tests positive would be placed in isolation, while close contacts could be placed in quarantine, requiring the university to provide an individual living space with a private bathroom. The recommended quarantine time is currently two weeks, although the school is hopeful that could be shortened based on scientific advances.. Haynie did not identify where quarantined students would be held. He said one of the schools biggest logistical challenges is finding the space for state-mandated quarantines when students arrive on campus. State orders currently mandate that students arriving from 22 different states will have to quarantine on arrival. Its a challenge for every university in New York State, he said. What would trigger a campus-wide closure? Haynie didnt provide specific metrics that would trigger a shutdown of campus and a return to online learning although he acknowledged that is a possibility come fall if the schools plan goes poorly. The university would likely aim to shut down individual buildings or pause in-person instruction temporarily before resorting to a full shutdown, he said. He said the university would consult the Onondaga County Health Department if an outbreak occurred that it couldnt control but would otherwise try to remain open. Our public health folks absolutely believe if we stay on top of the virus throughout the semester and do all the right things, it is absolutely reasonable to think we can manage a residential experience in the fall, he said. IDs and off-campus students Syracuse will rely on ID cards to keep track of whether students have been tested and ensure that students living off-campus are subject to the schools testing requirements. A school committee, as part of its 127 recommendations for reopening suggested requiring an ID to access any campus building. The committee also recommended prohibiting propping or holding open doors for other individuals. The idea is to ensure that only students who have been regularly tested have access to campus buildings and amenities. The school has already announced that it plans to require students to submit a negative coronavirus test before arriving on campus. SU plans to screen pools of between 20 and 25 students when they arrive, and again two weeks later. SU also plans follow-up screening over the course of the semester. Whether you live on campus or off-campus, it is a requirement to return in the fall that you will agree to participate in the universitys testing program, Haynie said. Were going to track participation in the testing program as a function of the student ID card. The extent to which your student ID card is essentially your pass to engage in activities on campus. That ID card will indicate whether or not you have participated in the testing program that is required of all students. Masks, even when socially distant Even though Syracuse has scheduled classes with limited capacity so that students can socially distance in classrooms, the school will still require students to wear masks during classes. The policy is more stringent than the states rules for public schools, which only require masks to be worn when social distancing isnt possible. Haynie said that decision is a nod to the growing concern that the virus can sometimes spread through the air via aerosol droplets produced by breathing, talking and singing, especially in areas with poor ventilation. While most medical officials believe close contact remains the way the virus spreads in most cases, there are some examples where spread through the air appears to be the most likely way spread have occurred. Masks will be required by all members of our campus community while on campus at all times, Haynie said. The No. 1 thing weve been told by public health experts, by our own internal medical folks, is the No. 1 thing we can do to mitigate virus transmission on our campus is to require masks. SU is also looking into how it could update air filtration systems to address the concern. Theres a big and renewed focus on indoor air quality, Haynie said. MORE ON CORONAVIRUS AND COLLEGES Syracuse University may look much different when students return: Sports, parties, office hours, more Syracuse University will require negative coronavirus test from students before they arrive on campus Syracuse University releases suggestions for fall reopening: Dont hold doors and keep 12 months of PPE How will Syracuse University test 20,000 students for coronavirus? By pooling their saliva Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1639 The country's second-largest IT services provider Infosys is expected to report around 5 percent sequential decline in June quarter profit, hit by COVID-19-led lockdown, when it announces the result on July 15. Brokerages expect around 20-30 bps cross-currency headwind on dollar revenue growth, which could be down around 5.3-5.5 percent compared to the March quarter. The Bengaluru-headquartered company may see its profit dip 10-11 percent QoQ, partly due to lower other income. "We expect revenue decline of 5.1 percent QoQ on constant currency basis and cross-currency headwind of 20 bps on dollar revenue growth. This includes $13 million incremental revenue from its inorganic initiative (Simplus acquisition). In USD terms, revenue is expected to decline by 5.3 percent QoQ," said Sharekhan, which sees a 10.8 percent sequential fall in Q1FY21 profit. Kotak Institutional Equities, which also expects an 11 percent drop in profit, said the decline in revenue in retail could be sharp, moderate in banking and stable in communications. Infosys is unlikely to announce full-year guidance due to uncertainty amid rising coronavirus infections and fear of another round of lockdowns. "Infosys had deferred annual guidance in Q4FY20. Infosys may not resume annual guidance due to potential risks from the second wave of lockdowns. Nonetheless, we expect Infosys to reassure investors on organisational readiness to capitalise on growth opportunity at relatively stable medium-term margins," Kotak said. Find All Earnings Related News Here On the operating front, weak operating leverage and lower revenue may impact EBIT margin by 40-80 bps sequentially in but may find support in rupee depreciation. "EBIT margin is expected to decline by 48 bps QoQ but improve by 19 bps YoY. Margin QoQ will be hit by lower revenue and lower realisation, partially offset by rupee depreciation, lower travel costs, and lower overhead costs owing to work-from-home," Sharekhan said. Key things to watch out for would be the commentary on the external environment, demand environment, especially banking and retail verticals, deal pipeline, pricing pressure, if any, involuntary attrition and impact on DSO days considering the requests from clients for longer credit cycle. Emergency services at the scene of the incident on Monday Four teenage girls have been rescued after being trapped inside a barn which was set alight by youths in Dunmurry. The 13-year-old girls gained access to the disused building in the Mount Eagles Avenue area shortly after 8.15pm on Monday. While inside, several male youths set blocks of polystyrene on fire and threw them into the barn, along with wood and stones, trapping the girls inside. One of the girls contacted the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who rushed to the scene along with an ambulance crew and rescued the teenagers. Detective Sergeant Hollie McCartan said: "Thankfully there were no reports of any serious injuries and only minor damage was caused to the barn. "It is extremely fortunate that we are not dealing with more tragic circumstances following this incident. "This was a terrifying ordeal for the girls trapped inside and if they had not managed to contact the authorities, the consequences could have been devastating. "The persons responsible showed a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of those inside," she added. One of the males involved was described as having blonde hair which was shaved at the sides and wearing a black top and navy bottoms. Another was described as wearing a green and white coloured top while a third was wearing a grey tracksuit with the hood covering his face. SDLP councillor Brian Heading urged those responsible to accept it was a foolish incident and hand themselves in to police. The Collin representative added: "However innocent they may thought this was in terms of just messing about and teasing a few girls, it could have ended with some very serious and terrible consequences." Sinn Fein councillor Daniel Baker met with the site owner yesterday. "The barn in Mount Eagles has now been secured. More fencing will be erected to secure the site and there will be on-site security. I will speak with the PSNI about extra patrols for sites and wastelands in our community," he said. "We are very lucky no one was seriously hurt. This is a lesson for us all and as a community we will work together to keep our community safe. "I would also appeal for anyone with any information to come forward to the PSNI." Alliance West Belfast representative Donnamarie Higgins added: "I am in utter shock over this incident and find it hard to believe anyone, much less young people, could do something which could have easily led to serious tragedy. "This can only be seen as an attempt to at least injure these girls, if not more. They are extremely lucky to have escaped with no serious injuries. "My thoughts are with them after what must have been a completely distressing time." Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 1819 13/07/20. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. While I will leave the logic of the legality and the illegality inherent in Mr. Domelevos Leave of Office to the legal fraternity, I cannot sit unconcern as an institutionalist and watch Mr. Paul Adom Otchere misinformed Ghanaians on the workings of institutions from his privileged televised position. Its instructive that, to engage in informed and unbiased discussion, one must apply him/herself to the course of knowledge before coming to the table of men for a discussion. Mr. Domelevo sought to act against the Kinship logic where organizations are there to meet the personal needs of its management and staff and political actors who remotely control it. In other words, organizations operating under the Kinship logic always serve the personal fiefdoms of civil servants. This was the problem/culture the auditor general had to confront in the case of Mr. Osafo Marfo and the Kroll Associate issue etc. In the case of Zambia during the presidency of Mr. Frederick Chiluba between 1991 and 2001, Ms. Anna Chifungula (Auditor General 2003- ) citing Hatchard (2014, p. 72) avowed that the then auditor general, Failed properly to exercise his duties or alternatively chose not to exercise the duties required of him probably because of the intimidatory nature of Chungu [who was the Director General of the Zambian Security Services at that time] and the unwillingness of the Auditor General to challenge him and thus the president. Such unwillingness its believed was out of fears. These situations according to Hathaway (p. 94) during the Chiluba administration, in which the former Auditor General was seen as acting at the behest of the President and the Director General of the Zambian Security Services, are consistent with the kinship logic, in which there was informal control through fear of reprisals or expectations of reciprocal exchanges. This led to a host of Zambian politicians and public offers engaging in acts of corruption with impunity with no regards to the law. Note, Note; the appointment into office of Ms. Anna Chifungula (Auditor General of Zambian 2003- ) who helped revolutionized, professionalized and placed the institution of the office of the Zambian Auditor General and the Supreme Audit Institute of Zambia on a strong footing in asserting its independence was not done in a vacuum. Not only was she appointed because of her rich and solid professional record (Acting Secretary of the Treasury of Ministry of Finance 2002-2003, Controller of Internal Audits Ministry of Finance 1997-2002 etc.), but also due to her bold character according to Mr. Nevers Mumba who was the Vice President of Zambia (2003-2004) during that time. Former Vice President Nevers Mumba described Chifungula as a no-nonsense auditor general, because she doesnt fear anyone. Which according to Mumba, was what the government needed to deal with corruption at that time. And this is the character Mr. Daniel Domelevo possess and Ghana dearly needs in strengthening the Ghana Audit Service and protecting its public purse. It took the courage of a single woman, and of course with the help of supporting staff and government to revolutionize the institution of the office of the Zambian Auditor General. It is therefore, sinful for Mr. Paul Adom Otchere to sit in that privileged media position and exhibit the highest level of uninformed preponderance. You can have all the laws and enactments establishing institutions and detailing their source of independence, but without strong men/women, who have the courage and are ready to stand against the tides (private and political), endure and assert the independence of their office, as was done by Mr. Domelevo, the aphorism of Africa needs strong institutions and not strong men will always be a pipe dream. To take what former USA President Barrack Obama said on face value, exposes your weakness in institutional building, analysis and understandings. This is the point Civil Societies in Ghana were and are still making. Emmanuel Osei Director of Policy and Political Affairs Party Membership Management Consultant University of Bergen, Norway NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Smile Train, the world's largest cleft charity, today announced a partnership with Scottish charity, Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), to supply an initial 20 pediatric operating rooms across Africa, providing essential, life-saving surgical care to more than 12,000 children by the end of 2021. The two organizations share a long-standing commitment to increasing access to pediatric surgical and anesthesia care through a sustainable and empowering model. For more than 20 years, Smile Train has empowered local medical professionals around the globe to provide safe, high-quality cleft surgery and on-going cleft care, supporting more than 1.5 million surgeries for some of the world's most vulnerable children. Similarly, KidsOR, which formally launched in 2018 after years of collaboration around safe surgery, works to provide dedicated, specialist facilities and equipment for pediatric surgery in low-resource settings, supporting local doctors through training and infrastructure development. The organization has committed to installing 120 pediatric operating rooms across Africa by 2030. The first new facility installed under the partnership will be at the Teaching Hospital in Treichville, Ivory Coast, West Africa. Treichville Hospital serves a population of five million people and provides training for surgeons from many other countries in Africa - but as with so many hospitals throughout the continent, there is no dedicated operating room for children in their hospital. "Often in our hospital, we do not have the right equipment to perform pediatric surgery safely. Especially with small children and babies, we cannot use the large surgical instrument we have available. This means that children with easily treatable surgical conditions, like cleft lip and palate, do not always receive proper, life-saving care when they need it the most," said Professor Bankole Sanni Rouma, a pediatric surgeon at the Teaching Hospital of Treichville. "The new operating room for children's surgery will make a big difference to my hospital, and the hundreds of children we can now help, as it will allow surgeons to enhance their skills in caring for children and provide the proper equipment for treatment." With 20 operating rooms already planned for the first year of the partnership, the long-term collaboration will ultimately result in more than 30 pediatric operating rooms provided across countries in Africa over the next five years. "We are extremely proud to work with Smile Train on this project. Our strategies for the development of care in Africa are closely aligned and by collaborating we can maximize our combined impact, minimize administrative costs and prevent duplication of effort," said KidsOR Chief Executive David Cunningham. "We are delighted to be able to work with them to ensure that more children have access to the care they need in a sustainable, locally delivered way." "Smile Train and KidsOR share a core set of values - sustainability, empowerment, local leadership, and a dedication to providing safe surgical and anesthesia care for children," said Smile Train President and Chief Executive Officer, Susannah Schaefer. "Through this partnership, we will be able to build that long-term capacity and make a difference in the lives of so many people affected by treatable surgical conditions like cleft." About Smile Train Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org. About Kids Operating Room Kids Operating Room is a Scottish charity working globally to provide paediatric operating rooms in hospitals and safe equipment to surgeons. Kids Operating Room also funds training of surgeons and anaesthesia providers and works with National Ministries of Health to develop sustainable healthcare services. Working across Africa, Latin America and South East Asia, KidsOR has installed 25 operating rooms and provided over 24,000 children with access to emergency lifesaving and life-changing surgery in the last two years. Over two billion children lack access to safe surgery. Every year, more children die from not getting the surgery they need than from Malaria, HIV and TB combined. Press Contacts: Smile Train Nijha Diggs, Senior Director, Public Relations 646.751.3231 ndiggs@smiletrain.org KidsOR Karen Tas, Head of Communications 07958 135 609 Karen@kidsOR.org Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214558/Smile_Train_x_KidsOR_Logo.jpg MIAMI Gianna Clase, who lost her retail store job, says the $300 she receives in government food assistance each month is not enough for her family of four, which includes her elderly mother and two grandchildren, ages 5 and 14, whom she has been raising after her daughter died. Food bank handouts have become their lifeline. The situation is scary. Very scary, Clase said about her economic outlook as the coronavirus pandemic rages through the region. As South Florida grapples with being described as the new epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic,its also among the worst in the nation when it comes to its residents experiencing food insecurity and scarcity, according to Census Bureau data. Over 14 percent of South Florida residents about 1 in 7 households reported sometimes, or often, not having enough to eat in the last seven days. Last week it ranked first in food insecurity; this week its second only to the Houston metro area. Video: Miami Gardens mayor says the cure for COVID is our discipline Feeding South Florida, one of several food banks distributing food throughout the metro area comprised of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, went from serving 706,000 people before the pandemic hit to serving 1.3 million now. Feeding South Florida distributed 62 million pounds of food last fiscal year, which ran from July 1 to June 30. During this fiscal year that just ended in June, they distributed nearly double that amount 118 million pounds. They're currently distributing about 4 million pounds of food a week and it's expected to get worse. These past two weeks we have seen a slight increase in people needing support and we anticipate that trend will continue, Sari Vatske, executive vice president of Feeding South Florida, said. Related: There are children eating once a day, and its the meal they receive from school, says an organizer helping Venezuelan families who have recently moved to Florida. Many of the people needing assistance are in the hospitality and tourism businesses, as well as retail, according to Feeding South Florida surveys conducted with their network of 300 partner agencies. Story continues Prior to the pandemic, about 30 percent of the people the food bank was assisting were Latino, like Clase, and about 60 percent were Black. Now, "we have seen an increase in the diversity of people needing our support, Vatske said. "Broken and defeated" is the new normal Something that has struck Vatske is the fatigue of the unknown that people are facing. She said back in March and April, it was the panic and the fear of not knowing how long the pandemic and food insecurity would last. While that still exists, she said there is a different sort of fatigue. "People coming through seem broken and defeated. This has become the new normal for them, come to rely on the weekly food distributions. Miami-Dade County is getting hit the hardest by COVID-19 cases. With soaring case numbers and hospitals reporting the number of coronavirus patients exceeding the capacity of intensive care units, there is now pressure for counties to shut down again. This would translate to more layoffs and furloughs as businesses shut down, increasing the demand for food donations. Elorge Piard,Keyshawn Dorelien (Wilfredo Lee / AP) Besides the large food banks, Broward and Miami-Dade County Public Schools have been providing families with multiple meals at a time to last a week. Smaller groups, restaurants and churches have also been distributing food. Nina Fabian, pastor of the Life Changers Worship Center International in the Latino-heavy suburb of Hialeah in Miami-Dade County, has been running a summer camp and providing hot food for any child and teen under 18 who shows up. She also distributes boxes twice a week. People have to go around to different sites to get enough food, she said. She's seeing many unemployed mothers coming in. In some cases, both parents have lost their jobs. Its a difficult time. Everyone is stressed right now, she said. Whatever food is left over, usually milk and cereal, goes to the last families that line up. Theyre not giving you a story. You see it in their faces," Fabian said. "I had never seen a grown man break down and say he doesnt know what he is going to do. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. - In her three years as a nursing assistant on the overnight shift at the local Veterans Affairs hospital here, Reta Mays tended to elderly veterans with the ailments of old age. She took their vital signs and glucose levels on the graveyard shift, sitting vigil at their bedside while medical staffing was thin. Few saw her go in and out of patients' rooms. No one watched while she injected them with lethal doses of insulin during an 11-month killing rampage in 2017 and 2018, which she admitted to Tuesday in federal court, pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the deaths of seven veterans and an intent to murder an eighth who died two weeks later. Prosecutors said they still have not determined why she did it. But after a two-year investigation into a pattern of suspicious deaths that took the hospital almost a year to detect, Mays, who had denied any wrongdoing in multiple interviews with investigators, told a federal judge she preyed on some of the country's most vulnerable service members. The deaths gripped this Appalachian community four hours west of Washington and were an embarrassment for leaders of the sprawling and long-troubled VA system, which President Donald Trump promised to reform. The investigation by William Powell, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, and VA Inspector General Michael Missal's office took two years. Its reverberations reached the highest levels of the Justice Department. Mays, a 46-year-old Army veteran hired by the Louis A. Johnson Medical Center in 2015 with no certification or license to care for patients, chose victims admitted to the hospital from July 2017 through June 2018 with heart conditions, strokes, cancer. A few had mild diabetes. But they were not about to die, court documents show. In the middle of the night, with a small staff on the medical surgical ward known as 3A, Mays injected the patients with insulin she was not authorized to administer, leading to their deaths from severe hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, investigators said. At least 26 family members of the eight victims attended the hearing in person, all wearing masks, while others watched via Zoom video conference. By pleading guilty to all of the charges, Mays waived the right to have the case presented to a grand jury. With her voice breaking under a white mask, Mays sobbed near the end of the proceeding, "Did you, in fact, do what the government says you did?" U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh asked. "Yes, sir," she replied. A mother of three sons, she served in the Army National Guard from November 2000 to April 2001 and again from February 2003 to May 2004, when she deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. She told the judge she was taking medication for post-traumatic stress disorder. Wearing a cream-colored blouse and black skirt, with short brown hair, Mays was handcuffed by U.S. marshals and remanded to the Northern Regional Jail in Marshall County. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled. It remains unclear why Mays gave fatal doses of insulin to the veterans she was charged with watching. Powell said he expects Mays and her attorneys may reveal more at her sentencing in the coming months. Prosecutors plan to ask for consecutive sentences of life in prison. Powell read the names of each victim and their military service. Two of them fought in World War II. He said each family was asked and consented to her plea deal in lieu of an indictment and trial. After the hearing, Steven Edgell, of Barbour County, W.Va., told reporters he was satisfied with Mays's plea but also longed to know her motive for killing his father, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Germany during the Korean War and played in the Army band. Archie Edgell was 84 when he died. "I'd like to know why she kept on doing it. Was she planning on being God or something?" Steven Edgell said. The hospital has come under fire for leaving its insulin supplies so easily accessible and for failing to more quickly detect the suspicious pattern of the deaths, issues Missal said would be addressed in an upcoming report. Investigators had focused on Mays from the start, moving to have her taken off patient care once the hospital notified the inspector general's office in July 2018. But they had to build a circumstantial case because the hospital ward does not have cameras in patients' rooms, and cameras in the common areas, including the supply room where insulin was kept, were not working, investigators said. Similarities were identified in the deaths: Elderly patients in private rooms were injected in their abdomen and limbs with insulin the hospital had not ordered - some with multiple shots, according to people familiar with the case. Within hours, the veterans' blood-sugar levels plummeted. Several bodies were exhumed, and at least three deaths were ruled homicide. The armed forces deputy medical examiner changed the death certificates of the others from "natural causes" to "undetermined," according to autopsy reports and people familiar with the case. As the investigation lingered, Attorney General William P. Barr at least twice called Powell to ask about the status. Powell also faced pressure from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie and West Virginia Sens. Joe Manchin III, a Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican. Manchin criticized hospital leaders in Clarksburg for taking too long to put the pieces together in the deaths. "While overdue, today justice is finally being served," Manchin said in a statement Tuesday. "I will not stop until we determine how this could have happened, and ensure it never happens again. . . . My heart goes out to the families and loved ones who tragically lost a Veteran and have had to endure this injustice." Other criminal cases have engulfed the agency in the past year, intensifying questions about whether the country's largest health-care system is doing enough to protect veterans in its care. A former osteopath at the VA hospital in Beckley, W.Va., was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. A former VA pathologist in Fayetteville, Ark., pleaded guilty in June to manslaughter after officials say he misdiagnosed thousands of patients while using drugs or alcohol. The families blamed hospital leaders for not detecting a pattern in the deaths sooner. Melanie Proctor, whose father's body was one of seven disinterred last year and taken to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for a forensic autopsy, told The Washington Post last fall that she was angry VA "still has not stepped forward to say what they have fixed to make sure this doesn't happen again." Felix McDermott's blood sugar had plunged to dangerous levels hours before the retired Army sergeant died in April 2018 of hypoglycemia. Mays was fired from the hospital last year, seven months after being removed from patient care, after it was discovered she had lied about her qualifications on her resume. The Clarksburg hospital, in a statement, repeated what it has said throughout the investigation - that it discovered the misconduct and reported it to the inspector general. "Our hearts go out to those affected by these tragic deaths." There have been a lot of arguments from both sides of the isle over the past few months regarding racism, social justice and other topics in reference to law enforcement. All of this is in an effort to either reform or defund law enforcement. Additionally there have been a host of ideas floated from both sides on what actions should be taken. One of the ideas that has been demanded by social reform advocates is the 8 cant wait model. This model outlines eight critical areas that need to be addressed by law enforcement. In their statement 8cantwait.org states, Research shows more restrictive use of force policies can reduce killings by police and save lives. Tell your city to adopt all eight of these policies. In my role as a local Union Board Member for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, I believe these policies are exactly what is needed and should be implemented by all law enforcement agencies. These policies are so on point that many of them have been around and implemented for my entire law enforcement career of 15 years by both Chattanooga Police and the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. Listed are my thoughts on the eight polices. 1. Ban chokeholds and strangle holds. In policy. This was taught when I went I went through the police academy in 2005. Exceptions are when you are in a fight for your life, anything goes. 2. Require De-Escalation. In policy. Again this is great and should be used when appropriate. In late 2018 at Brainerd High School one student walked up to another student and pointed a loaded gun at the back of their head while school was dismissing. The school resource officers successfully de-escalated the situation without a shot being fired and the suspect was taken into custody. On the reverse side, when CPD and HCSO responded to the attack on the Naval Reserve Base in Chattanooga they didnt take the time to politely ask the suspect to drop his gun. They had to act immediately and yes, violently, to save innocent lives. 3. Require a warning before shooting. Same comment as above. In fact during my short 15 years in law enforcement I have seen the warning shot into the ground be removed from several agencies policies because of the community stance against it. 4. Requires exhaust all alternatives before shooting. If anyone thinks that shooting a suspect is the first option, instead of the last resort, for law enforcement then you are delusional. First you will be questioned by a different investigative agency as to the validity of the shooting. Then a district attorney will review the findings and make the determination if criminal charges are applicable. You will be subject to media attention and lawsuits. Keep in mind your family will suffer through this as well due to the stress the incident transfers. All of this is because the officer thought there was no other option. Additionally consider this, your child is in a school where there is an active shooter. Do you wait like in Columbine or like the disgraceful deputy at the Parkland, Fl. shooting and weigh your options? Or do you expect that officer to deal with the threat to save lives? 5. Duty to intervene. Its been in our policy and I completely agree with it. Aside having a duty to intervene you have a mandate to report any illegal, immoral, unethical issues as well as policy violations. 6. Ban shooting at moving vehicles. The only time I can think that this would be allowed anywhere is if there is a very rare and exigent circumstance. Last time I remember this happening at one of our local agencies, the officer received a very harsh punishment. 7. Require a use of force continuum.This has been a standard in law enforcement since well before my career in law enforcement. Not only are you taught the use of force continuum in the police academy its reviewed and gone over annually during in-service (required 40 hours of annual training for law enforcement). Additionally it is covered in basically every single class that you take that teaches any level of force. 8. Require comprehensive reporting. Im glad this is the last topic as yet again, the HCSO does this. If a HCSO deputy has a use of force against an individual you can count on an incident report, probably an arrest report, a use of force report and if warranted an Internal Affairs report and if there is a concern the agency head or DA can request further investigation which will yield more reports. Which 98.5 percent of the time exonerates the officer. The most important part of the comprehensive report is gathering all the facts. Which is why, Im going to personally change my vote, and not support Glen Scruggs, a sad choice indeed. The agencies in the area almost universally have these policies in place and have had them in place for the past at least 10 to 15 years. The eight items from 8cantwait.org should be in every agencies policy. If its not, contact youre elected officials. In closing I want to address one last issue. The other week, Commissioner Geter stated she would like to see a 12 member equity task force. I support the decision wholeheartedly. Our community is made up of a diverse population. We need Hispanics, African Americans, Caucasians, our local Serbian community, Indian community, Asian community and Jewish community, just to name a few, involved at the minimums. Person of both genders and all sexual orientations as well as the members of most faith based organizations. America is the great melting pot and despite our differences we have managed to build America in the greatest nation on this planet. I am interested in having a great dialog and finding the issues that affect all communities. To exclude one community is in of its own virtue, racist. To both sides of the isle, get educated, bring facts and lets move forward. Mike Korter Hamilton County President IBPO Local #673 PHILIPSBURG: Janine Wijman better known as Blondie has succumbed to her injuries in Colombia. SMN News learned that Wijman passed away earlier this week, she was set on fire by someone while in Dutch Quarter. Wijman was a known homeless woman living on the streets of St. Maarten. Based on police information the woman was set on fire during the early morning hours of February 29th, 2020 in the Dutch Quarter area. Police have since arrested a suspect for severe mistreatment, the suspect has been identified as F.W. Wijman was taken to the St. Maarten Medical Center on the night of the incident for medical treatment, she was then flown to Columbia for treatment and placed in a medically induced coma due to the severity of her injuries. Police are yet to confirm the death of the homeless victim, and also indicate if the suspect is still in custody and if the charges against him have been upgraded. Burn victim succumbs to her wounds. The Sint Maarten Police Force was notified that the victim with initials J.J.W, who was severely burnt after being set on fire back in February of this year has succumbed to her injures. J.J.W was flown off to Colombia for further treatment after receiving burns to over 70% of her body in the Dutch Quarter area on Saturday, February 29th, 2020. in Dutch Quarter area. The Detective Department arrested a male suspect with the initial F.W on March 3rd, 2020 in connection with the incident. He was later released a few days after his arrest due to a lack of sufficient evidence and information on what had taken place. The investigation into the case is currently still ongoing. On behalf of the Sint Maarten Police Force, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. KPSM Press Release. GENESSEE COUNTY, MI -- Two Democrats will face off in the Aug. 4 primary election to secure a spot on the November ballot for the 51st District House race. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican incumbent Mike Mueller in the November election. in the primary, Brad May is facing Conner Wallace. MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to readers ahead of 2020 elections. May is a substance abuse and general mental health clinician at Growth Works Inc. He earned both his BSW and MSW degrees from Spring Arbor University. He said he is a passionate social worker with no previous political experience. Wallace is a computer science major at Kettering University. This is a two-year term for the seat that represents the following municipalities in Genesee County: Argentine Township, Atlas Township, Fenton Township, Flushing Township, Gaines Township and Linden. In Oakland County it includes Groveland Township, Holly Township and Rose Township. Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. The voter guide can be accessed at vote411.org. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Here is how each candidate responded to the questions. What is your position on the role of public funding of education in Michigan? What measures do you support/propose to improve educational outcomes and accessibility for all Michigan students? May: A study commissioned by the Governor shows we are under-funding public schools by $2000 per student. We need to ensure that teachers have resources and students have access to books and technology that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. Even when they have this access though, too many students are priced out of higher education. I would support the Democratic plan offering 2 free years at a community college. I also support holding for-profit charter and cyber schools to same transparency as public schools. Public funds should not pay salaries for education management officials who run charter schools. Wallace: Public funding should aim to make school and training free to all students in Michigan. Michigan should raise wages for teachers, move public funding for school infrastructure to the state level, and expand public funding to public community colleges. Michigan should stop using standardized testing to punish poor schools which are already struggling. Any tax increase needed to pay for these programs should be raised via income taxes on individuals earning over $100,000 a year, and wealth taxes. What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions, in general and given the pandemic? May: Michigan companies bidding on state contracts should have preference so these jobs go to Michiganders. Tax dollars should support Michigan jobs and not out-of-state companies and workers taking our jobs. We should encourage apprenticeship programs and support students wanting to train for jobs in the trades. Working parents need pay equity, access to childcare and the ability to earn paid leave time so they can care for sick family or recover from an illness rather than working while sick and spreading their illness. Wallace: Even before the pandemic, large corporations have exploited working people in Michigan. Working people have been in debt while corporations make more profit than ever. The pandemic has allowed them to literally hold people hostage as essential workers, forcing them to put their lives on the line for enough money to feed their families. This cannot continue. I am fighting for a $15 minimum wage and will tax the people who would have benefited the most from the exploitation to fund programs to benefit the Michigan people. What state policies do you support regarding Michigan elections, voting and campaign funding? Do you support mailing ballots to all eligible voters? May: I support making voting more accessible through no-reason absentee voting. Online voter registration and voting by mail would also make it easier for workers not able to take time off to participate in elections. Automatic voter registration when a person obtains a drivers license and extending that to 16 and 17 year old citizens would encourage more voter participation. I support the repeal of the changes made in 2013 that doubled campaign contributions in Michigan. Voters would be better represented if district lines were drawn by an independent commission rather than by political parties. Wallace: Michigan elections should be fair and open with every single Michigander voting. Michigan should have paper ballots that are sent in the mail to every registered voter. These ballots should be overturned by in person voting if someones ballot does not arrive correctly. Michigan should only allow the use of public funding in elections, with each candidate receiving funds to get their message out. Elections should not be about who has the most money, but who will help the people of Michigan the most. What actions or policies do you support to protect Michigans water, air and land for current and future generations? What is your position on energy efficiency and renewable energy? May: We cant afford a spill in the Straits of Mackinac, so I support shutting down Line 5, or at the very least holding Enbridge to more stringent standards to improve Line 5 and shut it down during rough weather. State officials should protect our water from large water withdrawals like the one approved for Nestle. We need to ensure safe water for Flint families, and for communities - such as Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and others - threatened by contaminated water from chemicals left from industrial sites. Safe water for Michiganders should be a priority rather than practically giving it away to big corporations. Wallace: I support a Michigan Green New Deal. Michigan should be carbon neutral by the end of 2020s. This is a bold goal, but also one that is more than accomplishable with current technology. This new energy infrastructure will be owned and operated by the public for public good and not for the profit of the billionaires that have earned their money on the pollution of the planet. How would you address the racial, economic, health, education, etc. inequities, including Michigans 20% of children and 17% of seniors living in poverty? May: We are a nation of immigrants. Michigan is home to citizens from many nations who call the United State and Michigan home, and want a good life for their family just like any Michigander. We should not pass laws that discriminate based on a persons home country, skin color or religion. Communities should be free to adopt a sanctuary city policy and welcome refugees looking for a safe community in which to live and raise their families. Immigrants helped build Michigan, and immigrants settling here now will help build a strong Michigan for future generations. We need to be a welcoming state. Wallace: Simply put, social justice can only be achieved by the government providing basic human needs to all human beings. If we cannot accomplish medicare for all at a federal level, I will fight to implement it on a state level for Michigan residents. Additionally, we need to eliminate poverty at its source, which is the exploitation of the workers by billionaires. I will be fighting for unions, a $15 dollar minimum wage, and expanding programs to help our children and seniors who cannot work at this time in their lives. Do you believe that Michigan has a gun violence problem? If so, what measures would you support to alleviate this problem? May: Yes I do believe Michigan is susceptible to the same gun violence/mass shooting problems we are seeing throughout our Country. I will support legislation that enacts stricter standards for background checks, including mental health clearances for anyone seeking gun ownership. I will also support legislation that bans assault weapon sales to non-law enforcement personnel. Wallace: Guns are a tricky issue in America. I would love to make gun violence a thing of the past, but there does not seem to be a smoking gun solution to fixing this issue. Michigan could join the many states that ban the possession of a large number of firearms, which has been shown to decrease gun violence. However, I believe in the right to bear arms and I will not support any bans of firearms while the federal government has spying privileges through the Patriot Act and while police forces in Michigan, as well as elsewhere in America, use guns to threaten and kill my fellow Americans, particularly those of color. Analysts are concerned that the aforementioned situation could break the Eurozone, causing the bloc to fall apart. In an interview with German daily Die Welt, European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni stated that the recession caused by the disease in the Eurozone is getting worse. Accordingly, Eurozone economies are on the brink of collapse due to gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking by 10-11% in some countries, including Italy, France and Spain. Meanwhile, the countries in the European Union (EU) have yet to agree on a general economic revival plan for the whole bloc. Before Gentiloni issued the warning, Eurozone economies had fallen into serious difficulties and faced the risk of a deep recession. Amidst the global outbreak of COVID-19 in the first half of the year, countries in the Eurozone and the remaining major partners in the EU and the UK have imposed coronavirus lockdown rules. Regardless of their efficiency in helping to contain the pandemic, these measures have caused many businesses to suffer heavily as they have been forced to temporarily cease their operations. Meanwhile, cultural and social life has also become stagnant. It is predicted that the GDP of this region will decline at an unprecedented speed in Q2 2020. Another worrying problem is that debt is besieging many Eurozone economies. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), public debt of France and Spain will exceed 100% of GDP to reach 125.7% in 2020 and 123.8% in 2021 for France, and 123.8% and 124.1% for Spain. The European Commission (EC) and IMF forecasts show that the Eurozones economic prospects are still overshadowed by dark colours. The latest EC prediction said the Eurozone economy will decline by 8.7% in 2020 before growing by 6.1% in 2021. In its newly released World Economic Outlook 2020 report, the IMF stated that the Eurozone economy will drop by 10.2% this year and is expected to recover in 2021 with a growth rate of 6%. The EUs largest economy, Germany, will shrink by 7.8% this year and then increase by 5.4% in 2021. The French economy will also decrease by 12.5% in 2020 before attaining a growth rate of 7.3% next year. Amidst economic difficulties, EU member nations as a whole and those in the Eurozone in particular have not yet been able to agree on a common stimulus plan to create an energy tonic for the economy, which has made the regional economic outlook gloomier still. Although the EC proposed a COVID-19 recovery fund, the quartet of Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden rejected the proposal. Over the weekend, President of the European Council Charles Michel reiterated the proposal to set up a recovery fund worth EUR750 billion to support the pandemic-hit economies. Two-thirds of the value will be in the form of grants and a third in the form of loans, together with a reserve fund of EUR5 billion to deal with unforeseen consequences related to Brexit for member countries. Speaking to the media, Michel emphasised that COVID-19 is posing a historic challenge to Europe. The EU is gradually coming out of a serious health crisis and now needs to shift its focus to mitigating socio-economic losses. It is expected that the aforementioned proposal will be discussed by EU leaders during a summit of the bloc set for July 17-18. Ahead of the abovementioned meeting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged the EU leaders to quickly reach a consensus on the recovery fund, while calling for Europes joint determination to overcome the most difficult situation in its history. Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni emphasised that EU countries need to agree on an economic recovery plan as soon as possible in order to build trust and contribute to making a faster recovery. Over the past 10 years, the EU in general and the Eurozone in particular have gone through many turbulences and crises. In difficult moments, nations in the region have worked together to remove differences and help the EU ship successfully sail through the storms. At present, the COVID-19 has triggered the risk of Eurozone disintegration, and now is the time for member countries of the big EU family to unite in overcoming this vital challenge. The UK faces a catastrophic winter wave of coronavirus infections that could see the deaths of up to 251,000 people and 119,900 even in a reasonable worst-case scenario. The modelling, by the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), is based on deaths in hospital alone and not in care homes and other settings. The AMS warns that mass deaths are likely unless the government carries out immediate "intense preparation" throughout the rest of July and August. This should include having access to the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals, reorganising social care services and increasing testing capacity. One of the four National Academies, the AMS was established in 1998 as an independent body representing the diversity of medical science. It was commissioned by the Conservative governments Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance to assess the risks the National Health Service (NHS) faces this winter. The report involved the work of an advisory group of 37 senior doctors and scientists. Preparing for a challenging winter 2020-21: a report by the UK's Academy of Medical Sciences The 79 page report, Preparing for a challenging winter 2020/21 warns that any surge in COVID-19 cases, combined with the winter pressures faced by the NHS, would overwhelm public health care. Professor Stephen Holgate, a respiratory specialist from University Hospital Southampton, who chaired the report, said, "This is not a prediction, but it is a possibility." He warned, "The modelling suggests that deaths could be higher with a new wave of COVID-19 this winter, but the risk of this happening could be reduced if we take action immediately." Professor Azra Ghani, chairwoman in infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London, told the PA news agency, We are looking at what would be the worst that would happen, such as if there was a further relaxing of interventions, more contacts taking place, schools may be a factor, people going back to work and that sort of thing. Those things create more contacts, plus people will be indoors more and more people will want to meet up indoors. The Academys news article accompanying the report states, Research suggests that COVID-19 is more likely to spread in winter with people spending more time indoors and the virus able to survive longer in colder, darker winter conditions. Last week it was reported that senior scientific advisors to the government have strong evidence that the virus flourishes at an optimal cold temperature of around 4C (39F). The report warns, The NHS and social care systems typically operate at maximal capacity in the winter months, with bed occupancy regularly exceeding 95 percent in recent years. As recently as in 2017/18, England and Wales experienced approximately 50,000 excess winter deaths. The Academy models its worst-case scenario based on the reproductive number of the virus, the R value, rising to 1.7 from September 2020. In the March peak of the virus this year, the R value was 3--meaning that one infected person would pass it on to three others. The modelling suggests that a new surge in coronavirus infections would lead to a peak in hospital admissions and deaths in January and February 2021. The Academy of Medical Sciences website announces its study The report centres on four additional challenges that have great potential to exacerbate winter 2020/21 pressures on the health and social care system, by increasing demand on usual care as well as limiting surge capacity. A large resurgence of COVID-19 nationally, with local or regional epidemics. This is underway as We are already seeing local outbreaks. Disruption of the health and social care systems due to reconfigurations to respond to and reduce transmission of COVID-19 with a knock-on effect on the ability of the NHS to deal with non-COVID-19 care. A backlog of non-COVID-19 care following the suspension of routine clinical care that is likely to result in an increased number of poorly-managed chronic conditions or undiagnosed diseases and be combined with a surge in post-COVID-19 morbidity. It notes that the overall waiting list in England alone could increase from 4.2 million (pre-COVID-19) to approximately 10 million by the end of the year. Reducing the backlog of care will be hampered by reduced operational capacity across NHS organisations designed to prevent nosocomial transmission (resulting from a stay in hospital) of COVID-19. A possible influenza epidemic that will be additive to the challenges above. This section notes the most recent significant influenza season in winter 2017/18 coincided with a colder winter; led to over 17,000 excess respiratory deaths and caused NHS Trusts to cancel all elective surgery in January 2018, resulting in 22,800 fewer elective hospital admissions when compared to the previous year. A generalised increase in respiratory infections over the winter could also rapidly overwhelm test and trace capacity. (emphasis in original) The report cites the importance of the national lockdown in containing the number of deaths in Britain to the tens of thousands. Had it not been imposed hundreds of thousands would have died. The introduction of wide-scale physical distancing in the UK from 23 March 2020 onwards is estimated to have reduced the reproduction number from R0~3 to Rt ~0.7-0.9 (R0, basic reproduction number; Rt, effective reproduction rate). It has been estimated that these measures resulted in an 80 percent reduction in transmission and that 470,000 (95 percent CrI [credible interval] 370,000-580,000) deaths had been averted in the UK up to 4 May 2020 due to such interventions. It warns, under conditions in which the government has dismantled the national lockdown, As these restrictions are eased, it is likely that Rt will rise such that Rt remains close to 1.43. The report proceeds on the expectation that there will be no more national lockdowns, stating, We consider a scenario in which it is not possible to respond to a rising incidence of COVID-19 with a lockdown of similar effectiveness to that imposed in March. Under our reasonable worst-case scenario--in which Rt rises to 1.7 from September onwards (just over half of the initial level of transmission experienced in early March 2020)infections could be expected to rise gradually with a peak in hospital admissions and deaths of a similar magnitude to the first wave (emphasis in the original). This is projected to occur in January/February 2021, coinciding with a period of peak demand on the NHS. Modelling suggests an estimated total number of hospital deaths (excluding care homes) between September 2020 and June 2021 of 119,900 (95 percent CrI 24,500-251,000), over double the number occurring during the first wave in spring 2020. The AMS also modelled based on lower R rates. Even a rate of 1.1which is already the case in sizable areas of the UK due to the lifting of the lockdownwould lead to an estimated 1,300 hospital deaths between September this year and June 2021. An R rate of 1.5 would lead to 74,800 hospital deaths. The virtually limitless ability of the virus to spread in the coming weeks is noted under a section of the report, The unknown magnitude of the potential winter resurgence of COVID-19. It states outbreaks of COVID-19 in hospitals and care homes are likely to become common again and may be exacerbated by simultaneous transmission of influenza in these settings, as well as transmission between settings. Outbreaks are also likely in environments with groups at high risk, such as hostels for the homeless (especially dormitory-style night shelters); asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation; prisons; Roma, Gypsy and Traveller encampments; and migrant workers in shared accommodation. Mortality rates are likely to continue to be highest in older adults, those with chronic diseases, those from BAME groups, those in high exposure occupations, and urban areas with high levels of poverty. The workplace represents a further risk environment with major outbreaks reported in food manufacturing settings, as were religious gatherings and social events prior to closure of mass gatherings. The reports acceptance of the mantra of the government and capitalist media that further national lockdowns are not economically viable, means that it takes a cavalier attitude to the governments plan for the reopening of schools in September. It states, Although schools re-opening is known to increase the transmission of influenza, this has not yet been demonstrated for SARS-CoV-2, and there is substantial uncertainty around the likely impact of schools re-opening on Rt and the implications for this winter. On this basis it advises that the increasing transmission via schools reopening needs to be balanced against the longer-term impacts of school closure on child and adolescent development, as well as the economic and social impact of school closure on parents The report anticipates that the government would intervene to prevent the R number rising to 3 and aboveand an exponential spread of the disease--on the basis that it imposed a national lockdown in March. There is no basis for this conclusion. As the outbreak reached the UK, the Johnson government was set on a policy of herd immunity and, in the words of government advisor Vallance, the suppression of the disease was not desirable because you want some immunity in the population. The government allowed the spread of the virus in Britainleading to the preventable deaths of tens of thousands--and was only forced to act by growing public opposition. Its premature abandonment of the lockdown to force millions back to work and children back to school is a continuation of its murderous policy. CDC No Longer to Control COVID-19 Data, Hospitals to Send Data to Washington Hospitals from across the country will no longer send CCP virus or COVID-19 related data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are instead required to send it to a central database in Washington beginning July 15, according to an HHS statement released Friday. HHS said Vice President Mike Pence sent a letter to hospital administrators across the country asking them to send daily pandemic data on testing, capacity, utilization, and patient flow to the federal government. The objective is to allow states and hospitals either to leverage existing data reporting capabilities or, where those capabilities are insufficient, to provide guidance in how to build upon existing capabilities, said the HHS in a statement. The federal agency said it needs daily information to help in planning, monitoring, and allocating resources during the current public health emergency. This data will be used to inform decisions at the federal level, such as allocation of supplies, treatments, and other resources, said the HHS. The federal administration said the central database will let it move away from the manual entry process toward an automated one and reduce its data collection burdens. We will no longer be sending out one-time requests for data to aid in the distribution of Remdesivir or any other treatments or supplies. This daily reporting is the only mechanism used for the distribution calculations, and the [data] is needed daily to ensure accurate calculations, said the HHS. The federal government said since the state governments are already collecting data from the hospitals, they may like to continue doing that. Therefore, hospitals may be relieved from reporting directly to the Federal Government if they receive a written release from the State stating that the State will collect the data from the hospitals and take over Federal reporting responsibilities, said the HHS. The hospitals reported to send data daily to the central database at Washington include critical access hospitals, childrens hospitals, general hospitals (including acute, trauma, and teaching hospitals), long term acute care hospitals, military hospitals, oncology hospitals, orthopedic hospitals, pediatric long term acute care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, surgical hospitals, Veterans Administration hospitals, womens hospitals, and womens and childrens hospitals. The Epoch Times has reached out to the CDC about its coordination with the HHS on the matter and about how itll get the data it needs for its daily operations but has yet to receive a response. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) Epidemiology Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the VKC, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the VKC trends in the global pharmaceutical markets i.e., the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK), Japan, MEA (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE), China, and Russia. VKC Epidemiology Perspective The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Prevalent Population of VKC, Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, and Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC scenario of VKC in the global market from 2017 to 2030. Epidemiology Segmentation The increasing population and rising prevalence of VKC generates a large patient population in the global market. In 2017, a total of 4,752,356 patients were affected by VKC in the global market. China contributes the largest share among EU-5, and Japan , with 2,248,706 cases in 2017. contributes the largest share among EU-5, and , with 2,248,706 cases in 2017. Egypt contributes the largest share among MEA regions, with 715,837 cases in 2017. contributes the largest share among MEA regions, with 715,837 cases in 2017. The total prevalent population of VKC in Russia was observed to be 859,969 cases in 2017. was observed to be 859,969 cases in 2017. The total diagnosed prevalent population of VKC was 2,943,057 in the global market. The prevalence of VKC was observed more in males as compared to females. Out of the total prevalent population of 48,982 cases in the US for VKC, 41,634 cases and 7,347 cases were contributed by males and females, respectively. Clinically, VKC can be divided into three subtypes: palpebral, bulbar, and mixed presentations. Disease severity seems milder in bulbar VKC, leading some to suspect that it is the early presentation of a spectrum of disease. Out of the total diagnosed cases of VKC in the US, 23,511 cases were of palpebral form, 21,552 cases were of bulbar form, and 3,919 cases were of mixed presentation. Based on the severity, VKC is being categorized into three groups, i.e., mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. In 2017, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe diagnosed cases of VKC accounted for 17,584, 19,887, and 11,511 in the US. The publisher's epidemiology model for VKC estimates that out of the total diagnosed population of 48,982 cases in the US for VKC, 41,282 cases and 7,700 cases were contributed by children and adolescent (0-20 years), and adults (>20 years), respectively. Scope of the Report The report covers the descriptive overview of VKC, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, and histopathology. The report provides insight into the global historical and forecasted patient pool covering the United States , EU5 ( Germany , France , Italy , Spain , and the UK), Japan , MEA ( Saudi Arabia , Egypt , UAE), China , and Russia . , EU5 ( , , , , and the UK), , MEA ( , , UAE), , and . The report assesses the disease risk and burden and highlights the unmet needs of VKC. The report helps to recognize the growth opportunities in the global market with respect to the patient population. The report provides the segmentation of the disease epidemiology for the global market by Total Prevalent Population of VKC, Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC, and Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of VKC. Key Topics Covered 1. Key Insights 2. Executive Summary of Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) 3. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC): Epidemiology Overview at a Glance 3.1. Total Epidemiological Share (%) Distribution of VKC in 2017 3.2. Total Epidemiological Share (%) Distribution of VKC in 2030 4. Disease Background and Overview: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Signs and Symptoms of VKC 4.2.1. Signs 4.3. Causes 4.4. Risk Factors 4.5. Grades of VKC 4.6. Pathophysiology 4.6.1. Mediators in VKC 4.6.2. Cells in VKC 4.7. Histopathology 4.8. Diagnosis of VKC 5. Case Reports 5.1. Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: A Teaching Case Report 5.2. Ocular surface disease: A case of vernal keratoconjunctivitis 5.3. Topical and Oral Cyclosporine for a Case of Severe Limbal Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis with Complete Corneal Involvement 5.4. Severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis successfully treated with subcutaneous omalizumab 5.5. Recalcitrant Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis in Children: A Case Report and Literature Review 6. Epidemiology and Patient Population 6.1. Key Findings 6.2. Epidemiology Methodology 7. United States Epidemiology 7.1. Assumptions and Rationale 7.2. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in the United States 7.3. Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in the United States 7.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in the United States 7.5. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) Based on Symptoms in the United States 7.6. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in the United States 7.7. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in the United States 8. EU5 Epidemiology 8.1. Assumptions and Rationale 8.2. Germany Epidemiology 8.2.1. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Germany 8.2.2. Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Germany 8.2.3. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Germany 8.2.4. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) Based on Symptoms in Germany 8.2.5. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Germany 8.2.6. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Germany 8.3. France Epidemiology 8.4. Italy Epidemiology 8.5. Spain Epidemiology 8.6. United Kingdom Epidemiology 9. Japan Epidemiology 9.1.1. Assumptions and Rationale 9.1.2. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 9.1.3. Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 9.1.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 9.1.5. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 9.1.6. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 9.1.7. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Japan 10. MEA Region Epidemiology 10.1. Assumptions and Rationale 10.2. Saudi Arabia Epidemiology 10.2.1. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.2.2. Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.2.3. Gender-specific Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.2.4. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.2.5. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.2.6. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Saudi Arabia 10.3. Egypt Epidemiology 10.4. UAE Epidemiology 11. China Epidemiology 11.1. Assumptions and Rationale 11.2. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 11.3. Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 11.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 11.5. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 11.6. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 11.7. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in China 12. Russia Epidemiology 12.1. Assumptions and Rationale 12.2. Total Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 12.3. Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 12.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 12.5. Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 12.6. Severity-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 12.7. Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in Russia 13. KOL Views For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rj3pr5 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Commentary By Giulia McPherson Violence and persecution dont stop for a pandemic. Every day, people arrive at national borders urgently seeking protection. While there is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused havoc around the world, there are also man-made consequences that could be avoided. Since the public health crisis began, more than 150 countries have closed their borders, fully or partially, to contain the spread of the virus. The problem is that at least 99 of those countries have made no exceptions for asylum seekers, according to the UN. As a result, vulnerable families and children across the globe have been halted at borders; those with pending asylum claims wait in limbo; and lives continue at a standstill for people who have already experienced trauma and instability. Arguably, the situation at the US southern border is among the most dire. For decades, the United States has been a global leader in welcoming people seeking protection from violence in their home countries. Yet, since March nearly 43,000 asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children, have been turned back at the US southern border after the US government implemented travel and asylum restrictions. Public health experts point out that these restrictions do little to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The policy targets asylum seekers while providing broad exemptions to US citizens, permanent residents, and those travelling to the United States for education, trade, or commercial purposes. In May, the US government announced that the policy would remain in place until it was no longer necessary to protect the public health, extending it indefinitely. The current ban on asylum is one of the latest in a series of efforts by the US government to limit long-held protections inherent in the US asylum system. In January 2019, the US government announced the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as Remain in Mexico, which force asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claim is processed. New MPP cases are no longer being accepted while the border is closed, but those impacted by Remain in Mexico over the past year continue to live in limbo. The current ban on asylum is one of the latest in a series of efforts by the US government to limit long-held protections inherent in the US asylum system. Since it was launched, MPP has returned more than 65,000 people to Mexico as they petition for safety in the United States. Their return to Mexico forces these asylum seekers to live in dangerous and uncertain circumstances, targeted by gangs and criminal activity, stranded without resources, with fewer than five percent able to secure legal representation. Court hearings for asylum seekers currently waiting in Mexico have been suspended through at least 17 July. This means that asylum seekers face prolonged homelessness as well as further dangers as they wait in Mexico, including kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault, and violent crimes. On top of this, Mexico has recently emerged as a new hotspot for COVID-19. Protections for individuals fleeing violence and arriving at the borders are written into US law, and the United States has signed on to the international Refugee Convention, which sets forth the principle of non-refoulement, prohibiting countries from sending asylum seekers back to dangerous conditions. Despite this, MPP and the US governments response to COVID-19 have denied asylum seekers their right to protection. Many are abandoning their efforts to petition for asylum in the United States. Maria, a 30-year-old mother of two young children is facing this challenge. Gangs in Honduras targeted and physically assaulted her daughter. She didnt feel safe and decided to make her way to the United States. After petitioning for asylum, she was sent back to Mexico and then placed on a bus to southern Mexico to wait until her court date. Im very afraid because of what I suffered in the northern border of Mexico, she said. I dont want to face again everything I already faced. Ultimately, she decided to forego her asylum claim, rather than place her family in further danger. The US government could re-instate access to asylum at its borders while putting in place measures that manage risks to public health. Given that a long-term plan for treating COVID-19 is not yet in place, its impact is expected to last far into the foreseeable future. Access to asylum in the United States and elsewhere around the world could easily become a casualty. But it doesnt have to be. The US government could re-instate access to asylum at its borders while putting in place measures that manage risks to public health. Countries do not need to deny persons seeking international protection from lawfully petitioning for asylum. A combination of screening, testing, quarantine, and other safety measures at ports of entry would allow for asylum procedures to be reinstated sooner rather than later. Nothing is preventing the US government from taking these steps, except for a lack of political will. Providing protections for individuals seeking asylum is a universally recognised human right. It is written into international and US laws. It is a critical part of the role the United States has played in the global community. The legacy of COVID-19 will already be rife with heartache and death. It does not have to include bringing further harm to those seeking safety and security. Giulia McPherson is Director of advocacy and operations at Jesuit Refugee Service/USA I have to take issue with Dan Gealts obituary in Wednesdays newspaper. It said that after a long and fierce battle with cancer, he had moved on to a more peaceful place. I believe that anywhere Dan is cannot possibly be quiet and peaceful. That was my experience with the man. I do know that this is a loss in so many ways. After a dozen or so citizens applied to be on our very first editorial board in 2007, we settled on two to be the guinea pigs the late Rodger Hurley and Dan Gealt we would allow into the inner sanctum of decision-making as we crafted our editorials. We chose wisely. Dan followed Rodgers four-month term and became such an important part of the board, we asked him to stay another four months. It was the one and only time we did that. Dan was originally from Philadelphia, but lived here for the past four decades. He got degrees from ACC and RPI and worked at several of the local paper mills over the years. But he seemed to be a natural for newspaper work. Dan was the nitpicker who would suggest different words in editorials usually better words and always found the typo that we had missed. When his term was up, he made it clear he desperately wanted to return. In a guest essay at the end of his first stint, he detailed to the general public his experience and the care we took in writing editorials and the importance of the newspapers work. Local newspaper reporters are our surrogate eyes and ears in the community. They attend the government meetings that take place while we are at work, they sit in the courtrooms to let us know how `We the people are dispensing justice, they listen to the speeches of visiting dignitaries (and ask the questions that we probably wanted to ask), they get to the scene of the emergencies to bring back pictures and first-hand accounts of what went wrong, and they file the Freedom of Information Law requests that are needed when things are done in secrecy that should be done in public, Dan wrote in a guest essay at the end of his term. And then they come back to the office and write about all of it so that we can know what is going on just as if we had been there ourselves. But here is the part I remember most. Dan never went away. He kept coming back for chats and you would see him lurking in the lobby, wondering if Mark Mahoney or Will Doolittle or I had a minute to chat. More often than not, I didnt, but I waved him back anyway and before I knew it 20 minutes had gone by. By 2017, I convinced our publisher at the time, Terry Coomes, that we should expand the editorial board to include two citizens who would serve for an entire year. I believe Dan was in the office the next day, offering his services. He never missed a meeting and always gave feedback on our editorials before they were published. During the summer of 2017, the Better Angels group came to town. Better Angels was a fledgling organization, touring the country, hoping to bridge the political divide by bringing red and blue people together. I pitched the meeting to the editorial board and said it would be great if we all attended to see what the program was like. When I arrived at the restaurant in Bolton, Dan was already there. He participated and debated the points just as he always did in our meetings. But he also showed he was open to change. My biggest takeaway from the event was how surprised I was at how little I have been listening to the other side, Dan told me at the time. Since the event, I have been listening a lot more and I have consciously restrained myself from blasting out so many rote responses. And I now find myself gently pointing out to people that they might be dong exactly what they complain the other side is doing. That was Dan, too. Looking to get better, looking to make our community better as one of those quiet behind-the-scenes guys who never get much attention. Dan Gealt left us last week at 68 while holding the record as the longest-serving citizen representative in Post-Star history. I think Dan would have been proud of that. n Tingley is the editor of The Post-Star and may be reached via email at tingley@poststar.com. His blog The Front Page discusses issues about newspapers and journalism. You can also follow him on Twitter at . Love 14 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 12 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. While many states that suffered initial COVID-19 outbreaks experience a lull in new cases, others are adding cases 10 times faster than in their worst week in the spring. A USA TODAY analysis of Johns Hopkins University data shows 32 states are adding cases faster than in their worst spring week, and 20 states on Tuesday night had their worst week for cases of the disease: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Some states are having their worst week for new coronavirus deaths. Tennessee reported 102 deaths, a 76% increase from the number of deaths recorded in its worst week in the spring. Public health experts said COVID-19 cases are increasing at faster rates as the virus spreads to rural communities, where residents aren't following social distancing or mask wearing guidelines, and in urban areas that see an influx of summer tourists. Tennessee reported 4.5 times more coronavirus cases this week than in its worst week in the spring, the equivalent of a new case every 46 seconds. We have had for over the last month a steady and alarming increase in cases, said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious disease at Vanderbilt University of Tennessee. Although our cases arent as high as Florida, Arizona, California it clearly indicates that we have not controlled the virus transmission here in our state. Schaffner said cases initially focused in the major metropolitan areas spread to smaller towns and rural counties where leaders dictated mask and social distancing policies residents strongly opposed. Williamson County Schools, a district in a Nashville suburb, received pushback from parents regarding reopening guidelines for on-campus learning that include a mask mandate, social distancing and adherence to health protocols. A group formed Recall Williamson on Facebook and sent a letter announcing recall efforts against school board members as a result of mask-wearing rules. Story continues The county reported 570 cases in its most recent week, more than 3.5 times worse than its spring peak of 159 cases April 6. Not wearing a mask is like driving on the red. Its not your choice, it affects other people around you, Schaffner said. When you have a pandemic virus running around, we have to behave in such a way that we curtail some of our individual inclinations so that the entire community benefits. Emily Wahl, center, and more than 100 other people gather at City Hall to protest Mayor Lauren McLean's order mandating people to wear face coverings in Boise, Idaho, Friday, July 3, 2020. Mask wearing in particular has been an issue in Idaho, where the state reported four times the number of cases than in its worst week in spring. The state was pinpointed as one with the most online anti-mask activity, according to an analysis conducted by Survival At Home, a preparedness website. Dr. Steven Nemerson, the chief clinical officer of Saint Alphonsus Health System, which is based in Boise, Idaho, said the southwest region has seen cases rise from seven per 100,000 to several hundred per 100,000 in recent weeks. The largest increase was among patients under the age of 30 testing positive for COVID-19, Nemerson said. "The COVID train has left the station. Idaho is well on its way to becoming another New York, California, Texas or Arizona," Nemerson said. He noted the trend can change if more people wear masks, maintain safe distance from others and wash their hands regularly. It's not just small town residents driving the rise in COVID-19 cases. Tourists who flock to urban areas for a summer retreat and refuse to follow mask guidelines contribute to the increasing rate. Nashville's Metro Health Department issued 48 civil warrants to businesses for failure to comply with the city's mask mandate, bar closures and other health orders, including several popular honky-tonks on Lower Broadway. People wear masks as they walk by a statue of Elvis Presley Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. The Nashville Health Department has put in place a mask mandate to help battle the spread of the coronavirus. Beach outbreaks have been detrimental to South Carolina, which reported 9.5 times more cases than in its worst week in spring and 56% more deaths. One day before Gov. Henry McMaster announced that beaches and some retail stores could reopen, health officials told his office that the moves posed serious risks. Those risks included the likelihood of oceanfront communities being swarmed by visitors who would ignore social distancing guidelines, as well as a "perception that loosened restrictions may lead to a false sense of security," according to an April 19 memo obtained through a public records request by The Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. People walk towards the beach at Ninth Ave. on May 23, 2020 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Businesses, including amusement parks, have reopened for the Memorial Day holiday weekend after forced pandemic closures. McMaster was unswayed. Cases in South Carolina's urban areas and coastal counties have increased dramatically as people congregated there, often without wearing masks or adhering to social distancing practices. At the point that McMaster and his staff were warned, the highest one-day total for new cases had been 266 on April 15. In the weeks since, South Carolina saw the second largest single-day increase with 2,205 new confirmed cases Monday. "(Not having a) statewide mask ordinance has had a big impact on our state," said Melissa Nolan, an epidemiologist at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health. Counties that enacted mask ordinances have been able to keep case numbers lower while those without have seen larger spikes, she said. At AnMed Health Medical Center in downtown Anderson, South Carolina, the number of COVID-19 patients soared from six to 62 during a three-week period that ended Friday, hospital CEO Bill Manson said. "That gives you some idea about what's happened with this after relaxation of general safeguards after Memorial Day and then the spread of COVID-19 in the community and the impact of that on admissions," Manson told Anderson City Council members Monday. "That is really pushing our surge capacity." While Tennessee, Idaho and South Carolina report at least four times the number of new cases they reported in their worst week in the spring, New York and Massachusetts are seeing low new case numbers 7% and 10%, respectively. "What were seeing now in the South, in my opinion, is the consequence of basically giving the virus more opportunity to transmit," said William Hanage, associate professor of epidemiology and a faculty member in the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "If you want to stop that, stop giving it the chance." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida, Texas not only states with COVID spike. 32 pass spring record Drug maker Zydus Cadila has started human dosing as part of phase I and II human trials of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, ZyCoV-D, the company said on Wednesday. Zydus is one of the two companies (the other is Bharat Biotech) that have so far received the Indian dugs controllers approval to begin human trials for their anti-Covid-19 vaccine candidates. ZyCoV-D was granted the approval on July 2. the Adaptive Phase I/ II human clinical trials of its plasmid DNA vaccine, ZyCoV-D commenced today with the first human dosing. The Adaptive Phase I/II dose escalation, multi-centric study will assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the vaccine. The human dosing of the vaccine marks a key milestone since the launching of the accelerated vaccine development programme for Covid-9 in February 2020, said Zydus in a statement. Also read: India set for pivotal role in Covid-19 vaccine production, says ICMR The vaccine candidate was found to be safe, immunogenic (generating immune response) and well tolerated in the pre-clinical toxicity studies. The vaccine was able to elicit a high level of neutralizing antibodies in animal studies. Phase I and II human trials are conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of a new drug or vaccine. This is an all-important step in our fight against Covid-19. We acknowledge the support of [the] government of India and regulatory agencies ICMR [Indian Council of Medical Research] and DCGI [Drug Controller General of India] in the development of ZyCoV-D vaccine candidate. We look forward to the Adaptive Phase I/II clinical studies and gathering important data on ZyCoV-D in the months ahead, said Pankaj R Patel, chairman, Zydus Cadila. Also read: Indias pharma industry an asset for entire world, says PM Narendra Modi In the pre-clinical phase, the vaccine was found to elicit a strong immune response in multiple animal species like mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The antibodies produced by the vaccine were able to neutralize the virus in virus neutralization assay indicating the protective potential of the vaccine candidate. No safety concerns were observed for the vaccine candidate in repeat-dose toxicology studies, according to the details shared by the company. The platform is also known to show much-improved vaccine stability and lower cold chain requirements, making it easy for transportation to the remotest regions. Also, the platform can be rapidly used to modify the vaccine in a couple of weeks in case the virus mutates to ensure that the vaccine still elicits protection. Zydus will be enrolling at least 1,000 subjects across multiple clinical study sites in India and has already produced clinical manufacturing practice batches of the vaccine candidate for the clinical trials. The government is providing all support needed to fast-track the vaccine development process. India is about 60% supplier of total vaccine volume to the world, and will also take the lead in manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine even if its developed elsewhere in the world, said Dr Balram Bhargava, director general, ICMR, on Tuesday. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage The vaccine will be ultimate to check the disease spread but we dont know when will an effective vaccine be available for use even though all our efforts are being directed towards making it happen as soon as possible. A good vaccine is the most cost-effective way of preventing a disease, said Dr Amita Jain, head, microbiology department, KGMU, Lucknow. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON July 15, 3:20 p.m. Another prisoner infected with the coronavirus at San Quentin State Prison has died, state officials announced Wednesday. The prisoner's name was not released and died at an outside hospital Tuesday. The death toll at the prison is now 11. There are 1,302 active cases at the prison, and 686 recovered cases. 12:30 p.m. San Francisco's Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax addressed the city's surge in COVID-19 infections at a Wednesday press conference and the decision to extend the pause on reopening. Colfax encouraged residents to limit gatherings as much as possible to help suppress transmission of the virus. The uptick in cases is the result of a combination of factors and he said gatherings with family and friends are among them. "These visits are hard to resist but the truth is that they are spreading COVID," Colfax said. "Those birthday parties, visits with grandparents, the barbecues, they are contributing to a delay or rollback in businesses, or even a return to school." He added, "At this time, we are encouraging people to minimize gathering as much as possible, and if they do gather, to gather outside and to wear masks and socially distance," he said. We know theres a lot of room to improve that adherence." Read more from SFGATE Editor Amy Graff. 12:00 p.m. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced Wednesday the city is extending its pause on reopening personal care businesses, like hair salons, massages and tattoo shops, until the surge of cases in the city can be contained. San Franciscans did a great job following the Stay Home Order this spring, and we must keep up the good work to get the spread of COVID-19 under control. We are in this for the long haul, and we cant afford to lose focus, said Mayor Breed in a statement. We want businesses to be able to safely reopen and stay open but to do that, we need everyone to do their part. Wear a mask when you go out and avoid gatherings as much as possible. It's up to all of us to contain the virus so that we can continue moving forward as a city. The city will provide another update for these businesses on July 17. Last week, Mayor Breed announced that these personal services could not open on the planned reopening date of July 13 due to the sudden surge of cases. Unfortunately, reopening businesses that will encourage gathering and interacting with people outside of your own household is not the safe thing to do right now," she said. 11:50 a.m. The annual New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena has canceled for the first since 1945 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the advance planning required by our band and equestrian units, the construction of our floats takes many months and typically requires thousands of volunteers to gather in ways that arent in compliance with safety recommendations and wont be safe in the coming months, David Eads, Executive Director/CEO of the The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association said in a statement. While we are extremely disappointed that we are unable to host the parade, we believe that not doing so will prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as protect the legacy of the Rose Parade for generations to come. 11:40 a.m. After a few days of confusion over a new state guidance that temporarily barred outdoor dining in Alameda County, the state has granted the county a regional variance that will allow the county's restaurants to serve patrons outdoors. The Oakland Zoo is also now permitted to reopen. Click here to read more. 10:40 a.m. The San Francisco Unified School District will begin fall semester classes August 17 via distance learning exclusively, district officials informed staff and families Wednesday. The news, sent in a letter by Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews, notes that the district eventually hopes to implement a "hybrid approach" to learning. This involves a combination of in-person classroom learning and virtual instruction, but only "when science and data suggest it is safe to do so." Read more from SFGATE Editor Alyssa Pereira. 10 a.m. Four workers at a Trader Joe's in the South Bay tested positive for the coronavirus between Friday and Sunday, the company confirmed to the East Bay Times. A fifth test is still processing. Its our understanding that there was close contact among the crew members outside of the store, outside of work, and that transmission did not occur inside the store, said Kenya Friend-Daniel, a Trader Joe's spokesperson. The employees all last worked in the store, on Prospect Road in San Jose's Westgate Center, between July 2 and July 8. The site has since been deep cleaned. 8:45 a.m. California revamped its guidelines for COVID-19 testing to focus of those in hospitals or considered at high risk of infection as the surging pandemic strains testing capacity. The state health department on Tuesday released a four-tier priority system for testing. Those hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms top the list along with close contacts of those with confirmed infections. Next in line are other people with symptoms and those living in high-risk facilities such as nursing homes, prisons and homeless shelters and health care and emergency service workers. After that, the non-binding guidelines recommend testing for a wide variety of employees who have frequent interactions with the public. They include employees in retail stores, manufacturing, restaurants, markets and convenience stores; teachers; agricultural jobs, including food processing plants and slaughterhouses; and public transport, including airports and rail services. Testing Californians to determine whether they have been exposed to COVID-19 and tracking down people with whom they had contact are considered crucial to reducing the spread of the infection as rates of hospitalization and positive tests jump. California now averages more than 100,000 tests a day through a mix of public and private testing sites but some researchers have estimated it needs to double that figure to deal with the virus. But as California joins other states in seeing sharp rises in cases, it has become harder to obtain testing supplies, and commercial laboratories are taking longer to provide test results, the state Department of Public Health said in a news release. The new testing guidelines are being done while we are in parallel working to increase testing capacity across the state, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency. Read the full story on SFGATE. The Associated Press contributed to this story. July 15, 8 a.m.: Dr. Monica Gandhi, UC San Francisco professor of medicine and medical director of the HIV Clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, says evidence is increasing that masks not only protect others but provides protection for the wearer. Because inhaling more virus particles could increase in the severity of the disease, wearing a mask could possibly reduce the severity of the infection, even if you are exposed. Read the full story here. July 15, 6:45 a.m. To increase enforcement of Contra Costa County's COVID-19 health orders, county leaders asked Tuesday for an ordinance to allow county workers to issue infraction tickets to businesses, houses of worship and other groups that are seen violating the rules. County supervisors also asked for a dedicated telephone hotline for reporting violations of the health order, in part to motivate more compliance with the rules. Both actions were taken Tuesday as COVID-19 infection rates are on the rise in both Contra Costa County and in the Bay Area in general. County Health Director Anna Roth told the supervisors that the number of total infections has almost doubled in the past three weeks, to 5,023 total cases, over the total from March through late June. "The scope of the (virus) transmission is growing from every direction," said Roth, noting the spread is happening more quickly in low-income communities. Bay City News contributed to this story. Coronavirus in the greater Bay Area: Links you need COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Alameda County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Contra Costa County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Lake County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Marin County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Monterey County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Napa County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. San Benito County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. San Francisco County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. San Mateo County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Santa Clara County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Santa Cruz County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Solano County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. Sonoma County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Here are answers to your most frequently asked questions about coronavirus Overwhelmed California hospitals sending COVID-19 patients to SF Covid-19 is turning San Francisco's inequality gap into a chasm WHEN WILL THE BAY AREA REOPEN? One Bay Area county added to 'watch list,' another falls off Will Bay Area schools reopen in-class this fall? Confusion as Santa Clara County's reopening reportedly rejected VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Weekend Unlimited Industries Inc. ("WKND!" or the "Company") (POT.CN)(0OS1.F)(WKULF) is pleased to announce that its WKND! brand won first place for best edible gummy and best distillate cart at the inaugural Noble Cup on July 11, 2020. "This recognition of our WKND! branded products at Noble Cup in Oklahoma is very big accomplishment for the company," says WKND! chief executive officer, Chris Backus. "It is an honor to receive two first-place awards in a competition that celebrates the best products in Oklahoma. We look forward to further establishing the brand by providing a wide range of trusted products to the medicinal use community in Oklahoma." "Two first place awards speak to the quality of the products and the strength of the WKND! brand in Oklahoma. Our goal is to continually set the bar higher to deliver products we believe meet the needs of our customers," says Travis Hunter, president and CEO of Ruby Mae's LLC, the licensed entity in Oklahoma which produces and processes cannabis products for the WKND! brand in the state. The Noble Cup is Oklahoma's premier cannabis conference and was founded for the purpose of celebrating the best of the cannabis industry Cannabis industry in Oklahoma. The one-day event featured over 100+ entries ranging across every product category with the products being judged offsite by local connoisseurs. About Weekend Unlimited Industries Inc. Weekend Unlimited is a lifestyle-based recreational and medicinal cannabis and CBD wellness company. We are developing and launching premium cannabis and CBD brands. Our CBD products are available online and at a retailer near you. Weekend Unlimited is well-positioned to launch and scale the brands that will define cannabis and CBD. Learn more at www.weekendunlimited.com. For further information, please contact: Mr. Chris Backus, President & CEO, Director Telephone: 1(236) 317-2812 E-mail: IR@weekendunlimited.com Story continues Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward- looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward- looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new in- formation, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: Weekend Unlimited Industries Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/597477/Weekend-Unlimited-Industries-WKND-Brand-Wins-First-Place-for-Edible-Gummies-and-Distillate-Carts-at-the-Inaugural-2020-Noble-Cup-in-Oklahoma-City There were a lot of jokes about French fries and fast food at a drive-thru hiring event for Kanetix Ltd. on Tuesday, says Reygan Hale, vice-president of people operations for the company. It was great. Thats basically how every conversation started, she said. The call centre on Lincoln Street, Canadas largest digital acquisition platform for insurance and financial services, announced in April that it was looking to hire 75 new people through online and phone interviews for sales broker positions to add to its 200-employee workforce at the time. Since then, about 50 new people have joined the team and are completing their training virtually from home. A goal of 20 new hires was set for Tuesdays campaign. Hale said 15 candidates pulled up Tuesday to go over their resume and the company has plans to offer 10 of them a job. Interviews were booked by appointment and two people who were scheduled did not show up, she said. The idea came from Hale seeing another company post on Linkedin early in the COVID-19 pandemic that it was holding a similar event. The uniqueness of the format on Tuesday was enjoyed by the applicants, but also staff who conducted the interviews. It was exciting on both sides to try something new, she said. Some people opted to park and then walk up to the two tents where the interviews were taking place. It is slightly awkward, sitting in your car, turning to the left and talking for 30 minutes, said Hale. She said the outdoor hiring spree was successful on all fronts and that a second one could be held again soon. Resumes were already on file, eliminating the need for any contact or for candidates to bring a paper copy. Successful job seekers will work from home for the first three months and then work from the Welland office, if government restrictions allow it to happen, said Hale. Fatima Hakimzada was already impressed with her next potential employer before she and management even had a chance to go over her resume. The St. Catharines resident was one of the many people who applied for a job with Kanetix Ltd. recently and participated Tuesday. This is ideal compared to going into an office in a closed space, said Hakimzada as she waited patiently for her turn to shine in her idling SUV ahead of her appointment late Tuesday morning. RELATED STORIES Niagara Region Kanetix conducting online interviews to fill 75 new positions in Welland A phone interview was an option, but she prefers speaking with representatives from the company in person. You get to meet the recruiters and see what kind of people they are, she said. It makes me feel good that I can see someone face to face, she added seconds before being waved up to where interviews were being conducted by staff seated at tables and speaking with applicants. Kanetix Ltd., headquartered out of Toronto, moved into the former Convergys building on Lincoln Street in early 2019. The company has more than 20 clients, including CAA, TD Bank, Scotiabank, and The Co-operators. Kris Dube is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com Thousands of Australians will be able to take new courses to help them get a job under Scott Morrison's $1billion JobTrainer plan which he will announce on Thursday. Dozens of new short courses at TAFE and other registered training organisations will be available from September as around one million Aussies look for work during an economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The free or low-cost courses will prepare workers for jobs in expanding sectors including healthcare, social care, transport, postal services and warehousing, manufacturing and retail. Alongside the scheme, the Prime Minister will expand the apprentice wage subsidy to cover half the wages of eligible apprentices by up to $530 per week until March 2021. Thousands of Australians will be able to take new courses to help them get a job under Scott Morrison's $1billion JobTrainer plan. Pictured: A retail worker at a Sydney shopping centre The federal government will hand over $1.5billion - in addition to the $1.3billion already pumped into the scheme - to pay 50 per cent of apprentices' wages. At the moment the program helps 47,000 small-business employers keep 81,000 apprentices and trainees in work and training. The policy will now extend to medium businesses with fewer than 200 employees, meaning the scheme will help around 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices. The program will also be extended by six months to cover wages paid up to March 2021. It is estimated that 340,000 Australians, including up to 250,000 teenagers who are leaving school this year, will take the new TAFE courses. The federal government is contributing $500million towards the JobTrainer scheme and the states and territories will together tip in another $500million. The courses, which will be free or low cost, will prepare workers for jobs in expanding sectors including healthcare, social care, transport, postal services (pictured) and warehousing, manufacturing and retail The jobs required are likely to include nursing due to the pandemic. Pictured: A health care worker doing Covid-19 testing in Casula, Sydney Mr Morrison discussed the plan with state and territory leaders at the National Cabinet meeting on Friday and talks are ongoing to work out a full list of courses and their fees. The new National Skills Commission will provide a list of skills that are in demand to help unemployed people chose a course that will lead to a job. 'JobTrainer will ensure more Australians have the chance to reskill or upskill to fill the jobs on the other side of this crisis,' the Prime Minister said. 'COVID-19 is unprecedented but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover. 'The jobs and skills we'll need as we come out of the crisis are not likely to be the same as those that were lost.' Transport workers are also likely to be in demand after the pandemic. Pictured: A Sydney trains worker Melbourne's new lockdown will harm economic recovery. Pictured: Police in the city On Thursday at 11.30am June's unemployment figures will be released and are expected to paint a bleak picture of Australia's economy. In May, the number of Australians officially unemployed swelled to 927,600 - the highest number since December 1993 - as the jobless rate rose to a 19-year high of 7.1 per cent. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the effective unemployment rate, after people working zero hours and those who had dropped out of the labour force were taken into account, was around 13.3 per cent. Mr Frydenberg will outline the next phase of coronavirus support measures in an economic update on July 23, including the fate of the JobKeeper wage subsidy and the enhanced JobSeeker dole payment which are legislated to end in September. He acknowledged the return to lockdowns in Melbourne would be 'harsh on businesses and households'. 'Our announcements on the 23rd will take into account the Victorian circumstances and that Victorians, like those in the other parts of the country who are hurting through COVID, will continue to benefit from the government's support,' Mr Frydenberg said. 'We've gone for a national approach as opposed to state-specific approaches.' Amy Cooper is seen calling police after a Black man, Christian Cooper, asked her to leash her dog in New York. (Christian Cooper / Associated Press) To the editor: I read Erika D. Smith's column article about Assembly Bill 1550, which would allow people to sue when the police are unnecessarily called on them, with great interest. I see AB 1550 as creating a useful tool for the victims of false police reports. Law enforcement does not vigorously prosecute people who make false and racially motivated police reports. In addition, some police departments have demonstrated antipathy toward people of color. As a private citizen and a person of color, I would much rather have this option available than relying solely on the discretion of police and district attorneys on whether to prosecute someone who files a false police report. Of course, I would prefer never to have to use AB 1550, but its availability could deter people from wrongly calling the police on others. James Mundy, Inglewood .. To the editor: When being a "Karen" meant complaining to the manager, I sighed and rolled my eyes. When it became synonymous with rude women in parks who were recorded and posted to the internet, I was concerned. When it became a daily, go-to smear for any unsavory behavior up to and including the cause of death for the innocent at the hands of law enforcement, I became alarmed. Now that there is a proposal before the state Legislature to pass a "CAREN" bill, I have lost hope of ever getting my name back in my lifetime. If journalists cannot see the misogyny in attacking women while ignoring men with the hijacked name "Karen," then you are complicit in perpetuating pejorative, hateful slurs. Karen Martin, Mission Hills Bangui The Central African Republic (CAR) is seeing a surge in gender-based violence (GBV) since the COVID-19 virus pandemic and measures to control it began, with reported injuries to women and children spiking by 69 percent, a new UNDP-led study finds. Although a national strategy aims to reduce GBV, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, statistics even before the pandemic began were grimwith 11,777 cases identified in 2019, up 174 percent from 2014. Landlocked and impoverished, CAR also ranked second-highest in gender inequality globally, according to UNDPs 2019 Gender Inequality Index (GIN). Especially in rural areas, women tend to be poorer than men 81 percent, compared with 69 percent menand has the second highest maternal mortality ratio in the world. Despite its vast natural resources, CAR is consistently ranked among the worlds least healthy countries, with one of the lowest levels of human development, reflecting indices such as access to education, opportunities, jobs, essential services, health care, and technology. Some 2.6 million people, or more than half the population, require humanitarian aid and protection, UN officials say, while a partial closure of borders with Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is driving up the cost of imported goods, including basic food items. Measures to mitigate COVID-19, such as school and business closures, have meanwhile increased the domestic burdens borne by women and girls and sharply reduced their earnings, increasingly the existing vulnerabilities, confining them to homes they often share with their abusers, and limiting access to support and health services. Since April, GBV has increased by an estimated 10 percent, while reported injuries to women and children have increased 69 percent, rape by 27 percent, and other assaults by 45 percent, according to a June report by crime analysts with the UN stabilization mission in CAR (MINUSCA). Since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the country, 97 percent of GBV victims have been female and 76 percent underage. Even before the pandemic, women in CRA faced major gender-based inequalities, such as to access education and opportunity and the chance to participate in economic and political life, Natalie Boucly, UNDP Resident Representative in CAR, said. We know crises can exacerbate violence in home as well as other violence against women and girls. This is a critical time to prioritize support sytems and access to justice. Cyber-violence is also on the rise, the report said, with more people confined at home and spending more time online. It called for scaled-up efforts to protect women and girls in this area as well. UNDP recommendations to address GBV include: Scaling up awareness campaigns to promote gender equality and fight GBV. Raising awareness of police and legal services to address GBV. Boosting capacity among civil society organizations to support survivors and monitor cases. Educating women and girls to protect themselves from online violence and harassment. Scaling up government capacity to process and prosecute cases. Launching an emergency fund to increase social protections, notably targeting informal workers hit hard by the pandemic and measures to address it. Using economic and financial measures to support businesses, micro-enterprises, and individuals suffering economically as a result of the crisis. UNDP activities on the ground In June, UNDP launched an effort with civil society organizations and the Government to educate the public on the increased risk of violence resulting from the pandemic. It created billboards, community radio messages, and social media posts on recognizing, preventing, and responding to GBV. UNDP is also advocating for greater womens participation in managing the pandemic and ensuring that data collection and analysis on COVID-19s impact include its gender dimensionsand that social and economic support programs target young people, women, and other vulnerable people. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the African continent reached 612,586 on Wednesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The centre in its latest situation update issued on Wednesday said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the continent rose from 594,841 on Tuesday morning to 612,586 as of Wednesday morning. The Africa CDC also disclosed that the death toll from the pandemic surged to 13,519 as of the stated period. The Africa CDC further said that 307,069 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have so far recovered from the infectious virus. READ ALSO: Amid the rapid spread of the virus across the continent, the highly affected African countries in terms of positive cases included South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, and Cameroon. 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, followed by the North Africa region. The West Africa region is the third most affected area in terms of positive cases, followed by the Eastern and Central Africa regions, respectively. (Xinhua/NAN) In this image released by NASA, Comet Neowise, left, is seen in the eastern horizon above Earth in this image taken from the International Space Station last week. Read more Skywatchers will have excellent opportunities for the next several nights to see the Comet NEOWISE making what is believed to be its first earthly visit in about 7,000 years and the International Space Station. The space station makes its next appearance over Philadelphia at 10:03 p.m. Thursday, zipping along at a brisk 17,500 mph from west to northeast, followed by a cameo appearance at 11:44 that will last under a minute. It also will be visible for the next several nights. Clouds permitting, it can be seen clearly without binoculars or telescopes, and might look like an ultra-speeding jet or one quite-brilliant star. READ MORE: NASA to allow private citizens to fly to the International Space Station Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Robert Behnken were scheduled to do some battery-replacement work outside the station on Thursday and Tuesday. While their handiwork wont be visible from the ground, NASA is providing live TV coverage on its website. This is a little more complicated than replacing flashlight batteries, so it could take up to seven hours. The station, which has been up there for two decades, is host to a variety of experiments. It is also being used to analyze the impacts of longer-term spaceflight on the human body, and after weeks of isolation, many us might envy all that weightlessness. A few hours before the space station sightings, comet NEOWISE will be the star attraction, although dont expect a flash of brilliance, even though its moving about 144,000 mph, or nine times faster than the space station. READ MORE: Comet's impact seen in New Jersey, possibly tied to prehistoric global warming It has been appearing in a large part of the northern hemisphere around daybreak, and this week that ice-ball from outer space has become visible with binoculars, anyway at dusk. NASA says it will be showing up progressively higher in the sky in the coming days; look toward the northwest. We still have to wait for another very bright comet, what astronomers call a great comet, says EarthSky.org, but it describes NEOWISE, as a wonderful binocular comet. Its at least possible that NEOWISE will end the wait and blossom into a great comet, Emily Kramer, with NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said at a briefing Wednesday afternoon, but comets are notoriously hard to predict. The comet takes its name from the space-observation system that discovered it. If you miss it this time around, not to worry. If all goes well, it should return about 8900, give or take a few years. But NASAs Joe Masiero cautioned that they do tend to lose some brightness over the years. BEIRUT, July 15 (Reuters) - Lebanon hiked the cost of rides in shared taxis and buses by 50% on Wednesday, the first rise in nearly a decade, reflecting soaring prices in a country hit by a financial meltdown. Public transport drivers had called for fares to be raised after a fall of nearly 80% in the local currency since late last year that has slashed jobs and pushed many into poverty. "Nothing is cheap anymore," said cab driver Saad Elias, who welcomed the price hike. "And if your car gets broken, you can't fix it." The fee for shared taxis -- known as "service" in Beirut -- went up from 2,000 to 3,000 Lebanese pounds, Transport Minister Michel Najjar said. The new price is about 0.37 U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate on the informal market. Kassem al-Sailami, a 53-year-old driver, worried the higher price would drive customers away. "People don't even have 3,000 LBP. They're not working." Sailami, a father of four, said some now chose walking over paying for transport. On his daily commute between Beirut and Tripoli city in the north, Issam Nasser, 37, has started walking the last stretch home to save some money. "It's the driver's right (to be paid more), everything costs him more now. On the other hand ... people are suffering like him too," he said. "So we're screwed from all sides." While the cost of fuel -- subsidised by the Lebanese state -- has not changed, drivers say they have suffered losses because of the rising cost of repairs, on top of rocketing food prices in the import-dependent country. The government announced this month a list of around 300 basic goods to be subsidised by the central bank. The official currency peg of 1,507.5 remains available only to importers of fuel, wheat and medicine. (Reporting by Imad Creidi, Yara Abi Nader and Laila Bassam; Editing by Catherine Evans) The US has hit China with punitive measures over the Hong Kong security law and slapped visa curbs on those working with Beijing-linked firms such as Huawei. US President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that authorises sanctions on individuals responsible for the Hong Kong law. He also signed an executive order that took away the preferential trade status of Hong Kong, putting it on par with the mainland. Their freedom has been taken away. Their rights have been taken away. And with it, goes Hong Kong, in my opinion, because it will no longer be able to compete with free markets, Trump told reporters at the White House. Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China: no special privileges, no special economic treatment, and no export of sensitive technologies, he said. China vowed it will take strong countermeasures and sanction US officials and entities over the Hong Kong law. It urged the US to correct its wrongdoings and to stop interfering in Hong Kongs affairs. On Wednesday, the US state department announced visa restrictions on employees of Chinese tech firms that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights abuses globally. Companies impacted include Huawei, which it described as an arm of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China. Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses, it said. The New York Times said it will transfer some of its staff out of Hong Kong because of uncertainties about practising journalism under the new security law. Its digital team of journalists will be moved to Seoul over the next year, the paper said. That U.S. restrictions are not about cybersecurity but are really designed to safeguard American dominance of global tech. It has repeatedly denied that it helps Beijing spy on other governments or companies. But bracing for continued pressure, it outlined plans to shake up its management ranks as revenue growth slowed. The company, which says its owned by Ren as well as its employees through a union, has in recent years begun releasing financial results, spent more on marketing and engaged with foreign media in an effort to boost transparency. Ren has become more outspoken as he fights to save his company. While he said he was proud of his military career and Communist Party membership, he rejected suggestions he was doing Beijings bidding or that Huawei handed over customer information. In March 2019, Huawei went on the offensive, filing a lawsuit in federal court against a statute that blocks U.S. government agencies from using its equipment. KAMPALA The High Court has ordered Makerere University to reinstate Dr Charles Barugahare as the Universitys Secretary. The ruling was made by Justice Michael Elubu on July 13, 2020. The status quo as it stands today July, 13, 2020 is maintained. The two applications before the court today stand withdrawn, reads an excerpt of the ruling. Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabus Nawangwe on June 29 sent Barugahare on forced leave to pave way for investigations in several allegations, which included the controversial procurement of gowns for the universitys 70th graduation ceremony In his suspension letter, Nawangwe notes that the University Secretary was responsible for the embarrassing gown scandal which marred the Universitys 70th graduation ceremony, a claim Dr. Baruhagare vehemently described as false and concocted accusations aimed at removing him from office. Dr. Baruhagare said he was away on study leave during that specific procurement. In an application for judicial review filed before the High Court in Kampala on Friday, June 30, Dr. Barugahare, through his lawyers of M/s. Akampumuza & Co. Advocates, also protested his removal as the Universitys Accounting Officer, and accused Prof. Nawangwe of witchhunt. The second respondent (Prof. Nawangwe) in all his actions is victimising me for having performed my duties and refused to bow to his pressures to approve questionable expenditures, consents, contracts and decisions that would have cost the (Makerere University) huge sums of money, Dr. Barugahare said in his affidavit before High Court adding; Prof. Nawangwe orchestrated a scheme to remove me from my job of University Secretary and asked the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/SST) of the 4th Respondent to irregularly appoint my deputy, the 3rd Respondent as Accounting Officer effective 1/7/2020. Court has further ordered the respondents [Makerere University, Yusuf Kiranda, Prof. Nawangwe and Attorney General] to file their replies by July 27, 2020. The applicant, Dr Barugahare has also been ordered to file his rejoind by July 31, 2020. Related Continue Reading Oberoi Realty's consolidated net profit slumped 81.54% to Rs 28.07 crore on 80.43% drop in net sales to Rs 118.02 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. Consolidated profit before tax (PBT) skid 81.61% to Rs 39.78 crore in Q1 June 2020 as against Rs 216.32 crore in Q1 June 2019. Current tax expense for the quarter slipped 75.46% at Rs 16.13 crore as against Rs 65.75 crore in Q1 June 2019. The Q1 earnings were announced after market hours yesterday, 14 July 2020. The group's operations were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The mall operations of company's subsidiary were severely impacted due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown in Q1 June 2020. Due to the prevailing circumstances, and having regard to significant uncertainties relating to collection of rental and other amounts from lessees and the ongoing discussions with lessees, the company has not presently recognized revenue of Rs 33.17 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2020 in respect of contracts with its lessees in its mall. Meanwhile, the company's board passed enabling resolutions for issue of non-convertible debentures up to Rs 1,500 crore by way of private placement. The board also approved issue of equity shares and/or any other securities convertible into equity for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 2,000 crore by way of qualified institutions placement to qualified institutional buyers. Morgan Stanley and Oberoi Realty on 13 July 2020 announced that they concluded negotiations and reached a deal for Morgan Stanley to lease up to 1.1 million square feet office space for 9.5 years from Oberoi Realty to consolidate Morgan Stanley's Mumbai Global In-house Centre (GIC) operations to a single campus in the city. The new campus will be located at Oberoi Realty's Commerz III building in Goregaon and will be ready in 2023. Shares of Oberoi Realty rose 1.27% to Rs 373 on BSE. Oberoi Realty is engaged in construction and real estate development, and hospitality projects. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh resigned on Wednesday, according to two official sources who did not want to be named, after a row with the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party. Fakhfakh, who is under investigation over allegations of conflict of interest, has had strained relations with Ennahdha, the biggest party in parliament, since October legislative elections. Ennahdha had earlier Wednesday tabled a no-confidence motion against Fakhfakh, who took office in February after winning approval from a fragmented parliament following four months of deadlock. Ennahdha came top in the October polls but fell far short of a majority -- holding 54 of 217 seats in parliament -- and eventually agreed to join a coalition government. The party initially nominated an independent for premier but he failed to win the support of parliament, leading President Kais Saied to name former finance minister Fakhfakh for the post. Tunisia's already fragile economy has since been battered by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Fakhfakh, the leader of a small social democratic party, has come under investigation over alleged failure to hand over control of shares he owns in private companies that have won public contracts in recent months. "The economic and social situation is very serious and can only be overcome by a government whose head is not suspected of any conflict of interest," an Ennahdha senior official, Abdelkarim Harouni, told a news conference on Monday. Harouni had told Tunisian radio shortly before Fakhfakh resigned that Ennahdha would present a no-confidence motion in parliament "before the end of July". Under Tunisia's constitution, a no-confidence motion can only succeed if parliament simultaneously approves another prime minister. Ennahdha said in a statement that it had begun negotiations to find a candidate acceptable to a majority of lawmakers. - "Steve Daines will protect Montanans with preexisting conditions." - Campaign ad from Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. - "Of course I will always protect those with preexisting conditions. Always." - Campaign ad from Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz. - "What I look forward to working on is a plan that protects people with preexisting conditions." - Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., in an interview with Colorado Public Radio, July 1, 2020 - - - Sound familiar? Just like President Donald Trump, these Republican senators say they support coverage guarantees for patients with preexisting health conditions. And just like Trump, their records show the opposite. The president's doublespeak - voicing support for these protections while asking the Supreme Court to strike them down - is spreading into some battleground Senate races this year. It's a classic case of buyer beware: Look under the hood of what Daines, Gardner and McSally are selling, and you'll find a car without an engine. Republicans for a decade have tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature health-care legislation. The Supreme Court has upheld the law twice in the face of challenges from conservative groups. As coronavirus cases reached a new high in the United States, the Trump administration filed a legal brief on June 25 asking the Supreme Court to strike down the entire law, joining with a group of GOP state attorneys general who argue that the ACA is unconstitutional. Before the ACA, insurance companies could factor in a person's health status while setting premiums, a practice that sometimes made coverage unaffordable or unavailable for those in need of expensive treatment or facing a serious illness such as cancer. The ACA prohibited this practice through two provisions: "guaranteed issue," which means insurance companies must sell insurance to anyone who wants it, and "community rating," which means people in the same age group and geographic area who buy similar insurance pay similar prices. The changes made insurance affordable for people with serious diseases or even those with minor health problems, who also could have been denied coverage before the law's passage. Now, about 20 million people covered through the ACA could lose their health insurance if the Supreme Court strikes down the law, among many other consequences bearing directly on the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the coverage guarantee, the ACA established online health insurance marketplaces and subsidies for participating buyers. The law also directs billions of dollars a year in federal funding to states that have chosen to expand their Medicaid programs under the Obamacare law. Millions of Americans have gained coverage through those provisions. We asked the Daines, Gardner and McSally campaigns whether the senators support or oppose the GOP lawsuit at the Supreme Court and how they would address affordability issues for patients with preexisting conditions if the ACA falls. None of their campaigns responded to our questions. - "Steve Daines will protect Montanans with preexisting conditions." Daines voted to repeal the ACA in 2013 and has supported efforts to repeal and replace the law more recently during the Trump administration. Regarding the GOP lawsuit, a Daines spokesperson was quoted in the Billings Gazette saying the senator "supports whatever mechanism will protect Montanans from this failed law, lower health care costs, protect those with preexisting conditions and expand access to health care for Montanans." - "What I look forward to working on is a plan that protects people with preexisting conditions." (Gardner). Gardner has been voting to repeal, defund or replace the ACA since 2011, the year after its passage. This year, his campaign website says nothing about the law, but his official Senate website says, "Fixing our healthcare system will require repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with patient-centered solutions, which empower Americans and their doctors." Asked by the Hill whether he supported the GOP lawsuit, Gardner said: "That's the court's decision. If the Democrats want to stand for an unconstitutional law, I guess that's their choice." In an interview with Colorado Public Radio, Gardner evaded the question six times in a row. - "Of course I will always protect those with preexisting conditions. Always." (McSally). In 2015, McSally voted to repeal the ACA when she served in the House. In 2017, she voted to replace the ACA with the American Health Care Act, which would have allowed insurers to charge higher premiums to patients with complicated medical histories. McSally, now in the Senate, has declined to comment on the GOP lawsuit pending before the Supreme Court. When asked by PolitiFact, "the campaign didn't specifically answer, but pointed to her general disapproval of the ACA." - - - Trump told The Washington Post days before his inauguration in 2017 that he was nearly done with his plan to replace the ACA. Three and a half years later, no replacement plan has emerged from the administration and Republicans in Congress hardly agree on what it would look like - or how to preserve the protections for preexisting health conditions. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is also running for reelection this year, has introduced a 24-page bill called the Protect Act that includes language guaranteeing coverage for preexisting conditions. Daines signed on as a co-sponsor on June 24, the day before the Justice Department filed its brief in the Supreme Court. McSally signed on in April 2019. Gardner is not listed as a co-sponsor. Experts say the Tillis proposal does not offer the same level of protection for preexisting conditions as the ACA, and they warn that millions of Americans could lose their health coverage if the ACA falls and the Protect Act is the only replacement. "Insurers before the Affordable Care Act had multiple and redundant ways that they could avoid people who had preexisting conditions," said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Protect Act prevents some of those practices, but it "leaves enough other loopholes that it would make it very possible and likely for insurers to be able to avoid paying benefits for the conditions they most worry about," she said. Before the ACA, an insurance company could reject an application outright, say, after reviewing a patient's medical history. The Protect Act has language barring that practice. "The second thing they could do is, they could sell you coverage, but they could exclude your preexisting condition. 'Oh, you have diabetes? I'm not going to pay for any of those benefits,'" Pollitz said. "The Tillis bill says you can't do that, so that's good." In the days before the ACA, insurers were allowed to charge higher premiums based on a patient's health status. To prevent this, the Protect Act takes language from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), rather than the newer ACA. "The Protect Act inserts old HIPAA nondiscrimination language that prevents employers from varying worker premium contributions based on health status," Pollitz said. "But the Protect Act also includes the old rule of construction that says nothing limits what the insurance company can charge the employer or individual." Pollitz said the "community rating" language in the ACA provides clearer protections in this area. The Protect Act says "nothing . . . shall be construed to restrict the amount that an employer or individual may be charged for coverage under a group health plan." "The bill would reinstate three protections at risk in the Texas case - prohibiting insurers from denying applicants based on pre-existing conditions, charging higher premiums due to a person's health status, and excluding pre-existing conditions from coverage," Sarah Lueck, a senior policy analyst at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, wrote in an analysis. "But it would leave many others on the cutting room floor," she wrote, because insurers would be able to exclude coverage of benefits such as maternity care, mental health and substance-use treatment; set annual and lifetime limits on insurance payouts; and charge older patients more than younger patients at greater levels than the ACA allows, among other changes. It's important to keep in mind that the Protect Act would not replace other parts of Obamacare, such as the online marketplaces and subsidies. Neither would it continue the ACA's Medicaid expansion, which 37 states and D.C. have now adopted. That includes Arizona, Colorado and Montana. - - - Voters deserve straight answers when their health care is on the line, especially in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Daines, Gardner and McSally have voted to end the Affordable Care Act. People with preexisting conditions would have been left exposed because of those votes; insurers could have denied coverage or jacked up prices for sick patients. The three senators' comments about the GOP lawsuit are woefully vague, but they can all be interpreted as tacit support. Asked about the case, a Daines spokesperson said "whatever mechanism" to get rid of the ACA would do. McSally's campaign "didn't specifically answer, but pointed to her general disapproval of the ACA." Gardner avoided the question six times in one interview, but in another, he said: "That's the court's decision. If the Democrats want to stand for an unconstitutional law, I guess that's their choice." Four Pinocchios all around. The Oakland Zoo can reopen and outdoor dining can resume in Alameda County following the state's approval of a variance allowing more activities in the county, public health officials announced Wednesday. The zoo will reopen to the public for outdoor activities only starting July 29. Tickets will go on sale July 26 at oaklandzoo.org. The zoo closed in March when a shelter-in-place order went into effect in the county to limit the spread of COVID-19. The zoo was closed for 121 days and at risk of closing permanently. Alameda County health officials submitted a request for a variance Tuesday after the Board of Supervisors gave their support for it, which was required before health officials could submit it. The Oakland Zoo is the last major zoo in the state to reopen and it will do so while ensuring the health and safety of guests, staff and animals, zoo officials said. San Francisco Unified School District's fall semester will start with distance learning, but students could return to school gradually in phases once the data shows it's safe, Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews said Wednesday. As schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as cases continue to rise, the start of the fall semester is on the horizon and during a SFUSD Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Matthews provided the update for the upcoming school year. According to Matthews, the district is currently working on improving its distance learning programs, using information from town halls, working groups and survey filled out by families and staff members. A more detailed plan on those efforts will be provided at the next Board of Education meeting on July 28. The search is on for the next Contra Costa County administrator, with the upcoming retirement of David Twa, the county's top executive for the past dozen years. On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors discussed beginning the search for Twa's successor. A key element of the search, supervisors said, will be to get as much public comment as possible on what they want to see in the next county administrator. A caller into Tuesday's Zoom meeting said he wants the next chief executive to be "socially aware," and supervisors echoed that. County Supervisor John Gioia said he wants candidates to have "a dedication to social equity and inclusion." Supervisor Federal Glover said he wants to field suggestions from the public about hiring a new county administrator before hopefuls are identified and interviewed. The supervisors hired the executive search firm Peckham & McKenney in June to help find Twa's successor, and paid that firm $30,500. The hope is for preliminary candidate interviews to happen in late September and early October, and for the county to select a new administrator by late November. The Marin County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of a Marin City man killed in a shooting Tuesday night. The sheriff's office received multiple reports around 8 p.m. Tuesday of multiple gunshots fired in the 400 block of Drake Avenue in unincorporated Marin City. Deputies found 42-year-old Tiyon Tony Ford unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene when they arrived. Deputies and firefighters responding to the scene performed life-saving measures on Ford before he was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead there. The sheriff's office is seeking cooperation from multiple witnesses who reportedly saw the shooting. A 25-year-old man was shot multiple times while walking to a store in San Francisco's Western Addition neighborhood late Tuesday night, according to police. The shooting was reported at about 11:40 p.m. in the 1100 block of Divisadero Street. The victim was walking across the street when someone shot him and then fled in a vehicle, police said. Descriptions of the suspect and vehicle were not immediately available. The victim went to a hospital to be treated for injuries that are not considered life-threatening. Alameda County's fire chief will retire next month after 33 years of service following the appointment Tuesday of a new fire chief, fire officials said. Chief David Rocha will retire Aug. 15 and Willie McDonald, currently fire chief of the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Department, will take over. Rocha announced his retirement in October and stayed on until a new fire chief was hired. Rocha did not say what his plans are for the future. The fire department serves about 400,000 people over 508 square miles. Rocha began his professional fire career in 1987 as a firefighter in San Leandro. He became a captain with the Alameda County Fire Department when San Leandro started receiving fire services from the county. The Los Altos City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to remove a Black Lives Matter mural proposal off the agenda so that the application can go through the city's Public Arts Commission. The submission was by local organization Justice Vanguard Foundation, which organized a Black Lives Matter street mural in Palo Alto and organized protests in East Palo Alto and Los Altos in June in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. It also coordinated the Black Is Beautiful event at Los Altos' Lincoln Park on July 3, where artists painted and drew images in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on the park's sidewalk. The Justice Vanguard Foundation's request proposed a mural be painted on Main Street and would cost $15,000 from the city's General Fund non-department Budget, according to the agenda report from city staff. Councilmember Jeannie Bruins read a statement from the Justice Vanguard Foundation that asked the council to remove their application from the agenda so that they could go through the proper channel, which would be the Public Arts Commission. Bay Area transit agencies announced the launch of a program Wednesday to offer fare discounts on certain transit services to low-income adults between the ages of 19 and 64. Clipper is launching an 18-month pilot for its START program, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Area transit agencies like BART, Caltrain and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Adults with an annual household income of no more than twice the federal poverty level are eligible for the Clipper START program, which offers 50 percent fare discounts for Muni, Caltrain and some Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District services and 20 percent discounts for BART fares. For individuals, twice the federal poverty level is $25,520, with that number going up for families of various sizes and $52,400 being twice the federal poverty level for a family of four. Legislation that would expand the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond has been introduced in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek, introduced the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site Expansion Act (HR 7585), which would add Nystrom Elementary School to the park. Companion legislation is being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein. "Richmond and West Contra Costa played a pivotal role in our nation's efforts in World War II. We owe it to the families who helped write that history to share their stories. By expanding this culturally significant site, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Nystrom School, which was built to teach the children of shipyard workers," DeSaulnier said. Nystrom Elementary was part of a planned development that includes the historic Maritime Child Development Center, already preserved as part of the park, and the Nystrom Housing Area, which the city of Richmond has slated for future preservation and redevelopment. 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. Police officers responded to a call of shots fired about 10:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue in the South Loop, police said. Witness told officers they heard shots, then saw five males running from the area. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:04:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran's confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 264,561 on Wednesday after an overnight registration of 2,388 new infections, official IRNA news agency reported. Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said at her daily briefing that out of the new cases in the past 24 hours, 1,775 have been hospitalized. The pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 13,410 Iranians, up by 199 in the past 24 hours, she added. Besides, 227,561 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals while 3,411 remain in critical condition. According to Lari, 2,048,049 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran as of Wednesday. She said that 25 provinces are either in high-risk or on alert condition over the disease. 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 Taoiseach Micheal Martin has defended the establishment of a inner Cabinet committee made up of the three party leaders in government as a means of avoiding conflict. Responding to concerns raised in the Dail by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Labour leader Alan Kelly, Mr Martin said the idea of the Cabinet co-ordination committee is a good idea. The opposition leaders voiced alarm that this inner cabal involving non-elected people could undermine the primacy of the Cabinet. It is not only the three leaders. It involves the Secretary General of my Department. It involves the three advisers to each individual party leader. The idea is to review the programme for Government, make sure it is being implemented, identify any issues that are causing difficulties and see can a resolution be found, he said. It is not the dominant committee in terms of the work of the Cabinet. It is there to prevent issues from festering and becoming bigger issues than they should and to also develop trust between the three parties, and that is working. It worked during the negotiations and it will continue, Mr Martin said. Ms McDonald said the Government co-ordination Cabinet committee brings the three wise men, or otherwise, together. It strikes me that the Taoiseach has an awful lot of apparatus of Government. I accept the need for expertise. I hear and accept that, but this looks clumsy, she said. She said it looks like perhaps the Taoiseach's partners in government cannot accept that he is, in fact, the Head of Government and he is in charge. I say this because we need somebody to be in charge. The job of Taoiseach cannot be contracted or sub-divided out between different political actors. That is not an approach that will bring cohesion. That is an approach that will bring confusion and that is born of rivalry rather than any strong co-operation. The body that is charged with good governance and overseeing the programme for Government is the Cabinet as a collective unit, she added. Mr Kelly concurred. "As somebody who has served in government, this will not work. There will be confusion all over the place. There is no consistency. The Taoiseach will have competition between committees in relation to funding and actions and it is a recipe for disaster," he said. The Taoiseach responded by saying: "It is not clumsy at all. I think it will work as a structure. Having been in previous Governments, I know that co-ordination is key. In coalition Governments - this is a three-party Government - where one has regular engagement, particularly between the three leaders and also to avoid issues that may be disruptive or may cause difficulties, it will require hard work but that is needed in order to maintain cohesion." San Francisco: Touted as one of the biggest data breaches, hackers are now selling personal details of over 142 million guests, who stayed at the MGM Resorts hotels in Las Vegas, on the Dark Web for just $2,900 (nearly Rs 2.18 lakh). The hacking came to light in February this year but at that time, the details involved 10.6 million users -- celebrities, tech CEOs and employees, reporters and government officials -- who stayed at the MGM properties in the casino capital in the US in 2019. According to a ZDNet report, the new finding came to light after a hacker put up for sale the hotel's data in an ad published on a dark web cybercrime marketplace. "According to the ad, the hacker is selling the details of 142,479,937 MGM hotel guests for a price just over $2,900," said the report. The hacker obtained the data after breaking into DataViper, a data leak monitoring service operated by Night Lion Security. MGM Reports issued a statement, saying they were aware of the scope of the breach. "MGM Resorts was aware of the scope of this previously reported incident from last summer and has already addressed the situation," an MGM spokesperson was quoted as saying. The leaked personal details included full names, home addresses, phone numbers, emails and dates of birth of high-profile guests, including Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, pop-star Justin Bieber and officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). MGM Resorts hotels include Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, Mirage, Luxor and Excalibur in Las Vegas. MGM Resorts hired two cybersecurity forensics firms to conduct an internal investigation into last year's server exposure. According to the hotel chain, it notified all impacted hotel guests in accordance with applicable state laws. The leaked data is a treasure trove for contact details for many high-profile users, working for big tech firms and governments all over the world. According to the report, these users are at a higher risk of receiving spear-phishing emails, and being SIM swapped. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:40:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday recorded 96 positive COVID-19 cases, the highest since the virus was reported in the country on March 14 this year. In a statement, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula said the figure brings the total number of positive cases to 960 from cumulative tests of 16,305. The coastal town of Walvis Bay, which is the epicentre of the virus, recorded 91 cases in the last 24 hours. Out of the 96 infected people, one is a South African while the rest are Namibians, said Shangula. He said all the cases are in stable condition. The country so far has 31 recoveries and two deaths. Enditem Exercise may help change exercisers brains in surprising ways, according to a new study of physical activity and brain health. The study, which included both mice and people, found that exercise prompts the liver to pump out a little-known protein, and that chemically upping the levels of that protein in out-of-shape, elderly animals rejuvenates their brains and memories. The findings raise provocative questions about whether the brain benefits of exercise might someday be available in a capsule or syringe form essentially exercise in a pill. We already have considerable evidence, of course, that physical activity protects brains and minds from some of the declines that otherwise accompany aging. In past rodent studies, animals that ran on wheels or treadmills produced more new neurons and learned and remembered better than sedentary mice or rats. Similarly, older people who took up walking for the sake of science added tissue volume in portions of their brains associated with memory. Even among younger people, those who were more fit than their peers tended to perform better on cognitive tests. But many questions remain unanswered about how, at a cellular level, exercise remodels the brain and alters its function. Most researchers suspect that the process involves the release of a cascade of substances inside the brain and elsewhere in the body during and after exercise. These substances interact and ignite other biochemical reactions that ultimately change how the brain looks and works. But what the substances are, where they originate and how they meet and mingle has remained unclear. So, for the new study, which was published this month in Science, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, decided to look inside the minds and bloodstreams of mice. In past research from the same lab, the scientists had infused blood from young mice into older ones and seen improvements in the aging animals thinking. It was like transferring a memory of youth through blood, says Saul Villeda, a professor at U.C.S.F., who conducted the study with his colleagues Alana Horowitz, Xuelai Fan and others. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Photo filters available on applications such as Snapchat and Instagram have reportedly been vital in triggering body dysmorphic disorders among the youth who opt for cosmetic surgeries in an effort to look like an edited version of themselves. Rising disposable income levels in developing countries coupled with high adoption rates of invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures drive the market majorly. Moreover, cosmetic surgeries are increasingly becoming affordable, and the trend of medical tourism has helped spur the growth of the market. The Global Cosmetic Surgery Market Size has been growing persistently and is set to capture a CAGR of 7.8% over the forecast period of 20172023, reveals Market Research Future (MRFR) in a minutely analyzed research report. The global cosmetic surgery market has been observing continued growth on account of social and cultural factors such as the influence of social media and films. Interestingly, physical appearance is a social phenomenon, and the people are overwhelmingly driven to opt for cosmetic surgeries by the desire to look beautiful, flawless and young. Advertising and marketing are instrumental in shaping the cosmetic surgery market as they reinforce such beliefs among consumers which makes them indulge in cosmetic surgeries. Request Free Sample Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3157 Technological developments in procedures and availability of skilled surgeons have helped consumers shake off their inhibitions regarding cosmetic surgeries. The rise in youth population is also a critical factor in propelling the market growth. The young population is more influenced by social media, changing beauty standards, peer pressure and form a large base of the cosmetic surgery consumers. On the downside, the side effects associated with cosmetic procedures and the high cost of cosmetic surgeries are significant market restraints. However, with more number of men opting for cosmetic procedures, the trend is likely to provide potential growth opportunities to the market. These factors in combination will help the market achieve a valuation of USD 21.97 Bn by the end of 2023. Segmentation The global cosmetic surgery market has been segmented based on surgery type which comprises liposuction, eyelid and nose surgery, body contouring, facial reconstruction, cosmetic implants and others. The body contouring segment has been further segmented into tummy tuck, breast lift, others. The cosmetic implants segment has been further segmented into breast augmentation, buttock implants, chin & cheek implants. Access 80 pages Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cosmetic-surgery-market-3157 Regional Analysis The global cosmetic surgery market spans across the regions of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. North America holds the maximum share of the market owing to an increase in awareness and growing acceptability of cosmetic surgery in the region, especially the US. Moreover, the region is technologically advanced which has resulted in the development of less painful and non-invasive procedures. The Asia Pacific region is expected to showcase relatively fast growth over the forecast period, with key contributions from Japan, India, and China. There is a shift towards Latin America and Asia Pacific for owing to medical tourism for cosmetic surgeries. Competitive Landscape The notable players in the global cosmetic surgery market include Johnson & Johnson, Cutera, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Syneron Medical Ltd., Genesis Biosystems, Inc., and others. Related reports Bone Densitometers Market Anti Epilepsy Drugs Market Under its Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) 2020 released on July 13, JLL said that progress in Vietnams main cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City leading to the 56th ranking globally has pushed the country into the higher semi-transparent tier for the first time ever. According to Stephen Wyatt, country head of JLL Vietnam, it was no surprise that Vietnam has moved from "non-transparent" to "semi-transparent" in the latest transparency index. Over the past 10 years, Vietnam has become a top destination for manufacturing in Southeast Asia and attracted significant foreign investment. Many multinational investors are entering Vietnam and more investment capital arriving into the country is a fact, Wyatt told VIR. He took the case of the KKR consortium that includes Temasek as an example, which has recently completed the acquisition of an investment in Vinhomes JCC with the value of $650 million. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have pushed the country into a higher tier for the first time ever on the JLL Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) 2020 (Photo Le Toan) In both the Asia-Pacific and outside of the region, JLLs research concludes that sustainability commitments have become the biggest single driver of real estate transparency globally since 2018. An increased focus on corporate social responsibility and acknowledgement of the need to create sustainable buildings bring environment, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into the mainstream. Additionally, green building certification systems and energy efficiency standards are widespread in the regions most transparent markets and the most improved national real estate sectors. Pressure exists from investors, businesses, and consumers to further improve real estate transparency to compete with other asset classes and meet heightened expectations about the industrys role in providing a sustainable and resilient built environment in the age of COVID-19. Furthermore, innovative new property technology (proptech) is changing how real estate data is gathered and analysed and influencing industry transparency at a regulatory level. Another key driver of transparency is the volume of real estate market data now available due to the growing adoption of proptech platforms, digital tools and big data techniques. Although real estate markets have historically faced challenges when implementing new technology, the COVID-19 pandemic is leading to an acceleration in new types of non-standard and high-frequency data especially relating to health, mobility, and space usage being collected and disseminated in near-real-time. Chris Fossick, CEO, JLL Southeast Asia, said that as the adoption of proptech and sustainability commitments continue to gather steam, greater transparency gains will be driven by both an evolving regulatory landscape and the collective actions by national real estate industries. The countrys strong economic prospects have drawn significant interest from both occupiers and investors, and that has led to increased competition and service offering from property management companies. While investment into commercial real estate has inevitably paused during the pandemic, the overarching trend toward rising allocations to this asset class will continue. As investors look to allocate more capital into real estate in this region, transparency becomes even more important, he said. With the outbreak of COVID-19, it will become even more crucial for the real estate industry to work collaboratively with local governments to achieve greater transparency and meet the changing expectations of investors as their appetites shift in accordance to the investment outlook over the next 12 to 18 months. Emerging markets have once again shown the greatest advancement in the Index, with six Asia-Pacific markets Mainland China (32nd), Thailand (33rd), India (34th), Indonesia (40th), Philippines (44th), and Vietnam (56th) among the top 10 biggest improvers globally. Progress in many of Vietnam main cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, has pushed the country into the higher "semi-transparent" tier. Singapore (14th) sits near the cusp of the "highly transparent" tier as it has risen one spot from number 15 in 2018. The 2020 Index is launched at a time of massive economic and societal disruptions where the need for transparent processes, accurate and timely data, and high ethical standards are in closer focus. The backdrop of COVID-19 is also ensuring that transparency within the Asia-Pacifics real estate legal and regulatory systems is more important than ever to global investors as they look to deploy approximately $40 billion in dry powder capital into the region. JLL and LaSalle have been tracking real estate transparency and championing higher standards since 1999. This 11th edition of the Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI) covers 99 countries and territories, and 163 city regions. This latest survey has been extended to quantify 210 separate elements of transparency, with additional coverage on sustainability and resilience, health and wellness, proptech, and alternatives sectors. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah and Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 08:50 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066657b4b 1 National Indonesian-Journalists-Association,PWI,journalist,journalism,The-Jakarta-Post,media,news-outlet,press-freedom Free The Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) has expressed dismay over a widely circulated image of a list detailing the names of several journalists who went on an overseas business trip with the government, calling it a malicious attempt to discredit members of the press. In a written statement issued on Monday, PWI dignitary board chairman Ilham Bintang clarified that the image merely showed a list of journalists who were invited to cover former maritime affairs and fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti during her official visit to a number of countries, and that in no instances did reprehensible practices take place. Theres an irresponsible party who framed the list as something that it is not. Its [framed] as if the [accommodation] budget paid for by the government is a form of bribery, Ilham stated. Its a malicious assumption. It harasses and discredits journalists professionalism and credibility. The image, which went viral on social media, lists the names of journalists working for several top news outlets, including The Jakarta Post, Kompas and Tempo. The journalists covered Susis official visits to several countries in Europe and Asia, as well as the United States. The Jakarta Post joined the visit to New York under an official invitation from the ministry, during which Susi represented Indonesia as a sherpa for the international High-Level Panel on Building a Sustainable Ocean Economy. Read also: Former minister Susi slams successors plan to roll back lobster larvae export ban Ilham said that the invitations from the government were not unusual and did not affect the press commitment to impartial news coverage. [The government] did book tickets and hotels for the journalists. But it doesnt mean that its an attempt to co-opt the press, he said, adding that the journalists who went on the overseas trip did not violate any codes of conduct. The PWI suspected that the attempt to discredit the press may have come from individuals who took offense at Tempo weeklys coverage of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowos decision to allow the export of lobster larvae after it was previously banned by his predecessor Susi in 2016 over conservation concerns, Ilham said. Dont let all this noise about the list of journalists distract us from the real problem, namely the ministrys policy, Ilham concluded. Similarly, chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia Abdul Manan said it was curious to note that the list came out not long after Tempos report on the export of lobster larvae. He alleged that the article aimed to have the public believe that the new minister was being criticized because he did not invite journalists on overseas trips. Read also: Stop sinking ships: New minister plans to give illegal vessels to Indonesian fishermen instead Abdul said it was a false assumption to think that journalists, as a result of being invited on trips, would only cover the positive aspects of their experience. There are indeed efforts to discredit and intimidate journalists just because the ministers policy was lambasted, he told The Jakarta Post over text message on Tuesday. Abdul stressed that it was of utmost importance for journalists to maintain their objectivity in delivering information to the public when invited by government officials. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday the United States will ban visas to some employees of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which Washington is seeking to isolate. "The State Department will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of the Chinese technology companies like Huawei that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses," Pompeo told a news conference. Although senior drivers are considered high-risk, there are many methods that can help them find cheap insurance , said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com has launched a new blog post that presents several methods that can help seniors obtain cheaper car insurance rates. For more info and free quotes, please visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/5-useful-tips-for-the-seniors-looking-for-cheaper-car-insurance/ Age is one of the main factors used by car insurance companies in order to determine insurance premiums. Senior drivers are considered high-risk mostly based on their age or age-related conditions. For these reasons, seniors will pay much more on their insurance premiums. Senior that want to pay less on their insurance premiums should follow the next tips: Take a defensive driving course. Seniors that manage to graduate a defensive driving course will save a lot of money on car insurance. These diving courses are not expensive and seniors can take them in a classroom, or they can stream them online. Usually, these classes are specifically designed for seniors. Besides refreshing their driving skills, seniors will also lean how getting older and medication can affect their driving skills and how they can overcome age-related situations. Improve the safety of the vehicles. There is a huge market dedicated to various anti-theft devices. Ignition kill switches, alarms, steering wheel locks, and other devices will make a vehicle safer. 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For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/ Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. The Duke of Cambridge encouraged the international community to come together to end the illegal wildlife trade for good, in a virtual meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces and leading conservation organisations today. Prince William, 38, admitted that 2020 had taken an unexpected 'heart-breaking course' as he took part in his first webinar, and revealed there was an independent review happening to look at why this happened and what can be done to stop it occurring in future. The royal pointed to the increased focus on the public health risks of the wildlife trade and greater awareness of the dangers posed by zoonotic diseases as key reasons to act now. In a video posted to the Kensington Royal Instagram account this evening, a clip showed William meeting with members of the organisation, as well as steps wildlife shots of their conservation work in Africa. The Duke of Cambridge encouraged the international community to come together to end the illegal wildlife trade for good, in a virtual meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces and leading conservation organisations today (William seen during their meeting in January) Prince William, 38, admitted that 2020 had taken an unexpected 'heart-breaking course' as he took part in his first webinar, and revealed there was an independent review happening to look at why this happened and what can be done to stop it occurring in future (seen in January) The webinar brought together experts from around the world for a discussion on the urgent need to end the illegal wildlife trade, the impact of COVID-19 on conservation and the links between zoonotic diseases and the wildlife trade. Speaking at the meeting, The Duke of Cambridge said: 'Right now, there is a real chance to ensure that the urgent steps that the world must take to prevent future zoonotic disease pandemics are designed in a way that also helps to eradicate the illegal wildlife trade. 'This will require concerted effort and teamwork from international organisations, governments, law enforcement, the NGO community and the private sector. United for Wildlife, and all of you as Taskforce members, have a crucial role to play.' He added: 'We celebrated the successes of the Taskforces your successes in making it far harder for traffickers to exploit the vulnerabilities of the global transport and financial systems to profit from this senseless crime. In a video posted to the Kensington Royal Instagram account this evening, a clip showed William meeting with members of the organisation An picture shown int he video showed William meeting with members of the team before Covid In the video posted to the Kensington Royal account, stunning wildlife shots of their conservation work in Africa could be seen 'We agreed on the need for concerted action in 2020, and throughout the coming decade, to double down on this progress and ensure that criminals no longer believe the illegal wildlife trade is worth the risk. 'But 2020 has taken a different, heart-breaking course from what we had expected back in January. 'The COVID-19 pandemic has ruined lives and threatened livelihoods across the world. 'It is important that we learn the lessons from this pandemic, including looking at why the outbreak happened, why it was not stopped earlier, and what can be done to manage any outbreak in the future. 'Thats why Im pleased that Helen Clark and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf are leading an independent review to ensure that the right lessons are learned.' The Duke of Cambridge, as President of United for Wildlife, makes a speech during the meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces at St James's Palace, in January Prince William also teased a new project called The Earthshot Prize, which he said will seek, amongst other things, to inspire and celebrate the transformational work required to protect nature and biodiversity. The event was chaired by Lord Hague of Richmond, chair of the United for Wildlife Taskforces, and speakers included Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Dr. Zhi Lu of Peking University, Peter Knights, CEO of WildAid, and Dr. Peter Daszak from the EcoHealth Alliance. Lord Hague, who chaired the event, said: 'From all over the world the companies in our Taskforces have shown a strong commitment to combatting the Illegal Wildlife Trade. Now a much greater global effort is required, not only to halt this destructive trade, but to help prevent future pandemics.' The Duke also acknowledged the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on conservation, with tourism revenues dropping dramatically as a result of the pandemic, in turn impacting on the livelihoods of hundreds of rangers. Scientists believe coronavirus may have originated in bats, and was then transmitted through another mammal such as a civet cat or an armadillo-like pangolin before being passed on to people at a fresh food market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. In an effort to block future outbreaks, China has cracked down on the trade in wildlife and closed some wet markets. A World Health Organisation is planning a mission to investigate the origin of the Covid-19 illness. William said the move towards the end of the illegal wildlife trade would require concerted effort from international organisations, governments, law enforcement, the NGO community and the private sector. He also highlighted evidence of an increase in the illegal trafficking of wildlife products with The Uganda Wildlife Authority recording 367 poaching incidents in the parks between February and May this year, more than double that of the same period in 2019. Spearheaded by The Royal Foundation, United for Wildlife has been working to combat the illegal trade in animal products around the world by bringing together conservation organisations, law enforcement, governments and global corporations since 2014. United for Wildlife's Transport and Financial Taskforces were formed in 2014 and 2018 respectively to develop targeted solutions and a multi-sector approach to ending global wildlife trafficking. Since their formation, the Taskforces have grown from 12 private sector companies to over 170, and have supported over 100 law investigations, contributing to 24 trafficker arrests, trained more than 70,000 industry employees in counter-IWT practices, and have established six regional hubs of counter-IWT expertise in East Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, Hong Kong and China. DP World, a world leader in global supply chain solutions, were one of the original signatories of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and became the United for Wildlife Taskforces Principle Partner earlier this year. "With this step, Pakistan has fulfilled its commitments under the Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). Pakistan has restored bilateral trade and Afghan transit trade at all border crossing terminals to pre-Covid-19 status," the statement said. According to a Foreign office statement, the decision has been taken after Afghanistan government requested for facilitating its transit trade, adding that the trade would be conducted under the COVID-19 protocols. The trade route was suspended in March, after the spread of novel coronavirus with Islamabad closing down all land border crossings with its neighbours, including India. Under the 2010 bilateral trade agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Afghan exports to India are allowed through the Wagah border. However, the agreement does not allow Indian exports to Afghanistan through the Pakistani territory. Pakistan recently reopened the Angor Adda Border Crossing with Afghanistan for bilateral trade while Kharlachi crossing was also opened for traffic. "Trade should be the mainstay of Pak-Afghan relations and prosperity of region on both sides of the border," said Pakistan's Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq. "We are moving ahead with promoting economic activity on both sides of the border. The COVID-19 SOPs are slowing us down a bit but our direction is right." The decision has come as a positive relief to the Afghan Traders, who were blaming Islamabad for taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic for one-sided trade benefits. The Afghan Traders Union said: "exports from Afghanistan, mainly perishable agricultural products, were barred from entering Pakistan amid the coronavirus outbreak since March. Goods from Pakistan, however, continued to be exported to Afghanistan." "Restrictions cost Afghan traders losses worth more than $100 million," said Omaid Haidari, Trade body Chairman. "Hundreds of trucks loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables destined for Pakistan and then India remained stranded at the main Chaman Torkham crossing points for months." On the other hand, the opposition political parties are questioning the timing of the decision of the Imran Khan-led government as it has been taken on a day when the country marked "Kashmir Martyrs Day" against what they call New Delhi's ongoing oppression of the people of Kashmir. "It was unfortunate that the announcement, which would also benefit India, was made on a day when the Kashmir Martyrs Day was being observed across the country", said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Aisha Ghaus Pasha, while speaking at the National Assembly session. "The government should have taken the parliament into confidence before taking such a decision," she added. --IANS hamza/ksk/ An Teach Beag in Clon - the best little pub in the world - probably Over the past few months of lockdown, the thought of the trip I took with my best friend to West Cork late last year often came back to haunt me. The weird contradiction of isolation with only your nearest and dearest was that it engendered a longing for the friends and the social life you were cut off from, but also a desire to run away from everyone, and be completely alone somewhere totally peaceful and secluded, where no one was asking you for snacks every 15 minutes, and you could sit quietly, alone, getting beyond re-reading the first page of your book over and over again. Or maybe that was just me? Running away was exactly how we viewed our trip to Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa when we made it, only back then it was from the responsibilities of young children and work, rather than from the intensity of 24/7 with loved ones, that we were escaping. The fact that it took a team of about six people to replace us made us both insufferably smug. "The night go okay?" we asked each other each morning, checking that our children hadn't terrorised their respective babysitters. They hadn't, and we would fall back asleep, before eventually rambling down to breakfast (we didn't know we were born - shall we ever see its like again?), which included the softest, almost creamy brown bread, a must-try. The trip provided a sense of getting away from it all that I could only dream of in the last few months. Inchydoney is Co Cork's most beautifully situated hotel, beside the beach on a peninsula just outside Clonakilty. I have stayed there on a number of occasions, and every time I get beyond the town and to the final few winding roads that lead to the hotel, I can feel myself beginning to relax. Expand Close An Teach Beag in Clon - the best little pub in the world - probably / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An Teach Beag in Clon - the best little pub in the world - probably Read More In a post-Covid outbreak world, a new hierarchy of needs is emerging in what we now look for in our holiday accommodation. Self-catering has never been more popular: Inchydoney's, like most places, is booked out through July and August. Some establishments are adding new attractions to compensate for public areas being more limited: popcorn machines in rooms for family movie nights, takeaway cocktails, mini spa treatments in rooms, 'bath butlers', meal kits and afternoon teas delivered, and room service offering the full a la carte menu. Some hotels are blessed with features whose importance has rocketed in a world where we can no longer casually rock up to the bar (for now anyhow) and linger over pints for the rest of the evening, or where we may feel anxious about spending much time in communal areas. A balcony with your room is now a game-changer. And all the rooms in Inchydoney Lodge include a balcony with stunning sea views. The hotel's bar includes an outdoor area; the spacious lounge area beside the main restaurant has several balconies, and the ballroom can be used for overflow from the restaurant if needed. These are the things we must consider now, to maintain social isolation. Back then, my friend and I simply wanted to isolate from our small children. The best friend is hardy and enjoys outdoorsy activities, while I am a person who sort of pretends to like these things. So, after we had collapsed on the beds having dumped our luggage (four bags each for two nights; not having to consider the practicalities of packing for children, we lost the run of ourselves entirely), stood on the balcony enjoying the view, and eaten all the chocolates in the room, we went straight to the beach. Many of us have become sea swimmers in the past few months (along with baking banana bread, downloading the Couch to 5k app and becoming quiz masters - were you even in lockdown if you didn't do at least one of these things?), so I don't need to preach at you about how a dip in the Atlantic can immediately take down the stress levels, which all of us could do with right now. We peeled off our layers, threw them down by a rock, and belted across the sand. It was one of those sunny but cold days; the water was almost painfully cold but intensely refreshing. Next up was a more formal activity. Options in the area included surfing (all levels from beginners up are catered for), the Clonakilty walking tour and whale watching, but the weather was against us on these, so we opted for an evening of starlight kayaking. Our outing took place roughly an hour's drive from the hotel, on Lough Hyne, a saltwater lake between Skibbereen and Baltimore, and Ireland's first marine nature reserve. Surrounded by hills, it's one of West Cork's most picturesque spots. A kilometre long, 750m wide and approximately 50m deep, it is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via Barloge Creek, by a narrow tidal channel known as the Rapids. Expand Close The West Cork Model Railyway in nearby Clonakilty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The West Cork Model Railyway in nearby Clonakilty Twice daily, the tides of the Atlantic fill Lough Hyne, before descending again, running over the Rapids at up to 16km/h. This creates a unique habitat of warm, oxygenated seawater, in which live a huge variety of marine plants and animals, including 72 species of fish, making this one of the most fascinating bodies of water in the world. For some reason, kayaking awakened a sporting braggadocio in me. Based on absolutely nothing, I hopped up confidently when our guide asked who would like to steer our two-person vessel. Clad in waterproof gear, we clambered in and were pushed off into the fading light. The best friend had actually kayaked before, quite extensively, but I was having none of it. "Have you steered one of these before?" our guide asked me later on as he glided past, throwing an impressed glance my way. The bestie spent the rest of the evening quietly tolerating my instructions on manoeuvring her oar. The light faded entirely shortly after we pushed off into the water, and soon we were lit just by the moon and the stars (remarkably well, I might add). Our guides - one in front with a red light for us to follow, one behind to pick up any stragglers - led us around the perimeter of the lake, then back through the middle. We were out on the water for two and a half hours, and pretty quickly, silence descended upon the group. At one point, one guide asked us all, as we gathered just beside the honeysuckle and gorse that drape over the edges of the lake, to close our eyes and just take in the peace and quiet. It was remarkable how relaxing it felt, sitting in the dark with your eyes closed, in a boat, surrounded by strangers (at appropriate socially distant lengths, now that I think of it). When total darkness had descended, we were instructed to look down and push our oars through the water. Bioluminescent plankton sparkled beneath the water. These are minuscule organisms which store light energy during the day and then release it (when moved by outside contact) in the dark. As the oar moved through the water, thousands of tiny lights crackled in its wake. It was like nothing I'd seen before, and absolutely magical. On the drive home afterwards, we were silent, still taking in what we had seen, still steeped in the tranquillity the last few hours had created. Expand Close John Hinde's vintage view of Inchydoney,Glandore, Gougane Barra and the Bantry Piers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Hinde's vintage view of Inchydoney,Glandore, Gougane Barra and the Bantry Piers All through lockdown, this was the thing I promised myself: another trip with this friend, to an outpost in Ireland (sorry Corkonians, but the area does feel remote in the best possible way), a few days away from it all. l The perfect combination of luxury and adventure awaits at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa this summer with Seaside Adventures, a series of seasonal activity breaks located in beautiful West Cork. From surfing and kayaking to whale watching and food trails, there's something for everyone on this magical stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. l All packages include two nights in a deluxe guest-room, breakfast each morning and access to The Island Spa, Ireland's only proper thalassotherapy spa. The Island Spa also has ocean view relaxation areas, a fruit & juice bar, a steam room and hammam available to all guests. For more information phone +353 23 883 3143; or www.inchydoneyisland.com Sign up for our free travel newsletter! Like what you're reading? Subscribe to 'Travel Insider', our free travel newsletter written by award-winning Travel Editor, Pol O Conghaile. BENGALURU, India, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "Our Q1 results, especially growth, are a clear testimony to the relevance of our service offerings and deep understanding of clients' business priorities which is resonating with them in these times. It also demonstrates the remarkable dedication of our employees and leadership during this period," said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. "Our confidence and visibility for the rest of the year is improving driven by our Q1 performance and large deal wins." 25.5% YoY 1.5% YoY 22.7% $1.74bn Digital CC growth CC growth Operating margin Large deal signings Revenues declined year-on-year by 0.3% in USD; grew by 1.5% in constant currency Digital revenues at $1,389 million (44.5% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 25.5% in constant currency (44.5% of total revenues), year-on-year growth of 25.5% in constant currency Operating margin at 22.7%, increase of 220 basis points year-on-year Free Cash Flow at $728 million ; year-on-year growth of 50.1% ; year-on-year growth of 50.1% Voluntary attrition for IT services declined to 11.7% from 20.2% in Q1 20 FY 21 Revenue growth guidance in the range of 0%-2% in constant currency Operating margin for FY 21 to be in the range of 21%-23% 1. Financial Highlights - Consolidated results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) For the quarter ended June 30, 2020 Revenues were $3,121 million, decline of 0.3% YoY and 2.4% QoQ Operating profit was $708 million, growth of 10.1% YoY and 4.9% QoQ. Operating margin was 22.7% Basic EPS was $0.13, growth of 3.8% YoY and decline of 5.4% QoQ "During the last few months, we took multiple steps aimed at employee safety and well-being while providing seamless services to our clients. Clients have recognized us for the speed, security and effectiveness of our remote enablement efforts", said Pravin Rao, COO. "The strength and diversity of our portfolio was evident in good revenue performance, sizeable large deal wins, high focus on operating metrics and significant decline in attrition." "Operating margin expanded to 22.7% driven by preemptive deployment of our strategic cost levers along with tactical opportunities triggered by the COVID situation", said Nilanjan Roy, CFO. "Collections were robust and capex was focused, which led to 50% year on year increase in Free Cash Flows. Our liquid and debt free Balance Sheet is a huge source of strength in these times." 2. Board changes The Board, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, appointed Bobby Parikh as an additional and Independent Director of the Company effective July 15, 2020 for a period of 3 years, subject to the approval of the shareholders. 3. Client wins & Testimonials Infosys partnered with the State of Rhode Island in launching a privacy-first contact tracing solution to help Rhode Islanders and state officials slow the spread of coronavirus throughout the state. The application, called "CRUSH COVID RI," will utilize Infosys' Location Based Services platform to create individualized location diaries, while protecting user privacy. in launching a privacy-first contact tracing solution to help Rhode Islanders and state officials slow the spread of coronavirus throughout the state. The application, called "CRUSH COVID RI," will utilize Infosys' Location Based Services platform to create individualized location diaries, while protecting user privacy. Infosys was selected by GlobalFoundries (GF), the world's leading specialty foundry, as its partner for the company's Digital Transformation program. Through this partnership, Infosys will provide expertise and analytical solutions to optimize the overall efficiency and agility of GF's manufacturing and business operations. (GF), the world's leading specialty foundry, as its partner for the company's Digital Transformation program. Through this partnership, Infosys will provide expertise and analytical solutions to optimize the overall efficiency and agility of GF's manufacturing and business operations. FE CREDIT , a subsidiary of VP Bank, the market leader in consumer lending in Vietnam , upgraded its Finacle Digital Banking solution suite to the latest version and migrated it from an on-premise deployment to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Finacle's cloud-native, microservices-based digital banking solution suite will run on the AWS cloud. , a subsidiary of VP Bank, the market leader in consumer lending in , upgraded its Finacle Digital Banking solution suite to the latest version and migrated it from an on-premise deployment to a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Finacle's cloud-native, microservices-based digital banking solution suite will run on the AWS cloud. A large CPG company selected Infosys as the strategic transformation partner for IT services. With this engagement Infosys will provide end-to-end support for enabling integrated operations across Applications, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity. 4. Recognitions Positioned as a leader in IDC MarketScape: EMEA Digital Transformation Service Providers for Oil and Gas Industry 2020 Vendor Assessment Ranked as a leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Blockchain Services 2020 Vendor Assessment Ranked as a leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Business Analytics Consulting and Systems Integration Services 2020 Vendor Assessment Ranked as a leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Cloud Business Analytics Services 2020 Vendor Assessment Positioned as a leader in Everest Group's Open Banking IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2020 Positioned as a leader in Everest Group's Risk & Compliance PEAK Matrix Assessment 2020 Ranked number one in HFS Top 10: Agile Software Development, 2020 Recognized as a leader in HFS Top 10: Enterprise Blockchain Services 2020 Recognized as a leader in NelsonHall Mortgage & Loan Services NEAT 2020 EdgeVerve Systems was positioned as a Leader in Process Discovery and Mining in NelsonHall NEAT 2020 Won the award for 2020 Microsoft Datacenter Migration Partner of the Year Won the "2020 BEST Awards" by The Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA Won the Pega Partner Award for Excellence in Growth and Delivery. Award for Excellence in Growth and Delivery. Awarded the 2020 IBM Beacon Award for our Cognitive Digital Commerce platform Celent recognized Emirates NBD's millennial focused digital-only bank Liv as 'The Best Digital Bank' for driving a compelling digital-only proposition leveraging Finacle Core Banking solution Infosys' Investor Relations (IR) function was recognized as the top IR functions amongst Indian companies in an annual survey conducted by FinanceAsia Adjudged as the company most committed to social causes and amongst top three in environmental stewardship in India by FinanceAsia About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 46 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With nearly four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Infosys Limited and subsidiaries Extracted from the condensed consolidated Balance Sheet under IFRS as at: (Dollars in millions) June 30, 2020 March 31, 2020 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 2,515 2,465 Earmarked bank balance for dividend (3) 536 - Current investments 371 615 Trade receivables 2,487 2,443 Unbilled revenue 949 941 Other Current assets (4) 865 748 Total current assets 7,723 7,212 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment and Right-of-use assets 2,354 2,361 Goodwill and other Intangible assets 956 950 Non-current investments 853 547 Other non-current assets 1,151 1,190 Total non-current assets 5,314 5,048 Total assets 13,037 12,260 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Trade payables 366 377 Unearned revenue 410 395 Employee benefit obligations 253 242 Other current liabilities and provisions 2,400 1,743 Total current liabilities 3,429 2,757 Non-current liabilities Lease liabilities 512 530 Other non-current liabilities 288 272 Total non-current liabilities 800 802 Total liabilities 4,229 3,559 Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company 8,747 8,646 Non-controlling interests 61 55 Total equity 8,808 8,701 Total liabilities and equity 13,037 12,260 Extracted from the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income under IFRS for: (Dollars in millions except per equity share data) 3 months ended June 30, 2020 3 months ended June 30, 2019 Revenues 3,121 3,131 Cost of sales 2,071 2,122 Gross profit 1,050 1,009 Operating expenses: Selling and marketing expenses 151 169 Administrative expenses 191 198 Total operating expenses 342 367 Operating profit 708 642 Other income, net (5) 57 100 Profit before income taxes 765 742 Income tax expense 201 196 Net profit (before minority interest) 564 546 Net profit (after minority interest) 558 546 Basic EPS ($) 0.13 0.13 Diluted EPS ($) 0.13 0.13 NOTES: 1. The above information is extracted from the audited condensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 which have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on July 15, 2020. 2. A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded from www.infosys.com 3. Represents bank balance earmarked for final dividend. Payment date for dividend was July 3, 2020. 4. Other receivables include $80 million towards redemption of mutual funds. 5. Other Income includes Finance Cost. IFRS-INR Press Release: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2020-2021/q1/documents/ifrs-inr-press-release.pdf Fact Sheet: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2020-2021/q1/documents/fact-sheet.pdf SOURCE Infosys Turkey: Commemorations for fourth anniversary of coup Erdogan in parliament with families of victims (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, 15 LUG - Turkey on Wednesday is commemorating the fourth anniversary of the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the night between July 15 and July 16, 2016, part of the armed forces and security forces carried out a series of subversive actions, concentrated mainly in Istanbul and the capital Ankara, to try to militarily overthrow the government. The attempted coup was defeated following strategic errors by coup leaders, internal reactions by the government, and popular protests encouraged by Erdogan. The clashes caused more than 250 deaths and injured 2,000. In the post-coup repression, nearly 100,000 people were arrested and more than 150,000 purged from public administration, eliciting accusations that Erdogan was using his extraordinary powers under the state of emergency to indiscriminately hit the opposition. Numerous commemoration events are planned across the country on Wednesday, amidst tight anti-Covid-19 measures. Erdogan will participate in a ceremony in parliament and will meet with some survivors and family members of victims, and he is scheduled to deliver a speech to the nation in the evening. Turkish authorities immediately blamed the coup on the network led by magnate and imam Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally who became the president's number one enemy after an explosive split in 2013. Gulen, who has been living in self-exile in the US since 1999, has consistently denied the accusation that he engineered the coup. Ankara has repeatedly called on the US to extradite Fethullah, but the US has always denied the request, maintaining that there is an insufficient legal basis. (ANSAmed). Congress leader and former spokesperson Sanjay Jha has been suspended for "anti-party activities and breach of discipline", the party's Maharashtra unit said on Tuesday. The entrepreneur-turned-politician's suspension from the Congress comes weeks after he wrote a newspaper article critical of the country's oldest political party. Jha has been suspended with immediate effect for "anti-party activities and breach of discipline", Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat said in a statement here. Thorat is also a minister in the state, where the Congress is part of the Shiv Sena-led ruling coalition. Soon after the article appeared in a leading English daily last month, the Congress had removed Jha as a national spokesperson of the party. Reacting to his suspension, Jha said he is loyal to the party's ideology, but his "fidelity is not to any individual or family. The entrepreneur-turned-politician also said he will continue to raise issues that are fundamental to the resurgence of his party, and added that the battle has just begun. Jha in a tweet on Wednesday said, "My loyalty is to the Congress ideology. My fidelity is not to any individual or family. I remain a Gandhi-Nehruvian idealist (a vanishing breed within Congress). I will continue to raise issues that are fundamental to the resurgence of my party. The battle has just begun." On Tuesday, Jha wondered what "anti-party activities" he had indulged in to invite the action from the Congress. "I have just seen the press release. The least the Congress party could have done was to actually reach out to me and tell me that we are suspending you and these are the alleged acts of yours that have violated the protocol of the party constitution," he told a private news channel. "I believe we are showing an extremely intolerant culture," Jha added. Srinagar, July 15 : Meraj-ud-Din Malla, Vice-President of Watergam Municipal Committee in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, was abducted on Wednesday by unidentified persons, police sources said. The sources said after the abduction was reported this morning, a massive manhunt has been launched to trace Malla. The incident comes just days after terrorists killed BJP leader Wasim Bari, his father and brother in Bandipora district. The demands for providing security to political activists have become stronger after the gruesome murder of Bari and his kin by terrorists. It is rich to see the administration point to the experience of other countries that have managed to reopen schools as examples to follow when those countries embraced the kind of careful steps and precautions lockdowns, masks, extensive testing that Mr. Trump constantly belittles. The federal abdication of any kind of leadership leaves it up to state and local officials to, using Ms. DeVoss words, figure things out. Some, such as the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts, have opted to start the upcoming school year with full distance learning, while others, including New York City, have plans for in-school learning for part of the week. Many districts are still struggling with what to do. Most say they need more money. The only thing clear at this point is that children will pay a price far higher than it had to be. Four months after the first lockdowns, there's a real possibility of a nationwide consensus on face masks. Why it matters: As is increasingly the case in our fractured society, states and businesses led the way, finally followed by the federal government. 25 states plus D.C. have mask mandates in public spaces. Alabama is the latest to join those ranks. (Map) Walmart is the latest major retailer to require masks in stores, joining Costco and Starbucks. The federal government has been all over the place, with the CDC recommending against masks early in the pandemic and President Trump refusing to wear a mask in public until last weekend. The big picture: 62% of respondents in the most recent Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index said theyre wearing a mask all the time outside the home, up from 53% two weeks ago. Republicans jumped from 35% to 45%. Between the lines: Enforcement will mostly fall on entry-level workers to meet the portion of Americans who still see face coverings as a political statement and not a public health preventative practice. Videos across the country have surfaced showing customers berating retail staffers over masks and temperature checks. have surfaced showing customers berating retail staffers over masks and temperature checks. Walmart will have "Health Ambassadors" stationed near the entrances of stores to remind customers without masks of the new requirements. The bottom line: As the pandemic becomes more immediately real across the country, resisting one of the easiest interventions against it makes less and less sense. Go deeper: CDC says U.S. could get coronavirus "under control" in 48 weeks if all wear masks Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks at a roundtable at the White House in Washington, on June 18, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Tests Positive For COVID-19 Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday hes isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19. Speaking at a virtual news conference, Stitt said that aside from feeling a little achy, his symptoms were rather mild. He said his wife and children were tested for COVID-19 and the results were negative. Stitt is the first U.S. governor to test positive for the potentially deadly disease the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus causes. His announcement comes as Oklahoma reported a second consecutive day of record-high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,075 new cases, bringing the statewide total to over 22,000. We still need all Oklahomans to do their part to slow the spread of this virus. Please take personal responsibility to protect yourself, your family, & our most vulnerable from this virus, Stitt, a Republican, said in a tweet on Tuesday. Continue to wash your hands, stay home when youre sick, maintain physical distance, & wear a mask in public when maintaining physical distance isnt possible, he added. Stitt has backed one of the countrys most aggressive reopening plans and has resisted a statewide mandate on masks. We respect peoples rights to not wear a mask, Stitt said during Wednesdays conference, which was held virtually. A lot of businesses are requiring it, and thats fine. Im just hesitant to mandate something that I think is problematic to enforce. Stitt attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, but rejected the idea that he may have contracted COVID-19 there. I dont think there was any way it was at the Presidents rally. Its too long ago, Stitt said. Dr. Lance Frye, the commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, was cited by CNN as saying that it is unclear exactly when Stitt contracted the illness, but that it would have been after the Tulsa rally. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy commented on Stitts contracting of COVID-19, saying, Hes a good guy, hes got a great family. So he is in our prayers. Some regions in the United States are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with some state governments moving to impose new restrictions. So far, there are more than 13 million confirmed COVID-19 infections worldwide, with over 583,000 deaths and almost 8 million recoveries. According to Epoch Times investigations, Chinas confirmed cases and deaths are more than 10 times higher than reported. Iran figures are unverifiable. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The first man executed by the US federal government in 17 years protested his innocence in his final words before his sentence was carried out on Tuesday. Asked if he wanted to give a final statement before the lethal injection procedure, Lee reportedly said I bear no responsibility for the deaths of the Mueller family. Accusing a judge of ignoring DNA evidence that he claimed would have exonerated him, he reiterated that I didnt do it. Ive made a lot of mistakes in my life but Im not a murderer. His final words were: Youre killing an innocent man. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday at a US penitentiary in Indiana. A self-confessed white supremacist, he was convicted of the 1996 murders of three people in Arkansas, and his legal representatives had appealed against his death sentence on various grounds for more than two decades. Recommended Colorado becomes 22nd state to abolish death penalty Lees execution was delayed on Monday by a US District Court judge, who ruled that pending federal executions could not be carried out while challenges against the governments lethal injection protocol were still underway. However, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling the next day, saying that the inmates appealing against the protocol had not demonstrated that they were likely to succeed in their case. After Lee was finally put to death, his attorney, Ruth Friedman, decried not just the execution itself but the circumstances in which it came about. It is shameful that the government saw fit to carry out this execution during a pandemic. It is shameful that the government saw fit to carry out this execution when counsel for Danny Lee could not be present with him, and when the judges in his case and even the family of his victims urged against it. And it is beyond shameful that the government, in the end, carried out this execution in haste, in the middle of the night, while the country was sleeping. We hope that upon awakening, the country will be as outraged as we are. The next federal execution scheduled after Lees has already been delayed after a ruling from the same judge whose order the Supreme Court overturned. This time, the issue is that the prisoner, Wesley Ira Purkey, is suffering from dementia and poor mental health and therefore cannot understand the reasons for his execution. Texas Democrats voted Tuesday on which candidate to put up against Republican Sen. John Cornyn in a long-shot bid to unseat the 18-year incumbent in a traditionally conservative state that Democrats believe is shifting in their favor. MJ Hegar, an Air Force veteran whose biography nearly helped her win a House seat in 2018, was leading in the early vote against state Sen. Royce West. Hegar is backed by Democrats in Washington, but a late charge from West forced outside groups backing Hegar to pour money into the race to try to help her over the finish line. The dynamics of the primary are similar to others around the country that shifted as thousands of Americans joined protests against racial injustice. West, who is African American, has captured momentum as the change candidate against establishment pick Hegar, though he has 27 years in elected office. Most observers believed Cornyn would have a much easier ride to reelection than fellow Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who narrowly held on to his seat in 2018 against former Democratic congressman Beto O'Rourke. But Texas, which gave President Donald Trump a nine-point win four years ago, has been drifting more into the swing-state column, and recent polling shows a competitive race between the president and Democrat Joe Biden. That gives Democrats more hope, and, after settling on Hegar as their preferred nominee, they rallied a broad group to support her during the final days of the primary runoff against West. Hegar and her allies - including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Emily's List - outspent West $85 to $1 in the homestretch of the campaign, according to an analysis by the Texas Tribune. Cornyn, signaling that he believes the underfunded West would be easier to beat than Hegar, launched a late advertisement designed to look as if he was attacking West's liberal positions. Instead, the ad aimed to boost West, showing the black politician with liberals who are popular with Texas primary voters, including Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat. "Now we know why Royce West is standing with left-wing politicians," the narrator says. "He's on their side, not ours." Hegar has tried to keep the focus on Cornyn, pointing toward a general election campaign that she wants to be about how Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, are handling the coronavirus pandemic. Her campaign on Monday lashed out at a tweet from Cornyn on Sunday asking which scientists need to be trusted to fight the pandemic. "Senator Cornyn has consistently and repeatedly undermined the reality of the pandemic, and Texans are done with his failed leadership," said Jake Lewis, Hegar's spokesman. In Maine, state House Speaker Sara Gideon won the Democratic primary and will face Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, in November. Millions of dollars have already poured into that race, both to the candidate coffers and from outside groups eager to oust Collins, sparked in part by her vote to confirm Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Also in Texas, former White House physician Ronny Jackson is running to win the nomination to replace Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Republican, in one of the most conservative districts in the nation. Jackson has Trump's endorsement but trailed agriculture lobbyist Josh Winegarner in the March primary, triggering a runoff. Winegarner, who is backed by Thornberry, has accused Jackson of running for Congress as a backup plan after he was forced to withdraw his nomination to be Trump's secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jackson, meanwhile, has touted his close relationship with the president as an asset to the district. Another Texas race being decided Tuesday will determine whether former congressman Pete Sessions, a 22-year veteran of the House who lost in the Democratic wave of 2018, will return to Congress. Rather than run for his old seat in the suburbs of Dallas, Sessions moved 100 miles south to run in a more conservative district. After failing to win the primary outright, he faces Renee Swann, a political outsider who is backed by the district's current congressman, retiring Rep. Bill Flores, a Republican, in Tuesday's runoff. There is also an intraparty tug-of-war over who should replace retiring Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, in a Texas district Democrats believe is within reach. Before Hurd, who is considered a moderate in today's Republican Party, stepped aside, he was being challenged from the right by retired Air Force Col. Raul Reyes. Hurd endorsed as his successor former Navy officer Tony Gonzales, as did Trump and other GOP congressional leaders. But Reyes secured a last-minute endorsement from Cruz, who ran ads for him that called Reyes a "conservative warrior." By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled plans to clamp down on tax regimes seen as unduly beneficial to big corporations in a move it said would aid Europe's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. European Union countries are seeking to shore up public revenues to fund economic recovery at a time of mounting public anger over tax avoidance by corporations - in particular, multinational digital giants - and wealthy individuals. The Commission - the EU's executive - said it would expand its tax code of conduct to tackle member states' corporate tax regimes that have broadly harmful effects. The 1997 code is the EU's tool for blacklisting jurisdictions where tax avoidance or evasion is prevalent but currently it can only address regimes that are deemed preferential: for example, if a country has one tax rate for domestic firms and a different rate for international companies. Previous plans to change EU tax rules have been thwarted by member states' veto powers, which mean it takes only one country to block proposed tax reforms. But the Commission is exploring options to side-step the veto system, possibly by using an article in the EU constitutional treaty that could allow a majority to authorise tax decisions if fair competition is at stake. EU economics commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said work is underway to identify cases where the article could be used. "We're talking about the possibility of deciding on cases of serious distortion to the single market," he said. EU efforts to retrieve taxes from digital giants suffered a blow on Wednesday when the bloc's second-highest court rejected a Commission order that Apple pay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland. The Commission in May identified six EU countries - Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands - as having tax systems particularly attractive to big corporations. (Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by John Chalmers, Mark Heinrich and Barbara Lewis) Hospital workers are feeling defeated after being bombarded by negative comments and criticisms, Midland Memorials chief nursing officer said Tuesday. He asked members of the community to show support by sending those on the front lines a message of kindness. Below is Chief Nursing Officer Kit Bredimus statement in full: We have a fantastic team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and many other professionals that are working nonstop every day to make sure that we can protect our community from the effects of COVID-19. We've all dedicated our lives to serving others in their time of need, but what we are is human, and we are starting to fatigue. We are getting tired. Our frontline staff workers are continuing to see this day-in and day-out, and as we see a rise in volumes, it becomes even more challenging. Our heroes are delivering patient care and we need your support now more than ever to continue this fight against a common enemy. Prioritizing mental health and managing stress is critical during these challenging times, and healthcare workers are not immune. I cannot underestimate the physical and emotional toll that this work takes on us. When this pandemic began, there was an amazing outpouring of support and love for our teams, and our social media was filled up with encouragement and praise and it gave us all the strength to keep going. Where there once was that inspiration and optimism, we are now finding ourselves dealing with mistrust, malice and anger. And it feels like we're fighting a battle on two fronts. My staff and I are increasingly bombarded with negative comments and criticism that fill up our social media, our emails and our texts, and it's starting to wear. I cannot begin to explain the feelings of defeat and frustration that come from when you've poured yourself fully into the care of a dying or ill patient just to be met with criticism and anger. I want everyone listening to know that we have the entire community's best interests at heart. You are all our family and friends and believe me when I say we are trying our best. I encourage everyone to please take the time to acknowledge our frontline caregivers and everyone who works in the hospital to provide care for our patients. I know the road ahead of us is long and it is uncertain. But as the banner behind me states, we are stronger together. Thank you for those of you out there who are continuing to support us; simple gestures of appreciation are critical. So, I'm asking you to please take the time today to drop a message of kindness to a health care worker. This can be in the form of a thank you, a post, text, anything. We will get through this together if we show kindness and patience for one another. To my frontline caregivers out there -- everyone who's in the trenches -- thank you for your dedication and your resilience. Understand that what you do matters more than you will ever know. Theres a little bit of good news on the Wuhan coronavirus front. Moderna Incs experimental vaccine for the virus proved to be safe and to provoke immune responses in all 45 healthy volunteers in an ongoing Phase 1 study. No study volunteers experienced a serious side effect, but more than half reported mild or moderate reactions such as fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches or pain at the injection site. These effects were more likely to occur, and to be stronger, after the second dose and in people who got the highest dose, a team of researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. Adverse effects after the second dose occurred in seven of the 13 volunteers who got a 25-microgram dose; all 15 participants who received a 100 microgram dose; and all 14 who got a 250 microgram dose. In the highest-dose group, three patients had severe reactions such as fever, chills, headache or nausea. One of them had a fever of 103.28. (Apparently, not all 45 volunteers got a second dose.) Individuals who received two doses of the vaccine had levels of virus-killing neutralizing antibodies that exceeded the average levels seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19. The volunteers ranged in age from 18-55. Moderna has expanded its Phase 1 trial to include adults over 55, but apparently these results are not in yet. Nonetheless, with the success of its tests on the population described above, Moderna should be clear to move on to Phase 2 testing. Moderna says it is on track to deliver about 500 million doses per year, and possibly up to 1 billion doses per year, starting in 2021. In other potentially good news, researchers at Israels Hebrew University of Jerusalem and New Yorks Mount Sinai Medical Center say that the FDA-approved drug Fenofibrate (Tricor) could reduce the coronavirus ability to reproduce, or even make it disappear. They found that Tricor causes cells to start burning fat in lung tissue, thereby depriving the virus of what it needs to reproduce. In these circumstances, the virus completely disappears within five days, the researchers say. The research team is advancing to animal studies in New York and hoping to fast-track clinical studies in both Israel and the U.S. within the next few weeks. Because the drug is already proven safe, the researchers should be able to proceed with the tests. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 04:45:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A screenshot taken from usatoday.com on July 15, 2020 shows part of the op-ed published by USA Today on Tuesday, in which U.S. presidential adviser Peter Navarro (the picture) scathingly criticized Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, for his handling of the pandemic. (Xinhua) "So when you ask me whether I listen to Dr. Fauci's advice, my answer is: only with skepticism and caution," Navarro writes at the end of the short piece. WASHINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Wednesday tried to distance itself from presidential adviser Peter Navarro, who had criticized the nation's top infectious disease expert in a recent newspaper article. In an op-ed published in USA Today on Tuesday, Navarro scathingly criticized Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a key member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, for his handling of the pandemic. Navarro wrote that Fauci "has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on." "So when you ask me whether I listen to Dr. Fauci's advice, my answer is: only with skepticism and caution," Navarro wrote at the end of the short piece. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, arrives to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on COVID-19: Update on Progress Toward Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 30, 2020. (Al Drago/Pool via Xinhua) On Wednesday, the White House said Navarro's op-ed didn't go through a clearance process by the administration's communications officials before its publication. "The Peter Navarro op-ed didn't go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone," tweeted Alyssa Farah, the White House director of strategic communications, adding that President Donald Trump "values the expertise of the medical professionals advising his Administration." Trump, for his part, expressed his dissatisfaction with Navarro over the article, telling reporters that Navarro "made a statement representing himself. He shouldn't be doing that." "We're all on the same team, including Dr. Fauci," Trump said as he departed the White House for Georgia. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, prepares to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Oversight of the Trump Administration's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 23, 2020. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via Xinhua) The latest drama came as the White House reportedly stepped up efforts to discredit Fauci, attempts the expert called "bizarre," according to a series of interviews published by The Atlantic magazine on Wednesday. "Ultimately, it hurts the president to do that," Fauci said. Responding to Navarro's attacks, which ranged from travel ban and personal protective equipment to hydroxychloroquine and mortality rate, Fauci said: "I can't explain Peter Navarro. He's in a world by himself. So I don't even want to go there." Credit: Jeremy Tucker, Author provided Significant coral bleaching at one of Western Australia's healthiest coral reefs was found during a survey carried out in April and May. The survey took a combined effort of several organisations, together with tour operators more used to taking tourists, but with time spare during the coronavirus lockdown. WA's arid and remote setting means many reefs there have escaped some of the pressures affecting parts of the east coast's Great Barrier Reef), such as degraded water quality and outbreaks of crown of thorns starfish. The lack of these local pressures reflects, in part, a sound investment by governments and communities into reef management. But climate change is now overwhelming these efforts on even our most remote coral reefs. When the oceans warmed This year, we've seen reefs impacted by the relentless spread of heat stress across the world's oceans. As the 2020 mass bleaching unfolded across the Great Barrier Reef, a vast area of the WA coastline was bathed in hot water through summer and autumn. Heat stress at many WA reefs hovered around bleaching thresholds for weeks, but those in the far northwest were worst affected. The remoteness of the region and shutdowns due to COVID-19 made it difficult to confirm which reefs had bleached, and how badly. But through these extraordinary times, a regional network of collaborators managed to access even our most remote coral reefs to provide some answers. Significant coral bleaching has been identified at WA reefs. Credit: Nick Thake, Author provided Australia's Bureau of Meteorology provided regional estimates of heat stress, from which coral bleaching was predicted and surveys targeted. At reefs along the Kimberley coastline, bleaching was confirmed by WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Bardi Jawi Indigenous rangers, the Kimberley Marine Research Centre and tourist operators. At remote oceanic reefs hundreds of kilometres from the coastline, bleaching was confirmed in aerial footage provided by Australian Border Force. Subsequent surveys were conducted by local tourist operators, with no tourists through COVID-19 shutdown and eager to check the condition of reefs they've been visiting for many years. The Rowley Shoals Within just a few days, a tourist vessel chartered by the North West Shoals to Shore Research Program, with local operators and a DBCA officer, departed from Broome for the Rowley Shoals. These three reef atolls span 100km near the edge of the continental shelf, about 260km west-north-west offshore. The first confirmation of bleaching on remote coral atolls at Ashmore Reef and the Rowley Shoals was provided in aerial images captured by Australian Border Force. Credit: Australian Border Force, Author provided One of only two reef systems in WA with high and stable coral cover in the last decade, the Rowley Shoals is a reminder of beauty and value of healthy, well managed coral reefs. But the in-water surveys and resulting footage confirmed the Rowley Shoals has experienced its worst bleaching event on record. All parts of the reef and groups of corals were affected; most sites had between 10% and 30% of their corals bleached. Some sites had more than 60% bleaching and others less than 10%. The heat stress also caused bleaching at Ashmore Reef, Scott Reef and some parts of the inshore Kimberley and Pilbara regions, all of which were badly affected during the 2016/17 global bleaching event. This most recent event (2019/20) is significant because of the extent and duration of heat stress. It's also notable because it occurred outside the extreme El NinoSouthern Oscillation phaseswarming or cooling of the ocean's surface that has damaged the northern and southern reefs in the past. The most recent heatwave has caused widespread bleaching at the Rowley Shoals, which had previously escaped the worst of the regional heat stress. Credit: Jeremy Tucker, Author provided A reef crisis The impacts from climate change are not restricted to WA or the Great Barrier Reefa similar scenario is playing out on reefs around the world, including those already degraded by local pressures. By global standards, WA still has healthy coral reefs. They provide a critical reminder of what reefs offer in terms of natural beauty, jobs and income from fisheries and tourism. But we've spent two decades following the trajectories of some of WA's most remote coral reefs. We've seen how climate change and coral bleaching can devastate entire reef systems, killing most corals and dramatically altering associated communities of plants and animals. And we've seen the same reefs recover over just one or two decades, only to again be devastated by mass bleachingthis time with little chance of a full recovery in the future climate. Despite the most recent bleaching, the Rowley Shoals remains a relatively healthy reef system by global standards. But like all reefs, its future is uncertain under climate change. Credit: James Gilmour, Author provided Ongoing climate change will bring more severe cyclones and mass bleaching, the two most significant disturbances to our coral reefs, plus additional pressures such as ocean acidification. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to alleviate these pressures. In the meantime, scientists will work to slow the rate of coral reef degradation though new collaborations, and innovative, rigorous approaches to reef management. Explore further Research examines impact of coral bleaching on Western Australia's coastline This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. (Natural News) First, it was White people in America calling their Black slaves sub-human. They were beaten and tortured and raped. Many got lynched. Then it was Adolf Hitler calling all the Jews he abused, tortured, starved and murdered sub-human. He had the Gestapo, S.S. police and guards at the concentration camps refer to them as swine and rodents and roaches. Six million died, many of whom were extinguished like pests in the gas chambers. He even had propaganda posters and pamphlets made that glorified genocide and the killing of Jews for the greater good of the economy. After that, came Planned Parenthood and the Demon Democrats calling sub-human all babies in the womb during the third trimester, and on their day of birth none worthy of human rights, including life itself. They dont even believe the baby feels pain. They cheered in New York when the law was passed to suffocate babies the day theyre born, even if completely healthy, as long as the parents agree to not want them. The irony is that, proportionately, its mostly Black babies that Planned Parenthood exterminates, treating them like subhumans, but most Black people have no idea. Who cares, right, because theyre subhuman until you get them home from the hospital, according to Planned Parenthood and every Democrat Governor in America. Now, the Black Lives Matter leader in Toronto truly believes that ALL White people are sub-human and have genetic defects, so they should all, in the name of Allah, be wiped off the face of the Earth, by any means necessary. While rich white elitists, Bill Gates and George Soros, try to kill all the Black people, the Black people who work for them want to kill all the White people So, while George Soros and Bill Gates are attempting to kill all Black people on Earth by having them support their own death sentences, by rioting in the streets, spreading covid, and killing each other, the BLM leaders think its about killing Whitey. Part one of completely destroy America complete. In fact, old posts on Facebook and other social media (deleted but screenshot saved) by Yusra Khogali, the BLM of Toronto co-founder, say that white people are a genetic defect of blackness and White ppl are recessive genetic defects that will be wiped out by the humans (Blacks) who have evolved Black genes. She continues her psychotic, conspiracy theory episode by asserting that White peeps have a higher concentration of enzyme inhibitors which suppresses melanin production and thats why all White sub-humans have weaker bones, lower intelligence, and worse vision and hearing skills than Black people. Torontos BLM leader is a trained anti-white Marxist who wants to kill all White people in the name of Allah Then, this more-human-than-human BLM leader begs for her God to give her the strength NOT to kill all white people, Plz Allah give me the strength to not cuss/kill these men and white folks out here today. That was back in 2016. Could she have killed some of these sub-humans and got away with it? Would she even be charged with murder, if she did or does, since Whitey is sub-human with totally inferior genes? Of course, she had to retract it later, where she blamed White police for killing innocent Blacks, just after she admitted she is a trained anti-white Marxist. Lets think about that again for a moment. Shes proud to be a trained anti-white Marxist and wants to kill all White people and shes the leader of the terrorist organization that claims to be defending Black people from White cop abuse. That all makes no sense. Shes prepared to burn down the entire country because all White people are sub-human and deserve to die. You cannot make this stuff up. Watch this: Tune your internet dial to Preparedness.news and find out how BLM is being funded and weapon-supplied by rich White dudes who want everyone to kill everyone so they can turn America into one huge dictator-led Venezuelan-style police-state nightmare. Its all about depopulation folks. Wake up and smell the gas chambers burning. Sources for this article include: GatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com Preparedness.news FoxNews.com With an urgent deadline approaching this Wednesday, the collective force of California's three public systems of higher education, which educate nearly 3 million students, have joined the legal fight to stop federal immigration authorities from banning international students from the US if they take only online courses this fall. Two separate lawsuits by the University of California and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra with California State University and California Community Colleges have put the nation's premier public research university and the two largest public higher education systems behind the effort to stop the federal order. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a July 6 directive that requires international students taking only online classes to leave the country and bans visas from being issued to new students with similar all-online course schedules. Under the new policy, campuses that are planning fully online instruction this fall must submit a revised plan for in-person courses for their international students by Wednesday. Those planning a mix of online and in-person classes must do so by August 4. The three California systems, whose campuses are variously planning fall courses to be all or mostly online, say the deadlines are nearly impossible to meet. Other lawsuits have been filed by MIT and Harvard University, with 180 colleges and universities joining an amicus brief, and by seven international graduate students at USC, UC Irvine and UCLA. The University of California filed its federal lawsuit late Friday in the Northern District of California arguing that the federal directive would devastate the roughly 37,500 international students who study at UC campuses. The directive also would jeopardize UC research and hinder instruction, since the majority of teaching assistants are graduate students, many of them from other countries, the lawsuit alleged. At UC Berkeley, for example, 29 per cent of all graduate students, and approximately 50 per cent of all engineering graduate students could be forced to leave the country unless they take in-person classes. At UCLA, 1 out of 5 graduate students is from another country. "ICE's decision displays a callous disregard for students, who would be forced to return to crowded classrooms, and faculty - particularly older faculty to whom COVID-19 poses a greater risk - consigned to the same fate," the lawsuit says. "And to force such a reopening when neither the students nor the universities have sufficient time to react to or address the additional risks to the health and safety of their communities creates chaos and only increases the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus." In addition, the loss of thousands of international students, who pay full tuition, would greatly harm university finances and the ability to use the revenue for financial aid for Californians, the lawsuit argues. The second lawsuit, filed by Becerra in the Northern District on Thursday, noted that the federal directive would bring "immediate and irreparable" injury to the state and its educational institutions. The 115-campus state community college system hosts 21,754 international students and the 23-campus Cal State system had anticipated a fall enrollment of 10,300 students from outside the country. An ICE spokeswoman declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Both lawsuits argue that the ICE directive was "arbitrary and capricious" in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. They allege that officials issued the order abruptly with no specific warning or opportunity for public comment and failed to provide a reasoned explanation for it or consider the havoc it would create. Immigration rules generally require that international students can take no more than one class, or three credits, online in order to qualify for visas. ICE lifted that rule March 13, when President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency, and allowed students to stay even if their classes went fully online. But immigration authorities changed course with the new order. The UC lawsuit notes that international students may not be able to continue their education from their home countries because of time zone differences, internet access and other barriers. UC students from Syria, Somalia and Yemen, for instance, would face civil war and ongoing humanitarian crises that would make internet access and study "all but impossible." Those from Ethiopia would be hampered by a current government suspension of internet access. At least one student hails from North Korea, "a country notorious for its repression of its citizens and the suppression of the free flow of information" where pursuing education may expose them to personal danger, the lawsuit asserts. "Under any circumstance, the manner and suddenness by which ICE announced and intends to implement its new policy would be shocking in a system that champions the rule of law and public input on agency rules before they are finalized," the lawsuit argues. "That the about-face comes against the backdrop of a worsening public health crisis in this country makes it not only unlawful, but cruel and dangerous." 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 Amid the ongoing tension at borders with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting the eastern Ladakh region to interact with soldiers deployed in the hostile border area. The minister would be flying from Delhi to Leh on July 17 and would also interact with the soldiers injured in the barbaric attack carried out by the Chinese People's Liberation Army on June 15. In the attack, India lost 20 soldiers and the Chinese Army too had casualties, the figures still unknown. Singh will also visit the forward locations where Indian troops are deployed. He would be accompanied by Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. Singh had earlier on July 3 planned to visit Leh, however, he had to drop it as Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to visit the forward location in eastern Ladakh. Currently, both India and China are engaged in military and diplomatic deliberation to de-escalate the tense situation at the border areas. The countries are locked in ten week long standoff at multiple points, hitherto unprecedented along the border. On Tuesday both countries' military delegates held deliberations about disengagement and de-escalation of troops and materials at the borders in eastern Ladakh for 15 long hours. The talks started at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and ended up at 2 a.m. on Wednesday. Indian delegates asked Chinese People's Liberation Army troops to completely withdraw from Pangong Lake and Depsang. The meeting between 14 Corps commander Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin is happening on the lines of the one they held at the Chushul-Moldo border personnel meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh on June 6. This is the fourth meeting between the delegates. The third meeting between the two countries' delegates continued for almost 12 hours wherein India has put a strong message to the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops that they have not abided by the disengagement consensus. Also on June 22, Singh had gone to Russia for three days to carry out strategic business talks and also to attend the Victory Day Parade at Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Singh had said that the India-Russia bilateral relationship is a special and privileged strategic partnership, the future of which remains strong. He reviewed India's defence relationship in a meeting with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. Russia had assured India that ongoing defence contracts will not be just maintained, but in a number of cases it will be taken forward in a shorter time. The Alabama Department of Transportation has begun its traffic light transition to 4-way stops at some intersections in Elba. During the next 90 days, the traffic lights will no longer change but will blink red to warn drivers of a four-way stop. It is anticipated after the 90-day period, there will be stop signs at these locations. Affected intersections are Factory Street/Davis Street, Davis Street/Claxton Avenue, and Claxton Avenue/Simmons Street. Back to School CelebrationThe First Baptist Church of Elba is hosting a Back to School Celebration for kindergartners through sixth-graders. The event is free. Families and the community are welcome. This is scheduled for July 24. There will be a pizza picnic on the church lawn at 5:30 p.m. and a worship rally from 6-7 p.m. A free backpack with supplies will be available for every student. Elba High back-to-school dates7th/8th Grades can pick up their schedules July 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ninth/10th grades can pick up their schedules July 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the trees of Camp Pawnee, a young girl and a college-aged counselor faced off in a game of gaga ball on the second day of the Columbus Familys YMCA Summer Day Camp. On Tuesday, a counselor, the camp director and eight of the kids stood on the outside of the dark green ring in the woods to play gaga ball, which is a game similar to dodgeball. Cole Groene, the camp counselor, and one of the campers are hitting the ball at each other and dodging in turns until finally, the ball taps the girls legs. Instantly, all the other kids jump back over the small walls of the ring. Its time for another round. For Columbus Family YMCA CEO Corey Briggs, the camp is a chance to get to normal. Usually the camp's capacity is 40 but, per social distancing measures, the capacity is 20, he said. For the Y's two-day camp, they have nine kids. (Parents) want things for their kids to do. Weve got to start slowly and safely getting back to whatever normal is, Briggs said. Were human beings, were people. Thats the big part of the Y, were not just a place you go sweat. Were a place that has relationships that build community. Gaga ball is just one activity of several at Summer Day Camp. There are lots of different things were trying to do, Briggs noted. But its something different than you would get in a school setting or an after-school program just because youre outside and you can do the outdoor activities. Although there are challenges with the small amount of kids, YMCA Youth Director Madeleine Catsinas said its easier to get to know the kids. Its easier a little with such a small group because then you can really get to know the kids better and you can really focus on them individually and have more time to hang out with them, Catsinas said. But then some of the bigger group games are a little bit harder but overall, its a nice size, its not super small to where you cant really do any games. You can still have fun." Monday was the first day of camp all summer and is part of a two-day camp this week. Another two-day camp will be held Wednesday and Thursday. Catsinas said the first day was really fun. I was a little nervous after not being around kids 24/7 that I would just be wiped out by 2 p.m. but it was so fun we had so much fun playing water games. It was super-hot so it was nice throwing water balloons, she said. Catsinas was a camp counselor two years ago and ran the camps last year. She was hired full-time last fall. This is my third summer now, she said. Usually we start the very first week in June and we werent able to have it until now. During that time we were thinking OK, what can we do differently? So to get more and different kids in, we did the two-day camps. When staff are up close to campers, they wear a mask, she noted. They dont require kids to wear the masks. They didnt share food before, Catsinas said, and there is none of that this year. She thought it would be more challenging to get kids to understand social distancing but the best part is kids get to have a sense of a little bit more normalcy. Were outside, theres plenty of room to social distance, she said. So it is nice being able to just kind of be a kid as opposed to wearing a mask and doing all these things so thats been really nice even for me," Catsinas said. Its been quite a while since weve had kids at the Y. I forgot how hilarious they are. Another counselor, Geena Groene, said this is her second summer and they recognize a lot of the kids from last year. Although, she added, it is hard to encourage kids without high fives but the counselors can still tell them they are doing a good job. A lot of the kids were really excited to just get out and do new things. We went boating and we did some archery and we made a lot of crafts, Groene said. I just really like getting to know them. Yesterday we did hammocks we were all kind of over there hanging out and it was really fun. Carolyn Komatsoulis is a reporter for the Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at carolyn.komatsoulis@lee.net Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Extinction Rebellion supporters are more likely to be new to protesting than other environmental activists, a new study shows. Ten per cent of those who took part in the group's protests in April 2019 were first-time demonstrators, twice the proportion of "novices" at climate marches a decade before. The research, funded by the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, shows Extinction Rebellion activists in London last year had a much broader and more diverse age profile than has been the case in other environmental direct action protests. Academics at the University of Exeter, Keele University, and Aston University surveyed those involved with Extinction Rebellion's mass civil disobedience actions in London in April and October 2019. They carried out 303 short face to face interviews, and also got 232 mailed back questionnaires from protestors. They also attended court hearings of 144 Extinction Rebellion activists charged with minor public order offences. The study also shows activists who took part in Extinction Rebellion's major protests were overwhelmingly middle class, highly educated, and southern. Around 85 per cent of those who took part in the action in London in 2019 had a degree, and a third had a postgraduate qualification. Two thirds identified themselves as middle class. A high proportion were self-employed, part-time workers, or students. Three-quarters of those who were charged with offences lived below the Severn-Wash line traditionally separating the north and south of England. XR activists were mostly non-metropolitan. A third of those who appeared in court were from the West Country with hotspots in Stroud, Totnes and Frome, whereas just 6 per cent of those who appeared in court after the protests were from Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Swansea and Cardiff combined. More women than men were present in both the major 2019 demonstrations (64.5 per cent in April, and 56.8 per cent in October). Professor Clare Saunders, from the University of Exeter, said: "Our analysis shows one strength of Extinction Rebellion has been to involve people who are not natural protesters, and perhaps even less so natural law-breakers, but who were already persuaded of the rightness of the climate cause, and frustrated with the inability of both politicians and lifestyle environmentalism to bring about change. "Mobilising this group enabled Extinction Rebellion to significantly expand the numbers of people willing to engage in environmental direct action, broadening its age profile, and bringing non-violent direct action on climate change into the centre of political life in the UK." People of all ages were arrested, but more people aged 56 and over were charged with an offence (32.2 per cent) than those participating in the action as a whole (23.1 per cent). Researchers observed hearings at the City of London Magistrates Court, on seven separate Fridays in August, September, and October 2019, witnessing the cases of around 17 per cent of those charged during the second phase of the protests. In only two of the 144 court cases observed relating to arrests during the April 2019 protest, did protesters have any previous convictions for protest action. However, 12.4 per cent of the participants in the second October 2019 protests had previously been arrested at a protest. The majority of protestors surveyed said they most closely identified with the Green Party (59.1 per cent), followed by Labour (15.5 per cent), There was almost no support among Extinction Rebellion activists for the Conservative Party, and very little for the Liberal Democrats. Professor Brian Doherty, from Keele University, said: "We found Extinction Rebellion activists are much more likely to vote and be members of political parties than the general population, but they are also sceptical about the ability of political parties and government to deliver effective solutions to environmental problems." Dr Graeme Hayes, from Aston University, said: "Protestors said they did not believe in reliance on companies and the market, governments, or lifestyle changes by individuals to solve the climate crisis. Almost all said they were protesting to raise awareness of the climate emergency, and to pressure politicians to act. "This is a potential point of contention for Extinction Rebellion. Its strategy emphasises lobbying the government for action, but its activists do not think the government can deliver." ### ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY Classes will start Sept. 1 at Rockland Community College, RCC President Dr. Michael A. Baston announced Wednesday. The State University of New York has certified the school's Fall 2020 Restart Plan, officials said. Because of the new coronavirus pandemic, RCC will continue to provide mostly remote academic offerings. Laboratories, clinical experiences, and other select courses will have in-person instruction and will follow social distancing and other health and safety guidelines, and students will continue to receive online support services. To reduce density at each of its locations, RCC will bring back on campus no more than 30 percent of its student, faculty, and staff. "While New York has seen an encouraging drop in the number of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in March, we will continue to be prudent while reopening the campus, Baston said. Maintaining the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty while continuing to provide a high-quality education are our main priorities." The coronavirus outbreak in Rockland County has continued to diminish. source: Rockland County Health Department infographic Among Rockland Community College's plan highlights: Classes: RCC has been in a tele-campus mode since mid-March. Because the Hudson region entered phase 4 of New York's reopening plan, the college now allows up to 30 percent of the population on campus at a time. That means most employees and students will continue to telecommute and receive instruction virtually and most meetings will be conducted electronically. In-person instruction is reserved for courses such as performance, laboratory, and clinical experiences and other select courses that cannot be measured or achieved remotely. All on-site classrooms will have a distancing plan in place. Students will only be permitted on campus for their classes and will be instructed to depart campus immediately after. Face Coverings and Hygiene: CDC-approved face coverings must be worn at all times by everyone on campus when six-foot social distancing cannot be accomplished. Each student and employee returning to campus will be provided with two reusable face coverings. RCC also has installed hand hygiene stations throughout the main campus as well as at the colleges off-site facilities. Ultraviolet technology will be used to disinfect items that cannot be touched by wet cleaning materials and Plexiglas screens have been installed in numerous locations where students must interact directly with campus staff. Story continues Health Self-Monitoring: All employees and visitors must self-monitor their health every day prior to coming on campus. RCC will use the CampusClear app to review all data related to the self-monitoring of these individuals. Students will also be required to periodically self-report any symptoms based on whether they plan to be on campus as determined by their class schedule. Food Services: The RCC cafeteria remains closed, but the Hawks Nest, located on the first floor of the Student Union, will be open on a limited basis. Online ordering will allow students, faculty, and staff to pre-order their food and beverages and reduce payment exchanges. Transportation: Prior to the pandemic, each bus line for Transportation of Rockland stopped on the RCC campus. Until further notice, the bus line has been rerouted to a location across the street from the main campus and visitors are not allowed on campus without permission. Students may continue to use public transportation and those who drive to campus are asked to have one person per vehicle. Those who cannot achieve this are asked to wear face coverings in their vehicle. Extracurricular Activities: During tele-campus mode, the Student Involvement office has continued to provide virtual extracurricular opportunities for students. That will continue up to and until RCC receives guidance from state and local health officials that large gatherings may take place once again. The College will not hold sporting events in the Fall of 2020. Full Campus Mode: Once it has been determined that the community spread of the COVID-19 virus is not expected to return and there is sufficient community immunity and availability of treatment, RCC will finally move into a full-campus mode. Click here for more information on reopening. This article originally appeared on the New City Patch The law regarding the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Office went into effect on Wednesday, but its opening is still far off./ Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong An independent agency tasked with investigating corruption allegations against high-ranking government officials and their family members became official, Wednesday, as the law regarding its establishment and operation went into effect. However, it will still be a while until the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) is up and running, as the process has ground to a halt due to political fighting between the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition United Future Party (UFP). The most recent development involved lawyer Jang Seong-geun, who had been appointed to find a leader for the new investigative body, less than a day after the appointment by the DPK, Tuesday. Feeling pressure the from the UFP, Jang withdrew himself, saying that he had defended Kang Hoon who is currently on trial for conspiring with Cho Ju-bin to force women, including minors, to create sexually explicit videos, which he distributes on Telegram in a separate case last year on charges of attempted murder. The ruling party is currently looking for another candidate, who will be one of seven members of a committee assigned to find the chief of the investigation office. The two main parties can appoint two members each. The launch has also been delayed by the UFP because it doesn't want the office to exist. It views the agency as a tool of political suppression. It asked the Constitutional Court earlier to review the legislation establishing the office and has been refusing to appoint committee members. "The CIO is supposed to be an effective tool to curb corruption among high-ranking officials in Korea. But it is already embroiled in political strife between the political parties and this is delaying the opening. I am deeply concerned to see this happening," said Han Sang-hee, a professor of law at Konkuk University in Seoul. The CIO has been almost 25 years in the making. Korea has been notorious for corruption among politicians and high-ranking government officials. In 2017, President Park Geun-hye was removed from office on corruption charges. Last week, an appeals court upheld her sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Along with her, several other government officials were imprisoned after being found guilty of corruption. The first legislative drive to establish the CIO was in 1996. Since then until last December when the bill was finally passed the National Assembly always had similar bills on the floor but never reviewed them. Roh Moo-hyun, president from 2003 to 2008, is remembered for his strong push to establish the agency but this was unsuccessful. It has been the top priority for President Moon Jae-in since he took office in 2017. According to the law, the CIO will police almost 6,500 high-ranking government officials and politicians, and their spouses and children for presidents, its jurisdiction will also extend to cousins. The CIO will only look into corruption-related allegations. Amid the #MeToo movement, recently involving high-profile politicians, activists have called on the agency to look also into sexual harassment cases. The CIO has a major downside. When it comes to indictments, the CIO investigators can indict only prosecutor-generals, judges, prosecutors and police officers. For others, the prosecutors' office retains the power to indict them, with the CIO limited to making recommendations. env0, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based developer of self-service cloud management software platform, raised $3.5m in seed extension funding. The round, which brought total funding to $6.8m, was led by Crescendo Venture Partners with participation from new investor M12 Microsofts venture fund and existing investors Boldstart Ventures and Grove Ventures. The new funds will be used to continue expanding product R&D, as well as accelerate its go-to-market. Founded in 2018 by CEO Ohad Maislish and CTO Omry Hay, env0 provides a comprehensive automation and management platform for DevOps and R&D organizations to self-provision resources in any virtual environment or public cloud. Instead of waiting for their support ticket to be serviced, env0 allows developers to focus on creating new cloud applications in line with governance policies. The company has offices in New York and Silicon Valley. FinSMEs 15/07/2020 Gar Jun Ho, 13, a former contestant on British quiz show Child Genius , conducting an experiment, as seen in the film. [For China Daily] Mother seeks to make digital revolution one that improves, rather than hinders, the inquisitive nature of children, Fang Aiqing reports. It's a dilemma facing today's parents that generally their own did not. Such has been the advance of the electronic or digital age that parents today are dealing with a situation that is unique to them: How to let your child enjoy and benefit from such devices without them overtaking their lives. Bianca Chen may have a solution. She used to keep her 4-year-old son from using electronic devices like smartphones and tablets to safeguard his health and to let him explore other options. She is among the many anxious parents seeking to discover an appropriate relationship between their kids and electronic devices in a digital world. Chen, 36, then produced a documentary entitled Hello, Future, discussing ways of reinventing our education system into one that effectively guides children on their journey to becoming digital citizens capable of facing an unpredictable future. Chen and her friends, including Hugo Award-winning sci-fi novelist Hao Jingfang, visited several schools in China, the United States, Britain, Israel and Kenya that have either championed pioneering ideas or taken experimental moves to make education more adaptable, equal and accessible with the help of technology. The inspiration and experiences they've acquired on their journey are largely presented in the five-episode documentary that is now available on Tencent's video platform. "Working on the documentary, we want to pose such questions as how people's attitude toward education has changed, and how to relieve modern parents from anxiety," says Zhang Liyi, in charge of Lichun Studio attached to Tencent News, one of the production teams. Chen attends an internet-themed assembly at a Welsh public school. [For China Daily] A comment on Chinese review platform Douban says that parents can learn from each other by assessing the multiple styles of education in different countries, and think of alternative ways to address the parts that our educational system is not able to provide at home. One important thing Chen learned from the trip to Britain, as is shown in the first episode, is that in the face of an uncertain world, it's essential for parents to learn how and when to let their children explore the digital skills needed to live in a technological environment. Chen visited St. Julians Primary School in Newport, Wales, a school that is experimenting with curriculum reform to incorporate devices, such as tablets, virtual reality goggles and smart bracelets into almost every classroom. The school's pupils from 3 to 11 years old are all proficient in using such devices and social networking services. In history class, they learn to design and build mini Anderson bomb shelters, like those used in World War II, via 3D printing technology. The school has also built a full-size model for reference and to help children understand how difficult it was to protect oneself during the war. The children are also able to see and "touch" the sun and the moon by applying VR and augmented reality devices to astronomy class, and learn to recognize the constitution of human body in a similar way in health class. And, at a literacy class or a cybersecurity panel, pupils learn to express themselves well online, respond to others properly and avoid cyberbullying while strictly protecting their privacy. Bianca Chen, producer and chief director of the documentary, Hello, Future, visits a Kenyan school to observe how technology has improved education there. [For China Daily] The pupils also regularly visit a nursing home nearby to accompany its elderly residents and teach them how to use electronic devices. "I was afraid the screen would limit the kids' minds, but it actually broadens their vision and imagination," Chen says. "There are no shortcuts to guiding our children to face the technological, socially networked era." She realizes it is the parents' responsibility to create opportunities to allow children to embrace nature and strike a balance between the technological and natural worlds. Now she prefers to accompany her son in using electronic devices and make sure he can interact with others and be productive rather than just simply staring at a screen. Chen first looked at the impact technology can have on young minds after she gave birth. As a former finance correspondent at Reuters in New York, she was paying attention to cutting-edge technologies and emerging business trends. "There are many things I'm not even sure about myself. How can I make sure my journey and my preferences are suitable for my son?" she questioned. That was when she decided to travel to other countries to see how people of different cultural and social backgrounds deal with education in a fast-changing digital era. The documentary also shows how high-tech teaching aids have made learning fun and imaginative, stimulating Israeli students' passion for future jobs related to science and technology. Chen visits the San Francisco headquarters of Minerva, a no-campus university where all courses are held online. [For China Daily] On the trip to Kenya, the team witnessed how computers and the internet had helped children living in slums to learn about COVID-19 before the outbreak in their country, so they could be prepared in advance. Bridge International Academies, a low-cost private school chain across Africa, have been set up in slums. They give tablets that guide teachers step by step in class to standardize lecture content and teaching methods, as a strategy to deal with the lack of quality teachers. "The progress technology has brought to education in Kenya is even more remarkable than in developed countries," Chen says. The documentary has also discussed the importance of training for parents and teachers. "The trend of the day urges us to move away from telling kids exactly how to do things to encouraging them to explore themselves and become capable and brave enough to pursue self-fulfillment," Chen says. Zhang says they're considering carrying forward their observation on educational topics in the digital era, such as how to reduce inequality and improve cost-effectiveness, and how to improve the intimacy between more and more demanding parents and their children. "We want to record the stories of our time and to offer insight to our audience by focusing more on topics of public value, such as education," says Yang Ruichun, deputy editor-in-chief of Tencent's content production department. (Source: China Daily) By Express News Service The Telugu remake of Love Mocktail will star Satyadev Kancharana and Tamannaah, and also mark the debut of Myna director Nagashekar in Tollywood. The original film, which was the directorial debut of actor Krishna in Kannada, was declared a hit when it had a theatrical release as well as when the romantic drama was released on the OTT platform. The simple story, and the music by Raghu Dixit, worked well for the film, which had Krishna in the lead role. It also starred Milana Nagaraj, Amrutha Iyengar, Rachana Inder and Abhilash, among others. However, Nagashekar, who will be directing Love Mocktail in Telugu, says he has only taken the soul of the content, and has changed the entire screenplay for the new version. "Love Mocktail will now be an action love drama and will have a different flavour from the original. I am currently in Hyderabad for discussions. I am glad to start my Telugu directorial debut with Love Mocktail," he says. Nagashekar is also co-producing the film under the banner Nagashekar Movies, along with Bhavani Ravi. The project will go on floors from September 15. It will have Keeravani's son, Kala Bhairava composing the music and well-known DoP Satya Hegde taking charge of cinematography. Before beginning the shooting for Love Mocktail, Nagashekar will take up Srikrishna@gmail.com. The director is teaming up with Krishna for a love drama bankrolled by Sandesh Productions, the shooting of which will begin in mid-August. New National leader Judith Collins has stripped Michael Woodhouse of the health portfolio because of his involvement in the COVID-19 data leak saga. Dr Shane Reti will replace him and has been promoted to the front bench. Speaking to media this afternoon, Collins said she would be announcing a reshuffle tomorrow. She says Woodhouse is a competent, hardworking MP and that she has confidence in him. "Michael Woodhouse I believe is delighted with the outcome. He has been given two great portfolios. "I have no doubt at all that Michael will never make that mistake again." She says the country will have to "wait and see" about diversity in her front bench. Collins says the National Party base is "all right thinking people. Love them". She says she has not heard from Winston Peters since she was elected leader of the National Party. Woodhouse is tangled in the COVID-19 leak saga, revealing last Friday he too had received private patient details from National stalwart Michelle Boag. Woodhouse did not tell the party's former leader Todd Muller that Boag had sent him four emails containing the private information for two weeks and deleted the data the day a State Services inquiry was announced. The leak had already cost one National MP their political career - Hamish Walker announced he wouldn't be standing in his Clutha-Southland electorate at September's election, after he last week fessed up to leaking the private patient information, sent to him by Boag, to the media. Earlier today, National's new leader Judith Collins said she would "look at the facts" and speak to Woodhouse today before deciding his future. "I'm absolutely not at all comfortable with it [the leaks]," says Collins. "I thought it was extraordinary and I've never seen anything quite like that. I'm taking this very seriously." On his way into Parliament this morning, Woodhouse was asked if he was worried about losing the health portfolio. "I'm looking forward to another good day and I'm sure I'll be having a chat with the leadership team and the caucus," says Woodhouse. Dr Reti, who is ranked number 13 on the party list, is National's associate health spokesperson and has been widely touted as the man to take over the portfolio. But he says whether he is given the portfolio is ultimately a decision for Collins and the leadership team. "However I can help New Zealanders, that is what I would like to do," says Reti. National MPs stick to their plans National MP Amy Adams' plans to contest September's election appear to have not changed under the new leadership. The Selwyn MP cancelled plans to retire in May to instead take the number three spot in the party's shadow cabinet under Muller. Adams is the party's COVID-19 recovery spokesperson, a new portfolio created by Muller. She says she intends to stay on at Parliament. "Oh look I'm very happy with last night's result and for me nothing has changed, so we'll wait and see what Judith wants to do with the line-up and I look forward to working with her," says Adams. Adams will not say if she put her hand up for the leader or deputy leader roles at last night's emergency caucus meeting. The sudden leadership change hasn't changed East Coast MP Anne Tolley's plans to retire at the election. "I've just had a lovely family holiday which has convinced me all the more I'm making the right decision," says Tolley. National MPs that will not be running in this year's election include Jian Yang, Paula Bennett, Sarah Dowie, Nicky Wagner, David Carter, Nathan Guy and Alastair Scott. -RNZ/Katie Scotcher. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mayor Frank Jacksons administration announced Tuesday that 58 more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Cleveland. No new deaths were reported. Seventy-seven Cleveland residents have died as a result of the coronavirus. The new cases involve patients ranging in age from their 20s to their 90s. The state of Ohio rates Cuyahoga County at a red Level 3 under its coronavirus risk classification system - rapidly approaching purple Level 4, the most critical of designations which could lead to another shutdown. The citys total caseload, including probable cases identified by the Cleveland Department of Public Health, is now approaching 3,800. The daily number of new cases, based on a seven-day rolling average, has risen from about 10 per day in mid-June to about 80 per day now. Fifteen percent of Clevelands cases required hospitalization, according to the Cleveland Department of Public Health. Fifty-four percent of the cases involve women. About 60% of all those infected are African American. About 17% are white. Asian residents comprise about 1% of the cases. Race is unknown for 14% of the cases. The Cleveland Department of Public Health will work to identify any people who were in close contact with the newly confirmed patients to determine who now would require testing or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Health reported Tuesday there were 1,142 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases from the previous day. This is above the 21-day average of 1,041 new cases a day. Its also higher than the report from a week ago, when there were 948 new cases. Ohio now has at least 67,995 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases. The number of confirmed and probable reported deaths with coronavirus between Monday and Tuesday increased 5 to 3,069. As of Tuesday, Cuyahoga County reported 6,386 cases of coronavirus. That figure includes 737 classified as probable cases. There were 327 reported deaths. The numbers exclude the cases from the city of Cleveland. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions updated tally on Tuesday reported 3,355,457 cases and 135,235 deaths in the United States. Those numbers tend to lag other reporting sites. Johns Hopkins University of Medicine reported that as of Tuesday evening 3,397,069 people had become infected with the coronavirus. By its tally, deaths in the United States totaled 136,117. More from Cleveland City Hall Clevelands health department fields 1,834 complaint calls about COVID-19 coronavirus safety violations Cleveland City Council looks to scrap required police presence at street gatherings, block parties Cleveland reopens recreation centers, but with new rules, restrictions meant to check spread of coronavirus Ex-Cleveland safety director said Tanisha Andersons death wasnt an aggravating circumstance in disciplining officers, monitor says Google confirmed Wednesday it's investing $4.5 billion into Indian digital services firm Jio Platforms in exchange for a 7.7% stake in the company, which is valued at $65 billion. The investment, reported by Bloomberg on Tuesday and confirmed by Google VP Sameer Samat in a blog post, comes less than four months after Facebook said it was pumping $5.7 billion into Jio Platforms. Owned by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, Jio Platforms operates the Jio Infocomm telecom network, which has amassed over 388 million 4G subscribers since launching in 2016. Today it is India's top telco, and also has several apps and other services in e-commerce and broadband. Google said it plans to jointly develop an "entry-level affordable smartphone" with Jio Platforms that will be optimized for Android and the Play Store. "Together we are excited to rethink, from the ground up, how millions of users in India can become owners of smartphones," wrote Samat in the blog post. "This effort will unlock new opportunities, further power the vibrant ecosystem of applications and push innovation to drive growth for the new Indian economy." Samat went on to point out that the majority of people in India still don't have access to the internet, and fewer still own a smartphone. The money is being invested via the $10 billion Google For India Digitization Fund, which was announced earlier this week. Samat said the fund has been set up to "accelerate India's digital economy over the next five to seven years through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments." "We are delighted to welcome @Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms," Reliance Jio wrote on Twitter. "We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement under which Google will invest INR 33,737 crores for a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms." Ambani, India's richest man, is in the process of trying to sell approximately 20% of Jio Platforms to raise cash for debt-ridden parent company Reliance Industries, which is heavily involved in oil and petrochemicals. Investors have snapped up around $20 billion worth of equity in Jio Platforms in recent months. Intel said it was investing $250 million into Jio Platforms earlier this month and two days ago Qualcomm announced that it intends to invest $97 million. Other U.S. investors like KKR, General Atlantic, Silver Lake and Vista have pumped billions into Jio Platforms. Last month, UAE sovereign wealth fund Mubadala revealed it was investing $1.2 billion in the company, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund put in $1.5 billion. Facebook's investment was the company's biggest deal since its $19 billion WhatsApp purchase. ROUND ROCK, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dell Technologies is exploring a potential spin-off of its 81% ownership of VMware. Potential deal could unlock value for shareholders To benefit team members, customers and partners with industry leading solutions, in the event of a spin-off, Dell Technologies will seek to maintain the mutually beneficial strategic relationship currently in place with VMware In the event of a spin-off, Dell Technologies intends to negotiate terms consistent with an investment grade rating for both companies Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) is exploring a potential spin-off of its 81% equity ownership interest in VMware (NYSE:VMW). Although this exploration is in an early stage, Dell Technologies believes a spin-off could benefit both Dell Technologies and VMware shareholders, team members, customers and partners by simplifying capital structures and creating additional long-term enterprise value. Any potential spin-off would not occur prior to September 2021 and would be intended to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additionally, Dell Technologies continues to evaluate a range of strategic options concerning its ownership interest in VMware, including maintaining its current ownership in the company. "The strategic relationship between Dell Technologies and VMware has never been stronger," said Michael Dell, chairman and chief executive officer, Dell Technologies. "For more than 20 years, we've innovated for our customers and created substantial growth and value for both companies and our teams. Regardless of the options we are exploring to create additional value, we are accelerating our strategy - which remains unchanged. We are focused on winning in the consolidating markets where we operate and innovating across the Dell Technologies portfolio to create integrated solutions that turn data into insights and action." As part of its exploration of a potential spin-off, Dell Technologies expects it would seek to formalize mutually beneficial commercial arrangements similar to those currently in place. This includes go-to-market, services, research and development, and intellectual property agreements between Dell Technologies and VMware, providing ongoing strategic benefits and continued support for customers of both companies following any spin-off. If it determines to pursue a spin-off, Dell Technologies also expects to negotiate and agree to certain related terms and conditions with a special committee of the Board of Directors of VMware and the Board of Directors of VMware. In that event Dell Technologies would look to negotiate the payment of a special cash dividend by VMware that would be paid on a pro rata basis to all VMware shareholders. It is important to Dell Technologies that both companies have appropriate capital structures immediately following any spin-off. Dell Technologies' goal would be to maintain VMware's credit rating of investment grade and improve Dell Technologies' credit rating at the time of or shortly following a potential spin-off and accelerate the timeline through which Dell Technologies can achieve an investment grade credit rating. However, Dell Technologies can give no assurance that any specific ratings would ultimately be obtained for either company in the event of a spin-off. Dell Technologies is the market leader and continues to gain share through its growing client and infrastructure businesses, including PCs, peripherals, mainstream servers, external storage, and cloud. "No other company can match the depth and breadth of Dell Technologies' portfolio. Our business is strong and has runway to grow for decades to come," said Michael Dell. Additional information regarding this announcement can be found in the amended Schedule 13D filed by Dell Technologies with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 15, 2020. About Dell Technologies Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era. Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and are based on Dell Technologies' current expectations. The words "may," "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "aim," "seek," and similar expressions that refer to future events or outcomes are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, which include, among others, statements relating to Dell Technologies' exploration of potential alternatives with respect to its ownership interest in VMware, including a possible spin-off, and the potential terms of any such transaction, including the amount of a special cash dividend by VMware and the terms of the commercial relationship between Dell Technologies and VMware following any such transaction. Dell Technologies' results or events in future periods could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements because of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that include, but are not limited to, the risks inherent in any transaction involving Dell Technologies' ownership interest in VMware, including a possible spin-off (which risks include uncertainties related to, among other things, whether Dell Technologies will determine to pursue and negotiate the terms of any such transaction; whether any agreement will be reached to proceed with any such transaction; the final terms and conditions of any such transaction if such an agreement is reached, including the amount of a special cash dividend by VMware and the terms of any ongoing commercial agreements and arrangements between Dell Technologies and VMware following any such transaction; the costs and expected benefits of any such transaction; the timing of any such transaction or whether it will be completed; whether any conditions to any such transaction can be satisfied; the expected tax treatment of any such transaction; and the impact of any such transaction on the businesses of Dell Technologies and VMware and the relationship between the two companies following any such transaction). This list of risks, uncertainties, and other factors is not complete. Dell Technologies discusses risks, uncertainties, and other factors more fully, including certain risk factors that could affect Dell Technologies' business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, in its reports filed with the SEC, including Dell Technologies' annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. These filings are available for review through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any or all forward-looking statements Dell Technologies makes may turn out to be wrong and can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Dell Technologies might make or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified in this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this press release, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. Dell Technologies does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement after the date as of which such statement was made, whether to reflect changes in circumstances or Dell Technologies' expectations, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise. SOURCE Dell Technologies India's soybean production is set to jump by at least 15% in 2020 from a year earlier as farmers are increasing the oilseed's acreage due to timely arrival of monsoon rains and as New Delhi raised the minimum buying price. Increased production of India's main summer-sown oilseed could help the world's biggest vegetable oil importer trim costly purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil from Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina and Ukraine. It could also revive Indian exports of animal feed ingredient soymeal to places such as Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam and ... Princess Diana, pictured in Wales in October 1981, has been crowned the most attractive female royal by science. (Jayne Fincher/Getty Images) Princess Diana has been crowned the most attractive female royal of all time by science. Research into what constitutes the perfect face found Diana came closest to scoring 100% based on the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi, which measures physical perfection. Prince Harry and Prince William's mother, who tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 aged 36, was found to be 89% accurate to the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi used by the ancient Greeks to gauge attractiveness. The list was compiled using the latest computerised mapping techniques by facial cosmetic surgeon Dr Julian De Silva, who runs Centre For Advanced Facial Cosmetic And Plastic Surgery and utilises the technology in his work. Read more: Meghan Markle urges girls to 'chase convictions with action' in powerful speech The computerised facial mapping techniques measured the royals eyes, eyebrows, nose, lips, chins, jaws and facial shapes to see who came closest to the Greeks idea of physical perfection. Queen Rania of Jordan, 49, the most beautiful living royal, was runner-up to Diana with a rating of 88.9%. In third place was former Hollywood star Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco by marrying Prince Rainier, with a score of 88.8%. She also sadly died in a car crash, aged 52 in 1982. Meghan Markle (right) beat sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge in the beauty stakes, pictured at Wimbledon in July 2018 in London, England. (Getty Images) Read more: 100 days on from Megxit, have Harry and Meghan got what they wanted? Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, 38, came in fourth with a score of 87.4%, narrowly pipping sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, 38, who was fifth with 86.8%. Commenting on the findings, Dr De Silva said: Diana, Meghan and Kate are all very beautiful women. But when measured against the Greeks' Golden Ratio of physical perfection, Princess Diana comes out on top. She was several points ahead of Meghan and Kate and just pipped the stunningly attractive Queen Rania to the title of most beautiful royal of all time. Diana scored highly for her face shape, the width of her nose, her brow area and her eyebrows. Her lowest scores were for her chin and lips. Story continues Meghan had the highest mark amongst the new generation of royals. She has beautiful facial symmetry, an almost perfectly shaped nose and a gorgeous V-shaped chin. Kate has the perfect gap between her nose and lips and has very strong eye spacing. But she was marked down for having a weaker chin and jawline than the other royal princesses. Read more: Duchess of Cambridge says Louis, 2, doesn't understand social distancing and wants to 'cuddle everything Princess Diana's score of 89% was a few points behind the most beautiful woman in the world the supermodel Bella Hadid, 23, who was found to be 94.35% accurate to the Golden Ratio. The highest rated male star is new Batman star Robert Pattison, 33, with a score of 92.15%. The Golden Ratio was a mathematical equation devised by the Greeks in an attempt to measure beauty. The ratio was used by Leonardo Da Vinci for the perfect human body in his famous work, the Vitruvian Man. The closer the ratios of a face or body are to the number 1.618, the more beautiful they are said to become. Heres the list of most attractive female royals in full: Princess Diana has been crowned the most attractive female royal of all time. (Alamy/Dr Julian De Silva) Read more: Duchess of Cambridge reveals secret project for parents that's 'like gold dust' 1. Diana, Princess of Wales 89.05% Princess Diana was a very narrow winner there was less than 1% between her score and those of Queen Rania of Jordan in second and Princess Grace who was a very close third, Dr De Silva explains. Diana scored highly for her face shape, the width of her nose, her brow area, her forehead and her eyebrows, which all got the top scores. Her lowest scores were for her chin and lips. Her lips are a little thin and ill-defined and her chin is less classical than some of the other women. Queen Rania of Jordan is the most attractive living royal. (Alamy/Dr Julian De Silva) Read more: Duchess of Cambridge surprises schoolchildren in call with Andy Murray 2. Queen Rania of Jordan 88.9% Queen Rania is the most beautiful living royal and a stunningly attractive woman, Dr Julian De Silva says. She had the highest marks of all for her classically shaped chin and also scored highly for her lips. Dr De Silva adds that Queen Rania was marked down for her nose width and her brow area. Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, was considered to have a timeless beauty. (Alamy/Dr Julian De Silva) 3. Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco 88.8% Dr Julian De Silva said: Princess Grace has a timeless beauty and had the highest scores for her eye spacing and her eye position is almost perfect with a score of 99.8%. Her stunning lips also scored the highest. She lost marks for her chin which is a little indistinct. Meghan Markle scored highly in the attractive stakes. (Alamy/Dr Julian De Silva) 4. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 87.4% According to Dr De Silva, Meghan Markle has beautiful facial symmetry and gets closer than any other princess to having what the Greeks considered the perfect face. Meghan has an almost perfectly shaped nose with a 98.5% score, her eye position is exactly right and she has a gorgeous V-shaped or heart-shaped chin which is the shape women most covet, he adds. The Duchess of Cambridge came in fifth. (Alamy/Dr Julian De Silva) 5. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge 86.8% While the Duchess of Cambridge stands out for having a perfect gap between her nose and lips and very strong eye spacing, Dr De Silva says she was marked down for having a weaker chin and jawline than Diana. Nevertheless, she is a striking woman and her scores mark her out as one of the most beautiful women in the world, he adds. Gold prices rose Rs 133 to Rs 49,250 per 10 gram in the Mumbai bullion market on dollar weakness and safe-haven demand. Gold prices traded higher on ongoing concerns over rising coronavirus cases while mounting tension between the US and China kept risk premium high in the prices. The rate of 10 gram 22-carat gold in Mumbai was Rs 45,113 plus 3 percent GST, while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 49,250 plus GST. The 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 36,938 plus GST in the retail market. The US President Donald Trump signed legislation to impose sanctions on China in response to its interference with Hong Kongs autonomy. The US President also signed an executive order ending the preferential treatment that Hong Kong has long enjoyed. Gold inched higher holding firm above the key $1,800 level, as worries over surging coronavirus cases and simmering China-US tensions lifted demand for the safe-haven metal. Many US states have temporarily halted the reopening of their economies to curtail the outbreak. Fed officials warned that the US economy faces a longer recovery from the pandemic, and economic pain could still worsen as cases mount, said Navneet Damani, Vice President, Motilal Oswal. The broader trend on COMEX could be in the range of $1790-1830 and on domestic front prices could hover in the range of Rs 48,665-49,660. COMEX gold trades up near $1816/oz after on US Dollar weakness. Gold is still directionless as market players counter hopes of economic recovery and continuing stimulus measures against rising virus cases and deepening US-China tensions. Investment demand is still robust showing investor interest in the safe-haven asset. General bias remains on the upside until $1790/oz holds on closing basis, said Ravindra Rao, VP- Head Commodity Research at Kotak Securities. The gold/silver ratio currently stands at 94.35 to 1, which means the amount of silver required to buy one ounce of gold. Silver prices rose Rs 840 to Rs 52,195 per kg from its closing on July 14. In the futures market, gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 49,270 and an intraday low of Rs 48,967 on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). For the August series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 39,200 and a high of Rs 49,348. Gold futures for August delivery slipped Rs 239, or 0.49 percent, at Rs 49,020 per 10 gram in evening trade on a business turnover of 9,217 lots. The same for October delivery was down Rs 234, or 0.47 percent, at Rs 49,166 on a business turnover of 10,761 lots. The value of the August and October contracts traded so far is Rs 3,307.77 crore and Rs 197.56 crore, respectively. Similarly, Gold Mini contract for August dropped Rs 207, or 0.42 percent at Rs 49,070 on a business turnover of 11,343 lots. MCX Gold price is trading under rectangle pattern and formed multiple resistance near Rs 49,300 levels, price is expected to trade negatively. Sustaining below Rs 49,200 next leg of correction would drag price lower towards Rs 48,900-48,800 level in intraday, according to Axis Securities. The momentum indicator Relative Strenght Index (RSI) is trading below 42 indicating bearishness to continue in price. At 12:29 (GMT), spot gold was down $2.30 at $1,806.87 an ounce in London trading. Shimla: In view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the state, the Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday reviewed its earlier order and decided that medical colleges in the state will remain closed for final year MBBS students till further notice. The state executive committee, under the Disaster Management Act, amended its July 2 order that had said that the colleges will open for final year MBBS students from July 15. Wednesdays orders said that medical training institutions across the state will also remain closed. NO INTER-STATE BUSES FOR NOW A state government spokesperson said that inter-state movement of public transport or buses will remain prohibited. However, taxis can ply after registering on the Covid-19 e-pass software. Taxi drivers coming into the state for dropping passengers may be exempted from quarantine if they return within 24 hours of entry. NO QUARANTINE IF RETURN WITHIN 72 HOURS Students and parents accompanying them in and out of the state for competitive exams will not need to be quarantined if they exit or re-enter the state or vice-versa within 72 hours. The spokesperson said that any person having tested negative for Covid-19 through RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test by an Indian Council of Medical Research accredited laboratory not earlier than 72 hours at the time of entry may also be exempted from the requirement of quarantine. However, he/she will have to take adequate measures such as wear a mask and ensure social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19. It is a credible goal to have high tens of millions of doses before the end of the year and then hundreds of millions of doses at the beginning of the year. So that would be a transitional rollout. Youre not going to wait until you have stored up vaccine. Youll want to use it where it can be of the most value and provide the most efficacy in the safest way for people, he said. 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. STAMFORD Friends, judicial marshals, probation officers, judges, police officers and family met at the Stamford courthouse Wednesday to celebrate the life of Jonathan Coelho, a probation officer whose emotional message for his wife and young family from his hospital bed spurred a national outpouring of sympathy. Wednesday would have been Coelhos 33rd birthday. His death at Danbury Hospital in April, a month after contracting COVID-19, made national news when his wife Katie revealed that her husband had left her a digital note expressing his love for her and their two children. They were present at Wednesdays outdoor ceremony, organized by Coelhos co-workers in the probation department. Katie Coelho told the roughly hundred people gathered that her husband was a quiet person who loved what he did. Coelho began his career as a judicial marshal in Danbury before working his way to become a probation officer, a position he always wanted to attain. Her husband didnt mind the hour commute to the courthouse from their home in Bethel because he wanted to help people, she said. He talked about how much everyone cared about each other and how much everyone helped each other and he loved that, she said. For the first time he felt a camaraderie. He wanted to be the best version of himself. Just as she was relating how her quiet husband would be mortified at such a gathering being held in his memory, a puff of wind swept down from the gray sky and blew a picture of him to off the easel where it had been displayed. OK Jonathan, if you are going to be that dramatic, Katie Coelho said to the laughter of attendees. She had rushed to the hospital on the night her husband died, but was not able to get there in time to say a last goodbye. But after she brought his personal effects home and unlocked his phone, a note popped up. I love you guys with all my heart and youve given me the best life I could have ever asked for, it read. I am so lucky it makes me so proud to be your husband and the father to Braedyn and Penny, it continued. Katie you are the most beautiful caring nurturing person Ive ever met ... you are truly one of a kind make sure you live life with happiness and that same passion that made me fall in love with you. Seeing you be the best mom to the kids is the greatest thing Ive ever experienced. The message was written only a few days into his three-week stay at the hospital. Katie Coelho went on to thank those attending Wednesdays ceremony for giving her toddler children something they could cherish for a long time. I can tell them how great their dad was and how great he was at his job, but you guys are giving them something to see, and something even more to be proud of. So, on behalf of my family, Jonathans family and his friends, thank you guys very much, she said. Coelhos father said he was touched by the gathering. I am so honored by the kind words spoken about my son. He met his goal. He always wanted to be a probation officer, said Al Coelho, pastor at Faith Church in New Milford. It meant so much to me. Attorney Mark Sherman, who emceed the memorial, said Coelho was liked by everyone in the courthouse, which was no easy feat. State Rep. Matt Blumenthal presented a citation to Coelhos family from the General Assembly. Through his hard work he helped make Stamford, Greenwich and Darien safer and assisted in many members of these communities with rehabilitating and improving themselves, it read. The General Assembly wishes to honor, recognize and thank Johnathan for his service and lasting contributions to the state of Connecticut. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:01:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MUMBAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- India's largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has pro-actively recalled 134,885 vehicles of two of its models for inspecting possible issue with the fuel pump, a company statement said on Wednesday. These faulty part in 56,663 units of WagonR (1 litre) manufactured between Nov. 15, 2018 and Oct. 15, 2019 and 78,222 units of Baleno (Petrol) manufactured between Jan. 8, 2019 and Nov. 4, 2019 will be replaced free of cost, the statement said. Owners of the suspected vehicles under this recall campaign will be contacted by Maruti Suzuki authorized dealers in due course of time. Customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the company websites and fill in their vehicles chassis number to check if their vehicle needs any attention and follow the instructions, the statement said. With portfolio of 16 car models of over 150 variants, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is 56.2 percent subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. Enditem UAE plans to launch Mars probe Friday after weather delay The United Arab Emirates said it plans to launch its "Hope" Mars probe on Friday local time from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center after a two-day delay due to poor weather there. Nasa's Perseverance rover on the Atlas V launch vehicle at Cape Canaveral. AFP / Nasa A rocket is due to blast off at 5:43 am local time (2043 GMT Thursday) carrying the unmanned spacecraft that is bound to orbit the Red Planet in the Arab world's first interplanetary mission. The launch was postponed from 2051 GMT Tuesday because of inclement weather at the remote Japanese launch site, but remains well within the launch window which runs until August 13. The Emirati project is one of three racing to Mars, including Tianwen-1 from China and Mars 2020 from the United States, taking advantage of the period when the Earth and Mars are nearest: some 55 million kilometres (34 million miles) apart. "Hope" -- or Al-Amal in Arabic -- is expected to reach Mars's orbit by February 2021, marking the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE, an alliance of seven emirates. Once there, it will loop the planet for a whole Martian year, or 687 days. The probe is expected to detach from the launch rocket about an hour after blast-off, which is when the UAE Mars mission's deputy project manager Sarah al-Amiri said the real excitement will begin. "In my heart of hearts, I'm looking forward to the initial 24 hours after separation, and that's where we see the results of our work," said Amiri, who is also Minister of State for Advanced Sciences. "It is when we first get the signal, when we know that every part of the spacecraft is functioning, when the solar panels are deployed, when we hit our trajectory and are headed towards Mars," she told AFP earlier this month. Keiji Suzuki from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which is carrying the Hope probe into space, had already warned on Monday that thunderstorms forecast could delay the launch. - Big ambitions - The UAE -- which is better known for its skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands and mega attractions -- has in recent years been pushing to expand its space sector. While the objective of the Mars mission is to provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in the Red Planet's atmosphere, the probe is a foundation for a much bigger goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within the next 100 years. The UAE also wants the project to serve as a source of inspiration for Arab youth, in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises. Dubai has hired architects to imagine what a Martian city might look like and build it in its desert as "Science City", at a cost of around 500 million dirhams (135 million dollars). And last September, Hazza al-Mansouri became the first Emirati in space, part of a three-member crew that blasted off on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, returning home after an eight-day mission in which he became the first Arab to visit the International Space Station. Several dozen probes -- most of them American -- have set off for the Red Planet since the 1960s. Many never made it that far, or failed to land. The drive to explore Mars flagged until the confirmation less than 10 years ago that water once flowed on its surface. "What is unique about this mission is that for the first time the scientific community around the world will have an holistic view of the Martian atmosphere at different times of the day at different seasons," the mission's project manager Omran Sharaf told Monday's briefing. "We have a strategy to contribute to the global effort in developing technologies and science work that will help one day if humanity decides to put a human on Mars." The third worker who fled a coronavirus-hit farm in Herefordshire has been found. Three 'Eastern European' men left Rook Row Farm in Mathon after 200 people were forced to isolate on the site when 73 workers tested positive for the virus. Two of the group were caught yesterday and told to self isolate and the third runaway has been contacted today, the county council said. All three were approached through an employment agency, though the third one's location is not confirmed. Director of Public Health for Herefordshire Karen Wright said today: 'We continue to support the farm to advise their workers to remain on site during the period of isolation and stay within household groups, to reduce risk of spread within the workforce and into the wider community. 'Herefordshire Council is arranging food and essential supplies for residents on the site.' She added: 'We're aware that local residents are concerned about shopping trips made by farm workers, prior to positive cases being identified. The risk to the general public remains low.' It comes as neighbours of the A S Green And Co farm - run by Andrew Green, his son Tom and wife Caroline - blasted them for keeping them in the dark over the outbreak. Richard Thomas, 71, who lives 200m from the farm, branded the family 'incredibly discourteous'. One of the runaways was a picker who tested positive for Covid before fleeing over the weekend. He and a second worker caught yesterday were told to self isolate. They are thought to have run across fields near the farm, which supplies a number of major supermarkets. A spokesman for Public Health Midlands confirmed the two people are now self isolating after leaving the site. Three 'Eastern European' men fled from Rook Row Farm (pictured, workers' quarters yesterday) in Mathon after 200 were forced to isolate when 73 tested positive for the bug Police are pictured guarding the gates to Rook Row Farm in Herefordshire, where three workers ran away from Emma Louder from Cradley and her children Harley, 11, and Blake (both pictured), six, drop off food parcels to the farm yesterday Mr Thomas, a retired chemical company CEO, said he was disappointed he had received no official news about the farm from the family or authorities. He said: 'We know absolutely nothing about what happened on Sunday. We are disappointed haven't heard from anybody officially. 'We are 200m from the gates and have got everything we know from the media. Nobody has had the common courtesy to knock on our door and tell us what's going on. We haven't been offered tests. Should we be tested? 'Apparently it is airborne and we are hundreds of metres from the mobile homes. There are two houses right opposite the gates and they haven't heard anything either. 'It is a little hamlet of 13 homes and seven of those are in the vulnerable bracket through age or through illness. 'One guy up the road has one lung and another was ill with coronavirus and got particularly poorly. 'It is just really really disconcerting nobody has bothered to let us know officially. A lady from Public Health Hereford said on the news there was not a problem. 'That's really nice to know when you are 200m. That's fantastic news. People were interviewed on the news in another village a mile and a half away.' He added: 'They have grown the business substantially. We are friends with them and have been over there for parties. I used to run his daughter over to various pony clubs. 'I know he's been busy, but even he didn't phone anyone to say he has got a problem. It is incredibly discourteous.' Two of the runaways reportedly broke out on Saturday, while the other made a run for it on Monday. The first case was reported on the farm last Wednesday, five tested positive the next day but when the farm was lockdown down it was understood to have risen to 73. Workers may have unwittingly been shopping super spreaders as they headed into Worcester and Malvern in the days before the positive Covid results. The infected farmhands may have passed on the deadly bug after going on the trip last week. North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin confirmed members of the group were taken by minibus to Worcester where they shopped in the city's Primark. They also went to an Iceland shop and the Romanian store in the city before being driven to a Morrisons supermarket in nearby Malvern. Mr Wiggin said: 'Worcestershire County Council have been informed that a minibus took workers to shop in four separate locations in Worcester and Malvern last week. 'The shops and locations are Worcester's Primark, Iceland and the Romanian store, and Malvern's Morrison's supermarket.' A map shows the route taken by workers as they headed out shopping in the days before the farm was put into lockdown Karen Wright, the director of Public Health Herefordshire (pictured right), is seen at the farm Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire CCG, gives a press statement outside Rook Row Farm on Monday Workers at A S Green And Co were tested after some workers showed symptoms of the bug (file photo) A large container reverses at the farm on Monday morning after the outbreak of coronavirus While working on the site, the farmhands shared a single toilet, according to a British couple who were also employed there. The plastic portable toilet, with just one sanitiser dispenser, was ferried to a field each day where migrant vegetable pickers were working. The toilet was shared between up to 60 pickers working in hot and sticky conditions for eight hours. Brandon Burridge, 22, said: 'It was pretty horrible, especially as the day went on. We were told to ring the office if it got bad but most of the time it was just left there for people to use. 'Obviously I and the other men used the hedge but the women had to use the toilet, it wasn't great.' Mr Burridge and his girlfriend Leah Johnson, 21, picked broad beans during the three shifts they worked together at the farm in June and July. The couple stayed with family locally after their request for accommodation was turned down. Mr Burridge said: 'I assume they reserve that for people from Eastern Europe who they bring in. We we're probably lucky that we didn't stay.' The couple from Worcester worked in fields alongside Bulgarians, Romanians and Ukrainians who arrived shortly after the lockdown. Mr Burridge and Ms Johnson were due to set up glamping areas at music festivals all over Europe this summer. But when the events were cancelled they turned to picking fruit and vegetables for an income. The couple are angry Rook Row Farm failed to tell them about the coronavirus outbreak as they only discovered they were at risk after reading media reports. The pair organised their own Covid-19 tests and both came back negative on Tuesday. Mr Burridge said: 'I have our contact details but they haven't been in touch to tell us we are risk. He said: 'As an employer it is their duty to let us know, they have been quite poor in communicating to us about the virus at the farm.' Authorities have reportedly been offering the isolating workers - most from Eastern Europe - beer and cigarettes to encourage them to stay. Brandon Burridge, 22, and his girlfriend Leah Johnson, 21, (pictured together) are angry Rook Row Farm failed to tell them about the coronavirus outbreak The staff have been ordered to self-isolate in trailers that are set up near to where the staff work An officer wearing a face mask stands at the entrance to AS Green and Co Farm, where employees have tested positive for Covid-19 Rook Row Farm is currently closed for all visitors and workers are receiving support required on the site, the company said in a statement 200 workers at the vegetable farm have been asked to self isolate in mobile homes (pictured) onsite after people tested positive for coronavirus The workers are employed to carry out picking and packing work at the site while living in mobile homes. Police wearing protective face masks have been guarding the exits of the farm and Herefordshire Council has organised deliveries. Workers have been told they are not be permitted to leave the site but are receiving the required support - with officials treating the group as 'one extended bubble'. Meanwhile, visitors and management have been tested for the bug and the company confirmed all results to date outside of their site have been negative. The firm put in place a range of infection control measures to try to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to the virus. These include supporting testing, promoting social distancing in communal social areas and the indoor packaging areas. They are providing PPE for staff where applicable, encouraging regular hand washing for 20 seconds and promoting the use of face coverings in closed areas. The farm supplies vegetables to major supermarket chains, such as Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda and M&S. Trade body the British Retail Consortium last night reiterated advice from PHE that it is 'very unlikely' that the virus can be transmitted through food. Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Retailers are well versed in managing potential disruptions to prevent any impact on consumers. 'This outbreak involves one farm in a very large supply chain, so retailers are confident that there will be no interruption to supply. 'The farm in question is being supported by Public Health England, which has advised that it is very unlikely that the virus can be transmitted through food or packaging.' During the harvest season, workers live onsite in shared mobile homes which have toilets, showers and kitchen facilities. As a precaution the whole group are being treated as 'one extended bubble', according to officials. It comes after farmers appealed for people to take up paid roles on local farms to stop food being left to rot in the fields as part of the Feed The Nation campaign. Owner of A S Green And Co, Mr Green, was looking for 100 pickers and 60 packers to join their family team at the end of April, the Hereford Times reported. Workers are being asked to isolate on the farm and stay within household groups to reduce the risk of spreading the virus within the workforce Director of Public Health at Herefordshire CCG speaks outside Rook Row Farm in Mathon, near Malvern A man puts on PPE as he arrives at Rook Row Farm in Mathon, near Malvern in Herefordshire In a statement posted on its website about the outbreak, the company said: 'We confirm that we are working closely with, Public Health England and the Public Health team at Herefordshire Council to support a number of our workers that have tested positive for COVID-19. 'As a precautionary measure we have arranged for testing of additional key workers including management team members and visitors connected with A S Green and can confirm all results to date outside of our site have been returned with negative results. To date there are 73 positive cases on our site. 'Our site is currently closed for all visitors and with the assistance of the various bodies no workers are being permitted to leave our site and are receiving the required support at our site. 'Our work force and local community are our priority at this difficult time and we continue to follow the guidance of the relevant bodies to ensure that the spread of the virus is controlled and our workforce is supported. 'Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging, so shoppers can remain confident buying British fruit and veg. Thank you for your understanding in these difficult times.' Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said: 'We are working closely with the management at AS Green and Co to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce and wider public health. 'At this phase of the pandemic, we still expect to see cases in the community and within settings where people are closer together, such as workplaces, which is why the Test and Trace system is important, to help us pick up on any potential problems and swiftly to take remedial action to reduce spread. 'To support this workforce of around 200 key workers, the company has put in place a range of infection control measures to try to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to COVID-19. 'Measures include supporting testing on site, promoting social distancing in communal social areas and in the indoor packaging area; providing PPE for staff where applicable, encouraging regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds, and promoting the use of face coverings in closed areas.' The site is still waiting on all the results but has asked all workers to seld-isolate as a precaution (stock photo) The owner of A S Green And Co was looking for 100 pickers and 60 packers to join their family team at the end of April The company said that Public Health England advises that it is very unlikely Covid-19 can be transmitted through food or food packaging (stock photo) 'Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive. 'In line with NHS guidance, affected individuals were asked to self-isolate for 7 days, with their households and close contacts asked to isolate for 14 days.' 'As we have seen a global trend of large food producers being subject to outbreaks, as a precautionary measure, the decision was made to test the entire workforce. 'The initial batch of results showed a significant percentage of positive cases, despite these individuals being asymptomatic. 'We are still awaiting a few final results, but currently we have 73 positive cases of COVID-19 among the workforce.' 'PHE Midlands and Herefordshire Council are therefore working with AS Green and Co to closely monitor and manage the outbreak and support individual workers.' A spokesman for AS Green said: 'Our staff are our priority, they are hard-working key workers helping us provide food for the country during these unusual times. 'We contacted PHE and we are working closely with them and Public Health at Herefordshire Council to prevent the spread of COVID-19.' Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, said: 'While Herefordshire is the first to experience an outbreak of this kind, this is not unexpected. 'Our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of all residents in our community. Prompt testing on the farm has allowed us to understand transmission and control the spread of infection. 'We continue to support the farm management, their workers who form an important part of our local economy, and the local community through this challenging time. A S Green And Co specialise in growing runner beans, Tenderstem broccoli, broad beans and helda beans The company harvest from mid-May to mid-November and have packing jobs during the winter 'Anyone who has a fever, persistent dry cough, or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell should call 119 or go online to arrange a test.' Herefordshire have had 809 confirmed cases of the virus, with a rate of 421.1 (per 100,000 resident population), according to the Government's daily statistics. In April Andrew Green, owner of AS Green and Co, told the Hereford Times: 'The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in soaring demand for fresh produce, but with tighter border controls and travel restrictions in place, many UK farmers have been left with a labour shortage, putting their produce at risk.' He added: 'Not only does the role provide the opportunity to work in a safe, healthy environment throughout the summer months, but it also enables those who have been financially impacted by the pandemic to boost their income, without jeopardising the support they will receive through the Government furlough scheme.' Following the Pick for Britain campaign - an initiative to bring together UK workers and farmers together to prevent crops rotting in the ground during the pandemic - the farm said it had received more than 300 applications. On the firm's website, it says workers are expected to share accommodation at Rook Row Farm, while there is a recreational building with a pool table, dart board and TV for all employees. A spokesman for the National Farmers' Union (NFU) said: 'The industry takes this issue incredibly seriously and everything is being done to keep workers safe; their health and safety remains the priority. 'Across the sector there have been significant investments this season; from the use of additional safety equipment and PPE, regularly testing temperatures, and following government guidance created specifically for seasonal workers.' The outbreak comes after lockdown was extended for at least two weeks in Leicester, east midlands, after a surge in coronavirus cases. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced during a news conference Wednesday morning that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Stitt said the positive test result came back at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. He said he feels fine, but he had a little bit of fever and body aches. Stitt said he is now isolated at home, away from his family and he will continue working. Stitts wife and his children have tested negative, he said. Stitt said he believes he's the first governor in the nation to test positive for the virus. Oklahoma recorded 1,075 new cases Wednesday, which is the state's highest single-day total and the first daily report over 1,000 cases. Your browser does not support the video tag. A night for Mahmoud Reda and his work with Reda Troupe is being planned by Egypt's culture ministry following his death Friday at age 89 Related Pioneer of Egyptian folk dancing Mahmoud Reda dies aged 89 Egyptian culture ministry leaders are working on organising a performance in celebration of the work of pioneer folkloric dancer Mahmoud Reda, the founder of Egypts Reda Troupe, who died Friday at the age of 89. Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem met with director Khaled Galal, head of the Culture Production Sector at the ministry, and professor Mahmoud Salah, head of the Reda Troupe, to discuss details of the honour ceremony planned to be held at the Balloon Theatre. The late Mahmoud Reda is considered among folkloric arts legends who were able to change society's perspectives towards these arts, throughout his dance designs that became a part of Egyptian heritage," Abdel-Dayem stated, praising Reda who was celebrated by the ministry last December on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of his popular troupe. Born in 1931, Reda, who participated as an athlete in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, founded Reda Troupe in 1959, finding wide success that led to official adoption by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 1961, with the troupe performing in all over the country and in many important venues abroad. Reda Troupe collaborated with numerous musicians and starred in many films like Agazet Nos Al-Sanah in 1961, directed by his brother Ali Reda, in addition to other films like Gharam fi Al-Karnak in 1967 and Harami El-Waraqa in 1970. Mahmoud Reda worked with the troupe until he retired in 1990, although he continued to supervise it artistically. Egypt resumed public culture activities last weekend as part of phase one of the country's cautious reopening following the Covid-19 lockdown, with all events held under strict measures that include social distancing, obligatory face masks, and sanitising. 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: By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 14, 2020 | 06:39 PM | FRANKFORT Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state's ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19."COVID-19 is attacking us, and we are at war with this virus. We either come together or we fall apart," the Governor said. "This virus isn't playing, and neither are we. And it puts so many at risk when any of us fail to do our part."Beshear reported 576 new cases of the virus on Tuesday and six new deaths. The total number of cases in Kentucky now stands at 20,223 with 635 deaths due to the virus."Today's report shows we are certainly in a time of escalating cases. And our actions over these next 10 days to 14 days really through the next 30 days that we have put this face covering requirement out are going to determine if we continue to be a leader, if we continue to be one of the best states in the country, or if we go the route of Arizona, which is now requesting giant freezer trucks because their morgues are being overrun," the Governor said. "It depends on our willingness to come together and do the right thing, and today should be just one more wake-up call that we've got to do it now."As of Tuesday, there have been at least 494,343 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 3.95%.For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race, and ethnicity use the link below. On the Net: Birds funfair will not return to Killarney this year following a meeting on Monday with representatives of the funfair and Killarney Municipal District Management. The meeting came on foot of an appeal from the Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municipal District, Brendan Cronin, over the weekend, asking that Birds Funfair reconsider setting up in to the town this year. This call, Cllr Cronin said, came due to the large 'volume' of calls he received from concerned members of the public. "There was huge concern from parents and grandparents with underlying conditions. The elderly are genuinely terrified, and the fact we have a case identified again is a concern," he said. "We are in huge turmoil at the moment. We are going step by step, and one spike will see this destroyed. I appeal to them to reconsider based on the health concerns of the general public." Following a meeting on Monday which included manager of Killarney Municipal District, Angela McAllen; Superintendent Flor Murphy and representatives of the fun-fair, it was decided the funfair would not return to Killarney this year. The decision was welcomed by Cllr Cronin. Don Bird, who did not attend the meeting but spoke on the behalf of the funfair, said that the decision was taken as Killarney was still in the process of re-opening and was not ready for the arrival of the funfair. "We have to be mindful that the priority must be focusing on getting businesses re-opened safely, and the suggestion was that we would arrive and interfere with that. We wouldn't do that," he said. "Killarney is the capital of tourism in Ireland, and it would not be sensible of us to interfere with the gargantuan efforts to re-open," he said. Birds Amusements have a long history with the town, and many of the family live in the town. Mr Bird said it is disappointing, but they "harbour no sense of bitterness" and wish Killarney the best. Mr Bird said that the funfair has a detailed response plan to ensure the safety of the public and would welcome the opportunity to "demonstrate that they can operate safely." He added that they still hope to come to Killorglin, Tralee and Listowel this year but no decision has yet been made. WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister speaks during the province's latest COVID-19 update at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg Monday, March 30, 2020. The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, the Back To Work program paid businesses who hired or brought back staff up to $5,000 per employee, to a maximum of five workers, through to the end of August. Premier Brian Pallister said Wednesday the program will be extended until the end of October and funds will be available for up to 10 workers at each business. The program is also being offered for the first time to charities and non-profits. "We would all like this pandemic and its challenges to end, but realistically we know that it will take time for our economy to grow back," Pallister said. "And so this program will be needed for a longer period than all of us would hope." The program is in addition to others the province has offered, including a one-time $6,000 subsidy for small businesses who are ineligible for federal aid and who want to hire staff. Statistics Canada figures released last week show Manitoba employment levels have rebounded more fully than in all other provinces except New Brunswick. With 330 COVID-19 cases and seven deaths to date among the lowest rates in the country the province was able to move quickly to ease many restrictions on business openings and public gatherings. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed the extra aid but said its members are taking on debt and facing cash-flow challenges. The province's Back to Work subsidy is only paid out once the period it covers ends. "Revenues are far from normal for businesses ... and they need help rehiring staff," said Jonathan Alward, the group's Prairie director. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the new support, but said businesses need help covering rent and paying for protective equipment for staff. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The chamber also said the province should consider a public awareness campaign to persuade people it is safe to shop, dine out and go back to work even as the pandemic continues. "Poll after poll shows far too many people remain hesitant to re-engage in the economy," chamber president Loren Remillard said. "It really needs to be a concerted campaign to get out there to the public, to say businesses are doing everything outlined by ... health officials to ensure, based on what we know, the highest level of safety and well-being for employees and customers." The Opposition New Democrats said the Progressive Conservative government should provide immediate funding for items such as staff protective equipment and child care. "We need to see a real plan to restart our economy that provides essential supports, like direct financial assistance and a plan for child care," NDP Leader Wab Kinew said in a written statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020 No air-kissing, a safely-distanced front row and face masks are de rigueur - Dolce & Gabbana is rewriting the rules of high-end fashion engagement with one of the first physical shows of the COVID-19 era. Part of Milans otherwise digital menswear fashion week, the show on Wednesday will be watched by a select group of guests wearing face masks as the models stride down the catwalk a cool metre apart. It is being held on the university campus of the Humanitas research foundation, which is trying to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus - a project funded by Dolce & Gabbana. We want to give a positive message, a message of rebirth - its possible to start again, respecting safety measures, said Giulia Piacentini, a spokeswoman for the brand. Guests are seen at the end of the Etro Spring/Summer 2021 Men's collection and Women's pre-collection livestreamed show at the Four Seasons hotel, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during Milan Digital Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, July 15, 2020. (REUTERS) Together with another Italian brand, Etro, which is also holding a physical show with guests on Wednesday, Dolce & Gabbanas will be the first real-world fashion event by a major luxury label since the easing of lockdown restrictions in much of Europe. Photos: Masks and no air kissing at Covid-era catwalks in Milan As the COVID-19 pandemic forced luxury houses to shut shops and idle manufacturing sites, brands cancelled events or opted for audience-free, digital-only formats, such as the Paris Haute Couture showcase earlier this month. The French fashion world aims to return to physical shows in September. A model presents a creation from the Etro Spring/Summer 2021 Men's collection and Women's pre-collection in a livestreamed show at the Four Seasons hotel, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during Milan Digital Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, July 15, 2020. (REUTERS) Wednesdays Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2021 menswear show in Rozzano, south of Milan, will be attended by around 200 Italian and foreign guests including buyers, customers and media. The usual front row of A-list foreign celebrities and large Chinese contingent of buyers, media and influencers will be kept away by coronavirus restrictions on travel. Model Taylor Hill presents a creation from the Etro Spring/Summer 2021 Men's collection and Women's pre-collection in a livestreamed show at the Four Seasons hotel, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, during Milan Digital Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, July 15, 2020. (REUTERS) Staff, models and guests have all received safety instructions and must respect social distancing rules. Masks will be compulsory backstage and for the audience, although Dolce & Gabbana have not disclosed whether the models will be wearing potentially trend-setting masks on the catwalk. Piacentini said the show was aimed at supporting Humanitas COVID-19 research. The shows sponsors have donated money to the project and guests will also be encouraged to contribute. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter The City of Laredo will be receiving assistance from FEMA in the form a surge hospital site to be set up at a local hotel this week. Both of Laredos hospitals were at 100% capacity for coronavirus patients on Tuesday, Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino told council. And on Monday from 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Laredo Medical Center was on diversion, meaning it was sending patients away to other hospitals. But Doctors Hospital was also at capacity. So that means the patients continued to wait or had to go home, Trevino said. As hospitalizations have skyrocketed over the last few weeks the state has sent in additional health care professionals to expand capacity. However it has never been enough. That could change as soon as Sunday. READ MORE: Three COVID-19 deaths, 210 positives confirmed in Laredo A FEMA team will be coming to Laredo this week to outfit the Red Roof Inn off I-35 and Calton Road into a surge hospital site to treat COVID-19 patients, Interim Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Ramiro Elizondo announced at the council meeting. This surge site could increase Laredos hospital capacity by over 100 beds for non-acute patients, allowing hospitals to then focus their resources on covid patients in intensive care. City Manager Robert Eads said this surge capacity at the Red Roof Inn will be entirely funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and said it will be a huge win for the city. But Trevino noted that they still need to be working toward expanding ICU capacity. Even if we have temporary hospitals, we still have to press the issue of ICUs. To set up a temporary ICU would be a feat in itself, but we have to be pushing for that, because we could run out of covid ICUs, he said. The National Museum of African American History and Culture has published a graphic on its website that suggests concepts such as rational linear thinking, the nuclear family, and an emphasis on hard work are specific to white culture. The article, titled Talking About Race, delves into white privilege and the way that white people, their customs, culture, and beliefs operate as the standard by which all other groups are compared. Whiteness and the normalization of white racial identity throughout Americas history have created a culture where nonwhite persons are seen as inferior or abnormal, the article reads. The accompanying graphic describes white culture as adopting certain aspects and assumptions, such a work before play attitude and the belief that hard work is the key to success. The nuclear family, described as a mother, father, and 2.3 children, is the ideal social unit embraced by white culture, the graphic says. White culture also emphasizes respect for authority, delayed gratification, self-reliance, independence and autonomy, the value of property rights and ownership, progress, planning for the future, politeness, and decision-making, according to the graphic. The National Museum of African American History & Culture wants to make you aware of certain signs of whiteness: Individualism, hard work, objectivity, the nuclear family, progress, respect for authority, delayed gratification, more. (via @RpwWilliams)https://t.co/k9X3u4Suas pic.twitter.com/gWYOeEh4vu Byron York (@ByronYork) July 15, 2020 The graphic cites data from a 1990 paper by Judith H. Katz titled, Some Aspects and Assumptions of White Culture in the United States. Story continues Since 2007, Katz has worked as an advisor for a nonprofit organization called Net Impact, which says it partners with some of the countrys most powerful companies, including ExxonMobil, 3M, McDonalds, the Coca-Cola Company, Starbucks, Microsoft, the Walt Disney Company, Bank of America, Monsanto, and Nestle Waters North America. The company also partners with the U.S. National Park Service, which the group listed as having contributed more than $100,000 to the organization during fiscal year 2013. Net Impact focuses on promoting equity and inclusion and working across sectors for a more just and sustainable world, and runs chapters across the globe on university campuses, in cities, and in companies. We believe in the power of the business sector to drive social and environmental change, and we welcome a variety of companies to partner with us, Net Impact says on its website. The National Museum of African American History & Culture did not respond immediately to a request for comment on whether it stands by the assertions made in the graphic. More from National Review Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India and the European Union were natural partners with shared values and common goals as evidenced in the cooperation demonstrated by the two sides in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. He also invited European investments for the further development of environment friendly technologies in India. The prime minister also underlined Indias demonstration of its policy of global cooperation through supply of emergency medicine to around 150 countries across the world, with an aim to strengthen efforts to defeat the coronavirus pandemic. India has taken care of the interests of other countries apart from its own citizens by sending medicines to almost 150 countries and has also initiated a joint response to the pandemic in the region, PM said, while addressing the delegates at the 15th India-EU virtual summit. He added that Indian researchers and pharmaceutical companies were ready to make even greater contributions to global efforts to contain the pandemic. Earlier in his address, the prime minister said that Indias partnership with the EU can play an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the world. He added that this reality had become starker in the global situation today. Several types of pressures are being exerted on rules-based international order. In a situation like this India-EU partnership, can play an important role in economic rebuilding, a human centric and also humanity-centric globalization, said the PM. Underlining that India and EU were natural partners, Modi said, Our partnership is significant for peace and stability of the world. The India-EU summit comes amid a protracted border conflict with China that was followed by the Indian governments decision to cancel a few contracts awarded to Chinese companies and to ban several popular Chinese mobile applications like TikTok. Yesterday, Britain decided to oust Chinese company Huwaei from its 5G project in line with the stand taken by the United States against the company. The US had recently warned Europe against cozying up to China and ignoring Beijings perceived expansionist tendencies including use of bullying of its trade partners as a tactic to advance its territorial ambition. Modi said Indias relationship with the EU needed to be deeper, wider and more strategic given the overlapping of values and goals. For this, we need to adopt a long-term strategic perspective. We also need an action-oriented agenda, which can be implemented in a set time frame, the PM said underlining the shared values of democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, respect for international institutions, multilateralism, freedom and transparency, which, he said, made the scaling up of ties to the next level a natural process. Apart from current challenges, long-term challenges like climate change are also a priority for India and the EU. In our efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, we invite investment and technology from Europe, the PM said at the summit. At the outset, the European Council President Charles Michel thanked India for the cooperation shown with the EU, especially in fighting the pandemic. I would like to thank India for the cooperation your country has shown with the EU. I would like to pay tribute to your role nationally and internationally, multilaterally in combating Covid 19 pandemic, Michel said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") reports that its 100%-owned US-based subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership (the "Pebble Partnership") released a public statement in Alaska today commenting on the pending release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the Pebble Project, calling it a major project milestone. The statement released this morning quotes Pebble Partnership CEO Tom Collier: "It is our understanding based on conversations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that the final EIS will be published in the Federal Register on July 24th. This will mark one of the most significant milestones for the Pebble Project. Following the final EIS, the USACE will use this document as it prepares the Record of Decision (ROD) for Pebble - a step expected to follow the publication of the final EIS. "The USACE has been thorough and transparent with their work to date as they have undertaken this objective, technical review of our proposed plan for a mine at the Pebble site. They have worked through a range of technical issues that came from the public comments and agency reviews of the draft EIS. These issues have been the subject of meetings, conversations and correspondence between the cooperating agencies as the USACE has worked to resolve them to the satisfaction of all participants. As part of their commitment to transparency, the USACE held regular calls with interested members of the media to help add important context about their review of Pebble with the next media roundtable on July 20th, the eve of the publication of the final EIS. We have been informed that the final EIS publication date will be confirmed during this regularly scheduled call. "The work undertaken by the USACE and the cooperating agencies to resolve these issues gives us confidence that the final EIS will demonstrate why we believe the project can be done without harm to the Bristol Bay fishery. This was confirmed earlier this year via the draft of the final EIS which noted no harm to the fishery and that the project can be developed in line with federal environmental requirements. "Some have expressed concern that failure to publish the final EIS today, as was earlier targeted by the USACE, is evidence of a major delay to the final EIS. This is not the case. Throughout this review process, the USACE has closely tracked their timeline and public projections for process milestones. Our project team looks forward to reviewing the final document next week and then getting ready for initiating state permitting. "Additionally, the draft of the final EIS shows the tremendous economic opportunity a project like Pebble could mean for the residents of Southwest Alaska. It shows that the communities closest to Pebble could have year-round employment and increased economic activity. We also know the project will make significant contributions to Alaska's overall economy - something that is even more important given today's time of tremendous economic uncertainty." About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership ("PLP"), is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 2,402 mineral claims in southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit. PLP is the proponent of the Pebble Project, an initiative to develop one of the world's most important mineral resources. For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Review Canadian public filings at www.sedar.com and US public filings at www.sec.gov. Ronald W. Thiessen President & CEO US Media Contact: Dan Gagnier Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897 Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of the ultimate size, quality or commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits, or of the Company's future performance. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) studies for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (iv) NDM will be able to secure the financing required to develop the Pebble Project. The likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (ii) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating the Pebble Project mineral reserves that can be economically mined, (iii) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, and (iv) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction, which financing may not be available to NDM on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. The Company is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions, as well as risks relating to the uncertainties with respect to the effects of COVID-19. The National Environment Policy Act EIS process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently being advanced. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com. SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597571/Northern-Dynasty-Pebble-Partnership-comments-on-pending-release-of-Final-EIS-for-Alaskas-Pebble-Project Then NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons speaks at a State Memorial for those impacted by the recent bush-fires on Feb. 23, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Peter Parks-Pool/Getty Images) NSW Fires Exceeded Worst Case Scenarios No one could have predicted the scale of the bushfires that spread across NSW and exceeded even the worst case scenarios, the man who led the states fire response says. Former NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has described the 2019-20 bushfire season as extraordinary and unprecedented in terms of weather, fire behaviour and the widespread damage, destruction and tragedy. We saw an area burnt across NSW like we havent seen before particularly across the forested areas, Fitzsimmons told the natural disasters royal commission on July 15. We saw a protracted nature of the fire season without any meaningful interruption from weather. Fitzsimmons, who now heads the states lead disaster management agency Resilience NSW, said traditionally there would be some reprieve in the weather, but that did not happen last season. He noted the outlook for the 2019-20 season had been almost identical to that for 2018-19 in terms of where above-normal fire activity was expected, but the situation was compounded by the drought drying the landscape and vegetation. Obviously the indications were for above normal, but no one had the capacity to forecast and predict the extent and the scale to which weather and fire behaviour played out with a stretching of fire literally from the Queensland border all the way through to the Victorian border along the Great Dividing Range. The bushfires in NSW led to 26 deaths and affected 50 local government areas, burnt 5.5 million hectares, destroyed 2476 houses, 284 facilities and 5559 outbuildings. There were close to 200,000 firefighting shifts used to battle 11,000 to 12,000 fires that started in July, and 6500 interstate and international personnel came to the states aid. Megan Neil in Melbourne Over 1,700 young people under the age of 25 in Co Kildare are receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), according to figures from the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) A total of 4,123 are availing of the weekly payment which rises to a maximum amount of 350. The 1,7626 people under 25 represent 23% of the total number of recipients. The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13 March due to the pandemic. The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be in place until August 10. The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) - which represents organisations working with over 380,000 young people nationwide has called on the Government to bring forward a package of measures to support young jobseekers with a 191m investment to address the high levels of youth unemployment in the July Jobs Initiative to be announced next week. With 1,025 young people under 25 in county Carlow in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and at a time when we have 45.4% youth unemployment and over 140,000 young people out of work, it is vital that the July Jobs Initiative focuses heavily on the needs of young jobseekers, commented James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director. NYCI is calling for investment in programmes such as the Back to Education Allowance, SOLAS training programmes, the Youth Employment Support Scheme, a national Access to Apprenticeship Programme and Jobsplus Youth that will support up to 28,000 young people. Further investment and actions will be required later this year, in light of the scale of the challenge, but we need to make a start now and give young people some hope and support, explained Mr Doorley. The latest numbers available show 89,544 young people under 25 are currently in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), which is 22% of all of those receiving the payment. It is also important to note that before the pandemic hit, despite job growth in the Irish economy and the welcome decline since the last crisis, youth unemployment in December 2019 stood at 12.6%.**** This was three times the overall unemployment rate. In addition to the young people on the pandemic unemployment payment, there are 29,579***** young people under 25 on the Live Register and 20,413 young people under 25 on the Disability Allowance, added Mr Doorley. The number of young people on the PUP since the peak in early May has declined by over 32,000. This is very welcome, and we hope it continues to decline further. However, the reality is that even if half the current number on the payment exit, that would still leave 45,000 young people out of work. As a society and an economy, we cannot afford to make the mistakes of the past, where young people were left to linger on the dole queues for years on end and the Governmental response was slow and inadequate. That is why NYCI is calling for actions and investment now and 191m investment. We acknowledge that this may appear a large sum, but the cost of leaving 28,000 young people on the dole for a year would be 164m, so the net cost of the measures we are proposing would be just 27m. This of course does not take into account the social and financial benefit of the proposed measures for young people, their families, communities and Irish society as a whole. Just last week our neighbours in the UK, announced a 2bn fund to tackle youth unemployment, continued Mr Doorley. Five healthcare workers have tested positive to COVID-19 at the Royal Children's Hospital, which treats some of Australia's sickest children. Seven other staff members who work in clinical and non-clinical roles are self-isolating at home for 14 days. The Royal Children's Hospital. Credit:Pat Scala The hospital would not disclose whether they were exposed to their infected colleagues in the workplace, or if they had close contact with others in the wider community. The positive diagnoses come as a sushi outlet in the hospital's food court was forced to close when a worker was found to be infected. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes the results of an online auction for the sale of the Dnipro Hotel in Kyiv. "Large privatization has started! The auction on the sale of the state-owned block of shares of PJSC Dnipro Hotel has just ended. The price exceeded all expectations, reaching UAH 1.111 billion. That is almost 14 times more than the starting price," he wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday. Zelensky said that in October 2019 he signed an order that identified the first five facilities of the State Management of Affairs for their sale. "Thus, now the first facility of the State Management of Affairs has already found a new private owner. Privatization is a great way to attract investment in our country. I welcome all the participants in this significant event, namely, Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine Dmytro Sennychenko, his deputies, employees of the President's Office and the State Management of Affairs, representatives of the government and the Verkhovna Rada, as well as advisers who helped prepare the privatization. I also expressed appreciation to business representatives who took part in the auction and competed until the last," he said. The president wished the new owner of the Dnipro Hotel that this beautiful building in the center of Kyiv would justify his investment, make a profit and become a real decoration of the Ukrainian capital and a welcome location for its guests. Zelensky said that due to the sale of the national block of shares at an open auction through the electronic system ProZorro. Sale, Ukraine received the best price for its property. "All these funds will be allocated to the national budget. Thus, almost 8,000 auctions have already been held and property owned by the state, local authorities and the Deposit Guarantee Fund, totaling about UAH 2.7 billion, has been sold. This is another example of how digitalization and openness benefit the state and overcome the corruption," he said. The president expects that in the near future other facilities belonging to the State Management of Affairs will also be successfully privatized. "I also hope for the start of the privatization of large industrial enterprises, which will overcome corruption in the public sector, reduce budget losses and become another brick in constructing successful and prosperous Ukraine," he said. Posted July 15, 2020 We are collaborating with FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, in an effort to identify misinformation and to ensure news consumers get the facts. A purported face mask exempt card has circulated online in recent weeks, suggesting that people can use it and its citation of federal law to avoid wearing face masks in public. But the card is not government-issued and does not give people permission to simply flout face mask requirements. Health officials advise and many governors mandate that people wear face masks in public settings to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Iterations of the exempt card have been circulating since June, and some sharing it encouraged people to print out copies of the card. Other posts showed photos of laminated copies of the card. A recent version posted by the musician Ted Nugent on Facebook was shared more than 4,000 times. I am exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public, the card claims. Wearing a face mask poses a mental and/or physical risk to me. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), I am not required to disclose my condition to you. The card includes a logo for the Freedom to Breathe Agency and says denying access to a business or organization will be reported to FTBA for further actions. The card includes a phone number to report violations of the ADA; some of the versions also include a logo for the U.S. Department of Justice. But the implication that the FTBA is a government agency and that it has enforcement powers (further actions) is wrong. Its actually a group that says its mission is to stop face mask orders and human rights oppression from spreading nationwide and globally. On June 30, the Justice Department warned against such naccurate flyers or other postings regarding the use of face masks and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many of these notices included use of the Department of Justice seal and ADA phone number, the department said. It added: The ADA does not provide a blanket exemption to people with disabilities from complying with legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which advises people to wear cloth face masks in public settings, does note that such coverings shouldnt be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Likewise, the Southeast ADA Center a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University says some disabilities may prevent people from wearing face masks. But that doesnt mean anyone citing a disability, or showing the viral exempt card for that matter, can simply bypass face mask requirements enforced by businesses or government agencies. The Southeast ADA Center said in a recent brief that f a person with a disability is not able to wear a face mask, state and local government agencies and private businesses must consider reasonable modifications to a face mask policy so that the person with the disability can participate in, or benefit from, the programs offered or goods and services that are provided. A reasonable modification means changing policies, practices, and procedures, if needed, to provide goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to an individual with a disability, the center added. Examples might include allowing a person to order online or by phone with curbside pickup; permitting someone to wait for an appointment in the car; or carrying out appointments by phone or video. What the ADA basically mandates is that they have to consider serving the customer in another way, the centers project director, Vinh Nguyen, told PolitiFact. They dont have to allow entry into the actual store. The centers brief also emphasizes that the ADAs requirement to modify a policy, practice, or procedure does not pertain to individuals without disabilities. (That said, the brief notes that enerally, guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice has not allowed asking for documentation for accommodations at businesses where you would have a brief interaction, such as grocery stores or pharmacies.) In short, businesses and organizations requiring face masks are expected to accommodate people with disabilities that impede their ability to wear a face mask but that accommodation may not always mean physical access to the establishment without a mask. And the supposed face mask exempt card spread across social media doesnt permit anyone to simply be exempt from any ordinance requiring face mask usage in public, as it wrongly claims. SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Funding, LLC (Ascent Student Loans and Skills Fund), an award-winning education finance company, announced today's launch of a new $1,000 monthly, no-essay scholarship opportunity for students focused on supporting social causes that motivate them. Students can enter on AscentStudentLoans/SocialCauseScholarship by sharing on social media how they influence positive social changes in their local community and beyond. "Students are among the biggest demographic supporting social change movements by joining peaceful protests, signing petitions, making donations, showing up to the voting polls, and sharing resources on their social media platforms," said Kim McNealy, Chief Marketing Officer of Ascent. "Our students are showing up, and now it is time for us to do our part promoting and rewarding the positive changes they want to see in the world." For Ascent's first monthly $1,000 social cause scholarship giveaway, students are asked to share a resource on one of their social media platforms to support the fight against racism. After the winner is randomly selected on August 15th, a new social cause scholarship task will launch. (You do not need to have an Ascent or Skills Fund loan to participate, but you must be 18+ and a U.S. citizen). "We will continue supporting students and the social causes important to them, such as fighting racism," said Ken Ruggiero, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent. "In addition to a new scholarship, we are matching employee contributions to organizations fighting racism, creating more diverse internship opportunities, and building a not-for-profit organization where we hope to inspire students, especially in disadvantaged neighborhoods, to access affordable education to pursue their dreams." Visit AscentStudentLoans.com/SocialImpact to learn more about the new scholarship and AscentStudentLoans.com/CEOLetter for more information on how Ascent is taking action. About Ascent Funding, LLC Ascent Funding, LLC (Ascent and Skills Fund) is committed to revolutionizing how students pay for higher education. Ascent designed a new private student loan program that gives students more opportunities to pay for college with or without a cosigner. Skills Fund helps students attend accelerated learning programs, including coding bootcamps, by covering the cost of tuition and other living expenses. Ascent and Skills Fund loans are originated by Richland State Bank, Member FDIC. Contact for Press Inquiries Lauren Thayer | Director of Marketing 619-684-7294 [email protected] SOURCE Ascent Funding, LLC Related Links http://ascentstudentloans.com A water filter on a shower head is tainted at a house in western Incheon. / Captured from Yonhap News TV By Lee Suh-yoon A tainted tap water crisis in western Incheon is showing no signs of being resolved after a week, according to residents, with dozens of schools and around 9,000 households being affected. Reddish tap water was first reported May 30 in Geomam, Baekseok and Dangha-dong in western Incheon. Similar complaints have been made recently on Yeongjong Island, the site of Incheon International Airport. "Reddish hues and contaminants can be seen with the naked eye," Yoon Ho-joon, head of a local residents' group on Yeongjong, said during a press conference Wednesday. "But the water supply office is preposterously suggesting we drink it, claiming that its scientific water quality test yielded normal results." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Data published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that U.S. coastlines saw extraordinary flooding last year as seas continued to rise saying the cumulative toll of the water damaged subsurface and ground-level infrastructure and is disrupting lives and livelihoods. The data painted a stark picture, including along the Northeast Atlantic and Eastern Gulf coastlines, where flood days occurred 100 to 150% more frequently than in 2000, NOAA said. The agency defines high-tide flooding as water rising more than a half-meter above the normal daily high-tide mark, adding that the frequency of flooding has continued to increase as a result of rising relative sea levels. Nationally, sea levels were roughly 13 inches higher in 2019 than in 1920, NOAA reported. Conditions are changing, and not just in a few locations, Nicole LeBoeuf, acting assistant administrator for NOAAs National Ocean Service, told the New York Times. Damaging floods that decades ago happened only during a storm now happen more regularly, even without severe weather. Staten Island is commonly the recipient of coastal flood advisories issued by the National Weather Service, and while NOAA said water levels reaching the high-tide flooding threshold may not cause obvious flooding, it still may affect subsurface infrastructure like storm-water infiltration. In Texas, for example, five of the states seven NOAA tide gauges broke records last year, and the agency said it is likely that both the rise in sea levels and high-tide flooding are affecting groundwater levels and contributing to poor coastal water quality along many Texas coastlines, which have showed elevated bacteria counts over the last year. This trend is present throughout the country, NOAA said, and 19 locations including states such as Texas, Maryland and South Carolina tied or broke all-time records for the number of high-tide flooding days in 2019. That momentum is likely to continue, the agency said. By 2030, NOAA projected the frequency of high-tide flooding could double or triple, and by 2050 it could be five to 15 times as high with average coastal communities flooding between 25 and 75 days a year. As the frequency of high-tide flooding increases, the National Weather Service is issuing record numbers of coastal flood watches and warnings, often with no storm in sight. This will become the new normal unless coastal flood mitigation strategies are implemented or enhanced, NOAAs executive summary reads. Communities are investing in coastal infrastructure upgrades and adaptation strategies to address current flooding issues, but concerns regarding property access and future valuation/exposure, business disruption, public health, and other such concerns are growing. The government is not aiming to resume passenger train services at full capacity keeping the low occupancy due to COVID-19 in mind, Railways Minister on Tuesday, adding that he may add some more trains on routes which are running full. "We are monitoring the entire situation very regularly. In a review meeting yesterday, I found that our current occupancy level is also about 70-75 per cent. Only about 40 trains are going full. So, I am looking if I can add some more trains on those 40 routes which are going full. Opening up the entire service won't do any good because there are no passengers who want to travel. There are trains with 10-15 per cent occupancy. We have to be practical about it. Freight is moving on full speed," Goyal said when asked when passenger train services will fully resume. Speaking at the India Foundation Dialogue 70 via video conference, Goyal said that at present trains are not running to their capacity as passengers are still not ready to travel in public transport due to pandemic. "We started 125 pairs of trains across the country as special (trains) but we have not still reached the full potential of our passenger traffic. The average occupancy is around 70 per cent. Very few trains are going full and passengers are still not ready to travel in public transport," he said. Passenger service trains were suspended in March when the lockdown was imposed to contain However, services partially resumed in May. The minister said that freight trains are almost running at full capacity and its average speed are currently at 44-45 kmph. "We increased the speed of freight trains. The average speed of the freight trains was around only 23 km, we are currently at 44-45 kmph. Our plan in the post-COVID world is to time table trains these trains so that they can run along with passenger trains at this high speed," Goyal said. "Therefore, move freight trains in different parts of the country much faster, more efficiently ...bringing down cost of logistics. These are flip side benefits. We have used the COVID period to improve the railways. Railway freight movement is about 90 per cent levels," he said. The minister emphasised that not a single passenger died because of train accident between April 2019 to March 2020. "From April 2019- March 20 was the first year in 167 year history where there was not a single passenger died because of a train accident," he said. The minister said that will be fully electrified by 2023 end. "We are doing electrification at a very fast pace. We are now almost 60 per cent plus electrified. And by 2023 end, we should be completely electrified. Then will be the world's largest rail network running fully electric," he said. "We have already initiated a plan to set up solar equipment. Our plan is to set up 20,000 megawatts across the country," he said. Goyal said that CCTV cameras will be installed at railway stations across the country for the security of passengers. "In the last two years, our focus has been on child and women's safety. We are going install CCTV at stations, then trains and 5,600 stations have WiFis. Most of them were installed in the last 12 months. Once we have CCTV, WiFi, it will ensure security. Over 4,600 Sharmik trains which ran till now have RPF contingent for security. That's why robbery, dacoity and nefarious elements did not take place," he said. Asked if will run trains to Bhutan, the minister said: "My last trip before COVID was to Bhutan, one of the areas of discussion was to take the Railways into Bhutan. They made a request to me while I was in Bhutan, I asked Railway board to depute two top officials to Bhutan. They arrived in Bhutan within 24 hours. I gave them instructions and they moved from there by car to go and inspect potential sites where we can Railway into Bhutan." "We already have links with Nepal and Bangladesh. We are looking to expand our Railway network passing through Bangladesh. It will provide a much shorter route to go to northeast and will cut down travel time by 12 hours in some cases and goods will reach much faster and at much less cost. We are working with Bangladesh," he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend Turkish and U.S. presidents on Tuesday held talks over the phone about the developments in Libya and bilateral economic ties, Turkey's Communications Directorate said, Trend reports citing Xinhua. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed to keep coordination for reaching a lasting peace and stability in war-torn Libya, as well as achieving the trade target, it said. White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere also confirmed the phone conversation, saying on Twitter that both leaders stressed the need for "a negotiated settlement for regional issues." Libya has been suffering from escalating violence and political instability ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz In the early morning hours of Nov. 19, 2011, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a 68-year-old former Marine with a heart condition and a history of mental health challenges, accidentally pressed the button on his medical alert pager while sleeping. Local police were dispatched to Chamberlains public housing apartment in White Plains, New York, along with an ambulance. What followed was an escalating series of events inflamed by demonstrable police mishandling of the situation, explicit racial bias and sheer arrogance that ended when heavily armed police officers wearing tactical gear forced their way into his apartment where one of them shot him. He died about an hour later at the hospital. That man was my father. Since that terrible day, my life has revolved around a quest for justice, which got one step closer in May when an appeals court reversed a federal judge's decision to, among other things, allow the officers in the case to use qualified immunity currently under fire across the country as an escape valve for police who break the law. Mental illness and qualified immunity With each incident of police violence and each report of an unarmed African American man dying at the hands of a cop, my family relives the trauma of losing my father all over again. That happened when George Floyd was killed in May. What made Floyd's death different was that protesters started talking about the injustice of qualified immunity, something my family has been dealing with for years. Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. But my family and others dealing with the trauma of police violence feel like we've been here before. We've heard politicians promise police reform and not deliver results. Democrats and Republicans in Congress are arguing about the details, while more African Americans are being traumatized by police, threatened during protests and attacked by law enforcement for exercising their civil rights. COLUMN: Does Black Lives Matter apply to immigrants as well? Story continues Trying to figure out how to deal with my father's death has meant hours of therapy for me. I listened to the recorded medical alert call and heard my father pleading for officers to leave him alone. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, my father had a mental health challenge. We know that police officers are not mental health professionals. In Westchester County, where my father was killed, the mobile crisis prevention and response team doesn't have enough of a presence in the community. What happens when police are responding to a call involving someone who might be mentally ill with no crisis-intervention team available? The absence of a mental health professional on that police call is a recipe for escalation, violence and possibly death, as we've seen in the case of my father and many others. COLUMN: Ending police violence begins with cutting Pentagon money, militarization program The defund-the-police movement isn't about fully abolishing a law enforcement presence. It's about taking some of that police department money and giving it to other community leaders, like mental health professionals, to ensure functional environments for everyone who encounters police. 'Justice delayed is not always justice denied' The road to justice for my father has not been an easy one. In 2012, a grand jury failed to return indictments against the officers who killed my father. I filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court. But even before we got our day in court, a federal judge's reliance on qualified immunity cut out the heart of our case. It meant that evidence showing the police unlawfully entered my fathers apartment and used excessive force against him could not be heard at trial. Despite my lawyers valiant efforts, the judges pretrial rulings meant that the jury did not hear the full story of how and why my father was killed. Only one of the many officers involved stood trial, and only on the question of whether it was legally reasonable for him to shoot my father. The jury was not allowed to consider the reasonableness of the police officers siege outside his door, their refusal to listen when my father repeatedly told them he was OK, their removal of his door from its hinges with a sledgehammer or the firing of a Taser and beanbag shotgun within seconds of entering his apartment. After lengthy deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the single officer on trial for the final fatal shooting. I was angry and frustrated but pledged to my father that I would not be deterred from seeking justice for him. Motivated by the example of scores of other families who engaged in similar battles for their loved ones who were lost to police violence, we filed an appeal. POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media There was no way this would be the end of the road. Our patience was rewarded. Three and a half years after the civil trial, a panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York reversed the federal court judges rulings on a number of the claims including her findings on unlawful entry, the use of excessive force and qualified immunity and remanded the case back to the lower court for further hearings. In a striking line, the majority wrote: And when, eventually, the officers entered Chamberlains apartment, they did so not with a gurney and paramedics, or other equipment or personnel related to a possible health emergency, but with a Taser, a beanbag shotgun, and handguns. Instead of treating Chamberlain as a critically ill patient, the officers acted as though he were a criminal suspect." When I read that line, I was heartened. Our message was getting through. We look forward to another day in court. And on that day, a jury will hear all the evidence. They will hear how my father was shot and killed by police officers who had no business demanding he let them in his home. They had no business taunting him and calling him the N-word. They had no business breaking down his door. What my experience has taught me, and I hope can inspire others burdened with a similar tragic responsibility to a loved one killed by police action, is that justice delayed is not always justice denied. Yes, the past nine years have been a painful and hard journey for me and my family. But recent events have shown us that we were right to stay the course and keep fighting. Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. is the co-founder of the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After 9 years, my father finally closer to justice for death by police Shakuntala Devi Mumbai: Actor Vidya Balan on Wednesday said she had a great time portraying the titular role in the upcoming "Shakuntala Devi", adding that the film celebrates the inspiring journey of the well-known mathematician. Vidya BalanShakuntala Devi, the mathematical wizard, was known for her ability to make incredibly swift calculations. Her genius was first discovered at the age of five, when she solved a math problem for 18-year-old students. Advertisement "Stepping into the world of Shakuntala Devi was as intimidating as it was exhilarating. Her story is inspirational and makes you see how if we believe in ourselves, the world is our oyster," Balan said in a statement. The film is slated to start streaming on Amazon Prime Video from July 31. Vidya BalanBalan, 41, said a digital release will ensure that the film reaches a global audience. Advertisement "Shakuntala Devi" also stars Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh and Jisshu Sengupta. Campus News Restrictive federal guidelines for student visas rescinded, bringing relief to UB community By CHARLOTTE HSU Rest assured that we will continue to monitor the policy landscape for our international students. At UB, it is our collective imperative that all of our students can achieve their educational goals and professional aspirations. In the face of heavy criticism and multiple lawsuits, the U.S. government has rescinded student visa guidelines that had threatened to strip international students of their F-1 and M-1 visas if their coursework was fully online. In deeply uncertain times, the now obsolete policy change originally announced July 6 by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would have added to the hardship for international students and their families during a global pandemic. UB with 5,500 enrolled and incoming international students was among higher education institutions across the country that had advocated against the guidelines. On Monday, New York Attorney General Letitia James had filed a lawsuit to challenge the guidelines, with strong support from UB and SUNY, both of which had worked closely with the attorney generals office to gather crucial information. Many other states and universities also took legal action, and the U.S. government agreed to reverse its policy, as announced on Tuesday by a federal judge during a court hearing for a case brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. President Satish K. Tripathi said in a statement on Tuesday that it was heartening to see the entire U.S. higher education community coming together on behalf of international students to effectively compel the Department of Homeland Security to rescind the policy directive. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor the policy landscape for our international students, he added. At UB, it is our collective imperative that all of our students can achieve their educational goals and professional aspirations. I am delighted that DHS has rescinded this harmful policy, allowing international students the flexibility to pursue their educational aspirations so as not to disrupt their plans and in a way that protects their health, says John J. Wood, interim vice provost for international education. The policy was harmful to our students and to UB. At institutions across the U.S., international students are already very worried and very anxious. Their lives were disrupted by this ICE policy. UB had joined with higher education institutions across the country to advocate against the ICE guidance. Efforts included working with elected officials to change the federal governments stance, as noted in a statement that Tripathi made last week in support of UBs international community, and again in his statement on Tuesday. From our founding, our international students have immeasurably enriched the University at Buffalo, Tripathi said in Tuesdays statement. Their diversity of background, perspective and lived experience greatly enhances UBs research, education and engagement mission. As always, the University at Buffalo is committed to providing all of our students with a transformative educational experience so that we can make a positive impact on our local and global communities. Men wear protective masks as they work at a mask factory, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Kabul KABUL (Reuters) - The coronavirus pandemic is expected to severely weaken Afghanistan's economy, the World Bank said on Wednesday, as donor governments struggle themselves and uncertainty over peace talks curb private investment. The World Bank said it was forecasting gross domestic product to contract between 5.5% and 7.4% in 2020, compared with growth of 2.9% in 2019, with more than 70% of the population expected to slip under the poverty line. "COVID-19 has hit Afghanistan in the midst of a difficult political transition, an intensifying conflict, and significant uncertainty regarding future grant support," Henry Kerali, World Bank Afghanistan director, told reporters. Due to the lockdown, domestic government revenue is expected to fall up to 30% at a time when the economists and diplomats say Afghanistan is facing a likely fall in foreign funding as countries deal with their own economic crises at home and the United States withdraws troops and attempts to usher peace talks between the insurgent Taliban and the Afghan government. With few options to borrow and investment stalled by years conflict, the government is heavily reliant on foreign aid. Pledges made by foreign donors in 2016 run out this year, with a conference to renew pledges due in November. "Without progress towards a sustainable peace and commitments to continued grant support from international partners, medium-term prospects appear increasingly grim," the World Bank said. Ministry of Finance spokesman Shamroz Khan Masjedi said the government was concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. "There will be more unemployment, more poverty and reduction in government revenue because many business and economic activities ... have stopped," he said. (Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Alison Williams) NEW FAIRFIELD If the amount of money donated by New Fairfield residents determined the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump would serve a second term. According to Federal Election Commission data on presidential campaign contributions, New Fairfield residents have contributed around $34,740 to presidential campaigns since January 2019. Nineteen residents donated $14,545 to Trumps campaign, while nine have contributed $3,106 to Democratic candidate Joe Bidens campaign. New Fairfielders also donated the following amounts to the following Democratic candidates, who have since suspended their campaigns: Bernie Sanders: $6,776 Amy Klobuchar: $4,218 Elizabeth Warren: $3,402 Kamala Harris: $1,105 Andrew Yang: $956 Pete Buttigieg: $634 Sherman If the outcome of the race between Trump and Biden came down to who received more campaign contributions from residents in the neighboring town of Sherman, it would be a close call but the winner would be Biden. According to FEC filings data, seven Sherman residents contributed a total of $1,883 to the Biden campaign, while four residents gave close to $1,189 to the Trump campaign. A total of 28 Sherman residents have contributed roughly $13,130 to eight different presidential campaigns since March 2019, according to the FEC data. More than $4,100 of those contributions went towards Sanders campaign before he dropped out of the race in April. Klobuchars campaign received $2,800 in contribution from one Sherman resident, five people in town gave approximately $2,400 to Buttigieg and three donated nearly $475 to Warrens campaign. One Sherman resident contributed approximately $154 and $57, respectively, to the campaigns of Democratic candidates Cory Booker and Mike Bloomberg before they dropped out of the race. There were no contributions made by Sherman residents to the Harris or Yang campaigns, according to the FEC data. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Connecticuts presidential primary election has been postponed to Aug. 11. The 2020 presidential election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 05:58:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Boeing, as NASA's lead industry partner for the International Space Station (ISS) since 1993, announced on Wednesday that it will continue supporting the orbiting laboratory through September of 2024 under a 916 million U.S. dollar contract extension. The company will provide engineering support services, resources, and personnel for activities aboard the ISS and manage many of the station's systems, according to a Boeing statement. Work will be done at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, the John F. Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as other locations around the world. The contract is valued at about 225 million dollars annually, said the statement. "As the International Space Station marks its 20th year of human habitation, Boeing continues to enhance the utility and livability of the orbiting lab we built for NASA decades ago," said John Mulholland, Boeing vice president and program manager for the International Space Station. ISS operations have been extended to at least 2024. Recent structural analysis shows that the spacecraft continues to be safe and mission-capable, the statement said. NASA selected Boeing as the ISS prime contractor in 1993. According to Boeing, it has contributed to human spaceflight for more than 50 years, including the Mercury and Gemini capsules, development of the Saturn V rocket, Apollo command and service modules, and space shuttle fleet, in addition to the ISS. Boeing is also building the core stage of NASA's Space Launch System, a rocket powerful enough to lift astronauts and spacecraft to destinations beyond Earth orbit, such as lunar orbit and Mars, the statement said. Enditem Using execution as a means of suppressing dissent has a long history in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iranian officials appear to have only one solution for all problems from drug trafficking to social protests: Execution. The Islamic Republic has been using execution as a solution and a preventive measure. Hours after executing two prisoners, Saber Sheikh Abdollah and Diako Rassoulzadeh, on July 14, the West Azarbaijan Province Justice Department said in a statement: "It is a firm policy of the Judiciary to be decisive and teach people a lesson at this time of change." The Judiciary claims that it has been undergoing a "change" since Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Ebrahim Raeesi as Judiciary Chief in February 2018. During the 18 months he has been in office as Judiciary chief, his supporters say his main mission has been campaigning against financial corruption. But the issuance of a large number of execution orders during this period indicate that Raeesi's mission during this "period of change" has been one of suppressing dissent. For a long time, execution has been a tool for maximum suppression of dissent in Iran. Reports by Amnesty International and the Iranian Human Rights Organization reveal that 8,071 executions have taken place either in public or behind the walls of prisons between the years 2000 and 2019. The Iranian Human Rights Organization has also reported 600 executions in Iran between the years 2010 and 2013, that might not have been reported. Based on a review by Radio Farda, the year 2015 was an exceptional year with nearly 1,000 executions. This was the year when Iran had just signed the nuclear deal with world powers and was supposed to open up to the West. These figures have put Iran on top of the list of countries with the highest number of executions during the past two decades, a fact that justifies Iran's nickname on social media as the Islamic Republic of Execution. During the evening of Tuesday July 14 and Wednesday July 15 over 5 million Iranian social media users and many non-Iranians used the hashtag #DontExecute in Persian to protest the Iranian government's decision to hang three young men who were arrested during and after the nationwide anti-regime protests in November 2019. Currently, only 20 countries issue death sentences to punish criminals. Based on an Amnesty International report in May, the Iranian regime is responsible for more than one third of all executions in the world and ranks second after China. Nevertheless, international human rights watchdogs have always insisted that the actual number of executions in Iran is more than the figures announced by the government. Although most executions are about drug trafficking, a review of capital punishment orders in various periods reveal that executions have been used in Iran as a means of suppressing dissent and have always been on the agenda of judiciary and security organs. The most well-known cases of execution in Iran took place in the summer of 1998 when more than 3,800 political prisoners were killed during a short period according to the memoirs of -then- acting Supreme Leader Hossein Ali Montazeri. Also Amnesty International has reported that at least 115 people were executed in Iran following the post-election unrest in 2009. For Iran watchers, those executions were meant to convey the regime's political message to the opposition. Last week, death sentences issued to three young men who took part in the November 2019 protests were confirmed, several others were indicted for "fighting Allah and spreading corruption on earth". These are accusations that can entail death sentences. Two other activists were also executed in Kurdistan Province in the same week. According to Hangaw Human Rights Organization in Kurdiatan, 13 Kurd activists were executed in prisons in April and 12 others in January, February and March. Observers say with the rise in executions, the Iranian judiciary is sending the message that the regime's only answer to disobedience in the past, present and future is execution. China will lose "a big tool" of espionage and surveillance if America and some western European countries ban Chinese apps like TikTok as done by India, US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien has said. India last month banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. O'Brien told Fox News Radio in an interview that the Trump administration was "very seriously taking a look" at TikTok, WeChat and some other apps coming out of China. "India has already banned those apps, as you know. And if they lose India and the United States, they lose some western European countries, that takes a big tool away from the espionage work or the surveillance work of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)," he said in response to a question on the dangers posed by apps like TikTok. "The kids who are using TikTok -- and it can be a lot of fun -- but there are a lot of other social media platforms they could use. TikTok is getting facial recognition on you," O'Brien said. "They are getting all of your personal, private data, your most intimate data. They are getting to know who your friends are, who your parents are. They can map all your relationships," he added. All the information is going straight to the massive supercomputers in the cloud in China, O'Brien said. "So China is going to know everything about you. They are going to have biometrics on you. You ought to be very careful regarding who you give such personal information to," he said. The Trump administration, he said, is looking not just at TikTok but at WeChat and some other Chinese apps as well, because the Chinese are big consumers of America's personal data. "They will either try and get you to give it to them for free through WeChat or TikTok -- if they cannot get it that way, they will steal it," O'Brien said. China, he said, has hacked into Marriott and stolen the personal data of hundreds of millions of people, including their passport numbers. "They have hacked into Experian and other credit rating agencies to get most intimate credit details. They have hacked into Anthem healthcare so that they can get medical details. "So this is not just an advertiser trying to find out what you are interested in searching for on Google so they can sell you a different brand of car, this is a country that is looking to get every bit of personal, private information they can, so they know everything about you," O'Brien said. He said there were social credit scores in China for people based on how compliant they are with the Communist party dictates. "They are going to be able to put social credit scores together on all Americans and everyone in the world soon because of artificial intelligence and supercomputing," he said. "We need to make sure that does not happen," the US National Security Advisor said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week said the US is "certainly looking" at banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. The American leadership's remarks on the Chinese social media apps came amid growing tensions in bilateral ties with Beijing on a range of issues, including on the coronavirus outbreak and the controversial national security law imposed in Hong Kong. The US has banned Huawei from their 5G networks over concerns of security and Washington has been pressuring other countries to restrict the operations of the Chinese telecom firm. While those with concerns should talk to their doctor, experts say the phrase trouble breathing is for people with chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or those who can't catch their breath at rest or who need oxygen assistance to help them breathe. If you fall into this category, chances are you don't need a mask anyway, since you shouldn't be leaving your house and venturing into public places, Glenn says. Individuals with chronic lung disease are among those at high risk for severe illness from a coronavirus infection and are advised to limit public outings as much as possible to avoid exposure to the virus. "I think for people with chronic lung disease, COVID does not make their life any easier by any means, Pottinger says. But it certainly is very important that they talk with their physician about this because not only can we not afford to let them spread the infection to others, we can't allow them to catch the infection either. Find a comfortable face covering If you find that breathing becomes a bit more difficult with a mask on, you're not alone. Breathing is something that most of us do every day, without thought, Pottinger says. And if there's something that's different in that natural process, it can be very distressing, he adds. You may even feel like you're not getting enough air on deep inhales, even though you are. Pottinger's advice: Do a little experimentation. With so many designs, brands and materials out there, take a few different masks for a test drive and find out what's most comfortable. "I want people to rehearse the practice: Don't just wear it sitting still, but walk around, climb a flight of stairs, see how that feels. Get used to it. Those feelings are not dangerous, they just may be new or uncomfortable. And if it doesn't feel comfortable, try a different mask, Pottinger says. To me, the threat of a mask is not about gas exchange; it's about a mask that's uncomfortable, that doesn't fit properly a mask that people fiddle with using their hands. And remember: A comfortable mask can't stop the coronavirus alone. It's still important to keep a distance of at least 6 feet from other people and to wash your hands often to prevent COVID-19. If we do those things, everything's going to get dramatically better. It won't solve the pandemic, but it will buy us time, Pottinger says. New Hampshire property where Ghislaine Maxwell was under protection of ex-British soldiers: REUTERS Ghislaine Maxwell was under the protection of ex-British soldiers when she was arrested by the FBI, prosecutors have said. Maxwell, who was denied bail on Tuesday, entrusted the former military personnel with her protection at the New Hampshire mansion where she was arrested on 2 July. One ex-soldier, according to court documents, told the FBI that he used Maxwells credit card to shop for supplies so she did not have to leave the house and risk detection. The guards were hired by Maxwells brother and worked in rotations, wrote prosecutors. The British socialite faces up to 35 years in jail over allegations she recruited young girls for Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse in the 1990s. Government prosecutor Alison Moe said on Tuesday that Maxwell had been willing to lie to hide herself and disguise her identity before her arrest. FBI agents had to break down a door to enter Maxwells property, which prosecutors said she purchased under the alias Janet Marshall. The 58-year-old was located by FBI agents in an interior room with her mobile phone wrapped in tin foil, to further evade authorities. Through a window, the agents saw the defendant ignore the direction to open the door and, instead, try to flee to another room in the house, quickly shutting a door behind her, said prosecutors. Agents then broke down a door to arrest Maxwell, who was described in court on Tuesday as an extreme flight risk with international ties who had a strong incentive to flee. Maxwell will remain in police custody until her trial, which is scheduled for one years time. Read more Diane Warren corrects people confusing her for Ghislaine Maxwell Maxwell posed as journalist to buy luxury hideout, prosecutors say Ghislaine Maxwell denied bail in Epstein abuse case Fox News says it mistakenly cropped Trump out of Epstein photo Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Odisha government has announced 14-day complete lockdown in Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur districts and Rourkela Municipal Corporation area from 9 pm of 17 to 31 July mindnight, Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy said. Auto refresh feeds The Indian Institute of Science projection says active cases in the country, and in the state, are likely to be 10 lakh and 71,300, respectively, by 1 September, reports Times of India. Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 493 fresh COVID-19 cases with 11 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, taking the coronavirus death toll past 200 in the union territory, reports PTI. These details were issued by the Jammu and Kashmir administration late on Wednesday night. The bulletin said 749 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours and the total number of people getting cured of coronavirus reached 20,680. The state now has 12,747 active COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal rose to 1,000 on Wednesday with 20 more people succumbing to the disease, while the tally reached 34,427 with record 1,589 fresh cases, the health department said. The guidelines identify the source of anxiety and the indicators that healthcare professionals are facing mental health difficulties at the workplace. The NIMHANS has come out with guidelines that define a framework to address the mental health needs of healthcare personnel in COVID-19 treatment settings. The guidelines also aim to provide technical inputs to guide healthcare personnel to help themselves and their colleagues in distress. The United States has reported the highest record of 67,632 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, reports AFP. US Disease Expert Dr Anthony Fauci, meanwhile, predicted on Wednesday the country will meet its goal of a Covid-19 vaccine by year's end and was unmoved by the prospect that China would get there first. Air India employees will no longer be able to work from home after 20 July. The national carrier also began the process of sending some underperforming employees on compulsory leave without pay for up to a period of five years, due to the economic crisis it is facing. With over 34.5 lakh reported cases till date, the United States is the worst-affected country in the world. The US is followed by Brazil, India, Russia and Peru. Total confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world stand at 1.3 crore, according to the Reuters tracker. This figure includes COVID-19 patients who have recovered and the overall global death toll which stands at 5.8 lakh. The Delhi University will conduct the online open book examinations for final year undergraduate and postgraduate students from 10 to 31 August, it said on Wednesday. However, DU said, students unable to appear in the exams in August will get another chance. Responding to questions raised over the state government's tackling of the crisis, Sriramulu said, Only God can save us, and we have to bring in caution on our own.", according to LiveMint. Karnataka health minister B Sriramulu on Wednesday said only divine help could save the state from the coronavirus pandemic, reports Hindustan Times. According to IMA National COVID registry data, of the total 1,302 doctors infected with COVID-19, 99 have succumbed to the disease. Of those dead, 73 were above the age of 50 years, 19 in the age-group of 35-50 and seven below 35 years, the data showed. As many as 99 doctors in the country, a majority of them general practitioners, have succumbed to COVID-19, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said on Wednesday, and declared a red alert for medicos and medical administrators asking them to raise their guard. India tested 3,26,826 samples on Wednesday, says the Indian Council of Medical Research. 1,27,39,490 samples tested for #COVID19 till 15 July, it added. I hope that in the coming days I will do another test and, God willing, everything will be all right to return soon to activity. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he has tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, reports AP. I did the test yesterday [Tuesday], and at night the result came back that I am still positive for coronavirus, Bolsonaro added. India reports 32,695 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total to 9,68,876. The toll rises by 606 to 24,915. This is the highest daily rise in the number of infections and deaths. More than 6.12 lakh people have recovered so far. Former minister and Samajwadi party leader Ghoora Ram died of coronavirus early Thursday morning at the King George's Medical University in Lucknow, his family said. According to the SP leader's son Santosh Kumar, he was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday after he complained of a cough and difficulty in breathing. Shanti Kumari, Special Chief Secretary (Health) and Yogita Rana, Commissioner of Public Health and Family Welfare, were transferred from their posts, according to an order issued by the Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Wednesday night. Amid rising COVID-19 cases in the state, the Telangana government has transferred two key officials of the health department and brought in relatively junior officers to replace them, reports PTI. Rajasthan reports 143 new coronavirus cases, taking the states tally to 26,580. With four more deaths, the toll stands at 534. The Centre on Thursday said the recovery rate of coronavirus patients has improved to 63.24%. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said Indias fatality rate is 2.57% and recovery rate is 63.25%. Despite being such a largely populated nation, we can perhaps claim to have performed better than any other country, he said. Odishas caseload crosses the 15,000-mark with 494 people testing positive, reports PTI. The states toll rises to 79 with two more fatalities. Of the 494 new cases, 322 are from quarantine centres, while 172 are contacts of Covid-19 patients. Speaking in a documentary COVID-19: India's War Against The Virus to be premiered on Discovery Plus this (Thursday) evening, Gates said India also faces a huge challenge due to the health crisis because of its gigantic size and urban centres with a lot of population density. India's pharmaceutical industry will be able to produce COVID-19 vaccines not just for the country but also for the entire world, according to Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates. According to media reports, Neela Satyanarayan, Maharashtras first woman chief election commissioner has succumbed to COVID-19 in Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai on Thursday. She was aged 72. She is the first IAS officer in the state to succumb to COVID-19, reports Indian Express. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday went into home quarantine after his elder brother and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Snehasish Ganguly tested positive for COVID-19. The monsoon session, which was earlier scheduled to start from 22 June, was deferred to 3 August in view of the pandemic. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature is likely to meet next week to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state and on holding the monsoon session of the Legislature, Assembly Speaker Nana Patole said on Thursday. 147 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Puducherry today, taking the total confirmed cases to 1,743, including 774 active cases, 947 recoveries and 22 deaths. Former Maharashtra chief minister Shivajirao Patil-Nilangekar has tested positive for COVID-19 in Latur district, news agency PTI has reported. The 88-year-old leader has been reportedly shifted to a hospital in Pune, located around 320 kilometres from Latur. The Odisha government on Thursday commenced plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID- 19 patients at a hospital in Cuttack, an official said. The procedure was conducted on a 48-year-old patient at the Ashwini Hospital for the first time in the state, technical advisor to the health department Dr Jayant Panda said. As per an order issued by district collector Manish Singh, which is effective immediately, not more than 20 people can take part in weddings and funeral processions. In an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19, the district administration in Indore has prohibited gathering of more than 20 people at weddings and funerals, an official said. Ramana Dikshitulu, former TTD Chief Priest and currently the Agama advisor for TTD, took to Twitter saying that 15 priests had tested positive at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and questioned how the TTD EO could continue to allow darshans. District Magistrate Indra Vikram Singh said on Thursday that all necessary precautions are being taken and government orders in this regard are being strictly followed. A woman employee at the district collectorate here has tested positive for coronavirus following which all offices in the collectorate have been closed for two days, reports PTI. Tripuras total on Thursday goes up to 2,282 with 98 fresh cases. The state also registers its third fatality after a 38-year-old man died at a hospital, reports PTI. As on 13 July, Air India amd Air India Express operated 1103 flights, bringing back 2,08,000 Indians under the Vande Bharat Mission, said Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal on Thursday. "On many of these flights, we ferried back 85,289 passengers to various countries across the world," he adds. The Uttar Pradesh health department said that 2,061 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state on Thursday, taking the total to 43,444 in the state. Meanwhile, 34 new casualties took the toll to 1,046. A total of 26,675 patients discharged/cured and active cases stand at 15,723. "We have decided to create a data bank of Covid-19 recovered patients in the state and convince them to donate plasma for treatment of virus infected patients," he said. Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma was quoted by News18 as saying that the government had decided to create a data bank of plasma for coronavirus patients. A Delhi court grants bail to 92 foreign nationals from Indonesia, who participated in the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz, ANI reported. "For moderate sickness requiring isolation beds, including supportive care and oxygen, the rates per day of admission are fixed at Rs 10,000 for all private medical colleges, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) private hospitals with teaching programme from National Board of Examinations (NBE), Rs 9000 for NABH accredited hospitals (including private medical colleges without PG or DNB Course) and Rs 8000 for non- NABH accredited hospitals," The Times of India reported. The Punjab government on Thursday capped the cost of treatment of coronavirus in private hospitals. "Rao, another activist Anand Teltumbde and eight other activists were arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case, which was initially probed by the Pune police and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency in January. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on 31 December, 2017, which, the police claimed, triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.," News18 reported. Poet-activist Varavara Rao, who is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, tested positive for coronavirus, reports said on Thursday. On Monday, the 81-year-old had approached the Bombay High Court seeking temporary bail owing to his deteriorating medical condition and the COVID-19 pandemic but was denied. The letter said that the poet-activist took time to recognize his family members and added, "The family was told by the nurses that no equipment or treatment was given in the transit ward to the patient. When his nephew tried to change his urine-soaked bed sheets, the family was thrown out by the hospital staff." The Human Rights Defenders Alert wrote a letter to the NHRC over the health condition of Varavara Rao in Mumbai's JJ Hospital. Maharashtra reported 8,641 new COVID-19 cases and 266 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 1,14,648 and death toll to 11,194. A total of 1,58,140 patients have recovered so far. Mumbai has the highest number of cases at 97,950, the state health department said. Odisha government has announced 14-day complete lockdown in Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur districts and Rourkela Municipal Corporation area from 9 pm of 17 to 31 July mindnight, Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy said. "Rao was lying in a pool of urine on the bed in JJ Hospital. He did not recognise his wife or daughters immediately. The family was told by the nurses that there was no equipment or treatment given in the transit ward," a journalist tweeted . Jailed poet Varavara Rao, who has tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, was lying in "inhuman conditions" in JJ Hospital, reports said. The letter said that the poet-activist took time to recognize his family members and added, "The family was told by the nurses that no equipment or treatment was given in the transit ward to the patient. When his nephew tried to change his urine-soaked bed sheets, the family was thrown out by the hospital staff." The Human Rights Defenders Alert wrote a letter to the NHRC over the health condition of Varavara Rao in Mumbai's JJ Hospital. Maharashtra reported 8,641 new COVID-19 cases and 266 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 1,14,648 and death toll to 11,194. A total of 1,58,140 patients have recovered so far. Mumbai has the highest number of cases at 97,950, the state health department said. Kerala reported 722 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the first time that the daily figure crossed 700, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. The total number of cases rose to 10,275. North Goa District Magistrate issues an order restricting movement of people for all non-essential activities between 8 pm to 6 am with immediate effect till August 10. After Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, his wife and son also test positive for coronavirus, officials said here on Thursday. Samples of Bajwa, who is also the higher education minister, were collected for the second time after the first report had come negative on Saturday. He had tested positive on Tuesday. His wife and son also tested positive for the infection, health officials confirmed on Thursday. Odisha government has announced 14-day complete lockdown in Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur districts and Rourkela Municipal Corporation area from 9 pm of 17 to 31 July mindnight, Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy said. Vardhan's remarks came after he inaugurated the new block of the Rajkumari Amrit Kaur OPD on Thursday at AIIMS, Delhi along with Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey, PTI reported. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said that less than two percent of coronavirus patients in the country are admitted in ICUs and that the number of recovered cases in the country exceeds that of the active ones by 2,81,668 as on Thursday. With this augmentation, this phase now has 751 international flights catering to 34 airports in India, he said. "These additional flights will cater to the demand for repatriation from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Europe, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine," Srivastava said. The fourth phase of the Vande Bharat mission, which is currently underway, has been augmented with the addition of around 120 flights between July 15-31, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing. Over 6.87 lakh Indians have returned from abroad after the government launched the "Vande Bharat" evacuation mission on May 7 in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. Shri Varavara Rao should be released immediately and admitted to a super speciality hospital that will treat him properly. Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Odisha government has announced 14-day complete lockdown in Ganjam, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur districts and Rourkela Municipal Corporation area from 9 pm of 17 to 31 July mindnight, Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy said. The letter written by the Human Rights Defenders Alert to the NHRC over Varavara Rao's situation in JJ Hospital, the human rights organisation quoted his family members as saying that he was "lying like an orphan" in the transit ward. The Human Rights Defenders Alert wrote a letter to the NHRC over the health condition of Varavara Rao in Mumbai's JJ Hospital. The letter said that the poet-activist took time to recognize his family members and added, "The family was told by the nurses that no equipment or treatment was given in the transit ward to the patient. When his nephew tried to change his urine-soaked bed sheets, the family was thrown out by the hospital staff." Poet-activist Varavara Rao, who is an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, tested positive for coronavirus, reports said on Thursday. On Monday, the 81-year-old had approached the Bombay High Court seeking temporary bail owing to his deteriorating medical condition and the COVID-19 pandemic but was denied. "Rao, another activist Anand Teltumbde and eight other activists were arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case, which was initially probed by the Pune police and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency in January. The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on 31 December, 2017, which, the police claimed, triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.," News18 reported. The Meghalaya government is likely to decided to close all entry points to the state from 24 to 31 July, as the number of coronavirus cases in the state rose to 354 on Thursday. "It is hereby notified that all current operation entry point of the state located at Byrnihat, Ratacherra, Bajengdoba, Tikkrikkilla, Mirjumla and Hallidayganj shall remain closed from midnight of July 23rd to midnight of July 31st, 2020," an official order issued by the government said. "Only movements related to emergency, medical and essential services, goods and inter-State transit vehicles will be allowed during this period," it added. The Union civil aviation ministry on Thursday said, "Our negotiations are at an advanced stage with three countries. Air France will operate 28 flights from 18 July to 1 Aug between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Paris. US will be flying 18 flights between 17-31 July but this is an interim one. We have request from Germany too." Former Maharashtra chief minister Shivajirao Patil-Nilangekar has tested positive for COVID-19 in Latur district, news agency PTI has reported. The 88-year-old leader has been reportedly shifted to a hospital in Pune Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said Indias fatality rate is 2.57% and recovery rate is 63.25%. Despite being such a largely populated nation, we can perhaps claim to have performed better than any other country, he said. India reports 32,695 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, taking the total to 9,68,876. The toll rises by 606 to 24,915. This is the highest daily rise in the number of infections and deaths. India on Wednesday reported a record single-day spike of 29,429 COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 9,36,181 while toll from the novel coronavirus climbed to 24,309 with 582 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry's morning update. Lockdown restrictions of varying degrees were re-imposed in a few places including in Karnataka's Shivamogga district and in Siliguri in West Bengal. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced a three-day lockdown in the state from Friday to curb the spread of the disease while stating that 'janata curfew' will be in place every night from 15 July to 10 August. Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government said it has decided to close all entry points to the state between 24 to 31 July. Karnataka overtake Gujarat as fourth worst-affected state According to PTI, this is the fourth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases have increased by more than 28,000. At present, there are 3,19,840 active COVID-19 cases in the country while the number of recoveries stands at 5,92,031, the health ministry said. Thus the recovery rate in the country is 63.42 percent, said the ministry. Of the 582 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, 213 are from Maharashtra, 85 from Karnataka, 67 from Tamil Nadu, 43 from Andhra Pradesh, 35 from Delhi, 28 from Uttar Pradesh, 24 from West Bengal, 14 each from Bihar and Gujarat, 10 each from Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Of the total 24,309 deaths reported so far, Maharashtra accounted for the highest with 10,695 fatalities reported till date, followed by Delhi with 3,446 deaths, Gujarat with 2,069, Tamil Nadu with 2,099, Uttar Pradesh with 983, and West Bengal with 980. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases at 2,67,665 followed by Tamil Nadu at 1,47,324 and Delhi at 1,15,346. The updated data showed that Karnataka (44,077 cases) has now overtaken Gujarat (43,637, cases) as the fourth worst-affected state. Uttar Pradesh has reported 39,724 cases till date while Telangana has recorded 37,745. "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR," the ministry said, adding that 1,524 cases are being reassigned to states. Goa to impose three-day lockdown from Friday As many states continued to report new cases, lockdown restrictions were imposed or extended in various places. A three-day lockdown with stricter provisions will be enforced in Goa from Friday in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday. Besides, there will also be a 'janata curfew' in the state from 8 pm to 6 am every day with effect from Wednesday till 10 August, he told reporters. Only people associated with essential services and those having medical emergencies will be allowed to move out during the curfew and lockdown, he said. Local authorities will try to arrange for home delivery of essentials, he added. Sawant noted that people are not wearing masks and not following the social distancing guidelines. He also said that the COVID-19 cases in the state are expected to peak in next few days due to continued rains. "We are expecting a spike between 15 July and 20 July," he said. In Karnataka's Shivamogga, the district administration decided to impose partial lockdown from 16 July until further orders. Shivamogga Member of Parliament BY Raghavendra tweeted that the lockdown will be in place daily from 2 pm to 5 am from Thursday. Other than government offices, agriculture, medical and other necessary services, all other activities will be shut until further orders. "Police have been instructed to take strict action against those gathering without maintaining social distancing, not wearing masks and violating guidelines," he said. Streets remained deserted in Bengaluru as the government imposed a total lockdown in Bengaluru urban and rural districts till 5 am on 22 July. Following Bengaluru urban and rural districts, administrations in several other districts like Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada, Kalaburagi (only in urban areas), Bidar, Raichur (in Raichur city and Sindhanur) and Yadgir too have announced lockdown. In West Bengal, the Darjeeling district task force on Wednesday declared a complete lockdown in 47 wards of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation for seven days, starting 9 am on Thursday, reported ANI quoting state tourism minister Goutam Deb. Containment zones in West Bengal are already under a lockdown, which was extended till 19 July on Tuesday. "All the norms that have been in force since 5 pm on 9 July will continue. Residents of the containment zones are prohibited from attending government and private offices," a senior official told news agency PTI. From Thursday, Bihar will go under a complete lockdown till 31 July. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday by deputy chief minister Sushil Modi, who said that the infection had spread rapidly as precautions were not being followed strictly in public places. , 31 Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) July 14, 2020 Lockdown restrictions are also in place in other places like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in Maharashtra and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Meghalaya to close entry points to state Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday announced that all entry points to the state would be sealed from 24 to 31 July to "unburden health, frontline workers". During this period, only emergency, medical services, essential commodities and transit movement of vehicles from Assam will be allowed, said Sangma. The chief minister also announced that no wedding receptions would be allowed in East Khasi Hills district and Ri Bhoi district "for the time being" but said that solemnisation of marriages in places of worship will be permitted with strict adherence to protocols. Situation improved in Delhi, but war not yet won, says Kejriwal Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the current COVID-19 situation in the National Capital is better than what it was in June, but the war against the disease has not been won yet. Addressing an online media briefing, the chief minister said that according to the Centre's formula, Delhi was expected to have 2.25 lakh cases by 15 July, but at present, there are only 1.15 lakh cases. He said had the Delhi government fought the virus alone, it would have "failed" and therefore his dispensation sought cooperation from the BJP-led Centre, NGOs, and other organisations. "Our first principle was that this fight cannot be won alone," Kejriwal said. The chief minister also said the AAP government will continue its preparations to deal with any spike in COVID-19 cases and warned against complacency. Delhi reported 1,647 new cases and 41 deaths on Wednesday, taking the overall case count to 116,993 and toll to 3,487. Andhra Pradesh reports record jump in new cases A new record high of 2,432 fresh cases pushed Andhra Pradesh's aggregate past the 35,000 mark while 44 deaths took the overall toll in the state to 452. The latest bulletin said 805 coronavirus patients have been discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours. The aggregate number of discharges now stood at 18,378, leaving 16,621 active cases in the state, the bulletin said. Maharashtra reported 7,975 coronavirus cases and 233 deaths on Wednesday, taking the states tally rises to 2,75,640 and the toll to 10,928. Karnataka reported 3,176 new cases, of which 1,975 cases are from Bengaluru, taking the total number of cases to 47,253. The toll rose to 928 as the state reported 87 deaths, said a bulletin issued by the state health department. Parliamentary panel tells govt to promote cheaper medicines Meanwhile, a Parliamentary panel told senior government officials to promote cheaper and easily available domestic-made medicines for COVID-19, sources told PTI. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, members also demanded that the maximum price of COVID-19 medicines be capped, they said. Cutting across party lines, the committee members questioned why expensive medicines were often being recommended for COVID-19 treatment. Members named three cheaper and easily available medicines and questioned why they were not being promoted despite being equally effective. The committee members also expressed concern over black marketing of medicines. Zydus Cadila begins human trials of COVID-19 vaccine In another development, drug manufacturer Zydus Cadila on Wednesday said it has started human clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D. In this phase of trials, the company will be enrolling over 1,000 subjects across multiple clinical study sites in India, it said in a regulatory filing. Earlier this month, Zydus had received approval to start human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine contender, becoming the second Indian pharmaceutical firm to get such nod amid a global spurt in coronavirus infections. It got approval a few days after India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate COVAXIN, developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV), got the nod for human clinical trials from the Drug Controller General of India. With inputs from agencies SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand must prepare for new coronavirus outbreaks as the pandemic spreads globally but will not drop its elimination strategy if community transmission was discovered, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday. Ardern said the epidemic was now "exploding" outside New Zealand and countries that had been models in the fight against COVID-19 had now experienced further community outbreaks. The government released a new framework on how it intended to fight the virus in the event of new cases, with elimination still the central strategy. "No system is 100% fool proof and around the world we are seeing even the most rigorous measures being tested by the virus," she told reporters in Wellington. The South Pacific nation last reported a case of community transmission two-and-a-half months ago. It has recorded 22 deaths from nearly 1,200 confirmed cases as of Wednesday. New Zealand had vowed to eliminate, not merely contain, the virus, which meant stopping transmission for two weeks after the last known case was cleared. Officials in Australias most populous state of New South Wales said elimination is no longer possible there due to fresh outbreaks following the easing of lockdown restrictions. (Reporting by Renju Jose; Editing by Stephen Coates) Airbnb has been slammed for sending an email to customers to ask them to donate to previous hosts who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In a message to guests, the online rental marketplace said it was 'important to reach out and support one another', and encouraged people to 'add a contribution' to help out homeowners. But the message quickly backfired after it was shared on Twitter with hundreds of questioning why they should donate to a landlord when they can't afford a home themselves. In a email to customers, the firm wrote: 'Like all of us, hosts on Airbnb are impacted by COVID-19, and many of them are unable to welcome guests. Now more than ever, it's important to reach out and support one anothereven in small ways. AirBnb has been slammed for sending an email to customers to ask them to donate to previous hosts who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic 'Today, we're introducing a new way to connect with your favourite hosts. 'Now you can create personalised kindness cards that make it easy to send a message of appreciation or encouragement, with the option to add a contribution. 'We hope these cards will make hosts smile, and bring a little joy your way.' Journalist Rosaleen Fenton from Hackney, east London, shared a screenshot of the email accusing the company of 'losing it's f****** head'. 'Why would I donate to my host? I can't even afford one house,' she wrote. The tweet quickly picked up more than six thousand retweets with hundreds echoing the sentiments. In a email to customers, the firm wrote: 'Like all of us, hosts on Airbnb are impacted by COVID-19, and many of them are unable to welcome guests. Now more than ever, it's important to reach out and support one anothereven in small ways'. Pictured: Stock image One Twitter user added: 'I mean the money is optional so you can always send them the message: "Good luck finding a real job".' Another wrote: 'Airbnb: In this time of crisis we need to make sure people donate to causes that are really important. Sexual abuse victims? LGBT rights? BLM? Immigrant support groups? Airbnb: Landlords.' A third commented: 'Big landlord "b-b-but I didn't expect there to be any risk" energy going on there. 'Tell you what Airbnb, can you sort out a nice card and a contribution to me from all the former Airbnb hosts I've stayed with? I've lost my job to Covid.' Another added: 'Please sympathise with me that I am unable to offer you my second/third home at the moment, your monetary donation will help me to keep it nice whilst you're quarantining in your rented accommodation.' The tweet quickly picked up more than six thousand retweets with hundreds echoing the sentiments An Airbnb spokesperson told FEMAIL: 'We've heard from many guests that want to support hosts during this difficult time and our new e-cards allow them to share messages of support with hosts that may have welcomed them into their home. 'There is also the option for a voluntary financial contribution, with no charges from Airbnb, that goes directly to the hosts, more than half of whom say they rely on the additional income from hosting to afford their home.' It comes after the CEO of Airbnb said 'travel as we knew it is over - and it's never coming back' as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Brian Chesky, who co-founded the holiday rental site in 2008, believes that there will be a 'redistribution of where people travel instead of to only a few cities, to thousands of local communities'. Speaking last month, he revealed how deeply the pandemic affected his business, adding that 'we spent 12 years building Airbnb's business and lost almost all of it in a matter of four to six weeks'. Jet2.com has restarted their flights and holidays programme after suspending its operations for nearly four months. Almost 50 flights are due to depart on Wednesday across seven airports in England and Scotland to destinations where travel restrictions have been eased, such as the Canaries, Balearics, mainland Spain, Turkey, Greece and Italy. The airports served are Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Newcastle and London Stansted. When Jet2.com suspended its operations on March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it planned to resume them on May 1. But the impact of the collapse in demand, and travel restrictions such as the UK Governments quarantine policy, meant aircraft were grounded until Wednesday. Jet2.com chief executive Steve Heapy insisted that customers are in safe hands when they travel with us. He said: We have been saying for some time that the sun will shine again and that when it does, we will be there to take customers away on their well-deserved holidays. That day has finally arrived and we were delighted to see our first flights take off. It is fantastic to be back in the air and recommencing our award-winning flights and package holidays to sunny destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. These have been incredibly uncertain and difficult times for everyone, and we have been very busy looking after our customers and doing the right thing for them. Now we are focused on doing what we do best delivering award winning customer service and package holidays you can trust. Tui restarted its holidays for UK customers on Saturday, while easyJet holidays will resume its programme on August 1. WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There is no doubt that America is living through a time of national crisis. At Gallup, we have been diligently thinking through how we can make our contribution to the national refocus on the vast systemic disparities that ruthlessly fence in too many Black Americans and shape the Black experience across this country. Many statements have been sound-boarded and pitched out of C-suites to meet this moment in racial history in America. Across the Gallup tribe, we feel that the only real and lasting contribution our analytics firm can make is to do exactly what we have always done since the 1930s, but with a renewed commitment and dedication to the challenges at hand. Documenting racial disparities and racism across American society is nothing new for our company or its surveys. The first time we asked about racism in America was in 1939 when a majority (57%) of Americans supported Eleanor Roosevelt's protest resignation from the Daughters of the American Revolution for their decision to ban the performance of Marian Anderson, a Black American contralto. But what we have not done is apply the same rigor to tracking how Black Americans are experiencing life across America, as we do when we have partnered with international organizations to track the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals across the developing world. Our commitment, through the important work of the newly-created Gallup Center on Black Voices, is to report on the Black experience as it is lived across America along the key areas where disparities have most negatively impacted life outcomes. A Data Point Is a Photograph; a Trend Is a Motion Picture Over the decades, Gallup has asked tens of thousands of questions on hundreds of topics. One thing we have learned is that while the latest news focus may be of acute interest, the greatest value in reporting on the will of a society is in long-term tracking. As we studied our own archives closely, it was apparent that the most useful metrics on race relations and the Black experience in America were always those items that were tracked over time. One of the main objectives of the Gallup Center on Black Voices is to revisit those long-term trends with a focus on studying Black Americans in particular, as well as the general population's perception on how far America has -- or has not -- come in achieving equity in opportunity and life outcomes across racial and ethnic groups. In addition to focusing on historical trends, we will also continue to use the online, probability-based Gallup Panel and RDD Phone Surveys to measure U.S. attitudes on race among Black Americans and other subgroups. Gallup has also conducted, and will continue to conduct, representative mail surveys designed to study communities most at risk of experiencing disparities in outcomes, including The State of Opportunity in America, which we have issued since 2017 with our partners at the Center for Advancing Opportunity and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Cringeworthy Language for a Cringeworthy National Discourse Our team has often delved into our dusty volumes of public opinion toplines dating back as far as the 1930s on perceptions of some of the most contentious race-related issues of the times. While the data in these archives are often fascinating, it was our Director of U.S. Social Research who pointed out that "the question wording can sometimes tell us more about the times than the responses." In that vein, we are often confronted with the decision of whether to report the facts as collected or adjust our reporting language to converge with today's sensibilities and consciousness. Any poll or data point is ultimately just one snapshot in the historical continuum. Words take on different meanings to different generations, and sensibilities, sensitivities and consciences all change. In our effort to serve as a resource for documenting these moments in history and American public life, we will always report the question we asked the way we asked it then, even if we don't like the word choices given to describe Black Americans or other groups in our polls. We do this for the sake of transparency and accuracy but also with great deliberation knowing that terms and symbols created in the language of any era are mostly a reflection of the prevailing language used at the time. I am often reminded of the words of the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm: "We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves." The Terminology of Defining Groups Today -- Nobody Knows My Name In the modern era, we took a different approach and began asking Black Americans themselves how they would like to be identified. More than six in 10 Black Americans tell Gallup it does not matter to them whether people refer to them as "Black" or "African-American." This one piece of data, although simple, is perhaps a profound signal for a need to focus less on semantics and verbiage and more on life outcomes, experiences and disparities therein. A Mission for a New Generation of Gallup Researchers Moving forward, what readers can expect from our team at the Gallup Center on Black Voices and beyond is what you have always expected from Gallup: a resource to accurately measure, track and objectively report on the will of Black Americans and their varied experiences across the United States. While we will always remain non-partisan and avoid advocacy, we are unapologetic about our commitment to using the research tools we have to highlight, track and inform the public and leaders on the disparities of life outcomes experienced by Black people across the United States. Anything short of that would be to ignore the decades of our own data highlighting these differences in the lives of Black Americans. Research alone cannot solve the historic challenge facing America. Still, we know from decades of our own work that reliable, objective and trusted information is always a key tool for addressing social ailments and policy failures. The mission of the Gallup Center on Black Voices is to serve as America's source of information about the state of racial equity in America. As our founder, George Gallup, often stated, "If democracy is about the will of the people, someone should go find out what that will is!" Author Bonnie Tsui in an Icelandic hot pool (From Bonnie Tsui) How do you become an Icelandic legend? Try surviving six hours in 41-degree water, swimming three miles through pitch darkness toward a distant lighthouse to shore, then hiking barefoot an additional mile across jagged, icy terrain before finally finding help. Gulaugur Friorssons unlikely story of survival after his fishing boat capsized is among many inspiring examples of swimmers overcoming adversity thrillingly recounted in Bonnie Tsuis new book, Why We Swim. Tsui takes readers on a trip through time and around the world, recounting the myriad ways humans have endured, adapted to and interacted with water over thousands of years. Her book also is a meditation on swimmings transformative effect on body, mind and soul. A Bay Area journalist, surfer and lifelong swimmer, Tsui joins the Los Angeles Times Book Club July 28 to talk about her work and the state of the nations second-most popular form of recreation, after walking. At the heart of the book are extraordinary tales of long-distance swimmers and what drives them to brave extreme cold, vicious currents, sharks and other hazards. There is Lynne Cox, the legendary Los Alamitos athlete whose pioneering achievements include crossing the Bering Strait, swimming from Alaska to the Soviet Union in water as cold as 38 degrees. Southern Californias Diana Nyad, who at 64 became the first person to complete a swim from Cuba to Key West, makes an appearance too. Kim Chambers, who nearly lost her leg in a fall, found a renewed sense of purpose in open water and became the first woman to swim solo from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge, a 30-mile journey through an area frequented by great white sharks. Chambers is one of only a handful of people who have completed the Oceans Seven challenge, which includes seven of the worlds most grueling open-water channel swims. In trying to understand what drives these extreme athletes, Tsui concludes that distance swimming taps into something deep in the soul as well as testing the body. What a lot of the swimmers have said is that when they are in these very, very long, arduous conditions, theyre alone with themselves in the cavern of their minds, she says in an interview. The nature of these long swims is they basically go on these long visits with themselves. Its really as much a psychological journey as a physical one. Story continues Gulaugur Friorsson was an accidental distance swimmer who found unexpected and ultimately unwanted celebrity, even chased down by producers from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson after surviving the March 1984 accident. Dubbed the human seal for his unusually thick fat layer that protected him from hypothermia, the fisherman was studied by scientists, pursued by television crews and profiled by John McPhee in the New Yorker. Finally, he stopped talking to journalists, anxious to return to his quiet life in the small island town where he grew up. Bonnie Tsui is the author of "Why We Swim." (Lynsay Skiba / Algonquin Books) Tsui decided to reach out anyway, sending him a three-page letter in English and Icelandic, befriending him over the course of a yearlong correspondence, and traveling to Iceland to meet him. She was enthralled by his personal story but also came to appreciate the Icelandic culture of public pools, which function as community gathering spaces for all ages in even the smallest towns. Everything is of a piece that just created this person, an extraordinary survivor and also this extraordinary symbol of Icelandic resilience, she says. Tsui also revisits Stone Age people who stroked through shallow lakes in what is now the Sahara Desert and describes the surprising physiological adaptations of free-diving fishing people in Southeast Asia and Japan. She explores the ancient Japanese tradition of swimming martial arts, known as Nihon eiho, which influenced modern stroke techniques. She describes the miniature United Nations that bloomed in Baghdads Green Zone, where a U.S. Foreign Service worker named Jay Taylor taught hundreds of people to swim in the pool of Saddam Husseins former palace. She tells the story of modern competitive swimming from the 1896 Athens Olympics, where competitors jumped off a boat and raced to shore, to the accomplishments of Dara Torres, the Los Angeles native who competed in five Olympics. Torres came out of retirement (for a third time) to win two final medals at the 2008 Beijing Games at 41. Tsui says Americans could learn from countries such as Iceland and the Netherlands, where swimming is a birthright, part of the public school curriculum. Her book details the often-shameful history of public pools and beaches in this country, where women, Black families and others often were excluded, sometimes violently. Even today, she says, access to be swimming is very spotty for some communities, including people of color. For the most part, if you want it, you really have to actively seek it out, she says. Tsui circles back to the California coast with her personal story of learning to brave the brisk waters of the San Francisco Bay, first with the classic mile-and-a-half crossing from Alcatraz to San Francisco and later at the citys Aquatic Park, a sheltered harbor that is home to two venerable swim clubs. The swim from the Rock was a challenge, but Tsui says her breakthrough came when she finally got the courage to shed her wetsuit and plunge into the Bay in nothing but a swimsuit. Author Bonnie Tsui after swimming in San Francisco Bay without a wetsuit. (From Bonnie Tsui ) The wetsuit thing was definitely a mental hurdle that was big, but then I saw 80-year-old Mimi, and shes not even batting an eyelash. She just strides right into the water, Tsui says, referring to another member of San Franciscos bayside Dolphin Club. The cold burns in a funny way, and then you are generating your own heat. Its feeling acutely more alive and paradoxically being closer to death. "Why We Swim" is peppered with scientific findings on the health benefits of swimming, which has been shown to reduce blood pressure, decrease arterial stiffness and improve function for patients with arthritis. Tsui also is enthusiastic about the psychological benefits of an activity that has been described as moving meditation. When you immerse yourself in water, Tsui says, you experience an existential shift. You quite literally change the way you are in the world, she says. Its not about swimming a mile or pushing yourself; its about a change in perspective. And dont we need that now? Isnt it wonderful to be able to do that? Swimming the Faroe Islands (From Bonnie Tsui) Book Club: If you go Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim, joins the L.A. Times Book Club Los Angeles Times Book Club in conversation with reporter James Rainey. When: 7 p.m. July 28 Where: Free virtual event free virtual event livestreaming on The Times Facebook Ppage. Or tune in on YouTube or TwitterTwitter. Register for the event here. More info: latimes.com/bookclub Bio: Bonnie Tsui Born: 1977 (age 43), in Queens, N.Y. Last name pronounced: TSOY Education: Harvard University Career: Author. Contributor to the New York Times, California Sunday magazine and other publications. Books: Why We Swim (2020) and American Chinatown: A Peoples History of Five Neighborhoods (2009) winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Lives: In Berkeley with her husband and two sons, 7 and 9 Twitter: @bonnietsui Website: bonnietsui.com There were years when Molly Neptune Parker would work the night shift at a wool factory after putting in a full day making baskets and still be home in time to serve her children breakfast. When they were young, she traded baskets for their dental work. In time she would become a celebrated and collected artist whose work would fetch thousands of dollars so well known that when she traveled, people would call out her name in airports. Ms. Parker, a master basket maker and teacher and the first female lieutenant governor of Indian Township, one of the two governing bodies of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, died on June 12 at a hospital in Calais, Maine. She was 81. Her daughter Elizabeth Neptune said the cause was cancer. Ms. Parkers specialty was fancy baskets, a decorative style developed by Native people in the late 19th century to sell to European-Americans. Made from strips of split ash and braided sweetgrass woven in complex patterns (like porcupine twists and double weaves), her baskets often came topped with artfully carved flowers, as her mothers had been. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has accepted the decision to delay the lifting of restrictions until August 10 is a hammerblow to publicans and other business owners. But he said the warnings from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) that the reproduction number has now gone above 1 and the body was very clear about increased cases and such warnings cannot be ignored. Confirming the decision to delay the move to Phase 4, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is aware that the news will be a disappointment to many but it must be done given the increase in the spread of the virus. He outlined a number of new measures which will come into effect in a fresh bid to supress the virus, which include: Face coverings to be worn by all in shops Pubs, bars, nightclubs to remain closed until August 10 Social visits to homes to be limited to 10 people Limit of larger gatherings extended to Aug 10 Greater checks and tracking of visitors arriving into Ireland will come into effect. Mr Martin said the previous decisions to re-open the country was done on evidence but there was always a realisation there was a flexibility in the roadmaps when they were announced. We will be learning on an ongoing basis to live with Covid-19 for sometime to come. We have made significant progress but we take seriously the advice from NPHET, he said. It is very disappointing for publicans in particular and hopefully some of the schemes we will announce will ease those difficulties, he said. The government approved Mr Martins travel to the EU summit this weekend which he said is an essential trip. He said he will travel only with a small number of people. He said a range of measures including testing on his return from Brussels will operate and he will be tested again after seven days. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn said he would welcome more measures to help contain the virus but said NPHET has not recommended mandatory testing for those coming into the country. He said NPHETs advice was that restaurants could open but that pubs that opened must operate as restaurants. Hammer blow as pubs to stay closed until August 10 Pubs not serving food will not be allowed open until August 10 after the Government delayed the lifting of the Covid restrictions. Ministers are meeting in Dublin Castle to formally approve the delay to phase 4 of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. The Irish Examiner understands that the wearing of face coverings is expected to be made compulsory in shops and other indoor public spaces. The Government has delayed the further opening of pubs until August 10. Ministers have confirmed that the planned move to the fourth and final phase of the plan to ease coronavirus restrictions will not now take place on July 20. As a result, all pubs which do not serve a substantial meal to customers will now remain closed until August 10. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) described the decision to delay the opening at "shocking" and a "hammer blow". VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben said: This is a shocking decision not to proceed with the planned reopening of pubs and will be a hammer blow to thousands of pubs and their local communities around the country. We are in a situation where restaurants and pubs already open are having to cope with larger crowds. "Opening all pubs would allow for better social distancing and reduce the risk of infection. Publicans are reeling from this news. "They did everything asked of them by remaining shut for over four months and our members had a reasonable expectation the sector would reopen next Monday. "All other phases went smoothly so to now tell publicans they cant open like the rest of the hospitality sector makes little sense. This is a decision made by politicians who appear divorced from reality about life in rural Ireland. Senior government sources have also said that concerns around foreign tourists entering Ireland mean the current guidance advising against non-essential overseas travel is due to be extended. Regulations requiring people to wear face coverings on public transport came into force on Monday, with fines of up to 2,500, or six months imprisonment, for those who fail to comply. The union representing retail workers has called for the introduction of compulsory face coverings for customers in shops and supermarkets. The Mandate trade union said an agreed protocol drawn up in consultation with government should be put in place for the mandatory wearing of face coverings. Mandate general secretary John Douglas said it was imperative we act collectively to ascertain the exact high level of risk posed to shop workers in Ireland by the spread of coronavirus, as well as acting swiftly to ensure mandatory face covering measures are implemented and compliance ensured for the protection of shop workers health. 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 TOMS RIVER, NJ If you are still looking to get a coronavirus test, Rite Aid has expanded its self-swab testing to two more Toms River stores. The self-swab nasal tests are overseen by Rite Aid pharmacists, and will operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Testing is open to all adults age 18 or older, even if they are not exhibiting virus symptoms. You can register for a test online at the Rite Aid website, www.riteaid.com. The new Toms River locations are Rite Aid #10512, 811 Fischer Blvd., and Rite Aid #10513, 2 Route 37 East. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know The Rite Aid at 31 Mule Road began offering testing in April, and there are now 29 Rite Aids in New Jersey offering coronavirus testing. The three Toms River stores are the only Rite Aids in Ocean County offering the. Since the first case in New Jersey was reported in early March, there have been more than 175,000 New Jersey residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 13,695 people have died of complications from the virus, according to the state health department. There have been nearly 9,900 positive cases in Ocean County, and 927 county residents have died. Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook. This article originally appeared on the Toms River Patch Americans might receive another stimulus check if a new recovery package to be introduced next week is well-received by both parties in the U.S. Senate, multiple news outlets are reporting. According to Forbes, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to introduce the legislation when Congress returns from recess on July 20. We shouldnt lightly add more to the national debt, but Im predicting that we will have one more rescue package, which well begin to debate and discuss next week, McConnell said Tuesday during a press conference in Kentucky, Bloomberg reported. Forbes is predicting checks or another form of direct payment could be distributed under the new legislation, which would need bipartisan support to get off the ground. Its unclear how much, or even when Americans could expect to receive the funds. However, McConnell has previously said new stimulus checks might only be available for those who make up to $40,000 a year. Americans could make up to $75,000 during the first round and still receive the full stimulus check of $1,200. Bloomberg reported a cap at $40,000 isnt likely. Forbes analysts also theorized that state and local aid are likely a part of new package, given how economies at both levels have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. McConnell said hes been talking with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin about a Republican course of action for weeks, and plans to bring Democrats into the fold later on, according to Bloomberg. Republican leaders told Bloomberg a relief package could be completed before the next recess begins on Aug. 10. But Republicans and Democrats are at odds of how much money should be tied to the legislation, and where it should be allocated. Left-leaning politicians are pushing for a $430 billion school relief package and dont think Trump should have discretion in keeping those funds from districts that opt out of in-person classes in the fall, Bloomberg said. Republicans have also voiced their disagreement with the Democratic desire to extend the federal $600 unemployment past the end of July. Although the exact details remain to be seen, Bloomberg reported both sides seem agreeable on some sort of direct payment making a second round with Americans. READ MORE: Hospitals told to send coronavirus data to Washington D.C., not CDC, starting immediately Black-owned businesses, hard hit by racial injustices, bear the brunt of coronavirus pandemic Coronavirus symptoms: CDC adds multiple new signs to watch for, including congestion NASA astronaut and Expedition 63 Flight Engineer Bob Behnken (bottom right) works during a six-hour and one-minute spacewalk to swap an aging nickel-hydrogen battery for a new lithium-ion battery on the International Space Station's Starboard-6 truss structure. Behind Behnken is an external pallet, attached to the Canadarm2 robotic arm, where the batteries were stowed.Credit: NASA. (July 1, 2020) Two astronauts are concentrating on the final set of power upgrade spacewalks on the International Space Station beginning this week. Meanwhile, their Expedition 63 crewmates continued focusing on biology research to ensure humans stay healthy in space during long-term missions. Flight Engineer Bob Behnken and Commander Chris Cassidy for preparing for a pair of spacewalks to wrap up battery swaps and ready the orbiting lab for a new airlock. The duo collected and organized spacewalk tools then studied their tasks step-by-step on a computer during the afternoon. Fellow NASA astronaut Doug Hurley assisted the pair and installed their spacesuit batteries and metal oxide canisters to remove carbon dioxide from the suit. Behnken and Cassidy will exit the station for the first spacewalk on Thursday. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 7:35 a.m. EDT. The spacewalkers will spend about seven hours removing aging nickel-hydrogen batteries and replacing them with new lithium-ion batteries on the Starboard-3 truss structure. NASA TV begins its live coverage at 6 a.m. The second spacewalk is scheduled to start at the same time on Tuesday, July 21, for the final battery swaps to complete 3.5 years of external power upgrades on the space station. Behnken and Cassidy will then begin outfitting the Tranquility module for a new commercial airlock from NanoRacks. The airlock, designed to deploy public and private experiments, will be installed to Tranquility after its delivery later this year aboard the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle. Meanwhile, a host of space science continues aboard the orbiting lab including human research to maintain healthy crews. NASA and its international partners are studying how the human body adapts to microgravity as they plan longer missions farther out into space. The two cosmonauts from Roscosmos, Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, were once again exploring ways to stave off the negative effects of living in space. Vagner continued logging his meals and drinks and collected a blood sample for a study that seeks to reverse the loss of bone mass caused by microgravity. He later collected his saliva sample and attached a sensor to himself for an immune system investigation. Ivanishin exercised on a treadmill for a physical fitness evaluation and spent the rest of the day on communications and ventilation maintenance. On-Orbit Status Report Payloads JEM Water Recovery System (JWRS): The crew retrieved the JEM WRS and performed inspections of the left, top and rear inside of the unit as well as checking fitting and coupler connections. Photos were taken and downloaded to the ground for evaluation. The Demonstration of JEM Water Recovery System (JWRS) generates potable water from urine. In the past on manned spacecraft, urine and waste water were collected and stored, or vented overboard. For long-term space missions, however, water supply could become a limiting factor. Demonstrating the function of this water recovery system on orbit contributes to updating the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) to support astronauts on the space station and future exploration missions. MAND (Manufacturing Device): The crew removed four calibration print wedges from the Manufacturing Device. The crew cleaned the extruder print nozzle. The print wedges were labeled, photographed and stowed. Power switches were set in preparation for the next print run. The Manufacturing Device enables the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the MAND printer that is installed into an Express Rack locker location. MAND is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics. Systems Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Swap: Today, the crew swapped from the S6 to the P6 CCAA in the Lab. Recently the Lab cabin temperature has been drifting slightly above the cabin setpoint, even with maximum airflow through the starboard CCAA Heat Exchanger (HX). Ground teams have already calculated the heat transfer for the S6 heat exchanger. The swapover will allow the team to perform the heat transfer calculations on the P6 CCAA HX to compare with the S6 CCAA HX. Emergency Mask Procedure Review On-Board Training (OBT): The crew reviewed and practiced the emergency mask don/purge technique for an ammonia leak scenario. This is nominal training to maintain crew proficiency using emergency masks. EVA Preparations: In preparation for US EVA #67 (S6 Battery EVA #3), the crew completed their pre-EVA tool configurations. Tomorrow, the crew will perform a final tool audit to ensure all of the necessary tools and configurations needed have been prepared. The crew also setup the EVA GoPro batteries for charging and then setup the EVA GoPro cameras. A checkout of the nitrogen quantity was performed on the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) as well as charging operations on the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Batteries (LLB) and Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) batteries. Lastly the crew performed a visual review of the EVA using the Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphic (DOUG) software. This session allowed the crew to view the step-by-step sequence of the upcoming EVA. Completed Task List Activities: None Today's Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Ground Support for CCAA Swap Look Ahead Plan Wednesday, 7/15 (GMT 197) Payloads: EKAM Lens Change (NASA) MAND Print Removal and Stow (NASA) Systems: EVA Tool Audit Equipment Lock Prep Pt 2 EVA Procedure Review/Conference Dragon Tablet Sync/Stow LAB1P6 Gas Trap Plug Installation Thursday, 7/16 (GMT 198) Payloads: No Payload Activities Systems: US EVA #67 (Prep and EVA) Friday, 7/17 (GMT 199) Payloads: Food Physiology Brief (NASA) Systems: Post-EVA PHS Exams EMU Water Recharge EVA Procedure Review EVA Debrief Recycle Tank Drain/Fill UPA Brine Filter Gather/R&R Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. KORREKTSIYA. Experiment Session Insertion of Russian experiments blood samples into MELFI Environmental Health System (EHS) Acoustic Monitor Setup and Status Measurements JEM Payload Laptop Terminal 3 (PLT3) Relocation JEM Water Recovery System (JWRS) Inside Check Part4 Search for Vozdukh Atmosphere Purification system [] ORUs Manufacturing Device Print Removal, Clean and Stow Photo TV EVA Go Pro Battery Setup & Charging ISS Safety Video ALGOMETRIYA. Experiment Session Photo TV Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) Camera Turnaround INTERACTION-2. Prep ops to setup Interaction-2 SW on the station laptop using AdminPC Express Rack (ER)-7 Locker Relocate Physical Fitness Evaluation (on the treadmill) Health Maintenance System (HMS) ISS Food Intake Tracker (ISS FIT) Urine Transfer System Offload EDV Swap SEPARATION. Centrifugal Multi-Stage Vacuum Distiller () stand-alone test during continuous operation Lab Stowage Clearing and Restow to LAB1S6 Rackfront Food Consolidation In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) LAB Low Temperature (LT) Pump Package Assembly (PPA) Gas Trap Plug Removal Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Common Cabin Air Assembly (CCAA) Swap Video recording of answers for students of the International Youth Science School Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test & Questionnaire Integrated Emergency Procedure Review Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue GN2 Check Recharging Soyuz 744 SM-AGAT-U55 external batteries (2) Installation of container cover 77-3573-1110 in FGB zone 10-12 panel 424 Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Tool Configuring Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Wrench Taping Cleaning ventilation screens on FGB interior panels 116, 316, 231, 431 Battery Stowage Assembly (BSA) Operation Termination Vacuum cleaning of dust collectors C1, 2 filter cartridges in FGB (panels 203, 403) Public Affairs Office (PAO) Event in High Definition (HD) - JEM Portable Onboard Computers (POC) Dynamic Onboard Ubiquitous Graphics (DOUG) Software Review Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Long Life Battery (LLB)/Metal Oxide (METOX) Installation CB/ISS CREW CONFERENCE NEUROIMMUNITET. Experiment Session Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. A world-renowned neurosurgeon found not guilty of assaulting his model wife is now back at work after finally having his medical registration reinstated. Dr Timothy Robert Steel, 56, was suspended by the Medical Council of New South Wales on February 11 after being charged with a string of domestic violence offences stemming from an alleged incident with his wife Emma Steel on December 13, 2019. The Sydney doctor lodged an appeal at the NSW Civil and Administrative Complaints Tribunal, arguing his suspension was not in the 'public interest' and failed to take into account the effect it would have on his patients. While NCAT found the medical board was within its rights to suspend Dr Steel, that same board has now allowed him to return to work. Their decision comes off the back of the high profile NSW Local Court case in which Dr Steel was cleared of assaulting his wife, who was described by a magistrate as an 'inconsistent witness'. Dr Timothy Robert Steel, 56, (pictured) will return to work after having his medical registration reinstated by the medical council of NSW Dr Steel had been suspended after being charged with assaulting his wife Emma (pictured) but after four days of evidence Downing Centre Local Court magistrate Vivien Swain found there were inconsistencies in her evidence and dismissed all charges Dr Steel was found not guilty of punching, slapping and kicking Emma the morning after a Christmas party last year. She had also accused him of financial abuse, despite the court hearing she had a monthly allowance of more than $24,000. In a video tendered to court Mrs Steel told police: 'He grabbed my hair, pulled my hair, ripped out my hair extensions. 'He's kicking me, he's pushing me, I fell on the floor a couple of times and I was calling out for help.' Dr Steel had faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and damaging property. After four days of evidence Downing Centre Local Court magistrate Vivien Swain found there were inconsistencies in Mrs Steel's evidence and dismissed all matters. Dr Steel's solicitor, Paul McGirr, had described Mrs Steel as a witness of 'very little credit' and an 'unhinged person' who made up allegations against her husband. 'I relation to her, she will make up anything to suit herself,' Mr McGirr told the court. 'The catalyst for all this is money. She was treating Dr Steel like a walking ATM.' In the video tendered to court Mrs Steel told police: 'He grabbed my hair, pulled my hair, ripped out my hair extensions.' Pictured: Mrs Steel on police body camera footage Dr Steel is pictured with bruises and scratches to his arm during an interview with police on December 13, 2019 Pictured: Dr and Mrs Steel lived in a glamorous home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney The former model's 19-year-old son from an earlier marriage to jockey Shane Dye also gave evidence against her, describing Mrs Steel's obsession with money. Jack Dye said his mother regularly complained Dr Steel did not give her enough funds, despite being paid an allowance of at least $20,000 a month. As well as making allegations of domestic violence, Mrs Steel had claimed her husband was having an affair and suggested he cut up a lacy red pair of her underwear. 'Dr Steel was the victim of her vicious attacks,' Mr McGirr said. 'Poor old Dr Steel is the one getting his reputation sullied. Emma Steel is a woman who is playing the system and playing the victim.' Dr Timothy Steel is pictured leaving the Downing Centre in Sydney on June 29, 2020 Local elections will not be held in Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on July 15 considered and approved resolution No. 3809 to schedule the next local elections for October 25, 2020. The decision was backed by 326 lawmakers. Read alsoUkraine's NSDC secretary sees no prerequisites for holding elections in Donbas As UNIAN reported earlier, the parliament's Committee on State Building, Local Governance, Regional and Urban Development recommended holding the local elections on Sunday, October 25. Resolution No. 3809 stipulates that polls to elect members of regional, Kyiv City Council, district councils in cities and towns and the mayor of Kyiv be held on October 25. At the same time, the document stipulates that "the election of members of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, members of local councils and village heads, town and city mayors in the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, in certain areas, cities, towns and villages in Donetsk and Luhansk regions will not be scheduled and held." In addition, the resolution has provisions that "due to the impossibility of ensuring the representation of the common interests of the territorial communities of villages, towns and cities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, elections of members of Donetsk and Luhansk regional councils are not to be appointed and are not to be held." Elections of members of local councils, village heads, town and city mayors that were not appointed in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of this resolution will be scheduled in accordance with the procedure and terms established by separate laws. However, the document sets a number of conditions. In particular, the temporary occupation and armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine should end along with the withdrawal of all illegal armed formations controlled and sponsored by Russia, the Russian occupation forces, their military equipment from the territory of Ukraine. All illegal armed groups and mercenaries that fight in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine should be disarmed. Ukraine should retake its occupied territories with respective borders, rebuild the constitutional order and restore law and order in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. What is more, the safety of citizens of Ukraine living in the respective territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the city of Sevastopol should be guaranteed after the full disarmament, demilitarization and reintegration in the relevant territories in accordance with the respective procedures of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Cabinet of Ministers will be instructed to allocate budget funds for the local elections on October 25 within the limits of its authority and the Central Election Commission will be authorized to prepare and hold the voting process in the regions in the manner prescribed by law. The resolution shall become effective on the day following the day of its publication. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:56:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zheng Zhuqiang (R) poses for a photo with Emmanuel Batibwe, director of the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, after handing over an assortment of medical supplies in Kampala, Uganda, July 15, 2020. China on Wednesday donated the 60 million shillings (about 16,440 U.S. dollars) worth of medical supplies to the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital to boost the hospital's efforts in treating COVID-19 patients. (Xinhua/Zhang Gaiping) KAMPALA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday donated an assortment of medical supplies to Uganda in what has turned out to be an annual norm as the two countries bolster ties in efforts to build a healthier community. Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda handed over the supplies, which included medicines and equipment, to the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in the Ugandan capital Kampala. The 100-bed hospital itself was a donation from the Chinese government and there are plans, according to the hospital administration, to expand the facility. In the hospital corridors and wards, it is common to find Chinese doctors clad in white medical overall coats. China has been sending medical teams to Uganda since 1983. This kind of medical aid is a common phenomenon in many African countries, dating back to 1963 when China sent its first medical team to Africa. This year marks 14 years since the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in Beijing. The FOCAC framework is designed to deepen the China-Africa cooperation. In most of the FOCAC summits, health commitments have featured high. During the last summit held in 2018 in Beijing, China announced collaboration in eight key areas, and health care was among them. The others areas are industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, green development, capacity-building, people-to-people exchanges, peace and security. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the China-Africa healthcare provision ties. Despite being hit hard by the pandemic, China did not get tired of sending medical aid to Africa where COVID-19 cases are on the rise. An Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 was held last month via video link in efforts to support Africa fight the pandemic. "China will lose no time in following through on the measures I announced at the opening of the World Health Assembly, and continue to help African countries by providing supplies, sending expert teams, and facilitating Africa's procurement of medical supplies in China," said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit. He said China will start ahead of schedule the construction of the Africa Center for Diseases Control headquarters this year, work with Africa to fully deliver the health care initiative adopted at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and speed up the construction of China-Africa Friendship Hospitals and the cooperation between paired-up Chinese and African hospitals. "We pledge that once the development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccine is completed in China, African countries will be among the first to benefit," said Xi. China has so far sent the much needed supplies, dispatched medical experts, and shared its anti-epidemic experience via video conferences with several African countries. The African Union in a communique issued on June 13 appreciated China's effort including setting aside a portion of its manufacturing capacity to ensure the supply of 30 million testing kits, 10,000 ventilators and 80 million masks each month for the continent. Emmanuel Batibwe, a medical expert and director of China-Uganda Friendship Hospital told Xinhua on Wednesday that the two sides, Africa and China, now need to advance their cooperation in areas of research and human resource development. Batibwe said through the medical cooperation, both sides can have student exchange programs where the Chinese medical students come to Africa and learn about tropical diseases while the African students can go to China and learn areas of interest to the continent. Chinese experts and their African colleagues can also use the collaboration to carry out joint research, he said. Enditem Good morning, Bay Area. Its Wednesday, July 15, and today is tax deadline day. Heres what you need to know to start your day. The chief of BART expects the rail system to lose $975 million over three years, forcing deep cuts that would permanently change the way Bay Area workers commute, and potentially make the region even less affordable. We need help, General Manager Bob Powers said during a virtual rally Tuesday that included a dozen leaders of major transit agencies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities of New York and Los Angeles County. The agencies banded together to plead for $36 billion in emergency funding as the Senate debates the next coronavirus relief package. Read more from Rachel Swan on the potential long-term impacts on how the Bay Area moves around. Previously: Is it safe to get back on the bus? We asked Bay Area transit agencies about their safety protocols. Caltrain on the edge: Caltrain, faced with financial ruin as it runs a near-empty commuter rail line along the Peninsula, was pinning its hopes on a November sales tax measure to keep the system from shutting down. But it was voted down by the S.F. Board of Supervisors. California to insurers: Pay for coronavirus tests Paul Chinn / The Chronicle The recent surge in infections has led to a spike in demand for testing that has left many health care providers and laboratories struggling to test people quickly and process tests promptly. The state is conducting about 105,000 tests each day significantly better than the few thousand a day it was doing in March, but less than half the amount Harvard researchers estimate need to be done to control the spread of the virus. Some Bay Area public health officials have criticized large hospital systems, including Kaiser and Sutter, for not conducting more tests shifting the burden and cost of testing onto the counties. Now California is issuing new regulations requiring health insurance companies to pay for coronavirus testing for most patients. Read more from reporter Catherine Ho. Dont know your blood type? Here's how to find it, and why it matters during pandemic. The number of COVID-19 patients in Californias hospitals surged to an all-time high of 633 on Tuesday. See more in our coronavirus case tracker. It sends the wrong message: Napa vintners react to winery reopening rollbacks. Heat-trapping worry Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane are soaring to new and dangerous highs, according to research published Tuesday, eluding years of regulation and continuing even as the coronavirus-ravaged economy has decreased other pollutants. Kurtis Alexander explains methanes effects on the environment, major emitters and the efforts to reduce it. A scary virus, a public health campaign of the past Gordon Peters / The Chronicle In 1962, Bay Area medical professionals organized a mass public health drive like no other: an effort to vaccinate more than 3 million Bay Area residents against polio. In the weekly From the Archive column, Bill Van Niekerken finds Chronicle photos covering the effort that havent been seen in decades, what Herb Caen had to say about it, and Chronicle coverage that feels eerily similar to today. More from The Vault: Sign up for the twice-weekly Chronicle Vault newsletter for the Archive column and more. Around the Bay S.F. crime trends: The dramatic drop in crime seen in many of the Bay Areas largest cities in the first week of shelter-in-place has largely continued for San Francisco in the months since, even as partial reopening has begun, city data show. We break down the trends in violent and non-violent crime in the city. Ocean views for 83 years: San Franciscos Louis Restaurant permanently closed due to pandemic. More: Our running list of restaurant closures across the Bay Area. Dont miss the postman: San Francisco voters were the second-worst in the state when it came to turning in their mail ballots on time for the March primary election. From ILM to mythbusting: Grant Imahara, host of Mythbusters, dead at 49 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. Taxes due today: Most challenging tax season ever? The deadline to file is July 15. Heres what to do if you need an extension, and why your refund may be late. Removing another reason to close: Building owners may get extra year to earthquake retrofit their soft-story buildings. After states, universities filed suit: Facing mounting backlash, Trump administration rescinds policy targeting foreign students. Only they can really speak to their decision: San Mateo County prosecutors have declined to file charges against San Francisco Police Officer Simon Chan, who was arrested and booked into jail earlier this year on suspicion of domestic violence and sexual assault. AzulWorks: San Francisco city attorney moves to ban construction firm tied to Nuru scandal. Better for international events: Its time to stop playing the national anthem at every sporting event, Bruce Jenkins writes. Throughline: The City Photo illustration / The Chronicle Nothing could ever change the 38-Geary. Not two years of rona. Not a whole year of uprisings against the acting interim U.S. president. The 38 stayed true to itself. So begins the latest work of fiction from San Francisco author Annalee Newitz, imagining a post-pandemic future where the city and its public transit system has been changed, including a different kind of Muni employee. Its part of the first week of Throughline, a limited series imagining the Bay Areas future and reporting on those working to make it happen. Read more. More Throughline: One mans new pandemic calling. Your turn: What do you think the future of San Francisco will look like? Tell us here. Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com. Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said on Wednesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus but feels "fine" and will be isolating. Stitt is the first governor to announce a coronavirus infection, though other governors have self-quarantined or gotten tested after potential exposure. Stitt, who has resisted recommendations from public health officials throughout the pandemic, said he does not know where he got infected but does not believe his positive result could have stemmed from his attendance at President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa on June 21, where the governor was photographed without a mask. "I feel fine. I felt a little bit achy yesterday. I didn't have a fever," Stitt said at a Wednesday news conference, adding that he periodically gets tested. "I just want to be transparent with Oklahomans." As Oklahoma reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases - a single-day record as average new deaths also increase - Stitt urged residents to get tested if they aren't feeling well but said he still did not favor a shelter-in-place order or the mask mandates increasingly embraced even by Republican leaders who were initially leery. Stitt said his state is doing better than others and argued that shutting down again won't get rid of the virus. "We also respect people's rights to stay home if they want, to run their businesses or to not wear a mask," he said, adding that enforcement of mask orders would be "problematic." Stitt started recommending late last month that Oklahomans cover their faces in public, according to the Oklahoman. "You just open a big can of worms," the governor said Wednesday. "This is a personal responsibility." The governor said he is working from home until it's safe for him to do otherwise. His wife and children have tested negative, he said. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves earlier in the month said he tested negative after several state lawmakers were infected with the virus. Other governors have gotten tested, too, while multiple senators and House representatives have said they tested positive. Stitt drew fire for downplaying the threat of the virus early in the pandemic, when he resisted recommendations to close schools and restaurants and allowed medical centers to continue elective procedures, even as other hospitals reported shortages of masks and protective equipment. Then, on March 14, he attracted national attention for tweeting a photo with his family at a "packed" Oklahoma City restaurant - which he later deleted, though a spokesman said afterward that Stitt would keep eating out and "encourages Oklahomans to do the same." Stitt drew fresh criticism as Trump's rally in Tulsa - the president's first since the pandemic set in - approached in June. Local health officials warned the indoor event at a 19,000-person arena could cause a dangerous spread of the virus in a county that was already seeing a spike in cases. In the past week, health officials linked the state's rising number of infections to the rally, as well as protests against racism. But Oklahoma Health Commissioner Lance Frye agreed with Stitt on Wednesday that the governor did not get infected at the rally, saying it was "too long ago." Oklahoma on Tuesday was among 19 states reporting a seven-day average in deaths more than 40% higher than the average a week ago. Rising cases, hospitalizations and more recently deaths in the South and West have increased pressure on governors to consider new or renewed restrictions. - - - The Washington Post's Annie Gowen, Jacqueline Dupree and Juliet Eilperin contributed to this report. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City decided recently to take down the statue of Theodore Roosevelt that has been displayed in front of the museum on Central Park West since 1940. Its actually a statue group of three men. Roosevelt is high on horseback dressed like a cowboy or Rough Rider. Flanking him, on foot, are a Native American in a plains headdress and an African gun bearer wearing very little at all. Roosevelt towers above the people of color, who stand behind him as if for protection. Its not quite clear whether TR is leading the Native American and the African to a better future or whether they are voluntarily accompanying him. Roosevelts horse is actually walking off the pedestal in the direction of Americas manifest destiny.The statue group could quite easily be called The White Mans Burden.The Roosevelt statue group has been the subject of public controversy for decades. The recent movement (intensified in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd) to remove all remaining objectionable statues from Americas public spaces caused the museums directors to make the difficult decision to remove the statue, an action they have been contemplating and debating for several years.Native American cultural historian Philip Deloria, a professor of history at Harvard, sees the statue group as a colonial allegory: They [the Natives] speak to Roosevelt as an American, as a person who happily goes as a dominating white figure to Africa, as a person who goes and takes advantage of the possibilities that [arise] by Indian land being dispossessed. The advocacy group Decolonize This Place recently declared, In no way is it ever okay for two nearly naked, savage men (figures of one Indigenous and one African) to be standing at the feet of and in service of a colonizer.The American Museums statue was commissioned in 1921, just two years following the death of TR on Jan. 6, 1919. Theodore Roosevelt was a white privileged member of the Anglo-American establishment. He believed that the Anglo-Saxon peoples had a special destiny and a special responsibility to carry the blessings of civilization to, as Mark Twain sarcastically put it, the people sitting in darkness. Thus, the statue in front of the American Museum of Natural History is a fair representation of at least that aspect of the life and achievement of Roosevelt.As a Roosevelt scholar and a serious admirer of the 26th president of the United States, Im saddened to think that a man of such monumental importance to American history should be defrocked. For many years I have visited the American Museum of Natural History with joy and respect for both Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (Thee) and his son, President Theodore Roosevelt. Im not myself a hunter, but I do not object to the animal displays at the museum. I love the diorama in the lobby of the Roosevelts Elkhorn Ranch on the west bank of the Little Missouri River in western North Dakota, complete with authentic sagebrush, pronghorn antelopes, and even antelope scat.Roosevelt is not just some famous New Yorker whose statue happens to be located in front of the Museum of Natural History. His father Theodore Roosevelt Sr. (Thee) was one of its founders in 1869. In fact, the American Museums charter was signed in the Roosevelt brownstone in lower Manhattan, the home where the future president was born in 1858. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. began contributing specimens to the museum from a very young age. Dozens of his contributions are either on display or stored in the museums capacious vaults. Roosevelts 1914 foray into the Amazon watershed what became his exploration of the River of Doubt was sponsored in part by the museum.I have visited the American Museum of Natural History several dozen times over the last 20 years and I have cringed (in varying degrees) every time I have gazed at the statue group. Although I acknowledge that it is an accurate representation of Roosevelts imperial views and his attitude toward indigenous peoples across the globe, and that it would have pleased him to be depicted as a cowboy on horseback, I have always felt that it is not a fair or adequate representation of Roosevelt the naturalist, which was the point of his long relationship with the American Museum.I can think of a dozen moments from Roosevelts life that artist James Earle Fraser might have chosen to depict, all of them closer to the spirit of TR, who enrolled at Harvard in 1876 believing that he would become a professional naturalist. Fraser might have sculpted the boy Teedie, who fell in love with natural history after happening upon a dead seal displayed on a slab in front of a shop on lower Broadway. That would have had the added advantage of inviting generations of young people into the museum and to consider taking up a career in natural history. He might have been depicted leaping from his horse in Yellowstone National Park in April 1903, when he spotted a vole that he believed might be new to science. The remains of that vole now repose in a specimen cabinet at the Smithsonian Institution. He might have been sculpted standing next to John Muir on a precipice in Yosemite National Park, the subject of one of the most famous photographs of Roosevelt. Frasers sculpture depicts Roosevelt the imperial anthropologist, Roosevelt the big game hunter, Roosevelt the civilizer, but not particularly Roosevelt the naturalist.This is the view of TR descendant Theodore Roosevelt IV: The world does not need statues, relics of another age, that reflect neither the values of the person they intend to honor nor the values of equality and justice. The composition of the Equestrian Statue does not reflect Theodore Roosevelts legacy. It is time to move the statue and move forward.Roosevelt himself was not very eager to be memorialized. He had a stark and fatalistic view of the place in historical memory of any public figure. While he was still serving as the 26th president, Roosevelt wrote:If you were not sure this was an authentic Roosevelt document, and you happened upon it in a book of quotations, you would never attribute it to Roosevelt. Nor is this statement necessarily definitive. After studying TR for more than 20 years, I can say, with confidence, that in most moods he was concerned about his place in history; it did matter to him whether he was remembered for a shorter or longer period following his death; he did not class himself with the average hard-working, clean-living citizen, though he worked very hard and lived a remarkably clean life; his hope, surely, was for at least a few hundred years of historical importance and he almost certainly wanted to be remembered as long as America had a history.Still, Roosevelt was a deep student of history (he read a book a day) and he knew that virtually every human being who has ever lived has been swallowed up in the dim gray of time, including individuals who were important in their time. For every Caesar or Pompey, for every Napoleon or Marlborough, there were hundreds of thousands of people who played a significant role in the course of events whose names are known only to a handful of scholars and historians.Roosevelts immediate family was not very supportive of proposals to erect statues to celebrate or commemorate the life of TR even into the early 1960s. Roosevelt himself, in dedicating Roosevelt Dam in Arizona in 1911, said modestly that he regarded that a realization of his purposes rather than a tribute to him personally as a suitably impressive monument to his lifes work.The problem with any statue of Roosevelt is that it freezes a hyperkinetic man, a Renaissance man, and a complicated man who won the Nobel Peace Prize but also enjoyed punching out drunken gunslingers in western saloons, a man who wrote 40 books but also climbed the Matterhorn on his honeymoon, a man who knew Finnish Saga but who waded into a circle of snarling dogs to kill a mountain lion with a knife, into a single moment of a dizzyingly hectic and varied life.The only successful statue to Roosevelt would have to be a wildly gesticulating animatronic cowboy-statesman, riding a feral horse at breakneck speed over the badlands while dictating letters to one of his frenzied secretaries. Roosevelt is impossible to capture in a single avatar: soldier, reformer, explorer, author, big game hunter, cowboy, politician, family man. The colonialist and big game hunter in front of the Museum of Natural History no more captures Roosevelt than a statue of Buffalo Bill Cody reading a ledger.It was the supervising architect of the American Museums post-Rooseveltian remake project, John Russell Pope (1874-1937), who conceived of the statue group featuring equestrian Roosevelt and the two accompanying figures on foot, one representing the American Indian and the other the primitive African. Pope wanted the statue group to celebrate Roosevelt for the fearless leadership, the explorer, benefactor and educator. The statue group was then sculpted by the distinguished American artist James Earle Fraser (1876-1953). Fraser is best known for his sculpture End of the Trail and the Indian (buffalo) nickel. If Fraser was aware that his sculpture belonged to the white mans burden school of commemoration, he did not make public mention of that theme. The two figures at [TRs] side, he wrote, are guides symbolizing the continents of Africa and America, and if you choose may stand for Roosevelts friendliness to all races. We no longer choose to read the statue group in that way.Still, it is important for us to try to understand that there was a time in American history when the TR statue group was seen (by white people, at least) as a positive depiction of the man and his purposes. Awareness of that should make us pause. For one thing, it should remind us of how deeply racial hierarchies and unconscious racism are woven into the social fabric of American life. Most Americans have had to be awakened to the recognition of the subtler oppressions of our history, economy, judicial system, politics, and social structure.It is an ongoing process. It is often painful, because people of good will and generosity of spirit often find it hard to learn and worse to be told that they embody forms of racism and structural oppression, caricature, and exploitation that they do not even recognize in themselves. It seems to me that we should all try to be as understanding as we can of the unconscious ways our fellow citizens (and we ourselves) inadvertently perpetuate discrimination, of the distance we as a nation have come on questions of race, gender, sexual orientation, conquest, colonialism, and the legacy of slavery, and the distance we still have to travel. As a humanities scholar, I am more interested in trying to understand the evolving dynamics of American life than in judging our forebears and shaming them in their graves.I support the removal of the Roosevelt statue group from the entrance of the Museum of Natural History. I think the national conversation that the problematic representation of Roosevelt has generated has been healthy, even essential. Id rather wrestle with the character and achievement, the blindness and the weaknesses, of Roosevelt (or Jefferson or Woodrow Wilson or Ulysses S. Grant) than drag their statues down like Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. Id prefer to explore and contextualize that which we now find objectionable than to attempt to erase the iconography of the unenlightened past. (And I worry about what future generations will say of us!) I applaud the American Museums recent exhibition, Addressing the Statue, on the Roosevelt statue group, but I also support contextualizing signage, counter- or corrective- or compensatory-statuary on the same site(s), nuanced conferences and symposia, blogs, websites, documentary films, and protest rallies. As a humanities scholar, I would prefer these controversies to become learning moments for the American nation rather than public cleansings born of passion, righteousness, and enthusiasm.I believe that the American Museums decision to remove Roosevelt has greater legitimacy because it came at the end of a long and careful deliberative process in which a wide range of viewpoints were heard. There may be times when street action is the right remedy to the legacies of oppression, but in a nation straining towards democracy and due process, and in danger of losing both, I would prefer to see all the stakeholders gather to make these decisions in the free marketplace of ideas rather than at the end of a rope or a flaming torch. Street action is often a very imprecise tool of social justice; the collateral damage can have the effect of discrediting an otherwise-laudable public expression of rage. But I speak as a privileged white male, and I know others will find my views complacent.Theodore Roosevelts complicated legacy is not impaired by the loss of one objectionable statue in New York City. Roosevelt, like Walt Whitman, contains multitudes. His legacy can be found in virtually every national park, especially at the one named for him in the badlands of the Little Missouri River Valley in western North Dakota. The Panama Canal is not coming down. Nor is Sagamore Hill, one of the few presidential homes that really gives you the essence of the man. In my opinion, Roosevelts legacy is enhanced rather than degraded by the removal of James Earle Frazers superbly sculpted statue group at the Museum of Natural History. Of all the ways the 21st century might wish to memorialize Roosevelt, that statue was the least representative of the whole man, his staggering achievement and his largely untarnished place in American memory. Few countries in the world are undertaking a liberalisation of their energy sector on the scale of Uzbekistan, as its government continues its effort to open up the countrys economy to more foreign direct investment (FDI). Power Technology reports in its article Uzbekistan energy minister makes ambitious plans that the population of Uzbekistan is growing fast and electricity use in the country is predicted to double from 69 terrawatt hours (TWh) to 117TWh by 2030, which has led to the launching of an energy strategy focused on significantly expanding power supply. Most eye-catching among its proposals are targets to build 3GW of wind power capacity and 5GW of solar power plants over the next ten years. The number of projects in Uzbekistan, especially in renewable energy, is constantly growing, says Alisher Sultanov, Uzbekistans Minister of Energy. Power up The Ministry of Energy is already undertaking a tender to build a 100MW wind power plant in the Qoraozak district of Karakalpakstan. Another tender for a second wind farm at the same site is in planning, as are two 100MW pilot solar power projects in the Samarkand and Navoi regions. In conventional power, this year investors will be selected for two planned thermal power plants with a total capacity of 2,6003,000MW in the Syrdarya region, while expansions of the existing Navoi combined heat and power project and Talimarjan thermal power project are expected to be commissioned in either 2023 or 2024. A new 1,300MW combined-cycle gas turbine plant is also in the planning stage. Although Uzbekistan is building more gas-fired capacity, it is actually seeking to decrease its overall dependence on gas, which accounts for roughly 85% of its power output. Nuclear power will be central to achieving this goal. Sultanov says: The availability of domestic uranium resources makes nuclear power an obvious choice for the country, especially because it will provide clean electricity for decades to come. We became members of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1994 and have been conducting a productive and constructive dialogue with this organisation since then. An agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant was signed with Russias Rosatom, and contractual works are ongoing. The country is developing two nuclear power units of 1,200MW each, and plans to develop two more with the help of Rosatom. Adapting to difficult conditions Although the Covid-19 crisis has created challenges for ongoing power projects and forced the introduction of necessary safety measures, Sultanov says the disruption has not changed Uzbekistans energy plans. We are on track to achieve the goals in our ambitious national energy strategy, he states. While the coronavirus pandemic has caused a global pause, the real work never stopped. Sultanov explains that construction works requiring foreign labour have slowed but not stopped. Work continues, for example, on the $3.6bn gas-to-liquids project being developed in the Qashqadaryo region. Contractors Hyundai Engineering and Enter Engineering expect to complete construction in December 2020. Depressed oil and gas prices have also not dented the countrys ambitions, according to Sultanov. While Uzbekistan has large gas reserves, its export potential is capped by limited transport and pipeline facilities. The minister says: Low oil prices can also put pressure on prices for other goods, especially natural gas, fertilisers and food products, but this pressure is offset by lower costs in sectors such as transportation, the petrochemical industry and agriculture. It also makes it possible to focus on other sources of energy, such as wind, solar energy and nuclear energy the development of which we are very interested in. Opening up The ministry headed by Sultanov only came into existence in February 2019, after the government decided to combine oil and gas and power in one government department for the very first time. This is one of several reforms introduced since 2016, when former president Islam Karimov died, that were intended to open up the Uzbek economy and increase FDI. According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, Uzbekistans inwards flows of FDI increased markedly from $625m in 2018 to $2.3bn in 2019. Russia, South Korea, China and Germany are the traditional sources of FDI for the country, but energy, particularly renewable energy, is an area where a wider pool of investors could be attracted. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have been working with the government on structuring its upcoming solar projects, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has been advising on its wind farm tenders. The response to the countrys first wind tender shows the strategy may be working. In May 2020, the ministry announced that 70 companies and consortia from 30 different countries had submitted proposals for the 100MW project. Though Chinese companies far outnumber those from other countries in the tender, as many as eight Spanish companies are in contention and bidders from around the world have expressed an interest. The level of investor interest, even without any state guarantees, indicates a significant increase in the interest of major players in the energy market for serious work in our country, says Sultanov. If renewable energy projects become a driver of FDI in Uzbekistan, that will be even more eye-catching than the governments ambitious targets. Mehrajudin Malla, vice-president of Municipal Council, Watergam, was kidnapped by some unknown people from a kilometre away from the small town in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Wednesday morning, locals said. Some unknown people purportedly pushed Malla into a car and sped away, they added. Malla is associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and he is vice-president, Rafiabad. A manhunt has been launched to trace the abducted person, said a police official. Its not immediately known, whether Malla enjoyed any security cover. BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur has blamed terrorists for the abduction of Malla. He is the vice-president Watergam Municipal Council. His father was also with BJP and acted as a general secretary. This family is loyal to the BJP for many years, Thakur alleged. Mallas kidnapping abduction comes days after two BJP leaders resigned from the party. Last week, BJP former district president, Bandipore, Waseem Bari, was killed, along with his father Basheer Ahmad and brother Suhail Basheer, inside his shop. Jammu & Kashmir Police had said that two outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were involved in the killing of Bari and his kin. Last Sunday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav visited Baris place and met his next of kin. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chastised at home and abroad over his Ayodhya claim, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resumed negotiations on Wednesday with his lead rival within the Nepal Communist Party Pushpa Kamal Dahal who has fronted a campaign to oust him from the prime ministers office. But the negotiations didnt last for long. After 15 minutes or so, PM Oli who was meeting Dahal at his official residence in Kathmandus Baluwatar told Dahal that he wasnt feeling well and abruptly ended the meeting. Dahal, a former prime minister commonly known by his nom de guerre Prachanda, has for months tried to get PM KP Sharma Oli to step down from either of the two posts that he holds; the prime ministers post and the co-chairman of the ruling communist party. But he has been outsmarted by PM Oli on more than one occasion, with some help from China that is comfortable with the 68-year-old Nepal politician and prefers his continuation. PM Oli has earned Beijings trust over the last several months with his sniping attacks at New Delhi, right from setting up a new boundary dispute, claiming that the SARS-Cov-2 pathogen from India is deadlier than the one in China or Italy and accusing India of trying to topple his government. Also Read: Nepal bought 6 Chinese planes that Dhaka rejected. Now it grounds them: Report His comment on Lord Ram and the real Ayodhya on Monday was part of this continuing tirade against India, designed to drive a wedge between people of the two countries, a Kathmandu watcher in New Delhi said. When Indias external affairs ministry made it clear that it would not initiate dialogue with Kathmandu after PM Oli pushed Nepals new political map through Parliament, it had underscored that the government would continue to work to strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries. PM Olis claim that Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya, described by his party leaders as ludicrous, was aimed at upsetting this effort. Indian government officials said PM Olis larger effort was to stoke anti-India sentiment in Nepal - a continuing effort of his government - by accusing India of encroaching on cultural facts. Nepal has become a victim of cultural encroachment and its history has been manipulated, he said at an event to mark the birth anniversary of Nepalese poet Bhanubhakta, credited for translating Valmikis Ramayan into Nepali language. But PM Olis effort backfired. There are already loud voices in his party and outside that have spoken about his concerted effort at chipping away at the goodwill between the two countries. On Wednesday, Nepals leading newspaper Kathmandu Posts front page story on PM Olis Ayodhya remark is titled, Amid soured Nepal-India ties, Oli is threatening relations between peoples of two countries, leaders and experts say. A foreign ministry statement on PM Olis Ayodhya remark attempted to give it a new spin. The PM, the statement said, was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research... to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and various places linked to this rich civilization. This isnt the first time that PM Oli has come under attack in Kathmandu for his sharp tilt against India. But the elephant in the room is China, said an analyst based in New Delhi, echoing the governments reading of PM Oli and his pitch against India. He said PM Olis statements and actions fit the pattern of serving Chinas interests, starting from the Lipulekh boundary dispute. In her conversations with PM Olis rivals in the communist party, Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqi is learnt to have explained Chinas interest in Nepals ruling party to ideology: Communist China doesnt want Nepal Communist Party - formed in 2018 with the merger of 2 leading left parties - to split again. And since PM Oli could split the party if he is up against the wall, the rival camps should take measured steps. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Wed, July 15, 2020 09:06 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406665915b 2 Entertainment Naya-Rivera,Glee,drown Free The death of "Glee" actress Naya Rivera in a California lake last week was ruled an accidental drowning by medical examiners Tuesday. Rivera, 33, disappeared during a boating trip with her four-year-old son last Wednesday, and her body was found floating in Lake Piru on Monday. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office formally confirmed Rivera's identity using dental records, it said in a statement. No traumatic injuries or evidence of alcohol or other toxins were found. On Monday, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said there was no indication of suicide, and suggested that the lake's strong currents could have caused a fatal accident. "The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting -- it was unanchored -- and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself," he said. Her son was found asleep and drifting in the boat some three hours after Rivera rented it at the popular recreational hotspot around an hour's drive northwest of Los Angeles. Hollywood stars paid tributes to Rivera, including her former castmates on smash-hit musical television series "Glee," some of whom gathered at the shore of the lake on Monday. Chris Colfer said Rivera "spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness," while Jane Lynch wrote on Instagram: "Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were." Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis wrote: "Prayers for Naya Rivera's family. Man... can we have a 'Do Over' of 2020. The loss is too much." Appointed at teatime on Saturday, June 27, and sacked just after teatime on Tuesday, July 14, Barry Cowen's term as a government minister was inordinately short. In recent history, the only thing that compares is the case of former Donegal Fianna Fail TD, Dr James McDaid. After defeating the fifth leadership heave against him in November 1991, Charlie Haughey set about a cabinet reshuffle including a replacement of defeated rebels. Haughey chose Dr McDaid, then an up-and-coming backbencher first elected in June 1989, to be defence minister. But before they even got to Aras an Uachtarain, and the official conferring of ministerial seals, all hell had broken loose. From the opposition benches, Fine Gael and the Workers' Party raised the question of Dr McDaid being cited as an alibi, along with other people, for James Pius Clarke. The British authorities had sought Mr Clarke's extradition for alleged republican offences which the Irish Supreme Court rejected. The opposition TDs pointed to a photograph of Dr McDaid in the company of anti-extradition campaigners. Their arguments about the sensitivity of the defence minister's role at a time of continuing IRA violence spooked Fianna Fail's coalition partners, the Progressive Democrats. After a meeting between the Taoiseach Mr Haughey and the Progressive Democrat leader, Des O'Malley, all the government appointments were postponed for a day. Then Dr McDaid publicly withdrew his name from the nominations. He had been almost a minister for almost a day. But current Fianna Fail leader and Taoiseach Micheal Martin may be looking at a more recent short-lived ministerial span to help him through these tough days. In June 1997, Bertie Ahern appointed veteran Ray Burke, who had been a mentor to Ahern in opposition, as foreign affairs minister. The new taoiseach had put aside fears about allegations of planning irregularities concerning Burke. But these allegations persisted and Burke resigned from cabinet and the Dail on October 7, barely four months after his appointment. It was a body blow to Ahern's fledgling minority coalition - but he persisted and won two subsequent elections, continuing as taoiseach for 11 years. Fine Gael also had these difficulties. In December 1994, John Bruton, heading a three-party rainbow coalition, named Michael Lowry as communications minister. But in November 1996 Mr Lowry was obliged to resign and a subsequent tribunal found he had evaded tax by having a supermarket tycoon pay for building work at his home. InSites Moves Teixeira for Singapore MD Role Online communities specialist InSites Consulting has transferred Daniel Teixeira to Singapore, where he has taken up the role of Managing Director of its Asia brand, ABN Impact | InSites Consulting. The company was formed at the end of last year when InSites Consulting acquired Asia-based insight community specialist ABN Impact. Teixeira (pictured) joins after five years at the InSites Consulting head office in Belgium and then five as MD in London. In his new role, he will join the regional leadership team of ABN Impact | InSites Consulting, comprising seven offices and led by Asia CEO Maz Amirahmadi. Commenting on the news, Amirahmadi said: 'We are very excited to welcome Daniel to the APAC team. He has a decade of insight community experience which will help bring value to our clients. At the same time, his leadership experience will bring added strength to our team in Singapore'. Web sites: www.insites-consulting.com and www.abnimpact.com . Opening day for Cancuns Terminal 2 starts off with 48 operations Cancun, Q.R. After only one day of reopening, Terminal 2 at the Cancun International Airport has already seen 50 operations with incoming and outgoing flights. Airport managing company Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) indicated that Terminal 2 resumed activities Tuesday with 50 domestic flights from Volaris and Viva, two of which, over-nighted. For the two open terminals, ASUR said that they had 129 operations scheduled of which 62 were arrivals, 33 domestic and 29 international, while 67 were departures, 36 domestic and 31 international. They detailed that the international flights included Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Havana, Lima, Miami, New York, Phoenix and Salt Lake City with airlines from American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country and United. Terminal 2 of Cancuns airport reopened after being shut for three months due to Covid-19. On opening day, ASUR reported scheduled flights to and from Mexico City, Monterrey and Chihuahua. Health protocols have been installed inside the terminal including exclusive entrance and exit doors, sanitation and thermal cameras that measure traveler temperatures. The University of Nebraska system faces a steep challenge this fall. It must fulfill three key missions simultaneously. More from our OWH Editorial: By easily scanning a QR code on the bag of coffee, their device will route them to the Thank My Farmer website, which provides information about where the coffee was grown, processed and exported, and the location of its roast. They can also learn more about Farmer Connect projects underway to support coffee producers and their families in Colombia such as providing clean drinking water for schools; coffee seedlings for smallholder farms; school supplies for local schools; and sustainable water and agriculture initiatives. This comes at a time when more consumers are taking a purpose-driven approach to their shopping patterns and purchasing products that more closely align with their values. According to the IBM Institute for Business Value, for those who say sustainability is very important, 71% surveyed are willing to pay a premium for sustainable and environmentally responsible brands. "We know that consumers are increasingly interested in transparency in the supply chains for the products they enjoy and we have been committed to helping promote this as part of our coffee sustainability strategy," said Joe Stanziano, senior vice president and general manager of coffee at The J.M. Smucker Company. "Our work with Farmer Connect and IBM not only helps connect coffee lovers to the producers who provide their favorite morning drink, it also gives them the opportunity to support these hardworking smallholder farmers and their families." The coffee supply chain is complex given that green coffee is produced by more than 25 million smallholder farmers, as opposed to the larger farms that are associated with delivering the majority of other commodities. Through the blockchain platform, consumers can have access to unprecedented transparency and can participate in a global circular economy where consumers can be directly involved in the agricultural communities that produce their food and drink through donations made to farmers and communities. This transparency is achieved by using blockchain to record data about supply chain events in the coffee's journey; including which beans were used, when they were roasted, ports they were shipped to and beyond. Information about these events is recorded on an immutable ledger, creating increased accountability for coffee producers and their supply chain partners and helping ensure products are what they say they are. "Working with The J. M. Smucker Company has been a remarkable opportunity to shine a brighter light on the work of the farmers who grow the beans," said IBM Food Trust general manager Raj Rao. "By combining blockchain and other technologies, we can give coffee drinkers the tools they need to feel connected to the region where their coffee comes from and even support the farmers and local communities through donations that impact local organizations and schools." 1850 100% Colombian bagged coffee is a bold, yet smooth blend of premium Colombian Arabica beans. It has a lively and full-bodied taste that's unique to Colombian coffee. It's available at Amazon, Meijer and other retailers throughout the United States and Canada. About The J. M. Smucker Company Inspired by more than 120 years of business success and five generations of family leadership, The J. M. Smucker Company makes food that people and pets love. The Company's portfolio of 40+ brands, which are found in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants, include iconic products consumers have always loved such as Folgers, Jif and Milk-Bone plus new favorites like Cafe Bustelo, Smucker's Uncrustables and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Over the past two decades, the Company has grown rapidly by thoughtfully acquiring leading and emerging brands, while ensuring the business has a positive impact on its 7,000+ employees, the communities it is a part of and the planet. For more information about The J. M. Smucker Company, visit jmsmucker.com. The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which is used under license: Rachael Ray is a registered trademark of Ray Marks Co. LLC. About IBM IBM is recognized as the leading enterprise blockchain provider. The company's research, technical and business experts have broken barriers in transaction processing speeds, developed the most advanced cryptography to secure transactions, and are contributing millions of lines of open source code to advance blockchain for businesses. IBM is the leader in open-source blockchain solutions built for the enterprise. Since 2016, IBM has worked with hundreds of clients across financial services, supply chain, government, retail, digital rights management and healthcare to implement blockchain applications, and operates a number of networks running live and in production. The cloud-based IBM Blockchain Platform delivers the end-to-end capabilities that clients need to quickly activate and successfully develop, operate, govern and secure their own business networks. IBM is an early member of Hyperledger, an open-source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. For more information about IBM Blockchain, visit https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/ or follow us on Twitter at @ibmblockchain. About Farmer Connect Farmer Connect is an industry-led initiative with the vision to humanize consumption through technology. Our solutions of supply chain digitization are designed to support increased traceability, efficiency, and sustainability in coffee and cacao supply chains globally. Leveraging dat we enable farmers and small businesses while reducing costs and inefficiencies for global enterprises. We do that through several emerging technologies, such as blockchain, self-sovereign identity, and artificial intelligence - keeping it simple. Our partners include some of the world's top coffee organizations such as; Beyers Koffie, The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), ITOCHU Corporation, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), The J.M. Smuckers Company, Rabobank, RGC Coffee, Volcafe, Sucafina, and Yara International. SOURCE The J. M. Smucker Company Austin attorney Mike Siegel defeated Dr. Pritesh Gandhi in a primary runoff Tuesday in the 10th Congressional District, where both had been vying to take on Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul in the fall. Siegel had a 10 percentage point lead with nearly 80 percent of votes tallied. The Associated Press called the race around 11 p.m. Today's victory is owed to the unstoppable coalition that we've built here in the Congressional 10th district, Siegel said in a virtual scrum with reporters. We are ready to take on Michael McCaul in November and we are confident we will win, he said. A former public school teacher, Siegel nearly unseated McCaul in 2018 and is hoping to finish the job in November. He came out on top in a three-way primary in March, but faced strong opposition from Gandhi, a physician who runs a nonprofit clinic in Austin. RUNOFF ROUNDUP: Who won, lost in runoff elections in Houston, Texas The 10th District, which stretches from Austin to the western suburbs of Houston, is seen as a possible battleground this year because McCaul, who has held the seat since 2004, won it in 2018 by just 4 percentage points. The seat had long been considered safely Republican. Gandhi, who was backed by national names including Planned Parenthood and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, leaned hard on his medical experience amid the pandemic, and he managed to outraise Siegel. While both were strong opponents of the Trump administration, Gandhi argued he could go farther in the general election. Siegel is an unabashed liberal and proponent of Medicare for All, the single-payer health insurance program supported most prominently by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. He has racked up several prominent endorsements, including Sanders, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and two members of the Texas congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar and Rep. Sylvia Garcia. In a concession speech, Gandhi said he planned to work to help unseat McCaul in November, and in the meantime, would get back to work treating patients, as he had throughout the campaign. Republicans quickly issued statements attacking Siegel as a uncompromising radical. Siegel is supported by Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi because they know Siegel will support their agenda of higher taxes and bigger government, the job-killing Green New Deal, a socialist government healthcare takeover and undermining our police, McCaul said in a statement. Oregons U.S. senators, both Democrats, called on the Republican majority to allow a vote on legislation to give permanent status to thousands Channel Nine's Today show became the third-rated breakfast show in Australia after being overtaken by its rivals last week. The Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon hosted program pulled in 195,000 metro viewers during last Wednesday's episode, while ABC News Breakfast attracted 200,000 viewers and Channel 7's Sunrise took the top spot with 257,000 viewers. After falling in third place, 14 out of 28 weeks this year, Today's Director of Morning Television Steven Burling told The Daily Telegraph he 'wouldn't be happy' until they topped the ratings, but was 'extraordinarily proud of his staff'. Ratings loss: Channel Nine's Today show has officially become the third-rated breakfast show in Australia after being overtaken by its rivals Steven tweeted: 'I won't be happy with the ratings till we're #1, but I'm certainly satisfied with a 10 per cent lift in numbers this year. 'Not to mention a 19.6 per cent lift in the 25-54-year-old demo,' he said, while also gushing that the Today show topped ratings in Melbourne and Brisbane on Monday. 'We have world-class hosts and a committed and dynamic production team I'm extraordinarily proud of all of them,' he concluded. Today's third-place ratings hasn't always been the case, as the show began the year beating ABC News Breakfast - which is hosted by Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland. Figures: The Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon hosted program pulled in 195,000 metro viewers during last Wednesday's episode, while ABC News Breakfast attracted 200,000 viewers and Channel 7's Sunrise took the top spot with 257,000 viewers 'We're committed': Today's Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, explained that he 'wouldn't be happy' until they topped the ratings - but was 'extraordinarily proud of his staff' While ABC News Breakfast went on to overtake Today, Samantha Armytage and David Koch have been sitting pretty at the top spot thanks to Sunrise pulling in sensational ratings over the last few years. Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative for Channel Nine for further comment. Offering his insight into why the Today show has been struggling with ratings, Sunrise boss Michael Pell said it could be due to its continually changing panel. Comfortable position: Samantha Armytage and David Koch have been sitting pretty at the top spot thanks to Sunrise pulling in sensational ratings over the last few years He said: 'Im quite surprised at how all of thats gone down with that show. Not to talk too much about them, but Ive never seen that many people sacked that quickly for no apparent reason. 'I think the audience is punishing them for that still. The audience doesnt like a company that treats people badly.' Karl, 45, was sacked from Today in 2018 before being reinstated as co-host in January this year alongside 41-year-old Allison. Previously relegated to Hollywood fantasy, artificial intelligence (AI) is now one of the fastest-growing industrial capabilities. In fact, AI as an industry is projected to surpass $390 billion globally by 2025, up from $24.9 billion in 2018. At its core, AI seeks to transform information into intelligent, automated action. The consolidation of data structures and the creation of unique algorithms allow systems to automatically learn and recreate patterns that theyve previously synthesized. While tech giants like Amazon, Google and Facebook annually invest hundreds of millions of dollars in AI to develop new products, marketing programs and enhance their platforms, small businesses can also leverage machine learning, a field of computational statistics where algorithms automatically learn and improve tasks without explicit programming, and predictive modeling to improve operations and grow at the same time. Related: How Is Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizing Small Businesses? Increase Productivity AI and related applied sciences are commonly perceived as advancements that take jobs away from the labor force. However, the core purpose of AI is to make jobs and responsibilities more efficient by automating specific tasks and revamping outdated processes, allowing workers to maximize more critical areas of their profession. Simply put, AI either automates the execution of simple tasks or enhances our ability to perform complex tasks. In fact, 54 percent of executives have said that AI has already increased their business productivity. Charlie Burgoyne, founder and CEO of Valkyrie, an Austin-based AI-consulting firm, believes that the technology is particularly critical for up-and-coming startups to help reduce burdensome operations. AI can be extremely beneficial in the automation of operational functions, such as financial management, risk mitigation, accounting and even legal work," he explains. "In turn, this allows leadership to holistically understand the state of their company while prioritizing the strategic direction of their business as opposed to focusing on the minutia of the mechanics. For example, an owner of a startup apparel company collects data related to purchasing trends and customer patterns, but likely doesnt have the resources to sift through all the information without taking valuable time away from day-to-day operations. By incorporating that data into custom machine-learning models, the business can better examine how to position popular product lines based on seasonal trends and improve cash flow management and future inventory. And because the data is examined in real-time, a process that would normally take weeks or months can be drilled down to just a few days. Emerging tech and AI expert Valeria Sadovykh, Ph.D. says that, Small businesses are in a much better position to savor the benefits from AI, and there should be no excuses for not utilizing basic features for enhanced business decision-making and competitive advantage. She adds that small businesses usually have their data easily accessible with lower volumes and smaller data sets. In addition, in the current environment, every bit of digital information that competitors produce is also available for gathering and analyzing for better decision-making. Prioritize the Customer The old adage that the customer is always right still rings true, but its now even more critical to find and maintain a relationship with the right customer. A recent MIT Technology Review Insights survey of more than 1,000 business leaders discovered that 87 percent of respondents have begun deploying AI in their business, with most implementing various programs to improve customer service. Even though a startup yoga studio or ecommerce jewelry store doesnt have the capital to match the efforts of billion-dollar conglomerates, they possess an asset that can be just as powerful: customer relations. Knowing who your customer is goes a long way, but providing personalized value goes even further towards creating a cherished bond. Ninety-six percent of marketers agree that efforts to personalize a business transaction or experience will help to advance the customer relationship. Startups can use AI and personalization to their benefit by leveraging existing data to build a more intimate customer relationship. From immediately notifying a customer about a specific product back in stock or providing up-to-the-minute inventory status, automation can help maintain and reinforce strong customer relationships that save time and result in continued satisfaction. As Dr. Sadovykh comments, No doubt that AI can be used to streamline business processes, which is beneficial for both parties in terms of efficiency and cost. However, not all consumers are the same, and for some who are looking for support, individualization and like longer human interaction, traditional AI might diminish returns. In this case, businesses should tap into the Industry 5.0 concept, where consumers can directly interfere with AI to add a personal human touch to automation and efficiency. Businesses would need to designate their AI algorithms per classified customer base to provide a high degree of 'hands-on' personalization and customization. That is where human intelligence works in harmony with cognitive computing." Collect as Much Data as Possible Small businesses dont have the luxury of scores of data that major corporations have at their fingertips, but they can still work with what what's available to them, whether its a new business on the rise or a long-time mom-and-pop shop. Using predictive modeling tools to analyze customer relationship management (CRM) data helps businesses of all kinds discover patterns that can go undetected by the untrained eye, providing insights on how to best target future customers or clients and improve current customer retention. If your business is like a car, then think of AI and machine learning as the automatic windshield wipers that provide an optimized view of the road in front of you, adds Burgoyne. Its becoming an essential asset that enables businesses and employees to operate at peak capacity. Drive Revenue While large corporations tend to take up a majority of headlines, small businesses are still the lifeblood of the American economy. According to the Small Business Administration, there are roughly 30.7 million small businesses in the United States, accounting for nearly half (47.3 percent) the U.S. workforce. As more and more companies begin to adopt AI and machine-learning capabilities within their business strategies, its crucial to examine and understand where AI can automate certain processes. When paird with AI, sales the quintessential driver of growth for any organization can increase business leads by 50 percent, according to the Harvard Business Review. The future is also bright across most industries, with estimates forecasting that AI has the potential to boost average profitability rates by 38 percent and lead to an economic increase of $14 trillion by 2035. Related: 6 AI Business Tools for Entrepreneurs on a Budget Small businesses of all kinds can lean on AI to help strengthen various assets of their day-to-day operations from sales and customer service to product inventory or corporate finances. Small-business owners who can automate time-consuming responsibilities will end up having more room to grow their core organizational components and ultimately compete with bigger players in the arena. Related: Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved As schools plan to reopen in the next few months, parents still have plenty of questions: What will the school day look like? How effective will online teaching and learning options be? How safe will their children and their teachers be if they return to brick and mortar schools? Teachers have some of the same questions, but from their perspective, there are even more details to consider including how the new COVID-19 safety guidelines will affect other safety procedures like fire drills, tornado drills and active-shooter drills for their students. After all, it's hard to keep social distancing if you are supposed to be huddling in one designated corner of a classroom or a bathroom with 17 classmates and a teacher. Watch TODAY All Day! Get the best news, information and inspiration from TODAY, all day long. High school English teacher Kristen Monzel told TODAY Parents that school safety protocol changes have not yet been addressed at her school. For the past 23 years, Monzel has taught at D'Evelyn Junior-Senior High School in Jefferson County, Colorado the second-largest school district in that state and the same county that includes Columbine High School, where two teenage gunmen killed 13 people in 1999. Colorado teacher Kristen Monzel and her 15-year-old daughter, Madelyn. (Kristen Monzel / Kristen Monzel) Though her school district is offering a full-time brick and mortar school option for students, "they indicated that we're going to have open doors and open bathrooms and more fresh air. Not sure how that's possible, given the usual protocols we have in place for school safety," Monzel said. "I'm not sure yet how we're going to practice things like lockdowns and fire drills, which are mandated by the state," she added. "Certainly, we are going to have to talk directly with our kids about school safety now that it will clearly be compromised." National school safety expert Kenneth S. Trump told TODAY Parents that although school districts know there will have to changes to safety drills and procedures this year, from what he can tell, most have not been able to determine yet what those changes will be. It is just one of many what he termed "unknown unknowns" school officials are grappling with while they try to plan their reopening amid the COVID-19 outbreak. He noted that weather, violence and other emergencies will not stop just because a major health crisis is happening at the same time. Story continues "The reality is that social distancing is going to go out the window (in an emergency)," Trump said. "Your kids are going to have to remember those protective measures that they've been taught to do when there's an actual, real threat or an incident. Social distancing will take a backseat in that given moment." Thankfully, he said, the vast majority of schools will not see a real life situation. Still, safety drills and preparedness need to continue in some format. "If we're holding some type of school, we have to have some reasonable level of preparation," he said, "but the underlying word there in bold and underlined is 'reasonable.'" Trump, who has 35 years of experience in school safety, recommends that schools and school districts adopt a pragmatic approach that takes into account the amount of social and emotional anxiety that administrators, teachers and students already will be feeling under the weight of COVID-19-related expectations and changes. Download the TODAY app for the latest coverage on the coronavirus outbreak. "The purpose of a drill is to train the brain and to get people to be able to think quickly when their brains are under stress," he said. "We don't want to go creating a whole new line of training with different types of stipulations now." Trump said it would be more effective to verbally walk kids through the fire-drill and active-shooter procedures they already know without asking them to physically do it. "You say, 'Look, you know what we would do in a real life situation, just as we have done in previous years. Here is what you would do: You are going to this corner, you would do this,'" he said. "But with the trauma, emotion and anxiety that kids and teachers will be bringing in to school anyway, it's stressful enough. You can get the point across with verbal reminders and refreshing." Never miss a parenting story with the TODAY Parents newsletter! Sign up here. Monzel has a similarly pragmatic perspective on how her school likely will handle safety. "It is clear that the safety protocols this next year are going to conflict with all that we've been working to implement since Columbine, but I do think for this coming year, the focus must switch to keeping us safe from the virus," she said. "I haven't seen any mention of how we're going to continue to insulate our schools against violence. I suppose all we can do is once again ask our students to be vigilant about staying aware and reporting suspicious behaviors." Even with all the uncertainty and the unanswered questions, Monzel said that as both a teacher and the mom of a high school sophomore, she is eager to find a way to make in-person school work again. "Trying to get through the curriculum remotely almost did me (and us) in," she said. "We are so anxious to get back to school that we are ready to take all the risks." The East China Fair (ECF), the largest regional trade fair annually held in China, launched its 30th session at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center on July 13. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event, held from July 13-17 and jointly sponsored by the Shanghai Commission of Commerce and other provincial and city-level commercial bureaus in east China, innovatively collaborates with internet's great strength and is expected to inject continuous impetus for the foreign enterprises in China and further boost their confidence in trade and investment. The five-day event gathered government officials, heads of trading groups, representatives from business associations, ECF's co-organizers and partners including eBay and Google, exhibitors, purchasers and e-commerce platforms such as Pinduoduo and iBailian. Xu Kunlin, vice-mayor of Shanghai, addressed the opening ceremony. He said that this year marks the first time for ECF to hold its exhibitions online, which will face a series of unprecedented challenges, and it is also a challenge to test the abilities of holding an exhibition during the epidemic. "It is necessary to face the new challenges of international trade, making efforts to stabilize the basic foreign trade and foreign investment, and striving to hold a 'particularly wonderful' online fair, so as to jointly write a new chapter in the history of the development of ECF," said Xu. The theme of 2020 ECF will provide online products display, supply and demand matching, online search, online matchmaking, online contact signing and online customer service. This year's fair provides 24-hour online foreign trade platform services, with five professional sub-exhibitions: clothing and garment accessories exhibition, home textile and fabric exhibition, household products exhibition, decoration and gifts exhibition, and modern-lifestyle-theme exhibition. In response to the current changing of international trade situation, this year's fair also set up three new online platforms export to domestic sales zone, epidemic prevention and control goods zone, and cross-border e-commerce zone, opening up markets at home and abroad for foreign trade enterprises. A total of 3,520 exhibitors have been approved by the online fair, 71,759 products have been uploaded to the official website, and 21,017 purchasers have completed online registration. Additionally, the fair also includes four trade business matchmaking sessions, where exhibitors and purchasers will make appointment for matchmaking, and one-to-one video negotiation will be held during the exhibition. Eastbest & Lansheng Group Shanghai International Trade Promotion Co received the award as ECF's excellent organizer. Representatives of purchasers who participated in the fair more than nine times received the award as the best ECF's purchasers, and representatives of exhibitors who participated over 15 sessions received the rewards as ECF's honored exhibitors. East China Fair features traders from across the world and has the highest turnover. It is held annually in March in Shanghai. It is supported by the Ministry of Commerce and is co-organized by nine provinces and cities including Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Nanjing and Ningbo. New Delhi: Congress restructured its North-East coordination committee on Saturday with Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma as convener as part of attempts to retain hold in the region, which, the party alleged, is being "actively destabilised" by BJP. Announcing the Committee, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the committee has been set up to protect the inclusive character of the north-east region as BJP and RSS have made "insidious attempts" to communally polarise it. "In order to protect the very inclusive character of North Eastern India, in order to preserve its unity and diversity, the Congress president and Congress vice-president have reconstituted the North East Co-ordination Committee," he told reporters. He was flanked by Sangma, former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki and AICC Secretary incharge Jai Kumar. The North East Congress Coordination Committee will have Lal Thawala, chief minister of Mizoram, Okram Ibobi Singh, chief minister of Manipur, DD Lapung, Meghalaya PCC chief, besides state Congress chiefs of Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal and Sikkim as its members. Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and former chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur are permanent invitees to the committee. Tewari said "in the past 28 months, one thing has become very evident that both the BJP and the Central Government have been working overtime to destabilize North Eastern India. "Their inability to manage the larger geo-strategic environment, has resulted in repeated intrusions by Chinese into Arunachal Pradesh," he said, adding that there was a major intrusion in June 2016, another intrusion in Sept 2016 and two days ago in Demchok in Ladakh where there is stand-off between PLA and Indian Army over construction of an Irrigation Canal under MNREGA Scheme. "In addition to that, there is the whole spectre of internal subversion, the repeated destabilization of elected Congress government notwithstanding, very severe strictures which were passed by none other than the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. "Coupled with that, you have this very insidious attempt by the RSS and the BJP to try and communally polarize the North Eastern part of India. The statement by one of the Assam ministers, who is part of the purported North East Democratic Alliance, is reprehensible, is shameful and deserves to be condemned in the strongest possible terms," he said. Sangma said the platform will look at issues in North East, bring leaders onto one platform and "ensure that we protect the region from agendas which are detrimental". "We look forward to serving the people, because our mandate is to carry forwardagendas which are in sync with the aspirations of the people," he said. BJP recently formed a North-East Democratic Alliance headed by Himanta Biswa Sarma, a former Congressman who is seen as number two in the new BJP government in Assam. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The five-year-old Yemen war is creating a catastrophe of immense proportions in the Middle Easts poorest country. Last week, Saudi Arabia launched scores of air strikes on the capital Sanaa, Saada and other cities in the north under the control of the Houthi rebels, with the aim of killing top officials. The attacks followed the Houthis firing missiles and drones at the Saudi capital Riyadh and military installations in Jizan, Najran, Khamis Mushayt, and Abha. While the Saudis said they had intercepted and destroyed two missiles and six drones, the Houthis claimed they had hit the Tadawin camp where Saudi and Yemeni leaders were meeting, killing and injuring dozens, as well as the Saudi Ministry of Defence. In this Sunday, June 14, 2020 photo, seven-month-old Issa Ibrahim Nasser is brought to a clinic in Deir Al-Hassi, At seven months old, Issa weighs only three kilos. Like him, hundreds of children suffer from acute severe malnutrition because of poverty and grinding conflict. Yemen. (AP Photo/Issa Al-Rajhi) The Houthis said their attacks were in response to the crimes of the Saudi-led coalition, the latest being the killing of four civilians, including a child, in a naval attack in May on the countrys north-western province of Hajjah, and the ongoing naval blockade of Hodeidah port that is preventing the most basic commodities, including food and pharmaceuticals, reaching Yemens people. Around 14 million of Yemens 28 million population are on the brink of starvation, while 80 percent are reliant on food aid. The Saudis 257,000 aerial strikes and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) naval blockade have caused the deaths of at least 230,000 civilians, both directly and indirectly due to hunger and disease, and displaced 3.6 million. Save the Children estimated last year that at least 75,000 under the age of five have starved to death since the onset of the war. The worst cholera epidemic on record has infected an estimated 1.2 million people and led to at least 2,500 deaths, while the recent floods have sparked a dengue fever outbreak in Hadramawt. The United Nations has recorded 137,000 cases of cholera and diarrhea this year, nearly a quarter of them in children under five. Armed gangs, militias, and former Saudi mercenaries terrorise the people and extort money. Hospitals and schools do not have basic necessities, while water supplies, telecommunications, electricity generation and the road system barely function, if at all, due to the Saudi-led coalitions airstrikes. Human rights organisations have reported extrajudicial detentions, beatings, nail removal and electric shocks in Yemens unofficial detention centres and prisons, which have expanded during the war, with abuses committed by all parties to the war. This is in addition to the atrocious conditions in the official prisons and detention centres. The recent escalation in fighting follows the failure of the Riyadh Agreement, backed by the US and France and signed by the Hadi government and the secessionist Southern Transitional Council in November last year, for a power sharing deal, as well as the Saudis efforts over the last four months to effect a ceasefire. The Houthis have been reluctant to agree a ceasefire under conditions where the Saudi-led coalition has failed to make headway in a costly war it had in 2015 expected to win in a matter of weeks. The origins of the war lie in the 2011 Arab Spring, when mass protests broke out against the 32-year-long dictatorial rule of US and Saudi-backed president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who turned the military on the protesters. He was later forced to resign in favour of his vice-president, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, paving the way for elections in February 2012 in which Hadi was the only candidate to lead a transitional government. Houthi rebels in the north of the country rejected Hadis cosmetic reforms, and with the support of the former dictator, captured Sanaa, forcing Hadi to take refuge in Saudi Arabia. The situation on Yemen as of June 1 2020. The green area is controlled by the Supreme Political Council (Houthis), and the pink area is controlled by the Hadi-led government and allies. In March 2015, the House of Saud launched a military campaign to suppress the Houthi rebels and to reimpose their puppet, Hadi, who had taken up residence in Riyadh. It formed a military coalition with the UAE and other Arab countries. While the Saudis prosecuted the war by air, the UAE blockaded HodeidahYemens principal Red Sea portand provided many of the ground troops, along with local or tribal militias operating in unstable and fluid alliances, some backed by Riyadh and some by Abu Dhabi, until pulling out of the war last year. The US and UK, along with the other major powers, have backed the Saudi-led coalition to the hilt. They have supplied it with fighter jets, sophisticated weapons, material, military intelligence, refueling facilities and even covert forces on the ground. They not only provided diplomatic cover at the United Nations Security Council, but even secured an arms embargo on the groups under the control of the Houthis and former president Salehuntil he switched sides. The five-year-long war has turned into several conflicts and fragmented the country into three areas. The first is controlled by the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, in the north. The second is controlled by the UAE-backed STC in the south, which in June captured the Socotra Archipelago alongside major shipping routes near the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, and the Republican Guards on the western coast, led by former president Salehs nephew. The third, in the eastern provinces, is controlled by Hadis dwindling forces, who are battling not just the Houthis in Sanaa but the STC, based in Aden, and dissent in Shabwa, Marib and Hadhramawt governorates, testifying to the almost universal hatred of the Saudis and their local stooge. The economy has also collapsed. Yemens currency, the rial, has plummeted to its lowest rate against foreign currencies since the start of the war in March 2015, falling by 12 percent since the start of 2020 to 800 rials to the US dollar, amid international warnings of further falls. This was the result not just of the ongoing military war, but also the coalitions economic warfare on the country, including seizing control of Yemens oil and gas fields in the east and southern provinces, moving the Central Bank from Sanaa to Adento which the Houthis responded by banning the use of new banknotes printed in Aden and thereby creating two separate economic systemsand speculative attacks by market traders on the currency. A recent humanitarian aid conference for Yemen, hosted by Riyadh, raised just $1.35 billion, around $1 billion short of the target and less than half the $3.2 billion raised last year. Mark Lowcock, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that unless more money was raised, Yemen will face a horrific outcome at the end of the year. He added, Yemen is now on the precipice, right on the cliff edge, below which lies a tragedy of historic proportions. Last month, UNICEF, the UN childrens agency, warned that water, sanitation and hygiene services for four million people would start shutting down in July if it did not get $30 million by the end of the month. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, UNICEFs representative for Yemen, said, We are trying to prevent the health and water systems collapsing, and we were holding those pieces together. Now we are on the brink of collapse. She added, COVID could be the tipping point. Right now, 75 per cent of communities cannot afford to buy soap, and if they do have the money, the choice will be to buy something they can eat or medicine. She warned that over 6,000 children could die in the next six months from preventable diseases and malnutrition because of the terrible state of healthcare, lack of water and soap and the inability of aid workers to provide assistance because of the lack of funding. A further 30,000 children could develop life-threatening, severe acute malnutrition later this year. The total number of malnourished under-fives could rise to 2.4 million, half of that age group. Around 1,500 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed since the first case was recorded in April and over 400 deaths have been reported. The high death rate relative to the number of cases, nearly four times the global average, points to the lack of testing capacity in the country. Models wore see-through face shields as the Bangkok Motor Show opened Wednesday (July 15) - the first in the world since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The stunning girls - signature attractions at the annual car festival - avoided surgical-style face masks required in all other public buildings in Thailand during the Covid-19. Instead they had transparent shields which help to block transmission of the pandemic. The devices allowed them to display their flawless makeup while flashing smiles at the thousands of visitors to the event today (July 15). There had been concerns whether the festival, which sees stands from the biggest car manufacturers in the world, could go ahead due to the virus. From Detroit to Geneva, motor shows have been forced to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic, throwing the future of the industry's traditional way of marketing new models into doubt. However, with no new local transmission of Covid-19 within Thailand for more than 50 days, organisers were given the green light. The 41st Bangkok International Motor Show opened to the public after being pushed back twice since March. Event organiser Prachin Eamlumnow said: ''This is more than the motor show, but also Thailand's reputation because the other event organisers will be watching.'' Thailand will be the first to host a motor show on this scale since the pandemic, he said. Thailand is a major regional car production hub, with its previous motor shows registering more than a million visitors. Organisers have pledged to limit crowds this year and control entry at the show, where 25 car brands - including Ford and Subaru - and 22 motorcycle manufacturers will display their products. BALTIMORE, MD Ahead of back-to-back days when at least 700 Maryland residents tested positive for the coronavirus, Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. Jack Young and other Democrats urged Gov. Larry Hogan to consider a hybrid model for the November election rather than the largely in-person voting platform that Hogan prefers. On Monday, the group led by Young presented the proposal in a letter to Hogan in which they urged him to reconsider a largely in-person plan for voting and, instead, put the emphasis on voting by mail and extended in-person voting centers. We have only to look at the failures across the country of states that required vote-by-mail ballot applications in which millions of additional dollars had to be spent, elections staff overwhelmed with last minute applications that could not be processed in time for Election Day, and the resulting need to extend voting hours as voters were forced to the polls, the letter said, according to the Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young. (Getty Images) In addition to Young, the letter was signed by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr., Frederick County Executive Jan H. Gardner, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. In the letter, the group also wrote that pulling off an election that was based largely on in-person voting would present a Herculean task and would set up a course of failure for election boards because they would essentially be trying to tally in-person and mail-in ballots at the same time. The letter also stated concerns that because of the coronavirus, voting precincts in public places such as churches, community centers and other public spaces could be at a premium, which adds to the challenge of conducting in-person voting. A Hogan spokesman told The Sun on Tuesday that elections should not be a partisan issue and that everyone should have the chance to request a ballot to make their voice heard. This article originally appeared on the Baltimore Patch Joshua Wong, second from left front row, poses with other pro-democracy activists while campaigning for the primary - AFP China on Tuesday declared a primary election for pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong "illegal", saying it violated the new national security law. More than 600,000 residents voted over the weekend in an unofficial ballot to determine which candidates to put forward for the September election to the Legislative Council, the Beijing-dominated body that oversees the city. The city's leader Carrie Lam said on Monday that the voting was subversive in that it was an attempt to undermine the parliament and deliberately block government proposals. If this so-called primary elections purpose is to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering what they called 35-plus [the majority of lawmakers], with the objective of objecting or resisting every policy initiative of the HKSAR government, it may fall into the category of subverting the state power one of the four types of offences under the national security law, Ms Lam said. I am not saying it has breached (the law), but I have to put forward a warning that if thats going to be proven to be the case, then its certainly a case to be answered. Beijing's Liaison office in the city later released a strongly worded statement, saying the vote was an attempt to overthrow the government and accusing one of the organisers, Benny Tai, who co-founded the National Occupy Movement, of colluding with foreign powers. "Tai was the culprit behind the chaos in Hong Kong and the representative for colluding foreign powers," the statement said. "The goal for the opposition party is to strike a colour revolution in Hong Kong to overturn the government. The statement, which accused the ballot of violating privacy laws by collecting voter data, also called on the local Hong Kong government to investigate after receiving a lot of complaints about the illegitimate poll. Mr Tai rejected the allegations in a post on Facebook, saying the polls were free of any foreign influence and merely reflected the will of the people. Story continues I hope the Beijing government can see that these 610,000 votes represent Hong Kongers views in its most peaceful way. If such an act breaks the law, this will only make governance more difficult and generate greater resistance in society, he said. Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in late June, threatening life in prison for a range of ill-defined crimes including secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign collusion. Critics have said the legislation effectively ends the freedoms granted to Hong Kong under the one country, two systems agreement, which Beijing signed with Britain before the territory's handover in 1997. The results of the primary brought a host of victories for young local candidates against more traditional, experienced law-makers. They were seen to have ridden a wave of energy generated by the pro-democracy protests that erupted in Hong Kong last year. Joshua Wong, a pro-democracy activist and primary candidate, came first in his constituency and said on his Twitter that the massive turnout was in defiance of Beijing Government and the draconian law. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday shut the door on "Phase 2" trade negotiations with China, saying he does not want to talk to Beijing about trade because of the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm not interested right now in talking to China," Trump replied when asked in an interview with CBS News whether Phase 2 trade talks were dead. "We made a great trade deal," Trump said, of the Phase 1 agreement signed in January. "But as soon as the deal was done, the ink wasn't even dry, and they hit us with the plague," he said, referring to the novel coronavirus, which first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan. For months, Trump has blamed China for sending the coronavirus to the United States, saying that China must be "held accountable" for failing to contain the disease. The pandemic has taken a stiff toll on the U.S. economy, endangering Trump's hopes for re-election in November. China pledged to increase purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy and services by $200 billion (159 billion pounds) over two years as part of the Phase 1 trade deal, but Trump has said the pandemic changed his views on the agreement. At the White House, Trump announced that he signed legislation and an executive order to hold China accountable for the "oppressive" national security law it imposed on Hong Kong. The measure approved by Congress, the latest in a series of moves aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Beijing, gives Trump's administration the authority to penalize banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement Beijings new national security law on Hong Kong. Trump said he has no plans to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, few trade watchers in Washington were expecting Phase 2 negotiations to bear fruit before the 2020 election. While Phase 1 focused mainly on Chinese purchases of U.S. goods, improved U.S. access to China's financial services market and some intellectual property issues, Phase 2 was meant to tackle far more difficult issues associated with China's technology transfer policies, industrial espionage and government subsidies to state-owned enterprises. Nicole Kidman has shared a rare photo of herself with her sister Antonia Kidman and niece Lucia, with the three women looking seriously similar. The Aussie actress shared the family snap in celebration of Antonia's birthday, writing: "To my sister, I love you so much. Happy Birthday gorgeous... Cant wait to see you again and cover you in kisses and love." Nicole Kidman shared a rare photo of herself and her lookalike sister, Antonia, and niece, Lucia. Photo: Instagram/Nicole Kidman Nicole is currently separated from family due to the coronavirus pandemic with the 53-year-old actress staying at her US home in Nashville, while Antonia is in Sydney with her family, including her six children. Antonia recently took to Instagram to share another snap of herself and her daughter, this time with her son Hamish, 19. One fan commented: "Lucia looks so much like you, absolutely gorgeous," while another added, "Mini mum." "You daughter looks just like Nicole, another wrote. A source has previously told Woman's Day that Lucia, who is studying journalism, is keen on potentially following in her famous aunt's footsteps and getting into acting. "Lucia adores Nicole and has her heart set on following in her footsteps - not just in her fashion sense either," they said. "She's studying journalism but word is, she's being drawn closer to the acting world." Antonia worked as a journalist with Channel Nine's Today show before moving to Newcastle and working as a reporter there. Nicole has previously spoken about how she can't wait to see her family in Australia, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: "I have my immediate family here, but I don't have my extended family, who are so much a part of me. I can't touch them." "So many people are in exactly the same position. So many people right now are going, 'When do I see my family again?'" Story continues While in lockdown it appears Nicole has enjoyed watching Tiger King, like millions of others around the world. She shared a photo to Instagram of herself in a leopard print outfit with the caption: "Hey all you cool cats and kittens," alongside a winking emoji. She added that her daughter 12-year-old daughter Sunday Rose, who she shares with husband Keith Urban, had taken the snap. Sign up to our daily newsletter here to get all the latest news and hacks. Or get in touch at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com. Warning: This article includes content some readers may find disturbing A man from Sheffield in the United Kingdom who hadnt visited a dentist for 27 years has had to have 90 percent of his jaw removedleaving him unable to talk, eat, or drinkafter it was revealed that he had a tumor the size of a fist. In August 2019, Darren Wilkinson, 51, who was so afraid to visit a dentist, was persuaded by his wife, Mel, 53, to go for a routine checkup following some toothache. The dentist did an X-ray and said shed never seen anything like it before, Darren shared, according to Bone Cancer Research Trust. Darren Wilkinson, 51, a support worker, in hospital at Sheffield. (Caters News) The X-ray showed a massive shadow, a black hole in the middle of his face, Mel told Caters News Agency. A few months after on Dec. 19, 2019, Darren was referred to as a nonurgent case to the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital for a biopsya procedure to take a small sample of tissue for analysis. Christmas was hell because we were told it could have been a tumor but we knew from the X-ray it was the size of a fist, Mel said. An X-ray of Darren Wilkinson. (Caters News) After undergoing two biopsies in December and January, on Jan. 30, a full diagnosis revealed that the support worker had a large, locally aggressive tumor called ameloblastoma that needed to be removed as soon as possible. Ameloblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that begins in the jaw often near the wisdom teeth or molars, according to WebMD. Although it is not cancerous, if it goes untreated, it can start to grow in other areas and become malignant. Mel recalls that learning of the diagnosis was absolutely horrific. She told Caters News Agency: Its so rare, we were told the odds of him getting it is one in five million. Darren was diagnosed with ameloblastoma. (Caters News) However, Darren revealed that he was able to get through the diagnosis by joining an ameloblastoma Facebook group, from which he started his own blog on Facebook called Humour with a Tumour. Additionally, he also admitted that he contacted some people who have had to face the same thing as him and their advice was priceless, according to Bone Cancer Research Trust. During the period of time before Darrens major surgery, Mel told Caters News Agency: He wasnt allowed to eat anything solid because his jaw was so thin in places it would just fracture. Darren was supposed to undergo surgery on March 20 to remove his jaw and to insert titanium plates; however, due to Covid-19, the surgery was delayed to April. Sadly, a week after the surgery, Darren developed sepsis. According to Mayo Clinic, sepsis is potentially life-threatening and is caused by the bodys response to an infection. It can also trigger changes that can damage multiple organ systems. I dropped him off at the hospital and drove awayit was the longest, most desolate day of my life, Mel told Caters News Agency. He was so ill, he said he could feel every organ in his body shutting down. Darren with his wife, Mel Wilkinson. (Caters News) Darren had emergency surgery and six surgeries afterward due to complications and infections. Now when I look inside his mouth I can clearly see the exposed metal plates, wires and the dead bone, Mel said. Currently, Darren is unable to talk, eat, or drink. Mel shared that his tongue has swollen so much that he can barely even breathe. Darren, who has put enormous effort into raising awareness of little-known tumors amid his ordeal, has also been worried about how the entire surgery would change his appearance; and according to Mel, he now feels like a big drooling baby. The plan for Darren, who is currently under recovery, is that he will get a transplant from his lower leg bones to try to rebuild his jaw. As its highly unlikely that Darren will get back to work any time soon, a GoFundMe page has been organized to raise funds for the familys living costs and further treatments. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc Her age-defying looks and flawless complexion is envied by woman the world over. And now Naomi Watts, 51, has shared her beauty secrets, revealing she mostly relies on clean and natural skincare. Speaking to The Chalkboard this week, Naomi unveiled some of her favourite go-to products, with her typical haul costing a cool $860. So that's how she does it! Naomi Watts, 51, revealed the secrets to her age-defying looks this week Naomi, who co-owns Onda Beauty salons in Sydney, London and New York, said she was nervous at first to try clean skincare products. 'I always thought that if it didn't hurt, it probably wouldn't work!' Naomi told The Chalkboard. 'Once I started trying things, I saw not only real efficacy, but a solid shift in my overly sensitive skin.' It doesn't come cheap! Speaking to The Chalkboard this week, Naomi revealed some of her favourite go-to products, revealing her typical haul costs a cool $860 NAOMI'S GO-TO PRODUCTS 1. VINTNER'S DAUGHTER Active Botanical Serum, 30ml - $270 2. Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Women - Rich - $284 3. Goop Beauty's Goopglow microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator $178 4. Saint Jane The C-Drops $128 Advertisement She added: 'Knowing that there are no harmful ingredients makes so much sense.' The mother-of-two, who is known for roles in King Kong and The Ring, revealed some of her favourite products. Naomi said she loves Barbara Sturm's skincare and swears by the $284 Rich Face Cream, as well as Saint Jane's $128 vitamin C drops, The C-drops. She also loves the Active Botanical Serum from Vintner's Daughter, which retails for $270, and Goop Beauty's Goopglow microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator, worth $178. Naomi is also a fan of Beautycounter's $64 tinted moisturiser for when she needs some makeup. Last week, Naomi revealed how she's been keeping 'sane' while in lockdown and tackling her 'anxiety' while at home. Speaking to Vogue, she said that she's been cooking, reading, taking care of herself and 'taking it day by day.' 'I'm a planner and not being able to think too far forward gives me anxiety,' Naomi told the publication. Luxe: Naomi said she loves Barbara Sturm's skincare and swears by the $284 Rich Face Cream (pictured) Her faves: Naomi loves the Active Botanical Serum from Vintner's Daughter, which retails for $270 (left) and Saint Jane's $128 vitamin C drops, The C-drops (right) Her tips and tricks: It comes after the stunner revealed how she's been keeping 'sane' while in lockdown and tackling her 'anxiety' while at home. Naomi said she's been exercising a lot, cooking, listening to podcasts and audio books and reading to get her through 'With all the uncertainty it's best to just think small ''how do I get through this day?'' Naomi - who was recently isolating in the Hamptons with her family and ex Liev Schreiber - said that talking to friends regularly helps. 'We are collectively sharing this experience and mostly everyone is having to deal with some level of frustration, sadness, or loneliness, and therefore we all need to find ways to connect,' she explained. Naomi said she's been exercising a lot, cooking, listening to podcasts and audio books and reading to get her through. She added that she's also been making sure to prioritise self-care, and has been using an oil before bed to help her get to sleep - $76 De Mamiel Sleep Series Settle oil. The blonde beauty said she's also been using the $99 Jao Goe body oil on her skin. Rating Action: Moody's assigns Aa1 to Honolulu, HI's 2020 GO bonds; outlook negative Global Credit Research - 14 Jul 2020 New York, July 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service has assigned Aa1 ratings to the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii's General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020C ($189.3 million), Series 2020D ($54.3 million), Series 2020E (Taxable) ($41.2 million) and Series 2020F (Refunding) ($68.9 million). Moody's has affirmed the Aa1 ratings on Honolulu's $3.7 billion in outstanding general obligation bonds. We also maintain a P-1 rating on Honolulu's commercial paper program. The outlook has been revised to negative from stable. RATINGS RATIONALE The Aa1 ratings take into consideration Honolulu's massive tax base that has shown healthy long-term growth, as well as the strength and stability of the city and county's financial profile derived from that tax base. Although the coronavirus pandemic has severely curtailed the tourism activity that is a key driver of the economy, most of Honolulu's revenue is derived from property taxes rates that are incredibly low and reflective of assessments that are 18-24 months in arrears of real market activity, making it substantially less exposed and better positioned to respond to economic declines. Ample liquidity provides the city and county a substantial buffer to manage cash flows if the current economic dislocation from the coronavirus pandemic results in property tax delinquencies. As a result, Honolulu's financial profile will remain solid given a revenue structure that in the short-term is somewhat insulated from the immediate effects of the coronavirus on its tourism-supported economy. Large private and public construction projects and a significant military presence provide some offsetting stability to an economy that has been significantly slowed by the coronavirus, and the city has been the beneficiary of substantial federal aid. Debt is manageable, and the city and county has over the last several years adjusted its financial operations to respond to higher required contribution rates to address relatively high pension and OPEB liabilities. Story continues RATING OUTLOOK The negative outlook reflects our expectation that severe weakness in air travel will continue to suppress visitor counts to Honolulu, and weak economic conditions both in the US and globally will hurt tourism spending. Although these do not directly impact Honolulu's property tax revenue in the short-term, sustained levels of elevated unemployment will eventually hurt property valuations and property tax collections, and elevated fixed costs from debt, pension and OPEB liabilities will limit Honolulu's ability to make significant expenditure cuts. Shortfalls in general excise taxes and transient accommodations taxes in support of the rail project will remain manageable for the city and county relative to the size of its tax base and existing debt portfolio but add incremental contingent liability risks. Climate risks, particularly those related to sea level rise, are mid-to-long term challenges that state and local leaders are beginning to address. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OF THE RATINGS - Increased economic diversification and improvement in wealth indices - Significant improvement in the funding of OPEB and pension liabilities - Greater certainty regarding rail costs, revenue streams and plans to address their impact on the city and county's finances FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS - Sustained economic weakness leading to declines in assessed values and property tax collections - Material decline in the city and county's financial profile - Inability to manage substantial fixed costs - Substantial growth in the city and county's contribution to the rail project LEGAL SECURITY The bonds are secured by an unlimited property tax pledge; debt service payments represent a first charge on the city and county's general fund. USE OF PROCEEDS The 2020C and 2020D bond proceeds will be used for general capital projects and equipment. The 2020E bond proceeds will pay for capital improvements to the H-Power plant. The 2020F bonds will be used to refund for savings certain outstanding maturities of the 2010A (BABs) bonds. PROFILE Coterminous with the island of Oahu, the City and County of Honolulu is the capital city of the State of Hawaii and the economic and political center of the state. Approximately one million people live on the island, constituting nearly 70% of the state's population. METHODOLOGY The principal methodology used in these ratings was US Local Government General Obligation Debt published in September 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBM_1191097. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004 For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569. At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above. The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. William Oh Lead Analyst Regional PFG West Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 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Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study led by UMass Medical School researchers has found that parents of premature infants on home oxygen therapy can safely and effectively report babies' oxygen levels in between clinic visits. Reporting oxygen levels from home every few days was associated with shorter use of home oxygen therapy and fewer adverse outcomes, compared with premature infants on home oxygen being monitored primarily in the clinic, according to the study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study was done by Lawrence M. Rhein, MD, MPH, the Stoddard Chair of Pediatrics, and chair and associate professor of pediatrics, and Ted M. Kremer, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, along with colleagues at nine clinical sites throughout the United States. Researchers were able to determine, for the first time, the safety and typical length of home oxygen treatment among premature infants with lung disease; whether parents could effectively monitor and report infants' oxygen levels from home; impacts on health and safety such as infants' weight and adverse health events; and the impact of home oxygen therapy on families' quality of life. Dr. Rhein said he hoped the study would give families more choices. Nearly one-third of early preterm infants, born between 23- and 28-weeks' gestational age, who are diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia will require home oxygen. Standard guidelines for home oxygen care for these infants didn't exist, according to Rhein, because until recently few of these babies survived. "We know that there are thousands of infants who go home with oxygen every year in the U.S.," he said, "and we think that with the publication of a protocol, there's the opportunity to help even more." Among 196 premature infants who were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit on home oxygen therapy, 97 were randomly assigned to have their home oxygen data recorded and transmitted to the medical center every few days in between monthly clinic visits. Ninety-nine infants were in the standard care group, receiving monthly clinic visits and an overnight inpatient test to determine eligibility to wean off home oxygen. Infants whose oxygen levels were reported from home up to twice a week discontinued home oxygen therapy 22 percent sooner, a median of 71 days for those with recorded home oximetry versus 90 days for standard home oxygen therapy. Those with recorded home oximetry also experienced better growth and fewer adverse events such as viral respiratory infection and feeding intolerance requiring intervention or hospital admission. There were no significant differences in reported quality-of-life measures between the standard care group and the recorded home oximetry group, although both groups said their quality of life improved after their baby was weaned from home oxygen. Rhein said that home oximetry is easy to use and the readings can be transmitted electronically or by mail to the medical center. He said it could save families from having to bring a vulnerable baby, along with oxygen tanks, into the clinic as often for assessment and therapy adjustments, protecting them from potential exposure to coronavirus and other viruses. "And because we were able to make those adjustments multiple times between clinic visits, our hypothesis was that we would be able to potentially decrease the time that they're on oxygen," said Rhein. Rhein and his colleagues plan to follow up with a multicenter implementation trial, using enhanced technology that automatically transmits home oximetry measurements to the medical center. But the home oximetry protocol is already in place at UMass Memorial Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital. "It really has continued to show the same results of shortening duration of oxygen safely, so we're thrilled with the idea that as technology improves, that should be even more accessible," Rhein said. Explore further Study answers when moderate to late preterm babies go home More information: Lawrence Rhein et al. Transmitted Home Oximetry and Duration of Home Oxygen in Premature Infants, Pediatrics (2020). Journal information: Pediatrics Lawrence Rhein et al. Transmitted Home Oximetry and Duration of Home Oxygen in Premature Infants,(2020). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-0079 PALM BEACH, Florida, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last few years, all the talk has been about cannabis, cannabis cannabis. CBD, CBG, THC and so on but recent reports see the spotlight moving onto a different new "old" player. Its been said in a recent article that: "The global march toward cannabis legalization has seemingly awoken another long dormant area of scientific interest: psychedelics as medicine. While the idea of using LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin (the main hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms) to treat mental health disorders is far from a trail-blazing concept, this whole area of research had been off limits for the better part of the last 50 years. Then, something strange happened In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation (BTD) (for) psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression. A few months later, the agency awarded (another) BTD for psilocybin therapy for major depressive disorder. In lockstep with the FDA's more open-minded approach toward psychedelic medicine, Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz all decided to decriminalize magic mushrooms. Hundreds of other U.S. cities are reportedly considering similar measures at the moment." Mentioned in today's commentary include: Global Trac Solutions, Inc. (OTCPK: PSYC), Champignon Brands Inc. (OTCQB: SHRMF) (CSE: SHRM), The Yield Growth Corp. (OTCQB: BOSQF) (CSE: BOSS), Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (OTCQB: MMEDF) (NEO: MMED), Mota Ventures Corp. (OTCPK: PEMTF) (CSE: MOTA). The article stated it is a new era in psychedelic medicine, saying: "This renewed interest in psychedelics is being sparked by a pair of seemingly unrelated events. First up, cannabis has now been scientifically validated as a treatment for two severe forms of childhood epilepsy (more on this in a moment). These pioneering efforts with cannabis as medicine, in turn, have inspired researchers to take a second look at other controversial compounds like psilocybin. What's important to understand is that a paradigm shift is starting to be taking shape within the Western medical community. In effect, scientists are increasingly intrigued by the therapeutic potential of psychedelics as treatments for a whole range of mental health disorders. Psychedelic medicine thus has the potential to be a gold mine for early investors." Global Trac Solutions, Inc. (OTC Pink: PSYC) Breaking News: PSYC Offers Fresh Look at Emerging Psilocybin Community with July Newsletter - Global Trac Solutions is pleased to announce the 2nd monthly release and distribution of the July edition of its Microdose Monthly newsletter, which features three articles that provide an overview of Kevin O'Leary's investment participation with MindMed, a review of Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Lab on Netflix, and an exclusive one-on-one interview with Chi Psilocybin, a prominent voice for the psychedelic reform movement and owner of Truffles Therapy in Amsterdam. The interview with Chi, amply titled "A Servant of the Mushroom Kingdom," is an in-depth look at a personal journey and discovery of the benefits associated with a life-long affinity for psychedelics and finding life's passion and purpose. On a trip to Thailand, Chi met his future wife and co-founder of their company, Truffles Therapy, a psilocybin retreat that has become his life's work and has hosted many hundreds of "journeyers" from all over the world. Chi believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic of mushrooms. David Flores, Global CEO, said, "I would like to personally thank Chi for taking the time to share his unique and fascinating story with us and for the voice he lends to the psychedelic reform movement taking place across the globe. Chi is playing a vital role in the industry's continued emergence into society's mainstream, which is showing great promise through clinical studies for treating debilitating mental health conditions, in addition to improving quality of life for millions across the globe. I believe that our subscribers are really going to enjoy this month's latest newsletter written by Mr. Kent Sligh, Global's Creative Content Director. Furthermore, I look forward to developing our network of industry leaders and advocates and exploring opportunities throughout this process to establish some of the strategic partnerships that will in time contribute to our emergence as an industry leader for news and information." In other active company news in the markets this week: Champignon Brands Inc. (OTCQB: SHRMF) (CSE: SHRM), a human optimization sciences company with an emphasis on ketamine and psychedelic medicine, continues to highlight the scientific merit of its ketamine treatments for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) while demonstrating rapid onset efficacy and safety of its treatment processes. To this accord, the Company is proud to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Roger McIntyre, and the Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence (the "CRTCE") have been recently published in two peer reviewed study journals (the "Peer Reviewed Studies") focusing on ketamine's safety, tolerability and effectiveness: Safety and tolerability of IV ketamine in adults with major depressive or bipolar disorder: Results from the Canadian rapid treatment center of excellence. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 1-10. doi:10.1080/14740338.2020.1776699 and The Effectiveness of Ketamine on Anxiety, Irritability, and Agitation: Implications for Treating Mixed Features in Adults with Major Depressive or Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorders. doi:10.1111/bdi.12941. The Company invites both current and prospective shareholders to review the Peer Reviewed Studies using applicable databases. The Yield Growth Corp. (OTCQB: BOSQF) (CSE: BOSS) recently announced its majority owned subsidiary NeonMind has entered into an agreement entitled "CLINICAL TRIALS START-UP STUDY AGREEMENT" with Translational Life Sciences Inc. ("TLS") to initiate clinical trials to test certain potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other compounds in psychedelic mushrooms. According to the terms of the engagement, signed on May 6, 2020, NeonMind and TLS shall work together to conduct the evaluation of psilocin or psilocybin on cravings, on the metabolism, on food addiction and on glucose and hormone levels. Neon authorizes TLS to perform activities required to prepare for and conduct the study and the parties shall work towards entering into a clinical study agreement. NeonMind shall pay for all costs related to the study and TLS shall arrange for prior approval by Health Canada, and engagement of all necessary parties to conduct the study. Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (OTCQB: MMEDF) (NEO: MMED) the leading neuro-pharmaceutical company for psychedelic inspired medicines is rapidly advancing its drug development pipeline and R&D activities since its listing on March 3, 2020. MindMed Co-Founder and Co-CEO JR Rahn said, "Our progress in the past few months clearly demonstrates the quality of our team and the pace at which we operate as a company. We are honored to pioneer the fast growing psychedelic inspired medicines industry alongside peers including COMPASS Pathways, ATAI Life Sciences and non-profits MAPs, USONA and the Heffter Institute. There is a very clear distinction of the caliber of organizations advancing clinical trials to develop disruptive medicines for mental health and addiction and we look forward to continually raising the bar for the entire space and patients." Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. is a neuro-pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and deploys psychedelic-inspired medicines to improve health, promote wellness and alleviate suffering. The company's has initiated or is initiating studies to evaluate potential treatments to help patients with ADHD, anxiety, cluster headaches and substance abuse. The MindMed executive team brings extensive biopharmaceutical industry experience to this groundbreaking approach to the development of next-generation psychedelic medicines. Mota Ventures Corp. (OTCPK: PEMTF) (CSE: MOTA) recently announced that its US based Nature's Exclusive brand ("Nature's Exclusive" or the "brand") acquired 102,844 new customers during the six month period ending June 30, 2020. Total new customers acquired during the reported period represents an all-time high for new customers within any given six-month period for the brand. This record number of customers acquired can be attributed to the Company's increased marketing efforts of its Nature's Exclusive brand, as well as a successful scaling of the Company's supply chain, and its ability to respond to market demand in the midst of a global pandemic through the introduction of new and relevant products. Commenting on new records being set by the Company, Ryan Hoggan, CEO stated, "With 2020 presenting so many uncertainties, including on a global economic front, I am very pleased with the Company's 2020 performance to date. Mota, and its Nature's Exclusive brand are illustrating their resilience and relevance. In the first half of this year, not only have we reached a record number of new customers, at over 100,000, we also reached and released record sales revenues of $5.1 million, for the month of May, alone. With these reassuring indicators that Mota and Nature's Exclusive are establishing brand recognition and demand, we are increasingly confident that continued focus on growth in the US and expansion in Europe will prove successful and continue to create value for our shareholders and stakeholders, alike." DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third- party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of current press release issued by Global Trac Solutions, Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. 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Contact Information: Media Contact email: [email protected] +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com Taiwan condemns China over threat to sanction U.S. arms dealer ROC Central News Agency 07/14/2020 09:59 PM Taipei, July 14 (CNA) Taiwan's foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned China after Beijing earlier in the day threatened to impose sanctions on a U.S. company over its involvement in selling weapons to the country. Ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou () condemned China over its threat to sanction Lockheed Martin, the primary contractor in an arms sale package to upgrade Taipei's Patriot Surface-to-Air missiles, approved by Washington last week. Ou said China's aggressive moves in sending warplanes and warships to operate near Taiwan in recent months have destabilized regional peace and security, pose a serious threat to the security of Taiwan and concern nearby countries. It is only because of the growing threat from China that Taiwan has to purchase weapon systems to boost its self-defense capability, Ou said. "We are doing this to maintain cross-strait peace and to defend the nation's sovereignty and democratic system," she continued, while reiterating that Beijing's "irrational and barbaric threats" will not change Taiwan's firm rejection of the "one country, two systems" model China supports in its push for cross-strait reunification. Ou pledged that Taiwan will continue to enhance cooperation with like-minded countries in boosting its self-defense capacity to maintain peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Ou's remarks were made in response to a statement issued by her Chinese counterpart Zhao Lijian () in a press event earlier Tuesday, during which Zhao said China will impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin, without going into detail. The United States should "stop selling arms to Taiwan and cut its military ties to Taiwan, so it won't do further harm to bilateral relations between China and the United States," he added. Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of State announced that it has approved a request by Taiwan for the recertification of its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defense missiles, at an estimated cost of US$620 million. The main contractor for the deal is Lockheed Martin, a U.S.-based aerospace, defense, arms, security, and advanced technologies company. The latest announcement is the seventh arms sales package U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has announced since taking office in January 2017, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. (By Chen Yun-yu and Joseph Yeh) Enditem NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Related Senegal to ease virus curfew after angry protests Senegal resumed international flights on Wednesday, four months after severing air links because of the coronavirus pandemic. An Air Algerie flight arrived at Dakar's international airport at midnight Tuesday and six other flights were scheduled to depart and arrive throughout the day, according to the Ministry of Air Transport. Passengers departing for the West African country are required to present proof from an approved laboratory that they have tested negative for coronavirus within the previous seven days. The certificate has to come from a lab in the country where the trip originated. "I can confirm that everything is going well," the ministry's director of air transport, Omar Khassimou Dia, told AFP. International commercial flights for repatriation had continued to depart and arrive intermittently in Dakar after the closure of air borders in March. Land and sea borders remain closed. Senegal lifted its state of emergency and curfew, imposed in March to stem the spread of the virus, at the end of June. The restrictions had triggered violent protests, as seen in several countries in the region. The number of cases in Senegal continues to climb, however, with more than 8,300 infections and 153 deaths recorded since March 2. President Macky Sall said in a televised speech last month that the impoverished country could see a recession due to the pandemic, and that "productive activity must be resumed in order to get our economy going again". Search Keywords: Short link: By PTI JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot of involvement in horse trading with the BJP to topple his government in the state. Pilot was removed from the posts of the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress president on Tuesday amid a tussle for power with Gehlot. On Tuesday too, the CM had accused the rebel leader of playing into the hands of the BJP, which he said wanted a repeat of the Madhya Pradesh episode where the Congress government collapsed in March after a rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia. In an interaction with reporters here on Wednesday, the chief minister, however, did not mention Pilot by his name but said the "former Pradesh Congress Committee president" was himself doing the deal. We have the proof that horse trading was being committed. Money was offered. And who gave the clarification that nothing was happening? Those who were themselves part of the conspiracy are giving clarifications, he said. Our deputy chief minister and PCC president himself was doing the deal and was giving statements that no horse trading was taking place. What clarifications are you giving when you yourself were involved in it, Gehlot added. While mentioning that he (Pilot) has been a Union minister and the state Congress chief, Gehlot said he would have performed well for the nation had he gone through "struggle in his youth". Speaking good English or giving a byte is not everything. What do you have in your heart, what commitment do you have, this all is seen, Gehlot added, stressing that he is the chief minister for the third time and struggled a lot in his youth. Gehlot also said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and he himself love the youth. Gehlot also hit out at the national media saying it is supporting those who are involved in murdering democracy". He said the younger generation in the media should raise a voice if the democracy is being murdered The media should support honesty and truth. Is it not the duty of the media to raise a voice if the the democracy is being finished, he said. UK to deploy new aircraft carrier to the Far East to 'counter' China Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 5:45 PM In the latest sign the UK is determined to adopt a belligerent approach against China, it is being reported that military chiefs have drawn up plans to deploy one of Britain's new aircraft carriers to the Far East. News of the potential deployment comes on the heels of Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's decision to expel the Chinese technology giant Huawei from the UK by 2027. According to the Times (July 14), British military chiefs have drawn up plans to deploy the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Far East as part of a broader strategy of countering an "increasingly assertive China". The HMS Queen Elizabeth which costs 3.1 billion is expected to set sail on its maiden voyage early next year. The 65,000-tonne warship will be the focal point of a carrier strike group expected to deploy near Chinese territorial waters as part of a belligerent UK posture in the Far East. The Times is reporting that the aircraft carrier is expected to conduct "military exercises" with allies, notably the US and Japan. But in a sign the UK does not have an entirely coherent plan in place, the vessel is also "likely" to double up as a "floating trade fair", effectively used as a platform for making "deals". The Times which cites "defense" sources for its exclusive report - does not explain what kind of "deals" are expected to be struck on the deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Alongside its sister aircraft carrier, the HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Queen Elizabeth completes the UK's new aircraft carrier fleet. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, has appointed Adam Petrone as senior vice president and Northeast regional executive in the U.S. In his new role, Petrone will lead the Northeast region underwriting team in Manhattan, where he is based. Petrone will report to Bob Gadaleta, head of Field for Hiscox USA. Prior to his appointment, Petrone served as vice president of Field Management and led a number of strategic initiatives for the Field Leadership team. He began his career at Hiscox in 2009 in Service Delivery before taking other roles of increasing responsibility and then transitioning to broker distribution. In his most recent role, Petrone applied a customer-centric approach to distribution management and worked with the data and change teams to drive continued growth. Hiscox USA provides a variety of specialty risk solutions, including errors and omissions, general liability, cyber and data security, media liability, management liability, crime and terrorism insurance products. In the U.S., Hiscox is headquartered in New York, N.Y., with offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Ill.; Chesapeake, Va.; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Los Angeles, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; San Francisco, Calif. and White Plains, N.Y. Source: Hiscox By Andrew Hay and Brendan O'Brien July 15 (Reuters) - Oklahoma's Republican Governor Kevin Stitt said on Wednesday he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the first time a U.S. state governor has announced they were infected. The number of U.S. cases has spiked, particularly in the south and west, since local officials started loosening economic and social restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. New cases are now averaging around 60,000 a day. Oklahoma reported a record case increase for the second day in a row on Wednesday, with 1,075 new cases, bringing its total to 22,813. The total number of cases nationally is nearing 3.5 million, by far the highest number in the world. Stitt had faced a backlash in recent days after posting on Twitter a picture of himself and two of his children at a crowded restaurant, even as state health authorities urged social distancing to slow the outbreak. "I got tested yesterday for COVID-19 and the results came back positive," Stitt said in a video conference call with reporters. "I feel fine, really, I mean you might say I'm asymptomatic or just slightly kind of a little bit achy." Stitt was at a rally held by U.S. President Donald Trump in Tulsa on June 20 that was attended by thousands of people, most of them not wearing masks, against the advice of health officials to not gather in large groups. The first-term Republican governor said he had worked with contact tracers on when his symptoms developed and they believed he would not have been contagious before Saturday. Although Stitt encourages Oklahomans to wear face masks, he rarely wears one in public himself and, unlike some other governors, has not issued a statewide mask mandate. Trump, another Republican, has also been reluctant to embrace masks. Since the Tulsa rally, coronavirus cases in the surrounding county have risen to over 5,200 - a 219% increase over the last four weeks, according to a Reuters analysis. Story continues Eight staff members of Trump's campaign tested positive around the time of that event. Several U.S. officials have tested positive for the virus, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Louisiana's attorney general, Jeff Landry, canceled a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday after testing positive. Landry said he had no symptoms and was taking medication prescribed by his doctor. Florida, which has become an epicenter of the new outbreak, on Wednesday reported another 10,000 new cases, putting the state's total cases at over 300,000. It also reported 112 new deaths, down from the record of 133 reported on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized young people in the third largest U.S. city for not taking the pandemic seriously enough, citing data showing an increase in cases among people from the ages of 18 to 29. "Some of you have joked that I'm like the mom who will turn the car around when you're acting up. No, friends, it's actually worse. I won't just turn the car around. I'm going to shut it off. I'm going to kick you out and I'm going to make you walk home," Lightfoot told a news conference. (Additional reporting by Lisa Shumaker; Writing by Sonya Hepinstall; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) He's the hunky tattooed star who rose to fame after he appeared on the 2018 season of Love Island Australia, which is currently airing in England on ITV2. And on Wednesday, Jaxon Human appears to have gone Instagram official with his model girlfriend, Tori Tabbit, after almost one year of dating. Sharing a loved-up selfie of the couple, the 26-year-old is seen holding onto his new flame's stomach as they posed for a photo together. Making it official! Love Island's Jaxon Human (right) appears to have gone Instagram official with his model girlfriend, Tori Tabbit (left), after almost one year of dating 'Couple of homebodies,' he cryptically wrote underneath the photo. While this is the first photo of the pair on his account, a quick glimpse of Tori's Instagram page suggests they've been together since August last year. One photo dated February shows Tori with her arms over his shoulders, while another sees the pair cuddling. Something to tell us? Sharing a loved-up selfie of the couple, the 26-year-old is seen holding onto his new flame's stomach as they posed for a photo together Previously speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Jaxon admitted his ultimate romantic day out would involve a trip to a humble fast-food chain. 'I am still looking for that girl to jump on the back of my Harley and ride to McDonald's with me and get a caramel latte,' the motorbike enthusiast confessed. 'I like getting a caramel latte with a toasted banana bread from the cafe near me,' he continued. Couple: While this is the first photo of the pair on his account, a quick glimpse of partner Tori's profile suggests they've been together since August last year The male entertainer initially went into the villa with the aim of coupling up with Cassidy McGill - an intention that soon turned sour. Explaining what went wrong between them, he said: 'I let my emotions get to my head. I thought I had to be in a couple straight away.' The first season of Love Island Australia is currently being broadcast on ITV2 after the British series was suspended due to coronavirus. By Jake Copty Copty is a lifelong Roanoker. He graduated from North Cross School in 1998 and VMI in 2002. In 2007, upon returning from the war in Iraq and other places in the Middle East, he went to work with his familys commercial real estate company. He is now in manufacturing. Over the past month there has been a discussion taking place about the Virginia Military Institute and its connection to the Confederacy. The opinion most amplified across various publications is that VMI must grapple with, then remove its connection to it. I am hopeful that this point of view also finds its way into the discussion. I am from Roanoke. My family is Lebanese and when my grandfather, Abraham Kamil Copty and his wife Edna (nee Alouf) Copty, found a lot to purchase on Stanley Avenue in the late 1940s on which they would build their home, my grandfather removed a sign that read No Blacks, No Jews, No Syrians. This sign was meant for him. Undeterred he met with his neighbors and secured the right to build his home which still stands today. In 1966 my father, raised in that home, matriculated to VMI with the Class of 1970. In the late 1990s he was appointed to the Board of Visitors. In August of 1998, I matriculated into VMI. I was a member of the Class of 2002, the second class with women to be admitted. It was a controversial and tumultuous time for The Institute. With my father on the Board of Visitors, I had a unique vantage point as both a cadet and the son of a director. I am honored to have graduated with my class; a class that includes war heroes, doctors, engineers, scientists, and business professionals from every race, sex, creed, color, and sexual orientation. The hand-wringing that is taking place about VMI by both some alumni and some general public is as perplexing as it is aggravating. It is as if people emerged like Rip Van Winkle from the forest to discover VMI has roots in the Confederacy. It is as if they do not think that complicated history is taught and grappled with at VMI. It is as if they think there is a miniature army of Rebs in an old barracks up the road in Lexington, shining their bayonets and waiting for The South to rise again. Nothing could be further from the truth. VMI teaches values that are foreign to many modern people. Honor and duty are not just engraved on some old plaque, long ago faded to green and ignored. They are discussed, debated, lived, and in the case of our Brother Rats who have fallen on the Field of Honor, they are died for. The history of Virginia and The Institutes part in it is a source of pride for VMI alumni. The Battle of New Market is celebrated and the cadets who fought there are revered as heroes. Stonewall Jackson is studied for his tactical genius in the Wilderness Campaign and his eccentricities are well-known. At the same time the Confederacy was by any definition, a treasonous experiment. The painful fact is that VMI, Virginia, and the entire United States are all tainted with a past that includes the scourge of slavery. Mixed with all the glory that is the history of VMI is the ugly scar that virtually every institution in the United States bears, the scar of a racist past. This is not lost on Keydets. VMIs purpose was never to make cadets or anyone else comfortable, just the opposite. There is discomfort in honesty. There is discomfort in duty. There are hard truths and smart men and women must grapple with them. Removing our history does not change it. It just removes the requirement to grapple with it. It makes the uncomfortable comfortable. I cannot imagine anything more damaging to an institution that has produced so many greats. Nobody survives this purity test we are in today. George Marshall was the Chief of Staff for a segregated Army. I, myself, was against the admission of women into VMI. Stonewall Jackson was a slave owner and Confederate general. Many alumni were against the civil rights movement. None of this is new information. None of it changes what the Virginia Military Institute has always been. VMI is a good thing. It produces great men and women. I am proud of what it was and I am proud of what it is. Those who wish to meddle with it would not recognize the values it keeps on life support. To paraphrase G.K. Chesterton, perhaps we should spend a little more time asking why such a place exists before we imprudently start tearing it down. Some members of the dissolved Greater Accra Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) Executives have distanced themselves from the press release issued on July 10 by three of their members who sought to resist their dissolution by the national executives. Mr Kwadwo Amoateng, Nana Poku and Mrs Irene Victoria Odoom issued a press statement saying they do not answer to the national executives of the association and, therefore, GUTA national cannot dissolve their group. The national executives of GUTA lack the capacity to dissolve the Greater Accra GUTA. Greater Accra GUTA is registered under the Act 1963 (ACT 179) with registration number CG114062017. We hereby entreat all Ghanaians and the over 5000 registered members of GUTA Greater Accra to debunk all allegation levelled against the executives of the Greater Accra as it is unfounded. We are informing all Ghanaians that GUTA Greater Accra does not answer to GUTA national but can only collaborate with them on national issues, GUTA Accra said in a statement. Greater Accra GUTA executives noted that it runs full-time secretariat for its members. The statement stated that the structure of GUTA is not like a political party that has regional and district branches under one umbrella. Greater Accra GUTA further noted that it is dissociating itself from the national GUTA adding that We believe the national GUTA executives do not have the progress of traders especially Greater Accra Association at heart. But the rest of the executives say they find the statement disturbing. According to them: 1. National GUTA appointed and assign us the responsibility to steer the affairs of the Greater Accra Regional branch of GUTA, so we believe the national body has the capacity and power to dissolve any Regional branch executive, which Accra is no exception. 2. We were fourteen members appointed executive mandated to take collective decisions but it got to a point, only the trio took decisions and run the region as their personal property. 3. It was National GUTA which granted us permission to register the regional branch at the Registrar General's department. 4. In fact, the above-mentioned trio has exhibited a lot of unethical tendencies. a. For instance, at which meeting was Mrs. Irene Victoria Odoom (Deputy Welfare Officer) appointed to be a signatory to our account? b. Who are those behind the organization called Traders Advocacy Group of Ghana (TAGG)? Very alien to GUTA. 5. We wish to state unequivocally that we owe allegiance to the National body because it can appoint and can equally fire in the event of any insubordination by any branch of the Union; and 6. The decision was taken in a meeting with the Council of Elders in consultation with National Executive Council of which the Council of Elders and Regional Executives are part. Therefore, it is absurd for a small section of Greater Accra Executive to torpedo the decision of the highest decision-making body of the Union. Signed by: Nana Kwabena Peprah - Vice Chairman Jeff Kwame Gyasi - Organiser Captain Ronald Basford - Deputy Organizer Max Mensah Appiah - 2nd Deputy Organizer Richard Amamoo - P.R.O. Hajia Muina Buari - Deputy P.R.O Richard Owusu Mensah - Executive Member Simon Aseni Tettey Welfare Officer Abraham Yao Fianu Protocol Officer ---starrfmonline A number of final year pupils of Junior High Schools in the New Juaben South Municipality in the Eastern Region are often seen without face masks after school and walk home through town without any mouth and nose protection. In a random survey by the Ghana News Agency, the pupils indicated that they were forced to use their face masks and sanitizers at school against their will and so they do away with them immediately they leave their school compounds. This came to light when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) interacted with some pupils in school uniforms within the Koforidua Municipality who were without their face masks. Some of the students explained that they had difficulty in breathing when they put on the face masks, while others claimed they were asthmatic patients. A pupil of the Hundai Technical School in an interview, said the mask he was using was given to him in school and was too heavy and made it difficult for him to breath. So he manages it at school and he removes it immediately he was out of the school compound. 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 K-water CEO Park Jae-hyeon announces the company's vision at the firm's headquarters in Daejeon, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Korea Water Resources Corp. By Jun Ji-hye The Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) unveiled its vision, Wednesday, for its digital transformation and innovating technologies in water quality management to become the "world's top water platform company." The vision, dubbed "World Top K-water," was announced during an event held at the state-run company's headquarters in Daejeon, bringing together politicians, government officials, scholars and citizens. Storing laptops in safes and having lawyers use them only in designated rooms are among strict guidelines put in place for Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation trial in the name of national security. Mr Roberts-Smith, the former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient, is suing The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald over reports he allegedly committed murder on an overseas deployment. He denies the allegations and says the reports are defamatory because they portray him as a war criminal. Ben Roberts-Smith. Credit:Darrian Traynor The newspapers are defending the claims and allege in court documents that Mr Roberts-Smith was involved in seven unlawful killings as an Australian soldier in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. There is no date yet for the trial in the Federal Court but in an application by lawyers for the Commonwealth on Wednesday, Justice Anthony Besanko was asked to approve ground rules for the parties' trial preparations and the pre-trial hearings. Board of Regents President Mark Ojakian called it an attack. Gov. Ned Lamont called it cruel, as did Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and that was after the Trump administration did an abrupt and surprising about face on a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy that would have required international students to leave the United States if they did not take in-person classes in the fall term. Just as state and university officials were lining up for a legal battle, it was announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had rescinded the rule. The relief was tinged with anger. This cruel and misguided rule should never have been drafted in the first place, Tong said in response the the reversal. Rescinding it was the only appropriate course of action. The Trump administration owes an apology to the hundreds of thousands of international students who contribute tremendously to the academic, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our educational institutions. On Monday, Tong joined with a coalition of 18 attorneys general to file a lawsuit to stop the rule, which could have affected thousands of international students attending college in Connecticut. The lawsuit also included 40 declarations from a variety of institutions, including the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, University of Connecticut and Yale University. Although many higher education institutions in Connecticut plan to offer at least some in-person classes this fall, the threat of a coronavirus pandemic resurgence remains. During his daily news briefing Tuesday, Lamont said while the directive might have affected Connecticut less, it stood to be incredibly disruptive elsewhere around the country, where infection rates are climbing. A lot of international students dont know if they should come back, Lamont said. Its wrong to force these schools to reopen for in-person learning regardless of what the COVID infection rate is. Lamont described the effort to compel universities to stay open regardless of health risk an incredibly dumb policy. I think its probably illegal, certainly I think its immoral, Lamont said. UConn President Thomas Katsouleas reaction to the announcement came via a tweet. Really great for our students, our University, and our country that DHS/ICE has rescinded their visa restriction for online international students. The right decision for so many reasons moral, public health, and prevention of a potential brain drain. UConn has more than 3,500 international students who might be affected, even though UConn plans to hold in-person classes in the fall. A message has gone out to the UConn community saying that with the July 6 rule rescinded, colleges and universities can go back to the March guidance that allowed international students take online classes to retain their F-1 and M-1 visas. At Yale University, also home to thousands of international students and scholars, President Peter Salovey expressed relief. I am ... gratified that the Department of Homeland Security has agreed to withdraw its recent announcement, Salovey said. I understand that DHS will return to the policy it adopted in March, which allows continuing international students to study in the U.S. even if campuses move to online instruction. Yale is also committed to helping to solve this issue for new students. Salovey said it is important to affirm that the U.S. continues to welcome students from around the globe. Campuses, he added, need the leeway to make decisions about the fall term that protect the health and safety of faculty, students and staff. Ojakian, who oversees 17 institutions under the Connecticut State College and Universities umbrella, said he was proud that the state and system played a role in causing the federal government to backtrack from what he called a wrongheaded position. This is undoubtedly good news for our students, our institutions and our communities at large, Ojakian said. At Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, President John Petillo said he was also grateful for the policy reversal on international students and online studies. With everything else this population has to worry about right now, they should not be concerned with the possibility of having to shut down their studies if the pandemic dictates that schools switch to online learning, Petillo said. This walk back is the right thing for these students, for all educational institutions and for the countrys economy. KAMPALA The Ministry of Health has confirmed 11 new coronavirus cases from 2575 samples analysed on Monday July 13. The new cases have increased Ugandas cumulative total to 1040. Of the 11 new cases, the Ministry of Health has indicated that 8 are truck drivers, two are community infections from Kyotera and Hoima while one is a Ugandan national who returned from South Africa and was in quarantine at the time of test. Regarding Ugandan truck drivers, six arrived from Kenya via Malaba, others arrived from the DRC via Padea in Zombo and South Sudan via Elegu border. The Ministry of Health also says 27 foreign truck drivers including 23 Kenyans, 2 Congolese and 2 Tanzanians tested positive for the virus and were blocked from entering Uganda. Related Los Angeles, July 15 : Actress Jennifer Grey is working on a secret dance movie, which many are speculating to be a potential sequel to the 1987 hit, "Dirty Dancing". "Dirty Dancing" featured Patrick Swayze as Grey's dance instructor and romantic interest, along with Jerry Orbach and Kelly Bishop as Grey's parents. The original film was set in 1963 at a Catskills resort. Jonathan Levine and Gillian Bohrer are driving the current untitled project, with a screenplay by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis. Grey is collaborating with Lionsgate on the untitled dance movie in which she will star and executive produce, reports variety.com. The studio has refused to comment on whether the project, set in the 1990s, will bring back Grey's Frances "Baby" Houseman character. The original "Dirty Dancing" grossed $217 million worldwide and sold more than 1 million home video units. The song "(I've had) the time of my life" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. A prequel "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" released in 2004. PORTLAND, Ore., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ampere announced today that it has donated its first-generation Ampere eMAG server processors to Oregon State University's Open Source Lab. This donation will allow members of the community to develop and test open source projects on the Arm AArch64 architecture platform. "Ampere is committed to providing access to an open environment to expand the ecosystem and optimize the developer experience for next-generation cloud applications," said Mauri Whalen, vice president of software engineering at Ampere. "We look forward to working with OSU's Open Source Lab and the OpenStack community to expand the development resources to enable open innovation." "The OSU Open Source Lab has partnered with Ampere to provide free access to the AARCH64 platform for FOSS projects. We have built an OpenStack cluster using Ampere Computing eMAG AARCH64 servers to provide flexible access using virtual machines for projects," said Lance Albertson, director of Oregon State University, Open Source Lab." "Besides being impressed with the performance and ease of use, we've been very happy with the lower power consumption the eMAG servers use. In a rack that includes 12 eMAG HR350A servers, 2 10g Arista switches, and one ToR HP switch, the 12 servers only use around 60% of the total power in the rack with the rest being used by the three switches. " The Open Source Lab is a nonprofit organization working for the advancement of open source technologies. By enabling innovative projects and distributing software to millions of users globally, the lab is working to accelerate the growth of high-impact open source software projects and promote an open source culture of accessibility and increased productivity. About Ampere Ampere is designing the future of hyperscale cloud and edge computing with the world's first cloud native processor. Built for the cloud with a modern 64-bit Arm server-based architecture, Ampere gives customers the freedom to accelerate the delivery of all cloud computing applications. With industry-leading cloud performance, power efficiency and scalability, Ampere processors are tailored for the continued growth of cloud and edge computing. Press Contact: [email protected] 1-650-422-3156 SOURCE Ampere Three security personnel were killed and eight others were injured after Balochistan Liberation Front(BLF) opened fire at them during a routine patrolling near Balochistan's Kahan village, Pakistan Army said on Tuesday. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the security forces were patrolling near the Gichak valley, about 400km south of the Balochistan provincial capital Quetta, in the Panjgur district. "Three soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) while eight soldiers received injuries, including an officer. Five injured are critical," the ISPR said. The injured soldiers were shifted to Combined Military Hospital in Quetta, the statement added. Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said the attack was a "condemnable act of terrorism". Condemnable act of terrorism near Gichak valley, Kahan, Panjgur, Balochistan on a routine security forces patrol. 3 soldiers martyred, 8 injured of which 5 critical. Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) July 14, 2020 READ | Altaf Hussain Calls On US Congress To Table Bill To Free Balochistan & Sindh From Pakistan READ | Pakistan Imposes Ban On Balochistan Human Rights Commission's Website; Exposes Itself BLF claims responsibility The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) spokesperson Gwahram Baloch claimed responsibility for the attack. "The Pakistani Army came under heavy attack in a few minutes and later not a single bullet was fired by them. A few years ago, a BLF attack in the same area had killed several army personnel, including a Pakistani colonel named Waheed, whose video went viral, and because of this, all Baloch websites, social media pages and video channels were blocked in Pakistan. Video of todays attack will also be released soon," said Gwahram Baloch, vowing such attacks will continue till the independence of Balochistan. Karachi terror attack On June 29, the Karachi Stock Exchange building came under attack after four terror suspects tried to storm into the building. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had claimed responsibility for the attack. Two security guards and a police officer were killed in the attack, along with all four terrorists. Several people, including three police officials, have been injured, the police said. Separatist groups have demanded independence for ethnically Baloch areas of Balochistan, accusing the Islamabad of extracting the provinces rich natural resources while not investing in the people of the province. It's Pakistan's largest province as well as the most impoverished. (With inputs from agencies) READ | Terror Attack At Pakistan Stock Exchange In Karachi; Terrorists Don Police Uniforms READ | 'Naya' Pakistan MP's Bloodthirsty Call For Terror With Army Support against India Slammed Predictions on forthcoming developments in the Libyan crisis fluctuate between escalation and de-escalation. In Egypt, the intensive land and naval manoeuvres conducted along its western borders recently give the impression of preparations in advance of an impending storm. But Egypts political/diplomatic actions to advance a return to the political process have been no less dynamic and energetic. The last UN Security Council (UNSC) session on Libya vividly demonstrated Egypts preference for a political solution, its desire to defuse the military escalation in Libya by halting the weapons and mercenaries that Turkey has been shipping to Libya, and backing for the peace-making role of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Among the greatest threats emanating from Libya is the attempt of regional parties such as Turkey to impose realities on the ground that not only alter the military balance but also restructure the Libyan situation in a manner that threatens Egypts national security and the vital sphere that Cairo has identified as crucial to its national defence. If Ankara moves its armies of mercenaries and militias beyond the red line that Cairo has drawn from Sirte to Jufra, Egypt will have every right to act in self-defence. Informed sources have told Al-Ahram Weekly that because Egypt prefers to avoid offensive operations it has adopted a defensive posture conditional on the continual evaluation of developments. They add that while Egypt needs to consider a variety of military eventualities due to the likelihood of impetuous actions on the part of belligerent forces, it is simultaneously sustaining a focus on promoting the internationally agreed on political process. So far, Egypts preparations have remained within its borders even though, in the past, it has undertaken limited missions within the framework of self-defence and the protection of its national interests. According to the sources, Egypt will not intervene with its military machine outside the parameters which President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi underscored when discussing the Egyptian armys creed during his recent address in the Western Military Zone. Turkey, unfortunately, inclines in the opposite direction. It demonstrates its preference for military escalation with every shipload of weapons and every airplane full of jihadist mercenaries it sends to Libya, and every intimation of its intent to push beyond the Sirte-Jufra line. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has rejected a ceasefire proposal on behalf of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). In an interview with Haberturk TV, he said that the GNA would not benefit from a ceasefire along the current lines of combat and that it should advance to seize control of Sirte on the coast and the Jufra air base to the south before agreeing to a ceasefire. Libyan observers told the Weekly that militias are advancing from Misrata and Tripoli towards the Gulf of Sirte and towards the Ghardabiya and Jufra air bases. The Libyan National Army (LNA) is reinforcing its positions on its side of the lines. Libyan sources note that under the contentious agreement it signed with the GNA Ankara backed the GNA call for a withdrawal of the LNA to the 4 April 2019 lines (the date the LNA launched its operation to retake Tripoli) but that now it is speaking in terms of the 2015 lines. The sources see this as a clear sign that Ankara wants to get its hands on Libyan oil and, most immediately, the reserves and facilities protected by the LNA and Libyan tribes. Both the LNA and the tribes have issued statements last week indicating their willingness to reopen the oil terminals in accordance with a clear set of rules for the equitable distribution of the revenues of Libyas oil wealth between the three Libyan provinces (Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, and Fezzan). Although the economic track of the UN-sponsored political process has endorsed the principle of equitable distribution of wealth, Tripoli-based politicians want to monopolise it and distribute the resources in three directions: to Turkish banks (as was revealed recently by Ramzi Al-Agha, head of the liquidity department of the Libyan Central Bank, Al-Bayda Branch); in military expenditures (the GNA militias, arms purchases primarily from Turkish defence manufacturers and the mercenaries), and to cover the GNAs bureaucratic operating expenses, with no oversight mechanisms. With so much money to gain, what is holding Ankara back from giving the mercenaries/militias the green light? It has intimated that one reason is the Russian presence in Sirte and Jufra. Although Moscow has claimed it has no military presence on the ground in Libya, Turkish and US reports make frequent mention of the Wagner Group, a private military company they say is associated with the Russian Defence Ministry. Ankara is apparently afraid that the bill for any escalation in Libya will be presented to it in Idlib or elsewhere in Syria. On the other hand, Ankara has indicated that it is ready to back a GNA offensive, as if it had nothing to do with Tripolis decision-making processes. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made it clear that Moscow knows where GNA decisions are made when he pointed out that the GNA, not the LNA, is the party that refuses to talk. Some observers believe Russia is holding its cards very close to its chest on the Libyan crisis. This has led them to predict a repetition of the Syrian situation: indirect escalation between Russian and Turkey using their proxies, after or during which Moscow and Ankara will work out arrangements and accommodations in the manner of the Sochi agreement. The US, which has grown increasingly ambivalent on the situation in Libya, also now appears willing to heighten tensions. On Sunday, the US Embassy in Libya released a statement claiming that it regrets that foreign-backed efforts against Libyas economic and financial sectors have impeded progress and heightened the risk of confrontation. It warned of isolation and the risk of sanctions against those who undermine Libyas economy and cling to military escalation, and denounced incursions by the Russian Wagner Group against the Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) facilities. It added that this, combined with mixed messages conceived in foreign capitals and conveyed by Haftars forces on 11 July, hurt all Libyans striving for a secure and prosperous future. Observers have interpreted this as a green light to the GNA to launch an offensive against Sirte if the oil facilities do not restart operations, and say it marks a reversal of the position the US adopted in a meeting with GNA military officials in Zuwara three weeks ago. According to a source familiar with that meeting, the US cautioned against a military operation that would target the Russians. The UAE stepped in to defuse the situation the day after the US embassy statement. On 13 July the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash underscored the importance of using oil revenues to benefit the Libyan people, and urged the reopening of the oil fields and facilities. On his Twitter account he stated, the UAE, alongside its partners, wants to see a return to oil production in Libya as soon as possible, with safeguards in place to prevent the proceeds fuelling further conflict. We continue to work for an immediate ceasefire and return to a political process. Despite this, escalation still appears to be winning over peace. Sirte is poised to be the threshold for the next round of warfare that will reshape the situation on the ground in Libya and the international power games and interplay surrounding the crisis. Sadly, it is the Libyan people who will continue to pay the price. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Wednesday e-launched Corosure, the worlds most affordable RT-PCR based coronavirus COVID-19 diagnostic kit developed by Indian Institute of Technology-IIT Delhi. The kit has received Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approval with the highest score and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approved with very high sensitivity and specificity. The base price of the RT-PCR assay is Rs 399. Even after adding the RNA isolation and laboratory charges, the cost per test will be considerably cheaper compared to currently available kits in the market. The Minister further informed that IIT Delhi has given license to 10 companies to manufacture COVID-19 diagnostic kit using the technology developed by its researchers. Pokhriyal informed that Corosure, the probe-free diagnostic kit has been manufactured by Delhi NCR-based Newtech Medical Devices. The Minister appreciated that a leading educational institution under MHRD and a private company have joined hands during this epidemic in the interest of the nation. He informed that the kit will significantly bring down the cost of COVID-19 RT-PCR testing. Pokhriyal lauded the work done by the IIT Delhi researchers and congratulated everyone involved in the development and manufacturing of the kit. The Minister appreciated Prof. Vivekanandan Perumal and his research team--Prashant Pradhan (PhD Scholar), Ashutosh Pandey (PhD Scholar), Praveen Tripathi (PhD Scholar), Dr Akhilesh Mishra, Dr Parul Gupta, Dr Sonam Dhamija, Prof Manoj B Menon, Prof Bishwajit Kundu and Prof James Gomes. Pokhriyal said that Corosure, is a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India, adding that the country requires cheap and reliable testing for the country which can help to control the pandemic. The Corosure Kit has been developed indigenously and is much cheaper than other kits. The HRD Minister said that the PM has always been encouraging the youth of the country to come forward and ensure a healthier India especially in the times of COVID-19 pandemic with their innovative research. MoS for HRD Shri Sanjay Dhotre, Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare and senior officials of the Ministry were present during the launch. While addressing the participants, Dhotre said that amid the coronavirus crisis, when widespread testing is most needed, this very low-cost diagnostic kit is a great feat that the IIT Delhi has achieved in such a short period. He added that Innovation and entrepreneurship are complementary to each other, and are also most crucial for an Atmanirbhar Bharat. IITs have very robustly nurtured these two. Even in schools across the country, the climate for innovation and new technology is being created very actively. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV: GPG) (OTCQB: GPTRF) (FSE: GPB) ("Grande Portage" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has added a 2nd drill rig to its current drill program at its Herbert gold property located S.E Alaska. This rig will be dedicated to exploration drilling on Pad U and Pad Y which will test unexplored areas of the Deep Trench and Main Veins. This rig is due to arrive and be operational within 14 days. Drilling is currently underway on the eastern extension of the Goat Vein. In addition to testing extensions of the Goat Vein, which is open both to the east and west and at depth, the program includes holes into the North Vein, the Main Vein, Deep Trench, Floyd and the Elusive Veins. Surface exploration will include detailed geologic mapping and sampling in the areas of the North Vein and the Elusive Vein which have received minimal attention previously. The North Vein has only been drilled once previously in 2018 near the western end from Pad M with one of the holes intersecting 0.41m of 27.8 gpt/gold. The planned new holes are near the eastern end of the vein which has a potential strike length of approximately 600 meters and crops out at the surface with a reported one meter thick quartz vein. The planned holes into the Main Vein and Deep Trench will in general go deeper and farther eastward than previously drilled. The Elusive Vein has never been drill tested and was identified by LiDAR interpretation and subsequent discovery of two outcrops and several earlier anomalous geochemical sample results. The Company also wishes to announce that it has retained two additional, seasoned geologists who are joining the exploration team. Both will be based in Juneau, Ak. David Atkinson obtained an Honors BSc. with first class standing in Geology from Brock University, 1985, followed by graduate studies in the Department of Earth Sciences at University of Western Ontario, 1986-1990. David worked on various field projects exploring for uranium, base metals, semi & precious metals and PGE in remote Arctic regions of NWT and Nunavut, as well as Ontario, Quebec, Nfld, and AK. Story continues Andrew Gregovich has been working as an exploration geologist in Alaska since 2018, primarily working on sediment-hosted base metal and orogenic gold deposits. Andrew has a BA in Geology from Colorado College and is an incoming MSCE student in geotechnical engineering at the University of Washington. Impact of COVID-19 Grande Portage is carefully monitoring the public health impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on a daily basis. Our first priority is the health and safety of our communities, shareholders, contractors, employees and other stakeholders. The Grande Portage team has been working closely to ensure all the correct protocols and safety precautions are in place. The Company will continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation and will continue to act proactively to protect the health of its workforce. This news release has been prepared and approved by Carl Hale, CPG, a geologist with more than 40 years of experience and a Qualified Person as defined under NI #43-101. About Grande Portage: Grande Portage is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the Herbert Gold discovery situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% leasehold interest in the Herbert property,. The Herbert Gold property system is open to length and depth and is host to at least six main composite vein-fault structures that contain ribbon structure quartz-sulfide veins. The project lies prominently within the 160km long Juneau Gold Belt, which has produced nearly seven million ounces of gold. The Company's recent mineral resource estimate is quoted at a base case mineral resources cut-off grade of 2.50 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and consists of: An indicated resource of 606,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 10.03 g/t Au (1,880,500 tonnes); and an inferred resource of 251,700 ounces of gold at an average grade of 14.15 g/t Au (553,429 tonnes). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Ian Klassen" Ian M. Klassen President & Chief Executive Officer Tel: (604) 899-0106 Email: Ian@grandeportage.com www.grandeportage.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59782 Belarus said Wednesday that protesters could face serious criminal charges after dozens were arrested at demonstrations over the removal of opposition candidates from the presidential poll. Protesters took to the streets in the capital Minsk and several other cities on Tuesday after election officials refused to allow rivals to President Alexander Lukashenko to stand in the August 9 vote. Police said they had detained more than 250 people across the country, alleging the protests were sparked by "internet provocateurs". Many demonstrators have been charged with administrative violations and face fines or short jail terms. But the Investigative Committee said it was also launching a criminal probe for organising and participating in gross violations of public order, which has a maximum jail term of three years. "Those involved in illegal activity have been detained," the committee said, adding that it was studying video footage of the protests. - 'Excessive force' - Amnesty International condemned "excessive and unnecessary use of force by police" during the demonstrators. Riot police forced some protesters to kneel on the floor of police vans and some were hit in the face, Belarusian rights group Viasna said. Police in turn accused demonstrators of injuring six riot police, saying investigators would consider whether to press charges. More than 40 of those detained in Minsk were released by Wednesday afternoon, Viasna said. Some were set to appear in court charged with violating rules on protests and disobeying police orders, for which they could be handed short jail terms. Lukashenko, a former collective farm chief, has been president for 26 years and will seek a sixth term in the August election. He will stand along with four other candidates. In defiant comments on Wednesday, Lukashenko said he would not accept preaching on democratic values from Western countries. "They start hinting to us: make sure it's all democratic, that there are no street clashes," he said during a meeting with supporters in a provincial city. - 'No revolutions' - "Don't point the finger at us over how we live," he said, vowing: "We will defend our country with all legal methods." "No Maidans or revolutions will save us," he said, referring to a popular uprising in Ukraine in 2014. The electoral commission on Tuesday struck out Lukashenko's jailed main rival Viktor Babaryko and another popular opposition figure, Valery Tsepkalo, citing issues including violations in income declarations and lack of signatures from supporters. Babaryko was arrested last month over suspected financial crimes and is being held in the KGB security service's prison. The commission allowed the candidacy of one high-profile opposition figure: Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the 37-year-old wife of a jailed vlogger who stood for president after her husband was barred. In a video statement posted on social media, Tikhanovskaya condemned police violence. "Police, riot police, what are you doing? You are beating up your mothers, sisters, brothers and children," she said. "People came out for a peaceful protest. People came out to express their discontent." Her husband, vlogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, had mounted a high-profile campaign urging Belarusians to "stop the cockroach" as he calls the moustachioed strongman. He is in a police jail and has been charged with organising a gross breach of public order. The ballot is going ahead despite the country of nine million people confirming more than 65,000 coronavirus cases. Lukashenko has refused to impose a strict lockdown. Belarus police said they have detained more than 250 people across the country after protests over the banning of several opposition candidates from the presidential election Alexander Lukashenko has been president of Belarus for 26 years Investigators said they were looking at video footage of the demonstrations Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:36:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A prominent religious scholar and his brother were killed by gunmen in Afghanistan's eastern Parwan province on early Wednesday, reported local TV channel Tolo News TV. "Sheikh Abdul Haq and his brother were on their way to a local mosque to attend early morning's prayers in Sayyed Khil village of eastern Parwan province. They were shoot and killed by gunmen as they were walking," the TV reported. Wednesday's attack was the latest in a string of targeted killings in the militancy-hit country. On Tuesday, an Afghan army soldier and his seven-year-old son were single out from a running vehicle and shot dead along the main road connecting the eastern Logar province of neighboring Paktia province. Taliban militants claim responsibility for most of the targeted attacks. The civilians, considered to be supporting the government, civilian government employees, religious leaders, tribal elders and people involved in peace and reconciliation efforts have come under attack in targeted killings over the past years. The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as more than 3,400 civilians were killed and over 6,900 others wounded in conflict-related incidents in 2019, according to the official figures. Of the total casualties, 817 people were killed and 2,015 wounded in targeted attacks. Enditem Lightfoot said that if that figure tops 200 cases, the city might consider changes to its strategy for reopening businesses so that it can try to avoid the larger surges being seen in many states that were more aggressive about lifting virus restrictions. Options could include closing down bars again if data suggests that people gathering in them has led to increased cases, she said. We hope that we don't have to take closure steps ... but as is now I think well known across the country, bars pose a particular challenge, Lightfoot said. We've emphasized to bars: We're not messing around, you've got to follow the guidance. Amid rising case counts, California's governor this week shut down bars and indoor restaurant dining along with some other types of businesses. Louisiana's governor also limited bars to takeout or delivery service, leading many to close in New Orleans. City-ordered setbacks could be avoided in Chicago if people of all ages wear face coverings and keep their distance from others, Arwady said. Now more than ever, we need you all to do the things that have gotten us this far, she said. On Tuesday, the US government carried out the first federal execution in 17 years. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1996 murder of a family of three in Arkansas, was executed just hours after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-minute legal challenge to the execution and vacated an injunction by a lower court. The speed with which the high court ruled, in a 54 decision issued after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, is indicative of the brutal determination of the most reactionary elements within the ruling elite to uphold the barbaric practice of capital punishment. A year ago, Attorney General William Barr directed the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to reinstate the death penalty for federal prisoners. The drive by the government leading up to Lees death and the upcoming execution of three other federal prisoners is consistent with the current political landscape, promoted by both big business parties, in which the maintenance of capitalist rule is placed above the lives and health of the population. In the modern history of the death penalty in the US, which is not short on gruesome details, Lees execution stands out as a particularly egregious affront to due process and basic human rights. Coming as it does in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the governments obsession with seeing to it that these men are sent to their deaths is all the more abhorrent. Lee had been set to be executed at 4 p.m. Monday local time at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. That deadline passed as the Supreme Court justices considered whether to vacate a preliminary injunction by the District of Columbia federal district court halting Lees execution and those of three other federal prisoners. After their ruling, a last-minute appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Missouri held up the execution for several more hours. During this time, Lee was kept strapped to a gurney in the execution chamber for four hours. Once given the green light to proceed, BOP officials wasted no time in carrying out his lethal injection, without his legal counsel present. In a written statement, Lees attorney, Ruth Friedman, said, Over the four hours it took for this reckless and relentless government to pursue these ends, Daniel Lewis Lee remained strapped to a gurney: a mere 31 minutes after a court of appeals lifted the last impediment to his execution at the federal governments urging, while multiple motions remained pending, and without notice to counsel, he was executed. The Indianapolis Star described the scene: About 20 witnesses watched the execution in four separate rooms. At 7:46 a.m., the shades on windows in each room were opened to reveal Lee strapped to the gurney with his arms out to his sides and two IV lines running from a port in the wall behind him. In a final statement, Lee was defiant, claiming his innocence and criticizing the courts for ignoring DNA evidence in his case, which he said proved he and his codefendant were across the country when the murders took place. I bear no responsibility for the deaths of the Mueller family, he said, referring to victims William Mueller, his wife Nancy and her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell. According to witnesses, it took two or three minutes after the drug was administered for Lee to die. As the lethal chemical, a one-drug dose of pentobarbital, was administered, he raised his head and looked around and then his breathing became heavy. In a few moments his chest remained still, his lips turned blue, and his fingers became ashy. He was pronounced dead at 8:07 a.m. Attorney General Barr, in his directive last year ordering the BOP to reinstate the death penalty for federal prisoners, stated, The Justice Department upholds the rule of lawand we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system. Members of the Mueller family, however, called on the government to halt the execution, saying that traveling across the country to witness the execution would raise the risk of their contracting COVID-19. Earlene Peterson, the mother and grandmother of two of Lees victims, said that Lee should receive the same sentence as his codefendant, Chevie Kehoe, who received life in prison. She also said, counter to Barrs claim, that the execution would not provide closure to the family. In a written statement last month, Peterson said, As a supporter of President Trump, I pray that he will hear my message: the scheduled execution of Danny Lee for the murder of my daughter and granddaughter is not what I want and would bring my family more pain. The Supreme Courts unsigned ruling vacating the District Courts injunction against the execution argued against the lower courts assertion that the use of pentobarbital likely constitutes cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. Among reasons the court used to justify the use of pentobarbital was that US states have always been developing new methods, such as lethal injection, thought to be less painful and more humane than traditional methods, like hanging, that have been uniformly regarded as constitutional for centuries. The court also wrote that pentobarbital [h]as been repeatedly invoked by prisoners as a less painful and risky alternative to the lethal injection protocols of other jurisdictions (emphasis in the original). How prisoners who are still alive are supposed to be the judge of the pain inflicted by the drug, they did not say. Justice Stephen Breyer, in a dissenting opinion joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, wrote that the District Court for the District of Columbia explained that the scientific evidence before [it] overwhelmingly indicated that the [Governments] 2019 Protocol is very likely to cause Plaintiffs extreme pain and needless suffering during their executions. In another dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ginsburg and Justice Elena Kagan, wrote: Among other things, respondents proffered expert evidence that the majority of those injected with pentobarbital suffer flash pulmonary edema, which can lead to a sensation akin to drowning and extreme pain, terror, and panic. The justice added that by granting the last-minute application to vacate the execution stay, the court allowed death-sentenced inmates to be executed before any court can properly consider whether their executions are unconstitutionally cruel and unusual. The European Union released a statement from Brussels saying it strongly opposes the decision of the United States Department of Justice to resume the federal death penalty after a 17-year hiatus. The EU said the resumption of federal executions runs counter to the overall trend in the United States and worldwide to abolish the death penalty, either by law or in practice. The Trump administrations drive to resume the execution of federal inmates also runs counter to growing opposition to the death penalty in the US population. The May 2020 Gallup Value and Beliefs poll, released June 23, found that the percentage of Americans who consider the death penalty to be morally acceptable fell to a record-low 54 percent, a 6 percentage-point decline over the previous year and the lowest in the 20-year history of the poll. Those who said the death penalty is morally wrong rose to a record high of 40 percent. In a July 8 commentary, Robert Dunham, director of the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), criticized the planned federal executions, citing extensive evidence that the federal death penalty has been arbitrarily and discriminatorily applied. More than two-thirds of defendants facing capital prosecution are black or Latino, as are the majority of people on federal death row. The federal death penalty, similar to the punishment in the states, is also arbitrarily applied geographically, concentrated in a few hot spotsTexas, Virginia and Missouri. A recent DPIC analysis found that more than 85 percent of those facing federal execution have at least one serious impairment that significantly reduces their culpability. These include severe mental illness, brain damage or intellectual disabilities, and long histories of childhood trauma and abuse. All of the four federal inmates condemned to death by the Supreme Courts decision endured childhood abuse. According to DPIC, Daniel Lewis Lee endured chronic violence throughout his childhood, including beatings so severe he thought he would die. Wesley Purkeys execution had been scheduled for July 15, although it has been temporarily put on hold due to an unrelated legal challenge. He was convicted of raping, murdering and dismembering a 16-year-old girl and was separately convicted of bludgeoning an 80-year-old woman to death. His attorneys argue that the combined effects of Alzheimers disease and dementia, schizophrenia, and a lifetime of trauma have left him unable to comprehend why the federal government plans to execute him. Dustin Honken, who was convicted of shooting and killing five people, is set to die July 17. He was reportedly terrorized by his violent, alcoholic, criminal father, resulting in mental health problems, but the jury never heard evidence about his background. Keith Nelson, sentenced to death for kidnapping, raping and strangling a 10-year-old girl, is scheduled for execution on August 28. He is among the 29 percent of federal death-row prisoners with developmental brain damage, traumatic brain injury and/or intellectual disability. Of the approximately 2,500 prisoners languishing on death row in America, 65 are held by the US government and the military. Students and teachers in the Clarke County School District might have to wait a few more weeks before starting school this fall. The CCSD Board of Education will vote on delaying the first day of school during Thursdays special called meeting. The start date is currently scheduled for Aug. 3. District 2 representative Antwon Stephens said he requested a special meeting on July 7. One day after reiterating his idea during a July 9 meeting, the board voted to hold a meeting this Thursday. From what I heard at the last meeting, it was very encouraging that everyone seemed to finally be on one page that we need to slow things down, Stephens said. The plans were released very fast. It just needed a little more involvement and a slower process. I feel very confident at this point that were moving in the right direction. CCSD families have an option between virtual and traditional in-person learning this fall. The deadline to select a preference has been postponed until a start date has been approved, according to an email sent to parents Tuesday. School districts across the nation are trying to make decisions regarding the reopening of school amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In Atlanta, the school board tentatively agreed on Monday to push back its start date from Aug. 10 to Aug. 24. The board still needs to give final approval of the calendar change in its August meeting. Students enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools will learn virtually for the first nine weeks, according to a plan from superintendent Lisa Herring. Quitman County, a rural area in southwest Georgia, will have a phased reopening where students will learn virtually until at least Oct. 13. CCSD parents were asked in a recent survey if they wanted to start on Aug. 3, Aug. 17 or Sept. 8. The results have yet to be announced. If the start of the school year were to be pushed back, the end date of May 20 wouldnt be affected, according to the survey. Holidays and conference days, however, may need to be adjusted. More information can be found on CCSDs website. High-flying financier Amanda Staveley has been branded a publicity seeker as her High Court case against Barclays was dismissed as a 'fantasy'. The 47-year-old,who once dated Prince Andrew, is suing the British bank for 1.6billion on claims she was edged out of a lucrative deal at the height of the financial crisis. Barclays turned to investors in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in 2008 to raise more than 7billion and maintain its independence from the UK government and state ownership. High-flying financier Amanda Staveley is suing Barclays for 1.6bn on claims she was edged out of a lucrative deal at the height of the financial crisis Staveley, who was representing Abu Dhabi, claimed Barclays offered her firm PCP the 'same deal' as other investors only to instead funnel an extra 346million in secret fees to Qatar. But David Forbes, a former adviser to Abu Dhabi who worked for its sovereign wealth fund IPIC, said Staveley used the deal to promote herself, and that she was out of her depth as she did not understand financial language. In a witness statement, Forbes said: 'I recall Ms Staveley caused irritation by repeatedly seeking media publicity for herself.' In November she caused 'further irritation' by taking steps 'designed to make her role appear more prominent than it actually was', according to court filings. Forbes added: 'I understand the claimant's case to be that PCP was in control (so to speak) of the Barclays investment. This is, in my view, fantasy.' He went on: 'The more time that we spent with Ms Staveley the more we began to build up a picture of her as someone who would confidently make assertions which proved to lack any real foundation or which she would later contradict without realising. 'My colleagues and I were also getting fed up with Ms Staveley making promises and not delivering.' The case has revealed the deeply personal feuds between the City's best-known names, and the enormous salaries they commanded for their work. This week Barclays top deal maker Roger Jenkins, who earned 167million over four years making him Britain's best-paid banker, apologised for calling Staveley a 'dolly bird' and a 'tart'. Another banker, Stephen Jones, resigned as boss of lobby group UK Finance last month over 'deeply unpleasant and personal' comments made about Staveley in 2008. Yesterday, Forbes told the court that his initial impression had been that Staveley was 'very likeable, charming and friendly'. But he said it became apparent she had a 'very limited knowledge of financial instruments and transactions, or how to analyse them'. Staveley, who in recent months has been involved in a deal which could see a Saudi consortium take control of Newcastle United FC, was also accused of making a dishonest attempt to extract 11million payment from IPIC for costs she had not incurred. When the deal was signed, PCP was paid 30million, which Forbes considered 'extraordinarily generous given her actual contribution'. PCP claims that if it were not for the alleged deceit it could have collected between 400million and 1.6billion. Mr Forbess evidence contradicts evidence given by Ali Jassim, former adviser to IPIC chairman Sheikh Mansour, who owns Manchester City football club. In his witness statement he said that Sheikh Mansour knew Ms Staveley and held her in very high regard. The case continues. (Bloomberg) -- Huawei Technologies Co. will be banned from the U.K.s next-generation mobile networks, in a sweeping crackdown on the Chinese company that will delay 5G roll out and hit businesses with billions of pounds in extra costs. Under the blueprint agreed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, operators will not be able to add any new Huawei components to their 5G networks after Dec. 31 this year. All equipment made by the Shenzhen-based company thats already installed will need to be removed from 5G infrastructure by 2027, the government said, confirming reports by Bloomberg News on Monday. Ministers also warned operators to stop buying Huawei gear for their fixed full-fiber broadband networks. The government will consult with industry on a timetable for the tighter regime on fixed networks, but said it is expected to come into force within two years. U.K. Carriers High-Cost Estimates on Huawei Ban Raise Doubts The ban on Huawei will cost U.K. operators as much as 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to implement, and will delay the roll out of 5G networks by between two and three years, the government said. Hostile Partner The decision to strip Huaweis kit from British networks represents a major reversal by Johnson, and threatens to fuel a growing row between the U.K. and China at a highly sensitive time. China has warned Johnson will face consequences if the U.K. treats it as a hostile partner. Johnson gave the green light to Huaweis involvement in emerging mobile networks in January, subject to limits, but he came under intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to change course. The prime minister, his senior ministers and top security chiefs signed off on the plan at a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday morning. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden later set out the details in Parliament. While 5G will be transformative for the U.K., confidence in the security and resilience of the infrastructure it is built upon is vital, he said. Story continues The government has decided it is necessary to ban Huawei from our 5G networks, Dowden told lawmakers. This decisive move provides the industry with the clarity and certainty it needs to get on with delivering 5G across the U.K. Implications BT Group Plc and Three, which rely on Huawei more than other suppliers for their 5G networks, said they are studying the implications of the rules for their plans. BTs shares rose as much as 4%, making them the best-performing stock in the FTSE 100 Index on Tuesday, as the timetable for phasing out Huawei looked more forgiving than reports had suggested. In May, the U.S. banned Huawei from sourcing microchips which use American technology, a move that forced British officials to reassess their view of the security and sustainability of using the companys equipment in 5G networks. This was a significant and material change, Dowden said, adding that the sanctions have potentially severe impacts on Huaweis ability to supply equipment to the U.K. Insecure Technology The U.K.s National Cyber Security Centre led a review which concluded the new U.S. sanctions meant Huawei would have to use potentially insecure technology, making 5G security risks impossible to control. British operators now have a complex and expensive task to remove Huawei gear from their networks over the next seven years. Dowden warned the decision will inevitably delay the roll out of 5G networks in the U.K. U.K. Does a U-Turn on China, Forced Into an Uneven Fight Britains move could prompt Canada to bar Huawei from its 5G networks, and focuses attention on Germany, where pressure is growing in the legislature to act against the company, said James Lewis, director of the technology policy program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington. Its a win for the Trump administration, Lewis said in an interview. They had a plan. They carried it out. And that contributed to this. Closest Ally Some U.S. lawmakers have warned Huawei poses a danger to network security, and several welcomed the U.K.s decision. Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, tweeted he was very glad to see our closest ally move to secure their telecommunications networks. Johnson has faced demands from within his own Conservative Party to take a tougher line with Beijing amid concerns its equipment could be used by Chinese spies -- a charge the company denies. In the short term, a ban on the company will inflame already heated relations between London and Beijing. Tensions have grown recently over Chinas new security law in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The China-Britain Business Council said it was disappointed by the decision and called on ministers to reassure businesses that the U.K. plans to engage with China in good faith. Chinese trade and investment supports as many as 149,000 jobs in Britain, it said, citing a study it commissioned by Cambridge Econometrics. Gross Interference Chinas official Xinhua News Agency fired back on Wednesday, calling the U.K.s decision ill-founded and warned that the ban will overshadow cooperation between London and Beijing. Last week Liu Xiaoming, Chinas ambassador to the U.K., accused Johnsons government of gross interference in domestic policy over Hong Kong and accused the U.K. of dancing to the tune of the U.S. over Huawei. Even in London, the prime minister may find his plans do not go far enough to satisfy some of his Conservative colleagues. Conservative Iain Duncan Smith said that while he welcomes the decision, the government should shorten the seven-year timetable. Let us bring it forward to five and lets do it quickly, he told Parliament. His colleague, Bob Seely, said in a statement he too wants the government to move more quickly to a 2025 removal of the high-risk vendor. However, other Tories who might have rebelled appear to have been convinced by Tuesdays announcement. Damian Green tweeted that the decision is good and said in an interview he would not vote against the government on the issue in the fall. Huawei said it is disappointed by the ban and called on ministers to reconsider. It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide, said Ed Brewster, a spokesman for Huawei. Regrettably our future in the U.K. has become politicized -- this is about U.S. trade policy and not security. (Updates with reaction from Chinas official Xinhua News Agency in 21st paragraph) For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Visit the Colosseum under the stars with guided tours in English and Italian. Guided tours of the Colosseum take place every Saturday night this summer, from 25 July to 29 August 2020, thanks to the return of the Luna sul Colosseo experience. The tours last about an hour and begin on the arena floor, with its views into the underground tunnels where gladiators and wild animals were held before combat, and also includes a visit to the first level of the ancient amphitheatre. The tours, conducted in Italian and English, are designed for groups of up to 20 people, with visitor safety and social distancing guaranteed by Parco Colosseo. Tickets cost 24, and there is a family package costing 44 (two adults plus up to three children under the age of 18). Visitors must wear masks and maintain social distancing. Booking must be made online, by selecting the day and time of visit, via the Colosseum website or Coopculture website. Maura McNally SC has been elected as Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, the representative bodys second-ever female head. A native of Dromod, Co Leitrim, Maura was called to the Bar in 1992, and practised on Circuit until her appointment to the Inner Bar in 2017. Following post-graduate studies in Warwick University (LLM), and UCG (BA & LLB), she completed her Bachelors of Law in Kings Inns and practices civil law; primarily in personal injury, chancery & non-jury. Im honoured to have been elected as Chair by my Council colleagues. There are significant challenges on the horizon for the profession and the wider justice field, not least the fallout from Covid-19, as well as Brexit. Im looking forward, with the energy and support of the new Council, to make an important contribution in relation to the administration of justice and our role within it. "Strengthening our relationships with external partners, here in Ireland, the UK and Europe will be an important part of finding solutions, identifying opportunities and ensuring a sustainable Bar, she said. Maura follows in the footsteps of the late Honourable Ms. Justice Mella Carroll, who was first elected 41 years ago, to be the second female Chair of the Bar. She notes:Over four decades to be following the footsteps of last female Chair, Ms. Justice Mella Carroll is personally significant for me. A representative Bar benefits those whom we serve, those who practice and those who are interested in a career at the Bar. To be elected at this time, and having actively pursued the issues of resilience, mental health and diversity while on the Council, I hope to add further to the reputation of the Bar as a true community of professionals, committed to the pursuit of justice, independence and fairness. Maura McNally SC will Chair the Council from 1 August 2020 31 July 2021 and takes to the helm of the Bar following the Chairmanship of Micheal P. OHiggins SC. Dromod people are "immensely proud" of Maura Welcoming her appointment locally, Cllr Sean McGowan said that the people of Dromod were "immensely proud" of Maura and congratulated her on her latest achievement. "Maura was raised in Dromod, the daughter of the late Jack and Millie McNally. She is one of four children and has always been very proud of her Leitrim roots," said Cllr McGowan. He noted that Maura's parents ran a pub on the site of the current Brandywell Bar for many years. "I would like to wish Maura every success and everyone is immensely proud of her. We are all thrilled to bits with this news and it is wonderful to see someone from Dromod doing so well in her chosen career." Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-14 23:06:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on April 9, 2020 shows pump nozzles at a gas station in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng) While the oil market is still ravaged by the COVID-19 crisis, gradual stabilization is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2020, OPEC said in a monthly report. VIENNA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) predicts that global oil demand will register a historic high growth of seven million barrels per day (b/d) in 2021, although it will remain far below the pre-COVID-19 level. While the oil market is still ravaged by the COVID-19 crisis, gradual stabilization is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2020, prompting cautious forecasts of renewed growth in 2021, according to OPEC's monthly report published on Tuesday. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the non-OECD oil producers will contribute around 3.5 million b/d to growth separately in 2021, it said. Spot crude oil prices continued to rise in June for the second consecutive month, driven by a drop in global oil surplus, further improvements in oil market fundamentals, as well as expectations that the oil market would tighten further in the second quarter of this year, the report said. OPEC forecasts a 4.7-percent global economic growth in 2021 following a contraction of 3.7 percent this year, assuming that COVID-19 is contained, especially in major economies. Texas on Tuesday saw its highest single-day increase yet in COVID-19 cases with 10,859, more than 400 cases greater than the second-highest jump, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data. There now have been 281,085 overall cases statewide. The previous record increase was reported July 7 with 10,414 new cases. Additionally, Texas saw another uptick in hospitalizations, one day after reporting its first dip in that number over the previous two weeks. Statewide, a record 10,569 people are now hospitalized for COVID-19 with lab-confirmed infections an increase of 164 from Monday. Despite the new peak in cases and hospitalizations, Gov. Greg Abbott continued to back away from considering another statewide lockdown. In an interview with KTVT Dallas, he said his current order closing bars and mandating masks has yet to be reflected in the data, he said. Its going to take several weeks before you can see the level of effectiveness from that, he said. But I can tell you this, every doctor everywhere says that wearing a face mask is one of the best practices that we have for preventing the spread of COVID-19. He cautioned that if people dont wear masks, that could eventually lead to having to shut the state back down. That is the last thing any of us want, he said. The state also reported 104 new fatalities from the virus for a total of 3,378. The state's seven-day rolling average for new cases continued to climb for the 11th straight day to 9,274. The Houston regions case count is 69,275, up 2,653 from Monday. Harris County added 1,658 new cases for a total of 49,027. There have been 676 deaths in the Houston region, up 18 from yesterday. The positive test rate statewide rose from 16.85% to 16.89%. Also on Tuesday, Abbott indicated that school districts may be given more flexibility to decide whether to return to in-person cases in the fall. Current TEA guidelines allow districts to block students from returning to in-person classes for up to three weeks if they have the technology at home for online learning. In an interview with Houstons KTRK (Channel 13), Abbott said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath would be announcing plans in the coming days to extend the time period for online-only classes. I think Mike Morath, the commissioner of education, is expected to announce a longer period of time for online learning at the beginning of the school year, and flexibility at the local level, Abbott said during the interview. This is going to have to be a local-level decision, but there will be great latitude and flexibility provided at the local level. Stephanie Lamm contributed to this report julian.gill@chron.com Fakhfakh resigned after dispute with Ennahdha party that had withdrawn its support for government earlier in the day. Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh has resigned from his post, the government said in a statement, after a dispute with the Ennahdha party that had withdrawn its support for the government. Fakhfakh handed his resignation to Tunisian President Kais Saied on Wednesday after less than five months in office in order to pave the way to get out of the crisis and avert further difficulties for the country, the statement said. Fakhfakh will now lead a caretaker government while the president must nominate a replacement to start consultations to form a new government. Following his resignation, Fakhfakh dismissed six government ministers belonging to Ennahdha movement. He warned all those who attempt to harm the security and interests of the country, saying he will continue to fully shoulder his responsibilities. Ennahdha sharply criticised Fakhfakhs move to dismiss the ministers: What the resigned prime minister made to exempt the Movements ministers from their duties, is messing with institutions and a convulsive reaction, and can harm the interests of citizens as well as the higher interests of the country especially in the health sector amid the coronavirus pandemic, it said in a statement. Earlier in the day, Ennahdha, which topped the October parliamentary elections, had presented a motion of no-confidence in Fakhfakh due to an alleged conflict of interest. Last month, an independent member of Parliament published documents indicating the prime minister owned shares in companies that had won deals worth 44 million dinars ($15m) from the state. A judge has opened an investigation, and the anti-corruption minister has assigned a public watchdog to look into the issue and report back. Fakhfakh denies he did anything improper or corrupt, saying he had sold his shares in the companies. On January 20, Fakhfakh was tasked by the president with forming a government. The Parliament approved his government on February 27. Ennahdha was forced to accept [a coalition government] to avoid new elections, said political analyst Chokri Bahria. But the party finds itself in a government with which it has difficulty dealing and in which it has little clout. Ennahdha had initially nominated an independent for premier but he failed to win the support of Parliament, leading the president to name Fakhfakh, a former finance minister, for the post. Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story for democratic transition after the Arab Spring regional uprisings sparked by its 2011 revolution. But its leaders have struggled to meet the expectations of the Tunisian people and the already fragile economy has been battered by the closure of the countrys borders due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The illness has claimed approximately 50 lives and infected more than 1,300 people in Tunisia. The sentencing hearing for Const. Michael Theriault, the off-duty Toronto police officer convicted of assaulting young Black man Dafonte Miller, has been scheduled for the fall. In a brief teleconference hearing Wednesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Joseph Di Luca said he will hear arguments on Theriaults sentence on Sept. 25 in the Oshawa courthouse, if COVID-19 restrictions allow. Di Luca estimated the sentencing hearing will take one day, and stated he will then deliver his decision at a future date. I will be reserving my decision to consider the submissions and evidence, Di Luca said. Theriault was found guilty of assaulting Miller, then 19, by Di Luca in an hours-long virtual court hearing broadcast on YouTube June 26 that attracted more than 20,000 viewers. An assault conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail. Theriault is currently suspended with pay by the Toronto Police Service and is out on bail pending a sentencing decision. Miller suffered serious injuries during a Dec. 28, 2016 assault on a residential Whitby street, including a catastrophic injury to his left eye which later had to be surgically removed. After competing versions of events were presented during a 10-day trial last fall, Di Luca concluded the violent confrontation between Miller and Theriault, alongside his younger brother Christian Theriault, had begun after Miller and his friend were found stealing from the Theriaults family truck. The Theriault brothers then chased Miller down, ultimately leading to what Di Luca called a one-sided, violent beat-down involving a metre-long pipe that was introduced at some point during the altercation, though its not clear how or when. But while Di Luca convicted Michael Theriault of assault, he found both him and Christian Theriault not guilty of the more serious charge of aggravated assault, as well as one count each of obstruction of justice. Because Di Luca could not rule out the possibility that Miller had, at some point in the altercation, armed himself with the pipe, the judge concluded it was possible the brothers had initially fought back in self-defence. But, he ruled, toward the end of the altercation Michael Theriault did have possession of the pipe and swung it at Miller at least once in the face. These actions were no longer in self-defence, the judge found. The already razor-thin self-defence justification evaporates at this stage, he wrote in his decision. Although Di Luca found Michael Theriault used the weapon, he could not conclude it was the pipe that caused Millers eye injury, due in part to medical evidence that concluded the most likely cause of the injury to Millers eye was at least one punch. Nonetheless, he said fact that a weapon was used in committing the assault will be considered an aggravating factor on sentence. In his decision, Di Luca acknowledged both the racial aspects of the case Michael Theriault is a white police officer, while Miller is Black and the backdrop of the ruling, which came at the height of an international outcry over race and policing following high-profile police-involved deaths of Black and Indigenous people. I also acknowledge that this case, and others like it, raise significant issues involving race and policing that should be further examined, he said. With Star files The boulevard leading up to the Nebraska State Fair will be colorful this year, thanks to area nonprofit organizations. The trees that line State Fair Boulevard, heading east from South Locust, are being adorned with yarn and other colorful decorations. The program, called Yarn Bombing, was the idea of Laura Hurley, a State Fair employee. If theres enough interest, 50 of the trees will be decorated. Thirty-seven organizations have been assigned a tree so far. The decorations will be attention-getting. On Tuesday, the Grand Island Area Clean Community System wrapped a blanket around a tree that featured more than a dozen colors. It was made of recycled plastic tablecloths. Nonprofits are to have their trees decorated by July 31. Hurley, who tells quite a yarn, got the idea from a festival in Norway. She read about how a community had decorated trees to celebrate its festival. And I thought, Wow, with our beautiful trees up and down State Fair Boulevard, wouldnt that be stunning? she said. The global population may peak at around 9.7 billion in 2064 before falling to 8.8 billion by the end of the century, a new study suggests. Researchers at the University of Washington have based their forecast on a falling overall fertility rate, which is the average number of children a woman gives birth to, as girls get better access to education and contraception. The projected fertility rate indicates that by 2100, 183 of 195 countries will not be able to maintain current populations, with forecasts indicating 2.1 births per woman. Some 23 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Italy and Spain, will see populations plummet by more than 50% by the end of the century, according to the researchers. But the population of sub-Saharan Africa could triple from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion, due to a declining death rate and more women entering reproductive age. World #population likely to shrink after mid-century, forecasting major shifts in global population & economic power: new #GBDStudy forecasts world population will peak at 9.7 billion in 2064 & decline to 8.8 billion by 2100 @IHME_UWhttps://t.co/ACHRIhA74g pic.twitter.com/zkqbt3XPbo The Lancet (@TheLancet) July 14, 2020 Scientists from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the universitys School of Medicine used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The modelling study, published in The Lancet, also predicts a shift in global economic power brought on by dramatic declines in working-age populations in countries such as India and China. Story continues Aside from North Africa, the Middle East is the only other region predicted to have a larger population in 2100, growing from an estimated 600 million in 2017 to 978 million. The fastest-shrinking populations will be in Asia and central and eastern Europe, the researchers said. The population of Japan is predicted to shrink from around 128 million in 2017 to 60 million in 2100, Thailand will see a decline from 71 to 35 million, and South Korea from 53 to 27 million. The population of Spain is forecast to fall from 46 to 23 million, Italy from 61 to 31 million and Portugal from 11 to 5 million. Professor Stein Emil Vollset, of the IHME and first author of the paper, said: While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems, with more old people and fewer young people, economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers, and countries abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly are reduced. Researchers say a falling fertility rate could contribute to a decline in global population by the end of the century (Yui Mok/PA) The researchers say immigration could offset population shrinkage, particularly in countries with low fertility, such as the US, Australia and Canada. Dr Christopher Murray, the IHME director who led the research, said: For high-income countries with below-replacement fertility rates, the best solutions for sustaining current population levels, economic growth, and geopolitical security are open immigration policies and social policies supportive of families having their desired number of children. However, a very real danger exists that in the face of declining population, some countries might consider policies that restrict access to reproductive health services, with potentially devastating consequences. It is imperative that womens freedom and rights are at the top of every governments development agenda. The study also predicts that over-80s will outnumber under-20s by the end of the century, with an estimated 2.37 billion people over 65 compared with 1.7 billion under the age of 20. Meanwhile, the number of children under five is predicted to drop more than 40%, from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100. KALAMAZOO, MI A required class that focuses on the history of systemic racism, a third-party audit that addresses the ways institutional racism operates within all departments and a systematic review of campus police. These are among a longer list of collective demands put forth by more than a dozen student organizations at Western Michigan University this week, and presented to university leadership in a call for swift and meaningful action. Kravitz, a Forestville mother of two, said she appreciated that the distance learning would last two full quarters enough time for planning and consistency. She expected it to become more robust and regular and for students and teachers to hone their abilities. The biggest concern she has heard from other parents was about how they would continue to juggle their jobs with children at home. Thats the biggest hurdle Ive heard about, she said. Not everyone can work remotely. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. We'll use ROE to examine EVRAZ plc (LON:EVR), by way of a worked example. Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. Simply put, it is used to assess the profitability of a company in relation to its equity capital. See our latest analysis for EVRAZ How Is ROE Calculated? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for EVRAZ is: 19% = US$365m US$1.9b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2019). The 'return' is the income the business earned over the last year. So, this means that for every 1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of 0.19. Does EVRAZ Have A Good ROE? By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, EVRAZ has a better ROE than the average (15%) in the Metals and Mining industry. roe That's clearly a positive. Bear in mind, a high ROE doesn't always mean superior financial performance. A higher proportion of debt in a company's capital structure may also result in a high ROE, where the high debt levels could be a huge risk . You can see the 4 risks we have identified for EVRAZ by visiting our risks dashboard for free on our platform here. How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Story continues Combining EVRAZ's Debt And Its 19% Return On Equity EVRAZ clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 2.46. While its ROE is pretty respectable, the amount of debt the company is carrying currently is not ideal. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. Conclusion Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. If you would prefer 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. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Press Release 15 July 2020 At Airbnb, we believe that people's desire to safely connect and be with one another has only grown stronger while we've been apart. Our business has not recovered, but we are seeing encouraging signs. Advertisements On July 8, guests booked more than 1 million nights' worth of future stays at Airbnb listings around the world. It's the first day in more than four months, since March 3, that the 1 million nights threshold has been reached. Airbnb, Inc. Guests booking on July 8 did so in over 175 different countries and regions, including destinations in Togo, Angola, Bahrain, Svalbard and Kyrgyzstan. Nights booked skew toward domestic travel. Most guests are not traveling far: Approximately half of these nights booked were for travel to destinations within 300 miles. Over two-thirds were for travel to destinations within 500 miles, both distances typically manageable by car. And in rural areas of the US*, hosts earned over $200 million in the month of June, an increase of more than 25 percent over what hosts in these areas earned in June 2019. But they are looking to get away: Two-thirds of the nights booked were at destinations outside of cities. Airbnb, Inc. And many are looking to do so affordably: Slightly more than half of the nights booked on July 8 were for listings costing no more than $100 per night. Pent-up demand may be playing a role. A significant portion of nights booked were for travel beginning within 30 days: i.e., trips that will start on or before August 7. And, over 60 percent of the nights booked were for travel by people traveling solo or with one other person. But there were over 17,000 nights booked by guests who are traveling in a group of 10 or more. Because short-term rentals are typically entire homes, guests get more space for their money and more control over their environment, including private entrances and amenities such as kitchens and swimming pools. Combined with the availability of entire homes within driving distance for travelers and the Airbnb Enhanced Clean protocol for ensuring clean, sanitized accommodations, Airbnb's short-term rentals are recovering because consumers see them as a safe, healthy and responsible way for guests to travel. * Rural areas are defined as areas with fewer than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer. ATLANTA, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EventTitans , a leading event fundraising, and management platform, is pleased to announce its fundraising platform has helped schools and nonprofits fuel their fundraising programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. To continue its support of the small business community, EventTitans is offering up to 100% off certain platform fees. Ability to fundraise money towards physical items or just give the donator an option to drop off or offer a pickup. Option to showcase the spend strategy and gain user trust. Partner with local manufactures or service providers to provide an affiliate marketplace for your user base. A school can partner with books, pencils like stationery manufacturers and let parents pay for the items their kids need. Schools can keep the difference between retail price and manufacturer bulk price as Donations "Local manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers are always looking for new and innovative ways to get their products into the hands of local consumers," said Siva Vangala, CEO and Founder of EventTitans. "What better way to do so than to partner with a school or nonprofit for a feel-good fundraiser? Our platform streamlines the entire process to help those organizations maximize their fundraising efforts and make it possible to flourish in those partnerships. It's an ideal situation for both parties to attain their goals - with an easy-to-use platform for both administrators and supporters." Hal Berg, CEO of Rocky Mountain Roasting Co . stated, "As a producer of coffee, which every household uses and needs, we enjoy working with nonprofits and schools to conduct fundraisers through selling our products. We are thrilled to have found EventTitans to streamline this process in order to make fundraising a smooth process for our clients, creating successful outcomes for everyone involved. We at Rocky Mountain Roasting Co. have a vision of making fundraising a smoother and more consistent entity for our clients. Thanks to EventTitans, we are on our way to providing this goal." Rocky Mountain Roasting Co. has built a successful fundraising business with over 100 established partnerships with schools and other non-profit organizations, including Inspiredu , an educational nonprofit that seeks to meet the needs of children and families in Georgia's under resourced communities by providing them with the technology, support, and training they need to be competitive in pursuit of education and work preparedness. Intermezzo Academy of Music in Broomfield, CO; and Upland Highland Regiment , one of the most successful high school marching band programs in California. Rocky Mountain Roasting Co. has sold thousands of bags of coffee, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for schools and nonprofit partners. Gone are the days of traditional fundraisers where administrations, teachers, and parents physically organize the sale of items, collect the money, and sort and deliver products. Organizers save significant time and are able to produce far more successful fundraisers by using EventTitans' fundraising platform, which allows nonprofits to partner with local manufacturers and create an eCommerce website to streamline donations. Linda Bolander, Founder and CEO of Intermezzo Academy of Music in Broomfield, CO stated, "We had immediate orders for our fundraiser with Rocky Mountain Roasting Co. All the families who used our EventTitans fundraising platform thought it was very easy. We have found tracking orders and following up very easy as well." The EventTitans platform features Affiliate Marketplace capabilities, making it a seamless buying and selling environment for organizations looking to fundraise using products from their manufacturing partners. Vangala continued, "I am honored to be able to give back to the community and offer the EventTitians platform at a significant discount to help increase margins for non-profit organizations using the platform." About EventTitans EventTitans is a leading fundraising and event management platform and the only one to provide an end-to-end, holistic experience for event organizers, sponsors, and attendees. With over 18 features to choose from, users can count on EventTitans to help them every step of the way, from managing ticket sales to networking to hosting fundraisers and much more. Media Contact: Melody Wolf +1 6789993323 [email protected] SOURCE EventTitans The British government has announced plans to bar Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from building and operating its 5G network infrastructure, reversing course after breaking with U.S. policy in January. The plan would ban purchases of new Huawei 5G gear at the end of the year and give British firms until 2027 to remove the companys equipment from their networks. The minister for digital affairs, Oliver Dowden, cited new U.S. sanctions announced in May as the rationale for the pivot, saying that the situation has changed. Security officials have long cautioned that the Chinese Communist Party could use Huawei as a platform for espionage and cybertheft. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued three indictments against the company for racketeering, sanctions evasion, and theft of trade secrets. In January, British authorities said they could mitigate these dangers by keeping Huawei out of parts of the telecoms network that are critical to security and by capping the companys U.K. market share at 35 percent. Washington opposed the decision and warned that Huaweis presence in Britain could compromise intelligence-sharing between the two countries. Early this year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the U.K. to reconsider its decision, but made little headway until the U.S. announced export controls barring Huawei from purchasing any computer chips manufactured or designed with U.S. equipment. At the time, Huaweis deputy chairman characterized the U.S. sanctions as an existential threat to the company, saying, We will now work hard to figure out how to survive. Britains National Cyber Security Centre responded by commencing a reassessment of the countrys 5G policy. Minister Dowden suggested in his speech to the House of Commons that the U.S. sanctions undermined Huaweis ability to build out the network. In the backdrop, Beijings obfuscation of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as its increasing belligerence toward Hong Kong, appears to have raised alarm among senior British officials. In April, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, There is no doubt that we cant have business as usual in the U.K.China relationship. The Huawei decision is seen by some as marking the beginning of a more combative stance by London toward Beijing. Story continues But while U.S. officials including Secretary Pompeo touted Britains decision, the practical impact of the new policy is uncertain. The Henry Jackson Societys Matthew Henderson, who served as a British Diplomat in Asia, argues that the policy does not go far enough quickly enough to address the threat posed by Huawei. This is very unsatisfactory, Henderson tells National Review. It does not address in a reasonable timeframe the drastic clear-out of Huawei equipment that needs to be done. The proposal allows the U.K.s four mobile-network providers Vodafone, BT, EE, and Three to use Huawei equipment in their 5G networks for the next seven years. British telecom firms already provide 5G service to most British cities and many large towns, with much of the network relying on Chinese equipment. Because each generation of mobile has a roughly ten-year life cycle, 6G will likely be in the late stages of development by the time companies finish ripping and replacing Huawei gear. Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute went further, arguing that the British announcement constitutes a diplomatic signal, not a meaningful policy pivot. He expects Britain to delay action against Huawei or else renege on the new policy altogether. Wait until they see the price tag for the 5G rollout without Huawei equipment, Scissors says. He believes that the British 5G network will ultimately end up including a nontrivial amount of Huawei equipment. Scissors cites continual delays by the U.S. Commerce Department in enforcing sanctions against Huawei as evidence that tough talk against China by Western politicians often amounts to precious little in the policy realm. Since first announcing sanctions against Huawei in 2019, the Commerce Department has granted five temporary general licenses to the company, effectively delaying enforcement. For their part, British MPs do not seem especially eager to move forward with Huawei restrictions. Parliament will vote on the proposal in the fall, a timeline that Henderson argues gives the Chinese side more time to get angry and everyone else more time to get worried. He suggests that hawkish MPs such as Bob Seely and Sir Iain Duncan Smith might oppose the proposal on the grounds that it is too accommodative to Huawei. Whatever the outcome of the vote, it is clear that British public opinion has turned against the CCP. A poll conducted by the Henry Jackson Society found that 74 percent of British adults blame Beijing for the coronavirus pandemic. In the same poll, 40 percent expressed opposition to Huaweis partaking in the U.K.s 5G network, while only 27 percent approved. For years, Western policymakers have denounced Chinese malfeasance while eschewing policies that reduce economic ties to Beijing. With a rising tide of public opinion moving against the CCP, that status quo may no longer be sustainable. The uncertain fate of Huawei provides a harbinger for the future of relations between China and the West. More from National Review One hundred eight musicians. Seventeen states. Social distancing determined by miles, not feet. Combining all of that into one seamless, five-minute piece of music. That was the plan of Kenyon Wilson, associate head of the Department of Performing Arts at UTC. And it workedwith colossal help from UTC videographer Jacob Cagle. In 2015, Wilson was compelled to write a piece to honor the five servicemen four Marines, one sailor who died in the terrorist attack at the U.S. Navy Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway in Chattanooga. The piece, simply titled Five, debuted in 2016 and has been performed every year since. For the fifth anniversary of the attack, Mr. Wilson wanted to do something special, but the coronavirus meant he couldnt pull together a local orchestra to perform in person. So he turned to the current go-to method of meetings and gatherings. He went online. Putting the word out through a video on social media, Mr. Wilson received responses from high school musicians across the country. We put together this video and just put it out there. Then it started getting shared, he said. The idea was to have musicians perform the piece, using the same instrument they would play in a live performance, and videotape it. We did a video that talked to everyone through the process. Where to go to download the music for free. How to set things up. How to get the submissions to me and then did a separate video of me just conducting, Mr. Wilson said. After the musicians sent their videos to Mr. Wilson, he gave them to Mr. Cagle. Adding a video of Wilson conducting, Mr. Cagles job was to blend the separate videos into one cohesive whole. Not the easiest job in the world. When I did it, I thought my computer was going to burn down, Mr. Cagle said. I was like, Im going to take a long lunch and if it catches fire, let me know. It was insane, but it was pretty cool seeing them come together at the end. Five originally began after the 2015 attack when Mr. Wilson felt driven to create a tribute to the men killed. Music came to mind first. Im a musician and we tend to think that music is the answer, so that is the one thing that I could do, said Mr. Wilson. I later learned in an interview I was reading that two of the Marines had been members of their high school band. Skip Wells played clarinet and David Wyatt played tuba. So the fact that we already had come to this musical connection, it made sense to me, at least for the impetus of the piece. He noted that the high school students who performed Five at its debut have now graduated. Its time to hand the piece off, he said. We have a new generation of high school students that could have been involved in the project that got canceled because of the pandemic, so we went this other way, Mr. Wilson said. As teachers, we miss our students. Im sure the students miss making music, Mr. Wilson said. A lot of music students really identify with being in band or choir as their community, and theyve lost that, their support group and all of this. The virtual concert, he said,t made it possible to engage these students and be able to come forward with something productive out of something pretty bad. Feeding America Chief Executive Officer Claire Babineaux-Fontenot met with staff at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank on Tuesday as part of a regional tour of member food banks. Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is one of just 200 members in the organization. Ms. Babineau-Fontenot spent most of her visit touring the Chattanooga warehouse to hear first-hand experiences from staff and volunteers about how they have responded to the need for food caused by the pandemic. Like most food banks across the country, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank has been hit hard by increased need, disruptions to our supply chain, and decreases in charitable food donations, but has worked hard to develop innovative solutions to serve those who need it most, Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot said. However, it would be nearly impossible to respond to this crisis without the generous donations from the Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia community. Thank you to everyone who shared their gifts; these contributions provide nourishing help for people who may otherwise be unable to put food on the table. As a Feeding America member food bank, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and its more than 200 nonprofit partner agencies have access to information and resources to address hunger in its 20-county service area. Through Feeding America, since the beginning of the pandemic, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank has received 90,300 donated pounds of food, $622,336 in funding, and research that indicates the economic impact of the pandemic could affect up to one in five adults and one in four children in its service area. Feeding America has also led a national awareness and advocacy campaign to draw attention to the increased risk for hunger, especially at-risk populations like children, people of color and seniors. Feeding America provides essential guidance as we continue to respond to COVID-19s impact on our community and the increased risk for hunger it caused, said Chattanooga Area Food Bank Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hilling. Even before the threat of the pandemic, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, our agencies and the people we serve have benefited tremendously from Feeding Americas support, and that helped us to be in a strong position to respond to the crisis. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank put in place a number of expanded and new programs to respond to the initial 30 percent increase in need and prepare to provide long-term assistance for months or years to come: As a receiving agency for the USDAs Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, it has coordinated the distribution of an additional 800,000 pounds of food over the last two months through a number of area organizations. With La Paz and CEMPA, we are distributing food boxes at certain COVID-19 testing sites that serve the Latinx community; although six percent of the Hamilton County population is Hispanic, they make up 60 percent of diagnosed cases, according to the Hamilton County Health Department, representing one of the most severe local health disparities. It expanded the Mobile Pantry Program in all 20 counties served by adding new sites and increased the amount of food distributed at existing ones, and doubled the amount of pounds distributed in May as compared to the same time last year. It tripled the capacity of Emergency Food Box Program in Hamilton County (in collaboration with United Way Chattanoogas 211 service). Working with CARTA and St. Alexius Outreach Ministries, boxes are being delivered to people who are homebound. Its Summer Feeding Program began two months early for 10 rural schools including six new sites through the end of July; the program distributes seven to 10 pound bags with staple items and fresh produce to help feed an entire family. The United Nations has asked the Nicolas Maduro regime to dismantle criminal gangs running gold mines in Venezuela's Amazon region. A report, published by the Human Rights Council, found that gold, diamond and bauxite mines in the area known as the Orinoco Mining Arc are mostly under the control of organised criminal or armed groups that impose their own rules through violence, exploitation and extortion, beating and even killing workers. Nearly 150 people are reported to have died in or around the gold mines from March 2016 to 2020. According to reports, bodies of miners are often thrown into old mining pits used as clandestine graves. Miners, including young children, are not given employment contracts and are exposed to mercury contamination and malaria. The UN investigation found that Venezuelan military forces have not only failed to prevent these crimes but have also participated in about half of the incidents. Authorities should take immediate steps to end labour and sexual exploitation, child labour and human trafficking, and should dismantle criminal groups controlling mining activities, said the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. "They must also investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible for human rights violations, abuses and crimes," she added. On Wednesday Maduro's representative to the UN, Jorge Valero, rejected the report. It is clear that there is manipulation and double standards at play here with a view to try to attack a sovereign state and expose it, he told the Geneva UN forum. The Orinoco Mining Arc, an area of about 42,800 square miles in the Venezuelan Amazon, was created by a Maduro decree in 2016 in an attempt to promote legal mining. The socialist regime increasingly relies on gold mining to cover its costs as US sanctions on the nation's oil sector have severely decreased their income. Chinese and Russian companies currently have joint ventures with state-run companies in the area, as reported by the Associated Press. Venezuela's Central Bank says the government has bought more than 17 tonnes of gold from artisanal miners between 2016 and 2018, some of which they have sold to the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Human Rights Watch has previously said the Venezuelan regime is turning a blind eye to criminal control of the region. Poor Venezuelans driven to work in gold mining by the ongoing economic crisis and humanitarian emergency have become victims of macabre crimes by armed groups that control illegal gold mines in Southern Venezuela, said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. It is critical for gold buyers and refineries to ensure that any Venezuelan gold in their supply chains is not stained with the blood of Venezuelan victims. Venezuelan human rights and environmental groups have said that legal and illegal mining are rapidly decimating Venezuela's Amazon, with the country being the only one where rainforest deforestation rates increased between 2000 and 2013. Signs of Insolvency During COVID-19: Identifying Insolvency and Taking Steps to Avoid it Posted by Publisher Internet Coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a major impact on businesses in all sectors around the UK and many companies are facing insolvency. How do you spot signs of insolvency and what are the effects of the recently proposed changes to insolvency law and measures introduced by the UK government? Identifying insolvency Insolvency occurs when an organisation (or individual) has insufficient assets to pay its debts and can no longer meet financial obligations to creditors as debts become due. This state of financial distress can arise from various situations, such as poor cash management, a reduction in cash flow, or an increase in expenditure. There are various ways of ?testing? for insolvency under the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986). A company is deemed to be insolvent if it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due (cash flow insolvency). In addition a company is also deemed to be unable to pay its debts if it is proved that the value of the company?s assets is less than the amount of its liabilities, taking into account its contingent and prospective liabilities (balance sheet insolvency). Companies also need to keep an eye on their debt to equity ratio. The more debt a company has, the closer it may be to insolvency, explain the experts from Moore Barlow LLP. Other warning signs of insolvency for a company are creditors threatening or taking legal action, such as a County Court Judgement (CCJ), a statutory demand or issuing a winding-up petition. Directors can be held liable if a company continues to trade while it is insolvent. Specifically, directors face personal liability for what is known as ?wrongful trading? if: They knew, or ought to have concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of avoiding insolvent liquidation. They did not take ?every step with a view to minimising the potential loss to the company?s creditors?. Personal liability runs from the point the director knew the company was insolvent. Further sanctions include disqualification from being a director, fines or even imprisonment. New measures On 28 March 2020, the Business Secretary declared it was the government\-\-s intention to suspend wrongful trading provisions and to introduce a moratorium for businesses undergoing a restructuring process. It is unlikely that there will be any changes in relation to the more serious offence of fraudulent trading, for which directors are likely to remain personally liable. Businesses should give careful consideration to the deployment and use of government coronavirus schemes such as the job retention scheme, VAT deferment for 3 months, deferred self-assessment payments, business rate holidays or applying for business interruption loans in an effort to combat the onset of insolvency. For further information please contact: David Foster, Partner, Dispute Resolution, Moore Barlow, Guildford, Surrey, UK Daniel Baker, Associate, Dispute Resolution, Moore Barlow, Guildford, Surrey, UK Ecovis is a leading global consulting firm with its origins in Continental Europe. It has almost 8,500 people operating in nearly 80 countries. Its consulting focus and core competencies lie in the areas of tax consultation, accounting, auditing and legal advice. The particular strength of Ecovis is the combination of personal advice at a local level with the general expertise of an international and interdisciplinary network of professionals. Every Ecovis office can rely on qualified specialists in the back offices as well as on the specific industrial or national know-how of all the Ecovis experts worldwide. This diversified expertise provides clients with effective support, especially in the fields of international transactions and investments from preparation in the client\-\-s home country to support in the target country. In its consulting work Ecovis concentrates mainly on mid-sized firms. Both nationally and internationally, its one-stop-shop concept ensures all-round support in legal, fiscal, managerial and administrative issues. The name Ecovis, a combination of the terms economy and vision, expresses both its international character and its focus on the future and growth. Homeland Security Rescinds Policy Directive Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program requiring international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities that are transitioning to online-only courses this fall to leave the country or risk violating their visa status. This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the aforementioned changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Over the course of the last nine days, the University at Buffalo has been actively working on behalf of our international students to successfully overturn this ill-conceived and detrimental policy change. Because this directive would have adversely impacted all of U.S. higher education, UBas an active member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and the American Council on Education (ACE) signed a letter to Congressional leadership urging the DHS to withdraw it. Further, UB, in concert with our fellow SUNY university centers, petitioned the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, again, for the withdrawal of the ICE directive. In addition, UB, along with SUNYs four university centers, had been working with our respective federal delegations to compel the DHS and ICE to retreat from the aforementioned directive. As well, UB played a leading role in a lawsuit brought in conjunction with SUNY and the New York State Attorney Generals Office to rescind the recent regulatory guidance. As I noted in a communication to our university community last Wednesday, from our founding, our international students have immeasurably enriched the University at Buffalo. Their diversity of background, perspective and lived experience greatly enhances UBs research, education and engagement mission. As always, the University at Buffalo is committed to providing all of our students with a transformative educational experience so that we can make a positive impact on our local and global communities. In closing, it was heartening to see the entire U.S. higher education community coming together on behalf of international students to effectively compel the Department of Homeland Security to rescind the policy directive. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor the policy landscape for our international students. At UB, it is our collective imperative that all of our students can achieve their educational goals and professional aspirations. Soon after Sachin Pilot was removed as Deputy Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president, Rajasthan NSUI president Abhimanyu Poonia on Tuesday also tendered his resignation. Poonia said that around 400-500 members holding certain posts in the Youth Congress, National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Seva Dal have resigned to protest against the development. Meanwhile, over 50 Congressmen have also resigned in Tonk, Pilot's home constituency in Rajasthan to protest against his sacking. District Congress President of Pali Chunnilal Chadwas has also resigned from the party. Meanwhile, Pilot in a tweet said: "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today. Ram Ram sa." My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today. ! Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) July 14, 2020 Retweeting the post, Poonia said: "We will defeat slavery and will make the struggle win (hamein gulaami ko harana hai aur sangharsh ko jitana hai) #RajasthanKaPilot." He said that he resigned from the post in support of Sachin Pilot. "Our conscience is alive, so is our self-respect. #SachinPilotkesaath," he said on Twitter. The Congress on Tuesday sacked Sachin Pilot from the posts of Rajasthan's deputy chief minister as well as the party's state unit chief and also cracked the whip on the rebel party leader, removing his loyalists Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena from the state cabinet. Meanwhile, protests were staged in many pockets of Gujjar dominated areas as Pilot is a favourite of the community. High alert has been sounded in Gujjar-dominated areas in Dausa, Ajmer, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur and Bharatpur to avert any untoward incident. Photo credit: Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images From Prima The Queen was left most amused after being told about a rather unusual lockdown exercise regime during a video chat with a group of service personnel. She spoke to representatives from the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, as well as the Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter. Her Majesty had a little chuckle when Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephens told her he had been pushing a car along the road to train for a very interesting role. He told Her Majesty: "I'm the pilot for the Jamaican bobsleigh team." "Gosh!" she said, with a little giggle. "Sounds a very dangerous job. How do you train?" He then explained he'd turned to an "unorthodox training regime" and told her he'd taken to pushing a car up and down the street when the gyms closed. She laughed: "Oh! Well I suppose that's one way to train." Highlights of the video were uploaded to The Royal Family's Instagram page. The caption read: "The Queen speaks with service personnel from @BritishArmy, @RoyalNavy and @RoyalAirForceuk via video call, to hear about the work of the British Armed Forces at home and overseas, during the current pandemic. Story continues "As Head of the Armed Forces, Her Majesty is regularly updated on operations around the world. "Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Carter joined the video call, along with: "Able Rate Sophie Levy who serves as an Aircraft Handler, on her first operational deployment on board RFA Argus which is in the Caribbean. "Lieutenant Colonel Barrie Terry who is currently deployed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, and has been apart from his family since last year due to travel restrictions. "Lance Corporal Shanwayne Stephens who serves in The Queens Colour Squadron and has represented the RAF at many state events including State Openings of Parliament and the annual Festival of Remembrance." There was also a lovely moment when the Queen recalled meeting Sophie Levy previously when she was just 16. The Queen told them they were doing great work and wished them luck in their roles. Here's hoping Shanwayne makes it to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics! Watch the full video below: Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. SIGN UP In need of some positivity or not able to make it to the shops? Get Prima delivered directly to your door every month! SUBSCRIBE HERE You Might Also Like The Supreme Court yesterday directed that appropriate measures be taken to unravel why a bailiff could not serve hearing notice on Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mr Ampofo who is challenging the adoption of a witness statement by the High Court, in the case in which he and another NDC executive were standing trial for conspiracy to commit crime was absent from proceedings at the Supreme Court yesterday. When the case was called, the prosecutor, Mrs Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecution told the court presided over by the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Jones Dotse that she was told Mr Ampofo, the applicant was not served with the hearing notice. The case was adjourned till further notice. Mr Ampofo and Mr Kweku Boahen, a Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and harm to public officer. Messrs Ampofo and Boahen, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on GH100,000 bail. Their trial is before a Commercial High Court presided over by Justice Samuel Asiedu, a Court of Appeal Judge, sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge. Benjamin Osei Ampofo Adjei, a witness in the case had earlier told the High Court that the police brought him a statement which he signed without reading it. When he made his first appearance in 2019, the witness, a broadcast journalist at the Multimedia Group Limited, acknowledged the signature on the witness statement but said it was the first time reading the statement. Following that, counsel for the NDC Chairman, Mr Tony Lithur asked the court to expunge the statement from the record. The prosecutor objected the prayer by the defence counsel seeking the court to have the witness statement taken off the record. Since the adoption of the witness statement by the High Court, the defence had filed a number of applications before the High Court and the Court of Appeal, all which had been dismissed. On March 12, 2020, Mr Adjei told the court that he stood by his witness statement. The witness is the journalist who interviewed Mr Boahen on an alleged leaked audio in which the Chairman of the NDC, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo was heard allegedly urging party members to attack the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and Chairman of the National Peace Council. Mr Adjei had said in his evidence in chief that he heard a number of radio stations playing the recording in which Mr Boahen allegedly said the NDC was behind its chairman. The facts are that the accused were arraigned on April 16,2020 for allegedly inciting communicators of the party to attack the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, and the chairman of the National Peace Council. Mr Tony Lithur, counsel for Mr Ampofo, told the court that his client could not speak about the alleged leaked tape because it was doctored. He said the invasion of his clients privacy relates to the constitutional breach of Mr Ampofos rights. Dr Bamba said his client denied the charges levelled against him, and added that Mr Boahen was innocent until proven guilty by the court. He contended that the charges against the Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC were not grounded in law. Miss Gloria Akuffo, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who read the charges against the accused in April, 2019, said Mr Boahen faces only a charge of conspiracy to cause harm, while his colleague was charged with all the three counts. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. KEY FACTS 3:45 p.m.: Community centres in Toronto to reopen Monday 1:09 p.m. Indoor visists to Ontario long-term-care homes allowed as of July 22. The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Wednesday. This file is no longer updating. Click here to read the latest coverage. Web links to longer stories if available. 10 p.m.: In a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie noted that her city recorded only one new case on Tuesday and zero on Wednesday, a first since the lockdown started. 9:45 p.m.: Peel police have issued a summons for a man caught on viral video in a racist tirade against employees at a T&T grocery store in Mississauga following a mask dispute last week. Police said that on July 5, the suspect went to a supermarket near Central Parkway West and Grand Park Drive. The man wasnt wearing a face covering and was asked by employees to put one on, police said, which is the stores policy. In a video that went viral, the man became agitated, said he has asthma and yelled at an employee to go back to China while the worker repeatedly responds that hes a Canadian. Police said in their release that a summons has been issued for 48-year-old John McCash of Mississauga, for the offence of causing a disturbance. Read the full story from the Stars Ted Fraser. 9:30 p.m.: A new study suggests eight times as many people in Metro Vancouver have been infected by the novel coronavirus than the rate of reported cases. The joint study by researchers at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, University of B.C., LifeLabs and public health scientists is posted on the health research website medRxiv and a news conference on the findings is scheduled for Thursday morning. The authors say the findings indicate successful suppression of community transmission in B.C., with an estimated overall infection rate of less than one per cent. Meanwhile, British Columbia recorded 21 new cases Wednesday and no new deaths. There are 207 active cases while 2,753 people who tested positive have recovered, the government said in a news release. 8:30 p.m.: The provinces police watchdog has invoked its mandate after a 73-year-old man was shot and killed by police northeast of Haliburton, shortly after he allegedly assaulted a Minden grocery store employee over a mask dispute. In an interview with the Star, OPP Sgt. Jason Folz said the worker was cleaning carts outside the store and attempted to give the man a free mask, which all customers are required to wear, when he was assaulted. Police confronted the man at his home, about a 30-minute drive away, where there was an interaction and two officers discharged their firearms, striking the man. Read the full story from the Stars Ted Fraser. 7:20 p.m.: WE Charity is restructuring its operations weeks after its sole-sourced contract with the government shone a spotlight on the organization at the centre of an ethics investigation of the prime minister. The charity says it will return to its roots by prioritizing international development work focused on children and their families. But after 25 years of rapid growth, WE Charity says its structure is too complicated and needs to be more transparent. The Stars Alex Boutlier has the full story. 6:30 p.m. (updated): After months spent watching the devastating impact of COVID-19 isolation on nursing-home residents, families, neighbours and close friends will soon be allowed indoor visits. Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton announced Wednesday the new rules that will permit indoor visits of no more than two friends or relatives at a time, starting July 22. Visitors can help with eating or washing and can provide emotional sustenance for people who have declined from months of loneliness and depression. Before mid-March, when visitors for all but palliative residents were locked out by COVID restrictions, many families and friends provided hours of care for their loved ones, freeing up staff to spend time with other residents. Next week, before entering the home, all visitors will be required to attest they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 14 days. Outside visits, which began June 18, no longer require a COVID test. Read the full story from the Stars Moira Welsh. 5:45 p.m.: As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Ontarios regional health units are reporting a total of 39,062 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, including 2,770 deaths, according to the Stars latest count. The rate of new infections in Ontario has fallen sharply over the last two months and has continued to fall so far in July. Over the last seven days, the provinces 34 health units have reported an average of 119 new infections per day well down from a sustained peak of nearly 600 cases per day, seen in late April. Wednesdays total, up 96 cases in 24 hours, include two days worth of case reports from Toronto, which last week switched to updating just three days a week. At a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said the city would resume releasing a daily case count via the Toronto Public Healths Twitter account. Meanwhile, another nine new fatal cases were reported Wednesday, six in Toronto, two in Peel Region and one in Windsor-Essex; Amid the worst of the provinces epidemic, the health units reported as many as 94 deaths in a single day. Earlier, the province reported 115 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, including 31 in an intensive care unit, of whom 22 are on a ventilator numbers that are themselves near the lowest the province has reported since first publishing hospitalization data in early April. The province says its data is accurate to 4 p.m. the previous day. The province also cautions its latest count of total deaths 2,732 may be incomplete or out of date due to delays in the reporting system, saying that in the event of a discrepancy, data reported by (the health units) should be considered the most up to date. The Stars count includes some patients reported as probable COVID-19 cases, meaning they have symptoms and contacts or travel history that indicate they very likely have the disease, but have not yet received a positive lab test. 5:40 p.m.: Quebec will allow private sector employees to head back to the office in an effort to revitalize the struggling downtown cores of the provinces largest cities. Labour Minister Jean Boulet told a news conference Wednesday businesses can bring back up to a quarter of their employees to the office starting Saturday. The province is strongly recommending, however, people continue working remotely if possible. Boulet said remote working is difficult for some people, while for others, in-person interactions are necessary. Meanwhile, Quebec reported three new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, for a total of 5,636. The province also reported 129 new cases of the novel coronavirus, for a total of 56,859, of which 26,097 are considered recovered. The number of people in hospital went down by 10 patients compared with the prior day, for a total of 285, including 20 patients in intensive care, a reduction of one. Public health authorities said Wednesday they are trying to increase testing capacity in Montreal after they requested over the weekend that anyone who had visited or worked in a bar since July 1 get tested for COVID-19. Montreal public health reported Tuesday it had identified at least 30 confirmed cases tied to nine different bars in the city. Masse said the public health department is trying to test 200 people per hour at Montreals Hotel-Dieu hospital, where a walk-in clinic has been inundated. It takes some time to mobilize human resources moved elsewhere in the health system, Masse said. 4:30 p.m.: The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, the Back To Work program paid businesses who hired or brought back staff up to $5,000 per employee, to a maximum of five workers, through to the end of August. Premier Brian Pallister said Wednesday the program will be extended until the end of October and funds will be available for up to 10 workers at each business. The program is also being offered for the first time to charities and non-profits. 4 p.m.: Toronto medical officer of health Dr. Eileen De Villa says there have been 59 new cases in the city over the last two days, including just 14 on Tuesday, the lowest in quite some time. 3:45 p.m. City of Toronto community centres and indoor pools will reopen Monday, Mayor John Tory announced. Indoor capacity will be limited and visitors will be screened. 3:20 p.m. Nunavuts chief public health officer has announced two presumptive cases of COVID-19 at Baffinlands Mary River mine. The individuals and their contacts are asymptomatic and were immediately placed in isolation. Additional swabs were taken and sent for confirmatory testing at a southern lab, with results expected early next week, Dr. Michael Patterson said in a news release today. While there was a presumptive case of COVID-19 at the mine two weeks ago, Patterson said there is no evidence of the diseases transmission at the site. In its own news release, Baffinland said that contact tracing done shows that the people who are presumed to have COVID-19 picked it up in a southern location. The mine tests its workers as soon as they arrive in the territory, and every few days after. One person whos presumed to have COVID-19 initially tested negative when arriving at the mine site on July 7, Baffinland said in the release. Results from a test done five days later came back positive. People thought to be in contact with that person were put in isolation, and swabs were done on them. These swabs were sent to Iqaluit to be tested. One of these swabs tested positive for COVID-19, Baffinlands release said. 3:02 p.m. Non-profit groups that wanted to use Canada Student Services Grant to hire volunteers say they have not heard a peep from the federal government since WE Charity walked away from managing the $912-million program almost two weeks ago. That is causing angst for some organizations such as Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Halifax that have already taken on some students but now dont know whether the government will actually cover the payments theyve been promised. The government had promised students could receive up to $5,000 toward their education costs by volunteering through the program. Souls Harbour CEO Michelle Porter says the charity will honour the commitment made to the seven students who are now volunteering in its thrift store if the government kills the program. But she says the cost will have financial implications across the rest of her organization, which provides lunches and a safe space for hundreds of people every week. The government says it is still working on the details after taking over the program from WE on July 3 but has otherwise provided little to no information. 3 p.m. Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry, who is currently quarantining after testing positive for the coronavirus, issued a legal opinion Wednesday saying the governors statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions to combat the outbreak appear to violate Louisianas constitution. The Republican attorney generals office said Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards order, in effect since Monday, requiring most people to wear face coverings, limiting bars to takeout and delivery and banning gatherings of more than 50 people in indoor spaces is likely unconstitutional and unenforceable. Although the mask mandate and the 50-person limit may be good recommendations for personal safety, they may not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties, Landry wrote. Both businesses acting under colour of law as mask police and actual police acting as mask police could face liability if individual civil rights are violated due to the proclamation. Landrys legal assessment doesnt carry the force of law, but the advisory opinion could be used as the basis for a lawsuit if someone wants to challenge the regulations enacted by Edwards. A group of eight Republican lawmakers asked for Landrys assessment. 2:54 p.m. The RCMP say two men were arrested Tuesday after a sailboat originating in Norway docked in a Labrador community. The police force says its Makkovik detachment received a complaint Tuesday about a boat that had arrived at a community dock, and officers learned it had sailed from Norway. The two men on board were detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and taken to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the RCMP said in a statement. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball described the men Wednesday as foreign nationals and said the quick police response shows measures restricting outside visitors during the pandemic are working. He said a penalty for the sailors had not yet been determined. The RCMP and the premier have said Canada Border Services Agency is now leading the investigation. 2:35 p.m. Alberta health officials say an inmate has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Edmonton Remand Centre. They say the inmate was asymptomatic when he was admitted to the centre June 30. As is protocol, he was tested on admission and placed in quarantine for two weeks. Although an initial test came back negative, the man developed a symptom and was isolated on July 11. A subsequent test was positive for COVID-19. The inmate remains in isolation and transfers out of the remand centre have been suspended for a day as a precaution. 2:30 p.m. Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 25,000 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday as new restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic took hold in the United States and around the world. The face-covering requirements, lockdowns, health checks and quarantine lists underscore the reality that the number of infections is continuing to tick upward in parts of the world and make clear that a return to normalcy may be farther off than many leaders had envisioned just weeks ago. Alabama will begin requiring face masks after the state reported a pandemic-high of 40 deaths in a single day. In Texas, which again set a record Wednesday for confirmed new cases with nearly 10,800, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the states way out of avoiding another lockdown, which he has not ruled out. Among the sternest measures are in New York, where Gov. Andrew Cuomo added to a list now totalling 22 states whose visitors will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they visit the tri-state region. Out-of-state travellers arriving in New York airports from those states face a $2,000 fine and a mandatory quarantine order if they fail to fill out a tracing form. 2:25 p.m. Organizers said Wednesday they have cancelled the 2021 Rose Parade because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on long-range planning for the New Years Day tradition. The Pasadena, California, Tournament of Roses Association said the decision was put off until organizers were certain that safety restrictions would prevent staging of the 132nd parade. The globally watched parade is held every Jan. 1 except when New Years Day falls on a Sunday. Since its inception in 1891, the parade has only not occurred only three times during the wartime years of 1942, 1943 and 1945. 2:22 p.m. Ontarios largest school board is weighing the costs of a full return to school come September, saying one model would come with a $250 million pricetag for elementary schools alone. The Ministry of Education has given boards until Aug. 4 to provide back-to-school plans that take the COVID-19 pandemic into account, and the Toronto District School Board says some options come at a significant cost. In a planning document, the board says if elementary students are divided into cohorts of 15 and there arent any schedule changes, it will need to hire nearly 2,500 more teachers at a cost of $248.9 million. The TDSB says if it cuts the school day by 48 minutes, it will only need to hire 988 teachers and the cost will be cut to $98.5 million. Another option, which would see the youngest students in cohorts of 15 and older elementary students in groups of 20, would require just 200 additional teachers at a price of $20 million. 2:20 p.m. The New Brunswick government will be offering rebates to encourage residents to vacation close to home this summer. The Explore NB Travel Incentive program will provide a 20 per cent rebate on eligible expenses made during a vacation that includes a paid overnight stay in the province between July 15 and Sept. 30. Tourism Minister Bruce Fitch says the program was created to stimulate a tourism industry suffering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says the rebate will encourage travel within the province and support businesses when they need it the most. Fitch says the incentive program will also benefit the culture and heritage sectors. Eligible expenses include accommodations, food and drink, activities, vehicle rentals, ferries and parking. 2:15 p.m. Brampton has laid 14 charges for COVID-19 masking and distancing violations over the last week, including for a large house party with at least 40 people, the citys mayor says. This is still not the time to have parties, Mayor Patrick Brown said announcing the charges at a Wednesday news conference. We cant have anyone ignoring the advice of public health and putting everyone else in peril. The charges, including cases of large residential gatherings, were laid under the citys Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Since Friday, when the city made it mandatory for masks to be worn in indoor public spaces, the mayor said there have been dozens of complaints about people not adhering to the face covering rules. In many of those instances, Brown said, bylaw officers opted for warnings instead of charges while people get used to the new rules. Brampton has accounted for more than half of the 6,686 COVID-19 cases reported in Peel Region so far, with Mississauga sitting at just above 40 per cent and Caledon at fewer than five per cent. Read the full story from the Stars Jason Miller: Brampton has laid 14 charges for COVID-19 violations in a week 1:53 p.m. Texas set a record for confirmed new coronavirus cases in a single day with nearly 10,800. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott mandated face coverings this month. Some Texas sheriffs have said they wont enforce the order. But Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way out of avoiding another lockdown, which he has not ruled out. If we were two shut down for two weeks, as some people are asking, once we open back up you would then see things begin to spread again, Abbott told Houston television station KTRK on Wednesday. Until there are medications to slow the spread of the coronavirus, there is only one thing that can slow the spread and that is by people adopting the use of wearing a face guard of some sort whenever they go out. 1:53 p.m. Italys main nursing federation says 40 nurses with coronavirus died during the peak of the outbreak. The National Federation of the Order of Nursing Professions released a breakdown of the deaths on Wednesday, based on reporting from its regional chapters in March, April and May. Its obvious that the lack of PPE, including the FFP2 masks, was one of the principal causes of infection transmission among nursing personnel, the report said. The toll adds to 172 doctors with coronavirus who have died, according to a tally kept by Italys main doctors association. Both associations included retired personnel. The nursing group says 32 nurses died of COVID-19. For four others, coronavirus was a determining factor. Of four suicides, two were in hardest-hit Lombardy region. Italys Superior Institute of Health has confirmed 29,768 positive cases among health care workers. Overall, Italy has 243,506 confirmed cases, with 163 infections and 13 deaths recorded Wednesday. 1:53 p.m. Authorities in Spains Balearic Islands are pulling the plug on endless drunken nights to the beat of techno music by closing bars and nightclubs in beachfront areas popular with young and international visitors. To slow the spread of the coronavirus, regional authorities closed all establishments near the beach of Palma de Mallorca and the nearby Magaluf. The regions tourism minister, Iago Negueruela, says it wants to shake off a reputation of no social distancing and no masks that went virual and made headlines in Germany and Britain. Spain has confirmed at least 28,400 deaths from the virus. Its dealing with dozens of outbreaks reopening last month. 1:51 p.m. The chief medical health officer on Prince Edward Island says hundreds of COVID-19 tests have come back negative since two positive cases were discovered this week at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. Dr. Heather Morrison said Wednesday more than 1,300 tests have been done since a health-care worker in the emergency department and a patient in the hospital were identified as positive over the weekend. Most of the 101 patients identified through contact tracing have been tested, she added. Seventy-six patients have been tested and 16 have appointments to be tested today, Morrison told reporters in Charlottetown. Six patients are out of province and are being followed-up, and we are trying to reach three individuals who still need to be contacted. Officials originally identified about 125 staff for testing, but expanded the list and have tested about 500. Out of an abundance of caution, more staff than originally reported were tested, Morrison said. It is a relief to know that all these tests have come back negative. There are currently nine active cases on the Island, and Morrison said the infected people are all recovering at home. The province has had a total of 36 cases, 27 of which are considered recovered. 1:23 p.m. Premier Doug Ford says his government is awaiting the federal government to give the green light for the forthcoming contact-tracing app. Ford and Minister of Health Christine Elliot say Ontario is ready to go. Elliott says app protects privacy. 1:09 p.m. Ontarios long-term care minister says the province is loosening rules that have restricted visits to the provinces long-term care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Merrilee Fullerton says starting July 22, a person visiting a resident outside a home will no longer need to attest that theyve taken a COVID-19 test within the previous two weeks. She says indoor visits, which are currently limited to essential workers and families of palliative patients, will be permitted as of July 22, with a two-person limit. Essential caregivers will also be allowed back into the facilities when visits resume. 1:07 p.m. Premier Doug Ford is enriching the provinces funding formula for long-term-care homes to encourage more private-sector operators to build new facilities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Progressive Conservative government, which on Wednesday reiterated its previously announced pledge to spend $1.75 billion in the sector, cannot say precisely how many new beds will be created. The Tories have committed to adding 30,000 beds over the next decade, but no road map to that goal has been made public. Read the full story from the Stars Robert Benzie: Doug Ford unveils funding increase for long-term-care homes in wake of COVID-19 1:04 p.m. : Premier Doug Ford says government hopes to build 30,000 new long-term care beds in the next decade. We inherited a broken system, he says. Ford promises to mandate air conditioning for long-term-care homes. 12:54 p.m. The Manitoba government is extending and expanding a wage-subsidy program to spur job creation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, the Back To Work program paid businesses who hired or brought back staff up to $5,000 per employee, to a maximum of five workers, through to the end of August. Premier Brian Pallister says the program will be extended until the end of October, and the funds will be available for up to 10 workers at each business. The program is also being offered for the first time to charities and non-profits as well. Pallister says the money should help encourage employers to hire more people. Statistics Canada reported last week that Manitoba has recorded the second-highest rebound in employment levels since the pandemic began, behind only New Brunswick. 12:50 p.m. Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting one new case of COVID-19 today. They say the latest case was identified Tuesday and involves a person in the Central Zone of the province, who is in hospital. There are now two active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Officials say there are no active cases linked to the novel coronavirus at licensed long-term care homes in the province. To date, Nova Scotia has had 1,067 positive COVID-19 cases and 63 deaths. Cases involve people ranging in age from under 10 years old to over 90 years old, who are located in all parts of the province. 12:27 p.m. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says hes tested positive for the coronavirus and is isolating at home. The first-term Republican governor has backed one of the countrys most aggressive reopening plans, has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one. Stitt attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there. 12:27 p.m. Alabama will require masks in public after a surge of coronavirus cases filled hospitals. Gov. Kay Iveys office announced the rule Wednesday, a day after the state reported a high of 40 confirmed deaths. Officials say the mask requirement starts Thursday for people age 6 or older in public and within 6 feet (2 metres) of someone who is not a relative. There are exceptions, including for people with certain medical conditions, exercising and some work activities. Ivey previously called a statewide mask order unenforceable. 12:08 p.m. Frances new prime minister on Wednesday laid out 100 billion euros ($110 billion) in new spending to rescue the virus-battered economy from its worst crisis since World War II. The money will notably go to creating jobs for young people facing the worst employment prospects in years, reducing French carbon emissions, and protecting from collapse the small businesses that give rural France its charm. The crisis highlighted our difficulties and our failures, Prime Minister Jean Castex told lawmakers. But despite more than 30,000 virus-related deaths and massive strain on Frances once-renowned public health care system, he said, We held on. Critics from left and right have slammed the governments handling of the crisis, and legislators pushed back after Castex detailed his priorities to the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. The new virus rescue plan will include 20 billion euros for climate-related investment, including wider use of electric bikes, stimulus for local food suppliers, urban renewal and mass renovation of older buildings. 12:06 p.m. The chief medical health officer on Prince Edward Island says hundreds of COVID-19 tests have come back negative since two positive cases were discovered this week at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. Dr. Heather Morrison said today more than 1,300 tests have been done since a health-care worker in the emergency department and a patient in the hospital were identified as positive on Sunday. She says most of the 101 patients identified through contact tracing have been tested, while others will be tested today. Officials are unable to reach three former patients for testing. There are currently nine active cases on the Island, and Morrison says the infected people are all recovering at home. The province has had a total of 36 cases, 27 of which are considered recovered. 12:04 p.m. Public Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting one new case of COVID-19 today. The new case involves a temporary foreign worker in their 20s in the Moncton region who has been self-isolating. Chief medical health officer Dr. Jennifer Russell says following self-isolation protocols significantly reduces the risk to the public and helps prevent outbreaks. The latest case comes as Premier Blaine Higgs considers relaxing entry restrictions for Quebecers who live near the New Brunswick border. The total number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 168, and 163 of them have recovered. There have been two deaths, and there are three active cases. 11:55 a.m. Florida reported more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and reached 300,000 total infections. Florida has 10,181 confirmed cases and a total of 301,810 since the outbreak began there March 1. The state confirmed 112 deaths the third time in the last seven days its eclipsed 100 and 4,626 total COVID-19 deaths. Floridas rolling seven-day average for deaths has increased to 92 per day, triple the 31 posted a month ago. As of Tuesday, Florida had the No. 2 death rate in the United States, slightly behind Texas. When the coronavirus was ravaging New York three months ago, it recorded 799 deaths on April 9 and a top seven-day average of 763 deaths on April 14. 11:53 a.m. Quebec is announcing that private sector businesses can begin bringing back up to a quarter of their employees to the office as of Saturday. Labour Minister Jean Boulet said today 25 per cent office occupancy is the maximum, adding the government continues to strongly recommend people work remotely if they can. Mask-wearing will be mandatory where physical distancing is not possible, such as in elevators and common areas. Chantal Rouleau, the minister responsible for the Montreal region, says the gradual re-entry of office workers will help revitalize the citys struggling downtown sector. Meanwhile, Quebec reported three new COVID-19 deaths today, for a total of 5,636. The province also reported 129 new cases of the novel coronavirus, for a total of 56,859, of which 26,097 are considered recovered. 11:42 a.m. More than 70 rich countries have signed up to a global coronavirus vaccine initiative intended to ensure that any effective shots are fairly distributed around the world but which may also allow them to buy more vaccines to stockpile for their own citizens. In a statement on Wednesday, the vaccines alliance Gavi reported that 75 countries have said they would join its new Covax facility along with another 90 low-income countries that hope to receive donated vaccines. The Associated Press reported this week that the Gavi initiative may allow rich countries to reinforce their own coronavirus vaccine supplies while leaving fewer doses available for more vulnerable populations. When Gavi approached donor countries last month, it advertised the plan as an insurance policy for rich countries that have already struck deals with drugmakers for experimental COVID-19 vaccines. Gavi told donor governments that when an effective inoculation is found within its pool of COVID-19 candidates, all countries will receive enough to cover 20% of their populations, including rich countries that may have their own stockpiles. It said countries would be encouraged, but not required, to give up any doses they might not need. 11:32 a.m. Nunavut is reporting two presumptive cases of COVID-19 at an iron mine on the northern tip of Baffin Island. The territory is the only jurisdiction in Canada without a confirmed case of the infection. Two previous presumed positive cases turned out to be negative. One of those was also at the Mary River mine. The territorys chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, says there is no evidence of transmission at the mine site. He says the two people are asymptomatic and have been placed in isolation. Additional swabs have been sent to a lab for confirmation and results are expected next week. 11:31 a.m. Days after reopening two theme parks amid a spike in coronavirus cases in Florida, Walt Disney World on Wednesday welcomed back visitors to two more theme parks that had been shuttered since March because of the new coronavirus. The Florida theme park resort reopened Epcot and Disneys Hollywood Studios, completing a rolling opening of Disney Worlds theme parks that started last weekend with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom welcoming back visitors. The parks were the last of Orlandos major theme parks to reopen after being shuttered since March. Both Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando opened their doors last month. All of the parks have new restrictions. The number of visitors being allowed in has been capped to allow for social distancing and reservations are required. All visitors and employees must wear masks and get their temperature checked upon entering. 11:03 a.m. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has committed to holding an independent inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic at some point. The U.K. leader mentioned it during his weekly question and answer session in the House of Commons. His Downing Street office later didnt offer any details on the timing or conditions for such a probe. Johnson has been under pressure to hold an inquiry in hopes of learning lessons to stave off a second wave of infection. Johnson says he doesnt believe it is the right moment to devote huge amounts of official time to an inquiry, given the country is still battling the pandemic. But he added we will seek to learn the lessons of this pandemic in the future and certainly we will have an independent inquiry into what happened. 11:03 a.m. Romanias president announced a 30-day extension for the nationwide state of alert declared for the coronavirus pandemic. President Klaus Iohannis says the extension was needed because of the rising number of infections. Among the measures in force are the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transportation and in shops, while restaurants can only serve customers in outdoor locations. Romania set a record for new infections on Saturday with 698 cases. That came days after the constitutional Court banned the government from forcing people infected with the coronavirus to quarantine or stay in hospital for treatment. The government is working on legislation to address the courts concerns and set new regulations for people affected by the coronavirus. Romania has 34,226 confirmed cases and 1,952 deaths. 11:03 a.m. A World Health Organization delegation visiting Turkmenistan, a country with no reported coronavirus infections, is recommending the country take stronger actions. The WHO recommends activating critical public health measures in Turkmenistan as if COVID-19 were circulating, delegation head Dr. Catherine Smallwood said. Smallwood didnt directly comment on the credibility of the authoritarian and secretive countrys absence of reported cases. The responsibility of reporting outbreaks sits firmly with the member state and we rely on health authorities to inform WHO of any outbreaks, she said. She noted based on what the delegation saw in its inspections the country fully recognizes the risk currently posed by the virus. 11:03 a.m. Serbias president says he hopes the country will have a vaccine for the coronavirus by the end of this year. Aleksandar Vucic says it would co-operate with an unspecified country. Media reports in Serbia have indicated it could be China. Vucic says the vaccine would be a saviour for Serbia and our economy. He added: We are currently in talks with one country in connection with the vaccine. Its testing is done and it is being given to those exposed. Serbia has developed close political and trade relations with China. At the start of the pandemic, Vucic blasted the European Union and the West for allegedly showing little solidarity with Serbia an EU member candidate country while China quickly provided help in medical equipment and experts. Nearly two dozen possible vaccines are in various stages of testing around the world. 11:03 a.m. The White House says an opinion piece by its trade adviser thats critical of Dr. Anthony Fauci is the advisers opinion alone. Alyssa Farah, White House director of strategic communications, tweeted Wednesday the piece by trade adviser Peter Navarro didnt go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone. Farah adds President Donald Trump values the expertise of the medical professionals advising the administration. But Trump has also broken with Fauci and publicly accused him of making mistakes in his public guidance about combating the virus. USA Today published Navarros piece. It outlines the ways Navarro says he has disagreed with Fauci, who is the leading U.S. expert on infectious diseases and serves on the White House coronavirus task force. Navarro had shared his views with some reporters and the column comes as allies of Trump, including others inside the White House, have been waging a campaign to discredit Fauci. 11 a.m. At least 36 students at Lake Zurich High School, in suburban Chicago, have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Lake County, Ill., health officials who say they have traced the infections to three summer athletic camps and recent social gatherings. The county said Wednesday there had been health screenings at the camps, which opened July 6, and several students had been turned away because of COVID-19 symptoms. Other students began experiencing symptoms during the day and were sent home, the county health department said on its Facebook page. The school district was notified that evening that multiple students who attended camps across multiple sports later developed symptoms and received positive test results for COVID-19 later that afternoon. The next day, the health department said it met with officials from School District 95 and decided to close the camps while following up on the testing. In the past week, 36 Lake Zurich High School students have tested positive for COVID-19, it said. And all participants of Lake Zurich High School athletic camps are being instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last possible exposure. 10:45 a.m. Ontario is reporting 102 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest number since March 25. But there were nine more deaths reported overnight, up from just one reported a day earlier. That news comes as the province prepares to further open up businesses and services in many regions Friday though not in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Locally, 31 of Ontarios 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 19 of them reporting no new cases, tweeted Health Minister Christine Elliott on Wednesday. With 135 more resolved, there are 33 fewer active cases in Ontario as we continue to track a persistent decline in the number of active cases in the province, Elliott said on Twitter. Read the full story from the Stars Robert Benzie: 102 new COVID-19 cases reported by Ontario Wednesday, the lowest total since March 10:43 a.m. The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales continued to rebound in June after plunging earlier this year due to the pandemic. The association said Wednesday that sales in June were up 63 per cent on a month-over-month basis, while the number of newly listed properties climbed 49.5 per cent from May to June. Compared with a year ago, sales in June were up 15.2 per cent. The actual national average price for homes sold in June was almost $539,000, up 6.5 per cent from the same month last year. The real estate industry came to a near standstill earlier this year as non-essential businesses closed to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. CREA said the jump in sales returned them to normal levels for June, noting they were up 150 per cent from where they were in April. 10:32 a.m. Walmart Inc. will require customers to wear masks in all of its U.S. stores to protect against the coronavirus, an admission that the nations pandemic has reached new heights and setting up potential confrontations with customers who refuse to don them. The measure will go into effect starting July 20, U.S. Chief Operating Officer Dacona Smith said in a blog post Wednesday. The retailer will place employees, dubbed Health Ambassadors, near the entrance to remind those without a mask of the new requirements, it said. Stores will have a single entrance. Walmarts decision follows similar moves by Costco Wholesale Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Best Buy Co. Walmart already demands that its workers wear masks and shoppers had been encouraged to do so with signage. 10:23 a.m. Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country. The Atlantic travel bubble that opened on July 3 allows residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island to travel between the four provinces without being required to self-isolate for 14 days. Newfoundland and Labradors premier had floated the idea of lifting restrictions for other Canadians on July 17, but a statement from Dwight Balls office says that was a rough estimate of the earliest possible date. The premiers office says the travel bubble is being monitored by the chief medical officer of health, and decisions will consider each jurisdictions circumstances. Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King said Tuesday he is comfortable with the regional bubble and isnt looking to expand it beyond Atlantic Canada any time soon. In a statement Tuesday, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said the issue would be discussed with the other premiers and medical officers, and any decision would be made as a group. 10:22 a.m. The Bank of Canada is holding its key interest rate at 0.25 per cent in response to what it calls the extremely uncertain economic outlook from the COVID-19 pandemic, and plans to keep it there until the picture improves. In its updated outlook, the bank said Wednesday it expects the economy to contract by 7.8 per cent this year, driven downward by a year-over-year contraction of 14.6 per cent in the second quarter. The report pegs the annual inflation rate at 0.6 per cent this year, rising to 1.2 per cent in 2021 and 1.7 per cent in 2022. Its inflation target is 2 per cent, and the bank said in its policy statement it will maintain the current rate until that target is achieved. The rate will have to stay low to provide extraordinary monetary policy support to help recuperate from the economic impact of COVID-19, it said. 9:33 a.m. Countries around the world are reimposing lockdowns and implementing new health checks at their borders in an effort to curb a resurgence of the coronavirus before it spins even further out of control. Starting Wednesday, all travellers arriving in Greece from a land border with Bulgaria were required to carry negative coronavirus test results issued in the previous 72 hours and translated into English. The new rules, which follow an increase in tourism-related COVID-19 cases, triggered an immediate drop in arrivals compared to recent days. Residents of Australias second-largest city, Melbourne, were warned on Wednesday to comply with lockdown regulations or face tougher restrictions. Melbournes 5 million people and part of the citys semi-rural surroundings are a week into a new, six-week lockdown to contain a new outbreak there. The time for warnings, the time for cutting people slack, is over, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said. Where we are is in a very serious and deadly position. The developments come with more than 13 million cases of coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, and with over 578,000 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are thought to be far higher due to a number of reasons including limited testing. 9:25 a.m. The Toronto public board is recommending quadmesters for teens taking two courses at a time and face masks when physical distancing is not possible in a draft plan it is submitting to public health for reopening this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report is based on the provinces direction to look at three scenarios in class with strict hygiene rules, online only or a mix of the two. Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday the province wants kids back in school full-time if feasible. Ive talked to so many parents, talked to school trustees, and 90 per cent of them have the same idea that I have. I want kids in school five days a week. We dont need to shut the school down on a Wednesday to clean, what they should be doing is cleaning at night-time, and having the kids in class five days a week. So thats what Im really advocating for, and Ill be sitting down talking to the minister of education. He has a good plan, because we have to plan for everything and will put student safety first, he said. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the countrys largest, and among the biggest in North America. Read the full story from the Stars Kristin Rushowy. 9:20 a.m. Premier Doug Ford is set to announce plans to build more long-term-care homes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With 1,729 deaths of elderly residents in nursing homes and eight workers in those facilities the Progressive Conservative government is mindful changes must come. That accounts for almost two-thirds of Ontarios officially reported 2,723 COVID-19 deaths since the outbreak began in March. (A Star tally of local public health units has determined the actual death toll is 2,761 coronavirus deaths in Ontario. That difference of 38 fatalities is because some were not included early in the outbreak since COVID-19 tests had not been conducted before those people most of whom were long-term-care home residents died.) Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, and Long-Term Care Minister Merilee Fullerton will unveil plans for redesigned facilities later Wednesday. Read the full story from the Stars Robert Benzie 9:16 a.m. Southwestern Public Health issued a memo to local healthcare providers warning that up to 70 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 after a recent funeral service at Old Colony Church at 49989 Dingle Street in Aylmer. The funeral was held on Friday, July 3 for the 68-year-old Aylmer woman and member of the church. A prayer service was held the day before. The woman died on Wednesday, July 1, and tested positive for COVID-19. When asked how the woman may have contracted the virus, Medical Officer of Health for Southwestern Public Health Dr. Joyce Lock said: It looks like it may have been from family members or connections outside the community. She estimated about 50 people attended the funeral service. About 70 was a generous estimate of how many people may have been affected during funeral-related events that happened before the service. Contact tracing of family and attendees was performed by health officials. Dr. Lock said funeral attendees adhered to physical distancing protocols and that hand sanitizer was made available, but that face masks were not necessarily worn during the service. Those who attended have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days, and healthcare providers are asked to test any Old Colony Mennonites without requiring proof that they are at risk, and without redirecting them somewhere else to be tested. 8:12 a.m. Shares rose in global markets on Wednesday as investors took heart from news that an experimental COVID-19 vaccine had revved up peoples immune systems just as desired. Benchmarks rose in Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo and U.S. futures also saw sold gains, suggesting a rise on the open on Wall Street. The focus was on news that scientists soon will begin a 30,000-person study to see if the experimental vaccine developed by Moderna and the U.S. National Institutes of Health is strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. Upbeat corporate earnings were helping support markets, But the cherry on top has to be the positive virus vaccine update as optimism on the vaccine is more than a show stopper. Its the ultimate recession stopper, Stephen Innes of AxiCorp said in a commentary. The positive coverage on a potential COVID-19 vaccine represents a rotating carousel of positive news that is overwhelming rising virus cases in the U.S., he said. 7:23 a.m. A group of Ontario child-care operators is asking the province to allow the sector to fully reopen in September. The group of six female operators, calling themselves Concerned Childcare Providers, say the governments announcement Monday to boost the cohort or grouping numbers to 15 later this month as the province moves into Stage 3 still means fewer spaces for families. Education Minister Stephen Lecce said this week that the province was planning to expand the number of children allowed in daycare centres effective July 27, from the current cohorts of 10 to 15 children. Lecce said that should help restore 90 per cent of the provinces pre-pandemic child-care system capacity. The providers call the cohort numbers arbitrary and say they will reduce available child-care spaces for families. The group says full capacity can be accommodated safely if they adhere to strict physical distancing and the recommendations for school reopenings made by Torontos Hospital for Sick Children. Read the full story from the Stars Kris Rushowy: Allow daycares to fully open this fall with safety precautions, private operators say 7:20 a.m. The Bank of Canada will make its latest interest rate announcement Wednesday and update its outlook for the economy. The central banks key interest rate has been at 0.25 per cent since March when it was dropped in response to the economic fallout from COVID-19. Governor Tiff Macklem has seemingly ruled out any further cuts, adding that the central bank doesnt plan to raise its key rate until well into an economic recovery. In his first speech as governor late last month, Macklem said the central bank expects to see growth in the third quarter of this year as restrictions ease. But, he warned of a prolonged and bumpy course to recovery. The bank will outline what Macklem described as a central planning scenario for the economy and inflation, as well as related risks such as local, but not national, lockdowns. 6:15 a.m.: Venezuelan officials say new coronavirus cases have surpassed 10,000 nationwide, with an alarming number of recent illnesses found in the capital of Caracas. President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday ordered strict enforcement of quarantine measures in Caracas where most of the 303 new daily cases were diagnosed. Venezuela has been in a nationwide quarantine for 121 days starting shortly after the first cases were diagnosed in mid-March. Officials report fewer than 100 deaths. The South American nation hasnt been overrun by the virus like neighbouring Brazil and Ecuador, which experts attribute to the Venezuelas isolation after years of economic and social crisis. 6:05 a.m.: Russian authorities have lifted mandatory two-week self-quarantine for those arriving as part of easing coronavirus restrictions. Starting Wednesday, both Russian and international travellers will have to either provide coronavirus test results at the border or take a test within three days of arrival in Russia. Self-quarantine will remain mandatory for those who test positive for the virus or whose health deteriorates upon arrival. Its one of several steps in an effort to reopen the country after health officials started reporting a slowdown in infections. Last month, authorities allowed travel abroad for the purpose of work, studying, medical treatment or taking care of relatives. They also let foreigners with work permits or those seeking medical treatment or taking care of family members into the country. 5:56 a.m.: The French tourist industry received a further boost Wednesday with the partial reopening of Disneyland Paris and the opening up of the top floor of the Eiffel Tower. Disneyland Paris, Europes most frequented theme park resort, is partially reopening to the public, four months after it closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The park in Marne-la-Vallee, to the east of the French capital, is opening its doors in a phased way starting Wednesday with Disneyland Parks and the Walt Disney Studios. 5:25 a.m.: Voters in North Macedonia are donning masks to take part in a general election, following months of delays due to the pandemic. Polls opened Wednesday but there were fears of a low turnout amid a spike in the countrys coronavirus cases. The country of around 2 million has registered more than 8,200 confirmed coronavirus infections and 385 deaths. Authorities have played down the health risks of visiting polling centres. All voters must wear masks briefly removing them for identification purposes and keep two metres from other people. The handling of the pandemic and its devastating economic impact in a country where half the population lives on the brink of poverty has dominated debate ahead of the election called following the resignation in January of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev after the European Union failed to set a date for North Macedonia to begin accession talks. 5:19 a.m.: Members of Tokyos coronavirus task force raised caution levels in the Japanese capital to the highest on a scale of four and urged officials to secure more hospital beds, increase testing and raise awareness about the situations urgency. Gov. Yuriko Koike asked residents to avoid non-essential out-of-town trips, but stopped short of requesting business closures. Norio Ohmagari, a member of the task force, said infections appear to be expanding, with the number of untraceable cases on the rise. He said infections are no longer concentrated in nightlife districts and are spreading in workplaces, restaurants, households, nursing homes and child care facilities. Tokyo reported 8,189 cases including 325 deaths as of Tuesday. 5:15 a.m.: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern outlined her government plans to contain future community outbreaks in the South Pacific nation that has not recorded a locally spread case in 75 days. Its two new cases recorded Wednesday and all 27 of its active cases are people quarantined after foreign travel. Ardern said a system of local or regional lockdowns would be used and a national lockdown would be a last resort. Local lockdowns might involve buildings, suburbs or a city. Our priority will be to control any cases with the least intrusive measures and over the smallest area we can, Ardern said. 5:08 a.m.: Indias coronavirus cases surged by 29,429, and authorities are reimposing lockdowns in high-risk areas. The new cases took the national total to 936,181. The Health Ministry also reported another 582 deaths, taking total fatalities up to 24,309. A two-week lockdown was imposed Wednesday in eastern Bihar state and its population of nearly 128 million. Nearly 2.5 million poor migrant workers have returned to the state after losing jobs in other parts of the country. Indias key southern technology hub, Bangalore, was also put under a weeklong lockdown on Wednesday. 5:01 a.m.: China is further easing restrictions on domestic tourism after reporting no new local cases of COVID-19 in nine days. A directive from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism dated Tuesday said tourist sites could allow 50 per cent of their daily visitor capacity, up from 30 per cent, and that interprovince group tours can resume. 4:45 a.m.: Renewed restrictions took effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, with restaurants limited to takeout after 6 p.m., as the Asian financial centre battles a resurgence of the coronavirus. Mask-wearing has been made compulsory on public transport for the first time, with fines of up to 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($650). Public gatherings are once again restricted to four people, after the limit was eased last month to allow up to 50. The semi-autonomous Chinese territory has seen a return of locally transmitted cases in the past 10 days after a long spell without them. About 300 new cases have been reported since July 6, including more than 220 non-imported ones. The city reversed plans to allow major public events, postponing a highly popular annual book fair slated to open Wednesday. Hong Kong Disneyland, which had reopened last month, shuttered again in accordance with the renewed restrictions. Gyms and beauty salons have been ordered closed, and eateries are not allowed to offer dine-in services from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Schools had already been reclosed from Monday. 12:26 a.m. Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes announced Tuesday he tested positive for the coronavirus before the team departed for Orlando last week. He has become the fourth Kings player to test positive for COVID-19, including Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and Alex Len. Ive been primarily asymptomatic and am doing well, Barnes wrote in a tweet. Im quarantined and am abiding by the safety protocol until Im cleared for action. I hope to join my team in Orlando when it is safe to do so! Stay safe out there. On June 24, Hield, Parker and Len made various announcements that they tested positive for COVID-19. According to the NBAs 113-page health and safety protocol, any player that receives a positive test has to be quarantined for 10-14 days and undergo a cardiac screening. They then have to remain asymptomatic and return two consecutive negative tests before returning. Tuesday 10 p.m.: Two City of Toronto workers in the Parks, Forestry & Recreation department have tested positive for COVID-19. In a press release issued Tuesday evening, the City said it was made aware of the employees diagnoses earlier in the afternoon. The workers were exposed to the virus sometime between July 6 and 10, the City said. The employees have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days by Toronto Public Health. The City said that no children in CampTO programs, which began Monday, have been directly exposed to the employees. The employees have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days by Toronto Public Health, the City said. Through contact tracing, the city also identified 23 other employees who have been in contact with the two workers. All of them were advised to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, the City said. The City said it is in the process of advising families, employees, the union and the public of these cases as a matter of public transparency. Toronto Public Health advises that the risk of contracting COVID-19 for children and families at this CampTO program is very low. Click here to read more of Tuesdays coverage. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University reviewed national data from the U.S. Census bureau and found associations between states' voting patterns in the 2016 presidential elections and decreases in the number of adults 18 to 64 years of age without health insurance coverage. Following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we observed sharp decreases in the number of uninsured Americans nationwide. However, since the 2016 presidential election, these gains are reversing in so-called 'red' states, and 'purple' states that flipped from blue to red." Uriel Kim, lead author on the study and an MD candidate at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine The paper State Voting Patterns in the 2016 Presidential Election and Uninsured Rates in Non-elderly Adults was recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Kim and colleagues at the medical school defined states based on voting patterns in the 2016 general election, categorizing them as Blue (21 states and Washington, D.C.), Red (24), or Purple (6)--states that switched from Blue to Red in the 2016 election. (No Red states switched to Blue.) "The implementation of Medicaid expansion and the marketplaces has varied across states, at least partially explaining our study findings," Kim said. "For example, of the 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid, most are red or purple states. Additionally, while all Americans have access to the insurance marketplaces, the degree to which states invest in outreach and navigation programs for marketplace insurance generally varies along party lines." In the years 2014 through 2016 (compared to 2013, before key provisions of the ACA were implemented), the data showed that the number of uninsured adults age 18 to 64 decreased by 15.8 million nationwide. Blue states saw a decrease in the uninsured of over 7.6 million. Purple states saw a decrease in the uninsured of nearly 3 million. Red states saw a decrease in the uninsured of nearly 5.2 million. While the number of uninsured Americans reached record lows in 2016, over 23.5 million remained uninsured. From 2017-18, following the presidential election, the number of uninsured individuals increased by more than 850,000 nationwide, reversing the positive trends. Blue states saw a negligible decrease in the number of uninsured. Purple states saw the number of uninsured grow by 240,000. Red states saw the uninsured grow by 620,000 Over 24.3 million were still uninsured by 2018, with the majority living in Red states. Tables and the full study are available in the paper here. Data from 2019 and 2020 were not yet available for the researchers to review. The ACA expanded coverage with two approaches: the expansion of Medicaid (in some states) to individuals with higher incomes and the creation of "marketplaces" (in all states) that allow individuals to purchase health insurance for themselves and their families. Individuals purchasing insurance on the marketplace receive sliding-scale subsidies based on their income. The study's senior author, Siran Koroukian, an associate professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences in the medical school, added that the study highlights the importance of policies to enable health care access, which has particular relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout. "Since the majority of Americans receive insurance through their employer," said Koroukian, "the rise in unemployment following COVID-19 could mean that millions of people could be left without any insurance coverage, especially in states with less robust Medicaid programs or insurance marketplaces. This is problematic when the ability to access care is essential." (Micah Fluellen / Los Angeles Times) How to Listen: Rzewskis The People United Will Never Be Defeated! The last wonted Walt Disney Concert Hall program this year, barring a miracle COVID-19 cure, was on March 10. The pandemic had just begun to divide people from one another, and attendance was said to be sparse enough for de facto social distancing by the audience. The final piece on the recital program by the feisty young pianist Conrad Tao happened to be The People United Will Never Be Defeated! Frederic Rzewskis hourlong set of 36 variations on a Chilean protest song is widely regarded a modern classic. Written by an expatriate American composer and pianist living in Belgium, it was given its premiered by Ursula Oppens in 1976, boldly during the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Boldly, because People United examines in every imaginable manner the virtues of an anthem of the Chilean left coalition, Unidad Popular, headed by the first democratically elected Marxist in Latin America, Salvador Allende. Three years before the premiere, Allende, who had been a target of the Nixon administration, was overthrown in a coup. Rzewskis score was, to say the least, politically loaded, this seemingly secreted blueprint for revolution presented two miles from FBI headquarters. An hour spent in such musics presence, witnessing a pianists epic struggle at the jaw-dropping virtuosity of these variations, absorbing the sheer vastness of Rzewskis imaginative and emotional range, is a soul-stirring event, and hence a danger. But the real power of People United is not the song, arresting ear-worm that it contains, but its logic. A listener knowing neither the song nor its context is faced with a classic series of variations on a theme, realized through an abstract classical construction. Come across it inadvertently for the first time on the radio, and you will be faced with a work of enormous diversity, with elements from old music and new, popular and experimental, unpredictably put together with compelling internal musical integrity. Analyze it, and you find an amazing jigsaw framework on which it rests. Not only does People United" share qualities with the other two great sets of piano variations Bachs Goldberg Variations and Beethovens Diabelli Variations it is beginning to take its rightful place next to them, as Igor Levit's award winning recording of all three released in 2015 amply demonstrates. Story continues This raises the unanswerable question about music and meaning. What, if anything, does expression have to do with system? Taos performance had clear intent, being included in the Los Angeles Philharmonics Power to the People! festival. The following week Angela Davis was scheduled in the festival to speak at Disney Hall, the famed philosopher and controversial activist herself having spent her career painstakingly examining systemic causes of social injustice and racism, especially within prisons, and the functioning of capitalist society. Those happen to be issues in some of Rzewskis best-known pieces, such as Coming Together and Attica, which were written in response to the 1971 New York prison uprising. The most impressive and important composer-pianist of our time, Rzewski (pronounced ZHEV-ski) is also the most politically outspoken of major composers. While much of his music is simply music for musics sake, he has used various Marxist texts in his scores, and he never appears to write without purpose. The purpose matters crucially in People United, but that has only as much to do with politics as you care to read into it. Its up to the listener. Rzewski himself is of little help. He is a composer with an impeccable pedigree, having studied with notables such as Walter Piston at Harvard and Roger Sessions at Princeton. He is a formidable pianist who in his early career specialized in the technically near-impossible works of the likes of Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen and others in the avant-garde. Improvisation is central to his thinking, and in the mid-60s he briefly played in the ultra-experimental Italian improvising collection Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza (with Ennio Morricone) before helping to form his own even more radical one, Musica Elettronica Viva, with Alvin Curran and Richard Teitelbaum. Around this time, Rzewski went through a crisis fearing that advanced music had become so complex as to be generally unintelligible and thus had lost its communicability, to say nothing of its ability to relate to the issues of life. He then sought through humanist realism to unite the many ways of making modern music as a model for uniting us as people. Hence People United served as an example of relating diverse elements through the force of logic, which the composer Christian Wolff says, in his notes to Oppens recording of People United, reminds us of the reasonableness of justice. This is accomplished through the glory of a variation form that works like this, if you have the gumption to try to follow it. The theme, 36 bars long, is followed by 36 variations, divided into six groups of six. In each of the six groups, the six variations go through six stages. The first five stages are simple events rhythms, melodies, counterpoints, harmonies. The sixth is a summation of the previous five. In the last group, each variation sums up a variation from the five previous groups. For the final group, everything that had gone before is condensed into a spectacular implosion of coming together. Trust me, you'll get lost trying to stick to this road map, and it won't matter. When the theme returns once more after all that, it's as if it has the whole world in its hands. It's the world, not the numbers, not its quanta, we experience. Rzewskis world can be bluesy, Bachian, Beethovenian, Boulezian, Coltrane-ian, Pete Seeger-ian, Webernian, Cagean, Feldmanian. The list (and Liszt) goes on. The People United theme can be hinted at with next to no notes or fistfuls of them. To make room for all, Rzewski exaggeratedly violates the idea of his structure without violating its reliability. Indeed, the permanence is what permits the fancy, rather like the way the tensile support of Buckminster Fullers architecture allowed him freedom in the design. In just that way, the tensile strength of Rzewskis structure makes room for extreme variation, for mistakes, for imperfection. "If you want to make music to be like life, it has to be imperfect," he said in a BBC radio interview years ago. I want it to be like life. Rzewski doesn't hesitate to extend his structure with cadenzas, allude to other political songs or make room for an optional improvisation in the 36th variation. The brilliance of People United is the way listening to it becomes, in the end, apolitical, whichever side you may be on. You cheer on a pianist not being defeated by this torturous score. You take your own pleasure not being defeated by this tsunami of unstoppable invention. The progression of musical insights into a seemingly straightforward theme vindicates the concept of unity made up of diverse elements, not, Wolff concludes, to be confused with conformity. With live concerts largely on hold, Times critic Mark Swed offers a weekly series suggesting ways of listening to indispensable music. Read about a different piece by a different composer every Wednesday at latimes.com/arts, and support Mark's work with a digital subscription. Masks.com - The Great American Mask Drive Whether schools start the year in physical classrooms or not, we know that eventually schools will return to in-person settings, and when they do, we want them to have masks on hand. Masks.com has launched the Great American Mask Drive, an online fundraising initiative for donations of Hanes reusable and washable masks to thousands of US schools. In the first full weekend of operation, over 30,000 masks were donated from nearly 1000 individuals. These masks will be sent to schools all across the United States at the conclusion of the campaign, which runs through August. Masks.com has developed and deployed dedicated mask donation webpages for thousands of elementary and middle schools on its website. There, the general public can donate reusable and washable masks that will be supplied by Hanes. Masks.com is announcing that it intends to add more schools, including US high schools, to the masks for schools campaign over the next week. Likewise, it will launch business sponsorship opportunities where local and national companies can pledge to match individual mask donations. According to Masks.com CEO Bradley Markham, the company has been inundated with requests from school administrators for their schools to be added to the initiative, and by business owners asking how they can get involved. We did not fully anticipate the level of demand when we started this mask donation drive. Its wonderful to see individuals and businesses stepping up to help. Aware of the fluid and changing nature of school re-openings, Markham says the company is dedicated to providing donated masks that schools can then use how and when they see fit. We want schools to reopen for in-person learning only when they have proper safety protocols in place and feel that they can provide for the health and well-being of their staff and students. Whether schools start the year in physical classrooms or not, we know that eventually schools will return to in-person settings, and when they do, we want them to have masks on hand. We know these donations will help- masks will be an ongoing need for schools for the foreseeable future. Individuals can find a school and donate masks at http://www.masks.com. Businesses interested in sponsoring the Great American Mask Drive should contact business@masks.com DANBURY Police have identified Raymond Irvin Simmons as the Waterbury man killed in a shooting over the weekend. The 39-year-old husband and father was shot multiple times Sunday night while attending an outdoor vigil for a young man who had died unexpectedly earlier this month. Police responded to calls about a man who had been shot near Beaver and Elm streets around 10:35 p.m. and found Simmons at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Simmons was shot in the head, neck, torso and extremities, according to the state Chief Medical Examiners Office. The incident is not believed to have been indiscriminate, and there is no belief that the general public is currently at risk by the assailant, Detective Lt. Mark Williams said Wednesday. Since Sunday night, theres been an outpouring of grief and disbelief on social media from those who knew Simmons. You did not deserve this ... You had the biggest heart, one person wrote on Facebook. Many remember Simmons for his smile, and hes been described as a great man, father, friend, brother, who was dedicated, loving and down to earth. Mayor Mark Boughton said he is confident detectives will find who did this and hold them accountable. Police urge anyone with information to call Detective Travis Kupchok at 203-797-2168, or the Anonymous TIPS Line at 203-790-8477. kendra.baker@hearst.com Besides serving as a base for reporters and editors covering Asia, The Timess Hong Kong bureau became an integral part of the newspapers 24/7 digital operation in recent years. Editors there oversee The Timess online report when staff members in New York and London, the papers other two global headquarters, are signed off. The Times said it would move that digital team of journalists roughly one-third of its Hong Kong staff to Seoul over the course of the next year. Correspondents will remain based in Hong Kong to cover the city and region. We have every intention of maintaining and even increasing our coverage of the citys transformation, as well as using it as a window on China, the memo said. Hong Kong also houses the print production team for The New York Times International Edition, and those staff members will remain. Advertising and marketing staff are also expected to stay. Western businesses, including banks, technology firms and major news organizations, have weighed their presence in Hong Kong as China has moved to consolidate power in the former colony. There is concern over the ease of obtaining future work permits, a quality that made Hong Kong particularly desirable to foreign companies. Some journalists also worry that Beijing will crack down on activism and speech in ways more akin to how the news media is treated on the Chinese mainland. The United States and China have been engaged in a diplomatic standoff over media organizations, with China expelling American reporters for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Times. When they were expelled, they were told that they could not report in Hong Kong. (Mr. Buckley, an Australian citizen, was not among the expelled reporters.) Hong Kong has been a leader in supporting the rights of a free press in Asia for decades, and it is essential that it continues to do so, a Times spokeswoman, Ari Isaacman Bevacqua, said in a statement on Tuesday. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 16) Six areas in Antipolo City, Rizal will be placed on a one-week lockdown due to local transmission of COVID-19. Mayor Andeng Ynares identified the areas that will be on lockdown from July 18-24: Phase 2, COGEO Village, Bgy. Bagong Nayon Upper Sto. Nino, Bgy. Sta. Cruz Lower Ruhat III, Bgy. Mambugan Phase 2, Sta. Elena Subd., Bgy. San Jose Phase 2, Peace Village, Bgy. San Luis College View Park HOAI, Purok 4, Zone 8, Bgy. Cupang The IATF allowed these areas to be under localized enhanced community quarantine, or what they call a lockdown, because of the presence of local transmission and the case doubling rate reached beyond the limit in a span of one week, Ynares said in a statement. The mayor did not specify the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in these areas. Only frontliners, those who fall under the Authorized Persons Outside of Residence list, and those with medical emergencies, are allowed to go out of their houses under the guidelines. Those who work in the aforementioned lockdown areas are also permitted to go in and out of these places, provided they will present a company ID at the quarantine checkpoints. Residents with quarantine pass are allowed to buy their goods and essentials during the seven-day lockdown. Ynares assured affected residents will be given food packs to support them throughout the lockdown. Last week, the Antipolo City government placed areas of Purok LogCom and Pina Valley in Sitio Phase 4B, Barangay Dela Paz under a one-week lockdown. The strict quarantine measures in these places will end on Friday, July 18. The 14-day lockdown in the Antipolo New Public Market ended on Wednesday after complying with the minimum health standards set by the national government. Around 18 of its tenants and vendors tested positive of COVID-19 last June 30 after undergoing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test conducted by the city government. To date, Antipolo City has 440 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 182 active infections. The city also recorded 42 deaths and 216 recoveries from the virus. Coronavirus outbreaks are up to 20 times more likely to occur in large care homes, according to the biggest study of its kind in the UK. Edinburgh University researchers found the risk of an outbreak was as low as 5 per cent in homes with fewer than 20 residents. But for facilities home to more than 60 elderly people it soared to between 83 and 100 per cent, according to the scientists. More visitors and a revolving door of care staff, often agency workers who do shifts at other homes, are thought to be the driving factor behind the increased risk. The finding will pile more pressure on ministers to set out clear strategy for how they plan to protect care homes in the event of as second Covid-19 wave during winter. Failure to protect Britain's most vulnerable people during the first outbreak has seen nearly 30,000 care home residents die from the disease. At the peak of the crisis, 25,000 hospital patients were discharged into care homes without being tested for Covid-19, allowing them to pass it to staff and frail residents. Virus-free home: Temple Grove Staff and resident Karen Emery. Almost 30,000 more care home residents died in England and Wales during the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019, including a third who did not have the virus Researchers analysed 189 care homes in the NHS Lothian area in Scotland where more than 400 people died from the disease in total. The data not yet published found the chance of clusters of cases tripled with every additional 20 beds. The research is thought to be the broadest analysis yet of coronavirus cases in care homes in the UK. Large care homes inevitably have more staff, which increases the risk of infection being brought into the homes. They also rely on agency workers who often work between different homes and therefore are exposed to a larger proportion of vulnerable residents. Care homes get 1,000 'bribe' for taking in hospital patients to free up beds Struggling care homes were given a 1,000 cash incentive to take in hospital patients in order to free up beds, it has emerged. To qualify for the payment the home had to admit the patient within 24 hours regardless if they had coronavirus or not. Sixteen homes took up the offer from Birmingham City Council. It comes as Boris Johnson last week insisted the last thing he had wanted to do was blame care workers for deaths in homes, as a row over apportioning responsibility for the crisis continued. Birmingham council said the 1,000 incentive, from a 5million pot, was to help pay for any additional costs including extra personal protective equipment, additional staff and cleaning so Covid-19 patients could be isolated. But one care home manager who rejected the cash said shes certain its one of the reasons none of her residents have been infected. Jane Farr, who manages Covid-free Digby Manor care home in Erdington, told the Birmingham Mail: Nobody could be certain those people did not have Covid-19. Im certain it was a reason we have not had any cases. Thousands of care home residents have died during the crisis due to a lack of PPE and the dash to discharge NHS patients without testing them first. The Prime Minister yesterday has resisted apologising for comments in which he said deaths had been so high because too many care homes didnt follow the proper procedures. And he attracted further criticism by claiming we just didnt know about asymptomatic transmission of coronavirus, despite warnings stretching back to January. Boris Johnson told the Commons that the Government took responsibility for its actions during the outbreak but said understanding of coronavirus had changed dramatically in recent months. He said the Government now knows aspects about how coronavirus is passed between people without symptoms that we just didnt know before. But minutes from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on January 28 clearly referred to asymptomatic transmission, warning that early indications imply some is occurring. Advertisement Homes with a large number of residents also take in more visitors, who also drive up the risk of bringing the disease into the homes. Professor Bruce Guthrie, director of the Advanced Care Research Centre at Edinburgh University and lead author of the report, told the Guardian: 'More footfall will give you more risk of infection. 'Although care home size cannot be altered without losing places for existing residents, there may be potential to create discrete units within care homes where smaller numbers of staff and residents are effectively cohorted to create self-contained units.' The average care home in the UK houses around 35 residents. But HC-One, the largest British provider of private care homes, averages 50 beds, the Guardian reports. Some 26 residents died at the firm's 87-bed Melbury Court in Durham, while 22 passed away at the Highgate care home near Glasgow, which houses 80 residents. HC-One admitted that high numbers of staff in larger homes increased the risk of infections occurring, but insisted it had highlighted ways to mitigate this. Liz Whyte, the director of standards at the firm, said: 'In a large service you can create smaller services, cohorting your staff and having a safe way of working with shared kitchen and laundry staff. 'That is now in place. Until there is a cure, we have to work as if we are in an outbreak.' It comes after Care England, which represents 4,000 providers, warned Boris Johnson must carry out his promise to fix the care crisis to prevent thousands of vulnerable residents being placed in danger. In its letter, Care England states: With a second wave on the horizon, it is imperative that the Government fixes the stark social care crisis now. With such a large majority in Parliament, now is the time to put an end to all the past inertia and make changes. It is nearly a year since Mr Johnson promised to fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve. Yet in the last 12 months neither Mr Johnson nor Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has revealed anything more about their plan. Last week the Prime Minister provoked fury by implying care homes were responsible for their virus death toll by failing to follow correct procedures. The Car England letter said: It was outrageous to try to throw the blame for the tens of thousands of tragic care home deaths to the very people who have been striving to protect them. It is misleading and unfair to single out care providers when in reality the social care sector was abandoned to give priority to the NHS. The failure to protect care homes has thrown the entire sector into disarray. There is no need for more consultation, inquiries, rhetoric and the like. We are fed up with procrastination; it is a crying shame that this pandemic has shown the nation just what an important sector we are, but we must seize this opportunity and make change or generations to come will never forgive us. Labours health spokesman Liz Kendall backed the letter from Care England, saying: Boris Johnson promised to fix the crisis in social care and he must now step up to the mark. Rather than blaming care homes and staff who have gone the extra mile to look after their residents, the Prime Minister should be taking responsibility for the Governments actions and learning lessons from his mistakes. Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said the coronavirus crisis had exposed the systemic failings that have bedevilled care for a long time. Fiona Carragher, of the Alzheimers Society, added that care homes and dementia sufferers had been unforgivably abandoned during the pandemic. A Government spokesman said: We are doing all we can to support care homes. They stressed repeat testing had been introduced along with significant funding, including 600million to boost infection control, and 156million items of personal protective equipment. Police have arrested a man wanted for a homicide in a Toronto Community Housing building in Cabbagetown in December. Police responded to reports of unknown trouble around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 at 251 Sherbourne St., near Dundas Street East. Prior to officers arriving, TCH special constables were dispatched to the address where they found the body of 55-year-old Dalibor Dolic inside the apartment. Dolic was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a news release Tuesday. No cause of death was released. On Tuesday, police arrested James Jerry Noseworthy, 52, of Kitchener, and charged him with second-degree murder. "We continue to show our commitment to the relationship, and bring our unique agentless and application-centric approach of monitoring to any user of the latest VMware virtual infrastructure for reducing any unplanned outage for their mission-critical applications." Uila Inc., the Application-centric Performance & Cyber Threat Analytics company for the Hybrid Enterprise, today announced the support of the new VMware vSphere 7.0 for VM-based applications. With this announcement, VMware users are now assured with the industrys premier full-stack and agentless monitoring solution for support of the latest and greatest updates from VMware. Uila has been a VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program member since the beginning of the company, which gives our customers the full advantage of a streamlined integration and interoperability of our solution with VMware solutions, said Chia-chee Kuan, Founder and CEO for Uila, And with this new update, we continue to show our commitment to the relationship, and bring our unique agentless and application-centric approach of monitoring to any user of the latest VMware virtual infrastructure for reducing any unplanned outage for their mission-critical applications. With our Deep Packet Inspection capability based on the traffic from the vSphere environment, users have access to the industrys largest application classification database of more than 3,500 applications, empowering them to solve any application and infrastructure challenges that they may face. In the last couple of product releases, Uila has been focused on developing its solution for monitoring the latest VMware deployments based on NSX-T Data Center and Horizon VDI. This includes support for the industrys first automated Application Dependency Mapping for Horizon and the integration with Horizon to get user session information for faster problem isolation and resolution. This new support for vSphere 7.0 is available as part of Uilas solution today and all vSphere users can put this capability to the test by signing up for a complimentary trial from https://www.uila.com/uila-free-trial . About Uila Uila provides Performance and Cyber Threat Analytics in a single pane of glass for the Hybrid Enterprise. With Uila, IT Operations teams can visualize application workload dependencies across cloud platforms, rightsize resources and investments for their workloads and plan workload migration strategies for Hybrid and Multi-Cloud deployments. Uila allows security teams to combat advanced cyber threats by providing immediate and comprehensive application-centric insight into lateral movement-based threats for the Hybrid Enterprise. Businesses use Uila to align themselves with their IT teams and cut time to resolution from days to minutes, keep their application at peak performance and secure at all times and ensure end-user satisfaction to the fullest across cloud boundaries. Eighty current and former RCMP officers have expressed interest in joining a proposed class-action lawsuit against systemic racism in the national police force, led by the first Indigenous woman to become a Mountie in Manitoba. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Eighty current and former RCMP officers have expressed interest in joining a proposed class-action lawsuit against systemic racism in the national police force, led by the first Indigenous woman to become a Mountie in Manitoba. In the wake of RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki's recent acknowledgment of systemic racism within the force, Margorie (Marge) Hudson filed a statement of claim in federal court last week, alleging she suffered racial discrimination during her 30 years as an officer working in Manitoba RCMP detachments. Hudson alleges she was paid less than her non-racialized counterparts, passed over for promotions and training opportunities, and suffered retaliation from colleagues and management when she complained. "These complaints were never investigated; they were completely ignored," the statement of claim reads. The documents say Hudson was subjected to racist behaviour and demeaning comments toward her and other Indigenous people during her career, which began in 1979 and ended after a 2009 medical leave from which she never returned. "The discrimination was so severe, the plaintiff began to feel that her enemy was not the criminal conduct with which she dealt during her career but rather the RCMP itself," according to the statement of claim. Hudson could not be reached for comment Tuesday. In a 2012 interview with the Free Press, she said she worked in Powerview, Island Lake, Winnipegosis, Sprague and Fisher Branch detachments. Her proposed class-action alleges she and other racialized officers were only transferred to other Indigenous communities and weren't given the same chances to advance in their careers. "I spent more than half my life with the RCMP, even though it was challenging in many ways, and I don't say challenging by going to work and doing your job, I mean challenging by dealing with the bosses of the organization," Hudson said in 2012. Over the past two days, 80 current or former members of the RCMP have contacted the law firm representing Hudson in support of the systemic racism lawsuit, said Vancouver-based class-action lawyer David A. Klein. "We've been overwhelmed with the response," he said. "We've really tapped into something." The RCMP still needs to be served with notice of the claim. In a statement, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Caroline Duval wrote it would be inappropriate to comment since the matter is before the court. "There is no room for racism or any other kind of discrimination in the RCMP," the statement said. "Any report of discriminatory behaviour is concerning to the RCMP, and we remain committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace, free of harassment and discrimination, for all of our employees." The lawsuit needs to be certified by the Federal Court before it can go ahead as a class action. It doesn't specify how much money is being sought from the RCMP. Klein said he'd like to see a settlement that includes anti-racism requirements for the police force to follow. "As I've said before, the case is about much more than compensation. It's also about change. Change is something that the people who contacted us want even more than money," he said. Klein's law firm has already settled two gender discrimination lawsuits against the RCMP, one of which Hudson joined in 2012. That case, led by former Mounties Janet Merlo and Linda Davidson, resulted in about 3,200 female RCMP officers coming forward with claims against their employer. They received compensation ranging from $10,000 to $220,000 each. 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. Another class-action settlement was approved earlier this year on behalf of women who worked with, but not for, the RCMP. Klein said the compensation-claim process for that settlement will begin next week. Those settlements have included provisions that require the RCMP to take specific actions against gender discrimination. Klein said he hopes for a similar outcome in this case to fight against systemic racism. "You try to create a structure that bakes in accountability," he said. After Lucki's acknowledgement in June systemic racism exists in the RCMP, "There was a new sense that it would be safe to come forward," with Hudson's allegations, Klein said. katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / MGX Minerals Inc. ("MGX" or the "Company") (CSE:XMG)(FKT:1MG)(OTC PINK:MGXMF) is pleased to announce a Notice of Work has been filed for 3000 meters of diamond drilling as recommended by SRK Consulting (Canada) in a recently filed Technical Report prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") (the "SRK Report") for the Heino Gold Deposit and Tillicum Claims. The complete report is available on SEDAR. See British Columbia MINFILE 082FNW234 for detailed information regarding the deposit and claims. SRK Site Visit SRK completed a site visit on July 7th and 8th. The primary purpose of the visit was to perform independent data verification of historical drill core, assess existing portals and tunnels, and develop a geological theory behind the known and potential gold deposit in support of a Resource Estimate. SRK will provide an amendment to the recently filed SRK Report covering these topics shortly. A number of historical diamond drill core samples have been taken by SRK and sent for 51 element analyses. Infrastructure Development Road access to the mine and core shacks has been opened but is limited to 4 x 4 and ATV only. Trucks were able to come within 200 meters of the main haulage at the 2050 level portal but narrow access as the result of a recent washout made final truck access impossible. Further road work will be required to open access to main haulage and road access to upper portals as well as proposed Summer 2020 diamond drill sites. Work is expected to be completed shortly. SRK Senior Mining Engineer Cliff Revering (P.Eng) and MGX Director Jared Lazerson July 8, 2020 @ 6500 ft Elevation Resource Estimate The Company is now executing the recommended work program as detailed in the SRK Report. This is a $525,000 work program prior to completing a Resource Estimate that is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Relogging and resampling of historical drill core will be required to validate the existing project drill hole and assay database for future use in estimating mineral resources. This should be conducted prior to any additional drilling on the property. Channel sampling of exposed mineralization within existing underground development should be considered for data validation purposes. Twin drilling of a small sub-set of historical drill holes (6 holes in total, estimated 1,800m of drilling) should be completed for validation purposes, as well as to collect oriented drill core for structural analysis. A LiDAR survey (or equivalent survey) should be conducted to obtain accurate topography of the project site; Existing underground workings should be re-surveyed to confirm positioning and obtain accurate volume estimates. Establish a chain of custody process, and quality assurance and quality control process for future drilling programs; and Perform an in-depth structural review whereby a detailed litho-structural model is produced because mineralization is strongly structurally controlled. This includes the steeply dipping Heino-Money type mineralization as well as the shallower dipping conformable or stratabound East Ridge Zone type mineralization. A structural understanding of these zones is necessary to help develop structural targets in the area and to provide confidence to the resource estimation. To develop a structural model, good coverage of structural data is necessary. This can be obtained from detailed structural surface and underground mapping and structural logging of orientated drill core. These data are most effective when used in combination with a structural interpretation of high-resolution LiDAR, and if available high-resolution geophysical data sets. Historical Drilling and Production Summary of recorded surface and underground drilling from the SRK Report. Table 10-1: Summary of recorded drilling Year(s) Mineral Zone Surface Drilling Underground Drilling No. of Holes Meterage No. of Holes Meterage 1981-1987 Heino-Money 100 7,060 9 177 1988 92 3,079 1993 8 284 1981-1984 East Ridge 26 1,586 1988 75 13,149 14 610 1989 10 1,446 1984 Silver Queen 12 ? 1984 Grizzly 4 615 1984 Arnie Flats 5 292 Totals 232 24,148 123 4,150 Small scale production occurred in 1981, 1984, and 1993 from the Heino-Money Zone. Table 6-4 from the SRK Report summarizes tonnages and metal content recovered per year of extraction. Table 6-4: Summary of bulk sampling conducted on the Heino-Money Zone Year Mined Tonnes Milled Tonnes Au Grams Recovered Au Ounces Recovered Ag Grams Recovered Ag Ounces Recovered 1981 58 58 4,570 145 3,259 105 1984 227 168 48,351 1,554 51,570 1,658 1985/1986 2,972 2,972 98,910 3,180 1993 6,800 5,503 102,455 3,294 164,071 5,275 Total 10.057 8,701 254,286 8,173 218,900 7,038 COVID_19 The Company does not foresee COVID_19 impacting initial confirmatory exploration as recommended by the SRK Report or impairing the asset value of Tillicum Claims and Heino Gold Deposit at this time. Exploration and construction teams will be limited to 3-6 personnel. At such time that significant labor is needed MGX will prepare a comprehensive COVID_19 plan and will rely on distancing, hand washing, and symptom monitoring to control the spread. As required by Transport Canada, masks will be required on all flight operations, which will be limited to 6 personnel including pilot. The West Kootenays is not an area of significant COVID_19 outbreak at this time and it is not expected COVID _19 would not be transferred from local population to miners as long as basic hygiene protocol is maintained. Qualified Person Andris Kikauka (P. Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for MGX Minerals, has prepared, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Advisors Kingsdale Advisors is acting as strategic shareholder and communications advisor and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP is acting as legal advisor to MGX Minerals Inc. About MGX Minerals Inc. MGX Minerals Inc. invests in commodity and technology companies and projects focusing on battery and energy mass storage technology, extraction of minerals from fluids, and exploration for industrial minerals and precious metals. Contact Information Neil Foran Chief Financial Officer neil@mgxminerals.com Web: www.mgxminerals.com Andy Radia Director, Communications and Marketing Kingsdale Advisors Ph: 416-867-2357 aradia@kingsdaleadvisors.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to plans for assessment and other activities conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Heino-Money Deposit and Tillicum Claims, the preparation and filing of the Technical Report, and the preparation for structural engineering review for the purpose of underground bulk sampling. Forward-looking information is generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "in the event", "if", "believes", "asserts", "position", "intends", "envisages", "assumes", "recommends", "estimates", "approximate", "projects", "potential", "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. The Company's forward-looking information are based on the applicable assumptions and factors the Company considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to the Company at such time, including without limitation, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various risk factors. These factors include, among others, geological and environmental factors, operating or technical difficulties in connection with the activities contemplated in this press release, general economic conditions, or conditions in the financial markets. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors, and their potential effects, which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Except as required by securities law, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. SOURCE: MGX Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597541/MGX-Minerals-Files-Notice-of-Work-for-3000-Meter-Confirmatory-Drilling-in-Support-of-NI-43-101-Resource-Estimate-at-Heino-Gold-Deposit-and-Tillicum-Claims ROME - Either the EU wins as a whole or loses as a whole over the proposed coronavirus Recovery Fund, Premier Giuseppe Conte told parliament Wednesday. "Today in the EU either we all win or we all lose, together", he said amid a row between southern European and northern European countries ahead of this weekend's EU summit on the issue. Conte said Italy would not accept a "shabby compromise" over the new fund. Conte told a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this week on the EU Recovery Fund talks that "it is a very difficult negotiation, I have always stressed the difficulty, but I have tried in an ambitious way to represent the common goal of a solid, strong and coordinated EU response". Conte said the EU should offer "solutions, not illusions and fears". Merkel said she thought there might be an agreement after the EU summit on Friday and Saturday even though positions were "in part divergent" at the moment. She added, however, that another meeting might be needed. She indicated that she would not back Italy's position to the hilt but would give at least some concessions to the northern hawks. The European Commission has proposed a 750 billion euro Recovery Fund, more of it coming in grants than loans. 'Frugal' northern European countries want a lower total and more loans, with strings attached such as structural budget reforms, than grants. Conte has enlisted the support of southern European countries in pushing for the original format, and a deal by the end of this month. He reiterated this on Wednesday, telling the Italian parliament "we must absolutely reach deal by the end of July". The countries who are against the format say there is no hurry to get a deal. Germany is duty chair of the EU. It is trying to negotiate a deal between the two groups of countries. European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni also said Wednesday that "there cannot be failures or postponements at the summit, we cannot afford it". By Aziz El Yaakoubi DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain's highest court upheld death sentences against two activists for bombing a convoy and killing a police officer, after convictions that human rights groups say were based on confessions extracted through torture. Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa lost their final appeal on Monday against death sentences that were initially handed down by a criminal court in December 2014. Security forces had arrested Moosa, a hotel employee, and Ramadhan, a security guard in Bahrain's international airport, in early 2014 after a policeman was killed in a bombing in al-Deir, a village northeast of Manama. Ten other people tried with them have also been jailed. Amnesty International and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), a UK-based human rights group, have said both men were tortured to extract false confessions, subjected to sexual assault, beatings, sleep deprivation and other abuses. "The terror of knowing that my husband can be executed by firing squad at any moment without proper notice is tearing me apart," Ramadhan's wife, Zainab Ebrahim, tweeted after the sentence. The rights groups say both men were prevented from meeting their lawyers until they were sentenced to death for the first time by a criminal court in December 2014. Bahrain's government said the case met all requirements of a fair trial, and the initial judgment was followed by a second trial that looked into the allegations of abuse. "Each of the defendants had an attorney present with him throughout all the stages of the trial," said Haroon Al Zayani, head of the public prosecutor's technical bureau, in a statement sent to Reuters. The chronology of medical reports showed confessions were obtained "in full consciousness and voluntarily, without any physical or verbal coercion", he said. Bahrain, which is led by a Sunni Muslim royal family but has a Shi'ite majority population, has been clamping down on dissent since 2011 when it quashed protests with Saudi help. Story continues Home to the Middle East headquarters of the U.S. Navy, the Gulf island kingdom has revoked the citizenship of hundreds of people in mass trials. Most opposition figures and human rights activists are jailed or have fled. Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy at BIRD, called the verdict "another dark stain in the struggle for human rights in Bahrain", which "could not have happened without the tacit acceptance of Bahrains western allies. (Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Peter Graff) Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 10:09:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Tuesday confirmed 4,244 new cases of COVID-19 and 2,103 people are currently hospitalized, both at record levels. As of Tuesday, official data showed that a total of 140,307 infections were found in the most populous county in the United States with a population of over 10 million. Based on testing results available for over 1,387,000 individuals, the figure means 9 percent of all people tested positive. Tuesday's highest-ever number of new cases came on the same day that California reported 7,346 cases, the fourth day in the past two weeks when the state saw over 7,000 new cases in 24 hours. Test positivity rate for the Golden State at large is 7.1 percent over a 14-day average. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday announced one of the most sweeping rollbacks of any state's reopening plans, saying the state made the decision because "COVID-19 cases continue to spread at alarming rates." According to the new order, most indoor business operations in Los Angeles County must be closed from Monday, including bars, fitness centers, theaters, hair salons and malls among others. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also warned Monday the second largest city in the country is on the verge of another shutdown since the city's color-coded system monitoring local risk of COVID-19 pandemic showed it stands at orange level. If the indicator rises up again and reaches the red level, local residents will only be allowed to leave their homes for work or essential tasks. "We are on the border of going to red," Garcetti said during an online briefing. "It is up to all of us to make sure that we don't." Enditem After spending hours listening to parents, staff and teachers fears about returning to school as the number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia ticks up, the Richmond School Board decided Tuesday to have fully virtual learning in the fall. The board voted 8-1 to forgo in-person instruction for the fall semester. The lone no vote was cast by Jonathan Young of the 4th District. Superintendent Jason Kamras gave the board five plans from which to choose: Plan A called for a hybrid option with two days of in-person instruction, and three days of virtual instruction. This option also would allow for students with greater academic needs (intensive special education needs, recent immigrants) to attend school five days a week. Plan B called for either a fully virtual option or a full in-person option. Parents would be able to choose for their children. In Plan C, middle and high school students would attend school virtually, and only elementary school students would be able to attend school in person. Plan D would only allow students with high needs to attend school in person five days a week. This option would be available for about 5% of students. Everyone else would have to attend school virtually. Finally, Plan E allows for a fully virtual first semester for all students. This is the plan the board adopted. The board told Kamras on Tuesday that the administration would need to provide updates on virtual learning at every upcoming board meeting. The Richmond Education Association had called for 100% virtual instruction. The teachers group detailed its position in a letter last week drawing attention to poor air quality and open classroom designs that the group feared would put students and staff at greater risk. Kamras said in an interview before the meeting that he supported in-person learning for high-needs students, but during the meeting he switched his support to full virtual learning. Scott Barlow, the 2nd District School Board member, said before the meeting that it was a challenging decision. Its tough knowing that virtual instruction does not replace the work that our teachers can do with our students in the building. Its pretty well-documented that having students out of the classroom for a period of time is not good for their educational development. Barlow said in an interview that he understands high-needs students would be at risk of falling behind in a virtual-only plan. No matter which option we choose, a certain number of our students are more likely to have an adverse impact, he said. Our Black and Latino students are more likely to suffer from infection risks. Many of our higher-poverty students are more likely to be adversely impacted by not being able to go to school, and theres overlap between those two groups. There has been an uptick in new COVID-19 case numbers in Virginia. Richmonds Black and Latino community have been particularly hard-hit by the virus. Latinos make up about half of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city while being only 7% of the population. Young, of the 4th District, said before the meeting that he could not support any reopening plan that doesnt allow for any in-person instruction. By no means should anyone be naive about the limitations of virtual learning, he said in an interview. I really am so concerned for our kids and for the future. We have to acknowledge all of the threats and try to account for differences in science. Even if the School Board had decided to vote for any sort of in-person instruction, Gov. Ralph Northam could close schools again. He has said that if the state cant stay in Phase Three of reopening, which allows for in-person gatherings of up to 250 people, theres no reason to let kids go back to school. State direction is something that 3rd District School Board member Kenya Gibson wanted. I really do think this is a decision that should be made by the state, she said before the meeting. I think there is a certain disinterest in taking on that liability, and now this decision has been pushed down to us. So here we are making decisions that I think should be regional, larger decisions. Northams warning about closing schools again came the day after a School Board meeting during which Dr. Danny Avula, the director of the Richmond and Henrico County health departments, discussed evidence showing that meeting for in-person instruction might not cause a spike in cases. In the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Readiness and Planning tool for K-12, the Richmond Public Schools reopening scenario fell under its more risk category for the spread of the coronavirus. It calls for 6 feet of social distancing, mask wearing for all students and staff, and consistent handwashing. The Virginia Department of Health calls for 3 feet of social distancing, which School Board members had expressed discomfort with. The World Health Organization also only calls for 3 feet. RPS has a history of facilities issues, which includes sinks that dont work and bad ventilation. This was outlined in a petition started by two RPS teachers that urged the School Board not to take a reopening vote on July 9, the date for which it was originally scheduled. RPS has also had to close a number of food distribution sites and a computer distribution site due to positive cases of COVID-19. Q1 2020 Systemwide Pro Forma Sales of $23.7m , an increase of 36% over Q4 2019. Robust consumer demand continues across all operating markets despite COVID-19. Company reaches final resolution with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission with respect to legacy regulatory issues. The Company expects the agreement will clear the path for recreational licensing of its Massachusetts locations. Funded expansion plans underway in both Massachusetts and Illinois production facilities expected to be completed by Q4 2020. Company remains on pace to be cash flow positive in 2H 2020 and poised to show significant operating leverage in 2021. Company is in progressive discussions to strengthen its balance sheet through a financing/sale leaseback of its affiliated facilities in Washington state . PHOENIX, AZ, July 14, 2020 /CNW/ - 4Front Ventures Corp. (CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) ("4Front" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the First Quarter of 2020. First Quarter 2020 Financial Results Highlights Total Systemwide Pro Forma Sales for the first quarter 2020 increased 36% quarter-over- quarter to $23.7m . . IFRS Sales for the first quarter of 2020 increased 37% quarter-over-quarter to $17.7m . . Gross profit for the first quarter was $9.7m . . Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was a loss of $2.8m . Business Update Robust consumer demand continues across all operating markets despite COVID-19. All states where the Company operates have deemed cannabis operations as "essential businesses" during the pandemic. Company reaches a resolution with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission with respect to legacy regulatory issues. The Company expects the agreement will clear the path for recreational licensing of its Massachusetts locations. Funded expansion plans underway in both Massachusetts and Illinois production facilities expected to be completed by Q4 2020. These upgrades represent Phase 1 of the Company's expansion plans in two of its core markets which are expected to double the output of its Georgetown, Massachusetts facility and more than triple current output in Illinois. Company remains on pace to be cash flow positive in 2H 2020 and is poised to show significant operating leverage in 2021. Having reduced corporate overhead expense by over 40%, the Company anticipates generating positive cash flow commensurate with final recreational licensing in Massachusetts and producing positive adjusted EBITDA in 2020. Washington Financing/Sale Leaseback Update. As of May 31, 2020, 4Front's balance sheet had cash and equivalents of $11.5m with total debt of $80.1m (excluding in-the-money convertible debt of $5.8m). The Company owns and controls highly attractive real estate in Washington state consisting of 176,000 square feet of state-of-the-art industrial space built for cultivation, production and distribution. The assets are encumbered by senior secured debt associated with Gotham Green Partners. A financing/sale and leaseback of these assets is expected to remove senior secured debt from its capitalization table, giving the Company flexibility to more freely pursue non or minimally dilutive project financing options. The Company is in progressive discussions with multiple partners on this transaction. Management Commentary Leo Gontmakher, CEO of 4Front, said, "Entering 2020, we have been laser-focused on leaning out and replicating our low-cost cultivation and production model in targeted states. We left the first quarter with a focused business model, streamlined cost structure and fortified balance sheet that has set the stage for us to accelerate growth across our core markets of Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and California." Mr. Gontmakher added: "We are ecstatic to have reached resolution with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission as it clears the way for our long-awaited approvals for adult-use licensing in the state. We continue to execute on our plans to not only flip to cash flow positive this year, but to set the stage to exit this year in a position to drive meaningful operating leverage in our business. With funded expansion already underway in Massachusetts and Illinois, we look forward to commencing construction of our Commerce, California facility before the end of the year. We are proving that our success in Washington can be replicated in every state in which we operate and are extremely confident in how the company is positioned as we enter this new season." (Please see Note Regarding Non-IFRS Measures, Reconciliation, and Discussion below.) (*Please see the Financial Statement section below, and the Company's First Quarter 2020 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), available under the Company's SEDAR profile, for more information.) Additional Details As of the date of the MD&A, there were the equivalent of 506,379,437 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares outstanding when calculated as if all share classes were converted to Subordinate Voting Shares. For further details regarding 4Front's share structure, please see its profile at www.thecse.com. Conference Call The Company will also host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. EDT to review its operational and financial results and provide an update on current business trends. To join the call, dial 1-877-407-0792 toll free from the United States or Canada or 1-201-689-8263 if dialing from outside those countries. The webcast, which will include a slide deck, can be accessed at this link. The call will be available for replay until Tuesday, July 21, 2020. To access the telephone replay, dial 844-512-2921 toll free from the United States and Canada, or 1-412-317-6671 if dialing from outside those countries, and use this replay pin number: 13706966. Financial Statements The condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. These statements have not been reviewed by an auditor. 4FRONT VENTURES CORP. Formerly 4Front Holdings, LLC Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position As of March 31, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019 Amounts expressed in thousands United States dollars unless otherwise stated March 31, December 31, 2020 2019 ASSETS Current assets: Cash $ 9,288 $ 5,789 Accounts receivable 786 677 Other receivables 247 325 Lease receivables 11,186 9,556 Inventory 12,638 9,138 Biological assets 1,226 2,187 Notes receivable 1,644 1,871 Prepaid expenses 1,919 2,198 Total current assets 38,934 31,741 Restricted cash - 2,352 Property and equipment, net 45,091 41,822 Notes receivable 1,135 1,049 Lease receivables 22,477 23,944 Intangible assets 41,756 41,442 Goodwill 27,763 33,988 Right-of-use assets 32,696 20,476 Investments 759 759 Deposits 4,947 6,346 TOTAL ASSETS $ 215,558 $ 203,919 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY LIABILITIES Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 9,414 $ 8,138 Taxes payable 2,569 1,609 Lease liability 1,230 972 Convertible notes 2,651 - Contingent consideraton payable 750 750 Notes payable and accrued interest 7,115 7,382 Total current liabilities 23,729 18,851 Convertible notes 35,982 35,607 Notes payable and accrued interest 44,326 44,289 Long term notes payable 1,941 1,903 Long term accounts payable 1,600 1,600 Contingent consideration payable 4,714 4,714 Lease liability 33,288 20,976 TOTAL LIABILITIES 145,580 127,940 Equity (Deficiency) Equity attributable to 4Front Ventures Corp. 252,656 252,656 Reserves 27,783 25,618 Deficit (210,238) (202,090) Non-controlling interest (223) (205) TOTAL EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) 69,978 75,979 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) $ 215,558 $ 203,919 4FRONT VENTURES CORP. Formerly 4Front Holdings, LLC Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 Amounts expressed in thousands United States dollars unless otherwise stated Three Months Ended Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 REVENUE $ 16,950 $ 3,466 Cost of goods sold, sale of grown and manufactured products (2,815) (1,227) Cost of goods sold, sale of purchased products (4,684) (1,137) Gross profit before fair value adjustments 9,451 1,102 Realized fair value included in inventory sold (137) (57) Unrealized fair value gain on biological assets 373 592 Gross profit 9,687 1,637 OPERATING EXPENSES Selling and marketing expenses 7,633 1,631 General and administrative expenses 5,223 4,056 Depreciation and amortization 1,340 652 Equity based compensation 1,227 459 Total operating expenses 15,423 6,798 Loss from Operations (5,736) (5,161) Other Income (Expense) Interest income 56 - Interest expense (3,307) (355) Accretion 173 - Gain on sale of subsidiary 1,652 - Foreign exchange loss 37 - Total Other Income (Expense) (1,389) (355) Net Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (7,125) (5,516) Income Tax Expense (862) (470) Net Loss from Continuing Operations, Net of Taxes (7,987) (5,986) Net (Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes (179) 42 Net Loss (8,166) (5,944) Net Loss Attributable To Non-Controlling Interest (18) (86) Net Loss Attributable to Shareholders $ (8,148) $ (5,858) Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share $ (0.02) $ (0.02) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted 531,552,819 340,370,271 Note Regarding Non-IFRS Measures, Reconciliation, and Discussion In this press release, 4Front refers to certain non-IFRS financial measures such as Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. 4Front defines Systemwide Pro Forma Revenue as total revenue plus revenue from entities with which the Company has a management contract, or effectively similar relationship (net of any management fee or effectively similar revenue) but does not consolidate the financial results of per IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. 4Front considers this measure to be an appropriate indicator of the growth and scope of the business. Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization less share-based compensation expense and one-time charges related to acquisition and financing related costs, excluding fair value adjustments for biological assets. 4Front considers these measures to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business. The following tables provide a reconciliation of each of the non-IFRS measures to its closest IFRS measure. About 4Front Ventures Corp. 4Front (CSE: FFNT) (OTCQX: FFNTF) is a national multi-state cannabis operator and retailer, with a market advantage in mass-produced, low-cost quality branded cannabis products. 4Front manufactures and distributes a portfolio of over 25 cannabis brands including Marmas, Crystal Clear, Funky Monkey, Pebbles, and the Pure Ratios wellness collection, distributed through retail outlets and their chain of strategically positioned Mission branded dispensaries. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, 4Front has operations in Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Michigan and Washington state. From plant genetics to the cannabis retail experience, 4Front's team applies expertise across the entire cannabis value chain. For more information, visit 4Front's website. This news release was prepared by management of 4Front Ventures, which takes full responsibility for its contents. The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Forward Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in 4Front Ventures' periodic filings with securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to future developments and the business and operations of 4Front Ventures, developments with respect to legislative developments in the United States, expectations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, future revenue or Adjusted EBITDA expectations, statements regarding when or if any contemplated or in-progress transactions will close or if/when required regulatory approvals are attained, and other statements regarding future developments of the business. The closing of the transactions described in this news release, including the divesture of Pennsylvania and Maryland assets and the sale of convertible debt, is subject to customary conditions and there can be no guarantee that such transactions will close. Although 4Front Ventures has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. federal laws; change in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. 4Front Ventures disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and 4Front Ventures does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. SOURCE 4Front For further information: 4Front Investor Contacts: Andrew Thut, Chief Investment Officer, [email protected], 602-633-3067; Phil Carlson / Elizabeth Barker, [email protected], 212-896-1233 / 212-896-1203; 4Front Media Contacts: Anne Donohoe / Nick Opich, KCSA Strategic Communications, [email protected] / [email protected], 212-896-1265 / 212-896-1206 Related Links https://4frontventures.com WASHINGTON After more than a year of campaigning, Democrats have finally picked their candidate to take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in November: MJ Hegar, a former Air Force pilot and self-described motorcycle-riding badass the party hopes can have crossover appeal, especially in the suburbs. The political newcomer nabbed the partys nomination over state Sen. Royce West, a Dallas Democrat who has served nearly three decades in the state legislature. I am humbled by the support we have received from all across the state, and am confident we have a decisive victory, Hegar said in a statement. West, who was vying to be the states first Black U.S. senator, conceded on Wednesday morning, saying in a statement that he will keep working for justice in Texas. When I was born, my mother did not have the right to vote, West said. It brought home to me both how far African Americans have come as a people, and how much more work is to be done. Im proud my mother was able to vote for me in this race, and I am re-energized today to continue my work as a state senator, addressing the needs of my constituents. A political newcomer, Hegar nonetheless led in fundraising and the limited polling throughout the race. She has the backing of the Democratic establishment in D.C. and finished first in the crowded Democratic primary in March. RUNOFF ROUNDUP: Who won, lost in runoff elections in Houston, Texas Hegar said Tuesday shes confident she has grassroots enthusiasm heading into the general election. She laid into Cornyn for his response to the novel coronavirus and for denying that systemic racism exists. She said the record-breaking turnout in the runoff should send a message. More than 1.3 million Texans voted in Tuesdays runoffs, with more than 900,000 casting ballots in the Democratic Senate runoff. I know thats whats going to cause John Cornyn to lose sleep tonight, Hegar said. A primary runoff electorate should be really small. This is a symptom of trouble coming to John Cornyn this fall. Hegar is just the type of candidate the party has sought nationally since 2018, when the suburbs began to revolt against President Donald Trump, helping hand Democrats control of the House. She is a decorated war veteran who Democrats hope can appeal to disillusioned Republicans, especially in the suburbs, where she grew up and still lives and where the party hopes to gain ground in November. Hegar is from Williamson County, a long-red bastion north of Austin that has started to shift politically as it grows. Her only political experience was a 2018 run in a congressional district including the county, where she came within 3 points of unseating U.S. Rep. John Carter, a veteran Republican congressman. In the Senate race, Hegar led in fundraising and the polls, raising more than $6 million overall. She drew the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee early in the campaign and has garnered support from a slew of national progressive groups, which spent heavily in the final weeks of the race. West, who was significantly outspent by his opponent and who was also the target of Cornyn campaign ads early in the primary told Hearst Newspapers the race felt like David and Goliath. But I was fighting two Goliaths as opposed to one, West said. The Democratic primary which originally boasted a dozen candidates lasted more than a year and ended in a bitter battle between Hegar and West, who went on the offensive in the final weeks of the race after keeping mostly focused on Cornyn throughout. In ads, online and in a tense final debate, West painted Hegar as a Democrat in name only, pointing to a $10 donation she made to Cornyn in 2011, as well as a 2016 vote in the Republican presidential primary. West also raised questions about Hegars past use of the Gadsden flag on Facebook. The yellow Dont Tread On Me flag was popular among the Tea Party around the time she posted it. His campaign ran ads urging voters to pick a real Democrat. A group representing some 10,000 Black Democrats in Texas, meanwhile, accused the DSCC of trying to undercut Wests campaign by telling donors not to give to him. The DSCC has denied the claims, but the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats nonetheless wrote to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York that if Black Democrats come to believe the United States Senate primary was rigged against Senator West, it will only hurt MJ Hegar in the general election, if she wins the runoff election. Hegar has said the donation to Cornyn was one of several she made in 2011 to Republicans and Democrats alike. Shes said her 2016 GOP primary vote was for Carly Fiorina and was a protest of Trumps candidacy. And she has said she posted the Gadsden flag because of its association with the military, not any political movement. Hegar in turn had accused West of using his position in the state Senate to enrich himself. We have corruption, we have money in politics, we have politicians frankly like you, Royce who have become millionaires in office and have spent their time legislating in their own best interests instead of the interests of their constituents, Hegar said in a debate in late June. Im done with it, Im tired of it, and so is Texas. West said on Tuesday night that if Hegar wins, he would be willing to sit down and visit with her if she wants to. If we can work through some issues, then I will be campaigning with her, West said. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Cornyns campaign started running ads playing up the intraparty fight between West and Hegar. The senator did the same on Twitter. Why the national Democrats are doing this to a longtime Democrat state senator is remarkable, Cornyn tweeted about the DSCC spending to support Hegar. This is all on behalf of a candidate that voted in the last Republican presidential primary, and donated $ to me and other Rs. Hard to know what someone like that actually believes. Amazing transformation. Cornyn, meanwhile, has more than $14 million to fend off the challenge, and his campaign says he just posted his best fundraising quarter yet, pulling in $3.5 million during the second quarter of the year. But polling indicates hes not well known by Texans and his poll numbers have remained stagnant throughout the campaign, though recent polls have also shown him leading Hegar. Cornyns campaign took a shot at Hegar late Tuesday: Nothing says, I am the candidate who can win in November, like needing to outspend your primary opponent 102-1 and still not being able to declare victory on election night. ben.wermund@chron.com A man traveling from Saigon to Hanoi on foot has raised over VND127 million (around $5,500) to build classrooms for children in mountainous areas. When the government declared the social distancing campaign over the Covid-19 pandemic in April, Bui Ngoc Quy was working for a florist with a monthly salary of VND8 million (around $346). During this period, he felt a strong need to do and experience something completely different. In April, he quit his job and decided to go on a long walk from Saigon, where he worked, to the capital city of Hanoi about 1,700km or more than a thousand miles. He estimated it would take him about 50 days to cover the distance. He also made the walk more of a challenge by not taking any money along. And a week after he set out, he felt motivated to make his walk more meaningful by raising money for cause building classrooms for children in a commune in the northern highlands. Quy, 23, embarked on his long trip at 4 a.m. on May 25 from Saigon with no money in his pocket. In his backpack, he had five pairs of socks, two pairs of shoes, three sets of clothes, a hat, his phone, charger and extra power banks. Even though he was regular jogger, Quy found the going difficult. He traveled around 40 kilometers per day. The first day went smoothly. But on the second and third day, his feet began to blister and his muscles became sore, and his footsteps became sluggish. But he was determined. Everyday, he woke up early and headed out at 3-4 a.m. At around 7-8 a.m., he would stop at a street vendor or a locals house, share his story and ask for some food. Then he would set out again. At around noon, he would stop again for a break, try to get some food, and continue walking until 7-8 p.m. He would, at this time, request someone to let him spend the night in their house or verandah. In case he did not succeed, he would continue walking till around 10.30 p.m. or whenever he found a gas station, and request that he be allowed to take a bath and spend the night there. After doing this for three days, he took a day off to recover. His aim was to walk 12-15 hours a day, but there were days he walked 22 hours and covered nearly 80 km a day, especially when crossing the Ca Pass in central Phu Yen Province, deemed by many locals as one of the most dangerous passes in central region. "Being unable to find a place to sleep over was a very common occurrence because people do not know me. So I slept on public benches, in parks or the front porches of houses, or streetside coffee shops with hammocks." Quy with a local fisherman near the old Hoi An Town, central Quang Nam Province. Photo courtesy of Quy. After hed walked for about a week, he felt that he should make the trip even more meaningful. Through his past volunteer works, he knew that children Mu Ca, a poor commune in Muong Te District in the mountainous province of Lai Chau, were in need of financial support. So he turned his trip into a fund raising event for these children, to help build additional classrooms. He contacted the education department of Muong Te District and announced his campaign on Facebook. Overcoming skepticism Quy faced doubters as soon as he began posting about his campaign. Many expressed concerns that it was a scam. After reading all the negative comments, he was disheartened and even thought of quitting his trip. "When you were about to quit, remember why you started. So I told myself I should continue the trip to prove myself. I was shocked later to receive such enthusiastic support," he said, smiling. The first donation he received was VND200,000 ($8.64). Quy was so happy that he jumped like a child. "Someone has faith in me," he shouted out. But the donation remained the same after three days and he was worried again. But on the 12th day, the balance in the account soared to VND126 million (around $5,445), making him constantly rub his eyes and cry for joy. At first, hed thought he could only raise around VND40 million (nearly $1,730). But in just 10 days, the amount of donations reached VND120 million (nearly $5,190). All the funds were transferred to an online account. Looking back on his journey, Quy said the decision of not bringing any money was the most difficult challenge. But he decided to go ahead for the totally new experience he was looking for and to feel the joy of receiving kindness from strangers. He said he was afraid of being rejected in the beginning. But when he was hungry and tired, he ignored all thoughts of ego and dignity to ask people for food and a place to sleep. He asked for food from local vendors and paid them back sometimes by doing chores for them. But many families also gave him free food. A native of the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, Quy had moved to Saigon in the hope of starting a business. While waiting for that hope to come true, he began working for a florist, and the social distancing campaign pushed him on to a path hed never thought of earlier. Nguyen Anh Tai (L) and Quy pose for photo in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Thuy Quynh. Inspired to join Nguyen Anh Tai, a native of Nghe An Province was so struck by Quys story on Facbook that he decided to try and meet him in person. "I learned about Quy's story through Facebook and decided to follow up on his journey. I admired his energy very much. When I heard his was coming to Vinh (capital of central Nghe An Province), I contacted and met him in person. The next morning, I accompanied him for 60km from Vinh to Nghe An's Dien Chau District." Tai said that walking with Quy in 40 degrees Celsius heat and the hot breeze was extremely uncomfortable. He developed blisters and it became painful. But Quy encouraged and boosted his spirit. "Even though he is still very young, Quy has a positive energy in life. I admire his thoughts and energy. Knowing that he wanted to raise money for building schools for poor children, I asked him why he didnt advertise his campaign more so many more people would know." He said he wanted to do whatever he could on his own and did not want people to think negatively about his actions, Tai added. Later, coincidentally, Tai was in Hanoi when Quy reached the capital city, and met up with him at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Last Thursday, at around 8 p.m., Quy reached Hanois Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, having passed 20 provinces on his way over the previous 45 days. He was sunburned, but not burned out. Sweat dripping from his face, he said simply: "I've completed my trip." Not really. In the next few days, he will head over to northern Lai Chau Province to hand over the donations he raised. Harvard and MIT brought a lawsuit against ICE over guidelines that would revoke international student visas when campuses go online in the fall. The suit earned support from 200 other schools. Brooks Kraft/Corbis via Getty Images US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced on July 6 that international students who were taking courses entirely online would not be allowed to remain in the US. The new policy was met with immediate backlash as 17 states and Washington, DC, filed a lawsuit to block the motion while Harvard and MIT led a similar suit that quickly garnered the support of 200 more universities. But in a Tuesday hearing, President Donald Trump's administration rescinded the directive. An international student told Insider that while she is happy about the rollback, she is still unsettled by the inconsistency of the Trump administration on potentially life-altering issues for students like her. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced a new policy that would forbid international students to remain in the United States if their schools are "operating entirely online." The initial announcement was met with widespread backlash. Seventeen states and Washington, DC, filed a lawsuit representing more than 370,000 international students at 1,100 colleges, Insider previously reported. Harvard and MIT brought a separate lawsuit over the new guidelines, earning the support of 200 more colleges across the country. After days of criticism, the administration rescinded that order in a hearing for one of the lawsuits on Tuesday. Despite the relief, an international student who was at risk of being deported under the order told Insider the back-and-forth over the decision was a concerning indicator of the administration's stance on such policies. Gabriella de Lorenzo, an international student from Brazil, came to New York two years ago to study graphic design. She previously told Insider that the policy felt like a "slap on the face," and she feared that ICE's initial decision would have jeopardized her academic progress and her access to a support system for dealing with mental illness. Story continues After the administration rescinded the order, de Lorenzo told Insider she was "literally jumping up and down." While she is excited to be able to pursue her fall semester, de Lorenzo said the administration's inconsistency in policies for international students has left her feeling unsettled. "It's still unstable," de Lorenzo said. "They announced something that could literally change your life for God knows how long and decided to rescind it." She isn't the only international student discouraged by the administration's policies. Others previously told Insider that the Trump administration's track record of anti-immigration moves had changed their "idealized vision" of the US. Business Insider's Taylor Borden previously reported that the National Foundation for American Policy projected new international student enrollment at US universities could decline this year by up to 98%, which would be the lowest since World War II. Read more: Read the original article on Insider ROME - An Italian police officer testified Wednesday at the murder trial of two Americans about trying in vain to stop blood pouring out like a fountain from his partner who was fatally stabbed last summer on a Rome street. The two young men from California were in Italys capital as vacationers a year ago, and are charged in the killing of Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Mario Cerciello on a street near their hotel on July 26, 2019. The Americans, Finnegan Lee Elder, now 20, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, now 19, said in pretrial questioning that they mistook Cerciello and his partner as criminals trying to attack them and that they scuffled with the Italians to defend themselves, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege that Elder stabbed Cerciello 11 times and that Natale-Hjorth hid the murder weapon, a military-style attack knife that Elder allegedly brought in a suitcase from the United States. Under Italian law, defendants having a role in a murder case can also be charged with homicide. The confrontation followed an alleged attempt by the tourists to buy cocaine earlier in the evening in a Rome nightlife district. After allegedly paying for the drug, the Americans realized they were swindled and didnt receive it. Angry, the Americans snatched a backpack with a cellphone inside that belonged to the drug dealers go-between, the prosecution contends. The backpacks owner told police that when he called his own phone, one of the Americans answered and demanded money and cocaine in exchange for returning the bag. Cerciellos partner, Andrea Varriale, testified that the two officers were dispatched on a pre-dawn mission to retrieve the bag. Working in plainclothes, Varriale said he wore a polo-shirt and jeans while Cerciello wore a T-shirt and long shorts. Varriale testified that he pulled out his badge from his pocket and yelled, Carabiniere! to identify himself as a police officer, as did Cerciello. The defence has insisted the Americans didnt realize the two were police officers and didnt see any badges. Varriale also testified that both he and Cerciello were unarmed. He said they cautiously approached two men at the appointed retrieval site, thinking the pair looked suspicious with their sweatshirt hoods pulled up over their heads on a steamy summer night. Varriale said the Americans immediately attacked them. I didnt even get to say Whats your name? when he grabbed me, we went down, we rolled, in a kind of funny way, on the ground. Prosecutors have said Varriale scuffled with Natale-Hjorth, while Elder wrestled with Cerciello. When I realized he just wanted to get free, I had my shoulders against the ground, I understood it was better to let him go, Varriale said. He said he first sensed something was wrong when he heard Cerciello yelling in a strange voice Stop! Carabinieri! At one point, I looked to the left, Mario was on his feet, swaying. They stabbed me, they stabbed me, Varriale said his partner called out. I saw the blood coming out like a fountain to the ground, and Cerciello was having a hard time breathing, the partner testified. Cerciello, 35, died shortly after in hospital. Varriale told the court he didnt see either defendant pull a weapon. Natale-Hjorth has told investigators he didnt know his friend brought a knife to the backpack exchange rendezvous. The days hearing was abruptly ended after Cerciellos father-in-law collapsed in the courtroom as the court was listening to a dramatic audio tape of Varriales call for an ambulance for his dying partner. As Varriale struggles to stem the bleeding with his polo-shirt and tells the police dispatcher the street name, he alternately calls out desperately, Mario, Mario. Cerciellos widow, clutching a photo of her newlywed husband, sobbed. The Americans, like everyone else in the courtroom wearing face masks in accordance with anti-COVID-19 laws in Italy, turned to watch the commotion. The remainder of Varriales questioning by prosecutors, and the expected start of defence cross-examination, was postponed till Thursday. At the hearings start, Judge Marina Finiti reminded Varriale that he himself is a defendant in a separate case. Hours after the slaying, as the suspects were being questioned at a police station, Varriale allegedly made a video of Natale-Hjorth sitting blindfolded as an officer asks him his name and other information. Blindfolding a suspect violates an Italian law, which is supposed to safeguard the dignity of criminal suspects. Later this month, the court is expected to hear the findings of a psychiatric evaluation of Elder requested by the defence. The Americans turn on the witness stand isnt expected until after the court returns from an August vacation recess. TORONTO - A new report that ranks North American cities on their ability to attract tech talent has put Toronto at No. 4, giving it the top spot in Canada. Commercial real estate firm CBRE reached that conclusion by assessing 50 cities on 13 attributes, including tech-talent supply, cost of living, educational degrees and real estate prices. Torontos ranking was down one spot from last year, as Washington, D.C. chosen in 2018 to be host of Amazons second quarters jumped two spots to No. 2 after the San Francisco Bay Area. Seattle home of Amazons original head quarters slipped one notch to No. 3 and New York City stayed at No. 5. Vancouver retained its 12th position in the rankings, Ottawa jumped five spots to No. 14, Montreal dropped three levels to No. 16 and Calgary made its debut in the Top 50 in the 34th slot. CBRE said Toronto gained 66,900 or 36.5 per cent more tech jobs over the past five years, the second-most after the Bay Area over that time frame. The report says the average tech worker salary in Toronto rose by 11.2 per cent to reach $84,986, keeping it a much more affordable market for talent than many U.S. cities it studied. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. OTTAWA - Huawei Canada says it is collateral damage in the Trump administration's trade war with China and remains hopeful that it might still be able to sell next-generation internet equipment to Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Huawei Canada says it is an injured bystander of the Trump administration's trade war with China and remains hopeful that it is might still be able to sell next-generation internet equipment to the Trudeau government. Alykhan Velshi, vice president of corporate affairs at Huawei Canada, holds a media availability in Ottawa, Monday, July 22, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - Huawei Canada says it is collateral damage in the Trump administration's trade war with China and remains hopeful that it might still be able to sell next-generation internet equipment to Canada. That characterization comes one day after Britain became the last of Canada's "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing allies to ban the Chinese telecommunications firm from its 5G wireless internet. The next generation of wireless internet technology is to be dramatically faster than the current standard, with more bandwidth and faster response times. It's expected to be crucial to technologies such as autonomous vehicles and remote medicine. Alykhan Velshi, Huawei Canada's vice president of corporate affairs, says the company hopes the Trudeau government's ongoing 5G review steers clear of political machinations by administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to undermine the company. "We see ourselves as being caught in the middle of the U.S.-China trade war. Canada is also unfortunately caught in the middle of it," Velshi said in an interview on Wednesday. "That is the context in which a lot of announcements and decisions are made, as the Trump administration is demanding that everyone pick a side whether it is actually in their interest to go all in on one side or that other." Britain's decision brought it firmly in line with Trump's campaign to have Huawei banned from allied countries, including Canada. The United States views Huawei as a security threat and says its equipment and technology would serve as a back door for China's communist leaders and military to spy on other countries as they adopt 5G technology a charge the company firmly denies. The Trudeau government has delayed a long-awaited decision on whether to allow Huawei to participate in Canada's new 5G network largely because of China's ongoing imprisonment of two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Kovrig and Spavor were arrested nine days after Canada detained Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on an American arrest warrant in December 2018. That move is widely seen as retaliation by China to force Canada to release Meng. Velshi, a lawyer and former Conservative political staffer, called the case against Meng a "politically driven" prosecution by Trump, and pointed to a 2018 musing by the president that she could be used as a bargaining chip in his trade negotiation with China. He said Meng will be vindicated by the Canadian courts when the extent of Trump's political motivation is properly presented. (The Green party issued a statement along the same lines Wednesday, saying the United States is abusing its extradition treaty with Canada for political purposes and calling on the Canadian government to demand U.S. charges against Meng be dropped.) But at the same time, Velshi also expressed sympathy for Kovrig and Spavor and reiterated the view of the Canadian arm of his company that diplomats can somehow win their freedom. "Like all Canadians we're concerned about their detention, we're concerned about their treatment and we want to see them home as soon as possible." The tensions between Beijing and Washington intensified on Wednesday following Tuesday's announcement by Britain that Huawei would be excluded from work on the 5G network because U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the safety of Chinese-supplied equipment. The Trump administration decided in May to block non-U.S. companies from using American technology to produce processor chips and other components for Huawei without Washington's approval. On Wednesday, the Chinese government accused Britain of colluding with the U.S. to hurt Huawei. The Trump administration fired back by announcing travel bans on employees of Huawei and other Chinese companies that the U.S. determines are assisting authoritarian governments in violating human rights, including against Uighurs in western China. Velshi said Huawei has faith in the Canadian government's ongoing 5G review and the company has nothing to say about how long it has taken for a decision to be made. In the meantime, Velshi said that despite the tensions between Beijing and Ottawa, Huawei's revenues in Canada grew in 2019, as did its workforce, which stands at about 1,200 employees. Velshi said the company has not yet made public its 2019 financials. "We attribute that growth to the fact that our customers have largely stood by us and continued to buy our products," said Velshi. David Reed, Britain's deputy high commissioner to Canada, had no comment on what Canada should do next, but noted the two countries enjoy strong co-operation in the Five Eyes, which also includes Australia and New Zealand. 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. Reed said all countries must focus on allowing more companies to thrive in the 5G market. "The reason we're in this position is there's a global market failure," Reed said in an interview. "That's the conversation we started, particularly with Five Eyes partners, earlier in the year and we're trying to make progress on that." John Power, the spokesman for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, gave no indication as to when the government would make its decision on which companies can sell 5G gear in Canada. He reiterated that the government would "not compromise on matters of national security" but declined to reference specific companies. "Our government's review will consider technical and security factors, including advice from our security agencies and consider decisions from our allies and partners," he said in a statement, adding that it would take into account "important domestic and international considerations." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. With files from the Associated Press. When it comes to staffing levels during the COVID-19 recovery, most Canadian businesses dont have all hands on deck. A Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) survey found that only one third of businesses had re-hired their pre-pandemic staff capacity. Its likely going to stay that way for some time: In a separate survey on Canadian business conditions, newly released from Statistics Canada, almost two-thirds of businesses expect their number of employees to remain the same over the next three months. Dan Kelly, the president of the CFIB, told Yahoo Finance Canada that the numbers dont surprise him. The businesses he works with are more likely to delay bringing back a full staff if revenue doesnt justify a full payroll expense. The biggest driver as to whether you're going to bring back the workers, of course, is whether your customers are expected to return to the business in short order - and that's a big question mark for many. In a Statistics Canada survey, it was found that nearly two-thirds of businesses expected their employee headcount to remain the same over the next three months. Its not just costs, its also a challenge to lure back workers who were relying on the Canadian Emergency Relief Benefit (CERB). Kelly explained that many Canadians have health concerns or other challenges about their return to work, but he also pointed out a few comments on CFIBs most recent survey. From the employees perspective, it was When else am I going to have the opportunity to take a paid Summer off? So check back with me in September, he laughed, That scares the heck out of me. As the national economy shifts into recovery mode, there have been growing calls to wean Canadians off of CERB, like yesterdays call from Manitoba premier Brian Pallister, who recommended a phased reduction in the benefit as Canadians return to work. Business advocates like Kelly arent calling for a swift elimination of CERB, but for legislative amendments that would push recipients back into the workplace if they were offered a job. If you've got a job to go back to, then unless you have a pressing reason why you cannot, that CERB benefits would end. Story continues A survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that only one-third of businesses have all of their usual pre-pandemic staff. As much as one-third has half of their staff count or less. Government Supports for Businesses Another challenge for businesses is the lack of details surrounding government supports for businesses. Kelly explained that there is confusion in particular with the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), which the federal government extended until December in an announcement on Monday. That has been one of the big struggles to employers rehiring their team is a lack of understanding of how the wage subsidy is going to work for the balance of this year. When the program was introduced in March, Canadian businesses with revenue down 30 per cent related to the pandemic could qualify for CEWS and receive a 75 per cent subsidy for up to 24 weeks. In a May 15 release announcing the details of the CEWS extension, the federal government stated that there would be regulatory changes for certain types of organizations and made further promises to change eligibility requirements. It's now mid July, and we still don't know what those eligibility requirements are... Kelly said, Employers still do not know whether or not they qualify! The Statistics Canada report also showed that two-thirds of Canadian businesses were approved for funding from government programs or credit from external providers. CFIBs survey showed that 98 per cent of businesses found these supports to be very helpful, but they work only if the eligibility is clearly defined. This is a big chicken and egg problem. An employer can't necessarily make money until they get their staff back - but they don't have the money to hire the staff back just yet. So, if the feds could actually give them the assurance that they've suggested that they will, I feel like we will have much better track record as a nation of getting workers back on the payrolls of small and medium-sized companies across the country. These supports would also go a long way in providing personal protective equipment that businesses will need as they gradually re-open. Statistics Canada reported that just over 80 per cent either need or expect to need protective gear as physical distancing measures relax - particularly among those in the healthcare, accommodation and food services sectors. 22 per cent of businesses report that they are struggling or anticipate a challenge in procuring these supplies. We certainly have heard from the kind of the private healthcare sector - people like chiropractors, dentists - that their cost of PPE and the related cleaning procedures are just going through the roof, said Kelly. Providing masks for customers who arrive empty-handed is an additional cost that businesses are taking on. This is why, Kelly explains, the CFIB is pushing for an expansion of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program. Were pushing for that to be raised basically for $40,000 to $60,000 and to raise the forgivable portion from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, explained Kelly. The current eligibility requirements for this loan mean that businesses must have between $20,000 and $1.5 million in income paid in 2019 (with separate requirements for businesses paying out less than that amount). Kelly expects that more access to funding will keep more businesses afloat. One of the things that worries me the most right now... is that 14 per cent of businesses are actively planning bankruptcy or winding down their business. Extrapolate that to the economy as a whole, that could be 100,000 to 200,000 businesses that are no longer there at the end of pandemic, Kelly said. And that would be just devastating to the long-term health of Canada's economy. Watch Crisis Management, a livestream show on the Canadian economy that builds a crisis playbook for small and medium-sized businesses during COVID-19 times and beyond. Watch live on Yahoo Finance Canada or subscribe to the podcast on Apple and Spotify. Six people who allegedly hacked into a bank and attempted to transfer GH46, 129,473 to eight individuals in different banks have been arrested by the police. They are Hudu Abdul Mumuni, Emmanuel Adams, Moro Issah, Agbenu Fefous Chrissy, Sam Acquah, a former banker and owner of Adom Sika Savings and Loans Limited and James Taylor, a web developer. Two others, Boateng Mends, and one identified as Pussy Cat are on the run and being sought for by the police. The Director of the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dr Gustav Herbert Yankson told the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday. He said on July 2, 2020 a petition was received by the Unit from the management of the bank (name withheld) that someone remotely logged into the banking software and used the login credentials of some staff that were on leave to transfer the money to eight individuals of different banks. He said during investigations on July 3, Mumuni was arrested at First Atlantic Bank at Ridge, Adams at Fidelity Bank at Madina, while Issah and Chrissy were apprehended at Dansoman when they showed up to withdraw the wire transferred from the bank. Dr Yankson said on July 2, between 1:00am and 10:00am 13 fake SWIFT transactions with some initiated outside working hours were fraudulently made to the accounts of eight people. The Director said management of the bank detected the fraudulent activity and disabled the SWIFT to prevent further transfer, adding that all banks involved were quickly alerted to prevent withdrawals. Dr Yankson said forensic examination of the devices retrieved from suspects indicated that Mends and Pussy Cat were part of the syndicate. He said the suspects were currently on police enquiry bail whiles investigations were ongoing. The Director called on banks to adhere to the Bank of Ghana cyber security directives, stating that within the last four months the unit has recorded some crimes against the banks which were in the form of network and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) attacks. He recommended that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) ensured that the cyber security directives are enforced. Dr Yankson called on banks to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor activities within and outside. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Amber Heard was the "antagoniser" in her relationship with Johnny Depp, often "goading" and attempting to provoke the actor, the UK High Court has heard. The couple argued "like schoolchildren", with rows starting from "banal beginnings" before escalating, according to Mr Depp's former estate manager. Ben King, who worked for the Hollywood star for three separate periods between 2014 and 2016, in Australia, London and Vancouver, Canada, also said in witness statements that Mr Depp, 57, often left notes with comments such as "let's not do this again" and "I love you". Mr Depp is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) and its executive editor Dan Wootton over an April 2018 Sun newspaper article which labelled him a "wife beater" and alleged he was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard, 34, during their relationship. In one written statement, Mr King said that during his employment he "frequently witnessed Ms Heard goading and attempting to provoke Mr Depp", adding he never saw the actor "be violent or unkind towards Ms Heard, or indeed towards anyone else". In a second statement, he said: "Of what I heard of their arguments, they could start from very banal beginnings. "On one occasion in London, I recall Ms Heard complained that Mr Depp had removed his hand from hers, and she complained along the lines of "maybe you don't love me" (because you took your hand away). "The argument then carried on and escalated seriously. The way they argued could make them seem like schoolchildren. "In hindsight, during the month in London, and thereafter during my time in Australia, I saw Ms Heard as the antagoniser. "Mr Depp seemed keen to walk out of, or away from, arguments." In his first witness statement, Mr King said that in March 2015, he was summoned to the house the couple were renting in Australia, where he found a "significant amount of damage" and discovered the actor's severed finger tip on the floor of the bar area while cleaning up broken glass and debris. Mr Depp has been accused of subjecting Ms Heard to a "three-day hostage situation" and trashing the house during the Australia trip, which he denies. The actor's finger was severed during the stay, which he says was caused by Ms Heard throwing a bottle at him, which she denies. Mr King said that on the flight back to Los Angeles from Australia with Ms Heard, she asked him "have you ever been so angry with someone that you just lost it?" He said: "I replied that that had never happened to me. She seemed incredulous and asked again, 'you have never been so angry with someone that you just lost it?' "Again, I answered that I had not and Ms Heard did not continue on this topic. This question seemed alarming to me, given the severity of the damage I had earlier witnessed at the house and the apparent serious injury to Mr Depp's finger. Separately, the court heard Ms Heard was repeatedly told it would be illegal for her to take her two dogs with her to Australia, a former Johnny Depp employee has claimed. Kevin Murphy, who worked for Mr Depp for almost eight years, alleged Ms Heard "demanded" he make a false statement about the animals being "smuggled" into the country. He also claimed Ms Heard asked him to contact her former assistant, Kate James, and ask her to "lie under oath" to an Australian court. In October 2015, Ms Heard faced criminal proceedings in Australia for taking the couple's two Yorkshire Terriers, Pistol and Boo, into the country illegally. She and Mr Depp, 57, recorded a now infamous video in 2016 apologising for doing so. In a written witness statement, Mr Murphy, claimed on October 11 and 12, 2015, Ms Heard asked him to contact Ms James and "ask Ms James to lie under oath to the Australian court prosecuting Ms Heard". He said: "Specifically, Ms Heard wanted Ms James to give a false statement that Ms Heard was unaware that it would be illegal for her to bring her dogs into Australia. "Ms Heard was aware that this was illegal, because I had informed her repeatedly by email, telephone and in person." Read More US governor tests positive for coronavirus Mr Murphy alleged he had told Ms Heard he was "uncomfortable" with giving a false statement to the court and that "he would not ask Ms James to do so". Mr Murphy was asked by Sasha Wass QC, lead counsel for NGN, about the "defecation incident", when faeces were found in the couple's bed after Ms Heard's 30th birthday party in April 2016. Ms Wass read out a text conversation between Ms Heard and Mr Murphy from October 2014, when he suggested putting Boo with a dog trainer. Ms Heard replied: "I'm worried she's got brain damage. She can't seem to predict or control when she uses the bathroom. "Last night she shit ON Johnny while he was sleeping, like all over him. Not exaggerating." Mr Murphy said in his witness statement that when he spoke to Mr Depp about the "defecation incident" in April 2016, the actor was "sullen and disgusted". Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court in London to give evidence in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire He said: "I believe he suggested getting the faeces DNA tested to see where they had come from." Ms Wass read out two text messages sent by Mr Depp shortly after the incident, saying that in one, he wrote "my wife left a whopper poop on my bed" and "then he says 'Amber Turd'". She said: "In fact, it appears from those texts that Mr Depp found the subject quite amusing," to which Mr Murphy said he thought the actor was being "sarcastic". The Pirates Of The Caribbean star is suing NGN and Mr Wootton over the publication of an article on April 27 2018 with the headline: "Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?" NGN is defending the article as true, and says Mr Depp was "controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs". Syria: Three Russian Soldiers, Turkish Troops Injured in Explosion During Joint Patrol Sputnik News 08:22 GMT 14.07.2020(updated 12:22 GMT 14.07.2020) In December 2019, three Russian servicemen were also injured in a blast from an improvised explosive device during a routine patrol in Syria. Russian and Turkish forces are currently carrying out joint patrols along a key highway in the restive Syrian proince of Idlib. Three Russian soldiers were slightly injured during a terror attack in Syria on Wednesday morning, according to the Russian Defence Ministry's Reconciliation Centre for Syria. An improvised explosive device (IED) went off at around 5:50 a.m. during the 20th joint patrol of Russian and Turkish troops along the M4 highway in the south of the de-escalation zone in Idlib, the centre said. The explosion occurred in the path of a motor convoy and damaged a Russian infantry combat vehicle as well as a Turkish armoured vehicle. Several Turkish service personnel were also injured, according to the statement. Meanwhile, Turkey's Defence Ministry said that no Turkish soldiers were killed in the attack. All injured soldiers have been evacuated; the Russians have been taken to the Hmeimim Air Base, where they have received medical treatment. Russia and Turkey are currently investigating, in coordination with Syrian special services, whether Idlib militants are behind the attack. A 12-kilometre-wide security corridor was set up along the M4 highway in early March under an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which halted an upsurge in fighting in Idlib between Turkish forces and allied militias, on one side, and the Syrian army, on the other. As part of that deal, Russia and Turkey have been carrying out joint patrols of the strategic highway, which runs parallel with Turkey's southern border and connects the provinces of Latakia and Aleppo. The highway crosses through Idlib, where militants retain control of a small pocket of land. In May of this year, a bomb attack on a Turkish military convoy on the M4 in Idlib killed one soldier, and three Russian troops were injured in a similar attack last December. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bollywood celebrities getting injured on the sets of their films is nothing new, it's just another occupational hazard. Most actors, upon injury, leave the film set, or have the filming schedule altered or postponed so that they can fully recover before getting back to filming. Fox Star Studios However, at times, that is simply not the option, and the actors after realising this, power through the pain and shoot their films with their injuries. We list out 7 such instances when actors proved that they really love their craft, and acted in tough conditions, despite being severely injured: UTV Motion Pictures 1. MS Dhoni: The Untold Story - Sushant Singh Rajput Sushant Singh Rajput was a great actor, who was a part of the industry simply because he loved films. While preparing for MS Dhoni, Sushant would often practise the way Dhoni would bat. During one such practise session, which took place between one of the shooting schedules for the film, Sushant met with an accident and had a hairline fracture on his ribs. He stopped practising, of course, but carried on filming for that schedule, while all bandaged up. Just goes on to show how dedicated he was to his craft. 2. Kesari - Akshay Kumar Speaking of dedication to the craft, there have been several instances when Akshay Kumar got injured severely during filming, took a day off, and then came back to filming the very next day. Mind you, most of these instances were in the 2000s and late 90s when he was in his 30s. While filming for Kesari, Akshay injured himself severely and took some major damage to his ribs. Even though the doctors on set advised him to return to Mumbai and take some time off, he completed the schedule and then went for his physio sessions. This, at the age of 50. 3. Wanted, Dabanng, & Bodyguard - Salman Khan Not a lot of people are aware of this, but Salman, for a major part of his career was suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, a neurological condition that causes sporadic, excruciating pain. Although he had managed the condition for quite some time, during Wanted and Dabanng, the condition started acting up. Still, he managed to pull through. However, during Wanted, he injured himself, tearing a ligament in his arm, which finally forced him to take some time off to get himself treated. The pain from the ligament tear, and from his neurological condition troubled him throughout the filming of Dabanng. Halfway through shooting Bodyguard, Salman had had enough and got things sorted out before shooting the final schedule of the film. 4. Dangal - Aamir Khan Being the perfectionist he is, Aamir Khan trains and practices his stunts like a beast when it comes to shooting a sequence for his films. While shooting the sequence of his national fight in Dangal, which was shown as a throwback, Aamir injured his shoulder, and had to be rushed to the hospital, after the exertion became a little too much for him. However, he was back the next day, to finish the final sequence of the film. Fun Fact: Because Aamir Khan had to put on a lot of weight for the film and refused to wear a 'fat suit', he requested the director Nitesh Tiwari to shoot the sequence where he was to appear all muscular and chiselled, at the end of the schedule. This allowed him to shed all the weight he had put on, within a set time frame. 5. Fan - Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan is no stranger to shooting films and advertisements while injured. While filming Fan, Shah Rukh severely injured his knee and his foot during an action sequence, and yet continued to film through the pain. Furthermore, back when he had injured his left shoulder, he shot advertising campaigns, walked the ramp, shot films and whatnot, with his arm in a sling. He even shot a music video with the Kolkata Knight Riders with his arm in a sling, and danced without a care in the world. Now, if thats not dedication, we dont know what is. 6. Bol Bachchan - Abhishek Bachchan With the kind of bonkers stunts involved in a Rohit Shetty film, were surprised how people manage not getting injured more often in his films. However, Abhishek Bachchan did injure himself and quite badly at that. Apparently, while shooting one of the sequences, Abhishek hit his head and ended up needing six stitches on his forehead. He also fractured one of his fingers and still continued to film. 7. Agneepath - Hrithik Roshan As fit as he is, Hrithik Roshan underwent several gruelling training sessions to prepare for Agneepath. He entered the first shooting schedule pretty much exhausted. During filming a physically exhausting fight sequence, he suffered a heat stroke and had an accident while picking someone up. He was rushed to the hospital with an injured back, and was ordered by the doctors to rest for a couple of days. However, he was back on set the very next day. By Jane Chung SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's crude imports in June fell 12.6% from a year earlier, with its crude oil intakes for the first half dropping 7.9 %, pressured by weaker fuel demand at home and abroad in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The world's fifth-largest crude oil importer shipped in 10.04 million tonnes of crude oil in June, or 2.45 million barrels per day (bpd), down 12.6% from 11.49 million tonnes a year earlier, according to customs data. Of the country's total crude oil imports, oil shipments from Saudi Arabia, South Korea's top oil supplier, were 3.96 million tonnes in June, or 967,165 bpd, up 7.8% from 3.67 million tonnes last year. In June, South Korea's imports of Mexican crude oil jumped 21.7% from a year earlier to 707,669 tonnes, or 172,907 bpd. Mexico ranked as South Korea's No.4 crude oil supplier last month after Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. But crude oil imports from other major crude suppliers in June dropped. Oil imports from the United States dropped 39.2% year-on-year to 661,367 tonnes, or 161,594 bpd, while crude oil imports from Iraq fell by more than half to 584,942 tonnes, or 142,921 tonnes, according to the data. South Korea's oil shipments from Iran have remained at zero since May last year. In the first half of the year, South Korea's crude oil imports decreased 7.9% year-on-year to 66.95 million tonnes, or nearly 2.7 million bpd, the data noted. State-run Korea National Oil Corp (KNOC) will release the country's final crude oil imports data later this month. (Reporting by Jane Chung; Editing by Leslie Adler) (Natural News) Republican Gov. Gary Herbert declared Utah in a state of emergency on Thursday, July 9, citing civil unrest as the main reason. Herbert said that recent demonstrations in the state have become increasingly violent, and many rioters have injured innocent people and have destroyed both public and private property. The recent period of massive civil unrest in Utah began when demonstrators flooded Salt Lake City after a court ruled that the police-involved shooting of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal back on May 23 was justified. He was shot after somebody called 911 to report a person making threats with a weapon. According to reports, the police fired at least 34 shots, hitting the suspect 13 times. The demonstrators were further angered when the Democratic mayor of Salt Lake City, Erin Mendenhall, supported the courts decision to exonerate the officers involved in the incident. In a statement, Mendenhall praised Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, another Democrat, who provided the court with significant evidence that the officers of the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) were justified in their actions. I know that for some, todays decision does not feel like justice. It has become increasingly apparent in our city and across the nation that there is a difference between what so many feel is morally correct, and what is considered appropriate and justified under the law, added Mendenhall in her statement. Mendenhall has not conducted any action to supplement Gov. Herberts state of emergency declaration; however, she did say in an interview with Deseret News that she supported the executive order. The one incident that prompted Herbert to declare a state of emergency was when at least 300 vandals and rioters showed up outside the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office in the citys downtown neighborhood. There, rioters broke windows and participated in other acts of vandalism. In response, the SLCPD declared the demonstration an unlawful gathering. Two rioters were arrested, and one police officer was hospitalized due to a leg injury. Under a state of emergency, the governors office can use state government resources that are necessary to cope with a state of emergency. The executive order also closes down both the Utah State Capitol building and the District Attorneys Office building to anyone who does not work there. Herberts state of emergency declaration will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how residents of blue states should consider bugging out as soon as possible and moving over to red or conservative states, like Utah, where their Constitutional rights to life, liberty and property, as well as their rights to free speech and the right to bear arms, will be upheld and protected. Mayor Mendenhall, DA Gill and SLCPD taking precautions after receiving death threats In response to the court ruling, several city officials, including Mendenhall and Gill, are taking defensive precautions after they received a flurry of credible threats to their safety. SLCPD spokeswoman Christina Judd said that some of these precautions include enlisting the aid of bodyguards to provide round-the-clock protection. (Related: Its just open terrorism now as BLM supporter seen on video firing GUN into SUV trying to escape the mob in Provo, Utah.) My family is taking necessary precautions to be safe and as the mayor, Im focused on the safety of our entire city as this plays out, said Mendenhall. Gill, for his part, vowed to encourage robust civic dialogue in response to the extensive damage done to his office building, which is estimated to cost upward of $200,000. The rioters destroyed five large windows and splattered large portions of the buildings exteriors with red paint. Gill called the act of vandalism an unlawful and irresponsible choice and that it disregarded the need for dialogue and community collaboration. SLCPD Chief of Police Mike Brown called the damage done to the building significant, and, because of the attack, his department will take a stronger stance against rioters to make sure no other property is damaged. Any kind of vandalism or any attempt by demonstrators to block roads will no longer be tolerated. Find the latest news regarding civil unrest across the nation at Rioting.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com TheHill.com Deseret.com 1 HeraldExtra.com Fox13Now.com Deseret.com 2 SLTrib.com Technavio has been monitoring the global automotive cabin lighting market size and it is poised to grow by USD 710.76 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005312/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Cabin Lighting Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Aptiv Plc, Hella GmbH Co. KGaA, Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., OSRAM Licht AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Stanley Electric Co. Ltd., and Valeo SA are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The increasing demand for effective interior lighting has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the lack of proper regulatory framework regarding cabin lighting might hamper market growth. Automotive Cabin Lighting Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Automotive Cabin Lighting Market is segmented as below: Technology LED Halogen Xenon Geographic Landscape APAC Europe North America South America MEA To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43990 Automotive Cabin Lighting Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our automotive cabin lighting market report covers the following areas: Automotive Cabin Lighting Market size Automotive Cabin Lighting Market trends Automotive Cabin Lighting Market industry analysis This study identifies the growing popularity of OLED lighting technology as one of the prime reasons driving the automotive cabin lighting market growth during the next few years. Automotive Cabin Lighting Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the automotive cabin lighting market, including some of the vendors such as Aptiv Plc, Hella GmbH Co. KGaA, Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., OSRAM Licht AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Stanley Electric Co. Ltd., and Valeo SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the automotive cabin lighting market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Automotive Cabin Lighting Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive cabin lighting market growth during the next five years Estimation of the automotive cabin lighting market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the automotive cabin lighting market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive cabin lighting market vendors Table Of Contents : Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2019 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019-2024 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Technology Market segments Comparison by Technology LED Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Halogen Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Xenon Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Technology Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Overview Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Aptiv Plc Hella GmbH Co. KGaA Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd. LG Electronics Inc. Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. OSRAM Licht AG Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Stanley Electric Co. Ltd. Valeo SA Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005312/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Bharat Electronics rose 2.3% to Rs 99.35 after the company said it collaborated with the Airports Authority of India for tapping emerging global opportunities in the airport business. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defence PSU Bharat Electronics (BEL), to collaborate in tapping emerging global opportunities in the airport business, including those in the Asia-Pacific region. AAl, playing the role of a development partner, will assist BEL in its domain of expertise to enable execution of the prestigious MEA projects outside India by BEL. Both the organisations will work in close co-operation with each other in the field of civil aviation, in both present and future projects handled by BEL. BEL is a state-owned aerospace and defense company with about nine factories, and several regional offices in India. It primarily manufactures advanced electronic products for the Indian Armed Forces. The Government of India held 51.14% stake in BEL as on 31 March 2020. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hopes for a working Covid-19 vaccine are growing as two projects in the UK and US have reported promising results in their early experiments. Teams from Oxford University and the American pharmaceutical company Moderna have both revealed people in their studies are showing signs of immunity. Each has been working on separate experimental jabs for months to try to protect millions of people from catching the coronavirus in future. Oxford scientists have already said they are '80 per cent' confident they can have their jab available by September. People being given the Oxford vaccine have been developing antibodies and white blood cells called T cells which will help their bodies fight off the virus if they get infected, it is reported. And experts at Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said participants in their trial - of a different type of vaccine - all successfully developed antibodies. The vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it's infected with Covid-19 and causing it to produce immune substances that have the ability to destroy it. While early research focused on antibodies, scientists are increasingly turning to a type of immunity called T cell immunity which is controlled by white blood cells which has shown signs of promise. One source on the Oxford project told ITV News: 'An important point to keep in mind is that there are two dimensions to the immune response: antibodies and T-cells. 'Everybody is focused on antibodies but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the T-cells response is important in the defence against coronavirus.' Oxford's phase 3 trial is involving around 8,000 people across the UK and also up to 6,000 people in Brazil and South Africa, where the jab may be easier to test because more people are infected with the coronavirus. The vaccine is being manufactured by AstraZeneca, based in Cambridge, England, and millions of doses have already been ordered by Number 10 in the hope that it will work. ITV's political editor Robert Peston wrote in a blog that he has been told to expect good news on the trial later this week, with results expected in the British medical journal The Lancet on Thursday. The piece said: 'Apparently the vaccine is generating the kind of antibody and T-cell (killer cell) response that the researchers would hope to see.' In the early stages researchers will want to see that the jab is safe for people to take and doesn't cause serious side effects, and also that it seems to be stimulating the immune system in the right way. If it passes these checkpoints researchers are expected to move on to even larger tests with thousands more members of the public. In its own tests Moderna, the US pharmaceutical company, reports that its vaccine has passed these early milestones and now plans to move on to bigger trials. Researchers at the company last night announced that all 45 volunteers in its early phase had developed immune responses after being given the vaccine. They also found the jab one of the front-runners in the global coronavirus vaccine race was safe and no participants suffered any serious side effects. But more than half reported mild or moderate reactions such as fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches or pain at the injection site. Scientists said side effects were a 'small price to pay' for protection against Covid-19. Dr Anthony Fauci, the US government's top infectious disease expert, said: 'No matter how you slice this, this is good news.' Moderna was the first US company to start human testing of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus on March 16, 66 days after the genetic sequence of the pathogen was released by China. It's now preparing to start a 30,000-person trial later this month to prove the vaccine really is strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. The share price of the company surged on the news as it stoked hopes of progress in the global battle against Covid-19. The US federal government is supporting Moderna's vaccine with nearly half a billion dollars in funding. Its vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, works using ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is a chemical messenger in human bodies that contains instructions for making proteins. The jab introduces RNA which programmes the body to make proteins that look like those found on the surface of the coronavirus, which triggers the immune system to react because it recognises those proteins as a danger - even though they aren't actually attached to a virus and can't cause any harm. This then trains the body to recognise these as a foreign invader, and mount an immune response against it. The results, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, involved three groups of 15 volunteers aged 18-55. The groups tested 25, 100 or 250 micrograms of the vaccine. Everyone got two doses, 28 days apart. The team reported a dose-dependent effect, whereby the participants grew a larger antibody response the higher their vaccination dose was. In comparison, the University of Oxford team's jab works by injecting a damaged part of the real coronavirus that has been attached to another, harmless, virus. It's a type of immunisation known as a recombinant viral vector vaccine. Researchers place genetic material from the coronavirus into another virus thats been modified. They will then inject the virus into a human, hoping to produce an immune response against SARS-CoV-2. The carrier virus, weakened by genetic engineering so it doesn't make people ill, is a type of virus called an adenovirus, the same as those which cause common colds, that has been taken from chimpanzees. If the vaccines can successfully mimic the spikes that are found on the outside of Covid-19 inside a person's bloodstream, and stimulate the immune system to create special antibodies to attack it, this could train the body to destroy the real coronavirus if they get infected with it in future. It could be developed so rapidly by Professor Sarah Gilbert, a vaccinology expert, and her team because they already had a base vaccine for similar coronaviruses. Professor Gilbert said earlier this month that protection from a jab against coronavirus should last for several years at least. She told MPs she was optimistic that a vaccine would provide a good duration of immunity. 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 Melbourne could get its own "Jewish Lygon Street", showcasing the diaspora's art, history and culture in the city's south. The proposed Jewish Arts Quarter, on Selwyn Street in Elsternwick, includes a new eight-storey building featuring exhibition, co-working and education spaces. Jewish Arts Quarter co-chair Joe Tigel and Jewish Museum of Australia director Jess Bram at the site of the proposed precinct in Elsternwick. Credit:Justin McManus If approved, the precinct will take in a relocated Jewish Museum of Australia, the Jewish Holocaust Centre, the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre, secular primary school Sholem Aleichem College and Classic Cinemas, home to the International Jewish Film Festival. The design also features a sprawling plaza, to be surrounded by shops and restaurants. Samsung has now released a white paper, The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All, discussing its ambitions and goals for 6G networking. Some highlights from the document are givens. The company doesnt expect 6G to land anytime soon, for instance. Its looking towards 2028 as an initial commercialization date with wider availability in 2030. But it will, the company says, integrate with every corner of life and across a wide variety of future technologies. From truly immersive extended reality experiences to high-fidelity mobile-driven hologram technology. Driving that, Samsung speculates that the networks will support a much higher peak data rate at up to 1,000 Gbps. Latency could be taken as low as 100 microseconds. The average data rate, at around 1Gbps, wont likely change much. Neither will efficiency. But that peak rate, Samsung indicates, is 50-times that of 5G. And latency, reliability, and bandwidth will increase exponentially. Advertisement On latency, for instance, the figure above is only around one-tenth that of 5G. Theres still plenty of work needed to move to the next-gen Now the 6G white paper from Samsung examines an extensive array of futuristic products. And they rely on equally futuristic technologies. For instance, Samsung points to advancements leading to the use of the terahertz (THz) frequency bands. The fastest 5G of today utilizes mmWave bands in the gigahertz range. Novel antenna technologies will need to be created to take advantage of THz frequencies. And those will, in turn, rely on new duplex technologies and the evolution of networking topology. Spectrum sharing will need to be explored to get the efficiency of frequency utilization up to par. And AI will need to be designed to manage communications. Advertisement Samsungs 6G white paper aligns well with others in the networking industry None of that means the technology is out of reach, however. In fact, the actual use cases for those advancements, as defined by Samsung, dont step too far outside of whats already been proposed by others. Including proposals put forward by the foremost expert in networking technology, Huawei. And Huawei has already gotten started on researching and developing the underlying solutions. Like Samsung, Huawei hopes to use the extreme real-time low-latency of 6G for holographic communication and hologram UIs. Advanced VR is another shared goal. But Huawei is also centering its research around advancements in fields of medicine, smart cities, and context-aware buildings. Thats in addition to biometric technologies, the blockchain, automation, and existing smart technologies. Jio Platforms has turned into a magnet for Silicon Valley investors, attracting almost $16 billion from Facebook to KKR & Co. in the past three months. Google is in advanced talks to buy a $4 billion stake in Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambanis technology venture, people familiar with the matter said, seeking to join rival Facebook Inc. in chasing growth in a promising internet and e-commerce market. The Mountain View, California-based company has been discussing the investment in Jio Platforms Ltd., the digital arm of Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd., the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. An announcement could come as soon as the next few weeks, according to the people. Jio is at the center of the Indian tycoons ambition to transform his energy conglomerate into a homegrown technology behemoth akin to Chinas Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The venture has turned into a magnet for Silicon Valley investors, attracting almost $16 billion from Facebook to KKR & Co. in the past three months. Should the talks with Google result in a deal, that would further burnish Jios credentials in its push to upend online retail, content streaming, digital payments, education and health care in a market of more than a billion people. Global technology leaders from Facebook to Intel Corp. are looking for multiple ways to grab a slice of the Indian market, where millions of first-time internet users are added every month. Jio Platforms, which boasts almost 400 million customers through its wireless network, offers the largest base of such users who are increasingly buying consumer goods online and downloading music and video, using cheap smartphones and Jios own cut-price data services. Trade war politics have all but eliminated Googles odds of returning to China. That leaves India as one of the remaining large digital markets where Googles key business lines, Search and YouTube, have room to grow. Its also a country where Google has made headway in more nascent efforts, such as payments and health care. Chetan Sharma, a tech industry consultant, said cloud-computing is the main reason Google is investing in Jio. The move would also support Googles Android smartphone operating system and its mobile payments efforts in the country, he added. Telecom giants are turning to cloud-computing for their next wave of expansion. As a provider, Google has lagged behind competitors in this growing sector, Sharma said. Google has been more reactive than proactive, he said. This gives them a leg in. Last year, Reliance entered a 10-year deal with Microsoft Corp. for cloud services. The announcement did not describe the partnership as exclusive, and Googles cloud strategy has centered on offering businesses ways to spend across multiple providers. An arm of Qualcomm Inc. is the latest in Jios growing list of high-profile investors, which also includes Intel Capital, Silver Lake Partners and Mubadala Investment Co. As of July 12, Reliance had sold 25.2% of Jio, valuing the venture at $65 billion. Google invests widely in companies, through its venture capital units as well as off its own balance sheet. A $4 billion investment would be the largest Google has made in a company outside of the U.S. Heres a list of confirmed investors in Jio Platforms: Details of the potential deal with Google could change, and negotiations could still be delayed or fall apart, the people said. Reliances representatives didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for Google in California declined to comment on Tuesday. The string of investments in Jio has spurred a rally in the shares of parent Reliance. The stock has more than doubled from its March 23 low, rewarding investors who will get to hear Ambani, 63, lay out his road map for the future of the group at the conglomerates annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday. The stock surge has also helped Ambani, Asias richest man, to break into the exclusive club of the worlds 10 wealthiest people. With a net worth of $72.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the titan has rocketed past Elon Musk, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, as well as legendary investor Warren Buffett in the past few days to become sixth on the list. Just like Facebook, Google is expanding its presence in the Indian market. On Monday, the company said it plans to spend $10 billion over the next five to seven years to help accelerate the adoption of digital technologies in the country. The amount could be put into partnerships and equity investments among others, it said. Sundar Pichai, who was born in the country and is now chief executive officer of Google parent Alphabet Inc., said the coronavirus outbreak has made clear the importance of technology for conducting business and connecting with friends and family. Founded in 1998 in Silicon Valley, Google entered India six years later with offices in Bangalore and Hyderabad. The India business has since grown into one of the companys most important. The country now has more than 500 million internet users, second only to China, with growth that has proved a lure to a raft of American technology giants. In the last decade, Google has successfully launched several products in India, including an Internet Saathi service to bring women in rural areas online and its Google Pay service. With Jyotiraditya Scindia having exited the Congress and Sachin Pilot rebelling, political observers feel the recent events relating to the two leaders were reflective of a deeper crisis of leadership plaguing the grand old party and lack of a clear roadmap. The Congress on Tuesday cracked the whip on dissident leader Pilot, stripping him of the posts of Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president, for revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The crisis for the Congress in the Hindi heartland state comes close on the heels of the jolt it received in Madhya Pradesh where its government fell after another young leader of the party, Jyotiraditya Scindia, quit and joined the BJP with MLAs supporting him. Follow live updates on the Rajasthan political crisis here Political analyst Yogendra Yadav said, "Pilot episode, like the one involving Scindia, is merely the symptom of a deeper crisis that afflicts Congress: a party that does not have a clear roadmap, a coherent strategy, a credible leader." The Congress, at present, is an organisation that possesses neither an ideology nor the glue of power that can bind it, the Swaraj India leader alleged. Sanjay K Pandey, a political commentator and a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), said the two episodes involving Scindia and Pilot showed that the problem facing the Congress was very much internal. "The Congress suffers from over centralisation of power in the hands of the family and a culture of the old guard coterie advising the top leadership," he told PTI. "It is also reflective of a deeper leadership crisis that is plaguing the party with Rahul Gandhi stepping down and Sonia Gandhi made interim chief. There is lack of decisiveness that is hurting the party," he said. Pandey said young talent is unable to come up in Congress ranks with the "old guard", which does not understand the pulse of the people in current times, dominating the scene in the party. Former JNU professor and political commentator Kamal Mitra Chenoy said the party was marred by factionalism and nothing could be done until one was part of one faction or the other. He said Pilot's move was wrong and instead of making moves allegedly against his own government, he should have first apprised the top leadership of his grievances directly. "Sachin Pilot's case is different from that of Scindia's. He was PCC (Rajasthan) chief and had worked hard for the Congress to win in the state polls. His exit demoralises the young cadre as his was a success story youngsters looked to emulate in the party," a young Congress worker said. Pilot has been upset since the Congress picked Gehlot as the chief minister after the 2018 assembly polls, while his own supporters insisted that he deserved credit for the party's victory as its state unit president. The current crisis surfaced last Friday when the Rajasthan Police sent a notice to Pilot, asking him to record his statement over the alleged bid to bring down the government. The same notice was sent to the chief minister and some other MLAs, but Pilot's supporters claimed that it was only meant to humiliate him. The Special Operation Group (SOG) had sent out the notices after tapping a phone conversation between two men, who were allegedly discussing the fall of the Gehlot government. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will visit Ladakh for a security review on July 17 at a time of military tensions in the sensitive sector where the Indian and Chinese armies are in talks for the next stage of disengagement, two officials said on Wednesday. Singh will also visit forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir on July 18, they said. Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will accompany the minister, the officials said. The military is keeping a strict vigil on the western front to deter Pakistan from fishing in troubled waters and prevent what could turn out to be a two-front conflict, as reported by Hindustan Times on July 2. Singh was expected to visit Ladakh in early July but his tour was deferred. The minister will be visiting Ladakh two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to the sector on July 3. The PM then declared that the era of expansionism is over, sending a strong signal to China about Indias determination to defend its borders. Complicated negotiations on kicking off the next stage of disengagement between the Indian and Chinese armies in eastern Ladakh saw senior military commanders from both sides hold a 14-hour meeting at Chushul on Tuesday to discuss the road map for further reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The talks that began at 11.30 am and went on till 2 am on Wednesday. The outcome of the talks wasnt immediately known. A statement is expected only after top-level internal deliberations in the army on the matter, the officials said. The focus of the current round of military talks is to hammer out a consensus on easing tensions between the two armies in the Finger Area near Pangong Tso and Depsang plains as well as pulling back weapons and equipment from friction points in other sectors. This was the fourth meeting between the corps commander-ranked officers of the two armies who made previous attempts to reduce tensions along the contested border on June 6, June 22 and June 30. The previous two meetings went on for up to 11 hours while the first one was the shortest at 7 hours. Negotiations are expected to be far harder this time as the continued presence of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in the Finger Area and the Depsang sector could be the sticking point of the talks, as reported by HT on Tuesday. In Tuesdays talks, the agenda included the step-wise withdrawal of weapons and equipment to mutually agreed distances from all friction areas along the LAC and thinning the military buildup in the region. The military dialogue will be followed by another meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs. The military commanders set the time-frame and method of disengagement while the WMCC monitors the process. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The R rate of coronavirus in England was significantly lower in May than Government scientists thought it was, a major study claimed today. Imperial College London scientists say Covid-19 had a rate of 0.57, on average, in the weeks before the first lockdown measures were lifted. The research, which saw 120,000 people across England swabbed for the infection even if they had no symptoms, casts doubts on estimates by Number 10's scientific advisory group SAGE, which said in May that the R was between 0.7 and 1.0 The Imperial scientists found just 159 positive cases out of 120,610 people and they estimated the prevalence of the disease was halving every nine days. Lockdown worked, researchers and politicians have deduced from the research, with one of those leading the study calling it 'very effective at reducing the prevalence of the virus'. But the study estimated that 69 per cent of people who tested positive did not have any symptoms at all in the seven days leading up to their test. And it suggested that coughing and a fever two of just three symptoms officially recognised by UK officials were not significant indicators that someone had the disease. Currently people in Britain are only eligible for a test if they have a cough, fever or lose their sense of taste or smell. But the Imperial research found that other more vague symptoms, like diarrhoea, vomiting, tiredness and chills were strongly linked to the virus. Lost smell or taste remained the strongest indicator, however. The study swabbed 120,610 people over the age of five from a 'a nationally representative sample of the population'. Some 159 were positive meaning 0.13 per cent of the population were infected in May. The variances over England are pictured WHAT IS THE R RATE? 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 if nobody has any immunity to the disease. When an outbreak has been running for a while and more people have had the illness and taken steps to avoid it, the reproduction number is referred to as Re or just R. This means it is based more on the circumstances in which the virus is spreading than on its natural properties. The R takes into account human actions - such as lockdown in the case of Covid-19 - whereas R0 does not. 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 DOES A LOCKDOWN BRING DOWN THE R0? The UK's draconian lockdown, imposed on March 23 has slowed Britain's coronavirus crisis, studies show. Scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine last month analysed the virus in the UK. They estimated each infected patient may now only be passing COVID-19 on to 0.62 others, down from 2.6. The team said the virus was struggling to spread because people were having less contact with others. They used a survey of 1,300 people who were asked to list what human contact they had in the past 24 hours. This was compared to a similar survey done in 2005 to give an idea of how it had changed because of lockdown. Advertisement Professor Steven Riley, an infectious disease expert at Imperial who helped lead the study, said the paper adds to 'very strong trends' showing the rate of transmission fell dramatically during England's lockdown. 'We find pretty reliable evidence that it was declining,' he said this morning, 'and the rate it was declining was fairly substantial even at the end of the period [May].' Professor Riley added: 'The relatively low R value even towards the end of May suggests the lockdown was effective in the community.' Asked about the fact that coughing was a weaker link to the virus than other symptoms like diarrhoea or vomiting, the researchers said those were likely more common in people with milder illness. '[Coughing and fever] are the reason that people become clinical cases so it's not surprising to me that they are less common,' Professor Riley said. His colleague and the director of the study, Imperial College epidemiologist Professor Paul Elliott, added: 'We highlighted the symptoms that were most significant. 'Persistent cough was still reported it's not like it wasn't there it just wasn't as significant as others. 'All of these symptoms have been previously reported and clearly some of these, like diarrhoea, are non-specific.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the study, which was repeated in June on an even larger section of the population, is crucial to the country's ongoing battle with coronavirus. 'This ambitious testing programme will help us better understand the spread of the virus to date, predict how it may spread in the future and inform our response to the pandemic,' Mr Hancock said. 'It shows the impact our national lockdown efforts have had and demonstrates that we have taken the right actions at the right time.' Although he noted the country had taken 'great strides towards beating this virus', we 'mustn't take our foot off the pedal'. The study swabbed 120,610 people over the age of five from a 'a nationally representative sample of the population'. Only 159 were positive meaning 0.13 per cent of the population were infected in May. It suggests that up to 115,000 people in England may had been infected with Covid-19 on any given day in May. For reference, fewer than 300,000 cases of the virus have actually been confirmed in Britain since the outbreak began to spiral out of control in February. Young adults aged between 18 and 24, people of Asian ethnicity, and care home workers were most likely to test positive for Covid-19. Prevalence of the infection was highest in London, up to 0.2 per cent of the population, followed by the West Midlands. It was lowest in the South West at 0.06 per cent, evident by the regions drastically lower cases and deaths. Imperial's research showed infections decreased over May, with the infection rate halving every eight to nine days. They gave an overall reproduction number of 0.57 with a possible range of between 0.45 and 0.72 but did not reveal how this changed over the month. The estimates are different to those made by the Office for National Statistics, which swabbed a lower number of 14,599 people in 7,054 households across the country. ONS said 0.27 per cent of the population were infected on May 14, and 0.25 per cent on May 21. It also estimated the reproduction rate of the virus between 0.7 and 1, meaning every infected person passes the disease on to seven and 10 others, on average. Calculations can vary between scientific groups depending on how many people they swab and when. Now, the Government say the R rate is still below the crucial one at 0.7-0.9 as a whole for the UK, meaning it hasn't changed in almost two months. But SAGE last week admitted the top-end estimate has risen slightly for England and warned it could be as high as 1.1 in the South West, home to Britain's stay-cation hotspots of Devon, Cornwall and Dorset. Trends in swab positivity: The black points show daily observed prevalence by day of swab 85% OF NEW COVID-19 CASES IN HOTSPOT OF BLACKBURN 'ARE AMONG SOUTH ASIAN PEOPLE' A staggering 85 per cent of new Covid-19 infections in Blackburn with Darwen are among its South Asian population, a local health chief revealed today amid fears it will become the second place in England to be hit with a local lockdown because of a spike in coronavirus cases. For the next month, only two people from the same family will be allowed to visit another household indoors in the Lancashire authority and everyone must wear face masks in any enclosed public space. People are also being urged not to hug anyone from outside their own household and to get regularly tested at new mobile centres as part of the measures to avoid a Leicester-style lockdown, which council bosses say is a 'very real' threat. Mass testing began at the weekend after 114 people caught the virus in the last two weeks. Latest Public Health England (PHE) data shows Blackburn with Darwen has 47 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in the last week second only to Leicester's rate of 101.3. Dominic Harrison, the authority's director of public health, said 85 per cent of the 114 new cases were people from South Asian backgrounds. That's despite the South Asian community only accounting for 30 per cent of the council's 150,000 population. Many other areas of England which have the current highest infection rates of Covid-19, such as Bradford, Rochdale and Oldham, also have large South Asian communities. Cases in Blackburn with Darwen have soared from around 20 per 100,000 population to a rate of 47 since June 24 Advertisement Keeping the rate below one is considered key because it means the outbreak is shrinking as not everyone who catches it passes it on. Imperial College London showed about 69 per cent of those who tested positive reported no symptoms on the day of the test or the previous week, though they may have developed symptoms later. The report provides an insight into who was infected with the virus between May 1 and June 1, comparing geography, age, sex, ethnicity, key worker status and symptoms. Beyond the diminished rate of infection, the research found young adults aged 18 to 24 were more likely to test positive than other age groups. These patterns were not fully explained by young people's ethnicity, job or where they lived, therefore suggest they are are less compliant with social distancing rules. 'Young adults appear to have maintained higher levels of social contact than other age groups during the lockdown period in England, while older age groups may have effectively shielded,' the authors wrote in their pre-print paper. This reinforced the need for this age group to adhere to social distancing measures to protect vulnerable friends and family, the press release from the Department of Health said. Children aged between five and 17 years old had similar rates of infection to adults aged 25 to 44 years, indicating that children are similarly susceptible to being infected with the virus, called SARS-CoV-2. Those who were over 65 years were the least likely to test positive. But the risks to them if they do are far greater, with a higher likelihood of severe illness and potentially death. People of Asian ethnicity, predominantly South Asian in this study cohort, were almost twice as likely to test positive than those of white ethnicity. The finding is in line with mounting evidence that Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups (BAME) are being hit hardest by Covid-19. South Asians are 20 per cent more likely to die of after being admitted to hospital than white people, according to findings from University of Edinburgh last month. The prevalence of infection across in England was highest among care home workers, 0.71 per cent, followed by health care workers 0.47 per cent. This was seven to eight times higher than those who are not in a key worker role. Health and social care workers are more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus. And studies suggest healthcare workers from BAME backgrounds are twice as likely to catch coronavirus. The report also showed anyone who had recent contact with a known Covid-19 case was 24 times more likely to test positive than those with no such contact. 'Assuming that many of these contacts were work-related, these results suggest a continuing need for improved infection control in these settings,' the report said. It also emphasises the importance of contact tracing seeking anyone who has been in close proximity to a positive Covid-19 case in keeping the spread of the virus under control. The study will now undergo peer review before a final report is published, according to the Department of Health. Plans are currently underway for a second large-scale study, which will use antibody tests to determine how much of the general public has been infected with Covid-19 in the past. Former Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot has revealed that he's not going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, putting an end to speculations that the young leader was planning to switch sides. The Congress leader said he had worked hard to defeat the BJP in the past Assembly elections and that there was no question of joining the BJP. He said some political leaders were trying to project that he was about to join the saffron party but he was not going to. With this, speculations are rife that Pilot could launch his own political front if the Congress does not fulfil his demands. Congress' MLAs, led by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, during the Congress' Legislature Party (CLP) meet had recommended action against Pilot and other members of his camp on Tuesday. The Congress party, while cracking the whip on the rebel leader, also removed Pilot's loyalists Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh from the state cabinet. Apart from the office of deputy chief minister, Pilot also held the portfolios of public works department as well as the Panchayati Raj Ministry in Rajasthan government. After he was sacked from the party, Sachin Pilot changed his profile on Twitter and said: "Truth can be harassed, not defeated." With Pilot refusing to budge over the action taken against him and his loyalist MLAs, he could well be the next high-profile removal from Congress after Jyotiraditya Scindia. Scindia joined BJP earlier this year resulting in a collapse of the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. Also read: 'Truth can be harassed, but not defeated': Sachin Pilot after being sacked as Rajasthan deputy CM The haul of cannabis that was seized in Belfast on Wednesday. Credit: PSNI Cannabis with an estimated street value of more than 2m has been seized during police searches in Belfast. Detectives from PSNIs Organised Crime Branch made the seizure following searches of three properties in the south and east of the city on Wednesday. Two men aged 32 and 55 have been arrested in connection with the find. A PSNI spokesperson said the searches were linked to a UK Border Force interception of a shipment of concealed cannabis, thought to be worth around 1.6m, that was destined for Belfast in June. PSNI Detective Inspector Kelly said the combined haul demonstrates the authorities commitment to tackling the scourge of drugs and the work of organised crime gangs. Many people who spend money on a casual transaction at the weekend think that it isnt harming anyone else; the reality couldnt be further from the truth," DI Kelly said. "Not only is it illegal to purchase these drugs but it fuels the local drug trade which brings causes irreparable damage and loss to many families and individuals whose lives it destroys. "When you hand over money for a small amount of drugs at the weekend, this contributes to the violence and intimidation inflicted by merciless crime gangs. It can go towards buying a gun used in an attack against someone who has a drug debt; or a get-away car used in a crime. We will continue to investigate those who profit from the misery and harm caused by illegal drugs. Drug dealers are parasites who dont care about their communities." Anyone with any information regarding drugs in their area has been urged to contact police on 101. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Kelly Preston's heartbroken brother has said she will 'always be remembered for how she brought out the best in people'. The Jerry Maguire actress' loved ones were by her bedside alongside husband John Travolta as she passed away from breast cancer at age 57 on Sunday in Florida. Her younger half-brother Chris Palzis, 51, said the family had been left 'gutted' by her death. The LA-based realtor told DailyMail.com: 'We're still really grieving so I don't have anything eloquent to say right now.' Kelly Preston's younger half-brother Chris Palzis, 51, tells DailyMail.com that the family had been left 'gutted' by her death Kelly Preston's final post to Instagram was one to celebrate Father's Day in June of her and her husband and their children Ella, now 20, and Benjamin, now nine. The picture is thought to have been taken the previous year 'We're just all very gutted over this, if I had to say something that would pretty much summarize it,' Chris said. 'She was a light and she was a warrior and she'll always be remembered for how she brought out the best in people. 'It's heartbreaking. We just got back from her bedside in Florida. We were all together in Florida,' he added. Chris was born after Kelly's mother remarried with Peter Palzis after Kelly's own father died when she was just three. The siblings were pictured together at events such as the Skyla boutique opening in Westwood in July 2005. John Travolta's former handler in the Church or Scientology also paid tribute to Kelly, who she met in the late 1980s. Spanky Taylor, who worked alongside Travolta during his early career before she left the church and lost contact with him, said she was 'heartbroken' for him. The 67-year-old told DailyMail.com: 'Kelly was a very kind woman, she was lovely. She was engaged to Charlie Sheen at that time, I don't think that she had met John yet.' 'She was a light and she was a warrior and she'll always be remembered for how she brought out the best in people,' he said. The siblings were pictured together at events such as the Skyla boutique opening in Westwood in July 2005. John Travolta announced in an Instagram post that his 'beautiful wife' had died of breast cancer, revealing her two-year cancer ordeal for the first time 'I had been doing a charity event for a pediatric AIDS project. We put together an evening with Elton John and Charlie Sheen was one of the hosts of the event. Travolta's former handler in the Church or Scientology Spanky Taylor also paid tribute to Kelly, who she met in the late 1980s 'Kelly was just lovely. She was extraordinarily beautiful and she seemed as lovely on the inside as she was on the outside. 'She was bright and bubbly and she was very kind,' Taylor said. 'It's heartbreaking, especially because John is so good. 'He's such a good person and I hate seeing anyone going through that kind of suffering, let alone someone who I care about.' Travolta, 66, revealed on Sunday that his wife had been fighting breast cancer for two years. A spokesman for the Travolta family told People that Kelly had chosen to 'keep her fight private [and] had been undergoing medical treatment for some time, supported by her closest family and friends,' in the months prior to her death. 'She was a bright, beautiful and loving soul who cared deeply about others and who brought life to everything she touched. Her family asks for your understanding of their need for privacy at this time,' the spokesperson continued. The Jerry Maguire actress' loved ones were by her bedside alongside husband John Travolta as she passed away from breast cancer at age 57 on Sunday in Florida Travolta also paid tribute to the 'doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center' who treated Preston during her illness, but the family has not revealed whether she was in the hospital or at the couple's Florida home when she died. The Anderson Cancer Center has numerous locations in the United States, including in Florida. The two actors' lives had already been overshadowed by tragedy when their 16-year-old son Jett died after a seizure at a Bahamas holiday home in 2009. The shock of Jett's death was followed by a legal row with an ambulance driver and lawyer who were accused of trying to extort $25million from the couple by threatening to reveal sensitive details about the death. HOUSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Midstream industry veterans Rance Fromme, Rick Adams and William Brod today announced the formation of Tivoli Midstream ("Tivoli"), which brings together 70 years of combined terminal, midstream, logistics, chemical and energy experience. Tivoli is backed by an equity commitment from its partner, Energy Spectrum Capital ("Energy Spectrum"), to support growth and provide working capital. Tivoli will seek to acquire, construct, manage and optimize strategic terminals and storage logistics in superior hub locations. Management has significant operations experience in overseeing marine terminals, production plant logistics and handling more than 200 different chemical products, refined products, crude oil, renewable products and dry-bulk commodities. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tivoli maintains close proximity to refineries and chemical plants in the gulf coast region. "Despite the pandemic and volatile commodities markets, we believe there are significant opportunities to build and manage a portfolio of storage and terminal assets," said Fromme. "Tivoli was formed to fill this need in the market and brings an exceptional record of safety and commitment to the industry and its customer partners." "This is a tremendous opportunity for Energy Spectrum to partner with an industry leading management team," commented Mike Mayon, Partner at Energy Spectrum. "The Tivoli team is a proven operator of storage and terminal assets with a superior safety record. We look forward to building a world-class logistics services company with Rance and his team." Fromme brings more than 21 years of proven management and operations experience in the midstream and petrochemical industry. Previously, he held senior positions with The Dow Chemical Company and Oiltanking in the United States and internationally. As president and CEO of Oiltanking North America, he led the successful growth of the North American business and focused on improving health, safety and environmental (HSE) and operational performance. Joining Fromme, Tivoli's management team consists of the following: Bill Brod , Chief Financial Officer , a certified public accountant with 30 years of experience in the energy and power sectors. , , a certified public accountant with 30 years of experience in the energy and power sectors. Rick Adams , Chief Commercial Officer, a seasoned commercial and operations executive with more than 20 years of industry expertise. He is responsible for establishing commercial relationships and providing market intelligence to drive growth initiatives. Tivoli serves major refining, chemical and trading companies through its core service offerings. The company's headquarters is located at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77019. For inquiries, please contact [email protected] . About Energy Spectrum Capital Founded in 1995, Energy Spectrum Capital is a Dallas-based private equity firm that makes direct investments in well-managed lower middle market companies that acquire, develop and operate energy infrastructure assets in the United States and Canada. Since its inception, the firm has raised more than $4.5 billion of equity capital and has sponsored 64 portfolio companies to date. For more information, please visit www.EnergySpectrum.com . About Tivoli Midstream Tivoli Midstream is a growth-oriented midstream company focused on optimizing oil, gas and petrochemical logistics solutions for corporate clients. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit: www.tivolimidstream.com Media Contact: David Wells or Nick Rust Prosek Partners 212-279-3115 [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Tivoli Midstream Related Links https://tivolimidstream.com The Armenia government hopes to significantly reduce the daily number of new coronavirus cases by September and reopen schools as a result, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian. Speaking in the parliament on Monday, Avinian said Armenias COVID-19 infection rate has already fallen in recent weeks thanks to more people wearing face masks in public and practicing social distancing. In case this trend continues, it is projected that we will have 140 new infections a day in early September, he said during a parliament session that discussed the governments decision to extend the coronavirus-related state of emergency in Armenia by another month. But he also cautioned: The projections are very tentative and do not mean that the downward trend will necessarily continue because there are many factors at play. The daily number of COVID-19 cases registered by the Armenian health authorities has averaged between 500 and 600 for the past month after growing steadily since mid-April. The authorities have reported a total of 32,490 cases and 581 deaths caused by the virus as of Tuesday morning. The official toll does not include the deaths of 184 other people also infected with the disease. The Armenian Ministry of Health says that they died primarily because of other, pre-existing conditions. Avinian said that the government would have re-imposed a nationwide lockdown had the spread of the virus continued unabated this summer. The government now hopes that it will be safe enough for schools, theaters and other cultural institutions to reopen their doors this autumn, he said. Liana Torosian, a senior official from the Armenian National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, likewise spoke on Tuesday of a certain stabilization of the coronavirus situation in the country. If this trend continues we will have satisfactory results in September, Torosian told RFE/RLs Armenian service. But lets wait and see how the situation develops and whether we all will be following the safety rules. WASHINGTON, D.C.It's been a long time coming, but it appears as though Strike 3 Holdings, which owns the rights to online content from Greg Lansky-created websites such as Vixen.com and Tushy.com, may be overcoming some federal judges' prejudice against allowing the company to press its battle with content pirates. The latest example: U.S. Circuit Judge Neomi Raoa Trump appointeewriting for a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Appeals Court, overturned a ruling last year from District Court Judge Royce C. Lambert, who refused to grant Strike 3 a subpoena to discover the identity of a pirate so far identified only as "John Doe." The ruling, which was announced yesterday, comes on the heels of yet another federal court victory for the company, in which U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman of the District of New Jersey overturned a federal magistrate's ruling that Strike 3 could not obtain subpoenas for the identities of 13 content pirates. The new ruling particularly took Judge Lamberth to task for discriminating against the company by noting that he felt that the "aberrantly salacious nature" of Strike 3's content was unworthy of legal protection. He termed the company's 3,000+ anti-piracy lawsuits a "high-tech shakedown," suggesting that the judge believed that protection for some copyrighted material is not worth the federal courts' time. "Armed with hundreds of cut-and-pasted complaints and boilerplate discovery motions, Strike 3 floods this courthouse (and others around the country) with lawsuits smacking of extortion," Judge Lamberth wrote back in 2019. "It treats this court not as a citadel of justice, but as an ATM. Its feigned desire for legal process masks what it really seeks: for the court to oversee a high-tech shakedown. This court declines." But the D.C. Circuit panel had a different view of whom the law is supposed to serve. "The protections afforded by copyright law do not turn on a copyright holder's popularity or perceived respectability," Judge Rao wrote in the panel's opinion. "The district court abused its discretion by factoring the pornographic content of Strike 3's films into its decision. "The district court was required to assume the truth of Strike 3's factual allegations and draw all reasonable inferences in its favor," she later added. "It failed to do so. "Instead, the court went outside the record to conduct an in-depth review of Strike 3's publicly available court filings, and relied on this research to conclude that Strike 3 is engaged in a pattern of coercive litigation designed to extract shame settlements rather than identify actual infringers. The facts before the district court did not support these conclusions." The panel made it clear that subpoenas such as the one denied by Judge Lamberth are the only way for Strike 3 to identify the persons illegally uploading its material. "This appeal concerns a typical infringement lawsuit filed by Strike 3," Judge Rao wrote. "Using the technology described above, Strike 3s investigators recorded IP address 73.180.154.14 illegally distributing Strike 3s films via the BitTorrent network on twenty-two separate occasions over the course of approximately one year. Strike 3 determined that this IP address is registered to a subscriber located in the District of Columbia. In June 2018, the company filed a complaint against the IP address subscriber in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Because Internet service providers are the only entities that can link an IP address to its subscriber, Strike 3 could not serve its complaint without first subpoenaing the subscribers ISP, Comcast, for information identifying the anonymous defendant. Accordingly, the company also filed a Rule 26(d)(1) motion seeking leave to subpoena Comcast for records identifying the John Doe IP address subscriber. ... Strike 3 further averred that it limits infringement lawsuits to 'strong cases against extreme infringers' who 'not only engage in illegal downloading, but are also large scale unauthorized distributors of Strike 3s content.'" Judge Rao also noted that Judge Lamberth had characterized Strike 3 as "a 'copyright troll' that has 'flood[ed]' district courts around the country with thousands of lawsuits 'smacking of extortion,' and declared that it would not indulge Strike 3s 'feigned desire for legal process' by 'oversee[ing] a high-tech shakedown.' ... In this case, Strike 3 contends that the district court abused its discretion by relying heavily on the companys litigation history and the content of its films rather than the relevant legal standards under Rule 26 and Rule 12(b)(6). We agree." The D.C. Circuit panel's decision is a stunning victory for Strike 3, coming as it does so soon after similar victory in New Jersey earlier this month. "Our company has an amazing team that works hard to produce and create highly desired content that not only enjoys a large subscriber base, but is subject to massive online theft," one of Strike 3's attorneys told Bill Donahue of Law360.com, adding that the company is "very grateful of the Court's time and consideration with our case." With these two legal wins under its belt, Strike 3 should be in a much better position to press its legal claims in federal courts in other jurisdictions. To read Judge Rao's opinion in this matter, click here. Image by Sang Hyun Cho from Pixabay China to slap sanctions on Lockheed Martin over Taiwan arms sale Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 10:33 AM China says it will slap sanctions on major US military contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. in response to a deal to sell weapons to the self-ruled Chinese territory of Taiwan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the announcement during a daily news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, urging the United States to cut military ties with Taiwan in order to avoid further harm to bilateral relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. "China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan," Zhao said. "In order to safeguard the country's interests, China has decided to take necessary steps, and put sanctions on the main contractor for this sale, Lockheed Martin," he added, without giving further details. China's announcement came after the United States approved a request from Taiwan to buy an estimated 620-million-dollar upgrade package for its Patriot missiles. The US State Department said on Friday that Lockheed Martin would be the main contractor and said the sale would not only serve US interests but strengthen Taiwan's military against "regional threats" a thinly-veiled reference to China. China had previously threatened to slap sanctions on US firms involved in arms sales to Taiwan, in retaliation against Washington's attempts to undermine Chinese national security. China has sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty, including the US. Washington, however, has long courted Taipei in an attempt to counter Beijing. The US, which has no formal diplomatic relations with Taipei by law, is the island's largest weapons supplier and an avid backer of Taiwan's secessionist president Tsai Ing-wen, causing increasing tensions with Beijing over trade and a host of other issues. Washington almost regularly makes provocative moves around the self-governed island, particularly by sailing its warships through the sensitive and strategic Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from mainland China. Zhao also described the United States as "a troublemaker" undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. He said China had never tried to build an empire in the sea, rejecting a US claim that Beijing treats the disputed region as its "maritime empire." This came after the US said it would treat Beijing's pursuit of resources in the disputed South China Sea as "illegal," ramping up support for China's rival claimants in the region. China has defended its military exercises in the South China Sea, over most of which Beijing claims sovereignty. The latest tension comes as the United States and China are at odds over a number of issues, including the coronavirus pandemic and Hong Kong. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Macedonia's Social Democrats on Thursday faced tough coalition talks after a razor-thin win over nationalist rivals, threatening political instability as the country prepares to start EU membership talks. The results of Wednesday's election traced deep fault lines in a small Balkan state that has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years. It was the first parliamentary poll since the Social Democrats added "North" to the country's name last year -- a move that ended a decades-old dispute with Greece but was highly controversial at home. With some 36 percent of the vote, the centre-left Social Democrats (SDSM) need allies to rebuild a government. Protracted coalition talks could see a leadership void at a time when coronavirus infections are surging and the country's already weak economy is headed towards a pandemic-triggered recession. "We are going into a period of hard party negotiations," said political analyst Nikola Spasov, warning of instability. According to projections by the state election commission, the Social Democrat camp was in line for 46 seats in the 120-member assembly, followed by 44 from their right-wing rivals VMRO-DPMNE. If Social Democrat leader and former premier Zoran Zaev fails to muster the necessary alliances, VMRO-DPMNE would be allowed to try. The nationalist party has been highly critical of the name deal, which opened the door to the EU in exchange for giving Greece exclusive rights to the name Macedonia for its own neighbouring region. Though VMRO-DPMNE has stopped short of calling for the deal's repeal, they have lambasted the accord as "treason". - Albanian kingmakers - The top options for junior partners are parties representing the ethnic Albanian minority, who make up around a quarter of the two million population. In third was the Democratic Union for Integrity (DUI) with some 15 seats, followed by another rival Albanian camp with 12, according to the election commission. But DUI, the traditional kingmaker, has this year demanded that its candidate be named prime minister in exchange for any alliance. Zaev has previously shot down the proposal as "blackmail". Celebrating a victory after results rolled in early Thursday, he said "our path to progress is confirmed". "The citizens went out and voted for a clear future, for unity and solidarity, for economic patriotism, for law and order," the 45-year-old said. Yet opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski insisted the vote still showed an appetite for change. "This is a hard battle and we will win together," he said, noting that his party had won more votes than the Social Democrats themselves, who were in a pre-election coalition with BESA, an ethnic Albanian party. The Social Democrats fared slightly worse than in the last poll in 2016, when they ultimately ended VMRO-DPMNE's nearly decade-long reign, a period marked by repression and corruption under now self-exiled former strongman Nikola Gruevski. Despite the progress with the EU talks, there is a perception that Zaev has "not delivered on some of the key promises, including justice reforms", said Elena Stavrevska, a political scientist at the London School of Economics. Low wages, high unemployment and widespread corruption have also been gnawing away at public faith in politics for years. "We have had enough of promises, now it is time for progress," said 70-year-old Dimitar Sumkovski, a voter in the capital Skopje. - Deadly outbreak - The elections were held to replace a caretaker government that struggled to manage the coronavirus crisis. With nearly 400 deaths, the landlocked country has the highest per capita fatality rate in the Western Balkans, according to official data. The technical government took over after Zaev stepped down six months ago following the EU's initial failure to open accession talks -- a promise Brussels had made in exchange for the name change and other reforms. The bloc later gave the green light in March, although Skopje is still waiting for a date to start formal negotiations. (HealthDay)Popular heartburn medications such as Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole) may inadvertently up your chances of catching COVID-19, new research suggests. An online survey of more than 53,000 Americans, all with a history of acid reflux, heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) found that many took a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to lower stomach acid levels. Here's the bad news: More than 6% of the respondents also said they had tested positive for COVID. So the study team compared COVID diagnoses with medication habits. The result: Those taking a PPI once a day saw their risk for contracting COVID double. Those taking a PPI twice a day saw their COVID infection risk nearly quadruple. "PPI are very effective medicines for what they do, which is block acid in the stomach," explained study author Dr. Christopher Almario. He's an assistant professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "But there's a reason we have acid in the stomachto digest food and to kill any bacteria we may ingest," Almario added. Prior research has already linked PPI-triggered drops in stomach acid levels to an increased risk for gut infections, traveler's diarrhea and food poisoning. "That's been shown time and time again," Almario said. Recent research also suggests that the coronavirus sheds in saliva, allowing it to be ingested into the stomach. And "in a significant number of patients, COVID does appear to affect the GI [gastrointestinal] system," he noted. In that light, Almario and his colleagues decided to launch their survey. The results suggest a link between PPI use and a spike in COVID risk, but they do not prove that one causes the other. There was a twist, however: Higher COVID risk was not seen among patients taking an alternative class of heartburn meds known as histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). These include Pepcid (famotidine), Axid (nizatidine) and Tagamet (cimetidine). This could have to do with the fact that "H2-blockers are for mild acid reflux symptoms," Almario noted. "They don't suppress acid as long or as strong as PPI." Also, a small new study published in the June 4 issue of Gut suggests that H2-blockers may actually help to relieve symptoms among those patients who do develop COVID. So what should heartburn patients do? The researchers stressed that more study is needed to confirm the survey findings. Meanwhile, Almario cautioned against altering drug regimens just to reduce COVID risk "because the main way to really prevent COVID is to follow good public health guidance. Which means hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing," he said. "So yes, H2-blockers are certainly an alternative option for those with relatively mild acid reflux symptoms," said Almario. "But we're not telling people to stop their PPI immediately. I prescribe them all the time when there's a good reason to do so, and it can improve a patient's quality of life. But if it's not, then perhaps this is an opportunity to take them off the medicine, or to reduce the amount taken." In fact, more is not always more when it comes to PPIs, Almario noted. "There's a fair amount of literature that shows that twice daily doesn't really give you much more bang for your buck than once daily. The higher dose can be effective in some people, but for the majority there's not much increased benefit there. So we should aim, as I do, to use the lowest effective dose possible." That thought was seconded by Dr. Andrew Chan, a spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association. "In general, I do agree that individuals should take the lowest possible doses of medications such as PPI," said Chan, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and vice chair of education and gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "However, some patients need to take their PPI twice a day to gain control of their symptoms. So it is important for each individual to weigh the risks and benefits of once-a-day versus twice-a-day dosing," he said. As for a possible link between PPIs and COVID infection risk, Chan expressed little surprise. But he advised taking a wait-and-see approach. "Based on the studies so far," said Chan, "it is definitely premature to recommend discontinuing or starting these medications in response to the pandemic." Almario and his colleagues published their findings online July 7 in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Explore further Risk for COVID-19 increased for adults taking PPIs Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Bexar County officials reported six more deaths from COVID-19 and 854 more confirmed cases Tuesday as the pandemic showed no signs of loosening its grip. The new fatalities pushed the countys death toll to 201, the fourth highest among Texas counties after Harris, Dallas and Tarrant. A top medical adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott said the states coronavirus surge is serious enough that a return to stay-home orders should be considered, at least in the hardest-hit regions. Dr. Mark McClellan said in an interview that Texas isnt meeting key requirements for a safe reopening, including a sustained decline in new infections and adequate hospital capacity. On ExpressNews.com: Refrigerated trucks on standby in San Antonio as coronavirus deaths continue Its clear that the state has not been on a sustainable course, and its worth considering a regional approach, said McClellan, a physician and economist at Duke University and a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Its so hard to stay ahead of the pandemic when its in a growth phase. McClellan said Abbotts current restrictions, including a statewide mask order and limits on large gatherings, would be enough to reverse the states trajectory if compliance was universal. But several counties have refused to enforce the mandates, citing the need to protect personal liberty. These approaches do work, but it does take everyone being in it together, McClellan said. In San Antonio, hospitals remained under severe stress, city and county officials said at their daily coronavirus briefing. Were in the worst of times right now, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said. I believe these next two weeks are going to be absolutely critical if were going to contain this ... Without your support, we are not going to get out of this. Mayor Ron Nirenberg said 36 percent of patients being admitted to local hospitals are seeking treatment for COVID-19. The mayor added that nearly 30 percent of those hospitalized with COVID-19 have no known underlying medical conditions. So people who are healthy are also very susceptible to catching this illness, and it is becoming severe, he said. Some 1,237 COVID-19 patients were in San Antonio hospitals as of Tuesday, 30 fewer than the day before. Of those, 417 were in intensive care, a decline of four during the previous 24 hours, and 260 were on ventilators, three more than the day before. That left 11 percent of staffed patient beds available in the citys civilian hospitals, up from 10 percent on Monday. On ExpressNews.com: State lawmaker presses TDCJ for answers after hundreds of inmates test positive for COVID at San Antonio jail Since the virus arrived here in March, 21,067 Bexar County residents have tested positive. So far, more than a third nearly 7,900 have recovered, while nearly 13,000 are listed as still sick by the Metropolitan Health District. Nirenberg said the six latest victims were a white woman in her 50s who died at home; a white man in his 60s who died at Methodist Hospital; a Hispanic man in his 60s who died at home; an Asian man in his 60s who died at home; a white man in his 70s who died at University Health System; and a white woman in her 80s who died at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. The virus also continued to lash Texas as a whole, with 87 more deaths and a record 10,745 new cases reported Tuesday. Thats up from the previous record of 10,351 new cases in a single day reported on July 11. The number of deaths did not come close to the states record high of 105 deaths in a 24-hour period reported on July 9. The coronavirus is pushing Texas hospitals to the limit. A total of 10,569 people who tested positive for the virus remained hospitalized in Texas on Tuesday, the highest number reported since the pandemic began. Only 949 intensive care unit beds were available statewide, while 5,051 ventilators remained unused. Since the states first cases were confirmed March 6, more than 275,000 Texans have tested positive. An estimated 142,398 Texans have recovered, while 129,338 still have what the state considers active cases. The states death toll stands at 3,322. On ExpressNews.com: Refrigerated trucks on standby in San Antonio as coronavirus deaths continue Comal County officials reported 67 new COVID-19 infections Tuesday, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 1,349. Almost three-quarters of patients who have tested positive in Comal live in the New Braunfels area. The countys death toll stands at 29, with no new deaths reported Tuesday. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized declined slightly from 52 to 49. The largest share of Comal County residents testing positive are between 19 and 29 years old. Of the 67 new cases announced Tuesday, half involved patients younger than 30 years old, including a baby not yet a year old. Comal Countys positivity rate the percentage of tests positive for COVID-19 continues to climb. As of Tuesday, 15.4 percent of the 8,739 people tested had positive results up from 12.6 percent a week ago. Residents wishing to be tested can call Comal Countys hotline at 830-221-1120 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. In Guadalupe County, 667 residents have tested positive for COVID, while results are still pending for an additional 470 cases. Among those confirmed to have the virus, 408 patients have recovered, while 259 still have active cases. The countys death toll stands at three. Some 38 COVID patients are hospitalized at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center in Seguin. Some of them came from outside Guadalupe County, according to the countys office of emergency management. In Atascosa County south of San Antonio, 322 cases of COVID have been reported since the pandemic began. Two-thirds of them remained active Tuesday, while the remaining third of patients 113 in all have recovered. Staff writer Jeremy Blackman contributed to this story. pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare Peggy OHare covers demographics, the census and occasionally crime and general assignment stories in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Peggy, become a subscriber. pohare@express-news.net | Twitter: @Peggy_OHare A former staffer at a veterans hospital in West Virginia pleaded guilty Tuesday to intentionally killing seven patients with fatal doses of insulin, capping a sweeping federal investigation into a series of mysterious deaths at the medical center. Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, was charged with seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with the intent to commit murder of an eighth person. She faces life sentences for each murder. At a plea hearing, Mays, 46, admitted to purposely killing the veterans, injecting them with unprescribed insulin while she worked overnight shifts at the hospital in northern West Virginia between 2017 and 2018. Her voice cracked throughout the hearing as she answered a judge's questions. She shook and appeared to weep as details of the charges were read aloud. U.S. Attorney Bill Powell told reporters that Mays' motive is still unclear, saying that authorities did not receive a "satisfactory response" to questions about the reasoning behind her actions. Ukraine has called on OSCE participating states to respond to the killing by Russian occupation forces of a Ukrainian combat medic during an evacuation operation in Donbas, which constitutes a war crime, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna Ihor Lossovskyi has said. He said this at a joint meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council on hybrid wars and modern warfare in Vienna on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "We would like to draw your attention to one of the latest practical examples of the hybrid aggression accompanied by arrogant deceit, cruel betrayal and gross violation of the agreements reached on the elementary rules of honest warfare by the Russian Federation in Donbas. It happened on July 13, 2020, when, at the request of the Ukrainian side of the JCCC with coordination of the OSCE SMM, the safe evacuation of the dead body of a serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces located in the area of the settlement of Zaitseve (Zhovanka), Bakhmut district of Donetsk region, was planned by the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Lossovskyi said. He said that Ukrainian servicemen had previously received security guarantees from the Russian occupation forces and an obligation to cease fire in the area of Zaitseve (Zhovanka) between 14:00 and 18:00 Kyiv time on July 13. "However, during the evacuation of the body of the killed Ukrainian serviceman, an unarmed evacuation group, consisting of representatives of the JCCC with the corresponding white 'JCCC' signs, was ambushed by the armed formations of the Russian occupation forces," the diplomat said. He informed foreign diplomats that representatives of the Russian armed formations had opened fire on the evacuation group. As a result, a medic was killed and two other servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were wounded in the attack. The medic's body also remained in territory not controlled by the Ukrainian government and had to be evacuated. "This murder has all the hallmarks of a war crime," Lossovskyi said. The Ukrainian delegation also showed photos from the scene of the insidious murder of the medic and the wounding of two other servicemen during an evacuation operation agreed with the Russian side. "Ukraine strongly condemns the barbaric behavior of the Russian military and demands immediate explanations, an international investigation and fair punishment for those responsible for the death of unarmed Ukrainian citizens. We also call on our partners and OSCE participating states to condemn yet another case of gross violation by Russia of elementary norms of civilized international behavior," Lossovskyi said. "It is absolutely obvious that representatives of the Russian occupation forces have blatantly violated the Minsk agreements, continue the insidious practice of systematic non-compliance with and violation of the security guarantees provided," he added. op Political tensions between the Islamist Ennahda Party and the opposition in Tunisia are growing It has become crystal clear over recent weeks that Tunisia is now witnessing a new political crisis. The Islamist Ennahda Party, opposition MPs, President Kais Saied and Prime Minister Elyes Al-Fakhfakh are all parties to it, with the latter three, though representing different political forces across Tunisias political spectrum, being increasingly dissatisfied with the way in which Ennahda wants to direct the countrys foreign and domestic policies. The latest sign of a clash came late on Tuesday as Ennahda said it will seek a vote of no confidence against Al-Fafhfakh. This came in response to Al-Fakhfakh's announcement on Monday that he would reshuffle the cabinet against the will of Ennahda, the largest political force in the North African countrys 217-seat parliament with 52 seats, which then called for consultations over selecting a new head of government. But President Kais Saied wants no consultations as long as the prime minister remains in power. As both Saied and Al-Fakhfakh relied on Ennahdas support to gain office, the causes of the disagreement need to be explained. According to Mahmoud Al-May, a member of Tunisias constituent assembly that wrote the countrys new constitution after the 2011 Jasmine Revolution, Ennahda has been trying to take advantage of Al-Fakhfakhs issues about an alleged conflict of interest to pressure him to include the Qalb Tounis Party in the government, which would need 109 votes in parliament. The countrys learning democracy is about blocking certain issues. Tunisians disagree on almost everything, but they agree on one thing: blocking the road to dictatorship, Al-May said. There is no corruption investigation hanging over Al-Fakhfakh, but he is suspected of a conflict of interest, which is not a penal issue. An independent MP published documents in June that showed that Al-Fakhfakh owned shares in companies that were awarded state contracts worth $15 million. Some MPs want Al-Fakhfakh to resign as a result, while others have unsuccessfully attempted to stage a vote of no confidence against him. The prime minister, addressing parliament, said he would resign if he was proven guilty, but he also claimed that he no longer owned shares in the companies. Al-Fakhfakh, a former finance minister, joined the Ettakatol Party after Tunisias 2011 Revolution. Ettakatol was then an ally of Ennahda. Ennahda claims that the ruling coalition, which it has backed in the past, must now expand to include more parties, claiming the need for a better balance between the government and parliament. Qalb Tounes, a political force that has 29 MPs, is one party that Ennahda wants to include in government. Local and foreign media outlets have reported that such a step would mean less involvement for anti-Ennahda forces in government, including the Tahya Tounes Party that has 14 MPs and the Al-Shaab Party with 15. Saied and the opposition parties oppose including Qalb Tounes in government as its leader and former presidential candidate Nabil Karoui has corruption allegations against him. For Sarah Yerkes, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, disagreements between Ennahdas leader Rached Al-Ghannouchi and the opposition started from day one. He has seemed to have soured his relationship with President Saied, so he has few allies right now. The momentum has been building over Al-Ghannouchis dealings with Turkey, and now even some members of Ennahda seem to want him gone, so I would not be surprised if they succeed in removing him, Yerkes said. She explained that the two main reasons for the disagreement were the relationship with Turkey and consequently threats to Tunisias neutrality in Libya and Al-Ghannouchis interference in foreign policy, the realm of the president and what some perceive as a power grab. A similar argument was made by Nader Hashemi, director of the University of Denvers Centre for Middle East Studies in the US, who believes that Tunisia is being destabilised by events next door in Libya. Different political parties in Tunisia are sympathetic to different sides of the Libyan conflict, he said. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya is backed by Turkish troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries in its war against Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA), which enjoys the support of Egypt, Russia and the UAE. One example of the implications of the Libyan conflict on Tunisia emerged during Saieds Paris visit in June. At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron said that we wont tolerate the role that Turkey is playing in Libya, and according to a report in the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat Tunisian opposition MPs accused Ennahda, which reportedly has a pro-GNA stance, of mobilising its supporters in front of the Tunisian Embassy in Paris. The protesters raised anti-Saied slogans and slammed his economic policies. The Tunisian opposition is also escalating its actions against Ennahda. Parliamentary sources in Tunisia, the satellite TV channel Al-Arabiya reported on Sunday, said that political forces were fed up with Al-Ghannouchis suspicious moves and practices, including his attempt to implement the Muslim Brotherhood agenda in Tunisia, and accusing him of seeking to expand his authority by disregarding the president. These forces are willing to hold a vote of no confidence against Al-Ghannouchi, believing that a conflict of interest exists between Al-Ghannouchis roles as Ennahdas leader and speaker of the parliament. They include the Al-Kotla Al-Democrateya Party (40 MPs), Tahya Tounes, Al-Islah Al-Watani (15), Al-Kotla Al-Wataneya (nine) and the Free Destourian Party (17). Experts with connections to Ennahda are optimistic about the Islamist Partys political future, however. Among them is Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy, a think tank, who believes that passing a no-confidence vote is possible, but unlikely. Masmoudi said the main blocs against Al-Ghannouchi were unlikely to get the 109 votes needed to remove him. Masmoudi wants Al-Fakhfakh to either resign or recluse himself as the conflict of interest charges against him are very serious. I dont think his government can continue for much longer, especially since the case was referred to the courts. The problem is that forming a new government will not be easy and will take several months and possibly lead to early elections, he said. This is not the first time that Ennahda, one of Tunisias major political parties after the 2011 Revolution, has got into a battle with the opposition blocs. In 2013, after talks sponsored by the Tunisian General Labour Union, the then Ennahda government agreed to step down and hand power to an interim government until new elections could take place. The assassination of two opposition leaders, Choukri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi, at the time had produced a crisis that only ended with talks and a political agreement. Arnaud Kurze, an associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University and a Woodrow Wilson Centre global fellow in the US, said that while Ennahda has finally managed to get a seat at the political table, Al-Ghannouchi is still seeking to buttress his forces inside the government and weaken others, including Al-Shaab and Tahya Tounes. While the Islamist Partys leadership is positioning itself during this scandal-filled imbroglio to gain political points, Saieds role is more delicate. As an elected and socially conservative former constitutional lawyer, the role of guardian and arbiter suits him well, but it comes at a considerable risk. If he fails to convey the image of an unbiased leader, the political consequences could be damaging, as they would come at the cost of his political legitimacy, Kurze said. But he highlighted the fact that the opposition is not necessarily united, adding that the countrys health minister had struck a more conciliatory tone and urged leaders from both sides to find a consensus. It remains to be seen whether Tunisias mercurial politics will boil over in the days and weeks to come, or whether technocratic forces within the institutional structures will be able to soothe the political tensions and avert a government crisis that will further destabilise an already fragile institutional framework weakened by the effects of the Covid-19 crisis and a global economic downturn, he concluded. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. The article's electronic version was updated by Ahram Online on Wednesday, 15 July, 2020. Search Keywords: Short link: Toby Antony By Express News Service KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a hunt for Kaipamangalam native Faisal Fareed, one of the accused in the gold smuggling case. Source said NIA was in touch with agencies in the UAE both sides maintain good ties with each other to put Faisal under surveillance. Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs are already in touch with the authorities concerned in the UAE to extend the probe to inspect the operations of the racket there. The agencies there are tracking him to prevent him from absconding, said a source. Faisal is said to have sent the now-seized consignment of 30kg gold that was addressed to a UAE diplomat in Thiruvananthapuram. In his statement to the Customs officers, first accused Sarith P S had divulged details about Faisal and his involvement in the case. The NIA has also collected information from Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, who are currently in its custody. Swapna and Sandeep know Faisal well and have met him in Dubai before. There are more persons in the UAE involved in the network of illegally supplying gold to the gang, sources said. The NIA court in Kochi on Tuesday also issued an open-end non-bailable arrest warrant against Faisal. Unlike normal warrants, open-end warrants have no expiry date. NIA will also issue a lookout notice against Faisal and has requested the Interpol to issue a Blue-Corner notice against him. NIA also moved the court with a plea to serve a production warrant to produce Sarith before the court. The Customs custody of Sarith ends on Wednesday. The NIA also filed a petition seeking permission to open the bag, which was recovered from Sandeep and handed over to the court, in the courts presence. Canada geese are now well established in Europe, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. They also damage farmland and have been involved in a number of bird strikes. Credit: Tom Koerner/USFWS (CC BY 2.0) flic.kr/p/HRBQXq An increase of 20 to 30 per cent of invasive non-native (alien) species would lead to dramatic future biodiversity loss worldwide. This is the conclusion of a study by an international team of researchers led by Franz Essl and Bernd Lenzner from the University of Vienna. It has been published in the journal Global Change Biology. Human activities intentionally and unintentionally introduce more and more plant and animal species to new regions of the worldfor example, via commodity transport or tourism. Some of these alien species have negative consequences for biodiversity and humans well-being, for example by displacing native species or transmitting diseases. However, while we have relatively good information on the historical spread of alien species, there is still little knowledge about their future development. "At the moment it is not yet possible to generate precise predictions based on computer models as to how the spread and impact of alien species will change in the future. Therefore, expert assessments via standardised surveys are an important tool to obtain a better understanding of the causes and consequences of the spread and impact of alien species for the coming decades," says Franz Essl. The study shows that an increase of 20 to 30 per cent in the number of newly introduced alien species is considered sufficient to cause massive global biodiversity lossa value that is likely to be reached soon, as the number of introduced species is constantly increasing. Climate change and trade drive increase Furthermore, humans are the main driver of the future spread of alien species. The experts identify three main reasons, primarily the increasing global transport of goods, followed by climate change and then the impacts of economic development such as energy consumption and land use. The study also shows that the spread of alien species can be greatly slowed down by ambitious countermeasures. The researchers additionally investigated the influence of the increase of alien species on different regions of the world: For example, tourism is a major driver of biological invasions in tropical and subtropical regions, while climate change favours the survival and establishment of alien species in the future, especially in polar and temperate regions. "Our study illustrates the option space we currently have to reduce the future impacts of alien species," says Bernd Lenzner. "The results form an important scientific basis for the further development of international agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals or the Convention on Biological Diversity. This way we will be able to reduce the negative impacts of alien species on global biodiversity and our society." The study involved 38 researchers from across Europe, North and South America, New Zealand and South Africa. Helen Roy of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, one of the co-authors, says: "There has been a rapid escalation in the number of non-native species being transported and introduced by humans around the world; the adverse effects of some of these so called invasive non-native species on biodiversity and ecosystems has been extensively documented. "It is now critical that we work collaboratively to predict future patterns so that we can inform appropriate action going forwardsuch as improved biosecurity to prevent further introductions of the most damaging invasive non-native species." Explore further Protected areas worldwide at risk of invasive species More information: Franz Essl et al, Drivers of future alien species impacts: An expertbased assessment, Global Change Biology (2020). Journal information: Global Change Biology Franz Essl et al, Drivers of future alien species impacts: An expertbased assessment,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15199 Provided by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina A. Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 08:23 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666544d1 1 City COVID-19,COVID-19-Jakarta,Greater-Jakarta,commuter,commuter-line,commuter-trains,commuting-in-Greater-Jakarta,Greater-Jakarta-commuters,Greater-Jakarta-Transportation-Authority,BPTJ-Greater-Jakarta-Transportation-Body Free The Transportation Ministry's Greater Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ) is planning to provide a fleet of intercity buses to transport commuters from Bogor, West Java, to Jakarta as an alternative to Commuter Line trains. BPTJ head Polana B. Pramesti said that the new intercity buses were aimed at reducing crowding in train stations. "We have deployed free buses for Commuter Line passengers since May 15 to reduce passenger volume at train stations, however it cant be a permanent solution," Polana said in a statement. "After the launch of the free bus services, we've said that if the demand consistently grows, we could launch a regular bus service [for the routes]. Since the Jakarta administration started easing the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to curb the COVID-19 outbreak, large numbers of residents in Jakarta and surrounding areas have begun flocking to the commuter train service again, creating long queues and packing train stations. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the train operator has limited the capacity of each train to only 35 to 45 percent to ensure passengers can maintain physical distancing. The BPTJ has cooperated with the Transportation Ministry and the Jakarta administration to deploy free buses for commuters living in the satellite cities of Bogor, Depok and Bekasi in West Java and Tangerang in Banten to reduce long queues and crowding in train stations. Read also: Commuter line sees surge in passengers as 'new normal' begins On Monday, 77 out of 170 free buses provided by the BPTJ transported 1,112 passengers from Bogor and Bekasi. Polana said the BPTJ aimed to launch the new bus service, dubbed the Greater Jakarta Residential Connexion or JR Conn, in August. "JR Conn will be a point-to-point bus service, so instead of deploying from bus terminals, the buses will deploy from bus stops near residential areas to avoid crowding at bus stops or terminals, she said. She explained that the BPTJ would still limit the buses to 50 percent of capacity to ensure passengers could maintain physical distancing. "Passengers will be required to wear face masks, and their temperatures will be checked prior to entering the buses. We will also regularly clean the buses with disinfectant," she said. Polana also urged commuters who could work from home to continue doing so as it would be hard for transportation operators to implement proper health protocols if the number of passengers using their services was still the same as prior to the pandemic. "The World Health Organization has stated that public transportation is one of the potential factors for COVID-19 transmission. So, we are trying really hard to prevent public transportation in Greater Jakarta from becoming a transmission source, she said. However, thats very hard to do without the public's help. Three media workers have died due to coronavirus and dozens in cities across Indonesia have tested positive to the virus. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia in urging media outlets and workers to implement safety protocols during the pandemic. An Indonesian medical worker poses with a swab sample to be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Surabaya on May 4, 2020. Credit:Juni Kriswanto/AFP A chief editor of an online media outlet in Bali died on July 2 after having contracted Covid-19. He received treatment at a hospital after experiencing a high fever. Around 56 journalists who had contact with the chief editor along with those who attended his cremation were tested for the deadly virus. In Surabaya, East Java, two media workers at public television broadcaster, TVRI, died on July 11 and July 12 due to Covid-19. The spread of the virus led the TVRI Surabaya office to cease operations for 15 days. TVRI Surabaya will relay the content from its headquarters in Jakarta. On July 9, TVRI Surabaya offered rapid tests to around 180 media workers. The entire office building was also sprayed with disinfectant. Surabaya, Indonesias second largest city, has become an epicentre of the coronavirus with journalists among the thousands contracting the virus. At national radio station RRI, 60 media workers have tested positive. The radio station temporarily closed its Surabaya office and, starting on June 27, will only relay programs from RRI Jakarta. Initially the RRI Surabaya cluster was not made public, a move that was criticised by epidemiologist as hindering efforts to control the spread of Covid-19. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, a journalist was hospitalised after testing positive to Covid-19. AJI has reiterated its earlier calls to media companies, sources and government institutions to follow protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of journalists. AJI implores media companies to protect workers and provide adequate protective equipment. Management should also allow employees to work from home. In the field, journalists must wear masks, bring hand sanitisers and maintain physical distancing. AJI also warns the government to take preventive measurements to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Sources also need to cut its gathering, including face-to-face press conferences to reduce the risk for journalists, AJI added. The IFJ said: In every workplace, safety should be a priority. Media workers should take necessary precautions and not risk their life or their safety. During a health pandemic, access to accurate and timely information is vital. For journalists to do their jobs properly, IFJ urges media companies to implement comprehensive safety protocols to protect the employees. GREENWICH A group of protesters made a trip to Greenwich on Wednesday for a drive-through rally to condemn an executive whose company until recently manufactured tear gas and other chemical forms of crowd control. About 50 vehicles and a similar number of protesters affiliated with the Service Employees International Union staged the demonstration on Dairy Lane by honking horns, waving signs and chanting slogans. The protest targeted Warren Kanders, a businessman who recently divested his company of a division that produces tear gas and other chemical agents used by the military and law enforcement. That company, Safariland, also manufactures other equipment for the public safety sector. Kanders did not return a message left at his Stamford office. The parade of vehicles in backcountry Greenwich drew protesters from around the state. SEIU staged an earlier protest in May, stopping at the homes of wealthy Greenwich residents, to highlight what they said are inequities in the health-care system that put working people at risk in the current coronavirus pandemic. That message was also broadcast Wednesday, along with a criticism of law-enforcement tactics such as tear gas, rubber bullets and metal batons that demonstrators said are used disproportionately against minorities, particularly during the recent protests over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Researchers traced the Safariland company products to riot-control measures in Ferguson, Mo., and elsewhere. Black and brown people are suffering because of these products, said Alicia Strong, a resident of New Britain. In a theatrical gesture, one woman was dressed in a black robe as the grim reaper and carried a black scythe. Demonstrators left a symbolic bill that they said Kanders owed to the public. The large number of cars assembled at a commuter lot in Stamford before making the drive to the home in backcountry Greenwich. Kanders issued the following statement in June: Our safety and survivability products have taken two forms, passive defensive protection such as body armor, bomb suits, and safety holsters. This divestiture removes the active component and allows Safariland to focus on passive defensive protection. As we look to the future, Safariland will continue to support public safety professionals in all lines of service as they risk their lives daily to keep the public safe. First responders - including police, fire, EMT, domestic abuse, and drug and addiction intervention counselors - take immeasurable risk each day when they report to work. Safariland will always support them. Kanders has previously come under criticism for the tear-gas business, and he stepped down from the board of the Whitney Museum in New York City in July 2019 after months of protest. The issue arose after news reports demonstrated that Safarilands tear-gas canisters had been deployed against migrants at the United States-Mexico border and elsewhere during street protests. A patron of the arts, Kanders has donated substantial sums to the Whitney Museum, as well as Brown University in Rhode Island. Protesters also targeted his residence in lower Manhattan earlier this year. Several police units were on the scene of Wednesdays protest. The 15-minute demonstration concluded without any incidents. The SEIU represents a range of service workers, including custodians, nursing-home workers, prison workers and school bus drivers as well as day-care workers. Activists in 2017 also ran buses into Greenwich in a protest they called the Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless tour. The town has often drawn demonstrators and protesters due to its prominent status as a fashionable and wealthy community. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com Sanction has been accorded to a trial by the Indian Council of Medical Research's Tuberculosis institute here to study the efficacy of BCG vaccine in the elderly in the fight against COVID-19, the government said on Wednesday. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, in an order, has given the State's approval after ICMR sought Tamil Nadu government's permission to study the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccine in senior citizens at its National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) at Chetpet here,Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said. "The ICMR's tuberculosis institute is set to begin the trial very soon," he said in a statement. He hoped that vaccinating the elderly with the time tested BCG would help reduce the intensity of COVID-19, admissions at hospitals and mortality rates. Describing the state's approval by Palaniswami for a trial here as among measures to protect people's welfare during the ongoing fight against COVID-19, Vijayabaskar said anti-viral measures will further be stepped up. The NIRT under the ICMR is an internationally recognised institution for TB research. Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: Amid the recent political crisis in Rajasthan, Jharkhand state Congress president Rameshwar Oraon alleged that BJP is also trying to lure its MLAs with the intention to topple the state government. He, however, claimed that the BJP would not be able to succeed in its intentions as all the MLAs are loyal. Time and again, BJP has proved that it does not believe in democratic values. Now, it is trying to topple elected governments in the States. First, they did it in Karnataka, then Madhya Pradesh and now trying to topple the Government in Rajasthan. In Jharkhand also, they are trying their level best as I have been informed by different sources, said Oraon. Reacting on the allegations made by Oraon, State BJP chief Deepak Prakash said that Congress has lost faith on its own MLAs due to which it is making allegations to gather cheap publicity. It is an attempt to misguide the people of this state as Hemant Soren Government has completely failed in controlling coronavirus pandemic in the State, he said. Since the State Government has failed on all fronts, the alliance partners are trying to misguide the people of this State by making such allegations. It appears that Congress has lost faith on its MLAs, said the State BJP Chief. Congress ministers are more concerned about themselves than the problems being faced by the people in this State, he added. Oraon had claimed that similar attempts were made during 2020 Rajya Sabha elections, but Congress MLAs outrightly turned down the offers made by BJP. Congress sources, however, informed that they are keeping a close eye on each of the MLAs as BJP is targeting newly elected legislators. (Newser) Nearly 90 people were arrested Tuesday evening outside a home co-owned by the Kentucky attorney general after holding what organizers deemed a "call to action seeking justice" for Breonna Taylor. WDRB reports that protesters with the social justice group Until Freedom converged at around 4:30pm upon the lawn of AG Daniel Cameron's house in the St. Matthews suburb of Louisville, with some of the demonstrators said to have come from as far as Atlanta and New York. The organizers put up video on Facebook showing the protest as it took place, per the Lexington Herald-Leader. By 5pm, the cops had shown up, and by 6pm, protesters were seen lined up by police, waiting to be taken to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. story continues below Cameron's office and the FBI have been investigating the March shooting death of Taylor, 26, by Louisville police, who were executing a no-knock warrant at her home. One of the three officers involved has been fired; the other two are still employed by the department. In a statement issued later Tuesday night, Cameron insisted the ongoing probe into Taylor's death was "thorough and fair," and that protesters were just trying to "escalate" things. "That is not acceptable and only serves to further division and tension within our community," he said. The 87 protesters who didn't leave after a warning were charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, and intimidating a participant in a legal process. Many were later released on their own recognizance, with October hearings set, per the Courier Journal. The paper lists Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills and Porsha Williams of Real Housewives of Atlanta as being among those arrested. (Read more Kentucky stories.) A mother who was jailed after leading police on a 232km/h chase has an AVO taken out against her by her ex-husband. Margarita Tomovska, who calls herself 'Mercedes Mum' online, was released on parole in February after being sentenced to 18 months jail for leading police in Wollongong, NSW, on a 230km/hr chase with an unrestrained three-year-old in the back seat. Now, five months after her releaseTomovska's ex-husband Tony Solomon has taken out an AVO against her. Five months after being released on parole for leading police on a pursuit that reached speeds of 232km/h Sydney mother Margarita Tomovska's ex husband has filed an AVO against her Tomovska will appear before the Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday. The submission by Mr Solomon does not indicate any criminal wrong doing by Tomovska, The Daily Telegraph reported. The mother-of-one was jailed for 18 months in late 2019 before being paroled in February. During her sentencing Judge Andrew Haesler reduced her nine month non-parole period to four months, despite saying it was 'not deserved'. Tomovska was jailed after leading police on the high-speed chase in her Mercedes AMG (pictured) in 2018 before being jailed in late 2019 and paroled in February 'So serious was that crime that I do not believe the community would appreciate or understand such leniency being extended and frankly, it is not deserved,' Judge Haesler said, The Daily Telegraph reported. 'That said the purpose of sentencing can be served by both the non-parole period and the head sentence.' In November Tomovska unsuccessfully appealed for her sentence to be completed under house arrest. After her release on parole the young mother told her social media followers she intends to write a book about her experience in jail. A security guard stands nearby during construction work at the Kinder Morgan tank farm, the terminus point of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, in Burnaby, B.C., on April 30, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) Double Whammy: Oil and Gas Industry Sluggish as Economy Tanks Neither fossil fuels nor public revenues are flowing very well in Canada. Reports of low investor confidence in Canadian oil and gas recently converged with news of the worst federal deficit in the countrys history. On July 8, the federal government announced its dire economic snapshot. It expects the economy to tank by 6.8 percent in 2020the greatest drop since the Great Depression. A $343 billion federal deficit will push all-time debt past $1 trillion in 2021. Two days earlier, a report from Global Energy Monitor highlighted 13 liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines that were cancelled or suspended in recent years. Among these is Warren Buffetts company Berkshire Hathaway, which in March withdrew a planned $4 billion investment in an LNG export terminal in Saguenay, Quebec. The company cited the current Canadian political context for the decision. Opportunities looked better just a few years ago, says University of Alberta economics professor Andrew Leach. There were a ton of people who put projects forward saying we want to take advantage of the spread that exists between Asian gas and North American gas, Leach said. The one exception is probably the Petronas project that ran up against regulatory roadblocks, but if you look at Asian gas prices right now, the outlook is not what it was when people started pitching those projects. In January of 2016, Malaysian company Petronas was told by the federal government that its proposed $27 billion LNG export terminal on the British Columbia coast would face an additional assessment on direct and upstream greenhouse gas emissions. The company, which had already spent $12 billion on the project, abandoned it altogether in 2017, citing prolonged depressed prices and shifts in the energy industry. University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe says provincial governments in British Columbia dating back to Liberal premier Christy Clark took too long to finalize regulations and carbon tax rates. I dont know the details of whether those delays were legitimate because of politically challenging technical issues, but my impression was that it was kind of political in that they didnt want to take the decisions that might have accelerated development of those LNG projects, he says. It was kind of a race between many facilitiesin the United States and Australia in particularto lock in those arrangements, and B.C. has missed the boat on much of it. So if we get one, that would I think be the optimistic scenario right now. Despite massive protests, construction continues on the $6.6 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline project in B.C., which will transport LNG from Dawson Creek to a $40-billion terminal being built in Kitimat. The 670-kilometre pipeline passes through Wetsuweten territory and faced a blockade by hereditary chiefs and other protestors in January. Leach says the constitutional rights of Indigenous people are a substantial hurdle that federal governments of any political stripe must face. The government cannot legislate around Section 35 in the Constitution. The declaratory power doesnt actually give the government power to get something built, he says. Everyone holds their magic wand and says Trudeau should have waved this, but nobody will ever tell you what this is. Theres no legislative trick that gets you around the Constitution. During the Harper Conservative era, the Northern Gateway pipeline project was blocked by courts due to inadequate consultation with Indigenous Peoples. Under the Trudeau Liberals, the TransMountain Pipeline expansion faced a similar setback, but was subsequently re-approved. On July 2, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal from four First Nations to block the TransMountain expansion once again. Tombe says it proves pipeline passage is possible. They brought in a former Supreme Court judge to oversee and guide that process and that one turned out to be successful, suggesting that there are routes that you can go through as long as you ensure you are taking it seriously, fully executing your responsibilities, he says. The inability for Canada to get its oil and gas overseas means the United States pays far less for it, since Canada has nowhere else to send it. Josh Nye, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, says thats less of an issue lately. Those oil price differentials have actually decreased quite a bit, so western Canadian producers are not facing the significant discounts that they saw for periods in 2018 and 2019. Thats really a reflection of pipeline capacity at this point not necessarily being an issue, he says. Still, the west is struggling to adjust. Nye expects oil-producing provinces to underperform through to the end of 2021. Western Canadian producers have had to cut production or bring forward maintenance shutdowns because oil prices are so low, and theyre facing cash flow issues because of that, he says. A report by Scotiabank in 2018 estimated that the lack of pipelines is costing the Canadian economy more than $15 billion per year. Authors Jean-Francois Perrault and Rory Johnston called this a self-inflicted wound. The sooner governments move to allow additional pipeline capacity to be built, the better off Canada will be, they wrote. LISBON (Reuters) - Talks between Portuguese and British authorities are under way ahead of the UK's reevaluation of its decision to keep Portugal off its list for coronavirus restriction-free travel, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Tuesday. "The foreign minister had a long conversation with his counterpart," Costa told a news conference. "It is very important we build a confident relationship." Last week Portugal was left off a list of more than 50 countries that Britain considers safe enough for travel without coronavirus-related restrictions, meaning holidaymakers returning from Portugal would have to quarantine for 14 days. British Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Monday the decision will be reviewed by July 27. "We have maintained permanent contact with the United Kingdom," Costa added. The exclusion will be a major deterrent for British tourists, who accounted for 2.1 million of Portugal's foreign visitors last year, and is set to hurt the country's tourism-dependent economy, especially the southern Algarve region. Over a dozen countries have imposed restrictions on travel from Portugal as a doggedly high toll of several hundred new cases per day concentrated on the outskirts of Lisbon in the past month has worried authorities. Portugal has only reported 1,629 fatalities, which it attributes to its high testing rate, though Britain has surpassed the country in terms of tests per million people, according to the worldometer.info website. (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Catarina Demony; Editing by Chris Reese and Leslie Adler) The United States on Wednesday cleared the way for sanctions on employees of telecom giant Huawei, expanding its pressure campaign on China, which summoned the US ambassador. Tensions have soared between the world's two largest economies on a growing range of fronts including Beijing's clampdown on Hong Kong, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday ending the financial hub's special trading privileges. China shows no sign of backing down on Hong Kong, but the Trump administration has rejoiced in growing success at isolating Huawei, with Britain announcing a ban on the leading Chinese company. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would restrict US visas for employees of Huawei and other Chinese firms if they are involved in human rights abuses. "Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers," Pompeo said. The United States accuses Huawei of working on the behest of Beijing and says that global security and personal data will be at risk if the company dominates development of the world's fifth-generation internet. Pompeo said that Huawei was already responsible for rights abuses by letting China snoop on dissidents and abetting Beijing's sweeping surveillance in the western region of Xinjiang, where rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are incarcerated. - US campaign in Europe - Offering affordable internet in the developing world and moving rapidly on 5G, Huawei has so far largely weathered US prohibitions and pressure -- and reported double-digit revenue growth for the first half of the year. The European Union has resisted blanket restrictions on Huawei. But British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government agreed Tuesday to a phased ban after US sanctions blocked Huawei's access to US chips. Pompeo announced that he would visit Britain as well as Denmark starting Monday and raise China. Robert O'Brien, the US national security advisor, brought up Huawei in his own talks with European counterparts in Paris, warning that the company could both spy on government secrets and sweep up vast amounts of personal data. "Europe is awakening to the threat of China," O'Brien told reporters. "Imagine how a country like China could interfere with elections if they knew everything about every single person on earth," he said. Canada in 2018 acted on a US request and arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition on charges of violating US sanctions on Iran. Huawei rejects the US campaign and has called on Washington to show more evidence to prove the risks purportedly posed by the company. - 'Gross interference' - China on Wednesday summoned the US ambassador, Terry Branstad, after Trump signed a law that paved the way for sanctions over the situation in Hong Kong. "This is gross interference in China's internal affairs and seriously violates international law and basic norms of international relations," the foreign ministry said in a statement. China also vowed retaliatory measures over Trump's signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which paves the way for sanctions against banks that do business with anyone seen as infringing on the city's autonomy. US lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the law, hoping that all but provincial Chinese banks will think twice before risking punishment in the world's largest economy. Trump also signed an executive order that instructed the US government to treat Hong Kong no differently than mainland China on trade. Beijing has pushed forward a tough security law that has sent a chill through Hong Kong, which was promised separate freedoms before Britain handed back the territory in 1997. In other recent moves, Pompeo restricted visas for Chinese officials over human rights in Xinjiang and rejected Beijing's sweeping claims in the dispute-rife South China Sea. Trump has also loudly blamed China for COVID-19, news of which was suppressed when cases first emerged in Wuhan late last year. Critics at home and abroad accuse Trump of seeking to divert attention in an election year from his response to the crisis in the United States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country. burs-sct/ft NEW HAVEN With the reopening of schools about six weeks away, the Rev. Boise Kimber wants to see the plan. Kimber, president of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association and senior pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, said at a Wednesday press conference that there has not been transparency around what will be done by school officials to protect students when schools reopen during the ongoing pandemic. Has the district been stockpiling personal protective equipment, he asked. How will social distancing protocols be implemented? Who will do the cleaning? Where is the leadership? Where is Mayor (Justin) Elicker? Where is the (school) board president? he asked. What and where is the plan? When asked about the draft plan posted on the New Haven Public Schools website, which details months of planning by the so-called Tiger Team reopening planning committee, Kimber said the plan needs to be shared more widely with the community. Were looking for the mayor of the city to give a plan, he said. Elicker said he would be sending his daughters back to school and day care in the fall because he and his wife would never ask the residents of the city to do anything they wouldnt do. He also said there are three plans that the district has come up with that each correspond to outcomes for public health data, so safety is a priority. Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey has held two virtual meetings for parents to explain the planning and answer parent questions so far, with both meetings exceeding 400 participants. Nijija-Ife Waters, president of the Citywide Parent Team, spoke at the event to say she cares less about a plan than about seeing a fighting spirit. Waters, who is on the Tiger Team, has been involved in back-to-school planning with district officials and lacks confidence in what that committee has created. Waters said she believes district officials are too deferential to state mandates, making plans that she believes are intended to lull parents into complacency. All you hear is, These are the orders coming from the state, she said. We need to stand up. The Rev. Steven Cousin of Bethel AME Church said he wants school officials to be open to partnerships with local churches to find mutually beneficial solutions. He suggested offering churches as places for students without access to the internet during instruction. We are in this together, he said. It has to be the entire community. Kimber also used the morning press conference to speak about crime in the city amid a recent uptick in violent crime, which coincides with the slashing of the Police Departments workforce. Elicker was tasked by the Board of Alders with eliminating nearly $4 million from the citys operational costs to make up for a shortfall in revenue in the approved budget. As part of those efforts, Elicker eliminated 48 positions from the Police Department this year, either by eliminating the positions or by moving against filling vacancies. Our City faces a confluence of issues that contribute to the violence, and we are working closely with our partners to address these challenges. Our community has already experienced so much loss and pain - I implore those who are involved in the violence to do the right thing and stop contributing to further loss of life, Elicker said in a statement early Wednesday morning following the citys 10th and 11th homicides of the year. Pastor John Lewis of Christ Chapel New Testament Church said the community must hold itself accountable to reduce gun violence. He said it is also a time for the city to recognize a lack of opportunities for Black people in the city compared to white people. They need work, he said of people commiting violence in the city. Aint nobody coming to rescue us. We are the rescue. Local contractor Rodney Williams said the lack of local minority hiring on the construction of the Q House is evidence that the city is not giving opportunities to Black people, which in turn perpetuates a cycle of violence. One has everything to do with the other, he said. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com Twelve directors of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been suspended. On Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, attorn... Twelve directors of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been suspended. On Tuesday, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), sent a letter to Mohammed Umar, acting EFCC chairman, notifying him of the suspension of the directors. TheCable reports that some of the directors affected by the action have been a part of the team investigating Malami, though the office of the AGF linked the exercise to the probe of Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the anti-graft agency. Malami admitted to approving the sale of oils assets seized by the EFCC, but he said the sale followed due process. Kabir Akingbolu, a human rights lawyer, had said the AGF risked five years in prison for illegally approving the auctioning of the sea vessels holding crude oil and diesel. Last week, the suspended acting EFCC chairman was arrested and marshalled before a presidential panel led by Ayo Salami, retired president of the court of appeal, probing the operations of the agency under him. He was later suspended and detained. A slew of allegations has come to the fore since his arrest. He was alleged to have purchased a property in Dubai, United Arab Emirate using a pastor as a conduit. He was also alleged to have laundered over N500 billion through a bureau-de-change in Kaduna. RACINE Below are some of the items passed by the City Council during its special meeting last Wednesday. TIDs and Horlick development agreement Last weeks special meeting of the Racine City Council primarily dealt with items related to development projects, particularly the proposed redevelopment of the former Horlick Malted Milk complex on Northwestern Avenue. Two of the agenda items, which were discussed in closed session, were a development agreement with J. Jeffers and Co. for the Horlick campus and a presentation by interim Development Director Jerry Franke on development opportunities and sites within the city. When the council reconvened in open session, the council unanimously voted to receive and file Frankes presentation and approve the Horlick development agreement. Detail of the agreement were not made available to the public. Also on the agenda were several items passed by the Planning, Heritage and Design Commission last month: the creation of two new tax increment districts, or TIDs, and the transfer of funds from two existing TIDs into the new ones. One of those new TIDs, TID 25, would help finance the Horlick project and receive funds from TID 14, which is located on the Walker Manufacturing site, 1201 Michigan Boulevard. The second new TID, TID 24, would help finance the proposed hotel and convention center that are planned to be attached to Festival Hall. Alderman Carrie Glenn of the 10th District was the sole vote in opposition to all TID-related items; the 14 other aldermen voted in support. Election funds The council also approved accepting a $940,000 grant from the nonprofit Center for Tech and Civic Life to administer a safe and secure election this fall. Racine was was one of five Wisconsin cities, along with Milwaukee, Madison, that was granted a total of $6,324,567. City Clerk Tara Coolidge and Vicky Selkowe, the citys manager of strategic initiatives and community partnerships, gave an overview of the measures that will be funded through the grant, including: $293,600 for encouraging and increasing absentee voting by mail, which Selkowe called a key strategy for keeping our residents safe in the midst of a pandemic. $337,000 for strategic voter education particularly to disenfranchised communities so they have the resources to vote this year. $181,500 to recruit poll workers. Most previous poll workers were elderly and did not feel safe, so the city would need to recruit more. They would also receive an extra $100 of hazard pay for the day, for a total of $230. $130,000 to purchase resources such as personal protective equipment and electronic poll books, which Selkowe said were key to having smooth election operations. Alderman John Tate II asked about Voter Ambassadors, which Coolidge explained would be individuals out in the community assisting people who have issues either registering or applying for absentee ballots. Coolidge said that during the last election many voters, particularly the elderly, had issues with the technology. Alderman Edwin Santiago asked about the mobile precincts, which Coolidge explained would be mobile voting stations that could move to different locations and make early satellite voting easier. They could also be deployed if a polling location has technical issues so voters could still continue to case votes. The request to accept the funds and pursue the plan of action for the election was approved unanimously. Downtown hotel delayed In other development news, the council also approved an amendment to the development agreement for the boutique hotel planned for the former Zahns building, that allowed developers to delay construction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the developer requested that the deadline to start construction be pushed back to Jan. 15, 2021. The amendment also offers another possible extension to July 15, 2021, if requested by the developer and the city determines they have, in good faith, endeavored to start construction. We have to truly believe they are trying as hard as they can and something has prevented it, said City Attorney Scott Letteney. The amendment passed unanimously. The council also approved applications from bars and restaurants to establish sidewalk cafes, waive the fees for those cafes and Amos Los Tacos application to have a few tables in front of Shoop Parking Ramp. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Opinion Article 15 July 2020 In 2004, Spa Directors from some of the most well-known facilities across the Hawaiian Islands met in Oahu to form a collaborative organization now known as the Hawaii Spa Association (www.hawaiispaassociation.com ). The Hawaii Spa Association (or Hi-Spa for short) is a non-profit entity created to elevate awareness of Hawaii's significant role in the World Leisure and Wellness Market. Advertisements By using our cooperative efforts like networking, shared ideas, and unparalleled expertise, Hi-Spa has positioned itself the go-to source for our local spa operators, vendors, and educators. HI-Spa is run by a diverse volunteer Board of Directors, each of whom are leaders for businesses that also carry a membership with us. As President, I've had the privilege to spend a lot of time with our Board over the past few months to create re-opening guidelines for association members. We've debated extensively on the different ways spa and other wellness-centered businesses will need to adjust operations to meet the demands of the "new normal." We're all in agreement that keeping our community connected and united is of the utmost importance, as the vast majority of the hospitality workforce remains furloughed or unemployed. Now that the end of our lockdown is in sight, Hi-Spa has been hosting a series of educational workshops that have included industry experts and open forums for our members. These workshops have been an incredible opportunity for us to share advice, tips, and bits of relevant information that will help our members re-open their doors while maintaining our famous "Aloha Spirit" in the world that has been forever changed. Hawaii has always been a spiritual place. Our unique host culture is saturated with a diversity of heritages that have their roots in a variety of rich philosophies. The state's natural beauty complements the spiritual nature of Hawaii's traditions, offering the perfect atmosphere for an inner pilgrimage. A vacation in the Hawaiian Islands is the opportunity to unwind, unplug, recharge and refresh, and more people than ever are seeking out wellness programming when traveling. In Hawaii, nature and healing are considered one and the same. Travelers have long sought Hawaii's curative climate, therapeutic salt-waters and even the mythic healing power of our volcanoes to restore health and balance in their lives (as stated in gohawaii.com ). Along with being unrivaled in nature, Hawaii has some of the world's best spas, with the year-round balmy weather, lavish facilities, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the host culture. Each island has its own distinct personality; what you're looking for determines where best to go. A destination spa in Hawaii, for example, will guide you on a path to developing a healthy lifestyle through relaxation, rejuvenation, lifestyle modification, education, and more. Smaller local spas entice spa-goers with indigenous treatments delivered by staff trained by the ancestors of Hawaii's ancient healers. Resort spas may combine both destination and local elements so that guests have both luxury and flexibility. No matter which spa you choose, you are assured distinctive experiences with local flair - this makes Hawaii spas very different from densely populated urban spas without cultural roots. 2020 Wellness Predictions before COVID-1 According to the Global Wellness Economy Monitor, produced by the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the worldwide wellness industry expanded 13% and estimated health and wellness travel was expected to increase 43% (to $808 billion) from 2015 to 2020. Other spa entities like American Spa Magazine, Skin Inc Magazine, Eminence Skin Care blogs and MindBody wellness trends survey predicted at the beginning of 2020 that Halotherapy (salt), Arctic Cryotherapy (cold), Virtual Reality, CBD, and Pre-flight Spa-ing (Airport spas) top the charts as what to expect at your next visit to the spa. Also, the revival of ancient remedies like guasha, the use of psychedelic plants to help achieve greater awareness, circadian health mental wellness (sleep), energy medicine, wellness sabbatical, and wellness music, were also trending to be the top trends for this year. 2020 Wellness Predictions after COVID-19 According to Forbes magazine, people post-pandemic are now more focused then before on new ways to mindfully thrive. After being through a forced halt on the busy day-to-day, the perspective on what is truly important for our wellbeing has been drastically shifted from consumer items to real wellness benefits and experiences. A service or product that can actually provide the mind and body real, healthy results versus something that is just "less harmful" is what will be on the uptrend. On top of everything else, emotional wellness has already seen a current spike in popularity before COVID, but post-pandemic it will be more important than ever with the rising numbers of post-traumatic stress and heightened anxiety. As Hi-Spa President, I'd like to thank the Hawaii wellness community for staying connected with the Hi-Spa team each week since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We strive to stay connected and involved (while staying healthy) during this momentary pause in our working and social life, and continue to focus on sharing advice and information to help with the eventual reopening of our businesses. With that I'd like to segue to Hawaii Spa Association's Education Director Shawn Hallum's role and our new Education Page that was launched this year to support our wellness community. This page is where you'll find go-to resources and nuggets of invaluable information. "Education has never been more important for spa professionals - in fact, it is the bridge that will connect us to success in the "new normal." I've been so inspired by my industry colleagues, many of whom have openly shared what they've learned over the past few months to promote the strength of our industry collective. We're sharing research, new protocols, and marketing strategies - the things that we previously used to maintain a competitive advantage are now guaranteeing the future of spas in Hawaii and around the world. Hawaii's spa leaders have been very engaged in training efforts for the front line - massage therapists, estheticians, other spa associates who will implement the enhanced cleaning, disinfection, and related sanitation procedures required to operate. We're also committed to maintaining our aloha mindset, which includes an unwavering belief that we're all connected and that everyone - visitors and locals alike - must be cherished and protected." - Shawn Hallum, Hi-Spa Education Director Most of Spa Directors in Hawaii have been furloughed with no access to their work emails or global network, including even those within the Hi-Spa board. We decided to keep our members and any other wellness professional connected by creating the "COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines for Spa & Wellness Facilities" along with our Navigating Together weekly video series where we do "HI-Five" interviews asking industry professionals the top five questions that need answers during this pandemic. You can find this downloadable document along with the video series on Hawaii Spa Association's new Education & Resources page. As an example of our HI-Five interviews, I asked Hawaii Spa Association Vice President, Jennifer Holzworth answer the top five questions. How will the new normal change the way we do business? "Now more than ever communication will be of the utmost importance, both for our associates and guests alike. We will need to instill confidence and continue to uphold the highest standards. The biggest challenge will be to continue to provide high levels of personalized service and genuine comfort and care for our guests while incorporating additional levels of safety and sanitation to ensure both associates and guests feel safe." What advice do you have for our members as they plan to re-open their businesses? "Over-communicate. Have a solid plan in place and ensure all members of your team know, and understand the big picture plan as well as their individual role in its success. Utilize the resources you have, including your vendor partners, fellow colleagues in the industry, state board and local publications to be sure you have the most up to date data to make informed decisions. Learn from those in our industry that have already opened in other areas of the country on best practices and things that can be improved upon". How do you think we can maintain the aloha spirit were famous for in the new normal? "I think we already are showing that Aloha has not gone anywhere, in fact it is thriving more than ever. It is not about giving a hug and a kiss when you greet someone but rather how does that person feel after an interaction with you, whether for 30 seconds or 3 hours.... As I circulate through the island, it is comforting to feel the aloha spirit alive and well. Our community in the islands, and more specifically the spa community has come together even closer during this time to unify and collaborate to better our industry, not work in silos and against one another. I am grateful to live here and experience this every day." What's the biggest lesson you have learned during this time? "I have learned that all the little moments matter and to be grateful for them all. I've learned that it's ok to feel sad and angry and guilty, as well as happy and grateful and excited for what's to come. To allow myself to step back and be ok with how I'm feeling in that particular moment and acknowledge it as well as acknowledge that others around me are going through the same emotions and support them however I can". What have you been doing to stay mentally, emotionally and physically well during this time? "I have been spending a lot of time on things that I always said I never had time for; spending time working on myself and taking time for me. We as spa professionals are natural givers and sometimes forget to acknowledge and address our own needs. I have been re-igniting my love and passion for painting, finishing books that have been left half read for months, spending time outside and enjoying this beautiful playground we call home, and most importantly spending time staying connected to people." "Certainly, in Hawaii we have the opportunity to embrace nature and be able to offer more in the open air outside. I think the world needs wellness more than ever right now! How we execute our healing will definitely look and feel different, but our touch will be felt even stronger. I envision increased engagement with our communities and guests through the use of virtual methods, as well as a reinvention of more simplified and individualized services including one on one energy, meditation, and yoga practices." - Amanda Schmiege, Hi-Spa Secretary "In our spa world, we now have some significantly increased challenges, with all the added Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); gloves and masks and face shields and wiping down of equipment and enhanced sanitation procedures, etc. If one makes an analogy to travel, one always thinks of the exciting destinations and experiences of culture and food and music etc. of a particular destination. Going through airport security lines or customs and immigration and baggage claim are all necessary facets and the hassle one has to go to before you can enjoy the destination. We accept that. PPE and sanitation enhancements are now the new normal that the guest will have to go through when visiting our spas. This can elicit anything from fear, apprehension to just plain-but-necessary hassle. The way we can overcome it and still keep guests coming through our doors is through Aloha, and despite all these new measures we will have to take, we need to project a genuine warmth and smile behind the masks and face shields. Before we can take care of our guests, we need to be able to take care of each other - with Aloha." - Darryll Leiman, Hi-Spa Treasurer In conclusion, Hawaii hosts an array of well-recognized brands of hotels and resorts. The concept of wellness in hospitality quickly evolved to encompass so much more than the average fitness center or traditional spa in Hotels and Resorts; and within the past decade, the definition of wellness became a central factor in the hotel sector. Resorts and Hotels not only in Hawaii but globally have been leading the wellness movement for years with their mesmerizing spa facilities and now they continue to support their employees and shine through diversity. I wanted to highlight a few amazing things that they are doing during the pandemic: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, has entered into a collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, to validate its new global health and safety program, Lead With Care, and provide ongoing, real-time guidance on the evolving COVID-19 situation. Through the Hilton Workforce Resource Center, Team Members are being given direct and, in some cases, expedited access to more than 500,000 temporary jobs at more than 30 leading companies including Amazon, CVS, Albertsons, and Walgreens. Hilton hopes to expand this program globally and welcome Team Members back when travel resumes. Marriott International Inc.'s CEO spoke to employees, many of whom would be furloughed, and pledged not to take any salary for the rest of the year, along with his executive team taking a temporary 50% pay cut. Montage International announced the Montage International Associate Relief Program. While the company has provided health-care benefits to its associates, this new program provides even further support to associates across all properties in the Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hotels & Resorts portfolio. To be honest, I believe these are the most difficult times I have experienced over my 25+ year Spa career; but I have the utmost faith and confidence that we will prevail by being true to our priorities, staying connected, taking personal responsibility, relying on each other and deepening our commitment to face this adversity together. Infosys rose 3.83% to Rs 813.20 after US-based Vanguard and Infosys announce strategic partnership for digital transformation of Vanguard's defined contribution record keeping business. US-based investment company Vanguard on Tuesday (14 July) announced it will partner with Infosys as part of its ongoing strategy to enhance and evolve its full-service defined contribution (DC) business. This strategic partnership will deliver a technology-driven approach to plan administration and fundamentally reshape the corporate retirement plan experience for its sponsors and participants. Through the partnership, Infosys will assume day-to-day operations supporting Vanguard's DC record keeping business, including software platforms, administration, and associated processes. Plan sponsors will continue to be served by Vanguard's relationship management teams, strategic plan design, and communication experts. Participant phone calls will be serviced by both Vanguard and Infosys. Approximately 1,300 Vanguard roles currently supporting the full-service record keeping client administration, operations, and technology functions will transition to Infosys. All Vanguard employees currently performing these roles will be offered comparable positions at Infosys in close proximity to Vanguard's offices in Malvern, PA, Charlotte, NC, and Scottsdale, AZ. Transitioning employees will receive the same salary, comparable benefits for a transition period of 12 months,plus meaningful incentive opportunities. Infosys is dedicated to this business and the transition offers prospects for long-term career growth and development. Vanguard is one of the largest DC asset manager in the U.S. and has been recognized by trade organizations and research firms for its retirement services and thought leadership. Infosys will announce its Q1 June 2020 results after market hours today, 15 July 2020. Infosys is engaged in consulting, technology, outsourcing and next-generation services. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) San Francisco, United States Wed, July 15, 2020 08:08 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066653d1c 2 Science & Tech Saudi-Arabia,TED-Talks,TedinArabic Free A prestigious TED group dedicated to "ideas worth spreading" on Monday set out to provide a global stage for Arabic speaking thinkers, artists and change-makers. TED organizers at the US-based nonprofit Sapling Foundation announced that they teamed with the Qatar Foundation on a two-year initiative that will culminate with a flagship conference in Doha in 2022. This is the first time the TED Conference, known for an influential and accomplished community that includes founders of Amazon, Google, and Netflix, will focus on sharing "solutions, inventions, and stories" in Arabic. "We at TED have always valued the power of delivering talks in one's native language, and the nuance and richness that comes with doing so," said Chris Anderson, the head of TED. "The TEDinArabic initiative is an important step in that journey." The intent is to share impassioned TED Talks in Arabic that can change perceptions and benefit societies, according to organizers. "Language is more than just a means of communication; it influences the way we think and how we frame our perceptions on a subconscious level," Qatar Foundation chief executive Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani said in a release. "With TEDinArabic, I hope we can continue the process of amplifying ideas from our region to a global audience in a language that is synonymous with innovation and new thinking." TED India, launched in 2017, features both original content and talks in Hindi. It has been a hit in part due to television distribution and the star power of the platform's host - actor Shah Rukh Khan. TED en Espanol launched two years ago featuring content in Spanish, and TED in Chinese is a newly launched podcast highlighting ideas from throughout China. Meanwhile, volunteers have translated TED "talks" into 115 languages, according to organizers. The conference born in Northern California in 1984 during what was supposed to be a one-off event has grown into a global forum for heady ideas. Read also: 9 TED Talks to help you through your quarter-life crisis TED is known for trademark "talks" during which the brilliant, innovative, artistic or accomplished deliver thought-sparking presentations in 18 minutes or less. In 2006, TED began to record talks and post them online. As TED talks were posted in more languages, traffic to the website soared. Talks have spread to television and radio. Captivating TED speakers have become Internet stars. Richard Saul Wurman, who started the gatherings that Anderson's non-profit Sapling Foundation transformed into the TED of today, has described the gathering as a dinner party that has turned into "a banquet for the whole world." New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art will reopen five days a week starting Aug. 29 after being shuttered since March 13 to curb the spread of the coronavirus, museum officials announced Wednesday. The Mets Fifth Avenue building will be open Thursday through Monday with safety protocols i ncluding frequent cleaning and visitors limited to 25% of the museums capacity, the officials said. Face coverings and social distancing will be required. Perhaps now more than ever the Museum can serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit and the capacity of art to bring comfort, inspire resilience, and help us better understand each other and the world around us, museum president Daniel H. Weiss said in a statement. The Mets Cloisters facility in upper Manhattan will open at a later date, officials said. The Met Breuer on Madison Avenue, which the Met took over in 2016, will not reopen. It is being turned over to the Frick Collection as a temporary home during renovation of the Fricks Fifth Avenue mansion. The planned reopening of the 150-year-old Met is the latest sign of New Yorks cautious resumption of normal activities as city and state officials seek to avoid a resurgence of the virus. New York has not seen a significant uptick in infections as the state has slowly reopened its economy starting in May, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sought to crack down on travellers from states where COVID-19 is spreading at higher rates and is urging New Yorkers to wear masks, wash their hands and stay 6 feet away from others. We cannot go back to the hell we experienced three months ago, so please stay vigilant and New York tough, Cuomo said Wednesday. About 1.3% of people tested in New York for COVID-19 Tuesday were positive, according to Cuomos office. Nine deaths from the virus were reported. ___ WEST POINT CADETS About a dozen new cadets who arrived at West Point for training this week tested positive for COVID-19. The U.S. Military Academy said Wednesday that 1% of the roughly 1,220 incoming members of the Class of 2024 tested positive, which works out to 12 new cadets. Class members arriving at the academy from Sunday through Tuesday were immediately tested for COVID-19. West Point has said those who test positive will be quarantined for a period of time with the goal of eventually allowing them to join their companies. All new cadets this summer are wearing face coverings and staying socially distant from one another as West Point adapts its training for the pandemic. This years Cadet Basic Training has been shortened from six weeks to four. ______ Villeneuve reported from Albany, New York. Santa Ana, CA-based CNI College Co-owner Colleen Buffington was one of seven awarded the 2020 Difference Maker Award Large Business Leader of the Year from the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Buffington was also recognized for this award by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and California State Assemblyman Tyler Diep of the 72nd District. The distinguished designation of Difference Maker is awarded to leaders who impact the community through their actions and qualities. They think of others first beyond their self-interest and build a culture of passion and compassion. They are positive, optimistic, and spread this attitude to their community. Difference Makers are active in and stand out by serving their communities. These leaders are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference, and sincerely receive joy from seeing others succeed. They truly have giving in their heart and are always there for those who need them. Colleen embodies all these qualities and has made a difference in the community throughout her extensive career in higher education. According to Deborah Olgive, CNI College Vice President of Government Relations and Community Partnerships, Colleen is always there for family, friends, community, and even those whom she doesnt know, but need her help. Ive seen first-hand how she handles adversity with hope and goodness. When her son was in the hospital with leukemia, Colleen and family was by his side every day, filling his life with love and positive healing energy. In addition to that, she also made sure that the medical staff that worked with her son, had their own healing by creating and building wellness centers in the hospital, giving them therapeutic chair massages on their breaks. Colleen truly believes in giving something every day to make others lives better. In founding CNI College, Colleen and Jim Buffington had a vision to provide excellence at every opportunity within their community and made this a foundation of the institution, instilling this core value in each student. The Buffingtons wanted to make a difference in Orange County by educating and preparing their students and graduates with the knowledge and skills they will need for their careers to bring healing, wholeness and compassion to the patients and their entire families throughout the healthcare industry. According to Mrs. Buffington, the most fulfilling aspect of what she does is watching a student have a dream and come into the college to be guided and with an opportunity to study something they love. We know that if they have a passion and our college can contribute to that journey in education, well have the advantage to see them graduate. We will know weve made a tremendous impact in their life and we see their families and hear the testimonies of the sacrifices theyve made, and we want to be part of their life forever. That is the most fabulous feeling in the world if you can go to work every day and change peoples lives. I am honored to be presented with the Difference Maker Award and extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Santa Ana Chamber for the great work they do in the community every day. Congratulations to all of the Large Business Leaders recognized for their leadership and contributions to society. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. The Federal Government has said that it would be banning citizens from some countries from gaining entry into Nigeria, as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, made this known in Abuja while speaking at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday, July 13. He said this was another reason why the government had not approved the re-commencement of commercial international flights in and out of Nigeria. On the question about when we are beginning international travels, certainly you are very aware that so many countries had placed ban on countries that we cannot go even from Nigeria. Also Nigeria, of course, will place ban on other countries that cannot come in here, because everyone is trying to keep safe. These and many other reasons will make us to be cautious, to study some more and to liaise with all the stakeholders and decide when we will open for international flights.Sirika said The minister said operators in the sector had wanted to fully open the airspace to local and international flights but safety must be given priority when making such decisions. Its on the way out. Chorus, the owner of the copper network that has provided telecommunication services to New Zealanders for decades, is about to get the nod that it can start withdrawing telco services on the network. Not next week, or next month, but soon after that. The final rounds of consultation on the Copper Withdrawal Code (CWC), and its companion, the 111 Contact Code (designed to ensure vulnerable customers can make emergency calls in a power cut), are nearing completion. We are aiming to publish the final code in late September [2020]. We havent yet made a decision on when the code will come into force, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Commerce Commission (ComCom) told Computerworld New Zealand, adding that the CWC cant come into force until the 111 Contact Code is in force. The CWC sets out the rules for when and how copper services can be withdrawn. Chorus can only stop supplying copper services in areas where users have access to no-cost fibre installations. This means areas that fall outside the Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) network wont be affected. The company must also provide three notices to affected usersat six months, three months and then 20 days prior to stopping the supply of copper services. Chorus spokesperson Steve Pettigrew says it is waiting on the final CWC before identifying in which areas to first turn off copper services. While Chorus internally talks about our copper network in terms of exchanges and cabinets, in the context of the Copper Withdrawal Code we are mindful to consider the number of customers or end-users potentially impacted at local levels, and ensuring they have a positive journey through their transition to fibre, he says. The average copper street cabinet serves about 200 premises. However, within the Specified Fibre Areas (SFAs), many customers will have already moved to fibre and the number of active copper connections within the cabinet will be fewer, often significantly fewer. Pettigrew notes that in areas outside the UFB, Chorus will continue to invest in and maintain its copper network. Our copper network continues to provide customers who dont have access to fibre with dependable, dedicated broadband and phone services, he says. The use of copper connections has fallen The Commerce Commission says that use of the copper network has fallen sharply in the past six yearsfrom a peak of 1.27 million connections in September 2014 to 581,000 in September 2019. The decline is due to businesses and consumers switching to new fibre services enabled by the UFB deployment, as well fixed wireless options. About 79% of New Zealanders now have access to fibre-to-the-premises, and that number is expected to grow to 87% by the end of 2022. In 2019, fibre broadband connections overtook copper broadband connections for the first time. At the same time, the numbers of consumers on fixed wireless connections has also been growing. Fixed wireless services, including broadband and voice, are delivered over wireless networkstypically using cell phone towers. In 2019, 11% of broadband connections were fixed wireless, according to ComCom. The number of unbundled copper local loop connectionsthat is copper connections where retail service providers (RSPs) have put their own equipment into exchanges or cabinetshas diminished to 15,000 as at July 2020. The economics of unbundling fibre connections is a lively topic of discussion in the telecommunications industry, with Pettigrew noting previously that there is a very thin margin to release through unbundling and its challenging to arrive at a pricing construct that rewards both the fibre companies and access seekers [the RSPs]. Pettigrew describes the financial impact on Chorus of withdrawing access to the copper network as mixed. Within the SFAs, where the majority have already moved to fibre, there are benefits, both financial and environmental, in turning off the copper network and moving everyone to the best possible technology. However, there are also costs that Chorus will need to meet to comply with the Code and migrate customers onto fibre. Chorus assumed ownership of the copper network when the company was structurally separated from its parent company Telecom (since rebranded as Spark) in 2011. Telecom had been carved out of the old National Post Office as a state-owned enterprise, before it was sold in 1990, primarily to American companies Bell Atlantic (now AT&T) and Ameritech (now Verizon) and listed on the stock exchange. Spark begins pilot to move customers off copper landlines Meanwhile Spark, owner of the PSTN which enables voice services over copper, has announced a pilot to withdraw copper-based services in Devonport in Auckland and Miramar in Wellington. Around 1000 customers in these areas will be informed in September that PSTN services will no longer be sold from 18 December 2020 and will be offered fibre or fixed wireless voice services as alternative options. The PSTN is at the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced using new technologiesmeaning Spark customers need to move to voice over wireless or voice over fibre. Because some of Sparks broadband over copper services are also delivered through systems associated with these old switches, Spark has also made the decision to withdraw all of its copper based broadband services in these areas, says Spark Customer Director Grant McBeath. He says PSTN components have not been manufactured for 17 years, and skilled operators capable of maintaining the technology are also getting harder to find. Our customers have been moving off this technology in droves, and we now need to start completing that process for all customers. When we started the upgrade in 2017, we had over a million customers on the PSTNit is now around 400,000, with another 10,000 customers on average leaving every month. NEW YORK Several New York City police officers were attacked and injured Wednesday as pro-police and anti-police protesters clashed on the Brooklyn Bridge, police said. The confrontation happened hours before Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a series of police accountability measures inspired by the killings of George Floyd, Eric Garner and other Black people. At least four officers were hurt, including Chief of Department Terence Monahan, and 37 people were arrested, police said. Information on charges was not immediately available. It was not clear how many protesters were injured. An Associated Press photographer witnessed several people getting roughed up by police, including a woman who ended up on the pavement with an officer pulling on her hair. Surveillance video posted on social media by the police department showed a man on the bridges pedestrian walkway rushing toward a group of officers and reaching over a fence to smack one of them in the head with a cane. Police photos of the aftermath showed a lieutenant with a bloodied face, a detective holding a bandage to his head, and a bicycle officer helping a fellow officer dress a head wound. Monahan, who last month knelt in a show of solidarity with protesters, sustained injuries to his hand. He and the other injured officers were marching with a pro-police group led by local clergy when they were met on the bridge by activists, some of whom have been camping outside City Hall in recent weeks to demand severe cuts to police funding. Some people in the pro-police group marched with a banner that said, We Support the NYPD. The leader of that group said they were calling for an end to a recent spate of violence, including the shooting death of a 1-year-old boy in Brooklyn. De Blasio helped paint a Black Lives Matter mural on a Bronx street before signing the police reform measures. They include a ban on chokeholds and other restraints that could restrict a persons breathing. The NYPD has long barred chokeholds, but that hasnt stopped some officers from using them in recent years most notably in Garners death on Staten Island just shy of six years ago. Other reforms include requirements for officers to have their shield numbers visible and not obscured by things like black mourning bands; for the NYPD to create and publish to its website a schedule of officer disciplinary violations and penalties, and for the department to disclose information about its secret surveillance technology. Another makes clear that the public has a right to record police activity. Wednesdays demonstrations and mural painting were the latest in a wave of protest activity across the country since George Floyd was killed May 25 by Minneapolis police. The first few nights of protests in New York City were marred by stealing, unrest and violence inflicted both by and on police officers. Since then, protests have largely been peaceful. __ Follow Michael Sisak on Twitter at twitter.com/mikesisak BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Latest Armenian aggression on Azerbaijan is no doubt a big challenge for the world powers and forums like UN, European Union, OIC, Non Aliened Movement and others, Editor of Pakistan in the World magazine Tazeen Akhtar told Trend. Starting from the afternoon on July 12, units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, shelled Azerbaijani positions using artillery mounts. Akhtar noted that Armenia has been holding Azerbaijani territories under occupation for a long time, and now they have started attacks as well in which many innocent civilians have born irreparable losses of life and property in the border areas. "Further, many soldiers have to sacrifice their precious lives for the defense of the motherland," he said. Azerbaijan has always sought a peaceful solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. These territories are part of Azerbaijan historically. But Azerbaijan never resorted to fight or war-like options only to keep the peace in the region. Azerbaijan reserves the right to do anything that can restore its sovereignty over these territories, Akhtar said. He said the dialogue is the best way to solve the issues, and Azerbaijan has been ready for that always but the history of this process so far tells the other story about Armenia. The occupant tried to avoid negotiations and violated its own commitments many times. Now the occupant turns into aggressor that is enough to raise concerns about the peaceful solution to this problem. It means Armenia will never be serious in negotiations. Negotiations process actually comes to its end when aggression is adopted. The only possibility to keep Armenia from endangering more innocent lives is to impose sanctions and bound this non serious regime to obey international laws and conventions, Akhtar said. Akhtar also emphasized that international organizations including World Health Organization (WHO) are supposed and expected to take notice of Armenian aggression. Jane Winn is one of this year's Unsung Heroines for her environmental work. She appears in this screenshot from Tuesday's City Council meeting. Pittsfield City Council Recognizes Environmentalist PITTSFIELD, Mass. The City Council honored local environmentalist Jane Winn as one of the commonwealth's Unsung Heroines Before breaking into the evening's business Tuesday, the council took a moment to recognize the executive director of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. "In regular times, before the world has turned upside down ... I would be with you probably with a full audience to celebrate as we do every year," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who nominated Winn. "I am really pleased to present to you Pittsfield's 2020 Unsung Heroine Jane Winn." The Massachusetts Commission of the Status of Women annually celebrates women throughout the state who may not receive the most attention but who leave their mark and improve their individual communities. Winn was selected to serve as BEAT's first executive director in 2006 and helped form BEAT in 2002. Farley-Bouvier said Winn champions the environment and fights for the environmental justice community. She said she has been impressed by how "nimble" Winn is in her ability to adapt to changing environmental concerns. "Jane is somebody known to all of you for her longstanding work that she has done in this community," she said. "She is someone whose integrity is beyond reproach in line with advocating for wildlife who otherwise lack a voice. Jane has also been particularly sensitive to the environmental justice community. A human population without economic means or political muscle." Farley-Bouvier said she is impressed by Winn's ability to reach out to the broader community to a younger generation and "inform, educate, and involve." Before reading a proclamation, Mayor Linda Tyer thanked Winn for bettering Pittsfield. "I wish we could be together in person so I could stand by you and be by your side as we offer this proclamation," she said. "We are thrilled to be honoring you this evening." Winn was on the Zoom meeting call and thanked her team for helping her along the way. "Wow thank you very much ... I am astounded," Winn said. "I hope I can live up to everything wonderful that you have said and I have the most wonderful team of people behind me and they do so much to make me look good." Before closing, Farley-Bouvier said people like Winn are becoming more and more important as environmental concerns move into the forefront. "I am just honored to share the same community with Jane," she said. "I can tell you that in 2020 it is important to have somebody that we can count on to take care of our environment and always keep us honest." The City Council then went into regular business and accepted a few grants: $1,150.40 FY20 Child Passenger Safety Equipment Grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security/Office of Grants and Research for the Police Department. $50,000 Diverting Juveniles and Emerging Adults from Criminal Justice Involvement Grant from the Office of the Commissioner of Probation for the Police Department. $12,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. These funds will be used to cover expenses related to the hiring of boat ramp monitors at city lakes during the summer of 2020. YORK After nearly a week of searching, Jadey Jenkins, 30, of Omaha, was found by law enforcement west of McCool Junction late Tuesday night. York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka said she was found in a ditch at approximately 11 p.m. She was incoherent and clearly showed signs that she had been out in the elements for nearly a week. She was badly disheveled, but she was alive and we are so incredibly grateful, Vrbka said. Jenkins was taken to York General Hospital for a medical evaluation and then placed in emergency protective care, the sheriff said. Think of what she had been through. She had been out there this whole time, walking, with no shoes on, through two major thunderstorms, with such heat during the day. The corn is 8, 9 feet tall now. I cant even imagine. We think she probably drank water from irrigation wells, in order to stay alive. We just dont know, Vrbka said. An abandoned vehicle driven by Jenkins was found July 8 along Interstate 80 near the Bradshaw exit. Her belongings, including her cellphone, wallet, credit cards and shoes were inside, the sheriff said. The keys were also in the vehicle. D onald Trump has taken credit for having convinced many countries including the UK not to use Huawei after Boris Johnson ordered a ban on the Chinese firm with the countrys 5G network. In a major U-turn provoking criticism from China, the Prime Minister ordered telecoms firms to remove Huawei equipment from the 5G network by 2027. The move, costing billions and delaying the deployment of 5G by up to three years, came after a Government-ordered review found the security of Huaweis equipment could not be guaranteed because of US sanctions. The US president said, I did this myself, for the most part, as he spoke of having worked to pressure nations to not use Huawei, adding: If they want to do business with us, they cant use it. The move has angered Beijing / Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Mr Trump boasted in a press conference that no White House has been tougher on China than his administration, which the UK is trying to broker a post-Brexit trade deal with. We convinced many countries many countries and I did this myself, for the most part not to use Huawei because we think its an unsafe security risk. Its a big security risk, he said. I talked many countries out of using it. If they want to do business with us, they cant use it. Just today, I believe that UK announced that theyre not going to be using it. And that was up in the air for a long time, but theyve decided. While the Governments move pleased Mr Trump, who is facing a fight for re-election, it angered Beijing. Oliver Dowden said the move could cost the UK up to 2 billion more / Getty Images Chinas ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming tweeted: Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on Huawei. It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries. Health Secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged the US sanctions played a role in the ban and said trade discussions were also an important consideration, but insisted it was a sensible decision. We all know Donald Trump, dont we? he told Sky News. All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision, but this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest quality 5G systems in the future. We are looking for a good US trade deal and working very closely on that, I think thats a very important consideration. Donald Trump claimed credit for the decision / Getty Images The ban, ordered after a National Security Council meeting chaired by the PM, led to concerns being raised in the Commons about the possibility of retaliation from Beijing. Huawei, which denies being a security threat, said decisions on its future in the UK had become politicised and urged ministers to reconsider the move. After Tuesdays decision, telecoms firms will be banned from next year from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei and will have to remove all the Chinese companys kit by 2027. They are also expected to be ordered to shift away from the purchase of Huaweis equipment for full-fibre broadband networks over a period lasting up to two years. In January, the firm was given permission to play a limited role in the 5G network. Huawei kit to be stripped out of UK 5G network by 2027 But Downing Street insiders acknowledged the sanctions imposed by the White House in May were a game-changer. Ministers ordered a review by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) into Huaweis role in the UK after the sanctions barred Huaweis access to products based on US semiconductor technology. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the Huawei ban could delay the roll-out of 5G by two to three years and potentially add 2 billion to the overall cost. The move takes place as the UKs relationship with Beijing was already under strain over the imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, GCHQs protective signals intelligence network is on stand-by to detect and disrupt any attempt by China to mount cyber attacks on the UK in retaliation for the decision. Officials say they are already dealing with a sustained high tempo of hostile cyber activity by state-sponsored actors including both China and Russia. Huawei UK spokesman Ed Brewster said the disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone. We remain confident that the new US restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK, he said. Regrettably, our future in the UK has become politicised this is about US trade policy and not security. Australia has been among the worlds most successful countries in containing its coronavirus outbreak with the exception of Melbourne. The south-eastern state of Victoria had some of the nations toughest pandemic measures and was among the most reluctant to lift its restrictions when the worst of the outbreak seemed to have passed. But as most of the country emerges from pandemic restrictions, the virus has resumed spreading at an alarming rate in Victorias capital, and the nations second-largest city. "We must accelerate coordinated global action to ensure that we recover better from this crisis." @antonioguterres ahead of this week's virtual global forum to assess progress towards the #GlobalGoals. #COVID19https://t.co/e846wo96WJ United Nations (@UN) July 6, 2020 Melbourne is buckling down with more extreme and divisive measures that have ignited anger and arguments over who is to blame. Victorias premier Daniel Andrews said the entire city and some of its surrounding areas will be locked down again from Wednesday night under tougher restrictions than were imposed during the first shutdown that started in March. We are in many respects in a more precarious, challenging and potentially tragic position now than we were some months ago, Mr Andrews said. Statement from the Premier on Stay at Home restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. pic.twitter.com/7tc3esHZnH Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) July 7, 2020 About 3,000 residents of nine public housing high-rise buildings were given just an hours notice at the weekend before being prohibited from leaving their apartments for at least five days. Story continues The amount of police officers makes us feel like were criminals, said a resident of one of the buildings, Nada Osman. Its overwhelming. Its scary. Its like were caged in. Forty suburbs that are virus hot spots have been locked down by postal code since last week, meaning that businesses and households in some areas face restrictions while ones across the street from them do not. (PA Graphics) New Zealands national carrier has put a temporary hold on new bookings for flights into the country while the government tries to find enough quarantined hotel rooms for people returning home. Air New Zealand says the hold will last for three weeks and it is also trying to better align flights with the hotel locations. New Zealand has eliminated community transmission of the coronavirus but is still getting cases at the border. For the most part, only residents and citizens are able to fly into the country and must remain in a quarantined hotel room for 14 days. Housing minister Megan Woods said the government is currently housing nearly 6,000 people in 28 quarantine facilities and is seeing rapid growth in the number of returning residents as the pandemic worsens globally. In China, eight new confirmed cases were reported, all of them brought from outside the country, with no new deaths. A student wearing a face mask to protect against the new coronavirus reacts as she leaves school after finishing the first day of Chinas national college entrance examinations (AP) The news comes as almost 11 million students gathered to take the crucial national university entrance exam. The National Health Council reported 403 people remained in treatment for Covid-19 while 121 people were in isolation being monitored as suspected cases or for testing positive for the virus without showing any symptoms. China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths among 83,565 cases of Covid-19 since the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year. The gruelling two-day university entrance exam can be a key determinant of a students future and was pushed back weeks as China worked to bring down infections. It is believed to be the first mass gathering event since the virus outbreak and administrators are enforcing strict rules to prevent infections, including proof of wellness, social distancing and the wearing of masks. A waiter waits for customers in protective gear amid the pandemic in Sao Paulo (AP) In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro has said he will be tested for Covid-19 after having an X-ray of his lungs on Monday. He did not say whether he was showing symptoms of the coronavirus. Mr Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the disease, told supporters outside the presidential residence in Brasilia that he is feeling well. Brazils supreme court published documents in May showing that Mr Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with US leader Donald Trump in Florida. Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly appeared in public without wearing a mask, shaking hands with supporters and mingling with crowds. He has fiercely criticised local leaders restrictions on activity and said the economic impact of shutdowns would inflict more hardship than the virus. Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (AP) In the US, an outbreak in the California Legislature has indefinitely delayed the state Assemblys return to work from its scheduled summer recess. Assembly speaker Anthony Rendons office confirmed five people who work in the Assembly have tested positive. They include assemblywoman Autumn Burke, who is believed to have contracted the virus while on the assembly floor last month. Mr Rendon said the assembly will stay in recess until further notice. He said the decision is to protect legislators, staff and the public. The Legislature shut down for nearly two months earlier this year during the pandemic. In the state of Georgia, the mayor of Atlanta revealed she has tested positive for Covid-19. #COVID19 has highlighted vulnerabilities to new and emerging forms of terrorism, such as misuse of digital technology, cyberattacks and bioterrorism. Like the virus, terrorism does not respect national borders, and can only be defeated collectively.https://t.co/352to2CrS3 pic.twitter.com/deqg6XSZKF Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 6, 2020 Keisha Lance Bottoms tweeted that she had no symptoms. The mayor has risen to prominence during the pandemic, having criticised state governor Brian Kemp on his slowness to order Georgians to shelter in place, and for lifting the order too quickly. Ms Bottoms has also supported protests against police brutality and racial injustice that have been widespread in Atlanta. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the pandemic can provide new opportunities for the so-called Islamic State extremist group (IS), al-Qaida and their affiliates as well as neo-Nazis, white supremacists and hate groups. The UN chief said it is too early to fully assess the implications of the coronavirus pandemic on terrorism but all these groups seek to exploit divisions, local conflicts, failures in governing, and other grievances to advance their aims. Mr Guterres said that IS, which once controlled a vast area of Syria and Iraq, is trying to reassert itself in both countries. NEW YORK - What is this enemy? Seven months after the first patients were hospitalized in China battling an infection doctors had never seen before, the worlds scientists and citizens have reached an unsettling crossroads. Countless hours of treatment and research, trial and error now make it possible to take much closer measure of the new coronavirus and the lethal disease it has unleashed. But to take advantage of that intelligence, we must confront our persistent vulnerability: The virus leaves no choice. Its like were in a battle with something that we cant see, that we dont know, and we dont know where its coming from, said Vivian Castro, a nurse supervisor at St. Josephs Medical Center in Yonkers, just north of New York City, which struggled with its caseload this spring. Castro had treated scores of infected patients before she, too, was hospitalized for the virus in April, then spent two weeks in home quarantine. As soon as she returned to the emergency room for her first shift, she rushed to comfort yet another casualty -- a man swallowing the few words he could muster between gasps for air. It just came back, that fear, she said. I just wanted to tell him not to give up. The coronavirus is invisible, but seemingly everywhere. It requires close contact to spread, but it has reached around the globe faster than any pandemic in history. COVID-19 was not even on the worlds radar in November. But it has caused economic upheaval echoing the Great Depression, while claiming more than 580,000 lives. In the U.S. alone, the virus has already killed more Americans than died fighting in World War I. Even those figures dont capture the pandemics full sweep. Nine of every 10 students worldwide shut out of their schools at one point. More than 7 million flights grounded. Countless moments of celebration and sorrow -- weddings and graduations, baby showers and funerals -- put off, reconfigured or abandoned because of worries about safety. In short, the coronavirus has rescripted nearly every moment of daily life. And fighting it -- whether by searching for a vaccine or seeking to protect family -- takes knowing the enemy. Its the essential first step in what could be an extended quest for some version of normalcy. Theres light at the end of tunnel, but its a very, very long tunnel, said Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. Theres a lot we dont know. But I think its absolutely certain were going to be adapting to a new way of life. Thats the reality. ___ The new coronavirus is roughly 1,000 times narrower than a human hair. But scrutinized through an electron scope, it is clear this enemy is well-armed. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. Find a way to block or bind the spikes and you can stop the virus. Once inside a human cell, the virus RNA, or genetic code, commandeers its machinery, providing instructions to make thousands of virus copies. But the coronavirus has a weakness: an outer membrane that can be destroyed by ordinary soap. That neutralizes the virus, which is why health experts emphasize the need to wash hands. Like organisms, viruses evolve, searching for traits that will ensure survival, said Charles Marshall, a professor of paleontology at the University of California and self-described deep time evolutionary biologist. Coronaviruses fit into the standard evolutionary paradigm extremely well, which is if youve had some innovation, you get into some new environment ... you get into a human and you do well, youre going to proliferate, Marshall said. There are hundreds of coronaviruses, but just seven known to infect people. Four are responsible for some common colds. But in 2002, a virus called SARS, for severe acute respiratory syndrome, spread from China to sicken about 8,000 people worldwide, killing more than 700. Another coronavirus called Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, or MERS identified in 2012 spread to humans through camels. The new coronavirus, though, has captivated scientists attention unlike any in decades. When researcher Thomas Friedrich logged on to his computer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a meeting in January, he found colleagues had been frantically posting messages to one another about the new virus. People were getting increasingly excited and beginning to brainstorm ideas, said Friedrich, who has spent years studying other infectious diseases. Now much of Friedrichs lab is focused on the coronavirus, studying its spread in Wisconsin, and collaborating with scientists around the world examining the diseases behaviour in monkeys. Even early on it was clear this virus posed a major threat, he said. Human immune systems had never encountered it. And unlike Zika, whose spread can be controlled by targeting mosquitoes, or AIDS, which most often requires sexual contact, the new virus is readily transmitted through droplets in the air. It had all the hallmarks, to me, of a potential pandemic, Friedrich said. Basically, everyone in the world is susceptible. ___ The new virus has breached borders and claimed victims with stealth and speed that make it difficult to track. Scientists are fairly certain the disease originated in bats, which harbour many coronaviruses. To get to humans, it may have been passed through another animal, possibly consumed for meat. By late January, when Chinese authorities walled off the city of Wuhan, where the disease was first diagnosed, it was too late to stop the spread. The most severe pandemic in recent history, the Spanish flu of 1918, was spread by infected soldiers dispatched to fight World War I. But aboard ships, it took weeks for the troops and the disease to cross oceans. Now, with more than 100,000 commercial flights a day ferrying tourists, business travellers and students around the globe, the new virus spread rapidly and virtually invisibly, said medical historian Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of Panic, Hysteria and Hubris. By the time we woke up to the outbreak in Italy, it had been there for weeks if not months, he said. Soon after the first case in Wuhan, Chinese tourists with the virus travelled to France. But doctors there reported recently that a fishmonger contracted the disease even earlier than that, from an unknown source. On January 21, the first confirmed U.S. case was reported in Washington state, in a man who had travelled to Asia. Its one person coming in from China and we have it under control. Its going to be just fine, President Donald Trump said at the time. Ten days later, he blocked entry to most travellers from China. But genetic analysis of samples taken from New York patients showed most of the virus present arrived from Europe instead, and took root in February -- well before anyone thought about quarantining after a trip to Madrid, London or Paris. ___ Since February, when Dr. Daniel Griffin began treating patients suspected of having COVID-19, hes cared for more than 1,000 people with the disease, first noted for attacking the lungs. But the infection certainly does not stop there. I am actually shocked, said Griffin, a specialist in infectious diseases at New Yorks Columbia University Medical Center. This virus seems to leave nothing untouched. Scientists are getting a handle on the many ways the disease affects the body, but its a scramble. The lungs are, indeed, ground zero. Many patients find themselves gasping for breath, unable to say more than a word or two. Even after five days in the hospital, Vivian Castro, the nurse who became infected, said she returned home struggling for air. I climbed two flights of stairs to my room and I felt like I was going to die, she said. The reason why becomes clear in autopsies of those who have died, some with lungs that weigh far more than usual. Under a microscope, evidence of the virus destruction is even more striking. When Dr. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay examined autopsy samples from a 77-year-old Oklahoma man, he noted changes to the microscopic sacs in the patients lungs. In a healthy lung, oxygen passes through the thin walls of those sacs into the bloodstream. But in the Oklahoma patient, the virus had turned the sac walls so thick with debris that oxygen was blocked. The thickened walls were everywhere, preventing the lungs from sustaining the rest of the body, said Mukhopadhyay, of Ohios Cleveland Clinic. Autopsies reveal what the virus is actually doing inside patients bodies, said Dr. Desiree Marshall, a pathologist at the University of Washington who recently examined the heart of a Seattle man who died from disease. Each autopsy has the chance to tell us something new, she said. And those insights from the bodies of the dead could lead to more effective treatment of the living. The coronavirus, though, keeps raising fresh questions. It left the hearts of two men in their 40s, recently treated by Griffin, flaccid and unable to pump enough blood. Some younger people have arrived in emergency rooms suffering strokes caused by blood clotting, another calling card. Kidneys and livers fail in some patients and blood clots put limbs at risk of amputation. Some patients hallucinate or have trouble maintaining balance. Some get a treatable paralysis in arms or legs. Many have diarrhea, but often dont mention it until Griffin asks. Their explanation? Thats the least of my problems when I cant breathe. Initially, doctors often put patients on ventilators if their blood oxygen levels dropped. But death rates were so high they now try other strategies first, like turning patients on their stomachs, which can help them breathe. The truth is that hospital workers are learning as they go, sometimes painfully. Every patient that I see, I think that couldve been me, said Dr. Stuart Moser, a cardiologist hospitalized in New York in March after he was infected. He recalls fearing that he might be put on a ventilator and wondering if hed ever see his family again. Now, back at work, he said much of what he and his colleagues have learned about the virus myriad effects enables them only to treat patients symptoms. Its difficult because they have so many problems and there are so many patients, Moser said, and you just want to do the right thing -- give people the best chance to get better. ____ In recent weeks, researchers have recruited 3,000 patients from around the world in a bid to solve a puzzling anomaly. Why does the coronavirus ravage some previously healthy patients, while leaving others relatively unscathed? The project, called the COVID Human Genetic Effort, focuses on each persons unique genetic makeup to seek explanations for why some got sick while others stay healthy. Its one of several projects looking for genetic causes of susceptibility, including recent work by other labs suggesting a link between blood type and risk of serious illness. Step one is understanding and step two is fixing. There is no other way, said one of the projects leaders, Jean-Laurent Casanova, of The Rockefeller University in New York. He is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also helps fund The Associated Press Health and Science Department. His project focuses on people 50 or younger who had no health problems before the coronavirus put them in intensive care. But the question of why the disease affects people so differently has broader implications. Its not clear, for example, why the disease has had such a limited impact on children, compared to other age groups. People older than 65 are well over 100 times more likely to be hospitalized for the virus than people under 18. But so far, theres no explanation why. Do children resist infection for some reason? Or is it that, even when infected, they are less likely to develop symptoms? If so, what does that mean about their chances for passing the infection along to others, like their grandparents? These arent just academic questions. Answers will help in assessing the risks of reopening schools. And they could eventually lead to ways to help make older people resistant to the disease. In largely sparing children, the pandemic virus echoes the bugs that caused SARS and MERS, said Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Florida. Scientists wonder if children might have some key difference in their cells, such as fewer of the specialized proteins that the coronavirus latch onto. Or maybe their immune systems react differently than in adults. While the virus has mostly bypassed children, researchers have recently been troubled by a serious, albeit uncommon, condition in some young patients, that can cause inflammation in hearts, kidneys, lungs and other organs. Most patients recovered, but the potential for long-term damage remains uncertain. This is what happens with a new virus, Rasmussen said. Theres a lot we dont know about it. Were on that steep learning curve. ___ With states and countries reopening in the face of an ongoing pandemic, its even more crucial to find solutions. At least the last few months have spotlighted the most critical questions. Can people who have been infected with the disease get it again? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. governments top infectious disease expert, has said that having the disease once should confer some degree of immunity. But its not clear how much or for how long, or what levels or types of antibodies people must have to protect them against future illness. If some people harbour the virus without symptoms, how can we block transmission? The reality is that many infected people will never feel symptoms or get sick. That means temperature checks and other strategies based on symptoms wont be enough to stop it. Instead, many experts believe, widespread testing is needed to find silent carriers, isolate them until they are no longer contagious, and track down those they may have infected. Masks and distancing can help prevent infection and slow the spread of the virus. Will researchers find medicines that can be used to treat the disease? Hundreds of studies are under way, testing existing medicines and experimental ones. So far, only one -- a common steroid called dexamethasone -- has been shown to increase survival. An antiviral medicine, remdesivir, has been shown to shorten recovery time. Two others -- the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine -- have not proven safe or effective for treating COVID-19 in large-scale trials, but some studies are still testing them to see if they might help prevent infection or illness. How long will it take to find a vaccine? Scientists in more than 150 labs around the world are pursuing a vaccine and nearly two dozen candidates are in various stages of testing. But theres no guarantee any will pan out. Finding out if any offer true protection will require testing thousands of people in places where the virus is spreading widely. Some huge studies are expected to begin this month. Its almost the Manhattan Project of today, where an enormous amount of resources are being devoted to this, said Rene Najera, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University and the editor of a vaccine history website run by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. In the U.S., the goal is to have 300 million doses of potential vaccines by January. But any that fail tests will have to be thrown out. The World Health Organization has called for equitable sharing of any eventual vaccine between rich and poor countries, but how that will happen is far from clear. Its also uncertain how useful any vaccine will be if a sizable number of people, their skepticism fed by misinformation, refuse to be inoculated. Even an effective vaccine will not address the likelihood that, given the large number of coronaviruses and increasing contact between people and the animals harbouring them, the world is very likely to face other pandemics, said Honigsbaum, the medical historian. That means uncertainty will linger as a hallmark of the new normal. The knowledge gained about the coronavirus could prove invaluable in defusing that doubt and, eventually, in defeating the enemy. The real uncertainty, Redlener said, is whether people will use the lessons learned to protect themselves from the virus -- or downplay the threat at their peril. ___ Associated Press reporters Carla K. Johnson, Marilynn Marchione, Sam McNeil and Lauran Neergaard contributed to this story. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. In March, the WHO said COVID-19 is not airborne, and now it is backing evidence that states otherwise. Experts shed light on what we should be aware of Since the arrival of the coronavirus, uncertainty has loomed over many facets of the new virus, including how long it can survive on surfaces and other questions about transmission. Even the extent of immunity it provides its survivors with and the efficiency of various medications used in treating it are still a matter of debate. One of the aspects of coronavirus that has been shrouded in mystery was whether the virus can stay aloft for hours in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale. The World Health Organization said in March that it could not, but is now backing evidence that states otherwise. "It is unclear how often the virus is spread through these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces," said Dr Amr Saleh, a chest disease consultant. Oxford University Press published a study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on 6 July providing evidence that aerosols that are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings pose a risk that is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may lead to super-spreading. "For a virus to be airborne means that it can be carried through the air in a viable form. HIV for example is too delicate to survive outside the body, and so is not airborne. Measles is airborne and can survive in the air for up to two hours. But for the coronavirus, it is more complicated, said Saleh. "The mentioned paper submitted to the WHO is one of the many pieces of evidence that conclude that aerosols of infected people with coronavirus can hang in air for hours, so people should consider minimising time indoors with people outside their families, and schools, nursing homes and businesses should consider adding powerful new air filters and ultraviolet lights that can kill airborne viruses," Saleh says. Avoiding a rush to judgement Dr. Adel Khattab, professor of pulmonary medicine at Ain Shams University and a member of the Supreme Committee for Viruses, is sceptical to some extent. "From the onset of the pandemic, various health sources, among which was the WHO, identified large particles of droplets as the main source of infection. These large particles are transmitted through respiration, coughing and sneezing, and can reach people if they are not further than 5 or 6 feet away from the infected source, he said. "When a symptomatic person coughs or sneezes, theses relatively heavy droplets fall quickly to the nearest surface, hence the recommendations of social distancing. "What the WHO is backing now is negating what they stated before, and actually negating logic, he said. "We have to understand the difference between droplets and aerosols, which is nothing actually except a matter of size. Some experts now are claiming that infected people release aerosols when they breathe or talk and because aerosols are smaller and lighter, they can linger for hours especially in the absence of fresh air, thus infecting people for hours, even if they are not close to them," Khattab says. Khattab stresses that these fears are unlikely, and says that not all claims can be regarded as facts when it comes to the current situation, even if the source is a high authority like the WHO. "We have seen entities discarding drugs that were saving lives in many countries, and then changing their status to approval and vice versa. We have seen the WHO 'discontinuing' antiviral drugs that were saving lives and the same for hydroxychloroquine on 17 June, although the latter was an established medicinal solution for many COVID cases worldwide, he said. "The same for the idea of 'airborne COVID; it was a claim at the beginning of the crisis that the WHO pointed out, then disregarded, and now it is backing it again. In such a situation, there should be no rush to adopt a fixed opinion, especially as, if such a claim is accurate, the situation in many countries would have been more disastrous. We have to take into consideration that a lot of 'politics' and commercial benefits play a backstage role in what is publicly being said," he says. Khattab says that, nevertheless, precautionary and preventive measures should not be undermined. "People who work in direct or close contact with symptomatic persons should wear the N95 mask to prevent the tiniest particles from getting through, as well as a face shield. Otherwise the normal face mask suffices, as well as abiding by the normal rules of social distancing, washing hands frequently, and opting for open-air areas for gatherings, he said. "As doctors and medical entities we have been monitoring the situation and studying the latest claims, along with experts at the Supreme Committee for Viruses, and we have been seeing a decrease in the numbers as well as the intensity of the disease, so there is no need to panic now, as long as the basic regulations mentioned above are abided by. "Provided that we adhere to precautionary and preventive measures, things are certainly getting better. For now? Better ventilation, social distancing, washing hands frequently and keep wearing those masks," he concluded. Search Keywords: Short link: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell speaks to reporters after attending a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha in Seoul, July 17, 2019. The United States is considering leveling sanctions against Chinese state-owned enterprises that are involved in land reclamation, dredging, and illegal oil exploration in the South China Sea, a senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday. David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, was speaking after the Trump administration on Monday declared most of Chinas sweeping territorial claims to those disputed waters to be illegal. That drew an angry reaction from Beijing, which bristled at Secretary of State Michael Pompeos assertion that China was treating the South China Sea like its maritime empire. China accused Washington of being a destroyer of regional peace and stability. Stillwell on Tuesday expanded on the U.S. decision to align its policy with a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling that undermined the legal basis of Chinas claims to virtually all of the South China Sea, where five other governments also have claims. Speaking at an online forum organized by a Washington-based think tank, Stilwell also called out Chinas state-owned enterprises (SOEs), describing them as battering rams used to enforce Chinas sweeping maritime claims. Beijing has used state-owned enterprises as tools of economic coercion and international abuse, he told a conference on the South China Sea organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. They have been used to dredge, construct, and militarize the P.R.Cs artificial island fortresses in the Spratlys, from which Beijing now violates the exclusive economic zones of Southeast Asian states, he said, using an acronym for the Peoples Republic of China as the communist-ruled country is formally known. He explicitly cited China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC), a major infrastructure conglomerate responsible for dredging sand from the South China Sea to construct Chinas artificial islands, and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), which notably deployed a mobile oil platform in waters claimed by Vietnam in 2014, sparking a standoff between the two countries in the South China Sea. Both companies are managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Chinas State Council. Stilwell suggested that these companies could be sanctioned for their active role in pushing Chinas claims and violating the resource rights of Southeast Asian nations. Nothings off the table, he said in response to a question concerning the possibility of U.S. sanctions on those entities. I would point out that the CCCC is responsible for untold environmental damage, and being an SOE its actions are directed by the Chinese Communist Party. Absolutely, there is room for that. In a massive land reclamation campaign between 2014 and 2017, China transformed rocks and reefs in the South China Sea into artificial islands with human settlements and military facilities, including runways, radar and deep water harbors. Those changes came at a steep environmental cost, with vast destruction of coral on the sea bed. Researchers from Australias James Cook University published a scientific paper in February alleging that the ecosystem of the Spratly Islands, where China has dredged sand and created huge complexes on features such as Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef, would never recover because of Chinas construction and illegal fishing. In Mondays statement from Pompeo, the U.S. invoked the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on which the 2016 arbitral ruling in a case between the Philippines and China was based although the U.S. is not a signatory to the convention. Stilwell gave no indication that position was to change although he said the U.S. abides by the convention. The U.S., historically, does not take sides on territorial disputes, and the statement does not mean a total rejection of all Chinas claims in the South China Sea. But it does declare illegal many claims that range far from Chinas own coastline. This declassified photo released by the Philippine Department of National Defense shows a Chinese installation at Mischief Reef in the South China Sea, Nov. 10, 1998. (AFP) For example, it states that Chinas claims to features that are visible only in low-tide conditions, such as Second Thomas Reef, Mischief Reef, and James Shoal which are all much closer to the Philippines than China are unlawful. Furthermore, while the U.S. does not take a position on sovereignty disputes over land features such as rocks and islands, it states that Chinas claims to the waters off the coast of Brunei and around features such as Luconia Shoals off Malaysia, and Natuna Island off Indonesia, are similarly illegal. Birthright of Southeast Asian nations Stilwell contended that Chinas insistence to economic rights in those waters violated the economic rights of Southeast Asian nations. These resources are the birthright of Southeast Asian nations, the lifeblood of their coastal communities, and the livelihood of millions of their citizens. They are the inheritance of each nations children and grandchildren and Beijings behavior is an assault on the people of Southeast Asia today from generation to generation, Stilwell said. He referenced an estimated $2.6 trillion in offshore oil and gas in the South China Sea, as well as the richness of its fishing grounds that employ an estimated 3.7 million people in Southeast Asia. China reacted sternly on Tuesday and accused the U.S. of hypocrisy for accusing China of not abiding by UNCLOS when the U.S. has not ratified the treaty. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian defended Chinas conduct in relation to its neighbors. China never seeks to build a maritime empire in the South China Sea. We always treat our South China Sea neighbors as equals and exercise maximum restraint when it comes to safeguarding our sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea, Zhao told a press conference in Beijing. Meanwhile, there was bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for the policy announcement from the top-ranking Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. China has failed to abide by the Permanent Court of Arbitrations legally binding ruling from 2016, or provide any credible legal justification for its claims, Sens. James Risch and Bob Menendez, and Reps. Eliot Engel and Michael McCaul said in a joint statement. Continued ambiguity with respect to our policy on Chinas maritime claims in the South China Sea no longer serves the shared interests of the Indo-Pacific region, given Chinas aggressive actions and refusal to abide by international law, they said. On Monday, July 20 at 1 p.m. ET, the Royal Ontario Museum in partnership with the Star, will be bringing you a live sneak peek broadcast of the upcoming ROM original exhibition The Cloth That Changed the World: Indias Painted and Printed Cottons. Join the ROMs Senior Curator of Global Fashion and Textiles, Sarah Fee, for this live tour of a spectacular exhibition. This world-renowned collection of Indian chintz is set to open late summer 2020, marking its first public display in 50 years. Fee will give viewers an inside look at this exhibition while it is being installed and also show a selection of its featured objects from 14th century archeological fragments to contemporary fashion. Viewers will discover how this highly coveted cloth connected cultures, shaped economies, and quite literally changed the world. Dont miss out. Bookmark this page and return here for the livestream Monday, July 20 at 1 p.m. ET. Read more about: Lieutenant-governor (L-G) Anil Baijal and the Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal are again locked in confrontation -- this time over the appointment of special public prosecutors (SPPs) in the high court to argue cases related to the communal riots in February and the protests against the citizenship amendment act (CAA). On July 10, the Delhi police had sent a proposal to the Delhi government recommending the names of six special public prosecutors including Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aman Lekhi to fight 85 cases related to the NE riots and the anti-CAA protests in the high court. However, the tussle began on Tuesday (July 14) when deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who currently also has temporary charge of the home department, rejected the Delhi polices proposal, government officials said. The proposal was rejected by the deputy chief minister saying that Delhi governments counsel Rahul Mehra and his team were capable enough of handling the cases, said the official on condition of anonymity. The same day after Sisodia dismissed the Delhi polices panel and sent back the file, the L-G summoned the file using his special powers, another official said. When contacted, neither the Delhi government nor the L-G office gave any official statement on the matter. The face-off comes barely a month after the L-G and the elected government in Delhi had strong disagreements with regard to the appointment of 11 public prosecutors appointed by the Delhi police in the lower courts for over 750 northeast Delhi riots cases. The L-G then had decided to refer the matter to President Ram Nath Kovind, citing persistent difference of opinion , following which the then home minister Satyendar Jain has approved the Delhi Polices panel. Documents seen by HT suggest the confrontation, brewing since April, is over whose panel of public prosecutors should represent the state in the trials pertaining to the northeast Delhi riots, which claimed 53 lives and left over 400 injured. So far, the police have registered 752 FIRs and arrested 1,300 people in connection with the Hindu-Muslim violence. In the last controversy, the L-G, in a string of written communication between him and the Kejriwal government, had stated that the panel proposed by the Delhi Police should be notified and allowed to fight the cases because the riots disturbed public order in the capital and effective prosecution was needed to restore faith of the general public and in the Delhi government. The Kejriwal government wanted its own panel of independent and technically qualified special public prosecutors to be appointed to represent the state. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Minaurum Gold, Inc. (TSXV: MGG) ("Minaurum") announces the commencement of a minimum 20,000-metre Phase II drilling program at its Alamos Silver project in Sonora, Mexico. Phase II involves systematically stepping out from discoveries made during Phase I drilling beginning with two drill rigs. One drill will offset the Europa-Guadalupe discovery hole (AL17-007) which returned 8.25 m grading 1,760 g/t silver (see News Release dated 18 January 2018). The other drill will test targets at Promontorio, both along the vein trend and beneath the Promontorio Mine where recently acquired historical data revealed holes that returned up to 12.2 m grading 710 g/t silver (see News Release dated February 6th, 2020). "We are excited to begin stepping out from our numerous Phase I Drilling discoveries. Phase I confirmed our geological model, proved that Alamos is a silver district and generated a significant inventory of high-grade vein targets for Phase II drilling," stated Darrell Rader, President and CEO of Minaurum. "We'll focus first on Europa-Guadalupe and Promontorio as well as the Nueva Europa vein that lies between them. With multiple rigs drilling 75 to 150 m step-outs, we anticipate a considerable amount of news flow over the next 12-18 months." Covid-19 Protocols Minaurum has set up a system of protocols approved by the Mexican federal, state, and local health authorities to minimize physical contact with surrounding communities and ensure the health and safety of its employees, contractors, families, and local communities. The Phase II program is being conducted from a camp isolated from the community. Personnel will continue to be tested for the presence of the coronavirus and monitored for symptoms on an ongoing basis. Phase II Drilling To prioritize Phase II drilling, Minaurum's technical team divided Alamos' vein inventory into 3 tiers based on Phase I drilling, recently acquired historical drill information, and surface geological information such as host rocks and structural flexures (Figure 1). Phase II will start with Tier 1 targets, most notably the Europa-Guadalupe vein zone and the Promontorio zone (Table 1, Figure 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Tier 2 and Tier 3 vein zones will see drilling later in the program. Story continues Table 1. Phase II tiered priority vein targets at the Alamos project. Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Europa - Guadalupe Quintera La Dura Oeste Promontorio El Tigre Amalia Nueva Europa Promontorio Sur Rosario San Jose Ana Carrera Pulpito Las Animas Cocinera Travesia Cotera Tijera Minas Nuevas La Dura Alessandra San Manuel El Creston Salvial Figure 1. Phase II prioritized vein zone targets at the Alamos project. Click to expand. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/59818_minaurum1enhanced.jpg Europa-Guadalupe Vein Target Drilling will begin with step-outs of 75 to 150 m, up- and down-dip, and along strike from the Europa-Guadalupe discovery made in Hole AL 17-007 (Table 2). Table 2. Hole AL17-007 Europa-Guadalupe vein zone intercept. Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag (g/t_) Au (ppb) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) AL17-007 534.65 542.9 8.25 1760 58 1.60 1.48 2.60 including 534.65 536.85 2.2 5098 42 2.76 0.47 1.18 Figure 2. Existing and proposed drilling, Europa-Guadalupe and Nueva Europa vein zones. Data indicate a 55 degree ESE dip on the Europa-Guadalupe zone. Click image to expand. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/59818_minaurum2enhanced.jpg Figure 3. Europa-Guadalupe Cross-Sections of Phase II Drilling. Click image to expand. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/59818_minaurum3enhanced.jpg Promontorio Vein Target The Promontorio Mine exploited three principal veins: Veta Guijas, Veta Grande, and Veta del 100 (Figures 4 and 5) and historical reports mention an undeveloped vein lying to the west. Post-mining (1960s-80s) drilling cut significant high-grade mineralization in all three veins more than 50 m below the bottom of the mine over an aggregate 735 m of strike length. Assay highlights from the Promontorio mine underground drilling are in Table 3. Phase II drilling will step-out 75 to 150 m, down-dip and along-strike of the veins at Promontorio. Table 3. High grade intercepts from Alamos Mining Co's. 1961 underground drilling program below historical workings in the Promontorio mine. Intervals are drilled thickness. Hole Meters g/t Ag Comment Vein Area From To Interval U-1 113.4 114.6 1.2 161 Below historical workings Veta Grande 114.6 115.8 1.2 1008 U-4 0.0 4.6 4.6 305 Below historical workings Between Veta Grande and Veta del 100 67.1 68.4 1.4 377 72.5 76.2 3.7 823 76.2 80.2 4.0 1111 80.2 84.7 4.6 274 U-7 62.5 65.2 2.7 274 Below historical workings Tirito/Guijas U-8 80.5 82.6 2.1 247 U-16 23.8 25.3 1.5 219 Below historical workings Veta Grande Figure 4. Existing and proposed drilling at the Promontorio vein zone. Click image to expand. To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/59818_minaurum4enhanced.jpg Figure 5. Promontorio vein zone, cross-sections of Phase II Drilling. Click image to expand. To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3455/59818_minaurum5enhanced.jpg Nueva Europa Vein Target Nueva Europa cuts andesitic agglomerate, tuff, and flows; strikes north-northeast and dips steeply east. It has been traced for more than 1,500 m and is open to the north and south. Vein widths range from surface stringers to the vein/breccia zone measuring 1.2 m wide cut in Hole AL17-007 that assayed 542 g/t Ag, 16 ppb Au, 0.28% Cu, 0.44% Pb, and 0.88% Zn. The Nueva Europa vein is hosted in a down-dropped block and consists of quartz-carbonate veinlets and breccia fill. Minaurum believes this indicates that the vein is exposed and cut at a high level and could potentially widen and increase in grade at depth. Down-dip and along-strike step-outs from the AL17-007 intercept will be drilled during Phase II. Phase I Exploration Wrap-up Assays have been received for holes AL19-039 and AL19-040, the last two holes of the Alamos Phase I program. These were drilled in the Alessandra vein zone in the eastern part of the project area (Table 4). The highlights were 12.45 m of 0.91% Cu cut in Hole AL19-039. Holes AL19-039 and AL19-040 were drilled approximately 300 m and 620 m north-northeast of hole AL19-038, respectively. As reported in Minaurum's January 20, 2020 News Release, Hole AL19-038 cut 6.60 m of 3.89% combined Cu, Pb, and Zn with specular hematite and quartz veining cutting skarn and hornfels. Table 4. Mineralized intervals for holes AL19-039 and AL19-040. Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag g/t Au ppb Cu % Pb % Zn % AL19-039 175.85 188.30 12.45 4 25 0.91 0.50 1.17 including 182.35 183.00 0.65 21 11 5.58 0.63 0.93 AL19-040 No Significant Results Minaurum Engages Native Ads Minaurum has entered into a 12-month programmatic digital advertising campaign for a total cost of US$200,000. The campaign includes, but is not limited to: content creation, web development, media buying and distribution, advertising development, and campaign reporting and optimization. A budget of US$150,000 from this payment will be allocated for digital advertising, paid distribution, and media buying and US$50,000 will be allocated for production, managed services and management fees over the campaign period. Neither Native Ads nor any of its directors and officers own any securities of Minaurum. Minaurum Gold Inc. (TSXV: MGG) (OTCQX: MMRGF) (FSE: 78M) is a Mexico-focused explorer concentrating on the high-grade Alamos Silver Project in southern Sonora. With a property portfolio encompassing multiple additional district-scale projects, Minaurum is managed by one of the strongest technical and finance teams in Mexico. Minaurum's goal is to continue its founders' legacy of creating shareholder value by making district-scale mineral discoveries and executing accretive mining transactions. For more information, please visit our website at www.minaurum.com and our YouTube Minaurum Video Channel. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Darrell A. Rader" Darrell A. Rader President and CEO For more information, please contact: Sunny Pannu - Investor Relations Manager (778) 330 0994 or via email at pannu@minaurum.com The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. 2300 - 1177 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6E 2K3 Telephone 778 330-0994 www.minaurum.com info@minaurum.com Stephen R. Maynard, Vice President of Exploration of Minaurum and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and verified the assay data, and has approved the disclosure in this News Release. Historical data reported in this news release has not been verified. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, Minaurum has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on Minaurum' s current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Minaurum. Although Minaurum considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Minaurum does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Quality Assurance/Quality Control: Preparation and assaying of drilling samples from Minaurum's Alamos project are done with strict adherence to a Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol. Core samples are sawed in half and then bagged in a secure facility near the site, and then shipped by a licensed courier to ALS Minerals' preparation facility in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. ALS prepares the samples, crushing them to 70% less than 2mm, splitting off 250g, and pulverizing the split to more than 85% passing 75 microns. The resulting sample pulps are prepared in Hermosillo, and then shipped to Vancouver for chemical analysis by ALS Minerals. In Vancouver, the pulps are analyzed for gold by fire assay and ICP/AES on a 50-gram charge. In addition, analyses are done for a 48- element suite using 4-acid digestion and ICP analysis. Samples with silver values greater than 100 g/t; and copper, lead, or zinc values greater than 10,000 ppm (1%) are re-analyzed using 4-acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Quality-control (QC) samples are inserted in the sample stream every 20 samples, and thus represent 5% of the total samples. QC samples include standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. Standards are pulps that have been prepared by a third-party laboratory; they have gold, silver, and base-metal values that are established by an extensive analytical process in which several commercial labs (including ALS Minerals) participate. Standards test the calibration of the analytical equipment. Blanks are rock material known from prior sampling to contain less than 0.005 ppm gold; they test the sample preparation procedure for cross-sample contamination. In the case of duplicates, the sample interval is cut in half, and then quartered. The first quarter is the original sample, the second becomes the duplicate. Duplicate samples provide a test of the reproducibility of assays in the same drilled interval. When final assays are received, QC sample results are inspected for deviation from accepted values. To date, QC sample analytical results have fallen in acceptable ranges on the Alamos project. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59818 DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Unified Brands, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV) and a leading manufacturer of foodservice equipment, is pleased to introduce the SimpleSpecTM line of hood systems by Avtec. The budget-driven SimpleSpec line of commercial kitchen ventilation hoods is designed to meet the price-sensitive requirements of foodservice professionals while delivering convenience, performance and versatility for a variety of applications. Styles are available in box, conveyor pizza, fryer, dishwasher, display and chain broiler. "Selecting the right kitchen ventilation system can be difficult and expensive," said Jefferson Kenney, Ventilation Design & Product Specialist for Unified Brands. "With Avtec SimpleSpec, we've made it easy to find and order the proper hood for your application that is within your budget." To keep your order progression efficient, the process from quote to shipment is 17 days or less with SimpleSpec. This is also the first time Avtec will be listed in AutoQuotes, and SimpleSpec has an accompanying interactive price guide available for your convenience. Each of the hood packages in the new price guide includes tools that make specifying and ordering simpler. These include SKUs, spec sheets, CAD drawings, Revit files, renderings and installation manuals available for use on submittals or to help an end-user visualize how the system works in their space. For additional information on all Avtec products, please visit unifiedbrands.net. About Unified Brands: Unified Brands and its Groen, Randell, Avtec, A la Cart, Power Soak and CapKold product lines have leading industry positions in cooking equipment, custom and standard refrigeration, continuous motion ware washing systems, conveyors, ventilation, utility distribution, cook-chill, and meal delivery systems. As an operating company within the Refrigeration and Food Equipment segment of Dover Corporation, Unified Brands is headquartered in Conyers, Ga., and has operations in Michigan, and Mississippi. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of over 23,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com. Unified Brands Contact: Kellie Wood (888) 994-7636, ext. 6539 [email protected] Dover Media Contact: Adrian Sakowicz, VP, Communications (630) 743-5039 [email protected] Dover Investor Contact: Andrey Galiuk, VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations (630) 743-5131 [email protected] SOURCE Dover Related Links http://www.dovercorporation.com NASA to highlight Comet NEOWISE with public broadcast NASA experts will discuss and answer public questions about Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE during a broadcast of NASA Science Live and follow up media teleconference on Wednesday, July 15. The comet is visible with the naked-eye in the early morning sky and starting this week, after sunset. The NASA Science Live episode will air live at 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday on NASA Television and the agency's website, along with Facebook Live, YouTube, Periscope, LinkedIn, Twitch, and USTREAM. Viewers can submit questions on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA or by leaving a comment in the chat section of Facebook, Periscope, or YouTube. NASA will follow the broadcast with a media teleconference at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The media teleconference audio will stream live at: https://www.nasa.gov/live The teleconference participants include: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on China and the Philippines to cherish the hard-won friendly situation, consolidate the political foundation for improvement of bilateral relations, and safeguard important achievements of cooperation between the two countries. The remarks came when Wang, also State Councilor, held talks with his Philippine counterpart Teodoro Locsin via video link. Wang said since taking office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made an important political decision and reached important consensus with Chinese leaders on putting aside maritime differences, controlling situations through bilateral consultations, and enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Wang said China is willing to continue working with the Philippines to launch a fast lane to facilitate people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible, and build "green corridors" for the flow of goods to contribute to the resumption of work and production. Expounding China's principles on the South China Sea issues, Wang said with the joint efforts of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the situation in the South China Sea remains stable in general. However, the United States, out of its geopolitical needs, keeps making waves and promoting militarization in the South China Sea, said Wang, adding that the so-called statement recently made by the United States blatantly violated its commitment of holding a neutral position on South China Sea disputes, and is intentionally sowing discord between China and ASEAN countries in an attempt to provoke conflicts and damage regional stability. The United States' flip-flopping practice will only damage its own reputation, he said. Wang said China will continue working with regional countries, including the Philippines, to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and consultations, uphold the principles of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and reach a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as soon as possible. Locsin voiced the Philippines' support of the joint construction of the Belt and Road. Maritime disputes are not the whole of bilateral relations, Locsin said, adding that such disputes should not and will not undermine friendly relations between the two countries. He said the Philippines is willing to work with China to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through friendly bilateral consultations, actively promote maritime cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea. (CGTN) The Trump administration has agreed to rescind its July 6 rule, which temporarily bared international students from staying in the United States unless they attend at least one in-person course, a federal district court judge said on Tuesday. The U-turn by the Trump administration comes following a nationwide outrage against its July 6 order and a series of lawsuits filed by a large number of educational institutions, led by the prestigious Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), seeking a permanent injunctive relief to bar the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from enforcing the federal guidelines barring international students attending colleges and universities offering only online courses from staying in the country. As many as 17 US states and the District of Columbia, along with top American IT companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, joined MIT and Harvard in the US District Court in Massachusetts against the DHS and the ICE in seeking an injunction to stop the entire rule from going into effect. "I have been informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution. They will return to the status quo," Judge Allison Burroughs, the federal district judge in Boston, said in a surprise statement at the top of the hearing on the lawsuit. The announcement comes as a big relief to international students, including those from India. In the 2018-2019 academic year, there were over 10 lakh international students in the US. According to a recent report of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), 1,94,556 Indian students were enrolled in various academic institutions in the US in January. Judge Burroughs said the policy would apply nationwide. "Both the policy directive and the frequently asked questions would not be enforced anyplace," she said, referring to the agreement between the US government and MIT and Harvard. Congressman Brad Scneider said this is a great win for international students, colleges and common sense. "The Administration needs to give us a plan to tackle our public health crisis - it can't be recklessly creating rules one day and rescinding them the next," he said in a tweet. Last week, more than 136 Congressmen and 30 senators wrote to the Trump administration to rescind its order on international students. "This is a major victory for the students, organisers and institutions of higher education in the #MA7 and all across the country that stood up and fought back against this racist and xenophobic rule," said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. "Taking online classes shouldn't force international students out of our country," Congressman Mikie Sherrill said in a tweet. In its July 6 notice, the ICE had said all student visa holders, whose university curricula were only offered online, "must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status". "If not, they may face immigration consequences, including but not limited to the initiation of removal proceedings," it had said. In their lawsuit, the 17 states and the District of Columbia said for many international students, remote learning in the countries and communities they come from would impede their studies or be simply impossible. The lawsuit alleged that the new rule imposes a significant economic harm by precluding thousands of international students from coming to and residing in the US and finding employment in fields such as science, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, business and finance, and education, and contributing to the overall economy. In a separate filing, companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft, along with the US Chamber of Commerce and other IT advocacy groups, asserted that the July 6 ICE directive will disrupt their recruiting plans, making it impossible to bring on board international students that businesses, including the amici, had planned to hire, and disturb the recruiting process on which the firms have relied on to identify and train their future employees. The July 6 directive will make it impossible for a large number of international students to participate in the CPT and OPT programmes. The US will "nonsensically be sending...these graduates away to work for our global competitors and compete against us...instead of capitalising on the investment in their education here in the US", they said. The Mekong sub-region is an integral part of ASEAN and its destiny is intertwined with that of ASEAN, said Nguyen Quoc Dung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Leader of Vietnam. The development of a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Mekong sub-region is indispensable to the success of ASEAN Community building, Vietnamese deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung said. He was speaking on Tuesday at a teleconference on converging Mekong sub-regional co-operation with ASEAN goals. The development of a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Mekong sub-region is indispensable to the success of ASEAN Community building. The same holds true for other sub-regions in Southeast Asia, he said. "With growing markets and capable human resources, the Mekong sub-region is emerging as a favourable destination for investment and a key link of the global trade and manufacturing network," he said. According to Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, in terms of transport, development corridors under the sub-regional programmes such as Greater Mekong Sub-region and Mekong-Japan have contributed significantly to ASEAN transport connectivity and created an important foundation for ASEAN to begin expanding its links outside the region. Some 10,000 km of road was built under the development of the three Mekong sub-regional economic corridors. In energy, ASEAN and its sub-regional partners share convergent goals and strategies in developing a reliable and secure supply of energy within the region, for example, the ASEAN Power Grid interconnections between Laos and Thailand are included in the Greater Mekong Sub-region pipeline of investment projects. Dung said as Mekong countries were navigating a fast-changing world to catch up with their ASEAN peers, they had contributed to ASEANs rise to the challenge of bridging development gaps within the region. The goal of narrowing development gaps within ASEAN and between ASEAN and the world has become more reachable thanks to the progress made by the CLMV countries in implementing ASEAN-wide targets. Dung emphasised the need to ensure the catalytic role of ASEAN in the Mekong sub-regional development, saying sub-regional development should be closely aligned with ASEANs key documents that outline the organisations overall goals and direction, namely the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. In this context, ASEAN frameworks could serve as a basis for sub-regional initiatives while ASEAN structures, processes, and mechanisms could be used in the planning and implementation of such initiatives. It is no coincidence that the sub-region is becoming more geographically and strategically important given the rapid proliferation of numerous co-operation frameworks and initiatives with various stakeholders. "ASEAN, therefore, needs to uphold its collective leadership in maintaining its central role in the evolving sub-regional architecture, and in forging and shaping the vision for closer and broader co-operation in the Indo-Pacific region, he said. Connectivity and sustainability Speaking in Tokyo, Professor Fukunari Kimura, chief economist of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, said to achieve rapid, innovative, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the Mekong sub-region should focus on four key areas connectivity, industrialisation, human capital and sustainability. A path to pull up the whole Mekong sub-region to upper middle income will require substantial upgrading of industrial structure and the enhancement of peoples welfare, he said. Keiju Mitsuhashi, deputy country director, Viet Nam Resident Mission of Asian Development Bank (ADB), said there was increasing importance of physical to digital connectivity. In this post-COVID-19 period, digital connectivity is becoming more and more important to substitute and complement physical connectivity. Since 1992, ADB and other donors have supported the co-operation of Greater Mekong Sub-region which comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam and Chinas Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We [ADB] have worked in three different layers, firstly, working directly within ASEAN, Greater Mekong Sub-region. Secondly, we have worked on cross-border projects in which two countries will be connected better. Thirdly, we have worked in-country projects. Each country will increase capacity to be connected with others, he told media. At a session on sustainable development, Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam, shared several challenges in the Mekong River Basin due to fast socio-economic development exacerbated by climate change. They include extreme droughts, forest fires, flash floods, heavy rains, rising sea levels, typhoons and saltwater intrusion. She highlighted the great potential for increased renewable energy development in ASEAN countries including wind, solar, biomass and hydropower. If countries co-operate more closely and pursue a common framework of energy development that has an increase in renewable energy sources, this could lead to a reduction of the development of mega hydropower plants, which in turn will reduce severe environmental risks, especially to the Mekong region, while accelerating energy security for the ASEAN region, she said. VNS COVID-19 - A test of ASEANs calibre Southeast Asia was the first region in the world to be affected by COVID-19 due to its geographic proximity and close trade relations with China, where the outbreak began. Post clearance from the high court for construction of a new secretariat, the Telangana government started the demolition of the old secretariat building. However, days after giving its green signal, the high court put a pause over the demolition works due to a lack of permissions from concerned departments. The court directed the government not to carry out demolition works until proper permission was granted. The demolition of old secretariat buildings in Telangana had been taken up suddenly on midnight of July 6 and not a single person was being allowed near the secretariat where the demolition work was taken place. Media persons who wanted to capture the demolitions visuals were also not allowed. All the closed-circuit cameras near the secretariat had also been switched off. The process of the demolition went swiftly until the high court stalled the works on technical grounds. Expressing doubts about the secretariat demolition, Opposition parties have asked the government why they are maintaining secrecy over the exercise. The Congress party claimed that the government was hunting old Nizam's 'hidden treasure' under the secretariat due to which the government was maintaining the high secrecy over the move. TPCC Working President, Malkajgiri MP Revanth Reddy requested HC Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh to constitute a committee in order to probe this matter. Speaking to News18, Reddy asked why Chief Minister KCR had started the demolition works at midnight. "Why didn't they allow even mediapersons and blocked the 2km radiation around the secretariat? We probed further over all these questions then realized that treasury hunt was going on," said the Congress MP. "Earlier, Archaeology and NMDC officials had found caves near G Block in 2016. As soon as they found the caves, immediately, the government stopped the digging. And Chief Minister KCR had taken decision to demolish the old building. Several history buffs believed that there is an underground vault beneath some blocks of the Old Secretariat, particularly the G Block. Government should allow Heritage activist to find the legacy of the buildings," said Reddy. The G Block of Secretariat, which is in a dilapidated condition, was once known as Saifabad Palace and belongs to Nizams of Hyderabad state. The building was built in 1888 during the reign of sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah VI Sir Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, who used the palace as his office. Many Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh discharged their duties from the building. Bankers which were built during World War II were also found near the Secretariat in 2016. "We also have doubts that there might be something under the G Block buildings as all were constructed in the 18th century. Before demolishing this kind of historic building, the government should call all heritage activists and allow them to find the historical shreds of evidences. But unfortunately, that didn't happen here. The state government had started the demolition work at midnight. How could they demolish an 18th-century building without taking the options of Archaeology, NMDC officials and heritage activists? The government should allow us to find the truths," heritage activist Anuradha Reddy told News18. Meanwhile, the episode of the treasury hunt has taken everyone by surprise across the state. Doubts risen against the government over the secrecy maintained on the demolition also led to several speculations and rumours. The talk of the hidden treasure has generated a lot of curiosity among the public. Hyderabad, July 16 : A hospital in Dubai has waived the Rs 1.52 crore bill of a labourer from Telangana, who was treated there for Covid-19. Odnala Rajesh, who was under treatment at the Dubai Hospital for 80 days, reached Hyderabad in the early hours of Wednesday and left for his village in Jagtiyal district. The 42-year-old was admitted to Dubai Hospital on April 23 and had tested positive for Covid-19. He recovered after 80 days of treatment and the hospital handed him a bill of 7,62,555 Arab Emirate Dirham (Rs 1 crore 52 lakh). Gundelli Narasimha, president of the Gulf Workers' Protection Society in Dubai, who took the worker to the hospital and was visiting him regularly, brought the matter to the attention of Sumanth Reddy, an Indian Consulate volunteer in Dubai. Reddy and Ashok Kotecha of BAPS Swaminarayan Trust requested Harjeet Singh, Consul (Labour) of Indian Consulate in Dubai, to help the poor worker. Harjeet Singh wrote a letter to the Dubai Hospital management, requesting them to waive the bill on humanitarian grounds. They responded positively and waived the bill. Dubai Hospital is a multi-specialty hospital and is a part of the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services. Ashok Kotecha provided free flight ticket to Rajesh and his escort Dyavara Kankaiah and paid Rs 10,000 for pocket expenses. They reached Hyderabad by an Air India Express flight. Rajesh has been sent to 14-day home quarantine. Press Trust of India Scientists have discovered a common feature found in many of the human antibodies that neutralise the novel coronavirus, a finding which they say can aid successful vaccine development against COVID-19. While multiple vaccine candidates have entered clinical trials, the researchers, including those from the Scripps Research Institute in the US, said the features of human antibodies which contribute to the most effective immune response against the novel coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- remain unclear. In the study, published in the journal Science, they assessed nearly 300 recently identified human SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and uncovered a gene frequently associated with those most effective against the virus. The researchers explained that SARS-CoV-2 uses the receptor binding domain (RBD) on its spike protein to bind to the host cell-surface receptor, ACE2, and infect human cells. They said antibodies which could target the RBD and block binding to ACE2 are highly sought, and a number have been discovered. In the current study, the scientists, including Yuan Meng from The Scripps Research Institute, assessed a list of 294 such RBD-targeting antibodies. They found that a gene in the IGHV gene family, known as IGHV3-53, is the most frequently used IGHV gene for targeting the RBD of the virus spike protein. IGHV3-53 antibodies, the researchers said, not only have lower mutation rates but are also more potent in neutralising the virus. By studying the 3D structures of two IGHV3-53 antibodies bound to the RBD, the researchers identified the features which made them effective and promising for vaccine design. "Overall, our structural analysis demonstrates that IGHV3-53 provides a versatile framework to target the ACE2 binding site in SARS-CoV-2 RBD," the study noted. The researchers said the study results can facilitate the design of vaccine agents that can elicit strong neutralising antibody response. "As IGHV3-53 is found at a reasonable frequency in healthy individuals, this particular antibody response could be commonly elicited during vaccination," they wrote in the study. NYPD detectives are hunting for a suspect who beheaded and dismembered a millionaire tech entrepreneur Body of Fahim Saleh, 33, was discovered by his sister who went to check on him in his luxury NYC apartment Saleh was last seen Monday afternoon on surveillance cameras getting into the elevator with the suspect Police say an electric saw was found near his body and was still plugged in but there was not much blood Parts of Saleh's body had been cut up and placed into bags and then distributed about the apartment It looked like the hitman had been interrupted, police sources said, and that it was a professional job The decapitated and dismembered body of a self-made millionaire has been found in his luxury Manhattan apartment by his heartbroken sister, and cops are now hunting for a professional killer who cut up the 33-year-old's corpse with an electric saw after following him into his apartment from the elevator. The victim has been identified as Fahim Saleh, a millionaire tech entrepreneur who moved into his $2.25 million Lower East Side apartment late last year. The alarm was raised by one of Saleh's siblings on Tuesday, after she became concerned because she had not heard from him for a day. She went to the seventh floor unit to check on her brother and found his dismembered body in his home. Fahim Saleh is pictured with his two sisters, Rif Saleh (center) and Ruby Bashir (right). It is not known which of them made the grisly discovery He had been cut up with a power saw, which was lying nearby and was still plugged in. Police sources said the body parts had been sorted into different plastic bags. Police believe they have surveillance footage of the suspect entering the building on Monday and then using the elevator. Video reportedly shows the gloved suspect wearing a hat and mask covering his face, and carrying a bag. He waited to enter the elevator with Saleh. 'The perp had a suitcase. He was very professional,' one police source told the Daily News. Sources told the New York Post that as the pair rode up to the seventh floor apartment together, Saleh appeared puzzled. No sooner had he stepped out of the elevator - which opened directly into his home - the attack began. He fell to the floor after either likely being shot or stunned, the footage reportedly shows. Police found that Saleh's legs below the knees and his arms had been removed, with the missing body parts placed into bags. Surprisingly, there was very little blood. The New York Times reported that some effort had been made to clear up evidence. Friends said Fahim Saleh (right) was a self-made millionaire who had a passion for gadgets and video games. He also enjoyed bringing tech companies into underdeveloped nations including Nigeria and Indonesia. Pictured is his motorcycle company in Nigeria Cops are now trying to work out whether the arrival of the victim's sister interrupted the dismembering of Saleh's body. Detectives are also looking to see if the killer was able to escape through another exit. 'We have a torso, a head that's been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We don't have a motive,' NYPD spokesman Sgt. Carlos Nieves said. Saleh, who was born in Saudi Arabia but grew up in New York in a Bengali family, bought his luxury pad for $2.25 million last year and was clearly proud of his purchase - regularly posting pictures and video on his Instagram. His LinkedIn profile reveals the former website developer was the CEO of a motorbike hailing company in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm, Gokada, recently faced severe setbacks after being banned earlier this year by the Nigerian government. It was forced to lay off staff and pivot from being a ride-sharing service to a delivery courier. The ban came at a difficult moment for Gokada which had just raised $5.3 million in funding from Rise Capital, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, in May 2019. After the ban was enacted, the firm stopped bringing in money and around 800 bikers working for Gorkada were also immediately laid off. Saleh, never one to give up, was working on new ideas and a new direction for the firm. On June 2, he tweeted: 'Have a very good feeling about 2020.' NYPD detectives are hunting for a suspect who beheaded and dismembered the tech entrepreneur in his luxury New York City apartment Later Tuesday, police could be seen in the condo's lobby at 265 East Houston Street and speaking with a woman who was in tears and who was believed to be one of Saleh's sisters who had found the body. Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automated Border Control Market: Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2020-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global automated border control market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.25%, over the forecast period 2020-2025. The automated border control system is in its third generation, where systems are being developed to support the e-border process of the future. These systems require an understanding of all traveler screening, authentication, and supporting technologies, to implement in a standardized manner. Gemalto mentioned that if these solutions are implemented, then the time required for airport passenger processing can be reduced by up to 80%. The deployment of e-passports, an electronic travel document, is transforming the border control application across the world. The increase in the number of international travelers is significantly growing Y-o-Y. According to UNWTO's latest publishing report in 2020, the foreign tourists' arrivals grew by 4% from the previous year, and it reached a figure of 1.5 billion. Due to this growth, the need for fast authentication processing is increasing and driving the demand for automated border control solutions. The user-friendly designs of automated e-gates and kiosks help in streamlining the experience for the passenger, from the point of check-in by eliminating the ques. Additionally, with the increasing technologies, along with efficient and quick processing capabilities, the automated e-gates offer a reliable solutions for immigration security, thereby, fueling the adoption of the automated border control systems at international ports. Moreover, due to rising cybercrimes and identity thefts across the world, the risk in maintaining security increases with process digitization and process automation. Additionally, for implementation, the high initial investment is required, and hence, limiting the growth of the market studied. Key Market Trends Airport Applications are Expected to Witness a Rapid Growth Story continues Airways are the most preferred means for international travelers, due to obvious reasons, like travel time and convenience. According to the European Commission, more than 887 million travelers are expected to make arrivals across the European Union. With this enormous difference in traffic, the adoption rate of the automated border control system is significantly high, as compared to seaports and land ports. In December 2019, 12 new automated, pre-security e-gates were installed at the Aukland Airport, which can scan boarding passes and grant passengers access to secure areas. The number of airports investing in automated border control, check-in, and bag drop solutions, worldwide, is increasing, for enhancing the airport operational efficiency. Airline services provider, SITA, estimated that over 72% of the air travelers in 2019 used one of these self-service solutions, thus, creating a key differentiator for the overall passenger value proposition. Recently in the United States, an Automated Passport Control (APC) program introduced to expedite the entry process for the Canadians, US passengers, and the passengers eligible for Visa Waiver Program, by providing an automated process through CBP's Primary Inspection area. Such initiatives by the government are estimated to drive the market studied. Europe is Expected to Hold the Largest Market Share The European region is one of the largest markets for automated border control solutions. Major companies, like Gemalto, OT-Morpho, Indra Sistemas, and Secunet Security Networks, are based in the region. Additionally, over the year, countries in the region are actively investing in implementing automated border control solutions in immigration ports. For instance, recently, in late 2019, the European Union announced that it is funding for the new deployment of a new automated border control system, iBorderCtrl, to be piloted in Hungary, Greece, and Latvia. The system is expected to be implemented for all the ports (air, land, and sea) in the countries, to streamline and automate the immigration process. Currently, the United Kingdom scores well in facilitating passengers with several advanced e-gates, automated border control systems, and the abolition of entry cards. Moreover, IATA has announced an approach, to improve its policy and border experience for travelers visiting the United Kingdom. This is estimated to drive tourism in the country, which may further fuel the adoption of ABC solutions in potential airports in the country in the future. Competitive Landscape The automated border control market is moderately consolidated, with the presence of a few major companies, like Gemalto and Vision-Box, dominating the market. These companies are continuously investing in making strategic partnerships and product developments, to gain a more market share. September 2019 - With the recent expansion in the region, IDEMIA announced to further invest in APAC border processing capabilities of Canberra and Sydney, to develop Gen 3.0 Border and Airport platform for the local market, with a portfolio of solutions for a seamless traveler experience across the whole border and airport process. March 2019 - Portugal-based company, Visio-Box, inaugurated its new technology and innovation center in Porto, Portugal. This center is one of the strategic expansion plans of the company. Key Topics Covered 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition 1.2 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET DYNAMICS 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.4 Market Drivers 4.4.1 Rising International Travelers Resulting in Growing Need for Automated Processes 4.5 Market Restraints 4.5.1 High Initial Cost Required for Complete Installation with Standardization 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION 5.1 By Type 5.1.1 ABC e-Gates 5.1.2 ABC Kiosks 5.2 By Offerings 5.2.1 Document Authentication System (DAS) 5.2.2 Biometric Verification System (BVS) 5.2.2.1 Face Recognition 5.2.2.2 Fingerprint Recognition 5.2.2.3 IRIS Recognition 5.2.2.4 Palm & Vein Recognition 5.2.3 Services 5.2.3.1 Installation 5.2.3.2 Maintenance 5.2.3.3 Consultancy 5.3 By Application 5.3.1 Airports 5.3.2 Landports 5.3.3 Seaports 5.4 By Geography 5.4.1 North America 5.4.2 Europe 5.4.3 Asia-Pacific 5.4.4 Rest of the World 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 6.1 Company Profiles 6.1.1 HID Global Corporation 6.1.2 Atos SE 6.1.3 Cognitec Systems GmbH 6.1.4 Cominfosec Inc. 6.1.5 Veridos GmbH 6.1.6 Thales Group 6.1.7 Gunnebo Group Corporation 6.1.8 Accenture PLC 6.1.9 Magnetic Autocontrol GmbH 6.1.10 Rockwell Collins Aerospace & Electronics Inc. 6.1.11 NEC Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. 7 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS 8 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lpwlgu Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. CONTACT: 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 Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Much colder. High 17F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Bitterly cold. A mostly clear sky. Low -4F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 07:27:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government has rescinded a new rule that could have denied international students their stay in the country if they only attend online courses in the coming fall semester, a federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts said Tuesday. Judge Allison Burroughs, who presided over a hearing Tuesday on a lawsuit filed last week by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) against the federal directive, said at the start of the hearing that the government and the universities reached a settlement, under which "both the policy directive and the frequently asked questions would not be enforced anyplace." "I have been informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution," Burroughs said at U.S. District Court in Boston. "They will return to the status quo." Announced by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 6 but not yet implemented, the guidance that caused turmoil and triggered outrage in the country's higher education system forced international students to choose between attending at least one in-person class in the fall semester -- transferring to another school if the one they are enrolled in only offers tele-classes due to the coronavirus pandemic -- and leaving the United States as their student visas would be invalidated. According to the settlement, a March guidance by the ICE will be reinstated, allowing international students to take all their classes online during the pandemic while staying in the United States legally. Burroughs said the settlement applied to higher education institutions nationwide. The Harvard-MIT lawsuit sought a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prohibit the ICE from enforcing the July 6 rule. "The motion is mooted," Burroughs declared, referring to the requests by Harvard and the MIT. "The hearing will be adjourned," she said, thanking the lawyers for "making this as easy on the court as it could have been." Harvard announced last week it will only allow up to 40 percent of undergraduates, including all first-year students, to return to campus for the fall semester. The rest of the students will continue to learn remotely. Meanwhile, the MIT said last week that seniors will be the only undergraduates to be invited back to campus this fall. Non-seniors may "request special consideration for housing if they face challenges related to safety, living conditions, visa status, or other hardship," the university said in a plan posted on its website. Harvard and the MIT argued in their lawsuit that the ICE's action considered neither the health of students amid the pandemic, nor the contributions that international students made to American innovation. They also highlighted the potential loss of "tens of billions of dollars that international students contribute to U.S. GDP each year" should the guidance be put into practice. The number of international students studying in the United States reached 1.1 million in the 2018-19 academic year, making up 5.5 percent of the total U.S. higher education population, according to the Institute of International Education, a New York-based non-profit. International students contributed nearly 45 billion U.S. dollars to the U.S. economy in 2018, data from the U.S. Department of Commerce showed. Tuesday's hearing came against the backdrop of 17 states and the District of Columbia on Monday sued the Trump administration over the controversial guidance. The lawsuit, led by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, accused the federal government of engaging in a "cruel, abrupt, and unlawful action to expel international students amidst the pandemic that has wrought death and disruption across the United States." Also on Monday, a group of 20 universities in the Western United States, including Stanford University, the University of Southern California, the University of Oregon and the California Institute of Technology, filed a lawsuit challenging the ICE's guidance. The schools complained that their plans for the upcoming semester "were thrown into disarray" by the ICE's "about-face" policy change, which was announced "without warning and without any input from the schools or students directly affected by it." On Sunday, a coalition of 59 colleges and universities, including Georgetown, Princeton, Stanford and Yale, filed an amicus brief to the Boston federal court in support of the litigation effort by Harvard and the MIT. The schools collectively enroll more than 213,000 international students every year, according to the brief. Meanwhile in the business community, tech giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter also stood by Harvard and the MIT, saying the new directive will harm their businesses. "America's future competitiveness depends on attracting and retaining talented international students," the companies said in court filings. In addition, a group known as the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration formed by 180 colleges issued a statement last Friday, saying the ICE's revised mandate "blindsided the whole of higher education." "The Covid-19 emergency no doubt continues. Recent data indicates that there are more new infections at present on a daily basis than in March -- when ICE stated that its guidance would last 'for the duration of the emergency,'" the group said in its amicus brief. "All seem to agree the emergency remains ongoing, but ICE's policy has inexplicably changed," read the brief. Enditem The torrential rains since June had worsened the flooding in China and have caused devastating blows: the flooding submerged 27 provinces, left 141 dead or missing persons, affected 38 million people, and displaced 2.2 million residents from their homes. Authorities raised the alert to the second-highest level on Sunday, while the province of Jiangxi has raised it to the highest as water levels in Lake Poyang showed a tremendous increase. The flood control situation was described by President Xi Jinping as "very grim" and urged to call for protection of lives and assets using "stronger and more effective measures." The rains show no promise of stopping in the next days as China's National Meteorological Center forecasted on July 14 that more heavy rains are expected in the Yangtze River Basin area in the next 24 hours. More Heavy Rains Expected From July 14 to 16, total rainfall in the Yangtze River is expected to be 100 millimeters (3.94 inches) to 180 millimeters (7.09 inches). Heavy rains will be expected on July 15 to 16 in Tibet, Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, and Heilongjiang, the northern regions of China. Hai River and Songhua Rivers in Northern China are also expected to inundate in the coming months, the Chinese vice-minister of water resources Ye Jianchun reported. Ye admits that locals from the north lack the experience to deal with flooding, and more attention should be given to them. Floodwaters Discharged Residents in Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangxi, the flooded provinces in southern China, disclosed to The Epoch Times that their hometowns were submerged after authorities discharged floodwaters at the rivers and lakes as the waters in the dam reached critical levels. The authorities extended no proper assistance, according to the residents. Wang Ming (not his real name), a resident of Yiguan Village, Tongling City in Anhui Province, said they were forced to leave their hometown, which is near a small dike. He said that the smaller dams were not strengthened, allowing it to collapse naturally. Authorities just let the floodwaters release into the levees, giving up the smaller dikes to protect the bigger ones. He reported that 12,000 people were displaced in Tongling that day with nowhere to go. They are waiting for the flooding to recede at the temporary shelters. In Poyang County, Jiangxi Province, several villages flooded since July 8. Authorities claimed to have evacuated affected residents, but several families are still at home, waiting for rescue. There are no signs of floodwaters receding, and the family needs food so badly. Floodwaters in the Hudong village have reached up to the second floor. In Wuhan, floodwater peaked on July 12. There are also reports from Guangzhou village residents in Caidian District that they were forced to evacuate at 5.A.M. on July 14 as authorities would release waters in their village from the Yangtze River. Dr. Huang Guanhong, son of famous hydrologist Huang Wanli, said that if the Three Gorges Dam does not release its waters, the upper stream like Chongqing City will be submerged. If it releases water, Wuhan and other cities locate downstream of the said dam will be flooded. He deems that the latter is the case now. The Situation at Shelters Displaced residents report that the shelters lacked drinking water, insect repellants, raincoats, flashlights, and tents. There is also not enough food. The World Health Organization (WHO) reminded flooded victims to drink boiled or chlorinated water. They also urged residents not to eat food found or got in contact with the floodwaters. When clients like SP+ and Miami International Airport see how many ways these signs can be used to positively impact the rider experience, the conversation instantly changes from Can we afford signs? to How quickly can we get these at our stops?" Papercast, the worlds leading provider of solar powered e-paper passenger information displays, has revealed that the 35,000+ employees at Miami International Airport (MIA) now benefit from real-time travel information when using the airport shuttle service. The bus service provides important transport connections for employees across the airport. The service is operated by mobility company SP+ who joined forces with Papercasts North American partner ETA Transit to deliver the solution. ETA Transit provides transit systems, software and solutions, with a complete toolset designed to improve transit operations and dramatically improve the rider experience. With the overall goal of getting staff to their posts on time, airport management wanted to ensure the timely transfer of staff from A to B getting them from the parking lots to where they need to go on site (and vice versa). The solution combines Papercast e-paper signage installed at each bus stop integrated with the ETA Transit SPOT operations management and real-time tracking system. It helps employees to understand when the next bus is due and when they will arrive to the various terminal locations. The real-time tracking of the SPOT system enables the airport to put more buses on a service and deploy the right amount of capacity to deal with peaks in demand. Miami International Airport was attracted to the many benefits of Papercast e-paper displays. The solar power option was extremely attractive given Miamis sunny weather, as well as the highly visible and readable screens in direct sunlight and fast installation. The Papercast displays have been a real eye-opener, says Nicole Castonguay, CEO for ETA Transit. When clients like SP+ and Miami International Airport see how many ways these signs can be used to positively impact the rider experience, the conversation instantly changes from Can we afford signs? to How quickly can we get these at our stops? When customers pair these with our SPOT ITS system, a whole new world of passenger engagement options become possible. The unique attributes of e-paper make it ideal for outside use, with unbeatable screen visibility, even in direct sunlight. Couple this with wireless connectivity and exceptionally low power consumption, and Papercast displays can be continuously solar powered no power or connectivity cables are required. This means Papercast is quick to install to an existing pole or shelter, while offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly display technology. This partnership marks an exciting phase in the rapid adoption and growth of e-paper in public transit information. It comes at a time when transport services, across all segments in all corners of the globe, are looking for ways to make travel easier, more attractive and more sustainable, comments Robert Bicket, CEO of Papercast. We are delighted that Papercast is well positioned to meet this ever-evolving need. ABOUT PAPERCAST Papercasts next generation bus stop passenger information solution uses wireless solar powered e-paper displays, with a comprehensive content management system developed exclusively for public transport needs. The platform enables transport providers to effortlessly keep passengers informed on real-time and advance service information at bus stops in a clear and user-friendly format. http://www.papercast.com Share this story and follow Papercast on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube CONTACT INFORMATION Kerry Marchbank Marketing Manager +44 (0)7817 916654 kmarchbank@papercast.com In a rare and swift immigration policy reversal, the Trump administration on Tuesday bowed to snowballing opposition from universities, Silicon Valley and 20 states and abandoned a plan to strip international college students of their visas if they did not attend at least some classes in person. The policy, which would have subjected foreign students to deportation if they did not show up for class on campus, had thrown the higher education world into turmoil at a time when universities are grappling with whether to reopen campuses during the coronavirus pandemic. The loss of ... Settlement-Based Reconciliation ideally complements RevSprings comprehensive payment services and our leading edge PersonaPay portal, said Callis. RevSpring customers now can benefit from a full-service payment and automated reconciliation solution using one reliable partner." RevSpring, the leading provider of patient engagement and payment solutions, has expanded its Merchant Services offering with an integrated payment facilitation program. RevSpring recently acquired Loyale, which has a comprehensive set of payment facilitation capabilities and an already mature program, that will be the foundation of RevSprings new offer. The expansion provides a quick and simple way for customers to leverage a Merchant Services program that provides significant cost- and time-savings benefits. This move enhances RevSpring's already market leading healthcare patient engagement and payments platform, including its comprehensive Merchant Services offering which ties together the client's full payments experience. With the integration of RevSprings payment applications and Loyales payment facilitator program, RevSpring offers a comprehensive and scalable Merchant Services solution for hospitals, health systems and providers of all types and sizes. "We are very excited as we continue to leverage Loyale's capabilities for the greater RevSpring marketplace, said RevSpring president of payments Steve Callis. "Providers have differing needs when it comes to payment processing, and being able to onboard our Merchant Services' clients quickly by taking advantage of Loyale's payment facilitator program rounds out our Merchant Services offering, and allows us to offer the optimal solution to meet the payment objectives of each client." RevSpring is fully integrated into a providers EHR and patient communications and payment platform everywhere: during pre-service, day of service and post-service payment engagements. Payments can be accepted digitally at the point of care, online or via mobile devices. With uniform cut-off times for banks, credit card companies and processors, same day and next day settlement funding will be available for faster receivables. RevSpring also announced an expansion of its Merchant Services offering to include Settlement-Based Reconciliation that automates the payment reconciliation process, while eliminating errors and reducing write-offs. RevSpring designed a series of dedicated reconciliation reports, accessed independently or through RevSprings PersonaPay portal, to make it fast and efficient for reconcilers to gain insight into the funding status of any payment at any stage when taken through RevSprings portals, IVR or text-to-pay service, so providers know the status of any patient payment. Settlement-Based Reconciliation ideally complements RevSprings comprehensive payment services and our leading edge PersonaPay portal, said Callis. RevSpring customers now can benefit from a full-service payment and automated reconciliation solution using one reliable partner." Not only does RevSpring Settlement-Based Reconciliation reduce the time needed to reconcile payments, its easier and more accurate than manual reconciliation work, said RevSpring director of payments, Dennis Haughie. Were confident customers will also appreciate the improved posting visibility, operating efficiencies and increased employee productivity made possible by our automated reconciliation service. Customer benefits of RevSprings comprehensive Merchant Services solution include: significant processing rate savings acceptance of a full array of credit, debit, ACH, healthcare savings accounts and digital wallet methods funds are deposited within 24-48 hours pre-, point-of-service and post-service patient payments using RevSprings portal, IVR and text-to-pay solutions inclusion of point-to-point encrypted devices for EMV chip, mobile and contactless payments simplified reconciliation process, which solves a common complexity and transparency problem for healthcare back-office staff About RevSpring RevSpring leads the market in financial communications and payment solutions that inspire patients to participate in and pay for their healthcare. The company has built the industrys most comprehensive and impactful suite of patient engagement, OmniChannel communications and payment solutions backed by behavior analysis, propensity-to-pay scoring, contextual messaging, and user experience best practices. Using proprietary data analytics to tailor the engagement from pre-service to post-service, we improve the financial experience and outcomes for providers and their patients. To learn more, visit revspringinc.com/healthcare. About Loyale Loyale Patient Financial Manager is a comprehensive patient financial engagement technology platform leveraging a suite of configurable solution components including predictive analytics, intelligent workflows, multiple patient financing vehicles, communications, payments, digital front doors, and other key capabilities. Based in Lafayette, California, Loyale and its leadership team bring 28 years of expertise delivering leading financial engagement solutions for complex business environments. Loyale joined the RevSpring family of companies in March 2020. Moravian Academy could merge with the Swain School later this summer if the boards of each school sign off on the plan. The announcement is posted in letters on the website of each school. If the process moves forward as intended, we would become the regions leader in education, extending a shared mission to the entire Lehigh Valley, the joint letter says. Each private school has an admissions process and requires tuition to enroll. Moravian Academy offers primary through grade eight instruction in downtown Bethlehem and ninth through 12th grades at the upper school in Bethlehem Township. The Swain School offers preschool through eighth grade instruction at its school in Salisbury Township. Not much would change at the schools if they merge, according to information posted on each schools website. The boards of trustees for each school would combine to form one board. Eighth graders at the Swain School would not have to apply to enroll at Moravian Academys upper school. Neither school anticipates a tuition hike for school year 2020-21 as a result of the merger. School calendars wont change either. The schools will remain independent, each school website says. Moravian Academy says it will maintain its church-inspired traditions while the Swain School will remain non-denominational and keep its close-knit, loving culture. If the merger is approved, the schools will host a series of family conversations to answer your questions and to share more about our strategic vision for the next 3-5 years. We believe in the power of partnership, and this partnership could bring tremendous opportunity for our schools, our communities and for the state of education across the Lehigh Valley, said Armistead Webster, the head of the Swain School. Jeffrey M. Zemsky, the head of Moravian Academy, didnt immediately return a message. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 02:23:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Tunisian President Kais Saied (2nd R) meets with Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi (2nd L) and Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh (1st R) in Tunis, Tunisia, on July 15, 2020. Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh has submitted his resignation to President Kais Saied, the presidency said Wednesday. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua) TUNIS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh has submitted his resignation to President Kais Saied, the presidency said Wednesday. Fakhfakh submitted his resignation after an earlier meeting among him, the president of the parliament and the secretary general of the Tunisian General Labor Union, according to a presidency statement. Saied should start consultations for the appointment of the new head of government. A few days ago, the Islamist party Ennahda (Renaissance), the majority party in parliament, decided to break with the government of Fakhfakh. Ennahda, with 54 parliamentary seats, recently voiced its intention to demand the departure of Fakhfakh's government, citing "suspicion of conflict of interests and abuse of power of Fakhfakh." Fakhfakh was appointed head of government on Jan. 20, 10 days after Habib Jemli, the previous prime minister-designate, had failed to gain the confidence of parliament. On Feb. 27, the government of Fakhfakh gained the confidence of parliament. Hogan told reporters at a news conference that the onslaught of fake claims appeared to use identities constructed from a huge cache of information taken in national data breaches in recent years. As examples, he cited breaches at the Experian credit rating agency and the federal Office of Personnel Management. Personal data in Marylands unemployment system was not breached as part of the scam. Best friends who allegedly smuggled $3million worth of ice into Australia burst into tears as they appeared handcuffed in court. Israh Chahine and Alexandra Karanfilovska, both 23, appeared at Central Local Court on Tuesday charged with importing commercial quantities of the drug. The Australian Border Force tracked the pair's phones and intercepted the bust on May 6. Alexandra Karanfilovska (pictured) wept as she fronted court charged with helping to import almost $3million worth of meth in food packages from America to Australia Israh Chahine (pictured) was charged with importing $3million of meth along with her best friend Inspection of the consignment allegedly revealed 5.7kg of methamphetamine (pictured), which police claim has an estimated street value of $2.7million Police raided their Arncliffe homes, in Sydney's south, on May 13 and allegedly found food ration packages from the United States. Further inspection of the consignment allegedly revealed 5.7kg of methamphetamine, which police claim has an estimated street value of $2.7million. Police will allege the package was addressed to Chahine but was sent to Karanfilovska's address. 'It suggests a high degree of planning beyond being the consignee and taking possession, then passing it on,' Prosecutor Chelsea Brain told Magistrate Alexander Mijovich, St George Shire Standard reported. 'The role of (Chahine) goes beyond being a courier.' Australian Border Force intercepted the delivery, which appeared to contain food ration packages from the U.S (pictured), on May 6 Israh Chahine (pictured) remains under house arrest and is only allowed to leave with an approved chaperone Chahine and Karanfilovska were allegedly caught discussing how much money they would make over the phone after the package was delivered to the pair's co-accused Adam Ayshan and Mohamad Hawchar. 'After Chahine has taken the package to Ayshan, she contacts Karanfilovska and says "are you happy with $1,000?",' Ms Brain told the court. 'Karanfilovska asks how much Chahine received, she says $2,000, and that she doesn't want to do it again for $1,000. Their lawyer Ahmad Dib told the court that his clients were unaware of the drugs in the alleged packages. Magistrate Mijovich accepted Ms Brian's explanation that police had a 'strong case' against the girls. Chahine and Karanfilovska remain under house arrest and are only allowed to leave with an approved chaperone. They are also not allowed to communicate with one another under their bail conditions. The matter is due to return to court on July 28. The Willis Independent School District is consolidating its platforms into one learning management system for the upcoming school year. The district announced both on campus and remote learning options on Friday for the upcoming school year, which is set for Aug. 12, after it received over 4,283 responses to a fall 2020 survey. Feedback also indicated that, especially for families with more than one student, it was difficult to keep up with school work because each child or grade level was using different platforms, the announcement stated. As a result, we are consolidating our platforms to one learning management system called Canvas so that every student in grades 2-12 will log into the SAME system to complete school work. Prekindergarten and first grade students will use Waterford, which the district described as a more appropriate developmental LMS. All students will use the system for their grade level, whether they are enrolled in on-campus or remote learning. Willis ISD Communications Director Jamie Fails said the new system will add an $18,000 expense to a total of about $33,000 to the contract this year. Fails shared the program was already utilized at the high school, which rolled out a new 1:1 technology initiative in August 2019. In previous interviews with The Courier, the school officials shared that the initiative put a learning device in each high school students hand and that the learning management system was utilized by other school districts and colleges. In April, Brian Greeney, Willis ISDs assistant superintendent of innovation, teaching, and learning told The Courier Willis High School was already in great shape to online learning which the district launched online learning in late March due to the pandemic. Nobody could have predicted we would be in this situation, but the fact that we are 1:1 and we have a learning management system called Canvas, a lot of our kids have already been accustomed to blended learning, Greeney said in April. So, this will be a little bit easier transition for them, which is great because we have to keep track of those courses to make sure kids are on track to graduate. The district has spent several thousand dollars for personal protective equipment, which is expected to rise throughout the school year. Chrome books and portable WiFi devices also totaled several hundred thousands of dollars, Fails said. She said WiFi devices have not been purchased yet but will be. For more information and updates, visit https://www.willisisd.org/fall2020. mellsworth@hcnonline.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin John Miller (Reuters) Zurich, Switzerland Wed, July 15, 2020 11:00 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066666518 2 World coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,restaurant,plastic,pandemic Free The top doctor in the Swiss mountain region that includes St. Moritz and Davos told restaurants on Tuesday not to rely on plastic visors to protect their employees from COVID-19 infections, saying they "create a false sense of security". The warning, from the Grisons canton bordering Italy and Austria, raises questions about the reopening strategies of some restaurants, hotels and other tourist-dependent businesses. In Germany some states allow visors for service workers, while others require face masks. Swiss restaurants don't require all workers to wear protective facial coverings, though some have adopted them. The Grisons cantonal doctor, Marina Jamnicki, said face masks for restaurant staff who cannot keep 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) distance from others were a better solution than transparent plastic shields secured by a headband. "An analysis of the cases and the path in which the disease spread shows plastic visors being used in gastronomy don't offer sufficient protection," her office said. "People who wore visors got infected." The Swiss Federal Health Office did not return queries about potential action, given Jamnicki's warning. Marc Tischhauser, director of the Grisons restaurant industry association, told Reuters the doctor's warning was a reminder that visors play a "complementary role" in protecting against COVID-19 infections, and that proper social distancing and face masks are also necessary to be effective. The World Health Organization last month updated guidance urging face masks be worn in public, while conceding only observational evidence, not scientific studies, showed they helped contain the new coronavirus's spread. Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health said masks are better because they "slow the speed of breath or the dispersion of spit and slime drops" while visors "just capture drops that land on the screen". Germany's 16 states have final say in what to require. In Hessen, where Frankfurt is located, service workers can use visors, while Bavaria's health office advises they can be used "only to reinforce a mask covering the mouth and nose". A similar debate is taking place in the United States. Many airlines in European countries including Germany, Italy and France require masks that cover the nose and mouth. Qatar Airways requires passengers to wear both a mask and face shield. (Bloomberg) -- TikTok has become one of the worlds most popular apps by serving up a steady beat of lip-syncing videos and viral memes. But behind the scenes the company, owned by one of Chinas biggest tech firms, is also scooping up massive amounts of data on Americans and tracking users every move. Security researchers say TikToks information-collection practices are consistent with Facebook Inc., Google and other U.S. tech companies looking to tailor ads and services to their users. The bigger issue lies in what TikTok does with the intel it gathers. Some groups, like the Democratic and Republican national committees and Wells Fargo & Co., have discouraged or banned people from using the app. The problem here is not the quantity of data thats being collected, but rather who else can access it. And those problems exist on the end of data transmission that no one but TikTok can see, said Oded Vanunu, head of products vulnerability research at Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., who discovered a security hole in the app last year that has since been resolved. Theres little doubt the backlash against TikTok stems in part from the ongoing economic and political rivalry between Washington and Beijing. When U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that they were considering banning the app last week, both indicated such a move would be one way to retaliate against China over its handling of the coronavirus. The company, part of ByteDance Ltd. and incorporated in the Cayman Islands, has consistently denied that it hands over data to Beijing and has taken measures to try to distance itself from its Chinese roots. ByteDance is considering changing TikToks corporate structure to include a new management board and a separate global headquarters, people familiar with the plans said last week. In June, former Walt Disney Co. executive Kevin Mayer became TikToks first American chief executive officer. Story continues U.S. officials havent provided any proof publicly that TikTok is sharing information with the Chinese government. The company says American user data is stored in servers in the U.S. and Singapore, not China. TikToks terms of service do, however, stipulate that the company may share information with its parent, subsidiary or other affiliate. Previous versions of TikToks privacy policy warned users it could exchange information with its Chinese businesses, law enforcement agencies and public authorities, if legally required to do so. Another reason why TikTok prompts more concern than other social media sites is that the app, which counts more than 2 billion users worldwide including 165 million American users, has attracted a large proportion of young people. TikTok starts collecting data the minute you download the app, according to researchers. It tracks the websites youre browsing and how you type, down to keystroke rhythms and patterns, according to the companys privacy policies and terms of service. The app warns users it has full access to photos, videos and contact information of friends stored in the devices address book, unless you revoke those permissions. Even when youre not singing and dancing around your living room, the app tracks everywhere you go using your IP address and GPS coordinates, providing the app with your precise location while working, voting, attending protests, traveling, or simply picking up milk from the grocery store. You can disable all GPS collection on your devices, but, in some cases, that would shut off access to apps that need location data to function, like Google Maps. Devices running Apple Inc.s iOS block TikTok from tracking web browsing and keystrokes done on other apps. Although this monitoring still happens inside the TikTok app on iPhones. Apples operating system also requires apps to ask permission to access user photos, videos and contacts, and users can choose to share their location just once, only while using an app, or never. Once you use TikTok for a few days, the app has a good idea of what you look like, how you hold your phone, who your friends are, what videos you like to watch, what topics youre interested in and what websites you visit. It reads the messages you compose and exchange on the app. TikTok can then match this data to other information collected about users from third-party services and publicly available sources. TikToks iPhone version verifies users and their devices using an authentication tool researchers have identified as vulnerable to a malicious cyber attack, according to a report by cybersecurity firm Zimperium Inc. TikTok hasnt been used as a platform to launch such an attack, according to ZecOps, a sister company to Zimperium. American tech companies have also been accused of bending data privacy rules to enhance information gathering. In June, Google was sued for illegally collecting users browser history even when set to incognito mode, a claim it denies. We know that Google and Facebook collect a lot of the same data, but they use it to make more money, said Kirsten Martin, professor of technology ethics at the University of Notre Dames Mendoza College of Business. The problem lies in not knowing what TikTok is doing with the data, if they are manipulating it and whether the data is going into the hands of an adversary. Most recently, researchers found that TikTok had access to the words and images users had cut and paste on their devices, whether it was an innocuous shopping list or sensitive passwords. Researchers identified 56 other apps doing the same thing, including AccuWeather and The New York Times. TikTok has said it has since disabled the function on iOS. TikTok collects much less U.S. user information than many of the companies in our space and stores it in the U.S. and Singapore, a company spokesman said. We have not, and would not, give it to the Chinese government. The ability to track a persons every move and assemble a behavioral profile is a key reason the Pentagon warned U.S. military personnel in January to delete TikTok from their phones. That precise data could be deadly in the wrong hands, said Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who has introduced a bill to ban TikTok on all government-issued devices. Amazon.com Inc. last week sent a notice to employees to delete TikTok, but later said the email was sent in error. TikTok was also among the dozens of apps from Chinese companies banned by India last month over security and privacy concerns. ByteDance is already under a U.S. national security review for its 2017 acquisition of Musical.ly, a startup it later merged with TikTok. Critics say the app could be used for foreign influence campaigns and that it censors videos in line with Beijings priorities. TikToks data practices are also the subject of inquiries by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice and at least two class action suits. Experts question why TikTok would be treated any differently than any other company expected to give Beijing whatever data it asks for, as required by Chinas cybersecurity laws. At the end of the day TikTok is a Chinese company, said Kiersten Todt, a former Obama administration official and resident scholar at the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security. And in any case, TikTok doesnt necessarily have to hand over data to Beijing for China to gain access to it, Todt said. U.S. intelligence officials have documented decades of Chinese espionage, including a massive 2017 hack of U.S. credit reporting agency Equifax and the personal data of about 145 million Americans, she said. The prevalence and saturation of TikTok gives the Chinese government tremendous access. (Updates with details on Apple iOS data limitations in 10th paragraph.) For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. "The home has become the new office, classroom, gym, and restaurant, elevating the importance of indoor air quality and home safety in 2020," said Dave Gitlin, President & CEO, Carrier. "At Carrier, our goal is to make sure consumers have the right tools to improve indoor air quality and safety for their families, their visitors and themselves. The enhanced ventilation, filtration, humidification, fire and carbon monoxide detection, as well as suppression products within our Healthy Homes offering will help improve home health critical during this time and well into the future." Carrier products including air conditioners, air purifiers, and humidifiers serve dual purposes. They make homes more comfortable and make the air inside fresher and cleaner. Fire safety products from Kidde, like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other fire safety accessories, can help protect people, pets and the structures of homes in the event of a fire. Just as important as having these items in your home, making sure these products are properly placed and tested can make all the difference to help save lives and minimize damage to property. Carrier's Healthy Homes product offering addresses key foundations of healthy spaces as outlined by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's Homes for Health: 36 Expert Tips to Make Your Home a Healthier Home report, which was funded, in part, by Carrier. Infinity Air Purifiers work silently with a home's HVAC system and can help improve indoor air quality. This air purifier uses Captures & Kills technology to trap up to 95% of particles such as pollen, animal dander, bacteria and other pollutants, then uses an electrical charge to kill or inactivate up to 95% of particles between 1.0 and 3.0 microns trapped on the filter. OptiClean Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machine plugs into a standard electrical outlet to quickly improve indoor air quality. It can operate as an air scrubber, using a 99.97% efficient, long-life HEPA filter to help remove contaminants and discharge cleaner air back into the room. It can also, with expert assistance and installation, help convert a normal room into a negative-pressure airborne infectious isolation room by adding a vacuum effect to the HEPA filtration capability. Performance Series Whole-Home Dehumidifiers work quietly to wring out humidity from the air so homeowners can save on utilities and be comfortable. They're designed to be configurable with the home's existing system in a multitude of ways or operate independently away from the system if space is a problem. Carrier Humidifiers can "moisturize" dry, heated, winter air, making a home feel more comfortable. Properly humidified air can help relieve the discomfort of dry nasal passages, itchy skin and static shocks. Carrier Whole-Home Ventilators offer a controlled solution for bringing fresh outdoor air into the home. They're efficient because they ventilate without the energy loss one would experience through an open window or screen door. Whole-home ventilation is more important than ever with today's more tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes that tend to trap airborne pollutants to circulate throughout the home. Performance Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV) Lamps are designed to kill the mold and bacteria that can grow in the moist environment of the indoor coils to help keep the system efficient and clean air flowing. TruSense Alarms with Advanced Smoke Detection Technology were the first to meet the latest industry standards and address the changing fire safety requirements of modern homes. The alarms use next-generation sensors to accurately detect various types of smoke and reduce common nuisance alarms. Wire-Free Interconnected Smoke Alarms with 10-year Worry-Free batteries talk to each other so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound, offering the entire household enhanced early warning in the event of an emergency and extra time to escape. Combination Smoke & CO Alarm is ideal for kitchen applications and helps reduce nuisance alarms from cooking. A sealed, long-life lithium battery means it's maintenance-free, hassle-free and worry-free for 10 years. To learn more about the solutions available to improve the overall health of homes, visit http://www.corporate.carrier.com/healthyhomes. About Carrier Carrier Global Corporation is a leading global provider of innovative HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Supported by the iconic Carrier name, the company's portfolio includes industry-leading brands such as Carrier, Kidde, Edwards, LenelS2 and Automated Logic. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow Carrier on social media at @Carrier. SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation Cineworld cinemas (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) Cineworld has delayed its reopening date in the UK and US to 31 July. The global chain was set to reopen in both regions on 10 July, but that date has now been pushed back three weeks. Cinemas have been closed nationwide since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, the chain stated its plan to reopen screens in other regions ahead of that date, subject to conditions: Cineworld has and will continue to reopen cinemas however upcoming reopenings remain subject to final clarifications and confirmation in relation to various government COVID-19 restrictions. Commenting on the news, Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger said: "Movie fans around the world continue to be excited by the strong slate of summer films ahead, including Tenet, Mulan, A Quiet Place Part II, Unhinged, The Broken Hearts Gallery, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Greenland, and Antebellum as well as a special re-release of Christopher Nolan's Inception on IMAX. Read more: Cineworld staff petition company to enforce face masks Cineworld looks forward to welcoming these moviegoers back to our cinemas next month and believes that they will once again be immersed in the timeless theatrical experience they know and love." Cineworld has updated its Twitter banner with the new date. (Twitter) The 10 July date for reopening was only announced on 22 June, with the chain outlining the precautions it was taking across its sites to ensure the safety of its staff and customers. Cinemas in England are able to welcome back customers from 4 July, when the coronavirus lockdown is due to ease further. Cineworld, which has about 100 cinemas around the UK, said it had updated its booking system to ensure social distancing, and adapted its daily movie schedules to manage queues and avoid the build-up of crowds in lobbies. It has also said it has enhanced cleanliness and sanitation procedures across all sites. Notices at Cineworld cinema on April 05, 2020 in Weymouth, United Kingdom. (Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images) Due to spikes of confirmed coronavirus infections in North America, most big July releases including Tenet and Mulan have already been pushed back to August. Cineworlds delay follows news that AMC theatres in America has also pushed back its date for reopening to 30 July. AMC is the owner of Odeon cinemas, which is still aiming to reopen on 4 July. Story continues Cineworld has 128 sites in UK and Ireland, 102 under the Cineworld brand and 26 under the Picturehouse banner. In North America, it operates 546 Regal Cinemas with 7,178 screens. Globally the company operates in 10 countries with 787 sites and a total of 9,500 screens. In preparation for cinemas reopening, the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) released guidance for the safe re-opening of movie theatres, following consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The advice, while dependent on any nation-specific restrictions, has been developed to ensure the continued safety of both audiences and staff, the UKCA said. Guidance includes measures to ensure social distancing throughout cinemas, with an emphasis on auditoriums and enhanced cleaning and hygiene procedures. Coronavirus: what happened today Customers will be asked to use contactless payment where possible, the guidance said, while online booking will also be encouraged. Plastic screens will be installed at key contact points and film schedules will be adjusted to allow cleaning of auditoriums between screenings and to avoid crowding in corridors. The guidance is intended to apply to both cinemas in fixed buildings and mobile cinemas, the UKCA said, but it does not include drive-in cinemas and other open air screenings. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here CLEVELAND, Ohio A commission designed to act as a voice of the community to Cleveland police has sputtered, falling victim to apparent struggles with the city and the department over its role, according to filings this week in U.S. District Court. The federal monitor overseeing the process to reform the police department said in documents that the city and department have consistently raised barriers to information, data and feedback'' to the Community Policing Commission. Nothing in the city and Divisions relationship with the commission suggests an interest in, or the importance of, the community substantively participating in areas of police reform, documents filed by the monitor, Hassan Aden, said. Any cooperation extended by the city and division occurs because it is mandated, not because it is seen as beneficial to the Cleveland community or the long-term success of the Division of Police. The 13-member group is mandated by a consent decree the city reached with the U.S. Justice Department in 2015 to reform a department that has struggled with use-of-force complaints and allegations of officer misconduct. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver discussed the commission in a hearing on the progress of the decree. He called the groups work extremely important. We have to make sure that this relationship works, Oliver said. Gary Singletary, an attorney with the city, said Cleveland takes the panels work seriously. It has reached out to work with the commission for a session in the near future and seeks a positive relationship with the group, he said. The volunteer commission makes recommendations to Chief Calvin Williams office on policies and practices involving the police department. Mayor Frank Jackson picks 10 of the 13 members. Those members work in schools, social services, mental health and the ministry. Each of the citys three police unions also selects a representative. Aden said in court filings that the city and departments engagement with the community, amid deep concerns over-policing, is more critical to overall safety and well-being of the Cleveland community than ever. In the next few months, Adens monitoring team is expected to release an anticipated report on the police departments response to violent demonstrations May 30 involving the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The filings this week said the Community Policing Commission has worked to provide residents with updates on the consent decree and the training that has gone on. It has formed a pursuit policy group to make recommendations, a move that stems from the death of Tamia Chappman in December. Tamia, 13, was killed in East Cleveland after she was struck by a stolen car driven by teenagers who were chased by Cleveland police. The commission also has established a workgroup that looks at the way discipline is handed out and seeks to make recommendations on improvements. Aden said the city and department must change their views of the commission. The monitor will be especially clear here: De-legitimizing or dismissing the Community Policing Commission is the same as de-legitimizing and dismissing the Cleveland community, Aden wrote. City officials have said that the city and department are attempting to move forward and act in good faith. They want to work through the issues with the commission in a professional, positive manner. Adens filings also highlighted key issues in the reform process: * The department saw a 20 percent drop in use-of-force cases since 2017. In that year, there were 237 incidents, compared to 190 last year. * The Office of Professional Responsibility has reduced a large backlog of cases from 377 in 2018 to 88 this year. * The internal affairs unit, which investigates officer misconduct, remains understaffed. It is doubtful that sustained progress will ultimately be possible unless and until internal affairs receives both the quality and quantity of investigative sergeants necessary to ensure timely, high-quality investigations of internal misconduct, Aden said in the filings. We experience cognitive dissonance when we hold contradictory ideas. Experiencing these inconsistencies tends to be stressful and disorienting. In order to regain a sense of balance, we often engage in self-deception and ignore the reality of a situation. Last week, Texas Education Agency Commissioner, Mike Morath mandated that our public schools reopen for in person instruction next month. Simultaneously, Texas logged its largest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, increasing the number of cases statewide among children 9 years of age and younger to more than 550. Parents and children all across Texas are experiencing the stress of this cognitive dissonance. When you speak to the educators themselves, though, the self-deception cannot hold. In May 2020, we began interviewing 28 education experts Texas primary and secondary school educators who spoke to us on the condition their identities would remain confidential and asked how they envisioned social distancing working in their classrooms and on their campuses; their unanimous response it would not work. Their doubts focused on the inherent constraint of school environments physical space. As one interviewee said, We would come back with 28-30 students [per class]. Im not getting additional staffing. There is no space even with additional staffing. Same thing with riding the bus, buses are full [with] two to three kids to a seat. Students and teachers deserve to learn and work in places that provide the greatest safety. Confined and enclosed spaces that encourage close contact coupled with poor ventilation describe both classrooms and areas in which COVID-19 spreads easily. Its impossible, my school has a terrible AC system that breaks down twice a week, my classes have 34 students basically sitting on each other, one educator told us. Commissioner Morath and TEA recommend, where feasible without disrupting the educational experience, encourage students to practice social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In Houston and cities across Texas, COVID-19 transmission is nearly uncontrolled. TEAs flexible school reopening policies come without adequate funding or resources to contain virus transmission. This premature reopening of school buildings is unwarranted. When social distancing is not possible, TEA advises that schools plan for more frequent handwashing, hand-sanitizing, and increasing airflow from the outside if possible. One has to wonder how much handwashing will be necessary, according to research, children 11 years of age and younger touch their mouths with their hands six to 28 times an hour. Using outside air to increase airflow is questionable, average high temperatures in the Houston area range from 90 to 95 degrees in August and September. Picture it, a student in an unair-conditioned classroom wearing a mask, drops a pencil while wondering which students in class might have the virus, then worries about whether hand sanitation should take place both before and after picking up the pencil while the teacher is informing students that they must memorize math facts for tomorrows quiz. What kind of learning outcomes are students expected to achieve under such conditions? Mandating school reopenings threatens teachers safety. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that nearly 25 percent of teachers face an elevated severe illness risk from COVID-19. A USA Today/Ipsos poll indicated that 20 percent of current teachers do not intend to return. Educators we interviewed also expressed concerns about their safety many have underlying health conditions and that of immunocompromised family members with whom they live. When educators are coerced to endanger their most valuable possession their lives we must ask: what do we value? Identifying schools as necessary to students social and emotional development created one rationale for mandating their reopening. However, at this moment, that rationalization is unsound, ill-informed, and unacceptable. The educators we interviewed were well aware of teachers and schools significance to students social, emotional and cognitive development. Educators also understand that debilitating anxiety and fear of illness and death can undermine students emotional well-being. The transmission and integration of knowledge occurs most effectively and efficiently when everyones needs for safety and security are met. If school buildings remain closed, what will students lose that they can never regain? Given what is known about this virus we cannot deceive ourselves about its dangers to students, teachers, and ourselves. We must approach the coming months with wisdom and compassion; protecting the most vulnerable among us. The responsible and reasonable course of action for reopening school buildings is to do so when safe conditions as defined in peer-reviewed evidence-based scientific reports are fully met. McCoy is a counseling psychologist and Serrano is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Houston-Downtown. Both have extensive experience in conducting education research and program evaluations in K-12 Houston-area public schools. HOLYOKE Congressional candidate Alex B. Morse slammed his political opponent for blocking a bill that would help people faced with surprise medical bills, but incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal argued the proposal was flawed and he has proposed a better plan. Morse, mayor of Holyoke since 2012, is challenging the long-term congressman from Springfield to represent the 1st Congressional District in Washington. The two, both Democrats, will face off in the Sept. 1 primary. Morse held a press conference on Tuesday to discuss surprise medical billing, saying 10,000 people across the country get a bill every day they did not expect after receiving medical care from practitioners outside their particular health insurance plan. In some cases, the bills can be thousands of dollars, and many people end up paying them even though they are not required to do so. People here in the district, people here in Holyoke ... had high hopes for Congressman Neal that he was going to use his power to protect patients and consumers and working-class families in this district, and he has done everything but that, Morse said. Instead he has used his power to protect corporate and special interests. He accused Neal of using his power as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to block a bill that would make the appeals process easier and prevent hospitals from hitting people with unexpected charges some time after treatment. During the conference, Pam Thompson, of Worthington, talked about the seven-month nightmare she faced after her 22-year-old daughter, who was doing a research project in Chicago, went to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. She said she is fully insured and she and her daughter checked with their insurance company to ensure a trip to the hospital would be covered. Her daughter is fine, but after spending about three hours in the emergency room, Thompson received a bill, not for the $100 co-payment, but for $15,107. She spent months on the phone getting mixed answers from hospital officials, the insurance company, consumer advocacy groups and lawmakers offices, of which she said Neals was the only one not to respond. The bill was finally waived, but not until it had been turned over to a collection agency. It took so much work, Thompson said. Neals campaign said Morse has attacked him on the issue before and called it election politics. They said Neal is working to end the practice of surprise billing with a better plan than was proposed. Why let facts get in the way of a baseless attack? The inconvenient truth for (Morse) is that the surprise billing measure he references would have hurt hospitals and workers in Western Massachusetts, so Congressman Neal proposed his own bill, spokeswoman Kate Norton said. His proposal, which is supported by Mark Keroack, CEO of Baystate Health, would take the patient out of the fight and leave the insurance company and health care providers to battle out the problem between themselves. Morse said he disagrees, saying the original bill has bipartisan support. He accused Neal of blocking it because it would harm his corporate donors. Congressman Neal is not a member of the progressive congress and it is important that Neal be replaced so that he can no longer use his power to block this legislation, Morse said. There is still a lot of appetite to move this along both in the Senate and the House and even with the Republican administration, and Congressman Neal refused to do it. If elected, Morse said he would also work hard to improve health care for people across the country, signing onto legislation that would declare medical care a fundamental human right. He also pledged to invest in hospital infrastructure so local health care businesses would not be forced to downsize and close, as several local ones are currently doing. Related content: Cultural organizations in Greater Springfield, Berkshires receive $135K in federal grants Springfield City Council President Justin Hurst endorses Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse in congressional bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard Neal Congressional candidate Alex Morse calls for reinstatement of Springfield police officer The view from Porcupine lookout is seen overlooking rural land in north west New South Wales on May 04, 2020 in Gunnedah, Australia. ( Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) Call to Support Rural Youth Mental Health Young people in remote areas of Australia lack the resources to take care of their mental health, a new report says. Rural youngsters have limited access to mental health services, according to the Fit for Purpose report by youth mental health organisation Orygen, while many are experiencing events such as droughts and bushfires, Evidence from health organisations including the Royal Flying Doctor Service suggested demand for mental health services had increased in these areas, the report said. But fear of being stigmatised is another barrier preventing young people in regional areas from reaching out for help. Rose, a young person from the city of Busselton in Western Australia, said there can be little or no knowledge of the available services. The stigma of ill mental health often seems heavier in rural and remote areas, making taking those first steps towards help even harder, she said. The report noted that GPs, nurse practitioners and Indigenous health workers needed better support in providing care to young people. For many young people in rural and remote Australia primary health professionals such as GPs are the only health providers they have access to, Orygen executive director Patrick McGorry said. Melbourne The Minority Spokesperson on Communication, Sam Nartey George has argued that the Ministry of Communications should have completed the migration from analogue to digital to generate enough space before the intended closure of three channels of the state broadcaster. Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister for Communications, in a letter dated 26th June 2020, notified the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) of Governments intention to reduce the number of channels, the GBC currently occupies on the National Digital Terrestrial Television Network from six to three. The reason to reduce the number of channels, the Minister explained in the letter, is to ensure that there is redundancy on the National DTT platform, which is currently at full capacity. The letter directed the GBC to respond to the directive within 60 days. However, Mr George in addressing a mini-press conference at the Parliament was of the view that the GBC operates under the Ministry of Information, and any directive on its activities should come from that Ministry and not the Communications Ministry. The letter also indicates that GTV's channels will be returned when work on the planned expansion of Ghana's DTT network is completed. However, Mr George said when the digital switch is over, there are going to be a lot of white spaces, which will be an additional spectrum for government to use, and that he said makes the notice coming from the Communications Minister unacceptable. Mr George noted that there was no need to reduce the number of channels being operated by the state broadcaster by half. He said: The fact remains that the sole multi-channel through which broadcasting can be transmitted in this country, for now, is full, there is absolutely no redundancy on it, for us as a country, it is dangerous to be in this situation. Pending the acquisition of an additional multiplex, which will provide for more capacity on that and it has absolutely nothing to do with the spectrum, it is the multiplex, which has capacity challenges and not spectrum and until we acquire an additional multiplex to provide channels for broadcasting in this country. He said the Ministry should have completed the migration from analogue to digital in 2017, which he said would have given enough space or spectrum to the Government. The Minister, however, in a reaction said the comments from Mr George was a distortion of the facts, explaining further that the channels belonged to Communications Ministry rather than the Ministry of Information. Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said she is well within her rights to take the decision aimed at freeing up space and reducing for maintenance of the DTT platform. The management and board of GBC have taken issues with the directive and have asked the National Media Commission (NMC) to intervene, but the Minister said the NMC cannot compel the Ministry to withdraw the directive. 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 More than 30 local, state and national organizations have formed a new coalition with a single goal to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee Protection Alliance met online Monday to discuss concerns about a proposal to mine heavy sand minerals near the world-famous swamp. The biggest threat, they said, is a proposal by Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals that, if approved by the Army Corps of Engineers, could be the first phase of a planned 12,000-acre mining project near the southern boundary of the swamp. The new Okefenokee Protection Alliance is the first collaborative effort to have an exclusive focus on the protection of what is arguably our countrys healthiest remaining wetland of significance, said Christian Hunt, Southeast program representative for Defenders of Wildlife. Everyone came together because of Twin Pines permit application, but by design we intend to be active over the long-term and address the present threat that we are dealing with today, as well as future threats that stand to compromise the Okefenokee. The alliance has also released a new website protectokefenokee.org and people are being urged to contact Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps office to express their concerns. Just as we have reached out to folks to call on the Corps, we are reaching out to folks to call on Gov. Kemp because it is not just the Corps that has a say, said Rena Peck, executive director of the Georgia River Network. We want Gov. Kemp to stand with his constituents and all the citizens in Georgia who are concerned about the mine and ask the Corps for an Environmental Impact Statement. Alex Kearns, chair of St. Marys EarthKeepers, was among the presenters at the hour-long teleconference. She explained the importance the Okefenokee has to the local economy and environment. The threat to ecotourism and the 600,000 annual visitors to the wildlife refuge are greater than the potential profits from a mining operation, she said. Kearns said the new alliance is needed to fight the lobbying effort Twin Pines Minerals is conducting to generate support to mine near the swamp. This is almost unprecedented, Kearns said. These organizations represent more than 5 million active members. Alice M. Keyes, vice president of coastal conservation for the environmental group One Hundred Miles, said her organization will play an active role in protecting the swamp. One of the strengths of the alliance, besides the number of people involved, is the experience many members had with the failed attempt by DuPont to mine heavy minerals near the wildlife refuge in the late 1990s, she said. DuPont officials abandoned plans after widespread opposition, including a public appearance by then Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt to voice his concerns. The public knows the value of the Okefenokee, Keyes said. She said her organization is trying to make the governors office aware of the concerns and get him involved in the conversation. As the largest blackwater swamp in the United States, the significance of the Okefenokee cannot be overstated, Keyes said. It is recognized through many designations and determinations, but the characteristics that are worthy of the recognitions and that bolster the local economy continue to be threatened. 2020 The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) Visit The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) at www.thebrunswicknews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Your browser does not support the audio element. U.S. Senator William Fulbright founded the Fulbright Scholarship to promote education as the best way to improve international relations. This tenet of relationship building was a major asset to the resumption of Vietnam-U.S. relations during the post-war years. >> Part 1: Cooperation to tackle COVID-19 pandemic >> Part 2: A debonair 'lock breaker' Professor Herbert Covert of the University of Colorado was one of the first 'education ambassadors' of the Fulbright Scholarship Program since the official establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the U.S. in 1995. Bonded through passion for science As a Fulbright Scholar, Covert visited Vietnam twice in 2001 and 2009; however, his experience with Vietnam dates back further than that. He previously collaborated with Vietnamese scholars at the University of Science (HUS) under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Institute of Tropical Biology to survey and conduct research on multiple national parks and nature reserves in Vietnam. According to Covert, when he first arrived in Vietnam in 1998, the country was still seen as an 'enemy' with an opposing political system and doctrine in the eyes of the American public. Yet during his time in Vietnam, he was greeted with overwhelming hospitality by the locals, notably his colleagues at HUS. The American scholar was deeply humbled by the genuine sense of community he felt as they were all interconnected by their shared affinity for science. This kind of connection left him with a sense of belonging in Vietnam, a place halfway across the globe from his home. Covert still remembers in vivid detail the emotion he felt when spotting a snub-nosed monkey, a critically endangered species in Vietnam 16 years ago. It was a chilly morning in June when Covert went on a quest to study the surviving primate populations endemic to the rainforests of northwestern Vietnam. Leading the way into the forest was his student, Dr. Le Khac Quyet who later became the director of the Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Endangered Species. At the momentous sight, Covert was told by Quyet he was the first foreigner to witness this rare species in the wild. According to Covert, academic cooperation is one of the determining factors that brought the two countries closer, while also offering unique opportunities and insights to scholars from both sides. In his 20 years of traversing his way between Vietnam and the States, Prof. Covert has cultivated rich and enduring friendships with local scholars, many of whom have become the vanguards of nature and biodiversity preservation in Vietnam. One of Prof. Coverts friends, Tran Duc Canh, stands out as a shining example. Canh is currently a member of the National Council for Education and Human Resources Development for the period of 2016 to 2021. Born in Khanh Hoa, he moved to the United States in 1975 at the age of 19. Canh dabbled in a variety of professions from aviation engineering to economics and labor economics, but he later found his calling in a human resources development career. With the new role, Canh worked in public administration in the government of Massachusetts, handling multiple responsibilities such as social security, food and housing security, job creation, and human resources training. In the past few years, he has emerged as a major figure paving the way for education exchange between Vietnam and the U.S. But it was not always so easy. As the two countries had not yet set up relations, [we] had to rely on a private intermediary via Harvard University to legitimize an American program for operation in Vietnam, Canh recalled the first days when working groups were advocating for the foundation of a Fulbright program in Vietnam. Former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Cuong (left) shakes hands with former U.S. President Barack Obama in a supplied photo. Dismantling skepticism The reconciling effects of education have also been felt by former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Cuong. Cuong was in office from 2011 to 2014 as the fourth ambassador of Vietnam to the States in the post-war era. He is also the first Fulbright alumnus to be appointed ambassador. Since 1992, the Fulbright Scholarship has been awarded to some 600 Vietnamese citizens, many of whom are undertaking core leadership roles in government agencies, research institutions, state-owned enterprises as well as private entities in Vietnam. Generally speaking, the cooperation programs in education and health between the two countries since 1990 are regarded as a pivotal leap achieved through the channel commonly called public diplomacy, which helped break the ice and dismantle skepticism, bringing the two sides to a complete establishment of diplomatic relations in 1995, Cuong said. During his tenure as Vietnam's ambassador to the U.S, the country hosted approximately 16,000 Vietnamese who came to pursue studies in various states and cities. The figure has nearly doubled to 30,000 in the last five years, making Vietnam the largest nationality group among Southeast Asian students in America. This force of students, as well as Vietnamese students in many other countries all over the world, is a principal resource for the development of our country in the future, Cuong concluded. Teaching Vietnamese in American colleges Nguyen Thi Thu Thao, lecturer at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, is the pioneering figure who laid the groundwork for the Vietnamese language program at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. The curriculum started from a request by Notre Dame to the Fulbright Program as the Institute of Asian Studies saw a growing number of Vietnamese-American students, according to Thao. Besides her job of teaching Vietnamese at Notre Dame, the Hanoian lecturer also gives Vietnamese lessons at a local elementary school, where many children of impoverished families attend. She teaches the children the basic greetings and banter in Vietnamese, reads them Vietnamese folk tales, and introduces them to the 54 ethnic groups living in the Southeast Asian country. [The information] might stay in their head for just a short while. Children are inherently absent-minded. But the positive impression will stay for good, which will build up an affinity and help people be more intimate with one another, Thao said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! When I first created a Twitter profile in 2009, the conversations I had with Black friends on the platform were little more than playful hot takes about popular hip-hop music and the fallout of the 2008 recession. The site was new and easy to use, so for young Black kids with plenty of opinions 11 years ago, Twitter was a digital playground. As more people around the world joined Twitter, the Black youths of America quietly created their own online community within the platform. This was a slice of internet where Black kids spoke candidly with each other about Black issues. It quickly became known as Black Twitter. The subcultures influence on the country is tangible. Black Lives Matter came to prominence through Black Twitter. Black Twitter caught the worlds attention with hashtags like #LoveWins, in regard to marriage equality, as well as phrases like Black Girl Magic, which celebrates Black women, and the viral video sensation that was the mannequin challenge. The group also popularized Karen as a moniker for racist white women. And when San Francisco supervisors recently introduced the CAREN Act, which would designate discriminatory calls to the police as hate crimes, it was essentially a nod to Black Twitter. Jeff Chiu / Associated Press Suffice it to say, Black people helped make Twitter cool for more than a decade. And the site still needs brown fingers tweeting into the ether to remain relevant. So, is it safe to assume the company, which is headquartered in San Francisco, hires, retains and promotes Black people in a way that reflects their importance online as users? No, it is not. Black people make up about 13% of the countrys population, based on recent U.S. census data, but we account for about 24% of overall Twitter users, according to the Pew Research Center. According to 2020 data, only 6% of Twitters workforce in the U.S. is Black. In 2017, the number was closer to 3%. When it comes to leadership positions, Black people held fewer than 5% of those jobs at Twitter. They also only accounted for 3% of promotions. Attrition data from Twitter doesnt often bode well for the company either: From October 2018 to October 2019, Black people made up 9% of the new hires. But in that same window, they accounted for 9% of the companys attrition, meaning employees that left their jobs at Twitter. Maybe Twitter is just late to the party. Black Twitter didnt reveal its growing power until the release of Kony 2012, a short documentary about the Ugandan war criminal and militia leader Joseph Kony. Black Twitter accounts were some of the first to give nuanced takes on the project, including how it contained flawed reporting on Africas robust political and social turmoil at the time. While the project was celebrated at film festivals, its stint in the national spotlight was cut short by Black Twitter. A few months later, Black Twitter users turned their attention to the upcoming presidential election and led conversations regarding the potential second term of Americas first Black commander in chief. 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. Black Twitter galvanized into a cultural watchdog in the U.S. over the next few years, which journalist Andre Wheeler elegantly chronicled in a 2019 piece for the Guardian. More often than not, our doggedness pertained to protecting black identity in pop culture, which meant Black Twitter often discussed cultural appropriation. There was ample ammunition for this dialogue considering how often our country has pilfered Black culture for financial benefit. Some could say this is where cancel culture was born. I dont think of it that way. What Black Twitter created through its vocal moments of opposition were avenues for other marginalized groups to band together to do the same. For example, calls for people to boycott Goya Foods, whose products are a staple in many Latino households, are being bolstered on Black Twitter after the companys CEO recently praised by President Trump. So, while people across the country call for race reform in a litany of areas, maybe we should look closer at the place where conversations become global movements. Black Twitter is a vibrant swath of Twitter that makes the app relevant. Now is the chance for the company to return the love Black people have given it for more than a decade. Black Twitter has shown its capable of changing the world with a hashtag. The least the company can do is hire and promote more Black employees. Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Texas has emerged as a leader in alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind. As the state moves toward a "smart grid" delivery system, the companies that provide energy services are rushing to determine the best ways to balance supply and demand. Shouyi Wang, associate professor of industrial engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, is using a three-year, $466,068 grant from the National Science Foundation to determine how to meet the demands of an extremely dynamic and uncertain energy market. Electrical engineering Professor Wei-Jen Lee and industrial engineering Professors Victoria Chen and Jay Rosenberger are co-principal investigators on the project. Electricity is a commodity whose generation and load must be balanced constantly in real time for system reliability and power quality. In addition to traditional generation-side management, load participation is critical for future sustainable smart grid development. Wang and his team will develop machine-learning models that predict real-time market prices and manage large-scale participation of residential demand-response programs. The goal is to create a dynamic decision analytics and optimization framework that enables a highly efficient, real-time energy management system for future smart energy markets. The team also plans to construct a smart grid simulation platform that tests the developed machine-learning and optimization framework using historical data from large energy and utility companies. "If we can determine how best to predict energy demand and react quickly to fluctuations in demand and market prices, then we can use that information to make a much more efficient smart energy supply system with reduced operational costs and increased system reliability," Wang said. "From a consumer standpoint, greater efficiency on the part of the energy markets translates to greater savings on energy costs for everyone." This research will benefit utility companies, load-serving entities and customers by reducing peak demand. There are financial incentives for market participants to achieve that reduction. Wang's forecasting model provides sequential forecasts for the energy market. In contrast with current models using deterministic--or cause-and-effect--predictions, the team will develop a probabilistic deep-learning method that is capable of quantifying market uncertainty for decision management and risk control. The energy market forecasting model will allow energy companies to compute the demands for the next day, then trade computed peak-demand reduction on the day-ahead market. Finally, Wang will create a smart-grid simulation framework to evaluate the forecasting and optimization models using real-world datasets from large utility companies in New York and Texas. "This is highly relevant research with potential for a far-reaching impact on how we will deliver and use energy in the future," said Paul Componation, chair of UTA's Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering Department. ### - Written by Jeremy Agor, College of Engineering Michigan has reported 6,436 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the first 14 days of July. Thats more than the 6,338 cases reported statewide for all of June. Its a concerning trend, particularly since the numbers are still coming in for infections linked to July 4 holiday celebrations. Browser does not support frames. Lockheed Martin faces China's sanctions over Taiwan deal Global Times By Liu Xuanzun, Chu Daye and Tu Lei Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 21:16:34 Response to Taiwan deal; may include rare earths China will impose sanctions on US-based arms producer Lockheed Martin, the main contractor of the recertification of its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defense missiles of the island of Taiwan. The sanctions will likely feature the cut-off of material supply including rare earths, which are crucial to advanced weapons production, and business restrictions on Lockheed Martin's suppliers that have business in the Chinese mainland, Chinese aviation industry experts said on Tuesday. The US on Thursday announced the approval of an arms deal to Taiwan involving the recertification of PAC-3 air defense missiles at an estimated cost of $620 million. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on Tuesday that China had decided to take necessary measures to impose sanctions on the US company. Zhao did not elaborate on the details of the sanctions. Lockheed Martin is an arms producer focused on advanced weapons and equipment, and China does not have many direct business with the company, Wang Ya'nan, a Chinese aviation industry expert and chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday. However, it is possible that China will restrict the supply chain of Lockheed Martin, as the company would inevitably import raw materials including non-metals, metals and minerals including rare earths from China, via its suppliers who do have businesses with China, Wang said. Other component manufacturers and system designers that are related to China could also be restricted from doing business with Lockheed Martin as part of the sanctions, Wang said. Many of Lockheed Martin's key products, including F-35 fighter jets and Patriot missiles, rely on components made with rare earths, analysts said. China is the world's largest rare-earth exporter, and the US imports about 80 percent of its rare-earth needs from China, reports said. Also, the UK's defense ministry revealed in 2019 that Exception PCB, a Chinese-owned company, was making circuit boards for F-35 fighter jets, the UK's Sky News reported at the time. The parts "control many of the F-35's core capabilities," the network reported. Though not large scale, Lockheed Martin has some business in China in new energy, civilian aviation and space industries, according to Weihutang, a program on military affairs affiliated with China Central Television. "Actual effects aside, this is a political statement. US wantonness won't be unchecked when it comes to China," He Weiwen, an executive council member of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday. Lockheed Martin has thus become the first US company since the start of the China-US trade war to be directly designated by Chinese authorities for sanctions, according to He. Previously, although China has said it would roll out an unreliable entity list as a response to foreign governments' and companies' crackdowns on Chinese companies, no actual foreign company had been named by a top Chinese government official, He noted. Wang said that the sanctions will deter other US arms firms from selling arms to the island of Taiwan, and unlike Lockheed Martin, companies like Boeing may get hit even harder in potential sanctions because they have more direct business ties with China. This is not the first time that China has imposed sanctions on US arms producers that are involved in weapons sales to the island of Taiwan. For instance, after the US government approved a plan to sell $2.22 billion of arms to Taiwan in July 2019, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China would impose sanctions on US enterprises participating in the sales. The companies included Raytheon, General Dynamics, and BAE and Oshkosh, according to media investigations. China is resolutely against US arms sales to the island of Taiwan and any form of military connection between the island and the US, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, said on Tuesday. The attempts of the Democratic Progressive Party authority to seek "independence by force" will not succeed, and will only sabotage peace and stability and bring about a bigger catastrophe to Taiwan people, Zhu warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Sydney auction house on Tuesday night pulled 11 sacred and secret Aboriginal objects from sale following complaints they included priceless and highly revered totems that should only be seen by initiated men. The removal coincides with Wednesday's announcement by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Ken Wyatt that the federal government will spend $10 million to repatriate and document about 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items held in 194 international collections. Secret and sacred Aboriginal objects returned to Australia by the Seattle Art Museum. Many museums and auction houses refuse to display or show images of these sacred and secret Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items, Dr Michael Pickering, senior repatriation adviser at the National Museum of Australia, said. Very often they had been originally acquired without consent. "Graves were robbed. Sacred objects were stolen from their keeping places," Dr Pickering wrote in an article about repatriation of Australian Indigenous objects for an academic journal. 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. Hyderabad, July 15 : Police in Telangana's Bhadradri-Kothagudem district launched massive search operations for Maoists in the area bordering Chhattisgarh after an exchange of fire on Wednesday. Police said 25 teams comprising 500 personnel were conducting search operations in Manuguru forest following information about the movement of members of Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the area. Bhadradri-Kothagudem District Superintendent of Police Sunil Dutt said during the search operations an exchange of fire took place on Wednesday morning in Mallepallitogu area. Around 30 Maoists escaped deep into forest leaving behind their kits. The police officer said the search operations were continuing to nab the Maoists who had sneaked in from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Another exchange of fire between police and Maoists was reported from Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district bordering Maharashtra. Policemen, who were engaged in the combing operations in Mangi forest area came face to face with three Maoists and there was gunfight. The Maoists escaped into deep forest. Police continued the search operations to nab them. Police teams were carrying out search operations in Mangi and adjoining forests for last three days following tip-off about the movement of Maoists. The police in Telangana have successfully thwarted the attempts by Maoists to revive their activity during last six years. However, in the areas bordering Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, the banned outfit has been making efforts to revive activity. As the White House tried to discredit the nation's top expert on infectious diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci, with President Donald Trump saying he's a "nice man" but "made a lot of mistakes," Fauci continued to break from the administration's rosy messaging on the coronavirus, warning Monday the pandemic is "unprecedented" and the worst is yet to come. The White House's attempt to marginalize Fauci and limit his press appearances comes after months of Trump downplaying the virus -- even going so far in February to claim that "one day -- it's like a miracle -- it will disappear" -- Fauci has emphasized "the virus dictates the timeline." MORE: Rift grows between Trump, health experts amid coronavirus surge Here's a timeline of notable moments in Trump and Fauci's different takes as the pandemic has progressed: PHOTO: President Donald Trump, flanked by Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, at the White House, on March 26, 2020, in Washington. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Jan. 29, 2020: White House coronavirus task force created US cases: 5; US deaths: 0 Roughly one week after the first American is confirmed to have the coronavirus -- someone who had recently visited China and returned to Washington state, the White House starts its coronavirus response task force. Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is immediately appointed. Feb. 2, 2020: Trump partially blocks travel from China US cases: 8; US deaths: 0 Trump's executive order blocking entry to the U.S. from anyone who has been in China in the last 14 days takes effect. It does not apply to U.S. residents and family members or spouses of U.S. residents or citizens. Trump would later claim Fauci was opposed, counting it among his "mistakes." Fauci responded its effectiveness was limited since the virus was already in the U.S. The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA. We are in contact with everyone and all relevant countries. CDC & World Health have been working hard and very smart. Stock Market starting to look very good to me! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2020 Feb. 26, 2020: Trump says US cases will be 'close to zero' Story continues US cases: 59; US deaths: 0 "We're going to be pretty soon at only five people," Trump says at a public task force briefing. "And we could be at just one or two people over the next short period of time." He adds, "when you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that's a pretty good job we've done." Feb. 29, 2020: Fauci says current risk to Americans is low but could change, Trump compares COVID-19 to flu US cases: 69; US deaths: 1 "There's no need to change anything that you're doing on a day by day basis," Fauci says on NBC's "Today" program, another of the "mistakes" Trump and the White House would later point to in its effort to undermine him. But the White House list of Fauci quotes does not include the rest of what he said: "Right now the risk is still low, but this could change. When you start to see community spread, this could change and force you to become much more attentive to doing things that would protect you from spread." So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020 March 11, 2020: Trump bans travel from Europe, Fauci shows support citing virus US cases: 1,039; US deaths: 32 Trump announces a ban on travel from Europe during a national address from the Oval Office. The ban does not apply to U.S. citizens and excludes the U.K. and Ireland. The next day Fauci tells House lawmakers that he supports Trump's travel bans calling the case for them "pretty compelling." He also calls the U.S. testing system "a failing." "The idea of anybody getting it easily the way people in other countries are doing it, we're not set up for that. Do I think we should be? Yes. But we're not," he tells the House Oversight Committee, after Trump said at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Anybody that wants a test can get a test." PHOTO: Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, in the press briefing room of the White House on March 24, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) MORE: Government response to coronavirus: Fauci backs Trump travel ban, says testing system 'a failing' March 17, 2020: Trump compliments Fauci's popularity US cases: 5,894; US deaths: 96 In a task force briefing, Trump pays Fauci a back-handed compliment, calling him a "major television star for all the right reasons." March 20, 2020: Fauci downplays Trump's declaration that 'approved' malaria drug is a 'game changer' US cases: 19,285; US deaths: 242 A day after Trump declared hydroxychloroquine an anti-malaria drug a "game-changer" in the fight against coronavirus, Fauci says signs of the drug's promise was purely "anecdotal evidence." Trump then stepped forward to add: "We'll see. We're going to know soon." MORE: Fauci throws cold water on Trump's declaration that malaria drug chloroquine is a 'game changer' March 22, 2020: Fauci says he can't 'jump in front' of Trump US cases: 33,276 ; US deaths: 417 Fauci tells Science magazine in an interview that he "can't jump in front of the microphone and push him down. OK, he said it. Let's try and get it corrected for the next time." When asked how he is avoiding being fired, Fauci says that even though he disagrees with Trump, "on some things, he listens. He goes his own way." WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020 March 24, 2020: Trump says he wants the country open by April 12, Fauci cautions to 'be flexible' US cases: 51,542; US deaths: 674 Trump says on Fox News he would "love to have the country opened up, and just raring to go by Easter." "The president clearly listens. I mean, he has this aspirational goal of hoping that we might be able to do it by a certain date. We talked with him about that. We say we need to be flexible. He realizes that and he accepts that," Fauci tells Fox News. April 3, 2020: CDC issues cloth face covering recommendation US cases: 270,473; US deaths: 6,889 Trump announces that his administration is recommending people wear cloth face coverings to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Trump at a task force briefing says the measure is voluntary, and he does not see himself partaking. "I just don't want to wear one myself. It's a recommendation. I am feeling good," Trump said at task force briefing. "I just don't want to be doing -- I don't know, somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens. I don't know, somehow, I don't see it for myself." PHOTO: NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci walks past President Donald Trump during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, March 29, 2020. (Alexander Drago/Reuters, FILE) April 5, 2020: Trump continues to push hydroxychloroquine, Fauci says data is 'at best suggestive' US cases: 331,151; US deaths: 9,441 After Trump says in successive briefings that U.S. citizens should try an unproven anti-malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat COVID-19, Fauci tells CBS, "In terms of science, I don't think we can definitively say it works." "Take it. What do you have to lose?" Trump said, before eventually telling reporters in May he took a dosage of the drug himself. "The data are really just at best suggestive," Fauci says. April 12, 2020: Fauci says 'no one is going to deny' that earlier mitigation efforts would have saved lives US cases: 547,681; US deaths: 21,692 "Obviously, you could logically say that if you had a process that was ongoing and started mitigation earlier, you could have saved lives. Obviously no one is going to deny that," Fauci says on CNN. "If we had, right from the very beginning shut everything down, it may have been different. But there was a lot of push back for shutting everything down back then." April 13, 2020: Trump retweets #FireFauci US cases: 572,587; US deaths: 23,078 After Fauci says prevention efforts would have saved more lives, rumors stir that Trump will fire Fauci. Trump retweets a tweet with the hashtag #FireFauci, adding the comment: "I banned China long before people spoke up." Fauci clarifies in a task force briefing his comment was a "poor choice of words." April 23, 2020: Trump suggests injecting disinfectants could help treat the virus, Fauci says testing is lagging US cases: 856,209; US deaths: 49,861 At a task force briefing, Trump discusses injecting disinfectants into the body. "And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So, that, you're going to have to use medical doctors with. But it sounds -- it sounds interesting to me." In an interview with Time, Fauci says the U.S. isn't ready with the level of testing needed to reopen the country as Trump wants. "I am not overly confident right now at all that we have what it takes to do that. We are doing better, and I think we are going to get there, but we are not there yet," Fauci tells Time. PHOTO: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, awaits the start of the daily briefing by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, April 1, 2020, in Washington. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images, FILE) April 24, 2020: Trump says 'I don't agree' with Fauci US cases: 889,661; US deaths: 50,890 The president openly disagrees with Fauci, who was not present at the day's task force briefing. Neither was White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx. "I don't agree with him on that. No. I think we're doing a great job on testing. I don't agree -- if he said that, I don't agree with him," Trump says. Getting VERY good reviews of the job the Federal Government is doing on CoronaVirus. Ventilators, building hospitals, beds and yes, Testing, have been handled incredibly well. Testing is getting exponentially better every day. Love seeing our Country safely opening up! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 24, 2020 May 5, 2020: White House moves to dismantle task force US cases: 1,199,238; US deaths: 70,646 The White House announces plans to dismantle the task force around Memorial Day. The move to end the briefings -- and with that Americans being able to hear from Fauci regularly from the symbolic and authoritative setting of the White House -- comes as roughly 30 states ease social distancing restrictions. May 6, 2020: Trump says he had 'no idea' that 'respected' task force was so popular US cases: 1,223,419; US deaths: 72,812 In an Oval Office event, Trump explains why he reversed himself in saying the task force will continue for now but "at a certain point, we won't need the task force." "I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually yesterday when I started talking about winding it down I got calls from very respected people saying, 'I think it'd be better to keep it going. It's done such a good job. It's a respected task force,'" Trump says. "I knew it myself, but I didn't know whether or not it was appreciated by the public but it is appreciated by the public." Trump says "by adding two or three additional members" to the task force on Monday who he suggested will bring expertise on "opening our country." May 12, 2020: Fauci testifies again on avoidable 'suffering and death' US cases: 1,359,319; US deaths: 81,847 In his first congressional testimony since Trump declared the coronavirus a national emergency on March 13, Fauci bluntly lays out the dangers of ignoring federal reopening guidelines. Fauci says Americans would experience "suffering and death that could be avoided," if states ignore federal guidelines. "My concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks." Fauci also tells the Senate committee it was a "bridge too far" for schools to expect a vaccine or widely available treatment for COVID-19 by the time students return to universities in the fall. PHOTO: President Donald J. Trump listens as Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks with members of the coronavirus task force, April 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) May 13, 2020: Trump calls Fauci's response on schools 'an unacceptable answer' US cases: 1,385,639; US deaths: 83,648 Asked about Fauci's concerns with reopening schools in the fall where there are localized outbreaks that might get out of control, Trump says Fauci "wants to play all sides of the equation." Pressed to clarify what he meant by all sides, Trump says he was speaking on schools specifically and didn't think Fauci's response to the topic on Tuesday was "an acceptable answer." "I was surprised by his answer, actually, because, you know, it's just, to me, it's not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools," Trump says. June 1, 2020: Fauci says meetings with Trump have 'dramatically decreased' US cases: 1,799,747; US deaths: 104,702 In an interview with Stat, Fauci says the task force is no longer holding daily meetings. "But as you probably noticed, that the task force meetings have not occurred as often lately," he told Stat. "And certainly my meetings with the president have been dramatically decreased." June 23, 2020: Fauci warns of 'disturbing surge' as Trump says virus is 'going away' US cases: 2,329,637; US deaths: 121,029 Fauci warns lawmakers of the need to continue or increase strong precautionary measures to contain what he called a "disturbing surge." MORE: Fauci, other health advisers at odds with President Trump on whether to slow testing Trump speaks at a mega-church in the hot-spot state of Arizona packed with supporters not wearing masks. "It is going away," Trump says, calling coronavirus "the plague" and repeating that the surge in U.S. cases could be chalked up to an increase in testing. Coronavirus deaths are way down. Mortality rate is one of the lowest in the World. Our Economy is roaring back and will NOT be shut down. "Embers" or flare ups will be put out, as necessary! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020 June 30, 2020: Fauci says US could reach 100,000 new cases a day US cases: 2,620,224; US deaths: 126,628 Fauci issues a stark warning to lawmakers, telling them he wouldn't be surprised if the U.S. sees new cases of coronavirus rising to a level of 100,000 a day. "We are now having 40-plus thousand new cases a day. I would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around and so I am very concerned," Fauci tells the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee during a hearing on the pandemic. PHOTO: Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, wears a face covering as he listens during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in Washington, June 30, 2020. (Al Drago/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) July 7, 2020: Trump says he disagrees with Fauci's outlook on the virus US cases: 2,980,906; US deaths: 131,238 "Well, I think we are in a good place," Trump tells "Full Court Press" with Greta Van Susteren in response. "I disagree with him." July 8, 2020: White House doesn't say directly whether Trump has confidence in Fauci US cases: 3,035,231; US deaths: 131,960 At an afternoon White House briefing, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany doesn't directly answer when asked whether Trump still has confidence in Fauci. "The president has confidence -- confidence in the conclusions of our medical experts, but it's up to him to determine what to do with that information and to take what we hear from Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx and others and take what he values in their opinion and come to the ultimate consensus that's best for this country," she says. Fauci is notably absent from the day's task force briefing, and therefore unable to answer questions from reporters on schools reopening. July 9, 2020: Trump says Fauci has 'made a lot of mistakes,' Fauci says US is 'just not' doing great US cases: 3,088,913; US deaths: 132,934 "Dr. Fauci is a nice man, but he's made a lot of mistakes," Trump tells Fox News' Sean Hannity, repeating Fauci was against his travel ban on China and wrong on face masks. Fauci tells FiveThirtyEight's Anna Rothschild the country's hyper-partisan environment has made it more difficult to suppress the virus: "I think you'd have to admit that that's the case." "You have to be having blindfolders on and covering your ears to think that we don't live in a very divisive society now, from a political standpoint," Fauci says. "You'd have to make the assumption that if there wasn't such divisiveness, that we would have a more coordinated approach." "As a country, when you compare us to other countries, I don't think you can say we're doing great. I mean, we're just not," he says. PHOTO: A sign reads 'In Fauci We Trust,' referring to the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, outside a home in Rockport, Mass., July 13, 2020. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) July 10, 2020: Fauci says he hasn't briefed Trump in two months US cases: 3,158,183; US deaths: 133,777 In an interview with the Financial Times, Fauci reveals the last time he saw the president in person at the White House was on June 2 and that he has not briefed him for at least two months. "I have a reputation, as you probably have figured out, of speaking the truth at all times and not sugar-coating things," Fauci says. "And that may be one of the reasons why I haven't been on television very much lately." MORE: White House seeks to discredit Fauci in memo leaked to reporters July 13, 2020: Fauci visits White House to meet with Meadows, not Trump US cases: 3,346,246;US deaths: 135,477 Trump shares a message on Twitter Monday, saying doctors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are "lying." Then, after retweeting a message critical of Fauci, Trump later in the day pointedly says he likes Fauci "personally" and that they "don't always agree." Fauci, meanwhile, says, "This is a really serious problem. It is truly historic. We haven't even begun to see the end of it yet." He meets with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Oval Office. July 14, 2020: Fauci: 'I think you can trust me,' advises students not to get involved in 'political nonsense' US cases: 3,406,945;US deaths: 136,244 Asked during a Georgetown University Global Health Initiative webinar whom the public should trust on coronavirus as cases surge, Fauci says, "I believe, for the most part, you can trust respected medical authorities. You know I believe I'm one of them. So I think you can trust me. But I would stick with respected medical authorities." Later questioned on how to keep politics out of science, Fauci says, "It doesnt matter who you are and whether you are Republican or Democrat or anybody else. We are all in this together." Do your thing, and dont get involved in any way in any of the political nonsense. Thats a waste of time, and a distraction, he added. ABC News' Rachel Katz contributed to this reporting. Tracking Trump and Fauci's tense relationship originally appeared on abcnews.go.com With his piercing blue eyes and a habit of baring his front teeth when angry, Ozan Guven might well be one of the most charismatic actors of the Turkish screen. Known for his portrayal of ambitious, hot-tempered and abusive characters in two of Turkeys top-rated soaps Phi and Magnificent Century Guven became headline news in July when his girlfriend, Deniz Bulutsuz, filed a case against him for violence and physical abuse. Guven may face up to 13 years of imprisonment. So Guven is Can Manay after all, said one tweet, referring to the main character in the Turkish series Phi, where the antagonist, a smooth-talking psychiatrist, eventually reveals himself to be a psychopath with a history of abuse, violence and even femicide. The Turkish opinion remained divided as Bulutsuz unfolded photos of her bruises, a black eye and a testimony that said that she had been slammed against a wall by Guven. Womens activists and a group of screenwriters called on production companies to blacklist Guven, while others, mainly male groups, accused Bulutsuz of lying and charged Guvens critics of lynching the actor with nothing yet proven. Melis Alphan, a journalist and a longtime advocate of womens rights, faced a steady flow of online abuse when she tweeted that members of the film sector should stop working with Guven. When it is a man with power, fame and with fans, they rally to his side and insult the victim or anyone who supports her, Alphan told Al-Monitor. I used to advocate education to combat gender-based violence, but I can no longer say that there is so much abuse against women in academia too. Mor Cati (Purple Roof Women's Shelter Foundation), which has provided counseling, and psychological and legal support to violence victims since the1990s, said in a statement that the case had been emblematic for domestic violence victims. It is becoming visibly more difficult for women to speak about the violence they face. Women who talk of what they have experienced are accused of lying or of deserving what happened to them. Unfortunately, we live in a world where there are men who use violence against women and then deny it and a public opinion that believes them, said the associations statement published July 7. The Purple Roof called on women to protect their rights under Turkeys laws and the so-called Istanbul Convention, the major Council of Europe accord that protects women from violence and abuse, which the government signed in 2011 and ratified in 2012. The call came amid calls by some members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that the ratification has been a mistake and the government should withdraw from the accord that they claim protects the LGBTI community and relationships outside marriage. On the weekend of July 10-12, women from all over Turkey took to the streets to call for ending femicide, stop sexual abuse of children and uphold the convention and Turkeys law on preventing violence against women, known as Law No. 6284. The convention whose full name is the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence is named after Istanbul, because it was presented to the signatories in a meeting in the city. Turkey was the first country to sign the accord, which says the state is responsible to prevent all forms of violence against women, train police and justice officials on victims rights, and work with nongovernmental organizations on the issue. On July 2, Numan Kurtulmus, vice chair of the AKP, said in an interview that signing the accord had been a mistake. In a televised interview, Kurtulmus indicated that the government might consider withdrawing from the convention, saying that the accord has played into the hands of LGBT and marginal elements adding to the homophobic statements by the government and top officials. Though other top brass of the AKP made similar noises on regretting the signing of the accord in the past, Kurtulmus words brought the issue of withdrawal at a time that womens groups raised their voices on the increase of domestic violence in light of the coronavirus lockdowns and lack of adequate measures, such as new helplines or a quick reaction by police and shelter officials on complaints of violence. Womens associations and female politicians including AKP deputies raged against Kurtulmus. Burcu Karakas, a journalist and a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute, tweeted her outrage, saying, Why bother with official statements such as withdrawal from the convention? Why not say, simply and plainly, that you want to marry underage girls and beat up women? President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was prime minister when the accord was ratified, remained noncommittal, at least for the time being. According to Hurriyet daily, he simply asked his team to study it and see what the concerns are. Ankara observers cheekily point out that the president is stuck between two strong stakeholders the Ismailaga Congregation, a powerful and conservative group that strongly opposes the accord, and his wife and daughter who support it. According to Anka-Review, an Ankara insider, several female activists told the newsletter on condition of anonymity that they believe that Sumeyye Erdogan, the presidents daughter and co-chair of womens association KADEM, is the guarantee that Turkey would not withdrawn from the accord as she had strongly supported it in the past. The Istanbul declaration would not be easy to discard, as many women including the conservative ones were supporting it when it was signed. No one wants to see women killed in front of their children, Melek Onder of We Will Stop Femicide Platform, told Al-Monitor. The opposers are a vocal group, but they are a very small one. We should not even be debating withdrawal from the convention, Alphan said. Given the situation on the ground, we should be reflecting on how we can implement it better. Even with the accord in place, womens groups claim that the government is far from vigilant on protecting women from violence or death. The Ministry of Interior Affairs has claimed that the number of femicides has decreased in Turkey in the first half of 2020 compared to last year, declining from 173 to 115. But several femicides reported by the press revealed that women who have asked for protection had not been given that, including one woman who was killed by her husband after he found her at a womens shelter. In July, Zeynep Topal, a 27-year-old mother of two from Bingol, traveled from her small town to Istanbul to seek refuge in a womens shelter, only to be found by her husband and taken home. A few days after her departure from the shelter, she was found dead in a backyard in Bingol, shot with her hands tied behind her back. Her husband, Osman Topal, was arrested along with two relatives who are believed to be accomplices. A month earlier, as Turkey was in lockdown, an unnamed woman went to a police station and was sent to a shelter, again according to a statement by Purple Roof. However, the officer at the police station, who is a friend of her husband, shared the address of the shelter with him. Onder said that the coronavirus lockdowns, when women were forced to remain at home with violent husbands or simply leave home in a hurry, had shown how inadequate the shelters have been. Under the law, municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants should have a shelter, she said. Few of them do. The July 7 statement by Purple Roof also stated that the 144 shelters for women throughout the country are too few, and that some shelters do not provide women with emotional, social and legal support but seek to unite families instead. [Some of the efforts of the shelters officials] to get those women to reconcile with the very people who abused them can cost these women their lives, said the statement. This approach, which puts family unity before the safety of women, needs to end. " " If you take the thousands of patents Edison was issued, the guy (and his team at Menlo Park) averaged a patent every two weeks during his working life. Underwood & Underwood/Underwood & Underwood/Corbis Without question, our lives would be very different without the inventions of Thomas Alva Edison. This prodigious creator changed our culture in countless ways with the seemingly miraculous devices that flooded out of his New Jersey laboratory. Edison, born in Ohio in 1847, obtained his first patent at the age of 21. The last patent in his name was granted two years after his death, in 1933. In between, he tallied 1,093 United States patents and more than 1,200 patents in other countries [source: Rutgers]. Biographers have figured that Edison averaged a patent every two weeks during his working life. Even though many of his "inventions" were not unique -- and he engaged in some well-publicized court battles with other inventors whose ideas he "borrowed" -- Edison's skill at marketing and using his influence often got him the credit. Advertisement Most of Edison's inventions fall into eight main categories: batteries, electric lights and power, phonographs and sound recording, cement, mining, motion pictures, telegraphs and telephones. But while the Wizard of Menlo Park is remembered for his major inventions, such as the incandescent electric light and the phonograph, his tireless mind also came up with some ideas that aren't so well-known -- and some that weren't welcomed by the public. Keep reading to find out why members of Congress rejected a machine designed to make them more efficient and how another Edison invention frightened little girls and angered their parents. China hit out on Wednesday at U.S. President Donald Trump's signing of a new law removing Hong Kong's special status and imposing sanctions on officials linked to the implementation of a draconian new security law. The ruling Chinese Communist Party vowed on Wednesday to impose retaliatory sanctions on U.S. individuals and entities after Trump signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and ended Hong Kong's preferential trade treatment. The foreign ministry said Beijing strongly opposes the latest U.S. action, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act "maliciously slanders" national security legislation imposed by Beijing on the city. "China will make necessary responses to protect its legitimate interests, and impose sanctions on relevant U.S. personnel and entities," the foreign ministry said in a statement. In the latest U.S. response to the national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing on June 30, the Hong Kong Autonomy Act provides for "sanctions on foreign persons, entities, and financial institutions that contribute to China's actions to remove autonomy from Hong Kong," the White House said in a statement. Trump said China should be held accountable for its "aggressive actions against the people of Hong Kong," adding that the city would now be treated like the rest of China, instead of as a separate legal jurisdiction and trading economy. The move signals an end to Hong Kong's trading privileges and special economic treatment, and includes an export ban for sensitive technologies. The vaguely worded new security law threatens anyone criticizing the Chinese or Hong Kong authorities anywhere in the world. China's feared state security police have now set up a headquarters in the city to implement its ban on actions and speech deemed subversive, pro-independence, or "terrorist" in inclination, although the definitions have already been criticized as impossibly vague by overseas legal experts. The law will also target anyone seen to be "colluding with foreign powers," including receiving training and funding. Trump's Executive Order offers some reassurance to U.S. residents in that it terminates the country's extradition agreement with Hong Kong, as it could be used to return peaceful critics of China to the country to face trial under the new law. Anyone involved in enforcing the national security law will be included in the list of targets for sanctions, which could include visa bans and freezes or seizures of their U.S. assets. Anyone involved "directly or indirectly, in the coercing, arresting, detaining, or imprisoning of individuals" under the law, and anyone involved in "developing, adopting, or implementing" it could be targeted, apparently including the city's police force and many high-ranking officials in Hong Kong and Beijing. Police, security training ends One surprise revelation in Trump's Executive Order noted by Hong Kong activists was the cessation of training to the city's police force. The order says the U.S. must "take steps to end the provision of training to members of the Hong Kong Police Force or other Hong Kong security services at the Department of States International Law Enforcement Academies." Activists quipped on social media that such training could be deemed "collusion with foreign forces," ridiculing earlier claims from supporters of China that the CIA had directed last year's anti-extradition movement from behind the scenes. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act also requires the U.S. government to take action against any foreign individual for "materially contributing" to the violation of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, which promised that Hong Kong would retain its traditional freedoms of speech, association, and publication for 50 years from the 1997 handover. The treaty and the Basic Law also promised that no Chinese government department would be allowed to intervene in the day-to-day running of the city's affairs, a provision which has been ignored with the imposition of a new national security enforcement regime under Beijing's direction. Pro-China politician and Executive Councillor Regina Ip said the measures were "very unreasonable." "The transfer of fugitives will end, and there will be no more 10-year visiting visa for Hong Kong residents visiting the United States," she said. US assets also at risk Chinese commentator Jiang Shan said the U.S. could also see the seizure of its citizens' assets in Hong Kong. "There's the consulate in Hong Kong and its land, the assets of its private enterprises, for example," Jiang said. "There are many headquarters [of U.S. entities], many investment banks have their Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong," he said. "The U.S. holds a lot of Hong Kong stocks and financial markets hold trillions of dollars." Former 2014 protest leader Joshua Wong welcomed the Act, saying it showed Beijing that its actions would backfire. He said it was time for the ruling Chinese Communist Party to recognize that they "broke the promise of the Sino-British joint declaration." "Eroding the freedom of Hong Kong should not be the way out, otherwise more and more action might be taken by world leaders in the future," he said in comments reported by government broadcaster RTHK. Reported by Tseng Yat-yiu for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. President Donald Trump was hit with polling news across the board Wednesday, with a series of polls showing Joe Biden holding leads in critical states while voters register the dominant view that the country is on the wrong track. For a Trump campaign struggling to regain its footing by trying to find a way to hold public events amid the pandemic, there was troubling news in states the Democrat is trying to snatch away from the president. Nationally, Biden led Trump in each of five polls released Wednesday, with margins running as high as 15 points. Joe Biden holds a 15 point lead over Donald Trump in a new Quinnipiac University poll. Biden also leads Trump in new polls in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, and Arizona, while slightly trailing in Texas Taken together, the five national polls released Wednesday gave Biden a lead of 9.6 percentage points over the incumbent. In a key battleground where part of the Republican convention will be held, a CNBC poll had Biden up 47 to 46 in North Carolina. In Florida, where Trump moved his residence from New York and where he plans to accept the party nomination, Biden was up 50 to 43 in a CNBC / Change Research poll. Trump has said he may have to move the convention outdoors in light of the surge in coronavirus infections in the state. Midwest battlegrounds that Biden hopes to pry from Trump are all leaning his way in the new surveys. In Pennsylvania, Biden was up 50 to 42, while in both Michigan and Wisconsin, he was leading 48 to 42 all in CNBC / Change Research polls. Biden was leading Trump in a series of state battlegrounds in polls released Wednesday Biden is over 50 with a strong lead in the new NBC / Wall Street Journal poll President Donald speaks during an event on American infrastructure at UPS Hapeville Airport Hub, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in Atlanta. Trump's average lead over Biden in Georgia is just 3 percentage points in the conservative state Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) arrive with a correctional patient at North Shore Medical Center where the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients are treated, in Miami, Florida, U.S. July 14, 2020. Trump trailed Joe Biden 43 to 50 in his adopted home state A Monmouth poll had the spread even bigger in Pennsylvania, with Biden holding a 53 to 40 lead. Biden's lead was 51 to 45 in Arizona another key state. Trump carried Arizona by less than 2 percentage points over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Biden held an 11-point national lead in the latest poll by the respect NBC / Wall Street Journal polling unit. A stunning 7 in 10 voters said the country is on the 'wrong track.' It had Trump's approval rating underwater, with 42 per cent approval and 56 per cent disapproval. Only in Texas did Trump hold a lead, with a a 46 to 44 lead in a Republican-leaning state. Through this collaboration FTG will assist Inspir Carnegie Hill with every facet of delivering the luxury senior living experience in advance of its opening, scheduled for Fall 2020. FTG is recognized as the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas, as well as a provider of support services for industries that prioritize service excellence. FTG will work with Inspir to create custom and proprietary resident service and facility standards and provide world-class training in a variety of interactive formats tailored specifically for Inspir to enhance service skills and encourage associates to elevate the guest experience. "As a pioneer in modernizing and elevating senior living, providing a service experience that far exceeds expectations is of utmost importance," said Gregory D. Smith, president and CEO of Inspir. "We are thrilled to forge this partnership with FTG at our flagship residence in Carnegie Hill as there is no better entity to support Inspir in cultivating and sustaining an unparalleled service culture that demonstrates excellence in all areas of operations." Inspir, a next-generation concept for urban senior living on a luxury level, offers residents a transformative, one-of-a-kind experience made possible by a combination of expertise and insights from the residential, hospitality and healthcare industries. Featuring state-of-the-art spaces, exceptional care, intelligent technology and immersive experiences, Inspir has curated an environment and lifestyle that supports a philosophy of vibrant, intentional living and meaningful connection based on nine core elements. These elements are based on lifestyle commonalities found in areas around the world, known as blue zones, where people live longer, happier lives. "Inspir Carnegie Hill's concept is visionary, and we are thrilled to work collaboratively with them to instill an exemplary service culture within the luxury senior living space," said Filip Boyen, CEO, Forbes Travel Guide. "Tomorrow's world requires services and experiences that are even more anticipatory and flexible than ever before, and that's part of the expertise that we'll deliver to ensure Inspir's team provide a consistently best in class offering." With a variety of care options, including Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Enhanced Care, Inspir Carnegie Hill will provide residents with a brain-healthy lifestyle and offer daily programs to keep residents in motion naturally and purposefully. An on-site fitness facility, access to personal trainers and group fitness classes empower residents to stay mobile and exercise regularly. In addition, Inspir Carnegie Hill offers lifelong learning classes, cognitively stimulating activities, and brain-healthy foods to keep the neurons active and to maximize brain function. About Inspir Carnegie Hill Inspir is a new, luxury senior living brand offering a different approach to living for discerning seniors in urban markets. Inspir is the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness, and world-class care. The brand is debuting its flagship senior living residence, Inspir Carnegie Hill, at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street, in the heart of New York City's Upper East Side, scheduled to open Fall 2020. Inspir Carnegie Hill boasts a masterfully designed building with state-of-the-art technology and private residences customized to fit the needs of an aging population. The community will offer assisted living, memory care and enhanced care options. For more information, please call (646) 978-9040 or visit Inspir seniorliving.com. *Inspir Carnegie Hill is pending approval from the State of New York, Department of Health, for the following licenses: Adult Home, Enriched Housing and Assisted Living Residence, with Enhanced and Special Needs Assisted Living Residence certifications. About Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Started as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958, the company created the first Five-Star rating system in the United States. Today, Forbes Travel Guide's incognito inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on up to 900 rigorous, objective standards. Forbes Travel Guide also supports the hospitality industry and other service-oriented businesses with bespoke training solutions, evaluation services and the creation of custom service standards. For more information: partner.forbestravelguide.com. SOURCE Inspir Carnegie Hill Related Links https://inspirseniorliving.com U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 15, 2020. WASHINGTON Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that he believes the world will make China "pay a price" for the coronavirus pandemic. "I think the world will absolutely make them pay a price," the nation's top diplomat said during a virtual event with The Hill. "Every place I go, every foreign minister that I talk to, they recognize what China has done to the world. I'm very confident that the world will look at China differently and engage with them fundamentally different than they did before this catastrophic disaster," Pompeo said. The Trump administration for months has hinted that the U.S. would take steps to punish China for failing to prevent the deadly virus, which was first observed in the Chinese city of Wuhan, from spreading around the globe. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed legislation to impose sanctions on China in response to its interference with Hong Kong's autonomy. However, two sources told CNBC's Kayla Tausche that Trump plans to hold off on sanctions for the time being over concerns of a worsening relationship with China. The battle over $51million in bushfire charity funds has reignited after the New South Wales Rural Fire Service voiced their opposition to a proposed bill that would allow the money raised to be divided up and shared with other groups. Australian comedian Celeste Barber raised the staggering amount of cash through a Facebook charity appeal in January after fire fronts engulfed her NSW south coast property during the unprecedented summer bushfire crisis. The social media star, known for imitating glamorous celebrities online, has staunchly supported the Greens bill and warned lawmakers if it's not passed it could be the 'last we see of such generosity on an international scale'. Celeste Barber (pictured) speaks during the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on February 16 John Farnham (below centre), comedian Celeste Barber (above centre), and Olivia Newton-John (above centre) pose for a photograph volunteer fire fighters Ms Barber set a goal of $30,000 on January 3 but just two days later more than $30million dollars had been donated from around the world. But ongoing legal confusion has surrounded the money because Ms Barber originally directed the money to go to the NSW RFS Brigades Donations Fund. She was unaware money sent to this fund is only to be used on training, resources and fire equipment - not for volunteers and their families or fire-affected communities. But with more money than expected rolling in, Ms Barber also wanted to share the donations with other charities. Barber is pictured in Los Angeles on February 7 at the 2020 Autumn/Winter 2020 Runway Show The social media star is known for imitating glamorous celebrities online. Pictured: Celeste Barber (right) poses as Kim Kardashian (left) 'I'm going to make sure that Victoria gets some, that South Australia gets some, also families of people who have died in these fires, the wildlife,' Ms Barber said in an Instagram story in January. But the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Brigades Donations Fund cannot by law give their donations to other charities - meaning the bulk of the money has sat in limbo since January. AUSTRALIA'S HORROR SUMMER BUSHFIRES The 2019-20 bush fire season was the worst Australia had ever experienced. A combination of one of servere drought, unprecedented weather conditions and intense fire behaviour resulted some of the largest bushfires ever seen Nationwide 18.6 million hectares were scortched One billion species are estimated to have been killed More than 3500 homes lost and 5,850 outbuildings were destroyed A total of 34 lives were lost Advertisement In May, the NSW Supreme Court ruled the money could not be shared with any other charities. 'A judicial decision on how the funds can be allocated has been made,' the NSW RFS wrote in a submission made public on Wednesday to the parliamentary inquiry examining the proposed bill. 'The Court has ruled that applying funds to people and organisations outside of NSW, including organisations that provide care to animals affected by bushfire, is outside the scope of the Trust and would be a breach of Trust. 'The NSW RFS believes that decision should be respected. To do anything else would undermine the spirit of the trust and any efforts to raise money for brigades in the future.' But Ms Barber disagrees and wrote in her submission that the law should be overhauled to help others in need. 'I started the fundraiser to help my family, with a goal of 30K, then when it surpassed tens of millions of dollars, and the fires kept raging and the devastation was unfathomable I absolutely thought it would be possible for this huge amount of money to be shared,' she said. 'As I understand, the RFS have already distributed $20M to their brigades. 'This leaves $30 plus million to help people that need it, to honour those donors, some of whom were children from fire ravaged communities themselves, donating anything they could, to help others rebuild their lives. 'It makes so much sense to me and thousands of people around the world who donated that this money be given to those and others in need.' NSW RFS volunteers are pictured fighting a bushfire which closed the Princes Highway south of Ulladulla, on January 5 The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Thousands took to the streets across Belarus to protest after the authorities excluded opposition leader Viktar Babaryka from the August 9 presidential election. Police responded with multiple arrests, also targeting journalists including two RFE/RL reporters during a live broadcast. A Dalit couple who were being removed from a plot of government land allotted for a college in Guna city of Madhya Pradesh consumed pesticide in protest, a senior official said on Wednesday. Their condition was now stable, he said, adding that the police were compelled to use force against them as they resisted the eviction. A video that went viral on social media showed the police beating the man with batons severely. The incident took place on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed immediate removal of Collector and SP of Guna and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Opposition Congress slammed the use of force and demanded action against those responsible for the incident. "The (farm) land was reserved for a government model college. Rajkumar Ahirwar (38) and his wife Savitri (35) were working on the land. Gabbu Pardi, who had encroached on the land, had given them work," said district collector S Vishwanathan. When officials asked them to vacate the field, they protested and drank pesticide at the behest of those who had encroached on the land, he claimed. The two also refused to go to hospital so the police had to use force to take them to hospital, the collector claimed. "Their condition is now stable," Vishwanathan added. A purported video of the incident on social media showed the police hitting the man mercilessly with batons and his wife and others trying to save him. "A Dalit couple was mercilessly beaten up by the cops. what kind of jungle raj is this?" tweeted former chief minister Kamal Nath. "If it was related to government land, it (the issue) can be legally resolved...but beating him, his wife and a kid is not justified....stern action should be taken against those responsible for it," the Congress leader said. (With inputs from agencies) A resin-and-steel statue of a Black Lives Matter protester was surreptitiously placed early Wednesday atop a pedestal in the English city of Bristol previously occupied by the statue of a 17th-century slave trader named Edward Colston. The sculpture of protester Jen Reid was made by Marc Quinn, an artist who said he was inspired to create the piece after seeing a photograph of Reid with her fist raised during protests in the city about 120 miles southwest of London. Reparations bill gets new attention: Could other nations provide a blueprint? Quinn, a well-known artist in Britain, said in a statement on his website that the statue was erected without formal consent from authorities in Bristol. He said he and Reid hoped the piece titled "A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) 2020" would be a "permanent solution to what should be there. ... We want to keep highlighting the unacceptable problem of institutionalized and systemic racism that everyone has a duty to face up to. ... It's time for direct action now." Melania Trump: Statue of first lady near her hometown in Slovenia set on fire Reid said she collaborated with Quinn on the work because it represented "making a stand for my mother, for my daughter, for Black people like me. Its about Black children seeing it up there. Its something to feel proud of, to have a sense of belonging, because we actually do belong here and were not going anywhere." The statue of Colston was toppled and thrown into Bristol's harbor by anti-racism protesters last month as part of a worldwide reckoning after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. 'I'm leaving, not coming back': Fed up with racism, Black Americans head overseas Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid poses for a photograph in front of a sculpture of herself by artist Marc Quinn in Bristol, England, on July 15. The 18-foot-high bronze statue of Colston had stood on Colston Avenue in Bristol since 1895. Colston traded textiles and wool and used some of the proceeds to build schools, churches and almshouses. This was enabled by his selling enslaved people in the Caribbean and the Americas from 1672 to 1689. His statue has long divided residents. Story continues In a statement, Marvin Rees, Bristol's mayor, said, "What is installed on (the pedestal) must be decided by the people of Bristol." He said a process had been established to "manage (this) journey." Marc Quinn sculpted a statue titled "A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) 2020." Black Lives Matter murals have been painted in streets in cities across the USA amid protests over racial inequality and calls for police overhauls after Floyd's death. President Donald Trump called a mural painted in front of Trump Tower in New York City a "symbol of hate." The president tweeted that the mural would be "denigrating" to what he described as a "luxury" avenue. Trump: 'More white people' are killed by police; studies show that's not true This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Statue of slave trader Edward Colston replaced with BLM protester Queen Maxima of the Netherlands sported an effortlessly chic look to meet veterans today. The Dutch monarch, 49, was visiting the Veteran Institute in windy Doorn, where she expressed her appreciation for the soldiers who acted on behalf of the Dutch state. The mother-of-three opted for a more understated look compared with her usual bright colours, pairing navy blue culottes and a flowy white blouse. The veteran institute was founded in 2000 and aims to provide mental and physical healthcare for veterans and their families. Maxima's visit today was aimed at showing appreciation for the nation's veterans, as well as highlighting the importance of their care. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands sported an effortlessly chic look to meet veterans today. The Dutch monarch, 49, was visiting the Veteran Institute in windy Doorn, where she expressed her appreciation for the soldiers who acted on behalf of the Dutch state The Dutch Monarch sat down for tea with veterans and listened to their stories with her usual warmth As she headed to the Institute, Maxima beamed in the Doorn sunshine, and battled a playful gust of wind which ruffled her blond bob. The Dutch Queen opted for a stylish pair of wide-legged culottes in navy blue and paired it with a flowy white blouse tucked in her trousers. She strutted in a pair of navy blue heels which matched her culottes perfectly, and was carrying a clutch bag also in blue. Known for her love of accessories, the royal picked a pair of drop earrings made of mulitcoloured rhinestones, accessorising with a discreet black watch on her left wrist. A playful gust of wind ruffled Maxima hair as the Dutch Queen headed to the Veteran Institute in Doorn Maxima's windswept hair revealed a gorgeous pair of drop earrings made of multicoloured rhinestones Partial to natural make-up, Maxima sported a dash of mascara, some blush and a slick of lipstick to compliment her summer glow. The Veteran Institute of the Netherlands opened in Doorn in 2000. It set up to promote the recognition of Dutch veterans around the country for their work on behalf of the Dutch state. It provides care and resources for veterans and their families, and conducts research on subjects that are relevant to veteran care or policies. The royal's look was effortlessly chic, having opted for a pair of navy blue culottes and a white blouse The monarch sported a dash of mascara and eye-shadow, some blush and a hint of lipstick for the occasion Maxima looked relaxed as she headed to the Institute. The royal has been resuming engagements since coming out of lockdown in the Hague Veterans's Day, which takes place annually in the Hague, has been falling on the last Saturday of June since it was introduced in 2005. Maxima's diary has been bustling with engagements after coming out of lockdown, which she spent with her family in the Hague. Last week she presented awards to winners of the Appeltjes van Oranje fund. The annual award is given to people who successfully connect vulnerable groups to participate in society again. The Queen opted for a natural make-up look as she wore her blonde hair down in a lose wave for the ceremony in Hilversum, which was filmed and streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Maxima sat down for tea with veterans of the Institute. Her visit aimed to focus on the recognition, appreciation and care of veterans in the Netherlands Known for her love of accessories, the royal had picked a pair of drop earrings made of mulitcoloured rhinestones The Netherlands has started to ease out of its lockdown, with the nation re-opening certain cultural institutions following a downward trend in their Covid-19 death figures for over a month. Restaurants, cafes, theatres, concert halls, museums and cinemas returned with strict 1.5-meter social distancing measures observed after two and a half months' in coronavirus quarantine. Reservations are required for all activities and two people who are not from the same household can sit together at one table in restaurants and cafes. A maximum of 30 people are allowed in restaurants, cafes, theatres, concert halls and cinemas, as long as the 1.5-meter social distancing rules can be kept. The attorney general of Massachusetts has sued Uber and Lyft on allegations they misclassify workers as independent contractors, allowing them avoid paying for overtime hours and other costs. Massachusetts AG Maura Healey sued in Suffolk Superior Court citing Massachusetts wage and hour laws. Uber Technologies and Lyft face similar litigation in the state of California, where both companies have their headquarters in San Francisco. To be classified as independent contractors under Massachusetts law, workers must have control of their working hours; perform duties outside the usual course of the business of a company; and otherwise work in the general trade that they provide to the company that is paying them on an external contractor basis. The Healey lawsuit maintains that Uber and Lyft depend entirely on their drivers, and that those individuals are not true independent entrepreneurs with the ability to increase revenue meaningfully outside their work hours with the companies. Drivers are more akin to limousine drivers who use their own vehicles to provide [prearranged] rides through the companies that employ them ... rather than bona fide independent entrepreneurs with the ability to grow their businesses based on their individual abilities, Healey states in the lawsuit. Drivers dont want this In a company statement, Uber said it would defend its business model in court if need be, while airing the goal of cooperating with Massachusetts on the issue of labor standards for drivers. This action ... flies in the face of what the vast majority of drivers want: to work independently, the Uber statement reads. We stand ready to work with the state to modernize our laws, so that independent workers receive new protections while maintaining the flexibility they prefer. In a May filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, Uber stated it did not expect a material impact to its finances as a result of litigation. In her offices complaint, Healey maintains Uber and Lyft drivers are unable to negotiate terms of their contractual agreements and are forced to accept binding arbitration to resolve any grievances regarding wages. The Massachusetts lawsuit also claims that drivers are unable to reasonably set their own schedules due to a system of penalties for accepting too few rides, among other elements governing the driver contracts. In a statement forwarded by a company spokesperson, Lyft maintains drivers dont want this and says about nine in 10 of its contractors work 20 hours or less a week for supplementary income. This lawsuit threatens to eliminate work for more than 50,000 people in Massachusetts at the worst possible time, the Lyft statement reads. Many people turn to app-based platforms as a fallback after losing their job, which is especially important as Massachusetts faces an unemployment crisis where traditional jobs will be slow to come back. The two companies employed about 30,000 drivers in Connecticut according to testimony filed in February in the state General Assembly, when the Legislatures Labor Committee took up consideration of a bill that would guarantee drivers at least 75 percent of the fares they generate. The bill would also force ride-share companies to report their quarterly revenue; and allow drivers to sue in state court and organize to push for labor standards without penalty. A similar bill in 2019 did not proceed to a vote. Testifying in Hartford in February, the head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO described as a persistent problem the tendency of app-based, on-demand service providers like Uber and Lyft to classify workers as independent. In recent years, these companies have lowered fares charged to riders, decreasing drivers earnings, stated Sal Luciano, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. Drivers must also pay for car maintenance, insurance, and other driving-related costs out of their own pockets. After these expenses, a majority of Uber drivers make less than $10 an hour. Includes prior reporting by Emilie Munson. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman The John Dumelo for MP 2020 Campaign team has warned Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso Wuogon Constituency, Madam Lydia Alhassan over alleged violence acts at voter registration centers. According to a statement from the campaign team, they have received several complaints from members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the constituency who were trying to register for the Voter ID Card. The Spokesperson for the team, Benjamin Madugu Avornyotse intimated that it is the duty of Hon. Lydia Alhassan to promote peace in the constituency and not resort to violence. The John Dumelo for MP 2020 Campaign team wishes to serve notice to the sitting MP - Madam Lydia Alhassan, that it is her duty to promote peace and serenity in the constituency, Madugu stated. He added, her campaign that is bound to fail must not be seen to tacitly approve and profit from the violence being perpetrated on the innocent constituents of Ayawaso West Wuogon in the on-going registration exercise. Madugu continued, Should she continue to remain indifferent to the concerns raised that she has been made aware of severally, alternative reliefs within the confines of our laws will be sought by this Campaign team to ensure protection of all constituents from acts of thuggery and hooliganism. And help us to resist oppressors rule with all our will and might. Read full statement below: JOHN DUMELO 2020 July 13, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency has once again become a scene of violence and assaults. There have been persistent reports of physical abuse meted out to registration agents, sympathizers of the NDC, observers and innocent persons perceived to be supporters of the John Dumelo for MP 2020 Campaign. Within the course of the on-going registration, agents of the NDC have been brutalized often in the presence of the police. Official complaints have been lodged with the Police with no response to bring perpetrators to book. The country is reminded of the painful incidents that took place during the Ayawaso West Wuogon bye-elections which led to innocent people being assaulted in the constituency rendering some of them paralysed. It is a national shame that the only crime of constituents that day, was their desire to exercise their voting franchise leading to the maiming and violence the whole nation witnessed. Residents of the constituency will not forget the negative attention the happenings of that day as they played out in a government commission of inquiry. Every Ghanaian is aware of the recommendations and the refusal of government to act and allow the full rigors of the law to deal with individuals found to have inflicted violence on innocent citizens. The John Dumelo for MP 2020 Campaign team wishes to serve notice to the sitting MP - Madam Lydia Alhassan, that it is her duty to promote peace and serenity in the constituency. Her campaign that is bound to fail must not be seen to tacitly approve and profit from the violence being perpetrated on the innocent constituents of Ayawaso West Wuogon in the on-going registration exercise. Should she continue to remain indifferent to the concerns raised that she has been made aware of severally, alternative reliefs within the confines of our laws will be sought by this Campaign team to ensure protection of all constituents from acts of thuggery and hooliganism. And help us to resist oppressors rule with all our will and might. Thank You Benjamin Madugu Avornyotse Spokesperson Contact:+233540867943 Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:24:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PYONGYANG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his recent anti-China remarks on Wednesday, warning against interfering with the affairs of other countries and "muddling up" public opinion. In a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said his government "sternly condemns Pompeo's very dangerous remarks against China," and that Pompeo "should not muddle up the public opinion and make absurd remarks while interfering in other's business." The spokesperson explained that on July 13, Pompeo made reckless remarks with regard to the issue of South China Sea and attacked the Communist Party of China (CPC). "It is an extremely sinister act that a non-Asian country across the ocean, not being content with its reckless remarks over the issue of the South China Sea, has hurled abuses at the CPC, linking the issue with the latter," the statement said. "'No Communist Party, no new China' - this is the faith and truth embedded in the minds of the Chinese people," the statement added. Enditem C hina today warned Britain that Chinese investment would fall as a result of yesterday's decision to rip Huawei kit out of the UK telecoms infrastructure. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming said: "The way you are treating Huawei is being followed very closely by other Chinese businesses, and it will be very difficult for other businesses to have the confidence to have more investment." Britain had, he said "simply dumped this company." He was speaking after Prime Minister Boris Johnson performed what was seen as a U-turn on a decision not to ban Huawei from UK telecoms equipment and said that, back in China, the UK was now seen as being the "cat's paw" of America, meaning it was subservient to the US. "Does the UK want to maintain its indepedent status or be reduced to being a vassal of the United States, be the US's cat's paw?" h e asked. "The safety of Chinese investment in the UK is being greatly threatened," he added. Donald Trump last night took credit for countries like the UK ditching Huawei. "I did this myself for the most part," he said, in an apparent snub to Downing Street efforts to claim the new approach was because of a change in circumstances caused by US sanctions on the firm. China's $15 trillion economy is five times the size of Britain's, Reuters reported. The ambassador was speaking at the Centre for European Reform. Washington and its allies maintain that China could use Huawei's equipment to spy on private and sensitive information, a claim the firm denies. It's her second time appearing on Bachelor in Paradise. And fans were thrilled to see Brittney Weldon return to Fiji on Wednesday night. The brunette bombshell, 27, immediately showed off her boisterous personality, thrilling viewers who were excited to see 'Littney' return. 'Now it's a party!' On Wednesday, Brittney Weldon arrived on Bachelor in Paradise and fans rejoiced by saying she's more 'nuts than a Picnic bar' 'Brittney has not changed a bit,' one fan wrote on Twitter, while another said: 'Ah, Brittney's back. Now it's a party.' Another added: 'Oh my god, Brittney! Can we just have a full season of Brittney in Paradise, please?' 'Seeing Littney back on my screen has cleared my skin, eased my depression, given me instant joy, nearly made me forget the state of the world,' a third joked. Fan favourite: 'Brittney has not changed a bit,' one viewer wrote on Twitter, while another said: 'Ah, Brittney's back. Now it's a party' 'Britt 2 still as nuts as a picnic bar,' another joked. After her bold introduction, Brittney caught the eye of Timm Hanly - along with Brittany Hockley. The two Britt's went on a three person date with Angie Kent's runner-up. Having fun: 'Britt 2 still as nuts as a picnic bar,' another joked Brittney left Bachelor in Paradise last year, after Ivan Krslovic decided to abandon their blossoming romance and give his rose to Tenille Favios instead. She told Punkee that Ivan never even said sorry after breaking her heart. 'He never actually apologised and then he calls me six months [after filming] saying, "Oh you know, I'm sure you're over it by now",' she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:58:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KAMPALA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday donated an assortment of medical supplies to the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in the Ugandan capital Kampala. Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, handed over the 60 million shillings (about 16,440 U.S. dollars) worth of supplies to Emmanuel Batibwe, director of the hospital at a function held at the hospital premises. Ambassador Zheng said the supplies are aimed at boosting the hospital's efforts in treating COVID-19 patients. Batibwe hailed China for the continued annual support to the 100-bed hospital which was donated by China in 2012. He said the supplies are critical as the hospital handles COVID-19 patients, noting that the facility is currently treating five cases. Batibwe said besides the donation, hospital staff have been able to interface with their colleagues in China via video conferencing on how best to combat the pandemic. COVID-19 results released on Wednesday showed that over the last 24 hours, the country had registered three new cases bringing the total number of cases to 1,043, according to the ministry of health. Out of the 1,043 cases, 1,004 have healed and no death has been recorded, the ministry said. Enditem Public health officials say there is no returning to "normal" until there is a vaccine. There are no FDA-approved drugs or vaccines for the coronavirus, which has infected more than 13 million people worldwide and killed at least 578,600 as of Wednesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. "I believe we have an ethical obligation to advance this vaccine as fast as possible given the unmet need on one hand and given what science enables us to do on the other," Zaks said. "I think it is incumbent upon us to do this in a manner that's responsible, judicious and accounts for the emerging understanding of the safety profile and I think we're doing that by ensuring that our phase three is a large phase three." Scientists caution that the phase one study was small, with just 45 individuals who were all healthy, and the results may differ for other populations, like those with underlying health conditions. The newly released data "puts us on a positive path towards a larger phase three trial with which we hope to demonstrate the safety and efficacy," Moderna chief medical officer Tal Zaks said Wednesday on CNBC's " Squawk Box ." The vaccine candidate produced neutralizing antibodies, which scientists believe is important for building immunity against the virus, in all 45 patients tested in the trial, Moderna scientists reported Tuesday night in the New England Journal of Medicine. Additionally, the antibodies that were produced were higher than those seen in people who have recovered from Covid-19. Moderna's experimental vaccine contains genetic material called messenger RNA, or mRNA, which scientists hope provokes the immune system to fight the virus. The new data is boosting hopes that there could be a safe and effective vaccine to prevent Covid-19 by the end of the year or early 2021. In the early-stage trial, which was run by the National Institutes of Health, each participant received a 25, 100 or 250 microgram dose of the vaccine candidate, with 15 people in each dose group. Participants received two doses of the potential vaccine. No serious side effects were reported, but more than half of the participants reported mild or moderate symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches or pain at the injection site, according to the data. Moderna announced on Tuesday it will begin its late-stage trial for its vaccine on July 27. The trial will enroll 30,000 participants across 87 locations, according to ClinicalTrials.gov. Participants in the experimental arm will receive a 100 microgram dose of the potential vaccine on the first day and another 29 days later. Some patients in the trial will also receive a placebo The effort by Moderna is one of several working on a potential vaccine for Covid-19. More than 100 vaccines are under development globally, according to the World Health Organization. At least 23 are already in human trials, according to the WHO. Earlier this month, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, alongside German drugmaker BioNTech, released positive results from its closely watched early-stage human trial of a coronavirus vaccine. The company said its vaccine produced neutralizing antibodies in all participants who received two of the 10 or 30 microgram doses after 28 days, according to the preliminary data. It said the levels of neutralizing antibodies were 1.8 to 2.8 times higher than in recovered Covid-19 patients. While Moderna and Pfizer's results are promising, scientists warn that questions remain about how the human body responds once it's been infected with the virus. The answers, they say, may have important implications for vaccine development, including how quickly it can be deployed to the public. One critical question among scientists is whether antibodies produced in response to Covid-19 offer protection against getting infected again. Scientists hope the antibodies provide some degree of protection against getting Covid-19, but they can't say that definitively yet since the virus was first discovered just six months ago. It hasn't been studied in-depth and some patients appear to have been reinfected after recovering from Covid-19. "I would say there's a lot of optimism," said Dr. Jonathan Abraham, a professor at Harvard Medical School's Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology. "But I think the optimism is making a lot of assumptions. The assumptions include that what we're seeing now is a type of infection where if you get infected and you're reexposed shortly after that you won't be infected again." Additionally, a recent study published in Nature Medicine found coronavirus antibodies may last only two to three months after a person becomes infected with Covid-19. Researchers examined 37 asymptomatic people, those who never developed symptoms, in the Wanzhou district of China. They compared their antibody response to that of 37 people with symptoms. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, has often touted Moderna's potential vaccine. On Monday, he said he's "cautiously optimistic" scientists will be able to create at least one safe and effective vaccine by the end of the year or early 2021. While questions remain, Zaks said Wednesday that scientists have learned about the virus from its coronavirus relatives SARS and MERS. The spike protein, which the virus uses to enter the host cell, is a critical piece for the vaccine development, he said. The Supreme Court passed its judgement today. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The prosecution of a sex offender aided by evidence from a covert sting run by a paedophile-hunting group did not breach human rights laws, the Supreme Court has ruled. Judges have been deliberating whether the work of the groups, who use fake online profiles of children to snare predators, was compatible with the right to privacy. The case was brought to the court by Mark Sutherland, who sent sexual messages to what he thought was a 13-year-old boy on the dating app Grindr, the court heard. Sutherland arranged to meet the boy at Partick station in Scotland but the account was actually a decoy, created by an adult member of a paedophile-hunting vigilante group that handed over evidence gathered on Sutherland to the police. He was convicted of attempting to communicate indecently with an older child and related offences in 2018, according to the Supreme Court. Sutherland has told the court that the decoy account on Grindr, and resulting evidence from the sting operation, breached his right to privacy under article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In a verdict delivered on Wednesday, judges unanimously found that there was no breach of the right to privacy. Sutherland began talking to the decoy account on dating app Grindr. (PA Images) Representing Sutherland in the first hearing in June, Gordon Jackson said there was disquiet about the vigilantes, who he said in general terms do not fit nicely or kindly with the way we do things. He told the court that police tacitly encouraged the groups, who, he said, were able to operate outside the investigatory powers laws the police have to work within if they want to snare paedophiles in this way. It is a systemic use of these organisations by the Crown who then say, nothing to do with us, they just come to us as private citizens, he said, adding that picture doesnt reflect the reality. Responding, Alison Di Rollo, solicitor general for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotlands prosecution organisation, argued the police have a duty to detect and prevent crime and respond when alerted to a person who may pose a sexual risk to children. Story continues She said there is no right to respect for such behaviour in a democratic society and no violation of article 8. While Grindr could engage the right to privacy when used by adults to form relationships, Di Rollo said that right does not extend to doing so with children and added that vigilante groups are self-tasking and accountable under law. Delivering the judges verdict that no breach had occurred, Lord Sales said: The interests of children have priority over any interest a paedophile could have in being allowed to engage in the criminal conduct in issue here. In the verdict, published online, Lord Sales said there is no incompatibility between the governments obligation to protect the right to privacy and the use of evidence gathered by the paedophile-hunters in this case to support Sutherlands prosecution. Cookie Preferences Cookie List Cookie List A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a user asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting for our advertising and marketing efforts. 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A day after Sachin Pilot was sacked as the Congress Rajasthan unit chief, senior leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday said the young leader should be patient as he pointed to the posts he has held in the party. Congress had dropped Sachin Pilot as the deputy chief minister of Rajasthan as well as the partys state unit chief over differences with chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Vishvender Singh and Ramesh Meena, two other ministers who had joined Pilot, have also been dropped. Also Read: Im not joining BJP, those saying so are trying to lower me in Gandhis eyes, says Sachin Pilot The Congress accused his camp of conspiring with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to destabilise the government. Sachin Pilot was made an MP, a central minister, Rajasthan party chief and deputy CM. What is his age? He is still young, he should have some patience, Digvijaya Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Also Read: Congress ejects Pilot from power; CM Gehlot still in Rajasthan cockpit His actions have been against the party discipline. These youngsters do not have patience, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister added. Digvijaya Singh also posted several videos of Sachin Pilot and former party member Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Twitter. At the national level, people had a lot of confidence and hope in these two emerging leaders. Now listen to what they are saying and what they are doing, he tweeted in Hindi. Also Read: From MP in 2004 to a rebel in 2020: Sachin Pilots journey in Congress Pilot said on Wednesday said he is not going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and denied he colluded with the BJP to conspire against the Congress. I am not joining BJP. Those saying that are just trying to lower me in Gandhis eyes, he said while speaking to HT. The Congress has issued notices to Pilot and 18 other party members for not attending the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Also Read: How Ashok Gehlot retained support, made inroads into Sachin Pilot camp Congress Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande said that Pilot and others have two days to respond to the notice after which the party would consider withdrawing their membership from the CLP. Rajasthan has been facing a political crisis after Pilot, along with his supporters, left the state over the weekend after he and other leaders got a notice from the state polices special operations group. The mass grave discovered at the mother and baby home in Taum may just be one of many such scandals. Six years after from the discovery of 800 babies bodies in sewage tanks under a former mother and baby home in the Irish town of Tuam, a state commission to investigate what really happened still has yet to report. But Tuam seems to be the tip of the iceberg. Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee reports from Ireland. A Coroner may have to ask Vladimir Putin for evidence if the family of a Salisbury novichok victim win their legal battle to widen the scope of her inquest, the High Court heard today. The daughter of Dawn Sturgess, 44, has taken action after Senior Coroner for Wiltshire David Ridley placed limits on which issues would be investigated at her inquest. Ms Sturgess died in 2018 after coming into contact with the nerve agent novichok in a fake perfume bottle her partner Charlie Rowley had found in a park in Amesbury. Lawyers are now arguing whether an inquest should involve the full investigation of Russian agents in the death of Ms Sturgess. On the second day of the virtual hearing, Sir James Eadie put forward the Government's position on the inquiry. Lord Justice David Bean, hearing the case, queried whether the actions of those who co-ordinated the attack in Salisbury should be explored. The daughter of Dawn Sturgess (pictured), 44, has taken legal action after Senior Coroner for Wiltshire David Ridley placed limits on which issues would be investigated at her inquest Vladimir Putin may have to be investigated if the family of a Salisbury novichok victim win their legal battle to widen the scope of her inquest, the High Court heard today He said: 'If someone has coordinated the event from London or someone in Russia sent these men here, and said "I'm giving you this perfume bottle that contains Novichok to use on these people and to get rid of it". 'That is the actions and the time one would need to explore to lead to the finding of an unlawful killing. 'It would trace the two men coming from Russia and ending with these two individuals in Salisbury. That is one way of viewing this analysis.' Sir James replied: 'I don't, respectfully, agree. 'A Coroner is not obliged to investigate the "how" question in every possible crime that might have occurred. He can make judgements on the "how" question, but the logic of that means he should involve President Putin as well. 'It is about these two primary actors, those that planted the "bomb". That is the coherent line of distinction. 'The line of distinction is based on the degree of direct cause and relation and the planting of the Novichok. 'Before going further, he has made it expressly clear that it's all being kept under review. 'Suppose there's a third man in London or the person in the Russian embassy or on the phone to the primary actors, who's to say they're not also on the phone to the Kremlin or even on the phone to Putin?' Mr Sturgess died in hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018 after collapsing at her partner Charlie Rowley's home in Amesbury, Wiltshire (pictured) He added: 'An inquest cannot solve the world's ills. It is answering a question of how and by what means. 'It isn't designed to solve every problem. It is of course a grotesque action from one person from one state going to another state and leaving a dangerous weapon in a bin that leaves a woman killed. 'A coroner must act inside the lines of discretion and must contain the scope of the inquest. I don't seek to diminish the strong feelings of the family to ask these questions but there has to be a limit.' Sir James told the court the Coroner said he was investigating "how, meaning by what means" Ms Sturgess came by her death. The lawyer said: 'As the Coroner noted, Ms Sturgess was not the target of the attack. 'He described her death as "collateral damage". The acts of those who plotted the attack on the Skripals many weeks or months earlier relate to the wider circumstances in which the death of Ms Sturgess occurred. 'In a Jamieson inquest, the Coroner may make no findings in relation to those circumstances. Russian military intelligence agents Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were accused of carrying out the attack - though both denied being a part of the assassination attempt in an interview on Russia TV Lawyers representing family members have suggested the inquest will be the only opportunity to publicly investigate a 'matter of almost unparalleled public concern'. Pictured: The High Court 'The Claimant is, therefore, wrong to assert that there is no reason to prevent the Coroner from reaching a finding of unlawful killing in relation to the actions of other Russian officials. 'The issue is not, as the Claimant suggests, the narrow one of whether an individual can be named in a determination; the Claimant is right to say that no-one can be named as having committed a criminal offence. 'The prohibition is on the Coroner making findings about the wider circumstances of Ms Sturgess' death.' Mr Sturgess died in hospital in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018 after collapsing at her partner Charlie Rowley's home in Amesbury, Wiltshire. A police investigation after her death revealed she had inadvertently sprayed novichok on herself from a fake perfume bottle which Mr Rowley had found on the ground in a park. The deadly nerve agent had been used in an assassination attempt on Russian spy turned British double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury. Retired Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia Skripal both ended up in intensive care after they were found slumped on a bench in the Wiltshire city in March 2018. Both survived the poisoning after nearly a month in hospital, while a police officer, DS Nick Bailey, who was also poisoned, also survived. Russian military intelligence agents Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were accused of carrying out the attack - though both denied being a part of the assassination attempt in an interview on Russia TV. Now more than two years later, the family of Ms Sturgess has launched a legal challenge claiming Mr Ridley, the senior coroner for Wiltshire, has wrongly decided to limit what issues will be considered at an inquest. Lawyers representing family members have suggested the inquest will be the only opportunity to publicly investigate a 'matter of almost unparalleled public concern'. The family hope the inquest it will consider the source of the novichok, whether the perfume bottle was used in Salisbury, and whether further novichok remains in the UK. Sir James said: 'The fact that wider investigation might be desirable or in the public interest does not mean that it is the task of the inquest to carry out that investigation. 'Primary responsibility for criminal investigation rests with the police, and not with the coroner.' The hearing continues. Monasterevin man Cllr Kevin Duffy, Fine Gael, was this morning elected as mayor of Kildare County Council's Kildare Newbridge Municipal District area. Cllr Noel Heavey, Fianna Fail, has been elected deputy mayor. Both men were first elected to the district, which represents Newbridge, Kildare town, Monasterevin and the surrounding areas, in last year's local elections. Cllr Duffy took over from outgoing MD mayor Cllr Mark Stafford, also Fine Gael, at this morning's AGM. Cllr Stafford was last month elected Mayor of County Kildare at the full council meeting. The incoming Mayor was nominated for the position by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer (FG) and seconded by Cllr Suzanne Doyle (FG). As there were no other candidates, he was deemed elected unopposed. His wife, Lisa-Marie, and young children Hamish and Edith, were in the public gallery to watch him take the chain of office and chair his first meeting. The incoming mayor said it was "a great honour" to take on the role, and thanked the constituents who gave him the opportunity to represent his area. The new Kildare Newbridge MD mayor Kevin Duffy, with his wife Lisa-Marie and their children Edith and Hamish Cllr Peggy O'Dwyer (FG), the outgoing deputy mayor, proposed Cllr Heavey to take over her role, and was seconded by Cllr Robert Power (FF). This nomination was also agreed unopposed. Cllr Heavey thanked his colleagues and pledged to fill in for the new mayor where appropriate and said he would assist him in any way he can. Cllr Suzanne Doyle (FF) and Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy wished the new mayor the best of luck in his role, and KCC official Joe Boland also wished him the best on behalf of the council staff. "We are all here for one reason, to make Kildare-Newbridge the best municipal district in the county, and hopefully we can achieve this," said the new mayor. Filipino authorities are expanding drive-thru testing for COVID-19 and are now promising that law enforcement will conduct house-to-house probes for patients as the country responds to rising infections since a lockdown was eased on June 1. As of July 15, the country had recorded at least 58,850 cases and 1,614 deaths, according to government data. Cases have more than tripled since June 1, when authorities eased a shutdown in the capital, Manila. On July 15, officials reported 1,392 new coronavirus cases, as well as 11 additional deaths tied to the virus. This drone footage was taken at testing areas in Manila, and posted on the official Facebook account of Manila Citys Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso. The use of police was announced on July 14 by Interior Minister Eduardo Ano. The minister said the positive patients would be taken from their homes and brought to isolation centers. If they refused to cooperate, they could be imprisoned, he added. Credit: Isko Moreno Domagoso via Storyful The family of a man in Uttar Pradesh has blamed the police for losing 30 lakh, which were paid as ransom. They said that the drop was made on the instruction of the police who did not make necessary arrangements to catch them. Ruchi Yadav, the sister of lab technician Sanjit, said the her brother went missing on June 22 in Kanpur and a police complaint was made at the Barra police station. Yadav then said that said a week later, the family received the ransom call for the first time. The family approached the police but it could not trace the caller or his location. Meawhile, the kidnappers asked for 30 lakh to free Sanjit to which the family agreed on the assurance of SHO Ranjeet Rai. She said they were told the police would be nearby and asked her to carry a cellphone in the bag so that the location could be traced in real time. As per the schedule, the family members on Monday travelled on Kanpur-Etawah highway. The kidnappers had asked them to drop the bag from the Gujaini flyover. They did that and returned as told. The family further claimed that the police did not send any cop with the family or made any other arrangement to catch the criminals who took the bag away. Rai was not available for his comments. But Kanpur South Superintendent of Police Aparna Gupta denied that any ransom was paid to the kidnappers and said the police were trailing the criminals. However, a video surfaced later in which she could be heard admitting about the drop but did not offer comments on that. SSP Kanpur Dinesh Kumar P visited the family late on Tuesday night and assured that the police would rescue Sanjit and act tough in the case of alleged goof-up. A tense, nine-hour Berkeley City Council meeting ended early Wednesday morning with a sweeping set of new public safety reforms, including a pledge to eventually cut the Police Department budget in half and create a Department of Transportation to reduce traffic stops based on race. But critics of the plan called the actions hollow without a clear timeline for when and how theyll take shape. An omnibus bill proposed by Mayor Jesse Arreguin, which passed 8-0 with one abstention, will reduce the use of Berkeley police in traffic stops as well as homeless and mental health crisis responses, fund an independent analysis of police call data, and create a community safety committee to lead the changes. The goal is to eventually slash the police budget in half to $36 million. These measures shared the same urgency and spirit, but had different mechanisms for achieving it, said Councilman Ben Bartlett, who supported the measures. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen for reimagining public safety. The new policies proposed amid a nationwide movement to divert public funds from police department budgets to community services and unarmed crisis responders were fueled in large part by protests against police brutality and systemic inequities following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. But the contentious discussion leading up to the Berkeley councils vote, which came after 3 a.m. as 300 members of the public called in to the video conference, demonstrated that even a body united on public safety reforms can disagree over how far to go. Two weeks ago, Berkeley reduced its police budget by $9.2 million, which represented 12% of the departments annual operating budget. If it hadnt, the department would have claimed 50% of the citys discretionary fund over the next five years, Arreguin said. Councilwoman Cheryl Davila, who abstained from the vote, and many members of the public said the 12% cut to the police budget did not go far enough to reduce the presence of officers on Berkeley streets. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Davila proposed a measure that called for cutting the departments $72 million budget in half and reallocating funds toward city staff and community crisis responders. The proposal would have eliminated police from schools and required police to pay for misconduct settlements, rather than paying for them with money coming from the citys general fund. We had the opportunity to do something really major last night. That didnt happen and thats disappointing, Davila said. Because thats what the country and the world is asking for. The conflict over Berkeleys budget echoes similar disagreements in neighboring Oakland. On June 24, Oakland leaders passed a budget that chopped law enforcement funding by $14.6 million, falling far short of motions to reduce the budget by at least $25 million and as much as $150 million. After public criticism that the reduction wasnt sufficient, Oakland council members decided to reconsider the budget on July 21. Mayor Arreguin endorsed the spirit of Berkeleys reforms, but cautioned that the city needs to take it step by step. In the omnibus bill, the council approved a plan to create a new Department of Transportation staffed with unarmed civilians tasked with both transportation planning and enforcing traffic law. The goal is to reduce stops based on race. Pretextual stops have too often escalated into use of force or unnecessary arrests that disproportionately harm innocent Black Americans, said Councilman Rigel Robinson, who introduced the bill. Driving while Black is not a crime. The council also adopted a plan to spend $150,000 toward an independent analysis of police call data and the current police budget. The analysis, which the Berkeley city auditor will conduct over the next few months, will inform future cuts to the department budget. A new Community Safety Coalition and Steering Committee will lead the planning of these public safety measures over the next few months. Davila started off Tuesdays meeting by submitting a motion for an unplanned vote of no confidence in Police Chief Andrew Greenwood. At a June council meeting, when asked about how the Police Department could respond to violent protesters without the use of teargas, Greenwood said, Firearms. We can shoot people. If you are being attacked with lethal force, if we dont have less-lethal that can drive it back, then were absent a tool. Thats my concern. Im not trying to be overly dramatic and I apologize. In her motion, Davila called the comments not merely a gaffe, but inexcusable. The motion did not receive a second council members support to come up for a vote. A rapid succession of public speakers admonished the council for failing to consider the motion. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle This is someone who told the residents of Berkeley that hes literally going to shoot us, Berkeley resident Mae Massaci said. In an election year, I just wanted to let you know were watching you. Were watching your actions, your words, and your silence. Dozens of public speakers supported the citys plans to radically scale back the police. But many asked for a no vote on all measures aside from the 50% department budget cut. They delay necessary steps to police abolition that will save lives in our Black community, community member Avi Simon said. The council chose to wait on data from the police call analysis, as well as the analysis of the police budget, before it makes final decision on cuts to the departments budget. 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. Whatever changes we arrive at must be achieved through data, community conversation and a transition to a new model, Arreguin said. But some experts who support the spirit of the measure advised caution in its implementation. Erin Kerrison, assistant professor of social welfare at UC Berkeley, said that reallocating police funds to social services risks making only marginal improvements to a system heavy on bureaucratic enforcement. The measure to transition police away from homelessness response fails to address the root causes that put people on the streets in the first place, she said. Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle If we move from policing to a different system of corralling and managing, we expose people to more surveillance, Kerrison said. If you really want to end homelessness, provide housing. How the city will reach its stated goal of a 50% police budget reduction remains unclear. UC Berkeley law Professor Franklin Zimring said he was skeptical the city can achieve its lofty reform goals, calling the measures a wish list that would, in practice, incur significant costs. What would be unprecedented is not the nature of the wish list, or even its magnitude, but whether it happens at any scale close to the numbers flying around in policy conversations in a lot of cities right now, he said. Now Playing: Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, local artists and community members paint over boarded-up storefronts in Downtown Oakland. The grassroots project responds to the civil unrest over police violence and systemic racism, sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Video: Caron Creighton Personnel costs, Zimring noted, take up the vast majority of police budgets, so any cuts would require protracted and costly renegotiations with police departments and their unions. Cities will have to provide incentives in pension plans and payouts to get people to leave, he said. Its an iron law of public employee negotiations that those kinds of transitions cost money, Zimring said. Fifty percent is the end of a very, very, very long rainbow. Clarification: A sentence regarding Police Chief Andrew Greenwoods response to questions about how to deal with violent protesters has been updated. Brett Simpson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: brett.simpson@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @brettvsimpson A man and a toddler have been found unconscious in a home and rushed to hospital in a critical condition after a 'domestic incident' involving a gas canister. Authorities were called to a home in Eden Hills, southeast Adelaide, at midnight on Thursday, where they discovered the little girl slumped in a bedroom. Police spoke with a woman who lived at the home before entering the bedroom where they also found a 43-year-old man unconscious. Authorities were called to a home in Eden Hills, southeast Adelaide, at midnight on Thursday, where they discovered the little girl slumped in a bedroom Investigators were seen removing a gas canister from the premises on Thursday morning, The Advertiser reported. The little girl and the man were both treated at the scene before they were rushed to Flinders Medical Centre in a critical condition. Since arriving at the facility, the toddler stabilised and was transferred to the Women's and Children's Hospital. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, but clarified that it is not considered random. The man, woman and little girl all lived at the home together. The woman and another child who was at the house were not hurt in the incident. Crime scene examiners remain at the home and are investigating. Betty Malavazos, who lives nearby, told the publication her granddaughters played with the three-year-old. 'She is a beautiful little girl a sweet little girl and I pray to god for her,' she said. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the investigation was in its 'very early stages' but indicated it was 'domestic violence related'. 'Obviously very tragic circumstances but at this stage the indications are that it may be domestic-violence related but it's too early for us to be specific about the causes,' he said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call to work more closely in Libya to ensure lasting stability in the country, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday. According to the presidency, Trump and Erdogan also discussed bilateral ties and a trade target of $100 billion, Reuters reported. Turkey supports the internationally recognised Government of National Accord in Libya, which is fighting against the eastern-based Libyan National Army, backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. Ankara has previously said the United States needs to play a more active role in Libya. New Delhi, July 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told all students who took the recent CBSE examinations that "One exam doesn't define who you are". He also congratulated all those who tasted success in the exams. While sending his best wishes to students of Class 10 and 12 whose results came out, Prime Minister Modi had a word of encouragement for those who were not satisfied with their performance. He advised, "For those who aren't happy with their CBSE Class X and XII results, I want to tell them - one exam doesn't define who you are. Each of you is blessed with numerous talents. Live life to the fullest. Never lose hope, always look ahead. You will do wonders!" On Wednesday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board results for class 10 were out. Earlier on Monday, CBSE declared the results of the class 12 board examinations. Bhubaneswar, July 15 : The Odisha government has decided for temporary engagement of 7,000 health workers in Covid Care Homes across the state, said an official on Wednesday. The Health Department has issued an order for temporary engagement of trained manpower for Covid Care homes covering 6,798 panchayats in the state. The base level health activity in these Covid Care Homes will be managed by unemployed trained and registered ANMs. One ANM will remain in charge of one Covid care home. In case of non-availability of ANMs, registered staff nurses and pharmacists will be engaged, the order said. "For the purpose, it has been decided to engage at least one unemployed ANM per each proposed Covid Care Home in each Panchayat. In case, this category of manpower (unemployed ANMs) is not available, unemployed registered Staff Nurses or Pharmacists can be engaged in place of ANMs," the Department said. While ANMs are entitled to get a remuneration of Rs 850 per day, staff nurses or pharmacists will be engaged at a remuneration of Rs 1,000 per day. The engagement is purely temporary, for a period of three months or till Covid care homes are functional. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Photo credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo - Getty Images From Harper's BAZAAR One of the most heart-wrenching (and, admittedly, captivating) narrative threads in Lin-Manuel Mirandas award-winning musical Hamilton (now on Disney+) is that drawn between socialite Angelica Schuyler Church and the scrappy Founding Father. In the fan-favorite number Satisfied, Miranda takes extra effort to establish a hypothesis: that Angelica, Hamiltons future sister-in-law, was in fact secretly in love with him. Over the course of Satisfied onstage, Angelica meets Hamilton at a midwinters ball, where they enjoy a short but illuminating exchange. Despite the thrill of meeting an intellectual equal, Angelica decides Hamiltons lack of fortune is too large a romantic impediment. Her reasoning? Her father has no sons, so as the eldest daughter, its her duty to marry rich and climb the social ladder. So instead, she passes Hamilton off to her younger sister Eliza, whos already smitten. Once Angelica watches the two of them together, she realizes her mistake; she regrets that she sized him up so quickly, but dares not get between her gentle sister and the man she loves. The only problem is that most of this never actually happened, according to historians. Photo credit: Brad Barket - Getty Images Angelica, in fact, was already married with children by the time she met Hamilton. And her father, Philip Schuyler, not only had a son but multiple sons. Its also unlikely that Angelica introduced Hamilton and Eliza, considering that historians mark their initial meeting a few years prior to the ball. Where Miranda does inject some truth is in the relationship between Angelica and Alexander. Its possible, though not certain, that each kept a candle burning for the other throughout their respective marriages. As Ron Chernow wrote in his biography on the Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, from which Mirandas musical was adapted, The attraction between Hamilton and Angelica was so potent and obvious that many people assumed they were lovers. Where Eliza bowed reluctantly to the social demands of Hamiltons career, Angelica applauded his ambitions and was always famished for news of his latest political exploits. Story continues But did the two have an affair? Accounts differ. Heres what we know. Hamilton was, shall we say, very hot. All were saying is, we totally understand if Angelica felt a rush of blood rise to her temples whenever she first met Hamilton. Most historical accounts describe him as outrageously handsome, the youngest, best-looking, most controversial, and arguably the most brilliant of the major founders, according to an article in the Journal of American Studies. We can also safely assume that Angelica shared in the attraction. Per PBS, she wrote to Eliza, who was married to Hamilton at the time, If you were as generous as the old Romans, you would lend him to me for a little while. Photo credit: Roy Rochlin - Getty Images Angelica was inclined to make grand romantic gestures. Given Angelicas history, the thought of her falling in love with her brother-in-law doesnt sound so shocking. She secretly eloped with her husband, John Barker Church, who was then using the pseudonym John B. Carter to escape those pursuing him for, reportedly, gambling debts and stock speculation. He later settled in Europe with Angelica and paid off his debts, though for a time, her parents did not approve of the marriage and, in fact, acted quite coldly toward the couple, wrote Tom Cutterham, a professor of history at the University of Birmingham. Although Church was likely neither as dashing nor as witty as Hamilton, you can see how Angelicas bold, perhaps even reckless, behavior might lead her into all sorts of sticky situationsincluding, perhaps, pining over her sisters husband. They wrote to each other in an unusually affectionate manner. Wherever I am believe always that there is no one can pay a more sincere or affectionate tribute to your deserts than I do, wrote Hamilton to Angelica in December 1787. In that same letter, he expressed, I seldom write to a lady without fancying the relation of lover and mistress. In a separate letter written nearly a decade later, in which Angelica enlisted Hamiltons help finding a house in New York, she wrote, I am sensible how much I trouble I give you, but you will have the goodness to excuse it, when you know that it proceeded from a persuasion that I was asking from one who promised me his love and attention if I returned to America. In the same document, she referred to Hamilton as her dear and naughty Brother. Such was the duos normal correspondence. They were blithely flirtatious and tongue-in-cheek, while also boldly affectionate toward one another. However, whether their language traces a pattern between coy friends or secret lovers remains disputed. That Angelica was a married woman actually made her friendship with Hamilton safer from public scrutiny, as did Hamiltons marriage to her sister Eliza in 1780, explained Cassandra A. Good for Oxford University Press. Friendships between men and women were subject to public scrutiny and worries about sexual improprieties, so broadening a friendship from a pair to a set of spouses was helpful. These factors may have emboldened both Alexander and Angelica to express affection for one another with more intensity than most friends. Some historians believe Angelica and Hamilton conducted an affair. As we later find out in the number Say No to This, Hamilton does commit adultery with Maria Reynolds, an affair that led to the disastrous Reynolds Pamphlet. But historians apparently butt heads about whether Reynolds was Hamiltons only affair; some believe he also slept with Angelica. As described in the Journal of American Studies, biographer John C. Miller wrote, Hamilton felt no overmastering passion for Angelica Church despite her affection for him. But another biographer, Robert Hendrickson, believed for Hamilton there would probably never be any sweeter flesh than Angelicas. Then theres biographer Willard Stearne Randall. Apparently, he shared the latter opinion, writing, The dashing Hamilton had become a local [Manhattan] celebrity, Angelica his constant elegant companion. Chernow himself argued that such an affair with Angelica is unlikely, given that it might have destroyed the Schuyler family connection. The consensus: We dont know, and we might never know. What we do know, however, is that the pair loved each other deeply, at the very least platonically. And they probably shared an attraction, even if they never acted on it. Hamilton and Angelica both dearly loved Eliza. Another argument against the possible AngelicaHamilton affair is their mutual adoration of Angelicas sister and Hamiltons wife, Eliza. That bond would likely have prevented them from breaking her heart with an affair. As Angelica sings in the musical, If I tell her that I love him, shed be silently resigned / Hed be mine / She would say Im fine / Shed be lying. In one particular letter to Eliza, Hamilton wrote , I stopped to read over my letter; it is a motley mixture of fond extravagance and sprightly dullness; the truth is I am too much in love to be either reasonable or witty; I feel in the extreme; and when I attempt to speak of my feelings I rave Love is a sort of insanity. And when Hamiltons affair with Reynolds became a scandal, Angelica wrote to Eliza, according to War of Two: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Duel That Stunned the Nation, Tranquilize your kind and good heart, my dear Eliza. Merit, virtue, and talents must have enemies and are always exposed to envy so that, my Eliza, you see the penalties attending the position of so amiable a man. All this you would not have suffered if you had married into a family less near the sun. With all my heart and redoubled tenderness, Angelica. Both letters demonstrate Angelicas and Hamiltons devotion to Eliza (or, as they sometimes called her, Betsey). That devotion likely would have kept them from ever acting on their feelings. But Angelica was one of Hamiltons most important companions and confidantes, his true equalno matter their passions, that connection remains untarnished. You Might Also Like MONTREAL, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL; TSX and NYSE) will report its 2020 second quarter results on Thursday, July 30th, 2020. A press release will be issued before markets open and a conference call is scheduled on that same day at 8:30 AM ET to discuss the Companys results. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 282-2924 (Canada & U.S.) or (470) 495-9480 (international) and entering passcode 5179253#. A replay will be available for 7 days starting at 11:30 AM ET by dialing (855) 859-2056 (Canada & U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering the same passcode. A live audio webcast of the conference call, as well as a replay, will be available on our corporate site at Gildan Q2 2020 audio webcast . About Gildan Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel which markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands, including Gildan, American Apparel, Comfort Colors, Gildan Hammer, Prim + Preux, GOLDTOE, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Secret, Silks, Kushyfoot, Secret Silky, Therapy Plus, Peds and MediPeds, and under the Under Armour brand through a sock licensing agreement providing exclusive distribution rights in the United States and Canada. Our product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and legwear products sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms, and to global lifestyle brand companies. Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean Basin, North America, and Bangladesh. The Company operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour and environmental practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive Genuine Responsibility program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com and www.genuineresponsibility.com, respectively. 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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(0x7f04864023b0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486402458)', '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(0x7f04864023b0)') 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(0x7f0486402458)') 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(0x7f048637fdd8)') 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(0x7f0486402458)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0486402458)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f0485813d20)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0486359468)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f0486359468)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, July 15 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled plans to clamp down on aggressive corporate tax planning regimes that distort the level playing field of the EU's single market, a move it said would aid Europe's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. European Union countries are seeking to shore up public revenues to fund economic recoveries amid a public outcry over tax avoidance by corporations - in particular, multinational digital giants - and wealthy individuals. With that in mind, the Commission - the EU's executive - said it would expand its tax code of conduct to tackle corporate tax regimes of member states that have broadly harmful effects. The 1997 code is the EU's tool for blacklisting jurisdictions where tax avoidance or evasion is prevalent and has led to the dismantling of roughly 120 such regimes. Currently, the EU can only assess "preferential" regimes, for example if a country levied one tax rate for domestic firms but used a different rate for international companies. Previous plans to change EU tax rules have been thwarted by member states' power of veto, which allow a single country to block tax reforms. But the Commission said it is exploring options to sidestep the veto system, possibly by using an article in the EU constitutional treaty which allows tax decisions to be taken by majority if competition is distorted. EU plans to retrieve taxes from digital giants suffered a blow on Wednesday when the bloc's second-highest court rejected a Commission order that Apple pay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland. Changes to EU tax rules are still likely to face opposition from member states that say reforms could harm their economies. The Commission in May identified six EU countries - Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands - as having tax systems which could be used by companies for aggressive tax planning. A senior EU official said the plan unveiled on Tuesday "has nothing to do with finger-pointing at anyone." The Commission also proposed that member states' tax bodies automatically exchange information on income generated by sellers on digital platforms like Amazon, Airbnb or Uber, in a bid to help countries collect tax from digital firms. (Reporting by Kate Abnett Editing by John Chalmers and Mark Heinrich) SEATTLE, WA Washington is less than 2 months away from the first day of school, but for many students it is still unclear whether their classes will reopen in-person or continue remotely. Now, researchers say, that depends on if the public is willing to do their part to slow the spread of the virus. In early June, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal told schools to prepare as if they would reopen classrooms in the fall, but to keep a backup plan in case they could not. Shortly after that, the state issued guidance telling colleges and universities how they could safely reopen, but warned that many schools may not be able to safely do so. Then last week, the Trump Administration unveiled a new policy that would revoke the visas of international students studying in American colleges if their classes continued remotely. The plan was met with widespread condemnation, including a lawsuit from Washington state and a response from Gov. Jay Inslee who said that Washington would not be "bullied" into unsafely reopening their schools. That rule has since been rescinded, but such a strong response raises a question: is Washington really ready to safely reopen schools, especially considering the current surge in coronavirus cases? Now, a new study is shedding light on the issue, with dire warning that, if schools are going to reopen, it's going to require more cooperation from the general population. "It is telling us, at this time, there is too much COVID-19 transmission in our community to support school reopening," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for King County. The report, created by the Bellevue-based Institute of Disease Modeling, used data from King County to create six models that predict how different reopening strategies could affect the pandemic. In the worst, where schools fully reopen without any countermeasures like masks or physical distancing, the study found the COVID-19 attack rate would double across the state in just three months. That includes in the general population, not just students. Story continues "We can't think of schools in isolation, COVID isn't really just a schools problem," said Daniel Klein Senior Research Manager with the Institute for Disease Modeling. For the study, researchers focused on the virus' "effective reproductive number" a variable which shows how many people each new coronavirus patient infects. The goal is to have a number below one: meaning the average patient infects less than one other person, and the number of infections shrinks over time. Most of the models created for the study found that reopening schools would keep the effective reproductive number above one. However, there is a path forward, but only if the public takes precautions and if schools keep students grouped together, wear masks, screen and test students and staff, infection rates can be kept lower. Courtesy the Institute of Disease Modeling Many of those protections are already included in the state's guidance: reopening schools will be required to conduct screenings, test coronavirus patients before they can return to class or work, and require mask use inside school buildings. "Basically, what these models are showing is these countermeasures in schools are necessary," said Klein. But the biggest necessity, according to researchers: limiting the amount of travel for everyone in the whole community. The red bars in the graph above show scenarios where residents are only 70 percent as mobile as they were before the pandemic began. As the bars show, if residents are less mobile the infection rate drops dramatically. In mid-June, cell phone data showed that King County was about 65 percent as mobile as it had been before the pandemic, though residents have become more mobile as travel restrictions have lifted. If the community continues to become more mobile, there is no way schools can reopen safely. As the study's authors write: "However, under a scenario in which mobility in the community increases to 80% of pre-COVID levels, none of the mitigating strategies in schools we explored would be able to reduce the effective reproductive number to one or below, meaning the epidemic will grow." In other words, if Washington wants schools to reopen, that will be dependent on how the community handles the virus in the coming weeks. "The most important step we can take to reopen schools this fall is to come together to reduce spread of the virus in our communities and statewide," said Lacy Fehrenback, Deputy Secretary for COVID-19 Response with the Washington State Department of Health. Only time will tell if the community can contain the virus enough to allow schools to safely reopen, but surging coronavirus cases over recent weeks have not left health officials overly optimistic. Monday, the state reported 1,101 new cases of the coronavirus, the highest daily case count so far, and Tuesday the governor announced that the state would not allow counties to reopen any further for at least two more weeks because of the surge in cases. "If we continue to head in the wrong direction, it will be extremely difficult to bring students back to school," said Duchin. Related stories: Washington Schools Plan To Return To Classrooms This Fall Washington Outlines How Colleges, Universities Can Return In Fall Inslee: We Will Not Be Bullied Into Unsafely Reopening Schools Washington Sues Over ICE Policy On International Student Visas This article originally appeared on the Seattle Patch The father of a young girl allegedly murdered by her 14-year-old cousin on a farm last week has lashed out at her parents, saying her death was 'preventable' . The 10-year-old was discovered dead inside a home at Gunnedah, in northern NSW, last Wednesday, before her older cousin was arrested at another farmhouse nearby. Dazed and confused, the alleged teenage killer had walked three kilometres across a wheat field with the sharp weapon allegedly still in her hand. So disturbing is the manner in which she allegedly killed her cousin that a magistrate has banned any details from being published. Just days before the incident, the alleged teenage killer had been suspended from her local high school for throwing scissors at a classmate. The tragedy has divided the two families, with the victim's father launching a furious rant against his sister-in-law and her husband. A 10-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her cousin, 14, on a farm in Gunnedah, in NSW, on Wednesday, July 8. The girls, and therefore their family members (pictured), can not be named The victim's father has lashed out at the alleged killer's parents, saying her death was 'preventable'. After the victim's mother posted on Facebook stating she did not blame her sister or brother-in-law for the tragedy, her husband launched into a furious rant in response. 'You are deadset unf***ing believable,' the man wrote. In a separate post the victim's father described his daughter's death as 'preventable'. 'All the news reports state good family from Gunnedah,' he wrote. 'This crime was completely preventable.' His emotional tirades followed a post from his wife on her sister's Facebook page. In it she urged locals in Gunnedah - which has been rocked by the death - to 'show some compassion' to her relatives, who she said she still has a 'deep, deep love' for. 'I love you a lot, our family will get through this together and work through this day by day together,' the victim's mother wrote. 'My sister and her family are going through immense circumstances and I speak for (my daughter) as her mum, and we feel only deep, deep love. The tragedy occurred on a farm in Gunnedah, with NSW Police and State Emergency Service volunteers called in to help search nearby fields for clues Forensic police collect evidence from in and around the farmhouse where the alleged murder occurred Gunnedah, known best for being the hometown of supermodel Miranda Kerr, is about an hour west of Tamworth and 450km from Sydney The 10-year-old girl was visiting her cousins on the remote farm for a school holiday sleepover 'If everyone including the Gunnedah community can please show some compassion and kindness to my beautiful sister, her husband and family where the tragedy unfolded that would mean a lot.' The age of the alleged killer and victim mean they, nor any family members, can be named or identified by Daily Mail Australia. The alleged murder rattled the sleepy country town of around 10,000 people, known best for being the hometown of supermodels Miranda Kerr and Erica Packer. It was just before 6.30am on Wednesday, July 8, when the older girl's mother walked into their room to check on them before going out to begin work on the farm. When she returned just half-an-hour later she found her niece horrifically killed and her own daughter vanished. After allegedly murdering her cousin, the girl is believed to have left the farmhouse just outside town and walked across the property's wheat field. She then went through a gate and walked about 1km down a main road before turning on to a gravel track leading to the other property, past several enormous piles of hay bales. The incident shocked the sleepy town of around 10,000 people, known as the 'koala capital of the world' The area is renowned for its wheat and cotton farming, which is among the biggest in Australia Police and state emergency service volunteers meticulously searched paddocks and fields for what is believed to be the alleged murder weapon Sources said she was found 'in a dazed state' somewhere on the neighbouring property and taken into custody by police and charged with murder. Police and state emergency service volunteers spent Thursday scouring the farm and the route she is believed to have taken to a neighbouring property. They were looking for the alleged murder weapon, believed to be a knife or axe, but police would not confirm if they found it near the other farm. A close neighbour a few paddocks down the road was shocked the little girl he remembered playing in the grass was accused of a heinous crime. 'I used to see her and her sister running around the paddock, playing, or with her parents at cattle market,' he said. 'She was always very polite and happy, I never had any qualms with her. How does this happen?' The teenager did not appear in Tamworth Children's Court (pictured) on Thursday and was refused bail until her next court date on September 16 The deceased girl is from Orange, a town west of Sydney past the Blue Mountains, and also from a locally prominent family. Police have refused to give details of the girl's injuries except that that were substantial, and the court has suppressed such information anyway. A post mortem examination was carried out last week and should provide police with more clues about how the alleged murder unfolded. The teenager did not appear in court on Thursday and was refused bail until her next court date on September 16. Gun sales surged in 2020, including in Pennsylvania. And there are a lot of new gun owners across the commonwealth. And you might be wondering: Just what are the gun rules in Philly and in Pennsylvania? We break down some of the basics of buying and carrying firearms: How do background checks work in Pa.? Neither Pennsylvania nor Philadelphia requires a license or permit to buy a firearm, and there is no waiting period before a buyer can take a gun home. But people do need to undergo a background check to buy handguns or long guns (such as rifles and shotguns) from a licensed dealer in the state. Pennsylvania State Police perform the background check over the phone with the dealer using the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) and National Instant Check System (NICS). The check, said staff attorney David Pucino of Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, includes a search of records on criminal history, mental health, and juvenile delinquency. Not all gun sales get background checks, though. The state also allows for private sales of long guns with no background check. But, Pucino said, that exemption does not extend to the sale or transfer of handguns, which still require a background check, and must be done through a licensed dealer or county sheriffs office. Typically, background checks are instant, and state police quickly deny or approve the sale of a firearm. According to Pennsylvania statistics, the state police conducted about 317,319 firearm purchase background checks between April and June, of which only 5,801 were denied. Who can and cant buy a gun? To purchase a handgun, a person must be at least 21 years old, and at least 18 to purchase a long gun. But there are a number of factors that can disqualify someone from legally buying a gun in the state. Pennsylvania law, for example, prohibits people from buying firearms if they have been convicted of any of a number of crimes, including murder, manslaughter, burglary, robbery, arson, aggravated assault, rape, and other serious offenses, or have been convicted of three separate DUI charges in a five-year period. Additionally, people who are undocumented immigrants, have been involuntary committed to a mental institution, or are subject to an active protection from abuse order are also prohibited from buying firearms. The restrictions are not absolute: People who are barred from buying a gun can apply to the courts for permission, and if the most recent conviction is more than 10 years old, the courts have to reinstate the ability to buy a firearm. What about carrying guns in Pennsylvania? Generally in Pennsylvania, openly carrying a firearm or carrying a gun that is visible, like in a hip holster is legal and does not require a permit of any kind. That is true everywhere in the state except for Philadelphia, which is considered a city of the first class because of its population size. So in Philadelphia, you need to have a license to carry a gun, whether its open carry or concealed. But you do need a permit to carry a concealed firearm everywhere in Pennsylvania. Known as a License to Carry Firearms (or LTCF), its available to people age 21 and over, and is granted by the local sheriff or, in Philadelphia, the chief of police. Permits are valid for a period of five years. Getting a permit means passing an investigation that determines that you arent disqualified from having the license. What does that mean? The state police say that applicants can be denied if the character and reputation of the individual are such that they would be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety. Prohibited people include habitual drunkards, unlawful users of marijuana or other drugs, those dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, and people prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms, among others. Philadelphia also conducts an in-person interview and a background investigation. Investigations must be completed within 45 days. Its worth noting that Pennsylvania is known as a shall-issue state when it comes to concealed carry permits. Essentially, Pucino says, in a shall-issue state, if you are not disqualified, you shall be issued a license. Some other states are known as may-issue states, which allows authorities a little more discretion to disqualify someone if they think that person should not carry a gun. Some county courthouses and sheriffs offices in Pennsylvania have closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to extensions on expiring permits. Currently, permits expiring on March 19 or later are valid through Sept. 30, the state police announced this week. Where cant guns be carried? Generally, Pennsylvania law does not require a concealed carry license to carry a firearm in your home or place of business. But even with a license, there are certain places that are off-limits. Among them: court facilities, detention and corrections facilities, mental health facilities, federal facilities, schools, and TSA security checkpoints and airplanes. The Philadelphia Code also allows the commissioner of public property and the commissioner of parks and recreation to promulgate regulations prohibiting the carrying of any firearm or deadly weapon in or around any city-owned or city-occupied facility, such as city parks, Pucino said. But its complicated. Last year, City Council passed a measure that would prohibit people from carrying guns in city parks and rec centers, but the state probably wont allow it to be enforced because courts have ruled that state law preempts cities when it comes to gun regulation. READ MORE: What you need to know about gun safety if you have a firearm in the house. Loaded or unloaded handguns generally cannot be carried in vehicles, unless the person is an LTCF holder (or meets other limited exceptions, such as traveling to or from target practice, in which case the weapon cannot be loaded). Long guns, meanwhile, cannot be carried loaded in a vehicle whether you have a concealed carry license or not. Pennsylvania does not specifically prohibit firearms in bars or other places where alcoholic beverages are served or sold. What about businesses that have a no firearms sign? Pucino says it is not clear whether no firearms signs posted in private businesses in Pennsylvania such as bars or grocery stores are legally binding. If a place posts and says, Do not bring firearms in here, I would tell anyone that they shouldnt bring a firearm in there, he said. Its not clear if you need to be specifically told that you cant have a firearm in there, or if the posting is sufficient. This article has been updated since it first published. Expert sources: David Pucino, staff attorney with Giffords Laws Center to Prevent Gun Violence. READ MORE: How to do everything better right now: A collection of our most useful stories The international conglomerate Rio Tinto announced on July 9 that it will shut New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), known as the Tiwai Point smelter, within 18 months. Jointly owned by Rio Tinto and Japans Sumitomo Chemical Co, the smelter directly employs about 1,000 people and supports a further 1,600 jobs in the Southland province. It is the major employer adjacent to the city of Invercargill, population 56,000, and contributes $NZ400 million to the regions economy, over 6 percent of its GDP. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, the company said a strategic review had shown the business is no longer viable given high energy costs and a challenging outlook for the aluminium industry. The company has given electricity supplier Meridian Energy notice to terminate its power contract which ends in August next year. The closure is a part of the escalating attackon jobs and the livelihoods of major sections of the workforce. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is severe. With a sharp recession looming this quarter, unemployment is forecast to hit almost 10 percent this year. Even before the closure was announced, the Southland District Council had forecast regional job losses of 5,000 relating to the pandemic, and a local unemployment rate of 9.5 percent. The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter NZAS reported a net profit of $NZ220 million in 2018. However, the smelters viability has been questioned for much of the past decade due to falling metal prices, rising power costs, and over-capacity that has seen smelters closed around the world. Last year the smelter announced a $NZ46 million loss, with CEO Stew Hamilton saying it had been hit by a 15 percent fall in global prices. Pressure on aluminium producers has increased with the slowdown or collapse of industries like car manufacturing, aircraft and aerospace production, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plants closure has far-reaching implications. NZAS is New Zealands largest power consumer, using around 12 percent of the countrys electricity. Contact Energy, the facilitys second electricity supplier, is now considering the closure of its Taranaki Combined Cycle thermal power station at Stratford. Within hours of the announcement, fleeing investors had wiped more than $2.8 billion off the value of NZX-listed electricity companies. The Sydney Morning Herald reported continued uncertainty around the future of Rio Tintos three aluminium smelters in Australia, also claiming pressure from energy prices, which account for about a third of their costs. Rio Tinto Australias CEO Jean-Sebastien Jacques warned last August that the smelters, which employ thousands of people, were on thin ice. NZAS electricity transmission costs had risen from $NZ40 million in 2008 to $65m last year, according to Hamilton. Yet a spokesman for power company Vector told an inquiry last November that the company was paying only about 5 cents a kilowatt-hour, about a quarter of the power price paid by consumers. Hamilton rejected the criticism, saying that pricing was a wholesale discount like you would get from any industry. The company has continually demanded even cheaper prices from state-owned and private power companies. One worker, Tim Talamahina, told Stuff that he had expected the closure, but still found himself reeling from the announcement. His father, Iki, has worked at Tiwai for close to 40 years, while Tim has been there 20 years. I thought I was prepared for it, but no, not really. Reality kicked in and I thought, Wow. Seth Nips, a local tertiary student said it would be quite terrible, as people would lose their homes, and it would be hard to find work because many smaller companies would also shed jobs. Noel Ruffel, a retired builder, said it was a real tragedy and there will be lots and lots of people who will suffer. The E tu union is collaborating with the closure as it has already done, alongside the Air Line Pilots Association, with thousands of redundancies at Air New Zealand. E tu spokesman Joe Gallagher said the Labour Party-led government had the opportunity, post-COVID-19, to show a way forward for a proper, fair and just transition, including enabling workers to retrain or redeploy. These are meaningless words. The unions know that the government will do nothing to protect jobs and the reality is thousands of workers will simply go on the dole. Finance Minister Grant Robertson flatly declared there was an inevitability about the announcement from Rio Tinto. He stated that it was a very sad day for Southland but there are also opportunities attached to this. This amounted to nothing more than a vague observation that more could be done to extract value from the agricultural, aquaculture and manufacturing sectors in the region. Totally indifferent to the fate of the smelter workers, the trade union-funded Daily Blog posted a comment by John Minto headed: Goodbye and good riddance to New Zealand (sic) biggest corporate bludger. Minto suggested the government could fund environmentally friendly job creation opportunities, i.e. subsidise green businesses. The multi-national company has been propped up by successive governments, led by Labour and the National Party, with price concessions, tax exemptions and lax environmental practices. E tus statement included a pathetic plea for Rio Tinto to think about the legacy it wants to leave as a company. Gallagher told TVNZ the company had a duty of care to their employees and their families and should consider options to keep the smelter open. Such statements are an attempt to sow illusions among workers and block any real fight against job cuts. The aim of Rio Tinto, like any major corporation, is, above all, to make profits. Its major shareholders have zero concern for the lives that will be ruined by the closure of Tiwai Point. The mass redundancies taking place across the country, after the government handed out tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to businesses, is an indictment of the capitalist system of private ownership of the means of production, which the unions defend. To fight for decent jobs and living standards, workers need to build their rank-and-file committees, independent of the trade unions, to link up with other sections of the working class in Australia and internationally facing similar attacks. Such struggles can only go forward on the fight for a workers government to implement socialist policies. This would include nationalizing major industries, such as aluminium, under the democratic control of the working class, to reorganize production for social need, not private profit. The author also recommends: Pandemic intensifies social crisis in New Zealand [30 May 2020] New Zealand unions enforce school returns, mass layoffs and wage cuts [23 May 2020] Iran Executes Retired Defense Employee Charged With 'Spying For CIA' Radio Farda July 14, 2020 Iran says it has executed a retired Ministry of Defense employee on charges of "spying for the CIA," the spokesman for Iran's Judiciary Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday July 14. The spokesman identified the man by his last name as Asgari, adding that he had retired from the ministry in 2016, where he worked in the aerospace department. He said Asgari was recruited by the CIA and that he had sold information about Iran's missile development program to the United States Central Intelligence Agency. It is not clear from this statement when the alleged espionage took place. The spokesman said that Asgari was executed last week. Meanwhile, Iran also announced on Tuesday that an Iranian woman named Leila Tajik has received a 15-year jail sentence for espionage. Ms. Tajik and her husband Haji Zavar were arrested for "spying for a belligerent country" in September 2017. The Iranian Human Rights Organization reported in June 2019 that Haji Zavar, also a Ministry of Defense employee, was executed in July 2019. The report added that he was kept in a "death chamber" before his execution and "was badly tortured." Iranian security organizations have claimed arresting several individuals on charges of espionage. In one of the latest cases, in July 2019 the Ministry of Intelligence said its officers had arrested 17 "spies" who were operating in Iran's military organizations." U.S. President Donald Trump at the time called the report "totally fabricated." Meanwhile, Esmaili said that the death verdict of Musavi Majd, a man charged with spying on IRGC Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani has been confirmed and will be carried out. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran- executes-retired-defense-employee-charged-with- spying-for-cia-/30725841.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 Boris Johnson has finally stated that an inquiry into the government's handling of coronavirus will be held - but not yet. After weeks of dodging an explicit commitment, the PM told the House of Commons that an independent probe will 'certainly' take place. The comments came as Mr Johnson was challenged on the issue during the weekly PMQs session. Liberal Democrat acting co-leader Sir Ed Davey said the UK had 'suffered one of the worst death rates in the world'. 'If he still rejects an immediate inquiry, will he instead commit in principle to a future public inquiry, yes or no?' Sir Ed said. After weeks of dodging an explicit commitment, Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that an independent probe will 'certainly' take place Mr Johnson replied: 'As I've told the House several times, I do not believe that now in the middle of combating, still as we are, a pandemic is the right moment to devote huge amounts of official time to an inquiry, but of course we will seek to learn the lessons of this pandemic in the future and certainly we will have an independent inquiry into what happened.' The government has been accused of being too slow off the mark in recognising the potential threat from coronavirus. Some experts believe that locking the country down earlier could have saved thousands of lives. Quarantine rules were not imposed on most arrivals from outside the UK until months after the peak of the outbreak. There has also been widespread criticism of the failure to ramp testing quickly enough, delays in getting a full contact tracing up and running, and being off the pace in introducing face masks. Natural Gas (NG) Bouncing Off Daily Chart Triangle Support Tradable Patterns - Tue Jan 18, 9:03PM CST Natural Gas (NGG22) is trying to bounce off uptrend support (on the 4hr chart) in todays Asia morning, making progress in recovering after Thursdays strong profittaking. Significantly, NG is extending... NGG22 : 4.304 (+0.49%) UGAZF : 6.5990 (+1.52%) Chart of the Day: Philip Morris - Maybe the Best Large Cap Barchart - Tue Jan 18, 7:32PM CST Philip Morris (PM) may not be ESG but Revenue and Earnings are hard to ignore. That's why Philip Morris is my Chart of the Day. I wanted to find a large cap that was having solid upward price momentum... PM : 101.73 (-1.60%) Under-fire Boris Johnson denies lying about lockdown parties AP - Tue Jan 18, 4:35PM CST LONDON (AP) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday denied misleading Parliament about lockdown-breaching parties, and confirmed he has given an account of events to an inquiry probing alleged... $SPX : 4,577.11 (-1.84%) $DOWI : 35,368.47 (-1.51%) $IUXX : 15,210.76 (-2.57%) Triple Digit Gains for Cotton Barchart - Tue Jan 18, 4:20PM CST Cotton futures continued posting fresh contract highs on Tuesday, as the front months rallied triple digits out of the 3-day weekend. March prices went home 138 points higher with $1.2137/lb as the current... CTH22 : 121.44 (+0.30%) CTK22 : 118.28 (+0.48%) CTZ21 : 111.55s (+0.25%) Corn Markets Mixed at Bell Barchart - Tue Jan 18, 4:20PM CST After weakness to start the short week, corn futures bounced into the close with 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 cent gains. New crop prices were fractionally red at the closing bell. FASs weekly Export Inspections... ZCH22 : 604-0 (+0.75%) ZCPAUS.CM : 5.8599 (+0.53%) ZCK22 : 604-0 (+0.67%) ZCZ21 : 588-6s (+0.77%) ZCPZ21US.CM : 5.7930 (-0.49%) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci testifies at a Senate hearing regarding the coronavirus in Washington on March 3, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) White House: No Involvement in Trump Advisers Op-ed Bashing Fauci The White House said on July 15 that officials werent involved in vetting an op-ed from a President Donald Trump adviser that criticized U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. The article, from trade adviser Peter Navarro, didnt go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone, Alyssa Farah, White House director of strategic communications, said in a statement. Trump, she added, values the expertise of the medical professionals advising his Administration. Navarro wrote in the op-ed, published July 14, that Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on. The doctor, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), opposed Trumps decision to ban travel from China, Navarro said. He also repeatedly downplayed the threat of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a virus from China that causes the disease COVID-19, Navarro added, pointing to comments Fauci made throughout January and February. When you ask me whether I listen to Dr. Faucis advice, my answer is: only with skepticism and caution, Navarro wrote. Peter Navarro, Director of the White House National Trade Council, at the CPAC convention in National Harbor, Md., on March 1, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) The NIAID didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Criticism of Fauci by White House officials has noticeably increased in recent days. I respect Dr. Fauci a lot, but Dr. Fauci is not 100 percent right, and he also doesnt necessarilyhe admits thathave the whole national interest in mind, Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, said July 12. Navarro issued a shorter statement disparaging Fauci over the weekend and Dan Scavino Jr., another White House official, shared a cartoon depicting Fauci as a spigot turned to cold. Pouring out of the spigot were phrases highlighting how Fauci is pushing against reopening schools and easing harsh lockdowns. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has argued during Senate hearings with Fauci about his advice to the public, is depicted on the side of the sink, calling to shut him off!! President Donald Trump said July 9 that Fauci is a nice man, but hes made a lot of mistakes. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on July 13 that Faucis viewpoint is taken into account, but so are those of other people on the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Dr. Faucis one member of a team, but rest assured, his viewpoint is represented and the information gets to the president through the task force, she said. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, following President Trump's lead, keeps pushing for Medicaid work requirements, even though the coronavirus is raging through his state amid rising joblessness. (Brian Chilson / Associated Press) Credit is due once again to the Trump administration for its steadfastness in the face of real-world crises that could derail its long-term project of relentlessly doing exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. Case in point: The administration just doubled down on its intention to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. This falls into the category of thumbing its nose at a double-barreled disaster the spread of COVID-19 and an unemployment rate that is reaching levels nationwide not seen since the Great Depression. We have all seen this movie before. U.S. Judge James E. Boasberg rejects another effort to impose work rules on Medicaid In other words, Trump is angling to take away healthcare for the neediest Americans unless they can look for or secure a job amid rampant joblessness. Trump's policy effort is embodied in a brief the government filed late Tuesday asking the Supreme Court to endorse Medicaid work requirements. The case specifically involves Arkansas, but the government acknowledges that the court's decision will have an effect on proposed work rules in 18 other states eight in which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has already approved work requirements, and 10 in which its judgment is pending. Even if the Supreme Court accepts the case, it won't hear oral arguments until October or later, with a decision coming sometime in 2021. That makes the Trump brief seem potentially futile, since there will be a presidential election in the interim that may make Trump policies moot. The most important part of the back story of this case is that the Medicaid work requirements have been rejected by every federal court that has reviewed them. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg overturned those in Arkansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire; Kentucky eventually dropped its rules after its tea party governor, Matt Bevin, lost a reelection bid to Democrat Andy Beshear. When the New Hampshire case came before him last year with the same threadbare arguments that he had already rejected, Boasberg figuratively sighed: "We have all seen this movie before." Story continues Boasberg's rulings were upheld twice by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, most recently on May 20. The government brief asks the Supreme Court to overrule the appellate judges. (Arkansas has filed a separate brief seeking Supreme Court review.) So let's examine the idea of work rules for Medicaid, including how they were applied in Arkansas and elsewhere. The states and Trump's Health and Human Services Department, which has been approving these rules with shameless haste, have argued that requiring Medicaid recipients to seek or hold jobs serves several useful purposes. They say it fosters healthy lifestyles, since working people tend to be healthier than layabouts; that improved health saves money for Medicaid, since those enrollees need less healthcare; and that reducing the Medicaid rolls by dropping nonworkers leaves more money for states and the federal government to spend on worthier and needier enrollees. The lower courts have unanimously seen these arguments as, essentially, baloney. Although the Medicaid statute allows states to experiment with eligibility rules and benefit terms, it says that any such changes must further the purpose of Medicaid, which is to bring health coverage to needy Americans. In Arkansas, the only state to actually implement work requirements (since the judge nullified them before other states could act), the change failed miserably to do so. Some 18,000 residents lost coverage in just five months before a federal judge suspended the regulation. Some were dropped from the rolls because they couldn't navigate the state's complex procedures for registering compliance, which required them to file proof of work or job-hunting via the internet in a system that was frequently inoperable. The program also failed to increase employment, making it 0 for 2. The rules developed by Arkansas were relatively benign, as these things go. In Bevin's Kentucky, they were especially punitive. Kentuckys program, until Boasberg put the kibosh on it, bristled with paperwork requirements and Catch-22s that could easily lead even those who meet the work requirements to trip up and become uncovered. Thats because the program included a lockout if enrollees fail to revalidate their eligibility every year or miss one or another deadline for paperwork: In those cases, they could be denied benefits for as long as six months. It was clear to some of the judges ruling on these programs that the argument about saving money in Medicaid by making enrollees healthier was mere window dressing a "post-hoc rationalization," the appeals court said. Healthcare advocates have noted that the work rules have things backward it's not that good health fosters job-hunting, but that having a job helps people stay healthy. Throwing people off health coverage makes it harder for them to find and hold jobs, not the other way around. In any event, most scholarship indicates that the vast majority of Medicaid recipients were in fact working, except for those exempt from the rules such as seniors, people with disabilities, students and caregivers of family members at home. The courts generally noticed that HHS and the states skirted over evidence that the work rules would reduce enrollment. Boasberg and the appeals court faulted HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Medicaid boss Seema Verma for not even bothering to calculate the potential impact. That made their approval of the work rules "arbitrary and capricious," a statutory term of art that means their actions were invalid. It should also not escape notice that the work rules were aimed at one category of Medicaid recipient: those who received coverage through the Medicaid expansion provision of the Affordable Care Act. The provision extended coverage for the first time to childless low-income adults. Conservatives often tried to slime these enrollees as "able-bodied." That's a way of suggesting that they're undeserving of assistance because they won't get off their duffs and work. Verma has used the term with abandon, and sure enough it shows up in the government brief. In other words, the Trump administration specifically targeted beneficiaries of the ACA, part of its long-term effort to undermine healthcare reform. What's most telling about the Trump brief and the intention of Arkansas to push its work program forward is that they utterly ignore facts on the ground. For one thing, the COVID-19 pandemic makes the provision of health coverage to vulnerable populations more important than ever. Some states, including California, have extended sign-up deadlines for Medicaid and Obamacare insurance plans to accommodate the crisis. For another, unemployment is soaring nationwide, thanks to the pandemic. In Arkansas, the unemployment rate reached 9.5% in May, up from 3.5% at the beginning of the year. Imposing a work requirement on Medicaid in these conditions is the definition of cruelty and stupidity. And yet they persist. Trump has been tagged for being completely out of touch with the suffering and needs of average Americans. If you doubted that, here's another data point. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:43:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) has decided to launch a campaign to promote and supervise the handling of rights protection disputes involving enterprises and individuals in the non-public sector. According to a circular issued by the SPP, the campaign that will last until February 2021 aims to create the most favorable business environment for strengthening the non-public sector. The SPP will deal with seven types of cases that have been lodged with prosecuting agencies countrywide via mails, online, hotlines, or on-site reception channels since the beginning of this year. The cases include applications for reviewing the necessity of custody, accusations of mishandling, criminal appeals, requests for administrative supervision, or state compensation, among others. Prosecuting agencies will designate special teams or persons to take charge of the campaign, said Xu Xiangchun, a senior prosecutor with the SPP, adding that supervision and rectified opinions shall be granted in accordance with law if related appeals are found to be true. Enditem These are the schools that have canceled classes for Jan. 18 Some school districts across the county are virtual today. Others will make up the snow day. BREVARD, N.C., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tungsten Branding, a global provider of company naming services, announced its 20th anniversary in business, amidst continued expansion and notable account wins. The North Carolina-based naming agency leads a niche marketing sector of brand naming experts worldwide. Tungsten Branding celebrates their 20th anniversary "We're fortunate to have started in brand name development when the industry was still nascent," reports Phil Davis, Tungsten founder and CEO. "We've worked steadily the past two decades responding to the growing trend for clear, compelling brand name identities, be it a company, product or service." This trend has become a friend according to Davis. "With over 600,000 new businesses starting up each year in the U.S. alone, unique and available business names are in high demand." This increased competition for trademark availability, domain availability, and overall differentiation in the marketplace has driven entrepreneurs and established business owners to seek out professional assistance in naming or rebranding their companies. "It's not as simple as it once was," Davis observes. "You can't just brainstorm over lunch or put names in a fishbowl, due to all the technical and legal repercussions that come with naming a new business." To assist in creating these brand identities, Tungsten Branding has curated an inventory of over 7,000 brandable domain names to aid in the naming process. "We have the unique advantage of starting with vetted naming concepts and what we call 'positionings' as a way to jump-start the brand development process. Like wines in the cellar that are growing in quality and value, we can go to this naming vault so to speak, rather than fighting in the open market for available domains." The strategy seems to have paid off for Davis and his naming consultants. The firm has named and branded over 300 companies, products and services worldwide since inception. Some of Davis' notable naming projects include PODS, Red Rover, Bagster, Harmony, TeamLogic and RallyHouse. "PODS is the one I get asked about all the time," Davis admits. "But I would say 'move over for Red Rover,' as this recent naming project has generated a similar amount of attention." Since many naming projects are startups by nature, it often requires five to 10 years to gain national or global visibility, Davis points out. These increasingly high-profile naming assignments have paid off in other ways, with Tungsten Branding achieving the rank of Top 5 Global Naming Firm for three years in a row by business review analysts Clutch.co. In addition to the string of naming recognitions, Tungsten recently received four platinum Hermes awards for company branding, brand style guides, logo and collateral design. The firm also won a gold award for renaming Upouria, an international beverage flavoring company. "While our emphasis is on the actual brand name creation, we often work with clients to develop a matching logo identity that complements the name," Davis explains. "This requires seeing a naming or rebranding project through to design and implementation strategies." The outgrowth of this expansion led to opening an additional satellite office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With most naming firms based in New York and California, Davis and team look to serve the underserved markets that don't always have connections in the bigger metros. "This strategy has served us well," Davis states. "We have quite a few clients from Southern and Midwest states, as well as a growing body of international accounts." A number of these projects include international MedTech, FinTech, and cloud-based companies looking to tap into the U.S. market. In keeping with best practices and to celebrate the 20-year milestone, the company plans to unveil a full rebrand and redesigned website this coming fall. With a dedicated staff of five naming, branding and design specialists, Davis is confident his crew is ready for the next decade of company naming duties. Media Contact: Elizabeth Hiemstra Phone: 828-877-2699 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Tungsten Branding BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Samir Ali Trend: The Armenians began shelling Aghdam village early morning, Zarnishan Gozalova, daughter of Aziz Azizov, resident of Aghdam village who was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces, told Trend on July 15. About half an hour after talking to my father over phone, the Armenians killed him, Gozalova added. Earlier, together with my son, I came to my fathers house and stayed there. When the Armenians made the provocation on July 12, I asked him to go with me, but he refused. My father said that he could not go anywhere as he did not want to leave his house, Zarnishan noted. So, we returned home on July 12. We talked to him over the phone in the evening on July 14. My father said that the Armenians were shelling the village again. When we started the conversation, there was a lull, but later during the conversation, the shelling was heard. I said goodbye to my father and asked him to take care of himself, Gozalova said. My father told me not to worry. Half an hour later, at about half-past eight, my sister called me and said that my father was not answering the phone calls. Then, we were told that immediately after our phone conversation, the Armenians fired at our house and my father died." Resident of Aghdam village of Tovuz district, 76-year-old Aziz Azizov was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces. Earlier, the Armenian armed forces fired at Dondar Gushchu village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district by using D-30 howitzer. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat suffering losses. Azerbaijani personnel, sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Despite the efforts of the Azerbaijani doctors, severely wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Khayyam Dashdemirov also died. The tension remained in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani serviceman, senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. A 71-year-old Ghanaian nanny identified as Abena Yeboah has been arrested by NYPD officers after being caught on camera physically abusing an infant under her care. The Prosecutor's Office said the Bronx woman who was hired to take care of a baby in Hackensack, was charged with one count of Title 9 child abuse. Officials disclosed that the police in Hackensack were first notified of the alleged abuse on July 8. Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella who announced her arrest, said; "During her time as a nanny for the family, she was observed on a nanny camera physically abusing the child by hitting, kicking, and yanking the child by the arm." Musella revealed that Yeboah was arrested in the Bronx by New York police after Hackensack police issued a warrant for her. She was taken into custody and is awaiting an extradition hearing. New Jersey's Title 9 child abuse statute makes it a fourth-degree crime to inflict "unnecessarily severe corporal punishment" or "unnecessary suffering or pain, either mental or physical," on a child. People convicted of a fourth-degree crime face up to 18 months in prison. Here is the video below; View this post on Instagram Abusing baby in the US. #ameyawtv A post shared by Ameyaw TV (@ameyawtv) on Jul 15, 2020 at 12:58am PDT 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 Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf has announced new coronavirus mitigation restrictions that mainly target bars and restaurants. An order released Wednesday that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 16 reduces indoor dining capacity at businesses in the retail foodservice industry from the current 50 percent to just 25 percent. It also forces bars to close unless they are serving sit-down, dine-in meals, and mandates that alcohol can only be served if it is within the same transaction as a meal or if it is for offsite consumption. Additionally, bar service is prohibited, even outdoors, but the states outdoor dining rules have otherwise not changed. Takeout and delivery orders can continue to be placed, as well. The order also requires businesses to have employees telework if possible and indoor gatherings are now limited to just 25 people (except for religious ones) while outdoor ones cannot exceed 250. Music and nightclubs must close, too and gyms, while still allowed to permit workouts indoors, are asked to consider offering more outdoor workout activities. The full text of the order can be viewed below. Wolf said that the reason for the rollback in freedoms associated with the green phase of his reopening plan is due to fears about a new coronavirus case surge. During the past week, we have seen an unsettling climb of new COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania, Wolf said. During the past week, that has especially been bad. Medical experts, looking at our current trajectory, are projecting that a new surge is in the offing, and what were seeing right now could soon be even worse than what we saw before. Wolf went on to say during a news conference Wednesday that three factors, according to contract tracers, have led to an increase in confirmed coronavirus case counts daily: Citizens not respecting the states mask mandate at bars and restaurants, out-of-state travel, and a lack of national coordination in terms of reopening decisions in other states. Together these three catalysts have turned our downward trend into an alarming escalation, and were already at a tipping point where we really have to act, Wolf said. We dont want to become Florida, [dont] want to become Texas, we dont want to become Arizona. We have got to act now. It was not immediately clear how long the new restrictions would continue to be in place. Pa. reported nearly 1,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases as of 12:01 a.m. on July 14, and has been consistently reporting nearly 1,000 cases per day for multiple days in a row. We know what will happen if we wait until cases rise exponentially before taking action, Health Department Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said. The numbers would continue to increase in our entire state. We then [would] potentially have to quarantine. By acting now, and making these specific and targeted mitigation efforts statewide, we can get ahead of the curve and ensure that not only our hospitals and health care system be available to patients, but the economy will survive, while still saving lives. Here are the complete details of Wolfs order, courtesy of a press release: Bars and Restaurants All businesses in the retail food services industry, including restaurants, wineries, breweries, private clubs, and bars, are permitted to provide take-out and delivery sales of food, as well as dine-in service in both indoor and outdoor seating areas so long as they strictly adhere to the requirements of the guidance, as required by the order, including: Prohibition from conducting operations unless the facility offers sit-down, dine-in meals or is serving take-out sales of alcoholic beverages. All service must be at a table or booth; bar service is prohibited. Alcohol only can be served for on-premises consumption when in the same transaction as a meal. Take-out sales of alcohol for the purposes of off-site consumption are permitted subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law. Non-bar seating in outdoor areas (i.e. tables or counter seats that do not line up to a bar or food service area) may be used for customer seating. Social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures must be employed to protect workers and patrons. Occupancy is limited to 25 percent of stated fire-code maximum occupancy for indoor dining, or 25 persons for a discrete indoor event or gathering in a restaurant. The maximum occupancy limit includes staff. Nightclubs All nightclubs, as defined by the Clean Indoor Air Act, 35 P.S. 637.2, are prohibited from conducting operations. Other events and gatherings Events and gatherings must adhere to these gathering limitations: Indoor events and gatherings of more than 25 persons are prohibited. Outdoor events and gatherings of more than 250 persons are prohibited. The maximum occupancy limit includes staff. Teleworking Unless not possible, all businesses are required to conduct their operations in whole or in part remotely through individual teleworking of their employees in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which they do business. Where telework is not possible, employees may conduct in-person business operations, provided that the businesses fully comply with all substantive aspects of the business safety order , the worker safety order , and the masking order . Gyms and fitness facilities All gyms and fitness facilities, while permitted to continue indoor operations, are directed to prioritize outdoor physical fitness activities. All activities must follow masking requirements as provided by the July 1 order , and must provide for social distancing requirements of persons being at least 6 feet apart, as well as being limited by any limitations related to gatherings. Enforcement Businesses and individuals in violation of these orders, issued pursuant to the authority granted to the Governor and the Secretary of Health under the law, including the Pennsylvania Disease Control and Prevention Law, could be subject to fines, business closure or other applicable enforcement measures. Beginning with a spike in cases in Allegheny County in late June, Pennsylvania has seen cases continue to rise there and in other southwest counties, along with additional select counties in the state. More coverage: This Friday, Southern Gospel favourite The McKameys return with their new live album LIVE Like No Other. As a preview to this new record, they are exclusively premiering their brand new song "There is Jesus." You can listen to this track HERE. With regards to "There is Jesus," Sheryl Farris writes: ""There Is Jesus" gives us several examples of Jesus in the Scriptures. We are familiar with the stories but we often forget that Jesus is also present and active in our everyday lives. In the moments of our greatest joys THERE IS JESUS! In times of horrendous pain THERE IS JESUS! So, whatever you are facing, regardless of what has happened in your past, remember THERE IS JESUS! He is our hope and He is able and available to meet every need you have!" Thousands of fans and industry peers filled the LeConte Centre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to celebrate The McKameys' more than 60 years of singing. Now, fans of the group can relive that special afternoon with LIVE Like No Other, a CD and DVD featuring live music as well as behind the scenes interviews with The McKameys, to be released July 17. LIVE Like No Other is now available for pre-order, save and add. Throughout the one-and-a-half-hour concert, The McKameys performed many of their #1 hits, like "God On The Mountain," "Roll That Burden On Me," "Unspoken Request" and "Do You Know How It Feels," and crowd favorites like "Trophy Of Grace," "There Is Jesus" and "For The Record" in a joyful celebration of a career many don't get to enjoy. The album release also marks the first time The McKameys' rendition of "God On The Mountain" - which was #1 on the Singing News charts for five months in 1988-89 and became their most requested song of all time - will be released on streaming services. The DVD includes videos of The McKameys sharing personal stories from their careers and a special moment when Horizon Records and the National Quartet Convention honored the group for its dedication to spreading God's word over the years. With both parts of LIVE Like No Other, fans of The McKameys will always be able to enjoy the group's heartfelt performance and message, though they're no longer touring. Pre-order, add or save LIVE Like No Other ahead of its July 17 release date HERE. About The McKameys The McKameys are a family group based out of Clinton, Tennessee, entering in their sixth decade of spreading God's message of love and hope through their music. There have been a few changes throughout the years after beginning as 3 sisters to the group now consisting of one of those original sisters, Peg McKamey Bean along with her husband, Ruben, their daughter Connie Fortner along with her husband, Roger Fortner, their son, Elijah Fortner; and Sheryl Farris, Peg and Ruben's younger daughter. The wonderful harmonies of this family along with great songs give them a unique opportunity to share God's love as well as encourage the saints. Whether they are performing one of their classics like "Right On Time," "I've Won," "Unspoken Request," "There Is Jesus," their signature song, "God On The Mountain" or a new release, there is an undeniable energy that carries them through each performance. The McKameys have been awarded several different Singing News Fan Awards through the years and Ruben and Peg are also recipients of The Marvin Norcross Award and Norcross/Templeton Award, respectively. In 2016, Peg McKamey Bean was inducted into The Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame. Ruben Bean will be inducted into the hall of fame as part of the 2019 class this fall. This family group remains devoted to their Lord, first of all, and to their call to spread God's Word to others through their music. Tags : The McKameys The McKameys exclusive song premiere there is jesus the mckameys there is jesus the mckameys new song The McKameys "LIVE Like No Other" 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. This story was originally published by Undark and has been republished here with permission. As COVID-19 began to lay siege to New York Citys hospitals in March, a small but consequential debate broke out in American emergency rooms and intensive care units: Was it possible that ventilators, the much-politicized medical devices widely seen as a lifeline for severely ill COVID-19 patients, were being overused? With a pandemic poised to sweep through the U.S. and the horrific example of Italy still lingering, the dispute gained a particular urgency. At the core of the debate was a four-letter acronym that most Americans had never heard of: ARDS, or acute respiratory distress syndrome, a harrowing lung condition that was listed on many COVID-19 death certificates. Since it was first identified half a century ago, ARDS has been mired in controversyover how to define it, how to diagnose it, and whether it should be considered a true clinical condition at all. It is because of ARDS, a diagnosis that owes its very existence to a machine, that we went into the pandemic thinking ventilators would save us. Its story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing high technology and its medical paradigms in settings where one medical treatment does not fit all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coined in 1967 by Thomas Petty, a respiratory physician at the University of Colorado, ARDS has been a source of contention from the start. The causes of the condition were, in Pettys own words, obscure. He and three colleagues proposed the syndrome after observing a dozen patients with radically different illnesses and injuries (gunshots, pancreatitis, traffic accidents) who all presented with similar respiratory symptoms: low blood oxygen levels; fluid or other infiltrates in the lungs; and stiff lungs that didnt properly expand and contract even under mechanical ventilation. Desperate for a solution, Petty and his colleagues put the patients on an older ventilator that blew at high pressure, even as a patient exhaleda technique he called positive end-expiratory pressure, or PEEP. The patients blood oxygen levels improved, and Petty and his colleagues felt confident that they had identified a new clinical syndrome, along with an effective treatment for it. They dispatched a paper to the New England Journal of Medicinewhich promptly rejected it, on the grounds that the doctors use of ventilators was unorthodox and possibly dangerous, Petty reported. The paper was rejected by two other journals before being published by the Lancet in 1967. It remains the foundational paper on ARDS and has been cited more than 4,000 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Pettys patients shared a number of common symptoms, he insisted that the patients positive response to PEEP was one of the conditions unifying traits. The ventilator, even more so than the underlying disease or injury, was crucial to the definition of the syndrome. More than a few doctors and scientists were suspicious of the new syndrome. In a 1975 editorial, The Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (May it Rest in Peace), Pettys main antagonist, pulmonologist John Murray, called ARDS a fashionable disorder, a haphazard lumping together of unrelated chest conditions, which seemed only to share a final set of symptoms. In his response, Confessions of a Lumper, Petty argued that even if you conceded Murrays point the cause of the disorder was irrelevant; the pathology was what mattered. If a disease, injury, or illness resulted in poor oxygenation, lung infiltrates, and stiff lungs, then it had to be ARDS, he wrote. Those advocating for a more nuanced diagnosis he labelled separatists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the ensuing decades, even those doctors who accepted ARDS as a valid clinical condition would frequently disagree over how it should be diagnosed. In 1994, a major redefinition removed the criteria to measure the ability of the lungs to expand and contract in response to changes in pressure known as lung compliance in an attempt to standardize the disorder. In 2012, a panel of experts again redefined the syndrome, specifying that, to make a proper diagnosis, blood-oxygen levels must be measured while a patient is on PEEP. That year, an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted warily that the latest definition has essentially excluded ARDS as a possible diagnosis in patients without ventilation. The diagnosis of ARDS had become tied to the ventilator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So this year, when COVID-19 patients began to arrive at hospitals with frighteningly low blood-oxygen levels, matching preliminary reports from China, they were funneled in droves onto ventilators. But a 75-year-old Italian anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist, Luciano Gattinoni, along with a group of colleagues, cried foul. He noticed that COVID-19 pneumonia differed from typical ARDS in one important way: His patients blood oxygen levels were low, but many of them had no difficulty breathing on their own; their lungs were relatively compliant. That condition would come to be known as silent, or happy hypoxemia. Yet under the updated protocols, patients were being diagnosed with ARDS and quickly put on a ventilator, a harrowingly invasive procedure that involves inserting a tube down the patients throat and putting them under sedation to keep it there. Ventilators saved lives, physicians say, but they can also have considerable side effects, including lung damage. Advertisement Why do you use this kind of PEEP? Are you crazy? Gattinoni remembers counseling his younger colleagues at his hospital. Advertisement Gattinoni warned them against viewing ventilators as cure-alls and urged them to, whenever possible, supply patients with the lowest possible PEEP and gentle ventilation, as he later put it in a letter published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. For early-stage patients, he advised non-invasive methods in the hopes of avoiding ventilation altogether. Other ICU and ER doctors related that gentler methods such as using nasal cannulas and face masks to deliver air to the lungs seemed to improve oxygen levels, STAT reported. Advertisement Gattinonis recommendations touched off considerable controversy over whether or not COVID-19 causes ARDS, whether ventilators offer the best treatment for the new disease, and how the machines should be operated. That debate is ongoing, and has split, roughly, into two camps: One side argues that conventional protocols should be followed until a detailed characterization of COVID-19 respiratory failure and its response to established ARDS therapies can be made; the other asserts that mistakes were made in the early days of the pandemic and the standard treatment should be deeply reconsidered, as Gattinoni argued in a recent rebuttal. Advertisement At the height of New Yorks pandemic in late March, an emergency room doctor at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn named Cameron Kyle-Sidell posted a video on YouTube decrying the risks of relying on a medical paradigm that is untrue. Kyle-Sidells cri de coeur, which has drawn more than 800,000 views to date, now looks prescient: One study in New York City found that 88 percent of COVID-19 patients placed on ventilators died. What was happening at the bedside was so stark that its always been hard for me to accept the possibility that somehow we werent causing a significant amount of morbidity with our initial practice, said Kyle-Sidell in a recent interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is, perhaps, a moral to the story. While much of the discussion around ventilators in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis centered around their limited supply, it took time before their limited effectiveness was revealed. Doctors like Helen Ouyang, an emergency physician in New York City, reported feeling devastated by the limits of modern medicine, citing a concept most associated with combat veterans known as moral injury to describe the psychological impact on doctors as technology was failing their patients. Advertisement Robert Kacmarek, director of respiratory care at Massachusetts General Hospital, also recalled difficult times as COVID-19 exposed the limits of standardized protocols. For this kind of disease especially, you have to have individualized medicine, he said. You have to set the ventilator based on the individual pathophysiology of the patient and not based on a protocol that is designed for multitudes. Here, earlier uses of mechanical ventilation offer a valuable lesson. In the summer of 1952, when a severe polio epidemic struck the city of Copenhagen, local medical students worked for weeks in eight-hour shifts, squeezing rubber bags to hand ventilate over 300 polio patients. The students adjusted their technique within a human context, based on clues gleaned from eye contact with their patients; the technology itself was secondary. The effects were profound. The mortality rate dropped by about half, and the episode established the value of ventilation in a way that changed the course of medicine. By contrast, the ARDS controversy that shaded the early response to the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a disconnect between the promise of high technology and the bedside reality. The vigorous debate on the value of a half-century old diagnosis is a reminder that in medicine, no machine or protocol, however well-designed, can substitute for empathy, judgment, and evidence. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) says the Government decision to postpone the planned reopening of pubs next Monday is a shocking development that will have huge ramifications for family-run pubs across Ireland. Publicans are stunned by the unexpected decision, given the first three phases of exiting lockdown proceeded as planned including the reopening of restaurants and the wider hospitality sector. VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben says: This is a shocking decision not to proceed with the planned reopening of pubs and will be a hammer blow to thousands of pubs and their local communities around the country. The vast majority of these pubs are small rural outlets run by families who are on first-name terms with their customers and far removed from the crowded venues that concern NPHET. As controlled venues we believe these pubs should be allowed open as they are far safer than the likes of uncontrolled house parties and pose little threat to public health. We are in a situation where restaurants and pubs already open are having to cope with larger crowds. Opening all pubs would allow for better social distancing and reduce the risk of infection. Publicans are reeling from this news. They did everything asked of them by remaining shut for over four months and our members had a reasonable expectation the sector would reopen next Monday. All other phases went smoothly so to now tell publicans they cant open like the rest of the hospitality sector makes little sense. This is a decision made by politicians who appear divorced from reality about life in rural Ireland. The VFI is seeking urgent engagement with Government to press the case for a major support package for pubs that will have been closed for five months by the time they are allowed recommence trading. You cant expect small businesses to survive a five-month closure, continues Padraig Cribben. The Government will need to announce a series of measures to support our members, including significant grants valued between 20,000- 50,000 based on a pubs licence band. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adwin Wibisono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 We recently witnessed dozens of big brands pulling out from advertising on Facebook as a form of pressure to demand that Facebook take stronger action against racist and hateful content broadcast on its platform. The question is whether such a boycott is enough for Facebook to react? Could Facebook actually filter racist and hateful content from showing up on its platform? And last, would there be any way at all to ensure social media is free from racism, hatred (and their cousins, hoax and misinformation) once and for all? Though Facebook (and other social media) rely on advertising revenue, the boycott of major brands would only set it back 10 percent (or less). The majority of advertisers on social media are small ones taking advantage of the cheaper rate card, as well as effective audience reach; thus unless all (or most) of them join the boycott this act would not affect Facebook financially. 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 Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. The Chattanooga Tea Party is raising questions about County School Board District 1 candidate Stephen Vickers's campaign finance report. Officials said, "Recent analysis of Stephen Vickers campaign in District 1 shows 59.2% of undisclosed donors. This is a concern, as most campaigns typically have only 15%-20% of undisclosed contributor. "We have contacted the election commission for a detailed list of these undisclosed donors; however, the commission was not able to provide the list and referred us to the District Attorney to obtain it from the campaign. "Under Tennessee State law campaigns are required to keep detailed reports for the undisclosed funds fish bowl contributions for a number of legal reasons. The DA has the right to request this information from the campaign. A request is being made to the Hamilton County DA for this information. "A key question well be focused on: What percentage of Mr. Vickers contributions come from outside Hamilton County and special interest? The campaign has been found to violate state disclosure laws on their campaign signage "Paid for by committee to elect". "These campaign finance accounting irregularities have spurred further investigation into the candidates ties to the teachers union - Hamilton County Education Association (HCEA) - and its lobbying PAC, Hamilton County Fund for Children and Public Education (special interest group) along with Hamilton United and its newly formed activist PAC. Stay tuned for a series of articles into these groups leadership, members and activities. Parents need to know whats happing in their public schools. "During the Chattanooga Tea Partys investigation items were discovered which raised more questions about Mr Vickers financial capability in managing the Hamilton County Schools budget of more than $400 million, based on court records. We also found Mr. Vickers received campaign contributions from Bassam Issa, developer and former president of the Islamic Center of Greater Chattanooga. Recently, Mr. Issa purchased the Sears/JC Penning facilities at Northgate Mall in Hixon and then tried negotiating a deal with the school board at a much higher price than the original purchase price for a new school. We have requested an investigation from the DA and TBI on how Mr. Bassam came to know that HCDE was in talks with the property owners prior to his deal and public knowledge." Election officials said Mr. Vickers' campaign signs did not have the properly required wording and he was notified of the omission. Rebekah Crase, campaign treasurer for Stephen Vickers, said, "I wanted to respond to the unfounded allegations made by the Chattanooga Tea Party concerning our donors. To offer full transparency, as of today we have had 365 donations totaling $12,269 from 300 individual donors. Some have chosen to give more than once. 359 of these donations were for $100 or less. State law does not require us to disclose the names of donors $100 or less. "It seems that the Chattanooga Tea Party finds this concerning. They call them undisclosed donors, conjuring shadowy figures with nefarious purposes. Instead, our donors are every day taxpayers that live and work in Hamilton County. They gave less than $100 because thats what they could afford. Why does the Chattanooga Tea Party fear a campaign funded by ordinary people? "Of course, it wouldnt be a school board race without teacher support. We have received many donations from teachers across Hamilton County. These teachers gave their hard earned money and we thank them for it. It is unconscionable that the Tea Party would demand their names. As a sixteen year incumbent, Rhonda Thurman has been a well-known bully with no qualms about retaliating against any teacher that might dare oppose her. She has had multiple ethics complaints filed against her and teachers are rightly concerned about their livelihoods should their names be published, particularly if Ms. Thurman once again wins her seat. The Vickers campaign will fight to protect their privacy. The Chattanooga Tea Party should focus their attention elsewhere." Mr. Vickers said, "It is hard to understand why the Chattanooga Tea Party is so disturbed by small donations in a school board campaign. All campaigns arent created equal. Small elections like this are naturally going to be filled with donations by ordinary voters. At least, they should be. By contrast, 82% of the donations to the Rhonda Thurman campaign have come from large donors outside of her district, as well as a $5,000 donation from the Tea Party and private school backed Good Government Coalition. Does the Tea Party believe that only the wealthy should support their candidates of choice? Or that local campaigns should be primarily funded by political action committees? "I have worked tirelessly to meet with and listen to the voters in D1. As a result, they have responded with enthusiastic support. There is no other story. The Chattanooga Tea Party is grasping at straws." Rupee falls by 12 paise to 74.70 against US dollar in early trade. EL CAJON, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday July 13th students, teachers, and staff in the Cajon Valley Union School District returned to their classrooms for in-person teaching and learning for the first time since schools were ordered to close by public health orders. Every Elementary and Middle School is open in Cajon Valley. School principals reported that everyone, especially the students, were ecstatic to be back with their teachers and friends. It was also a chance to begin practicing the new safety protocols and guidelines for opening schools released by San Diego and California public health officials. Mike Kuhfal, principal at Flying Hills K-8 School of the Arts said, "It's such a blessing both to have our kids back on campus and also to start small and learn how to best implement the new safety guidelines ahead of all students coming back in August." Cajon Valley staff checks student temperature before entry onto campus Students, wear masks and socially distanced, participating in summer enrichment activities. Utilizing Federal Stimulus money from the CARES Act allocated for safety supplies, distance learning tools, and learning loss recovery; all Cajon Valley School Principals and their site teams prepared a free summer program for interested families to receive both summer learning and enrichment for their students. While finalizing the district reopening plan early last month, the Cajon Valley management team along with labor union leaders discussed the practicality of starting small with the most conservative safety measures in place during Summer. Justin Goodrich, ACSA Region 18 Principal of the Year , commented, "By simulating what school is going to look like in the fall our teachers are fine-tuning our safety protocols and instructional plans. Cajon Valley Middle School is so excited to have our staff and students back on campus. Everyone is adhering to the social distance guidelines and showing a great deal of appreciation and respect for one another." When all San Diego School Districts were forced to shut down on March 13th, Cajon Valley staff and trustees immediately began weekly stakeholder meetings via Zoom to stay connected and have a pulse on the wellbeing of its various stakeholder groups. These weekly stakeholder meetings with all employee groups and parents, which included virtual town hall meetings with every school community, led to the formation of its school reopening plan released the first week of June . Those plans include four options: home school (parent as the primary teacher), complete distance learning with no physical school (virtual teaching and learning), a hybrid model that combines some physical school with some distance learning and five-day-a-week regular school, space permitting. In 2015, The Cajon Valley Union School District was inducted by Digital Promise into The League of Innovative Schools , a bipartisan nonprofit, authorized by Congress in 2008 as the National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies through Section 802 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush. This distinction ranks Cajon Valley in the top 73 US school districts for innovation and digital learning . Students in Cajon Valley have had their own district-issued personal computer for their school and homework equipped with a district curated suite of learning software since 2014. The digital-savvy of both the students and teachers made Cajon Valley's transition to Digital Distance Learning seamless. When Governor Newsom ordered the entire state of California to shelter at home, he also asked California Public Schools to provide free childcare for essential workers. Cajon Valley was the only school district that answered this call. For the last four months, Cajon Valley's Extended Day Program has provided free Distance Learning support and care for parents working in essential jobs according to the State of California. In four months of operation serving over 130 families, Cajon Valley hasn't had any staff or students test positive for COVID19. Cajon Valley is proving that with strict adherence to public health guidelines, appreciation and respect for one another's safety, and careful planning and execution, that schools can both reopen safely and provide the laughter and learning that our children and teachers are accustomed to. About Cajon Valley Union School District Named a 2019 Top Workplace in San Diego, Cajon Valley Union School District focuses on the positivity of each student's unique strengths, interests, and values. Serving over 60 square miles of San Diego's East County, Cajon Valley Union School District offers personalized education, with programs that develop students into happy kids, healthy relationships, on a path to gainful employment; making El Cajon the best place to live, work, play and raise a family. Visit the district at www.cajonvalley.net, and don't forget to follow CVUSD on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Media contact: Howard Shen [email protected] 619-590-5823 SOURCE Cajon Valley Union School District Related Links http://www.cajonvalley.net Photo: Getty Images The Trump family has long struggled in their promotion of food products and even their efforts to make menu items look vaguely edible but that didnt stop Ivanka Trump from endorsing a can of Goya Foods black beans on Tuesday night. In elementary Spanish, she provided the latest entry in the uncanny genre of Trump-food pictures, clocking in on the horror scale somewhere between GOP candidate eats bucket of chicken with a fork on a private plane and president turns the White House East Room into the fast-food Overlook Hotel. If its Goya, it has to be good. Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno. pic.twitter.com/9tjVrfmo9z Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 15, 2020 After Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue appeared at the White House last week and said that the country was blessed to have a leader like President Trump, some consumers of the countrys largest Hispanic-owned food company said they would boycott the brands pantry staples. Gustavo Arellano, a Los Angeles Times reporter and the author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, told the New York Times that the comments were a betrayal for many Latinx consumers: To see something that represents nurture and community and family and most importantly the kitchen? Thats where its a stab in the heart. Or the stomach. In her effort to make a can of beans the latest totem of the culture war, the tweet from the senior adviser to the president also appears to violate the ethical standards for executive-branch employees, who may not use public office for private gain or for the endorsement of any product. Past examples of White House officials endorsing products specifically, Trump-family products include Kellyanne Conway telling a Fox News audience to go buy Ivankas stuff and the presidents advertising of his Doral resort as the potential site of the G-7. The day after his daughters bean offering, Trump added to the list of violations: Just posted on the presidents Instagram pic.twitter.com/kAs4f3QaB0 Yashar Ali (@yashar) July 15, 2020 Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said Wednesday he hopes for a quick resolution of the disagreements over a proposed coronavirus economic recovery fund and EU long-term budget. But speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Lofven said Sweden is still in favour of the recovery fund handing out aid as loans rather than grants, the main bone of contention. EU leaders are holding a two-day summit beginning Friday, and Lofven said Sweden aims to get a deal done. "We don't want this to drag on for too long, so we need to work hard, be constructive and negotiate as we should to reach an agreement," he said. "Having said that I don't know whether it's possible or not," Lofven added. Sanchez had travelled to meet with Lofven to try and assuage Sweden, which together with Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark, is opposed to the proposed 750 billion euro recovery fund handing out funds as grants rather than loans. "We need a recovery fund yes, it should be directed to the actual needs and be based on favourable loans and not grants," Lofven told reporters. Pedro Sanchez stressed that while they were heading into "difficult negotiations" they also were in agreement on several issues. "We have different views on how to respond commonly to this crisis, but we have also common goals," Sanchez said. On Tuesday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was "not hopeful" of a deal on an EU coronavirus fund this week. The plan, backed in particular by Berlin and Paris, requires unanimous approval to be adopted. Lofven did not exclude a Swedish veto, but said there was a need to be constructive. "You don't go into a negotiation with that attitude, you go into a negotiation to try to find a solution," Lofven stressed. Search Keywords: Short link: KIEV, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine does not agree with Iran's claim that the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane was due to human error, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Tuesday. "I want to emphasize today clearly: It is too early to say that the plane was shot down as a result of a human error, as the Iranian side claims. We have many questions, and we need a lot of authoritative, unbiased, as objective answers. At the moment, Ukraine cannot agree that the plane was shot down due to human error. We are convinced that this issue should be studied during the investigation," said Kuleba during an online briefing on Tuesday. Kuleba added that Iran would be responsible for the downing under international law, and the Foreign Ministry would do everything to ensure that Iran pays the highest price for what happened. The Boeing-737, en route from Tehran to Kiev, was shot down by two rockets shortly after takeoff from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport on Jan. 8. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of all 167 passengers and nine crew members on board, who were citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom. Later, Iran's armed forces confirmed that an "unintentional" launch of a military missile by the country was the cause of the incident. According to Kuleba, the Iranian side expressed its readiness to visit Ukraine for negotiations regarding compensation between July 20 and July 30. Kuleba noted that the decoding of the "black boxes" from the downed plane will start in France next week, with experts from the United States, Canada, France, Britain and Ukraine taking part. BRISTOL, Va. After receiving a report that a steer had been shot six times at a Washington County meat processing facility, authorities issued a violation but found no criminal activity, the county sheriff said Tuesday. Sheriff Blake Andis said an investigation has closed since no criminal activity was discovered at the Washington County Meat Packing Facility on Campground Road near Bristol. In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the facility violated federal policy when a steer was shot six times. The USDA said it suspended the plant and said it does not have a robust systematic approach to humane handling. The facility told the Bristol Herald Courier that it had never had an incident like this before. It said it has identified the main reason for the stunning issue, and it was working to ensure it does not happen again. Law enforcement became aware of the situation after receiving a letter from PETA. The Sheriffs Office then opened an investigation. The Prime Minister said he was confident that lost jobs in the media and communications sector would come back, but said in the short term, people in the tourism sector may need to look for different skills and training. "We want to give people hope and choices," he said on A Current Affair this evening. Loading He rejected the assertion that the JobTrader scheme would be mostly used by school leavers, saying that about 50 per cent of the most recent numbers on educational training were over the age of 30. He said that 340,000 places at vocational education institutions would be created between now and next June and that the program would support 180,000 apprentices, up from the current number of 80,000. He said that uncertainty in the months ahead made it hard to comment on what will happen to JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments after September. "What we'll be doing is giving to people continuing support with income support, well be there to help those who are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." They come in different sizes so they can be fit to the face to provide a tight seal. That forces the user to pull air through the devices filter rather than through gaps on the sides. They are designed to keep out not only respiratory droplets but also smaller aerosolized particles that can carry infectious agents and float for a time through the air. (In July, the WHO said it doesnt rule out the possibility of airborne transmission of the coronavirus in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation but that more research is needed. Previously it had cast doubt on airborne transmission for Covid-19, except possibly during certain medical procedures.) Respirators are uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time. They retain heat and exert pressure on the face, and some people find they make it difficult to breathe, which can make them unsuitable for those with cardiac and respiratory conditions. A crowd of 15-20 people in two communes of Nam Son and Hong Ki in Hanois Soc Son District on Monday night made makeshift tents, blocking the way to the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex or Nam Son dumping ground. A makeshift tent was set up on Monday to prevent garbage trucks entering Nam Son Dumping ground in Hanoi's Soc Son District. VNA/VNS Photo Manh Khanh Leaders of the district's Peoples Committee confirmed the incident to Vietnam News Agency on Monday night, adding that local authorities were calling on local residents to calm down and stop the protest so the transportation of garbage to the landfill would not be interrupted. Last year, several similar protests blocking the way to the landfill happened due to environmental pollution and compensation to people living around the landfill. Set up in 1999, the Nam Son dumping ground, covering an area of 157ha in three communes of Nam Son, Bac Son and Hong Ki, receives more than 4,000 tonnes of waste per day from four Hanoi inner districts. In 2017, the first industrial waste-to-energy facility with the capacity of treating 75 tonnes of toxic and industrial waste per day in Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex was inaugurated with help from Japan. The generated power is used for the factorys own production activities and for the national power grids electricity supply. Some dumping areas in the landfill were at full capacity. Among measures to address the environmental pollution at the landfill and surrounding residential areas, Hanoi Peoples Committee decided to move all people out of the area within a radius of 500m around the landfill and to grow trees as a green corridor. The activities were planned to be implemented this year and next year. Since July 2, 2019, Soc Son District Peoples Committee has assisted affected households to move and paid them compensation. Accordingly, 1,100 households in the three communes would move out of the total area of about 396ha around the landfill. Compensation is estimated to cost about VND3.4 trillion (US$146.7 million). However, affected households have not been satisfied with compensation rates imposed on their land and assets. They also asked for more detailed information about land clearance schemes and housing prices in relocation areas. According to the district Peoples Committee, relevant agencies are looking for households opinions, identifying causes of the protest to address properly. Meanwhile, as the way to the landfill is blocked, garbage trucks cannot enter the landfill. To avoid the build-up of garbage in residential areas, especially in four inner districts of Hanoi which were seen in previous protests last year, the citys Construction Department directed relevant agencies to transport garbage to Xuan Son Landfill in Son Tay Town. Collected waste would be kept on trucks or carried to smaller dumping sites around the city. The waste would be carried to the Nam Son dumping ground when the protest is over. VNS Slow compensation continues plaguing residents near Hanoi dump Many people living near Nam Son dumping site in Hanois outlying district of Soc Son gathered to block rubbish trucks from entering. The new chair of the Trade and Agriculture Commission has called for an end to 'alarmism' when it comes to discussing controversial issues such as chlorinated chicken. Tim Smith, a former chief executive of the Food Standards Agency, said farmers should have a 'clear-eyed perspective' on the issue of food imports post-Brexit. His commission, created to help inform post-Brexit trade policy, was announced by the government's international trade secretary Liz Truss last month. The body will make recommendations for agricultural trade policy, higher animal welfare standards and export opportunities for farmers. Farming bodies have frequently raised concerns over the possibility of lower-standard food imports as a result of trade deals between countries such as the US. Last week, dozens of farmers descended on Westminster's Parliament Square to protest against the 'opening of floodgates to lower-regulated food'. However, in an article for The Telegraph, Mr Smith called for an end to such 'alarmism' in the industry and for 'cool heads' to prevail. "The alarmism recently around issues like imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef both of which are banned in the UK do neither the industry nor the public any favours," he said. "Having a clear-eyed perspective on what is fair and works for consumers, farmers, food producers and animals is important. This is a time for cool heads and thoughtful discussion." Mr Smith added: "It is in this spirit of inclusivity and transparency that the government has agreed to establish a Trade and Agriculture Commission, and I am delighted to have been appointed as its Chairman." He reiterated the government's manifesto pledge that it would not to lower food and farming standards to secure a post-Brexit trade deal. This is despite MPs in the House of Commons voting to reject an agriculture bill amendment which sought to protect UK food and farming standards in any trade deal. Mr Smith said: "I strongly believe any trade deal the UK strikes must be fair and balanced for our farmers and growers, and must not compromise on our hard won high standards of food safety and animal welfare. "The government has been very clear on both these points." But the commission has been criticised by the RSPCA for lacking members from the animal welfare sector, warning that the body could be a 'fig leaf' which would fail to protect standards. RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: For this to be truly effective, it must have proper representation from the animal welfare sector. "Without this, the commission appears to be a Trojan horse which fails to fulfil the governments manifesto promises to protect welfare standards." He added: We fear this industry-heavy commission will not have animal welfare at its heart and instead will be a tool for deregulation, which represents a real risk to farm animal standards." The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) added its concerns that the commission could become 'yet another government quango'. TFA chief executive, George Dunn explained how he hoped that the commission was not an 'Emperors new clothes situation'. "The government must commit to act on the commissions recommendations, rather than following the classic Whitehall tradition of allowing reports from such bodies to gather dust on ministerial shelves, he said. She announced she was quitting her long-running reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians in April after she was shown in a brawl with her sister Kim Kardashian. But Kourtney Kardashian doesn't seem to have been able to stay away from the reality series completely. The 41-year-old Poosh founder was spotted on a hillside in Malibu on Tuesday as she filmed the series with her younger half-sister Kendall Jenner, 24. Back at it? Kourtney Kardashian, 41, seems to have changed her mind about leaving Keeping Up With The Kardashians after she was scene filming on a hill in Malibu on Tuesday with her sister Kendall Jenner Kourtney flaunted her cleavage in a copper-colored outfit featuring a cut-out panel over her back and sides. She was elegantly made-up and her long raven tresses flitted about in the breeze from the top of the hill. Kendall wore a more reserved black look with a relaxed black shirt that she tied off around her taut midriff. She wore a black bikini top underneath and framed her thick gold hoop earrings with her dark shoulder-length locks. Stunner: Kourtney flaunted her cleavage in a copper-colored outfit featuring a cut-out panel over her back and sides Back in black: Kendall wore a more reserved black look with a relaxed black shirt that she tied off around her taut midriff Although Kourtney was with Kendall while filming, it's unclear if she has changed her mind about filming the series or if she didn't mind making a guest appearance. In an interview with Vogue Arabia that was published July 7, she opened up about her desire to leave the series, which has aired since 2007. 'I have been filming the show non-stop for 14 years I was feeling unfulfilled and it became a toxic environment for me to continue to have it occupy as much of my life as it was,' she explained. 'Privacy is something I have come to value and finding that balance of private moments with being on a reality show is hard. People have this misconception that I dont want to work, which isnt true. I am following my happiness and putting my energy into that which makes me happy.' Too much: 'I have been filming the show non-stop for 14 years I was feeling unfulfilled and it became a toxic environment for me...,' Kourtney told Vogue Arabia earlier this month Kourtney's return to filming KUWTK came the same day that Us Weekly reported that her ex Scott Disick had reunited with his girlfriend Sofia Richie. 'They werent getting along before hence the split,' a source said, adding that the two have 'worked on having a life separate from each other,' but didn't want to totally give up on the relationship 'They are hanging out again romantically,' they continued. 'Its back on.' Another source close to the couple said that Scott needed time to work on his own issues. Back at it: Kourtney filmed the same day her ex Scott Disick was reported to be back with his girlfriend Sofia Richie following a rehab stint and time apart 'Sofia wanted Scott to get through and overcome any issues he has and Scott wanted to put a bigger focus on himself and his family before any sort of romantic relationship,' they said, adding that 'Scotts family is always what is most important to him.' He and Kourtney share three children, boys Mason, 10, and Reign, five, and their daughter Penelope, eight. The couple were together from 20062015, though they never married. Need for speed: Also on Tuesday, Kendall went out for a joy ride in her lavender 1960 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. She had a surfboard in the back for a beach trip Also on Tuesday, Kendall went out for a joy ride in her 1960 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Though her younger sister Kylie is better known for using her unfathomable wealth to amass a fleet of cars, Kendall also has a love for cars, particularly classic automobiles. She was seen driving the massive vehicle around Santa Monica while carrying a baby blue surfboard in her backseat to catch some waves later. The model also posted a picture of the parked car to her Instagram Stories, captioning it, 'my fav toy :).' Earlier on Sunday, Kendall was scene in the coastal city enjoying a day at the beach with her friends Jaden Smith, Harry Hudson and actor Moises Arias. The other day I mentioned to my son Cameron something I heard the great economist Thomas Sowell say. Sowell had reminded the Black Lives Matter protesters who were indiscriminately toppling statues and defacing monuments around the country that a lot of white people were instrumental in ending slavery. Not just Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln and the hundreds of thousands of Northern soldiers who died in the Civil War, but also many abolitionists who were fighting to end slavery long before the shooting started. Thats funny, Cameron said, Ive been doing research on Moms side of the family. You wouldnt believe how famous and influential they were. Really? The Sterns? Oh, my God, Dad, Cameron joked. Your father was just president of the United States. Moms family founded the United States. Cameron, 42, is a stay-at-home dad with a lot of time on his hands. He was discovering a lot of information we didnt know about my wife Colleens historic family, the Sterns, who trace their origins back to the English immigrant Isaac Stearns. Isaac Stearns, who had an a in his last name, was not only among the original Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He and his two brothers came over in 1630 on John Winthrops boat, the Arabella. Cameron told me Charles River in Boston was named after Isaacs brother Charles Stearns when he fell overboard into the unnamed channel. Cameron was only getting started, however. Next he told me about Charles Luther Stearns, an American superstar who built a fortune as a merchant and industrialist in the Boston area and in the 1840s became a prominent leader in the Norths anti-slavery movement. Stearns was no limousine abolitionist. He financed the settlement of anti-slavery homesteaders in Kansas. He turned his estate into a stop on the Underground Railroad that helped escaped slaves get to Canada. Harriet Tubman was a regular visitor there. Stearns was also a member of the Secret Six that supplied radical abolitionist John Brown with weapons for his failed attack on Harpers Ferry. And during the Civil War he pushed for the enlistment of black soldiers in the Union Army. Working with his state, he recruited the black infantrymen for the 54th and 55th Massachusetts regiments featured in the movie Glory. He also provided schools for the kids of the soldiers and jobs for their families. In his spare time founded several magazines including the Nation. After emancipation, Stearns pushed hard to advance civil rights for blacks until he died at age 58 in 1867. Its no accident that his friends included Henry David Thoreau and Frederick Douglass, and Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his eulogy. Three decades later Booker T. Washington, the most famous black man in America, honored Stearns by name at the dedication of the spectacular bronze sculpture created for the 54th Regiment Memorial in Boston Common. Its been great to learn that my wifes ancestors played such an important part in the birth of the country, the history of Boston and the fight to abolish slavery and help the freed slaves. But my story about the proud history of Colleens family has a sad ending. On June 3, exactly 123 years after Booker T. Washington dedicated it, the 54th Regiment Memorial was painted with four-letter words and phrases like Black Lives Matter, No Justice, No Peace, and Police are Pigs. Like the statues of Ulysses Grant, Frederick Douglass and other forgotten abolitionists who fought for the freedom of blacks, the 54th Regiment Memorial was desecrated by a mob of white and black protesters and professional vandals. It would have been nice if before those social justice warriors defaced the memorial and roughed up 15 other statues on Boston Common they had studied a little history. Theyd learn its not as black-and-white as they think. Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan and a political consultant. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 All 18 Queenslanders who came forward after visiting the Sydney hotel at the centre of a growing COVID-19 outbreak in the state have been cleared of the virus, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would make no apologies for delays at the border. The group had come forward to be tested voluntarily ahead of new hotspots declared by health authorities to force travellers to declare if they had visited two New South Wales council areas linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster. As of Wednesday, NSW health authorities had linked 34 cases back to the popular hotel. The 18 Queenslanders will be tested again towards the end of a 14-day home isolation period. Health authorities have urged all who had visited the site between July 3 and 10 to come forward. (Newser) The State Department accused the world's largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer of human right abuses Wednesday, saying it would impose visa restrictions on employees of China's Huawei. The announcement came a week after the State Department accused China of human rights abuses and a day after the UK said it would purge Huawei equipment from its 5G network by 2027. The US has been pushing its allies to steer clear of Huawei over spying concerns and the company's ties to the Chinese government. On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the company was "an arm" of the Chinese Communist Party's "surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China," per the Hill. story continues below Pompeo said visa restrictions would apply to "certain employees of Chinese technology companies like Huawei, that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally." On Twitter, he added this includes employees "involved in providing surveillance equipment to repressive regimes," per Fox News. The Justice Department accuses Huawei of installing surveillance equipment that allowed Iran to spy on protesters during anti-government demonstrations in 2009. Pompeo also praised the UK move, saying it was key to protecting the data "of the United Kingdom's people." While reports suggest Huawei would be forced to comply with data requests from the CCP, executives from the company say it has never received a request and wouldn't comply if it did. (Read more Huawei stories.) Cape Town, July 15 : Two days after South Africa reinstated a ban on alcohol to curb the spread of coronavirus, thieves have broken into a liquor store in Cape Town. "They basically emptied the whiskies out," Mark Kallend, shop owner of Liquor Bothasig, told News24 about the incident early on Tuesday morning. "They ripped the safety gate off with their vehicle... they tied a rope around it and yanked it off. They then threw a boulder through the window," he said, the BBC reported. Bottles of wine and brandy were left untouched, he added. Kallend said the incident showed how desperate people were. In a speech on Sunday President Cyril Ramaphosa said the alcohol ban - the second this year - would take pressure off the health system. More than 40% of the 40,000 trauma cases recorded in the country in a week are alcohol-related - something the health system cannot afford right now. When it comes to coronavirus, South Africa is the hardest-hit country in Africa with more than 275,000 cases. Deaths resulting from Covid-19 have also risen to more than 4,000, and government projections estimate this could increase to 50,000 by the end of the year. Amazon has removed so-called 'balcony barbecues' from its website after they were linked to hundreds of devastating fires. The retail giant stopped the sale of the barbecues - which are specifically designed to be used on balconies - over concerns they are a safety hazard. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a string of blazes at flats in the capital had been caused by cooking outside during the lockdown heatwave. Firefighters have attended more than 600 balcony fires in the city in the last three years, including one at a block of flats in Deptford, south east London, in May which was caused by a barbecue being disposed of in a plastic bag. Amazon has removed balcony barbecues (file photo above) from its website after the LFB branded the product 'irresponsible' and reveal they've attended 600 fires in three years It took 80 firefighters more than four hours to battle a balcony fire in Deptford in May this year Dozens of residents were evacuated from the building and many people were made permanently homeless, the LFB said. The fire brigade described how the barbecue was thrown in a plastic bag and left on the balcony, where the blaze started and damaged the sixth floor flat, as well as most of the roof of the building and part of the roof of the next-door block. The tower block fire took 80 firefighters more than 4 hours to get under control and extinguish. Residents of the affected flat escaped uninjured but around 100 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters due to the amount of smoke. Around half of the residents were permanently displaced and are being rehoused by the local housing association, said the LFB. The fire brigade warned their crews were called out to on average of almost four fires on balconies every week during the summer. The Brigade's Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills wrote to Amazon and other companies that stock or manufacture the products last month, describing them as 'incredibly irresponsible'. He added they are a serious concern in terms of public safety. In the call for action, the fire brigade warned balcony fires can be devastating as they can easily spread to neighbouring properties, potentially leaving many people homeless. The fire service also warned that wind can also fan or carry smouldering cigarettes and embers from barbecues to lower or next-door balconies. Amazon and gift retailer Menkind both said they removed the items from sale and contacted customers who had bought them offering a full refund if they return or dispose of the barbecues. Deputy Commissioner Mills said in his call for manufacturers to take action: 'These balcony barbecues are a staggeringly irresponsible idea and are being marketed carelessly, with hardly any thought as to how dangerous they are. 'They are an accident waiting to happen and they are even being advertised with images of wooden balconies and with the suggestion customers have a fire extinguisher nearby. 'There are many hazards which can cause balcony fires and they have the potential to be devastating with highly damaging consequences - with a risk to life and the potential for not just you but your neighbours to lose their homes. 'We understand people want to enjoy their outside space if they have it, especially at the moment while we are all spending more time at home, but please don't think it won't happen to you, because it can. The LFB warned customers of the potentially devastating consequences of balcony barbecue fires which they say have left people homeless and caused severe damage in London homes 'We are attending on average almost four fires on balconies every week, and that figure is likely to be much higher during warmer weather. 'Don't be the reason you and your neighbours end up looking for somewhere else to live because of your cigarette or barbecue.' Deputy Commissioner Mills is now urging anyone who has bought similar barbecues and has received an email from one of these companies not to ignore it and to take the risks seriously. He added: 'We welcome the prompt and crucial action taken by both Menkind and Amazon in response to the concerns we raised. 'We advise that people never barbecue on their balconies as balcony fires can be devastating. 'Products designed specifically for people to barbecue on their balconies are incredibly irresponsible, and we are now asking customers to take action immediately and not to ignore the warning. 'The fact these companies took such swift action to take these products off the shelves shows what a very real risk they are. 'However, we remain deeply concerned that other companies did not respond to my letter and that these products may still be available for sale and customers are unaware of the dangers of using them.' Anyone with a balcony barbecue from another outlet has been told to contact the company and raise the issue if they have not already heard from them. Amazon said the products were removed when the 'new evidence' came to light. A spokesman said: 'Safety is extremely important to Amazon. As soon as the London Fire Brigade raised concerns and new evidence about these particular products we took quick action, removed them from sale and contacted customers. 'We value the expertise of the London Fire Brigade and are committed to working closely with them and other relevant authorities on these matters. 'If customers ever have a concern about an item they've purchased, we encourage them to contact our customer service team directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.' LFB deputy commissioner Richard Mills says they are attending on average four balcony fires a week in the capital prompting him to write to retailers urging them to remove BBQs from sale The brigade gave companies a deadline of until July 10 to respond to the letter and also contacted Trading Standards and asked them to investigate whether the devices should be banned. Fred Prego, Menkind's marketing director, said: 'Our customers' health and safety is of utmost importance and we have taken swift action following fire safety concerns from the London Fire Brigade over the balcony barbecue product. 'We immediately removed this product from sale and contacted Menkind customers who purchased it, advising them not to use it on balconies and that they can return it for a full refund. 'Menkind is committed to complying with the latest product safety laws and regulations and we continuously collaborate with relevant authorities on the matter.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 02:15:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday expressed its strong opposition to the United States signing into law the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" and to the series of measures to be adopted by the United States under the president's executive order. The HKSAR government vowed to fully support the central government to adopt countermeasures. As mentioned in the statement of the foreign ministry of China, the U.S. move seriously violates international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations and constitutes gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, a spokesman of the HKSAR government said. The HKSAR government expressed deep regret over the U.S. move, the spokesman said. The spokesman said it is hypocritical for the United States to introduce measures to attack China by creating issues in the HKSAR under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy out of its own political considerations. It is egregious for the United States to undermine the relationship between the HKSAR and the central authorities under "one country, two systems" and to cover its abhorrent acts by the political slogan of "supporting Hong Kong people," the spokesman said. The move will definitely harm the relations and common interests between China and the United States, and those between Hong Kong and the United States, causing tremendous damage to the companies and people of the United States, the spokesman said. The United States has clearly demonstrated its double standards by claiming that the measures to be adopted under the act and the executive order are justified on ground of safeguarding its national security, while alleging that the national security legislation by the Chinese central authorities for the HKSAR is undermining the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy, the spokesman said. It is the legitimate right and duty of every state to safeguard its national security and matters concerning national security of any local region fall squarely within the purview of the central authorities, the spokesman said. There are at least 20 regulations that safeguard national security in the United States, and the law enforcement agencies are all authorities at the federal level, the spokesman said. The United States should be clear about the fact that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of China and a local administrative region which enjoys a high degree of autonomy and comes directly under the central government, the spokesman said. The National People's Congress has the constitutional power and duty to enact national law to safeguard national security in the HKSAR, namely the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR adopted on June 30, and to apply it to Hong Kong by promulgation in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law, the spokesman said. Since the return to the motherland, Hong Kong has been implementing the "one country, two systems" principle, "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law, and the central government has firmly implemented the "one country, two systems" principle and acted in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, the spokesman said. In view of the increasingly pronounced national security risks faced by the HKSAR, especially in light of the escalating violence and social chaos since June last year, the enactment of the national security law in Hong Kong is a timely, reasonable and rational decision, the spokesman said. The law targets only an extremely small minority of people without adversely affecting the basic rights and freedoms lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong residents, the spokesman said. It is a necessary, timely and important step to improve "one country, two systems," the spokesman said. During the legislative process, HKSAR's practical situation was taken into account and the views of the HKSAR government and of various sectors of the community were adopted, the spokesman said. The law will not affect the high degree of autonomy, judicial independence and the rule of law in Hong Kong, the spokesman said, stressing that only when national security is safeguarded can Hong Kong enjoy long-term stability and security. The special status as a separate customs territory enjoyed by the HKSAR under "one country, two systems" is conferred by the Constitution and the Basic Law and is recognized by multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization, but not granted or revocable by an individual country, the spokesman said. On the other hand, the United States has enjoyed huge benefit from its economic and trade exchanges with Hong Kong, with a cumulative merchandise trade surplus of around 310 billion U.S. dollars during the 2010-2019 period, and the merchandise surplus in 2019 alone was over 26 billion U.S. dollars, the spokesman said, adding that at present there are 1,300 U.S. companies operating in Hong Kong and 85,000 U.S. citizens call Hong Kong their home, the spokesman said. It would be a self-deception if the United States thinks that unilaterally introducing various measures that restrict normal business activities or people exchanges would not affect its own interests, the spokesman said. The HKSAR government will carefully consider if the U.S. measures contravene WTO rules, and does not rule out the possibility of taking action under WTO rules to protect Hong Kong's interests, the spokesman said. The spokesman reiterated that any measures imposed under the act and the executive order do not have any legal effect on Hong Kong financial institutions. Enditem TDT | Manama An emergency fund of over BD177million will be injected into this years state budget in order to deal with urgent expenditures incurred as a result of the Kingdoms fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Furthermore, an amount of $450million shall be drawn from the account of the Future Generation Reserve Fund (FGRF), and allocated to supporting the state general budget until the end of the fiscal year, in order to reduce the critical financial impacts of COVID-19. These follow His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas issuance yesterday of a number of decree-laws. Decree-Law 22/2020 stipulates adding emergency expenditures of BD177,360,117 to the state budget for 2020. The Prime Minister and ministers, each in their capacity, will implement the decree-law that will be published in the Official Gazette. Meanwhile, His Majesty King Hamad issued Decree-Law 23/2020 on managing part of the funds of the FGRF. It stipulates that the deduction from oil revenues earmarked for the account of the FGRF shall be suspended temporarily, until the end of the fiscal year 2020. It also stipulates that an amount of $450million shall be drawn from the FGRF account only once, and allocated to supporting the state general budget to reduce the urgent financial impacts of the coronavirus. The drawn amount shall be covered by the end of the urgent financial situation resulting from the COVID-19 spread. The Finance and National Economy Minister shall issue the necessary edicts and circulars in order to implement the provisions of this decree-law. The Prime Minister and ministers, each in their capacity, shall implement the provisions of this decree-law which takes effect after its publication in the Official Gazette. Retirement and Social Insurance Fund His Majesty King Hamad also issued Decree-Law 21/2020, regarding pension funds in insurance and retirement laws and regulations. Under the decree-law, the public sector retirement fund and the Social Insurance Fund shall be merged into one, named The Retirement and Social Insurance Fund, which shall be overseen by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO). Its revenues include those previously allocated for the public sector retirement fund and the Social Insurance Fund, in addition to those incurred from the investment of its funds or any other activities. The decree-law stipulates that the annual rise in all pensions established under any law, pension or insurance scheme, will be stopped. In case the actuarial report detects a surplus in the fund or the pension fund for Bahraini and non-Bahraini officers and members of the Bahrain Defence and Public Security Force, the surplus will be deposited in a fund that is independent from both funds. The surplus may be used, based on the approval of the Supreme Council for Military Retirement and the SIO Board of Directors, to increase pensions in a way that would not exceed the increase in the Consumer Price Index, and take the situation of retirees with low pensions. The decree-law stipulates that retirees are not allowed to receive more than one pension under different retirement and insurance systems, except for those entitled to pensions because of disability, work accidents, or kinship. The pensioners who are entitled to any of the previous laws and get jobs that are not subject to the same law in which they are entitled to the pension, may combine their previous service period with their new service period, according to the rules stipulated in the retirement and insurance laws and regulations. They may also choose to continue receiving their pensions for their previous work period, in addition to the salaries they earn from their new jobs, provided that they are not subject to retirement laws and insurance against work accidents. Employers who fail to pay the insurance contributions will have to pay a fine not less than the total value of the unpaid contributions and not exceeding three times its value. The value of the fines shall be referred to the fund. The Supreme Council for Military Retirement and the Minister of Finance and National Economy shall issue the necessary edicts to implement the provisions of the decree-law, based on the approval of the SIO Board of Directors. Researchers at the University of California San Diego have conducted a study showing that both smoking and the use of e-cigarettes containing nicotine and flavorings may critically exacerbate inflammation in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and significantly worsen clinical outcomes. The use of e-cigs that do not contain nicotine or flavorings, on the other hand may not lead to any significant increase in COVID-19-related inflammation. The study also showed that tobacco smoking increased the expression of the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) the structure that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses to gain viral entry. By contrast, the use of e-cigs did not upregulate ACE2 expression, irrespective of whether they contained nicotine and flavorings. Our study has demonstrated that tobacco and flavored or nicotine-containing e-cig use could both lead to increased inflammatory response, but only tobacco upregulates ACE2, write Weg Ongkeko (University of California) and colleagues. The authors believe their study represents an important early step in assessing the implications of smoking and vaping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since inflammation or ACE2 upregulation can increase susceptibility to COVID-19, further studies are needed to address the worrying findings, they say. A pre-print version of the paper is available on the server bioRxiv*, while the article undergoes peer review. Studies have sparked concerns about smoking and vaping A growing body evidence suggests that smoking is a risk factor for more severe clinical outcomes following infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, reports have so far been based on epidemiological data, and only a few studies reported data, say Ongkeko and colleagues. The lack of well-controlled laboratory experiments renders it extremely difficult to determine whether tobacco truly affects COVID-19 outcome and the mechanistic link between them, writes the team. Concerns have also arisen that the use of e-cigs, which has become increasingly popular over recent years, maybe linked to COVID-19 outcomes. Detrimental effects associated with e-cig use, including inflamed airways, damaged lung epithelium, and increased mucus production have been reported, say the authors, but data relating to COVID-19 risks and outcomes are scarce. Complicating research on e-cigs effects on COVID-19 is the fact that e-cig can be vaped with or without nicotine and with or without flavorings, writes the team. Flavors and nicotine in e-cig are frequently associated with more inflammation, epithelial barrier dysregulation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage than e-cig with only basic components. Potential mechanisms that could increase susceptibility to COVID-19 One potential mechanism through which either smoking or vaping could increase COVID-19 susceptibility is the upregulation of ACE2 (the receptor used by SAR-CoV-2 for viral entry). Some animal studies have shown cigarette smoke increases ACE2 expression, but no such study has yet reported on the relationship between e-cig use and ACE2 expression. SARS-CoV-2 viruses binding to ACE-2 receptors on a human cell, the initial stage of COVID-19 infection. Illustration credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock Another potential mechanism is increased inflammation. More severe outcomes have been associated with the hyperinflammatory state that can occur in COVID-19 called the cytokine storm. Although cigarette smoke has been associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19, the effect of tobacco on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 has not been studied, writes the team. What did the current study involve? Ongkeko and team mined three independent gene expression datasets available for tobacco smokers and e-cig users and compared between-group differences in the activation of key molecular pathways involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Given that e-cig flavorings and nicotine have been implicated in promoting lung damage, the researchers analyzed one cohort who only vaped e-cigs without nicotine or flavorings and one cohort who vaped e-cigs containing nicotine and any flavorings. What did the study find? The team found that tobacco smoking increased the expression of ACE2, while e-cig use had no such effect, irrespective of whether products contained nicotine and flavorings. The researchers also found that both tobacco smoking and the use of nicotine/flavor-containing e-cigs led to significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and genes involved in inflammasome activation. However, the use of e-cigs that did not contain nicotine or flavorings had no such effect on either cytokine production or inflammasome activation. The researchers say inflammasome activation can result in the release of cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1) and lead to a cytokine storm, both of which are hallmarks of COVID-19 infection, particularly in severe infection. Further studies are needed to investigate the worrying links Our findings demonstrated that smoking or vaping, specifically use of flavored or nicotine-containing e-cigs, may critically exacerbate COVID-19-related inflammation or increase susceptibility to the disease, write the researchers. Ongkeko and colleagues say that although further experiments and epidemiologic studies would be required to clarify the findings, they believe the study is a critical early step in evaluating the implications of smoking and e-cig use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further scientific and public health investigations should be undertaken to address these concerning links between COVID-19 and e-cig/smoking, they conclude. *Important Notice medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Click here to read the full article. Delvaux is reapproaching its U.S. business with a digital slant. Today, the luxury Belgian accessories brand launches its own U.S. e-commerce site a first for the label best-known for its traditional, handcrafted approach. This follows Delvauxs mid-April launch of a European e-commerce site its very first and represents a larger plan to roll out direct-to-consumer online shopping in each of its international markets. Chief executive officer Marco Probst said when he joined Delvaux in 2012, only 3 percent of the companys sales came from international markets. Today that figure hovers between 85 and 90 percent. It was our objective to put product on the map. Until now, it was our priority to open stores in prominent locations because otherwise, who would go to an e-commerce site for a brand that is not known yet? said Probst. The executive took a sabbatical last year and enrolled in a certificate course in digital marketing. He returned to the helm of Delvaux last December with the intention of setting a road map for digitalization. A few months thereafter, coronavirus hit and he moved up the launch of e-commerce. In January it became clear that something is happening in the world that we cannot control, which will have a big effect on human behavior all over the world so we decided to accelerate [our e-commerce] program, he said. A European site launched on April 17, and while a U.S. iteration launches today, there will be future rollouts in Japan and other key markets. The web site will stock Delvauxs new denim collection, which was designed in homage to Gloria Vanderbilt and her signature line of jeans. Probst said it would be ideal if e-commerce could amount to 10 percent of Delvauxs total global sales. The important thing is to create a link between stores and e-commerce and wholesale. Its a holistic approach nowadays anyway people seek information on the Internet, he said. Story continues In previous years, Barneys New Yorks e-commerce site was a primary mode of digital sales for Delvaux in the U.S. Now that the department store is gone, Delvaux said the brands Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan opened in January 2019 is its sole stockist in the U.S. It is negotiating a few select wholesale accounts in the region. Delvauxs New York store is its only flagship location still partially closed due to the pandemic and is available for shopping by appointment only. Right now its a pretty small market, Probst said of the U.S. I think my objective is to create a pretty healthy balance between the markets. East and West should have the same weight somehow. Right now Europe is a core market, particularly Belgium, but also the U.K., Italy and France are growing. We are strong in South Korea and China as well but the U.S. is still small and has room to grow. As for the claim that handbags have been rendered useless by COVID-19 lockdowns, Probst said: I think our handbags are more than a regular day-to-day product. You feel attached to them, you have a passion for these products. I am a guitar player and buy custom guitars on the Internet and even in lockdown, you just have a pleasure seeing these products. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The Greater Accra and the Volta regions have recorded the highest number of challenged cases, after the first two phases of the ongoing voters registration exercise ended on Saturday, data by the Electoral Commission (EC) has shown. The two regions witnessed a combined total of 2,451 applicants participation in the registration questioned, out of 8,158 challenged cases recorded in all 16 regions. Again, the two were the only regions to have seen more than 1,000 prospective voters have their application confronted with issues in the 12 days exercise. The Greater Accra had as many as 1,391 applicants challenged, with 1,060 applicants being challenged in the Volta Region, representing 17 and 13 per cent respectively. Closely followed was the Ashanti Region which recorded 929 of the total confronted applications, while the Northern Region had 753 cases. Similarly, the Central Region had 746 applicants participation in the registration exercise questioned, with the Eastern Region recording 627 of such cases. The number of prospective voters who had their application challenged in the Bono East and Oti regions were 426 and 421 respectively. The Ahafo Region had 365 challenged cases, Western North 328 and Western 324 cases each. In the Bono Region, there were 239 cases, with the Savannah Region recording196 challenged cases. The rest were, Upper East 147, Upper West 147 and North East 93. Meanwhile, a Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr Eric Bossman Asare has explained that, most of the challenged cases are being witnessed in the countrys border regions. You can see clearly that, the regions that are border regions; Oti, Volta and the Ahafo region, the number is very high, Dr Bossman Asare noted. Earlier, a Deputy Chairman of the Commission in charge of Operations, Mr Samuel Tettey said the Commission had stated that, a District Registration Review Committee had been set up to deal with the challenged issues across the country. The District Registration Review Committees were sitting on the cases to determine whether they should be upheld or withdrawn, he said. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 - Defence Secretary Mark Esper took steps Wednesday to expand diversity within the military and reduce prejudice, but he skirted several major decisions, including whether to ban the Confederate flag at defence installations. In a four-page memo, Esper ordered all military services to stop providing service members photos for promotion boards, directed a review of hairstyle and grooming policies, and called for improved training and data collection on diversity. Absent from the memo was any mention of the issues that have roiled the nation efforts to ban the Confederate flag and a growing movement to remove Confederate statutes and rename military bases honouring Confederate leaders. Confederate flags, monuments and military base names have become a national flashpoint in the weeks since the death of George Floyd. Protesters decrying racism have targeted Confederate monuments in multiple cities. Some state officials are considering taking them down, but they face vehement opposition in some areas. A draft policy circulated by Pentagon leaders more than a week ago would have banned the display of the Confederate flag in Defence Department workplaces or public areas by service members and civilian personnel. It said a ban would preserve the morale of our personnel, good order and discipline within the military ranks and unit cohesion. That policy was never finalized or signed, and instead officials say it is now being revised. President Donald Trump has flatly rejected any notion of changing base names, and has defended the flying of the Confederate flag, saying its a freedom of speech issue. Esper spent last Friday with Trump in Florida, but its unclear if they talked about the flag ban. The Marine Corps and U.S. commands in Korea and Japan have already banned display of the Confederate flag, saying it can inflame division and weaken unit cohesion. The Navy, Air Force and Army were all ready to do the same, but their progress was halted when Esper made it known he wanted to develop one consistent policy. Some of the orders in Espers memo released Wednesday are already in effect by the military services, but his directive is a move to also make those policies more consistent. For example, he ordered the military to no longer include photos of service members when they are being considered by a promotion board. This would mark a change for the Navy and Marine Corps. But, the Air Force removed photos from promotion boards more than a decade ago, and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy announced last month that beginning in August his service would no longer include them. The Navy eliminated the photos in 2016, then added them back in 2018 after members of promotion boards complained. They said the photos aided their ability to assess a service members ability to perform the duties of the next higher grade, according to the 2018 memo. The Marines have always included photos. Army officials last month said they were eliminating the photos because a study showed they could make a difference in some promotion boards. The study suggested that when the photo is not included, it took board members less time to vote, their scores were more closely aligned and the outcomes for minorities and women improved. Espers memo, however, left other promotion board issues unresolved and subject to further review, including whether the services should redact the box on the form that identifies a persons race or whether a persons name which in some cases could indicate race or gender should also be removed. He also ordered a review of hairstyle and grooming policies, which all the military services have done multiple times in recent years. They have all loosened restrictions, particularly on womens hair, to allow for more ethnic hairstyles, including various braids and larger buns. Esper also has asked that every time he receives a promotion list from one of the services, it includes a review that shows the racial make-up of the pool of candidates and also of the group getting promoted. The services have historically compiled that data, and it is always provided to the secretary with promotion results for higher ranks one star and above. For years, it was also provided for lower ranks, but in 2009, the department switched to an annual report, and stopped providing it to the defence chief for each promotion list. A senior defence official said giving the secretary the review for every list is meant to identify any potential problems or lack of diversity and wasnt expected to affect the promotion results. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a personnel issue. Esper also met Wednesday with his newly formed Board on Diversity and Inclusion, which is expected to identify potential policy changes over the coming months. It will deliver a final report in December, and then be replaced by a permanent commission. The estranged husband of a woman whose body was found inside a Melbourne home has been arrested. Elaine Pandilovski's body was discovered after police conducted a welfare check at the home on Hawkes Drive at Mill Park about 9.30pm Tuesday. Zoran Pandilovski, 45, her estranged husband, has been arrested over her death and is under guard in hospital, the Herald Sun reported. No charges have been laid. It is understood he was involved in a car crash at some point on Tuesday. Elaine Pandilovski's (pictured) body was discovered after police conducted a welfare check at the home on Hawkes Drive at Mill Park about 9.30pm Tuesday Zoran Pandilovski, her estranged husband, has been arrested and is under guard in hospital (Pictured: Elaine and Zoran Pandilovski) The couple were high school sweethearts and had been together for 15 years. According to neighbours, they had recently separated and Mr Pandilovski was living in Epping. Neighbours said Ms Pandilovski, 45, who worked as a special needs aide, had been living at the single-storey home with her son Thomas. Family became concerned for her welfare after she failed to turn up to work at Plenty Parkland Primary School in Mill Park. Ms Pandilovski's aunt Mary Yoannidis said Mr Pandilovski had been at the house earlier in the day to pick up an Ipad or computer which was broken. Ms Yoannidis said the couple's son, Thomas, who has autism, had been staying at his grandmother's house when his mother's body was discovered. Relatives have been left heartbroken and in disbelief over her death. 'She was the most beautiful person in the world. She was caring, compassionate did everything for everyone,' Ms Yoannidis said. Elaine Pandilovski and Zoran Pandilovski (pictured) were high school sweethearts. They had a son together Ms Pandilovski's aunt Mary Yoannidis shared a heartbreaking post about the loss of a 'beautiful, caring and compassionate' woman 'She was more my best friend more like a sister than a niece. I did everything with her.' One nearby resident described the woman and her son as 'good people'. 'I just can't believe it,' one neighbour said. 'There was a kid outside crying. Feel sorry for who it is. This is a quiet area.' In 2011, Mr Pandilovski opened up about their relationship, telling the Sydney Morning Herald the first year 'was probably the toughest' year in their relationship. 'We've since had a little boy and that, of course, adds even more pressure to a relationship. But I think now that we've made it this far we are pretty well-equipped to work our way through any problems that might arise.' Homicide squad detectives were still at the scene with the home cordoned off as investigations continue. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Detectives (pictured on Wednesday) are seen leaving a residential property in Mill Park on Wednesday after a woman's body was found on Tuesday night Russian cosmonauts have built an engineered cartilage in the microgravity of the International Space Station for the first time, and it could help in long space flights. Oleg Kononenko used a new type of 'scaffold-free' tissue engineering approach developed by Moscow firm 3D Bioprinting Solutions that uses magnetic fields. The technique draws on the power of magnetic fields to overcome obstacles faced by traditional scaffolding-based approaches to cartilage engineering. This approach, called 'levitational bioassembly', may also pave the way for advances in space regenerative medicine that could be used in long-distance space travel where astronauts and cosmonauts may be away from Earth for months or years. Oleg Kononenko used a new type of 'scaffold-free' tissue engineering approach developed by Moscow firm 3D Bioprinting Solutions that uses magnetic fields Tissue cells were placed in a temperature-controlled chamber to release the cartilage cells, then placed the cuvettes into the magnetic bioassembler to begin constructing tissue as seen in this image Scientists have been pursuing scaffold-free engineering approaches that coax cells to self-assemble and develop into tissue without the help of a platform for years. While magnetic levitational bioassembly has previously piqued researchers interest, prior techniques have relied on agents that are toxic to living cells in high levels. To overcome this challenge lead author Vladislav Parfenov, from 3D Bioprinting Solutions, developed mathematical and computer models. These were designed to find out if magnetic fields could be used for self-assembly of tissue in the microgravity of space. Computer simulations were used to model how tissue spheroids, or 3D aggregates of cells in culture that retain the tissues architecture and functions, would fuse under microgravity conditions. The researchers then developed viable tissue spheroids in a biological laboratory in Baikonur Cosmodrome in Khazakhstan using human cartilage cells. The cells were embedded within hydrogel inside charged cuvettes and delivered to the Russian segment of the International Space Station along with a novel, custom-designed magnetic bioassembler. While on board, a cosmonaut cooled the hydrogel down in a temperature-controlled chamber to release the cartilage cells, then placed the cuvettes into the magnetic bioassembler to begin constructing tissue. This approach, called 'levitational bioassembly', may also pave the way for advances in space regenerative medicine that could be used in long-distance space travel where astronauts and cosmonauts may be away from Earth for months or years. They used a custom bioassembler Oleg Kononenko unpacks the various parts of the experiment sent from Earth including the bioassembly device and human tissue cells preserved in hydrogel Parfenov said the technique may also enable scientists to develop constructs in space that consist of both biological and inorganic materials. This could include bone tissue equivalents for repairing limb damage on long flights. 'The development of modern technologies for deep space exploration and the extension of manned space capabilities steadily increase the importance of space biotechnologies,' said Parfenov. It has already become possible to grow different species of plants producing oxygen and nutrients on the ISS, to obtain 3D biofilms of bacteria with altered synthetic and physiological activity, and to grow large protein crystals. 'In this regard, the development of tissue engineering approaches to create complete equivalents of human tissues and organs to study the influence of space flight conditions and to meet the needs of space medicine is the next con- sequential step,' he said. The research has been published in the journal Science Advances. Pharmacists at Germanys University of Halle-Wittenberg have developed a way of detecting small amounts of coronavirus in gargling solution, a technique which could be used for testing. The study used samples of a solution that patients infected with the coronavirus had gargled with, successfully tracing the virus with a technique called mass spectrometry, the university said in a statement on Wednesday. The institution said the new method must be further refined before it could be used as a standard diagnostic tool to complement existing coronavirus tests. The test is highly specific as it targets protein components that exist only in the novel coronavirus, also known as Sars-CoV-2. We measure direct peptides coming from the virus, not the genetic material, Andrea Sinz, who worked on the study, explained. At present the test results take 15 minutes and are significant even with only small amounts of gargling solution. The team of pharmacists are working on reducing testing times. If successful, the test samples would be easy to handle and measurements could be conducted by non-specialized staff, the scientists said. While the new method would not be available immediately, Ms Sinz said she hoped the test would be operational in a few months. (dpa/NAN) Donald Trump's lawyers have launched a new effort seeking to keep the president's tax returns out of the hands of prosecutors, this time suggesting subpoenas may have been made in 'bad faith' as part of a 'fishing expedition.' Trump lawyer William Consovoy on Wednesday submitted a motion for 'further proceedings' with the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, where among his arguments is a request to await a 25 day period following the Supreme Court's July 9 ruling on the case. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 this month that Manhattan prosecutors can get Donald Trump's tax returns by subpoenas to his bank and accountant but it is not at all clear that prosecutors would be able to get them before the November 3 election. President Trump's lawyer William Consovoy on Wednesday submitted a motion for 'further proceedings' with the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, where they noted subpoenas can't be part of a 'fishing expedition' The Court also imposed a four-part test that Trump's lawyer referenced including it's notation that grand juries are prohibited from taking part in 'arbitrary fishing expeditions.' But it ruled Trump was not protected by an immunity due to his office, opening prosecutors to get documents it sought as part of a probe into 'hush' payments that went to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with the president. Trump denies it. As Trump's lawyer noted, the Court also ruled that the president may argue a subpoena is 'motivated by a desire to harass or is conducted in bad faith' foreshadowing arguments Trump will try to put forward to keep the information out of the hands of prosecutors. Trump has fought a legal battle on multiple fronts to keep his tax returns secret, even after saying during the 2016 campaign that he would release them. Following the ruling, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump would release them when he was no longer under audit, which he has been on a continual basis for four years. The motion also suggests a prolonged round of legal wrangling, saying the parties 'likely will disagree about the appropriate scope of discovery' when developing a 'factual record for the case.' Cyrus Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, is urging the courts to move rapidly following a Supreme Court ruling on Trump's taxes illiam Consovoy, President Donald Trump's attorney, filed the motion on behalf of the president The president shouldn't be required to litigate 'without understanding the nature and scope of the investigation and why the District Attorney needs all of the documents he has demanded.' That claim drew a sharp rebuke from Manhattan D.A. Cy Vance, who responded that the president invites the court to conduct a 'heightened-scrutiny inquiry' of the kind the Supreme Court rejected in its ruling, which stressed the importance of grand juries and safeguards already built into the process for citizens. A process digging into the U.S. attorney's 'motives' would be 'highly irregular and inappropriate,' he writes, adding the court has already found there was no demonstrated bad faith. Vance back in August issued subpoenas seeking eight years of Trump personal and corporate tax records, kicking off the legal battle. The judge presiding over the case, Victor Marrero, a former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States, asked both sides to respond in action about next steps. A new Reuters / Ipsos poll shows two-thirds of Americans want to see Trump's taxes. About a quarter surveyed believe the returns contain 'incriminating evidence against him,' 10 per cent think Trump is trying to hide significant financial losses, and 16 per cent think Trump does not want to reveal them because he 'does not pay taxes.' ALBANY The head of the New York State Troopers PBA issued a statement Wednesday "demanding" that state troopers be removed from New York City "and cease any law enforcement activities within that jurisdiction." "We have arrived at this unfortunate decision due to the hastily written so-called police reform legislation recently passed by the New York City Council," said PBA President Thomas H. Mungeer. "This poorly conceived bill, which will be signed into law by Mayor de Blasio today, puts an undue burden upon our troopers; it opens them up to criminal and civil liability for restraining a person during a lawful arrest in a manner that is consistent with their training and is legal throughout the rest of the state. Furthermore, this legislation will prevent troopers from safely and effectively arresting resistant subjects." According to Mungeer, the new regulations would "criminalize methods of restraint, including putting any pressure on a persons chest or back." Life in Hong Kong had more or less returned to normal. Restaurants, shopping malls and public areas appeared to be buzzing once again. However, after a sudden spate of locally-transmitted coronavirus cases over the past week, social distancing measures are abruptly back in force. After almost a month without a single case, there have now been over 200 recorded in the city in the past week. MORE: As Trump sends mixed messages on coronavirus, some loyal supporters cling to conspiracy theories Hong Kong had already suppressed the outbreak twice and the fear is that this "third wave" could be worse than the first two. President of the Hong Kong Public Doctors Association, Dr. Arisina Ma, told ABC News that the situation is really critical." Ma said the recent outbreak in Hong Kong is more serious than the outbreaks in March or April because this time around, the majority of cases are locally-transmitted and cant be traced back to a single group gathering or event. We find that this time more and more cases are scattered in different parts of Hong Kong and they have no identifiable source, Ma said. Similar to the United States or the United Kingdom, this time we also have more elderly who have been infected. When elderly people are the major source of infection, it puts pressure on our health care system. MORE: Trump administration rescinds in-person requirement for international students At midnight a batch of new measures came into place in Hong Kong, restricting public gatherings to no more than four people. Bars, gyms and public playgrounds are closed. Restaurants will be take-out only for dinner. Theme parks have been ordered to shut, including Hong Kong Disneyland, which had been back open for a month. PHOTO: Employees wearing protective masks stand outside the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park that has been closed, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Hong Kong, China January 26, 2020. (James Pomfret/Reuters, FILE) It is also now mandatory to wear a mask on public transport and in taxis, or face a fine of $645. Hong Kong residents or passengers who transit through Hong Kong from high-risk countries must now produce proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight to Hong Kong. Story continues MORE: Doctors cry foul as White House targets Fauci, CDC Ma said that she believes these measures are reasonable but that people shouldnt be banned from gathering in outdoor public areas if they wear masks. Ma expects the measures to be extended beyond their current seven-day expiry date, saying, I dont think this outbreak will end soon, we may still have a month or two to go." Hong Kong returns to social distancing as critical 3rd wave hits city originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Sunyani Municipal COVID-19 Prevention Taskforce has up-scaled preventive campaigns to stem the spread of the Corona Virus Disease in the Sunyani and Sunyani West Municipalities. As part of its enforcement exercise in ensuring that churches and mosques complied with social distancing and health safety measures, the taskforce has also been sensitizing the populace on the COVID-19 and the need for them to adhere to governments directives. So far, the Taskforce has visited and carried such educational campaigns in 87 churches and mosques in the two Municipalities. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Superintendent Haruna Alhassan of the Ghana Immigration Service and Commander of the Taskforce, noted that education on the COVID-19 had still not gone down well with many people. He emphasized the wearing of a nose mask and regular hand washing with soap under running water as being crucial to controlling the COVID-19 and advised the general public to do so frequently. Some of the churches the Taskforce had already visited included Temple of Praise Ministry, Living Grace Ministries International, Universal Gospel Church International, Christ the King Catholic Cathedral, Wesley Methodist Cathedral and Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Others were Calvary Baptist Church, Fountain Gate Chapel, Sunyani Central Church of Pentecost, Apostolic Church Ghana, Apostle Continuation Church, Sunyani Central, Fiapre Central Mosque and many others. It was gathered during the visit that many of the Churches had also set up similar taskforces that ensured individual congregants wear nose masks and observe social and physical distancing. Some of the Churches had created isolation rooms to attend to emergencies, while they also used thermometer guns to check body temperatures of worshippers. Veronica buckets, liquid soaps and tissue papers had been placed at the entrances to aid hand washing with soap under running water in addition to application of hand sanitizers against COVID-19. Virtually all of them were sighted registering their congregants. 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 The last Covid-19 patient in Bergamos main coronavirus hospital was a 51-year-old man. He had been infected with a very severe form of the virus, which caused his lungs to fail and involved other organs. But on 8 July, after more than two months, he was able to leave the intensive care unit. Staff gathered in the hall and held a minute of silence to mourn all of Bergamos coronavirus deaths then the silence gave way to a euphoric round of applause. It was over. After more than four months, the ICUs in Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital were declared coronavirus-free. We can say we made it, Luca Lorini, 59, the head of the hospitals resuscitation department, tells The Independent. We dont know if the coronavirus will attack us again, but we have won this battle. Signs of a newly found normality are everywhere in Bergamo, once the epicentre of Europes coronavirus crisis. Residents are again flocking to shopping malls and outdoor bars in parks, although wearing a mask is still compulsory. Patients have begun to book check-ups and elective treatment like colonoscopies and ultrasounds. And the hospital staff are back at their original jobs, working through the backlog of surgeries that were left behind when doctors were transferred onto Covid-19 care and residents shunned the hospital for fear of being infected. Its a feeling of liberation, says Mario Mezzapesa, a resuscitator specialising in cardiovascular surgery. The ICU he worked on like all the others was transformed to deal exclusively with coronavirus patients in intensive care, but he has now gone back to working on heart transplants and heart surgery. Between 20 and 30 patients who had Covid-19 are still recovering in the hospitals main wards, but he now visits patients with only a facemask and without all the other PPE. All this seemed unimaginable just a few weeks ago, he says. For several weeks in March and April, Bergamo was at the centre of the pandemic and the worlds worst-hit town more than 3,000 people died and a further 15,000 were infected by the disease. It sits in the region of Lombardy in Italys north, which suffered 16,748 deaths half of the countrys total. There were so many dead; I hope people wont forget, says Sara Cattaneo, a nurse who is back working in the hospitals heart surgery ICU. In almost all families and groups of friends, there was somebody who lost a person. The photos of obituaries filling up local newspapers, churches filled with coffins and army trucks taking those coffins to other cities to be cremated made headlines across the world. The hospital came under immense pressure: staff treated more than 2,000 Covid-19 patients; 300 in ICUs. To my knowledge, this was the biggest in-hospital ICU in the world after Wuhan, Lorini says, with some 100 patients treated in ICUs at one time in the peak of the crisis in March. Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital was carrying and supplying 100 times the amount of oxygen it did before the coronavirus. Picture this, he repeats. Not double the amount: 100 times. A nurse attends to a Covid-19 patient as he is moved from the ICU (Getty) (Getty Images) The task piled pressure on health professionals, too. During a normal shift, Lorini says some staff reported losing as much as 3.5 pounds in weight each shift because of how much they would sweat under PPE. Thats like running a stage of the Tour de France every day, he says. Yet he says the recipe for defeating the virus in Bergamo was much, much simpler than most people think. The first thing to do is a lockdown, he says. The other two, he says, are social distancing and providing hospitals with the right equipment. Three banal things. We solved it, and now we go on, says nurse Cattaneo. Bergamo is a city that can roll up its sleeves and get up every time. Im proud of this city. She says the atmosphere is a lot lighter in the hospital now. The staff are back smiling, drinking coffee and eating together in the canteen a remarkable change from the peak of the crisis some three and a half months ago. Its nice to be back with a routine, she says. It tired us before, and now we like it. Staff have returned to their original jobs at the hospital (AFP/Getty) (AFP via Getty Images) And its nice to know that now patients have excellent chances to survive [when they come into ICUs] because we know their problem and know how to cure them, she says. Normality is beautiful. Yet the staff are not quite celebrating. Italy still records hundreds of new cases every week, and some experts have warned that the virus could make a comeback in autumn. We are happy, though not serene, says nurse Cattaneo. Its like having a cloud hanging over us. Forecasting whether there will be a second wave is impossible, Lorini says, but for now, he says hospitals around the world should plan for that scenario to avoid being caught off-guard. We have months to prepare, he says. They are whole months. But they should be used well. Ghislaine Maxwell was forced to swap her luxurious, secluded, New Hampshire estate for a small cell in Brooklyns notorious federal prison when she was arrested as an alleged accomplice to sex predator Jeffrey Epstein and the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) has quite a reputation. Its notorious. Its not funded very well, none of the federal prisons are. Theres a shortage of guards and of staff, Michael Frantz, director of Jail Time Consulting, told The Independent. His organisation, a federal prison consulting firm, represents inmates in all 209 federal prisons across the United States, including MDC which is where Ms Maxwell, 58, is expected to remain until her trial in July next year after a federal judge denied her bail this week. In my opinion, its not one of the best federal prisons around and a lot of guard-related incidents occur, Mr Frantz added. Its not the cleanest place in the world. I dont think it is well run at all. And [Maxwells] life is going to basically be hell there. A lawsuit in 2019 alleged a humanitarian crisis was unfolding at the prison after a power failure resulted in prisoners experiencing frigid temperatures for multiple days. MDC has also faced problems recently with inmates testing positive for the coronavirus. The 1,600-inmate prison, which houses both male and female inmates, is divided into four security levels depending on the prisonerss crimes: minimum, low, medium and high. High-profile inmates include singer R Kelly and Pharma bro Martin Shkreli, both of whom were transferred elsewhere, as well as Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen, who was put back into federal custody last week after breaking house arrest. Ms Maxwell, now joining the ranks of MDCs notable inmates, was arrested on charges of allegedly helping Epstein recruit, groom, and sexually abuse minors as young as 14. Based on the charges, Mr Frantz said she would probably be held either at the medium or high security level area during her time in MDC. Thats where the gangs are, the rapes, the beatings, the stabbings, the violence. Thats where all that stuff occurs, he said. Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on 2 July on charges related to helping procure young women for Jeffrey Epstein (Patrick McMullan/Getty) Security is one major concern for Ms Maxwell, as the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) does not want another high-profile inmate to have a similar fate to that of Epstein. The financier was held at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Lower Manhattan in July 2019 while awaiting his trial. Due to a series of circumstances, he was able to take his own life in his jail cell and was pronounced dead on 10 August. His death, given the potential information he had on other powerful people, has triggered the launch a federal investigation and left a black stain on the BOP. A law enforcement source told the New York Post that prison officials at MDC were taking steps to ensure the safety of Ms Maxwell. They want to make sure shell stand trial, the source said. The BOP has not released information about Ms Maxwells day-to-day life at MDC. But shes reportedly received the prisons highest security available. This includes prison officers shadowing her whenever she leaves her cell and surveillance cameras trained on her cell at all times. Cameron Lindsay, a former warden at the MDC, told Reuters that prison officials have to decide whether to house Ms Maxwell in her own 10ft by 12ft cell or live with another female prisoner. At MDC, all cells are put into pods, or groupings, within the facility. Each pod houses about 30 to 40 cells, Mr Frantz said, that then open up into a communal space. This space holds multiple viewing rooms with televisions that play movies, the news, sports, or other broadcast shows. Tables then sit in the middle of the pod where inmates will eat each of their three meals per day, interact with one another, and play games like cards if allowed. Thats it. Day and night, 24 hours a day, you are in that pod. You dont go outside that pod, Mr Frantz said. Solitary confinement could be an option for Ms Maxwell if she or prison officials think her life is at risk among the other inmates. Shell have a lot of interactions with inmates, unless she is put into solitary, Mr Frantz said. She is going to be treated by some people as a person thats very famous. Some people may want to become her friend just because of the stature of her name and the crime. But other women, disturbed by the alleged crimes against Ms Maxwell regarding young girls, could target the former British socialite. I think her wellbeing is in danger while shes in there, he added. Solitary confinement includes a small cell with only a toilet, sink, and bed. Instead of bars on the doors, there is a small slot that allows guards to slide food through three times per day. The only time Ms Maxwell would then leave her cell, if she were placed in solitary confinement, would be for brief periods to shower about three times per week, Mr Frantz said. Prison officials at MDC and BOP will decide how to house Ms Maxwell to make sure they dont face another Epstein situation. I think the Bureau of Prisons is quite embarrassed by that and they dont want it to happen again, Mr Frantz said. No one should be killed in prison or allowed to commit suicide in prison. Ms Maxwells cushy life of private jets, and interacting with the worlds elite including the likes of Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump is no more within MDC. The former warden told Reuters that Ms Maxwells life would now include strip searches. You go from living a life like Maxwell to all of a sudden being in a situation where youre being strip-searched and having people look into your body cavities, Mr Lindsey said. That is a crushing experience. She was issued a T-shirt and other basic clothing to be worn each day, as well as a thin mattress, pillow, and blanket. Approved religious material, such as a Bible, could also be allowed. But detainees like Ms Maxwell have nothing of their personal property, according to the warden. A majority of MDC inmates are in the prison pending their trials, so Ms Maxwells treatment would not differ from others because she has not been convicted of any crimes. Instead, she, like the other 1,600 inmates, will receive similar treatment depending on security levels. Her protection among all the inmates, though, could differ for the next year, especially if the prison system wants to avoid another Epstein-style scenario. The corporate watchdog has been asked by a powerful parliamentary committee to hand over its communications with the Treasurer's office amid confusion about whether the regulator was consulted before its new role policing class action funders was announced. At a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) admitted it was still working out how it will police class action funders despite the policy coming into effect in five weeks. ASIC chairman James Shipton and deputy chairman Karen Chester. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced on May 22 that all litigation funders would be required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) like investment managers and financial planners and will be policed by ASIC. The regulator had said in answers to questions on notice last week to the joint committee on corporations and financial services it was informed of the new regulation on May 21. ASIC also said in the answers it did not receive any written communication prior to the announcement and was not asked to provide advice on the matter. Zindzi Mandela tested positive for Covid-19 the day she passed away. The Mandela family confirmed this in an interview with the SABC on Wednesday evening, adding that she would be buried on Friday morning. Zondwa Mandela, son of the former South African ambassador to Denmark, said she had tested positive for Covid-19 but it remained unclear if this was the cause of her death. The family are awaiting further autopsy results. Zindzi passed away in the early hours of the morning in a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 59 on Monday. She was the youngest daughter of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela. She was raised in Soweto and educated in SA and Swaziland. TimesLIVE reported on Tuesday that Mandla Mandela had penned a moving farewell to Zindzi. Death has snatched another member of our family too soon and left a gaping chasm of pain in the wake of her passing, the Mvezo chief and ANC MP shared on Instagram. We shall always treasure fond memories of her as a feisty, fearless and proud freedom fighter in her own right. New Delhi: The national capital recorded 1647 fresh coronavirus cases with 41 fatalities in the last 24 hours, said a Health department bulletin on Wednesday (July 15). So far, 2463 COVID-19 patients have recovered and out of 116993 total cases, 95699 of coronavirus patients have also been cured. There are 17807 active cases in the capital city, where 3487 have succumbed to the deadly virus. The recovery rate in Delhi, however, increased to 81.79%, while the death rate stands at 2.98%, the bulletin said. In the last 24 hours, 6564 RT-PCR tests were conducted and this included 15964 rapid antigen tests. A total of 22,528 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, taking the tally in the city to 7,36,436, it said. There are 9943 COVID patients under home isolation. A total of 15,363 beds are available in Delhi, but only 4021 patients are admitted to various hospitals where 11,342 beds, about 73.82%, are stated to be vacant. In COVID care center, there are a total of 9284 beds but only 2029 are occupied while 7255 beds, about 78.14%, are empty, said the official statement. Notably, this is the fifth consecutive day when fresh cases have been less than 2,000. The coronavirus cases have gradually dipped from July 11-13 -- July 11 (1781), July 12 (1574) and July 13 (1246). On Tuesday, the number of cases witnessed a marginal rise to 1606, which continued on Wednesday. On June 23, the national capital had reported the highest single-day spike of 3,947, till date. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today held a meeting to review hospital-wise data on deaths and analysis of COVID-related fatalities in the national capital. Prosecutors have declined to file charges against San Francisco police Officer Simon Chan, who was arrested and booked into jail earlier this year on suspicion of domestic violence and sexual assault. San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Shin-Mee Chang said prosecutors weighed their charging decision against the same standard they use to evaluate all criminal cases, which is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. We just dont have that here, Chang told The Chronicle Tuesday. Chan, who was assigned to the San Francisco International Airport bureau and worked as a K-9 handler, was arrested at SFO in the early morning hours of April 10, booked into jail and released later that day after posting $100,000 bail. San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe at the time said Chan was arrested on suspicion of forcible rape and domestic violence, with the alleged incidents occurring between Dec. 24 and April 1. San Bruno Police Chief Ryan Johansen, whose department was investigating the case, deferred to the district attorneys office when asked for comment. There are any number of reasons why the DAs office might choose not to pursue a specific charge or case, and only they can really speak to their decision, he said in an email. San Francisco police spokesman Sgt. Michael Andraychak said Chan is presently assigned to a nonpublic contact position. An internal investigation is ongoing. Chang declined to provide further insight into their decision not to file charges, but stressed that Chans profession or status had nothing to do with it. She also left open the possibility of charges filed in the future. The statute of limitations has not run (out), she said. If new evidence comes to light, were always open to revisit. 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. An arraignment that was scheduled for Wednesday has apparently been dropped from the courts calendar, Chang said. Chans arrest wasnt the first time the 23-year veteran has come under scrutiny. He was one of four San Francisco police officers named in a 2005 lawsuit that alleged the officers forced a gay man they caught urinating in the street to kneel down and mop up the mess with his hair. The city ultimately settled the lawsuit for $82,500. None of the officers faced discipline, however, because the Police Department missed a legal deadline to investigate the allegations. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy Tyra Banks, the former host of Americas Next Top Model and Americas Got Talent, has a new TV gig lined up. Tuesday night, ABC announced that Banks will be the new host, as well as an executive producer, of Dancing With the Stars, the long-running competition series thats set to return for Season 29. The news about Banks came not long after Tom Bergeron, who had hosted Dancing With the Stars for 15 years, broke the news on Twitter that he was being let go. As Bergeron wrote on Monday, Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. Its been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. Im grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks? Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I'm grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks? Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 13, 2020 Erin Andrews, who competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2010 and has co-hosted with Bergeron since 2014, also got the heave-ho. As CNN and others reported, ABC and BBC Productions, the companies that produce the series, said in a statement that they were taking the show in a new creative direction. The statement went on to say, as CNN noted, Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the Dancing with the Stars family. As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success. Last year, Bergeron expressed disappointment over the casting of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer in Season 28 of Dancing With the Stars. Bergeron wrote on Twitter that he had previously told producers that he hoped Dancing With the Stars would be returning from a yearlong hiatus offering a joyful respite from our exhausting political climate and free of divisive bookings from ANY party affiliations. Bergeron continued, writing that while he had thought he and the producers were in agreement, Subsequently (and rather obviously), a decision was made to, as we often say in Hollywood, go in a different direction. Some thoughts about today pic.twitter.com/aCQ4SHrGCI Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) August 21, 2019 Whatever creative direction ABC and BBC Productions may be thinking of, the larger question is how a show that relies on professional dancers and their celeb partners practicing and performing in close proximity will look in a pandemic-driven social distancing era. For now, ABC has said a new season of Dancing With the Stars is on the way, somehow. The ABC statement announcing that Banks is joining the show says: In collaboration with the shows executive producer/showrunner, Andrew Llinares, Banks will bring her energy and inspiration to the creative refresh the team is planning while honoring the show America loves. Banks says in the press release that shes been a fan of DWTS since its beginning ... The fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances ... its always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk, adding, Tom has set a powerful stage, and Im excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats. Bergerons departure hasnt pleased many fans of the show, however, as his sense of humor was often the best reason for watching not-so-famous celebrities try and pull off their ballroom choreography. Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) wrote on Twitter, I am annoyed and cant find any words that I should say about this news, so she informed Bergeron she would be filling his feed with gifs showing how I feel after reading that they have made this ridiculous decision. Also expressing support for Bergeron were Rosie ODonnell, Donal Logue, and Randy Rainbow. When one Twitter user asked, Is this you finally becoming a contestant? Bergeron responded, Um...no. -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. By Laman Ismayilova A video conference titled "Modern cultural branding: the art of the future" has been successfully held on the initiative of Scientific-Methodological and Professional Development Center for Culture. The conference brought together Azeripek LLC Elvira Mammadova and Firuza Badalova, as well as marketing specialists, including an employee of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography , Ph. D in History Tahir Shahbazov, Ph. D in Philosophy in History Rena Rajabli, Ph. D in History Ilhama Mammadova, director of the Strategic Development Department at Azerbaijan State University of Economics Turan Suleymanov, specialist of Baku Engineering University Tahira Salayeva and a number of other scientists and specialists, who made reports. The participants noted that the opportunities provided by cultural marketing should be widely used to attract more public interest and reach a larger audience. For this reason, experts discussed the modern features of marketing and branding activities. During the discussions, the scientific secretary of the center Javid Aliyev and the head of the department Nureddin Babazadeh exchanged views on the national cultural brand, cultural marketing, propaganda strategies, modern cultural services and other issues. Speaking at the event, director of the Scientific-Methodological and Professional Development Center for Culture Asif Usubaliyev stressed that the creation of national cultural brands is the point where culture and economy meet. It should be noted that the center held an international conference "National Cultural Brand - Modern Trends" with the participation of scientists and experts from Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan in Gadabay in July last year. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Saskatchewan NDP is questioning a trip with ties to the WE charity that Premier Scott Moe took in December 2019 and a $260,000 non-competitive contract for the charity to "promote student well-being" in Saskatchewan schools. "The timeline of events raises serious questions about the propriety and value of this contract," said NDP education critic Carla Beck in a news release Tuesday. "Who made the decision to hand WE Charity this contract, what is it intended to deliver for Saskatchewan students, and why did the Sask. Party choose a Trudeau-linked, Toronto-based charity to develop materials for our schools instead of actually addressing the understaffing and under-resourcing they've caused?" The NDP's questions come the day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for not recusing himself from cabinet discussions about awarding WE Charity a multi-million dollar contract to administer the federal government's summer student grants program. That apology came after it was revealed members of the prime minister's family were paid more than $300,000 by WE and its entities for speaking engagements over the last four years. The Saskatchewan Party said Moe and his wife did go on the December 2019 WE Charity trip to Kenya, but that they went at their own expense and were not paid for their participation. "There is no conflict here, as has been assessed by the conflict of interest commissioner, and I truly believe there most certainly isn't," Moe said Tuesday at a press conference. He also said this situation is very different than what's happening at the federal level. "One, I didn't receive any money, two, I approached our conflict of interest commissioner immediately before doing anything on the personal side with anyone that's associated with this foundation, and three, there's a number of other provinces that have already moved on this pilot program" for student well-being, he said. Story continues The government said an advanced contract award notice, or ACAN, for a one-year mental health pilot of the WE Well-being Program closed on May 29, 2020. "An ACAN is typically used within the student wellness portfolio when there is evidence that a supplier provides a unique, reliable service that fits the ministry's requirements and complements the suite of resources the ministry provides in a specific area," the government said in a statement. The agreement hasn't been signed because "due diligence" measures continue. Moe said he was made aware of the contract proposal in the late summer or early fall of 2019, but didn't have further involvement in the procurement process or contract negotiations. He said the government isn't interested in the project just because WE Charity is behind it, but because it could be an opportunity for the government to expand the tools it has to deal with mental health issues, particularly in children. "The support that we have as a family for the WE Foundation is quite a separate conversation from this, for sure. The two are not tied in any way," Moe said. The UN Security Council held an in-person meeting on Colombia on July 14 during which Vietnam reaffirmed its support for the implementation of the peace deal in the South American nation. Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnams permanent mission to the UN, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on July 14 Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Colombia and head of the UN Verification Mission in the country, commended relevant parties for their joint work within the National Reintegration Council and within the tripartite mechanism on transition to legality. He voiced his belief that the constructive dialogue between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will soon lead to agreements to continue promoting the realisation of the Peace Agreement. However, he also expressed concern about the violence and killing of social leaders and former combatants of indigenous and Afro-Colombian origin, urging the Colombian government and relevant parties to take measures to ensure security for communities and foster the leadership of female former combatants in social, economic and political reintegration. Massieu also appealed to all concerned to follow the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire to halt violence and facilitate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Clemencia Carabali Rodallega, a representative of the Municipal Association of Women in the countrys Cauca Department, also voiced her concern over the violence, attack and killing of social leaders, ex-fighters and especially, women and children while condemning illegal armed groups expansion of areas under their control. She asked the UN and the international community to actively support peace-building in Colombia and urged the government to increase measures for protecting women and children and investigate and bring culprits to justice. At the meeting, members of the UN Security Council recognised efforts and measures to curb COVID-19 and carry out the Peace Agreement in Colombia. Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnams permanent mission to the UN, expressed sympathy over difficulties in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, as well as impacts of COVID-19. He showed his support for the Colombian government and parliaments efforts in discussing bills and constitutional reforms. He also expressed concerns about the violence and killing of ex-fighters and social leaders, calling on relevant parties to comply with the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire and take all necessary measures to protect civilians, particularly women and children, in conflict-hit areas. Quy highlighted strides in the reintegration of former combatants via individual and collective socio-economic development programmes and projects. He proposed the National Reintegration Council, together with the UN and regional and international organisations, actively provide financial assistance mechanisms and suggest appropriate initiatives to help ex-fighters settle down soon. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia was established in July 2017 for a period of three years, renewable if necessary. It is tasked with supervising the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and FARC in 2016. Since 2017, the UN Security Council has held meetings every three months to listen to reports on the missions activities./.VNA Stocks in Asia shed earlier gains and were mixed on Wednesday as concerns over U.S.-China tensions weighed on investor sentiment. Mainland Chinese stocks led losses on the day regionally among the region's major markets, with the Shanghai composite down 1.56% to about 3,361.30 while the Shenzhen component shed 1.874% to around 13,734.13. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also declined 0.28%, as of its final hour of trading. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.59% to close at 22,945.50 while the Topix index added 1.56% to end its trading day at 1,589.51. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.84% to close at 2,201.88. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 closed 1.88% higher at 6,052.90. Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index rose 0.55%. Bank Julius Baer's Bhaskar Laxminarayan said Asia's markets are "taking the cues from the global environment." "Equities in general ... is the only game in town," Laxminarayan, who is Asia chief investment officer at the firm, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday. "Chances of making any kind of return on a risk-adjusted basis really rests on the shoulders of equities now." U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he signed legislation to impose sanctions on China in response to its interference with Hong Kong's autonomy. Trump also said he signed an executive order ending Hong Kong's special status with the U.S. Investors on Wednesday also watched for reaction to the latest developments surrounding a potential vaccine for the coronavirus. Biotech firm Moderna's potential vaccine to prevent Covid-19 produced a "robust" immune response, or neutralizing antibodies, in all 45 patients in its early stage human trial, according to newly released data published in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan said in its outlook report on Wednesday that the country's economy is "likely to improve gradually" from the second of this year, though the pace is "expected to be only moderate" as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic remains globally. "For the time being, the Bank will closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 and will not hesitate to take additional easing measures if necessary, and also it expects short- and long-term policy interest rates to remain at their present or lower levels," the BoJ said. The Government has appointed former Attorney General Seamus Woulfe to the Supreme Court less than three weeks after he was replaced at Cabinet. Mr Woulfe, who is a long-time Fine Gael member and barrister, was appointed to Cabinet by Leo Varadkar when he was elected Taoiseach. A Supreme Court judge's salary is 223,597. Yesterday, newly elected Taoiseach Micheal Martin defended the appointment and insisted it was made independent of the new government . Mr Martin said a recommendation was made to the Cabinet by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB). A judicial appointment board appointment is that, I can't interfere in that nor would I attempt to, the Taoiseach said. In a statement, the Taoiseachs Office said: The vacancy for an Ordinary Judge of the Supreme Court arose following the retirement of the Hon. Ms. Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan on 16 June 20192 The nomination of Mr. Woulfe follows a recommendation by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB), which is chaired by the Chief Justice, it added. The Government also agreed to nominate Mary Morrissey for appointment to the Circuit Court. Mr Martin said the appointment was not discussed during Government formation talks and said he believed the recommendation was made before the government was formed. However, the move has sparked concern in government that the appointment could become another political landmine for the under-fire three party coalition. Justice Minister Helen McEntee brought a memo on the recommendation to appoint Mr Woulfe to the Supreme Court. The recommendation was agreed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party ministers. Three years ago, Mr Martin was extremely critical of Mr Varadkar after it emerged former Attorney General Marie Whelan was appointed to the Criminal Court of Appeal. The Fianna Fail leader described the appointment as directly political after it emerged it was agreed at Enda Kennys last Cabinet meeting as Taoiseach. Ms Whelan was in attendance at the meeting when the decision was made. Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin clashed in the Dail when the Fianna Fail leader insisted Ms Whelan did not have the experience of previous Supreme Court judge Frank Clarke and former Supreme Court judge Adrian Hardiman. Maire Whelan is no Frank Clarke, Mr Martin said, he added: Maire Whelan is no Adrian Hardiman. A cabinet source said Ministers were surprised that Justice Minister Helen McEntee had brought Mr Woulfes name to Cabinet but that she informed them that his name had come through JAAB. Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy last night said she was surprised at the appointment given Mr Woulfes affiliations to Fine Gael and his previous criticism of efforts to overhaul judicial appointments. Mr Woulfe courted controversy in 2018 when he branded draft legislation to overhaul judicial appointments, which was championed by former transport Minister Shane Ross, as a dogs dinner. Mr Woulfe later admitted the remarks were ill-judged and apologised to Mr Ross. Mr Woulfe was a leading practitioner of commercial and public law as a barrister prior to becoming Attorney General three years ago and had returned to the Law Library in recent weeks. Stocks jumped after Moderna announced positive vaccine news and Goldman Sachs beat estimates. Here's what five experts are watching now. Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's "Mad Money," said the market is unflappable. "Look at this market. I mean once again, remember we had a big update yesterday ... There are a lot of people who have to be converted to bulls pretty soon." Rick Rieder, global CIO of fixed income at BlackRock, laid out the catalysts for the market's bullishness. "The markets are reacting to a couple of things. One, we are improving, whether it's this vaccine, whether it's vaccines we're seeing domestically or internationally out of China, Japan, etc. The development is impressive. And the other thing the market is reacting to is this extraordinary liquidity and the fact there's nothing else to do when the Fed is keeping rates down." Amy Wu Silverman, head of derivatives strategy at RBC Capital, described what the options market expects. "It was interesting because Wells Fargo was implying a [dividend] cut but not nearly the severity that we saw yesterday. So you know the options market came into this underpricing dividends, and it kind of makes me flag what else it could be underpricing going forward." Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA, said earnings are clearing a low bar. "I think Wall Street is basically saying, 'We're going to get a vaccine sometime in 2021,' and possibly right now the expectation is for sooner in the year rather than later. And when we're focusing on second-quarter earnings right now and realizing that a good majority of the stocks in the S&P 500 are not offering guidance, analysts are actually having to work for their pay. But when the bar was set as low as it was, down 45% year on year for earnings in the second quarter, I tend to think that it's a little bit challenging not to exceed what those dire estimates have been. And so far, that's exactly what we've gotten." Gina Sanchez, CEO of Chantico Global, said expectations heading into earnings season may have been too pessimistic. "Well, I think the lack of guidance certainly helped get a lot of analysts overly pessimistic and set up, as Sam [Stovall] said, a very, very low bar for this quarter. I think that guidance is necessary but we're unlikely to get that. And I'm not sure that companies are willing to come out and say, 'By the way, we're probably beating because we have stimulus effects that are actually padding the Q2 numbers, and Q3 and Q4 are probably not going to be as good as you expect.' I think the market multiple right now tells you everything about the hope that's baked into this market and the idea that by 2021 Q1, we are back into positive territory." Disclaimer There is a silver lining for Mumbai, as it is no longer the epicentre for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in Maharashtra, as both Pune and Thane districts have overtaken it. The state health department data showed that Mumbai has 22,773 active Covid-19 positive cases, as compared to 23,738 and 34,006 in Pune and Thane districts, respectively. However, Mumbai is gradually inching towards the one lakh Covid-19 positive cases mark and the tally stands at 95,100 until Tuesday. So far, 66,633 Covid-19 patients have recovered from their viral infection in the city, but 5,405 have also succumbed to it. The densely populated Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) continues to contribute a lions share to the daily spike in Covid-19 positive cases. But, Mumbai has reported significant lower Covid-19 positive cases over the past 10-odd days. MMR, excluding Mumbai, has been accounting for around 41% daily rise in Maharashtras viral load. But that figure fell to 28.76% on Tuesday, including Mumbais fresh 954 cases, or 14% of Maharashtras tally. State officials attributed the dip in Mumbais viral load because a lesser number of tests were conducted over the past weekend. The local administration in MMR, which has nine civic bodies under its jurisdiction, has enforced fresh lockdown restrictions until Sunday (July 19). State officials said areas such as Borivali, Kandivli, Mulund, etc, which are located adjoining to MMR, are reporting more Covid-19 positive cases of late. Besides MMR and Pune district, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Dhule, and, Solapur have seen an uptick in Covid-19 positive cases that have increased the states tally. The local urban bodies have clamped lockdown restrictions in a bid to rein in the viral outbreak amid the state governments call to ramp up healthcare infrastructure in the districts. Maharashtra has reported 267,665 Covid-19 positive cases to date, including 149,007 have been discharged after recovering from their viral infection. At present, there are 107,665 active Covid-19 positive cases in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A declaration from debt-laden Premier Oil that it is well-placed to benefit from a recovering oil price failed to win over jittery shareholders earlier. The exploration and production company has a 2 billion debt pile, but is also completing a major deal with BP to buy ageing oil and gasfields in the North Sea. Its shares tumbled 70% in a week in March, driven by the perfect storm of debt worries and plunging oil prices caused by coronavirus and a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Despite the first-half slump in commodity prices, chief executive Tony Durrant said today that decisive action to reduce expenditure meant that net debt remained steady. Financial covenants have been waived through to the end of September and the company is forecasting it will generate cash in 2020 based on the current outlook for oil prices. While Durrant said the completion of the BP acquisitions positioned Premier to benefit from a recovering oil price, shareholders were less sure as the companys shares fell back 3% to 44p. They had been above 100p in February. Premiers performance was not reflected on the wider London market, with investors setting aside their fears of a second virus wave to help the FTSE 100 rise 28.41 points to 6,208.16. The improved risk appetite helped Rolls-Royce to top the blue-chip risers board, with a gain of 4%. BA owner International Airlines Group was up by a similar level. Charter business Air Partner fell back 8% after it revealed that trading had returned to more normal levels in July, having benefited from demand for emergency freight flights and repatriation work in the first five months of its financial year. Shares, which soared from 17p to 100p between March and the start of July, were off 8p at 90p today. Agriculture and engineering group Carrs cheered investors by revealing that its deferred dividend for the half year to the end of February will be paid in October. It described its recent performance as resilient, with cash generation ahead of expectations. Shares rose 6% to 114.5p. There was also encouragement from cake-maker Finsbury Food, with progressively improving sales up to June. The company expects a renewed focus from consumers on healthy, gluten-free and vegan products, and a return to growth of snacking on the move. Shares lifted 0.8p to 61p. Small-cap spotlight Estate agent Winkworth has vowed to keep on paying dividends, despite the outlook for the rest of 2020 being hard to predict. The AIM-listed company, which said it ranked second in London for instructions and sales since the restart of activity after the lockdown, today declared a dividend of 1.4p a share. It said it had traded profitably in the first half of the year, with the groups cash position above 3 million. Shares were flat at 138p. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 Trend: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister of Albania and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama has expressed great concern about the intensified violence along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Trend reports on July 15. I urge to immediately cease the fire before we see new victims, Rama added. The OSCE chairperson-in-office stressed that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, are in close contact with the parties and are trying to stabilize the situation. Rama emphasized that the direct communication was established between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan during their meeting in Vienna under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in March 2019. The OSCE chairperson-in-office expressed hope that such mechanisms may be used to de-escalate the situation. Rama expressed condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and expressed concern about the wounded on both sides. "We must do everything possible to reduce the number of human losses and resume the substantive negotiations as soon as possible," the OSCE chairperson-in-office added. Captain America actor Chris Evans is already an actor, director, producer and superhero but now he can add one more skill to his impressive resume - politico. Evans, who's famous for his role as Captain America in the Marvel moves, launched a new political platform and announced it to his more than 13 million Twitter followers. On Tuesday afternoon, the actor launched A Starting Point, a nonpartisan, video-based website that works to connect lawmakers from both parties with their constituents. Evans, 39, told People, "Our goal is to create a chain of connectivity between elected officials and voters to create engagement. To try and just create a little bit more involvement from the public with the political arena." Ge also said, "Given everything that's going on in the world, more engagement in politics is always a good thing. It will only help government work better for us, and better represent who we really are." He also spoke about his latest endeavor during a talk with Fast Company on Tuesday afternoon. He said, "We live in a country of 300 million-plus people, I think roughly only 60 percent of the people voted. In my opinion, you're going to have a hard time creating a government that accurately reflects who we are as a nation with those types of numbers." The website includes a glossary with questions about elected officials, politicians discussing topics that are important to them, and a section with discussions between two elected officials with different opinions. In a video about the launch, he said, "It was an idea I had in 2017. I was watching the news and there was something I didn't understand and I went to Google it and right away I was in the weeds. It was this mountain of information to sift through." He's been busy lately. He was recently spotted in London with Cinderella star Lily James. And while working on launching the site, he and his business partner Mark Kassen traveled to Washington D.C. and interviewed more than 160 elected officials, including former presidential hopefuls Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Mitt Romney, Ted Cruz and more. He also prepared for the launch by toning down his tweets about Donald Trump, who he once called a "dumb sh*t" on Twitter, so as to not alienate Republican lawmakers. He previously told Esquire, "Im going to take my foot off the gas [of social media] for a little bit until we get this thing up and running." Many petroleum, petrochemical, and power industry professionals are enhancing their resumes with advanced API, CWI and NDT online training courses during the pandemic. HOUSTON, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --A Atlas Training, the leading provider of comprehensive API, CWI & NDT online exam prep training courses,A reported today a pandemic related surge in professionals upgrading their credentials by adding new certifications to their resume. Atlas Training allows students to take these guaranteed, industry-leading multimedia courses from anywhere a Atlas has recently extended their online multi-media course access for an entire year. Hannon McLeod, the president of Atlas Training stated, "Many have realized that if they can't be at work, that they might as well be constructive and take one of our online training courses to enhance their resume. We all know that when the job market in the oil, petrochemical, chemical and power industries starts to dry up, everyone becomes aware of how important advanced certifications can be. When it comes down to several candidates and only a very few positions, these certs and qualifications become extremely important in determining if a candidate will be chosen to fill an available position." Atlas Training is noted in the industry as the company that is always moving forward with the most effective online multimedia course applications that allows course access from anywhere via mobile or desktop devices.A In addition to the above, Atlas Training recently increased their NDT course offering to include MT (magnetic particle testing), PT (liquid penetrant testing), VT (visual testing), RT (radiographic testing), UT (ultrasonic testing) and UTT (ultrasonic testing thickness)A exam prep certifications. Atlas also introduced the first-ever English/Spanish AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam preparation courseA to be available in the United States. Established in Houston in 2014 by Hannon McLeod and Oran Lewis, Atlas API Training provides online and on-site petroleum, petrochemical, and power industries exam preparation courses for advanced industry certification.A Over the last several years, Atlas has received multiple requests to expand their offering of advanced API, CWI and NDT certifications and is now developing additional industry-specific training courses that will soon be available. Our online training courses are designed to give students the best opportunity to pass the critical certification exams. All courses are frequently updated to reflect the most current industry-specific changes and testing parameters. In the effort to service the ever-increasing demand for on-site instruction, AtlasTraining has also expanded their instructor recruitment program. Contact: hannon@atlasapitraining.com.A 409-234-1322 Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice President of the Vietnam Urban Development and Planning Association, talks on the need to grant a special policy for Hanoi on flood diversion on the Red River. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem. Photo hanoimoi.com.vn When did the study planning the Hong (Red) River banks start? The portion of the Red River that runs through Hanoi has a total length of about 130km. For ages, people have lived on both sides of the Red River. In the 1998 Hanois master development plan, city authorities adopted a decision to develop the city along the banks of the Red River, in which the Red River would become an axis in the citys course of urban development. To implement the Prime Ministers Decision 1259, in 2012, Hanoi authorities approved the planning design for areas along the two sides of the Red River. And in the last three years, the Hanoi Construction Planning Institute has developed a planning map for the development of the Red River. However, until now such an architectural design and other ideas on the development plan of the Red River banks remain on paper. Why? What has caused the delay for the approval of the plan? A very important requirement in the planning of the Red River banks is to develop an important axis space for Hanoi to ensure urban areas continue to develop, yet still make the best use of available land and protect Hanois inner city from flooding. However, the idea of developing the land outside of the river dyke must adhere to the Vietnamese 2006 Law on Dyke Management and the Government Decree 113 which was issued on June 28, 2007 on the master planning of dykes along the Red River and the Thai Binh River. However, until now Hanoi and Thai Binh authorities have not yet got their master plan on anti-flood ready for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to approve. Thats why the plan on zoning the Red River remains on paper. Can you explain more about the development plan for the two sides of the Red River? By now there are quite a few proposals on the planning of the Red River at different scopes and scales. For example, in 1996, a Singaporean investor came up with a proposal to develop a big and modern urban area in An Duong area which is located on one side of the Red River dyke. According to the Singaporean proposal, the area would be modelled on an urban area in Singapore. Then in 2005, American Indochina Land Corporation came up with a proposal to build a science hub in the An Duong area. In 2004, another project which was named HAIDEP a joint venture between Vietnam and Japan, also came up with a proposal to build cities along the banks of the Red River. In 2006, Hanoi and Seoul authorities signed a mutual agreement on co-operation in the development of the River dyke portion which run through Hanoi. In 2017, quite a few big Vietnamese economic groups, including Sun Group, Vingroup and Geleximco and others also came up with proposals to financially sponsor the planning study, particularly the harness of the Red River and the transportation activities along the Red River. Adding to that, Hanoi authorities have also adopted a plan to assign the Hanoi Institute of Construction and Planning to work with Sun Group, Vingroup and Geleximco to study developing urban areas along a portion of the Red River which runs through Hanoi. What are the challenges in the development of the portion of the Red River which runs through Hanoi? The biggest challenge is how to calculate the stability of the flood diversion and the dyke system for Hanoi. To do that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should develop a plan on the flood discharge for the Red River as well as the whole dyke system that runs through Hanoi. Furthermore, Hanoi should adopt a detailed plan on the development of the banks of the Red River. And of course, to do that Hanoi should also adopt a preferential policy to turn ideas into life. VNS Hanoi rekindles riverside megacity project along the Red River Hanoi seeks ideas to develop Red River banks RoK to help Hanoi plan development Joe Biden unveiled a proposal Tuesday to transform the nation's energy industry, pledging to eliminate carbon pollution from power plants by 2035 and spend $2 trillion to turbocharge the clean energy economy. The plan would significantly reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, and the 15-year timeline for a 100 percent clean electricity standard is far more ambitious than anything Biden has previously proposed. It was Biden's latest attempt to channel the liberal energy in his party, as well as a response to calls for sweeping plans to lift a struggling economy. The blueprint was quickly hailed by environmentalists and liberals as a big step forward in the climate fight, and just as quickly denounced by Republicans as an unwieldy plan that would raise energy costs. "We're not just going to tinker around the edges," Biden said in a speech in Wilmington, Del. "We're going to make historic investments and seize the opportunity and meet this moment in history." The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee proposed upgrading 4 million buildings and weatherizing 2 million homes over four years, which his campaign estimates would create 1 million jobs. Homeowners would be given cash rebates to upgrade home appliances and install more efficient windows. Car owners would receive rebates to swap their old, less efficient cars for newer ones that release fewer pollutants. Biden also said he would create a new "Environmental and Climate Justice Division" within the Justice Department to prosecute anti-pollution cases. "These aren't pie-in-the-sky dreams," he said. "These are actionable policies that we can get to work on right away." Many of Biden's proposals build on the recommendations of a task force made up jointly of allies of Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Those recommendations include plans to dramatically expand solar and wind energy, including the installation of 500 million solar panels and 60,000 wind turbines. Biden's plan is likely to trigger a vigorous debate with President Donald Trump, who has a much different approach to the country's energy sector and climate policy. Trump, a strong backer of fossil fuels, has sought to roll back Obama-era policies aimed at decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and setting new standards for household items such as lightbulbs. He has also downplayed the science behind climate change, and in 2017 he pledged to pull the United States out of the Paris climate pact. Trump's embrace of the coal industry was one of his signature issues in 2016, part of his portrait of Hillary Clinton as disdainful of the country's industrial workers. It's not clear whether Trump can successfully level similar attacks against Biden, or whether the political landscape has shifted to make that difficult. In 2016, Republicans attacked Clinton for her comment that "we're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business," though Clinton was suggesting this would happen because of market forces, not as part of her plan. Trump, meanwhile, pledged to revive the ailing coal industry, telling miners in West Virginia that "we are going to get those mines open" if he were elected. But the coal industry has continued to struggle under Trump, largely because of competition from natural gas and renewable energy. The Trump campaign was quick to go after Biden's proposal Tuesday. "His plan is more like a socialist manifesto that promises to massively raise taxes, eliminate jobs in the coal, oil or natural gas industries, and crush the middle class," said Hogan Gidley, the campaign's national press secretary."He's pushing extreme policies that would smother the economy just when it's showing signs of roaring back." Biden, in pledging Tuesday to achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, embraced a more direct approach than President Barack Obama, his boss at the time, took a decade ago during his own efforts to rein in emissions from the power sector. During his first year in office, Obama worked with congressional Democrats on a cap-and-trade system, in which companies buy and sell credits permitting them to release carbon into the atmosphere. But the measure proved politically toxic. It passed the House but was never given a vote in the Senate. Instead, Biden wants to require electric utilities to get more of their power from carbon-free sources - including wind, solar, nuclear and hydroelectric - and to improve the energy efficiency of their systems or face penalties. While some changes could be made through executive actions, a sweeping plan like Biden's could face resistance in Congress - one reason the campaign is framing it as an economic package and not solely an environmental initiative. If Biden wins, its fate may depend on whether Democrats retake the Senate, but the plan's supporters say it has more appeal than a cap-and-trade system. "It's built on a smart approach that's already been tested in the states," said Dan Reicher, a former Energy Department official who co-founded Clean Energy for Biden, which is fundraising for the campaign. "It will be less controversial than a national cap-and-trade system or carbon tax, with real prospects for bipartisan support." Similar standards have proved to be politically viable at the state level. A majority of states - including several conservative ones such as Montana, Iowa and Texas - have imposed their own renewable energy requirements on local utilities. But no standard exists at the federal level. The ratcheted-up targets came after Biden faced pressure from young left-leaning activists and major environmental groups to do more to address what they see as a generational crisis. Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president of government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, praised the Biden campaign's announcement for going "further than the strong plan he put out last summer," saying public polling shows voters have an appetite for action. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the federal government should act more aggressively against climate change, according to a recent poll from the Pew Research Center. The big-spending League of Conservation Voters, which pumped more than $80 million into the 2018 election, endorsed Biden in April only after he promised to toughen his climate plan. Biden said Tuesday that the proposal was aimed at twin goals of rebuilding the economy and fighting climate change. Much of the spending, he said, would go toward repairing bridges and roads and improving public transportation systems. He claimed that his proposal was doing what Trump has not, in what became a running joke as the White House week after week said the president would focus on repairing the country's infrastructure, only to digress into other subjects. "It seems like every few weeks when he needs a distraction from the latest charges of corruption . . . the White House announces, quote, it's infrastructure week," Biden said. "But he's never delivered. He's never even really tried." Biden's proposal says all American-built buses should emit zero greenhouse gases by 2030, and it would also aim to convert the country's 500,000 school buses, including those running on diesel fuel, to zero emissions. As Biden has promised previously, he would also aim to build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. To tackle climate-warming pollution from the transportation sector, the nation's biggest greenhouse gas source, Biden is endorsing a bill from Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., that would pay people to trade in gas-guzzling cars for electric and other low-emissions vehicles - essentially a "cash for clunkers" program on steroids. While comparing his proposals to what the Obama administration did during the 2009 stimulus, Biden said, "We'll do it again. But this time bigger and faster and smarter." Biden also said he would use the government's purchasing power to convert 3 million vehicles in the federal fleet to clean cars, giving the auto industry an incentive to produce more environmentally friendly cars, trucks and postal vehicles. Biden's campaign declined to describe exactly how he would pay for the new spending. Some of it, advisers said, would be through stimulus funding, which could add to the ballooning federal deficit. It could also be offset by rescinding the tax cuts pushed by Trump and approved by a Republican-controlled Congress in 2017, or by "asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share," the advisers said. The campaign intends to more fully describe how its plans would be funded in the coming weeks, after Biden outlines more of his spending plans, aides said. The climate proposal does not go into detail about what would happen to areas of the country that are heavily reliant on the fossil fuel industry, although one part of Biden's plan aims to create 250,000 jobs plugging abandoned oil and natural gas wells and reclaiming abandoned coal, hard-rock and uranium mines. Biden is also calling for the creation of a "civilian climate corps," an idea that was promoted during the Democratic primary by Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., and modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps established by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Biden has spoken with Inslee, who ran against him in the Democratic primary with a campaign focused sharply on climate change, and former Inslee advisers have been working with Biden's campaign to craft his energy policy. "This is the single most comprehensive and ambitious climate plan ever advanced by a major presidential nominee," said Sam Ricketts, who co-authored Inslee's climate plan and co-founded Evergreen Action, a group pushing to implement the Inslee plan. Biden is also calling for several environmental justice provisions, including a proposal that some 40 percent of the money he wants to spend on clean energy would go to historically disadvantaged communities. Biden held a fundraiser Monday with about 140 executives where he spoke about his focus on clean energy. "I don't have to be Pollyannaish about this: Donald Trump has ignored the warning, refused to prepare," he said of the climate crisis. The former vice president also said he would take swift action and set a more urgent timeline than his earlier proposal, which would have sought to eliminate carbon emissions from power plants by 2050. That 2050 deadline, he said, "is a million years from now [for] most people. My plan is focused on taking action - now. God willing I win and even if I serve eight years, I want to make sure we put down such a marker that it's impossible for the next president to turn it around." Rating Action: Moody's withdraws Aliansce Sonae's corporate family rating for business reasons Global Credit Research - 14 Jul 2020 Sao Paulo, July 14, 2020 -- Moody's America Latina Ltda. ("Moody's") withdrew Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers' Ba2 corporate family rating. The following rating and outlook for Aliansce Sonae was withdrawn: Issuer: Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers -- corporate family rating previously at Ba2 (global scale) / Aa2.br under review for upgrade (national scale), outlook rating under review Issuer outlook: -- Previously stable RATINGS RATIONALE Moody's has decided to withdraw the ratings for its own business reasons. Please refer to the Moody's Investors Service Policy for Withdrawal of Credit Ratings, available on its website, www.moodys.com.br. Aliansce Sonae Shopping Centers, S.A. is one of the leading owners and operators of shopping centers in Brazil. Moody's National Scale Credit Ratings (NSRs) are intended as relative measures of creditworthiness among debt issues and issuers within a country, enabling market participants to better differentiate relative risks. NSRs differ from Moody's global scale credit ratings in that they are not globally comparable with the full universe of Moody's rated entities, but only with NSRs for other rated debt issues and issuers within the same country. NSRs are designated by a ".nn" country modifier signifying the relevant country, as in ".za" for South Africa. For further information on Moody's approach to national scale credit ratings, please refer to Moody's Credit rating Methodology published in May 2016 entitled "Mapping National Scale Ratings from Global Scale Ratings". 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Thiruvananthapuram: Father Robin Vadakkumchery, a former priest of north Keralas Mananthavady diocese, who was sentenced in 2019 for raping and impregnating a minor girl, moved the Kerala high court on Wednesday to allow him to marry the survivor in a petition jointly signed by the woman who is now a major, and her parents. Vadakkumchery, who was sentenced to a double life term by the Thalassery POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court in February last year, said in his petition that he needed parole to solemnise the wedding, and expressed his wish to look after his child and establish his parenthood. The court is expected to take up his plea on July 24. Vadakkumcherry, a priest of the Syro-Malabar church, was convicted of raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl in 2016. The girl gave birth to her child in 2017, and a genetic test confirmed the former vicars crime. He was later defrocked by Pope Francis. The girl, who was a student of a church-run institute where 54-year-old Vadakkumchery taught, was declared a hostile witness for claiming that she was 18 at the time of the rape. However, her birth certificate proved her age. Her father too claimed responsibility for the crime during the investigation but eventually broke down and named the accused. The scientific evidence against the priest was irrefutable. During the 2018 trial, Vadakkumchery and the survivors parents made a similar suggestion of marriage, which the court rejected it before sentencing him to 20 years of concurrent rigorous imprisonment. The trial court had also directed the police to register a case against parents for retracting their statements. Reformists in the church said it was a ploy by Vadakkumchery to have his sentence commuted. We are sure the judiciary will see through his designs, said Shyju Antony, joint convenor of Save Our Sisters, a reformist body floated in the wake of protest against former Bishop of Jalandhar Franco Mulakkal, who is accused of raping a nun. The case surfaced in 2017 after the rape survivor gave birth to a baby in the church-run Christu Raja Hospital in Koothuparambha of Kannur district. Attempts were made to hush the matter up, and the child was even put up for adoption. Investigations also revealed that the priest was protected by several Church-run institutions. However, six other persons, including the doctors who helped deliver the child and the superintendent of a Wayanad orphanage were acquitted for a lack of evidence. Vadakkumchery, who was once tipped to become bishop of Mananthavady was arrested near Kochi airport while trying to flee to Canada. During the trial, the church itself came under criticism as special prayers were conducted in some churches to seek his release on the day the verdict was delivered. When asked about the latest petition, a spokesperson of the Mananthavady Diocese refused to comment stating that Vadakkumchery was no longer a member of the clergy. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In this Aug. 1, 2018 file photo, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal speaks during a news conference in Newark, N.J. Associated Press/Julio Cortez A New Jersey police chief stepped down after he was accused of making racist and sexist statements in an audio recording. The recording featured a man's voice describing former Union County prosecutor Grace Park as "pretty hot" and with "wide ones," and calling New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal "that f---ing guy with the turban I wanna pull him like a top." The Union County Prosecutor's Office confirmed in a statement that Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo "stepped down" as of July 13, though Trigo's lawyer denied that he resigned. Trigo's lawyer also told media outlets the recording had been "manipulated and spliced." Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A New Jersey police chief has stepped down just days after being accused of making racist and sexist statements against top prosecutors. An audio recording emerged on July 4 that featured a man's voice disparaging the state attorney general, Gurbir Grewal, and the former acting Union County prosecutor, Grace Park. The man could be heard saying Park was "pretty hot" and "she got wide ones," and calling Grewal "that f---ing guy with the turban I wanna pull him like a top." Park was the first Asian-American county prosecutor in New Jersey history, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. Grewal was the country's first Sikh state attorney general. The YouTube account that posted the recording alleged that the man's voice was that of the Fanwood police chief, Richard Trigo. Trigo's attorney, Joshua McMahon, told NJ.com the audio recording was "manipulated and spliced," but did not dispute that the recording featured Trigo's voice. The acting Union County prosecutor, Lyndsay Ruotolo, told NBC News last week that her office was investigating the recording and that Trigo should resign immediately. Story continues Grewal also condemned the recordings, telling NJ.com that Trigo's alleged comments were "yet one more reason why we need to continue building a culture of accountability in policing in New Jersey." He continued: "Clearly, others were in the room when these comments were purportedly made by a law enforcement executive and they did nothing." Trigo told county officials he was "stepping down" as of July 13, according to a statement from Ruotolo's office. But Trigo's attorney denied to NJ.com that Trigo resigned or quit, saying the former chief had already been in the process of retiring by September 1 and was taking a leave of absence in the meantime to care for a sick relative. Expanded Coverage Module: black-lives-matter-module Read the original article on Insider Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, besieged Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital Tuesday to strategize ahead of the Govern... Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, besieged Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital Tuesday to strategize ahead of the Governorship Election in Edo State. The meeting called by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike held at Government House in Port Harcourt with all 77 members of the National Campaign Council for Edo Governorship Election in attendance. T the meeting was presided over by Wike which went late into the night and was held behind closed doors. the meeting was presided over by Wike which went late into the night and was held behind closed doors. However, PDP National Campaign Council for Edo governorship election after the meeting said the party was confident of electoral victory for Governor Godwin Obaseki. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who briefed newsmen after the meeting said the meeting adopted the best strategies to retain what rightly belongs to PDP. According to Governor Fintiri, The election is already on the table for PDP. We have a sellable candidate, who is Governor Godwin Obaseki. Nigerians are moving forward with democracy, and we have to deepen it together. Technically, Edo is a PDP state because in the last election of 2019, we actually won all the elections. So, it is not coming as a surprise that Governor Obaseki had to shift his ground from APC to join us. Now, we are putting all the forces together, and there is nothing thats left behind. So Edo is completely a PDP state, and we are going in there to win the election. On his part, Chairman of the Publicity Committee, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi said the Edo people are convinced that Governor Obaseki is the best candidate in the governorship race. He explained that the national campaign council has given the state campaign council all the needed support that would ensure total victory for PDP. Those of us from Edo State are very clear in our minds that our candidate, Governor Obaseki is definitely the best candidate that can deliver and sustain the PDP ticket and also take the flag of the party to Osadebe House. For the South-South, it is a great challenge and honour to ensure that the six states in the zone belong to PDP. So, every support has been pledged by the leadership of the party; the governors, members of BOT, the national working committee. They are committed to ensuring that the flag of PDP will continue to fly in Government House, he said. Credential stuffing is a cyber attack method in which attackers use lists of compromised user credentials and in the Akamai 2020 State of the Internet/Credential Stuffing report, delayed from publication in April to July due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the research also found that media companies presented an attractive target for criminals according to the report, which showed a 63% year-on-year increase in attacks against the video media sector.As an indication of the problem, the study pinpointed a large spike in malicious login attempts against European video service providers and broadcasters during the first quarter of 2020. One attack in late March, after many isolation protocols had been instituted, directed nearly 350,000,000 attempts against a single service provider over a 24-hour period. Separately, one broadcaster was hit with a barrage of attacks over the course of the quarter with peaks that ranged in the billions.The 630% and 208% year-over-year increases in attacks against broadcast TV and video sites, respectively. At the same time, attacks targeting video services were up 98% annually, while those against video platforms dropped by 5%.Akamai noted that the marked uptick in attacks aimed at broadcast TV and video sites appeared to coincide with an explosion of on-demand media content in 2019. It added that two major video services launched last year with heavy support from consumer promotions and that these types of sites and services are well aligned to the observed goals of the criminals who target them.The US was by far the top source of credential stuffing attacks against media companies with 1.1 billion in 2019, an increase of 162% over 2018. France and Russia were a distant second and third with 3.9 million and 2.4 million attacks, respectively. India, was the most targeted country in 2019, enduring with 2.4 billion credential stuffing attacks. It was followed by the US at 1.4 billion and the United Kingdom at 124 million.According to Steve Ragan, Akamai security researcher and author of the State of the Internet / Security report, as long as there are usernames and passwords, there will be criminals trying to compromise them and exploit valuable information. Moreover he said that much of the value in media industry accounts lies in the potential access to both compromised assets, like premium content, along with personal data.Weve observed a trend in which criminals are combining credentials from a media account with access to stolen rewards points from local restaurants and marketing the nefarious offering as date night packages, he explained. Once the criminals get a hold of the geographic location information in the compromised accounts, they can match them up to be sold as dinner and a movie. TORONTO, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unigold Inc. (Unigold or the Company) (TSX-V:UGD) is pleased to provide an update on the status of its exploration program at the Neita Concession in the Dominican Republic. The Company completed 48 diamond drill holes (10,087 meters) as of March 15, 2020, when travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID in Canada and the Dominican Republic forced the suspension of active exploration drilling. Two holes (97 meters) were in progress at the time of the suspension with both holes targeting extensions to the high grade epithermal feeder zones at Targets B and C respectively. Significant results for the project to date are summarized in Tables 1.0 (Candelones Sulphide Drilling) and 2.0 (Candelones Oxide Drilling). Joseph Hamilton, Chairman and CEO of Unigold notes: We are anxious to resume active exploration at our Neita Concession. The results from earlier this year are very encouraging. We believe we have successfully upgraded portions of the current inferred mineral resource to the measured and indicated classification. Our preliminary metallurgical results suggest that the at-surface oxide resource may be amenable to heap leach recovery, with 80% gold recovery in 72 hours during column leach tests. Flotation recoveries of gold range from 92 to 97% with gravity recoveries ranging from 13 to 53%. Leaching of flotation concentrates yielded gold recoveries ranging from 30% to 88% with the best recoveries originating from the late stage, epithermal mineralization at Target B, which remains open at depth. Mineralogically, there are similarities between Targets B and C and our follow-up exploration for the remainder of the year will focus on expanding the known mineralization and transitioning into prospective, weakly drilled areas along strike. We expect active exploration drilling will resume by July 31, 2020. Early Q3 drilling will be focused on Targets B and C before transitioning to exploration drilling along the structural trends identified to date. We also plan to initiate work on a Pre-Feasibility Study of the oxide mineralization, positioning the Company to apply for an Exploitation Permit in the near future. The Company is targeting July 31, 2020 to resume active exploration. Initial drilling will be focused on expanding Targets B and C, both of which are currently interpreted to be late stage, epithermal feeder systems with the potential for gold recoveries in excess of 85% using gravity-float-leach circuits. Table 1.0 Candelones Sulphide Drilling - Summary of Significant Results 2019-2020 Target Hole (#) From(m) To (m) Interval (m)1 Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) A LP19-131M 244.30 381.00 136.70 1.94 NSV 0.20 NSV including 284.00 309.00 25.00 5.67 NSV 0.40 NSV LP19-132M 237.50 336.50 99.00 3.42 2.8 0.33 NSV including 287.30 318.70 31.40 4.72 4.1 0.50 NSV LP19-133M 221.00 323.00 102.00 1.65 NSV 0.26 NSV including 283.00 300.00 17.00 7.31 22.5 1.22 NSV LP19-137 258.20 393.50 135.30 1.28 1.1 0.14 NSV including 306.50 321.80 15.30 5.75 3.7 0.52 NSV LP19-138 292.50 422.00 129.50 1.29 0.9 0.13 NSV including 351.00 394.00 43.00 3.04 1.8 0.26 NSV LP19-141 393.00 407.00 14.00 1.69 2.4 0.70 NSV LP20-143 340.60 344.80 4.20 1.58 5.0 0.60 0.07 LP20-145B 198.80 202.80 4.00 2.00 1.9 0.64 0.01 LP20-147 DELAYED DUE TO COVID SITUATION B LP19-134M 286.00 392.00 106.00 1.90 2.8 0.22 0.30 including 368.00 392.00 24.00 4.59 3.4 0.54 0.23 LP19-135 303.70 440.60 136.90 1.83 2.0 0.15 0.20 including 397.30 421.00 23.70 6.03 4.9 0.31 0.10 LP19-139 275.00 392.50 117.50 1.91 3.2 0.14 0.80 including 309.40 326.00 16.60 3.37 13.0 0.30 2.13 LP19-140 180.00 297.00 117.00 1.27 18.1 0.08 0.84 including 188.30 197.00 8.70 4.38 74.6 0.44 3.42 LP19-142 180.10 411.50 231.40 1.11 2.7 0.12 0.37 including 180.10 194.10 14.00 2.60 5.4 0.09 0.85 and 498.40 506.10 7.70 3.65 1.1 0.27 0.23 LP20-144 238.50 334.00 95.50 1.23 2.1 0.10 0.34 including 268.50 292.00 23.50 1.52 1.2 0.07 0.37 LP20-149 HOLE AT 17.0m - DRILLING SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID WORK RESTRICTIONS C LP20-146 111.00 161.00 50 4.19 15.7 0.26 0.15 including 111.00 120.50 9.5 14.14 46.6 0.26 3.20 LP20-148 103.00 177.70 74.70 3.41 3.7 0.07 0.56 including 105.00 150.00 45.00 4.95 5.7 0.10 0.89 including 130.50 149.00 18.50 10.18 4.5 0.19 1.53 LP20-150 133.00 278.00 145.00 1.97 6.2 0.07 0.58 including 208.00 235.90 27.90 6.24 8.7 0.17 1.84 including 212.00 222.50 10.50 12.94 15.6 0.27 3.03 including 273.40 277.00 3.60 2.25 2.7 0.14 0.02 LP20-150A RESULTS PENDING LP20-152 RESULTS PENDING LP20-154 RESULTS PENDING LP20-156 HOLE AT 80.0m, LOGGING AND SAMPLING SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID WORK RESTRICTIONS (1) Intervals are reported as drilled length not true width. There is insufficient data at this time to estimate true width. Figure 1.0 Candelones Extension Longitudinal Section Looking North A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0e28f3f-3086-4928-bd3c-04cd82070441 Table 2.0 Candelones Oxide Drilling - Summary of Significant Results 2019-2020 Zone Hole (#) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Connector DCZ19-54 0.0 13.4 13.4 0.65 DCZ19-55 0.0 22.5 22.5 0.65 DCZ19-56 0.0 23.0 23.0 1.37 DCZ19-57 0.0 21.0 21.0 1.08 DCZ19-58 0.0 21.0 21.0 0.93 DCZ19-63 0.0 18.0 18.0 0.44 Main DC19-143 0.0 14.2 14.2 0.31 DC19-146 0.0 16.3 16.3 1.25 DC19-148 0.0 30.3 30.3 1.33 DC19-149 0.0 29.8 29.8 0.54 DC19-150 0.0 25.1 25.1 0.46 DC19-151 0.0 23.0 23.0 0.93 DC19-152 0.0 32.4 32.4 1.19 DC19-153 0.0 31.6 31.6 1.52 DC19-154 0.0 20.0 20.0 4.07 DC19-157 0.0 17.4 17.4 0.41 (2) Intervals are reported as drilled length not true width. There is insufficient data at this time to estimate true width. The Company is focused on resuming active exploration as rapidly as possible. To that end, Unigolds Board of Directors have approved a CAD$ 4,975,000 Budget for the period July through December 2020. The Budget includes an initial drill program of 15,000 to 20,000 meters at an estimated cost of CAD$ 1, 800,000. Drilling will be focused on expanding Targets B and C. By Q4, 2020, the Company plans to begin drilling the Candelones Gap, an 800 -1000 meter gap between the Candelones Main and the Extension deposit to the east. Historical drill coverage is sparse with fewer than twenty historical drill holes. Interpretation of the latest drill results suggests that structural trends identified at the Candelones Extension may continue through the Gap and that historical drilling may have overshot the mineralized system. The Budget also includes approximately CAD$1,250,000 for additional metallurgical testing and flow sheet design, site geotechnical work and preliminary engineering to support a Preliminary Feasibility Study of the at-surface oxide resource. Completion of the Preliminary Feasibility Study will support the Companys future application for an Exploitation Permit for the Candelones Project. Approximately $700,000 has been budgeted to support Community Relations, stakeholder communications, publicity campaigns and G&A. These efforts will support a higher profile for the Company within the Dominican Republic and abroad. Community support for our project is an important element to obtaining an Exploitation Permit. Finally, the Budget includes approximately CAD $825,000 for capital improvements to the Companys existing drilling and support equipment aimed at improving mechanical availability and reducing down time due to mechanical failure. The Company has initiated ordering critical parts, components, instrumentation and consumables from our local and global suppliers. We have begun re-hiring our local work force to service and repair our two CS1000 drill rigs and transport them to the field in preparation to resume drilling. The Company is sourcing a further two drill rigs which will support our deeper drilling programs. These drills are expected to be operational before the end of Q3, and will accelerate our drilling programs. Drill hole locations and hole alignment will be designed in Canada under the supervision of Unigolds geological staff and consultants. This information will be communicated to our site management team who have been trained on locating and aligning drill holes. Hole alignment will be verified using modern, downhole survey equipment to ensure the hole is aligned correctly. The core will be photographed daily and the photographs will be transmitted to Canada using a secure server. The photos will be used to generate a working log of major lithologies and structure and to identify intervals for sampling. The sample log, indicating the start and end points of all intervals, will be transmitted to the site management team who will then ensure the core is sampled according to the sample log forwarded from Canada. Standard Reference Materials will be inserted by site management as per Unigolds standard operating practices and the samples will be forwarded to our selected laboratory for analysis. Drilling will be supervised by our Dominican management team, supervised digitally by our Canadian management and consultants. Remote management will continue until travel restrictions allowing international travel are lifted, allowing the Companys technical staff to return to the Dominican Republic. Correction to PR202-14 Unigold Announces Closing of Private Placement of 33,333,334 Units for Gross Proceeds of Approximately $6 million On June 24, 2020 the Company announced the closing of a Private Placement of units comprised of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 at any time prior to June 23, 2022. An incorrect expiry date was published in the June 24, 2020 press release. QA/QC Diamond drilling utilizes both HQ and NQ diameter tooling. Holes are established using HQ diameter tooling before reducing to NQ tooling to complete the hole. The core is received at the on-site logging facility where it is, photographed, logged for geotechnical and geological data and subjected to other physical tests including magnetic susceptibility and specific gravity analysis. Samples are identified, recorded, split by wet diamond saw, and half the core is sent for assay with the remaining half stored on site. A minimum sample length of 0.3 meters and a maximum sample length of 1.5 metres is employed with most samples averaging 1.0 meters in length except where geological contacts dictate. Certified standards and blanks are randomly inserted into the sample stream and constitute approximately 5-10% of the sample stream. Samples are shipped to a sample preparation facility in the Dominican Republic operated by Bureau Veritas. Assaying is performed at Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd.s laboratory in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. All samples are analyzed for gold using a 50 gram lead collection fire assay fusion with an atomic adsorption finish. In addition, most samples are also assayed using a 36 element multi-acid ICP-ES analysis method. Wes Hanson P.Geo., Chief Operating Officer of Unigold has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release. About Unigold Inc. Discovering Gold in the Caribbean Unigold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol UGD, focused primarily on exploring and developing its gold assets in the Dominican Republic. For further information please visit www.unigoldinc.com or contact: Mr. Joseph Hamilton Chairman & CEO jhamilton@unigoldinc.com 416.866.8157 Forward-looking Statements Certain statements contained in this document, including statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to risk and uncertainties. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words like strategy, expects, plans, believes, will, estimates, intends, projects, goals, targets, and other words of similar meaning. You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We wish to caution you that such statements contained are just predictions or opinions and that actual events or results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Where applicable, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements provided by the (United States) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. DETROIT, MI A judge overturned a murder conviction of a man twice convicted of shooting a vandal to death in Detroit. The conviction was overturned at the request of prosecutors. Edward Khalil "was not involved in the crimes he was charged with," according to an order signed Monday by Judge Tracy Green. Khalil, 37, was convicted of second-degree murder after a second trial in 2014. Jurors were told that he decided to strike back after becoming frustrated with trespassers at his vacant apartment building and a lack of police enforcement, the Associated Press reports. But the conviction-integrity unit inside the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office took a fresh look and found that the case against Khalil didn't hold up, based on phone tower records, surveillance cameras and interviews. The son of Khalil's business partner said they arrived together after the shooting and saw the victim's body for the first time. "Several circumstances contributed to flawed fact-finding in this case," the conviction-integrity unit said. Khalil was convicted twice, although a judge set aside the first conviction and granted him a new trial that ultimately led to a minimum prison sentence of 16 years. FILE PHOTO: David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, answers reporters' questions after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Cho Sei-young at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul By Humeyra Pamuk and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing's claims there. "Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action," David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia, told a Washington think-tank when asked if sanctions were a possible U.S. response to Chinese actions. Stilwell spoke a day after the United States rejected China's claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea as "completely unlawful," a stance denounced by Beijing. The United States has long opposed China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and has sent warships regularly through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year, to demonstrate freedom of navigation. But Monday's announcement was the first time it declared Chinese claims illegal. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it. Beijing has built bases on atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday the U.S. threat of sanctions was its latest attempt to stir up trouble and destabilise the region. "The U.S. arbitrarily talks about sanctions ... this is very pathetic," she told reporters during a daily briefing in Beijing. "We are not afraid of sanctions." Greg Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said declaring China's claims illegal opened the way for a tougher U.S. response, such as through sanctions, and could also lead to more U.S. naval presence operations. Story continues A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman earlier condemned the tougher U.S. stand on China's claim, saying it "destroys regional peace and stability and is an irresponsible act." A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation on Tuesday near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the U.S. military said. "This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan," the Navy said. Such operations have been increasingly common in recent years. The U.S.-China relationship has grown increasingly tense recently over various issues, including China's handling of the novel coronavirus and its tightened grip on Hong Kong. Stilwell said the tougher U.S. position meant "we are no longer going to say we are neutral on these maritime issues." "When a (Chinese) drilling rig plants itself in Vietnamese or Malaysian waters, we're going to be able to make a positive statement," he said. Stilwell had a particular warning about the Scarborough Shoal, an outcrop 200 km (124 miles) from the Philippines claimed by Beijing and Manila that China seized in 2012. "Any move by (China) to physically occupy, reclaim or militarize Scarborough Shoal would be a dangerous move ... and would have lasting and severe consequences for (China's)relationship with the United States, as well as the entire region," he said. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington, Martin Pollard in Beijing; Editing by Sandra Maler and Matthew Lewis) Kochi, July 15 : Kerala Catholic priest Robin Vadakkumchery, 52, sentenced to 20 years in jail in three different cases of rape and abuse of a minor, has moved the Kerala High Court seeking to marry the victim and take care of the child born to her. Expressing similar wish, the victim has filed an affidavit in the court. However, the prosecution expressed doubts over it and said it could be a ploy to get relaxation. The court has sought a police report and posted the case for July 24. Vadakkumchery, dismissed from priesthood by the Vatican, was serving as a parish vicar near Kannur and was the manager of the Church-backed-school, where the victim, a Class 11 student, was studying. A child line agency, which works among school children, had registered the complaint against the priest. The priest came under pressure after the girl gave birth to a child on February 7, 2017. The priest was arrested on February 27, 2017 from near the Kochi International Airport while he was preparing to slip out of the country. He was tried under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. On February 17, 2019, he was sentenced to 20-year jail by a court in Thalassery. During the trial, the victim and her mother had turned hostile. But the court handed out the verdict on the basis of evidences. Four nuns, another priest and one more woman attached to the convent, all co-accused in the police charge-sheet, were let off due to lack of adequate evidences. In March, the Manthavady (in Wayanad district) Adioceses officials said the Vatican had dismissed Vadakkumchery from priesthood. The papers related to the Pope's decision, taken on December 5, 2019, were given to the jailed priest. The latest iOS 13.6 update brings FaceTime support for iPhone users in UAE. The countrys telecom rules restrict unlicensed Voice Over Internet Protocol, and thus, FaceTime was banned. Now the restrictions seem to have been lifted on iOS 13.6. FaceTime is banned on all Apple devices bought in UAE. However, the iPhones imported from other regions continued to support FaceTime. Most of the devices sold via unauthorized channels ended up supporting FaceTime. That apart, one could also use VPN to circumvent the ban. Apple was in talks with the United Arab Emirates federal government for the past two years. The company persuaded authorities to allow the use of FaceTime. Now it seems like Apple has convinced UAE authorities to allow FaceTime, and thus, the restrictions have been lifted on iOS 13.6. Interestingly, early this year, UAE lifted a similar ban on Google Meet, Skype, and Zoom. Do note that for FaceTime to work in the UAE, one must change the region on their iPhone to something other than UAE. This points to Apple just enabling FaceTime support in iPhone for non-UAE users. We are yet to see an official announcement from Apple. It seems like the changes will roll out slowly and will soon be available for everyone. Moreover, Apple is yet to update the support documents to reflect the removal of FaceTime restrictions in the UAE. Currently, FaceTime is available on all the iOS devices being used in UAE. Even Saudi Arabia had banned FaceTime and lifted the restrictions with iOS 11.4. iOS 13.6 comes with a number of other changes and improvements including major Apple News enhancements. Our Take Telecom operators in the UAE have always lobbied against services like Skype, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. They are wary of losing their revenue once customers start using video chat services. I have personally experienced that FaceTime is blocked only on one of the two carriers in Dubai. However, FaceTime works exceptionally well when used on a device purchased outside the UAE. [via MacMagazine Recently, Dario Calmese, a Black artist, photographed the actress Viola Davis for the cover of Vanity Fair. The cover was released yesterday. The photo that adorns it is based on The Scourged Back, an image, from 1863, of Gordon, a man who escaped slavery and whose back had been lacerated by whipping. Davis re-created Gordons pose; she wore a dark-blue MaxMara dress backwards, so as to make her back visible. This image reclaims that narrative, transmuting the white gaze on Black suffering into the Black gaze of grace, elegance, and beauty, Calmese said, of the Davis cover. He added, in an interview about the photo shoot with Jessica Testa, of the New York Times, I knew this was a moment to be, like, extra Black. Online, Calmeses image of Davis got better reviews than another recent cover of a Conde Nast magazine: that of the August issue of Vogue, which features a portrait of Simone Bilesthe Olympic gymnast and survivor of sexual abuse within the USA Gymnastics setupin a Bottega Veneta bodysuit, also with her back to the camera. The image was shot in February, by Annie Leibovitz. After it came out, critics said that Leibovitzs dim lighting had done Biles a disservice. I adore Simone Biles and am thrilled shes on this cover, Morrigan McCarthy, national picture editor at the Times, tweeted. But I hate these photos. I hate the toning, I hate how predictable they are. Britni Danielle, a journalist and editor, added, Simone Biles deserved better than Annie Leibovitz bad lighting. Defenders of Leibovitz argued that her editing style is typically dark, but many observers agreed that a Black photographer would have done a better job. I super hate that Vogue couldnt be bothered to hire a Black photographer, McCarthy said. ICYMI: Journalists in Mexico hit a covid-19 data wall In commissioning Calmese for its Davis shoot, Vanity Fair hired a Black photographer for its cover for the first time in its history. According to Testa, of the Times, Calmese suspected that that might be the case when he took the assignment, and asked editors to double-check; they confirmed his hunch to the best of our knowledge. Yesterday, Astead W. Herndon, a politics reporter at the Times, called that fact embarrassing and suggested that Vanity Fair apologize. Progress is cool, Evette Dionne, the editor in chief of Bitch Media, tweeted, but its also shameful that it has taken more than 100 years to achieve a simple feat, which is then touted as progress. When it comes to representation behind the camera, Vanity Fair is hardly an outlier. As Testa notes in her story, the first Black photographers to shoot the covers of Vogue and Rolling StoneTyler Mitchell and Dana Scruggs, respectivelyonly did so within the past two years. In an interview with Sonia Saraiya that accompanies her cover, Davis called out Vanity Fair for a lack of diversity in front of the camera, too. Theyve had a problem in the past with putting Black women on the covers, she said. When you couple that with whats going on in our culture, and how they treat Black women, you have a double whammy. You are putting us in a complete cloak of invisibility. For her introductory note to the latest issue, Radhika JonesVanity Fairs editor in chief, who is herself a woman of colorcalculated that between 1983, when the modern iteration of the magazine was born, and 2017, when she took over as editor, Vanity Fair only put seventeen Black people (excluding group shots) on the cover of a regular issue. Since then, ten Black subjects have been featured. Jones says that she has prioritized improvement during her tenure. We are not bound to continue the cultural hierarchies we inherit, she writes in her note. In this regard, too, Vanity Fair is not an outlier. In 2018, the editorial arm of Ceros, a Web content company, reviewed the covers of ten glossy magazines between 2012 and 2018 and found greater diversity across 2017 and 2018 than in the five previous years; the percentage of Allure covers featuring a nonwhite subject, for instance, increased from 27 to 58 percent, while the equivalent percentage for InStyle jumped from 32 to 50 percent. In 2018, the important September covers of at least eleven major fashion and lifestyle magazines featured Black women: Glamour featured Tiffany Haddish; Marie Claire featured Zendaya; Vogue featured Beyonce. Writing for Teen Vogue at the time, however, Jessica Andrews pointed out that while the covers were cause for celebration, Black women didnt suddenly become fashionable or marketable this September. Andrews highlighted what she called the next frontier at which to aim: more black photographers, editors, stylists, bookers, and creative directors. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Its not just fashion journalism thats been reckoning with that frontier. In recent times, and particularly since the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd, the wider media industry has been confronted with its poor track record on representation and the inclusion of Black perspectives. The recent reckoning has been especially intense at Conde Nast, where, as the Times Edmund Lee reported in June, top staffers including Adam Rapoport, the editor in chief of Bon Appetit, resigned (or faced calls for their resignation) following claims of personal and institutionalized racism. According to Lee, Susan Plagemann, a white Conde executive, once complained to Jones that more of Vanity Fairs covers should feature photos of well-to-do white women. (Plagemann denies saying this.) As Calmeses powerful work shows, the opposite, of course, is necessary, on both sides of the lens. Below, more on race and the current moment in media: Other notable stories: ICYMI: Do journalists pay too much attention to Twitter? Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. NASA is set to send the first woman and next many to the moon in 2024 and has revealed what the crew will call home an RV rover. The American space agency is ditching concepts of inflatable tents and underground bases, and is now looking at a pressurized surface vehicle. The space group recently joined efforts with Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which has been designing a six-wheeled, self-driving Toyota rover - providing Japan with a key role in the Artemis program. The RV-like rover will hold two people up to 14 days, allowing them to live and work inside while traveling across the moon. Scroll down for videos NASA recently joined efforts with Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which has been designing a six-wheeled, self-driving lunar rover with Toyota for two years - providing Japan with a key role in the Artemis program Mark Kirasich, the acting director of NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems, said in a video interview: 'The pressurized rover is really an incredible element, human element,' 'I have been in a lot of spacecraft on the ground, I have been in the International Space Station on the ground, this thing is the coolest element I've ever seen for people because they can live and work inside.' 'It's like a space station-esque, kind of a habitat for up to 14 days for two people, but it's on wheels and you can go places.' 'It's like an RV for the moon, very cool.' Last year, JAXA showed off renders for its moon rover designed with car company Toyota that runs on solar power and fuel cell technology and now NASA has joined up with the team. NASA is set to send the first woman and next many to the moon in 2024 and it has revealed what the crew will call home an RV rover. The American space agency is ditching concepts of inflatable tents and underground bases, and is now looking at a pressurized surface vehicle Although NASA is working with Japan, it will continue to design its own unpressurized rover due to the fact JAXA's will not be ready until the end of the decade The American space agency signed an agreement with the Japanese government this month, called a Joint Exploration Declaration of Intent that helps Japan increase its role in the Artemis program, Space News reports. The agreement allows JAXA to take the lead in designing what could be the first permanent habitat for the Artemis crew a date has not been released for when the rover will launch to the moon. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a brief statement about the agreement earlier this month: 'Today's signing of this declaration of intent builds on the long history of successful cooperation between the U.S. and Japan in space.' 'We appreciate Japan's strong support for Artemis and look forward to extending the robust partnership that we have enjoyed on the International Space Station to cislunar space, the lunar surface, and beyond.' Bridenstein noted that NASA considered it important to involve JAXA in a 'major surface element' like a pressurized rover, even though the American space agency has conducted previous studies of pressurized lunar rover. 'There was the idea that, even though we have done a lot of work, let the Japanese lead development of a pressurized rover,' he said. NASA is still working on its own unpressurized rover that will be similar to what was used in the last three Apollo missions for when Artemis first lands on the moon. This is because Japan's pressurized vehicle will not be read until the end of the decade. JAXA's vehicle may travel along with its own astronauts to the moon in the 2030s. JAXA Vice President Koichi Wakata said: 'Lunar gravity is one-sixth of that on Earth.' 'Meanwhile, the moon has a complex terrain with craters, cliffs, and hills. Moreover, it is exposed to radiation and temperature conditions that are much harsher than those on Earth, as well as an ultra-high vacuum environment. A pressurized cabin will allow the rover to transport astronauts across greater distances on the surface of the moon. Toyotas concept vehicle, revealed in a new video and series of images today, will be designed to hold two astronauts and runs on fuel cell technology 'For wide ranging human exploration of the moon, a pressurized rover that can travel more than 10,000 km in such environments is necessary.' The pressurized vehicle proposed this week by Toyota is six meters long and 3.8 meters high or, about the size of two microbuses, the car company says. Though it's intended to carry two people, Toyota says it can fit four in an emergency situation. Astronauts would be able to ride in the vehicle without their space suits on, while still having enough room for them to get in and out while wearing the bulky outfits. Running on a fuel cell, the lunar vehicle will only emit water and surplus air. JAXA and Toyota have been working together to study the plan since May 2018. Montana State University Billings released its plan to have students back on campus this fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday. The plan "strongly encourages" mask wearing by students and staff, but doesn't mandate it with a notable asterisk that the item could be changed when the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education officially releases its guidance. A preliminary recommendation said that campuses should require masks. MSUB's plan also calls for faculty and students to be prepared for a shift to remote learning if need be, and to use computer-based instruction to help reduce class sizes. The goal of our action plan is to provide steps for restoring full operations that protects the health and safety of our campus community, said Chancellor Dan Edelman in a press release. Due to the uncertain nature of the pandemic, our plan may need to shift accordingly, and we are ready to make any necessary updates or changes in order to continue to keep our students and employees safe. The plan is rooted in the expectation that students will return to campus this fall something that Montana's public universities have all prioritized. Nationally, universities have grappled with if, and how, students should return to campuses. Montana's public universities have already pushed up their start date for the fall semester to ensure that classes finish before Thanksgiving, hopefully avoiding a wave of widespread student travel. MSUB's plan leads with a letter from Edelman that reinforces, as many education leaders have, that the returning to campus carries a degree of risk. "Together, we have ensured that a realistic plan that promotes the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is in place. Although it is important to acknowledge that public health risk factors cannot be entirely eliminated even in the best of times, we are confident that this plan incorporates clear health and safety protocols for all areas of campus and look forward to providing our students with our famous Yellowjacket experience this fall," the letter says. The plan includes what are by now hallmarks of COVID-19 precautions; social distancing, frequent cleaning and hand sanitizing, and the reduction or elimination of large events. In some areas, the plan is still unsettled. For example, it calls for the development of a plan to address a potential quarantine for out-of-state students returning to residence halls and for students awaiting COVID-19 test results or who test positive. The school has earmarked some housing options for potential quarantine use. RiverStone health will do contact tracing for positive cases, according to the plan. Student activity travel and international travel remains suspended, but some in-state and out-of-state travel will be allowed. Students living in dorms are "strongly encouraged" to limit personal travel. The plans calls for the development of an "occupancy plan" to prevent COVID-19 in residence halls. Students will be given the option between a single and double room, each with their usual costs. Capacity for campus buildings is halved, and large events are encouraged to be rescheduled for the spring. In classrooms, seating will be arranged to allow for social distancing, and seats will be assigned and attendance will be taken to allow for contact tracing. Instructors are expected to have a "teaching buddy" who can take over their class if they fall ill. The plan's emphasis on being able to shift to remote learning is a clear effort to smooth out kinks for the abrupt switch that occurred this spring. It highlights training efforts for faculty with the school's usual digital platform, D2L, and new tools. It calls for instructors to be prepared to go online only: "Faculty will develop robust D2L shells for every course to transition quickly to online if needed and make the most of classroom time to do hands-on activities (especially in labs and CTE programs)." Retrospective: Eastern Montana College/Montana State University Billings Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered a new link between impaired brain energy metabolism and delirium - a disorienting and distressing disorder particularly common in the elderly and one that is currently occurring in a large proportion of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 [15th of July 2020]. While much of the research was conducted in mice, additional work suggests overlapping mechanisms are at play in humans because cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from patients suffering from delirium also contained tell-tale markers of altered brain glucose metabolism. Collectively, the research, which has just been published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that therapies focusing on brain energy metabolism may offer new routes to mitigating delirium. Delirium When the body experiences high levels of inflammation - such as during bacterial or viral infections - the way our brains function changes, which in turn affects our mood and motivation. In older patients such acute inflammation can produce a profound disturbance of brain function known as delirium. Despite the disorder being relatively common, the mechanisms by which it arises are poorly understood. In the new research the scientists found that artificially inducing peripheral inflammation in mice triggered sudden onset cognitive dysfunction, and that this is mediated by a disturbance to energy metabolism. In these experiments, inflammation left the mice with lower levels of blood sugar (glucose), which the brain requires for maintaining normal function. When the animals were supplemented with glucose, their cognitive performance returned towards normal, despite the continued inflammation. Professor Colm Cunningham, who leads the Trinity Biomedical Science Institute lab where the work was performed, said: "An important feature of these experiments was that mice with early stages of pre-existing neurodegenerative disease were far more susceptible to dysfunction when these metabolic changes occurred. "Our collaborators in Oslo also detected evidence of altered brain glucose metabolism in cerebrospinal fluid taken from people experiencing delirium, which argues for overlapping mechanisms in humans and mice. In other words, the signs are that similar processes are at work in people." Dr Wes Ely, a critical care physician from Vanderbilt University, who wasn't involved with the study, added: "The finding that the neurodegenerative animals are less resilient to this disturbance of energy metabolism really resonates with what we see in our intensive care unit patients with delirium." Given the frequency of delirium during hospitalised members of the elderly population and, given that these episodes can accelerate the progress of underlying dementia treatments are desperately needed. Simply providing glucose to patients is not likely to treat delirium in most cases but collectively our data emphasise that an appropriate supply of both oxygen and glucose to the brain becomes especially important in older patients and in those with existing dementia. Therefore, we believe that focusing on brain energy metabolism may offer routes to mitigating delirium." Professor Colm Cunningham, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute In the face of widespread opposition, Trump administration backs down on plans to withdraw the visas of international students whose studies were moved entirely online. US President Donald Trumps administration has dropped its plans to deport international students whose courses move fully online because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision follows eight federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities. International students have been a significant source of revenue for many US universities and colleges. Al Jazeeras Victoria Gatenby reports. Some former Krewe of Nyx members will join forces with the Knights of Sparta to form a co-ed parade, the traditionally anonymous and masked captain of Sparta announced Wednesday in Metairie. The Knights of Sparta, a 300-member, all-male New Orleans parading krewe that first hit the streets 40 years ago, is welcoming into its parading ranks a new group called the Mystical Order of the Phoenix, founded by 10 former members of the all-female Nyx. The new members will parade with Sparta as the Sisters of the Knights of Sparta. The announcement comes just weeks after Nyx lost much of its membership due to a controversial social media post by captain Julie Lea. As protests over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis erupted across the country, Lea used the phrase All Lives Matter in posts representing the krewe. The phrase, which is widely seen as a dismissal of the Black Lives Matter movement, prompted an exodus of members, officers, marching groups and bands from what had been New Orleans largest krewe. During the press conference Wednesday, Order of Phoenix co-founder Karen Boudrie described Nyx as the elephant in the room. She said that, though the new krewe was conceived by former Nyx officers, there is no lingering relationship between Phoenix and Nyx. Phoenix co-founder Gigi Saak said the women who conceived the new krewe were among the last to leave Nyx during the controversy that followed captain Leas polarizing posts. Theyd hoped, she said, to somehow salvage the organization. But when it became obvious that was impossible, they joined the exodus. After some sleepless nights, Saak said, she and the others began discussing the possibility of forming a new krewe. The women approached two or three parading groups, proposing a merger. When they discussed the possibility with the captain of Sparta, they immediately knew theyd found a home as the Sisters of the Knights of Sparta, Saak said. It was the best fit, said Boudrie. They were so willing to work with us. Asked why he accepted the proposal from the former Nyx members, the captain said, Why wouldnt we? Sparta certainly wants to be all about inclusivity, he said. The addition of the female membership is just what Sparta needed to go into the future, he said. The details of the marriage of the two groups are still being worked out. Its unclear how many women plan to join or the number of floats that Sparta may add to its lineup. But the Sparta captain made it clear that the male and female members will be mixed during parades. Theres not going to be any segregation, he said. The Sisters of the Knights of Sparta will pay dues to the Knights of Sparta organization and will be led by the captain of Sparta. The timing of Sparta's announcement to include female riders came two days after other former Nyx members announced that they had formed a new krewe called Themis. Though that all-female organization would like to roll for the first time in 2021, there's a major stumbling block, since New Orleans has reached the maximum number of permitted parades. Yet a third new Carnival organization composed of former Nyx members is taking shape. Called the Krewe of Harmonia, the new group is devoted to the Greek goddess of harmony and concord. Krewe Captain Chantell Reed, a former Nyx float lieutenant, said that 700 women have expressed interest in joining the group, though there are no plans to parade in 2021. +3 Former Nyx members found a new Mardi Gras krewe, Themis, promote commitment to social justice If theres a Carnival 2021, New Orleans crowds may have a new parade to cheer for. Former members of the all-female Mystic Krewe of Nyx formed Sparta rolls on the Uptown New Orleans route the first Saturday night of the Mardi Gras season, which is Feb. 6 next year. It all may be a moot point, however, since Carnival 2021 could be canceled or delayed by the coronavirus contagion. Days before Mondays announcement, the Sparta captain said his organization planned to parade in 2021, if at all possible. But, he said, signup for spots on floats had been slower than usual. Because of COVID-19s impact on employment, the krewe has extended the deadline to buy a spot on a float from September to at least November. "Personally," he said, "I think theres a 50-50 chance" that Carnival 2021 will take place, the captain said. +13 Will there be a Mardi Gras in 2021? Parade prep is rolling forward, krewe captains say Krewes are forging ahead with plans for Carnival 2021, with their fingers crossed that the coronavirus contagion will be sufficiently controll The Sparta captain said the krewe received permit applications from the New Orleans Police Department for Carnival 2021 last week, but he didnt see it as a particularly encouraging sign. The forms always arrive at about this time of year, he said. The implication is business as usual, same as every year, nothing different. The NOPD permit paperwork includes the proviso, We are proceeding with caution due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Submission of the proper documentation does not guarantee the event. +4 27 Nyx float lieutenants quit after captain refuses to step down over 'All Lives Matter' post Escalating a controversy roiling New Orleans largest parading krewe, more than two dozen float lieutenants quit the Mystic Krewe of Nyx Monda Note: This story was updated to include news of the krewe of Harmonia. New Delhi: "I am not joining the BJP," Sachin Pilot said on Wednesday, asserting that he had worked hard to defeat the saffron party and bring the Congress back to power in Rajasthan. Pilot told PTI that some leaders in Rajasthan were trying to fuel speculation that he is joining the BJP and he would like to categorically state that he was not doing so. His remarks come a day after the Congress sacked him as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president. Two loyalists of Pilot were also dropped from the state Cabinet. Slate has relationships with various online retailers. If you buy something through our links, Slate may earn an affiliate commission. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. All prices were up to date at the time of publication. Ive long had a weakness for obsessive, neurotic, paranoid, and comically vain narrators, but Charlie Kaufmans overstuffed, formless first novel, Antkind, may have finally cured me of it. B. Rosenberger Rosenberg, the bitter, unsuccessful film critic at the center of the book, rants his way through 720 pages of Job-like trials and misadventures that include breakups, lost gigs, having to move into a New York City apartment too small to accommodate a bed and then having to take on a roommate to afford it, being supplanted by an unctuously prosperous doppelganger, an apocalyptic conflagration, being trapped in a cave with 40,000 animatronic replicas of President Trunk that can fly and shoot lasers out of their eyes, sexual congress with a mountain, and a tragically thwarted friendship with a lonely, intelligent ant named Calcium from 1 million years in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement B himself is such a relentlessly broad caricature that he makes the cadaverous restaurant critic in Ratatouille seem nuanced. If this sounds wearisome, it is. Yet Antkind also has flashes of wit and even beauty, often just at the point when the reader has started to wonder if Kaufman wants her to suffer as much as the benighted B. The novels premise has B traveling to St. Augustine, Florida, to research an obscure silent film about a gender-bending couple. (The movie, A Florida Enchantment, is real.) There he meets Ingo Cutbirth, a retired school janitor who claims to be 119 years old and to have participated in the making of A Florida Enchantment in the role of the unseen boy, a character who never appears on screen because the film is shot from his point of view. Ingo himself has spent his life making a single film, a stop-animation feature whose run time is three months. B persuades Ingo to screen it for him, but the filmmaker dies during the process, leaving B with the untitled movie and instructions to destroy it. B intends instead to make his critical fortune by preserving and celebrating this masterpiece of outsider art. However, on the way back to New York, he leaves it in a parked U-Haul truck on a hot day while he tries to impress a young woman working in a fast food restaurant, and it catches fire, leaving behind only one still. B then, with the aid of a hypnotist, takes as his mission the meticulous remembering of the film, imagining the future adulation I will perhaps receive, the lectures, the Nobel for Criticism, the Pulitzer for Profound Insight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What at first appears to be a parody of the parasitical nature of criticism soon metastasizes into a grab bag of long-standing Kaufman motifs and themes: doubles, time travel (mental and otherwise), the torment of consciousness, the impossibility of truly representing experience in art, erotic fixations, professional envy, artistic failure. This proves a mixed blessing, as B himself is such a relentlessly broad caricature that he makes the cadaverous restaurant critic in Ratatouille seem nuanced. The limits of this comic device soon make themselves felt. B broods over assorted nemeses (Manohla Dargis, A.O. Scott, Armond Whitethe last of whom he suspects of sending a tiny drone to spy on him), fumes about criminally neglected masterpieces, makes Top 10 lists that inevitably include 9 obscure foreign titles and one Judd Apatow movie. He has written countless monographs with such titles as At Last, I Am Becoming: Gender and Transformation in American Cinema, Patterns of Speech, from Stammer to Yammer, from Stutter to Mutter, from Drone to Intone, and so on. His paltry achievements include delivering lectures at meetings of the International Society of Antique Movie Projector Enthusiasts (ISAMPE), the 92nd Street Y Student Residence Dining Hall Overflow Room, and the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree Rain Day Film Festival (but only in the event of rain). He also did an experimental two-month stint as the film critic for the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These gags are funny once, perhaps twice, but Kaufman keeps making them over and over again until they arrive like a kind of blow. Maybe that is the joke, the inherent cruelty in comedy (another pet theme of Kaufmans), exposed by turning humor into a form of punishmentnot just on the character but on the reader. Maybe! All I can tell you for sure, though, is that it gets to be some pretty heavy sledding. Other B preoccupations include the verbal rituals of contemporary identity politics. Hes invented his own nongendered pronouns and is forever qualifying his observations with such statements as the assumption of male gender in hobos has hindered the dreams of more female hobos than I as a white man can imagine. At the beginning of the novel, he has an African-American girlfriend he refers to constantly, who is also moderately famous for a role she played on a sitcom, which he also refers to constantly. (You would certainly know who she is.) Initially uninterested in Ingo because he seems to be white, B later discovers that the outsider artist is Black and instantly becomes fascinated with him: Oh, the things he must have seen as an African American. The places he mustve gone in his long and relentlessly African American lifetime. And while its hard to credit that anyone as comprehensively self-absorbed as B sincerely cares about such issues, his ability to parrot conventional wokeness is impressive: I am not a speculative fiction maven, he announces at one point, although I do greatly respect the work of the African American genii Octavia E. Butler, Samuel R. Delany, and Tananarive Due, who have rejiggered this frivolous form, transforming it into a tool with which to investigate societal and racial injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be a shrewd observation of just how easily, and therefore superficially, these attitudes can be adopted, but that sort of obedience to social pressure seems out of character for B. And, in fact, he also proclaims, A genius must sometimes be a racist if we are to hope for elucidation. History is generously peppered with geniuses who despised the Jews, who dismissed the blacks, who objectified women. Are we to bury their great works because of this? If Bs utterances on such matters have anything in common, its that they replicate the sort of banal statements many people post to social media with the air of having delivered an important and original insight. Despite all his pronouncements, what B himself actually believes never comes into focus. Advertisement Instead, the narrative begins splitting and forking, alluding to Beckett and Dostoevsky and Preston Sturges. After the fire, in which B is badly burned trying to save Ingos film, he can no longer remember whether Ingo was Black (and therefore either a sharecropper or a Pullman porter) or a Swede. The film he reconstructs from memories uncovered with the help of a stage hypnotist is either about a comedy duo of the 40s and 50s named Mudd and Molloy or a plain white rectangle of light in which, over a span of weeks, a tiny black dot appears and grows incrementally larger until it turns into Ingo. When B goes out of town for a few days, he returns to find that a double has taken over his life, writing a bestseller about Ingos film, misrepresenting it as a fusion of superhero saga and the fantasias of Henry Darger (a real-life janitor and outsider artist, although not Black). Unlike B, this false self does not deny being Jewish. Instead, he goes around in a yarmulke talking piously about the designs of HaShem, in his infinite wisdom and dispensing the inspirational nostrums that have made him rich and famous. The real B murders him, but then another double takes his place, and B begins secretly living in the second doubles apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are only a few of the wayward tendrils of story that take over Antkind like kudzu and ultimately bleed into one another: different selves for B, different versions of Ingos film, Mudd and Molloy routines, twin infants who magically appear in the command module during the Apollo 11 mission, a woman from the future who infiltrates Bs dreams. Some of these are very funny. Molloy, born in 1906, was, as a child, diagnosed with the fidgets and placed in a special facility, the Paramus School for Fidgeting Boys, where the treatment consists of spinning boards, hydrotherapy, insulin comas, leg restraints, and crafts. The woman from the future wants B to write a novelization of a Brainio (a sort of movie piped directly into ones head) she has written because she hopes to win an award for Best Adapted Brainio, since I have no hope of winning Original Brainio due to politics. If she can plant an earlier book version of her Brainio in the past, though, she might have a shot at the adaptation prize. (Kaufmans screenplay for Adaptation, a film about a character named Charlie Kaufman trying to write an adaptation of a Susan Orlean book, was nominated for an Oscar.) Advertisement Advertisement In another giddily amusing section of the novel, B meets an imperious woman named Tsai and becomes sexually obsessed with the desire to abase himself before her. She orders him to get a job in her local bodega, where, to his delight, she humiliates him by acting as if theyve never met and befriending his loutish boss. When she breaks with him, B gets a job at Zappos on the chance that he might one day take her shoe order, but management insists on promoting him from customer service to the marketing division where he becomes a great success and almost forgets Tsai entirely while embroiled in a feud with a co-worker. Sadly, however, this segues into an extended bit about clowns and clown porn that is best passed over in silence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout, B expresses contempt for the films of Charlie Kaufman, eventually noticing that whenever he dwells on this subject, he tends to fall down an open manhole into a pool of sewage. From this, he concludes that he is the hapless creation of Kaufman, a truth with which the reader cannot argue. But while this might at first make Antkind look like an extended act of revenge on Kaufmans own critics, by this point in the narrative, B is clearly an avatar for Kaufman himself, a brainy, bearded neurotic with a bag of meta tricks and a susceptibility to existential angst that he believes only comedy can soothe. Why, then, is Antkind so often tedious when Kaufmans films are, for the most part, entertaining and delightful? Could it be something so simple as the constraints of cinematic form, the fact that you cant make a three-month-long film because every minute of a movie costs a lot of money, typically other peoples money? That the limitations collaborators impose on a genius can end up rescuing him from his own hopelessly dithering solipsism? It could. Other people may be hell, according to Sartre, but sometimes they can save your assor at least stop you from crawling up it. An appeal hearing for a top presidential aide in the DR Congo has been set for July 24, less than a month after he was sentenced to 20 years' hard labour for corruption, his lawyer said Tuesday. Vital Kamerhe, 61, a veteran political figure who was President Felix Tshisekedi's chief of staff, was convicted on June 20 of diverting more than $50 million (44 million euros) of public funds. The case marked the first time a figure considered untouchable in Congolese political life -- Kamerhe was also a key ally of former president Joseph Kabila -- has been tried and convicted for corruption. "We, the defence, filed the request for the appeal after our client Vital Kamerhe was sentenced. You will find out our strategy in court," Kamerhe's attorney, Jean-Marie Kabengela, told AFP. Kamerhe's lawyers said last month that they would appeal on the grounds that forced labour is banned under the country's constitution. His sentence included disqualification from holding public office for 10 years. His French lawyer Pierre-Olivier Sur had condemned what he called a "mockery of a trial" and a "fast-tracked trial broadcast direct on television". Sur and Kabengela had said that they would call Kamerhe's situation to the attention of a UN panel probing "arbitrary detention". The month-long trial, held in the courtyard of the capital Kinshasa's main jail, took place in the context of a campaign for the "renewal" of the justice system to help root out entrenched corruption. Much of the money Kamerhe was convicted of embezzling was earmarked for building 1,500 social housing units under a programme announced by Tshisekedi after his inauguration in January 2019. Kamerhe created and heads a political party called the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2011. He was also an early contender in the December 2018 elections but instead reached a deal with Tshisekedi under which he pulled out and campaigned alongside him. He was then appointed chief of staff when Tshisekedi was named president. Kamerhe's supporters say he has been the victim of a political trial designed to prevent him from running for president in 2023. Apart from fans, Rhea Chakraborty and Ankita Lokhande also shared an emotional tribute a month after Sushant Singh Rajput's demise. Rhea who was rumoured to be in a relationship with Sushant, opened up about her bond with the late actor. While Ankita Lokhande shared a post for the first time as a tribute to Sushant, without mentioning him in the post, she shared a picture of a lit diya and captioned it as, "Child of God". Since Sushant's demise, Rhea Chakraborty and Ankita Lokhande have been called out and trolled on social media, and the actresses also faced online bullying after posting their tribute yesterday on Instagram. Slamming netizens for trolling the women who are grieving, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani wrote on Twitter, "These women are going through their own grief and that needs to be respected.. there is no need to bully them. Please Focus on #SushantSingh and pray that justice is served. #RiyaChakraborty #AnkitaLokhande". Sushant's former rumoured girlfriend Kriti Sanon also posted a cryptic post on Instagram saying it is hard for her to move on from Sushant's death. Her post read, "And in between a guilty laughter that pretended to move on, Her eyes shed tears of reality and broke all her delusions". Kriti had also faced backlash by netizens for not sharing a tribute for the late actor at the time of his death. Kriti was one of the few celebrities including Shraddha Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey, Rajkummar Rao, Dinesh Vijan, Varun Sharma and Vivek Oberoi who attended Sushant Singh Rajput's last rites in Mumbai. Kriti Sanon Posts Cryptic Message A Month After Sushant Singh Rajput's Death Ankita Lokhande Remembers Sushant Singh Rajput On His One-Month Death Anniversary New Delhi, July 15 : The recent judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of PILCOM falls in the same category where the CBDT will have to come out with a clarification and amend the law if the need arises, according to tax expert Ved Jain. The judgement relates to TDS on payment to non-residents exempted under DTAA and Jain has said that the CBDT needs to issue a clarification. Jain said that the judgement does not really reflect the intent of the tax administration. There is no reason why a deductor should deduct TDS despite the fact that the payee has to ultimately claim refund of the same, that too with interest. The same only leads to additional paperwork, compliance and fund flow impact both at the end of the taxpayer and the tax administration. Thus, there is an urgent need to redress this issue which CBDT can do by issuing a circular and subsequently amending the law, if need be. "Many a times, when a decision is pronounced by the Supreme Court which is not in line with the intention of the Tax Department and causes hardship to an assessee, the CBDT comes out with appropriate clarification to safeguard the interest of the taxpayers or amend the law to remedy the situation. This judgement of Supreme Court in the case of PILCOM falls in the same category as it does not really reflect the intent of the tax administration," Jain said. The intention could not as such be to require a taxpayer to deduct TDS despite the amount not being chargeable to tax by virtue of the DTAA and then to issue refund of the same amount with interest. The principle being followed in respect of the general and residuary provision of section 195 should equally apply in respect of specific TDS provisions, Jain said. He said that way back in 1995, when a similar issue had arisen, the CBDT in the context of Section 195 had issued a circular and clarified that TDS should be deducted as per Rates in Force, i.e., rate as per the Finance Act or the rate as per the DTAA, whichever is beneficial. Here the controversy was whether a deductor is required to deduct tax at source at the rate prescribed in the Finance Act or the rates stated in DTAA. In the present scenario, the issue is whether a deductor is required to deduct tax at source at the rates prescribed in Income Tax Act or the rates stated in DTAA whichever is beneficial. Jain said there is no difference in the mandate of the Finance Act and Income Tax Act. Both Finance Act and Income Tax Act have equal force and authority. It is not that Income Tax Act is superior to Finance Act. Both are law resting to income tax and duly enacted by the legislature. In fact, the Finance Act is enacted every year, every year it prescribes the tax rates in force for tax deduction at source, and still it was clarified by the CBDT that such rates or rates as per DTAA, whichever is beneficial, shall apply for TDS. Jain said this clarification was issued to implement the intent of law, i.e., to collect tax to the extent the deductee is liable and not more than that. If the deductee is liable to no tax or lower tax, there is no reason why tax should be deducted of such person or at a higher rate as the case may be. The CBDT having clarified the intent in the context of Section 195 of the Act, there is urgent need to issue a similar circular in respect of tax rates prescribed under specific non-resident related TDS provision as well. "Further, in due course, the law may also be suitable amended to bring such specific TDS provisions at parity with the provision of Section 195 of the Act and the TDS be required to be deducted at the rate specified in the respective provision or the rate prescribed in the DTAA, whichever is beneficial," Jain added. In the absence of such a circular, it will create a chaos in respect of all such payments such as of interest made in respect of borrowings in the past on which tax has not been deducted in view of DTAA provision. Now, all such persons will be declared defaulters as tax has not been deducted as per the rates prescribed in the Income Tax Act, and all such persons will be required to deposit tax which was required to be deducted, Jain added. Once such tax is deposited, the non-resident deductee will become entitled to claim refund of the entire tax so deposited as there is no liability on such non-residents to pay tax in view of DTAA. "Thus, the entire exercise will be a zero sum game but with a lot of administrative hassles, paper work and of course litigation as usual. These litigations may not be limited between taxpayer and tax administration but will get extended between deductor and deductee as many of such non-residents after claiming such refund may not return such refund to the deductor causing a loss not only to Indian resident deductor but also to the nation as such money will go out of the country and that too in precious foreign currency," he said. Jain said that since these payments are being made regularly to non-residents exempt under DTAA, there is an urgency for the CBDT to issue clarification at the earliest so as to avoid possible dispute between the deductor and the deductee. The deductor will like to get tax deducted and the deductee will resist such deduction as he is not liable to pay tax under DTAA. By issuing such clarification expeditiously, the CBDT will help in improving the Indian position of ease of doing business in the country, where one of the considerations is ease in paying/complying with tax laws. "When India is looking forward and aiming to become 'Aatmanirbhar', each step will help in achieving this objective of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. A proactive tax neutral clarification will definitely be a good step forward," Jain added. Those hoping to see the Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE will have just a few more days to view it above Illinois as it passes Earth. Though itll be visible in the Northern Hemisphere until mid-August, Comet Neowise currently is closest to the Earths surface, making it visible to the naked eye, according to NASA. Itll remain closest to the Earth until next week, at a distance of about 64 million miles. The comet will not return to Earths skies for 6,800 years, according to the agency, making this a limited viewing opportunity for astronomy lovers. The comet currently is visible to the naked eye, and usually is visible in the early morning sky, but it should become visible after sunset starting this week, according to NASA. Joe Masiero of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, told the Associated Press that Comet Neowise is the brightest comet to pass Earth since the mid-1990s. According to the space agency, the best viewing times are to the northeast before dawn and to northwest just after sunset. Comet NEOWISEs closest approach to Earth is through July 22. Comet Neowise was discovered in March by the space agencys NEOWISE mission and has been moving across the Earths skies. It has been more easily spotted this month, according to the space agency. It is roughly 3 miles wide and its surface is covered in particles that are 4.6 billion years old, according to NASA. NASA will hold a Science Live episode on the comet at 2 p.m. today on NASA Television and the agencys website, along with Facebook Live, YouTube, Periscope, LinkedIn, Twitch and USTREAM. Viewers can submit questions on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA or by leaving a comment in the chat section of Facebook, Periscope or YouTube. Most parents avoid showing favoritism toward one child, even if it exists, but then again most parents arent raising the future King of the United Kingdom. Prince Charles and Princess Diana were faced with a unique set of challenges parenting Prince William and Prince Harry. Especially considering how the royals conspired against their intentions to give their sons equal treatment. Senior royal family members could not fathom why Diana especially showered Harry with the same attention paid to William. After all, he was only the spare heir. Reports claim these senior royals provided William with preferential treatment that turned disastrous for young Harry. Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Prince Charles wanted Prince Harry to be a girl The trouble began when Prince Harry was born. Because he already had a son, Prince Charles reacted to the birth of a second male heir by saying, Oh God, its a boy. Later he apparently told Princess Dianas mother We were so disappointed we thought it would be a girl. Charles also expressed dismay that his new son carried on a Spencer family trait. The Prince of Wales said, And hes even got red hair! Later, Diana pointed to the birth of Harry as a major turning point in the downfall of her marriage to Charles. Princess Diana wanted her sons treated equally, but the family didnt agree Diana Princess of Wales, Prince William & Prince Harry | Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images RELATED: The 1 Thing Prince Harry Needed Most From His Mother Princess Diana The Princess of Wales clashed with the royal family on a variety of topics. The way she chose to raise her boys, including showing them life beyond the Palace walls and treating them to McDonalds, was just another source of conflict. Diana tried to give William and Harry equal treatment. However, the documentary Prince Harry: The Troubled Prince explains how her attempts were met with opposition from senior royals, The Sun reported. Prince Charles shared Dianas concerns about making sure the boys shared things in their early years, journalist Richard Kay said in the documentary. But certainly more senior members of the royal family in private were saying: This is nonsense. William is the future. All our efforts must go into educating William. It was William the Queen would invite for lessons in kingship when he was at Eton and she was at Windsor Castle. The Queen Mother especially showed favoritism toward William The Queen Mother and Prince William | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images Queen Elizabeths mother, whose name was also Elizabeth, is well-known for offering Prince Charles affection and love during boyhood when his own mother neglected him. But allegedly the Queen Mother didnt extend the same sentiments to Prince Harry. He was always less than his brother, royal biographer Angela Lewin explained. The late Queen Mother would always invite Prince William over for tea and talk to him about his future and not invite Prince Harry. Journalist Richard Kay supported the claim, saying: The Queen Mother always made sure Prince William was seated in a prominent seat next to her and Harry never was. Prince Harry had to forge his own path Prince Harry | Joe Giddins WPA Pool/Getty Images Even before marrying Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry was making headlines as he tried to figure out his life. He went through a rebellious stage in youth that culminated in scandalous photos circulating of the prince partying naked in Las Vegas. Now the Duke of Sussex is engaged in a whole different sort of rebellion after all but quitting the royal family and moving to the United States with his wife and son. Unlike his older brother, Harry never had his destiny laid out for him. I think being the spare to the heir is a role that inherently has problems attached with it, royal expert Katie Nicholl said. Prince Williams role has always been defined. What hes going to do has always been clearly outlined. Harry, like spares historically in the royal family, has had to find a role for himself. It appears that hes doing just that. LOS ANGELESSection 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act has served for nearly a quarter-century as the foundation of open communication on the internet. The law shields internet providers and platforms from legal liability for content posted by third parties, freeing them from the responsibility of policing every one of the billions of pieces of content posted online every day. In essence, Section 230 means the the activities of bad or unlawful internet users cannot be held against the platforms and providers that host those rogue users. But Section 230 over the past couple of years has come under attack from both sides of the partisan divide in Congress, as both Republicans and Democrats have backed measures to weaken the 24-year-old law, starting with the FOSTA/SESTA anti-sex trafficking bill that passed with overwhelming support in 2018. At the same time, the Trump administration has also said it will take steps to curtail Section 230 protections. But Donald Trumps democratic election opponent Joe Biden has also said that he wants Section 230 stricken down. But all of those attacks may be irrelevant, because the new North American trade deal the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement, or USMCA contains provisions that effectively guarantee that Section 230, or provisions that serve the same function, will remain in effect, according to a new analysis by the technology site Techdirt. When the USMCA the trade deal replacing NAFTA, which was scrapped by Trump was negotiated two years ago, lobbyists for the technology industry managed to insert a Section 230-like provision in the language of the deal. Practically everybody now incensed by the Section 230 legal immunity willingly voted to implement it in that trade agreement, wrote David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect. That makes it much, much more difficult to change it in any way. The USMCA is also one of Donald Trumps signature accomplishments, yet Trump himself has said he will sign an executive order to cripple Section 230 by regulating speech on social media. But that order would now clearly violate his own USMCA, which officially went into effect earlier this month. Trump and the other opponents of Section 230 are now hemmed in by their own process of policy laundering, according to TechDirts Mike Masnick, who explains the practice as including provisions in trade deals that may not otherwise be supported by Congress. While the whole process of laundering policy this way is slimy and disgusting, there's some level of ironic enjoyment in watching those now pushing for the undermining of Section 230, suddenly realizing that they now are facing the exact same game plan that they spent decades pulling against the internet, Masnick wrote. Legislation to implement the USMCA passed the U.S. House in December by a vote of 385-41. In January, the Senate followed suit with a bipartisan 89-10 vote in favor. Photo By Pixabay / Pexels [July 15, 2020] DNV3837 antibiotic candidate: the Phase II trial continues in the US DNV3837 antibiotic candidate: the Phase II trial continues in the United States, despite a disrupted context due to the COVID-19 outbreak DEINOVE (Euronext Growth Paris: ALDEI), a French biotech company that uses its lead generation platform to develop innovative anti-infective drugs, is pursuing the Phase II clinical trial of its antibiotic candidate DNV3837, in a context where U.S. hospitals are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company thanks the clinicians for their commitment to this trial, as they face an unprecedented health crisis. DNV3837 targets the treatment of Clostridioides difficile gastrointestinal infections (CDI), a pathogen classified as urgent threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A Phase II clinical trial, launched in early 2020 in the United States, is evaluating the efficacy of DNV3837 in patients, following promising Phase I data. To date, DEINOVE is the only French biotech with a small molecule in clinical development, fully owned by the company, in the field of antibiotics. This trial continues in the United States despite the COVID-19 outbreak. Several of the investigation centers have maintained their clinical research activities and continue to screen and include patients. DEINOVE scientific team and the CRO Medpace are closely monitoring the situation. We are grateful to the clinicians for doing their utmost to ensure that the clinical trial runs smoothly. We are surrounded by a team that is aware of the therapeutic stakes and the potential of our solution in development, and we thank them for this. In the current health conditions in the United States, where hospitals are overcrowded, we could have feared a suspension of the trial, says Dr. Yannick Pletan, Acting Chief Medical Officer responsible for the clinical trial. Conversely, the COVID-19 outbreak - which mainly affects the elderly - and the heavy antibiotic treatments administered to combat possible bacterial co-infections, are factors conducive to the development of severe Clostridioides difficile infections targeted by DNV3837. We are concerned, however, about the irrational use of antibiotics, which would have long-term public health consequences. On June 1st of this year, the WHO warned of the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance, boosted by the current health crisis. " The COVID19 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,", worried Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General1. According to him, the threat of antimicrobial resistance is "one of the most urgent challenges of our time ". He also recalled that only small proportion of COVID-19 patients need antibiotics to treat subsequent bacterial infections. ABOUT CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE INFECTIONS (CDI) 40% of patients suffering a Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) have severe forms, with mortality rates as high as 50%. Over the past 20 years, CDIs tended to increase significantly in incidence and severity, particularly due to the development of new hypervirulent strains and the high risk of recurrence. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified CDIs as one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections before Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA2) infections. In 2017, in the United States, there were an estimated 223,900 cases in hospitalized patients and 12,800 deaths3. This disease does not affect the United States only, recent studies4 show that the incidence of this type of infection is vastly underestimated in other parts of the world such as Europe and Asia. To date, there are no therapeutic solutions for patients with severe gastrointestinal infections. Since the oral route is compromised, the available treatments, which aremostly oral treatments, struggle to reach the intestine because of the patient's pathological condition (reduced gastrointestinal motility, intubation, intestinal perforation, etc.), and the few antibiotics that could be administered intravenously (IV), do not cross the gastrointestinal barrier and therefore do not reach the site of infection. ABOUT THE DNV3837 ANTIBIOTIC CANDIDATE DNV3837 a prodrug5 of the DNV3681 molecule (also known as MCB3681) is a narrow-spectrum, hybrid oxazolidinone-quinolone synthetic antibiotic targeting only Gram-positive bacteria. It is developed as a highly active 1st line treatment targeting Clostridioides difficile. It has demonstrated significant efficacy and superiority to reference treatments (fidaxomicin in particular) against isolates of C. difficile, regardless of their virulence (including the hyper virulent BI/NAP1/027 strain). DNV3837 is an intravenous antibiotic that, when converted to its active form DNV3681, crosses the gastrointestinal barrier and accumulates in the intestinal lumen, allowing it to precisely target the infection site. Several Phase I trials (on approx. a hundred healthy volunteers) have shown a high concentration of the antibiotic in stools, a strong marker of its presence in the intestine. It has also demonstrated its ability to eliminate Clostridioides bacteria without affecting the gut microbiota. It has also shown an acceptable tolerance profile. FDA granted the DNV3837 drug with Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation and Fast Track status. ABOUT THE PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL TESTING DNV3837 IN CDI The antibiotic candidate DNV3837 has been in a Phase II trial since the end of January 2020. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate its efficacy in CDI (through monitoring of symptoms, stool analysis, etc.), as well as to consolidate the safety and pharmacokinetic data. This trial is taking place in the United States in two stages: In the first phase, a cohort of 10 patients with moderate to severe CDI is treated with DNV3837. At the end of this phase, the DSMB 6 has scheduled to review the interim results. has scheduled to review the interim results. The second phase involves 30 patients with severe CDI. This is an open-label randomized trial testing DNV3837 (in 2/3 of patients) against an approved standard of care7 (1/3 of patients) for comparison purposes. ABOUT DEINOVE DEINOVE is a French biotechnology company, a leader in disruptive innovation, which aims to help meet the challenges of antibiotic resistance and the transition to a sustainable production model for the cosmetics and nutrition industries. DEINOVE has developed a unique and comprehensive expertise in the field of rare bacteria that it can decipher, culture, and optimize to disclose unsuspected possibilities and induce them to produce biobased molecules with activities of interest on an industrial scale. To do so, DEINOVE has been building and documenting since its creation an unparalleled biodiversity bank that it exploits thanks to a unique technological platform in Europe. DEINOVE is organized around two areas of expertise: ANTIBIOTICS, New-generation anti-infective drugs : A first antibiotic candidate is now in Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with bioMerieux and Naicons (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). : A first antibiotic candidate is now in Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with bioMerieux and Naicons (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). BIOACTIVES, Active ingredients of natural origin with cosmetics as the first market. DEINOVE already markets four cosmetic active ingredients, proprietary or developed in partnership with Greentech and Hallstar France, and has a number of products in development. Within the Euromedecine science park located in Montpellier, DEINOVE employs 60 employees, mainly researchers, engineers, and technicians, and has filed more than 300 patent applications internationally. The Company has been listed on EURONEXT GROWTH since April 2010. CONTACTS Investors Coralie Martin Communication, Marketing and Investor Relations Ph.: +33 (0)6 46 62 47 50 coralie.martin@deinove.com Media ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol Ph.: +33 (0)6 64 18 99 59 deinove@alizerp.com 1 https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---01-june-2020 2 MRSA: meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 3 https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.html#cdiff 4 Balsells E, Shi T, Leese C, Lyell I, Burrows J, Wiuff C, Campbell H, Kyaw MH, and Nair H (2019) Global burden of Clostridium difficile infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health 9:010407 5 Prodrug: substance whose transformation in the body results in an active product 6 DSMB - Data Safety Monitoring Board: a group of independent experts tasked to review the data generated during the trial and make recommendations on patient safety as well as trial relevance and validity. 7 Standard treatments approved in the United States for the treatment of CDIs include vancomycin, fidaxomicin and metronidazole (all three antibiotics). The choice will be at the discretion of the clinicians. Attachment PR in English [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Sixteen people 14 men and two women were honored Thursday, July 9 in a special graduation ceremony for Kalamazoo Valley Community Colleges 89th Police Officer Training Academy. The cadets, who began the academy in January, were scheduled to graduate in May. The COVID-19 pandemic forced instruction to cease on March 24. The cadets were allowed to return to campus May 18 to complete the last eight weeks of instruction. This is a very special group, said Director of Kalamazoo Valleys Law Enforcement Training Center Victor Ledbetter. They overcame a lot and stuck with it. I commend them for the dedication and believe they will be outstanding, well-trained and well-rounded officers who will serve our communities well. Six of the of the cadets were sponsored by local agencies and will begin serving their respective communities following graduation, nine others secured employment during the academy and one is in the final stages of the interviewing process. The graduates, their hometowns and employers are listed below: Dominic Alderman Southgate, MI Battle Creek Police Department Sarah Bleything Middlebury, IN Constantine Police Department Daniel Boehme Hudsonville, MI Richland Village Police Department Creo Brewster New Buffalo, MI Berrien County Sheriffs Department Renee Gallagher Coloma, MI Pokagon Tribal Police Department Antwan Henderson Benton Harbor, MI Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety Brandon Hulst Hamilton, MI Kentwood Police Department Nathan Johnson Burr Oak, MI Sturgis Police Department Paul Kidd Coloma MI Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Department James Kristy Ferndale MI Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Department Ryan Metz LaGrange Park, IL Covert Township Police Department Michael Pellerito Coloma, MI Berrien County Sheriffs Department Nathan Penning Paw Paw MI Van Buren County Sheriffs Department Codee Stanley Niles, MI Berrien County Sheriffs Department Justin VandeVoren Kalamazoo, MI Mattawan Police Department Joseph Walker Imlay City, MI Kalamazoo Valley Community College President L. Marshall Washington addressed the graduates during the small ceremony that was held at the Groves Campus last week. Guests were not allowed to attend. The Police Officer Training Academy is a 16-week, full-time program, typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. 6 p.m. In addition, some training occurs on nights and weekends as needed. The next academy begins in August and runs from August 24 December 15. Applications are no longer being accepted but anyone interested in a career in law enforcement should contact Ledbetter at vledbetter@kvcc.edu for information regarding the January 2021 academy. By John Bricker San Jose Spotlight At war with the hospital. That's how a top nurses union leader outside Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose on Monday described a dispute over working conditions at the hospital. Roughly 50 nurses cheered in agreement. "And by God, we have to win it, because if we don't win it, we could end up dying taking care of the patients that have (COVID-19)," said Malinda Markowitz, co-president of the California Nurses Association. "This is a matter of life and death." Nurses on Monday protested unsafe staffing and poor working conditions at Good Samaritan Hospital, saying they have worsened because of a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and the closing of Regional Medical Center's obstetrics department. Maternity patients from Regional Hospital were transferred to Good Samaritan for care. "If there is no justice, there is no peace," Markowitz led the crowd in a chant, as cars drove by on Samaritan Drive, honking in support. Regional Medical Center announced in April plans to close its maternity ward, citing a declining birth rate in San Jose. Hospital officials said the closure is needed because of the low birth rate, but opponents worried the surge in new patients would overwhelm nurses at other hospitals and leave East San Jose without a birthing center. Lindy Herrera, a registered nurse who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Good Samaritan, said Monday the hospital is so short handed that nurses in the emergency room have missed taking breaks, which violates California Labor Law and the nurses' contract with the hospital. "They are constantly trying to short staff every unit so they can make a profit," she said. "If you don't have nurses there, they pay less money so then they make more profit." Good Samaritan Hospital's Chief Nursing Officer Mark Brown told San Jos Spotlight in May that the decision to close Regional Medical Center's maternity ward aligned with Good Samaritan's renovations of its labor and delivery department. Brown said the move was necessary because nurses could get out of practice at the center's rate of just two births a day. "There's a memory deficit," Brown told San Jos Spotlight in May. "In the grand scheme of things, it's actually safest to do these procedures at a hospital that does these at a high volume rather than a low-volume hospital." However, several nurses who work at Good Samaritan are concerned that nurses can't keep up with a surge in new patients. Diana Rossman, a registered nurse at Good Samaritan who works with high-risk pregnant mothers, said Brown ignores nurses' concerns and misrepresents the working conditions at Good Samaritan. "He likes to present to the media that everything's all under control and that we have what we need," she said. "And in fact, we don't." Nurses planned Monday's protest following a June virtual meeting that provided the nurses a platform to raise concerns. After joining the call more than an hour late, Herrera said Brown responded to concerns about staffing shortages by saying that he always approves appropriate staffing and hung up on 25 nurses on the call. "We had a bunch of issues that we needed to bring to his attention, and he just hangs up on us," she said. Good Samaritan has hired more nurses in labor and delivery the week after the meeting, but registered nurse John Pasha demanded the hospital fix its widespread short staffing. "We are making a little progress, but it's not enough," he said. "These are crumbs that they are giving to us." In addition to staffing issues, nurses at Good Samaritan said the management asks them to recycle protective gear, putting them at risk of contracting COVID-19. Rossman said hospital leaders told nurses to recycle N95 masks up to 25 times and rationed PPE gear. She said the hospital is making staffing decisions based on profit, not patient safety. "We want to protect our patients. We want to protect our community," Rossman said. "And we're being asked to do our jobs with our hands tied behind our backs because we're so short staffed." Contact John Bricker at johnmichaelbricker@yahoo.com or follow him @JohnMichaelBr15 on Twitter. 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. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore early Tuesday to receive treatment for a possible infection and will remain for a few days, according to the Supreme Court. Ginsburg, 87, is the court's oldest member, and her health has been a recurring public topic and source of both speculation and concern. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the court said Ginsburg had been experiencing fever and chills on Monday, so she was initially taken to Sibley Memorial Hospital in the District that night. On Tuesday afternoon, she was given an endoscopic procedure "to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August," the court said. Ginsburg will stay in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics, the court said, adding that she was "resting comfortably." Justices typically get to decide how much information they reveal about their health, and the differences in disclosure can be stark. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. fell at a Maryland country club last month and stayed overnight at a hospital, something only revealed publicly when The Washington Post reported it last week. Ginsburg has been more public with her medical issues, which included being treated four times for cancer. In November 2018, she fell in her office and fractured three ribs. She was also taken to Johns Hopkins in May for a nonsurgical treatment of a benign gall bladder condition and, last year, also was treated there following chills and a fever. Ginsburg declared herself cancer free earlier this year following treatment for pancreatic cancer last summer. Last year, Ginsburg missed oral arguments for the first time in her career while recovering from cancer surgery. Conspiracy theories floated around social media about her absence, which ended when Ginsburg returned to the bench in February 2019 and was the first justice to ask questions during oral arguments that day. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the justices have been holding their conferences over the phone. In May, Ginsburg participated in one from her hospital room. Given both her age and periodic health issues, Ginsburg's status on the court has repeatedly led to questions about who may eventually replace her. The high court is also a significant issue in this year's presidential election. A third pick by President Donald Trump could cement the court's conservative majority, while a selection by former vice president Joe Biden, if he is elected, would fortify the court's liberal minority. Ginsburg, who was chosen for the court in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, leads the court's liberal wing. Early Tuesday morning, the court's conservative majority moved to allow a federal execution to proceed, issuing its order in the death-penalty case shortly after 2 a.m. The court's liberal justices wrote two dissents, and the hospitalized justice joined both. Amaravati, July 15 : A massive jump of more than 500 new cases over the previous day saw Andhra Pradesh report its highest single-day tally ever on Wednesday with an unprecedented 2,432 new cases detected in the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. State health officials said that as few as three districts reported new cases in double digits, with the remaining nine districts returning Covid counts running into triple digits. Guntur reported the highest tally of 468 while Kurnool followed with 403 cases. Similarly, Chittoor with 257 cases, East Godavari with 247 cases also ranked among the high incidence districts of the state. Some of the other districts that reported high numbers over the previous 24 hours include West Godavari with 207 cases, Srikakulam with 178 cases, Anantapur with 162 cases, Visakhapatnam with 123 cases, Kadapa with 112 cases and Krishna district with 108 cases. With Wednesday's addition of new cases, Andhra Pradesh's overall tally of Covid cases has jumped to 35,451 cases detected till date. The previous record for single-day tally was on Monday when 1,935 cases were reported. On Wednesday, the state also reported the highest ever death toll in a single day, with 44 deaths reported from 9 of the 13 districts in the state. The overall death toll in Andhra Pradesh shot up to 452, state health officials said. Wednesday's death toll beats the previous record of 43 deaths reported the preceding morning. Deaths were reported from 12 of the state's 13 districts. Anantapur and West Godavari districts recorded the highest number of nine deaths each, followed by Kurnool with five deaths. On the other hand, Chittoor, East Godavari, and Visakhapatnam reported four deaths each, while Kadapa, Krishna and Prakasam reported two deaths each. At the bottom of the list were Nellore, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram districts reporting one death each. In all, 805 persons were discharged from hospitals and Covid treatment centres by Wednesday. Andhra Pradesh currently has 16,621 active cases while 18,378 persons have been declared as cured and discharged till date. A significant upsurge was reported during the previous 24 hours in the number of positive cases detected in returnees from other states to Andhra Pradesh. On Wednesday, 20 new cases were detected from returnees to the state from other parts of the country. Of these, 12 persons had returned from the neighbouring Telugu state of Telangana, while five persons were from Tamil Nadu, and three persons had returned from Karnataka. In all, 2,444 persons have tested positive for Covid among those who returned from other states. The active cases tally in this category is 427, while 2,017 persons have recovered till date. Over the past 24 hours, no new cases were reported from persons with a travel history to foreign countries. The cumulative tally of Covid patients in this category stands at 432, while 329 persons have been discharged after getting cured. As of Tuesday, 103 cases are receiving treatment. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) KITCHENER Waterloo Regional Police are looking into a hate groups posters that were discovered in Kitchener over the weekend. Photos of the posters were shared on social media. One of them reads smash white guilt with an image of a man smashing the word guilt while holding an object with a swastika on it. Another one features a large image of a swastika and reads Canada awake. In a tweet, Waterloo Regional Police said they are aware of the posters and are looking into them. Local politicians have also spoken out against the posters on Twitter. Regional Chair Karen Redman wrote in a tweet: Hate crime is a criminal offence. Hate speech, racism and white supremacy have no place in our community. Last month a racist flyer warning against interracial marriages was delivered to homes in Waterloo and Kitchener. The flyers sparked outrage in the community as well as a police investigation. Police ask that anyone who finds a poster should call them at 519-570-9777 to report it. (Newser) Taking over for Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews on Dancing With the Stars: Tyra Banks. ABC announced the supermodel will be the new, solo, host of the reality competition for its 29th season, though it's still not clear when that season will premiere, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the AP reports. Banks, the co-creator of America's Next Top Model, says in a statement she enjoys DWTS' "fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances ... its always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk." Sources tell TMZ that Banks, who will also be an executive producer for the show, has been in talks with the network before it booted Bergeron, who had been hosting since the show's inception, and Andrews. (Read more Dancing with the Stars stories.) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Thermometers will be included in welcome kits for students. Masks and social distancing measures will be required. Any case of COVID-19 will be addressed with cleaning and contact tracing. University of New Mexico officials are forging ahead with a hybrid fall semester. That is, most coursework will be done remotely, but some will take place in person. Their vision for the term was discussed during a Board of Regents meeting Tuesday that, like most classes next semester, was on Zoom videoconference. Courses are scheduled to start Aug. 17. The regents also approved revised budgets for the main, branch and health science campuses. The total main campus budget operating and capital is expected to drop from $905 million to $872 million due to lower revenues and added expenses caused by the virus. Departments will be asked to scrub their budgets for ways to cover the deficit. Meanwhile, the peak number of students on the UNM campus is expected to be at noon on Tuesdays, with about 1,200 students taking a course in person and as many as 4,000 total people on campus, including faculty, staff and residents, Provost James Holloway said. By contrast, a normal day on campus pre-COVID would perhaps draw as many as 30,000 people at a given time, he estimated. Our goals have been to limit, but not eliminate, face-to-face instruction, he said. About two-thirds of courses are now scheduled to be entirely remote, but that number could increase, Holloway said. Two thousand students will be allowed to live on campus, with just one person in every traditional dorm room. About 2,300 students were living in campus housing in March when they had to abruptly move out because of coronavirus, but housing officials said that was well under capacity. The university has created protocols for how to clean areas after a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, which have been used once so far, Holloway said. Contact tracers those trying to track who might be infected will be hired specifically to work infections at UNM by the start of the fall semester, officials said. We will hire contact tracers for the campus community, but they will be supervised by the Department of Health, Holloway said during the meeting. UNM President Garnett Stokes gave a presentation that mentioned the overall state capacity in testing because she said it remains limited and needs to be rationed. She said the school plans to have more information in the future about testing. Cinnamon Blair, a spokeswoman for the university, said UNM doesnt have its own system for collecting samples and testing for coronavirus. People are waiting for hours in lines to get tested. Plans may change With confirmed cases in New Mexico rising at a significant clip, Regent Rob Schwartz asked whether the university planned to have a trigger in place that would automatically move the university to remote instruction. The rate of spread or an inability to do contact tracing are possibilities, he said. Were not going to set a specific number that would lead us to reverse course, because it is going to be a constant evaluation, Stokes said. We know that well have to monitor these things every day. Face-to-face instruction is expected to end before Thanksgiving break, and students will complete the semester and take finals online, according to UNMs website. With so much of the curriculum planned for online, there has been a recent effort by UNM students to call for tuition and fees to be lowered. Mia Amin, president of Associated Students of the University of New Mexico, told regents during the meeting about a petition to lower tuition and fees that has been signed by more than 4,700 students. I dont think we can turn a blind eye to this petition, she said. Virtual learning does not provide the same experience as in-person learning, and therefore the students are wanting a break on tuition. Amin requested a good amount of discussion before regents approved a revised budget. Regent President Doug Brown said the university would consider some type of relief for students in terms of their fees. Little discussion However, regents on Tuesday approved budget revision plans for the main, branch and health sciences campuses with a few questions from regents but little discussion. The revised plans reflect significant declines in state appropriations and revenues, as well as COVID-19-related expenses, said Teresa Costantinidis, the senior vice president for finance and administration. On the main campus, total revenues in the revised budget are about $872 million. That is down from the original proposed budget of $905 million, according to UNM documents. Within that revised budget for main campus is about $483 million in unrestricted revenue, which is essentially an operating budget that doesnt include capital project and grants and contracts. The budget revision has about $498 million in unrestricted expenses. Costantinidis said individual units across campus will be expected to look in the coming weeks and months for ways to absorb that roughly $15 million shortfall. The administrations budget plans were passed by regents and will now have to be approved by the state Higher Education Department. Even though I would have liked to see some discussion before the budget adjustment request was put to vote, I understand why the regents decided to approve it, Amin said after the meeting. I look forward to working with student leaders and campus administrators to continue to advocate for college affordability. Credit: Dung Hoang for Johns Hopkins University In May, the patient had hosted a party for a dozen friends in Salt Lake City, fallen sick, and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The next day, Salt Lake County contact tracer MacKenzie Bray, MPH '19, asked the patient for names and phone numbers of all the guests. The patient told Bray: "If I'd known I was contagious, I'd never have been around other people." It's something she hears often. Bray notified the guests. One had quickly gotten a test, and it was negative. He declined to quarantine, but Bray kept calling. Then the man got sick. This time, he tested positive, and so did his family, though only he had symptoms. "If people test too soon and are negative, they think they're fine," says Bray. On average, one person with the novel coronavirus infects two or three other people. If a person passes the virus to three others and that same reproduction rate continues, 10 generations of infection could lead to more than 88,000 infections in fewer than two months. Social distancing had slowed the spread of the virus in Bray's county in May, however; at that point, people with the virus were likely infecting one or two others. Assuming a reproduction number of 1.5, the party guest's hypothetical family of four could have infected more than 600 people by July. Even if the case-fatality rate was just 1%, six of those people might have died. Bray's contact-tracing process hadn't gone perfectly, but it almost certainly reduced the virus's spread. Contact tracing is one of the few available strategies we have to stop the chains of coronavirus transmission, and ultimately reduce the number of cases and deaths," says epidemiologist Kelly Henning, who leads the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. "It will also allow us to continue to slow the spread of the virus while safely reopening the economy, and keeping it open." It's a simple but difficult process. After calling patients who have recently tested positive and asking them to stay home and isolated from others in the household until they recover, contact tracers then call their recent close contacts and urge them to quarantine themselves for 14 days. Health departments in the U.S. have used this strategy since the early 20th centuryoriginally for tuberculosis and syphilis. Globally, it contributed to the smallpox eradication effort in the 1960s and '70s, has helped South Africa control tuberculosis since the 1990s, and played a role in ending West Africa's 2014 Ebola outbreak. Before COVID-19 arrived, the U.S. had only about 2,000 credentialed contact tracers, mostly for sexually transmitted diseases. In a national plan published on April 10, the Bloomberg School's Center for Health Security called on health departments nationwide to hire an "army" of 100,000 contact tracers. Their work will be crucial as people return to work, schools, restaurants, hair salons, and gyms. "In theory, if we are able to find the vast majority of cases, trace their contacts, and ask them to quarantine at home, that will limit the amount of surge that we experience," says epidemiologist Crystal Watson, DrPH '17, MPH '09, lead author of the Center's plan. Watson and colleagues recommend that Congress provide $3.6 billion to help state and local health departments hire those 100,000 contact tracers for a year at $17 per hour. In comparison, Congress passed four bills by mid-May that, together, allocate $3 trillion to businesses, individuals, and government programs. Other countries have already used contact tracing successfully against COVID-19. South Korea is one of several nations that have controlled the virus without extended lockdowns by using widespread testing and contact tracing. When the virus flared there in early May after nightclubs reopened, South Koreans traced thousands of contacts, says Watson. "They had the capacity. That's what I want to have for the U.S.," she says. On April 22, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that the state health department would immediately hire 6,400 new contact tracers, and up to 17,000, if needed. Technical advice would come from Resolve to Save Lives, led by former CDC director Tom Frieden, MD, MPH. The Bloomberg School would provide recruits with free online training. To make this happen, Bloomberg Philanthropies pledged $10.5 million. These new hires would learn the basics from an online course developed by Bloomberg School epidemiologist Emily Gurley, Ph.D. '12, MPH, and several colleagues. In designing COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Gurley drew on her 15 years' experience using contact tracing against everything from acute hepatitis to Nipah virus, mainly in Bangladesh. Gurley's team designed the five-hour course to be understandable to anyone with a high school diploma. Lectures teach SARS-CoV-2 basics, explain how to trace contacts, and address ethical considerations. A segment on interviewing cases and contacts includes a video of mock phone calls with two actors: an elderly, coughing patient, and a woman who'd sat near him at choir practice. When it went live on May 11, the course caught fire. Within three weeks, 345,000 students enrolled, and 35 million people viewed the Coursera landing page. Of the first 40,000 applicants for the New York jobs, 5,000 had completed the course before applying. Emails poured into Gurley's inbox. The media asked for interviews nonstop. Some people wrote to tout their contact tracing apps, while others let Gurley know they were translating the course into Portuguese, Spanish, Nepali, Arabic, and Ukrainian. A public health official in Louisiana wanted everyone in her parish to take the course so they would understand contact tracing's power and be more likely to cooperate. By early May, NPR reported that 44 states and the District of Columbia expected to hire a total of 66,000 new contact tracers. When Massachusetts posted 1,000 contact tracing jobs, 15,000 people applied. "I do think there's a real sense of 'how can I help?' People feel that they want to be part of something; they want to be part of reopening our communities," says Adriane Casalotti of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Contact tracing requires more than knowing the coronavirus's natural history and details about transmission. "There are a lot of interpersonal skills that are important to make it through those interviews," says Tyler Shelby, a contact tracing supervisor in New Haven, Connecticut. When calling an index patient, "you're not really sure what you're getting into until you're on the phone. Some of these individuals are very sick." Initial calls to patients last from 30 to 40 minutes, says Shelby, an MD/Ph.D. student at Yale School of Medicine who oversees 170 volunteer tracers (all graduate students in health-related programs at Yale). The calls often require persistence and people skills. Utah contact tracer Bray (whose account has been altered to protect anonymity) said patients and contacts are often worried about scams and can be reluctant to answer calls. Some have told Bray they can't stay home because they lack sick pay or fear losing their jobs if they call in sick. She also sometimes worries that patients haven't told her the truthfor instance, when a person says she's quarantined but Bray hears children playing nearby. "You're not responsible for your patients' actions," she says. "But it still weighs on you." It's not easy work, concedes former CDC director Frieden. "You have to really explain to people that they may be spreading [the virus] without knowing it. You have to put it in personal terms: 'This could be your neighbor's kid with leukemia who dies, or your coworker's wife who has breast cancer,'" he says. "This really is about people's lives." He also suggests that health departments make sure that people entering isolation or quarantine have what they need, such as medical care, medications, groceries, and supplies like masks and trash bags. Best practices, Frieden says, include stipends to replace lost income. "If people who are infected, and their contacts, are safer and stay isolated, we will all be safer," Frieden says. As states, cities, and towns experiment with ways to live with the virus in our midst, says Watson, "investing in contact tracing can prevent communities from yo-yoing between controlling the virus and having it spread unchecked." Contact tracing, she says, can reduce suffering and death while we wait for a vaccine. Contact tracing in three steps Here's how contact tracers work to break chains of transmission: A contact tracer calls the person identified by a health department as positive either via testing or a presumptive diagnosis by a physician. The tracer collects information about symptoms, underlying conditions, and risk factors for exposure, such as attending a big party or working in a warehouse. Then she asks the patient to isolate from other people for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms (or longer if symptoms persist). The tracer collects names and contact information of anyone who had been in close contact with the patient beginning two days before symptoms appeared. Close contact means being within 6 feet of a person, usually for 15 minutes. A patient's calendar, text messages, and credit card bills can help the person remember where they were and with whom. Some governments use proximity apps on phones to identify contacts. The tracer or a colleague alerts each contact. Taking care to maintain the index patient's privacy, the contact tracer can use phone calls, voice mail, texts, email, and letters to connect with contacts. Each is asked to quarantine and avoid contact with other household members for 14 days from the last time they saw the infected person. Best practice calls for supporting people in quarantine with necessities like food and medications. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:52:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- "For the coming two years, the focus of my job is to restore order out of chaos and get the fundamentals right." -- The national security law in HKSAR is crucial to safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and bringing back peace and order, Lam said, calling the legislation highly "timely and necessary." -- Lam condemned the U.S. government and congress for violating the basic norms of international relations and said she does not worry about the sanctions. -- "Our edges primarily lie in 'one country, two systems' and secondly in an independent judiciary system and an efficient business environment. The strategy of the HKSAR government is to protect our inherent advantages and wait for the best timing to revive the economy." HONG KONG, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said she is determined to lead the financial hub to rally its strengths and efforts for recovery after a turbulent year of violence and unrest. "The most challenging test has yet to come," Lam said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua two weeks after the enactment of the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR. The chief executive said the past year has proved that the Hong Kong society is in urgent need of deepening the understanding of "one country, two systems." "For the coming two years, the focus of my job is to restore order out of chaos and get the fundamentals right," Lam said. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, south China, July 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang) LAW AND ORDER The new law, adopted by China's top legislature and promulgated in the HKSAR on June 30, is crucial to safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and bringing back peace and order, Lam said, calling the legislation highly "timely and necessary." Hong Kong has been gripped by prolonged social disturbances since June 2019, with many of the over 1,400 protests and assemblies descending into illegal and violent incidents. "Many people said Hong Kong was no longer the place [they are familiar with]," Lam said, noting the impact on Hong Kong was enormous and lasting and she, as the HKSAR chief executive, was also facing the toughest challenge in her 40 years of public service. As the law has been put in place, it is the responsibility of the HKSAR government to strictly enforce the law and bring whoever breaks it to justice, Lam said. The rule of law was trampled on amid the social unrest over the past year. Some educators even preached that one can break the law to achieve the so-called justice determined by oneself, and an increasing number of young people took to the streets, committed violent acts and were arrested and prosecuted. The chaotic situation must be reversed, Lam said, vowing more efforts to raise people's awareness of protecting national security and abiding by the law and better explain to the public about the significance of national security. A Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong, south China, July 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang) CONCERNS UNNECESSARY Responding to allegations that the national security law contradicts the "one country, two systems" principle, Lam said on the contrary the law shows that the central authorities respect "one country, two systems" and trust the HKSAR. Lam said the law is important to the national security of the country and its 1.4 billion people, and its enforcement is largely entrusted to the HKSAR. "In contrast, would the United States delegate the power of handling national security affairs to a state or a city? Impossible." "Being entrusted with such a huge responsibility by the central government, we must make sure the law is being well implemented," Lam said. Since the social unrest started last year, western countries have increased their interference in Hong Kong affairs. The United States has blatantly imposed sanctions against Hong Kong, with its so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" signed into law on Wednesday. Lam condemned the U.S. government and congress for violating the basic norms of international relations and said she does not worry about the sanctions. Hong Kong's status as a global financial center is not granted by the United States and "financial sanctions will hurt not only Hong Kong but also U.S. companies," Lam said. The United States enjoys a surplus of nearly 30 billion U.S. dollars each year in its goods trade with Hong Kong, and U.S. financial institutions conduct a large proportion of transactions in Hong Kong's capital market. While the United States is attempting to use sanctions to shake people's confidence in Hong Kong, the national security law will in return consolidate the confidence of investors and businesses, Lam said. "Over time, both overseas investors and Hong Kong residents will find out that there is no need to worry at all," she said. Photo taken on June 12, 2020 shows the night view of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) ADVANTAGES INTACT The prolonged social disturbances and rising cases of COVID-19 infections have dealt a double whammy to Hong Kong as its gross domestic product plunged 8.9 percent year on year in the first quarter of this year and the jobless rate during March to May spiked to a 15-year high of 5.9 percent. However, Lam remains highly optimistic about Hong Kong's outlook and believes its advantages are intact. "Our edges primarily lie in 'one country, two systems' and secondly in an independent judiciary system and an efficient business environment," Lam said. "The strategy of the HKSAR government is to protect our inherent advantages and wait for the best timing to revive the economy." From the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the Belt and Road Initiative and the cooperation with the ASEAN members, "all these will bring a great deal of opportunities to service providers and businesses in Hong Kong as an international financial center," Lam said. Lam hopes that Hong Kong will expand cooperation with other cities of the Greater Bay Area in youth entrepreneurship and innovation in a bid to make full use of its strengths. "At least three or four Hong Kong universities plan to build new campuses in the Greater Bay Area." Hong Kong serves as a significant platform for fund-raising activities of mainland businesses and overseas settlement of renminbi, and boasts high quality services of arbitration, education and medical treatment, Lam said. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Hong Kong, south China, July 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Gang) POLITICAL OBSTRUCTION While tapping the opportunities of integrating into national development, Hong Kong also needs to resolve its own deep-seated problems. Since taking office in 2017, Lam has been working on tackling Hong Kong's development bottleneck and bringing in new vitality. She highlighted housing, land supply, improvement of people's livelihood, and economic development in her latest Policy Address published last October. However, the filibuster of opposition lawmakers has turned providing people's well-being into a political issue. Lam said many government development proposals, including a land reclamation project, have suffered obstructions. "I hope the public can see clearly who is obstructing Hong Kong's development." Looking ahead, Lam said there are a lot of things she wishes to achieve. "Build more houses, develop more land, improve communication and education, promote arts and culture...I hope to keep pushing forward on all these fronts." (Video reporters: Qiu Bo, Wan Houde; Video editor: Chen Sihong) Burma Neither Return nor More Compensation: Myanmar Military Stands Firmly on Farmers Confiscated Land Deputy Minister of Defense Major General Myint Nwe. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWThe Defense Ministry says it has no plan to return the farmland it confiscated for a sugar mill project in Sagaing Regions Kantbalu Township or give additional compensation to the lands original owners. As compensation was given according to the market rates, since lands were confiscated for the mill, [the Defense Ministry] has no plan to give additional compensation or return the land, Deputy Minister Major General Myint Nwe told the Upper House on Tuesday. According to local residents, in 1999, the Myanmar military took around 1,000 acres of land owned by over 180 farmers from several villages including Htantabin, Chaungkan and Thalel-U in Kantbalu Township for a sugar mill project to be operated by the military-owned Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). The land was worth around 80,000 kyats per acre on the market at the time (equal to US$58.47 today), but the Myanmar military only gave 20,000 kyats per acre, according to Upper House lawmaker U Win Aung of Sagaing Region. Farmers neither received appropriate compensation nor were they given land elsewhere. They also lost their crops and plants along with the land. We have the responsibility to remedy the sufferings of farmers who are in grinding poverty, said U Win Aung. According to field surveys in May 2017 by the districts Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands and its Farmland Management and Statistics Department, there are 100 acres of spare land on the compound of the MEC-run sugar mill and that land was leased out to tenants and for fishing. The district-level Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands then asked that the unused land be returned to the farmers and that additional compensation be paid to dispossessed farmers according to the market rates at the time. U Win Aung said that the MEC did not return the land and so he had to raise the issue. Maj-Gen Myint Nwe said a team comprised of the Kantbalu Township Peace and Development Councilwhich was the township-level administrative body during the military regimeand the township Land Records Department gave compensation to over 180 farmers in accordance with the law. We found that compensation was given to each farmer according to the recommendations of relevant civil departments, said Maj-Gen Myint Nwe. He said the sugar mill is still operating and there is no spare land because an ethanol plant, staff quarters, roads, sugarcane plantations and beans and pluses plantations are taking up land in the compound. He insisted that compensation was given according to the market rate at the time, citing a policy that, in cases where land owners were compensated according to market rates at the time of confiscation, dispossessed farmers cannot ask for further compensation at later time. U Thein Tun Aung, one of the farmers demanding the return of land grabbed by the military, said the deputy defense ministers statements ignored the suggestion of the Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands that the unused land be returned and that appropriate compensation be given to owners. We will continue to do what we can within the legal framework unless and until we get our legal rights, said U Thein Tun Aung. Disputes over land remain one a central challenge in Myanmar. The Central Committee for Scrutinizing Confiscated Farmlands and Other Lands was established in May 2016. The committee, chaired by Vice President Henry Van Thio, falls under the executive branch and is distinct from parliamentary committees with similar responsibilities. Tasked with monitoring state and divisional governments handling of land disputes, the committee can enable the return of land to dispossessed farmers from government ministries, state-owned enterprises and private companies. The committee has adopted a policy that adequate compensation should be provided to dispossessed farmers, many of whom have received only nominal sums or nothing at all, for the confiscation of their land, and that government ministries, state-owned enterprises and private companies should relinquish confiscated lands which they no longer use. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. You may also like these stories: Myanmars Anti-Graft Body Sues Land Management Official for Corruption Land Buyers in Myanmars Yangon Have to Pay Infrastructure Fees Myanmar Military Condemns EU and UK Moves to Continue Sanctions Flash The United States has withdrawn its troops from five bases in Afghanistan and maintains its force level in the country at mid-8,000s, fulfilling its obligation under the U.S.-Taliban deal signed in late February, the U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday. "U.S. forces in Afghanistan remain in the mid-8,000s and five bases formerly occupied by U.S. forces have been transferred to our Afghan partners," Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. Hoffman urged all sides to "reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan." According to the agreement signed on Feb. 29 between the United States and the Afghan Taliban, the United States would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 within 135 days till July 13. Last month, Commander of U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie indicated at an event that the United States had met its obligation ahead of schedule. "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said, adding "we're at that number now." The agreement also called for a full withdrawal of the U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 if the Taliban meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups. The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 U.S. military deaths, is the longest one in U.S. history. President Donald Trump has long complained about its endlessness and sought a full withdrawal from Afghanistan. Troopers are asking for help identifying the person or people who have shot cars on Interstate 5 in southern Oregon. The Oregon State Police said five cars have been hit by bullets on a stretch of interstate spanning from Canyonville to north of Grants Pass over the last several weeks. No injuries have been reported. Troopers urge anyone traveling in the area who thinks their car has been hit by a bullet to call 911 and note the time and location of the shooting. People whose cars have been shot should leave the area if possible. Troopers also urge anyone who has information about the shootings to call 1-800-442-2068 or *OSP. Tipsters should reference case No. SP20-173444. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Gov. Phil Murphy will enter the Trenton War Memorials George Washington Ballroom at 1 p.m. Wednesday to hold the second of his three scheduled coronavirus press conferences this week. The briefing will be streamed live on the governors YouTube channel at 1 p.m. with Murphy joined by three regular participants: state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, state epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan and State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan. New data released Wednesday morning shows the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 climbed to 923 as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, up from 892 a day earlier after weeks of steady declines. The states 71 hospitals reported 78 patients on ventilators and and 151 are receiving critical care. A day earlier those numbers were 79 and 149. Also Wednesday, the lifting of the 50% capacity limits on NJ Transit trains, buses and light rail will take effect at 8 p.m. Face coverings are still mandatory. The state reported 28 more deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 423 additional positive tests on Tuesday. New Jerseys death toll from the coronavirus rose Tuesday to 15,582 confirmed and probable fatalities, with 175,915 known cases since March 4. The overwhelming majority of those infected have long since recovered. In addition, the states transmission rate remained below the key benchmark of 1. Following the press conference Murphy has two other scheduled media appearances. At 4:10 p.m. hell be interviewed on CNBCs Closing Bell before he calls in to New York City radio station 1010 WINS at 5 p.m. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. (ANSA) - MILAN, JUL 15 - A 52-year-old Italian businessman from the province of Bergamo, Daniele Ferrari, was killed during a robbery in Namibia Wednesday, the mayor of his small town Castione della Presolana said on Facebook. First citizen Angelo Migliorati said local police and the Italian consulate were trying to find those responsible. Ferrari was described as an entrepreneur but it is not yet known what kind of business activity he was engaged in. (ANSA). Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who was expected to take over the poll body in 2021, may leave to join the Asian Development Bank. The Manila-based Asian Development Bank on Wednesday announced that Lavasa has been appointed as the vice-president for private sector operations and public-private partnerships. Mr Lavasa has a long and distinguished career in the Indian civil service. He is currently one of the Election Commissioners of India and previously served in a range of senior posts including as Union Finance Secretary of India; Union Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change; and Union Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He has extensive experience in publicprivate partnerships and infrastructure development at the state and federal levels, with deep knowledge on public policy and the role of the private sector, ABD said in a press release issued on Wednesday. According to EC officials close to Lavasa, he is likely to take up the job. It is a prestigious assignment and he was happy to be considered, said an official on condition of anonymity. When HT spoke to chief election commissioner Sunil Arora, he said he was not aware of these developments A former poll official said the last time an election commissioner quit was in 1973, when Nagendra Singh, the then chief election commissioner resigned to join the International Court of Justice. Lavasa was one of the key dissenters when the poll body took a call on a clean-chit to prime minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah for speeches alleged to be violating the model code conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. He was the sole dissenter in the three-member commission to object to the speeches. Lavasas family later was under the scanner of the Income Tax Department for alleged discrepancies. The department also surveyed Nourish Organic Foods, where Lavasas son is a director. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says it will investigate and take appropriate action where necessary on the allegation of sexual assault levelled against one of its directors in the Savannah Region. The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district manager of the NHIA, Mahama Sakara has been accused by a nurse at the Soma CHPS facility of attempting to forcibly have sex with her. According to her, Mr. Sakara who came to the facility under the guise of a monitoring exercise persuaded her to give in to his sexual demands but later engaged in a struggle with her after she refused and in the process, his fingers entered her vagina. She subsequently reported the matter to the police and wrote to the NHIA seeking justice. Issahak Abdul Latif, the Regional Director of the NHIA confirmed to Citi News that he has received the letter and has forwarded it to the Chief Executive Officer at the Headquarters in Accra for action. As the Regional Director, my responsibility was just to deliver the letter which I have done and so for now, I will say we have received the letter and it has been forwarded to the final destination which is the Chief Executive of the Authority and we are waiting for appropriate response, said. He added that the Mahama Sakara has admitted knowing the nurse in question and said he was aware of the petition against him. I spoke to him asking whether he was aware and he said yes he knew the lady and secondly he was equally aware that a petition of such a nature was on its way to the Regional [NHIA] Office Investigations will surely be done by the head officeI want to assure the general public that very soon they will hear a pronouncement from the head office, he added. Read excerpts of the petition below: At about 9 am on the 8th of July 2020, the District Manager of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Scheme (Mahama Sakara) in the Savannah Region arrived at Soma CHPS with the mission of monitoring. However, when we got into the facility, Mr Mahama Sakara (the Sawla NHIA Manager) started making sexual demands. Upon several pleading that I was engaged to a man, Mr Sakara engaged me in a struggle to have sex with me. In the process, his (Sakara) fingers entered my vagina but could not have sexual intercourse with me. This incident was reported to the Sawla Police Station on the 9th of July, 2020 pending investigation. Equally, I have reported the incident of this attempted rape and sexual harassment to Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Health Directorate. I am calling on your good office as a reputable key partner in Ghana health care delivery, to investigate and institute the appropriate sanctions on Mr Mahama Sakara. He used his position as a District Manager to gain entry into Soma CHPS leading to such shameful sexual assault. It is my firm hope that this matter be properly investigated to maintain the goodwill that exists between the National Health Insurance Authority and your cherished health care provider staff. I have an audio recording of what transpired at die facility at a point when it was then clear that Mr. Sakara was on sex satisfaction escapade not monitoring. Counting on your esteem office for justice. ---citinewsroom Reported comments by party official Imed Khmiri come a day after PM Elyes Fakhfakh announces upcoming cabinet reshuffle. Ennahdha, the biggest party in Tunisias parliament, has decided to withdraw its support from the government of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, a senior party official told Reuters news agency. We adopted the option to withdraw confidence from the prime minister and mandate the party leader to follow up on the implementation of the decision', Imed Khmiri said on Wednesday. Ennahdha, which holds 54 of Parliaments 217 seats, would need to secure the backing of at least 109 legislators in a vote of confidence to bring down the government. In recent days, the self-described Muslim democratic party has increasingly voiced its disapproval of Fakhfakh over allegations of conflicts of interest involving him. Last month, an independent member of parliament published documents indicating that the prime minister owned shares in companies that had won deals worth 44 million dinars ($15m) from the state. A judge has opened an investigation, and the anti-corruption minister has assigned a public watchdog to look into the issue and report back. Fakhfakh denies he did anything improper or corrupt, saying he had sold his shares in the companies. However, he promised to step down if investigators find wrongdoing. The prime minister was sworn in in February after winning a confidence vote in Parliament following four months of post-election deadlock. Ennahdha had initially said it would reject Fakhfakhs proposed government over its exclusion of some parties, but it later walked back on its position following a minor reshuffle. In a sign of the turbulence shaking the fragile coalition, Fakhfakh on Monday said he will announce a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, a move that analysts say will see Ennadhas seven ministers removed from their posts. Separately, the government said on Monday it asked four countries to delay debt repayments, as it announced more pessimistic economic and budget forecasts for 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The request for payment rescheduling underscores the dire condition of Tunisias public finances, already a source of concern before the coronavirus crisis pummelled the global economy. The president of the Irish Farmers Association Tim Cullinan has said that he was disappointed to learn of the sacking of the Minister for Agriculture Barry Cowen. Mr Cullinan told Midlands 103 that he had been impressed with Mr Cowens grasp of his portfolio when they met. He was on top of the brief. "This is a critical time for farmers" he added and he was willing to work with whoever is appointed to the position of Minister for Agriculture. The key issue was the 50m compensation package for beef farmers for losses they suffered in the spring. We were working on a plan to get that money out to farmers. The Minister (Cowen) had committed to getting that money out in August. We want to ensure that money is got out as speedily as possible. I will have to take it up with the new Minister. Mr Cullinan said he had not been briefed prior to the sacking of Mr Cowen and the first he learned of it was on social media on Tuesday night. I feel sorry for the Cowen family and for the situation Barry has found himself in and I want to wish them the best. LONDON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer sees the launch of two new flat woven rug designs for CHACCRA's eponymous design collection; the Chakra Design Collection. A collection that fuses Nepalese artisanal rug craft with innovative weave methodologies and abstract design, both handcrafted designs play with pile heights and the unique nature of pure Tibetan wool to create soft and encouraging textures and mindful interaction. Kirana-CHACCRA DESIGN COLLECTION Atma-CHACCRA DESIGN COLLECTION The first of the new additions, Kirana is inspired by the Chakra of the Solar Plexus; soft and fluid, reminiscent of leaves on flowing water. Kirana is an expression of the traditional colour set of the Third Chakra, harnesses warm and curious shades to inspire creativity, curiosity and new beginnings. The second, Atma rug is inspired by the Sacral Chakra. Designer of both rugs Julia Guenther said: "Atma invites vitality and creativity into rooms with a collection of vibrant and emotive oranges, a variety of playful pile heights, and lucid, tactile textures. Atma harnesses a sensual and flourishing motif that blossoms and unfolds in movement, following fluid lines and organic compositions reminiscent of nature and earthly intuition." On the collection, CHACCRA's founder Sharon Shi said: "With the unique situation that we're currently in globally, we want to continue nurturing and supporting the wellbeing of our customers by encouraging new beginnings as we endeavour to make it through our 'new normal'. With summer looming, we wanted to introduce a new energy to the home, with warm summery hues and mesmerizing fluidity, to stimulate the sense of new beginnings at home." Kirana and Atma are handcrafted by expert artisans in Kathmandu are now available to order at chaccra.com." About CHACCRA CHACCRA is an international team of creatives who design handcrafted rug and homeware collections that are inspired by Nepalese culture. CHACCRA combines ancient craftsmanship with contemporary design to create innovative collections for mindful and energised homes. All collections are handcrafted in Nepal by local artisans and are respectfully designed to encourage balance, adventure and self-expression in modern homes. CHACCRA chooses natural and recyclable fibre and localised small batch production to ensure the collections are responsible, and the brand encourages sustainable ownership of heirloom pieces that are bought to stand the test of time and changing trends. Media contact: Mpona Lebajoa [email protected] +447788215466 SOURCE CHACCRA Related Links http://www.chaccra.com It was the last of the large LNG projects that put Australia in the lead for global LNG exports. It was the biggest jewel in Shell's LNG crown. But this jewel hasn't produced any LNG since February, and its future is unclear. The Prelude floating liquefied natural gas project, with an annual capacity of 3.6 million tons, began shipping LNG last June. The first cargo shipped more than eight years after the final investment decision was made, and two years after the FLNG vessel arrived at the site, one Wood Mac analyst pointed out at the time. In February this year, production was stopped following a technical problem. Production at the world's largest FLNG installation still hasn't been restored, and it remains unclear when this will happen. Building it and putting it into operation cost between $12 and $17 billion, according to external estimates. Now, there are concerns that it may flop. The gas market situation is difficult enough. Just like in oil, there is a substantial glut in natural gas, and demand is lagging far behind. According to Rystad Energy, global natural gas output is set for a 2.6-percent decline this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Next year, demand should begin to improve, driven by the low prices currently plaguing the sector. But that's only if the pandemic goes away for good and without a fight, which at the moment is not happening. In this situation, it may not be that bad that Prelude is not operating at the moment. There is an oversupply of LNG, prices are low, and Shell said in a recent update that it will take a hit because its 2019 term sales contracts for LNG were tied to oil prices. Related: The Race To Complete The Worlds Most Controversial Pipeline That hit may be nothing compared to what Prelude may need to break even, at least according to analysts from Goldman Sachs quoted by Tim Treadgold in an article for Forbes. According to them, the commercial breakeven price for gas produced at Prelude is as much as $20 per thousand cubic feet. This compares with prices between $2 and $3 per thousand cubic feet in April in the United States. The difference is impressive, and it certainly would explain why, as Treadgold notes, Shell is in no hurry to restart operations at Prelude. The question is whether it would become profitable at all, it seems. The current glut will clear in the not too distant future. This is what most LNG market watchers agree on. Gasand LNGhas enjoyed growing demand as a replacement for coal in power generation, and after the current crisis passes, demand will likely once again start to increase. But supply is increasing, too. Last year, according to Shell's LNG Outlook 2020, saw a record number of new LNG capacity additions as the industry raced to secure a spot in the long-term LNG market. And more capacity is coming, too, despite the current challenges. Just last month, French Total secured $15 billion in financing for a new LNG project in Mozambique. Exxon delayed its final investment decision on the $30-billion Rovuma LNG project, also in Mozambique, until next year, but it has not canceled it. Shell itself recently said it was interested in more LNG projects, this time in Russia. In other words, the long-term outlook for LNG remains positive. The outlook for Prelude, perhaps, not so much. With so much supply already on stream and more coming, competition in the space will only continue to intensify, meaning prices will remain low for longer. And if they do, Prelude may never reach its commercial breakeven level. "With Prelude now producing LNG for more than a week and the first shipment of LNG being imminent, we are further de-risking the delivery of our $8-10 billion organic free cash flow target in 2020," Shell's Integrated Gas & New Energies Director, Maarten Wetselaar, told analysts in June 2019. Hopes were justifiably high and plans were ambitious. But nobody could have foreseen the coronavirus pandemic then. Now, with 2020 demand forecasts in the trash and new ones pointing towards declines in everything energy-related, things are different. New plans will need to be made, although perhaps not as ambitious as previous ones. LNG will certainly have a lead part to play in the energy mix of the future. But what part costly floating LNG projects will play in LNG remains an open question. Prelude is an impressive achievement, regardless of its problems. As the largest floating LNG facility in the world, it has a total capacity of 5.3 million tons of hydrocarbon liquids annually, including, besides the LNG, 1.3 million tons of gas condensate and 400,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas. Floating LNG was to be a game-changer: boosting the efficiency of gas production by adding the processing to the place of extraction. But now it has to prove it is cost-competitive with other, more traditional approaches to LNG production. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Maputo, Mozambique, 14 July, 2020 - In a bold move, Josina Machel is appealing The Mozambican Superior Court of Appeals judgement, which reversed an earlier conviction of her former partner who had confessed to violently assaulting and leaving her blind in one eye. Machel, who is the daughter of Graca Machel, and Samora Machel, the first President of Mozambique; and stepdaughter to freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela was violently attacked by her then partner Rufino Licuco in October 2015. A protracted legal battle saw Licuco being convicted in February 2017 and eventually being jailed for three months in the same year. I had placed my trust in the Mozambican justice system, for 5 years, waiting for justice to turn its blind eyes to my gender and convict this man of the crime he has already confessed to. Yet, along with all the women who have joined me in waiting through the years, I have been let down once again, says Machel. Let me state unequivocally that I do not accept this judgment overturning Rofino Licucos conviction for domestic violence and completely acquitting him. This is not only a let-down for me, but it is creating a dangerous precedent for all women seeking to get legal retribution against those who violate them. Machel says this has strengthened and empowered her to continue the battle for justice, truth, and dignity, not only for herself but for all women. Shes calling for Justice4Josina and Justice4AllWomxn. The judgement will not set the dangerous precedent that my aggressor and his institutional enablers intend to. A situation all too familiar for women across the African continent. We are going to fight this. There must justice for all women. By demanding that I provide eyewitnesses to a crime that left me blind in one eye, the court has strengthened my resolve to look out for all other women around me. By dismissing irrefutable evidence, including the confession of Licuco to his crime, the Mozambican justice system has shown that it is simply uninterested in offering succour to victims. It has devalued the striking evidence (a blinded right eye) on account of a technical disagreement among experts about whether a piercing or blunt object caused the injury, rather than the decisive evidence provided. The Superior Court of Appeal has proven that it remains insensitive and unmoved by the impact of violence committed by men against women. Therefore, Machel says she has turned to other women, allies, and civil society groups who understand her pain to demand JusticeForAllWomxn even outside of the court. Their message to us is loud and clear! she concludes. Experimental divisions at Google have been working on the next generation of wearables. As noted by CNET, the tech giant has quietly been funding or conducting its own research into a host of new wearables devices including an entirely novel 'smart tattoo' that turns one's skin into a temporary touchpad. The technology, called SkinMarks, is being developed by Google and researchers at Saarland University in Germany and uses a small patch loaded with sensors. SkinMarks use conductive ink which is printed onto tattoo paper and then applied to the side of one's finger or knuckles. The technology uses sensors embedded onto paper that is printed with conductive ink to read gestures that might be used on a smart phone like pinching or swiping Once applied to the skin, the patch can read gestures typical to a smart phone display like swiping or tapping. The benefit of having a sensor applied to one's skin is that it creates a more natural experience. Bending and squeezing one's hand is more instinctive and could make interfacing with technology easier. Additionally, the company has been working on a successor to its oft mocked Google Glass - a pair of augmented reality glasses with a built in camera. The glasses, called 1D Eyeware, are aiming to succeed where Glass failed, by developing a product that is functional and aesthetically appealing - a goal that has been somewhat impeded by the need to house all the electronics on-board. 'The requirement to fit all the electronics, optics and image-generating components, in addition to batteries of sufficient capacity, greatly affects the possible industrial design options,' wrote Google in a white paper on the hardware. 'The variations of styles that end users may choose from is thus limited by these constraints, with reduced flexibility in wearability and aesthetics.' Similarly to other companies in the race to develop augmented reality glasses like Apple, Google is trying to counter this issue by pairing the device with an Android phone. Holographic lenses would notify users when they're receiving notifications on their device using color-coded signals - things like navigation directions, emails, or calendar notifications would all have their own colors. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 55F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 55F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 15, 2020 | 03:41 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY On Tuesday, detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff's Office say they noticed 36-year-old Louie Gonzales driving a vehicle. According to detectives, Gonzales has a suspended driver's license. While performing a traffic stop, detectives say Gonzales threw a bag of methamphetamine from the vehicle. Detectives performed a search and reportedly found a digital scale, methamphetamine pipe, and methamphetamine residue. Gonzales was arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Jail. He is being charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, operating a vehicle on a suspended license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. A Paducah man is facing drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop. Hong Kong: Testing for high-risk groups set The Government has decided to make use of the Anti-epidemic Fund to conduct large scale COVID-19 testing for designated high-risk groups and expand Hong Kongs overall testing capacity. The Food & Health Bureau made the statement in response to media enquiries on the Government's initiative to administer tests for people at higher risk from coronavirus. The bureau explained that with a view to targeting clusters of infection in various premises and sectors in the community, the Government decided to immediately enhance COVID-19 tests for high risk groups in the community on a voluntary basis. After liaising with major private laboratories in Hong Kong, the Government noted that there are only three labs in the market that can provide such testing services at a massive scale up to tens of thousands. The laboratories are Sunrise Diagnostic Centre Limited established by BGI, China Inspection Company Limited and Prenetics. After considering the suitability of testing service models for the actual operation of the relevant sectors provided by the labs, the Government decided to directly procure testing services from Sunrise Diagnostic Centre and Prenetics under the Anti-epidemic Fund for voluntary testing of staff of residential care homes for the elderly, residential care homes for persons with disabilities as well as nursing homes, taxi drivers and restaurant staff. The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies has also been discussing with China Inspection Company Limited to provide testing services for the property management sector with subsidy from the Anti-epidemic Fund. Such services provide a one-stop solution to cover procedures from specimen-taking to testing. The testing arrangements for different sectors vary. The testing service costs are still under discussion with individual companies. The Government will review the testing costs to ensure a reasonable procurement price and announce funding details in accordance with Anti-epidemic Fund requirements at a later stage. At the same time, the Department of Health, through the connection of Hong Kong Association of Medical Laboratories (HKAML), procured testing services directly from five local private laboratories to enhance public testing capacity. The private labs began testing service for the department today with a total capacity of handling about 1,000 specimens per day. The Hospital Authority is exploring the possibility of setting up special counters at general out-patient clinics to distribute deep throat saliva specimen bottles to people with mild symptoms who wish to get tested. The Government and HKAML reached a consensus that private laboratories will endeavour to assist the department and the authority in providing more testing services if the testing capacity could be ramped up in the future. The collection and use of any personal data for the purpose of voluntary COVID-19 tests should comply with the provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Government departments or testing agencies that process the data will report to the Department of Health or other relevant departments on a need basis for the purpose of disease control. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to any organisations or people outside Hong Kong. The Government will also consider taking various measures to minimise the amount of personal data collected and accessed. Should the epidemic situation remain serious, the Government will not preclude the possibility of further procuring services directly from private laboratories to rapidly increase Hong Kongs testing capacity. This story has been published on: 2020-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. A study published earlier this year claiming the coronavirus may have jumped from dogs to humans is scientifically flawed, offering no direct evidence to support its conclusions, according to a collaborative group of international researchers, including scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. "During this time of Covid-19 we are seeing people publish things that make wild leaps to conclusions that are not justified by the evidence," said David Pollock, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "And this seems to be one of them." Pollock and CU Anschutz alumnus Todd Castoe, an associate professor of biology at the University of Texas Arlington, are lead authors of an academic letter published this week in Molecular Biology and Evolution aimed at refuting the earlier study published in the same journal. Pollock and his co-authors, including PhD student Kristen Wade and colleague Elizabeth Carlton, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Public Health at CU Anschutz, took issue with the April 2020 study by biology Professor Xuhua Xia of the University of Ottawa in Canada. Many scientists are interested in the origins of the novel coronavirus. The want to know which host the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for Covid-19, came from before making the leap from animal to human. The classic way to address this is by finding viruses with similar genome sequences in a particular animal host. Xia, however, focused on a feature of the coronavirus genome known as CpG content, and found that a distantly-related dog coronavirus had similar CpG content as SARS-CoV-2. Because this distant virus replicated well in the dog's digestive tract, he concluded that a dog's intestines were the ideal place to have affected the ancestral SARS-CoV-2's CpG content. advertisement "However, there is no evidence for the logical premise of Xia's argument, considering that all mammals have digestive tracts," the researchers wrote. They showed that dogs aren't special in their content of ZAP and ABOBEC3G proteins, which help safeguard humans from viruses and can interact with viral CpG content. "Additionally, a recent inoculation study found that while other domesticated mammalian hosts are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, canines exhibited low susceptibility, and no traces of viral RNA were detectable in any dog organs," the scientists wrote. Pollock and his colleagues said that although the recent origin of SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain, the best current evidence makes it likely that it was passed to humans by horseshoe bats or possibly pangolins, a kind of spiny anteater in China. There is strong evidence that the virus has recently jumped between humans and these animals or other intermediate hosts. Bat and pangolin viruses also have CpG content similar to human SARS-CoV-2, so the environment that affected viral CpGs must have happened long ago and possibly in one of these two mammals. They noted that there are signs of prior recombination events among divergent viruses. That suggests that over the years relatives of coronaviruses found in bats and pangolins mixed and mutated to give rise to SARS-CoV-2. advertisement The proposition that dogs were likely recent ancestors of SARS-CoV-2 is not justified by the available evidence, the researchers concluded. "Xia did not demonstrate that the low CpG frequency in the SARS- CoV-2 genome was driven by a unique selective environment in dog digestive tracts," the authors wrote. "Dogs are not more plausible than most other potential host species, and based on current data, far less plausible than bats or pangolins." Pollock said determining how the virus jumped from animals to humans is critical in preparing for the next pandemic. Even so, he said, in the midst of a pandemic scientific results can be over-interpreted and misused, leading to misappropriation of resources and effort. Rather than promote the speculations of a study based on weak evidence, he noted, it is better to admit uncertainty. If not, the scientific community has an obligation to respond. "Considering the ramifications, scientists need to be particularly careful in interpreting findings, and avoid rushing to conclusions that are not well supported by solid evidence" co-lead author Castoe said. "We need to get this right." Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) units have entered the Black Sea for the second time this year to conduct further routine operations, and to participate in two regional exercises organized by the Bulgarian and Ukrainian navies, the press service of NATO's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) has reported. "Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, SNMG2 has unerringly carried out a program of activities planned many months in advance. This visit to the Black Sea, the first one since I took command, is in line with NATO Maritime Command direction and yet another example of NATO's ongoing regional commitments with our Allies and partners," Rear Admiral Manuel Aguirre of the Spanish Navy, the SNMG2 Commander, said. According to him, SNMG2 arrived at the Black Sea on July 9, and is composed of three frigates from Spain, Romania and Turkey. SNMCMG2 vessels HS Aliakmon (flagship), ESPS Tambre, TCG Amasra and ITS Gaeta, led by Commander Dimitrios Katsouras of the Hellenic Navy, entered the Black Sea on July 7, where it was joined by ROS Lupu Dinescu and sailed towards Burgas (BUL) where they arrived on July 10. "The force integration phase in the Aegean Sea was essential for the Group to bond and become fully mission capable, in order to contribute to NATO readiness building in our first Black Sea Deployment," SNMCMG2 Commander Katsouras said. "With three Allied nations, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, and two regional partners, Ukraine and Georgia bordering the Black Sea, Standing Naval Group presence in the region is a regular occurrence. Apart from conducting maritime security patrols in international waters, the two exercises will help enhance interoperability between Allies and regional partners," the report reads. With visits planned to Bulgaria and Ukraine in the coming days, all activities of the Standing NATO Forces ashore will continue to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, designed to protect their operational capabilities. However, as national regulations are eased, opportunities for key engagements will help reaffirm and build these regional relationships. Photo credit: Spanish Navy / Hellenic Navy KALAMAZOO, MI A man wanted in an Iowa shooting death was arrested in Kalamazoo. U.S. Marshals took 25-year-old Deonte Ellison into custody shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, the Associated Press reports. The Dubuque Police Department says an arrest warrant was issued for Ellison after he was identified as a suspect in the July 2 shooting death of Curtis R. Smothers Jr. He is facing charges of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a felon, according to ABC-9 KCRG. Ellison has been transported to the Kalamazoo County Jail, where he awaits extradition to Dubuque. China Photos/Getty Images The Trump administration stunned and confused higher education leaders and students around the globe last week when it announced a new U.S. immigration policy requiring international college students to leave the United States if they are not taking in-person classes in the fall term. Disclosed in a federal court in Boston, the administration dropped its proposal on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. Social responsibility, sustainability and purpose remain essential as consumers demand clearer commitments Broadening employer diversity and increasing workplace flexibility key to address growing skill gaps LONDON, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today's leading businesses are adaptable, people and purpose focused, according to a major new study from Vodafone Business. The report identifies the attributes of the most resilient 'future ready' organisations and their responses to common business challenges before, during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.* Making up 20% of all companies, 'future ready' businesses (FRBs) can be identified by six unifying characteristics, including adaptability, an openness to technology, and clear transformation goals. The Covid-19 crisis has been one of the biggest business disrupters since the 1930s, yet businesses displaying 'future ready' characteristics are more confident they will continue to succeed: 30% of FRBs expect an increase in profits during Covid-19. 57% of FRBs expect their profits to increase over the next five years, compared to 45% of all businesses. Vinod Kumar, CEO, Vodafone Business said: "Covid-19 has forced rapid change for everybody. However, some businesses are better prepared to deal with the issues that have arisen, and we want to help all organisations understand what they can do to match these 'future ready' companies." Employees have taken centre stage, particularly for FRBs: 44% of all businesses now prioritise employee wellness and mental health, up 10 percentage points since before Covid-19, but for FRBs this is at 77%. 90% of FRBs reported supporting their employees further during the pandemic. Societal attitudes and consumer expectations have changed, and businesses have moved to focus on ethical behaviours or to find a purpose beyond their core offering: During Covid-19 81% of organisations reported taking some form of action to support those outside their business, compared to 94% of FRBs. 46% of all businesses (compared to 58% of FRBs) wanted to support their country or local community, a shift from the reasons given before the current crisis. These centred on differentiating the business (41%, compared to 46% of FRBs) and customer retention (55%, compared to 62% of FRBs). Covid-19 has proven that work can be done differently and from anywhere. Businesses need to adapt to this new way of working in order to survive: 71% of FRBs already made at least one new technology investment in direct response to the pandemic. 44% of FRBs surveyed expect that greater flexibility in where people work will persist after the pandemic is over. Vinod Kumar continued: "Industries that hadn't embraced technology are seeking to move swiftly into digitalisation. We want to help companies move quickly into this new era of working, supporting them in becoming smarter, faster and more resilient, but not at the cost of their humanity." To support small and medium businesses as they rebuild, Vodafone Business recently launched V-Hub, a resource service for SMEs looking to digitalise . The service offers SMEs access to articles, guides and live help covering topics such as website construction, cyber security, remote working and digital marketing. Read the full Future Ready Report here . *Notes to editors: We conducted two phases of research, before and during the Covid crisis. The first phase took the views of 1,813 businesses of all sizes and sectors from Europe, the USA, Asia, and Africa, with the second covering 800 businesses of all sectors and sizes in the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy. This was further supplemented with qualitative interviews. Future Ready Businesses were identified by using a regression model to show what behaviours and attitudes were most closely linked with confidence in future financial performance and being well prepared for what the future holds. Twelve criteria were identified, which make up six characteristics: Has a positive attitude to change. They embrace change and are excited by the future. Is open to new technology. They acknowledge the power of technology to solve business challenges. Takes clear steps towards business transformation. They have a roadmap in place for how technology can transform their business. Sets a detailed strategy. They have a wider business strategy for the future that is documented, specific, funded and measured. Keeps up-to-date with relevant trends & uncertainties. They have clearly identified the forces shaping their business & refers to key thought leaders to help. Is adaptable. They can react quickly to new trends or challenges and is quicker to market than its competitors. About Vodafone Vodafone is a leading technology communications company keeping society connected and building a digital future for everyone. Vodafone is focused on two scaled and differentiated regional platforms in Europe and Africa. We operate mobile and fixed networks in 22 countries and partner with mobile networks in 48 more. As at 31 March 2020 we had over 300m mobile customers, more than 27m fixed broadband customers and over 22m TV customers. We connect for a better future. We are optimistic about how technology and connectivity can enhance the future and improve people's lives. Through our business, we aim to build a digital society that enhances socio-economic progress, embraces everyone and does not come at the cost of our planet. That is why we have committed to improve one billion lives and halve our environmental impact by 2025. Joe Holleman Joe Holleman is a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Joe Holleman 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 After being held in a World War II internment camp and then serving as an Army officer, Japanese American architect Richard Henmi embraced the midcentury modern design movement and ushered in the megastructure style of living in St. Louis. But in local pop culture, he will always be the creator of the Flying Saucer. Mr. Henmi died July 7 at a nursing home in Webster Groves. He was 96. The fact that his design of a relatively small building at Grand Boulevard and Forest Park Avenue in midtown St. Louis would be his legacy rather than larger, and arguably more important projects was something Mr. Henmi found amusing. He got a kick out of that, but he was honored at all the attention and affection it got, said his son, Rod Henmi, an architect in Emeryville, California. But as an architect myself, he said, Id have to say that its one of his best-designed buildings. The building opened in 1967 as a Phillips 66 gas station, part of the Henmi-designed Council Plaza, a mostly residential high-rise development financed by the Teamsters Union. The development is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Im a Brazilian YouTuber and I create goofy videos and generate entertainment options for families all over the world. who speak Portuguese, which outside Brazil, Portugal and Angola are like, five families. But Im not here today to goof around in front of a brand new audience. to speak seriously, you know the circus is probably on fire. Americans like to boast about being the world leader at everything. That America is the greatest place on earth. And since the Covid outbreak, you are leading in Covid deaths. That is partly, of course, thanks to your president, Donald Trump, who many of you claim to be the absolute worst head of state in the democratic world today. Well, Im about to show you that the 200 million people here in Brazil have you beat. OK, for the moment, were only second in deaths, but Im certain that our leader, Jair Bolsonaro, is the worst Covid president in the world. [MUSIC PLAYING] Bolsonaro is a military man who has defended the use of torture under Brazils dictatorship. He then rose to presidentship using statements like this. [CHEERING] Do I need to say anything else or do you get the picture? Brazil is the fastest-rising Covid country in the world. And the W.H.O. has considered us the new epicenter of the pandemic. Still he shows no sign of taking the crisis seriously. In short, he makes Donald Trump seem like Patch Adams. Since the very beginning of the crisis, he has not stopped going out, thereby encouraging others to do the same. You guys got pissed off because of a measly Trump rally in Tulsa, three months after the outbreak in the U.S. But Bolsonaro does that all the time. He goes to demonstrations against the Congress. He goes to demonstrations calling for military intervention. He goes to packed city markets. He goes to military ceremonies. He goes barbecue hopping on a jet ski. He goes to protests against the Supreme Court. Thatd be disgusting even with no pandemic. Much like Trump, Bolsonaro justifies his actions by professing to believe in miracle cures. For starters, theyre both obsessed with the hydr hydrocloq hydroxyclq shut up, Im Brazilian. They are both obsessed with a drug with no evidence of working against the disease. But theres a big difference between Trump talking about this in press conferences and what our guy is doing. Bolsonaro has asked the health authorities to forcibly change the official medicine leaflet of hydro [INAUDIBLE] to include coronavirus as a prescribed use case. Hes also using the armys industrial capacity to produce the medication while public hospitals face shortages of other drugs, like sedatives and painkillers. Bolsonaro also actively retaliates against any public authority who promotes safety. He fired a health minister after he insisted quarantine was a good thing. He fired the next health minister after he refused to prescribe chloroquine to all Covid patients. He then put a military man in charge of the health ministry and fired most of the technical staff who had been there for years. Hes also trying to incite violence. In April, he held a cabinet meeting in which he said: And he didnt stop at words. He also took actions a few days later, upping the limits on how much ammunition we can buy and eliminating all gun-tracing regulations. Finally, as the crisis worsened, Bolsonaro began mocking the deceased and their families. When Brazil reached 2,500 dead, a reporter asked him for a statement on it and his answer was this. When we reached 5,000 dead. When the death toll got to 30,000. When we reached 50,000 dead, he got musical. And when we reached 60,000 he said nothing, which was probably for the best. Its so ugly that even Donald Trump admits were not in good shape. Ask them how are they doing in Brazil? Hes a great friend of mine. Not good. But theres something else that Trump says that Id like to leave you with. Trump calls Bolsonaro a good friend, and that friendship is crucial to Bolsonaro retaining his popularity. It legitimizes Bolsonaro. Youre the world leader in Covid deaths, and right now, youre leading us into the abyss. Your president has little proxies operating all over the globe. We are their casualties. So if youre wondering what you can do to help Brazil deal with our lunatic, please do not re-elect yours. This November, vote to keep Trump out of the White House. Two rival gangs became involved in a vicious knife fight at a busy shopping centre after a row broke out in a Nike store. On Tuesday, the five men were jailed for a total of ten years at Birmingham Crown Court, after the brawl on September 6 last year. Shocking CCTV footage shows violence erupting between the two gangs, who bumped into each other by chance at the Nike shop in Birmingham's Resorts World shopping centre. CCTV footage shows a knife fight between two rival gangs at a Nike shop in Birmingham's Resorts World shopping centre on September 6 last year. Pictured, Samba Faal is knocked to the ground during the violence Samba Faal and Christ Lidiu (pictured) were in the Nike shop when they, by chance, bumped into Damel Lebert, Shyieme Lynvest and Raseante Spencer-Hamilton CCTV footage of the fight shows the gang members brandishing knives (left) after violence erupted between the five men Samba Faal and Christ Lidiu are seen in the shop as Damel Lebert, Shyieme Lynvest and Raseante Spencer-Hamilton walk in. In the footage, the three men appear to back off as Faal and Lidiu confront them in the doorway. Lynvest appears to show the rival group that he has a knife hidden underneath his clothes. Faal is punched and falls to the floor unconscious before Hamilton and Lebert jump on him. Lidiu then lashes out with a knife at Hamilton, leaving him with a 30cm slash wound to his arm which cut down to the bone. After being stabbed in the back by Lidiu, Lynvest sprints outside and drops his knife down a drain while he is dripping with blood and clutching his wound. On July 14, the five men jailed for a total of ten years at Birmingham Crown Court after being convicted of violent disorder Shyieme Lynvest dropped his knife down a drain (pictured) after he was stabbed in the back by Christ Lidiu Samba Faal, 21, (right) of Coventry, was jailed for two years while Christ Lidiu (left), 20, of Walsall, West Midlands, was caged for two years and three months An investigation by West Midlands Police Birmingham Organised Crime & Gangs Team identified the men, who were arrested weeks later. All five men were jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on July 14 for a total of 10 years and four months, after being convicted of violent disorder. Chief Inspector Phil Cape said: 'This was a really violent incident in a shopping centre, while families are seen on CCTV clearly trying to enjoy a day out. 'I'd like to thank the members of the public who came forward to help with the investigation, and the officers who quickly recovered this footage. 'Yet again, we have young men who are now spending time behind bars because they thought it was acceptable to carry a knife. It never is.' In the CCTV footage, Shyieme Lynvest (left) appears to show the other men that he is hiding a knife underneath his clothes Lynvest's knife (above) was later recovered by police after it was dropped down a drain during the violence at the shopping centre Raseante Spencer-Hamilton, 21, from Staffordshire, (left) was jailed for 2 years while 22-year-old Shyieme Lynvest (right) from Birmingham was jailed for 26 months An investigation by West Midlands Police Birmingham Organised Crime & Gangs Team identified the men, who were arrested weeks later. Pictured, Damel Lebert, 23, who has been jailed for 20 months Faal, 21, of Coventry, was jailed for two years while Lidiu, 20, of Walsall, West Midlands, has been caged for two years and three months. Lebert, 23, of no fixed address, was jailed for 20 months and Lynvest, 22, from Birmingham, was jailed for two years and three months. Twenty-one-year-old Spencer-Hamilton, from Staffordshire, has been jailed for two years. Mr Cape added: 'We'll continue to arrest people and disrupt gang activity in Birmingham, while working with other organisations to help young people at risk of falling into that lifestyle. 'And our work to tackle the wider issue of knife crime continues, with dedicated patrols, and work to educate young people of the risks they face when they decide to pick up a blade. 'We want young people to know that there is a better way, but that if they choose to go down that path, they can expect to be arrested and jailed.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 03:51:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Three Islamic State (IS) militants and a civilian were killed on Wednesday in separate incidents in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala, security sources said. "A force from the paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters, affiliated with Hashad Shaabi forces, ambushed two IS militants in the north of the town of al-Muqdadiya, some 100 km northeast of the capital Baghdad," Ahmed al-Azawi, a local leader of the tribal fighters, told Xinhua. A clash erupted between the force and the militants that resulted in the killing of the two militants, al-Azawi said. The extremist IS militants also attacked a village near the town of Jalawlaa, some 135 km northeast of Baghdad, leaving a villager killed and four others wounded, he said. The militants fled the scene as the security forces launched a search for the attackers, al-Azawi added. Meanwhile, Talib al-Mousawi, a local leader of the Hashd Shaabi forces, said in a statement that a Hashid Shaabi force killed Mahmoud Qardash al-Bayati, a leader of the IS group in Diyala Province, near al-Muqdaiyah. In this raid, another militant was wounded but fled the scene, prompting the Hashd Shaabi force to search the area for the wounded militant, al-Mousawi added. The IS militants have intensified their attacks on the Iraqi security forces, including Hashd Shaabi forces, and civilians in the formerly IS-controlled Sunni provinces, resulting in the killing and wounding of dozens. The security situation in Iraq has been improving since Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017. However, IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Enditem In a country thronging with statues of movie stars, politicians, and their henchmen, a few for those who died in the service of the country feels deserving, to say the least. Now, a community in Suryapet Town in the Telangana State has decided to honour a brave-heart son of the soil, Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who was martyred in the recent Galwan clashes against Chinese troops on June 15. Col. Santosh Babu was the commanding officer of the 16th battalion of the Bihar Regiment. Comprising friends and admirers of the martyred soldier, the community has chosen to build a statue for the martyred Colonel in Suryapet, his hometown. Interestingly, the fibre-cloth statue has been made using digital sculpting technology, apparently a first for the country. For services rendered The making of the statue was commissioned by Tanguturi Ramakrishna, president, World Arya Vysya Seva Mahasabha, and Eagan Dayakar Gupta, president, Suryapet District, to renowned sculptors the Vadayar Brothers of AK Arts from Nattarameswaram, West Godavari District, in Andhra Pradesh. We hope Col. Santosh Babus services will be remembered and will serve to inspire others to dedicate themselves to the country, Ramakrishna explains. Arun Prasad Vadayar, one of the Vadayar brothers, shares with us that they received the order for the statue around June 20, a job they took up on priority and completed in two weeks. Yes, the statue was for immediate delivery and we completed the task, as needed, as a mark of respect for Col. Santosh Babu, he adds. A first for India The highlight of the two-and-half feet statue is that it was made using digital sculpting technology. Apparently, Vadayar brothers are the only sculptors in the country to use the technology. In making the fibre-cloth statue using digital sculpting technology, the Vadayar Brothers used a photo of Col. Santosh Babu to set the anatomy on a computer so they could prepare a mock-up model for him. We chalked out the first mould in Plaster-of-Paris (PoP), and then made a clay model and converted it into fibre cloth, elaborates Arun Prasad. Later, we mixed resin and papier-mache and other ingredients in the desired ratio for the output. Digital sculpting technology is used for high-quality art and level of detailing; in other words, the technology ensures that sculptors can make a statue of someone with a precision of 0.01 microns meaning a high life-like resemblance which is as close and accurate as one can get with statues. The martyred colonels statue has been made in the Indian Army outfit. Proud relations While the fibre-cloth statue will be unveiled in Suryapet a month later, a bronze statue on behalf of the Telangana State Government will be installed at a junction in Suryapet. Meanwhile, the martyred colonels brother-in-law Mukhteswar expressed his heartfelt thanks towards those who thought of keeping alive his brothers memories. Describing the gesture a warm one, Mukhteswar shares with us that he is proud to welcome the initiative. Talking of how the family has been receiving hundreds of letters from the people from various states hailing Santoshs sacrifice while praying his family has the strength to carry through these difficult times, Mukhteshwar adds, We hope Santosh continues to inspire youth and instil patriotism among people. Japanese auto major Honda Cars India on Wednesday launched the fifth-generation version of its bestselling mid-size sedan City in the country at Rs 10.9-14.65 lakh. The car comes with a 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine and competes with the likes of Maruti Ciaz, Hyundai Verna and Skoda Rapid. The petrol versions of the new Honda City are priced at Rs 10.9-13.15 for manual transmission and Rs 12.2-14.45 lakh for CVT automatic gearbox. The three diesel versions are priced between Rs 12.4 and Rs 14.65 lakh and do not get an automatic gearbox. First launched in 1998, the City has been a bread and butter product for Honda in India and a segment leader for most of its over two-decade lifespan. Honda has regularly refreshed the City every five years but there are a couple of firsts this time. For one, the 5th generation City is significantly more expensive than the older one. When it was launched in 2014, the previous generation came in at Rs 7.42-10.98 (petrol) and Rs 8.62-11.10 lakh (diesel). Further, the fourth generation this time will continue to coexist with the new car albeit only in the petrol powertrain. Undercutting the new car on price, the older version is priced between Rs 9.91-13.01 lakh (manual) and Rs 12.01-14.31 lakh (automatic). Also Read: What is Reliance Jio Glass? "Honda City has been our key pillar of business for more than 22 years, being one of the longest-running nameplates in the Indian automotive history. With cumulative sales of more than 4 million units worldwide, it has provided joy to almost 8 lakh customers in India and many more aspiring to own the model," said Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, Honda Cars India. "Each generation of the City has raised the bar on design, technology, quality, driving pleasure, comfort & safety, and has come with several industry firsts or segment-first features. Our vision has been to offer our customers with a new value that is unprecedented in the history of City and we are confident that the all-new City will create fresh excitement in the mid-size sedan segment." The new City is longer and wider than the older one though both cars have the same wheelbase. The petrol engine has a peak power output of 121 PS and torque of 145 NM and an ARAI certified mileage of 17.8 kmpl for the manual and 18.4 kmpl for the automatic versions. The diesel engine has a power output of 100 PS, torque of 200 NM and fuel economy of 24.1 kmpl. Additional features in the new car include 9 LED array Inline shell in the top of the line variant, one-touch Electric Sunroof, advanced connectivity options with Alexa remote capability and next-generation Honda Connect with Telematics Control Unit (TCU) standard across all grades with a 5-year free subscription. Safety features include four airbags as standard and 6 Airbags on the top-end variant, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist with Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist and company's patented lane watch camera, which first debuted in India with the CRV SUV. The car also gets a tyre pressure monitoring system. In its segment, the City is priced on the higher side. The Verna has the widest portfolio in the segment priced at Rs 9.3-12.6 lakh (petrol manual), Rs 11.95-13.85 lakh (automatic petrol), Rs 13.99 lakh for the turbocharged petrol version, Rs 10.65-13.94 (diesel manual) and Rs 13.2-15.1 lakh (diesel automatic). Maruti's Ciaz that does not have the diesel version anymore, is the cheapest of the lot at Rs 8.32-10.1 lakh (petrol manual) and Rs 9.98-11.1 lakh (automatic). The bigger challenge, however, is from SUVs that have steadily eaten into sedans in the last few years. Honda still does not have a compact SUV in its line-up, which makes it particularly vulnerable. In an overall market that declined 18 per cent in 2019-20, the mid-size sedan segment declined 37 per cent with all the models registering steep double-digit drop. Steep taxes of over 40 per cent are a big reason for this. The Ciaz, City and the Verna are closely bunched together in the segment with Ciaz topping the charts with sales of 25,258 in FY20, down 45 per cent over FY 19, followed by City at 20,912 units, down 49 per cent and Verna at 20,894 units, down 47 per cent. Honda said the new City will give it enough heft to claim the top spot in the segment though it admitted that SUVs will continue to pose a threat. "It is true that SUVs have grown faster than any other segment in the industry and I believe it will continue to be so. With the City, the sedan segment will grow but SUVs will grow faster so the share of the overall market for sedans will still decline," Nakanishi said. Wake up people, this is serious, we must follow the rules Premier Gladys Berejiklian argues that we must learn to live with COVID-19 (''Sydney cluster traced to Victorian outbreak'', July 15). The economy, she says, cannot sustain itself when lockdowns are applied. Has she factored in the cost of healthcare on the economy if we suffer a second spike? Carolyn van Langenberg, Blackheath It is surely better to be locked down or forced to wear a mask than for you, or someone close to you, to catch COVID-19 and end up on a ventilator or, worse still, in a pine box (Letters, July 15). Economic considerations seem to have overtaken the need to keep the populace safe from this highly infectious and dangerous virus. It is not a hoax or a conspiracy and the sooner we all wake up to the seriousness of the situation and abide by the rules, the better. Failure to do so and we will end up like the US. We should be thankful that we have leaders who are willing to listen to the science and not like Donald Trump. Stephanie Edwards, Roseville Theres an awful lot of smoke and distraction about COVID-19 in the public. Health policy, from the beginning, has not been about elimination, but rather spreading the rate of infections over as long a period as possible. This strategy, along with a constant reinforcement of good hygiene education and compliance by the public is key. The problem is that far too many people are seeking to blame others for their own health. We need to remember that government can only really provide pragmatic solutions for this type of issue. If we want to reopen and reduce infections we all need to be more active in our own behaviour. Thats something many people forget. The best systems wont work if people actively and deliberately circumvent them for selfish reasons. After all no one could plead ignorance about what is required because everyone knows what to do. Bernard Stever, Richmond To those who have deliberately flouted the rules set down for all of us to adhere to shame on you. For every time the rules to protect us are broken, so it will take longer to rid us of this pandemic. Just dont go blaming the government or anyone else for your stupidity. And when you contract the virus and try to go to a hospital and find you cant get admitted because the hospitals are full, then you have no-one to blame but yourselves. For goodness sake, take some responsibility. Annette Fearnley, Glen Innes Not another coronavirus lockdown for NSW? Gladys Berejiklian says ''thats no way to live''. Its no way to die either, Premier. Margaret Wilkie, Peregian Beach (QLD) The trouble with pubs This week, I caught my virtually empty train to work (''Shut down pubs that flout COVID-19 rues'', July 15). Much of the workforce is responsibly working at home. Yet pubs, which can be infectious cesspits, are permitted to attract hundreds day and night. Patrons can drift between multiple venues over a few days, spreading disease. The economic and political power of the hotel and gaming industry is a sinister health hazard. Sharyn Cullis, Oatley NSW needs to talk about pubs and clubs. There can be big crowds inside, garrulous behaviour and an environment of hard surfaces that keep the virus active for days. It is problematic. Some of us do not want to give up our new found freedoms of going to a cafe or having a few friends around for this particular industry. Wendy Atkins, Cooks Hill Given the recent upswing in NSW cases linked to popular watering holes, it appears we have well and truly failed the infamous pub test. Marie-Louise Dreux, Petersham Southern blow in The weather in Sydney is cool, cold or freezing. The sun shines brightly when the black clouds let it. The wind puffs quietly then roars, and the rain either patters gently between torrents. Yes, Prime Minister, we are all Melburnians now. George Manojlovic, Mangerton Cost of war too great to spend millions glorifying it Good on you, Kellie Merritt ("Widow fears new $498m memorial 'risks glorifying war'", July 15). The Australian War Memorial is a sombre, reflective place, and should not be turned into an interactive theme park. Worse than glorification, such crass plans may make people think war is exciting and even fun. Put the money towards preventing wars. Andrew Scott, Pymble We don't need any more (or expanded) war memorials. Merritt's fears are well founded. It will be just another vehicle for a few selected people to strut about and boast about how they defended the country. A great deal of Australia's military history has seen thousands of our young men sacrificed in fighting someone else's wars. An expanded display of military hardware will do nothing to alleviate the difficulties veterans have as a result of military service for their country. Derrick Mason, Boorowa Like most major projects, the $500 million proposed cost for the expansion of the war memorial is likely to blow out by at least 50 per cent. With the country in recession, other than the creation of some construction jobs, this seems a completely unwarranted expenditure at the moment. In the grand order of things, Brendan Nelson's legacy could wait for the long awaited budget surplus. Neil Buchanan, Waitara Truth is not an opinion I am in my early 30s, and still young enough to be among the age group demanding change in our world (Letters, July 15). I do not call myself part of cancel culture, because that term was invented by conservatives and fear mongers. We should not seek to get rid of all ideas we oppose, lest we end up as bad as those we seek to condemn. There are certain facts that are to be accepted and not ignored: that the Holocaust happened, for one. Climate change is another fact. COVID-19 not being caused by 5G is another. Those who prepare to question such key things must be prepared for the consequences. The homophobic, the racist, ableist, transphobic and sexist must face facts that overrule their baseless and limited ideas. Victory comes through knowledge and the defeat of ignorance. Without that, we lower ourselves to the level of Trump. Alex Elliott, Bilgola Plateau "Everyone is entitled to an opinion" says your correspondent. I am of a different opinion. In any debate, all parties must only be interested in truth, all else is mere ego. Uninformed opinions have as little value as those who only seek out media to tell them what they want to hear. There's a simple test, before uttering a word or hitting "enter" we should honestly ask ourselves, "how do I know that's true?" Shayne Chester, Potts Point Debate and the search for truth is essential for civilised society but too many free speech advocates simply want to legitimise their tactics of spreading lies and smears for political and personal gain. Lies are not opinions and should not be protected. Graeme Finn, St Peters Welfare needs support Ross Gittins is correct Centrelink culture needs to change to assist jobseekers, not penalise them for minor infringements ("Getting jobless back in circulation", July 15). Perhaps they could also employ more staff and then train them properly. A young relative recently rang Centrelink to query his 18-month wait for a decision on his case only to be told "Haven't you been reading the news we are busy". The staff member then hung up on him. Not good enough, Centrelink. Patricia Guy, Kiama Rich heritage Of course it helps to have the odd billion or two at your disposal, but it was encouraging to read of the saving from subdivision of a historic harbourside property ("Billionaire to save grand estate from development", July 15). At a time when local councils and the state government allow the desecration of streetscape after streetscape by the ad hoc building of ugly, overblown, unsustainable and treeless homes: a rare bit of good news. Rod Hughes, Epping What's in a name? In all the discussions on Karens and Sharons, us Not Happy Jans seemed to have missed out (Letters, July 15). Mind you, we have only had to deal with it for 20 years. Jan Syme, Newington Plenty of sympathy for the much maligned Karens and Sharons of the world, but let's not forget the Cheryls who have been the butt of sad social stereotyping for several generations. Shane Nunan, Finley Oh yes, Sharon Achmad, I know only too well the curse of the Shazza. Ever since the English comedy Birds of a Feather, with sisters Sharon and Tracey (who also had a husband named Darryl Dazza), the name has been synonymous with east-end London barmaids, working class, unsophisticated women and Australian bogans. Even when a semi-glamorous Sharon appears like Sharon Osbourne, for instance, or Sharon Stone there is a distinctive taint around the name. Yet my mother insists when she named me Sharon in 1957 it was a lovely modern name. Occasionally, one of my more daring students dares to call me Shazza only to receive a steely stare and a request to desist immediately. It seems to work as they rarely repeat it. Sharon Everson, Wyoming Rise above it, Sharon. Be proud. Yours is a beautiful name of Hebrew origin and meaning, and with more cultural significance than most. As for me, I'd rather be a Sharon than a Wallis my parents' second choice. Easier to go through life as a Shazza than as a Wally. Sharon Delaney, Kirribilli It took me until my thirties to swap my given names around. I disliked my first name because it was a sharp sounding and unimaginative letter of the alphabet. I'm not saying what I changed it from, but I got called "KD Kangaroo" at school and thought the song Que Sera Sera was specifically about me, okay? Alicia Dawson, Balmain Add the once so common John to Allan Gibson's list ( Letters, July 15). In more than 60 years as a priest I have baptised only one John. John Bunyan, Campbelltown London police say they've arrested a suspect charged with second degree murder in the death of a former Liberian rebel leader. Keiron Gregory, 22, has been wanted on a warrant since June 25. Investigators say he was arrested in North Bay on Tuesday. Two other individuals were arrested and released unconditionally. Bill Horace, 44, was shot and killed during a home invasion in east London the morning of June 21. Police said four men forced their way into a home at 232 Pochard Lane in the city's south-east end. When emergency crews arrived on scene, Horace was found lying in front of a neighbour's home. He served as a rebel commander under Charles Taylor, a former Liberian warlord and convicted war criminal. Horace fled Liberia and came to Canada in 2002 where he applied for refugee status. Gregory's father, a Toronto police officer, has also been charged in the case. Trevor Gregory, 46, was arrested July 7 and charged with breach of trust. Police haven't explained the charge further, but said he was released from custody pending a court appearance on September 29. Keiron Gregory has a court appearance in London Wednesday. Police say they continue to investigate. EU foreign policy chief says EU resolved to preserve JCPOA IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, July 14, IRNA -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Affairs said in a statement that the EU will do everything possible together with other parties to preserve Iran nuclear deal - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "As the Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission, I am determined to do everything possible together with the remaining participants of the JCPOA and the international community to preserve the agreement," Josep Borrell said in his statement which was released on the fifth anniversary of the Iran Deal on Tuesday. "We should not assume that an opportunity will arise again in the future for the international community to address Iran's nuclear program in such a comprehensive manner," he added. Describing Iran nuclear deal as a historic multilateral achievement for global nuclear non-proliferation, he said: The JCPOA remains the only tool to provide the international community with the necessary assurances regarding Iran's nuclear programme." "It consists of nuclear-related commitments to be implemented by Iran in exchange for sanctions-lifting by the international community with a view to normalizing trade and economic relations with Iran," EU top diplomat noted. "The agreement also provides for unprecedented monitoring and verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and I commend the continuous professional, technical and impartial work of the agency. The full implementation of the JCPOA by all sides remains crucial." "The remaining participants of the JCPOA continue to work collectively to address, within the framework of the agreement, existing concerns regarding nuclear implementation, as well as the wider impacts of the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA and its re-imposition of sanctions," Borrell said expressing regret over US withdrawal from JCPOA on May 8, 2018. Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's letter has been received by European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and we are waiting for the result of his consultations with other parties. If a JCPOA party does not comply with its commitments or violates them, the other party can file a complaint to the joint commission to invoke Dispute Resolution Mechanism DRM, he noted. We believe what E3 did was in contrast with their commitments under the nuclear deal, he said, adding that we informed the joint commission and decisions will be made in this regard. "We have invoked DRM to inform the joint commission on Iran's opinions with regard to the fact that the E3 committed a breach of JCPOA commitments," Araghchi said. 9376**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Queensland education minister Grace Grace Queensland education minister Grace Grace is facing accusations she has exaggerated her own qualifications for years. The former union boss, 61, did a 10-week training course in Industrial Relations at Harvard University in 1993. On her CV she claims the qualification is 'Master's/Graduate Diploma Level' - even though the course is not a master's degree program. Ms Grace insisted she has done nothing wrong but opposition education spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said she was a 'phony and a fraud' and should be sacked. Questioned last night by the Courier-Mail, Ms Grace said: 'I am sorry if people have been misled'. Today she told Daily Mail Australia: 'In 1993, I had the privilege of attending the 10-week intensive Harvard Trade Union Program, plus a two-week practical component, to further my higher education with people from around the world. 'This is a highly sought-after program and I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to attend. 'I'm advised that while the program still exists today, it's very different to the one I completed more than 27 years ago. Ms Grace is accused of pretending she has a master's-level degree from Harvard but only did a 10-week course 'I have never claimed to have a master's degree or a graduate diploma. 'I have never used any letters after my name. 'The parliament website says 'Masters/Graduate Diploma level - Harvard Trade Union Program', it never mentions me attaining a degree. 'I am proud of my education and proud of my work during this program. 'It was an incredible opportunity and has helped shape the person I am today.' Ms Grace was made Education Minister in December 2017. She previously hit headlines for incorrectly spelling Torres Strait as 'Torris Straight' in a 2015 tweet while she was Multicultural Affairs Minister. Automation Alley As smart and connected technologies transform the way we do business, Automation Alleys goal is to help keep businesses in business by equipping organizations with the necessary knowledge to leverage the intersections of advanced technologies, systems and people to gain a competitive advantage. Automation Alley, Michigans Industry 4.0 knowledge center and the World Economic Forums Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America, announced the 2020 Technology in Industry Report, its signature guide to Industry 4.0 implementation, is now available to download. The reports key findings were introduced at a virtual reveal on July 13, led by Automation Alley Executive Director and CEO Tom Kelly, Chief Operating Officer Pavan Muzumdar, and Vice President Cynthia Hutchison. The event explored what the report information means for industry moving forward and how companies can position themselves for success as the smart and connected technologies of Industry 4.0 impact how business is done. Also provided was an analysis on the reports Velocity Index, a visualization of the perceptions of the maturity, importance, and projected rate of development of each of the Industry 4.0 technology sectors as they impact manufacturing and similar verticals. It is important to note that this report was produced during the worst pandemic we have seen in our lifetimes, Tom Kelly said. As painful and traumatic as the coronavirus experience has been, there are many lessons to be learned from this crisis. This report touches on those lessons from an Industry 4.0 standpoint. As our economy is healing from the shock, all business owners and executives must take stock of their own preparedness and put in place initiatives to overlay a digital mindset on their physical businesses. Key findings in the report: 1. Education and training at all levels will impact how each industry, and each company, will affect the pace and success of Industry 4.0 technology adoption. Executive teams with only a cursory understanding of these technologies is past. Participants in Industry 4.0from high-level executives to boots on the ground must have a proficient understanding of the digital transformation, how it can be used to demonstrate ROI, and a strategic approach to change management to be successful. 2. Collaboration will impact the adoption of Industry 4.0. In a world of manufacturers who are used to cut-throat competition and a strategy of isolationism, a shift must be made for more open collaboration with others within and outside the industry. With a reasonable amount of transparency and collaboration, manufacturers will benefit from more rapid Industry 4.0 adoption. 3. No matter where an organization is at along their Industry 4.0 transformation journey, the recommendation from our research is to: Start your Industry 4.0 transformation now. If you have not already, start with baby steps. Have a strategy in place and include real accountability in your plan. Make a point to focus on learning. Be persistent. This is a long-term investment that may not always look like its yielding benefits; but make small bets to stay the course and continue on the journey. Accept risk. Innovative thinking and action should be met with support and encouragement. Consider incentives to drive innovative behaviors, and make sure that for each risk taken, there is always an educational return - even if there may not be a monetary one. The Technology in Industry report is a free benefit for Automation Alley members and $95 for non-members. It can be accessed at https://www.automationalley.com/Events/TechnologyInIndustryReveal.aspx. Along with the report, which was first published in 2005 as a tool for business planning and tech talent attraction, Automation Alley launched Industry 4.0 in Focus: A Livestream Series, during the virtual reveal. The livestream series, with the reveal being episode 1, will include weekly, 30-minute episodes leading up to the Integr8 Industry 4.0 conference on Nov. 10 and will focus on different Industry 4.0 technology trends, case studies and action items from the report; they will be presented by the reports contributing academic experts, strategic partners and industry leaders. Looking at emerging technology trends impacting people, processes, and technology now and in the near future, each session will propose action items for businesses to consider when developing their own digital transformations and will include: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing 5G: A Manufacturing Game-Changer Opportunities & Challenges of IT & OT Convergence The Impact of Big Data Analytics on Supply Chain Management Accelerating Industry 4.0 with Digital Twin Additive Manufacturing's Disruptive Impact on the Supply Chain How Industry 4.0 Transforms Data Regulation & Protection Industry 4.0 Case Studies: Technology & Workforce Transformation As smart and connected technologies rapidly transform the way we do business, Automation Alleys goal is to help keep businesses in business by equipping organizations with the necessary knowledge to leverage the intersections of advanced technologies, systems and people to gain a competitive advantage, Kelly said. The report and the Industry 4.0 in Focus livestream series can jumpstart or accelerate industry on that digital path to strategic success. Separately, on June 30 Kelly announced that Automation Alley is the recipient of a $10 million grant from Oakland County and $2 million grant from Macomb County to help each countys manufacturing base purchase and implement Industry 4.0 technologies that can be used in direct support of manufacturing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Information on the Personal Protection Equipment Resilience Grant and the application for manufacturers can be found at https://www.automationalley.com/Initiatives/PPE-Resilience-Grant-Program.aspx. About Automation Alley Automation Alley is the World Economic Forum's Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan's economy and accelerate innovation. Our programs give businesses a competitive advantage by helping them along every step of their digital transformation journey. We obsess over disruptive technologies like AI, the Internet of Things and automation, and work hard to make these complex concepts easier for companies to understand and implement. Visit automationalley.com. The mission of Automation Alley is to position Michigan as a global leader in Industry 4.0 by helping our members increase revenue, reduce costs and think strategically during a time of rapid technological change. It's the staged Big Brother romance that, according to OzTam, has had up to 2.8 per cent of the nation on the edge of their seats for weeks. 'Titanic meets P&O.' And as the story goes, Sophie and Chad's relation-ship struck an iceberg and sunk on Tuesday - right in the middle of $5 Shots 'n' Thots night at the Oasis Bar & Grill. Titanic meets P&O: Sophie and Chad's relation-ship struck an iceberg and sunk on Tuesday - right in the middle of $5 Shots 'n' Thots night at the Oasis Bar & Grill. How did we get here? He's Not All White On Monday, Kieran was too resilient to fall victim to a classic 'bullied all the way to the asylum' storyline. But he was evicted and seeing as though the contractors went to the trouble of constructing a white padded room, he was spared On Monday, Kieran was too resilient to fall victim to a classic 'bullied all the way to the asylum' storyline. But he was evicted and seeing as though the contractors went to the trouble of constructing a white padded room, he was spared. 'We might as well just gee it up as a mental breakdown anyway?' decided the producers. Kieran: 'Wow, Big Brother. Everything really is white in here! Oh wait a sec, is that Colby cheese cubes? They're yellow.' Kieran: 'Wow, Big Brother. Everything really is white in here! Oh wait a sec, is that Colby cheese cubes? They're yellow' Big Brother: 'Jesus, a stickler for the finer details all of a sudden? This is the same guy who can't even do a three-point turn without killing someone.' Kieran: 'As a condition of the payout, I did NOT kill that pedestrian. She had a pre-existing condition.' Big Brother: 'Jesus, a stickler for the finer details all of a sudden? This is the same guy who can't even do a three-point turn without killing someone' Big Brother: 'Alright, stop the show everyone - strike the sets. Kieran needs some brie.' Kieran: 'And some Turkish delight.' Kieran: 'Hello? Kieran: 'With the white frosting.' Kieran: 'As a condition of the payout, I did NOT kill that pedestrian. She had a pre-existing condition.' Big Brother: 'Alright, stop the show everyone - strike the sets. Kieran needs some brie' One downside of living a life shrouded in secrecy like Big Brother does is that nobody is going to know your whole family died in the great Turkish Delight Contamination Crisis of 1989. For the first time in series history, Big Brother left his post and went home (left the basement and went upstairs). Kieran: 'And some Turkish delights... Hello? Hello? On the plus side, Kieran got severe separation anxiety and started to go legitimately crazy. Every cloud... For the first time in series history, Big Brother left his post and went home. On the plus side, Kieran got severe separation anxiety and started to go legitimately crazy. Every cloud... We Were Robbed Tsk, Tsk. Looks like they didn't learn their lesson from the old Big Brother house: Take your eyes off a slice of TV history for five minutes and the bogans pounce. Pictured: The old Big Brother house moments before being vandalised by teens Tsk, Tsk. Looks like they didn't learn their lesson from the old Big Brother house. Take your eyes off a slice of TV history for five minutes and the bogans pounce. The housemates woke up to discover they'd been robbed. The pool was drained, the furniture and appliances were gone - but they'd left the slow cooker. Must be teens. The housemates woke up to discover they'd been robbed. The pool was drained, the furniture and appliances were gone - but they'd left the slow cooker. Must be teens Big Brother rushed back to his post, realised how badly he needed this job and tried to blame it on Chad. Cut to hour three of interrogations Big Brother: 'Answer the question, Chad. Are you from Campbelltown? And is it true that your application states you once ran an "import/export furniture business with the boys an' that"?' Big Brother rushed back to his post, realised how badly he needed this job and tried to blame it on Chad. Cut to hour three of interrogations... Chad: 'I already told you! Ya mum's from Campbelltown.' Big Brother: 'That's it. Take that back! Dorothy Brother is a saint and she died doing what she loved: eating food from suspicious packages with no return address!' Truthfully, this was a woeful staged ordeal in which they insisted on spending half an hour having Big Brother accuse all the housemates of theft. It sucked, you're welcome. ...Big Brother: 'Answer the question, Chad. Are you from Campbelltown? And is it true that your application states you once ran an "import/export furniture business with the boys an' that"?' You Chad Me At Hello RIP: For those who haven't been following the recaps: Sophie and Chad fell madly in love during the series. They were two dopey hearts beating as one Sophie and Chad fell madly in love during the series. They were two dopey hearts beating as one. They formed a 'final four' pact with the co-dependent bromance of Dan and Mat (D&M). For weeks, Sophie - the 'dumb' one in many of her relationships but definitely the 'smart' one here - had been trying to convince Chad they were going to be betrayed. 'Yeah, nah,' Chad would reply. 'Pete Evans says to open your eyes and not believe everythin' you see an' hear an' that. 'Just lick the salt lamp if you're feeling stressed.' They formed a 'final four' pact with the co-dependent bromance of Dan and Mat (D&M) Sophie had three good chances to get rid of D&M in recent weeks but Chad wasn't having a bar of it. 'If it looks like a rat, sounds like a rat and smells like a rat, it's probably an undercover operative of Bill Gates trying to install 5G in your brain to give you COVID while you sleep,' he would insist. Surprise, surprise: Daniel won Tuesday's stupid nomination challenge and evicted Sophie at the very first chance he could. The fab four were no more. For weeks, Sophie - the 'dumb' one in many of her relationships but definitely the 'smart' one here - had been trying to convince Chad they were going to be betrayed. 'Yeah nah,' Chad would reply A face you can trust? Surprise, surprise: Daniel won Tuesday's stupid nomination challenge and evicted Sophie at the very first chance he could. The fab four were no more 'Everyone knows going on Big Brother was my dream!' she bawled in a wildly embarrassing admission. Knowing the ship was sinking and that there wasn't enough room on the flimsy interior-no-window room door for two, Chad fumbled through a goodbye. 'Everyone knows going on Big Brother was my dream!' she bawled in a wildly embarrassing admission we were expected to empathise with. Chad was stunned Chad: 'Where are ya goin? What are ya gonna do now? Is this the end?' Sophie: 'I'm going home, Chad. It's cold and I smell like sea water.' Chad: 'I fink that's my cologne. You have my number yeah?' P&O No! Knowing the ship was sinking and that there wasn't enough room on the flimsy interior-no-window room door for two, Chad fumbled through a goodbye Sophie: '1800-Go-For-Chad?' Of course I do.' Chad tried to yell out his street address but a wave of emotion washed over him and when he resurfaced, Sophie was gone. Chad tried to yell out his street address but a wave of emotion washed over him and when he resurfaced, Sophie was gone. Chad was bummed Oooh Heaven Is A Place Next To North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre Car Park In North Head 'Wait a second?' Sophie asked as she stepped out of the house, surveying her surroundings. 'Where am I? 'This isn't a cheaply built set next to the North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre Car Park? Am I in heaven?' 'Wait a second?' Sophie asked as she stepped out of the house, surveying her surroundings. 'Where am I? 'This isn't a cheaply built set next to the North Head Sanctuary Visitor Centre Car Park? 'Why is everything all white? Am I in heaven?' Her train of thought was interrupted by a blast of harsh, steamy air on her neck; the sound of plodding footsteps, followed by a distinct waft of cheese. Her train of thought was interrupted by a blast of harsh, steamy air on her neck; the sound of plodding footsteps, followed by a distinct waft of cheese 'Pretty much,' came a whisper from behind her, followed by a CRUNCH and a gulp. 'Minus the brie.' If you think the stock market has been on a wild ride over the past five months, take a gander at what marijuana stock investors have gone through over the past three years. Up until April 2019, investors could practically throw a dart at a list of publicly traded pot stocks and make money. Promises of capacity expansion and overseas dealmaking often proved more than enough to send valuations higher. In some instances, popular cannabis stocks delivered quadruple-digit percentage returns in less than two years. But this all fell apart about 15 months ago. Regulatory-based supply issues in Canada, exorbitant tax rates on legal pot products in the U.S., and financing concerns throughout North America, are all responsible for crushing pot stock valuations. It's been one gigantic roller-coaster ride, which, for the most part, has seen earnings estimates for cannabis stocks fall considerably from where they were even three months ago. However, there are exceptions to the rule. The following three pot stocks have all seen their fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 consensus earnings forecast from Wall Street improve over the past three months. Aurora Cannabis Surprise! The most popular pot stock with millennial investors, and arguably one of the worst-performing weed stocks over the past 15 months, Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB), has seen its consensus loss estimates on Wall Street narrow for fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021. Three months ago (on a split-adjusted basis), Wall Street was counting on Aurora losing $15.24 Canadian per share in 2020 and CA$1.44 in 2021. These loss estimates have now narrowed to CA$13.62 in 2020 and CA$1.03 in 2021. One of the likeliest reasons we've witnessed a narrowing in Aurora's consensus loss estimate is the company's aggressive cost-cutting campaign. Recently, management announced that it would be closing five of the company's smaller production facilities. This comes after halting construction on two of the company's largest projects last year, as well as laying off 500 workers. Aurora also sold off its 1-million-square-foot Exeter greenhouse for well below what MedReleaf had paid for it in 2018. Another factor to consider is that Canadian marijuana sales picked up considerably in March and April. With the monthly high-water mark having previously been January 2020 (CA$154.1 million), Statistics Canada reported CA$181.2 million and CA$180.2 million in respective cannabis store sales in March and April. With more dispensaries finally opening up in key markets like Ontario, larger producers like Aurora Cannabis may finally be able to resolve some of the supply bottlenecks they've been dealing with. Also, don't overlook the fact that Aurora Cannabis has been issuing stock to raise capital, which continues to balloon its outstanding share count and dilute longtime shareholders. With more shares outstanding, a consistent projected operating loss would result in a narrower net loss per share. While it's good to see Aurora Cannabis beginning to address some of its shortcomings, this isn't a stock I'd suggest investors entrust with their hard-earned money. HEXO Surprise, again! Despite being one of the worst-performing marijuana stocks over since April 2019, Quebec-based licensed producer HEXO (NASDAQ:HEXO) has seen both its fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 consensus loss estimates narrow on Wall Street. Three months ago, analysts were expecting a loss of CA$1.29 per share in fiscal 2020 and CA$0.12 per share in 2021. As of today, these per-share loss estimates have been reduced to CA$1.12 and CA$0.08, respectively. Similar to Aurora Cannabis, some very stringent expense reductions are paving the way to narrower losses. HEXO halted production at its Niagara facility, acquired via the Newstrike Brands acquisition in 2019, and subsequently sold Niagara for a meager CA$10.25 million. Additionally, HEXO has announced layoffs designed to reduce its capital outlays in an effort to backpedal toward profitability. Being based in Canada, the aforementioned record monthly sales figures in March and April offer hope that some of the early stage supply issues will begin to give way to robust demand. What remains to be seen for producers like HEXO is whether the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shutdowns that encouraged consumers to load up on cannabis products was a two-month event or something truly sustainable. Not to sound like a broken record, but HEXO has also been utilizing at-the-market offerings to issue its own stock to raise money, much in the same way as Aurora Cannabis. This means HEXO's outstanding share count has been steadily rising. As a result, it's quite possible that the company's narrowing loss could simply be a reflection of its ballooning share count, rather than meaningful progress with its operating efficiency. No matter the reason for the company's narrowed consensus loss estimate, investors would be wise to avoid HEXO, which may soon face delisting from the New York Stock Exchange. Green Thumb Industries The third pot stock whose earnings estimates are rising is U.S. multistate operator Green Thumb Industries (OTC:GTBIF). Unlike Aurora Cannabis and HEXO, Green Thumb is expected to be profitable in 2020 and 2021. According to Wall Street's consensus, the company's 2020 forecast has improved from breakeven to $0.04 per share, with its 2021 per-share consensus profit up to $0.30 from $0.26 three months prior. One big thing going right for Green Thumb Industries is that approximately two-thirds of the company's revenue is coming from high-margin derivatives, such as edibles, vapes, and topicals. While most folks associate marijuana sales with dried cannabis flower, it's these alternative consumption options that deliver the juiciest margins for licensed producers. Green Thumb has also done a bang-up job of targeting its retail presence in key states. The company has been opening up a number of locations in Illinois, which became the first state to legalize the consumption and sale of adult-use cannabis entirely through the legislative process. Sales for recreational weed commenced on Jan. 1, 2020. Green Thumb also has a burgeoning presence in Nevada, where tourism is expected to drive big-time sales growth. Lastly, the market potential for cannabis is simply much larger in the U.S. than it is in Canada. With elections and organic growth serving as an opportunity, Green Thumb Industries looks well on its way to becoming a winner in the cannabis space. New Delhi: An Islamic forum raised questions on Saturday over the recent encounter killing of eight SIMI operatives hours after they fled from a jail in Bhopal and demanded that stern action be taken against those involved in the operation. "Media reports and videos showing the Bhopal encounter make it appear extremely suspicious and raise some serious questions that need to be answered by the government and police," general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muhammad Salim Engineer, said at a press conference. "According to the lawyer of the undertrials, the case against his clients was very weak and there was a distinct possibility that they would have been acquitted soon. "The whole incident bears a deep resemblance to the Batla House encounter and custodial deaths of Khalid Mujahid, Qateel Siddiqui and Mohammed Waqas. Jamaat feels that it is incorrect to state that we must not question the authenticity of the encounter as it would lower the morale of the police force," he said. The forum demanded a high-level judicial inquiry to find out "the real culprits of the encounter and award strict punishment to the guilty". On the disappearance on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed, Salim said Delhi Police has been "reluctant" to question those who assaulted the student and that the varsity administration has displayed "lackadaisical attitude in dealing with the issue". The forum also condemned the decision of an inter-ministerial panel to take a leading Hindi channel off air for one day over its coverage of the anti-terror operation in Pathankot. "This is a direct violation of the freedom of the press and is reminiscent of the dark days of the Emergency when there were arbitrary and punitive curbs on the media," Salim said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Counne expects to break ground by the end of this year, and have the first phase of the redevelopment completed by early next year. After operating at a smaller scale to work out the kinks, Counne plans to finish developing the site by 2023. A group of investors is funding the first phase of the project. He declined to say how much funding he has received. The amount that Apple has committed to housing programs, to help fund over 1,250 new Bay Area affordable housing units. The donation comes in addition to the $2.5 billion pledge the tech company made in November. ( San Francisco Chronicle July 13, 2020) A bestselling Spoonflower mask Spoonflower is pleased to launch the "Buy A Mask, Give A Mask" initiative in partnership with The Masks Now Coalition public service organization. The "Buy A Mask, Give A Mask" program provides consumers an opportunity to directly impact the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortage, while also protecting themselves. For every custom mask sold, one will be donated directly to the people who need them mostpatients, healthcare workers, at-risk community members, and essential workers, including postal workers, grocery store workers, manufacturing personnel, and more. Spoonflower, the worlds largest custom fabric and home decor digital marketplace, prints fabric and wallpaper on demand from its headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. The Masks Now Coalition is a national volunteer group with 12,000 volunteers sewing masks and providing them to healthcare providers in every U.S. state. With the "Buy a Mask, Give a Mask" program, consumers can select from over 1.8 million designs on Spoonflower.com, enabling them to showcase their own personal style via their custom mask. Spoonflowers team of expert in-house sewers then produce each reusable mask in either a curved or gaiter style, using templates that have been reviewed by local healthcare professionals. For each mask purchased, Spoonflower sends a fabric donation to The Masks Now Coalition, which mobilizes its team to sew the masks and distribute them to the areas most in need. There is still a great demand for and a shortage of masks, especially as stay-at-home orders are being lifted. In fact, we currently have outstanding requests for more than 500,000 masks, said Rachel Emard, a national organizer for The Masks Now Coalition as well as a sewist. This partnership will allow us to serve even more communities, healthcare professionals, and essential workers who desperately need our help. To date, Spoonflowers community has produced over 150,000 non-medical grade fabric masks through grass-roots initiatives to assist in the fight against COVID-19, with hundreds of thousands more sold through Spoonflower makers on sites such as Etsy and in their personal stores. In just a few short months, masks have become mainstream. Not only are they helping to keep our front line heroes safe, but they are also quickly becoming a new normal for all of us to stay healthy when we leave our home, said Michael Jones, Spoonflowers CEO. Our goal is to normalize mask-wearing by giving consumers an opportunity to take advantage of our vast design catalog to express themselves through their own custom mask, while also giving back to those in need. For those who prefer to make their own mask, Spoonflower has also created a made-to-order DIY Kit that includes supplies, instructions, and templates to create two masks for just $10. Makers can even select their very own mask designs from Spoonflowers marketplace. Follow and join the "Buy A Mask, Give A Mask" movement on social media using the hashtag #ThisMaskGivesBack and visit https://www.spoonflower.com/en/face-mask for more information or to purchase a mask that gives back. ### About Spoonflower Spoonflower is a global marketplace connecting makers and consumers with artists worldwide. The companys on-demand digital printing platform has revolutionized the textile industry in its development of an eco-friendly, sustainable, and scalable manufacturing process. With Spoonflower, consumers can either design their own patterns on premium fabric, wallpaper, and home goods or shop from the worlds largest marketplace of over 1 million designs from independent artists. Today, millions of individuals use Spoonflower to express their personal style and power their entrepreneurial spirit. For more information on Spoonflower visit http://www.spoonflower.com. About The Masks NOW Coalition The Masks Now Coalition is a grassroots movement of over 12,000 nationwide volunteers working together to help protect frontline workers and healthcare professionals through sewing and donating masks to organizations in need. More than 2,000 organizations have requested over 600,000 masks from the coalition, across every state in America, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. The Masks Now Coalition national hotline organizes volunteers, accepts donations and distributes free mask patterns to the public when people text the word masks to 50409. For more information visit http://www.masksnow.org. Google has become the latest high-profile firm to back India's Reliance Jio Platforms. The search giant is investing $4.5 billion for a 7.73% stake in the top Indian telecom network, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Wednesday. The investment today from Google is one of the rare instances when the Android-maker has joined its global rival Facebook in backing a firm. Facebook invested $5.7 billion in Reliance Jio Platforms, which has amassed more than 400 million subscribers in less than four years of its existence, in April this year for a 9.99% stake in it. Facebook is the largest minority stakeholder in Jio Platforms. Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries (India's most valued firm) has raised about $20.2 billion in the past four months from 13 investors by selling about 33% stake in the firm. (For some context, the entire Indian startup ecosystem raised $14.5 billion last year.) Google's new investment gives Jio Platforms an equity valuation of $58 billion -- the same valuation implied by Facebook. Other investors, including General Atlantic, Silver Lake, Qualcomm, Intel and Vista, have paid a 12.5% premium for their stake in Jio Platforms. As part of Wednesday's strategic announcement, Google and Reliance Jio Platforms will work on a customized-version of Android operating system to develop low-cost, entry-level smartphones to serve the next hundreds of millions of users, said Ambani. These phones will support Google Play and future wireless standard 5G, he said. "Getting technology into the hands of more people is a big part of Google's mission," said Sundar Pichai, chief executive at Google, via a video chat on Wednesday. "Together we are excited to rethink, from the ground up, how millions of users in India can become owners of smartphones. This effort will unlock new opportunities, further power the vibrant ecosystem of applications and push innovation to drive growth for the new Indian economy," he said. Story continues The new deal further illustrates the opportunities foreign investors see in Jio Platforms that has upended the telecommunications market in India with cut-rate voice calls and mobile data tariffs. This is not the first time Jio Platforms has expressed interest in mobile operating system or handsets. The company has shipped at least 40 million JioPhone powered by KaiOS. These "smart feature" phones support a handful of apps, including Facebook's WhatsApp. Google is an investor in KaiOS' eponymous developer. Have been hearing the "Can India produce a Google?" question for the last ten years. Looking forward to the "Can the US produce a Jio?" question for the next ten years. Sumanth Raghavendra (@sumanthr) July 15, 2020 Analysts at Bernstein said last month that they expect Jio Platforms -- which competes with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between British giant Vodafone and Indian tycoon Kumar Mangalam Birlas Aditya Birla Group, in India -- to reach 500 million customers by 2023, and control half of the market by 2025. Google, which like Facebook reaches nearly every online user in India, announced a new fund on Monday through which it said it plans to invest $10 billion in Asia's third largest economy over the next five to seven years. Its investment in Jio Platforms today is the first investment from the Google For India Digitization Fund. Jio Platforms also operates a range of digital services, including a music streaming player and a video conferencing app. On Wednesday, Jio Platforms unveiled its newest offering: the Jio Glass. Jio Platforms executives said Jio Glass wearers will be able to perform video calls and access more than two dozen apps. They did not disclose when Jio Platforms plans to make this new gadget available to consumers and what it would cost. Jio Platforms has unveiled devices in the past that sometimes take years to reach consumers -- and sometimes they are quietly abandoned. Jio unveiled a similar pair of spectacles last year. Image Credits: Jio Platforms via YouTube Some investors have told TechCrunch in recent months that Reliance Jio Platforms owner Indias richest man, Mukesh Ambani and his closeness to the ruling political party in India are also crucial to why the digital unit of Reliance Industries is so attractive to many. They believe that buying a stake in Jio Platforms would lower the regulatory burden they -- and their portfolio firms -- currently face in India. The investors requested anonymity as they did not wish to talk about the political tie-ups publicly. A person familiar with the matter at one of the 13 firms that has backed Reliance Jio Platforms said that the Indian firm is also enticing as globally companies are trying to cut down their reliance and exposure on China. India, and the U.S., in recent months have taken actions to limit their reliance on Chinese firms. New Delhi last month banned 59 apps and services including TikTok that are developed by Chinese firms. Reliance Jio Platforms has interestingly yet to raise capital from any Chinese investor. "Jio, for its part, has made an extraordinary contribution to Indias technological progress over the past decade. Its investments to expand telecommunications infrastructure, low-cost phones and affordable internet have changed the way its hundreds of millions of subscribers find news and information, communicate with one another, use services and run businesses. Today, Jio is increasing its focus on the development of areas like digital services, education, healthcare and entertainment that can support economic growth and social inclusion at a critical time in the countrys history," said Pichai. Reliance Industries, whose core businesses are in petrochemicals, has said in recent months that it plans to list Jio Platforms and Reliance Retail, another subsidiary of the firm, within five years. It's a big week for firms in India. On Tuesday, Walmart led a $1.2 billion financing round in Flipkart to increase its majority stake in the 13-year-old Indian e-commerce firm. MEXICO CITY The young technician shut off the electricity at a cellular tower in rural Mexico to begin some routine maintenance. Within 10 minutes, he had company: three armed men dressed in fatigues emblazoned with the logo of a major drug cartel. The traffickers had a particular interest in that tower, owned by Boston-based American Tower Corp, which rents space to carriers on its thousands of cellular sites in Mexico. The cartel had installed its own antennas on the structure to support their two-way radios, but the contractor had unwittingly blacked out the shadowy network. The visitors let him off with a warning. I was so nervous Seeing them armed in front of you, you dont know how to react, the worker told Reuters, recalling the 2018 encounter. Little by little, you learn how to coexist with them, how to address them, how to make them see that you dont represent a threat. The contractor had disrupted a small link in a vast criminal network that spans much of Mexico. In addition to high-end encrypted cell phones and popular messaging apps, traffickers still rely heavily on two-way radios like the ones police and firefighters use to coordinate their teams on the ground, six law enforcement experts on both sides of the border told Reuters. Traffickers often erect their own radio antennas in rural areas. They also install so-called parasite antennas on existing cell towers, layering their criminal communications network on top of the official one. By piggybacking on telecom companies infrastructure, cartels save money and evade detection since their own towers are more easily spotted and torn down, law enforcement experts said. The practice has been widely acknowledged by telecom companies and Mexican officials for years. The problem persists because the government has made inconsistent efforts to take it on, and because companies have little recourse to stop it, experts on law enforcement and Mexican society said. There is a sense of powerlessness in Mexico, said Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Centers Mexico Institute in Washington. He said companies feel they cannot respond to issues like this because (they) are afraid of the consequences from groups that essentially enjoy impunity. Mexicos Defense Ministry said it provides security for federal agencies that request its help in dismantling parasitic equipment installed by cartels on cell towers. The nations Attorney Generals office did not respond to a request for comment about criminal activity at these sites. The Federal Telecommunications Institute, Mexicos telecom and broadcasting regulator, said its compliance unit had not received reports of parasite antennas from any companies under its jurisdiction. Reuters has provided the first in-depth account of how traffickers exploit Mexicos telecom infrastructure and the toll it takes on workers. The news organization interviewed 14 current and former telecom workers about the interactions that they and their colleagues have had with criminal groups at cell towers. Twelve of them said they had seen parasite antennas on towers belonging to Telesites SAB de CV, a tower rental company in which the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is a major shareholder; as well as American Tower, U.S. carrier AT&T Corp, Spains Telefonica SA and Mexicos Axtel SAB de CV. Reuters is omitting the technicians names, details of where they work and most names of cartels they encounter for the workers protection. Two technicians shared texts they exchanged with colleagues regarding on-the-job run-ins with organized crime at the cell towers, and one of them shared a photo of an illicit device he discovered in the course of his work. The incidents the 12 workers recounted occurred between 2015 and 2020 in several Mexican states. Most of the technicians said they encounter the devices, known colloquially as narco-antennas, just a few times a year. But one engineer who spoke with Reuters estimated that parasite antennas are present on roughly 20% of towers where his firm works, while another said about 30% of his sites had them when local criminals were particularly active in his area in 2018. Their No. 1 rule when discovering cartel equipment on a tower is simple: Dont touch it. Dealing with gangsters in person is trickier, they said, requiring diplomacy and a cool head. Some said their interactions have been cordial, bordering on friendly. Others said they have been threatened, detained and at times fearful for their lives. The traffickers convey their superiority, its like when someone wants to mark their territory, one technician said. I cant get nervous because they pick up on when someone is secure and when someone is very afraid. Security Payments These people said the best strategy is to be polite, stay calm and pay up immediately. Those costs get passed along to their employers; laborers for subcontractors said their firms often charge the big telecom companies higher rates for working in dicey areas. A spokesman for America Movil and Telesites declined to comment. Axtel, which sold some of its telecom towers in 2017, said it had not received any reports of incidents on its remaining infrastructure. AT&T said that under no circumstances does it tolerate or authorize payments outside of those established by law. An American Tower spokesman said we have not received any credible reports of parasite antennas or other cartel activities at the companys Mexican sites. He said the firm alerts local authorities immediately if a site is vandalized, and that the safety of those who work on our towers, as well as the towers continued secure operation, are our top priorities. Guillermo Ramos, Telefonicas director of security in Mexico, said the company has not received any reports of parasite antennas over at least the past year. Narco-antennas are just one aspect of telecom companies headaches in Mexico. Criminals raid their infrastructure for batteries and copper cables to resell on the black market, executives in the sector told Reuters. Stories like this are unfolding in industries across Mexico as criminal groups branch out far beyond drugs. Cartels have siphoned millions of dollars worth of fuel from Mexican state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos or Pemex in recent years; they steal cargo and pilfer lumber. The tentacles of organized crime extend even into Mexicos avocado growing regions, where gangs extort farmers and hijack loads of the green fruit. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in 2018 advocating a softer approach to his predecessors war on drugs with the motto hugs, not bullets. The cartels encroachment on legitimate businesses did not start on his watch. But the change in strategy has left companies with nowhere to turn, said Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Lopez Obrador has sent a message to all of Mexico, including the private sector that he doesnt want a confrontational situation with the cartels, Vigil said. Telecom companies are caught between a rock and a hard spot. Lopez Obradors office did not respond to requests for comment. The president previously has insisted that Mexico must tackle poverty and other factors that drive crime, in addition to using law enforcement. We must continue confronting organized crime There is no longer protection for anyone, as there was before, Lopez Obrador said in early June. We are committed to achieving peace and we have made progress in combating, in reducing, crime. An Old-School Tool Radios are an indispensable tool for cartels and part of their lore. One classic narco-ballad or corrido celebrating the notorious Zetas syndicate depicts members speaking over their two-way handsets. When it comes to communicating in real-time with large groups, radio is tough to beat. These networks are often encrypted and, unlike cellular networks, the location of someone using a radio cant easily be pinpointed, said Paul Craine, a former director of the DEAs operations in Mexico and Central America. A vast web of antennas is necessary to power those networks, and Mexicos thousands of cellular towers, many tucked away in rural areas, provide ready-made places to install them. Craine said he consistently observed cartels latching onto cellular towers while working in Mexico from 2012 to 2018. To a trained eye, cartel equipment sticks out like a sore thumb. At the foot of the tower, criminals place a base station, which generates the radio waves, often tucked into a suitcase or picnic cooler for protection from the sun, according to Craine and the technicians who spoke with Reuters. Higher up they install parasite antennas to project the signal. Gangs typically dont bother with camouflage. The Zetas are particularly brash, Craine said. He recalled seeing coolers emblazoned with their logo: the letter Z. A former engineer for Huawei Technologies Co, the Chinese telecom vendor, told Reuters that one of the workers he supervised sent him a photo of a device on a Telesites tower in early 2018 with a sign that read: This antenna belongs to the Zetas. If any problems arise, please call, followed by a phone number. Cesar Funes, a vice president of institutional relations for Huawei in Latin America, said he had not received any reports of parasite antennas. Telesites declined to comment. The equipment persists on companies networks, industry executives and law enforcement experts said, due to the difficulty of rooting out the devices across far-flung towers, and the risks that removal might pose to engineers in the field, many of whom dont report them out of fear. Telecom companies quietly have acknowledged the cartels presence in meetings with Mexican government officials. Gerardo Sanchez Henkel, a former director of compliance for telecom regulator IFT, told Reuters he discussed the issue of parasite antennas regularly in meetings with companies before leaving government in late 2015. The IFT said it did not know whether Sanchez Henkel had discussed the issue with companies during his time in government. Marco Galvan, who was a senior director for telecom trade group GSMA in Mexico until February, said companies often lamented theft and the presence of unauthorized devices on their towers. It was an issue that was frequently cited by all the operators as something that inhibited investment, he said. The National Association of Telecommunications (ANATEL), a trade group representing players including America Movil, AT&T and Telefonica, said companies it surveyed reported 62 parasite antennas from 2017 through mid-2018, the most current data available. Nearly 3,000 batteries were stolen from cell towers over the same period, it said. ANATEL CEO Gabriel Szekely said he had no more information to provide on the phenomenon. He told the Mexican newspaper Reforma in 2018 it was clear that criminal groups were capitalizing on what companies had built. Suddenly you find devices that are not yours, they belong to organized crime, Szekely told Reforma. And there are places where they do not even let you in to maintain your own facilities. Gentlemans Agreement In the worst criminal hot spots, maintaining towers often comes at a price. The five telecom workers who told Reuters that they or their colleagues had been forced to pay up said those encounters typically involved groups of armed men confronting them at the towers. The workers are sometimes unsure of exactly who they are dealing with. In some parts of rural Mexico, self-defense organizations have emerged to fill the vacuum left by the state, with these vigilantes often running elaborate extortion schemes to fund their operations, security analysts said. Two people who work for an AT&T subcontractor said there are a number of towers where they routinely pay 500 to 1,000 pesos ($22.34 to $44.67) any day they want to perform maintenance. One of the people estimated the number of towers at 11. Reuters could not independently confirm those payments. Sometimes the demands are larger. In 2017, a group demanded a payment of about $1,000 from subcontractors working on a large project for America Movil involving multiple towers, according to an engineer who was involved. The criminals called a representative of Huawei, which was overseeing the job, to escalate the threat, the person said. The engineer said the criminal group was courteous throughout the negotiations, addressing workers as usted, a Spanish pronoun that conveys respect. The telecom crew had no trouble after they paid. It was a gentlemans agreement, the engineer said. America Movil declined to comment. Reuters could not independently confirm the payment. That worker said Huawei pays subcontractors more to work in high-risk areas, which enabled the crew to recover what it paid. He showed Reuters a copy of a contract that included an allowance for site in dangerous city. Two other subcontractors told Reuters that allowance has helped them cover the cost of extortion payments. Funes, the Huawei executive, denied the company pays criminal groups for access to its sites, and said Huawei does not permit subcontractors to do so either. He said the company sometimes pays higher rates in smaller markets where it is more difficult to find engineers. A spokesman for Huawei said the company could not comment on specific allowances, citing the confidentiality of its contracts with suppliers and employees. We will never pay anything that is (beyond) the scope of the contract, Funes said. Rules For Survival Technicians who work in dangerous parts of Mexico say making nice with drug traffickers is a crucial part of the job. One subcontractor said traffickers stick close to his crews to ensure workers dont touch cartel antennas, and to be certain they are not enemies who have come to spy on them. You work with a narco-escort, the subcontractor said. Cartels have kidnapped technicians doing maintenance on cellular towers to make them fix their networks, people working in the sector said. The technicians usually are released after a few days, if not sooner. Still, those who spoke with Reuters said they live in fear of being forced by traffickers to do such work, lest they be killed for knowing too much, or become targets of authorities or rival criminal groups for being complicit. Whenever possible, they said, they downplay their expertise. After traumatic run-ins with cartels, some technicians refuse to go into the field or have left the industry entirely, people working in the sector said. One subcontractor estimated that 10 workers, primarily new recruits, quit his company over the past year due to security concerns. Even old hands can run into trouble. In 2016, a technician working for an America Movil supplier learned his colleagues had been turned away from a site in a cartel stronghold. Determined to finish the job, the engineer headed to the tower alone. He was quickly surrounded by five men armed with long guns and dressed in clothing bearing the cartels initials. They forced him into their vehicle and took him to a house in town, where their boss was waiting. The engineer said he reverted to his security training, resolving not to show fear. When the cartel boss complained that his antennas had been failing, the captive seized an opening. Its in all our interest that the tower is working, he recalls saying. Just let us work, and we wont interfere with your equipment On the contrary, well check it for you. The cartel agreed, driving the engineer back to the tower. He said he re-established service at the tower and made a perfunctory check of the illicit antennas. He tried to head off any requests for additional help, saying he was a supervisor whose technical skills were rusty. Throughout the encounter, the engineer maintained his composure. But when he returned to his hotel room that evening, he said his body shook with such force that he thought he might be having a breakdown. In the moment, I was fine, I just trusted in God, he said. My nerves got me afterwards. The young technician who accidentally disrupted a cartels communications at an American Tower site told Reuters he knows the risk hes taking. But he said he has a family to support and earns a premium for working in a territory that many peers wouldnt touch. After a few years working the area, he said he has established a rapport with gang members, who often let him pass to the job site with little more than a wave hello. He has learned from his early mistake. Now, before he cuts the power, he first connects any parasite antennas to a generator to ensure the cartels network keeps humming. ($1 = 22.3850 Mexican pesos) Earlier this year, Apple had agreed to settle a $500 million U.S. class-action lawsuit that accused it of secretly throttling older iPhone models which compelled users to either buy replacement phones or batteries. Under the proposed settlement, Apple will have to pay approximately $25 to each eligible iPhone owner who submits a claim, which may increase or decrease depending on the number of approved claims. The company will have to pay a minimum of $310 million and a maximum of $500 million as part of the settlement, including about $93 million to lawyers representing consumers. The class covers all current and former U.S. owners of an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, or SE running iOS 10.2.1 or later before December 21, 2017. It also covers U.S. owners of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus phones that ran iOS 11.2 or later on or before 21 December 2017. Class members also must have experienced diminished performance on their devices. Now, Apple is finally issuing $25 as payout to affected iPhone customers in the U.S. due to the deliberate slowdown of their devices back in 2017. The United States District Court for the Northern District of California has set up a dedicated website for eligible class members, with In re Apple Inc. Device Performance Litigation. If you have an eligible device, you can submit a claim or review their other options, including excluding yourself from the settlement, which allows you to sue Apple over similar issues in the future. The claims website will ask you to enter your iPhones Serial Number for which the claim is to be filed. If you are unaware about the serial number, the website lets you locate your Serial Number based on your Apple ID, name, and street address by utilizing the Search Tool. All claims must be submitted online or received by letter mail by October 6, 2020, or else your claim will be rejected, and you will be deemed to have waived all rights to receive any cash benefit under this settlement. According to an FAQ on the website, theres a final hearing scheduled for December 4, 2020, when the Court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there arent any appeals, the judge will potentially sign off on the settlement and payments will be distributed to eligible class members. The iPhone throttling debacle dates back to December 2017, when Apple admitted that it had indeed slowed down older iPhones through iOS updates, specifically iOS 10.2.1 and 11.2 to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down and to prolong the life of the devices. However, Apple failed to notify the affected iPhone owners about the changes this software update would bring to their phones. To apologize for its lack of communication, Apple temporarily reduced the price of an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacements by $50 from $79 to $29 for anyone with an iPhone 6 or later through the end of 2018. For its part, Apple has denied any wrongdoing and said that it agreed for a preliminary settlement only to avoid costly litigation and lengthy court proceedings. The Trump administration has ordered US hospitals to send all data directly to a central White House database, cutting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) out of the process collecting and sharing information on the pandemic. Officials say their aim is to streamline data gathering and analysis and fix lags that have plagued the CDC's reporting efforts. Now, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be charged with a duty that's historically fallen to the CDC, one of its subsidiary agencies. An HHS memo says that Vice President Mike Pence's directive for hospitals to send data directly to the federal government on a daily basis will ensure that resources like remdesivir, ventilators and PPE are allocated as needed. But the HHS itself does not have a platform through which it shares its data with the public, one of CDC's crucial functions, raising concerns about transparency and the potential for the federal government to wield too much control over COVID-19 data. 'As of July 15, 2020, hospitals should no longer report the Covid-19 information in this document to the National Healthcare Safety Network site.' Amid growing tensions between the White House and the CDC, including its director, Dr Robert Redfield (pictured), the Department of Health and Human Services told US hospitals they should no longer send COVID-19 data to the CDC The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) is the CDC's infection tracking system, which it says is the largest in the country. NHSN was set up to surveil hospital-associated infections - those that commonly occur in and spread quickly through hospitals, such as MRSA - but anid the pandemic it provided a scaffolding for tracking resources used to treat coronavirus patients and protect healthcare workers. CDC shares data collected through the NHSN not only with the federal government but other facilities, states, regions and the public with information about what is occurring in hospitals and what is needed within them. Instead, the HHS offers four alternative ways for hospitals to report data to the HHS. They can share data with their states and authorize them to send data to the HHS, use a direct reporting platform called TeleTracking. Despite the size of the network, 'today, the CDC still provides data from only 85 percent of hospitals; the Presidents COVID response requires 100 percent to report,' Michael Caputo, an HHS spokesperson told USA Today. The CDC has struggled to keep up with coronavirus data, but in recent weeks its metrics, including case counts (pictured), have aligned closely with other tracking groups' Now, the agency is reporting very similar numbers of new daily cases to those recorded by Johns Hopkins University (pictured: DailyMail.com graphic based on JHMU data) But how, exactly, the new system will ensure a greater percentage of hospitals report data remains unclear. 'I dont see the move encouraging in any way better or more accurate reporting,' New York University medical ethicist Dr Arthur Caplan told DailyMail.com. 'It seems to be just an attempt to take it away from the CDC...[the HHS] didn't put in any incentives or penalties' to ensure more consistent data reporting, he added. It comes as tensions between the White House and CDC have continued to build. 'Why would you blind the cdc to hospital data? Theres no reason to do it unless youre afraid of what the data shows and want to control it,' Dr Caplan said. 'Its more than a technical shift, it's making it difficult for the cdc to know whats going on and make recommendations accordingly. 'Since the White House doesnt like the CDC, they've come up with a way to cope with them by undermining [the agency].' Lags in data reporting and testing have plagued the US response to coronavirus - but experts are skeptical that the HHS's new system will improve matters President Trump has reportedly criticized and complained about the CDC behind closed doors. His coronavirus task force also abruptly took over updates to the public in March, kicking off a three-month silence from the agency. Now, the health agency and Trump are at odds over school reopenings, and this week CDC director Dr Robert Redfield urged that the president and Vice President Mike Pence should wear masks in public to set an example for Americans. Now the CDC will be cut off from the data that informs its recommendations to the public. 'This represents a continuing effort by the White House to lie its way out of the pandemic by muzzline experts like Fauci, ignoring their self-appointed advisory task force' - which has been conspicuously less in the public eye in recent weeks - 'pretending that things are fine when the pandemic continues to spiral out of control in many parts of the country,' said Dr Caplan. 'They're claiming that testing is the cause of continued outbreaks which is blatantly ridiculous and now trying to hide information away from the CDC; it's basically that pattern amounts to culpable indifference to the deaths of Americans.' HHS did not immediately respond to request for comment from DailyMail.com. 07/15/2020 Photo (c) masterSergeant - Getty Images Unless Congress acts in less than two weeks, people drawing an extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits will go back to receiving what their state normally pays. The Trump administration has reportedly told lawmakers it could go along with a partial extension of the extra benefits, but not at the $600 level. At any rate, people living on unemployment benefits are preparing to tighten their belts at the end of the month. It may come as no surprise that at least half of the Americans receiving the extra benefits believe they are at very high financial risk if the extra benefit expires as scheduled. Only about 12 percent of respondents in a survey by CouponLawn believe they would face little risk financially. The survey shows a significant percentage of respondents say the extra money goes to pay household bills, including electricity, water, and internet bills. A small amount of their weekly budget is allocated for child care. Bonus payments were part of the CARES Act Each state administers its own unemployment benefits program. The amount of money an unemployed person receives each week varies by state, but its usually based on the recipients most recent wages. The extra $600 comes from the Treasury Department and was allocated under the CARES Act, which was passed in March to stimulate the economy after the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown and help newly unemployed people keep their heads above water. At the time the CARES Act passed, some in Congress expressed concern that the extra pay would disincentivize some people from going back to work. As lawmakers have discussed an extension, a consensus is growing around reducing the amount of the extra stipend. Critical lifeline Policymakers agree that the bonus payment served as a critical lifeline to millions of Americans who suddenly found themselves out of work through no fault of their own. A study by the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University, published last month, concluded that the payments kept the rise in the nations poverty level in the low single digits. In the absence of the CARES Act, we project that poverty rates would rise to 16.3 percent given the composition of April 2020, the authors wrote. With the CARES Act, however, we project that poverty rates may return to pre-crisis levels if access to the benefits is adequate. The Washington Post reports that the administration and lawmakers are now discussing how much the extra payment should be if it is pared back from $600. The Post says $400 and $200 are amounts that have been floated back and forth. The Post reports that the extra payments could be made weekly, with recipients also receiving a second stimulus check. Improvements in access to modern contraception and the education of girls and women are generating widespread, sustained declines in fertility, and world population will likely peak in 2064 at around 9.7 billion, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by 2100 -- about 2 billion lower than some previous estimates, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The modelling research uses data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 to project future global, regional, and national population. Using novel methods for forecasting mortality, fertility, and migration, the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine estimate that by 2100, 183 of 195 countries will have total fertility rates (TFR), which represent the average number of children a woman delivers over her lifetime, below replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. This means that in these countries populations will decline unless low fertility is compensated by immigration. The new population forecasts contrast to projections of 'continuing global growth' by the United Nations Population Division, and highlight the huge challenges to economic growth of a shrinking workforce, the high burden on health and social support systems of an aging population, and the impact on global power linked to shifts in world population. The new study also predicts huge shifts in the global age structure, with an estimated 2.37 billion individuals over 65 years globally in 2100, compared with 1.7 billion under 20 years, underscoring the need for liberal immigration policies in countries with significantly declining working age populations. "Continued global population growth through the century is no longer the most likely trajectory for the world's population," says IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray, who led the research. "This study provides governments of all countries an opportunity to start rethinking their policies on migration, workforces and economic development to address the challenges presented by demographic change." IHME Professor Stein Emil Vollset, first author of the paper, continues, "The societal, economic, and geopolitical power implications of our predictions are substantial. In particular, our findings suggest that the decline in the numbers of working-age adults alone will reduce GDP growth rates that could result in major shifts in global economic power by the century's end. Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations, but must not compromise efforts to enhance women's reproductive health or progress on women's rights." Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet, adds: "This important research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently. It offers a vision for radical shifts in geopolitical power, challenges myths about immigration, and underlines the importance of protecting and strengthening the sexual and reproductive rights of women. The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our human civilisation. Africa and the Arab World will shape our future, while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence. By the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers. This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today." advertisement Accelerating decline in fertility worldwide The global TFR is predicted to steadily decline, from 2.37 in 2017 to 1.66 in 2100 -- well below the minimum rate (2.1) considered necessary to maintain population numbers (replacement level) -- with rates falling to around 1.2 in Italy and Spain, and as low as 1.17 in Poland. Even slight changes in TFR translate into large differences in population size in countries below the replacement level -- increasing TFR by as little as 0.1 births per woman is equivalent to around 500 million more individuals on the planet in 2100. Much of the anticipated fertility decline is predicted in high-fertility countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa where rates are expected to fall below the replacement level for the first time -- from an average 4.6 births per woman in 2017 to just 1.7 by 2100. In Niger, where the fertility rate was the highest in the world in 2017 -- with women giving birth to an average of seven children -- the rate is projected to decline to around 1.8 by 2100. Nevertheless, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to triple over the course of the century, from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion in 2100 -- as death rates decline and an increasing number of women enter reproductive age. North Africa and the Middle East is the only other region predicted to have a larger population in 2100 (978 million) than in 2017 (600 million). advertisement Many of the fastest-shrinking populations will be in Asia and central and eastern Europe. Populations are expected to more than halve in 23 countries and territories, including Japan (from around 128 million people in 2017 to 60 million in 2100), Thailand (71 to 35 million), Spain (46 to 23 million), Italy (61 to 31 million), Portugal (11 to 5 million), and South Korea (53 to 27 million). An additional 34 countries are expected to have population declines of 25 to 50%, including China (1.4 billion in 2017 to 732 million in 2100; see table). Huge shifts in global age structure -- with over 80s outnumbering under 5s two to one As fertility falls and life expectancy increases worldwide, the number of children under 5 years old is forecasted to decline by 41% from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100, whilst the number of individuals older than 80 years is projected to increase six fold, from 141 million to 866 million. Similarly, the global ratio of adults over 80 years to each person aged 15 years or younger is projected to rise from 0.16 in 2017 to 1.50 in 2100, in countries with a population decline of more than 25%. Furthermore, the global ratio of non-working adults to workers was around 0.8 in 2017, but is projected to increase to 1.16 in 2100 if labour force participation by age and sex does not change. "While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems, with more old people and fewer young people, economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers, and countries' abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly are reduced," says Vollset. Declining working-age populations could see major shifts in size of economies The study also examined the economic impact of fewer working-age adults for all countries in 2017. While China is set to replace the USA in 2035 with the largest total gross domestic product (GDP) globally, rapid population decline from 2050 onward will curtail economic growth. As a result, the USA is expected to reclaim the top spot by 2098, if immigration continues to sustain the US workforce. Although numbers of working-age adults in India are projected to fall from 762 million in 2017 to around 578 million in 2100, it is expected to be one of the few -- if only -- major power in Asia to protect its working-age population over the century. It is expected to surpass China's workforce population (where numbers of workers are estimated to decline from 950 million in 2017 to 357 million in 2100) -- rising up the GDP rankings from 7th to 3rd. Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to become an increasingly powerful continent on the geopolitical stage as its population rises. Nigeria is projected to be the only country among the world's 10 most populated nations to see its working-age population grow over the course of the century (from 86 million in 2017 to 458 million in 2100), supporting rapid economic growth and its rise in GDP rankings from 23rd place in 2017 to 9th place in 2100. While the UK, Germany, and France are expected to remain in the top 10 for largest GDP worldwide at the turn of the century, Italy (from rank 9th in 2017 to 25th in 2100) and Spain (from 13th to 28th) are projected to fall down the rankings, reflecting much greater population decline. Liberal immigration could help sustain population size and economic growth The study also suggests that population decline could be offset by immigration, with countries that promote liberal immigration better able to maintain their population size and support economic growth, even in the face of declining fertility rates. The model predicts that some countries with fertility lower than replacement level, such as the USA, Australia, and Canada, will probably maintain their working-age populations through net immigration (see appendix 2 section 4). Although the authors note that there is considerable uncertainty about these future trends. "For high-income countries with below-replacement fertility rates, the best solutions for sustaining current population levels, economic growth, and geopolitical security are open immigration policies and social policies supportive of families having their desired number of children," Murray says. "However, a very real danger exists that, in the face of declining population, some countries might consider policies that restrict access to reproductive health services, with potentially devastating consequences. It is imperative that women's freedom and rights are at the top of every government's development agenda." The authors note some important limitations, including that while the study uses the best available data, predictions are constrained by the quantity and quality of past data. They also note that past trends are not always predictive of what will happen in the future, and that some factors not included in the model could change the pace of fertility, mortality, or migration. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected local and national health systems throughout the world, and caused over half a million deaths. However, the authors believe the excess deaths caused by the pandemic are unlikely to significantly alter longer term forecasting trends of global population. Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, University College London (UCL), UK, and Chair of Lancet Migration (who was not involved in the study), says: "Migration can be a potential solution to the predicted shortage of working-age populations. While demographers continue to debate the long-term implications of migration as a remedy for declining TFR, for it to be successful, we need a fundamental rethink of global politics. Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit, while protecting the rights of individuals. Nations would need to cooperate at levels that have eluded us to date to strategically support and fund the development of excess skilled human capital in countries that are a source of migrants. An equitable change in global migration policy will need the voice of rich and poor countries. The projected changes in the sizes of national economies and the consequent change in military power might force these discussions." He adds: "Ultimately, if Murray and colleagues' predictions are even half accurate, migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option. The positive impacts of migration on health and economies are known globally. The choice that we face is whether we improve health and wealth by allowing planned population movement or if we end up with an underclass of imported labour and unstable societies. The Anthropocene has created many challenges such as climate change and greater global migration. The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers." The study was in part funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA. Leader in advanced endpoint protection & remediation solutions accelerates growth with cloud advancements, managed service partner engagement, new products, and industry integrations SANTA CLARA, California, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- MalwarebytesTM, a leading provider of advanced endpoint protection and remediation solutions, today announced record results from its 2020 fiscal year, demonstrating continued acceleration in growth. The company exited fiscal 2020 with more than $190 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Since 2019 the company has added over 120 new employees worldwide to support this growth, bringing total headcount to over 860. Malwarebytes is preparing for another strong fiscal year ahead by continuing to expand its customer base, product portfolio, partnerships, geographic footprint, workforce, and cloud platform capabilities. "In 2019 we continued to focus on our customers and creating a safer and more secure environment as people and endpoint devices move between home and work. With today's dramatic shift to remote work, this effort has now proven to be more relevant than ever before. Last year not only did we help customers prevent and recover from active attacks, we also collaborated with law enforcement, nonprofits and other vendors on taking down stalkerware as part of our efforts to give back to the greater community," said Marcin Kleczynski, co-founder & CEO of Malwarebytes. "As we move ahead in 2020, we continue our work to make cybersecurity easier and more effective - no matter where users are sitting - while reducing the workloads of overburdened cybersecurity teams with a strong emphasis on privacy and protection for business customers and consumers alike." In 2019, Malwarebytes grew substantially, releasing the latest version of its flagship consumer product, Malwarebytes 4.0, which added enhanced technologies like proactive ransomware technology, malicious website protection and anti-exploit capabilities to quickly identify malware and scan faster than ever-all with 50 percent less impact on computing performance. The company carried this momentum into early 2020 by revamping its partner program and launching OneView, a cloud-based operations console that simplifies and streamlines management for managed service providers (MSPs). In less than three months' time, Malwarebytes' partner base has skyrocketed with more than 50 percent growth in active managed services partners joining the program to take advantage of exclusive features and benefits. Additionally, new API integrations with XSOAR and Azure Sentinel help ease security orchestration for enterprise security operations centers (SOCs) and build on Malwarebytes' strong portfolio of technology partnerships. "The addition of our enterprise business has helped propel our overall growth in recent years," said Tom Fox, chief financial officer of Malwarebytes. "Both business units continue to demonstrate solid growth and we are excited to cross the $200 million ARR threshold this year." Malwarebytes further expanded its product portfolio by entering the virtual private network (VPN) market in April with Malwarebytes Privacy , to protect users' privacy online, and extending its key business products to include server specific protection . During its 2020 fiscal year, Malwarebytes detected and blocked nearly 900M threats, running close to 635M remediations, while also providing some of the most comprehensive threat intelligence available across both business and consumer machines. Malwarebytes has also built upon its social responsibility efforts by helping professionals enter the cybersecurity field, giving away $100,000 in scholarships to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) college and graduate students for the 2020-21 academic year. In November 2019, Malwarebytes helped co-found the Coalition Against Stalkerware, an organization dedicated to fighting applications used to track domestic violence victims without their consent. Customers Trust Malwarebytes with Remediation and Malware Removal: Leading industry analyst firm, G2 Crowd, recognized Malwarebytes as the top Endpoint Protection Suite based on user satisfaction ratings with a 97 percent satisfaction rating. The company also secured the top position in both the Usability Index and Momentum Grid Report for endpoint protection suites based on user satisfaction ratings with a 97 percent satisfaction rating. The company also secured the top position in both the and for endpoint protection suites Malwarebytes' Endpoint Protection products achieved the highest composite score in SoftwareReviews' annual Endpoint Protection Quadrant Report Malwarebytes was named a November 2019 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Endpoint Protection Platforms and a May 2020 Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Endpoint Detection and Response Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Endpoint Protection Platforms and a Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for Endpoint Detection and Response User reviews rated Malwarebytes 4.6 stars out of 5 on Gartner Peer Insights for Endpoint Protection and 4.7 stars for Endpoint Detection and Response and 4.7 stars for PC Mag gave Malwarebytes the top score in malware detection in its latest review in its latest review Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection won the SC Awards 2020 "Best SME Security Solution" Product & Ecosystem Expansion: Enhanced its Malwarebytes Nebula cloud platform with increased endpoint user auditability and ability for users to conduct investigations cloud platform with increased endpoint user auditability and ability for users to conduct investigations Extended existing technology partnerships with ServiceNOW, Splunk and Splunk Phantom to include Malwarebytes endpoint protection & response capabilities Launched Malwarebytes Breach Remediation with Forescout to help businesses accelerate incident response, stop zero-day exploits, and reduce exposure to emerging threats Launched new Malware Removal Service , enabling teams to isolate, and remediate an attack with guidance of hands-on experts , enabling teams to isolate, and remediate an attack with guidance of hands-on experts Deployed two additional API integrations with Cortex XSOAR and Azure Sentinel to help automate threat response and analysis activities Malwarebytes Company and Team Growth: Included on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies for the fifth consecutive year Featured in Deloitte's Fast 500 list for 2019 with 260 percent growth Promoted industry veteran Akshay Bhargava to the role of Chief Product Officer to the role of Chief Product Officer Hired seasoned SaaS executive, Adam Hyder , as Senior Vice President of Engineering , as Senior Vice President of Engineering Recruited Dariusz Paczuski from Verizon Media as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing in 2020 to accelerate brand and business growth from Verizon Media as the new Senior Vice President of Marketing in 2020 to accelerate brand and business growth Recruited Jordan Ryan as Vice President of International Sales for EMEA and APAC To read more about Malwarebytes visit our blog , follow us on Twitter , or check us out on LinkedIn . About Malwarebytes Malwarebytes is trusted to protect people and businesses against the latest dangerous cyberthreats including malware, ransomware and exploits that traditional antivirus solutions fail to catch. Malwarebytes offers comprehensive defense and recovery technologies to safeguard devices whether at home or in the office, enabling users to protect themselves anywhere, anytime. Malwarebytes' team of researchers and security experts protect more than 60,000 businesses and millions of people worldwide, combatting millions of threats daily using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify behavior and catch new threats rapidly. Driven by a desire to protect everyone's right to a malware free existence, CEO Marcin Kleczynski founded Malwarebytes in 2008 and has grown the company to over 860 employees across the world today. The company is headquartered in California with offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.malwarebytes.com/ . Disclaimer This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of Malwarebytes capital stock. Malwarebytes statements regarding its plans, directions and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice at our sole discretion. Information regarding projected sales, potential future products is intended to outline our general direction and it should not be relied on in making a purchasing decision. MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT: Lisette Rauwendaal, Global Public Relations Manager Malwarebytes press@malwarebytes.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/523689/Malwarebytes_Logo.jpg Dublin City Council has given the green light to plans for 1,102 residential units made up of 992 build-to-rent apartments and 110 apartments on the outskirts of Dublin. The plan by Shorevale Investments for the Royal Liver Assurance Retail Park on the Old Naas Rd, Dublin 12 comprises of nine buildings ranging in height from seven storeys to an 18-storey building that will accommodate offices on the site. The plan also includes a 203 unit build-to-rent shared accommodation scheme. The city council has given the plan the go-ahead despite objections from the main supplier of medical oxygen to the HSE in the fight against the Covid 19 pandemic, BOC Gases. The Council report into the application states that the plan would secure "the redevelopment of under-utilised urban land in a prime location strategically positioned beside a major transport nodeand would be consistent with guidance which seeks to secure more compact and higher density development in the wider city area". The 18-storey 'landmark' tower reaches a height of 77.6 metres and the council planning report found that whilst the objections raised relating to the density and height are noted, in principle a high density residential development in this area is considered acceptable and necessary to achieve national objectives. Underlining the scale of the proposal, the city council as part of the planning conditions attached to the permission has ordered the developer to pay 7.689m to the Council in planning contributions in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the local area. The council gave the green light after the developer lodged revised plans in February of this year. Sinn Fein TD, Aengus O Snodaigh was one of those to object to the plan. Deputy O Snodaigh told the city council that the scale proposed for this low rise and low density site is totally out of sync with the neighbourhood. BOC Gases has its Irish production HQ on a site adjacent to the proposed development and objected to the residential component so close to an industrial site. In its objection, BOC Gases told the City Council that it has no intention of relocating from the site and claims that the planning application contravenes the Local Area Plan It told the City Council that the planned residential development along its western boundary was not a suitable environment for residential use. This was due to human health concerns generated by the existing major industrial production facilities, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 05:56:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has conducted a research that could explain the relation between human mobility and the spread of coronavirus, as well as the effectiveness of mobility restriction measures to contain the pandemic, according to a press release of the Commission on Wednesday. The study, said to be the first of its kind, was done based on anonymized and aggregated mobile phone location data voluntarily provided by 14 mobile network operators in 19 member states of the European Union (EU) and Norway, said the Commission. "Mobility data at EU scale can help understand the dynamics of the pandemic and possibly limit the impact of future waves," said JRC in the abstract of the report. JRC said such kind of study had never been done before since "a reliable and consistent method to measure the evolution of contagion at international level is missing". According to the study, the results of data analysis provided clear evidence that mobility had an impact on the spread of the virus and that mobility alone explained the initial spread of the virus in Italy, France and Spain. In addition, analysis of the data revealed that containment measures taken by EU governments and regions, "including physical distancing and mobility restrictions" proved efficient in limiting the spread of the virus and when physical distancing measures were put in place, the mobility factor became less important in defining the spread of the virus. "These findings help us prepare for different possible scenarios for the future which is vital in the context of reopening travel and businesses," said the Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton, who spearheaded the initiative. The experience gained also shined a positive light on the opportunities offered by Business-to-Government data sharing, especially in times of crisis, Breton added. The study also revealed that the best way to prevent a lock-down and keep the economy open in the future, while containing a virus outbreak, would be to apply mobility restrictions on "mobility functional areas" within which people usually move, rather on administrative areas such as regions or provinces, as such "mobility functional areas" quite often cross borders of two regions. According to JRC, all the data gathered from the mobile operators will be kept for just as long as the COVID-19 crisis is ongoing, in line with the views of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Enditem By Jessica Resnick-Ault NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday as OPEC and its allies cut production by more than agreed to in June, although demand concerns lingered due to increased cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Brent crude futures settled up 18 cents at $42.90 a barrel, after moving lower earlier in the session. U.S. By Jessica Resnick-Ault NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday as OPEC and its allies cut production by more than agreed to in June, although demand concerns lingered due to increased cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Brent crude futures settled up 18 cents at $42.90 a barrel, after moving lower earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 19 cents to $40.29 a barrel. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies led by Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, have delivered compliance of 107% with their agreed oil output cuts in June, an OPEC+ source said on Tuesday. The market is keenly awaiting news from OPEC+ on the next level of production cuts. OPEC's Joint Technical Committee meets on Tuesday, with the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee due to meet on Wednesday. Under the existing supply pact, OPEC+ is set to taper its record production cut of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to 7.7 million bpd from August through December. "OPEC+ speculation had weighed the market down, and now the compliance data came out, and that's supportive," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management in New York. Still, the market remained cautious on concerns that states could increase coronavirus lockdown measures as California did on Monday, following similar moves in other states, such as Florida and Texas. New restrictions were also introduced in Asia and Australia. The oil market is moving closer to balance as demand gradually rises, OPEC's secretary general said on Monday. OPEC's monthly report said it expected global demand to grow by a record 7 million bpd next year, but that demand will still be weaker than pre-COVID. China's June crude oil imports hit both daily and monthly highs, data showed. However, Citi analysts said the looming supply increase could weigh on prices given demand uncertainties. Morgan Stanley said oil demand is unlikely to exceed pre-COVID levels until late 2021. The market will also be watching for fuel consumption data due on Tuesday from the American Petroleum Institute industry group and on Wednesday from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Analysts estimate that U.S. gasoline stockpiles fell by 900,000 barrels and crude oil inventories by 2.3 million barrels last week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed. (Additional reporting by Sonali Paul in Melbourne and Shu Zhang in Singapore,; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. D octor Who actor Maurice Roeves has died at the age of 83, his agent has confirmed. The prolific TV star appeared in hundreds of shows and films during his decades-spanning career. Announcing the news on Twitter, Lovett Logan Associates paid tribute to their "wonderful client." "We will miss him hugely and all our love goes to Vanessa [Rawlings-Jackson, his wife] and family," they added. Roeves, who was born in Sunderland and brought up in Glasgow, played Stotz in The Caves of Androzani episodes of Doctor Who. His other credits including star turns in the hit 70s series The Sweeney, Days of Our Lives, BBC's Scotland Tutti Frutti and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Roeves appeared in two 2003 episode of EastEnders, Waking The Dead and The Bill. In 1996, he played Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield in a TV movie about Hillsborough. Roeves with Rachel Weisz in Beautiful Creatures / Alan Wylie/2000 Universal Pictures Inc. Fans may also recognise him thank to roles in Channel 4's hit teen drama Skins, Holby City - which he played two different characters in, three years apart - and the BBC's recent hit The Nest. Roeves' career also took him onto the silver screen, with roles in The Eagle Has Landed, Beautiful Creatures, alongside Rachel Weisz in 2000 and an adaptation of Irvine Welsh's short story collection The Acid House. Remember Mathu Vadalara, the Tollywood film that had everyone sitting up and taking notice last year? Well, the comic thriller has joined the list of recent Telugu films to be remade in Bollywood. Apparently, the Ritesh Rana debut directorial has even caught the attention of the Hindi-speaking movie-goers. The buzz is that Ritesh, who had directed the original, will also helm the remake. Producer Cherry garu and I always believed that the Mathu Vadalara script has the potential to be told on a larger scale. So we had initially thought of making the film in Hindi too. The appreciation and acclaim the Telugu version reinforced our confidence in the script, and we decided to narrate it to a wider audience, explains Ritesh, who has just begun the draft of the Hindi version. Although the script has universal appeal, we are trying to tweak it to suit the sensibilities of the Hindi audience, just to make sure that we tighten all the loose ends whilst retaining the core emotional appeal. So I am trying to give a new spin to the revised narrative, the director explains. The facts, however, were just the opposite and the defendants knew this because they were told that there were no known cases of COVID-19 at the University and there were not "nearly a dozen" students with COVID-19 symptoms, and they knew Liberty University was in full compliance with all government directives, as evidenced by two publicly disclosed inspections. Indeed, ultimately, even by the close of the school year, not a single resident student had contracted COVID-19, and Liberty University's response to the pandemic stands as a model for other institutions to follow in balancing the needs of protecting and educating their student bodies. The complaint presents overwhelming evidence that the New York Times and reporter Williamson intentionally published their false and defamatory claims. This evidence includes them misrepresenting that their only medical source had stated that nearly 12 students had COVID-19 symptoms when he said the opposite, misrepresenting this source's position and knowledge, and avoiding contacting the medical personnel at the school who actually had direct knowledge of the facts despite being told to do so by the sole source they misrepresented instead. Furthermore, the New York Times prevented Liberty University from offering the facts about their reporting before rushing to publish the news story originally titled, "Liberty Brings Back its Students, and Coronavirus too" on March 29, 2020. The damages caused by that story and an opinion article published on March 30, 2020, titled "This Land of Death and Denial" which claimed Liberty University's President "creat[ed] his own personal viral hotspot" expanded exponentially as those published stories went viral online, were republished hundreds of times by other news outlets, and as the New York Times and Williamson shared them from their social media accounts. The complaint points out that the targeting of Liberty University matches the new business model at the New York Times of creating false and sensational stories and headlines against conservatives to go viral and enhance their revenues. The university announced that net proceeds awarded through this lawsuit will be contributed by Liberty University to nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting people and businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic lockdowns. In announcing the lawsuit, President Jerry Falwell, Jr. said, "When there were no reported cases of COVID19 in the Lynchburg area yet, the New York Times sent a reporter and photographer from actual virus hotspots to violate our campus containment zone and make up a completely false claim that we had created a hotspot on campus. They target us because the University is a conservative and Christian institution. While this fulfilled their 'clickbait' business model, it also violated the law in many ways. Therefore, we are holding the New York Times accountable for their malicious and false reporting and their violation of the measures we took to protect our students. Politically-motivated attacks by the mainstream news media that defame and libel conservatives and Christians should not be allowed in the United States of America and will not be tolerated by Liberty University." To see the complaint filed in the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg, Virginia, see the PDF above. SOURCE Liberty University Beijing: China on Wednesday said the fourth round of military talks between China and India on Tuesday to reduce tension at the border had made progress in disengaging troops in the western section of the disputed boundary. The Chinese foreign ministry said it hoped New Delhi would work with Beijing to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. Responding to a query on the talks, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: As I know on July the 14, border troops of China and India held the fourth round of commander-level talks building on the consensus of the previous three rounds and the implementation of relevant work have reached progress on promoting further disengagement between troops at the western section of the boundary and de-escalating tensions. We hope India can work with China to implement our consensus with real actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, she said in her short response, without sharing details or elaborating on the exact agenda of the talks. Hua was referring to the fourth round of talks held between 14 Corps commander Lt General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin. China has so far not shared any detail of the parameters of disengagement the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is following; no detail has been forthcoming from Beijing about how far back its troops have pulled back given the differing perceptions that New Delhi and Beijing have on Line of Actual Control(LAC) transgressions. The two sides had held previous talks to reduce tension along the disputed boundary on June 6, June 22 and June 30. India, officials in New Delhi told HT last week, is moving forward with great caution in the disengagement process after the worst crisis along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in decades. On June 15, a violent brawl between Chinese and Indian soldiers in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh left 20 Indian troops and an unspecified number of Chinese dead, Troops from both sides have pulled back in a limited manner at key friction points along the LAC since the Special Representatives on the border issue Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinas state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation earlier this month and agreed that peace and tranquillity along the border is essential for overall development of bilateral ties. Last week, India again rejected Chinas claim on Galwan Valley and said the LAC must be strictly respected. Following a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs last Friday the third since the China-India standoff began in early May -- both sides issued similarly worded statements focused on progress in the disengagement and de-escalation process that began last weekend after a phone conversation between the Special Representatives on the boundary issue. The WMCC meeting was co-chaired by joint secretary (East Asia) Naveen Srivastava of the external affairs ministry and director general Hong Liang of the boundary and oceanic affairs department of Chinas foreign ministry. Now Open 15 July 2020 Radisson, one of the best recognized hotel brands, is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel Atlanta Airport at 4475 Best Road, College Park, GA. This new construction hotel is an outstanding example of the Radisson brand's continued growth, characterized by its sleek, state of the art design combined with modern comfort and functionality. The hotel is located just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and a short drive from downtown Atlanta. Guests can enjoy access to a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle, unique dining experiences at the hotel's onsite restaurant, ample meeting space and modern amenities, all with the ease of knowing they are being cared for by a warm and welcoming staff. With the health, safety and security of guests and team members as its utmost priority, Radisson Hotel Atlanta Airport has begun implementing Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The launch of the in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. This program is designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out. Radisson Hotel Atlanta Airport boasts 143 state-of-the-art guest rooms and suites featuring premium bedding, mini-fridges, Smart TVs and access to room service. The hotel also features more than 2,500 square feet of flexible event space including a charming outdoor patio. Meeting rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi, audiovisual equipment and access to an onsite event coordinator. The hotel's restaurant and bar, Kina's, features a rotation of both international and authentic Southern cuisine with dishes inspired by the hotel owner's family recipes. Opposition Nepali Congress on Wednesday strongly condemned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's controversial statements on Ayodhya and said that he has "lost the moral and political basis" to rule the country. The party also sought the official stand of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (NCP) and the government on the Prime Minister's remarks that Ayodhya lies in Birgunj and Ram was born in Nepal. In a statement, Nepali Congress spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma said his party "strongly disagrees with the Prime Minister's recent statements and behavior". He said Prime Minister Oli has "lost the moral and political basis to govern" the country. "Whether the Prime Minister's statement is the official view of the government or not, it should be made clear," he said. "It is unfortunate that during such grim times, the Prime Minister's responsibilities stand at one corner while his actions stand at the other," he said. "It is upto the ruling CPN to decide whether to entirely change the Prime Minister's thinking, working style, expression, and action or to change the Prime Minister himself," Sharma said. Oli is already facing strong opposition from his own party leaders who are pressing for his resignation over his autocratic style of functioning and previous anti-India statement. "Prime Minister Oli has forgotten the practices, Constitution and sensitivity and running the government on his personal whim," Sharma said in the statement. Nepali Congress youth leader and Parliament Member from Kathmandu Gagan Thapa has said that Prime Minister Oli made the statement deliberately to save his chair at a time when internal feud was going on within the ruling party. "It's a deliberate attempt to save his chair by the means of political stunt," he tweeted. Meanwhile, a group of Hindu youths and Sadhus staged an anti-government rally in Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, protesting against Oli's remarks. They shouted anti-Oli slogans and asked the Prime Minister to withdraw his statement. Oli's statement has hurt the sentiment of crores of Hindus around the world, said Mithilesh Jha, chairman of Hindu Parishad Nepal. Similarly, Ramnandiya Vaishnavi Sangh also opposed Oli's remarks. The Prime Minister's statement has hurt the age-old relationship between Nepal and India, the organization said. Several top Nepalese political leaders from different parties have slammed Oli for making "senseless and irrelevant" remarks and asked him to withdraw his controversial statement. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday clarified that the remarks made by Prime Minister Oli "are not linked to any political subject and have no intention at all to hurt the feelings and sentiments of anyone." It further stressed that his remarks "were not meant to debase the significance of Ayodhya and the cultural value it bears." "As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilization," the ministry said. Nepal's former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai has said, "PM Oli's statements have crossed the limit. Extremism only creates trouble." In his sarcastic remark, Bhattarai said, "Now let's hope to hear the new Ramayan of Kaliyug from PM Oli." Senior leader of the ruling NCP Bam Dev Gautam said that Prime Minister Oli should withdraw his controversial remarks on Ayodhya. "Such senseless and irrelevant remarks made by a person of high position will damage the country's prestige," said Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of the Publicity Committee of the ruling party. As coronavirus cases fill hospital beds in record numbers across the Bay Area, health care and government leaders warn that a continued surge could edge facilities close to capacity. For now, regional hospitals say they remain in a stable place and are able to manage the influx of patients. But that could change, in a dramatic way. San Franciscos top health official warned Wednesday that the city could see major hospital capacity problems in late summer and into the fall, if cases continue to rise at a rate that saw California surpass 10,000 per day for the first time Tuesday. We have flattened the curve and we will do it again. If we dont, the consequences will be dire, said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the citys Public Health Department, at a news conference Wednesday. While it is hard to slow down the reopening that we all want so badly, the price we pay for moving too quickly is very high. Colfaxs warning comes at a time when the Bay Area, along with the entire state of California, is wrestling with a troubling surge in coronavirus cases, causing spikes in hospitalizations. The worsening situation has health officials on high alert and helped persuade the governor to rescind policies aimed at reopening a battered economy. In San Francisco, average models predict 900 coronavirus patients in San Francisco hospitals by early October, nearly 10 times the current number of 92, if trends continue, Colfax said. Indicators of grave concern that put the city on high alert are the reproductive rate of the virus, case rates and hospitalizations, Colfax said. The reproductive rate of the virus is now 1.3, meaning that for each person infected, the virus spreads to more than one, on average. Case rates rose to 7.7 infections per 100,000 residents, raising the total cases to date reported in the city to 4,696 Wednesday. Hospitalizations increased 33%. By Wednesday evening, health departments across the state reported 8,513 new cases for a total of 354,862. The death toll rose by 124 to 7,364. In the Bay Area, counties reported 696 new cases Wednesday evening, for a total of 38,412, and seven more deaths for a total of 674. The number of hospitalizations spiked 38% over the past two weeks, reaching a record high of 650 hospitalized patients. John Blanchard Across the Bay Area, hospitals are at least half full, some more than 80%, but mostly with non-COVID-19 patients. After months of planning and vigilant daily monitoring, hospital leaders said theyre cautiously optimistic that they can handle the spike in patients for now. We are not close to a scary number, said Dr. Kathleen Clanon, medical director for Alameda Countys Health Care Services Agency. I never want to say that were confident of anything with COVID-19 the whole experience has been very humbling but at this moment ... we have plenty of capacity in our hospitals, and we havent even come close to normal capacity, never mind surge capacity. A Chronicle survey of seven Bay Area county public health departments found at least 9,000 acute care beds and more than 1,750 intensive care unit beds, numbers that can change depending on staffing. Counties can adjust to a surge with at least 4,450 more beds in standing hospitals and emergency facilities that have not yet been activated or set up. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Capacity is a fluid concept, officials said, with hospitals able to staff more beds, open up unused units, or double up patients in rooms to stretch space. Since hospitals usually operate near capacity, some said theyre not concerned until theyre more than 90% full. Others cautioned that ICU bed capacity falling below 20% is a warning sign. Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County deputy health officer, said that even if hospitals are OK, for now, hes concerned what will happen if the rate of increase continues. Hospitalizations in his county quadrupled over the past month. Clearly if it keeps going that way, Im worried, he said. Im particularly worried if it stays like this through the fall and other regular flu and pneumonia start hitting in October and November. Bay Area hospital officials said they plan for an expected flu surge every year that can fill hospitals to capacity. Clanon, in Alameda County, said she usually asks hospitals to flex capacity up to 15% during flu season. That could clash this year with the coronavirus, as past diseases did. During the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, visits for flu-like symptoms spiked in the fall. San Mateo County has some of the lowest capacity in the Bay Area currently, with just 12% of acute care beds and 20% of ICU beds available, as of Wednesday. San Mateo County Healths Deputy Chief Srija Srinivasan said the health care needs of the community are being met and hospitals have shown they can surge upward, as needed. For instance, the state can set up a 125-bed surge site at the San Mateo County Event Center. The thing that keeps me up at night is the unpredictability of this all, San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa said. Sonoma County had the lowest ICU capacity in the Bay Area on Wednesday, with just 6 out of 67 staffed ICU beds available. Hospitals said they staff to patient volumes. We have capacity, we have (personal protective equipment), we have appropriate staffing, we have medications, but thats today, said Dr. Chad Krilich, chief medical officer for St. Joseph Health in Sonoma County, which runs Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Petaluma Valley Hospital. Tomorrow will be a new day, and well evaluate where we stand from a volume standpoint. 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. Healdsburg District Hospital is a rural facility with 17 acute care and four ICU beds. If beds filled up, the hospital could convert rooms to treat coronavirus patients within 24 hours. The hospital would then start moving COVID-negative patients to the unit usually used for patients before and after surgery. We are absolutely concerned that at some point were going to start utilizing (the surge) plan and implementing it to some degree. Its just a matter of how full and for how long, said Brian Seekins, director of plant operations. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Contra Costa pulled back on economic reopening plans this past weekend, warning in a press release that patients could quickly exceed capacity. Tzvieli said the main trigger wasnt hospitalizations. The county still has 30% of acute care and about half of ICU beds available. It was the positivity rate hitting 8% that could result in more hospitalizations in a week and ICU admissions in two weeks, he said. Dr. Nick Mickas, medical director of clinical operations of John Muir Health, said the systems two hospitals in Concord and Walnut Creek have adequate capacity for at least two weeks. Those calculations didnt take into account the county hitting the brakes on reopening or the hospitals not activating surge plans. Im feeling very comfortable with where we are now, even with the numbers coming up in the future in the near term, Mickas said. The county can open two alternate care sites at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond and the Contra Costa County Fairground in Antioch. Other counties were less worried. Clanon, of Alameda County, said that even with the increased numbers of cases, projections show hospitals wont reach capacity for six to eight weeks. Facilities can surge up to 35% above capacity. If they fill, the county already mapped out a site at the fairgrounds with around 100 beds, but hasnt needed to activate it. San Francisco is preparing to open its first alternate care site in the Presidio that will treat COVID-negative patients who have been discharged from the hospital but still need medical supervision. It will accommodate 20 initial patients, with a capacity of 93. Kristen Bailey Silloway, a nurse at San Francisco General Hospital, is among those deployed to set up the site. Its all in preparation for a possible surge, she said. What were going through right now is unprecedented during our time. None of us have ever worked during a pandemic. Were just making it up as we go along. San Francisco Chronicle staff writers Erin Allday, Mike Massa and Anna Bauman contributed to this report. Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench Nearly a dozen Indian states have imposed a partial lockdown as coronavirus infections near one million. Nearly a dozen Indian states have imposed a partial lockdown in high-risk areas after spikes in coronavirus cases, with the countrys infections topping 900,000 just three days after crossing the 800,000 mark. India joins a number of countries and cities across the globe in reimposing localised lockdowns and other restrictions in the face of new outbreaks of the disease that has infected more than 13 million worldwide. In all, India has more than 936,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, with nearly 30,000 new infections reported on Wednesday, according to data from the federal health ministry, the third-highest total in the world behind Brazil and the United States. Indias health ministry stressed on Tuesday that the number of people who had recovered from the virus was higher than the number of confirmed active cases. Of approximately 900,000 registered infections, some two-thirds had recovered and been discharged from hospitals. But many health experts say the health ministry figures underplay the severity of the situation. Jayaprakash Muliyil, an epidemiologist at Christian Medical College in southern India, warned that the countrys actual death toll from the coronavirus could be much higher due to the absence of a robust mechanism to report deaths in rural areas. We dont have the infrastructure, he told Associated Press. More than 24,000 people have died in India due to the disease that has killed more than half a million people globally since it first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan last December. Experts have pointed out that India will see multiple peaks in different parts of the country. Bengaluru new hotspot After imposing one of the worlds strictest lockdowns in late March, the country of 1.3 billion people had been steadily easing rules to lessen the huge economic impact particularly on vast numbers of poor Indians who lost their jobs. Assams largest city Guwahati has been put under a complete lockdown again [File: EPA] The southern city of Bengaluru, home to more than 13 million people, emerged as a new hotspot and started new a seven-day lockdown at 8pm (14:30 GMT) on Tuesday. Firms in the citys lifeblood IT sector handling the back-office operations of dozens of global corporations can continue operating, but with only half the staff allowed on premises at any one time. Transport is banned except in emergencies, and only shops selling essential items are allowed to open. I do not want to take chances I am stocking up for two weeks, Mangala, a housewife, told Reuters as she joined a long queue to buy provisions before the deadline. Indias financial hub, Mumbai, and the capital New Delhi remain the worst-affected by the virus with more than 400,000 cases registered in the two megalopolises. More towns announce curbs Bihar, home to about 125 million people and one of Indias poorest states, will go into lockdown on Thursday for 15 days, the local government announced following a record surge in cases. The western city of Pune and other states, including Uttar Pradesh, home to 200 million people, badly hit Tamil Nadu and Assam, have also introduced new restrictions. Relatives carry the body of a Kashmir man who died of COVID-19 for burial at a cemetery in Srinagar [Dar Yasin/AP Photo] Cities as far-flung as Shillong in the remote northeast to Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir, also imposed new curbs on movement to contain the virus. Bengaluru had only about 1,000 coronavirus cases in mid-June and was thought to have fared better than other parts of India in terms of testing and contact tracing. But infections had risen to nearly 20,000 by Monday, something health experts blamed on the lifting of restrictions in June when Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, worried about the economy, ended a nationwide lockdown that had thrown millions of people out of work. The new lockdowns threaten to derail government efforts to revive a stuttering economy. Indias minister for small and medium businesses, Nitin Gadkari, said last week that experts were predicting a loss of $133.3 billion in the next year. Vaccine trials fast-tracked Meanwhile, Balram Bhargava, director general of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), said clinical trials for vaccines developed in India were under way and had been fast-tracked. Prime Minister Modi has urged top officials to improve infection testing and tracing, especially in states with high infection rates. Last month, Modi urged Indians to maintain physical distancing norms. It is a request to the entire country that we should not be careless and should protect ourselves and others against coronavirus. Jitendra Singh, a junior union minister in charge of the prime ministers office, quarantined himself on Tuesday after he visited Kashmir. Meanwhile, a health official in charge of anti-pandemic measures told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that up to 48 inmates in a jail in Kashmir most of them political prisoners have tested positive for the coronavirus. Yesterday, four tested positive. Todays results showed 44 others positive, he said on Wednesday. Thousands of people were arrested after India stripped the Muslim-majority regions autonomy last August. Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk met her boyfriend, Joshua Gross, aboard an international flight in 2018. And the star has now revealed where Josh romanced her on their first official date. Sophie, 40, said the had pair dined at one of Los Angeles' celebrity hotspots, known for hosting the likes of Cindy Crawford, David Beckham and Kylie Jenner. Scroll down for video Star treatment! Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk (right) has revealed her first date with boyfriend Joshua Gross (left) was at celebrity-approved Los Angeles restaurant Catch 'We went to a restaurant called Catch in Los Angeles, because I love seafood,' Sophie told Daily Mail Australia. Sophie is busy promoting her new HelloFresh Dish the Delish celebrity talk-show dining series, which recently featured I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! host and comedian Julia Morris. 'Julia is a bloody legend. She's hilarious and shes not afraid to give me a bit of a roasting, which I love,' Sophie said of the episode. Sophie doesn't seem keen on entering the jungle anytime soon to eat bugs or animal genitalia, however, and claims the strangest thing she's eaten was her own sugarless 'Love Bites' treats. 'She wasn't afraid of roasting me': Sophie is busy promoting her new HelloFresh Dish the Delish celebrity talk-show dining series, which recently featured comedian Julia Morris (right) 'Although theyre yummy, It's odd eating anything with your name on the packet!' she joked. Sophie urges fans to keep their eyes peeled for more episodes of Dish the Delish, as a new celebrity guest will appear alongside her in the kitchen each time. 'You can expect delicious food with a side of me being my normal inappropriate self,' she said. 'It's odd eating anything with your name on the packet!' Not keen on eating bugs in the jungle, Sophie claims the strangest thing she's probably eaten was her own sugarless treats Sophie, who is the host of Love Island Australia and was previously the 2017 Bachelorette, also revealed what she eats while on set. 'On set I try to eat a salad so I don't feel heavy and so I fit into my dresses, then I go home and cook up a HelloFresh burger or two. Its all about variety and balance for me!' she said. Sophie joked that producers had to remove cheese platters from her on Bachelorette dates. She explained: 'It was because I wouldnt talk, I was too busy shoving it down!' Nightly Black Lives Matter protests continued Tuesday in Portland for the seventh straight week. A group gathered outside Revolution Hall in Southeast Portland to march downtown. The march was organized by Rose City Justice, the group that had led large demonstrations nearly every night in June, before disappearing amid criticisms about their leadership and finances. Tuesdays event was the first march helmed by the nonprofit group since they scaled back their nightly efforts. Between 200 and 250 people walked from Revolution Hall across the Morrison Bridge. The group stopped at City Hall after arriving downtown. Some people spoke against recent incidents of police violence, including the injuries sustained by Donavan La Bella, a protester shot in the head with an impact by munition by federal officers. The crowd was smaller than the Rose City Justice events had been before they stopped nightly marches, when thousands regularly gathered at Revolution Hall. A group of counter-protesters also came to the event, holding up signs that called for Rose City Justice to answer for some of the criticisms theyve faced, including disclosing how theyve spent the money theyve raised. The group eventually made its way to Pioneer Courthouse Square, and dozens of people later joined protesters gathered outside the downtown jail, the hub of nightly protests. Livestream videos shared on social media showed several dozen people gathered outside the jail and adjacent area as of 11:15 p.m. One demonstrator, Jacob Nazir, wrote on Facebook that they had chained themselves to a parking meter near the spot where La Bella was hit in the head. Nazir said they were standing next to La Bella when he was hit in the face during weekend protests. The demonstrations followed an hours-long face off between police and protesters in North Portland Monday that police declared to be a riot. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Ukrainian MPs have applauded Ukrainian peacemakers, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "Today Ukraine marks the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Day. I think we need to thank all those who helped bring order and peace to many hot spots in our world. Unfortunately, today we also have such a hot spot - the war in the east of our state. I hope that in all possible ways we will be able to achieve peace and victory so that Ukraine is united again, inviolable and no one encroaches on our borders," Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov said, while opening a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday. After his speech, lawmakers present in the Verkhovna Rada stood up and thanked the Ukrainian peacekeepers with applause. On May 21, 2013, the Verkhovna Rada unanimously adopted Resolution No. 292-VII "On Establishing the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Day." The resolution defines July 15 as the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Day in order to honor the courage and valor of peacekeepers, the exemplary performance of their official duties and loyalty to their oath. This day serves to ensure the preservation of the memory of glorious peacekeepers who died during the performance of their duties as part of the peacekeeping contingent and peacekeeping personnel. op By PTI JAIPUR: Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday asked dissident leader Sachin pilot to stop accepting a BJP government's hospitality if he does not wish to join that party and "return home" in Jaipur to discuss grievances. The reference was to reports that the MLAs close to the rebel leaders are holed up in hotels in Gurgaon of Haryana, where the BJP is in power. ALSO READ: Pilot involved in horse trading with BJP, says Ashok Gehlot He also repeated the party's appeal to Pilot, asking him to come back to the family. I have seen Pilot's statement in the media that he will not join the BJP. If you do not want to go to the BJP, stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP immediately, he told reporters outside a Jaipur hotel where party MLAs backing Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot are lodged since Monday. He told reporters that Pilot should free the Congress MLAs who are staying in two luxury hotels and under the security of the Haryana Police. Surjewala said the party leadership spoke to Pilot several times but he and the other Congress MLAs did not come to attend the Congress Legislature Party meetings. Our young colleague Sachin Pilot was requested several times by the party leadership with an open heart to come and speak on the party forum if he has differences with the chief minister or any other leader, the Congress chief spokesperson said. He said Pilot should "return home in Jaipur" and should speak on the party forum. I would also suggest other Congress MLAs that they should not avoid returning. Come, sit and talk in the family. This will be the proof of your true allegiance and commitment to the party, Surjewala said. Surjewala said the Congress gave Sachin Pilot many post at a young age, which probably no other leader in any party got, be it the Congress or the BJP. The party had to announce action against him with a heavy heart, he said. Pilot was sacked on Tuesday as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the president of the state unit of the party after he did not attend the Congress Legislature Party meetings. Two other ministers--Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena--were also removed from the state Cabinet. They are accused of involvement in the BJP's conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government. MANISTEE -- In the Aug. 4 primary election, voters will decide which Democratic and which Republican candidate will represent the party in the general election on Nov. 3 for Michigan's 1st Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the Democratic ticket, Dana Ferguson, of Negaunee, and Linda O'Dell, of Petoskey, and incumbent Republican Jack Bergman will vie for the spot. The Benzie County Record Patriot questionnaires to all the candidates in the contested races. Repeated attempts reach O'Dell went unanswered. Responses are only edited if they exceed the word limits. Record Patriot: Please introduce yourself and describe your background, professionally, politically or personally. FERGUSON: I am a family man, a third generation Yooper and someone wanting the 1st District to get its voice back. I entered the political arena to make a positive impact in the district, the country and for future generations. I come from a blue-collar background, working as a union laborer and carpenter. My education consists of a bachelor's in Economics and a master's in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. Politically, I consider myself a pragmatic progressive, meaning I believe we can be better as a country and a people, and with proper leadership we can achieve great things. Record Patriot: What are your top three legislative priorities and how would you address them? FERGUSON: Climate Change sits atop my list of legislative priorities. This is an issue that has been put off for far too long. Our leaders in Congress must act with future generations in mind. Infusing a mindset that includes combating climate change into our actions will put us on the right track as we move forward. Our leadership status among the global community can be restored. We can once again be an example for others to follow. The economy is another focal area. Our infrastructure is outdated, and our economic model is out of touch with the flaws in the system. We must work to modernize our infrastructure and economy. Doing this involves us embracing economic and societal sustainability. Green energy and green jobs are a large part of this. A livable wage, union growth and modernization of infrastructure, especially in rural areas, is critical for us as a nation to be competitive and sustainable. We must address the flaws in our healthcare system right now as well. An individual's ability to get the health care they need should not depend on their wealth or the job they hold. We should be treating all citizens of the US as important. Record Patriot: Fixing Michigan's roads has become a priority for constituents. Do you see a way the federal government could help out in this area to rebuild much needed infrastructure? FERGUSON: Yes. Inadequate and outdated infrastructure can lead to declining investment, underfunded and struggling schools, understaffed healthcare facilities, increased struggles for small businesses and outright failure for some communities. Modernization and proper funding for our infrastructure, including roads, is critical for our future success. Investment in our infrastructure is investment in our people, communities, and future. It is not wasteful spending because we get a return on this investment. There are costs, financial and human, to not investing and improving our infrastructure, and benefits when we choose to invest. The federal government should be assisting those areas of the country that lack and lag in infrastructure investment get the updates they need to become or remain competitive. Investment in one area is a benefit to many across the country. The cost will be net zero at worst and create value and growth at best. Our communities across the country, including many in the First District, will gain the much-needed investment they require to compete in a global economy. Our communities will thrive, schools will flourish, healthcare facilities will attract the talent they need, and small businesses will grow when we provide them with updated and modernized infrastructure. Record Patriot: The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to avoid the spread of the virus shut down many Michigan businesses and put people out of work. How would you help at the federal level for businesses stay open, and recover, and workers deal with the loss of earning and jobs? FERGUSON: The bill packages from Congress, the HEROES Act specifically, was a good example of how government should take care of its people in a time of crisis. Small businesses need relief. They employ over 80% of the US workforce. We are witness to regular corporate welfare and bailouts over the last decade, and only minuscule steps to aid the main street entrepreneurs. They need access to capital, and low interest loans. New startups need to be encouraged with networking resources, branding and marketing assistance and legal startup initiatives. Initiatives like Michigan Works, Invent@NMU, Northern Initiatives and strong Chambers of Commerce across the district need consistent dialog and Federal resources to live in a new normal and meet work demand. Record Patriot: Over the course of the past two weeks the country and the world has reacted very strongly to the death of George Floyd. What do you feel needs to be done to heal the hurt and correct this situation in America? FERGUSON: We need to start recognizing that each individual lost life is tragic, but it's not just about George Floyd. It's about thousands of him and 400 years of oppression. This issue doesn't exist in a vacuum and it won't have solutions with any kind of longevity without addressing the root problem. This is about justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Amaud Arbery. It's also about the countless other Americans who have faced oppression, historic and contemporary. The first step is recognizing it, teaching American history accurately, and fighting for systemic police reform. I support the House Bill as submitted by the Black Caucus, but I look forward to both chambers ironing something out for a bipartisan solution. We need to be bold, and act now. An infected nurse at a training event where staff didn't wear masks or obey social distancing rules triggered a Covid-19 outbreak at a London hospital, insiders have claimed. Hillingdon Hospital in the west of the capital - in Boris Johnson's constituency of Uxbridge and Ruislip - started diverting ambulances to other hospitals on July 7. The A&E remained open to public walk-ins but hospital bosses revealed at least 70 staff were in self-isolation and 'a number' of them had tested positive for Covid-19. It has now been claimed that a training session on June 30 was the source of the outbreak, and nurses who went did not all wear masks or stay socially distanced. One nurse who attended was infected at the time and passed on the coronavirus to 16 colleagues in a 'super-spreading' event, The Guardian reported. Special measures are still in place at the hospital and emergency ambulances are having to go to other A&Es nearby. One doctor said the event had been a 'disastrous' idea. Hillingdon Hospital is one of a number of hospitals that have had to temporarily close units to the public. The trust said the claims made about staff were inaccurate and that an investigation is ongoing. The Hillingdon Hospital (pictured) began to divert ambulances on July 7 because of confirmed coronavirus cases among its staff. The rule is still in place more than a week later WHICH OTHER HOSPITALS HAVE SHUT BECAUSE OF COVID-19? Hillingdon Hospital which employs 3,500 staff is not the first hospital that has been forced to shut because of a spike in Covid-19 cases. WESTON GENERAL HOSPITAL Weston General Hospital, in Somerset, closed its doors to all new patients for three weeks due to an outbreak. It only reopened in mid-June. At the height of its crisis, 40 per cent of staff were claimed to have had symptoms of coronavirus, such as a cough, fever or a loss of taste or smell. ROYAL LANCASTER INFIRMARY Royal Lancaster Infirmary shut its paediatric ward last month after dozens of staff were forced to self-isolate with coronavirus symptoms. NORTHWICK PARK HOSPITAL Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow was forced to declare a 'critical incident' in March after it ran out of intensive care beds for Covid-19 patients. Advertisement A health official who knew about an investigation into the outbreak told The Guardian: 'Social distancing is very important in this pandemic so it's worrying to find that not done by an NHS trust. 'They shouldn't be breaching any social distancing rules at the moment. 'These [training sessions] shouldn't been happening with current social distancing and I'm sure the trust will learn lessons from that. These situations can be avoided.' A separate senior doctor at the hospital said the indoor event had been 'disastrous' and that it 'became a super-spreading event'. Insiders have claimed that nurses at the event did not all adhere to social distancing rules and didn't all wear masks, which are now mandatory in all hospitals. They added that social distancing broke down even more during a lunch break at the meeting, and that three staff have since needed hospital treatment for Covid-19. One of those was the initially-infected nurse who is thought to have caught the virus from a patient who was being treated in the hospital, Guardian sources said. And just days after the training session took place, the chief executive of the hospital Sarah Tedford, reportedly emailed staff reminding them about the importance of social distancing and wearing masks. The hospital said the claims about the super-spreading event were inaccurate and said in a statement: 'There is an ongoing investigation into the outbreak of Covid-19 at Hillingdon hospital. The Hillingdon Hospital is located in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip KEY WORKERS PLAGUED BY POTHOLE ROADS Pothole-ridden roads caused hundreds of key workers vehicles to break down during the lockdown, figures show. RAC patrols were called out to 1,766 pothole-related incidents between April and June, even though traffic levels had dropped by 60 per cent. Those still on the roads were mainly key workers. The motoring group said it was surprised by the high number of accidents at a time when the network was the quietest it has been since the mid-1950s. Potholes accounted for 1 per cent of all breakdown call-outs from April to June, or around 20 incidents a day. This is the same proportion as were attended over the same period in 2019. Many local authorities had promised to use the downtime to repair some of the crumbling roads. The RAC said the evidence of the high number of pothole incidents proves that the state of the roads has not significantly improved. Due to lockdown, the number of pothole-related accidents from the last three months is down on the first quarter of the year when patrols rescued 3,426 drivers who suffered pothole damage, such as broken shock absorbers. The figures will put pressure on the Government which has pledged to spend 2.5billion on repairing 50million potholes over the next five years. Advertisement 'Our priority is to maintain safe and high quality care, and the trust is taking appropriate actions to reduce transmission in line with Public Health England guidance.' On July 7 bosses at the Hillingdon Hospital stopped accepting ambulance patients at the A&E department and had them diverted to other hospitals in the city instead. The rule is still in place but non-999 patients who take themselves to the emergency department - who are generally not at risk of dying - are still able to get treated. A statement from the trust at the time said: 'As of Tuesday, July 7, 70 members of staff were isolating, a number of whom have tested positive for Covid-19. 'As a result, the trust has taken the precautionary decision to close Hillingdon Hospital to emergency ambulances and emergency admissions.' The statement added: 'The trust is managing the outbreak in line with Public Health England guidance.' The trust told MailOnline that any impact on patient care 'has been kept to an absolute minimum and there is no disruption to the care of our current patients'. It is currently unclear whether any patients were infected or how long it will be shut to new emergency admissions for. 10 Downing Street said last week that Boris Johnson, MP for the area, had contacted the hospital. His official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister was in touch with the hospital [on Tuesday] in his capacity as the local MP to check that the hospital had the support which it needs.' There is an investigation into the incident ongoing by bosses at the hospital trust and Public Health England. Hillingdon Hospital which employs 3,500 staff also serves residents in Ealing, Harrow, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. It is not the first hospital that has been forced to shut because of a spike in Covid-19 cases. Weston General Hospital, in Somerset, closed its doors to all new patients for three weeks due to an outbreak. It only reopened in mid-June. At the height of its crisis, 40 per cent of staff were claimed to have had symptoms of coronavirus, such as a cough, fever or a loss of taste or smell. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said today that it is too soon to say whether the Iranian governments position that Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was targeted by mistake is true. I want to clearly emphasize: It is early to say that the plane was shot down as a result of human error, as the Iranian side claims, Kuleba said, as reported by Reuters. We have many questions, and we need a large number of authoritative, unbiased, objective answers about what happened. Flight 752 took off Jan. 8 from Tehran for the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. Shortly after takeoff, Iranian forces fired a missile at the civilian jet killing all 176 people on board. The same morning, Iran was in the middle of striking US military positions in neighboring Iraq in retaliation for the US airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad days earlier. Iran took several days to admit that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had shot down the airliner; the downing prompted outrage in Iran. Iranian aviation authorities concluded that the strike was the result of human error in a report released Saturday. They said a misalignment of the countrys air defense system as well as communication errors led to the downing of the plane. Irans Civil Aviation Organization considers this report to be factual, but not final, according to Agence France-Presse. The Iranian government described the incident as a disastrous mistake. Last month, Iran said it would turn over the Boeing 737-800s black box flight recorders to France for further investigation. International experts, including from the United States and Ukraine, are to participate in the analysis of the black boxes' data. An Iranian delegation is scheduled to arrive in Ukraine to discuss compensation later this month, according to Reuters. Dan Raskin, a Mannys co-owner, has become a voice of the Chicago restaurant industry during the pandemic, explaining that these businesses are being as creative as possible to attract diners, but will it be enough to assure their survival? Raskin told us in April that 25% or more of Chicago restaurants could go under due to COVID-19. Were being honest, he said in a telephone interview with a Tribune reporter Tuesday. Everybodys hurting, but specifically us; were a big restaurant, 300 seats, were based on volume and were not coming close to where we need to be to keep our staff. Priti Patel today blamed France for the 'unacceptably high' number of Channel migrant crossings as she accused the French authorities of failing to intercept boats. The Home Secretary suggested a row over the interpretation of maritime law was preventing France from stopping boats even if they are only a matter of metres off the coast. She said the UK is adamant that France does have the legal authority to stop the boats but officials on the continent disagree. She said the UK is 'fundamentally looking at changing ways of working with France' in order to improve the situation as she said 'intercepting and returning the boats' is the only way to make the route 'unviable'. This year is believed to have seen a record number of people making the perilous crossing. Ms Patel told the Home Affairs Select Committee there is a 'major, major problem with these small boats'. Priti Patel today blamed France for the 'unacceptably high' number of migrants crossing the Channel 'We are fundamentally looking at changing ways of working with France,' she said. 'I've had some very, very, I think it's fair to say, difficult discussions with my French counterpart, even looking at interceptions at sea, because currently the French authorities are not intercepting boats at sea. 'And by that I mean boats that are just 250 yards away from the French coast. 'I feel there could be stronger enforcement measures on the French side and they have heard that from me. 'We want to break this route, we want to make this route unviable, and in my view the only way we can do this is by intercepting and returning the boats back to France.' Asked by the committee if French authorities have the powers to intercept boats in French waters, because officials there claimed they do not, she said: 'That's absolutely right and that is what we are working to achieve, right down to sharing legal advice, legal guidance in terms of maritime laws. 'A lot of this is governed by maritime laws and the French authorities' interpretations of what they can and can't do at sea. 'It is our advice that they can go ahead and do that. That has been part of the discussions that we have been having with the French authorities throughout the entire coronavirus crisis.' Ms Patel said the UK had offered to work with French authorities at sea in joint exercises to demonstrate how boats can be returned safely. She added: 'It is equally important, along with maritime law, that we actually prevent loss of life at sea.' Her comments come just days after she hailed a 'new operational approach' to dealing with crossings after meeting French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and agreeing to set up a Franco-British intelligence cell. At the same time at least 180 migrants came to the UK across the Channel - a new single-day record. Ms Patel said there had been a 'surge' in the number of people crossing the Channel during the coronavirus crisis but she was unable to give an estimate of the total number. She added: 'These numbers as shocking, appalling and unacceptably high.' With quarantine rules suspended for lots of popular holiday destinations, many Britons will finally be flying off for a much-needed sunshine break. While a typical British family spends 4,800 a year on holidays, the recent economic turbulence may mean some of us have to set our sights a little lower than usual. But after months stuck at home, others will be tempted to treat themselves. So what would you do if money were no object? Here SADIE NICHOLAS talks to four women who spent 50,000 on just one holiday. . . I SPENT MY INHERITANCE TO EXPERIENCE LUXURY Lynette says: 'While previously we had only been able to look wistfully at five-star hotels in Cancun, we splashed out on a suite costing more than 2,000 a night' Lynette Morse, 38, owns a baby clothing boutique and lives in Glasgow with her fiance Cameron, also 38, a careers adviser. They spent 50,500 on an 18-day trip to Mexico. Business-class flights: 3,000. Hotel: 40,000. Food and drink: 1,000. Excursions and airport lounge access: 3,000. Clothes and accessories: 3,500. LYNETTE SAYS: When my beloved granny died from dementia, she left me her only grandchild 95,000 in her will. Gran adored holidays and often took me to Spain when I was a child. Cameron and I dont have any children, or intend to in the future. So it seemed fitting that, after paying off my mortgage and buying a new kitchen and bathroom, we splurged the rest on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Weve had some wonderful trips, but could never afford to pay more than 5,000. So we were giddy with excitement at the idea of a 50,000 holiday. We toyed with going to Barbados or Bora Bora. But seven years ago, we spent our first holiday in Mexico and it stole our hearts. Weve been back there every year since. While previously we had only been able to look wistfully at five-star hotels in Cancun, we splashed out on a suite costing more than 2,000 a night. There was a hot tub on our sunbathing deck, a butler who did everything from ironing our clothes to uncorking our champagne and sourcing roses and massage oils for us to have a romantic night in. On the beach, a second butler brought us drinks and food. Initially, we felt guilty asking them to do things we could do ourselves, such as fetching towels or positioning the parasols. There was a hot tub on our sunbathing deck, a butler who did everything from ironing our clothes to uncorking our champagne and sourcing roses and massage oils for us to have a romantic night in But then we thought: Weve paid for it, so why not! Before the trip I splashed out on designer luggage and clothes, including a 165 Louis Vuitton bikini, several pairs of designer sunglasses costing 400, Chanel sliders and around 2,500 of other outfits. We made sure we had as many amazing experiences as we could, including spending 600 on chartering a private catamaran for a few hours. The only disappointment was the 500 helicopter ride over Cancun the view was the same as when our plane landed in Mexico. A year later we returned to Mexico, and I cant deny it was a blow being back in economy. But I dont regret for a second blowing the 50,000 on one holiday, even though it means well probably never experience such luxury again. A CELEBRITY FAVOURITE BUT I PREFER TENERIFE Joanne Hearle, owns a beauty salon in Diss, Norfolk. She lives with her partner, Mervyn, who owns a plant hire company. They spent 58,800 on a 17-day holiday in Barbados. First-class flights: 15,000. Villa (with housekeeper and cook): 38,000. Food and drink: 4,500. Car hire: 1,300. For all the promise of luxury, the kitchen and bathrooms were dated, and following a spell of rain before we arrived, there were a lot of mosquitoes JOANNE SAYS: Last New Years Eve we dined by moonlight at an exclusive beach restaurant in Barbados and watched fireworks explode along the West Coast of the island, filling the sky with colour. Our table was just feet from the Caribbean Sea, with floodlights in the shallow water so we could watch fish swim by as we enjoyed a seven-course meal. The cost of that dinner alone was 2,000, but it was worth every penny for the experience. We fell in love with Barbados on our first holiday there together over Christmas 2015, staying at the luxury Fairmont Royale hotel, which cost 35,000 for a couple of weeks, including dinners in the many local five-star restaurants. Since then weve been back four times, staying in luxury properties on the beach, most recently a fully staffed three-bedroom villa on the Sandy Lane estate, which is popular with celebrity guests. We spotted Dragons Dens Duncan Bannatyne and boxer Anthony Joshua from our sun loungers on the private beach. The hefty price tag pays for the exclusivity of the location and guarantees privacy. But for all the promise of luxury, the kitchen and bathrooms were dated, and following a spell of rain before we arrived, there were a lot of mosquitoes. Both Mervyn and I work hard and its in our nature to be kind, humble and not to take each other or the holidays we have for granted. We know you dont need to spend a fortune to have a lovely time Within days I was covered in painful bites, which put a dampener on things. Both Mervyn and I work hard and its in our nature to be kind, humble and not to take each other or the holidays we have for granted. We know you dont need to spend a fortune to have a lovely time. Just weeks after our 58,000 Barbados trip, Mervyn and I had the best time on a 3,000 package holiday in Tenerife. In fact, thats where were returning this summer! 39 FABULOUS HOTELS AND 29 MICHELIN STARS Luisa Ruocco, 29, lives in West London and is a lifestyle influencer. She spent 50,000 on a non-stop, six-month holiday in the U.S. and Europe. Flights: 6,000. Hotels: 18,000. Michelin-starred meals: 8,000. Other food and drink: 10,000. Souvenirs: 1,000. Clothes: 7,000 My experience made me realise I no longer wanted to work up to 70 hours a week and feel constantly exhausted LUISA SAYS: Burnt out from five years in a high-pressure City finance job, in 2017 I took a six-month sabbatical, and splurged my 50,000 savings on the holiday of a lifetime. As a child, Id enjoyed long foreign holidays with my mum, but when I started working there was never enough time. When two of my closest friends announced they were getting married within six weeks of each other, in Los Angeles and New York, I decided to turn it into a holiday, starting at one wedding and making my way across the U.S. to the other, before travelling around Europe. I vowed Id keep going until the money ran out but this was no budget backpacking adventure. I adore good food and have a lovely home, so why would I want to stay or eat anywhere less than fabulous? During the six months I stayed in more than 30 wonderful hotels and ate my way through 29 Michelin stars. There were many magical moments, including a two-week tour of the National Parks in Utah, Arizona and California costing 2,000, plus a private helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. In Europe, Mum joined me for a tour of the Norwegian Fjords. I also travelled around the Greek Islands and Italy. As a child, Id enjoyed long foreign holidays with my mum, but when I started working there was never enough time My experience made me realise I no longer wanted to work up to 70 hours a week and feel constantly exhausted. During my epic holiday I posted pictures of my travels on Instagram (@luisainsta). To my surprise, I racked up 50,000 followers and I now earn my living as a social media influencer. My deluxe trip was the sort of holiday many people delay till retirement. But who knows if Ill get to my 60s in good health Im glad I blew the money when I did. BESPOKE TOURS ARE VITAL Cindy Harvey is CEO of Famous Branding, and lives in London with her partner, an investment banker. They spent 50,000 on a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. First-class flights: 10,300. Hotels: 12,800. Food and drink: 12,600. Private chauffeurs and personal assistants: 2,000. Spa treatments: 3,100. Private catamaran hire: 1,800. Private speedboat hire: 1,100. Clothes and shopping: 6,300 CINDY SAYS: When I was little, my aunt used to send me postcards from her travels, which gave me my wanderlust. To date, Ive travelled to more than 100 countries across five continents. Ive been with my partner for almost four years and travel is our passion. We always use luxury agents who create bespoke tours that include private chauffeurs and personal assistants who can cater to our every need, including booking exclusive restaurants and chartering boats. I know 50,000 is a huge amount of money, but we often work seven days a week, so holidays are vital to our wellbeing When I was a student, my girlfriends and I would go on cheap holidays to Europe, staying in two-star hotels. Id come home feeling I hadnt had a proper holiday. I vowed that when I had plenty of disposable income, Id invest it on luxury breaks. Last December we had a fabulous three-week trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, flying first-class and staying in five-star hotels. We spent as much as 600 a day on meals in top restaurants. Last December we had a fabulous three-week trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, flying first-class and staying in five-star hotels There was one particularly mesmerising moment in Hoi An, Vietnam, when we took a private, night-time gondola ride along a river filled with floating multi-coloured lanterns. It was the most beautiful experience of my life. I know 50,000 is a huge amount of money, but we often work seven days a week, so holidays are vital to our wellbeing. Wed hoped our next indulgent trip would be to India, but with Covid rates so high there, were hoping to escape to the South of France, Southern Spain or Sardinia instead this summer. After severe opposition from educational institutions along with global row, US President Donald Trump has repealed decision to strip international students off visa on choosing online mode of education amid the Covid-19 pandemic. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday rescinded the controversial directive that would have stripped visas from international students if they chose to take online classes amid coronavirus pandemic, The Hill reported. This move comes after the rule announced last week sparked a flurry of litigation beginning with the suit brought by Harvard and MIT, followed by Californias public colleges and later a coalition of 17 states. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to bar international students from staying in the country if they attend American universities that offer only online courses during the COVID-19 health crisis. The rule was criticized by states and educational institutions as a way to pressure colleges and universities to reopen their campuses with in-person classes during the pandemic. It comes as coronavirus cases are spiking in states across the country. Also read: Huawei big security risk, convinced many countries to not use it: Donald Trump Also read: Chinas claims on S China sea unlawful, US warns China Seventeen states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administrations international student ban on Monday, The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, challenges the order and calls it cruel, abrupt, and unlawful action to expel international students amidst the pandemic that has wrought death and disruption across the United States. Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have already sued the Trump administration over the order on Wednesday The lawsuit represents a swift response to the unexpected order issued this week by the federal government, as universities rush to protect the status of thousands of international students. India has also conveyed its concern regarding the F1 visa to the US during the virtual foreign office consultations between Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale last week. The US side had said that it will keep the best interests of the students in mind. Also read: China questions India on app ban For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Press Release July 15, 2020 Drilon supports dismantling oligarchy but warns cronies may take over if reforms are not in place Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said dismantling oligarchy in the country takes structural reform and an overhaul of existing laws that allowed oligarchy to persist. Without these necessary structural reforms, the veteran lawmaker feared that oligarchs would only be replaced by cronies. Drilon made the statement a day after the President claimed that he had dismantled oligarchy in the country without declaring martial law. The opposition senator, however, said it takes more than that. "What is it in our legal system that makes oligarchy possible? To me, we must study that. Structural reform is necessary," Drilon said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Webinar hosted by veteran journalist Marichu Villanueva "As a matter of policy, we are against oligarchy and the remedy is to look at our legal structure to why oligarchy persists," he said. "We should not have oligarchs because that is not good and is bad for governance. We should adopt policies to prevent or dismantle these oligarchies." Drilon said he is willing to work with the administration to review the current system and enact measures that can prevent all forms of oligarchy. "I am willing to sit down with the Duterte administration to examine the laws that we have and find out which laws should be amended or which laws should be enacted in order that we can remove or dismantle structures that made possible the oligarchy," Drilon said. "Let's make sure that the oligarchs are not substituted by cronies," he warned. Drilon cited enacting an anti-dynasty law and reforming the political party system in the country as measures that can prevent oligarchy. "The lack of an anti-dynasty system or provision in our system allows oligarchy to continue," he said. Drilon said they are the oligarchs that the country must first rid of, adding that political dynasties allowed oligarchs to thrive. "They have made our national and local offices extensions of their household. They wield power for their own benefit. It has gone so bad that these dynasties now hold simultaneous national and local positions," he said in a separate statement. "Kung noon ay naghahalinhinan o nagpapalitan lamang sila sa puwesto, ngayon ay sabay-sabay na silang nakaluklok sa poder," he added. Drilon is the author of Senate Bill No. 11 that seeks to prohibit political dynasties and Senate Bill No and Senate Bill No. 12 that seeks to strengthen the political party system in the country and discourage political turncoatism. "As part of the political reform to prevent oligarchy, maybe we should look at our political party system, because that is not helpful. Our present system cannot be cited as a check on oligarchs," Drilon said. Drilon said that with the popularity rating of the President, he has the capacity to push the passage of the anti-political dynasty law in Congress. The Duterte family is a member of a political clan. Drilon said: "When you want to remove oligarchy as a power structure, then you should rise above all of these." Oligarchy, according to Drilon, is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people, which use their power to seek personal or benefit their group or business interest. Drilon clarified that being rich does not make one an oligarch, saying oligarchy takes place when one influences the decision of the government or uses his or her rich in order to pursue a policy that benefits business interest. "It is not in wealth that you are an oligarch; you are an oligarch if you use your power to promote through the political system your own interest," he said. Drilon said that while there are laws that seek to prevent oligarchy, citing the Philippine Competition Act passed during the Aquino administration, there are laws that allowed oligarchy to take place. MBABANE - Its a win-win situation for both Eswatini Government and SNAT. Yesterday Industrial Court Judge Dumisani Mazibuko dismissed the points of law that were raised by government in the matter between it and the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT). SNAT is challenging the opening of schools in the country amid the surge in COVID-19 cases. Respondents in the matter are the minister of Education and Training, prime minister and the attorneys general. During the argument of the matter, government raised points of law, which included lack of urgency, resolution, locus standi, non-joinder and academic prayer. The dismissal of the points of law that were raised by government means that the matter will now proceed on the merits. This essentially means the court will hear SNATs application challenging government not to reopen schools, among other prayers. Refused The judge, on the other hand, refused an application by SNAT to be granted an interim order for the closure of schools while the matter was still pending in court. The Judge did not give reasons for refusing to grant the order as prayed for by SNAT, but stated that he would deliver same when the matter had been argued wholistically. Judge Mazibuko said SNAT had locus standi (legal right) to approach the court when there was imminent danger at the workplace. He said the court found that the association was right to approach the court. In dismissing the issue of the lack of locus standi, the judge further highlighted that teachers played a role of being parents when the children were at school and they had the right to protect their welfare because they were loco parentis. The term loco parentis is, Latin for in the place of a parent refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organisation to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent. The court further found that the prayer by SNAT for the closure of schools was not academic as the threat of COVID-19 infection was continuing. It was further the courts finding that the constitution of SNAT gave its president wide powers and a resolution was one of the avenues available. Judge Mazibuko said the association used its powers to approach the court. Resolution Government had argued that there was no resolution authorising SNAT President Mbongwa Dlamini to move the urgent application. The States legal representative told the court that the application was therefore defective for lack of resolution, hence it ought to be dismissed. Assistant Attorney General Mbuso Simelane went on to submit that the thrust of the applicants (SNAT) arguments was that the pupils would be affected by COVID-19 but none of its deponents had argued that he or she had children who were attending school. Simelane said for that reason, it was only parents of the schoolchildren who may properly apply for the closure of schools. He alleged that in the process, SNAT had no locus standi to bring the application. SNAT is a labour union and has a collective agreement with parents. The association cannot act on behalf of the said parents or school-going children, argued Simelane. In motivating the application, SNATs lawyer Lucky Howe had argued that not even one teacher or pupil should be affected by COVID-19 anymore hence the court should grant an interim order in terms of their application. The order would have entailed the closure of schools pending the exchange of court papers among the lawyers. Simelane, on the other hand, averred that the Eswatini Government was concerned with the health of the pupils and teachers, such that it had now supplied the necessary protective equipment, thermometers, masks, sanitisers and water tanks to the schools that did not have running water. If the court grants the interim order, that will mean the end of the matter because in nature, it has an immediate effect of shutting down the schools and who is going to open them after they have been closed, submitted the assistant attorney general. He went on to inform the court that too much resources had been extended for the containment of the virus in schools. If there are schools which are not ready to open or feel threatened, they can report to the Ministry of Education and close like Mabondweni High School, which did not open when the other schools opened and no one had been disciplined, argued Simelane. The entire matter will now be argued on July 31, 2020. The court did not make any order as to costs. SNAT is expected to file supplementary affidavits by July 17, 2020, respond by July 23, 2010 and heads of arguments are to be filed by July 29, 2020. - Cate Waruguru warned Laikipia and Mt Kenya residents against being swayed into supporting Tanga Tanga. - The lawmaker noted the Deputy President Ruto-allied wing had nothing to offer Kenyans other than endless 2022 campaigns - She said Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga will soon tour the region to initiate development projects Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru says she will not relent in her efforts to have Laikipia residents rally behind President Uhuru Kenyatta. The vocal lawmaker said the region had so much to benefit by being in the good books of the head of state, who she said remained the undisputed political kingpin of the Mount Kenya region. READ ALSO: Kimani Ichung'wah moved to catering committee after losing Budget docket Cate Waruguru speaking in Laikipia on Wednesday, July 15. She lashed out at Tanga Tanga members. Photo: John Papanoo/TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original READ ALSO: Uhuru orders gov't to buy 500 hospital beds from young Kenyan innovators Speaking in her county on Wednesday, July 15, Waruguru noted that no one stood to benefit if they worked with Deputy President William Rutos Tanga Tanga faction. She warned that the region risked losing out on development in the near future if it blindly followed the DPs camp that was solely focused on endless 2022 succession politics. Development and support for progressive activities cannot be found in Tanga Tanga but only in government which is currently led by Uhuru, she stated. READ ALSO: Moses Kuria under fire for leaking private conversation with journalist after his interview was cancelled William Ruto enjoying a ride during his visit to Nakuru county in 2019. He had been criss-crossing the country to popularise his presidential bid. Photo: William Samoei Ruto. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Barcelona players wives and girlfriends 2020: who is dating who? The MP told the residents that the President would soon announce major development projects for the region when he tours with Opposition leader Raila Odinga. Waruguru was presiding over distribution of cheques in Matanya, Kabanga, Kamangura and Wathituga villages where women, youths and persons with disability groups benefited. The former Tanga Tanga supporter, who made a dramatic U-turn to back Uhuru and ODM boss Odinga, recently went down on her knees while addressing a section of Laikipia youths, begging them to rally behind the Handshake partners. READ ALSO: Nairobi: ODM, Jubilee MCAs clash over transfer of county payments to Nairobi Metropolitan Services My fellow youths just tell me, Raila has been in the opposition and has been salivating to join the government, now he is in, and you want Waruguru to go and suffer in the opposition...we are sitting in the government. Uhuru is the president, Baba (Raila) ni baba na Mama ni mama (Raila is our father and I am your mother), she stated. Waruguru experienced her Damascus moment shortly after paying a courtesy call on Odinga at his Capitol Hill office on Tuesday, June 9. She was accompanied by National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed to the afternoon meeting. Story by John Papanoo, TUKO.co.ke Correspondent. 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. Babies with babies : The sad life of single teenage mothers in Kenya | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke Q. My primary residence for 18 years was in New Jersey until 2018. I sold the home in 2019 and had to pay an exit tax of $11,000 at closing. I was told I could get it back with a non-resident tax filing in 2019. How must this be reflected on the return? Seller A. The exit tax is not a separate tax that needs to be paid before someone can leave the state. Under New Jersey income tax laws, as with almost all states with income tax laws, when a non-resident sells real estate in New Jersey, the income earned from that real estate sale is subject to income tax in New Jersey. This income tax is what you paid at the time of the sale of the residence, said David Ritter, chair of the tax practice at Brach Eichler in Roseland. New Jersey law, like a lot of other states, requires that the income tax be paid at the real estate closing because otherwise many individual non-residents would never report the sale to New Jersey and would not pay the appropriate income tax amount, he said. The amount withheld, the $11,000 in your question, is based upon the sale price and is generally an overstatement of the amount of tax due, he said. You must file a nonresident income tax return Form NJ 1040 NR (Non-Resident) and report the sale of the house under the normal income tax rules for non-residents, Ritter said. If the sale qualifies for the federal exemption for a primary residence for the exclusion of the gain on the sale, then it qualifies for an exemption under New Jersey income tax law, he said. The federal exemption is $500,000 for a joint return and $250,000 for a single return. Email your questions to Ask@NJMoneyHelp.com. Karin Price Mueller writes the Bamboozled column for NJ Advance Media and is the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. Follow NJMoneyHelp on Twitter @NJMoneyHelp. Find NJMoneyHelp on Facebook. Sign up for NJMoneyHelp.coms weekly e-newsletter. The Grommet is like a hybrid of Etsy and Shark Tank. The e-commerce site thrums with the warm blood of kitchen-table tinkerers but also launches stars, like SodaStream, Bombas, and FitBit. Over 12 years, it has introduced more than 3,000 makers to their markets and offered feedback, guidance, and support to tens of thousands. To those people--many of them under-represented entrepreneurs--co-founders Jules Pieri and Joanne Domeniconi are the reason they have real businesses instead of prototypes gathering dust at the backs of their closets. Many of those makers voiced their dismay when Pieri revealed in a long post on her blog that she and Domeniconi had been fired in late June by Ace Hardware, the Grommet's majority shareholder. Reminiscences and expressions of gratitude piled up on LinkedIn and flew across Twitter. "Thank you for being our startup godmother," wrote the founders of Hipstik, a maker of comfortable women's hosiery. "We owe our first years to you." The Grommet has always been one of my favorite companies, both as a journalist and as a consumer. Pieri is encyclopedic in her knowledge of manufacturing and always happy to answer questions. About her unexpected departure from the company, she was understandably more circumspect. "We appreciated the partnership but at the end of the day had different visions of how to grow the business," she told me. "We are grateful that Ace treated us fairly." The Grommet is the functional and spiritual home of anyone who has ever thought, "there must be a better way to...." While not itself famous, it features in the origin stories of famous companies such as OtterBox and SimpliSafe. Among its less heralded but no less useful discoveries are TripleLite, a flashlight with a 180-degree arc, and Peeps, an eyeglass-cleaning device based on technology used by NASA to wipe camera lenses at the International Space Station. Every week, around 300 products--gifts, gadgets, tools, and treasures--pour into the Grommet's Cambridge, Massachusetts, offices. Employees chose between 25 and 30 to test, then launch five on the company's site, along with videos chronicling the makers' stories. Pieri, Domeniconi and their staff worked closely with their anointed makers, teaching them how to sell and scale and navigate the demands of major retailers. But every week they also called the two-dozen or so whose products they tested but didn't launch to offer personal feedback and advice. Pieri and Domeniconi created the Grommet to be a searchlight illuminating obscure corners of ingenuity and promise. But they also saw it as a means of attacking economic inequality. From the beginning, the business paid extra attention to the submissions and stories of women, older people, people of color, veterans, and others. After four years, it created a filter on the site so consumers could intentionally shop for the products of under-represented entrepreneurs. "We were early for caring about that," says Pieri. "In the current environment, where the rest of the world cares about it, I think the time to double-down on it is now." Recently, the founders began giving all employees one day a month to spend expanding their networks of under-represented makers and talent. "We weren't moving fast enough," says Pieri. The Grommet is a $50 million business with 75 employees. Revenues were up 50 percent over plan in May and 25 percent for the year. Pieri's greatest regret is that it did not grow much larger. She believes it could have landed somewhere between Etsy and Amazon in scale. But the company was largely frozen out by the capital markets. Pieri attributes the difficulties to the novelty of the business model but also to the myopia of investors who she says called her "too old, too blonde, and too female," to be a CEO. "Joanne and I were Hollywood-casting founders for this business," says Pieri "That was never appreciated." (Pieri is an industrial designer and Harvard MBA with product experience at several national brands. Domeniconi is a former product development executive for the iconic sneaker company Keds.) The Ace Hardware relationship was different. Ace was less interested in building the enterprise value of the Grommet than in early access to emerging products and in the "halo effect" of the brand's "reputation for supporting big ideas from small businesses and understanding consumer needs and desires," says Pieri. For now, Pieri is taking it easy while mulling her next moves. She wants to join a corporate board. A former entrepreneur-in-residence at Harvard Business School, she may return to teaching. "I'd like to be a CEO again, but I'm more likely to join an enterprise than to found one," says Pieri. "At least that's what I'm thinking in my-three-weeks-into-this head." F irefighters put in a "quacking effort" to rescue a flock of ducklings who were trapped behind a metal grille in west London. The London Fire Brigade said that they were called to the scene on Rainville Road in Hammersmith at 11:45am on Tuesday. The group of ducklings had fallen from a roof building into an underground car park along the river front, the brigade said. They had then become trapped inside a ventilation system behind a metal grille. But firefighters used an electric cutter and saw to remove sections of the grille to gain access. After catching the ducklings by hand and placing them inside a box, the fire crew then reunited the chicks with their mother. With the help of the RSPCA, the ducklings were checked over before they swam away down the River Thames. With the help of the RSPCA, the ducklings were checked over before they swam away down the River Thames / London Fire Brigade Firefighter Malena Orlando, who was at the scene said: "We were called to assist the RSPCA with some ducklings that were trapped behind a wall. "We arrived and were told that some ducklings had fallen from a roof into the car park ventilation system and were trapped in two separate parts of the void. "We pitched a short extension ladder to either side of the large ventilation grilles and using an electric cutter and saw, we removed the two sections of the grilles to gain access. "I then climbed inside the void, catching the ducklings by the hand and placing them into a box. The chicks were then reunited with their mother and after being checked over they swam away down the river. We love animals and are always happy to assist if our specialist equipment is required, as in this case. We would always encourage people to call the RSPCA in the first instance if they see an animal stuck or in distress." In a tweet, the LBF wrote: "A quacking effort from our firefighters who rescued some ducklings who fell from a roof into a ventilation system in Hammersmith." The incident was over for firefighters by 12.52pm. Fire crews from Paddington fire station attended the scene. DANBURY Five local cafe owners were charged with violating public health emergency orders after allegedly ignoring prior warnings from police. While the Danbury Police Department is not actively seeking out violations of the governors COVID-19-related restrictions, one of our greatest functions is public safety and maintaining the peace, Detective Lt. Mark Williams said. However, he said, after receiving specific citizen complaints or discovering blatant violations while responding to calls for service, we will take enforcement action. Enforcement action in this regard generally begins with formal warnings and can escalate to an arrest when faced with repeated disregard of COVID-19 restrictions, Williams said. Genia Alvarez-Rodriguez, 45, and Manuel Honorato Andrade, 44 owners of La Canchita Restaurant & Bar on Delay Street were arrested around 1 a.m. July 4, for allegedly violating a public health safety order. Williams said La Canchita had multiple violations, and the two owners were arrested after receiving one prior warning. Segundo Velasquez, owner of the Red House Bar & Cafe on Keeler Street, and Juan Carlos Villa, owner of Fajitas and Margaritas on Main Street were arrested July 4, for having multiple violations at their establishments, Williams said. Velasquez, 47, received one warning prior to arrest, while 35-year-old Villa had been warned two times on June 20 and June 28 according to police. The fifth person charged with violating a public health emergency order that weekend was Erika Fajardo-Sumba, owner of La Costenita Bar & Restaurant on Ives Street. Not only was the establishment cited for multiple violations, police said, but the 34-year-old owner was arrested on the same charge both July 4 and July 5. The July 4 arrests occurred when officers went downtown to make sure bars and restaurants were in compliance with Executive Order No. 7MM, according to police reports. Among the violations observed by police included employees not wearing face masks while walking around, tables that werent six feet apart, food not being served and patrons ordering drinks at bar areas that had no partitions. Fajardo-Sumbas second arrest, on July 5, occurred after officers responded to a report of a fight at La Costenita at 1:13 a.m. July 5, and found the same violations observed the night before, according to a police report. A public health emergency order violation comes with a penalty of up to $1,000 in fines, one year of imprisonment, or both for each offense, according to state law. All five cafe owners were released on promises to appear in court July 16. Their arraignments were later postponed to Aug. 27, according to court records. Enforcement Since Lamont started issuing executive orders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Danbury Police Departments enforcement approach of first asking for compliance and issuing warnings has not changed. Our process is to first visit and have a conversation with the manager and/or owner and give an informal warning, Mayor Mark Boughton said. Sometimes people say, OK, no problem, some dont know what the regulations are, and some people just dont want to (comply), he said. Without naming any specific bars or owners, Boughton said during the City Councils July 7 meeting that the recently charged bar owners had been previously warned but refused to comply. Unfortunately, when it gets that serious, you have to escalate the enforcement, he told City Council members. The citys Health and Human Services Department has been inspecting outdoor dining patios, hair and nail salons, body care facilities, and indoor dining at food service establishments since they were allowed to reopen, said Kara Prunty, acting director of the department. She said the department has worked with businesses to correct any issues with compliance. Weve been trying to take an educational approach, Prunty told the City Council. We go back, we try and show and teach what we should be doing, and then we follow up with periodic inspections to go along and make sure theyre following what they should be doing. Boughton said that should be the first step before an arrest. The first line of defense is always to work with the business owner, he said. Educate them if they dont know and give them a warning. To catch a thief, the saying goes, you have to think like a thief. The same is true for invasive predators: to foil their depredations on native wildlife, scientists have to understand how they think. A new study published in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecological Applications examines how invasive mammalian predators both habituate to and generalize avian prey cues. Dr. Price and her team at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research studied the behavior of ferrets and hedgehogs--invasive mammals in New Zealand--in an outdoor enclosure experiment to understand how they hunt avian prey. The discovery could have conservation applications for protecting native bird species. Previous research has established that "chemical camouflage" could be an effective way to deter invasive species from harming vulnerable bird populations: scientists can distribute appealing bird odors near nests before eggs appear, so that the predator eventually starts ignoring the smell--even after tasty eggs become available. This study goes a step further, showing that invasive predators not only learn to pinpoint (or ignore) certain smells that are associated with food--they can also classify similar smells into groups. "We are trying to understand how these predators have been so effective at destroying the native fauna," says Catherine Price, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney and the study's lead author. "We are researching new ways to exploit behavioral patterns and traits to understand why native species are so vulnerable and how to protect them." In New Zealand, invasive mammalian predators have devastated local bird populations, especially of the wrybill, double-banded plover, kak?, and black-fronted tern, whose populations nest at the same time and in similar locations. Such nesting colonies are the proverbial sitting duck: with no defenses, small numbers of predators like ferrets and hedgehogs can essentially wipe out nearly a generation with very little effort. Hedgehogs and ferrets are generalists. Ferrets mainly hunt rabbits but will not turn down an easy meal of eggs or chicks. Hedgehogs eat mostly invertebrates and berries but also love eggs, especially right out of hibernation when they are especially hungry. Price wanted to understand how the predators seek out bird colonies. While humans are primarily visual, many other animals--including ferrets and hedgehogs--draw more information from other senses, including their sense of smell. "Because humans aren't olfactory species, we don't often think about odor," Price said. "But these predators are very sensitive to odor, and to the costs of odor. They respond very quickly if a hunting tactic--like following a certain odor--isn't working." Price and her team captured local ferrets and hedgehogs and ran them through a series of controlled treatments in outdoor enclosures resembling their natural habitat to examine how these predators categorize smells--whether they group smells of similar types of birds together--and how and whether they habituate to smells. This is the first time this kind of research has been done on these predators in a controlled outdoor setting. The question of categorization reveals a substantial amount about the hunting strategies and priorities of the predator. Separating smells into individual species requires an investment that might not always be merited. In some cases, it is sufficient for ferrets or hedgehogs to simply sniff out a broad category of prey, such as "ground-nesting bird with eggs this time of year," but knowing exactly what kind of bird they are smelling is irrelevant. "The idea that animals are grouping prey together by smell is exciting," Price said. "We never assumed wild animals did that before, and now we've shown that they can do this using smell." The team discovered that ferrets generalized the avian smells (in this case gulls and quail) but the hedgehogs did not. In many ways, this makes sense: ferrets consume lots of prey besides bird species, so distinguishing between bird smells may not be worth a ferret's time or energy. Seasonality may also have played a role. In the experiment, hedgehogs were getting ready to go into hibernation, making them especially motivated to find high-quality meals easily. This finding indicates it might be possible to protect bird colonies by distributing bird smell around the area. If an entire area were saturated with the smell of a nesting ground species, it could protect a nesting colony. Predators would become accustomed to the smell and ignore it, seeking out other prey. "Understanding how predators group smell is important because if they generalize, we don't have to actually put out the smell of the bird we're protecting; we can put out chicken or quail odors that we can easily get in abundance," Price said. Understanding how invasive predators hunt and think gives scientists and conservationists an edge in protecting native prey. Further studies may reveal more ways to protect native populations by exploiting predators' behaviors. ### Journal article: Price, Catherine, et al. 2020. "Invasive mammalian predators habituate to and generalize avian prey cues: a mechanism for conserving native prey." Ecological Applications. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/eap.2200 Authors: Catherine J Price, Peter B Banks; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia Samantha Brown, Cecilia Latham, A. David M. Latham, Roger P. Pech, Grant L. Norbury; Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand Author contact: Catherine Price (catherine.price@sydney.edu.au">catherine.price@sydney.edu.au) Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a statewide mask order. The order states a face covering must be worn in public when in close contact with other people. Specifically, it stipulates Alabamians must wear a mask when within 6 feet of a person from another household; in an indoor space open to the public; a vehicle operated by a transportation service such as Uber; or an outdoor public space where 10 or more people are gathered. It goes into effect Thursday at 5 p.m. and will remain in effect until at least July 31. The order, which comes as Alabama has seen a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, supersedes any local regulations. Were almost to the point where our hospital ICUs are overwhelmed, Ivey said, noting last week 87% of the state ICU beds were full. Folks, the numbers just do not lie, Ivey said. Ivey cautioned however, she thought enforcing the mandate would be a difficult order. I always prefer personal responsibility over a government mandate, Ivey said. The order carries a penalty of $500 or jail time but Ivey said the focus will be on education as opposed to punishment. We are not asking sheriffs or police officers to seek out people not wearing a face mask. Our goal is to inform people, the governor said. There are exceptions to the order. The largest category for exceptions is for practical necessity reasons, such as when children are 6 or younger; people with certain medical conditions or disabilities; eating and drinking; and medical and dental procedures. There are also categories for exceptions for exercise, communicating with an audience and certain necessary job functions. Another category for exceptions includes activities such as voting or religious worship, though wearing a face mask for those is strongly encouraged, the governors office said. The order does not stipulate what kind of face covering is required as long as it covers the nostrils and mouth. It does require businesses to take reasonable steps to encourage mask use by employees and customers. Weve editorialized repeatedly about the need to find compromise and do the right thing with the Hiawatha statue in La Crosses Riverside Park. Weve had years to debate it and find compromise. And yet it still stands in a prominent spot as a 25-foot reminder that nothing has happened. More than ever, the right thing is to move it from its nearly 60-year home at the confluence of three rivers. Like the Washington Redskins logo, its time to retire Hiawatha. No one is questioning the artists intent. But critics emphasize that times change and cultural acceptance does, too. There was a time when comedians made careers out of poking fun at drinking problems and mental illness. Today, neither are considered amusing. Shaundel Spivey, chairman of the La Crosse Human Rights Commission, asked: Why is just the thought of it being taken down, remodeled and reframed hurting so many peoples feelings who it doesnt even represent? Of course, anything thats been around for more than a half-century, taking up a visible spot and serving as the backdrop for countless family photos, is bound to have sentimental value to some. Think how people reacted when the Worlds Largest Six-Pack got new labels. Clearly, there wont be a solution that makes everyone happy and maybe thats asking too much. But its not asking too much to involve more people and other cultures especially the Ho-Chunk who are indigenous - in discussions of the best ways to go forward. This should be the start of valuable, ongoing discussions that lead to increased sensitivity about cultural diversity on this and many other issues facing our community. That was 2017. And nothing happened. In 2018, we wrote an editorial when it looked like compromise was possible, stating in part: Heres hoping it can become a symbol of compromise, an example of what can happen when all parties get together to discuss solutions instead of grievances. Maybe forging a collaborative approach to moving the Hiawatha statue can serve as a model for a variety of challenges our region faces. As Ho-Chunk Nation member Tracy Littlejohn said, moving and preserving the statue is a great compromise. That way theres less hurt for the family, because I dont want them to feel like Im out to destroy their familys artwork legacy. ... Its not appropriate anymore, but I can appreciate wanting to keep that preserved. Richard Kyte: Statues, mascots and community identity Looking through old photo albums, I am surprised by how much of my early childhood is documented as a tour among monuments in small communitie That was in 2018. And nothing happened. Frankly, the debate has gone on for decades in our community and its gone on long enough. The only way something will happen is to take it down and store it for family and fans of the artist and his art to find a suitable place on private property for Hiawatha. For all of those filled with nostalgia for the statue, we recommend starting a fund to pay the citys $14,000 cost of storage so the bill doesnt get passed along to taxpayers. Mayor Tim Kabat urged the citys Board of Park Commissioners Monday to remove the statue, stating: It is time. Communities across our nation are facing the symbols from their pasts and making decisions about how to heal and move forward. While the family of artist and longtime Central High School art teacher Anthony Zimmerhakl will never agree with that, its worth noting that son-in-law Tim Slonka told the Tribune: In these times were living in now, its probably time. Kabat agrees that the timing is right. We agree. Love 16 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 4 The dominant accounting firms must do a better job of challenging their clients in order to reach a satisfactory level of audit quality, the industrys UK watchdog said. The so-called Big Four KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC were individually assessed in reports released by the Financial Reporting Council on Tuesday. Deloitte scored the highest of the four with 76% of the audits evaluated by the FRC deemed as good or needing limited improvements. PwC and KPMG fared the worst at 65% and 61% respectively, which the regulator dismissed as unsatisfactory. Three smaller firms were also assessed. We are concerned that firms are still not consistently achieving the necessary level of audit quality, David Rule, the FRCs executive director of supervision, said in a statement accompanying the release of the reports. The tone from the top at the firms needs to support a culture of challenge and to back auditors making tough decisions. The reports come barely a week after the FRC announced its timeline under which the Big Four must split their audit units from their advisory arms. While consulting offers more lucrative opportunities than plain-vanilla accounting, it creates an inherent conflict of interest and encourages the auditors to be restrained to protect consulting opportunities, the regulator said. Its an outright failure of the audit profession and regulators, said Richard Murphy, an accountant and economics professor at City University in London. There has been a rapid decline in auditing standards which will increase costs for investors relying on the accounts for information and lead to more company failures at a time when society can least afford it. Auditors today are facing the most scrutiny since the collapse of Enron two decades ago after the recent failure of a handful of U.K. companies including Carillion Plc. More recently, the collapse of German payments provider Wirecard AG, which had been audited by EY, has put the spotlight back on accounting. EY, which has described Wirecard as an elaborate fraud that even a rigorous probe may not have discovered, said it was adding 700 people to help improve its auditing unit. We are disappointed our overall results are not higher and we have plans in place to address the FRCs feedback, Andrew Walton, head of EYs U.K. auditing business, said in a statement. The firm is focusing on developing a culture of professional skepticism, management support of audit partners, further investments in data-driven audit processes, and additional training for our teams. The FRC has placed KPMG under special scrutiny because of its poor performance in previous evaluations. The firm is already working hard to make the necessary changes, Jon Holt, KPMGs head of auditing, said in a statement. The regulator also said on Tuesday it would also examine a larger number of PwC audits after this years test results. We set high standards for our audit quality and are disappointed with these results which we are committed to improving, PwC said in a statement. The FRC also evaluated some of the Big Fours audits of listed FTSE-350 companies. The regulator last year had a target of 90% of audits scoring good or better but the FRC has since abandoned that, according to a spokesman for the regulator. Again, Deloitte came out on top with 90% of its FTSE audits rated good. EY notched 78%, PwC scored 67% and KPMG just 58%. Deloitte Deputy CEO Stephen Griggs said in a statement he was pleased with the FTSE-350 score but acknowledges that we must continue to improve to ensure we consistently deliver the highest quality audits. With assistance from Jeffrey Harrington. Photograph: Ernst & Youngs offices in London. Photo credit: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg. Related: Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Iran has ended its agreement with India for two key projects, the second phase of Chabahar Port and development of the Farzad-B block, reflecting the souring relations between the once strong allies. The West Asian country will fund and develop a rail link under the second phase of the Chabahar Port on its own, while the contract for developing the Farzad-B block is likely to be handed over to a local company following slow progress by ONGC Videsh (OVL). A person close to the development said Iran will sign a deal for development of the field with a local oil company soon. In the ... They were planning their romantic nuptials in Italy. But the coronavirus pandemic forced Bachelorette couple Georgia Love and Lee Elliott to scrap their destination wedding. Instead, they hope to say 'I do' in Georgia's home state of Tasmania, but they are having trouble organising the big day due to the lockdown in Melbourne, where they both live. Wedding bells: They were planning their romantic nuptials in Italy, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Bachelorette couple Georgia Love and Lee Elliott to scrap their destination wedding 'We're just planning as if everything will be okay by next year, but we still don't know whether it will be,' Georgia told Now To Love. 'It's also hard to do a lot of it when we can't even get down to Tassie.' The journalist and her fiance are unable to leave Victoria due to the lockdown, which was put in place last week after a second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the state. New destination: Instead, they are planning to say 'I do' in Georgia's home state of Tasmania, but they are having trouble organising the big day due to the lockdown in Melbourne As the situation changes from day to day, Georgia acknowledged that her wedding plans may have to adjust once again. 'We still don't know if we actually will be able to go ahead with what we're planning,' she said. Despite the challenges of lockdown, Georgia has enjoyed having 'so much time at home' to plan her special day. 'That's how Lee and I are looking at it, we feel grateful to have this dedicated time to plan and get excited,' she said. Time for planning: Despite the challenges of lockdown, Georgia has enjoyed having 'so much time at home' to plan her special day It comes after Georgia recently addressed pregnancy rumours. She told her Instagram followers it was rude for them to continually ask her whether she and Lee were expecting, after they had already denied the speculation. 'Just another reminder because apparently, I have to constantly repeat myself on this - the only time it is ever okay to ask me whether I am, or comment that I look pregnant, is when I have said I am pregnant. Which again, I am not,' she wrote. Georgia has long faced pregnancy rumours. Back in 2017, she responded to the false gossip by claiming she had just had a 'big breakfast'. Hyderabad: Patient care took a further hit at Hyderabad's main COVID-treatment facility, Gandhi Hospital, on Tuesday with 620 Class-4 employees a category of workers that includes sanitation staff, orderlies, security guards striking work. The troubled hospital's difficulties have now got worse with 220 contract nurses already on strike for the past five days. The only silver lining for the hospital authorities was the decision of teaching doctors at government medical colleges in Telangana to put off their strike by a day. They are demanding pay revision, which has been due since 2016. Telangana Government Doctors Association president Dr Pallam Praveen said the unionn's representatives will meet on Wednesday to chalk out their action plan. The Class-4 employees and outsourced nurses too are demanding better pay and regularisation of services. According to one of the striking nurses, M. Sarla, negotiations with the director of medical education, Dr K. Ramesh Reddy, have not gone anywhere. The director offered us a Rs 25,100 salary and an incentive of Rs 600 per day till the COVID-19 crisis blows over. But the offer was rejected, she said. Representative of Class-4 employees said there is a disparity in the wages paid to contract workers and those on the permanent rolls. Ch. Lakshmi, a sanitation worker who has been employed on contract for 16 years for a wage of Rs 8,500, said, Those on the government rolls are paid Rs 50,000-60,000 for the same job as I do. They work for 15 days as per COVID-19 norms, while we have to work every day of the month. Speaking of her difficulties, Lakshmi said, Half my salary goes toward house rent. I cannot afford to send my three children to school and so I send them to work. We work in an environment that is dangerous to us as well as to our families but there is no appreciation from the government. Kancharla Ravindra Reddy, a sanitation supervisor, said there used to be 185 sanitation workers employed by the hospital previously but many who were close to 60 years left fearing COVID-19. Some who had small children at home also quit. When we ask for the same incentives as those paid to other workers, we are told we dont fall in that category. Those who are on government rolls dont even do half of the work we contract workers do. Many of us, in addition to really hard work, also have to face discrimination for working at a COVID-19 hospital, he said. The National Rifle Association will have to appear for a regulatory hearing over allegations it violated New York law by marketing an insurance policy for shootings that critics have dubbed murder insurance. A federal judge in Albany, New York, on Monday denied a request by the gun-rights group to block the July 29 hearing before the New York State Department of Financial Services. The NRA wanted to postpone the hearing until its lawsuit claiming the agency was singling it out for discriminatory enforcement was resolved. U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy, who is presiding over the NRAs suit, said the issues in the regulatory hearing were different from those before him. The subject matter of the administrative hearing is to determine whether the NRA violated the Insurance Law, not whether defendants retaliated against the NRA for its speech or whether Superintendent Vullo selectively enforced the Insurance Law against the NRAs affinity-insurance programs, McAvoy said, referring to former DFS head Maria Vullo. The New York state agency claims the NRA acted as an unlicensed insurer in New York by marketing Carry Guard insurance to residents there in 2017. Carry Guard offers coverage for costs associated with the purposeful use of a firearm, including defending a possible criminal prosecution. Such coverage is illegal in New York, the regulator says. NRA Seeks to Block New Yorks Political Enforcement Over Liability Insurance Programs New York alleges the NRA violated state insurance law by acting as an insurance producer without a license and engaged in deceptive marketing practices regarding its self-defense liability insurance programs, including Carry Guard. Lockton Affinity to Pay $1M for Administering Carry Guard Insurance in New Jersey NRA to Halt Unlawful Solicitation of Carry Guard in California The NRA sued in 2018 over the enforcement action, claiming it was the victim of a political vendetta by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has frequently criticized the organization. DFS brought this proceeding in an effort to divert and suppress the NRAs high-profile First Amendment lawsuit, said William A. Brewer III, the groups lawyer. The Court didnt enjoin DFS, but it affirmed whats important: nothing DFS does in its star-chamber enforcement hearing can foreclose the NRAs constitutional claims. The NRA looks forward to its day in court. The case is National Rifle Association of America v. Cuomo, 18-CV-00566, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (Albany). With assistance from Erik Larson. Top Photo: Signage for the National Rifle Association Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation New York Chinese fishing boat supervisor Song Chuanyun (center), a suspect in the death of an Indonesian crew member, arrives at the Riau Islands provincial police office in Indonesia, July 10, 2020. The supervisor of a Chinese fishing boat has been arrested on charges of assault and human trafficking after the death of an Indonesian crew member whose corpse was discovered last week, police in Indonesias Riau Islands said. Indonesian authorities detained two Chinese boats as they sailed near Singapore on July 8 after police received a tip that the body of the Indonesian sailor later identified as Hasan Afriandi, 20 had been kept in cold storage on one of the boats for a week. A Chinese national, Song Chuanyun, 50, has been named a suspect in connection with Hasans death and was moved to a police detention cell on Friday night, according to Arie Dharmanto, the chief criminal investigator for police in Riau Islands province. The suspect is in police custody for further questioning, Arie told BenarNews on Tuesday, adding that other crew members were being questioned as well. Citing information from other sailors, Arie said Song and the boats captain allegedly assaulted other Indonesian crew members. The captain has not been named as a suspect but is being investigated by police. Brig. Gen. Ferdy Sambo, director of criminal investigations at the National Police, alleged that Song had frequently mistreated crew members, including Hasan. The supervisor assaulted the victim with his feet and hands, Ferdy told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Arie said Song would be tried in Indonesia because the alleged assault occurred in Indonesian waters. If convicted, Song could face up to 20 years in prison. Last week, a Chinese government spokesman challenged the claim to prosecute the case, saying the two boats were in international waters. China asks the Indonesian side to take concrete, effective measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese fishing vessel and crew members, and deal with the matter as properly and quickly as possible, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in response to a question at his press briefing on July 10. Hasans case marked the latest incident where Indonesians linked to Chinese fishing boats have died. Officials reported at least eight deaths since November 2019 including some where the corpses were thrown overboard. Surviving crewmen have complained of harsh conditions. The boats involved in the most recent incident were sailing off Nipa Island near Singapore when they were stopped and their crews detained by Indonesian Coast Guard ships last week, police said. Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, an NGO, said an Indonesian working aboard the Lu Huang Yuan Yu 118 called its 24-hour hotline to report the death of a compatriot who allegedly had been physically abused. DFW passed the tip to a team of police, naval and coast guard personnel. Hasans body was discovered on the other boat, Lu Huang Yuan Yu 117. Apparently the body was moved from one ship to the other, which is owned by the same company, DFW coordinator Mohammad Abdi Suhufan told BenarNews last week. Muhammad Haris, chief physician for the Riau Islands police, said an examination of Hasans body found bruises, scars and a spinal injury. Organs such as the lungs, heart and the appendix showed signs of chronic disease, Haris told the Tribunnews website. The Chinese embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a BenarNews request for comment. Previous deaths In May, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi condemned the alleged mistreatment of the Indonesian sailors and summoned Chinas ambassador to Jakarta to respond to her concerns. She asked the Chinese ambassador to explain why sailors corpses had been thrown overboard. Retno was reacting to a South Korean media report showing an Indonesian crew member who had said three bodies were thrown into the sea between December 2019 and March. The report alleged that Indonesian crew members were sometimes forced to work 30 straight hours while standing and were given only six hours to eat and sleep before resuming their duties. On June 5, two Indonesian sailors jumped from a Chinese-flagged fishing boat as it sailed in the Malacca Strait, according to officials. They were rescued off Karimun, an island in the Riau Islands, and taken there the next day after drifting for seven hours. Six days later, Retno urged the Chinese government to conduct transparent and fair investigations into the deaths of Indonesian crew members who allegedly were subjected to harsh treatment akin to forced labor. Last week, Central Java police spokesman Iskandar Fitriana Sutisna said two top executives at a labor recruitment agency had been formally charged with human trafficking and would stand trial. The pair and others allegedly recruited Indonesians to work on the Chinese fishing boats. In addition, investigators have named nine people as suspects in the case, according to the Riau Islands police. Arie said investigators are trying to track down a Singapore citizen who is suspected of being a broker as well. Indonesian police previously reported arresting five people from four labor agencies in connection with previous cases. Police did not release details about those arrested. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. A businesswoman got a robber arrested after she received a notification saying he had broken into her house and called the police. Kanjanat Kitjapool, 44, clicked on the alert while at her parents' house and watched in horror as a man wearing a hazmat suit and welder's mask scaled her wall. CCTV footage streamed to her phone then showed him unpicking the lock and entering her home. She called police, several neighbours and her brother who lives near the house in Saraburi, central Thailand. The intruder tried to flee but was wrestled to the ground and arrested. He has been named as 33-year-old Preecha Unsalee. This is the moment a robbers attempt to rob a house in Saraburi, Thailand, is foiled by modern technology. An app alerts the owner to the break-in and she calls the police Businesswoman Kanjanat Kitjapool, 44, clicked on a security alert on her phone and watched in horror as the burglar entered her home Shocking CCTV footage shows Unsalee creeping around the woman's house searching for valuables after breaking in. But when flashing lights appear on the driveway he runs out the open door and tries to escape by dashing across a nearby field. Unknown to the burglar, cameras had been installed all over the house to keep watch over possessions while the owners are away. Relieved Ms Kitjapool said: 'The CCTV I have installed in my house can send a message to my phone, so when it detected the suspicious movement it immediately alerted me with a notification. 'Luckily my brother was in the area and could gather the neighbours to to help him catch the man.' Shocked she called the police, her neighbours and her brother, who lives nearby. The thief is pictured above breaking into her house He was wrestled to the ground and arrested by police. the burglar has been identified as 33-year-old Preecha Unsalee Police Lieutenant Den Sribanthao said the police suspect the intruder works in a team and will interrogate him to find any alleged accomplices. The police chief said: 'From the suspect's actions we believe that there might be a number of accomplices but he denied this, so we will need to investigate more. 'We charged him with committing a theft by night and he will be interrogated more to find out who he was working with. For now he has been remanded in custody at the station.' It is not believed that any items were stolen. What the American people have to understand is all the data that goes into those mobile apps that kids have so much fun with and seem so convenient, it goes right to servers in China, right to the Chinese military, the Chinese Communist Party, and the agencies that want to steal our intellectual property, Mr. Navarro said over the weekend. The issue of whether TikTok should be curbed in the United States has taken on new urgency, in part because of Indias decision in late June to ban it and nearly 60 other Chinese apps, a Trump administration official said. TikTok has been downloaded two billion times, with its biggest markets in India, the United States and Brazil, according to SensorTower. Last December, the Pentagon ordered military personnel to delete the TikTok app from their phones and some administration officials have argued that the United States should retroactively block ByteDances acquisition of Musical.ly, which could force the company to divest its American assets, or at least make changes to the way it moves and stores data worldwide. The State Department is considering expanding its so-called clean networks program to include apps as it tries to steer foreign governments away from unsecure Chinese telecommunications firms in the name of protecting Americans private information, according to officials familiar with the internal discussions. TikTok would be considered among those apps, although officials said the State Department has not yet designated companies to be included in the expansion. Whether its TikTok or any of the other Chinese communications platforms, apps, infrastructure, this administration has taken seriously the requirement to protect the American people from having their information end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, Mr. Pompeo said Wednesday in an interview with The Hill newspaper in Washington. He said he had heard from parents eager to see TikTok banned: Thats for the parents to decide their kids usage on their cellphones. Its our task to make sure that their childrens information doesnt end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Kanye West has ended his 2020 presidential run, according to new report in New York Magazines Intelligencer. The report cites Steve Kramer hired by West to get him on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina who told the magazine, hes out. A representative for West didnt immediately return a request for comment from TheWrap on whether he had ended his campaign. Also Read: Kanye West Renounces Trump Support, Declares Own Political Party the 'Birthday Party' West gave a wide-ranging interview to Forbes last week in which he renounced his support for President Donald Trump and said he would be running for the presidency on the Birthday Party ticket. I am taking the red hat off, with this interview, said the rapper, who has famously supported Trump and met with him at Trump Tower and in the Oval Office. Wests presidential bid slightly dinged Democratic presumptive Joe Bidens odds to win the 2020 election when it was first announced on July 4, according to one of the largest online sportsbooks. Also Read: Kanye West's Presidential Bid Hurts Joe Biden's Odds to Win, According to Betting Site According to Bet Online, political betting markets opened the next day with West added at +10000 (100/1) odds to win the 2020 election. Those are the same odds 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had when the markets opened, though she is not in the race and has thrown her support behind Biden. From that Saturday to Sunday, Biden the outright favorite moved from -180 (5/9) to -160 (5/8) odds, according to Bet Online. Republican and incumbent Trumps odds to win immediately improved with Wests weekend announcement, moving from +150 (3/2) to +130 (13/10). It remains to be seen what impact the dropped campaign will have on Trump and Biden, but others are taking the news in stride. According to my calculations @kanyewests presidential aspirations lasted one full Scaramucci, said Anthony Scaramucci on Twitter, referencing his notoriously short stint as White House communications director. Story continues Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton simply shared the news with laugh-crying emojis. BBC Ones Have I Got News For You also jumped in with a joke: Kanye West drops out of 2020 presidential race, on grounds he could split the incomprehensible narcissist vote. Read original story Kanye West Ends 2020 Presidential Run (Report) At TheWrap Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Emmy Hafild (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 15:45 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066681f47 3 Opinion Batang-Toru-forest,Batang-Toru-national-park,orangutan,Tapanuli,Tapanuli-orangutan Free Batang Toru ecosystem has come under the national and international spotlight in the last few years, due to its unique character and valuable biodiversity, especially the newly discovered Tapanuli orangutan. Recently, some environmental activists have been calling for more studies on the ecosystem, for strategic environment study and an environment audit on the ecosystems carrying capacity. They also demand a halt to the hydropower project there. Conducting more studies looks like opening Pandora's box. It will reveal and provide opportunities for interests other than the necessity to protect the orangutan. In reality, this is not a scientific, but a political process that goes beyond the control of both NGOs and scientists, especially scientists from overseas. The outcome is unpredictable and the level of uncertainty is high, since the regents and local councilors tend to resist any changes to the existing land status that they fought so hard for in the past. It is more obtainable to work within the existing land title and call for sustainable management of these areas, with the Tapanuli orangutan as the umbrella species. It is more effective and can provide an immediate solution to the protection of the primate. Implementation of sustainable management in zones allocated for other land uses (APL) in the Batang Toru ecosystem in North Sumatra can be the answer to maintaining a long-term viable population of this critically endangered species. The sustainable development principles will treat economic, environmental and social dimensions in an equilibrium, so that there is no dichotomy between conservation and economy. On July 26, 2019, I wrote in this newspaper that the Tapanuli orangutan could coexist with the run-of-river hydropower plant, against those who insist the construction must stop. I want to re-emphasize that position, with better understanding of the land use system, more studies coming out recently (Rahman et.al, 2019) and Kuswanda (2020), as well as new findings from a more detailed study recently conducted by the National University Center for Sustainable Environment and Resource Management (Prasetyo and Prakosa, 2020) on the project site, and consultations with orangutan experts of PanEco and YEL Foundation. My argument came from the fact that the majority of the Batang Toru forests (around 71 percent) have been protected under protection forest status and around 10 percent are under nature conservation status. A comparison between the land status and Tapanuli orangutan habitat suitability distribution by Rahman, et.al, (2019) shows that the majority of the orangutan population is found within the protected and conservation forests. Orangutans inhabiting APL are mostly in low to moderate density. The APL are managed by the local governments of North, Central and South Tapanuli and are intended for economic purposes. The Batang Toru hydropower project is located in this area, not in the highest density of orangutan population, as claimed by Serge Wich. Other large-scale economic activities are also found in the APL. The fact that the majority of the orangutan population is already within the protection forest is a big relief. The challenge is how to protect orangutan outside the protected and conservation areas. Batang Toru forests map and land use status. (File/Emmy Hafild) The focus of this solution is to guarantee the safety of orangutans and the integrity of forest cover in all land statuses and to create wildlife corridors to allow genetic flow of isolated populations to a larger population. Public education followed by law enforcement to prevent killing and hunting of orangutans, as well as illegal logging prevention, is a must and is a prerequisite. At the same time, orangutan habitat suitability within the APL status should be identified and delineated. Any projects in these areas have to protect the habitat and restore it whenever possible for temporary disturbed ones, and finding offset for habitats that are permanently disturbed, and restore areas that are not suitable as orangutan habitat into ones that are suitable. As for the misleading information about the hydropower project, especially coming from IUCN Fact Check created by Serge Wich recently, I have found the fact check has a fundamental problem because it was based on wrong and outdated information. PT NSHE has done more work and studies since construction started, and new data and information has changed some of the previous position. Ian Singleton last February stated during a workshop in Medan, in which Serge Wich refused to participate and called for a boycott of, that the project did not infringe the connectivity of orangutans from the Sibual-Buali population to the larger population in the west block and with the planned mitigation program, the impacts will be minimal. The critical habitat within its area of influence (AOI) has been identified, the permanent disturbance of orangutan habitat is 84 hectares, and temporary disturbance and to be restored is 189 ha, and priority area to be protected has been delineated. The permanent disturbance is going to be offset, and the recommendation is to establish a wildlife corridor in Sitandiang. There has been daily orangutan monitoring with the involvement of local communities, trained and supervised by orangutan experts. The company collaborates with scientists, NGOs, local governments and conservation agencies at all levels. Other companies need to follow this example. The bar for best practices should be established. I call for all concerned parties to collaborate and achieve this objective as soon as possible. *** The writer has advised PT NSHEs president. The views expressed are her own. Editor's note: This opinion piece has been updated to clarify the writer's position. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. President pledges regional cooperation in talks with Singaporean, Thai leaders China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including Singapore and Thailand, in fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic and jointly promoting global public health security, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday. Xi also vowed to work with the two Southeast Asian nations to safeguard peace and stability in the region when he held separate telephone conversations with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. While talking with Lee on the phone, Xi said that, in responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak, China upholds the vision of the community with a shared future for mankind and has shared anti-epidemic experience with other countries without reservations and provided them with materials and expertise. China is willing to work with Singapore to support international solidarity against the virus with the World Health Organization playing a leading role in the process and jointly build a community of health for all, he said. Xi said he appreciated the two countries' help for each other in combating the epidemic and said China and Singapore took the lead in establishing a fast-lane to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and promote stable supply and industrial chains in the region. He also underlined the need for the two countries to intensify cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. China will continue to deepen reforms and expand opening-up and improve its business environment, Xi said, adding that he hopes Singapore will also provide sound conditions for Chinese companies doing businesses in the country. Lee commended China's efforts to successfully contain the virus under the leadership of Xi while the pandemic is still raging in the world, and said his country stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China on the research and development of related vaccines and medicines. Singapore is willing to work with China to uphold free and open trade to ensure stable supply and industrial chains in the region, Lee said, adding that he welcomes Chinese companies to Singapore. In a telephone conversation with the Thai prime minister, Xi mentioned the mutual support and assistance between China and Thailand in the fight against the virus, and he said China stands ready to strengthen the sharing of experience with Thailand and advance the resumption of production while preventing and controlling the epidemic. Saying that the construction of the China-Thailand railway is proceeding smoothly, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen the synergy of the BRI with Thailand's development strategies and advance cooperation in e-commerce in order to make new progress in the China-Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to work with Thailand to intensify solidarity with other countries in the region and uphold the good momentum of regional development and prosperity, he added. The Thai prime minister commended the strong leadership of the Chinese government as well as the people-first philosophy it upholds in responding to COVID-19, and he appreciated China's commitment to make a vaccine a global public good once it is successfully developed. Thailand adheres to the one-China policy and firmly supports China's efforts in safeguarding its core interests, he said, adding that his country stands ready to work with China to uphold regional peace and stability. Also on Tuesday, Xi congratulated Chandrikapersad Santokhi on his election as Suriname's president. In a congratulatory message, Xi said he is willing to work with Santokhi to deepen bilateral cooperation. New Delhi, July 15 : Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister M. Veerappa Moily on Wednesday said that the party has given a lot to both Sachin Pilot and Jyotiraditya Scindia and they should have waited patiently instead of being rebellious. He also said that the move by Scindia and Pilot is suicidal and they will never be made chief ministers in the BJP. Speaking to IANS over phone from Bengaluru, Moily said, "This is not the time to think who is right or who is wrong but the question is the integrity of the party, which has to be maintained. Pilot got everything, he was an MP, he was a union minister, he was also made the PCC chief and deputy chief minister." Moily's remarks came a day after the Congress sacked Pilot as both PCC chief and deputy chief minister for leading the rebellion against Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan. The former union minister further said that the party understands the aspirations, "but one has to learn to work in the framework of the party". "You cannot have the aspirations to rise at the cost of the party. Pilot should have waited with patience. Of course he was aspiring youth and he was working for the party and nobody denies that," Moily said. Moily also said that working hard does not mean one should break the rules. Moily said that Pilot should have attended the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and being a PCC president he should have done a responsible job. On the Question of the old guard and the new guard in the Congress party, Moily said, "It is not a question of old guard versus new guard. Congress has survived for 135 years with all this contradictions." When pointed out party losing Scindia in Madhya Pradesh in March this year and also the fall of the Kamal Nath government there and similarly Pilot rebelling against Gehlot in Rajasthan, he said, "What Scindia has done after he was given all importance?" Moily said that the chief ministers are elected on the basis of the number of the support of the MLAs in one's favour. "While selecting the chief minister, the observers who go on behalf of the party high command speak to MLAs and then take a decision. The same thing happened with Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh and Gehlot in Rajasthan, as part of the democratic process," the Congress leader said. He said that sometimes people allege that the democratic process is not followed, "but that has taken place in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan". "And whether it is Scindia or Pilot, they should have waited for their chance. They will never become chief ministers in BJP. So it is suicidal for both Pilot and Scindia," Moily said. He also made it clear that the doors of the Congress party are still open for Pilot and said, "If Pilot is loyal to Congress then he has to go through the process, it is still not too late for him to come to party." When asked what action the party will take if he does not attend the CLP meeting in next two days, Moily said that the question of any other action depends on his further decisions. Moily also emphasised the roles of the party general secretaries and state in-charges saying that these days many of them are not "vigilant" and they do not understand the problems faced by local party units. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Environmental change is something that we, as a nation, need to tackle together Australian owned and operated Bee Dee Bags Pty Ltd is reaching for new heights with the launch of NaturalPak, a new player in the world of environmentally friendly, compostable and sustainable food packaging industry. NaturalPak was established in 2019 and has been in development and finally officially launched on the 9th of June 2020. Bee Dee Bags believes NaturalPak will be able to assist Australian businesses in the fast food and take-away industry to transition to products that are an alternative to non-recyclable single use plastic food packaging and join the movement to make our world a better place to live in. NaturalPaks select range of compostable packaging products is ethically sourced from managed plantations of sustainably grown trees (FSC), made from rapidly-renewable plant resources (PLA) and sugarcane pulp. NaturalPaks range was carefully selected to ensure that products are not only environmentally friendly but also durable, strong and industry tested to make sure that the range is not just keeping the planet clean, but is a functional, convenient and an economic choice for each and every business in the takeaway food industry. The General Manager of Bee Dee Bags and Creator of NaturalPak, Mr Cain Gawne expressed his vision for the company: We are committed to increasing awareness of the opportunities each and every one of us can take by choosing Natural. Bee Dee Bags has been in a prime position to witness the adverse impact that fossil fuel made single use packaging is causing to our environment, and we just had to be part of a solution. We want to drive change in food packaging and transition towards a circular economy. The takeaway food lifestyle is growing and growing and so too is the eco-conscious customer. So, we have introduced a range of food packaging products that will provide a positive impact on humanity, by using materials that are certified and made from renewable plant resources. Since 1974 our partner company Bee Dee Bags has made its mark on the world of retail packing specialising is custom printing and design. NaturalPaks aim is to bring the same sales expertise along with our knowledge of the packaging industry to the world of single use food packaging and give each and every business the same opportunity to experience the power of branding without sacrificing our environment. NaturalPak has initially teamed up with some well-known brands in the food packaging industry, such as BioPak, to work as part of a collective team to advocate for environmental and sustainability change for the fast food industry. When asked about his decision to team up with other suppliers and distributors, Mr Gawne explained that: Environmental change is something that we, as a nation, need to tackle together. If we can find a way to work together and unite for the sake of our environment and creating a world that we would all be proud to leave for our children, then I think we can make a significant impact and advocate for real change in the food industry. Silver strands and graying hair is a sign of aging in humans, but things aren't so simple for our closest ape relatives--the chimpanzee. A new study published today in the journal PLOS ONE by researchers at the George Washington University found graying hair is not indicative of a chimpanzee's age. This research calls into question the significance of the graying phenotype in wild non-human species. While graying is among the most salient traits a chimpanzee has--the world's most famous chimpanzee was named David Greybeard--there is significant pigmentation variation among individuals. Graying occurs until a chimpanzee reaches midlife and then plateaus as they continue to age, according to Elizabeth Tapanes, a Ph.D. candidate in the GW Department of Anthropology and lead author of the study. With humans, the pattern is pretty linear, and it's progressive. You gray more as you age. With chimps that's really not the pattern we found at all. Chimps reach this point where they're just a little salt and peppery, but they're never fully gray so you can't use it as a marker to age them." Elizabeth Tapanes, PhD, Study Lead Author, Department of Anthropology, George Washington University The researchers gathered photos of two subspecies of wild and captive chimpanzees from their collaborators in the field to test this observation. They visually examined photos of the primates, evaluated how much visible gray hair they had and rated them accordingly. The researchers then analyzed that data, comparing it to the age of the individual chimpanzees at the time the photos were taken. The researchers hypothesize there could be several reasons why chimpanzees did not evolve graying hair patterns similar to humans. Their signature dark pigmentation might be critical for thermoregulation or helping individuals identify one another. Dr. Brenda Bradley, an associate professor of anthropology, is the senior author on the paper. This research dates back to an observation Dr. Bradley made while visiting a field site in Uganda five years ago. As she was learning the names of various wild chimpanzees, she found herself making assumptions about how old they were based on their pigmentation. On-site researchers told her that chimps did not go gray the same way humans do. Dr. Bradley was curious to learn if that observation could be quantified. There has been little previous research on pigmentation loss in chimpanzees or any wild mammals, Dr. Bradley said. Most existing research on human graying is oriented around the cosmetic industry and clinical dermatology. "There's a lot of work done on trying to understand physiology and maybe how to override it," Dr. Bradley said. "But very little work done on an evolutionary framework for why is this something that seems to be so prevalent in humans." The researchers plan to build on their findings by looking at the pattern of gene expression in individual chimpanzee hairs. This will help determine whether changes are taking place at the genetic level that match changes the eye can see. This study comes ahead of World Chimpanzee Day on July 14. GW's faculty and student researchers make contributions to our global understanding of chimpanzees and primates as part of the GW Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology. Through various labs, investigators study the evolution of social behavior in the chimpanzees and bonobos, the evolution of primate brain structure, and lead on-the-ground projects at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania. Dr. Bradley's lab is also currently working on research about color vision and hair variation in lemurs. A doctor at the Gautam Budh Nagar district hospital has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) for a second time, 45 days after being cured of the infection, said his colleagues. Experts and biologists, however, said a reinfection was unlikely and it could be that the person never fully recovered from the first infection. The doctor first tested positive on May 15 when he was working in the isolation ward of Super Specialty Paediatric Hospital and Post Graduate Teaching Institute (Child PGI), following which he was admitted to that ward itself. He was discharged from the hospital on May 30 after testing negative for the virus. After the mandatory quarantine period (of about 10-15 days), he resumed work at the emergency ward of the district hospital in Sector 30. About two weeks ago, he complained of dizziness, said one of his colleagues . He had no symptoms such as fever or cough, but we didnt want to take any chances. He was made to take a rapid antigen test, where came positive. For reconfirmation, he was tested again on June 27 through the lab-based reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, the definitive test for Covid-19, and that too was positive, the doctors colleague said, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. When contacted, Dr VB Dhaka, the chief medical superintendent (CMS) of the district hospital, declined comment. Ive recently taken this charge and dont know about this case, so I am unable to comment on it, he said. Acting chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Nepal Singh did not answer his phone or reply to text messages, despite several attempts to reach him. Microbiologists, however, said it cannot be assumed that the man was reinfected. There are many possibilities. Many who are doing the RT-PCR test are not well acquainted with the process, and so we need to check if the reporting was done correctly. The virus can also persist in the body for a very long time -- even up to 45 days in rare cases. Also, there are issues like tests giving out false positives and false negatives, Dr Shobha Broor, former head, microbiology department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, said. Dr Saurabh Srivastava, the head of Covid-19 ward at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida, said to his knowledge, the bodys immune system is designed to fight infections by producing antibodies. Its believed that people who have had the virus would have developed Covid-19 antibodies and, hence, would have some level of protection from a recurrent infection. So, there is a possibility that this particular patient may not have fully recovered the first time. Also, the fading away of protective antibodies from the body in some cases cannot be ruled out, he said. Experts say there is no evidence of a reinfection globally. There is experimental evidence from monkeys that once infected, there is a resistance to a reinfection. In humans, reinfection has not been observed in recovered patients, despite the fact that several months have passed since the first wave of the pandemic. We do not know whether this could be necessarily attributable to antibodies, but the rise of antibodies is correlated to the disappearance of the virus. So, in a nutshell, there is a reason to believe that recovery from infection is associated with the gaining of at least a short-term immunity, courtesy the antibodies, Dr Anurag Agrawal, director, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Delhi, had told HT on July 5. Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Suhas LY said he is looking into the matter. If there is a chance of reinfection, then we will have to take additional precautions, he said. British Lawmakers Demand Sanctions on Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam By Henry Ridgwell July 14, 2020 British lawmakers are asking that so-called "Magnitsky-style" sanctions be used against Chinese officials, including Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive, in response to Beijing's recent imposition of a security law on Hong Kong. Western nations are ratcheting up their response to the new security law, which severely limits the right to protest and criticize the Chinese government. The law punishes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with the threat of life in prison. Britain, the United States and their allies are testing their leverage against China, a measure of global power as tensions rise between East and West. Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith is among several lawmakers calling on the British government to take a tougher line on officials in Beijing and Hong Kong. "Carrie Lam, as I understand it, whose family have British passports it needs to be made very clear to her that the action she has taken in line with the Chinese government make it very difficult for us to deal with her. And now, what we need to do is to teach her that this is a very, very bad decision," Duncan Smith told VOA in a Skype interview July 10. Duncan Smith has recently convened the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a multinational group of lawmakers, to scrutinize China's global influence. Opposition Labor MP Chris Bryant echoed those calls in Parliament on July 7. "I strongly urge the foreign secretary to look at another clause, which would include the repression of democracy and those rights of assembly and freedom of speech, and therefore look very carefully at whether Carrie Lam shouldn't be on the list," Bryant told the MPs. Britain recently imposed sanctions on Russian, Saudi, Burmese and North Korean officials under its new Magnitsky legislation, which enables the government to freeze assets and impose travel bans. Questioned on the issue in Parliament July 7, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab did not rule out targeting Lam with sanctions and said the government is fine-tuning the legislation. In 2018, Parliament passed a Magnitsky amendment to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act, which allowed the British government to impose sanctions on people who commit gross human rights violations. The amendment is named after former Russian tax accountant Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow prison in 2009 after investigating multimillion-dollar fraud involving Russian tax officials. Fears are growing that the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong could be silenced by Beijing's security apparatus. Over 500,000 people voted in weekend primaries in the territory to choose opposition candidates for September's Legislative Council elections. It has been two weeks since Beijing imposed the national security law, and many residents fear their basic freedoms are being taken away. "I do hope that the international community would see our solidarity and stand with us and help us," said 24-year-old Grace Leung, a finance worker who was among those lining up to vote Sunday. It remains unclear how much help Western nations can offer the people of Hong Kong. Britain signed an international treaty with China when it handed over the territory in 1997, purportedly guaranteeing Hong Kong's political freedoms for 50 years. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China's new law breaks that agreement. "Beijing said that for 50 years, they'd give the people of Hong Kong 'a high degree of autonomy.' And you all have seen what's happened after only 23 years empty promises made to the people of Hong Kong and to the world," Pompeo said at a news conference in Washington last week. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and announced visa extensions for Hong Kong passport holders in Australia. "For skilled and graduate visa holders, we'll be extending visas by five years from today, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of those five years," Morrison told reporters July 7. The Australian move mirrors Britain's citizenship offer for its overseas passport holders in Hong Kong. Duncan Smith said China should be confronted on multiple other issues. "The Uighur population and forced sterilization and incarceration. You've got the problem with Hong Kong stripping away the rights of people to protest and to comment, which is astonishing, really. Their threats around Taiwan. Their control of the South China Sea even though the U.N. tells them to get out. Their border clashes with India, and their complete disregard for anybody in China who disagrees with them," he said, enumerating the issues. Last week, the United States sanctioned three Chinese officials over their alleged involvement in the persecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang province. China has reacted angrily and said other countries should not interfere in what it calls "internal affairs." Relations between Beijing and the West appear destined to deteriorate further, said China professor Steve Tsang of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. "In Beijing's perspective, (President) Xi Jinping cannot be wrong. Xi Jinping can never admit he makes mistakes. And therefore, it's very unlikely that China will revise its policy towards either Hong Kong, or for that matter the U.K.," Tsang told VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Officials in Asheville, North Carolina, have made an unprecedented pledge to pay reparations to black residents and their descendants as an apology for the city's historic role in slavery and discrimination. The Asheville City Council unanimously passed a resolution that aims to bolster the economic standing of the roughly 12,400 black people living in the city during a Zoom session on Tuesday night. 'Hundreds of years of black blood spilled that basically fills the cup we drink from today,' said Councilman Keith Young, the measure's chief proponent and one of the two black members of the council, according to the Asheville Citizen Times. 'It is simply not enough to remove statutes. Black people in this country are dealing with issues that are systemic in nature.' The resolution - which came in the wake of weeks of intense local protests against racism - does not mandate direct payments but instead calls for investments in housing, health care and career growth in areas where black residents face disparities. Officials in Asheville, North Carolina, have made an unprecedented pledge to pay reparations to black residents as an apology for the city's role in slavery and discrimination (file photo) The Asheville City Council unanimously passed a resolution to create reparations via community investment during a Zoom session on Tuesday night (pictured) The resolution - which came in the wake of weeks of intense local protests against racism (pictured) - does not mandate direct payments but instead calls for investments in housing, health care and career growth in areas where black residents face disparities It includes the creation of a Community Reparations Commission that will make concrete recommendations on programs and resources used. 'The resulting budgetary and programmatic priorities may include but not be limited to increasing minority home ownership and access to other affordable housing, increasing minority business ownership and career opportunities, strategies to grow equity and generational wealth, closing the gaps in health care, education, employment and pay, neighborhood safety and fairness within criminal justice,' the resolution reads. Councilman Keith Young (pictured) was the reparation's chief proponent. 'Hundreds of years of black blood spilled that basically fills the cup we drink from today,' he said ahead of the vote on Tuesday The council set aside an hour for public comments ahead of Tuesday's 7-0 vote, where most speakers voiced support for the measure via Zoom call, the Citizen Times reported. Many people who did not get time to speak before the vote stayed behind for a second comment period after. Among them was Rob Thomas, a community liaison for the Racial Justice Coalition, which spearheaded the campaign for reparations. Thomas thanked the council for supporting the measure, saying: 'This is a really, really good gesture as far as the foundation of what we can build. 'The potential of what can come out of this document is amazing.' Thomas said that the focus of the commission should be increasing generation wealth, which African Americans have been deprived of for centuries through economic and regulatory discrimination. He also called on the county government to join in on the city's efforts to increase their impact. However, the Citizen Times noted that the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners had previously indicated that it doesn't support the reparations measure. Several people responding in the comments section of the live stream also expressed disagreement with the measure as council members took the vote. About a thousand people are seen gathered for a vigil in honor of George Floyd, a black man killed when a white Minneapolis cop knelt on his neck during an arrest on May 25, on June 4. Asheville residents staged several heated protests against police brutality after Floyd's death Councilwoman Sheneika Smith, who is black, said that the council had received a number of people from people asking: 'Why should we pay for what happened during slavery?' She responded by saying: '[Slavery] is this institution that serves as the starting point for the building of the strong economic floor for white America, while attempting to keep Blacks subordinate forever to its progress.' Councilman Vijay Kapoor - who has been known to clash with Young and Smith over police and budget issues - said he supported the measure for moral reasons, but urged skeptics to look at the 'practical reason' - data showing extensive disparities between African American residents and others in Asheville. 'We don't want to be held back by these gaps,' he said. 'We want everyone to be successful.' The resolution passed unanimously by the Asheville City Council is shown in full above The idea of reparations is nothing new and has been used around the world to compensate victims of war, rape, terror and a host of other historical injustices. Yet the United States has never made much headway in its discussions of whether or how to compensate African Americans for more than 200 years of slavery inflicted on their ancestors by white people. In the subsequent decades, racial inequality in wealth, housing, healthcare and education has persisted. Some Democrats want a commission to look into reparations, but the bill that would do this - H.R. 40 - has been on the table for decades and never garnered broad support. What are reparations? Reparations for slavery is a political justice concept that argues that the descendants of slaves should be compensated for the lasting impression slavery has left on the US. Calls for reparations have been around for centuries but have reached a fever pitch in recent weeks following the May 25 death of George Floyd. Democrats in Congress introduced a bill last year that would form a committee to further study the issue of reparations - but the legislation has made little headway. Even amid this summer's anti-racism protests, an ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in June found that 73 percent of Americans do not believe that the federal government should financially compensate Black people who are descendants of slaves. In the absence of federal support, local leaders in some communities including Asheville are working to come up with their own measures to introduce reparations. Advertisement But calls for reparations have reached a fever pitch in recent weeks following the May 25 death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed when a white Minneapolis cop knelt on his neck during an arrest. Now several local governments are taking their own steps toward paying reparations without support from the federal level. In Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Jorge Elzorza on Wednesday signed an executive order to create a 'Truth-Telling, Reconciliation and Municipal Reparations Process' that would examine the feasibility of providing reparations. Elorza called the order the first step in accepting Providence's role in America's fraught racial history, including black slavery and mistreatment of Native Americans. 'We're putting a marker on the ground and committing to elevating this conversation and using the levers at our disposal to correct the wrongs of the past,' he said. Two other US cities have already taken similar steps toward reparations. Evanston, Illinois, created a reparations fund last year that draws from tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales, while officials in nearby Chicago have also been debating the issue. But Asheville's new measure marks the most comprehensive effort to actually implementing reparations yet. The city of nearly 92,500 was officially incorporated in 1797, and its so-called 'founders' are all white men, it was enslaved black people who put in the work to build it. Asheville is located in the heart of one of the leading states in the Confederacy during the Civil War, which left lasting scars on black residents even after slavery was abolished. In the 1930s and 1940s, Asheville was among the hundreds of US cities that were 'red-lined' by the government - a process that saw banks deny loans and mortgages to African American communities that were deemed 'hazardous' for investment. By blocking black people from owning homes - which is the number one way for families to grow generational wealth - red-lining created distinct economic disparities in the city. Civil rights organizations in Asheville have worked for years to mitigate those disparities - but they remain stark today. According to the 2010 census, the median income for black families in Asheville is $30,000 - well below the median income for all area families - $42,333. In passing the reparations resolution, the city aims to eliminate that disparity and other less obvious ones by investing in long-neglected black communities. COLUMBIA Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Tuesday his department launched a criminal probe into allegations that county officials misspent public money on their government credit cards. The investigation will cover any official either on council and among county staff who has used a government-issued credit card, a spokeswoman for Lott said. Its unclear exactly what prompted Lott to step in, or if the investigation was prompted by any specific purchases. In a brief email to Richland County council members on Tuesday, County Administrator Leonardo Brown said only that Lott had receipt of information that spurred him to open a probe. In a July 10 memo, Brown said the county's spending card program would benefit from tighter scrutiny. He stressed that too much deference is given to council members, who are allowed to give themselves cards and aren't always required to provide receipts for their purchases. Brown recommends the council give staff the authority to create a stricter policy covering spending cards. He addressed his recommendation with a council during a meeting Tuesday night, but the council in a brief discussion took no action. Councilwoman Dalhi Myers, whose own spending has recently been called into question, during Tuesday's meeting thanked Brown for his internal review. Though it recently came to light that Myers used her county card to book a trip to Greece, Myers stressed that she repaid those expenses. An aide to Brown referred questions to county spokeswoman Beverly Harris. Harris in a statement said Brown would welcome an investigation that helps bring improvements to the county's spending practices. Some on the council want to take it a step further. Councilman Joe Walker said the council ought to disband its use of spending cards, and limit the amounts of discretionary spending available to council members. Walker said Tuesday he expected his proposal will be reviewed by the county's finance committee. He said he welcomed the sheriff's probe into county spending. "We need finality to some of these dangling issues that the county just cant seem to get behind," Walker said. Questions regarding public spending by Richland County council members have swirled for years. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! The Post and Courier in 2018 reported that after giving themselves the authority to spend up to $100,000 in discretionary public funds council members used their government cards to book out-of-state trips, fuel up their personal vehicles and buy near daily meals from restaurants that ranged from fast-food joints to pricey steakhouses. Councilwoman Gwen Kennedy spent nearly $1,000 at clothing and apparel stores, purchases she later reimbursed when she realized she pulled the wrong card out, she said at the time. More recently, The State newspaper reported on charges to a drive-in movie theater. The charges from Myers, for her trip to Greece, were another revelation. Myers told The State newspaper a mistake was made, and that some of her purchases should not have been approved by county staff. During Tuesday's meeting, Myers said she has nothing to hide, adding that she recently "voluntarily met with law enforcement." She suggested that someone else on the council had leaked details her spending to "weaponize" the information. "We weaponize these things and point them squarely at peoples reputations," she said. In January, Myers contended the firing of former county Administrator Gerald Seals two years ago was retaliation, at least in part, for Seals' request for a criminal investigation into allegations that several council members, whom she did not name, traded votes for sexual favors from "exotic dancers." Both Myers and Kennedy lost primary election bids to keep their seats last month. In an interview Tuesday, Paul Livingston, chairman of the county council, insisted that, if used properly, theres nothing wrong with county officials carrying a government credit card to help handle day-to-day purchases. But if any one of us dont use it appropriately, we ought to be held accountable, he said. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin via videolink, on July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on China and the Philippines to cherish the hard-won friendly situation, consolidate the political foundation for improvement of bilateral relations, and safeguard important achievements of cooperation between the two countries. The remarks came when Wang, also State Councilor, held talks with his Philippine counterpart Teodoro Locsin via video link. Wang said since taking office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made an important political decision and reached important consensus with Chinese leaders on putting aside maritime differences, controlling situations through bilateral consultations, and enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Wang said China is willing to continue working with the Philippines to launch a fast lane to facilitate people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible, and build "green corridors" for the flow of goods to contribute to the resumption of work and production. Expounding China's principles on the South China Sea issues, Wang said with the joint efforts of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the situation in the South China Sea remains stable in general. However, the United States, out of its geopolitical needs, keeps making waves and promoting militarization in the South China Sea, said Wang, adding that the so-called statement recently made by the United States blatantly violated its commitment of holding a neutral position on South China Sea disputes, and is intentionally sowing discord between China and ASEAN countries in an attempt to provoke conflicts and damage regional stability. The United States' flip-flopping practice will only damage its own reputation, he said. Wang said China will continue working with regional countries, including the Philippines, to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and consultations, uphold the principles of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and reach a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as soon as possible. Locsin voiced the Philippines' support of the joint construction of the Belt and Road. Maritime disputes are not the whole of bilateral relations, Locsin said, adding that such disputes should not and will not undermine friendly relations between the two countries. He said the Philippines is willing to work with China to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through friendly bilateral consultations, actively promote maritime cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea. Aside from the issues that British tabloids reported about her, Meghan Markle also came under fire multiple times because of her actions online. As part of the royal family's job, each member has to connect with royal watchers online by sharing worthy events in their lives. During her brief stay with the Firm, however, Meghan stirred up several controversies due to her social media posts. With that said, we take a look at the famous Meghan Markle instagram (or the Sussex Royal account) and list down their most controversial posts. Netizens Told Meghan To Practice What She Preaches In December 2019, when Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their now 1-year-old son Archie took a break from the royal spotlight, the Duchess of Sussex shared a quote from author Anthony J. D'Angelo on their official Instagram account. The quote read, "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." Meghan also captioned the post with: "A thoughtful quote for the day - wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!" Though the statement was truly inspiring, many royal fans called her out for posting such a message without even applying it to herself. "Do YOU care for your family? Do YOU ask your relatives if they are okay?" one royal fan commented. Another Instagram user referred to her rift with her father, Thomas Markle, and said: "Caring for your ailing father should be a priority." Meghan's Use Of Private Jets Controversy Before Harry and Meghan decided to step down from their senior royal positions, the royal couple used to fulfill their royal duties and engagements overseas by riding on private jets. However, they also used them to travel during the holidays even though the couple are both climate change advocates. Piers Morgan also called them hypocrites after they launched their ecological travel plans. Prince Harry put the fire out during the launch of his eco-tourism project at Google Climate Change Summit in Sicily and clarified that he needed to travel on private jets to protect his family. Amid those issues, Meghan posted a photo of cakes made by a "sustainable grassroots organization," one of which has the phrase "stay strong" adorned on it. It marked the first social media post she shared after Elton John also defended her in a series of tweets. Megxit Revelation On January 8, the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes braved all odds and finally took to Instagram to announce the news regarding their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family. They wished to divide their time flying back and forth from the U.K. and North America to safeguard their family and ensure their privacy. They revealed that they contemplated for "many months" to come up with the very tough decision of finally becoming independent from the central and senior members of the royal family -- Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince William. The decision came after months of suffering from allegation after allegation -- from the criticisms they received while filming their documentary on their royal tour in South Africa to the clear demolition job by various British tabloids that invaded their privacy as a family. However, most royal watchers did not approve their decision and saw their relocation as a sign of disrespect to Queen Elizabeth II and the whole royal family. First Public Moment As A Family Far from what Prince William and Kate Middleton did when they welcomed their three children, prince Harry and Meghan shared their first family picture in a different way. In May 2019, the Sussexes had their family picture shot privately. It was the first time such a thing happened since the royal family members have long opted to give the public a quick look at their babies before leaving the hospital. Most of the time, they even pose just hours after birth. However, the Sussexes broke the monarchy's longstanding tradition and chose privacy over protocol. READ MORE: Broke Royals: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Receive MASSIVE Warning For Using U.K. Budget A local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in the Kankinara industrial area of Bengals North 24 Parganas district survived an assassination bid after he was shot in the head by two motorcycle-borne men on Wednesday morning, police said. The incident took place in a busy area outside a factory where Dharmendra Singh was waiting for some of his associates. He was rushed to the local Bhatpara state general hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Since Kankinara, which is part of the Bhatpara assembly constituency, is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stronghold, the ruling party accused the BJP of carrying out the attack. Arjun Singh, a former four-time TMC legislator from Bhatpara and former chairman of the local civic body, joined BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and defeated TMCs two-time MP Dinesh Trivedi from Barrackpore, the Lok Sabha seat under which Bhatpara falls. There have been several clashes in different parts of the constituency, including Bhatpara, during and after the election. Singhs son is a legislator from Bhatpara. The area has a sizeable Hindi-speaking population comprising jute mill and factory workers hailing mostly from Bihar. Arjun Singh has established a reign of terror. He has brought shooters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to carry out attacks on our men. Dharmendra Singh is an active local leader, said TMCs district unit president and food minister Jyotipriyo Mullick. It is BJP that is coming under attack every day. These are baseless allegations. The attack is a fallout of the TMCs interval dispute over collection of protection money from local factory owners, said Arjun Singh. Officers from Barrackpore police district rushed to the spot and started an investigation. We are trying to get a description of the motorcycle and the two riders from local people, said an officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. In June last year, Arjun Singh sustained head injury when the police resorted to baton charge to stop a clash between his followers and TMC workers in the Jagaddal area of North 24 Parganas district over control of party offices. Tom Schiller. Photo: Andrew Toth/FilmMagic/Getty Images Decades before the Lonely Islands short films expanded Saturday Night Lives reach online, filmmaker Tom Schiller spent 11 seasons on SNL as a writer and, briefly, as a cast member during the 1979-1980 season. But he is most distinguished for his 50 SNL short films (known as Schillers Reel or Schiller Vision), and their poignant tone represents the show at its most melancholy and bittersweet. Schiller grew up on the sets of shows like I Love Lucy, where his father was a writer, and knew TV golden-age titans like Lucille Ball, whom he refers to as a scary person [who] smelled like nail polish and cigarettes. His initial training as a documentary filmmaker later enabled him to perfectly capture the essence of many of SNLs most iconic cast members including John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, and Chris Farley. Coupled with his 1975 documentary on the writer Henry Miller, his SNL shorts the last of which starred Norm Macdonald today exist as a living tribute to some of the greatest voices over the past century. And since today is the official launch of NBCs Peacock subscription service, some of Schillers best work should (hopefully) soon be rediscovered by comedy fans. Still, as the director of the infamously shelved 1984 sci-fi comedy Nothing Lasts Forever, Schiller has long enjoyed a status as an underdog. He recently spoke with Vulture near his home in Connecticut, and the conversation covered topics like working with so many comedy legends, his filmmaking process, and the legacy of Nothing Lasts Forever. In 1975, you directed Henry Miller: Asleep & Awake, which features the Tropic of Cancer author in his bathroom. How did you come to know Henry? When I was still in high school, I was an apprentice to a documentary filmmaker [Academy Award winner Robert Snyder] in the Pacific Palisades. I was learning to edit, cut, and shoot film. I worked on quite a few of his documentaries, including one on Buckminster Fuller. Finally, Henry was riding his bike around the Palisades, and Snyder pounced on him to do a film. By then I was doing sound, and one afternoon we went over and recorded him in the swimming pool. Afterward, we spoke a little together and he says, You know, you remind me of myself when I was younger. I want you to come over anytime you want. Wake me up. So for nine years I was pals with him. Would you say your experiences with Snyder and Miller working on documentaries early in your career helped hone your voice and ability to capture a comics essence so precisely, like you did in Dont Look Back in Anger and La Dolce Gilda? Oh God, yes. It gave me an appreciation of older mentors, which I was lucky to have. And also: Europe. Henry had lived there and spoke of it all the time. By then I was convinced I was going to be a foreign-film director. What about Gilda Radner made you think shed be suited for a Fellini homage? All you have to do is see their best trait. Belushi was gruff but sentimental, and Gilda was very sweet and had a wistfulness quality about her that I always saw in Fellinis wife, Giulietta Masina. That was in her already. That was my secret: Use whats already there. We shot La Dolce Gilda at One Fifth Avenue, a restaurant where we often had our parties after the show. The actors, including Gilda, never saw a script. I gave them their lines on index cards. They arrived at the restaurant costumed and in character. There were quite a few New York characters there, including Brian De Palma, whose presence was intimidating. We ended the shoot around 1 or 2 a.m., then Gilda had to wait until dawn to get the right look of sunrise on the West Side Highway. I realized later that I could have shot it at sunset to get the exact look of sunrise and felt like a fool making her wait so long. For Dont Look Back in Anger, what was the moment that convinced you to cast Belushi as the elderly last surviving member of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players? It was about the time, I guess during the second or third year, that the show was really peaking and at its height in popularity. I wondered: Who was the most symbolic character of Saturday Night Live? Belushi, the samurai gruff but accessible and funny at the same time. And I thought about, What would it be like if he were the one to outlive everybody? Because he was the one doing the drugs and drinking, living the hard life. So to reverse that was interesting. The night before shooting, John had been out late partying. Early on the morning of the shoot we picked him up in a van that had a small bed in the back, and despite swerving and driving fast, I was amazed that he slept like a baby as we drove out to the cemetery location in Queens. I was also amazed that he put in a great performance despite being hungover. In addition, without rehearsal, he hit every mark every gravestone perfectly the first take. What was it like to work with Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks on Love Is a Dream? I used to go down to the NBC record library, and they had 78s I was in heaven. No one else would be listening to them on big turntables. I heard this song, sung by Bing Crosby, Love Is a Dream, which is a popularization of The Emperor Waltz. The short was my first one working with a new cast. Phil and Jan struck me as looking the most like 30s-40s movie actors and most suited to appear in a vintage musical. Jan loved the final film and kept bringing it up in meetings to have it shown again. Phil was a superb lip-syncer and did a flawless rendition of Crosbys vocal. By working fast, we shot it all in one day driving all over Manhattan to cover the various locations. Do you have a particular favorite of your SNL films? Well, theres about 50 of them. The Belushi and Gilda ones are perhaps the most memorable. I did a Chris Farley one where he drinks coffee and goes berserk. I had no idea thats become quite popular as a meme! Its a great compliment! Howd you come up with Hidden Camera Commercials? Again, its the character the personality of Farley. Hes great to go wild and go berserk, break down everything. Id always remembered that commercial where they switched the coffee crystals on somebody. I thought, Didnt they ever get angry that they were being hoodwinked? Farleys perfect for that, to go from being normal to being a raving lunatic. And youre the Swedish host in that one, Knorben Knussen! What made you cast yourself? It was getting up there in my years at [SNL], and it was sort of a last ditch at insinuating myself in the show. [Laughs.] Was there any particular cast member that you felt really gelled with your aesthetic as a filmmaker? Not as a filmmaker, but as a comedian, Bill Murray. He is in the pantheon, the A-plus actor that came out of Saturday Night Live. We hung out together before he was famous, walking around New York, and I used to say to him, jokingly, These are the last days of anonymity. And its true! Within a few months, he was a superstar. Youre probably the first filmmaker who really tapped into his dramatic side. His Honker character reciting Shakespeare really captured the crying clown aspect of his onscreen persona. Thats right. I always liked to put the actors into a black-and-white, foreign-looking, gritty kind of movie. It stood out from the show, which was video color. In those days, people still had a connection with foreign films and older films. Now its all kind of video-ish, not film anymore. When Dick in a Box came around, I knew my time had passed. [Laughs.] It always feels like youre at the forefront of a lot of things. You contributed to Update, and later wrote for Not Necessarily the News before practically everything on cable followed that satirical news template. How did those two experiences compare? I worked at Saturday Night during two stints. It was after the first time I went back to L.A., where Im from. They were doing Not Necessarily the News there, in some studio basement, in a dank, windowless area. All those guys were terrific, funny people, but it was not like working in 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the 17th Floor where everybody is smoking pot, running around, going into different offices. It was a little more one-note. Not as much fun, though I thought it was a good show. You left SNL in 1993. What made you decide it was time to go? What made me decide was when I came to work for the new season and they were putting my things in cardboard boxes. In a way, I shouldve left two or three years earlier. Because I was like this old professor at a college in his dark room with cobwebs, with young students milling around. So I was losing the edge of what was happening. Was it mutually decided? It was mutual on the part of management. [Laughs.] No, I was fired along with a lot of other people. And they shouldve let me go; I was no longer relevant to it. Its been 35 years since your film, Nothing Lasts Forever. We live in a moment where almost anything is instantly accessible or streamable. How does it feel to have made one of the last truly lost or underground films? You really have to show a passion or interest to discover it. Its heartbreaking, and very gratifying. Some people say its a cult film. I love that. I love that its hard to find. And I love only a certain audience has seen it. Its very European, almost. Thank you. Thats all I wanted to do be a European film director. Theres a Swedish architect on the train, who says to the character, Adam Beckett, You will get everything you want in life, but you wont get it in a way you expect. And I got that, with that film. It may not have been widely released, although its on late-night TV in Europe, been shown at many different festivals and invited twice to Cannes. But I got enough renown and enough people who appreciate it. Its almost better to be the underdog than being the asshole success. [Laughs.] Had you already lined up Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in the cast by this point? That was a fait accompli. But I also wanted old-timers: Imogene Coca, Eddie Fisher. Before returning to SNL, did you ever have any other projects in the works? A follow-up to Nothing Lasts Forever? Actually, no. I made that film, and I know a lot of writers and directors who are ready to go with the next one. Im not that type. That was it. I had offers. I went to Steven Spielbergs house one night to watch a movie and he said, If you dont let me produce your next movie Ill break both your legs. But I didnt want to be this Hollywood film director. I admired their work, but it wasnt my style. I wanted to do weird underground French films. Any post-SNL projects you want to highlight? I did about 500 commercials, some of which people may have seen. Theres one where a park ranger put Metamucil in Old Faithful that made it explode. So what do you see as the biggest difference between what you were doing and todays world of online comedy content? I was lucky to be one of the few short filmmakers at that time whose work was shown on TV. Short films were not as widespread. Thanks to the iPhone, TikTok, and YouTube, people can make short videos, which can instantaneously be seen by millions of viewers. Anybody can be a director or writer. It lends itself to timely comedy short pieces by people like Vic Berger, Sarah Cooper, and Joe Pera, all of whom crack me up. A prominent Egyptian journalist has died of Covid-19, his daughter has said. Mohamed Monir was arrested last month after appearing on the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera, which is banned by the Egyptian government. He was charged with joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and misusing social media, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which said that Monir had died in an isolation ward on Monday after falling ill. Egypt is ranked 166 out of 180 countries for press freedoms by Reporters Without Borders, which describes the country as "one of the worlds biggest jailers of journalists". The country has reported almost 4,000 deaths and 83,000 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Source: BBC 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 Jesse Vad (The Jakarta Post) California, United States Wed, July 15, 2020 15:10 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406667e848 1 Entertainment alextbh,music,Malaysia,The-Chase,LGBTQ Free It was through the painful first taste of heartbreak that Alex Bong, known as alextbh, turned to music as a form of expression. He was 18 years old when his first relationship came to an end. And for alextbh, music was the only way he felt comfortable expressing his feelings. Five years later, the Malaysian R&B and pop artist has garnered over 50 million streams worldwide and worked with artists like Khalid and Sevdaliza. He has dedicated himself to music and built a strong fanbase in the process. He is also paving the way for many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as an openly gay artist from a conservative country. In Malaysia, homosexuality is punishable by law, but that has not stopped alextbh from expressing himself freely. Many fans see his openness as a source of inspiration and hope, especially in a part of the world that so often oppresses queerness. Now, alextbh has a new musical project to share and will release his EP, The Chase, this Friday. The Jakarta Post spoke to alextbh about his upcoming EP, the situation for the LGBT community in Malaysia and his feelings about the current push for justice the world is experiencing. Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length. Read also: 'I woke up gay': Malaysian LGBT+ band uses music to fight bias Tell me about your upcoming EP, The Chase. What does it focus on and whats the theme of it? I think The Chase comes from a place of void, a feeling of emptiness. Its my plea to tell people Ive been in this endless cycle of meaningless casual relationships and I didnt know how to break out of it because I was also trying to prove a point that I was resilient and nobody could touch me, so I felt like building my walls up was the best way to resolve that. But it turns out, all I did was push people out. Sometimes, I wonder if my walls are just a little bit more porous and I let people in, even for one second, maybe I wouldnt be as miserable as I was. The Chase tries to bring those questions up. Questions of, how do you navigate around hook-up culture in these modern times? Because, especially if you live in cities, I feel like no one really wants to commit. This is something that not a lot of people talk about, let alone in queer communities. Its heartbreaking to hear my friends saying a one-year relationship feels like forever. Were all trying to chase that ultimate form of relationship, but at what cost? What was the process of making The Chase? It started off as "The Chase", the track itself. I wrote it in the bedroom studio of my friends place in London. When I heard those chord progressions, I knew that was the kind of music I wanted to write. I couldve been in my comfort zone and just write something super sad ala 2016 alextbh. But I feel like Ive moved on from that narrative. It was kind of hard to write it at the beginning because, again, it comes from a place of void; its emptiness. The song itself came about and the rest of the songs built themselves around that. How long did it take to put this EP together? It felt like forever. I think it started off in the summer of 2018 when I made my first trip to Europe. I think it must have taken over one and a half years for the whole thing to really come together. Im just so excited to put it out. When it comes to the LGBT community and being an openly gay artist, is there anything you feel is important to discuss that needs to be heard right now? Yeah, ever since the inception of Malaysia, the queer community has always been the backbone of this country. But theyre the ones whove been ostracized the most. Its just heartbreaking, especially [for] the trans community. I personally feel like Im very privileged because Im surrounded by people, friends and family who are really supportive and are behind everything I say. But thats not necessarily the case for a lot of people here, especially if youre Muslim. The government will send you to conversion therapy if youre gay. Its just completely ridiculous. Weve been constantly swimming against the current for so long. Its really hard for people to come together and stay safe and continue fighting for this cause. At this point, if we can bring this issue to the world stage and have the world see what injustices are happening in Malaysia, I feel like there will be more proactive measures taken to protect the community here. What do you think the next steps are for the community? Its not necessarily a step but its just the continuation of the fight. Education, support and making sure all the organizations have enough funding to continue their support to help homeless LGBT people. The momentum is there, but we just need to constantly remind ourselves to not slow down. Since George Floyd was killed in police custody in May, weve seen a huge push for justice for Black people and other people of color. The LGBT community has been involved in that push and I wanted to see what your perspective on this moment is. How are you feeling about the current moment especially in regard to the LGBT community? I think queer communities around the world are definitely starting to wake up. I think ever since George Floyds death, a lot of POCs [people of color] also started to reevaluate themselves, myself included. It seems like Black issues are not exactly our issues, maybe because of proximity or maybe because we dont have a huge Black community here. But ever since George Floyds killing, weve uncovered so many injustices here in Malaysia. Now is really the time for our community to reflect and help as much as possible. Im very happy to see that the community in Malaysia is doing just that. Do you think music and art play a part in movements for justice? To me, music and art is heavily interwoven with politics. For me, music is political by nature. My artistry and music that I make, the pronouns that I use in the songs, they reflect the fact that Im fearless in expressing my identity and I dont really hold anything back. Its very important to have music and arts playing a part in helping to shape this reform. So many artists come together and put out music about Black Lives Matter and the injustices. That reminds me of why Im doing this as well, why I chose to become a musician in the first place. At the end of the day, its a political tool. What are your goals looking forward? I definitely want to keep churning out as many bops as I can this year. Ive been writing relentlessly and Im really, really excited for this EP, but I dont think this is the end of the narrative yet. The Chase merely brought out questions. I feel like in the next EP, I am going to try and answer it on behalf of me and the community after hearing what theyve been through. We just feel like we dont know where this is heading to and it feels scary not knowing what we want. And we used to think that we want the ultimate form of relationship but thats not really the case. So, I want to just keep writing music. (kes) _________ The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. Roger Stone is an infamously execrable force in American politics. Perhaps his only saving grace is that hes not a hypocrite about it. Stone is a proud dirty trickster. The GOP kept him on a leash lest his amorality be too closely associated with the Republican brand. Part of his code is that the best defense against legitimate criticism is to shoot the messenger: Admit nothing, deny everything, launch counterattack. As a proud cynic, if not an outright sybaritic nihilist, Stone would probably find the very notion of legitimate criticism foolish. Nothing is on the level, he says. Whats right is whatever you can get away with. Its better to be infamous than never famous at all. (These bits of wisdom are laid out in Stones Rules, which reads like Maos Little Red Book of Trumpism.) I suspect that one reason Stone has a cult following on the right and among many in the media a fan club that long predates his status as a Trump loyalist is his willingness to own his political amorality in unapologetic sound bite form, thus immunizing himself from conventional charges of hypocrisy. When you turn deceit and dishonor into guiding principles, the only way you can be a hypocrite is if you fail to go low enough. But Stones hypocrisy exemption isnt transferable. His defenders, and defenders of President Trumps Friday-night commutation of Stones prison sentence for seven felony counts of perjury, obstruction of Congress and witness tampering, wont escape judgment for their two-faced behavior. The three main commutation defenses, all offered with Stonian shamelessness, are: (1) The president has the power to do it; (2) it was warranted because Stones conviction was part of the Russia hoax; and (3) other presidents used their pardon and commutation power corruptly, too. The first defense is true as far as it goes, though its a straw man given that few dispute it. It also leaves out James Madisons famous example of a non-criminal but impeachable act: If the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person he shelters from justice, Congress would be within its rights to impeach him for it. Second, whatever you think of the Russia investigation, Stone is guilty of the crimes he was tried for. Indeed, those crimes should enrage those who tout the presidents total exoneration. If Stone believed Trump to be wholly innocent and that the Russia collusion claim was a hoax, why not fully cooperate with investigators to clear the air? Moreover, why would Attorney General William Barr vilified by the left and lionized by the right for being a Trump loyalist oppose Stones commutation and defend his prosecution as righteous? The third and most popular defense is the one that reeks of hypocrisy. A common talking point is that Bill Clinton abused his pardon power, too. (Of course, Trumps defenders dont say too because that would concede that Trump is abusing his power.) Clinton pardoned his own brother! He pardoned billionaire fugitive and Clinton fundraiser Marc Rich! Roger Clintons pardon was indeed unseemly. But unlike Stone, he had already served his full sentence. The Rich pardon was worse, but unlike Stone, Rich was not being rewarded for his silence in an investigation of the president. And heres the hypocrisy. The right was furious about these pardons. The GOP-controlled Senate held angry hearings on the Rich pardon. Newt Gingrich called it a very profound attack on our criminal justice system. Then-Sen. Arlen Specter suggested it was impeachable, even though Clintons presidency was virtually over. Tucker Carlson, who was then at CNN, correctly called it indefensible. Liberals denounced it, too. Jimmy Carter was outraged by the Rich pardon. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer couldnt think of a single justification for [it]. It was inexcusable. It was outrageous, said Vermont Sen. Pat Leahy. Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank called it a real betrayal of Clintons supporters. It was contemptuous. You can argue, as many of us did at the time, that liberal outrage over Clintons pardon of Rich was a convenient way to criticize the president when the criticism didnt matter anymore. But at least liberals called the inexcusable inexcusable. A few on the right including two GOP senators, Mitt Romney and Pat Toomey have stepped up. But the majority seem not just willing but thrilled to excuse the inexcusable admitting nothing, denying everything and launching counterattacks. Indeed, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham said he wants to grill special counsel Robert Mueller because Mueller penned an op-ed defending the Stone prosecution. Congratulations, Roger Stone: You won. Its your party now. (Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of The Remnant podcast. His Twitter handle is @JonahDispatch.) In spite of being in the family and following a break from each other and suffering without friends, natives of Israel are looking for solace by hugging the trees during this pandemic. As it is important to maintain individual spacing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Cant hug friends and family these days? Israel has a solution! Hug a tree. In spite of being in the family and following a break from each other and suffering without friends, natives of Israel are looking for solace by hugging the trees during this pandemic. As it is important to maintain individual spacing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. To help people overcome the feeling of separation that coronavirus social-distancing norms can bring, Israels Nature and Parks Authority is spreading the message on social media to hug the trees during this pandemic. They have suggested a new type of hug remedy that will reduce stress among the population. Also read: Maruti Suzuki to recall 1.3 lakh units of WagonR, Baleno Also read: Oman may ban PIA over pilots dubious licenses Orit Steinfeld, the authoritys marketing director in Apollonia National Park said that they recommend people all over the world to go out to nature, take a deep breath, hug a tree, express love, and get love in this unpleasant corona period. The park management has introduced a new practice of building a tree at Apollonia Park, 15 kilometers from the capital Tel Aviv. Tree hugger, Barbara Grant said that forming a connection, touching, hugging is the most basic human need. You will feel happy and physically healthy if you touch or hug others. Moshe Hazan, who was with his partner in the park said that he wanted to widen his embrace beyond his partner. He also said that hugging a tree is quite a nice thing to do as we are not hugging too many people these days, not our children, not our grandchildren. Its mandatory for outdoor visitors to wear a face mask. Direct contact such as touching and hugging is not allowed. At nursing homes, visits can only be held in the open air. Israeli administration has launched a remarkable awareness campaign to build trees, following the introduction of the Tree Building, which was introduced by the Icelandic Forest Service in April. The spread of the coronavirus began to increase in March internationally. Israel has experienced an increase in new cases over the past several weeks, after flattening coronavirus infection curve in May. Also read: CBSE Class 10th board exam results declared: Social media erupts with hilarious memes and jokes For all the latest World News, download NewsX App NEC Chief Information Officer Hiroshi Kodama during a demonstration at the NEC Corporation headquarters in Tokyo on July 13, 2020. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images for NEC Corporation) Japanese Companies Team Up to Challenge Chinese 5G Supplier Huawei A Japanese information technology and electronics company and the countrys largest telecom operator announced plans to partner on research and development of secure 5G networks, challenging Chinese technology company Huawei, which has been designated a national security threat by the United States. NTT, a Japanese telecommunication group, will acquire a 4.8 percent stake in NEC, a Japan-based telecom equipment-maker, for 64.5 billion yen ($597 million), to spur the development of a made-in-Japan 5G network, according to Nikkei Asian Review. The Japanese government will provide financial support worth about 70 billion yen ($653 million) for domestic firms including NEC and Fujitsu to develop 5G equipment and networks. The government aid should allow Japan to gain a competitive advantage over Chinese telecommunications companies such as Huawei in the global 5G race. NEC and NTT announced that the government aid will help them develop new competitive equipment and technologies that will ensure network security, Scott Foster, an analyst with Lightstream Research, in Japan, told Asia Times. The funds will also be used to promote standardization of 5G networks using Open Radio Access Network standards (O-RAN) which will allow the combining of equipment pieces produced by multiple suppliers in a telecommunications network, thus reducing reliance on any one 5G vendor, Foster said. Despite the government funding and a 15 percent tax break offered by the Japanese government to NEC and other telecom suppliers, Huaweis equipment is 20 to 40 percent cheaper than Japanese alternatives, and Ericssons and Nokias are 10 to 20 percent cheaper, said Foster. A Huawei sign on display during the 10th Global mobile broadband forum in Zurich on Oct. 15, 2019. (Stefan Wermuth/AFP via Getty Images) Huawei, however, is heavily subsidized by the Chinese regime, which gives it the ability to manufacture products and sell them at discounted prices far below international competitors, according to James Lewis, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Put simply, the market distorting effects of government-subsidized Chinese companies reduce market share and revenue for other Western firms, Lewis wrote in an analysis of 5G security concerns published by the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. NEC holds only 0.7 percent global market share of the network equipment, according to Nikkei Asian Review, while Huawei represents 30 percent, Ericsson around 25 percent, and Nokia about 20 percent, according to Foster. NECs goal is to increase its market share to 20 percent by 2030. It will be difficult to achieve this, however, in an environment in which a single company controls the entire supply chain. All three of NECs competitors control the global supply chain for their network base stations. NEC CEO Takashi Niino said that his company would have no chance of winning against competitors that use such business models, reported The Japan Times. NEC intends to adopt a strategy of cooperating with several manufacturers specializing in producing different pieces of equipment that can be used to build full telecommunications infrastructure, Niino told The Japan Times. This strategy could be more effective in gaining a bigger market share, he said. We will create a system by partnering with reliable countries and players. It is consistent with the trend of economic security, NTT CEO Jun Sawada said, according to Nikkei Asian Review. NTT and NEC also intend to partner to develop 6G technology, but to be able to achieve this, NEC needs to increase its presence on the global market outside Japan. The UK considers NEC a new alternative to Huawei, following British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons announcement that Huawei would be removed from the countrys telecom infrastructure. NEC is also a leading provider of facial recognition technology thats reportedly more advanced than similar Chinese solutions and isnt being controlled by a totalitarian regime, Foster wrote. Attendees wait in line for a 5G exhibition at the Qualcomm booth during CES 2019 consumer electronics show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 10, 2019. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) The U.S. State Department has recognized NTT as a 5G Clean Path carrier, according to a statement. The United States requires that all 5G networks that accept traffic to or from the State Department or U.S. diplomatic facilities must comply with Clean Path requirements. The 5G Clean Path is an end-to-end communication path that does not use any transmission, control, computing, or storage equipment from untrusted IT vendors, such as Huawei and ZTE, which are required to comply with directives of the Chinese Communist Party, the State Department said. NTT stated that its recognition by the U.S. government is consistent with its position, and the company is committed to using only trusted vendors in its 5G networks in Japan and around the world, according to the State Department. Sonu Sood's book will reveal the emotional and often challenging journeys the actor undertook along with the people he helped Actor Sonu Sood, who catapulted to the national spotlight for his work in helping migrants reach their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will pen a book about his experience. (Click here to follow LIVE updates on coronavirus outbreak) His debut book, as-of-yet untitled, will reveal the emotional and often challenging journeys the actor undertook along with the people he helped. It will be released later this year, announced publishing house Penguin Random House India on Wednesday, 15 July. "... I want to thank God for making me a catalyst in helping the migrants. While my heart beats in Mumbai, after this movement I feel a part of me lives in the villages of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Uttarakhand, and various other states where I have now found new friends and made deep connections." "I have decided to put these experiences, stories that are embedded in my soul forever, in a book ... I'm excited, nervous, and overwhelmed, and I can't wait to connect with you through my book. I look forward to your supportand love you all," Sood said in a statement. The 46-year-old actor launched an initiative to help reunite migrant workers who were stranded in Mumbai with their families in distant corners of the country. Sood and his team rolled out a toll-free number and a WhatsApp helpline to connect with the workers and then arrange transportation for those desperate to reach their homes. Later, he arranged for food, buses, trains, and even chartered flights for stranded migrants, some of whom were walking home after the lockdown was imposed earlier in March and left them jobless. "The past three-and-half months have been a kind of a life-changing experience for me, living with the migrants for sixteen to eighteen hours a day and sharing the pain. When I go to see them off as they begin their journey back home, my heart is filled with joy and relief." "Seeing the smiles on their faces, the tears of happiness in their eyes has been the most special experience of my life, and I pledged that Ill keep on working to send them back to their homes until the last migrant reaches his village, to his loved ones," he added. Sood on Monday also pledged financial support to over 400 families of migrants, who died or were injured during the coronavirus lockdown. Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House, said the book will bring together the story of Sood's amazing journey "of people who were suddenly left without security and livelihood; of hope and the feeling of oneness that binds us all together". Check out the announcement We're super thrilled and excited to publish @SonuSood's debut book! This book will reveal how helping stranded migrant workers altered the his life goals. @livemint reports:https://t.co/KcO0OMsiQE Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) July 15, 2020 (With inputs from Press Trust of India) Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. PIGEON The Pigeon River Mennonite Church canceled in-person services this past weekend due to some congregation members coming down with the coronavirus. Dave Maurer, the churchs pastor, said they had received reports from local businesses that some had coronavirus cases among their employees. After consulting with Marie Maust, the church nurse, and the Huron County Health Department, the church elders thought it would be wise to close. None of them were present for worship, so we didnt have direct exposure, Maurer said. We just took a Sunday where we didnt meet in person. The Mennonite church was previously closed from the middle of March through the end of May, when the governor had a mandate not allowing in-person services. They started holding outdoor services at the end of May and had held indoor services for the past three weekends. Maurer said the elders met after further consultation with the church nurse and health department and plan on holding in-person services again this coming weekend at their usual time of 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The church already provided masks to congregation members, practiced social distancing, and had signs posted inside. Starting this weekend, hand sanitizer will be provided and better air circulation will be provided, with fans and the church doors being open during service. Were trying to do our best to follow how to meet together safely, Maurer said. The church had been doing online worship since 2017 on its Facebook and Youtube pages, which continued on as it was closed to in-person masses. In a video posted to the Pigeon River Churchs Facebook page, Maust urged people to be cautious, but not to panic. We knew it would eventually make its way here even though we wish it were otherwise, Maust said. She said that no one in the church is seriously ill, that people are observing social distancing and other guidelines, and explained how contact tracing works and what to do if quarantined. T here was a telling moment early in Prime Ministers Question when Boris Johnson swivelled round to gee up his backbenchers and, instead of nodding agreement or waving their Order Papers in the time-honoured tradition, the Tories just kept very, very still. The PM was responding to a call from Sir Keir Starmer to punish airline BA for rehiring workers on worse conditions. Mr Johnson argued it was not possible to keep every job exactly the same after the coronavirus pandemic and exhorted the country to build, build, build. He looked around. There were no yarrr-yarrrs of agreement. His backbenchers stared ahead, poker faced. Their nervousness raised an important question: Is the crisis over jobs going to be as powerful in politics as the peak of Covid-19 deaths was in April? An on-form Starmer was bang on the money when he opened PMQs by listing some of those losses: BA have announced 12,000 redundancies, Virgin 3,000, EasyJet 1900. If the Government's priority really is to protect jobs, why did the Chancellor not bring forward sector specific deals that could have done precisely that? It was a soft ball delivery and Johnson was perhaps too relaxed in his bland reply that productive conversations were going on. The PM then glided into Punch & Judy mode by jibing that Labours front bench couldnt make its mind up whether to support Rishi Sunaks mini-budget. Last week, the shadow chancellor supported our programme. This week, he says he opposes it. Which is it? Starmer was cold as ice. This is such rhetorical nonsense, he replied with a stare of studied contempt. Labour backbenchers nodded. Since the Chancellor sat down last week around 10,000 people have lost their jobs, continued the Labour leader. The Prime Minister should focus on them, not political rhetoric. Sir Keir had a case study up his sleeve. BAs treatment of its staff was totally unacceptable and he pulled out an email sent by the PM to BA Staff in June that said firms must not use furlough to cynically change terms conditions. Boris Johnson / PA Will the PM now intervene and make clear that actions like those at BA cannot be allowed to stand without consequences for landing slots, he demanded. It was a skilful challenge, turning the PMs own words against him on an issue of concern to millions of Britons fearful for their incomes. If the alarm bells were clanging in the heads of Tory backbenchers, the PM seemed chilled, referring to our great companies. Workers should be kept in employment where they possibly can. British Airways and many other companies are in severe difficulties at the moment, and we cannot I'm afraid, simply with a magic wand, ensure that every single job that was being done before the crisis is retained after the crisis. This is the point where Mr Johnson looked behind him for support and found his troops wearing poker faces. Keir Starmer / PA Starmer hit the mark again. The Prime Minister knows exactly what I'm talking about it is the rehiring of 30,000 people at BA on worse terms and conditions and he should call it out. He followed up with a successful gotcha by bringing up a report of the Government advisory group on preparing for a possible winter spike of Covid-19 and flu together. Would the PM implement the reports recommendations in full and at speed. Johnson waffled that preparations for a potential new spike were in train and threw in some boasts about extra doctors and nurses in the NHS. Starmer pounced on the vague reply, saying he was surprised the PM did not commit to fully implementing the report, which included a significantly expanded NHS Test and Trace to save lives. What assurances could the PM give? Johnson summoned Mr Punch to handle the matter. Once again he [Starmer] attacks the test and trace operation, he said, affronted. Instead of knocking the confidence of the country in the test and trace system, now is the time for him to return to his previous script and build it up. Boris Johnson Dodges Question About Whether He's Read Government Report Estimating 120,000 Winter Deaths Accusing Starmer of flip-flopping and inconsistency has been one of the PMs most effective and sustained attacks in recent weeks. But Starmer did not seem to notice, charging in like a boxer anaesthetised to his opponents blows. I have to ask in the light of the last few questions, has the Prime Minister actually read this report? he asked. I am of course aware of the report, blustered the PM, making clear he had not read it , and a silent groan rippled through the ranks behind him. Mr Punch popped up again to tell Starmer off for endlessly knocking the confidence of the people of this country. Sir Keir, whose voice sometimes slows down to the pace of an hour hand, came back with a torrent of indignant rage. Standing up every week saying it's a stunning success is kidding no-one, he spat. The PM should stand up and say there are problems, and this is what Im going to do about them not this rhetoric about stunning success when its obviously not true. Boris Johnson says Keir Starmer has 'more briefs than Calvin Klein' For his final question, Starmer abruptly switched gear by reading out the words of bereaved families who wanted the Government to learn lessons from the first wave of coronavirus to save lives if there was a second wave. So what would the Prime Minister like to say to them, he ended. Johnson promised he was doing absolutely everything in our power to avoid a second spike but finished, as usual, with a jibe that Starmer was a flip-flopper who kept changing his mind. He needs to make up his mind which brief he's going to take today. Because at the moment hes got more briefs than Calvin Klein. It was a good joke even lawyer Sir Keir allowed the faintest of smiles to play over his lips - and the headline writers will no doubt have fun with it. But Starmer was this weeks clear winner, with an arc of questions that exposed the PM to accusations he was not on top of detail and tested whether Johnson is in tune with Tory backbench concern about job losses. This latter point matters because the most important audience of weekly PMQs is not the voters at home, nor the writers in the Press Gallery, but the poor bloody infantry ranged behind the party leaders. Theyre the ones who have to go out and defend in the real world of marginal seats what the top brass say at Westminster. Loading.... An honourable mention goes to Sir Ed Davey, acting Lib Dem leader, who has asked every week for an immediate public inquiry into the handling of coronavirus. This week the PM finally confirmed there will be one , saying: Certainly we will have an independent inquiry into what happened." Sir Ed looked as surprised as everyone else. San Francisco, July 15 : In an ambitious bid to take on Google-owned YouTube, Facebook is readying itself to launch officially-licensed music videos for artists on its platform in the US next month. In an email sent to Facebook Page owners linked to artists, the social network informed that they will need to toggle on a new setting to add their music videos to their page ahead of an August 1 deadline, TechCrunch reported on Wednesday. Facebook would automatically create a page of their videos titled '(Artist Name) Official Music' if there is no action from the artists. Artists will not need to manually upload their videos or links. Facebook will control this page, accessible via Facebook Watch and "a new music video destination" on the platform. By enabling the new setting, "artists are giving Facebook permission to add music videos to their Page," where they can be seen by their fans under a Videos tab. Once enabled, the artists can edit or remove their videos from this destination at any time. Also spotted by social media commentator Matt Navarra, the new feature would allow artists to edit the auto-generated posts, including their title, description, tags and thumbnails. The social network did not comment on the report. Facebook's expansion into music videos will present a significant challenge to YouTube. YouTube currently has nearly 2 billion monthly users and almost 15 per cent of traffic comes from the US. The streaming service reportedly paid over $3 billion to the music industry in 2019. YouTube generated $15 billion in 2019 and contributed roughly 10 percent to all Google revenue. According to Google, YouTube has more than 20 million subscribers across its Premium (ad-free YouTube) and Music Premium offerings, as well as more than 2 million subscribers to its paid TV service. On the other hand, Facebook has over 2.60 billion monthly active users globally while Instagram reaches over a billion users. Pedestrians cross a nearly deserted Manitou Avenue in downtown Manitou Springs during the lunch hour in March. The streets of the tourist town were empty as the State of Colorado closed all its restaurants and bars to dine-in eating because of the COVID-19 virus. London, July 15 : Several politicians in Spain were among those who became targets of surveillance carried out with the help of Israeli company NSO Group's spyware, according to a joint investigation by The Guardian and El Pais. The use of NSO Group's spyware Pegasus created a storm last year after 1,400 WhatsApp users reportedly became targets of snooping, including 121 Indians. But at that time, it was not known that politicians in Spain were also targets. The NSO Group, which sells its spyware to governments apparently to help them keep track of terrorists and criminals, exploited a previous vulnerability in WhatsApp. Facebook later sued the company, alleging that the NSO Group violated laws including the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The joint investigation by the Guardian and El Pais revealed this week that the Catalan regional parliament's Speaker Roger Torrent was among those whose cellphones were targeted with spyware. Researchers working with WhatsApp warned Torrent about the targeting. A source-based report in Motherboard on Wednesday said that the Spanish government has been an NSO customer since 2015. [July 15, 2020] A team at the INRS participates in the evaluation of new 5G technologies Professor Sofiene Affes' laboratory develops a unique simulator to test the fifth-generation network MONTREAL, July 15, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - 5G, the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks, promises maximum speeds 20 times faster than 4G, along with 10 times more connection density per square kilometre. For the past two years, Professor Sofiene Affes of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and his team have been mandated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Canadian Evaluation Group (CEG) to evaluate this advanced technology thanks to a unique simulator. 5G technology must meet a set of criteria known as IMT-2020 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2020). In addition to faster speeds, the criteria stipulate the number of possible connections and their spectral and energy efficiencies. Some countries or consortiums of companies are proposing Radio Interface Technology (RIT) as a new standard for 5G. These technology candidates are evaluated by independent groups formed by member states of the Interational Telecommunication Union (ITU) or industry consortiums registered with this United Nations agency. This ambitious project started in August 2018 when the team designed a simulator to test the candidates' specs as thoroughly as possible. "We simulated a virtual environment with a 5G cellular network that has the same characteristics as a real network. It's the most complex and comprehensive approach for evaluating candidates," said Professor Affes. "Thanks to our expertise in the field, we are the only Canadian academic institution, with involvement of the University of Toronto, to be mandated by ISED to participate in this ITU process through GEC and alongside Bell Canada, Ericsson Canada, InterDigital Canada, Rogers Communications, and TELUS. This is not the first time my team has been involved in evaluating candidates for new standards. We did the same thing for 4G and IMT-2000 about ten years ago," said Professor Affes. Candidates were submitted in July 2019 and evaluated by independent panels. The results were presented in February 2020 at an ITU meeting in Geneva. "We were the only team that was able to cover almost all the candidates. Our work went above and beyond other groups' efforts, which often provided only partial evaluations. We felt like MVPs of the meeting. It was an incredible experience," Professor Affes said. "It was very rewarding. I want to do research within industry, so this was a great opportunity to gain insight into the field of standardization," said Ph.D. student Souheib Ben Amor, who participated in the project. "The CEG is very thankful to Professor Sofiene Affes and his two doctoral students Mr. Souheib Ben Amor and Mr. Oussama Ben Smida for having carried out the evaluation work related to the IMT-2020 evaluation process. Their simulation was essential in generating the results that went into the final CEG evaluation report on the basis of which discussions are still ongoing within the ITU," says Venkatesh Sampath, a senior consultant at Ericsson and a member of the GEC who coordinated the overall work, including that carried out by Professor Affes' team on the evaluation of candidates through simulations. "Professor Affes and his team were instrumental in developing a simulator to evaluate the performance of technologies with respect to ITU requirements for the 5th generation of cellular services. They were also heavily involved in analyzing a number of these technologies, enabling Canada to submit a detailed technical evaluation to help the ITU identify which technologies can be certified as having met the requirements," said Jean-Yves Bernard, senior technology advisor at Rogers Communications Inc. and member of the CEG. "ISED appreciates the studies conducted by Professor Sofiene Affes and his research team at INRS as part of the Canadian Evaluation Group, says Cindy-Lee Cook, Director of Spectrum and International Standards at ISED. This collaboration supports Canada's innovation agenda and contributes towards the development of 5G technology standards the International Telecommunication Union." Professor Affes' work will help the ITU make recommendations on the protocols and structures of these revolutionary emerging technologies by the end of the year. About the INRS The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is the only institution in Quebec dedicated exclusively to graduate level university research and training. The impacts of its faculty and students are felt around the world. INRS proudly contributes to societal progress in partnership with industry and community stakeholders, both through its discoveries and by training new researchers and technicians to deliver scientific, social, and technological breakthroughs in the future. SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS) [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] GLEN CARBON Village trustees agreed to lay over a special use permit and preliminary plat for a self-storage facility Tuesday until their next board meeting. The facility, which would be located at 5222 Chain of Rocks Road, on the villages border with Edwardsville, would occupy just under eight acres and the property is zoned general commercial. The developer intends to build 100 10-foot by 10-foot units and 480 10-foot by 20-foot units. Owner Lirim Selimi requested the permit. The building and development committee unanimously approved it on May 20 and the planning and zoning commission approved it 5-0 this month. Trustee Susan Jensen noted that one person objected to the development. Building and zoning administrator Stacy Jose said Debra Magary, who lives directly across the street, opposes this project. However, she lives in Edwardsville. Trustee Ben Maliszewski asked if there were any architectural renderings of the buildings. Marsha Maller, a land development manager with Thouvenot, Wade Moerchen, Inc., who was on the call on behalf of Selimi, did not have audio to participate in the conversation. Jose told Maliszewski that she did not have any elevations for the project at this stage. Such things would be available when the project returns to the board for a final plat. If we dont like the architectural development of that site, then we can vote against the final plat, is that correct? Maliszewski said. No, responded Village Attorney Jim Schrempf. If you approve the special use permit, then they would just fall under the building code as to the structure theyre entitled to build. I doubt that your building code encompasses color or even material. Jose verified that the code does not. Maliszewski chose to lay this over until the board received some kind of construction information before approving the special use permit. Mr. Schrempf, is there any concern on the village counsels part of using that as a basis to not approve the special use permit? asked Mayor Robert Jackstadt. I would suspect so, yes, sir, Schrempf replied. Is that a legitimate legal reason for not approving a special use permit that we dont like or havent seen their renderings? Jackstadt said. I am sure they will be able to find an attorney who says no and I will do my best do defend that, Schrempf said. The mayor wanted the full board to be aware of these points. Maliszewski explained that there are several empty lots just to the east of this site that are undeveloped. He is hoping for high-quality developments so that one does not negate the others. The board will take this issue up again at its next meeting, which will be July 28 at 7 p.m. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at (618) 659-5735 10:10 a.m. update: BART's Twitter account says service at the SFO station has resumed. BART's San Francisco International Airport station is closed Wednesday morning because of police activity. The agency reported the closure shortly after 9 a.m. BART spokesman Chris Filippi said officers were investigating a "police matter" but did not elaborate. 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. Why some are questioning the governments decision to remove contentious subjects from the syllabus. The global coronavirus pandemic has shortened the academic year for schools and universities around the world. In India, the government has taken action to reduce course load by asking high schools to cut their syllabi by 30 percent. But many are now questioning its motives. Al Jazeeras Elizabeth Puranam reports from New Delhi. At our roots, we are a development company. Our in-house development capabilities are a competitive advantage that helps us differentiate ourselves from our competitors. I love that our new logo acknowledges that key attribute of our business. - Jarom Manwaring With a recent move from downtown Idaho Falls, Manwaring Web Solutions (MWS) implemented a rebrand in coordination with their physical address change. MWSs new office is located at 545 W 19th St, near the intersection of 19th and Rollandet. After renting office space in the Earl Building, on the corner of Park Ave and B St in downtown Idaho Falls for seven years, Jarom Manwaring, the owner of MWS, was ready to find a permanent location. This marks MWSs 4th move since leasing a small executive suite at Taylors Crossing in 2007. With each move, MWS sought additional room to grow. The new location includes over 3,500 square feet of office space and a nearly 5,000 square foot attached shop which they plan to utilize as a photography and video production studio. Jarom Manwaring is purchasing the building from Matt Voigt of M. Voigt Construction, Inc. who built and occupied the building. The location change also prompted a rebranding, featuring a new logo and domain name. MWS moved its website from manwaringweb.com to mws.dev. The new logo highlights the new domain name and introduces a // design element. The // element is used to designate URLs or website addresses and is also used to create comments when writing in C# and JavaScript, two programming languages used by MWSs developers. The new domain name uses the relatively new .dev TLD which is a secure domain reserved for developers and technology. Jarom Manwaring said, At our roots, we are a development company. Our in-house development capabilities are a competitive advantage that helps us differentiate ourselves from our competitors. I love that our new logo acknowledges that key attribute of our business. MWSs in-house designer of almost six years and creator of the new logo, Kyle Richards, said, This new design has introduced the // as a new branding element that we never had before. It's simple but richly meaningful design elements like this that help us create brand continuity, from the web to print materials and any other deliverables that are client-facing. Web design and development is a constantly evolving industry, with this rebrand, MWS demonstrates that they are ready to tackle new challenges. Although a rebrand risks losing brand recognition, MWS believes that the new domain and logo well represent the company and their future. If you have further questions or if you are interested in any of MWSs services, please contact them by email through sales@mws.dev or by phone at (208) 419-0051. Manwaring Web Solutions, Inc. is a web design, development, and digital marketing company located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. They help clients all over the country create and market user-friendly websites to better promote their products and services. The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Wednesday rejected the 45-day interim bail plea of Indrani Mukerjea, one of the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case and lodged at Mumbais Arthur Road Jail, which has emerged as one of the hotspots of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak. Mukherjea had moved an interim bail plea owing to the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak among the jail inmates. She had drawn the special judges attention in end-June that SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19, is spreading inside the jail premises and expressed concern about her health condition. Though the court rejected her interim bail plea, it will issue a detailed order later explaining the reasons for it. Mukherjea had stated in her plea that she is suffering from chronic ischemic changes in her brain arteries, which require constant healthcare and monitoring. She had also referred to the minutes of the High Power Committee (HPC) of the Bombay high court (HC), which had ruled that undertrials facing a murder charge, are eligible for interim bail. However, special public prosecutor Manoj Chaladan opposed the interim bail plea, arguing that Mukherjea is a foreign national and not entitled to interim bail as per the recommendations of the HCs HPC. He argued that Mukherjea is not suffering from any major ailment that would put her at risk of contracting the viral infection. He also assured the court that jail authorities would ensure that inmates get proper healthcare facilities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A brutal day of hand-to-hand combat on the India-China border last month may accomplish what years of Pentagon and White House outreach has struggled to achieve: draw the U.S. and India closer militarily. U.S. strategists have long wanted to get India firmly on Americas side, seeing the nation of 1.3 billion as a powerful counterweight to China. But while India has historically tried to balance its ties among global powers, the clashes with China at 14,000-feet (4,300 meters) laid bare the potential longer-term risks of not having the U.S. more clearly behind it. My former Pentagon colleagues see the India dust-up as nothing youd want but a great opportunity for further strengthening U.S.-India cooperation, said Randy Schriver who stepped down as assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs in December. Our defense strategy is really getting a boost from all this. Closer ties would represent a big strategic win for Donald Trump. The American president has courted Prime Minister Narendra Modi since taking office in 2017. In 2018, the two nations signed a defense agreement that allowed India to purchase advanced American weapons and share sensitive military technology. In 2019 the U.S. approved the largest defense deal between the two countries in four years when it confirmed the sale of $1 billion in naval guns to India. Last year the U.S. and Indian militaries also conducted their first-ever joint land, sea and air exercises. In February, just before the Covid-19 pandemic exploded in the U.S., the two leaders confirmed that $3 billion in defense deals would go forward, including $2.6 billion for MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters built by Lockheed Martin Corp. They promised more to come. Then came the border clash on the Tibetan plateau, just as tensions were soaring between Washington and Beijing. Trump, who used to regularly praise his friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, now lambastes Beijing over the origins of the coronavirus, its growing intervention in Hong Kong and its treatment of Muslim Uighurs in the western region of Xinjiang. Thats all playing out to New Delhis benefit as well as Trumps. One official with Modis government who asked not to be identified discussing policy said India is now more likely to pursue complex military exercises with the U.S. and to purchase offensive weapons platforms. The official said India has become less concerned about provoking China since the clash along their remote Himalayan boundary that left 20 Indian troops and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers dead in a fierce skirmish. In the latest sign that New Delhi is open to closer military ties with the West, the country plans to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar naval exercise later this year that has so far included just Japan and the U.S. That would mark the first joint military drills by all the nations that take part in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also referred to as the Quad. In the past, India was hesitant to engage in high-level defense exchanges with the other three powers to avoid irritating China, said Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, a distinguished fellow at the Aspen Center in New Delhi. Now, however, India has no choice or incentive anymore to stay away from the U.S., Chaudhuri said. In Beijing, too, theres a recognition that Sino-Indian tensions are likely to draw the U.S. further into South Asian geopolitics. India has wanted to strengthen its military alliance with the U.S. in recent years, so the border incident with China may expedite this trend, said Zhu Jiangming, a senior researcher at the Renmin Universitys Overseas Security Research Institute. The geopolitical maneuvering comes after the Trump administration sought to build on an Obama-era effort to brand the region stretching from India to Hawaii as the Indo-Pacific. In 2017, Trump delivered a speech in Vietnam stressing the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. A year later, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis renamed U.S. Pacific Command the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Intelligence Sharing The Pentagons strategy report for the region calls out the Chinese Communist Partys efforts to reorder the region to its advantage by leveraging military modernization, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce other nations. The Indo-Pacific alliance, the document says, is meant to counter that effort. Enhanced cooperation is also likely in the field of military intelligence, according to Schriver, the former Pentagon official. When it comes to things like PLA deployments in the Indian Ocean, it means sharing information, shadowing vessels and looking at whether you can hold a vessel and pass it onto another, he said, referring to Chinas Peoples Liberation Army. The two sides are also likely to move beyond naval cooperation, branching out into ground force cooperation, Schriver said. Pakistan Ties Deteriorating U.S. ties with Indias South Asian rival Pakistan are easing the way for a closer U.S.-India defense relationship. In September 2018, the U.S. cut $300 million in military aid to Pakistan after longstanding frustration that the country was providing safe haven to the Afghan Taliban. The shift opened a path for better and more fulsome engagement with India, the Aspen Centers Pal Chaudhuri said. U.S.-India ties also have been strengthening for reasons beyond the border spat. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has touted India as a potential supply chain partner as the U.S. seeks to reduce its dependence on Chinas economy. Still, many of the obstacles that have stymied US-India military cooperation in the past are likely to persist. New Delhi has continued to maintain friendly security ties with Moscow, going as far as to buy a Russian S-400 air defense system, echoing a move that hobbled U.S. ties with Turkey. Russia remains Indias largest arms supplier, accounting for 56% of its weapons imports from 2015 to 2019, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. For India, analysts say, the pursuit of closer U.S. military ties will be just part of a broader strategy to hedge against Chinese influence. India will continue to have multiple alignments, said Kashish Parpiani, a research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Mumbai. While the U.S. will be the biggest gainer, major partners like France, Israel, Russia and Japan will gain too. India is not going to wholeheartedly pick a side, Parpiani said. It will signal, and signal hard. But unless the Chinese troops actually start marching down and India is cornered, it will not pick a side. July 15 : Dil Raju Productions has officially announced that Rajkummar Rao has been cast to play the lead in the Hindi remake of Telugu film HIT. The film will be directed by Sailesh Kolanu, who directed the original Telugu film. The movie will go on floors in 2021. Produced by Dil Raju, (who is remaking Jersey in Hindi with Shahid Kapoor), and Kuldeep Rathore, the films release date has not been announced. The original Telugu film HIT: The First Case starred Vishwak Sen and Ruhani Sharma in the lead roles. The Hindi version is now in the pre-production stages. Really excited to be working with the very talented @RajkummarRao in the Hindi remake of Telugu superhit film HIT that will be helmed by Dr. @KolanuSailesh. To go on floors in 2021! Stay tuned for updates. #HitTheFilm@DilRajuProdctns @SVC_Official @kuldeeprathor9 Dil Raju Productions (@DilRajuProdctns) July 15, 2020 HIT stands for Homicide Intervention Team. Rajkummar will play the lead character of a police officer in the Crime Investigation Department and works in HIT. HIT is the story of a police officer who is on the trail of a missing woman. Rajkummar reportedly said that the film is relevant in todays environment, and he instantly got connected to it as he looks out to play characters he has not explored so far. The Telugu film HIT was Saileshs directorial debut, which released earlier this year. Sailesh, who is excited to foray in Bollywood, also tweeted, Finally the news is out! Ive been trying to hide the excitement for a while now. Its official, really happy to announce the remake of HIT film in Hindi starring @RajkummarRao, A big thanks to #dilraju sir @SVC_official for making this happen #HITfilm #Announcement #Bollywood. It is also reported that the Telugu HIT will have a sequel titled HIT: The Second Case. A Sydney university dean who allegedly orchestrated a fake harassment campaign against herself has claimed she was poisoned by the same people 'stalking' her. Professor Dianne Jolley was dean of science at the University of Technology Sydney when she was arrested in 2019 after a police investigation into the threatening letters. Police allege the 50-year-old sent multiple letters to herself over the course of several months - which resulted in the university spending tens of thousands of dollars on extra security. Professor Dianne Jolley (pictured), 50, told police she received 10 threatening letters between June and November 2019 UTS took extreme measures to protect Jolley (pictured left) from the supposed threats, including hiring a private car to drive her to and from work Ms Jolley fronted court on Tuesday, with her lawyer saying she intends to plead not guilty to the 'wild' charges, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. She is charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, making a false representation resulting in a police investigation, and two counts of giving false information that a person or property is in danger. She was granted bail after her arrest, but police in January arrested Jolley again at a Woolooware residence and laid new charges after she allegedly sent an additional nine letters after her arrest. Jolley did not enter a plea to the new charges when the matter was heard in Sutherland Local Court earlier this year, and her bail was revoked. Police allege two of the new letters were received by UTS on November 27 - the same day Jolley first appeared at Downing Centre Local Court. The letters were received after the university announced plans to cancel a Chinese medicine course that was part of the science faculty. As part of the police investigation records from a Sydney psychologist were obtained with a court order, which her defence lawyers claim was granted in a 'secret court proceeding'. Jolley (pictured after her arrest in 2019) allegedly told police she had been receiving threatening letters, while police say she was sending them to herself Ms Jolley (pictured) claimed she was sent dozens of emails harassing her, so UTS gave her her own private car Professor Dianne Jolley, the dean of science at the University of Technology Sydney, was arrested in November for allegedly sending fake threats to herself Magistrate Jennifer Giles said the notes from the psychologist contained nothing confidential. However, she added the notes were 'enormously prejudicial'. Along with the psychologist's notes the investigation was also given access to records from the UTS medical centre connected with a fall in July 2019. The magistrate said this was around the same month that Ms Jolley, who is an environmental chemist and toxicologist, 'alleged she had been poisoned, possibly by the people who were stalking and threatening her'. The court previously heard two of the ten original letters allegedly contained 'biohazard' material. Also on Tuesday, the magistrate dismissed an application by the defence to subpoena correspondance from UTS about Ms Jolley and police notebook entries about the case, saying the tool is not to be used as a 'fishing exercise'. She said the defence had also questioned the integrity of the officer in charge of the case, saying he had 'failed to investigate the matter and the original threats properly'. The case will return to court on August 4. Marble Falls We are saddened to have had to cancel Lakefest 2020, said Jarrod Metzgar, Executive Director of Marble Falls and Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. However, public safety and protecting our community remains our top priority. Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce today announced the cancellation of Lakefest 2020 originally scheduled to take place on July 25 and 26. Lakefest organizers, health and local officials made the united decision based on the recent rapid spread of COVID-19 in Central Texas. Tickets purchased for the event will be refunded. We are saddened to have had to cancel Lakefest 2020 as it is an event that community members and visitors look forward to year after year, said Jarrod Metzgar, Executive Director of Marble Falls and Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau. However, public safety and protecting our community remains our top priority. It is our hope that although we must remain apart for now, we will be able to come back better than ever for Lakefest 2021. Each year, we look forward to bringing Lakefest to Marble Falls, Texas, but protecting participants, volunteers and the community is paramount, said David Carroll, Series Director of the Southern Drag Boat Association. A tremendous amount of work has gone into preparing for this event therefore we are thankful for the many sponsors, volunteers, participants and the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce and local community who have made Lakefest such a memorable event. While canceling Lakefest 2020 is disappointing for fans and participants, we know that our love of the sport doesnt compare to the importance of protecting the health and safety of everyone involved. With the majority of Lakefest attendees coming from out of town, there is a greater risk for the spread of COVID-19 amongst our community if we were to move forward with the event as planned, said John Packer, Mayor of Marble Falls. Lakefest has been an event for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the boat race followed by enjoying the restaurants and amenities Marble Falls has to offer. However, this decision was made with the best interest of our community, volunteers, participants and spectators to protect them from potential exposure to COVID-19. While it appears that Burnet County is at a manageable stage regarding COVID-19, that will likely not be the case if there is a large gathering like Lakefest, said Burnet County Local Health Authority, Dr. Juliette Madrigal. The last thing we want is to put Burnet County residents and surrounding communities at a greater risk of spreading this virus. The Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit that makes much of its funding from large events. Our mission at the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce is to support local businesses through education, networking, and tourism promotion through citywide events. For information on alternative events and future fundraising efforts, please visit https://www.marblefalls.org/. An Iowa meth kingpin who murdered five, including two girls aged 10 and 6, will be put to death Friday after a judge denied his request to delay his federal execution. US District Judge Leonard Strand wrote Tuesday that he would not intervene to delay Dustin Honken's execution date due to the coronavirus pandemic. This comes as the first federal execution in 17 years took place Tuesday, when white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee was put to death by lethal injection in the penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. A second planned execution was scheduled for Wednesday morning, but a judge halted it last minute, granting double murderer Wesley Purkey a delay because his lawyers claim he is suffering from dementia. Iowa meth kingpin Dustin Honken (pictured) will be put to death Friday after a judge denied his request to delay his federal execution Honken was denied a delay to his execution date Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning he could now be the second death row inmate put to death since Attorney General William Barr made the move to push ahead with executions ahead of the 2020 presidential race. Strand said the Bureau of Prisons was in the best position to weigh the health risks against the benefits of carrying out the execution. Strand also denied Honken's motion to declare his execution void due to an alleged procedural error by the government and affirmed the executive branch's power to set the date for executions. A federal judge also turned down on Tuesday a request by Honken's spiritual adviser - a Catholic priest - to put the execution on hold until after the pandemic. Honken, 52, is scheduled to die Friday by lethal injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana - the same facility where Lee was executed Tuesday. He has been on death row since he was sentenced to death in 2004 for the brutal 1993 slayings of five people - Greg Nicholson, Terry DeGeus, Lori Duncan and her daughters Kandi, 10, and Amber, 6, in Mason City. Nicholson, Duncan, Kandi, and Amber vanished on July 25 and DeGeus disappeared on November 5. Honken is led by federal marshals to a waiting car after the second day of jury selection in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa, in 2004. US District Judge Leonard Strand wrote Tuesday that he would not intervene to delay Honken's execution date due to the coronavirus pandemic The bodies of Nicholson and the Duncan family were found buried in a single hole located in a wooded area outside Mason City in 2000 after an informant provided authorities with maps of where Honken's accomplice Angela Johnson told him the bodies were buried. Kandi and Amber each had a single bullet hole in the back of their heads. Nicholson and Duncan were bound, gagged, and shot multiple times, including once in the head. DeGeus's body was found in a field a few miles away, face down in a shallow hole with a severely fragmented skull having been shot one or more times. Honken shot and killed the two men because they planned to testify against him on drug charges. In 1993, Honken was operating a methamphetamine lab in Arizona when Nicholson, one of the two dealers he used for distribution, was pinched by police and turned informant, according to court documents. Honken was arrested on state drug charges following Nicholson's arrest, but made bond. When he was released, he began a desperate hunt for Nicholson, who went into hiding by staying with Duncan and her two children. Lori Duncan (left), a single, mother raising her two girls, 10-year-old Kandi (center) and six-year-old Amber (right) were all slain by Honken Honken was also convicted of murdering his meth distributors, Gregory Nicholson (left) and Terry DeGeus (right), who were scheduled to testify against him He shot dead and buried Nicholson as well as the single, working mother and her daughters because Nicholson was hiding out with them. Five days after the four victims vanished, Honken appeared for his plea hearing, but declined to plead guilty. He told his attorney he heard a rumor Nicholson had skipped town. Honken also provided his attorney with a VHS tape of Nicholson saying Honken was not guilty of the charges against him. The government turned its attention to the other possible witness against Honken, his other dealer, Terry DeGeus. DeGeus then disappeared as well when Honken murdered him and buried his body around a mile from his other victims. Charges against Honken were dropped because the witnesses could not be found but the following year, authorities discovered his meth lab and arrested him for meth trafficking. Honken was operating a methamphetamine lab in Arizona in 1993 when he murdered the five victims. He will be executed in Terre Haute, Indiana, Friday He was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 1998 for drug charges. In 2000, an informant provided investigators with two maps Johnson gave him showing where the bodies were buried. When behind bars, Honken also admitted to other inmates he killed witnesses to avoid earlier charges. Honken went into great detail about the murders. On October 14, 2004, a jury in the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa found Honken guilty of numerous offenses, including five counts of murder during the course of a continuing criminal enterprise, and he was sentenced to death. The ruling made him the first Iowan since 1963 to be sentenced to death. He will be executed in Terre Haute, Indiana, Friday. While Honken's hopes of a stay of execution have so far been turned down, the request for a delay to the federal execution of another death row inmate was granted Tuesday. A US District Court in Washington early on Wednesday delayed the execution of Wesley Purkey, 68, just hours before it was due to take place, following objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment. While Honken's hopes of a stay of execution have so far been turned down, the request for a delay to the federal execution of another death row inmate was granted Tuesday. A US District Court in Washington early on Wednesday delayed the execution of Wesley Purkey, 68, (pictured) just hours before it was due to take place, following objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment Purkey's victims: Jennifer Long, 16, (pictured) was last seen at East High School in Kansas City, Missouri on January 22, when she skipped lessons. Purkey confessed to her murder, saying he abducted the teenager, drove her to his home where he raped her and stabbed her to death Purkey's victims: 80-year-old Mary Bales (pictured) was beaten to death by the killer when he came to her home to fix a kitchen faucet Purkey raped and killed 16-year-old Jennifer Long and beat 80-year-old Mary Bales to death back in 1998. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed two injunctions prohibiting the federal Bureau of Prisons from moving forward with Purkey's execution Wednesday morning. The Justice Department immediately appealed in both cases. A separate temporary stay of execution was already in place from the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Purkey's lawyers had argued he is not mentally competent and that he believes his execution is part of a federal government conspiracy against him because of complaints he has raised about prison conditions. Chutkan didn't rule on whether Purkey is competent but said the court needs to evaluate the claim. This comes after white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee became the first to be executed by the federal government in almost two decades Tuesday. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma, became the first to be executed by the federal government in almost two decades Tuesday. He is pictured above waiting for his arraignment in Arkansas in October 1997 Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma, died by lethal injection after the Supreme Court cleared the way overnight with a 5-4 vote. The self-confessed white supremacist was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife Nancy, and her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell. Lee continued to maintain his innocence up until his death, saying 'I didn't do it' just moments before he was executed at 8.07am EDT. 'I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I'm not a murderer... You're killing an innocent man,' he said. His execution, which came over the objection of the victims' family, was carried out after a series of legal volleys that ended when the Supreme Court stepped in early Tuesday in a 5-4 ruling and allowed it to move forward. The decision to move forward with federal executions has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups. Critics have argued that the Trump administration, which has been pushing for the executions, was creating an unnecessary and manufactured urgency for political gain ahead of the 2020 elections. Attorney General William Barr has said the Justice Department has a duty to carry out the sentences imposed by the courts, including the death penalty, and to bring a sense of closure to the victims and those in the communities where the killings happened. Child killer Keith Nelson has his execution date set for August 28 for the kidnapping, rape and strangulation of a 10-year-old girl. A Bexar County Sheriff's deputy was fired and arrested Tuesday in connection with the brutal beating of an inmate inside the Bexar County Jail. The former deputy, identified as 33-year-old Jean Camacho-Morales, is also accused of record tampering. At around 4 p.m. Monday, Camacho-Morales said he found the 44-year-old inmate brutally beaten in the shower of one of the living units and immediately called for assistance. However, Sheriff Javier Salazar said surveillance footage contradicts Camcho-Morales' version of the events. According to Salazar, the deputy instead waited before helping the inmate and had prior knowledge of the attack. Camacho-Morales allegedly turned off the lights in the shower unit in an attempt to conceal the crime from the jail's cameras and stood by as the victim was beaten by at least six other inmates, Salazar said. Salazar said the former deputy then left the man "to lay in a pool of his own blood for 30 minutes while the other inmates had time to clean up and destroy evidence" and then misled investigators by naming inmates who were helping the victim as suspects. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox "He stood by and did nothing which is infuriating," the sheriff said "We have deputies coming to work every day during pandemic and doing their job and working long, long OT hours and put health at risk and we have people like this. I take this to be a personal affront to everyone who wears this uniform." The victim was rushed to the hospital with several facial fractures, damaged vertebras and was unable to breath on his own. "This is the kind of misconduct our country is reeling against today," Salazar said, describing Camacho-Morales' actions as egregious. "People like this is why millions of dollars in property damage has occurred around the country because of rioting and misconduct, because of people like him." Salazar said the BCSO Public Integrity Unit, Internal Affairs and local FBI are investigating. The sheriff said investigators are unsure if the incident was gang-related and how the former deputy is connected to the inmates. READ ALSO: 10 San Antonio-area law enforcement officers arrested this year An inmate has also been charged in connection with the incident. Justin Rodriguez, who is in jail on murder charges, was also booked on an additional aggravated assault with substantial bodily harm charge. Salazar said they expect more charges for Rodriguez and additional charges for the other inmates involved. Camacho-Morales faces charge of official oppression, tampering with government records and aggravated assault with substantial bodily harm, a second degree felony. Though Camacho-Morales is not suspected of participating in the beating, Texas law requires that all parties involved in a crime be charged with the offense. "Though he didn't lift a finger in assault, he also didn't lift a finger to help or do his job," Salazar said. Camacho-Morales' bail was set at $25,000. His arrest comes five days after an off-duty BCSO deputy was arrested on suspicion of assault. Brandon Young, 36, was charged with assaulting his spouse and resisting arrest on Saturday. Young has since been terminated. Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway Drivers navigated through flooded roads in Wakefield, Rhode Island, on July 14, after severe storms and flash flooding struck coastal regions in the state. According to weather reports, a flash flood warning was in place for the Newport and Kingston region of Rhode Island, which is roughly 20 miles from Wakefield, a village in South Kingston. More storms were moving into Massachusetts on Tuesday after the wild weather made its way off the Rhode Island Coast, according to weather reports. Credit: Kaitlyn Jesmonth via Storyful Samples are arranged for Covid-19 testing in Hanoi, April 18, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. Eight Russian experts quarantined in southern Vietnam have been confirmed as the countrys latest Covid-19 patients, taking the national tally to 381. The patients, all male, are aged 30 to 55. They landed in Ho Chi Minh City on July 11 and were quarantined in Vung Tau Town, 100 kilometers away. Their samples were taken on July 13. Although, they have tested positive, they show no symptoms. The eight take Vietnams coronavirus tally to 381. The country has not had any community transmission of the virus for three months now. Of the total, 353 people have recovered and been discharged, including a 28-year-old Vietnamese woman, "Patient 330," who was discharged Wednesday afternoon. The 28 active patients are in stable condition. Five of them have tested negative for the novel coronavirus at least once. Over 12,000 people are in isolation in the country - 11,000 in quarantine facilities, while the rest at hospitals or at home. The reported global death toll of the pandemic has reached 580,000. (TNS) Frontier Communications will pay restitution of $750,000 and spend $10 million to upgrade its broadband network to settle an investigation by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office over customer service issues.Frontier has been under fire from Minnesota consumer and telecommunications watchdogs for the past couple of years after a deluge of complaints about its phone and Internet service.The Attorney General's Office was investigating possible deceptive market practices related to Frontier's Internet services.With the settlement announced Monday, Frontier agrees to fully disclose its prices for Internet service to new customers and allow many current customers to cancel their service without penalty."For so many folks, especially in Greater Minnesota, affording your life means being able to rely on the promises your telecoms provider makes for the Internet service you depend on," Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a press statement. "For too many Minnesotans, Frontier broke its promises."In a statement, Frontier said it "is pleased to have this matter resolved."Frontier, which also operates under the name Citizens Communications, is Minnesota's second largest landline telephone provider with other 90,000 customers, many in rural northeastern and southern parts of the state. Norwalk, Conn.-based Frontier also is a major Internet provider.The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission began looking into Frontier in 2018 after fielding a host of customer complaints. The PUC ordered an inquiry by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.In January 2019, the Commerce Department issued a scathing report concluding that Frontier may have broken 35 laws and failed its Minnesota customers with shoddy phone and Internet service, lax record-keeping and inadequate investment in its own network. Frontier has denied it broke any laws.Last fall, the company and the Commerce Department came to a settlement that was approved by the PUC. It called for refunds for aggrieved customers and established a framework to deal with any future Frontier phone service problems and maintenance breakdowns.That settlement covered phone issues, not Internet service, since the latter isn't in the PUC's regulatory purview. Frontier's settlement with the Attorney General's Office focused on broadband.Under the agreement with the AG's office, Frontier is to "reform its sales and advertising practices" so that customers are better informed about Internet speed. The company is also to ensure that customers' maximum Internet speed is 90% of the top speed advertised in Frontier's service plans.The settlement calls for Frontier to spend at least $10 million over four years to improve its Internet network money above and beyond the company's current investment commitments and any broadband-related government grants that the company may receive.Under the agreement, Frontier will pay the $750,000 to the Attorney General's Office, which could then distribute that money to Frontier's customers for "past harm." WILLEMSTAD:---A Metal Shark interceptor of the Coast Guard intercepted a boat with contraband in the early morning of July 15, 2020, near Curacao. On the shore radar, the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) of the Coast Guard observed that a boat sailing from Curacao met with a boat that had come from Venezuela. After this meeting, a boat returned to Venezuela at high speed and the other boat attempted to sail unseen to Curacao. The RCC then directed a Metal Shark from the Coast Guard support point Curacao to that contact. The Metal Shark crew found a small local boat with four people (2 CUR, 1 COL, 1VEN) and 11 packages on board. Narcotics and firearms were found in the packages. The four suspects and the contents of the packages have been transferred to the KPC. The four suspects have been quarantined in the SDKK. The Coast Guard has intensified its patrols, partly due to the support from Defense at sea and on land. This interception is the product of this. However, the Coast Guard also requests your help in guarding our maritime borders. It is not without reason that the Strong Coast's motto is. If you observe suspicious situations or movements on the coast or at sea, you can inform the Coast Guard 24/7 via telephone number 913 or VHF channel 16. Together we make the country safer. This is even more important at a time when corona infection is a huge risk in addition to crime. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:17:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Portugese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Wednesday that the country needs to prepare "now" for a second wave of COVID-19 pandemic next winter. "We cannot repeat the confinement we had to impose during the period of the state of emergency and in the following weeks because society, families, and people will not be able to bear it again," said the prime minister in a speech during an event in the Park of Nations in Lisbon. "We may not be able to do everything, but we have to work and do as much as possible to ensure the functioning of society, schools, companies and public administration services," he warned after announcing the program "Simplex 20-21" for digital transformation in public services. According to the prime minister, it is necessary to "speed up the processes" because the colder seasons of the year will be "as or more difficult" than the beginning of the pandemic. "In winter there is usually less immunity, and it is not by chance that there are more patients than in summer. We must wish the best, but we must prepare for the worst with what we already know today," he said. Costa acknowledged, however, that Portuguese society, in general, is now more disciplined and more familiar with "masks, disinfectant gel, respiratory label, and physical distance." "All services and companies are better organized to ensure these conditions. We must use the European resources available. We must accelerate and raise the ambition of what we can and must do," concluded the prime minister. Portugal recorded eight more deaths caused by COVID-19 and 375 new cases of infection in the last 24 hours, bringing the total victims to 1,676 and the total cases to 47,426, respectively. Enditem Timing be damned, Esquire Magazine insisted upon releasing its annual "Best Bars in America" list, crowning 27 bars with the designation for 2020. Just one San Francisco bar made the list this year: Martuni's. If that surprises you, as Grub Street has pointed out in the past, Esquire's list doesn't merely focus on the latest and greatest. Instead, this year's list focuses on bars that are "a place that you love so much you cant wait to experience it all over again," which Esquire's Life and Culture Director Kevin Sintumuang admits is a "canned reply" to the question of what makes a bar an "Esquire Best Bar." And for that, perhaps Martuni's presence on Esquire's list is less unusual. The magazine praised Martuni's as a "San Francisco institution" where "[y]ou wont be judged for your preference" on gin or vodka martinis. "Stay for the piano bar in the back, which on any given night is packed with locals singing loudly, joyfully in unison," Omar Mamoon writes. [Full disclosure: Mamoon has written articles for our sister site, the San Francisco Chronicle.] The Bay Area had a much larger presence on the 2019 list, with CDP in Oakland landing alongside San Francisco bars The Linden Room, Pacific Cocktail Haven and Verjus. This year's list is debuting about a month past when the list typically publishes, and it's easy to surmise that part of the reason is the terrible shape the bar industry is in, given the pandemic. As states wrestle with the question of whether it's the best time to open indoor establishments, such as bars, while COVID-19 infection rates climb California, as of this writing, is mostly only allowing outdoor dining it brings to mind whether this list should have been postponed further. Is this the right time to be praising bars? What's the point if they're all closed? (The list even notes that 15 of the 27 bars are closed, as of publication.) "Many [bars] transitioned into makeshift to-go operations, and thats where my saccharine 'What makes a bar a Best Bar?' reasoning became honest fact," Sintumuang writes, before listing some of his favorites that pivoted to to-go. "Even though these establishments werent open in the traditional, save-me-a-stool sense, I still had to experience them. I craved their effort. Their hospitality. The love they put into operating during a pandemic just to help their employees get by. (And it felt good to send a little love their way, too.) "So my canned answer to what makes a bar an Esquire Best Bar? A place you just cant wait to experience again? Its still my answer. Except now I really mean it. Whether theyre open or not so open, we hope youll fall in love with this years best bars, and all past (and future) places in our ever-growing hall of fame, when you can." To read the full list of Esquire's favorite bars in America, head here. Martuni's is located at 4 Valencia St. in San Francisco. Dianne de Guzman is a Digital Editor at SFGATE. Email: dianne.deguzman@sfgate.com When a six-year-old boy saw his little sister being attacked by a dog he didnt hesitate to jump in and protect her. Bridger from from Cheyenne, Wyoming in the US has been dubbed a hero after he selflessly stepped in to stop a dog charging toward his sister. On July 9, my 6-year-old nephew Bridger saved his little sisters life by standing between her and a charging dog. After getting bit several times on the face and head, he grabbed his sisters hand and ran with her to keep her safe, Bridgers aunty, Nikki Walker, wrote on Instagram. He later said, If someone had to die, I thought it should be me, Ms Walker explained on Monday. Attached to the shocking story were heartbreaking images of Bridger looking bruised and battered with 90 stitches (give or take) from a skilled plastic surgeon. Bridger (left) has about 90 stitches after he stepped in to save his sister (right) from a dog attack. Source: Instagram/@nicolenoelwalker The littler hero is now at home resting and his aunty wrote Bridger was already trying to smile. His wounds are looking so much better! Hes in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact. He cant smile too widely yet but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him, Ms Walker updated the post. The family have been inundated with requests to send donations to the brave boy but Ms Walker said her nephew has only one request. Bridger is a huge fan of science, especially geology. So Im going to start a post where people can share with him pictures of cool rocks that they see, she wrote sharing an address for people to send their discoveries. Bridger has been a protective big brother from the moment his younger sister was born. Source: Instagram/@nicolenoelwalker Ms Walker also updated concerned people with information on the dog involved in the attack. The dogs owners are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family. We feel no resentment toward them at all, andif anythingtheres only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident, she wrote. Story continues After going viral for his bravery, Ms Walker has also asked for the help from the cast from The Avengers. We love our brave boy and want all the other superheroes to know about this latest hero who joined their ranks, she said tagging the cast of superheroes from the movies including Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jnr, Mark Ruffalo and Chris Evans. 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. Kanye West has reportedly dropped out of the U.S. presidential race less than two weeks after announcing his intention to run for presid... Kanye West has reportedly dropped out of the U.S. presidential race less than two weeks after announcing his intention to run for president. The renowned rapper had announced that he has joined the race for the 2020 US presidential election. However, New York Magazines Intelligencer, reports that Steve Kramer, an election strategist hired by West to focus on getting his name on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina, said hes out of the 2020 race. He also said the campaign staff who were looking into getting his name listed as a third-party candidate in Florida and several other states have been told the bid is off. Kramer admitted that his bid was serious and there were 180 people working in the ground in Florida before they decided to call off the effort. Also, he didnt give specific reasons why the rapper allegedly withdrew but said it would be made public once everything is resolved. I have nothing good or bad to say about Kanye. Everyone has their personal decision about why they make decisions. Running for president has to be one of the hardest things for someone to actually contemplate at that level, Kramer said. He also said they had overwhelming support to get him on the ballot and that whether anybody is going to vote for him or not is up to them. Press Release 15 July 2020 Alexandria, VA - The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has engaged MCI USA, one of the nation's premier consulting groups serving member-based non-profit organizations, to provide a 360-degree organizational and operations audit designed to reset the Association and ensure GBTA's success in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisements "This has been a turbulent few months for the business travel industry and for GBTA. It's an unprecedented time that underscores our need to make sure we're firing on all cylinders," said Dave Hilfman, the Association's interim Executive Director. "MCI USA is best-in-class when it comes to analyzing non-profit, member-driven associations like GBTA. We've retained them to look at every aspect of what we do, from the role of the Board to operations, staffing and human resources, IT, event management and marketing. Our goal is to emerge from the pandemic in the best possible position to serve our members as the leading voice of the global business travel industry." The MCI USA engagement will begin this week and extend for at least 90 days, culminating in the development of a clear action plan for GBTA moving forward. More than a dozen senior business executives will be a part of the MCI USA team examining GBTA's operations, policies, revenues and growth possibilities, along with the return on investment the Association provides its members. "We may not be able to control the present moment and the downward pressure it has created for GBTA and so many of our members," said Hilfman, who recently assumed leadership of GBTA after a four-decade career in the airline industry. "What we can control is our future. We need to take positive action to make sure we have the right business model, the right culture and that we're doing what we need to do to best serve travel buyers and suppliers. MCI USA is going to help make sure we're doing everything that needs to be done." ABOUT MCI USA MCI USA helps companies and associations strategically engage and activate their target audiences, building community and boosting client performance through face-to-face, hybrid and digital experiences that support client business objectives. With US headquarters in the Washington, DC area and offices in New York, Miami, Baltimore, Dallas, and Chicago, MCI USA is rapidly expanding its platform to deliver a set of services in its Association and Corporate Solutions portfolios. Find out more at www.mci-group.com/usa. Veterans and senior citizens, due to COVID-19, I do not believe we need to attend the Nebraska State Fair this year; but if it goes on, then we need to take all precautions. All the dealers and citizens attending the State Fair must wear masks in public. Hours after Sachin Pilot appeared to strike a conciliatory note on Wednesday by saying he would not join the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot accused his former deputy, without naming him, of being involved in a conspiracy to topple the state government. Pilot, who was on Tuesday removed as the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Congresss state unit chief for rebelling against Gehlot, denied he was going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Pilot also rejected allegations that he was planning to bring down the government with the BJPs help and added those saying so were trying to lower him in the eyes of the Gandhis. Also read: 24 hours of twists and turns in Rajasthan political drama Gehlot wasnt impressed. Money was offered. And who gave a clarification that nothing was happening? Those leaders, who themselves were involved and part of the conspiracy, are giving clarifications, Gehlot said, without naming his deputy with whom he has an extremely strained relationship. With us, you are deputy CM [chief minister] and PCC [Pradesh Congress Committee chief] and you make deals with people [BJP]. You ask for mobile number and names and are involved in the conspiracy... and then give the clarification that there was no horsetrading. You were part of the conspiracy and what are you clarifying now? Gehlot insisted his team has proof that Congress lawmakers were being lured into a rebellion against the government. He said the attempts to topple his government have been going on for some time. He added the current crisis would have unfolded earlier had the party not been on guard. Also read: Congress evolves 6-pronged plan to counter Sachin Pilot Horsetrading was being done in Jaipur; we have the proof. We had to keep people [lawmakers] at a hotel for 10 days...if we had not done that, the same thing that is happening in Manesar now would have happened back then, Gehlot said, referring to Pilot and 18 legislators, who are staying at a hotel in Haryanas Manesar. Gehlot said he has been in politics for 40 years and that he loves the new generation. The future will be theirs. This new generation... they have become central ministers, state presidents. If they had gone through what we did in our time, they would have worked better, said Gehlot amid criticism that the Congresss old guard was not letting younger leaders grow. Speaking good English or giving bytes is not everything. What do you have in your heart, what commitment do you have, this all is seen. Gehlot said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former president Rahul Gandhi and he himself all love young people. Pilot did not respond to the text messages or phone calls for comments on Gehlots charges. The Congress separately dissolved all district and block party committees in Rajasthan. BJP spokesperson Mukesh Pareek said Congress is leveling charges on BJP but they should look at their history, whenever they had been out of power from the centre, the party has disintegrated from Devraj Urs to Sachin Pilot, the history is repeating. But every time they level charges on BJP and take a sideway out, instead of holding a introspection. He said the CM repeatedly is speaking of evidence of horse trading since Rajya Sabha polls but havent brought in the public. Who is he trying to threaten? If he has evidence than present it, he said. Political analyst Narayan Bareth said Gehlot is partys strategist and manager in crisis. He is known for cool headed working and loyalist of Congress. He becoming aggressive shows to what extent he was compelled to give such statements. Gehlot is an organizational man and emotional toward the party, the statements made against the party might have hurt him to speak in such aggressive manner, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Trend Armenia has committed a provocation to divert the attention of its citizens from the internal problems, Vice-mayor of the Israeli city of Holon Mikhail Sutovsky told Trend on July 15. Of course, I do not see any reasonability for the latest provocation committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan, Sutovsky added. This incident happened because today economic and political situation in Armenia is difficult. There is no stability in the country and therefore, there is need to distract the attention of Armenian citizens from internal problems that the government is not coping with. For this purpose, another round of conflict was provoked to divert public attention to another front." Armenia will be unable to bring the matter to a large-scale war because Azerbaijan today is much stronger in terms of army equipping and external support, the vice-mayor said. "Israel has very close relations with Azerbaijan, including those in the military-industrial sphere, the vice-mayor said. I dont think that it is in the interests of Armenia to continue such a conflict and develop it. I would urge it to return to the negotiating table and start moving forward as about 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories is still under Armenias occupation and certainly this is unfair." Sutovsky stressed that lots of empty words are voiced instead of taking real steps. "On the other hand, taking into account the mediators' desire, the consent and desire of both parties are required for their ideas to be realized, the vice-mayor said. While Azerbaijan offers various options for moving towards normalizing relations and creating the stable peace, unfortunately, Armenia is not ready to do this and refuses to follow the logic of reality." Starting from July 12 afternoon, while grossly violating the ceasefire regime in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions by using artillery. As a result of the appropriate measures, the Armenian forces were forced to retreat, suffering losses. Azerbaijan lost sergeant Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, who died repelling the attack. Another serviceman of Azerbaijan's army Khayyam Dashdemirov died from wounds, despite the doctors' efforts. The tensions continued on the border, July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, vehicles, as well as killed Armenian servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. The battles continued on the night of July 13. Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev and soldier Elchin Mustafazade became martyrs during the battles. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz (Newser) A week after losing a Supreme Court ruling, President Trumps lawyers said Wednesday they're considering challenging subpoenas for his tax records by criminal prosecutors on grounds that the subpoenas are a fishing expedition or a form of harassment or retaliation against him. The plans were outlined in a letter to a Manhattan federal judge overseeing legal squabbles related to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.'s request for eight years of Trump's personal and corporate tax records in a criminal probe, the AP reports. Vance is seeking the records from Trump's accountant in part for a probe of payments that Trumps then-personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged during the 2016 presidential race to keep two women from airing their claims of extramarital affairs with Trump. Trump has denied the affairs. story continues below Lawyers for the president noted that the Supreme Court in its ruling last week said they can raise arguments that the subpoenas seek too much information, or are designed to impede Trump's constitutional duties or harass, manipulate, or retaliate against him. "The President intends to raise some or all of these arguments," the lawyers wrote. Lawyers for the prosecutor wrote that Trumps lawyers are asking for more than they are allowed. They said Trump's lawyers are basing their plans on a concurring opinion that conflicts with the Supreme Court's majority opinion in the case, and that the lower-court judge already rejected the same arguments Trump's lawyers are suggesting they might make. (Read more President Trump stories.) Residents were tested in the building last Thursday, while staff drove up to a testing site in the alleyway behind the Alpha House. The Montana Department of Corrections helped with testing, Armstrong said. On Saturday, July 4, all residents within Alpha House were told to quarantine after a resident received a positive test result for COVID-19 following a barbecue. The resident had already been quarantined after being tested on Friday. Residents will stay in their rooms for 14 days and are being kept from going to work to reduce the possible spread of the virus. The quarantine is scheduled to end July 18. The group barbecue was held before the positive test results had been reported to Alpha House from the public health department Saturday evening, and Armstrong said the event was intended to "heighten the morale" after residents went months without visitors and recreation due to the pandemic. The barbecue acted as the facility's normal food service that day, and no more than 35 residents attended at a time, Armstrong said, citing the facility's camera system. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. New Canaan Town Hall will not host a meeting until at least September 9, and those people with transactions are being given alternatives to handle any of their town financial matters rather than visiting the building. The towns First Selectman Kevin Moynihan told the Board of Finance at its virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, via Zoom, that in-person meetings will begin when Gov. Ned Lamonts executive order for Connecticut amid the coronavirus pandemic expires. This is scheduled for September 9, 2020. Town Hall opened as planned July 6, but officials are discouraging residents from visiting. Tax payments The counter at the Tax Collectors office is not open. July payments may be made by: Using the dropbox in the Town Hall Lobby; Residents who are doing this are asked to not leave cash in the dropbox. Payments can be made at either the Bankwell drive-thru, at 156 Cherry Street in the town, or at the banks other location in the town, at 208 Elm Street, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the week, Monday through Friday. Payments can also be made online via the towns website: newcanaan.info Payments can also be made by sending them to the following address: 77 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840. Residents can ask for a stamped receipt if they desire it. Among the other changes in Town Hall when it comes to the aforementioned matters amid the pandemic, the pandemic has also changed the process, and deadline for how dog owners license their dogs, and how the town gives a license for a dog to its residents. An executive order by Lamont gives the residents until August 1, 2020, 30 days later than usual, to license a dog before late fees of $1 per month are applied. When it comes to renewing a dog license from the town, dog owners may renew at https://dogs.egov.basgov.com/Dogs/Search?munirecid=39, paying by credit card or electronic check. Dog owners must ensure their dogs are up-to-date with the rabies vaccination, and that the Town Clerk, Claudia Weber, has been provided with any updated information. To renew a dog license by mail, the dog owners can send a check or money order that is payable to the New Canaan Town Clerk. The name, and address for doing this is: Town Clerk Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 447, New Canaan, CT 06840. Dog owners are asked to also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and any updated rabies vaccination information about their dog in the mailing, if it is necessary. Originals of all of the documents will be returned to the dog owners. To register a dog for the first time, dog owners are asked to download the application from https://www.newcanaan.info/Departments/Town%20Clerk/Dog_License_Application.pdf, then mail the completed application along with their original rabies vaccination certificate, proof of spaying or neutering if it is applicable to them, and a check payable to Town Clerk Dog Licensing, P.O. Box 447, New Canaan, CT 06840. They are to also be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the original documents, that the designated dog owner sent in for registering their dog for a dog license with the town can be returned, to them. You have no idea how much I will miss seeing my four-footed friends this year, Weber wrote in an online message. They always bring me such great joy when they come in-person for a biscuit and their license. Hopefully I will see you next year. Until then, stay safe, be kind, be well, and enjoy. A doctor based in Dublin, Ireland, has debunked the idea that a face mask lowers oxygen levels. In fact, hes shown that even wearing several has no effect. This July 14 video shows Maitiu O Tuathail putting six masks on his face while recording his blood oxygen saturation levels. As he puts on mask after mask, the meter shows a steady, and healthy, 98-99 percent. O Tuathail shared the video on Twitter to debunk the misconception that face masks negatively affect oxygen levels. He said he was being asked this regularly by patients, who were citing misinformation they had found on social media. Credit: Maitiu O Tuathail via Storyful Actor Amitabh Bachchan has shared an appreciation post for doctors on Twitter. The actor was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Sunday and was admitted to Mumbais Nanavati Hospital. The actor, in his tweet, has paid a tribute to doctors for their selfless service to humanity. Pristine white their layered dress ; dedicated to serve they be ; god like incarnations they ; companions of the sufferer they ; erased they their ego have ; to us they have embraced in care ; they be the divine destination ; they fly the flags of humanity, he wrote in his tweet. T 3594 (i) - pristine white their layered dress ; dedicated to serve they be ; god like incarnations they ; companions of the sufferer they ; erased they their ego have ; to us they have embraced in care ; they be the divine destination ; they fly the flags of humanity ... pic.twitter.com/kTlROPIn4u Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 14, 2020 Amitabhs son, actor Abhishek Bachchan; daughter-in-law, actor Aishwarya Rai; and granddaughter Aaradhya have also been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. While Abhishek was admitted to the hospital with him, Aishwarya and Aaradhya are in quarantine at home. On Tuesday, Amitabh had shared a note of thanks to his fans and followers for their good wishes for the familys health. It shall not be possible for me to acknowledge and respond to all the prayers and wishes expressed by them that have shown concern towards Abhishek, Aishwarya, Aaradhya and me .. I put my hands together and say ..Thank you for your eternal love and affection, he had written. Also read: Sonam Kapoor flies to beautiful London amid Covid-19 pandemic, says Im back Hospital sources said that Amitabh and Abhishek are doing well. Both are stable and are responding well to the treatment. They will have to be in the hospital for at least seven days, a hospital insider told PTI. Post the actors diagnosis, 26 staff members working at their bungalows were also tested for COVID-19. On Monday, Vishwas Mote, assistant municipal commissioner, K West ward, said all the staff members tested negative for the virus. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Trend The Armenians began shelling Aghdam village early morning, Zarnishan Gozalova, daughter of Aziz Azizov, resident of Aghdam village who was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces, told Trend on July 15. About half an hour after talking to my father over phone, the Armenians killed him, Gozalova added. Earlier, together with my son, I came to my fathers house and stayed there. When the Armenians made the provocation on July 12, I asked him to go with me, but he refused. My father said that he could not go anywhere as he did not want to leave his house, Zarnishan noted. So, we returned home on July 12. We talked to him over the phone in the evening on July 14. My father said that the Armenians were shelling the village again. When we started the conversation, there was a lull, but later during the conversation, the shelling was heard. I said goodbye to my father and asked him to take care of himself, Gozalova said. My father told me not to worry. Half an hour later, at about half-past eight, my sister called me and said that my father was not answering the phone calls. Then, we were told that immediately after our phone conversation, the Armenians fired at our house and my father died." Resident of Aghdam village of Tovuz district, 76-year-old Aziz Azizov was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces. Earlier, the Armenian armed forces fired at Dondar Gushchu village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district by using D-30 howitzer. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat suffering losses. Azerbaijani personnel, sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Despite the efforts of the Azerbaijani doctors, severely wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Khayyam Dashdemirov also died. The tension remained in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani serviceman, senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A teacher training graduate has died after he was assaulted and stabbed in the back at Banda in the Bono Region by men allegedly linked to New Patriotic Party (NPP). The deceased, Silas Wulochamey was allegedly accosted by the men at Banda Kabrono on Monday when he was returning from a visit to his pastor at Wenchi Methodist. A brother of the deceased, Rauf in an interview on Neat FM's Me Man Nti programme expressed shock at what happened because according to him, his brother was not affiliated to any political party. He said the men who assaulted his brother leading to his death also attacked brother of the incumbent Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim. "The men were dressed in military uniforms and they came in the company of Joe Danquah looking for the brother of Ahmed and when he came out of the house, they beat him mercilessly until he collapsed. I know one of the guys who works at the flagstaff house" he disclosed. Ahmed Ibrahim's side The Banda MP speaking on the same platform said the "issue started two years ago; they have attacked my house twice; all in my absence...these are the activities of the invincible forces. Joe Danquah led the invincible forces to cause mayhem (alleged)...now my brother is fighting for his life in the hospital" Listen to full details in the video below Meanwhile, the police say they are investigating the issue.Speaking onon Tuesday, July 14, 2020, the Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Bono Regional Police Command, Augustine Kingsley Oppong, said: We have decided to let our investigator go down and gather all the pieces of information and inform Command as such. So weve not made any arrest yet. Our investigator will inform us of the next action we should take...we are gathering intelligence that will lead us to the right culprits. 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 Jyotiraditya Scindia slams Congress, says Emergency imposed in 1975 was a lockdown on democracy India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, July 15: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the Emergency that was imposed on the country in 1975 by the then Congress government at the Centre, was like a lockdown on democracy in the country. Scindia was addressing a public meeting at Agar-Malwa on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a number of development projects for the district on the occasion. Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News Coronavirus: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu account for 50% of cases, says govt In his speech, Scindia said , "On one side there is a party which imposed Emergency that was a lockdown on democracy and on the other side there is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who implemented lockdown to save the life of people." "People may say that I am opposing Emergency now when I have joined the BJP but the fact remains that I opposed it even when I was in Congress," he said. Slamming former chief minister Kamal Nath, Scindia said when he (Scindia) raised the issues concerning people of the state for the sake of justice to them, Nath said let him (Scindia) take to streets "but Kamal Nath ji forgot whose grandson and whose son I am". Two COVID-19 patients flee from hospital in Odisha He further went on to say that Kamal Nath's government betrayed every section of people whether it was farmers, youth, women or others. He also said whereas a corrupt government did nothing for welfare of people in Madhya Pradesh in its 15-month rule, Chouhan took several decisions for people in just 90 days. Meanwhile, State Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia said, "When Scindia ji was in Congress he used to issue warning to the government on every issue that he would take to streets but he didn't say a single word when the BJP government failed to control COVID-19 situation in the state and is responsible for spread of coronavirus in the state. He must look into his earlier speeches to realise what his opinion was for the BJP." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 9:40 [IST] The United States on Wednesday cleared the way for sanctions on employees of telecom giant Huawei, expanding its pressure campaign on China, which summoned the US ambassador. Tensions have soared between the world's two largest economies on a growing range of fronts including Beijing's clampdown on Hong Kong, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday ending the financial hub's special trading privileges. China shows no sign of backing down on Hong Kong, but the Trump administration has rejoiced in growing success at isolating Huawei, with Britain announcing a ban on the leading Chinese company. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would restrict US visas for employees of Huawei and other Chinese firms if they are involved in human rights abuses. "Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers," Pompeo said. The United States accuses Huawei of working on the behest of Beijing and says that global security and personal data will be at risk if the company dominates development of the world's fifth-generation internet. Pompeo said that Huawei was already responsible for rights abuses by letting China snoop on dissidents and abetting Beijing's sweeping surveillance in the western region of Xinjiang, where rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are incarcerated. - US campaign in Europe - Offering affordable internet in the developing world and moving rapidly on 5G, Huawei has so far largely weathered US prohibitions and pressure -- and reported double-digit revenue growth for the first half of the year. The European Union has resisted blanket restrictions on Huawei. But British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government agreed Tuesday to a phased ban after US sanctions blocked Huawei's access to US chips. Pompeo announced that he would visit Britain as well as Denmark starting Monday and raise China. Robert O'Brien, the US national security advisor, brought up Huawei in his own talks with European counterparts in Paris, warning that the company could both spy on government secrets and sweep up vast amounts of personal data. "Europe is awakening to the threat of China," O'Brien told reporters. "Imagine how a country like China could interfere with elections if they knew everything about every single person on earth," he said. Canada in 2018 acted on a US request and arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition on charges of violating US sanctions on Iran. Huawei rejects the US campaign and has called on Washington to show more evidence to prove the risks purportedly posed by the company. - 'Gross interference' - China on Wednesday summoned the US ambassador, Terry Branstad, after Trump signed a law that paved the way for sanctions over the situation in Hong Kong. "This is gross interference in China's internal affairs and seriously violates international law and basic norms of international relations," the foreign ministry said in a statement. China also vowed retaliatory measures over Trump's signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which paves the way for sanctions against banks that do business with anyone seen as infringing on the city's autonomy. US lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the law, hoping that all but provincial Chinese banks will think twice before risking punishment in the world's largest economy. Trump also signed an executive order that instructed the US government to treat Hong Kong no differently than mainland China on trade. Beijing has pushed forward a tough security law that has sent a chill through Hong Kong, which was promised separate freedoms before Britain handed back the territory in 1997. In other recent moves, Pompeo restricted visas for Chinese officials over human rights in Xinjiang and rejected Beijing's sweeping claims in the dispute-rife South China Sea. Trump has also loudly blamed China for COVID-19, news of which was suppressed when cases first emerged in Wuhan late last year. Critics at home and abroad accuse Trump of seeking to divert attention in an election year from his response to the crisis in the United States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country. burs-sct/ft Secretary of State Mike Pompeo waves as he leaves a news conference in which he announced new action against Chinese telecom giant Huawei A woman in Beijing walks in May 2020 past a shop of Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant increasingly targeted by the United States Hong Kongers including millionaire media tycoon Jimmy Lai (third from left) gather outside a court where activists are facing charges for holding an unauthorized commemoration of the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square Tokyo Japan and the United States are sharing information about coronavirus infections at U.S. military bases after an outbreak provoked ire in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, a top Japanese official said on Monday. Okinawa confirmed a total of 62 individuals - 39 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, 22 at Camp Hansen and one at Camp Kinser - had tested positive for the virus between Sunday and July 7, Reuters reported. We will cooperate appropriately on this matter, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news briefing. Japan and the United States are sharing information about the activity history of the infected military individuals. Okinawa is host to the bulk of U.S. military forces in Japan, whose alliance with Washington is central to its security. But many Okinawans associate the bases with problems from crime to accidents, and want the Marines to reduce their presence or leave the area altogether. Rating Action: Moody's rates Carnival's second lien debt Ba1; ratings placed on review for downgrade Global Credit Research - 14 Jul 2020 New York, July 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") assigned Carnival Corporation's planned second lien note issuance a Ba1 rating. At the same time, Moody's placed the long term ratings of Carnival Corporation (together with Carnival plc, "Carnival") on review for downgrade, including its Ba1 Corporate Family Rating, Ba1-PD Probability of Default rating, Baa3 senior secured rating, and Ba2 senior unsecured rating. The company's Speculative Grade Liquidity rating of SGL-2 remains unchanged. The proceeds of Carnival's planned approximate $1 billion 2nd lien senior secured note offering will be used to bolster the company's liquidity while US cruise operations continue to be suspended. "The review for downgrade will focus on Carnival's recovery prospects in 2021 given the recent resurgence in coronavirus cases in the US increasing the uncertainty around the reopening of the US and the company's plans for the eventual return to service of its US operations, including what precautions will be put in place when sailings do resume and the associated incremental costs," stated Pete Trombetta, Moody's lodging and cruise analyst. On Review for Downgrade: ..Issuer: Carnival Corporation .... Probability of Default Rating, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Ba1-PD .... Corporate Family Rating, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Ba1 ....Senior Unsecured Shelf , Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently (P)Ba2 ....Senior Secured Bank Credit Facility, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Baa3 (LGD2) ....Senior Secured Regular Bond/Debenture, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Baa3 (LGD2) ....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Ba2 (LGD5 from LGD4) Story continues ..Issuer: Carnival plc ....Senior Unsecured Shelf, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently (P)Ba2 ....Senior Secured Regular Bond/Debenture, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Baa3 (LGD2) ....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Ba2 (LGD5 from LGD4) ..Issuer: Long Beach (City of) CA ....Senior Secured Revenue Bonds, Placed on Review for Downgrade, currently Baa3 (LGD2) Assignments: ..Issuer: Carnival Corporation ....Senior Secured 2nd Lien Regular Bond/Debenture, Assigned Ba1 (LGD3); Placed on Review for Downgrade Outlook Actions: ..Issuer: Carnival Corporation ....Outlook, Changed To Rating Under Review From Negative ..Issuer: Carnival plc ....Outlook, Changed To Rating Under Review From Negative RATINGS RATIONALE / FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS Carnival's credit profile is supported by its position as the largest worldwide cruise line in terms of revenues, fleet size and number of passengers carried, with significant geographic and brand diversification. Carnival also benefits from its good liquidity given its significant cash balances and Moody's view that over the long run, the value proposition of a cruise vacation relative to land-based destinations as well as a group of loyal cruise customers supports a base level of demand once health safety concerns have been effectively addressed. In the short run, Carnival's credit profile will be dominated by the length of time that cruise operations continue to be highly disrupted and the resulting impact on the company's cash consumption, liquidity and credit metrics. The normal ongoing credit risks include Carnival's near term very high leverage, the highly seasonal and capital intensive nature of cruise companies, competition with all other vacation options, and the cruise industry's exposure to economic and industry cycles as well as weather related incidents and geopolitical events. The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak and deteriorating global economic outlook are creating a severe and extensive credit shock across many sectors, regions and markets. The combined credit effects of these developments are unprecedented. The cruise sector has been one of the sectors most significantly affected by the shock given its sensitivity to consumer demand and sentiment. More specifically, Carnival's exposure to ongoing travel restrictions and consumers health safety concerns has left it vulnerable to shifts in market sentiment in these unprecedented operating conditions and the company remains vulnerable to the continued uncertainty around the potential recovery from the outbreak. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. Today's action reflects the impact on Carnival from the breadth and severity of the shock, and the broad deterioration in credit quality it has triggered. Prior to the review for downgrade, the factors that could lead to a downgrade include indications over the coming months that 2021 demand recovery may be weaker than expected resulting in lower profitability or an expectation that debt/EBITDA will remain above 4.5x or EBITA/interest expense was stabilized below 3.0x. Ratings could also be downgraded if the level of free cash flow deficits deepen in 2020 or should liquidity deteriorate for any reason. Given the review for downgrade, an upgrade is highly unlikely over the near term. However, ratings could eventually be upgraded if the company can maintain debt/EBITDA below 3.5x, and EBITA/interest expense above 5.0x. A ratings upgrade would also require a financial policy and capital structure that supports the credit profile required of an investment grade rating through inevitable industry downturns. Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc own the world's largest passenger cruise fleet operating under multiple brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises, among others. Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc operate as a dual listed company. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, US and Southampton, United Kingdom. Annual net revenues for fiscal 2019 were approximately $16 billion The principal methodology used in these ratings was Business and Consumer Service Industry published in October 2016 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1037985. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. 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[July 15, 2020] Slingshot Teams up With Voice for Pest to Provide Pest Management Companies with Integrated Communications LEHI, Utah, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Slingshot , the leading 24/7 home services sales and contact center, and Voice for Pest , the pest management industry's leading phone system provider, announce an exciting new partnership with integrated voice and data solutions. With phone communications accounting for 70 to 90 percent of pest sales and customer transactions, PMPs can now combine inboxes within Slingshot and use the new "click-to-call" functionality and immediate Slingshot assignment for returning voicemails and missed or dropped calls. In addition, PMP's will be able to manage and track all calls, whether their customer speaks with them or Slingshot, with integrated custom reporting available through the Slingshot inbox. Voice for Pest CEO Tom Welsh is confident the integration will enable PMPs to improve response times. "Many companies are finding they need their phone systems to be more flexible, especially given today's environment. By combining Voice for Pest calls and voicemails within the Slingshot platform, providers can respond to customer reuests quickly," Welsh explains. "Ultimately, it's a game-changer for our customers, considering their call volume and the potential value of their call data." "We want to make it easier for pest control companies to scale operations while consistently providing excellent service to their customers," says Taylor Olson, Slingshot CEO. "One major benefit of the integration is giving clients enhanced omni-channel communication abilities with a leader in phone services." The pest control industry is enjoying an upward trajectory. Factors like an increase in bedbugs and mosquito control have added to the industry's growth. Analysts predict that the pest control market in the U.S. will grow to a value of $27.5 billion by year-end 2025. Slingshot now works with more than 30 percent of the top 100 pest control companies in the U.S. making Voice for Pest, with phone systems in hundreds of PMP offices nationwide, an ideal partner. Welsh and Olson are excited about the partnership, which is changing the way providers approach call management, lead response and 24/7 virtual sales. Find out more at getslingshot.com and voiceforpest.com . About Slingshot Since 2014, Slingshot has helped home service providers adapt to the on-demand economy. Slingshot helps businesses elevate their brands, expand their customer bases, and instantly engage with current and potential customers 24 hours a day. We believe in a world where conversations matter, where technology enhances human interaction instead of replacing it, and where people can effortlessly connect with service providers that help home feel like home. About Voice for Pest Voice for Pest is the Pest Management Industry leader in designing and implementing unparalleled Voice and Data solutions for PCO's of any size. We are a complete systems integrator with hundreds of Pest Management offices utilizing our solutions View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/slingshot-teams-up-with-voice-for-pest-to-provide-pest-management-companies-with-integrated-communications-301093699.html SOURCE Slingshot, Inc [ Back To SIP Trunking Home's Homepage ] Spurred on by a multitude of life-changing events over his four plus decades on Earth, http://www.PoeticThought.com is the latest reflective portal from the Black publisher, poet, journalist, and health advocate Kimatni D. Rawlins. Creative expressions are his passion, so he began writing, editing, and updating works of art in his editorial collection over the last three months of COVID-19 quarantine. Using that time wisely allowed Kimatni to compile and launch the literary Website which also links from http://www.KimatniRawlins.com. The cerebral site features over 400 pieces of his poetry, words of wisdom, esoteric short stories, recaps of his nomadic journeys, and wellness and fitness aspirations. According to Kimatni, there is a "Poetic Thought" for every mood and emotion from love and parenting to upliftment and travel. These divergent pathways and life-enhancing experiences have opened his perspectives to evolutionary possibilities. They have also helped him formulate narratives focused on honesty, truth, and respect for all cultures, especially indigenous ones. The country is currently in a chaotic state. Therefore, we must continue to move through these impediments with resolve while exploring habits and sentiments that lead to elevated levels of mindfulness," Kimatni poignantly stated. "I am fortunate to have been blessed by the re-awakening, and proud to offer my words and thoughts for inspiration." One of his most epic pieces of creative writing is "Go Tell Your Story," a poetic parable on the evolution of a young man hailing from the humble beginnings of Camden, New Jersey, who utilized the principles of self-mastery to reach nirvanic states. He journeys as a Nomadic Soul and Vegan Cyborg to influence those he touches with conscious thought and nutritional freedom. Moreover, the young nomad is guided by the sages, priests, and everyday men, women, and children hes crossed paths with in various places from Lalibela, Ethiopia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. So please pay homage and explore the imaginative and reflective side of Kimatni D. Rawlins' mind and soul, which can be both enriching and fulfilling for readers from all walks. Kimatni is also the founder of http://www.FitFathers.com. Namaste and One Love, as he would passionately say. Kimatni Rawlins can be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimatni/ and instagram at https://www.instagram.com/k22raw/. Gyms, Personal Services, Offices, and Places of Worship Looking to Close Down Due to COVID-19 Spike Public Health Department Create Road Map for Physical Educational Development. Monday, July 13, Los Angeles Public Officials delivered news surrounding the escalation of positive COVID-19 cases. Looking at the numbers, data is showing a great deal of spread among the ages of 18-40. Six out of seven benchmarks measured by the state are in critical condition, Los Angeles is looking to adjust with new transitions within scheduling tests developed by Fulgent Genetics. Due to the acceleration in running COVID-19 tests, there is a new platform online designed to provide more user-friendly experiences, that has a direct connection with lab results. This update is looking to reduce the number of errors in data processing and minimize the delay in results. The newly developed interface also allows guests to adjust or cancel testing appointments, so that proper time slots are filled. The new website to schedule an appointment is la.fulgentgenetics.com. Within the countys press release Christina Ghaly stated, This change is part of continuous efforts to improve the user experience and make scheduling an appointment as efficient as possible. Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Mrs. Ghaly continued to explain, As we work to expand capacity at current sites and add new sites to keep pace with demand, this new platform will help us streamline our operations and ensure continued testing access. The L.A. Board of Supervisors acknowledged significant updates California State Governor Gavin Newsom made, due to the increased levels of COVID-19. Newsom stated, Weve made this point on multiple occasions and that is why were moving back into a modification mode of our original stay-at-home order, Los Angeles has already felt the retraction in Bars, indoor dining, and outdoor activity since July 4. ADVERTISEMENT Statistics show an escalation in hospitalization, positive cases, and the overall community death rate is still in the double digits. Latest numbers surrounding coronavirus shared on July 13, reflected 13 additional deaths, all of them were between the ages of 65 and over, nine of the victims had underlining health conditions. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 3,822. The relationship between COVID-19 infection and ethnicity were provided. The racial background collected from 3,553 fatal cases shown 11% were African American, 16% were Asian, slightly less than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 46% were LatinX, 26% were white, and 1% identified as a different race or ethnicity. 93% of those who died due to COVID-19 had preexisting health concerns. Ferrer disclosed on Monday, there were 2,593 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 136,129 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 5,388 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 1,517 cases in the city of Pasadena. Amid the unsheltered, there were 807 positive cases, 288 victims were temporarily housed in a shelter and have been properly isolated. There have been two additional deaths among people who are experiencing homelessness due to COVID-19. Protocols have been prompted for grades k-12, Ferrer clarified that this does not mean schools are allowed to reopen for physical contact academia. Educational resurgence will be led by the state and individual school boards. The directives issued today were described as a road map to what campus will look like when they decide to reopen. Distance learning will most likely be apart of the physical learning system, student and faculty will have to wear face coverings, and extracurricular activities will be limited. Among multiple counties, the state of California mandated to close all indoor operations such as gyms, places of worship, indoor protests, and personal care services. Los Angeles Director of Public Health Dr. Ferrer stated, These steps are taken in hopes that we get back to slowing the spread. All of our actions and behaviors now help determine what our lives, our communities, will be like in the months ahead. Ferrer disclosed the public health department is guided by the science and data, monitoring key metrics to see a clear report in status. FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany has banned Tesla from repeating what a court says are misleading advertising statements relating to the capabilities of the firm's driver assistance systems and to autonomous driving, a Munich judge ruled on Tuesday. Tesla can appeal the ruling. The case was brought by Germany's Wettbewerbszentrale, an industry sponsored body tasked with policing anti-competitive practices. The Munich court agreed with the industry body's assessment and banned Tesla Germany from including "full potential for autonomous driving" and "Autopilot inclusive" in its German advertising materials. It said such claims amounted to misleading business practices, adding that the average buyer might be given the impression that the car could drive without human intervention and might suggest such a system was now legal on German roads. Tesla's autopilot system has drawn criticism from regulators, including from the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States, saying it lacks safeguards. Concerns have grown about assistance systems that can perform driving tasks for extended stretches with little or no human intervention, tempting drivers to neglect their obligation to be in control of their vehicles at all times. Tesla has said it has informed customers that its automated driver assistance technology did not amount to a fully autonomous driving system. A spokeswoman for Tesla Germany was not immediately available to comment on Tuesday's ruling. Tesla's Chief Executive Elon Musk said this month the electric car manufacturer was close to making its cars capable of automated driving without any need for driver input, so-called Level 5 autonomy. (Reporting by Alexander Huebner; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Tom Sims and Edmund Blair) The ORahilly was only leader of the Rising to die in battle Relatives of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation are among a number of groups to lodge objections to plans by developers to demolish the home of the 1916 Rising leader and 'noble Gaelic hero' The O'Rahilly in Dublin. In May, the McSharry and Kennedy families, owners of the Herbert Park Hotel, lodged fast-track plans with An Bord Pleanala to demolish the home to make way for a 66m 12-storey block that will contain 105 apartments in a project called '40 Park' on a site overlooking Herbert Park. The plan involves the demolition of number 40 Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, which was the home of Michael Joseph O'Rahilly, known as The O'Rahilly, the only leader of the Rising to die in battle. The O'Rahilly was the first occupant of number 40 in 1909 and his widow, Nancy, lived there until her death in 1961. The applicants, Derryroe Ltd, say 40 Herbert Park is not a protected structure and a report commissioned by the applicants "finds that the house itself is not of significant architectural or heritage value". However, in response to the proposal, 24 objections have been lodged against the plan including from the Department of Culture and Heritage, An Taisce, the Pembroke Road Residents' Association, the South Georgian Core Residents' Association, and parties connected to people involved in the 1916 Rising. On behalf of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation, Helen Litton argues that the house played an important part in the early 20th-century history of the State and should be preserved for future generations. She added that as he lay dying after being shot during the Rising, O'Rahilly wrote a letter to Nancy addressed to 40 Herbert Park. The Department of Culture says it would welcome a revised plan that includes the retention of the former O'Rahilly home. Times Union file photo SCHENECTADY The lawsuit filed by dozens of former St. Clare's Hospital employees over the hospital's collapsed pension fund can continue, a judge ruled on Wednesday. The ruling by Acting Justice Vincent Versaci in state Supreme Court in Schenectady County was a positive development for the pensioners, who are some of the roughly 1,000 hospital employees who were told in 2018 that their retirement funds had been either reduced or completely halted after the former hospital's pension plan collapsed. The USS Barry (third from left) joins other ships in officer of the watch manoeuvres in the South China Sea, on April 18, 2020. Photo by Reuters. Vietnam has appreciated countries backing compliance with international law after the U.S. explicitly rejected China's illegal East Sea claims. "Vietnam welcomes the position of countries on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) that are in accordance with international law. As Vietnam has stated in the declaration of the ASEAN 36 Summit, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is the legal framework governing all activities in the sea," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Wednesday. She was referring to Mondays statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, which said that "the United States rejects any PRC (Peoples Republic of China) claim to waters beyond a 12-nautical mile territorial sea derived from islands it claims in the Spratly Islands." Hang said that peace, stability, cooperation and development in the South China Sea is the common desire and goal of countries in the sea, the region and the international community. Respect for legal order at the sea, goodwill and responsible, full implementation of the UNCLOS is important to achieve this goal, she added. Vietnam hopes that other countries will make efforts to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the South China Sea and to resolve disputes through dialogues and other peaceful measures in accordance with international law for mutual benefit, she said. Vietnam has always actively and responsibly contributed to this process, she added. Pompeo also said that the "the United States rejects any PRC maritime claim in the waters surrounding Vanguard Bank (off Vietnam), Luconia Shoals (off Malaysia), waters in Bruneis EEZ and Natuna Besar (off Indonesia)." Any PRC action to harass other states' fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters, or to carry out such activities unilaterally, is unlawful, he said. Pompeo's statement explicitly takes sides in favor of Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines and Vietnam, after years of the U.S. saying it took no position on individual claims. He said: "America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law." The Philippiness Department of National Defense on Tuesday said it "strongly agrees" with the position of the international community that there should be a rules-based order in the South China Sea. It urged China to comply with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and abide by the United Nations Convention on the UNCLOS to which it is a signatory. China has taken a series of illegal, provocative actions in the waters since the start of this year as countries around the world were focused on battling the Covid-19 pandemic. It formed the so-called Xisha and Nansha districts in Vietnams Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, sank Vietnamese fishing vessels off the Paracels, unilaterally issued a fishing ban and sent a ship to harass a Malaysian oil and gas exploration vessel. It also announced recently a vegetable farming project on Woody (Phu Lam) Island in the Paracels to strengthen its illegal sovereignty claim, and sent two diplomatic notes to the U.N. to make the infamous Four Sha claim, which covers a broader swath of territory than the notorious and illegal nine-dash line. Vietnam has repeatedly and strongly protested Chinas provocative, illegal actions and urged it to desist. Covid-19 has stalled a large number of fundraising events across the country, but local charity, Cians Kennels has certainly not been forgotten as a number of people and groups organise money-raising attempts for the charity. Cians Kennels is a unique charity, set up in memory of Cian Neary, from Killashee, who passed away last year following a battle with cancer. While he was in hospital, his shining light was his dog, Cooper, whom his parents made great efforts to bring to Dublin to see him. In his memory, Cians Kennels will see a kennel facility set up at the Ronald McDonald House, so that other children in hospital can see their beloved pets. In the past few weeks, Killashee woman Michaela Cox shaved her head for Cians Kennels, raising more than 4,000 for the charity. Karen, Elizabeth and Jane OBoyle will be doing a charity swim today, Wednesday, July 15, in aid of three charities close to their hearts - the Ollie Cox Injury Fund, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Cians Kennels. Their GoFundMe account had also raised in excess of 4,000 at the time of going to print. A third event, a cycle from Malin to Mizen, was due to take place this year but has been placed on hold due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. It had to be postponed, but we have a date set for that next year, said Cians mother, Evelyn Neary. The plan is for the cyclists to pass through Longford on Cians 17th birthday, which is on April 18. The event will mark the local launch of the charity but Evelyn is hoping to host the national launch as early as October. Covid-19 has slowed things down for the launch of Cians Kennels, Evelyn explained. A submission has gone to the hospital and there are still plans to go ahead but things are somewhat slower because visiting the hospital is currently not an option. But because we cant get into the hospital or to progress anything structural, we decided to provide families with framed photos of their pets, with the Cians Kennels border on it, in partnership with County Photos in Roscommon, said Evelyn. Covid-19 slowed us down a little bit, but it just means well be ready. Evelyn and all of Cians family are grateful for the fundraising efforts to date, expressing particular gratitude to young people in lockdown who are spending their extra time coming up with ideas for the charity. We were in hospital with Cian this time last year and we were in a dark place. And I think its so much worse for families now, with only one parent allowed in to visit, said Evelyn. So its more important now than it ever was to be able to give them something to look forward to. Cians Kennels is on Facebook and shares all updates on the charity, as well as current and future fundraising efforts. To donate to the charity swim, which takes place today in aid of Cians Kennels, the Ollie Cox Injury Fund and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, see OBoyle Sisters Charity Swim on GoFundMe. A pet owner has been fined $500 after a 12-year-old boy was attacked so badly by her dog he was left wheelchair-bound. Wendy York, of Nightcliff, in the Northern Territory, pleaded guilty to the attack in Darwin's Local Court this month. She was walking a mixed breed dog named Chase when it lunged at the boy riding a bike as he tried to pass on a nature strip from behind. It sunk its teeth into, and held onto, the boy's lower leg, 'lacerating the flesh down to the bone', NT News reported. The pre-teen was taken to Darwin Royal Hospital (pictured), where he underwent multiple surgeries and was in a wheelchair for five weeks as a result, the court heard The boy underwent multiple surgeries as a result, which placed him in a wheelchair for five weeks, the court heard. He was taken to Darwin Royal Hospital after York, 60, called an ambulance. The attack occurred the front of her house about 7pm on an unspecified date in April. York plead guilty to one count of dog attack level one as per the City of Darwins by-laws when she appeared before the court. The dog, however, is registered to her son Nathan York-Morris. In a statement of facts tendered in court and acquired by the NT News, York's husband, Bruce Morris, denied the incident was a dog attack but instead an act of defence 'due to being scared by the child riding past'. Morris 'made no inquiry as to the victim's wellbeing' when contacted about the incident, NT News reported. Wendy York, of Nightcliff, Northern Territory, pleaded guilty to one count of dog attack when she appeared before the Darwin Local Court (pictured) this month Wendy York was walking a mixed breed dog named Chase (not pictured) when it lunged at the boy riding a bike as he tried to pass on a nature strip from behind York admitted to being in control of the dog during the attack in an official interview. She said the dog had did not attack the victim but instead was 'protecting her from the bicycle', NT News reported. York was fined $500 and issued a 12-month good behaviour bond by City of Darwin. The City of Darwin's decision to euthanise Chase occurred in May. Portland Anti-Police Protesters Form Autonomous Zone With Barricades Demonstrators and self-described anarchists are attempting to form an autonomous zonesimilar to the one that was set up in Seattle in Junein Portland, with some calling it the Chinook Land Autonomous Territory, or CLAT. A Twitter account called the PNW Liberation Front wrote on Tuesday: Barricade at the Chinook Land Autonomous Territory (#CLAT). People are needed here ALL night long, especially in the early morning! Get on over rn! Bring some tents. The group posted photos of makeshift barricades that included Black Lives Matter and anti-police graffiti. The autonomous space at Lownsdale sq has also been dubbed the Chinook Land Autonomous Territory or #CLAT, which I enjoy a lot because were on stolen [expletive] land. So come on down to the CLAT and build some barricades and eat ribs! And stay all night! it wrote. The PNW Liberation Front account has attempted to organize incidents throughout the city. Another account posted a video of what appears to be a barricade, which also features anti-police slogans, in the area. The Police Department said in a statement that at around 9:15 p.m., the demonstrators began blocking traffic by standing in the road at Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street. Over the next several hours, the demonstrators began to set up barricades at Southwest Main Street and Southwest Salmon Street at Southwest 3rd Avenue, police said. The barricades blocked the entire lanes of traffic and consisted of industrial kitchen appliances, road blockades, and flashing traffic signs. During this time, the demonstrators lit a fire where the elk statue once stood, and another small fire was reported at Southwest Madison Street and Southwest 3rd Avenue. Local news outlet KATU posted photos of what appears to be demonstrators putting up tents, while it reported that about a dozen demonstrators were in the zone at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. The tents and barricades were erected at Lownsdale Square on Tuesday night, located across the street from the Federal Courthouse. Authorities said they removed some of the barricades at Southwest 3rd Ave. and Southwest Salmon Street. Demonstrators then returned and threw glass bottles and officers, the department said. After officers left the area, the demonstrators lit a fire to what was left of the barricade. Several minutes later, a demonstrator extinguished the fire and several demonstrators began to rebuild the barricade, according to police, adding that the crowd dispersed. Demonstrators and self-described anarchists set up an autonomous zone in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood in June before police dismantled it at the end of the month following several fatal shootings in the area. Protests, riots, arson attacks, and statue-toppling incidents in Portland have persisted on a daily basis in the wake of George Floyds death on May 25. Normally when I write about my Mississippi hometown, which sits newly polished since Hurricane Katrina on the lazy blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, its about growing up in a large family in a small town where almost everyone knew everyone, whether you were white or Black. Its about the joys and sorrows, the laughter and tears, the mistakes made and lessons learned during those childhood and teenage years. This time, though, its about the flag. The flag that hung high in front of the courthouse on Main Street, which also housed the county jail. The Mississippi state flag with the rebel flag settled brazenly in a corner. It had flown in the state since February 1894. But not anymore. The councils of two cities on the Mississippi coast Gulfport, on June 15, and my hometown, Bay St. Louis, on June 17 voted to remove the flags from municipal buildings. Twelve days later, the states legislature woke up. The House voted 84-35 and the Senate 36-14 to change the flag. The galleries were filled to watch history being rewritten. Gov. Tate Reeves signed the legislation. Now, that symbol of inequality, of racism, of hate and hurt, has been buried in the graveyard of shame. One hundred and twenty-six years too late. It was wonderfully satisfying that the Bay, our shortened and affectionate name for the city, was one of the first two cities in the state to say enough is enough. From the moment the French colonists created it and named it for Louis IX, who was canonized in 1297, it has always been more New Orleans than Mississippi, with its Creole food, large Catholic population, galette or beignets and coffee and chicory at breakfast, and for many years Cajun French interlaced with English. It has long been a weekend and summer destination for New Orleans residents who own homes on the beach. I havent lived there for more than six decades, but my roots are there, and nine generations of Favres have lived there. A nephew, Mike Favre, is the current mayor, and his brother, Eddie, was mayor when Katrina made landfall in Bay St. Louis and left the city on crutches, battered but not beaten. The Bay of my young years was indeed a segregated community, elements of blatant racism painted in bold letters, ugly graffiti on the soul of the city: Black and white schools, Black and white churches, upstairs for Blacks and downstairs for whites at the theaters, totally separate restaurants and bars, an unconstitutional poll tax on voting, and the list went on. Yet, Black and white families lived side-by-side or across the street from each other in parts of the city; white families attended church at the all-Black seminary, St. Augustines; cemeteries were for all residents; Latino kids from Mexico and Central America were students at St. Stanislaus, the Catholic boarding/day school. Now, after all these years, the flag has come down. After George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and Stephon Clark, and a list too long for this space, the flag has come down. After mass protests across the land, including Mississippi, after Black Lives Matter has become meaningful and not just letters on a T-shirt, after Confederate statues are removed or defaced, the flag has come down. The Sea Coast Echo, the weekly newspaper, which was once owned by my family and where I started my own journalism career, captured this moment during the meeting when the decision was made. Jeffery Reed is the council member who made the motion. Heres the Echos account: Reed told his fellow councilmen earlier in the meeting that on Saturday he had gone to the crawfish boil for first-responders that the Hancock County NAACP and local law enforcement officials worked together to host at the Martin Luther King Park in the Bay. We had more whites out there working at MLK Park than African Americans, Reed said, and I am talking about on their knees, pulling the weeds out of the flower beds, and power washing and other things ... I dont think its a moment, I think it is a movement. I think this is what Bay St. Louis is all about. Dont get me wrong racism is everywhere. Some of my best Caucasian friends are racist, but racism has two forms: You have malignant racism and benign racism. Malignant racism will kill you. Benign racism will not kill you, but it wont help you either. Until we make some progress in these particular areas, that we stand out and stand up against this thing, I think we genuinely I believe that is where it starts. It wasnt long before Reed and the mayor received vile, racist letters that are rightly being investigated. The flag has come down, but there is so much more to do. Will this just be a moment or a movement? Gregory Favre is the retired vice president of news for the McClatchy Company and former executive editor of the Sacramento Bee. At least seven ships have reportedly caught fire at Iran's Bushehr seaport, marking what appears to be the latest in a series of fires and explosions around the country -- some of which have hit sensitive sites. Iran's Tasnim news agency says no casualties have been reported. The state broadcaster showed firefighters tackling clouds of smoke at a shipyard at the southern port on the Gulf. The cause is not currently known. There have been several explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear, and industrial facilities since late June, including a fire at Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility. State run media have speculated sabotage or attacks from the United States or Israel. Earlier this month Benny Gantz, Israel's defense minister, said that his country was not "necessarily" behind every mysterious incident in Iran. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is confident that the methods it has tested for the opening of classes on August 24 would work. "Learning will continue, COVID or no COVID," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said at the second pre-SONA forum on Tuesday. Biones said contrary to criticism, the department is ready for the coming school year. "Sinubukan namin dahil maraming nagsasabi 'hindi kaya ng DepEd, hindi marunong ang DepEd, hindi nila makakayanan ang ganitong kalaking trabaho,'" she related. "Nagkaroon kami ng simulation...sa city ng Navotas with the cooperation and full support of Mayor (Toby) Tiangco...and it was a very successful simulation...kindergarten high, school and college." [Translation: We tried because there were a lot of comments sayung 'the DepEd can't do it, they don't know how, they don't know how to handle something as big as this.' We had a simulation in Navotas City with the cooperation and full support of Mayor Tiangco...and it was a very successful simulation...kindergarten, high school and college.] Briones urged parents not to worry too much as DepEd is doing everythng. "Ang importante, patuloy ang edukasyon," she said. "Bubuksan ang classes on August 24. Ang question ay handa ba ang DepEd? Ang DepEd ay handa na. Nakita namin yan sa simulation. It will work." [Translation: What's important is education will continue. Classes will open on August 24. The question is, is the DepEd ready? The DepEd is ready. We saw that in he simulation. It will work.] Briones acknowleged the difficulties faced by students who may not have the gadgets to use for the online platforms prepared by the DepEd, but said it was not the only way to continue learning. "We are not insisting that they go online, kasi may ibang alternatibo," she said. "Kung hindi pwede ang online...nandiyan ang telebisyon, nandiyan ang radyo." Apart from coordinating with the PCOO, Briones said the department is also assessing offers from various private and public sector providers for what she called "other alternative ways of sharing learning." In case of absolute absence of connectivity, Briones said printed modules could be sent out to schools and homes in coordination with local government units. She said that as of Wednesday morning, there were over 20 million registered students. Pennsylvania bars, restaurants and nightclubs are facing new restrictions as Gov. Tom Wolf tries to tamp down an unsettling surge of new COVID-19 cases across the state. The Democrat announced in a Wednesday afternoon news conference that bars must shutdown unless they offer sit-down, dine-in meals. If you just serve drinks, thats not going to work, Wolf said. Alcohol can only be served as part of a meal at a table or booth and bar service is not allowed. Drinks and meals can still be served to-go. Bars and restaurants must reduce indoor dining to 25% capacity. Under the green phase, bars and restaurants had been allowed to operate at 50% capacity. All night clubs must close. Wolfs order limits indoor gatherings to 25 people or fewer and outdoor gatherings to 250 people. Employers must have workers telework where feasible. Gyms and workout facilities can remain open, but theyre encouraged to offer outdoor options and masks are required. Read the full order here. Violators face fines, business closure or other applicable enforcement measures. The announcement comes the same day the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported almost 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the statewide total to 97,665. We dont want to become Florida. We dont want to become Texas, Wolf said. We dont want to become Arizona. We have to act now. Wolf acknowledged the rollbacks carry real pain for bar and restaurant owners and their employees, but he warned waiting to act could mean the state needs more draconian lockdowns that inflict more economic pain. This is what we have to do. It may feel like a step backwards but it isnt, Wolf said, adding it is a reminder of the importance of mask wearing and social distancing. (Cant see this chart? Click here.) Medical experts are looking at Pennsylvanias current case trajectory and predicting a new surge that could be worse than April 9 when the state saw 2,000 new cases in one day, Wolf said. The states hard work managed to break the transmission chain and by mid-June new cases were down to 300 to 400 per day. This time we have more knowledge and can act in a more focused manner, Wolf said of these mitigation efforts. The governor was joined at the news conference by state health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Dr. David Rubin, who is director of the hospitals PolicyLab and joined via Skype. The labs developed a model, which tracks and projects COVID-19 transmission in real-time across more than 500 U.S. counties with active outbreaks. The model takes into account how social distancing, population density, daily temperatures and humidity affect the number of cases and spread of the virus across a county. Over the last few weeks, public health reporting and our teams modeling work have uncovered incontrovertible evidence that the virus is sweeping quickly into the northeast region of the United States from the west and southwhere there has been a failure in some states to practice vigilance in masking and social distancingand that it has already begun its resurgence in Pennsylvania, Rubin said. We can halt this momentum in its tracks If Pennsylvania does not act decisively in the next six weeks to tamp down community transmission rates, the state risks jeopardizing the safe reopening of schools across the state, Rubin said. Wolf emphasized his actions are aimed at controlling the three primary ways contact tracing shows the virus is spreading so schools can open. People are visiting bars and restaurants and ignoring social distancing and mask wearing mandates, he said. The states seen super spreaders who unknowingly seed the virus through the community. We are trying to stop this virus in its tracks, the governor said. This is demonstrated in the sharp uptick in infections in people ages 19 to 24. And people 19 to 49 now account for 45% of the states cases. Those young people are starting to infect older people in the community, which will spike hospitalizations as seen in other states, Rubin said. An outbreak in Pittsburghs Allegheny County has resulted in almost 3,000 new cases since the start of July. Local officials already shut down bar and restaurant indoor operations. When asked why the order is not more targeted at hotspots like Allegheny, Levine said the threat is statewide. Floridas not taken statewide mitigation efforts, she noted. And the state recorded 15,000 cases on Saturday, its death rate is rising and its hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, she said. Thats what happens when you let this burn, Levine said. We cannot be Florida. Visitors to Pennsylvania and residents traveling to hotspots and back home are bringing the virus into communities, Wolf said. Thats why the states implemented a voluntary 14-day quarantine for 19 states. Wolf pointed to the lack of a national coordinated effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus as the third culprit. It means Pennsylvania is now feeling the effects of unchecked outbreaks in the south and southwest. Unfortunately this virus does not respect state boundaries, he said. We are paying the price in different ways. Major national testing company backlogs, brought on by a staggering volume of tests, are complicating mitigation efforts as cases rise in Pennsylvania. If it takes 10 days to get COVID-19 test results, that test is worthless, Wolf said. The state is making progress on testing with an all-time high of almost 28,000 tests reported to the department in the last 24 hours, Levine noted. Pennsylvania is working with a state company to develop a rapid COVID-19 test, which it hopes will be available by October, the governor said. When asked to identify the company, Wolf hesitated saying he wasnt sure if he could release the name. The state and the country need a test thats easy to administer that gives a rapid response in 15 to 20 minutes, he said. We cannot continue to rely on national testing organizations, Wolf said. The problem Texas, Florida and Arizona face now is that they waited too long to act, Rubin said. The viruss two to 14 day incubation period means it can takes weeks for a spike in cases to send more people to the hospital and then several weeks more for deaths to shoot up, Levine said. Waiting for the hospitals to fill is not the way to try to use a dimmer switch, Rubin said referencing California Gov. Gavin Newsoms analogy of a similar rollback of a dimmer switch. The fuse blows on a dimmer switch when youre in the thousands of your cases daily. The time for action is now. Wolf sought to remind Pennsylvanians of all they can do: while indoor dining is limited, theres no shortage of outdoor eateries and cocktails to-go are still allowed. Small gatherings of friends in a backyard or park are allowed and families are encouraged to take advantage of state parks, he said. Children can visit local playgrounds, community pools, and enjoy outdoor activities with family, Wolf said. We want people to spend time together, but to do so while practicing social distancing and wearing masks when required, such as any time you leave your home and are not participating in outdoor fitness. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. He recently proposed a mask order for indoor public spaces that was adopted by Jackson, Wyo. The mandate did not apply to federal land partly because of confusion about whether he had jurisdiction. Dr. Riddell said he would absolutely like to see a mask order for indoor spaces in the parks. I see it as a way for us to keep our economy functioning, he said. In Texas, where new cases are surging, the season has been marred by fits and starts for Big Bend National Park, an 800,000-acre mountain and desert region on the Mexican border. Like other parks, Big Bend shut down this spring as many states issued stay-at-home orders. For Bob Krumenaker, the park superintendent, that decision proved far easier than weighing what to do after reopening the park again on June 1. The park, which employs up to 14 emergency medical technicians, has one ambulance and the closest hospital is close to two hours away in Alpine, Texas, a city of 6,000. Given those vulnerabilities, Mr. Krumenaker said, park officials developed a strict framework for triggering another closure. On July 1, park officials announced they had met the threshold after a staff member tested positive for the virus. The park shut down again for at least two weeks, and on Wednesday, extended the closure for at least several more days. There is a huge burden on me to make as wise a decision as I can, Mr. Krumenaker said. I fully accept the responsibility of this job, which involves making these really tough decisions, he added. But there is no playbook. The tricky balance of weighing health and economic impacts is acute at Grand Canyon, which is in Coconino County, a sprawling region of 143,000. The park and the tourist economy it creates provide 12,000 jobs in the county, said Elizabeth Archuleta, the chairwoman of the countys Board of Supervisors. The park closed on April 1 after county health officials suggested, then demanded, that it do so as infections in the park and county began rising. Grand Canyon began a phased reopening on Memorial Day weekend. ALBANY Two things could jeopardize New York's recent relative success in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said during a press conference earlier this week out-of-state travelers bringing the virus back to the Empire State, and non-compliant New Yorkers ignoring public-health mandates, including mask wearing and physical distancing. Cuomo announced a potential solution for the first issue: mandatory screenings at airports throughout the state, with the possibility of a $2,000 fine for anybody coming from a high-infection state who fails to report where they intend to travel in New York. Enforcement of the second issue, however, often falls to frontline retail workers who already put their health at risk just by showing up to work every day and who, in many cases, are no longer paid extra for assuming that risk. "Retailers did not get into the business to be facemask police. We got into the business to sell things. Thats what you do when youre a merchant you sell stuff," said Ted Potrikus, president of the Retail Council of New York State. "But when the pandemic began, for those businesses that were allowed to stay open as essential, they had to figure out how to transition immediately from sellers to stewards of public health. All of those things came on so fast that it does turn the operation of a retail store rather quickly and rather dramatically." That transition has sometimes played out in violent ways. Store employees in New York across the country have been spat on, attacked and threatened for asking customers to follow mask guidelines. Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Tuesday the virus could be brought under control in four to eight weeks if everybody wore a mask. Last week, the state's Department of Health issued an order requiring businesses to refuse service to customers who refuse to wear a mask, while providing exceptions under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In June, Stewart's Shops president Gary Dake said some "violent reactions" made him hesitant to require employees to enforce the mask standards. After the health department's order, Stewart's required its employees to enforce it. "If everyone simply complied with the mask regulation, there would be no additional stress to our Partners," a Stewart's spokesperson told the Times Union. "Unfortunately, we have some customers that refuse to wear a mask; this places additional and unnecessary stress on our Partners. There have been numerous calls to local law enforcement due to escalated exchanges sometimes becoming physical between customers and between customers and Partners over masks." The Times Union reached out to the state health department, asking how many local businesses had been reported for non-compliance with mask and distancing guidelines, what the protocol is if a complaint is made and whether the state has taken any action against local businesses for failure to comply. The health department referred the questions to the Empire State Development Corporation, the state agency responsible determining when and how businesses can operate during the pandemic. ESD referred the inquiry to the governor's office. A spokesman for the governor acknowledged the inquiry, but did not provide a response. Hours later, the state health department told the Times Union that enforcement "is primarily at the local level." "While individuals could be issued fines for non-compliance, the intent of the regulation is for businesses to enforce compliance on their premises," the DOH spokesperson said. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy last week said lax enforcement by big-box stores like Walmart has been a recurring point of concern. Two Walmarts one in Glenmont, one in Crossgates Commons represent the bulk of mask complaints received by the county. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "The County Department of Health does have the ability to fine businesses for violating state guidelines on social distancing and mask wearing, however those fines could easily be absorbed by large corporations like Walmart and the issue of wearing a mask properly and social distancing may still continue," said Mary Rozak, a spokeswoman for McCoy. "The state has made it clear it is largely leaving enforcing these guidelines to local law enforcement, and we are in communication with the County Sheriffs Office. " Rozak said the county executive's office believes that businesses bear some of the responsibility for enforcement, "but weve also seen how this can create dangerous situations." Walmart announced it will be requiring shoppers at all stores to wear masks starting next week, and adding health and safety ambassadors to re-enforce the mask mandate. In Albany, the chain is taking steps to hire third-party security officers to help with enforcement. "Our COVID-19 protocols have continued to adapt during the pandemic in response to evolving research and mandates spanning the country. Additional safety changes took effect July 9 to expand our efforts in reminding customers of the importance and necessity of wearing face coverings in our stores, a Walmart spokesperson said. Retail workers are told that the customer is always right, said Potrikus, the Retail Council's CEO. Training employees to go against that adage will take time. "Even though the adage is 'the customer is always right,' adages, you can poke holes in them," Potrikus said. "The customer is not always right, and when a customer goes into a store in 2020, and adamantly refuses to wear a mask, the customer is not right." Michael.Williams@timesunion.com A joint report published by researchers at the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and ALONE examines issues of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. The report offers fresh insight into the experiences of those over 70 who were advised to 'cocoon' as part of public health measures to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus. New data from ALONE which documents increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation in older adults throughout the pandemic, is compared with experiences of loneliness and isolation in older adults before the COVID-19 outbreak. Previous research into this area has shown that strong social ties may protect people from emotional distress, cognitive decline, and physical disability, while loneliness and social isolation can cause harm to physical and psychological wellbeing. Both loneliness and social isolation have been strongly associated with poorer quality of life and other measures of well-being. The TILDA study offers unique insights into the health, habits and experiences of older adults living in Ireland through its longitudinal research, examining a variety of key areas that affect older adults such as physical and mental health as well as economic and social factors. Research from TILDA highlights the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in its nationally representative survey of participants which gives clear insight into the experiences of older people. What does TILDA's research show prior to the pandemic? Over 70% of TILDA participants reported that they never or rarely feel lonely; less than 25% feel lonely some of the time while just 5% reported feeling lonely often. Of those living alone, 31% are rarely lonely, 32% sometimes lonely and 37% often lonely. Of those living with others, 49% are least lonely, 30% sometimes and 21% often lonely. Researchers point out that most older adults are not often lonely and appear quite resilient, while data from ALONE's helpline suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on older people. The rise of loneliness in a pandemic Measures introduced to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including physical distancing, and self-isolation particularly affected those over 70 who were 'cocooning'; disrupting daily routines and social interactions with friends and family. Following the outbreak of the virus, ALONE's Support and Telephone Befriending service continued remotely with volunteers calling and sending regular texts to older people with health and well-being tips and practical supports. Almost 500 smartphones were distributed to older adults with limited means of social interaction. Following an increase in calls for support, ALONE established a dedicated phoneline to provide help and services to vulnerable older adults who may have needed them. Report data from ALONE highlights increased feelings of loneliness and isolation amongst older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. What does ALONE's research show? The ALONE national support line has received 26,174 calls during the period: March 9th to July 5th, 2020. 55% of callers were from the over 70s, the cohort advised to 'cocoon'. 75% of callers to the helpline were living alone. There has been an increase in callers who are putting off medical treatment or examination, including after falls. ALONE has seen a rise in callers reporting negative emotions, including suicidal ideation during the pandemic. Callers have most often requested support for their physical health, befriending, and emotional and mental health needs. The data highlights that public health measures such as social distancing and cocooning to curb the spread of the virus has increased levels of loneliness and social isolation in older people. This may have a negative effect on the well-being of older adults and suggests that public policies should be developed to ensure that these issues are addressed. Researchers suspect that current physical distancing and social isolation measures will be most keenly felt by those who rely on community or church-based social participation and engagement. A future research project led by TILDA in collaboration with ALONE will investigate and document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and general well-being of older adults. Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA said: ''This collaborative report between ALONE and TILDA offers a unique perspective into how older adults have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. TILDA research shows that most older adults are not often lonely and highlights the resilience of older adults as they adapt to an ever-changing world. The world has witnessed how older adults have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. ALONE's research provides front- line evidence that shows the true toll public health measures have had on older people with increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation. The impact of the pandemic is now being studied in the TILDA cohort and will be reported later this year. This will more precisely inform the impact of COVID-19 on loneliness and social isolation, and areas for policy intervention.'' Sean Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer of ALONE said: ''ALONE's coordinated National Response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed us to respond with immediacy to the concerns newly emerging, and existing issues being elevated from older people. We worked to keep all our services operative through adaptation of their structures. The presence of this virus in society has further solidified existing issues while further alienating some older people, as we have seen extensive increases in loneliness through the isolation experienced from cocooning. We established a loneliness taskforce to ensure we were putting provisions in place to safeguard older people, presently, and into the future. Society needs to understand that loneliness can happen to anyone and can damage both your physical and mental health. It is distressing and we want to work towards breaking down this stigma. As Ireland's ageing population continues to develop, we must remember that there are several thousands of older people behind every percentage." ### A link to report 'Loneliness and social isolation among the over 70s: Data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) and ALONE' can be found here: https://www.doi.org/10.38018/TildaRe.2020-07 If you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person you know, call ALONE on 0818 222 024 from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Professor Rose Anne Kenny Principal Investigator The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) ROSEKENNY@tcd.ie Ciara O'Shea Media Relations Officer Trinity Communications Trinity College Dublin COSHEA9@tcd.ie | Notes to the Editor About TILDA The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) is a large-scale, nationally representative, longitudinal study on ageing in Ireland, the overarching aim of which is to make Ireland the best place in the world to grow old. TILDA collects information on all aspects of health, economic and social circumstances from people aged 50 and over in a series of data collection waves once every two years. Visit: http://www.tilda.ie TILDA is funded by the Department of Health with support from the Health Research Board; The Atlantic Philanthropies; and Irish Life plc. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 01:23:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense ministry spokesman on Wednesday expressed China's strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region. Spokesman Wu Qian made the comments after a U.S. statement said the U.S. State Department had approved a request to provide the recertification package for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles to Taiwan for an estimated cost of 620 million U.S. dollars. The U.S. move, a flagrant violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, has constituted serious harm to China's sovereignty and security, and gross interference in China's internal affairs, the spokesman said. "China strongly urges the United States to immediately stop selling arms to China's Taiwan region to avoid further damage to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the military ties between China and the United States," he said. The spokesman also told Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority that reunification conforms with the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the will of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese People's Liberation Army will take all necessary measures to firmly protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he said. Enditem Patrice Shelton, community health worker in Hillside Court and director of the Hillside Court Partnership, said she intends to ensure the community is heard. Glenwood Burley, a retired police officer who has headed several commissions including one that revived a memorial for fallen police officers, said he wants to make sure the police arent demonized during the debate. Im sure there will be vigorous disagreement, said former City Councilman Bill Pantele, an attorney who works with the police department union. When we get to the other side, well have improved public safety that will make more sense for the residents. ... The time for change is here. Stoney said he made sure to select a group that was diverse not only in their occupations, but also in their opinions and in their approach to public safety. Many reached out wanting to be part of the task force and suggested others who might be interested, Stoney said, and they were whittled down from there. Stoney mentioned he was still hoping to add some youth to the board as well. Dong Khoi Street in HCMC, the location of several five-star hotels, June 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Nam. A number of three to five-star hotels in HCMC have been offered as paid isolation zones for foreign experts entering the city to work under special permission. The city's Department of Tourism proposed using 1,618 rooms at 10 hotels to quarantine foreign experts and high-skilled workers upon entry into the city, with the visitors having to foot the bill. Among the selection are famous five-star hotels Le Meridien Saigon, Sheraton and Norfolk, all in District 1. Hotels used for isolation will not serve any other purposes. Security staff will further prevent unauthorized entry. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams southern metropolis, is seeking government approval to allow 437 foreign experts and high-skilled workers returning to the city to resume work. Earlier, 3,000 foreigners had been granted special entry for work purposes. Vietnam closed its borders and suspended all international flights on March 25, and stopped issuing visas for foreign nationals since March 18. A report from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs showed over 93,000 foreign workers are licensed to operate in Vietnam but that nearly 22,000 have been unable to return to Vietnam since the end of March due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Vietnam has gone three months without community transmission caused by the novel coronavirus. The country of 96 million has reported only 381 infections, of these 28 are active cases, and not a single death. A detective who suffers from PTSD arising out of threats made against him and his family by criminals has brought a High Court action aimed at preventing his dismissal from from An Garda Siochana. The action has been brought by Detective Garda Aidan Bracken, who was informed earlier this year that he was being dismissed over his admission before a Circuit Criminal Court of a charge of making a false report. The detective launched proceedings after the Garda Commissioner informed him that, subject to the consent of the policing authority, it is proposed to summarily dismiss the detective from the Gardai because he considered unfit for retention in the force. The court heard the detective is a 20-year veteran who has not worked for five years due to psychiatric injuries sustained while on duty. Detective Bracken, who was stationed in Carbury, Co Kildare, was charged with making a false report. In 2019 he pleaded guilty to the criminal offence before Wicklow Circuit Court. The Garda accepted that he made a false report concerning threats he claimed were made against himself, his family and his colleagues. At the time the Detective, who had been informed by his superiors that his life was at risk, had been suffering from serious mental health issues, including paranoia, stress and PTSD due to other serious threats he had received from violent criminal gang members. The judge hearing that case determined that, given the extenuating circumstances, no punishment was warranted and dismissed the charges under the Probation Act. As a result of that action, the Commissioner, citing Regulation 39 of the 2007 Garda Discipline Regulations informed the detective that he was to be dismissed from the force. John Kennedy SC, with Rory Kennedy Bl instructed by solicitor Eoin Powderly, told the court that the commissioner appeared to base the decision on what he said was Detective Bracken's 'conviction' at the Circuit Court. Counsel said no conviction was recorded against his client by the circuit court. While that may have been an error, counsel said that the state never returned before the Circuit seeking to correct that error. Counsel said that regulation 39, where a Garda can be summarily sacked by the commissioner, was something that can be done when the commissioner was absolutely certain that a member had engaged in serious breach of discipline. Counsel said that the Commissioner could not invoke such a draconian measure against the detective where there was, at the very least, a doubt over what the Circuit Court had handed down. In the circumstances, counsel said that the commissioner's decision to dismiss Detective Bracken, who had taken other High Court proceedings against the Commissioner in relation to his payments while on leave, should be quashed by the court. Opposing the application, the Commissioner represented by Margaret Nerney SC, with Martin Fitzgerald Bl, claims the detective's action was premature and had been taken before the process under the relevant Garda regulation had been completed. In a statement of opposition, the Commissioner also argued that the decision taken was correct and added that the detective had pleaded guilty to a criminal charge before the Circuit Court. In his action, Detective Bracken seeks various orders, including one preventing his dismissal, and one directing the commissioner to provide the detective with adequate reasons for the decision. He also seeks declarations from the court including that the Commissioner has breached the detective's Constitutional rights and rights to fair procedures by failing to consider all relevant material facts prior to deciding to dismiss the detective. The application was before Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who following the conclusion of submissions from the parties reserved his decision. Even as it grapples with an enrollment dropoff this fall, UConn is telling almost 1,000 students who want campus housing that they must either find a place to live on their own or they cant return to classes. The reason: Under the coronavirus guidelines, university-owned housing stock can accommodate no more than 8,100 students and 9,000 have requested it. Were optimistic were not going to disappoint many, but we are still working that out, said Elly Daugherty, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the University of Connecticut, in an informational hearing Tuesday before a legislative committee. Its a problem other colleges and universities face this fall, as they manage a financial burden of many students not returning to classes especially foreign students, whose status has whipsawed with federal rules changes. At UConn, about 65 percent of the schools 19,000 undergraduate students typically live in dorms or other housing thats owned, operated or affiliated with the university. Many have already informed the school they wont be returning or will live at home but a gap still remains. All of the state colleges and universities have reduced housing to avoid crowding and virus spread, especially in shared bathrooms. They have also had to make room for isolation units where students who do test positive for the virus can move while they recover. About 10 percent of the housing at residential campuses will be reserved for students affected by the virus. Representatives from the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges also participated in the three-hour, online panel discussion with the General Assemblys higher education committee. They answered questions about the difficult process of reopening schools to students, even if only for a few months. In the fall, classrooms will operate at reduced capacity to help students and faculty maintain social distancing, resulting in many courses moving online permanently. All of the higher education institutions have also made substantial investments in personal protective equipment to keep those on campus safe, including purchasing masks and hundreds of gallons of hand sanitizer. And most universities in the state have already informed students, staff and faculty that they wont return to campus after Thanksgiving in November, as part of the efforts to avoid outbreaks of the virus on campus. There are plans for testing, for monitoring the health and well-being of students and contingency plans for outbreaks, all covered in the three hour informational forum. While the logistics of operating colleges and universities in the midst of a global pandemic are complicated, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system President Mark Ojakian said hes confident campuses will be able to open safely beginning next month. There are some challenges that we are going to face but we are committed to offering instruction on our campuses, he said. Connecticut colleges and universities are facing massive budget deficits over the next year the result of refunding students for the spring semester, which was abruptly canceled or moved online after spring break, and many students choosing not to return next year due to the pandemic. In a best case scenario, UConn faces a $47 million deficit. In the worst case, a $130 million deficit, said Scott Jordan, the executive vice president and chief financial officer. UConn began sending notices this week to students enrolled for the fall, telling them whether they had housing on campus or had to fend for themselves, according to emails obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media. Ben Barnes, the chief financial officer for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System, painted an equally bleak financial picture for those universities and community colleges. For the upcoming fiscal year, he said, the system has a budget plan that would use $48 million in reserves. This is by far the largest draw-down in reserves in CSCU that I can remember over the last dozen years or so, said Barnes, who was the top state budget official for eight years under former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. This I think reflects the board of regents appreciation of the emergency nature of what were doing. It is so critical that we continue to serve our students and continue to maintain viable institutions that they have accepted losses over $30 million in the CSCUs and $15 million in the Connecticut community colleges simply to be able to operate at a baseline level. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Its not hard to notice bicyclists on state roads in good weather. And since July 1, some of them are pedaling for a cause as well as recreation. The 2020 Tour des Farms is ongoing, with a COVID-caused twist, of course, that presents an opportunity for new participants. The eight-route, 75-farm bike tour is taking place at a riders own pace and schedule instead of a given day or weekend. Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development, a rural/agriculture-boosting charity, is hosting the event through Sept. 30 for riders experiencing one of eight regional routes, including Fairfield Region, Greater New Haven and southeastern Coastal each featuring 6-10 farms. In lieu of a registration fee, organizers are asking for a tax-deductible donation to the 2020 Connecticut Tour des Farms Program, which will support the farms through the University of Connecticut Extensions Operation Community Impact and other Connecticut food security initiatives, where local produce, food products and dairy will be distributed to local and regional soup kitchens. Andrea Peres of CTR&D noted that not all farms along the route are open to the public due to challenges from COVID. However, were still encouraging folks to treat these as wave-bys in order to raise awareness. Routes are listed with their level of difficulty, but the rides arent just for avid cyclists; you can sign up and do them on a motorcycle or in a car - observing physical distancing guidelines while getting outside and exploring what Connecticut agriculture has to offer, according to the CT RC&D (which is donating the cost of staff time to organize the event). The largest loop, the 69.8-mile Greater New Haven tour, for example, starts at Bishops Farm Market in Guilford, heads east to Madison, north to Killingworth (Lavender Pond Farm) and Durham, then south and west to Wallingford (Gouveia Vineyards), North Branford (Cecarelli Farms) and Branford (Medlyn Farm). Detailed directions are given after registration on the website. The group points out that 100% of a donation directly supports local farmers and our communities who need it most. The other five routes are the Litchfield Hills, Quiet Corner, Farmington River Valley, Central CT River and Lower Ct River Valley. Registration and/or donation links can be found at ctrcd.org/tourdesfarms. LOS ANGELESAfter the EARN IT Act, a bill supposedly targeted at online sex trafficking but in reality designed to roll back internet free speech protections guaranteed by Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act the United States Senate is taking up a new bill that wages an assault on internet privacy without even pretending to fight sex trafficking. Introduced by Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and co-sponsored by two more GOP Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, according to the Brookings Institute policy think tank, wages no less than a nuclear assault on encryption in the United States, and, by extension, on security, privacy, and speech online. The law would require all end-to-end encryption, the communication security protocol found in such messaging services as WhatsApp, ProtonMail, Telegram, to include back doors allowing government and law enforcement authorities to eavesdrop on encrypted communications. But the purpose of encryption is to prevent governments, or anyone other than intended recipient, from accessing online communications. According to the App Association, a technology advocacy group, secured, private communication is even more vital while millions remain quarantined and reliant on remote communication technologies. Encryption is especially important for vulnerable communities, such as the protesters and activists involved in the Black Lives Matter fight for racial justice, who rely on encrypted communications to coordinate their activities and exercise their First Amendment rights, according to an App Association statement on the LAED Act. Sex worker advocacy groups such as the group Decriminalize Sex Work have already warned that by punching another hole in Section 230 protections, the EARN IT Act leaves sex workers open to increased surveillance and conviction of sex workers for crimes unrelated to human trafficking. Surveillance and red flags would not be limited to sexual content that seems violent or abusive. But coupled with EARN IT, the LAED Act poses a serious threat to online security, according to the Brookings Institute report. The EARN IT Act originally contained an anti-encryption provision, but that wording was removed to enable the bill to make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month. The LAED Act doesnt make the EARN IT Act OK. Both of these bills threaten core freedoms online, and moving an attack on encryption from one bill to another is not progress, the Brookings report states. The hard-line approach of the LAED Act is no reason to endorse the EARN IT Act, which could result in many of the same consequences as the LAED Act, if in a more roundabout way. The report also notes that the LAED Acts ban on encryption applies even more broadly than the EARN IT Act provisions would have, targeting not simply sex trafficking online, but also everything from websites and social media platforms, to apps, email, messaging and chat, videoconferencing and voice calling apps, cloud storage, operating systems, and any electronic device with at least 1 gigabyte of storagea very low bar in 2020. The proposed law would apply to any service with at least 1 million users. ProtonMail has more than 5 million, while the extremely popular WhatsApp has reportedly topped 2 billion, including 68 million in the U.S. alone. Smaller services could still be ordered to include encryption back doors by the U.S. attorney general. That post is currently occupied by Willian Barr, who has been a staunch opponent of online end-to-end encryption. Photo By Biljana Jovanovic / Pixabay Unmanned traveling cranes unloading steel coils at midnight which is a normal scene at a hot galvanizing workshop of a cold rolling mill of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd (Baosteel), Shanghai. The digitalized workshop, which needs no manual attendance, is able to operate automatically in the off hours, enabling the gigantic factory to function non-stop all day. The upgraded smart workshop can improve 30 percent of labor efficiency and 20 percent of capacity, said an employee of the cold rolling mill. Smart manufacturing has become a sharp weapon for enterprises to improve quality and efficiency, contributing to their stable operation during the COVID-19 epidemic. The unmanned workshop is just a miniature of the accelerated digitalization of the Chinese manufacturing sector. According to a white paper on the development of Chinas digital economy issued by China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) on July 3, Chinas digital economy embraced development with greater depth and breadth last year, and witnessed further enhancement of digital technologys role in promoting the growth and efficiency of traditional industries. A total of 28.8 trillion yuan ($4.12 trillion) of added value was generated by industries through applying digital technologies, a nominal increase of 16.8% year-on-year. Behind the 28.8-trillion-yuan performance is the in-depth integration of traditional industries and new technologies. In Lvliang, north Chinas Shanxi province, the last 5G base station of Pangpangta Coal Mine was installed after three months of efforts made by the employees of China Unicom, one of the largest telecommunication carriers in China. At present, over 100 kilometers of the shafts at the coal mine are covered with 5G network. The network largely improves the safety and efficiency of mining activities. Thanks to the 5G network, we are now able to record videos in the shafts, manage our equipment and conduct smart analysis of the work. Smart mining is no longer a dream, said an employee of the Huozhou Coal and Electricity Group that runs the coal mine. The new generation of information technology, including 5G and artificial intelligence, is not benefitting only the mining industry, but also the digitalization of many industrial sectors. As of the end of 2019, 47.1 percent and 49.5 percent of the production equipment and key manufacturing procedures of Chinese enterprises above designated size had been digitalized, and 41 percent of these enterprises' digital devices had been connected to the internet. Besides, digital R&D and design tools accounted for 69.3 percent of the total in industrial enterprises. Such performance offered strong support for the in-depth digital transformation of the manufacturing sector. Behind the 28.8-trillion-yuan performance is the released potential for digital transformation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). For instance, digital upgrading has brought unexpected changes to Qingdao Huanqiu Garments Corporation Limited based in east China's Shandong province. By cooperating with the COSMOPlat (the worlds largest mass customization solution platform to support global industry upgrades) of Haier, we established customized service platform. It enabled us to receive customized orders from across the world, said Yang Zhiqiang, general manager of the garment corporation. The COSMOPlat mirrors the efforts of Chinas industrial internet platforms to help with the digital transition of Chinese SMEs. Statistics indicate that the added value of Chinas industrial internet hit 2.13 trillion yuan last year, surging 47.3 percent from a year ago. The integration of industrial internet into different sectors drove an economy of 1.6 trillion yuan, gradually revealing its acceleration for economic development. Behind the 28.8-trillion-yuan performance are the emerging new business models and vitality for entrepreneurship. QuadTalent, a digital transformation solution provider recently launched a livestream marketing event for Chinese shoemaker Topscore, innovatively broadcasted how shoes were made on the production line. Customers orders, once placed, were directly manufactured, and the manufacturing process was completely visible. The invisible barriers between the manufacturer and the clients were thus torn down, said Min Wanli, CEO of QuadTalent. The accelerated integration of the new generation of information technology and the manufacturing sector is constantly promoting new products, models and businesses. According to statistics, 35.3 percent, 25.3 percent and 8.1 percent of the Chinese enterprises launched internet-based collaborative manufacturing, service manufacturing and customization, respectively. The manufacturing sector, supported by the digital technology on the whole chain, is rising as a new ground for Chinas digital economy, said Sun Ke, director of the digital economy research department of the Policy and Economics Research Institute, CAICT. Renault's protest against the 'pink Mercedes' fielded by Racing Point this year could be a significant moment for Formula 1. That is the view of F1 legend Gerhard Berger, who said he faced a similar "headwind" when he was co-owner of Red Bull's second team Toro Rosso. The FIA has seized brake parts from Racing Point's 2020 car, with Renault claiming the Silverstone based team illegally cooperated with Mercedes to design them. Berger said: "I know such a headwind. We were also accused of breaking the regulations. We were going really well and won the race in Monza with Sebastian Vettel. "It was a car that came very strongly from Red Bull in England, but it was our concept with young drivers in the car and know-how from Italy. It was ideal," Berger told Servus TV. "Racing Point and Mercedes may have used a different approach. There are certainly photos you can compare. "If the protest about the brakes goes through, you would have to ask if it is then allowed to equip a second team with the same parts and the same engineering concept," he added. Berger said: "Basically, it's good to see the field move closer together, but the regulations should apply to everyone and any questions must be clarified. "Racing Point was really fast in Styria. Perez might even have been on the podium if he had started higher up." (GMM) Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for CIA By VOA News July 14, 2020 Iran has executed a former defense ministry employee who was convicted of selling information to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Iran's judiciary said Tuesday. A judiciary spokesman said Reza Asgari was executed last week for selling information about Iran's missile program to the CIA. Iran says Asgari sold the information during his last years in the defense ministry and retired in 2016. Iran executed another alleged spy last month. Officials say Jalal Hajizavar admitted in court that the CIA paid him to spy. The judiciary said spy equipment was confiscated from the home of Hajizavar, who also worked at the defense ministry. The judiciary said his wife was sentenced to 15 years in prison for participating in the espionage. The judiciary also said Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, accused of spying for the United States and Israel, is among those who have yet to be put to death. Iran said last year it had apprehended 17 spies whom it alleged were working for the CIA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Franky Bernstein, the Venice, California-based serial entrepreneur, knows marketing. At his last startup, Markett, Bernstein turned college students into brand ambassadors who were paid by the companies they repped for proselytizing about them on campuses. Now he's using that knowledge to launch Kickback on iOS and Android. It's invite-only at this point, but the idea is that it uses companies' marketing budgets to create shopping rewards and incentives for app users. In the same way that Markett turned college students into advocates for apps like Uber and Lyft, Kickback will turn shoppers into brand ambassadors through its app. In-app referrals and discounts for shopping are nothing new to the e-commerce world. In China, apps like Pinduoduo have turned into billion-dollar businesses on the strength of referrals. Indeed, Pinduoduo recently raised $1.1 billion in funding to hit a valuation of nearly $100 billion. It was only a matter of time before an American company tried to copy its success. Kickback -- like most new apps these days -- is invite-only. Once past the waiting list, users get discounts on brands and can earn cash-back rewards when they shop or when they encourage their friends to buy something with the app. [gallery ids="2016896,2016897,2016898,2016899,2016900"] So far brands on the app include Walmart, Sams Club, Nike, Alo Yoga, Reebok, Away, Planet Blue, Sonos, Winc, Postmates, Casper, Kate Somerville, Lacoste and Columbia. Users get discounts or cash rewards when they shop and earn "kickbacks" when they invite someone to shop using their discount code. Cash rewards can be withdrawn using PayPal, according to a statement. Our mission is to take the billions of dollars brands spend on advertising and put that money directly into the pockets of the people, said Franky Bernstein, founder and CEO of Kickback, in a statement. Brands know the most powerful form of marketing is word of mouth. We like to say that people are 100% more likely to go on a first date, watch a movie or, in our case, try a new product or service if a friend tells them about it. People have always loved sharing their favorite products and services with their friends. Now with Kickback, they get paid for it. Mumbai, July 15 : In a significant development in the Palghar lynching case, the Maharashtra Police's CID on Wednesday filed two separate charge sheets totalling around 12,000 pages, naming over a whopping 250-plus accused, an official said. "Yes, the charge sheets have been filed before the Palghar Sessions Court. Each runs into some 6,000-pages and have named 126 accused each," Special Public Prosecutor Satish Maneshinde told IANS. Among other things, the charge sheets says that the mob lynching incident was the outcome of rumour-mongering and there was no religious angle to the crime. The charge sheets signify the end of the investigations into the sensational case in which two sadhus and their driver were lynched near Gadchinchale village in the district. However, police sources said the probe will still continue into other related aspects of the triple crime by a mob on the night of April 16, even as the first charge sheets were filed within the 90-day period. On that night, Kalpavrikshagiri Maharaj, 70, his assistant Sushilgiri Maharaj, 35, of the Juna Akhada, and their driver Nilesh Telgade, 30, were waylaid when they were en route from Mumbai to Gujarat's Surat for a funeral during the lockdown. Mistaking them to be robbers or kidnappers, a huge mob pounced on them and attacked them with stones, sticks, sickles. The trio later succumbed to ther grievous injuries. The Wednesday developments came after Additional Sessions Judge D.N. Keluskar rejected the bail pleas by 25 accused in the case on Tuesday. Strongly opposing the bail plea, Maneshinde said that the prosecution had gathered "multiple evidences against the accused", including videos, mobile Call Data Records, CCTV evidence recorded by the Forest Department checkpost, bloodstains and possible fingerprints and other technical evidence against the accused. He said the investigations of the evidence proved the complicity of the accused who were present at the spot during the incident. Later, more than 150 people, including minors, were arrested and the matter was handed over to the CID, as the incident created a nationwide political furore. Officials say consumers will be able to order up to four free tests Back in December, senior Biden administration officials stated their desire to create a website so that Americans could order free COVID-19 tests. It looks like that goal has now been realized. White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced Tuesday that the website is now open to the public in its "beta phase" ahead of a full rollout on Wednesday. The early launch is meant to ensure that the site is fully operational so that consumers can use it without any issues. CNN q... President Donald Trump has said that he would welcome his former national security adviser Michael Flynn back to the White House and has not ruled out pardoning him if he is convicted of lying to the FBI. The president asked Mr Flynn to leave his role in the White House in 2017, when The Washington Post revealed that he lied to vice-president Mike Pence about conversations he had with Russian diplomat Sergey Kislyak. The retired US Army lieutenant general has been embroiled in legal proceedings ever since and in 2017 pleaded guilty to willfully and knowingly making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements to the FBI regarding the conversations. However, earlier this year, after Mr Flynn attempted to withdraw his plea, the Justice Department led by attorney general William Barr dropped the case against him and a federal appeals court panel ordered Judge Emmet Sullivan to dismiss it. Mr Sullivan has asked the Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision and has so far not ruled on dismissing the Justice Departments case against Mr Flynn. Recommended Former Trump aide Flynn appears to make pledge to QAnon in July 4 clip On Tuesday, when asked by CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge if he would welcome Mr Flynn back to the White House if the case is dismissed, the president replied: I would. I think hes a great gentleman. Hes a great hes been in the military for many, many decades, actually. Highly respected. What general Flynn went through is so unfair. Mr Trump added that Mr Flynn has gone through hell, hes been destroyed but hell make a comeback, hes gonna make a great comeback. The president told reporters on Monday that he has also not ruled out pardoning Mr Flynn, after he commuted the 40-month prison sentence of his former adviser Roger Stone on Friday. Mr Stone was convicted of witness tampering and lying to Congress and was arrested alongside Mr Flynn by Robert Mueller, the Justice Department special counsel who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Recommended FBI director orders internal review of Flynn investigation Mr Trump said that at the moment he does not have a decision to make about pardoning Mr Flynn until I find out whats going to happen. He said that he thinks that the former adviser is doing very well with respect to his case, and added: I hope that hes going to be able to win it. The president has long defended Mr Flynn and told CBS that I think he was persecuted, and claimed that the FBI treated him very unfairly, as they have many people on this side. My late grandmother, Nana Yaa Abuakwaa used to tell me that, in most instances, people pick up characters of things they are named after, and a staggering revelation I stumbled upon some time ago about the elephant and the behaviour of Yaanom seems to lend credence to this belief. I am going to bring to light why Yaanom behaves irrationally at times: and I am going to do that with microscopic diligence and undeviating exactitude. Elephants are very interesting. They are the largest of all land mammals and have a lifespan of 70 years. They can smell water three miles away. One other fascinating characteristic of the elephant is its grieving. The mother elephant has been observed to mourn the loss of a deceased child. The mourning ritual involves the mother slumped in stature, trying to revive her child, seemingly in denial of the death. In other cases, elephants have been known to mourn a loved one for years after its death. Is this the reason why Yaanom grieved over their loss in 2012 and spent close to a year in court mourning? In some other observations, every time an elephant walked past the place that a fellow herd member died, the elephant would pause for several minutes and even investigate the remaining bones. They never forget oo. Similarly, if you cross Yaanom, they will never forget let alone forgive you. Elephants spend 16 hours eating, and they consume 495 pounds of food a day. It has been observed that people who are associated with the elephant have insatiable appetite too. They chop waa, waa, waa, and will go to any length to satisfy their appetite including forming jumbo size governments, borrowing excessively.You may give your own examples oo, I don't want any trouble. Elephants show excitement in interesting ways. When excited or angry, the elephant will release an oily material by name musth also means madness, and usually when the substance is released, the elephant is in a dangerous state. Sosket! Hmmmm boi, no be me dey talk oo, the elephant go fit easily activate all-die-be-die mode and azugurize people oo. Kai, did you see the meaning of musth? Eiwoo, madness paa, please nobody should mention Dompim Butcher, Chairman Mintumi and others oo, I don't want any wahala. Elephants use trunk-slaps, kicks and shoves to discipline obstinate family members. Yaanom have a way of disciplining their own oo. Who whispered acid-bath? I don't like the way some of you behave oo, ayoo. The elephant is herbivorous, meaning it lives on herbs. Chai, does this explains why some of the followers of the elephant live on herbs? Kikikikikiki, na this be hard fact oo. Abi, this one be food for thought papa. My late grandmother must be absolutely right in her belief that people pick characters of things they are named after. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / ???Business services in need of generating earned media impact can now leverage the power of Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour (EMA GT) program to reinvigorate their marketing strategy as they navigate the new normal. With Earned Media Advantage Strategists (EMAS) acting as extensions of in-house teams, companies can develop comprehensive media and marketing communications strategies that increase website traffic and create more media opportunities throughout the year. The record-low GDP in the United States brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced business services companies to find cost-effective solutions when it comes to advertising and marketing communications campaigns. The Guided Tour is a strategic tool that can provide business services firms with the ability to convert owned media into earned media opportunities. The EMA GT presents a key opportunity for firms that are operating on a limited budget but are responsible for effective brand management of their clients. "The business services industry encompasses several different specializations, many of which require some form of brand management function," said Charlie Terenzio, Newswire's VP of Earned Media Advantage Business. "Firms that offer consulting, training, and management services are all going to need to be able to offer their clients some form of media and marketing communications assistance at some point. The EMA GT is a great tool for when that time comes." The importance of understanding the role of the media and journalists during these unprecedented times cannot go unnoticed by business service firms working on behalf of their clients; news agencies and industry publications have experienced soaring viewership metrics during the pandemic. By securing relevant coverage from reputable outlets, business service companies can help their clients maintain their market presence throughout the ongoing health crisis. "Keeping your brand or your client's brands in front of the media and top of mind is so crucial right now," said Anthony Santiago, Newswire's VP of Marketing. "You have a chance to retain customer loyalty and jump-start growth periods with the implementation of effective campaigns." Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour includes a press release and multimedia distribution plan (EMAP) that maps the right messages to the right media outlets for delivery at the right time in accordance with a calendar of events that is designed to optimize campaign efficiency. The EMA GT empowers brands with Newswire's best-in-class science, processes and technology, which in turn leads to greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media and marketing spend, and competitive advantage through industry leadership. Learn how Newswire's Earned Media Advantage Guided Tour can help your brand achieve industry leadership at a competitive cost by navigating to the program page. About Newswire? Newswire delivers press release and multimedia distribution software and services (SaaS) that empower the Earned Media Advantage: greater brand awareness, increased traffic, greater return on media and marketing communications spend and the competitive edge. With over a decade of experience, Newswire continues to provide its customers with the ability to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time through the right medium.? To learn more about how Newswire can help you, visit http://www.newswire.com. Contact Information Charlie Terenzio VP of Earned Media Advantage Business Newswire Office: 813-480-3766 Email: charlie@newswire.com Related Images SOURCE: Newswire View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597441/Business-Service-Executives-Land-Major-Media-Coverage-With-Newswires-Earned-Media-Advantage-Guided-Tour The Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Eleeza says the two COVID-19 testing centers in the region are overwhelmed with samples from 8 regions. This, he explained has led to delays in the release of test results compared to when the centers were taking samples from five regions. The Public Health and Reference Laboratory located within the Tamale Teaching Hospital with a capacity to test about 300 samples a day and the Pong Tamale Veterinary laboratory with a capacity to test less than 100 samples are the two testing centers in the region that is currently serving 8 regions in Ghana. Dr. Eleeza whiles speaking on the Diamond power drive on Tuesday morning revealed that it took four to five days to produce results even though the Laboratory technicians were working overtime. This he added were impeding efforts by the COVID-19 response team in the region from responding effectively in curtailing the wild spread of the virus. He urged government to establish testing centers in Kintampo and in Bolgatanga to help reduce the simple loads on the two resting centers in Tamale which he said will help in the contact tracing and reduce the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, 267 positives cases of COVID-19 cases have so far been recorded in the Northern region, with nine deaths from that number. Only two people are currently on admission. 170 infected persons have recovered from the virus leaving 97 active cases in the Northern region. Giving a breakdown of the cases, Dr. John Eleeza said the Tamale Metropolitan area has recorded 193 cases with 8 deaths, Sagnarigu Municipality has 51 cases with 1 death, Yendi has 10 cases and Saboba has 9 cases. Nanumba South and Tolon districts both have two cases each. Dr. John Eleeza expressed worries that persons within 20 to 39 years account for 70.4 % of all infections in the Northern region. He said out of the 267 cases in the region, 136 cases representing 51% are males while 131 representing 49% are females. He urged the public to help stop the spread of the virus by religiously observing the COVID-19 preventive protocols put out by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service. New Delhi, July 15 : The Delhi Police, while refuting allegations of Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita, who is facing probe in a case relating to the Delhi riots, told the Delhi High Court that the note on her was not leaked to the media but shared to "save people's faith in the public institution". "It wasn't a selective leak. The reason behind the issuance of this press note was not to prejudice or harm the reputation of the accused, but, it was actually done to save the people's faith in the public institution (Delhi Police)," Additional Solicitor General Aman Lekhi told the court. He added that the nature of the case and allegations against Kalita were not revealed by the police but it was the members of that group who disclosed the details on social media platforms. The submissions came as a single judge bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru was hearing a petition filed by Kalita seeking the court's direction to the Delhi Police to not leak any allegations pertaining to the petitioner to the media pending investigation, and thereafter during trial. During the hearing, which continued for over two hours, Lekhi argued that the press note being cited by Kalita was issued to correct the perception that police, being a statutory body, is not part of "any machinery". The ASG said the some tweets put out by members of the said group used words like "massive Hindutva machinery" and the same cannot be accepted "as how can anyone communalise the police force". The court has now kept the matter for further hearing on Thursday. In the previous hearing, the court had pulled up the police over its response filed in connection with Kalita's plea, saying that "this wasn't the kind of affidavit the court expected". "This isn't the kind of affidavit that was expected. It can't be allowed on record unless someone takes responsibility of what is being said in this. "If the same affidavit remains, we would be testing the averments made in it," Justice Bakhru had said. Counsel for the petitioner had also raised questions on the sharing of the affidavit with the media. The Delhi Police, in its affidavit filed by special counsel for the Delhi riots, Amit Mahajan and Rajat Nair, contended that it was Kalita who herself has been guilty of frustrating a fair trial and to impede the ongoing investigation against her by starting a media campaign to gain public sympathy. "It was the accused petitioner, who in the garb of free speech has been reverently trying to obfuscate and derail the investigation against her by misusing social media platforms and by peddling fake narratives and misinformation against the investigating agency and by maligning its investigation, as state sponsored malicious prosecution on such social media platforms," the affidavit filed under the signature of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime (STARS & STF), read. On June 11, the High Court restrained the Delhi Police from circulating information. "The respondent is restrained from issuing any such statements or circulating information regarding allegations and evidence allegedly collected against the petitioner or other accused, to any person, including to the media or on social media platforms," Justice Bakhru had said. Kalita was first held for the Jafrabad violence case, and then for the Daryaganj violence case. However, the Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against her and co-accused Natasha in Jafrabad violence case on June 2. The police said that both were actively involved in hatching the conspiracy to cause riots near Jafrabad Metro Station, and were also found to be connected to the 'India Against Hate' group and JNU scholar Umar Khalid. "The message, found in the phone of an accused, on Whatsapp chat, reveals the conspiracy and the extent of preparation for causing riots," the statement by the police added. CHICAGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report on the "Manufacturing Execution System Market by Offering (Software, Services), Deployment (On-premises, On-demand, Hybrid), Process Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences), Discrete Industry, Geography - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Manufacturing Execution System Market is expected to grow from USD 11.9 billion by 2020 to USD 14.9 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2020 to 2025. A few key factors driving the growth of this market include the need for mass production and connected supply chain to cater to the growing population, increasing use of industrial automation in process and discrete industries, low deployment cost, growing importance of regulatory compliance and fiscal policies formulated by regional financial institutions to keep manufacturing facilities floating amidst COVID-19 crisis. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=536 Manufacturing execution system market for services to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The demand for manufacturing execution system services is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The manufacturers provide services such as opportunity assessment, solution migration and enhancement, product evaluation, MES application configuration, business analysis, selection services, customization, and multi-level support services. For optimizing the output of manufacturing operations, it is imperative to have process selection services in place. All these ancillary services, apart from the main services such as installation, training, maintenance, and software upgrade, are expected to drive the services offering segment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the growth rate would not be close to the estimation of the pre-COVID-19 market scenario. On-premise deployment of MES is expected to hold largest share of manufacturing execution system market during forecast period The process industry comprises sectors such as oil & gas, pharmaceuticals & life sciences, chemicals, food & beverages, pulp & paper, energy & power, and water & wastewater management. On-premises manufacturing execution systems are being increasingly deployed in these sectors as they allow manufacturers to manage the system within the premises, which reduces the time and cost. It also helped in increased security and enhanced the productivity of processes. Therefore, the market is expected to grow in the next five years. The on-premises deployment segment is expected to witness a slowdown in 2020 due to the fact many countries have ordered enterprises to work with bare minimum staff strength. The maintenance of on-premises manufacturing execution systems would require trained staff to be present on the shop floor, which is something every manufacturer is trying to avoid. With the least human intervention, the hybrid model offers the best solution for deployment that would help manufacturers to get the most out of the manufacturing execution system amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Browse in-depth TOC on "Manufacturing Execution System Market" 241 - Tables 47 - Figures 256 - Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=536 North America to dominate manufacturing execution system market during forecast period North America has been a significant contributor to the growth of the overall manufacturing execution system market owing to the increasing use of manufacturing execution systems in process and discrete industries in the region, and the presence of players developing MES solutions are some of the driving factors for the growth of the MES market in North America. The North American market for manufacturing execution systems has slowed down in growth, but it still is expected to hold the largest market share in 2020. There is a significant drop in the market size from 2019 to 2020 due to the region-wide lockdown. To fight the COVID-19-induced economic pandemic, the US government has recently passed a USD 2 trillion stimulus bill named the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The report profiles the most promising players in the market. The MES market is highly dynamic because of the presence of a significant number of big and small players operating in it. Key players in the market are ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), AVEVA plc (UK), Applied Materials, Inc. (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Honeywell International, Inc. (US), Rockwell Automation, Inc. (US), Siemens AG (Germany), SAP SE (Germany), Oracle Corporation (US), and Werum IT Solutions GmbH (Germany). Related Reports: SCADA Market by Component (Programmable Logic Controller, Remote Terminal Unit, Human-Machine Interface, Communication Systems), SCADA Architecture (Hardware, Software, Services), SCADA Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024 Industrial Control and Factory Automation Market by Solution (SCADA, PLC, DCS, MES, PLM, PAM, Functional Safety), Component (Industrial Robots, Industrial 3D Printing, Control Valves, Machine Vision, HMI), Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/manufacturing-execution-systems-mes-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/mes.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg Marks a major breakthrough in LNG bunkering to Western Canada RICHMOND, BC, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corporation ("Cryopeak"), a Richmond BC based company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Island Tug & Barge Ltd. ("ITB"), a leading marine bulk fuels transporter, to deliver LNG bunkering services in Southwest British Columbia, Canada. Cryopeak and ITB have developed a design for a 4,000 m3 articulated tug and barge ("ATB") which is planned to be in operation in 2023. A key feature of this solution is that it will leverage one of ITB's tugs designed and built in Vancouver to deliver LNG as a fuel to shipping companies calling to ports on the West Coast. "We are excited to partner with Island Tug & Barge to combine ITB's marine operations expertise with Cryopeak's expertise in LNG distribution and project development. We look forward to developing this initiative and supporting the use of LNG as a marine fuel on the West Coast," states Calum McClure, CEO of Cryopeak. This project marks an important breakthrough for the development of LNG bunkering in Western Canada by allowing shipping companies to secure a lower cost and a more environmentally sustainable fuel source. To this end, Calum McClure offers that, "This initiative supports the Port of Vancouver in joining other leading ports globally in offering LNG bunkering services." Cryopeak has engaged with local First Nations to develop business opportunities associated with the project. ABS is a leader in LNG as a marine fuel, working with innovators all over the world on LNG projects that advance sustainability in shipping. "We are proud to be able to add this exciting project to that list," said John McDonald, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Business Development. This project is in line with Cryopeak's strategy of being a vertically integrated and full-service provider of LNG to Western and Northern Canada, as well as Alaska. Cryopeak is focused on providing customers a lower cost, more environmentally sustainable fuel source. About Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corporation: Cryopeak is the leading distributor of LNG in Canada and currently has a fleet of 16 tankers operating in Canada, as well as equipment and technologies for storage, regasification and fuel dispensing. Cryopeak is ISO 9001 certified and has emergency response plans approved by Transport Canada. Cryopeak was founded in 2012 and is a portfolio company of BP Energy Partners, LLC. More info: www.cryopeak.com About Island Tug & Barge: Island Tug and Barge (ITB) is a subsidiary of Tidewater Canada, Incorporated and is the West Coast's largest Canadian bulk transporter of refined petroleum products. ITB's services include bulk fuel transportation, specialty towing and marine logistics. ITB also provides underwater cable laying, and other subsea services under its subsidiary ITB Subsea ltd. ITB was founded in 2000. More info: www.islandtug.com About BP Energy Partners, LLC: BP Energy Partners, LLC is a private equity firm focused primarily on middle-market control investments within the Natural Gas Value Chain. In addition to capital, BPEP is dedicated to bringing relationships, management expertise, and operating experience to partner with entrepreneurs, family run businesses and management teams. BPEP's investment strategy is to partner with organizations that provide a solution-oriented approach which increases productivity, decreases costs and provides environmental benefits. BPEP was founded in 2013 and currently manages over $500 million in committed capital. More info: www.bpenergypartners.com SOURCE Cryopeak LNG Solutions Corporation Dear A.G., It is with sadness that I write to tell you that I am resigning from The New York Times. I joined the paper with gratitude and optimism three years ago. I was hired with the goal of bringing in voices that would not otherwise appear in your pages: first-time writers, centrists, conservatives and others who would not naturally think of The Times as their home. The reason for this effort was clear: The papers failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didnt have a firm grasp of the country it covers. Dean Baquet and others have admitted as much on various occasions. The priority in Opinion was to help redress that critical shortcoming. I was honored to be part of that effort, led by James Bennet. I am proud of my work as a writer and as an editor. Among those I helped bring to our pages: the Venezuelan dissident Wuilly Arteaga; the Iranian chess champion Dorsa Derakhshani; and the Hong Kong Christian democrat Derek Lam. Also: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Masih Alinejad, Zaina Arafat, Elna Baker, Rachael Denhollander, Matti Friedman, Nick Gillespie, Heather Heying, Randall Kennedy, Julius Krein, Monica Lewinsky, Glenn Loury, Jesse Singal, Ali Soufan, Chloe Valdary, Thomas Chatterton Williams, Wesley Yang, and many others. But the lessons that ought to have followed the electionlessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic societyhave not been learned. Instead, a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isnt a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else. Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor. As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space. Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions. I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history. Now, history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded to fit the needs of a predetermined narrative. My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how Im writing about the Jews again. Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly inclusive one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are. There are terms for all of this: unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge. Im no legal expert. But I know that this is wrong. I do not understand how you have allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the papers entire staff and the public. And I certainly cant square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage. Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery. Part of me wishes I could say that my experience was unique. But the truth is that intellectual curiositylet alone risk-takingis now a liability at The Times. Why edit something challenging to our readers, or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher, when we can assure ourselves of job security (and clicks) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world? And so self-censorship has become the norm. What rules that remain at The Times are applied with extreme selectivity. If a persons ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy, they and their work remain unscrutinized. Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome. Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets. Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble, if not fired. If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media, the editor or writer avoids pitching it. If she feels strongly enough to suggest it, she is quickly steered to safer ground. And if, every now and then, she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes, it happens only after every line is carefully massaged, negotiated and caveated. It took the paper two days and two jobs to say that the Tom Cotton op-ed fell short of our standards. We attached an editors note on a travel story about Jaffa shortly after it was published because it failed to touch on important aspects of Jaffas makeup and its history. But there is still none appended to Cheryl Strayeds fawning interview with the writer Alice Walker, a proud anti-Semite who believes in lizard Illuminati. The paper of record is, more and more, the record of those living in a distant galaxy, one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people. This is a galaxy in which, to choose just a few recent examples, the Soviet space program is lauded for its diversity; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany. Even now, I am confident that most people at The Times do not hold these views. Yet they are cowed by those who do. Why? Perhaps because they believe the ultimate goal is righteous. Perhaps because they believe that they will be granted protection if they nod along as the coin of our realmlanguageis degraded in service to an ever-shifting laundry list of right causes. Perhaps because there are millions of unemployed people in this country and they feel lucky to have a job in a contracting industry. Or perhaps it is because they know that, nowadays, standing up for principle at the paper does not win plaudits. It puts a target on your back. Too wise to post on Slack, they write to me privately about the new McCarthyism that has taken root at the paper of record. All this bodes ill, especially for independent-minded young writers and editors paying close attention to what theyll have to do to advance in their careers. Rule One: Speak your mind at your own peril. Rule Two: Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative. Rule Three: Never believe an editor or publisher who urges you to go against the grain. Eventually, the publisher will cave to the mob, the editor will get fired or reassigned, and youll be hung out to dry. For these young writers and editors, there is one consolation. As places like The Times and other once-great journalistic institutions betray their standards and lose sight of their principles, Americans still hunger for news that is accurate, opinions that are vital, and debate that is sincere. I hear from these people every day. An independent press is not a liberal ideal or a progressive ideal or a democratic ideal. Its an American ideal, you said a few years ago. I couldnt agree more. America is a great country that deserves a great newspaper. None of this means that some of the most talented journalists in the world dont still labor for this newspaper. They do, which is what makes the illiberal environment especially heartbreaking. I will be, as ever, a dedicated reader of their work. But I can no longer do the work that you brought me here to dothe work that Adolph Ochs described in that famous 1896 statement: to make of the columns of The New York Times a forum for the consideration of all questions of public importance, and to that end to invite intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion. Ochss idea is one of the best Ive encountered. And Ive always comforted myself with the notion that the best ideas win out. But ideas cannot win on their own. They need a voice. They need a hearing. Above all, they must be backed by people willing to live by them. Sincerely, Bari Read more at: ZeroHedge.com Data recovery is necessary for people and organizations in order to avoid computer failure. But the backup data can even malfunction occasionally. Maybe that is because you commit the following ten errors more frequently than not. Indeed, computer recovery saves us a lot when we experience network catastrophe. You may get stuck with a sudden loss due to many reasons, and it is not an uncommon occurrence. To get the data back is your primary mission in these circumstances. You can try raid recovery yourself or consult an expert if the need arises. But, some people often claim that their backups will not save them from a lack of records. The backup data is of little to no interest. This is probably attributed to certain individual errors. Here are the ten most popular. Commonly Made Mistakes While Backing Up or Restoring Data Do not back up your data periodically Nearly everybody wants to recognize the importance of data backups. Nevertheless, they never know how critical the data backups are before they personally experience data errors. We just make copies before that, if we know. In reality, if you really want to keep your data secure, you will continue to periodically back it up. The adaptive cure is the perfect answer to the formatting. For eg, the built-in backup function is offered for Windows operating system. You should use so on a timetable to back up. And cloud computing also allows for automated backup. Advertisement Do not store your protection in a secure position The vast number of citizens do not know for their protections. In addition, data storage is as useful for raw data and more. To secure the archive, the original data is also covered. Then you can continue to secure it after backup info. For one, you can lock it so that your opponent can not hack it, if possible. In addition, you should keep it safe to defend it from other types of danger, such as water damage, virus infection. It is also recommended that one more copy of vital data be generated and stored offsite so that any onsite accident does not kill it. Not Checking your backup information Errors and corruption can also easily occur in the backup records. From a data storage medium viewpoint such as hard drives, DVDs, or CDs, errors may occur when writing data on such items. Your data can be lost at this stage without any alerts or other error messages. You will also review your backup files and guarantee that your data is properly preserved. Any of the data recovery programs have confirm capability. You will allow this app to test whether or not the data can be interpreted correctly. Will not keep device backup logs Over the long term, you will preserve data backup files, so that you can save time and money as you decide to recover the data from the backups. You can, for instance, quickly find and restore your data by keeping the file information log, which records what is backed up, the various date for each file, etc. There is also another form of log an error log. This includes, as its name implies, all errors that arise during the backup phase. Through it, you will insure that all your data backup is effective. Advertisement Do not label the backups When your backups do not have a name, you may be lost as you seek to locate a new one. It is like classifying your files to label your backups. It is fatiguing and worrying. But when you are done, you are going to benefit a lot. Therefore, as you complete a backup, have a summary that best contains the date, source, and user, etc. Not Checking for Backups Organizations will periodically check their data recovery and provide a program in motion to insure it is completed accurately and on time. One approach to monitor this is to develop and distribute a written training schedule for your staff so that everybody is on the same page. No backup notification activated Another major mistake I saw companies make is that they do not have their backups alert of success or failures. Link bugs, misconfigurations, authentication modifications, etc. avoid the transmission of notifications to the backup system. There may be a concern if you did not get good notifications, so you would not even know it until it was too late. Advertisement Not adopting the rule 3-2-1 The 3-2-1 law for data backups is 3 versions of the data held offline in 2 separate media formats and 1 copy of it. Have a well-documented data management strategy in effect, but must ensure your data is safe in case of natural disasters, malware threats or any accidents, or something that might jeopardize the data security or safety. The backup is not performed frequently They constantly share, download, update, and retrieve data, especially in larger companies. It is not necessary to back up once a day. Backups will run multiple times throughout the day to mitigate the damage if the data is damaged. The best thing to do when dealing with sensitive data on a computer is to make sure that it regularly backs up your data to the cloud without any problem. Frequent data backing up is not done by many people because they consider it to be time-consuming. Most people do not realize that if your data suddenly formats and you are left with days old version of a backup, then it will be of no use if the recent data was important. Any enforcement with an offsite program Data protection offsite is a crucial factor in defending against hard drive failures and other unexpected disasters. Some businesses require an employee to carry backup data home. This creates a dilemma since certain items will go wrong as the data enters the premises. Backup data may be destroyed, in the wrong hands, or harmed by being locked in a vehicle. A safe and protected offsite environment is the only place to shield the data from such incidents. Law Offices of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Ross Dress for Less, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. The Bay Area employment law attorneys at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against Ross Dress for Less, Inc., alleging the company violated Labor Code 2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226(a), 226.7, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against Ross Dress for Less, Inc., is currently pending in the Stanislaus County Superior Court, Case No. CV-20-002726. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here. The lawsuit filed against Ross Dress for Less, Inc. alleges PLAINTIFF and other AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES were from time to time unable to take thirty (30) minute off duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for their meal periods. California labor laws require an employer to provide an employee required to perform work for more than five (5) hours during a shift with, a thirty (30) minute uninterrupted meal break prior to the end of the employee's fifth (5th) hour of work. PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code. As a result of their rigorous work schedules, "PLAINTIFFS and other AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES were from time to time denied their proper rest periods by DEFENDANT and DEFENDANTs managers." For more information about the class action lawsuit against Ross Dress for Less, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today. Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct. ***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT*** As in most Texas hospitals, the number of coronavirus patients receiving treatment at Midland Memorial Hospital is at a record high, creating a significant strain on resources and staff. CEO Russell Meyers said Tuesday there are 46 COVID-19 patients at Midland Memorial, the highest number since the pandemic reached Midland four months ago. Of those patients, 32 are in the regular COVID-19 unit and 14 are in the critical care unit; eight critical patients are on ventilators, he said. The Fourth of July weekend likely contributed to the rise in cases, though hospitalizations have been steadily increasing since Memorial Day weekend, Meyers said during a press conference. This is 10 days after July 4, here on the 14th, so we should be in the thick of whatever that weekend may have produced here -- today and over the next couple of days, he said. But we were already well into this growth process before the Fourth of July weekend. The hospital recently entered its surge plan in response to the rising case numbers, shuffling coronavirus patients to a larger floor and adding more beds. With the added capacity, there is room for 42 patients in the regular COVID-19 unit and 18 in the critical care unit, Chief Nursing Officer Kit Bredimus said. There are also plans that would allow about 14 additional beds between the two units, he said. However, Meyers cautioned that while beds may be available, staffing that many beds remains an issue. Its not physical space that is the challenge. Its not even the ventilator availability its staff, he said. While we may be able to add more physical beds and make them available, having enough of the right, well-trained people to care for patients in those environments is the day-to-day challenge. MMHs human resources department is continually seeking traveling nurses to assist with treating coronavirus patients, Meyers said. Additionally, he said they are open to hiring respiratory therapists or nurses in the community who are out of work or who have recently retired. Although most people who contract the coronavirus will be asymptomatic, the 10 to 20 percent who develop severe symptoms require constant monitoring, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Wilson said. Those who need hospitalization may experience a range of symptoms, from hallmarks such as cough and lung inflammation to lesser-known symptoms, including dehydration, decreased liver or kidney function and behavioral changes, he said. And while most respiratory illnesses last between a week and 10 days, COVID-19 can leave patients feeling sick for much longer, Wilson said. This doesnt play that way, he said. It can be two weeks, three weeks or longer with this post-inflammatory process where they just stay ill even when it appears that the infection has gone away. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! Michael Cooper has been the CEO of Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:D.UN) since 2018, and this article will examine the executive's compensation with respect to the overall performance of the company. This analysis will also look to assess whether the CEO is appropriately paid, considering recent earnings growth and investor returns for Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust. View our latest analysis for Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust How Does Total Compensation For Michael Cooper Compare With Other Companies In The Industry? At the time of writing, our data shows that Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust has a market capitalization of CA$1.2b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of CA$1.5m for the year to December 2019. That's a notable increase of 17% on last year. While this analysis focuses on total compensation, it's worth acknowledging that the salary portion is lower, valued at CA$500k. On examining similar-sized companies in the industry with market capitalizations between CA$545m and CA$2.2b, we discovered that the median CEO total compensation of that group was CA$1.6m. From this we gather that Michael Cooper is paid around the median for CEOs in the industry. Furthermore, Michael Cooper directly owns CA$10m worth of shares in the company, implying that they are deeply invested in the company's success. Component 2019 2018 Proportion (2019) Salary CA$500k CA$417k 34% Other CA$975k CA$839k 66% Total Compensation CA$1.5m CA$1.3m 100% On an industry level, around 33% of total compensation represents salary and 67% is other remuneration. Although there is a difference in how total compensation is set, Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust more or less reflects the market in terms of setting the salary. It's important to note that a slant towards non-salary compensation suggests that total pay is tied to the company's performance. Story continues A Look at Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust's Growth Numbers Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust has seen its earnings per share (EPS) increase by 79% a year over the past three years. Its revenue is up 1.4% over the last year. Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. It's nice to see revenue heading northwards, as this is consistent with healthy business conditions. Looking ahead, you might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for the company's future earnings.. Has Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust Been A Good Investment? Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust has served shareholders reasonably well, with a total return of 14% over three years. But they probably wouldn't be so happy as to think the CEO should be paid more than is normal, for companies around this size. In Summary... As we touched on above, Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust is currently paying a compensation that's close to the median pay for CEOs of companies belonging to the same industry and with similar market capitalizations. However, it's admirable that over the last three years, earnings growth for the company has been impressive, though the same can't be said for investor returns. Considering overall performance, we'd say the compensation is fair, although stockholders will want to see higher returns moving forward. CEO compensation is an important area to keep your eyes on, but we've also need to pay attention to other attributes of the company. In our study, we found 2 warning signs for Dream Office Real Estate Investment Trust you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored. Arguably, business quality is much more important than CEO compensation levels. So check out this free list of interesting companies that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Natural8 2020 WSOP Online Performances of the Week: Ryan "Im.Sorry" Runner-Up & Champ in Back-to-Back Days July 15, 2020 Chad Holloway Natural8 is home to the WSOP 2020 Online with 54 Bracelet Events taking place from July 19th till September 6th. Win a Bracelet and join the exclusive Natural8 Winner's Circle where up to $700,000 in Sponsorship rewards are waiting to be claimed. Start your journey by exploring the WSOP Silk Road Micro-Stakes Tournaments or via the $5,000,000 WSOP Giveaway. The opportunities are endless. The 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP) online bracelet events will run from July 1st to September 6th and is comprised of 85 WSOP gold bracelets on the digital felt across two different clients: WSOP.com and GG Poker. Each week, well highlight those players who rise to the top through their performance, be it a dominating one in a single event, or an exhibition of consistency over several tournaments. In the first week, honors went to Shawn SayGoodnight Daniels after he made two final tables. This week, several players put in noteworthy performances, though one stood above all the rest. PLAY IN WSOP ONLINE 2020 AT NATURAL8 From Runner-Up to Champ in 24 Hours Over the course of two days, New Jerseys Ryan im.sorry Torgersen did something truly incredible. First, he navigated his way through a 1,026-entry field in Event #9: $1,000 NLH 6-Max only to fall one spot shy of winning a bracelet. He essentially lost a flip to the eventual winner Ron MacDaddy15 McMillen, a 70-year-old from Iowa playing online for the first time. In the hand, which took place in Level 37 (80,000/160,000/16,000), McMillen limped in on the button and Torgersen raised to 675,000 in the big blind. McMillen three-bet to 2,057,000, and Torgersen four-bet shoved for 11,040,280. McMillen didn't hesitate long before calling off his 9,447,720 stack. Ron "MacDaddy15" McMillen: Ryan "Im.Sorry" Torgersen: It was a coin flip for nearly all of the chips in play, and McMillen found a dream flop, giving them top set and leaving Torgersen looking for running cards to win the bracelet. The turn and river were safe for McMillen, and he took down the massive pot. While losing that flip had to be painful for Torgersen, it was blissful for McMillen, who went poker viral when his celebration video hit social media. Iowas Ron "MacDaddy15" McMillen had never played online poker before, but that didnt stop him from winning tonigh https://t.co/W7xPULMnYT Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) For Torgersen, he had to settle for second place and a $116,379 prize money. Fortunately for him, he didnt have to live with the one hand away from winning a bracelet stigma for long as he was back at it the next day in Event #10: $600 Monster Stack. Amazingly, he topped a 2,074-entry field to win that tournament for $172,362 to find redemption just 24 hours later. To finish second one day and turn around and win a bracelet the next day is truly a remarkable accomplishment, not to mention the combined $288,741 in prize money he took down. Notable Mention Ian APokerJoker2 Steinman Ian APokerJoker2 Steinman had a nice run last week cashing three tournaments over four days. Two of those cashes were final table appearances, the first coming in Event #7: $800 NLH Knockout Deepstack (he was actually involved in the Natural8 Hand of the Week here) where he finished fifth for $24,578, and two days later he took sixth for $30,995 in Event #9: $1,000 NLH 6-Max. Toss in a 113th-place finish in Event #10: $600 NLH Monster Stack for $1,456, and a small $979 cash after also placing 113th in Event #3: $400 NLH earlier in the series, and the four-time ring winner has shown himself as a force to be reckoned with in the online series. WSOP Online 2020 - Natural8 sponsorship up for grabs! Win WSOP Gold bracelets on Natural8 for up to $700,000 in sponsorships, including a Las Vegas Package and opportunity to join Team Bling as an ambassador Ready to play? 2020 WSOP Online $100,000 Leaderboard Remember, the WSOP.com portion of the 2020 World Series of Poker online events has a $100,000 Leaderboard. They're running a $100,000 Leaderboard attached to the Online Bracelets that are running every day in July. The leaderboard will pay out the top 50 players. Players can climb way to the top to win a share of the $100,000 in cash prize money. Here's a look at the rankings as seen on WSOP.com on 7/13/20: Place Player Points 1 Robert "bustinballs" Kuhn 1,928.70 2 Ryan "Im.Sorry" Torgersen 1,740.48 3 Allen Acnyc718 Chang 1,517.60 4 Philip "tome" Yeh 1,393.86 5 Raman "Acrogum" Afanasenka 1,332.90 6 Louis "PokeThese" Lynch 1,215.08 7 Alan Goehring 1,183.48 8 Joon "jykpoker" Kim 1,133.71 9 Ian "APokerJoker2" Steinman 1,111.02 10 Jonathan "Art.Vandelay" Dokler 1,106.21 *The Seniors Event is excluded from the leaderboard **Lead photo Borgata/Tim Kelliher Click here for a look at the full points leaderboard Want to play on Natural8? Get a head-start with exclusive newcomer promos like the WSOP First Deposit Bonus, $8 Extra Bonus, and $500 Weekly First Deposit Freeroll. Sign up here. July 14 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell on Tuesday, over fears of further curbs on business activity amid a global surge in coronavirus infections and simmering tensions between U.S. and China. * The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday that the United States could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea. * Oil prices fell on Tuesday with OPEC+ set to taper its record production cut of 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to 7.7 million bpd from August through December. * At 9:49 a.m. ET (13:56 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 17.75 points, or 0.11%, at 15,621.66. * The energy sector climbed 0.9% even as U.S. crude prices were down 0.5% a barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.1%. * The financials sector slipped 0.2%. The industrials sector fell 0.1%. * The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, lost 0.4% as gold futures fell 0.3% to $1,806.2 an ounce. * On the TSX, 91 issues were higher, while 122 issues declined for a 1.34-to-1 ratio to the downside, with 28.23 million shares traded. * The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Parklnd Corp, which jumped 2.6% and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc, which rose 2.4%. * First Quantum Minerals Ltd fell 4.7%, the most on the TSX. The second biggest decliner was Teck Resources Ltd , down 3.7%. * The most heavily traded shares by volume were The Toronto-Dominion Bank, down 0.5%; Zenabis Global Inc , which was flat and Nevada Copper Corp, down 18.9%. * The TSX posted no new 52-week highs and no new lows. * Across all Canadian issues there were 5 new 52-week highs and one new low, with total volume of 61.13 million shares. (Reporting by Shivani Kumaresan in Bengaluru) California Gov. Gavin Newsom wears a face mask as he answers a reporter's question during his visit to the Queen Sheba Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant in Sacramento on June 19. (Associated Press) The renewed shutdowns and restrictions ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week may not be as far reaching as the March stay-at-home measures, but they will be no less devastating to a state still reeling from the first round of pandemic closures. Nevertheless, Newsom took the correct approach for the moment. Who's to blame for our retreat back into lockdown? Everyone and no one, perhaps. With the benefit of hindsight, we can now say that allowing hot spots like Los Angeles to reopen in May wasn't a good idea, especially because it suggested to a public desperate for release that the coronavirus was in retreat and we could start getting back to normal. It wasn't, and our collective complacency paved the way for a resurgence of COVID-19. Indeed, infectious disease experts had warned all along that social distancing measures might have to be revived periodically to keep the coronavirus under some sort of control until a vaccine and effective medical treatments became widely available. The pandemic is like being in a boat with a leak. You can take a breaks from bailing and maybe even contrive ways to slow the problem. But eventually the water level will rise again and threaten to sink the boat. Thankfully, we know a lot more now about how the SARS-Cov-2 virus is transmitted than we did in March. We know that family gatherings are a major source of spread, as are nursing homes, prisons and factories. We know that crowded indoor spaces are a problem and outdoors is less so. Just a few months ago, it wasn't clear that face masks were an effective protection from the infection. We now have good data that a mask protects the wearer from spreading and contracting COVID-19. In short, we have learned through experience how to better control the virus. So for heaven's sake, let's do it and get this second shutdown over as quickly as possible. That means everyone must avoid gathering with people indoors, employers must adapt their operations to provide a safe distance between workers, and we all must wear face masks in public places. Period. No grousing about constitutional rights. The Constitution confers many invaluable rights upon Americans, but not the right to infect others with a deadly disease. At the same time, state and county officials must get serious about enforcing pandemic-related restrictions. Recalcitrant local officials shouldnt be allowed to endanger the publics health by refusing to follow or enforce the law. Businesses that flout the rules should be fined or have their business licenses pulled. And individual scofflaws must feel the force of the restrictions as well. It shouldn't be up to grocery store employees to enforce state public health laws. Meanwhile, state and local governments cannot flag on testing and must double down on contract tracing. We have to get better at living with the coronavirus, which seems to be here for the long haul. Our vigilance must be as well. Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo have heaped praise on a 'hero' Wyoming boy who needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister. Bridger Walker, from Cheyenne, was bitten several times on the head and face when he got between the dog and his sister after it started charging at her. Despite having been attacked, he was able to grab his sister's hand and lead her away from danger, according to an Instagram post from his aunt Nicole Walker. Ms Walker asked people to share the post as widely as possible so he could get some 'words of encouragement from his favorite heroes.' Amazingly, Avengers star Ruffalo responded after Hathaway shared Bridger's story and said, 'I know a superhero when I see one.' 'Hero' six-year-old Wyoming boy Bridger Walker needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Mark Ruffalo have heaped praise on the 'hero' Wyoming boy who needed 90 stitches after he was mauled by a dog which had launched an attack on his younger sister He was bitten several times on the head and face when he got between the dog and his sister after it started charging at her She initially wrote in an Instagram post: 'I'm not an Avenger, but I know a superhero when I see one,' she penned alongside a photo of him. 'I can only hope I'm half as brave in my life as you are in yours, Bridger.' Ruffalo then responded to Ms Walker's post and wrote: 'Dear Bridger, I just read about what happened to you and I wanted to reach out to say this 'People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know. 'I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart. Real courage isn't dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy. 'Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow.' Shocking pictures show Bridger's swollen face and and bloodied stitches running up his cheek from his mouth. Ms Walker said the little boy received around 90 stitches from a 'skilled plastic surgeon' and is now recovering at home. She also revealed in her post that the little boy said of his selfless act, 'If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.' 'I just finished visiting with Bridger at his home,' the post read. 'His wounds are looking so much better! He's in great spirits, and his awesome personality is intact. 'He can't smile too widely yet, but he was grinning as I read some of your comments to him.' Despite having been attacked, he was able to grab his sister's hand and lead her away from danger, according to an Instagram post from his aunt Nicole Walker Remarkably, Ms Walker added that Bridger and his family 'feel no resentment' toward the dog owners. 'I'd also like to mention here that the dog's owners are really great people who have been nothing but kind to Bridger and his family,' the post read. 'We feel no resentment toward them at all, and if anything there's only been an increase of love between our families as a result of this incident.' The aunt said some people who saw the post had asked if there was a GoFundMe page for Bridger. She instead asked that people donate to military veteran groups and send photos of rocks to Bridger because he loves geology. The people who replied to Ms Walker's post were full of praise for Bridger. One wrote: 'I was so amazed by his bravery. What a legend.' A second said: 'God bless the little superhero!' A third added: 'Bridger you are true human, your one correct decision had inspired thousands of youth like us, do not feel down at any moments. 'Your scars are the pride of your heroism, they will always speak about your Bravery, it is much more precious than Army badge, not many have guts like you. 'Hence you are special among us.' Seventy-five workers at Rook Row Farm in Mathon, Herefordshire, have tested positive for coronavirus. More than 200 workers employed as vegetable pickers and packers at the AS Green and Co farm are quarantined on-site. This is the latest and one of the largest workplace outbreaks in the UK since the ending of the national lockdown by the Johnson government. It is proof that capitalist exploitation, particularly of the most oppressed sections of the working class, is the primary driver of the pandemic. Most of the farmworkers are migrant labourers from Eastern Europe, mainly Bulgaria and Romania. This year, however, they have been supplemented by British workers who signed up under national Pick for Britain and Feed the Nation campaigns. These sought to make up a shortfall of agricultural workers caused by international travel restrictions by drawing on the UKs own pool of vulnerable labour, those made redundant or furloughed with wage cuts during the pandemic. Entrance to Rook Row Farm View northwards from the lane to Moorend Cross. Rook Row farmhouse is on the extreme right. (credit: Wikimedia Commons) In May, Andrew Green, owner of AS Green and Co, appealed for 160 such workers: The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in soaring demand for fresh produce, but with tighter border controls and travel restrictions in place, many UK farmers have been left with a labour shortage, putting their produce at risk. In line with the Feed the Nation campaign, we are looking for local workers to join our family team in Mathon. The World Socialist Web Site warned that month that workers could expect close to minimum wage for long, hard shiftssome beginning as early as 5:30am and some ending as late as midnight. They would be forced to pay for their onsite accommodation, in shared facilities that were clearly unsafe during a pandemic. On Sunday, the Guardian published an interview with a former worker at the Rook Row farm. Karen (not her real name) shared one of 33 mobile homes, rented at a cost of 50 per week, and often worked 12-hour-plus shifts, earning 8.85 per hour for the first 48 hours a week and 11.06 thereafter. She told the Guardian these minimal wages could be reduced by financial penalties: People were punished for getting stuff wrong or being too slow. If you were slow you had to have a day off. It didnt happen to me, but our whole line was sent home early one day. Employers consider these low-wage labour forces wholly dispensable, with no regard for their safety. Karen explained, I was isolated at the beginning but after that we were treated as one big household and you are all working together. Everyone is living and working so close together that its not surprising that if anyone gets Covid, it will spread very fast, and now nearly half of them have got it. On Monday, two more former Rook Row Farm workers, Leah Johnson and Brandon Burridge, told the BBC that they had been required to share a toilet with 60 other people. Leah said, People were saying there is only one toiletthat is ridiculousand it got quite gross quite quickly, and we were told [by other team members] to avoid it all costs. There was one bit of hand sanitiser in the toilet. Additional portable toilets had to be delivered to the farm this Monday. During the pairs induction process, 15 people were sitting together on shared benches in clear violation of the 2-metre social distancing rule. There was nothing about hand sanitiser, we werent given any. We were not allowed to wear gloves, Leah explained. These accounts rubbish company owner Andrew Greens claimsmade when advertising for new workers in Maythat work on the farm would provide the opportunity to work in a safe, healthy environment throughout the summer months But, as ever, government agencies are on hand to carry out a cover-up. Katie Spence, Public Health England (PHE) Midlands Health Protection Director, said on Sunday, We are working closely with the management at AS Green and Co to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce and wider public health. To support this workforce of around 200 key workers, the company has put in place a range of infection control measures to try to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to COVID-19. Measures include supporting testing on site, promoting social distancing in communal social areas and in the indoor packaging area; providing PPE [personal protective equipment] for staff where applicable, encouraging regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds, and promoting the use of face coverings in closed areas. This statement is made after over a third of the workforce has been infected! PHE can make such a nakedly cynical response because no opposition whatsoever to the endangering of workers up and down the country is being organised by the trade unions. On March 24, the Unite union issued a statement calling on the government to Respect agricultural migrant workers supplying the food industry and asking for salaries and health and safety measures to be strictly enforced. The unions national officer for agriculture, Bev Clarkson, said at the time, Today Unite is putting down a strong marker that we wont tolerate any rogue bosses tempted to make a fast buck during this national emergency. Rook Row farm and multiple virus outbreaks at food processing factories show the real value of Unites strong marker. In response to events at the farm, Clarkson had to the gall to say, We said at the start of this pandemic that this is something that is likely to happen, before adding an apologia, Employers say they are doing all they can but they say they cant adhere to the guidelines on social distancing, and calling for supermarkets to be held accountable. Allowing people to fall victim to coronavirus in the workplace has obvious implications for the whole of society. Leah Johnson and Brandon Burridges experience working for AS Green and Co raises the danger of the virus spreading from the farm to the wider community. Having left the site on July 2, the first they heard of the outbreak was in the media. Brandon said, I tried to ring them to ask why we hadnt been informed [of the outbreak] as I thought it was their duty to say so. But we were told that our usual contacts werent available. The woman on the phone offered to pass on the message, but we didnt get a response. So I emailed them but I still havent had a response. And weve been blocked from the team Whatsapp group. The authorities say workers who left the farm recently have been contacted and asked to self-isolate, but how many like Leah and Brandon have been left off the list? Another danger is posed by workers leaving the site due to austere and draconian quarantine conditions, enforced with police blockades and roadblocks around the farm and by keeping migrant workers passports secure, according the Sun. The newspaper reported Monday that four workers, three of them testing positive for coronavirus, have fled the site. Herefordshire County Council claims three have left, one of them infected. Most concerningly, North Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin, a Conservative, confirmed on Monday that a group of workers had been driven in a minibus to a Morrisons supermarket in the local town of Malvern and a Primark clothes store, the Iceland supermarket and a Romanian store in the city of Worcester. The trip took place last week when the virus was already circulating among the workforce. It is not clear whether it was organised after AS Green and Co were made aware of the outbreakthe first case was reported to them last Wednesday, and an additional five cases on Thursday. Shi Jiaran is keen on making round silk fans and has made a big success on the Internet. [For Women of China] A round silk fan with both classical and modern elements made by Shi Jiaran, a young Chinese craftswoman [For Women of China] A round silk fan with both classical and modern elements made by Shi Jiaran, a young Chinese craftswoman [For Women of China] Several women have become hits on the Internet because of their unique and exquisite handiwork. The ingenious craftswomen turned their interests into careers and have become masters in their field. They are willing to take the time and effort to do one thing extraordinarily well, which shows a brand new image of young Chinese craftswomen to the world. Shi Jiaran, a graduate in fashion design, became interested in making round silk fans by accident. Taking her heritage and innovation into consideration, she incorporates new embroidery and metalwork into the traditional craft, bringing stunning artworks combining classical and modern aesthetic elements to the public. With a focus on developing high-end round silk fans, Shi adds sequins, crochet and other popular decorative techniques to them, and combines a variety of embroidery methods such as Chinese embroidery, French embroidery and feather embroidery, which gives the fans a three-dimensional effect. Shi hoped to pass on the craft through offering fan-making lessons online and her offline workshop. Du Meng [For Women of China] A glasswork made by craftswoman Du Meng [For Women of China] A glasswork made by craftswoman Du Meng [For Women of China] Du Meng, a young Chinese craftswoman, has made various glass crafts to express different meanings and feelings, such as a bird perched on a branch, a pair of white dancing shoes full of memories of young people and a lost girl crouching down. Du focused on glass art when she moved to the United States in 2010 after graduating from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts. Since then, she has been looking for a way forward on that artistic path. Glasswork is the most difficult craft to get started in and requires its craftspeople to be accustomed to using tools because the raw material must be processed at high temperature, which makes it easier for beginners to beat a retreat. Du injects stories drawn from her life into her handicrafts to form emotional links between her works and their viewers. Yan Hong [For Women of China] A fengguan, or phoenix coronet, made from simple or discarded materials by Yan Hong [For Women of China] A fengguan, or phoenix coronet, made from simple or discarded materials by Yan Hong [For Women of China] Yan Hong, who makes fengguan, or phoenix coronets, advocates changing waste materials into things of value. In August 2019, after 13 days of designing, polishing and filigreeing along with two days of assembling, Yan turned out a peerless phoenix coronet made from 18 old cans, which became an unexpected success and made her popular online. As a graduate in nursing, Yan worked as a nurse for two years. With a deep love for ancient headwear, she turned her hobby into a sideline and then into a profession. She makes full use of simple materials such as copper and aluminum wires and wool, and changes them into amazing headpieces. In December 2019, Yan was invited to give a lecture at Oxford University in the UK, where she got to know many other excellent creators. Souji poses for a photo with a beautiful little house she had made. [For Women of China] A tiny dollhouse made by Souji, a craftswoman fond of animations and dolls, looks just like the real thing even in the details [For Women of China] Everything in the tiny dollhouse made by Souji, a craftswoman fond of animations and dolls, looks just like the real thing even in the details [For Women of China] Souji, a woman keen on animation, comic, game and novel (ACGN) culture, has published her own comics and took part in a cosplay show of her favorite anime work. She is also fond of playing with dolls and making exclusive huts for them. She gradually found that she enjoyed creating special and tangible living space for her dolls, especially after making a miniature house by hand that took three years to complete. Souji then transitioned into a full-time dollhouse maker and now specializes in creating highly reductive miniaturized objects. In 2018, Souji recreated the miniature room of Sophie, the female leading role of Howl's Moving Castle, a classic Japanese animated film directed by Miyazaki Hayao that followed the movie set. "Making a dollhouse is a kind of pursuit of handicraft art, and making tiny objects is conducive to tempering our emotion. While creating a mini-world, my inner self will also slowly calm down," she said. (Women of China) For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! NEW YORK and CHICAGO, July 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mediaocean , the leading global system of record for the advertising world, and 4C Insights Inc. (4C), a global data science and marketing technology company, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Mediaocean will acquire 4C. Infusing 4C's intelligence and optimization into Mediaocean's foundational platform for end-to-end media management will establish a modern system of record for omnichannel advertising. "The COVID crisis will be remembered as a tipping point in the digital disruption of many industries including advertising," said Bill Wise, CEO of Mediaocean. "Mediaocean and 4C together will lead the evolution of modern omnichannel advertising by addressing the needs of global marketers and agencies transparency, neutrality, intelligence and accountability. I couldn't be more excited to lead this transformation for the company and the industry." "Joining Mediaocean is a game-changer for our clients and the industry, fulfilling the promise of true cross-channel advertising," said Lance Neuhauser, CEO and Co-Founder of 4C. "Marketers need to market the way consumers consume efficiently across all devices and screens. Mediaocean and 4C's combined solution will be the independent, self-serve platform to anchor marketers, agencies, publishers, and broadcasters across converged media." "Consumer behavior is changing drastically, and we need to be able to reach people where and how they want," said Deborah Wahl, Global CMO of General Motors. "I am excited to see how this combination can help marketers understand how to deliver people-based experiences more effectively." Dr. Alok Choudhary, Chairman, Chief Scientist, and Founder of 4C, added, "When we started the company in 2011, our goal was to harness the power of data science and AI to help brands reach their goals. As we integrate our intelligence into Mediaocean's system of record, we will revolutionize the marketing landscape." The global advertising industry is a $700 billion market1 undergoing major transformation. In a fragmented media landscape, marketers and agencies have struggled to execute on marketing investment across geographies, media channels, devices, and audiences. Buyers and sellers alike are calling for a more integrated, automated, and data-driven marketplace. Mediaocean's acquisition of 4C will solve these challenges, adding intelligence and optimization to its system of record for omnichannel advertising. Scope by 4C is the leading closed ecosystems platform (CEP) for marketers to drive business outcomes across linear and connected television as well as digital commerce and social media. Mediaocean and 4C first announced a partnership and integration in September of 2017. In Q3 2019, 4C was named a Leader in "The Forrester New Wave: Cross-Channel Video Advertising Platforms." 4C was also selected as a Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice for AdTech 2020 2 and is ranked first in customer satisfaction for Enterprise Cross-Channel Advertising Software on G2 Crowd . The terms of the deal were not disclosed and is expected to close in July 2020. GCA Advisors, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to 4C in connection with the transaction and Cooley LLP acted as 4C's legal advisor. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal counsel to Mediaocean. About Mediaocean Mediaocean is the global system of record for the advertising world, bringing together brands, agencies, media owners, technology, and data partners. A platform to control critical data related to marketing investments, Mediaocean enables end-to-end management of campaigns from planning, buying, and selling to analyzing, optimizing, invoicing, and payments. Mediaocean processes $150 billion in annual media spend, employs 950 people, and is part of the Vista Equity Partners portfolio of software companies. Visit www.mediaocean.com for more information. About 4C Insights 4C has built the leading self-service intelligence platform for marketers to drive business outcomes across closed ecosystems. Brands, agencies, and media companies around the world trust the Scope CEP (closed ecosystems platform) to surface insights about their most valuable consumers and creatives and activate them across screens. With over $2 billion in annualized advertising spend running through Scope, 4C bridges linear television, streaming video, digital commerce, and social media. Based in Chicago, 4C has staff in 15 worldwide locations throughout the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, and the Philippines. The company was founded in 2011 and is backed by Jump Capital, Prime Ventures, and Kayne Partners. Visit www.4Cinsights.com for more information. Media Contact Aaron Goldman CMO [email protected] Mona Khaldi VP, Global Marketing [email protected] 1Source: eMarketer Worldwide Total Media Advertising Spending, 2021 2Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. SOURCE Mediaocean Related Links http://www.mediaocean.com Try this approach for OPS To solve Omaha Public Schools back to school dilemma, first go back to just teaching the 3 Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. Then go to half days five days a week, A-K in the morning, L-Z in the afternoon. No in-school lunches; send the morning class home with a sack lunch to eat at home. In the afternoon, class should have come to school fed from home. (Send sack lunch each day to be eaten at home before coming to school.) Teach only three subjects to free classroom space up for social distancing. Utilize all teachers, allowing them to put in a full days work. Mandatory masks; after all, clothes arent optional. (The children will adapt to them.) Start training the children to wear masks at home now, the same as parents did with potty training. Most importantly, send the students home a lot of repetitious home work. Dilemma solved, and just maybe the students will be able to count their change and be able to read and comprehend and write in cursive, three areas that students today are lacking the ability to do. Riley Leary, Omaha ACLU fails to defend speech rights Empty Classroom In Elementary School. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images An Arizona teacher died from the coronavirus in late June. Kimberley Chavez Lopez Byrd was sharing a classroom with two other teachers for two hours a day to online teach, and despite following safety protocols all three caught the virus. The two other teachers Jena Martinez and Angela Skillings are arguing that their circumstances show why schools should not reopen in the fall. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. One of three Arizona teachers who were sharing a classroom to conduct online classes caught the novel coronavirus and died. Now her two colleagues are saying it's too early to reopen schools, CNN reported. Jena Martinez, Angela Skillings, and Kimberley Chavez Lopez Byrd were sharing a classroom in Arizona for two hours a day so they could online teach and all had COVID-19 despite wearing masks, using gloves and hand sanitizer, and physically distancing. Byrd, 61, passed away from COVID-19 complications at the end of June. "We followed everything we were supposed to do," Martinez told CNN's Don Lemon. "While we were there, we did distance ourselves." Related video: How long will social distancing last? Its complicated. According to WWBT, Byrd died on June 26 after being hospitalized for coronavirus. Martinez and Skillings said despite following those guidelines, they still caught the virus. They believe that it still isn't safe for schools to reopen on August 17 in Arizona. "My main thing is if we can't stay safe, how are our students going to stay safe?" Skillings told WWBT. WWBT reported that Martinez and Skillings are still struggling with fatigue and coughing from the virus. "I'm still taking breathing treatments to relieve the tightness in my chest. There is still weakness in my body and fatigue," Martinez told CNN. Skillings told CNN she's concerned that since schools have been closed since March, there's no way to tell what transmission between students would look like. Story continues "There's no documentation that children aren't going to transmit it back and forth in the classroom or that it isn't going to affect them harshly," Skillings told CNN. "Our schools are not ready. We are not prepared to open up. We're supposed to open up on the 17th of August, and there's no way that even the teachers are ready for that to happen." President Donald Trump has pushed for schools to reopen. Business Insider's Eliza Relman reported last week that Trump threatened to "cut off funding" for school districts that don't reopen. He's claimed that efforts to keep schools closed and online in the fall were "political" and not based on limiting the spread of the coronavirus. In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump was asked about Byrd's death and avoided the question to further push for reopening schools, Business Insider reported. A reporter asked the President: "What do you tell parents, who look at this, who look at Arizona where a teacher recently died teaching summer school, parents who are worried about the safety of their children in public schools?" Trump responded: "Schools should be opened. Those kids want to go to school. You're losing a lot of lives by keeping things closed. We saved millions of lives while we did the initial closure." While different districts have taken different approaches to classes in the fall, from hybrid online and in-person classes, online-only, or entirely in person, health experts worry about the spread of the virus in schools. California's two largest school districts, the Los Angeles and San Diego unified school systems, announced on Monday that they'll be starting off the fall semester with online-only classes until it's safe to resume in-person classes. Read the original article on Insider July 15 : Nirvana Inn starring Adil Hussain, Sandhya Mridul and Rajshri Deshpande had its World premiere at Busan Film Festival and now the film will be screened at prestigious IIFFSA Toronto. IIFFSA International Film Festival Of South Asia, is the largest South Asian Film Festival in North America. Actor Adil Hussian took to his social media and expressed his excitement about the screening. He wrote, Happy to announce that our @NirvanaInnFilm will be screened @iiffsa Toronto...So happy that it is quite bit shot in Majuli Assam. I play an Assamese Character called Jogiraj. Along with @sandymridul and @rajshriartist Directed by Vijay Jayapal, the film revolves around Boatman Jogiraj Chakraborthy (Adil Hussain) who acts on his suicidal thoughts and capsizes his vessel mid-journey, killing every passenger on board. Months later, he signs up to be the caretaker of Himalayan resort Nirvana Inn, only to find that the guests who check in are the very people he presumed dead. Happy to announce that our @NirvanaInnFilm will be screened @iiffsa Toronto.. So happy that it is quite bit shot in Majuli Assam. I play an Assamese Character called Jogiraj. Along with @sandymridul and @rajshriartist https://t.co/KWvn8Desen Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) July 15, 2020 Are Jogis eyes playing tricks on him or are the violently unhinged guests a manifestation of his survivors guilt? Maybe hes dead, trapped inside a variation of Sartres hell is other people philosophy. Or is the inn a kind of purgatory, a layover he will only be able to move on from once he atones for his sins? The films 115-minute-long runtime depicts Jogis descent into paranoia amid the increasingly unsettling atmosphere, but offers no easy answers. You are the owner of this article. Huawei Contribution to Jesus College Raises Concerns Over Transparency, Academic Freedom Jesus College Cambridge received financial contributions of several hundred thousand pounds from Huawei and a Chinese state agency in the last two years, a freedom of information request revealed. The contributions raise speculation about the universitys links to the controversial telecom company and Beijing, as well as issues of transparency. In September 2019, Jesus College received 155,000 pounds ($195,000) from Huawei, and 200,000 pounds ($252,000) in September 2018 from an agency of the State Council of China, the countrys administrative body, a freedom of information (FOI) request made by The Times of London revealed on July 10. In February, the UK-China Global Issues Dialogue Centre, which is based at Jesus College, published a white paper (pdf) on global governance of the digital economy produced with research funding from Huawei. The paper was reportedly favourable to the telecoms giant. This prompted accusations that Huawei was reputation laundering. While the Huawei funding was acknowledged in the paper, the amount was not disclosed. Jesus College denied Huawei had influenced the publication, telling The Times of London, It was made very clear [in February] that the report was funded by Huawei, and we would like to reiterate that the company was in no way able to shape or veto the publications views, research findings or conclusions. The Dialogue Centre was set up within weeks of receiving a 200,000 pound State Council agency donation, according to The Times of London. The white paper was produced following a conference in October 2019 involving high-profile people in politics, business, and academia, where the much more prominent role now taken by China, and Chinese companies, in global communications, and the need for new approaches that fully include them was a key topic under discussion. Student Concerns A day before the publication of The Times of London report, Jesus College Student Union reportedly sent a letter to the college Master Sonita Alleyne about the Dialogue Centre and the China Centreanother China research centre within Jesus College that also has links to Chinese funding. In its letter, the student union committee expressed concerns about perceived hypocrisy, academic freedom, and transparency, Cambridge Universitys magazine Varsity reported. The China Centre has already been a source of considerable negative press attention for College. Regardless of whether the attacks are completely justified, they hit on the three values which centres established in the College should uphold: financial transparency, academic freedom, and political independence, the letter stated, according to Varsity. The letter criticised the Dialogue Centres white paper for its lack of mention of internet censorship. The closest it comes to mentioning China in this context is the unbelievable statement that China monitors content and decides what is available to society, because for the Chinese government social stability presents a higher value than competition, the letter stated. The potential for Chinese Communist Party influence on the centres was noted, making it even more imperative that the Dialogue Centres finance sources are made transparent. The College should be much more aware of Chinas covert influence campaign in British universities and should already have taken steps to ensure that such a campaign is not possible at Jesus, the letter stated. University Links Huawei has been proactive in its approaches to UK universities. A 2018 report from The Telegraph detailed Huaweis links to over 20 UK universities, including funding of research projects and student trips to China. Most recently, Imperial College London struck a 5-million-pound ($6.3 million) deal with Huawei in May to help fund the building of a new technology hub on its campus in west London. Meanwhile, Oxford University froze new contributions and sponsorship from the company last year amid concerns over espionage and potential national security risks. In February, the London School of Economics was reportedly in talks with Huawei to receive 105,000 pounds ($132,600) to fund a three-year study on leadership in 5G development. Concern remains in the UK around Chinas alleged intent to groom members of the UK elite, spying fears related to Huaweis desire to further embed its technology into the UKs telecoms infrastructure, and increasing pressure from the United States to remove its presence from communications networks. Huawei denies any mal-intent. CEO Ren Zhengfei said in a statement published on the Huawei website, Huawei has been actively tackling the challenges of cybersecurity through partnerships with governments, customers, and partners in an open and transparent manner. Four years have passed since the 2016 presidential election when revelations of Russian hacking of the DNC threw political contests into turmoil. In the aftermath, the Mueller investigation, Justice Department indictments and other efforts made clear that the US election and voting systems themselves were the targets of cyberattacks. The subsequent Mueller probe and DOJ indictments also revealed massive Russian digital disinformation campaigns that permeated the election. Now, as the country heads into the next presidential campaign weakened by a pandemic and laboring under a collapsed economy, little has happened over the past four years to substantially shore up voting, campaign or election security, with only marginal improvements made around the edges. There is time, though, to implement last-minute security measures that could substantially improve election integrity, experts say. The overarching issue that really concerns me is that were four years from first learning that the Russians were trying to hack into our election infrastructure in the spring of 2016, Susan Greenhalgh, veteran election security expert and senior advisor on election security to Free Speech for People, tells CSO. No significant election security legislation passed It was in August [2016] that [then US Secretary of Homeland Security] Jeh Johnson convened his first call with the secretaries of state to talk about the security of election systems. We have seen none of the sweeping reforms that people have been talking about, Greenhalgh says. There have been incremental improvements in educating election workers regarding cybersecurity best practices and improving the security tools around voter registration databases and those type of systems that can be managed at the state level. For the most part, comprehensive legislation aimed at overhauling the weaknesses in how America safeguards its elections has not passed the congress over the past four years. The progress is so minuscule its virtually non-discernible, Greenhalgh says. Congress allocated $380 million toward election security measures in 2018 and then again freed up $425 million to securing voting in December 2019. This year Congress awarded $400 million for states to prepare for mail-in ballots during the 2020 election under the Cares Act, passed in March. That amount is far lower than the $2 billion that the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School estimated states need to protect themselves fully. It also comes with strings attached, such as matching funds from already cash-strapped states. The single most useful piece of legislation that would have had the most significant impact on election security was the Secure Elections Act, according to Greenhalgh. That law required verified paper ballots and the performance of robust post-election audits before elections are certified. The bill faced stiff headwinds from state officials who wanted greater funding but not the mandates contained in the legislation. The states said, We don't want you to tell us how to run our elections. We can do fine on our own, Greenhalgh says. [They said], We just want you to give us money. And thats what Congress has done - because it's easier to just give money. Without legislation mandating true security requirements, nothing is likely to change how vulnerable US election and voting systems are to hacking, Mick Baccio, security advisor at Splunk, former threat intelligence team leader in the Obama White House, and former CISO for the Pete Buttigieg campaign, tells CSO. In terms of campaign cybersecurity, there is nothing out there that says I have to do it. There is no legislation. There is no oversight. There is nothing that says I have to have cybersecurity in my campaign or I have to have two-factor or I have to have DMARC, Baccio says. Without some kind of federal oversight, without some kind of legislation, I just dont see it happening, and I think thats a disservice to a lot of people and to a lot of candidates. Private sector helps fill election security gaps Some private sector initiatives have helped fill the void. Look at all the things that have come out since 2016, Baccio says, such as Googles Advanced Protection Program, Microsofts Defending Democracy, and Michael Kaisers Defending Digital Campaigns initiatives. There are plenty of institutions and companies that are trying to raise the bar, that are breaking their backs to get people to vote, to understand the systems, to make things more secure. Moreover, DHSs Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agencys (CISA) Project 2020 is equipping states to pull together and work cooperatively with one another and the federal government to scan for threats to voting infrastructure and share best practices. Realistically, though, real changes that address the range of election and voting security threats wont happen in the roughly three-and-a-months left until election day. Its somewhere down the road. There is nothing we can do between now and November that would be a game-changer, Baccio says. Still time to better protect voting Even though not much time is left to make any dramatic improvements in election security, states can take some steps to protect voting from known risks, Greenhalgh says. There should be no use of wireless modems in any voting systems or any sort of Internet connection to ensure that voting equipment is genuinely air-gapped from online threats. After 2016, we were told over and over again that the voting machines were never connected to the internet. Nobody could actually hack the vote totals. That was completely untrue. It was a lie, Greenhalgh says. In some states, particularly Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan, wireless modems are used to transmit the voting results from where voting booths are located back to the county server, which aggregates the vote totals. Thirty-two states allow people to vote over the internet due to disability, military service overseas or for other absentee voting reasons. According to Greenhalgh, over 100,000 votes were cast over the internet in the US on election day in 2016. Internet voting is so concerning that France and Norway, two countries that had internet voting in 2016, shut down those voting options after learning how Russia hacked into election systems in the US Shutting down the use of wireless modems in election equipment and stopping Internet voting is still feasible before voting begins, and it will cut down on the voting infrastructure by orders of magnitude, Greenhalgh says. Both can be their own avenue to vote total compromise. Baccio questions whether another kind of voting threat, the kind of Russian hacking of the Democratic party used to disseminate disinformation, will emerge again this election cycle. It would not shock me if there were a compromise or leaked emails or something like that, but I wouldnt be surprised if there werent, he says. If your goal as a nation-state is just chaos and the rapid decline of the West, youre already doing a good job. Jaipur: Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala asked Sachin Pilot to return to the family and discuss grievances. He also said that BJP has failed in its conspiracy to topple the elected government in Rajasthan. If Sachin Pilot doesn't want to join BJP, he should refuse Haryana government's hospitality, added Surjewala. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday said if dissident leader Sachin Pilot is not joining the BJP, he should stop accepting that party's hospitality in Haryana. The reference was to reports that MLAs close to the rebel leaders are holed up in hotels in Gurgaon in Haryana, where the BJP is in power. He also repeated the party's appeal to Pilot, asking him to come back to the family. I have seen Pilot's statement in the media that he will not join the BJP. If you do not want to go to the BJP, stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP immediately, he said. He told reporters that Pilot should free the Congress MLAs who are staying in two luxury hotels and under the security of the Haryana police. Surjewala said the party leadership spoke to Pilot several times but he and the other Congress MLAs did not come to attend the Congress Legislature Party meetings. Pilot was sacked Tuesday as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the president of the state unit of the Congress. July 15, 2020 - Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Americans have had to delay recommended but elective orthopedic surgical procedures, such as joint replacement surgery or knee arthroscopy. Now an expert panel has issued recommendations to guide safe resumption of elective orthopedic surgery. The guidelines appear in the July 15, 2020 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, published in the Lippincott portfolio in partnership with Wolters Kluwer. "As we resume elective surgical procedures, it is important to understand what practices and protocols should be altered or implemented in order to minimize the risk of pathogen transfer during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 pandemic," according to the guideline statement by the International Consensus Group and Research Committee of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. The lead author is Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS, of the Rothman Institute, Philadelphia. The recommendations were developed using the Delphi method, including two rounds of voting on the gleaned recommendations from the literature, explains Prof. Bill Walter of Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, another senior author on the study. Following this method, the consensus guidelines were approved by an international panel of 77 expert physicians and scientists in orthopedic surgery, infectious disease, microbiology and virology, and anesthesia. Coronavirus Spurs Changes in Managing Elective Orthopedic Surgery The guidelines "are based on the available scientific evidence, albeit scant," and will likely change with the rapidly evolving understanding of COVID-19. The guideline statement presents a set of 30 recommendations in four categories: General. The guidelines include criteria for when hospitals and surgical centers can resume elective procedures, based on factors such as local trends in COVID-19 cases and availability of personal protective equipment and testing supplies. "The prevalence of COVID-19 in the local community will have a big impact on how these recommendations are implemented," said Prof. Walter. "Patients who are currently infected with COVID-19 should not undergo elective surgery," the expert panel writes. They also state that surgery should be "possibly deferred in the early phases" in elderly patients (75 years or older) and those with health problems that put them at a high risk for COVID-19. Preoperative. Several added steps in the preadmission process are recommended, including screening for symptoms of COVID-19, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and limiting family members and visitors in the hospital. In areas with a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, mandatory diagnostic testing is recommended before elective surgery. Currently, there is no evidence to recommend SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing before surgery. "It is critical for patients undergoing elective surgery to be educated on the protocols that are in place to minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission to themselves, family members, other patients, and hospital personnel," the expert panel writes. Intraoperative. The intraoperative section includes recommendations for carrying out surgery-addressing factors like operating room ventilation systems, necessary personal protective equipment, cleaning of the operating room between procedures, and more. The guidelines suggest considering regional anesthesia, when possible, to avoid aerosolizations and the increased risk of virus transmission that may occur with intubation during general anesthesia. Other recommendations include the use of absorbable sutures or skin glue, occlusive dressing and so on, all aimed at reducing the need for patients' return to the office in the early postoperative period. Postoperative. Postoperative recommendations include safeguards in the post-anesthesia care unit, such as wearing masks and putting distance between patients. Length of hospital stay should be minimized, and follow-up visits should be carried out via telemedicine, when possible. The expert panel hopes their recommendations will be helpful in resuming recommended elective surgical procedures in patients with painful, potentially disabling orthopedic conditions. The task force emphasizes: "Each hospital and health system should consider their unique situation in terms of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, staffing capabilities, personal protection equipment supply, and so on when determining how and when to implement these recommendations." ### Click here to read "Resuming Elective Orthopaedic Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidelines Developed by the International Consensus Group (ICM)." DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.20.00844 ### About The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) has been the most valued source of information for orthopaedic surgeons and researchers for over 125 years and is the gold standard in peer-reviewed scientific information in the field. A core journal and essential reading for general as well as specialist orthopaedic surgeons worldwide, The Journal publishes evidence-based research to enhance the quality of care for orthopaedic patients. Standards of excellence and high quality are maintained in everything we do, from the science of the content published to the customer service we provide. JBJS is an independent, non-profit journal. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2019 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students with advanced clinical decision support, learning and research and clinical intelligence. For more information about our solutions, visit http://healthclarity.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth. For more information, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Macri is well-known in Arizona's legal cannabis industry and is the Executive Director of CannaFriends, the CEO of Highly Social, and the former Promotions Director of Timeless Vapes. Macri brings great graphic design and client communication skills to the UH team. Pam Donner, COO of Uncle Herbs, said she is very happy to add Christina to the team. "At our core, we are about people," she said. "We strive not only to produce the best cannabis products on the market, but to also attract and retain talented individuals that share our values of respect, inclusivity, and integrity." Uncle Herbs is one of the most popular brands of cannabis products in Arizona, and was named Best Edible in 2019 by New Times. The publication wrote that Uncle Herbs edibles are "uniquely delicious" and "the organic vegan gummies are a true standout." Uncle Herbs is also known for its famed Bigfoot Chocolate Bar, which won Best Edible at the 710 Degree Cup. Uncle Herbs' cannabinoid-infused product line includes delicious dried fruits, Cherry and Lemon Drops, Vegan Organic Watermelon Rings, Arizona Honey, Peach Rings, Mixed Nut Clusters, Olive and Coconut Oils, Peanut Butter Pretzels and Sandwiches, its famous Hippy Organic Creamy Peanut Butter, and the Bigfoot Chocolate Bar and Bites - now also available in chocolate mint. Uncle Herbs also has a line of bodycare products, including Aloe Jelly, and infused Muscle and Joint Salves. The company recently introduced Chill Pills - which is now one of the fastest growing cannabis brands in Arizona. The innovative gelcap formulations include Day Caps (sativa based), Anytime (hybrid blend), Evening (indica based), Extreme (high-potency blends), and the remarkable new THC-A gelcaps. Uncle Herbs products are available at finer dispensaries throughout Arizona. Ask for them by name. Learn more by calling 928-474-2420. Media: Innovation Agency Inov8.us [email protected] SOURCE Uncle Herbs The City of Hamilton is continuing to reopen municipal facilities and outdoor amenities with a gradual, phased approach, said Emergency Operations Centre director Paul Johnson at a COVID-19 media briefing Tuesday. Our plan is certainly focused on how we get our municipal spaces and services opened in a way that aligns with the provinces reopening plans and emergency orders, he said. But also in terms of what we feel are the important and critical services to continue to provide to the community. City Hall set to reopen July 20 The first two floors of Hamilton City Hall are set to reopen July 20. City councillors and other staff approved to return to work will resume an 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work day. Public access to City Hall will be restricted outside of those hours. This is about those core hours of business, coming to do business at City Hall, Johnson said. Its not a facility to be used as cut-through traffic to get from one side of the community to the other in that neighbourhood. Health screening will be required for everyone entering the building, including staff and visitors. Increased cleaning, physical-distancing measures and available hand sanitizer are also expected as part of the buildings reopening. Greeters will be there to help visitors navigate the new protocol. Public service counters at City Hall will also reopen Monday for drop-in services like marriage licences, tax payments, parking fines and animal licences. Other services will be available by appointment only. Planning and building services are drop-off and pickup only. Main floor public areas will have a maximum capacity of 40 people, including staff and visitors. You may have to line up and wait a little bit longer than you normally would for services, Johnson said. Service centres remain closed at this time, but are scheduled to reopen mid-August. Hamilton Public Library waiving all fines and fees until 2021 In an effort to keep the city reading during the pandemic and recovery period, Hamilton Public Library announced Tuesday it is waiving all fines and fees until the end of 2021. The librarys board voted June 17 to stop issuing fines for late materials between March 15, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021. The library is also permanently eliminating fines of all materials for kids and youth. Now, everyone can equally access the library, said CEO and chief librarian Paul Takala said in a July 14 media release. And those who can, are invited to pay-it-forward to help others. The library is launching a pay-it-forward kids literacy donor fund in late summer with the goal of increasing access to quality learning resources. Library cardholders still have the option to pay fines online. Some Hamilton waterfalls set to open Wednesday Tiffany Falls, Devils Punchbowl, Borers Falls, Felkers Falls and Albion Falls will reopen to the public July 15. All visitors must follow guidelines posted on-site to allow these areas to remain open, Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger said. Well continue to enforce these areas to ensure that everyone stays a safe distance from each other and safely enjoy our waterfalls, he said. Spencer Gorge and associated areas remain closed, likely until sometime in September. Dundas Peak, Tews Falls, Websters Falls, Crooks Hollow, and the Spencer Adventure Trail also remain closed. Those who access these areas are considered to be trespassing, Eisenberger said. COVID-19 in Hamilton There were three new cases of COVID-19 reported in Hamilton Tuesday, bringing the total of confirmed and probable cases to 868. Of those 92 per cent are resolved. No new deaths were reported. Hamilton remains in Stage 2 of the provinces reopening plans. Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he is not concerned that Hamilton is not one of the Ontario municipalities moving into Stage 3 on Friday. Toronto, Peel Region, and Windsor-Essex, among others, will also remain in Stage 2. I anticipate that by the end of the month we, too, will be in Stage 3, he said. I do appreciate that cautious approach. The first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology, chaired by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday, after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak was reported in the country, centred on the members keenness to know about the governments contact-tracing Aarogya Setu mobile application (app), the recent ban on 59 Chinese apps and whether MPs could attend the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, which is likely to begin after August 15, online because of the pandemic. Around eight members of Parliament, including Tharoor, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Tejaswi Surya, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Nishikant Dubey, Sanjay Seth, and Anil Aggarwal were present at the meeting, which was also attended by officials from the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The panel has 29 members, including 21 and eight from the Lok Sabha (LS) and the Rajya Sabha (RS), respectively. Typically, a House panel meeting lasts for an hour, but on Tuesday it went on for about two hours and 15 minutes, as the MPs dissected the governments decisions amid the pandemic. The last meeting was held in mid-March ahead of the nationwide lockdown restrictions, which were enforced from March 25 to contain the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. Later, Thiruvananthapuram MP Tharoor put out a tweet about the meeting. The Parliamentary Standing Committee in Information Technology met on Tuesday. The eight MPs, who braved quarantine restrictions to attend, heard briefings from MeitY & the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on recent developments including the Aarogya Setu app and cybersecurity, Tharoor tweeted. Due social distancing norms were observed and attendees came masked. This could well be the new normal for a long time to come. Still, it was a useful meeting, where serious questions were asked and constructive discussions took place, he further tweeted. According to officials present at the meeting and familiar with the matter, some MPs sought to know whether they could be allowed to virtually attend the monsoon session of Parliament. Our response was simple, we can do it tomorrow, said a MeitY official on the condition of anonymity. We just need the go-ahead to conduct it. Parliament, in any case, is telecast live so it is not much of an issue. However, the standing committee members need to meet in person, as these are confidential matters, said the official. Derek OBrien, Trinamool Congresss RS MP and a member of the panel, also raised the issue of virtual presence during Tuesdays meeting. The Meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee examining the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, has called a meeting on Friday (July 17). Amid these Covid-19 times, a three-day notice was given to members. This is strange. A virtual presence is still not allowed. Strange methods are playing out in Parliament, OBrien tweeted. However, the official quoted above said that the notification for the standing committee for IT was done over a week ago. According to another official present at the meeting, Surya, the BJPs Bengaluru South MP, was among those, who wanted to know about the ban on 59 Chinese apps and Aarogya Setu. Everyone praised the move to ban the apps. Some even asked whether there are other apps that are likely to be banned soon, said the second official. The MPs were keen to know about the new features of Aarogya Setu and also about the governments move to protect data, he added. An MP, who was present at the meeting, the thrust of the discussion was about cybersecurity, Aarogya Setu and the ban on 59 Chinese apps. It was a productive discussion, said the MP, requesting anonymity. The draft general plan of Kyiv includes the construction of an external bypassing railroad from Nizhyn to Korosten directions for passing transit freight traffic which has overloaded the capital's railway hubs recently. The press service of Kyiv City State Administration said referring to the municipal organization Kyivgenplan on Wednesday that the main railway development measures include: - construction of a railway junction at various levels near the Livy Bereh (Left Bank) stop; - construction of additional running lines on the sections: Kyiv-Demiyivsky Darnytsia, Zhuliany Hlevakha, Kyiv Myronivka; - closure of 66 low-density line at ten freight stations; - creation of three transport and storage facilities near Kozhukhivka in Vasylkivsky district, Kalynivka in Brovarsky district, Ukrainka at the facility with new freight districts of the river port; - closure of freight stations and Kyiv-Tovarny, Kyiv-Dniprovsky yards, Kyiv-Pochaina freight yard, Kyiv-Pasazhyrsky hauling yard and Darnytsia sorting yard. As reported, the draft general plan of Kyiv also envisages the construction of two new bus stations at Kyiv's exits and shutdown of the Central Bus Station. Conceived in the era of eugenics as a solution to what was termed the problem of the feeble-minded, state-operated institutions subjected people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a life of compulsory incarceration. One of nearly 300 such facilities in the United States, Pennhurst State School and Hospital was initially hailed as a model institution but was later revealed to be a nightmare, where medical experimentation and physical and psychological abuse were rampant. At its peak, more than 3,500 residents were confined at Pennhurst, supervised by a staff of fewer than 600. Using a blended narrative of essays and first-person accounts, this history of Pennhurst examines the institution from its founding during an age of Progressive reform to its present-day exploitation as a controversial Halloween attraction. In doing so, it traces a decades-long battle to reform the abhorrent school and hospital and reveals its role as a catalyst for the disability rights movement. Beginning in the 1950s, parent-advocates, social workers, and attorneys joined forces to challenge the dehumanizing conditions at Pennhurst. Their groundbreaking advocacy, accelerated in 1968 by the explosive televised expose Suffer the Little Children, laid the foundation for lawsuits that transformed American jurisprudence and ended mass institutionalization in the United States. As a result, Pennhurst became a symbolic force in the disability civil rights movement in America and around the world. Extensively researched and featuring the stories of survivors, parents, and advocates, this compelling history will appeal both to those with connections to Pennhurst and to anyone interested in the history of institutionalization and the disability rights movement. The signing between DG Amos and Mr Lee witnessed by Directors of all departments under MALFFB. Photo: MALFFB CHICAGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market by Component (Hardware, Software & Data Processing, Launch Services), Type (Nanosatellite and Microsatellite), Application, Vertical (Government, Defense, Civil), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market size is expected to grow from USD 1.8 billion in 2020 to USD 4.8 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.3% during the forecast period. The satellites are used for several applications, such as communication, earth observation & remote sensing, scientific research, biological experiments, academic training, reconnaissance, and various other applications by the defense, intelligence, civil, commercial, and/or government users. Continuous advancements in the miniaturization of technologies, such as electronics, low-mission costs, and the increasing use of satellite constellations, are major drivers of the market. Browse in-depth TOC on "Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market" 260 - Tables 32 - Figures 236 - Pages Request for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=130496085 Earth observation and remote sensing to account for the largest market size during the forecast period Nanosatellites and microsatellites have brought novel opportunities for earth observation and remote sensing using inexpensive small satellites to capture images of the earth and gather specific data. Nanosatellites and microsatellites are expected to play a major role in remote sensing missions due to their enhanced computational and communication capabilities, along with competencies in making decisions about the time and data to be shared. Successful programs to develop and examine advanced hyperspectral imaging systems compatible with nanosatellite and microsatellite missions enable small satellites to generate high-quality complex images. The commercial vertical to account for the largest market size during the forecast period The geospatial technology using earth-imaging small satellites for agriculture, education, intelligence navigation, mapping, and other uses, has driven the commercial sector in the past decade. Nanosatellites or microsatellites help commercial companies gather global real-time data and distribute the same at lower prices to customers across a wide geographic area. Nanosatellites and microsatellites are used for commercial purposes, such as communication, in the form of voice, data, and videos, internet communication, and video chat. Between 2013 and 2017, almost half the nanosatellites were launched for military or civil missions and the remaining half for business purposes. Speak to Research Expert: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=130496085 North America to account for the highest market share during the forecast period North America accounts for the highest market share in the Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market. The country leads in the adoption of nanosatellites and microsatellites and offers great opportunities for the overall growth of the Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market. North America has always been an early adopter of new technology or software, and the North American market grows at a faster rate initially as compared to any other region. The demand for nanosatellites and microsatellites in North America is being driven by the booming digitalization across industries along with surging demand for earth observation satellites. The major Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market vendors include GomSpace (Denmark), Lockheed Martin (US), L3Harris (US), Sierra Nevada Corporation (US), AAC Clyde Space (Scotland), Planet Labs (US), Tyvak (US), NanoAvionics (US), Innovative Solutions In Space (Netherlands), SpaceQuest (US), Raytheon (US), RUAG (Switzerland), Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (England), Dauria Aerospace (Russia), Axelspace Corporation (Japan), Sky and Space Global (UK), Kepler (Canada), GAUSS (Italy), SpaceWorks Enterprises (US), and Berlin Space Technologies (Germany). Browse Adjacent Markets: Mobility and Telecom Market Research Reports & Consulting About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/nanosatellite-and-microsatellite-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/nanosatellite-and-microsatellite.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg MINNEAPOLIS - George Floyds family filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death, alleging the officers violated Floyds rights when they restrained him and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. The lawsuit came the same day that members of a city charter commission took public comments on a proposal to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. Many residents strongly favoured putting the proposal to a citywide vote in November. The civil rights lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, was announced by attorney Ben Crump and other lawyers representing Floyds family members. It seeks compensatory and special damages in an amount to be determined by a jury. It also asks for a receiver to be appointed to ensure that the city properly trains and supervises officers in the future. This complaint shows what we have said all along, that Mr. Floyd died because the weight of the entire Minneapolis Police Department was on his neck, Crump said in a statement. The City of Minneapolis has a history of policies, procedures and deliberate indifference that violates the rights of arrestees, particularly Black men, and highlights the need for officer training and discipline. Crump said the lawsuit seeks to set a precedent that makes it financially prohibitive for police to wrongfully kill marginalized people especially Black people in the future. Mayor Jacob Freys office said he couldnt comment on pending litigation. Interim City Attorney Erik Nilsson said the city is reviewing the lawsuit and will respond to it. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldnt breathe. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers at the scene Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired the day after Floyds death, which set off protests that spread around the world and turned into a national reckoning on race in America. Floyds death also sparked calls to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a new public safety department. A majority of City Council members support the move, saying the department has a long history and culture of brutality that has resisted change. The proposal requires a change in the city charter. Most callers to the first hour of a public hearing Wednesday evening urged the charter commission to let voters decide. The lawsuit comes on the same day that a court allowed public viewing by appointment of video from the body cameras of Lane and Kueng. A coalition of news organizations and attorneys for Lane and Kueng have been advocating to make the videos public, saying they would provide a more complete picture of what happened. The judge hasnt said why hes not allowing the video to be disseminated more widely. According to documents in state probate court, Floyd is survived by 11 known heirs, including five children and six siblings. They live in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and New York. All but one of Floyds children are adults. He has no living parents or grandparents. Kaarin Nelson Schaffer, named last week as the trustee for Floyds family, is the plaintiff in the federal lawsuit. The lawsuit takes issue with police policies and training. It says that even though neck restraints can be deadly, the police department allowed them to be used in situations in which deadly force wasnt warranted. After Floyds death, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said the type of restraint Chauvin had used wasnt authorized. The lawsuit also contends that the city acted with deliberate indifference when it came to allowing police to use excessive force. It says the city ratified practices that allowed officers to treat Black community members differently and it fostered a culture in which officers werent penalized for bad actions. It really is about trying to change the culture and behaviour of policing, Crump said at a news conference. We would have hope that George Floyd did not have to sacrifice his life to bring about these changes. But now we are here, and we are at a tipping point. Last year, Minneapolis agreed to pay $20 million to the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, an unarmed woman who was shot by an officer after she called 911 to report hearing a possible crime happening behind her home. ___ Associated Press reporter Jeff Baenen contributed. ___ Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens. A young Tunisian woman was Tuesday sentenced to six months in jail over a parody posted on Facebook linking the Koran and COVID-19. A Tunis court found Emna Charki, 27, guilty of offending religion and "incitement to hatred" in a May 4 satirical post entitled "the Corona Surah", mimicking the Koran in reference to the illness. "There's no difference between kings and slaves, follow science and ignore traditions," a passage reads. Charki, who is not in custody and has 10 days to appeal, was also fined 2,000 dinars ($750). Appearing in a red Che Guevara t-shirt, she told reporters she would file an appeal against the "illogical" sentence. "In a country of freedom, where the constitution guarantees freedom of expression... and women's rights, they condemn me, a woman free in my beliefs," she said, visibly shaken up. She and her mother said they were preparing to move out of the apartment they share as their landlord wanted them out because of the court case. "My daughter's future is destroyed," said Charki's mother, wearing a blue headscarf. With the conviction, "she will no longer be able to work or even to walk the street freely." Emna Charki said the authorities had failed to take action against threats she had been receiving. Former MP Bochra Belhaj Hmida was among those who stood up for her. "After all that Tunisia's youth have done for this country, the hunger for freedom they've shown, it's unbelievable that decisions can still be taken based on obsolete anti-freedom laws," she told AFP. "It's as if nothing has changed, ten years after the revolution, six after the constitution and a grand debate on individual freedoms," she said, referring to a 2014 compromise basic law guaranteeing "freedom of belief, of conscience" but also the protection of religion. Tunisia is seen as a rare democratic success story of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, which toppled dictators in several states. Amnesty International has also criticised Charki's trial, saying her Facebook post was "a humorous text that imitates the verses of Quran to make fun of the COVID-19 situation". It was "void of any incitement to hatred or violence," Amnesty said. The post was "intended to be funny and it even includes a call for staying home and washing hands." The novel coronavirus has claimed 50 lives and infected more than 1,300 people in Tunisia. FILE PHOTO: A woman enjoys a theme park ride at the Universal Studios in Sentosa, as tourism takes a decline following the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Resorts World Sentosa, one of Singapore's biggest private sector employers, said on Wednesday it was laying off staff to cut costs as the coronavirus pandemic batters the city-state's tourism industry. The company, owned by Genting Singapore Ltd, did not disclose how many jobs will be lost, but the local Straits Times newspaper said the cuts were "significant". A spokesperson for Resorts World Sentosa said the firm had over 7,000 full-time employees at the end of 2019, but declined to comment on its current employment level. The Genting Singapore website says RWS is one of Singapore's largest employers. Resorts World Sentosa's facilities, spread over 49 hectares, encompass a hotel, a casino and a Universal Studios theme park among other attractions. "We have made the difficult decision to implement a one-off workforce rationalisation," it said in a statement. A handful of staff trudging past mostly quiet restaurants outside the entrance to the casino on Wednesday afternoon told Reuters they had been called in to meet with the human resources department. Singapore's economy plunged into recession in the second quarter, shrinking a record 41% from the previous quarter, data showed on Tuesday, putting it on track for its deepest slump ever. The tourism industry, which contributes about 4% to the economy, has been one of the worst affected sectors due to travel restrictions and a lockdown that lasted more than two months to curb the spread of COVID-19. Across the causeway, casino operator Genting Malaysia was cutting 3,000 jobs, or about 15% of its workforce, media reported last month. Genting Malaysia did not respond to a request for comment. Genting Singapore and Genting Malaysia are part of Malaysian conglomerate Genting Berhad. "COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the tourism industry is unprecedented, immediate, and immense," Singapore's National Trades Union Congress said in a statement on the job cuts. Story continues It added that it was working with Resorts World Sentosa on compensation terms, and would help affected employees with training and finding new jobs. Just last year the company announced it would invest about S$4.5 billion ($3.2 billion) to expand its tourist attractions in the city-state. (Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan, John Geddie and Edgar Su in Singapore; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Kuala Lumpur; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Kim Coghill) Sachin Pilots firm and clear message this morning that he is not joining the BJP has got the Congress working behind the scenes to bring about a possible rapprochement between Ashok Gehlot and him. It may appear that the party went too far when it sacked him as deputy chief minister and the Rajasthan party chief, but KC Venugopal, the key general secretary, organisation, is making a last-ditch attempt at fixing things. Hindustan Times has learnt that Venugopal is trying to convince chief minister Ashok Gehlot to try to bury differences with his former Number 2. Gehlot, however, does not appear too keen and wants his detractor to be expelled immediately for anti-party activities. Venugopal arrived in Jaipur on Monday and is at the moment locked in meetings at the Fairmont hotel, the site of the second Congress legislature party meeting. He is also, one Congressman said, in touch with the Pilots side. The former deputy chief minister also struck a conciliatory note this morning when he told Hindustan Times that he is not going to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I am not joining BJP. Those saying that are just trying to lower me in Gandhis eyes, he told Hindustan Times. ``There are various people who want to do that and they have a motive to do that and its just not true. Sachin Pilot also cancelled a press conference scheduled for today, setting off speculation that things may have changed since last night when the party charged him with being a part of BJPs conspiracy to bring down the Congress government in Rajasthan. Pilots only response was Truth may be harassed, but cant be defeated. The Congress had removed Pilot as Rajasthan Congress chief on Tuesday. He was also dropped by chief minister Ashok Gehlot from the cabinet after a meeting of the Congress legislature party meeting(CLP). Two more of his loyalists were expelled from the cabinet: Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh. Rajasthan education minister Govind Singh Dotasra was named the new Congress chief in the desert state. The party also sacked Mukesh Bhakar and Rakesh Pareek as presidents of frontal organisations Youth Congress and Sewa Dal, respectively. The crisis in Rajasthan unit reached a breaking point when Pilot received a notice from the special operations group (SOG) of Rajasthan police to record his statement regarding the alleged attempt to topple the Congress government in the state. He, along with his MLAs, has been campin in Delhi since Saturday.And alleged that the Gehlot government does not have the numbers. Swinging into action, the grand old party immediately deputed two senior leaders to resolve the crisis and bring Pilot and the other rebels back into the fold. But the efforts did not bear fruit as Pilot stayed away from the two CLP meetings called by the party on Monday and Tuesday. Then came his dismissal from the cabinet and the charge that he was conspiring with the BJP to destabilise the government. On Tuesday, 101 legislators - in a 200-member strong assembly - attended the CLP meeting at the Fairmont hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur, which included 10 independent legislators and two from Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) and one from the Communist Party of India (Marxist); the other CPIM legislator was unwell. However, in the afternoon, the two BTP legislators left the hotel, and went home, saying they would take a call on supporting a political party at an appropriate time. It remains to be seen how the next chapter in this drama unfolds. Renault will be in Formula 1 "for a long time", according to the French works outfit's former boss. Flavio Briatore told Italy's Tuttosport that he helped his protege Fernando Alonso negotiate the Spaniard's return to Formula 1 for next year. "We negotiated the return together. I have known for two months," he said. "We have guarantees that Renault will remain in F1 for a long time, Fernando has his motivation, I'm very happy. "There was the possibility of going to Racing Point but we preferred to make another choice," Briatore added. As for 38-year-old Alonso, the two-time champion insists he is not thinking about his Formula 1 return quite yet. "Right now I am fully focused on the Indianapolis 500," said Alonso, referring to the fabled oval race that has been rescheduled for August 23. "My goal is to try to do the triple crown, so I'm not thinking about F1 right now. Afterwards I will follow the team and go in the simulator," he added. (GMM) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a digital conclave on Wednesday, on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD). His address will begin at 11 am. This day marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of Skill India Mission. The conclave has been organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. WYSD is an event recognised by the United Nations and is celebrated on July 15 every year. It was designated by the General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. While passing a resolution, the UNGA had expressed concern at the high number of unemployed youth, the majority of whom live in developing countries. It recognised that fostering the acquisition of skills by youth would enhance their ability to make informed choices with regard to life and work and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets. The UNGA noted that the member states have an important role in meeting the needs and aspirations of youth, particularly in developing countries, and invited all the UN members to commemorate World Youth Skills Day in an appropriate manner. This years event is focussed on the importance of developing skilled youth. Highlighting the impact of Covid-19, the UN said that it has led to the worldwide closure of training institutions, threatening the continuity of skills development. It also said that nearly 70% of the worlds youth are affected by school closures. The global body thus said that it become more important to impart relevant skills to the youth which can help them in the long run and successfully manage evolving challenges. Even worse is the assumption that infallible science cant be challenged by or balanced with other policy considerations. Most notably missing in this equation is the impact of the pandemic lockdown on jobs and the economy. A truly scientific approach would weigh the epidemiologists policies as compared with rigorous scholarship about their negative, even dangerous, impacts on the economy. What is the calculus, for example, on whether the psychological and learning damage from keeping children out of school is more destructive than their transmission of the virus? Sadly, asking this question will get you assigned as a Trump supporter who cares only about the stock market. Gov't spokesman: Iran considers South Korea's freezing of assets unfriendly IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, July 14, IRNA -- Iranian Government spokesman Ali Rabiee said on Tuesday that Iran is not looking for tension with South Korea and South Korea's action to block Iran's property is an unfriendly, destructive, and unconstitutional after over decades of trade between the two countries. Rabiee said that $8 billion of Iran's resources are blocked in South Korea. He said that the behavior of the South Korean government is incomprehensible under the current circumstances, adding that the Government of South Korea does not provide a required answer while there is no legal ban for returning Iranian money and it is not clear why the government of South Korea was willing to jeopardize its relations with Iran in an unprecedented way by willing to succumb to the US pressure. Referring to the point that it is not only the Iranian government to be upset by the Korean government's behavior, but he also added that today, the people and public opinion do not have a good view of this action of the South Korean government. Rabiee expressed hope that South Korean authorities take action before it is too late and before it negatively influences the long-term relations of the two countries. Regarding Iran's official reaction for its property restitution, he said that it is being pursued in international bodies, and if the Seoul action continues, Iran will take appropriate measures. Responding to a question about Iran's business relations with Venezuela, he noted that "my interview with a foreign journal was misinterpreted while the issue was not a matter of help to Venezuela and such issues have not been raised from Venezuela". Rabiee added that what is in the business relations of Iran and Venezuela such as relationships and trade exchanges are like with other countries, and Iran has the same relations with different countries in the world. He called for avoiding misunderstanding and said that Iran-Venezuela trade is not an exception to Iran's commercial and international rules with other countries and the price of export goods will be in the same way. 3266**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bach Thai Buoi Street on the banks of the Quan Truong River in Nha Trang city has become a popular tourist destination thanks to the vibrant colours of its Giay blossoms, which give the city a new look during summer. browser not support iframe. Bach Thai Buoi Street becomes covered in different shades of bougain villea blossoms as summer comes, ranging from light pink to deep purple. Many tourists say it is the most beautiful street in Nha Trang. 60 Giay blossom trees along Thai Bach Buoi Street are still blooming in the scorching summer sun, catching the eye of both local people and visitors. VNA Discovering Fun Island in Nha Trang city Fun Island is one of the few places in Nha Trang city that is able to maintain its pristine beauty and peaceful atmosphere, quickly developing into a popular new tourist attraction this summer. CAMEROUN :: Maurice Kamto reagit a l'agression du secretaire general du MRC :: CAMEROON J'ai ete informe de l'intrusion musclee des elements armes non identifies dont certains arboraient la tenue de l'Armee, dans le domicile du Secretaire general du MRC, Me Christopher NDONG NVEH, a Buea le 9 juillet 2020, et des menaces graves dont lui et sa famille sont l'objet. Je condamne fermement ces derives intolerables et demande aux autorites militaires competentes l'ouverture d'une enquete pour dire qui sont ces assaillants armes. Je rappelle que la position constante du MRC dans la guerre civile en cours dans les Regions du Nord-Ouest et le Sud -Ouest est la recherche de la fin des hostilites et de la negociation d'une solution durable a la crise qui ravage ces deux Regions. En consequence, le Secretaire general du MRC et sa famille ne sauraient etre la cible de l'une ou de l'autre partie en conflit. Cette situation preoccupante, qui vient s'ajouter aux nombreuses denonciations des violations des droits des populations civiles dans les deux Regions anglophones en guerre civile et dans la Region de l'Extreme-Nord, ou l'armee est aux prises avec la secte Boko Haram, doit rapidement etre tiree au clair. Car, elle aggrave l'anxiete des populations et n'est pas de nature a encourager les etrangers a sejourner dans notre pays. ----------------------------------------------------------- I have been informed that unidentifed armed men dressed in military attire, intruded into the residence of the Secretary General of CRM's house, Barrister Christopher Ndong Nveh in Buea on the 9th of July 2020 at 9pm, threatening his family present that evening. I fervently condemn such intolerable act and call on the competente military authorities to open an investigation to bring to book the armed assailants. I wish to reiterate the CRM position as concerns the civil war going on in the northwest and southwest, for government to seek a solution to this crisis ravaging the two anglophone regions. Consequently, the Secretary General of CRM and his family cannot be considered as a party, to be targeted in one way or the other in the said conflict. The situation is very preoccupying, it adds to the already numerous denunciations on the violations of Human Rights, of the civilian population, carried out in the two anglophone regions by this civil war and also in the Far North region, where the Cameroon military is in confrontation with the Boko Haram sects. All these have to be rapidly brought to an end. These situations aggravates the bitterness of the population, for it is not good to encourage foreign incursion in the country. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! Investors can approximate the average market return by buying an index fund. While individual stocks can be big winners, plenty more fail to generate satisfactory returns. Investors in Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT) have tasted that bitter downside in the last year, as the share price dropped 16%. That contrasts poorly with the market return of 9.2%. On the bright side, the stock is actually up 4.5% in the last three years. The good news is that the stock is up 1.1% in the last week. See our latest analysis for Camden Property Trust While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the unfortunate twelve months during which the Camden Property Trust share price fell, it actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 40%. Of course, the situation might betray previous over-optimism about growth. The divergence between the EPS and the share price is quite notable, during the year. So it's well worth checking out some other metrics, too. Camden Property Trust's revenue is actually up 7.9% over the last year. Since we can't easily explain the share price movement based on these metrics, it might be worth considering how market sentiment has changed towards the stock. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized companies. But while CEO remuneration is always worth checking, the really important question is whether the company can grow earnings going forward. You can see what analysts are predicting for Camden Property Trust in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. Story continues What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Camden Property Trust, it has a TSR of -14% for the last year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Investors in Camden Property Trust had a tough year, with a total loss of 14% (including dividends) , against a market gain of about 9.2%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 7.6% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Camden Property Trust that you should be aware of before investing here. But note: Camden Property Trust may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. The head of the Tokyo Medical Association has called on people not to get together for drinks this month, to prevent further spreading of the coronavirus in the capital. Association chairman Ozaki Haruo made the request in a phone interview with NHK, after the Tokyo Metropolitan Government raised its alert level for the virus to the highest of its four-tier scale. He said the virus is definitely spreading in not only nightlife districts but also other communities. He added that without effective measures, it could spread further. Ozaki said infections are spreading in places where people drink alcohol. He urged people to refrain from getting together for drinks or meals, at least this month. Ozaki said it has become clear that people can be infected when talking to each other in crowded, confined places. He said there is no choice but to ask people to avoid such places. Demonstrators take part in a protest against the new national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020. (Anthony Kwan/Getty Images) Beijing Threatens Retaliation After Trump Signs Law Sanctioning Officials for Hong Kong Abuses Beijing has threatened retaliation after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order and a bill into law to hold China accountable for its recent actions in Hong Kong. Trump on July 14 signed into law the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, paving the way for the U.S. government to slap sanctions on Chinese officials and entities responsible for undermining Hong Kongs autonomy. The bill was passed unanimously by the House and Senate in early July in response to Chinas formal adoption of a national security law for Hong Kong on June 30. Trump also signed an executive order for a list of new U.S. policies on Hong Kong, including ending the United States preferential trade treatment of Hong Kong, suspending an extradition treaty signed with the Chinese-ruled city, and allow additional refugee admission for residents of Hong Kong on humanitarian concerns. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Trump said he signed the bill and the executive order to hold China accountable for its oppressive actions against the people of Hong Kong. Beijing reacted angrily to Trumps moves. Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, saying that the United States had brusquely interfered with Chinas internal affairs with the signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. The Chinese ministry added that Beijing will impose retaliatory sanctions against U.S. individuals and entities. The statement, however, did not make mention of Trumps executive order. Chinas hawkish state-run newspaper Global Times, in an article published on July 15, quoted a remark by Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 29, wherein he called the Hong Kong Autonomy Act a piece of scrap paper. According to the Global Times article, Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kongs sole representative to the standing committee of Chinas rubber-stamp legislature, the National Peoples Congress, said Beijing has made full preparations in the event that U.S. sanctions are imposed on Chinese officials. In Hong Kong, Regina Ip, a member of Hong Kongs Executive Council (akin to the cabinet) and former security secretary, told local media on Wednesday that the U.S. moves were irrational and unreasonable. She added that she believed Beijing and the Hong Kong government would respond with countermeasures. Hong Kongs Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng defended the national security law when asked by reporters about the U.S. moves. She then echoed the statement by Chinas foreign ministry, saying that countries should not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries. Hong Kong pro-democracy activists and protesters have welcomed the new U.S. law and Trumps executive order. The beginning of the end of the #HK we know. Sad but true. #HKers are not giving up & are hanging in here to fight to restore #HKs glory! wrote Alan Leong, chairman of Hong Kongs pro-democracy Civic Party, on his Twitter account, in response to Trumps signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act into law. Joshua Wong, iconic figure from the 2014 Umbrella pro-democracy movement and a candidate running for a seat in Hong Kongs legislature, stated that he was glad to see Trump sign the bill into law. Given Beijings ongoing crackdown on Hong Kong, this bipartisan legislation offers the administration new tools to respond, Wong wrote on his Twitter account. Wong then called on U.S. Congress to pass the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act. The bill proposes that Hong Kong residents, who have a well-founded fear of persecution, be eligible for Priority 2 Refugee status, which allows for resettlement in the United States. Citizens Press Conference, an advocacy group established by Hong Kong protesters, issued a brief statement on the messaging app Telegram. The group was created last year amid large-scale protests against Beijings growing encroachment into city affairs. The group said that Hongkongers have used their two feet, blood, and tears to repeatedly show the world their will of steel in pursuing democracy and freedoms. It added that glory will return to the people of Hong Kong if they continue to believe in their cause and be united. In the UK, local NGO Hong Kong Watch welcomed Trumps executive order in a message on its Twitter account. This is a major decision, and is a sign of the way that the National Security Law has shattered international trust in one-country, two-systems, Hong Kong Watch wrote, referring to the framework by which Beijing promised to rule Hong Kong upon its transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China in 1997. It added: We are pleased to see our key asks of refugee provision, sanctions, and no extradition incorporated. Rating Action: Moody's affirms Islamic Development Bank's Aaa rating, stable outlook Global Credit Research - 14 Jul 2020 NOTE: On July 15, 2020, the press release was corrected as follows: The EU endorsed disclosure was added as the eighth paragraph of the Regulatory Disclosures section. Revised release follows. New York, July 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has today affirmed the Aaa issuer rating of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) with a stable outlook. The Islamic Development Bank's short-term issuer rating has been affirmed at Prime-1. The affirmation of the IsDB's Aaa rating and stable outlook reflect Moody's view that the IsDB's risk profile will remain very strong over the medium-term, supported by low leverage, a very large buffer of liquid assets relative to net cash outflows, and a stock of callable capital from shareholders at almost three times the outstanding debt stock. Despite the relatively low credit quality of the loan book, non-performing assets (NPAs) remain very low, supported by the high level of sovereign-backed exposures. Leverage has risen, but remains favourable compared to Aaa-rated peers. The IsDB's liquidity position is strong, and market access is favourable given the IsDB's prominence as one of the few top-rated Sharia'h compliant issuers in the Islamic finance world. The coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a sharp deterioration in the global economic outlook and, relatedly, to a very large fall in the price of oil, has created an unprecedented shock to a wide range of regions and markets. Moody's regards the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under its ESG framework. For the Islamic Development Bank, Moody's expects the shock will transmit mainly through downward pressure on the quality of the loan book. The impact of coronavirus on oil demand and oil prices has also increased pressure on several of the IsDB's major shareholders. We expect shareholders' capacity to support to remain resilient, although under a more severe scenario, strains could appear. Story continues The backed senior unsecured MTN programme ratings of IDB Trust Services Limited and ISDB Trust Services No.2 Limited have been affirmed at (P)Aaa, and IDB Trust Services Limited's backed senior unsecured rating has also been affirmed at Aaa. The rating of the certificates of IDB Trust Services Limited is in line with the Aaa long-term foreign currency rating of the IsDB's Ordinary Capital Resources. Moody's regards the certificates as senior unsecured obligations, without any preference or priority, among all trust certificates of the same series and with all other present and future trust certificates. RATINGS RATIONALE RATIONALE FOR THE Aaa RATING CAPITAL ADEQUACY REMAINS ROBUST DESPITE AN INCREASE IN LEVERAGE The Islamic Development Bank benefits from a very strong capital base, supported by a low -- albeit rising -- leverage ratio and very low NPAs. Although the IsDB's leverage ratio has risen steadily, reaching 214.6% in 2019, compared to 182.3% in 2017, it remains below the median for Aaa-rated multilateral development banks. Moody's expect it will remain below the Aaa-median for the foreseeable future. Capital adequacy will continue to be supported by paid-in capital contributions from the fourth General Capital Increase (GCI). While paid-in capital contributions under this GCI have been outpaced by growth in development-related assets, resulting in rising leverage, in 2019 the IsDB's Board of Executive Directors approved a sixth GCI which will be comprised of fully paid-in capital, tempering the increase in leverage. Due to the coronavirus outbreak postponing the annual general meeting, the IsDB's Board of Governors has yet to formally approve the GCI. However, Moody's expects that there is a strong likelihood that GCI will be approved in the second half of 2020. IsDB's asset performance remains very strong and continued to improve in 2019, with the ratio of non-performing assets (NPAs) to development-related assets falling to 1.0%, from 1.5% in 2018. Due to a combination of general and specific provisions, the bank is also well covered for any losses, with provisions standing at 283% of non-performing loans, and 2.1% of total loans as of end-2019. THE STOCK OF LIQUID ASSETS PROVIDES AN EXCEPTIONALLY ROBUST BUFFER RELATIVE TO NET CASH OUTFLOWS The Islamic Development Bank benefits from a strong liquidity position. The stock of liquid assets is robust, both relative to the IsDB's balance sheet and to its short-term debt and planned disbursements. As of the end of 2019, the ratio of liquid assets to 18 month net cash outflows stood at almost two times. Although IsDB's use of Shari'ah compliant financing structures limits its pool of investors compared to other conventional funding programmes, it is a benchmark issuer within the Islamic finance world, being one of the few Aaa-rated issuers of Sukuk instruments. Given the scarcity of high-quality Shari'ah compliant securities, the IsDB's Sukuks have always found strong demand. SHAREHOLDER'S CAPACITY TO SUPPORT TO REMAIN RESILIENT The Islamic Development Bank benefits from high strength of member support. The IsDB's 57 shareholders include several highly rated sovereigns such as Saudi Arabia (A1 negative), the UAE (Aa2 stable), Kuwait (Aa2 RUR-) and Qatar (Aa3 stable) which together hold 45% of the IsDB's subscribed capital. The IsDB benefits from an exceptionally strong coverage of its debt stock, with callable capital covering almost three times the stock of outstanding debt and just under half of the callable capital pledged by shareholders with ratings of Baa3 or higher. Shareholders have a long history of active participation in general capital increases. In 2013, at its 38th Annual Meeting, the Board of Governors of IsDB approved the 5th GCI which increased authorised capital to ID100 billion ($138 billion) and subscribed capital to ID50 billion ($69 billion) in addition to the calling in half of the remaining portion of the 4th GCI, which should result in an additional ID2.4 billion ($3.3 billion) being paid in across the next 10 years. In addition, Moody's expects that the 6th GCI will be approved by the IsDB's Board of Governors in the second half of 2020, further demonstrating shareholder's commitment to supporting the world's premier Islamic Finance institution. RATIONALE FOR THE STABLE OUTLOOK While leverage has risen over the last three years, Moody's expects that -- pending approval by the Board of Governors -- the additional capital subscriptions under the sixth General Capital Increase will, in tandem with scheduled payments under the current GCI, arrest the recent rise in the IsDB's leverage. While the outbreak of the coronavirus is likely to increase negative credit pressure on the loan book, Moody's does not regard the IsDB as significantly more exposed than other MDBs at this rating level. Furthermore, the IsDB is in a strong position to weather these pressures, as NPAs are very low, and the vast majority of the loan book is sovereign-backed. ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS Environmental and social considerations are not material to Moody's assessment of the IsDB's credit profile. Both are relevant considerations for both borrowers and shareholders of the institution, and can therefore indirectly affect its creditworthiness through the credit quality of the loan book (which is predominantly sovereign-backed) and through the creditworthiness of the IsDB's shareholders. Governance is a key factor in Moody's assessment of IsDB's credit profile. The bank has a well-developed risk management framework, as well as high governance standards. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS Should the forthcoming GCI be insufficient to arrest the recent rise in leverage, either because the timing of the payments is too lengthy or the size of the capital subscriptions too small to offset the increase in the IsDB's lending activities, this could lead to downwards pressure on the IsDB's rating. Similarly, while we expect shareholders' capacity to support to remain resilient, strains could appear in the event of a more severe scenario, such as an extended period of low oil prices or volatile financing conditions. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Multilateral Development Banks and Other Supranational Entities published in June 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1147813. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. The local market analyst for this rating is Thaddeus Best , +971 (423) 795-06. REGULATORY DISCLOSURES For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. 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For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569. The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moodys affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moodys Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moodys office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. 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The Balsillie Family YMCA in Peterborough will not be reopening until Sept. 1, the YMCA of Central East Ontario announced Tuesday. On Monday the Ontario government announced the province will enter Phase 3 of the reopening of the economy from the COVID-19 lockdown in most areas of the province including Peterborough, meaning gymnasiums can reopen starting Friday. The YMCA needs more time to understand the guidelines required for safe reopening, the organization announced. Plans are also in the works to reopen the YMCAs child care centre and offer day camp programs to support working parents seeking to return to the workforce. When the YMCA does reopen, there will be glass barriers ar membership desks, health screenings upon entry, contactless scan-in stations, one-way entries and exits, more sanitization and disinfection, more hand-sanitizing stations, controlled building access, smaller class sizes and measures to maintain two-metre physical distancing. Deep cleaning has been conducted while the Aylmer Street facility has been closed by the pandemic. We need to see and understand fully the necessary policies and guidelines and ensure we take the time to implement these properly, YMCA of Central East Ontario president and CEO David Allen stated. We want to ensure our staff understand and are trained to meet expectations upon your return. Our commitment is to put people first both our valued YMCA members and employees. We want to welcome you back as safely as possible. Membership fees were put on hold when the facility closed on March 16 and payments wont be reactivated until the reopening. In recent weeks, the Trentonian has published a couple of editorials referencing police reform. The first was the Trentonians support for Attorney General Gurbir Grewals directive for departments in New Jersey to publish names of officers who have been fired or faced major disciplinary action. The second, written by a sister publication, was for support in having police officers not respond to mental health situations and domestic violence calls. While I understand the premise for these common sense reforms, there is more that must be understood before these types of reforms take place. Reform shouldnt be a means to punish officers that have already faced discipline and it should take into account historical factors when looking to make changes. The purpose of reform should be to improve the way departments support, and train their staff, and how they interact with the community. In regard to the publishing of the names of officers who have been fired or have faced major disciplinary action, I have a number of concerns with this reform. It appears that the only point of it is to embarrass officers, never taking into account that officers usually improve their performance once they have faced discipline. Officers that are fired for being found guilty of criminal behavior, should be identified because they have been judged by a jury of their peers to have broken the law. But it should be after that due process has run its course. Officers that are fired due to some other non-criminal behavior, such as Officer Lino Rosario, who was fired for being unfit for duty, and are able to find resolution through due process and the courts, do not deserve to be put on this kind of list. There are many reasons that officers can be demoted or face major disciplinary action, and nothing to do with abusive or criminal behavior. Progressive discipline plays a role in how a minor disciplinary matter can become a major disciplinary action. The breaking of rules can become a major disciplinary action and have nothing to do with any interaction with the community. Nothing in the directive deals with a bad leader who utilizes Internal Affairs to go after officers as an example to those who refuse to follow blindly. Or corrupt lawyers who, in an effort to promote their narrative of racist police, have any individuals that deal with particular officers to sign bogus complaints. Or politicians that fire officers without due process, as they pander to the narrative. What about officers that have already retired and are no longer affiliated with policing. What type of reform does that fall under? Attorney General Grewals directive does not differentiate any of this. There are those that will say that the community will be able to differentiate the truly corrupt and abusive from the synopsis that will be written along with the other information. Who will write those synopsis and will it truly capture all perspective and context of each situation? Surely not. These are but a few situations that need to be resolved before we begin to impugn the reputations of officers all in an effort to satisfy calls for reform. In regard to the support of having officers not respond to mental health situations and domestic violence calls, the editorial has not taken into account a number of factors for each type of call that are instrumental as to why the police handle both. To clarify, most mental health calls do not come in as a person in mental distress. They usually come in as an individual with a weapon who is threatening people or from a citizen who feels they are in danger from that individual. Officers arrive and try to engage and the individual attacks the police or someone from the community with deadly intentions. That is when officers, in an effort to protect themselves, their partners and the community, are forced to use force. I do agree that more needs to be done with the mentally challenged to provide more support. A better tracking system of the most violent or more resources to provide the services necessary to limit any negative behavior. But that is something that needs to be done before they become dangerous and deadly to the community and to themselves. Not after the fact. When it comes to domestic violence calls, every police officer will agree that they would love it if they didnt have to respond to those types of calls. But the legislature sees it differently. Domestic violence simple assaults and harassment, that are normally labeled disorderly persons offenses, are must arrest if there are signs or complaint of injury. The legislature has taken away all discretion and has made domestic violence a critical offense. Why would the legislature prioritize this type of offense? In years past, this offense was considered a domestic issue and not a criminal offense. As more and more women showed up in the hospital with significant injuries or were found dead, research found that these types of injuries and death were after long periods of abuse and escalation of violence that had never been addressed. In an effort to minimize these significant injuries and death, domestic violence became a criminal offense and is considered to be an important part of policing. Domestic violence calls lead the way in the types of calls police officers respond to. It is also one of the most dangerous of calls for officers. Not only are you dealing with an irate individual that has just beat on his significant other and children, but oftentimes this individual is intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. Then once a decision is made to arrest this individual, officers must deal with the abused significant others who do not want this individual to be arrested. And they are also oftentimes intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. These types of arrests tie up officers for significant amounts of time. The paperwork involved has become almost encyclopedic. And in most cases, for this individual to return home to his abused significant other, even before all of that paperwork is completed. So after the legislature changes the laws and decriminalizes domestic violence, (which will invite all of the pro-victim rights groups to protest), lets hire social workers to respond to these calls. But first, I have a few questions for all those that view this as common sense reform. Will these social workers be armed? Will they be trained in any self-defense? What are the results that the community is looking for when the cycle of violence, and battered woman syndrome play such a significant role in domestic violence? Who will be liable for poor decision making by these social workers as they walk out of the home after responding to a domestic violence call, and the perpetrator kills the victim for daring to call the social workers? And finally, who will be held liable for the injuries or deaths of these social workers who have no police powers, and no means to protect themselves? While common sense reform appears to be common sense, there are more in-depth issues that need to be addressed. Any time we work off emotion and narrative, we tend to create more problems than the ones we are looking to solve. As I have stated in other pieces, without law enforcement professionals involved in police reform, we will end up with these types of common sense reforms that actually make no sense. The Particle Science and Technology Laboratory at Southwest Research Institute has expanded its services to include mask testing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The testing will help health care and other organizations evaluate respirators, surgical face masks and filtration materials to ensure they meet particle filtration standards. A face mask shortage in the United States prompted many organizations to make their own masks or buy masks from international manufacturers for the first time. It is crucial to determine whether these alternatives meet strict standards before they are distributed to frontline health care workers." Dr. Imad Khalek, SwRI Senior Program Manager, Southwest Research Institute "We are evaluating mask materials for particle filtration and flow resistance to ensure they can effectively block viral particles, while allowing users to breathe." Recent testing at SwRI revealed eight out of the 11 KN95 respirator samples submitted by clients were counterfeit and failed to meet the U.S. standard for filtration efficiency set forth by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Like the NIOSH-certified N95 respirators, uncertified KN95 respirators manufactured in China are supposed to filter out at least 95% of very small particles. However, once evaluated in the particle lab, the respirators did not perform as expected. While testing uncertified respirators is critical for safety, SwRI is also testing certified brands for additional quality control and assurance. "It's important to test samples from known certified manufacturers to ensure masks perform the way they should," Khalek said. "This also applies to respirators that are decontaminated and re-used due to shortages." The laboratory team is offering testing at a reduced price to allow wide accessibility for health care, commercial and government clients who want to quickly evaluate mask samples. SwRI's laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025-accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation to calibrate devices that measure particles as small as 10 nanometers in diameter. Before the pandemic, the lab only conducted engine emission particle testing. Khalek says it was a simple transition from emissions to viral particles because they are similar in size. While the mask testing service is now offered at a low cost, the team conducted this work as a community service for several weeks. "When requests for mask testing started emerging at the height of this crisis, we felt that providing this work pro bono to the community was a critical part of the Institute's mission to serve the public interest," said Khalek. "The demand is increasing. So, we are making this service more widely available at a reduced cost." The data provided by the lab is not intended to replace precertification requirements for NIOSH and the Food and Drug Administration, the agencies that certify respirators and surgical masks for health care workers. However, the data are in accordance with their standards. Britain's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden as he gives a statement to the House of Commons in London, July 14, 2020, Britain on Tuesday announced it has banned Chinese tech giant Huawei from its 5G telecom network, a sharp policy shift that angered Beijing and was seen as a win for the Trump administration, which has argued that the company threatens national security. Reversing a stance announced in January to allow Huawei a limited role in building the UK's super-fast wireless infrastructure, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the House of Commons that U.S. sanctions on the company had altered the calculation for the government, which he said is "clear-eyed about China." We have been clear-eyed from the start that Chinese-owned vendors Huawei and ZTE were deemed to be high-risk," he said. Put simply, countries around the world not just in the United Kingdom have become dangerously reliant on too few vendors, said Dowden. "This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, both now and indeed in the long run," he added. British telecom operators have been given until 2027 to remove existing Huawei equipment from their 5G networks and the changes would cost about 2bn ($2.5 billion) and delay the country's 5G rollout by a year, Dowden told parliament. Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, who had issued public threats during the debate over Huawei, tweeted that London's decision was "disappointing and wrong." "It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries," he tweeted. Liu had earlier warned that the UK would face unspecified consequences if it treats China as a hostile partner. In Washington, however, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed the news. "With this decision, the UK joins a growing list of countries from around the world that are standing up for their national security by prohibiting the use of untrusted, high-risk vendors," he said in a statement. "Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights," said Pompeo. Huawei denies U.S. assertions that the firm poses a national security threat. The 5G decision marks the second time in two weeks that Britain has angered China with a policy shift. After China imposed a draconian new security law for Hong Kong on July 30, the U.K. announced it would extend residency rights and offer a pathway to citizenship for about 2.9 million of the former British colony's seven million residents. So-called British National (Overseas) passport holders were born in the city before the July 1, 1997 handover and are British nationals by birth, but without the right of abode in the UK China threatened "corresponding measures" and accused Britain of interfering in Hong Kong's and China's affairs. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on July 1 that imposition of the law was a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the 1984 treaty under which China promised Hong Kong could run its own affairs and enjoy its traditional freedoms of speech and association for at least 50 years after the handover. The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Sunday announced the states first coronavirus-related pediatric death. The victim was later identified as 13-year-old Anna Carter. Her family said she died an hour after arriving at Comanche County Memorial Hospital on Friday. Carter also suffered from juvenile scleroderma, and her family said her immune system just could not fight COVID-19. The 13-year-old girl, who is the youngest known person in Oklahoma to die of the coronavirus, was vulnerable to the virus because of the autoimmune disorder. Her mother, Amber Carter, wrote online, She was funny oh so funny, outgoing in everything: theatrics and dance. She danced instead of walked most times. Oklahomas total known death toll from the virus now stands at 424. Seven of those deaths were of people 35 years old and younger. Amber Carter remembers the youngest known death this way: She had dreams, big ones, and wouldve accomplished them. We cannot let her dreams die with her. She wanted to create a cure for systemic scleroderma (and) all autoimmune diseases I want to honor her memory every day of my life. Anna Carters family confirmed that a GoFundMe page has been set up for funeral expenses. Anyone who wants to donate to the GoFundMe page can do so here. Her family also asked people to consider donating money to help others fighting juvenile scleroderma. Subscriber content preview Colleges said the policy would put students' safety at risk and hurt schools financially. By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer BOSTON Facing eight federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities, the Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded a rule that would have required international students to transfer or leave the country if their schools held classes entirely online because of the pandemic. The decision was announced at the start of a hearing in a federal lawsuit in Boston brought by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said federal immigration authorities agreed to pull the July 6 directive and return to the status quo. . . . New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought intervention of the central government for diminishing high levels of smog, which have turned the city into a "gas chamber". He further alleged that farm fires in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana were mainly responsible for the smog. He said vehicle restriction measures like odd-even will not be able to bring down smog as initial studies suggest that the "large scale" influx of pollutant-laden smoke from Punjab and Haryana has aggravated the situation. "Pollution has increased to an extent that outdoors in Delhi are resembling a gas chamber. Prima facie the biggest reason seems to be burning of stubble in agricultural fields in Haryana and Punjab in huge quantity," Kejriwal told a press conference. Shutting down of schools for a long time was not a feasible solution, he said, when asked about the decision of the civic bodies to keep schools run by it closed for a day in view of pollution. Kejriwal pitched for providing alternatives and incentives to farmers so that they discard the traditional practise. He said the Delhi government has very few methods at its disposal and the Centre needs to intervene. "The Centre can sit with the Chief Minister of these states and chalk out a solution. Few reports have put the volume of stubble being burned at around 16-20 million tonnes. "Fireworks during Diwali marginally added to the pollution. But other things inside Delhi did not drastically change. So the smog is mainly due to smoke from farm fires," he observed. Kejriwal identified the main sources of pollution inside Delhi as vehicles, dust and waste burning, which he said could not be responsible for the pall of smog across the city. "I saw smoke across Punjab, Haryana during my visits. We need Centre's help. We are hiring an agency in a week or two to study the sources of pollution in Delhi afresh. The Centre needs to intervene," he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Weather Alert ...Bitterly cold temperatures expected starting Wednesday Afternoon... ...Slick Roads possible late Wednesday Afternoon and Night... An Arctic blast of cold air will move into the Quad State region Wednesday afternoon, pushing the entire region below the freezing mark by 7 pm Wednesday. Once the cold air moves in, temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until early Saturday afternoon. Gusty north winds will produce very low wind chills Thursday into Friday morning. Wind chills below zero will be likely over southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, with barely above zero wind chills over west Kentucky and southwest Indiana. Wind Chills will remain in the single digits for parts of the area all day on Thursday and into early Friday morning. Anyone traveling or working outdoors should bundle up in layers to protect yourself from developing hypothermia and frostbite. Consideration should also be given to protect pets and livestock left outdoors. For those with water systems vulnerable to an extended period of sub-freezing temperatures, be sure to keep a trickle of water running through those systems. A Winter Weather Advisory is currently posted for part of southwest Indiana and the Pennyrile region of west Kentucky late Wednesday afternoon and night, where the best accumulation of wintry precipitation is expected. However, with temperatures expected to plummet and remain below freezing, any wintry precipitation still left on roadways and sidewalks across the Quad State late Wednesday afternoon and night will freeze. Travelers should use caution while traveling and be watchful for any slick spots on roadways, especially elevated bridges and overpasses. Please stay tuned to the National Weather Service in Paducah for the latest forecasts and statements associated with this winter event. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday opened the way for tougher sanctions to stop the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that Russia is building to US ally Germany. "Our expectation is that those who participate in the continued project will be subject to review for potential consequences," Pompeo told a news conference. President Donald Trump last year signed legislation that targets contractors working on the 10-billion-euro ($11 billion) project as well as another Russian gas project, TurkStream. But while those sanctions focused on technical assistance, the separate Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act lays out harsh measures that can include severing access to the US financial system. After President Donald Trump reluctantly signed the act in 2017, then secretary of state Rex Tillerson exempted Nord Stream 2 as the work on the project had begun before the law was passed. Pompeo announced revised guidelines to lift that exemption, allowing Nord Stream 2 participants to be hit by the broader sanctions. His decision does not in itself authorize any action, which still needs to be determined by the administration. Germany had voiced anger over the earlier sanctions, saying that they interfered in its internal affairs. But Chris Robinson, a senior US diplomat handling Russia, noted that some other European allies felt differently. "We are adding our voice to those European voices today that are concerned about Russian aggression," Robinson told reporters. "The tools that we have made available today help reinforce that message," he said. Germany, despite political differences with Russia, sees the project as ensuring a more stable source of energy to Europe's largest economy. But critics say that the pipeline will let Russia take a detour from Ukraine, which is battling Russian-backed separatists. "The Kremlin has continued to push Nord Stream 2 in its effort to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy," said Frank Fannon, the assistant secretary of state for energy resources. "Ukraine's energy infrastructure serves as a deterrent to Russian aggression. Yet the Kremlin now seeks to undermine Ukraine, by making that infrastructure obsolete," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in January that he hoped the project would be completed by early 2021 after "several months" of delay caused by the US sanctions. The latest US action comes despite Trump's efforts to build relations with Putin, including inviting him to an expanded summit of the Group of Seven industrial democracies. But Trump has tense relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and has been harshly critical of her over the pipeline, earlier saying Berlin was "captive" to Russia. U.S. will limit visas for Huawei and Chinese tech employees Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. would impose visa restrictions for Huawei and other tech employees and their families. He said that telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice if they do business with Huawei, and that he hoped to have more decisions soon on Chinese tech companies. The announcement came after China said it would retaliate for U.S. moves to punish China over its Hong Kong security law, including stripping the territorys preferential trade status and clearing the way for new sanctions. Bigger picture: Tit-for-tat punishments have accompanied the sharp downturn in relations between the U.S. and China. The pandemic is this years big unknown for the global oil markets and the global economy. The oil market is unlikely to be completely out of the woods in four months time when another unknown could upend the balance of crude oil supply that OPEC+ is desperately trying to achieve with record collective production cuts. The U.S. presidential election in November could install a Joe Biden administration in the White Housean administration that will differ in its foreign policy approach from the Trump Administration and could opt for more negotiations and fewer sanctions on oil-producing countries such as Iran and Venezuela. Iran, Venezuela, and Libya the three OPEC members currently exempt from the production cuts have seen their oil production and exports collapse in recent years because of the civil war in Libya and increasingly strict U.S. sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan oil exports. If Biden wins in November, he is more likely to pursue a negotiated transition in Venezuela and to revisit and renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, potentially easing some sanctions in exchange for Tehran returning to compliance under some revised form of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Reuters market analyst John Kemp argues. Polls currently give presumptive Democratic nominee Biden a lead over President Donald Trump. With more than three months to go to Election Day, however, the race is as wide open as it could be, considering the high uncertainty about the pandemic, the pace of the U.S. economic recovery after the lockdown, and the possibility of reinstated local lockdowns amid surging COVID-19 cases. The Trump Administration has effectively stifled some 4 million barrels per day (bpd) of combined oil production in Iran and Venezuela over the past two years after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and after the Administration began imposing sanctions on Venezuela in early 2019. Additionally, the civil war in Libya is currently keeping around 1 million bpd off the market. Related: Small Lab Makes Big Breakthrough In Nuclear Fusion Tech A precarious balance of oil supply and demand that OPEC+ expects to reach later this year when global oil demand is expected to pick up from the staggering crash in April could tip into oversupply again if Biden wins in November and begins negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran next year. Such a new deal could come with some sort of eased sanctions on Irans oil if Tehran proves it complies with a new agreement. The recent killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Quds Force, removed a dangerous actor but also raised the prospect of an ever-escalating cycle of violence in the region, and it has prompted Tehran to jettison the nuclear limits established under the nuclear deal, Biden wrote in an essay in Foreign Affairs earlier this year. Tehran must return to strict compliance with the deal. If it does so, I would rejoin the agreement and use our renewed commitment to diplomacy to work with our allies to strengthen and extend it, while more effectively pushing back against Irans other destabilizing activities, he said. Most current assumptions about global oil supply in the medium term rest on the premise that Venezuela and Iran will continue to be under U.S. sanctions, unable to export large volumes of crude oil, for the foreseeable future. If U.S. foreign policy changes after the election in November, the oil market may have to contend with more supply from Iran, and possibly Venezuela. The possibility of Iranian and/or Venezuelan oil returning to the market will place further downward pressure on oil prices over the next two years, when global oil demand is expected to edge closer to the pre-coronavirus levels. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saudi Arabia is known for oil, Mecca, sand and arresting journalists. In recent years, however, it has begun a campaign to attract tourists, to the point where they hired a bunch of influencers (in 2019) to come and, quite literally, whitewash their reputation. Further adding to the sheen, the nations rulers have signed off on the construction of a shiny new airport, the designs of which, wed argue, wouldnt look out of place next to Bond villain Franz Oberhausers Saharan Crater Facility. As ESCAPE reports, Designs have been revealed for a new airport in Saudi Arabia, inspired by the optical illusion of a desert mirage. The new airport will be built on Saudi Arabias northwestern coast, the site of a new ultra-luxury man-made holiday destination, to be named AMAALA. A gateway to AMAALA, visitors will be greeted by personalised experiences from the moment they step off the plane. From design to personalisation, this will be no ordinary airport. Immersed in the spirit of AMAALA, the airport will create an environment that embodies the philosophy of the destination beyond, AMAALA CEO Nicholas Naples told media. This will be a unique space that personifies luxury and marks the start of memorable experiences for the worlds most discerning guests. We are delighted to work with Foster + Partners and Egis on this project. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Luxury Travel Curator (@carlosmeliablog) on Jul 9, 2020 at 8:47am PDT The irony is, despite their country having a reputation for being ideological worlds away from Instagram, Hollywood, etc. the Saudi Arabian tourism board appears to be incredibly social media savvy. When travel restrictions lift, visitors are set to see land art (specifically designed to be seen from the air). In addition, when entering the terminal, passengers will be met with a sleek mirrored edifice rising from the desert (the airport). According to ESCAPE, The structure takes its inspiration from the surrounding environment, resulting in a mesmerising mirage effect. A spacious courtyard will anchor the terminal and will be complemented by contemporary interiors complete with unique artwork and tailored experiences. Among the list of amenities provided by the airport are climate-controlled hangars that will be available for private jets as well as a ground transfer service that is accessible from inside the arrival hangar, (ESCAPE). Responding to the surrounding landscape, the terminal building will form an exclusive gateway to the AMAALA resort. The passenger experience through the entire building will be akin to a private members club luxurious and relaxing. Focusing on the themes of art, wellbeing and sport, the design seeks to establish a new model for private terminals that provides a seamless experience from resort to aeroplane, Foster + Partners senior executive partner, Gerard Evenden told media. AMAALA construction is expected to begin in 2020, with all phases completed by 2028. The airport is set to be compled in 2023, and is estimated to see one million travellers per year go through it once it officially opens. Also worthy of note is that the airports terminal and control tower, and the airport master plan were designed by two different entities. As Traveller reports, The terminal and control tower design was developed by UK-based architectural and design firm Foster + Partners, while the airport master plan was overseen by international consultancy and engineering group Egis. Read Next Hundreds of Massachusetts businesses since May have been subject to formal complaints from workers about an alleged failure to adequately protect them from COVID-19 risks, including in many cases by allegedly forcing employees with flu systems to work, Attorney General Maura Healeys office has revealed. The complaints were submitted through a special form that Healey made available online to report unsafe workplace conditions related to COVID-19. The form made its debut May 20, two days after Gov. Charlie Baker took the first steps towards reopening the economy with the resumption of construction and manufacturing in Massachusetts. In the seven weeks since, more and more businesses have been allowed to welcome back customers. As of July 7, Healeys office had received more than 900 complaints. The attorney general published the complaints following a public records request from the Business Journal and others. Several businesses have been the subject of six or more complaints, most of them retail chains such as Target Corp., Home Depot Inc. and Ocean State Job Lot. Workers have pointed the attorney generals office to a range of alleged violations, including a failure to allow for enough social distancing and a lack of cleaning and disinfection. As the state seeks to avoid the wild upswing in cases now taking place across much of the country, Healeys office has received at least 120 reports of employers allegedly requiring those with COVID-19 symptoms to come into work. The Baker administration on Monday put up a new webpage that directs those who believe a workplace is in violation of COVID-19 safety rules to a local board of health. Forcing employees to come while symptomatic, that is really shocking and really scary, said Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Health and Safety. Despite the serious nature of the claims, the attorney generals office in many cases does not have the direct legal authority to prosecute health and safety issues. Enforcement is divided in a way that can be confusing for businesses and workers alike, critics charge, with authority split between the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, and local boards of health. Retail complaints Businesses from law firms to car washes have been cited to the attorney general, but no industry in Massachusetts has received more complaints than retail and consumer-facing businesses, according to Healey's office. About one of every five complaints came from that sector. While the complaints published by Healeys office offer only broad allegations, they point to those areas where at least a handful of workers believed their employers have fallen short. Five Target stores in Massachusetts have been subject to a combined seven complaints, including those in Braintree and Salem. The filings have faulted the company for its cleaning, its social-distancing protocol, and in one instance, for allegedly not following federal guidelines for employees testing positive for COVID-19. In a statement, a Target spokesman said that while the company takes concerns seriously, those raised in this report are that of a very small minority. It has taken guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and put in place dozens of safety measures in its stores, including providing employees with masks, gloves and thermometers, according to the spokesman. When team members have brought concerns to our attention, weve taken additional action, including increasing the frequency of overhead announcements and adding more signage for further reminders on social distancing and local regulations on wearing masks, he said. Rhode Island-based Ocean State Job Lot has been targeted in seven complaints, specifically its New Bedford, Danvers, Brockton and Kingston stores. Among other alleged violations, some of the complaints claimed the company has not followed capacity restrictions. In an emailed statement, store operations director Paul Cox said Ocean State Job Lot informed Healeys office that it was in full compliance with COVID-19 restrictions in all instances and that the complaints resulted in no penalty or enforcement action. Five Cumberland Farms locations received complaints, including the chains Westborough distribution center, where cleaning and disinfection was cited as an issue. A Cumberland Farms executive declined comment, saying the complaints needed to be investigated. None of the three companies were subject to complaints about symptomatic employees in the workplace. With a few exceptions, businesses that received complaints about allegedly forcing symptomatic employees to work received just one such complaint. After retail, the industries that have received the most complaints are restaurants and hotels, followed by hospitals and other health care facilities. Steward Healthcares St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Brighton was the subject of more than a dozen complaints, for instance. Steward and the Massachusetts Nurses Association have been in a public back-and-forth about the availability of personal protective equipment and other issues. Still, the overall pace of complaints hasnt dropped off much, even as businesses have had time to adjust to the reality of COVID-19: Healeys office received an average of 20 COVID-19 complaints a day during the first seven days of July, compared with 23 a day in May. The enforcement game While Healeys office cant bring enforcement actions, it has reached out to businesses named in the complaints to alert them to the filings and their legal responsibilities to employees during the pandemic, according to spokeswoman Margaret Quackenbush. The attorney generals staffers have also referred complaints to federal, state and local authorities, highlighting the regulatory patchwork that has marked enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions in Massachusetts. OSHA has closed more than 500 coronavirus-related complaints in Massachusetts this year, including about 70 since Baker began reopening the economy in mid-May, according to information posted on the federal agencys website. The closure of a case does not necessarily mean the company was punished or even that OSHA inspected its facilities. In fact, media outlets have reported that as of June 9, the agency had cited just one business for COVID-19 infractions out of the thousands of complaints it had received nationwide. OSHA has been missing in action, Sugerman-Brozen said. The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards sent out dozens of cease-and-desist letters to companies allegedly in violation of COVID-19 rules early in the pandemic, but on May 18 the Baker administration revamped its enforcement strategy, giving businesses multiple warnings before facing fines and legal orders. Baker said in a press conference Monday that in many cases, his administration has referred matters to cities and towns. The administration did not immediately respond to a request for information regarding how many written warnings, fines and cease-and-desist letters its issued to businesses over COVID-19 violations since mid-May. The city of Boston, home to more than one of every eight complaints received by Healeys office, has not issued any fines since May 18 related to COVID-19, though it has directed several businesses to shut down immediately for cleaning and sanitation, according to violation notices provided to the Business Journal. This article originally appeared on the Boston Business Journals website. The Spanish Flucaused by an unusually deadly strain of influenzawas the most severe pandemic in modern history. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, said on Tuesday we "can't deny the fact" that the COVID-19 pandemic could reach the level of the Spanish flu, which killed millions of people around the globe between 1918 and 1920. The Spanish Flucaused by an unusually deadly strain of influenzawas the most severe pandemic in modern history, infecting an estimated 500 million people, which amounted to about a third of the world's population at the time, Newsweek reported. "If you look at the magnitude of the 1918 pandemic where anywhere from 50 to 75 to 100 million people globally died, that was the mother of all pandemics and truly historic. I hope we don't even approach that with [COVID-19] but it does have the makings of, the possibility of approaching that in seriousness," Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID,) said during a Georgetown University Global Health Initiative webinar, according to CNN. Read alsoWHO chief on COVID-19: "There is a lot to be concerned about" There have been more than 13.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the current pandemic, and over 578,000 recorded deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University Resource Center. The U.S. is the world's worst-hit country with more than 3.4 million confirmed cases and over 136,000 deaths. Cases are now rising in 37 states with several in the south and southwest of the country seeing a significant surge in infections, including California, Florida, Arizona and Texas. "They're seeing record numbers of cases, most interestingly, among young individuals," Fauci said. The infectious disease specialist said during the webinar, that many young people might feel that they would "rather be there sipping a margarita in a crowd," but to get the virus under control means "you don't let yourself get infected, and you don't spread to anybody else," according to The Guardian. "There is an understandable situation where a young person could say, 'You know, statistically the chances of my getting into trouble by getting infected are much smaller than an elderly person,'" he said. "I say that with some trepidation, because I'm not blaming anyone, and I think people do this innocently. They don't mean to be part of the problem, but inadvertently they are part of the problem." On Monday, 61,492 new cases were reported in the U.S. as three states, California, New Mexico and Oregon, decided to reimpose or strengthen coronavirus restrictions, in order to slow the spread of the virus. At least 27 other states have also done the same. "We have a serious situation here in the United States," Fauci said. "We haven't even begun to see the end of it yet." Read alsoReuters: EU removes Serbia, Montenegro from coronavirus safe list Last week, Fauci told FiveThirtyEight's PODCAST-19 that the country was not "doing great" compared to others, saying that a mix of politicians not following reopening guidelines and some citizens not adhering to public health measures could be to blame for the rise in cases across many states. "It is both. It's not a unidimensional thing," he said. "There are some governors and mayors that did it perfectly correctly. They wanted to open up, so they went through the guidelines of opening up their state. But what happened is that many of the citizenry, said, 'You know, well, I'm either going to be locked down or I'm going to let it all rip.'" "And you could see from just looking... on TV and in the papers of still photos of people at bars and congregations, which are a perfect setup, particularly if you don't have a mask. Then there are some times when despite the guidelines and the recommendations to open up carefully and prudently, some states skipped over those and just opened up too quickly." Despite the severity of the pandemic, Fauci also said last week that he was cautiously optimistic a COVID-19 vaccine with some level of effectiveness could be developed by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Scientific groups around the world are currently investigating around 160 vaccine candidates, with about 20 already being tested in humans. "The early data on these trials have a cautious optimism that we will be successful at least in developing a vaccine with some degree of efficacy by the end of the year, the beginning of 2021," he told a virtual United Nations event. BBC journalists are becoming addicted to Twitter amid fears their desire to 'go viral' is undermining impartiality rules, the corporations head of standards said yesterday. David Jordan said journalists have sometimes failed to uphold BBC guidelines on social media which has become 'toxic'. Some journalists have been disciplined by senior staff over their use of social media amid complaints they have 'overstepped the mark'. A review commissioned by the BBC on how reporters and media organisations use online websites is expected within months. Leading the review is the corporation's director of editorial policy and standards, Mr Jordan, who told the Lords communications and digital committee on Tuesday that too much left-liberal group thinking, rather than impartiality, has been adopted by reporters. Some BBC journalists have been warned over their use of social media, with some even disciplined for breaking social media guidelines BBC director of editorial policy and standards David Jordan revealed that a review into how reporters and media organisations use social media is underway Mr Jordan said: 'We have had issues about the use of social media in the BBC where people have not adhered to our standards or have overstepped the mark. 'We have had issues, for example, about tracking the rise of Eurosceptism. Across the BBC, did we do that adequately? No, we didn't. 'We had issues around tracking the growth of concern about immigration. Reports also say that some BBC staff are 'addicted to Twitter' and that the desire to 'go viral' overshadows the BBC's desire to be impartial and accurate BBC presenters Emily Maitlis (pictured left) and Huw Edwards (pictured right) have both been accused for a lack of impartiality over the past year BBC to announce more jobs cuts in news department On Monday, the BBC will announce a fresh wave of job cuts in its news division adding significantly to the 450 previously planned. It is thought up to 100 more staff will be axed. It is understood that workers will be told this afternoon that revised plans will mean cuts will be deeper and more wide-ranging than original proposals unveiled in January. The earlier proposals lined up Newsnight, Radio 5 Live and BBC World Service to bear the brunt of the cuts. But since January the BBC has had to find a further 125million of savings for 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. Voluntary redundancy is being offered across the corporations 19,231 public service staff. BBC news insiders claim a high number of employees want to take it. Sources said there will be a video presentation by bosses to tell workers of the new plans this afternoon. The announcement at the start of the year was part of an 80million savings programme. The BBC said at the time the plans would reduce duplication following criticism it sends reporters from different programmes to cover the same events. Under the latest plans, BBC2 show Politics Live is expected to be saved, with sources suggesting it will lose one episode a week, probably on a Friday. Advertisement 'I hope we've learned from those experiences and we are applying them now to making sure we do understand what people right across the country in every part of the UK think.' According to the Times, BBC staff are believed to be 'addicted to Twitter' and that those who were disciplined by the broadcaster were found guilty of breaking the organisation's social media guidelines. In order to combat the issues, the BBC has appointed journalism professor at Cardiff University Richard Sambrook as a figure to help boost impartiality and accuracy amongst its employees online. In recent months, renowned individuals such as Emily Maitlis, Huw Edwards and Andrew Neil have all faced complaints over their use of social media. Newsnight presenter Maitlis, 49, received 18 thousand complaints after a speech on the BBC Two show condemning the Government's response to the Dominic Cummings incident this summer. The impartiality of fellow presenter Huw Edwards, 58, was called into question during the run-up to the 2019 general election after he 'liked' a tweet calling for the public to vote Labour. The corporation's political editor Laura Kuenssberg also received complaints by members of the public for a tweet made during the Dominic Cummings row. Mr Jordan believes that social media websites can be 'toxic' and amid a desire to go viral which could overshadow an editorial necessity for impartiality and accuracy. He added: 'The way social media has developed in recent times, particularly Twitter, has become adversarial, more argumentative, more combative, more polarised and sometimes toxic. 'It can suck people in, the immediacy of it can be alluring, the live dynamics of it can be seductive to some people.' The corporation is also set to announce 100 more job losses in the news department in a bid to make savings. The BBC announced earlier this month that 450 members of staff would initially lose their jobs with programmes such as Newsnight, Radio 5 Live and BBC World Service feeling the effects of the cuts. The corporation is set to announce a further 100 job cuts in its news division, taking the total number of losses this week to 550 Since January, the organisation has had to find a further 125million of savings for 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. John Whittingdale, currently serving as a minister of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, claimed that metropolitan broadcasters did not grasp the feeling on the country outside of London during recent major political events such as the Brexit referendum and the 2019 general election. Mr Whittingdale said: 'Clearly the changes in political viewpoints taking place particularly in the north of England did not seem to be recognised sufficiently in the newsrooms in the southeast of England and that is something I think broadcasters are aware of.' The Lead: Turkey: Erdogans reconquest of Hagia Sofia part of regional power play Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan forged ahead this week with his plan to recast the historic Hagia Sofia as a mosque, despite international outcry. Erdogans power play has been done with one eye on his constituency at home and the other on his ambitions for regional influence. Background: The Hagia Sofia was built as a Christian church by Roman Emperor Justinian I in 537 and was the worlds largest cathedral for almost a thousand years. The Muslim-Turkish Ottomans under Mehmed II conquered the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire in 1453, changing the name of its capital, Constantinople, to Istanbul. Mehmed II converted the cathedral to a mosque. Then, in 1935, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turned it into a museum to mark Turkeys secular turn. Power Play: Some Turkish secularists are duped by Erdogans emphasis on Turkeys national sovereignty. Playing on the anti-West impulses of Turkish secularists helped him to soften the strong opposition to his move, writes Cengiz Candar. His message and actions make up his forceful claim for the global leadership of Muslims at a time when Turkeys aggressive foreign policy has proliferated its military presence from the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan to Syria and with some degree of success to Libya, where he confronts such traditional power centers of the Sunni Muslim world as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Listen: Listen to my podcast interview with Cengiz Candar here, where he discusses Erdogan, the Hagia Sofia, the Syria War and his new book, Turkeys Mission Impossible: War and Peace with the Kurds (see below). Three Quick Takes: Gaza-Iran; Israel; Gulf economies 1. Gaza: Khamenei says Iran will spare no effort to back Hamas Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus annexation plans have spurred Hamas to accelerate its reconciliation with Iran, its onetime main patron. Spare no effort. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent a message to the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on July 6 that Iran will spare no effort to support the Palestinian people to restore their right and hold off the evil schemes of the Zionist entity. Meanwhile, Speaker of Irans parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf spoke by phone this month with both Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhalah on how to deepen cooperation. Background: Iran has over the years provided both Hamas and Islamic Jihad with clandestine weapons including missiles, training and finances. Iran and Hamas fell out in 2012 when Hamas cut ties with Irans ally, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Hamas since then has faced dwindling regional support, massive governance challenges in Gaza and relentless pressure by Israel, leading to reconciliation with both Tehran and Damascus. Haniyeh spoke at the funeral in Tehran of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, killed by a US drone strike on Jan. 3. Our take: Iran is signaling its willingness to increase its support for the cause of Hamas and Islamic Jihad; Israel, Egypt and the United States will take note. Iran values the perception that its reach extends to Gaza, complementing the presence of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon on Israels northern border. But Irans reach and influence is heavily constrained. As Rasha Abou Jalal writes, a major obstacle to Iranian support is also the Palestinian Authority and Israels policy to dry up Hamas sources of funding, taking strict measures to prevent money from outside the Palestinian territories from reaching the Islamic movement through local banks. Egypt, a regional rival of Irans that has diplomatic ties to Israel, also wants to keep Hamas and Islamic Jihad on a short leash and shut down Irans channels of support. In any case, Iran is experiencing its own deep economic crisis, so whatever support makes its way to its coffers may be more trickle than windfall. Read more: Rasha has the scoop here from Gaza on the latest moves by Hamas and Islamic Jihad; check out our reporting here back in January on Haniyehs visit to Iran. 2. Israel: Bibis annexation fiasco: Six reasons its not happening yet Annexation that is, extending sovereignty over some 30% of Jewish settlements in the West Bank seemed close to a done deal as recently as last month, depending exclusively on the green light from US President Donald Trumps administration. Chances now low to nonexistent: Not so anymore. Netanyahu has run into a buzz saw on his so-called legacy issue. Right now, I put the chances of Israeli annexation of any part of the West Bank at low to nonexistent, a top Israeli security official told Al-Monitors Ben Caspit on condition of anonymity. Caspit gives six reasons why annexation is now on indefinite hold: US President Donald Trump seems to have lost interest, at least for now, and has more pressing matters to deal with; Political protest and outrage over the spike in coronavirus cases, and the impact it is having on Israels economy; Annexation would add to budget and security demands at a time when the economy is in crisis and deficits are skyrocketing. Expectations of violence from the West Bank and Gaza; Opposition from his coalition partners in the Blue and White party; Opposition from the UN, EU, and Arab countries, especially Jordan and Egypt, with which Israel has peace treaties. Our take: Caspit concludes that the good news for Netanyahu is that the entire non-event, which generated resonating headlines for many months and engaged the public agenda, has been pushed to the outer reaches of the margins given the far more pressing problems he faces, chief among them the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. That said, Bibi knows that his best chance at a likely partial or even symbolic annexation comes with Trump in office. Trump might still back Netanyahu if Bibi decides to go ahead. Israels UN Ambassador Danny Danon told us two weeks ago that any annexation step would happen within eight weeks or so, with an eye on the US electoral calendar. Read more: Read Bens article here and Mazal Mualems article here on the protests and demonstrations against the Netanyahu governments COVID-19 and economic policies. 3. Gulf: Why the Middle East post-economic economy recovery will lag behind Asia The International Monetary Funds latest report this week is yet another downer for Gulf and regional economies. The updated economic outlook for Gulf oil exporters in 2020, which was already negative, now projects their economies to contract at least a 7.3%, as measured by real gross domestic product, Positive growth is expected at 3% in 2021, assuming that COVID-19 and its consequences are fading. This means a loss for the region of about $270 billion in oil export revenue this year. Karen Young writes this week that the post-COVID recovery in the Middle East will be hindered by many obstacles, including the impact of low oil prices, the likely slow return of travel and tourism, declines in investment in major real estate projects and a smaller foreign labor pool. While populism poses a significant threat to economic recovery across developed economies, for the economies of the Middle East, the underlying structural weaknesses are more damning. Youth unemployment, lack of fiscal space to create needed stimulus for business or to even provide electricity in Lebanon and expand social services, along with poor access to capital all converge under the pressure of a recession caused by the coronavirus crisis. Check out Karens analysis here. What were reading...and why: Cengiz Candar, Turkeys Mission Impossible: War and Peace with the Kurds. Al-Monitor columnist Cengiz Candar has been a participant-observer in dealing with Turkeys Kurdish question, not just as a columnist and analyst, but as an adviser to former Turkish President Turgat Ozal and participant in the most sensitive Track II meetings involving Turks and Kurds. He tells the story, with a lot of new details, in his latest book. And you can hear him talk about the book in the latest On the Middle East Al-Monitor podcast here. Militant Ambush Kills 3 Pakistani Troops in Baluchistan By Ayaz Gul July 14, 2020 Suspected separatist militants in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province Tuesday ambushed a military convoy, killing at least three soldiers and injuring eight others. The army's media wing said in a brief statement that the "terrorist fire raid" targeted a "routine patrolling party" in the remote Panjgur district. The statement said the injured soldiers have been evacuated to a military hospital in the provincial capital, Quetta, where five of them were in "critical" condition. A militant group known as the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) took responsibility for the deadly ambush, saying it killed more than 20 Pakistani security forces. The BLF and several other armed groups, which claim to be fighting for Baluchistan's independence from Pakistan, often issue inflated claims about attacks on government installations and security forces. The Pakistani province is at the center of a China-funded multi-billion-dollar infrastructure development project known as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC. It is an extension of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative. Militants have lately also targeted projects related to CPEC, which is building power plants and roads in Pakistan, as well as a major port and an airport in Baluchistan. Late last month, armed men linked to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which is also designated as a global terrorist group by the United States, attacked Pakistan's main stock exchange in the southern port city of Karachi. The ensuing gunfight with security forces resulted in the deaths of the assailants as well as three security guards and a police officer. Pakistan accused rival India of being behind the attack, charges New Delhi rejected. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address National Alliance of Peopleas Movements National Office: 6/6, Jungpura-B, New Delhi a 110014 | Ph: 011-24374535 Twitter: @napmindia | E-mail: napmindia[at]gmail.com | Blog: www.napmindia.wordpress.com | Web: www.napm-india.org Post-Facto aClearancea of 16 years of Illegal Coal Mining in Dehing Patkai and Fresh Approval for Mining by NBWL is an Environmental Travesty! Settle Forest Rights before Notifying Dehing Patkai Sanctuary as National Park A Complete Ban on Extractive Mining Needed to Protect the Region 12th July, 2020: National Alliance of Peopleas Movements expresses deep concern over the series of destructive and extractive projects being taken up in the bio-diverse rich regions of the North-Eastern states that jeopardize the interests of wild life and humans alike. aDehing Patkaia in Upper Assam became a flash point of resistance last month after the recent arecommendation for approvala by the National Board of Wild Life (NBWL), to allow open cast mining by Coal India Limited in about 98.59 hectares of land in the Saleki Reserve Forest (Digboi), which is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve. However, what has missed much of public discourse is the fact that the NBWL clearly over-looked existing scientific and official evidence of long-standing unlawful mining in the area and went ahead to alegalizea the mining in a apost-facto modea! Dehing Patkai, famously known as aAmazon of the Easta is the largest rainforest in India, home to many endangered species and is believed to be the last remaining contiguous patch of rainforest area in the Upper Assam region, extending upto the Deomali elephant reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. The Govt of Assam declared 111.19 sq. km area of the rainforest as aDehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuarya on 13th June, 2004, along with 17 other forest reserves. According to the Forest Department of Assam, there are 46 species of mammals, 71 species of reptiles, 290 species of wild birds, 276 species of butterflies, 70 species of fish, 70 species of dragon flies,101 species of orchids and thousands of other inspect species found in the sanctuary. Located on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, Dehing Patkai is also home to a large number of Asiatic elephants. Thousands of trees belonging to 61 rare species like Hollang, Mekai, Dhuna, Udiyam, Nahar, Samkothal, Bheer, Hollock, Elephant-apple, Fig etc keep the rainforest pristine. Information furnished under RTI confirms allegations by the local people and environmental activists that coal mining in the area has been going on for long, even in the absence of aformal clearancesa and renewals. The 30-year lease permit issued in 1973 to North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), a Coal India subsidiary, for conducting mining on an area of four-square miles in a part of the Dehing Patkai sanctuary, expired in 2003. However, NEC continued with the illegal mining for almost a decade and approached the Govt of Assam only in 2012 for fresh lease! Between 2003 and 2019, the NEC mined land measuring 57 hectares without clearance, in the broken area. NEC also mined in portions of the unbroken area of 41.59 ha. These details are confirmed by a Site Inspection Report of the Shillong Regional Office MoEF & CC, submitted to the Ministry on 25th Nov, 2019. The Report states that NEC continued mining without obtaining a lease renewal and forest clearance over 73.2 ha (of the 98.59 ha for which conditional clearance has now been granted). It is indeed extremely unfortunate and questionable that the Standing Committee of NBWL chaired by the Environment Minister himself granted aapprovala while blatantly ignoring the irregularities and unlawful mining which was pointed out by the Assam Forest Department, the Shillong Regional Office of MoEF and even the Expert Committee constituted in 2014, in the wake of concerns expressed by the Assam State Wild Life Board. Despite the site inspection report of MoEF stating that illegal mining was carried out on the aunbrokena land as well, NBWL failed to take note of this and instead categorised the entire 41 ha as aunbrokena! Going by media reports quoting the State Forest Minister (ET, 5th June), it is also interesting to note how the Report of the first Expert Committee constituted by SWLB in July 2015 was superseded by another Expert Committee constituted by NBWL, which submitted its Report in Oct 2019. The present clearance of NBWL appears to be based on the Report of the subsequent Expert committee constituted by the NBWL itself. The NBWLas conditional clearance issued in April mandates that NEC must furnish a asite-specific mine reclamation plana in consultation with Assam Forest Department for the already broken up forest area and a afeasibility reporta for exploring underground mining in the remaining area. Experience from coal fields across India indicates that the arestoration to the original statea is next to impossible. It is, therefore, quite likely that the aState-IIa clearance could be granted based on whatever plan is submitted by NEC. We feel that such unlawful mining and post-facto aclearancea of illegality is a blatant disregard of peopleas rights, in particular of the indigenous communities and also furthers the extractive and destructive adevelopment modela that jeopardizes the ecosystem. MoEF & CC which ought to be at the forefront of conservation is sadly becoming the gateway of ecological destruction and loot! NAPM is of the view that while NEC aofficially suspendeda all mining operations in the Tirap Colliery since 3rd June, 2020 following massive protests, it must be held fully accountable for the 16 years of unlawful mining. In addition to the Rs. 43.25 crores penalty imposed by the Assam Forest Dept. on the CIL, an FIR against officials of NEC, CIL and MoEF, holding authority, who permitted / oversaw / ignored the unlawful mining operations must be registered under appropriate provisions of law and stringent action taken. Accountability must also be fixed for alleged unlawful mining in the Tikak Open Cast mine, situated in the Saleki Reserve Forest, where mining has been suspended since October, 2019 as per directives of the State Forest Department. We are aware that multiple PILs are pending consideration before the Guwahati High Court, alleging gross violations of environmental laws and procedures including Assam Forest Regulation Act, 1891; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; the National Wildlife Actions Plan (2002-2016) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 2009 and seeking a ban on the coal mining. We hope the Court which has admitted these PILs and also taken suo moto cognizance of the serious issue, calling for reply affidavits by mid-July will fix legal accountability of all state and central agencies, including project, clearing and monitoring authorities. The Court must also objectively consider the plea to direct competent authorities to declare the entire rainforest as a heritage site, in terms of Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Activists in Assam also fear that unbridled mining in the Dehing Patkai forest region would severely affect the livelihoods and cultures of numerous ethnic groups like Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Koibarta, Moran and Motok, tea-tribes, Burmese and Nepali speaking people. Therefore, while the recent decision of the Assam Govt to upgrade the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to a National Park is welcome, this would hold value only if all destructive coal mining in the area is stopped forthwith. Besides, the Govt. must settle all pending claims of people living in these forests as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Forest Rights Act, 2006, before issuing any formal notification for the National Park. The aupgradationa, should not mean a denial of the lawful land, forest and habitat rights of individuals and communities living in the forests since generations. a Considering the ecologically-sensitive nature of the Dehing-Patkai Forest Reserve we call upon the MoEF & CC and the NBWL to immediately revoke the post-facto aconditional clearancea granted for coal mining in the region. We also call upon MoEF to fix legal accountability of all authorities responsible for the unlawful mining between 2003-2020. a Govt of Assam must settle all forest rights and claims as per FRA, 2006 before upgrading Dehing Patkai to the status of National Park. We demand a complete halt to extractive mining in the region in violation of the environmental laws of the land. In doing so, the livelihood concerns and rights of the indigenous communities as well as coal workers with NEC must be duly considered and they must be consulted. For any further details, contact: e-mail: napmindia[at]gmail.com The author of a well-known book exposing sundown towns where Black people were not welcome after dark said these communities need to take three steps: acknowledge their racist past, apologize for it and take concrete steps to change. First, James W. Loewen said, they need to admit it: Yes, we did this. Loewen, a sociologist and the author of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism was speaking Tuesday at a virtual forum hosted by ProPublica Illinois exploring the history and current state of sundown towns, many of which have recently hosted Black Lives Matter protests and marches for the first time in their histories. The event also featured Logan Jaffe, an engagement reporter for ProPublica Illinois, who wrote an article in November titled The Legend of A-N-N-A: Revisiting an American town where Black people werent welcome after dark, as well as Takiyah Coleman and Jessica Moore, two organizers of Annas first Black Lives Matter rally in June. Loewen said that sundown towns, many of which continue to have nearly all-White populations, can enter the recovery phase after acknowledging and apologizing for their racist pasts. But only by taking actual steps to change, such as by making a concerted effort to hire Black teachers, police officers and other municipal employees and to diversify the town's population. Once youve taken those three steps, then you are no longer a sundown town then youve made some real progress, Loewen said. Loewen said this work is the job of every sundown town in America not just the flamboyant ones like Anna, but also the elegant suburbs like Kenilworth, Illinois, which is a beautiful suburb of Chicago but just as much a sundown town as Anna ever was. In addition to his book, Loewen also continues to chronicle confirmed and suspected sundown towns on a website. There are dozens of them in Illinois, including in this region: Vienna, Benton, Steeleville, Ava, McLeansboro, Carterville, Herrin, Equality, Golconda, Cave-In-Rock, Goreville and others. Some sundown towns passed ordinances outlawing Black people after dark, or posted signs at their entrance that read, Black people (or N-word), dont let the sun go down on you in (insert town name). In others, White townspeople organized on their own to send messages to Black people that they werent welcome by burning crosses in their yards, setting fires to homes or by mob violence. Jaffes article explored Annas reputation as a sundown town, and residents relationship to what the town named for its founders wife, Anna was reputed to stand for: Aint No N------ Allowed. Nearly everyone I met knew what Anna stands for whether they heard it first as a joke at school or from their grandparents or just from living here long enough, Jaffe wrote in the article. Most people said they wished the A-N-N-A reputation would just go away and were quick to say Anna wasnt like that anymore. Like what? Id ask. If Anna has changed, how? After her article was published by ProPublica and The Atlantic magazine, Jaffe said she heard from people across the country about their experiences with sundown towns. When Moore, Coleman and other young people from Anna and surrounding towns organized a Black Lives Matter protest in Anna in early June, they didnt know what to expect. Some 200 people showed up to march alongside them. Coleman said it was great to see such a large, supportive crowd. Most of the individuals who joined the protest were White people. Several said they wanted to do their part to improve Anna and change its culture and reputation into a place that is welcoming rather than exclusive and acknowledged there was still work to do. In an acknowledgement of Anna's reputation, the protesters reclaimed Anna's unofficial acronym, chanting instead, "Ain't No Negativity Allowed." But Coleman and Moore noted that they have also faced backlash from some in the community for organizing the event. Facebook, in particular, has provided a forum for a barrage of negativity against them. Both young women said they are not letting it discourage them and plan to continue to push for a more inclusive society. Its not just sundown towns or little towns around here, Moore said. It needs to be everywhere. ... Everybody needs to be aware of what is going on in their hometowns, in their cities wherever. They need to know that racism still exists and that we can get along. We can become friends. Lets change the world. Lets make big things come from it. Southern Illinoisans hold demonstrations in response to George Floyd's death Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said of late he has not spoken with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and has no plans to do so. "No, I have not spoken to him, one. No, I do not. I have no plan to speak to them," Trump told reporters at a White House press conference. He expressed anger over China's inability to prevent the spread of the coronavirus out of the country, from where it originated. "Make no mistake, we hold China fully responsible for concealing the virus and unleashing it upon the world. Could have stopped it, they should have stopped," Trump said as he also lashed out at the World Health Organization (WHO) for siding with China on this issue. "They were really a puppet of China," he said. Trump also slammed former vice president Joe Biden, who is his Democratic challenger in the November presidential polls, for being "soft" on China. "By contrast, my administration acted very early to ban travel from China, from Europe, saving all of these lives. Incredible. And I want everyone to know, I want every citizen to know that we are using the full power of the federal government to fight that China virus and keep our people safe. Through Operation Warp Speed, we will deliver a vaccine in record-breaking time," he said. "He (Biden) said the idea that China is our competition is really bizarre. He is really bizarre. He said China is not a problem. No. Nobody has ripped us off more than China over the last 25, 30 years, nobody close, and he says China is not a problem. Now he takes it all back. Now he wants to be mister tough guy. But for years, 47 years, he never came out against China, never said anything bad, just the opposite," the president said. He said Biden expresses more fawning praise about China on an ordinary day than about America. "On July 4, Biden attacked the United States and said we had never lived up to the ideals of our fathers, our forefathers or our founding fathers, those founding ideals, and yet he enthusiastically stated that China is a great nation and we should hope for its continued expansion. Well, we all wish well to China, but what China has unleashed on the world, it is hard to even fathom. "Biden sides with China over America time and time again. And he said on July 4 that American history is no fairy tale, and yet blindly celebrates China, saying few nations in history have come so far, so fast. He is so proud of them. He is so proud of them. Now Joe Biden is pushing a platform that would demolish the US economy, totally demolish it," Trump said. A staff member of Huawei using her mobile phone at the Huawei Digital Transformation Showcase in Shenzhen, in China's Guangdong province, on March 6, 2019. WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images The UK will remove Huawei from its 5G network by 2027, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government announced Tuesday. UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the decision was due to major sanctions imposed on the Chinese firm by the US government. The decision will delay the rollout of 5G across the UK by at least two years and cost hundreds of millions of pounds, Dowden said. The UK had previously ignored warnings from the Trump administration against agreeing to a 5G deal with Huawei. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The UK will remove Huawei equipment from its 5G network by 2027, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government announced Tuesday. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the House of Commons that the UK would impose a ban on the purchase of all new 5G infrastructure from Huawei by December 31, with all existing equipment removed by 2027. Dowden said the UK "can no longer guarantee the safety" of the deal with Huawei and said recent US sanctions on the Chinese firm represented "a significant material change" that meant the UK had to change course. Johnson's government earlier this year ignored US warnings against agreeing to hand Huawei a "limited" role in setting up the UK's 5G network. Johnson's official spokesman on Tuesday, however, said sanctions imposed on Huawei this year by the Trump administration were a "game changer" that meant the UK had no choice but to change course. "5G will be transformative for our country, but only if we have confidence in the security and resilience of the infrastructure it is built upon," Dowden said Tuesday. "Following US sanctions against Huawei and updated technical advice from our cyber experts, the government has decided it is necessary to ban Huawei from our 5G networks. "No new kit is to be added from January 2021, and UK 5G networks will be Huawei free by the end of 2027. This decisive move provides the industry with the clarity and certainty it needs to get on with delivering 5G across the UK. Story continues "By the time of the next election we will have implemented in law an irreversible path for the complete removal of Huawei equipment from our 5G networks." The government says it has no plans to remove the company from 2G, 3G, 4G, or its broadband network. The decision will delay the rollout of 5G across the UK by at least two years, Dowden told members of Parliament, while creating additional costs of up to 2 billion, or $2.5 billion. "This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone," Huawei's UK representative Ed Brewster said in a statement sent to Business Insider. "It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills, and deepen the digital divide. Instead of 'leveling up' the government is leveling down, and we urge them to reconsider. "We remain confident that the new US restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK." Dowden, the UK secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, announced the decision Tuesday afternoon after Johnson chaired meetings with his Cabinet the UK's National Security Council in the morning. The UK government announcement came just a couple of hours after Huawei announced that its UK chairman, Lord Browne, was stepping down from his role earlier than expected. Oliver Dowden Leon Neal/Getty Images Johnson has in recent weeks been under growing pressure to undo his decision earlier this year to grant Huawei a limited but significant role in developing the UK's 5G. The prime minister riled MPs in his own Conservative party when he struck a deal with Huawei. In March, he suffered a rebellion from Conservative MPs and the first real challenge to his power since winning the UK's general election in December when almost 40 voted against his government in Parliament. Opposition to the deal with Huawei has grown since then, amid fury over China's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its recent decision to defy the UK and others and impose national security laws on Hong Kong. Backbench Conservative MPs have set up parliamentary bloc called The China Research Group that is calling for the UK government to loosen ties with Beijing. The government's announcement on Tuesday could yet face further resistance from Conservative MPs, however. Those leading calls for the Huawei deal to be scrapped have this month warned that the firm should be removed from UK networks in 2023, before the UK's next general election. About 60 Conservative MPs are reportedly threatening to complicate Johnson's legislative agenda by attaching amendments to multiple pieces of legislation until he agrees to accelerate the removal of Huawei. The US had previously urged the UK to cut ties with Huawei, warning that a deal with the company would give China a back door into Western intelligence sharing. The issue was a point of contention, with President Donald Trump once said to have hung up on Johnson in an "apoplectic" phone call. The US sanctions that apparently played a big part in the UK decision to phase out the firm are designed to stop Huawei from using US-produced equipment to make semiconductors, creating concern in London that the firm would use different technology with an additional security risk. John Sawers, the former head of MI6, last week boosted Conservative MPs calling for the deal to be binned when he wrote that US sanctions meant Johnson's government would have to exclude the telecoms firm from UK networks. Read the original article on Business Insider A refrigerated truck acting as a makeshift morgue, as seen in New York City. John Nacion/NurPhoto via Getty Images Hospital and county officials in Texas and Arizona are requesting refrigerated trucks as the states grapple with a new wave of coronavirus cases and deaths. The refrigerated trucks would serve as makeshift morgues to hold dead bodies. As of Sunday, hospitals in Arizona were at about 90% capacity. Texas is dealing with more than 124,000 active cases. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Refrigerated trucks are being sent to Texas and Arizona in anticipation of a spike in coronavirus deaths in the two southern states. They are among several states seeing a new wave of coronavirus cases at the moment. As of Sunday, Arizona's hospitals were at 90% capacity. Meanwhile, Texas is dealing with more than 124,000 new cases across the state, according to state data. While deaths haven't climaxed yet, they usually follow a few weeks after cases begin to rise, so a new wave of deaths is almost certainly on the way. In anticipation of this, counties and hospitals in both states have started requesting refrigerated trucks to hold the dead in, with morgues likely to run out of space. A healthcare worker administers a coronavirus test in Phoenix, Arizona. Courtney Pedroza/Reuters Abrazo Helath, a hospital in Phoenix, says it currently has enough morgue space, but is requesting the refrigerated trucks so it can be ready. "The state has requested that hospitals implement their emergency plans," an Abrazo spokesperson told Fox 10. "Part of activating our plan includes the ability to handle overflow morgue capacity if needed." "Abrazo has taken a proactive approach by ordering refrigerated storage in the event it may be needed during a surge of COVID patients. At this point it is not needed." The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office in Arizona has also put in a request for makeshift morgue trucks. Maricopa County is the center of the outbreak in the state at the moment. "Our planners at Unified Command are moving toward acquiring coolers and staffing because Office of the Medical Examiner is currently near capacity for body storage. This is a situation that occurs almost every summer and is further complicated by the current pandemic," the office said in a statement. Story continues Medical personnel work at a COVID19 testing center on July 7, 2020 in Austin, Texas. Sergio Flores/Getty Images It's a similar story in Texas, where several counties have requested refrigerated trucks. The morgue in Nueces County, home to Corpus Christi, is already at capacity. The county's medical examiner, Dr. Adel Shaker, told The Texas Tribune that they actually got an extra morgue trailer at the beginning of the outbreak, but sent it to another city because they had so few cases. But now they need the space. Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio said Monday that refrigerated trucks are on the standby to help as morgues run out of space for bodies. Dr. Ken Davis, the chief medical officer for CHRISTUS Health South Texas, told KSAT that the refrigerated trucks will help hold bodies at the hospital until the morgue or the funeral home can pick them up. "It's a hard thing to talk about," Davis said. "People's loved ones are dying. In the hospital, there are only so many places to put bodies of the loved ones and we're out of space. Our funeral homes are out of space." Read the original article on Business Insider The United Nations (UN) Office of Counter-Terrorism recently launched a series of activities during the 2020 Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week, held from July 6 to 10. During the event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to work together, keep up the momentum in the fight against terrorism and harness the power of multilateralism to find practical solutions to combating terrorism. Thanks to the joint efforts of the international society, terrorist activities across the globe have been effectively curbed. Iraq and Syria have reclaimed many towns and areas that were once occupied and controlled by the Islamic State (IS), and member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have made great progress in counter-terrorism and greatly contained regional terrorist activities. Besides, results have also been achieved in international counter-terrorism cooperation. However, it should be noted that terrorist activities still pose a major threat to the world. The IS hasnt been wiped out and many supporters of it in Iraq and Syria are still a huge risk and serious danger, and the continuously expanding Al-Qaeda organization is particularly active in Syria, Yemen, North Africa, East Africa and South Asia. Meanwhile, some terrorist organizations in the name of secession have become an increasing hazard to the security, stability and development of certain countries and ultranationalism-driven terrorist activities have significantly increased along with the emergence of populism. Even worse, Internet further encouraged the spread of global terrorism. For starters, Internet has served as a platform and tool for terrorist organizations to pass on methods of terrorist attacks, recruit new members and raise funds. By spreading extremism on the Internet, terrorist organizations have given rise to many lone-wolf terrorist attacks. It is more than likely that terrorists will target at the Internet, a platform more and more indispensable in the modern society, to cause more serious harm and panic. The international society should also stay alert to the emerging terrorist attacks of mass destruction. The major cause of the rampant international terrorism lies in the widespread extremism. It is in the name of religion, racialism or blatant white supremacy that many terrorist organizations have gained a foothold. In essence, terrorism means to seek political interests for a minority of people by employing extreme violence. It takes advantage of contradictions, problems, and conflicts concerning politics, economy, society, religion and nationalities from the past and present to incite hatred and attract supporters and followers. Although international anti-terrorism cooperation has advanced continuously, major issues hindering its development still remains. Western countries such as the U.S. only target at terrorism that has threatened their own countries and employ double standards in counter-terrorism, which has greatly hampered international cooperation in the field. Still, some countries aim to seek political interests through terrorist activities, which has encouraged terrorism. Combating terrorism simply through military action tend to backfire and bring about more contradictions and conflicts that may stimulate terrorism. Besides, international anti-terrorism cooperation hasnt been complemented by fighting and containing extremism, which makes it less effective. Terrorism is a common enemy of all mankind and fighting against it is a common responsibility of all countries. The international society needs to maintain the momentum in the fight against terrorism as well as keep a close eye on the trend of terrorism. It is necessary to promote multilateralism and support the leadership of the UN in international counter-terrorism. Efforts should be made to achieve economic and social development by facilitating employment and education, in a bid to eliminate the root cause of terrorism. China has made remarkable achievements in fighting against terrorism and extremism, which sets an example to other countries. It has been engaged in promoting the building of a community of shared future for mankind, where people around the world, regardless of their races, nationalities, religions and cultures, share weal and woe, which will truly help eliminate terrorism. The country has also proposed the Belt and Road Initiative and a path of common development and prosperity, which will fundamentally narrow the divide between the rich and poor and thus remove the causes of terrorism. (The author is a researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations) (Natural News) Former Vice President Joe Biden used a quote made famous by the late Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong in an online fundraiser with Valerie Jarrett, former President Barack Obamas chief White House adviser, on Monday evening. (Article by Joel B. Pollak republished from Breitbart.com) As the Washington Examiner notes: Joe Biden cited a quote made famous by Chinese communist dictator Mao Zedong during a digital fundraising speech with former Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. Weve got to get real economic relief into womens hands now, Biden said on Monday evening to the 14 wealthy donors who attended the digital fundraising session. According to the pool reporter who watched the event, Biden then cited the Chinese proverb, Women hold up half the sky. The phrase comes from a proclamation by Mao in the mid-20th century that helped grant certain rights to women in China. The phrase became commonplace in China at the time, often appearing on pieces of propaganda in factories or other industrial areas. The quote may be no accident. Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, infamously praised Mao in 2009, when she was Obamas White House communications director, calling him one of her two favorite political philosophers: Mao, she said, was one of two people I turn to most, along with Mother Theresa. Dunn later claimed that she was joking, but few believed her, given her earnest praise for Maos relentless pursuit of the communist revolution in China, against long odds. Mao would later go on to become one of the biggest mass murderers in human history. Dunn left the White House a short time later, but Mao did not: Obamas first White House Christmas tree featured an ornament of Mao. Biden promoted Dunn after he struggled in the Iowa caucuses earlier this year. Read more at: Breitbart.com or JoeBiden.news. Princess Diana has been revealed as the most beautiful royal of all times, according to ancient Greece's 'golden ratio'. Harley Street surgeon Dr Julian De Silva ran Golden ratio analysis on some the most well-known royal women, and found that the late Diana was the most attractive, having obtained the highest score. The Golden Ratio was devised in ancient Greece to determine 'physical perfection' by comparing the measurements, ratios and symmetry of the facial features. The mathematical formula was used by Leonardo Da Vinci for the perfect human male body in his famous work, the Vitruvian Man, and has since been adapted by scientists to determine the Greek definition of perfect beauty. And now it has been developed into a computerised facial mapping technique by Dr De Silva, who uses the technology in his work. He determined Princess Diana is the most attractive, followed by Queen Rania of Jordan and the late Grace Kelly of Monaco. Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton came in fourth and fifth respectively. Dr De Silva, who runs the Centre For Advanced Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery in London, said: 'Diana, Meghan and Kate are all very beautiful women. 'But when measured against the Greeks' Golden Ratio of physical perfection, Princess Diana comes out on top. 'She was several points ahead of Meghan and Kate and just pipped the stunningly attractive Queen Rania to the title of most beautiful royal of all time.' Five 'most beautiful' royal women Results based on each woman's 'golden ratio' score which is represented by a percentage. Data: Centre For Advanced Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery. 1. Princess Diana - 89.05% 2. Queen Rania of Jordan - 88.9% 3. Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco - 88.8% 4. Duchess of Sussex - Meghan Markle - 87.4% 5. Duchess of Cambridge - 86.8% Advertisement 1. Princess Diana Lady Diana is the most beautiful royal of all times according to Ancient Greece's Golden Ratio of Pi which determines physical perfection. Harley Street surgeon Dr Julian De Silva has run Golden ratio analysis of the most famous royal women and found that Diana was the most attractive, having obtained the highest score with 89.05 per cent What is the Golden Ratio of Phi and how is it calculated? The Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi originates from the European Renaissance. Artists and Architects used an equation - known as the Golden Ratio - as an aid during the creation of their masterpieces. The ratio can be applied to anything and was used by Leonardo Da Vinci for the perfect human male body in his famous work, the Vitruvian Man. Scientists have since adapted the mathematical formula to explain what makes a person beautiful. The length and the width of someone's face is measured and then the results are divided. The premise is that the closer the ratios of a face or body are to the number 1.618 (Phi), the more beautiful they become. Measurements are then taken from the forehead hairline to the spot between the eyes, from the spot between the eyes and the bottom of the nose and from the bottom of the nose to the bottom of the chin. A person is considered to be more beautiful if the numbers are equal. Attention is then given to the symmetry and proportion of the face. To be deemed 'beautiful' according to the Golden Ratio, the length of the ear must be equal to the length of the nose and the width of an eye should be equal to the distance between the eyes. Advertisement Dr Julian De Silva said: 'Princess Diana was a very narrow winner - there was less than 1% between her score and those of Queen Rania of Jordan in second and Princess Grace who was a very close third. 'Diana scored highly for her face shape, the width of her nose, her brow area, her forehead and her eyebrows - which all got the top scores. 'Her lowest scores were for her chin and lips. Her lips are a little thin and ill-defined and her chin is less classical than some of the other women.' 2. Queen Rania of Jordan The stunning Queen Rania of Jordan closely came in second place with a score of 88.9 per cent. She is the most attractive living royal that Dr De Silva used his face mapping technology on Dr Julian De Silva said: 'Queen Rania is the most beautiful living royal and a stunningly attractive woman. 'She had the highest marks of all for her classically shaped chin and also scored highly for her lips. 'She was marked down for her nose width and her brow area.' 3. Princess Grace of Monaco Actress Grace Kelly, later known as Princess Grace following her wedding to Monaco's Prince Reinier, scored 88.8 per cent and came in third position Less than 0.1 per cent separate Grace Kelly from Queen Rania. Dr Julian De Silva said: 'Princess Grace has a timeless beauty and had the highest scores for her eye spacing and her eye position is almost perfect with a score of 99.8 per cent. Her stunning lips also scored the highest. 'She lost marks for her chin which is a little indistinct,' he added. 4. The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle scored 87.7 per cent and came in fourth position. She is, according tp Dr De Silva, the most attractive princess in the top Meghan Markle stood out thanks to her 'beautiful facial symmetry,' Dr De Silva noted. He added that she got 'closer than any other princess to having what the Greeks considered the perfect face.' 'Meghan has an almost perfectly shaped nose with a 98.5 per cent score, her eye position is exactly right and she has a gorgeous V-shaped or heart-shaped chin which is the shape women most covet,' he added. 5. The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton came closely behind Meghan with a score of 86.82 per cent. Dr De Silva remarked she was still one of the most beautiful women in the world Dr Julian De Silva said: 'Kate stands out for having a perfect gap between her nose and lips and very strong eye spacing. 'She was marked down for having a weaker chin and jawline than Diana. 'Nevertheless, she is a striking woman and her scores mark her out as one of the most beautiful women in the world,' he added. At first glance, American paddlefish and Russian sturgeon seem about as different as two fish can be. The Russian sturgeon, whose eggs are used to make top-shelf caviar, is a carnivore that hoovers crustaceans and smaller fish off the floor of rivers, lakes and coastal areas the world over. The American paddlefish, found in only 22 of the United States, is a filter feeder that strains zooplankton from the water. It has a comically long snout covered with tens of thousands of sensory receptors. Yet somehow, when sperm from an American paddlefish and eggs from a Russian sturgeon were combined in a lab, life found a way and a hybrid of the two species was born. I did a double-take when I saw it, said Solomon David, an aquatic ecologist at Nicholls State University in Louisiana. I just didnt believe it. I thought, hybridization between sturgeon and paddlefish? Theres no way. Jeff Chiu Con artists on Wednesday apparently hacked into the Twitter accounts of technology moguls, politicians and major companies in an apparent bitcoin scam. The ruse included bogus tweets from Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and a number of tech billionaires including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The fake tweets offered to send $2,000 for every $1,000 sent to a bitcoin address. Following the recent approval of a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages in Russia, a group of lawmakers has proposed legislation that would prevent people who have changed their gender from getting married or adopting children. "The bill ends the practice of registering marriage between individuals of the same sex, including transgender persons, and, therefore, the adoption of children by such couples," said an explanatory note attached to the package of changes to the Family Code presented to the State Duma on July 14. The draft text of the bill has not yet been published on the lower house of parliament's website. The proposal, intended "to strengthen the institution of the family," comes after a controversial package of constitutional amendments signed into law earlier this month paved the way for President Vladimir Putin to extend his presidency and, among other things, codified marriage as the "union of a man and woman." The new proposal follows on that legislation and was initiated by Yelena Mizulina, who serves as chair of a temporary commission in the upper parliament house tasked with preparing proposed alterations to the Family Code. Shortly after the conclusion of nationwide voting on the constitutional amendments on July 1, Putin told a constitutional working group that that gender-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination -- which are prohibited by unchanged articles of the constitution -- could not exist in Russia. "I want to emphasize once again -- there hasn't been, and will not be anything in Russia related to restrictions on rights based on race, sexual orientation, nationality, or religion," Putin said on July 3 amid international criticism of the amendments and controversy in Russia over some Western embassies' decision to fly the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) flag. But critics of the constitutional amendments, which were adopted less than six months after Putin called for substantial changes to the 1993 document, say that they have opened the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against minority groups of many kinds, including members of the LGBT community. Numerous Controversies The 65-year-old Mizulina, who represents the Omsk region in the Federation Council and has served as chairwoman of the body's committee on women's, children's, and family affairs, has been tied to numerous controversies. In 2013, Mizulina authored a bill that imposed draconian restrictions against the positive depiction of or raising awareness of homosexuality, which is technically legal in Russia. Known informally as the "gay propaganda law," the legislation's passage prompted harsh criticism from rights activists and Western governments. In 2014, she was included among the first Russian political figures to be placed under U.S. sanctions following the Kremlin's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Following the punitive action, any assets Mizulina had in the United States were frozen and she was barred from entering the country. In 2017, Mizulina proposed legislation that would decriminalize certain types of domestic violence, saying it was ridiculous that a family member could be imprisoned for a "slap." Under the law, first-time offenders no longer face criminal prosecution for domestic violence. In 2019, she was behind the temporary suspension of yoga classes in Russian prisons after she sent a complaint to the Prosecutor-General's Office alleging that the spiritual practice "provokes uncontrollable sexual arousal that can lead to homosexuality" and questioning its legality in Russia. Yoga was reinstated after prison officials determined that it did not pose the danger of recruiting homosexuals. Mizulina, who is also active in Russian state efforts to police the Internet, most recently attracted attention for appearing to support prohibitions as a sign of freedom. "What are rights? They're the biggest lack of freedom. I can tell you that the more rights you have, the less free we are," Mizulina was quoted by the Moskva news agency as saying in April during an Internet safety forum. With reporting by the Moskva news agency, TASS, DW, and RIA-Novosti FEMA this week answered questions from concerned local residents effected by the May's dam failures and flooding. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, facilitated the discussion during a Tuesday evening virtual town hall. Joining Moolenaar to answer questions from mid-Michigan residents seeking disaster relief were Dan Shulman, FEMA Region 5 external affairs specialist; Connie Logan Small Business Administration state director, Jason Allen, Michigan state director for USDA Rural Development; Lt. Nate McQueen, the coordinating officer for this disaster at the Michigan State Police; and MSP hazard mitigation officer Matt Schnepp. Shulman explained that residents who provided local officials with information during the damage assessment process were not automatically registered for FEMA assistance. "Even if you already provided to your village, county of the state, you still need to register with FEMA for any type of assistance," Shulman said. Once someone registers, they will be contacted by FEMA representatives to follow and complete a virtual inspection. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, inspectors will not be visiting affected homes, and will instead perform inspection interviews over the phone as well as asking residents to submit photos of damaged property. "While our operational posture looks different, FEMA is no less committed to serving every single survivor of this disaster that has a disaster-related need and is eligible," Shulman said. Following the inspections, Shulman said those opting to receive financial assistance by direct deposit could see money in their bank accounts within 48 hours or less. Shulman said FEMA has already approved more than $3 million for disaster assistance for the flooding event, with $1.8 million being issued over the past weekend. "Unfortunately, not everyone will be eligible, and even for those that are, it's important to understand that FEMA's programs are not intended to make people whole we're only authorized to provide limited assistance and essential repairs to essential areas of your primary residence, or to replace essential items," Shulman said. FEMA does provide assistance with temporary housing and other measures to make someone's primary place of residence as safe as possible, though it does not cover second homes, cottages, docks, sheds or basements used mostly for recreation. Shulman also encouraged people to visit FEMA.gov to download the FEMA app to their mobile phone devices. Residents looking to register for assistance are asked to do so by visiting DistasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Despite a worldwide economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the banking sector has still enjoyed a good first half of the year and are on course to meet targets. A VPBank office. The private-equity lender estimated its six-month profit would be VND6 trillion (US$258.8 million). Photo tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn Nine of the 10 large-cap banks on the stock market are estimated to report positive profit growth for the second quarter of the year, according to SSI Securities Corporation (SSI). Those banks are Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank), HCM City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank), Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MBBank), the Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank), Tien Phong Joint Stock Commercial Bank (TPBank), the Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB), the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) and the Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank). Of those banks, ACB, Vietinbank and HDBank are the ones expected to report two-digit profit growth for the first half of the year. ACB is forecast to record VND4 trillion (US$172.8 million) worth of pre-tax profit in the first half, up 10 per cent year-on-year, Vietinbanks six-month profit is estimated at VND3.03 trillion, up 38.7 per cent year-on-year, and HDBank is expected to rise 26.7 per cent year-on-year to VND2.8 trillion. Tien Phong Joint Stock Commercial Bank (TPBank) has estimated six-month profit gained a quarter year-on-year to reach VND2 trillion. The bank attributed its profit growth to an 11 per cent annual credit growth and other activities such as insurance, financial guarantee and trade assurance and lower management expense. At MBBank, Techcombank and VPBank, six-month profits are forecast to grow by one-digit rates of between 4 per cent and 8 per cent year-on-year. At the annual shareholders meeting on June 30, the Vietnam International Bank (VIB) estimated first-half profit at VND2.35 trillion, fulfilling 52 per cent of the full-year target. According to chairman Dang Khac Vy, good performance also came after credit in the first six-month period rose 6 per cent compared to 2019 while business expenses were slashed and technology upgraded. The Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) last week announced profit in January-June was VND11.3 trillion, equal to last years figure. Credit growth in the first half was 3.4 per cent. CEO Pham Quang Dung said outstanding credit gained 5 per cent year-on-year to VND772 trillion with retail credit increasing by 7.4 per cent, up 1.2 percentage points from 2019. But banks are still careful with the economic performance this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the numbers of both cases and deaths globally are rising, forcing governments to keep the economies locked down. In a survey conducted by the State Bank of Vietnams Monetary Forecasting and Statistics Department in June, financial institutions admitted their businesses slowed in the past two quarters. Overall customer risk increased while their financial and business conditions downgraded and demand of banking-financial products and services also scaled down, the survey said. In addition, the need to raise risk provision to prepare for further economic turbulence would drag on banks earnings in 2020, the survey said. Average lending rate of the banking-financial sector was expected to decline further until the end of the year. Outstanding credit growth of the sector was expected to be 3.5 per cent in the third quarter and 10.5 per cent in 2020, down from previous forecasts of 13.1 per cent and 14.1 per cent. Bank stocks Bank stocks were among the key sectors that picked the market up from its three-year low in late March and a large number of investors are betting banks may produce some miracle for the year. However, brokerage firms have warned the sectors bad-debt ratios may increase strongly in the remaining months as borrowers are unable to perform as expected because of the prolonged pandemic. As a result, banks may want to save money to prepare for the rise of bad debts and any hits from the international markets. Phan Dung Khanh, investment director at Maybank Kim Eng Securities Co, told Dau tu (Investment) paper that the stock market was increasing unstably. Potential risks for investors included a slowly-recovered economy, high valuation of shares, and cash-holders were seeking short-term profitability targets, he said. VNS The dashboard is part of CFIB's #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign encouraging Canadians to get involved in the recovery effort by shopping local. Other key indicators include the number of businesses that are fully open (58 per cent), the number that are back to full staffing (35 per cent), and the number that are back to normal revenues (24 per cent). "Government debt has ballooned and so too has the private debt taken on by small businesses to deal with COVID-19," said Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President at CFIB. "I've talked to many businesses that are open again, but are worried about being able to outrun the debt they have accumulated, particularly with sales still down. Recovery is going to be a slow slog and both governments' and customers' support is critical to make it happen." The small businesses that have incurred debt because of the pandemic report they have taken on $135,000 on average. Based on these survey results and after adjustments to reflect the entire economy, CFIB estimates that the total debt taken on so far by Canadian small businesses as a result of COVID-19 is $117 billion. To finance COVID-19 revenue shortfalls and extra costs businesses are relying on personal savings (37 per cent), credit cards (34 per cent), bank loans (18 per cent), retirement savings (11 per cent), mortgages (9 per cent) and loans from families and friends (9 per cent). CFIB recently launched #SmallBusinessEveryDay to promote Canadian initiatives that support local businesses and emphasize how important customers are to their recovery. Consumers will find information about campaigns like Points for Canada (2x the RBC Rewards points for shopping at local restaurants and retail), The Big Spend (dedicating July 25 to shopping local and boosting spending at small businesses) and Distantly (a site allowing customers to donate to businesses that need help) at www.SmallBusinessEveryDay.ca. "Feeling customer support is a bright spot for business owners who are financially and emotionally stressed. The more we can do to support local, the faster we can all recover from the economic meltdown that came with COVID-19. Let's make it a small business summer and think #SmallBusinessEveryDay so small businesses have a tomorrow," concluded Jones. Methodology The total COVID-19-related debt estimate for Canadian SMEs is based on results from CFIB survey results and Statistics Canada business counts. Survey results come from CFIB's Your Business and COVID-19 Survey Number Fifteen, which was taken online by small business owners in Canada from June 26 to July 2, 2020. The estimate is based on results from two questions: The share of businesses that took on debt due to COVID-19 was determined by asking respondents: "How long will it take your business to pay back its COVID-19-related debt?" with one answer choice being "Not applicable we did not take on any debt as a result of COVID-19." The number of respondents for this question was 4,502. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.5%, 19 times out of 20. The estimated total COVID-19-related debt accumulated by Canadian SMEs was determined by asking respondents: "Are you in a position to tell us roughly how much additional debt your business has incurred due to COVID-19 to date? (Please enter approximate amount)." The number of respondents for this question was 2,114. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-2.1%, 19 times out of 20. CFIB used these survey results to create an estimate of COVID-19 debt so far, for all active Canadian SMEs with at least one employee. SME counts used are from Statistics Canada. The total debt estimate includes adjustments to reflect provincial, industrial and business size distribution within the Canadian economy. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 110,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca. About #SmallBusinessEveryDay The #SmallBusinessEveryDay campaign is an extension of CFIB's annual Small Business Saturday. The campaign encourages local shopping, promotes initiatives to support small business and provides posters and other tools for businesses to use. It is supported by Scotiabank, Chase Merchant Services, eBay Canada, Intuit Canada, Interac Corp and Star Metroland Media. To find out more about being a media sponsor please contact [email protected]. SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business For further information: For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Milena Stanoeva, CFIB, 647-464-2814, [email protected] Related Links www.cfib.ca Dont want to send your kids to school next month? No problem: Rio Rancho Public Schools is prepared to let parents keep their kids at home during this unprecedented pandemic but if they decide on virtual learning, students will be mandated to stay there for an entire semester. The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education, with member Wynne Coleman absent for almost the first two hours of the nearly five-hour virtual meeting Monday, listened during the myriad re-entry presentations. All participating understood that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the states Public Education Department may alter the plans. RRPS has two options now: Option 1 is a hybrid option where students in grades K-3 will attend school full days on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; students in grades 4-12 will attend school two days a week and continue with learning at home three days a week. Option 2 is 100 percent virtual kids wont be in school. Parents and students choosing this form of learning must remain with that platform for the first semester, and arent allowed to return to the classrooms. Students in grades K-5 will utilize Google Meet and other virtual applications, and students in grades 6-12 will utilize Edgenuity, used for years at Rio Rancho Cyber Academy with successful results compared to other schools. The RRPS curriculum and instructional materials of the past remain in place. Students heading to the brand-new Shining Stars Preschool campus will probably follow the same schedule as in the past: going to school Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; Principal Kim Johns has been working hard to make social distancing work there and has a virtual plan for those 3- and 4-year-olds. All schools will be closed on Wednesdays for deep cleaning. Students will wear masks on the bus and in the classrooms, and teachers will be masked or wearing face shields. Social-distancing is a must, as is frequent hand-washing, with sanitizers available on campuses. There will be a rapid response team to respond to possible COVID-19 cases, as well as care rooms at every campus, where possibly-infected students will be placed until further diagnosis and notification of their parents. Parents will be advised to check their students temperatures 100 degrees or higher should send up a red flag and keep that student at home before they head to school. Bus riders will have their temperatures taken, as will students entering buildings via other modes of transportation. We are ready to go back to school were ready for it, said LaJuana Coleman, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction. I am confident in that weve got good plans in place. Added Cleveland, We are excited and really want children back in school. The first day of school for middle school and high school students is Friday, Aug. 7, while elementary students return Tuesday, Aug. 11. But, it was noted, not only might those start dates change, but the first day of school could be after Labor Day, Sept. 7. The last day of school will be June 7 or maybe later. An additional 10 days of instruction were added to this years calendar, in light of the 2019-20 school years closing in March due to the pandemic. Thus, if RRPS students dont return to school until, say, Sept. 8, the final day of school could be in late June. Parents must decide if they want the virtual or blended platform; decide if they want their kids to ride the bus, when applicable, or drive them to school, which affects the transportation departments route planning; and monitor their blended students learning process when theyre not on campus. One thing thats clear, despite all the questions that still need answers, is that parents will need to play a bigger role in their students education than ever before. Parents being available, especially for the youngest (students) we really need to listen to our families and see what works for them, said Janna Chenault, elementary school improvement officer. Board member Noreen Scott wondered if RRPS was stooping to the lowest-common denominator, rather than being a leader in education. Cleveland said not only is high-achieving Los Alamos Public Schools using a similar two-option mode of education, but so are schools throughout the state and the U.S. Students on the hybrid version will be in contact with their teachers on the two days theyre on campus. Theyll also know ahead of time what theyll be learning, with teachers giving more attention priority to the more-important topics. Every student will have access to Chromebooks, although students in grades K-5 wont be able to take them home. Once the district has discovered the breakdown of hybrid and virtual students, a schedule will be worked out. That lengthy process will begin soon. Also, specific plans for transportation and special education are pending, and should be presented to the board at its next virtual meeting, July 27 at 5:30 p.m. Cleveland said a meeting might need to be held this week, which could include the boards action on a legal issue. Were ready to hit the ground running, assured Beth Pendergrass, chief communications officer, reiterating the extensive communication plans being laid. We hope that our parents hang in there. Much more information may be found at rrps.net/schoolreentryupdates. In other matters, the board: Approved the calendar in a 3-2 vote for the 192-instructional-day school year of 2020-21. Board members acknowledged it could be subject to change; Approved the ratified negotiated agreement between RRPS and the Rio Rancho School Employees Union; Approved raises of 1 percent for teachers and administrators, and a 2 percent raise for bus drivers, custodians and education assistants; OKd the extension of a lease with Sodexo America (food services); and Approved the end-of-year evaluation of Cleveland, which had been discussed in executive session. BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - TeamViewer (TMVWF.PK, TMVWY.PK) said that it agreed to buy Ubimax, a provider of Wearable Computing and Augmented Reality solutions for the frontline workforce, for a total consideration of 136.5 million euros on a cash and debt free basis, partially paid in cash and partially in shares. TeamViewer noted that the cash component is 85.8 million euros and will be fully financed from available cash on balance sheet. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur within the third quarter 2020. In addition, the founders of Ubimax will receive 1.07 million new TeamViewer shares to be issued against contribution in kind from the existing authorized capital. Subscription rights are excluded. The newly issued shares are subject to a three-year lock-up agreement with yearly partial vesting, underlining their long-term commitment to TeamViewer. TeamViewer, a provider of remote connectivity platform, said that its preliminary billings for the second-quarter rose to 105.9 million euros from 73.1 million euros last year. Ubimax serves more than 200 enterprise customers around the globe Founded 2014 in Bremen. It provides an AR-based one-stop shop to its customers. Ubimax's more than 90 employees across offices in Germany, the US and Mexico sell products to around 200 enterprise customers across different industries worldwide. In the last twelve months, Ubimax grew billings to 9.1 million euros as of 30 June 2020. Ubimax is expected to further accelerate its growth in the next year. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Welcoming the United Kingdom Decision To Prohibit Huawei From 5G Networks Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State July 14, 2020 We welcome news that the United Kingdom plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks and phase out untrusted Huawei equipment from existing networks. With this decision, the UK joins a growing list of countries from around the world that are standing up for their national security by prohibiting the use of untrusted, high-risk vendors. We will continue to work with our British friends on fostering a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, which is critical to Transatlantic security and prosperity. The momentum in favor of secure 5G is building. The UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G networks. Clean carriers like Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and others have also prohibited the use of Huawei equipment in their networks. Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese technology company Huawei said Tuesday that the British government's move to ban the company's involvement in the country's 5G networks is a "disappointing decision" which "threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide." "This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone." said Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK in a statement. "Instead of 'levelling up', the government is levelling down and we urge them to reconsider. We remain confident that the new U.S. restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK," Brewster said. The British government announced Tuesday that buying new Huawei 5G equipment will be banned after Dec. 31, 2020 and all Huawei equipment will be removed from the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027. "Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about U.S. trade policy and not security," said Brewster. The British government announced in January its plans to safeguard the country's telecoms network, approving a restricted role for Huawei in helping build the country's 5G networks. Tuesday's decision marks a U-turn in Britain's policy concerning Huawei. "We will conduct a detailed review of what today's announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain," said Brewster. The latest decision by the British government is expected to delay the country's 5G roll-out, according to Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden. From an economic viewpoint, eliminating Huawei from Britain's 5G infrastructure market could be expected to lead to higher prices and delays in roll-out, according to a recent report released by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a research institute in Britain. A previous study conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Huawei also said that restricting Huawei from helping to build Britain's 5G infrastructure market would increase roll-out costs by 9 percent to 29 percent. "Outages would be possible" if BT is forced to pull out Huawei's 5G kit too quickly, the telecoms operator's chief executive Philip Jansen told BBC Radio 4's Today program. Depending on how big or how intrusive the work to be carried out is, users would lose their signal, "sometimes for a couple of days", Vodafone UK's Head of Networks Andrea Dona, told British lawmakers last week. The Chinese technology company has been operating in the British market for some two decades. It employs 1,600 people in Britain and supplies telecoms network equipment to all the major mobile and broadband service providers in the country, according to Huawei. Recently, Huawei announced that it will build a state-of-the-art center in Cambridge, Britain, which will focus on the research, development and manufacturing of optical devices and modules. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:48:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Germany's state-owned railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has ordered high-speed trains worth one billion euros (1.14 billion U.S. dollars) from technology giant Siemens, the two German companies said on Wednesday. The first of the 30 new high-speed trains from the ICE series are scheduled to be in operation by the end of 2022, the companies announced. "DB is investing in new trains at a record level," said Richard Lutz, chief executive officer (CEO) of Deutsche Bahn. "Even though demand has sharply declined due to the corona pandemic, everything speaks in favor of climate-friendly rail transport for the longer term." The trains would initially run on routes between Germany's most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Munich via the high-speed Cologne-Rhine-Main line and would increase the company's daily passenger capacity on these long-distance routes by 13,000 seats, according to DB. The new ICE trains, manufactured at Siemens plants in North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria as well as in Austria, will have 440 seats and a top speed of 320 kilometers per hour, according to Deutsche Bahn. DB noted that the ICE trains will offer "greater comfort and convenience" with features like frequency-transparent windows, which ensure stable mobile phone reception. At the beginning of the year, the German government and Deutsche Bahn agreed on an 86-billion-euro modernization program to improve train infrastructure in Germany over the next ten years. German Minister of Transport Andreas Scheuer said on Wednesday that the new ICE trains would make rail travel more attractive. The high-performance high-speed trains, along with modern rail infrastructure, are a "key prerequisite for increasing the frequency of nationwide rail service." (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollars) Enditem The idyllic town of Byron Bay is known for its celebrity sightings and white sand beaches, but the coastal hamlet has been plagued by a series of mysterious disappearances over the years. Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez, 18, made international headlines in May last year when he vanished without a trace after leaving a bar in Byron Bay's main drag. On Wednesday, skeletal remains were found in bushland near where Hayez went missing. The grim discovery was made during a hunt for clues into the disappearance of another missing person, nomadic woman Thea Liddle. Ms Liddle, 42, was known to move between homeless camps, but vanished last year. Belgain backpacker Theo Hayez, 18, was last seen leaving a bar on May 31, 2019. Skeletal remains have been found during a search of bushland around Byron Bay near where Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez (left) went missing last May and nomadic traveller Thea Liddle (right) vanished last October NSW Police say they are yet to determine if the bones discovered belong to a man or a woman, or even if they relate to either of their disappearances Officers have been searching homeless camps in the bush where she was known to reside in the month's before her disappearance NSW Police say they are yet to determine if the bones discovered belong to a man or a woman, or even if they relate to either of their disappearances. Police brought in sniffer dogs and rescue specialists to scour Byron Bay bushland on Tuesday, as part of the hunt for answers about Ms Liddle's disappearance. Ms Liddle's last known address was a rural property where she was living with a 46-year-old man. While she was known to lead a transient lifestyle, her disappearance has prompted a major search amid fears for her safety. Officers have searched homeless camps where she was known to reside in the months before her disappearance. Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell, said the search area is relatively wide because of her nomadic lifestyle. 'Thea lived a very transient lifestyle shifting from place to place, changing campsites often and would opt for places in remote bushland away from the public,' Superintendent Roptell said. But Hayez and Liddle are just two of many tourists and locals who have gone missing in the idyllic town. Ellen Wilson, 2015 Ellen Wilson, 54, has been missing since 11 September, 2015. A CCTV image that morning showed her taking cash out from an ATM in Ballina, the airport town near Byron Bay where thousands of tourists land for their holidays. She was last seen at the Australian Hotel before she left in her silver Subaru station wagon with NSW registration plates CB-76-QX. The next morning she phoned a friend and agreed to meet her in Ballina for some volunteer work later that day. But Ms Wilson did not turn up and her friend became worried about her and called police to report her missing. Mysterious disappearance: Ellen Wilson (pictured), 54, has been missing since 11 September, 2015 She has not been heard from or seen since. Police have been to her house in Goonellabah several times but found no sign of her. They have also been unable to find her car, despite several unconfirmed reports from people saying they had seen it in 2015. Ms Wilson's relatives said it was extremely unusual for her not to make contact and that she missed several scheduled appointments. She is described as 165cm tall with a medium build and shoulder length greyish-brown hair. She has blue eyes and wears reading glasses. Richmond LAC investigations manager Detective Sergeant Bernadette Ingram said in 2015 that police have no idea what happened to her. 'We're at a loss to know where she went and we're appealing for help from the public. Any information may help us find her,' she said. Bronwyn Winfield, 1993 Mother-of-two Bronwny Winfield, 31, was last seen at her home in Lennox Head, a coastal town just south of Byron Bay, on 16 May, 1993. She was reported missing to the police 11 days later on 27 May. A coronial inquiry into her disappearance in 2002 found that she most likely died at the time she disappeared. Suspected murder victim: Bronwyn Winfield The coroner recommended that a 'known person' be charged with her murder - but police did not have enough evidence for charges to be laid. In 2009 police re-opened their investigation into her death and offered a $100,000 reward for anyone with information that led to a conviction. New South Wales Police Minister Michael Daley, now leader of the Opposition, held a press conference to announce the reward. 'Bronwyn Winfield was a lovely lady and a good mum,' he said. 'She left behind two young children, aged five and 10 at the time, making the attack all the more heinous. 'Mrs Winfield's family, particularly her children, deserve to know what happened - and her murderer deserves to be behind bars. 'I hope that the lure of a cash reward may encourage those with information, who may have been reluctant to come forward at the time, to help police bring those responsible to justice.' Ms Winfield's daughter Chrystal was just 10 when she saw her mother for the last time. 'I actually saw her on the night she went missing and that was the last time I saw her,' she told the Northern Star. 'I went to bed and that was it.' Malcolm Briggs, 1975 Disappeared: Malcolm Briggs Malcolm Briggs was last seen in Mullumbimby, a small town inland from Byron Bay, in 1975. He managed to keep in contact with his extended family, who were from the nearby town of Casino, until 2004. After contact stopped, the family reported him missing and he has never been found. Mr Briggs was 37 when he was last seen. He was missing his left ear after some kind of accident. He would be 81 if alive today. Relatives say he liked to smoke tailor-made cigarettes and kept them in his top shirt pocket. He was also fond of long-sleeved checked shirts and long, grey pants. Police described him as 172cm tall and of solid build with red hair and blue eyes. Rodney Bradridge, 1997 Rodney Clement Bradridge was 23 when he was dropped off on Frasers Road in Mullumbimby on May 22, 1997. He has not been seen or made any contact with friends or family since. Police searched possible camping areas to see if was camping in the wild but could not find him and called off the search. If still alive he would be 45 years old. Officers say they hold grave concerns for his welfare. Jeffrey Neville, 1993 Jeffrey Neville has not been seen since 1993 Jeffrey Neville was last seen near Mullumbimby around December 1993. He has not made contact with family or friends since this date. Mr Neville, who was 39 at the time of his disappearance, was reported missing to the Mullumbimby Police Station. Little information is known about him but he is described on an unofficial missing persons register as a regular user of prescribed and prohibited drugs. Mr Neville has not seen his doctor or received medication since he went missing. He is described as 173cm with hazel/green eyes. If alive today he would be 65. Theo Hayez, 2019 Theo Hayez was travelling Australia on a gap year after finishing school in Belgium. The 18-year-old backpacker was last seen on CCTV walking through Byron Bay after leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on May 31, 2019. Police began a land, sea and air search when they were alerted to his disappearance by staff at the Wake Up! Hostel in Byron Bay on June 6. The hostel staff raise the alarm after finding his belongings, including his passport, left there untouched. Theo, 18, was in Australia on a working holiday visa and had gone out to Byron Bay's popular nightclub Cheeky Monkey's on May 31, 2019 The 18-year-old backpacker was last seen on CCTV (above) walking through Byron Bay after leaving the Cheeky Monkey's bar about 11pm on May 31, 2019 This map shows the movements Theo Hayez made before he vanished without a trace Theo's father, Laurent Hayez, flew into Australia that month and made an emotional public appeal to help find his son. 'I promised Theo's little brother that I would bring his brother home. Please, help me keep my promise to him,' he told reporters through tears at Tweed Heads Police Station. Theo's disappearance made headlines around the world and several volunteer groups formed to search for him. The case has been referred to the NSW coroner. Vietnam rises in JLLs global real estate transparency index. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Vietnams two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have contributed to the countrys higher rank in the 2020 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI). Steady advances of the two metropolises have helped Vietnam reach the 56th place in this years ranking released by market researcher Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). The country has become a semi-transparent real estate market for the first time. It is also named among top global improvers, alongside regional peers Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. Over the past 10 years, Vietnam has become a top destination for manufacturing in Southeast Asia and attracted significant foreign investment, said Stephen Wyatt, Country Head of JLL Vietnam. Vietnam will need to continue improving rising up the rankings if it wants to attract more foreign investment. Following on from steady advances over the last two surveys, Ho Chi Minh City has made further progress on regulatory enforcement to enter the Transparent tier, according to JLL. Vietnam has made further progress on the regulatory front with government bodies tightening their oversight to ensure rules and regulations are being adhered to in areas such as land-use planning and lending standards, the firm said in its GRETI. The countrys strong economic prospects have drawn significant interest from both occupiers and investors, and this has led to increased competition and service offerings from property management companies. These changes have helped to push Vietnam into the Semi-Transparent tier, it added. The 2020 Index is launched at a time of massive economic and societal disruption where the need for transparent processes, accurate and timely data and high ethical standards are in closer focus. The backdrop of COVID-19 is also ensuring that transparency within Asia Pacifics real estate legal and regulatory systems is more important than ever to global investors, as they look to deploy approximately 40 billion USD in dry powder capital into the region. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is currently quarantining after testing positive for the coronavirus, has issued a legal opinion arguing that the governor's statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions appear to violate the state's constitution. The Republican attorney general's office said Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' order, in effect since Monday, requiring most people to wear face coverings, limiting bars to takeout and delivery and banning gatherings of more than 50 people in indoor spaces is 'likely unconstitutional and unenforceable.' 'Although the mask mandate and the 50-person limit may be good recommendations for personal safety, they may not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties,' Landry wrote. 'Both businesses acting under color of law as mask police and actual police acting as mask police could face liability if individual civil rights are violated due to the proclamation.' Gov Edwards clapped back at Landry in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, accusing him of issuing a 'politically motivated opinion.' Scroll down to read opinion Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, right, who is currently quarantining after testing positive for the coronavirus, on Wednesday issued a legal opinion arguing that Gov John Bel Edwards', left, mask mandate and bar restrictions are likely illegal (pictured on April 6) Landry's nine-page legal assessment doesn't carry the force of law, but the advisory opinion could be used as the basis for a lawsuit if someone wants to challenge the regulations enacted by Edwards. A group of eight Republican lawmakers asked for Landry's assessment. The attorney general's opinion comes a day after Vice President Mike Pence, in a visit to Louisiana, complimented Edwards' response to the coronavirus pandemic and suggested residents should comply with the statewide mask mandate and other Edwards regulations. 'We support Gov. John Bel Edwards and his health officials decisions, and we encourage people to heed the guidance of state and local authorities,' Pence said. 'And with regard to wearing a mask, it's just always a good idea.' Edwards initially resisted a statewide mask order, preferring to call for individual responsibility. But he changed his mind as Louisiana's confirmed coronavirus caseload continued to surge, returning to one of the fastest growing infection rates per capita across the nation. Hospitalization numbers are spiking, and the percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive has dramatically increased. That is worrying public health experts in a state that previously seemed to be successfully flattening the curve of infections. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages the wearing of masks to help slow the virus' spread. More than 3,400 Louisiana residents have died from COVID-19. As of Wednesday, the state had more than 82,000 confirmed cases Landry's office requires its employees to wear a facial covering in public areas. About half of the nation's states, including neighboring Texas, have issued statewide mask orders. Alabama joined the list Wednesday. Still, masks have become a national flashpoint in the fight to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus, with people arguing community responsibility clashing with those arguing individual freedom. Several conservative Louisiana Republican lawmakers have panned Edwards' mask mandate as an assault on their liberty, despite the health risks to those around them. The governor is requiring face coverings for anyone aged 8 or older when they are inside a building or business or if they are outside in close proximity to people who are not members of their household. The mandate allows exceptions for people with medical conditions, anyone eating and drinking and people speaking to an audience. Jeff's legal assessment comes a day after Vice President Mike Pence visited Louisiana, praised Edwards' response to the pandemic and urged people to wear masks (pictured on Tuesday) A deserted stretch of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans is seen Tuesday. Many bars are closed after Governor Edwards ordered tighter restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 Three parishes have low enough rates of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus that their governing authorities can choose to opt out of the mask requirement. Landry issued the opinion while he is isolated because of his own coronavirus diagnosis. Landry was tested because he had planned to attend the Pence events. His spokesman Millard Mule said while the attorney general is in quarantine, he has no symptoms of COVID-19. Landry has consistently sparred with Edwards across the two terms both men have been in office. But in the early days of the state's virus outbreak in March, Landry stood with Edwards to support the governor's decisions to close schools, shutter some businesses and limit gatherings. More recently, however, Landry has publicly questioned Edwards' continued restrictions on businesses. On Wednesday, Edwards issued a strongly worded written statement, calling Landry out for his abrupt reversal of position. 'I wish Jeff Landry would listen to his own words from March 18 when he stood with me and said extraordinary measures were necessary to protect the people of our state during this COVID-19 crisis, encouraged Louisianans to follow my directions and said he was united with me in protecting the health and safety of the people of our state. Phase II rules are posted outside of a bar in the French Quarter on July 14. The new restrictions include mandatory masks outside for those eight years old and older, bars will be closed unless providing curbside pickup, and indoor social gatherings are to be limited to 50 people On Wednesday, Gov Edwards tweeted out this written statement, calling Landry out for his abrupt reversal of position 'I'm not sure what has changed since then, aside from the loss of 3,800 additional lives and more than 80,000 additional Louisianans becoming infected.' The attorney general also sent a letter to Louisiana's education leaders opposing a face-covering requirement at schools, saying it 'may cross the line on liberty.' Despite Landry's letter, the state education board Tuesday night passed new coronavirus restrictions that included a face-covering requirement for all adults and students in grades 3 through 12. More than 3,300 Louisiana residents have died from COVID-19, according to the state health department. Louisiana has been adding anywhere from 1,300 to 2,600 new confirmed cases daily, with nearly 2,100 more infections confirmed Wednesday. Seal amulet with the name of the Hyksos pharoah Apophis. Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0) The Hyksos, who ruled during the 15th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, were not foreign invaders, but a group who rose to power from within, according to a study published July 8, 2020 in the open-access journal PLoS ONE by Chris Stantis of Bournemouth University, UK and colleagues. The Hyksos were a foreign dynasty that ruled parts of Egypt between approximately 1638-1530 BCE, the first instance of Egypt being ruled by individuals of a foreign origin. The common story is that the Hyksos were invaders from a far-off land, but this idea has been drawn into question. Archaeological evidence does link Hyksos culture with an origin in the Near East, but exactly how they rose to power is unclear. In this study, Stantis and colleagues collected enamel samples from the teeth of 75 humans buried in the ancient Hyksos capital city of Tell el-Dab'a in the northeast Nile Delta. Comparing ratios of strontium isotopes in the teeth to environmental isotope signatures from Egypt and elsewhere, they assessed the geographic origins of the individuals who lived in the city. They found that a large percentage of the populace were non-locals who immigrated from a wide variety of other places. This pattern was true both before and during the Hyksos dynasty. This pattern does not match the story of a sudden invasion from a single far-off land, but of a multi-cultural region where one internal groupthe Hyksoseventually rose to power after living there for generations. This is the first study to use archaeological chemistry to address the origins of the Hyksos rulers, but the authors note that more investigations and broader chemical techniques will be needed to identify the specific ancestries of the Hyksos and other non-local residents of Egypt. Stantis adds: "Archaeological chemistry, specifically isotopic analysis, shows us first-generation migration during a time of major cultural transformations in ancient Egypt. Rather than the old scholastic theories of invasion, we see more people, especially women, migrating to Egypt before Hyksos rule, suggesting economic and cultural changes leading to foreign rule rather than violence." Explore further US dig unearths tomb of previously unknown pharaoh More information: Stantis C, Kharobi A, Maaranen N, Nowell GM, Bietak M, Prell S, et al. (2020) Who were the Hyksos? Challenging traditional narratives using strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of human remains from ancient Egypt. PLoS ONE 15(7): e0235414. Journal information: PLoS ONE Stantis C, Kharobi A, Maaranen N, Nowell GM, Bietak M, Prell S, et al. (2020) Who were the Hyksos? Challenging traditional narratives using strontium isotope (87Sr/86Sr) analysis of human remains from ancient Egypt.15(7): e0235414. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235414 Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister of State (HRD) Sanjay Dhotre launched a low-cost Covid-19 test developed by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT) Delhi on Wednesday. The test, Corosure, has been billed as the worlds most affordable probe free RT-PCR based Covid-19 diagnostic kit. The minister on Tuesday took to Twitter and announced that the kit will be launched on Wednesday. In line with the Honble PM Shri @narendramodi jis vision, I along with MoS for HRD Shri @SanjayDhotreMP, will be e-launching the worlds most affordable probe free RT-PCR based #COVID19 diagnostic kit, COROSURE, developed in the labs of @iitdelhi tomorrow. #AatmaNirbharBharat, Nishank had tweeted. Also read: Zydus begins human trials for potential Covid-19 vaccine Launching the world's most affordable probe free RT-PCR based #COVID19 diagnostic kit, along with MoS for HRD Shri @SanjayDhotreMP ji. #AatmaNirbharBharat https://t.co/7u9dqR79W9 Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 15, 2020 The HRD minister described the launch as a historic occasion and lauded the team of experts at IIT Delhi for developing the diagnostic kit. The test kit uses an alternative testing method for testing Covid-19 samples and is launched by the company Newtech Medical under the name Corosure. During the event, Jatin Goyal, managing director of Corosure, said the total cost of the kit roughly comes to around 650. This certainly makes it very affordable as compared to other probe tests that are being imported from other countries, he said. This should change the paradigm of Covid-19 testing in the country, both in terms of scale and cost. The company Newtech Medical Devices, using IIT Delhi technology, can do two million tests per month at an extremely affordable cost. This is a true example of lab to market, IIT Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao said. The product is approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Regulatory News: Groupe PSA (Paris:UG): In response to growing customer interest in distance selling solutions that combine simplicity and flexibility, PSA Retail rolls-out a portfolio of new digital solutions that offer alternatives to the traditional physical route. Video presentation of vehicles In addition to the 360 photo format presentation, this new medium is already deployed within PSA Retail in France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany and the United Kingdom. The extension to other European countries, Austria, Italy and Poland, will be effective by the end of the year. Customer benefit: The availability of a video presentation of the vehicle filmed by a sales adviser enables customers to quickly get a precise idea of the definition of the vehicle they have pre-selected and, of all the equipment available. Therefore, they are able to make their choice from the national vehicle stock of the country in question, without having to move. Remote estimation of the trade-in vehicle value This system, currently being tested by PSA Retail in Marseille, is based on a tool developed by AUTOBIZ. With a simple click, the customer can gain access to a platform dedicated to quotation without having to download an application. Customer advantage: The customer is guided in taking pictures of his vehicle, collecting all the information necessary for its evaluation and transmitting it towards the platform. The first customers appreciate both the use easiness of the device and the fact that they are contacted within a very short time to be offered a precise and reliable trade-in offer. Videoconference with a sales consultant This device, currently being tested in France and Germany, allows a video dialogue between the customer and a sales advisor via the WhatsApp application. Customer benefit: In addition to the quality of the exchange underpinned by the image, this solution allows the customer to see a proactive and detailed presentation of the vehicle of his choice and to be able to make his purchase after having visualized the vehicle exhaustively. He also benefits from privileged access to the expertise and skills of a specialist in the used cars domain. On-line reservations Available on the PSA Retail Robins Day website in the United Kingdom, this service is experiencing considerable growth, with a seven-fold increase in volume in June compared with the volume recorded before the health crisis. It reached an all-time record of nearly 1,000 bookings in June alone. Customer benefit: This service, also available in France on the PEUGEOT Occasions, CITROEN Select and SPOTICAR websites, meets customers' desire to be able to reserve the vehicle of their choice, particularly if the connection is outside the availability hours of the sales advisers. Pre-financing agreement and (later on) online subscription From October, this functionality will be added to the current digital customer path system as part of the deployment of the PSA Group's SPOTICAR.pays platform. Customer benefit: It will enable customers to carry out all the steps related to the financing of their future vehicle in a dematerialised and perfectly fluid way. Home delivery Already deployed in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom, it will soon be offered in all other European countries where PSA Retail operates. Customer benefit: Customers can, if they wish, finalise a purchasing process that they will have completed entirely remotely up to this final stage, which includes a complete and personalised handover of their vehicle. Charles Clausse, PSA RETAIL's Used Car Director, says, "The used vehicle trade is still accelerating its transformation. By developing a 360 digital customer journey, PSA Retail intends to respond to a new generation of customers who are increasingly receptive to solutions combining practicality, responsiveness and new technologies". About PSA Retail: PSA Retail is the carmaker-owned automotive distribution group of Groupe PSA. The second-largest automotive distribution group in Europe, it has a staff of 10,912 professionals. In 2018, PSA Retail sold 522,000 new and second-hand vehicles in 11 countries via 409 dealerships and points of sale, generated revenue of 8.4 billion, delivered 4.6 million hours of after-sales service and sold 1.8 billion in spare parts. About Groupe PSA Groupe PSA designs unique automotive experiences and delivers mobility solutions to meet all customer expectations. The Group has five car brands, Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall, and provides a wide array of mobility and smart services under the Free2Move brand. Its 'Push to Pass' strategic plan represents a first step towards the achievement of the Group's vision to be "a global carmaker with cutting-edge efficiency and a leading mobility provider sustaining lifetime customer relationships". An early innovator in the field of autonomous and connected cars, Groupe PSA is also involved in financing activities through Banque PSA Finance and in automotive equipment via Faurecia. Media library: medialibrary.groupe-psa.com @GroupePSA_EN View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005357/en/ Contacts: Media: PSA Retail, Marc Bocque, +33 6 80 21 87 03, marc.bocque@mpsa.com A massive blaze has broken out at an Iranian port, ripping through at least seven ships the latest in a string of mysterious fires and explosions to hit the country. Dramatic video purporting to show the blaze shows thick black smoke billowing from the scene at the port of Bushehr - as men desperately try to put out the flames. The incident is unfolding just 12 miles away from Irans only nuclear power station and comes just days after a mysterious blast caused significant damage at a uranium facility in another part of the country. Bushehr nuclear power plant was developed by Russia and Iran as part of a joint nuclear cooperation agreement. It is not clear how the ships caught ablaze and no injuries have been reported. Some reports have suggested that the fire broke out at a shipyard where fibreglass hulls for boats are built. The fire is the latest in a series of blazes and explosions across Iran - many of which authorities have brushed off as unfortunate accidents A fire has ripped through at least seven ships in southern Iran today amid a string of blazes and blasts in the country - including one at a nuclear facility It is not clear how the ships caught ablaze in Bushehr port (smoke pictured), or whether they were military vessels Plumes of black smoke can be seen rising from one of the ships which caught on fire in the port of Bushehr Emergency services battled to put out the blaze which tour through seven ships in the port Emergency services and onlookers used high-powered hoses to damp down the roaring flames A fire engine can be seen at the scene of a fire which tore through seven vessels in the port of Bushehr The port in which the ships caught on fire (pictured) is just 20 minutes away from Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant - Iran's only facility of its kind Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (pictured) was developed by Russia and Iran as part of a joint nuclear cooperation agreement Oil tanker wanted by the US has been HIJACKED - and is now in Iranian waters An oil tanker sought by the US over allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked on July 5 off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a seafarers organization said Wednesday. Satellite photos showed the vessel in Iranian waters on Tuesday and two of its sailors remained in the Iranian capital. It wasn't immediately clear what happened aboard the Dominica-flagged MT Gulf Sky, though its reported hijacking comes after months of tensions between Iran and the US TankerTrackers.com, a website tracking the oil trade at sea, said it saw the vessel in satellite photos on Tuesday in Iranian waters off Hormuz Island. Hormuz Island, near the port city of Bandar Abbas, is some 190 kilometers (120 miles) north of Khorfakkan, a city on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates where the vessel had been for months. In May, the US Justice Department filed criminal charges against two Iranians, accusing them of trying to launder some $12 million to purchase the tanker, then named the MT Nautica, through a series of front companies. The vessel then took on Iranian oil from Kharg Island to sell abroad, the US government said. Court documents allege the scheme involved the Quds Force of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which is its elite expeditionary unit, as well as Iran's national oil and tanker companies. The two men charged, one of whom also has an Iraqi passport, remain at large. 'Because a U.S. bank froze the funds related to the sale of the vessel, the seller never received payment,' the Justice Department said. 'As a result, the seller instituted a civil action in the UAE to recover the vessel.' That civil action was believed to still be pending, raising questions of how the tanker sailed away from the Emirates after being seized by authorities there. Advertisement The fire comes amid a string of explosions across Iran - many of which authorities have brushed off as unfortunate accidents. Experts fear Israel and the US could be behind the attacks and have questioned whether Iranian cyber security breaches could be to blame. Policy Director of United Against Nuclear Iran Jason Brodsky told Fox News: 'There is evidence of a concerted campaign underway to thwart Iran's nuclear program.' Cyber-intelligence expert and CEO of TrustedSec David Kennedy added: 'Although many are asking the question, was this a cyber-attack or physical sabotage, the answer could be "both." 'The most likely suspects are the US and Israel working in tandem.' It follows an embarrassing blunder last week in which Iranian media quoted a former mayor who dismissed a blast on Friday as 'explosion at a factory making gas cylinders'. But other media outlets quickly discovered the mayor in question had been dead for over a year. Other reports said the explosion actually occurred at a missile and chemical warehouse and the blast injured 11. The series of bizarre explosions started on June 26, when a factory making cruise missiles and another producing ammunition were hit in Khojir, Tehran, local media reported. This was then followed by a gas leak at a medical clinic which caused an explosion killing 19 and injuring six on June 30. Tehran Deputy Governor Hamid Reza Goudarzi told state television that blast was triggered by a gas leak. The fire department said gas canisters caught fire in the clinic's basement. Then on July 2, a fire and an explosion occurred at Natanz uranium enrichment plant which develops centrifuges. These are needed to make uranium - and other nuclear weapons. Power outages then occurred when a fire broke out at a power plant in Shiraz A fire then broke out on July 4 at the Zergan power plant in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran. The blaze caused a transformer in the station to explode and ignite the plant - which in turn caused partial electricity outages before it was put out. Another fire was reported on Sunday at a facility belonging to the Shahid Tondgooyan Petrochemical Company in southwest Iran - but was quickly contained. Onlookers quickly rushed to put out the fire using hoses as plumes of black smoke erupted around them President Hassan Rouhani visits the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran in 2015 A fire broke out on July 4 at the Zergan power plant (pictured) in the city of Ahvaz in southwestern Iran On July 2, a fire and an explosion occurred at Natanz uranium enrichment plant (pictured) which develops centrifuges. These are needed to make uranium - and other nuclear weapons The fire was caused by an oil leak but did not lead to any casualties, Mohsen Beyranvand, the governor of Mahshahr county said, according to IRNA. This fire occurred shortly after the explosion in the basement of a home in Tehran, injuring one person. The Tehran Fire Department quickly jumped in to say the explosion - which caused power outages - occurred in two-storey house's basement which contained around 30 gas cylinders, The Jerusalem Post reports. They implied that the injured person worked with the cylinders and this caused the blast to occur. Iran nuclear deal 5th anniv.: EU vows 'to do everything possible' to preserve JCPOA Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 9:35 AM The European Union (EU) has pledged "to do everything possible" to preserve the landmark nuclear deal signed between Iran and originally six major world powers in 2015. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, issued a statement on Tuesday, concurrent with the fifth anniversary of the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), describing it as "a historic multilateral achievement for global nuclear non-proliferation." "The JCPOA remains the only tool to provide the international community with the necessary assurances regarding Iran's nuclear program The full implementation of the JCPOA by all sides remains crucial," Borrell said. The deal was reached between Iran and a group of countries then known as the P5+1 which included the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany on July 14, 2015. However, in May 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the JCPOA and re-imposed the sanctions that had been lifted under the deal. Verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran remained fully compliant with the JCPOA for an entire year, waiting for the co-signatories to honor their commitments and offset the impacts of the US withdrawal. But, as the European parties continued to renege on their obligations, the Islamic Republic moved in May 2019 to suspend its JCPOA commitments under articles of the deal covering Tehran's legal rights in case of non-compliance by the other side. Borrell said, "As the Coordinator of the JCPOA Joint Commission, I am determined to do everything possible together with the remaining participants of the JCPOA and the international community to preserve the agreement." "We should not assume that an opportunity will arise again in the future for the international community to address Iran's nuclear program in such a comprehensive manner," he added. His statement came days after he received a letter from Iran demanding the launch of the dispute resolution mechanism of the nuclear deal over the failure of the three European signatories to the agreement to honor their commitments. Western countries had formerly accused Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program. Tehran long denied the allegation and ultimately negotiated with the six countries to prove it has a civilian program only. The JCPOA was the culmination of those negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BELLEVILLE On July 7 the Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council voted to formally endorse Bob Daibers candidacy for Madison County Board Chair. The Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council is one of 500 state and local labor councils of the AFL-CIO and represents the interests of working people across Southwestern Illinois. Bob Daiber is a champion for working people, said Scot Luchtefeld, SWICLC PAC Chairman. Throughout his career in public service, Bob Daiber has always put the needs of working people ahead of special interests and will do so as Madison County Board Chairman. Skin-whitening creams identified as containing potentially dangerous levels of mercury continue to be sold online more than seven months after a watchdog group raised the alarm, including on platforms run by eBay, Amazon.com and Alibaba, a Reuters review of the sites shows. The findings come at a time when skin lightening, a multi-billion-dollar industry especially popular in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, is under renewed criticism for promoting light skin as a beauty ideal. Many countries ban or restrict mercury in creams, which can damage the kidneys, brain and nervous system. An international ban on manufacturing products with mercury in them comes into effect at end-2020. The Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), an international coalition of non-governmental organizations, issued a report last November that found unacceptable levels of mercury in 95 skin-lightening creams out of 158 samples tested. The tests looked for concentrations of mercury above 1 part per million, the level set in a 2017 global treaty, and found levels ranging from 1.9 to 131,000 ppm. Reuters didnt independently confirm the levels of mercury found in the brands cited by ZMWG. The samples were sold under more than 20 brand names, mostly by smaller manufacturers in developing countries that had been flagged by governments or in previous testing. Major global brands from the likes of Unilever , LOreal and Procter & Gamble were not flagged and were not included. ZMWG bought more than two-thirds of the creams online, including on Flipkart, majority-owned by Walmart; South Africas Bidorbuy; Nigerias Jumia; and Lazada and Daraz, which are both part of the Alibaba Group and operate in Southeast and South Asia, respectively, as well as on Amazon and eBay, the coalition said. One month after its report came out, ZMWG said that eBay, Lazada and Daraz had pledged to remove its high-mercury product listings but had not done so, while Amazon removed products from its U.S. and EU platforms, but not in India. Reuters checks in late June showed at least 19 listings of the products on different country sites run by all seven e-commerce platforms, however. After Reuters raised the issue, the platforms scrapped most of the specific listings or promised to do so. But as of July 10, brands cited by ZMWG continued to pop up, including on Daraz, Amazon, and eBay. Goree Cosmetics in Pakistan and Bangkok-based Smilephan, two companies whose name brand products were available on several sites and showed high mercury levels, told Reuters they do not use mercury and warned about counterfeits. Smilephan shared with Reuters an ingredient list, test reports from 2019 and 2011 showing no mercury in samples, and copies of certifications it said attest to regular audits. We strongly believe those are not our original products, said Songkiat Kulwuthivilas, Smilephans assistant managing director. The company no longer sells its Pop Popular brand in Africa because of the excess of counterfeits, he said. EBay said it would sweep its sites to remove listings and update surveillance filters imposed in December that had already blocked 250 listings. We comply with local restrictions and also we have a long history of partnering with rights owners, industry groups and law enforcement, eBay spokeswoman Ashley Settle said. Daraz told Reuters it would to take necessary action if the listings were found to violate its policies or harm customers. An Amazon spokeswoman in India said the company was investigating, but that on its marketplace, responsibility rests solely with the seller. A California judge in 2019 ruled that Amazon was immune from liability for third-party sellers in a case involving warnings about mercury in skin-lightening creams. Most people buying on Amazon have no idea that Amazon isnt anything like walking down to your grocery store, said food safety lawyer Bill Marler. (Reporting by Martinne Geller in London; additional reporting by Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru, Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos, Ayenat Mersie in Nairobi and Promit Mukherjee in Johannesburg Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) Topics Amazon Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered people to wear masks in stores to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus - Michigan Office of the Governor via AP A Michigan sheriff's deputy on Tuesday fatally shot a man suspected of stabbing another man who had challenged him about not wearing a mask at a store, police in the United States said. The shooting occurred in Eaton County, south-west of Lansing, about 30 minutes after the stabbing at a Quality Dairy store, state police Lt Brian Oleksyk said. A sheriff's deputy spotted the man's vehicle in a residential neighbourhood and shot him when he got out of his car and tried to attack her, Lt Oleksyk said. "Drop the weapon! Drop the weapon!" the officer, a 22-year veteran, demanded, according to neighbourhood security video released by police. The man, Sean Ruis, was holding a screwdriver and knives, Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich said. "It's very unfortunate she had to use her weapon, but she had to save her life," Sheriff Reich said. "She had to use deadly force. She did it properly." Mr Ruis, 43, of Grand Ledge, who worked at the Michigan Department of Transportation, died at a hospital. He was suspected of stabbing a 77-year-old man inside the store when he was confronted about not wearing a mask, Lt Oleksyk said. The stabbing victim was in a stable condition at a hospital. Michigan State Police have released complete footage of the fatal shooting on Twitter (below). The video was tweeted with a warning about the sensitive footage. VIDEO IS SENSITIVE IN NATURE: Eaton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Involved Shooting. The Michigan State Police 1st District Investigation Response Team is investigating the deputy involved shooting that occurred on Jerryson Drive in Delta Twp, Eaton County on July 14. pic.twitter.com/733H2iOhCa MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) July 14, 2020 Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered people to wear masks in stores to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Story continues "The goal here is to be safe. We all have to do our part so this doesn't spread," Sheriff Reich said. The decision about whether to wear a mask in public for some has become a political statement, and there have been other violent encounters. In May, a security guard at a Family Dollar store in Flint was fatally shot after denying entry to a customer without a mask. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said masks are important. But he also urged the general public not to confront people over a lack of a mask. "There is no reason to risk your health or your life over the debate of wearing masks in public," Mr Shirkey said. In May, Donald Trump ignited a new feud with the attorney general of Michigan, Dana Nessel, after she called him a "petulant child" for refusing to wear a face mask in public on a visit to the state. Meanwhile, Michigan's Democrat governor Gretchen Whitmer is seen as a potential vice presidential running mate for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democrat nominee. She has faced a strong backlash from anti-lockdown protesters, many of whom support Mr Trump. Ms Whitmer's national profile was boosted when she became a target for Mr Trump, whom she has frequently criticised for his response to the coronavirus pandemic. The next major event in the US 2020 presidential campaign cycle will be when Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, announces his running mate. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More When was the last time you heard Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai investing billions in the same firm and emerging as the two largest minority shareholders in the target entity? That enticing proposition became a reality on July 15 at the 43rd all-virtual annual general meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries (RIL). Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced a Rs 33,737 crore investment by Google for a 7.7 percent stake in Jio Platforms, marking the end of a gargantuan, unparalleled fundraising exercise. This is the first and biggest investment by Google under its India digitisation fund, which was launched earlier this week. The fund is looking to pump in nearly $10 billion in India over the next five to seven years and nearly half of that amount went to Jio. On April 22, global rival Facebook invested Rs 43,574 crore to pick up a 9.9 percent stake in Jio Platforms, sealing the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Indian tech sector. Nearly half of the famed FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) stocks of the US market have now bet on the RIL subsidiary. In less than four months, Jio Platforms has attracted a staggering Rs 152,056 crore from a total of 13 investors by shedding around 33 percent stake. These investors include Silver Lake, Vista, General Atlantic, KKR, Mubadala, ADIA, TPG, L Catterton, PIF, Intel and Qualcomm. Consequently, Jio Platforms now commands an eye-popping equity valuation of Rs 4.36 lakh crore based on the latest bet by Google, reflecting its standing as a digital powerhouse, and not just a telecom player. Look at the valuation and the sheer quality of names leading strategic investors, blue-chip private equity funds and sovereign wealth funds. What else can one ask for? Some of the investors may look to exit post listing. Going forward, timing the IPO based on market conditions will be crucial, said a capital market deals advisor on condition of anonymity. In the past, RIL has indicated plans to list Jio Platforms in the next few years. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate has raised a combined Rs 212,809 crore through its record Rs 53,000 crore rights Issue, investments in Jio Platforms, and Rs 7,269 crore from an investment by British Petroleum in its fuel retail joint venture. The feat has no parallel in Indian corporate history. Rs 212, 809 crore! Let that figure sink in. Its more than one percent of Indias GDP and it was raised by RIL during the coronavirus pandemic, the most disruptive even in modern human history. The figure far exceeds the net debt of the diversified conglomerate, which stood at Rs 1,61,035 crore at the end of March 31. The gap would have been wider if unforeseen circumstances in the energy market had not delayed the progress of the Saudi Aramco deal. In August 2019, RIL announced plans to sell a 20 percent stake in its flagship chemicals and refining business to Saudi Aramco in a deal valued at $15 billion. But for now, the biggest takeaway for shareholders is that RIL is truly a zero net debt company, well ahead of Ambanis initial target of March 2021. Our target for capital raise is now complete and we now look forward to only adding strategic partners who share our vision in each of our current and future businesses, Ambani said during his AGM speech. Follow all of our coverage on RIL's 43rd annual general meeting here. Recently, RIL crossed another milestone and became the first domestic firm to cross the Rs 12 lakh crore market capitalisation mark. From the lows of March, the share price has surged more than 100 percent. According to a report by CNBCTV-18, it is the best performing mega-cap stock and ranks among the only non-American company in the top five best-performing stocks globally. Market analysts have highlighted the promoters investor centric approach and commitment to the debt reduction exercise in a challenging market. RIL saw an opportunity in adversity during the lockdown period. Despite the Aramco deal getting delayed, due to the excellent infrastructure of Jio and the firms execution capabilities, it managed to raise more than Rs 1,52,000 crore. The record rights issue was an additional cushion and the deferred payment facility and the willingness of the promoters to subscribe to the entire issue before its closure gave confidence to investors, said market expert SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com. Reliance Industries Ltd is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:49:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Namibian Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula (R, Front) and Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming (L, Front) attend a handover ceremony of medical supplies in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 15, 2020. The Chinese government on Wednesday handed over the second batch of medical supplies to help Namibia combat the COVID-19 epidemic. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua) WINDHOEK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Wednesday handed over the second batch of medical supplies to help Namibia combat the COVID-19 epidemic. The donation to Namibia's Health Ministry, valued at 4.3 million Namibia dollars (260,000 U.S. dollars), included 5,000 disposable medical protective clothing, 15,000 face masks for medical use, 150,000 surgical masks, 7,000 medical protective goggles, 7,000 disposable surgical gloves, and 3,000 shoe covers. Namibian Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula thanked China for the donation and for its technical support and capacity-building assistance. "Obtaining these supplies from the outside market has been very challenging due to travel bans and restrictions worldwide," he said at a ceremony in Windhoek. Shangula said health workers and other frontline cadres are the most valuable assets in the fight and the technical support, capacity-building, and donations from China are highly appreciated. Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhang Yiming, hopes the donated supplies will play an important role in Namibia's fight against the epidemic at this critical moment. In April, Namibia received COVID-19 aid from the Chinese government and from the Jack Ma Foundation. Namibia has so far reported 960 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with two deaths and 31 recoveries. President Donald Trumps interests in Tuesdays primaries went beyond politics and his grip on the Republican Party. Tuesday night was personal for Trump and, on that measure, he won. Jeff Sessions, Trumps first attorney general and the target of his derision over the past three years, got drubbed in Alabama. Trumps former White House physician, Ronny Jackson, won in Texas and is all-but-certain to come to Congress in January. But the Trump-driven GOP contests werent the only ones on the ballot. Democrats are on the verge of finalizing their lineup of candidates for their Senate takeover drive, including tapping Sara Gideon to take on Sen. Susan Collins in Maine, one of the top races in the country. Both parties picked nominees in House races that point to their November strategies. And even the GOPs under-the-radar primaries continued to be defined by Trump and his mutable cast of allies. Here are five takeaways from Tuesdays primaries and runoffs: Trump won the races he cared about Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, whom Trump endorsed a week after he finished first in the March 3 primary, ran up the score against Sessions: With nearly all the votes tallied, he led by 21 points. Trump was constantly involved in the race leading up to Tubervilles decisive win. He tweeted about it repeatedly over the course of the 18 weeks between the endorsement and the runoff, calling Sessions a disaster in the days before the vote. He met with Tuberville last month on a visit to Texas and held a runoff-eve conference call with the coach and his supporters. Tommy Tuberville celebrates his lopsided victory over former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions in the GOP Runoff. Meanwhile, in the Texas Panhandle, Trumps involvement propelled Jackson a first-time candidate who pitched voters on the idea of electing a new congressman whose influence exceeded his (lack of) seniority to victory over Josh Winegarner, the first-place finisher in the March 3 primary. But Trump, who had once boasted of his undefeated record in endorsing GOP candidates, has suffered some small defeats in recent weeks. Two incumbents hed backed, Reps. Denver Riggleman of Virginia and Scott Tipton of Colorado, went down in nominating contests over the past few weeks. And Trump unsuccessfully waded into a GOP runoff in North Carolina to replace his White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, in Congress. Story continues That record risked another demerit on Tuesday: His pick for an open, competitive House seat in West Texas was locked in a too-close-to-call race against an opponent backed by Trumps one-time primary rival, Sen. Ted Cruz. National Democrats extended their perfect Senate primary record Senate Democrats are on a winning streak at least when it comes to intraparty elections. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee took an aggressive stance in primaries this year, endorsing a preferred candidate in nearly every single race that could be competitive this fall. With Gideons win in Maine, and MJ Hegar's victory in Texas, the DSCC has swept those primaries. Several of the races proved very expensive or particularly hard fought. Outside allies, including Senate Majority PAC, spent heavily leading up to primaries in North Carolina and Iowa to boost little-known challengers, and spent in Colorado to defend John Hickenlooper against a wave of negative TV ads. In Kentucky, Amy McGrath only narrowly won after a late surge from liberal state Rep. Charles Booker. Hegars margin of victory over state Sen. Royce West was narrow despite a hefty financial advantage. In some cases, including its endorsement of Hickenlooper and the spending in North Carolina, the DSCC faced backlash from other candidates. But facing a map that necessitates running competitive races in every swing state, party leaders identified the candidates they believed were best suited to compete in the fall. Most of their endorsed candidates have already proven their bona fides by raising massive sums of money so far this year, and polling shows Democratic nominees emerged from their primaries competitive against Republicans. But whether the DSCCs aggressive, and successful, primary stance will truly pay off will be determined in November. Maines supercharged Senate race gets another kick Gideons victory in Tuesdays primary made her nomination official, but shes been running a general-election campaign against Collins for the better part of a year now. Because of its small size and population, Maine wont be the most expensive Senate race in 2020 but it will be near the top of the list. Both Collins and Gideon have been running television ads essentially uninterrupted for months now, even before Gideon had the nomination. Through late June, Gideon had already spent more than $17 million, roughly five times what Collins last opponent, Shenna Bellows, spent for her entire campaign in 2014. Collins has already spent nearly $11 million, more than double her 2014 total. Gideons victory will deliver the Democrat another huge windfall: Shes set to receive around $4 million from a nominee fund that donors filled with money when Collins voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. But unlike some other Democrats running against prominent longtime Republicans, Gideon isnt just another cause celebre of online donors. Both parties believe the Maine race is likely to go down to the wire and could very well be the tipping point that determines Senate control. The Trump wing is winning the battle for the GOP Even as Republicans confront a daunting electoral landscape, the Trump wing of the GOP is still growing thanks to some big wins in safe seats. Tuberville supported by Trump and his newfound allies in the Club for Growth routed Sessions, a mainstay of Alabama politics whom some Republicans saw as a safer bet to beat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November. Jackson, Trumps former doctor running in Texas, had Trump and Club support to beat Winegarner, who had the endorsement of retiring Rep. Mac Thornberry. Also in Texas, retiring Rep. Bill Flores endorsed Renee Swann to replace him but GOP voters instead nominated former Rep. Pete Sessions, a bit player in the 2019 Trump-Ukraine scandal who represented a district in another part of the state until he was swept out in the 2018 Democratic wave. In Alabama, the Clubs support propelled former state Rep. Barry Moore to the nomination to replace retiring Rep. Martha Roby. Moore leapfrogged self-funding businessman Jeff Coleman, who finished first in the March 3 primary but was slammed by the Club for not giving to Trumps 2016 campaign despite being an active political donor. In a victory for the establishment, Alabama congressional hopeful Jerry Carl won his GOP runoff over a Club-backed candidate, state Sen. Bill Hightower. Carl was ahead by 5 points at the end of the night on Tuesday, despite edging Hightower by only a single point in March. Battleground Texas takes shape As Joe Biden pushes to make Texas a presidential swing state for the first time in decades, House Democrats also see the state as the partys most enticing expansion target for their majority, and they settled their candidate roster Tuesday evening. In an open seat in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, party voters picked local school board member Candace Valenzuela, who was supported by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus, over Air Force veteran Kim Olson. Valenzuelas D.C. allies pushed the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to get involved on her behalf, but the committee stayed away, citing its policy of neutrality in primaries. To the south, Democrats chose 2018 nominee Mike Siegel for a rematch with GOP Rep. Michael McCaul. Siegel came within 4 points of ousting McCaul last cycle, but the incumbent who has seen his district become more competitive in a hurry, like a lot of Texas Republicans seems better prepared this time. Some Democrats worry that Siegels more liberal platform could be problematic for suburban voters near Houston and Austin who had voted Republican but are turned off by Trump. Meanwhile, Republicans picked their candidate to hold another suburban Houston seat, where GOP Rep. Pete Olson is retiring after a close call in the 2018 midterms. Voters chose Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls, but some Republicans worry he is bloodied and broke after a bruising runoff campaign. Nehls was attacked by self-funder Kathaleen Wall, and he had only $33,000 in the bank as of late June for his race in the pricey Houston media market. Democrats best pickup opportunity is in West Texas, where GOP Rep. Will Hurd is retiring. But as of Tuesday night, the race between Trump-backed Tony Gonzales and Cruz-endorsed Raul Reyes was unresolved. House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, is intensifying pressure on Gov. Ralph Northam to use federal emergency coronavirus aid to provide hazard pay and paid leave to health attendants who have no backup if they get sick while caring for elderly and disabled Virginians in their homes. Torian urged Northam on Tuesday to use money that Virginia received under the federal CARES Act to provide $23.1 million in hazard pay through the end of the year and up to $7.8 million for two weeks of paid leave for personal care attendants who tend to Medicaid recipients in their homes instead of long-term care institutions. He also reminded the governor that almost all home health aides in Virginia are women and more than half of them are African American, earning an average of $9.40 an hour in most of the state without any paid leave if they become infected with COVID-19. Some may wonder whether the roadblocks to providing this pandemic support to home care workers would be more easily navigated if the vast majority were not double minorities, he said in the two-page letter. Women of color are, still, being asked to care for our most vulnerable without adequate protection or just compensation for themselves. A woman convicted of bashing a pensioner to death with a Virgin Mary statue will walk free from jail years after being arrested. Katia Pyliotis has always denied she was involved in the death of lonely widower Elia Abdelmessih, whose bludgeoned body was found alongside a tin of mangoes and a Virgin Mary statue inside his home in Kew East, Melbourne, in 2005. On Wednesday, Pyliotis will walk free from Dame Phyliss Frost women's prison after being granted bail in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Her successful bid for bail was not opposed by prosecutors, who accepted the alleged killer was not an unacceptable risk to the community. Her release came as shocking new evidence was revealed indicating Pyliotis may in fact be innocent. Katia Pyliotis (pictured) was jailed for 19 years in 2019 for the murder of lonely widower Elia Abdelmessih Mr Abdelmessih's bludgeoned body was found alongside a tin of mangoes and a Virgin Mary statue Her barrister, Dermot Dann QC, told the court a missing police diary which contained crucial information about another woman's confession to the crime had revealed she confessed to the murder not once, but three times. The diary of Victoria Police homicide investigator Warren Ryan was located in police archives last month. The detective had previously testified that Susan Reddie had confessed to the murder and then recanted it. He claimed under oath to have made notes of it in his diary, which at the time of Pyliotis' fourth trial was still missing. Instead, the diary has revealed Ms Reddie told the detective she hit Mr Abdelmissah with a blue and white statue of Jesus. A statue of the Virgin Mary was used to bash the lonely pensioner's skull in (stock image) In reality, Mr Abdelmissah had been murdered with a blue and white statue of the Virgin Mary. Mr Dann described the development as 'stunning'. He told the court that not only had Ms Reddie made an until now unknown third confession to the murder, she had described in great detail a religious statue she claimed to have used to kill her victim. Furthermore, the missing diary contained not a single note of Ms Reddie's supposed recantation of her confession. Mr Ryan's notes state Ms Reddie claimed she had been 'drunk and angry' when she attacked Mr Abdelmissah with the statue. Ms Reddie died in 2012 and was never treated a serious suspect in the case. Previous juries had heard Ms Reddie had once confessed to police and had told her disability support worker she was involved in the death shortly after she had been interviewed . What no jury had ever heard - and has been revealed in the missing diary - is that while being driven home by Mr Ryan after her initial interview, the suspect confessed to the murder - going so far as to describe the statue she claimed to have used to kill her victim. In 2016, Katia Pyliotis was required to give DNA for a minor infringement in South Australia. Her data immediately matched with DNA found at the 2005 crime scene, and she was extradited to Victoria where she was convicted. Pyliotis was jailed for 19 years, but the sentence was quashed on appeal after the defence argued the judge interfered with the jury by labelling the questioning of a witness 'boring'. She has been in jail since May 2016 and had remained behind bars awaiting a fifth trial. Mr Dann said he was in the process of making an application that could see his client cleared of the murder once and for all. If successful, it could clear the way for a massive civil case against Victoria Police over the years she has spent caged. The DNA of Katia Pyliotis was found inside a glove left at the murder scene. Her DNA would be found after a routine stop in South Australia years after the murder Justice Paul Coghlan called murder accused Katia Pyliotis' defence a 'red herring calculated to mislead' and told lawyers that's what he would tell the jury Mr Dann described the diary notes as a 'very, very significant development'. If a fifth trial is to go ahead, prosecutors claimed they would continue to assert that Ms Reddie backed down on her confession despite Mr Ryan having made no note of it in his diary. Crown prosecutor Angela Ellis said the development did not 'substantially weaken' its case. To convict Pyliotis again, the fifth jury would need to be convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the Reddie confession was false. Mr Dann said it was 'extraordinary' that Mr Ryan failed to remember a murder confession to a case he had been investigating. Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth went a step further. 'But he can remember the recantation,' she replied. Justice Hollingworth said although she would not comment on the merits of a fifth trial, she conceded the prosecution case had become weaker since Pyliotis' previous bail application. She released Pyliotis on a $100,000 surety put up by her mother. Barrister Dermot Dann QC said the judge made a 'negative and scathing assessment' of the defence case, which he shared with jurors Pyliotis' defence have always argued Ms Reddie was likely the killer, but said Pyliotis did visit Mr Abdelmessihs home the day he was murdered and found his body. Ms Reddie claimed she would visit Mr Abdelmessih's home occasionally, where he would pay her for sex. She said he was rude to her on the day in question. There was never a clear motive for Pyliotis to kill Mr Abdelmessih that was made known to the public. At an earlier trial, the court heard Mr Ryan had known Pyliotis' DNA had been found at the murder scene when Ms Reddie confessed and later recanted. He claimed notes of the conversations were recorded in a police diary which he had since lost. Teh court had heard he knew DNA evidence found at the crime scene did not belong to Ms Reddie, and she was dismissed as a potential suspect. The case remained open and unsolved until Pyliotis' DNA was linked to a glove which was found near the victim's body. Her blood was also found throughout the house, police claimed. Despite the physical evidence, it took four separate murder trials before she was eventually convicted. When the Court of Appeal quashed that conviction, it paved the way for a potential fifth Supreme Court murder trial. A new trial was expected to take place after the Court of Appeal overturned Katia Pyliotis' conviction of murder 'It will be a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions whether the applicant faces trial for a fifth time,' the three judges ruled. Any such trial is likely to be delayed until anywhere up to late next year due to the COVID-19 restrictions and huge backlog of trials moving through Victoria's clogged justice system. The Court of Appeal ruled the final trial judge, Justice Paul Coghlan, made several fatal blunders - some in the presence of the jury - during the alleged killer's last trial. Mr Dann said the judge made a 'negative and scathing assessment' of the defence case, which he shared with jurors. At one point, the trial judge said the defence case was a 'red herring calculated to mislead' and told the barristers he would later share that view with the jury. At one point while trial barrister Richard Edney was questioning a witness, Justice Coghlan interjected to tell him 'this is even more boring than the other parts of your cross-examination'. He made other remarks in front of the jury, including that they'd 'still be here 13 years later' hearing crime scene evidence, and that 'I'll have to start answering these questions myself'. Pyliotis, a former Kew McDonald's worker, met her alleged victim at the fast-food store shortly after his wife's death. But the reason why the then 'unsophisticated and unworldly' 23-year-old allegedly killed her customer at his own home in a 'frenzied attack' has never been revealed. Angela Uherbelau Uherbelau, a writer, is a former elementary school PTA president and creator of oregonkidsread.com. She lives in Portland. Last November I helped launch a grassroots initiative, Oregon Kids Read, to address a statewide disgrace: over 70% of Black, Indigenous and other Oregon third-graders of color are not meeting reading benchmarks. Research shows that if a child does not reach reading proficiency by the third grade, they may never catch up. In meeting after meeting - whether talking with elected officials, the Oregon Department of Education, teacher union leaders or literacy organizations - we were told our idea of offering in-depth literacy training to all K-3 teachers across the state was too sweeping, too prescriptive and too expensive. We received the same lecture over and over again: its impossible to institute something statewide even if its the right thing to do for kids because Oregonians cherish their local control. COVID-19 has blown that tired excuse apart. Weve seen the power of Gov. Kate Browns extraordinary statewide public health effort to protect the lives of the people of Oregon. We need the governor to take similarly bold steps to protect the futures of our Black, Indigenous and other students of color who have experienced even steeper academic declines during distance learning. We need an immediate, statewide education action plan for BIPOC students. The Oregon Department of Education had the opportunity to proactively narrow the racial achievement gap over the summer. While there is plenty of language about centering equity in their spring and summer 2020 guidelines, however, there was nothing concrete to ensure that districts prioritize and serve their Black, Indigenous and other students of color. As The Oregonian/OregonLive reported last month, while some districts have been able to act, others have not. The Centennial School District, where 59% of students are students of color, cancelled nearly all of its summer programs. Warm Springs Academy, which is 88% Native and Indigenous students, has no summer outreach. The guide for the 2021-2022 school year, Ready Schools, Safe Learners, is equally deferential to local control, allowing each school district to develop "an operational blueprint for reentry that is tailored to the local context and informed by local needs." The governor's recent launch of a Healthy Schools Reopening Council focuses on feedback to districts rather than creating any proactive plan for Black, Indigenous and other students of color. This lack of state leadership perpetuates our shameful history of leaving our most vulnerable students at the mercy of local decision making. Imagine if every county in the state had been able to develop their own individual COVID-19 plan over the past few months, rather than following the state's direction. Individual schools and districts cannot address the widening racial achievement gap solely on their own, in the face of enormous budgetary and public health pressures. They need specific state expectations, institutional support and innovative ways to be able to best serve our most vulnerable students. Examples of creative models do exist. Oregon Kids Read is currently working with Portland Public Schools on a pilot program to provide virtual expert tutoring for a group of struggling readers in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade whose literacy abilities fall significantly below academic benchmarks. (Without intensive academic support, students in their tier of achievement have only a 10-20% chance of reaching benchmark goals.) Over 75% of the students in our tutoring group are students of color. There are other possible new ways to immediately support our BIPOC students. We need to be unafraid to try them. As experts in education, the Oregon Department of Education should be building a short list of virtual and in-person models, both from around Oregon and around the nation, that center BIPOC students and their academic success. The department should be sharing these models with districts and offering assistance in implementing them. ODE should also be creating specific accountability measures to guarantee and evaluate district and statewide initiatives for BIPOC students and making those results public for all families. Gov. Brown has made a public commitment to centering equity in the post-coronavirus recovery. Creating an immediate education action plan for students of color, especially our Black and Indigenous students, is a crucial, tangible way to live up to that commitment. The plan should involve stakeholders such as the Coalition of Communities of Color, Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus, Oregon Legislatures People of Color Caucus, educators of color and students of color. It should be introduced during the anticipated second special session of the Legislature this summer and ready for implementation in the fall. Our Black, Indigenous and other students of color cant wait any longer for Oregon to give them the education they deserve. Subscribe to our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: The Centre had issued an eviction notice to Vadra on 1 July, asking her to leave the bungalow where she had been staying since 1997. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said she will vacate the government bungalow allotted to her within the stipulated deadline, refuting Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puris allegations that she was seeking to extend her occupancy tenure. Puri had claimed in a tweet that he was requested by a powerful Congress leader on 4 July to allot the bungalow to a Congress MP so that Vadra could stay on. However, Vadra said in response: If someone called you Mr Puri, I thank them for their concern, and thank you for your consideration as well but it still does not change the facts: I have made no such request, and I am making no such request. As I said, I will be vacating the house by the 1st of August..1/2 https://t.co/jeHSZAf4MR Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 14, 2020 She also said that a report which claimed that her request for more time to vacate the 35, Lodhi Estate bungalow beyond the 1 August deadline was accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fake news. I have not made any such request to the government. As per the eviction letter handed to me on 1 July, I will be vacating the government accommodation at 35, Lodhi Estate by 1 August, she tweeted. Just when people thought there is witch hunt against the erstwhile first family of Indian politics, the PM's move once again validated his large heartedness, the report read. This is FAKE NEWS. I have not made any such request to the government. As per the eviction letter handed to me on the 1st of July, I will be vacating the government accommodation at 35 Lodhi Estate by the 1st of August.https://t.co/GkBO5dkaLs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 14, 2020 The Centre had issued an eviction notice to Vadra on 1 July, asking her to leave the bungalow where she had been staying since 1997. According to the notice, she was no longer eligible for a bungalow after her security cover was downgraded last year from the Special Protection Group, and she was asked to vacate by 1 August. Hours after the notice was served to her, Vadra paid off all her pending dues, amounting to Rs 3,46,677, until 30 June, Hindustan Times reported. She is planning to move to the house of late Sheila Kaul, her grand-mother Indira Gandhis maternal aunt, in Lucknow. However, BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani further alleged that Vadra had not cleared the dues. Facts and CONgress can never go hand in hand. The fact that a notice had to be served and dues were not paid speaks for itself, she tweeted. Facts and CONgress can never go hand in hand... The fact that a notice had to be served & dues were not paid speaks for itself...The congress leader called you @HardeepSPuri ji coz high command ka order hai https://t.co/5k8SrIt29o Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 14, 2020 Meanwhile, the bungalow in which Vadra has been staying till now has been allotted to BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Anil Baluni. Apple has won its EU court battle over an order claiming it owes almost 12billion in Irish back taxes, dealing a blow to the bloc's attempts to crack down on sweetheart tax deals. The European Commission claimed Apple paid an effective corporate tax rate of just 1 per cent on profits from sales made across the EU by routing them through a firm based in Ireland. The commission said this constituted illegal aid given to Apple by the Irish state. But the General Court in Luxembourg today annulled the decision in favour of the tech giant. Apple has won its EU court battle over an order asking it to pay almost 12billion in Irish back taxes, dealing a blow to European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager's (pictured) attempts to crack down on sweetheart tax deals Ireland sided with Apple saying it didn't want their 12billion and instead wanted to protect a low tax regime that has attracted 250,000 multinational employers. In Apple's case, tax was significantly below the standard 12.5 per cent imposed on corporations in the scheme. Apple said that from 2003 to 2014, it paid 457million ($577million) in tax on profit generated in the country, in line with the tax laws in Ireland. In its judgement the General Court stated that the commission was 'wrong' to declare that Apple Sales International (ASI) and Apple Operations Europe (AOE) had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, state aid. The court ruled that the commission did not succeed in showing to the 'requisite legal standard' that there was an advantage. In its ruling, it said: 'The General Court considers that the Commission incorrectly concluded, in its primary line of reasoning, that the Irish tax authorities had granted ASI and AOE an advantage as a result of not having allocated the Apple Group intellectual property licences held by ASI and AOE, and consequently, all of ASI and AOE trading income obtained from the Apple Group's sales outside North and South America, to their Irish branches. The European Commission said Apple benefited from illegal state aid via two Irish tax rulings that artificially reduced its tax burden for over two decades - to as low as 0.005 per cent in 2014 (stock image) WHAT DEAL DID APPLE HAVE WITH IRELAND AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? What sort of arrangement did Apple have with Irish authorities? The EU Commission's investigation was launched in 2014 under the suspicion that Irish authorities were purposefully miscalculating and ultimately underestimating Apple's taxable profit on products like iPhone and iPads. The multinational corporation is said to have secured a tax advantage not available to other companies, which ultimately amounted to state aid and breached EU antitrust law. Both Irish authorities and Apple have repeatedly denied breaching these rules. Why does the EU's ruling on Apple matter? Before the General Court ruled in favour of Apple, the sheer size of the case garnered significant attention. In October, the EU Commission ordered Starbucks and Fiat to pay 20 to 30 million euro for benefiting from so-called sweetheart tax deals in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. That is compared with the latest ruling, which called on Ireland to recoup 11 billion in unpaid taxes from Apple. The case irked the US Treasury, which in 2016 published a paper accusing EU authorities of unfairly targeting US companies in antitrust probes. Lewis Crofts, global chief correspondent at antitrust trade publication Mlex, explained that the US is worried that Apple's cash won't make it back to the US. 'They say 'it's our money, you have no right to take it'. That's the big fight.' Advertisement 'The General Court considers that the Commission did not succeed in demonstrating, in its subsidy line of reasoning, methodological errors in the contested tax rulings which would have led to a reduction in ASI and AOE's chargeable profits in Ireland. 'Although the General Court regrets the incomplete and occasionally inconsistent nature of the contested tax rulings, the defects identified by the Commission are not, in themselves, sufficient to prove the existence of an advantage.' The decision is another blow for EU Vice-President Margrethe Vestager - who Donald Trump dubbed the 'tax lady'. Vestager has campaigned for years to root out special tax deals and today's decision could weaken or delay pending cases against Ikea and Nike's deals with the Netherlands, as well as Huhtamaki's agreement with Luxembourg. Vestager today vowed to study the General Court's ruling before deciding on the next step. She said: 'The (European) Commission will continue to look at aggressive tax planning measures under EU State aid rules to assess whether they result in illegal state aid. 'At the same time, state aid enforcement needs to go hand in hand with a change in corporate philosophies and the right legislation to address loopholes and ensure transparency.' Multinationals can pay taxes on the bulk of their revenue across the EU's 27 countries in the one EU country where they have their regional headquarters. For Apple and many other big tech companies, that is Ireland. For small EU countries like Ireland, that helps attract international business and even a small amount of tax revenue is helpful for them. The net result, however, is that the companies often end up paying very low tax. In 2016 - following a three-year investigation into Apple and Ireland - The European Commission published a damning report. It stated that the tech giant paid as little as 0.005 per cent tax by funnelling its non-US profits through its Irish headquarters - with no staff or premises - then on to its $178billion (120bn) offshore fund. Apple slammed the Commission's figures as 'completely made-up' and its CEO Tim Cook, who previously called the probe 'political c**p', is threatening EU job losses if they don't back down. Mr Cook then said: 'In Ireland and in every country where we operate, Apple follows the law and we pay all the taxes we owe.' Mr Cook accused Brussels of taking unprecedented action, with serious and wide-reaching complications. He said: 'Beyond the obvious targeting of Apple, the most profound and harmful effect of this ruling will be on investment and job creation in Europe'. 'Using the Commission's theory, every company in Ireland and across Europe is suddenly at risk of being subjected to taxes under laws that never existed. Today's ruling can be appealed by the EC to the European Court of Justice. The appeal must be made within the next two months and ten days. The 12.79 billion (14 billion euros) is held in an escrow account, meaning the proceeds cannot be released until there has been a final determination in the European courts over the validity of the commission's decision. In a statement, Ireland's Department of Finance said it welcomed the judgement: 'Ireland has always been clear that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies - ASI and AOE. 'The correct amount of Irish tax was charged taxation in line with normal Irish taxation rules. 'Ireland appealed the commission decision on the basis that Ireland granted no state aid, and the decision today from the court supports that view.' The same court last year overturned Vestager's demand for Starbucks to pay up to 30 million euros in Dutch back taxes The ruling puts Ireland's tax regime back in the spotlight at a delicate juncture. With attempts to get a global agreement on taxing multinationals buckling, plans for an EU tax could be revived, putting Dublin's low rates in the firing line. Multinationals, attracted by Ireland's low taxes, employ around 250,000 people in the country, accounting for one in ten workers at the end of last year. The government is already facing fierce criticism for appealing as 12.79 billion (14 billion euros) - including interest - that would have gone a long way to plugging the coronavirus-shaped hole in Ireland's finances. The funds could have covered at least half of a budget deficit forecast to balloon to as much as 10 per cent of GDP this year. Pearse Doherty, the finance spokesman for the main opposition Sinn Fein party, said: 'This is a bad day for the taxpayer. 'While the Department of Finance might be thinking this is a good day for themselves, morally this is a terrible day.' The European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) said the judgement showed the need for corporate tax reform in Europe. Its tax justice coordinator Tove Maria Ryding said: 'Today's court decision illustrates how difficult it is to use EU state aid rules to collect tax. If we had a proper corporate tax system, we wouldn't need long court cases to find out whether it is legal for multinational corporations to pay less than 1 percent in taxes.' Labour finance spokesman Ged Nash called for new tax rules for multinational corporations. He said: 'The General Court of the European Union has effectively ruled that Commissioner Vestager overreached when she ruled against Apple and Ireland. 'She failed to prove Ireland granted selective treatment or unfair state aid in relation to the tax rules that existed at the time. 'This is not to say the previous tax rules were satisfactory. In fact, since 2014, Ireland has closed the loophole that Apple and other corporations used to minimise the amount of tax they paid here or anywhere. 'While the Commission may appeal the judgement, the real issue now is for European governments to agree a decisive step forward to reform the global system for taxing multinationals, especially those in the digital sector that can simply choose where in the world to locate their profit-making intellectual property rights.' People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the Government has 'thrown away' 13 billion euro which is 'desperately needed in the face of the Covid crisis'. He said: 'The Irish government should hang their heads in shame for supporting Apple in their appeal and using taxpayers' money to help prevent Ireland receiving 13 billion from Apple. 'That money, which is so desperately needed, could have been put to use in mitigating the Covid-19 crisis which is having such a massive impact on our economy and society.' The same court last year overturned Vestager's demand for Starbucks to pay up to 30 million euros in Dutch back taxes. The case stemmed from 2015 when the European Commission accused Starbucks and the Dutch government of artificially lowering the corporation's taxes. But the General Court ruled in September last year that the EU 'was unable to demonstrate the existence of an advantage in favour of Starbucks.' In another case, the court also threw out her ruling against a Belgian tax scheme for 39 multinationals. However, the same court ruled against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles which was ordered to repay a vast sum of money to Luxembourg. The court found the carmaker was illegally exempted from taxes by the government, which gave it an unfair advantage over its rivals. A clamp down on companies said to be benefiting from sweetheart tax deals comes amid wider EU action to tackle allegations about global e-commerce giants. Sources revealed last month that Amazon is facing charges from the European Union's antitrust watchdog over its treatment of third-party sellers, The Wall Street Journal reports. The charges relate to allegations that Amazon has been using data from its third-party sellers to make its own similar, private-label products to compete against them. TOKYO - The governor of the southern Japanese island of Okinawa urged the government on Wednesday to pressure the U.S. military to do more to stop an escalating coronavirus outbreak at American bases there that has infected more than 130 Marines. Gov. Denny Tamaki flew to Tokyo to ask Defence Minister Taro Kono to share the concerns of local communities that host American bases and urge the U.S. military to be more co-operative with them. Tamaki complained that U.S. military officials have refused to provide details of infections among U.S. service members, citing confidentiality and a risk of terrorist attacks. He said 36 more cases were reported at Camp Hansen, one of several U.S. bases on Okinawa hit by the outbreak, bringing the total to 136. Most of the cases are at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which is at the centre of a relocation dispute. Others were at Camp Kinser, Camp McTureous and Kadena Air Base. Kono, who earlier complained that there were a number of problems with the U.S. militarys handling of the outbreak, on Wednesday said a U.S. military family of three had tested positive after taking a commercial flight to Iwakuni in western Japan after landing in Tokyo. We need to have the U.S. military take concrete measures so that the infections on bases will not spread to the Japanese community, Kono said. The outbreak at the U.S. bases adds to concerns in Japan as infections in the country resume rising, mostly in Tokyo where officials raised the caution level to the highest level on a scale of four. Kono also raised concern that the coronavirus infections could affect U.S. military readiness. We are extremely concerned about the impact of the spread of the coronavirus infections on American troops rapid response capability, Kono told reporters. U.S. service members and their families are not covered by a travel ban on foreigners imposed by Japan. Tamaki asked Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to revise the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement so travel restrictions will also apply to U.S. service members. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said U.S. forces in Japan require a 14-day quarantine period for newly arrived personnel and prohibit use of public transportation, with violators subject to punishment. We are requesting that the U.S. military in Japan implement the measures more strictly and thoroughly, he said. The U.S. military has told Okinawa that all infected people have been isolated and the bases are under virtual lockdown, officials said. Okinawa is home to more than half of about 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact. Residents have long been sensitive to base-related problems such as pollution, noise and crime. Okinawans also oppose a planned relocation of Futenma Air Base from its current site in a densely populated area in the south to a less populated area on the east coast, and instead want the facility removed entirely from the island. Outside the bases, Okinawa has reported only about 150 coronavirus cases. Nationwide, Japan has confirmed 20,000 cases including about 1,000 deaths. ___ Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi Delhi on Wednesday recorded 1,647 new coronavirus cases, taking citys cumulative tally to over 1.16 lakh, while deaths rose to 3,487 after 41 people succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours. Here are 7 important things you need to know There are 17,807 active cases is Delhi, with over 9,900 people in home isolation. At least 95,699 people infected by the virus have recovered, discharged or migrated from the time Delhi recorded its first case in March. While not only the gradual decline in cases indicates national capitals effectiveness in flattening the curve, it is also the recovery rate currently at 81.7 per cent which has signalled Delhis grasp over tackling the disease outbreak. Delhi had last reported the highest single-day spike of 3,947 on June 23. The cases have witnessed gradual decline since then. A total of 7,36,436 people have been tested by the authorities in the state so far, out of which 22,528 tests were conducted on Wednesday. According to the state bulletin, authorities in Delhi have conducted 38,759 tests per million. As of July 15, total containment zones in Delhi have risen to 659, two more than a day before. Delhi, which was supposed to see over a lakh cases by June end and had sought help from Centre to amp up measures to treat those infected by the virus, has close to 19,000 beds vacant as on Wednesday. These beds are available in hospitals, dedicated COVID care centre and dedicated COVID health centre. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal held a meeting to review hospital-wise data on deaths and analysis of Covid-related fatalities in the national capital. Authorities at state-run Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital said it is soon going to launch a plasma bank, which will be the third such facility in the national capital. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Home security for people who have reached middle age and older is an important concern in China, according to the authors of new research published in the International Journal of Embedded Systems. Guangyi Ma, Hui Xu, Xijie Zhou, and Wei Sun of the School of Automation at Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology explain how current systems are difficult to setup, costly, have high power consumption, and components that wear out rapidly. They have now designed an alternative that has low power dissipation, convenient operation, and high stability. The team's smart security device has standard master controllers to command a camera module, GSM/GPRS module, smoke sensors, flame sensors, and infrared sensors. They explain that the camera module captures live images of monitored areas, which can be transmitted to the user via the GSM module. ZigBee wireless technology is used instead of conventional Wi-Fi to keep power consumption down and reduce the risk of a security breach by a malicious third party. "Compared with other security systems, the proposed program optimizes the interface to make interaction operation easier for middle-aged and older users," the team writes. Given that the population is aging, there is an increased urgency for such systems that are easy to use and offer the requisite security for older people. This, the team suggests, is especially poignant for the younger generation who are the adult offspring of one-child families. More information: Guangyi Ma et al. Home security alarm system for middle-aged people living alone, International Journal of Embedded Systems (2020). Guangyi Ma et al. Home security alarm system for middle-aged people living alone,(2020). DOI: 10.1504/IJES.2020.108285 To the Editor, Trump wants to protect the confederate statues. Those people tried to overthrow our government. Hitler tried to do the same thing. If there was a statue of him Trump would have the National Guard protecting it. Im sure Trump would like to build a statue of Putin. Some Republican senators say they will not go to the convention. They say COVID-19 is the reason, but they can take safety measures to get around that. The Trump Virus is what they are really scared of. Susan Collins says she wont go because she is running for reelection. She might as well admit that she is afraid of Trump and that her vote for Kavanaugh was to appease Trump, and not her constituents. Jim Schwegel is exposing his IQ again. He says the virus figures are coming out of thin air; 25% of the worlds fatalities have come from the U.S. The figures come from counting dead bodies not out of thin air. These people are no longer with us. Those numbers are not imagined. These people are gone. We have the most lives lost per capita under Trump than any other country in the world. These are facts, Jim. Trump jumped on the issue early on by stopping entry from China. The virus was coming from Europe. That is why it hit so bad in New York. Trump closed the front door but left the back door open, not to smart. Just another case of poor leadership. Trump says 99% of the COVID-19 cases are not serious. Statistics show that 4% of those who have gotten the disease have died. So according to Trump 3% of the victims that been declared dead are not really seriously ill. Ill let Jim Schwegel explain that to us. Other countries are stopping Americans from entering their country. Even Canada doesnt want us to cross their border. We are the outcasts of the world thanks to Trump. Canada might have to build a wall to keep us out. They can always make Trump pay for it. Seems like we have heard a story like that once before. Dink Abbott Alton (Natural News) A stunning investigation by Orlando Fox News affiliate Fox 35 finds that the Florida Department of Health is reporting suspiciously high positive rates from dozens of COVID-19 testing labs in Florida, often in contradiction to the real numbers that those labs reported to the state. This appears to indicate a massive, coordinated conspiracy by State of Florida workers in the Florida Department of Health who are attempting to sabotage the reopening efforts by wildly exaggerating the number of infections for political purposes. To understand how this fake science scam works, observe how the State of Florida had released a list of positivity rates from various labs across the state, listing hundreds of labs as either 100% positive or near 100%. The corporate media is using these numbers to claim the coronavirus pandemic is spiraling out of control in a second wave of infections. This is a scandal begging for press coverage: 333 FL Covid Testing labs reported 100% positive tests today in State Report for 3,528 tests. That is 34% of today's 10,360 new cases. Without these, today's "percent positive" would fall from 12.6% to 8.7%. pic.twitter.com/l4AZJISLim Rebel A. Cole (@RebelACole) July 11, 2020 But the numbers being reported by the Florida Department of Health are not the numbers that were reported by the labs. It appears the Florida Department of Health is taking lab numbers and multiplying them by whatever factor is necessary to achieve a 100% positive rate across hundreds of labs. In some cases, they are multiplying the actual number of infections by a factor of ten. As Fox 35 News reports: FOX 35 News found that testing sites like one local Centra Care reported that 83 people were tested and all tested positive. Then, NCF Diagnostics in Alachua reported 88 percent of tests were positive The report showed that Orlando Health had a 98 percent positivity rate. However, when FOX 35 News contacted the hospital, they confirmed errors in the [state] report. Orlando Healths positivity rate is only 9.4 percent, not 98 percent as in the report The report also showed that the Orlando Veterans Medical Center had a positivity rate of 76 percent. A spokesperson for the VA told FOX 35 News on Tuesday that this does not reflect their numbers and that the positivity rate for the center is actually 6 percent. In other words, labs across Florida are delivering numbers to the Florida Department of Health, and that department is then fudging the numbers to wildly inflate the infection count, utterly ignoring what the labs are actually reporting. This isnt just a case of failing to reporting negative test results Those who are downplaying the degree of this stunning science fraud are trying to claim that labs in Florida simply failed to report negative test results. But thats a mistake: Its clear from the Fox 35 investigation that labs which had reported both positive and negative test results to the state saw all the negative results transformed into positive results by the Florida Department of Health. In essence, this is just like election rigging, and its most likely Democrats working inside the Florida government who are doing this to try to sabotage Floridas reopening and blame Floridas Republican governor for the economic fallout. Its just another left-wing sabotage campaign, in other words, that relies on rigged science fraud, just like the entire climate change hoax. Predictably, the Florida Department of Health tried to blame the labs for their own rigging of the numbers: The Department immediately began working with those labs to ensure that all results were being reported in order to provide comprehensive and transparent data, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health said. As the state continues to receive results from various labs, the Department will continue educating these labs on proper protocol for reporting COVID-19 test results. But the labs arent to blame. They were reporting the correct numbers to the state, and it looks like the state was multiplying those numbers to the maximum allowable margin (100%) in order to hype up the second wave and force the governor to declare a second lockdown, causing widespread economic devastation across the state. Economic terrorism via science fraud This is really a case of terrorism via science fraud. By rigging the numbers, saboteurs inside the Florida government are able to terrorize millions of Floridians, causing widespread economic devastation (via lockdowns) and, by contrast, taking heat off New York for its atrocious handling of the coronavirus, where Gov. Cuomo was sentencing elderly people to death by stuffing them into nursing facilities where the coronavirus was running wild. As a result of the massive science fraud, heres how Floridas infection numbers now look: The only way to get to 15,000 new infections per day in Florida, it turns out, is to fake the test results and declare almost everyone who gets tested to be positive. As the editor of this publication, I have received numerous texts from individuals who tell me they registered for a COVID-19 test but skipped the actual test due to long lines, only later to receive a letter in the mail telling them they tested positive for coronavirus. These are people who werent even tested at all. Apparently, even if youre not tested for the coronavirus, you can still test positive according to the public health criminals working for the State of Florida. We cannot trust COVID-19 test results from any government authority because they are run by traitors, not scientists This is why its now clear that coronavirus testing cannot be trusted anywhere in America. Not only do the tests often produce false positive results, but even when testing labs report negative numbers to the state, those numbers get twisted around and transformed into positive test results. Much of the so-called second wave, it seems, is nothing more than a junk science fabrication bordering on criminal fraud. Then again, Democrats rig everything: Vote-by-mail fraud, politically rigged online censorship, rigged debate questions that favor Democrats, rigged news coverage from the utterly tabloid fake news New York Times, and so on. Theres nothing the Democrats do thats rooted in honesty, authenticity, scientific integrity or fairness. They rig every game and cheat in every debate because thats the only way they can maintain control over public policy. And right now, the junk science lies of Leftists are dictating public policy in Florida, where over 20 million people are going to suffer more job losses, more lockdowns and more homelessness because a bunch of criminal anti-Trump lunatics are using faked numbers to run a pandemic psyop on the entire nation. Its sickening, but its also what weve come to expect from Leftists who have now invaded every institution in our society and are exploiting their power to systematically destroy our national economy. Maybe its time to start arresting those who commit fraud in an attempt to sabotage this nation. Because arent their actions really economic terrorism disguised as science? (The entire climate change fiasco is exactly the same story: Economic terrorism via fabricated climate hysteria.) WASHINGTON On a night of elections across several states, it was a runoff election that took center stage. Political newcomer and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville beat out Jeff Sessions in the Alabama Senate Republican primary runoff Tuesday for Sessions old Senate seat. Tubervilles win showcases President Donald Trumps influence on down ballot races for Republicans. Ahead of the primary, Trump endorsed Tuberville and repeatedly bashed Sessions, calling him a disaster and saying he made a mistake by appointing Sessions as attorney general. The feud between Sessions and Trump began in spring 2017 after Sessions recused himself from overseeing the Justice Department's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. His recusal led to Robert Mueller being appointed special counsel and a nearly two-year probe that clouded Trump's first years in office. U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Tuberville celebrates after being announced the winner of the primary run-off election during his election night event at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. More: Tommy Tuberville defeats Jeff Sessions in Alabama Republican Senate runoff Tuberville barely topped Sessions in the primary in March, 33.4% to 31.6%. A candidate would have needed 50% of the primary vote to avoid a runoff. Shortly after Tuberville was named the projected winner Tuesday night, Trump tweeted his praise. Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions, Trump wrote in a tweet. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. Tuberville will face Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November. Wow, just called! @TTuberville - Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. @DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. Represents Alabama poorly. On to November 3rd. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2020 Here are other takeaways from Tuesdays primaries: Story continues MJ Hegar leading in race to take on Sen. John Cornyn in November M.J. Hegar, an Air Force veteran who earned a Purple Heart, is leading state lawmaker Royce West in the Texas Democratic Senate runoff. The winner will go on to face Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Hegar was the favorite for Tuesdays runoff after she led the primary in March with 22% of the vote while West earned about 15% of the vote. Partial early voting and mail ballot results showed Hegar with a slight lead over West before in-person results began coming in Tuesday evening. In the weeks leading up to the runoff, the campaign got contentious between the two Democratic candidates. Hegar argued that some of Wests attacks were linked to sexism, while West accused Washington insiders of pouring money into Hegars campaign to oppose what could be the first African American to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. MJ Hegar, left, and Royce West During the 2018 midterms, Hegar drew national attention after releasing a buzzy ad during her unsuccessful bid to challenge Republican Rep. John Carter in Texas' 31st Congressional District. The ad, titled "Doors," traced the Air Force veteran's path from a little girl at her mother's side fleeing domestic abuse to helping save her team from Taliban capture after their medevac helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. Democrats are fighting hard to win a Senate seat in Texas, where both senators are Republican, during this presidential year. However, Cornyn's seat is still listed as by the Cook Political Report as likely Republican. Go big or play it safe?: Electoral map widens for Joe Biden and Democrats, but with risk Sara Gideon to face Sen. Susan Collins Maine Speaker of the House Sara Gideon will face off against Republican Sen. Susan Collins, considered by many to be one of the most endangered senators, in November. Gideon was seen as the front-runner headed into Tuesdays primary, as she outraised other challengers and has led in polling against Collins in a head-to-head matchup. Gideon defeated two more liberal candidates, lawyer Bre Kidman and activist Betsy Sweet. Collins seat is considered a toss-up, according to the Cook Political Report. Former White House doctor Ronny Jackson wins runoff, and other House race results Ronny Jackson, a former Navy admiral and Trump's onetime nominee to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, won the Republican primary runoff against lobbyist Josh Winegarner for the seat belonging to Rep. Mac Thornberry, who is retiring. Jackson was endorsed by Trump and led in fundraising over Winegarner, who was Thornberry's hand-picked candidate to succeed him. Jackson will go up against Democrat Gus Trujillo in the traditionally Republican 13th Congressional District race in November. Former Rep. Pete Sessions will likely get another chance to return to Congress after he won the Republican primary runoff for the 17th Congressional District against Republican businesswoman Renee Swann. Sessions is seeking to replace Republican Rep. Bill Flores, who is retiring from Congress. Flores endorsed Swann for the election. Sessions lost his seat during the 2018 midterms against Democrat Colin Allred, and moved to the 17th Congressional District to run there. Sessions became a fixture in Trump's impeachment probe for his relationship with two associates of the president's attorney, Rudy Giuliani, and his role in the removal of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Sessions will face Democrat Rick Kennedy in November. In Maine, Dale Crafts, a former state representative, is leading the race to face off against Democratic freshmen Rep. Jared Golden, who flipped a Republican seat in 2018. The 2nd Congressional District Republican primary was a toss-up between Crafts; Adrienne Bennett, a former press secretary for the former governor; and Eric Brakey, a former state senator. Contributing: Christal Hayes; Brian Lyman, Montgomery Advertiser This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: July 14 primaries: Tuberville beats Sessions; Hegar expected to face Cornyn Srinagar, July 15 : The iconic carpet industry of Kashmir is facing a sharp decline forcing most carpet weavers to take up odd jobs for earning their livelihood. At Gada-khud village in Bandipore, 30 kms from Srinagar, the majority of the 400 households are carpet weavers. But with most handlooms shut the carpet weavers have taken up menial jobs. The weavers say demonitisation, abrogation of Article 370 and the economic downturn due to ongoing pandemic has dealt a big blow to Kashmir's multi-crore carpet industry. For years Nazir Ahmad with five of his family members have been weaving carpets at a handloom in their house. But with hardly any buyers during the last one year they have stopped making carpets. "We are facing major losses and not able to earn anything. We haven't made a single carpet in the last one year," Nazir Ahmad said. "We don't get good rates for carpets, so we have stopped making carpets." The acute financial crisis has forced Nazir Ahmad's son Mohammad Hussain to move to Srinagar to work as a labour. "There is no other option for me. I earn Rs 400 daily as a labour which is barely enough to meet the expenses of the family," says Hussain. According to estimates one lakh people were associated with carpet making in Kashmir. "The COVID-19 induced lockdown following the abrogation of Article 370 caused a sharp decline in the number of tourists coming to Kashmir, which also impacted the carpet business," said Ghulam Mohammad, a carpet trader. "The exporters are also telling us that there are no buyers for carpets. But we are hoping that the things will improve," said Mohammad. Joe Biden on Tuesday outlined a $2 trillion four-year plan to create economic opportunities and strengthen infrastructure through investments in clean energy technologies. Speaking in his hometown of Wilmington, Del., the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee announced a plan that would increase the use of clean energy in the transportation, electricity and building sectors. His campaign is calling the plan the largest mobilization of public investment since World War II. The proposal sets a goal to cut the nations carbon footprint in half by 2035 and keeps Bidens 2050 timeline to achieve a 100% clean energy economy with net-zero emissions. It also sets out to upgrade four million buildings over four years to meet the highest standards for energy efficiency. Bidens plan exemplifies the former vice presidents willingness to expand upon the more modest proposals he had put forth in the Democratic primaries in light of the coronavirus pandemics effects on the nations health and economy. Its release comes a week after a joint task force on climate chaired by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and John Kerry, the former senator, secretary of state and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee proposed eliminating carbon pollution specifically from power plants by 2035. The new plan dramatically accelerates Bidens initial promises to devote $1.7 billion to green spending over 10 years. In his speech, Biden also drew connections between environmental advocacy and racial justice, saying that pollution and other toxic harms disproportionately affect communities of color. He proposed establishing an office of environmental and climate justice at the Justice Department and set a goal for disadvantaged communities to receive 40 percent of his plans clean energy and infrastructure benefits. Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund CEO and president Gina McCarthy told NBC News that Bidens plan is by a long shot is the most ambitious we have ever seen from any president in our nations history. Story continues The former vice president says his four-part Build Back Better plan would create millions of new union jobs across the auto industry, transit, power sector, buildings, housing and innovation. The plan is part of the campaigns effort to increase voter confidence in Bidens ability to handle the economy, an area in which voters say they favor President Trump. Biden used his speech to attack Trump over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and held his new plan in contrast with what he noted as a series of failed promises of infrastructure plans since Trumps 2016 campaign. Seems like every few weeks, when he needs a distraction from the charges of corruption of his staff or the conviction of high-ranking members of his administration and political apparatus, the White House announces, quote, Its infrastructure week, Biden said. How many times have you heard him say that? But hes never delivered. Hes never even really tried. I know how to get it done. The campaign has not revealed the total cost for Bidens economic plans, though a senior campaign adviser told NBC News that the campaign would include most of the proposals in an economic stimulus to address the coronavirus pandemic that Biden hopes Congress would pass if he were elected president. Other pieces of the plan could be paid for by reversing Trumps tax bill and passed through executive order or legislation, the adviser said. More from National Review Reminding China of the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling against its expansive claims, the Philippines on July 14 asked Peoples Republic to refrain from extending its reach in the South China Sea and honour the verdict. Abound in energy resources and vital shipping lanes, the disputed territorial water claims have risen tensions between China and Southeast Island nation after the US accused Chinas occupation of key strategic points ebbed with resources as illegal. In an official statement with renewed calls for compliance, the Philippines dismissed Chinas expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea without any possibility of compromise. China has long rejected judgment by the international tribunal and continued belligerence and coercion on the island nations that led to territorial spats with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. However, in a display of the strongest objection ever to Chinas foreign invasion, the Philippines warned China about militarising, island-building, and naval patrols in the South China Sea. The two nations have long been contentious over claims to Paracels and the Spratlys islands which are extrapolated with vast mineral wealth. Statement of Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. on the 4th Anniversary of the Issuance of the Award in the South China Sea Arbitration: https://t.co/gpvULANcIE@teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/iODRKIHUUc DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) July 12, 2020 We urge China to comply with the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, and abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (Unclos) to which it is a signatory, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement. Further, Lorenzana added, Chinas exercises in the waters near the Paracel Islands were highly provocative and were a violation of sovereignty. According to a June 27 announcement by the Hainans Maritime Safety Administration, China conducted five days of military drills near the Paracels as it claimed jurisdiction over 80 percent water leading to objection from Hanoi and Manila at an Asean summit last week. Read: UK Bans China's Huawei From 5G Network, Company Calls It 'disappointing' And 'politicised' Read: Japan Accuses China Of Pushing Territorial Claims In Indo-Pacific Amid Pandemic America stands with our Southeast Asian allies Lorenzanas comments came hours after the US issued a statement, saying, America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. Further, it said, Chinas claims have no basis in international law. In a separate statement, Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, In a unanimous decision on July 12, 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention to which the PRC is a state party rejected the PRCs maritime claims as having no basis in international law. The Tribunal sided squarely with the Philippines, which brought the arbitration case, on almost all claims, Pompeo reminded. In 2016, The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that there was no evidence that China has exclusive control over the waters or resources in the South China Sea. Further, the tribunal ruling asserted that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights and caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands, according to reports. However, China had dismissed the ruling as "ill-founded" and said Peoples Republic would not be bound by it. Read: India And China Hold Fourth Round Of Military-level Talks At Chushul Border Near LAC Read: China Confirms Arrival Of Two WHO Experts To Study Origin Of Coronavirus (Images: AP) Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:15:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People visit the booth of China's telecoms company Huawei during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2019 held in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 10, 2019. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China is strongly opposed to the British government's decision to ban Huawei's involvement in 5G networks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday. Hua made the remarks in response to a request for comment in a press briefing. The British government announced on Tuesday that purchase of new Huawei 5G equipment will be banned after Dec. 31, 2020, and all Huawei equipment will be removed from the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027. Britain, in collaboration with the United States, discriminates against and excludes Chinese enterprises without any solid evidence of risks, Hua said. The decision, which blatantly violates principles of market economy and free trade rules, as well as relevant commitments made by Britain, will seriously damage the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises and the foundation of mutual trust in China-UK cooperation, said the spokesperson. It is not a matter of an enterprise or an industry, rather, it is a matter of the UK's politicization of commercial and technological issues, Hua said, adding that the decision severely threatens the security of China's investment in Britain and raises concerns over whether China can maintain confidence in the openness, fairness, and non-discrimination of the British market. With grave concern about the matter, China will make comprehensive and serious assessments, and take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, she stressed. Rajnath Singh will go to Ladakh on July 17 for safety evaluation at a time of navy tensions. He will be accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, will go to Ladakh on July 17 for safety evaluation at a time of navy tensions. He will also visit forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir on July 18, two officers mentioned. He will be accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. Senior Defence officials including the Northern Army Commander will also accompany Mr. Singh. To avoid two-front conflict and to discourage Pakistan from fishing in troubled waters, the military is keeping a rigorous vigil on the western front. Also read: We have proof horse-trading was being done in Jaipur: Ashok Gehlot Also read: Dil Bechara song Taare Ginn: Kizie, Mannys mellow romance touches fans hearts Singh was expected to go to Ladakh in early July however his tour was postponed. This will be Defence Ministers first visit to Ladakh since the conflict with China began. He will interact with soldiers posted in the hostile border area. He will also meet soldiers who were injured in the attack by Chinas PLA on June 15 in Galwan Valley. Mr. Singh will probably visit Atal Tunnel, earlier known as Rohtang Tunnel, named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Being built under the Rohtang Pass, it is a highway tunnel on the Leh-Manali Highway in the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas. At 8.8 km length, the tunnel will be one of the longest road tunnels in India. It is anticipated to reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by about 46 kilometers. The Manali-Leh highway is used for the transportation of essential material to the soldiers deployed in the border areas of Ladakh. On July 3, PM Narendra Modi made an unanticipated visit to the Ladakh. He sent a powerful indication to China about Indias resolution to protect its borders by stating that the time of imperialism is over. Also read: My loyalty is to the Congress ideology, not to any individual or family: Sanjay Jha For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Boeing said it delivered a total of 20 commercial aircraft during the second quarter of 2020, reflecting a 78% plunge from the 90 aircraft it delivered during the same quarter last year, thanks mainly to the Covid-19 pandemic. Deliveries of 737 planes dropped to 4 from 24, and 787 deliveries slumped to 7 from 42 during the quarter. The US aircraft manufacturer delivered 70 commercial jet year to date, down from 239 in the first half of 2019. "Our commercial airplane deliveries in the second quarter reflect the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers and our operations that included a shutdown of our commercial airplane production for several weeks. We have and will continue to work with our customers on specific timing and adjustment to deliveries," said Greg Smith, Boeing executive vice president of Enterprise Operations, chief financial officer and interim leader of Communications. "We continue to closely monitor the commercial marketplace by staying very engaged with our customers around the globe to fully understand short term and long term requirements. All of this is informing current and future production rates and any further adjustments as needed to balance supply and demand going forward. The diversity of our portfolio including our government services, defence and space programs will continue to provide some stability as we navigate through the pandemic and rebuild stronger on the other side, he added. TradeArabia News Service More than 10 million people will lose health insurance due to a pandemic-related job loss in 2020, but a majority will regain coverage elsewhere, according to a new report by the Urban Institute. Read more More than 10 million people could lose health insurance due to a pandemic-related job loss by the end of the year, but many will regain coverage by other means, according to new analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data. A much smaller portion of those individuals an estimated 3.3 million people who are unable to get coverage elsewhere will become uninsured, according to a new report by the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank in Washington. Though staggering, the numbers represent a small portion of 48 million Americans who have lost jobs due to COVID-19. Earlier models predicted that uninsured rates would soar as unemployment rose because employer-sponsored health insurance is the most common type of coverage for individuals under age 65. But analysis by the Urban Institute found that a majority of the people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic werent getting insurance through their employer to begin with, said Katherine Hempstead, a senior policy adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a philanthropy in Princeton that funds health-care research. The COVID-19 recession has disproportionately affected the lowest-paid workers, who are the least likely to have work-based health insurance, Hempstead said. READ MORE: Unemployed and uninsured because of coronavirus? You may be eligible for Medicaid. Companies with fewer than 50 full-time-equivalent employees are not required to offer health insurance to workers. Restaurants and retail stores that employ primarily part-time workers, as well as small businesses, have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic. They are also among the types of businesses where employees already had to look elsewhere for health insurance. The Urban Institute report found that among the 48 million people who have lost jobs during the pandemic about 60% already had insurance from a source other than their employer: 34% were insured through a family members job. 27% were covered by Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program. READ MORE: Its health insurance enrollment season, but you can sign up for Medicaid all year The report estimates that of the 10.1 million people who lose their job and their insurance, about 34.6% or 3.5 million will remain uninsured. Many more will obtain insurance elsewhere: 32.6% will be added to a family members employer policy. 27.7% will enroll in Medicaid. 5.9% will enroll in individual health plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. READ MORE: How to buy insurance through the ACA marketplace Healthcare.gov How many people are able to get coverage elsewhere will depend on where they live. In states that expanded Medicaid, people who are newly unemployed and uninsured may qualify for Medicaid coverage. The ACA marketplace, healthcare.gov, is typically open only during a designated annual enrollment period in the fall, but people who lose a job or experience another life event, such as getting married or moving to a different state, can qualify for a special enrollment period. READ MORE: 10 tips for avoiding health insurance scams The report estimates the uninsured rate will rise to just over 9% in states that expanded Medicaid, such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey. States that did not expand Medicaid could see much higher uninsured rates close to 16%. What happens to the uninsured rate depends on how the safety net catches people, Hempstead said. 'Imminent Threat': Tokyo's Defense White Paper Frets at Rising DPRK, Chinese Military Power Sputnik News 19:36 GMT 14.07.2020 A new defense white paper published by the Japanese Ministry of National Defense takes aim at Chinese expansionism and North Korean weapons tests, claiming they pose major threats to Tokyo. The paper claims Beijing is taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to further its regional ambitions. The annual white paper, which the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved on Tuesday, criticizes Beijing for "relentlessly" challenging Tokyo's control over the disputed Senkaku Islands, which China claims are its own and calls the Diaoyu Islands. "Despite protests by our country, Chinese official ships repeatedly intruded into our territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands," the paper said, according to Kyodo News Agency. This is just part of what Tokyo says is Beijing's plan to unilaterally "alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea." However, the report also claims the Chinese government is abusing the COVID-19 pandemic, even alleging it has been "taking advantage" of its assistance programs to other nations being hit by the virus in an effort to advance its own interests. The report claims Beijing has been "spreading disinformation" to further confusion and social unrest sparked by the pandemic, Kyodo reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian criticized the report on Tuesday, telling reporters in Beijing the government had lodged a complaint with Tokyo. "Japan's defense white paper is full of biases and false information," Zhao said, according to Reuters. "It is trying to do all it can to hype up the so-called China threat." The paper comes just a day after Washington formalized its repudiation of most Chinese claims in the South China Sea. "Beijing's claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday. Interestingly, he seemed to accept China's claims to control some islands in the waterway, such as the Spratly Islands, but rejected its claim to control resources beyond a 12-nautical-mile radius surrounding the islands. On Tuesday morning, the US Navy destroyer USS Ralph Johnson was reported by the Navy to have sailed close to the Spratly Islands, although the service's news release did not specify the warship's distance from land. Earlier this month, Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) committed to resuming negotiations on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC) that would settle many of the ongoing disputes about which nations' watercraft may access which parts of the sea. Just days later, however, the US Navy began huge military drills in the South China Sea, sending two aircraft carriers and their respective battle groups into the region. Tokyo's white paper also raises alarm bells about Pyongyang, warning that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) poses "a grave and imminent threat to the security of Japan." The report warns the DPRK has advanced its ballistic missile technology at "an extremely rapid pace," claiming the small, socialist country located across the Sea of Japan may be developing a low-trajectory ballistic missile that could avoid Japan's missile defense network and deliver a nuclear weapon to Japanese soil. Tokyo characterized the DPRK in identical terms in last year's white paper, which claimed North Korea had already successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead. As Sputnik noted at the time, it isn't a new claim, but it's also not one that's ever been verified, either. While building a nuclear warhead is challenging enough, even more demanding is developing the technology required to miniaturize that warhead so that it can fit on a missile. For more than a year, North Korea has carried out a series of tests in which it fires short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan. The weapons aren't considered dangerous in the way longer-range weapons are, and they have been theorized to be tests for a new type of rocket artillery. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Hamilton company has launched Canadas first mobile mask sanitizing unit in hopes of increasing access to personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Making its debut Tuesday, Bay Area Health Trust introduced the SteriRight mobile unit, which will bring state-of-the-art mask disinfection technology to establishments across southwestern Ontario that require its employees to wear N95 masks, said CEO Peter Kalra. Using technology created by Beamsville-based Clean Works, the SteriRight unit houses a Clean Flow Health Care Mini device, which has already been used by Hamilton Health Sciences, Niagara Health as well as the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The SteriRight unit takes less than a minute to clean a batch of masks using a hybrid, three-pronged decontamination approach that includes ultraviolet light (UV-C), ozone and vapourized hydrogen peroxide, according to Kalra. In less time than it takes to brush your teeth, the machine kills more than 99 per cent of all common bacteria and viruses, including the surrogate for COVID-19. But, so far, the device has been stationary and few organizations could access it, he said. We worked closely with Health Canada to take their approved device and make it into a Health Canada approved mobile model, said Kalra. Were the first in Canada. With the ability to travel, Kalra said the unit can now be deployed to any location that requires employees to wear N95 masks while on the job. That could include meat processing facilities, factories as well as dentist offices and optometrists, he added. How it works Inside the trailer, there are two technicians that never leave their area of the mobile unit, said Kalra. A third staff member co-ordinates with the client. The environment inside the trailer is aseptic and is divided between dirty and clean sides. At one end, a technician takes the masks from an employee and, in exchange, they are given a numbered claim tag. Another is wired to that employees masks. The masks are then placed in a tray and go through the Clean Flow unit, which is similar to the machines that carry-on luggage travel through at the airport, said Kalra. Moments later, they come out the other end, are placed in new packaging and are given back to the employee once the claim tags match. Its very secure in terms of the chain of custody, he said. Once quality control is taken into consideration, Kalra estimates they could efficiently clean up to 200 masks an hour. But, that can depend on the number of employees and the number of masks that are required and set to be cleaned, he said. Extended lifespan Kalra estimated a mask can be worn and sanitized up to 10 times before the material it is composed of starts to deteriorate. N95 masks have been at the centre of the pandemic, with the beginning of Canada's response marred by the lack of PPE. In the city, Hamilton Health Sciences started extending the use of its equipment by having health-care workers wear the same N95 masks while treating several patients including close-contact encounters without removing it. Through conversations with customers, Kalra said theyve heard that organizations dont know where their next order for PPE will come from. With an extended lifespan, Kalra said organizations could feel more security around their supply of masks while also lowering supply costs. That need for stability will only increase as the province begins Stage 3 of reopening, he added. On Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced all but 10 of Ontarios regions will move into Stage 3 on Friday. Regions including Hamilton and Halton have been left off the initial list. Were looking forward to helping corporations in the area, said Kalra. Having security around the supply chain is really important. Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) - Epidemiology Forecast - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) epidemiology in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. Epidemiology Perspective The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome in 7MM, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome in 7MM, Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome in 7MM, the scenario of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in the 7MM covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017 to 2030. Epidemiology Segmentation The prevalent population of Fragile X Syndrome in 7MM is expected to increase at a CAGR of 0.62% for the study period, i.e. 2017-2030. Among the Gender-specific prevalent cases, in 2017, there were 40,102 cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in males and 27,552 cases in females, in the US. The United States accounts for the highest diagnosed prevalent cases of Fragile X Syndrome with 67,654 cases in 2017 Scope of the Report The report covers the descriptive overview of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology and currently available therapies. The report provides insight into the 7MM historical and forecasted patient pool covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The report assesses the disease risk and burden and highlights the unmet needs of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The report provides the segmentation of the disease epidemiology for 7MM by Total Prevalent Cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), Total Diagnosed and Treated Cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Story continues Report Highlights 11-year Forecast of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) 7MM Coverage Total Diagnosed Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) Gender-specific Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) Age-specific Prevalence of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) The total diagnosed prevalent population of FXS in the 7MM is expected increase at a CAGR of 0.62%. The United States contributed to the largest diagnosed prevalent-patient share acquiring ~57.35% of the total 7MM share in 2017 Key Questions Answered What is the disease risk, burden and unmet needs of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)? What is the historical Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) patient pool in the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK) and Japan? What would be the forecasted patient pool of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) at the 7MM level? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population pertaining to Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)? Out of the countries mentioned above, which country would have the highest prevalent population of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) during the forecast period (2020-2030)? At what CAGR the population is expected to grow across the 7MM during the forecast period (2020-2030)? Key Topics Covered 1 Key Insights 2 Fragile X Syndrome (FXS): Patient Overview at a Glance 2.1 Total Patient Share (%) Distribution of FXS in 2017 2.2 Total Patient Share (%) Distribution of FXS in 2030 3 Executive Summary 4 SWOT Analysis 5 Disease Background and Overview: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Genomics 5.3 Symptoms 5.4 Clinical Features 5.5 Diagnosis 5.6 Fragile X and Newborn Screening 5.6.1 Recommendation for Diagnostic Testing 5.6.2 Differential Diagnosis 6 Recognized Establishments 7 Epidemiology and Patient Population: Fragile X Syndrome 7.1 Key Findings 7.2 Total Diagnosed Prevalent cases of Fragile X Syndrome in the 7MM 7.3 United States 7.3.1 Assumptions and Rationale 7.3.1 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in the United States 7.3.2 Gender-specific Cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in the United States 7.3.3 Age-specific Cases of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in the United States 7.4 EU5 7.5 Germany 7.6 France 7.7 Italy 7.8 Spain 7.9 United Kingdom (UK) 7.10 Japan 8 KOL Views For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mt8cmn 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 RIL AGM 2020 LIVE Updates: Indias most-valued private company Reliance Industries held its 43rd Annual General Meeting virtually with Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani addressing shareholders. Ambani said the target for capital raise is now complete and RIL will now only look at adding strategic partners to its businesses. He also pointed out that RIL has kept its promise of becoming net debt-free ahead of schedule.- Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for 7.7 percent stake in Jio Platforms.- Jio is ready with a world-class 5G solution and field deployment could happen next year.- Launch of Jio TV+ and Jio Glass- Saudi Aramco deal has not progressed as per the original timeline, but RIL is committed to the deal- RIL will approach NCLT with a proposal to spin-off the O2C Biz into a separate subsidiary- RIL is working to induct global partners, investors into Reliance Retail in the next few quarters. - Jio is partnering with Google to build a smartphone operating system Shareholders can participate in the annual corporate meet by logging into the live event. There are myriad forces working against voter turnout in Webb County this election after all, its a delayed runoff election during an unprecedented spike of hospitalizations, deaths and general prevalence of COVID-19 in the Laredo area. READ MORE: Laredo City Council prohibits social gatherings, closes restaurant dining rooms There were four races on the voter ballot for Tuesdays Election Day: U.S. Senator, Railroad Commissioner, County Tax Assessor-Collector and Justice of the Peace Pct. 1, Pl. 1. The Webb County Tax Assessor Collector race was a close one with Patricia A. Barrera receiving 52%, or 5,608, of the votes, and Rosie Cuellar trailing behind with 48%, or 4,861, of the votes. I want to thank the Lord for his favor in this race and I want to thank the people for coming out to vote, Barrera said. This is a great victory. We are winning it back for the county and tax payers. Barrera said that the community can look forward to the service theyve been used to for 25 years. We are going to come in with a lot of energy and a lot more ideas to improve where we will see a difference in customer service, she said. Cuellar thanked her team of volunteers and the voters who showed up to the polls. Id like to wish Ms. Barrera and the community the best during her administration, Cuellar said. Id like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the volunteers that supported me, my family, my friends, those that helped out during this campaign. Cuellar will remain in office until December. She will continue to provide the best customer service until then, she said. I respect the voters of my county, Cuellar said. I accept this is Gods will. Im okay with everything that transpired during this campaign. Cuellar reminds the public to keep being safe by wearing their masks, keeping a social distance and continue taking precautions recommended by health experts. Juan Paz is set to become the new Justice of the Peace for Pct. 1 Pl. 1 with 67%, or 2,567, of Webb County votes. Monica Liendo received 33%, or 1,209, of votes. A combined 24,737, or 22%, of voters showed up to the polls during early voting and on Election Day. According to Webb County Elections Administrator Jose Salvador Tellez, 113,925 people registered to vote. According to unofficial final results, 14,282, or 12.5%, of registered voters had cast their ballots on Tuesday. As for the U.S. Senate race, Mary MJ Hegar received 65%, or 5,972, of Webb County votes. Royce West received 35%, or 3,294, of the votes. Hegar will face Republican John Cornyn in November. Roberto R. Beto Alonzo won Webb County in the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner with 57%, or 5,365, of votes. Chrysta Castaneda received 43%, or 3,985, of the votes. Statewide, Castaneda won the nomination with 62% of all Texas voters. READ MORE: FEMA coronavirus surge site at Laredo hotel could be active as soon as this week Liendo and Paz were not immediately available for comment. Flash Dozens of sailors and civilians were injured as firefighting teams continue to work for the second day in a row to quell the blaze on U.S. Navy ship USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego in California, authorities said Monday. A total of 59 personnel, including 36 sailors and 23 civilians, have been treated for minor injuries including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation as of Monday afternoon, according to the Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Currently, there are no personnel hospitalized," the Naval Surface Forces tweeted. "Responders will continue to monitor and assess potential environmental concerns and adjust response actions to ensure the safety and security of the maritime public and the marine environment," said the tweets. Navy officials were quoted as saying by a major local news outlet in San Diego that the fire ravaging the amphibious assault ship had reached temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees, and it is still burning in various portions of the ship. Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, told the media that the fire is in the superstructure of the ship and its upper decks and that the ship's forward mast has collapsed, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Pictures from the scene showed plumes of smoke continue to pour out of the hull of the ship as water-dropping helicopters were hovering in the sky. Around 160 sailors were aboard the ship when the fire was called away at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday. Officials said that local, base and shipboard firefighters are responding to the three-alarm fire and two military ships near USS Bonhomme Richard have shifted berths to a pier further away from the fire. USS Bonhomme Richard is going through a maintenance availability and has a crew size of around 1,000, the U.S. Navy said Sunday. The cause of the fire is still unclear. Sobeck was quoted as saying by the San Diego Union-Tribune that the fire may have begun in a cargo area known as the deep V storage area. There are large storage boxes, called triwall boxes, that are the size of pallets that burned. USS Bonhomme Richard is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship home-ported in San Diego. Technavio has been monitoring the global hops market size and it is poised to grow by USD 231.9 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005766/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Hops Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. BarthHaas GmbH Co. KG, Bintani Australia Pty. Ltd., Charles Faram Ltd., Hildegard Eisemann KG, Indie Hops, Kalsec Inc., New Zealand Hops Ltd., Steiner Hops Ltd., and Yakima Chief Hops LLC are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The applications of hops in various industries has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, the high cost of production will challenge the market growth. Hops Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Hops Market is segmented as below: Type Aroma Hops Bitter Hops Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40180 Hops Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our hops market report covers the following areas: Hops Market size Hops Market trends Hops Market industry analysis This study identifies the increasing emphasis on dual-purpose hops as one of the prime reasons driving the hops market growth during the next few years. Hops Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the hops market, including some of the vendors such as BarthHaas GmbH Co. KG, Bintani Australia Pty. Ltd., Charles Faram Ltd., Hildegard Eisemann KG, Indie Hops, Kalsec Inc., New Zealand Hops Ltd., Steiner Hops Ltd., and Yakima Chief Hops LLC. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the hops market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Hops Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist hops market growth during the next five years Estimation of the hops market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the hops market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of hops market vendors Table Of Contents : PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Value chain analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market outlook Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE Market segmentation by type Comparison by type Aroma hops Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Bitter hops Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by type PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 11: MARKET TRENDS Rising exports of hops from US Increasing emphasis on dual-purpose hops Growth in online retailing globally PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors BarthHaas GmbH Co. KG Bintani Australia Pty. Ltd. Charles Faram Ltd. Hildegard Eisemann KG Indie Hops Kalsec Inc. New Zealand Hops Ltd. Steiner Hops Ltd. Yakima Chief Hops LLC PART 14: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005766/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Geneva, July 15, 2020 (SPS) - A group of international human rights organizations warned governments and multinational companies that by pursuing their economic activities in the occupied Sahrawi territories they support Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara and greatly affect the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. In a statement addressed to the 44th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the organizations recalled that the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution on "Economic and other activities affecting the interests of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories," had expressed its concern about all those activities aimed at exploiting natural resources to the detriment of the interests of the inhabitants of those regions. Based on this principle, the organizations stressed the need to "avoid any economic or other activities negatively affecting the interests of the Saharawi people," calling on "all governments to take the necessary measures in this regard in order to put an end to the illegal actions of companies that cause serious damage to the Saharawi people." The statement also highlighted other decisions that ruled on the illegitimacy of such actions in occupied territories such as Western Sahara, the most recent of which was the decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) which ruled in February 2018 that the EU-Moroccan fisheries agreement is not applicable to Western Sahara. [/ecr] SPS 125/090/TRA Hours after Sachin Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday (July 14) called him the "best and brightest" in the party, adding that it was sad to see him leave the party. Pilot was fired from the Rajasthan government, following a political tussle between him and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. "I am sad to see Sachin Pilot leave Congress. I consider him one of our best and brightest, and wish it had not come to this. Instead of parting, he should have joined the effort to make the party a better and more effective instrument for his, and our, dreams," tweeted Tharoor. I am sad to see @SachinPilot leave @INCIndia. I consider him one of our best & brightest, and wish it had not come to this. Instead of parting, he should have joined the effort to make the Party a better& more effective instrument for his, and our, dreams. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 14, 2020 The decision to sack Pilot was announced by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala during a press conference. The Congress decided to show the door to Tonk MLA after he skipped a second meeting of Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday in Jaipur. Congress made Sachin Pilot a Union minister in his 30s, a deputy chief minister in his 40s..We have given Sachin Pilot many opportunities. He has been an MP, MoS and a state party president. I am sad that Sachin Pilot and some of his colleagues have fallen for a trap laid by the BJP...This is unacceptable, said Surjewala. After being removed from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and the state president, Sachin Pilot merely said that truth can be disturbed but not defeated, indicating perhaps that he is ready to wage a lone battle as he has no chance of defeating Ashok Gehlot by staying in the party. Pilot is yet to break his silence on the political developments but it is expected that he would hold a press conference on Wednesday to indicate his future plan. This is very clear that he would not accept CM Gehlot as his leader anymore and it is likley that he would channelise all his energy in toppling the Gehlot government. The political crisis in Rajasthan started on Sunday (July 12) after Pilot raised the banner of revolt against CM Gehlot and sent a message to the party that he may quit the party with this loyalist MLAs. Pilot claimed in some interviews that he has the support of over 30 MLAs. Naya Rivera's ex Ryan Dorsey can't imagine raising their four-year-old son Josey without her just days after the Glee star's confirmed passing. The 36-year-old actor having a rough time with the loss of his ex as a source told People magazine: 'Ryan has barely slept. 'Its just a nightmare. Although he wasnt with Naya, its Joseys mom. Josey needs his mom.' Scroll down for video 'It's just a nightmare': Naya Rivera's ex Ryan Dorsey can't imagine raising their four-year-old son Josey without her just days after the Glee star's confirmed passing according to a source for People Naya had vanished during a boat trip with their son last Wednesday and was confirmed to be dead on Monday. Police say it appears Naya Rivera 'mustered enough energy to get her son back on the boat, but not enough to save herself. The insider told People: 'Ryan cant imagine raising Josey without Naya. Its the most devastating situation.' Tragic: Naya had vanished during a boat trip with their son last Wednesday and was confirmed to be dead on Monday, as the mother-son duo are seen together in February 2019 Devastating: The insider told the weekly: 'Ryan cant imagine raising Josey without Naya. Its the most devastating situation' This comes just two days after authorities recovered Rivera's body from California's Lake Piru Monday, confirming the Glee star's tragic death at 33. Her family released a statement on Tuesday which read: 'We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week,' the family said. 'While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.' Rivera's body was recovered from the northeast portion of Lake Piru on Monday Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office released the autopsy's findings on Tuesday The family was grateful to authorities for their exhaustive search of the area for the better part of a week in their search for the actress. 'Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya,' the family said. 'We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support. 'Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time.' Somber: Over the weekend Ryan and members of Naya's family were seen looking for her body at Lake Piru together, he is seen here with her father George The statement was released by Riveras rep Gladys Gonzalez on behalf of the grieving family, Deadline reported. Rivera had gone missing last week while she took her son Josey, four, out on a boat ride. Authorities with Ventura County Medical Examiners Office on Thursday said Rivera had died due to accidental drowning. The actress is survived by Josey, parents, Yolanda and George Rivera; brother Mychal and sister Nickayla. Naya and her son Josey: The pair were on Lake Piru in California Wednesday afternoon when Rivera vanished and is feared to have drowned. She shared the right-hand image just a day before her disappearance, with the caption: 'Just the two of us' Over the weekend Ryan and members of Naya's family were seen looking for her body at Lake Piru together. Rivera welcomed her son, Josey Hollis, with then-husband Dorsey in 2015. She called her young son 'my greatest success, and I will never do any better than him' in her 2016 memoir 'Sorry Not Sorry.' Rivera and Hollis divorced in 2018, after Rivera had earlier applied to end the marriage in 2016 but the couple had initially reconciled. Naya Rivera and Ryan Dorsey: The couple had an on-off relationship including a four-year marriage from 2014 and 2018 which led to the birth of a son, Josey Hollis Dorsey On Thanksgiving weekend 2017, Rivera was arrested in West Virginia on suspicion of domestic battery against Dorsey. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office said Dorsey later asked that Rivera not be prosecuted. Dorsey, also an actor, has appeared on shows including Ray Donovan and Justified. Former Glee co-star Matthew Morrison defended Rivera at the time of her arrest, saying she was a 'great mom'. (Bloomberg) -- A prosecutor on the trial team that won Roger Stones conviction is leaving the Justice Department following Trump administration interventions that effectively negated Stones prison sentence, according to people familiar with the matter. Michael Marando, who delivered part of the closing argument in Stones trial, will join Facebook Inc., where he will set policy on the sites content, the people said. A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, where Marando has worked since quitting the Stone case, declined to comment on behalf of Marando and the office. A Facebook representative didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Marando and three other U.S. prosecutors withdrew from the Stone case in February in protest after the Justice Department, at the direction of Attorney General William Barr, overruled their sentencing recommendation for Stone in favor of a lighter prison term. A jury convicted Stone of seven felonies, including lying to Congress and tampering with witnesses in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of Russian efforts to boost Donald Trumps candidacy in the 2016 presidential election. After Stone pleaded publicly for Trump to spare him prison, the president commuted his sentence on July 10, four days before he was to report to prison to begin serving his 40-month term. Earlier: Roger Stone Gets Over Three Years in Jail for Trump Cover-Up Prosecutors recommended a prison term of seven to nine years before Barr overruled them. Of the other three prosecutors on the team who withdrew from the case, Jonathan Kravis resigned completely from the Justice Department at the time, Aaron Zelinsky returned to his role at the U.S. attorneys office in Baltimore, and Adam Jed returned to his position on the appellate staff in the Justice Departments civil division. Zelinsky and Jed remain in government service. Marando earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Cornell. As a prosecutor, he was a member of the fraud and public corruption unit in the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, leading several high-profile cases involving money laundering, bribery and cyberfraud. Story continues Facebook has attracted critics on the left and the right over its role in allowing the spread of false information and what it should do to crack down on it. More: Facebook to Remove Roger Stone Pages Linked to Fake Accounts For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Representative Image Card payments major Visa has appointed Sujai Raina as vice president and head of business development for India, said the American company in a press note today. Raina will help develop Visas business strategy and drive profitability and performance of Visas clients in India. Before joining Visa, Raina was the head of cards and payments at Commercial Bank of Dubai, one of the largest banks in the UAE. He has spent his two-decade-long career in sales and distribution, product development, customer lifecycle management and business development with organisations including Citibank, HDFC Bank, Aegon Life Insurance and Mashreq. We are confident that his experience and insights across geographies will help us further strengthen and grow our client base and relationships (here), said TR Ramachandran, group country manager, India & South Asia, Visa. Raina will operate out of the Mumbai office of the company which is one of the largest card networks in India. He graduated from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. Xiaomi India is hosting another sale of the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. Launched alongside the regular Note 9 Pro in March, the handset is very similar in terms of design and features when compared to the Note 9 Pro with minor differences. The sale will be happening today from 12PM and customers can purchase the handset from Mi.com and Amazon India. The handset comes with a 6.67-inch LCD display with a punch-hole placed on top center and a quad-camera setup in a square module. Like the previous Redmi Note 8 series, it has Gorilla Glass on the front and back, but this time the cameras are also protected with the same. Other notable design features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner similar to the Poco X2 and the Realme 6 series. The device is powered by the 8nm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G which should be more efficient and slightly more powerful than the 730G. The smartphone will be offered in a total of three variants including 6GB RAM with either 64GB or 128GB of storage and an 8GB RAM option with 128GB internal storage. There is also a dedicated microSD card slot to expand the storage further. The square camera module is placed at the center and is raised from the main body. It includes a 64-megapixel main sensor next to an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera. There is also a 5-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. At the front, there is a 32-megapixel selfie camera placed in the punch hole. According to the company, the camera is capable of shooting RAW photography and some nifty tricks in pro mode while shooting video. The battery unit is rated at 5,020mAh which is said to be the biggest on a Redmi Note device. It supports 33W fast charging (provided in the box) as well. Rest of the features include support for 4G VoLTE, NaVIC GPS, dual-SIM card slots, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, P2i coating, USB Type-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The handset will come with Android 10 with MIUI 11. There are three colour options to choose from including Aurora Blue, Glacier White, and Interstellar Black. As for the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max pricing, the 6GB + 64GB variant is priced at Rs 16,499, the 6GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs 17,999 while 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at Rs 19,999. The pricing is different from what we saw during the launch due to revised GST rates in the country. Airtel is offering double data benefits with Rs 298 and Rs 398 unlimited packs. There is the option of no-cost as well as standard EMI options on Amazon India, while Prime members can get a 5 percent discount using Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card. With our community confronting so many ongoing challenges, we must pull together to get to the other side of this crisis. An important part of getting through this as expeditiously and responsibly as possible is seeking accountability along the way. Preventing the waste of tax dollars and ensuring public services are delivered in a timely and efficient manner are what good government demands. Express-News reporting by Tom Orsborn exposed the fiasco of CRE8AD8, an event planner, failing hungry families after receiving a $39 million Trump administration contract for emergency food relief. The company appears to have fulfilled only about 40 percent of its San Antonio deliveries and even less elsewhere, providing only about 1 in 4 or 5 promised food boxes overall. Not only were the tireless folks at the San Antonio Food Bank shorted on food for the needy, but they were also burdened with additional costs for transporting the insufficient amount supplied. While the Express-News Editorial Board rightly recognized that this contract was awarded to an event planner we wouldnt entrust with putting tchotchkes in a bag, let alone delivering food for struggling families, I believe this involves much more than an ill-equipped vendor. It mostly reflects an indifferent and incompetent Trump administration, which appears to have done no background check on its awardee, while rejecting other well-qualified local minority contractors. Instead of admitting its failures and canceling the contract in May, the administration refused to provide straight answers and waited until July to quietly decline renewal. How many other ill-advised contracts were approved in communities whose newspapers may not have doggedly ensured that the public got the facts? How many important services throughout this crisis have been entrusted to pandemic profiteers who are shielded from oversight? This is the same administration that sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to dead people, while Americans anxiously awaited relief. Its Paycheck Protection Program protected the paychecks of insiders while neglecting many local small businesses, which are struggling to survive. Here in San Antonio, it delivered $2.3 million to a hospital system that had been closed for months, and $9 million no strings attached to a poorly rated local nursing home with no COVID-19 cases. Its initial distribution of remdesivir, the first drug showing modest COVID-19 treatment benefits, was a disaster, which raises real questions about how it will ration any future vaccine or truly transformational treatment. This medication had been saved from a scrapheap of drug failures by $99 million in taxpayer research funding. Nevertheless, pharmaceutical giant Gilead just announced it will charge insured patients more than $3,000 for treatment. President Donald Trumps refusal to stop price-gouging with a stroke of a pen is a green light to others to exploit this tragedy. American patients will be charged dearly for the same medications for whose development they have already significantly contributed. We all want a vaccine as soon as possible, but taxpayer dollars are being awarded by the billion to drugmakers with little transparency, accountability or assurance of affordability. I believe that as the generous angel investors in most new pharmaceuticals, American taxpayers deserve a reasonable return on our investment. The need for pandemic response oversight grows daily. For the past three years, the administration has been setting the regulatory table for predatory interests like payday lenders to take advantage of consumers and chipping away at watchdogs and standards. This is not a philosophy driven by free markets; rather, it relies on a heavy hand to help those who cannot compete efficiently and responsibly. But what causes America to lead the entire world in deaths and infections is the administrations complete failure to coordinate a national response to ensure enough personal protective equipment, or PPE; accurate, timely testing; and policies enforcing consistent virus safety protocols. As one Johns Hopkins scholar noted, the response is put together with gum and duct tape. Identifying these failures is about much more than an indictment. It underscores the need for us to do even more locally and individually to fill in the substantial gaps. Lets take every oft-mentioned step to protect the safety of one another. And for the fortunate: Continue to help others. Together, lets endure and overcome. Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett represents San Antonio. by Austin Bay July 14, 2020 Four years ago this week, the Chinese Communist Party declared war on international order in the form of a blunt rejection. On July 12, 2016, The Hague's international arbitral tribunal, relying on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty (UNCLOS), issued a ruling supporting the Philippines' claims that China had violated Filipino territory in the South China Sea by seizing islets and "sea features." China had also plundered resources in the Philippines' maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Despite having signed the sea treaty (which meant accepting the arbitration process), the Chinese government callously ignored the verdict and disdained the court's authority. UNCLOS codified the geophysical conditions and legal precedents establishing sovereign control of territorial waters and sovereign rights in the EEZ. It is an example of practical, peace-promoting diplomacy. China's blunt rejection of the decision stunned the Filipino government and alerted other nations on the Pacific Rim. The Beijing regime not only broke a major treaty it had ratified but also openly maligned legal procedures created to promote peaceful resolution of international disputes. Beijing's thuggish rebuke sent the message that Chinese whim backed by China's enormous military and economic power determined sovereignty in the South China Sea. Chinese communist predatory behavior long predates 2016, but in retrospect, Beijing's appalling reaction to the ruling clearly demonstrated the CCP could not be trusted to abide by even the most meticulously negotiated treaty. The CCP's June 2020 decision to break the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 and impose its authoritarian laws on Hong Kong reinforced the ugly lesson that treaties with communist China do not protect smaller nations and territories from Chinese theft and absorption. Reneging on treaties, spurning just verdicts and, of course, seizing territory without suffering severe consequences tells China's leaders that its opponents are weak and lack the will to resist. Undermining, co-opting and ultimately dominating global diplomatic and economic institutions; public and private organizations; and methods of interaction is another CCP goal. Revealing weakness forwards this line of operation. For decades, the U.S. Navy has conducted Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS). During a FONOP, a Navy vessel enters contested waters and demonstrates American opposition to maritime territorial claims that intrude on international shipping lanes. In 2015, the U.S. began regular FONOPS specifically challenging China's spurious claims in the South China Sea. In 2016, the U.S. limited its response to China's rejection of the tribunal ruling. Washington strongly criticized China's mistreatment of the Philippines, encouraged diplomatic and defense cooperation among southeast Asian nations, and continued the FONOPS, but it avoided a direct, "great power" diplomatic confrontation with Beijing. The Hong Kong invasion, China's cyber hacking, China's pervasive espionage operations and its duplicity regarding the COVID-19/Wuhan virus pandemic have finally convinced senior American leaders that a CCP-led China only respects power, and only greater power can deter its ambitions. On July 13, 2020, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a "strengthened" U.S. policy in the South China Sea that specifically aligns American policy with the tribunal's decision. "Beijing's claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them," Pompeo said. "(W)e seek to preserve peace and stability, uphold freedom of the seas in a manner consistent with international law, maintain the unimpeded flow of commerce, and oppose any attempt to use coercion or force to settle disputes." Calling CCP-led China an unprecedented threat, he succinctly described Beijing's theft and extortion racket. "Beijing uses intimidation to undermine the sovereign rights of Southeast Asian coastal states in the South China Sea, bully them out of offshore resources, assert unilateral dominion, and replace international law with 'might makes right.'" Pompeo backed his statement with a promise: "America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law." Protection: Since China ignores treaties, protecting means employing American military might. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th July, 2020) Panama is interested in Russia's Avifavir drug for use against COVID-19 and the embassy is awaiting the relevant documents from the Russian authorities to hand them over to the Latin American country's Ministry of Health for registration consideration, Panamanian Ambassador in Moscow Efrain Villarreal Arenales told Sputnik on Wednesday. "Panama trusts Russian medicine and various sectors expressed their interest in the Russian drug Avifavir and in sending it to Panama. We want the embassy to receive documents for registration through the department of the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for medicines and gives permission for their sale in the country," the diplomat said. According to the ambassador, the epidemiological situation in the Latin American country is difficult and many hospitals are not coping with the flow of COVID-19 patients. Within the context, Panama would like to receive more help from Russia, especially test kits and personal protective equipment for doctors and volunteers to contain the infection, Arenales said. "Russia is cooperating with Panama via the Central American Integration System, having handed over to us 5,000 tests for [detecting] COVID-19. At the moment, we need more interaction with Russia in the healthcare sector so that we can curb the spread of coronavirus," the diplomat added. Avifavir, the first Russian drug against COVID-19, was approved by the country's Health Ministry in late May. It has proven 90 percent effective in treating the coronavirus disease during trials. Last week, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade received requests for the supply of Avifavir from countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States, Latin America, Europe and Southeast Asia. Panama has so far confirmed over 48,000 cases of the coronavirus infection, including 960 fatalities and more than 24,500 recoveries, according to the country's health authorities. The recent controversy over an old video of Mumbai-based stand-up comedienne Agrima Joshua has exposed the unfunny reality of female comic artists, who are still unable to break the glass ceiling and continue to get targeted. Joshuas year-old joke on the proposed statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra resurfaced on the internet and caused a massive uproar on social media, accusing her of hurting religious sentiments. The comic took down the video and issued an apology, but the row didnt stop there and prompted rape threats, including one that had an abusive video message from a 26-year-old Vadodara resident named Shubham Mishra, who was later arrested by the Police for his demeaning act. You are well within your rights to take offence, but violence is not the answer! People are now taking out our old tweets and misconstruing them... Neeti Palta, stand-up comedian Many celebs have spoken in support of Joshua, and against Mishras video. These include comedians Kunal Kamra, Mallika Dua and Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker. But, the question that now arises is whether the stand-up scene is still not a conducive space for females, as any jovial statement gone wrong can invite harassment, both on stage and online. Comedienne Neeti Palta agrees that the trolling faced by Joshua is the reality of most comedians in the country. As of now, we are all being trolled. But, if you are a comedian and an outspoken woman, you will eventually hit the sexist brickwall, opines Palta, who is aghast at the way trolls behaved after Joshuas old video resurfaced. She adds, You are well within your rights to take offence, but violence is not the answer! People are now taking out our old tweets and misconstruing them... they are also making the case for their actions by arguing that comedians are always targeting religion. Well, these arguments are baseless. Its tougher for a woman to make her mark because as soon as a woman enters the stage, she is judged; people often dont hear her out but simply look at her. They go as far as to judge her family, says stand-up comedian Amit Tandon. Conceding to the thought that comediennes are made scapegoats, and acknowledging the fact that insults for women are of a more personal nature, comedienne Anuradha Menon says that many a times female artists in the stand-up realm have to reconsider their jokes due to intolerant attitudes. Most people come in with a bias that women lack a funny bone. The trolling starts with comments on our physicality; we often hear things like You are ugly, fat and are not funny. We are the easiest targets because anything we say has the potential to offend someone at some point. Within the world of comedy, there is so much space to disagree. What I may find funny, you may not and vice versa. But why is there no space for disagreement in the society? As comics, we are asked to punch up, but how do we do that when there is so much pushback from society, says Menon. here is a general bias in many firms... But in India [its a given that] people wont notice all our jibes; like the ones on civic issues. People, we dont just make jokes on religion! Vasu Primlani , stand-up comedian Many female comedians have left the profession because of this constant badgering, says popular stand-up comedian Vasu Primlani, without mincing her words. She feels that comedy still is a serious business when it comes to her male counterparts, but things remain to be harder for women in most aspects. For example, one OTT platform did not have women in their specials segment. There is a general bias in many firms... But in India [its a given that] people wont notice all our jibes; like the ones on civic issues. People, we dont just make jokes on religion! Once a comic , male or female, takes a dig at something, and it goes viral, it becomes difficult to then explain ones stance and render an apology. Tandon says when a joke goes wrong You cant give clarification on social media because 95% people have already made their minds. You cant expect a sane conversation wherein you can explain to people that they misconstrued your statements. Sorry isnt seen or heard on Twitter or any social media platform. And if anyone takes a legal action, then you issue clarifications because solutions lie in the real world; you cannot win a battle on social media where people can edit out parts of your statement and mislead others. Author tweets @bhagat_mallika Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Job seekers and school leavers will be promised $2 billion in federal support to learn new skills in a sweeping federal program to help them tough out the recession amid deepening unemployment. The Morrison government will commit $500 million to a new "JobTrainer" scheme to run new courses for thousands of workers so they have the skills that will be in demand when a recovery comes. Civil engineering was the biggest area of job vacancies in the sector. Credit:Louie Douvis The government will also spend $1.5 billion on further wage subsidies for apprentices including this years school-leavers, in a significant move to extend a key stimulus measure beyond its original September deadline. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the package ahead of labour force figures on Thursday that are expected to confirm thousands more Australians have been thrown out of work. In this week's interview Rachel Dean talks to comedy actress Caroline Curran (35), best known for her portrayal of Maggie Muff in Fifty Shades Of Red, White And Blue. She lives in east Belfast with her fiance Christopher and two-year-old daughter Molly. Q Tell us about your childhood. A. I grew up in east Belfast with my parents and two brothers, Kevin and Damien. My parents Eileen and Owen were musicians and used to sing in their band Eileen And The Wheels at pubs and clubs all over Northern Ireland. They gigged a lot, so we grew up in a musical environment. When I first went into acting my parents were a bit shocked because I was very quiet at school. I went to St Dominic's Grammar School, then I left at 16 to pursue drama, and it was a big shock to them, especially to my mummy. Before that I had wanted to be a graphic designer and animator for Walt Disney - always aim high! I wanted to go straight to the top, no inbetween, just straight to Disney. Then I got an A* in my drama GCSE and I thought: "Oh, I wonder what that is? That's the only thing I'm good at, is it?" I had to get up and do a performance of The King And I, and realised I was quite good. Expand Close With her brothers Kevin and Damien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp With her brothers Kevin and Damien So, I went behind my parents' backs and applied to the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education (BIFHE), now Belfast Met, to study performing arts. I left school at 16 to go and do that and I've never looked back. While my parents were shocked, they were also very supportive of my choice. My mum said she always remembers the night she realised I was serious. My brother Kevin lived away for much of his life - he lived in Italy and America - and he flew home one time when I was doing Shakespeare. I was Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Kevin had always said things to my mum like: "Don't worry, let her mess around for a few years and she'll go work in the Abbey National. Just let her have a bit of craic." Then the two of them came to see me in Shakespeare and Kevin turned to my mother and said: "I don't think she's going to go to the bank!" The rest is history, really. Throughout our lives my brothers and I knew that what our parents did was a difficult profession to be in. The industry can be very tough and competitive, and my parents were just worried, especially about me trying to go into it, that it could be quite a negative experience. We've always heard positive stories, but they worked really hard all their lives They went through difficult times as well, but for the majority of it, we knew the craic was amazing. We got to meet all the different musicians and they'd have singsongs in our house. It was an unbelievable childhood. My parents always told us to follow our dreams. So I did, and now they come watch me doing what I love to do. Q. What are you most proud of? A. I'm proud to be Molly's mum. I hope that when she gets older and Googles my name she won't get tortured at school. I hope she watches things that I've done and thinks: "Yeah, that's my mummy. She loves what she does". I hope I can instil that in her, that she can do anything she puts her mind to. If she happens to go down the same route as me I want her to know I'll be there to support her. If she doesn't, that's brilliant too. She can be whatever she wants to be. At first we thought Molly was quiet, like her dad, but now as she gets older and is around more children, she's much more outgoing. She sings 24/7. She's only two-and-a-half and she knows the words to so many songs. Her memory is unbelievable. She remembers full adverts from the TV - she knows the coronavirus advert off by heart. If there's a musical or performance side in her, it'll be in there and she'll have to let it out at some stage. Expand Close Daughter Molly / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daughter Molly Q. The one regret you wish you could amend? A. I really try to not have any regrets because you would only get hung up on the what-ifs. When I was at BIFHE I got a place at Liverpool John Moores University, which was the top school for drama back then, but I didn't go. Everyone was going away to study, but there was something in me that went: "No, I want to stay in Belfast and learn here." Home is important. I'm doing more writing now and I'm working on a TV sitcom. I want it to be based here, with actors in it from here and the dialogue is about here and things we can all relate to. That's one thing I've always wanted to do from a very young age. We have the classics like Father Ted, Only Fools And Horses and Give My Head Peace, which were great for the first of our time. I want my show to be different and dark and to suit a new generation. And I think it will be helped by having those sitcoms behind us - we can all learn from those programmes because they are the greats. Q. What about phobias? Do you have any? A. I am terrified of spiders, but I'm trying to overcome it so that my daughter isn't afraid of them. Q. The temptation you cannot resist? A. There are so many, but I do love pickled onion Monster Munch. Q. Your number one prized possession? A. I'm not a materialistic person. I've got a MacBook that I carry about in case I need to write off the cuff, but it's just a computer. I would be lost without my family and friends. Expand Close Loved up: Caroline with partner Chris / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Loved up: Caroline with partner Chris Q. The book that's most impacted your life? A. I did love Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. I loved the story and the grimness of it all, which is weird because I love comedy, but I do like a bit of grim. I also like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. The thought of religion being turned on its head really challenges how you think. Q. If you had the power or the authority, what would you do? A. I want to say world peace. I would want to ensure that everybody had some sort of stability, in terms of emotional, family and financial stability. I wish everyone could have a happy life. I know that sounds completely impossible. There's a lot of poverty in a lot of countries and I'd love to wipe out the monetary concept and see what would happen. If everyone was on the same even keel, how different would the world be? Q. What makes your blood boil every time without fail? A. Injustices. People picking on vulnerable people who can't stand up for themselves. Q. Who has most influenced you in life? A. My mummy. She's a really strong human being and she's only 4ft 11 inches - and a half, she'll tell you! She's tried her best our whole lives to give us a life that we're happy with. She would always sacrifice to give to us; so would my daddy. Your mummy is always there and mine is even more so now that I have my own child. Q. Your top three dinner party guests, dead or alive, and why? A. Marilyn Monroe, because I find her fascinating. She was an icon of her time and her life was cut short. I'd love to see where she would have gone if she hadn't died so young. Then Amy Winehouse, because she has an incredible story too. She was another star whose life was cut short in her prime. And my best mate Julie (Maxwell), who died last year. I'd totally bring her back for a dinner party because she's great craic and I miss her. Expand Close Sad loss: Caroline Curran with her late friend Julie Maxwell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sad loss: Caroline Curran with her late friend Julie Maxwell Q. The best piece of advice you ever received? A. Always do what makes you happy. Q. The unlikely interest or hobby that you love? A. I love true crime and serial killer documentaries. It used to be books, but now there are documentaries coming out of everywhere and you get to see a lot more. When They See Us is one of the best things that has been made in the past few years. It's about the Central Park Five - it was just mind-boggling what happened to those fellas. It goes back to me saying about injustices. My blood was boiling watching these kids get convicted for something they didn't do. Q. The poem that touches your heart? A. Footprints In The Sand. When you begin to lose loved ones, it's one of those verses that you can just relate to. Q. The happiest moment of your life? A. Having Molly is the obvious one. Becoming a mother was an insane feeling. Everyone tries to tell you that your life will change, and you know it will, but nothing prepares you for having a small human being with two little eyes looking at you 24/7. She's amazing. She's going to be something else. Then, the first time I sold out the Grand Opera House in Belfast. Seeing, like, 1,000 people clapping and cheering was just unreal. I thought the roof was going to come off. There was an almighty roar and I heard all the seats thudding as people stood up to clap. It was unbelievable. For both moments my heart felt full and I was bursting with pride. Expand Close On stage: Caroline performing in Maggie Yer Ma / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp On stage: Caroline performing in Maggie Yer Ma Q. And the saddest moment of your life? A. Julie dying last year. I've had a lot of friends and family die, but it was nothing like losing Julie. She was only 36 and she died so suddenly. I keep saying to people: "I feel like a part of me is missing." It's hard to describe, but when Julie died I knew what it felt like to have my heart broken. She'll be a year gone on my birthday next month and I still find myself reaching for my phone to text or call her. Q. The one event that made a difference in your life? A. I'm going to have to go back to having Molly again, because when she reads this I'll have to make sure she knows she's number one. Having Molly has changed me as a person, but it didn't change my drive or my ambition in work. Expand Close Chris having fun with little Molly / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chris having fun with little Molly I had her at 33 and it can be quite difficult because you go through that fear of: "Am I ever going to work again? Am I going to be able to juggle all this?" But you do. I've surprised myself with how much I've been able to cope with. Q. What's the ambition that keeps driving you onward? A. I want to have a Bafta by the time that I'm 40, so I've got to get this sitcom done and get to the Baftas. Q. What's the philosophy you live by? A. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Q. How do you want to be remembered? A. "That wee girl was a geg." The audio of Fifty Shades Of Red, White And Blue is coming soon. Buttercup by Patricia Downey and starring Caroline Curran will be touring again in September A mericas leading infectious disease expert has described recent efforts by Donald Trumps administration to discredit him as "bizarre" and nonsense". Dr Anthony Fauci said that the attacks from the presidents team doesnt do anything but reflect poorly on them. The Trump administration had issued a statement expressing concern about the number of times Dr Fauci has been wrong on things. It provided a list of comments made by Dr Fauci, including him saying in January that the virus was not a major threat. Top doctor Anthony Fauci, flanked by US President Donald Trump / AFP via Getty Images Dr Fauci, in an interview with The Atlantic on Wednesday, said of the efforts to discredit him: Ultimately, it hurts the president to do that." The White House statement attacking Dr Fauci also criticised him for what it said was conflicting advice on face coverings and remarks the severity of coronavirus. Responding to the criticism, Dr Fauci told The Atlantic that targeting him was "completely wrong". "I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that," he said. "I think they realise now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it's only reflecting negatively on them," he added. Mr Trump last week accused Dr Fauci of making mistakes and said he disagreed with his assertion that the US was still knee-deep in the first wave. But on Wednesday the president insisted he had a "good relationship" with him. "We're all in the same team including Dr Fauci," he said. "We want to get rid of this mess that China sent us, so everybody's working on the same line and we're doing very well." City of Toronto community and recreation centres, including ones with indoor pools, will reopen on a limited basis Monday, four months after they were ordered closed amid COVID-19 infection fears. A total of 119 centres across the city, including 29 with pools, will reopen with some restrictions and some amenities remaining closed for now, Mayor John Tory announced Wednesday. Sixteen community centres will not reopen Monday, either because their rooms are too small, or their amenities are restricted under Stage 2. Visitors will be screened and asked for contact information at the door. They must wear masks or other face coverings if possible, physically distance and may encounter waits aimed at preventing crowding. Torontonians will be able to use the centres lounges, meeting rooms, multi-purpose rooms, computer rooms and washrooms. People can drop in for lane and leisure swims. However, pools will operate at only 25 per cent capacity, as city outdoor pools do now, and swimmers will be told to leave after 45 minutes to facilitate extra cleaning. Visitors will not be allowed to use the centres gymnasiums, fitness or active areas, including running tracks, kitchens and studios, or saunas and whirlpools. Also forbidden: indoor sports, fitness and wellness activities, singing and dancing programs, as well as food preparation, distribution or dining. Card games, chess, dominoes and other activities where items are shared among participants are also on the forbidden list. Tory said he expects activities that remain forbidden will resume after Toronto enters Stage 3 of the provincial pandemic recovery plan, something that could happen as early as a week from Friday. Community centres that host CampTO the citys day camp program modified to minimize virus infection risk will have further limitations and restrictions for non-camp users on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tory hailed the reopenings, as Torontos COVID-19 indicators continue to improve. He called community and recreation centres a safe space for families, youth and seniors to socialize and keep active. Many city pools outdoors, where infection risk is thought be lower than inside, were reopened June 26. Dr. Eileen de Villa, the citys public health chief, told reporters that Toronto continues to be on track for Stage 3 reopening. The 14 new COVID-19 infections reported Tuesday was the smallest daily increase in some time part of a slow decline in new cases, she said. De Villa and Tory urged Torontonians who, for health reasons, cannot wear masks or other face coverings in indoor public spaces, to not brandish printed cards that say the person is exempt from mandatory mask rules. No such card is required, de Villa said, suggesting attempted use of one is a rarity and compliance with the mask rule is good. Tory said, in response to reports some people are trying to sell such cards, that he expects they will find few buyers. Walmart will soon start requiring all of its customers to wear masks. The new mandate will start Monday, July 20, CNN reported. This will give us time to inform customers and members of the changes, post signage and train associates on the new protocols, the company told CNN. Other national chain businesses have issues similar requirements. On Wednesday, Starbucks will start requiring customers to wear masks, Fox News reported. Best Buy will also start requiring them the same day, USA Today reported. And Costco made the mandate back in May. In Massachusetts, lawmakers are seeking to mandate masks and a two-week quarantine for out-of-state visitors from COVID-19 hot spots. The Baker-Polito Administration also issued an order back in May requiring masks in public places where they cannot socially distance from others. Related Content: A callous thug has been caught on CCTV putting three cats into washing machines at a laundrette in Malaysia. A horrified local noticed the drowned cats when she opened the door to load her clothes in Kuala Lumpur on July 12. She was unable to revive them and called police who arrived at the launderette in the Taman Ehsab district of the capital city to begin an investigation. Shocked police watched the CCTV which showed a bare-footed man in a tracksuit carrying the cast into the machine. A man is caught picking up cats and putting them into washing machines at a laundrette in Taman Ehsab in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 12 The bare-footed man in a tracksuit was caught grabbing a second cat before it could run away In the video, the man picks up a cat sitting on a bench in the laundrette and puts it into a machine before closing the door. He then leaves the room to pick up another cat, which he puts into a separate machine after quickly grabbing it when it tried to run away. The man closes the door and then checks the machine he put the first cat into is firmly locked as well. He returns to the second machine again to make sure that is locked and then picks up an empty basket as if to continue doing his laundry. The man closes the door and then checks the machine he put the first cat into is firmly locked as well Police chief Assistant Commissioner Arifai Tarawe said: 'The woman informed us of the incident when she went to the laundromat to wash her clothes, but instead found three dead cats in three separate washing machines.' The suspect was later arrested on July 13 after locals pointed to the homeless man whom they believe is the person on the security camera. The authorities did not reveal the identity of the alleged car killer but they arrested him and took him to the station for questioning. Police chief Tarawe added that the case will be investigated according to the country's Animal Welfare Act of 2015. A horrified local noticed the drowned cats when she opened the door to load her clothes If found guilty, the suspected could by sentenced to a fine of up to RM100,000, three years' imprisonment, or both. President of Malaysia Animal Association Arie Dwi Andika urged the Veterinary Services Department to take strict action. The charity boss said that the last time a person threw a cat into a self-service launderette dryer was in September 2018. The offender was sentenced to 34 months' jail and fined RM40,000 by the Selayang Sessions Court. A technology entrepreneur who founded Nigeria's Gokada ride-hailing app was found decapitated and dismembered in a luxury New York apartment with a power saw plugged in nearby, New York media reported late Tuesday. Police on Wednesday confirmed the death of Fahim Saleh in a statement and deemed it a homicide but offered none of the grisly details reported in New York media. Detectives found Saleh's torso near a power saw and later discovered his head and limbs sorted into plastic bags, police told New York crime reporters. Saleh's sister discovered the body Tuesday afternoon, and the fact the saw was still connected led detectives to suspect her arrival may have startled the perpetrator, who would have fled through another exit, the New York Times reported. "We have a torso, a head that's been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We don't have a motive," police spokesman Carlos Nieves told the Daily News. Saleh, 33, founded the Gokada motorbike hailing app. It was popular in the Nigerian megacity of Lagos until state officials in February banned all motorcycle taxis, known locally as 'okada' and able to weave through traffic. Gokada, funded by U.S and Gulf investment and venture capital funds, has one of the largest fleets of motorcycle hailing taxis in Nigeria. But the company, along with its competitors, fell foul of regulators in Lagos state. Security camera video showed Saleh in the apartment building's elevator with a man in a dark suit, mask and gloves, the media reports said. Video showed the masked man following Saleh into the apartment, where a struggle began. A police spokesman declined to offer details beyond a short statement saying police found him unconscious and unresponsive and that emergency medical technicians pronounced him dead. Gokada spokesman did not respond to Reuters requests seeking comment. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (File image: Reuters) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 15 sad that public sector banks (PSBs) have purchased bonds and commercial papers worth Rs 14,667 crore issued by 67 NBFCs under the revamped Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS). As part of the nearly Rs 21 lakh crore special economic package amid the COVID-19 crisis, Sitharaman announced Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) 2.0 worth Rs 45,000 crore for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and micro finance institutions (MFIs). "As of 10 July 2020, under the extended PCGS, #PSBs have approved for purchase Bonds/Commercial Papers issued by 67 NBFCs amounting to Rs 14,667 crore, of which Rs 6,845 crore is for Bonds/CPs rated below AA, providing liquidity support to NBFCs with lower rated Bonds/CPs," Sitharaman said in a tweet. The purchase of bonds/commercial papers of Rs 6,125 crore, including Rs 5,550 crore of bonds/commercial papers (CP) rated below AA, is currently under various stages of approval/at negotiation stage, she added. COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show Further, the purchase of Bonds/Commercial Papers of Rs 6,125 crore, including Rs 5,550 crore of Bonds/Commercial Papers rated below AA, is currently under various stages of approval/at negotiation stage. NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) July 15, 2020 "The Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) was revamped under the #AatmanirbharBharat Package to support the liability side of NBFCs by providing a 20% portfolio guarantee to public sector banks for the purchase of Bonds/Commercial Papers rated AA and below issued by NBFCs," she said. The Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS) was revamped under the #AatmanirbharBharat Package to support the liability side of NBFCs by providing a 20% portfolio guarantee to Public Sector Banks for the purchase of Bonds/Commercial Papers rated AA and below issued by NBFCs. NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) July 15, 2020 Taking the lead, 23 NBFCs from the southern region sold bonds and or CP worth Rs 5,710 crore. It was followed by the western region with 29 NBFCs issuing papers to the tune of Rs 4,540 crore as of July 10. The Union Cabinet on May 20 approved the sovereign portfolio guarantee of up to 20 per cent of the first loss for purchase of Bonds or Commercial Papers with a rating of AA and below including unrated paper with original or initial maturity of up to one year issued by NBFCs/HFCs/MFIs by public sector banks through an extension of PCGS. The Cabinet also extended the time period of the scheme from June 30, 2020, to March 31, 2021, for purchase of pooled assets of the distressed entities. As per the modification, NBFCs/HFCs which have reported under Special Mention Account (SMA-1) category on technical reasons alone during the last one year period prior to August 1, 2018 will be eligible for benefit under the scheme. Earlier NBFCs/HFCs reported as SMA-1 or SMA-2 during the specified period were ineligible. The SMA-1 refers to those accounts where the principal or interest payment remains overdue between 31-60 days, while SMA-2 pertains to those where the overdue period is between 61-90 days. Since NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs play a crucial role in sustaining consumption demand as well as capital formation in the small and medium segment, it is essential that they continue to get funding without disruption, and the extended PCGS is expected to systematically enable the same. Follow our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here Fahim Saleh, Co-founder/CEO of Gokada in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 3, 2019. (Reuters/Temilade Adelaja) Founder of Nigerias Gokada, Fahim Saleh, Found Dismembered in New York Apartment A technology entrepreneur who founded Nigerias Gokada ride-hailing app was found decapitated and dismembered in a luxury New York apartment with a power saw plugged in nearby, New York media reported late Tuesday. Police on Wednesday confirmed the death of Fahim Saleh in a statement and deemed it a homicide but offered none of the grisly details reported in New York media. Detectives found Salehs torso near a power saw and later discovered his head and limbs sorted into plastic bags, police told New York crime reporters. Salehs sister discovered the body Tuesday afternoon, and the fact the saw was still connected led detectives to suspect her arrival may have startled the perpetrator, who would have fled through another exit, the New York Times reported. We have a torso, a head thats been removed, arms, and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We dont have a motive, police spokesman Carlos Nieves told the Daily News. The apartment complex at 265 Houston Street, where Fahim Saleh, Co-founder/CEO of Gokada, was found dead is seen in New York City, N.Y., on July 15, 2020. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) NYPD officers speak at crime scene at 265 Houston Street, where Fahim Saleh, Co-founder/CEO of Gokada, was found dead at the apartment building in New York City, N.Y., on July 15, 2020. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Saleh, 33, founded the Gokada motorbike hailing app. It was popular in the Nigerian megacity of Lagos until state officials in February banned all motorcycle taxis, known locally as okada and able to weave through traffic. Gokada, funded by U.S and Gulf investment and venture capital funds, has one of the largest fleets of motorcycle hailing taxis in Nigeria. But the company, along with its competitors, fell foul of regulators in Lagos state. Security camera video showed Saleh in the apartment buildings elevator with a man in a dark suit, mask, and gloves, the media reports said. Video showed the masked man following Saleh into the apartment, where a struggle began. A police spokesman declined to offer details beyond a short statement saying police found him unconscious and unresponsive and that emergency medical technicians pronounced him dead. A Gokada spokesman did not respond to Reuters requests seeking comment. By Paul Carsten and Daniel Trotta Video of the incident, which became a flash point in the national debate over racial inequality, showed that the protesters at no point physically threatened the couple. The presidents remarks were the latest example of his refusal to acknowledge the racial discrimination that even many in his own party have said must be addressed. But Mr. Trump, who recently retweeted a video of a supporter shouting white power and said he would oppose a bipartisan effort in Congress to remove Confederate names from military bases, has displayed no intention of trying to bridge the countrys racial divide. Asked in the CBS interview how he felt about the use of the Confederate battle flag in public settings like NASCAR races, the president said: With me, its freedom of speech. Very simple. Like it, dont like it, its freedom of speech. Asked if he understood that the flag was a painful symbol to many people as a reminder of slavery, Mr. Trump said, Well, people love it and I dont view I know people that like the Confederate flag and theyre not thinking about slavery. He added, I just think its freedom of speech, whether its Confederate flags or Black Lives Matter or anything else you want to talk about. Four months into a pandemic that has cost more than 136,000 lives in the United States, and nearly two months after the killing of a Black man by a Minneapolis police officer sparked a nationwide outpouring of anger over racial injustice, Mr. Trump still only rarely mentions the pain that both crises have caused many Americans. Rather than offer sympathy and compassion, he provokes and attacks. His comments in the interviews on Tuesday a day when Florida again surpassed its previous record for coronavirus deaths while Republicans pressed ahead with plans to hold their convention in Jacksonville next month came as he used a news conference that was ostensibly for announcing new legislation targeting China to thrash his opponent, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. His agenda is the most extreme platform of any major party nominee, by far, in American history, Mr. Trump said, calling Mr. Bidens career a gift to the Chinese Communist Party. All residents of a downtown condominium where a 9-year-old girl with COVID-19 stayed should remain inside for two weeks, Bangkoks governor asked today. Following revelations the girl, whose father is a Sudanese diplomat, spent one night at the Condo One X in Soi Sukhumvit 26, Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang on Wednesday asked residents to quarantine inside for two weeks to prevent any possible spread of the disease. His request is on a voluntary basis. According to Aswin, City Hall has worked with the health officials to investigate the condominium and found 230 residents willing to be tested for the disease. Some of those test results were due out today, he added. The condominium said it disinfects common areas such as its elevators, gym and swimming pool regularly; while condo staff who came into contact with the family were ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days. The family, which lived there and had returned Friday from Sudan, has moved out and is staying at its residence on Soi Suan Phlu under monitoring by health officials, according to Aswin. While the family said they had tested negative a few days prior to flying to Bangkok, they were tested again upon return. While waiting for the results, the family returned to their condo. The 9-year-old girls results later came back positive. The ensuing anxiety Thailand appeared to have escaped the pandemic largely unscathed prompted the nearby Sai Nam Pueng School to close today through Friday, citing fear of the virus spreading. Related COVID anxiety closes schools in Bangkok, Rayong COVID: Health officials slammed for lax handling of foreign diplomats, military This article, Residents of Sukhumvit 26 condo asked to quarantine two weeks, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! (TNS) The Harford, Md., County Sheriffs Office has renewed its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, allowing its correctional deputies to interrogate, prepare charging documents for and transport undocumented immigrants pending ICE action, among other authorities.Known as the 287(g) program, critics say it erodes minority communities trust in police and saps local budgets, stating it is not local law enforcements job to enforce federal immigration laws. Law enforcement participating in the program say it helps keep communities safe by keeping would-be repeat offenders off the streets.Harford is one of three law enforcement agencies in Maryland including Frederick and Cecil counties sheriffs offices that maintains such an agreement with ICE under a clause of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Harfords sheriffs office has participated in the program since October 2016, according to the memorandum of agreement, but the document needs to be renewed every three years. In Harfords case, it was extended for a year in 2019 before being recently re-upped on June 26.Under the agreement, correctional deputies are empowered to ask those in the Harford County Detention Center about their immigration status and process those arrested for violating local, state or federal law. Every person processed in the detention center is screened to ensure the program is unbiased, Harford sheriffs office spokesperson Cristie Hopkins said.Per the agreement, correctional deputies are able to exercise the limited immigration enforcement authority ICE delegates them during their normal duties at the detention center; deputies on the street do not have the same power.Correctional deputes can also execute arrest and removal warrants at the time of a scheduled release from custody, turning undocumented residents over to immigration authorities. After transfer of custody to ICE, they can be held for no more than 48 hours in the countys facilities, the memorandum states. Correctional deputies are also permitted to fingerprint, interview and collect evidence on undocumented immigrants for ICE review.The memorandum also states that deputies participating in the program must report all encounters with asserted or suspected claims of U.S. citizenship to ICE immediately, but generally within one hour of the claim.ICE pays for the sheriffs personnel, training and deputies transportation when they are training, but the sheriffs office is responsible for paying its personnel, benefits and overtime. The sheriffs office also has to supply security equipment like handcuffs, leg restraints and the like.Hopkins said the agreement is valuable as another tool for the office to keep crime at a low in Harford County.The 287(g) Program has helped identify those dangerous individuals who are in this Country illegally and committing crimes against the citizens of Harford County, she wrote in an email. In partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, detainers are filed against these offenders and they enter Federal immigrations court proceedings for potential removal, instead of being released back into the community to potentially victimize more individuals.As of this month, ICE had jail enforcement agreements like the one with Harford County with 74 law enforcement agencies in 21 states, including Maryland, according to the federal agencys website. It also has warrant service officer agreements in place with 65 agencies in nine states.In 2019, Harford deputies conducted interviews with 142 people who were jailed at the local detention center to determine whether they could be removed from the country, according to data supplied by the sheriffs office in February. In 2018, they did 123 of those interviews.Among the 191 foreign-born individuals the sheriffs office encountered in 2018, there were 49 countries represented, according to figures the agency reported. The highest represented countries were Germany at 27 people, El Salvador with 21 and Mexico with 14 .Of those 191 people, felony charges were filed against 23 of them; 168 were charged with misdemeanor crimes. That year, 43 detainers were lodged requests signaling ICEs desire to take custody of a person who is scheduled to be released from a local jail. Assault, failure to appear and drug charges were the most common charges that year.Additional data about the program in 2019 and so far through 2020 were not immediately available, however, ICE files monthly encounter reports for the program on its website. The most recent report, from May, notes the Harford Sheriffs correctional deputies on May 4 encountered a Honduras citizens who was arrested on an outstanding warrant for sexual abuse of a minor and sex offense.The individual also had prior convictions and two violence protection orders entered against him, according to the report, and had entered the U.S. on an unknown date and location without inspection. Deputies placed an immigration detainer and warrant on the individual through the 287(g) program.But cooperation with immigration authorities has opponents, including some in Marylands legislature.In January, a coalition of Democrats introduced a bill in the House of Delegates that would limit law enforcements abilities to cooperate with ICE.The bill would also make transferring a person to immigration authorities contingent on a federal judicial warrant authorizing ICE to take custody of a person. It would would bar law enforcement from asking a persons country of birth or immigration status during a stop, search or arrest.According to the Maryland General Assemblys legislative tracker, the bill has been referred to committee. A representative from the office of the legislations sponsor, Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyks office, said action on the bill was suspended when the General Assembly adjourned March 18.No Harford legislators had signed on to co-sponsor the bill.Sheriffs from Harford, Cecil and Frederick opposed the bill, speaking to lawmakers in Annapolis. There, Gahler said the bill would impose undue restrictions on law enforcement officers, averring that sanctuary policies make the county less safe. Supporters of the legislation argued that local law enforcement does not have a place enforcing federal immigration laws.One of the largest detractors is CASA, an immigrant rights organization operating in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.The organization successfully campaigned against a 287(g) program in Prince William County in Virginia, ending the sheriffs offices program in June.Advocacy specialist for the organization John Cano said the Prince William County program was instituted to combat felonies, but some who fell into its sights were taken to the jail for minor offenses, where their immigration status was questioned. Beyond that, Prince Williams Latino and Black communities trust in police plummeted after the program was introduced, Cano said.We have seen that, particularly in Prince William County, where a lot of individuals who were detained were charged with drunk in public, Cano said. There have been instances where they have been taken to the adult detention center where their immigration status is checked upon. Murphy gave evidence to the case at the High Court Wednesday in London by video link from Chicago. He was accused of lying by The Suns lawyer, Sasha Wass, who pointed out that he had subsequently made a misleading declaration in the Australian court case. Murphy said he did so at Heards request because he was afraid of losing his job. SOFIA -- Bulgarias prime minister has asked his finance, economy, and interior ministers to step down amid nationwide anti-corruption protests that have rocked the country for a week. The press service of the Council of Ministers announced the move on the evening of July 15. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's GERB party said in a statement he had decided to dismiss the three ministers to put an end to speculation that they were working in connivance with the opposition MRF party and its senior member, businessman and media owner Delyan Peevski. Thousands of people have rallied in Sofia and other Bulgarian cities for seven days demanding the resignation of Borisov's government and Prosecutor-General Ivan Geshev over rampant high-level corruption. Protesters have also denounced police violence during protests in Sofia last week and called for Interior Minister Mladen Marinovs resignation. Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov has been under fire after SMS messages made public by businessman Vasil Bozhkov -- who is facing charges of tax fraud, attempted bribery, and organized crime -- showed that the two men communicated regularly until January 2020. Revelations that the state-run Bulgarian Development Bank granted a $44 million loan to a small company also drew public discontent toward the Economy Ministry, led by Emil Karanikolov. The anti-corruption protests were sparked by a raid on July 9 by the Prosecutor-General's Office on the presidential headquarters. President Rumen Radev's legal affairs and anti-corruption secretary and his security and defense adviser were detained for questioning and their offices searched as part of two separate probes into influence-peddling and disclosure of state secrets. The demonstrators have condemned the raids as an attack by the government and the prosecutor-general against Radev. Protesters were also angered when members the National Protection Service (NSO) prevented people from using a public beach located near Dogans summer residence on the Black Sea. Access to the beach was restored on July 11 under pressure from the center-right Democratic Bulgaria opposition. Borisov, who has been prime minister almost without interruption since 2009, has refused to resign. His current term in office is due to end in early 2021. With reporting by Reuters Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit the royal family this 2020, and while they are still in a transition period, it looks unlikely that they will come running back to the Firm. The Sussexes welcomed 2020 with a bang after they dropped their bombshell news of stepping down as senior members of the royal family. Although this has brought a huge blow to the institution, Queen Elizabeth II gave her blessing to her grandson Prince Harry and his wife. Moreover, as The Sun previously reported, the 94-year-old monarch told Prince Harry that they would "always be welcomed back" if they decided to return to royal life. "She made it very clear to him that he and Meghan are always able to come back if they change their minds and she will welcome them with open arms," a source told the outlet. However, will they still want to go back after everything they had to go through after their exit? These three signs suggest otherwise. The Sussexes' Billion-Dollar Global Brand As the duo officially split from the royal family last April, they have also vowed to be financially independent -- something which could be relatively easy peasy for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since they can support themselves through a huge brand deal. Being one of the most sought after couples, who are reportedly worth $30 million, financial expert and CEO of Brand Finance David Haigh revealed to WWD that the former royals can utilize their celebrity power into a billion-dollar brand, just like how the Kardashian beauty mogul Kylie Jenner did to her makeup and beauty empire Kylie Cosmetics. Meanwhile, chairman of London-based InterTalent Rights Group and celebrity agent Jonathan Shalit stressed that the former "Suits" actress and Prince Harry are "100% more valuable than the Obamas because "the Obamas aren't royal," he told Associated Press. Aside from the possible billion-dollar brand, another opportunity for the runaway royals are their future political endeavors in the U.S. With that said, they are unlikely to exchange this for life as a royal where they will always be under immense scrutiny. Possible Political Career In The U.S The 35-year old prince and Meghan previously made a series of virtual conferences, including one when they addressed the global Black Lives Matter movement. Moroever, they were also present during the celebration of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT) where they spoke out about the importance of equal rights with the chosen young leaders. Following this, royal expert Melanie Bromley claimed that the former "Suits" actress can harness her newfound independence to build a political career in America, per Express.co.uk "Could I see Meghan running for office? A week ago I would have said absolutely not. Now I think the opportunities for Harry and Meghan are endless," she revealed to Access. Bromley also pointed out that through their connections and by being "exposed to lots of different people," there are "lots of different possibilities as far as what they can do with their role now." Prince Harry And Meghan Craves For A Normal Life One of the key factors that prompted the so-called "Megxit" was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being constantly in the spotlight and hounded by the aggressive British press. During his younger years, Prince Harry witnessed how his mother, Princess Diana, struggled with the media. The Duke of Sussexes' close friend Nacho Figueras revealed to Independent that the reason why Prince Harry has decided to step down from the monarchy was to be able to protect his son and give baby Archie the normal life that he deserves. "He's being a father. This is a guy who is trying to protect his cub and his lioness from whatever it takes," Figueras shared. Months after Megxit, the family of three has settled in Los Angeles. In fact, they have also celebrated their family's milestone in America such as Archie's first birthday and the couple's second wedding anniversary. READ MORE: Grant Imahara Cause Of Death -- Revealed WATERLOO REGION Locally-developed traffic technology that boosts safety and efficiency will added to half of Waterloo Regions urban intersections. Regional council unanimously voted Wednesday to buy Kitchener-based Miovisions advanced traffic management system for 240 traffic signals in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo at a cost of about $2.7 million. We provide analytics and real-time insights for a whole range of things, said Miovision chief executive officer Kurtis McBride. Fundamentally, its basically making safer more efficient streets and using data to do it. The technology, which McBride describes as the smartphone of the intersection, is installed in 200 municipalities across North America, including 75 per cent of all intersections in Detroit. The region has already partnered with Miovision on pilot projects, including at some critical Ion intersections to give priority to trains while reducing delays to pedestrians and automobiles. Coun. Kathryn McGarry said once people see the technology in action, everybody will want it on their particular street. This can really assist us in the future to ensure that weve got a safer community, but also one that works better for motorists and pedestrians and cyclists and other road users alike, McGarry said. The system uses cameras and other detection devices connected to a traffic light that collects data about all traffic users, and performs advanced analytics that can be used to optimize the signals operation. McBride said normally a city responds to a residents complaint, then sends someone out to the intersection to do counts or observations. But that is costly and can require more hours than is practical, which means municipalities rely largely on conjecture rather than data. Then you make sometimes expensive mitigation decisions based on what you think is happening as opposed to what you know is happening, McBride said. He said about 40 per cent of a citys greenhouse gas emissions come from traffic, and the smart technology can reduce delays and idling at intersections. Along with boosting sustainability, it also makes for a shorter and more pleasant commute. Its our community, its our livability, McBride said. Were passionate about every customer, but in particular the region is where we live. Coun. Berry Vrbanovic said the Smart City technology has several benefits for the environment and traffic management, while also supporting local technology and jobs. I think its a step in the right direction for this region, Vrbanovic said. Installation of the technology will take about two years, and the plan is to eventually deploy it across the regions entire transportation network. Coun. Sean Strickland said council made a commitment during last years budget discussions to modernize the regions traffic control signals. Im really pleased to see this come to this stage in an evolution of a relationship with Miovision, Strickland said. Im a big supporter of this technology. A worker who tragically died at an underground gold mine in Western Australia has been identified as a loving father-of-two. Mike Johnson passed away during an incident at Dervish mine, 120km north-east of Kalgoorlie, on Monday. Saracen Mineral Holdings on Tuesday confirmed the death of a contractor at their mine and offered condolences to his family. 'This is an extremely tragic accident and all our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time,' managing director Raleigh Finlayson said. Mike Johnson (pictured with his wife) has been identified as the worker who died at Dervish mine on Monday It is understood he was killed when the loader he was operating went over an edge, falling 25 metres, The West Australian reports. He was later found unresponsive. Operations at Saracen's Carosue Dam operations, including the Dervish mine, have been suspended while a full investigation is completed. 'Saracen is currently working closely with the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety on the continuing investigation,' Mr Finlayson said. Mr Finalyson said the company is working with their contract partners to ensure full support is provided to the family and all Saracen employees and contractors. Mr Johnson, known as 'Johno' to friends, leaves behind a wife and two young sons, aged three and three-months-old. Tributes have begun pouring in for the mining contractor, who has been described as 'one of the best blokes' (pictured, Mr Johnson with his wife A co-worker has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his loved ones, which has so far raised an incredible $30,365 in less than 24 hours. Tributes have begun pouring in over social media for the father-of-two, who was described by one co-worker as the 'nicest guy' he has met in the industry. 'Mate, no words.... your infectious fun nature, your witty humour, and your kind heart will be missed,' another friend wrote. 'RIP mate, one of the best blokes I've ever worked with. Thoughts are with the family,' added a co-worker. Fellow miners have begun changing their profile pictures to the same symbol (pictured) in memory of their beloved co-worker 'Was a pleasure working with you my brother. 19 months together and you taught me so much. Will forever respect you, rest peacefully my man,' a third read. As a sign of solidarity, co-workers have begun changing their profile pictures to the same symbol, which reads 'in memory of our fallen miners'. Work was suspended at a gold mine in Western Australia's Goldfields region following the incident. Saracen Mineral Holdings put its shares in a trading halt on Tuesday after reporting the incident to the ASX. The company is expected to announce Wednesday when operations will recommence, at which point trading will also resume. The COVID-19 pandemic is unquestionably the most significant event to occur within global public health in (at least) a generation. It will present serious challenges globally - and well into the future. Thanks to a series of rapid response funds, introduced by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute (EBI), professors from the Centre for Health, Law, and Society have been able to quickly identify, and start to tackle, challenges to the pursuit of human rights, good governance and social justice. Professor John Coggon has been awarded funding for a project to track and analyse COVID-19 related developments in law and policy as they apply to health professionals. The aim is to generate clear, accessible understanding and analysis to inform and engage in ongoing future planning, practice and public debate. This is both to serve key workers who are performing their roles under extraordinary circumstances, and to keep under review the exercise of powers that naturally give rise to concerns about social justice, the protection of human rights, and respect for the rule of law. A series of explanatory materials has already been developed to promote understanding of legal and regulatory measures instituted in the UKs response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be launched in July. Professor Judy Laing has been awarded Ethics and Social Science funding to conduct a three-month research project into the implications of COVID-19 in detention settings. The project will specifically look at strengthening the monitoring of places of detention to identify how restrictions during lockdown have impacted on the health and wellbeing of detainees. As Principal Investigator, Judy is working with colleagues Professor Rachel Murray and Debra Long in the Human Rights Implementation Centre, and the UK National Preventive Mechanism, to review the impact of COVID on how NPM members have been adapting their methodologies in relation to the monitoring of places of detention. Professor Keith Syrett, in collaboration with Professor Helen Lambert (Population Health Sciences), helped establish a rapid response fund to look at Covid-19 from a global public health perspective and promote the welfare of vulnerable communities around the world. The successful research projects are varied, covering a wide range of settings from Zimbabwe to Georgia and looking at how COVID-19 impacts on issues such as self-harm in Sri Lanka, sustainable development in Somalia/Somaliland and mental health and sleep patterns in children and adolescents. Laois is ahead by a long shot of every other Republic of Ireland county for having no new cases of Covid-19. It is now 22 days since Laois had a new case of the virus recorded. The county breakdown data is released by the Department of Health when it is two days old, and so relates to July 12 cases. The figures do not include the July 14 numbers with reported 32 new cases recorded. Read more here. It is topped only by Derry in the North of Ireland which is 31 days clear. Images by @illustratethis on Twitter Five counties are in joint second place with 8 days clear; Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly and Roscommon. Bottom of the list is Dublin then Kerry, Cork, Wicklow and Kildare which all had new cases in the past day. Keep up to date on the Government's Covid-19 information dashboard here. Project backers assert that one of the major selling points for the Southgate project is that it would give North Carolina something the state currently lacks, a direct link to fracked gas from the shale fields of West Virginia and other parts of Appalachia. Day noted that when it gets under way, Southgate construction is expected to create 1,700 jobs and generate more than $10 million in tax revenues for North Carolina and Virginia. But where project proponents see dollar signs and links to a new fuel source, skeptics who include the nonprofit Dan River Basin Association see the likelihood of great environmental disruption to supplement supplies of natural gas they think already sufficient. DRBA has insisted that FERC obtain a comprehensive, independent socioeconomic analysis to determine whether there is a need for additional fracked gas in North Carolina, said Tiffany Haworth, the civic groups director. Haworth said that such a study should thoroughly evaluate the capacity of pipeline transporters already serving the region. HAMILTON, Bermuda, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoegh LNG Partners LP (the "Partnership") (NYSE: HMLP) advises that its 2020 Annual Meeting will be held on September 3, 2020. The record date for voting at the Annual Meeting, at which a member of the Board of Directors of the Partnership will be elected, is set to July 30, 2020. The notice, agenda and associated material will be distributed prior to the meeting. The 2020 Annual Meeting will be held at Appleby, Canon's Court, 22 Victoria Street, Hamilton, HM12, Bermuda at 12 noon local time. Media: Steffen Freid Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer +47 97557406 www.hoeghlngpartners.com SOURCE Hoegh LNG Partners LP Related Links http://www.hoeghlngpartners.com A 73-year-old West Linn man died Wednesday when the boat he was riding in with his nephew capsized as they were crabbing near the mouth of the Nestucca River, authorities said. The man was unresponsive when a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew retrieved him from the water, and he died before he could be hospitalized, the Tillamook County Sheriffs Office said. His 19-year-old nephew from Portland washed up on a sandbar and used a cell phone to call for help, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard said it diverted a helicopter whose crew was training in the area to help hoist the men from the water. The sheriffs office said deputies believe the older man experienced a medical issue that caused him to jerk the rudder of a 12-foot inflatable boat shortly before 11 a.m. Both men were wearing life jackets. Neither has been publicly identified. Katy Muldoon, a resident of the area and former Oregonian/OregonLive reporter, said she saw the helicopter and a rescue diver south of the mouth of the Nestucca River, where the boat had overturned. She said she saw a helicopter leave and head north from the area minutes later. Several local emergency crews also responded to help. This story has been updated with additional information from authorities and witnesses. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Alex Hardgrave contributed to this report. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Press Release Nicox Reports on Enrollment Progress in Mont Blanc Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Glaucoma Over forty clinical sites have been initiated in the first month in the NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 clinical trial The NCX 470 Mont Blanc Phase 3 trial is on track to support the adaptive dose selection by the end of 2020 The second NCX 470 Phase 3 trial, Denali, is on track to start by the end of 2020 July 15, 2020 - release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced that over 40 sites have been initiated in the first month of the Phase 3 Mont Blanc trial, evaluating NCX 470 for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. NCX 470 is the company's novel, second-generation nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost analog. Tomas Navratil, PhD, EVP & Head of R&D of the Nicox Group and General Manager of Nicox Ophthalmics, Inc., said, "Based on the promising results from our Phase 2 Dolomites trial, NCX 470 has the potential to offer patients with elevated IOP an improvement over the current standard of care.We expect to complete the adaptive dose selection of the NCX 470 dose by the end of 2020 paving the way for the remainder of the Mont Blanc trial and the start of our second Phase 3 trial, Denali in 2020.We would like to thank the clinical investigators, research coordinators, all other trial personnel, and trial patients from the participating clinical sites for the rapid trial start-up and a strong first month of enrolment while carefully implementing COVID-19 precautions." The Mont Blanc trial is a multi-regional, double-masked, 3-month, parallel group, adaptive design trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of NCX 470 ophthalmic solution, 0.065% and 0.1% compared to latanoprost ophthalmic solution, 0.005% in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In an adaptive portion of the trial, one NCX 470 dose will be selected to continue in the subsequent head-to-head 3-month safety and efficacy evaluation of NCX 470 vs. latanoprost. The primary efficacy evaluation is based on time-matched IOP at 8 AM and 4 PM at Week 2, Week 6 and Month 3. The trial is expected to randomize approximately 670 patients at approximately 50 clinical sites, primarily in the U.S., and at a small number of clinical sites in China. Nicox NCX 470 Phase 3 program has received strong support from the U.S. glaucoma community, including the recently hosted a key opinion leader call on NCX 470 featuring a presentation by the current President of the American Glaucoma Society Dr. Donald Budenz, MD, MPH, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine. A recording of the call can be found here (https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1330350&tp_key=ec0f8c8242). COVID-19 Situation Due to potential delays caused by COVID-19, the Company is not currently providing a target date for the Mont Blanc topline results. Although we currently do not anticipate delays to our clinical timelines, we are closely monitoring the situation and will apprise the market if there is any impact on our development timelines. About Glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of ocular diseases in which the optic nerve is injured, leading to peripheral and, ultimately, central visual field loss. Glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness if not treated and is currently considered to be one of the three leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is frequently linked to abnormally high intraocular pressure (IOP) due to blockage or malfunction of the eye's aqueous humor drainage system in the front of the eye. Current medications are targeted at reducing IOP to slow the progression of the disease. The requirement for multiple medications to lower an individual patient's IOP to their target level highlights the need for more effective treatments. In 2019, worldwide sales of treatments targeting glaucoma were over $6.0 billion out of a $21.9 billion worldwide market for ophthalmic drugs. In the U.S., sales of treatments targeting glaucoma totaled $3.2 billion in 2019 or 37% of the $8.8 billion U.S. market for ophthalmic drugs. Of the U.S. sales of treatments targeting glaucoma, $1.5 billion, or almost 50%, was sales of prostaglandin analogs, of which nearly 90% were branded products, led by Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution), 0.01% and Travatan Z (travoprost ophthalmic solution), 0.004%. Currently, we estimate that 3.5% of the worldwide population between 40 and 80 years of age are affected by the most common forms of glaucoma, and we estimate that, in 2018, around 36 million prescriptions were written in the U.S. annually for glaucoma drugs. About NCX 470 NCX 470 is a novel, second generation nitric oxide (NO)-donating bimatoprost analog in development for the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. NCX 470 is designed to release both bimatoprost and NO following instillation into the eye. Bimatoprost, marketed under the brand name LUMIGAN by Allergan, Inc., is one of the leading products in the class of prostaglandin analogs, the most widely used class of drugs for IOP-lowering in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. About Nicox Nicox S.A. is an ophthalmology company developing innovative solutions to help maintain vision and improve ocular health. Nicox's lead program in clinical development is NCX 470, a novel, second-generation nitric oxide-donating bimatoprost analog, for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The company is also developing NCX 4251, a proprietary formulation of fluticasone, for acute exacerbations of blepharitis. Nicox generates revenue from VYZULTA in glaucoma, licensed exclusively worldwide to Bausch & Lomb, and ZERVIATE in allergic conjunctivitis, licensed in multiple geographies, including to Eyevance Pharmaceuticals, LLC, in the U.S. and Ocumension Therapeutics in the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets. Nicox is headquartered in Sophia Antipolis, France, is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B: Mid Caps; Ticker symbol: COX) and is part of the CAC Healthcare, CAC Pharma & Bio and Next 150 indexes. For more information on Nicox, its products or pipeline, please visit: www.nicox.com (http://www.nicox.com) . Analyst coverage Bryan, Garnier & Co Victor Floc'h Paris, France Cantor Fitzgerald Louise Chen New York, U.S. H.C. Wainwright & Co Yi Chen New York, U.S. Oppenheimer & Co Hartaj Singh New York, U.S. The views expressed by analysts in their coverage of Nicox are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Nicox. Additionally, the information contained in their reports may not be correct or current. Nicox disavows any obligation to correct or to update the information contained in analyst reports. Contacts Nicox Gavin Spencer Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer & Head of Corporate Development T +33 (0)4 97 24 53 00 communications@nicox.com (mailto:communications@nicox.com) Investors & Media United States & Europe LifeSci Advisors, LLC Hans Herklots T +41 79 598 71 49 hherklots@lifesciadvisors.com (mailto:hherklots@lifesciadvisors.com) Media France LifeSci Advisors, LLC Sophie Baumont M +33 (0)6 27 74 74 49 sophie@lifesciadvisors.com (mailto:sophie@lifesciadvisors.com) Forward-Looking Statements The information contained in this document may be modified without prior notice. This information includes forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on current expectations or beliefs of the management of Nicox S.A. and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Nicox S.A. and its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents, do not undertake, nor do they have any obligation, to provide updates or to revise any forward-looking statements. Risks factors which are likely to have a material effect on Nicox's business are presented in the 3rd chapter of the 'Document d'enregistrement universel, rapport financier annuel et rapport de gestion 2019' filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on March 6, 2020 which are available on Nicox's website ( www.nicox.com (http://www.nicox.com)). Chairing a review meeting on Covid-19 preparedness and efforts in the state of Andhra Pradesh, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy focused on qualitative measures, feedback mechanisms for quarantines centres, while announcing a sum of 15,000 rupees for proper rites of deceased Covid-19 patients. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that no hospital should turn away COVID patients and has announced Rs 15,000 for the last rites of deceased patient besides instructing the officials to take up a one week special drive to provide qualitative services in the quarantine centres where the call centre number should be displayed for complaints. During a review meeting on COVID 19 containment measures held here on Tuesday, the Chief Minster stressed the need for improving quality of preventive measures and said that every quarantine centre should display the call centre number for complaints and the officials should take feedback regularly. In wake of the recent unpleasant events in dealing with the COVID death cases, the Chief Minister said that Rs 15,000 should be given towards the last rites of the deceased and instructed the officials to issue orders immediately. Strict action will be taken against those hospitals that refuse to treat COVID cases. Also read: IIT-Delhis low-cost Covid-19 testing kit to be launched on July 15 Also read: Nepal issues clarification on PM Olis Ayodhya remark The officials should focus on hygiene, medicines, quality of food and ensure that the call centre number for complaints is displayed at every Covid Centre and the officials should collect feedback regularly. Awareness should be created among people on the need and availability of undergoing tests and what should a person who suspects that he has COVID symptoms should do. The tests should also be carried out as per SOP which should mention the category that has to undergo the tests, he said. Tests are being conducted in containment zones after tracing the contacts and the main reason for the deaths is that the patients showing up in an advanced stage of COVID, the officials said. The Chief Minister has asked the officials to prepare an action plan keeping future needs in view and the officials said that a data base with details of medical staff is ready and the services of 17 K doctors and over 12 K nurses could be required in the future days. The Chief Minister has given his nod for the action plan. The Chief Minster has said that no hospital should turn away a COVID patent and strict action would taken against such hospitals. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Medical and Health All Nani, Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, DGP Goutham Sawang, Medical and Health Special Chief Secretary KS Jawar Reddy and other officials participated in the meeting. Also read: Hyderabad police busts interstate black marketing gang for selling deadly drugs to Covid-19 patients For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Mach My Kiss was the only three-year-old pacing filly able to replicate her opening-round performance as the sophomore lasses returned to Woodbine Mohawk Park for their second Grassroots Leg on Tuesday (July 14). Starting from post 2, driver Doug McNair settled Mach My Kiss briefly in third before moving the filly to the lead just past the :27 quarter. Mach My Kiss led the field through a :56 half and three-quarters in 1:24.3 and then fought off favourite Kat in the stretch for a head victory in 1:53.1. La Belle Rebella rounded out the top three. Shes been good all year. She was running out again tonight, but at least shes going forward, said McNair, who drives the Mach Three filly for trainer Robert Fellows. Yolanda Fellows and Erna Corbeil share ownership of Mach My Kiss, who cruised to a two-length victory in the June 26 Grassroots season opener. Mach My Kiss was a three-time winner at the Grassroots level as a two-year-old, with one of those wins coming in her Grassroots Semi-final. McNair also posted a win with Landry Seelster in the fourth division. McNair tucked the Mach Three daughter in behind pacesetter Big Myrtle, then maneuvered her out in the stretch and let her sprint home to the 1:53.2 victory. Kit and Big Myrtle battled into second and third, one-and-one-quarter lengths behind the favourite. She raced good tonight. She has a lot of speed, but shes tough on herself some nights, said McNair. The trip worked out great tonight. Gregg McNair trains Landry Seelster for his co-owners Ilderton Boys Stable and Dany Fontaine. The win gives Landry Seelster a total of 62 points in the race for a post season berth; she finished third in the Grassroots season opener. Mary Kat, who dead-heated for second in the June 26 opening leg, went gate to wire from post 1 in the first division, stopping the clock in a personal-best 1:52.2. Favourite Saulsbrook Raven finished one-half length back in second with High Roller Duke hot on her heels in third. Kat has been a pleasant surprise for us. I cant remember a horse that we have had that has transitioned so positively from two to three. Everything about her just matured and got stronger, said trainer Shawn Steacy. I thought she raced super tonight, going a big mile on the front. Even though she can leave so well and get spotted, she prefers to follow, thats why I thought she was great. Steacy conditions Mary Kat for David McDonald, A K Malik Stable and Diane Bertrand and Robert Gilhespy. James MacDonald drives the Bettors Delight daughter, who qualified in late December of her two-year-old season and made her racing debut in January. In the second division Hit By A Bus tracked favourite Smiling Dialing through fractions of :27, :56.2 and 1:24.4 before sneaking up the inside in the stretch to grab a neck victory in a personal-best 1:53.1. Smiling Dialing settled for second and Whiskey To Wine finished third. I just got her a few starts ago. Shes a nice size and well-mannered, and she got the trip behind the favourite, said trainer Richard Moreau. Sylvain, from my understanding, when she first came he wasnt sure she was going to do, but shes fine, no problem. Sylvain Filion engineered the Bettors Delight daughters first win of 2020 for owners Thomas Kyron, Brian Paquet and Syvlain's father Yves Filions Bayama Farms Inc. Yves Filion started the filly, giving her two outings at Rideau Carleton Raceway in June, before sending her to Moreau for the Ontario Sires Stakes season. Tuesday was her sophomore debut in the provincial program. Free Flyin Ticket made the move from the Gold to the Grassroots for Tuesdays start and got just what trainer Tony Beaton hoped fora confidence-building victory. We werent 100 per cent sure what happened the last start (June 29), she got a great trip in the Gold and she just didnt fire like she normally does, said Beaton. Maybe it was just a little too quick for her, but we did get some much needed confidence back in her tonight. Starting from post 4, driver Paul MacDonell eased Free Flyin Ticket into seventh as Greystone Natali O and Odds On Vero Beach battled to a :26.3 quarter. MacDonell sent Free Flyin Ticket up the outside behind Mouth Watering heading for the :56 half and the pair were just two lengths behind the leaders at three-quarters in 1:26. A :26.4 last quarter propelled Free Flyin Ticket home to the 1:52 victory. Favourite Greystone Natali O was three-quarters of a length back in second and pacesetter Bettorthanbobbi was third. Last year she was very high strung and this year, we made a couple of little tiny equipment changes, but shes so much more manageable. Last year she was hard to get taken off the gate and shed just take the race out of herself being so worked up, where this year weve been taking her off the gate MacDonell says shes just been a sweetheart to take off the gate and then when you ask her to go she gives it her all, said Beaton, who shares ownership of the Betterthancheddar filly with Gary Volpe, George Quartarone and David Mercer. Shes so much more manageable, which is going to make her a much better racehorse. Beaton will wait to decide whether the filly will remain in the Grassroots or return to the Gold for her next start, with both events taking place at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Aug. 3. On Thursday (July 16) the three-year-old trotting colts will compete over the Woodbine Mohawk Park oval in their second Grassroots Leg. The colts will be featured on TSN Sports Racing Night Live in Races 1 and 3, and will also compete in Races 4, 9, and 10. The first division goes postward at 7 p.m. (EDT). (Ontario Sires Stakes) To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. Airline company Jet2.com has resumed flights to the likes of Spain, Turkey and Greece today after the coronavirus pandemic suspended its service for nearly four months. Around 50 flights are expected to depart from seven airports in England and Scotland to other countries where restrictions have been eased. Coronavirus 'air bridges' finally come into force last Friday meaning British holiday-makers had quarantine-free links with 73 countries. Jet2.com has 50 flights ready to take off from British airports today as it plans to start its summer service Greece is one of the destinations Jet2 says it will be flying to over the course of this summer, starting from today Jet2.com flights were expected to take off from Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Newcastle and London Stansted today, after suspending its operations on March 17. It had planned to resume them on May 1, but the impact of the collapse in demand, and travel restrictions such as the UK Government's quarantine policy, meant aircraft stayed grounded until today. Further flights will take off from Belfast International and Edinburgh from July 25. He said: 'We have been saying for some time that the sun will shine again and that when it does, we will be there to take customers away on their well-deserved holidays. 'That day has finally arrived and we were delighted to see our first flights take off. 'It is fantastic to be back in the air and recommencing our award-winning flights and package holidays to sunny destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Jet2.com chief executive Steve Heapy insisted that customers are 'in safe hands when they travel with us'. All passengers must wear face masks on board its aircraft, and are advised to wear them throughout the airport An exclusive MailOnline poll shows that under a fifth of Britons intend to go on holiday abroad this year Where is Jet2.com flying to this summer? Mainland Spain Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona (from September), Costa de Almeria, Murcia Balearic Islands Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca Canary Islands Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria Turkey Izmir, Antalya, Dalaman, Bodrum Croatia Pula, Dubrovnik, Split Cyprus (commencing August 1) Larnaca, Paphos Czech Republic Prague (from September) France Bergerac, La Rochelle, Paris (from October) Greece Corfu, Crete (Chania), Crete (Heraklion), Kefalonia, Skiathos, Kos, Preveza, Rhodes, Zante Hungary Budapest Italy Rome (from September), Naples, Pisa, Venice (from September) Netherlands Amsterdam (from September) Poland Krakow (from September) Portugal (commencing August 1) Faro, Madeira, Lisbon Advertisement 'These have been incredibly uncertain and difficult times for everyone, and we have been very busy looking after our customers and doing the right thing for them. 'Now we are focused on doing what we do best - delivering award winning customer service and package holidays you can trust.' Last week Jet2.com shared a video explaining how passengers can stay safe as they head on holiday. The clip starts by explaining what passengers should do before they leave home with Jet2 advising customers to check-in online and download their own boarding passes to 'keep things contact-free'. Hand luggage should be 'light' and holidaymakers are told to 'pack enough face masks for the rest of your holiday'. If a passenger has symptoms of coronavirus, they won't be allowed to fly. On arriving at the airport, Jet2 says face masks should be worn and kept on. Last month ITV reported the Leeds-based company was going to move ahead with redundancies caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The company would not confirm the exact number of jobs at risk. However union bosses told ITV up to 102 pilot jobs could go while 380 cabin crew staff were set to lose their jobs. Tui restarted its holidays for UK customers on Saturday, while easyJet holidays will resume its programme on August 1. Before air bridges came into effect last week, arrivals to Britain were asked to give over their name, address and contact details and stay in quarantine for two weeks. Last week it was revealed not a single person has been fined 1,000 by police in England and Wales for breaching quarantine rules after arriving from abroad, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council. France is reportedly scheduled to hand over the first batch of Rafale fighter aircraft to India which is expected to be a huge boost to IAF New Delhi: In an address on the occasion of his country's National Day, French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain on Tuesday described the Indo-French strategic partnership as "ambitious", adding that the two countries had always stood by each other in difficult times. This comes just days before France is reportedly scheduled to hand over the first batch of Rafale fighter aircraft to India which is expected to be a huge boost to the IAF. The strategic partnership between India and France is ambitious and our two nations have always stood by each others side in difficult times, the French Ambassador said. France is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its support is crucial for New Delhi, with the two sharing robust strategic and defence ties. The French envoy also spoke about how both countries had strengthened cooperation amid the COVID pandemic and the fact that his country is financing emergency response programmes in India to protect the vulnerable sections of society. He described the Indo-French solidarity during the Pandemic as exemplary. France has been among the worst-hit nations by the pandemic in Europe. The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up peoples immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday as the shots are poised to begin key final testing. No matter how you slice this, this is good news, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. governments top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press. The experimental vaccine, developed by Faucis colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will start its most important step around July 27: A 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. But Tuesday, researchers reported anxiously awaited findings from the first 45 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves back in March. Sure enough, the vaccine provided a hoped-for immune boost. Those early volunteers developed what are called neutralizing antibodies in their bloodstream molecules key to blocking infection at levels comparable to those found in people who survived COVID-19, the research team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. New Delhi: Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain inspected Bhalswa landfill site on Saturday and said it was "one of the major contributor" of air pollution in the city due to frequent fires at the dumping site. "This is a big cause of air pollution in Delhi as there are frequent cases of fire at several spots at the site. There is a need to address this problem," he told reporters. The minister said the Delhi government and civic bodies are working out a plan to dispose the excess garbage and douse flames. "MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) has asked for 15 to 20 days to douse the fire," Jain said. The government is also considering to use part of garbage for road construction and rest can be utilised in waste-to-energy plant, he said. Watch: As smog engulfs Delhi-NCR, MCD schools to remain closed on Saturday, face masks out of stock Located in north-west Delhi, Bhalswa landfill site is spread over 21 acres and was commissioned in 1994. It receives about 2,700 tonnes of garbage per day. Delhi Congress leaders had in June met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung regarding pollution caused by the landfill site and urged him for its closure. "Smouldering Bhalswa land fill has not only made the air in the area toxic and highly polluted, but the underground water in the area has also been contaminated," they had said. 'Emergency situation' Earlier in the day, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal too met environment minister Anil Dave and sought Centres urgent intervention to deal with the challenge. Kejriwal likened the city to a gas chamber with main reason being smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana and appealed to people to minimise use of vehicles. After the meeting, Dave said he has called a meeting of environment ministers of all neighbouring states on Monday and will request them to curb stubble burning in their states as it increases level of smog in Delhi. There is an emergency situation in Delhi. The situation is bad, particularly for children, patients, women and elderly. We need to take immediate steps to deal with the situation, Dave told reporters, adding he was also exploring the possbility to call a meeting of chief ministers of all neighbouring states on the issue. Read: Delhi's air quality oscillates between 'severe' and 'very poor' due to worst smog in 17 years 15.07.2020 LISTEN There's one side of the conversation we're leaving out. Fact is that many of these students and staff would not ordinarily have been tested if they had not return to school. They would have been going about their routine activities and spreading the virus. Let's not pretend, when these children are home, most of them go about normal life as if we were in normal times. They frequent all our social gatherings, this has been checked with them now being confined in the school environment with authorities to monitor their activities. There may be some gaps to be filled, I believe it would be more helpful if we situate the conversation around what can be done differently or additionally to help improve the safety of our students and staff. That is what a responsible opposition should be doing, not always sitting and waiting for every opportunity to lambast government when it's very obvious that government is doing all it can to combat the pandemic. What alternatives has the NDC Covid-19 Team been proffering since their outdooring some months ago? The NDC cannot be profiteering from ravages of the pandemic, that'll be callous on their part. Instead of PTAs wanting their students to be allowed to "go back home", what's the contribution of the PTAs towards ensuring our kids are safe and have a safe environment to pursue their academic work? Covid-19 is not gonna leave us anytime soon, the experts are predicting the pandemic will be with us for up to the next 2 years. How long are our children going to be at home? How is our academic calendar going to be affected? Will students be promoted without taking the mandatory exams or completing their curriculum? Will parents (whose kids are in private schools or tertiary institutions) have to pay fees again if students are to start the academic year all over again after we've allowed schools to remain closed till at least a vaccine is discovered (when that will be, we don't know). Will my child delay 1 or 2 years of their academic journey and how is that going to affect their worklife/pension? How will industry/productivity be affected if we don't produce graduates for a year or two? There are perhaps more questions than answers for now. I respectfully submit that the call for immediate closure of schools by the NDC and some PTAs is premature. While a few of our students may be "returning home" if schools are closed, majority of them either have no "homes" to return to or will not be returning to their "homes". I have put homes in inverted columns to emphasize the significant role of homes in the fight against Covid-19 (#StayAtHome). Many of our kids would simply be returning to normal life outside the campuses, not homes. They will be returning to the streets, markets, churches, weddings, funerals, festivals, jams, homes of boyfriends, etc. My small girl has been home since the closure of schools. She's followed me, the mother, grandmothers, aunts and uncles, her cousins to virtually everywhere, including places she wouldn't have been if schools were in session. It's only God who has been holding the guard. Parents must take personal responsibility for the health of their children. There's no spare life in the market. Instead of crying and blaming government for inadequate PPEs, can we as parents support the schools and our kids with more PPEs? The fact is that government cannot shoulder everything, not even when we're in normal times. It's only when we support and complement government's efforts that we can win the fight against Covid-19 and in real-time. Stay safe, observe the Covid-19 protocols, this too shall pass! Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Audiences in Japan were saying thank you for the music as performances of Mamma Mia! were able to recommence. The performance had stringent safety measures in place including temperature checks, social distance seating, the wearing of face masks by the audience and frequent tests and health monitoring of the company and theatre staff. The show will play in Yokohama until 23 August, before moving to Fukuoka (Canal City Theatre) and then Kyoto (Kyoto Theatre). The Japanese run is the first time since the pandemic that the show has been able to recommence. Producer Judy Craymer said: "It is fantastic to have opened Mamma Mia! in Yokohama yesterday, and hope that it is restorative at this time - bringing people together is the joy of theatre. Safety of our audiences, company and crew is paramount and this opening gives us optimism that it is possible that live theatre can happen again. We hope that it won't be long before our other productions can open again in London and around the world. Theatre is the heart beat of any city and the show must go on safely." The stage show is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast, with design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch. Japan has reported fewer than a thousand deaths from coronavirus so far, though has seen a spike in cases in the country's capital Tokyo in recent days. According to government adviser Kiyoshi Kurokawa, this was due to a failure to stick to guidelines to prevent contagion. Kathy Griffin has slammed 'that POS Andy Cohen' claiming that he texting her after Joan Rivers' death to say she should host Fashion Police. Fashion Police became a massive hit in E! while led by Joan, who died aged 81 in September 2014 after which Kathy got the job. This Tuesday Kathy, 59, posted a Twitter thread telling her side of the aftermath of the legendary comedian's death. The way they were: Kathy Griffin has slammed 'that POS Andy Cohen' for texting her after Joan Rivers' death to say she should host Fashion Police; Joan and Kathy are pictured in 2009 'I loved her too': Andy, who had Joan as a guest on Watch What Happens Live multiple times, quoted Kathy's tweet about him and gave a response 'That POS Andy Cohen texted me the day Joan died with something like "you should take over Fashion Police,'" wrote the My Life On The D-List star. 'My friend Joan was a person, not a job opportunity.' Her thread began as an attack on longtime Page Six gossip columnist Cindy Adams, who was close to Joan personally and gave one of the eulogies at her funeral. Cindy, who is also friends with Donald Trump and voted for him for president, wrote a new column denouncing his niece Mary L. Trump's unflattering memoir about him. Kathy cursed out Cindy over her dig at Mary and recalled that after Joan's death the columnist 'ran some BS in Page Six saying I had been standing over Joans bed while she was in a coma (of course this never happened but...) ringing my hands in anticipation of getting the stupid Fashion Police gig.' Nostalgia: Fashion Police became a massive hit in E! while led by Joan, who died aged 81 in 2014; pictured with co-hosts Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic and George Kotsiopoulos Interregnum: The show went on hiatus for three months after Joan died and then returned with Kathy, who hosted only seven episodes before stepping down in mid-March 2015 In that column from March 1, 2015, Cindy wrote: 'Kathy Griffin - talented, able - made a grab for the job while Joan lay on life support. I know. I was right there in her hospital room holding my forever friend's hand.' The show went on hiatus for three months after Joan died and then returned with Kathy, who hosted only seven episodes before stepping down in mid-March 2015. In her new thread Kathy wrote of Cindy's column: 'This was a bridge too far, even for me. I called my then-publicist, Cindi Berger (dont even know if shes still in the business, but whatever) and asked her to confront #CindyAdams. Berger told me "ignore it. Put that newspaper in the bottom of the birdcage."' She added: 'Side note: #CindyAdams and Joan Rivers were friends. In fact, the three of us even had dinner one time in NYC. For some reason, Cindy Adams lie about me in the NY Post haunts me.' Context: Kathy's thread began as an attack on longtime Page Six gossip columnist Cindy Adams, who had denounced Donald Trump's niece for her unflattering memoir about him Andy, who had Joan as a guest on Watch What Happens Live multiple times, quoted Kathy's tweet about him and gave a response. 'I loved her too. I texted you the evening she died saying how brilliant you were on CNN, & what a unique club you were in w/ JR,' he wrote. 'The next day I texted saying youd be great on FP. A few months prior texted you suggesting you take over 1230 on CBS. What awful texts! XO POS ANDY.' His side: 'I texted you the evening she died saying how brilliant you were on CNN, & what a unique club you were in w/ JR,' he wrote, adding that 'The next day' he suggested 'FP' Cindy has been close with both Joan and Judith Sheindlin, a.k.a. Judge Judy, and the trio once went on vacation together to Colonial Williamsburg. Continuing about Cindy's column, Kathy wrote: 'I cant believe Ive been fearful and convinced by others to not dispute that false and disgusting lie.' The Suddenly Susan alumna added: 'In my opinion, this is what #CindyAdams does for a living. She tried to convince her readers that her dear friend Joan Rivers would ever be in a friendship with anyone ringing their hands over her deathbed??' She concluded: 'Come at me now b*tch and see if I care. Love, Kathy Griffin PS: RIP Joan 4 EVAH. F*** TRUMP.' Joan was both friends with Kathy and admired her professionally, although she did sometimes express resentment at being overshadowed by the younger comic. 'Haunts me': Kathy said Cindy Adams (right) told a 'sick and disgusting lie' in writing that Kathy 'made a grab for' Fashion Police 'while Joan lay on life support' Throwback: Cindy was close to Joan personally and gave one of the eulogies at her funeral; they are pictured together in the 1990s 'I am her friend but also furious. She is the big one now. My club dates have simply vanished and gone to her,' Joan told New York Magazine in 2010. 'She will last as she is very driven. Like me, she wants it. But every time a gay man tells me: "Oh, she is just like you! I love her!" I f***ing want to strangle them.' Joan's trademark humor included frequent cracks at celebrities' looks as well as her own, and she had continued in this vein on Fashion Police. When Kathy left the show she said her 'style does not fit' with it, insisting: 'There is plenty to make fun of in pop culture without bringing peoples bodies into it.' Joan's daughter Melissa, who produced Fashion Police and hosted it after Kathy left, blasted her for having 's*** all over my mother's legacy in her statement on leaving.' Kathy has feuded with Andy for years and in October 2017 he denied her allegations that he offered her cocaine before she went on Watch What Happens Live. Earlier that year Kathy had landed in a huge controversy after starring in a photo shoot where she held up a fake severed Donald Trump head in jest. 'I am her friend but also furious': Joan was both friends with Kathy and admired her professionally, although she did sometimes express resentment at being overshadowed She had previously hosted New Year's Eve broadcasts with Anderson Cooper on CNN, but during the furor he called her joke 'disgusting' and the network fired her. Andy was hired as her replacement and has been hosting the New Year's Eve broadcasts on CNN alongside Anderson ever since. Kathy, who once hosted a self-titled talk show on Bravo, told People Now last year that Andy was 'one of the worst bosses I ever had' and accused him of axing her program on that network to clear away competition for Watch What Happens Live. Funny lady: Joan is pictured entertaining Andy on a 2012 episode of Watch What Happens Live just two years before her death Politically Joan was a longtime Republican and she was personally friendly with Donald Trump, though she was much closer to his sister-in-law Blaine. Her career renaissance at the end of her life picked up after she won Celebrity Apprentice and then starred in the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece Of Work. On Watch What Happens Live in 2012 she said that she initially took a dim view of Donald, making fun of his comb-over, 'and then you go and you do Celebrity Apprentice and you realize, this is so smart, so professional. I think he's terrific. I think he would have made a great president.' Amit Sadh, who began his acting career with the popular teen series Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr, said that his transition to films happened because he was banned by the television industry. He said that he was blacklisted for being outspoken, following which he moved to Bollywood. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amit said, I did not leave television to go to the movies. In television, they banned me. They called each other and said, Isko kaam mat do (Dont give him work). Toh phir maine kaha, Achcha? Nahi de rahe ho? Toh phir main picturon mein jaaunga (Then I said, Oh? You wont give me work here? Then I will do films). By his own admission, Amit was in his early 20s and like a bull, ready to fight. He revealed that he got a call from a very big television producer, who told him that he had quite the reputation, even though he was a good actor. Maine usko bhi bol diya, Sir, galat karoge, ladunga (I told him as well, If you do something wrong, I will fight), he said. Also Watch | Nepotism versus talent: Sushant Singhs death fuels Bollywood bullying row Also read: Karan Tacker shifts from Mumbai to Lonavala house after five people test Covid-19 positive in his building Amit said that he mellowed as he grew older and he decided to channel all his anger and frustration into his craft. He said that he met some good people, following which his life changed, and he realised that there was no need to fight. Amit made his Bollywood debut with Ram Gopal Varmas Phoonk 2 in 2010. He has also acted in films like Kai Po Che!, Guddu Rangeela, Sultan, Sarkar 3 and Gold. His most recent release was the web series Breathe: Into The Shadows, which also stars Abhishek Bachchan and Nithya Menen. Amit will also be seen in Tigmanshu Dhulias crime drama Yaara, alongside Vidyut Jammwal, Vijay Varma, Shruti Haasan and Sanjay Mishra. The film is scheduled for a direct-to-digital release on July 30. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 11:55:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar on Wednesday said he had tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the country's third infected cabinet member. "I regret to announce that today, July 15, I received my test result and it is positive for COVID-19," Villar said on his Facebook page on Wednesday morning. In April, the Philippine Education Secretary Leonor Briones also tested positive for the coronavirus after the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo Ano was found to have contracted the virus. Both the Briones and Ano had already recovered. The country's Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Felimon Santos on Tuesday said that they had decided to self-isolate after they were exposed to a military aide who tested positive for the virus. The Philippines now has 57,545 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,603 deaths and 20,459 recoveries. Enditem The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation (iaedp) is launching its Second Call for Proposals for the annual iaedp Symposium slated for February 17 21, 2021. The deadline for all 2021 proposals is July 31, 2020. Next years iaedp Symposium will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. More information about the 2021 iaedp Symposium can be found at https://iaedp.confex.com/iaedp/2021/cfp.cgi. The iaedp Foundation is pursuing abstracts in both English and Spanish on inventive and inclusive treatment modalities for the many phases of the journey for those with eating disorders -- from denial and resistance to treatment and ultimately recovery. The group also requests treatment providers from all disciplines to convert their latest or ongoing research and treatment updates into meaningful eating disorder treatment protocols across populations. Many of the professionals who submit proposals for the iaedp Symposium include experiential or interactive components in their presentations. Preference is given to unique presentations that are being offered for the first time, says Bonnie Harken, Managing Director at iaedp. Individuals are limited to submitting a maximum of two proposals as a presenter or as a co-presenter. Multiple proposals may impact the review process as well as selection for presenting at the 2021 iaedp Symposium. About the iaedp Foundation: Since 1985, the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals has provided education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. MemberSHARE.iaedp.com is an iaedp business journal and online member resource to learn about noteworthy member achievements, continuing education webinars and U.S. and international chapter activity and events; for more information, visit MemberSHARE. The Presidents Council provides iaedp support and includes: Center for Change; Center for Hope of the Sierras; Center for Discovery; Eating Recovery Center; Willow Place; Laureate Eating Disorders Program; The Meadows Ranch; Rogers Behavioral Health; Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders; Selah House; The Renfrew Center; Veritas Collaborative; Alsana Eating Disorder Treatment & Recovery Centers; Walden Behavioral Care and KIPU. A Chinese man has been jailed for five years for selling his daughter so that he could buy a motorbike. The man got 3,000 yuan (245) for the girl and spent it on a bike. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 13:19:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Two Afghan soldiers and five Taliban militants were killed and 11 people from the two sides were wounded during pre-dawn clashes in northern Kunduz province, a local official said on Wednesday. "The clashes erupted after Taliban militants stormed joint Afghan army and police checkpoint in Qarghaz locality of Iamam Sahib district early Wednesday. Five security force members and six militants were wounded during the fighting," district chief Mahbubullah Sayyedi told Xinhua. The area was secured after the deadly gunbattle and the wounded people were shifted to a hospital in provincial capital Kunduz city, the official added. The northern Afghan provinces have been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban and security forces for years. On Sunday night, four civilians and five police officers and six militants were killed and eight people wounded after Taliban attacked Iamam Sahib district's police station. The Afghan troops remain in control of most of Afghanistan's population centers and all of 34 provincial capitals, but Taliban insurgents control large portions of rural areas, staging coordinated large-scale attacks against Afghan cities and districts constantly. Enditem Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot of involvement in horse trading with the Bharatiya Janata Party to topple his government in the state. IMAGE: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot addresses the media at his residence in Jaipur. Photograph: PTI Photo Pilot was removed from the posts of the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and the state Congress president on Tuesday amid a tussle for power with Gehlot. On Tuesday too, the CM had accused the rebel leader of playing into the hands of the BJP, which he said wanted a repeat of the Madhya Pradesh episode where the Congress government collapsed in March after a rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia. In an interaction with reporters in Jaipur on Wednesday, the chief minister, however, did not mention Pilot by his name but said the 'former Pradesh Congress Committee president' was himself 'doing the deal'. "We have the proof that horse trading was being committed. Money was offered. And who gave the clarification that nothing was happening? Those who were themselves part of the conspiracy are giving clarifications," he said. "Our deputy chief minister and PCC president himself was doing the deal and was giving statements that no horse trading was taking place. What clarifications are you giving when you yourself were involved in it," Gehlot added. While mentioning that he (Pilot) has been a Union minister and the state Congress chief, Gehlot said he would have performed well for the nation had he gone through 'struggle in his youth'. "Speaking good English or giving a byte is not everything. What do you have in your heart, what commitment do you have, this all is seen," Gehlot added, stressing that he is the chief minister for the third time and struggled a lot in his youth. Gehlot also said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and he himself love the youth. Gehlot also hit out at the national media saying it is supporting those who are 'involved in murdering democracy'. He said the younger generation in the media should raise a voice if the democracy is being 'murdered'. "The media should support honesty and truth. Is it not the duty of the media to raise a voice if the the democracy is being finished," he said. Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen's director of public health A staggering 85 per cent of new Covid-19 infections in Blackburn with Darwen are among its South Asian population, a local health chief revealed today amid fears it will become the second place in England to be hit with a local lockdown because of a spike in coronavirus cases. For the next month, only two people from the same family will be allowed to visit another household indoors in the Lancashire authority and everyone must wear face masks in any enclosed public space. This differs from the national guidance, which says two households of any size can meet inside. People are also being urged not to hug anyone from outside their own household and to get regularly tested at new mobile centres as part of the measures to avoid a Leicester-style lockdown, which council bosses say is a 'very real' threat. Mass testing began at the weekend after 114 people caught the virus in the last two weeks. Latest Public Health England (PHE) data shows Blackburn with Darwen has 47 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in the last week second only to Leicester's rate of 101.3. Dominic Harrison, the authority's director of public health, said 85 per cent of the 114 new cases were people from South Asian backgrounds. That's despite the South Asian community only accounting for 30 per cent of the council's 150,000 population. Many other areas of England which have the current highest infection rates of Covid-19, such as Bradford, Rochdale and Oldham, also have large South Asian communities. Professor Harrison told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'We have what we call a rising tide event rather than an outbreak. 'We have a number of cases rising in specific areas across a significant community but not a single big outbreak but not a single big outbreak like Kirklees or other areas that had a workplace outbreak. 'What we're seeing from looking at postcode data is a single case being infected then going back to a household and all of that household getting infected. Cases in Blackburn with Darwen have soared from around 20 per 100,000 population to a rate of 47 since June 24 A mobile testing centre at Witton Park High School in Blackburn with Darwen. Residents are being encouraged to get tested even if they don't have symptoms Customers wearing face masks socially distance as they queue to enter a NatWest bank in Blackburn today Mask-clad shoppers in Blackburn this morning, following news the area could see lockdown lifting measures reversed 85 per cent of the authority's new cases have been people from South Asian backgrounds. That's despite the South Asian community only accounting for 30 per cent of the council's 150,000 population (pictured, Blackburn's town centre) Latest Public Health England (PHE) data shows Blackburn with Darwen (shown) has 47 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 population in the last week second only to Leicester's rate of 101.3 What rules have Blackburn with Darwen Council put in place? These are the rules which Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced today: A limit of 2 people from the same household allowed to visit another household Please wear face coverings in all enclosed public spaces Avoid hugging or shaking hands with anyone outside of your immediate family Small shops - we will be stepping up our Public Protection advice to ensure that guidelines around face coverings, social distancing, good hygiene and increased ventilation is being followed Get tested - even if you dont have symptoms this will help with case finding Advertisement 'And when we look at that data we can see clusters in a part of the town but the clusters are household clusters and a number of those are causing the rising tide event. 'We know they are mainly in South Asian areas and they're in areas with a high number of terraced houses with high numbers of occupants in the house four or five or more. 'We've had 114 new cases in the last two weeks and about 97 of those are South Asian.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the extra measures introduced in Blackburn. He told BBC Breakfast: 'On Blackburn, I think that the council there are doing a fantastic job. 'There is a higher rate of Covid in Blackburn than the average across the country, it's not as high as in Leicester. We've gone in and are supporting them, working with them, for instance put in much more testing. And then they've taken these steps locally and I applaud that. 'This is exactly the sort of local action we want to see.' A mountain of evidence has shown Britons from black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) backgrounds are more likely to contract the disease and die from it than white people. Scientists have yet to pin down exactly why minority groups are at a heightened risk of infection. But they believe it may be partly explained by minority groups being more likely to live in deprived areas, live in large households and use public transport, where they interact with more potential carriers of the disease. People from minority backgrounds are also more likely to have underlying health conditions, which is often related to poverty. But experts say this can't explain the whole story and increased rates of vitamin D deficiency among minorities are being investigated. Blackburn with Darwen residents are now being told to wear face coverings in all enclosed public settings including at work, hair dressers, beauty salons, pubs, libraries and museums. People are being encouraged to bump elbows with other people out with their immediately family instead of hugging or embracing them. For the next month, Blackburn with Darwen residents will have to elbow bump instead of hugging or embracing people from outwith their immediately family (Boris greeting staff at the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust on Monday) Blackburn with Darwen Council (pictured: an aerial view of the council building) yesterday announced only two people can now visit another person at home The council is also offering advice to small shops which struggle to enforce social distancing to help make them more 'Covid secure' (file) WHICH AREAS OF ENGLAND HAVE THE HIGHEST INFECTION RATES CURRENTLY? Leicester Blackburn with Darwen Bradford Herefordshire Rochdale Peterborough Luton Kirklees Calderdale Wakefield Oldham Bolton Rotherham Manchester Sheffield Northampton Salford Leicestershire Stoke-on-Trent Lancashire 101.3 47.0 36.5 36.4 30.5 27.4 24.3 23.7 20.0 19.1 16.6 15.1 14.7 13.3 12.9 12.7 12.6 10.9 10.2 9.8 Figures relate to the number of new coronavirus cases diagnosed for every 100,000 people living in each local authority between July 6 and 12. Advertisement Testing has also been made available to anyone who wants one, with residents being actively encouraged to take a swab even if they don't have symptoms. And only two people from the same family are now permitted to visit another household indoors. This differs from the national guidance, which says two households of any size can meet inside. The council is also carrying out inspections on small corner shops and offering advice to those which struggle to enforce social distancing to help make them more 'Covid secure'. Professor Harrison said he was particularly worried about these shops because many older people from South Asian backgrounds go shopping every day for fresh food. Professor Harrison added: 'These steps will help and we are appealing to everyone in Blackburn with Darwen to follow them to protect themselves and their loved ones. If we don't, a local lockdown, like in Leicester, becomes a very real possibility.' He said the official number of cases may rise quite dramatically in the next week - but told the public not to panic because this will be due to increased testing. But if cases continue to rise after two weeks, then a localised lockdown would have to be considered to contain the virus' spread. Professor Harrison said it would be a gradual reimposing of the measures, rather than a blanket lockdown like was seen in Leicester. Blackburn with Darwen has not yet seen a rise in coronavirus hospital admissions, which suggests the rise in cases in recent. Professor Harrison said this boosts the council's chances of containing the new resurgence before it spirals out of control. He said there was no evidence of workplace outbreaks or widespread transmission within schools. Council leader Mohammed Khan said: 'I can reassure all local residents that the council is working with different agencies and organisations across the borough to help get the message out to everyone that life cannot go back to normal just yet, and we must all make sacrifices to avoid a local lockdown. 'Please continue to do your bit to stick to the rules to protect yourself and your family.' VANCOUVER Online shopping during a pandemic is the new normal for many Canadians, and with that comes piles of plastic packaging. COVID-19 has pushed one in two Amazon customers in Canada to shop online even more than they did before the pandemic, but half of those buying more are bothered by all the extra plastic packaging they are now receiving, according to a new poll commissioned by Oceana, the worlds largest ocean-conservation organization. Its just one example of the many ways the pandemic has slowed progress on environmental issues, according to advocates. As we all discover online shopping and how easy it can be, thats a behaviour that is likely to stay, so getting on top of plastic packaging in the online world is really important now and for the future, said Josh Laughren, executive director of Oceana Canada. Oceana hired polling company Abacus Data to conduct the survey of 1,800 Canadian adults from June 2 to 6. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Eight in ten Amazon customers that participated in the survey said they would select a plastic-free choice or similar alternative packaging if Amazon offered it. Additionally, 89 per cent said they believe major online retailers like Amazon should limit the amount of plastic packaging they ship out. We know that almost 90 per cent of Canadians want to do something about plastics, said Laughren. But its very hard to do that, right now. Plastics are thrust upon you. If you shop online, youre getting plastic packaging. Oceana is calling on Amazon and other online retailers to cut the amount of plastic used in shipping packages to customers. Industry created this problem, and they need to be responsible for helping solve it, said Laughren. People are ready to buy a product that doesnt have plastic. They just need to be given that chance. Amazon ships billions of packages worldwide every year some reports put the number of packages as high as seven billion and many boxes house bubble wrap and other plastic. One former Amazon manager says the company is more than capable of cutting packaging. Its something they could have done a long time ago, said Rachel Greer, who worked at the company for eight years as a project manager, auditing fulfilment centres on recall and product safety. Amazon already has a program called SIOC which stands for Ships In Own Container that encourages sellers to package their products in boxes that can be sent as is without an Amazon box. It reduces the box in a box problem and the packaging needed to fill the space inside, Greer explained. Only a fraction of products sold on Amazon are SIOC approved, but the company has the infrastructure to expand the program, said Greer. Thats what Amazon should be doing with all its sellers saying, We want to reduce plastic so please package your items to where they can ship out without having exterior packaging. And if your items need to have exterior packaging, we will charge you an extra fee. Greer said Amazon could also start delivering products in reusable totes to Amazon Prime members, something it already does with its Amazon Fresh program. The company has washing stations and procedures to clean the totes that hold produce like fruits and vegetables. It could do the same with totes holding non-perishable items, she explained. Greer said customers have more power to shape company policy than they think. Its about getting customers back so they keep buying stuff companies will make change if they believe thats what their customers want. And the COVID-19 pandemic is no reason to stop using reusable containers, said Lilly Woodbury, regional co-ordinator for Surfrider Foundation Canada. Reusable bags and tumblers are just as sanitary as single-use plastics as long as they are washed, she said. Woodbury worries that fears about the pandemic has people reverting to old habits, using plastic bags and takeout containers rather than bringing their own mug to the coffee shop and reusable grocery bag to the store. Go into any town and any city, you look in the garbage can. Before, you wouldnt see tons of containers and cups pile up and now you do. Read more about: Recently released archived letters from 1975, exchanged between Queen Elizabeth and her representative in Australia Governor-General John Kerr, have revealed that Australias then Prime Minister was fired without her majesty's knowledge. According to reports, in November 1975, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was planning to hold partial Senate elections in a bid to end a months-long budget standoff but before that could happen, Governor-General Kerr decided to fire him. Read: Queen Elizabeth To Make First Appearance In Months To Knight 100-year-old Veteran Queen was left in the dark As per reports, in his letters to the Queens private secretary Martin Charteris, Kerr said that he decided to take the drastic step to fire the Prime Minister because as per the constitution, it was his responsibility. Kerr further added that he believed it was best that the Queen did not know of the dismissal beforehand but mentioned it was his duty to inform her immediately after the dismissal transpired. According to reports, Gough Whitlam's dismissal is one of the great mysteries of Australian politics and was also a very divisive issue. The release of 211 palace letters have seemed to reveal some truths about the event. For decades Australians were unsure of what led to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's sacking and in 2016 a historian reportedly sued the National Archives of Australia for access to letters between Kerr and Queen Elizabeth. Read: Queen's Australia Rep Was Assured Of Power Before '75 Crisis Initially, the lawsuit demanding the release of the letters had reportedly failed as the court declared the correspondence as private letters but that judgment was reportedly overturned by the High court in May. As per reports, the letters highlight that Governor-General John Kerr and the Buckingham Palace would often discuss the political crisis in Australia. The letters also revealed that after sacking the Prime Minister, Kerr was congratulated by the Queens private secretary for his actions. The release of these letters and the revelations they have brought with them have reignited the debate on whether Australia should cut ties with Britain. Read: What Are The Differences Between Kajal Aggarwal's 'Paris Paris' And Kangana's 'Queen'? Read: Queen Elizabeth II Sends Thank You Note After She Gets 'happiness Puzzle' From 7-year-old Image Credits: AP A Los Angeles police officer filed a lawsuit against the city to reveal details of the sexual harassment he suffered while serving as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's security team. The lawsuit claims the high-ranking official was aware of the indecent act but allowed it to continue. In the complaint, Officer Matthew Garza alleged he was subjected to unwanted sexual advances from the Democratic mayor's senior political adviser Rick Jacobs. Garza became part of the mayor's security detail in October 2013. He and other officers were tasked with accompanying the mayor to function and engagements. The lawsuit included several instances where Jacobs made inappropriate comments or advances towards the officer. The political adviser would allegedly hug Garza without his permission. He would also make remarks such as "you're so strong and handsome," and "I love me, my strong LAPD officers." The complaint said Jacobs would often pull Garza in for a tight hug when they shook hands. It also said Garcetti witnessed more than half of the incidents mentioned in the lawsuit. However, the mayor "silently condoned the political adviser's actions," the Washington Examiner reports. The lawsuit claimed Garza's job required him to interact with Jacobs. But the political adviser often talked about his male lover and having "rough sex" with his partners. Jacobs also said he was attracted to younger men. During several trips out of town, the political adviser allegedly asked Garza what size condoms he used. He also asked the officer to sit on his lap. Garza lost his rank as Police Officer III +1 after he refused to return to Mayor Garcetti's security team. Disputing the accounts In a statement released by Deputy Communications Director Alex Comisar, he denounced claims that the mayor condoned Jacobs' behavior. He claimed Garcetti had zero tolerance for sexual harassment, Fox News reports. Comisar also said the mayor's office followed protocols and launched a proper investigation into the allegations. The city's attorney officer will review Garza's claims. Jacobs, the accused, also disputed the LAPD officer's accounts, calling it "pure fiction." Previous Accusations In 2018, Tracy Hernandez, the founding chief executive of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, accused Jacobs of threatening to punish her group after they opposed a tax proposal backed by Mayor Garcetti, KTLA 5 reports. The senior political adviser said he would bar members of the group from conducting business in Los Angeles for four years if they continued to campaign against the tax measure. The mayor's long-time adviser denied Hernandez's claims. He claims he felt insulted that the chief executive would accuse him of using his position and power against non-supporters. The proposal, which was named the Measure EE, aimed to impose a parcel tax that could raise enough money for the Los Angeles Unified School District. The funding would go towards sustaining smaller class sizes and increase staffing. OKLAHOMA CITY, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR) (the "Company") plans to announce second quarter 2020 results on Monday, August 3, 2020 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company plans to host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2020 results on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT). Those wishing to listen to the conference call may do so via the Company's website at www.CLR.com or by phone: Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/95419/continental_resources_logo.jpg Time and date: 12 p.m. ET, Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Dial-in: 1-888-317-6003 Intl. dial-in: 1-412-317-6061 Conference ID: 8636766 A replay of the call will be available for 14 days on the Company's website or by dialing: Replay number: 1-877-344-7529 Intl. replay: 1-412-317-0088 Conference ID: 10146341 The Company plans to publish a second quarter 2020 summary presentation to its website at www.CLR.com prior to the start of its conference call on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. About Continental Resources Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is a top 10 independent oil producer in the U.S. and a leader in America's energy renaissance. Based in Oklahoma City, Continental is the largest leaseholder and the largest producer in the nation's premier oil field, the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. The Company also has significant positions in Oklahoma, including its SCOOP Woodford and SCOOP Springer discoveries and the STACK plays. With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, Continental has unlocked the technology and resources vital to American energy independence and our nation's leadership in the new world oil market. In 2020, the Company will celebrate 53 years of operations. For more information, please visit www.CLR.com. Investor Contacts: Media Contact: Rory Sabino Kristin Thomas Vice President, Investor Relations Senior Vice President, Public Relations 405-234-9620 405-234-9480 [email protected] [email protected] Lucy Guttenberger Investor Relations Analyst 405-774-5878 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Resources Related Links http://www.clr.com >>> Virus-free British pilot heads home with Vietnamese miracle >>> International media highlight British pilots hospital discharge after defeating coronavirus Stephen Cameron fully recovered thanks to the effective treatment and rehabilitation provided by Vietnamese doctors and nurses for over three months. He was discharged from the Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital before returning home on July 12. USA Today quoted the British pilot thanking everyone in Vietnam for what they have done for him. The article appreciated the measures to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, emphasising that the high efforts of the Vietnamese doctors in treating Patient 91 have become a symbol of Vietnam's success in the fight against the pandemic. The Washington Post also assessed that Vietnam tried its best to cure Cameron. The British pilot said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Vietnamese people, and the dedication and professionalism of doctors and nurses at Cho Ray Hospital. The patient also said that he returned home with a "happy heart", even though he felt sad to say goodbye to the people and friends in Vietnam. In the UK, The Guardian also run an in-depth article about Camerons case and his treatment, as well as posted his thank-you note before leaving Cho Ray Hospital. The article shared that Vietnam has not recorded any deaths due to COVID-19 because it has responded and handled the disease quickly and positively. Sky News also reported on the repatriation of Patient 91 to the UK. It said that in the last three months, Vietnam has not found any locally transmitted infections, and all recent reported cases are people who were infected abroad and have been placed in government quarantine facilities. The Daily Mail praised Vietnam for keeping a "perfect score" when it said that the 91st COVID-19 patient detected in Vietnam was a critical case but was discharged after 115 days of treatment. The article emphasised Vietnam's achievement in maintaining a zero death rate due to COVID-19 with only just over 300 cases of infection since the outbreak began. Kanpur, July 15 : The Kanpur police has landed in a major controversy after it asked the family of a kidnapped man to pay the ransom money to the kidnappers. The family arranged for the money, Rs 30 lakh, and went to the designated spot on the Gujaini railway track on Monday. The police were apparently waiting in the wings to swoop down on the kidnapper. However, the entire plan went awry when the kidnapper fled with the money and there was no rescuing the hostage. According to reports, Sandeep, son of Chaman Singh who works at a local pathology lab, was kidnapped on June 22. The kidnappers called up the family and demanded Rs 30 lakh as ransom. Subsequently, Chaman Singh lodged a complaint and an FIR was registered at the Barra police station. On the advice of the police, Chaman Singh managed to arrange the ransom amount and, as asked by the police, he handed it over to the kidnapper. "However, the police are now saying that they are clueless about the whereabouts of the kidnappers as well as my son," Singh told the reporters. A video of his daughter crying for help from the media and the police has also gone viral on the social media. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dinesh Kumar Prabhu, said: "I am looking into the investigation of this alleged kidnapping case registered at Barra police station. Our priority is to rescue the hostage." He further said that separate teams have been formed and further investigations were on to trace the criminals and rescue the victim. SSP also assured to investigate the role of the police and said that if found guilty, they will face strict action. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text In 2019, Lenovo announced it would be the first to make a 5G laptop with Qualcomms Windows on Snapdragon platform. A whole year later, the company finally started selling the Flex 5G, which is available via Verizon for a whopping $1,400. Thats more than the base model of machines like the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Air. Why is it so expensive -- does it have superpowers? Well, if you consider very long battery life and 5G support superpowers, then the Flex 5G has them. It uses the Snapdragon 8cx chipset thats similar to the one in the Surface Pro X and the Galaxy Book S. But like every Snapdragon PC out there, this laptop suffers from app compatibility problems and buggy performance. Design Ive been spoiled by the super thin and light notebooks Ive been testing lately, like the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex and HPs Elite Dragonfly. In comparison, the Lenovo Flex 5G feels quite chunky. If the HP laptop is a graceful dragonfly and the Galaxy Book Flex an elegant butterfly, the Flex 5G is a dull, unremarkable moth. Its bigger and heftier, and nowhere near as pretty. Its dark grey-silver color looks dated, while the 0.58-inch profile and 2.97-pound footprint really weigh it down. Part of the reason the Flex 5G is heavier is simply because it is a larger laptop than the competition. As one of the first laptops supporting mmWave 5G, the Flex has limited competition. Add its Snapdragon 8cx chipset and theres basically no other computer to compare with. The most obvious rivals are the Surface Pro X, which uses a similar CPU and offers LTE instead of 5G, and the Galaxy Book S. Weve yet to review the latter, though. HP also sells a version of its Elite Dragonfly ultraportable with 5G, but it uses Intel processors. Lenovo Flex 5G review Lenovo Flex 5G review The Flex has a 14-inch screen, compared to the 13-inch panels on the Surface Pro X and the Galaxy Book S and the HP Elite Dragonfly. That bigger size should mean it has more room for ports, but youll only find a pair of USB-C sockets on the left, as well as a power button and headphone jack on the right. Even the much sleeker Galaxy Book Flex offers three USB-C ports and an onboard S Pen. I guess the Flexs 5G antenna takes up a lot of space. Story continues I do appreciate that Lenovo included a physical switch on the right edge to quickly turn on airplane mode, though. Im also glad that the bezels surrounding the display are fairly slim, so at least that part feels like a machine made for 2020 rather than 2018 (unlike the Snapdragon 835-powered ASUS NovaGo). Display and audio The Flex 5Gs 14-inch full HD display is decent. It wont knock your socks off, but it is crisp enough that I could make out individual strands of fur on a sloth in a wildlife video. The Surface Pro X has a sharper resolution, but I havent really noticed a significant difference. When I watched a trailer for Wonder Woman on the Flex 5G, Dianas golden lasso and Chris Pines shockingly blue eyes also popped. The 400-nit screen was adequate indoors but was hard to read under direct sunlight when I took it out hunting for 5G, though. Lenovo Flex 5G review The speakers flanking the keyboard could also be better. I barely heard any bass in The Weeknds Blinding Lights or Lizzos Truth Hurts, and generally songs sounded tinny. To be fair, the Surface Pro X also suffers from thin sounding audio, as do some XPS machines. This is a fairly common problem with laptops, unfortunately. Keyboard and trackpad As with most Lenovo notebooks, the Flex 5G has a very good keyboard, though its not as deep or cushy as those on the companys ThinkPads. Every key is generously sized and the layout is evenly spaced. Ive spent most of my quarantine on a smaller, 13-inch laptop, so it took my fingers a while to adjust to this wider layout, but everything I needed was within reach. The Flex 5Gs trackpad is similarly roomy, though sometimes it feels a little sluggish. The cursor movement isnt as smooth or snappy as on the Galaxy Book Flex, but I had no issues with multi-finger gestures like pinch-to-zoom or switching apps. To the far right of the trackpad is the laptops fingerprint sensor. It works as expected, and offers an alternative to the IR camera above the display for Windows Hello logins. Both biometric login options are fast, so you can choose whichever you prefer. Lenovo Flex 5G review In use and app compatibility The most fascinating feature of the Flex 5G is the Snapdragon 8cx CPU that keeps it running. Its similar to the Qualcomm-Microsoft SQ1 chipset that powers the Surface Pro X, and the technical differences arent very clear. The 8cx is supposed to provide extreme performance for Qualcomms Windows on ARM computers, and is meant to compete against Intels Y-series chips for thin-and-light notebooks. In addition to the Snapdragon processor, the Flex 5G also comes with the same 8GB of RAM the Surface Pro X offers, though Lenovo provides a 256GB SSD while Microsofts only has 128GB at the base level. The Flex 5G was mostly capable of managing my usual workload Until it wasnt. After I drained the battery with our video rundown test and restarted the laptop, getting all my Chrome tabs reloaded and apps running took an excruciating 10 minutes. I just wanted to get back into my Google Doc and address some edits or open Gmail to clear out my inbox, but each tab took minutes -- plural --to load. Even apps that werent reliant on an internet connection, like Events viewer or File Explorer, took forever to start. This was not the Always On experience that Qualcomm and Microsoft promised, and it was noticeably slower than other Snapdragon laptops Ive tested. I also ran into odd little delays here and there, like an occasional two or three-second stall when I was Alt-Tabbing to other windows or images not loading when I opened them from File Explorer, for example. But these little hiccups arent as frustrating as my biggest problem with Windows on ARM: confusing and incomplete app compatibility. Ive complained about this ever since I reviewed the first Snapdragon PC. Microsoft and Qualcomm have done a lot to make Windows on ARM run better, like improving Chrome performance and adding 64-bit support. I basically live in Chrome, and the browser did feel more stable overall, and battery life seems better than before. Geekbench 5 CPU 3DMark (Sky Diver) ATTO (top reads/writes) Lenovo Flex 5G (Snapdragon 8cx) 719 / 2,880 5,597 1.64GB/s / 401.11MB/s Microsoft Surface Pro X Not tested (was not compatible) NA 1.85GB/s / 775.76MB/s Samsung Galaxy Book Flex (2020, Core i7-1065G7, Iris Plus) 1,231/4,329 6,815 2.98GB/s / 2.77GB/s Dell XPS 13 (2020, Core i7-1065G7, Iris Plus) 982/4,659 9,502 2.7GB/s / 1GB/s But the problem, as always, comes when you need to install less popular apps. When setting up the Flex 5G, I ran into a snag almost immediately. Handbrake, one of the apps we use to benchmark performance, wouldnt install, saying it required a 64-bit system and that my PC was only 32-bit. I also tried installing the 64-bit version of Slack and couldnt, though the 32-bit option worked. Its infuriating, because according to the systems About your PC page, the Flex 5G runs a 64-bit operating system on an ARM-based processor. Most of our usual Windows benchmarks also arent compatible. This is a serious problem that Microsoft needs to work on because its crippling the entire platform, including the Surface Pro X. I understand that getting widespread app compatibility is hard, but the messaging needs to be clearer. And, more importantly, dont lie to the user -- if 64-bit apps wont work, dont call this a 64-bit operating system. Lenovo Flex 5G review 5G and LTE So, app compatibility sucks, but the Flex 5G does have its merits. One of the highlights is right there in its name: 5G connectivity. Lenovo announced it was making a 5G laptop with Qualcomm back in June 2019, but took a year to actually launch the thing. The company probably needed the extra time to figure out how to get its 5G antennas in the system. The Flex 5G works with both mmWave and sub-6 Ghz technologies for up to 2 Gbps downloads over 5G. And while 5G coverage is still pretty sparse, youll get plenty speedy service over gigabit LTE the rest of the time. Our review unit came with Verizon service and I was able to rely on LTE for all my work. (Note: Verizon is our parent company, but has no control over our editorial content.) I downloaded benchmarks, program installers and even had a four-way video conference with no speed or image quality issues. The problem with Verizons ultra wideband 5G network is that coverage is still pretty sparse. According to the carriers maps, Id have to cross the street or walk down the block for 5G, but even when I went out hunting for a signal, I never found one. Its nice that Lenovo was able to build support for the super fast mmWave technology that Verizons network relies on, but Im not sure the tradeoff in size and weight are worth it. Battery life At least the company didnt compromise on battery life for 5G, though. My gosh the battery life on this thing. The multi-day runtime claims here are true. I could generally use the Flex 5G for a whole workday and part of another on a single charge. Since I havent been working outside much, I havent connected the Flex to 5G, but its fair to expect that would ding the battery life a bit. Battery life Lenovo Flex 5G 16:47 Microsoft Surface Pro X 11:45 Dell XPS 13 (2020) 15:55 Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 13:33 On our battery test, the Flex 5Gs hit an impressive 16 hour and 47 minutes, beating every other laptop weve tested this year by a pretty significant margin. In second place is the Dell XPS 13 with a 15:55 runtime. And thats despite the fact that the Flex 5G only has a slightly more generous 60 Whr battery compared to Dells 56 Whr cell. Lenovo Flex 5G review Wrap up The Flex 5G delivers on its two biggest draws: fast cellular speeds and long battery life. But these days, few people are traveling and the need for a long-lasting machine that will stay online when on the go is minimal. Plus, Windows on ARM still needs a lot of work. The much prettier Surface Pro X starts at $999, and even after adding the keyboard its total of $1,200 is still cheaper than the Flex. The Galaxy Book Flex starts at $1,300, but it uses a more-powerful Intel Core i7 chipset, comes with an S Pen and has a gorgeous QLED screen. Sure, neither of these machines support 5G (or even LTE in the Samsung laptops case). But $1,400 is a lot to pay for a laptop that might not run every app you need. And thats not counting the extra $15 to $30 a month youll have to fork over for a data plan. If you wait till next year to buy a 5G laptop, not only will there be better coverage, but the device will likely be thinner and lighter, too. The Flex 5G is an adequate machine, but its not worth buying during a global pandemic and recession. A Jeju Air plane is stationed in front of a Eastar Jet plane at Incheon International Airport, July 7. / Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye Jeju Air's choice regarding its planned takeover of debt-ridden Eastar Jet is drawing keen attention from airline industry officials, as Eastar Jet failed to meet the conditions Jeju Air suggested by the deadline that passed Wednesday. Jeju Air, the nation's biggest low-cost carrier, now has a hard choice between two options either close the acquisition deal with the troubled budget carrier despite the latter's debts estimated at about 170 billion won ($142 million), or take steps to cancel the planned takeover. As neither is ideal, Jeju Air is holding internal meetings to discuss the issue before making a decision. Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae Google is the latest investor in Reliances Jio Platforms. Sundar Pichai also delivered a small speech at Reliances AGM 2020. Read full text of his address here. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani at the company's annual general meeting announced a big partnership with Google. Google is going to invest 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms in exchange of a 7.7% stake. Google and Reliance Jio will co-develop a low-cost smartphone that will support 4G or even 5G. Google will provide a special India-focused operating system. Ambanis announcement was followed by an address by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. In his address, Pichai reiterated the companys commitment to the Indian market. He also pointed out the recent $10 billion investment under the Google for India Digitization Fund. Here is what he said: Thanks, Mukesh, and to the entire team at Reliance Industries, for all the work you do to give millions of Indians the power to shape their destiny through technology. And thank you for the opportunity to share a few words about what our new partnership means to Google. Getting technology into the hands of more people is a big part of Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through this partnership with Jio Platforms we see the chance to have an even greater impact than either company could have alone. This partnership is a key part of the next chapter of investment in India. Earlier this week we announced our Google for India Digitization Fund, an effort to invest 75,000 crore rupees or approximately $10 billion -- to accelerate India's digital economy over the next 5 to 7 years. Our investment of $4.5 billion in Jio is the first -- and the biggest -- investment we will make through this fund. I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who don't currently own a smartphone...while improving the mobile experience for all. Growing up I remember how the arrival of each new technology improved the lives of my family. Today, people in India no longer have to wait for technology to come to you. Awhole new generation of technologies are happening here, first. At the same time, smartphones and affordable data have made it possible for a billion Indians to come online. Reliance, and Jio in particular, deserves a good deal of credit for this progress. But there is more work to do to connect every Indian to the opportunities that technology creates. This goal is especially important at a time of enormous challenge for India and the world. I've never been more hopeful about India's future -- it's a future we can help shape by partnering together. Thank you for having me. I wish you strength and good health in the months to come. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:23:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MADRID, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid have issued an appeal for fans not to celebrate in public if they claim the La Liga title on Thursday night. Real Madrid will be crowned as champions if they win at home to Villarreal on Thursday night or if FC Barcelona fails to beat Osasuna in the Camp Nou. Usually, a title for Real Madrid would lead to mass celebrations with thousands of supporters gathering around the Plaza de Cibeles in the center of the Spanish capital. However, with the risk of infection by the coronavirus, COVID-19 still very possible, the club has issued a communique asking fans to stay at home. "If Real Madrid are proclaimed Champions, our players will not go to the traditional places of celebrations, especially the Plaza de Cibeles and we ask our fans not to go to these places either." "We have to all contribute, as we have done up to now, with absolute responsibility to avoid risks of contagion," explains the club, which adds that "any possible triumph of our team, should not lead to a step backward in everyone's fight against the pandemic." The club made the declaration after thousands of fans of second division Cadiz gathered outside their ground on Saturday, with no regard for the health risk to greet their team, who were promoted to La Liga on Sunday. Meanwhile, hundreds of fans also gathered to welcome the Real Madrid and Granada players ahead of their game in the Los Carmines Stadium on Monday night. These gatherings prompted Spain's Minister of Culture and Sport, Jose Manuel Rodriguez to say on Tuesday that there should be "no public celebrations." "The images of fans celebrating their teams' achievements in the past few hours make it vital to remain a citizen of the importance of following the rules and especially in avoiding the crowds we have seen," explained Uribes. Enditem On Sunday July 12, 2020, Sherri "Shug" Renee Adderley transitioned into eternal life. She was born August 2, 1969 in Washington D.C. to the late, William L. Davis (deceased in 2003) and Beverly A. Davis. Sherri graduated from Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, MD in 1987, after which she attended Norfolk State University where she graduated Cum Laude in 1991. She attended the University of Delaware (1991-1992) seeking a Master of Arts Studies, Political Science/Public Administration as well as the University of Maryland College Park (1993-1994) seeking the Master of Arts Studies, in Organizational Theory. She was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In 1992, Sherri met Alexander Adderley and fell in love. They were married on June 19, 1999. Through this union, Sherri was blessed with becoming a mother figure to Deion Harris. Sherri was a devoted Christian. She would frequently visit Union Bethel A.M.E. Church in Brandywine, MD, with her mother, and Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD. Sherri started her Federal work service as a student career intern at the Naval Research Lab. She later worked at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for twenty-one years. Upon leaving the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency she worked for the State of Maryland Highway Administration for four years. Looking for a new challenge, Sherri started working for the District of Columbia Government as a Budget and Operations Specialist in the Office of Innovation and Systems Improvement for District of Columbia Public Schools. Sherri wasn't the life of the party, "she was the party." Any space was filled with joy the minute she entered with her infectious smile. She loved to shop and her sense of style was legendary. Sherri had a strong personality, as well as, a good caring, loving heart. She enjoyed baking, cooking, the "one-armed bandit" and hanging with her friends. Even though she would complain, cooking at mom's house for family functions she would have it no other way. She loved to make macaroni and cheese, seafood salad, and the drunken rum cake. She enjoyed playing cards, reading and listening to reggae music. Sherri was very competitiveA she loved to win no matter what it was! Sherri is survived by her husband Alexander, son Deion, three grandkids Diondra Robertson, Isiah Harris, and Drew Harris; mother Beverly A. Davis, brother William L. Davis II (Kasia), sisters Patria Bailey (Martin), and Janice Mercer; loving mother-in-law Geneva Adderley, sister-in-laws Geraldine Watts (Kevin), Ophelia Adderley, Keshia Foxx and brother-in-law Jerome Adderley; aunts Theresa Jackson, Evelyn Gutrick (Lawrence), and Janice Grady, uncles Burnie K. Grady and John Davis (Janet); and a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her father William; paternal grandparents William F. and Mattie P. Davis; maternal grandparents Joseph Ernest Sr. and Charlsie Mae Grady; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her viewing will held be from 10:00am until time of service 11:00am, Saturday, July 18th in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, Waldorf, Maryland. Live Stream Available at the link below: Once on the Live-Stream page, go to the bottom right side of the screen to click on the word LIVE to increase the audio. https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang 15.07.2020 LISTEN It seems the NDC's noise about the running mate has vanished into thin air just like any of their propaganda stuffs. But, was the noise even necessary at all? In Ghana, we have had the 1st female Professor, Prof. Abena Dolphine; the 1st first female Chancellor of State University, Mary Chinery-Hesse; the 1st female Speaker of Parliament; Mrs. Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo; the 1st female Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood; the 1st female Foreign Affairs Minister, Madam Hannah Tetteh; the 1st female Attorney-General, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu; the 1st female Chief of Staff, Madam Abena Frema Osei Opare; the 1st Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, the 1st female GJA President, etc. But, which of the above personalities did the NDC make noise about? They were silent probably because those positions were not as important as the selection of a female as a running mate of an opposition party. Pardon my naivity, but in all honesty, can a running mate be compared with any of the aforementioned positions? I would have said yes, if Jane had been sworn in as Vice President of Ghana. Unfortunately, this has not been the case and can never be the case with John Mahama as the flag-bearer of the Party he sent into opposition as a sitting President. It is against this background that, I am putting before the NDC that, if they actually believe in feminism and want to portray to the whole world that, their running mate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is superior to John Mahama, in terms of qualities, achievements or credentials, then, they should do the needful by swapping her with John Mahama. This is because at the end of the day, it is the same rejected old face decorated with thievery, corruption and incompetence that will be on the ballot paper for the NDC, come December 7, other things equal. Ghanaians cannot allow one person out of the 30m populace to be President on two occasions, when the country is blessed with rich human resource. If JM's record of achievements was anything better, I am sure he wouldn't have been kicked out with over 1m vote difference. We cannot go back to the era of trainee allowance cancellation, 3 months' pay policy, dumsor, freeze on public sector employment, 'visas' to guinea fowls to fly to Burkina Faso, and more importantly, the cancellation of the free senior high school programme. #SayNo2theNDC# *#4more4Nana2domore#* Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang Asante Bekwai - Asakyiri During one sleepless, sweaty night recently, I went downstairs at 3am to find my gangly 15-year-old triplets squashed onto a sofa eating spaghetti. What are you doing?! I asked, exasperated. They gawped at me, confused. Watching Finding Nemo, they said in unison, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world to be doing at 3am on a week night. With no school and no social life available, my teens have gone feral. Of course, Im very happy for you if the past four months have been a whirlwind of rustic baking, new languages, and getting rid of that baby weight with Zoom workouts. Good for you. But my days have been hell, and will remain so until the schools reopen. Its not the isolation good lord, no. Oh, for an hour of uninterrupted access to the TV and enough bread left to make a modest cheese sandwich. Jackie Clune (pictured) reflected on spending lockdown in London with her husband Richard and four teenagers Saoirse, Thady, Frank and Orla Its having to navigate the menopause alongside being a mum of four lovely but hormonally challenged teenagers a 16-year-old girl and my naturally conceived triplets, born just 18 months after the first child. My ovaries had a hilarious pre-menopausal last hurrah at the grand old age of 39. Whats worse than being locked up in your own house, with no access to the wide support network of like-minded friends, while you sweat all day and then toss and turn all night, courtesy of the menopause? Ill tell you what being locked up in your own home, with no access to the wide support network of like-minded friends, while you sweat all day and toss and turn all night, courtesy of the menopause, and sharing a house with large, noisy, listless teenagers. Teens who are often grumpy, bored and ratty one minute, then singing at the tops of their voices for hours on end in the shower the next. Forget those poor working mums struggling with toddlers while simultaneously attempting to work from home its parents of teens who win a special place in Parenting Hell. I wrote my new novel, Im Just A Teenage Punchbag, in the halcyon pre-Covid days. Ciara, the central character, suffers at the hands of her three teens to the point where she reconsiders her future in the home. My kids are nowhere near as awful as hers, but being with them all the time has amplified everything to the point where I, like thousands of other mums, am wondering, Could I just . . . go?! The baby years are tough, the teenage years even tougher but at least, normally, you send them off to school for seven hours a day, allowing you ample time to peel dried cereal from their bed sheets and sit crying on the floor in front of Escape To The Country. Jackie said she was more concerned about her mental health, than her children's education when she heard schools were closing. Pictured: Jackie's children When the announcement about school closures came, it wasnt their education I was worried about it was my own mental health. How on earth would I, and Richard, my husband of 18 years, survive months on end with four teens Saoirse, Thady, Frank and Orla in our small, four-bed, terraced house in London? As well as suddenly feeling like I was in a crowded lift going nowhere, I had just been slam-dunked into the hot, sweaty and irrational waters of the menopause. After an early menopause at the age of 41, and 12 years on HRT, a scan in January revealed a risk of hyperplasia a thickening of the womb which can develop into uterine cancer. This can sometimes happen if you dont take the progesterone part of the HRT cycle regularly enough. I had sometimes opted to stay on feel-good oestrogen pills, rather than go through the downer of progesterone. I had cheated and now I had to pay. We fill up the fridge and overnight it empties again I had no option but to stop HRT immediately. No tapering off, no soft landing. The optimist in me wondered if the symptoms wouldnt return after such a long time on HRT. Wrong! What you never hear about is the fact that those mood swings and hot flushes dont just pack their bags and leave you for ever they hang around like muggers in an underpass waiting to pounce once you come off HRT. Within three days of stopping it, I was opening windows during rainstorms, wafting my T-shirt and screaming at anyone who didnt put the milk back in the fridge. This pandemic better be over in a few weeks, I thought. Or there will be hell to pay. Of course it wasnt. And of course there still is. The mother-of-four explained that around the time she stopped drinking, her triplets became nocturnal. Pictured: Jackie and her children The first few weeks werent that bad. Then I stopped drinking. The afternoon wine was getting earlier and earlier, and it wasnt helping with the menopausal insomnia, so I cut right back. At roughly the same time, the triplets became nocturnal, prowling the house on all-night feeding frenzies, inhaling vats of pesto pasta and instant noodles, then sleeping all day. They only emerged late in the afternoon in time for a massive bowl of Coco Pops. Four months down the line and we are now in the vortex just as soon as the fridge is filled up, it mysteriously empties again overnight. Just as the sink is clear of dirty dishes it, in turn, appears to refill like the Magic Porridge Pot. I lie awake listening to the creak of the landing floorboards, wondering how long it will be before they switch on the telly. They do wash the shower is always on, with someone in it blaring out aggressive music and not closing the shower door properly so that water leaks onto the floor and through to the hallway ceiling. During the recent heatwave, I was so hot and fed up of shouting that I stood under the leak and let it drip onto my head. It was quite refreshing. Then theres the washing. Although they are not going anywhere, they can still only wear an item of clothing for half an hour before spilling tomato ketchup or dribbling chocolate on themselves. Jackie said her results at home-schooling have resulted in shouting, as she has menopausal brain fog and its been decades since she studied science, maths or geography. Pictured: Jackie's children The high-pitched hum of the spin cycle does at least mask the sound of their constant whining about having to pick their clothes up off the floor; about having to empty their bins which are full of soft-drink cans and ice-cream cartons; about having to do anything apart from post TikTok videos or play computer games. And the school work. Wow. With schools closed, they have been inundated with online work, none of which I understand, so my attempts to home-school them result in us shouting and not much getting done. One of the many disadvantages of having children so late in life is that I have menopausal brain fog, and it is decades since I studied science, maths or geography. Saoirse, in Year 11, has had her GCSEs cancelled, but the triplets are due to be taking theirs next summer, so should be halfway through their important studies. Instead, they emerge from their pits daily to blink mutely at page after page of maths. Mum I have to name these two axes! Colin and Dave? I suggest. MUUUM!!! Jackie argues online learning platforms and an uncertain future is linked to the level of mental distress in the young. Pictured: Jackie's children I dont know, Im menopausal! I cant remember anything even when the bins go out, and that happens every week! Why do you think I go running down the street after the bin men in a nightie and wellies on Monday mornings? Richard is no help. He builds greenhouses for a living and has, thankfully, been able to return to work in time to save us from penury. And himself from a home-schooling breakdown. Schoolwork is my domain and I complain bitterly. Their response is the ultimate put-down to my generation: OK, Boomer. I have to admit, I feel for Generation Z. Sent home to sit it out with impenetrable online learning platforms, and grappling with an uncertain future, its no wonder there are spiralling levels of mental distress in the young. Does that mean they dont ever have to wash up, walk the dog or empty a bin? They certainly seem to think so. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of their book and claim Boomer menopause privilege? If I stop doing everything and let the cupboard go bare, the sink fill up and the rubbish spill over, they will soon realise the error of their ways and understand that a family thrives on mutual respect and cooperation. But then, who am I trying to kid? If I threw in the towel and collapsed in a menopausal heap by the front door, theyd just step over me to get to the nearest McDonalds. Im Just A Teenage Punchbag by Jackie Clune (14.99, Coronet) is published on July 23. A 64-year-old Norfolk man was sent to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after receiving injuries in a tractor accident in rural Stanton County. The Stanton County Sheriffs Office reported that personnel responded to the accident at 5:20 p.m. The accident occurred about a quarter of a mile north of the Highway 275 junction with Highway 57. A southbound John Deer tractor, driven by Brian Brovont on 566th Avenue, left the county road and entered the west ditch. The tractor rolled down a steep embankment and landed on its side, according to the sheriffs office. Brovont was extricated from the wreckage and flown directly from the scene by Life Net medical helicopter to a Sioux City hospital. Restraints were not in use and the tractor suffered severe damage. Stanton Fire and Rescue and Stanton County Emergency Management also responded to the scene. Highway 275 was closed to traffic for about 20 minutes as the helicopter landed in the middle of the highway. Still, the country has fared far better than the United States. The close allies share similar connections to initial hot spots in China and Europe, and they confirmed their first cases within a week of each other in January. But the United States has since reported more than three times as many total infections per capita, and nearly twice as many deaths. The U.S. forces in Afghanistan have evacuated five military bases and handed over them to Afghan forces, a local TV channel reported Wednesday. "The United States took the decision of evacuating the five bases in accordance with a peace agreement signed between the U.S. and Taliban militants in late February this year," Ariana News TV reported. The bases are reportedly located in southern provinces of Helmand and Uruzgan and eastern provinces of Laghman and Paktika. The foreign forces stationed in nine military bases across Afghanistan before the evacuation. Since the signing of the agreement, Afghan leaders, including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, have frequently demanded the Taliban to reduce violence. The militants, however, have intensified attacks, killing and injuring scores of combatants and civilians. The government has released more than 4,000 Taliban inmates and the Taliban insurgents have freed over 600 national security force members after the deal. Presently, more than 10,000 foreign forces, including 8,500 U.S. troops, are serving in Afghanistan to train and assist domestic forces in the war on the insurgents. (CGTN) Bogota Coronavirus infections are no longer increasing as rapidly in Chile, which on Tuesday reported 1,836 new cases, the lowest figure in 63 days. "The improvement continues," Radio Cooperativa quoted Health Minister Enrique Paris as saying. One of the Latin American countries with the most Covid-19 cases, Chile on Tuesday confirmed a total of 319,493 infections and 7,069 deaths, according to Deutsche press agency (dpa). The number of new cases fell to 1,836 from 2,616 on Monday. The southern regions of Aysen and Los Rios on Monday started returning to normal, with cinemas, theatres and cafeterias allowed to function at 25 percent of their capacity.In the metropolitan area of the capital Santiago, the end of the lockdown "no longer seems that far away," Paris told the daily La Tercera. The northern regions of Arica, Tarapaca and Antofagasta still have high levels of infection, said the undersecretary of social assistance networks, Arturo Zuniga.Paris gave credit for the general improvement to his predecessor Jaime Manalich, who "prepared the country very well, above all in testing, treatment in intensive care units, the purchase of ventilators." Chile has had a relatively low mortality rate from the virus, Paris pointed out. Santiago residents have repeatedly staged protests especially in poorer areas, where weeks of lockdown have prevented people from leaving their homes to work. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Typically the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the countrys largest youth employment program, and its providers have months to prepare and develop virtual summer jobs for 75,000 of the citys youth ages 14 to 24. This summer they have one week. A 27-year-old man is being questioned by detectives investigating the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead as she observed rioting in Londonderry last year. Ms McKee, 29, was shot by dissident republicans in Londonderry in April last year, as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of the city. The extremist group that styles itself the New IRA was responsible for the murder. Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead during riots in the Creggan district of Londonderry in April last year The suspect was detained in Londonderry on Wednesday under the provisions of the Terrorism Act. He has been taken to Musgrave police station in Belfast for questioning. Officers also conducted a search of a house in Derry on Wednesday. Last month, police found the handgun used to kill Ms McKee. The Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol was discovered during searches in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry. Guns were fired and petrol bombs thrown during the riots in Londonderry in April 2019 Ms McKee's death cause widespread condemnation across the world, with the incident helping to kick-start political talks surrounding the Stormont powersharing early this year. The journalist's funeral in April 2019 was attended by Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, President Michael D Higgins and former British prime minister Theresa May. Her mother died in March, just five weeks before the first anniversary of her daughter's alleged murder. Ms McKee had regularly visited her mother in north Belfast (pictured together) to look after her before she was killed Police found a Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol, thought to have been used to kill Lyra, during searches in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry in June Joan Lawrie passed away in a Belfast hospital almost one year after her daughter was shot dead while observing a riot on Londonderry's Creggan estate in April. A family member said on Twitter: 'My wee Mother In Law, passed away last night of a broken heart. Unable to live without her baby Lyra. 'My Wee mother in law whom I loved with all my heart, I will love you to beyond eternity. Mother and daughter rest in forever peace. #Lyramckee#Joanmckee.' In February, a 52-year-old man appeared in court in the city charged with the authors murder. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday claimed that his team had proof that Congress MLAs were being lured into a rebellion against the state government. He said the attempts to topple his government have been going on since some time, forcing the party to sequester all party MLAs in a Jaipur hotel on multiple occasions. He added that the current crisis would have unfolded before had the party not been on guard. Horse trading was being done in Jaipur, we have the proof. We had to keep people at a hotel for 10 days, if we had not done that, the same thing that is happening in Manesar now would have happened back then, Ashok Gehlot was reported as saying by a news agency. Gehlots statement follows his former deputy Sachin Pilots denial of planning the Congress governments downfall in conjunction with the opposition party, the BJP. Sachin, who is camping with several of his loyal party MLAs at a Manesar hotel, also declared that he was not joining the BJP. His statement was a counter to Gehlot camps persistent claims that Pilot had fallen trap to a BJP plot to overthrow the Rajasthan government. Gehlot, also in a broad swipe at Sachin Pilot, claimed that the new generation in politics didnt have the patience to wait for their turn. I have been in politics for 40 years, we love the new generation, the future will be theirs. This new generation, they have become central ministers, state presidents. if they had gone through what we did in our time, they would have understood, Gehlot was quoted as saying. Gehlots statement is a reflection of an opinion gaining ground among the old guard in the Congress that the young leaders ought to wait for their turn in the pecking order, bringing to fore the friction between the young and the old guard in the party. While yesterday, a few party young guns including Priya Dutt, Jitin Prasada and Shashi Tharoor had expressed sympathy for Pilot, several senior party leaders, including Digvijaya Singh, Veerappa Moily, have come out today hitting out at the young generation for being in a hurry at the expense of the party. Pilot, however, had alleged a counter-plot to weaken his position within the party, especially before the Gandhis-- a reference to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son and former party president Rahul Gandhi and her daughter and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. He didnt specifically name Gehlot for plotting his downfall but the opposition BJP has not been mincing words while accusing Gehlot of having produced, scripted, directed and acted in a film aimed at ousting his challenger Sachin Pilot from the party. While party national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande suggested it was still not the end of the road for Pilot in the party, the sword of disqualification from the state assembly hangs over Pilot and his 18 followers, who have been asked to explain their position by Friday. Party chief whip Mahesh Joshi has asked the assembly speaker to disqualify Pilot and his supporters claiming they have been plotting against the party and deliberately disobeyed a whip to attend legislative council meetings in Jaipur over the past two days. Among those sent notices are Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena, who were sacked along with Pilot from the state cabinet after their rebellion against CM Gehlot. Deepender Singh Shekhawat, Bhanwar Lal Sharma and Harish Chandra Meena, who had given statements against the Gehlot government, are others on the chopping block. On Tuesday, Sachin Pilot was sacked as deputy chief minister and the state Congress president after he did not attend the Congress legislature party (CLP) meetings, held over Monday and Tuesday. Two other ministers loyal to him were also given the boot from the Cabinet. In another important move, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has dissolved all district and block party committees in the state, said Avinash Pande. India fully removed from Iranian railway project: Report Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 12:26 PM An Indian newspaper says Iran has decided to remove India from a partnership on a key railway project that is being constructed southeast of Iran along the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Hindu said in a Tuesday report that Iran is now going on with the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway on its own, despite the fact that the project was supposed to benefit from India's supply of investment and equipment. The report said recurrent delays by India in bringing in the required investment and the equipment needed to build the rail line finally caused Iran to drop the partnership. Iran began track-laying for the 610-kilometer railway last week after authorities said they have the finances required to finish the project until the end of the current fiscal year in Iran in March 2021. Iran has tapped into its sovereign wealth fund to draw more than 300 million euros for the project, according to statements by Iranian officials in the past. India has been a major contributor to the plans to develop Chabahar, Iran's sole ocean port on the Sea of Oman and where India seeks to build terminals and port installations to ease its trade access to Afghanistan and other landlocked countries in the Central Asia region. New Delhi has been hesitant to become actively involved in the Chabahar-Zahedan project mainly because of the threat of the American sanctions. The report by Hindu reiterated that India has obtained the required waivers from the US sanctions to contribute to the construction of the rail line. However, it said that Indian Railways Construction Ltd (IRCON) has failed to find equipment suppliers and partners who are not fearful of being targeted by US sanctions four years after it signed an agreement with Iran to become involved in the project. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Violent abusers are put on an eight-month waitlist before they begin a reformative program as organisations struggle to keep up with post-pandemic challenges in south-east Queensland. "Its actually terrifying," said Stacey Ross, the CEO of Redlands support service The Centre for Women and Co. The waitlist for domestic violence perpetrators to undergo mandatory programs has lengthened. Credit:Gabriele Charotte Ms Ross said there was a need to monitor men as well as the impacts of COVID-19 on children living in a violent household. "The program is about holding men accountable, keeping eyes on perpetrators and making sure theyre being supported and reducing the violence." A drunk teenager caught driving a vehicle with a missing wheel blamed 'society' for not teaching him how to change a tyre, police allege. The stationary vehicle was spotted blocking a lane on Yarra Road in Warrandyte in Melbourne - which is under lockdown - at 3am on Wednesday. Police questioned the 19-year-old driver who explained that he and his passenger did not know how to change the tyre, officers allege. He explained that the tyre was punctured and had continued to drive until the car couldn't go any further. The 19-year-old driver told police the tyre was punctured and he didn't know how to change it (pictured) The 22-year-old passenger explained to police that it was not their fault they did not know how to change a tyre ,and that it was 'society's fault' for not teaching them. The driver then underwent a breath test and returned a reading of 0.162, police alleged. His license was suspended on the spot for 12 months and is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences. The pair were also each fined $1,652 for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. Rush Limbaugh warned Americans they should get used to living with the threat of coronavirus and urged his audience to adapt to the pandemic like the Donner Party pioneers took to cannibalism to avoid starvation. The right-wing radio host made the bizarre comments as part of a lengthy monologue about the ongoing pandemic on the Rush Limbaugh Show Wednesday morning. Limbaugh, who previously referred to COVID-19 as being no more severe than the common cold, called the response to the outbreak as un-American. He also compared the situation to the Spanish flu pandemic of the early 20th century, claiming then-President Woodrow Wilson never mentioned it. There was no national policy to deal with it, the controversial host said. There was no shutdown, there was just, Hey, go outside, get some fresh air, stand in the sun as long as you can, get some vitamin D, feel better. Scroll down for video Rush Limbaugh warned Americans they should get used to living with the threat of coronavirus and urged his audience to adapt to the pandemic like the Donner Party pioneers took to cannibalism to avoid starvation Who Were the Donner Party? The Donner Party - or Donner-Reed Party - were a group of nearly 90 American emigrants led by two wealthy brothers, Jacob and George Donne,r who migrated to California in a wagon train from Springfield, Illinois. Delayed by a series of mishaps, the group spent the winter of 1846-1847 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains after being trapped by heavy snowfall. With food and supplies running dangerously low, some of the group resorted to cannibalism to avoid starvation. As the sick and weary died, among them children, human flesh was reportedly prepared for surviving members as meals to keep them alive. In once instance, Elizabeth Donner, Jacob's wife, reportedly announced to the group one morning that she had cooked the arm of Samuel Shoemaker, a 25-year-old teamster who had died in the night. Only 45 of the 89 emigrants made it to California the following year. Historians have described the episode as one of the most spectacular tragedies in California history, and in the entire record of American westward migration. Advertisement During his rant, Limbaugh failed to mention that the Spanish flu pandemic killed nearly 700,000 Americans and claimed more than 50 million other lives worldwide and also declined to discuss the significant advancements in medicine since that outbreak, which began in 1918. Instead, Limbaugh, who is currently battling lung cancer, said the Spanish flu was just one of those things that happened to people that they dealt with like the Donner Party. The Donner Party, or Donner-Reed Party, were a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. However, delayed by a series of mishaps, the group spent the winter of 1846-1847 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains after being trapped by heavy snow. It was so bad that they had to turn to cannibalism to survive, Limbaugh said. Thats whats noteworthy about the Donner Party. They didnt complain about it because there was nothing they could do. They had to adapt. This is whats missing, the host continued. There seems to be no concept of adaptation. There seems to be no understanding in the Millennial generation that we can adapt to this, and that were going to have to. With the pandemic now entering its fourth month, and with no vaccine for the virus yet in sight, Limbaugh urged that Life has to go on. Life has to be lived. Its not meant to be spent cowering and curled up in the corner in fear. Its not meant to be spent as a victim. Your life is worth more than simply saying, Theres nothing I can do about it, I have an excuse for not even trying. But this is exactly where we are and its not who we are, he concluded. Delayed by a series of mishaps, the Donner Party spent the winter of 1846-1847 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains after being trapped by heavy snow and turned to cannibalism when faced with starvation With the pandemic now entering its fourth month, and with no vaccine for the virus yet in sight, Limbaugh urged that Life has to go on. Life has to be lived Limbaugh disclosed his lung cancer diagnosis in February. President Trump awarded him the Medal of Freedom the following day, the nations highest civilian honor. In the months that followed, as the pandemic began ravaging the county, Limbaugh made a number of controversial outbursts or unequivocally untrue claims about coronavirus. This coronavirus, theyre justall of this panic is just not warranted, Limbaugh said on March 11. This, Im telling you, when I tell youwhen Ive told you that this virus is the common cold. When I said that, it was based on the number of cases. Its also based on the kind of virus this is. Why do you think this is COVID-19? This is the 19th coronavirus. Theyre not uncommon. The 69-year-old has also routinely questioned the credentials of the Trump administrations response to the outbreak. You cant believe the virus numbers, he said last month. The press, the media, has every incentive to hurt Trump. And the people counting and adding up all these numbers, they have issues with counting and they are hiding their math. Limbaugh disclosed his lung cancer diagnosis in February. President Trump awarded him the Medal of Freedom the following day (above), the nations highest civilian honor. In the months that followed, as the pandemic began ravaging the county, Limbaugh made a number of controversial outbursts or unequivocally untrue claims about coronavirus. Earlier this week, Limbaugh revisited coronavirus cases numbers and floated a conspiracy theory that the numbers were purposely being inflated in states that Trump needs to win. Are you telling me that 15,299 cases a record number of cases in one day anywhere at any time, yesterday in Florida, has resulted in a grand total of 130 new patients? Thats less than two-and-a-half percent of the number, Limbaugh said Monday. It is exactly as I have been warning everybody. These new cases, record number of new cases and notice that they are being reported in states that Trump needs to win. Across the US, more than 3.4 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March. Considered the world's epicenter of the virus, more than 136,000 Americans have so far died and more than a million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. See whats available and for how much with an selection of virtual Open Houses in the GTA. CHINATOWN Location: 12A Cecil St.; College and Beverly Sts. Type: Three-storey townhouse condominium; 3+1 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms Asking Price: $2,450,000 See it here: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22031602/12a-cecil-st-toronto-kensington-chinatown Listing agents: Wins Lai, Living Realty Inc., wins@winslai.com, 416-903-7032. Features: Chef-inspired Cameo kitchen with Jennair stainless steel appliances; custom closets in master bedroom; CN tower views in master and second bedrooms, pot lights throughout, redesigned terrace Location highlights: Minutes walk to U of T campus, Queens Park, Torontos major hospitals on University Ave., College streetcar. KAWARTHA LAKES Location: 614 Kenstone Beach Rd.; County Rd. 8 and Kenstone Beach Rd. Type: Detached two-storey; 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms Asking price: $624,900 See it here: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/21914517/614-kenstone-beach-rd-kawartha-lakes-bobcaygeon Listing agents: Paul Orchard, Coldwell Banker R.M.R., 705-328-5676, www.cbrmr.com Features: Lower-floor living area with woodstove, bedroom and full bathroom; living room on main floor; pool with new liner and solar blanket; rooftop solar panels Location highlights: 15 minutes to Lindsay; 10 minutes to Bobcaygeon; 90 minutes to Toronto; close to Hwy. 36. NIAGARA-FORT YORK Location: 218 Queens Quay W., # 1214; York St. and Queens Quay W. Type: Highrise condominium; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Asking price: $989,000; monthly maintenance fee, $684.21 See it here: https://karenlaw.ca/218-queens-quay-west Listing agents: Karen Law, Century 21 Leading Edge Realty, 647-836-2895, www.karenlaw.ca Features: Kitchen has built-in stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and lots of storage; living and dining room combined with floor-to-ceiling windows; walkout balcony with view of Lake Ontario; two bathrooms; parking space included Location highlights: Across the street from Harbourfront Centre; short walk to Union Station, the Path, CN Tower and Aquarium, Rogers Centre, Toronto Convention Centre, waterfront restaurants and shopping; close to Gardiner Expwy. and Don Valley Pkwy.; walk score of 100; steps to streetcar. CARLISLE Location: 1580 Centre Rd.; Carlisle Rd. and Hwy. 24 Type: Detached two-storey; 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms Asking price: $2,650,000 See it here: homegrouprealty.ca Listing agents: Jess & Scott Poland, Home Group Realty, Scott, 519-837-5975, info@jessandscott.com Features: 45-acre property; chefs kitchen; three fireplaces; family loft above garage; slate and hardwood floors; saltwater pool; post and beam gazebo Location highlights: Access to Hwy. 401 and Hwy. 403. Close to Waterdown. MISSISSAUGA Location: 1174 Melba Rd.; Stanfield Rd. and Queensway E. Type: Detached two-storey; 4+1 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms Asking price: $2,100,000 See it here: https://mediatours.ca/property/1174-melba-road-mississauga/ Listing agents: Steve Bulatovic, Sutton Group Realty, www.asksteve.ca, 416-791-3665 Features: Designer coffered ceilings with indirect lighting; master retreat ensuite; custom gym; chefs kitchen with quartz countertop, centre island and eat-in area overlooking backyard; Kitchen-Aid Architect Series appliances; custom trim Location highlights: Close to QEW; near shopping and amenities; short drive to Lake Ontario and Hwy. 401. Open House is compiled by freelance contributor Elaine Smith , a Toronto-based real estate writer, from information that is publicly available. Please contact listing agent to confirm before attending. Send upcoming open house listings to staropenhouselistings@gmail.com Read more about: Worlds most popular audio streaming subscription service now available to 250 million more people in Europe as Spotify expands to 92 markets worldwide Spotify is available for free, offering unrivaled personalized music discovery Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) today launched its service in 13 new markets across Europe including Russia, one of the worlds top 20 largest streaming markets. Already the worlds most popular audio streaming subscription service, with todays expansion, Spotify now reaches a current total of 92 markets worldwide. Spotifys 13 new markets include: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine. As the leading platform driving music discovery on more types of devices than any other service, Spotifys expansion in Europe comes as consumers in the region embrace streaming. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Russia is the 17th-biggest streaming market in the world and on pace to be the 10th-biggest streaming market by 2030. More than 87 percent of fans in Russia now access music through streaming, compared to 61 percent adoption globally, and 68 percent adoption in the U.S., according to IFPI. Starting today, Spotify is offering both its Free and Premium services in each of its 13 new markets. Todays launch opens the door for nearly 250 million fans to start discovering new music from around the world on Spotify, and for artists in the region to reach the increasingly connected global audience of fans, said Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify VP, Markets and Subscriber Growth. Launching in these 13 markets is an important moment in Spotifys journey, especially as we welcome fans and artists in growing music markets like Russia, where streaming is being widely adopted and where we see a significant opportunity for Spotify. As a part of Spotifys expansion announced today, it has introduced 200 new playlists featuring artists from across the region that are available to fans around the world. To highlight Russias rich musical culture, for example, Spotify has added almost 100 playlists, including editorially curated playlists like Hip-Hop Cannon and New Music Friday Russia, and This Is playlists featuring popular Russian artists. Personalized Spotify playlists like Release Radar, Daily Mix, and Discover Weekly, which are informed by the listening habits of individual fans, are also now available in Russian. The Spotify app is available to download for free or with an upgrade to Spotify Premium, including Individual, Family, Student (select markets) and Duo Premium Plans. To enjoy music the way you want it, download the Spotify app today via the Android or iOS app store or by heading to www.spotify.com/free. Click here for further imagery. About Spotify Technology S.A. Spotify transformed music listening forever when we launched in 2008. Our mission is to unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by these creators. Everything we do is driven by our love for music and podcasts. Discover, manage, and share over 50 million tracks, including more than 1 million podcast titles, for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features for music including improved sound quality and an on-demand, offline, and ad-free listening experience. Today, we are the worlds most popular audio streaming subscription service with a community of more than 286 million users, including 130 million Spotify Premium subscribers, across 92 markets. We use our Investors and For the Record websites as well as other social media listed in the Resources Social Media tab of our Investors website to disclose material company information. For more information, images, or to contact the press team, head over to https://newsroom.spotify.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005912/en/ A former paratrooper who fought ISIS in Syria following the Manchester Arena Bombing has told of the 'heartache' of being arrested on terror charges and held in jail for seven months following his return to the UK - only for his case to be dropped. Afghanistan veteran, Daniel Burke, 32, was inspired to travel to Syria and join the YPG militia in the fight against ISIS after 23 people were killed in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert three years ago. Despite enduring 'terrifying' fighting in the South of Syria to help push out ISIS, the former soldier from Wythenshawe, Manchester has been held in prison since December after UK officials arrested and charged him with three terror offences. Former British Army paratrooper Daniel Burke, 32, travelled to Syria to fight ISIS after being shocked by the Manchester Arena Bombing in May 2017 Mr Burke told Good Morning Britain today: 'At the time it was heart aching, but when you look at it in hindsight you can't blame the British Army and you can't blame the counter terrorism unit. 'What it came down to was the CPS, they've got a personnel vendetta against people like me. 'They basically are the law and they don't like other people taking the law into their own hands.' Mr Burke said he had seen a bail application refused six weeks ago as he faced 'overwhelming evidence,' of his guilt, two weeks later the charges were dropped. Following defence disclosure applications, it was announced at the Old Bailey on Friday, July 3, the prosecution would offer no evidence against Mr Burke. Daniel (left) pictured with Oliver Hall, a fellow YPG resistance fighter who died while clearing mines in Raqqa in 2017 The first charge against Mr Burke alleged he assisted Daniel Newey to commit, prepared or instigate an act of terrorism last October. The second charge alleged he was involved in an arrangement with others to provide money and military equipment while having reasonable cause to suspect that it would or may be used for the purposes of terrorism. He was further charged with engaging in conduct in preparation to commit, prepare or instigate an act of terrorism between October 7 and December 7 last year. Daniel Burke was held in prison on terror charges for seven months, until his case was dropped at the beginning of July Daniel Burke (right) fought in Afghanistan in the parachute regiment before fighting in Syria He had been arrested at a port on his way to Spain, where he told GMB he plans to set up a resort for veterans and other people with PTSD to visit and relax. Despite his decision to join Kurdish fighters in the fight against ISIS leading to his arrest, Mr Burke said he had no regrets. He said: 'It was definitely worth it. The best way to describe it, on the front line over there your enemy's in front of you. In Afghanistan you never actually had a front line, so every centimetre, inch you take of that land you're liberating a people that's been oppressed for the last four years since had taken over. 'My areas of operation were down in the South as we pushed forwards, pushed ISIS backwards, civilians would come out behind us take off their Burkhas, burning them, some of the hugs that you got and seeing those people being liberated day after day, that paid for it, really did.' Speaking of his time awaiting trial at HMP Wandsworth, he said: 'I was angry, really really annoyed, you don't really tend to sleep at all. 'You know for a fact you're innocent, that's one thing I liked about my case, all I had to do was tell the truth. Despite spending seven months in prison, the former soldier (second left) said it was 'definitely worth,' travelling to Syria 'But at the same time it felt there was a hidden agenda to push this case forward. 'About three to four weeks ago we applied for bail and it got turned down because CPS had overwhelming evidence against me and it's futile to even bother giving me bail. 'Two weeks after that I was told there's not enough evidence and my case was being dropped. 'The thing I want to know is what happened between those two weeks that turned this case upside down.' Mr Burke told viewers he still trying to 'get his life back together,' but has plans to travel to Spain to set up a rehab centre for people with PTSD. She is currently shooting a fashion campaign in the popular holiday destination with Charlotte Crosby and Billie Faiers. Yet Jacqueline Jossa took some time out from her hectic schedule to enjoy a day of partying with her friends at O Beach Ibiza on Tuesday. The former EastEnders actress, 27, looked sensational in an orange cut-out swimsuit which showcased her toned curves. 'Mum's day off!': Jacqueline Jossa took some time out from her hectic schedule to enjoy a day of partying with her friends at O Beach Ibiza on Tuesday Jacqueline teamed the item of clothing with a white sheer cover-up skirt, which had a daring hip-high slit to display her bronzed legs. Adding some finishing touches, the I'm A Celeb winner opted for gold metallic heeled wedges and a white handbag. Jacqueline took cautious measures amid the coronavirus pandemic as she arrived to the venue in a pink patterned face mask but she soon ditched the item once inside the lavish beach resort. Friends: The former EastEnders actress, 27, looked sensational in an orange cut-out swimsuit which showcased her toned curves Sensational: Jacqueline teamed the item of clothing with a white sheer cover-up skirt, which had a daring hip-high slit to display her bronzed legs Stepping out: Adding some finishing touches, the I'm A Celeb winner opted for gold metallic heeled wedges and a white handbag The soap star wore her brunette locks into a fun textured hairdo with the front parts styled into French braids. Jacqueline added a slick of glamorous make-up to enhance her pretty features and finished her look with oversized brown sunglasses. The mother-of-two appeared in great spirits as she sipped on beverages, danced and partied with her friends. Cautious: Jacqueline took cautious measures amid the coronavirus pandemic as she arrived to the venue in a pink patterned face mask but she soon ditched the item once inside the lavish beach resort Party time: The soap star wore her brunette locks into a fun textured hairdo with the front parts styled into French braids Beautiful: Jacqueline added a slick of glamorous make-up to enhance her pretty features and finished her look with oversized brown sunglasses Happy days: The mother-of-two appeared in great spirits as she sipped on beverages, danced and partied with her friends Jacqueline also took to Instagram to post a picture of herself in the swimwear, she penned: 'Mums day off, exciting day ahead in Ibiza with my @inthestyle fam,' as she promoted the clothing brand. The actress has been keeping her 2.8 million followers updated during her trip to Ibiza with Charlotte Crosby and Billie Faiers with In The Style for their summer clothing collections. On Monday, Jacqueline was one of the guests of honour at a villa party held by clothing brand InTheStyle. Giggles: Jacqueline was spotted gigging with her pals as she sipped on a beverage at the celeb hot spot in Ibiza Peace! The actress playfully made a peace sign as she strutted into the venue with a female pal Deep in thought: Jacqueline was spotted having a deep conversation during the day of partying Jacqueline clearly had a fabulous time at the beachside villa as she enjoyed some fruity cocktails, a grazing platter and a live DJ set. The trio headed out to the Spanish Island on Sunday evening ahead of a shoot with the clothing brand. Earlier this month Jacqueline and husband Dan Osborne proved their relationship was firmly back on track despite speculation as they enjoyed a day of strawberry picking with daughters Ella, five, and Mia, two. Busy bee: The actress has been keeping her 2.8 million followers updated during her trip to Ibiza with Charlotte Crosby and Billie Faiers with In The Style for their summer clothing collections Entrance: Jacqueline was pictured making a stylish and fun entrance to the beach venue Candid: Jacqueline also took to Instagram to post a picture of herself in the swimwear, she penned: 'Mums day off, exciting day ahead in Ibiza with my @inthestyle fam,' as she promoted the clothing brand Back in May, it was reported that Dan 'begged' Jacqueline to return to their marital home after she moved out amid their marriage issues. She revealed she had moved back into their abode part-time amid claims they had been 'fighting non-stop'. It was then reported that Dan 'begged' Jacqueline to come home and she is adamant they can 'make it work' as they make a 'good team'. The actress was said to have missed her husband and wants to take things 'really slowly' now she has returned part-time. She will split her time between their marital home and her parents' house. A source said: 'Dan begged her to come home and she's admitted she missed him. They had been fighting non-stop but together they make a good team. It won't be easy but Jacqueline's sure they can make it work. She wants to take it slowly.' MailOnline contacted Jacqueline and Dan's reps for comment at the time. The couple's relationship has been plagued with cheating allegations and tensions between the pair have reportedly been taking their toll. But Jacqueline took to Instagram to clear up the rumours at the time, stating: 'I need some time. There is no split. No divorce. We are working together not against each other', before she returned to their home, where they now remain. Picking up a can of soft drink may be a simple task for humans, but this is a complex task for robots - it has to locate the object, deduce its shape, determine the right amount of strength to use, and grasp the object without letting it slip. Most of today's robots operate solely based on visual processing, which limits their capabilities. In order to perform more complex tasks, robots have to be equipped with an exceptional sense of touch and the ability to process sensory information quickly and intelligently. A team of computer scientists and materials engineers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has recently demonstrated an exciting approach to make robots smarter. They developed a sensory integrated artificial brain system that mimics biological neural networks, which can run on a power-efficient neuromorphic processor, such as Intel's Loihi chip. This novel system integrates artificial skin and vision sensors, equipping robots with the ability to draw accurate conclusions about the objects they are grasping based on the data captured by the vision and touch sensors in real-time. "The field of robotic manipulation has made great progress in recent years. However, fusing both vision and tactile information to provide a highly precise response in milliseconds remains a technology challenge. Our recent work combines our ultra-fast electronic skins and nervous systems with the latest innovations in vision sensing and AI for robots so that they can become smarter and more intuitive in physical interactions," said Assistant Professor Benjamin Tee from the NUS Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He co-leads this project with Assistant Professor Harold Soh from the Department of Computer Science at the NUS School of Computing. The findings of this cross-disciplinary work were presented at the renowned conference Robotics: Science and Systems conference in July 2020. Human-like sense of touch for robots Enabling a human-like sense of touch in robotics could significantly improve current functionality, and even lead to new uses. For example, on the factory floor, robotic arms fitted with electronic skins could easily adapt to different items, using tactile sensing to identify and grip unfamiliar objects with the right amount of pressure to prevent slipping. In the new robotic system, the NUS team applied an advanced artificial skin known as Asynchronous Coded Electronic Skin (ACES) developed by Asst Prof Tee and his team in 2019. This novel sensor detects touches more than 1,000 times faster than the human sensory nervous system. It can also identify the shape, texture and hardness of objects 10 times faster than the blink of an eye. "Making an ultra-fast artificial skin sensor solves about half the puzzle of making robots smarter. They also need an artificial brain that can ultimately achieve perception and learning as another critical piece in the puzzle," added Asst Prof Tee, who is also from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology. A human-like brain for robots To break new ground in robotic perception, the NUS team explored neuromorphic technology - an area of computing that emulates the neural structure and operation of the human brain - to process sensory data from the artificial skin. As Asst Prof Tee and Asst Prof Soh are members of the Intel Neuromorphic Research Community (INRC), it was a natural choice to use Intel's Loihi neuromorphic research chip for their new robotic system. In their initial experiments, the researchers fitted a robotic hand with the artificial skin, and used it to read braille, passing the tactile data to Loihi via the cloud to convert the micro bumps felt by the hand into a semantic meaning. Loihi achieved over 92 per cent accuracy in classifying the Braille letters, while using 20 times less power than a normal microprocessor. Asst Prof Soh's team improved the robot's perception capabilities by combining both vision and touch data in a spiking neural network. In their experiments, the researchers tasked a robot equipped with both artificial skin and vision sensors to classify various opaque containers containing differing amounts of liquid. They also tested the system's ability to identify rotational slip, which is important for stable grasping. In both tests, the spiking neural network that used both vision and touch data was able to classify objects and detect object slippage. The classification was 10 per cent more accurate than a system that used only vision. Moreover, using a technique developed by Asst Prof Soh's team, the neural networks could classify the sensory data while it was being accumulated, unlike the conventional approach where data is classified after it has been fully gathered. In addition, the researchers demonstrated the efficiency of neuromorphic technology: Loihi processed the sensory data 21 per cent faster than a top performing graphics processing unit (GPU), while using more than 45 times less power. Asst Prof Soh shared, "We're excited by these results. They show that a neuromorphic system is a promising piece of the puzzle for combining multiple sensors to improve robot perception. It's a step towards building power-efficient and trustworthy robots that can respond quickly and appropriately in unexpected situations." "This research from the National University of Singapore provides a compelling glimpse to the future of robotics where information is both sensed and processed in an event-driven manner combining multiple modalities. The work adds to a growing body of results showing that neuromorphic computing can deliver significant gains in latency and power consumption once the entire system is re-engineered in an event-based paradigm spanning sensors, data formats, algorithms, and hardware architecture," said Mr Mike Davies, Director of Intel's Neuromorphic Computing Lab. This research was supported by the National Robotics R&D Programme Office (NR2PO), a set-up that nurtures the robotics ecosystem in Singapore through funding research and development (R&D) to enhance the readiness of robotics technologies and solutions. Key considerations for NR2PO's R&D investments include the potential for impactful applications in the public sector, and the potential to create differentiated capabilities for our industry. Next steps Moving forward, Asst Prof Tee and Asst Prof Soh plan to further develop their novel robotic system for applications in the logistics and food manufacturing industries where there is a high demand for robotic automation, especially moving forward in the post-COVID era. ### New York City police on Wednesday released footage of the suspect wanted in connection to the assault of several officers on Brooklyn Bridge. In a video from the scene the man - dressed in cream pants, a dark red shirt and wearing a bright red bandanna around his face - is first seen climbing over the barrier on the bridge holding a cane to club officers. Several NYPD officers were attacked and injured Wednesday as pro-police and anti-police protesters clashed on the bridge. At least four officers - including the citys highest ranking uniformed cop, Chief of Department Terence Monahan - were hurt and 37 demonstrators were arrested, police said. Following the assault on officers, police tweeted: 'The New York City Police Department is seeking the publics assistance identifying the following individual in the attached photos and video wanted for questioning in regard to an assault on police officers in the confines of the 5th Precinct. 'On July 15 at approximately 10:10 AM, on the Brooklyn Bridge while attempting to make an arrest an unidentified individual struck multiple police offices with a cane.' The man is seen running along the busy roadway between cars as he makes his escape. Other pictures released by the cops show the object he is holding in more detail, revealing it to be similar to a wooden cane. Scroll down for video The NYPD later released a video of the suspect in the attack who is seen fleeing the scene A bicycle officer helping a fellow officer dress a head wound after the clash on the bridge Other police photos of the aftermath showed a lieutenant with a bloodied face, a detective holding a bandage to his head In footage of the incident tweeted by the NYPD Wednesday, the protester is seen swinging a long object down at the heads of a group of officers from a pedestrian walkway as they attempt to arrest someone at 10am. Police photos of the aftermath showed a lieutenant with a bloodied face, a detective holding a bandage to his head, and a bicycle officer helping other officer dress a head wound. Their injuries are all said to be serious. Chief of Department Monahan meanwhile, who is seen the video dressed in a white shirt, suffered a fractured finger in the scuffle and other minor injuries, officials said. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who earlier this month slashed NYPD funding by $1 billion, has yet to speak out about the incident, despite being active on social media throughout Wednesday. Several NYPD officers were attacked an injured Wednesday as pro-police and anti-police protesters clashed on the Brooklyn Bridge (Chief of Department Terence Monahan shown in white) In footage of the incident tweeted by the NYPD Wednesday, a protester is seen swinging a long object down at the heads of a group of officers from a pedestrian walkway Monahan meanwhile, who is seen the video dressed in a white shirt, suffered a fractured his finger in the scuffle and other minor injuries, officials said An unoccupied NYPD van was broken into then set on fire early Wednesday morning in Greenwich Village, officials confirm. They are searching for four suspects The mayor later signed into law a series of police accountability measures inspired by the killings of George Floyd, Eric Garner and other black people. Elsewhere in Manhattan Wednesday, a police patrol van was torched in the early hours of the morning. The NYPD is also seeking assistance in identifying the four culprits who broke into an unoccupied marked NYPD van at around 4.30am at 21 East 12 Street in Greenwich Village and set it alight. Pictures shared by the NYPD of the incident show the rear drivers side window smashed in and the interior of the van destroyed by the flames. They also released surveillance camera footage of the suspects as they seek to track them down. No injures were reported. The injured Chief of Department Monahan was one of several NYPD officials lauded last month for taking a knee with demonstrators in the city on June 1. But De Blasio's silence about Wednesday's incident has drawn the ire of hundreds online, who are calling for the mayor to step down from office. NYPD released this image of four suspects they believed forced an unoccupied,marked NYPD van in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Manhattan. They are as yet unidentified Pictures shared by the NYPD early Wednesday morning show the rear drivers side window smashed in and the interior of the van destroyed by the flames. There were no injuries 'Where is the outrage?' asked NYC Scanner on Twitter. 'The NYPD Chief of Dept along with 3 other officers were brutally attacked today, some needing the hospital, yet [Mayor de Blasio] has tweeted ELEVEN tweets since the incident (7 hours) - all of them about police reform - and not ONE tweet condemning the attack.' Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik called for Governor Andrew Cuomo to oust de Blasio as mayor immediately. 'NYPD Chief of Department attacked by #BlackLivesMatter thugs! Bill de Blasio should be removed from office by Gov. Cuomo!!!!' he blasted. DeAnna Lorraine, once a Congressional opponent on Nancy Pelosi, added: 'This is what you created, Bill de Blasio. I'd ask if this was the goal, but I bet it actually was the goal. De Blasio had helped paint a Black Lives Matter mural on a Bronx street before signing police reform measures. They include a ban on chokeholds and other restraints that could restrict a persons breathing. The NYPD has long barred chokeholds, but that hasnt stopped some officers from using them in recent years most notably in Garners death on Staten Island just shy of six years ago. Other reforms include requirements for officers to have their shield numbers visible and not obscured by things like black mourning bands; for the NYPD to create and publish to its website a schedule of officer disciplinary violations and penalties, and for the department to disclose information about its secret surveillance technology. Another makes clear that the public has a right to record police activity. Monahan and the other injured officers were marching with a pro-police group led by local clergy when they were met on the bridge by anti-police activists, some of whom have been camping outside City Hall in recent weeks to demand severe cuts to police funding. In a longer clip of the clash obtained by DailyMail.com, an all-out brawl is seen erupting between a dozen protesters and a group of NYPD bike patrol officers. One protester is seen charging towards an officer, knocking him to the ground and striking him several times as he lay on top of the flattened cop. A number of other scuffles break out between the demonstrators and cops around them. As Monahan, who is seen perched on the other side of the fence, attempts to grab one of the protesters, another activist moves in the strike him several times in the face. The action prompts a cycle unit cop to rush in to his superior's aid, striking the culprit a number of times before attempting to hoist him over a fence into the custody of Monahan and another officer. As Monahan, who is seen perched on the other side of the fence, attempts to grab one of the protesters, another activist moves in the strike him several times in the face The action prompts a cycle unit cop to rush in to his superior's aid, striking the culprit several times before attempting to hoist him over a fence into the custody of Monahan and another officer Chief of Department Monahan was one of several NYPD officials lauded last month for taking a knee with demonstrators in the city on June 1 If the mayor were doing his job properly, we wouldnt have this issue. If the DAs were prosecuting the laws, we wouldnt have these issues. What we are seeing right now is chaos in the city of New York and the victims are minorities, Ed Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, told CBSNY. Some people in the pro-police group marched with a banner that said, We Support the NYPD. The leader of that group said they were calling for an end to a recent spate of violence, including the shooting death of a one-year-old boy in Brooklyn. The protesters near to where the incident took place scattered as more police swarmed in and several people were taken to the ground and arrested. At one stage, several officers and bicycles gave chase to one fleeing protester and surrounded him. The protester charged into a number of the bicycles, knocking officers to the ground, PIX11 reported. The demonstrator was then taken into custody, according to the network. The NYPD were seen loading between 15 to 20 protesters into an NYPD van at 10:05am. An officer is seen pulling the hair of a Black Lives Matter Protester as he pulls her toward the ground on the Brooklyn Bridge In total 37 people were arrested following the clash on Wednesday morning, police confirmed A New York City police officer grabs a Black Lives Matter protester during a confrontation near a pro-police rally and prayer vigil near City Hall One protester is seen being taken into custody on the Brooklyn Bridge Wednesday morning 'They literally arrested about 20 of our folks, as this protest, stop, we're going to arrest Black Lives Matter protesters and then allow this protest to peacefully come by,' said Jonathan Lykes, Black Youth Project 100 to ABC of the arrests. 'They didn't want a counter protest, they didn't want democracy, they didn't want freedom in this moment,' he continued. Wednesday's demonstrations were the latest in a wave of protest activity across the country since George Floyd was killed May 25 by Minneapolis police. Those gathered participated in singing after speeches encouraging people to stop the violence. We've come to turn down the walls of injustice and social inequality. We are here to build walls and build bridges that unite people, one protester told Fox 5. The first few nights of protests in New York City were marred by looting, unrest and violence inflicted both by and on police officers. Since then, protests have largely been peaceful. On Recovery Fund 'all win or all lose in EU', says Conte No shabby deal on recovery fund at summit says Italy PM (ANSAmed) - ROME, JUL 15 - Either the EU wins as a whole or loses as a whole over the proposed coronavirus Recovery Fund, Premier Giuseppe Conte told parliament Wednesday. "Today in the EU either we all win or we all lose, together", he said amid a row between southern European and northern European countries ahead of this weekend's EU summit on the issue. Conte said Italy would not accept a "shabby compromise" over the new fund. Conte told a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this week on the EU Recovery Fund talks that "it is a very difficult negotiation, I have always stressed the difficulty, but I have tried in an ambitious way to represent the common goal of a solid, strong and coordinated EU response". Conte said the EU should offer "solutions, not illusions and fears". Merkel said she thought there might be an agreement after the EU summit on Friday and Saturday even though positions were "in part divergent" at the moment. She added, however, that another meeting might be needed. She indicated that she would not back Italy's position to the hilt but would give at least some concessions to the northern hawks. The European Commission has proposed a 750 billion euro Recovery Fund, more of it coming in grants than loans. 'Frugal' northern European countries want a lower total and more loans, with strings attached such as structural budget reforms, than grants. Conte has enlisted the support of southern European countries in pushing for the original format, and a deal by the end of this month. He reiterated this on Wednesday, telling the Italian parliament "we must absolutely reach deal by the end of July". The countries who are against the format say there is no hurry to get a deal. Germany is duty chair of the EU. It is trying to negotiate a deal between the two groups of countries. European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni also said Wednesday that "there cannot be failures or postponements at the summit, we cannot afford it". (ANSAmed). Dead man caught alive during photo shoot India oi-Briti Roy Barman New Delhi, July 15: God came in a disguise of the cameraman. Nothing less can be described the incident. Tomy Thomas, an Ernakulam-based photographer, on Sunday was asked by officials of the Edathala police station to come to a house near Kalamassery to click photographs of a deceased person, Sivadasan, as part of preparing the inquest report. While Tomy was about to take photographs, something happened that left Tomy surprised. Video of migrant workers looting food packets at Itarsi railway station goes viral The 42 year old photographer heard a low quivering sound. Tomy did not pay attention to the sound at first, but he was left startled when a sudden thought struck him. He immediately bent close to the lying body on the floor, waited for seconds before he again heard the sound, which Tomy says described as a low snoring sound. Tomy alerted police officials at once on the spot, expressing doubts that the man might be alive. And the miracle happened. Sivadasan, the man who was believed to have passed away is now under treatment in the intensive care unit at the Jubilee Mission Hospital in Thrissur, reported Malayala Manorama first. Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News Sivadasan, A native of Palakkad, had been living alone at Manalimukku in a rented house. Talking to The News Minute, the photographer who has worked with the police for 25 years on similar assignments, talked about the bizarre experience happened on Sunday. "When I entered the house, the man was found lying face down on the floor. Apparently, he had injured his head after he hit the corner of a bed, blood could be seen clotted on the head wound. Since the light in the room was not adequate to click photos, I leaned over the man to turn on the light switch which was on the wall right next to where he was lying. It was then that I heard a feeble voice," Tomy says. "A shiver ran down my spine as it hit me that the man was actually alive," added Tomy. Sivadasan had fallen down due to high blood pressure and hit his head on the bed. He was found to be in an inebriated condition. Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 : The Congress on Wednesday again sought to corner Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the gold smuggling case, asking him why was he "shielding" IAS officer M Sivasankar in the matter. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told the media that Vijayan is fearful of something since the gold smuggling case being probed by the NIA has reached his office. Sivasankar was removed as CM's Principal Secretary and IT Department Secretary after the case came to light, though Vijayan has not favoured suspension of the IAS officer. "Whom do you fear Vijayan? Why are you shielding Sivasankar, who was grilled by the Customs for several hours. His alleged links with the arrested accused are now known to all, but you continue to shield a tainted high officer who reigned supreme for more than four years in your office. This means you have something to hide," Chennithala said. The Congress will hold a state-wide protest on July 24 to demand Vijayan's resignation. The Congress leader alleged that Vijayan now misused his daily Covid briefings to abuse people, the media and the opposition. " The CM is trying to hide behind a probe ordered by the Chief Secretary against Sivasankar. Who is he trying to fool? Een Vijayan may be called in for questioning by the NIA. What information will the Chief Secretary probe bring out? Vijayan has to quit first and then face the probe," added Chennithala. State BJP President AK Surendran too demanded that Vijayan quit as Chief Minister. "We now hear that Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel also has links with the accused. He said that he got in touch for distribution of kits by the UAE Consulate. But it was not a food kit but a 'gold kit'. Everything appears mysterious and fishy but Vijayan continues to say there is nothing," said Surendran. Swapna Suresh, a former employee of the UAE Consulate, and employed with the IT Department, of which Sivasankar was in charge, and three others were booked by the National Investigation Agency for allegedly facilitating smuggling of 30 kg gold in a diplomatic baggage to Thiruvananthapuram from Dubai on July 5. Sivasankar ran into trouble after his alleged links with Swapna surfaced. Sivasankar has reportedly admitted to the Customs that he and Swapna were friends. She was on the run after the arrest of her friend and former colleague P.S. Sarith by the Customs. Later, it was revealed that Swapna and Sivasankar were close and had attended several Kerala government events. Vijayan removed him both as his Principal Secretary and in charge of Information Technology Department though he ruled out his suspension on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the name of another person attached to Vijayan's office has surfaced for allegedly helping those involved in the case. Sivasankar, who was let off by the Customs after a nine-hour grilling in the early hours of Wednesday, is now likely to be called in for more questioning by the Customs and the NIA. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text President Donald Trump's name is seen on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, in San Antonio, Texas, on April 23, 2020. (Eric Gay/AP Photo) The Next Pandemic Relief Bill May Delay Lawmakers August Recess Republican lawmakers are in the process of drafting their next pandemic relief package which they have indicated will stay within the $1 trillion range as compared to the Democrats current relief package, which is close to $3 trillion. While leaders from both parties have said they want funding for testing and treatment for COVID-19 and funding for schools to be included in the next package, unemployment relief, stimulus checks, hazard pay for essential workers, and liability insurance are some of the areas that are not yet agreed upon. Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has indicated that Republicans are not willing to compromise on liability protections for hospitals, schools, and businesses to help shield them from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was asked recently if she supports the Republican push for liability protection by CNN. Well, what does he mean by that? Does he mean essential workers have to go to work, if they dont, they lose their Unemployment Insurance, and if they get sick there, they have no recourse? I think a better path would be for them to join us in our OSHAa strong OSHA provision that is in The Heroes Act, she said. Its not just about workers, though. Its about customers and clients and other people who have exposure to any particular workplace. The OSHA provision, Speaker Pelosi referenced, is the law Congress created to ensure employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers but it does not protect employers from lawsuits. The Democrat controlled House passed the $3 trillion Heroes Act in May which did not make it to the Republican-controlled Senate for a vote. The Democrat Bill includes $300 billion for front-line workers to receive benefits during the pandemic and close to $200 billion for housing assistance. Tomorrow, it will be two months since we passed The Heroes Act with putting money in the pockets of the American people, the Unemployment Insurance, and the direct payments. You talked about the moratorium on evictions ending now. We have overalmost $200 billion in there, $100 billion to help renters, and $75 billion to help people meet their mortgage payments as well as other for people who are homeless and rural housing specific initiatives, said Pelosi. While Democrats want to include $200 billion to assist renters/homeowners with housing costs and continuing to pay unemployment benefits, Republicans have come out specifically against the unemployment bonus. Leader, Mitch McConnell said earlier this year that he would not continue the $600 per week increase in unemployment in the next bill. When it comes to unemployment benefits you can assume that it will be no more than 100 percent of a workers wages before they were laid off. McConnell added that the bonus included in the March bill was a mistake. I think basic unemployment insurance is extremely important. An alternative to the $600 bonus was proposed by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), in which the government would provide $450 weekly to laid-off Americans returning to work, in addition to their wages. Weve got to reward individuals for coming back to work, Larry Kudlow the Director of the United States National Economic Council told Fox News recently. There will be some kind of re-employment bonus. Were not going to go to the $600, thats a disincentive to work. While McConnell has indicated support for another round of stimulus checks, he said there will likely be a lower-income ceiling of $40,000 per year in order to receive that benefit. Leaders on both sides of the aisle have pledged to reach a deal with the next bill before Congress sets off for recess in August. Pelosi said she would consider postponing recess for Congress to get the next relief package done, Oh, we absolutely have to. We also have to come to an agreement, she said. Both sides have indicated that funding for testing and treatment is on their agenda. Democrats have included $75 billion for testing and treatment. So, in our plan, rather than trusting the Administration to use the funds the way you would expect them to, to rely on science to do, in our bill we have a very clear directive, a strategy for testing, tracing, treatment and, again, all of this: sanitation, the distancing, the mask-wearing, et cetera, Pelosi said. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, also said he is advocating for testing and treatment funding in the next relief package. Id be in favor of two things one is anything that we can do to accelerate test treatments and vaccine spending a trillion dollars isnt the problem, this isnt an economic problem this is a disease problem, Alexander said. Sen. Alexander said during a June interview that an estimated $70 billion is needed to open public schools including colleges. What we should do now is make sure that our schools are, 130,000 of them, public and private and our colleges, about 6000 of those, that they have the money they need to open safely in the fall. He added that getting back to normalcy will require schools to reopen. McConnell told a local Kentucky newspaper recently that he will prioritize kids returning to school. The Senator said, America will not look anywhere close to normal unless kids are back in schools. While Democrat leaders have already included $100 billion for local and state governments to bolster schools, The Hill reported that several influential labor unions and progressive groups including the American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, MoveOn, United We Dream, and Greenpeace in a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Tuesday, demanded that the next relief bill include at least $1 trillion in state and local aid, with $100 billion for public schools. McConnell has indicated that the GOP will be unveiling their plan next week and from there will begin negotiations with Democrats to try to pass a relief bill before Congress adjourns for August recess. A bill aiming to attract petrochemical and fertilizer plants to Pennsylvania with more than $650 million in new tax credits found unanimous opposition this week by Democratic House members representing Chester County, although it ultimately passed the chamber with overwhelming bi-partisan support. On Tuesday, the six Democratic state representatives whose district comprise most of the county voted against HB 732, which creates a new local resource manufacturing tax credit for companies that invest at least $400 million and create at least 800 construction and permanent jobs to build petrochemical or fertilizer plants that use dry natural gas produced in Pennsylvania, according to published reports. Two of the three Republican state legislators whose districts are in the county voted in favor of the legislation, which passed the House 163-38. A maximum of four companies can qualify for the credits each year and each companys annual tax credit is capped at $6.7 million. The credit would amount to $667 million in foregone taxes over the 25 years that the credit program would run from 2025 to 2050. The bill, which had also passed the state Senate on Monday with two of the counties four senators voting against it, will now go to Gov. Tom Wolf, who is expected to sign it. He had vetoed similar legislation earlier this year, but had members of his administration negotiate a new package that became the bill passed Tuesday. The bill Wolf vetoed earlier this year would have incentivized the use of natural gas more broadly, but it contained no limits on how many plants could qualify for the credits and lacked enforcement provisions to ensure companies pay construction workers prevailing wage rates. Pennsylvanias Department of Revenue estimated the vetoed proposal would have cost $22 million per year per plant in foregone taxes until the end of 2050. State Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten, D-155th, of Uwchlan was among the six county Democrats in the House voting against the legislation. When we talk about tax fairness, that conversation doesnt include the people of Pennsylvania shouldering property tax hikes while petrochemical companies get kickbacks and sweetheart deals invented by the very politicians who have existed for decades on fossil fuel campaign contributions, Otten said. In her floor remarks, she mentioned a grand jury report issued earlier this month that criticized the impact the states fracking industry had had on residents. Two weeks ago, Attorney General Josh Shapiro shared a grand jury report that specifically outlined how fracking can have severe impacts on human health, and now we are seeing how living with pollution-induced illness has compounded the impact of COVID-19 in frontline communities, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Not only is this investment in petrochemical expansion an untenable public health sacrifice, it is also a fiscally irresponsible investment in an industry that is under multiple criminal investigations and numerous civil actions, including a class action suit by its own investors with tumbling viability in the face of a tanking demand, she said. When we know better, we must do better, Friel-Otten said. Those joining with Friel-Otten from the Democratic county caucus included state Reps. Carolyn Comitta, D-156th, of West Chester; Kristine Howard, D-167th, of Malvern; Christina Sappey, D-158th, of West Bradford; Melissa Shusterman, D-157th, of Tredyffrin; and Dan William, D-74th, of Sadsbury. State Rep. John Lawrence, a Republican from Franklin who represents the 13th District, also voted against the bill. Those Republicans supporting the legislation included state rep. Stephen Barrar, R-160th, of Darby; and Tim Hennessey, R-13th, of East Coventry. The bill had passed the Senate on Monday by a vote of 40-9. Democats Tim Kearney, D-26th, of Swarthmore, Delaware County and Katie Muth, D-44th, of Royersford, Montgomery County, voted against the bill, while state Sen. Tom Killion, R-9th, of Middletown, Delaware County voted against it. State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland, did not vote. In her floor comments in the Senate Monday, Muth called the Wold Administrations bill, indeed a handout to the petrochemical industry. This is lost revenue that could have been put into our general fund to fund important programs, Muth said. Other industries can help our economy, can help our state, not an industry that has been harmful (and) is still harmful. Muth noted that there had been no public hearings on HB 372, and that there had been zero analysis on its impact on the states health and environment. According to published reports, The new proposal requires project developers to capture and sequester the carbon dioxide emissions from their facilities a tool for combatting climate change that about a dozen industrial projects in the U.S. have successfully implemented. But the requirement is toothless because it is only mandated to the extent it is cost effective and feasible at the discretion of the plants owner. One prospective manufacturer that could be eligible for the credits, KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis, has said most of the carbon dioxide generated by its proposed plant in Clinton County will be captured onsite and used in other products. The bills backers include chemical, manufacturing and natural gas trade groups as well as building trade unions. To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544. Donald Trump has tweeted in Farsi to condemn Irans planned execution of three men arrested during protests against the Islamic regime. In the tweet appealing to stop the executions, Mr Trump said the death sentences sent a deplorable message to the world, ending the tweet with the trending hashtag #DontExecute. Three people have been sentenced to death in Iran for participating in protests. Their execution is expected at any moment. The execution of these three people sends a deplorable message to the world and should not be done, a translation of the tweet said. An English version accompanying the Farci tweet was consistent with the message while differing slightly by trading deplorable for terrible and using the hashtag #StopExecutionsInIran Iran arrested the three men in recent months, claiming the students were affiliated with a dissident group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Following the arrests of street protestors Amir-Hossein Moradi, Saeed Tamjidi and Mohammad Rajabiin, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in June they were beaten and coerced into false confessions. It is not the first time Mr Trump has tweeted in Farsi, with an 11 January message in Irans language becoming the most liked Persian tweet in history. To the brave and suffering people of Iran: I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my government will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely. Your courage is inspiring, he wrote. It currently has 350,600 likes and 109,200 retweets and comments. It was in response to protestors calling on Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down after the country admitted to its role in the downing of a commercial airliner which killed dozens of Iranians. Iran blamed human error for the unintentional firing on the Boeing 737. It occurred in the aftermath of Teherans ballistic missile attack on military bases in Iraq housing American troops as a response to the killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Mr Trumps latest tweet comes a day after the Iranian judiciary announced Iranian Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was found guilty of spying on General Soleimani and would soon be executed. Iran regularly announces arrests and convictions of spies alleged to be working for foreign countries like the US and Israel. On Tuesday, the country confirmed Iranian Reza Asgari was executed last week for selling information on Tehrans missile programme, according to Islamic Republic judiciarys spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili quoted in the countrys official Mizan Online News Agency. The Bank of Baroda (BOB), a Public Sector Bank, has called for applications in a prescribed format from qualified and experienced Indian nationals, who are ex-bankers in any PSU Bank as well as from the Open Market for filling Forty Nine (49) vacancies to the post of Business Correspondent Supervisor (BCS) through direct selection on contract basis to be posted at BOB units across the state of Gujarat and in the union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The offline application process towards the same closes on July 31, 2020. CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Business Correspondent Supervisor (BCS) Organisation Bank of Baroda Educational Qualification Graduate with Computer knowledge - MS Office, email, Internet etc. However, qualifications such as M.Sc (IT)/B.E(IT)/MCA/MBA is preferable Experience Refer to the advertisement Skills Required Desirable Job Location Gujarat, UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Salary Scale Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 25,000 a month Industry Banking Application End Date July 31, 2020 Age Criteria And Fees Candidates interested in applying for Supervisor posts through Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 must have attained 21 years of age and not have exceeded 45 years of age, with relaxation (upper age limit) for OBC and SC/ST candidates as detailed in the notification. For details regarding fee towards application processing, refer to the official advertisement given at the end of the article. NBE Recruitment 2020 For 90 Assistants, Accountants And Steno Posts. Apply Online Before July 31 Educational Criteria And Eligibility Candidates applying for Supervisor posts through Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 must be a Graduate with Computer knowledge - MS Office, email, Internet etc. However, qualifications such as M.Sc (IT)/BE (IT)/MCA/MBA is preferable as detailed in the advertisement. Candidates should also be proficient in reading and writing Gujarati language. Selection And Pay Scale The selection of candidates for Supervisor posts through Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 will be done through Shortlisting, Interview and Document Verification. Candidates selected for Supervisor posts through Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 will be paid emolument in the scale of Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 25,000 a month. PPSC Recruitment 2020 Notification For Legal Assistants Post, Apply Online Before July 31 How To Apply Candidates applying for Supervisor posts through Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 must fill the application form in prescribed format attached with the advertisement, and send the same along with relevant supporting documents in an envelope super scribed as "APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT SUPERVISOR ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS" to the addresses specified in the notification on or before July 31, 2020. Download application form and read the detailed advertisement about Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2020 for Business Correspondent Supervisor (BCS) post here This article is part of the Free Speech Project , a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. Earlier this month, TikTok announced that it would withdraw from Hong Kong in protest over a new national security law that would obligate companies in the semiautonomous region to comply with Chinas surveillance regime. On its surface, the move seems like a victory for human rights: TikTok wont be complicit in surveillance and censorship requests coming from Beijing, its move signals a clear separation between data stored outside China and data stored inside, and its willingness to take a principled stand may inspire other tech companies to follow suit. Advertisement But the reality is far blurrier. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that also offers an equivalent product called Douyin that has many users in Hong Kong. Douyin has no plans to follow TikToks lead in departing Hong Kong, so even after TikTok leaves the market, ByteDance will still be able to expand its user base and revenue there. Douyin hasnt made any statements about its plans to comply with the new security law, but it will be difficult for the app to operate in Hong Kong without complying with government requests for user data and censorship. So even with TikToks withdrawal, there wont be a significant change to ByteDances footprint in Hong Kong or to its human rights impact there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tiktoks move also increases pressure on U.S. companies to withdraw. Critics will argue that since TikTok is taking a strong stand on human rights, Google, Twitter, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft should too. But if U.S. tech firms exit the market, thats a win for ByteDance. Switching costs are low for people who use online platforms, so users will quickly shift to products that remain operational after the others leave. With its competitors fleeing the market, Douyinand other companies that are willing to comply with Chinese lawwill be well-positioned to pick up new users and advertisers. Perhaps the only one to benefit more than ByteDance from tech platforms withdrawal from Hong Kong is the Chinese government. The Chinese government can exert more control over Chinese companies than U.S. ones, so if people shift from using predominantly U.S. tech products to using predominantly Chinese ones, China will have more authority over the tech ecosystem. In practice, that means that theres likely to be an increase in compliance with censorship and surveillance requests, and people in Hong Kong will have less freedom to express themselves and less privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Its also helpful to the Chinese government because it solidifies TikToks position as a competitor to U.S. companies outside of China. China has long wanted a global competitor to companies like Facebook and Google, but its successful homegrown products have been far less competitive outside of Chinas borders, particularly in the United States. But now, with TikTok rapidly gaining market share, its a pivotal moment to demonstrate that it can be a formidable foe to U.S. tech firms. Advertisement Whether TikTok can serve as that global counterweight to U.S. tech firms is contingent upon convincing policymakers that it is independent from Beijing. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to ban TikTok, and several members of Congress have introduced legislation seeking to prohibit federal government employees from using the app. The pressure is increasing outside the U.S. as well, with India banning TikTok in late June and European policymakers investigating the company as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its difficult to evaluate whether politicians fears are justified. TikTok says that it maintains separate servers, wont provide data to the Chinese government, and doesnt censor in response to requests from China. The transparency report the company published on July 9 indicates that it didnt receive any requests from the Chinese government between July 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2019, a time period in which protests were taking place in Hong Kong. All of that suggests TikToks departure from Hong Kong may reflect real separation, an indication that ByteDance is more hands-off than the typical parent company would be. If accurate, thats promising. It would be a good thing for TikTok to serve as a model for how a global tech company could respect human rights and act independently from the government of its parent company. And more competition in the tech sector is good for tech users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, TikTok and ByteDance dont seem entirely separate either. TikToks new CEO is also the chief operating officer of ByteDance. And despite its pronouncements that it will store user data outside of China, TikToks privacy policies enable it to share your information with a parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of our corporate group, including ByteDance. TikToks withdrawal from Hong Kong is a strong move at a time when tensions between the U.S. and China are escalating and the two countries tech firms are competing aggressively. It may not have much of an impact on human rights or ByteDances fortunes in Hong Kong. But it helps China politically and economically, and puts U.S. tech firms on their heels. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Iran executes CIA spy; another agent of US, Israel on death row Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 10:24 AM The Iranian Judiciary says it has executed a former employee of the Defense Ministry convicted of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and that another agent of American and Israeli spy services is now on death row. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Esmaeili announced that Reza Asgari, who had retired from the Defense Ministry's Aerospace Industries Organization four years ago, was executed last week. In the final years of his service, Asgari had established links with CIA and received money from the US spy agency in exchange for information about Iran's missile program, he added. "He was identified, convicted and sentenced to death," Esmaeili said. The Judiciary spokesman was also asked about the case of Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, who has been sentenced to death for spying on Iranian military advisers in Syria on behalf of CIA and Mossad. The death penalty, he said, is yet to be carried out. Mousavi-Majd has been found guilty of providing information to US and Israeli spy services on the whereabouts of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who was assassinated in Baghdad in January 2020. Elsewhere in his remarks, Esmaeili announced the approval of the death penalties handed to three people, who had been arrested in connection with the 2019 riots in Iran. Two of them were arrested at the scene of an armed robbery, he said, noting that they filmed their criminal acts of torching banks, buses and public places and sent them to news agencies abroad. Violent riots hit several Iranian cities in late 2019 following protests prompted by gasoline rationing and price hikes. A total of 230 people, including members of security and Basij forces, were killed in the unrest. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh for appointing 15 parliamentary secretaries. The Opposition party said the move is unconstitutional and an attempt to pacify dissent. Baghel on Tuesday administered the oath to these parliamentary secretaries, all member of legislative assembly (MLAs), in the chief ministers office. All the MLAs, except two - Chintmani Maharaj and Parasnath Rajwade - are first-time MLAs in the state assembly and will now be allotted different departments under cabinet ministers. Senior leader of BJP and former minister Ajay Chandrakar told Hindustan Times said that the appointment is completely unconstitutional. Congress has always opposed the appointment of parliamentary secretaries when they were in the Opposition and now they doing the same. It also reflected that there is rift and dissent among the MLAs of the state, just like Rajasthan, said Chandrakar. The BJP leader also said that they should tell the public about the directions of court about the powers which were curtailed by the court. They should also tell whether any writ is pending before the high court over the appointment of parliamentary secretaries, said Chandrakar. The BJP also alleged that the appointed parliamentary secretaries which will add additional burden to state exchequer at a time when it is dealing with the Covid-19 crisis. It is worth mentioning that in 2017, current cabinet minister Mohammad Akbar had challenged the appointment of 11 parliamentary secretaries by the previous BJP government in the high court. Akbar claimed that these appointments were illegal and unconstitutional. In April 2018, the court had dismissed the petitions but maintained its interim order, passed in 2017, that parliamentary secretaries will not be entitled to power and facilities at par with ministers. Recently, speaking about the appointments of parliamentary secretaries by his government, Akbar said that the Congress government will appoint MLAs as parliamentary secretaries but they will not be entitled to facilities at par with the cabinet ministers. In our government, parliamentary secretaries will not function as ministers but will work as their assistants without holding the office of profit. We will strictly comply with the directives of the HC, he added. The BJPs legal unit slammed the Chhattisgarh government saying it is a mockery of democracy and law. The appointment of parliamentary secretaries has been declared unconstitutional by Himachal Pradesh government and the case is pending before the apex court of India. Same thing happened with the Delhi government and the case is lying before the Election Commission of India. So far as Chhattisgarh government is concerned, Congress government led by Bhupesh government is going to appoint 15 ministers against 12 ministers which is unconstitutional and the mockery of democracy, Naresh Gupta, in-charge of BJPs legal unit of Chhattisgarh, had said ahead of the appointment. Responding to the allegations, agriculture minister Ravindra Chaubey said that the BJP government had first appointed parliamentary secretaries. First the BJP should answer whey they had appointed parliamentary secretaries when they were power, he said while talking to reporters. Parliamentary secretaries give opportunity to the government to serve the larger part of the state by dividing the portfolios between MLAs which will be extension to the ministers and will lessen the burden of the departments and will also give an opportunity of learning the political and administrative skills to the younger MLAs under the guidance of senior ministers. The appointment of parliamentary secretary in our state is absolutely as per the dictum given by Chhattisgarh high court, said Peeyush Bhatia, government advocate at the high court of Chhattisgarh and state president, youth bar association of India. OSLO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --- Aker Solutions' revenues fell in the second quarter of 2020 as activity levels declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil prices. The volume of new orders rose, as some operators increased sanctioning towards the end of the quarter. 2Q 2020 Financial Highlights Revenue NOK 5.4 billion billion EBITDA NOK 232 million million EBITDA ex. special items NOK 353 million million EBITDA margin ex. special items 6.6% Earnings per share ex. special items NOK -0 .23 .23 Order intake NOK 7 billion billion Order backlog NOK 26.9 billion "Despite challenging conditions on an unprecedented scale, we managed to keep productivity up and complete key deliveries to our clients," said Luis Araujo, chief executive officer of Aker Solutions. "I am proud of all Aker Solutions employees around the world, who showed commitment and perseverance in a difficult time for many." Orders totaled NOK 7 billion in the quarter, bringing the backlog to NOK 26.9 billion. This was up from NOK 26.4 billion at the end of the previous quarter, reflecting an increase of new orders on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Temporary measures to boost industrial activity in Norway were introduced in June and led to an increase in sanctioning activity. Aker Solutions secured letters of intent (LOI) from Equinor to deliver subsea production systems and equipment for the Askeladd Vest and Breidablikk developments. Both contracts were included as order intake in the second quarter. The company also signed a two-year contract extension for maintenance and modifications of Aker BP's Ula, Skarv, Valhall and Tambar fields offshore Norway. Aker Solutions won 47 front-end orders in the period, bringing the total for the first half of the year to 89, compared with 74 in the same period last year. 20 of the studies were related to renewable energy and low-carbon projects. "We continue to see demand for studies and front-end work for larger and more complex projects, related to both our traditional oil and gas market and our renewables business," said Araujo. "This puts us in a strong position to secure more work in future phases of projects and in the growing renewables segments." The company ended the quarter with a liquidity buffer of NOK 5.5 billion. Revenue and EBITDA Revenue fell to NOK 5.4 billion in the quarter from NOK 7.5 billion a year earlier, as operators reduced activity level due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lower oil prices. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were NOK 232 million, compared with NOK 623 million a year earlier. The EBITDA margin was 4.3 percent versus 8.3 percent a year earlier. Excluding special items, the margin was 6.6 percent compared with 8.4 percent a year earlier. Aker Solutions has two reporting segments: Projects and Services. Revenue in Projects fell to NOK 4.1 billion in the quarter from NOK 6 billion a year earlier. Excluding special items, EBITDA margin was 6.6 percent in the quarter versus 7.9 percent a year earlier. Revenue in Services fell to NOK 1.3 billion in the quarter from NOK 1.5 billion a year earlier. Excluding special items, the EBITDA margin was 9.8 percent in the quarter compared with 14 percent a year earlier. Outlook The COVID-19 pandemic impacted activity levels, especially at the start of the second quarter. "For the second half of the year, we are cautiously optimistic about an improved outlook for project sanctioning, supported by government measures to boost activity and more stable commodity prices," said Araujo. Activity is likely to be driven by the home market and the low-carbon agenda. Sanctioning of new projects in international markets, that are not supported by government measures, may take longer to materialize. In total, Aker Solutions sees overall revenue at around 21-22 billion in in 2020. Media Contact: Ivar Simensen mob: +47-464-02-317 email: [email protected] Investor Contact: Fredrik Berge mob: +47-450-32-090 email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/aker-solutions-asa/r/aker-solutions-asa-second-quarter-and-half-year-results-2020,c3154148 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/18353/3154148/af8d7cd863615ab5.pdf 2Q 2020 Presentation https://mb.cision.com/Public/18353/3154148/b6bac1f74673384f.pdf Half-Year Results 2020 SOURCE Aker Solutions ASA The fate of nearly half-a-million dollars in cash found buried at a construction site could soon be decided as the warring parties head to mediation. Excavator operator Warren Bruggy and labourer Daniel Boyd dug up $388,850 in old paper notes at a construction site at Runaway Bay, on the Gold Coast, last October. Another $100,000 in destroyed notes was found buried in plastic tubs. The Reserve Bank later confirmed the total buried treasure found at the lot was worth $476,600. The fate of nearly half-a-million dollars in cash found buried at a construction site (pictured) could soon be decided as the warring parties head to mediation A bitter legal fight erupted over almost $500,000 in old bank notes (some pictured) found by two tradies The tradies claim the cash is theirs under 'finders keepers' laws and have been locked in a bitter Supreme Court fight, while the money sits in a police bank account. The two tradies immediately handed the money over to police, but were then fired by their employer. Their boss had initially staked a claim to the cash, but later withdrew from the court battle. Several other people came forward to claim the money was theirs, including a Chinese restaurant owner who claimed his father buried the cash to avoid tax. Excavator operator Warren Bruggy (pictured) and labourer Daniel Boyd found the cash on a Gold Coast property they were demolishing on October 31 The two tradies were demolishing a property (pictured) on the Gold Coast, when they lifted the old notes out of the ground Two former owners of the land are also trying to claim the money, as is the developer of the site, Morrison Constructions Pty Ltd. The company asked the court to remove two parties from the case, but that matter was adjourned, The Courier Mail reported. The Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the remaining parties to mediate and attempt to reach an agreement outside court. The matter will be next heard on August 26. Washington (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday accused a Russian mercenary group of laying landmines in and around Tripoli and imposed sanctions over its alleged cooperation with Sudan's ousted dictator. The Pentagon's Africa Command said it had "verified photographic evidence" that the Wagner Group, a private security operation allegedly sponsored by the Russian government, planted mines "indiscriminately" around Tripoli and toward Sirte east of the capital since mid-June. "The Russian state-sponsored Wagner Group is demonstrating a total disregard for the safety and security of Libyans," Africom operations director Major General Bradford Gering said in a statement. "The Wagner Group's irresponsible tactics are prolonging conflict and are responsible for the needless suffering and the deaths of innocent civilians. Russia has the power to stop them, just not the will." The US has repeatedly accused Russia of introducing military weaponry, including at least 14 MIG-29 fighter jets with their Russian markings covered up, into the Libyan conflict, contravening the UN arms embargo. Russia, mainly through the Wagner group, and the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, have backed the strongman of eastern Libya Khalifa Haftar, in his fight to seize power from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli. Turkey's military support for the GNA has recently tipped the balance and allowed its forces in June to repel Haftar's 14-month advance on Tripoli and launch a counteroffensive. - Links seen to US election, Sudan - The United States says the Wagner Group functions through support of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, a wealthy financier close to President Vladimir Putin. The United States has previously accused Prigozhin of funding the Internet Research Agency, a mysterious "troll farm" in St. Petersburg accused of running online manipulation to back then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Story continues While Prigozhin is already under US sanctions, the Treasury Department on Wednesday took action against entities in Sudan, Hong Kong and Thailand that it said had allowed the financier to maintain operations. In Sudan, Prigozhin is accused of running M Invest, which the Treasury Department said was a front for the Wagner Group and was awarded concessions in gold mining by longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir. It charged that M Invest developed plans for Bashir to suppress protests and carried out social media manipulation to discredit youth-led demonstrators, who started taking to the streets in December 2018 in frustration over economic conditions. The effort ultimately failed with Bashir toppled in April 2019 after three decades in power and the military ultimately ceding to a transitional authority that involves civilians. "Yevgeniy Prigozhin and his network are exploiting Sudan's natural resources for personal gain and spreading malign influence around the globe," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to holding him and other bad actors accountable so Sudan and other countries can operate freely," he said. The United States will freeze any US-based assets of M Invest and other entities and make financial transactions with them a crime. The Treasury Department said it was also targeting companies in Hong Kong and Thailand that carried out transactions worth more than $7.5 million to benefit Prigozhin. The funds paid for his private aircraft and activities in Sudan, the Treasury Department said. Ultimately, Trump's boss is the president, her father. And though this isn't a violation of the Hatch Act, which aims to stop the federal government from affecting elections or going about its activities in a partisan manner, Trump's previous actions on violations could point to how he'd respond if his daughter were found to have broken this rule. So far in the Trump administration, multiple officials have been found to violate the Hatch Act, but the White House has virtually ignored those reports. "Ms. Trump has had ethics training. She knows better. But she did it anyway because no one in this administration cares about government ethics," Shaub said, adding that it is also problematic because it "creates the appearance that the government's endorsement is for sale. Endorse the President and the administration will endorse your product." Ivanka Trump's Goya post came the same day she was publicly lambasted for promoting a new ad campaign called "Find Something New." EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Texas State Primary Runoff Election is Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Poll close: 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. CDT) First results expected: 8:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. CDT) CONTACTS TESTING, REPORTS, DELIVERY, COVERAGE, DOCUMENTATION, SERVICES: Direct questions about election testing, reports or delivery to AP elections services to AP Customer Support at 877-836-9477 or apcustomersupport@ap.org. Premium service details can be found in welcome letters. Direct questions about news and photo coverage to News Editor Adam Causey at ACausey@ap.org. Documentation for AP Elections services is available at http://aphelp.ap.org. Members and customers interested in premium AP Election Services should contact their sales rep or Customer Support at 877-836-9477 or apcustomersupport@ap.org. UPDATES: 07/14/2020 URGENT, please catch zero data with final precincts. District level precincts in Harris county changed for the following races. The new precincts are as follows: State House 138 35, State House 142 66, St House 148 23. 07/13/2020 Countywide precincts updated for the following counties. Please be sure to catch the new data in the live zeros test tomorrow (7/14). The new precincts are as follows: Jack 7, Lllano 9, Loving 5. 07/13/2020 The AP is utilizing a mix of proportionally calculated precincts in vote center counties and actual precincts in other counties. Please be advised that precincts will fluctuate throughout the evening to best reflect the percentage of tabulated results. NATIONAL TESTING: See USElection Testing Advisory for details about national testing, reports and delivery details. ELECTION PROFILE: The runoff elections were originally scheduled for May but postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest race will determine which Democrat will face Republican Sen. John Cornyn: Air Force veteran MJ Hegar or state Sen. Royce West. Hegar was the top vote-getter in the crowded March primary, but West has since won the endorsement of many of their former rivals. Closely watched congressional runoffs include former White House doctor Ronny Jackson trying to win the GOP nomination in the Texas Panhandle. Former Republican Rep. Pete Sessions, who lost his longtime Dallas district in 2018, also made the runoff in his bid to return to Congress but in a new rural district. ANOMALIES: Due to the spread of coronavirus across Texas, Governor Greg Abbott extended the early voting period for the July 14th runoff election. Early voting will now begin June 29th instead of July 6th. All counties close at 7:00PM local time. Most of the state is in the CTZ and closes at 8:00PM ET. Counties in MTZ close at 9:00PM ET: Culberson (pct of Salt Flat only), El Paso, Hudspeth. Polls with less than 50 registered voters may close early if all have voted. HB 3964 states that if a court orders a countywide polling place to be open after 7:00 p.m., then all county wide polling places in that county must remain open for the length of time that was ordered. DELEGATE ALLOCATION: During testing and on election night, AP will allocate presidential delegates, except during the day of the final test, Monday, March 2. Allocation may not reach 100% of available delegates during testing or on election night. TESTING INFORMATION: Mon. July 6, 4:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. EDT, 3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. CDT Thurs. July 9, 3 p.m. 4 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. 3 p.m. CDT Fri. July 10, 3 p.m. 4 p.m. EDT, 2 p.m. 3 p.m. CDT Mon. July 13, 1 p.m. 2 p.m. EDT, noon 1 p.m. CDT Test results are created electronically to test the accuracy of the election night reporting system. They should not be broadcast, published, replicated or posted on websites. Report frequency in testing may not reflect the actual election night schedule. For example, county tables for contested statewide races move to Member Choice subscribers in each test but move just twice election night. This advisory will be updated throughout the testing period. Races, candidates and precincts are considered preliminary until AP advises that they are final. Changes may be made up to Election Day. Zeros will be transmitted after testing on the eve of the election, and again from 1-2 p.m. EDT/12-1 p.m. CDT. Race calls: AP will make race calls on election night unless a race is too close to call. Race calls will be made during testing, except on the day of the final test. Uncontested races: There are no uncontested races for the state primary. Winners: AP will move a list of unofficial winners, TX-Winners, at the end of tabulation and during each test, except on the final day of testing. End of tabulation: AP will advise when its election night tabulation of results has concluded, generally before 6 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. CDT the day after the election. ELECTION DAY Premium Election Customers: API, APEO-FTP, ANPA-FTP, DNE Elections will have zeros by 2 a.m. EDT/1 a.m. CDT Election Day. AP Newsroom and Webfeeds Users: On Election Day from 1-2 p.m. EDT/12-1 p.m. CDT, there will be a live (non-test) transmission of reports with zeros sent to AP Newsroom and Webfeeds. Pull in these live zero reports to clear your systems of test data. DEFINITIONS OF KEY WORDS IN STATE SLUGS: TopRaces-Glance-Sum contains race-wide results in summary format for contests AP considers editorially significant. Glance reports include summary results for one or more races with similar characteristics. Contested provides results in summary format for contested legislative races. Cnty provides results in tabular format by county for a race. CntyLong provides results in summary format by county for a race. ELECTION NIGHT SLUGS BY SERVICE / ELECTION NIGHT REPORT SCHEDULE Here are the slugs for the reports AP will provide and approximate times they will move for each service on election night: Premium Elections Results via Digital Feeds (API, ANPA-FTP, APEO-FTP, DNE Elections): Results are updated every one to three minutes for API/DNE and four to five minutes for APEO-FTP and ANPA-FTP. 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The North Stoneville townsite was designated by the Shire of Mundaring and WAPC more than 20 years ago, well before Satterley became involved," he said. He said it had been embedded in the planning framework ever since and the WAPC North-East Framework Plan earmarked the townsite for development to 2031 to meet the shires future housing needs. We believe we have complied with all the requirements of the WAPCs bushfire planning policy," Mr Satterley said. "The decision is especially surprising as the WAPC recently approved rezoning of land at Kilburn Road, 300 metres south of the site from Rural to Urban. Ryanair will axe up to 1,000 flights between Ireland and the UK in August and September in response to what it claimed are "defective quarantine restrictions" here. And while the airline claimed that the lower number of flights would result in 100,000 fewer passengers travelling from the UK on Ryanair to airports at Cork, Kerry, Shannon and Knock, the real impact will probably be much less. Ryanair said the cancellation of the flights would result in 200,000 fewer passengers overall on its services between Ireland and the UK between August and September. But that will only be true if its aircraft had been completely full, which they were highly unlikely to be. Full, the 1,000 flights would carry 189,000 passengers. When it relaunched a swathe of its scheduled services earlier this month, Ryanair group chief executive Michael O'Leary said that the airline's flights were about 70pc full. Even at that rate, it would mean the passenger hit to the four airports here will be about 66,000 over the two months. Ryanair is currently operating about 1,000 flights a day. Pre-Covid, it would typically have operated about 2,400 a day across its entire network. Ryanair said that Ireland accounts for less than 8pc of its total passenger traffic. Ireland retains a 14-day restricted movement period for incoming passengers. That means they are not meant to use public transport, visit others, or go shopping unless absolutely necessary. Passengers arriving here must also fill out a form that indicates at which address they will be staying while here. "Air travel between Ireland and the UK is being badly damaged by this ineffective 14-day quarantine," said a Ryanair spokesperson. "Ryanair will significantly reduce its flights between Ireland and the UK in August and September to reflect this suppressed demand," they added. The spokesperson claimed: "This unique policy by Ireland, insisting on blanket quarantines with our European neighbours (most of whom have lower Covid case rates than Ireland), is damaging the recovery of Ireland's economy and our tourism industry, causing long-term damage to jobs in Ireland's largest employment sector, with business travellers in particular being told that Ireland is closed for business. "If Micheal Martin does not quarantine for 14 days after visiting Brussels this week, then why should any other Irish or EU citizen be treated differently?" the spokesperson asked. If you've ever wondered just how much value you could really squeeze out of an all-you-can-eat buffet, scientists now have the answer. Eighty-four hot dogs is the maximum any human can consume in 10 minutes only nine more than the current world record, a study has reported. A US-based expert used data from one of Major League Eating's most famous competitions to model just how much food one could 'put away' in one sitting. Eighty-four hot dogs is the maximum any human can consume in 10 minutes only nine more than the current world record, which is held by competitive eater Joey Chestnut of California, pictured here winning his latest title at the 2020 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest In his study, Dr Smoliga analysed 39 years of data from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest which is held by the US fast food chain annually on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York to find how the winning rate of hot dog consumption per minute changed over time, as pictured Data from hot dog eating competitions suggest that there is stunning plasticity in gut capacity,' said paper author and physiologist James Smoliga of North Carolina's High Point University. 'The rate of performance progression of competitive eaters far exceeds that from athletes in mainstream sports,' he continued. However, he added, 'the physiological adaptations to achieve this may be indicative of training-induced digestive dysfunction.' In his study, Dr Smoliga analysed 39 years of data from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is held by the US fast food chain annually at their flagship restaurant on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. His modelling suggested that humans are theoretically capable of devouring up to a monstrous 1.84 pounds (832 grams) of 'fresh matter' every minute for ten minutes the equivalent of snarfing down 84 whole hot dogs in their buns. A focus on the performance of individual elite eaters over a five-year period indicated that training can significantly increase the maximum amount of food these athletes can consume in one sitting by altering normal, healthy, gut function. 'Data from hot dog eating competitions suggest that there is stunning plasticity in gut capacity,' said physiologist James Smoliga of High Point University. 'The rate of performance progression of competitive eaters far exceeds that from athletes in mainstream sports.' Pictured, Mr Chestnut on July 4, 2020. He set a record by eating 75 hot dogs in ten minutes California's Joey Chestnut set his latest world record on July 4, 2020, which also saw him secure his 13th title at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The same event saw a new world record and the the seventh consecutive victory for America's Miki Sudo in the women's competition, in which she consumed 48.5 hot dogs in a span of ten minutes. Pictured, hot dogs and trophy belts lain out before the weigh in at the famous competitive eating event this year The current record for competitive hot dog eating stands at 75 of the sausage sandwiches the equivalent of more than 21,000 calories and was set by California's Joey Chestnut, 36, the world's current top competitive eater. Mr Chestnut set his latest record on July 4, 2020, which also saw him secure his 13th title at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The same event saw a new world record and the the seventh consecutive victory for America's Miki Sudo in the women's competition, in which she consumed 48.5 hot dogs in a span of ten minutes. The full findings of the study were published in the journal Biology Letters. PALO ALTO, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Autism Angels Group ("AAG" or the "Investment Association"), in collaboration with a consortium of investment and strategic partners, is excited to announce its launch as the world's first early-stage investment group specifically focused on investing in neurodiverse teams and companies focused on innovative solutions for the autism community. Maureen Dunne, Co-founder, Autism Angels Group The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") now estimates that one in 54 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism Angels Group cofounders, Cathy Schwallie Farmer and Maureen Dunne, both lifelong autism advocates with unique personal and family stories that inspire their deep commitment, joined forces as partners with the hope of redefining autism in the minds of investors and employers as one of the great missed opportunities in terms of both investment and talent. With two brothers on the autism spectrum, Cathy Schwallie Farmer has been involved with the autism community since the late 1960s. Her father,Ed Schwallie, was a well-known autism advocate on many fronts, including cofounding the globally recognized Organization for Autism Research ("OAR") and the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program. Farmer remarked, "Access to early-stage investment is one of the largest barriers facing startup companies. We want to invest in teams who share our passion for making a positive difference in the lives of people with autism and their families. There is a huge need out there for autism solutions, and we want to contribute to filling in gaps by investing in for-profit companies that are likely to demonstrate significant financial returns while simultaneously making a positive social impact." Farmer is an active angel investor and venture advisor with several investment groups, including UC Berkeley's SkyDeck Accelerator Program and the Haas School of Business LAUNCH accelerator program. She has also been appointed as a mentor at the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) and is a Healthcare Advisor across Cal's Startup Ecosystem. In addition, Farmer holds several board director roles focused on ASD, cofounded technology companies related to autism, and previously served as a Chief of Staff at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Maureen Dunne, cofounder of Autism Angels Group, commented, "Our goal is to empower and include the trailblazers who dare to be a bit different by investing in new approaches to critical problems that have the potential to change markets and lives," continued Dunne. "We will invest in teams who commit to including people with autism as key team members, regardless of market vertical. We will also invest in autism-specific solutions with a competitive advantage founded by neurotypical entrepreneurs who share our own passion for the inclusion of people with autism." Dunne, a Rhodes Scholar with a doctorate degree from Oxford University, has a wealth of experience as a cofounding executive at multiple technology companies and as an angel investor and advisor to both startups and investment funds. A Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Fellow, she spearheaded the "Autism and Innovation Initiative" with funding from the Discovery Partners Institute and private donors, and serves on several nonprofit and corporate boards, including Aspiritech, one of the first organizations in the world focused exclusively on employment for people with ASD. Dunne has also been a foster parent to children with ASD and founded her first autism organization at the age of 17. In recent years, she has created several customized support programs to help young adults with autism transition to college or work, including the Transition2Success Project and the Dr. Maureen N. Dunne Autism Student Success Scholarship. As the first investment vehicle that specifically seeks investment opportunities in neurodiverse teams and markets, Autism Angels Group has the support of many prominent individuals, funds and corporations, including Sean O'Sullivan, a leading venture capitalist perhaps best known for cofounding and taking public MapInfo, the first street mapping technology for personal computers. He is also credited as the father of the term "cloud computing." O'Sullivan, Founder and Managing Partner of SOSV, a $700M venture fund with offices in the USA, Europe and Asia, and also father of a son with autism, applauded the launch of AAG and its mission to make a difference in the lives of families affected by autism, stating, "Unfortunately, autism comes with massive challenges and co-morbidities for the majority of those who have it. These present profound opportunities for technology to advance, both in physical health and through computer assistance, the quality of life for those who need it. Specialized talent and financial backing are needed to evaluate and support the startups coming into this area, and I applaud the creation of AAG as smart money for founders at the earliest stages." Dunne and Farmer both said that their passion for this space is "in their DNA" and that their backgrounds, skills, and experience perfectly complement each other as managing partners capable of impacting what they see as a "talent pipeline problem." Dunne has been leading what she calls "inclusive coding bootcamps" and pre-accelerator programs that fund and bring together project teams that include at least one key member with ASD. Both Farmer and Dunne have been heavily involved in startup investments for many years and are currently partnering with later stage funds. Farmer is General Partner of the Schwallie Family Partnership investment fund and a key advisor to social impact funds and companies, while Dunne serves on the C-Suite Screening Committee of Astia and partners with several venture impact funds. Dunne is also a faculty affiliate of the Discovery Partners Institute, a public/private partnership with an initial $1B in seed funding with a core mission focused on developing solutions, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering inventors of the future. Dunne continued, "We are committed to investing in autism innovation both to spur new inventions and creativity in this space and to provide support to neurodiverse teams. ASD represents a broad spectrum of strengths and challenges with incredible untapped talent that may not always fit within currently available opportunity pathways. I have witnessed how neurodiverse inventors have created entire new markets by visualizing solutions from angles outside of typical ways of thinking and innovating. With our partners, we aim to build coalitions that can help evolve our understanding of inclusive workforce models that truly empower and include those with ASD." Farmer added, "Our investment thesis is that there is a huge missed opportunity in autism innovation and that the inclusion of neurodiverse talent will not only be good for society but also good for business returns." Autism Angels Group will deploy all investment capital directly into their portfolio of startup companies. AAG also plans to offer access to mentorship and strategic partnership opportunities through virtual networking events that bring together startup founders, investors, companies, and organizations with a focus on neurodiversity and inclusion in the workforce. About Autism Angels Group The mission of the Autism Angels Group is to bring together capital and talent to aggressively drive economic opportunities and technology-driven solutions that create a positive social impact for the autism community. We welcome partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions that wish to join us in investing in people, private markets and for-profit enterprises that seek to include and empower those on the autism spectrum. For more information, visit: www.autismangelsgroup.com Related Images maureen-dunne.jpg Maureen Dunne Maureen Dunne, Co-founder, Autism Angels Group cathy-schwallie-farmer.jpg Cathy Schwallie Farmer Cathy Schwallie Farmer, Co-founder, Autism Angels Group Related Links Autism Angels Group SOURCE Autism Angels Group Related Links http://www.autismangelsgroup.com A high school graduate rescued two of his friends off the coast of Ventnor, New Jersey, by swimming into a deadly rip current to push them to the safety of the shore. Tragically, he paid with his own life. Jalan Alston, 18, was visiting the Jersey shore with his two friends on July 10 to celebrate his 2020 graduation from George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, New York. The trio decided to take an early evening swim, reports WPVI. Tropical Storm Fay passes along the Maryland Eastern shore in Ocean City, Maryland, on July 10, 2020 (Patrick Smith/Getty Images) When Jayda Smith and Sierra Williams got caught in the rough waters brought in by Tropical Storm Fay, Jalan, a track and field competitor, rushed to their aid but got trapped in the rip current himself. Jayda called 911 from the shore and also tried to reach out to people on the beach for help. However, he never returned. A 58-square-mile search over land and sea commenced, lasting 13 hours. Jalans body was recovered in Atlantic City 24 hours after he first went missing. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Jalan, Captain Jonathan Theel, commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, said in a statement. [I]t weighs especially heavy on our hearts knowing that he was helping others. Ventnor City Beach (Screenshot/Google Maps) In an account of the tragedy shared on Facebook by Jaydas mother, the teen explained that she had met Jalan almost three years ago on an online gaming app. The two had connected so well that when they werent playing they would converse with each other on FaceTime. July 10 was the first time she had ever met Jalan in person. He is my best friend and he saved my life, Jayda explained. Months ago, I told him my biggest fear is drowning, and he did everything he could to make sure that wouldnt happen to me. After pushing Jayda over the rolling wave she was trapped in, Jalan took her spot. Sierra tried to pull him out after that. [T]hey both went under, and he knew what was happening, Jayda wrote. Sierra told me there was a break in the waves for a moment, and he shook his head at her [he] used the rest of his strength to push her over, just like he did with me. In a Facebook post, Chief Douglas Biagi of the Ventnor City Police Department expressed gratitude for the search teams efforts as well as sincere condolences to Jalans family and friends. To everyone who witnessed the events that unfolded on the beaches of Ventnor Friday evening, I thank you, Biagi wrote. You observed, you listened and prayed as we all went through this tragedy together. You allowed the first responders to do their job. The family of Jalan Alston has some closure with his recovery and with that we need to start healing as a community and do our best to see this never happens again, the chief signed off. Ventnor City Police Department (Screenshot/Google Maps) Jalans older brother, Mark, told WPVI that the brave teen will always be remembered for being strong and selfless. [H]e always looked out for me the same way I looked out for him, Mark reflected. He was pure of love He was never combative and treated everyone fairly and equally. He is courageous and one of the smartest kids I know. Mark further continued that he hopes his brother watches over him and continues to feel the love he had for him, adding that his brother will never be forgotten. According to his friends, Jalan had pointed out a car decal to Jayda and Sierra on their way to the beach that read, After every storm is a beautiful rainbow. This gave more significance to the double rainbows we all saw together as soon as we got to the beach that day, Jayda reflected on Facebook, and every rainbow I will see forever. During the coast guards initial search for Jalan, Jayda recalled looking up from her spot on the beach to see the first of many rainbows that will forever remind her of the best friend who saved her life. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc By Dong Sun-hwa Actress Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo Kyung-duk have again donated 10,000 Korean/English guidebooks to the Korean National Association in Los Angeles to help provide information about the historic site of the Korean independence movement against Japan. They made the first contribution in 2018. The donation is part of the "Refill Project" that began last year to "refill" leaflets at historic Korean sites around the world. "I believe it is more important to keep 'refilling' the books than provide new ones at another site," Seo, an active promoter of Korea, wrote on his Facebook, Wednesday. "This is our second donation for the project this year. The first contribution was made to the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Chongqing, China." Seo said the newest guidebooks shed light on how the Korean National Association was formed in 1909 and how it raised funds for Korea's independence movement. Korean Independence activists, including Ahn Chang-ho, established the political organization in San Francisco to fight Japan's occupation in Korea. Its central headquarters was moved to Los Angeles in 1938. The guidebook is also available at . Song and Seo have been donating Korean guidebooks and other items to 22 historic sites worldwide for nine years. Song has starred in dozens of hit works including "Descendants of the Sun" (2016). New Delhi: One Army jawan on Sunday was killed in the ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces in the KG sector of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, the firing started at 2 am on Sunday morning and continued till the time this report was filed. A civillian was also injured in the firing, he has been taken to hospital. Further detailed are awaited. Here are the updates: #Pak troops firing mortar shells in Poonch sector #Pak firing also heard in Mendar sector: Reports #The injured civillian was a female from border village #The slained jawan was from 22 Sikh regiment For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Voices of Protest spotlights individuals throughout the Capital Region who play a direct and important role in the activism scene. The first weekend he got to enjoy his very first car, Rameez Stewart was stopped by eight police cars, officers emerging with their guns drawn. They thought Stewarts best friend was a fugitive he was harboring. Before he knew it, Stewart and his friend were both in handcuffs, his friend pressed down against the pavement. Skeletal remains have been found in bushland at Byron Bay near where backpacker Theo Hayez has been missing for more than a year. The grim discovery was made on Wednesday afternoon during a hunt for clues into the disappearance of another missing person, nomadic woman Thea Liddle. Ms Liddle, 42, was known to move between homeless camps, but vanished last year. Belgain backpacker Theo Hayez, 18, was last seen leaving a bar on May 31, 2019. NSW Police say they are yet to determine if the bones discovered belong to a man or a woman, or even if they relate to either of their disappearances. Police brought in sniffer dogs and rescue specialists to scour Byron Bay bushland on Tuesday, as part of the hunt for answers about Ms Liddle's disappearance. Skeletal remains have been found during a search of bushland around Byron Bay near where Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez (left) went missing last May and nomadic traveller Thea Liddle (right) vanished last October Police fence off an area (pictured) near Tallow Beach, to the south of the Byron Bay lighthouse NSW Police say they are yet to determine if the bones discovered belong to a man or a woman, or even if they relate to either of their disappearances Ms Liddle's last known address was a rural property where she was living with a 46-year-old man. While she was known to lead a transient lifestyle, her disappearance has prompted a major search amid fears for her safety. Officers have searched homeless camps where she was known to reside in the months before her disappearance. Byron Police District Commander, Superintendent Dave Roptell, said the search area is relatively wide because of her nomadic lifestyle. 'Thea lived a very transient lifestyle shifting from place to place, changing campsites often and would opt for places in remote bushland away from the public,' Superintendent Roptell said. One of those sites was a section of bushland around the Youth Activity Centre near Byron Bay's town centre. This was the same site police searched as part of investigations into the disappearance of Hayez. Theo, 18, was in Australia on a working holiday visa and had gone out to Byron Bay's popular nightclub Cheeky Monkey's on May 31, 2019 Ms Liddle, 42, disappeared on Halloween last year from Mooball in Northern New South Wales Officers have been searching homeless camps in the bush where she was known to reside in the month's before her disappearance Theo's father Laurent (pictured) flew out to Australia to join other family members, police and local volunteers in the search for his son last year The 18-year-old was in Australia on a working holiday visa and had gone out to Byron Bay's popular nightclub Cheeky Monkey's on May 31. He was seen on CCTV leaving the bar, but his movements after that are unknown. He never returned to the hostel where he was staying and it was not until June 6 - a week after he was last seen - that his family in Europe raised the alarm. His father Laurent flew out to Australia to join other family members, police and local volunteers in the search for his son. 'When I left Belgium I promised Hayez's little brother, Lucas, I would bring his brother home, please help me keep my promise to him', Laurent said on his arrival. A grey Puma hat similar to the one Theo was wearing when he vanished was found in bushland last July. Despite speculation Australia could have a second backpacker serial killer in a similar vein to Ivan Milat, there is no indication the two missing persons cases are linked. Hundreds of locals and people from all over Australia joined in the desperate search for Theo in the days and weeks after he went missing A grey Puma hat similar to the one Theo was wearing when he vanished was found in bushland last July Thea was reported missing by her family in January 2020 and police hope the search will uncover new evidence which may assist with investigations. When she was reported missing officers launched Strike Force Holby to investigate her disappearance. She is known to frequent several areas around the New South Wales Far North Coast including Mooball, Nimbin and Byron Bay. 'We are conducting thorough searches throughout these locations for any indication of Thea's presence there,' Supt Roptell said. 'It wasn't uncommon for Thea to travel throughout the Far North Coast, however, is it unusual for her to go this length of time without speaking to family members.' DES MOINES, Iowa and CLOVIS, N.M., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesway , one of the country's fastest growing convenience store chains in the United States, with stores located in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming, is joining convenience retailers across the country to recognize and celebrate our local heroes in honoring 24/7 Day 2020. 24/7 Day, which is held every year on July 24th, recognizes first responders, medical personnel, and all American Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock, "24/7", serving communities and ensuring people in need do not face emergencies alone. Hosted by the NACS Foundation, the annual event helps raise awareness and donations for the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross and highlights the convenience store industry's important role in supporting local heroes in the communities they serve. Convenience stores are truly community stores. 93% of Americans currently live within 10 minutes of one of America's 152,720 convenience stores. The industry serves 165 million customers per day, sells 80% of fuel purchased in the country, and donates more than $1 billion a year to charitable causes. Yesway is supporting 24/7 Day 2020 this year by offering a free fountain, frozen, or coffee beverage of any size to police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, 911 dispatchers, and American Red Cross volunteers who visit any of its Yesway or Allsup's store locations on Friday, July 24, 2020. Yesway also encourages community members to take part in this day by sharing stories and appreciation for local community heroes on social media using the hashtag #247Day. "At Yesway, we believe that we have a duty to support the communities we serve," said Tom Trkla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yesway. "We are proud to join with the NACS Foundation and all of our c-store industry colleagues to celebrate 24/7 Day and are grateful for the first responders, police, fire, medical personnel, and American Red Cross volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of our fellow citizens and communities every day. Every community has its share of these true difference makers, and we want to acknowledge and support them and the terrific work they are doing. On behalf of everyone at Yesway and Allsup's, we would like to thank our hometown heroes on 24/7 Day 2020." He continued, "We also want to use this occasion to show our appreciation to the thousands of Yesway and Allsup's frontline heroes who have also worked assiduously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as essential employees alongside our local community heroes and the American Red Cross, by rewarding them with free dispensed beverages throughout the week of July 24 to July 31." People face emergencies every day, including in the communities that Yesway serves: On average, more than 30,000 people a day receive assistance from the American Red Cross, whether they need lifesaving blood, relief after a disaster, support with the challenges of military life, skills that save lives, or international humanitarian aid. Every Red Cross donation helps change lives and 90 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need. "Each day, families rely on community heroes for support during disasters and other crises," said Don Herring, chief development officer for the American Red Cross. "That's why we are so grateful for this partnership to help ensure people don't face emergencies alone. We hope you will join us on 24/7 Day 2020, along with the NACS Foundation, to support this work and to thank our local heroes who help when it's needed most." "The NACS Foundation is proud to partner with Yesway to support the American Red Cross, its volunteers and the first responders who support our communities 24/7," said Stephanie Sikorski, executive director at the NACS Foundation. "Convenience stores are often seen as the first supporters to first respondersserving as the only locations that remain open in a crisis and ensuring that fuel, food and other necessities are available for emergency workers and customers seeking a return to normalcy. That's why the NACS Foundation honors first responders andimportantlyis committed to amplifying our industry's reach and impact of its positive charitable efforts in communities across the country." To find the Yesway or Allsup's store closest to you, please visit www.Yesway.com/locations or www.Allsups.com/allsups-locations/ . Follow Yesway on Facebook and Twitter at @YeswayStores. Editor note: Contact Erin Vadala, [email protected] ; 978-468-3076 to arrange interviews. High-resolution images, graphics available on request. About Yesway Yesway is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa and Clovis, NM. Yesway is currently ranked #2 in year-over-year relative store growth on the Convenience Store News "2020 Top 20 Growth Chains" list, after being ranked #1 on the "2019 Top 20 Growth Chains" list, is ranked #17 on the "CSP Top 202 Chains" list by total portfolio size, was named a "2017 Chain to Watch" by Convenience Store Decisions, was awarded a Bronze for Loyalty & Advocacy in the 2018 Loyalty360 Customer Experience Awards. The company's CEO has been named a "CSP 2020 Power 20 Deal Maker" and its CTO was recently honored by Convenience Store Decisions with its inaugural "Technology Innovator Award". Yesway's fast growing portfolio currently consists of 407 stores located in Iowa, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, including most recently, the 304-store Allsup's Convenience Stores chain. Yesway plans to grow its portfolio to over 600 convenience stores in selected regions of the United States over the next several years. www.yesway.com . About NACS Foundation - NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience, and suppliers across the U.S., the NACS Foundation supports the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry. To learn more, visit conveniencecares.org, or visit us on Facebook at @TheNACSFoundation and Twitter at @NACS_Foundation. About American Red Cross - The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. Contact: Erin Vadala, Warner Communications; (978) 468-3076; [email protected] SOURCE Yesway Related Links http://www.yesway.com Virginia plans to step up enforcement of its COVID-19 restrictions following a surge of new cases largely concentrated in the states eastern region, including Hampton Roads, a hot spot for beach tourism. Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday that he is directing three state agencies to step up enforcement of business guidelines and the states face mask order, with particular focus on areas seeing outbreaks. Enforcement will include unannounced business inspections for some establishments. The administration is also finalizing an order banning alcohol sales at restaurants across the state after 11 p.m. each day, Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said. She added the new rule, to be issued through Virginia ABC, is expected to go into effect in the coming days. Northam said at a news conference Tuesday: I want to make it clear that these enforcement actions are to stop people clearly flouting the rules. You are being selfish. HOUSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) ("Main Street") is pleased to announce that it will release its second quarter 2020 results on Thursday, August 6, 2020, after the financial markets close. In conjunction with the release, Main Street has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live via phone and over the Internet, on Friday, August 7, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Investors may participate either by phone or audio webcast. By Phone: Dial 412-902-0030 at least 10 minutes before the call. A replay will be available through August 14, 2020 by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the access code 13706730#. By Webcast: Connect to the webcast via the Investor Relations section of Main Street's website at www.mainstcapital.com. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software. A replay of the conference call will be available on Main Street's website shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days. ABOUT MAIN STREET CAPITAL CORPORATION Main Street (www.mainstcapital.com) is a principal investment firm that primarily provides long-term debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies and debt capital to middle market companies. Main Street's portfolio investments are typically made to support management buyouts, recapitalizations, growth financings, refinancings and acquisitions of companies that operate in diverse industry sectors. Main Street seeks to partner with entrepreneurs, business owners and management teams and generally provides "one stop" financing alternatives within its lower middle market portfolio. Main Street's lower middle market companies generally have annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million. Main Street's middle market debt investments are made in businesses that are generally larger in size than its lower middle market portfolio companies. Contacts: Main Street Capital Corporation Dwayne L. Hyzak, CEO, [email protected] Brent D. Smith, CFO, [email protected] 713-350-6000 Dennard Lascar Investor Relations Ken Dennard | [email protected] Zach Vaughan | [email protected] 713-529-6600 SOURCE Main Street Capital Corporation Related Links http://www.mainstcapital.com The Ghana Education Service (GES) has kicked against suggestions for this years West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to be held online. Speaking on Face to Face on Citi TV, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, the Director-General of the GES opined that Ghana is not ready for a virtual examination For now, I think it has to be written on paper because those who are organizing our examinations for us [WAEC] have not set themselves up to have examinations online. We can't just wake up and do it, we have to ensure that they have the expertise to hold the exams online. A lot of us are holding devices and can play around with them but when it comes to educational technology and the use of technology in education a lot of us find ourselves wanting even at the university level. He however said such options could be considered in the future. What we could do as we go forward is to start working consistently and planning towards the possibility of having such exams online. There are so many challenges because the children have not even been trained on the use of such technologies and there is also the issue of supervision; how are we going to supervise a virtual examination? It can't work now but we should have it in mind so that we can have something like that in the future. It is a good idea but we are not ready for it now, Prof. Opoku-Amankwa noted. COVID-19 vs exams The COVID-19 outbreak has forced some countries, including Nigeria, to call off the 2020 WASSCE, but the government of Ghana has insisted on holding it. The Ghana Government subsequently reopened schools to enable students to prepare for the exit examination. With the rising calls on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to shut down Senior High Schools that have reported cases of COVID-19, some stakeholders have called for the exit examinations to be held online. July 20, 2020, has been set for project work of Visual Arts candidates and practicals for Science candidates, while the written examination will start from August 3 to September 5, 2020. ---citinewsroom Donald Trump will travel to Georgia Wednesday where he is expected to announce a new federal rule to speed up environmental review processes for U.S. infrastructure projects. During a visit to the UPS Hapeville Airport Hub in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon, the president is prepared to announce new initiatives aimed at investing in American infrastructure as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rattle the nation. Georgia is an emerging swing state for the general election, and could be important for Trump to clinch if he is going to best presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November amid sliding poll numbers. This is the president's ninth trip to Georgia and sixth to Atlanta during his presidency. In 2016, Trump bested Hillary Clinton in the red-leaning state by 5 per cent. Some recent polls, however, show Trump, 74, trailing Biden, 77, in the state where more than one-third of the population is black. The trip to Georgia comes as the president has been forced off his typical campaign trail as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to surge. Trump held one post-coronavirus rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month, which yielded a much smaller than anticipated crowd and thousands of empty seats. He also postponed his Saturday outdoor rally in New Hampshire. Instead, Trump has been using presidential remarks and events to parade his accomplishments and speak to his base treating these opportunities almost like campaign events. Donald Trump will travel to Atlanta Wednesday afternoon to announce a new infrastructure plan as Georgia emerges as a potential swing state in the 2020 election as the president's poll numbers continue to slip The new plan, which is part of a sweeping push that began in January for infrastructure investment, would speed up the environmental review process for highway, gas pipeline and other infrastructure projects The president's visit also comes as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the U.S. over the last few weeks. Georgia alone now has more than 12,000 confirmed infections and 3,000 deaths The president's trip comes as Georgia has seen coronavirus infection rates spike in the last few weeks and has now tallied more than 12,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,000 deaths. Trump's last visit to the Peach State was in early March, toward the very beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, when he toured the Centers for Disease CControl and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. The baffling visit included a claim from the president that he should have become a doctor because of his 'super genius' uncle who was a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John Trump, the brother of Trump's father Fred Trump, was an accomplished electrical engineer who received the National Medal of Science by then-President Ronald Reagan. He died in 1985 at the age of 77. 'I like this stuff. I really get it,' Trump said at the time of his last visit to Georgia, when the U.S. death toll from coronavirus was still below 20 and the confirmed cases were in the hundred, not millions. 'People are surprised that I understand it,' the president continued. 'Every one of these doctors said: 'How do you know so much about this?'' 'Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president,' he suggested. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is running against incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue in November, said Trump's decision to come to Georgia to discuss infrastructure in the midst of the worsening pandemic demonstrates he is 'in denial and out of control.' 'Coming here for a routine photo-op is, frankly, bizarre, surreal against this unprecedented health and economic crisis,' Ossoff said. White House spokesman Judd Deere said that if Ossoff views a major policy announcement to expedite critical infrastructure projects as anything other than about job growth and economic expansion, then it might explain why he lost an election two years ago. The White House said the administration's efforts will expedite the expansion of Interstate 75 near Atlanta, an important freight route where traffic can often slow to a crawl. The state will create two interstate lanes designed solely for commercial trucks. The state announced last fall, before the White House unveiled its proposed rule, that it was moving up the deadline for substantially completing the project to 2028. The administration set a two-year deadline for completing full environmental impact reviews on projects, with a one-year deadline on others, when Trump first announced a new infrastructure push in January. While Trump says the new rule will promote rebuilding of American, critics of the plan say it dismantles a 50-year-old protection law on highways, gas pipelines and other major infrastructure projects that could be damaging to the environment. Critics also call the president's efforts a cynical attempt to limit the public's ability to review, comment on and influence proposed projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, one of the country's bedrock environmental protection laws. 'This may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years,' said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group that works to save endangered species. Trump has made slashing government regulation a hallmark of his presidency and held it out as a way to boost jobs. But environmental groups say the regulatory rollbacks threaten public health and make it harder to curb global warming. With Congress and the administration divided over how to boost infrastructure investment, the president is relying on his deregulation push to demonstrate progress. Trump's trip to Georgia comes one day after presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden announced an infrastructure plan including a heavy emphasis on improving environmental standards like increasing energy efficiency in buildings 'The United States can't compete and prosper if a bureaucratic system holds us back from building what we need,' Trump said when first announcing the sweeping rollback of National Environmental Policy Act rules. Thousands of Americans on both sides of the new federal rule wrote to the Council on Environmental Quality to voice their opinions. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cited a North Carolina bridge in its letter as an example of unreasonable delays, saying the bridge that connected Hatteras Island to Bodie Island took 25 years to complete, but only three years to build. 'The failure to secure timely approval for projects and land management decisions is also hampering economic growth,' the business group wrote. The Natural Resources Defense Council said that when Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act 50 years ago, it did so with the understanding that environmental well-being is compatible with economic well-being. The proposed rule, it said, would lead federal agencies to make decisions with significant environmental impacts without ever considering those impacts in advance. 'At the end of the day, it would lead to poor decision, increased litigation and less transparency,' said Sharon Buccino, a senior director at the environmental group. Trump's trip to Georgia comes one day after Biden announced an infrastructure plan that places a heavy emphasis on improving energy efficiency in buildings and housing. The presumed Democratic nominee's plan would also promote conservation efforts in the agriculture industry. Biden pledges that if he is elected president his administration would spend $2 trillion over four years to promote his energy proposals. Trump's push to use regulatory changes to boost infrastructure development also comes as the House and Senate pursue starkly different efforts. The Democratic-controlled House passed a $1.5 trillion plan that goes beyond roads and bridges and would fund improvements to schools, housing, water and sewer, and broadband. A GOP-controlled Senate panel passed a bill last year setting aside $287 billion for roads and bridges, but other committees are still working on the measure, including how to pay for it. Grant Imahara in preparation for the cable television show "Mythbuster" in San Francisco, California, February 29, 2008. John Walker/Fresno Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Grant Imahara, the engineer behind multiple Hollywood projects, has died at the age of 49 according to The Hollywood Reporter. Imahara hosted the popular science show "Mythbusters" that aired on Discovery Channel. He also cohosted Netflix's "White Rabbit Project," a science show that lasted one season. The engineer spent nine years at Lucasfilm, working on animatronics in the production company's THX and Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) sectors. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Grant Imahara, the former host of Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters," has died at the age of 49, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Per the outlet's report, Imahara died after experiencing a brain aneurysm. Imahara hosted the popular science show "Mythbusters" until 2014. The network told THR in a statement: "We are heartbroken to hear this sad news about Grant. He was an important part of our Discovery family and a really wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." His cohosts Kari Byron and Adam Savage posted on Twitter in reaction to his death. Imahara worked with Byron and fellow former "Mythbusters" cohost Tory Belleci for almost a decade, according to People. He teamed up with the pair again to cohost Netflix's "White Rabbit Project," a science series that lasted for one season. Imahara was an electrical engineer and roboticist and spent nine years at Lucasfilm, the production company founded by George Lucas and acquired by Disney in 2012, according to THR. He specifically worked in the Industrial Light and Magic and THX sectors, working on the filmmaker's "Star Wars" prequels and other films like "The Matrix Reloaded." Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trump catapulted into a tirade against mail-in voting, which he calls 'corrupt,' during remarks Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia where he was announcing a new infrastructure investment plan. While praising Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp, who bested Democrat Stacey Abrams in a controversial election in 2018, Trump turned his focus from infrastructure to mail-in ballots and other campaign-related topics. 'Governor Brian Kemp, I'll tell you what a warrior he is. He's tough, he's tough. And he's done a great job you've done a great job in every aspect of running this incredible state. And I've always been there for you,' Trump said during remarks at the UPS Hapeville Airport Hub. 'And watch please, those mail-in ballots. You're going to watch that for me,' Trump segued, directing the comment toward Georgia lawmakers, citizens and UPS. 'Because, you know, they have a lot of problems all over the country.' 'Mail-in ballots. Be careful, be careful. They would understand because they deliver. In fact, I'm going to have to be very nice to UPS,' Trump joked. 'UPS, I love you.' The president also suggested that his victory in 2016 could be in question due to mail-in ballots. 'Even in the 2016 election, 1 per cent are in question,' Trump conceded. 'But I don't want to talk about that one, because I won,' he joked. 'So I don't want anyone going back and looking.' 'I'm not going to talk about 2016 that was the greatest election,' the president continued in his remarks. 'And now we have to do something very important: We have to keep it going, or this country will be in big, big trouble.' Trump did not wear a mask during his visit to the UPS airport facility, even though his staff and other lawmakers who joined him were wearing the face coverings. Donald Trump went on a rant railing against mail-in ballots during remarks aimed at announcing a new infrastructure plan at the UPS Hapeville Airport Hub in Atlanta, Georgia Trump joked that even 1 per cent of mail-in ballots from the 2016 election are in question suggesting questions over his victory. 'I don't want to talk about that one, because I won. So I don't want anyone going back and looking' Aide, advisers and other lawmakers gathered with the president during his Georgia trip on Wednesday all wore face coverings The president did not wear a mask, even though he vowed to wear one when in public settings where he was not able to social distance Trump's second visit to Georgia in 2020 was aimed at him announcing a new infrastructure plan that would speed up the timeline for environmental review process for infrastructure projects The president was seen publicly wearing a mask for the first time last week during his trip to Walter Reed Medical Center and the president finally conceded that he would wear a mask in more-crowded public situations. Trump has increasingly upped his criticism of mail-in voting as Democrats push for a fully remote ballot system for the November elections in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump reasoned Wednesday that elections went on like normal during both World War I and World War II, and said the coronavirus crisis should not affect the method of voting. He claims the system of remote-style voting would also disproportionately benefit Democrats and asserts there are high instances or chances of wide-spread voter fraud with mail-in ballots. 'They're going to be rigged,' Trump said of mail-in ballots. 'They're going to be a terrible situation and you have to be careful in Georgia, but you have to be careful everywhere where they're doing it.' Trump has come under fire from critics who point to him, and several members of his administration, using absentee ballot procedures to cast votes in their home state elections. 'It's very bad what's going on with mail-in ballots,' Trump explained at the Georgia event. 'As differentiated from absentee ballots where you have to go, and you go through a process because you can't be there for some reason.' 'Absentee ballot great. Mail-in ballot absolutely no good. It makes no sense,' Trump said. Wednesday's event was intended for the president to announce a new federal rule that will speed up environmental review processes for U.S. infrastructure projects, which aims to invest in American infrastructure. Georgia is an emerging swing state for the general election, and could be important for Trump to clinch if he is going to best presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November amid sliding poll numbers. This is the president's ninth trip to Georgia and sixth to Atlanta during his presidency. In 2016, Trump bested Hillary Clinton in the red-leaning state by 5 per cent. Some recent polls, however, show Trump, 74, trailing Biden, 77, in the state where more than one-third of the population is black. The trip to Georgia comes as the president has been forced off his typical campaign trail as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to surge. Trump held one post-coronavirus rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month, which yielded a much smaller than anticipated crowd and thousands of empty seats. He also postponed his Saturday outdoor rally in New Hampshire. Instead, Trump has been using presidential remarks and events to parade his accomplishments and speak to his base treating these opportunities almost like campaign events. The new plan, which is part of a sweeping push that began in January for infrastructure investment, would speed up the environmental review process for highway, gas pipeline and other infrastructure projects The president's visit also comes as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the U.S. over the last few weeks. Georgia alone now has more than 12,000 confirmed infections and 3,000 deaths This trip included him railing against Democrat's initiatives to implement full mail-in ballot measures in November in an attempt to prevent people from visiting busy polling places in the midst of a virus surge. Trump specifically pointed to an example of voter fraud with mail-in ballots in Paterson, New Jersey. The New Jersey Attorney General filed voting fraud charges last month against 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson, 3rd Ward Council-Elect Alex Mendez and two other men. The charges came weeks after the May 12 local election where the Passaic County Board of Elections did not count 800 city ballots that were found scattered across different municipalities. 'We've had a lot of problems, just take a look at what's gone on over the last month. And take a look at Paterson, New Jersey. Small city in New Jersey. I think they said something like 20 per cent of the ballots were corrupted or something happened with them,' he said. The president's trip comes as Georgia has seen coronavirus infection rates spike in the last few weeks and has now tallied more than 12,000 confirmed cases and more than 3,000 deaths. Trump's last visit to the Peach State was in early March, toward the very beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, when he toured the Centers for Disease CControl and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. The baffling visit included a claim from the president that he should have become a doctor because of his 'super genius' uncle who was a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. John Trump, the brother of Trump's father Fred Trump, was an accomplished electrical engineer who received the National Medal of Science by then-President Ronald Reagan. He died in 1985 at the age of 77. 'I like this stuff. I really get it,' Trump said at the time of his last visit to Georgia, when the U.S. death toll from coronavirus was still below 20 and the confirmed cases were in the hundred, not millions. 'People are surprised that I understand it,' the president continued. 'Every one of these doctors said: 'How do you know so much about this?'' 'Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president,' he suggested. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is running against incumbent Republican Senator David Perdue in November, said Trump's decision to come to Georgia to discuss infrastructure in the midst of the worsening pandemic demonstrates he is 'in denial and out of control.' 'Coming here for a routine photo-op is, frankly, bizarre, surreal against this unprecedented health and economic crisis,' Ossoff said. White House spokesman Judd Deere said that if Ossoff views a major policy announcement to expedite critical infrastructure projects as anything other than about job growth and economic expansion, then it might explain why he lost an election two years ago. The White House said the administration's efforts will expedite the expansion of Interstate 75 near Atlanta, an important freight route where traffic can often slow to a crawl. The state will create two interstate lanes designed solely for commercial trucks. The state announced last fall, before the White House unveiled its proposed rule, that it was moving up the deadline for substantially completing the project to 2028. The administration set a two-year deadline for completing full environmental impact reviews on projects, with a one-year deadline on others, when Trump first announced a new infrastructure push in January. While Trump says the new rule will promote rebuilding of American, critics of the plan say it dismantles a 50-year-old protection law on highways, gas pipelines and other major infrastructure projects that could be damaging to the environment. Critics also call the president's efforts a cynical attempt to limit the public's ability to review, comment on and influence proposed projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, one of the country's bedrock environmental protection laws. 'This may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years,' said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group that works to save endangered species. Trump has made slashing government regulation a hallmark of his presidency and held it out as a way to boost jobs. But environmental groups say the regulatory rollbacks threaten public health and make it harder to curb global warming. With Congress and the administration divided over how to boost infrastructure investment, the president is relying on his deregulation push to demonstrate progress. Trump's trip to Georgia comes one day after presumed Democratic nominee Joe Biden announced an infrastructure plan including a heavy emphasis on improving environmental standards like increasing energy efficiency in buildings 'The United States can't compete and prosper if a bureaucratic system holds us back from building what we need,' Trump said when first announcing the sweeping rollback of National Environmental Policy Act rules. Thousands of Americans on both sides of the new federal rule wrote to the Council on Environmental Quality to voice their opinions. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce cited a North Carolina bridge in its letter as an example of unreasonable delays, saying the bridge that connected Hatteras Island to Bodie Island took 25 years to complete, but only three years to build. 'The failure to secure timely approval for projects and land management decisions is also hampering economic growth,' the business group wrote. The Natural Resources Defense Council said that when Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act 50 years ago, it did so with the understanding that environmental well-being is compatible with economic well-being. The proposed rule, it said, would lead federal agencies to make decisions with significant environmental impacts without ever considering those impacts in advance. 'At the end of the day, it would lead to poor decision, increased litigation and less transparency,' said Sharon Buccino, a senior director at the environmental group. Trump's trip to Georgia comes one day after Biden announced an infrastructure plan that places a heavy emphasis on improving energy efficiency in buildings and housing. The presumed Democratic nominee's plan would also promote conservation efforts in the agriculture industry. Biden pledges that if he is elected president his administration would spend $2 trillion over four years to promote his energy proposals. Trump's push to use regulatory changes to boost infrastructure development also comes as the House and Senate pursue starkly different efforts. The Democratic-controlled House passed a $1.5 trillion plan that goes beyond roads and bridges and would fund improvements to schools, housing, water and sewer, and broadband. A GOP-controlled Senate panel passed a bill last year setting aside $287 billion for roads and bridges, but other committees are still working on the measure, including how to pay for it. A memorial bust of Cecil Rhodes in South Africa's Table Top Mountain was found with the head chopped off. Cecil Rhodes was a Victorian mining magnate who helped colonise large parts of Africa. He founded the colonies of Southern and Northern Rhodesia, named after himself, which have since been renamed Zimbabwe and Zambia. His statue, which sits on top of a flight of steps at the Rhodes Memorial, was found damaged by park rangers who were on patrolling the area on Monday. Lauren Clayton, a spokeswoman for South African National Parks in the Western Cape, said the memorial has been vandalised "multiple times" before. She added that no one has claimed responsibility for the damage which is believed to have occurred on Sunday night or Monday morning. Before and after images of the damaged memorial bust / Reuters "At this stage we are still unclear about the reasoning behind the vandalism," said Ms Clayton. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement Rhodes' legacy has come under renewed scrutiny, with students at Britains Oxford University calling for another statue of the colonialist to be removed. Leaders at the college announced on June 17 that an Independent Commission Inquiry would take place to consider the "key issues surrounding" the monument. It comes as protesters around the world have called for the removal of statues of historical figures with links to slavery and fascist ideologies. Oxford protest over Cecil Rhodes statue - In pictures 1 /18 Oxford protest over Cecil Rhodes statue - In pictures AFP via Getty Images Getty Images PA REUTERS PA REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS AP AP REUTERS Getty Images PA There were calls to remove the statue of Scouts founder Robert Baden-Powell due to his associations with the Nazis and the Hitler youth programme, and his execution of an African prisoner of war despite a pledge to spare the mans life. On Wednesday the toppled statue of Edward Colston in Bristol was replaced in a dawn ambush by a sculpture of a Black Lives Matter activist who watched him fall. Rhodes spent eight years at Oxford while maintaining his interests in the diamond mines. By the time he was 34, he had expanded his wealth to gold as well as diamonds, and was one of the richest men in the world. He founded the De Beers firm, and devoted his wealth to acquiring territory for the British Empire with the aim of uniting the whole continent under British rule. He believed that the English were the first race in the world. During his lifetime he helped expand the British Empire by 450,000 square miles. As Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896, his government set financial qualifications for voting which restricted the rights of black Africans. - Eric Nipah, the receiver appointed by the government to oversee the settlement of claims of depositors of defunct microfinance institutions, has given an assurance to clients - He is hopeful that all clients who deposited funds with the defunct businesses will be paid by the end of July - According to him, 98% of them will receive cash, while the remaining 2% will receive cash and bonds Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The government-appointed receiver with respect to the defunct 347 microfinance companies and 23 savings & loans and finance houses, Eric Nana Nipah, has revealed that all unpaid customers will receive their claims by the end of July. He indicated that about 98% of the customers have been paid and the rest would receive what is due them in a few weeks. Nipah added that he has successfully saved Ghana about GHc1 billion by scrutinizing fake claims. Eric Nana Nipah Source: The Independent Ghana Source: UGC READ ALSO: African Development Bank issues warning to African countries over borrowed funds According to him, about 98% of the claims will be paid in cash, while the remaining 2% would be paid in cash and bonds. Per a report by citibusinessnews.com, he also noted that for depositors, we have come a very long way and I have been able to determine that actually, the depositor base in the three receiverships is in the region of GHc5.4 billion by the value of valid depositor claims that I have received. And out of that, I have been able to pay close to 96% of these claims, he said. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that GHc2.11 billion has been paid to customers of defunct savings and loan companies as well as medium and small-scale enterprises in Ghana. About GHc2.95 billion in zero-rated coupon bonds, which are debt instruments, has been paid to customers whose funds were locked up as a result of the financial sector crisis. The total amount of money paid to date, therefore, stands at GHc5.66 billion. READ ALSO: VW releases models of cars in Ghana; prices as low as GHc60,000 Read the best news on Ghana's #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: YEN.com.gh WASHINGTON For the last year, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sat back while Democrats duked it out in a bitter fight for their partys nomination. The three-term Republican incumbent raked in cash as he played up the Democrats intraparty feud in campaign ads and on Twitter. Now, the battle is coming to Cornyn. Democrats have settled on their challenger: MJ Hegar, a decorated Air Force combat veteran and suburban mother who they hope will have crossover appeal. And she has wasted no time going on the offensive. When somebody who has been in statewide elected office for nearly four decades meddles in a Democratic primary for the first time in his career, I think it shows he knows what we know, which is: He is vulnerable, Texans are done and they are looking for something better, Hegar told Hearst Newspapers on Wednesday. TROUBLE COMING TO JOHN CORNYN: MJ Hegar defeats Royce West in Democratic U.S. Senate runoff Democrats insist that the momentum is finally in their favor: Voter registration is soaring in Texas, and President Donald Trumps poll numbers are flagging. Still, Cornyn has much to be confident about as he heads into what many expect to be his most difficult reelection battle yet. Polls show the senator leading by as many as 13 points, and he just posted what his campaign says is his strongest fundraising quarter yet, yielding more than $14 million with which to shape voter sentiments. His campaign embarked on that effort Wednesday, releasing a video that called Hegar Elizabeth Warren on a motorcycle. Hegar, who spent heavily during the last leg of the Democratic primary runoff, had less than $1 million on hand by the end of June. The closing weeks proved to be very damaging to MJ Hegar and her allies, Cornyns campaign manager, John Jackson, wrote in a memo about the race. A fractured party and lack of financial support from grassroots voters are ominous signs for any candidate, much less one who also needs to overcome structural challenges. Senator Cornyn and the Republican Party of Texas havent taken anything for granted since 2018, producing 100,000 new GOP voters over the past year alone, the memo said. With thousands of volunteers, field organizers around the state and a sophisticated voter contact program, Republicans in Texas remain on the offensive and Democrats remain ideologically out of touch. Democrats are confident they can overcome all that. In Hegar, they have a candidate with potential crossover appeal, especially in the suburbs, where voters began to move away from Trump in 2018 and where the party hopes to gain more ground in November. RUNOFF ROUNDUP: Who won and lost in runoff elections across Texas Hegar brushed aside the notion that Democrats emerged divided from the tense final weeks of the long primary, when her opponent, state Sen. Royce West, accused Hegar of being a secret Republican. Hegar called West a part of a broken system, a politician who had become rich in office and had legislated in his own best interests. The Cornyn campaign on Wednesday called Texas Democrats fractured. If that was true, they wouldnt have to say it, Hegar said in response. They are trying to wish something into existence in a last-ditch hope they can save Cornyn. Texas has added nearly 600,000 new voters since 2018 nearly 150,000 of whom have registered since March. Nearly 1 million Democrats cast ballots in the Senate primary, far more than is typical for a summer runoff and more than twice the number of ballots cast in the partys last statewide runoff in 2018. Any Republican in Texas should be nervous right now, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Theres a changing tide in the state, and the energy in the Democratic Party, combined with dislike of Donald Trump, makes every seat potentially in play. Still, Rottinghaus said, Cornyn is in a better position than a lot of Republicans. Hes seen these changes from a long horizon and has been planning for this for a lot of years, Rottinghaus said. Hes got obvious advantages. Hes got more money, hes got better name recognition and hes got the capacity to define Hegar before things take off for real. Jacksons memo paints Hegar as a candidate who is really good at sharing her bio, but not policy specifics, and who needed support from the Democratic establishment in Washington and national progressive groups to make it out of the runoff. Hegar is backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, as well as groups such as EMILYs List, both of which paid for pro-Hegar advertising in the runoff campaign. The memo ties Hegar to Warren, who endorsed Hegar in the runoff. It notes that Warren, as a Democratic presidential candidate, campaigned on the Green New Deal, Medicare for All and a ban on fracking issues that are anathema to the majority of Texans. Most days, Hegar sounds a lot like a practiced politician when it comes to avoiding direct answers and delivering talking points, the memo said. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Hegar disagreed. Ive always been very transparent and clear about what Im fighting for, she said. Her campaign released a video on Wednesday saying shes building a grassroots army across Texas and touting the millions of dollars she has raised from 56,000 donors. I think that they are very uncomfortable with the fact that I am connecting so well with regular working Texans, because I am one, she said. It just does not compute for them They just believe the wealthy, powerful special interests are going to be enough to carry them through, but those wealthy powerful special interests are not stronger than the will of the Texas voters. Despite the professed confidence of the Cornyn campaign, the senator would rather have faced West, who after nearly three decades in the Texas legislature is a known commodity with an extensive voting record. Hegar, by contrast, is a self-described badass motorcyclist whose only previous experience in elective politics was a 2018 congressional run. She grew up outside Austin and lives in Round Rock. As an Air National Guard pilot, Hegar served three tours in Afghanistan on rescue missions. She was wounded in 2009 when her helicopter was shot down by the Taliban. She returned fire while riding on the helicopters skids. She was awarded a Purple Heart and became the second woman awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor. I definitely think that West would have been the preferred candidate for us, said Brendan Steinhauser, a GOP strategist who ran Cornyns 2014 campaign but who is not affiliated with the senators current reelection effort. He said the race will be competitive, though he thinks Cornyn will win. Youre going to have, I think, two candidates who wont have a problem with their base, who can compete for the independent and swing voters and who have a history of appealing to those segments of the population that are up for grabs, he said. So I think its going to be very interesting. ben.wermund@chron.com Two women have been arrested in relation to a pair of Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) drug seizures at Torontos Pearson airport. On June 18, a woman arrived at Pearson on a flight from Jamaica, and CBSA passenger operations district border services officers examined six food packages. The search revealed 6.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of $825,000. Five days later, another woman arrived at Pearson on a flight from Jamaica. Her belongings were also inspected and the search revealed 3.85 kilograms of suspected cocaine secreted in eight food packages. The estimated value of the seizure is $447,500. The women, a 76-year-old from Etobicoke and a 31-year-old from Hamilton, were arrested and turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, along with the suspected cocaine. The accused were charged with importing a substance included in Schedule I (cocaine). They were released on bail with conditions. The Congress has sought the disqualification of Sachin Pilot and 18 other dissident MLAs from the state assembly even as it repeated that the party has not closed its doors on him. Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi confirmed that disqualification notices have been sent out Tuesday on the basis of the complaint made by the party. The dissidents have to reply by Friday. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also talked tough, accusing the former deputy chief minister of being directly involved in the alleged horse-trading with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to bring down his government. He did not refer to Pilot by name but spoke about the "deputy chief minister" and the "PCC president", both posts held by the leader before he was stripped of them on Tuesday as he tussled with the more senior Rajasthan leader for power. But, amid this tough posturing, the Congress said the dissident MLAs can still return to the Congress fold. Avinash Pande, the AICC in-charge of Rajasthan indicated this in a tweet in the morning and party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala followed that up while interacting with the media in the afternoon. Pilot has said he is not joining the BJP but not spelled out his next move. "The party's doors have not closed for Pilot. May God give him good sense and he realises his mistake. I pray that he comes out of the BJP's illusory trap," Pande tweeted in Hindi. Senior leader Surjewala said all grievances will be heard and solutions found. "Come back to your family, sit with your family and place your view before the family," he said at Jaipur hotel where MLAs in the Gehlot camp are holed up. He said if Pilot is not joining the BJP, he should not accept the "hospitality" of BJP-ruled Haryana, referring to reports that the MLAs close to the rebel leader are camping in two Gurgaon hotels. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is a senior leader from Rajasthan, said no talks have been held between the BJP and the Congress dissident. The Congress has made clear that it is going for revamp of the organisation in the state. On Tuesday, Avinash Pande announced that all cells and departments of the state Congress are dissolved so that they can be reconstituted under the leadership of the new PCC president. On Wednesday, he announced a similar disbanding of all district and block committees of the party. In the harshest words spoken so far by any Congress leader against Pilot, Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused his sacked deputy of being directly involved in horse-trading with the BJP. He claimed there is proof that money was being offered. "Our deputy chief minister and PCC president himself was doing the deal and was giving statements that no horse-trading was taking place. What clarification are you giving when you yourself were involved?" he asked. "Speaking good English or Hindi, giving a good byte is not everything," he said. What matters, he added, is commitment to the party's programmes and policies. The Rajasthan assembly secretariat sent notices to 19 MLAs, following a complaint by Congress chief whip Mahesh Joshi who sought their disqualification from the House. The party said the MLAs had defied a whip and skipped the Congress Legislature Party meetings on Monday and Tuesday. It also referred to their "hostile" media statements. It wanted action under paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which disqualifies MLAs if "voluntarily" give up the membership of the party which they represent in the House. The Congress letter said the Supreme Court has "unequivocally held" that the provision comes into effect when the conduct of an MLA leads to this inference. Among those sent notices are Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena, who were sacked along with Pilot from the state cabinet after their rebellion against Ashok Gehlot. Others include Deepender Singh Shekhawat, Bhanwar Lal Sharma and Harish Chandra Meena, who had also given statements to the media challenging the Gehlot government. Sachin Pilot has been upset since the Congress picked Gehlot for the chief minister's post after the 2018 assembly polls. His supporters had credited him for leading the Congress to victory as the state unit president. In the 200-member assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the Bhartiya Tribal Party, and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal. She was brutally dumped by Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins during the infamous 'no win' season of The Bachelor in 2018. And after being left 'heartbroken', Brittany Hockley turned down the opportunity to take a second chance at finding love on Bachelor in Paradise. But the 32-year-old nurse told Mamamia this week that it was sweet advice from her best friend and Life Uncut podcast co-host host, Laura Byrne, that changed her mind. Not taking a second chance! This week, Brittany Hockley revealed to Mamamia she turned down the opportunity to star in Bachelor in Paradise after being brutally dumped by Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins in 2018 but later changed her mind after getting advice from a friend 'It was always a hard no for me, but I ended up signing on at the last minute possible,' she explained. 'Laura was telling me, "I'm proof that good things can come from it and it can work",' she added. Laura is happily engaged to former Bachelor Matty 'J' Johnson who she met on the hit dating show in 2017. Changing her mind: Brittany revealed it was sweet advice from Laura Byrne that convinced her to give it a second try. 'Laura was telling me, "I'm proof that good things can come from it and it can work",' she said (Brittany and Laura pictured) The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter named Marlie-Mae, in June last year. Seeing how happy Laura was following her experience - Brittany decided it would be worth giving it another go. 'I just thought, good things come from saying yes to opportunities so I'll give it a whirl,' she said. Success story: Laura is happily engaged to former Bachelor Matty 'J' Johnson, who she met on the hit dating show in 2017. The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter named Marlie-Mae, in June last year (Matt, Laura and Marlie-Mae pictured) Meanwhile, despite getting together each week to dissect all the details of their private lives on Life Uncut, Laura insists there is one juicy detail about Brittany she doesn't know - if she did in fact find love while filming Bachelor in Paradise last year. 'Everyone thinks I know but I don't,' Laura told the Daily Telegraph on the weekend. Despite the two making a 'pact' not to discuss it to protect Brittany 'contractually,' that hasn't stopped Laura from making a few guesses on how she thinks it turned out. Don't expect her to dish the dirt! Laura (right) revealed to The Daily Telegraph on the weekend that she'll have to watch Bachelor In Paradise like everyone else to find out if best friend Brittany Hockley (left) finds love 'I've definitely seen the ads and I guess we spend so much time together I can draw parallels between what I think's happened,' she added. Meanwhile, Laura admitted last month that she felt 'betrayed' when she confronted Brittany over finding out she'd hooked up with Timm Hanly on Bachelor in Paradise while watching a TV advert. 'Britt, I feel like you've got a little bit of explaining to do... currently you are on TV making out with a guy named Timm,' Laura confronted her on Life Uncut. Feeling betrayed! Last month, Laura confronted Brittany on their podcast Life Uncut when she found out she'd been keeping secrets from her Brittany laughed and said: 'Surprise! How do you feel?' 'Oh, a little bit betrayed,' Laura replied. '[I was] not expecting it. I'm very surprised,' Laura said, before confessing Timm had been one of her favourites on The Bachelorette last year. Spoiler! Brittany is appearing on the upcoming series of Bachelor in Paradise, which was filmed in Fiji last year. However, she failed to tell Laura about her hook-up with Timm Hanly on the show, and Laura was upset to learn of the fling from a TV advert (pictured) 'I loved Timm on Angie Kent's season... and I was a little bit jilted when Angie didn't choose Timm, so now it's kind of weird,' she explained. 'I feel betrayed that you haven't told me all of these things... now that it's happening on TV I feel kind of robbed,' she said. Laura went on to clarify that she'd asked Brittany not to divulge any of the details from Bachelor in Paradise before it aired on television. Gutted: 'I feel betrayed that you haven't told me all of these things... now that it's happening on TV I feel kind of robbed,' Laura said Brittany and Timm's island romance was confirmed last month when Channel 10 released a trailer for the third season, which showed the pair flirting up a storm as they arrived at the Mango Bay Resort in Fiji. 'That chick from Badger's season? She's so hot!' Timm said as he laid eyes on Brittany for the first time. 'Brittany is absolutely gorgeous! So well spoken, those piercing blue eyes.' Remember him? Timm was the runner-up on Angie Kent's season of The Bachelorette last year Brittany later said: 'Timm in no way is my type. Never ever have I dated anybody like him.' In another scene, Timm was seen flirtatiously placing a kiss on Brittany's forehead as they cuddled up together on a daybed. Things became even steamier later in the trailer when the couple were shown snogging in a bathtub. 'He really took me by surprise. [There's] something about him that I want to get to know more,' Brittany said afterwards. Bachelor in Paradise premieres on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30pm Channel 10 Rajasthan Political Crisis Updates: According to ANI, top leaders of the Rajasthan BJP also held a meeting on Tuesday, however the details of it are not known, Auto refresh feeds Govind Dotra has been appointed in place of Pliot as the new Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Chief. The power tussle in Rajasthan between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot made a dramatic turn on Tuesday, with Randeep Surjewala announcing that the rebel party leader has been removed from posts of Rajasthan deputy chief minister, state unit president. Along with Sachin Pilot, Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena have also removed as ministers, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told PTI. Addressing media after the CLP meeting on Tuesday, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP of misleading Sachin Pilot and other Congress leaders. "I regret that Sachin Pilot and some of his associates have been swayed by BJP's plot and are now conspiring to topple the Congress govt elected by 8 crore Rajasthanis. It is unacceptable," said Surjewala. Senior BJP leader Om Mathur, who is in charge of Rajasthan, has left for Jaipur, where a meeting is underway to discuss the situation, reports Scoll.in According to ANI, Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday met Governor Kalraj Mishra at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur after the sacking Sachin Pilot. The BJP said a floor test is the only way to prove the strength of Congress government in the state, according to NDTV. Sources told PTI Gehlot briefed the Governor on recent developments in the state, caught in the grip of a power struggle between him and Pilot. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Sachin Pilot enjoyed the affection and blessings of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and was given political power at a young age. Yet, he and other ministers were trying to topple the state government as part of a BJP conspiracy, he added. Sachin Pilot's nameplate has been removed from Congress headquarter in Jaipur after he was sacked as deputy chief minister and PCC chief, reports ANI. Govind Singh Dotasra has been appointed as state unit chief. Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra has accepted CM Ashok Gehlot's proposal to remove Sachin Pilot as Deputy CM, and Vishvender Singh and Ramesh Meena as ministers, news agency ANI reported Soon after being removed by Congress as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress unit chief, Sachin Pilot on Tuesday changed his bio on Twitter to MLA from Tonk. There is nothing in Sachin Pilot's hands, it is the BJP which is running the show. BJP has arranged that resort and they are managing everything. The same team which worked in Madhya Pradesh is at work here, says Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. I am sad to see @SachinPilot leave @INCIndia . I consider him one of our best & brightest, and wish it had not come to this. Instead of parting, he should have joined the effort to make the Party a better& more effective instrument for his, and our, dreams. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that he considered Sachin Pilot as one of the "best and brightest" leaders in the party and that he was sad over the current state of affairs. Reiterating the BJP's line of defence against Ashok Gehlot's accusation of against the party for the current crisis, Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat said that the presidents and workers of the four Congress units inclduing the Youth Congress, Seva Dal and student organisations turned against their own government. The Inspite of this, the saffron party is being blamed, he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting today at their party office in Rajasthan over the current political situation in the state. Party's state president Satish Poonia and party leaders Om Mathur, Gulab Chand Kataria and Rajendra Rathore were present at the meeting, reports ANI. According to News18, the Cabinet ministers held discussions over vacancies after MLAs and ministers were sacked. The Cabinet meeting will be followed by another of the Council of Ministers. After the sacking of the three ministers, the 12 senior ministers, including the CM, remain in the Cabinet. The council of ministers has 10 ministers of state. Vishwendra Singh Bharatpur, who was sacked from his ministerial post today, took a shot at Chief minister Ashok Gehlot, saying " Today was just a 20-20 match, test match will begin from tomorrow." Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje will attend a meeting of BJP MLAs at 11am inJaipur tomorrow, reports News18 quoting sources. Sanjay Jha has been suspended from Congress party with immediate effect "for anti-party activities and breach of discipline." pic.twitter.com/ZLIkHvyn0A Jaipur: The state cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings at the residence of #Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have now concluded. https://t.co/eHxvAiOsVL Jaipur: #Rajasthan ministers leave from the residence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for Fairmont Hotel, after the state cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings concluded. pic.twitter.com/KvlSgkeSxu Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande has dissolved the State Executive unit, all other departments and cells of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, reports ANI. , "The new State Executive unit, all departments and cells will be re-constituted after new PCC chief (Govind Singh Dotasara) was appointed today," the news agency quotes him as saying. Rajasthan Political Crisis Updates: Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje will attend a meeting of BJP MLAs at 11am in Jaipur on Wednesday, reports News18 quoting sources. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is holding a Cabinet meeting at his residence. Reports said that a reshuffle in ministerial berths is likely. 59 office bearers of Tonk unit of the Rajasthan Congress tender their resignations in protest against the removal of Sachin Pilot as the Deputy Chief Minister and Rajasthan PCC Chief, reports ANI. A meeting of the Rajasthan Cabinet will be held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence at 7:30 pm today and a meeting of Council of Ministers is scheduled for 8:00 pm, reports ANI. "A vertical division can be seen in the Congress party in Rajasthan, with the sacking of the deputy chief minister. Now, if the chief minister wants to expand his Cabinet, he should first prove majority on the floor," said BJP leader Gulan Chand Kataria. According to reports, Cabinet expansion is likely to take place at 4.30 pm on Thursday. Speaking after the Congress announced the sacking of Pilot and his two aides from the state cabinet, Gehlot alleged that that the BJP wanted to repeat what it had done in Madhya Pradesh. The power tussle in Rajasthan between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot made a dramatic turn on Tuesday, with Randeep Surjewala announcing that rebel party leader Pilot has been removed from posts of Rajasthan deputy chief minister, state unit president. Amid the infighting between the Congress-led state government, Govind Dotra has been appointed in place of Pliot as the new Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Chief. The second meeting of Congress Legislature Party in two days began Tuesday morning with Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot turning down appeals to participate. Ahead of the meeting, Congress general secretary Avinash Pande made another bid to reach out to the rebel leader, who had skipped the first CLP meeting at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's home on Monday. Eighteen other Congress MLAs had also not attended Monday's meeting, according to sources. But independents and MLAs from other parties participated, expressing support for Gehlot. Tuesday's meeting was said to be a second chance for Pilot, who is also the president of the state unit of the party. But MLAs considered close to Pilot were again not seen there, and are calling for a floor test in the 200-member state assembly. Srimadhopar MLA Deepender Singh Shekhawat, who was Speaker in the assembly during the term of the previous Congress government, came out in the open Tuesday with the demand. The Pilot camp also released late at night a 10-second video clip of a group of Congress MLAs sitting together. There appeared to be 16 of them in the clip. Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh tweeted the video, captioning it as "Family". The latest Congress meeting is being held at a resort where Gehlot and other MLAs are camping since Monday. It was scheduled to begin at 10 am, but started at least an hour later. "I appeal to Sachin Pilot and all his fellow MLAs to join today's Legislature Party meeting, Avinash Pande, who is the Rajasthan in-charge at the AICC, tweeted in the morning. While expressing your faith in the ideology and values of the Congress, please make your presence felt and strengthen the hands of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," he said. He told reporters that a second chance is being given to Pilot and hoped that all MLAs come and extend solidarity with the leadership for which people voted to ensure the state's development. Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Monday night announced summoning of the second CLP meeting, amid attempts by the party's top leadership to woo back dissidents led by Pilot. Former party president Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are among the senior leaders who had been in touch with Pilot, sources said. Party leaders had said 106 of 122 MLAs from Congress and the allies -- attended the first CLP meeting, a claim contested by the Pilot camp. Pilot and his supporters claimed to have the backing of 30 Congress MLAs and some independents. Pilot has been upset since he was denied the Rajasthan chief minister's post after the December 2018 assembly elections. In the 200-member assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. In the past, the ruling party has claimed the support of 13 independents, two MLAs each from the CPM and the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP), and one from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). But CPM and BTP have now indicated that their MLAs could stay neutral till the Congress settles its factional feud. In recent days, the Gehlot camp has also distanced itself from three of the independents, after their names surfaced in an alleged plot to topple the state government. The current crisis began Friday when the Rajasthan Police sent a notice to Pilot, asking him to record his statement over the alleged bid to bring down the government. The same notice was sent to the chief minister and some other MLAs, but Pilot's supporters claimed that it was only meant to humiliate him. The Special Operation Group (SOG) had sent out the notices after tapping a phone conversation between two men, who were allegedly discussing the fall of the Gehlot government. Gehlot had alleged that the opposition BJP was trying to lure Congress MLAs. The BJP had dismissed the allegation, saying that the developments only reflected a power struggle within the ruling party. By Trend The fierce battles on the Armenian-Azerbaijani borders area in Tovuz direction are ongoing, Azerbaijani MP Arzu Naghiyev who is currently in the district told Trend. He said that the Armenian armed forces use D-30 howitzers, mortars, and the artillery cannonade does not stop. "I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased servicemen and wish them patience. There are wounded servicemen as well. They were immediately provided with medical care, and their lives are safe," he said. "The key question is that the Azerbaijani army resolutely prevents Armenian forces' attempts by opening retaliatory fire. Various military equipment, battle means, a command post, reserves in the depth of Armenian sides defense destroyed and hundreds of Armenian servicemen were killed. "In this night alone, the Armenian side lost dozens of people, but it hides the losses. Using artillery, the Armenian forces began shelling civilians and houses in villages. Despite this, there is no panic among the civilian population," Naghiyev added. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat suffering losses. The tensions in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border continued July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army, non-commissioned officer, sergeant Vugar Sadigov and senior soldier Elshad Mammadov died in holding off an Armenian attack. Despite the efforts of Azerbaijani doctors, a badly wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijan Army, soldier Khayyam Dashdamirov also died. On the night of July 12-13, tensions continued on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border in the Tovuz districts direction. In the night battles involving artillery, mortars and tanks, Azerbaijani military divisions destroyed the stronghold, artillery installations, automotive equipment and manpower of the Armenian military unit. During the battles, the senior lieutenant of the Azerbaijani army Rashid Mahmudov was killed. On the night of July 13-14, fierce battles also took place on the territory of the Tovuz district. During the fighting, Major General Polad Gashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev, non-commissioned officer, soldier Elchin Mustafazadeh died heroically. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A group of coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the United States says the country should appoint a special envoy... A group of coordinators of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the United States says the country should appoint a special envoy to the Lake Chad region, alleging that Christians are being killed there. In a letter to Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, the group alleged that Biafra Christians are being targeted in incessant killings in the region and other parts of the country. The IPOB coordinators accused extremists of spearheading the attacks which it said the federal government has failed to address. British parliamentarians, which said Christians are being targeted because of their faith in Nigeria. It made reference to the report by the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom or Belief, a group made up ofBritish parliamentarians, which said Christians are being targeted because of their faith in Nigeria. The letter dated July 6 and signed by Clement Okoro, the groups national coordinator in the US, read: We write to you as the United States coordinators for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an organization that represents the social, political, and economic interests of Biafrans in Nigeria. These issues have been compounded by the Nigerian governments inability and unwillingness to hold violent perpetrators accountable for their actions. As Biafrans who live and work in America but remain immensely concerned about the state of our homeland, we urge you to consider appointing a Special Envoy to the Lake Chad region who can hold the Nigerian government accountable for its harmful actions and equally detrimental inaction. Our concerns have also been echoed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief, a group of British lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum established to raise awareness of and defend against religious freedom abuses around the world. Last month, the APPG released a report titled, Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide, which provided recommendations to prevent the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. While the report noted that issues like resource competition, population growth, and climate change have contributed to the farmer-herder conflict, it highlighted extremist ideology and government mismanagement as the main sources of conflict, emphasizing, the inability of the Nigerian Federal and State Governments to protect Christian farmers, and the lack of political will to respond adequately to warnings or to bring perpetrators of violence to justice, has fostered feelings of victimization and persecution. The group said in addition to appointing a special envoy in response to the alleged attack, the US should also conduct a study to highlight the issues and hold the Nigerian government accountable. The IPOB strongly supports this request, as we believe the only way to prevent the Nigerian government from allowing these attacks and human rights violations to continue with impunity is rigorous oversight conducted by a well- respected third party, like a Special Envoy, it said. People around the world look to the United States as a defender of human rights and democratic values, and we strongly believe that American oversight in the region would promote stability and save lives. A larva-like insect found in Incheon's tap water. The city government has advised some 36,000 households not to drink the water until health officials confirm its safety. Yonhap By Jung Min-ho A group of Toms River High School South alumni want to change the schools nickname and mascot, insisting that teams known as the Indians cheered on by a student in feathered headdress is demeaning to Native Americans. Others want to keep the name, saying its tradition. Former Montgomery County former prosecutor Vince Santini glided to an easy win over The Woodlands attorney Eric Yollick in the race for the Republican bid for the new 457th state District Court. With all precincts reporting, Santini had secured 18,767 (78.06 percent) votes over Yollick with 5,274 (21.94 percent). Yollick and Santini were two of five candidates who threw their names in the hat for judge of the new court. In the March primary, Yollick was out front with 21,662 (37.53 percent) votes over Santini with 14,468 (25.07 percent). Close behind were Robert Kasprzak with 8,358 (14.48 percent) and Bruce Tough with 8,115 (14.06 percent) with Chris Buck 5,109 (8.85 percent). Since neither Yollick nor Santini gained more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election was triggered. Introduced in February by state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, who said he requested the new judicial district at the behest of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court in light of a caseload growth. Santini said serving the public is what a judge does. Experience, he noted, is important for the position, pointing out he has managed court dockets for both the 435th and 359th state district courts. The 457th court, he said, was created for docket management to help reduce caseloads. I have a plan to move this court effectively, he said. Santini began his career as a criminal prosecutor but moved to civil law in July 2018. Yollick, who brings 31 years of experience to the race, said he has the judicial temperament for the bench. I dont care about what you say about me personally, he said in a previous Courier article. As far as the Republican Party principals, Ill argue with you. Thats the test. You need to judge me by judicial temperament. An experienced attorney, he said, is what is needed for the bench. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Marc Meyer in November. Meyer currently serves of the Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman. cdominguez@hcnonline.com Even as China resolutely states allegations of its 'expansionism' are baseless, and has started a worldwide PR campaign that includes actors and foreign ministers, at this very moment, it has locked horns with as many as 18 countries. The red dragon's insatiable hunger may well exceed that of 19th and 20th-century empires who constantly engaged in territorial disputes and full-blown wars. The Galwan Valley clash is barely the tip of the iceberg. While most of China's territorial disputes are with its neighbours, it is known to bully others, not necessarily only smaller countries into submission as well. A tactic that has often irked the US for its "rogue" behaviour. Almost all of China's territorial disputes are historical in nature and the allegations made against it are not entirely baseless as Xi Jinping's government claims. A plethora of countries apart from India have in the past and currently continue to be antagonised by China, namely, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and even its closest allies North Korea and Russia. Read | China's border ambitions reach Russia's far-east Vladivostok yet again despite 2008 bounty The People's Republic of China has been historically involved in territorial disputes with many countries that share borders with it both historically and at present, this also often includes the entire South China Sea region and at times, international waters as well. This is a direct result of the Xi Jinping government's stipulated 'One-China' policy, which aims to unify a large portion of Asia that at some point belonged to China in the last century. While China claims the territories are all theirs, the reality is far from the truth: Here are 18 countries that have faced China's aggressive expansionist policies since the last century: Bhutan Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet, Kula Kangri, mountains in the west and the Haa district. Other smaller areas include Cherkip Gompa, Dho, Dungmar, Sanmar, Tarchen and more 2008, 2016 Brunei Spratly Islands 1986-present Cambodia Parts of the country on historical merit dating all the way back to 700 years Qing Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, 13th century 19th century India Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh. Wars and stand-off have led to a permanent PLA presence in the region along the LAC 1962, 1967, 2011, 2017, 2020 Indonesia Parts of South China Sea Currently still disputed Japan Senkaku Islands, Ryukuku Islands, parts of Japans territorial waters in South China Sea. Multiple disputes since the Qing dynasty periods Clashes in 1884, 1895, 1972, 2011, 2013, 2015 Laos Claims originating from historical precedent, primarily annexed between 12th century to 17th century Dormant dispute Malaysia Parts of South China Sea, particularly Spratly Islands and James Shoal reefs 1971, 2009 and historical claims Mongolia China claims all of Mongolia on historical account, although for a major part of its history, it was Mongolian leaders starting from Genghis Khan who controlled China Yuan, Qing, Ming dynasties. Still owns Inner Mongolia Nepal Claims Nepal belonged to Tibet, and Tibet China claims is an integral part of China too 1788-1792 (Sino-Nepalese war) constant tug of war in Nepals northern borders North Korea Mount Baekdu, Mount Jiandao and in the past has claimed all of North Korea as part of China on territorial grounds Ryanggang province since formation (1954) Philippines Parts of South China Sea. The Philippines took the issue to the ICJ and won the case, China continues to ignore 2016 Russia Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai; despite 4 different treaties and returning 100s islands and numerous rivers, China continues to claims more than 160,000kms in Russias far-east 1860, 1991, 1994 and 2004 Singapore Parts of South China Sea, contested and claimed by China, despite having no actual boundary with the tiny island nation in the Malaya region 1999-present South Korea Parts of East China Sea, claims all of South Koreas lands and international waters on historical grounds Ryanggang province since formation (1954) Tajikistan All of its territory based on historical precedent Qing Dynasty, 1644-1912 Taiwan China claims all of Taiwans lands as its own and does not take lightly to dissent in the region Since 1949 Vietnam Paracel Islands, Macclesfield Bank and large parts of Chinese territories (historical precedent claim). Fresh conquests and construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea 1364-1644 (constant dispute) 1990s 2011, 2013 Read | From 'President for life' to 'Xi Dada': How it's all gone downhill for China's Xi Jinping It is evident from these aggressive land grabs that Chinas hunger for territory and power is ceaseless and has in the course of history led to several disasters and loss of life. The above list is not exhaustive as it does not even mention Kyrgyzstan, Khazakstan (Xinjiang claim), Tibet, Hong Kong and Macau. Myanmar is another country that has often cosied up to China to thwart rebel groups in its lands but it also has territorial claims with Taiwan and India, lands that are also coincidentally in dispute with China. The horrors met out to the people in these countries are a grave concern for human rights watch organisations and activists from around the world. South China Sea, in particular, is a problematic region as the waters surrounding the islands are considered to hold enormous economic potential in the form of untapped natural resources. China has time and again retaliated by building islands to further its reach in the waters as well as man the waters with Navy and aircraft carriers as a way to intimidate its smaller neighbours who also have an equal right to the waters and its resources, which the dragon nation ignores and dismisses for its own national interest. Read | Why Chi*a banned the letter "n" and top 5 bizarre words censored by Xi Jinping's govt Source: Territorial Disputes and Resource Management: A Global Handbook by Rongxing Guo Kautilya Fellows ProgrammeForeign policy resource book War or Peace in the South China Sea by Timo Kivimaki Asia Online Resource Centre Read | India-Nepal Border row: BRM stages unique postage stamp protest along border Last month, the African Union launched the Africa Medical Supplies Platform to facilitate the production and provision of vital medical equipment the latest achievement in an already impressive response to the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, in the same week, it was revealed that most of Nigerias federal government revenue was going to debt-service payments, and the country would be cutting public-health spending by 40% even as COVID-19 infections continue to climb. The contrast is as tragic as it is stark. The worlds youngest continent is itching not only to stand on its own two feet, but also to provide global leadership. And it remains hamstrung by an old foe: debt. If Africa is to achieve its potential, its creditors must set it free. Debt relief works. Fifteen years ago this week, the G8 issued the Gleneagles declaration, relieving 18 highly indebted poor countries Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia of debt totaling more than $40 billion. No longer saddled with massive debt-service costs, countries were able to invest more in their own economies and people. Many of the countries that had received debt relief, such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, subsequently experienced significant upticks in economic growth. Standards of health care, access to education, and employment opportunities improved markedly. And countries improved their governance and benefited from greater stability crucial to sustaining long-term growth. This progress is now at risk of unraveling. Though Africa has so far recorded a relatively low number of COVID-19 infections, it faces a severe economic crisis, with potentially far-reaching social and political implications. External demand, oil prices, tourism and travel revenues, and remittances have all collapsed. Investors have pulled $100 billion from emerging markets since the beginning of the pandemic the largest-ever capital outflow in such a short period This is contributing to a deepening and highly dangerous liquidity crisis. African governments urgently need capital to stabilize economies hit by cumulative external shocks and to finance an adequate public-health response. Yet, unlike the eurozone or the United States, most African countries cannot print money to get them through the crisis. Moreover, their fiscal space remains limited, not least because they must continue to make large debt payments. This leaves their leaders with an impossible choice: cut spending on crucial services, as Nigeria has done, or default. Debt relief would save countries from this bleak scenario, freeing up the capital needed to fight the pandemic and stabilize the economy. World leaders already recognize this. In April, G20 leaders agreed to suspend some debt repayments for the worlds poorest countries for the rest of 2020. But it is nowhere near enough. Pledges must now be swiftly implemented and significantly expanded. Specifically, all creditors bilateral, multilateral, and private must implement an immediate debt-service standstill for all African countries until the end of 2021. As Vera Songwe, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, has proposed, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) could also be created, modeled on the repurchase (repo) facilities that American and European central banks often use to support the smooth functioning of markets. This new lending vehicle, backed by the G20 central banks, would not only expand access to cheap liquidity; if designed well, it could also support the shift toward a more sustainable growth model. The International Monetary Fund also has an important role to play. The creative use of its reserve asset, Special Drawing Rights, could go a long way toward supporting fragile economies. The worlds wealthiest economies have responded to the COVID-19 crisis with unprecedented fiscal measures. African countries must do the same. Ensuring that they can is not charity; it is a matter of shared interest. If African governments lack the resources to respond effectively to the crisis, the hard-won gains of recent decades will be wiped out; poverty will skyrocket; the virus will become increasingly difficult to contain; and social unrest will grow, particularly in countries like Sudan that are already struggling to end decades-long conflicts. This would exact a massive human and economic toll, and leave all of us living in an increasingly insecure world. The COVID-19 pandemic is a shared global challenge, and it demands a shared global response that addresses both the health and economic dimensions of the crisis. Debt relief for Africa is an essential feature of any such response. Source: Mo Ibrahim 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 Trump administration made the right call Tuesday in rescinding a much-criticized rule that would have forced international students at universities that have switched to all-online courses to either suddenly find a new school for the fall term or leave the country. The policy, announced July 6 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, threw the lives of the students into deep chaos. Colleges, too, were left scrambling as many were well into planning for a return that included a heavy load of online classes to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Harvard and M.I.T. quickly filed the first of several lawsuits seeking a restraining order to stop the rule from being put into effect. At a hearing on the case Tuesday afternoon in Boston, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs confirmed that a settlement had been reached. The government, she said would rescind the policy, and return to the status quo of guidance issued by ICE in the spring that gave international students flexibility to take all their classes online and remain legally in the country with student visas. No other explanation was immediately given, and a query by the editorial board went unanswered at the Department of Homeland Security press office. Perhaps thats fitting for a policy that never made sense in the first place. Asked last week if he saw any benefit coming from the rule, Rice President David Leebron was blunt. Not unless you see as a benefit excluding foreign students, Leebron told the editorial board. Not unless you see as a benefit making the United States a less desirable place to be for foreign students. Given the Trump administrations harsh and often cruel positions on immigration, it wasnt hard to interpret bad motives in the rule change. But these students are foreign guests the nation should be seeking and hoping to retain: well-educated, creative, ambitious and many paying full-freight tuition to attend college here. In a separate conversation last week, Rice political science professor Paul Brace noted that nations around the world fiercely compete for just these students, with the United States long advantage coming under increasing pressure from nations in Europe and elsewhere, especially this year as the coronavirus is surging in the United States. The students who attend our universities either find work in important and crucial fields in the United States or return to their home countries, often with a positive view of America and democracy. More than a dozen technology companies, including, Google, Facebook and Twitter had declared support for the Harvard and M.I.T. lawsuit, arguing the ICE policy would harm their businesses. Americas future competitiveness depends on attracting and retaining talented international students, the companies said in court filings. Thank goodness that someone in the administration finally pulled the plug. Whether they finally saw the light of reason, or just realized they were fighting a losing case, dropping the policy was the right move for the students, the colleges and the United States. Mueller wrote that evidence existed that Trump likely understood that Stone could potentially provide evidence that would be adverse to the President. Mueller wrote that it was possible Trump simply did not have a clear recollection of his campaign conversations with Stone. But he wrote it was also possible Trumps treatment of Stone demonstrated that he understood that if Stone talked, hed provide evidence that would run counter to the Presidents denials and would link the President to Stones efforts to reach out to WikiLeaks. In a statement on Monday, Pompeo denounced China's claims on the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, saying Beijing had "no legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will on the region", the BBC reported. Washington, July 14 (IANS) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that China's pursuit of offshore resources in parts of the South China Sea was "completely unlawful". He said the US, which has previously said it does not take sides in territorial disputes, rejected China's claims to waters off Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. "Any (People's Republic of China) action to harass other states' fishing or hydrocarbon development in these waters - or to carry out such activities unilaterally - is unlawful," he said. "The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire." Although largely uninhabited, the two island chains in the area may have reserves of natural resources around them. The sea is also a shipping route and has major fishing grounds, said the BBC report. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing claims an area known as the "nine-dash line" and has backed its claim with island-building and patrols, expanding its military presence there. Responding to Pompeo's statement, the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. said on Twitter that the US State Department "deliberately distorts the facts and international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea". It said America "exaggerates the situation in the region and attempts to sow discord between China and other littoral countries". "The accusation is completely unjustified. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to it," the BBC quoted the Embassy as saying. The US has long been critical of what it says is China's militarisation of the region and routinely angers Beijing with "freedom of navigation" missions. --IANS ksk/ A relatively small swarm of crop-eating locusts has arrived in Gujarats Bhuj from Somalia via Pakistan, Union agriculture ministrys Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) said on Wednesday and added authorities were trying to prevent to it from moving to Rajasthan and other surrounding areas by spraying insecticides. They may have come with the winds across the Indian Ocean to the Pakistan coast and then from there to Bhuj. We will control the [locust] population in Bhuj. Other swarms may also travel across the ocean in the coming days. There are two possibilitiesthey can migrate from Somalia to Yemen and then migrate from Yemen to Pakistan and reach the border areas, the other is direct migration across the ocean, said LWO deputy director KL Gurjar. India has faced its worst desert locust invasions in decades this year and prompted the government to deploy helicopters and drones for spraying insecticide. The Centre has amended rules to allow state governments to use drones at night to help neutralise the locusts. The infestation has not caused much damage to crops. The kharif, or summer-sown crops, are vulnerable but Gurjar said their efforts to control the locusts have been intensified following FAOs warnings. UNs Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Monday warned the migration of locust swarms from Somalia to their summer breeding areas along both sides of the India-Pakistan border was imminent. More swarms were likely to form in Somalia in the coming weeks and India and Pakistan have been accordingly warned. The summer breeding has commenced along both sides of the border, where numerous swarms are present mainly in Rajasthan. Hatching and band formation will increase during July in Rajasthan and Gujarat as well as adjacent areas of Tharparkar, Nara and Cholistan deserts in Pakistan, FAO has said. Gurjar said the breeding has begun in otherwise arid Rajasthan as the state has received good rains. We are trying to control the population through insecticides in the mating stage before they start egg-laying. [If] we do not manage to do that, then we try to control their population in the hopper stage before they start flying. Monsoon rains and maturity of locusts in India have coincided. The locusts are yellow in colour indicating their maturity and breeding potential, said Gurjar. India Meteorological Department director-general M Mohapatra said the wind direction is south-westerly during the ongoing monsoon season and that is why locust migration can happen from that direction. Desert locusts usually fly with the wind and can travel up to about 100-150 km daily, according to FAO. They regularly cross the Red Sea, a distance of around 300 km. Crossing the Indian Ocean with the help of monsoon winds is part of the natural migration cycle of desert locusts. One square-km swarm can eat as much crop as 35,000 people in terms of weight in a single day. CHICAGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) today announced that it expects to report net catastrophe losses in the second quarter of 2020 of $182 million related to COVID-19, $61 million related to civil unrest and $58 million related primarily to severe weather-related events, for a total catastrophe loss estimate of $301 million pretax. The estimated COVID-19 losses in the second quarter of 2020 follow a detailed review and analysis of existing and potential exposures in light of current information, and represent the Company's best estimate of its ultimate insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses, including defense costs resulting from the pandemic and the consequent economic crisis. The losses are substantially driven by healthcare professional liability with additional impacts from workers' compensation, management liability, commercial property, trade credit, and surety. Due to the recent timing of the event, emergence pattern of claims, and long tail nature of certain exposures the losses are substantially classified as incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves. The COVID-19 estimate does not include the impact from lower current accident year losses associated with favorable frequency as a result of shelter in place conditions. Those benefits are modest as they only apply to a portion of the portfolio as Healthcare, Construction and property coverages have seen limited benefit. Separately, as part of its annual review of mass tort exposures, the Company expects to recognize unfavorable prior period development of $50 million pretax, primarily due to New York reviver statute-related claims. The reserve development represents the Company's best estimate of ultimate loss based on current information and more than offsets other favorable prior period development for the quarter. Inclusive of these items, the Company expects to report a pretax underwriting loss for the quarter of $210 million. Including the favorable impact from limited partnerships, common stock and non-redeemable preferred stock investments and reflecting the equity market rebound during the period, the Company expects to report net income of $151 million and core income of $99 million for the quarter, subject to final quarter-end procedures. About the Company CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized property and casualty insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe, backed by more than 120 years of experience and approximately $45 billion of assets. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com . Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures This press release contains financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP. Management utilizes these financial measures to monitor the Company's insurance operations and investment portfolio. The Company believes the presentation of these measures provides investors with a better understanding of the significant factors that comprise the Company's operating performance. Reconciliations of these measures to the most comparable GAAP measures follow below. Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Core Income Core income (loss) is calculated by excluding from net income (loss) the after-tax effects of net investment gains or losses and any cumulative effects of changes in accounting guidance. The calculation of core income (loss) excludes net investment gains or losses because net investment gains or losses are generally driven by economic factors that are not necessarily reflective of our primary operations. Management monitors core income (loss) for each business segment to assess segment performance. Presentation of consolidated core income (loss) is deemed to be a non-GAAP financial measure. Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 ($ millions) Net income $ 151 Less: Net investment gains 52 Core income $ 99 Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that relate to anticipated future events (forward-looking statements) rather than actual present conditions or historical events. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and generally include words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to a variety of inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected. Many of these risks and uncertainties cannot be controlled by CNA. For a detailed description of these risks and uncertainties please refer to CNA's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.cna.com. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are made by CNA as of the date of this press release. Further, CNA does not have any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release, even if CNA's expectations or any related events, conditions or circumstances change. Any descriptions of coverage under CNA policies or programs in this press release are provided for convenience only and are not to be relied upon with respect to questions of coverage, exclusions or limitations. With regard to all such matters, the terms and provisions of relevant insurance policies are primary and controlling. In addition, please note that all coverages may not be available in all states. "CNA" is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" trademark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities. Copyright 2020 CNA. All rights reserved. MEDIA: ANALYSTS: Brandon Davis, 312-822-5885 Al Miralles, 312-822-5605 SOURCE CNA Financial Corporation Related Links https://www.cna.com Japan Notes Advancing Military Cooperation Between Russia, China in Fresh Defence Paper Sputnik News 03:02 GMT 14.07.2020 TOKYO (Sputnik) - Japan's 2020 Defence White Paper published on Tuesday contains assessments of growing Russian-Chinese military cooperation, highlighted in a separate chapter. "In July 2019, two Russian Tu-95 long-range bombers carried out joint air patrol with two Chinese H-6 bombers from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea. In September 2019, Russian Minister of Defence Shoigu and, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission Zhang, signed a package of documents on military and military-technical cooperation," the section of the document read. The White Paper also contains a general overview of the current state of Russian-Chinese relations in the sphere of defence. The defence ministry noted the growth of Russia's military presence from the Arctic to the Middle and the Far East as well. The White Paper traditionally pays attention to increasing activity in the Far East and near a group of four Kuril islands. "Russia is modernizing its military equipment, including strategic nuclear forces, and is stepping up military activities, so close scrutiny of developments in this regard will be required," the White Paper read. Russian-Japanese relations have long been complicated by the fact that the two nations have not signed a permanent peace treaty after World War II, as there are still contradictions over Kuril islands that Russia has sovereignty over, but are also claimed by Japan. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Every two weeks, Melissa Moody draws a little more money from her personal savings and puts it into the day care shes been operating in Orange Beach, Ala. for the past 22 years. Until the coronavirus epidemic, the Discovery Island Child Development Center was profitable, with employees who made well above minimum wage caring for about 74 children. But then coronavirus hit, and Moody closed the center for about five weeks in the spring. She felt it wasnt right to ask parents to continue paying, but that also meant there was no income to cover continuing expenses rent on her cheerful blue building near the Gulf Coast, curriculum materials that were already ordered, food that had to be thrown out. Alabama has nearly 2,500 day cares, but only half are currently open, according to numbers provided by Alabama DHR. Most day cares already operated on razor-thin profit margins. Many that are now open arent operating at full capacity, meaning theyre left with gaping holes in their revenue. Late last week, Alabama announced a grant program to help day cares like Moodys reopen or remain open, day cares that were left out of earlier rounds of federal support. Advocates say without enough day cares many employees wont be able to return to work, the state wont be able to fully reopen. We dont know how bad its going to be if centers dont reopen, said Stephen Woerner, executive director for the nonprofit VOICES for Alabamas Children, which has been working with day care operators statewide. But it is very clear to us the economy cannot fully reopen unless there is child care for families. Child care dilemma Moody's center is back open, but with fewer students and more added costs for things like masks and extra cleaning supplies. Ive had to take some money out of my personal account, so thats been difficult, but I tried to make sure my staff has their jobs and are getting paid, said Moody. You have to try to do whats right, but theres a financial burden. Long term, its probably not sustainable. A recent survey of more than 500 parents from across Alabama found that 91% had concerns about sending their children back to day care, and nearly 80% had health-related concerns. The child care dilemma knows no income range, no geographic range, said Gail Piggott, executive director of the Alabama Partnership for Children. Working families already had challenges, and this has just brought to light the universal concern that working families need access to dependable, reliable, high-quality child care and weve just not gotten there in Alabama yet. And yet, about half of the parents reported their employers provided no support for child care during the epidemic, such as offering flexible hours or family and medical leave to care for children. There is a cost to sanity, to relationships, to workplace productivity, which is what employers care about, said Piggott. It was so heartbreaking to hear from parents, saying their child is having more screen time than ever, or that parents are working until midnight because when the babies go to bed, they can finally work. $300 payments The new grant program is meant to help day cares that accept private-pay students. Until now, theyve been left out of federal funding from COVID-19 relief packages like the CARES Act, which have focused on centers that care for kids who get government subsidies to pay for day care. Day cares will get a one-time payment of $300 per child, up to the maximum number of children the day care is licensed to care for, minus children whose care is already paid through subsidies or other government funding. It can be used different ways, including paying employees, purchasing classroom or cleaning supplies, and making mortgage or rent payments. The grant program, called the Temporary Assistance for Stabilizing Child Care, is only available to day cares licensed by the state. Its funded through CARES Act money that came directly to Alabama DHR. Alabama DHR anticipates giving out $13 million in grants. This program is going to be vital for our child care numbers to reach the level required to provide adequate services as parents return to work, said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner in a statement. We have already made significant strides in reopening facilities over the past several months; in April only 14% were open while now 53% are open. Half open Moody said she turned in her application for a grant the day after she heard about it. I hope I get it, she said. Its going to help me catch up on some bills. I am a couple months behind on the payment to the rental company, and I would like to catch that up because theyre local people and they need the money, too. Moody currently has 64 children at her center because of restrictions on the number of students allowed per classroom. She feels like her center is in a better position than many others around the state who arent operating at near capacity. Its appreciated that the state recognized we need a little bit of help, she said. I hope theyll continue to monitor whats going on. The majority of us are all small business owners. She worries about potentially having to close again if infections continue rising into the fall. Will I be able to sustain (the business)? It depends on how long wed have to close, she said. If the world gets better by the first of next year or early spring, itll be tight but I think well be OK. Only about 1,306 Alabama day cares out of a pre-epidemic 2,448 are currently open. Of those that are open, 657 are licensed centers, 419 are licensed home daycares (where 6 or fewer children are cared for in a home) and 230 are license-exempt centers, which arent regulated by DHR and are usually operated by religious institutions. Only 45 percent of unlicensed day cares are open, compared with 51 percent of licensed centers and 64 percent of licensed home day cares. (Day care owners) are afraid if they open back up they are going to go out of business because they cant pay the staff, or they cant provide the level of service because the staff arent there, said Woerner. For many of them, this (grant) is the impetus to open back up, but its also going to help them bring in staff at lower enrollment rates. He said he hopes some COVID-19 relief packages currently under consideration in Congress will eventually send more federal dollars to shore up struggling day cares. To date, Alabama has not allocated any of its federal COVID-19 relief specifically to day cares. I really think we may lose a third of our centers if there isnt long term, sustaining support for the industry, said Woerner. I hope as a state we can begin to appreciate how much value child care providers add to our economy, to our families and communities. The Albuquerque City Council voted (June 29) on three COVID-19-related emergency provisions under the Essential Workers Bill of Rights. Bill O-20-24, requiring employers to provide employees with personal protective equipment, passed unanimously with all nine council members. The second emergency provision, Bill O-20-25, which called for employers with 50 or more employees to provide hazard pay to frontline workers making $12 or less per hour failed 7-2. The bills co-sponsors, Lan Sena and Isaac Benton, voted for the provision. The final bill, O-20-26, would have supplemented the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including paid sick leave for medical workers, first responders and undocumented workers. Due to a procedural technicality, the bill was not voted on and was withdrawn. Bill co-sponsors Sena and Benton vowed to issue another version of the emergency paid sick leave bill for consideration at the councils next meeting Aug. 3. They also plan to propose a permanent paid sick leave bill that would extend workplace protection to employees beyond the FFCRAs December 2020 expiration date. As a community organizer with OLE, New Mexicos working family organization, Eric Shimamoto and others have been pushing for paid sick leave since 2015. This has been their strategy to kill things for the past five years, Shimamoto says. Their strategy in public has been to say, I support the idea of sick leave, but not this specific bill. But the reality is that they wont support anything. Shimamoto was a part of the canvassing effort OLE and other organizing groups initiated in 2015. Organizers collected roughly 20,000 signatures to get a paid sick leave initiative on the 2016 ballot. Due to what Shimamoto characterizes as arcane rules, Bernalillo County was required to approve the ballot initiative, but delayed it for the local 2017 election. In 2017, opponents of the bill pushed to have it placed on the back of the ballot where it detailed, in small print, all of the bills legal technicalities. Of the 91,000 who voted in Albuquerques 2017 elections, approximately 7,000 did not vote for the initiative and the paid sick leave bill ultimately failed by 718 votes. In late 2017, a watered-down version of the paid sick leave bill was proposed in City Council, but automatically withdrawn a year later because it never went to a vote. In 2018, a report by UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research revealed that 100,600 workers in Albuquerque didnt have paid sick leave. At the conclusion of (the June 29) vote, Councilor Diane Gibson acknowledged that the City Council had been trying to pass a paid sick leave bill for many years, but suggested forming a committee to address the concerns between businesses and workers. The legislation comes to us, and its just been flawed, and it just polarizes the business community and the workers, Gibson said. Councilors Brook Bassan and Cynthia Borrego were equally vocal about their concerns for business owners, citing fears that businesses would leave Albuquerque if they were forced to comply with paid sick leave or hazard pay. The proposed bills would not apply to employers with fewer than 50 employees. Although some advocates hoped the bills would cover all workers, regardless of business size, the Albuquerque City Council has remained divided on prioritizing workers rights. Shimamoto says that if provisions like hazard pay are stalled long enough, a vote on the issue will eventually become obsolete. He says OLE will keep fighting for permanent sick leave when the City Council reconvenes in August. At the end of the City Council meeting, Sena and Benton made it clear they were not finished fighting for paid sick leave, either. When we have people who are poorly paid to begin with and have no benefits, theyre going to be going to work whether they are symptomatic or not, Benton said. I for one will be back in August with this emergency sick paid leave bill, which in the rest of the world is considered a basic human right. Emily Withnall lives in Missoula, Montana. She grew up in Las Vegas, N.M. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow showers in the morning will give way to a mixture of rain and snow in the afternoon. High 36F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 2F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. BBQ OFF the River Being Planned Instead of Annual BBQ on River Jul. 14, 2020 By Jul. 14, 2020 PADUCAH - Event organizers have cancelled this year's Barbecue on the River festival in Paducah due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbecue on the River Executive Director Susie Coiner said Tuesday that after conversations with the City of Paducah, local and state health officials, as well as other partners whose participation is vital for the success of the festival, it has become clear that it will not be possible for the event to take place this year. "The health and safety of our attendees, vendors, participants, and volunteers are of the utmost importance to us. We believe the most prudent course of action at this time is to cancel the 2020 downtown festival," Coiner said. "We, the BBOTR board, recognize the hardship that this decision creates for the barbecue teams and local charities that receive the $400,000.00 plus raised annually." Coiner said the Barbecue on the River Board is developing an alternative event called "BBQ OFF the River", which will take place Sept. 24 to 26. She said more information will be posted soon about the new event. Coiner said the festival will return to Paducah's downtown riverfront next year. Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel faced pressure from a key shareholder on Tuesday to overhaul management after disasters including a massive Arctic fuel spill that sparked a state of emergency. Aluminium producer Rusal, which owns 28 percent in Norilsk Nickel, said it was "seriously concerned" over recent environmental accidents in the Russian Arctic and called for a shakeup in management. "What is currently happening at Nornickel invites to seriously question the competence of the company's management as well as their suitability to be in charge of running the business," Rusal said in a statement. It also criticised the management's "collective inertia" that it said was likely to lead to "damaging criticism from the environmental and investment communities". President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency after 21,000 tonnes of diesel leaked from a fuel storage tank at one of Norilsk Nickel's subsidiary plants in the Arctic in late May. A massive clean up effort involved trapping floating diesel with booms on crucial waterways to prevent it flowing into freshwater lakes. Putin has said he expected Norilsk Nickel to fully restore the environment. Rusal said it was calling on Norilsk Nickel to move its headquarters from Moscow to the Arctic city of Norilsk -- the site of several recent environmental accidents including the fuel spill. In the statement, the aluminium producer appealed to Norilsk Nickel to overhaul "corporate policies towards environmental and safety issues". Russia's environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor fined a Norilsk Nickel subsidiary 147.8 billion rubles ($2.05 billion) over the spill, but the company is contesting the sum. BAKU -- Azerbaijani authorities have launched a criminal case against some participants of a large rally supporting the South Caucasus nation's armed forces amid an escalation of the military conflict with neighboring Armenia. The Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor-General's Office said on July 15 that a group of individuals "violated public order" by attempting to enter the parliament building during the overnight rally. During a peaceful rally in a patriotic spirit, a group of provocateurs committed acts that led to a gross violation of public order, resisted security officers and used force against them. As a result, several police officers received injuries of varying severity, and police vehicles were seriously damaged.... A criminal case was launched into the situation," the joint statement said. The statement added that public order violations in the country were inadmissible "during a sensitive period when heavy battles are taking place on the contact line" with Armenia. It also stressed that mass gatherings of people during the coronavirus pandemic can lead to dire consequences. Overnight on July 14-15, hundreds marched in Baku in support of the Azerbaijani military and the country's leadership. During the protest, a group entered the parliament building but was quickly removed by police, who then used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to disperse those gathered in front the building. Police detained several protesters. The situation on the northern part of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border escalated on July 12. The two neighbors, who fought a war in 1988-94 over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, have blamed each other for the latest flare-up that has left at least 16 dead so far. Baku has accused Armenian forces of attempting to attack Azerbaijani positions using artillery, while Yerevan has blamed the Azerbaijani military of attempts to enter Armenian territory. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said on July 14 that Major General Polad Hasimov and Colonel Ilqar Mirzayev were among those killed on the Azerbaijani side in the fresh fighting. Armenia's Defense Ministry also said four of its servicemen, including a major and a captain, had been killed in the July 14 skirmishes. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan were seized by Armenian-backed separatists who declared independence amid a 1988-94 conflict that killed at least 30,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Since a fragile, Russian-brokered truce in 1994, the region has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces that Azerbaijan says include troops supplied by Armenia. The region's claim to independence has not been recognized by any country. Since then, periodic skirmishes have taken place in the region. Russia, the United States, and France are the co-chairs of the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which acts as a mediator in resolving the crisis. The group has been struggling for years to mediate a solution. China's new security law has sent a chill through Hong Kong's schools and universities with many teachers fearful the city's reputation for academic freedom and excellence is now at risk. Just a week after the sweeping legislation was imposed on the territory, staff at some institutions have already been warned by their administrators to be careful how they teach. "Remain neutral in your teaching and be mindful of the language you use," read one email to staff of HKU SPACE, a college attached to the prestigious University of Hong Kong (HKU). "Any behaviour in eliciting further discussion on sensitive issues MUST be avoided," the email from the program director of the humanities and law faculty said. It ended with a warning of "zero-tolerance against politics or personal political views brought into classrooms". One recipient told AFP the instruction amounted to self censorship. "This may be partly out of genuine concern for staff, but it strangles free speech without the government having to lift a finger," said a lecturer who asked not to be identified. In a statement, HKU said the email was "private correspondence" and not official policy, but it added that classrooms must be "a politically neutral space where participants focus on academic learning". - 'Campuses infiltrated' - Hong Kong has some of Asia's best schools and universities and -- compared with China's party-controlled education system -- boasts an open campus culture of critical analysis and tackling subjects that are unapproachable on the mainland. But all that could be changing. China's leaders have made it clear they view Hong Kong's education system as one of the driving factors behind last year's huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. They have ordered the city to instil more "patriotic" education and ensure the new security laws are obeyed. Hong Kong's education chief has since banned students from singing a popular protest anthem, while public and school libraries are pulling books that might breach the new rules. At a speech to an education summit last weekend, city leader Carrie Lam said schools and universities had become "politicised". "Anti-central government and anti-government forces are trying to infiltrate our campuses," she said, adding that student resentment was also fuelled by "negative media reports about our country". Pro-Beijing politicians have even proposed installing cameras in classrooms to keep a tab on teachers. "Academic freedom... can't override laws and give students an excuse to do whatever they want," Tommy Cheung, a cabinet member who also sits on the council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told AFP. Asked about the idea of cameras in classrooms he replied: "If you are not saying anything that you would not be afraid of being heard, then why would you fear being recorded?" China's definition of national security extends beyond the standard concepts of threats such as terrorism and military attacks, and is often used to crush domestic criticism on the mainland. The Hong Kong version contains many ambiguously worded provisions, including against "inducing hatred" of the government. - Harder to hire - As a result, some teachers say they already fear overstepping invisible red lines -- even mistakenly. "Should we uphold the critical thinking approach or should we toe the official line for better safety," said Benson Wong, a lecturer at the Education University of Hong Kong. A history teacher at an international school said he already avoided asking students to write essays about controversial topics, preferring conversations instead. "The vagaries of the national security law are designed to chill and quell discussion because one cannot know when they have stepped over the line," he told AFP. "A true education in history and social studies is not about remembering a story or being able to regurgitate a national myth." Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a prominent scholar of Chinese politics, said Hong Kong's universities were already struggling to attract the best global talent. "People are getting more hesitant to come," he told AFP, noting that it had become all but impossible in recent years to arrange conferences in Hong Kong on taboo topics such as Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet. Others said they would consider leaving if the situation deteriorates further. "I haven't yet determined where my line is," one lecturer at CUHK told AFP, asking to remain anonymous. "I suspect I'll know it when it's crossed, and at that moment I hope I'll have the courage of my convictions." China's leaders have made it clear they view Hong Kong's education system as one of the driving factors behind the city's pro-democracy protests China's new security law has sent a chill through Hong Kong's schools and universities with many teachers fearing that academic freedom is now at risk Some teachers in Hong Kong say they already fear overstepping invisible red lines -- even mistakenly TDT | Manama French Ambassador Jerome Cauchard highlighted yesterday the long-standing solid and friendly relations between Bahrain and France, and hailed the recent phone conversation between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and French President Emmanuel Macron as another opportunity to strengthen links and develop joint action. Ambassador Cauchard was speaking in a video message to the Kingdoms French community and Bahraini friends on the occasion of Frances National Day, also known as Bastille Day. He said that the telephone conversation on July 9 between His Majesty the King and President Macron is a shining illustration of the high quality of relations between the two nations. Ambassador Cauchard, who celebrates his first Bastille Day in Bahrain after taking office in October of last year, also highlighted the common determination to bolster cooperation in business, education, culture, sport, and other fields. The French diplomat stressed the significance of solidarity during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and paid tribute to all those affected by the pandemic, and especially to those who have been committed, courageously, in the fight against the virus, especially in providing care for the sick. Annual festivities marking the occasion could not be held physically this year due to COVID-19; nevertheless, this special day for all French citizens was still being celebrated, Ambassador Cauchard said. The celebration of the French National Day, every year, gathers all of us around the French Republic, the three colors of its flag, national anthem, values, history, army, European commitment, and attention to multilateralism, he expressed. This year, the celebration is differentwe all understand whydue to the current sanitary crisis which has affected the world, in Bahrain just like anywhere else, and imposed to not act as usual. This year, our thoughts are with the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, in France just like in Bahrain, to their families and loved ones. Our thoughts are also with those, in France and in Bahrain, who fight every day the disease next to the patients to help them recover, and who accompany and remind them that human nature knows how to be generous and solidary. I also think of all of us who had to adapt our way of life, both personal and professional, to the constraints linked to the fight against the virus. And now again, on this vacation period, we have to deal with the various regulations limiting international travel. But all that does not prevent, I know, our hearts from beating a little stronger today, like every July 14. I said when I arrived last October that we should be proud to wear the colours of France. I say it even more strongly today; I say it even louder today. The virtual celebration was especially honored by a friendly message sent by Bahrains Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. We in the Kingdom of Bahrain are proud of the quality of cooperation and partnership with this friendly country, which embodies ancient civilisation, sophisticated culture and modern development, the Foreign Minister said. We greatly appreciate the active and constructive role played by the French government and the positive contribution it has made to the preservation of regional and international security and stability, and we are always striving to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the French Republic, serving the common interests of both countries and friendly peoples. On the occasion of the national day celebration by the French Embassy in Bahrain, the Foreign Minister paid tribute to the efforts of Ambassador Cauchard and the members of the Embassy to strengthen and develop cooperation and communication. I commend the French community and the tangible efforts it has made to strengthen the longest relationship between the two friendly countries, and I wish the French people further progress and prosperity, the Foreign Minister said. Eighty-seven people were arrested and charged with a felony after a Tuesday protest on the lawn of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the Louisville Metro Police Department said in a statement. The protesters were demanding that charges be filed against the officers responsible for the March shooting death of Breonna Taylor. The protest began Tuesday evening near Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky, CBS affiliate WLKY-TV reports. The protesters marched from the school to Cameron's home, with many of the demonstrators sitting and standing on Cameron's lawn. The protesters, who were chanting slogans demanding justice for Taylor, were asked to leave by the police, but many chose to stay. Those who did were arrested without incident, according to WLKY-TV. "In total, 87 people were arrested," LMPD said in their statement. "Due to their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions, each person was charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process (Class D felony), Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree (Class B misdemeanor), and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. (Violation)." Cameron said his office will "continue with a thorough and fair investigation" into Taylor's death and said the protest "will not alter our pursuit of the truth." "The stated goal of today's protest at my home was to 'escalate,'" Cameron added. "That is not acceptable and only serves to further division and tension within our community. Justice is not achieved by trespassing on private property, and it's not achieved through escalation. It's achieved by examining the facts in an impartial and unbiased manner. That is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do in this investigation." Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills and Porsha Williams, from the "Real Housewives of Atlanta," were among those arrested. Story continues The Louisville Metro Council opted Tuesday night to launch an investigation into Mayor Greg Fischer, his administration and the city's police department, WLKY reports. All 11 members of the Government Oversight Committee voted to approve a probe of several issues related to Taylor's death, the Louisville Police Department's handling of ongoing protests and other matters. Protesters sit on the lawn of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron demanding justice for Breonna Taylor on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. / Credit: WLKY-TV Taylor, 26, was killed on March 13 when officers entered her home looking for illegal drugs. Officials claimed the officers knocked on the door and announced themselves, and only started shooting after they were "immediately met by gunfire" from Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker. But Taylor's family said in a lawsuit that the officers did not identify themselves and that Walker a licensed gun owner thought someone was trying to break in. In the wake of Taylor's death, Louisville passed a ban on "no-knock" warrants, which allow police to enter a home without first announcing their presence. The bill was named after Taylor. Brett Hankison, one of the officers involved in Taylor's death, was fired on June 23, more than three months after Taylor was killed. Two other officers have been placed on administrative leave. Victoria Albert contributed reporting. Trump talks coronavirus and policing in exclusive interview Ghislaine Maxwell denied bail after pleading not guilty Hospitals overwhelmed as Florida reports record virus deaths Italy on Tuesday returned to France a stolen artwork by British artist Banksy that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks at the Bataclan music hall. The chief prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Michele Renzo, told the French ambassador that it was significant that the handover was occurring on Bastille Day, given the need to continue fighting for all freedoms. This door brings our minds back to the memory of the tragic and distressing event, and tells us that for liberty, for our individual liberties, we will always have to fight, Renzo said at a ceremony in the French Embassy, where the artwork was being displayed for the holiday. French officials last year had announced the theft of the piece, a black image appearing to depict a person mourning that was painted on one of the Bataclans emergency exit doors. A recovered stolen artwork by British artist Banksy, depicting a young female figure with a mournful expression, that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 terror attacks at the Bataclan music hall in Paris, is returned to the French Ambassador to Italy, Christian Masset, fourth from right, during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Rome, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. (AP) Ninety people were killed at the Bataclan on Nov. 13, 2015, when Islamic extremists invaded the music hall, one of several targets that night in which a total of 130 people died. Italian authorities had announced last month that they had discovered the painted door in an attic in a country home in Abruzzo. French Ambassador Christian Masset said the door was a witness to the attack but also an escape route. A mural by anonymous British street artist Banksy stolen from the Bataclan theatre in Paris and found in a farmhouse in central Italy is seen during the ceremony to return to France at the French embassy in Rome, Italy. July 14, 2020. (REUTERS) Through this door which was an emergency exit, many people managed to escape, he said. Thanks to this door more lives were saved. Standing next to the piece after it was unveiled, Renzo said Italy was proud to return the painting to its rightful owners. Recovering this symbol, handing it back to the publics emotion was for us a commitment and today is a great honour, said Renzo, chief prosecutor in LAquila. The Theft In January last year, surveillance cameras captured hooded thieves cutting the metal door of the club and taking the artwork in Bataclan. However, last month six people were arrested in France regarding the theft. However, Italian news agency AGI reported that eight people were arrested and one suspect is still on the run. Banksy is considered to be one of the most highly regarded contemporary artists, and several of his artworks, including the Bataclan door have been stolen from Paris, where he left many artworks during a 2018 trip. Some of the stolen artworks have been recovered. Others include a mural of a businessman in a suit offering a dog a bone, having just sawn the animals leg off, and an image of a masked rat wielding a box cutter, which disappeared from outside the Pompidou Centre. Fans have now covered some of his street art in Paris with plexiglass to protect them. Banksys artwork is satirical, and is known to cast a light on social and political issues, including war, racism and migration. Most recently, Banksy put up a coronavirus-themed artwork in the London Underground and captioned it, If you dont mask - you dont get. Previously Banksy also posted artwork in homage to George Floyd, the African American man who was killed at the hands of a white police officer in the streets of Minnesota and sparked global protests. Banksys artwork showed lit candles setting fire to the American flag above a picture of a shadowy figure. Referencing to the bringing down of racist, Confederate statued of historical figures linked to slavery and colonisation, Banksy also posted a hand drawn artwork of people pulling down a statue. He captioned it, What should we do with the empty plinth in the middle of Bristol? Heres an idea that caters for both those who miss the Colston statue and those who dont. We drag him out the water, put him back on the plinth, tie cable round his neck and commission some life size bronze statues of protestors in the act of pulling him down. Everyone happy. A famous day commemorated. A new black resin and steel statue entitled "A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) 2020" by artist Marc Quinn stands after the statue was put up this morning on the empty plinth of the toppled statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston, which was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol, England, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. On June 7 anti-racism demonstrators pulled the 18-foot (5.5 meter) bronze likeness of Colston down, dragged it to the nearby harbor and dumped it in the River Avon sparking both delight and dismay in Britain and beyond. (AP) Interestingly, artist Eric McQuinn has erected a statue of a Black Lives Matter protester atop the plinth in Bristol without approval from city officials. The statue titled, A Surge of Power (Jen Reid), is created on the likeness of Jen Reid who stood atop the plinth and raised her fist to the sky after demonstrators pulled down Edward Colstons statue and dumped it in Bristols harbour on June 7. The statue has been recovered by city authorities and will be placed in a museum along with signs from the Black Lives Matter protests. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:37:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday welcomed a UN report determining the Iranian involvement in attacks on Saudi Aramco's facilities in September 2019. "The report adds to other evidence that the cruise missiles used in several attacks on international airport and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia last year were of Iranian origin," the pan-Arab body's chief said in a statement. He called on the international community to hold Iran accountable for those dangerous actions that impair stability in the region. Aboul-Gheit added that the UN report unveiled the "Iranian hostile activities" in the region and against some Arab countries. Enditem OLAF FUB SEZ: According to humorist and poet Richard Armour, born on this date in 1906, That money talks, Ill not deny, I heard it once: It said, Goodbye. . . . WORKING LUNCH Now that theyve cleaned up the vegetation around Silo City, the herd from Lets Goat Buffalo has a new assignment, trimming the deep grass at Historic Concordia Cemetery, 438 Walden Ave. The goats begin their labors at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday and the public is invited to see them in action. Volunteers who want to help trim and pick up debris also are welcome. No dogs allowed. Mask wearing and social distancing will be observed. . . . ON THE RUN Notre Dame Academy, 1125 Abbott Road, is hosting a Weidners chicken barbecue from noon to 6 p.m. Friday. Dinners are $11, drive-through only, and include coleslaw, buttered potatoes, roll and butter. . . . MomentFeeds Proximity Search Optimization Dashboard allows multi-location brands to easily monitor and manage local marketing efforts and hone in on opportunities to improve local SEO rank. As unbranded proximity search becomes the new battleground for digital marketers, we are committed to helping our clients achieve the best local search results."Nick Hedges, CEO of MomentFeed. MomentFeed, the leading provider of Proximity Search Optimization, today introduced the release of a new Proximity Search Optimization Dashboard that allows multi-location brands to easily monitor and manage how well their local marketing efforts are performing. The fully integrated dashboard aggregates a brands data across hundreds or even thousands of location review pages, social media platforms, and listings in one place. Before we consolidated our local marketing efforts on MomentFeed, wed lose so much time trying to find insights and metrics from multiple sources, said Mary Newell Director Digital and Brand Marketing, Texas Roadhouse. The new Proximity Search Optimization dashboard gives our team one place to log in and see in seconds how all of Texas Roadhouses nearly 600 stores are performing across reviews, social media, and listings. Now we can see how were performing at-a-glance and dig in for more details. As unbranded proximity search continues to skyrocket (i.e. coffee near me grocery store near me) and competition for local search ranking heats up, its imperative that multi-location digital marketers have an easy way to track how they are performing. The savviest multi-location brands are focused on growing their share of voice for the proximity discovery keywords that matter most in their category. And more specifically, they are focused on Google, which accounts for 93 percent of the mobile search market in the U.S. As unbranded proximity search becomes the new battleground for digital marketers, we are committed to helping our clients achieve the best local search results, said Nick Hedges, CEO of MomentFeed. Our new Proximity Search Optimization Dashboard helps us guide our clients by delivering actionable insights in a way that hasnt been done before. Now marketers can both positively influence proximity discovery and demonstrate its powerful results. PROXIMITY SEARCH RANK FACTORS A businesss location and its proximity to someone searching on Google is the most important local SEO ranking factor when it comes to local search results. These searches are often referred to as the 3-Pack or Map Pack and are the first three results that pop up above the fold when a consumer performs a Google search on a mobile device. Locations that appear in the Google 3-Pack receive the majority of engagement and subsequent business. If a business location isn't among the 3-Pack listing, their chances of attracting customers can be 50 percent lower. Locations can optimize for proximity search rank by monitoring and managing performance across the five controllable signals that impact proximity search rank: Local Listing Accuracy information accuracy and consistency across all networks not only improves proximity search rank, it also helps customers find businesses in the real world. Local Profile Completeness ensuring all applicable fields are filled out on each discovery network gives customers a more complete picture of a brands business, while improving proximity search rank. Ratings and Reviews maintaining high customer rating scores and being responsive to reviews not only impacts proximity search rank, it also influences buyers decisions on which business to choose. Local Facebook Publishing Activity frequency of posts on local social over the last 30 days and ideal keyword density can improve proximity search rank and help brands drive local community connections. On-Page Local SEO alignment with Googles assessment of quality on your website helps determine where those pages and the associated listings rank in local search. PROXIMITY SEARCH OPTIMIZATION DASHBOARD BENEFITS To compete locally, multi-location businesses must understand and prove how local marketing efforts impact reach, engagement, and new business. The release of the new Proximity Search Optimization Dashboard furthers this goal by delivering: A unified view of how a multi-location business is performing across the five controllable signals that impact proximity search rank. A snapshot of brand performance against industry averages with a simple letter grade A to F indicating performance against industry benchmarks on the five key signals that impact local search rank. Actionable insights that reveal opportunities for quick local search wins such as - 15 locations have potential inaccuracies or 23 locations have new customer reviews that have not been responded to. These insights help multi-location marketers focus on what matters most. At-a-glance view of brand prominence in the Google 3-Pack, giving multi-location marketers a way to prove the value of local marketing in a way that every level of the organization can immediately understand. Filterable views by keyword or location to gain a better understanding of areas of opportunity to improve local search rank. Brick-and-mortar businesses across all industries are at a critical inflection point, where the line between online and offline business is becoming more blurred, said Hedges. Digital local marketing that influences discoverability, reputation, and loyalty has never been more important to unite mobile consumers with brands locally. See the Proximity Search Optimization Dashboard in action and learn more about how MomentFeed helps multi-location businesses dominate in proximity search. ABOUT MOMENTFEED MomentFeed is the leading Proximity Search Optimization platform trusted by many of the largest multi-location brands in the restaurant, retail, automotive, hospitality, and financial services industries. Proximity Search Optimization is gaining significant interest from CMOs of multi-location, national brands and franchises as a way to show up locally, at the precise moment a customer has a need. MomentFeed makes it possible for national brands to execute hyperlocal marketing campaigns at scale driving local awareness, in-store traffic, and more calls for appointments and orders. Founded in 2010, MomentFeed is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. An Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Company, it was also named a Comparably Best Company. For more information visit http://www.momentfeed.com | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook President Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House early June 21 after returning from a campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla. (Associated Press) "I am ashamed to this day for voting for him." "Donald J. Trump has broken my faith in the Republican Party." "He's a pathological liar." The pained testimony of more than a dozen Republican voters who go on to explain why they plan to vote for Democrat Joe Biden filled an ad that ran on Fox News last weekend. In the 60-second spot, one man concludes, Its OK to change your mind. We did. The message could've come from a Democratic playbook. But it was created by Republican Voters Against Trump, one of several GOP groups aiming to deny the president a second term by encouraging just enough disaffected Republican voters that it is in the best interest of the nation to support Biden. "Trump is a singular danger as far as I'm concerned," said Tim Miller, a senior advisor to the group who previously worked for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and the Republican National Committee. Miller said Biden can win the election by improving on Hillary Clintons performance "among traditional Republican voters who sat it out, voted third party or held their nose and voted for Trump." No president in modern history has faced such organized opposition to his reelection by members of his own party. In addition to the Republican Voters group, which counts conservative writer Bill Kristol among its leaders, there is the Lincoln Project, whose co-founders include George Conway, husband of Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway. That group is the agent provocateur of the bunch, nimbly turning around ads that have drawn the president's ire. Former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci is supporting the Right Side PAC. Former George W. Bush administration staffers launched the 43 Alumni for Biden super PAC; another group features Republican national security experts. The groups plan different tactics aimed at a shared goal: moving a small segment of Trump voters who soured on the president into Biden's column on Nov. 3. Story continues Were all in this together. We are allies, and we all see our efforts as complementary. We all have our own ways of prosecuting our case against the president, said Reed Galen, a top advisor to the Lincoln Project who previously worked for George W. Bush, the late Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Lincoln Project does its best to ... take him on in a very direct manner that keeps him and his campaign off balance politically. Sacramento-based GOP strategist Beth Miller said the opposition within Trump's party is unprecedented. "I don't recall in my 30-plus years of working in politics of having so many different groups formed to really bring down a sitting president of their own party," said Miller, who is critical of Trump but not part of any of the organizations (and who is no relation to Tim Miller). She described the effort as partly an "examination by self-identified Republicans today of what their party means and where it's going," though she questions their ability to sway enough voters given the president's massive fundraising advantage. "It takes a whole lot of money to move the needle, especially in a country this size," Beth Miller said, adding that a targeted approach could help. "But Trump's going to have a lot of money to defend himself and speak to the voters." The Trump campaign argues that these are the limited efforts of out-of-touch Washington, D.C., insiders who dont speak for GOP voters across the nation. This is the swamp yet again trying to take down the duly elected president of the United States, said spokeswoman Erin Perrine. President Trump is the leader of a united Republican Party where he has earned 94% of Republican votes during the primaries something any former president of any party could only dream of." Trump has an overwhelming fundraising advantage over all of the anti-Trump GOP groups, many with budgets that top out in the tens of millions of dollars. But the groups are confident it is enough because they are narrowly and surgically focused on identifying and turning out a single-digit percentage of the electorate that they believe is enough to elect Biden. The Biden campaign is going to have to go out and win this thing on their own. But this is the kind of election where the margins could matter, so we just want to do our part, said Matt Borges, a former Ohio Republican Party chairman who worked in the George W. Bush administration and now runs the Ride Side PAC, which is focused on phone banking, canvassing and digital efforts to increase turnout for Biden. Borges voted for Trump in 2016, hoping the presidency would temper his behavior. "He did change," Borges said. "He got worse." Sarah Longwell, a founder of the Republican Voters group, said it spent years holding focus groups and building a voter list of several hundred thousand that helps it target a sliver of the electorate, notably college-educated women in states such as North Carolina, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who have grown skeptical of the president. The group's messaging using testimonials is designed to give permission to GOP voters who never considered supporting a Democrat. Theyre Republicans, theyve always been Republicans. Its cultural. Its tribal. Its their party, and we understand that as Republicans, Longwell said. This vote is about getting rid of this uniquely unsuited person." These efforts come as the president's standing in national and battleground states has declined over his response to a pandemic that has killed more than 135,000 people in the U.S. and left millions unemployed. From what I've seen, a lot of Republicans are going to vote for Joe, Bidens wife, Jill, said on The View last month, adding that she heard so from many GOP voters she met on the campaign trail. of course Trump has his supporters. But I think a lot of his supporters have become disillusioned, especially in the way he's handled this pandemic." Four years ago, some Never Trumpers tried to derail Trumps campaign. But their $19-million effort was limited to a short period in the primaries, with critics in the general election largely venting their frustration on cable television, op-eds and Twitter. Few lined up behind Clinton. This time, their efforts started earlier and are more organized. And they say they are buoyed by Biden as the nominee, who doesnt carry the baggage Clinton did among many Republicans after a quarter-century in the public eye as first lady, senator and secretary of State. Bidens record on issues such as trade and his well-known faith alleviates concerns for some GOP voters, said Borges. Hes not a defund the police supporter, hes never been a Bernie [Sanders] Medicare-for-All person. He did sign onto the balanced budget amendment, Borges said. These are things Republicans at least used to care about. These groups also have more of a runway than they did in 2016. RVATs parent group, Defending Democracy Together, formed in 2017. The Lincoln Project kicked off in late 2019 and has received the most attention for its viral ads. The group makes a point of putting its finger in the presidents eye, airing incendiary ads in the Washington, D.C., media market during Fox News shows Trump is known to watch. Part of its effort is aimed at an audience of one, and the president has taken notice. In May, the Lincoln Project aired an ad called Mourning in America, a play on a famed 1984 Ronald Reagan campaign ad. The ad blasted Trumps handling of the pandemic and economic freefall. The group posted it online and spent a few thousand dollars to air it during Tucker Carlsons Fox News show. Trump lashed out on Twitter soon after: A group of RINO Republicans who failed badly 12 years ago, then again 8 years ago, and then got BADLY beaten by me, a political first timer, 4 years ago, have copied (no imagination) the concept of an ad from Ronald Reagan, 'Morning in America,' Trump wrote in a firestorm of tweets. ...They dont know to win, and their so-called Lincoln Project is a disgrace to Honest Abe. The groups ads, viewed by millions online, delight liberals and highlight messages that may be unseemly for the Biden campaign to zero in on, such as the president's physical and mental fitness. One recent spot, about leaks in Trumps White House, appeared designed to play upon the presidents perceived insecurities. But some question the effectiveness of their ads. "It completely rents space in Trump's head, and there may be value to that. We can kind of giggle about it," said Rob Stutzman, a GOP strategist who worked on an anti-Trump effort in 2016 but is not involved with any this year. "In terms of moving voters, I don't see Lincoln doing anything. It's like porn for MSNBC viewers.... That doesn't move Republicans." The Lincoln Project is branching out to go after Republicans other than Trump, drawing flack from some strategists who say the group is muddying its message. A recent ad accuses senators, including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona and Cory Gardner of Colorado, of enabling the president. It is running digitally in the home states of the senators, all of whom face tough races in November. We made it part of our mission statement going back to December to defeat Trump and Trumpism at the ballot, Galen said. From our perspective, at least at this moment and time, its impossible to separate Trump from Republicanism and vice versa. The other groups are focused on reaching potential ballot splitters, who can be persuaded to vote for Biden at the top of the ticket and then their Republican Senate candidate. "We're looking for someone who will vote for Biden and [North Carolina Sen.] Thom Tillis. They're a very small part of the electorate but a key part in a close election," Tim Miller said. "We're laser-focused on talking to them." A pair of British Army soldiers have been praised after they helped two mothers with the births of their babies. Serjeant Wayne Delahunty, 35, and Lance Corporal Dan Ells, 25, jumped into action during separate call-outs with the ambulance service. Both men, from 1st Battalion The Rifles based in Beachley Barracks, Chepstow, are among 60 soldiers from army units in Wales who have been trained to support the Welsh Ambulance Service during the coronavirus outbreak. Their link-up is part of UK Defences 20,000-strong Covid Response Force, set up to put service personnel and reservists on standby to support public services in response to the pandemic. Members of the British Army during training to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST) in the battle against Covid-19 at the Sennybridge Training Camp in Mid Wales (Jacob King/PA) Former carpenter L/Cpl Ells is a section second-in-command who has been with 1 Rifles since 2015, having been deployed overseas on exercises and operations to Afghanistan, Kenya, Bosnia and Georgia. He was working in the Tredegar area of South Wales around midnight when he was called to a home to assess a pregnant woman. He said: We were called to a house and the idea was to assess before a crew arrived to take over, and it seemed like we had enough time, but then all of a sudden the baby started coming. Ive not been involved or seen a baby born before but I wasnt nervous about it at all because the paramedics we work with are absolutely fantastic. Whatever is going to happen, they are 100% in control. I can remember a feeling of excitement. It was all new to me. Its very humbling. When you join the Army the idea being at the birth of a newborn was something I could never have imagined being involved in. The paramedic I was with took the lead on it and my role was to provide pain relief. But when the baby came the umbilical cord was wrapped around its leg so I was asked to help to untangle the cord. I then continued to administer pain relief with gas and air. Sjt Delahunty, a former nightclub manager who has been with 1 Rifles since 2008, serving two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, was also working in Tredegar when he and a paramedic responded to a mother who was in labour. Story continues He said: When we got to the house the woman was crowning, which I believe is the term used for someone on the brink of giving birth. The mum was lodged in between the living room and stairway. I set up the gas and Entonox for pain relief and was helping to reassure the mum when the midwife came in to take over. I realised my calf was also involved in providing pain relief because, even though I didnt offer it, the mum gave it a proper squeeze. I was just very happy to support the paramedic and midwife doing what they are absolutely brilliant at. Another paramedic who had been in the job seven years said to me Id been really lucky to have witnessed a birth because sometimes years pass before they see one its quite a rarity apparently. It was a magical experience to be involved in. Jason Killens, chief executive for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, presented both men with Certificates of Commendation at their headquarters in Beachley Barracks. Mr Killens said: Delivering babies was probably the last thing that Sjt Delahunty and L/Cpl Ells expected to do when they joined us, but their quick-thinking actions and calmness under pressure led to two successful deliveries and were proud of them. Theres a tradition in the ambulance service where paramedics will try and persuade parents to name the baby after the person who delivered it, but I dont think Sjt Delahunty and L/Cpl Ells were successful on this occasion, despite their persistence. Even after launching a credit package worth hundreds of trillions of dong to support businesses, bad debts will still increase this year. From August 15, 2017 to the end of March 2020, the banking system settled VND299.8 trillion worth of bad debts in accordance with Resolution 42. However, analysts believe that bad debts will increase as businesses operations are at a standstill. Anticipating high risks, commercial banks have to increase provisions against risks and step up the sale of collateral to collect debts. Under the plan, 2020 is the deadline for the settlement of bad debts sold to VAMC. If the bad debts still cannot be settled, banks will have to buy the debts back for settlement. Nguyen Duc Thach Diem, CEO of Sacombank, said the bank aims to settle VND11 trillion worth of bad debts this year and believes the goal is within reach. Meanwhile, SCB is offering to sell 7 real estate assets worth several billion dong to hundreds of billion of dong. LienVietPost Bank has also put mortgaged assets into auction with starting prices from hundreds of millions of dong to hundreds of billions of dong. Banks Q1 finance reports showed that the third-, fourth- and fifth-group debts (fifth-group debt is the worst debt which may be irrecoverable) have increased rapidly. Kien Long Bank reported that the bad debt has increased by 5.7 times to VND2.293 trillion, from 1 percent to 6.62 percent. According to Nguyen Quoc Hung, director of the Credit Department, around VND1,800 trillion, or 23 percent of total outstanding loans, has been affected by the epidemic. Commercial banks report that they had implemented 40-50 percent of yearly plans by the end of June. However, credit has been growing very slowly. Bankers said that more mortgaged assets would be put on sale in the time to come, and banks profits will decrease sharply because of high provisions against risks. Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of OCB, said businesses are struggling to stop the decline and many of them may go bankrupt, so the bad debts will increase. Putting mortgaged assets for sale is clearly the best way for banks to collect debts. Nhip Cau Dau Tu quoted some analysts as saying that it is very difficult to find buyers for assets with high value, VND30 billion or more. To date, commercial banks have committed credit package of VND300 trillion which aims to help businesses overcome the epidemic. The policies on restricting debts and extending debt payment deadlines have helped prevent the bad debts from increasing, said Can Van Luc, chief economist of BIDV. However, even with the big credit package, bad debts will still increase. Banks Q1 finance reports showed that the third-, fourth- and fifth-group debts (fifth-group debt is the worst debt which may be irrecoverable) have increased rapidly. Kien Long Bank reported that the bad debt has increased by 5.7 times to VND2.293 trillion, from 1 percent to 6.62 percent. Mai Lan Authorities get to grips with new bad debt mountain A spike in the amount of bad loans sitting in banks books has triggered Vietnamese authorities to seek new paths to recovery, The Senate has approved N168 billion to fund the personnel, overhead and capital expenditure of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for 2020. The approval was made after the Senate considered the report of its committee on finance, presented by the chairman, Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Lagos West). In his presentation, Mr Adeola narrated the budget performance of the FIRS and gave a summary of the 2020 proposed budget. The committee, he said, observed that the FIRS operates below the line account used for tax refund and support for the construction of the head office. The committee also frowned at the unnecessary delay in submitting the budget for 2020. However, the current executive chairman explained that they took over the leadership of FIRS in November/December and the budget for 2020 was not ready as at then. And Covid-19 was also responsible for the delay. A breakdown of the approved 2020 budget is as follows: *N1.56 trillion was projected for Oil revenue; *N4.502 from Non-Oil revenue; *N180.086 billion projected for four per cent cost of collection; *N11.279 billion as projected two per cent Cost of Collection ceded to the Nigeria Customs Service; *N168.80 Net projected four per cent Cost of Collection available rose FIRS to be appropriated by NASS; and *Value Added Tax (VAT) at 7.5 per cent. The Senate, thereafter, called for the digitisation of all processes in the administration of tax in FIRS, so as to bring the service up-to-speed with rapidly increasing online economic activities. Other approvals It also approved a one-off special-purpose intervention fund of N100 billion to assist the FIRS to complete its head office within 12 months; six training schools; 30 prototype tax operations office; purpose-built facilities for efficient taxation of upstream petroleum industry and ICT infrastructure to identify and track digital transactions. The lawmakers said the budget for the fiscal year must terminate on December 31, 2020. It said, henceforth, the budget of the FIRS for any financial year must be approved by the National Assembly by the end of October of a preceding year to ensure strict compliance with the January to December financial year. A man who pleaded guilty to waiving a knife at a fire hydrant in June was sentenced to time served in Brandon provincial court. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A man who pleaded guilty to waiving a knife at a fire hydrant in June was sentenced to time served in Brandon provincial court. Jordan Thomas, 38, pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with undertaking on Monday. The charges stem from a June 12 incident, according to Crown attorney Brett Rach. At 8:46 p.m., Rach said police were called to Kirkcaldy Drive for a report of a man waving a yellow X-Acto knife around and speaking to a fire hydrant. When police arrived, they found Thomas and arrested him. Officers found a yellow and blue X-Acto knife on him that was covered in blood. Rach said Thomas was high on methamphetamine at the time, so it was a dangerous situation for anyone near him. He suggested a sentence of 60 days in jail for the incident. On June 16, police responded to a call at Princess Auto after an employee called police to say a man was possibly living near the loading dock. Police found Thomas, who had a pointed metal file on the sidewalk near him, along with several other items. They also found another thin, round, pointed file in his sweater pocket and three cans of Snapple vodka. "Its concerning that its within four days hes breaching his release order. Its clear Mr. Thomas doesnt have somewhere to reside but certainly, programming can help him with that rather than setting up shop around commercial businesses," he said. Rach suggested a probation order to help him find a place to live. Defence lawyer Ryan Fawcett said its clear that Thomas was in the midst of a mental health crisis at the time. He doesnt remember what happened but said he had no intention of using the knife on anyone. Thomas has been sober for the last month, Fawcett said, but has work to do to get his addiction under control. He suggested a sentence of 60 days in jail. On Monday he had spent the equivalent of 42 days in jail since being arrested. Speaking to the court, Thomas said he has a problem with meth and doesnt have a stable place to live. He asked to be released from jail, arguing that he cant get help there and the setting is making his paranoia worse. He also asked to be ordered to see a doctor and get help for his mental health issues. Judge John Combs said the issue isnt that Thomas had no intention to use the knife, the problem is what could have potentially happened while he was high. Combs said there no need for Thomas to spend more time in jail and sentenced him to time served for the two incidents. He also placed Thomas on probation for one year, saying it can hopefully help him find treatment and resources for his addiction. "Hopefully you can stay away from methamphetamine or any other substances that may make you intoxicated." dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ Following a vote on cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria, Russias Permanent Representative to the UN has lambasted other countries for ignoring Syrias sovereignty writes SANA. Russias Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia slammed the exploitation of the UN mechanism for delivering cross-border humanitarian aid in Syria by some states in a way that contradicts with Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. Novosti News Agency quoted Nebenzia as saying in a statement on Monday that, The terrorist organizations positioned in Idleb use humanitarian aid as a tool to exert pressure on the civilian population and they benefit from them, and there is direct and indirect evidence for that In addition to that, some foreign parties exploit the mechanism of the cross-border aid delivery in Syria in a way that threatens to separate a number of areas in the country, Nebenzia added. Earlier on Monday, in a statement to journalists, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin called for the humanitarian aid file in Syria to not be politicised and to deliver the aid in coordination with the legitimate Syrian government. Last Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a draft resolution on aid delivery in Syria through a single border crossing for a one year. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Taiwan scrambles jets against simulated enemy attack in war games ROC Central News Agency 07/14/2020 06:25 PM Taipei, July 14 (CNA) Taiwan Air Force jets took to the skies Tuesday in an exercise to intercept a simulated air attack by hostile forces, on the second day of the annual live-fire Han Kuang war games. The Taiwan aircraft included the Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, photos from the Military News Agency showed. In the air defense drill that was the focus of Tuesday's exercise, the operations on the ground involved radar vehicles and the Avenger Air Defense System -- a U.S.-made self-propelled surface-to-air weapon against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other low-flying aircraft -- the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) news service said. At the Military Police School Linkou Campus, special forces from the military, police and Coast Guard units conducted a drill that was a coordinated effort to rescue government leaders held hostage by invading forces inside vital government offices. Meanwhile, sirens wailed across Taiwan at 1:30 p.m., signaling the start of a 30-minute public air-raid drill, and an alert was sent to people's mobile phones at the beginning and end of the annual Wan An public drill. "This is an exercise simulating a missile attack, but it will not involve traffic controls or dispersal of pedestrians," the text message at 1:30 p.m. read, reflecting the government's decision this year not to clear the streets, to avoid having people clustering in shelters, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The live-fire Han Kuang exercises are not open to the media, except on July 16, when an anti-landing drill will be held at Jianan Beach in Taichung. On Monday, the exercises involved the launch of Patriot surface-to-air missiles and Sky Bow air defense missiles to intercept a simulated missile attack on the Presidential Office. Fighter jets deployed on the island's west coast flew to the eastern side to avoid a simulated direct hit by enemy missiles and bombardments, while navy ships set sail, and armored vehicles took cover in culverts and under bridges. The live-fire Han Kuang exercises will continue this week with operations that will test Taiwan military's capability to defeat the enemy in nearshore zones and to neutralize enemy forces on beaches and in other landing areas. The computer-simulated tabletop training component of the Han Kuang exercises is scheduled for Sept. 14-18 to hone the skills of commanders at different levels to make decisions during battle. (By Matt Yu and Emerson Lim) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United States applauded the UKs decision to ban equipment from Chinas Huawei telecoms giant from its 5G network. Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced its decision to phase out the use of network equipment manufactured by the Chinese tech giant Huawei in the UKs 5G network as little as six months. We welcome news that the United Kingdom plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks and phase out untrusted Huawei equipment from existing networks, reads a statement from the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. We will continue to work with our British friends on fostering a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, which is critical to transatlantic security and prosperity. The decision comes after a new UK intelligence agency GCHQs report raised new security concerns over Huawei 5G equipment. The UK intelligence analysis believe that US ban on Chinese 5G technology will force Huawei to use untrusted technology. The British ban, which came despite warnings of retaliation by Beijing, handed a victory to US President Donald Trumps administration, which has been seeking to isolate the Chinese telecom titan. According to Trumps national security advisor, Robert OBrien, the decision of the UK government demonstrates a growing international consensus that Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE pose a threat to national security. In January the EUs executive Commission presented a set of rules and technical measures aimed at reducing cybersecurity risks from the adoption of 5G networks. The Commissions recommendations include blocking high-risk equipment suppliers from critical and sensitive components of 5G infrastructures, such as the core. Pompeo also highlighted that the decision to exclude Chinese equipment from 5G networks was already adopted in a number of European states. Other states worldwide are already replacing Chinese equipment, including Australia, India, Japan and South Korea. Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property or human rights, Pompeo said. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs hacking, Huawei) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said that the company will spin off its oil-to-chemical business into a separate subsidiary by early 2021 after necessary regulatory approvals as he announced that the proposed partnership with Saudi Aramco has not progressed according to the original timeline. Due to unforeseen circumstances in the energy market and the Covid-19 situation, the deal has not progressed as per the original timeline. Our equity requirements have already been met, Ambani said at the companys first virtual AGM. Nevertheless, we at Reliance value our over two-decade long relationship with Saudi Aramco and are committed to a long-term partnership, he added. The RIL chairman said the company has been approached by global companies for strategic partnerships in its petrochemical business, and making the O2C a separate unit will help in leveraging these partnership opportunities. We will approach NCLT with our proposal to spin off our O2C business into a separate subsidiary to facilitate this partnership opportunity. We expect to complete this process by early 2021, he said. Ambani said the potential partnerships will help Reliance build a competitive manufacturing capacity at our existing sites to serve the deficit Indian market that still depends on large-scale imports of chemicals. With this we will have an integrated and competitive Oil to Chemicals portfolio which is valuable to global companies as it provides access to the large and growing Indian market. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:12:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait on Wednesday reported 703 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 56,877 and the death toll to 399, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Currently, 9,581 patients are receiving treatment, including 146 in ICU, the statement added. The ministry also announced the recovery of 736 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 46,897. Kuwait started on June 30 the second phase of restoring normal life, which will last three weeks. Kuwait and China have been supporting each other and cooperating closely in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Kuwait donated medical supplies worth 3 million U.S. dollars to China at the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 27, a team of Chinese medical experts visited Kuwait to assist the Gulf country's anti-coronavirus fight, through sharing their experience and expertise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Enditem Shimla, July 15 : The Himachal Pradesh High Court has restrained the prestigious Lawrence School at Sanawar in Kasauli hills, which boasts of alumni like Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, from receiving additional fees for holding virtual classes owing to the pandemic. A Division Bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Joytsna Rewal Dua directed the state Education Secretary and the school headmaster to file reply or instructions before the next date of hearing on July 20. In a one page order on Tuesday, the court restrained the school from receiving the balance amount of fee of Rs 170,800. The court passed the order on the petition of Deepak Gupta, who moved the court on July 7. His son is in Class 8 of the boarding school located in Solan district. "Sending the child to the boarding is a big decision which is always taken by the parents for the betterment of child's future so that he could become physically and mentally strong," the petitioner said. He said the school demanded a total fee of Rs 636,200 in January as it was payable in two installments. The first installment was of Rs 401,700 and was paid before February 15. The second installment of Rs 2,34,500 was to be paid on or before July 15. He said the school opened on February 15 and the child was taken to home on March 17 due to the pandemic. The petitioner said the state higher education on May 27 directed the private schools not to charge any fee, except tuition fee, and the tuition fee could not be collected on a quarterly basis. Nearly 140 parents sent a digitally signed representation requesting the school for waiving the school fee. Ignoring the parents' request, the school on July 3 demanded Rs 1,70,800, instead of Rs 2,34,500 from the parents, reducing the fee merely to 11 per cent (Rs 63,700). The school started the online classes on April 6, comprising four sections of 120 students in one go compared to regular classes of 20 to 30 students. Moreover, the petition says, there are no extracurricular activities along with no board and lodging facilities extended to the students amid the lockdown. The residential Lawrence School also boasts of alumni like Punjab's former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text From: Rych McCain Media Syndication and Rych McCain Black Youth Self-Esteem Workshops For Immediate Release: Dateline: Los Angeles , CA Wednesday, July 15, 2020 C) 2020 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws This blog is ranked #9 in the Top 20 Hollywood Blogs from the massive worldwide data base of FeedSpot.com A Clear Shot Premiere - Film Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist A Clear Shot Premiere A Clear Shot made its Los Angeles premiere with red-carpet arrivals, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the TCL Chinese Theatres, located on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame. A Clear Shot was inspired by the 1991 Good Guys! Hostage Crisis in Sacramento, Calif., which is the largest hostage crisis in the United States history. A Clear Shot weaves together the story of four desperate men who will do anything to make their dreams come true, and the brave men and women who fight to save the lives of innocent people. A Leisure Guys! electronics store erupts into chaos as four young, Vietnamese gunmen storm the premises, locked and loaded. Enter Rick Gomez, the hostage negotiator of the Sacramento Police Department. Gomez is no stranger to tense situations that demand a cool head. He realizes rather quickly that his job is not simply to talk the gunmen down and keep the hostages safe, but also to juggle the politics of an arrogant sheriff and trigger-happy SWAT commander. Cast with Dirctor Nick Leisure 2nd from far right As the hostage situation progresses inside the store, the leader of the pack, Loi, understands that he has his own chess pieces to move. He doesn't want to hurt anyone; but, his loose-cannon brother, Long, is a different story. He's itching for blood, and unless Loi can get their demands met, which includes a large sum of money and transport back to their native land of Vietnam, then the events with the hostages could spiral out of control. The film takes the audience through the thrilling ride of suspense, unforeseen action and the power of heroism. Mario Van Peeble Mario Van Peebles How did you get connected with this film and your role as Rick Gomeze the hostage negotiator in one of the most tense situations in U.S. police history? Van Peebles runs it down, One of the things is that Ive played a lot of real characters. I played my father in Baddass, I played Minister Malcolm in Ali, I played Stokely Carmichael in Panther and this was a chance to play a character based in reality whose a hostage negotiator. And I like that idea playing someone that had to get people to put down the gun. To have to get people who are acting irrationally to be reasonable. You had to bring the good out in people which is the opposite of bringing out the divisiveness and turning us against each other. You see where Im going with this? So, in this current time, I thought, to play a guy thats got to see the good in this Vietnamese kid and the good in the Latino man and the good in the Jewish man and bring us together. Thats what I wanted to play. Cast and Guest Sandra Guitierrez Abagail Carrilio (L) The film's Director Nick Leisure and (R) Matty Rich also a film director Aldo Quintero Gwen Gibson (L) Travis Wolfe Jr (R) Mario Van Peebles Director Don Walsh Todd Bridges Wendell James Ashley Brinton PKA Rapper Kreamy Ka$h Novannie Love Rolanda Brooks 2020 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM (You DID Hear It From Me!) Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me) C) 2020 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws The biggest problem with common sense, it has often been said, is that it isnt all that common. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The biggest problem with common sense, it has often been said, is that it isnt all that common. Common sense was, however, on full display last week when the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police released a report whose recommendations include a call for the decriminalization of simple drug possession. Its time, the CACP says, for personal drug use and addiction to be considered a public-health issue rather than a criminal concern. In its 14-page report, titled Decriminalization for Simple Possession of Illicit Drugs: Exploring Impacts on Public Safety and Policing, the CACP declares that "evidence suggests, and numerous Canadian health leaders support, decriminalization for simple possession as an effective way to reduce the public-health and public-safety harms associated with substance use," and endorses "alternatives to criminal sanctions for simple possession of illicit drugs, requiring integrated partnerships and access to diversion measures." Canadas police chiefs arent suggesting law enforcement has no role to play in stemming the drug trade, however; what the CACP is suggesting is that ever-overburdened police resources would be better focused on stopping those who produce, import and sell illegal drugs. Its a view that Winnipegs police chief supports. In fact, Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth says local law enforcement has already shifted the focus of its drug-enforcement strategy by opting, in many cases, not to lay charges for possession of small quantities of drugs. "Thats just not really a good use" of police resources," Mr. Smyth said last Friday, adding that police officers can exercise discretion in such cases and "when it comes to simple possession, I think a more effective way of dealing with that is to try to steer people into some of the programming that they may need, like addictions treatment, to deal with the problem." Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Interestingly, what Winnipegs police chief is describing, in terms of a redirection of effort and resources, is very much in keeping with the changes being demanded by the current "defund the police" movement. The somewhat-controversial slogan has been wrongly interpreted as a demand to abolish traditional policing, but in reality it speaks more practically to the need for police to focus on law-enforcement duties while turning social-service and public-health issues and therefore, necessarily, the related public funding over to agencies better suited to addressing them. Canadas police chiefs arent suggesting law enforcement has no role to play in stemming the drug trade, however; what the CACP is suggesting is that everoverburdened police resources would be better focused on stopping those who produce, import and sell illegal drugs. Mr. Smyth rightly points out that the recommendations in the CACPs report which also include, among other things, a focus on safe consumption sites and a safe supply of drugs, as well as support for diversion programs cannot be effectively implemented without "a lot of work ... on the political side." In Manitoba, built-in challenges await any such implementation. While safe-consumption sites have been established, with productive results, in several other jurisdictions, the Pallister government continues to reject them as an element of Manitobas strategy for addressing illegal drug use and addiction. The question of decriminalization, however, rests with the federal government and the Criminal Code. In response to the CACP report, Justice Minister David Lametti and Health Minister Patty Hajdu issued a joint statement that the government is also committed to a "public-health approach" to illegal drug use involving "integrated partnerships between law enforcement and health and social services." What remains, then, is to move smartly forward with decriminalization in a manner that will allow police to focus on their jobs and offer those struggling with drug dependency a navigable path toward the help they so desperately require. One might even be tempted to call the bill The Common Sense Drug Act. NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday declared the CBSE class 10th exam results on its official website. A total of 91.46% of students have passed the examination. This year, girls have outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 93.31 while the pass percentage for boys is 90.14%. The highest pass percentage in the CBSE 10 board results has been recorded by the Trivandrum zone where 99.28% of students have passed. This is followed by Chennai and Bengaluru regions with 98.95 and 98.23 pass percentages respectively. Pune region is at the 4th position with 98.05% of students passing the exam and Ajmer has come 5th with a pass percentage of 96.93%. Guwahati has recorded the lowest pass percent at 79.12 among all states. Check zone-wise pass percent here 1 Trivandrum -- 99.28 2 Chennai -- 98.95 3 Bengaluru --- 98.23 4 Pune ---98.05 5 Ajmer--- 96.93 6 Panchkula ---94.31 7 Bhubaneswar ---93.20 8 Bhopal ---92.86 9 Chandigarh ---91.83 10 Patna ---90.69 11 Dehradun ---89.72 12 Prayagraj --89.12 13 Noida--- 87.51 14 Delhi West ---85.96 15 Delhi East--- 85.79 16 Guwahati ---79.12 Among institutions, Kendriya Vidyalayas is on the top with 99.23% of students passing the exam. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas is second with 98.66% of students passing the exam. Here's the institutions-wise performnce in CBSE Class 10 board results 2020 1 KV 99.23 2 JNV 98.66 3 CTSA 93.67 4 INDEPENDENT 92.81 5 GOVT 80.91 6 GOVT AIDED 77.82 Union HRD Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' took to Twitter to confirm the news and congratulate the successful students. ''Dear Students, Parents, and Teachers! @cbseindia29 has announced the results of Class X and can be accessed at http://cbseresults.nic.in. We congratulate you all for making this possible. I reiterate, student's health & quality education are our priority,'' the HRD Minister tweeted. Earlier, due to heavy traffic, the board's official website was not opening smoothly, but it was normal a few minutes later. The CBSE class 10 board results 2020 will also be available at Digi locker and Umang app. Both are android based application available at the PlayStore. How to check results via these apps? Step 1: Visit Google PlayStore or Apple store app in your mobile Step 2: Login using CBSE registered mobile number, OPT and entre the last 6 digits of your roll number Step 3: Account credentials will be sent via SMS Around 18 lakh students who have appeared in the CBSE class 10 examination can check their result online at cbseresults.nic.in. The CBSE Class 10 results 2020 are special because this year, the marks have been awarded without conducting all the exams. CBSE had on Monday announced the class 12th result 2020. A total of 88.78% students have passed the class 12th exam. Students can check class 10 results on the following websites: cbseresults.nic.in, cbse.nic.in, results.nic.in Apart from the boards official website, CBSE class 10th result 2020 can also be accessed via other facilities like IVRS Facility, DigiLocker App (digilocker.gov.in), UMANG App and DigiResults App. Here's how to you can check your CBSE class 10th result 2020: Step 1: Login to the official website cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in Step 2: Enter your exam details like roll number and date of birth. Step 3: Check your CBSE Board results for class 10th. On July 13, after the board declared the class 12 results, its website crashed due to heavy traffic inflow. The board has made preparations so that the site crash doesn't happen again. As per the Board, the subjects for which exams could not be held, marks will be based on average of best of three subjects for which the student has already given the exam. In case a student has appeared for only three papers, the assessment will be made on the basis of the best of two and for limited students who have appeared for only one or two exams, the marks obtained in the internal or practicals will be considered. The students will need at least 33 per cent marks to pass in a subject. For subjects having practical and theory both, students will have to pass in both sections. Students who fail in one or two subjects will have a chance to give another attempt through supplementary exams. However, the board is yet to release dates for the supplementary exams for class 10. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:35:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Villager Huang Fumei gets back home under the help of the Susong Blue Sky rescue team in Sanzhou Village of Susong County, east China's Anhui Province, July 15, 2020. In recent days, local villagers from Sizhou Village and Sanzhou Village in Susong have been evacuated to settlement points as a flood relief response. Due to the limited time allowed for transferring, some villagers had to leave their money and valuable items at home. Local authorities have accordingly organized rescue teams and boats to help villagers get back home in an orderly manner and fetch their necessary items. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) Fifteen-year-old Grace was removed from the Beverly Hills, Michigan, home she shared with her mom and is now at the Children's Village juvenile detention center, because she failed to submit her online schoolwork when her classes switched to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by ProPublica, Judge Mary Ellen Brennan found Grace guilty on failure to submit to any schoolwork and getting up for school and is a threat to (the) community." The teen was put on "intensive probation" back in April following a hearing that stemmed from an incident where she attacked her mom. Grace's mother said she had not been in any trouble since then, but in the eyes of the judge, she violated her probation. The terms of the probation included a GPS tracking monitor, regular check-ins with a court caseworker, counseling, no phone and no computer unless being used for educational purposes, and completing schoolwork. Grace, who has ADHD and takes special education courses, said she struggled to adjust and keep up with virtual assignments after her school switched to remote learning in April, but she "just needed time to adjust to the schedule that my mom had prepared for me." ProPublica reported that at school, Grace's Individualized Education Plan required teachers to check in to make sure she was doing her work and to answer any questionings she might have, and it gave her extra time to complete and submit assignments. That personalized support ended when classrooms transitioned to virtual learning, her mother said. Judge Brennan, unfortunately, wasn't convinced and sentenced Grace to the detention center. I told her she was on thin ice and I told her that I was going to hold her to the letter, to the order, of the probation, ProPublica reported Brennan saying during Graces sentencing. Because of her past troubles, the judge also also called Grace a threat to the community. TEACHING TEXAS: With COVID-19 cases spiking in Texas, should schools return via virtually or in-person? It's no secret that when schools closed nationwide back in March due to COVID-19, some students fell behind during virtual learning. TIME reported that, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, about 15% of U.S. households with school-age children lack high-speed Internet access. It is clear that kids of color are disproportionately involved and impacted by the system across the board, Jason Smith of Michigan Center for Youth Justice, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce the number of juvenile incarcerations, told ProPublica. They are more likely to be arrested, less likely to be offered any kind of diversion, more likely to be removed out of the home and placed in some sort of confinement situation. According to ProPublica, due to the confidentiality of juvenile court cases, there's no way to know for sure how unusual Grace's situation is. Attorneys and advocates say they are unaware of any other case where a child was sent to a detention center for not completing assignments when schools closed due to COVID-19. Grace has to stay at the detention center until September 8, when the parties will meet again for a hearing to review the case. However, TIME reported that County Executive David Coulter asked the court to review Grace's case again, following growing outrage and calls demanding Judge Brennan be fired. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 03:29:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday a new aid plan that promises to cut a check to every Israeli citizen, amid escalating criticism over his handling of the coronavirus crisis. At a press conference alongside his finance minister, Netanyahu said every adult with no children or children over 18 will receive 750 new shekels (219 U.S. dollars), while parents with one child, two children and three or more will receive 2,000 new shekels, 2,500 new shekels and 3,000 new shekels respectively. "This money encourages consumption and employment, and will move the wheels of the economy faster," he said. Netanyahu expressed hope that the money will be transferred to the citizens in the next few days. The prime minister also said he will try to carry out a plan without the approval of the parliament. However, senior officials with the finance ministry warned that the "populist" move has no economic logic as many unharmed by the COVID-19 crisis will also benefit from it, Kan TV news reported. With the unemployment hitting about 20 percent, recent polls are indicative of the decreased popularity of the embattled Israeli leader, as many Israelis believe Netanyahu has mishandled the coronavirus outbreak and the ensuing economic crisis. Israel is facing a resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic with record numbers of daily infections. According to the Israeli health ministry, 1,728 new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Tuesday, raising the total number in the country to 42,360. Enditem Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The state has the right to ban large gatherings in houses of worship during a public health crisis, such as the current pandemic, and those restrictions are not a violation of religious freedoms. Thats the ruling handed down late Monday by U.S. District Judge James O. Browning in a lawsuit brought in April by Legacy Church against New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel and the state of New Mexico. In his ruling, Browning rejected the megachurchs claim that the public health orders violated its free exercise rights and its assembly clause rights because the public health orders are neutral with respect to religion and generally applicable. Further, Browning said, the public health orders are unrelated to the suppression of speech or religion, serve a compelling state interest, and significantly less restrictive alternatives are not available. Jordy Stern, an attorney with the Barnett Law Firm, which represents Legacy Church, said Tuesday that they were still digesting the 268-page opinion. Legacy Church, he added, disagrees with the ruling and is considering an appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for the Governors Office, praised the ruling. The state is gratified the court has again found that the lifesaving actions taken by this administration to slow the spread of COVID-19 are within the scope of the law, she said. In his ruling, Browning cited an amicus brief from Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which argued that it is not only permissible for New Mexico to include houses of worship and religious services in the temporary ban on large, in-person gatherings but that it also would be unconstitutional to exempt them. Granting an exemption here would elevate Legacys religious preferences over the health of the entire community, the group wrote in its brief. New Mexicos public health orders do not violate religious freedom; they ensure that religious freedom is not misused to endanger peoples lives, Alex J. Luchenitser, associate legal director of Americans United, said in a statement after the ruling. But Stern said, Legacy wasnt asking for something extreme. Pointing to the Health Departments orders restricting the number of people allowed in businesses, Stern said, When we went in for the hearing on Friday, we were asking for no less freedom than the protesters got around the state, no less freedom than restaurants or gyms received. Our attention has been drawn to a report by the Western Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (Western-GJA) calling for the immediate arrest of the bodyguard of the Member of Parliament for Evalue-Jomoro Gwira Constituency and Minister of State at the Presidency for an alleged assault on a Metro TV Cameraman and the apparent deletion of video footage from his camera. We urge the general public to disregard the call and treat it with the contempt it deserves. Hon. Catherine Afeku is an outstanding legislator who has built a solid reputation and endeared herself to many due to her exceptional performance as the Member of Parliament for Evalue Ajomoro Gwira constituency. The facts are that, we in Evalue Ajomoro Gwira NPP got intelligence that the Western Regional secretary of the NDC Mr. Japhet Baidoo, had planned with some journalist in Takoradi to smear the image of Hon. Catherine Afeku with that particular case in question. It was not surprising that the Metro TV cameraman came in the same vehicle with the NDC Western Regional secretary to Axim to execute their plan. True to our intelligence, the Metro TV cameraman Alhaji Mustapha Ashley was recording court proceedings secretly without permission from leadership of the court. The bodyguard of Hon. Catherine Afeku just reported the case to the police and the police did their work professionally. We beg to ask the question, What did the GJA secretary want the MP to do? To interfere with the police in the Court premises ? The fact still remains that the NDC communicator insulted , defamed, denigrated the MP and the whole NDC regional executives led by Chairman Nana Toku were in Axim to apologise. Again, Angate Borzah on his own volition accepted that he erred and showed remorse. What then does the Western Regional GJA want from the MP and what is Alfred Adams interest in this case ? Since when did Metro TV start covering circuit court proceedings in Axim. Is the Metro TV reporter not aware that video and audio recordings are not permitted in court? The journalist's mischievous attempt to rope in the Member of Parliament and Minister of State, Hon. Catherine Abelema Afeku further exposes their evil agenda towards the innocent woman. We in Evalue Ajomoro Gwira NPP are wide awake and call on the Western Region GJA to leave Hon. Afeku's bodyguard alone to do his work diligently. No amount of front Page coverage will stop the massive win awaiting Hon. Catherine Afeku. Signed: Evalue Ajomoro Gwira NPP Communication Directorate Obeng Darko:0249466731 Ernest k. Asabil 0545597441 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 China has sent 1,000 firefighters from surrounding provinces to help battle flooding in the area of Poyang Lake in the eastern province of Jiangxi. The firefighters include 300 from Zhejiang, 200 from Anhui, 200 from Fujian, 150 from Hubei and 150 from Hunan, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. All five groups arrived at their destinations around the country's largest freshwater lake by Monday night. The groups will work with local authorities to patrol dikes and monitor and react quickly if there are any dike breaches, said Wei Handong, deputy director of the fire and rescue department with the Ministry of Emergency Management. Home to more than 46 million people, Jiangxi has been among the worst affected areas in recent weeks, as the Yangtze River basin witnessed floods following the heaviest average rainfall in decades. There has been unprecedented flooding along several rivers that lead into Poyang Lake. The water level at the lake's key Xingzi hydrological station rose to 22.6 meters at 10 a.m. Monday, breaking the 22.52-meter record of 1998, and well above the alert level of 19 meters. Crucial: Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said knowing the symptoms is vital to identifying and containing Covid-19. Photo: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Fresh doubt hangs over next week's reopening of 3,750 pubs amid heightened fears over a rise in Covid-19 infections. Couples planning to get married in the coming weeks may also have to cut down on their wedding guest list. The Cabinet will decide today whether remaining pubs - those that do not serve food - should remain shut after the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), which met yesterday, raised concerns about allowing them to reopen on Monday. Read More It comes as the number of new Covid-19 infections jumped to 32 yesterday - the highest daily toll since mid-June. There were no deaths from Covid-19, but there is growing unease at the spread of the virus over the last two weeks, reversing a downward trend. Expand Close The request for the tough new controls came from Tipperary Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The request for the tough new controls came from Tipperary Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill Nphet is understood to have signalled its unease at moving to the fourth stage of the Government's roadmap. This would affect not only pubs that serve just alcohol, but also nightclubs and the number of people attending mass gatherings. Any stalling would affect the size of weddings and halt plans to increase attendances to 100 people for indoor events and 500 outdoors. It means the Government is facing a major dilemma, risking inflicting a financial blow to many publicans running small pubs that have been shut since March. The Government will have to justify why it will allow people to travel abroad to "green-list" countries such as Greece where Irish holidaymakers can enjoy a drink in a taverna, and all the risk of infection it entails, but deny people who stay at home an outing to their village pub. A spokesman for the Vintners Federation of Ireland, representing around 3,500 publicans who are waiting for the news, said last night: "We need clarity at this stage. "The publicans have been closed for four months and have been shabbily treated with no guidelines on reopening. It is a terrible way to treat them." He argued it would be easier to achieve physical distancing if the remaining pubs were allowed to open, rather than having customers rely on the 40pc of pubs serving food currently in operation. A spokesman for the Licensed Vintners Association, representing around 250 of the Dublin pubs that have still to open, said the publicans had been very patient and were the last in the queue to be allowed to open their doors to customers. A Government source said last night: "Nphet will give their advice and the Government will make their decision." Central to Nphet's concern is the spread of the virus among younger people, who are more likely to go to pubs or attend mass gatherings. However, recent evidence also shows the lack of pubs has led to more "house parties", where there is no physical distancing. These include a recent house party organised by a group of young friends from around the country in Killarney, which has led to a cluster of infections and pushed up the number of new cases of the virus reported in the last week. Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical office, said: "Knowing the symptoms of Covid-19 and making contact with your GP immediately is a crucial component to us identifying and containing this disease. "Symptoms associated with Covid-19 can be similar to other common ailments. I would urge anyone experiencing symptoms to assume it is Covid-19, in the first instance, until a GP or test tells you otherwise." As of midnight on Monday, a total of 523,277 tests have been carried out. Over the past week, 49,264 tests were performed and 57 tests were positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.3pc. In the Dail yesterday, a number of TDs asked Taoiseach Micheal Martin to fast-track the decision regarding the pubs reopening on July 20, and to release the guidelines for publicans. Independent TD Michael McNamara said small businesses needed to know when to order in stock because the planned reopening was less than one week away. "You can't tell them on Monday morning that they can open at 10 o'clock - they need to know in advance," he said. Meanwhile, the Government is considering ramping up checks on people arriving into Ireland from overseas to ensure they are quarantining for two weeks. The move could lead to gardai calling to hotels where tourists are staying within days of their arrival to make sure they are self-isolating. New Department of Justice figures show less than half of passengers who have received follow-up calls from Dublin Airport's Border Management Unit have answered the phone in the last two weeks. Figures for the start of month show calls were made to 3,532 people who arrived in Ireland and 48pc answered their phones. Since the introduction of the mandatory requirement to complete the passenger location form, three people at Dublin Airport have refused to fill it out and they have been referred to gardai. Until late June, all passengers arriving in Ireland received follow-up calls from Border Management. However, due to the increase in people arriving here they are now selecting a "proportional cohort" of between 10pc and 20pc of each flight to call. The Government is also planning to increase the number of people checking visitors arriving at airports and ports and to introduce rapid access to testing for those entering the country. New Delhi, July 15 : Technology major Google has joined the bandwagon of marquee investors betting on Reliance Industries' (RIL) Jio Platforms as it comes in with an investment of Rs 33,737 crore. Addressing the Annual General Meeting of RIL, Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said that with the investment, Google will pick up 7.73 per cent in Jio Platforms. Announcing the investment, the RIL chief said: "As we end our current cycle of capital raising, we are delighted to welcome another strategic partner into Jio. "We welcome Google onboard and are excited about our partnership for what it can deliver to Indians, from universalising Internet usage to deepening the new digital economy and providing a prime mover to India's economic growth. Together, we hope to play a strong facilitative role in the transformative journey of building a new, Digital India," he said. A regulatory filing by RIL said that this investment by Google values Jio Platforms at an equity value of Rs 4.36 lakh crore. With this, the total investment from financial and strategic investors into Jio Platforms stands at Rs 1,52,056 crore. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, said: "The pace and scale of digital transformation in India is hugely inspiring for us and reinforces our view that building products for India first helps us build better products for users everywhere. I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who don't currently own a smartphone while improving the mobile experience for all." The transaction is subject to regulatory and other applicable customary approvals. A Google India blog said that the proposed investment into Jio -- $4.5 billion - is the first investment from the $10 billion Google For India Digitization Fund announced earlier this week, which aims to accelerate India's digital economy over the next five to seven years through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments. Further, to create an affordable yet powerful smartphone ecosystem for the masses in the country, Reliance Jio Platforms and Google on Wednesday announced to launch an entry-level Android smartphone soon. Jio Platforms and Google have entered into a commercial agreement to jointly develop the entry-level affordable smartphone with optimisations to the Android operating system and the Play Store. "I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who don't currently own a smartphone while improving the mobile experience for all," said Pichai. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text We will continue our work, confident that we can accomplish more together than any of us could alone. Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum issued the following statement after the ruling: Muscogee (Creek) citizens founded Tulsa, and our successes and challenges are shared, Bynum wrote. They were before the Courts opinion, and they will continue to be. We remain committed to the same strong cooperative relationship we have had for decades with the Creek Nation, and to the shared obligation among all jurisdictions city, tribal, county, state, and federal to serve all Tulsans, city and tribal residents alike. For most residents and most purposes, recognition of tribal boundaries will not even be noticeable. Importantly, the Courts opinion does not affect private property ownership. Where there is any jurisdictional uncertainty, we will work with our partners to develop mutually respectful cooperative agreements, such as our Intergovernmental Cross-Deputization Agreement, which has been working well for nearly two decades. On the south-west corner of Carfax, in Oxford, a small, inconspicuous inscription on the side of an old building marks the site of one of the bloodiest pub brawls in history. Before this building was sold to the Abbey National Building Society, it was occupied by the Swindlestock Tavern, a popular watering hole among Oxford Universitys students and the townsfolk alike. On 10 February 1355, the entire town was celebrating the feast day of Saint Scholastica. Some students were drinking at Swindlestock Tavern, when two of them complained about the quality of the wine served. The landlord and the taverns owner, who also happened to be Mayor of Oxford at the time, allegedly responded to their complaint with stubborn and saucy language; whereupon a student threw his drink on the owners face, followed by the empty wine jug that landed straight on the tavern owners head. A fight erupted and other customers present in the tavern, both locals and students, joined in and soon the fight spilled out of the tavern and onto the streets. Somebody rang the bell at the town's church to summon assistance, and the students rang the bells of the University Church in response. When the Chancellor of the University tried to intervene, arrows were fired at him and he had to retreat. The next day, about eighty townsmen, armed with bows and other weapons, ambushed the St Giles' Church in the north part of the town and killed at least one student and badly injured several others. The students attempted to close the town's gates to prevent outsiders from coming to the aid of the townsfolk. But by afternoon, some 2,000 men from the countryside had broken through the gates. The men raided all hostels and inns and either killed or maimed any student found. The carnage continued the next day. Clerics and scholars were scalped and their corpses buried in dunghills, left in the gutters, dumped into cesspits or thrown into the river. By the evening of the third day the passions of the townspeople had been spent, but not before some ninety-odd people were dead. The students suffered the most with more than sixty dead, although some historians put the figure at forty. Casualties among the townspeople was no lesser. About thirty or so may have been killed. The towns mayor paid the price for the violencehe was sent to the dreaded Marshalsea prison. Four months after the riot, the King issued a royal charter that not only secured the rights and privileges of the university but vastly extended them. For example, the university was allowed the right to tax bread and drink sold in the town, and the power to assay the weights and measures used in commerce. Swindlestock Tavern stone, Oxford. Photo: Tony Holding/Wikimedia Commons While this might sound like an unfair amount of privileges for an educational institute, one must understand that medieval universities were very different than they are now. Scholars were akin to a religious order, and when a university took residence in a town, the chancellor negotiated favorable terms on their behalf for facilities such as lodging and lecture halls. The universities received monetary benefits from the Catholic Church, and this financial freedom from the municipality in which they reside gave universities considerable independence from civil authority. The Catholic Church made sure that scholars rights were protected, and in many disputes between townsfolk and the students, the Church always took the side of the universities. The townsfolk resented the scholars and regarded them with disdain. Some students openly encroached local laws with impunity knowing they are immune from civil authorities. Violent confrontations between town and gown were commonplace in university towns, and Oxford was no stranger to riots. In 1209, two Oxford scholars were lynched by the town's locals following the death of a woman. A fight ensued and several scholars were forced into exile. Some of them settled in Cambridge and they started what is now the University of Cambridge. Eventually, tensions developed between the scholars at Cambridge and the townspeople forcing the king to grant special privileges and protection to Cambridge University, which helped enormously in the survival and future success of the university. Ending the St Scholastica Day riot by Howard Davie Again, in 1248 a Scottish scholar was murdered by the citizens, and King Henry III fined the town's authorities. Between 1297 and 1322, twenty nine counts of violence was recorded between the town and the students. Of these 12 arose due to murders committed by students. Many of these went unpunished by the university. In one incident, in 1298, a citizen was murdered by a student and in response the townspeople also killed one student. The townsfolk responsible for killing the scholar were excommunicated and the town was fined, but no punishments were given to the students. The St. Scholastica Day Riot was by far the worst, but the consequences of it were predictable. The town was punished and the students were pardoned. The King even went so far as to humiliate the new mayor and the bailiffs into an annual penance where they were required to attend the towns church for mass on each St. Scholastica day and swear to uphold the universitys rights for ever. This ritual continued for an astounding 470 years until it was repelled in 1825. By the mid-15th century, things started to change when it was realized that universities were growing too powerful. An effort was made to end student power within the universities. Papal legates were ordered to reform the universities and restrict student boycotts and strikes. Over the centuries, the relationship between town and gown improved. Eventually, towns began to take pride in their universities rather than look upon them as adversaries. References: # Stephanie Jenkins, St Scholasticas Day Riot, Oxford, 1355, http://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/mayors/government/scholastica.html # Sean Munger, It started with a bad glass of wine: the St. Scholastica Day riots., https://seanmunger.com/2014/02/10/it-started-with-a-bad-glass-of-wine-the-st-scholastica-day-riots/ # Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Scholastica_Day_riot # Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_and_gown Cassandra Mamone broke the girl code on Bachelor in Paradise on Wednesday when she set her sights on Ciarran Stott - the ex-boyfriend of her good pal Renee Barrett. And it seems Renee, who has yet to make her debut on the Channel 10 dating show, was less than impressed as she watched the flirtation unfold on TV. She attended a viewing party with fellow Bachelor star Sam Royce, who recorded her furious reaction to watching Ciarran and Cassandra on screen. Scroll down for video It's on! Bachelor in Paradise star Ciarran Scott's ex Renee Barrett (pictured) blasted Cassandra Mamone on Instagram on Wednesday after she 'broke the girl code' by flirting with the Brit 'B***h! F**king little b***h!' yelled Renee at the start of the clip. When jewellery designer Cassandra appeared on screen during the dinner party, Renee exploded for a second time. As Cassandra remarked that she had 'Ciarran's ex-girlfriend' in the back of her mind, Renee said indignantly: '[I don't] even have a name anymore!' Proving there's no love lost between the two women, a male friend could be heard in the background calling Cassandra a 'liar'. No happy, Jan! Renee, who has yet to make her debut on the Channel 10 dating show, was less than impressed as she watched the flirtation unfold on TV. Pictured: Ciarran (centre) and Cassandra (left) on Wednesday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise On Wednesday's episode, Ciarran arrived at the Mango Bay Resort in Fiji completely naked while covering his modesty with a bunch of grapes. The cheeky Brit, 26, soon found himself caught between two women: Cassandra and Abbie Chatfield, the runner-up from last year's season of The Bachelor. But his history with Renee became a topic of conversation at the first dinner party. 'B***h! F**king little b***h!' When jewellery designer Cassandra (pictured) appeared on screen during the dinner party, Renee exploded Unimpressed: Renee (pictured) was attending a viewing party with fellow Bachelor star Sam Royce, who recorded her furious reaction to watching Ciarran and Cassandra on screen He was forced to admit why he and Renee had split several months before she joined the cast of The Bachelor last year. The former Army rifleman confessed that he had cheated on her with another woman while attending a wedding. He explained that he had wanted to end the relationship and saw infidelity as a way to achieve that, but he regretted his actions nonetheless. After dropping this bombshell, he took a stroll with Cassandra, but they did not kiss. He knows how to make an entrance! On Wednesday's episode, Ciarran arrived at the Mango Bay Resort in Fiji completely naked while covering his modesty with a bunch of grapes Mr Popular! The cheeky Brit, 26, soon found himself caught between two women: Cassandra and Abbie Chatfield (pictured), the runner-up from last year's season of The Bachelor Cheater: Later in the episode, Ciarran's history with Renee became a topic of conversation at the first dinner party. He was forced to admit they had split because he was unfaithful In the closing moments of the episode, Ciarran and Abbie were shown crawling into bed together and it was implied they had sex. Renee will arrive at the villa in the coming episodes, and it's believed she will confront her ex-boyfriend about his past indiscretion. Bachelor in Paradise continues Thursday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More After withdrawing its guidance in March, IT major Infosys is the first Indian IT firm to reinstate its revenue guidance for FY21. Peer Wipro was more cautious and shied away from offering any guidance. The company guided 0-2 percent growth in constant currency revenue terms and operating margin in the range of 21-23 percent. Wipros guidance is quarterly, whereas Infosys is annual. TCS does not provide any guidance. This announcement comes at the back of huge demand in areas of digital, strong deal pipeline and better growth visibility despite the coronavirus pandemic. The company is seeing huge demand in the areas of digital such as cloud, automation, cybersecurity and vendor consolidation, which the company said it benefitted from. We announced landmark digital engagements with Vanguard for record keeping services. This, coupled with our strong Q1 result, gives us a powerful foundation for the rest of the year, said CEO Salil Parekh. Infosys signed large deals worth $1.74 billion for Q1 FY21 compared to $1.65 billion in Q4 FY20. On July 14, the company won a large contract in the US, which according to a Times of India article, is pegged over $700 million. Infosys registered 1.5 percent year-on-year growth in constant currency terms at $3121 million. Its digital revenue grew 24 percent and now accounts for about 44.5 percent of total revenue. There are still uncertainties. Regions such as the US and UK are still emerging from the pandemic. In India, the state of medical emergencies are still not fully known. Not everything is completely clear in terms of future horizons, Parekh pointed out. However, what we have learnt in Q1 and the ongoing strong client connects is that the strength of our franchise is coming through clearly. With that we reinstate our guidance, he explained. For Infosys, like its peers, a digital strategy is key. As clients move to a new normal, the company is aligning itself with the clients demand. Case in point is the companys digital revenue that is close to 45 percent. However, the companys core (legacy businesses including maintenance and support) revenue has declined by 14 percent YoY. Is core replacing digital for Infosys? Parekh explained that it is not a question of whether core will replace or be bigger than digital. It is being much more aligned to what our customers are looking for and make sure we have those capabilities to provide them the right services. Thats the approach, he added. One of things we put in place really is how do we want to drive digital. The reason is that this is where clients are making the biggest changes. That is the transformation journey we are embarking upon, Parekh explained. By bringing digital component to 44.5 percent, Parekh said the company is strongly aligned with what is relevant to its clients. Vrbka said the womans fiance told him she had left Omaha the morning of July 8 it was thought that she was traveling to Colorado or California, where family members live. On July 9, the Sheriffs Office received a call from a local farmer who said he saw a person walking about a half-mile north of the Bradshaw exit on Road H. Vrbka said that when the farmer called out to the person, the person ran into the cornfield. Thats when we started actively looking in that area, because it was in close proximity to where the womans car had been left along Interstate 80, Vrbka said. The Nebraska State Patrol assisted with the search, using air, vehicle and foot patrols. Volunteers scoured the area southeast of Bradshaw throughout the weekend, Monday and Tuesday. Then, Tuesday evening, people who live near where Jenkins was found reported that they had seen her. They immediately called someone with the Sheriffs Office, who also dispatched the McCool Junction and York Fire Departments to help with the search. They still hadnt found her once it got dark. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Eisya A. Eloksari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16 2020 Indonesia will conduct a worker-exchange program with Australia to boost its human resources. The plan was announced by a senior government official just days after the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) entered into force. Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto said Indonesian workers in health care, telecommunication, transportation, tourism and other sectors were eligible to join the program and could get up to six months of training and work experience in Australia. The government is aiming for 100 Indonesian workers to join the program in the first year, while the number of participants is expected to gradually increase to 500 within five years. 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 Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a network of independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, has named Amy Russell as small commercial marketer. Russell has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and marketing industries. She previously worked as a commercial lines account manager for VIAAs sister company POWERS Insurance & Risk Management In her new position, Russell will handle new and remarketed small commercial insurance accounts on behalf of the alliances members. Russell will also provide marketing advice and support to the organizations producers, clients and insurance company underwriters. Russell has her Missouri licenses for Property/Casualty, Life, and Accident/Health. Founded in 2006, VIAA generates more than $250 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a more than $8 billion national alliance. Source: VIAA Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance On Monday, Latin Americas official coronavirus death toll reached a grim milestone, surpassing the total dead in North America. More than 145,000 have died, and over 3.5 million have tested positive across Latin America. Mass poverty and inequality dominate the region after hundreds of years of colonial and imperialist exploitation, leaving each country especially vulnerable to the transmission of the virus. Four of the seven countries with the highest global positive cases are now in Latin America, as underfunded public health systems collapse. Brazil is second with 1.9 million cases, behind only the US. Peru, Chile and Mexico are fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, with over 300,000 positive cases each. These figures drastically underestimate the spread of the virus because testing is in shambles. While Italy and the US presently have performed more than 100 tests per 1,000 people, Mexico has tested just 5 people per 1,000, Brazil 7 per 1,000 and Peru 9 per 1,000. Soldiers patrol Ciudad Bolivar, a neighborhood with high cases of the novel coronavirus in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, July 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) As hospitals overflow and as cities dig up bodies to clear cemetery space for the dead, all governments and all political parties across the region are scrambling to reopen their economies, sacrificing countless lives for corporate profit. In Brazil, where President Jair Bolsonaro responded to the death toll by proclaiming, So what?, businesses have begun reopening across the country and millions of workers are being forced back on the job. Governors and mayors are sending the population to the slaughterhouse with the prerogative of an economic recovery, a Brazilian medical expert told CNN. In Mexico, where auto plants and sweatshop maquiladoras that produce parts for export to the US have restarted, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told the population to go to work, be free, and enjoy the sky, the sun and fresh air. The ostensibly left-wing Lopez Obrador has mimicked Bolsonaros policies, announcing the further lifting of restrictions this week. Earlier, he told Mexicans they could stave off the virus by eating corn, which he calls that blessed plant. In Nicaragua, the government led by Sandinista Daniel Ortega has effectively denied the existence of the virus, while in Honduras, US-backed President Juan Orlando Hernandez tested positive and, like Bolsonaro, used his own sickness to downplay the virus, forcing the countrys maquiladoras to stay open. Honduran workers are dying by the hundreds to produce clothes and shoes for export to the US. Ligia Ramos, a director of the Honduran Medical College tweeted: If we dont close the maquiladoras, we will have to close the hospitals. It does not make sense to be crying every week for a friend, a coworker. Close the damn maquiladoras for the love of God. If they continue with the maquiladoras, if they keep making money on the pain of the people, we will not stop the disease. In neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador, the virus has also spread through deportees from the US, many of whom US officials knew had tested positive. From Tijuana to Cape Horn, the virus is ravaging impoverished regions from indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest to densely populated urban megacities like Mexico City, Lima and Rio de Janeiro. But as the virus spreads, the ruling classes of Latin America are forcing millions back to work on behalf of US imperialism, which requires the reopening of Latin American supply chains to fuel its own back-to-work campaign. In March, most of Latin America was only just beginning to experience widespread community transmission of the disease. Mexico and Honduras did not suffer their first reported coronavirus deaths until March 26, while Brazils came on March 19 and Chiles on March 21. Perus first reported death came on April 1. Production, largely for export to the US, continued throughout the region at this time. In April, however, as the death tolls began to climb, workers strikes and protests spread through the region, especially in Mexico and Brazil. In mid-April, as workers denounced unsafe conditions in northern Mexicos maquiladoras, Trump announced: I spoke with the president of Mexico yesterday. If a supply chain based in Mexico or Canada interrupts with our making a big product and an important product, or even a military product, were not going to be happy, let me tell you that. As a result, across the Americas, the death toll rose and production continued. The markets recovered thanks to the resumption of production, the multitrillion-dollar CARES Act corporate bailout and the promise of endless cash infusions from the Federal Reserve. Now, the back-to-work initiative is in full swing in the US and widespread outbreaks have transformed North American workplaces into death traps, including auto plants, meatpacking facilities, produce farms and warehouses. As US workers are forced back to work, Wall Street is demanding that Latin America further speed up production. This was the purpose of Trumps visit with Mexican President Lopez Obrador in Washington last week, where business executives from both countries insisted on an end to whatever work restrictions remain. Speaking to the Atlantic Council after the dinner, US Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau said, I was talking to one of the senior executives from the Ford Motor Company about further speeding up production in Mexico. They were saying they are going to have to start shutting down their factories in the United States as of next week if they dont get that rolling. At companies like Ford, GM and Fiat-Chrysler, international supply chains link Bolivian and Chilean mines, Central American and Mexican parts production and the assembly plants in the US, Argentina, Brazil and Canada. These companies have profited immensely on the back-to-work campaigns in each country. Over the course of the hemispheric back-to-work drive, Fords stock rose from $4.01 per share on March 23 to $6.30 today, a 57 percent increase. GMs rose from $16.80 on March 18 to $25.32, a 51 percent increase. Fiat Chryslers stock sold at $6.35 on March 20, rising to $10.23 today, an increase of 61 percent. Meanwhile, the UN reports that in just four months, the number of Latin Americans in need of emergency food assistance has tripled. The World Bank reports that 50 million people will fall into poverty in Latin America this year, bringing the total to 230 million. Extreme poverty will triple from 4.5 percent to 15.5 percent as a result of the virus, rising to a total of 96 million people, including millions who lack clean water for hand washing. In the densely populated working-class neighborhoods of Lima, Peru, where the virus is spreading rapidly, average working hours have fallen by 80 percent, forcing masses of workers into destitution. There will be 44 million unemployed across the region this year. There are widespread reports of rising prostitution. But here, too, there is more good news for corporate America and the geostrategic interests of US imperialism. Mass unemployment and sickness will create such a downward pressure on wages that, as S&P Global reported this month, If anything, an economic crisis in Latin America twinned with depreciating currencies and reduced relative labor costs may lead manufacturers to expand in Latin America rather than head to Asia. Not only will this improve corporate Americas bottom line, it will also help US imperialism sideline its geostrategic rival, China. Common action is required on the part of workers across the Americas to unite in the fight for workplace safety and against the US-led back-to-work drive. It is a matter of life and death for millions of people. Everywhere there is a yearning for a radical transformation of the world economythis was shown by the mass protests that swept the region in 2019. But what is needed is a socialist political perspective. We urge readers across Latin America to contact the International Committee of the Fourth International today. The global death toll from the coronavirus is over 580,000, with more than 13.3 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. Turkmenistan The World Health Organization says it is "concerned" about reports of pneumonia in Turkmenistan, the only Central Asia nation that has not officially registered any coronavirus cases. Speaking at a press conference in Ashgabat on July 14 at the end of a delayed, 10-day mission in the country, the missions leader, Catherine Smallwood, advised the government to activate the critical public health measures in Turkmenistan, as if COVID-19 was circulating. Smallwood, WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, credited the government's "recent activation of stronger measures" as part of efforts to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus in the country. But she also said her team was aware and concerned about reports of increased cases of acute respiratory disease or pneumonia of unknown cause. The coronavirus can cause severe illness, including pneumonia. Therefore, we recommend that surveillance and testing systems are scaled up, and that samples are sent to WHO reference laboratories for confirmed testing, as most countries have been doing in early stages of their outbreaks, Smallwood said. Smallwood said that stopping this virus requires the participation of everyone, insisting that the community is an integral part of all response efforts. Now is the time to build on the efforts taken so far, scale them up, and expand testing of acute respiratory infections and COVD-19 suspect cases; now is the time to further prepare all health facilities and health professionals for patients with COVID-19; now is the time to engage the community in the response; now is the time to expand significant multi-sector preparedness efforts to build a response, she concluded. Although Turkmenistan has not officially registered any coronavirus cases, RFE/RL correspondents reported that local hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients with pneumonia symptoms, some of whom, including medical personnel, have died. In some parts of the country, so-called quarantine zones have been established, and some industrial facilities are being shut down, RFE/RL correspondents said. Officials in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic has been reluctant to mention coronavirus for months. Earlier this week, Turkmen health officials urged citizens to wear medical masks outdoors "to prevent lungs from dust." Georgia Georgian lawmakers have extended the amendments to the Law on Public Health until the end of the year, allowing the government to impose restrictions without declaring a state of emergency, amid opposition criticism. A total of 79 lawmakers voted for prolonging the amendments that were set to expire on July 15, while one voted against it. The chairman of the parliamentary committee for health care and social issues, Dimitri Khundadze, who presented the amendments at the session, explained the need for the decision to prolong the amendments by what he called a possibly more devastating second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the South Caucasus nation. Lawmakers from the opposition United National Movement did not attend the July 14 session when the vote took place. According to the opposition parties and groups, by extending the amendments, the ruling Georgian Dream party is trying to use public health issue to gain control over upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October. As of July 14, the number of registered coronavirus cases in Georgia was reported at 1,003, of which 873 patients recovered and 15 died. With reporting by RFE/RL's Turkmen and Georgian services and civil.ge We Travel Together domestic tourism campaign hoped to give Phuket B100mn boost PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonchiew is hoping that the national domestic tourism campaign We Travel Together, which opened for people to register today (July 15), will bring a B100 million boost to help alleviate the economic suffering on the island. tourismeconomicsCOVID-19 By The Phuket News Wednesday 15 July 2020, 06:02PM Phuket Governor Narong Woonchiew at the meeting at Provincial hall earlier today (July 15). photo: PR Phuket The campaign Rao Tiew Duay Gun (We Travel Together) has been launched under the Tiew Pan Suk (Travelling Shares Happiness) government initiative. We expect 50,000 people will come to Phuket and generate at least B100 million for the island, Governor Narong told a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning attended by officials and local business owners. Our target market is staffers at Tambon Health Promotion Hospitals and village health volunteers who are also given B2,000 for a two-day holiday under the Kamlang Jai campaign, he said. The Kamlang Jai campaign allows medical workers and health centre volunteers to register for holidays subsidised by the government as a thank you for their efforts against COVID-19. At this stage, 28 tourism business owners have already joined the [We Travel Together] campaign, offering 45 interesting travel packages in Phuket, Gov Narong noted this morning, as he urged people to use the national campaign to visit Phuket. Phuket is safe and has a variety of tourist attractions which are looking forward to everyone coming to enjoy. Come and experience the beautiful nature and local culture of Phuket, he said. People wanting to take advantage of the We Travel Together government-subsidised holidays must be Thai nationals and at least 18 years old. They must also have the Krungthai Bank mobile banking app Paotang (on Google Play and App Store) installed on their mobile phone, as every process of campaign hotel bookings, the issuing of vouchers and the making of payments is conducted through the app. While people can book their holidays from today, the hotel room bookings must be for anytime from this Saturday (July 18) onwards. The government will pay for 40% of the hotel rooms, but not more than B3,000 per night, limited to five rooms and five nights. Changes to bookings cannot be made after the initial reservation has been confirmed. The campaign will also see people who book their holidays through the portal a B600 voucher per room booked. At 5pm of the check-in day, tourists will receive the voucher, which will be valid until 11:59pm of the check-out day. The voucher can be used only at restaurants and tourist attractions that have registered with the campaign. Online Suboxone doctors are now prescribing Suboxone to recovering addicts without the need to visit a clinic. The drug is delivered directly via the mailing system to a patient's home. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Online Suboxone doctors are now making it possible for their patients to receive the drug they need via the public 'snail mail' system. Unlike in the past, recovering addicts in need of the drug no longer have to visit a doctor in person to get a prescription. Doctors will speak to and examine a patient online, after which the medication is prescribed and can be delivered to their (recovering addicts') doorsteps. It eliminates the need for a patient to visit the clinic in person, which is particularly problematic in times of the current pandemic lockdown instituted in many cities. Suboxone is a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine. It is considered one of the most effective medication types for people suffering from opioid addiction. In addition to making it easier for patients to get their doses of Suboxone, online suboxone doctors can help people save money. Consider the fact that patients will spend an average of $5,980 each year on two weekly visits and buprenorphine treatments. Add another $14,112 annually for Naltrexone, other types of drug counseling, and the costs can quickly spiral out of control. All of this has led to what is called Medication-Assisted Treatment, which is more affordable and easier to access compared to the traditional clinical model. Plus, it can serve a much longer list of patients. Readers can find out more about Online Suboxone Doctors and MAT treatments at https://www.recoverydelivered.com/2019/10/04/5-reasons-to-switch-from-clinics-to-an-online-suboxone-provider/ "At Recovery Delivered, we provide a myriad of highly effective alcohol and drug addiction treatment medications. We strongly emphasize the use of Suboxone because it combines both naloxone and buprenorphine, making it a highly effective medication for people treated for opioid addiction. We want to make it easy for people to receive the treatment they need without physically visiting a clinic. Our doctors make sure that patients are properly monitored, and a prescription is based on their need for the drug." Said a spokesperson for Recovery Delivered." She added, "Opioid addiction is difficult and takes time. However, using the right medication and a seasoned team of doctors improves the chances of a person recovering." Recovery Delivered offers medically assisted treatments for opioid addiction online to patients across the country. The company was also recently featured on CBS News and touted for their excellent success rates. Contact and location information are available at Recovery Delivered Name: Marcus Hansen Company: Recovery Delivered - New York (Tara Healthcare LLC) Address: 157 Bleecker St. Suite 1New York, NY 10012 Email: admissions@recoverydelivered.com Website: https://www.recoverydelivered.com SOURCE: Tara Healthcare LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597534/Online-Suboxone-Doctors-Make-It-Possible-For-Delivery-To-Home-Recovery-Patients HONG KONG - The New York Times said Tuesday it will transfer some of its staff out of Hong Kong because of uncertainties about practicing journalism in the Chinese territory under its newly imposed national security law. The Times reported that it will move its digital team of journalists, about a third of its Hong Kong staff, to Seoul, South Korea, over the next year. Correspondents will remain to cover the city, it said. Other departments, including print production, advertising and marketing staff, are expected to remain. Hong Kong, which was handed over to China by the British in 1997, has long been seen as Chinas last bastion of press freedom and is a base for many foreign news outlets reporting on Asia and mainland China. But uncertainty about press freedom has followed Beijings imposition of a security law on June 30 aimed at curbing dissent in the city after months of anti-government protests last year. The law states that the Hong Kong government will strengthen public communication, guidance, supervision and regulation over matters concerning national security for a variety of institutions, including the media and internet. The New York Times said some of its employees have faced challenges in securing work permits for Hong Kong, which until recently had rarely been an issue in the city and was an obstacle mostly faced by journalists working in mainland China. Chinas sweeping new national security law in Hong Kong has created a lot of uncertainty about what the new rules will mean to our operation and our journalism, the newspaper quoted management as saying in a memo to staff on Tuesday. We feel it is prudent to make contingency plans and begin to diversify our editing staff around the region. Hong Kong has been a leader in supporting the rights of a free press in Asia for decades, New York Times spokesperson Nicole Taylor said in a statement. She said it was essential that the city continues to do so, given how the independent press is treated in mainland China, and especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said there was no need to worry about the new law. Hong Kong citizens and foreign agencies and personnel in Hong Kong enjoy various rights and interests that are not affected in any way. As long as they abide by the law and report in accordance with the law and regulations, I dont think there is any need to worry, Hua said at a daily briefing. The national security law is not the first time that press freedom in Hong Kong has come under scrutiny. In 2018, Hong Kong denied Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet a working visa for chairing a talk involving a pro-independence figure. Later, Mallet was also denied entry into Hong Kong as a tourist. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are testing a commonly used drug, called sirolimus, to determine its safety and efficacy in treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the trial. The research trial, called Sirolimus Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia (SCOPE), will examine the Food and Drug Administration-approved medication that is most commonly used to prevent organ rejection in patients with kidney transplants. It is also FDA-approved for the treatment of a rare lung disease, LAM. There are several reasons why sirolimus was a logical target when researching potential treatments for COVID-19, according to Nishant Gupta, MD, associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at the UC College of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study. Sirolimus has been shown to inhibit the replication of a variety of viruses, including MERS. In a randomized controlled study involving healthy volunteers, treatment with medications that act similar to sirolimus resulted in improved immune response to influenza vaccination. "In animal models, sirolimus has been shown to regulate the immune system in a way where it augments the body's response against viral pathogens and dampens the overall immune response that is responsible for the bad outcomes in patients with COVID-19," says Gupta. "This dual action of selectively augmenting the response against viral pathogens and regulating the immune system to prevent collateral organ damage makes sirolimus a really promising treatment target for patients with COVID-19." Gupta says UC is uniquely positioned to study this drug because of previous involvement and ongoing work with the lung disease LAM. He and his colleagues are using sirolimus on a daily basis in patients with LAM and are very familiar with the nuances of prescribing the drug and the side effects associated with it. "In many ways, the ability to repurpose an existing drug as a potential treatment option for COVID-19 patients is enticing for both patients and the medical community," says Gupta. "This approach provides more reassurance for patients considering participating in the study as the drug has a known safety profile that has been developed over decades of experience rather than potential unknown side effects from a new medication. And, if proven beneficial, the drug is readily available to be used widely." The SCOPE trial began enrolling patients in May and hopes to reach a target total of 30 enrollees by fall. Adult participants are eligible to be included in the study if they have confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and are sick enough to require hospitalization with the need for supplemental oxygen. The study is designed as a placebo controlled, double-blind trial, meaning neither the patients nor researchers will know if they are getting the study drug or placebo. Gupta says this is a very important aspect of study design in order to reduce the potential for bias and properly assess the safety and efficacy of the study drug. Much of the current data on COVID-19 is limited by being gathered from uncontrolled studies that prevent physicians from being able to assess the true treatment benefits of a drug. "If this study shows positive results, we are committed and prepared to launch a bigger trial in time for the anticipated second wave of COVID-19 in the winter," says Gupta. "Out of the multiple drugs being tested for COVID-19 currently, personally I am most excited about working with sirolimus. By intervening relatively early in the disease course, we hope to be able to prevent patients from progressing to advanced respiratory failure where they need to be placed on a ventilator. We are hopeful that this approach can make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients infected with COVID-19." The SCOPE trial is an investigator-initiated project funded by a pilot grant from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Assisting Gupta in the research are co-investigators Frank McCormack, MD; Duncan Hite, MD, and Kristin Hudock, MD, all in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. Also providing assistance are researchers Nusrat Harun, PhD; Maurizio Macaluso, MD; Rebecca Ingledue, Alexandria Davis and Susan McMahan. The study is currently recruiting subjects at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center as well as UC Health West Chester Hospital. Loyola University in Chicago is in the process of being added as an additional site to help with patient recruitment. ### The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has approved, at first reading, bill on mediation (No.3504). Some 339 MPs voted for the draft law at a parliaments meeting on Wednesday, with at least 226 votes needed to make the decision, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. The draft law defines the legal basis and procedure for mediation in Ukraine. According to the bill, mediation can be used in any conflicts (disputes) arising, in particular, from civil, family, labor and administrative relations, as well as in criminal proceedings when concluding conciliation agreements between a victim and a suspect or defendant. It is noted in the document that mediation can be conducted by mutual consent of the parties in accordance with the principles of voluntariness; confidentiality; independence and neutrality, impartiality of the mediator; self-determination and equality of rights of the parties to mediation. The draft law defines the rights, requirements and responsibilities of the mediator and the parties to mediation and the procedure for conducting mediation. In particular, an individual with higher education who has completed the basic preparation program on mediation in Ukraine or abroad can receive the status of a mediator The documents also envisages requirements for a mediation agreement and an agreement on the settlement of a conflict (dispute) based on the results of mediation etc. iy Dupa inscrierea pe site-ul HotNews.ro, poti deschide sectiunea MyHotNews ca sa completezi sau sa schimbi profilul de utilizator. Atentie! Logarea pe site se face cu adresa de email, nu cu nickname-ul. Adresa ta de email va ramane confidentiala si nu va fi niciodata data unor terte persoane sau institutii. Inainte de a te inscrie pe site te rugam sa parcurgi termenii si conditiile atasate unui cont HotNews.ro. Remarks follow Beijings warning to UK that decision to dump Huawei from their 5G could curb China investment in UK. Tensions between Washington and Beijing over Huawei continued to escalate on Wednesday after United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced visa restrictions on employees of Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, which he accused of facilitating human right violations. Pompeo made the remarks after China warned British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the decision to ban Huawei from the United Kingdoms 5G network would cost the UK Chinese investment. The way you are treating Huawei is being followed very closely by other Chinese businesses, and it will be very difficult for other businesses to have the confidence to have more investment, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming told the Centre for European Reform In Beijing, the foreign ministry cast the UK as a relatively small place that was becoming subservient of the Trump administration. Does the UK want to maintain its independent status or be reduced to being a vassal of the United States, be the USs catspaw? Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. The safety of Chinese investment in the UK is being greatly threatened. Hours after Johnson ordered Huawei equipment to be purged from the nascent 5G network by the end of 2027, Trump claimed credit for the decision and said if countries wanted to do business with the US they should block Huawei. When asked by reporters about the UKs decision to remove Huawei gear from its network, Pompeo said: We were happy about it. Faster is always better to get this equipment out of their system its a security risk. Repeating the long-held claim by the Trump administration that Huawei is a threat to national security and enables spying by the Chinese government an allegation Huawei has repeatedly denied Pompeo said any information transmitted across a network with Huawei gear will almost certainly end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. In a separate statement referring to alleged abuses against Chinas minority Muslim population, Pompeo charged that Huawei was an arm of the Chinese Communist Partys surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China. Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses, the statement said. Huawei says Washington wants to frustrate its growth because no US company offers the same technology at a competitive price. Asked about Pompeos remarks, a Huawei spokeswoman said: We are looking into this and will share the statement once we have one. India and Canada have expressed interest to collaborate with the Philippines in their vaccine trials, an official from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) over the weekend, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development executive director Jaime Montoya said the two countries sent separate proposals, coming from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and from Bharat Biotech in India that are developing the vaccines for use in the trials. "As of now, we are talking about the clinical trial phase 3. India is heading to that phase, while Canada is about to start the phase 1," he said. Montoya said both countries are possible partners of the Philippines. "We do not know yet which (of the two vaccines) would be effective, that is why the clinical trial phase 3 has to be done. If the result is good, it would gain fast registration to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) because of the patients' experience and data from the clinical trial where we would participate," he said. He said India would start the clinical trial phase 3 in September, while Canada may likely start the phase 1 in the first quarter of 2021. Clinical trials would be done in the Philippines once approved and permitted by the FDA of all countries concerned. "It is required to have the FDA approval of source countries (Canada or India), and (the Philippines' FDA) to conduct the clinical trials here," Montoya said. The vaccines, he added, should be tested in areas where there are many cases like the Philippines. The vaccine has to show that it will be able to prevent cases and protect the people," he added. In a message to the PNA, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena said the two countries' interest to collaborate would provide the Philippines with more options for vaccines that can be made available in the country. "The clinical trials will still determine which of them will be truly effective and protective," dela Pena said. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 140 teams of researchers are racing to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine. Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale, but scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within 12 to 18 months. Vaccines mimic the virus or part of the virus they protect against, stimulating the immune system to develop antibodies. They must follow higher safety standards than other drugs because they are given to millions of healthy people. So how are vaccines tested? In the pre-clinical stage of testing, researchers give the vaccine to animals to see if it triggers an immune response. In phase 1 of clinical testing, the vaccine is given to a small group of people to determine whether it is safe and to learn more about the immune response it provokes. In phase 2, the vaccine is given to hundreds of people so scientists can learn more about its safety and correct dosage. In phase 3, the vaccine is given to thousands of people to confirm its safety including rare side effects and effectiveness. These trials involve a control group that is given a placebo. Here are some of the major vaccines in clinical trials; Sinovac Chinese company Sinovac is developing a vaccine based on inactivated Covid-19 particles. The vaccine has shown a promising safety profile in the early stages of testing and is now moving into Phase 3 trials in Brazil. University of Oxford/AstraZeneca The University of Oxford vaccine is delivered via a chimpanzee virus, called the vaccine vector. The vector contains the genetic code of the protein spikes found on the coronavirus and triggers a strong immune response in the human body. The vaccine is in a combined phase 2/3 trial in the UK and has recently gone into phase 3 trials in South Africa and Brazil. CanSino Biologics Inc./Beijing Institute of Biotechnology The vaccine developed by Chinese company CanSino Biologics and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology a university close to the Chinese military reportedly showed promising results in phase 2 testing, although no data from the trial has been published. In a world-first, the vaccine has now been approved for military use, but it is unclear how broadly it will be distributed. Moderna/NIAID American biotech company Moderna is developing a vaccine candidate using messenger RNA (or mRNA for short) to trick the body into producing viral proteins itself. No mRNA vaccine has ever been approved for infectious disease, and Moderna has never brought a product to market. But proponents of the vaccine say it could be easier to mass-produce than traditional vaccines. Meanwhile, a Statistics Canada report says even if there was a COVID-19 vaccine, 12% of Canadians wouldnt take it, according to a recent questionnaire. However, 68% said they were very likely to get immunized. I think the anti-vaccine movement or anti-vaccine sentiment is a challenge to any vaccine program, whether its COVID-19 or any of our routine vaccinations, testified Dr. Scott Halperin, director of microbiology at Dalhousie Universitys Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, at the Commons health committee. Theres been a lot of effort to try to understand that movement. Of those surveyed, 39% had little trust in Ottawa while 26% didnt trust the Public Health Agency of Canada. The degree to which individuals have trust in policymakers and public health authorities has been associated with their willingness to engage in public health measures such as vaccinations, said a report called Canadians Willingness To Get A Covid-19 Vaccine When One Becomes Available. Halperin said more than 20% of Canadians routinely hesitate to get vaccinated. Ghislaine Maxwell was last night at the centre of a marriage mystery after US prosecutors revealed she has a spouse Ghislaine Maxwell was last night at the centre of a marriage mystery after US prosecutors revealed she has a 'spouse' she refuses to name. The sensational twist emerged during the British socialite's failed bid to be freed on bail pending her trial on sex trafficking charges linked to her former boyfriend, paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. Her secret marriage was disclosed by US assistant attorney Alison Moe, who told Tuesday's bail hearing in New York that Maxwell, 58, was 'the very definition of a flight risk' and should remain behind bars. The prosecutor attacked her lack of transparency including making 'no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse whose identity she declined to provide to pre-trial services'. Miss Moe did not say who she believed the spouse to be or give any indication when and where the couple wed. Maxwell now faces a year in custody at a fortress-like US prison ahead of her trial over allegations she groomed girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse. She denies all the charges, which carry a maximum 35-year term if she is convicted. The judge who denied her bail said the case 'appears strong' but lawyers acting for Epstein's alleged madam, who appeared in court via video link, said she deserved the 'presumption of innocence'. It was reported that the shock marriage disclosure by the prosecution was intended to show how the daughter of the late disgraced media tycoon Robert Maxwell has not come clean about her circumstances and finances. The only other reference to Maxwell being in a relationship was when Miss Moe revealed the socialite had toured her 800,000 bolthole in New Hampshire with an unknown man last year. Miss Moe said an estate agent described the pair as a couple, giving their names as Scott and Janet or Jen Marshall. She said it was only later that she realised the woman was Maxwell. Last summer, Maxwell, was tracked down by MailOnline to Manchester-by-the-Sea in Massachusetts, living at a 1.6million home owned by her American toyboy lover Scott Borgerson, 44, a multi-millionaire shipping entrepreneur (pictured) The prosecutor added: 'The real estate agent told the FBI..the buyers for the house introduced themselves as Scott and Janet Marshall. Both had British accents. Scott Marshall told her he was retired from the British military and was currently working on a book. Janet Marshall described herself as a journalist.' Last summer, Maxwell, who was educated at top private school Marlborough College, was tracked down by MailOnline to Manchester-by-the-Sea in Massachusetts, living at a 1.6million home owned by her American toyboy lover Scott Borgerson, 44, a multi-millionaire shipping entrepreneur. It is unclear if the man who toured the New Hampshire home with Maxwell was Mr Borgerson, whose technology firm CargoMetrics was valued at more than 80million in 2016. Mr Borgerson, who has been hailed as shipping's answer to Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, is believed to have met Maxwell seven years ago through speaking engagements connected to ocean preservation. Earlier this month, it was reported that the luxury hideout in New Hampshire where Maxwell was captured by the FBI appeared to be linked to Mr Borgerson. Prince Andrew who was pictured smiling yesterday as he drove into Windsor Castle Property records reportedly show that a company named Granite Reality LLC bought Maxwell's 156-acre wooded hideaway on December 13, 2019 from a family trust. A newspaper report claimed that, according to official documents, the manager of Granite is Boston lawyer, Jeffrey W Roberts, and the company was set up on November 18, 2019, just weeks before its purchase of Maxwell's mountain-top home. Mr Roberts is also the registered agent for a second company, Hopley Yeaton, whose manager is named as 'Scott Borgerson', the report added. Both companies also share the same address in Boston Mr Roberts' law firm. It is not yet clear if it is the same Scott Borgerson who has been linked to Maxwell, but there is only one man by that name listed in Massachusetts, according to public records. Maxwell moved to the US in 1991 after the death of her father, who fell off his yacht in the Canary Islands under mysterious circumstances. Soon after that she met Epstein and dated him for years. Friends have described how the financier's wealth enabled her to live the life of privilege she was accustomed to. In exchange, she opened her contacts book and introduced him to high society in America and the UK including Bill and Hillary Clinton and Prince Andrew who was pictured smiling yesterday as he drove into Windsor Castle. After Maxwell broke up with Epstein, she dated tech billionaire Ted Waitt co-founder of Gateway, Inc. Friends said the 2008 conviction of Epstein for soliciting underage girls for sex and the subsequent bad press for Maxwell took its toll on Mr Waitt. In 2010, they broke up. On Tuesday Maxwell wiped tears away as she learned her fate at a virtual court hearing in Manhattan. District judge Alison Nathan denied Maxwell's proposal for a 4million bond co-signed by two of her sisters and backed up by more than 3million in property in the UK. Maxwell's legal team had argued she would be confined to a luxury hotel in the New York area, surrender all travel documents and be subject to GPS monitoring. But Judge Nathan ruled the socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her 'substantial international' ties and 'extraordinary financial resources', setting an anticipated trial date for July 12 next year. Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997 when she was his girlfriend. Prosecutors argued that, with her connections to powerful people and her fortune of more than 8million, Maxwell had every incentive to try to flee. Lawyers for Maxwell and Mr Borgerson did not respond to requests for comment. Prosecutors in New York would not comment. Stuck in solitary, cornmeal grits for breakfast, and the threat of attack by other prisoners in Americas worst jail... Hellish world of prisoner 02879-509 By Paul Bracchi for The Daily Mail She is being held in solitary confinement with the lights of her cell kept on constantly in a jail where conditions have been compared to those of a Third World country. Could there be a harsher introduction to life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center a bleak high-rise concrete fortress in the Brooklyn district of New York for Ghislaine Maxwell? Even without the extra security precautions (because she is considered at risk of self-harm and a potential target for other inmates) conditions inside the MDC, as this maximum security establishment is commonly known, are grim indeed. The most troubled federal facility in the prison system is how a former governor recently described the jail. Considering the US system includes such notorious names San Quentin and Rikers Island, it is quite some claim. Could there be a harsher introduction to life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center a bleak high-rise concrete fortress in the Brooklyn district of New York for Ghislaine Maxwell? Few, though, doubt, the accuracy of the statement there have been reports down the years of guards beating and raping female inmates. But this is where the daughter of disgraced newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell will spend the next 12 months after being denied bail yesterday following her appearance in court in Manhattan via a video link. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping her friend and former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in the depositions in 2016. They argued against her application for bail, describing her as an extreme flight risk. Anyone, let alone an Oxford-educated socialite who enjoyed a life of privilege until her arrest at her 800,000 New Hampshire hideaway last week, would find the prospect daunting. Little wonder Maxwells family offered up a 4million bail package to get her freed before she stands trial to avoid incarceration in the MDC. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping her friend and former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 But this is where the daughter of disgraced newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell will spend the next 12 months after being denied bail yesterday On entering the jail, she will have been placed in full restraint leg shackles, a body chain and handcuffs before being strip-searched. Initially, her Prada dresses and Louboutin heels were replaced by suicide-proof paper clothes and prison slippers. She has now been allowed to change out of them judging by her appearance in a khaki T-shirt and trousers in the court video link. Maxwell, 58, once so close to Prince Andrew, knows what lies in store for the foreseeable future. Her daily routine is spelt out in the Inmate Admission and Orientation Handbook. Her prison day starts at 6am, the booklet states. Her bed in her (10ft by 12ft) cell must be made by 7.30am, and she is responsible for sweeping and mopping the cell floor, removing rubbish and ensuring it is clean. This must come as a shock for a socialite who has probably never picked up a brush and pan in her life. It doesnt get any easier. On the breakfast menu she will find grits, a type of porridge made from boiled cornmeal, popular in the American South. Would Maxwell have even had grits during her champagne existence on the outside? Probably not. Lunch is at 11am. Choices include barbecue chicken and macaroni cheese, followed by dinner at 4pm (soup, hot dogs, pasta). Maxwell or inmate 02879-509 is not allowed any personal property. She is issued with toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and soap. Her cell contains a locker where she can keep newspapers and magazines (they may make uncomfortable reading) as well as books, letters and photos. Some inmates are given jobs inside the jail, where there has been a Covid outbreak, following a medical assessment. These include working in the kitchen or the maintenance shop. Such a privilege would probably not be extended to Maxwell who has already reportedly been the subject of multiple and credible threats against her life. One source said other prisoners targeting Maxwell would be viewed as a badge of honour. One of the few perks will be watching TV in her cell. She is also allowed one approved MP3 player and a watch. Phone calls are limited to 15 minutes with a maximum 300 minutes a month. She can receive and send letters which must include her inmate number. Like other prisoners, Maxwell could be searched by guards at any time as the handbook makes clear: Staff may conduct a pat search of an inmate on a routine or random basis to control contraband. The rules also state staff may search an inmates housing and work area without notice, randomly and without the inmates presence. Maxwell will be set up with her own prison bank account, to which family and friends can wire money. She can spend up to $150 (120) at the prison shop every two weeks not even small change to a woman who had about 15 bank accounts, holding up to 18million, according to court documents. What the Inmate Admission and Orientation Handbook doesnt detail is the controversial history of the Metropolitan Detention Center. Built in the 1990s, and holding 1,600 men and women, it has been the subject of a number of official investigations by the authorities. Last year, three male MDC guards were convicted of sexually abusing at least six female prisoners. In 2016, a judge expressed reluctance about sending women to the Brooklyn facility because, she said, conditions made it sound like it was in some third-world country. The MDC continues to be plagued by reports of misconduct; only last month an inmate died after prison staff doused him with pepper spray, which had led to an inquiry by the Justice Departments inspector general; in May yet another inmate died at the jail. Maxwell herself is being held in administrative detention solitary confinement. Her predicament was revealed by her lawyer at her court appearance this week. We have a client who has been kept alone in a room with the lights on all the time, is not allowed to speak with us in jail at all, and wasnt allowed to shower for 72 hours, he said. Court papers showed she travelled internationally at least 15 times in the past three years, including trips to the UK. In 2019 a few days after Epstein killed himself in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges she was said to have been photographed in a restaurant in Los Angeles but the pictures were later discredited as Photoshopped fakes. The defendant has the ability to live in hiding, and shes demonstrated that she can live off the grid, prosecutors said. Hence the reason why this London socialite will be eating grits for breakfast tomorrow. According to Mario Bellini, most of the sofas that were being designed in the early 1970s fell firmly into two categories. There were variants on historical typologies or radical, provocational, elitist forays into the future, says the Italian architect, now 85 and still designing. Neither earnest throwbacks nor sci-fi follies, he thought at the time, responded appropriately to the worlds rapidly evolving living habits. So he filled the void, designing the 1970 Camaleonda seating systemnow poised to make a comeback thanks to B&B Italia. Courtesy of B&B Italia Explaining his choice of name, Bellini recalls, I crossed two words: camaleonte, or chameleon, an extraordinary animal capable of adapting to its environment, and onda, or wave. Created for B&B Italia, the system certainly lived up to both. Bulbous modules of fabric-covered polyurethane hooked together using simple, integrated carabiners to create endless configurations, from sectionals and armchairs to ottomans and daybeds. After appearing in the Museum of Modern Arts landmark 1972 exhibition Italy: The New Domestic Landscape, the innovative system became a star. Falchi & Salvador Since production ceased in 1979, collectors have competed every time a Camaleonda comes to auction. (Versions have landed in the homes of Beastie Boy Mike D, tastemaker Athena Calderone, and artist Daniel Arsham, to name a few.) But now B&B is putting the system back into production, this time using all recycled or else recyclable materials. Today, like the 1970s, marks a moment of dramatic change, as the pandemic calls for flexible design solutions and climate change demands immediate action. Referring to the Swedish activist, Bellini muses, I hope Greta would be proud. bebitalia.com Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest The 2020 primary election is now just more than a month away, and county offices across the state are gearing up to meet the demands of civic participation in the midst of a global pandemic. In Natrona County, that duty falls to County Clerk Tracy Good and her staff. It wont be that much different (for the voter), other than social distancing, Good said of the coming election, but those manning the polling locations will adhere to stricter rules. Election judges the people who register voters at the polls and hand out ballots will wear masks and sit behind sneeze guards. Voters wont be required to wear masks, though mask-wearing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is still recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as local and state health officials. Voting booths and machines will also be sanitized, and clerks have been instructed to provide single-use pens for voters to complete their ballots with. But the number of people actually going to the polls Aug. 18 will likely be lower, if the number of absentee ballots Good has so far received is any indication. Good said the number of absentee ballots submitted in Natrona County is already up 62% from the total received in 2018. She said as of Monday, shes received 5,743 absentee ballots from Natrona County residents. In 2018, the county processed 3,533 total. People that normally dont absentee vote definitely are, Good said, adding that COVID-19 is likely a factor. She partly attributes the uptick to the Wyoming Secretary of States Office, which this year mailed absentee ballot requests to all registered voters in Wyoming another effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number of people in a polling place. Good said her office doesnt have a preference how people vote, either in person or absentee. It just depends on their comfort level, she said. But the uptick in absentee ballots will make processing all those votes more arduous, she said, particularly because while voters are able to submit absentee ballots as early as 45 days ahead of the election, and until 7 p.m. on election day, her office isnt legally allowed to process the ballots until the day of the primary. Good said shes hoping the number of absentee ballots wont delay election results but said getting those results will be more labor intensive, for sure. Regardless of whether voters cast their ballots absentee or in person, local elections in Natrona County will be heated, with all but one race county-wide currently contested. The Evansville Town Council race is no longer contested because Forrest Tobin has withdrawn his candidacy, leaving two candidates for two open seats. All other local elections in Natrona County will have winners and losers this year though not necessarily in August. Wyoming state statute dictates that the number of candidates that move forward to the general election in municipal races is twice the number of seats available. For example, two seats are open in the 2020 race for Casper City Councils Ward I, so four candidates will move on to the general election. Only four candidates are running one candidate, Tim Hamre, has withdrawn so all four will move forward, regardless of how the primary pans out. In Ward II, however, two seats are open and six candidates are running, meaning the two with the fewest votes wont advance. Municipal elections differ from county, state and congressional races in the sense that they are nonpartisan. Because candidates are not separated by party on the ballot, the number of candidates who advance to the general election is determined by the sheer number of votes. County Commissioner races are partisan and therefore look more like a standard primary election, with two candidates moving forward to the general election. But because two County Commission seats are open this year, the primary election will essentially determine the commissioner race. Because all candidates vying for the office are Republicans, the top two Republicans will advance. If there were Democratic candidates, one Republican and one Democrat would advance. However, if a Democratic candidate receives at least 25 write-in votes, they will advance along with the top Republican vote earner, Good said. Follow local government reporter Morgan Hughes on Twitter @morganhwrites Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Counties Forced to Triage Cases (TNS) California communities are scrambling to track down people exposed to the coronavirus after the state let many accelerate reopening without meeting minimum standards for contact tracers, a review of county data shows.The state initially told counties they must have at least 15 contact tracers for every 100,000 people before they could speed up their economic reopening.Of the 55 counties that attested they could safely reopen, at least 17 wrote that they did not meet that contact tracing threshold when they submitted their attestation forms to the state, although many outlined plans to expand their staff.When they submitted their forms in May, most of those counties said they could handle their coronavirus caseloads with their existing contact tracing staff. But as coronavirus cases rise rapidly across the state, some of those counties now say they dont have enough staff to call every person who tests positive for COVID-19 and their contacts within 24 hours, the standard recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration did not respond to questions about why the state allowed those counties to reopen more quickly without meeting the requirement.Even some counties that did meet the states staffing threshold at the outset have been overwhelmed. Fresno, for example, had enough staff when it filed its reopening documents in May. But the number of positive cases in the county has grown by an average of 280 a day over the past two weeks, outstripping capacity.We dont have enough personnel at this time, interim health officer Dr. Rais Vohra said last week. The numbers have just kind of grown by such degrees that its really hard for us to keep up.In some areas, tracers face challenges beyond limited capacity. In Yuba and Sutter counties, some people they call yell, hang up, or simply decline to participate. Sometimes tracers cant reach a contact at all. Infected people dont always remember who they were with or where they have been.As a result, the counties are failing to get information on about 40 percent of cases.Our contact tracers are overwhelmed, not just by the number, but the emotional burdens, Yuba County spokeswoman Rachel Rosenbaum said. Maybe it is fear combined with mistrust of government. Its tough, but we are working every day to try to push back on those misconceptions.California now has trained more than 10,000 people to be contact tracers, more than enough to meet the states initial goals.The National Association of City & County health officials recommends 15 tracers per 100,000 people in non-emergency situations, but in April recommended doubling that number given the magnitude of COVID-19.Brad Pollock, associate dean for Public Health Sciences at the UC Davis School of Medicine, estimates the state needs about 40,000 contact tracers statewide. He said some counties are struggling more than others.The contact tracers are not being deployed evenly throughout the state, Pollock said. The smaller counties that dont have a huge staff, theyre going to need help.California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly acknowledged Tuesday that some counties are now concentrating their efforts on the more serious outbreaks rather than tracking the contacts of each infected person.We did not build the current contact tracing program on this level of transmission, he said.Once someone tests positive, a worker with a county health team is supposed to call that person and ask them who they interacted with closely since the estimated infection date. Tracers then call those people, tell them that they have been in contact with someone who tested positive and advise them to get tested and quarantine for 14 days.Tracing identifies which people need to be isolated and shows where the virus is spreading, Pollock said.Its super, super important, Pollock said. Contact tracing gives you an idea of what the patterns of spread are like.Newsom credited contact tracing with showing that the virus is much more likely to spread indoors, which informed his announcement Monday to close indoor activities in all restaurants, museums and movie theaters across the state.In Sacramento, public health officials used contact tracing to track some big local outbreaks back to family gatherings, including parties and a funeral.Sacramento went from six contact tracers when the virus hit to 60 as of last week. But even the expanded team isnt enough, county health chief Peter Beilenson said.When Sacramento secured permission in May to reopen faster than the rest of the state, the county said it had enough contact tracers to handle three times its then-current case rate of 10 infections per day, according to the documentation it submitted.Although the county didnt meet the states target of 15 tracers per 100,000 residents in Sacramento, that would be about 225 tracers the county said it could call on county employees from various departments, nursing and public health students at local universities and medical reserve corps volunteers to add more.Now, the countys infections are skyrocketing, averaging over 130 new cases per day over the last 7 days for which data is available.The increase has overwhelmed Sacramentos contact tracers, preventing them from thoroughly tracking each infection. Instead, they are triaging focusing on cases that represent more serious clusters or geographic outbreaks.About 400 miles south in Orange County, officials have to make similar choices. To meet the states threshold, the county would need 476 tracers. Instead the county has about 185 staff working on COVID-19, not all of whom are always available for contact tracing, said Marc Meulman, acting deputy director for the countys public health services.Staff shift from one activity to another to make the best use of available resources, he wrote in an email. Given the high volume of cases and public health activities more critical than (case and contact investigation), there are not adequate resources to make contact with all cases.Although Yolo County, with at least 37 contact tracers, meets the baseline number of contact tracers laid out by the state, spokeswoman Jenny Tan said the county also needs more to handle the surge in cases. Since early June, the countys cases have tripled, landing it on the states watch list, Tan said.To encourage Californians to take calls from contact tracers, Newsom has launched public service announcements and said his team is focused on reaching communities where theres still a little bit of nervousness around tracing.In the Latinx community, weve got to do a lot better in terms of getting the right messengers to give people confidence that their information will be maintained as confidential and will not be shared with federal authorities, the Democratic governor said during a press conference last week.Fresno County is collaborating with local schools, whose nurses could trace cases associated with their students and staff, as well as with farmworker advocacy organizations and groups that work with people in underserved communities, Vohra said. The goal, Vohra said, is to create a decentralized network (of tracers who) more familiar with the populations we need to serve.We need to meet people where they are, and theyre not always on the phone, Vohra said of the traditional means of tracing. Theyre rarely on the phone when were trying to call them. A North York man has been arrested and charged with the killing of an accused Liberian warlord in a quiet neighbourhood in London, Ont., last month. Keiron Gregory, 22, was arrested in North Bay on Tuesday, London police said Wednesday. London police said the investigation into the June killing of Bill Horrace continues. Gregory is the son of Toronto police Det. Const. Trevor Gregory, 46, of North York, who worked out of the midtown 53 Division. The 21-year Toronto police veteran has been charged with breach of trust by a public officer in the murder probe. Trevor Gregory was suspended with pay as required by the Police Services Act, police spokesperson Connie Osborne said. Two North York women were charged earlier this month in connection with Horraces murder. Tianna Almeida and Tera Amoatemah, both 22, were each charged with being an accessory after the fact in an assault with a weapon. Horrace was shot to death shortly before 5 a.m. on June 21, after four men burst into the London home where he was staying. Keiron Gregory is accused of bursting into a home at 232 Pochard Lane in Londons east end with three other men. The other men have not yet been identified. Three of the suspects wore medical masks, police said. London police Det. Supt. Chris Newton said in an earlier interview that Horrace had several interactions with Kieren Gregory in the weeks before his murder. Some of those interactions were face-to-face, Newton said, while others were by texting. Liberian journalist Rodney Sieh said that Horrace was suspected of being involved in a Black Money scam, in which a con man tricks investors into investing in a cleanser that will supposedly make badly stained money usable. Horrace was accused of war crimes, but never stood trial for them, before he moved to Toronto in the summer of 2002.Ke Correction - July 16, 2020: The photo caption was edited from a previous version that misstated that age of the accused. Close-Out of Convertible Note Facility Brisbane, July 15, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( FRA:DML ) ( OTCMKTS:DMNXF ) announced today the early close out of a convertible securities funding facility.The Company has entered into a formal agreement with Obsidian Global GP, LLC, for the early close out of the convertible securities funding facility. The secured facility of up to $2.75 million with Obsidian was announced on 10 January 2020 (refer ASX release).All amounts drawn under the facility have either been converted to shares or repaid.Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch commented: "Obsidian has been a great partner to work with and the s facility played an important role in supporting the Company's progress. I would like to thank them for their vote of confidence in Sayona's expansion strategy."With Sayona's bid for North American Lithium advancing together with our other exploration projects in Quebec and Western Australia, we have enjoyed increased investor support, particularly amid the global push towards the electrification of transport."About Sayona Mining Ltd Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:SYAXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia. Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au A crewmember of another Russian ship at anchor in Busan has tested positive for coronavirus. According to health authorities on Tuesday, the man arrived on the Russian trawler Kairos, which docked on June 16 for repairs with a crew of 44. "Twenty-two of the crewmembers asked for permission to disembark for a visit to town on Monday. They were tested, and one of them came back positive," a health official said. The other 21 were also told to stay on board, and retesting is underway in case there were false negatives. Authorities are also going to test the remaining 22 crew. Helping people improve their lives and get back to work quickly is a driving principle at Carrus, and we are honored to be a part of each persons story as they gain new skills that are in demand for high-growth healthcare careers... Carrus, one of the nations most trusted online healthcare training and professional development providers, today announced the availability of new programs designed to help furloughed healthcare workers and others return to work quickly. The programs also enable hospitals and health systems to provide expanded skills training to their employees. These accelerated programs are available through CareerStep, the Allied Health training division of Carrus. Helping people improve their lives and get back to work quickly is a driving principle at Carrus, and we are honored to be a part of each persons story as they gain new skills that are in demand for high-growth healthcare careers, said Misty Frost, CEO of Carrus. In parallel, hospitals and health systems rely on Carrus to develop their workforce. When healthcare employers give their employees the chance to gain new skills, they are able to retain staff, meet critical needs, and support improved patient outcomes. Designed to help learners enter or expand their healthcare careers, these new programs include accelerated training for in-demand roles, including Contact Tracing & Infection Control, EKG Technician, (Hemo)Dialysis Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician. Students can complete coursework in as little as one to three months. When healthcare learners complete these programs, they can continue learning through CareerSteps extensive online training and certificate programs, gaining skills to help them further their careers. CareerStep online certificate programs are designed to prepare learners for a career in healthcare, administration, or technology. When offered as professional development, they offer hospitals and health systems the change to retrain and retain their employees. Online training programs allow learners the ability to access courses in their own time. About Carrus Carrus delivers quality, trusted healthcare learning content, continuing education, and certification management to new learners, healthcare professionals, and institutions through an integrated technology platform that provides the most seamless healthcare learning experience possible. In 25+ years, Carrus through its CareerStep and CareerCert divisions has trained over 140,000 learners for new careers, partnered with more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide, and educated over 100,000 healthcare professionals. More information can be found at http://www.carruslearn.com, http://www.careerstep.com or 844-854-1160. Two American Medical Response ambulances arrive at Canyon Creek Memory Care Community in Billings, Mont. on Thursday, July 9, 2020. There have been multiple deaths related to a COVID-19 outbreak at the center, which declined the state's offer for no-cost testing for the respiratory virus. (Mike Clark/The Billings Gazette via AP) It was meant to be a last line of defense to protect the most vulnerable as the coronavirus spread across the United States: Montana officials offered free testing in May for staff and residents at assisted living and long-term care facilities. But not all of them followed through, according to state data, including a facility in Billings, Montana's largest city, that cares for people with dementia and other memory problems. The virus has infected almost every resident there and killed eight since July 6, accounting for almost a quarter of Montana's 34 confirmed deaths. Thirty-six employees also have tested positive. While Montana's rates of confirmed infections and deaths are much lower than other parts of the country, the outbreak at Canyon Creek Memory Care illustrates that even the most simple and common-sense preventive measures have sometimes gone unused during the pandemic, allowing the virus to sweep through elderly care facilities with devastating results. "I don't see that there's good justification for just not testing. You're operating in the dark," said Chris Laxton, executive director of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, which represents more than 50,000 long-term care professionals. Nursing homes became the first places with fatal outbreaks in the U.S. Six of Montana's earliest deaths were tied to infections acquired at another nursing home, but the state initially avoided the widespread early outbreaks seen elsewhere in the nation. Canyon Creek was among 45 of 289 assisted living and long-term care facilities that initially declined Montana's call for testing. "My impression is that the facilities believed they had all protocols in place to keep their residents safe, were doing everything possible, and there was no need (to test) because of so few cases in their area," said Rose Hughes, executive director of the Montana Health Care Association, which represents long-term care facilities. Canyon Creek's operator, Koelsch Communities of Olympia, Washington, hasn't directly said why it turned down free testing at the facility, which has seen 55 positive cases among the 59 people who lived there when the deaths began. The company says it declined to test residents after three with symptoms in April and May were put in quarantine but tested negative. The first positive casesa staff member and a residentwere discovered in late June, just days after Gov. Steve Bullock lifted some restrictions on care facilities. As the outbreak escalated, the Democrat issued a statewide emergency rule that made testing of staff and residents a condition for facilities to receive visitors. Koelsch Communities, which operates in eight states, has confirmed cases in at least 13 of its 39 facilities and had reported 11 deaths in other places prior to the Montana outbreak. Five of the deaths happened in late June at El Rio Memory Care in Modesto, California. Company spokesman Chase Salyers said those living at Canyon Creek who aren't infected are kept separate and that testing of staff and residents will continue. Older people and those with preexisting conditions are more vulnerable to the respiratory virus. According to a tally by The Associated Press, more than 58,000 COVID-19 deaths have involved nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. That is over 40% of the nation's more than 135,000 deaths. There are no federal testing requirements, and rules differ widely among states. To be effective, testing needs to occur before an outbreak, include residents and staff, and be repeated periodically because staff come and go, said Albert Munanga, an affiliate faculty member at the University of Washington's nursing school and regional health director for Era Living retirement communities. The Canyon Creek Memory Care Community is seen in Billings, Mont. on Friday, July 10, 2020. The facility that cares for people with dementia and other cognitive issues has seen at least seven deaths since a coronavirus outbreak sickened almost all its residents and many staff members. The Montana memory care facility that didn't carry out no-cost COVID-19 testing on its residents is reeling from an outbreak that has sickened more than 50 residents and 36 staff. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown) Pam Donovan, whose father is a Canyon Creek resident, said "the jury's still out" on whether the facility should have done testing earlier and whether it would have helped. Richard Donovan, a retired sheriff's deputy and coroner, initially tested negative in early July when the outbreak began but developed symptoms days later and was taken to a hospital Thursday, Pam Donovan said. His test came back positive Friday, she said. Donovan said the only plausible reason to decline free testing would be the difficulty swabbing residents with dementia. "That's the only thing I can think of, putting myself in their shoes," she said. "I don't know if they'll ever say what their reason was." Administrators at some Montana facilities that declined the testing in May and June said the invasive nasal procedure would frighten dementia patients or make them uncomfortable. They noted their communities had few cases at that point, and they were disinfecting surfaces, washing hands and wearing masks. Some weren't allowing visitors. Ashley Samples, administrator at Bee Hive Homes in Columbia Falls, said a concern was false positives. "I think if there was a more sure way to do it, I think we absolutely would have," she said. Bee Hive's facilities are still on lockdown, staff have their temperatures taken and wear masks, and visits happen through open windows, Samples said. Hyalite Country Care Assisted Living in Bozeman initially decided not to test residents, partly based on the state's low infection numbers. Owner LeAnn Bunn said she's now reconsidering. More than a dozen other facilities have agreed to test residents and staff following the Canyon Creek outbreak and the governor's directive, health officials said. Testing began in mid-May and not all the facilities that have signed on have completed it, health officials said. For Pam Donovan, it was through a window in an emergency room last week that she saw her father for the first time since visits were suspended in March. Richard Donovan turned 88 on Monday. A nurse put on protective equipment and entered his room to hold a phone to his ear when his daughter called. Pam Donovan said it was heartbreaking and that she couldn't understand what he was saying. "It's so difficult when you can't see them yourself," she said. Explore further Nursing homes represent more than 1 in 4 COVID-19 deaths 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Vice-chancellors of 20 state-aided universities in West Bengal on Tuesday evening declared that they felt humiliated and intimated by two letters from Raj Bhawan. The letters asked them to attend a virtual meeting called by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday morning to discuss problems faced by students during the Covid-19 lockdown. Dhankhar, who is also the de facto chancellor of all state universities, sent his first letter to the vice-chancellors on July 7, asking them to attend the meeting. The vice-chancellors wrote back, saying the invitation had to be routed through the education department according to law. Their letter was routed through the government. The vice-chancellors said that on Monday and Tuesday Dhankhar sent them two more letters which they described as humiliating and intimidating and therefore decided not to attend the meeting. Keeping Student Welfare uppermost in mind VCs must attend VIRTUAL CONFERENCE and desist partisan stance. Taking positive approach for sake of education and students had an over reach @MamataOfficial. "POLITICAL CAGING" of education would ve disastrous and suicidal. pic.twitter.com/VzhCFrNLea Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) July 15, 2020 Incidentally, higher education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary-general Partha Chatterjee and the principal secretary of the department met Dhankhar on Monday to discuss the states objections to the new guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on holding the examination. Also read: Video clip by Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee helped Bengal follow Covid-19 rules After Mondays meeting, Raj Bhawan said in a statement that the governor and the minister felt it imperative that the matter be taken up with the UGC and the HRD ministry to appreciate the situation in West Bengal and make suitable amendments in the guidelines. The situation changed on Tuesday. Dhankhar, who is known for posting tweets frequently, reacted on Twitter and hinted at an undesirable situation if the vice-chancellors did not attend the virtual meeting at 11 am on Wednesday. Dhankhar tweeted, Looking forward to VIRTUAL CONFERENCE tomorrow with VCs as regards student welfare. The conduct of VCs in not indicating open ended issues of students not appreciated. Surely not in sync with their office. Primary concern ought to be student welfare and not otherwise. To break stalemate flagged issue @MamataOfficial. Her stance is Universities and VCs are governed by their own statute and rules. VCs must abide by directive of Governor/Chancellor, respond as per Act so as to avoid unwholesome situations and attend VIRTUAL CONFERENCE, read Dhankhars second tweet. At around 9.30 am on Wednesday, Dhankhar tweeted an image of a letter chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to him on Tuesday stating that vice-chancellors were governed by their own statute and rules and the governor had already met the high education minister. The chief minister also quoted a message that she received from the governor on Tuesday stating that non-attendance by the vice-chancellors would be a serious matter in law. In the tweet, Dhankhar wrote, political caging of education would be disaster and suicidal. In another tweet written in Bengali around 9.45 am, Dhankhar described the action by the vice-chancellors as biased. Academicians said the issue might trigger a fresh acrimony between Dhankhar and the Mamata Banerjee government which earlier accused the governor of overstepping his jurisdiction on several occasions. Partha Chatterjee even alleged that the Raj Bhawan in Kolkata had turned into an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Partys state headquarters. On Tuesday evening, Upacharya Parishad, the vice-chancellors body, issued a strongly-worded statement. It said, the Vice Chancellors received a humiliating letter (No. 358- S) from the office of the Honble Chancellor on 13.07.2020 and again received an intimidating letter (No. 361-S) on 14.07.2020. Upacharya Parishad considers it extremely unfortunate to receive such communications from the office of the Honble Chancellor during this critical national crisis. The language used in the governors letters has hurt the prestige of the vice-chancellors. It is not possible for us to attend any meeting unless the invitation is routed through the high education department, Dr Subires Bhattacharyya, vice-chancellor of North Bengal University and general-secretary of the Parishad, told local media. The statement issued by the Parishad said that direct communication between the chancellor and the vice-chancellors is not possible under Rule 8 (5) of West Bengal State Universities (Terms and Conditions of Service of the Vice-Chancellors and the Manner and Procedure of Official Communication ), Rules 2019. The law was framed last year by the government. The Parishads statement said, ..the vice-chancellors, acting legitimately as per rules cited above, find it extremely undesirable to receive such communications from the Honble Chancellors office. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Air India has started the process of identifying employees, based on various factors like efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for up to five years, according to an official order. The airlines board of directors have authorised its Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal to send employees on LWP for six months or for a period of two years extendable upto five years, depending upon the following factors - suitability, efficiency, competence, quality of performance, health of the employee, instance of non-availability of the employee for duty in the past as a result of ill health or otherwise and redundancy, the order said on Tuesday. The departmental heads in the headquarter as well as regional directors are required to assess each employee on the above mentioned factors and identify the cases where option of compulsory LWP can be exercised, stated the order dated July 14. Names of such employees need to be forwarded to the General Manager (Personnel) in headquarter for obtaining necessary approval of CMD, the order added. In response to queries regarding this matter, Air India spokesperson said,We would not like to make any comment on the issue. Aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries due to the coronavirus pandemic. All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, LWP and firings of employees in order to conserve cash flow. For example, GoAir has put most of its employees on compulsory LWP since April. India resumed domestic passenger flights from May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the airlines have been allowed to operate only a maximum of 45 per cent of their pre-Covid domestic flights. Occupancy rate in Indian domestic flights has been around 50-60 per cent since May 25. Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23. The passenger demand for air travel will contract by 49 per cent in 2020 for Indian carriers in comparison to 2019 due to Covid-19 crisis, said global airlines body IATA on Monday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The total number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 34 on Wednesday, with the number of confirmed cases rising by 24 and the number of probable cases rising by 10, according to the Wyoming Department of Healths daily update. Forty-four new coronavirus recoveries were also announced: 35 confirmed and nine probable. The new confirmed cases come from Albany, Campbell (three), Fremont (seven), Laramie (three), Natrona, Park, Sheridan (two), Sweetwater and Teton (five) counties. Probable cases are defined by officials as close contacts of lab-confirmed cases with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. A patient is considered fully recovered when there is resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and there is improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) for 72 hours AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. There are now 1,985 cases 1,605 confirmed and 380 probable and 1,506 recoveries 1,211 confirmed and 295 probable recorded in the state, as well as 22 deaths. GOEPPINGEN, Germany, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamViewer, a leading global provider of secure remote connectivity solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ubimax, the leader in Wearable Computing and Augmented Reality (AR) solutions for the frontline workforce. With this acquisition, TeamViewer will significantly expand its AR and Internet of Things (IoT) offering with industry-specific solutions for enterprise customers. These products provide substantial process improvements and productivity gains for all customers, including many international blue-chip companies. With Ubimax, the TAM's size will increase by EUR 10 billion to EUR 40 billion in 2023. The combination will also accelerate the TAM's annual growth rate (CAGR) from 24% to 27% driven by strong growth of the AR market. Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, said: "We are very excited by this strategically important acquisition the first transaction in TeamViewer's history. Together with Ubimax, we will create the global leader in connectivity solutions and industrial workplace technology. Our joint product portfolio will offer enterprise customers a unique one-stop shop for securely connecting devices, workers and processes in numerous industries. We warmly welcome the Ubimax founders and the whole team at TeamViewer, as we truly share a hands-on mentality and a culture of innovation." Hendrik Witt, CEO and co-founder of Ubimax, said: "We are very much looking forward to joining TeamViewer's successful journey. Ubimax's leading Augmented Reality platform and our proven experience in industrial workflow integration perfectly complement TeamViewer's product portfolio. Together with my founding partners Jan Junker und Percy Stocker we are very pleased to become members of the TeamViewer family and to jointly drive use case expansion and global growth." Ubimax serves more than 200 enterprise customers around the globe Founded 2014 in Bremen, Ubimax provides an AR-based one-stop shop to its customers. Ubimax's leading solutions allow industrial workers to wear IT at work which leads to significant efficiency gains and process improvements. Its portfolio includes the industrial AR software platform Frontline, wearable computing devices and consultancy services. The Frontline product suite is like a toolbox for non-office workers: It helps them in their actual tasks, such as order picking in a warehouse, by visualizing concrete instructions and information on the smart glass and thus improving productivity. At the same time, the solution enables enterprise customers to manage their workflows and communicate with their frontline workers. Ubimax's more than 90 employees across offices in Germany, the US and Mexico sell these products to around 200 enterprise customers across different industries worldwide. In the last twelve months, Ubimax grew billings to EUR 9.1 million as of 30 June 2020. Ubimax is expected to further accelerate its growth in the next year. Building on success of TeamViewer Pilot Together with Ubimax, TeamViewer will be able to further expand its offering to enterprise customers and support the digitalization of shop floors with wearable computing devices, tailor-made software and applications. The acquisition enables TeamViewer to accelerate the development of new industry-specific use cases, focusing on Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. The new offering will build on the strong traction of TeamViewer Pilot, an AR solution with intuitive usability for mobile phones and tablets. Additionally, Ubimax's broad customer base especially amongst international blue-chip companies, such as Deutsche Post DHL, BMW or Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, will provide TeamViewer with new business opportunities in its enterprise segment. Ubimax will continue its strategic partnerships, especially with Fielmann, enabling Ubimax to offer individual prescription lenses in smart glasses with Ubimax software. About TeamViewer TeamViewer is a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots. Though TeamViewer is free of charge for private use, the company has more than 500,000 subscribers and enables companies of all sizes and from all industries to digitalize their business-critical processes through seamless connectivity. Against the backdrop of global megatrends like device proliferation, automation and new work, TeamViewer proactively shapes digital transformation and continuously innovates in the fields of Augmented Reality, Internet of Things or Artificial Intelligence. Since the company's foundation in 2005, TeamViewer's software has been installed on more than 2.2 billion devices globally. The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs more than 1,000 people globally. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com. About Ubimax Ubimax is a leading provider of fully integrated industrial augmented reality (AR) solutions. The solution platform Ubimax Frontline improves manual work processes across industries along the entire value chain on the basis of the latest wearable computing technologies. The solutions are designed to consciously empower the human worker in an increasingly digitized working environment. The Ubimax Frontline solutions have received numerous awards, including the Auggie Award for "Best Enterprise Solution", the MHI Award for "Best IT Innovation" and McKinsey's German Digital Award, "The Spark". ABI Research calls Ubimax the world's leading company for industrial wearables and AR solutions. In addition to four locations in Germany, Ubimax has subsidiaries in the USA and Mexico. With more than eight years of industry experience and a remarkable track record in wearable computing, augmented reality, mixed reality, and sensor systems, Ubimax is leading the way. Ubimax today serves more than 200 customers especially amongst international blue-chip companies such as Deutsche Post DHL, BMW or Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. Press contacts TeamViewer GmbH Jahnstrae 30 73037 Goppingen Germany Web: http://www.teamviewer.com Martina Dier Director, Communications TeamViewer Phone: +49-7161-60692-410 E-Mail: [email protected] Friederike Truthe PR & Marketing Manager Ubimax Phone: +49-421-33-558-307 E-Mail: [email protected] SOURCE TeamViewer Related Links https://www.teamviewer.com TOKYO - Nissan unveiled an electric crossover vehicle Wednesday, the Japanese automakers first major all-new model since getting embroiled in the scandal surrounding its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Nissan Motor Co.'s new electric crossover Ariya is displayed at Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama near Tokyo Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The Ariya is the Japanese automakers first major all-new model since getting embroiled in the scandal surrounding former Chairman Carlos Ghosn. The vehicle, set to go on sale in Japan by the middle of next year, and in Europe, North America and China by the end of 2021, costs about 5 million yen ($46,000).(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) TOKYO - Nissan unveiled an electric crossover vehicle Wednesday, the Japanese automakers first major all-new model since getting embroiled in the scandal surrounding its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn. At its global premiere in Yokohama, Japan, the new vehicle, Ariya" was billed as a new chapter for Nissan. The event was held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. I can tell you this is a no-compromise car, Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida said, stressing the Ariya symbolizes the company turning a new leaf in its business, culture and products. You have to drive it to feel it, said Uchida. The Ariya is set to go on sale in Japan by the middle of next year, and in Europe, North America and China by the end of 2021. It will cost about 5 million yen ($46,000) and will be competing against the Tesla Model Y, which now sells for between $43,690 and $53,690 in the U.S., including incentives and other cost-savings of $6,300. In the U.S., the Ariya will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. A photographer takes a photo of interior of Nissan Motor Co.'s new electric crossover Ariya at Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama near Tokyo Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The Ariya is the Japanese automakers first major all-new model since getting embroiled in the scandal surrounding former Chairman Carlos Ghosn.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) The Ariya comes with autonomous driving, so it will park itself and brake on imminent collisions, connect to the net and offer concierge-like services. It also boasts features associated with electric cars, such as quick acceleration and a roomy interior. The crossover blends the muscle drive of a sport-utility vehicle with the comforts of a regular car and is one category thats selling well even as the pandemic slams auto demand around the world. Crossover vehicles have accounted for more than 40% of recent U.S. auto sales. Koji Endo, an auto analyst at SBI Securities, said the big test still lies ahead, because buyers are looking for various features, such as driving performance, resale value and how easy the vehicle will be to recharge. But its clear this is Nissans chance to patch up its totally devastated brand image, Endo said in a telephone interview. He believes Tesla fans tend to be so loyal the Ariya wont lure them away, but it might appeal to new buyers. Expectations cant be higher for Nissan. If it cant pull this one through, its in pretty serious trouble, Endo said. Nissans profits have tumbled, sinking into a 671.2 billion yen, or $6.2 billion, loss for the fiscal year that ended in March, its first red ink in 11 years. The Ariya is that one bright spot in recent Nissan news dominated by the dramatic saga of Ghosns run-in with the law and his escape last year to Lebanon. Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta called it a catalyst for change at Nissan. More people see charging a car as everyday, like charging a mobile phone, and so range is becoming less of a concern, he told reporters. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The Ariya's driving range on a single charge will be between 430 kilometres (267 miles) and 610 kms (379 miles), depending on the type of battery and whether the model has a two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Going electric is becoming increasingly attractive as people become increasingly worried about global warming, the environment and sustainability. Electric cars can get subsidies from various governments, including China and the U.S., the two biggest markets, as well as European nations like Norway. Uncertainty remains over how Nissan will fare without Ghosn, who spear-headed its move into electric cars while leading the automaker for nearly two decades. Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in late 2018 and charged with under-reporting future compensation and breach of trust. Ghosn says he is innocent, arguing the charges were concocted to drive him out of Nissan leadership. Japanese authorities are now trying to get the U.S. to extradite two Americans suspected of helping him escape while he was out on bail. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama ANN ARBOR, MI - A Michigan Medicine security officer has been fired after an investigation into an an incident of excessive use of force, his union representative has confirmed. Steven Craig Oatten, a University of Michigan Department of Public Safety and Security officer for the hospital system, was placed on his third paid administrative leave in late June for a violation of department policy, according to spokeswoman Heather Young. Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday announced his group's digital arm Jio developing a homegrown 5G telecom solution. "Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year," Ambani said at Reliance Industries' annual general meeting. Jio Platforms, with over 20 startup partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding and Computer Vision, he said. He also announced that Google has agreed to invest Rs 33,737 crore to buy a 7.7 per cent stake in Reliance Industries' technology venture, adding to a slew of investments since April that has crossed Rs 1.52 lakh crore. Check out all the latest updates on RIL AGM on BusinessToday.In liveblog 3.30 PM: Reliance is now ranked among the World's 60 largest companies by market capitalization. And when Reliance scales still higher summits of success, our employees and shareholders will surely reap its rewards: Mukesh Ambani 3.26 PM: I assure you, as soon as the corona vaccine becomes available, we will volunteer by using the same digital distribution and supply chain, to ensure that the vaccine reaches every nook and corner of our country: Nita Ambani 3.25 PM: We are grateful to our two lakh employees of Reliance who have gone beyond their call of duty to serve our fellow citizens: Nita Ambani 3.24 PM: When the pandemic broke out, one of the earliest challenges was the shortage of PPEs. In record time, we turned around our manufacturing facility to produce over 1 lakh PPEs and N95 masks every day: Nita Ambani 3.23 PM: Reliance Retail is working overtime to provide essential supplies daily to millions of Indian families across 200 cities: Nita Ambani 3.22 PM: Jio is providing digital connectivity to over 40 crore people, empowering over 30,000 organisations to work from home, and lakhs of students to learn from home: Nita Ambani 3.21PM: Reliance has also been providing free fuel to Emergency Service vehicles across the country. This is not just business for us. It is our duty, our dharma, our seva to the nation: Nita Ambani 3.15 PM: Deal with Saudi Aramco hasn't progressed per original timeline due to unforeseen situation in energy market and COVID-19 situation. We value our two-decade relationship with Aramco and are committed to longterm partnership: Mukesh Ambani 3.13 PM: Reliance is approached by global companies for strategic partnerships in its petchem business. The potential partnerships will help Reliance build competitive manufacturing capacity to serve India's demand for chemicals: Mukesh Ambani 3.12 PM: During lockdown, RIL leveraged its deep understanding of global markets and enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks. In April 20, the O2C business accounted for nearly 50% of India's exports: Mukesh Ambani. 3.11 PM: We have received strong interest from strategic and financial investors in Reliance Retail. We will induct global partners and investors in Reliance Retail in the next few quarters: Mukesh Ambani 3.08 PM: We have received strong interest from strategic and financial investors in Reliance Retail. We will induct global partners and investors in Reliance Retail in the next few quarters: Mukesh Ambani. 3.06 PM: We have successfully piloted JioMart grocery model with kirana partners. The beta version of JioMart grocery platform is being piloted in 200 cities. Daily orders have crossed 2.5 lakh, and the number is growing each day: Mukesh Ambani 3.05 PM: Connecting farmers and delivering their fresh produce directly to homes is a key part of our grocery strategy. This will significantly improve farmer income and incentivise higher productivity: Mukesh Ambani 3.03 PM: More than two-thirds of Reliance Retails' nearly 12,000 stores are operated in Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV towns. Its sources over 80% of fruits and vegetable directly from farmers: Mukesh Ambani 3.02 PM: Reliance Retail is India's largest and most profitable retail business, with revenues of Rs 1,62,936 cr and EBITDA of Rs 9,654 cr. It is the fastest growing retailer in the world, and only Indian co in the Top 100 global retailers: Mukesh Ambani 3.00 PM: Google CEO Sundar Pichai: Everyone should have access to the internet. Proud to partner with @reliancejio to increase access for the hundreds of millions in India who don't own a smartphone with our 1st investment of $4.5B from the Google For India Digitisation Fund. 2.53 PM: Google and Jio are partnering to build an Operating System that could power a value engineered, entry-level 4G/5G smartphone. The Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt: Mukesh Ambani 2.53 PM: As India is standing at the doorsteps of the 5G era, we should accelerate the migration of 350 million Indians, who currently use a 2G feature phone, to an affordable smart phone: Mukesh Ambani 2.49 PM: Facebook and Jio share a strong vision for digitally empowering consumers as well as SMEs and entrepreneurs across India: Mukesh Ambani 2.48 PM: Last year, we announced our partnership with Microsoft. We are making rapid progress in our Azure cloud partnership: Mukesh Ambani 2.47 PM: A unique solution that JioMart offers is to convert the kirana's existing stores in less than 48 hours into refreshed self-service stores, thereby transforming their customer experience completely: Isha Ambani 2.51 PM: JioMart is built upon two fundamental pillars: 1. A powerful omni-channel tech-platform to unite customers, kiranas and producers. 2. A widespread physical network of Reliance Retail that takes benefits of new commerce to every corner: Isha Ambani 2.41 PM: With Jio Health Platform we are integrating the overall healthcare ecosystem to enable people to book online consultations, securely store and share health records, book lab tests and avail various other healthcare services: Isha Ambani. 2.38 PM: Jio's education platform, Embibe, will address the shortage of quality teachers in India. It is built on three foundational blocks: Unprecedented Personalisation, Incredible Content and Teacher Empowerment: Isha Ambani at RIL AGM. 2.37 PM: JioMeet is India's most-secure and cost-effective video conferencing platform. It is designed to address real life scenarios and solve some of the key challenges of our time: Isha Ambani. 2.36 PM: Through Jio Developers program, any app developer can develop, launch and monetize their apps. Developers who wish to partner with Jio can visit http://developer.jio.com for details: Akash Ambani 2.35 PM: Through the Jio App Store on the Set Top Box, one can access internet applications across multiple genres such as entertainment, education, health, cooking, yoga, gaming, religion, and many more: Akash Ambani. 2.32 PM: JioTV+ would feature aggregated content from over 12 leading global OTT players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, Voot, SonyLiv, Zee5, JioCinema, JioSaavn, YouTube and many others: Akash Ambani. 2.31 PM: Jio Platforms, with over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding & Computer Vision: Mukesh Ambani 2.30 PM: Jio Platforms is conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems - first in India, and then rest of world: Mukesh Ambani 2.24 PM: Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year: Mukesh Ambani 2.23 PM: Cumulatively, RIL has raised Rs 2,12,809 crore through Rights Issue, combined investments in Jio Platforms, and investment by BP. It is in excess of our Net Debt of Rs 1,61,035 crore at the end of FY19-20: Mukesh Ambani 2.22 PM: Cumulatively, RIL has raised Rs 2,12,809 crore through Rights Issue, combined investments in Jio Platforms, and investment by BP. It is in excess of our Net Debt of Rs 1,61,035 crore at the end of FY19-20: Mukesh Ambani 2.18 PM: RIL has concluded its JV with BP in the existing fuel retailing business. BP has invested Rs7,629 crore for their 49% stake in the JV: Mukesh Ambani 2.17 PM: We are delighted to welcome Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms. We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement under which Google will invest INR 33,737 crores for a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms: Mukesh Ambani 2.18 PM: I welcome Facebook, a global tech powerhouse and a leading social media & internet company as our premier strategic partner: Mukesh Ambani 2.15 PM: We have investments from most admired tech and financial investors - Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, and TPG. They have a long history of successfully investing in the best tech and growth enterprises: Mukesh Ambani 2.11 PM: Since its release a few days ago, JioMeet has already been downloaded by more than 5 million users. Built by a young Jio Platforms team in just two months, it is India's first and only cloud-based video-conferencing app: Mukesh Ambani 2.09 PM: Reliance became the first Indian company to exceed market capitalisation of $150 billion. It is also the first Indian company to cross ? 1,00,000 crore in consolidated EBITDA: Mukesh Ambani 2.02 PM: Mukesh Ambani, RIL Chairman and Managing Director, welcomes all the shareholders to the company's 43rd Annual General Meeting 2.02 PM: RIL AGM has started #RIL is holding its 43rd Annual General Meeting (Post-IPO) on Wednesday, 15th July 2020 through Video Conferencing (VC) / Other Audio-Visual Means (OAVM) from 2:00 p.m. onwards. You are requested to save the date and stay tuned for more updates.#RILAGM#NayeIndiaKaNayaJosh pic.twitter.com/3Z9TqIyl9j Flame of Truth (@flameoftruth) July 10, 2020 1.57 PM: Links to watch RIL's 43rd AGM The Flame Of Truth YouTube channel(https://www.youtube.com/user/flameoftruth2014) Jio Channel: https://www.youtube.com/jio RIL Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RelianceIndustriesLimited @FlameOfTruth Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/flameoftruth or @RelianceJio (https://twitter.com/reliancejio) 1.50 PM: Where to watch RIL's AGM live? The oil-to-telecom major's 43rd AGM will be streamed live on its official website as well as YouTube. RIL, for the first time, will let users enter the webinar through JioMeet video conferencing platform. Those interested can also get all the updates in real-time on the company's official Twitter handle (Flame of Truth), and its official Facebook channel. RIL will follow the lead of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which held its AGM online on June 11. 1.45 PM: RIL has also launched an educative Chatbot called Jio Haptik To enable easy onboarding of its shareholders, RIL has also launched an educative Chatbot called Jio Haptik via Whatsapp number +91 79771 11111. The chatbot will help them as well as prospective investors, media and the general public get the latest updates of the meeting. It will act as a help desk to answer all queries regarding the RIL's AGM. SCHENECTADY - With accusations of inciting crowds and disorderly conduct, the city's mayor, police commissioner and police chief rebuked the protesters who gathered outside of City Hall on Monday night. In a joint statement released on Facebook on Tuesday evening, Mayor Gary McCarthy, Commissioner Michael Eidens and Chief Eric Clifford, accused All of Us, the organization that led the protest, of putting citizens at risk by blocking City Hall doorways and streets to traffic. "The actions of these protesters constituted disorderly conduct, as defined by the New York State Penal Law, Section 240.26," the statement read. "Additionally, messages were sent into the crowd that were false, meant to incite the crowd. The Schenectady Police Department admonishes the use of such false claims against the department and warns the public of such false claims being made by this organization." The statement did not say what the protesters were saying that was false. The statement does go onto say that the mayor, commissioner and chief will continue to engage in a community conversation on policing and moving police policies forward. "We have and will continue to support the peaceful protests throughout the city as long as it does not compromise the safety of the community and the protesters themselves," the statement read. Black Lives Matter protests -- including those at Bumpy's Polar Freeze, where protesters allege owner David Elmendorf in text messaging used racial slurs and said he wouldn't hire Blacks -- have been ongoing in the city. Monday's was sparked by a July 7 incident where a police Officer Brian Pommer, was caught on video holding down Yugeshwar Gaindarpersaud during an arrest. Gaindarpersaud's father said the officer was kneeling on his son's neck. Clifford said Pommer was kneeling on his head. Jamaica Miles, founder of All of Us, was crafting a response on Tuesday night. City Council Majority Leader John Polimeni and Councilwoman Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas also issued statement about Monday's protest that included calls to "Occupy Schenectady." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Polimeni said he's concerned with the tone of the debate. "The rancor of the discussions so far and the inability to sit down and hash out further reforms is concerning," he said. "Bringing people of differing opinions to talk and listen to each other in tough conversations ... will help us reach effective change. Respectful communication and dialogue are required to help us accomplish this goal." Zalewski-Wildzunas said that change is needed, but mutual respect is required to make the change. "Our citizens need to understand that the police are here to help and protect our city," she said in her statement. "Sometimes there is a breakdown and things need to be addressed and changes made. For example, the incident that happened this past week was unfortunate." She continued, "We ask our police department to protect our city and citizens. They put their lives on the line daily to ensure that we have a safe city to live in. The police are here to help...The officer was doing his job. None of us were in the officers shoes and we do not know what other threats he perceived. There is an ongoing investigation and I am sure that we will have more details soon." PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to be recognized for the 2nd year in a row by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) as a leader in "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion." The DEI is the nation's most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool used to survey employers' disability policies, practices and initiatives. CHOP also received a 100 out of 100 score and ranked as a top-rated organization for the second straight year. "Valuing and celebrating all of our individual and unique abilities is critical to our organization and core to our culture of inclusion," said Gilbert Davis, Chief Diversity Officer at CHOP. "This recognition helps our Office of Diversity & Inclusion demonstrate our commitment, which ensures that all of our employees, patients and families feel welcomed, respected and valued." At CHOP, inclusion means: Creating an environment where employees are able to bring their whole selves to work and practice CHOP's ICARE values (integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, excellence) and service standards. Integrating diversity efforts into clinical trials and research studies to ensure that our innovations can benefit the most patients possible. Understanding our patient and family needs and values through patient surveys, parent/teen advisory councils and in physician rounding to ensure that their experiences are considered in our policies, practices and processes. "This recognition is also uniquely timed, as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and our ability to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities has been enhanced across the country and at CHOP. We are leaders in innovation and have made breakthroughs possible because of the strength of our diversity and inclusive culture, which helps us provide the best care for our patients and improve health outcomes for families worldwide," Davis added. CHOP champions a number of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which provide employees with opportunities to connect to the broader mission of the organization and ensure that the dimensions of diversity are fully integrated throughout the hospital and CHOP Care Network. ERG members enjoy an enhanced sense of belonging through mentoring, volunteerism and community involvement. ERGs cover identity categories such as gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, Veteran status, and generations/age; they also include two physician affinity groups. The CHOP All Abilities Resource Group for employees is a strong partner in our efforts, ensuring that all ability voices are heard and advocating for continued inclusion. The DEI is a unique, joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). In 2020, 247 corporations, including 143 Fortune 500 and 154 Fortune 1000 companies, utilized the Disability Equality Index (DEI) to benchmark their disability inclusion efforts. About CHOP Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 564-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu. Contact: Joey McCool Ryan (267) 426-6070 [email protected] SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Related Links http://www.chop.edu The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to ban the import of wagons of residents and the railway administration of the Russian Federation into Ukraine at a meeting on Wednesday, Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleksiy Honcharenko (the European Solidarity faction) said on his Telegram channel. According to the document released by him, in particular, the import of wagons into the customs territory of Ukraine, among the railway administrations, in registration of which there is or was the railway administration of the Russian Federation from February 20, 2014, is forbidden until December 31, 2020 (inclusively). The decision comes into force from the day of its publication. "By the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decision No. 1147 dated December 30, 2015 a ban on the import into the customs territory of Ukraine of railway wagons that were in use and which are imported in the customs regime of imports from the Russian Federation has already been introduced. However, since November 2019 Ukraine's resident legal entities purchased 1,165 wagons, the country of origin of which was not Russia. Some 608 wagon of them were previously owned by resident enterprises of the Russian Federation, and 15 wagons were owned by resident enterprises of the Russian Federation since 2014. In order to ban such rolling stocks as well, we made the relevant amendments to the decision, which the government supported today," Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Krykliy said. Three men on Wednesday appeared before a Grade I Area Court Nyanya, Abuja, for allegedly robbing passengers in different locations. The police charged Emeka Okafor, Collins Nwabueze, Ikedichi Aghai with criminal conspiracy and Robbery. The prosecution counsel, D.F. Abba, told the court that the defendants conspired and robbed three women, Jenifer Okoro, Amana Rosemary and Ebere George, in what is popularly known as one chance at different locations and carted away their phones and money in which amount was yet to be ascertained. He said the offence contravenes Section 97 and 289 of the Penal Code law. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence. The Judge, Mr Abdullahi Ogedengbe, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N1.5 million each with one surety each in like sum. READ ALSO: The judge ordered that the sureties must be civil servants not lower than GL10. He adjourned the case until July 21, for hearing. (NAN) Europes second highest court ruled on Irelands appeal against an order that tech giant Apple repay it a 13 billion euro tax bill (Jonathan Brady/PA) The European Court has ruled in favour of Apple and Ireland in the Apple tax case, saying Apple does not have to pay the 13bn. The verdict was delivered in the long-running case from the General Court in Luxembourg. The European Commission argued Apple and Ireland did a deal that let Apple pay too little tax over many years - as low as 0.005%. It says this really amounted to state aid from Ireland to Apple. Apple said the figures were all wrong. The Irish Government agreed. The court found the EU Commission failed to show that the Apple companies at the heart of the case got a selective economic advantage from Ireland through their tax treatment. In a blow to EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the court found that her Commission did not succeed to showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage given to Apple, in breach of EU law. Responding to the decision, the Department of Finance said that; Ireland has always been clear that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies - ASI and AOE. The correct amount of Irish tax was charged taxation in line with normal Irish taxation rules. Ireland appealed the Commission Decision on the basis that Ireland granted no state aid and the decision today from the Court supports that view, the Department said. The decision in favour of Ireland means the European Commission will have to pay Irelands legal costs, running at around 8.4m, for a team that included the recently appointed Attorney General, Paul Gallagher,who has been paid 612,242 for work on the case, according to Department of Finance records. EU Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, who took the case against Ireland, said she will study the ruling before a decision on whether to appeal. "Today's judgment by the General Court annuls the Commission's August 2016 decision that Ireland granted illegal State aid to Apple through selective tax breaks. We will carefully study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps, she said. When Greg McFarlane was running for school trustee, he contemplated putting his smiling face on his campaign signs. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. When Greg McFarlane was running for school trustee, he contemplated putting his smiling face on his campaign signs. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Greg McFarlane, a trustee in the Seven Oaks School Division. On one hand, the Winnipeg father, electrician and labour advocate weighed the pros of having a white-passing name; without a photo, his race would be inconspicuous. On the other hand, he thought about his wards diverse population. "If somebody sees a Black face, are they going to vote for me? Even though Im fully qualified and have the credentials, will that help me or will that hinder me?" said McFarlane, recalling his thought process in 2014, and again, in 2018 as he prepared for his re-election campaign in the Seven Oaks School Division. "The fact I have to think about that is the problem." In Winnipeg, 27 per cent of the population self-identifies as a visible minority, the largest percentage of which is Filipino, followed by the South Asian, Chinese and Black communities. Twelve per cent of the population is First Nations, Metis or Inuit, or has mixed Indigenous ancestry. In the Maples, a significant section of McFarlanes ward, the former percentage is more than double the citys total while the latter is one per cent shy of it. Yet, a scan of elected school trustees and senior officials who sit around education decision-making tables dont reflect those figures. McFarlane, who grew up in the school board on which he now serves as vice-chairman, is one of a handful of racialized trustees in the Manitoba capital and in the province at large. This fall, the Community Education Development Association, in partnership with the Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circles education committee and Newcomer Education Coalition, is expected to publish its long-awaited State of Equity in Education Report. The report, originally scheduled to be published shortly after the now-indefinitely postponed education review, will put a mirror up to divisions to compare how they reflect local families. Among the statistics, a racial breakdown of the 2018 trustee election results: there were two self-identified Indigenous trustees and three trustees from racialized communities, of the 54 trustees on Winnipeg's six English boards (Seven Oaks, Winnipeg, Louis Riel, Pembina Trails, St. James-Assiniboia and River East Transcona). That translates into six per cent of the trustee population identifying as racialized and less than four per cent as Indigenous. "Ideally, in any system, not just school systems, theyre representative of our population, from the lowest level of employee to the higher level of leadership," said Heather McCormick, chairwoman on the education committee for the Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle. The lived experience of policy-makers, and employees ranging from teachers to guidance counsellors, is key to ensure learner needs are met and that all students have role models and allies, McCormick said. She added that unconscious bias plays into how board policies and educators treat students, especially those with academic and behavioural challenges. If somebody sees a Black face, are they going to vote for me? Even though Im fully qualified and have the credentials, will that help me or will that hinder me? The fact I have to think about that is the problem. Greg McFarlane on his campaign for Seven Oaks School Division trustee Kathleen Vyrauen, chairwoman of the Newcomer Education Coalition, echoed those sentiments, adding that a representative board can increase parent involvement and community engagement, which better serves students. In the context of pandemic learning disruptions, Vyrauen said it has been critical for divisions to provide both translation and one-on-one support so students don't fall behind, and to connect with ethnocultural organizations to pinpoint newcomer needs. Ideally, in any system, not just school systems, theyre representative of our population, from the lowest level of employee to the higher level of leadership. Heather McCormick, chairwoman on the education committee for the Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle WSD trustee Jamie Dumont knows first-hand how important it is to have trusting relationships with communities in order to spark policy discussion and change. "You end up with a stronger governance system when you have all those different populations represented," Dumont said, adding she wanted to become a trustee to show her Metis children and community that, "there is a space for everyone around that table." Dumont said her most proud moment as a trustee was a product of her close ties with French immersion parents, who brought concerns about the limited advanced high school programming options for their children to her. The division is now reviewing how it can better support immersion students throughout their academic careers. Its about time we started to have that dialogue about racism and about diversity and about having full inclusion and having Black faces in places of decision-making." Greg McFarlane Meantime, McCormick isnt convinced Manitobas board structures which were examined by the K-12 education commission are working for everyone. "All of the systems that we work within are based on colonization," she said. "We have these systems that were created for a certain group of people and what weve been doing is making everyone else fit into them versus making actual change so that everyone has equal opportunity." Her suggestion is revamping boards to reserve seats for representatives from different communities, similar to what was done in Nova Scotia in 2018 when that province dismantled school boards in favour of a 15-person advisory council. There are seats reserved for representatives of the Mikmaq First Nations, African Nova Scotian and Franco-Acadian Communities on the provincially appointed education committee in that province. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A former trustee and current African-Nova Scotian council member, Archy Beals said its too early to have an opinion on which system works best. However, he noted much resistance to the initial transition among the African Nova Scotian and Mikmaq communities. "Those two groups have been traditionally underrepresented at the table we get to the table, and now its gone," Beals said. Back at the Seven Oaks table, McFarlane continues to share his lived experience as a Black trustee. Last month, he issued a statement to call on residents to renew their commitment "to a world free of racism." "Its about time we started to have that dialogue about racism and about diversity and about having full inclusion," he said, "and having Black faces in places of decision-making." maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Serving as the National Director of Events for Hiring Our Heroes and with over 32 years of military service in staff positions for the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Kathryn Poynton is a great addition to NVBDC's Advisory Board Detroit, MI, July 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC) is Changing How American Businesses Perceive Veteran Owned Companies. Senior leadership is the organizations foundation for accelerating programs and mentorships and increasing corporate relationship opportunities for NVBDC certified Service-Disabled/Veteran Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs). The NVBDC Advisory Board is a diverse and inclusive group of high-level men and women involved with procurement and supplier diversity programs from various businesses to support our Officers and Board of Directors. The National Veterans Business Development Council addressed the need to identify and certify both Service-Disabled/Veteran Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs) of all sizes in the corporate marketplace. It is essential to maintain this mission for our Veterans while staying informed about our corporate members needs to help our executive team make organizational decisions. We are Vets helping Vets, supporting Service-Disabled/Veteran Owned Business growth, and assisting our corporations in meeting their supplier diversity goals. It is essential for our Advisory Board, Officers and Board of Directors, to stay informed. It is so important to the NVBDC mission that we appoint our advisors with the right knowledge, a proven track record, and a connection with major corporations to achieve our goals to help our certified Veteran business owners. One of our stated objectives for 2020 was to find and appoint U.S. Military Veterans with a strong business background to our board. Kathy Poynton previously worked with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as the National Director of Event Operations & Specialty Events, Hiring Our Heroes. Where she created, organized, and executed Veteran hiring events stateside and overseas. She supervised and mentored a team of seven event planners that have executed over 1,100 hiring events resulting in employment of 31,000 veterans nationwide. Kathy brings the skills and experience we have been looking for to realize our future objectives, said Brigadier General (ret) Richard Miller, President, NVBDC. Story continues Kathy is a highly focused visionary with 25 + years of experience providing strategic management in operations, human resources, project and program management and employee development. Her career and extensive military experience seeded the knowledge she gained to oversee and direct multilevel, cross-functional initiatives. Her skills and lifetime achievements collectively bring an inspiring perspective to the National Veteran Business Development Advisory Board. Early in Kathys career, her ambition set her on a path for high-level achievements. She spent the first 12 years of her military career as an enlisted soldier and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Kathy graduated from Officer Candidate School, where she was pinned 2LT she then received a Masters in Public Administration from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY. In 2003 she transferred to National Guard Bureau located in Washington, D.C. During her tenure at NGB, she served as the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) policy section chief, Branch chief for the incentives branch, and promoted to Deputy Division Chief for the Education, Incentives and Employment Division. During her military career, Kathy has deployed to Honduras, Panama, Turkey, Kuwait and Afghanistan. She served as a reserve component liaison officer under the 5th Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom stationed at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, where she was awarded the Bronze Star. Kathy has received numerous awards during her service to include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (2), Iraqi Campaign medal, Office of Secretary of Defense staff Badge and Department of the Army staff badge. Kathy was with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation as the National Director of Event Operations & Specialty Events, Hiring Our Heroes, located in Washington D.C. Kathy has also developed initiatives and communications strategies to assist transitioning service members, and veterans to find meaningful employment; this led her to become the spokesperson for the Hiring Our Heroes program at military and community events. The National Veteran Business Development Councils motto is Vets Helping Vets, and our Advisory Board needs to have representation from individuals who have direct experience working to support, promote and helping our Veterans. Kathy is an excellent addition to the NVBDC Advisory Board and will help considerably with her knowledge and experience on all National Veteran Business Development Council programs said Keith King, NVBDC Founder and CEO. NVBDCs Mission: NVBDC is the only Veteran Owned Business Certification organization developed by Veterans for Veterans. The purpose is to provide a credible and reliable certifying authority for all size businesses, ensuring that valid documentation exists of Veteran ownership and control. Any questions go to: www.nvbdc.org or contact us at (888)-CERTIFIED National Veterans Business FIND US | LIKE US | FOLLOW US | JOIN US FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDIN | INSTAGRAM | RALLYPOINT | YOUTUBE Attachments Keith King, Founder & CEO National Veteran Business Development Council (888)-CERTIFIED kking@nvbdc.org LONDON (Reuters) - Online shoppers at Tesco will be able to order ketchup and Coca-Cola in refillable bottles as part of a pilot service by Britain's biggest supermarket chain that aims to cut down on waste generated by plastic packaging. Britons have become increasingly aware of the amount of plastic they use in recent years, with television documentaries such as David Attenborough's "Blue Planet II" highlighting the dangers of plastic pollution to marine life. Tesco has partnered with Loop, a spin-off of waste management company TerraCycle, for the trial which will allow online shoppers to buy products, such as Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Coca-Cola, Nivea moisturiser and Persil washing powder, in reusable containers. The Tesco pilot follows one Loop launched with France's Carrefour last year. Customers will pay a refundable deposit on each piece of packaging used and receive products in Loop's reusable bag. After use, customers place the empty containers back into Loop's bag, which can then be picked up or dropped off at one of 2,500 DPD collection points across the UK. Loop will sort and clean the empty containers so they can be refilled by the manufacturer. Tesco and Loop also aim to make products in reusable packaging available at Tesco's stores in 2021. Tesco pledged last year to remove one billion pieces of plastic packaging from products in its British stores by the end of 2020, while rival Sainsbury's vowed to halve plastic packaging by 2025, promising to switch to alternative materials or refillable options. "We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reusable packaging into our business," said Tesco Chief Executive Dave Lewis, who is due the leave the group on Oct. 1 after a six-year tenure. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Edmund Blair) (Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @SAMOUSAVI9) Ukraine Disagree With Iran's Theory of Defective Threat-Detection System in UIA Plane Crash (Photo : Screenshot from Twitter post of @RepMoBrooks) Ukraine Disagree With Iran's Theory of Defective Threat-Detection System in UIA Plane Crash The Ukraine government rejected the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) passenger plane crash theory of Iran. The theory suggests it was a human error, but the Ukrainian government doesn't buy the theory, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The government is still waiting for the investigation results, UKINFORM reported. Also Read: The U.K. Bans Huawei: Chinese Giant Thinks it's all 'Politicized,' Thanks to the U.S. Wow! Dem Congressman . @JackieSpeier blames Pres. Trump for Ukraine plane crash (likely shot down by trigger-happy Iranians). https://t.co/JrGEwyFCVE I wonder whether blaming Climate Change was Democrats second choice? Such is the logic we face in Congress! What a MESS! pic.twitter.com/tcSlbEWpwe Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) January 10, 2020 Also Read: [BREAKING] Huawei Might be Banned by Government from 5G Networks; All Equipment Ordered to be Removed "I want to clearly emphasize: It is early to say that the plane was shot down as a result of human error, as the Iranian side claims," said Kuleba via AL-MONITOR. "We have many questions, and we need a large number of authoritative, unbiased, objective answers about what happened," he added. Kuleba said that it is too early to conclude it was a human error as there are still many questions that require impartial, authoritative, and maximally objective answers to connected to the tragedy--these are the reasons why the government doesn't agree with Iran's theory. During a briefing on July 14, Kuleba said the issue should be resolved as part of a criminal investigation to establish all the facts needed. Once the investigation is complete, only then Ukraine will accept the provided reason by Iran. He insisted that Iran should compensate for this act following international law since taking down a civilian plane is illegal. Ukraine said that they will do anything to make Iran pay for what happened. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is currently prepared for legal and diplomatic struggle. 176 civilians killed from the plane crash The tragic accident of Flight 752 took the lives of 176 civilian passengers after it took-off from Tehran on Jan. 8 going to Ukrainian Capital, Kiev. Iranian fired a missile that took down the passenger plane. The tension between Iran and the United States is already brewing after Iraq retaliated against U.S. airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian commander based in Baghdad. Investigations on the cause of the Ukrainian plane crash have launched based on Int. standards & ICAO regulations; Ukraine and Boeing have been invited- as the owner & the manufacturer- to take part in it. We appreciate any country who can provide info to the Committee in charge. pic.twitter.com/62UQsdSf6R S.A MOUSAVI (@SAMOUSAVI9) January 9, 2020 It took several days before Iran finally admitted that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps shoot down the passenger plane of Ukraine. Iranian aviation authorities released a report on July 11, stating that it was an accidental airstrike caused by a human error. Iran claimed that the downing of the passenger plane was caused by communication errors and misalignment of the country's air defense system. The Agence France-Presse said that Iran's Civil Aviation Organization considers the report as factual, but not final, describing the incident as a "disastrous mistake." To conduct further investigation, Iran confirmed that it would turn over the Boeing 737-800's black box flight recorders to France. Also Read: [BREAKING] Passenger Plane Shot Down by Iranians Because of Faulty Threat-Detection System 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ROMEOVILLE, IL Equal number of people who responded to a poll for Romeoville Patch readers said the speed at which COVID-19 restrictions have been eased in the multi-phase reopening plan was either too fast or just about right. Almost 38 percent said the state reopened too soon or that things happened at the right pace, whereas nearly 14 percent said it was too slow and 11 percent of the respondents were not sure. At the same time, 70 percent of the survey takers said they did not change their behavior once the state moved to Phase 4 of the governor's Restore Illinois plan amid the pandemic. About 24 percent did notice changes in their routine and 5 percent were not sure. Some Romeoville Patch readers expressed concern about Illinois opening back up as coronavirus infection rates increase in other states. "It's too soon, and we should at least close state boarders to isolate and prevent people from traveling here who might have COVID-19," one reader said. When asked about what changes they'd like to see, the same reader said," Close the state boarders for every state to isolate ourselves." "I think the slow road is the way to go. Very nervous about phase 4 and how our residents will comply," another commented. "Enforce mandatory masks." One of the readers also said there not wearing masks in public should be considered a violation and "I think the whole process is being rushed to please entitled people who simply cant wear a mask without feeling their rights are being taken away." State health officials on Tuesday announced 707 new cases of the coronavirus and 25 additional deaths. The statewide total now stands at 155,506 confirmed infections and 7,218 deaths, not counting another 1,132 probable cases and 201 probable deaths. The country set multiple single-day records for new cases last week, and the CDC's latest prediction estimates between 140,000 and 160,000 deaths nationwide by August 1. However, despite the continued increase in the number of cases, some respondents feel everything needs to be open. Story continues "United States very slow with everything and the lies about testing is absolutely horrible," one reader said. "IL just open already and be done with it, it was all for politics anyone had nothing to do with the virus, they lied on numbers and still are." For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Romeoville Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook! This article originally appeared on the Romeoville Patch WASHINGTON - Beneath the feet of Abraham Lincoln and the bent knees of the formerly enslaved man depicted in the statue at the center of Lincoln Park, handwritten notes and protest signs have been pinned to the black fence that has for weeks encircled the figures - protecting it against any efforts to tear down the monument. On Tuesday, as Prince songs filled the open air and a small crowd donning "Make America Great Again" apparel gathered around the statue, William B. Allen affixed two more pieces of paper to the fence: On one was a photograph of an African sculpture depicting a crouching lion. On the other, a real lion reared back on its hind legs, ready to pounce. These photographs, Allen told the crowd, show the same motion in which the enslaved man of the controversial Emancipation Memorial was frozen. "African art contains the symbol of the crouching lion in order to convey the prospect of the pouncing king. See how strongly Archer Alexander's figure resembles the crouching lion, whether in photograph or in stone," said Allen, a professor of political philosophy at Michigan State University. "So let those who think this is a degrading figure, rethink." That is not how everyone sees it. Critics say the District of Columbia's Emancipation Memorial - which shows Lincoln holding a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation as an African American man in a loincloth kneels at his feet - is demeaning and suggests African Americans were not active contributors to the cause of their own freedom, remaining subservient even after they were released from their bonds. "I have lived in D.C. my entire life and never have I looked at this statue and felt uplifted by its intended positive message," a sign written in red, black and green marker said. But supporters of the monument, including Allen and dozens of conservative black thought leaders, pastors and politicians who came to the nation's capital to defend the embattled statue, say its critics are misreading the statue and ignoring its history. Echoing the tone President Donald Trump has taken in recent tweets about nationwide protests, they called Black Lives Matter protesters anarchists, communists and traitors. They held signs declaring that "not all black Americans agree with BLM." The statue, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, was commissioned and paid for by African Americans, including Union soldiers and many who had themselves been enslaved. The model for the kneeling man was Archer Alexander, a formerly enslaved man who helped pass information to Union troops during the Civil War and escaped on his own. Around the park Tuesday, demonstrators held signs proclaiming, "Save Archer Alexander. He's not kneeling. He's standing up!" As the speeches ended, Washingtonians who grew up in the neighborhood wandered by, curious to see what the commotion was about. Neighbors said they have grown used to seeing crowds at the statue's base. Protests have wound through residential streets, and police cars have become an increasingly common sight. Frazier Walton Jr. and Veronica Raglin grew up a few streets away from where the statue has sat for more than 144 years. They recalled playing in the park as children, gazing up at the bronze figures. Back then, the sculpture faced the opposite direction - north, toward the Statue of Freedom that sits atop the Capitol dome. They said they struggle to see what critics have called a patronizing symbol. Instead, they said it inspires feelings of pride. "All my life, I knew what it meant for this to be here," Walton said. "This was paid for by former slaves. It honors a man who had his flaws but was a godsend. Lincoln was a godsend." The Emancipation Memorial was thrust into the national consciousness in recent weeks as protesters and several prominent District officials have urged its removal amid a wave of calls nationwide to take down monuments to figures ranging from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee to President Theodore Roosevelt. District Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat, has advocated placing the monument in a museum. Mayor Muriel Bowser has encouraged debate on the issue and "not have a mob decide they want to pull it down." House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., tweeted late last month that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Trump would "not allow the Emancipation Memorial of President Lincoln to be destroyed by the left-wing mob." The president has echoed that sentiment in his own tweets, though he has not addressed the Emancipation Memorial directly. Alice Butler-Short, founder and president of Virginia Women for Trump, compared the calls to remove the statue to communist crackdowns such as the Chinese government's censorship of discussion related to the Tiananmen Square massacre. "They want all history destroyed," she said. "It's not just about statues. It's about protecting our history, our way of life, our heritage, our country." The event was convened by the conservative Center for Urban Renewal and Education, led by politician and author Star Parker. The group has circulated a petition calling for the statue to remain. More than 25,000 people attended the statue's dedication on April 14, 1876, the day before the 11th anniversary of Lincoln's death, including President Ulysses S. Grant. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass delivered the keynote address to the crowd, which included many black Washingtonians. In that famous speech, Douglass captured the contradictions that defined Lincoln's work on behalf of black Americans. "He was preeminently the white man's president, entirely devoted to the welfare of white men," Douglass said, while adding that for African Americans, "the hour and the man of our redemption had somehow met in the person of Abraham Lincoln," and that "under his wise and beneficent rule we saw ourselves gradually lifted from the depths of slavery to the heights of liberty and manhood." Don Folden, owner and operator of tour group Capital Buddy Tours, said he believes a compromise can be found. He said he has advocated adding greater context to statues with complex histories instead of tearing them down or moving them out of the public eye. "Instead of tearing these statues down, why don't we add the truth of what they represent? Put the Trail of Tears around Andrew Jackson - how proud is he going to look then?" Folden said. Instead of tearing down sculptures of Confederate generals, Folden said, "we should have been telling everybody how them boys got their butts kicked." To start, he said, the Emancipation Memorial should be turned around again, to face north, to face the Statue of Freedom, as it was intended. As school districts prepare for a variety of scenarios for the fall, the most important part of the plan will be finding ways to facilitate learning and increase engagement in a non-traditional setting. School leaders are looking at a variety of options to promote social distancing, such as utilizing gyms for classroom space and having students eat lunch in classrooms rather than a cafeteria. Most are considering a "hybrid" model that would offer in-school classes for things that make the most sense, like science labs, and having other subjects taught online for students at home. And while it makes sense to focus on the logistical challenges of educating in school buildings in the safest manner possible, school districts, students and families need to prepare for the possibility that a second wave of COVID-19 cases could force schools to once again close their buildings. The closure of schools in March came about somewhat abruptly as the severity of the coronavirus pandemic came into sharper focus, and school districts were forced to rush into implementing distance learning programming. Having gone through that experience and having had the summer to plan ahead should mean that schools will be better prepared to provide quality coursework, discussion, feedback and meaningful evaluation in the coming school year. And extra care needs to be taken this time around to provide distance learning more effectively and more equitably than many experienced in the spring. A study by The Education Trust-New York found that after school districts switched to online learning in March that there were wide gaps in technology between high-need and low-need districts, with poorer districts less likely to offer online programming that mirrored in-person classrooms. Disparities in math and English proficiency became even greater for students in low-income areas, where many did not have adequate access to teachers or computers and many did not have high-speed internet at home. And while Gov. Andrew Cuomo has indicated he understands that inequitable education funding is a problem in New York, he has also told schools they can expect funding cuts this year because of the financial crunch brought on by the virus, so the best hope at this point may be emergency federal funding. A COVID-19 relief bill recently introduced by Senate Democrats would include billions of dollars for education, including a Governor's Fund that would allow governors to direct funds where they're needed most. There is still a lot of uncertainty, and nobody expects schools to operate flawlessly in September, but improvements in distance learning methods are likely to be a key component of student success. Many kids in New York state got shortchanged in the later part of the 2020 school year, and we cant allow that to happen again. The Citizen editorial board includes publisher Michelle Bowers, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 We pretty much stay at home, wear masks in public and do our best to avoid large crowds. That means watching a lot of television and, therefore, we have a ringside seat to a lot of the civil unrest in our country. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and was particularly dismayed when I saw a mob enter Golden Gate Park and tear down the statues of Christopher Columbus, Fr. Junipero Serra (founder of California Missions) and Francis Scott Key, who wrote our national anthem. Fr. Serra brought Christianity to the West coast by establishing the California Missions and some Native Americans did not have a good experience, as some were persecuted. The cancel culture has jumped all over that. The night the mob went into Golden Gate Park to tear the statues down, I was concerned that they would continue to Mission Dolores and cause destruction or even try to burn it down. Look at what happened in Minneapolis. Finally, Francis Scott Key was not a perfect person either, so his statue must come down, too. I am wondering how long it will take for someone to want to change the national anthem or simply do away with it. What if we changed the anthem to The International? It has a catchy tune and the lyrics would resonate favorably with progressives and leftists of today. I could see Nancy Pelosi locked arm-in-arm with Chuck Schumer, heads held high, hands over heart, eyes twinkling as they sang the first refrain. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is employed in a wide range of applications. In chemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is in standard use for the purposes of analysis, while in the medical field, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to see structures and metabolism in the body. Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz (HIM), working in collaboration with visiting researchers from Novosibirsk in Russia, have developed a new method of observing chemical reactions. For this purpose they use NMR spectroscopy, but with an unusual twist: There is no magnetic field. "This technique has two advantages. For a start, we are able to analyze samples in metal containers and, at the same time, we can examine more complex substances made up of different types of components," said Professor Dmitry Budker, head of the Mainz-based group. "We think our concept could be extremely useful when it comes to practical applications." As a chemical technique, NMR spectroscopy is used to analyze the composition of substances and to determine their structures. High-field NMR is frequently used, which allows the nondestructive examination of samples. However, this method cannot be used to observe chemical reactions in metal containers because the metal acts as a shield, preventing penetration of the relatively high frequencies. For this reason, NMR sample containers are typically made of glass, quartz, plastic, or ceramic. Furthermore, high-field NMR spectra of heterogeneous samples containing more than one component tend to be poor. There are more advanced concepts but these often have the drawback that they do not make in situ monitoring of reactions possible. Use of zero- to ultralow-field magnetic resonance proposed as a solution The team led by Professor Dmitry Budker has thus proposed the use of zero- to ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance, ZULF NMR for short, in order to circumvent the problems. In this case, due to the absence of a strong external magnetic field, a metal container will not have a screening effect. The research group used a titanium test tube and a conventional glass NMR test tube for comparison in their experiments. In each case, para-enriched hydrogen gas was bubbled into a liquid to initiate a reaction between its molecules and the hydrogen. The results showed that the reaction in the titanium tube could be readily monitored using ZULF NMR. It was possible to observe the kinetics of the ongoing reaction with high spectroscopic resolution while continually bubbling parahydrogen gas. "We anticipate that ZULF NMR will find application in the field of catalysis for operando and in situ reaction monitoring as well as in the study of chemical reaction mechanisms under realistic conditions," write the researchers in their article published in the leading scientific journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition. Three researchers from the International Tomography Center in Novosibirsk were also involved in the project, namely Professor Igor V. Koptyug, a visiting scholar at HIM in Mainz, Dudari B. Burueva, a doctoral candidate of Koptyug who was also a visiting scholar and a joint first author of the now published study, and Dr. Kirill V. Kovtunov. "Sadly, our colleague Kirill Kovtunov passed away during the preparation of the manuscript for this publication. His contributions were very important to us," acknowledged Professor Dmitry Budker. Furthermore, a group of young scientists from HIM and JGU collaborated in the research project, namely joint first author Dr. James Eills, and Dr. John W. Blanchard, along with doctoral candidates Antoine Garcon and Roman Picazo Frutos. ### Related links: https://budker.uni-mainz.de/ - Budker Lab https://www.hi-mainz.de/ - Helmholtz Institute Mainz (HIM) https://www.hi-mainz.de/news-events/detail/news/him-welcomes-visiting-scientist-prof-igor-koptyug/ - Professor Igor V. Koptyug at the Helmholtz Institute Mainz http://www.tomo.nsc.ru/en/structure/lab/lmrm/ - Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Microtomography at the International Tomography Center in Novosibirsk, Russia Read more: https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/11444_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz to welcome Gilad Perez, winner of a Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award" (28 May 2020) https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/11370_ENG_HTML.php - press release "New simple method for measuring the state of lithium-ion batteries" (7 May 2020) https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/10255_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Placing another piece in the dark matter puzzle" (29 Oct. 2019) https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/9704_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Cesium vapor aids in the search for dark matter" (7 Oct. 2019) https://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/8949_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Tracking down dark matter" (2 July 2019) http://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/7645_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Physicists analyze the rotational dynamics of galaxies and the influence of the mass of the photon" (6 March 2019) http://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/6769_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Earth's magnetic field measured using artificial stars at 90 kilometers altitude" (14 Nov. 2018) http://www.uni-mainz.de/presse/aktuell/6963_ENG_HTML.php - press release "Atomic parity violation research reaches new milestone" (13 Nov. 2018) Australia is "specifically targeting" students and highly talented individuals from Hong Kong who will be able to contribute to its economy, a minister told CNBC this week. Canberra announced last week that it would be offering help to people wanting to move out of Hong Kong after the implementation of the new national security law on June 30. Australia's decision followed that of Taiwan and the United Kingdom, which also offered help to Hong Kongers looking to resettle elsewhere. "Australia is an immigrant nation and we're constantly chasing talent from around the world," Australian minister for population, cities and urban infrastructure, Alan Tudge, told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Tuesday. The country announced last week that "skilled and graduate visa-holders" would have their visas extended by five years, and that there would be a "path to permanent residency" at the end of that period. Hong Kong is a former British colony that was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, but the territory is granted more freedoms than other cities on the mainland. Hong Kong has a largely separate economic and legal system, and is allowed limited election rights. Head of US pharmaceutical giant says health officials may not be able to distribute coronavirus vaccines widely enough. Coronavirus vaccines under development are not guaranteed to work, and people who raise hopes of developing a vaccine before year-end are doing a grave disservice to the public, Merck & Co Incs chief said, according to a Harvard Business Review report. The potential vaccines may not have the qualities needed to be rapidly deployed in large numbers, Chief Executive Kenneth Frazier said in an interview published on Monday. If youre going to use a vaccine on billions of people, you better know what that vaccine does, he was quoted as saying. A United States official said Monday that drugmakers partnered with the US government are on track to begin actively manufacturing a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of the summer, Reuters reported. The Trump administration aims to produce 300 million vaccine doses by the end of 2021 through its Operation Warp Speed Program. Some previous vaccines not only didnt confer protection, but actually helped the virus invade the cell, because it was incomplete in terms of its immunogenic properties, Frazier said. So we have to be very careful. Merck announced in May plans to study potential vaccine and therapy candidates for COVID-19 through partnerships and acquisition of Austrian vaccine maker Themis Bioscience. It has not started clinical trials for its vaccine. Frazier, one of only four Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, said the US pandemic, with a higher death rate among people of colour, has highlighted huge structural elements of racism that have existed in this country for a long time. US companies must work to dismantle processes and systems that impede Black employees from advancing, he said. At the end of the day, if youre complacent with the status quo, youre complicit in the racism that the status quo hides. Modernas vaccine candidate US researchers reported on Tuesday that drugmaker Modernas experimental vaccine for COVID-19 showed it was safe and provoked immune responses in all 45 healthy volunteers in an ongoing early-stage study. Volunteers who got two doses of the vaccine had high levels of virus-killing antibodies that exceeded the average levels seen in people who had recovered from COVID-19, the team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. No study volunteers experienced a serious side effect, but more than half reported mild or moderate reactions such as fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches or pain at the injection site. These were more likely to occur after the second dose and in people who got the highest dose. Experts say a vaccine is needed to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic that has sickened millions and caused nearly 575,000 deaths worldwide. Moderna was the first to start human testing of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus on March 16, 66 days after the genetic sequence of the virus was released. Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose researchers developed Modernas vaccine candidate, called the results good news, noting that the study found no serious adverse events and the vaccine produced reasonably high levels of virus-killing or neutralizing antibodies. If your vaccine can induce a response comparable with natural infection, thats a winner, Fauci said in a telephone interview with Reuters. Thats why were very pleased by the results. Moderna shares jumped more than 15 percent in after-hours trading on Tuesday and gave Asian shares an early boost. Henry Nana Boakye 15.07.2020 LISTEN The youth wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a one-week ultimatum to members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to produce youth-focused policies they introduced when they were in power for eight years. NPP National Youth Organizer Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye, aka Nana B, threw the challenge during the party's 'Youth Must Know Series' held in Kumasi yesterday. He said under the NDC, especially the Mahama-led administration, there was no future for the youth, but the current Akufo-Addo administration came to reverse the trend and had given hope to the youth through many laudable policies. Nana B stated that if the NDC youth wing and communications outfit failed to come out with their party's youth-focused policies when they were in government, then members of the NDC would not have any moral right to campaign for votes from the youth in the run-up to the December polls. He said the current NPP administration had performed better regarding policies to improve the lives of the youth so it should be maintained in office. Nana B taunted that the NDC youth wing would struggle to meet his challenge, indicating that the NDC failed woefully to introduce youth-focused policies when it mismanaged the state of affairs during its eight years in political office. This NPP government has performed better than any other government in the 4th Republic when it comes to the implementation of policies that have far-reaching benefits in the lives of the youth. The sterling performance of President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia is evident in the lives of Ghanaian youth, he said. Massive Votes for Nana According to him, the youth have seen and experienced in their lives the numerous positive social intervention programmes which are youth-focused introduced by the Akufo-Addo government and so they would show their appreciation by voting massively for the President to sustain his good works. He mentioned the introduction of the free Senior High school (SHS) policy, which has increased enrolment of students; One District, One Factory, NABCO, which has offered job opportunities for the youth; financial support for 1,000 athletes, recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff, among others, as some of the interventions being made to give the youth hope. He said NDC never thought of such programmes and was only interested in looting funds meant for youth development. Besides, he said the recruitment of nurses, recruitment of security personnel, job creation in cocoa, 83,000 youth employed in youth in afforestation, funding for young entrepreneurs under NEIP, Planting for Food and Jobs and the restoration of nursing and teacher trainee allowances were some of the interventions of the NPP. The youth of Ghana is grateful to President Akufo-Addo for his visionary leadership and come December 7, 2020, we will vote massively to give the NPP and President Akufo-Addo four more years to do more for us, Nana B indicated. He lambasted the NDC for lying about his visit to some SHSs to monitor the ongoing voters' registration exercise. ---Daily Guide Some openings lead to one chamber, while others lead to groups of two, three and five chambers, thought to be of ancient religious significance The Egyptian archaeological survey team led by Mohammed Abd Al-Badea, which has been documenting evidence of human activity from prehistoric times through modern periods over an eight-kilometre long area in the desert west of Abydos, has located an extensive series of mysterious openings cut high in a cliff inside the sacred valley south of the royal cemetery of Umm Al-Qaab. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that examination showed that these openings are entrances to carved out chambers, which probably have sacred religious importance. Some openings lead to one chamber, while others lead to groups of two, three and five chambers. The groups are interconnected by narrow doorways cut through the bedrock wall. The chambers are rarely more than 1.20 metres high and are undecorated, but most have cut-rock features such as shallow niches, benches, rows of circular depressions or troughs cut in the floor, and many small holes in the walls just below the ceiling. Beside most of the opening, Waziri said, are ropes or hand holds. Some of the chambers are enlargements of natural tunnels in the bedrock created by water flowing over thousands of years. The cliff chambers are cut above deep vertical well-like shafts that follow natural water tunnels down into the bedrock, but these are now blocked by debris. There is no evidence of burials inside any of the chambers, and they do not appear to have been tombs. Material evidence for the function of the complex is scant. A single graffiti in one of the chambers gives the names of one Khuusu-n-Hor, his mother Amenirdis, and grandmother Nes-Hor. These names, as well as the pottery found in and around the chambers, suggests that the complex probably dates to the Ptolemaic period, 332-30 BCE. The only carved decoration consists of two small but unusual figures cut in bas relief on the side of one entry point. Matthew Adams of the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University and co-director of the North Abydos Expedition, who is collaborating with the survey mission, suggests that the chambers' location inside the sacred valley of Abydos and their hard-to-reach position high on a cliff means that they may have had great religious significance. The exploration of the area is at a preliminary stage, and much additional research and on-the-ground work will be needed. Search Keywords: Short link: We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Walking around or standing while working all day can be tasking on the feet, but taking care of them can improve blood circulation along with many other health benefits. While investing in some shoe alternatives can be READ THE REST Cecily Aguilar is seen in this undated booking photo. - (Bell County Sheriff's Office)By CHRISTINA CARREGA and MIKE REPPLIER, ABC News (BELL COUNTY, Texas) -- A married Texas woman who allegedly assisted her lover with dismembering the body of missing Fort Hood soldier Pfc. Vanessa Guillen will remain in federal custody. Cecily Ann Aguilar is described by military officials as the estranged wife of a former Fort Hood soldier and the girlfriend of Specialist Aaron David Robinson -- the suspected killer of Vanessa Guillen who later died by suicide. Aguilar, 22, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for one charge of conspiracy to tamper with documents or proceedings and two charges of tampering with documents or proceedings. Defense attorney Lewis Berray Gainor entered not guilty pleas on Aguilar's behalf during her bail hearing Tuesday afternoon. "She clearly and unequivocally denies the allegations. She had nothing to do with the murder of Vanessa Guillen," said Gainor. However, advocates for Guillen say the charges should be upgraded. "Our Soldier was not given any options, we need to be Vanessas voice for justice ... The appropriate charges should be murder, she needs to be charged with the maximum sentence as allowed by the law," said the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Herencia Council No. 4297 in a statement. LULAC held a peaceful protest outside the federal courthouse in Waco, Texas, on Tuesday morning denouncing Aguilar's bond hearing. "We need to demand the maximum sentence with denial of bond, no less," said LULAC, adding, "The female perpetrator's admission to be an accomplice of this horrendous crime committed, she needs to be subject to the same degree of punishment as the male principal perpetrator." Guillen, 20, was last seen at work on the grounds of the base on April 22 and was reported missing by her captain. Guillen's family and their attorney, Natalie Khawam, said the missing soldier was the victim of sexual harassment by her superior but that she did not report the allegations out of fear of retaliation. Army officials have launched an internal review of the command climate and culture at Fort Hood. After months of saying Guillen's allegations were unfounded, officials said on July 10 that they found evidence that Guillen was harassed, but that it was not sexual harassment and it did not involve her alleged killer, Robinson. Investigators with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) honed in on Robinson as a suspect after Guillen's phone records showed that he was the last person she was in contact with, according to court documents. Robinson, 20, told police that he was with Aguilar the day Guillen went missing, court documents say. After investigators conducted two interviews with Aguilar, she allegedly admitted to assisting Robinson with using a "hatchet or machete type knife" to dismember Guillen's body and bury pieces of it in three separate holes alongside the Leon River, according to court documents. Aguilar told investigators that after they left the river she deleted the Google accounts connected to herself and Robinson, U.S. Attorney Mark Frazier said at Aguilar's bail hearing Tuesday. When police took Aguilar into custody, she allegedly made phone calls from Bell County Jail in which she asked the person she called to delete her Facebook account "because the CID was monitoring it" and also told the person that she had $5,000 to get out of the country, Frazier said. "That's not what I said," responded Aguilar, who appeared at the hearing remotely from a holding cell, wearing a large orange face mask that matched her dyed orange hair. Gainor argued that Aguilar is not a risk to flee the country and that she has the support of her husband, who "has not left her side." "She wants to fight these charges to clear her name," Gainor added as Aguilar nodded in agreement. However Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Mansake denied bond for Aguilar because of her phone conversations where she expressed a desire to leave the country. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. (TNS) James Mike Anderson was a hospital employee in suburban Philadelphia with a low-profile though critical job: changing air filters in COVID-19 patients rooms.By late March, new COVID-19 cases in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, had ramped up to as many as 90 per day. At the hospital, Anderson handled air filters and other surfaces that might have been contaminated with the deadly virus, also known to hang in the air.In early April, Anderson, 51, came down with what he thought was a cold, according to his familys lawyer, David Stern. On April 13 Anderson was rushed to the hospital, where he died of acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19, according to the county coroner. He left behind a wife and two children, ages 5 and 9.Anderson was exposed to the virus at work, the lawyer contends, making his family eligible for workers compensation death benefits paid by his employers insurer. His family deserves to have that income replaced, Stern said. Their husband and father certainly cant be.But in a June 16 response to Sterns death benefits claim, St. Mary Medical Center denied all allegations.As the COVID-19 toll climbs, sick workers and families of the dead face another daunting burden: fighting for benefits from workers compensation systems that, in some states, are stacked against them.In interviews with lawyers and families across the nation,found that health care workers including nurses aides, physician assistants and maintenance workers have faced denials or long-shot odds of getting benefits paid. In some cases, those benefits amount to an ambulance bill. In others, they would provide lifetime salary replacement for a spouse.Legal experts say that in some states COVID-19 falls into a long-standing category of diseases like a cold or the flu conditions not covered by workers compensation with no plans to change that. Other states force workers to prove they caught the virus at work, rather than from a family member or in the community.We are asking people to risk their lives every single day not just doctors, nurses and first responders, but also nurses aides and grocery store clerks, said Laurie Pohutsky, a Democratic Michigan lawmaker who proposed a bill to help essential workers get coverage more easily. These people are heroes, but we have to actually back those words up with actions.In at least 16 states and Puerto Rico, officials have passed measures to make it easier for workers infected with the coronavirus to qualify for benefits for lost wages, hospital bills or death. Similar bills are pending in other states, but some face opposition from business groups over costs.Many of the proposed actions would turn the tables on the status quo, forcing employers to prove workers did not catch the virus at work. Bills vary in the scope of workers they cover. Some protect all who left home to work during stay-at-home orders. Others are limited to first responders and health care workers. Some would cover only workers who get sick during states of emergency, while others would cover a longer period.An early glimpse of data shows that health care workers and first responders, two groups hit hard by the virus, make up the majority of those seeking benefits. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 95,000 health care workers have been infected, a figure the agency acknowledges is an undercount.andhave identified more than 700 who have died. For these workers families, the stakes of the pending laws are enormous.In Virginia, attorney Michele Lewane is representing a nurse and a physician assistant who contracted the coronavirus while working at the same urgent care center. The physician assistant, who administered COVID-19 tests, was hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia for about a week. He missed five weeks of work.When the physician assistant asked the urgent care center for paperwork to file a workers compensation claim to cover his hospital bill, an administrator refused to hand it over, saying coronavirus treatment wouldnt be covered, Lewane said. He was laid off days later and left with a $60,000 hospital bill.Lewane said the law in Virginia will likely consider COVID-19 an ordinary disease of life, akin to a cold or the flu. She said shed have to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he caught the coronavirus at work.The bar is so high, she said, that shes waiting to file a claim in hopes that Virginia joins many other states passing laws that make it easier for health workers to prove their cases.Craig Davis, president-elect of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, said he took on a test case and received a quick denial of workers compensation benefits for a COVID-19-positive physician assistant.We think theres an infinitesimal possibility of prevailing under our laws as currently written, he said. His group is pushing for a legislative change.In Montana, which has largely been spared by the pandemic, workers face even longer odds. A 64-year-old nurse at a small hospital there was hospitalized for eight days with COVID-19 in April, according to her Great Falls lawyer, Thomas Murphy. She remains at home on oxygen, unable to work.The woman filed a workers compensation claim, which could qualify her for up to $800 a week in lost wages plus lifetime coverage of medical bills related to her condition. Instead of agreeing to those benefits, Murphy said, the insurer offered to settle for $17,000, which she declined because it would not cover her medical bills.Murphy said the employer, which he did not name to protect his client from retaliation, is arguing that she was the first person at the hospital to contract the virus, so she likely didnt get it at work. However, he noted that two other hospital employees and six patients tested positive within the next two weeks and his client went few places other than work.In Montana law, the burden of proof lies on the employee to show an illness was work-related.Were going to have to try to piece together all of the sources that might have infected her and prove that its more probable than not that she got it at work, Murphy said. Women like this woman are going to have a hard road ahead of them.The Montana Legislature isnt set to meet until January, and an executive order appears unlikely.In New Jersey, attorney Rick Rubenstein is representing the widow of a man who worked as a housekeeper at a nursing home, doing laundry and occasional patient care. Not given protective gear by his employer, the man caught COVID-19 and had a lengthy stay in the intensive care unit before he died.His wife has the virus now and was faced with a default no answer in 35 days after seeking benefits in New Jerseys workers compensation system. They would cover her husbands $188,000 hospital bill and survivors pay of $308 per week.Shes isolated, doesnt know what her own health future holds and doesnt have an explanation of why this stuff is happening, Rubenstein said. Its terrible.A bill proposed in New Jersey would make it easier for essential workers who got COVID-19 during the state of emergency to prove that they got it on the job. The bill was passed by the state Senate and is pending before the General Assembly.The New Jersey Business & Industry Association has opposed the bill, saying it would push higher workers compensation insurance rates onto businesses that are struggling to survive.Our concerns are primarily that the cost of these claims can overwhelm the system, which was not designed to handle claims during a worldwide pandemic, NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas said in a statement.While there are no national estimates of how many are filing claims for workers compensation or getting approvals Massachusetts providedwith a summary of its coronavirus reports from March, April and May.During those months, employers filed 3,482 first reports of injury regarding a worker with COVID-19 2,915 were for health care workers. Insurers denied benefits to 216 health care workers, according to Massachusetts records.Florida posted similar data, showing a higher rate of denied claims for health care workers. While 1,740 health care workers sought benefits related to COVID-19, about 30 percent, or 521 claims, were fully denied. Among the 1,200 who were paid benefits, the amount paid added up to $1.3 million.The cost of covering 9.6 million first responders and health workers nationally could range from $1 billion to $16 billion, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, which provides insurance rate recommendations for 38 states. The bill is paid by employers who buy workers compensation insurance, employers that self-insure and taxpayers, who support government agencies.Those estimates do not include New York or California, where Gov. Gavin Newsoms executive order broadening coverage through July 5 is projected to add about $1.2 billion to Californias costs.In many states, business associations consider proposals to expand workers compensation too costly and too broad.A proposed California bill would extend Newsoms executive order and put the burden on employers to prove that critical workers, including those in retail, warehousing and delivery, who got the coronavirus did not get it at work. The bill has critics.California employers have been significantly impacted by this crisis and simply cannot be the safety net for this pandemic by providing workers compensation benefits for all employees, even when they are not injured at work, according to a letter of concern signed by the California Chamber of Commerce, California Hospital Association and others.A federal backstop may become available. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill that would create a federal fund for essential workers, including health care personnel, who get sick or die from the coronavirus. The Pandemic Heroes Compensation Act would be modeled after the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.In Pennsylvania, there is no presumption that COVID-19 is acquired on the job.Stern, the lawyer for Andersons family, filed a fatal claim in May with the state workers compensation board, which passed it on to the employer.A St. Mary Medical Center spokesperson confirmed in an email that Anderson worked there for 23 years and was a maintenance mechanic. She would not discuss his case. We are extremely saddened by his death, she wrote. We are not able to provide additional information out of respect for his and his familys privacy.Mark Banchi volunteers with hospital chaplains and knew Anderson for over 30 years. He said co-workers are reeling from the death of a man who was enthusiastic, gregarious, friendly.His loss to the hospital is real, Banchi said. Some people lift spirits, some people make you glad you came that day, and Mike was one of those people.In addition to working at St. Mary for $22 an hour, Anderson had a cleaning job at a car dealership. Stern said Anderson was unlikely to be exposed to the virus there. If Stern prevails, the family would receive two-thirds of Andersons combined pay, capped at $1,081 a week. As the quest to find a vaccine for the novel coronavirus continues across the globe, a Russian university completed the first phase of clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine. The clinical trials of the vaccine on volunteers at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University have been successfully completed, Vadim Tarasov, the director of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology said, according to Russian news agency Sputnik. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Institute, an epidemiology research centre in Moscow. The trials were authorised by the Russian Health Ministry, and the university started running them from June 18, according to the report. The first group of 18 volunteers would be discharged on July 15, and the second batch of 20 on July 20. Follow: Coronavirus Worldometer | 15 countries with the highest number of cases, deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic The objective of this stage of the study was to show the vaccine's safety on humans, which was successfully done, according to Alexander Lukashev, the director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical, and Vector-Borne Diseases at Sechenov University. A further vaccine development plan is already being determined by the developer, including the complexity of the epidemiological situation with the virus and the possibility of scaling up production, Lukashev said. Russia on Monday reported 6,537 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its overall tally to 733,699, the fourth largest reported in the world. Authorities said 104 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 11,439. Russia Deputy Foreign Ministry Sergey Vershinin has met India's envoy in the country, Bala Venkatesh Varma, and discussed bilateral cooperation at various international platforms, including in the UN Security Council. India last month was overwhelmingly elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council for a two-year term. India, the endorsed candidate from the Asia-Pacific States, won 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the elections for the five non-permanent seats of the Security Council. Vershinin met with Ambassador of India on Tuesday. "The officials discussed the two countries' cooperation at various international platforms, including in the context of India's election to the UN Security Council in 2021-2022 as a non-permanent member," Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed a question about the number of black Americans who have been killed by police, saying that law enforcement officers kill "more white people." During an interview with CBS News, the president also said he views the flying of the Confederate flag as an issue of freedom of speech, without offering his own feelings about a symbol that for many represents the country's racist past and history of slavery. "All I say is, freedom of speech," Trump said when asked about the flag. "It's very simple. . . . Well, people love it and I don't view - I know people that like the Confederate flag, and they're not thinking about slavery." Trump's remarks come after weeks of nationwide protests over police brutality and systemic racism in the wake of the killing in May of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, in Minneapolis police custody. They also come amid a deepening debate over Confederate symbols. Some demonstrators have toppled monuments to Confederate figures, arguing that their removal is long overdue. Democrats on Capitol Hill have pushed forward with a proposal to remove the names of Confederate generals from military installations, and NASCAR last month announced that it is banning displays of the Confederate flag at all its events and properties. In the interview with CBS News's Catherine Herridge, Trump called Floyd's death "terrible." But he appeared to dismiss the notion that systemic racism is a problem in U.S. law enforcement. "Why are African Americans still dying at the hands of law enforcement in this country?" Herridge asked Trump. "And so are white people," he replied. "So are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people - more white people, by the way. More white people." In terms of absolute numbers, more white people than black people are killed by police in the country. According to a Washington Post analysis last month, 45 percent of those shot and killed by police since 2015 were white, while 23 percent were black. But white people comprise 60 percent of the U.S. population, while black people make up only 13 percent. Thus, black people are shot and killed by police at a disproportionately higher rate than white people. - - - The Washington Post's Mark Berman contributed to this report. A request to extradite Ian Bailey to France for a third time, where he is facing a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, is an "abuse of process", his lawyers have told the High Court. Ronan Munro SC, for Mr Bailey, today argued that his client has an "ironclad right" not to be surrendered to France and it had not been threatened in any way by subsequent developments in law. This is the third time French authorities are seeking Mr Baileys surrender in relation to the death of Ms du Plantier, whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996. Mr Bailey (63), with an address at The Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, west Cork, was convicted of the French womans murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019. The three-judge Cour dAssises (criminal trial court) in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on Mr Bailey in his absence. The Englishman, who denies any involvement in the mother-of-ones death, did not attend the French court and had no legal representation in the proceedings, which he has described as a farce. Mr Bailey was arrested at the Criminal Courts of Justice Building on foot of a European Arrest Warrant in December 2019. He was remanded on bail after a High Court judge subsequently endorsed the third European Arrest Warrant (EAW) seeking his extradition to France. Mr Bailey is facing a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of Ms du Plantier and the three-day full extradition hearing, where he will contest the request for his surrender, commenced in the Irish High Court today, a day after Bastille Day in France. Expand Close Sophie Toscan du Plantier / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sophie Toscan du Plantier At the outset of this morning's hearing, counsel for Mr Bailey, David Conlan Smyth SC with Ronan Munro SC and Marc Thompson BL, said Mr Munro would make legal submissions concerning the issue of "res judicata" - a matter that has been adjudicated by a competent court and therefore may not be pursued further by the same parties - and Mr Conlan Smyth would deal with Mr Bailey's fair trial rights. Opening an application for surrender, counsel for the Minister for Justice, Robert Barron SC with Leo Mulrooney BL, took Mr Justice Paul Burns through the formalities of the EAW. Mr Barron said the EAW had been filled out by the French authorities indicating that Mr Bailey did not appear for his trial last year and he will have a right to a retrial if surrendered. Opposing an application for Mr Bailey's surrender to France, Mr Munro said the central submission in the hearing was that there is a binding judgment from the Supreme Court in 2012 which prohibits the surrender of his client based on section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, which remains untouched and intact. Section 44 states that a person shall not be surrendered under this Act if the offence specified in the EAW was committed in a place other than the issuing State and the offence does not, by virtue of having been committed in a place other than the State, constitute an offence under the law of the State. The lawyer submitted that his client had an "ironclad right" as well as an "unassailed right" not to be surrendered to France. Mr Munro argued that the State's legal submissions set out that the Supreme Court decision in 2012 can be distinguished due to a change in the law with the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act 2019. "I think what they mean is if an Englishman ordinarily resident in Ireland is sought today for the murder of Ms du Plantier in 1996 then that person wouldn't have the benefit of the interpretation of section 44 because of legislative change," said Mr Munro, adding that he did not accept this proposition for one second. The barrister said he "threw down the gauntlet" to Counsel for the Minister for Justice, Mr Barron, to show why legislative change dis-applied the Supreme Court decision. In addition, Mr Munro said he did not accept that the Criminal Law Act 2019 brought about a material change. Mr Justice Burns interjected at this stage and asked if the change in the law last year did not materially affect the decision of the Supreme Court in 2012 then was the High Court bound by that. In reply, Mr Munro said it was and pointed out that the 2019 legislation had not sought to "dismantle" or set aside Mr Bailey's "vested right" not to be surrendered. Furthermore, Mr Munro submitted that a third set of proceedings and a third attempt to have his client prosecuted was "an abuse of process", something the court must apply a very high level of scrutiny to. "The very fact that there is a third set of proceedings is the very indicator that an abuse of process has been taking place," he said. Mr Munro also told the High Court that his client had sworn an affidavit setting out his objections to being surrendered to France as well as certain factual matters particularly in relation to his health. In the affidavit, Mr Bailey said he had nothing to do with the murder of Ms du Plantier and had been in a relationship with Ms Jules Thomas for over 25 years. He spoke about his difficulty in finding work as a journalist as a result of the direct consequences of the false allegation made against him. He said he suffered from depressive episodes, which can manifest in outbreaks on his skin and also had panic attacks. The seriousness of the allegation, the manner of the garda investigation and the extradition requests had placed considerable strain and unwelcome attention on himself and his family, he said. Mr Bailey said that whilst he has not been the subject of criminal court proceedings in Ireland, he has been subject to the criminal process and his standing had suffered greatly in the small rural community where he lives. He tries not to dwell "on being hunted" and writing poetry has had a cathartic effect on him, he said. His sleep patterns have been disturbed and he has a reoccurring dream of being rearrested and confined in a cell saying: "It is so realistic that is why I reawaken and it can take me some time to recover." Furthermore, Mr Bailey said he has been greatly restrained and unable to travel freely since the issuing of the EAW in 2010. He explained that he was unable to visit his mother in a nursing home in the UK or attend her funeral, something he said "had been one of the cruelest aspects of this entire process". Mr Munro said one of the unique features of this case is that the French trial was based primarily on the "fruits" of the garda investigation. Mr Munro also raised the issue that the French authorities did not seek to invite Mr Bailey to attend his trial in 2019 and his solicitor, Frank Buttimer, was not invited either. The barrister said this seemed strange and described it as an "unusual feature" of the trial. Mr Munro questioned why the 2017 proceedings were brought, where it must have been obvious to a competent lawyer that the Supreme Court had blocked the way. "If there is an absence of an abuse of process in the past, it is clearly relevant to this third set of proceedings," he said. The lawyer relied on the 2012 Supreme Court case of Minister for Justice v Tobin, where he said the finality of proceedings was of fundamental importance to the administration of justice and the courts ensure there is no abuse of this. In conclusion, Mr Munro said the only statute mentioned in this case - the Criminal Law Act 2019 - was a straw in the wind and this act was "blowing around in the wind". Mr Bailey's declared right under section 44 prohibited his surrender to France and nothing that has happened since had come close to prohibiting that right, he said. French authorities previously sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010 but this application was refused by the Supreme Court in 2012, which held that section 44 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law did not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen. A second French extradition request in respect of Mr Bailey was dismissed as an abuse of process by the High Court in July 2017. On that occasion, Mr Justice Tony Hunt held that the unique features of the case justified termination of the proceedings. He said the Minister was estopped or halted from obtaining an order for Mr Bailey's surrender in light of the Supreme Court's judgement in 2012 on identical relevant facts. Mr Bailey and filmmaker Jim Sheridan were present in court for today's hearing. Mr Munro will continue his submissions when the extradition hearing continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Burns. It is expected to last three days. Westerly, RI (02891) Today Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 47F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies and rain later during the night. Snow may mix in late. Low 33F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office voted Tuesday to appoint former White Star Chief Executive Officer Elliot Chambers to head that state agency, despite Chambers oil and gas company having shorted the state agency on royalty payments. The vote was 3-0 with Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lt. Gov Matt Pinnell and state Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur voting in favor of the appointment. The other two commissioners, State Auditor Cindy Byrd and Schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, were conspicuous by their absence. Reached by telephone, Byrd said a conflict kept her from the meeting. Byrd said no comment when asked if she opposed Chambers appointment. It took President Donald Trump 827 days to top 10,000 false and misleading claims in The Fact Checker's database, an average of 12 claims a day. But on July 9, just 440 days later, the president crossed the 20,000 mark - an average of 23 claims a day over a 14-month period, which included the events leading up to Trump's impeachment trial, the worldwide pandemic that crashed the economy and the eruption of protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody. The coronavirus pandemic has spawned a whole new genre of Trump's falsehoods. The category in just a few months has reached nearly 1,000 claims, more than his tax claims combined. Trump's false or misleading claims about the impeachment investigation - and the events surrounding it - contributed almost 1,200 entries to the database. The notion that Trump would exceed 20,000 claims before he finished his term appeared ludicrous when The Fact Checker started this project during the president's first 100 days in office. In that time, Trump averaged fewer than five claims a day, which would have added up to about 7,000 claims in a four-year presidential term. But the tsunami of untruths just keeps looming larger and larger. As of July 9, the tally in our database stands at 20,055 claims in 1,267 days. Just as when Trump crossed the 10,000 threshold, an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News helped Trump breach the 20,000 mark. Trump racked up 62 claims on July 9, about half of which came during the Hannity interview: Trump's statements cover a substantial range of his bogus attacks, conspiracy theories, boasts and inaccurate information: - Former president Barack Obama "did not want" to give surplus military equipment to police. Obama scaled back the program but still allowed specialized firearms, manned and unmanned aircraft, explosives and riot gear. - Trump has "tremendous support" in the African American community. No polling shows this. - Trump "insisted" the National Guard be used in Minneapolis to quell disturbances and Seattle officials "knew" he was ready to act with force if the city did not shut down protests. Local officials say neither claim is true; they acted on their own. - The United States has a "record" for coronavirus testing, and China has not tested as many people as the United States. The United States still lags several major countries in terms of tests per million people, the best metric for comparison. The United States has a higher per capita testing rate than China, but China in June said it had tested 90 million people - at the time, three times as many as the United States. - Obama and former vice president Joe Biden "spied" on his campaign and "knew everything that was going on." Trump has made allegations of Obama spying since 2017, based on little or no evidence. - The jury forewoman in the Roger Stone trial was "disgraceful." The judge in the case rejected claims of bias. Tomeka Hart's political leanings and activities were clearly known during the jury selection process, and not even Stone's legal team tried to strike her from the jury pool. - Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign manager, was placed in "solitary confinement," while Al Capone "was never in solitary confinement." Manafort was in a "private, self-contained living unit" that was larger than other units, which included a bathroom, shower, telephone and laptop access, according to court records. Capone was eventually sent to the infamous Alcatraz prison, where he was stabbed and got into fights and, according to some reports, ended up in solitary confinement as his brain deteriorated from untreated syphilis. - "We're doing record numbers on the border." In 2020, no records have been set, and border apprehensions spiked sharply in June. - "We've rebuilt the military, 2.5 trillion dollars." Trump frequently suggests this money is all for new equipment, but he's just adding together three years of budgets, none of which is a record. So far during his presidency, Trump's most repeated claim - 360 times - is that the U.S. economy today is the best in history. He began making this claim in June 2018, and it quickly became one of his favorites. He's been forced to adapt for the tough economic times, and doing so has made it even more fantastic. Whereas he used to say it was the best economy in U.S. history, he now often recalls that he achieved "the best economy in the history of the world." That's not true. The president once could brag about the state of the economy, but he ran into trouble when he made a play for the history books. By just about any important measure, the pre-coronavirus economy was not doing as well as it did under Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson or Bill Clinton - or Ulysses S. Grant. Moreover, the economy was already beginning to hit the head winds caused by Trump's trade wars, with the manufacturing sector in an apparent recession. Trump has repeated this "best economy" claim more than 100 times just since the coronavirus emerged in China and sent the economy into a tailspin, robbing Trump of what he had expected would be his top sales pitch for reelection. Trump's second-most repeated claim - 261 times - is that his border wall is being built. Congress balked at funding the concrete barrier he envisioned, so the project evolved into the replacement of smaller, older barriers with steel bollard fencing. (Only three miles of the barrier is on land that previously did not have a barrier.) The Washington Post has reported that the bollard fencing is easily breached, with smugglers sawing through it, despite Trump's claims that it is impossible to get past. Nevertheless, the project has diverted billions in military and counternarcotics funding to become one of the largest infrastructure projects in U.S. history, seizing private land, cutting off wildlife corridors and disrupting Native American cultural sites. Trump has falsely said 210 times that he passed the biggest tax cut in history. Even before his tax cut was crafted, he promised it would be the biggest in U.S. history - bigger than President Ronald Reagan's in 1981. Reagan's tax cut amounted to 2.9% of the gross domestic product, and none of the proposals under consideration came close to that level. Yet Trump persisted in this fiction even when the tax cut was eventually crafted to be the equivalent of 0.9% of GDP, making it the eighth-largest tax cut in 100 years. This continues to be an all-purpose applause line at the president's rallies. Trump's penchant for repeating false claims is demonstrated by the fact that the Fact Checker database has recorded nearly 500 instances in which he has repeated a variation of the same claim at least three times. The Fact Checker also tracks Three- or Four-Pinocchio claims that Trump has said at least 20 times, earning him a Bottomless Pinocchio. There are now 40 entries, with the most recent addition being his false claim that he has spent $2.5 trillion on new military equipment. The award-winning database website, created by graphics reporter Leslie Shapiro, has an extremely fast search engine that will quickly locate suspect statements the president has made. We encourage readers to explore it in detail. Readers may also be interested in our new book, which was published June 2 by Scribner: "Donald Trump and His Assault on Truth: The President's Falsehoods, Misleading Claims and Flat-Out Lies." We drew on the database to compile a guide to Trump's most frequently used misstatements, biggest whoppers and most dangerous deceptions. We examine in detail how Trump misleads about himself and his foes, the economy, immigration, the Ukraine controversy, foreign policy, the coronavirus crisis and many other issues. The book is a national bestseller and earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, which called it "an extremely valuable chronicle." Engulfed by thousands of war refugees, all clamouring for a place on the buses sent to deliver them from the vengeful predations of an invading army, a 13-year-old girl clutched the hand of her younger brother. After cowering amid the panic-stricken crowd all night, Almedina Dautbasic had begun to understand why the Serb troops periodically waded into the crowd to pluck out Bosnian Muslim men and boys, and march them away. She had heard their futile cries for mercy and the rattle of machine-gun fire. Finally Almedina and her brother Almir, 11, reached the front of the melee. Just as their safe passage seemed assured, however, a soldier snatched the boy from her grasp. Horror: Investigators of the International War Crimes Tribunal at the grave of more than 100 victims executed at the Bosnian village of Pilica 'You're not going anywhere,' he barked, ordering him to join a group of men herded together, ready for the next mass slaughter. The date was July 11, 1995. Had fate taken a different turn that day, 8,373 identical white headstones would not now line the hills outside the remote Bosnian mountain town of Srebrenica. There would be 8,374. Miraculously, Almir survived the infamous Srebrenica Massacre, a 12-day orgy of mass murder, rape and torture which began 25 years ago this month. It was the worst atrocity committed in Europe since World War II and stands as this continent's only legally recognised act of genocide since the Holocaust. Now 36, and living in Tuzla, 65 miles from Srebrenica, Almir told me this week how he owes his life to his sister's courage and sharp wits. 'For a few seconds the soldier was distracted, and as he turned away Almedina somehow bundled me onto the bus,' he said, through a translator. 'She hid me under her seat covered with a blanket, and no one found me. 'Later we realised that one sentence from our father was crucial. He said it over and over again: 'Stick together no matter what, and don't let them separate you.' ' They were the last words their widower father Azem had spoken to his children. To reach the buses, the family had to pass through Serbian lines. So, realising he would be captured and executed, the coal-miner had left his family and tried to escape through the woods. Nobody knows how he died, for his remains weren't discovered until 2009. But on every July 11 since then, Almedina and Almir who found sanctuary in an orphanage along with their younger brother, then aged five have returned to the memorial cemetery outside Srebrenica to remember him. Or at least they had until last weekend. Because of the pandemic there was no ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary. No solemn parades or speeches in condemnation of a catastrophe that not only shames the Serbs but also Britain and its United Nations allies. There was to have been a service at St Paul's last weekend, attended by Prince Charles and other world leaders. Bosnian Muslim women pray as relatives of victims of Srebrenica genocide visit sites of 1995 mass execution of their loved ones, on July 13, 2020 in Brnjevo near Srebrenica, Bosnia and Hercegovina Instead, the Prince and Boris Johnson expressed their sympathy and outrage via video messages. And nine more victims recovered this year during the unending search for those listed as missing have been quietly laid to rest. In Srebrenica, Almir's story is rare: an uplifting fragment amid the horrifying images invoked by a town whose name stands alongside Auschwitz, Rwanda and the Killing Fields of Cambodia in the annals of inhumanity. Hearing it this week brought back memories of my first visit to that beautiful but benighted place. I went 18 years ago, after an official report shamed the UN 'protection force' of 400 Dutch troops for failing to intervene as the Serbs set about exterminating the Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks. It was such a profoundly disquieting experience that words such as haunting and eerie seem inadequate. Seven years after the massacre, people still wandered around with deadened eyes. Entire streets of homes lay abandoned. Factories and shops were almost all closed. And I conducted one of the most harrowing interviews in a 40-year career. The man I spoke to, Hakija Hadzic, was another of Srebrenica's few male survivors yet such was the extent of his mental torment, he told me, that he wished every day that he had died with his comrades. Like Almir's father, he too had attempted to escape Serbian forces by fleeing through woodland, hoping to find his way to Bosniak-held territory. For hours he drove himself on, evading the search-parties who combed the forest, tricking many Muslims to surrender by shouting that they would be treated humanely and swapped for Serb prisoners. Eventually, however, he gave himself up. Stripped of his boots, he and dozens more prisoners were forced to sit for hours in the baking sun. Then the fearsome Serb Commander Ratko Mladic, the so-called Butcher of Bosnia now serving life for genocide and crimes against humanity, dismounted his armoured car to address them. In empathetic tones, the burly general promised them fresh boots, food and drinking water, and said they would be united with their families. It was a cynical lie; as calculatingly evil as that which persuaded thousands of unsuspecting Jews into the Nazi death camps. As Mladic strode away, Hadzic, then 51, and a harmless farmer with a wife and three children, and the other captives were driven to a farm warehouse and ordered inside. When the stifling room was filled to capacity, the shuttered windows and doors were suddenly opened and the men were mown down in a blizzard of fire from machine guns, grenades and bazookas. Men were heaped on top of one another, writhing and groaning, blood drenched the straw-matted ground. Only three got out of that warehouse alive. One was Hadzic, who lay under a pile of corpses for 24 hours, pretending to be dead, ignoring the Serbs' false entreaties for anyone still alive to declare themselves, whereupon they would be spared and enrolled in the Serbian army. Those who did stand up were promptly shot. Stacks of unidentified corpses line the walls of an underground shelter in a Bosnian morgue in Tuzla in this March 1997 file photo Satisfied no one was alive, the Serbs left, returning weeks later to remove the bodies with bulldozers, and hose down and disinfect the warehouse though not thoroughly enough to destroy all the forensic evidence, which was later used in war crimes tribunals. When they departed, Hadzic crawled away. Smeared in blood, he sneaked back into the forest and trekked on for two weeks, eating leaves and drinking rain water before, on July 26, he reached the Bosnian-held town of Zepa. After telling his story, he agreed to show me the warehouse. It would have been the first time he had returned there. However, as we approached the bullet-riddled building, he began crying, hyper-ventilating and shaking uncontrollably, and begged me not to stop the car. 'Never a night goes by that I don't wake up with a nightmare of what happened in that farm,' he told me. He had by then been relocated to a village many miles from Srebrenica and vowed never to go back. I heard many others make the same pledge. Before the Bosnian War, which raged between 1992 and 1995 and was precipitated by the ruthless determination of Serbia's ultra-nationalist political leaders to absorb Bosnia into their territory following the break-up of Yugoslavia, Srebrenica was a tranquil place. Nestling in a pine-clad mountain pass, it was a magnet for tourists who hiked its forest trails and bathed in the healing waters of its spa. Locals, who then numbered 36,000 27,000 Bosniaks and 9,000 Bosnian Serbs, lived harmoniously, working in the mineral mines (the English name for Srebrenica is Silver Town) and farms. Indeed, what makes the depravity that unfolded there so shocking is that people turned so violently against their neighbours, workmates and school friends. Not only were thousands of innocents murdered. Witnesses have described seeing little girls being gang-raped by Serb soldiers as they waited with their parents to board buses to safety. A young boy was beheaded as he cowered on his mother's lap, after which his executioner impaled the severed head on his knife and brandished it triumphantly. When a soldier ordered a mother to stop her baby crying, and her soothing failed, he snatched the child and slit its throat, laughing as he did. Another mother had her three young sons snatched and later found them stabbed to death. It was cruelty almost beyond belief. Anyone who so much as remonstrated with the soldiers many of whom were drunk on cheap liquor was liable to have their eyes gouged out or their lips, noses and ears sliced off. Others hanged themselves in the woods rather than watch their families suffer. That this could happen during the Nineties, in a country only two and a half hours flying time from London, is difficult to comprehend. That many of these atrocities occurred directly outside the UN protection force's compound, as the 400 Dutch troops remained behind its locked gates refusing to allow the Bosniaks inside claiming there were too many to accommodate and that it was not in their remit makes this surely the most shameful debacle in the organisation's history. According to a witness, one Dutch soldier listened to music on his Sony Walkman as a girl was gang-raped just yards from him. Following my visit to Srebrenica I went to the Netherlands and tracked down two of the UN contingent. One told me how he had opened the camp gates to allow a girl of seven or eight, with a gaping wound in her leg, to come inside for treatment. As the gates swung open, countless desperate refugees poured in after her. 'I reckon I saved about 30 lives that day, but nobody wants to know about that,' he said bitterly. 'We are remembered as cowards.' They are indeed. Particularly their commander, Colonel Thom Karremans, who was filmed drinking a toast with Mladic shortly before the massacre unfolded. Precisely why did it happen? The question is still fiercely debated. The straight-forward explanation is that, after three years of laying siege to Srebrenica one of several Bosniak zones designated as 'safe areas' by the UN, though they were surrounded by Serbian-occupied territory the Serbs ran out of patience and took a chance. For, by the summer of 1995, Srebrenica was ripe for the taking. Cut off from the outside world and relentlessly bombarded by the Serbs, who refused to allow humanitarian convoys through their ranks and sabotaged the water supply, its population swollen to 60,000 by refugees was at breaking-point. Several people had starved to death, many more were skeletal and wore rags, women resorted to prostitution to feed their children, and the dwindling stocks of food, cigarettes and fuel were sold on the black market by the militia. Ratko Mladic in 1993 The evil architect of the massacre was ruthless Serbian political leader Radovan Karadzic, now 75 and also serving life for war crimes and genocide. As early as March 1995, he issued his chilling 'Directive 7': an order to Mladic, his most senior field commander, to isolate the enclave beyond endurance. To do this, Mladic was told 'to create an unbearable situation of total insecurity with no hope of further survival or life for the inhabitants'. Nonetheless, Britain and the West must shoulder some blame, for they were, at the very least, guilty of poor judgment and complacency. British Army documents declassified last year suggest that even as the Serbs strengthened their forces around Srebrenica, our intelligence services didn't believe they would overrun the town. They also appeared to blame the besieged Bosnians for provoking the onslaught by making incursions behind Serbian lines. So what is life like in Srebrenica now? After 25 years are the psychological wounds beginning to heal? Have the Bosnian Muslims and Serbs Orthodox Christians reconciled their differences? Is the town returning to some semblance of normality? Tragically, the answer on all these fronts is a resounding No. Journeying there this week, our correspondent found a scene of despair. Though some residents who were 'ethnically cleansed' in 1995 have slowly returned, the population hovers around 13,000, split almost equally between Bosniaks and Serbs. Even before coronavirus arrived, many shops and cafes were boarded up and jobs were scarce. On one street, all but two of the 20 houses lay abandoned. People mill about aimlessly with that dead expression still in their eyes. 'There is no life here. It is an empty town,' said Radomirka Alic, 27, who runs a struggling restaurant with her husband, Hariz. The stigma hanging over Srebrenica means 'people don't even want to be buried here when they die,' she sighed. They prefer to be interred elsewhere. Mr and Mrs Alic are a rare entity: He is a Muslim, she a Serb. But elsewhere, tensions between the two groups still simmer dangerously below the surface and sometimes explode. When a school appointed a Muslim teacher who wore a hijab, the Serb parents started a protest group and threatened to withdraw their children. Every January, when the Serbs celebrate the Orthodox Christmas, they stage a rowdy car rally that deliberately passes the massacre memorial. Horns are honked and Serb nationalist songs blare from stereos. Following the Dayton Agreement that settled the war, Srebrenica of course remained in Bosnia. But it now lies in the Republic of Srpska a so-called 'entity' with a majority of Serbs and in 2016 it elected a Serbian mayor. Like many of his compatriots, he denies the genocide ever happened, only conceding that several hundred Bozniaks were egregiously killed in the heat of war. Meanwhile pro-Serb households now display window posters glorifying Mladic and Karadzic, claim they were convicted unjustly, and demand their release. It is deeply worrying. For the thought of another bloody Balkan pogrom is too dreadful to contemplate. Several hospitals in the United States are trying to accommodate all coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients as much as they can. Some health workers are already being infected with the virus just to be able to treat patients. But many U.S. hospitals are already experiencing a decrease in bed availability. Some U.S. hospitals have also reported shortages in staff, medicines, testing supplies, and equipment to treat COVID-19 patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced COVID-19, a global pandemic, on March 11. Since then, U.S. leaders are encouraging physical distancing to reduce the spread of the disease. This was to avoid new infection cases, so there will be no increase in demand in the health care system. But the effects of physical distancing may take weeks to appear, and U.S. hospitals are lacking key equipment to treat patients. U.S. Hospitals Shortage of Supplies Reports said on April 3 that hospitals are also running low on oxygen supplies. Many patients, even those not sick enough to be placed on a mechanical ventilator, have problems with lung function and are needing oxygen to breathe properly. A few doctors have said their hospitals are also close to running out of their oxygen supplies in New York City. There is also a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) facilities where it is most needed. Texas ICU Texas had 984 ICE beds available as of Monday, according to a report. Texas Department of State Health Services data showed that non-ICU hospital beds are at 21.5 percent, with only 12, 066 of 55, 600 beds available. Reports said that Texas hospitals are facing shortages in beds, ventilators, and staff. Many hospitals are not accepting any more transfer patients to maintain spaces for an expected increase. South Florida Hospitals The same case is seen in south Florida hospitals that are now experiencing a new surge of COVID-19 patients. Broward County hospitals have reached 83 percent of capacity, while Palm Beach County hospitals have reached 73 percent of its capacity. All have reported that their intensive care units are or at near-full capacity. However, the bed capacity is not the only problem in the state. South Florida hospitals are also seeing severe shortages in hospital staff. State governor Ron DeSantis said he would recruit 1.000 hospital workers to help in Miami-Dade County and another 1,500 for other counties in the state. Broward Mayor Dale Holness said on Tuesday that lack of healthcare workers is the biggest concern right now. "We can manufacture supplies and PPE, but these workers are stretched tremendously. The shortage of beds is not immediate, but they are having a tough time ensuring their people are not stressed out and able to continue to provide care and support in the medical facilities," he was quoted in a SunSentinel report. Chief medical officer, Dr. Sam Fahmy of Boca Regional Hospital, said doctors know how to treat patients better than at the start of the pandemic. But the medicines that help them are also running low. "We have many patients who would benefit if these treatments were more readily available," Fahmy said. U.S. Coronavirus cases The U.S. has a total of 3.4 million positive cases of COVID-19, with 1.03 million recovered, and around 138,000 deaths. Check these out! Mexico City Hospitals Overwhelmed by Coronavirus Cases - Extension for Measures Hospitals Are Now Facing Shortage of Albuterol Inhalers Mexican Hospitals Turn Patients Away as Infections Rise ARCHIVED - 390 new Covid cases in Spain today; highest daily figure since May Aragon has the highest number with 160, followed by Catalonia (91) and Madrid (43) The Spanish Ministry of Health has published Covid case figures for the last 24 hours, reporting the highest rise in the number of daily infections of COVID-19 since May; 390 new cases. This brings the nationwide total of cases confirmed by only the PCR swab testing method, to 257,494. The largest single amount in one region is 160 in Aragon, ahead of Catalonia (91) and Madrid (43). Again there is a complete mis-match between the figures being reported by the Ministry of Health and the Catalan government. The Conselleria de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya has published the figure of 938 new positives, but according to the Ministry of Health the figure is 91. Andalucia: 28 Aragon: 160 Asturias: 0 Baleares: 0 Canarias: 5 Cantabria: 3 Castilla-La Mancha: 5 Castilla y Leon: 6 Cataluna: 91 Ceuta: 1 Comunidad Valenciana: 7 Extremadura: 6 Galicia: 7 Madrid: 43 Melilla: 2 Murcia: 3 Navarra: 17 Pais Vasco: 3 La Rioja: 3 Fatalities: There have been 4 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to date up to 28,413. In the last week, 11 of the autonomous regions and the two autonomous cities (Melilla, Ceuta) have not reported any deaths. Those which have are Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque Country. Outbreaks: Asturias has confirmed a localised outbreak today, the last of the 17 autonomous regions to do so, which means that every region now has outbreaks; there are more than 130 active outbreaks nationwide as of today. UK figures 85 deaths in the UK in the last 24 hours, bringing the running fatalities count to date up to 45,053. In the last 24 hours 538 new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to date up to 291,911. Worldwide. There are now 13.3 million cases worldwide with more than 578,000 fatalities to date, according to the daily global balance published this Wednesday at 9:00 am by the John Hopkins University. The United States alone has 3.43 million cases of COVID-19, and has declared 59,000 new positives in the last 24 hours, The fatalities count is 136,466. Hidden victims of Covid from the wire today;The Ministry of Health in the Netherlands has reported that it has detected another mink farm with a coronavirus outbreak. Mink transmit Covid easily. There are now 24 such farms with infected animals and the Ministry has issued an order to slaughter 4,500 animals. A UK pilots' union has strongly criticised EasyJet chief operating officer Peter Bellew and called on the airline's pilots to say whether they still have confidence in the former Ryanair executive. The British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) is canvassing its members at EasyJet this week to see what they think of Mr Bellew's performance at the carrier since he joined in January following an acrimonious court battle with Ryanair. The Irish airline had unsuccessfully attempted to enforce a 12-month non-compete clause on the executive. "This is not an action that Balpa takes lightly," the union said in a circular sent to EasyJet pilots. Balpa represents more than 90pc of the airline's pilots. "We would never normally conduct an exercise which would target individual airline management in this way," it added. "However, we believe that the actions of the COO, from his appointment right through this crisis up to and including the current redundancy consultation, have been so disingenuous and damaging to the airline, including our public image, and its employees, that we have little choice." The union claimed that Mr Bellew "misjudged" the beginning of the coronavirus crisis by allegedly saying there was "hype" about it. It has also alleged that Mr Bellew tried to bypass EasyJet's recognised trade unions by proposing so-called 'coronavirus co-operation agreements' directly to crew. The union has also claimed that Mr Bellew reorganised EasyJet's safety reporting lines to report to him instead of the airline's chief executive. The union claimed that this is contrary to best practice guidelines from the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA). But EasyJet rounded on Balpa's criticisms strongly yesterday. "We call on Balpa to focus on working constructively with us rather than on personal attacks which are not in the best interests of employees," it said. "Peter has a wealth of industry experience, having been COO at Ryanair and CEO for Malaysian [Malaysia Airlines] and sits on the EASA strategy advisory board. Safety remains EasyJet's highest priority," it added. EasyJet has notified 727 UK-based pilots of redundancy. The Balpa general secretary, Brian Strutton, said pilot morale at the airline "has collapsed". New Delhi, July 16 : Lakshya Nagpal, 40, was walking to his central Delhi home on Friday evening by the side of an e-rickshaw, carrying belongings of a relative who had just vacated his office and asked him to keep the stuff with him. Just as he reached the HDFC Bank in East Patel Nagar, he heard a gunshot and before he could realise what happened, found himself lying in a pool of blood. He was hit in the leg by the pillion rider on a bike, and the assailants fled on seeing him fall. All Nagpal could do was catch a glimpse of his silver helmet-wearing assailant. The injured Nagpal suspected involvement of Vishal Sharma, his former brother-in-law who had divorced his sister last year and had recently threatened to shoot him. Later, the Delhi Police filed an attempt to murder case and began its investigation. The movements of Sharma, a tattoo artist, in last one month, confirmed his involvement in the crime as suspected by the victim. Sharma's account statement revealed that immediately after the incident on July 10, cash withdrawals were made at ATMs in Murthal in Haryana's Sonepat district, leading to suspicion that the assailants had escaped to Haryana and Punjab after commission of the crime. On the basis of technical surveillance, police identified two men - Akshay and Guddu - involved in the incident, and they were subsequently apprehended. In the search operation that followed, the silver helmet worn by the assailant was recovered from their car, along with ammunition. The bike used in the crime was purchased on OLX on that very day. Sharma, along with his friend Ramdev, was then arrested from a hotel in Dwarka. But what was the motive? "Interrogation of the arrested accused revealed that accused Sharma, who was doing a business of modelling, tattooing and gold jewellery export, came in contact with Nagpal's sister and both were married around five years back. Though they had a daughter, their marriage ended as they divorced in September 2019. After the divorce, Sharma became frustrated as he wanted to keep their daughter, now aged four, and as per him, his ex-wife wanted to snatch her from him. First, he wanted to eliminate his ex-wife but failed to track her and instead, decided to shoot her brother to scare her," DCP, Central, Sanjay Bhatia said. Meraj-ud-Din Malla, Vice-President of Watergam Municipal Committee in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, was abducted on Wednesday by unidentified persons, police sources said. The sources said after the abduction was reported this morning, a massive manhunt has been launched to trace Malla. The incident comes just days after terrorists killed BJP leader Wasim Bari, his father and brother in Bandipora district. The demands for providing security to political activists have become stronger after the gruesome murder of Bari and his kin by terrorists. East Chinas Anhui province will continue to act in the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and promote the economic and trade cooperation between local enterprises and their counterparts in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) this year, according to the Department of Commerce of Anhui Province. Since the beginning of this year, the province has implemented the strategy of diversifying markets, encouraged around 1,000 foreign trade enterprises to attend some 100 overseas fairs, and accelerate the exploration of BRI market. The province has also strengthened cooperation with Southeast Asia, Africa and Central Asia in production capacity, taken part in building overseas industrial parks and contracted overseas engineering projects. E-commerce platforms like Alibaba has also been used to expand international market. The provinces trade with BRI countries and regions rose 1.3 percent between January and May despite the COVID-19 epidemic. A woman (25), who was going to work on a two-wheeler, with her younger brother, died after the vehicle skidded off SV Road at Jogeshwari and she came under the wheels of a speeding Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BSET) bus on Tuesday morning. Chelladurai Koilpillai (54), the BEST bus driver, was arrested by Mumbai Police for negligence and later released on bail. The accident occurred at around 10:30 am near 24 Karat theater, SV Road, Jogeshwari. The deceased has been identified as Femine Shaikh. Her younger brother Dilshad Mohammad Anish Shaikh (18) escaped with minor injuries. We live at Premnagar in Goregaon. My sister and I were going towards Jogeshwari, when a car driver suddenly applied the brake and because of which I lost control of my two-wheeler. The vehicle skidded off the road and my sister came under the wheels of a speeding BEST bus, Shaikh told Oshiwara police station authorities in a statement. Though the police rushed Femine to Millat Hospital in Jogeshwari (West), the authorities declared her brought dead on arrival. We have registered a first information report (FIR) under Sections 304A (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 134 (duty of driver in case of accident and injury to a person) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 2019, against the bus driver, and have arrested him. Later, the accused was released on bail, said Dayanand Bangar, senior inspector, Oshiwara police station. Back in March when COVID-19 forced small businesses to turn on a dime to survive, Mike McKenna was less unlucky than most. The pet supply store he and his wife, Jennifer, run called Little Chief and Co. wasnt even a year old yet but suddenly, customers werent allowed inside. But at least they remained open. For essential services like pet food shops, it was online orders and curbside service or nothing. One thing McKenna had going for him, though, was timing. His store on St. Paul Street in St. Catharines, he said, is built around social responsibility with a focus on Canadian, eco-friendly products. Soon after opening in April 2019, he got a website very stripped down, very basic but from a website perspective we really didnt press the gas on it. Our idea was to take a year, really develop our business and by year one relaunch the site with upgrades. Then in December, he was among the first owners to start working with the citys economic development office on a program to help small businesses create or improve their websites. Even then, his focus was building the business. The website was low on his priority list. The came March: obviously, COVID hit and it immediately shifted our plan. Overnight, it became vital for small businesses to have an attractive, dependable online presence. McKenna did, but many didnt. You cant really fault a business with that, because especially right now they are just fighting to survive, says Samir Husika, downtown development officer in the St. Catharines city hall economic development office. Especially small businesses, they have to be the owner, they have to operate the business, they have to market it, be their own IT and accounting departments. Theyre forced to be the jack of all trades its very hard to be able to do all that and at the same time build a website. Last fall the city of St. Catharines started working with Digital Main Street, an innovation hub, to meet small business owners and help them build an online presence. There was federal funding. In June, with Niagaras economy struggling with COVID-19 the city joined ShopHERE. Started earlier in Toronto, the program used a million dollars from Google to expand Digital Main Street services across Canada, offering access to programs like Shopify to help owners build their own online stores. Husikas office worked not only with St. Catharines businesses but also as a sort of central hub, helping merchants in south Niagara BIAs. Realistically, any business in, say, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Port Colborne throughout Niagara can access Shopify, he said. They can actually go on the website and access it themselves. Owners get short-term access to Shopify plus training and support. There is no cost to them. To qualify, businesses should have fewer than 10 employees (or 25 for restaurants). Once COVID-19 hit it became absolutely vital to the survival of the business to be able to show their merchandise, take orders and make sales online, Husika said. At Little Chief and Co., McKenna said he relied on website sales early on during COVID-19. They still account for about 30 or 35 per cent of his business, even with Niagara in Stage 2 of reopening where customers are allowed back inside the store. Honestly, if it wasnt for this program, and Shopify we would be done if we had not had an online presence up and running, said McKenna. To apply, go to DigitalMainStreet.ca/shophere. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Tuesday announced he has appointed a committee to take a closer look at the statue in Columbus Circle. The 23-member Columbus Circle Action Group will give the mayor recommendations on how they think the city should create an all-season, education and learning site at the downtown park space that has been home to a statue of Christopher Columbus since 1934, according to a news release. Syracuse is trying to decide what to do with its own statue of the famous Italian explorer, who critics say represents the genocide of Native Americans. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Columbus Circle last month to demand its removal, while many Italian-Americans have argued it should it should stay. Walsh has said he was appointing the advisory board to develop a plan for an educational site in Columbus Circle and to make a recommendation about whether the statue should stay or come down. On Tuesday, Walsh announced the members of the committee, who he said represent a wide range of views on the issue. Those appointed to the group are: Haji Adan, Syracuse Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE) Pastor H. Bernard Alex, Victory Temple Fellowship Church Yaya Delgado, Henninger High School graduate (trained in Action Group methodology) Joe Driscoll, Syracuse Common councilor Imam Mohammed ElFiki, Islamic Society of Central New York Ocesa Keaton, Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. Greg Loh, the mayors chief policy officer Betty Lyons, Onondaga Nation member The Rev. David McCallum, Jesuit (Roman Catholic) priest and educator, Le Moyne College Hon. Rita Paniagua, Syracuse Common councilor Richard Pietrafesa, Italian American Nick Pirro, Columbus Monument Association, former Onondaga County executive Lisa Sacco, Italian American/Mohawk Tribal member Isaura Severino, mayors office Joe Romano, Italian American The Rev. John Rose, retired Roman Catholic priest Clifford Ryan, OGs Against Violence Asa Shenandoah, Onondaga Nation member Cindy Squillace, NOON Ralph Torillo Sr., Italian American Gregg Tripoli, Onondaga Historical Association Michael Vavonese, Italian American The time for action is now, Walsh said in the release. The mayor thanked the 23 individuals on the committee. They are well-respected people in their spheres of influence, and their participation speaks volumes about the importance of this work, Walsh said. We have no illusion that this will be easy. Healing is hard work. I am heartened that I will be able to implement a path forward knowing that all voices will have had the opportunity to be heard." Walsh said he hopes the education and learning site the city plans to create -- and the process we use to get there -- can be a national model for dealing with these painful and complicated matters of history that impact us today. The group is set to begin meeting later this month under the guidance of Interfaith Works, a Syracuse nonprofit organization. They are expected to give the mayor their recommendations before the end of summer. MORE ON COLUMBUS STATUE Syracuses Columbus statue debate: Why we should remove it and why we should keep it (video) Protesters call for removal of Syracuses Columbus statue Columbus statue: Symbols of oppression go far beyond the Confederate flag (Commentary) 1934: Even before its unveiling, Syracuses Columbus statue was controversial Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook The transmission rate the number of people a new patient is likely to infect has surpassed 1 after steadily rising since mid-June. City leaders want the rate below 1 for five consecutive days before considering a shift into the third stage of coronavirus recovery, although the D.C. Health Department has cautioned that the metric becomes a less reliable indicator of transmission as cases decline. percent was 91.10. Guwahati has recorded the lowest pass percent at 79.12 among all states. Trivandrum has recorded the highest pass percent at 99.28 among all state. This year also, girls have outscored boys in CBSE 10th result. The pass percent of girls is 93.31. Pass percentage of boys is 90.14. Kendriya Vidyalaya has recorded the highest pass percent at 99.23 followed by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalya at 98.66. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today announced the Class 10 CBSE Results 2020. He congratulated the students for their achievements. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many exams were cancelled. As per the Board, this year the marks will be evaluated based on the average of best of three subjects for which the student has already given the exam. If the student has appeared for only three papers, the assessment will be made on the basis of the best of two. If the students have appeared for only one or two exams, the marks obtained in the internal or practicals will be considered. The students need at least 33 percent marks in each subject to pass the CBSE Class 10th exams. For subject with both practical and theory, students need to pass both. Also read | CBSE 10th Result 2020 declared: Check your scores at cbseresults.nic.in Students who fail in one or two subjects will have another chance and can can attempt through supplementary exams. The dates of these exams are not yet out. Also read: CBSE 10th Result 2020 declared | Pass percentage improves slightly to 91.46 In comparison to the recently released CBSE Class 12th results, the pass percentage with the new evaluation process had increased by 5 percent with the last years pass percentage was 83.40 percent. Also read | CBSE Board 10th Result 2020: Girls outshine boys in CBSE class 10 exams In 2019, the pass percentage of the CBSE Class 10 exams was 91.1 percent. Also read: CBSE result 2020 | List of websites, apps to check CBSE 10th, 12th results CBSE 10th Result 2020: How to check result 1. Visit the official results website of CBSE at cbseresults.nic.in 2 Click on the link for the CBSE class 10 result 2020 3. Key in your credentials and login 4. The result will be displayed on the screen Google is partnering with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to offer digital learning modules across schools in India. Sapna Chadha, Senior Country Marketing Director (India and SouthEast Asia) at Google, said the company will partner with 1 million teachers across 22,000 CBSE schools across the country by December-end. read more During the United Nations that the world population will grow until the year 2100, the American scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle to rise only up to the year 2064. Then is achieved, with an estimated 9,73 billion people an all-time high. By 2100 the number will fall back to 8,79 billion. That would be a good two billion people, less than the United Nations in 2019 calculated. Peter-Philipp Schmitt editor in the Department "Germany and the world". F. A. Z. The study, which was published by Christopher Murray and his Team on Wednesday in the scientific journal "The Lancet" and by the Foundation of Bill and Melinda Gates funded, it even suggests that the population of the world could fall in 80 years to less than seven billion. Currently, approximately 7.8 billion people on the earth. Only 66 million inhabitants in Germany One of the main reasons for the sharp decline: women, the access to education and birth control, choose to have fewer children. Crucial for the reproduction of a population, the birth rate is. It indicates the average number of children that women of childbearing age up to 50 years. In Germany, she is currently at approximately 1.4. In the long term, the population number, if the fertility rate drops below 2.1. And you, as the scientist from Seattle to write, in almost all countries. In their study, they have developed scenarios, building on the year 2017, for 195 countries and territories. By 2050, already 151 countries have a birth rate of significantly below 2.1, up to the year 2100 183 countries. The result is that In 23 countries, including Japan, Thailand and Spain, will have today's population in 80 years, more than halved in Japan from nearly 130 to about 60 million, in Thailand-from 70 to 35 million, and in Spain from 46 to 23 million people. In Germany, the researchers expect to see a decline of well over 83 million inhabitants, to about 66 million. Also, China's population will halve, according to that almost from 1.4 billion to 732 million people. The people's Republic would remain, however, in the year 2100, one of the most populous countries in the world, after India (decline of 1.38 to just under 1.1 billion people), and Nigeria (an increase of 206 791 million) and the United States (an increase from 325 million to 336 million) and Pakistan (up from 214 to 248 million). Updated Date: 15 July 2020, 16:20 By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the protection granted to TV news anchor Amish Devgan against any coercive action in connection with cases lodged over his alleged defamatory remark against Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar asked the respondents, including the states where cases have been lodged and those who had filed complaints against Devgan, to file their counter affidavits on the plea and posted the matter for hearing on August 6. Senior counsel Sidhharth Luthra and advocate Mrinal Bharti, appearing for Devgan, told the bench that pleadings in the matter should be completed. The court extended the interim relief granted on June 26 to Devgan till further orders. The apex court was hearing a petition filed by Devgan, who has sought stay on the probe in these criminal cases. Five FIRs have been lodged against Devgan in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Telangana for using a derogatory term for the Sufi saint in the news debate show called 'Aar Paar' on his channel on June 15. However, he later tweeted an apology saying that he was actually referring to Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji and inadvertently ended up naming Chisti. The court had earlier granted interim relief and stayed the probe in the cases against the journalist by police agencies. "As regards the interim relief, till the next date of hearing, we deem it appropriate to pass ad-interim relief in terms of prayer clause (A) and (B) (which seek stay of investigation in pending and future FIRs and the protection from possible coercive action)," the top court had said in its June 26 order. On July 8, the interim order of June 26 was extended till today. Issuing notices to Maharashtra, Telangana and Rajasthan, the bench had earlier asked Bharti to make the complainants, who have lodged FIRs, as parties to his petition. Two FIRs for the alleged offence have been registered at Ajmer and Kota in Rajasthan and one has been lodged at Bahadurpura in Hyderabad, the plea said, adding that two such FIRs have been lodged at Nanded and Pydhonie in Maharashtra. Devgan said he has already issued a clarification through a tweet and moreover, errors cannot be construed as criminal offences. The journalist has said the plea concerned his life and liberty. "In a well-orchestrated manner - the petitioner has been made a victim of country-wide filing of false and baseless criminal complaint and FIRs on the one hand, and on the other hand, petitioner, his family and his crew has been abused unabashedly on social media and by personal messages by unknown persons. The petitioner has also received several death threats from various anti-social elements," the plea submitted. It said that Devgan was holding a discussion on a petition filed before the top court on his show on June 15 on the issue of the Places of Worship Special Provisions Act. "During the course of the live heated discussion one of the panellists quoted 'Chisti' (Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti) and inadvertently, petitioner (Devgan) who wanted to refer to the historical figure Khilji(Alauddin Khilji) as a marauder, mentioned the name 'Chisti'", the plea submitted. "That immediately on realising his inadvertent slip of tongue during heated debate in his news debate show petitioner tendered a clarification and clarified that the name 'Chisti' was mentioned by error and inadvertently," it said. Devgan tweeted the clarification on his personal Twitter account on the intervening night of June 16-17 and moreover, the channel carried a video clarification featuring the journalist, the plea said. One of the FIRs was lodged at Pydhonie police station in Mumbai against Devgan for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by referring to Chisti in derogatory terms in the TV programme on the complaint of Arif Razvi, general secretary of the Raza Academy. OTTAWA, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV:CGP) (Frankfurt:GWN) (Berlin:GWN) (OTC:CTNXF) announces that, under section 303 of the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom (the UK Companies Act), it intends to requisition a general meeting (General Meeting) of shareholders of SolGold plc (SolGold) (LSE:SOLG) (TSX:SOLG) to replace the entire SolGold board. Greg Chamandy, Chairman of the Cornerstone Board, said: The time has come to put an end to SolGolds suspect corporate governance and self-dealing practices. As one of the largest shareholders of SolGold, it is obvious to Cornerstone that the current SolGold Board is incapable of managing the affairs of SolGold for the benefit of all shareholders in a prudent and transparent manner. Additionally, it is our view that the proposed Franco-Nevada Royalty Financing will significantly destroy shareholder value for all SolGold shareholders. At the requisitioned General Meeting, Cornerstone intends to propose that all members of the current board be replaced with five new nominees, each with the requisite skill set and independence to direct SolGold for the benefit of all shareholders. Cornerstone further intends to vote its entire 7.58% equity stake in SolGold in favour of such proposals at the requisitioned General Meeting. Cornerstone expects that any new board would seek to conduct a strategic review to maximize value for all SolGold shareholders. As part of that process, we expect that the new board would carefully review the terms of the Franco-Nevada Royalty Financing and take appropriate action to terminate the deal if, as we expect, the board determines that the financing is not in the best interests of SolGold and its shareholders. In light of the foregoing, Cornerstone expects that the current SolGold board will not proceed to completion of the Franco-Nevada Royalty Financing and, should it nevertheless proceed to do so, Cornerstone reserves all its rights to pursue any derivative claim or other appropriate remedies against SolGold and/or the members of the board. Story continues Based on public disclosures made in accordance with Rule 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom ("DTR"), the insider shareholders that own more than 3% of the voting share capital of SolGold are set out in the table below: Insider Shareholders (over 3%) Number of Shares % of Outstanding Shares DGR 204,151,800 9.85% Tenstar Trading Limited 119,485,083 5.77% Nick Mather 90,634,554 4.37% Total of Insider Shareholders 414,271,437 19.99% Despite the board of SolGold authorizing dilutive financings for the benefit of both insiders of SolGold and associates of Nick Mather, CEO and a director of SolGold (such as issuing over 142,311,592 shares to DGR and Tenstar in 2016 alone), Mr. Mather, DGR and Tenstar still only have a 19.99% stake (in aggregate) in SolGold. Brian Moller is the Chairman of SolGold and also has a longstanding relationship with Mr. Mather, having served for many years as legal counsel to Mr. Mather and his related entities. This relationship may explain, as a further example of SolGolds suspect governance practices, the following provision in SolGolds Corporate Governance Charter which purports to exclude certain conflicts of interest (emphasis added): The [SolGold] Board, Management and employees must not involve themselves in situations where there is an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest (either direct or indirect) between them as individuals and the interest of the Company (excluding those matters which may be subject to legal professional privilege) . Such an exception to the conflict of interest provisions in the Corporate Governance Charter is highly unusual, completely at odds with the legal requirements applicable to SolGold and its board and management team, and should not be supported by shareholders. Based on public disclosures made in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTR, there are only four independent shareholders (listed in the table below) that have a shareholding in excess of 3% in SolGold and, on a combined basis, these shareholders hold a stake in SolGold in excess of 40%. If the other large independent shareholders of SolGold have a similar desire for change and wish to change the board, the change could almost certainly be assured. In that regard, if turnout at the requisitioned General Meeting is consistent with the typical voter turn out for SolGold's recent general meetings (which has averaged approximately 62% for the last four meetings), the votes of the shareholders below would be sufficient to change the SolGold board. Independent Shareholders (over 3%) Number of Shares % of Outstanding Shares BHP 282,721,826 13.64% Newcrest 281,216,471 13.57% Cornerstone 157,100,000 7.58% BlackRock 108,607,081 5.24% Total of Independent Shareholders 829,645,378 40.04% Cornerstone will provide further information as required by applicable securities laws and the UK Companies Act in connection with any action taken by Cornerstone. About Cornerstone and the Cascabel Joint Venture: Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, including the Cascabel gold-enriched copper porphyry joint venture in north west Ecuador. Cornerstone has a 21.4% direct and indirect interest in Cascabel comprised of (i) a direct 15% interest in the project financed through to completion of a feasibility study and repayable at Libor plus 2% out of 90% of its share of the earnings or dividends from an operation at Cascabel, plus (ii) an indirect interest comprised of 7.6% of the shares of joint venture partner and project operator SolGold Plc. Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), an Ecuadorian company owned by SolGold and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including SolGolds fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the remaining 15% of ENSA. Further information is available on Cornerstones website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations: Mario Drolet; Email: Mario@mi3.ca ; Tel. (514) 904-1333 Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe at http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/InformationRequest.asp Additional Information The information contained in this press release does not, and is not meant to, constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although it is Cornerstones current intention to requisition a General Meeting of SolGold, SolGold shareholders should note that there is currently no record or meeting date set for a requisitioned General Meeting and shareholders are not being asked to execute a proxy in favour of Cornerstone. In connection with a requisitioned General Meeting, Cornerstone may seek to solicit proxies by filing a dissident information circular in compliance with applicable securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from such requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cornerstone is voluntarily providing the disclosure required under Section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations applicable to public broadcast solicitations. Any solicitation made by Cornerstone will be made by it and not by or on behalf of management of SolGold. All costs incurred for any such solicitation will be borne by Cornerstone. Proxies may be solicited by Cornerstone pursuant to an information circular sent to shareholders after which solicitations may be made by or on behalf of Cornerstone by mail, telephone, fax, email or other electronic means as well as by newspaper or other media advertising, and in person by directors, officers and employees of Cornerstone, who may be specifically remunerated therefor. Cornerstone may also solicit proxies in reliance upon the public broadcast exemption to the solicitation requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws, including through press releases, speeches or publications, and by any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws. Cornerstone may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on its behalf, which agents would receive customary fees for such services. If Cornerstone commences any solicitation of proxies, proxies may be revoked by an instrument in writing by a shareholder giving the proxy or by its duly authorized officer or attorney, or in any other manner permitted by law. None of Cornerstone nor, to its knowledge, any of its associates or affiliates, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter proposed to be acted upon at the requisitioned General Meeting. SolGolds head office is located at Level 27, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia. This press release is not being distributed, nor has it been approved for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the United Kingdom, as amended ("FSMA"), by a person authorised under FSMA. Therefore this press release is being distributed to persons only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply and it is not, and must not be construed as, an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1529) ("FPO"). Cautionary Notice: This news release may contain Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstones plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words potential, anticipate, forecast, believe, estimate, expect, may, project, plan, and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Statements. Examples of such 'Forward-Looking Statements' in this news release include, but are not limited to, Cornerstone's current intention to requisition a General Meeting. Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com . For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements. On Behalf of the Board, Brooke Macdonald President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Bhanwarlal Sharma (75), the oldest lawmaker in the Rajasthan assembly, has sided with rebel Congress leader and former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot amid the power tussle with CM Ashok Gehlot. Currently, he is holed up at ITC Grand Bharat Hotel in Haryana that has emerged as a playground for political parleys. In a recorded statement, Sharma, who is no stranger to playing kingmaker and toppling democratically elected governments in his home state Rajasthan, has spoken against CM Ashok Gehlot and has thrown his lot behind challenger Pilot. Sharma, a seven-time member of Rajasthan legislative assembly (MLA), of which four times on a Congress ticket, is involved in two bids, including the current one against CM Gehlot, to topple democratically elected state governments. Political commentators reminded the flip-flop of Sharma, a Congress MLA from Sardarshahar in Churu district, through his chequered political career. Earlier, he had unsuccessfully tried to dislodge the then Bhairon Singh Shekhawat-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in 1996, when the CM was away in the United States of America (USA) for bypass surgery. Sharma, however, had emerged as an ally to Shekhawat 1992, and helped him save the fledgling BJP government in the desert state after the ally Janata Dal quit the coalition in a huff over Lal Krishna Advanis rath yatra to drum up support for building a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. In 1993, Shekhawat-led BJP government came to power, which enjoyed the support of 116 lawmakers, including Janata Dal and Independent MLAs, in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. In 1996, Sharma hatched a plot with some Independent MLAs to topple the BJP government, while Shekhawat was away in the USA for bypass surgery. As luck would have it, Sharmas machinations came to be known to Shekhawats son-in-law Narpat Singh Rajvi in the USA, and the then CM rushed back to Jaipur to save his government from an imminent collapse. Prakash Bhandari, a Jaipur-based political commentator, recalled that Shekhawat had gone in a huddle with his MLAs at Chokhi Dhani, a popular resort on the outskirts of Jaipur, for a record 15 days before proving his majority on the floor of the House. Sharma was part of the group that had saved Shekhawats government in 1992, when the Janata Dal had withdrawn its support following Lal Krishna Advanis rath yatra, Bhandari reminisced. In the 1990 assembly polls, the BJP and the Janata Dal had bagged 85 and 54 seats, respectively, and stitched together a coalition government under Shekhawats leadership. But the Advani-led rath yatra broke the coalitions back and seven Janata Dal ministers quit the Shekhawat government and reduced it to a minority. Then, Digvijay Singh formed a splinter Janata Dal group with 22 MLAs, including Sharma, and came to Shekhawats rescue. Sharma was rewarded and made a cabinet minister from the splinter groups quota. In January 2014, he had spoken against the then Congress president Rahul Gandhi and was expelled from the party, but later the disciplinary action was revoked. Later, he got a Congress ticket to contest from Sardarshahar constituency for the 2018 assembly polls and won with a comfortable margin for his seventh term as an MLA. Sharma was not available for comment, as his mobile phone is switched off since Saturday amid the unfolding political drama over the Gehlot governments fate. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MetrixLab Expands to Switzerland Digital research agency MetrixLab has opened an office in Zug, Switzerland, and appointed former Nielsen exec Hassan Mouheb to lead it as Managing Director. Metrixlab, which is part of the Macromill Group, helps client with product innovation, brand engagement and creating customer value. Mouheb (pictured) joins from business change specialist Columbus Consulting, where he served as Managing Partner, prior to which he was a self-employed advisor to clients across the insurance, banking, hospitality and real estate sectors. Earlier he worked for Nielsen as Head of Financial Services in Zurich; and he founded research and analytics consultancy Insightys. He has also held senior client side roles at Zurich Insurance and UBS Wealth Management. In his new role, Mouheb will build a local team and support relationships with existing global clients based in Switzerland, while also developing partnerships with new clients across the region. Angela Morgans, Regional MD for Europe, comments: 'I am very excited to be investing in opening an office in Switzerland, which supports the continued growth we see in the region. By building a local team on the ground, led by Hassan, I am confident that not only will we be able to build even stronger partnerships with our existing clients, but we will be better able to take our unique approach to new clients, looking for agility, innovation and our digital leadership'. Web site: www.metrixlab.com . By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijans Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva has said that Armenias shelling of a civilian settlement in border Tovuz region yesterday shows its aggressive policy and also violates article 18 of the Geneva Convention. During the visit to Tovuz, Aliyev said on July 15 that Armenia shelled a hospital and a civilian settlement in Tovuz region. "We strongly protest against this and will inform the relevant international organizations as soon as possible, she said. An Azerbaijani civilian in Tovuz regions Aghdam village, Aziz Azizov, was killed as a result of artillery shelling by the Armenian armed forces on July 14. It should be noted that article 18 of the Geneva Convention forbids parties to a conflict shoot shells or artillery at hospitals or civilian gatherings. The cross-border fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan started on July 12 with Armenia's firing artillery at Azerbaijan's positions in the direction of Tovuz region. Five Azerbaijani servicemen, including a major general and colonel, have been killed during the Armenian attack on the border on the night leading to July 14. Moreover, earlier was reported that the attack killed four Azerbaijani servicemen and injured four others. Azerbaijan responded by destroying a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit using artillery, mortars and tanks on the night leading to July 13. ___ Follow us on Twitter at @AzerNews T he police watchdog has said it will not investigate an incident which saw the father of rapper Wretch 32 tasered in his north London home.. Footage posted online showed 62-year-old Millard Scott tumbling downstairs after an officer is heard to warn: "Police officer with a Taser. Stay where you are." Musician Wretch 32, real name is Jermaine Scott, shared the video on Twitter. His father said he believed he would not have been tasered if he were white. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House told London Assembly members on Wednesday the matter has been passed back to the force to deal with itself. He told the Police and Crime Committee: We had a letter back from the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) yesterday afternoon which says: The IOPC has decided this matter should be returned to you, the Metropolitan Police, to be dealt with in a reasonable and proportionate matter. Singled out: Wretch 32 / ITN This is because based on the information provided we did not feel independent oversight or a direction for local investigation was required at this stage. The Metropolitan Police reviewed the incident at the time and said it had found no misconduct, but the IOPC called the matter in to make its own assessment. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and human rights group Amnesty were among those urging the IOPC to launch an inquiry into what happened. Mr Scott told ITV News: "The only people who have invaded our space are the Metropolitan Police. The only people who seem to ignore the guidelines put out there are the Metropolitan Police. "It seems at this moment in time we are being singled out and targeted." Wretch 32, 35, told the broadcaster there has been "no progression" since he grew up watching his father and uncle "fight against police brutality". The Met said officers went to the property as part of "a long-running operation to tackle drugs supply linked to serious violence". It added: "The incident, including body-worn footage, has been reviewed by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and no indication of misconduct has been identified. W&M announces $10 million gift to establish Veteran-to-Executive Transition program W&M VET: Thanks to a $10 million gift from an anonymous alumna who serves as a trustee of the William & Mary Foundation, the university is developing a cutting-edge Veteran-to-Executive Transition program (W&M VET) that will prepare veterans to excel in civilian leadership roles. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption Veterans possess the discipline, talent and drive to succeed in the business world, but they often need support systems to prepare them to navigate a new corporate landscape and make a healthy transition to civilian life after military service. Thanks to a $10 million gift from an anonymous alumna who serves as a trustee of the William & Mary Foundation, the university is developing a cutting-edge Veteran-to-Executive Transition program (W&M VET) that will prepare veterans to excel in civilian leadership roles. W&M VET will build on William & Marys interdisciplinary strengths, its online degree offerings and its increasingly robust active-duty and veterans programs to help those who serve our country transition successfully into the civilian workforce. To lead the program, the gift creates a new position of special assistant for military and veterans affairs. That person, who has yet to be named, initially will report to President Katherine Rowe. We extend our enthusiastic thanks to our alumna for her generosity and inspiration. She challenged William & Mary to think transformatively about how we approach veterans education as a nation and to innovate in the way we support those who serve this country, Rowe said. We see our new program as an opportunity not only to accelerate the professional transitions of highly skilled and experienced men and women but also to approach holistically W&Ms wide array of programming for military students and veterans, Rowe added. Providing comprehensive support for military and veteran students throughout the university, the W&M VET program includes resources to sustain the Office of Student Veteran Engagement (OSVE) launched in 2019 as a two-year pilot program thanks to the generous support of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and to implement new transition programs while expanding current efforts. The special assistant for military and veteran affairs will work with OSVE Director Charlie Foster and others across campus to enhance programming and implement new initiatives. William & Mary is well-situated to offer such a program, given its location in a region with the highest concentration of military personnel outside the Pentagon. More than 83,000 active duty military service members are based in Hampton Roads, which encompasses Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Hampton, Virginia Beach and nearby counties. Every year, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 service members in the region leave the military. While many veterans programs offer general guidance and focus on immediate job placement, William & Mary is taking a longer-term and more tailored approach with an emphasis on cultivating initiative and creativity, fostering cultural adjustment and holistic wellness as well as developing key management skills. The vision behind W&M VET is comprehensive career transition support that spans the universitys acclaimed programs in business, law, international affairs, education, health management, entrepreneurship and other disciplines. The new McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, which was also established through the For the Bold campaign, will assist veterans and their families in working through stress resilience and adaptation to civilian life as they transition out of military service. Student veterans also will receive support through a buddy system that connects them with their peers and mentors who are experienced executives. Given W&Ms reputation for academic excellence and its recent strides in veterans education, the anonymous donor said she sees an opportunity for the university to make a difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much. These men and women put their lives at risk on our behalf while serving our country, and we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude. Through this program, we can do our part to ensure their successful integration into life beyond the military, she said. I believe William & Mary is an ideal place to help them prepare for their next career. The alumna said she hopes that other donors will recognize the value in a coordinated approach to veterans education, and will help to support and sustain W&M VET in the long run. Among the veterans who pursue higher education nationally, only one in 10 attend colleges and universities with a six-year graduation rate over 70%, according to a study by the nonprofit Ithaka SR, as reported by U.S. News & World Report. At William & Mary, those numbers are rising, and there are signs of increased demand. The online MBA program at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business was recently ranked No. 22 for military veterans by U.S. News & World Report. Military service members and veterans account for 170 of the 900 students in the universitys graduate business programs, and the Mason School anticipates that enrollment will increase as its online degree programs expand. Overall, there are more than 250 veterans and military service members attending William & Mary. The establishment of the W&M VET program reaffirms the universitys long-standing military tradition and commitment to veterans, said Brigadier General (ret.) James R. Golden who serves as a volunteer senior consultant to President Rowe and played a leading role in coordinating the project. It is a game changer for William & Mary. The initiative will significantly expand our capacity to bring campus partners together to support our exceptional veterans. Once the special assistant for military and veterans affairs is hired, they will work with an advisory group and Kathryn Floyd, director of the Whole of Government Center of Excellence, to coordinate programs across the university, build connections with military commands and government agencies, and market veterans programs. Chancellor Robert M. Gates 65 L.H.D. 98, who served as U.S. secretary of defense under both Republican and Democratic presidents and has 27 years of experience as an intelligence officer, including nine years as a National Security Council staff member, will serve as the honorary chair of the advisory group. My education at William & Mary was a formative experience in my own life, and I believe it continues to be for today's students, including those who have served, are serving, or plan to serve in the military, Gates has said. William & Mary's academic rigor, engaging community, and long-standing commitment to serving our country make it a wonderful place to build upon the leadership skills learned in the armed forces, and equips its graduates with the tools for lifelong success." Among the current programs that W&M VET will bring together and enhance are the W&M Office of Student Veteran Engagement, the Law Schools Puller Veterans Benefits Clinic, the Troops to Teachers Virginia Center and the Military and Veterans Counseling Program at the School of Education. It also includes the Major General James Wright MBA Program at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the Army ROTC program, the Whole of Government Center of Excellences national security programs and the Association of 1775 veterans alumni group. The Mason School will establish a Military and Veterans Affairs Center to coordinate all of its military and veterans programs and facilitate access to resources and co-curricular initiatives for student veterans. It will hire a new director to lead that effort. Military veterans are an integral part of the university and contribute enormously to the vitality of the business school, said Larry Pulley, dean of the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. They are principled leaders with tremendous capacity, and I am excited about the ways that this new program will enable them to flourish as students and as executives in the civilian world. We are grateful for the vision that our generous donor brings to this initiative and the resources she is providing to this groundbreaking effort. William & Mary already offers formidable corporate and military connections, bolstered by extensive job placement programs through its individual schools and the Cohen Career Center and a far-reaching alumni network. The Troops to Teachers Virginia Center and the Office of Student Veteran Engagement have strong relationships with military commands and veterans groups. In addition, the Law School is a recognized leader in preparing military lawyers and serving veterans with disability claims, and was recently ranked the most military-friendly graduate school in the U.S. Reiterating his stand on Emergency imposed on the country in 1975 by the then Congress government at the Centre, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday that it was like a lockdown on democracy in the country. Scindia was addressing a public meeting at Agar-Malwa on Tuesday. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a number of development projects for the district on the occasion. On one side there is a party which imposed Emergency that was a lockdown on democracy and on the other side there is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who implemented lockdown to save the life of people, said Scindia in his speech. He said, People may say that I am opposing Emergency now when I have joined the BJP but the fact remains that I opposed it even when I was in Congress. Lashing out at the then chief minister Kamal Nath, Scindia said when he (Scindia) raised the issues concerning people of the state for the sake of justice to them Nath said let him (Scindia) take to streets but Kamal Nath ji forgot whose grandson and whose son I am. He said the then Kamal Nath government betrayed every section of people whether it was farmers, youth, women or others. There was someone on the chair but its key was in the hand of someone else, he added. He said whereas a corrupt government did nothing for welfare of people in Madhya Pradesh in its 15-month rule, Chouhan took several decisions for people in just 90 days. Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan said, On one hand the then Kamal Nath government dumped several welfare schemes which had been introduced by his government earlier and on the other he didnt fulfill a single promise out of the Congress manifesto including farmers loan waiver, unemployment allowance to youths and welfare schemes for women and students. Chouhan and Scindia also unveiled a statue of former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Kailash Joshi at Hat Pipalya. Scindia had earlier met senior BJP leader Uma Bharti in Bhopal. Talking to journalists after the meeting, he said that the Congress ran the government during its 15-month rule in Madhya Pradesh as a business instead of fulfilling aspirations of people. There was rampant corruption in the government, he alleged. On Congress repeated attacks against him, Scindia said that he didnt say anything for 90 days as the entire world was fighting the coronavirus but he would now respond to all their charges. State Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia said, When Scindia ji was in Congress he used to issue warning to the government on every issue that he would take to streets but he didnt say a single word when the BJP government failed to control Covid-19 situation in the state and is responsible for spread of coronavirus in the state. He must look into his earlier speeches to realise what his opinion was for the BJP. While Teltumbde has authored over two dozen books, Navlakha wrote Days and Nights in the Heartland of Rebellion in 2012 and retired as editorial consultant of the Economic & Political Weekly. Activists Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha have been named the joint winners of this year's revamped Shakti Bhatt Prize, formerly known as the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize. While Teltumbde has authored over two dozen books, Navlakha wrote Days and Nights in the Heartland of Rebellion in 2012 and retired as editorial consultant of the Economic & Political Weekly. Published in 2018, Teltumbde's The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections, established BR Ambedkar as the most powerful advocate of equality and fraternity in modern India, whereas in Days and Nights in the Heartland of Rebellion, Navlakha presented an account of the fortnight he spent in Bastar, where the Maoists run their peoples government, the Jantana Sarkar. Additionally, the Shakti Bhatt Foundation announced that Teltumbde's award will be collected by his wife, Rama Teltumbde, who is the grand-daughter of BR Ambedkar. The award includes a trophy and cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. Both Teltumbde and Navlakha were arrested on 14 April this year in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case which was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Centre in January. The activists were booked initially by Pune Police following violence that erupted at Koregaon-Bhima there. According to police, the activists made inflammatory speeches and provocative statements at the Elgar Parishad meet held in Pune on 31 December, 2017, which triggered violence the next day. (With inputs from Press Trust of India) By Philip J. Heijmans and Andreo Calonzo The Trump administrations move to brand most of Beijings claims in the South China Sea a violation of international law doesnt mean much on its own: China has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the 2016 tribunal ruling that the U.S. finally just endorsed. But analysts say they fear it could lead to a miscalculation at sea if it prompts the Communist Party to become more aggressive in asserting its claims, both to rebuff the U.S. and to deter other claimants in Southeast Asia from taking action. Chinas campaign to build artificial structures intensified after the Obama administration announced a pivot to Asia in 2011. Map showing disputed claims in the South China Sea. (Source: AFP News) This may not necessarily change the texture of what the U.S. military is already doing in the South China Sea, said Collin Koh Swee Lean, research fellow at Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. The concern we have is the Chinese may decide to step up their challenge against these U.S. activities in the SCS, thus increasing the risk of incidents. While the U.S. and China are sparring on everything from trade to COVID-19 to Hong Kong, the South China Sea remains the most likely spot for the two powers to have their warships and fighter jets actually collide. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said he wants to deploy more U.S. forces to confront China, and the U.S. Navy appears to be stepping up freedom of navigation operations challenging Beijings territorial claims. Earlier this month two U.S. aircraft carriers conducted exercises in the South China Sea. The Trump administration is trying to find all the nails they can to hammer into the coffin, said Zhu Feng, executive dean of the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies at Nanjing University. On the one hand its exploiting the China factor for the elections, but in general the U.S. has fundamentally changed its attitude toward China. We are strengthening U.S. policy on South China Sea maritime claims, according to international law, in rejection of Beijings intimidation, bullying, and claims of maritime empire. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) July 13, 2020 U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeos statement on Monday denouncing what he called a completely unlawful campaign by China over fish and energy deposits across most of the sea, which is vital for global trade and has territorial disputes involving six governments, marked the fourth anniversary of a ruling by a United Nations tribunal in favor of the Philippines against Beijing. China has said the tribunal had no jurisdiction, as Beijing had earlier said it wouldnt abide by dispute settlement mechanisms for under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea, known as Unclos. Story continues Maritime Empire The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire, Pompeo said. Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell singled out Chinese state-owned companies on Tuesday. Describing them as modern-day equivalents of the East India Company, he said China uses the firms as battering rams for influence in the region. Asked about the possibility of U.S. sanctions against individuals or companies, he told a conference of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington that nothing was off the table. China has fired back, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday rejecting Pompeos statement and accusing the U.S. of doing all it can to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and drive a wedge between regional countries and China. Another spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said China has no working oil rigs in disputed areas of the South China Sea and said the country is committed to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight. 6. It is the #US, not China, that believes in "might makes right" & resorts to force & intimidation at every turn. It is the US that has waged color revolutions & illegal wars, displacing millions in Iraq, Libya & Afghanistan. China has never started any war. Hua Chunying (@SpokespersonCHN) July 14, 2020 The risk of an accident in the South China Sea leading to a larger standoff has risen as de-escalation will be complicated by the deteriorating relationship, the Eurasia Group said in an analysis published Tuesday. It also said that China might be more likely to declare an air defense identification zone over the waters, which would attempt to force international commercial and military jets to recognize Chinas sovereignty. The U.S. and China do not want to have an open conflict or a war over this issue, but the problem is on the ground, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore. If there is no effective communication between top leaders on the issue, it is easy for the situation to get out of control. The South China Sea encompasses an area roughly the size of India, and China claims more than 80% of the waters. So far, Beijing has reclaimed some 3,200 acres (1,290 hectares) of land on seven reefs or rocks in the Spratly archipelago, constructing ports, lighthouses and runways. It has installed missile batteries and other military equipment. The U.S. stance marks the first time it has explicitly endorsed the substance of the tribunal ruling and declared that China has no right whatsoever to waters and seabed off its neighbors coasts, according to Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in Washington. That should lead to stronger objections to Chinas moves to intimidate on fishing and oil and gas drilling, he said, as well as adding pressure on other countries to speak up more. Its a bigger deal than it might seem at first, he said. The U.S. is still neutral on who ultimately owns which disputed island, but its now firmly on the side of the Southeast Asians when it comes to most of the waters. Still, at least one key claimant didnt see things spinning out of control. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, whose country has moved closer to China in recent years, said on Twitter that the worlds biggest economies still needed each other to recover following the global pandemic. Later on, China said Locsin spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and both sides agreed to hold peaceful negotiations to resolve differences in the South China Sea. #Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and #Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin held a video meeting on Tuesday, in which both sides agreed to discuss the #SouthChinaSea issue in peaceful negotiations. pic.twitter.com/Qn1GkKYRXn Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) July 14, 2020 The U.S. move would be effective only if it follows up with claimant states in the region to find ways to exert more pressure against China, Murray Hiebert, BowerGroupAsias head of research and a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studiess Southeast Asia Program, said during a virtual briefing on the South China Sea. Its stronger than what was said before, but one of the problems we have with the current administration is they make very strong statements on an issue and disappear for months at a time, he said. That means its really not that effective. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. The current lack of consensus leaves gaping loopholes. Apple had long argued that its overseas revenue, much of which was funneled through Ireland, would be taxed as soon as it was repatriated to the U.S. But only after U.S. tax reform went into law in 2017 did it become certain that Apple would indeed ever repatriate that income. Otherwise, it would stay sitting in offshore accounts, largely untaxed. The commission tried to use current OECD rules in its case against Apple; Wednesdays court decision said it failed to apply those rules correctly. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at this hour. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. At India-EU summit, trade deal remains elusive A free trade deal that India and the European Union have been planning since 2007 remained elusive at the 15th India-EU summit on Wednesday. Read more Pompeo amps up pitch, says will use all tools to support countries over South China Sea The United States will use all available tools to support countries that believe China has violated their sovereignty in the South China Sea, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Read more Sushant Singh Rajput elevated standards of Hindi film industry, says brother-in-law Vishal Kirti, brother-in-law of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, heaped praise on him and credited him with raising the standards of Bollywood. Sharing the Dil Bechara title track, Vishal correctly guessed that Sushant nailed the song in a single take. Read more Google-Jio partnership to 5G in India: Top announcements from Reliances AGM 2020 Reliance Industries 43rd Annual General Meeting took place earlier today. There were some major announcements made on Jio in areas like Jio Platforms, 5G and digital services. Read more Congress suspended me for backing Sachin Pilot: Sanjay Jha lashes out Congress seems to be taking a tough approach towards leaders who fail to toe the party line. Sanjay Jha has been sacked from the party for anti-party activities and breach of discipline. Watch to know more Face masks are now a form of expression Face masks have become a very integral part of our lives during the pandemic. And what is being noticed now is that apart from being used as a form of protection, they are also becoming a way to express our feelings and put forth our views on pressing issues going around in our society. Read more He fell into freezing water while saving a coyote pup. Kept going till it was rescued This is a heartwarming tale of how a man, despite facing difficulties, pursued his endeavours of rescuing a coyote pup. This is a story of compassion and some may say its also an incident which perfectly captures the true spirit of humanity. Read more Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:02:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The non-food retail sector in Germany could lose 40 billion euros (45.77 billion U.S. dollars) in sales in 2020, shrinking by four percent year-on-year even if there was no second wave of COVID-19 in the country, the German Retail Federation (HDE) announced on Wednesday. "The coronavirus crisis is tearing big holes in many non-food retailers, money is running out in many places," said HDE Managing Director Stefan Genth. The number of customers was still below average and sales had consequently fallen "far below normal levels." In 2019, non-food retailers in Germany had still recorded an increase in sales of 3.2 percent. According to Germany's Statistical Office (Destatis), it had been the tenth consecutive year of growth. This year, HDE is expecting that COVID-19 would drive insolvencies of non-food retailers to up to 10,000. The obligation to file for insolvency in Germany was suspended until the end of September and HDE warned of a "wave of insolvencies" at the end of 2020 or later, depending on whether or not the German government would extend the measure. According to HDE, in the months of March, April and May, expenditures per purchase in stationary trade fell by 10 percent, but rose by 20 percent in online trade. This development would put pressure on local retailers to adapt their business models, locations and investment decisions. "The coronavirus crisis will keep the trade busy for some years to come. Many consumers have changed their shopping behavior," warned Genth, stating that "retailers must react to this." In order to counter the rising need of the German non-food retail sector, HDE called for a state subsidy for digitization, especially for smaller companies. In addition, access to existing COVID-19 bridging loans should be made easier. Enditem CBSE Pass Percentage 2020 Class 10: The Board announced that 91.46 percent of students have passed the Class 10 exams this year. The pass percentage has increased by 0.36 percent CBSE Pass Percentage 2020 Class 10| The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared Class 10 results on Wednesday (15 July) on official websites - cbseresults.nic.in, cbse.nic.in and results.gov.in. The Board announced that 91.46 percent of students have passed the Class 10 exams this year. The pass percentage has increased by 0.36 percent, as compared to last year when 91.10 percent of students passed. Trivandrum has recorded the highest pass percent at 99.28 in the Class 10 examination, while Guwahati secured the lowest at 79.12 percent. Girls have fared better than boys this year with a pass percentage of 93.31 while the pass percentage for boys is 90.14 percent. 41,804 students have scored over 95 percent. Follow LIVE Updates on CBSE Class 10 results CBSE will not release a merit list this year, owing to amended evaluation criteria, ANI reported. Earlier, CISCE had also announced that it will not announce topper's list for ISC and ICSE exams. How to check CBSE Class 10 result 2020 online Step 1: Visit the official results link cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in Step 2: Enter your Class 10 board exam credentials, like roll number and date of birth Step 3: Submit the details and check your CBSE board exam result 2020. DigiLocker will inform the students of their marksheets and pass certificate once it is sent by the CBSE. Alerts will be sent on the registered mobile number of the students. Students can also check their results online on various official websites, IVRS telephone numbers, and mobile apps. For those who have appeared in more than three subjects, the average of the marks obtained in the best three performing subjects will be awarded in the subjects whose exams were not conducted. For students who have appeared in only three subjects, the average marks obtained in the best two performing subjects will be given in the subjects whose exams were not held. The education board had told the Supreme Court that both Class 10 and 12 results will be announced by 15 July. As per previous the previous schedule, exams for CBSE Class 10 were to be conducted from 15 February till 20 March. However, exams from 19 March onwards were postponed owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The remaining papers were then scheduled to be held from 1 to 15 July. However, the pending exams were cancelled as coronavirus cases in the country continued to rise. As data shows more and more younger people are getting infected by the novel coronavirus, health experts are trying to bust a myth that they say has stifled the global health crisis response: that young people cant get seriously ill from the virus that has killed more than 574,000 people around the world. While the majority of hospitalized patients remain older Americans, and nationally the death rate in the younger age group remains extremely low, several state and hospital officials across the nation are increasingly reporting that young people are not just contracting the virus -- it's making more and more of them ill enough to be admitted to hospitals. Everyone who is young in that age group has the same idea of Im young, Im not gonna get it, [and] if I do get it, its not gonna be that bad, said Dr. Michael Seemuller, a doctor at AnMed Health in South Carolina and the chair of Quality and Safety for its physician network. And then they get it and they end up in the hospital. Officials and doctors in some states like California and Colorado told ABC News they haven't seen a marked increase in admissions for young patients lately. But government or hospital officials at least a half dozen states -- out of 18 that provided hospitalization data, some broken down by age, to ABC News -- said they see more and more youths come through their doors, including hard-hit states like South Carolina, Texas and Louisiana. MORE: As cases rise, Pence warns young people increasingly catching coronavirus Seemuller said that younger people's potential susceptibility to severe complications from the virus was there from the start, even if many didn't realize it. People have always been admitted to the hospital in that age group, and no one wanted to listen to that, Seemuller said. The early message was that young people will be fine but that's just not true. PHOTO: Two young men watch as people wade in the ocean, July 4, 2020, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Beyond being potential carriers of the disease that could endanger older Americans, the experts said the younger population itself is still susceptible to long-term effects from COVID-19, such as damaged lungs as well as blood clots that can lead to big and small heart attacks or strokes. Story continues I think the message we've been really trying to get to that age group, is that there are lots of things we don't know about the virus, that it's not safe, Louisiana Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux told ABC News. As we learn more and more, actually, we learn about potential long term impacts from COVID. That, I would think, would personally be very scary for any age group. In one of the worst coronavirus hot spots right now, Dr. Matthew Heinz in Tucson, Ariz., said he admitted six COVID-19 patients in their 20s just this past Sunday, the highest number hes seen in one shift. It was just striking because I usually get one or two younger patients every time there's a cluster of COVID patients but in this case, it was basically all of the COVID patients I had just happened to be 25, 28-year olds, Heinz told ABC News. MORE: 30-year-old dies after attending 'COVID party' thinking virus was a 'hoax' One of the 25-year-olds I admitted during my shift looked terrible, said Heinz. He looked like he had a horrible, nasty, nasty flu and was requiring four or five liters of oxygen. And this is a young, healthy guy. Heinz said he too believes younger people who gather in large crowds and attend social parties, think they are immune and are contributing to the increase in hospitalizations since Arizona reopened in May. So its about 21 days from the time of the party, the initial offense when hospitals will see the effects, said Heinz, describing a hypothetical example. That means people will go out once, think that they are fine because they dont feel sick immediately and keep going out and congregating in large numbers. Since my state has reopened, those infections keep coming in the door and theyve never stopped. Across the state in Arizona, people over the age of 65 still make up the largest chunk of hospitalized COVID patients -- more than 40% -- but those between 20 and 44 years old also make up 20% of COVID patients currently hospitalized, state-released data shows. In Texas, which has also been hit hard this summer, Dr. Faisal Masud, the head of the Center for Critical Care at Houston Methodist Hospital, said back in March and April, 60 to 70% of the patients around the greater Houston metropolitan area were people over the age of 55, and just around 20% were less than 50. In June and July, the percentage of those under 50 is hovering around 40%. Thats a pretty remarkable shift, Masud said. It's a significant amount of admissions to the hospital of people who should not be in the hospital. PHOTO: A patient is taken from an ambulance to the emergency room of a hospital in the Navajo Nation town of Tuba City in Arizona on May 24, 2020. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Masud said a key factor in the rising hospitalization among the younger population is that theres a large number of young people who are obese and have a significant history of smoking or vaping, as well as asthma or kidney conditions, which could contribute to raising the chance of developing a severe illness from the coronavirus. MORE: Houston hospitals transferring patients amid COVID rise: 'We're running out of ICU beds' What I tell people is that COVID-19 is an equal opportunity killer, Masud said. The myths of security of age are gone. The myth that summer will come and the virus will die out, that is defeated. The myth that even if I get it I will not get sick, that's been defeated. In Louisiana, Billioux told ABC News that while the state doesnt have a breakdown of hospitalization by age, the fact that overall hospitalization is rising at a similar rate as the rise in cases -- when younger people are growing rapidly while older people are flattening -- is a sign that hospitalization has been skewing younger as well. It's very rare for that age group [between 18 - 29] to have severe complications but when we start to see such large numbers of individuals with COVID, it means that you're going to see more individuals in that age group with complications, just statistically, Billioux said. Even if it's a rare event, if you increase a number of events, you're going to see more of it. As of July 13, patients under the age of 30 made up nearly 30% of all cases in Louisiana, with the age group between 18 and 29 being the largest chunk among different age groups, state-released data shows. Similarly in Minnesota, where cases among younger people exploded in the past month, the median age of hospitalization decreased from 63 in the first week of April to 54 in the last week of June, the state health departments spokesperson Julie Bartkey told ABC News. In comparison, the median age of deaths has remained in the low 80s over the months. MORE: New data shows young people need to take social distancing seriously In New Jersey, where nursing homes had been struck hard earlier in the pandemic but have since been recovering under lockdown and extra safety measures, the average age of hospitalized COVID patients decreased from 66.5 in April to 55 in June, while the average age of deaths dropped at a slower rate, from 78 in April to 74 in June, the states health department spokesperson Nancy Kearney told ABC News. But hospitalization and deaths among younger patients in New Jersey still only make up a very small percentage of the total -- only around 4% of those hospitalized from COVID are under the age of 30, Kearney added. Meanwhile, in other states where cases and deaths have been raging this summer, officials report that they have not seen a huge shift in hospitalization toward the younger population. Some states that havent seen as much, like Colorado and Idaho, also say their age distribution has remained mostly flat. In California, the average age of hospitalized COVID patients has slightly decreased from 64 at the beginning of the pandemic, to 57 in early July, but mostly remained steady over the months, according to the states Public Health Department. Dr. Brad Spellberg, chief medical officer at Los Angeles County and USC Medical Center, said his hospital has not seen much of a shift to younger patients, but partly because it has had a higher number of younger patients to begin with. This may be, in part, because as a public hospital, we generally tend to have younger patients at baseline, Spellberg said. Since the beginning of the pandemic weve seen teenagers, people in their 20 to 30s, and all the way up to their 80s. And were still seeing that same mix. In Florida, while the percentage of hospitalized COVID patients under the age of 44 has not changed drastically. At the beginning of April, they made up about 15% of total hospitalized, and as of July 13, the number has gone up to 18%, according to state-released data. But hospitals like the Tampa General Hospital have seen high numbers of younger patients come in since Memorial Day. PHOTO: Healthcare workers place a stretcher inside an ambulance at Texas Children's Hospital as cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spike in Houston, Texas, July 8, 2020. (Callaghan O'hare/Reuters) MORE: Miami hospital flooded with critical patients as coronavirus cases rise "We are seeing younger patients that are getting sick," Dr. Myers, director of inpatient COVID care at Tampa General Hospital, told ABC News. "We've had people in their 20s that are intubated and then people in their 90s that go home okay." But as officials and experts from different states see a varying degree of younger population getting hospitalized from COVID, one point that has been observed across the board is that more and more younger people are testing positive and carrying the virus through their communities. And health experts stress the importance of a consistent public messaging critical in addressing this problem. What I've come to understand is people listen to what they want to listen to, and that is a challenge, Masud said. And with mixed messaging all up and down everywhere, I can totally understand that they choose to agree to certain messages and do not agree to other messages. It is very important for people to understand that our communities have the power to change that trajectory, Masud said. We all love freedom, but freedom can't go before responsibility. ABC News' Ali Dukakis Contributed to this report. What to know about coronavirus: How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map Some hospitals see rise in younger admissions for COVID-19, raising doctors' concerns originally appeared on abcnews.go.com I look forward to demonstrating how TAS Uniteds medical answering services can help home health and medical providers better manage their call traffic during busy office hours or after-hours. TAS United, LLC, a Texas-based call center and answering service, is pleased to announce that Theresa Kirkendoll has joined the company as an Account Executive. Ms. Kirkendoll will lead sales efforts for TAS United in the San Antonio and Austin, Texas markets, with a particular focus on the home health industry. Im thrilled to be part of the TAS United team and look forward to establishing new client relationships in the San Antonio and Austin markets, said Theresa Kirkendoll. Having worked with patients and physicians in the home health and medical fields, I understand how important it is for professionals in these industries to remain available and connected to their patients 24 hours a day. I look forward to demonstrating how TAS Uniteds medical answering services can help home health and medical providers better manage their call traffic during busy office hours or after-hours. TAS United has always been a tremendous partner for medical providers, said Dan Kilday, Director of Sales & Client Engagement at TAS United. Theresas background in patient care will greatly benefit our medical clients, as she draws from her experience to create the ideal solution for each clients unique call handling needs. We are very excited to have her on board! Ms. Kirkendoll has more than seven years of experience working in the home health care and medical fields. She began her career as a Patient Services Representative for Home Therapy of Austin. She then joined Pain Specialists of America in Austin as a Physician Liaison, where she worked with physicians in a variety of practices, including orthopedics, neurology, podiatry, chiropractic, and internal and family medicine. Ms. Kirkendoll later returned to Home Therapy of Austin as the Director of Provider Partnerships. In this role, she was responsible for streamlining communication, patient care, customer satisfaction, and overall quality and continuity of care amongst preferred providers. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Fitness from the University of Texas at Austin. For more information about TAS Uniteds answering services, please call Ms. Kirkendoll at 210-258-5700 or visit http://www.tasunited.com. About TAS United, LLC TAS United, LLC is a Texas-based answering service and call center that provides highly-personalized, secure call processing solutions for their customers throughout Texas and the U.S. TAS United maintains offices in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont, Texas, as well as the Midwest. 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For more information, please contact 800-310-8269 or visit http://www.tasunited.com. ### Media Contact: Dan Kilday, Director of Sales & Client Engagement, 210-561-8700, dkilday@tasunited.com Opposition among educators, parents and students is mounting across the US against the push by the Trump administration and the ruling elite to rapidly reopen schoolsa move which coincides directly with the homicidal drive by the ruling class to force workers back on the job amid the deepening COVID-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, Americans have witnessed the pandemic worsen throughout the country as a result of the measures pushed through by state governors to lift restrictions and reopen state economies. The number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed 65,000 on Monday and Tuesday, while last Friday saw a single-day record for new cases at 71,787. Throughout the US, public school districts are rushing to implement plans for reopening in the fall. Plans range from fully in-person learning, fully online, or blended models with both in-person and online instruction. Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19, science teachers check-in students before a summer STEM camp at Wylie High School Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Wylie, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) The two largest school districts in California, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), released a joint statement Monday announcing they will begin their school years fully online. LAUSD will begin classes August 18 while SDUSD will begin August 31. LAUSD and SDUSD serve a combined 20 percent of the 6 million public school students throughout California. The move to a fully online format was announced as a temporary measure, with the joint statement noting, both districts will continue planning for a return to in-person learning during the 2020-21 academic year, as soon as public health conditions allow. The announcement comes in response to a surge in new cases within the state due to a series of lifted restrictions spearheaded by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in recent weeks. Yesterday saw the highest number of new cases in California, 9,561, while yesterdays death toll was the second highest for the state at 139. The statement by LAUSD and SDUSD cites contradictory and vague guidelines set forth by the state government, argues the pandemic is not under control and calls on the federal government to provide more funding so that schools can reopen in a responsible manner. Also on Monday, a meeting of the Orange County Board of Education, which presides over multiple school districts in Southern California, approved its guidelines for the full reopening of schools on August 31 through in-person learning, the most reckless model which is being heavily promoted by the Trump administration. In gross disregard for the lives of educators, students and their families, the guidelines advised against the use of masks and social distancing measures. It states, K-12 children represent the lowest-risk cohort for Covid-19. Because of that fact, social distancing of children and reduced census classrooms is not necessary and therefore not recommended. Requiring children to wear masks during school is not only difficultif not impossible to implementbut not based on science. It may even be harmful and is therefore not recommended. As the board meeting took place, parents and educators rallied outside the venue opposing the plans to reopen in person. Though the guidelines stipulate recommendations for school districts, each district may choose exactly how it plans to reopen with in-person learning. Multiple school districts under the Orange County Board of Education are planning on beginning the school year with a fully online model, similar to LAUSD and SDUSD, in response to the surge in cases and growing opposition by parents and educators. The antiscientific rhetoric being put forward by the Orange County Board of Education, claiming that schools are safe and kids simply do not get the virus, is a criminal lie that is being rejected by educators and parents. School districts, including LAUSD and SDUSD, have noted in prior weeks that they want to reopen, but only in response to wide opposition to in-person learning have some districts begun opting for a fully online model at the start of the school year. Various rallies and actions by educators, parents and students are erupting across the US against the palpably unsafe return to school. Teachers in Austin, Texas have organized a rally for Safe School Opening, with a list of demands including online instruction until county infection rates are below 0.05 percent. Teachers and parents in Loudoun County, Virginia protested Monday outside a Board of Educators meeting for Loudoun County Public Schools in opposition to the reopening plan for a hybrid model, which would include in-person learning when classes resume. Outside the board meeting, one teacher carried a sign with the words, I cant teach from a hospital or grave!" In Lawrence, Kansas teachers protested outside the Lawrence Public School District board room opposing the districts plan to reopen schools with in-person instruction. They demanded proper PPE and social distancing guidelines in schools, and that 14 days must elapse with zero new COVID-19 cases in Douglas County before they would be willing to resume in-person classes. In St. Louis, Missouri teachers, parents, and students held a sit-in on Monday protesting the St. Louis Public Schools plans to reopen with in-person learning. Teachers in Manteca and Ripon, located in central California, are planning a Social Distancing Safety Rally on Thursday to protest the Manteca Unified School Boards decision to reopen schools with a fully in-person format. Parents from Arlington Public Schools in Virginia created an online petition calling for the district to implement a fully online learning format for students. Their online petition request reached 2,382 signatures as of Tuesday evening. While these protests have been organized in part by the local teacher unions, they are only doing so to maintain credibility in the eyes of teachers. For their part, the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have been promoting the Biden election campaign and the fraudulent HEROES Act. The Socialist Equality Party calls on educators, parents and students to build on the mass opposition to schools reopening and to form independent rank-and-file safety committees in every school and neighborhood, to prepare a nationwide strike to stop the unsafe reopening of schools. Educators must demand a major expansion of funding for education, which would include a program to rebuild the schools and hire the necessary staff to provide high quality, safe and equal education for all. A paraeducator from Massachusetts explained why a nationwide strike is needed, saying, I think it would help to have a nationwide strike. Just talking about it with administration wont sway them. We have to show them we wont sacrifice ourselves because they say its safe. They say children dont get sick, but we do, and were not going to risk our own lives or infecting our families. Dylan Lomangino, an elementary Orchestra teacher at Riverside Magnet School in East Hartford, Connecticut, expressed support for a nationwide strike. What Im hearing from the NEA is that their big solution is to vote for Biden. But what else? I realize we have to fight against capitalist interests. How do we use our collective strength to get what we need is the ultimate question. We have more leverage because parents and students are invested in schools, so we can actively work against a government that represents capitalist interests. See Full Image Gallery >> LONDON Britain's Ineos, which is planning to build an off-roader in Wales to rival the likes of the Land Rover Defender, may make it in France instead at a factory Daimler has put up for sale. "As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some new options such as this one ... have opened up that were simply not available to us previously," Ineos Automotive boss Dirk Heilmann said. German carmaker Daimler said on Friday it wanted to sell its factory in Hambach in northeast France as it looks to cut costs. Petrochemicals firm Ineos is run by pro-Brexit billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, who is ranked number five on The Sunday Times Rich List. The company has said it would build the Grenadier off-roader in Wales, creating up to 500 jobs, and that a new plant in Portugal would produce the body and chassis. But the COVID-19 pandemic has seen demand for vehicles slump and worsened problems affecting overcapacity, just as the sector pumps billions into electric models to meet emissions rules. Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe (Reuters) Jaguar Land Rover's decision to stop making its classic Defender 4x4 in 2016 after 68 years, ahead of a replacement which was launched in 2019, prompted Ineos to announce plans for its own vehicle. The French government has urged Daimler to keep all options open, including retaining the Hambach site which makes variants of its Smart cars. Daimler plans to move production to China as part of a joint venture with carmaker Geely. Ineos' planned Welsh site in Bridgend, next to where Ford is due to shut its engine site, was a bright spot last year for an industry hit by major plant closure announcements from the U.S. carmaker and Honda. Ineos said it would consider its options over the next few weeks. "We have therefore suspended the post-lockdown resumption of work at our sites in Wales and Portugal pending the outcome of this review," it said in a statement. Story continues Related Video: Click here to See Video >> New Delhi: A 23-year-old Delhi Police constable was found dead at her rented house in southwest Delhis Palam on Wednesday. Police suspect that someone known to the woman could be behind her murder. According to the police, the woman, currently posted at Tihar jail as a daily diary entry operator, was found dead in the afternoon, when the wife of her landlord saw the door latched from outside and opened it to check on the woman. The woman, a 2018 batch constable, was posted with the 3rd battalion of Delhi Armed Police and was deployed at Tihar jail from 1 pm to 7 pm shift. When her landlady saw the door of her house latched from outside she tried to open it to check on the constable. When she opened the door, she found her lying in the bed unconscious. She alerted her husband and they called the police. She was taken to a hospital where the doctors pronounced her dead, said a police officer who wished not to be named. Her body was sent for an autopsy. During the initial probe, it was found that the woman belongs to Rewari, Haryana. She had rented the house in Palam a week ago. The landlord told police that she was accompanied by a man. During the investigation, we checked CCTV footage and spotted a man leaving her house early morning on Wednesday. He could be prime suspect and efforts to identify him are underway, the officer said. Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Devender Arya said preliminary medical examination suggests the woman was strangled to death. There were no external fatal injuries. She was also properly clothed. Autopsy results are awaited and a case of murder has been registered, Arya said. Supporting customers' passion for print, the new ProStream 1800 has been designed to push the boundaries of commercial print to meet changing customer demands. Combining new inkjet innovations with proven offset printing techniques, the press strikes a unique balance between high productivity, superior print quality, flexibility, and media versatility. Commercial printers can now expand their offerings by migrating higher volume jobs from offset to digital inkjet. This new press can help boost production levels, reduce turnaround times, and thus increase profit margins across a wide range of applications, including premium and high-volume direct mail, books, catalogs, and magazines. With the higher web speed of 436 ft/min (66% faster than the ProStream 1000), the ProStream 1800 can produce up to 114,245 letter images or 11,300 B2 sheets per hour while maintaining superior print quality. This allows print service providers to have the confidence to handle higher volumes of work for jobs today, and going forward. The ProStream 1800 can achieve a very high level of print quality across a broad range of media, including standard offset coated, uncoated, and inkjet optimized papers from 40gsm to 300gsm. Calendars, posters, and point of sale applications can be printed with ease, with the ability to print up to 22" wide and up to 60" long (556mm wide and 1,524mm long). The ProStream 1800 eliminates the need to stop production to switch between different format lengths to ensure a seamless changeoverproviding additional flexibility and ease-of-use for operators. The air floatation drying system of the ProStream 1800 dries all jobs evenly, to effectively print on a wide range of paper without compromising the high standards of the finished output. By not coming into contact with the paper, the system protects the print image to ensure an optimal result and to preserve the gloss and paper surface. Artificial intelligence linked to a sensor continuously makes adjustments to the drying system during the print run to ensure the best quality. As a bonus, it also maintains the optimal web temperature, reducing energy consumption. The ProStream 1800 uses native 1,200dpi Piezo Drop-on-Demand print heads and proprietary polymer pigment inks with Canon ColorGrip conditioning fluid to ensure color consistency. Canon's optional Inline Quality Control, a high-performance camera system, also provides automatic print quality assurance, so operators can spend less time on quality control. The successful ProStream 1000 remains available and existing customers can easily upgrade to the ProStream 1800 if more volume is required, allowing them to quickly adapt to changing market dynamics while maintaining high quality and speed, and supporting a variety of media. Francis McMahon, Executive Vice President, Production Print Solutions, Canon Solutions America, Inc., said, "At Canon Solutions America, we share our customers' passion for print and understand that, as their businesses must adapt to changing market requirements, our technology needs to evolve, too. With the launch of the new ProStream 1800, we can support customers who are looking to grow their production volumes without compromising quality or speed." The new press marks an extension of the successful ProStream technology that was launched in 2017. The new ProStream 1800 can be seen in action at the Customer Innovation Center in Boca Raton, Florida, or by requesting a virtual demonstration. Contact Canon Solutions America at 877-623-4969 for more information. About Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $33 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2019 and was named one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2020. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office. Availability and other specifications are subject to change without notice. SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc. Related Links http://www.usa.canon.com Oregon lawmakers on Tuesday divvied up more than $200 million in federal coronavirus relief for arts and community organizations, a new quarantine paid leave program and people and businesses around the state who took a financial hit from the pandemic. It was the latest allocation by the states Legislative Emergency Board from Oregons $1.6 billion in federal CARES Act funding. Lawmakers developed their spending plan to split the federal largesse in private meetings over recent weeks. The IMF's head praised the NBU's reforms. Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about concerns over pressure put on Ukraine's central bank. "I had an open discussion today with President Volodymyr Zelensky on concerns about the pressures being put on the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)," she said in an official statement posted on the IMF's website late on July 14 following a phone call with the Ukrainian leader. Read alsoIMF names conditions of cooperation with Ukraine after chief banker's exit The IMF's head praised the NBU's reforms. "The reform of the NBU and its performance over the past five years is a clear success story for Ukraine. An independent central bank helps macroeconomic stability, supports investors confidence, and protects the financial systemall crucial preconditions for investment and growth. The credible policy actions of the NBU have been instrumental in stabilizing the economy. The successful clean-up of the financial sector which was ravaged by fraud is also credit to the supervisory work of the NBU," she said. She says it is in the interest of Ukraine to preserve the independence of the NBU. "And it is also a requirement under the current IMF-supported program," she said. "I urged President Zelensky to stay the course of sound monetary and financial policies those are key to stronger investment and inclusive growth." Zelensky's office said in its readout of the phone conversation that the Ukrainian president had stressed that continuing active cooperation with the IMF was a priority for Ukraine. "We highly appreciate the comprehensive support provided by the IMF during this difficult period for our country," Zelensky said. He informed he had met with representatives of commercial and state-owned banks and shortlisted candidates for the position of the National Bank's governor. He assured that by the end of the week he would propose a nominee for the NBU governor's post for consideration in parliament. "It will be an independent technocrat who will continue the independent course of the National Bank. I make all decisions only in the interests of the people of Ukraine," Zelensky said. As UNIAN reported earlier, NBU Governor Yakiv Smolii signed a letter of resignation on July 1, 2020. The move is a result of what he claims is long-standing political pressure. He forwarded the letter to Zelensky. Under Ukrainian law, Smolii's resignation had to be accepted by the president first and then, his technical dismissal had to be confirmed by parliament. On July 3, Ukrainian parliamentarians voted to back Smolii's exit. FP Trending Google Meet will now block anonymous users, who are not signed into a Google account, by default for Education meetings. As per a Google blog post, the feature has been introduced to increase the privacy of education meetings in Google Meet. Anonymous users will not be able to join meetings organised by anyone with a G Suite for Education of G Suite Enterprise for Education licence. "This prevents participants from sharing a link publicly to encourage anonymous users to request access," Google said. A report by ZDNet says that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools have been holding classes online via video conferencing platforms and have been interrupted by pranksters. As per a report by 9To5 Google, "Zoombombing" became a big problem during the online classes and meetings and Google Meet is mitigating this by adding its latest security feature. Google said that anonymous users can cause disruption to learning by making noise and sharing content and become a distraction for the meeting organisers. The new Google Meet feature will help keep distracting miscreants stay away from crashing an online meeting after receiving a publicly shared link. The feature will be enabled by default for end users as well as admins and might take up to 15 days to be available to all the users. The Verge report says that Google is not the only company that has been facing Zoombombing issues where unauthorised users connect to meetings and disrupt them by sharing shock videos, or hurling insults. Zoom, where the phrase zoombombing comes from, has introduced security and privacy features enhance security and bring an end to the practice. The Second Islamic Conquest of Hagia Sophia The Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is a purpose-built structure, and its purpose is the worship of the Christian God. This particular function is not incidental to the way the church was designed and built by its two visionary architects at the high meridian of the Byzantine Empire. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus were what their contemporaries called mechanopoioi, a term that is best translated, according to Richard Krautheimer, as "architect--scientists." Their elite proficiency in mathematics and physics suited them to the task they'd been given by the emperor: building an originally Christian place of worship. In the sixth century, Christians were still drawing on the aesthetics of pagan antiquity, and the basilicas and colonnades of classical Rome had been accepted as the supreme expression of architectural grandeur. Hagia Sophia changed all that. When Emperor Justinian entered the church for the first time after its completion, he is said to have boasted, "Solomon, I have vanquished thee!" He, or rather his two architects, certainly had. With an interior space of almost 43,000 square feet, it was at the time the single-greatest building ever constructed. Its crowning jewel was its gravity-defying central dome, which in a single stroke supplanted the basilica as the defining feature of church architecture in Eastern Christendom. The dome serves as a mirror to heaven, believed in late antiquity to be the most distant in a series of concentric spheres, and its 40 windows allow light from above to shine upon the glittering religious mosaics inside the church. But its most important religious function is musical. The interior of Hagia Sophia was designed for the antiphonal singing of the Christian liturgy, with two choir sections alternating chants across from one another. The dome captures and enhances the sound of this exchange. Musical notes usually reverberate for two to three seconds in a modern concert hall. In Hagia Sophia, they resound for up to twelve seconds, enveloping worshippers in the sounds of the liturgy -- or at least they did, until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. For 482 years after that, Hagia Sophia was used as a mosque. In the 1930s, when Turkey was born from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire as a secular state, the mosque was repurposed once more as a museum for Christians, Muslims, and any other admirers to visit. But now, that state is being systematically remade by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has come to dominate Turkish politics with his own malevolent brand of neo-Ottoman Islamic nationalism. Erdogan has long sought to reconvert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and this week he was finally granted his wish by the Turkish Council of State. The Council's legal reasoning was about as risible as one could possibly imagine: It ruled that the initial conversion of the church into a museum in 1934 was unlawful, because Hagia Sophia was the personal property of Mehmet the Conqueror, the sultan who captured the city in 1453. The Council then transferred control of the museum to a foundation named after the sultan, which is in favor of its repurposing as a mosque. There are many problems with this ruling, but chief among them is the fact that under 15th-century Ottoman law, as Professor Metin GAnday has observed, the entire country was the personal property of the sultan. The legal precedent set in the case of Hagia Sophia seems to suggest that through the shell foundation named after Mehmet II, any living heir of the sultan can lay personal proprietary claim to the entire nation of Turkey and all of the property therein! What's more, the Church of Hagia Sophia has now been reduced to the same legal status it held at the sack of Constantinople, with Muslims worshipping there on the legal basis of Mehmet's bloody conquest of the Christian population. It is true that the conquest ethic was, until very recently, universal in human relations, and it does no one any good to condemn the actions of medieval men in this regard or to adjudicate property disputes accordingly. To call Mehmet the Conqueror a violent and oppressive warlord is merely to observe that he was a political leader in the middle of the 15th century. But for a court of law to resurrect the logic of medieval conquest in the 21st century is truly appalling. To repeat: Christians' access to one of their greatest holy sites will now be greatly curtailed on the grounds that they were conquered by a Muslim sultan and forced into what can only be described as sacred-asset forfeiture at the point of a sword more than 500 years ago. The global response to Erdogan's move has ranged from indifference to outrage. The Turks have close ties with Moscow, and the Russian deputy foreign minister said last Monday that changing the status of the church to a mosque was the internal business of the Turkish government. (Given the way in which the Kremlin has sought to blur the lines between Orthodox Christianity and Russian Nationalism, its acquiescence to the desecration of an iconic, non-Russian Orthodox church is perhaps unsurprising.) By contrast, the Greek culture minister called Erdogan's move an "open provocation to the civilized world" in a statement on Friday, and the Greek government is pushing for the European Union to impose diplomatic sanctions on Turkey. The leader of the Italian Northern League, Matteo Salvini, has also criticized the decision, citing it as evidence that "the pre-eminence of Islam is incompatible with the values of democracy, freedom and tolerance of the West." The Turkish government's response to the criticism has been positively schizophrenic. Erdogan and his deputies tend to rhetorically oscillate between the language of national sovereignty and the language of Islamic expansionism. On the one hand, a deputy chairman in the governing party told a local publication that "estranging a structure, the property of which belongs to Turkey, was going against our sovereignty." On the other, Erdogan himself said in a public address that "the resurrection of Hagia Sophia [as a mosque] follows the express will of Muslims throughout the world" and will serve as a first step towards "the liberation of Al Aqsa" in Jerusalem. Even before his speech, crowds had gathered outside Hagia Sophia chanting "Onward to Jerusalem!" In what will come as a shock to absolutely no one, it seems that many Turks do not believe that national sovereignty obtains for Israel. Hamas was quick to endorse Erdogan's decision. The religious vision of pan-Islamic civilization that appears to drive Erdogan's attempts to dismantle the secular constitution of Turkey, a document of which many Turks are still very proud, does not stand up to any kind of scrutiny. In historical terms, there is vanishingly little evidence of Islamic civilization to begin with. Most of the great achievements attributed to Islamic cultures have been those of conquered peoples, or dhimmis, to use the theological term, whose work has been co-opted by their conquerors. Hagia Sophia is a case in point. The dome that was so ingeniously designed by Anthemius and Isidore has been used as the model for mosque architecture ever since. Indeed, when Caliph Abd el-Malik commissioned the Dome of the Rock, now considered one of the great masterpieces of Islamic art, to be built in Jerusalem, he employed Byzantine architects and craftsmen, which is probably why the structure looks so much like the same city's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. "To the extent that Arab elites acquired a sophisticated culture, they learned it from their subject peoples," the sociologist Rodney Stark has noted. The much-vaunted "Arabic" numeral system is in fact Hindu in origin, based on the concept of zero, which had theretofore eluded the Muslim overlords of Hindu populations. The earliest scientific text that appeared in Arabic, the holy language of Islam, was translated by a Jewish physician from the work of a Syrian Christian priest in Alexandria, which would have surprised no Arabian Muslim of that time. As Stark notes, "'Muslim' or 'Arab' medicine was in fact Nestorian [Assyrian] Christian medicine; even the leading Muslim and Arab physicians were trained at the enormous Nestorian medical center at Nisibus in Syria." It was the Nestorian Christian Johannitius who collected and supervised the translation of Hippocrates, Galen, Plato, and Aristotle into Arabic. Furthermore, a Muslim writer of the eleventh century, Nasir-i Khrusau, reported that "the scribes here in Syria, as is the case of Egypt, are all Christians. . . . It is [also] most usual for the physicians . . . to be Christians." There are countless examples of this dynamic, and they have been chronicled exhaustively by Stark and historians such as Donald R. Hill. The idea of Islamic civilization, which regularly threatens the security of Israel, the West, and anyone unfortunate enough to live under the rule of men such as Erdogan, resembles nothing so much as a great act of intellectual-property theft. Worse yet, this great fiction has real-world consequences beyond the religious annexation of Hagia Sophia. Erdogan has offered very generous military aid to the Libyan government in Tripoli as it fights a war against the insurgent Haftar in Benghazi. He's described Turkish military casualties in the conflict as "martyrs" in the tradition of the Ottoman soldiers who fought in Libya from the 16th through 20th centuries. And following his announcement about the reconversion of Hagia Sophia, the Turkish Media outlet Haber 7 tweeted, "Hagia Sophia is done! Next is Athens." Sentiments such as this suggest that the spirit of conquest among devout Muslim Turks has increased rather than decreased since the country's secular founding in the 1930s. In this respect, Western governments have made the same mistake with Turkey as they have with China, assuming axiomatically that exposure to liberal-democratic capitalism increases the desire for it over time. The truth is that Turkey and many other conservative Islamic countries are taking a different path through the 21st century than the United States and its allies. The holy texts of Islam suggest that this path will not be one that seeks to avoid conquest. According to the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad himself claimed to have "been made victorious with terror" (4:52:220). The actions not only of Turkey in Libya but of Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen testify to the lasting impact of this sentiment upon the author's religious progeny. The United States cannot continue to deal with Islamist countries as if they were nation-states like any others. Turkey and its allies have learned to use Western concepts such as "national sovereignty" in pursuit of their own theocratic, imperialist ends. If they are not challenged robustly when they employ this tactic to win huge symbolic victories, as they have with Hagia Sophia, they will only feel more emboldened to reach for it again when lives are on the line instead of mosaics. Turkey's status as a member of NATO and its potential accession to full membership in the European Union should be conditional upon the rejection of political Islam and the total cessation of all rhetorical or military hostility toward Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the West in general. Entry into the Western community of nations must be contingent on adherence to a standard of civilized government, and until it is, American leaders should highlight the problem as often, as forcefully, and as publicly as they can. History teaches us that the moment Islam shifts from spiritual discipline to governing philosophy, free "infidels" have cause for concern. After 85 years of secular Turkish government, it looks like President Erdogan is effecting that shift once again. If Turkey is to receive any more economic, military, or diplomatic favors from the Western world, Hagia Sophia should either be returned to its status as a museum or remanded into the care of the Greek Orthodox Church, for whose liturgy and worship it was purpose-built so many centuries ago. The additional materials that we are able to provide through Fastcase will take Cabinet users to the next level by providing a complete set of the materials to which they need 24/7 access. - Steven Lofchie Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and Fastcase today announced a partnership to enrich content for the Cadwalader Cabinet, the leading research and intelligence platform providing analysis of U.S. financial regulation. This collaboration significantly enhances the Cabinets offerings by providing its newsletter and subscription platform users with additional primary law content and alerts, including custom links to view full case law from Fastcases legal research library, the worlds largest online law library. Cabinet content is curated and commentary is provided by lawyers at Cadwalader, one of the oldest and most well-respected U.S. law firms. For more than a decade, the Cabinet has provided market-leading regulatory expertise to financial institutions, regulators, academics, and law firms. Starting today, the Cabinets more than 17,000 active daily newsletter readers will receive direct access to the case law supplementing Cadwaladers statutory and regulatory materials. Adding this substantial additional resource allows users to go directly to relevant case law for issues that they are researching or monitoring. This partnership has been in development for a while, but it is particularly powerful moment for us to be providing this additional resource to our users, who may not have the full use of their ordinary resources as they or their colleagues work from home, said Steven Lofchie, a Cadwalader partner and founder of the Cabinet. The additional materials that we are able to provide through Fastcase will take Cabinet users to the next level by providing a complete set of the materials to which they need 24/7 access. Fastcase VP of Product Nina Steinbrecker Jack notes: Cadwalader and particularly the Cadwalader Cabinet has been a market leader at adding intelligent solutions to organize and deliver legal analysis from experts at the firm to the firms clients, an initiative that Fastcase is eager to support. Firms are often surprised to learn that Fastcase welcomes the opportunity to customize solutions that simplify the process of integrating primary law and keeping it up to date. Our conversations with recognized innovators like Steven Lofchie at law firms always lead to creative ways to collaborate and improve their services to clients. Building solutions directly within a firms products and platforms continues the extension of Fastcase to democratize the law. Data-driven law firms are beginning to create a new generation of legal services for clients, and Cadwalader Cabinet is a terrific example of what that future will hold, said Ed Walters, Fastcase CEO. Law firms contain enormous expertise and information assets, and the firms that can harness that expertise for the benefit of clients will be true leaders in a fast-changing time. Our collaboration with Fastcase represents a significant step forward for our platform users, Lofchie added. This new partnership will provide a best-in-class user experience that will best combine case research and legal analysis. *** About Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established over 225 years ago, serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's leading financial institutions, corporations and funds in more than 50 countries. With offices in New York, London, Charlotte and Washington, Cadwalader offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, corporate finance, corporate governance, executive compensation, financial restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, private wealth, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, tax and white collar defense. For more information, visit cadwalader.com. About the Cadwalader Cabinet The Cadwalader Cabinet is an integrated legal research and intelligence service for financial services lawyers and compliance professionals. It consists of news and analysis, practitioner work tools, and a legal library with over a quarter million documents. For more information, visit findknowdo.com. About Fastcase Fastcase is a leading legal publisher that democratizes the law, making it more accessible to more people. Fastcase is a comprehensive research suite of primary law, treatises, legal blogs, analytics, workflow tools, and legal news. Founded in 1999, the service has more than 900,000 subscribers from around the world. Fastcase is an American company based in Washington, D.C. For more information, follow Fastcase on Twitter at @Fastcase or visit fastcase.com. Welland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters made quick work of a bedroom fire in a seven-unit apartment building in the citys downtown core Tuesday night, says Deputy Chief Adam Eckhart. While there were no injuries, Eckhart said the apartment on the upper level at 242 East Main St. lacked working smoke alarms. The fire was detected by the resident of a neighbouring unit. She called 911. Fortunately, it didnt happen later at night, it may have not been detected. He said Wellands fire prevention officers would be following up with the property owner about the lack of working smoke alarms. Fire services across Niagara have been hammering the message about working smoke alarms saving lives since a fatal fire killed four family members in Port Colborne in December 2016. Firefighters, including the citys volunteers, were called to the building just after 6 p.m. Tuesday and Eckhart said two trucks arrived at the same time. One team entered to conduct a primary search of the apartment, and they were backed by a team with an attack line. The deputy chief said firefighters had the fire under control within 90 seconds of arriving on scene and running hose lines down a stretch of driveway beside the building. Damage to a bedroom in the apartment was mild to moderate. Tenants in all units were evacuated during the fire and overhaul where firefighters look for any extension of the fire into other spaces. They were later allowed to return to their apartments. Firefighters were on scene until 10 p.m. and Eckhart said Canadian Red Cross came in to help tenants displaced by the fire. Hydro was disconnected to two apartments, one of which was below the unit with the fire. Those tenants were very understanding, he said of the lower floor residents, adding Red Cross found them accommodations. The resident of the apartment with the fire found accommodations on their own. Eckhart said Niagara Regional Police were investigating the fire, which caused about $10,000 in damage. Tuesdays fire marked the second time firefighters responded to a blaze in the same building and apartment. They last fought a fire there in 2017 and also made a quick knock-down at the time. Eckhart said though the blaze was in the same apartment, it was not the same tenant living from three years ago. According to Forbes reporter Jay McGregor, the new Google Pixel Buds are due for a Feature Drop in which Google will update the product to support more new features that were not available out of the box. Google has done Feature Drops for Pixel devices in the past, and this would be the first Drop for the Pixel Buds. According to the report, theres only word of the Feature Drop, but not word on what will actually be included as part of the Drop. Based on what is known right now , Google may possibly update the Pixel Buds with new EQ settings to adjust the sound quality, Adaptive Sound (the feature that raises and lowers volume based on surroundings) could be getting more tweaks for the user, perhaps battery life could use a boost, and Google might finally have a fix for the issues that some have expressed about Bluetooth audio cutting out. Based on a tweet from the @madebygoogle handle, Googles Pixel Buds will be arriving in new colors next month. The Buds were announced to arrive in four different colors, but only the White ones are available for sale. The other colors expected are Oh So Orange, Quite Mint, and Almost Black. Google #PixelBuds are now available in more countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Singapore, Spain, and the UK. Get yours at the Google Store today: https://t.co/Rb8KCYtdQE P.S. Keep an eye out for more #PixelBuds colors coming next month. pic.twitter.com/DJZmmt88vX Made by Google (@madebygoogle) July 13, 2020 With increased sightings of Googles new Pixel phones (4a and 5) and Nest hardware in more recent weeks, we might be closer to a MadeByGoogle event than we think. Googles event is normally in October, but I have a feeling that we might be seeing Google hardware arrive earlier than usual this year. Source Perariyathavars biggest achievement is that it takes us into a long-invisibilised world, through the eyes of a man (played by Suraj Venjaramoodu) employed as a sweeper, and his son. Historically, Indian cinema exploited the labour of Dalits in its making, whilst erasing or appropriating their stories. This was not an accidental practice. When their stories were told on screen, it would be by savarnas who also played their characters with patriarchal, sexist and casteist undertones. The scenario has slowly changed, and the identity of Dalit characters in cinema directed by a Dalit (and a few non-Dalit) filmmakers has become explicit, transcending boundaries of caste and class. These filmmakers have helped shape visual storytelling that combines justice with aesthetics. Justice with aesthetics was rarely present in cinema made by savarnas, or it was seldom honest. Dalit-Bahujan filmmakers have filled this gap, while creating a new wave of cinema that is more appealing to a Dalit-Bahujan audience. In this series, we examine 10 Indian films that count not only among the finest cinema the country has produced, but are also intertwined with justice, politics, and aesthetic. *** To call Perariyathavar (2014; Malayalam; dir. Bijukumar Damodaran) a drama, tragedy or indeed any existing movie genre would be to reducing it to a limited, popular definition of cinema. If it has to be defined, then Perariyathavar is magical objectivism. The movie does not claim to be fictional, warning us at the very beginning: All the incidents portrayed in the script have been occurring in Kerala (India) for the last 10 years. And yet, to us viewers, these characters appear to be from another world a world to which we shut the doors of our eyes long ago. Perariyathavars biggest achievement then, is that it takes us into this long-invisibilised world, through the eyes of a man (played by Suraj Venjaramoodu) employed as a sweeper with the Kollam Municipality Corporation and his son (master Govardhan). The son often communicates with his deceased mother: a metaphoric intervention in which she becomes a diary for him to note down his thoughts and emotions. The sons narration and the fathers eyes are the means through which we are brought into this world. Perariyathavar starts with its climax, and were then reeled back to the moment where the story actually began. The father and son live in a slum adjacent to a railway line. A garage mechanic, band musicians, young boys from West Bengal who have come to Kerala in search of work these characters from the locality are the protagonists acquaintances. The father and son live in a tin house; during the monsoons, the roof leaks. Their only window is a square opening covered by a jute sack. Amid the smells of the sewer, the clatter of passing trains, ban rehearsals, and the neighbourhood cacophony, the father and son maintain silence, nurture a flowering plant, and maintain a small fish-pond; a sub-text of their hopefulness. Subtleties of this kind abound in every frame of the film; neither dialogue nor noise it is the finely constructed silences that are the strength of Perariyathavar. The use of a background score is rare, but the sounds of the background make each scene appear compellingly real. The audience feels as though they are part of the cinematic moment the hallmark of a great film. *** Film societies began to emerge in India after independence, although a few predated 1947. The most influential of these were perhaps from (then) Calcutta. Needless to say, these were fully governed by savarna members, and some among them had a feudal inheritance. These film societies were meant to create an atmosphere that in turn would lead to world-class cinema being produced in India. Yet, none of them seemed to care or lacked the intellectual honesty to admit that this was not possible with only Brahmin-savarnas dominating the field. The resources and means of production of cinema were dominated by savarnas for decades, due to which cinema in India became an effective medium to create a false consciousness. This is also because creators of cinema gradually became apolitical i.e. they ceased to be a part of any social movement that was intended to create a just, equal and fraternal culture. It is only with the rapid circulation of new technology that Dalits managed gain access [to the field] and their stories became cinema. Perariyathavar among the finest films to emerge from India in the past decade stands testimony to this achievement. *** Three scenes in the film indicate Bijukumar Damodarans brilliance as a director. In the first, the father buys a toy car for the son and as they are about to cross the road, they are abruptly taken aback by a speeding car. They come to a halt, and the owner of the car shouts at them. The toy car falls from boys hand, and is crushed by the swift traffic. In the second scene, when a strike leads to the municipality shutting down work at the dumping yard, the now unemployed father stands at a chowk where people come and hire individuals for labour. The father gets a job at a building construction site, and their employer herds all the workers into a truck to ferry them to the location. At a traffic signal, the fathers eyes travel to a tempo halted alongside their truck; it is transporting tied-up buffaloes. And in the third scene, the father sweeps a road, the missing six or seven-year-old daughter of a pavement dweller, is found by him; she has been raped, and is wounded and bleeding. There is complete silence during the scene. All these scenes are stories in themselves, sensitive and profound ones, but interwoven within the overarching narrative of the father and son. Perariyathavar is a beautiful, poetic rendition of stories kept outside the fold of cinema in India for decades. For the viewer, Perariyathavar also provides scope to understand the much hyped, overrated communist discourse from Kerala and its claims of liberating people because it depicts the people and realities that have been left out of this idea of liberation and justice. The treatment of migrants from West Bengal seeking work as informal labourers, the insensitive displacement of Dalits, the negligence towards municipal workers, and finally, the suppression of people demanding their rights all suggest the apathy and prejudices of a communist state. Perariyathavar is certainly an intellectual, sensible cinematic tour de force. But to feel it, we need to break free ourselves from our old pathological habit/approach towards watching films. Perariyathavar is precisely the cinema which a caste-society like India needs to get humanised. * Yogesh Maitreya is a poet, translator and founder of Panther's Paw Publication, an anti-caste publishing house. He is pursuing a PhD at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Geojit's report on Agri Picks A group of ministers is likely to meet on Wednesday to discuss a 2-rupee-a-kg hike in minimum selling price of sugar, a senior government official said. India received 6.4 mm rainfall yesterday, 29% below the normal average of 9.1 mm, the India Meteorological Department said. Since Jun 1, the country has received 320.1 mm rainfall, 11% above the normal of 288.9 mm for the period, the bureau said. The recent locust attacks did not cause any significant crop loss in most states except Rajasthan where some minor losses were reported, the central government said in a release yesterday. The government has procured 810,372 tn oilseeds harvested in 2019-20 (JulJun) from farmers under the price support scheme as of Saturday, a government official said. At 17,975 bales (1 bale = 170 kg), Glencore Agriculture India Pvt Ltd took the highest delivery of cotton on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India under the June contract which expired last month, according to data from the exchange. National Commodity Clearing Ltd, the clearing arm of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, has so far marked 700 tn of cottonseed oilcake for staggered delivery against the July contract that will expire on Monday, according to data on its website. The Cotton Corp of India has sold around 50,000 bales (1 bale = 170 kg) of the fibre from its procured stocks, said Pradeep Agarwal, chairman and managing director of the state-owned agency. For all commodities report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Read More Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. Photo: Swen Pfortner/Pool/Getty Images Herbert Diess, the chief executive of Volkswagen (VOW.DE), topped the list of Germanys highest paid CEOs on the German DAX in 2019, earning 9.9m (8.9m, $11.3m), according to an annual survey by the Technical University of Munich and the German Association for the Protection of Securities (DSW). In second place among the top earners on the DAX index of the countrys 30 most valuable companies came Merck (MRK) chief executive Stefan Oschmann, raking in 8.5m. Joe Kaeser, the head of Siemens (SIE.DE), came in third with earnings of 7.2m. Former SAP chief executive Bill McDermott, who earned over 15m, would have beaten Diess last year, had he not resigned in October 2019. The survey did not take into account the salaries at scandal-hit payments company Wirecard, whose annual report is not available yet. Wirecard declared insolvency last month after the revelation of a 1.9bn hole in its balance sheet. READ MORE: Deutsche Bank mulls a rescue for Germany's Wirecard Bank Overall, board member salaries among DAX companies dipped slightly in 2019, by 0.3%, after a 3.5% drop in 2018. However, despite that slight drop, top DAX managers overall earned an average of 49 times what their employees made last year, at an average of 3.4m per each board member. The difference between the salaries of normal employees on the one hand and board members on the other is still huge," said Gunther Friedl from the TU Munich. At the beginning of June this year, Volkswagen moved Diess out of his role as CEO of the VW brand replacing him with chief operating officer Ralf Brandstaetter from 1 July. The company said the move would allow Diess more leeway to carry out his job as the chief executive of the whole VW Group, which owns Audi, Skoda, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley. Like any country, Australia has people working in jobs that could be stressful on your mind, but generally harmless for your body. Office jobs and desk jobs generally fit the bill. There are also jobs that can put your life in danger. At the time of this writing in July 2020, there have been 91 Australians killed at work during 2020. In 2019 a total of 171 workers died from an injury sustained at work in the country. This adds up to someone dying at work just about every two days down under. Some of the most dangerous jobs can be found in forestry, fishing and agriculture in Australia, and the physically safest work is found in the financial and insurance industries. An overwhelming majority (93%) of people who die at work in Australia are male. Here is a deeper look at seven of the most dangerous jobs in Australia, and what makes them to be so. Labour And Other Hands-On Jobs ; Image credit: Andre Marcelo Santa Maria/Shutterstock.com According to the Australian Mens Health Forum, in 2017 the most common causes of workplaces deaths in Australia were vehicle collisions, being hit by a moving object, falling from high heights, and being hit by a falling object. These accidents tended to happen most often for those working in labour jobs. Workers in the Northern Territory had the highest rate of death at work by far and in 2017 were 13 times more likely to die at work than were workers in other territories. Next in line was workers in Queensland, followed by workers in South Australia, New South Wales, and then Western Australia. In 2018, Christopher Cassiniti died at 18-years old while working on a construction site in the Sydney suburb of Macquarie Park. He fell from scaffolding that collapsed beneath him. The tragic death marked the beginning of a spotlight on construction safety that revealed over 100 safety violations related to scaffolding only, across New South Wales. A simple Google search shows many other incidents of people dying on the job in Australias labour sector. In July 2020, a man was crushed to death by a falling metal beam. He died on the scene. People have died in mining accidents recently, at quarries, and in industrial accidents. Working in Australia can be dangerous. Australias famous forest fires are something else that claim workers every year. When trees fall, the result can be fatal. In the country's forest fires of 2019-2020, 9 firefighters died fighting the blazes to date. Transport, Postal And Warehousing Image credit: Sezer66/Shutterstock.com Those working as drivers and on the railroads also have a tough, potentially fatal job to face each day. Shockingly, a report put out in 2020 by the National Transport Insurance company in Australia found that the number of people who had died in a truck driving accident doubled in 2019, when compared with any other year in the past decade. Drivers being distracted, presumably by cellphones and other devices, as well as fatigued were cited as major reasons so many drivers are dying. Veteran truck drivers say that more adequate rest facilities are needed throughout the country to help bring fatalities down. Increased driver training and education would also help, some say. When it comes to fatalities in warehouses, workers tend to die in forklift accidents. Workers can also be fatally injured if there is faulty wiring, hazardous materials, holes in the walls or floors, and warehouse fires. Agriculture Those of us who do not farm may often think of idyllic pastures with horses, cows, and ducks spending their merry days in sunshine when we think of life on the farm. Many people die working as farmers, however. In 2016, 63 people died in accidents on farms in Australia. Some of these were workers, and sometimes even workers children died as bystanders in tragic events. Reports indicate that some of these deaths are caused by people not adhering to safe practices like wearing seat belts, and driving at the speed limit on roads. Sometimes, farmers are intoxicated and too tired to do their job, which can also result in a deadly accident. Other Incidents It is somewhat surprising to find community and personal service workers on the list of those who suffer from the most fatalities at work in Australia. When you take a look at some of the job titles, it becomes clearer how fatalities may occur. Community workers in Australia may be crisis intervention workers, juvenile justice officers, and alcohol and drug officers, among other titles. These jobs could be placing workers in close situations with people who are mentally imbalanced and potentially dangerous. This happened in 2019 when a New South Wales Health case worker visited a client for a routine mental health check. He was stabbed to death by his client who suffered from serious mental health issues. What Is Being Done Image credit: ThamKC/Shutterstock.com The fact that Australia is keeping statistics on how many people die at work is a good step. Canada, for example, does not have a national database of on-the-job fatality rates. Keeping track of what happens is beneficial for workers and labor inspectors. Data helps people to identify where help is needed most. In Australia, there exist organizations that are attempting to improve the lives of workers who face dangerous conditions each day on the job. These conditions are impacting workers. Construction workers in Australia have a much higher rate of suicide compared with workers in other jobs. Those seeking support and help can find it through organizations such as MATES In Construction, IncoLink, HALT, the OzHelp Foundation, and the OzHelp Tasmania Foundation. Safe Work Australia is an Australian government organization that was established in 2008. People at this organization work to develop policies related to compensating workers who are hurt on the job. This group also develops national policy related to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS). Safe Work Australia also develops national strategies, conduct research, collects and analyzes data related to workplace safety. This organization does not regulate WHS laws, but they can suggest changes. By keeping track of how many workers are injured and killed at work, moving forward, hopefully more deaths can be prevented. The West Australian departments of Education, Health and Justice are not "fully" meeting their obligations to ensure every person on their sites who required working with children cards actually had one, a new report by the Auditor General has warned. Auditor General Caroline Spencer said the three entities understood the need for cards, but control weaknesses created a risk that unsuitable individuals could work with children. The Auditor General found the three departments were failing to meet their Working With Children Checks obligations. Credit:Louise Kennerley Procedures for managing working with children checks were not always followed, she said. "The entities did not consistently manage card records across operational areas and information was often decentralised," Ms Spencer said. Nicole Clark, ARS Cares Healthcare Heroes Program Winner in Vero Beach We know the healthcare workers in our community have been working tirelessly during this pandemic to ensure our safety. We wanted to make sure they had a comfortable and safe environment to come home to as our way of saying thanks, said Ryan ONeil, General Manager. As part of the ARS Cares Healthcare Heroes Program, ARS/Rescue Rooter of Vero Beach, a local Heating and Cooling services provider, is giving a new HVAC unit to Nicole Clark, a deserving ER nurse at West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The Healthcare Heroes program is an extension of the year-round, company-wide ARS Cares initiative through ARS/Rescue Rooter, and has given more than 50 free home services makeovers to healthcare professionals across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know the healthcare workers in our community have been working tirelessly during this pandemic to ensure our safety. We wanted to make sure they had a comfortable and safe environment to come home to as our way of saying thanks, said Ryan ONeil, General Manager. As physically and mentally hard as it is especially during COVID-19, Clark is also a disabled veteran and was a Navy Corpsman for over 5 years. She has been working 5 days a week since the pandemic started while her parents help take care of her children (3 and 7) who are now home schooled. She has been caring for others in their time of need for over 12 years. The installation of Clarks new HVAC unit was completed on June 20th. The ARS Cares Healthcare Heroes program was announced on May 13. Friends, family members and co-workers were asked to nominate individuals and share stories of why a Vero Beach area healthcare worker was deserving of a home services makeover to ensure comfort and relaxation. ARS received more than 400 nominations. The ARS Cares initiative was launched in 2016 to cultivate positive relationships with communities where we live, work, and play. Since that time, more than 90 home services makeovers have been completed, donating more than $500,000 of HVAC systems and water heaters to deserving recipients. To learn more about ARS Cares and view official Terms & Conditions, visit ars.com/ars-cares. ABOUT AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Based in Memphis, Tenn., privately-owned ARS operates a network of more than 70 locally-managed service centers in 24 states, with approximately 7,000 employees. The ARS Network features industry-leading brands including, 4 Eco Services, A.J. Perri, Aksarben ARS, Allgood, Andy's Statewide, ARS, Aspen Air Conditioning, Atlas Trillo, Beutler, Blue Apple Electric, Blue Dot, Blue Flame, Bob Hamilton, Brothers, Columbus Worthington Air, Comfort Heating & Air, Conway Services, DM Select, Florida Home Air Conditioning, Green Star Home Services, Hauser Heating & Air Conditioning, McCarthy Services, Rescue Rooter / Jack Howk, Rescue Rooter, RighTime Home Services, RS Andrews, TempRite Air Conditioning and Heating, Unique Services, "Will" Fix It, and Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing. As an Exceptional Service Provider, the ARS Network serves both residential and light commercial customers by providing heating, cooling, indoor air quality, plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line, radiant barrier, insulation, and ventilation services. Each location has a knowledgeable team of trained specialists. ARS requires background checks and drug tests on all employees. We hire professionals with the highest level of integrity. Providing exceptional service and ensuring the highest standards of quality, ARS has the experience to do any job right the first time, with all work fully guaranteed. ARS: "Making it work. Making it right." Coronavirus in Colorado: Live updates for Wednesday, July 15 - Nearly 3.5 million coronavirus cases in the U.S.; Walmart to require customers to wear facemasks ABINGDON, Va. For Virginia Pillion, a rising senior at Abingdon High School, the COVID-19 pandemic is just one more reason to help make a difference in the community a goal she first adopted when she was 9 years old. Virginia has volunteered to host a virtual fundraising event to benefit United Way of Southwest Virginias Backpacks Unite, a program that provides nutritious weekend meals to at-risk students throughout the region. Her virtual campaign began last week with a goal of raising $15,000 by July 27. In Southwest Virginia, one in every six students is food insecure. Thats why I am committed to raising this money, said Virginia. DentaQuest has donated $25,000 to kick off the fundraiser. According to Leann Vernon, director of accountability and strategic impact at United Way, Virginia may be the first youth in the community to singlehandedly offer to conduct a fundraising event for the local nonprofit organization. The high school student said she has learned the joy of serving others from living with high-profile parents. The 17-year-old is the daughter of 40th District state Sen. Todd Pillion and Amanda Pillion, who was elected to the Abingdon Town Council in May. Im very proud of my parents for the work they do, said the daughter. A bleak picture of the coronavirus has sparked a desire in the teen to act with kindness during this unprecedented time. The high school student said she is managing the campaign on her own free will, and her volunteer work will not satisfy a course credit or program at her school. Ive been going to Washington County schools my entire life, and Ive seen the impact the Backpacks Unite program has on students, said Virginia. I remember every Friday the kids on the bus would have their Backpacks. They were so excited that they would have food for the weekend. It made me feel very thankful and blessed for what I have, but also sad knowing there are kids in need. Although the teen doesnt take the bus home anymore, she has never forgotten the positive effects a simple bag of food had on some of her classmates. Its a great program, and considering we have the pandemic going on, I became concerned the organization may not have as much funding as they usually do. I dont want them to be in need. Serving others just comes naturally for the Abingdon teen. I like community service. It makes me feel more fulfilled in my life knowing that Im helping other people who are less fortunate. I think its great to help people out. Virginia was a spokesperson for Niswonger Childrens Hospital while in elementary school. She raised as much as $1,000 to help furnish a toy chest for children at the hospital. She also sold lemonade for the cause. Its definitely taught me about having a good work ethic and learning theres always something you can do to help others, she said. My dad grew up on a cattle farm, sold cows to get into college and has worked his way up to where he is today. Hes always been involved with the church, and thats definitely taught me a lot about serving others. The student has mailed more than 100 campaign postcards to potential donors, including her family and friends, and posted information about the campaign on social media. Funds raised during the virtual fundraising event will support a program funding increase. Vernon said the organization is increasing the food budget for each child from $5 to $6 this school year. Weve been doing the Backpacks Unite Program for several years, said Vernon, and weve never increased the food budget. Over time, the cost of food has gone up. This increase will allow us to buy more protein items that are more filling for the children. Vernon said the local organization recently has conducted additional fundraising to help families who have been impacted by COVID-19, many of whom are recipients of the Backpacks Unite Program. Backpacks Unite works with more than 20 sponsors to serve over 1,000 students in more than 30 schools across the region who are at risk of going hungry. The program is a collaborative effort among United Way of Southwest Virginia, community organizations, school personnel and Food City. According to data from the United Way ALICE Report, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, as many as 59% of households in the region cannot afford the basic cost of living. Since 2018, that figure has trended up 2% in our population, said Vernon. And now COVID-19 is causing an even greater impact on people in the region. Vernon welcomes more young volunteers to help with campaign fundraising. Its encouraging to see this generation already demonstrating their commitment to the community, said Travis Staton, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Virginia. To make donations to Virginias campaign, use the link https://unitedwayswva.org/pillionforbackpacks. Using mobile phones, donors also can access the free mobile Text-to-Donate service by texting BackpacksUnite to 41444. Follow United Way of Southwest Virginia on Facebook. Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at news@washconews.com. NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913342/?utm_source=PRN The Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market is expected to grow from USD 5,060.51 Million in 2019 to USD 7,531.31 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.85%. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Automotive Ambient Lighting to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: On the basis of Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Type, the Automotive Ambient Lighting Market is studied across BEV, HEV, and PHEV. On the basis of Application, the Automotive Ambient Lighting Market is studied across Center Console, Dashboard, Door, and Footwell. On the basis of Geography, the Automotive Ambient Lighting Market is studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region is studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region is studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region is studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market including Draxlmaier Group, Federal-Mogul LLC, General Electric, Grupo Antolin, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Osram Licht AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd., Valeo S.A., and Zizala Lichtsysteme GmbH. FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Automotive Ambient Lighting Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on sulfuric acid offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market?6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Automotive Ambient Lighting Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913342/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1-339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links www.reportlinker.com by Joseph Truong Tam Former South Vietnamese soldiers are among the most marginalised people in Vietnam today. The restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic have broken the chain of aid. A Buddhist organised an overseas fundraiser, and the money was given to Redemptorist Fathers to help almost 1,200 needy people. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) Catholics and Buddhists have joined forces during the ongoing pandemic making it possible to bring help and comfort to ex-soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam, who are among the most isolated and marginalised people by Vietnams Communist regime. These veterans number in the thousands. In normal circumstances, they have to struggle to find the means to survive (materially and spiritually). With the emergency caused by the novel coronavirus, they have been pushed even further into the margins of society. The veterans are from different southern provinces, like Ben Tre, Anh Giang, Can Tho and Binh Duong. During the Vietnam War (1960-1975), they fought for the US-backed Republic of Vietnam (or South Vietnam), but lost when the North Vietnamese army reunited the country. Since then, the Communist regime has done very little for them. Because of the war, many have suffered serious battle injuries and are unable to earn a living. As a result, they are forced to beg. First a Buddhist group, then the Redemptorist Fathers in Saigon, have been caring for these marginalised men, around 1,400 in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) alone. However, COVID-19 has stopped the flow of aid and the rules introduced to combat the spread of the virus have further isolated the veterans. Reacting to the emergency, Truong Quoc Huy, a Buddhist, mobilised the Vietnamese community living in the United States at the end of April, raising US$ 60,000 to donate to priests to care for war veterans, as the Redemptorist Superior, Fr Giuse (Joseph) Ho ac Tam, notes. After discussing it in depth, we worked out an agreement with Truong Quoc Huy to bring aid to the wounded soldiers, said the clergyman. This is not an insignificant sum of money, even if the veterans are many "and help is never enough. "For this reason, we have decided to limit the distribution work to the Saigon area." However, the money transfer was initially held up, and only after a month, on 26 May, did the Redemptorists in Can Gio district receive it to start their aid campaign. Recently, Truong Quoc Huy said on his TV channel that collaboration between Buddhists and Christians turned "an act of solidarity" into concrete action, thanks to Fr Josephs precious work. The distribution of aid by priests and volunteers will continue until next Sunday, to benefit 1,181 veterans in 24 Ho Chi Minh City districts. This "act of love" was made possible by Christians and Buddhists working together, with the crucial contribution of Vietnamese living in the United States who gave money through Truong Quoc Huy. New Delhi: Delhi Police's special unit for women and children has begun conducting special sessions in schools to educate students about do's and don'ts in the cyberspace. The action has been taken seeing a spurt in cases of online child abuse. Thirty-three schools and 15,000 students have so far been covered under the outreach programme that started on November 2, said Varsha Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC). Special Commissioner of Police (Women Safety, Airport and Modernisation) Sundari Nanda had written to private and government schools requesting them to organise such sessions. As many as 468 schools have expressed willingness to hold such sessions for their students. The sessions educate children about the pitfalls of their innocent actions online. "The presentation talks about how uploading a picture on one's social media profile can lead online predators to track their location and expose them to severe dangers. There are also other topics like cyberbullying that are dealt with in the presentation," the officer said. These sessions are usually conducted by policemen in school auditoriums and morning assemblies and after the sessions, students are also given a feedback form to fill, Sharma said. These sessions are being conducted by probationary sub-inspectors from the Northeast who are in-charges of the 10 teams comprising a constable and head-constable. "Through this outreach programme, we are fulfilling twin goals -- the first one of educating the students about online child abuse and the second one of introducing our smart officers from the Northeast region. Students will get to know that they can approach these officers in case they are in distress and that they are part of the mainstream," the officer said. The officers from the Northeast also attend Hindi language classes every Sunday so that they can interact with the people easily. "These officers speak in Hindi and English at the sessions and it makes the students relate to them," said another officer. Last month, SPUWAC had organised a three-day training programme for Delhi Police officers to train them in cracking cyber crime cases. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Kolkata-based private sector lender Bandhan Bank will wait for the outcome of a Reserve Bank of India (RBI)-appointed panel on holding company structure before charting a plan to cut promoter stake. One of the ways it is exploring is merging with the holding company Bandhan Financial Holdings, said two people familiar with the plan on condition of anonymity. Promoter currently holds 47 percent in the holding company, Bandhan Financial. One of the ways to do this is to merge the bank with the holding company which will straight away bring down the promoter stake to 24.9 percent in the bank, said one of the persons quoted above. But, the bank needs to get clarity on RBI norms once the panel forms new rules and other approvals to do this, the person said. In June, the RBI put out a discussion paper on holding company structure. The regulator also constituted a panel to review ownership guidelines and corporate structure for private banks. The committee is reviewing licensing guidelines to suggest new rules. Bandhan Financial Holdings, the holding company of Bandhan Bank, owns around 61 percent stake in the bank, even after five years of its inception. The promoter holding was actually 82 percent before the acquisition of GRUH Finance last year. In September 2018, RBI imposed punitive actions on Bandhan Bank. This included withdrawing permission to open branches and freezing the remuneration of the Managing Director and CEO of the bank at the existing level until further notice. However later, in February, the RBI allowed the bank to open branches without its approval but with a rider that at least a quarter of the branches should be opened in unbanked rural areas in a year. This relaxation was given after RBI noted that it is impressed with the banks efforts to comply with the licensing rules. While the RBIs logic is unclear, till date, the shareholding stands at 61 percent. RBI has been insisting that promoters of private banks should keep an arms length with the banks they founded. The regulator has had a court battle with Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) promoter, Uday Kotak before agreeing for an out of the court settlement. The RBI let the promoters, Uday Kotak and family, retain 26 percent stake but capped the voting rights at 15 percent by April. KMB withdrew the case subsequently and some interpreted this as a win for Uday Kotak. In June, Kotak sold 5.6 crore shares for more than Rs 6,900 crore in a block deal, bringing down his stake to 26.1 percent, inching closer to the RBIs stipulated level. IndusInd Bank promoters, Hindujas, are also in dialogues with the RBI on promoter holding issue. COVID-19 caution continues Bandhan has made Rs 750 crore provision on standard loans as part of its preparation to fight COVID uncertainty on the loan book. With this provision and additional Standard Assets provision that Bank is carrying in Micro banking portfolio total additional provision in books stands at Rs1,769 crore. These provisions are based on our current assessment. We expect things to normalize by September-October, said Chandrashekhar Ghosh, managing director and CEO of Bandhan. The bank has seen collections improving and about 76 per cent of the borrowers have started repaying in the first quarter, Ghosh said. As far as asset quality is concerned, the bank may see about 3-5 per cent of the loans turning bad on account of the COVID crisis, Ghosh said. Presently, the gross NPAs of the bank stands at 1.43 per cent. Bandhan Bank on Wednesday reported a 31.6-per cent on-year decline in net profit to Rs 550 crore during the April-June quarter. The lender's bottom line in the corresponding period a year ago was Rs 804 crore. The lender's deposits grew by 6.18 percent quarter-on-quarter. The proportion of current, savings accounts stood at 37 per cent, nearly the same as in the previous quarter. Alabama governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, issued a statewide order for residents to wear face masks in public spaces. The order, which will take effect on Thursday, follows a surge in coronavirus cases in the state, with a concomitant rise in hospitalizations in several areas including Montgomery, Madison, Jefferson, and Mobile counties. Residents will be required to wear masks in indoor areas and on public transportation when social distancing is not possible, as well as at outdoor gatherings of more than ten people. You shouldnt have to be ordered to do whats in your own best interest, and the best interest of those you love, Ivey said at a press conference. I always prefer a personal responsibility over a government mandate. Yet, I also know with all of my heart that the numbers and the data over the past few weeks are definitely trending in the wrong direction. Ivey announced that the state recorded 2,141 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday night. Folks, the numbers just do not lie, Ivey said. Residents will face a $500 fine and possible jail time if they do not comply with the order, although Ivey said that the state hopes not to need to enforce the penalties. The mask order came after Dr. Don Williams, a former state health officer who is currently president of the Alabama Hospital Association, said on Tuesday that the state had a short window before the current outbreak spread out of control. I believe we could set ourselves up for what could be a potential disaster in terms of new infections, Williamson said in comments to the Montgomery Advertiser. States including California and Texas have paused reopening plans due to new surges in coronavirus cases, and various states have enacted penalties for residents who violate face mask or quarantine procedures. In New York, local officials in Rockland County have threatened to issue subpoenas to compel residents to comply with contact tracing efforts. More from National Review Theres a number of areas within southern and southern western parts of the county that have had historical disinvestment for a number of reasons, county Chief Financial Officer Ammar Rizki said. They were facing pretty much an onslaught when it comes to having dealing with these issues around COVID-19 and their first responders working with their community members, but they did not have the resources available to do that. The ruling is a significant blow for the European Commissions campaign to stymie profit-shifting by multinationals. The European Unions second-highest court has rejected a European Commission order to Apple to reimburse Ireland 13 billion euros (nearly $15bn) in back taxes. Wednesdays decision by the EUs general court is a significant blow for the EUs executive arm in its campaign to stymie profit-shifting by multinationals and limit the power of US big tech. The General Court annuls the contested decision because the Commission did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage for the purposes of Article 107(1) TFEU1, judges said, referring to EU competition rules. Welcoming the ruling, Apple said: This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it. Were proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society. The European Commissions historic ruling against Apple was delivered in August 2016 by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in a decision that put Europe on the map as a scourge of Silicon Valley. The EU accused Ireland of allowing Apple to park revenue earned in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India and sparing it almost any taxation. Brussels said this gave Apple an advantage over other companies, allowing it to avoid about 13 billion euros ($14.8bn) in Irish taxes between 2003 and 2014. EU officials argued that that constituted illegal state aid by Ireland. Apples stance Apple CEO Tim Cook slammed the accusation at the time as total political crap and an attempt by the EU to disrupt the way multinationals pay tax. Apple says the profits in question were always intended to go to the US where they were eventually transferred after a tax reform there. Ireland called it an astonishing interpretation of tax law. The EUs competition supremo, Vestager, has been accused by US President Donald Trump of hating the US. He has slammed her as the tax lady because of the Apple case as well as the heavy antitrust fines imposed on Google. Some observers have expressed doubts on the Apple case, wondering whether the EU was using antitrust law to crack down on tax optimisation strategies by multinationals. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged an additional 100 billion euros in coronavirus recovery funds and promised a referendum to write the fight against climate change into the Constitution during a televised interview on France's national Bastille Day holiday on Tuesday. The country has been deeply shaken and traumatised and I believe this 14 July has a particular tone, Macron said at the beginning of the interview on France's national holiday, the first time he has directly responded to journalists since April 2019. In an interview lasting more than an hour, Macron sought to outline his vision for the remaining two years of his presidency based on what he believed had worked and not worked during the first three. His early years in office were marked by reforms to liberalise the economy, which honoured campaign promises but also fueled deep resentment expressed most clearly in the Yellow Vest movement. Without a doubt, I let something appear that I don't believe to be the case, Macron told the two journalists in his office at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris. I gave the French people the impression that I was determined to reform, whether it was for them or against them. The head of state sought to strike a balance between noting accomplishments and showing willingness to change, saying he replaced his prime minister and government because we cannot say we are changing our approach and method and keep the same team. Also on the new government, Macron defending the appointment of new Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, currently under investigation on allegations of rape, on the grounds of the presumption of innocence. Coronavirus recovery In addition to pledge to make face masks mandatory indoors, Macron said France's experience with the coronavirus epidemic made it prepared for future waves of infection. Everything is being done to avoid a second wave and to be prepared for one if it comes, he said, assuring France was now equipped with the necessary masks, tests and intensive care beds. All that has happened so far has enabled us to get organised. Macron also sought to play down concerns that French citizens would not get priority access to a vaccine if one were developed in US-funded labs of French company Sanofi. The president also discouraged the use of hydroxychloroquine, championed as a Covid-19 treatment by controversial French doctor Didier Raoult, until researchers resolved uncertainties around its effectiveness and potential side effects. Economic recovery Turning towards the economic recovery after a nearly eight-week lockdown earlier this year, Macron warned as many as a million new people risked being out of work by spring of 2021. With the government already pledging 500 billion euros in recovery funds in the form of furloughs, grants, tax deferrals and state-backed loans, Macron promised an additional 100 billion euros to fund a range of measures. Many related to helping young job seekers, including aid for 300,000 first-time job contracts, 100,000 new publicly-funded civic service jobs and waivers on paying social charges for low-earning young workers. Macron said recovery would not be funded by new taxes but by investment in projects to relocalise industry and upgrade buildings and infrastructure to meet updated environmental standards. Climate change in the constitution One ambition for the remaining years of his presidency was to organise a referendum to write the fight against climate change into the French Constitution as soon as possible, Macron said. Such a change was a proposal from the recently concluded Citizens Climate Convention, a post-Yellow Vests participatory democracy initiative. Environmental plans going forward would involve developing national and regional rail networks, including bringing back night trains, which have waned with the development of low-cost but highly polluting air travel. However, Macron pushed back against pressure to reduce domestic air travel in a meaningful way, saying that domestic flights were justified for destinations reachable by train in four hours. Macron said another priority was rebuilding trust between civilians and the police, and promised to equip police officers with cameras that moniter how they interact with people they search and detain. The president said it was too early to consider whether to run for a second term in spring 2022 and that he will let you know when the come is right. Indias auto sales volume will take another 3-4 years to reach 2018 levels. (PTI Photo) BENGALURU: Indias auto sales volume will take another 3-4 years to reach 2018 levels, an industry body executive said on Tuesday, as the coronavirus-induced lockdown hurt monthly revenue and increased pressure on a sector already reeling from poor demand. The pandemic-related disruption to the supply chain comes at a time when Indias auto industry was already facing a slowdown in demand and government rules to adopt tougher emission standards forced carmakers to hike prices, driving customers away. Indias passenger vehicle sales rose 3% to 3.37 million units in fiscal 2018-19, but fell by 18% a year later due to weak demand and the onset of the pandemic. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), an industry body, said domestic car and SUV sales slumped 50% in June from last year, while sales of two wheelers - widely seen as an indicator of the health of the rural economy - fell 39%. The rapid spread of the coronavirus and subsequent nationwide lockdown forced several automakers to suspend manufacturing and report zero sales in April, worsening the situation for the sector. Production has been slow to pick up due to supply chain disruption and weak demand, said Rajan Wadhera, president, SIAM. Maruti Suzuki India, which sells one in every two cars in India, sold 51,274 passenger vehicles in June, down 50% from a year ago, while Hyundai Motor India posted a 49% slump, according to SIAM data. India, the worlds second-most populous country, is slowly limping out of the lockdown while COVID-19 cases continue to rise while some cities are being sent back indoors. The countrys Nifty auto index, which tumbled nearly 11% in 2019, crashed over 31% in March as India entered a lockdown. The sub-index was trading 2.25% lower on Tuesday, amid a 1.5% fall in Indian equities. (Newser) With low taxes and a location close to China's mainland, Hong Kong has long been seen as an ideal site in which media outlets can set up shop for their international teams. The New York Times, however, has announced that, due to Hong Kong's new security law against secession and subversion, it's moving its digital team of journalistsabout a third of its Hong Kong staffto Seoul, South Korea. "We feel it is prudent to make contingency plans and begin to diversify our editing staff around the region," the paper's editors and executives said in a staff memo Tuesday, citing "a lot of uncertainty" on how the new security mandate will affect journalistic efforts, the paper notes. Correspondents, as well as employees in advertising and marketing, will remain in Hong Kong. A source tells CNN some staff found out about the decision on Twitter early Wednesday, before they'd seen the overnight memo. story continues below Media outlets are wary of the new security law, despite a clause that insists freedom of the press won't be affected. The illegality of spilling "state secrets" is often how officials get around detaining journalists on the China mainland, which can lead to the media shying away from reporting on government-tied stories. Sources say staff for the Times have experienced delays in getting work visas, though it's not clear if that's linked to the new security law or perhaps COVID-19. The newspaper had also mulled Singapore, Tokyo, and Bangkok as possible relocation sites before settling on Seoul for its "friendliness to foreign business, independent press, and ... central role in several major Asian news stories." Other outlets such as CNN and Bloomberg have so far indicated they're staying put in Hong Kong, though the Wall Street Journal and AFP are reportedly having discussions on the matter. (Read more New York Times stories.) Taking place from October 30 to November 5, London Travel Week will be returning to play a pivotal role in the recovery of the global travel and tourism industry. London Travel Week will bring together industry events that will celebrate the future of travel and provide attendees with the first chance to meet in this way since the Covid-19 pandemic. The event and its partners will be following every health and safety guideline laid out by the UK Government and ensuring the highest standards are followed to make sure all visitors have an exceptional and safe experience this year. Over the seven days surrounding WTM London 2020, there will be a series of hugely important industry events taking place all over London, combining to form this global travel-hub of events. London Travel Week will unlock invaluable networking and business opportunities for those who journey to London, and the UK, for WTM London this year and will be an essential stepping-stone in the recovery of the tourism industry. This series of events complements the plethora of opportunities that are present for visitors of WTM London and will be a one-stop-shop for the travel industry to innovate into the future. The event will aim to accelerate business growth through its unique combination of networking, knowledge sessions and sponsored, bespoke events. The travel industry has been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19 but London Travel Week will be the start of the recovery as the global community comes together to build a more sustainable, responsible and better travel industry. The central theme of the event is the idea of #TravelForEveryone and it will feed off the buzz of WTM London to create a global meeting place for the industry to stimulate individual business recovery. WTM Portfolio Director, Claude Blanc, said: London Travel Week 2020 will be a pivotal part of the resurgence in our industry. The week is all about learning, networking and experiencing the best of global travel and tourism, showing how exceptional our industry is. We want every visitor to come away from the event, knowing how to accelerate their business through the knowledge they have picked up from our sessions and through contacts that they have made through our events. It will be a celebration and will mark the start of the resurgence of global travel post-Covid-19." Every single event will ensure the highest standards of health and safety are met according to UK Government guidelines providing the industry with a truly special and safe environment to meet in and fuel the business deals that will power the future of travel," Blanc said. - TradeArabia News Service Advertisement This is the historic moment police moved in to shut down businesses along Magaluf's notorious party strip after boozed-up British yobs were filmed jumping on cars. Bar owners are expecting to be given until midnight to close their doors until at least September 15 after a shock decision by regional governors ordered their closure. Two police forces responsible for Punta Ballena were tasked with enforcing the closure orders, assisted by regional government inspectors. The official state bulletin ordering the closure of the party strip, and two others near Palma which are less popular with Brit revellers, was published earlier. Punta Ballena is one of three Majorca streets forced to close, and one food business owner was told to shut even though her fridges were full as she faces the prospect of having to throw the produce away. A reveler walks away from police as authorities begin to enforce bar and club closures in Magaluf, with doors expected to remain shut until September 15 The police were seen stationed along the strip as they began to enforce the closures following an order from the town hall The closures affects many tourist businesses as well as pubs and bars. Above: police are seen closing speaking with a woman as they enforce the closure People are a cocktail bar in Magaluf begin to remove tables and chairs are being forced to closed A local, who asked not to be named, said: 'I woke up expecting to do a decent trade with the growing numbers of tourists that have been arriving and now Im being told I have to close down again. 'Its heartbreaking and infuriating.' Meanwhile, images from Ibiza show shops with their shutters down, nightclubs with no revellers and restaurants with no diners on the party island, which is usually packed-full of tourists for its summer season. British revellers, who were not wearing face masks, made their return to the Punta Ballena party strip in Magaluf, Spain, shortly after 2am on Friday to begin their booze-fuelled holiday One man danced on the roof of a car while others flooded onto a street on the party strip The scenes, which occurred on Friday as police reached the area to make sure bars closed on time, come as concerned residents predicted the problem would only get worse. Pictured: A packed club in Magaluf Supermarkets along the longest beach, Playa d'en Bossa, which is home to some of the island's most popular clubs, are closed, as were the Amnesia and Privelige nightclubs last night. In stark contrast, in the mainland tourism hotspot of Benidorm, overcrowding at the 1.3-mile Levante beach has prompted city officials to order sunbathers to pre-book their places with effect from Friday. In Magaluf, Mr Negueruela said the closures would take place 'immediately', meaning businesses in Punta Ballena should be shut down from today. Calvia Council, the local authority covering the Magaluf area which includes Punta Ballena, has yet to make an official comment. But a local council source described the decision as 'historic.' It is not yet clear how long the closure will last but it is not expected to be lifted until after the summer season. British and Irish tourists are expected to be informed by their hotels during the course of the day about the shock move. The regional government is also expected to inform tour operators so they can advise holidaymakers who have yet to arrive. View of an empty street and closed restaurants yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. Summer season has kicked off in Ibiza, albeit with far fewer tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak View of closed 'Amnesia' night club on July 14, 2020 in Ibiza, Spain. Summer season has kicked off in Ibiza, albeit with far fewer tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak View of closed 'Ushuaia' Beach Hotel and Club and 'Hi' night club empty car park yesterday in Ibiza, Spain One well-placed source said: 'The closures decision was taken yesterday but has been kept top secret until the announcement today.' The third street affected is one known as calle de la Cerveza, or Beer Street in English, which like calle del Jamon is within the municipality of Palma. Brit yobs filmed jumping on top of a parked car in Punta Ballena last Friday around 2am were trashed by locals on social media. One took to social media to rage: 'Total chaos in Punta Ballena. Hundreds of sons of b##ches from Great Britain. 'No face masks on, jumping on top of cars, drunk, drinking alcohol in the street. A disaster. Where's the police? A f##king disgrace.' One of the men filmed jumping up and down on the parked car, which was badly damaged, was arrested but released after several hours in custody. None of the holidaymakers filmed were wearing any face masks, despite the fact there was no guaranteed social distancing and on Monday rules on their use were tightened throughout the Balearic Islands. The number of Brit holidaymakers flying to Spain has been growing since June 21 when they were allowed in for the first time in three months. Costa holidaymakers were given a boost on Friday after quarantine was scrapped for people arriving at English airports from Spain. Brit revellers hoping to enjoy 'Do what you want' booze-fuelled holidays in Magaluf this summer were warned in June coronavirus wouldn't stop police cracking down on them. View of empty street and closed restaurant yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. Summer season has kicked off in Ibiza, albeit with far fewer tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak View of closed 'Privilege' night club yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. While Ibiza looks a ghost town, elsewhere in Catalonia 160,000 people have reentered lockdown as cases rise in the autonomous region People visit the 1.3-mile-long Levante beach in the Spanish south-eastern town of Benidorm, March 31, 2015 Balearics Islands tourism minister Iago Negueruela said his government would be 'especially vigilant' to police the decree designed to eradicate drunken tourism with fines for balcony-jumping and bans on booze cruises and drink offers like happy hours and 2x1. And in comments echoed by local papers the tough-talking minister said local authorities would do everything possible to make sure the type of tourist they want to keep away from party resorts like Magaluf 'don't have the option of coming to our islands.' Mr Negueruela has been critical of Britain's response to the coronavirus crisis, accusing it earlier this year of being too slow to adopt lockdown measures when Boris Johnson was still talking about pursuing his so-called 'herd immunity' plan. The Balearics Islands government threw all its initial efforts into attracting holidaymakers from Germany as part of a foreign tourism pilot plan UK tourists were excluded from. The anti 'trash tourism' decree approved in January was billed at the time as the first in Europe to restrict the promotion and sale of alcohol in specific areas of the Balearic Islands including Magaluf and San Antonio on neighbouring Ibiza. It includes a three-drinks alcohol limit during meals at all-inclusive hotels, a pub crawl ban and fines of more than 50,000 for holidaymakers caught jumping from hotel balconies. On Tuesday the deputy mayor of Calvia Council said badly-behaving tourists would face the full consequences of the law. Nati Frances, whose political brief includes responsibility for the town hall-employed local police, said: 'We want tourists to come of course but not to misbehave like they did the other day. 'We want holidaymakers to enjoy nightlife but not an alcohol theme park.' Referring to the scandalous footage of the Brit tourists jumping up and down on a parked car, she told island paper Diario de Mallorca: 'Those images worry us because they demonstrate irresponsibility in times like these. 'But it was something very specific. They don't reflect what happened the following day.' Former Balearic islands president Jose Ramon Bauza described Punta Ballena as '500 metres of shame' in 2014. Tourism-dependent Spain, one of Europe's hardest-hit countries with more than 28,000 deaths from the pandemic, brought a tough national lockdown to an end on June 21. Since then, more than 170 clusters have sprung up, prompting regional authorities to impose a patchwork of local restrictions, confusing locals and angering businesses. However, in Benidormg Levante beach has become so popular since the coronavirus lockdown was lifted that the town's mayor, Toni Perez says the new booking system has to swing into action As yet, however, there will be no time restrictions. Sunbathers can book their slot for the entire day or just the morning or afternoon. The other two beaches of Poniente and Mal Pas don't need pre-booking - you just turn up with your possessions and will be shown to your square of sand. To cater for more people, all three beaches will be open later until 9.30pm and access points have been expanded to 39. Benidorm Mayor Toni Perez said of the planned beach place booking: 'Starting on Friday, the 17th, it will be necessary to reserve a plot to spend a day at Levante beach. 'For this purpose, this Thursday, July 16th, at noon the web booking platform included in the Benidorm Beach Safety project will be activated, which will allow users to choose the area, plot and time (day complete, morning or afternoon).' He then directed sun-seekers to complete a reservation form at www.benidormbeachsafety.es/, which will send them an email link to download their 'passbook' to be checked at the beach's entry point. View of an empty street and closed shops and restaurants yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. Meanwhile, demand for sun loungers is so high in Benidorm that the mayor has instituted a booking system for sunbathers View of empty street and closed restaurant yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. Summer season has kicked off in Ibiza, albeit with far fewer tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak View of closed 'Privilege' night club yesterday in Ibiza, Spain. While Ibiza looks a ghost town, elsewhere in Catalonia 160,000 people have reentered lockdown as cases rise in the autonomous region 'There will also be three physical points of attention and information in El Torrejo building and on the promenade at the height of Europa Avenue and Rincon de Loix where, in addition to resolve incidents, those who do not have the resources or technological accessibility may also make their reservation,' he added. Since opening on June 15th, Benidorm's beaches have already seen more than 381,000 people with daily peaks above 29,000. The beaches used to take three times as many people but limits have been put in place because of the coronavirus safety regulations. The mayor said Levante was proving the most popular stretch, hence the new booking system which can be used to reserve slots either from noon on the same day or any time for the following day. If the sunbather just wants a part of the day, morning shifts are from 9am to 3pm and afternoon ones from 3pm to 9.30pm. The intention, he says, is to make Benidorm's beaches the safest in Europe. Port Neches-Groves will not offer a distance-learning option when school starts next month, even as coronavirus cases continue to break records across the state. Our kids have been out of school for five months, and it is vital that we provide the education that our district is accustomed to, Assistant Superintendent Julie Gauthier told The Enterprise. And we are not able to do that virtually. Many parents reacted on social media with confusion and anger, with several pointing to neighboring districts like Bridge City and Nederland, which both have rolled out online options for the upcoming school year. I think people are confused since they are reading the guidance from the (Texas Education Agency), Gauthier said. The plan was presented Monday at a virtual meeting of the board a detail that was disconcerting and ironic to one parent that spoke with The Enterprise. It is funny that they make the decision during a virtual meeting, but they want kids to attend in person, Erin Richoux said. Recent guidance from the TEA requires schools to provide an in-person option and outlines how schools should conduct online schooling in order to receive funding, but the guidance stops short of requiring such an option. The agency on Wednesday told The Enterprise that there is no mandate for distance learning, and that parents have the option to enroll in other districts that do offer virtual schooling adding that any funding for that student would go to the other district. Parents are starting to discuss other options with less than a month before school is set to begin. The lack of online options is a complete disappointment from the district, Paola Simonovis, who has a second grader in PN-GISD, said. Its showing no concern for parents, teachers or students. Simonovis said she is running out of time to find alternative options. I will be having to consider home school options with very little time to do enough research or prepare myself to take on a role I have not fully prepared for as a teacher, she said. Simonovis, and other parents, said they also fear for the safety of teachers. According to an FAQ distributed to staff, faculty will be eligible for 80 hours of paid sick leave for issues related to the coronavirus under provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. That is in addition to normally-allocated leave options. After 30 days, employees also are eligible for expanded medical leave, which provides for up to 12 weeks of leave due to COVID-19 related school or child care closures. The first two weeks in that case would be unpaid, and the rest would be payable at 2/3 of the employees daily rate of pay (not to exceed $200). Those options would only be available to teachers who are unable to work remotely. Some districts in Southeast Texas have opted to delay opening until at least September, citing a need for additional preparations and training to handle schooling during the pandemic. Related: West Hardin CCISD to start school in September Loading Concerns over teacher safety, echoed by some of the largest school districts in Texas, could lead to amended guidelines from the state education agency, as hinted Tuesday at by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. I think Mike Morath, the commissioner of education, is expected to announce a longer period of time for online learning at the beginning of the school year, and flexibility at the local level, Abbott told KTRK-TV in Houston. This is going to have to be a local-level decision, but there will be great latitude and flexibility provided at the local level. In PN-G, Gauthier said students who have to quarantine or stay home for other medical reasons will follow a similar procedure to previous years when students had strep throat or the flu. If there is a true health issue, they need to seek their medical provider's attention, she said. We are working with individual students on what they need, and helping them individually when the back to school plan doesnt work for them. However, if an employee decides to self-isolate without a doctors order, they will not be eligible for protected leave, the district said in their guidance. In this scenario, the employee was not being treated for COVID-19 nor was the employee subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine order, the guidance states. Individual election to self-isolate without a governmental order or direction from a medical professional or the health department does not qualify for any type of protected leave. In this instance, the employee would only be permitted to use state and local leave in accordance with district policy. Gauthier cited the lack of social and emotional learning, and interaction with peers, as other reasons to resume in-person classes. That also was a concern of Barbara Edington, who has child beginning as a senior this upcoming year. Students need structure, and I dont think they are getting that at home, Edington said. I think students need a schedule. It is best that they go back for their mental state. Edington said she trusts the district to take the necessary steps to minimize the risk of spreading the coronavirus. In the event a campus needs to be shut down for cleaning, the district would treat it as a bad weather day a certain amount of which they are allowed a each school year. We already have plans in place. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel, Gauthier said. We do not have the ability to provide the virtual in the way that we do the in-person. And for our teachers to try to provide in both formats with all that needs to go on, it's just virtually impossible. Gauthier said regardless of the circumstance, the district is unlikely to return to a distance-learning format. You'll never see us leave in-person instruction and go to a virtual format, Gauthier said. We will always be in-person instruction. And if a kid has to be sick, which we expect to be a lot higher absences than normal, it will be just like anybody that has been sick in the past. They'll have the absence and the teacher will catch them back up on the work and we'll send, make up work and we'll do all those things just like normal. But there won't be a time where you'll see schools close and everything go virtual; it will be in person instruction. The district also will be implementing a number of enhanced cleaning protocols, including the instillation of a disinfection system that will work through the schools air conditioning systems. isaac.windes@hearstnp.com twitter.com/isaacdwindes On Monday, public health officials in Morrison, Colorado, announced that a squirrel had tested positive for the bubonic plague, aka the Black Death. In a world attuned to the danger of animal reservoirs for human disease (COVID-19 appears to have jumped species from bats; plague usually hitches a ride from rodent to person in the stomach of a flea), that story was going to raise fears. Sure enough, the plague squirrel has become famous, doubtless hoping to outshine 2015s breakout rodent, pizza rat. This follows breathless reporting earlier in the month about a human case of plague in the city of Bayannur, China. But the plague threat is overdoneand misplaced. And the squirrel menace lies elsewhere. Advertisement The plague has a storied history steeped in mass mortality. Analysis of ancient cadavers suggests an outbreak might have killed much of the population of Europe in 3000 B.C. as people riding newly domesticatedand possibly infectedhorses swept in from the Russian steppe and replaced them. It reappeared in the waning years of the Roman Empire and struck down perhaps 9 million people. In the 14th century, the Black Death carried off one-third to half of Europes population. And then at the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th, a global pandemic spread from Yunnan, China, to cities including Bombay, Singapore, Buenos Aires, and San Francisco. The disease is generally harbored in rodentslike squirrels, rats, and prairie dogsand then transmitted via flea bite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bubonic plague is a hideous disease. A subheading from one report on the unfortunate Morrison squirrel helpfully notes that symptoms include sudden high fever, chills, headache, and nausea. Thats to say nothing of the painful pus-filled swellings in the armpits and groin, muscle cramps and seizures, gangrene, coma, and death. Untreated, mortality rates can reach above 50 percent. But heres the good news: Most people who have fever, chills, headache, and nausea are not suffering from bubonic plague. And even if by a 1 in a lot less than a million chance you are down with the disease that helped bring down empires, thats still OK: We have a cure. Worldwide, there were only 243 cases of plague and 41 deaths in 2018. The global incidence of human plague is the lowest reported in 30 years, suggested the World Health Organization last year. In the U.S., plague does present a real if minor threat to both humans and pets. It has been circulating in the wild in the Southwest for about a century, ever since the global pandemic. There are about seven human cases in the average year. (In parts of the American West, you may come across signs that say, Caution: Prairie Dogs Have Plague!, italics and exclamation point in the original.) Advertisement As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics, which includes streptomycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline moxifloxacin, and chloramphenicol. If you think you might have been bitten by a plague-infected flea, you can take some of these drugs before any symptoms emerge, and that will stop the painful buboes appearing in the first place. In addition, CNN has helpfully reported that, last year, a couple died from plague after eating the raw kidney of a marmot. That suggests part of any household safety plan you develop in response to bubonic squirrel concerns should probably include dont eat raw squirrel innards. Advertisement Advertisement If you want rodent-related existential angst, squirrels armed with bubonic plague rank far below squirrels assaulting our power grids as a threat to national security. In their book Clear and Present Safety, Michael A. Cohen and Micah Zenko report on a database of disruptive attacks against critical infrastructure systems, mostly within the United States. There were 2,436 attacks listed as of mid-2018. Forty-nine percent of those attacks came from squirrels, which is 394 times the number of incidents in the database caused by humans. Headlines about a plague mortality threat similar in magnitude to that presented by paper cuts are missing this far bigger story. For another unusual animal story, listen to this weeks episode of How To! With Charles Duhigg. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. When you go out without a mask, or host secret parties, stuff your bar or restaurant to capacity despite the warnings, ignore common sense in your worship practices, its not a political statement, he said. Youre hurting your neighbor who is desperate to keep their business open, or your friend who has an immune-compromised child who has been inside for months, or your parents who dont have the same defenses against this virus that you may. Sen. Mark Warner outlined plans for a bill to expand economic opportunity in low-income and minority communities during a virtual meeting with the Piedmont Housing Alliance and other regional financial institutions Tuesday. The bill, which Warner said he has been working on with his Senate colleagues, is more targeted than previous bills and is part of efforts to help low-income communities and communities of color after the CARES Act expires. During a digital meeting Tuesday, Warner outlined some of the aspects of the bill and how it aims to help address some perceived issues with paycheck protection plan loans that many businesses received this spring. Many of those loans went through traditional lending institutions, to which Warner said many Black-owned businesses do not have access. I think the PPP program was well-intentioned, but as weve seen, the kind of racial inequities that already exist in our financial systems are simply amplified by PPP, he said. In particular, Black-owned businesses, which are, the vast majority are our sole proprietors oftentimes who built their business purely by bootstrapping by using their own capital they dont, as a group, have as extensive ties to traditional financial institutions. As part of a longer-term goal, Warner said he is working to get more capital into community development financial institutions and into Black/Latinx owned banks, allowing those institutions to disperse more capital into communities. Warner said the main aims of the bill are: direct grants to institutions, such as Piedmont Housing Alliance; establishing more tier-one capital for banks; and establishing a more steady flow of capital by giving those who make loans to sell them off. Sunshine Mathon, CEO of Piedmont Housing Alliance, said the federal financial response at the beginning of the pandemic had a positive impact and said the absence of those interventions will cause hardship in the future. ... All those interventions are effectively ending or have ended and our most vulnerable community members, in particular low-income communities and communities of color, are on the precipice of significant tragedy, Mathon said. In many ways, we all are, because of the nature of the coronavirus and the nature of the work that we all do; we are all interconnected. Community development financial institutions play a unique role in the financial sector, Mathon said, by supporting community development and grassroots lending that benefit vulnerable communities throughout Virginia. Mathon said he supports Warners bill, which would provide the kind of capital and loans community development financial institutions need to continue their work and help offset financial disaster after the CARES Act ends. Oftentimes, particularly in a surging real estate market like Charlottesville, gentrification pressures are intense and what affordability does remain in the city and in the surrounding urban ring is rapidly disappearing, he said. So having the capital to capture homes and properties before they get lost to flippers is a really key aspect of this and having a short term revolving loan fund would be fantastic to facilitate that. Chip Boyles, the executive director of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, which represents a slew of Central Virginia localities, said community development financial institutions are key to breaking down barriers between urban and more rural areas. I dont have to tell you that thats not always been the case, in our area, quite often folks see more of a brick wall between the jurisdictions than a corridor, Boyles said. But I believe those brick walls are falling and theyre seeing that we have to work together as one unit, and the more that the federal government can do to help build agencies and CDFIs like were talking about, the more its going to get out to the rural areas. Other representatives, including Kaye Monroe, the vice-chair of the Charlottesville Chamber Minority Business Alliance, also spoke during the meeting and highlighted their interest in learning more about the bill. Towards the end of the meeting, Warner again highlighted the need for this more targeted financial legislation, which he said he hopes will help offset significant harm to Black-owned small businesses after Labor Day. There are around 2.8 million Black-owned businesses in America and about 2 million of those are sole proprietorships, he said. Were looking at some projections and as many as 300,000 to 400,000 alone could go under this fall and if we dont make a massive investment then we could lose a generation of progress. 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. The New York Times has said it is transferring its Asia bureau out of Hong Kong because of the possible implications of the strict national security laws imposed by China in the city. In a memo to staff, the papers editors said the sweeping new legislation would create uncertainty for journalists working in Hong Kong. The move will see all of The Times digital team in Hong Kong, journalists who deal with breaking news while offices in London and New York are offline, transfer to Seoul in South Korea over the next year. The papers reporters and correspondents covering Hong Kong itself will remain in the city and editors said they have every intention of maintaining and even increasing our coverage of the citys transformation, as well as using it as a window on China. The decision will affect about a third of The Times staff in Hong Kong, with other departments including local print production expected to remain. Hong Kongs new national security law, passed on 30 June, defines and bans subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion. Activists have expressed concern that the offence of subversion in particular could be used by the authorities to penalise the work of critical journalists, human rights activists and defence advocates, something that is a more common practice on the mainland. Chinas sweeping new national security law in Hong Kong has created a lot of uncertainty about what the new rules will mean to our operation and our journalism, management told staff in the memo on Tuesday, according to a report on the papers website. We feel it is prudent to make contingency plans and begin to diversify our editing staff around the region. The New York Times was among the American news outlets caught up in the worsening of diplomatic relations between the US and China in recent months, with several of the papers staff being deported from Beijing. China said it was a response to Washington imposing tighter restrictions on Chinese journalists operating out of the US. Like their colleagues from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal who were similarly treated, the deported journalists were also prevented from relocating to Hong Kong a decision that was seen as unprecedented at the time. In 2018, Hong Kong refused to renew the working visa of the prominent Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet. Mallet was the vice-president of the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents Club, which angered Beijing by chairing a talk involving a figure advocating for Hong Kongs independence. Later, Mallet was also refused entry into Hong Kong as a tourist. The New York Times said its decision came as several journalists were already experiencing work permit issues in Hong Kong, a city that has been seen as a bastion of freedom of the press and a global financial powerhouse. With Donald Trumps announcement on Tuesday that the US will no longer give preferential trading status to the city, both those statuses now appear under threat. Hong Kong has been a leader in supporting the rights of a free press in Asia for decades, said Times spokesperson Ari Isaacman Bevacqua. It is essential that it continues to do so. MANISTEE Madelyn Fitzsimmons is looking to make Manistee County a more stylish place. A Spark Manistee finalist in 2020, Fitzsimmons recently took her home interior decorating business, Millennial Decor to a brick and mortar storefront in downtown Manistee. I never thought Id actually be opening a showroom selling furniture, Fitzsimmons said laughing. That fell into my lap and I just ran with it. Millennial Decor offers interior decorating services and sells art and furniture from the storefront, located at 345 River St. Fitzsimmons said she specializes in creating spec books for new constructions, but provides a variety of services to home and business-owners looking to spruce up their spaces. Im very flexible. I range from helping people who are building new homes to helping people pick paint colors, she said. While Millennial Decor offers a variety of decorating services, Fitzsimmons clarified that the business is focused on interior decoration, not interior design. An interior designer can go in from the ground up ... actually doing the layout of the walls and the room, she said. Im pretty much just picking finishes, and if I am measuring, its measurements for furniture. Fitzsimmons said she wanted to showcase the work of Michigan artists and artisans. The whole goal for Millennial Decor is for freelance artists, she said. I want to put them on the map. I want artists that do wall art. I want artists that do furniture. I want to find someone that does pottery. I want to build this artist connection and thats what Millennial Decor is all about. Fitzsimmons described her style as being focused on functionality and sustainability and the name of her business draws on a modern trend in interior decorating. I felt there was a need for somewhere here for modern spaces and I have clients that wanted more modern things and I felt like it was my duty to provide that for them, she said. Millennial Decor is mixing old with new looking pretty but also being functional. While Fitzsimmons is the driving force behind Millennial Decor, she hopes to hire more interior decorators as business continues to expand. Millennial Decor opened June 12, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fitzsimmons said that Millennial Decor will be available by appointment only. Fitzsimmons began her career as an interior decorator with Construction Design, Inc. (CDI) three years ago. Fitzsimmons was hired after discussing interior decoration with CDI owner Ed Kriskywicz. He went on a limb and hired this random girl that worked at Blue Fish, she said. He took me to help pick out a kitchen for some clients and I just dove right in. He was like, OK, youre fine; youre great at this and it took off from there. Fitzsimmons studied marketing and communications in California before moving to Hawaii to be with her husband who had been stationed there. The pair moved to Manistee in February 2016. For more information visit facebook.com/MillennialDecor or call Fitzsimmons at (231) 299-1033. Dutch painter and writer Willem Arondeus during World War II hatched a plan to burn the Bevolkingsregister which housed the citizen registration office in Amsterdam where the Nazis kept copies of all of the identity cards held by Dutch citizens. In the spring of 1941, Arondeus started an underground periodical in which he tried to incite his fellow artists to resist the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Earlier than others, Arondeus realized that the demand by the Nazi occupiers that all Jews register with the local authorities was not, as the Nazis claimed, for their own safety, but rather so they could be deported to the Westerbork concentration camp and from there to the death camps in occupied Poland. In the spring of 1942, Arondeus founded Brandarisbrief, an illegal periodical in which he expressed the artists opposition to the edicts imposed by the Reichskulturkammer (Reich Chamber of Culture), the Nazis cultural committee. A concerted operation was underway to hide Jews among the local population, with various underground organizations preparing forged documents for Jews. Arondeus was a member of one such group .Within a short while, the Nazis began to expose the false documents by comparing the names with those in the local population registry. To hinder the Nazis, late on March 27, 1943 Arondeus led a group in bombing the Amsterdam Public Records Office. Arondeus and fourteen others, including two young doctors, donned German uniforms, asked the buildings guards to open the building for a special inspection. As soon as they gained entry, the two doctors injected the guards to put them asleep and placed them in the courtyard away from harm while the rest of the crew set fire to the building. Thousands of files were destroyed, and the attempt to compare forged documents with the registry was hindered. Five days later, an unknown spy informed on the group to the Nazis, which in turn arrested them. During the trial, Arondeus took full responsibility for the fire. The two doctors were sentenced to life in prison, but the rest were ordered to go before a firing squad. On July 1st. 1943 in his last message before his execution, Arondeus, who had lived openly as a gay man before the war, asked his lawyer to pass a long this message: Let it be known that homosexuals are not cowards! Luxembourg's director of health Dr Jean-Claude Schmit has sent an alarming letter to the country's GPs earlier this Wednesday. The letter was obtained by RTL. In the letter, the health director explains that the regained sense of freedom unfortunately started to lead increasing numbers of people to disregard safety and social distancing measures. According to Dr Jean-Paul Schmit, the current spike in infections is, however, linear rather than exponential. The coming days will show whether or not Luxembourg should implement new restrictive measures to bring the virus under control again. Earlier this Wednesday, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel echoed this finding when he explained that the government would meet with health experts to discuss the necessity of further measures. It is possible that a new set of measures will come into effect on Sunday. Luxembourg is currently recording most new infections per capita in Europe. Dr Jean-Claude Schmit stressed that 18% of the positive cases can be attributed to cross-border workers. 12% of the cases were detected in the context of the large-scale testing project. He also highlighted that each patient displaying very minor symptoms can get tested. This approach to testing, he said, unfortunately leads to unenviable statistics and potential travel restrictions for Luxembourg residents. Despite the extensive testing, the threat of a second wave is very real. Numbers of patients consulting GPs because they display symptoms are on the rise and hospitalisations have increased to 47. The contact tracing teams are extremely busy, he explained. 1,150 infected patients have been placed in self-isolation and another 6,600 people were quarantined due to contact tracing. He lamented that in some cases the quarantine rule was disregarded. The new wave of infections primarily consists of young adults. The average age lies at 35 (as opposed to 46 during the first wave of infections). The drop in the average age also explains the comparatively low number of hospitalisations. People who were placed in quarantine are also belonging to the younger generations. Only 5% of the individuals in question are over 60. New infections often occur in clusters. This means that there are often at least three infections in one given location. In some cases, one virus cluster can affect a higher number of people. Dr Jean-Claude Schmit explained that this has been the case for private parties, individual companies, schools, shelters, and people who live together. Increasing numbers of patients reportedly ask GPs for prescriptions to carry out a test without displaying symptoms. The health director explained that, as a result, labs are extremely busy. Ill patients should always remain the priority, he stressed. Some countries now demand that travellers present a negative Covid-19 test before granting tourists permission to enter. Dr Jean-Claude Schmit argued that the national health insurance should not be made to cover the expenses for tests carried out in this context. He added that prospective tourists should contact the testing labs directly and pay for the test out of their own pocket. The internal crisis unit of the Ministry of health has also been reactivated. The unit is coordinating efforts to prepare for a second wave. Facebook CEO's Mark Zuckerberg's former personal security chief has again been accused of racist and sexist workplace conduct, a year after he stepped down in the face of similar claims. Liam Booth, a former Secret Service agent who once served in President Barack Obama's personal protection detail, resigned from Zuckerberg's family office in 2019 following a probe into sexual harassment and racism complaints. Now, three former and current staffers at the secretive family office, called West Street, have leveled fresh claims against Booth in sworn statements reported by Business Insider. Booth could not immediately be reached by DailyMail.com late on Tuesday, and a spokesperson for Zuckerberg said that an outside investigation had found nothing to substantiate the allegations, calling them the baseless claims of disgruntled ex-employees seeking a legal payday. There have been no accusations of misconduct leveled at either Mark Zuckerberg or his wife personally. The allegations also do not relate to Facebook's workplace. The family office of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan (seen together in November) is again embroiled in claims of workplace misconduct, according to a new report The new declarations alleging workplace misconduct were drawn up by the office of celebrity attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing two former West Street employees in legal action against their former employer. West Street manages the personal affairs of Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, including maintaining their sprawling estate in Hawaii and hiring nannies, chefs, and other household staff. The newly revealed declarations accuse Booth, who headed up Zuckerberg's personal security, of shocking workplace behavior, according to Business Insider. In one, a former senior manager of executive protection alleged that Booth told him Black Lives Matter movement was a 'terrorist organiZation,' and described a female worker, who is black, as a 'ghetto b***h,' a 'hoodrat,' and a 'c**t.' In another declaration, a female security worker said that Booth 'stated that he was "tired of all the Black Lives Matter bulls**t,"' and that he 'often used the word "n*****" to label African Americans.' Additionally, she alleged that Booth disparaged Chan, who is Asian, calling her 'a bad driver while deliberately making his eyes narrower.' One statement alleged that Booth disparaged Chan (above) calling her 'a bad driver while deliberately making his eyes narrower' Booth is a former Secret Service agent. Earlier accusations against him came from two former staffers in a pair of letters sent to Zuckerberg's private estate by the Bloom Firm She also claimed that Booth 'balked against Priscilla Chan's goal that the workforce be more diverse and employ more people of color.' All three of the workers claimed in the declarations to have heard Booth make anti-gay remarks. An administrative staffer said Booth 'made homophobic jokes' at the expense of a gay staffer, while the former senior manager of executive protection and the female security worker each said they heard him use the slur 'f*g.' In prior demand letters sent by Bloom's law firm, Booth was also accused of slapping the crotch and groping the buttocks of a gay staffer at a July 2018 event. The female administrative staffer said in her declaration that she was present at the event, and that she 'did observe Mr. Booth place his hands on [that staffer's] buttocks that night.' '[He] told me that the nonconsensual touching made him uncomfortable,' she said of the gay staffer. She also alleged that Booth sexually harassed her that evening, wrapping his arm around her waist and sexually propositioning her. Of the three declarations, two were signed by former West Street employees, and one by a current West Street employee. Zuckerberg's personal spokesman, Ben LaBolt, told Business Insider that the current employee, the administrative staffer, had recanted some of the allegations in her declaration. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan are seen left and right during the pandemic Last year, Booth resigned after an investigation into alleged workplace transgressions. At the time, Booth was accused of making racist comments such as 'white lives matter more than black lives'. Additionally, Booth allegedly referred to a transgender staffer in the family office as 'it', after refusing to use their preferred pronouns. 'As previously addressed, most of these allegations have been advanced by a small group of disgruntled former employees... who are attempting to defame the family office after the family office refused their demands for multi-million dollar payments following their separation of employment,' LaBolt said. 'Our family office follows a strict code of conduct that requires appropriate behavior from all members of our teams,' he continued. 'It is our expectation that each of our employees adheres to this code of conduct. Any complaint made to our HR personnel is taken very seriously. We investigate each and every complaint, including, when appropriate, engaging outside counsel to conduct such investigations.' LaBolt said that prior allegations against Booth had been thoroughly investigated and were not substantiated. 'The family office has previously addressed the allegations against Liam Booth by the Bloom Firm. Over the course of several weeks, both the family office's HR personnel and Munger, Tolles & Olson conducted separate investigations into these allegations,' he said. 'These investigations included numerous interviews with Mr. Booth's colleagues, as well as a review of other relevant documents and information. Following these thorough investigations, the serious allegations made against Mr. Booth by the Bloom Firm could not be substantiated,' LaBolt said. 'As stated at the time, Mr. Booth, who is fully aware that minimizing distractions is a key component to executing his duties as head of security, chose to move on from the family office to pursue other professional opportunities in July 2019.' North Carolina has experienced another surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The state Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday that the state is at a record high of 1,109 people hospitalized with the virus, up 39 from Monday. Another 1,956 North Carolinians had tested positive for the coronavirus as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday for a total of 89,484 confirmed cases. There were an additional 42 deaths, bringing the death toll to 1,552. The Forsyth County Department of Public Health reported the county had 54 new cases as of Tuesday for a total of at least 3,785 since mid-March. The number of COVID-19 deaths remained at 40. Forsyth health officials reported that 2,418 individuals have recovered for an active case count of 1,327. At least 11 cases in Forsyth are linked to staff members at the Forsyth County Jail, but no inmates have tested positive. Also on Tuesday, Forsyth health officials provided the weekly county surveillance update. Individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 account for the majority (56.5%) of COVID-19 cases in Forsyth, while those ages 65 and older represent 8.3%. Three workers have been injured at a West Virginia chemical plant, officials said. The incident happened Sunday evening at the Westlake Chemical plant, which produces chlorine, news outlets reported. Details of what happened at the Marshall County facility werent immediately released. One worker was taken to the hospital by ambulance and two others were transported by personnel at the plant, Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Hart said. Route 2 was closed briefly but has reopened. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Workers' Compensation Virginia Chemicals LUDLOW In March, when everyone was still learning about the coronavirus and before it had killed 136,00 Americans, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal was telling people to pay attention to everything Dr. Anthony Fauci said. Today, with the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under attack from the Trump administration and seemingly sidelined from making public statements, Neal defended Fauci and his work. The idea that you have people in the administration that are now mocking him, putting out videos about him, undercutting him, Neal, D-Springfield, said Wednesday. He is the gold standard. Neal spoke following a visit to the Hampden County Sheriffs Departments York Street Industries vocational training programs, where inmates are making personal protective equipment. On Tuesday, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro sharply criticized Fauci in a no-holds-barred USA Today op-ed. "Dr. Anthony Fauci has a good bedside manner with the public, but he has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on," Navarro wrote. Navarro wrote about the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat the coronavirus, Faucis changing recommendations concerning masks and other topics. According to FactCheck.org, the Michigan study Navarro cites supporting hydroxychloroquine is limited, and multiple randomized controlled trials have found the drug is not beneficial to hospitalized coronavirus patients. I mean the chaos that has come from the White House now since late February has I think been discouraging, Neal said. According to Faucis official biography, he ranked as the 41st most highly cited researcher of all time in a 2019 analysis of Google Scholar citations. According to the Web of Science, he ranked eighth out of more than 2.2 million authors in the field of immunology by total citation count between 1980 and January 2019. I think for all of us who support science, Tony Fauci is a person we are supposed to follow, Neal said. The congressman said it is clear there has been a premature reopening of the country from coronavirus shutdowns. Witness, he said, the rising infection rates and death tolls in places like Florida and Texas. This is a time for scientists and experts to step forward, Neal said. Our job in these difficult moments is not to entertain the American people. It is to provide them with fact-based information. Neal said hes headed back next week to Washington where Senate Republicans and the Trump administration are, in his words, inching closer to agreement on another round of coronavirus aid. It likely will include another stimulus check to individuals, extension of the $600 a week payment to those receiving unemployment benefits, and money for hospitals and state and local governments. Money for states and localities hard hit by the virus is the carrot bringing Republicans around, Neal said. Related Content: HHS allocated $3 billion in federal assistance for 215 hospitals based on their margins and the incomes of their patient base. Another $1 billion will go to 500 hospitals in rural or small metro areas. HHS clarified that tax-exempt healthcare providers relief payments generally are not taxable. Hospitals in certain types of locations and those with low margins and large populations of low-income patients will get a share of $4 billion in new federal assistance to help them respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 10, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it will begin to release: $3 billion for hospitals that have thin margins and serve a relatively high percentage of vulnerable populations $1 billion for specialty rural hospitals, urban hospitals with certain rural designations from Medicare and hospitals in small metropolitan areas Close work with stakeholders informed how we targeted this new round of funds to hard-hit safety-net and rural providers, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. The funding is the latest allocation from the $175 billion in provider funding available through the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Acute care hospitals will be eligible for some of the $3 billion pool if the cost reports they filed to CMS indicate average profitability of less than 3% over two or more consecutive years out of the last five cost-reporting periods. HHS expects to distribute over $3 billion to 215 acute care facilities, which will bring total coronavirus assistance payments to $12.8 billion for 959 safety-net hospitals. The $1 billion pool aims to expand on $10 billion in earlier funding to almost 4,000 rural healthcare providers by including hospitals that are in urban areas but have certain special rural designations in Medicare, as well as others that provide care in smaller nonrural communities. These may include some suburban hospitals that are not considered rural but serve rural populations and operate with smaller profit margins and limited resources than larger hospitals, according to an HHS statement. They too, have suffered in this pandemic, which is why HHS is responding. HHS estimates more than 500 hospitals would qualify for the $1 billion, with payments ranging from $100,000 to $4.5 million for rural-designated providers and $100,000 to $2 million for other providers. Hospitals welcome the new funding but remain anxious The funding was applauded by hospital advocates who have been clamoring for HHS to release the unspent shares of the provider assistance approved by Congress. Hospitals with high Medicaid volume provide care to our most vulnerable patients and communities, many of which have suffered disproportionately from this virus, said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association. Even before the pandemic these hospitals operated under serious financial pressure, and these funds will help them continue to stay open and provide care to all who need it. Hospitals serving rural patients also face tremendous financial headwinds, with many being forced to close their doors in recent years. This additional funding from HHS will help these hospitals carry out their mission of providing care close to home for patients in communities across the country. Pollack said the expedited release of the remaining funds is especially needed in areas with a recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. In recent weeks, the governors of Mississippi and Texas ordered the suspension of elective surgeries in some parts of their states, and some hospitals in Florida and Arizona voluntarily stopped elective procedures due to outbreaks. Clarification offered on whether previous payments are taxable HHS has continued to clarify details of its earlier hospital coronavirus payments on the departments FAQ page. Among the latest clarifications was that providers that receive payments from the Provider Relief Fund may not exclude this payment from gross income as a qualified disaster relief payment under the IRS code. A payment to a business, even if the business is a sole proprietorship, does not qualify as a qualified disaster relief payment under IRS rules, the FAQ states. The payment from the Provider Relief Fund should be included as gross income, according to details posted on the IRS website. Also, tax-exempt healthcare providers generally are not subject to taxes on payments they receive from the Provider Relief Fund. However, a payment is taxable if it reimburses the provider for expenses or lost revenue attributable to an unrelated trade or business as defined in Section 513 on the IRS website. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 17:54:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam vows to end the chaos, restore order, and solve deep-rooted problems in Hong Kong in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Smart Agriculture - Global Market Outlook (2018-2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Smart Agriculture market accounted for $11.45 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $30.00 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period. Increasing income levels and command for protein-rich aqua food and rising focus of farmers on livestock monitoring and disease recognition are the major factors propelling the market growth. However, factors such as high upfront cost for use of new agricultural equipment and on the whole fragmented agriculture industry are hampering the market growth. Smart agriculture is the method of performing the agricultural activities using highly developed technologies. This smart agriculture is the innovative way of carrying out the agricultural activities by reducing the human efforts and by making maximum consumption of the resources which are available. Smart agriculture includes the agricultural activities with the adoption of internet of thing (IoT), sensors in order to raise the productivity of the farm. Based on the application, the precision farming application segment is likely to have a huge demand due to the growing focus on farm efficiency and productivity. The execution of precision farming tools has the potential to change the concept of agriculture for good, making traditional agricultural activities more well-organized and predictable. Precision farming technologies, such as guidance technology, smart sensors, drones, and variable rate technology (VRT), have made it possible to manage the soil and crop effectively. By geography, Asia Pacific is going to have a lucrative growth during the forecast period due to the increasing government support and rising awareness among cultivators. For instance, in Japan, the ministry of agriculture has been providing funds for developing precision agriculture. The farmers' association and community-based organizations in each country play a major role in promoting a sustainable agriculture. Some of the key players profiled in the Smart Agriculture Market include DeLaval, Deere & Company, BouMatic, Aurorass.r.l., Agribotix LLC, Trimble Inc., TOPCON, The Climate Corporation, SST Development Group, Inc., Semios Bio Technologies Inc., Precision Planting LLC, Raven Industries Inc., AgJunction LLC, AGCO Corporation and Ag Leader Technology, Inc.. What our report offers: Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Covers Market data for the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2027 Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Preface 2.1 Abstract 2.2 Stake Holders 2.3 Research Scope 2.4 Research Methodology 2.4.1 Data Mining 2.4.2 Data Analysis 2.4.3 Data Validation 2.4.4 Research Approach 2.5 Research Sources 2.5.1 Primary Research Sources 2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources 2.5.3 Assumptions 3 Market Trend Analysis 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Restraints 3.4 Opportunities 3.5 Threats 3.6 Application Analysis 3.7 Emerging Markets 3.8 Impact of Covid-19 4 Porters Five Force Analysis 4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Threat of substitutes 4.4 Threat of new entrants 4.5 Competitive rivalry 5 Global Smart Agriculture Market, By Farm Size 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Large 5.3 Medium-sized 5.4 Small 6 Global Smart Agriculture Market, By Offering 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Hardware 6.2.1 Automation and Control Systems 6.2.1.1 Displays 6.2.1.2 Drones/UAVs 6.2.1.3 GPS/GNSS Devices 6.2.1.4 Guidance and Steering Systems 6.2.1.5 Irrigation Controllers 6.2.1.6 Handheld Mobile Devices/Handheld Computers 6.2.1.7 Flow and Application Control Devices 6.2.1.8 Driverless Tractors 6.2.1.9 Wireless Modules 6.2.1.9.1 Bluetooth Technology 6.2.1.9.2 RF Technology 6.2.1.9.3 Wi-Fi Technology 6.2.1.9.4 Zigbee Technology 6.2.2 Sensing and Monitoring Devices 6.2.2.1 Soil Sensors 6.2.2.1.1 Soil Nutrient Sensors 6.2.2.1.2 Soil Moisture Sensors 6.2.2.1.3 Soil Temperature Sensors 6.2.2.2 Water Sensors 6.2.2.3 Climate Sensors 6.2.3 Harvesters and Forwarders 6.2.4 Cameras 6.2.5 RFID Tags and Sensors 6.2.6 Variable Rate Controllers 6.2.7 Transmitters and Mounting Equipment 6.2.8 Monitoring Devices 6.2.8.1 Temperature and Environmental Monitoring Devices 6.2.8.2 pH and Dissolved Oxygen Sensors 6.2.9 Control Systems 6.2.10 LED Grow Lights 6.2.11 Material Handling Equipment 6.2.12 Valves and Pumps 6.3 Software 6.3.1 Cloud Based 6.3.1.1 AI-As-A-Service 6.3.1.2 Platform As A Service (PaaS) 6.3.2 On-premises 6.3.3 Web Based 6.4 Services 6.4.1 System Integration and Consulting 6.4.2 Professional Services 6.4.3 Assisted Professional Services 6.4.3.1 Climate Information Services 6.4.3.2 Supply Chain Management Services 6.4.4 Managed Services 6.4.4.1 Analytics Services 6.4.4.2 Data Services 6.4.4.3 Farm Operation Services 6.4.5 Connectivity Services 6.4.6 Support and Maintenance 7 Global Smart Agriculture Market, By Solution 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Smart Water Management 7.3 Logistics 7.4 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition 7.5 Agriculture Asset Management 7.6 Network Management 8 Global Smart Agriculture Market, By Application 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Precision Farming Application 8.2.1 Yield Monitoring 8.2.1.1 Off-farm Yield Monitoring 8.2.1.2 On-farm Yield Monitoring 8.2.2 Field Mapping 8.2.2.1 Drainage Mapping 8.2.2.2 Boundary Mapping 8.2.3 Weather Tracking and Forecasting 8.2.4 Farm Labor Management 8.2.5 Crop Scouting 8.2.6 Variable Rate Application 8.2.7 Irrigation Management 8.3 Livestock Monitoring Application 8.3.1 Milk Harvesting 8.3.2 Feeding Management 8.3.3 Breeding Management 8.3.4 Heat Stress Management 8.3.5 Animal Behavior Management 8.4 Precision Aquaculture Application 8.4.1 Feeding 8.4.2 Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance 8.5 Smart Greenhouse Application 8.5.1 HVAC Management 8.5.2 Yield Management 8.6 Precision Forestry Application 8.6.1 Harvesting Management 8.6.2 Silviculture and Fire Management 8.6.3 Inventory Management 8.6.4 Fish Tracking and Fleet Navigation 8.6.5 Water Quality Management 8.7 Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) 8.8 Other Applications 8.8.1 Horticulture 8.8.2 Orchids 8.8.3 Cannabis 9 Global Smart Agriculture Market, By Geography 9.1 Introduction 9.2 North America 9.2.1 US 9.2.2 Canada 9.2.3 Mexico 9.3 Europe 9.3.1 Germany 9.3.2 UK 9.3.3 Italy 9.3.4 France 9.3.5 Spain 9.3.6 Rest of Europe 9.4 Asia Pacific 9.4.1 Japan 9.4.2 China 9.4.3 India 9.4.4 Australia 9.4.5 New Zealand 9.4.6 South Korea 9.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific 9.5 South America 9.5.1 Argentina 9.5.2 Brazil 9.5.3 Chile 9.5.4 Rest of South America 9.6 Middle East & Africa 9.6.1 Saudi Arabia 9.6.2 UAE 9.6.3 Qatar 9.6.4 South Africa 9.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa 10 Key Developments 10.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures 10.2 Acquisitions & Mergers 10.3 New Product Launch 10.4 Expansions 10.5 Other Key Strategies 11 Company Profiling 11.1 DeLaval 11.2 Deere & Company 11.3 BouMatic 11.4 Aurorass.r.l. 11.5 Agribotix LLC 11.6 Trimble Inc. 11.7 TOPCON 11.8 The Climate Corporation 11.9 SST Development Group, Inc. 11.10 Semios Bio Technologies Inc. 11.11 Precision Planting LLC 11.12 Raven Industries Inc. 11.13 AgJunction LLC 11.14 AGCO Corporation 11.15 Ag Leader Technology, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qdprr2 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com The Chiara Boni La Petite Robe brand of womenswear might best be described as efficiently feminine and abundantly wearable, which is a rare combination in fashion. The dresses, which travel with ease, have been embraced by news anchors and celebrities, but they are practically a uniform among Trump boosters, who tend to wear them like telegenic armor, with significant heels and impeccable grooming. Instead of disavowing this Trumpian connection - or carefully ignoring it - the brand has embraced it with social media glee. This, too, is virtually unheard of in fashion. It might even be considered reckless in these dire and politicized times. More than half of the country disapproves of the president's handling of a job that is now defined by the pandemic, the tanking economy and calls for racial justice. To be clear, the veteran designer who is the namesake of Chiara Boni is not reveling in the brand's connection to Trump world. Boni, who is Italian and based in Milan, is focused on her clothes' fit, her signature jersey fabric and the issue of sustainability. The brand's official Instagram account is dominated by runway images and highlights of the company's covid-19 response. "I definitely think fashion should be a safe space - not a place for politics," says customer Niki Levy, in an email. The Trump association is highlighted by Anthony Vecchione, who owns the New York sales showroom of Chiara Boni USA. He is friendly with many of the high-profile women who inhabit Trump-ville - Jeanine Pirro, Lara Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle - and regularly posts pictures of himself alongside them and dutifully tags the fashion brand for emphasis. Vecchione's willingness to do this is notable because the fashion industry has had an antagonistic relationship with this White House since before Trump's inauguration. Soon after the election, a litany of designers announced they would not dress the first lady. Even now, when she purchases ensembles at retail, companies have been reluctant to take credit. (The most vociferous exception has been Dolce & Gabbana.) When presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway wore Gucci to the inauguration, the brand went out of its way to make clear that her decision to do so was beyond its control. A whole movement was launched encouraging consumers to boycott brands that supported the new administration, and that animosity has only grown during this election cycle. "I am very much not influenced by who is wearing what. It's more about what I like and what best suits me," Chiara Boni customer Veronica Bulgari - of the jewelry family - writes in an email. But it's "certainly not a plus to know that Trump campaign members are wearing them!!!" Waters that were already treacherous have become practically lethal. Regardless, Vecchione dives in. "I'll take any woman who pays retail," he says. "We dress the right, the left and everyone in the middle." Chiara Boni La Petite Robe was founded in 2007 and quickly became profitable, thanks in large measure to Vecchione and its popularity in the United States. The dresses come in eye-catching jewel tones and are often embellished with a ruffle or something akin to a half peplum. They're body-conscious garments that keep everything precisely where a woman would like everything to be. They sometimes have a well-placed slash at the neckline or at the shoulders to reveal a flash of skin. They aren't overtly sexy, but they are knowingly so. They are power-dresses for the male gaze. The collection is regularly shown on the runway in New York, but viewers of television news will have seen these dresses in the wild, as they are in regular rotation behind the anchor desks at Fox News, as well as the other networks. Vecchione once appeared on "Justice with Judge Jeanine" as a first lady fashion expert and tsk-tsked his industry for not lauding Melania Trump's style during her 2017 visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel. "What they should be doing right now is praising our first lady for how beautiful and how chic she is representing our country," Vecchione said during his TV appearance. (Melania Trump has not worn Chiara Boni in the White House.) "The woman looks statuesque. She floats. She's beautiful." The collection has also turned up on the red carpet on women such as Niecy Nash, and on the cover of O magazine, worn by its regular cover model Oprah Winfrey. The O magazine cover is a testament to the tenacity of Vecchione, who set out to meet the media mogul by stalking her best friend, "CBS This Morning" anchor Gayle King, who is also editor at large at the glossy. He knew that King had purchased a Chiara Boni dress in the past, and so "I went to Hearst publications and sat in the coffee area for three hours until I ran into Gayle King." She was his introduction to the magazine's creative director who oversees Winfrey's editorial shoots. In explaining why he was not thrown out of the building for loitering, Vecchione says, "I have a charming manner to me." He grew up in New Jersey and now lives in New Rochelle, a small city about 20 miles north of Manhattan, with his husband of 26 years, who works in real estate. "My husband and I are blessed to be very social," he says. "We are the most invited gay couple around." When a phone interview interrupts Vecchione during his at-home manicure, he is both gracious and garrulous. At 54, he has already worked in the business more than 30 years, beginning when he was selling textiles to some of the founding fathers of modern Seventh Avenue, such as Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, whose lives were interwoven with their clients'. One of the things he learned from those years was that business is personal; friendships beget profits. He is not swayed by the usual bright shiny objects that make the industry swoon. He brags that Birmingham is one of his biggest markets. He is happy to dole out fashion-show tickets to non-famous customers who may have made only modest purchases, if it means generating goodwill. He donated a dress to a Museum of the Bible fashion show last year. There he is smiling on Facebook with a founder of the Trumpettes USA, Toni Holt Kramer. "I became friends with our clients. You have to become part of the customers' life. You become part of their world," Vecchione says. "Everything we did, we did with a charitable cause. You can buy a page in Vogue for $100,000, but I started to get involved in diabetes (charities) ... in every charity out there. You want to take money from people, you have to give." Vecchione became acquainted with Pirro, a friend of Trump, thanks to the geography of Westchester County where he lives and where Pirro was once district attorney. But he says they really bonded when, during a fashion show at Neiman Marcus in White Plains, Pirro raved to the assembled guests about the brand. When asked to chat about her friendship with Vecchione, her representative at Fox News wrote, "We'll pass." He has known Lara Trump since before she was married to the president's son Eric, he says: "A whole clique of us used to hang out." Lara Trump did not respond to requests to discuss their relationship. But Vecchione's Instagram account bears witness to his affection for his pals and their style. There is a picture of Lara Trump in a clingy white dress standing alongside campaign fundraiser Guilfoyle (girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr.) in a cobalt blue one. The two are smiling from the president's Tulsa rally last month. Vecchione is pictured in Trump Tower with Pirro, who's wearing pearl-studded Chiara Boni pants; he's beaming with Lara at a birthday celebration for Eric. He is at Mar-a-Lago; he's at the White House in Melania's forest of red Christmas trees. And he's posing with press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who's dressed in festive red. "She's chic and stylish," Vecchione says of McEnany. "She packages herself very well." In the past, fashion has been a cultural data point that puts an indelible stamp on an era: the pillbox hats, the Kenneth Jay Lane pearls, the power sheaths. But today, fashion has become just another industry in economic crisis, another nesting place of inequality, a faint source of wistful distraction - and a vague memory of joy. Vecchione keeps faith that friendship, politics and fashion can be mutually beneficial and yet, separate. That belief is by no means a reflection of the times. And its singularity is an indictment of them. Royal S. Copeland, the powerful health commissioner of New York City when the [1918] Spanish flu crept in, looked askance at pandemic responses elsewhere [and] was philosophically disinclined to intrude much on ordinary life. He also didnt want to freak people out. So the shows went on, but Copeland instituted some major changes in how they did so and kept the toll in the city relatively low. The New York Times The relationship between China and the United States continues to deteriorate, as The Timess Steven Lee Myers and Paul Mozur explain. The two countries are clashing over Hong Kong, digital technology, trade, the South China Sea and more. But this new global competition wont be like the last Cold War. It will be more fluid and nuanced than the struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union for one reason above all others. In the 20th century, many countries were lined up clearly on one side or the other. Today, most countries have complex relationships with both the U.S. and China. China has deep economic ties around the world, yet few countries are loyal allies to Beijing. The U.S. has more allies, but they arent ready to sign up for an all-out confrontation with Beijing, Richard Fontaine and Ely Ratner, two former U.S. officials, write in The Washington Post. Instead, nearly everyone wants some mixture of security and economic benefits from both the United States and China. This dynamic means that the two countries will be in a perpetual contest for influence with other countries. Open-source initiatives can make for strange bedfellows. Consider this array of direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses that joined forces to collaborate on Covid-19 relief: a bra-maker, an online picture framer, and a company that makes shoes from plastic bottles, among others. In the early days of the pandemic, they all got together to help one another do their part. What they also got was a lesson in collaboration. It all began in April, when Rothy's, a direct-to-consumer company that makes women's shoes out of recycled plastic bottles, came up with a design for a mask. It reprogrammed its knitting machines and used materials left over from earlier shoe lines. All it needed was elastic to help the masks fit snugly on people's faces. "We were operating in isolation, but heard rumblings that other companies were trying to figure out what they could do," says Saskia van Gendt, head of sustainability for the San Francisco-based company. Rothy's began reaching out to other businesses. The resulting collaboration grew into The Open Innovation Coalition, a grassroots effort to raise money, create whatever was needed, and support one another during the crisis. In all, 25 brands signed on, including lifestyle apparel brand Marine Layer and online bra company, ThirdLove. "We were all figuring things out and trying to do whatever we could," van Gendt says. "Everyone was open-sourcing patterns," sharing materials, troubleshooting, and guiding one another through import requirements and complex logistics, she says. Another vital role: playing matchmaker for companies that needed resources and materials. For example, ThirdLove had 9,000 meters of elastic to contribute to the OIC companies to help make masks, some of which were used by a company called Suay Sew Shop making masks in Los Angeles. Rothy's own masks, made from the company's signature weave material, went on sale online in June for $25 for two and sold out. While Rothy's declined to disclose the number sold, it says 35,000 people were on a waitlist while the masks were being created. The company estimates that it dedicated more than 100 hours to developing its masks and a third of its factory effort. Collaborating was "a natural, easy relationship," says Heidi Zak, ThirdLove co-founder and co-CEO, who also writes a column for Inc.com. "It felt really brand-aligned." ThirdLove has also donated 1,000 pairs of bras and underwear and 2,000 surgical masks to front-line workers. Working together has made it easier for companies to step into new categories, says van Gendt. "We're all navigating this completely new space," she says. "Within the apparel world, there's not that much collaboration. Sometimes you can get a feeling of privacy around designs or things like that." Framebridge, a DTC custom-framing startup, wanted to make face shields at its Lexington, Kentucky, factory. Members of the group offered feedback on designs, which were well outside its usual line of work, says Eszter Gordon, Framebridge's director of retail marketing. Just as critical was the advice it received on manufacturing them at scale. The company made about 40,000 "Halo" face shields, made of plastic and sold at cost for $4.50. Shield replacements sell for 80 cents each. "Overall, it was just an incredibly collaborative experience and project to work on," Gordon says. "Way more so than anything that you would imagine between somewhat competitive DTC brands." For Soft Goods Detroit, a DTC company founded in 2018, the coalition is a chance to learn from more-established businesses and to challenge itself to step up, according to co-founder Josh York. "It's super cool for a small shop like ours that's not super old," says York, who is 27. "We're in calls with CEO of Marine Layer and all these big brands. My partner and I, every time we're in a group call with them, it's like, 'Holy crap, how did we get in this group?' We really get to learn a lot from them and how they do things." The company made more than 27,000 face masks--donating more than 5,000 to hospitals, nursing homes, and homeless shelters--and produced 5,000 hospital gowns for hospitals in Detroit and elsewhere in Michigan. Soft Goods Detroit grew its team to 12 from four and also began producing consumer masks, selling three for $18 on its website. The coalition offers a chance for small businesses to partner and develop new ways of working, even once the world goes back to some semblance of "normalcy," says Van Gendt. "We really feel that this is a unique type of collaboration that didn't exist before," she says. "We're trying to see how can we keep the elements of the openness, the sharing, the rapid prototyping and innovation, but potentially look at other ways to collaborate beyond Covid." United Airlines Holdings, Inc. UAL is slated to release second-quarter 2020 earnings numbers on Jul 21, after market close. Similar to the first quarter, the companys second-quarter performance is expected to reflect the negative impact from coronavirus. The adversity is likely to have been much greater in the second quarter with demand significantly below year-ago levels in the entire April-June period, compared with the first-quarter impact being limited mostly to March. With passenger demand way below year-ago levels in the wake of coronavirus, United Airlines is anticipated to have suffered substantial loss of passenger revenues (accounting for more than 85% of the top line) in the to-be-reported quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter passenger revenues indicates a 93.1% drop from second-quarter 2019s reported number. The carrier anticipates total revenues to decline 88% year over year for the second quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same indicates an 89.4% plunge from year-ago reported revenues. Due to significantly reduced demand, the carrier slashed capacity dramatically. The consensus mark for second-quarter capacity suggests an 87.5% decline from the year-ago reported figure. Additionally, the company expects to record a charge of approximately $300 million (related to voluntary-separation options offered to employees) for the second quarter. With fuel expenses comprising a major chunk of airline expenditures, low fuel prices are expected to have aided the bottom line, partly offsetting the loss of passenger revenues. Notably, the consensus mark for average fuel price per gallon hints at a 49.5% fall from that reported in the year-ago period. Additionally, the company anticipates cargo revenues to have increased substantially in the soon-to-be-reported quarter, backed by international cargo-only flying. For the second quarter, it expects cargo revenues to surge more than 30% year over year. Story continues United Airlines Holdings Inc Price and EPS Surprise United Airlines Holdings Inc Price and EPS Surprise United Airlines Holdings Inc price-eps-surprise | United Airlines Holdings Inc Quote Earnings Whispers The proven Zacks model predicts an earnings beat for United Airlines in the second quarter of 2020. This is because the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Earnings ESP: United Airlines has an Earnings ESP of +25.24% as the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at a loss of $7.04 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pinned at a loss of $9.41. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: United Airlines carries a Zacks Rank #3. Highlights of Q1 Earnings In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 20.9% with narrower-than-expected loss. Although operating revenues decreased 16.8% year over year, it marginally beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The year-over-year plunge was due to 19% decrease in passenger revenues, thanks to coronavirus-led reduced travel demand. Other Stocks to Consider Investors interested in the broader Transportation sector may also consider American Airlines Group Inc. AAL, Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK and Air Lease Corporation AL as these stocks too possess the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle. American Airlines has an Earnings ESP of +13.38% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company will release second-quarter results on Jul 23. Alaska Air has an Earnings ESP of +21.82% and a Zacks Rank #3. This company is also set to release second-quarter financial numbers on Jul 23. Air Lease has an Earnings ESP of +23.32% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will announce second-quarter earnings numbers on Aug 6. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Air Lease Corporation (AL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Borderlands Books, a 22-year-old indie bookstore in San Francisco that has long been revered by genre fiction readers and writers, is being boycotted by store customers, authors, and others in response to explosive allegations of violent assault and attempted rape recently made against its owner, Alan Beatts. Beatts's private comments addressing the matter, made late last week to store donors (called sponsors) and subsequently revealed on Twitter, has only exacerbated the situation in the eyes of many. Numerous authors have tweeted that they will no longer support the store since allegations were aired two weeks ago on the weekly podcast The Horror Show with Brian Keene (editor's note: the recording includes explicit and disturbing content) that four years ago Beatts violently assaulted an ex-girlfriend and also attempted to rape his daughter in 2012 when she was 19 years old. Both women have confirmed to PW that The Horror Show accurately aired the allegations each made against Beatts. Both also declined further comment and requested that they not be identified by name in PW's coverage. A number of Bay Areabased authors, who until now have been loyal store customers, have reached out to PW to emphasize that while they can no longer support the store located in the citys Mission District, they also do not want it to go out of business. Five years ago, the store teetered on the verge of closing its doors before 800 sponsors came forward to kick in $100 each to keep it afloat. The store has maintained an annual sponsorship model ever since. Some sponsors have publicly denounced Beatts on Twitter, including several who have reached out privately to PW to confirm that they will not renew their sponsorships. One of the authors expressing such sentiments was children's book author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, who has cohosted several lovely literary events there, including a May fundraiser with Rebecca Roanhorse and N.K. Jemisin that netted $6,000 for the store. In an email to PW, Tokuda-Hall wrote that it is her dearest hope that Alan will divest from the store, and allow the staff and community to reclaim the space. The staff does not deserve to be associated with these allegations. Cecilia Tan, who is an author as well as the editor of Riverdale Avenues Circlet Press imprint, told PW that she has long considered Beatts a friend, and has read there many times since the stores early days. After these allegations surfaced though, she is reluctant to read at the store or participate in any event there unless Beatts completely separates himself from the store, suggesting that he should sell it. Being an erotica author, one of the most important things I need is a safe space for my audience, Tan wrote in an email. That means safe from anti-sex judgments but definitely also safe from sexual predation. I just could not ask my readers to set foot there right now. (Pandemic aside....) She added: If science fiction loses Borderlands as an institution, it will not be the fault of the women Alan Beatts abused, nor the people who are outraged about it, but Alan himself. There were whispers about this last year, science fiction author Meg Elison, who calls Borderlands her home bookstore, told PW. But people thought that [the ex girlfriends] point-of-view could not be trusted. After tweeting last week, however, that while shes had some of the best moments of her life inside Borderlands but can no longer support the store due to the allegations against Beatts, Elison told PW that multiple people have since privately told her about their own run-ins with Alan, adding: If I had any doubts he had a problem, the last couple of days with the DMs on Twitter have been an eye-opener. Science fiction author John Scalzi has also weighed in, blogging on Friday that the allegations made against Beatts, whom he calls a friend, hit me like a punch to the gut and were close to home on a number of levels. Noting that he lent the store a sum of money so that it could purchase a building and relocate to the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood when its current lease for its 2,000-sq.-ft space is up in 2022, Scalzi disclosed that he is donating an amount equal to the funds repaid to date by the store to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). He also promised to donate all future loan payments by Borderlands to RAINN or a similar organization. Directing his words toward the media, Scalzi added in a note that he was declining further comment, stating: Its easy to say believe women when its about someone you have no connection to. Its another thing when its about someone you know and like. July Virtual Event Cancellations As word spread about the allegations last week, several authors who were scheduled to participate in virtual events sponsored by Borderlands canceled eventsor their publishers did. Of six virtual events scheduled this month, four were canceled within a week of the podcast, including a July 15 double-header with novelists Mike Chen and Kelly McWilliams. Hi friends, Chen tweeted on July 9. [McWilliams] and I are aware of the situation with Borderlands Books and because of it, we are postponing our 'In the Middle' discussion on pandemic books until we find a new bookstore sponsor. Jo Walton, another author scheduled to participate in a virtual event on July 9 for her new release, Or What You Will (Tom Doherty), told PW that her editor and publicist at Tor had both contacted her to inform her of the allegations, which prompted her to cancel the day before it was scheduled to take place. Mary Robinette Kowal, who is the president of the Science Fiction Writers of America, told PW last week that a Tor representative called her and asked if she wished to cancel a scheduled July 23 virtual event for her new release, Relentless Moon. If your publisher comes to you and asks if you still want to do an eventmaybe not, Kowal said, adding that she was not 100% convinced that she had made the right decision. I dont like the ripple effects, she explained: canceling the event also punishes the stores general manager, Jude Feldman, and its four other employees. The decision an author has to make is a lot messier than the decision an individual customer has to make, Kowal added. Its the thing were doing because its the only tool we have. Kowal disclosed that she sent an email to Beatts before Tor canceled the event, writing that I needed him to step back from the store and to address his drinking. Most of the other sources PW spoke to also referred to Beatts drinking habits; a former employee described the store to PW as having a heavy drinking culture." In her capacity as SFWA president, Kowal said that it would be inappropriate for the organization to address these specific allegations, but that it has been discussing the larger problem of how to report unethical or abusive behavior within the science fiction and fantasy community. SFWA has recently implemented a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, which will, among other tasks, explore ways to deal with such situations in ways that are sustainable and safe. Tokuda-Hall is adamant that the industry has to take a strong and public stance in these kinds of situations, despite any emotional and/or financial repercussions incurred in withdrawing support from, in this case, an indie bookseller who is well-known to industry movers and shakers. "Personally supporting other people is essential in publishing, and also, notably, often the only way women, LGBTQ+ people, and people of color are set up to succeed," she wrote in an email, "We've seen that, systemically, particularly Black voices are not supported as aggressively by publishing. The answer to discovery of allegations of predation is not to be extra leery of lending support, but rather a readiness to take a stand against it. We have to speak up for one another." Beatts Responds to Allegations Beatts and Feldman both declined comment on the allegations when contacted by PW on Thursday afternoon. That evening, however, Beatts posted comments on a private server for the stores sponsors in which he stated that he was not going to defend himself, before casting aspersions on the motives of the ex-girlfriend and his daughter for coming forward. He also stated that his relationships with each had ended badly several years ago, though the two women remain close. He asserted that Brian Keene, the cohost of The Horror Show, had misrepresented his prior relationship with Beatts as being more collegial than it actually was, as he hasn't considered Keene a friend since a falling out many years ago. Beatts dismissed the suggestion that he divest himself from the store by transferring ownership to Feldman. I cannot see any way in which Borderlands can possibly operate without me, he wrote. Ive discussed this with Jude and she agrees. That is not an option. Feldman, in addition to being the store's general manager for 19 years, has been Beatts's significant other for about 20 years. According to Beatts in his communication with the store sponsors, as well as the ex-girlfriend herself in an email to PW, the two were involved for 10 years in a sexual relationship that included Feldman; it ended in 2018. Responding to PW's query on Monday afternoon, Beatts confirmed that his comments were made "in a private context" to Borderlands sponsors, and were later made public without his knowledge or consent. He again declined comment on the allegations. Naamen Tilahun, who once worked as a bookseller at Borderlands, publicly expressed sentiments similar to what a number of other authors either tweeted or privately relayed to PW over the weekend concerning Beattss July 9 statement. Sly implications, talking around the accusations, playing on misogyny and power and hiding behind your partner, he tweeted. How many fucking abuser bingo squares is that? The whole damn card? Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Jude Feldman is a co-owner of Borderlands Books. Alan Beatts is its sole owner. This error has been corrected. A Tulsa Vietnamese restaurant at which Gov. Kevin Stitt reportedly dined last week is closing until further notice after learning that Stitt tested positive for COVID-19. Kai, 201 W. Fifth St., made the announcement on social media Wednesday morning. "He (Stitt) visited our establishment last week and we want to be proactive and shut down to get the staff tested and get our restaurant professionally disinfected," the restaurant posted on Facebook. Featured video from July 9: Gov. Kevin Stitt explains why he won't issue an order to wear masks Gallery: COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues Subscribe to Daily Headlines Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Wednesday asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to explain the basis for detaining high court's bar leader Mian Abdul Qayoom who has challenged his detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) since August 7 last year. The top court asked it to take into consideration various aspects including Qayoom's age, expiry of detention period and the COVID-19 pandemic. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Indu Malhotra posted the matter for July 23 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for J-K, said that he needs 10 days time to consider various aspects. "We want to know on what basis you (J-K administration) would like to detain him in Delhi's Tihar Jail. Moreover, his detention as per order has already expired," the bench said. At the outset, Mehta said he had not received the copy of the plea and sought time to reply to it. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Qayoom, said the detention order was for a limited period, for around one year. The bench said that was the reason it has issued notice on the plea during the last date of hearing. Dave replied that he understands why the Solicitor General was uncomfortable and complained that the present matter was not listed despite specific directions of the court. Justice Kaul told Mehta that firstly his detention period has expired and secondly his ideology remains the same. Dave pointed out that Qayoom is 73 years old and should not be kept in Tihar jail. "In the current scenario of COVID-19 would you like to keep this petition pending," the bench told Mehta, who said that Qayoom's ideology remained the same. The bench said it understands all these issues but sometimes there are compulsions which need to be complied with. It told Mehta that he should respond by next date considering Qayoom's age, expiry of his detention order and the COVID-19 times. On June 26, the top court had issued notice to the J-K administration and sought its reply on Qayoom's plea challenging his detention order. Qayoom has also sought a direction to shift him from Tihar jail here to central jail in Srinagar on medical ground. He has challenged the May 28 order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court rejecting his plea against his prolonged illegal detention under the PSA in jails outside the UT. He said he is a Senior Advocate with more than 40 years' standing at the Bar and has served as President of the J&K High Court Bar Association for many terms, including from 2014 till the present day. Qayoom said he was detained on the intervening night of August 4th and 5th, 2019, under the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Code of Criminal Procedure and thereafter, an order of detention under the PSA was passed against him on August 7, 2019. He said that on August 8 he was taken to Central Jail, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, without any prior notice of intimation, where he was kept in solitary confinement. He said the high court's May 28 order is ex facie unsustainable in law as it is premised on "stale, irrelevant, remote, vague, imprecise and deficient" grounds of detention. "The impugned judgment and order concluded that most of the grounds in the detention order are somewhat clumsy which implies that the High Court too found them wanting. Placing reliance on the doctrine of severability as enunciated by this Court in Gautam Jain versus Union of India. The High Court then proceeds to uphold the detention order solely on one ground," his appeal said. He said the high court makes it abundantly clear that the detention order has been upheld solely on one ground -- the four FIRs dating back to 2008 and 2010, as enumerated in the detention order. "These FIRs are stale, irrelevant and have no proximate, pertinent or live link to the present, and are thus superfluous and extraneous to the satisfaction required in law qua the tendency or propensity to act in a manner prejudicial to public order. Pertinently, even in the said decade old 4 FIRs, the Petitioner was neither arrested, nor any charge sheet ever filed by the police against the Petitioner," he added in his plea. Qayoom said he had already been detained in 2010 on the basis of the said FIRs under the PSA, and the said detention was subsequently revoked. "Thus, the same FIRs cannot be used to pass another order of detention under the PSA, as held by this Hon'ble Court," his plea said. Qayoom said he is suffering from serious health ailments and is at a high-risk vulnerability for COVID-19 due to his co-morbid conditions. "The Petitioner has numerous serious medical conditions for which he has been receiving treatment for the last 25 years under the care and supervision of his doctors in Srinagar, Kashmir. The Petitioner is also dependent on his family for ensuring the regular and daily intake of medicines and regular injections," he added. As an interim prayer, he sought his transfer to Central Jail, Srinagar, during the pendency of the present petition, ensuring that all necessary medical precautions are taken qua COVID-19. Netflixs accidental release of series two of Derry Girls may have been a whole year early. Variety confirmed with a spokesperson for Hat Trick that Netflix removed the show due to a mix-up in streaming rights. The platform did not have the rights to release the program in the UK until series three premieres. Due to the pandemic, there has been delays in filming the third series of the Irish comedy. It could be at least another year before the second series returns to Netflix. The second series of sitcom Derry Girls was added to Netflix UK on 9 July before being removed just four days after. The Twitter account for Netflix UK and Ireland posted to promote the new release: Derry Girls S2 is now on Netflix if you were looking for an excuse to watch it again. Fans were quick to notice the unusual timing of the show's removal. Utterly bizarre that season two of Derry Girls has disappeared off Netflix, read one tweet. I know Netflix regularly removes and renews content [but] it usually leaves it up a bit longer than 4 DAYS!!! Other users found that the series suddenly became unavailable while they were mid-stream. Can someone PLEASE TELL ME why derry girls season 2 has been REMOVED from netflix while i was in the middle of an episode a few hours ago!!!!!!!!! read another tweet. Netflix UK and Ireland's original promotional post has since been updated to read: UPDATE: it looks like we were a bit early with this one so have had to take season two down for now. Well let you know when it's coming back as soon as we can. In the meantime, its available now on All 4. Last night, the Dont Extradite Assange group held an online premiere of Not in our name, a short documentary reviewing the medical consequences of the decade-long persecution of Julian Assange and its implications for democratic rights globally. The event was part of the ongoing campaign against the imprisonment of the WikiLeaks founder in Britains maximum-security Belmarsh Prison, where he continues to be imperilled by the coronavirus pandemic. It was held in the lead-up to scheduled September hearings for Assanges extradition to the US, where he faces life imprisonment for exposing American war crimes. The documentary, directed by John Furse, makes able use of archival footage and original interviews to present a concise and irrefutable summation of the abuses Assange has suffered at the hands of multiple governments, and the basic issues at stake, including press freedom and the struggle against imperialist war. Unlike many treatments of the Assange case in the corporate media, Not in our name places the WikiLeaks founders plight firmly in the context of the publications for which Assange faces charges in the US. It begins with a brief review of the media organisations 2010 releases, which revealed mass civilian killings in Iraq and Afghanistan and other violations of international law. Footage from the time demonstrates the hysterical response of the US military-intelligence and political establishment. Kenneth Weinstein, president of the Hudson Institute, a neo-conservative think-tank, is shown declaring that it was very important for our government to display no patience for the kind of so-called whistleblowing activities of traitors. At a 2010 media appearance, Assange reveals that the US government had demanded that WikiLeaks destroy our archives relating to the Pentagon and stop dealing with US military whistleblowers, or be coerced. Emails between leading personnel at Stratfor, a security company with close ties to the CIA, had outlined a plan to Move him [Assange] from country to country to face various charges for the next 25 years, culminating in his imprisonment alongside terrorists in a super-max US facility. Very rapidly, Assange was embroiled in the British legal system on the basis of bogus Swedish allegations of sexual misconduct, which were intended as a backdoor to dispatch him to the US. This compelled the WikiLeaks founder to seek political asylum in Ecuadors London embassy in 2012. The bulk of the documentary is an elaboration of UN Special Rapporteur Nils Melzers finding that Assange displays medically-verifiable symptoms of psychological torture as a result of his protracted persecution. This assessment is based on a consultation Melzer and two medical experts held with Assange at Belmarsh Prison in May, 2019, and on the UN officials extensive study of the legal abuses inflicted on the WikiLeaks founder. The film outlines several features of the UNs definition of psychological torture, as they have been displayed in Assanges treatment: * Constant fear and anxiety: Assange has faced the prospect of being sent to the US, where he could potentially be subjected to the death penalty, for ten years. Over that period he has been arbitrarily-detained, brutally arrested and held in a maximum-security prison, while senior US government figures have called for his murder. Australian clinical psychologist Doctor Lissa Johnson told viewers: Often it is the anticipation of the danger youre frightened of that is experienced as more traumatic and tormenting than the actual materialisation of that threat. * Public vilification: In his initial findings, Melzer stated that Assange had been the victim of an unprecedented campaign of public mobbing, involving innumerable slanders from governments and corporate media outlets. Doctor Derek Summerfield, a leading retired psychologist, explained that this served to isolate a person further from their sense of who they are and what theyre all about, and to smear their name in such a way as to make it easier to do what the state wishes to do with this person. Lissa Longstaff, of Women Against Rape, outlined the manner in which the Swedish allegations were the subject of state manipulation. They had served, not only as a pretext for the abrogation of Assanges rights, but also as the foundation of a systematic smear campaign. * Loss of autonomy: This was particularly evident when the new Ecuadorian government turned against Assange as it established closer relations with the US in 2017. Assange, despite being a political refugee, was constantly spied upon by a private security firm acting on instructions from the CIA, faced the threat of being evicted from the embassy at any moment, and had his communications cut off, thereby further isolating him. * Helplessness and hopelessness: Johnson noted that the multiple legal abuses inflicted on Assange, including the illegal revocation of his political asylum and his knowledge that he faced biased political and judicial authorities in Britain, had created a situation in which anything can happen. Its deeply destabilising. You dont know how you can defend yourself, you dont know what to expect next. This had been intensified since Assanges arrest in April, 2019. He had been denied adequate medical care in Belmarsh Prison, prevented from participating in his own defence and subjected to a series of British hearings that had the character of show-trials. * Isolation and sensory deprivation: Through most of his imprisonment by Britain, Assange has been detained in solitary confinement. This has continued, even as he has been held on remand solely to facilitate the US extradition request. Lissa Johnson speaking in defence of Assange earlier this year (Credit: WSWS) In summing up the consequences, Johnson noted: Were designed for short bursts of stress, but when it is constant and relentless, it causes very serious problems with immunity. Immune cells can self-destruct, your body stops producing them, communication in the immune system breaks down. That can render people susceptible to cancer, to atypical infections and renders them very vulnerable to coronavirus. These techniques are essentially designed to break someone down so much they dont want to live, they cant function. Assanges friend Vaughan Smith recalled that when the WikiLeaks founder called him last Christmas Eve, he had warned that he was slowly dying in Belmarsh Prison. After the screening, Rebecca Vincent, London director of Reporters Sans Frontieres, hosted a discussion with Melzer and filmmaker John Furse. Melzer again rejected any suggestion that psychological torture was torture lite. He noted that in physical torture, the infliction of violence is a means, not an end in itself. Like psychological torture, its purpose is to affect and break a persons mind. You break their body in order to reach their mind. The actual target of any act of torture is the mind. Its always psychological You can achieve that through physical pain or non-physical pain and suffering. So isolation, combined with humiliation, combined with intimidation, combined with a profound arbitrariness, targets very specifically innate needs of stability, security, orientation and identity... These are confirmed psychological needs that are much closer to our identity than even our body. Melzer stated that the vilification of Assange had been aimed at deflecting attention from the state crimes revealed by WikiLeaks. Referring to slanders directed against Assange, he said: Were discussing cats and skateboards, but we are not discussing things which have been documented as war crimes. Asked about the response to his findings, Melzer said that while governments grudgingly tolerated him for now, despite their blithe dismissal of his judgements, he had been told that there would be a political price to pay for his exposures. The UN official noted the way in which international legal norms had been eroded over the previous years: We have been privatising public service for 40 years, and now we have almost been privatising governments. We have privatised prisons, armies, police, so its no wonder governments think they are private. Furse also stated that the Assange case had revealed the power of major financial interests, and their undermining of democratic rights. Nils Melzer addressing a public meeting in London last January Explaining the broader significance of Assanges persecution, Melzer declared: The real purpose of torture, most of the time, is intimidation. And it is not necessarily intimidation of the victim. Its intimidation of everybody else. Thats why people are tortured in public places, women are raped in the village square in armed conflicts and people are being executed publicly. That is what is happening to Julian Assange. Its not about punishing him [or] interrogating him and finding the truth. Its about intimidating all other journalists and publishers and making sure that no-one does what he has done, because thats what states are afraid of. Melzer warned this purpose has already been achieved, which meant that this fight is really to re-establish press freedom, rather than just protecting it. The event can be viewed in full at Consortium News here. New York, July 15 : Former US Vice President Joe Biden, who is to be the Democratic Party candidate for president, has announced an immigration agenda that will end the country-wise green card caps for employment visas so that wait times stretching to decades for Indians can be reduced if he is elected. His "Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants" will also link H1-B visas to wages while increasing the number of such visas. The Plan, which could be the basis of his manifesto for the November election when he is expected to take on President Donald Trump as the Democratic candidate, seeks overall to liberalise immigration to the US and increase the number of immigrants. It sends a mixed message for Indians with most aspects of the Plan favouring some categories of Indians but with one that may tighten regulations for some H1-B visas. "Biden will support expanding the number of high-skilled visas and eliminating the limits on employment-based visas by country, which create unacceptably long backlogs," according to the Plan. The total annual cap on green cards available for Indians is 20,000 leading to wait times stretching to decades. Attempt by legislators from both parties to introduce laws to lift the cap have stalled in Congress. The plan said, "Currently, the number of employment-based visas is capped at 140,000 each year, without the ability to be responsive to the state of the labor market or demands from domestic employers. As president, Biden will work with Congress to increase the number of visas awarded for permanent, employment-based immigrationa"and promote mechanisms to temporarily reduce the number of visas during times of high US unemployment." The argument for reducing the visas at times is similar to Trump's rationale for freezing green cards and H1-B visas that cites the current high unemployment. Biden's proposals on H1-B for highly skilled professional workers which is overwhelmingly held by Indians and on green cards, also has elements reflecting reforms and regulations proposed by Trump. The Plan says that to ensure that those getting H1-Bs do not compete for entry level jobs or work against recruiting workers already in the US, theAvisas would be linked to wages. The Plan said, "High skilled temporary visas should not be used to disincentivise recruiting workers already in the U.S. for in-demand occupations. An immigration system that crowds out high-skilled workers in favor of only entry level wages and skills threatens American innovation and competitiveness." "Biden will work with Congress to first reform temporary visas to establish a wage-based allocation process and establish enforcement mechanisms to ensure they are aligned with the labor market and not used to undermine wages," it added. This could make it difficult for many Indians to qualify for H1-B visas. A senior Trump official recently said that the president wants to link H1-B visas to wages so that instead of the current lottery system, the visas would be given out in order of the wages offered starting with the highest. Biden wants to exempt foreign students getting PhD degrees in science, engineering, technology and maths in the US from visa caps and automatically give green cards to those getting doctorates. "Biden believes that foreign graduates of a US doctoral program should be given a green card with their degree and that losing these highly trained workers to foreign economies is a disservice to our own economic competitiveness," his plan said. He also wants to introduce a new category of immigrant visas that would be awarded through cities and local administrations facing shrinking populations and lacking entrepreneurs onAthe condition that those getting them settle in those areas. "Biden will support a program to allow any county or municipal executive of a large or midsize county or city to petition for additional immigrant visas to support the region's economic development strategy, provided employers in those regions certify there are available jobs, and that there are no workers to fill them," the Plan said. Where Biden diverges starkly from Trump is on other elements of immigration, especially those involving non-elites and refugees. The Plan said that it opposed a "false choice" between green cards for workers and those for family reunification, which Trump wants to severely limit while switching to a merit-based system. Applicants approved for family green cards will be given temporary visas under the programme and spouses and children of green card-holders will be exempt from limits on permanent resident visas, under the Biden Plan. The Plan will also simplify the process for green card-holders to get citizenship and eliminate roadblocks imposed by Trump such as making it harder for those who have availed of public benefits. Biden will also work with Congress to forge a system for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants to get citizenship, the Plan said. Other elements of the Biden plan include lifting the visa ban on some countries imposed by Trump and increasing the number of refugees allowed into the country. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text WHEN I was young, shame was an ever-present reminder: Shame on you, You should be ashamed, That is just shameful they should know better. Of course, this was meant to invoke personal shame, not a societal shame. In a 2010 book The Honor Code, renowned philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah identifies societal shame as a major motivator of modern moral revolution. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion WHEN I was young, shame was an ever-present reminder: "Shame on you," "You should be ashamed," "That is just shameful they should know better". Of course, this was meant to invoke personal shame, not a societal shame. In a 2010 book The Honor Code, renowned philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah identifies societal shame as a major motivator of modern moral revolution. For Appiah, shame is the flipside of honour. When enough people feel dishonour or acquire a culture of shame regarding a societal practice, they seek collectively or request their governments to make the practices illegal and their elimination enforceable. The recent elimination of birth alerts by the Manitoba government is just such an example. Part of the problem with societal shame rests in the fact that if were all dishonoured or implicated, we might not feel personal shame, as in its not our problem and we personally can do nothing about it. The trick, then, is to translate some deeply understood moral shame as somewhat personal, and to act accordingly. What better time to change some of our shameful practices and attitudes than when were experiencing a moral awakening of sorts? We have much to be ashamed of, some which have been heightened by our COVID-19 experience. I would like to highlight two that top my list, partly because they represent some of the most vulnerable in our society; I then humbly suggest where we can find honour in having a government that is to represent "rule by everyone for the sake of everyone" address them. First, the sexual exploitation of children. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection has frequently voiced concerns that COVID-19 isolation provides the perfect conditions for producing, distributing and viewing child pornography. In times of social isolation, children are often forced to stay at home with their abusers; they are away from adults such as child care workers and teachers who are often the first to identify abuse, and the internet is a ready tool to entertain and entice, and aid and abet the abusers. A publication by the centre, Failing Our Children, clearly states the human scope and cost of the cyber-crime of child pornography. Our federal government is being urged by child advocates to follow the lead of the British government by regulating big-tech companies whose networks knowingly permit distribution of this material. In a white paper titled "Online Harms," the British Home Office has recommended setting up an independent regulator with powers to pursue revoking the international licences of companies that dont comply with taking down illegal material, charging them with criminal offences, invoking huge fines or incarcerating their top executives. I would consider such action a hopeful and helpful Canadian response. 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. Second, lets revive and reinvoke the societal shame some of us felt during the Idle No More movement, and lets think of our attitudes toward Indigenous children and their parents. Close to 90 per cent of children in care in Manitoba are Indigenous; school attendance records show that Indigenous children are more likely to miss school and not be missed. Relatedly, their educational achievements, success in school, likelihood of graduation and entry into gainful employment all lag unconscionably behind the rest of the population. Rates of fetal-alcohol effects, adolescent and later adult incarceration, and chances of being murdered or going missing far outstrip those in the general population. Their homes are more likely to be overcrowded, lack clean water and sanitary facilities. What works, when it works, is providing the means for Indigenous peoples control over the decisions that affect their children and their futures. The Manitoba First Nations School System conceptualized, created and administered by a partnership of Manitoba First Nations is a case in point. The self-sufficiency and industriousness of some of Manitobas First Nations communities is another, and their success in keeping COVID-19 out of their communities to this point is remarkable. We can only look forward to the anticipated development of the urban reserve where the Kapyong barracks used to be, bolstered by the open consultative process being initiated with its urban neighbours. The shame I am praising is not the shame that most exploited children feel or the shame that many Indigenous people experience because of their situations. The shame I am praising is that which causes us enough discomfort and remorse to act, to speak up, and to insist that our governments attend to these issues to relieve us of the shameful burden of collective guilt. John R. Wiens is dean emeritus at the faculty of education, University of Manitoba. A lifelong educator, he has served as a teacher, counsellor, work education co-ordinator, principal, school superintendent and university professor. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Chris Lefkow (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Wed, July 15, 2020 09:55 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406666276e 2 World US,death-penalty,lethal-injection,execution Free A former white supremacist convicted of the 1996 murders of a family of three was put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday in the first federal execution in the United States in 17 years. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, was pronounced dead at 8:07 am (1207 GMT) at Terre Haute prison in the Midwestern state of Indiana, the Justice Department said. Lee was the first of three federal inmates scheduled to die this week after President Donald Trump ordered a resumption of capital punishment at the federal level. Lee and another man, Chevie Kehoe, were convicted in Arkansas in 1999 of the murders of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her eight-year-old daughter, Sarah. According to prosecutors, the pair robbed Mueller to steal cash and guns to finance the founding of a white supremacist "Aryan Peoples Republic" in the Pacific Northwest. "After robbing and shooting them with a stun gun, Lee duct-taped plastic bags around their heads, weighed down each victim with rocks, and drowned the family," Attorney General William Barr said. "Today, Lee finally faced the justice he deserved." Lee -- who had since renounced his white supremacist beliefs, according to his lawyers -- was sentenced to death while Kehoe received life in prison. "You're killing an innocent man," the Indianapolis Star quoted Lee, who was originally from Oklahoma, as saying in his final statement. Lee's execution had been scheduled for Monday but was temporarily halted by a judge to allow for legal challenges to the drug that was to be used to put the federal inmates to death. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said the single drug, pentobarbital, may cause "extreme pain and needless suffering" -- and violate a constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, lifted the judge's order overnight, however, and cleared the way for the federal executions. 'Shameful' According to Ruth Friedman, one of Lee's lawyers, he was strapped to a gurney for four hours while the final appeals were dealt with. "It is shameful that the government saw fit to carry out this execution during a pandemic," Friedman said, and "when the judges in his case and even the family of his victims urged against it." Earlene Peterson, 81, whose daughter and granddaughter were killed, had campaigned against Lee's death sentence, saying she wanted him to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Peterson and other relatives had sought to attend Lee's execution and sought to delay it on the grounds the coronavirus crisis made it too risky for them to travel to Terre Haute. An appeals court dismissed their suit on Sunday, and it was also rejected by the Supreme Court. Two other federal executions are scheduled for this week. Wesley Ira Purkey, 68, is to be put to death on Wednesday for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. His lawyers have filed court motions seeking to prevent the execution, claiming he has dementia. "Wes Purkey is a severely brain-damaged and mentally ill man who suffers from Alzheimer's disease," said Rebecca Woodman, one of his attorneys. "He has long accepted responsibility for the crime that put him on death row, but as his dementia has progressed, he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government plans to execute him." Dustin Lee Honken, 52, is to be executed on Friday for five murders including those of two girls aged 10 and six. The death penalty was reinstated on the federal level in 1988 but had been used on only three occasions before Lee's execution, the last time in 2003. More than 1,000 US religious leaders urged Trump last week to abandon plans to resume federal executions. Trump, who faces a tough reelection battle in November, has called for stepped-up use of capital punishment, especially for drug traffickers and killers of police officers. Only a handful of US states, mainly in the conservative South, still actively carry out executions. In 2019, 22 people were put to death. Most crimes are tried under state laws, but federal courts handle some of the most serious offenses, including terror attacks, hate crimes and racketeering cases. Among the most notable recent federal executions was that of Timothy McVeigh, who was put to death by lethal injection in 2001 for the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma that killed 168 people. Reliance Industries Limited Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced a new value-engineered design for affordable 5G phones as Google purchases 7.7% stakes in the Indian tech-giant in its 43rd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. Reliance Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch and the same will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani said, adding that the company is partnering with Google to build a value-engineered Android-based smartphone Operation System. With RIL announcing an indigenous build Operating System for its 5G solutions, it would mean bad news for Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which had eyes on setting up its infrastructure in India, the worlds second-largest telecom market. Ambani said the 5G solution can be ready for field development next year. Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year, Ambani said addressing the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company virtually. Also read: iPhone 12 batteries expected to be smaller than iPhone 11 Also read: After India and US, Australia to ban TikTok over data security concerns Have sold 100 million Jio Phones till date. But there are many feature phone users waiting to upgrade to a conventional smart phone. We believe we can design an entry level 4G or even a 5G smart phone. We believe that we can design such a phone at a fraction of the current cost. Google and Jio are partnering to build a value-engineered Android based smartphone Operation System, he added. This development came just after a day of the UK banning British companies from buying Huawei-produced equipment for 5G networks from the end of the year. Ambani said that the company has fully kickstarted five accelerators of growth of digital connectivity including Mobile broadband, JioFiber, Jios enterprise broadband, broadband for SMEs, and Jios Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NBIoT). Jio Platforms, with over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding & Computer Vision, Ambani said. In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments, he added. He said that Jios global-scale 4G and the fiber network is powered by several core software technologies and components. It is this capability and know-how that positions Jio on the cutting edge of another exciting frontier 5G, Ambani added. Jio Platforms is conceived with the vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world, he said. Ambani said that using these technologies, we can create compelling solutions across multiple industry verticals like media, financial services, new commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, smart manufacturing and smart mobility. As India is standing at the doorsteps of the 5G era, we should accelerate the migration of 350 million Indians, who currently use a 2G feature phone, to an affordable smart phone, he said. Also read: JioMeet: Reliance Jios take on Zoom For all the latest Gadgets News, download NewsX App Despite Sunhouses previous M&A successes, the home appliance manufacturer had failed to evaluate its partners expertise and financial potential, Photo: Le Toan Domestic appliance manufacturer and distributor Sunhouse Group JSC was a victim of such speculation, after it was revealed that the overseas partner did either not have the money or the expertise but still conducted the merger and acquisition (M&A). The information was shared by Nguyen Xuan Phu, chairman of the Management Board of Sunhouse Group at a recent workshop themed on Vietnam welcoming foreign investment inflows and the prospects and difficulties therein. Phu said that Sunhouse decided to team up with a partner from South Korea to establish joint venture Narae Sunhouse System JSC last year. The two aimed to build a microchip manufacturing factory located at Ngoc Liep Industrial Zone in Hanois Quoc Oai district. At the time, Sunhouse expected that this tie-up would be a stepping stone for the company to meet Samsungs criteria for first-tier vendors to produce high-tech products such as microchips for smartphones, televisions, and air conditioners. Sunhouse, with a lack of experience in this particular field, decided to hold 49 per cent stake in the venture and put entire trust in the South Korean partner, Phu said. However, during the process, Sunhouse found out that its partner was not experienced in the sector either, and boasted only limited financial capability. The South Korean partner even planned to abuse Sunhouses strength, Phu said, and mobilise loans from domestic banks to develop the project. The refusal from the banks caused the project to fall to a standstill. At the time, the expenditure for machinery lines and land access cost around VND200 billion ($8.69 million). In order to salvage the situation, Sunhouse was forced to acquire stakes from the South Korean partner, Phu said. After that purchase, challenges continued to pile up when Sunhouse expressed intention to co-operate with a domestic partner to manufacture microchips for LGs mobile phones. When this partner visited the factory, he found that the capacity of all machine lines imported from the South Korean partner was so low, they couldnt possibly meet the demand on manufacturing the microchips, Phu explained. This was a really harsh lesson for Sunhouse, even though the company has had extensive experiences in M&A in the past. Sunhouse acquired Saigon Maritime JSC, a subsidiary of Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) at the end of 2011. Two years later, Phu bought over 2.6 million shares of Son Ha International JSC for VND7.7 billion ($334,782) to become a large sharehoulder in this Asia leading manufacturer of inox household and industrial products. Lurking pitfalls News of the failed M&A deal is an alarm bell for domestic enterprises when choosing foreign partners via this investment channel. The shifting wave of foreign investors opens massive opportunities for local enterprises. However, the risk is much larger if these enterprises fail to evaluate the expertise and financial potential of the investors. Approximately 70 per cent of proposals are either fake or to abuse domestic businesses, Phu insisted. According to Samuel Son Tung Vu, lawyer at consultancy firm Bae, Kim & Lee Vietnam, Vietnamese laws regulate foreign direct and indirect investment under both laws on investment and ordinance on foreign exchange, and its implementing decrees and circulars. Vu explained that, in general, it is not uncommon to see investors raise funds elsewhere to make a short-term investment. However, in order to raise funds within the territory of Vietnam itself, they are subject to requirements and regulations under the Law on Securities. Thus, it is uncommon for foreign investors to raise funds here, instead they establish a special purpose vehicle or a fund in another country where they are licensed, and use such special purpose vehicle or fund as the immediate investor in Vietnam. Besides the legal barriers, Vu added, the costs of borrowing in Vietnam are usually higher than other countries. In the speculation scheme, the creditor may face a high risk on their investment. And they should be wise when reviewing the feasibility of the investment scheme on several aspects such as what are the collaterals, what would be the expected earnings, and what would be the capacity to pay out dividend, Vu said. He further noted that under the current regulations, strategic investors into certain types of company such as credit institution and insurance companies are required to show proof of healthy financial status, including presenting the audited financial statement to the licensing authority. Unfortunately, in the case of simple manufacturing companies, there is no such requirement. In the global market, it is not uncommon to have speculators or hedgers instead of investors, but it is very difficult to make a clear legal distinction. In a typical speculation/hedge scheme, the risks are shifted to those who actual finance the scheme so they should be aware of the risks, Vu noted. Lawyer Truong Thanh Duc, chairman of BASICO law firm said that the regulatory bodies do not regulate the tie-up between sellers and buyers. In this case, Sunhouse is just unfortunate to have such a foreign partner. It is crucial that the Vietnamese firm needs to have specific terms in the contract to support themselves in case of failed M&As with foreign ones. Otherwise, they just lose the M&A game. Building barriers In the period before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the capital volume in terms of contribution and share purchase made up a massive part in the foreign direct investment capital. Specifically, in 2019, overseas investors poured $15.47 billion in M&A deals in Vietnam, up 56.4 per cent on-year and accounting for 40.7 per cent of the total registered capital. However, in the first six months of this year, foreign-invested capital via capital contribution or share purchases was $3.51 billion, only 43.2 per cent of last years figure due to pandemic impacts. Despite the decline, there is a number of M&A deals in the pipeline as many cash-starved Vietnamese companies seek funding from foreign buyers to overcome their difficulties in the midst of the pandemic. Thus, there are some proposals to halt M&A deals involving such buyers during this tough time. Commenting on the matter, Masataka Sam Yoshida, CEO and head of the Cross-border Division of Vietnam RECOF Corporation, told VIR, Once such a crisis affecting heavily the corporate performances occurs, it is a natural tendency that the government feels obliged to protect local companies against foreign ones. In every extent, this is the duty of each countrys government. On the other hand, he added, it is also true that people should examine the importance and the previous contribution of foreign investments to the countrys economy. This will depend on each country, and the government should have the capability of analysing and filtering the nature of such investments which will be divided simply into two categories those with good intentions, and those based on bad faith, he added. The former category is an investment with a purpose to realise a real and solid partnership which will bring mutual and strategic benefits so that every stakeholder can win. The latter is a solely return-oriented investment which aimed to buy cheap and sell high. Such investors, Yoshida explained, would want to enjoy todays profit for themselves and leave tomorrows loss to the counterparty. Needless to say, in a recession period, I personally see many companies going into bankruptcy. Thus, although a highly cautious inspection from the government would be essential, it would be very dangerous if government officials come to the conclusion that they have to shut the doors to all possible options, Yoshida concluded. July 15 (Reuters) - Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc said on Wednesday it intends to call a meeting of SolGold Plc's shareholders to replace the company's entire board, after it rejected the London-listed miner's takeover approaches twice. Cornerstone has an 8% stake in SolGold, making it the BHP-backed company's fourth biggest shareholder. SolGold, the copper-gold company focused on Ecuador, made an all-stock transaction offer of 11 SolGold ordinary shares for each Cornerstone share late in June, after its earlier proposal in 2019 was rejected on grounds that it undervalued the Canadian company. Mumbai, July 15 : Covid-19 continued to soar in the high ranges in Maharashtra which reported 233 new deaths on Wednesday and saw fresh cases again shoot above the 7,000-mark, even as the number of those cured in the state so far crossed 1.50 lakh, health officials said here. The number of fatalities in the state again went above the 200-mark to 233 on Wednesday. Wednesday's new cases tally of 7,975 was down from a peak of 8,139 (July 11) but increased sharply by 1,234 compared with Tuesday's 6,741 cases. With the fresh fatalities, the state's death toll went up to 10,928 while the total cases touched 275,640, both highest in the country. According to Wednesday's figures, one death was recorded roughly every 6 minutes and a staggering 332 new cases added every hour in the state. The recovery rate in the state decreased from 55.67 per cent a day earlier to 55.37 per cent on Wednesday, while the mortality rate stood at 3.96 per cent. The Health Department said that of the total cases till date, 111,801 are active cases. On the positive side, 3,606 recovered persons returned home on Wednesday, taking the total number of discharged patients to 152,613. Of Wednesday's fatalities, Mumbai alone accounted for 62 deaths, taking up the city toll from 5,405 to 5,467, and the number of corona cases increased by 1,374 to touch 96,474 on Wednesday. Besides, Thane recorded 49 new fatalities, there were 48 deaths in Pune, 14 in Jalgaon, 13 in Nashik, 10 in Solapur, six in Palghar, five each in Raigad, Kolhapur and Aurangabad, four in Latur, three each in Dhule and Jalna, two in Sangli, and one each in Satara, Ratnagiri, Nanded and Amravati. The MMR (Thane division) remains on edge as deaths spiral and cases pile up, with the current toll at 7,665 and a staggering 4,140 new patients, pushing up the number of cases to 183,900 on Wednesday. Thane's cases have touched 67,360 with 1,818 fatalities to emerge as the second worst-hit district after Mumbai in the state. Pune district has recorded 44,202 cases, and 1,200 deaths, while the the death toll in Pune division (Pune, Solapur and Satara districts) reached 1,637 with the tally crossing the 50K mark to touch 50,893 - but it still remains far behind MMR and Thane district. Nashik division has 812 fatalities and 17,534 cases, followed by Aurangabad division with 409 deaths and 10,520 cases, and Akola division with 169 fatalities and 4,088 cases. Kolhapur division has recorded 84 deaths and 3,288 cases, Latur division 91 fatalities and 2,166 cases, and Nagpur division recorded 30 deaths and 3,036 cases. Of the eight divisions in the state, only Nagpur did not notch any fatalities on Wednesday, while only Chandrapur (out of total 36) remains a zero Covid death district, though all have notched fresh cases. Meanwhile, the number of people sent to home quarantine increased to 708,373, while those in institutional quarantine went up to 43,315 on Wednesday. OPEC and its allies will restore some oil supplies next month, but the impact will be "barely felt" as demand recovers from the coronavirus crisis, said Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister. After almost three months of historic output curbs to offset the worst effects of the global pandemic, the 23-nation coalition led by Riyadh and Moscow will proceed with its plan to gradually taper the reductions. The decision was widely expected but still carries some risks for the cartel after a resurgence of the virus in the U.S., the world's largest oil consumer. Crude pared gains in New York, and was 0.5% higher at $40.47 a barrel as of 10:27 a.m. local time. "As we move to the next phase of the agreement, the extra supply resulting from the scheduled easing of production cuts will be consumed as demand continues on its recovery path," Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at the start of an OPEC+ video conference on Wednesday. "Economies around the world are opening up, although this is a cautious and gradual process. The recovery signs are unmistakable." The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will withhold 7.7 million barrels a day from the market in August, compared with cuts of 9.6 million currently. The group's two largest members, Russian and Saudi Arabia, publicly backed the move, and other ministers participating in the video conference had agreed in principle, delegates said. That supply increase will be offset somewhat by members that didn't fulfill their commitments to reduce output in May and June -- such as Iraq and Nigeria. They will make up for those shortcomings with 842,000 barrels a day of extra reductions in August and September, delegates said. On paper, full delivery of the compensation cuts could shrink the 2 million-barrel-a-day supply increase scheduled for August by almost half. However, it's unclear how much of the reparations will actually be delivered by countries that have consistently failed to fulfill their pledges. Prince Abdulaziz, who has made it his mission to end the quota cheating that has dogged OPEC+ since its inception in 2016, said these compensation cuts are a crucial principle and the group must resist the temptation to relax. OPEC+ is reviving supplies as fuel consumption picks up with the lifting of lockdowns around the world. The alliance's curbs, equivalent to almost 10% of global supply, helped more than double crude prices from the lows hit in late April, when demand plunged by more than 20 million barrels a day. The tapering of production cuts is "fully in line with the current market trends," said Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak. "Almost all of the output hikes will be consumed in domestic markets of the producing countries as the demand is recovering." Saudi Arabia's own exports won't change next month, despite the output increase, as domestic demand rises, said Prince Abdulaziz. "Nobody could really expect OPEC+ to keep the 9.7 million barrel-a-day curtailments into August," Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, senior oil markets analyst at consultant Rystad A/S, said by email. "Boosting output by 2 million barrels a day is not little, but the demand recovery, even though a little slower than expected, justifies it." Several thousand US military troops were withdrawn out of five bases in Afghanistan as Pentagon fulfilled its obligation to the peace agreement reached with the Taliban in Qatar in February even as Kabul struggled with civil unrest, political deadlock, insurgence, and violence. While President Donald Trump has been in favour of complete withdrawal of US military from Afghanistan, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie had earlier called the deal an aspirational commitment. US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said that it has been 135 days since the agreement was signed, now the US and Taliban have reached a "key milestone" in its implementation. "The US has worked hard to carry out the first phase of its commitments under the agreement, including to reduce forces and depart five bases. NATO troops have come down in proportional numbers," Khalilzad said. An estimated 8,600 troops were deployed as the remaining defense forces were pulled out from the military bases in Helmand, Uruzgan, Paktika, and Laghman provinces, in southern and eastern Afghanistan on July 14, military personnel told a state broadcaster on condition of anonymity. However, reports claim that the key military bases in Bagram, located outside Kabul, and Kandahar Air Field in southern Afghanistan remain operational. Reports suggest that by the second quarter of 2021 all foreign forces are supposed to withdraw from Afghanistan as soldiers were cut down from 100,000 in 2010 to a few thousand, and several bases were shut down. Withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan won't end the war it will just let the terrorists win Wyoming Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Liz Cheney said. The #Taliban is pretending that #AlQaeda is not operating in #Afghanistan in order to give the appearance that it is in compliance with the peace deal struck with the U.S. that assures the withdrawal of American troops from the country: https://t.co/VJhHnTSYnU FDD (@FDD) July 10, 2020 Read: Suicide Car Bombing In North Afghanistan Causes Casualties Read: Pompeo, Russia's Lavrov Discuss Afghanistan-related Issues After Bounty Report US withdrawal of military troops comes despite a surge in violence in the region, as recently, a suspected Taliban attack was carried out near the National Directorate of Security office in Samangan province that claimed at least 10 lives and left several others injured. While groups like al-Qaeda and the ISIL's Afghan affiliate have turned the region into their safe haven, the Talibans 1996-2001 stronghold was collapsed by UN-mandated coalition forces of US-led international troops. Afghanistan can plunge into total war crisis Despite flare in violence and civil turmoil, the Trump administration billed the decision as a decisive step to achieve a negotiated peace". While the Afghan government brokered the deal, it didnt partake in negotiations. Further, top US commanders are believed to have tentative White House approval to pull out of war-torn Afghanistan leaving just over 4,000 US troops by November 2020. However, as per an agency report, Pentagon officials warned that a complete withdrawal over the next five months could plunge Afghanistan into a total war crisis. Read: Afghanistan: MSF Ceases Activities In Maternity Ward In Kabul After Brutal Gun Attack Read: Countering U.S. Allegations, Russia Denies Supplying Weapons To Afghanistans Taliban (Images: AP/@Deptofdefense) The Los Angeles' elite has been left up in arms after photos emerged of the city's trendiest brunch spot storing buckets of moldy jam which workers are told to simply 'scrape off' before serving to customers and selling in $14 jars. Sqirl, the popular East Hollywood cafe famed for its Instagrammable Ricotta Toast topped with a hearty dollop of fresh jam, has been forced to go into damage control mode after allegations surfaced of unsanitary working conditions this weekend. Several former workers have broken their silence over the alleged unsavory kitchen habits going on behind the scenes of the boujee hotspot, including quarter-inch thick mold on its signature jam and a rat-infested secondary kitchen hidden away from the eyes of food inspectors. This marked a blow for owner Jessica Koslow ahead of her new book launch next week - which features the topic of jam making - who was forced to issue a statement apologizing and claiming she was acting on the advice of experts. The saga continued, however, when name-dropped expert Dr. Patrick Hickey denied ever speaking with Koslow and insisted he would not recommend such conditions. The Los Angeles' elite has been left up in arms after photos emerged of the city's trendiest brunch spot storing buckets of moldy jam (pictured) which workers are told to simply 'scrape off' before serving to customers More than a dozen current and former Sqirl employees came forward this weekend with claims of unsanitary food storage and safety practices at the restaurant, according to food blogger Joe Rosenthal, who shared grabs of his conversations in an Instagram story. A shocking photo said to depict the offending jam shows a thick layer of mold across the surface that has been partly scraped by a spatula. Several workers claimed the house jam regularly formed mold up to a quarter inch thick on its surface and they were told to scrape it off to serve on signature brunch dishes or to sell in $14 jars for customers to take home. 'The mold was a regular thing, it would just get scraped off,' one message read. Another worker described the gallon buckets full of jam as 'Petri dishes'. 'All jam sits with no lids on them so the're like Petri dishes,' they said. Sqirl (pictured), the popular East Hollywood cafe famed for its Instagrammable Ricotta Toast topped with a hearty dollop of fresh jam, has been forced to go into damage control mode after allegations surfaced of unsanitary working conditions this weekend Jessica Koslow making the cafe's signature jam above. Several former workers have broken their silence over the alleged unsavory kitchen habits going on behind the scenes of the boujee hotspot, including quarter-inch thick mold on its signature jam and a rat-infested secondary kitchen hidden away from the eyes of food inspectors The instruction for the staff and cooks to scrape off the layer of mold came directly from Koslow, some claimed. Workers blamed the mold on poor preservation methods, with some claiming it was 'cooled in tall plastic containers rather than put in shallow hotel pans that could be cooled in an ice bath' and another saying the mold could have blown in from a moldy fan in the room where the uncovered buckets of the sweet stuff are stored. Gelyn Montanino, a former pastry chef at Sqirl, told the LA Times she was 'disgusted' when she found moldy jam buckets at the restaurant when she started working there in August 2019. 'I was immediately disgusted,' she said. 'I asked about it and no one had a real reason as to why it was that way. 'Almost all the buckets would have a thick layer of mold on top with no lids or wrap. I've witnessed cooks scraping the mold off and putting the jam into their pans for the line.' Aside from the moldy jam, other complaints include Koslow allegedly closing off an 'unvented' and 'illegal' kitchen where the jam was stored to keep it secret from health inspectors. Others also claim there was a rat problem in this space. Horrified fans of the restaurant took to social media to share their disgust. 'OMG this is horrible. how could she possible condone this and think that she could get away with it, let along the public health issues. Yikes,' one person tweeted. Another added: 'man oh man. cancel culture is really hitting its stride.' More than a dozen current and former Sqirl employees came forward this weekend with claims of unsanitary food storage and safety practices at the restaurant, according to food blogger Joe Rosenthal, who shared grabs of his conversations in an Instagram story (pictured some of the posts) Koslow responded to the allegations in a statement posted on social media Sunday where she said the jams are 'more susceptible to growth of mold' than supermarket jams because they contain low sugar and no preservatives. The restaurant owner admitted this meant the vats of jam 'sometimes' developed a layer of mold and that she did instruct staff to remove it and serve the jam beneath the mold to customers. But she insisted she did this on the advice of food experts. 'We handled [it] with the guidance of preservation mentors and experts like Dr. Patrick Hickey, by discarding jam several inches below the mold, or by discarding containers altogether,' she wrote. Koslow responded to the allegations in a statement posted on social media Sunday where she said the jams are 'more susceptible to growth of mold' because they contain low sugar and no preservatives and that she was acting on expert advice Sqirl fast became one of LA's coolest restaurants when it opened in 2012. The saga continued, however, when name-dropped expert Dr. Patrick Hickey denied ever speaking with Koslow and insisted he would not recommend such conditions Koslow planned to release her second cookbook on July 21, which ironically features jam making. Pictured the jam that retails at $14 However, Hickey told The Washington Post he has never met or spoken to Koslow and would not recommend the practices she is carrying out in the commercial kitchen. 'There's a danger that the toxins could build up in that jam and diffuse down deeper,' the mycologist who studies the structures of mold growth said. Hickey also said the mold could be dangerous to workers breathing in the spores. USDA guidance says jams or jellies with mold should be discarded and recommends against scooping out mold and using the remaining condiment. Koslow said in a statement to DailyMail.com that she was 'sorry' and 'that the photo being circulated is not a container we ever served jam from'. She added: 'I know I have lost the trust of our loyal customers, partners, and jam subscribers and hope that my sincere regret and these changes demonstrate that I have learned from my mistake and are enough to earn a second chance from them.' Some retailers of the take-home jam jars are now considering pulling the products from their shelves. Diaspora Co., a spice company that has collaborated with Sqirl on a jam, has described the partnership as 'a mistake', removed the jars from its site and is offering refunds to customers. Sqirl opened in 2012 and fast became one of LA's coolest restaurants, with praise galore from food critics and publications. It regularly draws in crowds of diners for weekend brunch with long lines often seen snaking around the street waiting for a table at the coveted spot. Koslow has been nominated for a James Beard Award and planned to release her second cookbook on July 21. A massive fire erupted at a shipyard in southeastern Iran on Wednesday afternoon, setting at least seven ships ablaze, state news agencies reported. Pillars of thick smoke billowed over the Delvar Shipyard in Bushehr, the port city home to Irans only nuclear power station. A local official told the Tasnim news agency that the cause and the extent of the damage wasnt yet known. No one was injured in the fire, he said. Earlier in the day, another fire caused minor damage at the South Aluminum Corporation in Lamerd in southern Iran, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported. Both incidents come just days after six storage tanks caught on fire at an industrial complex in northeast Iran. The country has witnessed a series of unexplained explosions and fires since late June, with many Iran watchers pointing a finger at Israel and the United States. The suspicious blasts include a huge explosion at the Parchin military complex in eastern Tehran on June 25 and another days later at a private medical clinic that left 19 people dead. Iranian officials also confirmed an incident occurred on July 2 at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of the capital. Two intelligence officials told The New York Times that production at the complex, left in charred ruins from the fire, could take up to two years to return to its previous capacity. During his weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said that Iran will respond firmly to those involved in the Natanz fire. File photo of a moving truck sitting in front of Eliot House on the campus of Harvard University on March 12, 2020 in Cambridge, Mass. The Trump administrations revocation of the online classes-only rule for foreign students brings relief to thousands of foreign students who had been at risk of being deported from the country, along with hundreds of universities that were scrambling to reassess their plans for the fall in light of the policy. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) ABS-CBN news chief Ging Reyes is seen in a TV screen, speaking in a news show, following the Philippine congress' vote against the broadcast network's franchise renewal, in ABS-CBN headquarters, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez By Ian Sayson A government-engineered shutdown of one of the largest Philippine media companies has boosted a rivals stock while sending a shock wave through shares of related companies. GMA Network Inc. jumped as much as 41% in Manila trading, to the highest since 2014, on bets it will become the nations dominant television and radio network after lawmakers denied renewal of ABS-CBN Corp.s franchise. Shares of Lopez Holdings Inc., owned by the same family that controls ABS-CBN, sank as much as 7.9%, amid speculation that the debacle exposes affiliated businesses to risk. Investors are hedging against potential fallout of ABS-CBNs franchise rejection on the other Lopez companies, said Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc. With ABS-CBN down and out, GMA will finally become the top network. A House of Representatives panel rejected renewal of ABS-CBNs 25-year franchise on allegations of violations of a ban on foreign ownership of mass media and labor laws, tax evasion and biased reporting. Some have alleged that the Lopez family used the broadcaster to advance its commercial and political interests. ABS-CBN has denied the allegations, and critics of President Rodrigo Duterte say the governments move is intended to muzzle the media. GMA Network has seen its market cap expand about 37% to 22.3 billion pesos ($410 million) since its rivals franchise expired on May 4. ABS-CBN, whose shares were suspended Monday, has shrunk 13% to 12.7 billion pesos since it was forced off the air. ABS-CBN has annual revenue of around 40 billion pesos compared with 16 billion pesos for GMA. (Source: Bloomberg) The Lopez familys flagship holding company wasnt the only stock to suffer Monday. First Philippine Holdings Corp., which houses the familys power and infrastructure assets, fell as much as 4% while shares of its First Gen Corp. tumbled 6%. The Lopezes set up Chronicle Broadcasting Network in 1956 and later acquired Alto Broadcasting System, which introduced television to the Philippines in 1953. GMA Network started broadcasting radio in 1950 and TV in 1961. The nations other major broadcasters include privately owned Associated Broadcasting Co. and government-controlled networks Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp., Peoples Television Network and Radio Philippines Network. Story continues While the market looks to price in GMA Networks apparent rise to the top, some observers say its shares may have appreciated too much as traditional broadcasting battles newer competition from online media amid growing Internet access in the Philippines. Investors have bought up GMA Network because without ABS-CBN it is now left without a competitor, said Manny Cruz, a strategist at Papa Securities Corp. GMA Network could become a virtual monopoly and will likely get the ads that would have gone to ABS-CBN. But this will not reverse the trend that traditional broadcasting business is getting outdated and will be replaced by online and digital. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Vic-Linked NSW Pub Virus Cluster Hits 34 A COVID-19 cluster from a southwest Sydney pub continues to grow, with its patient zero identified as a Melbourne man who attended a party at the venue. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant on July 15 said there are now 34 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, at least 20 of them patrons. The state reported 13 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, with only three of them unconnected to the hotel. Two of the 10 hotel-connected cases attended the Planet Fitness gym nearby, meaning three gym-goers since July 4 have come down with the virus. Two of the 34 cases to date are tertiary cases, or contacts of contacts. This highlights the rapidity with which COVID can spread and the importance of us identifying these cases very quickly, Chant told reporters. Its very important we dont lose sight that COVID couldve been introduced in any other part of Sydney this is a stealthy virus. NSW Health also confirmed the patient zero of the outbreak was a Melbourne freight company employee who attended the Crossroads Hotel on July 3 for a work party. Six of his colleagues have since caught COVID-19. The man entered NSW on June 30, before its border with Victoria closed. Victoria recorded 238 new cases on Wednesday. Both Barilaro and Premier Gladys Berejiklian have this week said localised or statewide lockdowns were undesirable and options of last resort in NSW. Angelo Risso in Sydney UPDATE: State Highway 36 is now opened following a serious two-vehicle crash in the Pyes Pa area. NZTA says the highway had been closed between Pyes Pa Road and Oropi Road. "Caution is advise along this route." Police are reporting that one person is in serious condition. The serious crash unit has been called into help investigate the cause of the crash. UPDATE 6:55AM #SH36 has REOPENED to stop/go traffic management. Pass the scene with care and be prepared for some delays through the area. ^MF https://t.co/129NdCH5UY Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) July 15, 2020 EARLIER: One person is in critical condition following a serious crash on State Highway 36. Emergency services are attending a two-vehicle crash in Pyes Pa. "The road is blocked for all traffic travelling both from the north and south," says a police spokesperson. "North bound traffic will be diverted from SH36 onto Oropi Gorge Road with HMV diverted down Te Matai Road towards Te Puke Highway. "South bound traffic on SH 36 will be diverted at the Kennedy Road round a bout back onto SH 29a. "Traffic Management crews are in attendance and motorist are asked to avoid the area or delay travel if possible." The Police serious crash unit is in attendance. The disconnect between the future that markets are pricing into stocks and the Trump administration is touting, and whats actually happening in the worlds biggest economy is going to either close or get bigger over the next two weeks. As the US moves further into its quarterly reporting season, there are already signs that the view from the coalface of the economy is quite different, and more pessimistic, than the optimism about a "V-shaped" recovery that the White House says is underway and which investors have effectively priced into the sharemarket. "This is not a normal recession," warned JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon. Credit:Bloomberg The first big US banks reported their results on Tuesday. Between them, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Citigroup added almost $US28 billion ($40 billion) to their provisions for potential losses on loans, swelling them to $US83 billion. The new provisions were, in aggregate, the largest the three banks have added since the final quarter of 2008, in the worst moments of the global financial crisis. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 03:47:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DUBLIN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Ireland imported a total of 582 million euros (about 665 million U.S. dollars) worth of goods from China in May, up by 44.05 percent when compared with the same month of last year, according to figures released by the country's national statistics bureau CSO on Wednesday. In May, Ireland's total goods exports to China were valued at 882 million euros, slightly down by 2.32 percent over a year ago. In the January-May period of this year, Ireland's total imports from China increased by 6.5 percent year-on-year to 2.246 billion euros while its total exports to China went up by nearly 26 percent over a year ago to 4.337 billion euros. China is now Ireland's largest trade partner in Asia, with the value of goods traded between the two countries in the first five months of this year almost three times larger than the combined value of goods traded between Japan, India and Ireland, the CSO figures showed. The combined value of goods traded between Japan, India and Ireland stood at 2.225 billion euros in the first five months of this year, according to the CSO. The CSO figures also showed that outside Europe, China is the second largest market for both Irish imported and exported goods, only after the United States. (1 euro = 1.142 U.S. dollars) Enditem By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's soybean production is set to jump by at least 15% in 2020 from a year earlier as farmers are increasing the oilseed's acreage due to timely arrival of monsoon rains and as New Delhi raised the minimum buying price. Increased production of India's main summer-sown oilseed could help the world's biggest vegetable oil importer trim costly purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil from Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina and Ukraine. It could also revive Indian exports of animal feed ingredient soymeal to places such as Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam and Iran. "Farmers are expanding area. If monsoon remains good, I am expecting at least 15% rise in the output," said Angshu Mallick, deputy chief executive of Adani Wilmar, a leading edible oil refiner. Farmers have planted soybean on 10.15 million hectares as on July 10, compared with 5.17 million hectares a year earlier as the monsoon covered the entire country nearly two weeks earlier than usual, according to the farm ministry. India produced 9.3 million tonnes of soybean in 2019. The central state of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the west account for more than 80% of India's total soybean output. Both states received 15% above average rainfall since the start of monsoon season on June 1, weather department data showed. India raised the minimum buying price for soybean by 4.6% from a year earlier to 3,880 rupees per 100 kg, even as prices came under pressure in the last few months due to weak demand for soymeal from poultry industry. The bumper crop would put additional pressure on local soybean prices as the country is expected to start the new marketing year with carry forward stocks of 1.28 million tonnes, up from 170,000 tonnes a year ago, said Davish Jain, chairman of the Soybean Processors Association of India. "Local demand is weak and soymeal exports are not picking up. The government needs to restore 10% incentive for soymeal exports to support soybean prices," Jain said. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) James Casey, 20 (pictured) was caught by officers five times in five hours for breaching stay at home directives in Mildura on April 19 A man told police he was exercising with a case of alcohol under his arm after being caught roaming the streets during the coronavirus lockdown. James Casey was caught by officers five times in five hours for breaching stay at home directives in Mildura in north-west Victoria on April 19. The 20-year-old was one of the first people charged with breaching Public Health orders in Australia since laws were changed during the pandemic. He walked away from Mildura Magistrates Court on Wednesday with a $400 fine and no conviction to his name. The court heard police first encountered Casey just before 1am, walking home from his friend's house where he had been celebrating his 20th birthday, reported the Herald Sun. After initially joking he had been exercising he told police where he had been and was ordered to move along. But three hours later at around 4am he was found walking along Eighth Street and Deakin Avenue. After another warning he disappeared before emerging inside the Mildura police station where he asked police for directions to the supermarket, reported ABC news. Once again he claimed he was 'going for a jog' when asked by officers why he was outside. They told him to go home and he was spotted on the streets once more within the hour. This time he fled inside the grounds of the Chaffey Secondary College with his open can of Canadian Club after he realised he had been caught. Officers tracked him down and drove him home themselves, frustrated after being told once again he was out 'exercising'. He even told police he was drinking the cans of alcohol to stay hydrated. They fined him $1652. He has been fined $400 after pleading guilty to failing to comply with directions from the Victorian Chief Health officer But he ripped it up and sauntered into his home. An hour later he was back on the streets with another can of Canadian Club. Police arrested Casey and charged him with breaching the public health act. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to failing to comply with directions from the Victorian Chief Health officer. Magistrate Michael Coghlan described his offending as 'foolish' but didn't record a conviction of his lack of criminal history. His initial fine was thrown out but he was ordered to pay a $400 fine for the breach. He was placed on a six-month good behaviour bond. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) has awarded emergency grants totalling nearly $150,000 to six wildlife organisations in Southern Africa following severe budget shortfalls as a result of the loss of tourism income in the region. Critical activities Monthly grants Mkhaya Game Reserve, managed by Big Game Parks, in Eswatini received $25,000 to fill gaps in salary funding for reserve staff for the next six months. Chishakwe on behalf of four ranches of the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe received $25,000 to fund equipment and consumables to enable ongoing patrolling, particularly to respond to a spike in nighttime incursions. Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa received $25,000 to dehorn 30 animals to reduce poaching incentive, as well as funding for salary and fuel allowance gaps for three key conservation staff. Kwandwe Joint Rhino Protection Unit of the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa received $25,000 to support continued interventions against poaching networks targeting the Eastern Cape through proactive risk management work, and equipment. Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth, South Africa received $24,864 for equipment, supplies, and standby pay for enforcement personnel. The two species of African rhinos and other wildlife that reside in game reserves are dependent on protection and monitoring personnel for their continued safety. With travel halted and emergency shutdowns enacted to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, reserves are struggling to keep team members employed and have been forced to ask staff to work for reduced pay. Reduced income also means that health and safety equipment protecting against the virus are often not available to staff.Its critical that monitoring, protection, and intelligence activities continue uninterrupted to ensure the safety of rhinos in Southern Africa, said Nina Fascione, IRFs executive director. IRF recognised the economic crisis would impact our partners ability to maintain operations and acted quickly to raise funds for emergency support.The Reserve Relief Fund was established in May with $200,000 coming from long time IRF supporters and new donors as well. IRF moved its annual Cinco de Rhino, a party for a purpose fundraiser, online this year. The one-day event raised more than $30,000 for the Reserve Relief Fund, from virtual happy hours and additional individual donations.Team Rhino turned out in a big way, recognising the critical importance and timing to help offset the loss of tourism income, which has had dire consequences on the economy and businesses which provide the bulk of funding for local communities and wildlife protection, says Fascione.The fund is making grants on a rolling monthly basis to organisations to help pay staff salaries, purchase health and safety equipment, and keep rhino protection units in the field where they are needed.The first grants from the fund were made to six organisations:In addition, support was provided for the security network in Zimbabwes Lowveld region that involves private rhino custodians working together across that landscape, in liaison with law-enforcement officials, to tackle rhino poaching.IRF plans to continue to review applications and award available funding on a monthly basis for as long as funding allows. Poaching incursions, far fewer over the lockdown period, are feared to increase as Covid-related travel restrictions are lifted.The demand for rhino horn in illegal markets is always a threat to wild rhinos and maintaining protection and monitoring activities is essential for their survival, said Fascione. IRF will continue to seek additional funding to respond to the changing emergency needs in Africa in these uncertain times. Villagers and police fight with each other in Xihongmen town in Beijing, China, on July 13, 2020. (video screenshot) Chinese Residents Disagree With Authorities CCP Virus Prevention Measures, Engage in Scuffle With Police Residents in Xihongmen town, in the suburbs of Beijing, recently fought with police about having to pay for new entry passes to their villagewhich is part of a new system to monitor peoples movements in an effort to prevent the spread of the CCP virus. Several villagers were detained, and at least one police officer was injured. Some shared videos of the scuffle on social media, which spread widely after they were re-posted on Twitter and Facebook, platforms that are banned in China. Chinese media didnt report on the incident, and local authorities didnt release a statement. The Chinese regime wont report about this because the local government is using the outbreak to collect money from people, and that is something embarrassing for the regime, said U.S.-based China affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan in an interview. Entry Passes A recent notification issued by the Chinese Communist Party commission in Xihongmen town on July 9 began spreading widely on social media this week. Xihongmen town has changed its entry pass. Everybody has to use the new entry pass to enter and leave the village Anyone who doesnt apply for the pass will be treated as giving up his/her right to live in our village, the notice read. Anyone who passes the checkpoint without the new pass is violating the law, and will be held liable. The notice said the new entry pass costs 30 yuan ($4.29). If it is lost or damaged, the replacement costs 100 yuan ($14.30). All residents had to apply for the pass between July 10 and 13. The first village party commission in Xihongmen town notices villagers buying new entry passes in Beijing on July 9, 2020. (Screenshot) Xihongmen town is close to the Xinfadi market, which Beijing authorities say is ground zero of the recent virus resurgence in the nations capital. The Xihongmen Party commission said the new pass was needed because there was a change in the authorities assessment of the risk of virus spread within the town. On June 19, Xihongmen town was upgraded to be a high-risk region for the spread of the CCP virus. At the time, villagers in the town were asked to buy an entry pass to enter or leave their village. On July 5, Xihongmen town was downgraded to be a medium-risk region. But the passes dont contain information that reflects the change in risk. According to the Daxing district government, Xihongmen town has 27 villages and more than 139,500 residents. Eighty percent are migrant workers, while 20 percent are people who have lived there for generations. Scuffle Videos show a large group of residents crowding near a checkpoint in front of Xihongmen town on July 13. They say they dont want to apply for new passes, and they ask authorities if they can use the same ones they had bought in June. Soon after, a group of police officers arrive at the scene and stand face-to-face with the villagers. Some younger villagers try to pass the checkpoint without new entry passes, but are stopped by the police. At that point, both parties start to fight with each other. As seen in the videos, some villagers were eventually subdued. Several were crying for help, while others were shouting: They ask us for 30 yuan to enter the village! One video shows a police officer lying on the ground after brawling with a villager, while several other officers try to wake him. Radio Free Asia quoted Xihongmen residents on July 14 who said that some COVID-19 patients can receive an entry pass if they pay cash bribes to local officials. The Epoch Times couldnt independently verify the allegation. It would be interesting to check in Peters now, in the wake of the seismic outrage and protests over George Floyds death. Actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who were married at Boone Hall in 2012, issued an apology in June along with a $200,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. The couple stated: Were ashamed that in the past weve allowed ourselves to be uninformed about how deeply rooted systemic racism is. We want to educate ourselves about other peoples experiences and talk to our kids about everything, all of it especially our own complicity. The rules could have led to a huge loss in international students, a valuable source of income for schools and skilled workers for American businesses, particularly tech companies. The Times notes that the one million foreign students who enroll at U.S. schools each year contribute $41 billion to the economy and support more than 458,000 jobs. Universities sued to challenge the policy, led by Harvard and M.I.T., which argued that it was an effort to force schools to reopen. The pressure grew when tech giants like Facebook and Google joined in. Then, 15 Republican lawmakers urged the White House to reverse course. But damage has been done, The Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell argues. Other immigration hurdles including delays in visa processing and travel bans will most likely contribute to a huge drop in international student enrollment this fall. (How steep? Between 63 percent and 98 percent, according to a new analysis.) Heres what else is happening Modernas Covid-19 vaccine showed promise in a clinical trial. The vaccine, the first to be tested on humans, provoked a notable immune response and appeared safe for the first 45 people to receive it, researchers wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine. It is to move to Phase 3 trials this month. President Trump signed a Hong Kong sanctions bill. The new law gives him additional power to punish Chinese officials over a security act that gives Beijing more control over the territory. (Separately, The Times said it would move part of its Hong Kong news operation to Seoul, South Korea, because of concerns over the law.) A federal judge scuttled Harvey Weinsteins civil settlement. Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York picked apart the $25 million proposal, questioning its overall fairness and suggesting that the agreement was misconceived. Delta said its comeback had stalled. The U.S. airline reported a $5.7 billion loss for its latest quarter and said it would scale back its flight schedule. WATERLOO REGION The fact that chiefs of police are pushing for decriminalizing personal possession of illicit drugs has Alice Maguire excited and hopeful. The clinical supervisor and public educator at Sanguen Health Centre said those working in harm reduction have always known drug use isnt a criminal matter or a moral issue: Its a public health issue. She believes decriminalization will have a significant impact on reducing overdose numbers and help decrease the stigma people face around using substances. Since 2016, the number of reported overdoses in Waterloo Region has been steadily on the rise. But this year in April, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, the monthly numbers reported by the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy showed a reduction in overdose calls over the year before. May and June followed this trend. In June, police and paramedics responded to 82 overdose calls in the region, eight of which were fatal. Police say this number is lower than last years call record of 102, but the number of recorded deaths for the month are higher. In fact, this year the region is on track to see the highest number of overdose-related deaths. In the first half of the year, preliminary numbers from police show there have been 46 suspected overdose-related deaths. Last year, overdose deaths totalled 63, and the year before, 61. The highest number seen in the region was in 2017, with 86 reported deaths from overdose. Last week Ontario Provincial Police raised concern over recent opioid-related deaths in the West region. In 2019, the force attended 37 suspected fatal opioid overdoses. Up until May of this year, there have been 13 overdose deaths. Maguire, who works at the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site, said its difficult to understand exactly why more people are reportedly dying from overdose, but the pandemic is undoubtedly playing a role. As supportive services shifted away from downtown Kitchener due to COVID-19, people have had less access to supports. She said the CTS site opened in October and has stayed open throughout the pandemic but the number of injection booths has been reduced to one due to distancing measures. The pandemic has encouraged people to isolate themselves, leading to more people using drugs alone, she said. Harm reduction workers have also seen change in the drug supply where opioids are being mixed with sedatives. Rob Crossan, Waterloo Paramedic Services deputy chief, said its depressing to see the number of overdose calls remain high, year over year. He said it seems like the pandemic has brought more attention to social issues like homelessness with the construction of Lot42, and food insecurity, but there hasnt been a noticeable change reflected in the number of people overdosing. Addiction issues, just like heart disease and cancer, continue to rage on in the background while COVID-19 stays top of mind for most people, he said. The fact that COVIDs here hasnt decreased any of that stuff. Waterloo Regional Police Insp. Brenna Bonn, said the decrease in non-fatal overdose calls this year may be small, but its still moving in the right direction. Of the eight deaths recorded in June, six occurred in Kitchener, she said. The other two were split between Waterloo and Cambridge. The numbers arent always clear, because suspected overdose cases can take up to a year to be confirmed by the provincial coroners office. Bonn said police work closely with local agencies in response to the opioid crisis, but are focused mainly on catching mid- to high-level traffickers. With the drug supply constantly changing and the CTS site running at half-capacity, its difficult to warn people when something particularly dangerous comes on the market. In early May, the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy reported 17 overdoses including a death due a new drug hitting the street. Maguire said the site currently gets information on the potency and effects of new street drugs through word of mouth. But hearing the blue stuff is strong or the green stuff is cut with this, is difficult to rely on to help keep people safe. We need access to a drug testing machine that would allow us to know exactly whats in the supply, she said. STATEMENT OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON PLANNED HOUSE TO HOUSE VISIT OF SECURITY FORCES IN SEARCH OF COVID-19 PATIENTS Parang tokhang pero pang-COVID. This may actually discourage more people from reporting their status. We need to improve home- & community-based healthcare. Imbes na pulis, mas kinakailangan ang mga doktor at health workers sa barangay at mga kabahayan. We need more and better barangay-based healthcare, not this. Officials inspect the site of a roadside bomb attack that injured 10 people in Bang Maruad Village in Pattanis Pana-re district, July 15, 2020. Four civilians were among 10 people injured in a bombing in Pattani province Wednesday, a day after a soldier died in a similar blast that targeted troops in Thailands insurgency-hit Deep South, authorities said. The bombings were the first to strike the southern border region on back-to-back days since before Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire in early April amid the coronavirus outbreak, although deadly shootings linked to the insurgents have occurred since then. Wednesdays attack occurred at 5:30 p.m. when a patrol squad assigned to the 42nd Ranger Task Force arrived at Bang Maruad village, said Police Col. Lieb Promchan, chief of the station in Pana-re district. From our investigation, the squad was patrolling the areas to keep the peace when the bomb was set off, Lieb told reporters. [We] believe insurgents were responsible for the attack, aimed at stirring up the otherwise calm situation. Lieb said six soldiers and a family of four, including two children, were injured. Other officials said the family members suffered minor bruises. On Tuesday, a blast in nearby Mae Lan district killed one of six soldiers on patrol, according to officials who said it was the first fatal bombing since a COVID-19-related ceasefire began in the Deep South on April 3. An analyst with a regional think-tank alleged that members of BRN, the border regions most powerful insurgent group, carried out the attacks to make their presence known. BRN began direct negotiations for peace with a government team earlier this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to a pause. Meanwhile, Col. Watcharagorn On-ngern, deputy spokesman for the militarys regional command (ISOC-4), told reporters that two of the soldiers struck by shrapnel on Wednesday were in serious condition at Pattani Hospital. From the inspection of the site, we found the traces of IED buried next to a cement column on Route 4157 in Bang Maruad village, which injured the servicemen on motorcycles, Watcharagorn said of the Wednesday blast. Cpl. Supoj Charoensuk, 37, was hit with shrapnel in his face and left side of his head, while Ranger Suchart Koblam was struck in his face, left shoulder and left leg, he said. On Tuesday, the first bombing killed one soldier, Mujalin Srikaew, in Mae Lan, another district in Pattani, according to officials. Authorities said suspected insurgents used a remotely detonated homemade bomb to attack the soldiers patrolling in the district, but that the other soldiers were not injured. Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of the NGO Deep South Watch, blamed BRN for the attacks. The attack could happen at any time in the region, depending on good timing. I believe the BRN still wants to mount attacks in order to show that they exist, he told BenarNews. Despite this, Srisompob expected BRN to work with government negotiators to bring peace to the region. In the next couple of years, I believe they will try to solve the issue by peaceful means, he said. The governments chief negotiator, Gen. Wanlop Rugsanaoh, previously said he anticipated meeting with the BRN team next month in Kuala Lumpur if travel restrictions with Malaysia were lifted. A Malaysian government representative has served as a facilitator for talks involving BRN and previous ones involving MARA Patani, a panel grouping together different rebel organizations and factions in the Deep South. In the months since the BRN-declared ceasefire, at least 17 people including five insurgents were killed and 49 injured in incidents of violence, according to police and military reports compiled by BenarNews. In 2004, Malay-speaking rebels in the Muslim-majority provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts in Songkhla province reignited an insurgency against Thai security forces and soft targets over their demand for an independent state. More than 7,000 people have been killed since then, according to Deep South Watch. A one-story midcentury-modern-style house that fans of The Golden Girls will recognize as the place where Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia lived on the hit 1980s sitcom has recently come to market for $2.999 million. The property is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles (not in Miami, where the series takes place), and was used for exterior shots of their home all throughout the first season. In subsequent seasons, producers had an exact replica of the house built at Disneys Hollywood Studios. According to the Wall Street Journal, the propertys real-life owners were a lawyer named David Noble Barry III and his wife, Margaret Carr Barry. The couple built the house in 1955 and lived there until they passed in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Their son, James C. Barry, told the publication that his parents were paid a modest fee to allow their home to appear on the show. Both David and Margaret were architecture and design enthusiasts, he said, so they took great pleasure in having their house featured in that way. Ironically, though, the pair didnt care much for sitcoms, and so didnt really watch the series. Photo: Brandon Valente, Brandon V Photography / Courtesy of Rachelle Rosten, Douglas Elliman See the video. The house comprises four bedrooms and four bathrooms and measure 2,901 square feet, with lots of exotic plants framing the exteriora big reason why television location scouts picked the home for the Miami-based series, Barry told the WSJ. And though the interiors were never used in filming, they are quite unique and stylish. Many period details remain, perhaps most notably the tricolor kitchen, which features bright walls and cabinetry painted shades of turquoise, avocado, and yellow. Photo: Brandon Valente, Brandon V Photography / Courtesy of Rachelle Rosten, Douglas Elliman There are also many Japanese-influenced structures and aesthetics, including a Japanese engawa, or narrow wraparound porch, which surrounds the home and expands into a veranda in front of the living room. A second, rear living room boasts lofted wood-beam ceilings and glass doors that slide open completely to flow out onto a covered dining area with two large skylights. Many of the rooms are separated by delicate sliding shoji rice paper screen doors. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Digital payments company MobiKwik on Wednesday said its net revenue has surged 134 percent to Rs 379 crore in FY20, and exuded confidence of hitting profitability this fiscal. MobiKwik, which competes against companies like Paytm and Flipkart-owned PhonePe, had clocked a net revenue (primarily income from transactions and income share from financial products) of Rs 162 crore in FY19. "This is the third consecutive year where we have demonstrated higher than 100 percent growth. Our cash loss has reduced 91 percent, last year on a revenue of Rs 162 crore, we had lost in cash Rs 98 crore, versus this year's revenue of Rs 379 crore, we have lost only Rs 9 crore in cash," MobiKwik co-founder and COO Upasana Taku told PTI. She added that the actual loss is Rs 45 crore but much of that was paid in stocks, and therefore the cash burnt was Rs 9 crore. Taku said the company is focussing on a profitable growth strategy and has executed on it in the right manner that has helped drive 159 percent rise in consumer payments (wallet) net revenue to Rs 230 crore and a 216 percent jump in fintech net revenue to Rs 91 crore. She explained that MobiKwik's wallets business - which has 120 million users - had recorded net revenue of Rs 89 crore in the previous fiscal. User incentives in FY20 grew only 30 percent, indicating that cost of acquiring and retaining users was low and the company is generating higher spends per user, she added. MobiKwik's merchant-facing payment gateway business (via its subsidiary Zaakpay) registered net revenue of Rs 190 crore in FY20, compared to Rs 101 crore in FY19 on a standalone basis. MobiKwik, which has about 325 employees, operates in three segments -- consumer payments, fintech (includes credit, mutual funds, etc), and payment gateway. In FY20, consumer payments accounted for 63 percent of the net revenue, followed by fintech (25 percent) and payment gateway (13 percent). "March 2020 was a stellar month for us, our lifetime best month and we clocked a revenue of Rs 38 crore but we lost only Rs 8 lakh. So, we were set on an amazing peak and had COVID not happened, we would have already done the same or higher run rate," she said. MobiKwik expects recovery across segments by early September and is confident of showing growth and hitting profits in FY21, Taku noted. Founded in 2009 by Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, MobiKwik has raised over USD 100 million in funding from investors like Sequoia Capital, Bajaj Finance, American Express and Net1. "We are the only independent, large digital payments platform in India that is neither owned nor controlled by a large foreign company...teams (founders and employees own 45 percent stake. It is a big achievement just to compete in this hyper-competitive market against players with deep pockets," Taku said. She emphasised that MobiKwik is focussed on building out the company and delivering value to shareholders. "On the back of Rs 26 crores raised in early 2019, we have delivered Rs 203 crore in incremental net revenue in FY2020, which is a capital efficiency of 8x," Taku said. Boston police have identified two victims of separate fatal shootings incidents one in Mattapan, the other in Roxbury that took place early Sunday. Boston said 49-year-old James Hendrick, of Hyde Park, was killed after he was shot in the area of 18 Adams Street in Roxbury. Officers had received a call about a person shot at roughly 12:49 a.m. on Sunday. Hendrick was pronounced dead at the scene. Separately, roughly an hour later, officers responded to another call about a person shot in the area of 25 Regis Road in Mattapan. When police arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital and pronounced deceased there. Police have since identified the man as 35-year-old Dwight Stamp, of Quincy. Both shooting deaths are still under investigation. The Boston Police Department is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding both incidents and is asking anyone with information to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at (617) 343-4470. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. J ulian Lewis MP has had the Tory whip removed after beating Chris Grayling to become chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee. Dr Lewis will no longer sit as a Conservative in in the Commons after he defied Boris Johnson by running against Number 10's nominee for role. The Prime Minister was widely believed to want the former transport secretary to take over the top job at the watchdog which oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. A senior Government source said the action had been taken against Dr Lewis for working with Labour and other opposition MPs for his own advantage. With the Conservatives enjoying a majority holding five out of nine places on the committee there had been concern at Westminster that the Tory members would be whipped to support Mr Grayling despite concerns about his expertise. Former national security adviser Lord Ricketts warned that Mr Grayling who earned the nickname Failing Grayling during a chequered ministerial career did not match up to the authority and reputation of former chairs. However, former defence select committee chairman Dr Lewis nominated himself for the role at the last minute, securing the remaining votes from Labour and the Scottish National Party. Opposition MPs were among the first to react to news of his sudden sacking on social media. Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted: Julian Lewis MP has the Tory Whip removed after being elected as Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Select Committee, after beating hapless Chris Grayling. "I wonder who in No10 ordered that the long serving Tory MP had the whip removed? What a grubby shower they are! Labour former frontbencher Chris Bryant said: Its a momentous failure of intelligence when a PM takes months to handpick Intelligence and Security Committee members so as to deliver the Chair he wants and they refuse to do his bidding. To then chuck the new chairman out of the party is to lose control/the plot. And SNP defence spokesman Stewart McDonald MP said: This is another total shambles from the Tory government, which has failed to put in place a functioning Intelligence and Security Committee for more than six months since the election. With his abysmal record of failure as a Tory minister, Chris Grayling is the only man who could lose a rigged election but it is right the committee has elected a chair and it should now get on with the crucial job of ensuring scrutiny and oversight of security matters, after months of delay. Following Dr Lewis's success, Lord Ricketts said the body was now in the hands of someone with much wider experience of defence and security. As well as Mr Grayling and Dr Lewis, the members of the ISC are Tory MPs Theresa Villiers, Sir John Hayes and Mark Pritchard, Labour MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Kevan Jones, the Labour peer Admiral Lord West and the SNP MP Stewart Hosie. A committee source noted: This was a secret ballot but clearly for him (Mr Grayling) to lose, some Tories decided not to vote for him. The Prime Minister has faced criticism over the delay in appointing the committee which has not met since the last parliament was dissolved in November last year. The committee has yet to publish its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics after Mr Johnson refused to clear it for release before last years general election. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said Mr Johnson had appointed yes men to the ISC but true to form, however, failing Grayling has been undone in his bid to be chair. I hope we now have a committee with real teeth that can hold this Government to account, he added. That starts by publishing the report into Russian interference of our democracy before the summer recess so MPs can scrutinise it fully. Ten more people have died as a result of COVID-19 complications in Nigeria, pushing the total death tally to 754 in a country of over 200 million. The countrys infectious disease outfit, NCDC, reported 463 confirmed infections on Tuesday being the first time in the last four days that infections fell below 500 in Africas most population. The new figure shows a significant decrease from the 595 infections found on Monday. So far, 33,616 cases have been confirmed while 13,792 people have recovered. The NCDC in a tweet said the new cases were reported in 17 states including Lagos-128, Kwara-92, Enugu-39, Delta-33, Edo-29, Plateau-28, Kaduna-23, Oyo-15, Ogun-14, Osun-14, FCT-12, Ondo-9, Rivers-9, Abia-8, Bayelsa-5, Ekiti-3, Borno-2. All 36 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. Nigeria is the West African nation most impacted by the coronavirus. As authorities struggle to tackle the outbreak, health experts fear the contagion may overwhelm the countrys health system especially because of disagreements between health workers in the frontline and the government. Doctors in Lagos, the epicentre of the disease, had started a strike over unpaid salaries and allowances. The government eased virus restrictions on June 30 by permitting inter-state travel. Domestic flights resumed a week later. The current nationwide curfew, 10 p.m. 4 a.m., and restrictions on mass gatherings and sporting activities, however, still remain in effect. The use of masks in public spaces is also mandatory. The government is still reviewing plans on how to resume schools. (AFR) Chinese power generators are paying 60% more to buy coal from Chinese mines rather than from exporters such as Australia, highlighting how protectionism and geopolitical tensions are adding to the pain being felt across the Australian coal sector. Thermal coal prices have more than halved over the past two years and Whitehaven Coal said on Tuesday that the murky outlook would prevent it from starting construction on new mines this year, even though industry downturns are typically the cheapest times to build new mines. Whitehaven managing director Paul Flynn said the pain was particularly acute among those producing the type of coal Australia has traditionally sold to China, coal with energy content of 5,500 kilocalories per kilogram. That type of coal is selling inside China for about $30 per ton more than it costs to mine and ship the same type of coal from New South Wales to China. Despite the extra cost, Chinese generators continue to prefer Chinese coal to that produced in Australia. Wood Mackenzies Asia Pacific head of coal, Rory Simington, said the prime motivation behind Chinas domestic focus was to support its own coal companies and the workers they employed. But in a reference to diplomatic tensions between China and Australia, he said political factors had also worked against Australian coal, with Chinese buyers preferring Russian and Indonesian product when they did buy imported coal. Whitehaven is not a big player in the market for 5500 coal, but the prices it receives for its higher-quality coal are affected by fluctuations in the 5500 market, and Flynn suggested geopolitics could be at play. You can see the China price is actually quite high, so there is an obvious temptation to dip into the seaborne market and start pulling some coal out there, which would be an obvious motivation for them but for the geopolitical type machinations that I wont even try to go into, he said. S&P Global Platts analyst Deepak Kannan said weaker than expected production by Chinese hydroelectric generators was also stoking demand for coal inside China, and that demand had combined with coal import limits to create the rally in coal prices inside China. Shares in Whitehaven rose by 4% on Tuesday after the miner revealed it had beaten analysts forecasts for both production volumes and received prices over the past three months. Record production volumes over the past three months gave Whitehaven some consolation after a disrupted year in which production slumped to a four-year low and coal sales slumped to a five-year low. The company also built up its coal stockpiles over the past three months, suggesting coal sales could be stronger than normal in coming months. Whitehavens flagship product is thermal coal with energy content above 6,000 kilocalories per kilogram, and benchmark prices for that product slumped by 13% to average $55 per tonne in the three months to June 30. But Whitehaven received 7% better than that average price as customers paid a premium for the high-quality product that comes out of Whitehavens Maules Creek and Narrabri mines in New South Wales. This story was originally published by the Australian Financial Review Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com) A younger brother of one of the country's most infamous gangland killers was one of four north inner city criminals involved in an attack against seven innocent people which left one man with severe brain injuries. Leroy Howard (28) is a brother of notorious hitman Gary Howard (32), who is serving a life sentence for the brutal gun murders of Brendan Molyneux and Patrick Mooney at a residence in Hanover Street, Dublin, on January 10, 2010. Dangerous Gary Howard worked as a hitman for the mob led by slain hitman Eamon 'The Don' Dunne and other criminal organisations. Sources say his younger brother does not have the same evil criminal pedigree. However, last night senior sources said the streets of the capital are "safer for sure" with Leroy Howard and his pals locked up. These include a 27-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, because he is facing charges in relation to a foiled plot by the Kinahan cartel to murder a member of the Hutch family. "These are violent and dangerous men and in the case of Leroy Howard, there can be no doubt that his older brother was a terrible role model to have in his life," a senior source told the Herald last night. Howard and the other three men travelled to Ashbourne to socialise at a nightclub in the Co Meath town on July 31, 2016, when they got into a verbal dispute with another group. As this happened, other innocent people tried to intervene but they, too, got brutally beaten up by the gang. Weapons were not used in the attack, which lasted for five minutes and was caught on CCTV. Trim Circuit Court heard this week that seven people in the other groups ended up being savagely assaulted by the gang of north inner city hoods. Three men were knocked to the ground, stamped on and sustained punches to the head. One of the victims spent 12 days in hospital following the attack and was kicked and stamped on as he lay unconscious on the ground. He suffered a severe brain injury and is still in rehabilitation. "These individuals caused absolute carnage when they travelled to Ashbourne and carried out these sickening early morning assaults on innocent people," the source added. "It has changed the lives of the victims and prison is the only place for these thugs." Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Howard to seven-and-a-half years in jail for his role in the assaults and the 27-year-old, who cannot be named because he is facing serious firearms charges, was also given the same jail term. Burglaries The 27-year-old, who has more than 130 previous convictions, is currently serving seven years in jail for his involvement in three separate burglaries in the capital. Leroy Howard, who has around 70 previous convictions, was also taken to Trim Court from prison where he is serving a four-year sentence after he was caught with cannabis and cocaine in December 2017. Also jailed on Monday was Stephen Coyle (33), of Lower Oriel Street, Dublin 1, who was jailed for five-and-a-half years for his role in the attacks. A fourth man, a 33-year-old criminal from the north inner city, will be sentenced at a later date. More politicians may be targeted if US continues to smear Photo: Global Times "Symbolic" US sanctions against several Chinese officials over Xinjiang-related issues may be harmless, but China's countermeasures directed at some of the US' most "rancorous" China hawk senators will "rain pain" upon them, Chinese experts said after China announced sanctions against certain US officials, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and warned that more US officials may be targeted by further countermeasures if the wrestle continues. As Washington has now descended into a "morbid and bottomless" struggle to contain a rising China, Chinese observers noted that the targeted sanctions China announced signals Beijing is fully prepared for the further floundering of China-US ties; and although China hopes for the best that bilateral ties will evolve, China is still preparing for the worst to come. Targeted countermeasures unveiled China's Foreign Ministry on Monday announced sanctions against the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback, US Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Republican Chris Smith, following the US' sanctions on several Chinese officials over Xinjiang-related issues. Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the announcement at Monday's routine media briefing. Hua said that China will impose reciprocal sanctions on the mentioned commission and four US individuals effective immediately in response to the US sanctions on one Xinjiang regional government department and four Chinese officials. The US' actions seriously interfered with China's internal affairs, violated basic norms governing international relations and seriously damaged China-US relations, and China firmly opposes and strongly condemns them, Hua said. The move came three days after the US sanctioned Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Sanctioning such US figures can be considered a "precise targeting" strategy from China as Rubio and Cruz are among the most active China hawks in the US Congress, and precise retaliation measures against them demonstrate China's strong determination to guard against foreign interference over its domestic affairs, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday. The US sanctions do not have any meaningful impact upon China, but it shows a malicious attitude toward China, therefore, China decided to launch peer-to-peer countermeasures, said Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. But China's sanctions will have a larger impact on US officials, Lu told the Global Times on Monday. For example, Marco Rubio, a US Senator from Florida, will face pressure regarding reelection two years from now as Florida has close contacts with China in terms of culture, trade, education and technology. Florida has established several sister city agreements with China. Meanwhile, China is Florida's 11th-largest export market and largest source of imports. According to the US Department of Commerce, Florida exported goods worth $1.36 billion to China and imported about $12.2 billion from China in 2019. Investment from Chinese enterprises in Florida is at its initial stage. Although the scale of investment is not large at present, increasingly more Chinese enterprises are showing strong interest in Florida and actively seek development opportunities in the US state. Florida also attaches great importance to Chinese language teaching. More than 50 primary and secondary schools in the state offer Chinese language courses or programs. Similar pressure will also be imposed on Ted Cruz, the junior US Senator for Texas. "Restricting visas and freezing properties are usually two tactics for sanctions. Such tactics could affect US officials more under the revolving door mechanism, as they would have to engage in business someday in the future," Lu said. The revolving door mechanism, which has long existed in the West, most notably in the US, allows for the movement of people from the government to the private or academic sectors and back again. Diao Daming, an associate professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday that the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China was among the most rancorous organizations formed against China on issues over Xinjiang and other religious topics. For example, it once held a hearing in 2018 over Rebiya Kadeer, a separatist from Xinjiang who now resides in the US. Sanctions against this organization will be mainly imposed via visa restrictions or entry permission of personnel related to this organization. Also Chinese authorities will strictly scrutinize the organization's request of assistance to any Chinese institute. Lu predicted that if the US continues to smear China and impose sanctions against China to interfere in its internal affairs, more US officials might be listed for retaliation such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and David Stilwell, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Photo taken on March 13, 2018, shows U.S. Senator Marco Rubio speaking during a press conference in Washington DC, the United States. Xinhua file photo 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst' In recent years, the Trump administration has shot a firestorm of measures to smear and attack China over issues regarding China's Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong. Apart from issuing various bills and sanction measures, it has also harnessed the power of media, and other platforms as well, to fabricate rumors to smear China's effort in managing these regions. On Sunday, the US embassy and consulates in China claimed "many products made in China are made by slave labor," and asked businesses to check their supply chains to ensure they are not profiting from "China's human rights abuses against Uygurs in Xinjiang" in a tweet on Sunday. But the tweet soon drew ridicule and angry backlash from netizens after the US embassy posted an apparently photoshopped clothes tag that read "made by slave labor in China." Many netizens at home and abroad ridiculed the US, saying it has been dedicated to smearing China and selectively forgetting its brutality toward Native Americans while groundlessly accusing other countries of human rights abuses. "We used to believe that the US domestically had a self-correction system, that when China-US relations turn sour, they will do whatever they can to push out of a situation," said Li Haidong. He noted when increasingly more politicians such as Cruz and Rubioemerge within the US political circle, the US will further slide into a morbid and even bottomless struggle against China. Both Cruz and Rubio hold deep grudges against Communist governments because of their family origins and they try to stand firmly against China to win over political capital. Diao said that the slew of hostile measures toward China cannot be seen as an "irrational eruption" of anti-China attitudes in the US or a usual tactic to hype up the "China threat theory" before election, but more so the US' enhancing antagonism to contain a rising China. "Right now China needs to formulate directives to deal with long-term US challenges, instead of playing along with the latter every time it exerts blows," Diao said. For tactics against the US, China is hoping the best but preparing for the worst, Diao told the Global Times on Monday. He noted that coupled with China's rapid growth, the country is gradually taking initiative to forming relations with Washington, rather than sitting idly by and waiting for the latter to swing its punches. The reported coronavirus outbreaks on US bases station in Okinawa is a growing cause of concern for Japanese officials. More than 100 US personnel are infected by the virus and how to arrest the spread of the contagion is of utmost concern. Locals fear the transmission of the virus and inquiring how the US military will arrest its spread within base perimeters, so it would not affect local Okinawans, reported CBS News. In all of Asia, the COVID breakout is on all five bases that are stationed on the island. It is one of the biggest numbers of COVID cases to date in any American installation registered during the pandemic. Many local Okinawan officials are not convinced that efforts to keep the virus from the bases were exerted enough. About half of the estimated 50,000 US troops are all in Okinawa Japan. Based on current information that has been verified, most cases are at five US bases. Okinawa against US Presence? One of the most cited reasons by the local officials and news is the Fourth of July parties that were celebrated on and off base. Many of the base personnel and workers are the source of the newest outbreaks. Also read: Japan Newest Aircraft Carrier Nearly Done, China Threatened and May Want to Sink Them? Last Tuesday, the Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono in a press brief informed that the Japanese government is at odds with the preventive measures of the US military. Stressing that these measures weren't sufficient and needs to be addressed. The specific issue was not mentioned in the public briefing though, cited RSS 24 News. A lockdown was effectively in place on Monday for all personnel of the two hardest-hit bases. Those who participated in the parties are getting traced soon for immediate testing. Most important is whether any Japanese national has made content with infect US personnel, mention Post Online Media. According to Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki was livid over the large outbreaks that extremely concerned him. But he was alarmed by the prospect of a devastating second wave in Okinawa. On another point, he stated that if the US will be able to control and halt the deadly disease at all. He added in press brief if the American can deal with the already present coronavirus. Politics in Okinawa All the US personnel which includes servicemen, and families are not allowed to patronize local Okinawan restaurants that will include those non-essential businesses to isolate US nationals. The governor whose parents are an American father and Okinawan mother, has insisted on more preventive measures at a maximum level. There should be more transparency in the US personnel serving in Okinawa, and stop rotating of personnel from the US, mentioned Time. US official informed on Monday that details of those positively infected weren't made public yet. Another is that it has not damaged local relations permanently. Related article: Japan's New Missile Defense Destroyer Starts Sea Trials Amidst Chinese Tension, Aegis Ashore Saga @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ingham said the bank now possibly more than ever welcomes customers who bring in large change-filled containers or piggy banks. Our team always enjoys seeing how much cash the customer gets back or deposits into their account, said Ingham in a message. Some customers are shocked at just how much money they have in their piggy bank. He added the bank has a machine that wraps coins. So whenever coins are deposited, we are able to turn those into wrapped coins for our customers, so we are not totally dependent on the Fed for our coins, said Ingham in an email message. At the Lowes home improvement store on New Road, signs have appeared advising shoppers of the coin shortage and requesting exact change. To my knowledge, customers have been cooperative, though some have questioned why this is being done, said employee Christopher Washington, in the customer service department, reached by phone. Our bosses are putting up the signs, asking for exact change or payment cards. An associate at the 7-Eleven store on University Parks Drive said signs have appeared there as well, requesting use of exact change or credit cards. Chinese foreign ministry releases statement opposing US' measures to impose sanctions on Chinese officials, end preferential trade treatment, amid rising hostilities between the two nations and plans to isolate China worldwide. China has vowed to take retaliatory measures after US President Donald Trump ordered an end to preferential trade treatment for Hong Kong and signed legislation allowing sanctions over Beijings enactment of a draconian security law in the semi-autonomous city. In a statement cited by Al Jazeera on Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said it firmly opposes and strongly condemns the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which was unanimously passed the US Congress earlier this month and approves sanctions on Chinese officials and banks over Beijings clampdown in Hong Kong. China will make necessary responses to protect its legitimate interests, and impose sanctions on relevant US personnel and entities, the ministry added, without elaborating. The Chinese warning came amid mounting tensions with the US not just over Hong Kong but also over trade, the global coronavirus pandemic, Chinas military buildup in the South China Sea and its treatment of Uighur Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang. Also read: Taiwan begins 5-day long defence exercise as threats from China aggravate Also read: Trump sanctions China, ends preferential trade agreement Trump on Tuesday stepped up the pressure to punish Beijing for what he called its aggressive actions in Hong Kong, a former British colony that was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise of autonomy and freedoms not known in mainland China. Today I signed legislation, and an executive order to hold China accountable for its aggressive actions against the people of Hong Kong, Trump told reporters at the White House. China had defied international warnings earlier this month by imposing the national security law, which criminalises offences it broadly defines as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. The legislation sent a chill through Hong Kong, which last year saw massive, and sometimes violent, pro-democracy protests. In response, the US Congress unanimously passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which targets police units that have cracked down on Hong Kong protesters as well as Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for imposing the new security law. Mandatory sanctions are also required on banks that conduct business with the officials. Trumps executive order on Tuesday said the US property of any person determined to be responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Hong Kong would be blocked. It also directs officials to revoke license exceptions for exports to Hong Kong, and includes revoking special treatment for Hong Kong passport holders. However, analysts say that completely ending Hong Kongs special treatment could prove self-defeating for the US. Also read: Chinas claims on S China sea unlawful, US warns China For all the latest World News, download NewsX App Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:17:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Health Ministry on Wednesday recorded 2,110 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 83,867. The ministry reported 87 more deaths, raising the death toll from the infectious virus to 3,432. It also said that 1,839 people recovered during the day, bringing the total recoveries from the disease to 52,621. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi confirmed in a statement that the makeshift hospital at the site of Baghdad International Fair in the west of the capital has been fully prepared and is ready to receive coronavirus patients. "The site is ready to open after being equipped with all the medical and preventive supplies, respirators, and testing laboratories for the people infected with COVID-19 to provide advanced health services to the patients," al-Tamimi said during his visit to the vast site. The ministry frequently attributed the recent increase of COVID-19 infections to the lack of public compliance to the health instructions and stronger testing capacity with the increase of labs in Baghdad and other provinces. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic. China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Baghdad. Since March 7, China has sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem New Delhi, July 15 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday queried the Jammu & Kashmir administration on the need to detain J&K High Court Bar Association President Mian Abdul Qayoom, who has been under detention for nearly a year. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Indu Malhotra took up the matter for hearing through video conferencing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the J&K administration, sought 10 days to file a response in the matter. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing Qayoom, questioned if such a delay is permitted in a matter involving writ of habeas corpus. The top court noted that it is keen to know on what basis Jammu & Kashmir administration would want to detain him in Tihar Jail in Delhi, as Qayoom's detention as per order has already expired. Dave argued that Qayoom is 73 years old and has been in prison for close to a year, and due to his age he is susceptible to Covid-19. Mehta argued that Qayoom's ideology is against national interest and insisted on filing a response in 10 days. Dave insisted on hearing the matter on Monday next week. Dave contended that the detention order was for a period of one year. The bench replied it was the reason that it issued notice on the last date of hearing. Dave complained this matter was not listed despite specific directions of the court. The bench asked Mehta in the current circumstances of Covid-19 crisis, would he like to keep this petition pending. Mehta insisted Qayoom's ideology continues to remain the same. The bench asked Mehta to respond on the matter on the next date of hearing. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 23. On June 26, the apex court in an interim direction asked the Tihar jail authorities to provide summer clothing and daily essentials to Qayoom while in detention. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and B R Gavai issued notice to the Centre and Jammu & Kashmir administration on a plea by Qayoom, who moved the top court challenging the High Court order passed on May 28, upholding his detention. Dave had contended before the top court that his client was brought from the Union Territory to Tihar Jail therefore he has only winter clothing. The apex court had listed the matter for hearing in July. Qayoom was detained under the Public Safety Act ahead of the revocation of Article 370 last year. The plea contended that High Court verdict is ex facie unsustainable in law as it is premised on stale, irrelevant, remote, vague, imprecise and deficient grounds of detention. Citing the High Court verdict, the plea said "In paras 23 and 28 of the impugned judgment, the High Court makes it abundantly clear that the detention order has been upheld solely on one ground - the four FIRs dating back to 2008 and 2010, as enumerated in the detention order. These FIRs are stale, irrelevant and have no proximate, pertinent or live link to the present, and are thus superfluous and extraneous to the satisfaction required in law qua the tendency or propensity to act in a manner prejudicial to public order." Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:08:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Jiang Li BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The signing of the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law on Tuesday by the White House is yet another example of Washington's reckless decisions to meddle in China's internal affairs. According to the new piece of legislation, Washington seeks to sanction foreign individuals and entities allegedly involved in extinguishing freedoms in Hong Kong. The new U.S. law, as those that came before it, once again tramples on international law and the basic norms of international relations, turns a blind eye to the Chinese government's legal jurisdiction in Hong Kong, and tries to delegitimize Beijing's efforts to maintain national security in the Chinese city. All sanctions are a double-edged sword. Hong Kong is one of the world's most dynamic financial and trade hubs, and home to tens of thousands of foreign firms. Hurting Hong Kong means hurting foreign businesses. Take the United States for example. The country has vital interests in Hong Kong. It has more than 1,300 enterprises, including almost all of America's major financial firms, operating in the Chinese city. Also, Hong Kong was the source of America's largest bilateral trade surplus last year, at 26.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Thus, if Washington goes ahead with its sanctions, its own interests are at stake. The newly signed legislation does not come as a surprise. In recent months, China hawks in Washington have launched a ferocious campaign against Beijing. They have left no stone unturned in their attempts to interfere in China's domestic affairs. Utilizing a variety of pretexts, like freedom in Hong Kong and human rights in Xinjiang, the purposes are the same: to divert public attention from the widespread protests against racial discrimination and Washington's failure to control the COVID-19 crisis; to flex some political muscle with presidential elections merely four months away; and to stymie China's development. Imagine if China were to sanction the United States for the brutal treatment of its African American population or its catastrophic attempt at home to contain COVID-19, a threat to the common health of the entire world. In the case of Hong Kong, China hardliners in Washington want to encourage extremist violence there, thereby severely compromising Hong Kong's social stability and economic viability. As long as their own political interests are met, who cares about the people of Hong Kong. The Declaration on Principles of International Law, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1970, clearly notes that no country or group of countries has the right to directly or indirectly interfere in the internal or foreign affairs of any other country for any reason. It is not up to Washington to decide the degree of autonomy in Hong Kong. Moreover, the law to safeguard national security in Hong Kong has clearly demonstrated China's resolve to ensure a steady and sustained implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, a high degree of autonomy, and the long-term stability and prosperity of the global financial center in order to better protect the freedom and rights of people working and living there. Washington should not test China's determination to safeguard its national security on its own territory. Those who try to inflict damage to Hong Kong should not expect Beijing to sit on its hands and watch as its sovereign rights are eroded. The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that China would appropriately respond and impose sanctions on relevant personnel and entities of the United States. A stable and prosperous Hong Kong is a prerequisite for the Chinese city to continue functioning as an international financial and trade hub and serve U.S. and other foreign interests seeking to benefit from the city's economic vitality. If Washington continues to meddle in China's internal affairs and compromise its sovereignty, it will prove to be a dead end. Enditem Creditors of South Africa's flag carrier SAA approved Tuesday a restructuring plan for the cash-strapped airline in a deal that will cost some 2,700 jobs, the government said. Loss-making South African Airways (SAA), one of the continent's largest airlines, was placed under a state-approved rescue plan in December in an effort to save it from collapse. It is to be replaced by a new and competitive airline after years of mismanagement and debt. At least 2,700 of its roughly 5,000 workers will be laid off. "At a meeting convened by the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) for SAA, 86% of creditors voted to support a business rescue plan for the airline," said the Department of Public Enterprises in a statement. The government said it believed that the decision was "a much better outcome for creditors and SAA employees than liquidation". "The department hopes that a new SAA can reclaim market share while fighting to compete more in the emerging market space - notwithstanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that will constrain the aviation industry for some time into the future," it said. The government says the plan will cost some 10 billion rand (about US$600 million) although the opposition Democratic Alliance, which is fiercely opposed to the plan claimed "taxpayers will now have to fork out another 16.6 billion rand to fund this vanity project". Of its total workforce, 1,000 will be retained and another 1,000 furloughed. SAA is Africa's second-largest airline after Ethiopian Airlines. It has a fleet of more than 50 aircraft flying to domestic and international destinations. Like most South African state-owned enterprises, it has failed to make a profit for more than a decade and survived on government bailouts. PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New projections released today by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) forecast a continued surge in COVID-19 cases over the next four weeks in many areas of the country, with renewed risk spreading into the Northeast and Midwest, threatening our ability to safely reopen schools and universities if strong mitigation policies are not instituted. The new data show most hotspots, including communities across Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Carolinas, have not increased their social distancing enough in the last week to reduce their risk for continued resurgence in the coming weeks. New epicenters are forming in Louisiana and Georgia as cases surge in counties surrounding New Orleans and Atlanta, compromising the ability these cities have had thus far in staving off widespread transmission with vigilance in masking and distancing. COVID-19 case projections for many college towns, including Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Ann Arbor, Mich., are increasing in advance of the majority of students returning to campus. Yet, the researchers are most concerned by worsening forecasts in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.Cwhich have projections that look like those of North Carolina just a few weeks agoand emerging risk for resurgence in Philadelphia, Newark, NJ, and New York City. They also observed the first signs of renewed risk for counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts as the epidemic spreads from the west and south. Notably, many areas the researchers are monitoring across Arizona and California, including Phoenix and Sacramento, saw an increase in social distancing over the past week, which led to slightly improved forecasts in the model. This trend illustrates just how effective of an intervention distancing can be in reducing widespread transmission of COVID-19. The researchers also released new projections for 158 of our largest counties' modeling scenarios that show how instituting universal masking and tightening social distancing and occupancy policies might affect our ability to neutralize the surging epidemic to get people back to work and children back to school in the fall. These new forecasts model scenarios reflecting guidance recently shared with state governments by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, for whom the scenarios were prepared. However, even if an epicenter like Houston, for example, chose the most aggressive mitigation strategy of mandating mask wearing, closing bars and gyms, limiting gathering sizes to 10 people, and reducing restaurant occupancy to 25%, they would reverse the trend of their epidemic, but could still see more than 650 cases daily in early August. "There is a lot riding on the decisions our policymakers and fellow citizens make this week if we still hope to safely return teachers and students to the classroom for the fall semester," said David Rubin, MD, MSCE, director of PolicyLab at CHOP and a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. "Whether you live in a hotspot or a community that is just starting to see renewed signs of COVID-19 resurgence, now is the time to implement universal masking and assess how much you need to restrict gathering sizes and increase social distancing if we are to stop the sweep of this epidemic and get America back on track for achieving its goal of reopening schools and getting more people back to work." For additional comments from lead investigators Dr. Rubin, Dr. Gregory Tasian, and Dr. Jing Huang on their updated forecasts and findings, read this blog post: https://policylab.chop.edu/blog/covid-19-outlook-mounting-response-its-too-late Background Researchers at PolicyLab at CHOP and the University of Pennsylvania developed the model, known as COVID-Lab: Mapping COVID-19 in Your Community, which tracks and projects COVID-19 transmission across 519 U.S. counties with active outbreaks, representing 71% of the U.S. population and 88% of all identified coronavirus cases. The researchers built their model to observe how social distancing, population density, daily temperatures, and humidity affect the number and spread of COVID-19 infections over time across a county, accounting for test positivity rates and population characteristics such as age, insurance status, crowding within homes and diabetes prevalence. COVID-Lab's projections forecast the number of coronavirus cases communities could experience over the next four weeks based on a three-day average of their current social distancing practices, defined by the change in travel to non-essential businesses as compared to pre-epidemic. A scientific review of the team's model and findings is available as a pre-print article ahead of peer review on medRxiv. The data are publicly available in the form of interactive maps and graphs. About PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is dedicated to achieving optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. Founded in 2008, PolicyLab is a Center of Emphasis within the CHOP Research Institute, one of the largest pediatric research institutes in the country. With more than 30 highly regarded faculty and 60 passionate staff who bring expertise from myriad of fields covering health, research and health policy, our work focuses on improving public systems, improving health care delivery and improving child health outcomes. For more information, visit http://www.policylab.chop.edu . MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Walens, Strategic Ops & Comms Director PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia [email protected] or (734) 904-2181 SOURCE PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Related Links http://www.policylab.chop.edu North Miami house for cash company NeedHelpSellingHome.com has launched a new house for cash quick sale guide. The guide provides an overview of the advantages of selling a house for cash in Miami quickly and safely at a fair price MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / North Miami house for cash company NeedHelpSellngHome.com dba NHSH announced the release of a new residential property quick sale guide. The guide informs homeowners of the advantages of selling their house to a leading real estate investment firm in Miami. More information about NeedHelpSellngHome.com is available at https://www.needhelpsellinghome.com The Miami house for cash investment firm has released a new property sales guide that helps homeowners better understand how to sell Miami houses for cash. The guide applies to cash sales of single-family and multi-family units, condos, apartments, and other types of residential properties in the city. NHSH specializes in buying Miami residences for cash from homeowners who are facing foreclosure, have too many rental properties, or are facing adverse life events such as a divorce or death in the family. The North Miami real estate investment company works with clients who are looking to quickly sell rental, unoccupied or inherited properties. The new guide for homeowners looking to sell their Miami house for cash recommends selling to a buyer who offers cash without requiring repairs to the property. The guide is available at https://www.needhelpsellinghome.com/blog/how-to-sell-my-house-for-cash-in-miami-north As a real estate investment firm, NeedHelpSellngHome.com can make guaranteed cash offers on houses, with minimal contractual requirements, while offering buyers closing cost assistance. The company does not charge fees or commissions to purchase Miami houses and makes a fair cash offer with quick closing in a few days. According to a spokesperson for the North Miami professional home buyers, "We are excited to launch a new guide to help customers understand the advantages of working with us. We help customers end the frustration of owning unwanted property by buying Florida houses in any condition." Story continues NeedHelpSellngHome.com dba NHSH is a full-service residential property investment firm serving customers in Miami and across Florida. For more information about selling a house for cash in Miami North, call 786-474-0864 or visit the URL above. Contact Info: Name: Jose Corbera Email: Send Email Organization: Corbera Investments, LLC. Address: 9229 SW 170th Path, Miami, FL 33196, United States Phone: +1-786-730-8386 Website: https://www.needhelpsellinghome.com/ SOURCE: Corbera Investments, LLC View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/597539/North-Miami-House-For-Cash-Residential-Property-Quick-Sale-Guide-Released Overseas interest in the top end of Perths real estate market couldnt be hotter, and it appears Western Australia's success at managing the spread of coronavirus is proving a major drawcard. Real estate agency William Porteous International, which specialises in multimillion-dollar western suburbs listings that attract international buyers, is seeing a sudden boom in interest after COVID-19 restrictions lifted at the end of May. A Claremont waterfront duplex on Bindaring Parade is asking for $9 million. Credit:Domain William Porteous said he had received calls from all over the world looking for waterfront properties in the $10-million price bracket. With this coronavirus there was a couple of weeks where everything went flat and then all of a sudden we started getting calls from expats living in places like Saudi Arabia, America, England, Hong Kong and China and everywhere around the world and they were all calling up saying what have you got? he said. WEST BRADFORD Four women united to discuss institutionalized racism and partisan gerrymandering during a virtual forum hosted by state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-158th, of West Bradford, on Monday evening. The event was streamed live. Panelists included two Pennsylvania House of Representatives members from Philadelphia: state Rep. Joanna McClinton and state Rep. Morgan Cephas; and human rights advocate Carol Kuniholm, chairwoman of Fair Districts PA. Entrenched racism in our culture is huge, Sappey said. How do we begin to tackle necessary change in the institutions of our society? My hope is that by breaking the conversation down into parts we will begin to understand what has happened over time and what is needed to ensure that all citizens truly have the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The virtual panel discussion is part of a series on race launched by Sappey in the spring. The first event focused on examining race and institutionalized disadvantage in the community on June 8. At the first event, panelists included state Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta and Morgan Cephas, both D-Philadelphia, along with Joan Duvall-Flynn of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Trauma Informed Education Coalition. In June, Sappey said the death of George Floyd, while in police custody for a nonviolent offense, has served as a hurtful reminder to the injustices and greater disadvantages that exist throughout our society, Sappey said prior to the first panel discussion. To residents, she added, Im asking that the public join me in this discussion with open hearts and minds as we examine the changes we need to make to begin addressing these inequalities. This ongoing series, Sappey said, seeks to examine systemic racism in our society.These events aim to help us understand what has happened over time and how we move forward. On July 13, Daniel Bixler, of the House Democratic Communications Office, served as event moderator and fielded questions from residents to each of the panelists leading to several rounds of robust discussion on social justice, equity and ideas for change. The women advocated for citizens to call their state representatives and senators in Pennsylvania and appeal to them to support and vote in favor of current gerrymandering bills. Fair Districts PA supports the introduced legislation, HB 2368. Sappey said state Sen. Tim Killion,R-9th, of Middletown is introducing a similar measure in the State Senate soon. Looking back over some prior internal analysis of the Pennsylvania bills, yes, I believe they are strong enough to repair most of the process in Pennsylvania: the commission structure is good, the criteria is largely good, and it has pretty good requirements for public input, said Aaron Barden on Wednesday. He is the legal and policy analyst for ?Princeton Gerrymandering Project. Based in Central Jersey, Princeton Gerrymandering Project is a think tank working to end industrialized and political partisan policies impacting American society, and fueling disenfranchisement, nationwide. The bills are missing a criterion about respecting communities of interest, and the provisions regarding transparency could be better, Barden said. Even so, the bills would create a major improvement over the current process. Another bill (HB2638) includes these provisions and others and would present a good Plan B to the commission bills. How do good people rise up to end racism? Sappey asked. The people in this community want a peaceful solution and want equity for our neighbors. She said racism is centuries old. How do we break it down? First, Sappey said people can make a difference by calling their lawmakers to support the House and Senate legislation to end gerrymandering and understanding its urgent to get this done by the end of November. Secondary, she said people can also make a difference by checking in and listening to voices unfamiliar to them. Do reading. Do some soul searching on how the institutions that youve taken part of over the course of your lifetime may have contributed to racism systematic racism, she said. Third, Sappey said people should fight complacency. To end racism, we need to be asking something of ourselves, Sappey told the Daily Local News shortly after hosting the public forum on July 13. People are good here, Sappey added. The freshman lawmaker called the people of Chester County generous, charitable and good. Still the struggle for a better, more decent world continues. The dream continues. Racism still exists, Sappey said. To read a study by the Center for American Progress on gerrymanderings effect on children visit: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/democracy/reports/2020/05/28/485495/partisan-gerrymandering-hurts-kids/. Libya headed for conflict: Pro-rebel parl. invites Egypt intervention; Turkey gives ultimatum Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 7:09 AM Libya's conflict seems to be headed for escalation, with the pro-rebel parliament "approving" Egyptian military intervention in the country, and Turkey conditioning an earlier ceasefire to the handing over of Sirte city and Jufra airbase to the government. In a statement on Monday, the Libyan parliament based in the eastern city of Tobruk said, "The Egyptian armed forces have the right to intervene to protect Libyan and Egyptian national security if they see an imminent threat to the security of our two countries." Libya's internationally-recognized government is based in the capital, Tripoli. The Tobruk-based parliament and the rebels fighting to protect it lay a rival claim to power and receive foreign backing primarily from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Libyan government forces are supported by Turkey, and they have been able to push the rebels as far back in the country as the city of Sirte, on the Mediterranean coastline. Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sisi said last month that the cities of Sirte and Jufra were a red line for Egypt and ordered the Egyptian military to be prepared for overseas missions. Libya's eastern-based parliament said in its statement that it welcomed the words of the Egyptian president. Libyan government forces have tightened the noose on Sirte in the past several weeks, and a major battle for the city is imminent. The rebels have been reinforcing their ranks, too. "We call for joint efforts between the two brotherly nations Libya and Egypt in order to defeat the occupier and maintain our common security and stability in our country and region," the Libyan parliament said, in an apparent reference to Turkey, which has dispatched troops to Libya. Meanwhile, the Egyptian military is making movements near the Libyan border. Last week, Egyptian armed forces carried out a military drill in the northwestern district of Qabr Gabis, 60 kilometers from the Libyan border. Turkey says preparations underway for Sirte battle Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the Turkish and Libyan governments would agree to a ceasefire only if the rebels withdrew from Sirte and Jufra. "We believe that a political solution is the only solution, but the necessary conditions must be met," Cavusoglu said in an interview with public broadcaster TRT's Turkish news channel on Monday. Asked about a possible offensive against Sirte, Cavusoglu said preparations were underway for one but said diplomacy was first being tried to solve the matter. "There are preparations for an operation but we are trying the (negotiating) table. If there is no withdrawal, there is already a military preparation, they (Libyan government forces) will show all determination here," he said. Cavusoglu also said separately that Turkey would start seismic research and drilling operations for natural resources in the part of the eastern Mediterranean covered by an agreement that was signed by Turkey and the Libyan government last year. Turkey slams EU inaction Cavusoglu has also accused the European Union (EU) of failing to take concerted action against the rebels in Libya. "While putschist militias and mercenaries continue to be heavily reinforced, the EU's Operation Irini in the Mediterranean (which has the stated aim of enforcing the arms embargo on Libya) is practically sanctioning the legitimate government," he said in an article published in Politico. Libya is subject to a United Nations (UN) arms embargo. Europe should "stand up and cry foul in the face of the shocking discovery of mass graves in Tarhuna containing the bodies of victims allegedly killed by Haftar's forces," he said, referring to Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan rebels. Cavusoglu also decried the blockade imposed by the rebel forces on Libyan oil terminals and fields. "The blockade on Libya's oil resources is depriving the Libyan people of a crucial resource," he said. The rebels started the blockade in January, when they managed to take control of Libya's oil export terminals and fields in the east. Libya which sits atop the largest oil reserves in Africa has been forced to stop oil production as a result. Libya's national oil company recently reached an agreement with the rebels under which the blockade was to be lifted, but the rebels retracted that decision shortly afterwards. The national oil company said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was behind that reversal. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) "has been informed that the instructions to shut down production were given to [the rebels] by the United Arab Emirates," the NOC said in a statement on Sunday, resuming force majeure on all oil exports. Anwar Gargash, the UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, said in a tweet on Monday that safeguards should be placed to prevent proceeds from fueling further conflict in Libya. He did not specify those safeguards, but the Libyan rebels have said proceeds from oil sales should be fairly distributed among all Libyan regions and not fund the sectors of the Tripoli government. Ahmad al-Mismari, a spokesman for the rebels, has called for the opening of a bank account in a foreign country for the distribution of oil revenue. Libya first plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising backed by a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, a New York based primary care physician, announced that a retrospective analysis based on his patient data is available to read online at www.thezelenkoprotocol.com. The study, which has been submitted for peer review, found that early intervention and treatment of risk stratified COVID-19 patients in the outpatient setting resulted in five times less hospitalizations and deaths. The medications used in the treatment approach were zinc, low dose hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin. Prior studies of COVID-19 treatments have been largely based on severely ill patients in the hospital. This study examines outcomes of patients treated after their first visit to the doctor's office. Using simple risk stratification criteria, Dr. Zelenko identified which patients required prescriptions for the triple drug therapy, and prescribed these medications for five days. To produce the study, Zelenko collaborated with Dr. Roland Derwand, a German medical doctor and life science industry expert, and Professor Martin Scholz, an independent consultant and adjunct professor for experimental medicine at Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany. Derwand and Scholz performed the data analysis while Zelenko handled all in-person treatments. The main results show that of 141 patients who were treated with the triple therapy, only 2.8% (4/141) were hospitalized compared to 15.4% of an untreated control group (58/377) (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.06-0.5; p<0.001). Only 0.71% (1/141) patients died in the treatment group, versus 3.5% (13/377) in the untreated group (odds ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.03-1.5; p=0.16). "These three medications are affordable, available in pill form, and work in synergy against COVID-19," said Zelenko. "Hydroxychloroquine's main function within this treatment approach is to allow zinc to enter the cell. Zinc is the virus killer, and azithromycin prevents secondary bacterial infection in the lungs and reduces the risk of pulmonary complications." "The world seems to have forgotten common medical knowledge: that we want to treat any patient with an infectious disease as soon as possible," said Derwand. "What differentiates this study is that patients were prescribed these medications early, in the outpatient setting. Dr. Zelenko treated his risk stratified patients immediately and didn't wait for the disease to intensify." "The well-tolerated 5-day triple therapy resulted in a significantly lower hospitalization rate and less fatalities with no reported cardiac side effects compared with relevant public reference data of untreated patients," said Sholz. "The magnitude of the results can substantially elevate the relevance of early use, low dose hydroxychloroquine, especially in combination with zinc. This data can be used to inform ongoing pandemic response policies as well as future clinical trials." "It's unfortunate much of the news coverage surrounding hydroxychloroquine has been negative," Zelenko added. "This study suggests that when taken early and together with zinc and azithromycin, this cost-effective drug can be part of the solution to the pandemic." CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Dr. Zev Zelenko Related Links https://www.thezelenkoprotocol.com/ Courtesy JBSA-Fort Sam Houston / A soldier who was found dead Sunday in his room at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has been identified as Sgt. Kelvonta K. Ellis. Ellis of Westlake, La., was identified by the Louisiana Army National Guard. He was 22 years old, officials said. UPDATE: Two new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in managed isolation today. Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says both cases are at the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua. He says the first case is a man in his 60s who arrived into the country from Pakistan, via Dubai on Juyl 10. "He tested positive on day three of the testing regime. "The second case is a woman in her 50s who arrived in New Zealand via Dubai on July 10. "She also tested positive on day three." With the new cases being reported, there are now 27 active cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation. Ashley says it has now been 75 days since the case of the virus was aquired locally from an unknown source. The total number of cases now sits at 1197. This is the number reported to the WHO each day. Yesterday, laboratories carried out 2061 tests, 902 were those in isolation. To date, 433,324 tests have been carried out in New Zealand. Updated testing guidance Yesterday, the Ministry of Health issued updated guidance for clinicians on testing for COVID-19. The updated advice clarifies for health professionals which lower-risk symptomatic people should be tested in the community. The emphasis will be on people with respiratory symptoms who are at higher risk of complications if they contract COVID-19, including older people with respiratory symptoms, people with pre-existing conditions, and people in our Maori and Pasifika communities. "It is important that New Zealanders do not become complacent about the threat of COVID-19 we need to continue testing in our community to ensure we are detecting any cases of the virus that might have slipped through the border," says Ashley. "The updated advice also includes a reminder that throat swabbing is an acceptable option for testing for COVID-19 in these groups. "We know a nasopharyngeal swab can be unpleasant for some people. A throat swab can be less invasive and may mean people are less likely to refuse to have a test. "People should still be offered a nasopharyngeal swab in the first instance, as the throat swab is slightly less sensitive and requires a higher load of the virus to be present to return a positive test." Anyone with respiratory or other symptoms of COVID-19 should ring Healthline or their GP to get advice on whether they should be tested. Testing remains free. NZ COVID Tracer NZ COVID Tracer has now recorded 596,000 registrations. The number of posters created is 77,928. The number of poster scans to date is 1,428,943. "We continue to encourage everyone to download and register with the app, and keep a record of their movements," says the Ministry. EARLIER: Minister of Health Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will provide an update to the media on the latest situation of COVID-19 in New Zealand. SunLive will be providing updates throughout the afternoon for those who are not able to rune into the livestream. Here are the numbers as they stand: There was one new case of COVID-19 to report in managed isolation in New Zealand on Tuesday. It has been 74 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source. The total number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 25. There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19. On Monday, laboratories completed 1620 tests, which brings the total number of tests completed to date to 431,263. Steve Susman, a legendary trial lawyer who pioneered the litigation boutique movement in Texas and fought vigorously to protect the right to trial by jury, died Tuesday. He was 79. Susmans family announced his death on the CaringBridge website. Our gallant Steve left us today," Ellen Susman, his wife, wrote Tuesday evening. "He fought a valiant battle, from his accident to rehab, but the combination of COVID-19 and his weakened lungs were finally too much for his body. We are brokenhearted, but at peace with the fact that he is free and whole at last. He went peacefully, and we were by his side. Susman, the founding partner of the Houston litigation powerhouse Susman Godfrey, was injured in a freak bicycle crash on April 22, when the front wheel of his bike caught and locked in an expansion seam in a section of concrete roadway. After more than a week in a coma and continued hospitalization at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in Houston, he was moved three weeks later to Memorial Herman TIRR rehabilitation center. On June 24, things became worse: doctors diagnosed Susman with having contracted the coronavirus. Born and raised in Houston, Susman graduated in 1965 from the University of Texas School of Law. He practiced law for eight years at Fulbright & Jaworski - now Norton Rose Fubright - and was one of the firm's first Jewish partners. In 1980, he started his own litigation boutique and grew Susman Godfrey into one of the most successful trial law firms in the U.S. Susman represented corporations in several billion-dollar lawsuits and continued to work full time until the bike accident in April. "We all knew that the Steve Susman era would end at some point, but that did not stop us from hoping in our hearts that he would be with us at Susman Godfrey forever," Susman Godfrey managing partner Neal Manne said Wednesday morning. "When he flirted with retirement two years ago, the partnership responded by unanimously adopting a policy of mandatory retirement at age 100." Susman won some of the largest jury verdicts in Texas history. He won a $1.1 billion breach of contract case for Texas Instruments in 1996 and he scored a $536 million judgment for GHR Energy Corp. in 1988 against El Paso Natural Gas. In 2017, he won a $71 million judgment for his client, Wellstat Therapeutics against BTG International. "Steve was passionate about the law and justice," Manne said. "He spent his entire life thinking and talking about, and working for, ways to improve the system of civil justice in America." Music was important to Susman, who could play the piano by ear. And music became an important part of his quest for recovery. Though Susman at one point communicated mostly in monosyllables, he sang every word to the Johnny Cash song I Walk The Line accompanied on the guitar by a music therapist. He also sang along with one of his favorites: Under the Boardwalk. The Susman family said that they plan a drive by shiva/visitation later this week and a full celebration of Susmans life when the pandemic is over. Dark Ronald XX was a stallion who significantly influenced the breeding lines. Credit: University of Gottingen Warmblood fragile foal syndrome is a severe, usually fatal, genetic disease that manifests itself after birth in affected horses. Due to the defect, the connective tissue is unstable. Under force, for instance, the skin tears from the tissue underneath and the joints can suffer dislocation. A research team from the Universities of Gottingen and Halle has now been able to prove that the disease did not stem from the English thoroughbred stallion Dark Ronald XX, which had been the assumption until now. The results have been published in the journal Animal Genetics. The mystery of the genetic defect could have been solved in 2012: this is when gene responsible was identified. It is called PLOD1 and normally ensures that collagen molecules in the skin and connective tissue can bind to form a stable network. The mutation in the PLOD1 gene prevents "cross-linking" which is needed for stable collagen. The exact origin of the mutation was previously unclear. Since the spread of the genetic defect is also a problem in horse-breeding in Germany, the Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung (IT-Solutions for Animal Production) in Verden 2019 determined the possible origin of the genetic defect from the test results of around 2,000 horses and their pedigree records. The investigation concluded that the genetic defect was probably due to the English thoroughbred stallion Dark Ronald XX (1905-1928) or his father, Bay Ronald XX, and the defect was then spread through their offspring. The current research, led by the University of Gottingen, calls this theory into question. "We have now succeeded in proving that Dark Ronald XX was not a carrier of the PLOD1 mutation and can therefore be excluded as the original source of this genetic defect," says Professor Bertram Brenig, Director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Gottingen and lead author of the study. Doubts about whether the mutation descended from Dark Ronald XX were already expressed in 2019, and further investigation reveals a Hanoverian stallion born in 1861. Dark Ronald XX was an important thoroughbred stallion who had a great influence on German horse-breeding. He was sold to Germany in 1913 and was used as a studa stallion with highly prized heritable characteristicsfirst in Graditz and later in Altefeld. In 1928, he was brought to the veterinary clinic of the University of Halle for treatment due to intestinal colic and this is where he died. Since then his remainssuch as skeleton, heart and skinhave been kept in one of the natural science collections of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. "This is most fortunate, as it has allowed us to examine Dark Ronald XX directly for the presence of the PLOD1 mutation," says Brenig. The scientists were thus able to examine small pieces of Dark Ronald XX's skin. "Examining the DNA from the nearly 100-year-old skin of Dark Ronald XX was not easy," says co-author Dr. Renate Schafberg from the University of Halle, "because we knew nothing about the tanning or other preservation treatments of the skin." The disease itself is not new and probably originated in the middle of the 18th century. Since then, all breeding animals have been consistently tested for the genetic defect. There is a comparable genetic disease in humans, known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which shows similar symptoms. Explore further The claw disease tyloma is primarily genetic in cows More information: Xuying Zhang et al, Skin exhibits of Dark Ronald XX are homozygous wild type at the Warmblood fragile foal syndrome causative missense variant position in lysyl hydroxylase gene PLOD1, Animal Genetics (2020). Xuying Zhang et al, Skin exhibits of Dark Ronald XX are homozygous wild type at the Warmblood fragile foal syndrome causative missense variant position in lysyl hydroxylase gene PLOD1,(2020). DOI: 10.1111/age.12972 Turkish military forces deployed over dozen kilometers into northern Iraq: Top lawmaker Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 4:23 PM The head of the security and defense committee at the Iraqi parliament has condemned Ankara's ongoing cross-border operation in the country's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region against hideouts of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group, stating that Turkish forces are now deployed more than a dozen kilometers into the area. "Iraq rejects transgression of its sovereignty or airstrikes within its territory by another state," Mohammad Reza Al Haider told the official Iraqi News Agency on Tuesday, calling on the Baghdad government to address such issues. Haider noted that the bilateral agreement between Turkey and Iraq permits hot pursuits between five and seven kilometers from the border, but Ankara has exceeded the limit, and Turkish troops are now deployed along an area stretching some 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) south of the frontier. "Iraq refuses to have an armed faction within its territories attacking a neighboring country, as it refuses attacks on its sovereignty from any other country," the senior legislator pointed out. Back on July 2, Iraq threatened to cut off its trade ties with Turkey in protest at Turkish military's onslaught on the Arab country's territory. The Turkish military started its ground campaign, dubbed Claw-Tiger Operation, against PKK positions in northern Iraq on July 17. Claw-Eagle Operation, the air campaign, had begun two days earlier. Turkish ground and air forces frequently carry out operations against PKK positions in the country as well as in northern Iraq and neighboring Syria. A shaky ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish government collapsed in July 2015. Attacks on Turkish security forces have soared ever since. More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the autonomy-seeking militant group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Segmental Analysis: Global Polyester Coatings Market Forecast is segmented on the basis of the Application. Based on Application, the market has been sub-segmented into automotive, construction, packaging, aviation, paints & coatings, and others. The paints and coatings segment is predicted to drive the market due to the rising manufacture of polyester paint in the sector and its massive demand in end-use applications over the review period. Moreover, increasing consumer awareness and higher usage of the product in significant industries are set to drive the market over the assessment period. Among these, the construction sector holds a significant portion owing to the rising consumption of polyester coatings in numerous applications such as warehouses, facades, roofing, and others. Regional Analysis: Based on Regions, the Polyester Coatings Market has been segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region accounts for a significant share of the market due to the rising demand for polyester coatings in end-user industries such as automotive, aviation, construction, packaging, paints & coatings, and others. The surge in disposable income and production of hybrid coatings in noteworthy industries has driven the region to witness higher growth over the assessment period. Countries such as Japan, China, and India are significant contributors to the regional market share in the Polyester Coatings Market. Get a Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5263 The North America region is expected to grow significantly in the market due to rapid urbanization along with the increasing popularity of Polyester Coatings in end-use industries. It is projected that increasing investments in the end-use industries is likely to drive the market in the region during the review period. The growing consumption of Polyester Coatings in aviation, construction, and packaging sectors has driven developed countries such as Canada, U.S., and Mexico to attain remarkable growth in the market as they provide excellent stability, flexibility, and durable nature to the end-use product. The European market is estimated to witness remarkable growth due to stringent regulations employed by governments to follow Polyester Coating in end-user products. The Polyester Coatings Market has been driven by the application of this rule in textiles, paints & coatings, and adhesives segments. It is estimated that the rising innovation and technological advancements in the region are predicted to boost the growth in developing countries such as the U.K, Germany, Italy, and France during the review period. The Latin America (LATAM) region is projected to observe a significant growth in the market owing to greater use of high-performance coatings in automotive, aviation, construction, and others. Polyester Coatings are expected to drive the market over the review period owing to its growing usage in automotive interior and exterior parts, filter pads, and others. Furthermore, the Middle East & Africa is expected to observe higher growth in the market due to a surge in the constructional activities in the region over the review period. Key Players: The key market players functioning in the Global Polyester Coatings Market are 3M (U.S.), AGC Chemicals Americas (U.S.), Akzo Nobel N.V. (the Netherlands), Axalta Coating Systems, LLC (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), DuPont (U.S.), Huntsman International LLC(U.S.), PPG Industries, Inc (U.S.), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Momentive (U.S.), and among others. Market Outlook: According to Market Research Future (MRFR), the Global Polyester Coatings Market has been assessed to reach a remarkable market valuation at a striking CAGR over the review period. Polyester Coatings are primarily used for enhancing the high standard performance and imparting chemical resistance, durability, reduced yellowing, weather-proof resistance, and non-toxic nature to the end-use product. The market is projected to be influenced by the increase in infrastructural development over the assessment period. The swelling demand for powder coatings from the automotive industry is expected to drive the market over the review period, due to benefits provided by the product such as enhanced efficiency, lower cost, and other superior features. Polyester Coatings are also used in numerous applications such as brake pads, door handles, roof racks, engines, oil and fuel filters, exterior & interior trim since they offer enhanced thermal and humidity resistance to the end-use product. COVID-19 Study in Detail: COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Bio-Based Chemicals Market @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/report/covid-19-impact-bio-based-chemicals-market COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Surfactant Market @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/report/covid-19-impact-surfactant-market Impact of COVID-19 on Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Market @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/report/covid-19-impact-recycled-polyethylene-terephthalate-market NOTE: Our teams of researchers are studying COVID-19 and its impact on various industry verticals and wherever required we will be considering COVID-19 footprints for a better analysis of markets and industries. Cordially get in touch for more details. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com She is the former model and radio host who always puts on a stylish display. And Kelly Brook was at it again on Wednesday as she turned heads in a chic black boiler suit as she arrived at London's Global Studios. The presenter, 40, looked cheerful as she animatedly chatted on her phone before beginning work on her Heart FM radio show. Fashionista: Kelly Brook turned heads in a chic black boiler suit as she arrived at London's Global Studios on Wednesday Showcasing her style, the star looked great in the black number which cinched her in nicely at the waist. Accessorising her work look, Kelly added a pair of leopard print espadrille trainers. She carried her belongings in a black quilted handbag, while she shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades. The media personality opted for a minimal make-up palette for the day, while her brunette tresses were swept up in a high ponytail. Chit chat: The presenter, 40, looked cheerful as she animatedly chatted on her phone before beginning work on her Heart FM radio show Earlier this month, Kelly claimed that sex gets better with age and said her longterm love, hot-blooded Italian Jeremy, is a big fan of her curves. Talking on Vicky Pattison's The Secret To... podcast, she said: 'My boyfriend is 35 and he is Italian, so, you know, he likes a nice large curvy woman so that's always a good thing! I think your sex life gets better as you get older! 'You get confident! You are not so hung up on stuff. You know what you enjoy. You know what you like, so you are not as scared to tell them. Looking good: Showcasing her style, the star looked great in the black number which cinched her in nicely at the waist Best foot forward: Accessorising her work look, Kelly added a pair of leopard print espadrille trainers Finishing touches: She carried her belongings in a black quilted handbag, while she shielded her eyes with a pair of dark shades 'When you're young you don't tell them. They are like "is that nice?" or whatever and you're like "yeah!" When you're older you are gonna make sure you get what you want!' The pair have been in a relationship for nearly five years, having started dating in 2015. Kelly famously began modelling aged 16 after she won a beauty competition, which her proud mother had entered her into. Campaigns for the likes of Bravissimo, Foster's and Walker's crisps followed, as well as shoots with lads' mags such as GQ, Loaded and FHM. FHM dubbed her the winner of their '100 Sexiest Women in the World' list in 2005, which polled 15 million people. Lovely: The media personality opted for a minimal make-up palette for the day, while her brunette tresses were swept up in a high ponytail The group of eight Fianna Fail councillors currently elected to Offaly County Council have issued a statement in support of Barry Cowen. Cowen was sacked agriculture minister by Taoiseach Micheal Martin after just 18 days in the job amid a drink-driving scandal. Cowen served a three-month ban in 2016 while driving on a learner permit. Further details from the Garda PULSE file related to the incident in a Sunday Times articles suggested he attempted to evade the checkpoint, something he vehemently denies. The Taoiseach said these details raised additional concerns about the incident and he terminated Cowen's position as a minister on Tuesday night, July 14. In a statement, the Offaly councillors said: "Fianna Fail councillors on Offaly County Council have expressed deep disappointment at the news that Deputy Barry Cowen has been relieved of his duties as Minister for Agriculture and the Marine late last evening. "On hearing the news, the councillors have offered their full support to Deputy Cowen and his family at this difficult time. "Barry Cowen has always been available to us as councillors and his dedication to Fianna Fail and the constituency of Laois-Offaly is second to none. "We had looked forward to working with Deputy Cowen as a member of Cabinet on many initiatives in the Programme for Government and implementing some of the policies he had fought so hard to have included for Offaly, the Midlands and rural Ireland. "It is a difficult day for the organisation in Offaly and for the constituency. We hope today's event will not hinder Deputy Cowen's entitlement to a fair process." The statement was signed off on by councillors Peter Ormond, Eamon Dooley, Declan Harvey, Danny Owens, Tony McCormack, Frank Moran, Robert McDermott and Eddie Fitzpatrick. CAAT welcomes new members from Ontario and British Columbia TORONTO, July 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Employers from across the country continue to turn to CAAT's DBplus as a sustainable, secure pension alternative for their employees. The latest organization to join CAAT's growing list of participating employers is Brink's Canada Limited. Over 750 full-time and part-time Brink's personnel 582 from Ontario and 175 from British Columbia represented by Unifor, joined DBplus on a go-forward basis effective July 1, 2020. Brink's Canada was looking for a solution that would relieve the high servicing costs of administering a single employer pension plan, while continuing to provide their employees with a valuable, competitive pension. DBplus proved to be the solution, offering fixed contributions and more security for employees. The move to DBplus also brings enhanced eligibility for all of Brink's part-time employees. In addition to the nearly 130 part-time workers who joined DBplus on July 1, another approximately 213 part-time staff, who weren't eligible to participate in the previous plan, now have the option to join DBplus. DBplus has made lifetime defined benefit pensions accessible to more working Canadians across the country, and base planning assumptions are that the CAAT Plan, which currently has more than 63,000 members, is expected to grow by 300,000 in the next six years. The CAAT Pension Plan is open for growth in membership from the public, private or not-for-profit sectors in Canada. This includes workplaces currently offering defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution plans, group RRSPs, and those with no current workplace retirement savings plan. Although DBplus was only opened to all Canadian workplaces in 2019, more than 15,000 members from more than 30 employers have already joined, including Postmedia, the United Way of Greater Toronto, and Saint John Airport. CAAT now has members across Canada that come from nine different industries, and has support and participation from 14 different labour unions. Quotes "We are delighted to welcome Brink's and its employees from Ontario and British Columbia. The popular DBplus, which delivers the promise of a lifetime pension for employees with cost certainty for employers, proved to be the right solution for Brink's and Unifor." - Derek W. Dobson, CEO and Plan Manager, CAAT Pension Plan "Joining CAAT has enabled Brink's Canada to provide our employees with a superior pension plan. The CAAT team was a great help in planning and transitioning to the new plan." - John Corley, President, Brink's Canada Limited "This move will ensure that our workers are part of a sustainable pension that will provide them secure income in retirement, which is a priority at Unifor. CAAT provides a great pension. We are very pleased to see more Unifor members joining DBplus." - Jerry Dias, Unifor National President About CAAT Pension Plan Established in 1967, the CAAT Pension Plan is an independent, jointly governed, multi-employer plan that offers multiple designs of a defined benefit (DB) pension. CAAT's award-winning DBplus offering is leading to extraordinary pace of growth for the Plan. Originally established for the 24 Ontario colleges, the CAAT Plan now proudly serves more than 75 participating employers from the for-profit, non-profit and broader public sectors from across Canada, and is open for continued growth in membership where it is mutually beneficial. The CAAT Plan is respected for its pension and investment management expertise and focus on benefit security. As at January 1, 2020, the Plan had $13.5 billion in assets and was 118% funded on a going-concern basis with a $2.9 billion funding reserve, and a 10-year annual net rate of return of 10.0%. To learn more about DBplus, visit www.DBplus.ca. About Brink's Canada Limited Brink's is a global leader in total cash management, route-based secure logistics and payment solutions in cash-in-transit, ATM services, cash management services (including vault outsourcing, money processing and intelligent safe services), and international transportation of valuables. Brink's Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brink's, Incorporated, owned by The Brink's Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. To learn more about Brink's Canada Limited, visit www.brinks.ca. SOURCE CAAT Pension Plan For further information: John Cappelletti, CAAT Pension Plan, [email protected], Mobile: 416-720-7853 Related Links www.caatpension.on.ca A great white shark has been filmed strategically killing a humpback whale more than three times her size for the first time. Using a drone to capture the scene off the coast of South Africa, researchers observed the shark biting the juvenile whales tail before dragging down on the whales head to get the larger mammals blowhole underwater and eventually drowning it. Ryan Johnson, research coordinator for Blue Wilderness Research unit, filmed the encounter by chance after a member of the public informed the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) that a whale had gotten entangled in a net. Expecting to film a scavenging event, the marine biologist arrived at the site to find the whale still alive but in bad shape, he told Newsweek. The shark, known to researchers as Helen, is believed to have bitten the whales tail area to open up an artery and further weaken its prey. It took Helen 50 minutes to kill the 33ft-long humpback whale. Mr Johnson said: From everything I found, this was really the first verified report of a shark successfully killing a live whale. I think this behaviour is very rare and requires a number of aspects to all come together to be possible. A weak whale passing through a great white hot spot, and then a large and confident great white encountering it. While great white sharks are unlikely to attack whales on a regular basis as a fully-grown whale can inflict serious damage just by hitting a shark with its tail apex predators are responsible for keeping ecosystems in balance. One of the ways they do this is to remove weak or unhealthy prey from the ecosystem, said Mr Johnson. In this case, we are talking about one of the planets largest predators attacking and killing one of the worlds largest species. It is just fascinating that we live on a planet that can still surprise us with an encounter of this magnitude, he added. The footage will air as part of a documentary examining the interactions between sharks and whales on National Geographic on 28 July. The Missouri Highway Patrol responded to the collision around 2 p.m. Sunday on I-55 near Highway Z. A Jeep traveling north driven by a 60-year-old woman from Arnold swerved into the adjacent lane and hit the ambulance while it was also traveling north, according to a patrol report. The ambulance struck a guardrail, traveled into the grass median, hit a cable median barrier and overturned. Prime Minister will virtually deliver a keynote address at the valedictory session of High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC ( Economic and Social Council) on July 17 in New York, on the eve of 75th anniversary of the This comes as an important development as it will be Prime Minister's first speech at the UN after India's election to the Security Council. The Prime Minister will be joined by his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The High-Level Segment is held annually by ECOSOC and convenes a diverse group of high-level representatives from the Government, the private sector, civil society and academia. The theme of the High-level Segment is "Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary". The event assumes special significance as this will be the first opportunity wherein Prime Minister Modi will be addressing the broader UN membership since India's overwhelming election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on 17th June 2020 (for the term 2021-22). With 184 votes out of the total 192 polled, India won the UN non-permanent seat for the eighth time has emerged as the single-endorsed candidate from the Asian Pacific regional group, amid the larger push for the country to be made a permanent member of the five-nation apex grouping, currently comprising the US, the UK, Russia, China, and France. Prime Minister Modi had also earlier delivered the keynote address virtually at the 70th anniversary of the ECOSOC on 22 January 2016. Against the backdrop of a changing environment and the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the session is likely to focus on critical forces shaping the course of multilateralism and explore ways to bolster the multilateral agenda through strong multilateral leadership, effective institutions, a broadening of participation and an enhanced focus on global public goods. The ECOSOC was established as one of the six principal organs of the and is mandated to offer direction to, and undertake the coordination of, the economic, social, and cultural activities of the United Nations, with responsibility for advancing economic and social cooperation and development. The first meeting of the ECOSOC was convened on 23 January 1946, in London, United Kingdom. India was the first President of ECOSOC in 1946. It is worth mentioning that the inaugural Presidency of ECOSOC in 1946 was held by Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar of India. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 63-year-old Chinese carpenters traditional skills have become an Internet sensation as he creates woodwork with nothing more than a single piece of wood, without glue, screws or nails. Wang Dewen, known as "Grandpa Amu" on YouTube, has been dubbed as the modern day Lu Ban, a revered Chinese structural engineer during the Zhou Dynasty, thanks to his vast carpentry knowledge. Grandpa Amu's most popular video, which shows him making an intricate wooden arch bridge, has gone viral on Youtube, gaining more than 40 million views. "If you do something, you have to love it, and you have to be interested in it; however, being interested doesn't mean there's only happiness and no pain," Grandpa Amu shared when talking about his excellent carpentry skills. (Photo/CCTV.com) His most popular works include a sophisticated folding stool, a model of the China pavilion from the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and an apple-shaped interlocking puzzle, known as a Lu Ban lock. Grandpa Amu follows an ancient Chinese mortise and tenon technique, which means no nails or glue are involved in the entire process of building the arch bridge. The master carpenter has also made several wooden toys for his grandson using the same technique. His young grandsons favorites include a walking Peppa Pig and a bubble blowing machine.Attracting over 1.17 million subscribers on YouTube, Grandpa Amus videos so far have gained more than 200 million views. His extraordinary woodworking skills, using the same mortise and tenon joints found in the Forbidden City, were developed from the age of thirteen as a means of supporting his family in East China's Shandong province. "The grandson is so happy, as there have been so many exquisite and unique toys made by grandpa from an early age," commented one netizen; while another said "It's amazing. I hope these traditional crafts can be passed on!" SARATOGA SPRINGS Sometimes just making it to the starting gate is a victory. The 152nd meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin Thursday under most unusual circumstances. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the thoroughbred meeting will take place, for the time being, with no fans allowed. Owners, however, got a ticket inside the gates late Wednesday afternoon. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos ban on large gatherings means that people wont be allowed to watch the races in person. Prior to Wednesday, only track personnel essential to the running of the races were to be allowed on the property, but the New York Gaming Commission said up to eight owners per horse would be allowed to watch their horses race and train. All owners must apply 24 hours in advance of race day. But, as local trainer Richard Kerry Metivier said, The most important thing is to keep racing. The New York Racing Association stopped racing due to the virus on March 15 at Aqueduct Racetrack. It began again on June 3 for an abbreviated Belmont Park spring/summer meet with strict protocols in place. Theyll be in place for Saratoga as well. Among other rules, there need to be negative COVID-19 tests, daily temperature checks and mandatory masks at all times. NYRA is very diligent about the protocols, said Metivier, a Glens Falls native and Fort Edward resident. Theyre always taking your temperature. Theyll try to be good about not taking it again if you just had it taken, but sometimes you get your temperature taken five, six, seven times a day. And the safety stewards are, Hey, youve got to wear your masks, all the time. The meet runs until Labor Day, Sept. 7, with racing conducted Wednesdays through Sundays. The most recent step NYRA put in place to ensure that this meet got to the starting gate came Tuesday, when due to six jockeys nationally recently testing positive for COVID-19, including two who had ridden at Belmont it instituted a rule saying that only jockeys who are registered at Saratoga as of Thursday are considered to be in the colony, and that any jockey from out of town may not ride at Saratoga. Likewise, any jockey who leaves the Saratoga colony to ride at a different track may not return for this meet. The current colony consists of 22 jockeys and three apprentices. The move has the blessing of the Jockeys Guild. Under these circumstances, this is a common-sense approach to add a layer of protection for jockeys and ensure a safe and successful meet here in Saratoga, Jockeys Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks said in a release. The action, however, means that familiar jockeys who visit the Spa wont be seen. Most notably, Hall of Famer Mike Smith wont be on Midnight Bisou if she rides in the Personal Ensign on Aug. 1 as expected. Julien Leparoux, a longtime regular in the colony, previously announced he would be based at Ellis Park in Kentucky this summer. Also, the jockeys quarters have been expanded to include space that was previously offices in order to increase social distancing. Jockeys may not work horses on the Oklahoma Training Track side, only on the main track side. There will be a few steeplechase races during the meet, and those jockeys will be kept separate from the rest of the jockey colony. There has been a lot of social media talk of fans trying to set up along the fences on Union and Nelson avenues to try to watch the races, but on Tuesday, NYRA put up dark green protective screens on the fences to try to discourage that. Were trying to discourage people from showing up with their lawn chairs and coolers, especially on the Nelson Avenue side, Saratoga Springs Assistant Chief John Catone said. Thats a narrow strip between the fence and the sidewalk, and we cant have them blocking the sidewalk. Catone said that because of the lack of fans, the Saratoga Police Department will have only two officers at the track. In normal years, he said, it would also have three officers helping with traffic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and four to five officers on site after the races. The lack of fans and new rules made for an odd scene at Belmont, said Metivier, who closed the Belmont meet Sunday with his only victory there, from 7-year-old mare Magical Romance. It was very strange, Metivier said. You could only go on the front side for your race, so you couldnt hang out and watch the other races. It was like racing was going on at Belmont, but you didnt know it. That also will be the case at Saratoga. Its so surreal to be back here, and its filling up in the barns now and there are a lot of horses and a lot of buzz, and you look across (at the grandstand) and its empty, and its so weird, Metivier said. No fans obviously means no tellers at the windows, and Saratoga is one of the few tracks in the country where people enjoy placing bets with them some have favorites theyve been interacting with for decades. So how the handle will do this meet when all wagering must be done on phones or computers remains to be seen, but it didnt suffer at the Belmont meet. Its daily handle was $15,466,198, a 42 percent increase over last year. On the track, the racing should be Saratogas usual high quality, even if its marquee race moved its date. This year the Grade I Travers Stakes has been moved to Aug. 8, to serve as a logical prep to the Kentucky Derby, which Churchill Downs moved to Sept. 5 due to the coronavirus. In all, there are 71 stakes worth $14.45 million this year, down slightly from last year but still impressive considering that almost 40 percent of NYRAs purses are derived from the casino at Aqueduct, which has been shut down since late March. Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law is the headliner for the Travers. The 3-year-old is owned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg the same connections as 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. Other prominent races at Saratoga include the Whitney on Aug. 1 and the Alabama on Aug. 15. Follow Will Springstead on Twitter @WSpringsteadPSV. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 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. Geneva, July 15 : The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented job losses and economic uncertainty. As governments and businesses look to stimulate growth, a new study from the World Economic Forum on Wednesday found 'nature-positive' solutions can create 395 million jobs by 2030. The Future of Nature and Business Report provides blueprints for businesses to tap into a $10.1 trillion business opportunity, focusing on industry actions that are nature-positive, meaning that they add value to nature. The report is built on real world examples where business outcomes have been improved by nature-positive outcomes. Smart farming utilizing sensors and satellite imagery in Indonesia improved crop yields on average by 60 per cent. Suzhou Industrial Park's green development in China has seen its GDP increase 260-fold partially through green development. In Vietnam, people living in coastal communities saw their incomes more than double following the restoration of critical mangroves. "We can address the looming biodiversity crisis and reset the economy in a way that creates and protects millions of jobs," said Akanksha Khatri, Head of the Nature Action Agenda, World Economic Forum. "Public calls are getting louder for businesses and government to do better. We can protect our food supplies, make better use of our infrastructure and tap into new energy sources by transitioning to nature-positive solutions." Southwest Research Institute A laboratory in San Antonio is testing masks for frontline workers and health care providers to ensure they properly filter small particles that could carry the new coronavirus. Southwest Research Institute announced Tuesday that its Particle Science and Technology Laboratory is now testing face masks to check for counterfeit or underperforming masks. Facebook screenshot After 10 months, the day New Braunfels residents have been "waiting for" has arrived: the San Antonio Street Bridge over the Comal River has reopened. The $4.5 million project to modernize the bridge, built in 1923, added wider traffic lanes, improved pedestrian walkways and increased weight limits for emergency response vehicles. The redesign focused on improving the structure and functionality of the bridge while maintaining its historic look by incorporating the original arches and pedestals. W ildlife experts have alerted the Evening Standard that a global conservation crisis is unfolding as the disruption caused by Covid-19 causes a surge in the poaching of species for the illegal wildlife trade. India, Nepal and Pakistan and several African countries have all reported a poaching spike. In Botswana, it is warned, as many as 10 per cent of the countrys 500 rhinoceroses may have been wiped out since March. A number of wildlife protection programmes have been curtailed due to the abrupt halt of tourism revenue as a result of Covid-19, leaving endangered animals more vulnerable to slaughter. Lockdown restrictions have also limited the ability of conservationists and rangers to monitor many poaching hot spots. Trisha Ghose, project director of not-for-profit The Habitats Trust, warned of a 151 per cent increase in poaching in some parts of India. Species are being wiped out by organised trade networks, she said. New poaching techniques are emerging faster than we can respond to them. Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Conservation Through Public Health, said that great apes in East Africa were also potentially under threat: Poaching levels have gone up so much. Normally poachers would not go near the gorillas because they fear getting caught. Map Ives, of Rhino Conservation Botswana, said of the post-Covid-19 situation: Its a bloody calamity. Its an absolute crisis. The revelation of the potential scale of the conservation crisis caused by the pandemic shows the urgency of the Evening Standard and The Independents Stop The Illegal Wildlife Trade campaign. Proprietor Evgeny Lebedev launched the campaign to call for an international effort to clamp down on the illegal trade of wild animals, which remains one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Mike Pflanz Today it will also start raising funds to pay for vital wildlife-protection projects implemented by the campaigns partner charity Space for Giants. This will target the Covid-caused conservation emergency and work to stop the poaching and trafficking. Covid-19 prevention measures are hampering the collection of data to uncover the scale of the suspected poaching surge, and wildlife rangers are bravely continuing patrols wherever possible despite the challenges posed by anti-pandemic regulations. But reports of an increase in poaching have occurred worldwide. A study by wildlife trade monitoring organisation Traffic found that poaching in India more than doubled in the first six weeks of lockdown, including the killing of nine leopards. A one-horned rhino was recently shot in Kaziranga National Park in northeastern India. Poaching cases have also jumped sharply in Pakistan and Nepal, where six musk deer were found dead in the Sagarmatha National Park. In Africa, Ethiopia saw a steep rise in elephant poaching, with six killed in a single day in May. Last month, in Niger more than 40 dorcas gazelles died in what locals described as a massacre. Uganda wildlife authority head, Sam Mwandha, said criminals involved in the illegal trade of wildlife were exploiting the Covid-19 situation. Uganda yesterday announced the crisiss latest wildlife victim, an elephant killed for its ivory by a snare in Murchison Falls National Park. During March to April this year, 822 snares laid by poachers to trap wildlife were found in Bwindi park, compared with just 21 in the same period last year. Funds are needed to address poaching, encroachment and illegal wildlife trade, Mr Mwandha said. Loading.... Dr Max Graham, founder and CEO of Space for Giants, said: The international community must work together to eradicate the factors that allow the illegal trade of wildlife to perpetuate and help protect the worlds wildlife. Otherwise, we are just at the beginning of an ecological emergency. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 04:25:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran will continue providing humanitarian aid to Yemen despite the Saudi Arabia-led siege on the war-torn country, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday. "Despite restrictions and obstructions, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue taking the necessary measures to transfer humanitarian aid (to Yemen) to confront the coronavirus spread," Zarif was quoted as saying by Press TV. "Continuation of the invasion and oppressive blockade on Yemen by the (Saudi-led) coalition, and impounding of the ships that carry foodstuffs and fuel to the country amid the coronavirus epidemic is unacceptable," Zarif said. The Iranian top diplomat also underscored the Islamic Republic's stance of seeking political solution as the only way to resolve Yemen's crisis. Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen for nearly five years in support of the exiled government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Enditem A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, on Monday. Priti Patel has called for small boats carrying migrants to be intercepted nearer the French coast. (PA) Priti Patel has said migrants crossing the English Channel should be intercepted at sea and returned to France. The home secretary said she wants the UK and France to come to an agreement allowing patrol boats from either country to intercept boats carrying migrants even when they are just 250 yards from the French coast. The number of migrants who have managed to cross the Channel to the UK in 2020 is above 2,500, according to analysis by the PA news agency. At least 180 migrants were able to cross the Channel on Sunday, a new single-day record. A further 32 people crossed to the UK on Monday. Priti Patel at the home affairs committee on Wednesday. (Parliamentlive.tv) Speaking to MPs at the House of Commons home affairs committee on Wednesday, Patel said: Too many people are still making crossings and leaving France, or trying to leave France, and they get over here. We are fundamentally looking at ways of changing working with France. Ive had some very, very difficult discussions with my French counterpart, even looking at interceptions at sea, because currently the French authorities are not intercepting boats at sea. By that I mean even boats that have left that are just 250 yards or so away from the French coast. Read more: Three ways the coronavirus pandemic is affecting women more than men Watch video below I feel there could be stronger enforcement measures on the French side, and theyve heard that from me. Patel said France doesnt currently intercept boats at sea because of its interpretation of maritime law. The home secretary, however, insisted France can go ahead and do that legally. She added: Weve got to try and break this route. And to break this route, in my view, we have to intercept boats at sea and return them to France. People visit the Mansu Hill to pay respects to the bronze statues of North Korean late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's death, in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, July 8, 2020. A group of six men arrested in North Korea for trying to flee the country are expected to face harsh punishment for attempting their escape on the July 8 anniversary of national founder Kim Il Sungs death in 1994, sources in the country told RFA. Illegally leaving North Korea is a serious crime, but trying it during an annual period of national morning for the patriarch of the Kim dynasty in Pyongyang and grandfather of leader Kim Jong Un -- is considered by authorities to be an even greater offense. The six men from Ryanggang province are currently being investigated by the Security Department and are believed to have been headed to South Korea by way of China and possibly other countries, a route that more than 30,000 refugees from the North have taken over the years. The six men were arrested by the police while trying to flee across the border in Kimjongsuk county here in Ryanggang province, a resident from the border province, who requested anonymity for security reasons told RFAs Korean Service. They confessed to having attempted to leave North Korea for South Korea during the investigation, the source said. According to the source, the men were from Hyesan, Ryanggangs largest city and a major river transportation hub along the Yalu, which separates North Korea from China. They left Hyesan on the morning of July 8 and climbed a mountain near the border of Kimjongsuk country at around 2:00 p.m. to wait for sunset, the source said. Though they hoped to cross into China under cover of darkness, a local resident tipped off the Kimjongsuk county police, who arrested the men as they waited for nightfall, according to the source. An official of Kimjongsuk county told RFA that the heavily armed officers were able to quickly find them. Upon arriving at the scene, the security guards sealed off the mountain where the group of young people were hiding and arrested them after a two-hour search, said the second source, who requested anonymity to speak freely. On the 9th, after the county police completed their investigation, they were handed over to the Kimjongsuk county Security Department which is now conducting its own investigation, the second source said. We all expect that they will face harsher punishment because they attempted to escape North Korea on the anniversary day of the death of Kim Il Sung, which is our national memorial day, the second source added. Increased scrutiny Police in Ryanggang also arrested others for less severe crimes on the same day, as authorities appear to be increasingly cracking down on citizens with family members who have escaped North Korea, according to another resident of the province, who declined to be named for legal reasons. A resident of Hyesan was arrested by the Security Department after they used detection equipment to discover him talking to his family in South Korea on an illegal phone, said the third source. Recently, residents here are complaining that it is becoming difficult to live because of sanctions and the COVID-19 border closures, the third source said. The U.S. and UN have imposed trade sanctions on North Korea to deprive it of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs. Cutting off the flow of certain goods from China, as well as depriving North Korea of the sizable Chinese market for its own products, has been disastrous for North Koreans making their living in the emerging market economy. But Pyongang and Beijing shut down the border in January due to the onset of the coronavirus, exacerbating the struggle even further. Residents have no other choice than to take the risk of contacting their relatives in the outside world to maintain their livelihoods, the third source said. Many families in border areas have a relative who works outside of the country, sending them remittance payments worth many times what they could possibly earn at home. Some of these remittances even come from South Korea via China through brokers who arrange the transfer of funds for a hefty percentage of the amount sent. Authorities have in the past looked the other way in exchange for small bribes, but a recent heightening of tensions on the peninsula, for which Pyongyang blames its former citizens in the South, has resulted in increased scrutiny for those receiving money from family abroad. So these days the latest detection equipment has been distributed to security authorities all over the North Korea-China border area, and many of the residents who used to contact the outside world by illegal phone have been arrested and are in trouble, the third source said. The crackdown and surveillance on illegal phone usage is stronger now than it ever has been. North Koreas state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported in January last year that the government declared the death anniversary of Kim Il Sung (1912-94), as well as that of his son and successor Kim Jong Il (1942-2011), as national memorial days. The eldest Kims anniversary was designated a special guard week during which residents movement is restricted and their homes are inspected by neighborhood watch units. The issuance of travel certificates, necessary even for domestic destinations, is restricted during the mourning period. Facts and figures In an October 2019 report, the Washington-based Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) estimated total net emigration from North Korea between 1990 and 2018, saying the number of North Koreans leaving their country and never returning was likely over 50,000. The report noted that the U.S. Census Bureau in 2010 estimated net-out migration from North Korea to be at around 40,000 people, with HRNK estimating more than 10,000 escaping between 2010 and 2018. HRNKs report said that illegal border crossing from North Korea to China peaked at around 100,000 per year in 1998 or 1999 during a period of famine and economic collapse in North Korea, with numbers steadily declining since. Most of these returned to North Korea, either on their own accord, or were deported by Chinese authorities. Of the more than 50,000 who have not returned to North Korea, more than 33,000 ended up in South Korea since 1998 according to statistics from the South Korean Ministry of Unification, including more than 12,000 between 2011 and 2019. The number of North Koreans entering the South to seek refuge peaked at just under 3,000 in 2009 and has trended downward to slightly more than 1,000 in 2019. Reported by Sewon Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. His remarks come a day after the Congress sacked him as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president. New Delhi: "I am not joining the BJP," Sachin Pilot said on Wednesday, asserting that he had worked hard to defeat the saffron party and bring the Congress back to power in Rajasthan. Pilot told PTI that some leaders in Rajasthan were trying to fuel speculation that he is joining the BJP and he would like to categorically state that he was not doing so. His remarks come a day after the Congress sacked him as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president. Two loyalists of Pilot were also dropped from the state Cabinet. By PTI LAHORE: A Pakistani anti-corruption court has given a final chance to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, currently in London for medical treatment, to appear before it on August 17 in a graft case, failing which he may be declared a proclaimed offender. The 70-year-old embattled three-time premier is currently in London for treatment after he was diagnosed with an immune system disorder. He left for the UK in November after the Lahore High Court granted him a four-week permission to go abroad for treatment. The notice issued by the Accountability Court of Islamabad in the Toshakhana (treasure house) corruption case was displayed at Jati Umra and Model Town residences of Sharif on Monday. "Nawaz Sharif committed offence of punishable under Section 9 read with Section 10 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 and it has been returned to a warrant of arrest thereupon issued that the said accused cannot be found and whereas it has been shown to my satisfaction that the said accused has absconded. "Proclamation under section 87 CrPC is hereby made that the said accused Nawaz Sharif is required to appear before this court to answer the said reference on Aug 17," the notice stated. The Accountability Court last month issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Sharif in the Toshakhana case. Sharif is accused of obtaining luxury cars from the treasury house by paying just 15 per cent of the price of these vehicles. Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani are also accused of receiving luxury vehicles and gifts from the treasure house. According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Gilani had facilitated Zardari and Nawaz to obtain the vehicles. The court has directed the Foreign Office to execute the arrest warrants against Sharif through the Pakistan High Commission in London. Sharif left for London in November after the Lahore High Court granted him four-week permission to go abroad for treatment. He had submitted an undertaking to the court to return to Pakistan citing his record of facing the law and justice within four weeks or as soon as he is declared healthy and fit to travel by doctors. He was also given bail in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in which he was serving a seven-year sentence in Kot Lakhpat Jail and in a money laundering case to facilitate his travel abroad. Sharif has been diagnosed with complicated coronary artery/ischemic heart disease. His daughter Maryam Nawaz had said her father was a high-risk patient and therefore, his cardiac catheterisation/coronary intervention had been postponed owing to the COVID-19. Last month, the country's anti-graft body filed a corruption case against Sharif, Jang/Geo media group owner Mir Shakilur Rahman and two others in a land case in Lahore's accountability court. According to NAB, Sharif in 1986, when he was the Punjab chief minister, allotted 54 kanal land in Lahore to Mir Shakilur Rehman in violation of rules. Rahman has been on judicial remand after his arrest by the NAB on March 12. Since Sharif did not respond to any of the NAB's summons and questions, his arrest warrants had already been issued and the bureau announced to have moved the accountability court to declare him a proclaimed offender. A Brazoria County Sheriff's Office deputy on Sunday shot a man who fired a shotgun at him while trespassing on a Union Pacific rail line near Angleton, the sheriff's office said late Monday in a news release. The man was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and the deputy was not injured. According to the state-run MENA news agency, Cairo received a delegation from several tribes from Benghazi for talks about the current crisis and how to overcome it Egypt received on Wednesday a delegation of Libyan tribes loyal to eastern forces to discuss developments in the war-torn country, a few days after the eastern-based Libyan parliament asked Egypt to directly intervene if needed in light of what it described as a Turkish occupation. According to the state-run MENA news agency, Cairo received a delegation from several tribes from Benghazi for talks about the current crisis and how to overcome it. It is unclear who the tribes are meeting during their visit to Egypt. The visit comes a few days after Libya's Tobruk-based parliament asked Egypt to intervene militarily if needed to safeguard the national security of both countries. Egypt, the UAE and Russia are backing military commander Khalifa Haftar in the east, while Turkey supports the Tripoli-based GNA. The tensions come one month after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi warned that Cairo has a legitimate right to intervene in the war-torn neighbouring country to restore security and stability after GNA-affiliated forces pushed back Haftars forces in the capital. 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. The Egyptian presidents statements came weeks after El-Sisi, 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 was drafted after the collapse of an offensive launched by Haftar in April 2019 to capture the Libyan capital, further extending the rival GNAs control over most of northwest Libya. Search Keywords: Short link: LAS CRUCES So long, Onate. Members of the Las Cruces Public Schools board voted 3-1 with one abstention in favor of changing the name during a virtual special meeting Tuesday. The school district will have to spend $158,500 to $208,500 to rename Onate. If the school takes on another O name, costs would be reduced. The school board will discuss the high schools new name at a later meeting. The vote came after the school board learned nearly three-fourths of people who responded to an LCPS survey favored keeping it named Onate High School. The proposal to change the name of the school comes amid a national conversation about monuments and names of institutions honoring controversial historical figures. The schools namesake, Don Juan de Onate y Salazar, was colonial governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico and leader of a brutal massacre of the Acoma Pueblo in 1599. He was eventually banished from New Mexico for his crimes. School board members Terrie Dallman, Maria Flores and Carol Cooper voted to change the name. Ray Jaramillo voted no, citing the cost of the change and timing. Teresa Tenorio abstained from voting. I voted no, not because I didnt think it needed to be changed, I do think it should be changed but we are facing a budget and were dealing with a pandemic in the middle of this. The way it was phrased left me no option to say no on a fiscal responsibility, Jaramillo said. If we listen to the survey it was overwhelmingly no, not at this time. I dont think our district can absorb $200,000 when our students need computers and PPE. Tenorio, who became emotional as she apologized for abstaining, said in hindsight she wouldve voted no to changing the name. I should have voted with my conscience and I wouldve voted no, and it wouldve hurt me because I want Onate to be changed and I wouldve waited until the students were ready and there was a majority that was willing to do it, Tenorio said. We need to educate them first on their history. I live that history, its in my blood. Before the vote, Tenorio suggested postponing a decision. Dallman, the school board president, asked OHS principal Jim Schapekahm his thoughts. Schapekahm, who was recently named New Mexico principal of the year, said he was in favor of a vote because he felt his student body was divided. It needs to be decided because of the years Ive been there it keeps popping up every two years and divides the family a little bit, he said. Community input Roberto Lozano, associate superintendent of equity, innovation, and social justice for the district along with Schapekahm, presented the board with a summary of input retrieved from stakeholders before the vote. According to the results of a recent LCPS survey, 1,350 people in the community voted to approve changing the name of Onate High School and 4,129 opposed. A total of 435 students voted not to change the name while 119 voted to change it. The majority of parents, faculty and staff also voted not to rename the school. Organ Mountain High School or Organ High School were two names that were proposed by Onate students and community members. Organ Mountain High School received 2,946 votees and Organ High School received 698 votes in the survey issued by the district. Other names suggested by the community included Bataan High School, East Mesa High School, Knights High School and even Obama High School. Lozano said phase one, or the first year, of rebranding would begin with essential uniforms, bleachers if changed from an O, pads in gym with Onate on them, gym floor if changed from O, school marquee in front of the school, football scoreboard, arch in front of the school, business cards and letterman jackets. In the second year, costs will include gym chairs, band and choir uniforms if changed from O and year three would include all other items including signs and banners. Before the vote, Maria Flores, vice president of the board, and Tenorio suggested looking into grants to fund the rebranding. If we commit to working on that, if thats something board members can even do, or support a team to do that, I think that will solve part of the problem, Flores said. We need to move forward with this, I think this will help the community of Onate. Onate High School opened in 1988 in what is now Sierra Middle School. The current OHS building opened on the citys East Mesa in 1993. Watch the recorded school board meeting at https://livestream.com/lcpstv/sy1920meetings Jacqueline Devine can be reached at 575-541-5476, JDevine@lcsun-news.com or @JackieIsDevine on Twitter. The highest single monthly budget deficit in history of $864 billion in June sends a clear message that the federal government needs to get its finances under control. The highest previous monthly deficit was $234 billion, and only five times in U.S. history has the annual budget deficit been higher than $864 billion. US DEFICIT SOARS TO $1.9T IN 8 MONTHS While it is understandable that this unequaled spending has occurred during an unprecedented health care and economic crisis, it nonetheless makes it more important than ever that Congress should undertake every possible step to eliminate as much wasteful spending as possible to help the country fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic. And that effort should start with earmarks, an unfair and inequitable process through which a small group of members of Congress spends money on special interests at the expense of all taxpayers. For the third year in a row, members of Congress have set a record for the cost of earmarks during the supposed earmark moratorium. MODERNA STOCK SOARS FOLLOWING POSITIVE RESULTS IN CORONAVIRUS VACCINE CANDIDATE The 2020 Congressional "Pig Book" exposes 274 earmarks, a decrease of 2.8 percent from the 282 in FY 2019. The Pig Book is an annual list of pork-barrel projects, or earmarks, which are costly, unfair, and inequitable expenditures that increase waste and promote corruption. The cost of the earmarks in FY 2020 is $15.9 billion, an increase of 3.9 percent from the $15.3 billion in FY 2019. CORONAVIRUS PHASE 4 STIMULUS BILL COMING, KUDLOW SAYS 'CONCLUSIVELY' The cost of the FY 2020 earmarks is only 3.6 percent less than the $16.5 billion in FY 2010, the last year prior to the moratorium. Since FY 1991, the Pig Book has identified 111,417 earmarks costing $375.7 billion. The increase in pork-barrel spending has occurred behind closed doors and hidden from taxpayers. There are no names of legislators attached to each earmark and limited information on where and how the money will be spent. Story continues For example, $9 million was provided for the Appalachian Regional Commission and Delta Regional Authority in the Agriculture Appropriations bill, and another $27.5 million was added for the Delta Regional Authority in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. These regional commissions duplicate other federal programs, as well as state and local expenditures. There is bipartisan support for cutting funds for the Delta Regional Authority. Former President Obama proposed a $3 million reduction, and each of President Trumps first four budgets recommended eliminating the entire agency, as well as the Appalachian Regional Commission. CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO Carveouts for the Department of Defense have always accounted for about half of the cost of earmarks in the "Pig Book," and in 2020, they represent 47.2 percent at $7.5 billion. One of the worst examples of defense pork is the $2.1 billion earmarked for 22 additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters that were not requested by the Department of Defense, six more than in FY 2019. The F-35 has been in development for nearly 19 years and is nine years behind schedule. Its total acquisition costs now exceed $428 billion, nearly double the initial estimate. A 2019 DOD Selected Acquisition Report found that the F-35s lifetime operation and maintenance costs will total approximately $1.2 trillion, making it the most expensive weapon system in U.S. history. The 2020 Pig Book also includes a slew of absurd nature-related earmarks. Congress earmarked $65 million for the third year in a row to help recover Pacific Coastal Salmon, a record $25.8 million to manage wild horses, a record $24 million to control aquatic plants, a record $11.4 million to purchase fish screens, and $663,000 to eradicate brown tree snakes in Guam. Perhaps the most flagrant earmark is the $16.7 million for the third consecutive year for the East-West Center, added by Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii (of no relation to the author of this op-ed). His earmark represents the centers entire budget, keeping it alive even though its counterpart, the North-South Center, stopped receiving federal funding in 2001. The East-West Center should be able to stand on its own without taxpayer support as well. Taxpayers must always remember why the 2011 moratorium was necessary in the first place. After high-profile boondoggles like the Bridge to Nowhere and a decade of scandals in the 2000s that resulted in jail terms for congressmen and lobbyists, Washington could no longer abide keeping the practice in place. The late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said that the problem with all of the arguments by earmark proponents is the more powerful you are, the more likely it is you get the earmark in. Therefore, it is a corrupt system. The late Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., called earmarks the gateway drug to Washingtons spending addiction. Pork-barrel earmarks still hold the power to corrupt members of Congress, waste taxpayer money, and erode trust in government. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS The best way to safeguard taxpayers is for Congress to enact a permanent, statutory ban on earmarks. Tom Schatz is President of Citizens Against Government Waste. Related Articles As the days drag on without explanation of where Philadelphia toddler King Hill could be, the community is determined to help his family find answers. A search party met in the city on Monday evening in hopes of finding clues of where the 2-year-old who hasnt been seen since July 7 could have disappeared to. The lack of progress in bringing her son home has weighed heavily on Kings mother. I cant sleep because my son is out there, Amber Hill told FOX 29. On Monday, the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police announced they were joining the investigation, ramping up efforts to find out what happened to the little boy. Hill said she dropped King off on July 7 at his stepfathers house. He later called the police when he realized neither Kings mother or his babysitter had the toddler with them, FOX reported. The babysitter claimed his mother picked him up, but Hill firmly denied it in an interview. The babysitter, shes lying on her end, completely. I just know she is. You never dropped my son off, you never did none of that. Youre lying, youre a liar, Hill said, according to CBS Philly. Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Burgmann said authorities have no idea where King is, and said somebodys not telling us the truth in regard to his disappearance, CBS reported. Community members who helped with Mondays search have vowed not to rest until King is found. I have a 2-year-old granddaughter and I know how I would feel if something was to happen to her, Margaret Grazier told FOX. King is described as 3 feet tall, with a light brown complexion, thin build, black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact Philadelphia authorities at 215-685-3257, or call 911. READ MORE: A 13-year-old is charged as an adult for killing his brother: What does the court system have in store for him? In Harrisburg, a struggle to open Pa.s 1st Black-owned craft brewery: It shouldnt be this hard Woman dies after rescue from Dauphin County creek A North Kildare based co-leader of the Social Democrats is today publishing a motion on workers rights, that is seeking better protection for workers. The Social Democrats today publish the motion on Workers Rights that they will bring forward in their first Private Members time in the 33rd Dail. The motion will be debated tonight.. The motion aims to increase protection for workers across a range of areas, including low-pay, precarious work, collective bargaining for all workers and the valuing of essential workers we relied on during the Covid-19 pandemic. Social Democrats co-leader, Catherine Murphy TD, said: The Covid-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on public health and the wider economy at large. The ongoing pandemic has amplified and shone a light on the myriad of issues affecting workers in this country, from low pay and lack of job security to health and safety in the workplace." She said:When this Covid19 crisis passes, employers, both in the private and public sectors, will be judged on how they treated their most vulnerable workers during these unprecedented times. But the Government has an equal responsibility to ensure that workers rights and conditions are enshrined in law and have full statutory backing." Deputy Murphy said:The Irish Government committed, as part of Januarys New Decade, New Approach agreement in Northern Ireland, to focus on creating good jobs and protecting workers rights. Our motion calls on the new Government to make the very same commitment to all workers in the Republic of Ireland to give workers a voice, a decent income, security of tenure and decent working conditions. This not only matters to better health and wellbeing, but is crucial to tackling inequalities, building self-efficacy and combating poverty." She said:We are calling on all three Government parties to support our motion mirroring the commitment the last Government supported for the workers of Northern Ireland. Tourism minister confirms Phuket, Phi Phi, Samui to be proposed for Travel Bubbles PHUKET: Minister for Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has confirmed that Phuket is to be one of the pilot destinations to be proposed to the Cabinet to be promoted for travel bubble tourists. tourismeconomicsCOVID-19 By The Phuket News Wednesday 15 July 2020, 06:13PM Minister for Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Photo: NNT Such tourists will be exempt from 14-day quarantines, but will be restricted to visiting specified areas, Mr Phiphat said yesterday (July 14), reported state news agency National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT). The three pilot areas to be proposed to Cabinet will be all Southern Thailand provinces: Phuket; Krabi, especially Phi Phi island; and Surat Thani, especially Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan islands. In order to be permitted to join a Travel Bubble tour, foreign tourists must be tested for COVID-19 before coming to Thailand and again when arriving at airports, Mr Phiphat said. Foreign tourists wanting to stay longer than 14 days will be allowed to visit other areas in the country after staying in their initial destination area for 14 days without exhibiting any signs of infection, he added. Mr Phiphat also noted that the national domestic tourism campaign, launched through the We Travel Together web portal under the Tiew Pan Suk (Travelling Shares Happiness) government initiative, is expected to take around a half of the B18 billion budget given by the Cabinet, as most people will not book room that charge the full B3,000 a night. We will propose that Phase 2 of this project use the rest of the budget, he added. The tourism goal for this year is to generate around 6-7% of GDP, or around B1.23 trillion, Mr Phiphat said. We expect to generate B700 billion from domestic tourism in the last quarter of this year, and a further B596 billion from foreign tourists, he added. However, when or whether or not such travel bubbles will be permitted was a decision beyond his authority, Mr Phiphat noted. That depends on whether the Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior choose peoples safety and security or economic recovery, he said. This year Co Kildare is reporting high levels of call outs to businesses due to rodent and pest infestations. Businesses that have been temporarily vacated as a result of the lockdown period face the threat of a pest infestation due to their buildings remaining undisturbed and unguarded for an extended period, says Rentokil. Different pest infestations can pose a variety of threats to any business. Rentokil believes that rodents are the top pests that businesses need to be aware if when returning to work. Rodents can cause significant damage to properties and assets. Rats and mice spend extended periods of time every day grinding down their teeth on surrounding objects, and as a result, they can chew through utility lines, electrical wires, support beams and other key infrastructure. The presence of rodents in a business also poses a serious reputational risk, as well as the health risk posed by the spread of disease through their bodily fluids and excrement. The top four counties which have accounted for rodent callouts so far this year are: Dublin (29% of callouts), Kerry (16%), Galway (11%), and Cork (9%). Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said: As businesses begin to gradually re-open, we would encourage owners and employees to be mindful of the presence of certain pests and the threats posed by them. Rodents and certain pest insects will have made homes in buildings that lay vacant during the lockdown period, and as a result, some businesses may be facing an infestation upon reopening. There are a number of dangers posed by certain pests, in terms of property damage, as well as reputational and health risks. Rentokil advises businesses to explore unmanned, non-toxic pest control solutions, such as PestConnect, a digital solution which provides 24 hour protection from rodents. Through a system of infrared sensors, it detects and then captures or humanely kills rodents using automatically deployed bait stations and traps. The company is advising business owners to utilise digital pest control solutions in place of poisons, due to recent changes in national rules prohibiting the use of toxic baiting. A variety of pest insects also pose a threat to businesses. Ants, wasps, flies and cockroaches in particular have been more active during the warm summer months, when the insects breed and multiply. Empty businesses with food or water residue present will likely have attracted them and may as result be home to infestations. These pest insects can lay dozens of eggs at a time, so a small problem can quickly become a large one. The top four counties which have accounted for pest insect callouts so far this year are: Dublin (30% of callouts), Cork (8%), Kildare (6%), and Meath (6%). Meik Wiking has helped bring the Danish idea of "hygge" (or "HEW-guh") to the rest of the world with his Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and with his book, "The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living." As he defines it, hygge is "the art of creating a nice atmosphere, . . . the pursuit of everyday happiness." How hygge has been generally translated to the home, however, is in cozy winter fires, hot chocolate, sheepskin blankets and candles. We wanted to know: How can we achieve this cozy ideal during the spring and summer months, while we're all at home . . . and it's hot outside? Wiking says we can achieve the key elements of hygge - "atmosphere, presence, pleasure, gratitude and togetherness"- as easily during the summer as we can during the winter. He recommends picnics, games, bike rides and reading books outside in the shade. We also talked to interior designers and a cookbook author about ideas for creating this cozy feeling inside the home. - Trade out textiles When you choose lighter bedding, "everything feels soft and cozy, . . . light and airy at the same time," says Shelly Lynch-Sparks, founder and principal of Hyphen & Co. design firm in New York City. She recommends linen sheets or, even lighter, 100 percent organic cotton sheets. Matteo is her favorite brand for high-end sheets; she also likes cotton sheets from CB2. The Citizenry is where she goes for linen quilts. Textile accessories deserve a swap, too. "In the winter, it's alpaca wools and sheepskins, . . . 100 percent wool blankets. Whereas in the summer, we transition to Turkish towels, softer linens that are lighter, colder," she says, recommending Turkish towels from Serena & Lily and Parachute. "Even if it's 100 degrees out, if you have the air conditioning on, you still feel like you can cozy up with a blanket." Alison Giese of Alison Giese Interiors in San Antonio, Texas, also likes to add linen curtains; she recommends Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn. - Highlight special objects Giese says she likes to help clients create homes with soul. Practically, that can be as easy as shopping your home. "For me personally, it has to do with the home telling the story. . . . [It can be] art that we've collected from places we've traveled. . . . It can be a bowl that we picked up from an artisan market." Bring out prints or postcards from places you've been and get them framed. She recommends sending extra-special objects - "say you've got those kids' lovies that are now rags" - to commercial photographer Shana Novak of the Heirloomist, which specializes in turning heirlooms into fine printed art. - Bring furniture back to life If you have inherited furniture that you love and have always wanted to refinish, now is a great time to do that, Giese says. "It tells a story; it doesn't mean that you're dishonoring your loved ones by changing the fabric. . . . You're just making it 'you.' " Reupholster a chair or sofa, or paint an old cabinet. These are decisions that can help you feel more at home. - Clear out the clutter The lines down the street at Goodwill donation drop-offs indicate that many of us are already doing this, but just as we like to pare down to shorts and sandals in the summer, it's also a good time to clear out the home of things we don't need or want. "Everything feels so weighty on the brain that if there's something we can do to declutter, visually organize," it helps, Giese says. Even rolling up blankets that are normally out and putting them in baskets helps lighten the look of a room. - Move nature inside "Everybody has adapted to this whole neutral-[colored] environment, which we stand by," Lynch-Sparks says, "but color in the home in the summer brings the outside in." Pick up a fresh bouquet of flowers, change the throw pillows to ones with light and bright colors and patterns, or move a bowl of fresh fruit front and center on a kitchen counter or dining table. - Create cozy outdoor stations Sarah Copeland, author of the cookbook "Every Day is Saturday," has two kids underfoot this summer in her New York home, and the kids' summer activities have been canceled. To make their home feel more spacious, she set up stations outdoors. One is a patio with a couch. "This year, I've invested a lot more energy into it," she says. "I added a solar pendant light, I put pillows out, I put out a lot more potted plants. Saturdays and Sundays we have brunch there." She also put up a hammock on an old crabapple tree and added pillows, even putting a rug underneath it. "That's where we could have lunch in the shade or read together," she says. At night, they might light a fire in their firepit for s'mores - or even use it to cook dinner. Copeland also bought an eight-foot stock tank from Tractor Supply and set it in on a large circle of crushed marble (so the kids don't slip getting in and out). To keep it clean, she uses chlorine tablets in a dispenser and removes the dispenser before anyone gets in. She'll let the kids play while she works nearby or hop in with them after a workout or yoga session. At night, she and her husband enjoy it under string lights. Note: Farm supply stores are selling out of stock tanks everywhere. Call around to your local stores and get on their waiting lists. For a less-permanent option, try an inflatable pool. Minnidip's 51/2-foot diameter Luxe Inflatable Pool has been all over Instagram this summer - so much so that it's sold out. The company says it will be restocking. Authored by Shiva Agarwal, Research Director, Ipsos Innovation, India & Ashwini Sirsikar, Country Service Line leader, Ipsos UU (Qualitative Research), India I had out of personal choice logged out of FB for past 2+ years. Not that I had attained nirvana from social media though - I had simply started being more present on Instagram. However, I logged back onto FB this month - not a lockdown effect - on the advice of my toddlers doctor. Yes, no less, and a friend saying that is a very good advice coming from a doc! Well, she said its going to be essential that you be connected to a neighborhood mothers group for your sons sake. It comes in extremely handy. Read Also: Social media tips its hat to Sushmita Sens Aarya avatar with memes That was a personal reason, but with 3.5 billion people in the world logging in to their social media accounts daily, businesses cannot afford to stay away from this necessary evil nor let go of analyzing this mostly free, organic data. Old arguments that we used to hear up until a couple of years back seem extremely backward looking and blinkered now - that social media is too short-term, just for the here and now reactions, too flimsy and unquantifiable. While most big originations have gotten on to the social bandwagon in the last decade, its still surprising to note that beyond CRM, very few of them are harnessing this data to reveal the real consumer asks/needs and wants. The fact that this consumer-speak is the most raw, uninhibited and genuine response to categories/brands, makes it so much richer, credible and actionable. 73% of marketers agree that social media is somewhat or very effective in their business strategy and about 54% of customers use social to research products* Analyzing this data can help global firms transcend the physical boundaries of geography and build an understanding of the global consumer without setting TG guardrails. This is the only form of data which allows for the luxury of going back in time a so what is posted 5/6 months or even a couple of years back is still available, and we can look at all of it to draw conclusions, prove/disprove what is working NOW. Some key ways in which this data needs to be used more is to inform businesses About their brands current footprint & image - What your customers genuinely /without being asked speak about your brand(s) and how they view it, what associations they form and what are the key stand-outs. What is it you can leverage and what are the weak spots that need to be addressed. Category Trends What is new in the category? Could be new ways that people have begun to use an old category or a category innovation. Are there new emergent needs which are not getting fulfilled? Eco-friendly, biodegradable natural san-naps Carmesi and so many more emergent new brands which are slowly but steadily shaking the category status -quo and the sleeping giants. The recent Menstrual hygiene day on 28th May generated quite some buzz all over social media with new and upcoming brands making good use to bring forth their support and generating awareness Competition Activity What is the response to innovations or campaigns by competition? What is the kind of eyeballs it is getting in social media? Is that impacting their overall image and associations? Feedback on marketing mix elements- Reviews and ratings are a huge source of influence for customers. Social media gives an unfiltered view of users experience of brands- from product, pricing, specific features to even service related aspects. There is significant data on categories like mobile phones, beauty products, durables which when mined can help in product development. The Right content strategy What kind of content works best for my brand(s)? What platforms are giving me more visibility and positive chatter. What are my loyal customers likely to share and endorse more? In the wake of the Covid crisis with the alcohol sector facing a complete shutdown, global brands focused a lot on stay at home messaging, new content like cocktail recipes, emoji quizzes and even live- streamed tastings leading to much higher engagement levels with their patrons compared to 2019 While there have emerged enough and more tools to auto- analyze your social data, automated tools can only do so much. A lot of these business questions still need a skilled human eye to sieve through the data, understand what it truly means so that the brand can draw effective and intuitive insights. At Ipsos we have more than 300 Social Media Intelligence Experts who can help you to structure social media data to arrive at actionable insights. Social Intelligence Analysis: Delivering actionable insights from social intelligence and other unstructured data sources. We help brands dive deep into specific business questions using social listening data and have strategies informed by this rich, organic and dynamic source of data. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers found preliminary evidence suggesting that peoples blood type might be an important risk factor both for being infected by the virus and for falling dangerously ill. But over the past few months, after looking at thousands of additional patients with Covid-19, scientists are reporting a much weaker link to blood type. Two studies one at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the other at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York did not find that Type A blood increases the odds that people will be infected with Covid-19. The new reports do find evidence that people with Type O blood may be slightly less likely to be infected. But the effect is so small that people shouldnt count on it. No one should think theyre protected, said Nicholas Tatonetti, a data scientist at Columbia University. SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Brits have asked...and we have listened. Lucky for lads from London to Liverpool, MANSCAPED , the premier male below-the-waist grooming and hygiene brand, has answered the demand for the arrival of its latest trimmer in The United Kingdom (UK). Without further ado, we're pleased to present The Lawn Mower 3.0 , the intelligently-designed electric trimmer developed with the latest and greatest technology to ensure an easy, safe and efficient grooming routine for the groin and body. MANSCAPED, the premier male below-the-waist grooming and hygiene brand, answers the UK's demand for the arrival of its legendary Lawn Mower 3.0 electric trimmer. The revolutionary Lawn Mower 3.0 trimmer is equipped with proprietary product attributes including a 7,000 RPM motor with QuietStroke technology and replaceable ceramic blade with SkinSafe technology to help ensure no nicks, cuts or snags. "British men were early adopters of the below-the-waist self-care movement years ago, thus they are always looking for the best and most effective tools for the job," said Paul Tran, Founder and CEO of MANSCAPED. "That said, we have heard the cry for our revolutionary Lawn Mower 3.0 trimmer across the pond. Our hardworking and passionate team prioritized this launch, and we couldn't be more proud to offer this top-rated tool to this very sophisticated market of male groomers." The premium Lawn Mower 3.0 trimmer is equipped with state-of-the-art features and proprietary product attributes researched and created by the talented team of engineers at MANSCAPED. These include a precision engineered 7,000 RPM motor with QuietStroke technology and replaceable ceramic blade with SkinSafe technology to help ensure no nicks, cuts or snags. Finally, a 600mA Li-Ion rechargeable battery holds up to 90 minutes of charge, and the IPX7 rated waterproof design allows for maneuverability in wet or dry settings! Brits can further elevate their full body grooming regime with the brand's curated set of essential tools and formulations found in The Perfect Package 3.0 . This must-have kit includes: The Lawn Mower 3.0 - The cornerstone of a refined grooming regime - The cornerstone of a refined grooming regime Crop Preserver - Ball deodorant uniquely formulated to help reduce odor for up to 24 hours - Ball deodorant uniquely formulated to help reduce odor for up to 24 hours Crop Reviver - Refreshing ball toner spray infused with cooling aloe - Refreshing ball toner spray infused with cooling aloe Magic Mat - Set of three disposable - and clever - shaving mats - Set of three disposable - and clever - shaving mats The Shed - Luxury travel and storage bag - Luxury travel and storage bag MANSCAPED Boxers - Comfortable anti-chafing boxer briefs "We get that scaping your manhood has been mainstream in the UK for quite some time but at MANSCAPED, we go above and beyond to deliver superior tools and products for the modern man," said Dillon Roark, MANSCAPED's International Expansion Manager. "We strive to give our customers a full body grooming experience that is functional, flawless and fun - from the minute they open the package to those last confidence-boosting moments of putting the finishing touches on their refined look and feel." Available on uk.manscaped.com , The Lawn Mower 3.0 sells for 79.99 and The Perfect Package is priced at 99.99. Customers can also purchase The Lawn Mower 3.0, as well as a selection of best-selling products, on Amazon , with Prime and pickup options available. About MANSCAPED: Founded in 2017, San Diego, California-based MANSCAPED is the first and leading brand dedicated to men's grooming and hygiene below-the-waist. The product range includes only the best tools, formulations and accessories for a simple and effective male grooming routine. With direct-to-consumer shipping in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, as well as placement in Target and Best Buy retail locations across the U.S., MANSCAPED is a one-stop shopping destination for men looking for a brand that is focused on the needs of what has, for too long, been a sensitive and often taboo subject. For more information, visit uk.MANSCAPED.com or follow on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and YouTube . Media Contact: Allison Frazier, Director of Public Relations - MANSCAPED, Inc. [email protected] 925-216-2791 SOURCE MANSCAPED, Inc. Related Links http://www.manscaped.com As of 12 p.m. July 15, 2020, the Pa. Department of Health reports that there are 97,665 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. There are at least 6,957 reported deaths from the virus. According to Johns Hopkins University, 74,436 of those cases recovered from the virus. Click the image to see a data page including an interactive map for the state. (Please click the link in the previous sentence if you cant see the image.) Click here for a ZIP code breakdown of cases provided by the Pa. Department of Health. The state is also providing detailed hospital and respirator data here for desktop users and here for mobile users. Adams There are 399 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 14 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Allegheny There are 5610 total cases with 246 new cases reported. 201 total deaths have been reported in the county with 2 new deaths announced. Armstrong There are 94 total cases with 6 new cases reported. 6 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Beaver There are 884 total cases with 14 new cases reported. 79 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Bedford There are 94 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 4 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Berks There are 4744 total cases with 34 new cases reported. 359 total deaths have been reported in the county with 1 new deaths announced. Blair There are 113 total cases with 6 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Bradford There are 61 total cases with 2 new cases reported. 3 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Bucks There are 6189 total cases with 52 new cases reported. 572 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Butler There are 444 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 13 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Cambria There are 143 total cases with 6 new cases reported. 3 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Cameron There are 5 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Carbon There are 306 total cases with 5 new cases reported. 27 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Centre There are 262 total cases with 9 new cases reported. 8 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Chester There are 4108 total cases with 55 new cases reported. 334 total deaths have been reported in the county with 1 new deaths announced. Clarion There are 66 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 2 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Clearfield There are 96 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Clinton There are 100 total cases with 4 new cases reported. 5 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Columbia There are 424 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 35 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Crawford There are 101 total cases with 21 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Cumberland There are 982 total cases with 21 new cases reported. 66 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Dauphin There are 2325 total cases with 16 new cases reported. 149 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Delaware There are 7651 total cases with 45 new cases reported. 669 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Elk There are 31 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Erie There are 747 total cases with 7 new cases reported. 13 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Fayette There are 220 total cases with 7 new cases reported. 4 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Forest There are 7 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Franklin There are 1019 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 46 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Fulton There are 19 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Greene There are 75 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Huntingdon There are 263 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 4 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Indiana There are 168 total cases with -1 new cases reported. 6 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Jefferson There are 41 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Juniata There are 116 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 6 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Lackawanna There are 1771 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 211 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Lancaster There are 4906 total cases with 30 new cases reported. 388 total deaths have been reported in the county with 2 new deaths announced. Lawrence There are 207 total cases with 7 new cases reported. 9 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Lebanon There are 1476 total cases with 2 new cases reported. 51 total deaths have been reported in the county with 1 new deaths announced. Lehigh There are 4465 total cases with 15 new cases reported. 330 total deaths have been reported in the county with 1 new deaths announced. Luzerne There are 3036 total cases with 11 new cases reported. 181 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Lycoming There are 252 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 20 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. McKean There are 20 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Mercer There are 203 total cases with 17 new cases reported. 6 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Mifflin There are 74 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Monroe There are 1482 total cases with 8 new cases reported. 113 total deaths have been reported in the county with 2 new deaths announced. Montgomery There are 8972 total cases with 65 new cases reported. 832 total deaths have been reported in the county with 3 new deaths announced. Montour There are 81 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 2 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Northampton There are 3582 total cases with 24 new cases reported. 283 total deaths have been reported in the county with 2 new deaths announced. Northumberland There are 352 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 10 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Perry There are 96 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 5 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Philadelphia There are 23263 total cases with 135 new cases reported. 1653 total deaths have been reported in the county with 7 new deaths announced. Pike There are 508 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 21 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Potter There are 19 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Schuylkill There are 782 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 48 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Snyder There are 74 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 2 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Somerset There are 86 total cases with 2 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Sullivan There are 10 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Susquehanna There are 195 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 26 total deaths have been reported in the county with 1 new deaths announced. Tioga There are 31 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 2 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Union There are 108 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 2 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Venango There are 49 total cases with 3 new cases reported. 0 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Warren There are 11 total cases with 1 new cases reported. 1 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Washington There are 494 total cases with 29 new cases reported. 6 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Wayne There are 143 total cases with 2 new cases reported. 8 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Westmoreland There are 1054 total cases with 21 new cases reported. 39 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. Wyoming There are 48 total cases with 0 new cases reported. 7 total deaths have been reported in the county with 0 new deaths announced. There are 1908 total cases with 36 new cases reported. 66 total deaths have been reported in the county with 3 new deaths announced. Rogerwilco, 2021 FM AdFocus Digital Agency of the Year, is an independently owned level 2 B-BBEE full service digital marketing agency with a presence in Cape Town, Johannesburg and London. Following the successful resumption of commercial flights on the Rodrigues route on the 1st of July, Air Mauritius is pleased to announce that the current daily frequency will be increased to twice daily as from Saturday 1st of August 2020. Flight schedule on the Mauritius- Rodrigues route Departures from Mauritius Flight Number Departure from Mauritius Local Time Arrival in Rodrigues Local Time MK 120 08 h 00 09 h 30 MK 130 13 h 10 14 h 40 Departures from Rodrigues Flight Number Departure from Rodrigues Local Time Arrival in Mauritius Local Time MK 121 10 h 30 12 h 10 MK 131 15 h 40 17 h 20 Passengers are reminded that they are required to abide by measures imposed by the authorities and wear face masks for the flight. International commercial passenger flights will remain suspended until 31 August 2020. We will, however, continue the operation of repatriation flights and maintain our scheduled commercial cargo operations. The AIr Mauritius Call Centre is open every day from 08H00 to 20H00 (Mauritian time) for customers who require additional information. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh high court has restrained the Lawrence School at Sanawar in Kasauli hills, which boasts of alumni like Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, from receiving additional fee for holding virtual classes owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. A division bench of justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Jyotsna Rewal Dua directed the state education secretary and the school headmaster to file a reply or instructions before the next date of hearing on July 20. In a one-page order on Tuesday, the court restrained the school from receiving the balance amount of fee of Rs 1,70,800. The court passed the order on the petition of Deepak Gupta, who moved the court on July 7. His son is in Class 8 of the boarding school located in Solan district. Sending a child to boarding is a big decision, which is always taken by parents for the betterment of the childs future so that he could become physically and mentally strong, the petitioner said. He said the school demanded a total fee of Rs 6,36,200 in January as it was payable in two instalments. The first instalment was of Rs 4,01,700 and was paid before February 15. The second instalment of Rs 2,34,500 was to be paid on or before July 15. He said the school opened on February 15 and the child was taken home on March 17 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The petitioner said that on May 27, the state higher education department directed private schools not to charge any fee, except tuition fee, and the tuition fee could not be collected on a quarterly basis. Nearly 140 parents sent a digitally signed representation requesting the school for waiving the school fee. Ignoring the parents request, the school on July 3 demanded Rs 1,70,800, instead of Rs 2,34,500 from the parents, reducing the fee merely by 11% (Rs 63,700). The school started online classes on April 6, comprising four sections of 120 students at one go compared to regular classes of 20 to 30 students. Moreover, the petition says, there are no extracurricular activities along with no board and lodging facilities extended to the students amid the lockdown. The residential Lawrence School also boasts of alumni lsuch as former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Rating Action: Moody's withdraws the ratings of Ukraine's Prominvestbank Global Credit Research - 15 Jul 2020 London, 15 July 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") has today withdrawn the following ratings of Prominvestbank: - Long-term Bank Deposit Ratings of Caa2 - Short-term Bank Deposit Ratings of Not Prime - Long-term Counterparty Risk Ratings of Caa1 - Short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings of Not Prime - Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of Caa1(cr) - Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment of Not Prime(cr) - Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) of caa3 - Adjusted BCA of caa2 - National Scale Long-term Bank Deposit Rating of B1.ua - National Scale Long-term Counterparty Risk Rating of Baa3.ua At the time of the withdrawal, the bank's long-term deposit ratings carried a positive outlook. RATINGS RATIONALE Moody's has decided to withdraw the ratings for its own business reasons. Please refer to the Moody's Investors Service's Policy for Withdrawal of Credit Ratings, available on its website, www.moodys.com. LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS ..Issuer: Prominvestbank Withdrawals: .... Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Withdrawn , previously rated caa2 .... Baseline Credit Assessment, Withdrawn , previously rated caa3 .... Short-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Withdrawn , previously rated NP(cr) .... Long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment, Withdrawn , previously rated Caa1(cr) .... Short-term Counterparty Risk Rating, Withdrawn , previously rated NP .... Long-term Counterparty Risk Rating, Withdrawn , previously rated Caa1 .... National Scale Long-term Counterparty Risk Rating, Withdrawn , previously rated Baa3.ua .... Short-term Bank Deposits, Withdrawn , previously rated NP ....Long-term Bank Deposits, Withdrawn, previously rated Caa2, Outlook Changed To Rating Withdrawn From Positive ....National Scale Long-term Bank Deposits, Withdrawn , previously rated B1.ua Outlook Actions: ....Outlook, Changed To Rating Withdrawn From Positive Story continues Moody's National Scale Credit Ratings (NSRs) are intended as relative measures of creditworthiness among debt issues and issuers within a country, enabling market participants to better differentiate relative risks. NSRs differ from Moody's global scale credit ratings in that they are not globally comparable with the full universe of Moody's rated entities, but only with NSRs for other rated debt issues and issuers within the same country. NSRs are designated by a ".nn" country modifier signifying the relevant country, as in ".za" for South Africa. 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Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity. The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure. These ratings are unsolicited. a.With Rated Entity or Related Third Party Participation: YES b.With Access to Internal Documents: NO c.With Access to Management: YES For additional information, please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com. Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review. Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569. Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating. Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating. Svetlana Pavlova, CFA Asst Vice President - Analyst Financial Institutions Group Moody's Interfax Rating Agency 7th floor, Four Winds Plaza 21 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St. Moscow 125047 Russia JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Yaroslav Sovgyra, CFA Associate Managing Director Financial Institutions Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). 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Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has not only challenged the recent findings of Irans Civil Aviation Organisation but reportedly said on July 14 that it is too soon to place the blame of downing the jet that killed 176 people on human error. According to international media reports, nearly six months after the Ukrainian jet was mistakenly downed by Iranian missile, Tehran has said that misaligned radar led to the fatal crash in January. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had previously called for 'national unity' after its military 'unintentionally' shot down a Ukrainian jetliner due to 'human error'. Boeing 737-700 crashed shortly after take-off outside Tehran killing 176 people reportedly including 63 Canadians. The Iranian Civil Aviation authority said in a report on July 11 that a failure occurred due to a human error in following the procedure for aligning the radar and leading to a 107-degree error in the security system. Read - Iran Executes Former Defence Ministry Official Convicted Of Spying For CIA Read - Iran To Respond To Any Country Behind Natanz Fire Iran blames misalignment of air defence According to international media reports, Iran has now revealed that the misalignment of the air defence units radar system was the key human error that led to the accident that had sparked the controversy at the beginning of 2020. It took place just days after United States-led airstrike at Baghdad international airport, killing Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organisation. Iran had reportedly stated that it had arrested the person who posted a video online showing missile attacking the Boeing jetliner last week. According to an international media report, the person, who was taken into custody by the elite Revolutionary Guards, will be facing charges related to national security. The Iranian judiciary also announced that they have also made the arrest of several people over the incident. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a televised speech further said that everyone responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane must be punished. He further added that for the people of Iran it is very important that whoever responsible for the negligence at any level must be punished. After initially denying its involvement in the January 8 crash, Iran on January 11 admitted that it accidentally shot down the jetliner because of a human error. Read - Flight Carrying 101 Students Stranded In Ukraine Arrives In MP Read - Sweden: Iran To Compensate Ukraine Plane Crash Victims Inputs: Agency/ Image: AP Falun Gong practitioners march from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Chinse regime's persecution of the practice on July 18, 2019. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times) Refusing To Give Up Beliefs, Chinese Doctor Dies After Being Beaten by Policemen At least 27 Falun Gong practitioners died due to persecution in China from January to May 2020, according to data collected by Minghui.org, a website that records first-hand information about the ongoing suppression campaign in China. The Chinese regime has persecuted Falun Gonga spiritual practice with moral teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerancesince July 20, 1999. Thousands of adherents have been detained in prisons, labor camps, brainwashing centers, and psychiatric wards in an effort to force them to renounce their faith, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center. In June this year, several more Chinese practitioners were tortured to death in their hometowns, according to Minghui.org. One of the casualties was 66-year-old Dr. Wang. She died of a hemorrhagic stroke on July 2, only 10 days after she was severely beaten by police who were attempting to force her to give up her beliefs in Falun Gong. Because of the regimes tight control of information and brutal rule, people outside the prisonsincluding the practitioners familiesoften do not know the true situation of detained Falun Gong practitioners. Over the past 21 years, Falun Gong practitioners around the world, together with government leaders and human rights activists, have asked repeatedly for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to end the persecution. Dr. Wangs Story Wang Shukun was a therapeutic doctor at Hailin Township Hospital in Hailin city in northeastern Chinas Heilongjiang Province. In recent months, she stayed at home due to the CCP virus outbreak. Dr. Wangs husband, Yu Xiaopeng, said local police frequently attempted to force her to give up her beliefs. According to Minghui.org, Wang was detained in August 2010, and the police raided her house and forced her family to pay 10,000 yuan ($1,430) before they released her. In late June, Wang received a phone call from Han Yan, the Chinese Communist Party leader of the hospital, who asked her to go to the workplace. Wang told her husband that she thought the hospital was calling her back to work. However, instead of asking her to resume working, a group of police from the No.1 police station of Hailin were waiting for her there and requested her to give up her beliefs. Because Wang refused the request, the police started to beat her severely for several hours, and threatened that they would detain her again. When Wang was released, her husband saw she had bruises in several places on her body, one of her knees was broken, and all her clothes were wet due to heavy sweating. Her husband said Wang was very stressed because of the torture and threats afterward. On the evening of July 1, Wang started to have symptoms of a hemorrhagic stroke. Hours later, she passed away at 4 a.m. on July 2. Her body was cremated at the Hailin Funeral Home on July 4. My wife is innocent. My wife died of injustice, Yu cried badly before Wangs body was cremated. Yu said that the police officers from the No.1 police station threatened him to keep silent about Wangs death, but he said he would seek justice for his wife. An Old Couples Story Wang Dianguo and Yu Baofang live with their son Wang Yu in Anshan city of northeastern Chinas Liaoning Province. All practice Falun Gong. On July 4, 2017, five police from the Anshan police bureau, Tiexi branch, broke into Wangs house and detained all three members of the family as well as Wangs sister, who was visiting at that time. The police raided the house and took away all the cash they could find, according to Minghui.org. Yu Baofang, the mother, was tortured to death at the Anshan detention center on July 17, 2017. Wang Dingguo, the father, was sent to the Dalian Prison in Dalian city about 180 miles away from Anshan. Wang Yu, the son, was detained until his mother died. The director surnamed Guan of Anshan detention center wanted to pay us [the father and son] ten to twenty thousand yuan ($1,430-$2,860) for my moms death he refused to show any surveillance video footage about my moms last hours, Wang Yu wrote in his testimony in September 2017. Just in less than half a month, I experienced death and life. Its painful, bitter, and confusing. My family is destroyed. Three years later, the Dalian prison notified the family that Wang Dianguo (the father) died of stomach cancer at 67 on June 16, according to Minghui.org. When the family arrived in Dalian, Wangs body was in a funeral home. There, an officer from the prison only allowed the family to see Wangs face, on which the family found scars at the corner of the mouth. Workers at the funeral home told the family that these scars were caused by force-feeding, according to Minghui.org. Then, the family visited the doctor who treated Wang at his last moments. The doctor said Wang was on the edge of death when the prison sent him to the hospital. However, the prison did not allow the family to see Wangs body and refused to give any explanation. More Stories From Minghui.org Han Yumei, 68, a female Falun Gong practitioner in Tangshan city in northern Chinas Hebei Province, was tortured to death on the day she was detained on June 18. Han started to practice Falun Gong in 1995, and hadnt been sick in the past 25 years. After she died, her family saw there was blood inside her nose and her hair was in a mess. Meng Qiangmei, 76, a female Falun Gong practitioner in Shan county in eastern Chinas Shandong Province, was tortured to death at the Shandong Womens Prison on June 14. Meng had been practicing Falun Gong since July 1999 and was detained in prison several times in attempts to force her to renounce her practice. On May 20, 2017, she was kidnapped by a group of police without a cited reason and had been detained since. GREENVILLE, S.C., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), a leading business process services company, today announced that Bob Stegner, Senior Vice President, Marketing, North America, has been named to the CompTIA IT Hall of Fame in recognition of the decades-long impact he has had on the IT industry. Stegner, who has built lasting bonds with countless resellers in the channel, joins other Hall of Fame nominees such as Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft; Frank Vitagliano, who retired from IBM and is now CEO at Global Technology Distribution Council; and SYNNEX founder Robert Huang. Stegner will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 6 during ChannelCon Online 2020, the annual conference presented by CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the global technology industry. The IT Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exceptional service to the IT channel, as well as those responsible for outstanding technology innovations or business transformations. "Bob is the rare executive who has evolved and thrived across multiple generations, roles and companies," said Todd Thibodeaux, President and CEO of CompTIA. "His kind spirit, foresight and dogged determination, among other qualities, are what make him an unparalleled role model for those who know him today and for those who will learn of his legacy in years to come." Stegner, who oversees marketing across the U.S. and Canada for SYNNEX, leads a team responsible for vendor marketing, the company's best-in-class partner communities, and major annual events held throughout North America. "Bob's commitment to our partners and vendors is second to none," said Peter Larocque, President, North America Technology Solutions, SYNNEX. "For the past three decades, Bob has advocated on behalf of the channel and worked tirelessly to mentor, train and develop the careers of countless industry veterans and newcomers. This honor is well deserved." Stegner joined SYNNEX in September 2007 as Senior Vice President, Marketing, North America. Major achievements include founding SYNNEX's small-to-medium (SMB) community, Varnex, in 2007 for resellers in the US and later Canada and rolling out the Technology Solutions division's "SOLVs" to the partner community. He has expanded training opportunities and financing programs while growing the SYNNEX communities and advisory councils. Editors of CRN have selected Stegner as one of the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs for 12 consecutive years. Prior to joining SYNNEX, Stegner served as Vice President of Worldwide Market Development for Ingram Micro Inc., where he also served as Vice President of North American Channel Marketing. He began his career in the IT industry in 1990 as director of sales and marketing for SARCOM, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. Stegner was a member of the CompTIA Board of Directors from 2010 through 2014, including serving as the board's vice chair between 2012 and 2014. Founded in 1997 by CRN, the IT Hall of Fame has been administered by CompTIA since 2010. Visit the IT Hall of Fame digital museum for industry history and a complete roster of inductees https://www.comptia.org/it-hall-of-fame/. To learn more about SYNNEX Corporation, visit synnex.com. About SYNNEX Corporation SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX) is a Fortune 200 corporation and a leading business process services company, providing a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry and providing outsourced services focused on customer engagement to a broad range of enterprises. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology systems and products, and also provides systems design and integration solutions. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in numerous countries throughout North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at synnex.com . Safe Harbor Statement Statements in this news release that are forward-looking, such as features and capabilities of products and services, security product offering expansion, technology trends, and general success of collaborations, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release. Copyright 2020 SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, and all other SYNNEX company, product and services names and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation. SYNNEX, the SYNNEX Logo, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners. About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. SNX-G Media Contact : Eliza Bostian Hughes Agency For SYNNEX Corporation (864) 271-0718 [email protected] SOURCE SYNNEX Corporation Related Links https://www.synnexcorp.com/ By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova A video conference titled "Modern cultural branding: the art of the future" has been successfully held on the initiative of Scientific-Methodological and Professional Development Center for Culture. The conference brought together Azeripek LLC Elvira Mammadova and Firuza Badalova, as well as marketing specialists, including an employee of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography , Ph. D in History Tahir Shahbazov, Ph. D in Philosophy in History Rena Rajabli, Ph. D in History Ilhama Mammadova, director of the Strategic Development Department at Azerbaijan State University of Economics Turan Suleymanov, specialist of Baku Engineering University Tahira Salayeva and a number of other scientists and specialists, who made reports. The participants noted that the opportunities provided by cultural marketing should be widely used to attract more public interest and reach a larger audience. For this reason, experts discussed the modern features of marketing and branding activities. During the discussions, the scientific secretary of the center Javid Aliyev and the head of the department Nureddin Babazadeh exchanged views on the national cultural brand, cultural marketing, propaganda strategies, modern cultural services and other issues. Speaking at the event, director of the Scientific-Methodological and Professional Development Center for Culture Asif Usubaliyev stressed that the creation of national cultural brands is the point where culture and economy meet. It should be noted that the center held an international conference "National Cultural Brand - Modern Trends" with the participation of scientists and experts from Turkey, Russia and Kazakhstan in Gadabay in July last year. Cat Marnell has infamously documented her drug-riddled exploits over the course of her career, but the beauty writer-turned-bestselling author is happy to report that she has been 'Adderall-free' for two years. The 37-year-old was still abusing the prescription drug when she published her addiction memoir, How to Murder Your Life, in 2017. In the book, she details how getting hooked on pills changed the course of her life, costing her two jobs and resulting in multiple stints in rehab. Marnell took to Instagram on Wednesday to celebrate the two-year anniversary of her quitting Adderall while sharing a glamorous photo of herself wearing a royal blue sweetheart strapless. Anniversary: Cat Marnell took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a glamorous photo of herself in New York City, revealing she has been 'Adderall-free' for two years 'Two years Adderall-free today,' she wrote, '#MoreThanAnAddict #neveragain.' The image, which shows a glowing Cat posing in front of a rack of clothes, appears to have been taken in her apartment. When posting the snapshot, she tagged Soho, a trendy neighborhood in New York City. In her book, Marnell explained her addiction began when she was 15 years old and attending the upscale Lawrence Academy boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts. Her father, a psychiatrist married to a psychotherapist, gave her a prescription for Ritalin. She soon began to crush the pills to snort them instead of swallowing them. A few years later, Marnell became addicted to cocaine and heroin. Her editing career took off at Lucky magazine, where she started as an assistant before being promoted to associate editor. By that time, she was struggling with insomnia and self-mutilation, as well as bingeing and purging. Looking back: The writer, pictured in 2012, said her addiction to pills began when she was 15 years old after her psychiatrist father gave her a prescription for Ritalin Problem: Marnell later became addicted to cocaine and heroin, and she used to document her drug-riddled exploits, sharing photos of the drugs and pill bottles she had in her apartment Looking back: This photo of Marnell was taken after she lost her mind in her 'rat apartment' in 2007 and started smearing beauty products all over her face Marnell, who said she looked like a 'corpse bride,' went to rehab for six weeks while at Lucky. She eventually quit her job after four years in 2010. 'My ambition and my addiction had been duking it out like two boxers in a ring for years. My ambition was bloodied,' she wrote in her memoir. Her erratic lifestyle eventually left her unable to accomplish regular tasks, such as showering. 'I took baths every morning because I was too weak to stand in the shower; I wrote rent checks in highlighter; I had three prescribing psychiatrists and zero OB-GYNs or dentists; I kept such insane hours that I never knew whether to put on day cream or night cream; and I never, ever called my grandma,' Marnell explained in her book. Jane Pratt, the founder of Sassy and Jane magazines, hired Marnell in 2011 for her new website, XoJane. Hard to handle: The beauty writer's drug addiction cost her two jobs and resulted in multiple stints in rehab Breakdown: Marnell wrote about her drug abuse as a rising beauty writer in her 2017 memoir, How to Murder Your Life, and hit rock bottom after it was published There, the beauty writer famously snorted a line of jasmine-scented bath salts on camera a riff on the popularity of psychoactive bath salts at the time. Marnell left XoJane in 2012 after the website's publishers sent her to rehab. 'I'm always on drugs,' she told Page Six at the time. 'Look, I couldn't spend another summer meeting deadlines behind a computer at night when I could be on the rooftop of Le Bain looking for shooting stars and smoking angel dust with my friends and writing a book, which is what I'm doing next.' Marnell wrote about her substance abuse for Vice over the course of the next summer and penned a goodbye story on the website in January 2013. That year, she also landed a book deal, which came with a reported $500,000 advance. It took her three years, multiple stints in rehab, and one heroin overdose to finish the book, which went on to become a New York Times Bestseller. 'Theres a bottle of Adderall right next to me as I sit writing this. It has always been my "mostly companion," as Eloise would say,' she wrote in her books afterword. Marnell was about to start promoting her book one night in 2017 when she burned off all of her hair and flooded her Chinatown apartment while high on Adderall. Traveling: Marnell fled to Europe and traveled for two years after burning off all of her hair and flooding her Chinatown apartment while high on Adderall Moving on: She weaned herself off of Adderall on the trip, and she was no longer taking the medication when she shared this photo of herself last September in honor of her 37th birthday 'It was complete beauty Chernobyl,' she told the New York Times. 'Everything that Id been doing my whole life caught up with me. All of a sudden, the inside matched the outside.' A few months later, she fled to Europe in an attempt to run away from her problems, and it ended up working for her. It was during the trip that she started to wean herself off Adderall after two decades of abusing the ADD medication. Marnell traded drugs for exercise, and after traveling to more than 60 countries in two years, she returned home to her mom's home outside of Washington. She opened up about the journey in her audiobook Self-Tanner for the Soul: How I Ran Away to Europe and Found My Inner Glow (When Life Got Dark), which was released in 2019. 'Shes very different now,' her mother, Stacey Marnell, told the New York Times in October. Changed: Marnell has traded drugs for exercise, and while she is not entirely sober, she insists she is healthier than ever and no longer taking illegal drugs 'End of an era': Marnell appeared on the Dopey Podcast in October, saying it was 'last ever' interview about drugs and addiction 'I knew her in all the dark days of her book as someone who couldnt keep a routine, couldnt focus, she added. Shes so focused now. If anything its a little bit annoying, because her day revolves around an exercise class that shes doing on the floor of my living room.' Speaking with Page Six in the fall of 2019, Marnell said her health is 'too good' and exercise is the 'most important thing' in her life. 'Im not entirely sober but listenall these healthy trendy chicks micro-dosing and smoking weed out in LA are taking more drugs than I am!' she said. 'Adderall might as well have been arsenicto my mental health, anyway. I havent taken a smidgen of Adderall in over two years.' The reformed party girl noted that she was still using focus medication, but she insisted it was regulated and wasn't negatively affecting her life. 'I take a different amphetamine now, in a very controlled dose that doesnt get me high or affect my sleep,' she explained. 'I dont doctor shop or mess around. I dont touch illegal drugs and I rarely get drunk. 'You gotta protect your energy and your brain and your spirit like they are precious jewels.' J ohn Lewis Partnership has thrown the future of hundreds more jobs into doubt just a week after putting 1300 staff under threat of redundancy as new chairman Sharon White revamps the retail group. The department store group has launched a consultation over 270 jobs spread across London and Bracknell, Berkshire in its technology delivery and operations division, the Standard has learned. Although the decision has sparked concern over redundancies internally, sources close to JLP management insisted the move was designed to reassign roles to bring the operations of John Lewis, based in London and Waitrose, headquartered in Bracknell, closer together. In addition, some 49 partners in the mutuals tech architecture division have entered a consultation as part of a drive to develop a single partnership strategy. The consultation comes on top of a decision announced yesterday to outsource parts of its IT function offering specialist IT application services to French consultancy giant Capgemini. John Lewis said the move would affect 111 staff, who are expected to transfer to Capgemini later this year, stoking redundancy fears. Sources close to the retailer said a number of roles will be retained in the UK, but its partners are concerned jobs will be lost with roles moved offshore. The outsourced work helps support functions including trading, supply chain, finance and personnel systems. The companys chief technology officer Andrew MacInnes is leaving after five years at the partnership. He follows Clare Stephens, head of technology strategy and application architecture, out of the door. In an email to staff, seen by the Standard, chief information officer Mike Sackman said: In light of Andys departure I have decided not to retain the CTO role but, instead, streamline the number of leadership roles and levels in Architecture. The Capgemini decision echoes a move announced earlier this month to outsource 244 IT jobs in Bracknell to Indian tech giant Wipro this November. The mutual has been looking at overhauling its IT department including outsourcing for 18 months. The department, called Tech & Change, contains around 700 of its 80,000 partners. The latest revamp comes as White continues her reshaping of the High Street stalwart, after joining earlier this year. The Standard revealed earlier this month that she had informed staff that some John Lewis stores would not reopen after the pandemic, and last week the partnership said eight shops were not to trade again, likely at a cost of 1300 jobs. White is expected to receive the findings of a wide-ranging strategy review later this month, and lay out her plans for the group later this year. She expects online sales to represent a far greater proportion of revenues post-Covid. White, the former boss of Ofcom, is hoping to turnaround the fortunes of the group which has seen profits fall and the bonus hit a 67-year low. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 14, 2020) - Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV: OSI) (FSE: RSR1) ("Osino" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal prospectus offering of 16,100,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$1.10 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$17,710,000, which includes the exercise in full of the over-allotment option (the "Offering"). Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$1.50 at any time on or before July 14, 2021. The Offering was conducted by Stifel GMP, as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, together with Beacon Securities Limited, Canaccord Genuity Corp., Cormark Securities Inc., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., and M Partners Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). The Company paid the Underwriters a cash commission of 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and issued to the Underwriters 805,000 broker warrants, representing 5% of the number of Units sold under the Offering, with each broker warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $1.10 at any time on or before July 14, 2021. Heye Daun, Osino's CEO commented, "This financing is a very important milestone that substantially de-risks the Company and allows us to further expand all of our activities with a view to fast-tracking the timeline to maiden resource, PEA and further project development of the Twin Hills area of the Karibib Gold Project. Osino is now fully funded for expanded exploration and resource drilling and accelerated development studies for Twin Hills. We are also very pleased to have been able to further diversify and strengthen our shareholder base by attracting a range of highly reputable, long-term institutional investors who share our vision of making further discoveries whilst rapidly growing and advancing Osino's existing Namibian projects." Story continues The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund its Phase 2 exploration work program for the Karibib Gold Project, as well as expenditures at the Company's other mineral properties in Namibia, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. A director of the Company (the "Insider") has purchased an aggregate of 18,000 Units pursuant to the Offering. Participation of the Insider in the Offering is considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101-Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insider's participation in the Offering pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The material change report in connection with the participation of the Insider in the Offering was filed less than 21 days in advance of the closing of the Offering, which the Company deemed reasonable in the context of the required chronological course of a short form prospectus offering such as the Offering. The Offering was completed pursuant to a short form prospectus dated July 8, 2020 filed in all provinces of Canada other than Quebec, and in the United States on a private placement basis to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to an exemption from registration requirements in Rule 144A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Offering is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, which has conditionally accepted the Offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The securities described herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. About Osino Resources Osino is a Canadian gold exploration company, focused on the acquisition and development of gold projects in Namibia. Having achieved our initial vision of finding Namibia's next significant gold deposit, we are now focused on rapidly advancing the exciting Twin Hills gold discovery and to make new discoveries elsewhere along the belt. This we intend to achieve with Osino's winning formula of combining innovation and drive with technical experience and strong financial backing. Our portfolio of exclusive exploration licenses is located within Namibia's prospective Damara mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. Osino is targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. Osino's focus in 2020 is on further advancing the Twin Hills and Goldkuppe discoveries within the developing Karibib Gold District, testing our Otjikoto East and Otjiwarongo targets and generating new ones on our other licenses. Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibia's capital city, Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibia's well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water supply in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continent's most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding its Namibian portfolio. David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of Osino Resources Corp. and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to geology and exploration in this news release, and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/. CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp. Heye Daun: CEO Tel: +27 (21) 418 2525 hdaun@osinoresources.com Julia Becker: Investor Relations Manager Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850 jbecker@osinoresources.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering, and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". 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 Osino Resources Corp., as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis and annual information form that are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59682 During a digital briefing on the coronavirus crisis, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the situation appears to be very much under control but we cannot afford to be complacent. Kejriwal said that instead of the 2,25,000 projected cases and 1,13,400 active cases by mid-July, Delhi has approximately 1,15,000 positive cases of which just 18,600 were active cases. While it was estimated that Delhi would need 34,000 beds, only 4,000 of the 15,500 available beds in hospitals and COVID-19 care centres had been occupied. Kejriwal credited three principles in the national capitals fight-back against the pandemic. The coronavirus cannot be fought alone. We could not have fought it alone. We sought help of the central government, hotels private hospitals, NGOs, religious institutions. We acknowledged weaknesses when things were going wrong and rectified them. And a never say die attitude -- we did not accept defeat, he said. On May 28, Delhi, for the first time, reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 cases in a day (1,024 infections). Thirteen days later, on June 12, the capital registered a daily log of over 2,000 cases (2,137). And six days later, Delhi crossed the 3,000 mark with 3,137 cases. On June 23, with 3947 cases, the city was a breath away from breaching the 4,000-mark. However, since June 27, Delhi has not breached the daily case count of 3,000-mark and from June 29 onwards, except on two days, Delhi has reported under 2,500 cases. For the last five consecutive days, it has seen less than 2,000 fresh infections a day. Fatality rate from the virus has also improved. A team appointed by the Kejriwal government to look into the causes behind the COVID-19-related deaths and suggest mitigating strategies has noted that the per day death count has come down from a high of 101 in mid-June to 46 in the last fortnight. The case fatality rate has come down from 3.64 during the peak to 3.02%. If one were to look at only the per day cases and deaths and not an average of all the cases and deaths, the cases fatality rate would stand at an even lower 2.5%. On July 14, Delhi reported 35 deaths. Of the 1,15,346 cases registered in the capital, 3,346 people have lost their lives so far. The other important indicator of the improving scenario lies in the high number of recoveries. For the past eight consecutive days, the number of recoveries has outstripped the number of new cases. Recoveries are now faster given the relaxed norms for the same. Therefore, while the cumulative in the capital has reached the 1,15,346 mark, the number of recoveries stand at a robust 93,236. The percentage of those recovered has reached 80.83% as on July 14. The capital had recorded the highest number of active cases on June 27 at 28,329. All of the last week of June beginning 23 till July 4, the average number of active cases crossed the 26,000 mark. However, it started hitting the 25,000 mark since July 5. From the next day, it has shown a consistent declining trend with 25,620 active cases the same day to 18,664 active cases on July 14. Delhi has also ramped up its testing capacity. On June 9, Delhi crossed the 10,000 tests per day mark with 13,074 tests on that day, using the rapid antigen method for the first time compared to 8,726 tests the previous day through RTPCR alone. Since then, the capital has tested rigorously -- the highest number of per day tests was recorded on the July 4 at 23,673 with 9,925 RTPCR tests and 13,748 rapid antigen tests. Compared to the first week of June itself, testing has shot up by three to four times in the capital. On July 14, tests per million in Delhi stood at 37,574 compared to 29,037 on July 1, 14,693 on June 15 and 10,772 on June 1. On June 23, when the capital recorded its highest daily coronavirus cases at 3,947, the number of tests -- both RTPCR and rapid antigen stood at 16592. The question, therefore, that arises is whether the capital has achieved its 'peak'. Dr SK Sarin, who had headed a panel appointed by the Kejriwal government in April offered an explanation. He said, I think peak is an area where you have the number which is maximally for a given place for at least two weeks to four weeks and it stays. You have an ascent, and the ascent has actually gone to the maximum, and then you say that there is a plateau, A plateau in epidemiology is not the number of those who are infected versus recovered, but the number of new infections if they keep on adding. Plateau would mean at least stable number for the same. Reproduction number remains the same, number of infected versus number of tested. Suppose, if you are testing more versus percentage that will be fallacious. The number of tested, number of infected remains the same. I think that is a true reflection. I think Delhi, for that matter, has probably achieved it peak. I would say a plateau also has been there and there is a trend, but it will be the end of July before any forecast (can be made) but the crystal ball looks favourable to us, Dr Sarin said. Dr K Srinath Reddy of the PHFI was cautious about any final word on whether Delhi has peaked. He said, The trend in the decline of daily case count is a good sign. We should see the decline of the last three days is maintained over a 10-day period, since testing strategy has changed recently with a different mix of testing methods. Decline in daily death counts should also be tracked, though there will be a two-week lag time between the rates of case detection and daily deaths. These early indicators of a turnaround are encouraging, but energetic implementation of public health measures is still essential. Experts also pointed out that rapid antigen tests that are being conducted aggressively in every nook and corner of the city in far more numbers than RTPCR test, have certain limitations. Dr Sarin said that only if the load of the virus is high, the rapid antigen tests will pick it up and, therefore, as many as one in five may still be missed. While one who tests positive is a concrete case, a negative report may not be truly negative and, hence, there could be an underestimation. Unlike earlier when Delhi used to test those who were symptomatic or lived in containment zones or high-risk groups like health workers in hospitals, now it tests even those who are asymptomatic, outside containment zones and even randomly. According to Dr Sarin, while Delhi may be getting a lesser percentage of positive cases which may be a good sign, but it could be fallacious to some extent. Could a declining trend also mean that more numbers in the capital could already be exposed and have developed anti-bodies? While the result of the serological survey done by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Centre for Disease Control and the Delhi government is keenly awaited for any definitive conclusion, this could very well be the case in Delhi. The capital was the first to go for full unlock except in containment zones, even when cases were projected to rise. Kejriwal had ruled out plans for any more lockdowns in Delhi even after a sharp upswing of cases and his own SOS to Home Minister Amit Shah on June 10. Besides, the CM, despite disagreements with the LG and Centre over testing and reservation of beds in Delhi government hospitals only for Delhi residents, fought back fiercely to hold on to the home isolation policy even after being overturned by the central government. As data shows, a majority of people testing positive for the virus recovered at home. Delhi was also the first to experiment and scale up plasma therapy. Locking down Delhi again was never an option. There was perhaps also the hope that given Delhi's peculiar feature of high migrations, and density of population, the capital could move towards herd immunity. Dr Sarin said, Suppose I am infected, and you are exposed already but never were positive, you cannot now get infected because you have antibodies already. So as more and more people in Delhi would be exposed, we may not say community transmission, but the community has developed the immunity. Only then the decline would be a true decline, and what will happen is that the reproduction rate has to come down from 1 to 0.5 and lower. This would mean that one infected person infects only one. Earlier one infected person was infecting 2, 3 and 6 others. Now if the number is 2,000, it means probably the same number are getting infected. Once this number drastically comes down to half then we will say, yes the decline helps, he said. There are other worries of a possible second wave. The risks are already there -- when the elderly and the ones with co-morbidties who are now largely indoors, step out, when hitherto virgin territory is exposed to the virus, and also through hospitals, if the precautions are not maintained. Dr Reddy said, Since we have seen upswing in cases even in countries where they have claimed control, even parts of India, where it appeared where we had controlled, we must maintain our guard in Delhi and ensure that precautions are taken so that we do not see a return of large cases or deaths hereafter. Till the first wave ends, it will be too early to talk of a second wave. We do not know how long this epidemic is going to last and if this does subside, whether it is going to return when the weather turns cold. So, we still need to maintain every single public health measure, in full strength so that we can build up systems even if there is a second wave. We can put it down as quickly as possible, he said. Dr Sarin said a second wave will come. "The policies all over the world, not different in India, is a red zone or orange zone or green zone kind of thing. But if an area has never been exposed and people from there move to a place or people from where there has been high infectivity move to this place, this will always be like a new virgin land. That is what has perhaps happened in Bengaluru, Kerala and even Goa. So the virus has to come. The second peak can be in any part of the country or Delhi where the population had been totally isolated. I think we need to have these efforts ongoing so that no new hotspot comes up. But the second wave will come, and the WHO has said that this will stay till 2021, he said. Like Tamil and Telugu film industries, Kannada film industry too is all set to have their first digital release, Law, which stars debutant Ragini Prajwal in the lead role. The courtroom drama is releasing on July 17, 2020, on Amazon Prime Video. A few days ago, makers released the trailer of Law and it got positive response from the netizens. Debutant Ragini Prajwal is playing the role of a law student, Nandini who can't tolerate injustice against women. Ragini has got a very challenging role and she feels her character Nandini from Law is very strong and confident. Talking about her character and story, Ragini said, "So the story is of a character Nandini, but not in a very basic sense. I have seen a lot of movies where it is about the girl and maybe she suffers and how she fights back but here, it is about the way the character is portrayed and the way she stands up for every woman." Speaking about her character in Law, Ragini Prajwal said that the film is breaking a stereotype by not showing the soft-side perception of a rape victim. The wife of Prajwal Devaraj said, "It's not about the soft-side perception of rape victim but it is about any woman standing up for herself and that's what Nandini stands up for!" Moreover, Ragini Prajwal also advised women not to miss the film Law and watch it for one specific reason. Ragini said, "When I talk about this movie, I really think all girls and women need to watch Law for one specific reason and know to stand up for themselves or for anything wrong that is happening around them." Also Read : Law Trailer Out! Ragini Prajwal Is All Set To Fight For Justice Well, Law seems to be offering something new to the audiences. On a related note, the film is directed by Raghu Samarth and produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar and M Govinda under PRK Productions. Law also stars veteran actor Mukhyamantri Chandru, Achyuth Kumar, Sudharani and Siri Prahlad in pivotal roles. Also Read : These 5 Women Empowering South Movies On Amazon Prime Video Will Surely Strike You With Awe! India and the 27-nation European Union on Wednesday decided to set up a high-level dialogue to enhance trade and investment and iron out lingering differences over the long-pending free trade agreement, while vowing to expand their overall ties in areas like defence, nuclear energy and health, during a virtual summit. Reflecting growing congruence in ties, the two sides also unveiled a five-year roadmap for further boosting their strategic partnership, announced institution of a separate maritime dialogue and released a declaration on moving towards a more circular economic model. Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Vikas Swarup said India's relations with China did come up in the talks and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared New Delhi's views on the ties as well as also on the current situation in the border areas. Pakistan's continued support to terrorist activities against India and other countries of the region too figured in the talks. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on greater cooperation between democratic nations to deal with the new problems that have cropped up globally in the economic field after COVID-19. On trade ties, Swarup said the two sides have expressed their commitment and agreed to work for a balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial trade agreement and that talks on it may start in the next few months. Launched in June 2007, negotiations for the proposed Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BITA) have witnessed many hurdles as both sides have major differences on crucial issues. The negotiations on the pact has been stalled since 2013. At a press conference, Swarup said Modi emphasised on the priority that India attaches to attracting foreign direct investment and continued efforts of his government to liberalise the regulatory environment. Modi said 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative is aimed at integrating domestic production in India to global supply chains. A joint statement issued after the talks said the high-level dialogue on trade and investment will aim at fostering progress on the trade and investment agreements, addressing trade irritants and improving conditions for traders and investors on both sides as well as discuss supply chain linkages. "The leaders agreed to further develop their trade and investment relations to unleash their full potential particularly in the context of post-COVID-19 economic recovery and support sustainable growth and jobs on both sides," it said. Asked whether human rights issues in the context of Jammu and Kashmir and Citizenship Amendment Act figured in the talks, Swarup said it was mentioned by the EU side and that they expressed the faith in Indian institutions in addressing them. On terrorism, the two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, and countering radicalisation. The two sides also welcomed the launch of negotiations on a working arrangement between the Central Bureau of Investigations and Europol to support law enforcement authorities of India and the member states of the EU in preventing and combating organised crime and terrorism. Modi, in his inaugural remarks, also pitched for bringing out an "action-oriented" agenda to further expand ties between the two sides within a stipulated time frame. The prime minister said he was committed to enhance ties with the grouping, noting that a long-term strategic perspective should be adopted to boost the relationship. "India and the EU are natural partners. Our partnership is also useful for peace and stability in the world. This reality has become even more evident in today's global scenario," he said. "Both sides share universal values ??like democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, respect for international institutions, multilateralism, freedom and transparency. After COVID-19, new problems have cropped up globally in the economic field. This requires greater cooperation between the democratic nations," he added. Modi also talked about "variety of pressures" on the rules-based international order, adding the India-EU partnership can play a significant role in economic reconstruction, and in building a human-centric and humanity-centric globalisation. In the roadmap 2025, the two sides vowed to work together to maintain peace, stability, safety and security in the Indian Ocean as well as in the Pacific, by cooperating to preserve freedom, openness and an inclusive approach in the maritime domain. The document listed a number of areas like outer space, health and food security, research and innovation, trade and investment, clean energy and environment among the areas for expansion of ties. The joint statement said the leaders confirmed their full support to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, and their commitment to foster the responsible and liable behaviour of all the actors in the cyberspace. It said India and the EU will continue to cooperate on international and regional issues of common interest including Iran and Afghanistan. National American University, which went from a traditional to an online school in 2019, is now parting with its desks, books and office supplies. NAU President and CEO Ronald Shape said the transition to online learning is particularly valuable today, given the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges involved in providing education in a traditional classroom setting. The Rapid City-based university had seen a 30% drop in enrollment in 2018 across its 24 campus locations in 10 states and online. What began as 8,000 students dropped to 5,600 by 2018. NAU soon cut programs and laid off numerous employees. By March 2019, 4,000 students were enrolled. Now, NAU enrolls approximately 1,750 students, Shape said. A portion of the former NAU campus was purchased by the city in May last year, and later became the OneHeart campus and Care Center at 321 Kansas City Street, which now houses several departments and programs under one roof. Shape said in an email that the university has been responding to changes in the U.S. higher education landscape over the last several years by transitioning away from ground-based programs to predominantly online programs to better serve our students, who want full mobile functionality and support services available 24/7. NAU was one of the first regionally accredited institutions to receive approval to offer online programs, giving its first online course in 1998 when students could get your degree, set yourself free as their motto once stated. In recent weeks, the university has been purging its desks, chairs and office partitions, as well as full law, fiction and nonfiction libraries via online auctions. Shape said the university has also donated considerable supplies to local school systems, churches, the Partnership with Native Americans, and other nonprofit groups in addition to the auctions. The central administration for the university still operates in Rapid City with a staff of 60 and offers traditional classes at Ellsworth Air Force Base, as well as at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia and Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Both online and in-person courses are still offered at Ellsworth AFB that vary based on student interest, said Shape, noting 300 students were registered for classes at Ellsworth in the past year. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 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. A New Mexico man is scheduled to plead guilty to manslaughter and firearms charges for shooting two men killing one who were riding horses in 2018 in Kyle. Palani Bull Bear, 21, is expected to plead guilty at 10 a.m. on Friday at the federal court in Rapid City to voluntary manslaughter and firing a gun during a crime of violence for killing 19-year-old Bryce Red Owl and firing at Tolin Gregg, court records show. Bull Bear, who was 19 at the time of the killing, faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. Bull Bear was originally indicted on charges of second-degree murder, the firearms charge, assault with intent to commit murder, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. What follows is detailed in the factual basis document signed by Bull Bear: Bull Bear was living in Albuquerque but had recently returned to his home town of Kyle to attend his familys annual cultural ceremonies when he came across Red Owl and Gregg on the evening of June 27, 2018. He approached Red Owl and Gregg who were riding horses near Lil Angels, a gas station and convenience store in Kyle and the group soon began arguing. Bull Bear then pulled out his gun, a .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and fired two rounds into the air. Red Owl and Gregg began to chase Bull Bear, who ran behind homes in the Kyle housing area, and Red Owl tried to grab Bull Bears shirt while riding his horse. Bull Bear then shot twice at Red Owl during this sudden quarrel and heat of passion, the document says. Red Owl slumped forward, fell off his horse and later died. Bull Bear then fired two shots at Gregg but instead hit his horse. An autopsy found that Red Owl was shot at his wrist but the bullet entered his chest, cutting through his left lung before striking his heart and settling in his right lung. The second bullet entered his upper back left, hitting subcutaneous and muscle tissue. Red Owls mother, Dorothy Nelson, told the Journal at the time that her son was an experienced horseback rider who minded his own business. He had a girlfriend and eight-month-old son and was working on completing his high school diploma. Nelson said Gregg arrived at her home around 11 p.m. that night on a wounded horse to tell her that he and Red Owl had been shot at. Her sons horse covered in blood arrived at her home as she was calling 911. Contact Arielle Zionts at arielle.zionts@rapidcityjournal.com. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. With Google and Facebook both investing billions, India is set to be their next big battleground. On Monday, Sunder Pichai, Google Inc CEO, said the company will invest $10 billion in India in the next 5-7 years. The cash it has promised through a country-specific fund is nearly double the $5.7 billion that its rival Facebook invested less than three months ago to buy a 9.9 per cent stake in Jio Platforms which controls Reliance Jio and various other platforms. Googles decision is a landmark. But if one goes beyond the optics (the announcement was made in the presence of ... T ravel's no longer on hold, but many Brits are deciding to stay put this summer as we tentatively navigate the new normal. A safer and much cheaper way to explore the world is through a good book. The really good ones let the reader dive into new countries and cultures - and perhaps even enjoy a life-shattering holiday romance along the way - all from the safety of the sofa. So whether youre yearning for a time gone by or lusting after heady Greek summers, weve picked our favourite wanderlust-inducing reads below. The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante The second instalment of Elena Ferrantes coveted Neapolitan novels, The Story of a New Name continues the tale of lifelong friends, Elena and Lila. The novel picks up with Elena travelling the world while Lila has recently married. As with the first book, My Brilliant Friend, the descriptions of Naples and later Ischia, will leave a tantalising taste of Italy in your mouth that you will feel compelled to satiate as soon as you can. Buy it here Hot Milk by Deborah Levy If you werent one of the Brits on the first flights out to Spain earlier this month, then Deborah Levys Hot Milk could be the ideal way to trick your brain into holiday mode. Sofia is frustrated trying to solve the mystery of her mother, Roses unexplainable illness and so the pair set off to the coast of southern Spain to visit a famous consultant. While the illness only becomes more baffling as time goes on, the desert heat offers more answers than they expected. Buy it here Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel An instant classic when it was released in 1989, Like Water for Chocolate is a heady romance novel set in turn-of-the-century Mexico. Each of the 12 sections is named after months of the year and a Mexican recipe is given at the start of each section - cook along for a fully immersive experience. The novel itself follows Tita, the youngest of the all-female De La Garza family who is forbidden to marry and condemned to Mexican tradition to look after her mother until she dies - but when she meets Pedro, all of this changes. Buy it here State of Wonder by Ann Patchett If youve always wanted to go to the Amazon, Ann Patchetts 2011 novel, State of Wonder, will transport you into the rainforests depths. After lab researcher Anders Eckman dies in mysterious circumstances, Dr. Marina Singh retraces his steps into the rainforest to seek out her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson, who also disappeared while developing a new drug. With Patchetts vivid descriptions and heavily researched details, its a book you wont soon forget. Buy it here Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure by Sarah Macdonald Best for: those who have ever dreamed of uprooting your life and moving to a new country. When Australian journalist Sarah Macdonald backpacked around India in her early 20s she decided that she wasnt so fond of the country after all. But when an airport beggar read her palm and predicted she would come back one day for true love, she scoffed it off until it happened. This memoir will throw you into the depths of New Delhi as Macdonald struggles with a sudden illness, visits a meditation retreat in Dharamsala and the biggest Hindu festival on earth on the steps of the Ganges in Varanasi. Buy it here Just Kids by Patti Smith Best for: transporting you back to New York in the 70s. A love story that ends as an elegy, I dont think Ive ever read a book that has transported me to another time as much as Patti Smiths memoir. We meet Smith in the late 60s. Shes just moved to New York City and a chance meeting with young artist Robert Mapplethorpe leads to a lifelong friendship. The backdrop is Brooklyn, Chelsea Hotel, Max's Kansas City, Scribner's Bookstore, Coney Island and Warhol's Factory - its hard to put down and youll suddenly wish you had been an aspiring creative in New York City in the early 70s. Buy it here Beautiful Animals by Lawrence Osborne Best for: Hydra dreaming. Described by Standard writer Marcus Field as a novel which combines the quintessential summer reading ingredients of crystal-clear waters, cold white wine and gripping suspense. Beautiful Animals paints such a vivid picture of Hydra that youll be itching to visit as soon as you can. Buy it here A House in Fez by Suzanna Clarke Best for: those who dream of warm Moroccan evenings. After buying a run-down riad in the Moroccan town of Fez with her husband, Suzanna Clarke was determined to restore it to its original glory. Speaking no Arabic and little French, Clarke and her husband immersed themselves in Moroccan life - from its history, religion, festivals and, of course, cuisine. Beautifully descriptive, youll feel as if youve moved to Morocco yourself. Buy it here All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes by Maya Angelou Best for: a touching tribute to an African homeland. In the fifth instalment of Maya Angelous seven-volume autobiography, the poet reminisces about joining a group of Black American expatriates in Ghana in the early 60s. She discovers that you can never go home again, but finds love and friendship and develops a new awareness for civil rights and slavery. Angelous evocative imagery transports you to her world and will leave you wanting to discover more. Buy it here The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth by Roy Andries de Groot Best for: foodies with a penchant for travelling. Part cookbook, part travel ode, The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth was written in the 70s by journalist Roy Andries de Groot. It describes his visit to the guesthouse of the same name which was run by two French women who would serve twice daily six-course meals accompanied by local wine. Intertwining recipes with detailed descriptions of life in France, foodies, in particular, will love this. Buy it here ABC/Heidi GutmanThe Hella Mega tour is no longer headed Down Under. Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer have announced that the Australia and New Zealand leg of their worldwide joint outing, scheduled for this coming November, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We kept trying to put this piece of the puzzle together," the three bands say in a statement. "Unfortunately it's just not possible due to the uncertainty of the government COVID-19 travel restrictions, mass gatherings and most importantly for the safety of our fans, crew and staff." Refunds are available at point of purchase. While the Australia and New Zealand shows are now canceled, the North American and European legs of the Hella Mega tour were postponed to 2021. The Europe trip is scheduled to kick off in June of next year, followed by the launch of the North American outing in July. For all ticket info, visit HellaMegaTour.com. By Josh Johnson Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. GODFREY Cars were lined up when workers arrived at the mobile testing site at the Godfrey Village Hall Tuesday, some waiting since 7 a.m. for a program that didnt start until two hours later. When the site was scheduled to close at noon, a long line of cars many with multiple people were still waiting. There were a lot of people, and they were able to get them all through, said Madison County Health Department Health Promotion Manager Amy Yeager. She said several hundred vehicles were processed Tuesday, but she did not have a firm number Tuesday afternoon. It was our first attempt at doing a drive-through, she said. Those tested Tuesday should get results in five to seven days, she said. A testing event planned Thursday at Coordinated Youth in Granite City was canceled because of concerns about the heat. Tuesdays turnout came after four straight days of high positive coronavirus test numbers in the couty. Yeager said the increase appears to be driven by three major factors. On June 26, Illinois moved to Phase Four of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers recovery plan. Health officials said doing so would cause an uptick in cases. The state and county have also increased testing over the past few weeks. The uptick in cases also is coming a week to 10 days after Independence Day, Yeager said, which saw large groups of people getting together. More Information COVID-19 cases by county St. Clair - 2,386 (145 deaths) Madison - 1,275 (71 deaths) Clinton - 252 (16 deaths) Monroe - 170 (13 deaths) Montgomery - 89 (1 death) Macoupin - 72 (3 deaths) Jersey - 45 (1 death) Bond -22 (2 deaths) Washington - 25 Greene - 11 Calhoun - 2 Sources: Illinois Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Madison County Health Department. COVID cases by ZIP code 62002 (Alton) - 187 62010 (Bethalto) - 51 62067 (Moro) - 8 62035 (Godfrey) - 77 62012 (Brighton) - 16 62052 (Jerseyville) - 25 62095 (Wood River) - 29 62018 (Cottage Hills) - 12 62024 (East Alton) - 19 62025 (Edwardsville) - 172 62034 (Glen Carbon) - 92 62062 (Maryville) - 23 62294 (Troy) - 48 62040 (Granite City/Pontoon Beach) - 252 62234 (Collinsville) - 238 62060 (Madison) - 58 62090 (Venice) - 16 62249 (Highland) - 27 62281 (St. Jacob) - 6 62088 (Staunton) - 8 62069 (Mt. Olive) - 12 62056 (Litchfield) - 39 62049 (Hillsboro) - 21 62033 (Gillespie) - 8 62626 (Carlinville) - 14 Sources: Illinois Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Madison County Health Department. See More Collapse People are getting more and more comfortable with getting out and being around people, she said. Its a good opportunity to remind people to adhere to all the guidance for Phase Four. That includes washing hands and sanitizing high-touch surfaces, limiting trips, social distancing and wearing masks. That, right now, is one of the best defenses we have, she said of mask-wearing. Its still important to keep those groups to a minimal size, and its still important to keep social distancing and wear a mask, she said. Its a good time to remind everybody we all have a role to play. She also noted an uptick in the countys positivity rate, the percentage of positive coronavirus tests compared to the total number of tests. From June 28 to July 4, the countys seven-day rolling average was 4.6 percent. On Monday, it was 11.5 percent; on Tuesday, it was 6.8 percent. Still, it is below the rate set by the state to continue in Phase Four and far below the peak in April of about 21.2 percent. On Tuesday, the Madison County Health Department announced 38 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total so far to 1,275 cases and 71 deaths. The number comes after a record-breaking 45 new cases on Monday and two 29-case days records at the time on Saturday and Sunday. Statewide there were 707 new cases and 25 deaths reported Monday. The Illinois Department of Public Health website stated there now have been 155,506 cases reported statewide and 7,218 deaths. In the past 24 hours, 28,446 tests were completed for a statewide total of 2,041,440. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test July 7-13 is 3 percent. As of Tuesday night, 1,416 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 333 patients were in intensive care units and 126 COVID-19 patients were on ventilators. The Madison County figures include 674 people released, meaning they have completed isolation. A total of 24,821 tests have been completed in the county. IDPH information by ZIP code on Tuesday showed additional cases in the Alton, Godfrey, Jerseyville, Edwardsville, Troy, Granite City/Pontoon Beach, Collinsville, Madison Venice, Litchfield, Hillsboro and Gillespie areas. The IDPH is releasing case numbers by ZIP code for areas with more than five cases. Numbers are not released in ZIP codes with fewer cases to protect the privacy of patients. The information is online at www.dph.illinois.gov. Additional cases also were reported Tuesday in Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, St. Clair, Clinton and Monroe counties in the Metro East. An additional death was reported in St. Clair County. For the latest information on COVID-19 or coronavirus resources, visit the Madison County Health Department online at www.madisonchd.org or on Facebook @MadisonCHD. Also visit www.co.madison.il.us for more news and a daily update or on Facebook @MadisonCountyIL. Cazares-Kelly says the office has not done enough to make voting accessible to communities of color. There have been some really egregious shortcomings that have put vulnerable populations in even more vulnerable situations, she said. Two years ago, Cazares-Kelly applied for an open position with the Recorders Office as a Tohono Oodham outreach coordinator, advertised as paying between $14 to $33 an hour, she says. With a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership, Cazares-Kelly has worked in tribal institutions for 14 years, in higher education and at the high school level, most recently as a college and career readiness counselor. She is also the co-founder of the grassroots community organization Indivisible Tohono, which provides opportunities for education and civic engagement for tribal members. After two rounds of interviews and a Tohono Oodham language test, she met for a one-on-one interview with F. Ann Rodriguez, who offered her the position on the spot, at $14 an hour, Cazares-Kelly says. WASHINGTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Among the members of the Shincheonji Church, 500 people from Shincheonji Church, who have recovered from COVID-19, are donating blood plasma this week. 500 Recovered Congregation Members of Shincheonji Church Donate COVID-19 Blood Plasma 500 Recovered Congregation Members of Shincheonji Church Donate COVID-19 Blood Plasma The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in cooperation with the Korean Red Cross, set up mobile plasma sites to extract blood plasma from 500 congregation members of Shincheonji who have recovered from COVID-19. This represents a 200% uptick in plasma donations in South Korea. Before the mass donation, South Korean officials reported that about 170 people's blood plasma were collected nationwide. In June, 4,000 members of Shincheonji pledged to donate blood plasma. Due to logistical issues, 55 members were able to donate blood plasma before this week. The 500 members' blood plasma will be procured within the week by using blood donation cars that can extract blood in large quantities. This is thought to be the first round of donations. Health officials from the Mayo Clinic and U.S. Food and Drug Administration believe that plasma donations may contribute greatly to the treatment of COVID-19 patients as well as contribute to the research and development of novel immunotherapies. Preliminary results of one trial cited by UpToDate, showed a statistically significant rate of improvement in patients treated with donated plasma compared to those who received standard therapies (91% compared to 68% respectively). The plasma donated by Shincheonji will be used to make similar treatments after clinical trials. Contact: Nick Soto 7035892729 [email protected] SOURCE SCJAmerica As a JTC Company, NES Financials purpose-built and solution-driven technology plays an important role in operational efficiency, delivering faster processing times, from onboarding investors to generating financial statements, without adding head count or managing in-house technology. Specialty financial administrator NES Financial, a JTC Company (LON: JTC), announced today that it will host its next Private Equity webinar, Outsourcing Private Equity Fund Administration: Best Practices, with Michael Richards, Head of Fund Administration USA at NES Financial, Thomas J. Powell, Senior Managing Partner of Resolute Capital Partners, LTD, and Bill Salus, Founder & CEO of Paddock Consultancy. The informational webinar is scheduled for July 22 at 11 a.m. PT and will be moderated by Wouter Plantenga of JTC Group. The event is free and open to the public to attend. In terms of US Private Equity from an operational perspective, there is a continuing trend still among mid-market fund managers who are considering outsourcing for the first time, said Plantenga, who joined JTC in 2018 as ICS Head of Group Client Services. As a JTC Company, NES Financials purpose-built and solution-driven technology plays an important role in operational efficiency, delivering faster processing times, from onboarding investors to generating financial statements, without adding head count or managing in-house technology. It is key to also have an adaptable and flexible partnership model with your administrator, who is available to answer all of your questions, rather than offer an off-the-shelf product or generic service model solution that does not fit your needs, added Plantenga. NES Financials Private Equity Fund Administration solution utilizes a uniquely scalable technology platform that features built-in compliance, data security, automated reporting, and enhanced transparency. In addition to discussing outsourcing, NES Financial will talk about the benefits of scale and a case study in adopting third-party administration. To RSVP and attend this webinar, please click here for more details or visit nesfinancial.com. About NES Financial NES Financial, a JTC Company (LON: JTC), is a specialty financial administrator which serves sectors characterized by high administrative complexity, increased transaction security needs, and challenging regulatory compliance requirements. The companys purpose-built solutions streamline the administrative processes of these markets simplifying specialized financial transactions, curtailing fraud and abuse, and ensuring the utmost in security, transparency and regulatory compliance through each step of an investments life cycle. NES Financial, recognized on the San Francisco Business Times top Bay Area fintech list, has defined industry best practices in each of the markets it serves from 1031 exchanges and EB-5 visa funding, to private equity and the landmark Opportunity Zones program. NES Financial services more than 300 funds, administers over $20B annually, and has worked with over 700 EB-5 projects. For more information, please visit nesfinancial.com. About JTC PLC JTC PLC is an award-winning provider of fund, corporate and private client services to institutional and private clients. Founded in 1987, JTC PLC has more than 900 people working across its global office network and is trusted to administer more than $110 billion of client assets. The principle of true shared ownership for all employees is fundamental to their culture and aligns them completely with the best interests of their clients and other stakeholders. JTC PLC fund services administer a wide variety of listed and unlisted funds across a diverse range of asset classes, including real estate, private equity, renewables, hedge, debt and other alternatives. The firms corporate services provide company secretarial and administration services to a broad range of clients, including SMEs, public companies, multinationals and sovereign wealth funds. JTC PLCs private wealth services include the formation and administration of vehicles such as trusts, companies and partnerships on behalf of predominantly HNWIs and UHNWIs and their families and dedicated private and family offices. My fingers are bleeding. Everywhere. Im holding my mangled hand above my heart (I read somewhere this is how you stop something from bleeding, even though it is very clearly not stopping any bleeding) with my 10-year-old daughters favorite sweatshirt being used as a temporary tourniquet. Were at campsite 109 in newly reopened Big Basin Redwoods State Park, huddled together around a whimpering campfire whimpering because I badly cut my hand while trying to split firewood that never made it into our fire ring. We peel off the blood-soaked sweatshirt and try to put Band-Aids on the tip of one finger (which is hanging off) and the top of the other (which is squirting blood like a leaky water balloon), and the bandages immediately soak all the way through. Ive never seen blood leak out of the top of a Band-Aid before until right now. OK, we need to go get help. Grant Marek / SFGATE Weirdly, even with blood gushing from two of my digits, Big Basin one of 85 state parks, beaches and recreation areas newly reopened in the state is one of the few places in the world right now where I feel completely safe. If theres a figurative cure for the coronavirus, camping in Californias oldest state park is it. We ultimately opted for Big Basin because of its close proximity to us (Californians are still discouraged from traveling far distances for recreation), the fact that we could get a campsite just one week out, and because even just our neighborhood feels more crowded than it should during the middle of a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 130,000 in the U.S. In Big Basin, there are no tight spaces where you cant socially distance yourself from someone whos potentially asymptomatic, no one is delivering anything to your campsite, and there isnt a crowd of mask-less outdoor diners in the middle of the redwoods. But at the same time, there are still the wonders of the great outdoors the towering trees, the top-of-the-mountain views, the downed lumber impeding your path, the absolutely massive, hollowed out redwoods you seriously consider living inside of. Grant Marek / SFGATE Right now, though, Im far more concerned with just the "living" part. I can hear the guy one campsite over yell to his wife, I THINK HE CUT HIS HAND REALLY BAD, as we slam the car doors and I drive us one-handed to the park headquarters, where a ranger in a mask tells us no doctors are on-call or even nearby, because its the Sunday of Fourth of July weekend. Really we only have two choices: 1) call the paramedics (who will arrive in 45 minutes, then drive me 45 minutes to a hospital, where wed be stranded for the night), or 2) I can drive myself 45 minutes to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and hope I dont pass out. I opt for the latter, taking the windy road down the backside of Big Basin through Santa Cruz County with my fourth-grader applying pressure to two fingers on my right hand, which dangles just below the roof of the car. Three hours after we arrive at Dominican Hospital, Im out of the ER with 12 stitches, no pain meds (none of the pharmacies nearby are open) and, weirdly, a newfound purpose. Lets finish the camping trip. Grant Marek / SFGATE And we do. Throughout the rest of our 24-hour camping trip, we only make real contact with anyone twice: once when we checked in at the ranger station to get our parking pass, and once when we checked in at the ranger station for how to get my fingers sewn back on. Other than that, we were largely left alone thanks to a handful of changes to Big Basin: Grant Marek / SFGATE 1. Theyve added one-way trails After parking at our campsite and setting up our tent, we grab our masks, a bag of M&M trail mix and a bunch of water, then immediately hit the Sequoia to Skyline to the Sea loop trail. When we enter it just north of Blooms Creek, were greeted with a sign explaining the new one-way rules, which it feels like most folks follow. There are only maybe a dozen people we see during the 4-plus mile hike who are going the wrong way. Grant Marek / SFGATE 2. You might not be able to hike all the way to points of interest One of the reasons we opt for the Sequoia to Skyline to the Sea loop trail? Sempervirens Falls. One of the places we cant actually see up close on the Sequoia to Skyline to the Sea loop trail? Sempervirens Falls. The short and tight connector trail that gets you down to the mouth of the falls is caution-taped off and inaccessible save for two influencers who couldnt resist the opportunity for #content. They hopped the caution tape to go take selfies down by the falls. Grant Marek / SFGATE 3. Most of the things around the park headquarters are closed or limited Caution tape criss-crosses the water fountains, the visitors center is essentially closed save a table wedged between the doorway, and the grocery store is only accessible if you first follow a Disneyland-caliber line through the gift shop a pretty clever commercial version of a one-way trail. Grant Marek / SFGATE While Big Basin is on the doorstep of the Bay Area, there are several state parks actually in the nine Bay Area counties that are now taking camping reservations on ReserveCalifornia.com, including Salt Point State Park (Sonoma County), Sonoma Coast State Park (Sonoma), Henry W. Coe State Park (Santa Clara), Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (Napa), Sugarloaf Ridge State Park (Napa/Sonoma), Samuel P Taylor State Park (Marin), Mount Diablo State Park (Contra Costa), and Portola Redwoods State Park (San Mateo). All of the state parks above have made similar changes, and likely will make more definitely check the state park website before you leave your house for the latest (especially when it comes to parking, which a camping reservation guaranteed us). Grant Marek / SFGATE If you can find a reservation, though, I can assure you that at least one thing hasnt changed, and it might just be the most important one: the feeling of looking up at the infinite night sky, snuggled in a sleeping bag, with throbbing fingers and a full heart. Grant Marek is the Editorial Director of SFGATE. Email: grant.marek@sfgate.com | Twitter: @grant_marek A dog-owner 'brutally' murdered his disabled neighbour following a row about his barking Staffordshire bull terrier, a court heard. Raymond Burrell, 43, subjected Matthew Sheehan, 36, to a 'merciless' attack in Adamsdown, Cardiff in September 2015 after he protested about the noise his pet made at night. Burrell was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm and was jailed for life in 2016 after Mr Sheehan was left in a 'vegetative state'. He is now on trial for murder at Newport Crown Court after the disabled man, who had cerebellar ataxia, died in November 2017. A court heard how Burrell was arrested and taken away in a police van following the 'severe' attack five years ago, which left Mr Sheehan with fractures to his nose and eye socket, swelling to his mouth, and bruising to both sides of his brain. After his arrest, a court heard how the suspect dropped his trousers and smeared faeces on his clothes and around the van, telling officers 'this is how you get rid of evidence.' Raymond Burrell (pictured) subjected Matthew Sheehan, 36, to a 'merciless' attack in Adamsdown, Cardiff in September 2015 because he protested about the noise his pet made at night He allegedly said: 'You don't like that, do you? This is how you get rid of evidence.' Prosecutor Michael Jones QC said Burrell was put into a cell and his clothes were confiscated. He was heard saying to an officer: 'Ain't done s***, mate. Prove that s***.' Prior to the attack, Mr Sheehan, who required a stick to walk, had been annoyed by Burrell's pet Staffordshire bull terrier barking from across the street, a court heard. Mr Jones told how Burrell stormed over to the disabled man's house in Adamsdown to carry out the brutal assault, which caused 'catastrophic' injuries. He said: 'He deliberately, brutally, and repeatedly attacked him causing him catastrophic and life-changing injuries that ultimately led to his death.' Burrell was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm in 2016 and jailed for life. Burrell (right with his dog) was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm and was jailed for life in 2016 after Mr Sheehan (left) was left in a 'vegetative state' But Mr Sheehan died a year after the court case - and Burrell was later charged with his murder. Mr Sheehan, who was living independently in community housing, had cerebellar ataxia, which affected the part of his brain controlling eye movements, speech, and limb movements. Pictured: Mr Sheehan after the attack in September 2015 His family said he needed a crutch to walk and had to concentrate on his balance to stay on his feet. The court heard how a friend visited Mr Sheehan the day before the attack - and said he seemed 'frightened' following a dispute with a neighbour. Mr Sheehan told his friend a neighbour's dog was barking and keeping him awake, so he told the dog to 'shut up' but the neighbour confronted him. Two neighbours who lived upstairs said they heard someone kicking a door at around 7am on September 1, 2015. The residents reported hearing banging, kicking, shouting and Mr Sheehan's voice screaming: 'Help.' They also heard 'groaning' noises like someone was in pain. One of the neighbours called 999 and they described the defendant walking off and then coming back to the flat, the court heard. Mr Jones described the assault as a 'relentless beating'. He said Burrell then walked away again, looking 'casual' and as if nothing had happened. Burrell, of HM Lowdham Grange Prison in Nottinghamshire, denies murder. The trial continues. An empty parking lot is seen outside a closed JC Penney Co. store in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on Thursday, April 16, 2020. J.C. Penney will lay off about a thousand employees as it hashes out a plan with its lenders to emerge from bankruptcy. The struggling retailer filed for court protection on May 15, with roughly 860 stores and about 90,000 full-time and part-time employees. It has announced plans to close about 170 stores in recent weeks, though negotiations with landlords are ongoing. On Wednesday, it said it expects about 152 closures. To match its shrinking store base, J.C. Penney said Wednesday it will lay off about 1,000 workers, in roles that include corporate and international positions. Those workers will receive a benefits package that includes severance and health-care coverage for eligible associates. "These decisions are always extremely difficult, and I would like to thank these associates for their hard work and dedication," said J.C. Penney CEO Jill Soltau in a statement. "We are committed to supporting them during this period of transition." Meanwhile, it is also continuing to negotiate a future with its lenders. On Tuesday, J.C Penney confirmed in a court filing it had struck a deal with its lenders to push back a key deadline originally imposed on it as part of its bankruptcy financing. According to the terms of its debtor-in-possession financing agreement, it had to submit a confidential business plan to its lenders by July 8 and get two-thirds of them on board by Wednesday. If it missed those deadlines, it would have had to begin the process of selling off its assets. Now, after submitting its business plan on time, J.C. Penney has until July 31 to review the plan with its lenders and evaluate potential buyers for the business. That gives it about two more weeks to work out a deal to help it avoid liquidation. According to the confidential plan, it wants to place roughly 160 of its remaining stores into a real estate investment trust to collect checks from the retail business, people familiar with the situation said. Doing so gives investors the chance to invest in a company's best real estate while keeping its underlying retail business separate. The people requested anonymity because the plans are confidential. J.C. Penney has said in court documents that it could sell as much as a 35% stake in the newly created REIT to a third-party investor to raise cash or to provide additional funding for the REIT. It has been in talks with multiple suitors for all or parts of its business. They include private equity firm Sycamore Partners, which owns department store Belk, and a partnership between Simon Property Group, Brookfield Properties and Barneys New York parent company Authentic Brands, people familiar with the situation have told CNBC. Simon, the biggest mall owner in the country, has a J.C. Penney store in about 50% of its U.S. malls, based on one analysis. A REIT carve-out would allow Simon to either buy the REIT or invest in the stores that are already in its malls without having to invest in the retail business. Still, the leases in the REIT are a liability for any investor, since they are dependent on the ability of the tenants to pay the rent. Shares of the REIT that Sears hived off in 2015, Seritage Growth Properties, has fallen more than 74% this year, as investors have worried it may not get enough capital to convert onetime Sears stores into new properties. And as the pandemic puts pressure on the real estate and retail industry, shares of Macerich, Simon, CBL and Washington Prime Group have all tumbled 50% or more this year. CBL is in the midst of talking with its own lenders after missing debt payments and has warned that it may not be able to continue operating. J.C. Penney declined to comment on the contents of the confidential plan. Sycamore Partners and Simon Property Group declined to comment. Some healthcare industry employers do require certain employees to be vaccinated against the flu during flu season with the above noted exceptions. The CDC has a page on vaccination laws at www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/vaccinationlaws.html and it recommends annual vaccinations as the best way to protect against the flu. Also, North Carolina requires some first-responders to have vaccinations in General Statute 130A-485, which is linked to in this article online. Participation in the vaccination program is voluntary by the first responders, except for first-responders who are classified as having occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, according to the statute. Thanks B.J.B. wrote in to thank a Good Samaritan who came to her aid last Friday after her wallet fell out of her purse on Knollwood Street. The following is from a Washington Post editorial: Global warming has not taken a break since the COVID-19 outbreak struck. The Democrats, at least, are treating it like the emergency it remains. House Democrats released late last month a massive climate plan, a package of bills that Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has vowed to advance through her chamber. Meanwhile, a committee that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and primary rival Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., convened to reconcile their views on climate policy has agreed on some top-line principles. If the Democrats win big in November, they would have a shelf fully stocked with prewritten climate policies from which to choose. That alone puts them far ahead of Republicans. Still, the House's very detailed plan is a huge policy grab bag that would require refinement if it were close to becoming law, and Biden should be thinking now about how to winnow it down and how to avoid promising too much to fringe activists during the campaign. House Democrats propose requiring that all electricity come from clean sources by 2040, by imposing a national clean-electricity mandate that would require utilities to derive a steadily rising percentage of electricity from renewables or emissions-free nuclear power. The plan calls for regulations and spending to require electric vehicles, promote super-efficient buildings, plug leaks in the nation's gas infrastructure and directly finance further deployment of renewables. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Curiously, the plan also proposes putting a price on greenhouse emissions, presumably through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade program, which would accomplish many of the same environmental goals that other policies in the plan are designed to tackle, but at a far lower cost. Duplicative policies should be removed. It is not clear this will happen. If Republicans were engaged, they could push for market-based policies such as carbon taxes and against unneeded mandates and spending. Instead, they have largely exiled themselves from the debate by refusing to accept the necessity to act vigorously. The result is a conversation largely about how far left climate policy should go, rather than how to make it more appealing to the center. To be clear, Democrats deserve credit for listening to scientists, and they have not surrendered to the left flank of the debate, refusing, for example, to strike nuclear power from the conversation. Moreover, the threat of climate change is so large that even second-best policies are better than nothing. But should he have the chance to govern, Biden should still aim higher than second-best. Last week, the states education commissioner, Richard Corcoran, who was nominated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, issued an emergency order asking districts to reopen brick and mortar schools with the full panoply of services. But fully staffing the Broward school system to maintain social distancing between students and staff members would require at least $230 million in new funding, Mr. Runcie said, because of the need to hire thousands of additional teachers to reduce class sizes to an average of 14 students. In California, where case numbers have been soaring, reopening schools has become a moving target. Just two and a half weeks ago, when Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed the state budget, it included strong language that discouraged schools from operating exclusively online. But as cases climbed, concerns about too much online instruction quickly morphed into concerns about too little school safety. California is using the 5 percent positivity threshold as a guideline one that has grown increasingly distant in many places. In Los Angeles County, home to the nations second-largest school district, the positivity rate has averaged 9 percent over the past seven days. We had hoped it wouldnt get to this point, said the Los Angeles schools superintendent, Austin Beutner. All of a sudden, in the middle of June, everything just went through the roof. The decision by Los Angeles and San Diego to teach online is expected to be influential. Several other large districts in the state, including San Bernardino, Santa Clara and Oakland, will start the year remotely, and this week the public schools in Pasadena and the entirety of Stanislaus County in the Central Valley said they would delay in-person learning at least for the first weeks of August. Information and communications technology (ICT) and services are among five sectors identified as key areas for closer cooperation in trade arrangements after the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union is completed on December 31. The Boris Johnson government has been keen on a free trade agreement with India. Formal talks on such a pact can only begin after December 31, but some talks on exploring building blocks have begun. Other sectors identified are food and drink, life sciences and chemicals to address non-tariff barriers to trade. Official sources here said the 14th Joint Economic and Trade Committee (Jetco) the annual mechanism for government-to-government negotiations is scheduled for July 24 between Commerce minister Piyush Goyal and International trade secretary Elizabeth Truss virtually. Minister of state for Commerce Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday held a virtual bilateral meeting with Ranil Jayawardena, the UKs minister for International Trade, to discuss market access and other bilateral trade issues as a prelude to the Jetco meeting. British ministers have emphasised to Indian interlocutors that the country would not become protectionist, but more open after leaving the EU. The Brexit process is currently in the one-year transition phase that ends on December 31, when the UKs exit will be complete. The UKs eagerness for an FTA with India has been met with a wait-and-watch approach in New Delhi, where a review of FTAs with various countries is envisaged by Goyal to protect the interests of Indian industry and traders. In the long-stalled EU-India free trade talks, easier mobility of Indian professionals (the so-called Mode 4) is one of the key areas New Delhi has been insisting on. Brussels believes that there will be better chances of reaching the agreement with India after Britain leaves the EU. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Art aficionados now have a way to continue supporting their favorite galleries in town with a new digital marketplace to purchase from. "Started by Dallas Art Fair, Culture Place is a digital marketplace for contemporary art collectors to discover, connect, and buy from galleries across the region, augmented with artist studio visits, conversations, and other online programming," said the Culture Place website. SOLUTION FOR COVID HAIR: Houston hair stylist creates solution to COVID hair The site went live on July 9 and is an extension of the first-ever online Dallas Art Fair, CultureMap reported. Like many businesses, artists and galleries are also having to find alternative ways to keep their business alive and thriving, and having a platform like Culture Place promoting their work greatly can benefit them financially. Culture Place will enable dealers to connect with our audience of collectors on an ongoing basis, to engage more deeply in conversations about art in todays world, and to facilitate the sale of art when the opportunity for physical engagement has evaporated," says John Sughrue, Culture Place founder, and Dallas Art Fair chairman, in a release. The marketplace will place its emphasis mainly on Texas galleries, but will also welcome galleries from nearby states, said its website. The invited galleries will be able to refresh their artworks every 60 days. The process to search is relatively easy as you can view art by the gallery, artist, and title on the Culture Place website and make your purchase safe and securely. The artworks are then shipped to buyers. Some of the Houston galleries include the following: Bill Arning Exhibitions David Shelton Gallery McClain Gallery Moody Gallery Nancy Littlejohn Fine Art As the pandemic continues to loom over businesses across the country, finding ways to continue enjoying life's little pleasures such as collecting art for your home is a plus during these times. Having an outlet such as Culture Place that allows you to safely browse and purchase art online helps you stay connected while at the same time supporting their business. I would call that a win for all. STAY INFORMED: Sign up to receive breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. New Delhi: Once a Bhojpuri sizzler Monalisa is now a famous television star. The stunner recently made her debut on Instagram Reels - a new feature introduced on the social networking site which is similar to TikTok. Monalisa posted the video where she can be seen all set to head for a swim. She wrote in the caption: Kab Jaungi For A Gooood Swim... #feelitreelit The actress has had the opportunity of working with almost all the Bhojpuri big shots in her movie career. In 'Nazar', she played an evil force named Mohana. And received immense adulation for her work on TV. Monalisa was seen this year in 'Nazar 2' as Madhulika Chaudhary. She sure knows how to keep her social media fam happy and smiling. The sensational star was seen as a popular contestant in the reality show 'Bigg Boss 10' and in fact, got married to her then-boyfriend Vikrant Singh inside the BB 10 house. COVID-19 deaths, hospitalisations and lockdowns could be over this year, says WHO India set to make PDS location independent: NITI Aayog CEO India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, July 15: India is set to make the Public Distribution System location independent to ensure that no one, especially the inter-state migrants, is left behind, NITI Aayog CEO has said, citing the 'One Nation, One Card' initiative being implemented by the government as a transformative solution in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the special event on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Acceleration Actions on the margins of 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Tuesday, Amitabh Kant said collective action through international cooperation is more relevant and important than ever before in these truly unprecedented times. PM has ensured no one sleeps hungry in country: Javadekar on extension of Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana He told the session that the One Nation, One Card' initiative is an example of a recent transformative solution by India presently being implemented as a response to the pandemic. Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News "The first half of 2020 has underscored the importance of responsive and adaptive policy making, more than ever before. When challenges are dynamic and unprecedented, peer learning and knowledge exchange are of utmost significance. We are deeply committed to foster this spirit and accelerate progress on the SDG targets by not only focusing on the recovery but by building back better for long term transformation," Kant said. The One Nation, One Card' initiative ensures right-based access to food supplies and covers over 800 million people at cost as low as 3-5 cents. He added that this is operationalised through beneficiary cards issued by the sub-national governments. By leveraging the technological capacity meticulously built over the last few years, India is all set to roll out interoperability in making access to the Public Distribution System location independent, Kant said adding that it is a momentous step to ensure that no one is left behind, especially the inter-state migrants. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the power of collectivised problem solving, he said. Under the One Nation-One Ration Card' initiative, eligible beneficiaries would be able to avail their entitled foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from any Fair Price Shop in the country using the same ration card. The Food Ministry aims to implement this facility across the country by March 2021. Kant added that invigorated and renewed synergy between the government and the private sector has resulted in over 4,00,000 PPEs and 2,20,000 N-95 masks being manufactured in India, every day. In February this year, we were producing none. This aligns closely with our flagship 'Make in India' approach, through which we aim at becoming a globally competitive manufacturing hub, he said. Meanwhile, India on Monday presented its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the High-Level Political Forum. India's VNR report titled Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local' highlights not only the country's progress on the SDGs, but also captures the inclusive and participatory process followed in its preparation. Kant told the session that India is aggressively expanding its renewable energy programme, increasing the renewable energy capacity by 75 per cent since 2014 and aiming to achieve the ambitious target of 450 GW by 2030. We have made the global pledge, as part of our Nationally Determined Contributions, to have 40 per cent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, he said, adding that India's renewable energy sector has become a prime destination for global investors, with a potential to attract 10 billion dollars of annual investments. In the global Ease of Doing Business rankings, India has jumped 79 places in the past five years: from 142 in 2014 to 62 in 2019. Our structural reforms in taxation, FDI regime, and insolvency and bankruptcy have contributed to this improvement, he said. Emphasising that 21st-century challenges need 21st-century solutions, Kant said the role of innovation is critical in designing solutions for SDG acceleration and building back better. Today, India is home to the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world, with the third-largest number of unicorns. We firmly believe that these disruptions in the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem will accelerate our pace of achieving the SDGs, he said. He also pointed out that the government's Aspirational Districts Programme aims at accelerating transformative socio-economic improvement in 112 districts of the country with relatively greater development challenges. By improving the lives of over 165 million citizens in these districts in terms of health, education, basic infrastructure, agriculture and water, and financial inclusion and skill development, the initiative highlights the efficacy of the cooperative and competitive federalism approach to development, he said. Sharing SDG acceleration actions and successes will be incomplete without discussing SDG localisation in India. Fostering sub-national peer-learning and competitiveness is the approach we took when we released the world's first government-led sub-national SDG Index in 2018, he said. Kant said the SDG India Index and Dashboard, which annually ranks Indian States based on their SDG performance, has reshaped the SDG framework adoption and localisation discourse in the country. It has resulted in sub-national entities instituting monitoring systems and preparing development strategies aligned to the goals of the 2030 Agenda, which are customised to the local and hyper-local context. Ashanti Regional Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sam Pyne has jabbed the Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt, for rebuking the Electoral Commission (EC) over the ongoing voters' registration exercise. Kwesi Pratt, speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, slammed the Electoral Commission (EC) for refusing to halt the registration exercise. The EC commenced the new voters' registration exercise on Tuesday, June 30 and there have been concerns that the Commission might be risking the lives of many Ghanaians to the COVID-19 pandemic. The EC has however implemented precautionary measures at the various registration centres to ensure the safety of Ghanaians but the calls for it to either postpone or cancel the exercise remain unabated. Mr. Pratt also expressed disgust over the adamant behaviour of the EC Chairpersons, asking why the Commission wants to expose Ghanaians to the COVID-19. "If we had not conducted this voter registration exercise, would Ghana collapse?" he questioned. "This pandemic disease has spread across the nation and we are saying we should go and register irrespective. When you oppose it, they will say you don't want to register but you will go and vote during the elections. Why? If we don't do the register but only go and vote, you have minimized the risk maybe by more than 50%. So, minimizing the risk is also important," he further stated. Kwesi Pratt's concerns portrayed him as someone who won't partake in the registration exercise, looking at the fact that he believes it's risky for any eligible Ghanaian to go to the registration centre and have his or her name entered into the new voters' register. In view of this, Sam Pyne, appearing on the Wednesday edition of 'Kokrokoo', sought to find out if Kwesi Pratt standing by his principle that the registration exercise is hub for the Coronavirus would refuse to register his name. But, to the utter shock of Sam Pyne. Mr. Pratt has already registered his name. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi, Sam Pyne wondered why he (Kwesi Pratt) would participate in the exercise amd receive his voter ID card which qualifies him to vote in the 2020 elections but discourage people from also registering their names. "Why is he not encouraging people to also register to effect changes? Why would you then come and sit on radio and tell the world as if the process is a land mine?" he quizzed. Reacting to Mr. Pratt's assertion that the EC's refusal to halt the exercise will majorly contribute to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the country, Sam Pyne asked "has he fallen sick after going to register? He observed the protocols. So, why is it that when someone goes and observes the protocols, the person can't return safe?" Listen to video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video DIA seeking 1.7 bln rubles from former co-owners of Premier Credit Bank RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 10:05 15/07/2020 MOSCOW, July 14 (RAPSI) Russias Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA), established to pay out deposits in the event a bank goes bankrupt, filed a claim in the Moscow Commercial Court seeking 1.7 billion rubles (about $24 million) from former co-owners of Premier Credit Bank. There are 21 persons on the DIAs list who allegedly controlled the bank whose banking license was revoked by the regulator in July 2017. Later that year the Moscow-based credit institution went bankrupt. According to the financial statements, as of 1 June 2017 Premier Credit Bank ranked 369th by assets in the Russian banking system. The high-risk credit policy pursued by Premier Credit Bank Inc. led to the emergence of grounds in its operations for regulatory measures to be taken to prevent its failure (bankruptcy), and put its creditors and depositors interests under real threat. Besides, due to the loss of liquidity the credit institution failed to timely honour its obligations to creditors, the Bank of Russia said. Reports of suspicious financial activity at Premier Credit Bank were filed in the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee. Extraordinary. Outstanding. Remarkable. These are just some of the of the many ways that this years recipients of the Presidents Research Excellence Awards have been described. Established in 2018, these awards recognize the research achievements of Dalhousie University faculty members at all stages of their careers. The award for Emerging Investigators recognizes early-career researchers (within seven years of their first academic appointment), while the award for Impact celebrates researchers at any career stage who are having substantial, current impact in their field. Congratulations to all the recipients of the Presidents Research Excellence Awards, says Alice Aiken, vice-president research and innovation. Dalhousie has a rich history of research excellence, and we are pleased to celebrate such a stellar group of individuals who have helped make us the hub of world-leading research and innovation we are today. More information about the Presidents Research Excellence awards can be found here. Emerging Investigator awards Dr. Zhenyu Cheng (Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine) Dr. Cheng leads an internationally-recognized laboratory that works on host microbial interactions using cutting-edge technologies that enhance our fundamental understanding of cellular and molecular processes in infectious diseases. His research pioneers the investigation of both bacterial virulence and multiple host responses to P. aeruginosa infections. Dr. Noreen Kamal (Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) Dr. Kamals research in Improving and Optimizing Health Systems provides a foundational basis to transform health systems through trialing quality improvement methodology, developing models, and developing visual data analytics tools. Her research to date has focused on improving outcomes of stroke patients by optimizing the acute stroke treatment process, because in stroke time is brain and minutes matter. Dr. John Frampton (School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculties of Engineering and Medicine) Dr. John Framptons lab works at the intersection of materials science, cell biology and clinical research to design next-generation technologies for: (1) understanding fundamental biological processes; (2) understanding how diseases work and improving diagnosis; and (3) developing therapies using advanced natural and synthetic materials. The tools his team develops are applied to understanding the physiology of the lung, the nervous system, skin, muscle tissue and a variety of other organs, as well as for treatment of traumatic injuries to the tissues of the body. Dr. Adelina Iftene (Schulich School of Law, Faculty of Law) Dr. Iftenes research and writing revolve around issues related to vulnerable prison populations, prison policies, criminal law, health, and undercover investigations. Her major work, started during her doctoral studies at Queens University Faculty of Law, looks at the experiences and access to justice of incarcerated older individuals. Dr. Floris Goerlandt (Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) Dr. Goerlandt focuses his applied research in developing frameworks, models, and decision support tools for better understanding, analyzing, assessing, and controlling marine risks, focusing on safety and environmental risks of shipping, and shipping as a resource for the resilience of coastal communities. Dr. Melanie Zurba (School of Resource and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Management) Dr. Zurbas research program is highly interdisciplinary and is focused on equity, values and participation as they relate to environmental policy and governance. She has worked with Indigenous and marginalized communities in Canada and abroad on projects focusing on co-management of species and protected areas, shared forest tenure agreements, Clean Environment Commission hearings for water regulation, renewable energy systems, land use and occupancy mapping studies, food sovereignty, health promotion and wellbeing, and land-based learning and curriculum development. The United Nations warned Wednesday about an alarming decline in childhood vaccinations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that the likelihood a child born today will have all recommended vaccines by the age of five is less than 20 percent. Three-quarters of the 82 countries surveyed in May reported vaccination campaigns being disrupted because of coronavirus, according to the study carried out by UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Gavi, a public-private partnership started by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. That survey found more than 30 measles campaigns around the world have been, or are at risk of being halted, a move likely to worsen outbreaks of the highly contagious disease. It's not an issue isolated to middle- or low-income countries. Already, US doctors gave 2.5 million fewer doses of non-flu shots than in previous years this March and April. The number of MMR shots given by UK doctors fell by 20 percent in the first weeks of lockdowns there. Three-quarters of the 82 countries surveyed by the UN said their vaccination programs have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading the agency to warn that the likelihood a child anywhere in the world will have all vaccinations by age five is less than 20% (file) 'The avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunizations could be far greater than COVID-19 itself,' said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Even before the pandemic hit, 14 million children around the world already weren't receiving vaccinations, most of them in Africa. In South America, vaccination rates already have plummeted over the past decade in Brazil, Bolivia, Haiti and Venezuela. Now it's become harder for health workers to give vaccines because many have been redirected toward the pandemic response. In other areas, health workers are having more difficulty because of movement restrictions or lack of protective equipment. Even when vaccines are still available, many parents are fearful of taking their children to health centers because of the virus. US doctors report giving 250,000 fewer doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine in March and April of 2020 compared to the previous year. That's particularly worrisome in the US, which had its largest outbreaks of measles since 1992 - and most of then were in New York City, which became the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic for several months this year. Continued declines in MMR vaccination rates could pull the US back below the 93 to 95 percent of people who need to be vaccinated against the virus to confer herd immunity for the elderly or immunocompromised who cannot get shots. And vaccinations are the single most important shield standing between children and diseases like tetanus, diptheria and pertussis that once killed scores of kids, but are now rarely a threat, thanks to vaccines. 'COVID-19 has made previously routine vaccination a daunting challenge,' said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. 'We must prevent a further deterioration in vaccine coverage and urgently resume vaccination programs before children's lives are threatened by other diseases. We cannot trade one health crisis for another.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 13:59:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Mexico is extending for the third time its U.S. border restrictions till late August. "After checking the rise of the COVID-19 spread, Mexico proposed to the US the extension of all non-essential traffic restriction at the common border for 30 more days," the ministry said on Twitter. "Both countries will continue looking to coordinate the sanitary measures at the border region. The measures will be valid until August 21, 2020," it added. The border restrictions were first implemented on March 21. Meanwhile, the U.S.-Canada border is also expected to remain closed till at least late August, CNN reported by quoting Canadian government sources. Enditem Retail Stock Market Traders & Investors Squeezed to Buy High-Risk Assets Again Yes, we certainly live in interesting times. This, the last segment of our multi-part article on the current Q2 and Q3 2020 US and global economic expectations, as well as current data points, referencing very real ongoing concerns, we urge you to continue using common sense to help protect your assets and families from what we believe will be a very volatile end to 2020. If you missed the first two segments of this research article, please take a moment to review them before continuing. On May 24th, 2020, we published this research article related to our super-cycle research. It is critical that you understand what is really happening in the world as we move through these major 21 to 85+ year super-cycles and apply that knowledge to the data we have presented in the first two segments of this research post. Within that article, we quoted Ray Dalio from a recent article published related to his cycle research. In brief, after the creation of a new set of rules establishes the new world order, there is typically a peaceful and prosperous period. As people get used to this they increasingly bet on the prosperity continuing, and they increasingly borrow money to do that, which eventually leads to a bubble. As prosperity increases the wealth gap grows. Eventually, the debt bubble bursts, which leads to the printing of money and credit and increased internal conflict, which leads to some sort of wealth redistribution revolution that can be peaceful or violent. Typically at that time late in the cycle, the leading empire that won the last economic and geopolitical war is less powerful relative to rival powers that prospered during the prosperous period, and with the bad economic conditions and the disagreements between powers, there is typically some kind of war. Out of this debt, economic, domestic, and world-order breakdowns that take the forms of revolutions and wars come new winners and losers. Then the winners get together to create the new domestic and world orders. That rather chilling statement suggests one thing that we all need to be aware of at this time: what the current and future economic cycles will likely present and how the world will navigate through this process of a cycle transition. Before you continue, be sure to opt-in to our free-market trend signals berfore closing this page, so you dont miss our next special report! In our opinion, the massive cycle event that is taking place may not disrupt world order as Mr. Dalio suggests. There is a very strong likelihood that credit/debt processes may become the collateral damage of this cycle transition, but not much else changes. The world order and powerful nations across the globe are keenly aware that starting WWIII because of a credit/debt crisis is not in anyones interest. The world has enough capability to address these concerns without blowing the planet to pieces in the process. Our super-cycle research suggests we have entered a period that is very similar to 1919~1920 a roaring good time most likely has already extended beyond reasonable levels. Our research suggests a massive peak in cycle events near 2023~24 after an already substantial support cycle from 2007~08 to 2023~24. This span of time, roughly 17 years, is very likely to be a blend of the Unraveling & Crisis phases of the super-cycle. We believe the broader Crisis phase will continue to transition throughout a span of time lasting well into 2031~2034. This suggests we may have another 11 to 15+ years of a massive unwinding cycle throughout the globe. SUPER-CYCLE RESEARCHER DATA FROM OUR RESEARCH TEAM Our research team believes the COVID-19 virus event sent these super-cycles into Warp-Speed recently. The US stock market was poised to rally early in 2020 and may have experienced a multi-year rally had it not been for the COVID-19 disruption that took place in Mid-February. The destruction of the economy related to the COVID-19 shutdown is still playing out. Recent news suggests 41% of businesses that closed on Yelp have shut down permanently. Now, consider that this means for consumers and local governments related to earning and revenue capabilities? Workers have been fired and have completely lost earnings capabilities. Business owners now face credit/debt issues and possible bankruptcies. Local governments have lost revenue from taxes, payroll, sales, and fees and permits. This destructive cycle continues until the economy has shed the excess within all segments of core economic function. MORE DATA & MORE PREDICTIONS Within the first two segments of this article, weve highlighted numerous data points and charts to more clearly illustrate the current global market environment. We have to consider the reality of what is happening on the ground throughout the world and, in particular, what is happening in the US and most major economies right now. If 30 to 40%, or more, of local businesses, are closing permanently, this suggests that 30 to 50% of tax revenues for local governments will also vanish. It also suggests that these displaced workers and business owners will need to find new sources of income/revenue over the next 12+ months. As much as we would like to think a V-shaped recovery is highly likely, its not going to happen is 30 to 50% of the US economy is suffering at levels being reported currently. Yes, you could have investors pile into the US stock market because they believe the US economy is the most likely to develop a strong recovery in the future, but that will likely happen after the excess has been processed out of the economy through a business/credit contraction phase. The current stock market valuation levels seem to ignore the fact that consumer and business activity has likely collapsed by a minimum of 25 to 45% (or more) over the past 90+ days and may not recover to levels anywhere near the early 2020 economic activity levels. Still, if you listen to the news and watch the data related to the real estate market, you would think there has been no disruption in the US economy. Supposedly, homes are still selling quickly and the market is very robust. The Case-Shiller 20 city home price index is well above 220, the highest levels ever reached for this index. This suggests home prices have risen to levels that are likely 15% to 30% higher than the peak levels in 2006-2007 yet weve just experienced a massive economic disruption across the globe where 25% to 45% (or more) of our economic earning and income capability has vanished. Read between the lines if you must something doesnt seem to be reporting valid data at the moment. The Consumer Price Index has recently started falling. The only times in history where the CPI level has initiated substantial downward trends are throughout major recessionary or contraction economic phases. It is very likely that the decrease in the CPI level is reflecting a supply glut pricing effect as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown process. When consumer activity drops dramatically while supply channels continue as normal, a supply glut happens. When this happens, price levels must adjust and address the over-supply of goods and raw materials stacking up in warehouses, containers, and ships. If the consumers earning and spending capabilities are disrupted long enough, the manufacturing and supply side of the equation cant react fast enough to the immediate decline in demand. Therefore, the supply glut continues for a period of time as manufacturers attempt to scale-down the production levels to address for proper demand levels. Obviously, lower demand equates to lower sales volumes and lower-income levels for manufacturers and sales outlets. This translates into layoffs at the factories, sales outlets, and all levels in between. The cycle continues like this until an equilibrium is reached between supply and demand. This translates into lower-earning expectations for much of the US and foreign markets compared to previous expectations. While the S&P 500 stock price levels have recovered to nearly the early 2020 price levels, it seems rather obvious to us that Q2 earnings data will likely shock the markets with dramatically lower results and forward expectations in some cases these numbers may be disastrous. When Nike released their Q4 (May 2020) earnings and showed a nearly $800 loss because of the early COVID-19 shutdown, this should have presented a very real understanding of how all levels of retail, manufacturing, and consumer services would also likely show a dramatic economic contraction taking place. Currently, we are watching for news of new US businesses entering the bankruptcy process. This recent article suggests business bankruptcies are skyrocketing higher yet are still below the 2008~09 levels. Please keep in mind that we are only 90+ days into this COVID-19 virus event so this data is still very early reporting. Still, the numbers are very telling US filings totaled 3,427 on June 24, according to data from Epiq seen by the Times. The reading also closes in on the financial-crisis reading of 3,491 companies entering bankruptcy in the first half of 2008. If you are reading the same data I read from that statement, the difference between the 2008 levels and current levels is only 64 additional bankruptcies in the US less than a 2% difference in total bankruptcies. The reality of the current market conditions is that we are only 90+ days into this processing of all this new data and attempting to understand what is likely to become a new operating norm for global economies. In 2008-09, the unwinding process took place over a full 12 to 16-month process. The recovery process too much longer more than 5+ years. Currently, the unwinding process of the COVID-19 collapse took less than 30 days and the recovery process took a little over 90 days. If our research team is correct, the speed at which the current recovery took place is nothing more than a reactionary recovery to a problem that was sudden and full of uncertainty. The Q2 data will likely solidify the uncertainty and unknowns into very real economic values (losses) and may shock the US stock market into a downward price reversion phase. We believe one of the best hedging tools any skilled technical trader can use right now is Gold and Silver (Precious Metals). We continue to urge our friends and followers to maintain a portion of our portfolio in precious metals as a hedge against risk and unknowns throughout most of 2020 and beyond. If the Q2 data does what we believe it will do, shock the markets, then a moderately violent and volatile downside price move is pending. Simply put, you cant destroy 25 to 45% of an active economy and displace millions of workers while sustaining high price valuations unless you have a bubble-like euphoric investor mentality. That, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what we believe is happening right now. The super-cycle event that took place between 1920 and 1929 was nothing more than a euphoric bubble-like event where investors and traders had no fear. Everyone was leveraging everything they could to try to jump into the markets because they believed nothing could stop the rally. Keeping this in mind, you may want to read this recent research post about parabolic bubbles we published on June 23, 2020. When bubbles burst, most commonly done when investors suddenly come to their senses in terms of real valuation expectations, the downside price moves can be extremely distressing. We urge you to properly understand that may happen with Q2 earnings data and new announcements. We also urge you to understand the COVID-19 virus event may have moved the super-cycles into some type of warp-speed. If our research is correct, we could be speeding towards a massive unwinding/crisis cycle phase very similar to 1929~1945. Please read all the previous segments of this article and please properly position your portfolio to protect your assets. There will be lots of other trades in the future for all of us. These bigger price moves are not suddenly going to end because of Q2 or Q3 data. Be patient and stay protected. Q2 data is almost here and we are about to see some realization of the COVID-19 economic destruction process. Get our Active ETF Swing Trade Signals or if you have any type of retirement account and are looking for signals when to own equities, bonds, or cash, be sure to become a member of my Passive Long-Term ETF Investing Signals which we are about to issue a new signal for subscribers. Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Coles indeed recognized the importance of a comprehensive public transportation system to our communities of color and the region as a whole. He was a member of our organization and a long-time supporter of light rail rapid transit. We call on our elected officials not merely to name a station after Robert, but to fulfill his vision for economic, social and environmental justice by committing to expanding the Metro Rail from its current waterfront terminus through his beloved East Side. There it can link major East Side bus routes and spur much-needed investment while providing equitable access to the airport, Larkinville, Walden Galleria and the promised future development at Central Terminal. President Donald Trump gestures as he delivers a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House on July 14, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Trump to Revamp Environmental Law to Speed Up Infrastructure Projects, Pipelines The Trump administration is set to announce one of the biggest deregulatory actions of the presidents tenure in a bid to speed up major infrastructure projects such as bridges, road expansions, and oil pipelines. President Donald Trump is expected to make the announcement during a planned visit on July 15 to a UPS facility in Atlanta. The White House calendar indicates that Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks headlined Rebuilding of Americas Infrastructure: Faster, Better, Stronger. When he first announced the effort to revamp rules governing the application of the Nixon-era National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in January, the president criticized the way agencies scrutinize new projects under NEPA as an outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process. The United States cant compete and prosper if a bureaucratic system holds us back from building what we need, Trump said at the time. A major proposed change in January was to set a two-year deadline for completing full environmental impact reviews while less comprehensive assessments would have to be completed within one year. Mary Neumayr, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), told NPR that, currently, the average time for agencies to complete an environmental impact statement is 4 1/2 years. You spend three, four, five years on the environmental review before you ever break ground. Thats a problem, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler told Gray DC in an interview on July 14. This proposed rule would modernize and clarify the regulations to facilitate more efficient, effective, and timely NEPA reviews by federal agencies in connection with proposals for agency action, a CEQ notice of proposed action (pdf) states. CEQ has not comprehensively updated its regulations since their promulgation in 1978, more than four decades ago, the agency said, adding that the proposed changes would reduce paperwork and delays and promote better decisions consistent with the national environmental policy set forth in section 1010 of NEPA. The changes are part of a broader drive by the Trump administration to accelerate upgrades to Americas infrastructure and advance the goal of energy independence. Critics argue the move limits the publics ability to review, comment on, and influence proposed projects. This may be the single biggest giveaway to polluters in the past 40 years, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group. The Natural Resources Defense Council says the Trump administrations proposed rule raised the risk of decisions being made without enough consideration to environmental impacts. At the end of the day, it would lead to poor decisions, increased litigation, and less transparency, said Sharon Buccino, a senior director at the environmental group. The CEQ received more than 1 million comments after the January proposal, according to Caitlin McCoy, a staff attorney for the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program. McCoy said if CEQ fails to demonstrate it gave due consideration to critical comments, it could make the new rule vulnerable in a lawsuit. CEQ will need to show that it grappled with these adverse comments and considered all of the important aspects of making these changes, otherwise aspects of the regulations could be ruled arbitrary and capricious, she said. Voatz, a secure mobile voting platform, and Take Back Action Fund, a non-profit that is dedicated to making sure that everyone can join the electoral process, today announced their partnership to champion secure voting options for those who cannot or who are challenged to vote in person or on paper. This call-to-action specifically and especially impacts our deployed military service personnel, overseas citizens, and voters with disabilities. At a time of deeply polarized debates questioning the legitimacy of every step of the electoral process, we are joining together to build a state-level enfranchisement campaign based on the idea that everyone has the right to a secure and secret ballot. We know that having a successful election in November 2020 will mean that everyone, irrespective of circumstances, will be able to exercise their right to vote. Yet, as weve witnessed in the primaries, in-person voting descended into chaos in many cases, people with disabilities faced multiple levels of challenges on election day, and U.S. citizens in roughly 100 countries are completely cut off from postal mail, making it nearly impossible for deployed military and overseas citizens to send in a secret ballot. Take Back Action Fund will start its grassroots and activist work in West Virginia, which pioneered and successfully implemented mobile voting for these specific groups in a successful 2018 pilot. Voatz partnered with the state at the time, with military service people participating from 26 countries. Take Back Action Fund will work to unite non-profits, military service members, and local disability rights groups to voice their concerns about current voting options and work to create a seat at the table for everyone. Take Back Action Fund will send a clear message that recent advancements in technology have made it possible to deliver an uncompromised, private vote in these critical elections. Nimit Sawhney, co-founder and CEO of Voatz said, Making voting accessible for everyone is our driving mission at Voatz. We believe our platform can make voting not only more accessible but also more secure for certain segments of the population when compared to their current options. Our experience with West Virginia in 2018, and our overall 67 successful elections (11 governmental pilots) have showcased that we can deliver a secure and private ballot. John Pudner, Executive Director at Take Back Action Fund said, We recognize the painful situation unfolding in our nation right now and its major impact on our ability to vote in person. Ive spent the last couple of weeks observing and listening to disenfranchised groups from across the country who have been particularly vulnerable to these shocks to the system, and it is more apparent than ever that in order to enact systemic change, we must ensure a seat at the table for everyone. There is no one solution that will ensure everyone can vote. With Voatz, we see that its possible to securely bridge the limitations of vote by mail and voting at a polling station. About Voatz Voatz is an award-winning mobile elections platform that leverages cutting-edge technology (including biometrics and a blockchain-based infrastructure) to increase access and security in elections. Since 2016 Voatz has run more than 67 elections with cities, universities, towns, nonprofits, and both major state political parties for convention voting. Learn more at http://www.voatz.com. About Take Back Action Fund Take Back Action Fund or TBAF (also recognized by the IRS as Take Back Our Republic Action Fund) launched on May 5, 2015, three months after its sister organization Take Back Our Republic (Take Back). TBAF is a conservative, non-partisan 501(c)(4) organization. The ASX is set to open higher again this morning after global markets strode to four-month highs overnight as hopes for a coronavirus vaccine offset rising US-China tensions and helped lift oil prices on improved sentiment. ASX futures were trading up 22 points or 0.4 per cent at 6053 at about 6.40am in Sydney, suggesting the index will extend yesterday's 1.9 per cent market rally as investors are shifting into more growth-dependent assets in bets on a recovery from the pandemic recession. The local sharemarket is expected to open higher, buoyed by gains on Wall Street. Credit:Jim Rice 1. Vaccine hopes outweigh virus risks: Positive developments in the pursuit of a COVID-19 vaccine once again outweighed concerns about the worsening of the pandemic. The virus continues to spread out of control, with the US in particular still clocking up major increases in cases, hospitalisations and fatalities. But risk assets rallied overnight, with the threat posed by the virus and the risk of potential new lockdowns overlooked as market sentiment found itself juiced up by news from US biotech company Moderna and the University of Oxford that progress was being made in their respective efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. 2. Traders rotate into cyclical sectors: The apparent progress towards a COVID-19 vaccine appeared enough to drive traders towards risk-taking in global markets on Wednesday, with market participants buying stocks and rotating into more growth-dependent cyclical sectors of the stock market. In European trade, London's FTSE100 rallied 1.83 per cent, and Germany's DAX jumped 1.84 per cent. In the US, the S&P500 climbed 0.9 per cent, paced by industrial and energy stocks. The US financial sector also climbed, aided by a lift in Goldman Sachs shares after the Wall Street giant's earnings beat expectations, thanks to a much higher than expected result in its fixed income trading division. The provincial police watchdogs investigation into the falling death of Regis Korchinki-Paquet is in the closing stages and all interviews with her relatives have been completed, according to the familys lawyer. Knia Singh, a lawyer representing the family of Korchinki-Paquet the 29-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman who died in the presence of police in May announced in a statement Wednesday that as the probe by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) continues, a second autopsy is being conducted out of province. The results, expected Thursday, will be shared with the SIU, Singh said. Paquet died May 27 after falling 24 storeys to her death from a High Park highrise while in the presence of Toronto police. Korchinski-Paquets mother said she contacted police on the night of the incident because her daughter was in distress over a family conflict and needed to be taken to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The family, who were not present immediately before Korchinski-Paquets death, have questioned how she ended up dead following a call for help. Toronto police chief Mark Saunders has said he legally cannot comment on the case while the SIU is investigating, but he has said, theres a whole lot I want to say and noted misinformation can fill the information void when police cannot speak on a case during the SIU probe. Saunders has told reporters that three 911 calls were placed to police by three separate, at least two of whom mentioned knives. The incident was treated as a priority one call, meaning officers were dispatched within seconds and on scene within four minutes, Saunders said. The SIU the civilian police watchdog that investigates deaths and serious injuries involving police has revealed little about what happened in the moments immediately before Korchinski-Paquets death, though it has provided regular updates on the status of the investigation. In a statement shortly after her death, the watchdog said officers were inside an apartment unit on the 24th floor when they observed a woman on the balcony and a short time later, the woman fell from the balcony to the ground below. Singh has assembled a legal team that includes lawyer Howard Morton, who is a past director of the SIU. The team is conducting its own investigation, including conducting interviews family and people present in the corridor, outside the Korchinski-Paquet family apartment, in the moments leading up to her death. In an interview Wednesday, Morton said the legal team does not yet know what happened inside the apartment but believes there may be grounds for charges. Based on what we know, from our investigation, I believe there is a clear foundation for criminal liability, but of course thats subject to learning what the officers say, Morton said. He added that if the SIU does not lay charges, he expects a detailed summary of the officers evidence in the SIU report on the case. Morton said the legal team opted for an additional autopsy to have a second pathologists opinion, in case those findings might be relevant to what occurred inside that apartment. In his statement, Singh announced there will be a public memorial for Korchinski-Paquet on July 25, followed by the Regis Korchinski-Paquet Walk for Justice, organized alongside Black Lives Matter Toronto. The memorial will celebrate the life of Regis, with community advocates speaking about police accountability, Singh said. Singh also said the SIU investigative process has raised concerns over the access to information available to counsel and affected families. In order to restore public confidence in Ontarios watchdog, the Solicitor General must address the various shortcomings in the investigation process which will be identified after the SIU releases its report, Singh said. Korchinski-Paquets death, and recent police shootings of Black and Indigenous people in Canada and the United States, has prompted protests and calls for police to be defunded and for officers to stop handling mental health calls. Morton said recent cases, including the fatal shooting of 62-year-old Ejaz Choudry by Peel Regional police, have highlighted the need for a non-police emergency response option for mental health crisis calls. Choudrys family has said he suffered from schizophrenia and other medical conditions. Far too many of these people are winding up dead because of the intervention by the police, Morton said. They may have gone there well-intentioned, but they just dont have the skills. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has expressed his gratitude to Italy for this countrys position on the settlement of the Azerbaijani- Armenian conflict, including on Armenias recent deadly military provocation on the border, and for supporting Azerbaijans territorial integrity. During a phone conversation with Italian counterpart Luigi Di Mayo on July 14, Mammadyarov spoke about the prevention of Armenias military provocations on the border and the continuing tension in the region He noted that the cause of tension in the region was Armenias aggressive policy, stressing the need to withdraw the occupying forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan. Furthermore, parties exchanged views on various aspects of the existing strategic partnership between two countries. The state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Italy was assessed as an indicator of the high level of political dialogue and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Likewise, with the "Joint Declaration on the strengthening of the multi-faceted strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy", the sides expressed their intention to further strengthen this strategic partnership in the multifaceted, comprehensive political, economic, trade, energy, cultural, scientific and educational spheres. Additionally, the sides discussed the activity of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Azerbaijan and Italy on further deepening the economic cooperation between the two countries. Ministers also discussed the activities of the Southern Gas Corridor in accordance with the schedule as well as the relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Argentinian fishing boat docks in China port with over 50 COVID-19 cases July 15,2020 | Source: CGTN Argentina is trying to solve a medical mystery after 57 sailors were infected with the COVID-19 after 35 days at sea, despite the entire crew testing negative before leaving port. The Echizen Maru fishing trawler is now docked at a port in the city of Ushuaia, as some of the sailors are hospitalized. According to the ministry, 57 out of 61 crew members were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus after undergoing a new test. This is a mystery as all crew members had undergone 14 days of mandatory quarantine at a hotel in the city of Ushuaia. Two other sailors have tested negative, and two others are awaiting results. Argentina's COVID-19 cases exceeded 100,000 on Sunday, while the death toll rose to 1,859. 2020 CGTN Theme(s): Others. An 18-year-old teenager and 35-year-old man died on Sunday in a 'freak' skydiving accident in Atlanta as the teen was ticking off items on her bucket list before starting University. Jeanna Triplicata of Newnan, Georgia, who turned 18 in May, wanted to get a nose ring, a small tattoo honoring her grandfather and to complete a skydive before starting at the University of North Georgia in August. She and her grandmother went up in the plane to jump in tandem, with her father saying they were both excited to skydive for the first time. 'That morning (Jeanna) wasn't afraid, she wasn't apprehensive, she was just ready to do it,' said her father, Joey Triplicata. Jeanna Triplicata, left, pictured with her grandmother Renee before they went up in a plane together to do a tandem skydive together, something they have both always wanted to do Jeanna and her grandmother Renee had always been close, and they had both always wanted to skydive. They went up in the plane together and each jumped in tandem with a professional skydiver from Skydive Atlanta. Jeanna's family - including her parents and her younger brother and sister, as well as a family friend - all went along to watch the skydive. Her grandmother landed safely within view of the family, but something went tragically wrong with the parachute of Jeanna and professional skydiver Nick Esposito, and the family never them land. Triplicata said that in the distance they could see something go wrong with a parachute 'spinning upside down'. 'My wife actually turned to me and said, "I hope that's not Jeanna".' He said. Employees from Skydive Atlanta drove out to the field where they saw them land, but returned to Jeanna's family without her. When Triplicata decided to drive out the field himself, he found a deputy at the scene. 'It doesnt look good,' Triplicata heard him say. Jeanna was ticking items off her bucket list before going to University in August. She also wanted to get a nose piercing and a tattoo commemorating her grandfather He was later told that Jeanna did not survive the fall. Instructor Esposito also died in the accident. 'It was the worst day of our lives,' Triplicata told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 'It doesnt even seem real. Were going to miss her every day for the rest of our lives.' Deputies were called to the field on Rocky Bottom Road near the Thomaston-Upson County Airport around 12:45 p.m., Upson Sheriff Dan Kilgore said. The sheriff said that Esposito and Jeanna were attached to a parachute rig, however 'Upon exiting the aircraft, the primary parachute failed to open properly and went into a spin, he said in an emailed statement about the incident. ' The emergency parachute did not deploy until extremely low altitude and did not fully open.' Jeanna had just graduated from Northgate High School in Newnan. 'It was the worst day of our lives,' her father said, recalling the tragic skydiving accident on Sunday Skydive Atlanta said on Monday that it was working with the FAA to determine what happened, with the owner of the company saying they are 'devastated' by the accident. 'Our community is devastated for both our team member and the student and their respective families,' Skydive Atlanta owner Trey Holladay said in an emailed statement to the AJC. 'We are all stunned and truly at a loss for words as we are a close-knit family. We have spoken with the next of kin and all are asking for privacy while we process and grieve.' A videographer also jumped with Jeanna and Esposito to record their jump, and was not injured. When the investigation into the accident is complete, the Triplicata family will be able to review the footage showing their daughter's final moments. 'Im hoping and praying that she was just having the time of her life,' Triplicata said. Some of the top contenders in the race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine are making great strides and showing promise. From Moderna, Gilead Sciences to experts at the Oxford University and other participants, the combined effort of the world of science is now racing toward finding an antidote to the coronavirus disease. According to the World Health Organization, there are 23 candidate vaccines in the clinical evaluation phase while 140 candidate vaccines are currently in the preclinical evaluation phase. Gilead Sciences Incs remdesivir is at the forefront of the efforts to treat the disease after it helped shorten hospital recovery times in a clinical trial. Latest reports suggest that Moderna Incs experimental vaccine for Covid-19 was found safe in an ongoing early-stage trial and also provoked immune responses in all healthy volunteers. Chinas Sinovac and a combined effort led by British-Swedish drug company AstraZeneca and experts at the University of Oxford have their Covid-19 vaccine contenders in the third phase of trials. Also read: Moderna Phase 1 results show Covid-19 vaccine safe, induces immune response Heres taking a look at the latest on Covid-19 vaccine development: China-based Sinovac Biotech Ltd. recently received a nod for a phase III clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of its inactivated Covid-19 vaccine. AstraZeneca and the University of Oxfords viral vector vaccine is in a phase II/III trial in England and in phase III trials in Brazil and South Africa. CanSino Biological Inc. and Beijing Institute of Biotechnologys vaccine candidate has gone up to phase II of the trial. Then comes US biotech firm Moderna Inc., which on Tuesday, announced it would enter the final stage of human trials for its Covid-19 vaccine on July 27. The announcement came shortly after the New England Journal of Medicine published results from the first stage of Modernas vaccine trial, which showed the first 45 participants all developed antibodies to the virus, news agency AFP reported. Pennsylvania-based Inovio Pharmaceuticals vaccine candidate is currently in phase I/II phase of the trial. It posted positive interim results from the initial two cohorts in phase I clinical trial of its INO-4800 vaccine candidate. Covid-19 vaccine candidates from Osaka University/ AnGes/Takara Bio; Cadila Healthcare Limited; Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm; Bharat Biotech; Novavax; BioNTech/Fosun Pharma/Pfizer are currently in phase I/II of trials. Hyderabad-based biotech company Bharat Biotech has started human trials on its vaccine candidate, Covaxin. The contender is pegged as Indias first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine which is being developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The ICMR on Tuesday said that human clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccine has been initiated in the country with approximately 1,000 volunteers participating in the exercise for each of the two indigenously developed vaccine candidates, news agency PTI reported. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has permitted two vaccines - one developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the ICMR and another by Zydas Cadila Healthcare Ltd to go in for the first and second phase of human clinical trials. Life sciences company IQVIA Holdings Inc said it would collaborate with AstraZeneca Plc to speed up clinical studies of the British drugmakers potential Covid-19 vaccine in the United States, news agency Reuters reported. Researchers of Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University(SPbPU) in collaboration with colleagues from Tsinghua University (China) developed a new dynamic light scattering method to determine the sizes of circulating immune complexes in blood serum. The results of the study were published in the first quartile Biology Journal, MDPI Publishing House. Scientists mentioned, that this method is fast, contactless, safe and cheap. That why it could be used in blood screening studies, for example, as part of regular medical examinations. The scientific group of the Higher School of Applied Physics and Space Technologies SPbPU investigated how the immune complexes are formed in blood serum. The immune complexes are molecular aggregates, which consist of antigens, antibodies, and proteins of the immune system. The size and concentration of such immune complexes indicate the state of the immune system. Normally a certain concentration of the immune complexes presents in blood serum, high concentration of immune complexes is formed due to the pathological condition. The international scientific group investigated the blood serum of donors with various pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, etc. According to scientists the increased (compared with the average) size of the immune complexes indicates the presence of diseases, and by itself can have a potentially negative effect on the state of the body. A high concentration of the newly formed immune complexes can disrupt the functioning of the immune system. These complexes can clog microcapillaries, or accumulate in the tissues, causing chronic inflammatory processes. We found out, that the infection in the body leads to the formation of a large number of the immune complexes in the blood." Elina Nepomnyashchaya, an employee of the Laboratory for Laser Photometry and Spectroscopy of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Elena Velichko, Head of the Laboratory of Laser Photometry and Spectroscopy SPbPU, notes: "Our method is quite fast, it doesn't require the use of specific expensive antigens. Its work is based on the interaction of laser radiation with serum or plasma proteins. Using the developed method, we were able to trace the activation path of the immune system in the blood. Our results can be used in pharmacology for drug testing and in the modern preventive diagnosis of immune diseases." The research is carried out jointly with medical institutions of St. Petersburg (Russia). In future, the scientific group plans to conduct research with the fellow biologists to determine how different substances affect the activation of the immune system. Subsequently, scientists plan to study the disorders of the immune system due to cancer. Researchers hope to "teach" the immunity to recognize the cancer cells and to recover. Kochi, July 15 : A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday ruled that there should be no protests or demonstrations in the state till July 31 as it is in violation of the COVID-19 guidelines brought out by the Centre. The bench gave this direction based on two petitions seeking action against political parties violating the Covid guidelines. The bench directed the Chief Secretary and the State Police chief to ensure that there was no violation of this order. The political parties who violate this order will be held responsible and this order is based on the guidelines brought out by the Centre, said the court. The bench also directed to serve this notice to all the political parties. In the past few days, the state has witnessed massive protests by the opposition political parties after the Swapna Suresh episode came out. Suresh, a high profile woman working in the IT department, has close links with the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This surfaced after the Customs arrested a former colleague of Swapna Suresh, who previously worked with the UAE Consulate. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Egypts Chamber of Tourism Establishment demanded the government reconsider its guidelines for restaurants and cafeterias after the lifting of the coronavirus shutdowns and curfew. In a letter to the tourism ministry, the chamber demanded the reconsideration of the operation capacity limits and working hours in the guidelines issued by the government for restaurants and cafeterias that have reopened. They must work at 25 percent of dine-in capacity and close at 10pm in the summer season under the new guidelines. Restaurants are also required to ensure social distancing is maintained during dining. The chamber stated that delivery services could not compensate financially for the loss of dining in revenues at the 25 percent capacity, and also said that the 10pm closure time was unfair. It also warned that some restaurant owners may violate the guidelines. The government, on issuing the new guidelines, said the new closing hours, also applicable to cafes and shops, will not be changed even after the pandemic, in an attempt to regulate work of restaurants, cafes and shops and to conserve energy. Prior to a nightly curfew put in place in March due to the pandemic, some restaurants and cafes were open 24 hours, while many others would remain open until at least midnight. Shops were also commonly open until late at night. Search Keywords: Short link: By Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday denied bail for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, after she pleaded not guilty at a hearing in which women who accused her of enabling their abuse decried her 'heinous' actions. U.S. By Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Tuesday denied bail for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, after she pleaded not guilty at a hearing in which women who accused her of enabling their abuse decried her "heinous" actions. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan, rejecting Maxwell's bid for bail after prosecutors portrayed the wealthy socialite as an extreme flight risk, set a trial date for July 12, 2021. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016. Maxwell, 58, appeared by video from the Brooklyn jail where she is being held. She appeared tired, with her hair pulled back, and was wearing a brown T-shirt and tortoiseshell glasses. Arrested on July 2, Maxwell has been charged with six criminal counts, including four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury. Prosecutors have said Maxwell faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted. Annie Farmer, who has accused Maxwell of enabling her abuse, said during the hearing that the defendant "has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes" and told the court "the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously." "She is a sexual predator who groomed and abused me and countless other children and young women," Farmer told the court. "Without Ghislaine, Jeffrey could not have done what he did," an unidentified accuser added in a statement. This accuser said she knew Maxwell for more than 10 years and still felt threatened, adding, "If she is out, I need to be protected." 'OFF THE GRID' Maxwell's lawyers had sought a bail package including a $5 million bond and home confinement with electronic monitoring. "The defendant has the ability to live in hiding, she's good at it," Alison Moe, a federal prosecutor, said in arguing against bail. Moe added that Maxwell has demonstrated she can "live off the grid, indefinitely." Moe said it took a year after Epstein's arrest to find Maxwell. Prosecutors said her wealth and multiple citizenships - American, French and British - also supported the need for continued detention. Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and longtime associate, was arrested in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding out at a 156-acre (63 hectares) property she bought in December in an all-cash transaction with her identity shielded. Maxwell has been held since July 6 at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a Brooklyn jail. "Not guilty, your honor," Maxwell said after the judge asked her how she wished to plead to the charges. Epstein was charged in July 2019 with sexually exploiting dozens of girls and women from 2002 to 2005 at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. He hanged himself on Aug. 10 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail. Prosecutors accused Maxwell of luring girls by asking them about their lives, schools and families and taking them shopping or to movies - acts, they said, that served as "the prequel" to Epstein's abuse. Epstein has been linked socially to several powerful figures including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew. Maxwell's lawyers also argued that bail was justified because she might contract COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the Brooklyn jail. Prosecutors said on Monday that when FBI agents went to arrest Maxwell, they had to forcibly enter her home, where she hid in an interior room, and found a cellphone wrapped in tin foil in an apparent effort to evade detection. Maxwell's lawyer, Mark Cohen, said at the hearing that the door was open to Maxwell's home and her cellphone was stored in a secure bag to prevent hacking by the media. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson in New York; Writing by Tom Hals; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Minority Wealth Commission For too long minority businesses and communities have been disproportionately excluded from creating sustainable wealth, said Henry Childs II, Executive Director of the Minority Wealth Commission and former National Director of the U.S Department of Commerces Minority Business Development Agency. The Minority Wealth Commissiona bi-partisan National Commission of diverse leaders representing a cross section of capital funding, procurement/contracting, economic development, and corporate/nonprofit leadership focused on minority businessesannounced today the launch of the FVLCRUM Fund. The fund, with initial capital commitments of over $50 million, will raise a total of $250,000,000 to invest as a combination of equity and debt capital into proven, high-growth enterprises operated by people of color. Clearinghouse CDFIa national community development financial institution with a strong history of lending in communities of colorwill help create and manage the FVLCRUM Fund. The fund brings together an exceptional team of private equity professionals with an established track record of investing in middle market minority owned businesses delivering strong investment returns. FVLCRUM Fund will make a sustainable and measurable impact towards closing the nations racial wealth gap by building wealth and business success for minorities. For too long minority businesses and communities have been disproportionately excluded from creating sustainable wealth, said Henry Childs II, Executive Director of the Minority Wealth Commission and former National Director of the U.S Department of Commerces Minority Business Development Agency. Lack of investment, ownership, and wealth in minority communities stifles income potential, school systems, job outlook, and business opportunities. Minority businesses represent less than 1.3% of the overall assets under management by the investment industry. It is time for us to address the racial wealth gap, invest in minority businesses and to take full advantage of the value, innovation, and competitiveness they bring to our overall economy. According to a study by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on Racial Equity, the U.S. stands to realize an $8 trillion gain in GDP just by closing the U.S. racial equity gap. This is more than the current GDP of every country in the world except the U.S. and China. The Minority Wealth Commission has three key objectives: (1) to raise a series of minority wealth investment funds targeted toward creating wealth in minority communities, (2) to reduce the startup capital gap for entrepreneurs of color, and (3) to increase Assets Under Management (AUM) for diverse fund managers and increase the number of diverse fund managers in the industry. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) joins the Minority Wealth Commission in recognizing and highlighting the importance of creating wealth in our minority business community, said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As we know, there are 8 million minority-owned small businesses that form the backbone of our American economy. We must create real change to transform our minority entrepreneurs by investing in our businesses through increased corporate procurement, federal contracting, access to capital, and private equity, in order to prioritize more businesses for our African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and more minority entrepreneurs. To facilitate investment in minority communities, the Minority Wealth Commission is focused on strategies that stimulate economic opportunity and mobility, encourage entrepreneurship, expand quality educational opportunities, and ultimately eradicate the racial wealth gap. The MWC is leading an effort to level-set capital investment parity for minority businesses and next-generation entrepreneurs of color that can expand our economy and impact our communities. Closing the RACIAL WEALTH GAP is an overriding issue of the NATION, said Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League. Lifting a generation of BLACK entrepreneurs by linking them to capital, connections, and contracts is a viable wealth gap closing strategy. This fund represents transformative opportunities for minority-owned businesses, many disproportionately struggling from the devastating impacts of the pandemic, said Delores BrownChairperson of the Clearinghouse CDFI Community Advisory Boardwho also runs a nonprofit in South Los Angeles. There is much work to be done to build a more equitable society. We hope to inspire other organizations and investors to take action. The Minority Wealth Commission and FVLCRUM Fund have already established a broad base of institutional and community partners dedicated to fundamental change for wealth creation in communities of color. This includes the National Urban League, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., among several other organizations throughout the U.S. To find out more about the Minority Wealth Commission and the FVLCRUM Fund contact henrychilds@minoritywealthcommission.com or wealth@FVLCRUM.com or visit http://www.fvlcrum.com. About Minority Wealth Commission The Minority Wealth Commission (MWC) was created in 2020 to fundamentally alter the socioeconomic trajectory of minority communities by identifying and building sustainable paths to wealth creation. Founded by Henry Childs II, former MBDA National Director, the MWC is a National Commission that aims to close, and eventually eradicate, the racial wealth gap in America. The Commission will align economic growth and development policies among member organizations to connect resources, catalyze solutions, and build meaningful lives. MWC seeks to pool resources and invest in unrealized and under-invested opportunities arising in communities of color. About Henry Childs II Henry Childs II is the founder and CEO of the Minority Wealth Commission. Prior to founding the Commission, Childs was the National Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). In his tenure as the 17th Director of the agency he implemented several key growth initiatives to get minority firms to size and scale. Prior to his MBDA appointment, Childs held positions as a Senior Advisor for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and served as a Policy Advisor to the White House Office of Public Liaison. He worked closely with the White House Office of American Innovation on economic issues related to urban and underserved communities. Childs holds a Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law and a graduate certificate in International and Comparative Law. About Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) Clearinghouse CDFI addresses unmet credit needs throughout the U.S. and in Indian Country through direct lending, equity investments, and financial assistance. For over 23 years, Clearinghouse CDFI has helped bridge the gap between conventional lending standards and the needs of low-income, distressed, and communities of color. Clearinghouse CDFI is also a B Corpa certification received from the nonprofit B Lab. B Corps are companies who meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and use business as a force for good. More information is available at: http://www.ccdfi.com. [July 15, 2020] Reliance Standard Expands Partnership with PlanSource to Modernize the Employee Benefits Experience through Boost Groundbreaking program aims to modernize benefits management, optimize the administrative experience for HR teams and simplify the employee shopping experience ORLANDO, Fla., July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PlanSource , a leading provider of cloud-based benefits software, announced today that Reliance Standard , a leader in absence and employee benefit solutions, has joined PlanSource Boost, an innovative partnership that provides organizations with industry-leading benefits technology and real-time API integrations that modernize the benefits experience for employees and HR teams. Over 3 million employees and their families depend on us for financial protection and supplemental health, and we are thrilled to join the PlanSource Boost program to simplify the experience for our customers, said Patrick Trinsey, Vice President of Marketing for Reliance Standard. Reliance Standard has already made significant strategic investments to enable API integrations and is excited to partner with a leader in this industry to deliver solutions that create a more modern experience for our clients. By integrating with PlanSource as part of Boost, Reliance Standard aims to streamline the complexities that the benefits and HR industry face today with manual processes when it comes to managing benefit programs. Now more than ever, employees and HR teams need a modern, mobile-friendly benefits administration solution that allows employees to shop for their benefits wherever they are located. PlanSource Boost offers real-time API integrations, an engaging employee shopping experience, time-saving services and preferred pricing. When employers qualify for the Boost program with Reliance Standad, they receive: An optimized employee experience Consumer marketing experts optimize the shopping experience to create the best environment for employees to enroll in their benefits. Consumer marketing experts optimize the shopping experience to create the best environment for employees to enroll in their benefits. Preferred pricing A preferred price for the PlanSource benefits technology platform. A preferred price for the PlanSource benefits technology platform. Simple, consolidated billing and payment PlanSource provides self-billing services for the products offered from Boost carriers, saving HR teams time by eliminating the need to reconcile carrier bills. PlanSource provides self-billing services for the products offered from Boost carriers, saving HR teams time by eliminating the need to reconcile carrier bills. Industry-leading integrations - PlanSource and Reliance Standard will be rolling out state-of-the-art integrations for evidence of insurability, plan configuration, enrollment and access to carrier member portals. We are excited to continue to offer the best carrier partners for our customers and brokers to choose from, said Bradley Taylor, Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at PlanSource. Reliance Standard is committed to creating innovative solutions for their customers and strive to create the best benefits experience for employees. Learn more about Boost at plansource.com/partners . About Reliance Standard Reliance Standard is a leader in absence and employee benefits solutions, including financial protection, absence management and supplemental health, with a portfolio of insurance products that include disability, life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, dental, vision, medical stop loss and limited benefit medical. Reliance Standard markets these solutions nationwide through independent brokers and agents to employers of all sizes. To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn . Reliance Standard is a member of the Tokio Marine Group. Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., the ultimate holding company of the Tokio Marine Group, operates in the property and casualty insurance, reinsurance and life insurance sectors globally. The Groups main operating subsidiary, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire (TMNF), was founded in 1879 and is the oldest and leading property and casualty insurer in Japan. About PlanSource PlanSource is a technology company driven to create a better benefits experience for employers and their employees. More than 5 million consumers receive their benefits through the PlanSource platform, which provides flexible and intuitive software and services for benefits administration. By combining industry-leading software and a full suite of technology-enabled services, PlanSource provides companies of all sizes with a complete solution for benefits shopping, enrollment, billing, compliance and administration. Learn more at www.plansource.com . PlanSource is a registered trademark of PlanSource Benefits Administration, Inc., and PlanSource owns other registered and unregistered trademarks. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contacts: Jeanne Achille The Devon Group for PlanSource 732.706.0123 ext. 700 jeanne@devonpr.com Cat Miller Director of Partner Marketing, PlanSource 918.894.1298 Cat.miller@plansource.com David Gittelman Vice President, Marketing Communications, Reliance Standard 267.256.3741 david.gittelman@rsli.com [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] Egyptian and US military officials have discussed increasing military cooperation during meetings in Cairo, a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces said on Wednesday. According to the statement, Egyptian Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki met in Cairo with US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie and an accompanying delegation. Zaki and McKenzie discussed several issues of common interest amid current regional and international developments as well as increasing military cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed the Egyptian Armed Forces efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region as well as joint military exercises between the two countries. The Egyptian defence minister expressed his appreciation for the depth of the strategic partnership between the armed forces of the two countries, adding that he is keen for further bilateral cooperation in the military field. McKenzie praised successes by the Egyptian Armed Forces in achieving peace, stability and balance in the region and combating terrorism, affirming the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries. The statement added that the Egyptian Armed Forces chief of staff, Mohamed Farid, also met with the US army official, where they discussed several topics of common interest in light of military cooperation and exchange of expertise between the armed forces of the two countries. Search Keywords: Short link: Mary L Trump, the niece of United States President, Donald Trump, has neatly arranged all the hidden skeletons from the Trump familys closet in the chapters of her explosive book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man which was published on Tuesday. The book, as is self-explanatory from the title, is about how Donald Trump became the man he is today. And, the answer, of course, Mary claims, lies in his dysfunctional family, and his loveless upbringing. This book attempts an audacious flight and tries to explain Donald Trumps personality traits -- his constant need to use hyperboles, his repeated assertions of how everything is great despite the facts proving otherwise, his urge to lash out at those who deign to disobey him or worse still, abandon him, his stubbornness to deny his mistakes, or take responsibility and many other traits, that had often baffled the public (sometimes even his voters), media and his opponents in the past. To Marys credit, she does succeed in deconstructing Donald Trumps personality, and to understand the influences that shaped him. Partly because she is a psychologist, she maintains a clinically objective view in understanding his disorders, and insecurities that made him the way he is. However, she is also, someone who had seen Trump up close, and had been at the receiving end of his unfair treatment, and therefore, her most caustic and scathing criticism of the US President are those in which she remembers him as his niece, as the daughter of Freddy (Donald's older brother) who was constantly humiliated by Donald, and his father (Fred Trump Sr). I have no problem calling Donald a narcissist he meets all nine criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) but the label gets us only so far, Mary claims in the early pages of the book, adds that a case can also be made for the fact that he suffers from an antisocial personality disorder which can explain his arrogance and utter disregard for the rights of others. However, she does not stop there. In her diagnosis, she claims that her uncle suffers from a learning disorder, which has, for decades, interfered with his ability to process information and also from dependent personality disorder, which is often marked by an individuals inability to make decisions or take responsibility. She also propounds that he suffers from a caffeine-induced sleep disorder. Despite such inferences, Mary as a psychologist is humane towards her uncle, sometimes even sympathetic. She dissects his childhood, and his psycho-pathologies with the sharpest scalpel, but not without empathy. Taking her readers back to the time when her uncle was as young as two-and-a-half years, she explains how a constantly ailing, and emotionally detached mother, and a sociopathic and a bully as a father (Fred Trump Sr), left Donald Trump insecure and dealing with emotional abuse at a young age. She uses anecdotes to establish, how Trumps elder brother, and Marys father, Freddy (Fred Trump Jr), served as a cautionary tale for young Donald, as he often saw Freddy being humiliated and getting a smackdown from his father for not being a Killer. Donald soon understood that the only the thing that would make him eligible for his fathers approval, and his validation, was to be that a Killer, a brash go-getter, who is willing to bend rules, and get things done his way, even if it is at the cost of others. Not to say, Donald didnt have a natural knack for it. Mary recounts childhood tales of how Donald would torture and bully his younger brother, Rob, by hiding his Tonka trucks, and how he was always disrespectful to his mother, who was happy to get him off her back when he was sent to a military academy. The book explains how Donald grew up with many daddy issues, and constantly craved his validation. Much like Donald, his father, Fred too had a propensity for showmanship. Mary claims he too trafficked in hyperbole and everything was great, fantastic, and perfect for him too. Fred also was very precocious about his branding and often inundated newspapers with press releases about his construction works. He did not have much oratory skills, being from a German immigrant family (ironic, since Donald Trump constantly keeps making such strong policies against immigrants), but he did not miss an opportunity to plaster walls with ads of his properties. Trump did inherit many of his fathers not-so-charming traits. For instance, when Trump would call women ugly, and fat slobs' or call the men, who usually were more accomplished or powerful than him 'losers, his father would often join in. In fact, when Mary had expressed her desire to go back to college to complete her comparative literature course at Columbia, her grandfather had told her that it was a stupid idea and that she should just become a receptionist instead. That kind of casual dehumanization and derogation of women were common traits of both the father and the son. However, Donald took it much further, and that too at an early age. Mary claims that when Donald set his eyes at Wharton Business School, and knew that he may not have had the grade point average to get enrolled in such an elite institution, he apparently enlisted a smart kid with a reputation for being a good test taker, Joe Shapiro, to take the SATs on his behalf. While his advance academic foundation was build on duplicity, the book also recounts how Donald and his father both faced a Justice Department lawsuit because they refused to rent their buildings to black people. However, one marked difference that sets Donald and his father Fred apart was that unlike Donald, Fred knew how to run a business, and was not drowning in debt, and he was indeed good at construction. Mary describes that Donald, on the other hand was just busy building a fake image for himself that would make him a part of Manhattans elite and the act of a Billionaire playboy, and a self-made businessman was nothing but a charade. Fred, however, was not only impressed by this act of Donald, but was also financing it secretly. Mary writes, Fred was willing to stake millions of dollars on his son because he believed he could leverage the skills Donald did have as a savant of self-promotion, shameless liar, marketer, and builder of brands to achieve the one thing that had always eluded him: a level of fame that matched his ego and satisfied his ambition in a way money alone never could. Donald faced several bankruptcies, however, his self-promoting did not stop, and still continues to date as he holds the topmost rank in the United States government. Now that Trump occupies the office of President, Mary says that it is harder than ever for him to project that he is qualified to do the job, especially with so many questions being raised after each of his bad decisions. He cannot also ever evade the sense that his win was illegitimate. Over Donalds lifetime, as his failures mounted despite my grandfathers repeated and extravagant interventions, his struggle for legitimacy, which could never be won, turned into a scheme to make sure nobody found out that hes never been legitimate at all, Mary states, adding that her uncle continues to exist in the dark space between the fear of indifference and the fear of failure that led to his brothers (Freddy) destruction. Marys book is as much about the other Trump, Freddy, as it is about Donald, and it is during the scenes and anecdotes about her father (Freddy) that she culls out from memory and recreates for her readers, when she sounds most sincere, almost a little hurt, wronged. The wounded memory of seeing her father side-lined, constantly belittled and undermined by her grandfather and uncle Donald is palpable in the way she writes. Freddy was the elder son and the heir apparent of Fred Trump Srs vast business, but that never happened. In the book, Mary shows how her grandfather (Fred Trump Sr) had systemically dismantled Freddys self-confidence and reduced him to a depressed, and miserable alcoholic, who died alone in the hospital, while her uncle and aunt went to the movies. The memory of how she was told of her fathers death, is indeed painful to read. She is a gifted writer, who effortlessly recreates the past from interviews, conversations and relayed memories as she joins the pieces to paint a portrayal of Donald Trump, that is not only uncomfortable to look at, but also makes you think. Kasautii Zindagii Kay actor Erica Fernandez has tested negative for Covid-19. She got the results on Wednesday and shared the good news with her fans on Instagram Stories. Just received my test results, and the reports are negative. Thank you guys for your prayers and concerns, she wrote in her post. Ericas co-star on the show, Parth Samthaan had tested positive for the disease earlier this week. They had restarted shooting for the show this month therefore, Parths positive results got Ericas fans concerned for her health as well. Erica even denied a few rumours about testing positive for the coronavirus with an Instagram post on Tuesday. It was brought to my notice that false claims to my test results have been doing the rounds on social media. Although we are all hoping that it turns out negative, I have yet not received my results, she wrote. My special request to online portals, PLEASE DO NOT spread false news before confirming I will for sure let you guys know the end result when I learn about it. MUCH LOVE. STAY POSITIVE, STAY SAFE, she added. Kasautii Zindagii Kay shoot has now been temporarily stopped after Parths results. Cast and crew members who came in contact with him were tested.Actors Karan Patel, Aamna Sharif, Pooja Banerjee and Shubhaavi Choksey have also tested negative. Also read: Roopa Ganguly says PM Modis office invited Sushant Singh Rajput for swearing-in, asks who left him out of other Bollywood meets with PM Other television actors who tested positive for the novel coronavirus include Ishqbaaz actors Additi Gupta and Shrenu Parikh. Hey everyone have been away for a while but the bugger hasnt spared me... was found Covid positive a few days ago, and Im now recovering in the hospital! keep me and my family in ur prayers! and Im very thankful to all the corona warriors who treat the patients compassionately during these scary times too, Shrenu wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Police say they are concerned for the welfare of Leeroy Connors. (SWNS) Police are looking for a missing patient who was captured on CCTV leaving a hospital in a wheelchair. Leeroy Connors, 30, can be seen wheeling himself away from Royal Derby Hospital in a surgical gown and protective face mask. Derbyshire Constabulary said he has not been seen since he disappeared on Saturday and police are increasingly concerned for his safety. A police spokesman said on Wednesday: He did not escape. He informed staff we was going outside for some air but when they went outside the ward a short time later, he had left the grounds. Read more: Police officers praised after wading up to their necks into freezing sea to rescue man Leeroy Connors was seen on CCTV wheeling himself away from Royal Derby Hospital. (SWNS) Read more: Remarkable 99-year-old who survived Nazis, plane crash and cancer beats COVID-19 Police have appealed for Connors, or anyone who knows where he is, to get in touch. They added: We are asking the public to help us find a man who has gone missing from hospital. We are increasingly concerned for Leeroy Connors, 30, who left the Royal Derby Hospital on the evening of Saturday 11 July. The only image we have of Mr Connors at this time is a CCTV picture of him leaving the site in his wheelchair. He is about 5ft 4ins tall, has short brown hair and a moustache. He was last seen wearing a hospital gown and had a black jacket with him. Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101, on their website or social media, quoting reference 157 of July 12. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK On Monday, The United States rejected Chinas claims to most of the South China Sea. China then denounced the U.S. position saying it raised tension in the area. And others viewed the move as an election-year political consideration. In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Chinas claims to most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful. He added that China, for years, has been using threats of force against other Southeast Asian coastal countries. The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire, Pompeo said. The U.S. has long opposed Chinas growing territorial claims. And American warships have regularly sailed in the important waterway to demonstrate freedom of movement there. Yet Mondays comments represent a stronger U.S. position on Chinas claims. The U.S. statement supports a ruling four years ago under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. That ruling rejected most of Chinas claims for maritime rights in the South China Sea. Countries in the area see these waters as highly valuable for international shipping and fishing. About $3 trillion worth of trade passes through the waterway each year. China claims 90 percent of the sea. It has also built bases on some islands but says its goals are peaceful. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of the sea. A day after Pompeos comments, China accused the U.S. of trying to worsen long-standing territorial disputes between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors. The U.S. has repeatedly sent military planes and ships to the South China Sea, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday. He called the U.S. the troublemaker and destroyer of peace and stability. Other reactions to U.S. position Taiwan welcomed the U.S. statement. Our country opposes any attempt by a claimant state to use intimidation . or force, a Taiwan foreign ministry spokeswoman told reporters. Other governments avoided direct comment on the U.S. announcement. A Philippines presidential spokesman said what is important now is a code of conduct to prevent tension in that area. Malaysias foreign ministry chose not to comment. Zhu Feng is director of a South China Sea studies center at Nanjing University in China. He said Pompeos statement marks a major change in Americas South China Sea policy. He advised against a strong reaction from China, saying that the new U.S. policy is being driven by President Donald Trumps reelection considerations. Zhu said Trump is making the China issue the most important topic for his election to cover his failure in preventing the epidemic... A.A. Banyu Perwita agreed that the announcement was a political one meant to take attention from Trumps weaknesses at home. He is an international relations professor at President University in Indonesia. It will be not more than a political diplomatic statement, he added, saying we need to make the atmosphere calm now. Im Pete Musto. Pete Musto adapted this story for VOA Learning English using Associated Press and Reuters news agency materials . Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story allow v. to permit something maritime adj. of or relating to sailing on the sea or doing business (such as trading) by sea intimidation n. the act of making someone afraid conduct n. the way that a person behaves in a particular place or situation epidemic n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:04:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Trip.com Group, China's largest online travel agency, has inked a strategic cooperation deal with Xigaze in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region to promote local tourism, the group said. According to the contract, Trip.com Group will participate in formulating a three-year action plan for the high-quality development of the culture and tourism industry in Xigaze. Both sides will jointly build a smart tourism system in the city, including a smart tourism service platform, smart tourist attractions, and smart travel agencies. They will jointly promote diversified tours, and facilitate the cooperation between online and offline sales channels. Key cultural and tourism projects will be developed to promote the local economy, upgrade tourism facilities and boost employment. Trip.com Group will also cooperate with local schools to train drivers, tour guides and hotel staff to support the city's tourism development. James Liang, executive chairman of Trip.com Group, said Xigaze boasts rich and diversified cultural resources and has great tourism potential. Enditem Banning mobile applications such as TikTok by countries like India takes a big tool away from the surveillance work of China, a top White House official said on Tuesday. The Trump administration is "very seriously taking a look" at TikTok, WeChat and some other apps coming out of China, US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien told Fox News Radio in an interview. "India has already banned those apps, as you know. And if they lose India and the United States, they lose some western European countries, that takes a big tool away from the espionage work or the surveillance work of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)," he said in response to a question on the dangers posed by apps like TikTok. "The kids who are using TikTok -- and it can be a lot of fun -- but there are a lot of other social media platforms they could use. TikTok is getting facial recognition on you," O'Brien said. "They are getting all of your personal, private data, your most intimate data. They are getting to know who your friends are, who your parents are. They can map all your relationships," he added. All the information is going straight to massive super computers in the cloud in China, O'Brien said, adding, "So China is going to know everything about you. They are going to have biometrics on you. You ought to be very careful regarding who you give such personal information to." The Trump administration, he said, is looking not just at TikTok but at WeChat and some other Chinese apps as well, because the Chinese are veracious consumers of America's personal data. "They will either try and get you to give it to them for free through WeChat or TikTok -- if they cannot get it that way, they will steal it," O'Brien said. China, he said, has hacked into Marriott and stolen the personal data of hundreds of millions of people, including their passport numbers. "They have hacked into Experian and other credit rating agencies to get most intimate credit details. They have hacked into Anthem healthcare so that they can get medical details. "So this is not just an advertiser trying to find out what you are interested in searching for on Google so they can sell you a different brand of car, this is a country that is looking to get every bit of personal, private information they can, so they know everything about you," O'Brien said. "There are social credit scores in China. They give people scores based on how compliant they are with Communist Party dictates. They are going to be able to put social credit scores together on all Americans and everyone in the world soon because of artificial intelligence and super computing. "We need to make sure that does not happen," the US National Security Advisor said. With just 13 active cases and one death so far, Perambalur district has the most impressive figure in Tamil Nadu, the second-worst affected state in India Editor's note: This multimedia series documents the mechanics of how 12 districts in Tamil Nadu worked during the COVID-19 lockdown; told through the stories of healthcare workers, sanitary workers, district officials, other essential workers, administrators, locals and patients. The series resulted from three weeks of travel through the state. *** We can no longer attribute cases to the source like foreign returnees, Koyambedu or residents returning back to their home district. Cases are popping up here and there, across the community. I am expecting this to peak sometime in September, Dr Geetha Rani, the deputy director of health services of Perambalur informed the author as a matter of fact. The evenness in her tone and the no-nonsense attitude seems to stem from how she views the COVID-19 pandemic. In her 20 years tenure as a public health official, Dr Rani has overseen successful control and prevention of dengue and swine flu outbreaks. She also holds a degree in public health from ICMR and has done in-depth research on diseases. Yet, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its unpredictability has kept Dr Rani on her toes since it entered Perambalur. Perambalur is a district in central Tamil Nadu with a population exceeding six lakhs. More than twenty percent of this population travels out of the district, overseas and domestic, for work. Even before the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, close to 1,200 residents had returned to Perambalur from outside the country. After March, the inflow of residents from Chennai and other states has been constant. Since Perambalur and Ariyalur were formerly one single district, carved out of Tiruchirapalli, movement between these three districts is very fluid as well. All these factors have added to the difficulties of the district administration in tackling the spread of COVID-19. According to the state's COVID-19 portal, as of Wednesday, with just 13 active cases and one death so far, Perambalur has the most impressive figure in Tamil Nadu, the second-worst affected state in the country. The total confirmed cases in the district stands at 178, whereas Tamil Nadu has reported 1,47,324 confirmed cases so far. What Dr Rani has been doing, since February, is what they call outbreak investigation in epidemiological language. Where is the virus? This is a question Dr Rani poses to herself and her team every time a contact tracing operation is put into motion. Every case, she explains, has to have a beginning and an end. If not, the virus will keep making its rounds within whatever is in its reach. We have to eliminate every possible source, or, this virus will persist. It is a very intelligent creature, this virus. In the very first month, I had understood that I cant take it lightly, she says. Tracking and tracing One of the first experiences that Dr Rani had with COVID 19 was when her team was trying to trace the contacts of a foreign returnee from Tiruchirapalli who had tested positive. His co-passengers were all tested. Dr Geetha pushed for testing their families as well, though this wasnt mandatory at that time. The results showed negative for all of them except for a four-year-old. This child wasnt a primary contact. If we had only tested those who had been in contact with this positive patient, we would have missed testing the child. This experience right in the beginning gave us enough perspective for every other investigation we intended to crack, says Dr Rani. Echoing Dr Ranis thoughts is V Santha, the District Collector of Perambalur. The effort is to tie up all the loose ends through a three-step process of continuous sampling, contact tracing and containing, says Santha. There have been instances where people resisted the processes and the district collector had to get herself involved. The virus doesnt stop for tantrums. But how complicated can typing up loose ends be? Extremely, especially in a district with minimal facilities, says Dr Rani. I am not complaining, weve managed with what we have. The point is efficiency, she adds. While this reporter tailed Dr Rani and her team, they opened up about some of the cases which had the entire administration up and about for weeks. Out of them, the case of a college student, which has all qualities to qualify as a mystery novel. The mysterious college student case Venkatakrishnan (name changed) was tested for COVID-19 after he showed influenza like illness (ILI) symptoms. Dr Ranis team tried to understand how he might have come in contact with the virus. "This was a time where all COVID-19 cases could be attributed to a source, says Dr Rani. When it seemed like Venkatakrishnan's source couldnt be established, the administration brought the town to a halt. We had to shut everything down as the threat of community spread was something we couldnt take lightly, says Santha. Venkatakrishnan had five siblings, and his father was a watchman at a milk parlour. All his family members and everybody at the parlour were tested. A four-member team was appointed comprising Shiva, a tehsildar from the revenue department, BDO Manivasagam, special branch Inspector Vanita and medical officer Dr Kalaimani, to quickly gather information about how Venkatakrishnan might have come in contact with the virus. "He wasnt forthcoming of where he had been or places he had frequented, in spite of multiple requests from our side. All he said is that he had been home, hadnt met anybody from outside and hadnt traveled anywhere, says Shiva. The team gathered his call records and began inquiries. One of the neighbours informed the team that Venkatakrishnan would regularly frequent a nearby medical shop and an adjacent ATM. The team gathered all the possible CCTV footages and looked for possible contact with secondary sources. One such contact was a fire service official, who frequented the same medical shop as Venkatakrishnan. He too tested positive and that meant the entire fire station had to be tested. Yet, there was no breakthrough on the source of the virus for close to a week. It had become evident by then that Venkatakrishnans non-cooperation could cost the Perambalur administration deeply. In the course of further enquiry, a source informed the team that a foreign returnee naed Syed Haneefa had stayed in the same vicinity as Venkatakrishnan in the third week of March. The team assumed that Haneefa must have stayed close by and kept looking for more solid primary sources. Through further perusal of Venkatakrishnan's call records, the team zeroed in on David. The team discovered that Venkatakrishnan was a recently converted Pentecostal christian, and he and David were spiritual buddies. Both of them had travelled together to Chennai on a scooter for the funeral of a pastor, just weeks before Venkatakrishnan tested positive. Could this have been the source of the virus? Not really. Upon further investigation, the team found that Haneefa was related to Venkatakrishnan. In fact, Haneefa is Venkatakrishnans uncle. He had converted to Islam just like Venkatakrishnan had to Christianity. More surprisingly, Haneefa had stayed not at an adjacent house, but in Venkatakrishnans house, for a full three days. Nobody could have guesssed this. But the team, on its part, had covered all other bases, without the patient himself uttering a single word. Venkatakrishnan eventually tested negative and quarantined himself at his home for a long time after. So, there it was. We would have never known about this little bike escapade of David and Venkatakrishnan if we hadnt pulled out call records, says Shiva. The mystery however, didn't end there, as according to Shiva both David and Haneefa tested negative for the virus, even though these were the only two sources that couldve infected Venkatakrishnan. There is no explanation as to why David or Haneefa didnt test positive for the virus. There are two possibilities: one is that they arent the carriers, two, that they are immune to it or have overcome the virus or were yet to show symptoms. Dr Rani says that 'avirulence' is something that nobody has yet solved. But to plan better for COVID 19, this needs to be looked at, she insists. She informs that the serology tests, which look for antibodies in ones body to viruses are crucial in helping districts understand immunity within the community. States across the country ordered COVID-19 rapid serology tests in April but there was a confusion regarding its efficiency. People failed to understand what the test is meant for, she says. The point of these tests, Dr Geetha explains, isnt primarily to tell if a person is positive or negative to the virus. It is for us to understand what stage of the virus spread we are at, she says. ICMR carried out a sample sero-survey in May, the results of which are yet to be announced. It was also announced earlier this week that ICMR would attempt a national survey soon as well. But such testing for Perambalur is not going to happen anytime soon. So, avirulence aside, the problem which continues to affect Perambalur is, like in Venkatakrishnans case, unchecked movement. The biggest roadblock which we face in keeping the virus out (of the district) is that there is only so much monitoring we can do. Even when our borders are sealed, if residents travel in and out, there is little we can do, says Shiva. Movement between districts Though movement of people has been faced by all districts in the state, for Perambalur, the pain point is largely the inability to check movement of people between adjoining districts of Ariyalur and Tiruchirapalli, says Dr Rani. Just the other week, a patient from Perambalur tested positive but got themselves admitted in Tiruchy. Authorities at Perambalur were informed two days after this was reflected as part of the Tiruchy database at the Chennai headquarters. "We cant afford to be late with our investigation. It needs to be immediate," explains Dr Rani. This was also experiential learning for Perambalur, brought about by what happened in May and June. In the aftermath of the Koyambedu market breakout in Chennai, the panic was high as people rushed back to their home districts fearing the virus. Many sneaked back into their districts by jumping checkpoints and tried to shut themselves in their homes. Others werent forthcoming about symptoms. Some more hid themselves in the forest-like regions during the day, only to venture home in the night to meet their families. The panic buttons turned red in the middle of May, when close to 20 pregnant women tested positive for COVID-19. This emerged only because all antenatal mothers were being tested for COVID-19 on a priority. Among the pregnant women who tested positive, K from Kumarabalayam Kudikkadu tested positive nine days before her due date. This reporter met with her family on the day of her discharge. Ks mother explained that not only their family but many in the district had been on the edge all of May. Though K had been asymptomatic, the cause of concern was the nature of COVID 19. None of us knew what this was. We couldnt see it or feel it, but we knew we had it. It was a strange kind of panic, says K. She has delivered a healthy baby and both tested negative before they were discharged. Perambalur continues to test patients after 10 days, before they can be processed for discharge. Dr Rani has seen to it that this process remains unaltered, irrespective of the numerous changes in the national guidelines for testing. After the news about pregnant women testing positive spread across Tamil Nadu, there was a turn around in the community. Susheela, an expecting mother, turned her husband in by herself. She called the helpline and informed them that her husband had returned from Chennai and was at home. He was soon transferred to a quarantine facility. Arresting the spread of COVID-19 is a two-way process. Well continue to try our best but people should help us too, says Santha. Challenging this is one word getting extra use these days, frequently describing the headwinds industries affected the most by COVID-19 are facing. Undoubtedly, it is an apt description of the situation A&D giant Boeing (BA) currently finds itself in. Appearing to be on the verge of bankruptcy after the initial coronavirus wave, the recent spike in cases hasnt made predicting whats on tap in the near-term any easier. With its Q2 earnings release on the horizon (July 29), Cowen analyst Cai von Rumohr argues the Street is underestimating the headwinds Boeing must face on the way to recovery. Q2 will be a mess Broadly ranged Q2 estimates look high, and spiking U.S. COVID-19 cases & rising China tensions are headwinds for MAX delivery ramp in 2021 and complicate supply chain coordination Combined with incoming supplier materials, COVID-19 disruptions, and customer deferrals, we also see $9 billion cash outflow vs. Street's $6.6 billion, Rumohr noted. Boeings 737 Max has been grounded since March 2019, following a couple of fatal accidents. It is now expected to be back in circulation by the fall. But in the current climate, who will want any new MAX airliners? Focus right now is squarely on survival, as many airlines are looking for ways to shrink fleets, not add to them. Although Rumohr believes customers have existing 737 orders, the analyst thinks most will seek to defer deliveries. However, some might even go further; There are rumors that American Airlines the company behind the initial push for Boeings 737 Max project - is considering canceling some of its Max 737 orders. Adding another layer of uncertainty, the trade disputes with China - who in 2018 made up 28% of 737 deliveries mean the superpower is unlikely to confirm Max deliveries before the November US presidential election. Boeing management previously said it expected the majority of completed MAX jets to be delivered in the first year following recertification, but Rumohr doesnt believe this target will be met. Story continues The recent cut of SPR's MAX rate from 12-14/month to 6-7 suggests that majority' may mean closer to 51% than 70-80%. We're assuming ~300 737 deliveries in 2021 (vs. Street's ~400) and total BA revenues of $74 billion vs. Street's $89 billion, the analyst said. To this end, Rumohr rates BA a Market Perform (i.e. Hold) along with a $150 price target. Theres a 17% downside in the cards, should the average price target of $150 be met over the next 12 months. (To watch Rumohrs track record, click here) The rest of the Street is a bit more optimistic. 7 Buys and Holds, each, plus 2 Sells coalesce into a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The average price target hits $191.57, and implies possible upside of 7% in the year ahead. (See BA 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. SEVEN HILLS, Ohio -- Residents this fall may have to decide whether to vote with their minds, hearts or stomachs. Council is currently considering a November ballot zoning change regarding the Seven Hills Dairy Queens intended move from their current Broadview Road location into the vacant Ruby Tuesday site. In addition, residents could be deciding another charter amendment that if passed could open the door for a Raising Canes on Rockside Road. On the city council agenda last night (July 14) was a proposed charter amendment from developer Glenns Landing regarding three small parcels as they relate to the Rockside Road Planned Unit Development (PUD), Seven Hill Mayor Anthony D. Biasiotta said. If approved, this would allow free-standing fast food with a drive-thru. The original charter amendment that created the PUD included language that prohibited fast food and drive-thru in this district. The three parcels in question are located east of a newly-installed road that leads back to VITALIA Active Adult Community at Rockside, which is due to open later next month. The mayor said the uniquely shaped parcels, which are combined two acres in size and are often confused for being in Independence, have been on the market for two years without any takers due to the current PUD zoning. The developer indicated to the city they only had two interested uses over two years, one being Raising Canes and the other being a gas station, Biasiotta said. They were able to obtain a letter of intent from Raising Canes for this uniquely shaped piece of property. I absolutely will not support a gas station on this parcel, so Id like to hear from the voters in regard to the potential of a Raising Canes. Because of COVID-19, theres been a big change in peoples opinions related to drive-thru service. Louisiana-based Raising Canes, which is known for its One Love quality chicken finger meals, has more than 460 restaurants in 27 states, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia with multiple new restaurants under construction. The franchise serves never-frozen chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Cane's sauce and Texas toast. When reached for comment, Raising Canes Marketing Director Matt Salts said the company currently doesnt have a property in the Seven Hills area thats even to a site purchase or lease stage. We opened in North Olmsted in September, and we have another location were about (announce) in a few weeks with early open date planned for late January, but not in the Seven Hills area just yet, Salts said. As always, Northeast Ohio will be a focus growth area for Raising Canes over the course of the next five years. Perhaps a November vote of confidence with a side of Cane's sauce could sooner than later bring the popular franchise to Rockside Road. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. When you want to start a streaming service and your most established competitor has for years been spending billions of dollars making and acquiring exclusive series, what do you do? Disney+ and Apple TV+ chose to go halfway when they debuted last year, addressing Netflixs unassailable lead with offerings of original shows that, in each case, amounted to more than a handful but less than a roster. This year, Peacock and HBO Max have gone for what could be called the British Option. Behind each services first marquee series Love Life for HBO Max, Brave New World for Peacock the section devoted to originals has been filled out with shows made and already seen across the Atlantic. The Special Relationship may not have the geopolitical juice it once had, but its alive and well in streaming video. Peacock, which made its debut Wednesday, opened with just three original scripted series for adults, two of them British. On the surface the imports are quite different from each other: The Capture, from BBC, is an hourlong, tightly wound conspiracy thriller while the workplace sitcom Intelligence, from Sky, is a 22-minute goof. The issue of Purkeys mental health arose in the runup to his 2003 trial and when, after the verdict, jurors had to decide whether he should be put to death in the killing of 16-year-old Jennifer Long in Kansas City, Missouri. Prosecutors said he raped and stabbed her, dismembered her with a chainsaw, burned the body and dumped her ashes in a pond in Kansas. Purkey was separately convicted and sentenced to life in the beating death of 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales, of Kansas City, Kansas. DUBLIN, CA Days after Tri-Valley cities balked at enforcing the state's call to close outdoor dining in Alameda County, state health officials gave Alameda County the OK to resume outdoor dining on Wednesday. The newly obtained Stage 2 variance, which allows the county to move further into the second step of the state's four-tiered reopening plan, means that the Oakland Zoo may also reopen for outdoor activities. The news comes a day after the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to support the Stage 2 variance attestation that county public health officials submitted to state officials. Berkeley, which operates its own health department, received a separate Stage 2 variance. Alameda County announced Friday night that the state ordered outdoor dining to close locally since the county had not obtained a Stage 2 variance. Many residents were outraged. Oakland, Hayward, Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton balked at enforcing the rules over the weekend, despite warning that state strike teams could show up to enforce the rules. Read: 5 Cities Push Back After Alameda County Suspends Outdoor Dining Wednesday also marked Alameda County's third day on the state's monitoring list, meaning state health officials are actively monitoring local COVID-19 data and will offer targeted resources in hopes of helping the county bounce back. Data indicate that Alameda County is seeing increased transmission rates of the coronavirus, the county said previously. In Dublin, 88 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, county statistics show. There have been 336 cases in Livermore and 170 cases in Pleasanton. Because Alameda County is on the monitoring list, indoor malls must close. Worship houses cannot hold indoor services, though outdoor services are allowed. These changes are in effect for at least three weeks. The county said it will not reopen any further as it remains on the monitoring list. Alameda County encouraged residents to do their part to slow the spread of the virus by staying home, wearing a face covering outside of home, staying six feet away from others, and washing or sanitizing hands often. Employers should have a plan to ensure their workplaces are safe. Story continues There are 8,478 cases of the coronavirus in Alameda County and 154 deaths have been linked to COVID-19. That's an increase of 157 cases and two deaths since Tuesday. Here is a breakdown of cases by city: Alameda: 133 Albany: 23 Berkeley: 291 Castro Valley: 245 Dublin: 88 Eden Area MAC (Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo): 508 Emeryville: 38 Fairview: 75 Fremont: 435 Hayward: 1292 Livermore: 336 Newark: 213 Oakland: 3259 Piedmont: 18 Pleasanton: 170 San Leandro: 429 Sunol: <10 Union City: 264 The homeless, jail inmates, and some other cases are separate, so the above numbers will not add up to 8,478. Read Alameda County's variance attestation here and Berkeley's variance attestation here. Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know Don't miss updates about the coronavirus in California as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters. Effective Today, @AlamedaCounty Variance Approved: Outdoor Dining and Outdoor Operations of Oakland Zoo Now Allowed; Alameda County Remains on State Monitoring List: Indoor Worship Services and Indoor Malls are Required to Close pic.twitter.com/Ngo4ho0fD2 Alameda County Public Health Department (@Dare2BWell) July 15, 2020 This article originally appeared on the Dublin Patch WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- New daily novel coronavirus cases in Washtenaw County have been growing in mid-July. There was a slump in cases in June, but new cases are now on the rise again throughout Michigan. Twenty-nine new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed between 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, and 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, the Washtenaw County Health Department said on its database updated daily. The county has now had more than 2,000 combined confirmed and probable cases of the coronavirus since March. Cases are considered probable when the person had close contact with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 patient, but was not tested, health officials have said. Michigan reports 891 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, July 15; highest number in 2 months As of Wednesday afternoon, 323 of the 1,729 confirmed cases are active. The rest have recovered or died from the virus. COVID-19 has killed 112 Washtenaw County residents, including three probable deaths, according to the health department. Health officials identified 114 new confirmed cases whose symptoms began last week, according to the database. During the first week in June, the county reported 16 confirmed cases, the lowest reported week. A house party in Pittsfield Township and generally movement among young people are primary drivers of the uptick in cases, health officials said. More coronavirus cases linked to Saline-area party Health officials recommend looking at seven-day moving averages to evaluate data trends during the pandemic. The state is averaging 526 new cases, and 11 new deaths per day. In Washtenaw County, the seven-day average was 12.9 new daily cases as of July 12, according to the state database. Current status of Michigans coronavirus crisis: Is glass half full or half empty? Chinese conglomerate Fosun has backed out of advanced discussions for investments in two Indian healthcare companies, amid increased scrutiny on Chinese investments. Fosun had proposed a total investment of over $300 million in Mumbai-based Apex Kidneycare and a Bengaluru-based hospital, said a report by The Economic Times. Fosun had made a formal proposal to purchase stakes in the two companies, the report said. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story. "From a regional perspective, Fosun will continue to cultivate our existing regional markets as well as the emerging markets such as India," A Fosun spokesperson said as per the report. "Fosun's goal this year is focusing on core industries and strengthening regional operations, and achieving industry-leading positions in all of our core businesses," the spokesperson said. Also read: Boycotting Chinese goods: A bridge too far Fosun might cutback on its investments in India amid negative sentiment against China, the report said. Border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) increased after a clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at Ladakh's Galwan Valley in June. Meanwhile, Hyderabad-based Gland Pharma, which was acquired by Fosun Pharmaceutical in 2017, has filed a draft red herring prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO). Fosun has also invested capital in startups such as Delhivery, Kissht, Ixigo, MakeMyTrip and LetsTransport. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday upgraded its alert from 'Orange' to 'Red' for Mumbai and coastal Maharashtra. The city is already facing heavy downpour since Tuesday night, resulting in water logging in many areas. The city's civic body has also asked its residents to "follow all necessary precautions and stay away from the shore". KS Hosalikar, Dy Director General of Meteorology, India Met Department, Mumbai, said, "IMD GFS forecast for rains indicate heavy to very heavy with possibilities of isolated extremely heavy (more than 200 mm) rainfall over Konkan, including Mumbai, Thane today." Isolated "extremely heavy falls" are also likely to occur over Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar and other coastal districts of Maharashtra during the next 18 hours. The weather department added that due to the heavy rains, inundation of low-lying areas is expected. Rains could also lead to disruption in electricity and water supply, local traffic and road transport in the city. Mumbai's Santacruz weather station recorded 86 mm rainfall from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm on Tuesday, while the Colaba bureau reported 50 mm of rainfall during the same period. Several low lying areas including Sion, Kings Circle, Khar witnessed water-logging. Mumbai police have requested commuters to avoid "Dadar TT, Hindmata Jn, Mahim Jn, SV Road Andheri, Khar Subway, KFC Bandra and Chandivali Junction" routes due to waterlogging and asked them to venture out only if it's essential. (With inputs from PTI) Also Read: Google to invest Rs 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms Also Read: Reliance Industries first Indian company to cross Rs 1 lakh crore EBITDA-mark, says Mukesh Ambani Also Read: Maruti recalls over 1.3 lakh units of Wagon R, Baleno to fix faulty fuel pump Medics in white coats replaced uniformed soldiers as stars of Frances Bastille Day ceremonies Tuesday, as the usual grandiose military parade in Paris was recalibrated to honour medics who died fighting COVID-19, supermarket cashiers, postal workers and other heroes of the pandemic. Yet for thousands of participants in a protest across town, the national homage wasnt nearly enough to make up for missteps by French President Emmanuel Macron and his government before and during the coronavirus pandemic. Riot police sprayed tear gas and unruly demonstrators hurled smoke bombs as the largely peaceful demonstrators marched to Bastille plaza, where the French Revolution was born on July 14, 1789. The contrasting scenes marked a Bastille Day like any other, overshadowed by fears of resurgent infections in a country where more than 30,000 people have already lost their lives to the coronavirus. Photos: Bastille Day fireworks light up Eiffel Tower, Paris sky With tears in their eyes or smiles on their faces, medical workers stood silently as lengthy applause in their honour rang out over the Place de la Concorde in central Paris from Macron, the head of the World Health Organization and 2,000 other guests. A military choir sang the Marseillaise national anthem, and troops unfurled an enormous French tricolour flag across the plaza. Practice students of the army health service take part in the annual Bastille Day military ceremony on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, July 14, 2020. (REUTERS) The battle against the virus was the main focus, as Macron sought to highlight Frances successes in combating its worst crisis since World War II. Mirage and Rafale fighter jets painted the sky with blue-white-and-red smoke, and were joined by helicopters that had transported COVID-19 patients in distress. The guests included nurses, doctors, supermarket and nursing home workers, mask makers, lab technicians, undertakers and others who kept France going during its strict nationwide lockdown. Families of medical workers who died with the virus also had a place in the stands. Alpha jets from the French Air Force Patrouille de France fly past the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, next to Le Louvre museum, during the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, France, July 14, 2020. (REUTERS) Medics in jeans or sandals strolled onto the plaza for the climax of the ceremony, and the lengthy military parade was truncated into a smaller affair closed to the public to prevent new virus infections. In eastern Paris, meanwhile, medical workers unions marched to decry years of cost cuts that left public hospitals ill-prepared when the virus raced across France. We are enormously short of personnel, said protester Sylvie Pecard, a nurse at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris who described colleagues falling ill with the virus as COVID-19 patients filled its wards. Its because we havent recruited nurses. I came here 20 years ago and there were no empty positions. Now all the services are short of personnel, and its worse and worse. Hospital workers demonstrate during Bastille Day in Paris, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. French hospital workers are protesting to demand better pay and more investment in France's public hospital system, which is considered among the world's best but struggled to handle a flux of virus patients after years of cost cuts. Sign reads in French "the nerve of war is the stitches not just medals." (AP) Other protesters chanted slogans against police violence, spoke out against racial injustice, or against Macron policies seen as favouring the wealthy, or against his decision to appoint a man accused of rape to oversee French police forces. Some protesters wore yellow vests, representing their movement against economic injustice or face masks in the same neon yellow shade. Riot police closely surrounded the crowd, and smoke from tear gas and firecrackers swirled around Bastille Plaza after sporadic tensions. Demonstrators sang in support of medical workers, while the Bastille Opera house displayed a huge message of thanks surrounded by portraits of nurses and doctors by street artist JR. France's marine soldiers wait before the start of the Bastille Day military parade, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Paris. France are honouring nurses, ambulance drivers, supermarket cashiers and others on its biggest national holiday Tuesday. Bastille Day's usual grandiose military parade in Paris is being redesigned this year to celebrate heroes of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP) In an interview with French television networks, Macron addressed the anger his presidency has unleashed, acknowledging mistakes in managing the pandemic and in pushing through business-friendly reforms. Our country is afraid. There is a crisis of trust, he said. He noted a new 8-billion-euro investment and hiring plan signed this week for French hospitals, but warned of massive unemployment and other economic problems still to come after months of virus lockdown. He announced no significant policy changes for the remaining 22 months of his term. Paris: Guests watch form the top of the Arc de Triomphe the French Alpha jets of the Patrouille de France flying over the Champs Elysees avenue during the Bastille Day military parade, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in Paris. (AP) He said masks would be required in indoor public places by Aug. 1, but that schools should resume as usual in September. France has one of the worlds highest virus death tolls, and scientists are warning of a potential resurgence as people abandon social distancing practices, hold dance parties and head off on summer vacations. At the main Bastille Day event, troops sported masks as they got in formation, took them off for the ceremony, then put them on again when it was over. Macron made a point of donning his before speaking to WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus. One government member panicked when she realized she forgot hers, but was saved by a colleague with a spare. All around France, towns and cities scaled back holiday festivities to stem virus infections. For Tuesdays annual fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower, City Hall is closing off the heart of Paris, including embankments of the Seine and other neighbourhoods where crowds usually gather on Bastille Day. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 20:55:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The General Court of the European Union (EU) on Wednesday rescinded an EU order which had required U.S. technology giant Apple to repay Ireland 13 billion euros (14.9 billion U.S. dollars) in tax arrears. The decision effectively canceled an August 2016 European Commission decision. The EU court ruled that the Commission had wrongly declared that Apple Sales International (ASI) and Apple Operations Europe (AOE), which were companies incorporated in Ireland but not tax resident in Ireland, had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, state aid. The clear-cut decision by the EU General Court could now face another appeal at the top European Court of Justice. In its initial reaction, the European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said on Wednesday that Brussels was studying the judgment and would reflect on the next steps. The Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya will not benefit from the cease-fire now, he said in a televised interview with state-run TRT Haber broadcaster, adding that the GNA has concerns about the sincerity of its rival Haftar, Xinhua news agency reported. Ankara, July 14 (IANS) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on the forces of Khalifa Haftar in Libya to retreat from the cities of Sirte and Jufra. The minister also criticized Haftar and his supporters for not preparing for a political roadmap for Libya. "The cities of Sirte and Jufra must be emptied and handed over to the GNA. We also conveyed this to the Russian side," Cavusoglu said. Turkey plans to launch a seismic research and drilling operations for natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean over a deal between Ankara and GNA in November last year, he said, noting that Turkey is open to cooperation with companies from third countries. Libya has been plagued by insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Turkey supports the GNA led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and has sent troops to Libya as part of a military cooperation agreement signed with the GNA to support its fight against Haftar. --IANS rt/ The speech will be Prime Minister Modi's first at the UN after India's election as a non-permanent member to the Security Council, to be themed on role of UN to further multilateralism amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually deliver a keynote address at the valedictory session of High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) on July 17 in New York, on the eve of 75th anniversary of the United Nations. This comes as an important development as it will be Prime Ministers first speech at the UN after Indias election to the Security Council. The Prime Minister will be joined by his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The High-Level Segment is held annually by ECOSOC and convenes a diverse group of high-level representatives from the Government, the private sector, civil society and academia. The theme of the High-level Segment is Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary. Also read: 5 years of Skill India Mission: PM Modi to deliver video address today Also read: Independence Day 2020: Curtailed celebrations, no school children to take part The event assumes special significance as this will be the first opportunity wherein Prime Minister Modi will be addressing the broader UN membership since Indias overwhelming election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on 17th June 2020 (for the term 2021-22). With 184 votes out of the total 192 polled, India won the UN non-permanent seat for the eighth time has emerged as the single-endorsed candidate from the Asian Pacific regional group, amid the larger push for the country to be made a permanent member of the five-nation apex grouping, currently comprising the US, the UK, Russia, China, and France. Prime Minister Modi had also earlier delivered the keynote address virtually at the 70th anniversary of the ECOSOC on 22 January 2016. Against the backdrop of a changing international environment and the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the session is likely to focus on critical forces shaping the course of multilateralism and explore ways to bolster the multilateral agenda through strong multilateral leadership, effective international institutions, a broadening of participation and an enhanced focus on global public goods. The ECOSOC was established as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is mandated to offer direction to, and undertake the coordination of, the economic, social, and cultural activities of the United Nations, with responsibility for advancing international economic and social cooperation and development. The first meeting of the ECOSOC was convened on 23 January 1946, in London, United Kingdom. India was the first President of ECOSOC in 1946. It is worth mentioning that the inaugural Presidency of ECOSOC in 1946 was held by Sir Ramaswami Mudaliar of India. Also read: Nepal issues clarification on PM Olis Ayodhya remark For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 08:49 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406665a34c 1 Editorial tahun-ajaran-2020-2021,tahun-ajaran-baru,student,student-orientation-program,new-school-year,Nadiem-Makarim Free As the new school year began on Monday, millions of students and teachers across the country learned how risky education would be if we maintained the old normal in these times. Over 1,300 students of the Armys Officer Candidate School (Secapa) in Bandung, West Java, and Indonesian Military Police Training Center in neighboring Cimahi, their teaching staff and instructors have tested positive for COVID-19. The soldiers were attending an education and training program conducted face-to-face, reportedly following strict health protocols. They also lived in boarding houses during the program, as had been practiced for many years. Previously about 300 police officer candidates attending courses to win promotion in Sukabumi, West Java, contracted the virus in April. Read also: Indonesia's latest official COVID-19 figures Despite the protocols, which Army chief Gen. Andika Perkasa said had been in place since March, the virus transmission was difficult to avoid. One could imagine the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, spreading easily from one student to another as they interacted 24 hours a day, even sharing rooms, for weeks, if not months. As the risk of virus transmission remains high, the Education and Culture Ministry has allowed schools to reopen with face-to-face learning only in areas classified as green zones, or low risk, and with the consent of the regional head and the students parents. A number of regional heads have rightly responded to the ministrys policy. Due to concerns about the safety of students and school staff, the local administrations of Jakarta, and Tangerang and South Tangerang in Banten, for example, have decided to extend online learning. With no signs as to when we can beat the pandemic, allowing children to leave home for classes only amounts to exposing them to the virus, even if they follow the protocols wearing face masks, frequently washing their hands with soap and staying at least 1 meter away from one another. The risks will increase in the case of students with special needs, or those who greatly depend on other people. Online, rather than face-to-face, learning should be the only option if we are to protect our children. School orientation programs, which are usually organized for new students, should also follow the same mechanisms. Read also: Indonesia starts school year with caution during pandemic The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education may be more devastating than we have imagined. Not only will the pandemic widen the gap between children from well-off families and their poverty-stricken peers as the latter cannot access the internet. The health crisis may also force poor children to drop out of school to help their parents make a living. In its latest report Save Our Education, London-based NGO Save the Children estimates deep cuts in education budgets that could reach US$77 billion in the world's poorest countries over the next 18 months. If the recession worsens, this figure will climb to $276 billion by the end of 2021. The pandemic has forced the government to reallocate the COVID-19 response budget to mitigation of the pandemics impact on the economy. To safeguard our childrens future, the mitigation efforts should include funds to keep children who are near or below the poverty line in school. LOS ANGELESA new law criminalizing payment in exchange for sexual services took effect in Israel last week, even as a new survey by Tel Aviv University found that nearly one in every three Israeli men say they have paid for sex at least one time in their lives, and one in six say that they have paid on multiple occasions. Sex work has long been legalized in Israel but most of the activities that make professional sex work possible are not. Operating a brothel and pimping are outlawed in the country of about 8.8 million, and in January of last year, Israels Knesset, or parliament, passed a new law making the payment of money for sexual services a crime. Israel is estimated to have 14,000 sex workers, 95 percent of them women, according to a Jerusalem Post report. That law finally took effect on July 10 of this year. Not only is paying for sex illegal under the new law, but even seeking the services of a sex worker can now be punished by a fine ranging from the equivalent of $530 for a first offense, to a maximum of $20,400 for repeat offenses, according to a report by The Times of Israel. In fact, the law now makes it illegal even to be caught in a place where sexual services are offered, such as a brothel. The government put the law into effect last Friday over the objections of activist groups and government agencies who said that Israel had not put in place adequate programs to aid the sex workers who will be starved of income as a result of the new law. Women and men who enter the cycle of prostitution to earn a living cannot escape if the authorities dont extend a hand, Hila Peer, chair of The Association for LGBTQ Equality in Israel, told The Times, adding that the government was insensitively abandoning the weakest population. But Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn of Israels centrist-liberal Blue and White Party was unmoved by the protests. Women are not merchandise and their bodies are not for rent for the maximum price. Despite the pressures, I did not agree to postpone the application of the Prohibition of Prostitution Act Nissenkorm said on his official Twitter account. At the same time, rehabilitative responses to prostitution survivors will be provided. But there has yet been no indication of what those rehabilitative responses will be. According to the Tel Aviv University survey of 2,000 Jewish Israeli men and women, a majority of Israelis do not believe that the new law will curtail sex work activities. In the study, 31.2 percent of men, and 3.4 percent of women said that they had paid for sexual services at least one time in their lives. Photo By Valeria Boltneva / Pexels By Trend A worthy response from the Azerbaijani army to the Armenian armed forces caused panic in the Armenian army, Trend reports on July 15. The servicemen began to leave their positions in the Armenian army. The video footage disseminated on social networks testifies that the Armenian servicemen leave the trenches. It shows that Armenian armed forces are forced to retreat. The Armenian leadership attracted police officers to prevent the desertion of the servicemen. Despite the pleas from the police officers to return to their positions, the servicemen stubbornly refused, saying that they do not want to die. Apparently, the powerful retaliatory strikes of the Azerbaijani army instilled fear on the Armenian military personnel. The widespread video footage proves that Armenian soldiers are fleeing and as a result, the conflicts arise between them and the police officers. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The National COVID-19 Trust Fund says it is yet to meet all the needs of frontline workers in various health facilities especially at the district and municipal levels. The Fund notes that there are still many demands for personal protective equipment which is it yet to meet and so more of them are needed for onward distribution to facilities that need them. Speaking to journalists after MTN Ghana donated PPE worth GHS5 million to the National COVID-19 Trust Fund, Chairperson of the Fund, Madam Sophia Akuffo stated that the next phase of its distribution will be to district hospitals and CHPS compounds. We have not even been able to reach the private medical centres. We have not been able to be able to directly reach the municipalities and districts. We got so many applications from districts concerning their CHPS compound which we must not forget. At the last mention in June 2020, the fund had raised GH51.54 million between the period of March 30 and May 31, this year. The amount was realized from individual donations, corporate institutions and professional groups, among others in response to calls for support for the fund which was set up as one of the government's interventions to fight COVID-19. President Akufo-Addo, who announced the setting up of the fund, was the first person to donate his salary for April, May and June towards it. The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, also donated his salary between April and June. Staffers at the presidency, ministers and deputy ministers of state also donated 50 percent of their three months salaries to it. Reports said the contributions from these personalities for April amounted to GH637,998. The trust fund also received various forms of donations in kind. The summary of donations in kind included vehicles, fuel, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, and food and beverages. The managers of the fund have since been using some of the monies and items realized to provide the needs of health facilities helping to fight the pandemic. ---citinewsroom July 15, 2020 / 10:56 PM IST Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Today is the 113th day since India implemented a nationwide lockdown, to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. India has so far recorded 9,36,181 cases, which includes 24,309 deaths. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Gujarat have reported the highest number of cases. However, the recovery rate is rising and now stands at 63.2 percent. 1.3 crore confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 5.7 lakh people have died so far. Catch the latest updates here: Globally, there have been over Barely days after it was nearly destroyed by fire in 2019, former French prime minister Edouard Philippe announced that Paris would be holding an international design competition to rebuildand reimagineNotre-Dame cathedrals iconic spire. The spire collapsed (along with much of the buildings roof) in a blaze that prosecutors believed was caused by either an electrical fault or a cigarette. In his announcement time, Philippe said the French government would seek out a new spire that is adapted to the techniques and the challenges of our era. Added French president Emmanuel Macron, in a supporting statement at the time, a contemporary architectural gesture would make Notre-Dame even more beautiful. However, over the past week, Macron backtracked on his support of a modernist Notre-Dame redesign. The president of the republic has become convinced of the need to restore Notre-Dame de Paris in the most consistent manner possible to its last complete, coherent, and known state," the Elysee Palace said in a statement. In other words, the redesign will look exactly the same as the original Gothic design, which is what many senior figures in French government were publicly pushing for. Macron added that he will look to the countrys National Heritage and Architecture Commission for guidance on Notre-Dames next steps. The idea that the original spire, conceived by French architect Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, would be replaced with a modern reimagining was met with raised eyebrows from architects, academics, and Parisians, 55% of whom, according to a poll, favored the original. The French Senate even passed a bill last year requiring that the restoration of Notre-Dame would be faithful to its last known visual state. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on a bright afternoon in Spring Photo: Getty Images The spire, which was 300 feet tall and made of wood and lead, was added to the cathedral in its 19th-century renovation. The proposed redesigns submitted to the French government, meanwhile, chose modern materials and sustainable design approaches that looked very little like the original. For instance, in the month following the fire, architect Vincent Callebauts firm unveiled an eco-friendly, glass blueprint, complete with solar power and an urban farm for vulnerable and homeless Parisians. Paris-based Studio NAB proposed a giant greenhouse, filled with beehives and planters made from the burnt remains of the roof. The government, however, chose to go another way. Story continues Meanwhile, an unofficial competition to redesign Notre-Dame was hosted by GoArchitect, an independent publisher. It saw 226 redesign entries from 56 countrieswith the winner chosen after votes were cast by over 30,000 members of the public. Chinese architects Zeyu Cai and Sibei Li won with Paris Heartbeat, a design that reinterpreted the spire as a kaleidoscope made of a many-mirrored roof that would reflect the changing urban environment outside the cathedral. The duos design also included a time capsule, whose magnetic levitation system moved it rhythmically up and down, breathing and beating together with the city. (A book featuring the top 50 designs, Visions of Notre-Dame, is available for purchase.) Its unclear what will happen to the alternative designs conceived by Callebaut, NAB, and the other studios in light of Macrons about-face. Matthias Altwicker, the principal architect at studio A+H and an associate professor of architecture at the New York Institute of Technology, sees the decision to keep the original design as a way to avoid what has been an extremely fractious public debate, although he considers the decision a missed opportunity given Pariss leadership, historically, in progressive architectural thinking with projects such as the Centre Pompidou. Altwicker notes that there is precedent for giving historical sites contemporary redesigns (he cites the Kolumba and Wallraf-Richartz museums in Cologne, Germany) as well as monuments that have absorbed different architectural styles over time, noting St. Peters Basilica in Rome as an example. And, as Callebeauts firm pointed out in a description about its design, in spite of historic preservation rules, Notre-Dame, too, has a history of adapting to the times: From primitive Gothic in the 12th century to its restoration by Viollet-le Duc in the 19th century, through the radiant Gothic of the 13th century, and the flamboyant Gothic of the 14th century, Notre-Dame cathedral undoubtedly arises from centuries of work and multifaceted inspiration, Callebeut said in a statement. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Demonstrators crossed barriers to reach the front porch of the mansion in Frankfort, just a window pane away from where Beshear and his wife are raising their two children, Staley said. Protesters chanted for the governor to come outside. No one came to the door, as state troopers monitoring the rally got out of their vehicles to observe the group but not intervene, the Courier Journal reported. Two Albuquerque city councilors were performing due diligence when they asked questions about a $1 million appropriation for the Black community at the June 29 meeting. Yes, they should have been more careful to avoid any reference that could be deemed paternalistic. But especially at a time when many New Mexico cities and counties are cutting staffing and services due to the pandemic, when gross receipts tax revenue is drying up, it is absolutely appropriate to ask what the money will be spent on. And we still dont have an answer. City Councilor Trudy Jones asked whether the funding would go toward loans or grants, who would administer it, and whether it would support businesses or housing and more. City Councilor Cynthia Borrego asked what the city expected in return and how the expenditures would be reported back to the Council. All were standard questions to ensure fiscal accountability taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned dollars are helping people and making a positive difference for the community. However, the president of the One Albuquerque Fund told councilors the foundation hadnt developed a specific plan. Charles Ashley III said the One Albuquerque Fund board would first convene members of the Black community to determine how best to apply the money based on existing needs. Councilor Klarissa Pena, who introduced the appropriation, correctly noted the city already spends tax dollars in support of the Native American and Hispanic communities. An investment in the citys Black community is a logical, and much-belated, extension of those programs. But as Jones noted, the public deserves to know how people can apply, who would get money, how much, what for, under what qualifications and who would administer it. We dont need $1 million sitting idle. Our local governments have a history of acquiring money with good intentions and then not spending it for the stated purpose. Remember the $20 million-a-year gross receipts tax increase the county shoved through in 2015? It was supposed to deliver a crisis triage center for those struggling with mental health issues. Were still waiting. And the $14 million general obligation bond voters approved in November for the Gateway Center to serve the homeless? Eight months later, the initiative is stuck in a working group with the city still unsure of a single-site or multisite model. And in the meantime, real people with real needs continue to do without. After an hour of debate, Jones was the only councilor who voted against the $1 million appropriation, which passed 8-1. Taxpayers deserve accountability, and members of the Black community deserve programs that work. Heres to the One Albuquerque Fund board delivering a real plan. When it comes to spending tax dollars, particularly during a pandemic and related economic crisis, good intentions are not enough. 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. Women are almost twice as likely as men to have lost their job and suffered an anxiety attack during lockdown, according to a study that reveals how COVID-19 has driven widespread gender inequality. In a survey of 1,500 people representative of the UK population, researchers from the University of Exeter Business School found that lockdown has exacerbated gender inequality across most aspects of life, impacting on women's mental health, employment and wellbeing. The study revealed that around one in four women had experienced an anxiety attack in the previous two weeks, compared with around one in seven mena difference of 81%. Women were also more likely to feel depressed or hopeless, and scored 6% higher on a loneliness indicator. The outlook for women's employment was also bleak: women were 96% more likely than men to have been made redundant because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 8.6% of women reporting a job loss during lockdown compared with 4.4% of men. Women were more likely to have seen a reduction to their working hours during lockdown, while at the same time taking on more childcare, home-schooling and housework responsibilities than men. The authors, Professor Sonia Oreffice and Professor Climent Quintana-Domeque, said their research paints a "dramatic picture" of gender inequality under the COVID-19 lockdown. "We believe that the gender dimension of COVID-19 should be on the radar of policy-makers, and call for more COVID-19 gender-related research and policy analysis," said Professor Oreffice. "Women represent half of the population, they are key to family structure and early human capital accumulation, and they are more vulnerable to domestic violence, poverty and single parenthood." The study also found that lockdown has led women to be more pessimistic about the future and fearful of the disease than men. Women perceived COVID-19 to be more prevalent than men, and were 39% more likely to assume that those who tested positive would die of the disease. They were more likely to think another outbreak or lockdown was inevitable by the end of 2020, and were also more concerned about getting the virus and spreading it. Women were more pessimistic when asked to make forecasts for UK unemploymentpredicting UK unemployment to rise to 8.4% by June 2021, compared with men's average forecast of 7.3%. And, in what the authors claim is consistent with more pessimistic views on the state of the UK economy, women were found to donate more to foodbanks than men. The survey was conducted on 19 June so as to estimate gender differences after three months of lockdown. The data gathered was representative of the UK population in regard to age, sex and ethnicity, and other variables such as income, employment status, family structure, geographical location and education were also taken into consideration. Professor Oreffice added: "The gender gaps after three months of lockdown that we document in this paper are worrisome for the whole UK economy and deserve further scrutiny from the academic community and effective policy actions." The study reveals a picture of society in which women work less in paid jobs and are burdened with a disproportionately high share of housework and caring responsibilities. It is publicly available as an IZA discussion paper and an HCEO working paper. Explore further Nothing changes: Lockdown gender gap remains firm Many parts of Asia, the region first hit by the coronavirus that emerged in China late last year, are pausing the reopening of their economies - some after winning praise for their initial responses to the outbreak. Navotas, a city of 250,000 in the National Capital Region surrounding Manila, will from July 16 return to lockdown after cases tripled since June, its mayor said this week. Health Secretary Francisco Duque said earlier on Wednesday the government had "successfully flattened the curve since April" because COVID-19 cases were growing slower, with the rate of doubling of infections now at 8.28 days from 4.8 days in May. Virus cases rise in US states Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 25,000 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday as restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic took hold and around the world in an unsettling sign reminiscent of the dark days of April. The face-covering mandates, lockdowns, health checks and quarantine orders underscored the reality that the number of infections is continuing to tick upward in parts of the world and that a return to normalcy may be farther off than many leaders had envisioned just weeks ago. A healthcare worker registers people at a COVID-19 testing site in St Petersburg, Florida. Credit:Bloomberg Alabama will begin requiring face masks after the state reported a pandemic-high of 40 deaths in a single day. In Texas, which again set a record on Wednesday for confirmed new cases with nearly 10,800, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasised face coverings as the state's way out of avoiding another lockdown, which he has not ruled out. Among the sternest measures were in New York, where Governor Andrew Cuomo added to a list totalling 22 states whose visitors will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they visit the tri-state region. Out-of-state travellers arriving in New York airports from those states face a $US2,000 ($2850) fine and a mandatory quarantine order if they fail to fill out a tracing form. The broad reach of the virus has brought scrutiny to governors' decisions. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a first-term Republican governor who has backed one of the country's most aggressive reopening plans, became the first US governor to announce that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He plans to quarantine at home. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, centre, at President Trump's rally in Tulsa last month. Credit:AP Stitt, who has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself, attended President Donald Trump's rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there, though Stitt said he's confident he didn't contract the virus at the gathering. "As far as where he became infected, it's really unknown," Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr Lance Frye said. Florida broke the 300,000 barrier on confirmed cases on Wednesday, reporting 10,181 new ones as its daily average death rate continues to rise. Major cities in Florida have imposed mask rules, but Governor Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a state-wide order, arguing those are best decided on and enforced locally. Still, on Tuesday the governor wore a mask while speaking publicly for the first time at a round-table news conference with Miami-Dade County mayors. "We have broken single-day records several times this week and there's nothing about it that says we're turning the corner, or seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I don't see that in the numbers," said Dr Nicholas Namias, chief of trauma and surgical critical care at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He said diminishing bed capacity was creating problems at the Miami medical centre. "We're getting to the point where it's going to be full. We have gridlock and we won't be able to take patients and they'll just be stacked in the ERs," Namias said. Businesses imposed their own restrictions, too, with Walmart becoming the largest US retailer to require customers to wear face coverings at all of its Sam's Club and namesake stores. Organisers cancelled the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, because of the pandemic's impact on long-range planning for the New Year's tradition, the Tournament of Roses Association said Wednesday. But Disney World went ahead with the rolling opening of its Florida theme parks that started last weekend, welcoming back visitors to Epcot and Hollywood Studios despite the surge of cases in the state. As schools contemplate how to safely hold classes, at least three dozen high school students in northern Illinois tested positive for the coronavirus after some attending summer sports camps showed symptoms of the disease. In South Carolina, meanwhile, elected leaders were joining forces to demand that schools open five days a week for in-person instruction. Europe on high alert Other countries imposed lockdowns and implemented new health checks at their borders. All travellers arriving in Greece from a land border with Bulgaria were required to carry negative coronavirus test results issued in the previous 72 hours. The new rules, which follow an increase in tourism-related COVID-19 cases, triggered an immediate drop in arrivals compared to recent days. A health worker takes a swab from a tourist at Greece's Promahonas border crossing with Bulgaria. Credit:AP Traffic at the crossing fell by about half, authorities said, but waiting times were still lengthy and a line of cars and trucks was over 500 metres long as the number of tests carried out by medical teams at the border were increased. Gergana Chaprazova, 51, from Plovdiv in southern Bulgaria, plans to visit the Greek seaside town of Kavala with her husband, and complained that she was being tested again. "I have to wait for a test but I (already) have test from Bulgaria. I don't understand why I must have a test here," she said. In Spain, authorities in the north-eastern Catalonia region made fresh attempts to stem the spread of new coronavirus outbreaks as health experts warned that more and better contact tracing was needed. Since midnight on Tuesday, 160,000 residents in and around the city of Lleida were forbidden to leave their homes unless it was properly justified. The area was closed off, with police checkpoints outside every municipality. Romania, citing the rising number of infections, announced a 30-day extension for a nationwide state of alert. Measures include mandatory face masks on public transportation and in shops, while restaurants may only serve customers in outdoor locations. The country set a record for new infections on Saturday. In Serbia, which has been hit hard by a spike in infections and anti-government protests, a government crisis team expanded a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people from Belgrade to encompass the entire country. Masks were also made mandatory in public spaces where there is no opportunity for 1.5 metres of distancing, such as in lines to enter shops and bus stations. Renewed restrictions also took effect in Hong Kong, with public gatherings limited to four people, restaurants restricted to takeaway after 6pm, and a one-week closure for gyms, karaoke bars, and selected other businesses. Masks were mandated on public transit for the first time, with the non-compliant being fined. People wearing face masks wait to cross an intersection in the CBD in Beijing. Credit:AP After a surge in daily infections beginning last month, Israel moved last week to reimpose restrictions, closing events spaces, live show venues, bars and clubs. It has imposed lockdowns on areas with high infection rates, which in some cases sparked protests from residents. Officials warn that if case numbers don't come down in the coming days, Israel will have no choice but to lock the entire country down again, as it did in the spring. "I don't see what other tools we have aside from a lockdown," Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein told the Israeli news site Ynet. "Unless there is a miracle." Booze ban in South Africa South Africa, Africa's most developed country, is already showing signs of being overwhelmed by the pandemic an ominous outlook for the rest of the continent of 1.3 billion people. A ban on alcohol sales and a night curfew were reimposed this week to reduce the volume of trauma patients to hospitals that are struggling to cope with an influx of COVID-19 patients. One result was more economic pain in a country which already has a high unemployment rate of 30 per cent. "This return to the booze ban is causing havoc to the restaurant business, and it's causing people to lose jobs," said Gerald Elliot, owner of a popular Johannesburg restaurant, Ba Pita, which he said closed as a result of the restrictions, with a loss of 28 jobs. Loading "You can look down our street and see several restaurants that are shut. It looks like they are closed permanently." Concerns exist even in locations that have not experienced outbreaks. A World Health Organisation delegation visiting Turkmenistan, a country that has not reported any coronavirus infections, recommended that the country take stronger actions. Authorities in the English town of Blackburn also imposed new restrictions on social mingling amid what they say is a "rising tide" of new coronavirus cases. Director of Public Health Dominic Harrison said that if infection numbers didn't fall by July 27, officials would begin to reimpose lockdown measures such as the closing of shops and other businesses. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 Trend: The Armenian side planned its latest provocation in advance and on purpose, Assistant to Azerbaijans President, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview to the European Euractiv.com news website. Hajiyev was commenting on the recent provocation made by the Armenian armed forces in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the state border with Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Armenia wants to create a new source of tension in the region and a new source of conflict in the region, particularly in the border area of two countries, assistant to Azerbaijans president added. And we also see the Armenian side tries to derail the negotiations process by all means, not to withdraw its armed forces from the Azerbaijani territories. The Armenian side has unleashed this provocation in a deliberate manner, Hajiyev added. Real facts on the ground speak for themselves. Firstly, number one fact is that before the clashes, we have monitored a concentration of Armenian troops and high-level military officials around this area. Secondly, the Armenian side says that there was one small military car, truck or minibus that engaged, but its ridiculous. No one conducts any attack or operation offensive with a small, unarmored car, Hajiyev added. The real fact is that the Armenian side attacked the positions of the Azerbaijani side with artillery. It was sudden and targeted deliberate attack. In order to diffuse tension in the border area, Azerbaijan deployed State Border Service personnel along the border with Armenia. Attacking civilian objects and civilians is the modus operandi and the rule of engagement of Armenian armed forces, assistant to Azerbaijans president said. It once again demonstrates that Armenia is flagrantly violating international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. Today, we regret that one 76-year-old man was killed as a result of an Armenian artillery attack. We also see a declining social-economic situation in Armenia, Hajiyev said. The situation is becoming worse, particularly in the list of spreading of COVID. The Armenian government is trying to deflect public attention and anger. I think the EU and EU countries have a better understanding of the situation, Hajiyev said. From our side, we are also trying to inform our EU partners. But we expect more addressed statements from EU to distinguish between the aggressor and those who have been the subject of aggression, Hajiyev said. The actions of Armenia need to be strongly condemned by the international community and EU as well. The impunity of Armenia encourages Yerevan to new military adventures and provocations. We also expect that the EU should assess the illegal activities of Armenia in the occupied territories, including the illegal settlement of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The original text is here New York For Michael B. Jordan, timing is everything. So when the SAG award winner marched in a Los Angeles Black Lives Matter protest last month demanding that Hollywood drastically increase its diversity in the executive ranks, it was a moment he felt prepared for. 'I think it's always been brewing in me, but I think timing is everything, you know? I mean, who knew that we was going to be in this pandemic? And on the heels of that, another senseless murder by law enforcement," said the 33-year-old "Just Mercy" star. "I've always chosen to be very strategic in wanting to speak when it really makes an impact and really matters. And I want to work and evolve and grow with people who feel that same sense of urgency." Jordan, whose breakout "Fruitvale Station" role followed the events of a young Black man killed by an Oakland transit police officer, channeled the urgency for change and healing into A Night at the Drive-In. The goal is to celebrate "multi-cultural and diverse voices in cinema, in hopes of ultimately bringing together communities." Jordan and his Outlier Society production company who hand-picked the movies is partnering with Amazon Studios. Films show every other Wednesday through Aug. 26 and include blockbusters such as "Crazy Rich Asians" and Jordan's own "Black Panther," along with classics like "Do the Right Thing" and "Coming to America." The screenings will show in 20 cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Houston, as well as smaller towns such as Savannah, Ga., Augusta-Aiken, S.C. and Knoxville, Tenn.. Attendance is free, with most moviegoers chosen by local community organizations and nonprofits. The initiative is also raising voter registration awareness. "We wanted to find a way for us to (show) stories that fed our soul, that inspired us, that made us laugh," Jordan said. "We wanted to give people an opportunity to find relatability through cinema, and we were able to put together a pretty eclectic list of some old favorites and some newer films that kind of checked off all those boxes." Outlier Society and Amazon Studios also partnered with Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies all owned by people of color to provide free refreshments during the double- feature programs. Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said the partnership falls into the company's efforts to support social justice initiatives. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "Going through the conversations around supporting Black Lives Matter and changing the carousels on (Amazon Prime Video), all of that was never done as a, 'OK, We better do these things out of a reactive we want to keep up with the guys or gals down the street,'" Salke said. "It really was a point of pride for the company to be able to say, 'We care deeply about this.'" As the Black Lives Matter slogan has pirouetted in American from divisiveness just a few years ago to wide acceptance, there's been criticism that many major brands and corporations are only now supporting the movement for optics with no real plans to advocate for diversity, even within their own walls. But Salke says her group is planning beyond the present. "Once the protests are over, all that energy going into all of that has to go into holding ourselves accountable and holding our teams and everyone else accountable. And we've talked about that in terms of every aspect of our business," she said. "The good intention period is over. And we are going to make sure that those checks and balances exist." Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers have reached an agreement on four bills that will be voted on in a special legislative session early next week, the governor announced late Tuesday. Legislators will consider bills to temporarily expand absentee voting for the November election and expand telehealth coverage for people with Medicaid and private insurance, as well as a limited bill to address police accountability and a bill that would cap the cost of insulin and supplies for diabetics. Senate Democrats had proposed more than 30 reforms, some of them sweeping, many dealing with police and racial issues. Most will have to wait, Lamont said. Logistics of the session and opportunities for public participation were not immediately available. Lamont also said the State Bond Commission will meet Tuesday to consider a $325 million bonding agenda. Roughly $200 million is for school upgrades, and the rest is related to technical and communication upgrades. Lamonts emergency powers will expire in September, along with his executive orders issued during the pandemic, so legislative action is needed to address voting in November, as well as to continue coverage for telehealth appointments. It is very important to me ... that we dont want to see a long line of people waiting to vote in November, Lamont said. We dont know what the COVID epidemic will look like. The bill pertaining to criminal justice reform will be narrow and focused specifically on community policing reforms that would mirror those Lamont issued by executive order for the State Police force. Broader reforms to address policing and systemic racism in housing, the economy and health care wont be addressed until September or later as the legislature and administration tries to maintain a focused agenda on the most pressing issues next week. The bill to cap the cost of insulin and supplies was the legislatures top priority for the 2020 session before it was cut short. The bill has strong bipartisan support and has already undergone the public forum and committee process, passing with nearly unanimous bipartisan support from the General Assemblys insurance and real estate committee in early March. The urgency has increased to implement caps on the cost of insulin and supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as diabetics can be more severely affected by the virus, especially if they do not have access to the medication that keeps them alive. But at the time the bill originally went through the committee process, many kinks in the legislation were still to be worked out, and there were questions as to how broad the legislations impact would be. Insurers said it wont lower the underlying, sky-high cost of insulin, the drug that keeps diabetics alive, which is set by three main pharmaceutical companies that make insulin. Others have quietly raised concerns about funding and logistics for a portion of the bill that would create an emergency access program. Additionally, the legislation as originally written would only apply to the so-called fully insured market roughly 32 percent of people insured in the state and it is unknown how many diabetics are covered by fully insured plans or other plans. As a result, it is unclear how many people would actually be affected by the new law. Lawmakers have continued to work behind the scenes throughout the pandemic, but its unclear yet if the final bill addresses those concerns. As we slowly get back to a new normal here in the Capitol building, I told the legislators I look forward to seeing them, Lamont said. Also told them I appreciate the confidence they had in me with the emergency powers. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Researchers found that Native Americans sustainably harvested and managed oyster reefs. Once, oysters were plentiful in the east coast estuaries of North America. Since the arrival of the Europeans, however, pollution, disease, and overharvesting have devastated the populations of this keystone species. Out of all eastern oyster reefs present in Georgia since the year 1889, a mere 8% currently remain. Archaeologists found how Native Americans practiced the ancient sustainable harvesting of this resource, which maintained their health for millennia before the arrival of the Europeans on the continent. This was the finding of a study published in Science Advances. The study can help current efforts in restoring these habitats and in sustainably harvesting oysters. Atlantic coastal communities have depended on these estuaries for resources. These include the Creek or Muscogee Nation's ancestors. In these sites, archaeologists uncovered trash heaps containing oyster shells. University of Georgia archaeologist Victor Thompson conducted a study of how the health of reefs differed farther south in the various stages of human occupation in the area. His research team analyzed over 37,000 shells of eastern oysters from 15 Georgia and South Carolina island sites. Of these, ten dated around 2500 to 1500 BC, while the remaining sites dated from around 950 to 1450, in the Mississippian period. They measured shell size to indicate reef health because stressed oysters are usually smaller than healthy ones. In some of the sites, size reduction was observed. In most locations, however, the average size increased with time. In addition, the Mississippian oysters were more substantial than the oysters from the other sites. This finding suggests that the harvesting practices of Native Americans encouraged oyster reef health. Their size variation also provided clues regarding human societal structures in those communities. Thompson says the Native Americans likely had very complex political and social rules that probably benefited all elements of the ecosystem. According to Elizabeth Reitz, a zooarchaeologist from the Georgia Museum of Natural History and the University of Georgia, who was not involved in the new research, they did not harvest young oysters and instead allowed them to mature and reproduce. She says Native Americans could have also removed the dead oysters to provide living oysters additional room for growth. They may also have discouraged oyster predators like snails. Reitz says that bringing the long history of these people's successful use of coastal resources to the attention of resource managers is very important. The Nature Conservancy Southeast Marine Conservation Director Mary Conley says findings from studies like this can help resource managers choose sites for oyster reef restoration. Thompson agrees with this, but also says the past must be paired with the status of contemporary ecosystems. In addition, projects on reef restoration along the coast of the Atlantic must also take into account descendant communities like the Creek (Muscogee) Nation, the contribution of whom always tended to be overlooked. Thompson and his team, along with other archaeologists, consulted them for the study. The new research is a step towards the collaboration of researchers with descendant Native American communities in conservation projects. We need young people to take this virus seriously and understand the responsibility they have in the health of their families and communities, Williams said. The rise in cases has also been attributed to increased testing statewide. But while more laboratories are reporting test results that may reflect infections from days earlier, infections are on the rise too, Williams said. Williams and Parson insisted that while the cases are increasing, the state economy can continue reopening as long as people practice social distancing, wear masks, wash hands and practice safe hygiene. We know so much more about the virus today, Williams said. Facing a rise in cases, Springfield on Monday joined a growing list of Missouri cities and counties to mandate facial coverings in public settings. St. Louis city and county, Kansas City and Jackson County, among others, have done the same. The governor, who has come under criticism after his campaign posted photos online of a maskless Parson interacting with the public over the weekend, said he would not issue a statewide order requiring face coverings. But he encouraged anyone who feels comfortable wearing a mask to wear one. Barry Cowen is gone as Agriculture Minister after less than three weeks in office. His successor Dara Calleary will now be tasked with getting to grips with a hugely important portfolio. Officials in the Department of Agriculture prepared an extensive briefing on the serious challenges facing farmers, fishermen and the agri-food industry. Running to almost 800 pages, it outlines the stark impact of Covid-19, as well as other problems demanding the new minister's attention. Here are five of the most pressing issues: 1. The impact of Covid-19 Farmers will take a major hit as the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis takes hold. Under Teagasc research outlined in the briefing, families' incomes could be reduced by between 25pc and 57pc. The documents say the Covid-19 lockdown had a limited impact on production but there's been a "collapse in demand" from the food service sector. This hasn't been offset by increased consumption in the home. There is said to be an estimated overhang of 37,000 cattle that weren't slaughtered. The briefing predicts "steep reductions" in prices this year and into 2021. A 50m support scheme has been announced on top of 85m set aside in last year's Budget. The 50m will have to pass EU state aid rules and it's one of the most urgent issues on the new minister's agenda. Read More 2. Brexit As if the Covid-19 pandemic wasn't bad enough, the possibility of a disastrous no-trade-deal-Brexit still looms. The documents state Brexit "poses enormous challenges for the agri-food and fisheries sectors by virtue of their exposure to the UK market". Unsurprisingly, it's listed under 'Key Actions/Decisions requiring Ministerial Attention'. This includes monitoring the ongoing trade negotiations and work on Brexit readiness. It's noted "there will need to be a major push on Brexit communications to all stakeholders during the second half of the year to help to ensure readiness". Ongoing Brexit fisheries negotiations are also listed among key actions and there's said to be "serious concern about any movement away from the mandate on quota share and access". The minister's input is said to be required throughout the period the EU and Ireland are assessing any fisheries deal. The briefing says the preparations for a no-trade-deal-Brexit are continuing. The possible imposition of tariffs on trade features is high among risks in that scenario. 3. Mercosur trade deal There was huge concern among beef farmers when the deal was struck between the EU and some South American countries last year. Once fully ratified, it will allow 100,000 additional tonnes of beef from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay into the EU annually. The department's briefing says Ireland has "consistently raised concerns about the very negative impact that an agreement would have on the EU's agriculture sector, and particularly the beef sector". 4. Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) There are ongoing efforts to thrash out reforms to the CAP system of financial supports. The department's briefing says Ireland has been seeking to maintain the CAP budget at current levels "in the face of cuts proposed by the European Commission". This has been a feature of the talks on the EU's overall post-2020 budget which is negotiated by heads of state. Officials flagged there may be an EU agriculture ministers' meeting to discuss the CAP next week. 5. Climate action With the Green Party in Government, the coalition has committed to an average 7pc-a-year reduction in greenhouse gases over the next decade with targets for zero emissions by 2050 to be set in law within the first 100 days of office. Department officials note a 40pc rise in the number of dairy cows: "This increase in the size of the Irish dairy herd in the context of Ireland's overall climate change obligations will require on-going consideration into future." As a sales rep for health and skincare brand Forever Living, Catherine Thornley rhapsodised on Facebook about her role. Her business had paid for expensive shopping trips. Her complexion was glowing thanks to the companys latest wonder cream. Flexible working gave her time to enjoy her two children. Alongside her effusive words, she posted pictures suggesting an enviable lifestyle her friends would be mad not to want to emulate. If it were all true, that is. In fact, Catherine, 52, had become so obsessed with flogging Forever Living that she was lying about how much she was earning, her 20-year marriage was falling apart and shed fallen out with friends sick of being used. Worse, she was paying hundreds of pounds of her own money into the company to meet the minimum threshold of earnings she needed to keep her business afloat. I was brainwashed, says Catherine. During three years working full-time for Forever Living rising to become a manager with a team of 100 beneath her she earned a total of only 5,000. Thinking about it now brings me to tears. I kept believing the payment would eventually be bigger than my outgoings. Women who claim they've been exploited by Multi-Level Marketing companies reflected on their experiences. Pictured: Clare Matthew, 42, who worked for The Body Shop At Home Forever Living is one of a number of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies facing criticism from some women who feel they have been exploited. Others include Arbonne, Ariix, even The Body Shop. The once High-Street favourite now also sells its beauty products via sales reps on social media you may well have seen them on Facebook. They may even have become more frequent in recent weeks since some MLM companies are reportedly using the pandemic to recruit sellers by offering flexible hours and work from home. Their targets are predominantly women, often with young families. The Direct Selling Association (DSA) estimates roughly 400,000 people in the UK are currently involved in direct selling in some way around 76 per cent women. Certainly the largely online business model has proved convenient during shop closures. The Body Shop saw direct sales in the UK soar in the Covid-19 outbreak, rising to 30 per cent of revenues from 20 per cent previously. MLM firms have a complex structure in which existing sales reps are encouraged, not just to sell the companys product, but to recruit more people under them. For every rung of the ladder people climb, they get paid a higher percentage of sales profits. The person who recruits you is called your upline; your recruit is your downline. Frequently, admits Catherine, women are recruited with lies: Id say I was making 1,500 a month, when I was lucky to be earning 500. I felt bad, but I was told by my upline to fake it till you make it. A recent study found 99 per cent of people who participate in MLM companies lose money. Pictured: Suki Pickering, 49, who worked for Arbonne Last month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sent warning letters to six MLM companies, saying representatives had falsely claimed products could treat or prevent coronavirus and buying into the business could replace lost earnings from the lockdown. So why such eagerness to recruit new sellers? Experts suspect some MLM companies are comparable to pyramid schemes illegal businesses that make money by persuading more and more people to buy into their system, rather than through the sale of legitimate products or services. While this is vehemently denied by the MLM companies who responded to the Mails request for comment, the fact remains: people who participate in these organisations risk either making no money, or losing money. It was like a cult. I maxed out my credit card. I was desperate and in tears A 2018 study found 47 per cent of participants lose money, while 2011 research for the US Federal Trade Commission found 99 per cent would lose money. Those at the very top fare better Forever Livings founder Rex Maughan, 83, has an estimated net worth of around 477 million. It was the promise of more modest riches that lured Catherine, from Glasgow, who is married to Thomas, 55, an academic, with daughters aged 23 and 18. She was recruited to Forever Living in 2013 by a friend, while struggling as an actress. She said I would quickly be able to earn up to 2,000 a month, she recalls. Forever Living sells products made from aloe vera, with popular lines including a 34 serum and 54 supplements. As with many MLMs, there is a start-up fee to join. MLM companies who responded to the Mail's request for comment denied that they are comparable to illegal pyramid schemes. Pictured: Victoria Cannon, 39, who worked for Stella & Dot In Catherines case, this comprised 200 for a starter kit of products. Although in debt at the time, she spent money she didnt have for the kit, believing it could change her life and help her pay back her loans. She was told to make a list of 100 people she knew to sell to or recruit. I called people I hadnt bothered to speak to for 20 years, says Catherine. Theyd be pleased, then once they realised why I was calling theyd avoid me. It destroyed my confidence. She was told by her upline to create three social media posts per day a lifestyle post showing something my business had paid for, a business post about how much I loved a Forever Living product, and a feel good post, explains Catherine. Friends ignored my posts or, if I approached them, quickly said no thanks. But I was so determined I started to think they were the fools for not being interested. Victoria said it was difficult to sell Stella & Dot products (pictured) because of the price I was told to target women with prams, as theyd be likely to want flexible working. Everything became a business opportunity in coffee shops, Id ask my husband if women looked like Forever Living people I should approach. At first, Catherine succeeded by being ruthless: I didnt stop to think whether joining would be good for recruits. We were told not to waste time on people who couldnt sell once wed signed them up we let them flounder. Forever Living conventions, in which success stories were paraded and prizes handed to top sellers, cemented her resolve. The top salespeople were waving cheques for 5 million, says Catherine. I thought I was going to be a millionaire. Catherine Thornley, 52, was promoted to manager level after persuading her recruits to sell 20,000 worth of Forever Living products in a two-month period. Pictured: Forever Living Founder, Rex Maughan After a year with Forever Living, Catherine had persuaded her recruits to enlist dozens more until she had 100 people beneath her, selling 20,000 worth of products in a two-month period. She was promoted to manager level, her commission rising from 38 to 48 per cent. But the pressure was immense if she didnt keep selling at that rate, shed lose her commission. The people Id recruited werent selling enough. Cracks started to show. My business was going to crumble. So she started spending hundreds of pounds on products to meet the minimum monthly threshold. I had to keep face. I didnt tell my husband. We had separate bank accounts. Guilt consumed Catherine, who believes most women she recruited didnt have the mentality to succeed and could ill afford the 200 starter kit. Id look for vulnerability, she says. The lady who signed me up had bought a Range Rover. I paid 120 to join but only made 12 - Victoria Cannon In 2016, Thomas told her he was fed up with the way Forever Living had changed her, and wanted out of the marriage if she didnt quit. I realised Id ruined my family life the whole reason Id signed up in the first place. The 20,000 debt shed hoped to pay off was also untouched, although she has since paid it off completely. So she left Forever Living to save her marriage. She says most reps she knew blocked her on social media, and has since apologised to those she left to flounder. A tiny minority do well, she says. But at the bottom a lot of people are not being paid for their work. So whats the difference between a pyramid scheme and a MLM? It is a fine line, says marketing strategist Lyanna Tsakiris. Both multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes depend on continuous recruitment, but a pyramid scheme offers a non-existent or worthless product, while MLM is at least selling something, often beauty or health products. Clare Matthew who lives in Colchester, Essex, said she spent 600 on merchandise while working for The Body Shop At Home (pictured), but earned only 80 back Some MLMs, however, encourage sales reps to spend upfront on expensive products theyre unable to sell. Clare Matthews unsold Body Shop products clutter the dressing table of her bedroom in Colchester, Essex. In the year she worked for The Body Shop At Home the direct-selling arm of The Body Shop the married mum of two spent 600 on merchandise, earning only around 80 back and paying off the rest on her credit card. I was stupid and was sucked in, says Clare, 42, now an administrator for a building company. Recruited in October 2018, Clare spent 49 on a starter kit. But she says the only selling party she threw was a flop that led to fractured friendships. I invited 20 people, but only two friends showed up, says Claire. On Facebook, she and other Body Shop consultants would rave about products to drum up business. It was a con really, says Clare, married to Rob, 39, a civil servant. And because there were so many of us it was hard to sell anything. Clare says if she did place an order for 25 per cent commission shed be urged to spend more on products: If I spent 70, for example, Body Shop would offer me a 15 hand cream for 10. So I ended up with lots of products I couldnt sell. A spokesperson says The Body Shop At Home offers a flexible opportunity to earn from the sales of products, as well as building a team of recruits to allow for more widespread sales growth opportunity, if they choose. Olivia Thompson, 38, from London, spent 1,400 on wellness products from high-end US MLM Ariix. Pictured: Forever Living products The company added: The Body Shop At Home is far from the illegal operation of a pyramid scheme, which typically focuses on sales of products or services with no independent value, and only encourages profit through recruitment. Teacher Olivia Thompson, 38, was also left out of pocket when she spent 1,400 on wellness products from high-end US MLM Ariix, after being told buying in bulk would mean better profits. In six months, she clawed back only 700. I have a First Class degree Im not stupid, says Olivia, a single parent from London. But I was sold a dream and ended up feeling like a joke. Ariix, with its 110 night cream and 66 supplements, stood out as classy, says Olivia, who spent 200 on a starter package in 2018. She too was told by her upline to flood social media with Ariix-related messages. I said Id cured my hangover with their vitamin drink, but I wasnt telling the truth, she says. It was like a cult. Ariix operates on a points system, under which reps have to earn 100 points a month the equivalent of about 100 to earn 15 per cent commission. If I didnt sell enough I got no commission, says Olivia. Over three months, she spent 1,200 on more products, maxing out her credit card. She told herself it was worth it to gain an increase to 25 per cent. My upline said she couldnt tell me to spend the money but that if she were me she would, and I would quickly make it back. Suki Pickering, 49, who worked for Arbonne between 2013 and 2015, claims the only way to make money was by recruiting others. Pictured: Arbonne products Instead, Olivia alienated friends and family. My sister said MLMs were evil. I felt judged by school friends we still dont speak. She felt increasingly despondent: I was desperate and in tears. She recruited just one woman before quitting in December 2018. I got into at least 700 of debt and would have been much better off getting another job, says Olivia. Ariix says average annual earnings for all its 43,945 global sellers are 1,616 but for full-time workers, it is 228,655. They claim there is no obligation to buy a starter pack. A spokesperson says they discourage product loading in an attempt to increase commission. We are very conscientious in our training that product purchase is not a requirement, the company said, adding that it is unable to control the actions of every single one of our reps. It added, We regret this individual did not receive the support and follow-up from her team member, but denied Ariix was comparable to a pyramid scheme, adding: Network Marketing or MLM is based on the sale of high-quality products to consumers. Olivia, however, ended up throwing unsold Ariix products away. Although MLMs insist the emphasis is on sales rather than recruitment this wasnt Suki Pickerings experience of beauty company Arbonne. The only way to make money and be successful was by recruiting, believes Suki, 49, who worked for the company between 2013 and 2015. Suki (pictured) from Warlingham, Surrey, estimates that she spent over 1,500 while working for Arbonne A digital analyst with an 11-year-old son, she hoped to earn money for retirement. Arbonne claims its most successful consultants earn an average of 212,000 a year. Suki, from Warlingham, Surrey, spent 54 to become a consultant, and a further 850 on suggested products and samples in a year. In total, she estimates she spent over 1,500. I lost all the money. She only managed to recruit one consultant. In hindsight I pressured her into it she didnt sell anything, says Suki, who spent two hours every evening trying to build up her business. She left in July 2015 and sold her remaining stock, at half price, on eBay. A spokesperson for Arbonne says consultants can join for 30, that there is an annual renewal of 25 and that no additional purchases or inventory are ever required. Arbonne says all consultants earn 35 per cent commission on products. A spokesperson added: It is not easy to make money. It takes time, hustle and commitment, just as it does to start any type of business. The vast majority of our consultants report positive experiences, and this often gets overlooked. Victoria Cannon, 39, (pictured) from Bedford, who worked for Stella & Dot, revealed she earned just 12 in commission for hours of work But Victoria Cannon, 39, had a far from positive experience when she worked for high-end jewellery MLM Stella & Dot. Married to James, 38, and mum to Grace, 13 months, she paid 120 to become a stylist for the brand in 2017. The lady who signed me up had bought a Range Rover, says Victoria, from Bedford. She set up a Facebook page to sell and was told to throw trunk shows, a sale via Facebook for groups of friends. But even when a friend hosted a selling party, nobody bought anything. It was like pulling teeth. She says part of the problem was the price 85 for a necklace and 48 for earrings. In a year, she sold one ring to one friend, a necklace to another, and three items to her mum I think she felt sorry for me. In total she earned just 12 in commission for hours of work. But despite her failure with Stella & Dot which ceased trading in the UK last year because of challenging market conditions Victoria has moved to another MLM, this time selling perfume and claiming she has earned 100 a month in six months with the company. This one is reputable. Theres no pressure. I get commission on the sales of the women Ive recruited and I only work 90 minutes a day, she says. These words, well intentioned as they might be, sound all too worryingly familiar. *Stella & Dot and Forever Living did not respond to requests for comment. Catherine and Olivias names have been changed to protect their identity. Chat Desk transforms the way businesses serve their customers through chat channels and live agent support REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Clickatell, a global leader in mobile communications and chat commerce, today announced the launch of Chat Desk, a digital contact center solution that helps agents resolve customer queries and obtain customer insights in real-time using chat channels for live agent support. The solution addresses the growing consumer demand for easy and personal experiences by transforming the traditional call center with one simple integration. "For decades, businesses have spent significant resources on the call center experience generating 265 billion customer service calls each year and most of this investment does not create desired outcomes for businesses or consumers. It's cost prohibitive and doesn't provide customers with the experience they expect," said Jeppe Dorff, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Clickatell. "Chat Desk addresses some of the biggest customer experience challenges today. It enables consumers to communicate on the chat channels they are most comfortable using, while enabling organizations to easily integrate chat to deliver the very best customer experience and not break the bank." A complete end-to-end chat solution, Clickatell's Chat Desk enables live agents and their supervisors to communicate with customers over popular chat platforms such as WhatsApp, tracking tickets and chat histories. "Our clients connect with each other all day, every day with instant messages," said Shaun Kotwal, Head of Standard Bank Wealth and Investment, South Africa. "By providing Clickatell's dedicated Chat Desk, we can deliver a service that is more personalized than ever before right where our clients are already communicating. A service that is not only simple, but also secure." By integrating chat channels within Chat Desk, businesses lower the demand on costly, traditional voice channels and enable agents to resolve multiple chat requests simultaneously, lowering the cost per resolution and increasing customer satisfaction, Dorff explained. Chat Desk's real-time reporting and analytics provides agents with the ability to view customer sentiment and insights, and access customers' outstanding and historical tickets. With these features, agents efficiently manage customer escalations by easily transferring inquiries to correct departments or specialized agents. "Studies have shown that just three percent of customers enjoy using IVR (interactive voice response), yet 80 percent of interactions can be resolved by automation and engagement," added Dorff. "Chat Desk addresses this divide with a solution designed to delight customers and build brand loyalty." Additional key benefits of Chat Desk are its capabilities for supervisors. Chat Desk empowers supervisors to effectively manage agents by monitoring their activities, performance, productivity, and workload in real-time. Through Clickatell's Flow, a visual workflow editor, agents can also identify the most frequent queries and where resources like interactive FAQs and other self-service options are sufficient. Chat Desk is cloud-based for fast deployments and instant updates, significantly lowering the risk for organizations. For details about Chat Desk, visit our product page and watch our video. For more information on Clickatell, visit Clickatell.com. About Clickatell Today's consumers choose chat as their preferred method of communication (e.g., text, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.) and expect a high degree of convenience in the way they are served with goods and services. Clickatell makes this possible by offering real-time customer engagement and transaction platforms that enable businesses to connect, engage, and transact with their customers via mobile chat and other digital channels. With offices in the US, Canada, South Africa, and Nigeria, Clickatell serves more than 15,000 customers, ranging from Fortune 500 organizations to well-known consumer brands and small and medium-sized enterprises. Clickatell has connected to 6 billion mobile phone users in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. Visit Clickatell at www.clickatell.com. Media Contacts SOURCE Clickatell Related Links www.clickatell.com Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: The bitter power tussle between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his Number-2 Sachin Pilot culminated in the sacking of the latter on Tuesday, 18 months after the Congress returned to power in the Rajasthan. Pilots ejection as the state party chief also sent out a clear message as who the Congress boss is in the state. Political circles are agog why Pilot, once a part of Rahul Gandhis inner circle, has finally been dumped. After Jyotiraditya Scindias exit a few months ago, Pilots removal is a second major jolt to the youth brigade that was once considered Rahuls USP. The Congress brass preference for Gehlot is surprising given the fact that after the party returned to power in 2018, it couldnt make a clear choice between the youthful Pilot and the ageing Gehlot. ALSO READ | Govind Singh Dotasara - the minister who replaced Sachin Pilot as Rajasthan Congress chief One obvious reason is the extreme demand that Pilot was making. Despite a limited number of MLAs on his side, hereportedly wanted the CMs chair, which was non-negotiable for the leadership. While Pilot skipped two meetings of MLAs despite the leadership reaching out to him several times, Gehlot never defied the party leadership. He has worked with three generations of the Gandhis from Indira Gandhi to Rajiv and Sonia to now Rahul Gandhi. ALSO READ | Rajasthan crisis: BJP asks MP coup leader Jyotiraditya Scindia to deal with Sachin Pilot Gehlot comes from an OBC caste, a significant factor in caste-sensitive Rajasthan. The CM is also known to be a master of social engineering, which helped him stitch many caste alliances. Besides, he is also known for his organisational skills and has proved to the partys crisis manager many a time. Eventually, the Congress went with the more experienced Gehlot who clearly has the numbers on his side. Whether this will resolve the crisis in the Grand Old Party is an open question. 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. Aerial photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the container terminal of Jingtang Port District under Tangshan Port in Tangshan City, north China's Hebei Province. China saw its foreign trade rise 5.1 percent year on year in June, with exports and imports up 4.3 percent and 6.2 percent respectively, official data showed Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- China registered better-than-expected foreign trade performance in the first half of the year, with exports and imports both rising in June, as the country's economic recovery gathers momentum amid further containment of COVID-19. The country saw its foreign trade rise 5.1 percent year on year in June, with exports and imports up 4.3 percent and 6.2 percent respectively, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said Tuesday. Following the turbulence in the first quarter, imports and exports of the second quarter showed signs of recovery and stability, and the exports have risen for three consecutive months, said GAC spokesman Li Kuiwen at a news conference. Foreign trade of goods went down 3.2 percent year on year in the first half of this year to 14.24 trillion yuan (about 2 trillion U.S. dollars), narrowing by 1.7 percentage points compared with the decrease for the first five months. BUCKING UP AGAINST THE EPIDEMIC China's effective COVID-19 control and early business resumption have been solid support for the rebound in imports, according to Li. In the first half, China's imports of mechanical and electrical goods increased by 1.2 percent year on year, among which the imports of electronic components, as well as automatic data processing equipment and components, jumped 14.1 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively. China has also paid particular attention to helping foreign trade enterprises in times of difficulties, especially the smaller firms, by cutting or deferring fees and taxes and supporting them with sales in the domestic market, according to Li. To combat COVID-19, exports of medical supplies grew rapidly, with sales of textile products including face masks, pharmaceutical products and medical equipment expanding by 32.4 percent, 23.6 percent and 46.4 percent, respectively. Driven by the stay-at-home economy springing up amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the exports of laptops and mobile phones went up by 9.1 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, China has actively expanded imports by allowing the purchase of more commodities from more countries. In the first half of the year, China imported 109.5 billion yuan of meat and 154.2 billion yuan of grain, up 107.3 percent and 18.1 percent, respectively. Noting that China's exports and imports continue to face a grim and complicated situation in the second half of this year, Li said the country's foreign trade is resilient and has more leeway. He assured that a raft of pro-trade policy measures will take effect to ensure stable and high-quality foreign trade. TRADE WITH PARTNERS GROWING During the January-June period, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) became China's largest trading partner with trade up 5.6 percent year on year to 2.09 trillion yuan, accounting for 14.7 percent of China's total foreign trade. The expansion was partly buoyed by growing interconnectivity in electronic manufacturing between China and countries like Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore along the global supply chain, said Li. Integrated circuits, for instance, saw imports from and exports to ASEAN grow 23.8 percent and 29.1 percent, respectively, in the period. China has also made substantial headway in sharing high-quality development with countries along the Belt and Road (B&R), said Li. Trade with B&R countries accounted for 29.5 percent of the total trade in the first six months, up 0.7 percentage points year on year, driven by active cooperation in COVID-19 control, setting up smart customs, as well as the China-Europe freight trains, as anchors of stability for the global supply chain. During the same period, trade with the European Union and the United States decreased 1.8 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively, GAC data showed. Experts believed that it is only a matter of time before China's foreign trade recovers to the normal level of the past as some countries loosened trade restrictions and domestic demand increased quickly. In the second half, China's foreign trade recovery will accelerate, with players boasting high efficiency in their industrial and supply chains likely to secure better performance, said Zhang Yansheng, chief researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. New Delhi: When it comes to gaining formal education, age is no bar for this 50-year-old grandmother of Meghalaya. Lakyntiew Syiemlieh, from a remote village in the state has cleared the MBOSE Meghalaya Board HSSLC 12th exams 2020. Lakyntiew, like regular students, attended classes in full uniforms in Ri- Bhoi districts Balawan College for two long years. She now aims to pursue higher studies with vernacular language as her major subject. She had dropped out of school in 1988 for her fear of mathematics, a PTI report said. It was after she was offered a job to teach pre-schoolers in 2008 in Umsning Lumumpih village that she again developed an interest in pursuing her education. She was teaching basics of Khasi language in the school. In 2015, Lakyntiew took up a distance education course offered by IGNOU to retain her post at SSA School, where she used to teach. To her happiness, this time mathematics was not included in the course. Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has also congratulated Lakyntiew for her achievement, which has made her into a star of sorts in her neighbourhood. Story of her achievement has been widely circulated on social media. China's biggest tech firm, Huawei Technologies, has risen to global prominence as a leader in 5G, the much ballyhooed, next-generation wireless technology. It's also become a major target for the U.S., which has been trying to convince its allies to ban Huawei equipment from their national networks on spying concerns. In a major reversal, the U.K. decided in July to join the boycott, signaling fresh momentum for the American effort. Underlying the wrangling is the question of which country will take the lead in the nascent, "everything-connected" era, and who gets left behind. 1. Why does the U.S. have an issue with Huawei? U.S. government officials say Huawei is dangerous in part because it could use its growing share of the telecom equipment market to spy for the Chinese government. Already in 2012, a report by the U.S. House Intelligence Committee tagged Huawei and ZTE as potential security threats; the Federal Communications Commission designated them as such this year, a step toward driving them from the U.S. market. Concerns about Huawei drove the 2018 decision by President Donald Trump to block a hostile takeover bid from Broadcom, based at the time in Singapore, for the U.S. chipmaker Communal. The deal could have curtailed American investments in chip and wireless technologies and handed global leadership to Huawei. Such concerns have grown as carriers begin to spend billions of dollars on new 5G networks, which will collect data and enable services on an unparalleled scale. 2. How important is Huawei? In just over three decades it's grown from an electronics re-seller into one of the world's biggest private companies, with leading positions in telecommunications gear, smartphones, cloud computing and cybersecurity, and substantial operations in Asia, Europe and Africa. Huawei generated 850 billion yuan ($122 billion) in sales in 2019 -- more than Boeing. It's plowed billions of dollars into 5G and broken into the top 10 recipients of U.S. patents last year. It has helped build 5G networks in more than 10 countries and expects to do the same in another 20 in 2020. U.S. sanctions spooked some Huawei customers and suppliers globally, while Chinese consumers and carriers rallied to its side. 3. Why is its equipment a security issue? The U.S. government -- like the Chinese and others -- is wary of employing foreign technology in vital communications for fear that manufacturers could install hidden "backdoors" for spies to access sensitive data, or that the companies themselves would hand it over to their home governments. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said the U.S. might hold back intelligence-sharing with NATO allies if they use Huawei equipment, a threat met with some skepticism. The 5G networks are of particular concern because they will go beyond making smartphone downloads faster. They also will enable new technologies like self-driving cars and the Internet of Things. U.K.-based carrier Vodafone was said to have found and fixed backdoors on Huawei equipment used in its Italian business in 2011 and 2012. While it's hard to know if those vulnerabilities were nefarious or accidental, the revelation dealt a blow to Huawei's reputation. 4. Who's using Huawei and who's not? Japan and Australia are among a handful of places that have joined the U.S. boycott. The U.K. will prohibit its telecom operators from buying Huawei equipment starting next year, and equipment currently installed must be removed by 2027. Countries such as India and Vietnam are considered unlikely to use Huawei. But the company has won 5G customers in Russia, the Middle East and Asia, including the Philippines and Thailand. Its equipment tends to be less expensive than alternatives from Nokia and Ericsson and is often higher quality. In Malaysia, the prime minister has said his country will use "as much as possible." 5. What's going on elsewhere? Norway decided against a ban, leaving the choice to individual companies; so far two have gone with Ericsson. Huawei lost two big contracts in Singapore this year but still has a foothold in the market. In the European Union, there are signs of a coordinated balancing act. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is grappling with a potential revolt by lawmakers who want to effectively ban Huawei equipment. China's ambassador to Germany threatened Berlin with retaliation if such a ban were adopted, citing the millions of vehicles German carmakers sell in China. Brazil has said it isn't excluding anyone from bidding. 6. What else has the U.S. done? The U.S. has moved to curb Huawei's ability to sell equipment in the U.S. and, more significantly, to buy parts from U.S. suppliers, by adding Huawei to a Commerce Department blacklist in 2019. Accusing the company of seeking to "undermine" those export controls, the department on May 15 imposed further restrictions on chipmakers using American gear in designing or producing semiconductors, meaning suppliers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will have to cut off Huawei unless they get a waiver from Washington -- or potentially face penalties. The FCC prohibited the use of federal subsidies to buy equipment made by Huawei and ZTE and said it would consider requiring carriers now using the products to remove them. 7. What's going on in Canada? In December 2018, at the request of the U.S., Canadian authorities arrested Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who's also the daughter of the company's founder, Ren Zhengfei. The U.S. is seeking her extradition as part of a criminal case alleging that she conspired to defraud banks into unwittingly clearing transactions linked to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Both Meng, who is also deputy chairwoman, and the company have denied wrongdoing. Canada is still deciding whether to allow Huawei to play a bigger role in developing 5G. 8. Who else has accused Huawei? In 2003, Cisco Systems sued Huawei for allegedly infringing on its patents and illegally copying source code used in routers and switches. Huawei removed the contested code, manuals and command-line interfaces and the case was dropped. Motorola sued in 2010 for allegedly conspiring with former employees to steal trade secrets. That lawsuit was later settled. In 2017 a jury found Huawei liable for stealing robotic technology from T-Mobile, and on Jan. 28, 2019, the Justice Department indicted Huawei for theft of trade secrets related to that case. The same month Poland, a staunch U.S. ally, arrested a Huawei employee on suspicion of spying for the Chinese government. Huawei fired the employee and denied any involvement in his alleged actions. 9. What does Huawei say? That U.S. restrictions are not about cybersecurity but are really designed to safeguard American dominance of global tech. It has repeatedly denied that it helps Beijing spy on other governments or companies. But bracing for continued pressure, it outlined plans to shake up its management ranks as revenue growth slowed. The company, which says it's owned by Ren as well as its employees through a union, has in recent years begun releasing financial results, spent more on marketing and engaged with foreign media in an effort to boost transparency. Ren has become more outspoken as he fights to save his company. While he said he was proud of his military career and Communist Party membership, he rejected suggestions he was doing Beijing's bidding or that Huawei handed over customer information. In March 2019, Huawei went on the offensive, filing a lawsuit in federal court against a statute that blocks U.S. government agencies from using its equipment. 10. Are other Chinese companies feeling the heat? Yes. In October, the Trump administration placed eight other Chinese tech giants on its blacklist, accusing them of being implicated in human rights violations against minority Muslims in the country's Xinjiang region. They included Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Zhejiang Dahua Technology, which by some accounts control as much as a third of the global market for video surveillance; SenseTime Group, the world's most valuable artificial intelligence startup; and fellow AI giant Megvii Technology. ZTE almost collapsed after the U.S. Commerce Department banned it for three months in 2018 from buying American technology. The U.S. Justice Department has charged state-owned Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit, its Taiwanese partner and three individuals with conspiring to steal trade secrets from Micron Technology. A convicted child sex offender who was accused of abandoning his Down Syndrome son and raising his healthy twin sister instead has died. David John Farnell and his wife Wenyu 'Wendy' Li made world headlines six years ago when their Thai surrogate, Pattaramon Chanbua, gave birth to twins Gammy and Pipah in December, 2013. Mr Farnell, the biological father, and his wife only took the baby girl, Pipah, back to their home in Western Australia, leaving Ms Chanbua to raise Gammy - who was born premature with Down syndrome and a congenital heart problem. Mr and Mrs Farnell then triggered a global furore in August 2014 when they were publicly accused of 'abandoning' Gammy in Thailand. Mr Farnell died recently, The West Australian reported, and although the cause of his death is unclear, Daily Mail Australia has previously revealed he was battling an asbestos-related illness. David John Farnell and his wife Wenyu 'Wendy' Li (pictured) made world headlines six years ago when their Thai surrogate, Pattaramon Chanbua gave birth to twins Gammy and Pipah in December, 2013 Thai surrogate mother, Pattaramon Chanbua holds her baby Gammy He previously launched a lawsuit against an asbestos manufacturer after he allegedly breathed in poisonous fibres as an electrician in the late 70s and early 80s. The case was 'completed' by consent in April, following a mediation conference in January. The surrogacy saga began after the Farnells struggled to conceive for years. Mrs Farnell had ten unsuccessful IVF cycles. Mr Farnell got the idea of a Thai surrogacy from a documentary, as commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. He supplied his sperm to a South East Asian company and the couple were delighted to later learn Thai woman Ms Chanbua was pregnant with twins. Gammy and his sister Pipah were born prematurely in December 2013. The boy was critically ill at birth, but survived. The couple took his healthy sister Pipah home, but Gammy remained with his surrogate. Six months later, Gammy's impoverished surrogate mother told a Thai newspaper she could not afford to pay for his medical treatment. A 'Hope for Gammy' GoFundMe page was launched to raise money for Gammy - and the couple were suddenly accused of 'abandoning' the boy. Mr Farnell, a convicted sex offender, appeared on 60 Minutes saying he didn't have any sexual urges for children The Farnells denied abandoning Gammy and said they believed he was going to die shortly after birth due to his heart problem. The couple insisted they were forced to flee with his healthy twin sister before Thai authorities tightened surrogacy laws in the midst of a military coup. It was later ruled that Ms Chanbua had become attached to the twins while pregnant and chose to keep Gammy and raise him. The controversy only deepened when it was revealed Mr Farnell had a paedophile past and had been jailed for three years. He had been convicted of child sex offences when he was younger, including molesting two young girls in 1982 and 1983, when he was in his 20s. On sentencing, the judge was scathing, saying Mr Farnell had 'robbed them' of their childhoods. Child protection agencies investigated and the couple eventually faced the public on the TV program 60 Minutes. It was later ruled that Ms Chanbua had become attached to the twins while pregnant and chose to keep Gammy and raise him Mr Farnell told reporter Tara Brown he no longer had sexual urges for children, thanks to years of counselling. 'I don't have this urge to do anything anymore,' he said. 'She (Pipah) will be 100 per cent safe. I will do everything in the world to protect my little girl.' One of his victims, who was seven-years-old at the time of her abuse, urged authorities to take Pipah away from Mr Farnell. 'This needs to stop. Because there are so many innocent babies and children that are abused day in, day out. It's disgusting,' she told The West Australian in 2014. In 2016, the Family Court of Western Australia ruled it was safe for Pipah to live with the Farnells. 'I have decided Pipah should not be removed from the only family she has ever known, in order to be placed with people who would be total strangers to her, even though I accept they would love her and would do everything they could to care for all her needs,' Justice Stephen Thackray said. Justice Thackray also ruled that Ms Chanbua decided to keep Gammy. Gammy, now six, has benefited from the' extraordinary generosity of Australian donors. More than $240,000 was donated to support Gammy via the charity, Hands Across the Water. The money, which only recently ran out, went toward Gammy's medical bills and daily living costs. It was used to buy a permanent home for Gammy to live in, which is held in his trust until he is 21. His mother told the ABC two years ago: 'It's made all the difference he got a new house to live in, he's able to go to kindergarten and live in better conditions.' The little boy who now goes by the name of 'Grammy' started kindergarten in 2017. He is said to be healthy and 'loves going to school'. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijan's State Security Service has issued a warning against dissemination of unverified and biased information about the Azerbaijani army, and its combat potential amid ongoing cross-border clashes with Armenia. According to the statement, despite the regular official information provided to the public about military operations on the Azerbaijani- Armenian border, some social networks and media intentionally disseminate false and biased information. There were incorrect reports and information of occupation of part of Azerbaijans territory by the enemy, concealment of number of losses, as well as the seizure of military positions and equipment, the statement reads. State Security Service stresses that there is no basis for such inaccurate and biased information. Azerbaijani people must know that our Armed Forces are always ready to firmly prevent enemy attacks. The countrys leadership is taking the most necessary measures in this direction, the message reads. Moreover, State Security Service calls on citizens to remain calm, not to follow any provocations and stand for statehood in the tense situation on the front line. The statement emphasized that strict measures will be taken against those who disseminate unverified and biased information, in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan. "We once again ask our citizens to show national solidarity, to rely only on information from official government agencies," the statement says. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Khloe Kardashian has found the silver lining in the cloud that is the coronavirus pandemic. Because the 36-year-old TV star is not allowed to leave her home much, she is spending plenty of time with her daughter True Thompson, aged two. 'I am really appreciating the reset button and all the time I do get to spend with her,' the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star said during her Wednesday visit on The View. 'I try to find the positive in anything. With all the negative there is a lot of positive as well.' Better in a way: Khloe Kardashian has found the silver lining in the cloud that is the coronavirus pandemic, she told The View on Wednesday More True time: Because the 36-year-old TV star is not allowed to leave her home much, she is spending plenty of time with her daughter True Thompson, aged two. Seen on July 4 The beauty looked freshly tanned with her long bronde hair worn down in soft waves over her shoulders as she modeled a low-cut black top that put her cleavage on display. The interview was done via satellite from her home in Calabasas, California where pink flowers were seen in the background. As far as her stress level during the pandemic, the Good American designer said she is getting used to it. All good: 'I am really appreciating the reset button and all the time I do get to spend with her,' the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star as she chatted with Joy Behar Good thoughts bring good things: 'I try to find the positive in anything. With all the negative there is a lot of positive as well,' said the daughter of Kris Jenner Sexy in the morning: The beauty looked freshly tanned with her long bronde hair worn down in soft waves over her shoulders as she modeled a low-cut black top that put her cleavage on display 'I think just like for everybody at first it was really uncertain and sort of scary for everybody... but now I feel like I found my rhythm and my new normal.' Joy Behar noted that True is aged two now then she asked how becoming a mother has changed her. 'I've always loved kids and I have always had so much patience for children but - you just put someone else way before your needs and I think it gives you a different drive in life,' noted the single parent. The pandemic has changed her: 'I think just like for everybody at first it was really uncertain and sort of scary for everybody... but now I feel like I found my rhythm and my new normal,' said Khloe A new drive: 'I've always loved kids and I have always had so much patience for children but - you just put someone else way before your needs and I think it gives you a different drive in life,' noted the single parent The Revenge Body star then added, 'I think [True] has made me softer. 'I definitely have so much more empathy for my poor mother and what she has gone through with all of us.' Kris Jenner has six children - Khloe, Kim, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie and Rob - and is a producer on the family's hit show Keeping Up With The Kardashians and its spinoffs. 'It's a different kind of love,' added Khloe of being a mother. 'And until you have a child it's really hard to experience.' Khloe learned how to parent early on when sister Kourtney welcomed Mason in 2009. Swimming... in money: Here the statuesque star modeled her new swimwear line for Good American Kourtney went on to have Penelope and Reign. Sister Kim has North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm. Rob has daughter Dream. And Kylie has Stormi. 'I love my nieces and nephews like cray but there is nothing like having your own,' added the ex of Tristan Thompson. Also on Wednesday, Khloe shared an Instagram post about a medication she was taking. In the warnings it was stated to not take if pregnant or planning to become pregnant, which seems to rule out a second child in the immediate future for the reality TV maven. New Delhi: Amid border tensions with China in Ladakh, the government on Wednesday authorised the armed forces to process cases for buying urgently-needed weapons, ammunition and equipment worth up to Rs 300 crore to meet their critical operational requirements, a defence ministry spokesperson said. The step has been taken to cut delays in the acquisition process. This [delegation of powers to the armed forces] will shrink the procurement timelines and ensure placement of orders within six months and commencement of deliveries within one year, the ministry said in a statement. The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). Headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, DAC is the ministrys apex procurement body. The ministry said the special meeting was convened considering the security environment due to the prevailing situation along the northern borders and the need to strengthen the armed forces for the defence of our borders. India and China are in the middle of complicated negotiations on kicking off the next stage of disengagement between the Indian and Chinese armies in eastern Ladakh. Senior military commanders from the two sides held an hours-long meeting on Tuesday to discuss the road map for further reducing tensions that escalated when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troops on June 15. The government is fast-tracking key purchases to plug gaps in the militarys capabilities. DAC on July 2 approved the purchase of weapons and ammunition worth Rs 38,900 crore. The purchases cleared included 33 new fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, which is grappling with a shortage of warplanes. The proposals green-lighted by the council also included buying of 21 MiG-29s from Russia, 12 new Sukhoi-30 fighters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, homegrown Astra BVR air-to-air missiles, locally-developed land-attack cruise missile systems with a range of 1,000 km, indigenous rocket systems, and the upgrade of 59 MiG-29 jets. The cost of military hardware cleared for purchase on July 2 from the domestic industry is pegged at Rs 31,130 crore and the orders are expected to give a push to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Movement). In the midst of the border tensions, the army is also laying the groundwork to buy an additional 72,000 Sig Sauer assault rifles from the US. This proposed purchase follows an order for 72,400 assault rifles placed with the US last year and is expected to be made by invoking a key clause in Indias arms buying rules that govern speeding up purchases to meet urgent requirements. India signed the previous order worth Rs 700 crore in early 2019 and the deliveries of all the rifles have been completed. That order was also made through the fast track procedure prescribed in Indias defence procurement rules. INDEPENDENT COMMENT SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Trend Peace in Nagorno Karabakh is only possible if the will of the general public and the UN resolutions are taken in the account, diplomatic activities correspondent at Pakistans BOL News agency Anwer Abbas told Trend. Starting from the afternoon on July 12, units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of the Tovuz district of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, shelled Azerbaijani positions using artillery mounts. Talking current situation at the frontline, Abbas noted that it has been observed across the world that a party that does not want peace or has illegally occupied lands of another country starts provocations by violating ceasefire just to have the negotiations fail. Another fact is that the aggressor country always tries to distract the world from its crime by starting violent actions. This very tactic is being used by Armenia as they do not respect peace or value human lives. Throughout history, Armenians remained barbaric and brutal in their actions whether it is Tovuz now or in Khojaly, Abbas said. The journalist emphasized that Armenia always attempts to start aggression whenever there is a mediation or peace attempt. Without resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the will of the general public and the UN resolutions it is impossible to establish peace in the region. Azerbaijan should give a befitting response to make Armenia understand that if they make any expedition it will cost them greatly, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Mukesh Ambani said that the network will enable a world-class 5G service in India, using 100% homegrown technologies and solutions. RIL's chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM) gave a roadmap on how the company is going to implement 5G in India. He said that the company has created a 5G solution from scratch. It was added that the network will enable a world-class 5G service in India, using 100% homegrown technologies and solutions. Reliance said that entire 5G stack has been developed in-house. The company is ready to roll out the network as soon as spectrum auctions are over. Jio hopes to use 5G for different sectors such as agriculture, education and healthcare. It will also use the network for Mixed Reality and other connected devices. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said millions of Filipinos may be facing unemployment due to the effects of the COVID-19 crisis. "The health crisis alone has created deep impacts on the economy, as well as our fellow Filipinos' livelihood and well-being, with prospects of an estimated 10 million Filipinos losing their jobs, the repatriation of nearly 70,000 displaced overseas Filipino workers, and the increasing number of Filipinos involuntary hunger among others," DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said during the second pre-SONA forum on Wednesday, Despite the challenges brought by the crisis, the DSWD said agencies under the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Council are working to improve the lives of Filipinos amidst the crisis. Among the agencies in the council are the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. According to Bautista, the core strategies of the council are education, health, social protection, and building opportunities for Filipinos. Expanding education programs, feeding programs, cash aid and subsidies, as well as skills training are just some of the programs mentioned by Bautista which help in reducing the effects of the pandemic among Filipino workers and families. Meanwhie, the Department of Labor and Employment said it has several programs and projects to help repatriated overseas Filipino ease into their current situation. At the same forum, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III identified one of the programs as the Balik Pilipinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program where OFWS are given a cash amount of P20,000 upon returning to the country to fund a livelihood program of their choice. He said most OFWs choose to put up a small eatery (carinderia) or a welding shop with the cash assistance. Projects under the Build, Build, Build Program are also seen to boost construction jobs, Bello said. "This will revive the construction industry and we hope to generate not less than 400,000 working opportunites," he said. Another program is the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, where livelihood projects are given to OFWs and other workers, as well as loans at "very minimal interest" to help them start businesses. The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said there are an estimated 7.3 million unemployed adult Filipinos, whiich is an all-time high due to the pandemic. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. Gerald said the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 went from a plateau of 1,093 on May 22 a week after the governor lifted his stay-at-home order to 4,834. And Gerald, in his report, said that as of July 10, 3,485 of Arizonas 7,971 general ward beds were occupied by patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, a 16% increase from the week before. So there is a trend toward increased hospitalizations. Kirk Finchem acknowledges there are limits on what the report can show. He said any relationship between tests and hospitalization is masked by the time lag between the two as well as the average duration of hospitalization, all numbers he said he has been unable to get. Mark Finchem has accused Ducey of continuing to overreact to the virus even after the main danger had passed. The original premises of flatten the curve was to smooth out the usage of critical care hospital beds by slowing the transmission of the virus, he said. The effort was never about preventing the transmission of it, he said. But that seems to be the new objective. So far, an estimated US$324million worth of drilling, acquisition and interpretation of seismic, geological and geophysics data projects have been postponed across the petroleum upstream sector, the National Petroleum Commission has said as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the countrys oil and gas industry. Among them is included the Eban 1X exploratory well of Eni; Nyankom 1X and Kyenkyen-1X appraisal programme of AGM; Afina -1X appraisal programme of Springfield; and exploratory well drilling campaigns of Amni, Eco Atlantic and GOSCO, which were initially set to take-off in 2020. The ongoing or new projects across Ghanas oil and gas value chain are likely to face numerous challenges in terms of project execution, planning and risk, the Commissions Chief Executive Officer, Egbert Faibille Junior, said during webinar on COVID-19 response strategies in Africas oil and gas industry, organised by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy. Already, the COVID-19 crisis has led to a significant slashing of Ghanas GDP growth from 6.8 percent to 1.5 percent for this year. A huge amount of this projection is backed by oil production, which is currently around 200bbl/d. According to the Finance Ministry, the total estimated fiscal impact from shortfall in petroleum receipts, shortfall in import duties, shortfall in other tax revenues, cost of the preparedness plan, and cost of the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme is GH21.42billion US$3.89billion, representing 2.5 percent of the revised GDP; with shortfall in petroleum revenues alone being GH5.7billion US$1.04billion. The impact from postponing these projects, coupled with delayed development of the Pecan project, could further weaken the oil industrys contribution to economic growth this year. Another area severely impacted by the virus is operations and maintenance of production facilities, as critical work on facilities scheduled for the year have either been stalled or cancelled. This, according to Mr. Faibille, has been exacerbated by the skeleton workforce operated by many companies in their effort to comply with safety measures and social distancing. Companies that provide services to the oil industry like engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services have not been spared either. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is particularly visible on the demand for the services industry, including the EPC. This segment of the oil and gas value chain is largely price-sensitive and operates on low-profit margins with a heavy dependency on materials management, supply chain, workforce management and various other economic parameters, he added. On petroleum agreements or contracts for which the initial period or extensions were due to expire in this year, Mr. Faibille said the pandemic has necessitated the freezing of work programmes and a decision to restore the period lost as a result. Source: B&FT 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 Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Maurice Roeves attends the UK Film Premiere of 'Brighton Rock' at the Odeon West End on February 1, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images) Maurice Roeves, the Scottish actor known for his role in The Last of the Mohicans and TV credits including Doctor Who and Star Trek, has died at the age of 83. The news of his passing was confirmed by his agent Lovett Logan in a statement. It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of our wonderful client Maurice Roeves," began a message posted to Twitter. Read more: Naya Riveras family speak out after her tragic death Maurice had a hugely successful career in both theatre and screen which spanned several decades, starting in his home country of Scotland and moving to London and the United States. British actor Maurice Roeves (as a Romulan Captain) (fore) and several unidentified others in a scene from an episode of the television series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' entitled 'The Chase,' California, April 26, 1993. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images) He was loved by his legions of fans for many of his performances, including Vince Diver in Tutti Frutti, Stotz in Doctor Who, a Romulan captain in Star Trek and Colonel Edmund Munro in The Last Of The Mohicans. Maurice loved nothing more than being on set with his fellow actors and worked right up until the end, recently being seen in the BBC series The Nest at the start of this year. As well as being a truly dedicated and gifted actor, he was also a real gentleman and a delight to have as a client. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and love go out to Vanessa and his family. Maurice Roeves arriving at the premiere of The Damned United at the Vue Cinema in London. His other film roles included Miller in 1995 movie Judge Dredd and Jimmy Gordon in 2009's The Damned United while he also enjoyed parts in British series such as EastEnders and Skins. He is survived by his wife Vanessa Roeves, who told the BBC her husband had been unwell for some time. New government data found that 73,201 people - 75 percent of whom are between the ages of 15 and 30 - are missing in Mexico, largely a result of the constant violence between rival criminal organizations. Those figures were up dramatically from just January, when data showed 11,500 fewer people reported missing. Overall, 177,863 people have been reported missing between 1964 and July 14, 2020. The latest figures that were released Monday by the National Search for Missing Persons Commission underscored the trauma suffered since 2006 when the country began a militarized push against drug cartels under former president Felipe Calderon. Since then, at least 71,678 people have been reported missing, including 27,871 since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in December 2018. The commission said 2,332 people were reported missing in the first six months of 2020, down 36.6 percent from the 3,679 who went missing in the same period of 2019. Pictured is one of the five bodies found earlier this month at a clandestine grave in Baja California, Mexico. A report released by the country's National Search for Missing Persons Commission revealed that 73,201 are missing A missing individual's body sticks out of a secret burial site in the Mexican state of Baja California. The remains were one of five body parts located during a six-day stretch spanning the first and second week of July National Search for Missing Persons Commission located six bodies during a span of six days earlier this month in Baja California, Mexico The published report indicated that 75 percent of those missing are between the ages of 15 and 30. At least 75 percent of that group consists of males. The data showed that more than 12,000 children are missing - most of them girls. 'When we talk about numbers we must remember that those are names, those are lives and families. What was presented yesterday is a very critical and serious fact of more than 73,000 disappeared people,' said Karla Quintana, the director of National Search for Missing Persons Commission. 'The public version that we presented [Monday] allows us to see different elements, depending on what you're looking for look, [but] it should be noted that the youth of Mexico are disappearing.' The disappeared suffer crimes from kidnapping to homicide, but authorities have said some are likely victims of human trafficking, from young men threatened to work for drug cartels to women forced into the sex trade. Monday's update, however, showed no suspected trafficking victims, although the list was still lacking data from some states. The country has been criticized for its incomplete and even misleading data on the crime. Homicides and femicides rose to record levels last year in Mexico. 'We have made it a priority to give answers to the victims of violence in our country, so they can have their right to the truth and to justice,' Interior Minister Olga Sanchez said in a news conference. Volunteers canvass a remote area in Baja California, Mexico, for the remains of missing persons Volunteer group searching for missing persons discovered at least 44 bodies in the western Mexico resort town of Puerto Penasco in October 2019 At least 19 bags with body parts were found at a sewage canal in the western Mexican city of Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos in March 2019 More than 6,600 bodies have been dug up from illegal hidden graves since December 2006, the government said. Activists say Mexicans have disappeared at the hands of organized crime and the local and federal government, with the line between the groups often blurred. Since the current administration took office in December 2018, one state - Jalisco - has accounted for almost 29 percent of the 1,682 bodies found in over 1,100 pits nationwide. Such pits - often found in rural areas, but sometimes in suburbs of major cities - are frequently used by drug and kidnapping gangs to dispose of the bodies of rivals or victims. The search for the missing has historically been led by mothers working in collectives to scour the country looking for lost loved ones. BASEL, Switzerland July 14, 2020 Hansjoerg Haas Thermo Fisher's Thermo Fisher Thermo Fisher's Thermo Fisher Thermo Fisher Othmar Pfannes Switzerland Germany Japan Singapore Miles Fisher-Pollard /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Genedata, the leading provider of enterprise software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced a collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leading international pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier, to integrate the two platforms to provide seamless automation of biopharma R&D operations. The combined platform directly imports raw instrument data from Thermo Fisher Scientific instruments into the Genedata platform, where the data can be processed and interpreted with all other data collected along the entire biopharma R&D workflow. The centralized platform makes it possible for scientists to integrate and digitalize automation systems for sample handling, lab operations, and testing, and digitally trace all results for every sample to make data-driven decisions that expedite R&D breakthroughs."Our collaboration with Genedata will enable biopharma companies to fully integrate R&D automation platforms for the direct capture, processing, and analysis of the large amount of data being produced by today's high-throughput robotic systems. Scientists can now do more experiments in a shorter time and maximize their lab automation investments," said, Senior Director, Lab Automation, Thermo Fisher Scientific. "By bringing togetherautomation systems and the Genedata Biopharma platform, all molecule, sample, assay, and analytics data across both instruments and processes are fully integrated, enabling traceability for molecules, samples, results, and processes. This gives researchers the power to make data-based decisions and uncover insights not possible before."and Genedata are implementing standard integration interfaces to easily set up and operatelab equipment and robotics with the Genedata Biopharma platform, which acts as a workflow backbone connecting all information from early discovery to development. The newly integrated platform supports complex sub-workflows such as cherry picking, plasmid construction, antibody expression and expansion, and plasmid and antibody purification, and drives significant efficiency gains along the full biopharma R&D workflow. The integration includes bothlaboratory instruments and Thermo Fisher Momentum software."We are pleased to welcomeas our latest lab automation Ready-to-Run partner," said, Ph.D., CEO of Genedata. "Biopharmaceutical and biotech companies already automate complex laboratory workflows using our seamless integration with lab equipment from many major instrument providers. Our customers expect data traceability across the entire biopharma R&D workflow and by further automating integration of lab instrument data, we are providing a central and structured database for every experimental sample, result, and process. This supports the growing demand for data-driven drug discovery."About Genedata Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions and domain-specific consulting services that automate complex, large-scale experimental processes and enable organizations to maximize the ROI in their R&D, spanning early discovery all the way to the clinic. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered inwith additional offices in, the UK, and the US.http://www.genedata.com LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTubeContactGenedata Public Relations Phone: +41 61 511 85 61 pr@genedata.comDisclaimer The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company's products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.SOURCE Genedata The global humidity sensors market size is expected to grow by USD 360.87 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period. Download Free Sample Report This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005847/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Humidity Sensor Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Government regulations in the automotive segment and the rising demand for contactless humidity sensors are among the major factors propelling market growth. However, factors such as the technical challenges of humidity sensors may hamper the market growth. Governments and regulatory organizations in several countries are implementing safety and emission control standards, which require the installation of sensors such as humidity sensors in cars. Automotive manufacturing companies must comply with these safety and emission control regulations set by the authorities. During the forecast period, this trend is expected to boost the demand for humidity sensors. Humidity sensors have a variety of applications, which is driving its high adoption across different types of cars such as electrical, hybrid, and driverless cars. More details: www.technavio.com/report/humidity-sensor-market-industry-analysis? Global Humidity Sensors Market: Application Landscape Based on the application segmentation analysis, the industrial segment is expected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period. Humidity sensors used in industrial applications operate under rough conditions and are used for several complex industrial applications. Humidity sensors perform operations such as calculating absolute humidity, measuring wet bulb temperature, water vapor pressure and calculating the output of dew point. Further, humidity sensors supplied for industrial processing are used in rugged metal housing as they operate in extreme conditions. Other applications for humidity sensors also include air compressors, air conditioning and ventilation control, as well as environmental monitoring and control in industrial and process controls. Global Humidity Sensors Market: Geographic Landscape As per Technavio's geographical segmentation, APAC is expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. The growth of the humidity sensors market in APAC is attributed to several factors such as the increase in the consumer's purchasing power, high adoption of smartphones, growing awareness of wearables, and increasing automation in petrochemical and oil and gas industries. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Companies Covered Analog Devices Inc. Delphi Technologies Plc General Electric Co. Hitachi Ltd. Honeywell International Inc. Infineon Technologies AG NXP Semiconductors NV OMRON Corp. Robert Bosch GmbH Schneider Electric SE What our reports offer: Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Covers market data for 2019, 2020, till 2024 Market trends (drivers, opportunities, threats, challenges, investment opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Humidity Sensor Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist humidity sensor market growth during the next five years Estimation of the humidity sensor market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the humidity sensor market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of humidity sensor market, vendors Table of Contents: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2019 Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Application Market segments Comparison by Application Industrial Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Consumer electronics Market size and forecast 2019-2024 HVAC system Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Climate and test chambers Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by Application Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market Drivers Demand led growth Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Analog Devices Inc. Delphi Technologies Plc General Electric Co. Hitachi Ltd. Honeywell International Inc. Infineon Technologies AG NXP Semiconductors NV OMRON Corp. Robert Bosch GmbH Schneider Electric SE Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations For more information about this report visit www.technavio.com/report/humidity-sensor-market-industry-analysis? About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005847/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Contact Dermatitis (CD) - Epidemiology Forecast-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted Contact Dermatitis (CD) epidemiology in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. Epidemiology Perspective The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis, Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis Based on Clinical and Biological Evolution, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis, Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis and Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis in the 7MM market covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017 to 2030. Epidemiology Segmentation The total diagnosed prevalent population of CD in the 7 major markets was found to be 43,359,201 in 2017. In case of CD in the United States, the diagnosed prevalent cases were found to be 13,786,942 in 2017. It was found that in the United States the number of cases of ICD and ACD were 11,029,554 and 2,757,388 respectively in 2017. In addition, the number of cases of acute, sub-acute and chronic type of CD were 7,611,771, 2,903,530 and 3,271,641 respectively in 2017, in the United States. Gender-specific data of the United States suggests that the number of cases of CD in males and females were 4,825,430 and 8,961,513 respectively in 2017. Age-specific data for CD suggests that in the United States the maximum number of cases of CD were found in the age group of 46-60 with 4,411,822 cases in 2017, while the lowest number of cases were found in the age group 75+ with 275,739 cases in 2017. In the EU5 countries, the diagnosed prevalence of CD was found to be maximum in Germany with 6,645,210 cases, followed by France with 5,481,080 cases in 2017. While, the least number of cases were found in Spain, with 1,982,709 cases in 2017. In Japan, the diagnosed prevalence of CD was found to be 5,107,575 in 2017. Story continues Scope of the Report The report covers the descriptive overview of Contact Dermatitis (CD), explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathophysiology. The report provides insight into the 7MM historical and forecasted patient pool covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The report assesses the disease risk and burden and highlights the unmet needs of Contact Dermatitis (CD). The report provides the segmentation of the disease epidemiology for the 7MM by Total Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis (CD) and Severity-based Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis (CD). Report Highlights Eleven Year Forecast of Contact Dermatitis (CD) 7MM Coverage Total Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis (CD) The publisher has analyzed type-based data for Contact Dermatitis (CD). Contact Dermatitis can be of two types based on this data, namely, Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) and Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD). Type-specific data based on clinical and biological evolution of Contact Dermatitis (CD) has also been analyzed by the publisher. On this basis, Contact Dermatitis can be divided as Acute, Sub-acute and Chronic type. In addition, the publisher has also analyzed gender-specific data for Contact Dermatitis (CD), which clearly suggests that CD is more prevalent among females than males. The report also encompasses another major segment, i.e., Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis (CD), wherein various age groups have been considered, such as 0-17, 18-29, 30-45, 46-60, 61-75 and 75+. It has been found that CD majorly affects patients whose age is 40 years or above. Expected Launch of a potential therapy, EB01 (Edesa Biotech), may increase the market size in the coming years, assisted by an increase in diagnosed prevalent population of Contact Dermatitis (CD). The current treatment of Contact Dermatitis (CD) is mainly dominated by the use of off-label therapies, which includes Topical Corticosteroids (Clobetasol and Triamcinolone) and Emollients, Topical Immunosupressants (Pimecromilus and Tacrolimus), Systemic Immunosupressants (Antihistamines) and Corticosteroids and Others (Antiseptics, Topical Antibiotics, Phototherapy and Other Immunosupressants). Key Topics Covered 1 Key Insights 2 Contact Dermatitis Overview at a Glance 3 Executive Summary of Contact Dermatitis (CD) 4 Disease Background and Overview: Contact Dermatitis (CD) 4.1 Types 4.1.1 Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) 4.1.2 Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) 4.1.3 Contact Urticaria 4.2 Causes 4.2.1 Metals 4.2.2 Fragrances 4.2.3 Antibacterial Ointments 4.2.4 Formaldehyde 4.2.5 Isothiazolinones 4.2.6 Cocamidopropyl Betaine 4.2.7 Paraphenylene-Diamine 4.3 Symptoms 4.4 Pathophysiology 4.5 Diagnosis 5 Algorithm for Diagnosis and Management of CD 6 Diagnostic Guidelines by American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 6.1 Clinical Evaluation 6.2 Patch testing recommendations 6.3 Sources of exposure to clinically relevant allergens 6.4 Topical medicinal CD 6.5 Special populations 6.5.1 CD in children 6.5.2 Occupational CD 7 Diagnostic Guidelines by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) 7.1 Assessment and Investigation 7.2 Diagnostic Tests (Diagnosis) 7.2.1 Preparation of the patient 7.2.2 Patch testing 7.2.3 Timing of patch test readings 7.2.4 Reading and relevance of positive reactions 7.2.5 Photopatch testing 7.2.6 Open patch testing 8 Epidemiology and Patient Population: Key Findings 8.1 7MM 7MM Total Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis 9 Country Wise-Epidemiology of Contact Dermatitis 9.1 United States 9.1.1 Assumptions and Rationale 9.1.2 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis in the United States 9.1.3 Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis Based on Clinical and Biological Evolution in the United States 9.1.4 Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis in the United States 9.1.5 Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis in the United States 9.1.6 Type-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Population of Contact Dermatitis in the United States 9.2 EU5 Countries 9.3 Germany 9.4 France 9.5 Italy 9.6 Spain 9.7 United Kingdom 9.8 Japan For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/amnork 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 Hyderabad, July 15 : The Congress shut the Gandhi Bhavan, its headquarters, here on Wednesday, for a week after some workers at its Covid-19 control room tested Covid-19 positive. They were shifted to a hospital. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has started sanitization of the building, located at Nampally in the heart of the city. The Covid-19 control room had been set up by TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy to help the coronavirus infectees. TPCC Secretary G. Narendra Yadav died of Covid-19 at a hospital, here on Monday, becoming the second Congress leader to succumb to Covid-19 this month. He had attended party meetings at the Gandhi Bhavan in recent days. Earlier, former chairman of the Congress minority cell in undivided Andhra Pradesh, Mohammed Sirajuddin, died at a hospital, here on July 6. Senior leader V. Hanumantha Rao and TPCC treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy had also tested coronavirus positive. Both have recovered. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The gates to the basement premises on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin Gardai discovered a naked man on a crucifix being whipped on his bare bottom in front of a number of other customers when they entered a nightclub basement, it has been claimed. A Dublin businesswoman, who denies she ran the club as a brothel and for staging sadomasochistic practices, is to appeal a decision of Dublin county registrar Rita Considine striking out her bid to join a former manager to legal proceedings against her. Forensic accountant and landlord Liam Grant has asked the Circuit Civil Court to direct that Hilda Conway forfeit her tenancy of a basement nightclub at 127 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. Quashing Ms Conway, of Claremont Road, Sandymount, denies having been associated with the runn- ing of such activities in the club. She had brought an application before the county registrar last week seeking to attach a former manager, Brendan McQuaid, and Baggot Street Bars to the proceedings aimed at quashing her tenancy. She claimed in a sworn affidavit that if anyone was responsible for such activities, it was Mr McQuaid and Baggot Street Bars. Ms Considine struck out Ms Conway's application last Friday at the request of barrister Martin Canny, counsel for Mr Grant, who said Ms Conway was not present or legally represented in the county registrar's court in order to make her attachment application. Mr Grant, of Greenmount House, Harold's Cross, referred in sworn affidavits to what he described as "breaches of the utmost seriousness" against Ms Conway, and alleged that sex had been available to purchase in the club, which he described as a lap-dancing bar, strip club and brothel. When barrister Andrew Walker, counsel for Ms Conway, appeared in the county registrar's court yesterday to explain why there had been no legal representation on behalf of Ms Conway, Ms Considine said she did not have time to hear any explanation as she had to deal with a very strictly timed list of motions listed in accordance with Covid-19 regulations being applied by the Courts Service. Ms Considine said an application was made to her court last Friday in the absence of legal representation on behalf of the applicant. She had been asked to strike it out and had done so. Ms Considine then moved on to motions published at timed intervals on her Tuesday list in order to keep down the number of people in court. Speaking outside court afterwards, Mr Walker said the county registrar's decision to initially strike out Ms Conway's application was being appealed. Mr Grant had earlier told the court that when Insp Martin Mooney led a raid on the club he had noticed a man, tied to a large crucifix, who was having his naked bottom whipped. This was taking place in front of customers who were oddly dressed with few or no clothes on and wearing masks and carrying whips, he added. Underground pandemic parties are popping up in New York City as young people cast off their masks and their regard for social distancing to escape the confines of coronavirus lockdown. The parties are drawing hundreds of people to bars and nightclubs across the Big Apple every weekend, including the The Williamsburg Hotel, Common Ground, Her Name Was Carmen and the Ravel Hotel, Gothamist reported Tuesday. Photos and videos posted on social media showed crowds of unmasked revelers at several events dancing up against each other as if the coronavirus threat didn't exist. Word of the elicit parties is reportedly being spread through private WhatsApp groups and text chains where promoters caution guests against publicizing them. It's believed that the growing popularity of pandemic parties is partly to blame for the fact that the rate of infection among people aged 20 to 29 has more than doubled over the past month. Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted a link to the Gothamist story about the parties on Wednesday, writing: 'Knock. It. Off. Now.' Underground pandemic parties are popping up in New York City as young people cast off their masks and their regard for social distancing to escape the confines of coronavirus lockdown. Pictured: A pool party on the rooftop of The Ravel Hotel in Long Island City Social media videos showed dozens of people dancing without masks or six feet of distance between them during a party at The Ravel Hotel's Profundo pool in Queens. Promoters have allegedly claimed that the Profundo parties are safe because of on-site coronavirus testing Mayor Bill de Blasio also addressed the uptick in cases among 20- to 29-year-olds at a press conference this week, saying: 'I understand for so many younger adults it has been a really difficult time cooped up. 'But we've got to keep telling everyone, particularly younger adults, how important it is to stick to what has worked: the social distancing, the face coverings, getting tested.' De Blasio's warning came as the number of coronavirus cases in New York City - once the epicenter of the US crisis - surpassed 216,460 and deaths reached 23,335 on Tuesday. City and state officials have been scrambling to keep the infection rate under control while case counts soar in other parts of the nation where lockdowns were rolled back more rapidly. According to city guidelines, masks must be worn when out in public in places where it's not possible to stay six feet from others and gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited. Those guidelines are clearly being violated at many of the recent pandemic parties shown in social media posts. Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted a link to a Gothamist story about the pandemic parties on Wednesday, writing: 'Knock. It. Off. Now' Unmasked guests are seen crowded in and around a pool at an unknown location in a video posted on Instagram by model and actress Kristina Alaniesse Gothamist first sounded the alarm about underground events last week when it revealed that the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City had hosted a string of crowded parties at its pool, Profundo, that it claimed were safe because of on-site coronavirus testing. Seth Levine, a co-owner of the hotel, told the outlet that he wanted it to be a 'safe haven' where people could enjoy a night out while maintaining social distancing. However, photos and videos from inside the event showed dozens of people cramped together around the pool without masks or anywhere near six feet between them. It's since emerged that many other venues have been hosting similar parties with the same disregard for basic coronavirus safety measures. Over the weekend several Instagram users posted videos of an event on the roof of The Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn where guests were seen dancing in close quarters to music from a DJ. One of the videos was posted by model and actress Kristina Alaniesse, who wrote in the caption: 'Slightly disappointed to have to expose @wburghotel. I had a few fun nights there & their booking is great. 'That being said, it would break my heart if NYC had to shutdown again. Clearly no respect for the protocols in place for phase 3 (social distancing, masks etc). LET'S PLEASE DO IT RIGHT. This was on Thursday night. LET'S SAVE NYC.' A photographer commented on the post: 'I was at this event. The security guard at the door was asking everyone to wear their mask and was denying entry to those without. People were giving him a hard time.' A DJ is seen playing to a large crowd at The Williamsburg Hotel in a video posted to Instagram over the weekend A person who attended an event at The Williamsburg Hotel (shown above in blurry video) said: 'The security guard at the door was asking everyone to wear their mask and was denying entry to those without. People were giving him a hard time' The Williamsburg Hotel outlined a set of vague coronavirus safety guidelines on its website, but its clear from the videos that party attendees were not adhering to them. 'We encourage our guests to practice social distancing by standing 6 feet apart from groups not traveling together,' the website states. 'The overall capacity of all of our venues including the rooftop has been reduced by 50% to ensure all lounge chairs, daybeds and seating is at least 6 feet apart.' The site notes that disposable masks will be provided to guests but does not specify where they are required to wear them. DailyMail.com has reached out to The Williamsburg Hotel for comment about parties held there. Approached by Gothamist, manager Julita Kropiwnicki said: 'Our commitment to the safety of our guests and team members is our #1 priority. 'We enforce a strict policy of masks, and have severely limited capacity and the amount of people permitted in our outdoor venues. 'We continue to work to make sure that all team members and guests comply with our policies and take this very seriously.' Hotels are required to maintain six feet of distance between pieces of furniture in public places like pools - but many videos show that isn't happening at some venues. An unknown location is pictured in a video posted by Kristina Alaniesse It appears that promoters have gotten creative with spreading the word about underground parties by sharing them in private messages and telling invitees to keep the plans on the down-low. Gothamist obtained a message thread about an event at a lounge near Bryant Park last week where a promoter wrote: 'Don't share this information on SOCIAL MEDIA! This is a private space and we are interested in no drama policy. PLEASE SHARE IT IN PRIVATE MSGS.' The promoter also noted that only 90 people would be allowed inside the event - nearly four times the capacity limit under New York City guidelines. DJ and promoter Grier Newlin expressed frustration that fellow members of his industry are putting people at risk by continuing their efforts during a pandemic. 'I don't understand why people are still trying to do it,' Newlin told Gothamist, explaining that he has personally accepted that New York City nightlife will probably be on hold until next year. 'We're organizers, so we should be organizing protests, things like that,' he added. 'There's plenty of stuff to do if we want to put our organizing energy behind things. These [parties] are really vain, I don't know what what the point of them is.' Osvaldo 'OJ' Jimenez, who has worked in nightlife for more than 15 years, is also against the continuation of big parties given the current COVID-19 threat. In recent weeks Jimenez has used his Instagram account, @HiLoveNewYork, to shed light on irresponsible events by posting videos people send to him. 'It's not me outing these places, but the community as a whole,' he said to Gothamist. 'These are average people into nightlife, people who work in it, and they're like, this looks wild, and they're sending me stuff. 'All the promoters and owners I know are taking COVID serious, it comes as a shock to us that these venues that cater to out-of-towners are disregarding the rules that we need to abide by to get out of the pandemic together.' Jimenez said he's heard about parties taking place in Bushwick 'every Thursday, Friday and Saturday,', where guests are offered 'fake COVID tests for $50 or $60'. 'It's like we're just trying to put bandaids on an amputated part of our life,' he said. Jimenez explained that he believes it is possible to hold smaller events with adequate safety precautions - but he thinks its too much of a gamble to try to make that happen. 'I do believe there's probably a little microcosm of responsible adults who could make this happen,' he said. 'But there's one factor in all of it that could change everything: alcohol. Once people are drunk, all those rules go out the window. And now the clubs have to police and teach adults how to behave. And it isn't working.' Several veteran DJs have expressed concerns with the pandemic parties, saying it's impossible to force people to adhere to safety rules when alcohol is involved Prince Terrence, a DJ who runs the cultural magazine Cell.Vision, said he's personally taken the pandemic very seriously because he suspects he contracted coronavirus at a nightclub back in March. 'There's no doubt that's how I got it,' Terrence said, noting that he wasn't able to get a test at the time but he later tested positive for antibodies. 'It was obvious I got it from a club. You're in a place where everyone's screaming at the top of their lungs, that's exactly how you get it. 'When you're in a club, you're not really thinking about what's going on outside, which I think is the goal. We all want to pretend this isn't happening, but just because we're not looking at it doesn't mean it's not happening.' Terrence continued: 'All my friends are New York nightlife industry veterans, we were the people doing after hours events and illegal warehouses and stuff like that. 'We realize this is a public health emergency, this isn't a joke, and all of my peers are super on board with only having events if it's safe and the proper precautions are being taken. 'But of course there's going to be people and places that abuse that to make moneythis has become more about making a dime than about providing a fun environment.' City officials have faced some criticism from people who say not enough is being done to enforce rules that aim to prevent pandemic parties to pop up in the first place. A spokesperson for de Blasio's office said that the city has been in contact with both the Williamsburg Hotel and Ravel Hotel 'to make sure they understand the rules' after reports of parties there emerged. The spokesperson added that officials are 'continuing to monitor this place and others like it'. But it appears that the threat of having parties outed on social media could be even more compelling than official warnings - as an event at the Ravel Hotel scheduled for earlier this month has already apparently been cancelled. An 89-year-old woman was found drowned in her backyard pool early Tuesday morning, police said. The woman, from the Whippany section of Hanover, was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Tuesday morning, Hanover police Capt. Dave White told NJ Advance Media. She was found floating in her in-ground backyard pool around 8 a.m., when her son came to pick her up for a doctors appointment, White said. She was fully dressed at the time, and did not know how to swim. Her son called 911, and she was given lifesaving procedures before being taken to an area hospital, police said. No foul play is suspected, and its not clear how long she was in the pool before she was found, White said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. India and the European Union (EU) agreed on Wednesday to start a high-level dialogue on finalising trade and investment agreements even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited European businesses to invest in the country to hasten a post-Covid-19 economic recovery. During a virtual summit, the leadership of the two sides agreed to scale up defence and security ties, including the launch of a new maritime security dialogue, consultations on crisis management and deeper cooperation between the Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force Atalanta, the EUs counter-piracy military operation in the western Indian Ocean. With Indias Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Europol launching negotiations to combat organised crime and terrorism, the two sides decided to intensify cooperation to tackle terror and its financing, radicalisation and abuse of the internet for such activities. Indian officials said Pakistans support for terrorism aimed at India and other countries in the region figured in the discussions. While the joint statement and other documents adopted at the meeting, such as the strategic partnership roadmap till 2025, made no direct mention of New Delhis standoff with Beijing, many measures agreed on by India and the EU to strengthen multilateralism and protect a rules-based order appeared to be aimed at countering the rise of an assertive China. Modi emphasised the priority India attaches to foreign direct investment (FDI) and efforts to liberalise regulations and improve the ease of doing business, secretary (west) Vikas Swarup of the external affairs ministry told a news briefing. He invited European businesses to utilise the opportunities in India and conveyed that Atmabirbhar Bharat {Self-Reliant India} is aimed at integrating domestic production with global supply chains, he said. Though the two sides launched negotiations on a bilateral trade and investment agreement (BTIA) in 2007, talks stalled in 2013 over differences on market access and movement of professionals. Swarup said the two sides have now agreed to launch a high-level dialogue between Indias commerce minister and the EU trade commissioner to foster progress on balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial trade and investment agreements, address trade irritants and discuss supply chain linkages. Though no time-frame was set for concluding these agreements, a meeting of the dialogue mechanism will be held as soon as possible, in the next few months, he added. Modi, who co-chaired the summit with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said the India-EU partnership can play a key role in post-Covid-19 economic reconstruction and human-centric globalisation. The two sides, he said, are natural partners because of shared values such as democracy, respect for international institutions and multilateralism, at a time when there are different types of pressures on the rules-based international order. Like you, I am committed to deepen relations between India and the EU. For this, we must adopt a long-term strategic perspective and an action-oriented agenda should be implemented within a stipulated time-frame, Modi said. The European leadership noted that while the 27-member bloc is Indias largest trade and investment partner, India represented only 2% of EUs total trade. Indias annual trade in goods and services with the EU is worth $140 billion, and European firms have invested more than $91 billion in the country. Von der Leyen said trade and investment agreements will have to ensure market access and avoid barriers. The EU side raised with Modi the need to make tough choices such as phasing out coal while discussing cooperation on climate change. The EU side also offered to share its experience in data protection legislation as convergence of standards will facilitate data flows, she said. Michel, who described India as an indispensible partner at a news conference, said Indias recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-22 and to the G20 presidency in 2022 will allow the two sides to work together on multilateralism and keeping the global trading system open. Officials of both sides acknowledged that the India-China border standoff figured in the discussions, and that Modi shared his views on the current situation in the border areas. Without mentioning China, both Michel and von der Leyen assured India of EUs support. Michel said: The EU and India are more than economic partners we are political partners committed to peaceful resolution of conflicts, security and rule of law...India can count on the EU and we count on India to be a key partner. Von der Leyen added: Today, our main message has been that the EU stands by India as friends and partners. Asked whether India was more strategic than China for the EU, Michel replied the EU-China relationship was complex and the bloc supports all efforts to maintain channels of dialogue to find peaceful solutions. However, he added that India was a partner because both sides share the same vision of globalisation inspired by democratic standards and principles of freedom, liberty and inclusivity. The two sides decided to ramp up cooperation on Covid-19 vaccines and diagnostic and treatment tools based on their strengths in the production of pharmaceuticals and research and development. They agreed to work for the accessibility and affordability of tools and universal and affordable vaccines. The European Parliament has debated the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in the recent past and Michel said the EU side raised the matter with Modi during the meeting. We trust the Indian institutions, we understand that the Supreme Court will have a role to play in order to assess this legislation, he said. EU will continue a strong dialogue with India on human rights to exchange best practices and have the best possible understanding about how to tackle this important issue, he added. The two sides also welcomed the signing of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement whereby the Department of Atomic Energy and Euratom will cooperate in civilian nuclear applications in agriculture, healthcare and industry, radioactive waste management and nuclear security. The EU also welcomed Indias proposal to build a connectivity partnership that is open, sustainable and rules-based. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Andrei Makhovsky MINSK (Reuters) - Hundreds of people protested in the Belarusian capital Minsk on on Tuesday after the central election commission refused to register the two main rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko as candidates in the Aug. 9 presidential election. The commission's decision all but ensured victory for Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years By Andrei Makhovsky MINSK (Reuters) - Hundreds of people protested in the Belarusian capital Minsk on on Tuesday after the central election commission refused to register the two main rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko as candidates in the Aug. 9 presidential election. The commission's decision all but ensured victory for Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years. Viktor Babariko, a banker who was detained last month, was excluded from the ballot because of a criminal case against him, the commission said. Valery Tsepkalo, a former ambassador who runs an office park for tech companies, was also rejected, after signatures on a supporting petition were nullified. The two men had been widely seen as the last candidates left with a chance of defeating Lukashenko, who faces his strongest opposition in years as frustration mounts over the economy, human rights and his playing down of the coronavirus pandemic. Several hundred people took to the streets in the centre of Minsk, periodically breaking into applause - a common form of public protest in Belarus of late. Police detained several dozen people while blocking off main streets. "We are categorically for honest and fair elections," a protester who gave his name as Ruslan, told Reuters. Social media networks released images of what they said were other protests in the cities of Grodno, Gomel and Brest. Reuters could not immediately confirm those reports. Over the past few weeks police have arrested hundreds of people in an effort to quell anti-government protests before the elections. Almost all of Lukashenko's main rivals are either in detention or under investigation. The European Union delegation to Belarus said the electoral commission's decision "undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections". Andrei Lankin, an official in Tsepalko's campaign, said Tsepalko would go to court to challenge the ruling. Babariko, who headed the local unit of Russia's Gazprombank before deciding to run for president, was detained last month on accusations he spirited hundreds of millions of dollars out of the country in money laundering schemes. He has rejected the charges as a way for the authorities to sideline a critic. Lukashenko's campaign chief, Mikhail Orda, called for a calm election "without any provocations and upheavals". (Writing by Alexander Marrow and Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Mark Heinrich) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Lisa Lucas, the executive director of the National Book Foundation, has been named senior v-p and publisher of Pantheon and Schocken Books. The news of her appointment was made by Reagan Arthur, executive v-p and publisher of Knopf, Pantheon, and Shocken, to whom she will report. Lucas, the first person of color to head the Foundation, will continue in her role through the end the year as the Foundation transitions to new leadership. She will start her duties at Pantheon and Schocken beginning in 2021. Lucas has been the executive director of the National Book Foundation, which oversees the annual National Book Awards as well as a variety of national reading programs, since 2016. Newly reporting to Lucas will be Dan Frank, v-p and editorial director of Pantheon and Schocken Books, in addition to v-p and executive editor Erroll McDonald, senior editors Deborah Garrison and Shelley Wanger, and Schocken editorial director Altie Karper. Arthur said that no other changes in the editorial structure of Pantheon/Schocken are planned. Lucas will now head two of PRHs most celebrated literary imprints. Pantheon was founded in 1942 by Kurt and Helen Wolff and Schocken Books in 1931 in Germany by Salman Schocken and relaunched in the U.S. in 1945. Before joining the National Book Foundation, Lucas was director of the Tribeca Film Institute, and after that she was publisher of the online literary magazine Guernica. Lucas is credited with raising the Foundation's profile, growing its events programs, adding an award for translated literature, and initiating outreach programs that delivered over a million books to young readers in public housing. Arthur cited Lucass work at the Foundation and her energetic presence on social media when discussing the appointment. Ive loved watching Lisa deploy her formidable skills and boundless energy on behalf of the National Book Foundation, Arthur said. She has energized the conversation about books the year-round and not just about awards. Lisa is connected to the book community in a passionate, organic way and shes on a mission to bring more readers into the fold. Her energy and her fearless presence online and in the world are attributes that we believe can be transferred to our offices. Pantheon and Schocken v-p and editorial director Dan Frank said he was thrilled that Lisa will be taking up the publishing reins, and he looked forward to helping her set out on this new chapter. Both of these imprints have a storied history, but history is made by moving forward and in new directions, and I am confident in the forward direction lisa will take us. Contacted in Los Angeles, where she has been staying during the pandemic, Lucas said the new job was very exciting. Acknowledging her move from the nonprofit world into commercial publishing, she said she will be learning to publish books. But she also described her new position as similar to everything Ive done while being totally different at the same time. Whether it's films, awards, or books, its all been service to creators, their work, and the audience, the readers, working to provide access to weird and wonderful works, she said. She declined to offer any projections about plans for Pantheon and Schocken, which together publish about 50 titles a year. That would be arrogant, she said. Its too soon. I havent met the team and I love collaboration. Give me a few months to have a few conversations and figure it out. Lucass appointment also comes against the powerful backdrop of the Black Lives Matter Movement, national protests over institutional racism, and a continued and heightened scrutiny directed at the book publishing industry over its lack of diversityand just weeks after another Black woman at the head of a major awards program, Pulitzer Prize administrator Dana Canedy, was tapped to lead Simon & Schuster's flagship imprint. Asked whether her new role should be seen as a localized outgrowth of a national crisis, Lucas told PW, this is not a cynical hire," and that she wouldnt have taken the job if it was. Its important to be hired for the job you think you can do and what people think you can do. You dont want to be a symbol, you want to do the work, Lucas told PW. At the same time, she emphasized, you also want to believe that change is possible, and that people are listening and hearing. It will take more than hiring me to shape an equitable book culture. But Black Lives Matter was an everyday concept at the National Book Foundation, its where you put your energy every day. I want to see diversity in thought and that takes a diverse set of people. She was also quick to emphasize that she will continue be a voice for books and reading on Twitter. Yes, Ill be shouting about books. Im devoted to books, and Ill bring that energy to Pantheon and Schocken. Arthur echoed Lucass remarks. Im not going to be naive and pretend that people wont react to the timing of this appointment. But this appointment is driven by Lisas experience and ambition for the two programs. Indeed, Arthur said, Lucas's position overseeing Pantheon and Schocken is a newly-created role created by Arthur, who joined Knopf earlier this year, and by Maya Mavjee, the newly-appointed president and publisher for the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Maya and I arrived at the same time and we both admire Pantheon and Schocken so much. We believe theres value in that kind of history, that kind of identity and mission. We dont want to change them but we do want to set them apart even more with a dedicated team," Arthur said. "Lisa's got an amazing team in place and, yes, she will be reimagining Pantheon and Schocken. But what that will look like, I dont know. They both have a rich history, and it will be a great place to map a path into the future. Correction: Schocken editorial director Altie Karper's title was incorrectly noted in an earlier version of this story. Drug deaths in America, which fell for the first time in 25 years in 2018, rose to record numbers in 2019 and are continuing to climb, a resurgence that is being complicated and perhaps worsened by the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an increase of 5 percent from 2018. Deaths from drug overdoses remain higher than the peak yearly death totals ever recorded for car accidents, guns or AIDS, and their acceleration in recent years has pushed down overall life expectancy in the United States. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. reached a record last year Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention It looks as if 2020 will be even worse. Drug deaths have risen an average of 13 percent so far this year over last year, according to mortality data from local and state governments collected by The New York Times, covering 40 percent of the U.S. population. If this trend continues for the rest of the year, it will be the sharpest increase in annual drug deaths since 2016, when a class of synthetic opioids known as fentanyls first made significant inroads in the countrys illicit drug supply. The 2018 decline was largely explained by reductions in deaths from prescription opioid medications, the drugs that started the nations addiction epidemic back in the 1990s. But those declines appear to have been overrun by continued increases in deaths from illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl. Categories are not mutually exclusive. Deaths often involve multiple drugs. A small portion of the increase in deaths attributable to a specific drug may be due to improved cause-of-death reporting. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention President Trump made much of the slight decrease in overdose deaths in 2018, pointing to his administrations efforts to expand addiction treatment and restrict the drug supply. Mr. Trump and Congress have provided several billion dollars in grants to states since 2017 for treatment, prevention and recovery services, expanding access to buprenorphine treatment in particular. But at the same time, the administration has continued fighting in court to overturn the Affordable Care Act, a law that has allowed states to expand Medicaid and provide free addiction treatment to low-income adults. Many local officials have also worked hard to reduce drug use, prevent overdose deaths and help get more drug users into recovery. Naloxone, an overdose-reversing medication, has been broadly distributed in recent years. Syringe exchange programs have been expanded, as well as coverage of addiction treatment through state Medicaid programs. States have also moved to limit prescriptions of opioid medications. But drug deaths have still reached a record high. Brad Finegood, the strategic adviser on opioids and other drugs for the Seattle and King County Public Health Department, said his office had invested substantially in reducing overdose deaths from opioids, particularly by getting more opioid users access to medication-assisted therapies. He said he was saddened to see rising deaths from overdoses, particularly among people who are using both opioids and stimulants like methamphetamine. Without some of the work thats gone on, like medication-assisted therapy expansion, theres fear that the problem would be that much worse, he said. On Wednesday, Brett Giroir, the administrations assistant secretary for health, said in a statement, We understand that there is an extraordinary amount of work to do, especially now as we are also dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic that could markedly affect our nation's mental health and risk of substance use. Several public health experts said conditions created by the pandemic could hurt the nations fragile progress in fighting the surge of drug deaths, but noted that the overdose rate was on its way back up well before the virus arrived. Covid just makes it a bit worse, said Dr. Dan Ciccarone, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who studies the opioid epidemic. It's a small wave riding on top of a tsunami that continues to devastate. Fentanyl is moving west Fentanyl had been confined mostly to New England and other parts of the East, where it was generally found as an adulterant in powdered heroin. But in recent years, fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids have been blamed for an increasing number of overdose deaths in California, Arizona and other Western states. Change in total drug deaths from 2018 Drug deaths in Western states like California and Arizona have risen steadily, while progress in states like Florida and Ohio has stalled and reversed. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Most of the heroin in the Western United States is in a form known as black tar: a sticky substance that is less easily combined with powdered adulterants like fentanyl. For the most part, this has kept fentanyl out of the heroin supply in the West. But, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, increasing numbers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl often falsely marketed as oxycodone or other opioid painkillers are appearing in these states, contributing to a surge in overdoses. In addition, according to Alex Kral, an epidemiologist at RTI International, a nonprofit research firm, many opioid users are turning to fentanyl intentionally, using it to supplement or entirely replace heroin. Nationally, there are now fewer deaths involving heroin than either meth or cocaine, a striking change that has taken place over the last two years as heroin has all but disappeared from some regions. Fentanyl deaths are also increasing in several states that had experienced reductions in overdose deaths over all in 2018. Much of the national decline in 2018 came in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, all states with fentanyl in the opioid supply. Deaths in Ohio and Florida rebounded in 2019. Some cities continued to see a rise in fatal overdoses among Black and Hispanic residents last year. In St. Louis and adjacent St. Louis County, opioid-related deaths rose by 17 percent among Black men even as they dropped by 8 percent over all. And in Philadelphia, where overdose deaths among white people fell by 3 percent in 2019, they rose by 14 percent among Black people and by 24 percent among Hispanic residents. Methamphetamine deaths are on the rise Meth use first spread in the United States in the 1990s and into the early 2000s, when it was often cooked in small home labs with pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in many drugstore cold medicines. But todays meth, largely imported from Mexico, is far more potent. It is increasingly mixed with fentanyl, sometimes without the user realizing it, or used to counteract fentanyls depressant effects. Some researchers say the combination may be particularly deadly, although they have yet to reach definitive conclusions. Deaths involving meth, once concentrated in the Western states, have been moving eastward, even to regions like New England that meth once barely touched. And unlike with opioids, there is no way to reverse the effects of a meth overdose, just as there is no medication to treat meth use and the cravings it creates. Over the past year and a half, weve seen an increase in meth use, particularly among people who also inject opioids and are experiencing homelessness, said Dr. Sarah Wakeman, an addiction medicine doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The pandemic is complicating the response Because drug-related deaths take a particularly long time to confirm, the 2019 provisional data is the most recent available at the national level, and it wont become final for several months. But more recent local evidence shows drug deaths continuing to rise. Provisional mortality data collected by The Times shows rising drug-related deaths across the country well into 2020. Drug-related deaths have risen in 2020 in states across the country. Increase in drug-related deaths from 2019 through the first portion of 2020. All data is provisional. Definitions of what counts as a drug-related death vary by state. Data for Arizona, California, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin includes only a subset of counties within each state. Source: State and local health departments, coroners and medical examiners In New Jersey, where drug-related deaths had leveled off, overdose deaths in the first half of 2020 were 17 percent higher than in 2019. In Colorado, they were up by 30 percent through March. Counties across the country show similar spikes: up 35 percent in Los Angeles; 32 percent in Milwaukee; 20 percent in Harris County, Texas, home to Houston. Much of this data predates the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting social disruptions. But researchers pointed to several reasons they believe the virus could be worsening the trend. When state lockdowns first began in March, Dr. Anna Lembke, a clinician with Stanfords Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, noticed improvements for many of her patients. Many patients described a kind of peacefulness without the constant hubbub of modern life and the constant triggers theyre exposed to, she said. As part of the public health emergency, the federal government did something unheard-of: It relaxed rules around prescribing methadone and buprenorphine, two common and effective treatments for opioid use disorder. Methadone clinics are now free to dispense up to four weeks worth of the medication at once rather than requiring daily visits, and doctors are no longer required to meet with a patient in person before prescribing buprenorphine. The loosening of rules requiring mental health visits to be held in-person has also expanded access to counseling, several researchers said. The changes were celebrated by the public health community, according to Ricky Bluthenthal, a professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California: Making these medications more widely available is huge. Thats a real thing. But as weeks turned to months and people remained isolated, he and others said, the lockdown began to do more harm than good for many who struggle with addiction. Social isolation has always been a huge component of drug overdose risk, said Traci Green, an epidemiologist at Brown University who studies drug abuse and addiction. So much of what weve been trying to do has been completely unraveled. The isolation of quarantine comes with practical dangers as well. Using drugs alone is much more dangerous than doing so with others, since there is no one around if a revival attempt is needed. And with in-person treatment vastly curtailed including visits with doctors or nurses, frequent group counseling sessions and stays at residential treatment centers there is far less of the emotional support that can be vital to addiction treatment. Way too many residential programs just shut their doors and left patients with no safety net, said Percy Menzies, the president of Assisted Recovery Centers of America, an outpatient treatment center for alcoholism and drug addiction based in St. Louis. Another possible factor is that drug users have not been able to maintain their normal consumption habits during the pandemic, either because they have lost income and can no longer afford to buy drugs as often or because their local supply has been disrupted. Less use would lead to lower tolerance, putting people at much higher risk of overdosing when they do get access to drugs. If theres no way to make money, your use goes down and your tolerance goes down, said Dr. Josiah Rich, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Brown. But if the economy opens a bit and you get some resources, maybe a stimulus check, you might try to use the amount you used to. And you dont have the tolerance to handle it. With the pandemic disrupting treatment centers, syringe exchanges and other places that help people with drug addiction, there may also be less naloxone the overdose-reversing medication that has brought back thousands from the brink of death on the streets. And there is at least anecdotal evidence that with the nations borders closed because of the pandemic, the illicit drug supply has been disrupted and has become less predictable. Constant changes in potency make it harder for people to judge the strength of the drugs theyre using. The inconsistency of our drug supply right now is at an all-time high, said Chad Sabora, the co-founder and executive director of the Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery. Patrick Trainor, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Philadelphia, which has had one of the highest overdose death rates in the country in recent years, said there had been slight increases in the price of street drugs during the pandemic. Yet supply there has not dropped. Its indicative the drug trafficking organizations had a plentiful supply to begin with, and theres some thought they are artificially driving prices up, he said. But as to whether overdoses are increasing because of the pandemic, Mr. Trainor said, Nobody has hard data yet; they just dont. The body of a 20-year-old North York resident was pulled from Pigeon Lake on Wednesday after a canoe capsized late Tuesday night. The canoeist went missing around 9 p.m., according to Kawartha Lakes Fire and Rescue. Emergency responders, including City of Kawartha Lakes OPP, firefighters and paramedics, searched Pigeon Lake with the help of the OPP helicopter until late Tuesday night, but the search was unsuccessful. On Wednesday morning, underwater search and rescue crews arrived on the scene and searched in the Long Point Bay area of the lake, located just south of Bobcaygeon, near Falls Bay and Pigeon Lake roads. The OPP underwater search and recovery unit recovered the body Wednesday afternoon, police said. Five people had left a residence in a canoe, which then capsized, according to City of Kawartha Lakes OPP. Four of the occupants were located by a boater and taken to shore, while another was unaccounted for. None of the occupants were wearing life jackets, police said. The OPP would like to thank the citizens who assisted with this incident, Const. Carrie Lanning stated. Diversify to survive, say Vietnam tour operator Absolute Asia Travel. (TRAVPR.COM) VIETNAM - July 15th, 2020 - Hanoi, Vietnam: Absolute Asia Travel, a Vietnamese tour operator specialising in inbound travel to Vietnam and the Greater Mekong Subregion, have appointed Pear Anderson as their sales representative for the Malaysian and Singaporean markets, with immediate effect. Previously focused on long-haul markets, such as the USA, the UK, Ireland, and other European Countries. Absolute Asia Travel quickly recognised that these markets will be slower to recover. To counter the destructive effects of COVID-19 on its inbound business, the tour operator took a bold action plan to look closer to home, and identified Malaysia and Singapore as source markets which could hold the most potential within the ASEAN region. 2019 saw 606,000 Malaysians visiting Vietnam, becoming the 7th largest source market, and the largest contributor from ASEAN, Dong Ming Tuan, the Director of Sales and Marketing, said. We believe that once international travel is reopened between the two countries, there will be a jump in the number of Malaysians who want to experience the diverse tourism products that our country has to offer, all in a safe environment. We have to be realistic that the USA and other long-haul markets are going to pick up very slowly - and with the current COVID-19 situation in the USA, Vietnam potentially may not reopen borders to American citizens until 2021. We have to diversify our source markets now, and Malaysia and Singapore are the obvious choice. Hannah Pearson, director of Pear Anderson, agrees: Over the past few months, Vietnam has built itself a reputation as a country which has handled the COVID-19 crisis extraordinarily well. I am bullish that Vietnam will be a destination in which Malaysians and Singaporeans will feel more open to holidaying, once the borders are reopened. ABOUT ABSOLUTE ASIA TRAVEL Absolute Asia Travel is a fully licensed and bonded inbound tour operator in Vietnam who offer hand-crafted personalised experiences and small group tours for discerning travellers since 2006. They cater to clients seeking an exclusive travel experience designed specifically for them. ABOUT PEAR ANDERSON Pear Anderson is a boutique travel industry consultancy firm, experts in Southeast Asian tourism. They partner across the spectrum of tourism-related organisations to build a lasting foundation in these markets, providing sales representation, unique insights, research and training. ### PALO ALTO, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Beverly Microwave Division of Communications & Power Industries (CPI) has received a multi-million dollar, firm-fixed price contract from the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility to provide the fundamental power couplers for the high-energy (HE) upgrade to the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS-II) X-ray free electron laser at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). The upgrade is expected to provide a revolutionary increase in the power and capacity of SLAC's X-ray laser, enabling it to deliver beams that are thousands of times brighter and faster, transforming the manner in which X-rays are used to study natural and artificial systems. CPI's fundamental power couplers will provide the critical interface between the accelerator's microwave power source operating at room temperature and the superconducting accelerator cavities, which operate at a temperature approaching absolute zero. Headquartered in Beverly, Mass., CPI's Beverly Microwave Division has provided power couplers for many of the world's preeminent superconducting accelerators in the last 20 years, including the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) and the LCLS-II at SLAC. "The LCLS-II HE upgrade is an important program that adds significant capability to the Department of Energy for experiments in the 'hard' X-ray field. The LCLS is one of just two lasers in operation that can produce hard, or very high-energy, X-rays, used to glimpse unprecedented details of the atomic world, and may help provide advances in technology, medicine and scientific research for years to come. CPI Beverly Microwave Division is excited to continue our support of the accelerator community and its vital research. CPI's power couplers have proven to be reliable and instrumental for the operation of superconducting accelerators worldwide," said Todd Treado, president of CPI's Electron Device Business. About Communications & Power Industries Communications & Power Industries (CPI) is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, CPI develops, manufactures and globally distributes innovative and reliable technology solutions used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals for commercial and military applications. CPI serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets. CPI consists of Communications & Power Industries LLC, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and Communications & Power Industries Canada Inc., located in Ontario, Canada. Learn more about CPI at www.cpii.com . SOURCE CPI International, Inc. Related Links http://www.cpii.com ST. LOUIS, MO, July 15, 2020 - The National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the National Science Foundation has awarded Nadia Shakoor, Ph.D., senior research scientist at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, a three-year, $1.4 million grant to develop FieldDock, an integrated smart farm system. The technology will collect and analyze real time data from the field, allowing for effective tracking of crop performance. This information will be used to guide researchers and breeders who are developing high-yielding, energy-efficient crops that are resilient to variable climates and help farmers make management decisions that will reduce water and energy use without compromising yield. Automated systems like the FieldDock will pioneer breakthroughs for rapid advancement in digital agriculture and play a pivotal role in the machine-managed cyber-physical farms of the future. The FieldDock will be a novel all-in-one system that integrates a sensor base station with GWAS/G x E x M/crop model edge processor, remote wireless sensor network and autonomous UAV drone deployment to generate a daily scalable, cohesive and interconnected set of field microclimate data. FieldDock will capture measurable plant traits, water usage, overall environmental and soil conditions as well as daily snapshots of how a crop is performing in real world conditions. The FieldDock platform will run entirely on renewable energy and is designed to ultimately have a zero-carbon footprint. "We expect the FieldDock to transform the way crop scientists, breeders and farmers interact with agricultural technology and have a significant impact on the sustainability of food production," said Shakoor. "By providing an automated response and actionable management advice in real time, we can accelerate efforts to improve high-value food crops while reducing inputs including water, fertilizer, electricity and fuel used in crop research and production environments during the current field season and before the next crop cycle." Comprehensive data analytics and prediction models developed over the course of the FieldDock project will also help guide future management strategies for the automation of farming practices. "For almost a decade now our farm has embraced the use of many different kinds of technology--and it's paid off, both financially and by dramatically reducing the water we use. We're also going to take a look at how the FieldDock drone can help track sickness within livestock populations in order to detect disease and remove it from the supply chain as early as possible," said Dwane Roth, 4th generation farmer and owner of Roth Farms, Western Kansas Shakoor is an expert in crop genetics/GWAS and QTL mapping and plant phenotyping. She is well-versed in the engineering of robust outdoor platforms and has previously built solar powered in-field phenotyping devices and wireless sensor networks. She has been the Project Director of multiple multi-institutional and international projects, including the Bill & Melinda Gates funded Sorghum Genomics Toolbox (SGT), an initiative that is developing genomic and phenotyping tools for improved breeding in sorghum, that includes regional cyber-physical platforms for remote sensing and imaging and the use of digital devices for in-field data capture. Shakoor is the Project Director for the TERRA-REF project that has deployed the largest field crop analytics robot in the world, currently being used for precision high-throughput phenotyping of energy sorghum. In addition to her research at the Danforth Center, she is also the Founder and CEO of Agrela Ecosystems, a startup technology company focused on plant science research and precision agricultural tools. Shakoor is partnering with researchers at Saint Louis University, the University of Arizona, commercial farmers at Roth Farms, industry collaborators such as Microsoft and local collaborators Integrated Systems Engineering, Inc. and Benson Hill to build and test the FieldDock system. The project will also hire two postdoctoral associates for the project at Saint Louis University and the Danforth Center. "The future of agriculture will highly depend on data-driven, AI-powered aerial and ground robots loaded with sensors that can measure plant physiology, estimate phenotypes, and provide color-coded maps of plant health and predicted yield in real-time. This project will develop a fully automated crop monitoring system providing sophisticated machine learning/AI technologies right to the grower's tablets, play an important role in improving crop productivity, food security, and quality of life globally," said Dr. Vasit Sagan, Associate Professor of GIScience, Faculty Director of Geospatial Institute at Saint Louis University "The FieldDock project integrates many disparate technologies into a complex system. The project requires expertise in autonomous flight systems, power distribution, multiple wireless communication technologies, edge computing, and data management in the cloud. Successful completion of this system is dependent upon skills in mechanical, electrical, and software design, test and system integration. Given our experience and extensive background in complex systems integration, ISE is well-positioned for this project and excited to be a part of it," said Paul D. Buschmeyer, Principal Engineer, ISE. "Benson Hill's crop design platform, CropOS, brings together machine learning, big data analytics and biological knowledge to predict outcomes," said Jason Bull, CTO of Benson Hill, a crop innovation company dedicated to unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants. "Dynamic tools like Dr. Shakoor's FieldDock integrates cyber-physical systems that gathers data necessary to help power CropOS analytics. Real-time data captured from UAVs and wireless soil sensors combined with infield analysis on various lines and the environment with FieldDock hold potential to accelerate Benson Hill's seed-to-shelf innovation pipeline." Shakoor will work with the Danforth Center's Science Education and Outreach Programs department to design and implement a professional development workshop on the topics of technology and robotics in agriculture. Summer professional development workshops will be conducted for teachers and an Institute for Young Women, namely female high school and community college students. Workshop attendees will be invited from an already established network of urban, suburban and rural schools with which the Danforth Center has relationships. ### About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Research, education and outreach aim to have impact at the nexus of food security and the environment, and position the St. Louis region as a world center for plant science. The Center's work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Follow us on Twitter at @DanforthCenter. Amitabh Bachchan Dedicates Yet Another Post To Doctors, Alia Bhatt Shares Picture With Her 'Calm After Every Storm' Jazeera Airways has announced its schedule for the six-month period starting from August 1, revealing flights to 20 destinations, including high-demand cities of Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut, Istanbul and Amman. Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer, Rohit Ramachandran, said: We are all very pleased to be resuming our flights and serving our customers after a suspension of over four months at Kuwait International Airport. During this period, we continued to operate by supporting repatriation and expatriation flights. Now we can welcome citizens and residents who want to travel out and back into Kuwait. We anticipate demand will be strong in August and our schedule focuses on the most desirable routes whether people want to fly to visit the family or for medical, touristic and business purposes. Weve implemented a range of health and safety measures in our terminal T5 and onboard our aircraft, to ensure the wellbeing of our passengers. Aircraft cabins are particularly safe environments with highly efficient air filters which remove 99.97 per cent of airborne microbes. Safe check-in procedures Passengers must check-in online and download their boarding pass on the Jazeera App or print it from the website. Check-in is also available up to 48 hours prior to the flight departure at the T5 Car Park, where passengers can drop their baggage and collect their boarding pass. When arriving at T5, passengers can proceed directly to immigration. Aircraft and terminal disinfection The airline performs an anti-viral disinfection program in which it sprays the cabins after each flight, as well as fumigates them using anti-viral high pressure disinfection sprays on seats and throughout the cabin. Disinfectant chemicals used are internationally approved and safe for all passengers. The aircrafts air filters in onboard filtration systems are also replaced frequently, removing dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other irritating particles. Constant airflow ensures that the cabin air is refreshed every 90 minutes throughout the flight. Precautionary measures Jazeera Airways crew full protective gear which is disinfected before boarding flights. A second disinfection is performed when disembarking. Passengers are mandated to wear medical face masks and gloves at all times. Supported by Kuwaiti non-profit organisations, passengers receive a hygiene pack and pre-packed closed food bags to avoid risk of contamination. Social distancing markers are on the floor throughout the terminal to maintain a safe distance from other passengers. - TradeArabia News Service Press Release 15 July 2020 The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced the launch of a new Startup Competition as it looks to identify innovators with the power to further tourism's contribution to sustainable development Advertisements As the United Nations specialized agency for tourism, UNWTO has been guiding the sector's efforts to contribute to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including through the Tourism 4 SDGs online platform. Now, as the global community faces just 10 years to reach this ambitious agenda for people and planet, tourism's unique ability to advance several of the SDGs is more relevant than ever. Against the backdrop of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNWTO has launched the SDGs Global Startup Competition. Organized in partnership with Wakalua, the innovation hub of leading tourism group Globalia, the competition has strong private sector backing, with the Advanced Leadership Foundation, Amadeus, Amazon Web Services Activate, BBVA, ClarkeModet, The Far Co, Globant, Google, IE University, Mastercard, Mentor Day, Plug and Play and Telefonica as lead promoters of innovation. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashviki said: "Tourism's cross-cutting nature is unique. As a sector, it touches on almost every part of our economies and our societies. This competition will rally all sectors around efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and place innovation and sustainability at the heart of global economic recovery." The competition is not only open to innovators within the tourism sector. Startups of every kind, from all over the world, are invited to participate provided that they: Are innovative in nature and provide value-added solutions Are sustainability-driven Are scalable, with potential for international growth and potential to be applied in corporations and destinations (countries, regions) Are an Early Stage or Series A startup Have a tested pilot and business plan Have been accelerated before Have a full-time team already in place The 17 most disruptive startups (1 for each of the SDGs) will be given support to scale-up and make a real difference to the future of destinations. UNWTO will present the best ideas to its Member States, Affiliate Members and investors, providing them with a unique networking and matchmaking opportunity. Additional benefits on offer include the chance to pitch at a special UNWTO Demo Day and access to technological support and to the UNWTO Innovation network, as well as a curated mentorship programme with both one-on-one and group training sessions on key topics such as Intellectual Property, sustainability in business and leadership. Applications are now open and will close on 20 September 2020. The winning startups will be announced in November. To find out more and to apply, visit the UNWTO SDGs Global Startup Competition webpage. New Delhi: Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja and his wife Prerana have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Dhruva is actor Arjun Sarja's nephew and the younger brother of Chiranjeevi Sarja, who died in June following a massive heart attack. The couple is currently admitted to a hospital. Dhruva opened up about his and Prerana's COVID-19 diagnosis on social media and also requested people who were in contact with them to get tested. "My wife and I have both been tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and hence chosen to get ourselves hospitalised. I'm sure we'll be back all fine! All those who were in close proximity with us please get yourselves tested and remain safe," Dhruva said in his social media post. My wife and I have both been tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and hence chosen to get ourselves hospitalised. Im sure well be back all fine! All those who were in close proximity with us please get yourselves tested and remain safe. Dhruva Sarja (@DhruvaSarja) July 15, 2020 Dhruva is said to be the second Sandalwood celebrity to have contracted the infection. Earlier, actress-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh was also found COVID-19 positive. Meanwhile, on the work front, he will be next seen in 'Pogaru', opposite actress Rashmika Mandanna. Canadians are busy people. As current journalism jargon, a.k.a. headline words, would put it, they are tackling financial survival, grappling with both work and children at home, processing the odds of permanent layoff, navigating negotiations with the landlord and the bank, and reckoning with the fecked-upness (I am told such words are known as minced oaths) of life itself in the pandemic. Over at my place, I am processing #MeToo (still hurts), radiating feminism (Go, Team) and feeling my heart leap at #BlackLivesMatter and then sink because Republicans have a plan, especially for Black women, and it isnt good. If Trump goes, and he may not, there will be blood. As Naomi Klein recently told the Guardian, its a myth that mass events like the pandemic and climate change dont discriminate. In fact, they act as magnifiers and they act as intensifiers. If you were financially teetering before COVID-19, youll suffer more and then more than that. We are stressed verging on wrecked. Given that, the Ottawa WE charity scandal doesnt rate. At least SNC-Lavalin had a point, preserving Quebec jobs vs. keeping the notorious Jody Wilson Raybould feeling sufficiently radiant, and in the end everybody lost. With the WE charity tempest, everybody loses again. The Liberals looked inattentive and naive, the Conservatives looked desperate for a peg on which nasty Pierre Poilievre could hang his glasses and his little red wagon, WE laid off new contract staff, teenagers wont start work soon, and parents will have them hanging around irritating everyone, including themselves. The current Ottawa mood is flat. It always is. This is an Ottawa story. Canadians dont like Ottawa because Ottawa thinks the world revolves around Ottawa. It does not. Canadians are annoyed. We are a prosperous country, and we had assumed that by mid-July everyone would have disinfectant wipes and medical or N95 masks galore. I cannot find them online, in supermarkets or corner stores. This is upsetting. It was the only heartening and actively self-helpful thing we Canadians expected. Now that the U.S. has hauled in the worlds supply of key COVID-19 drug Remdesivir for itself, will we miss out on vaccines too? And thats why the WE charity stories didnt claim huge attention, because Canadians have bigger worries right now. They arent upset that Margaret Trudeau gave paid speeches for WE. Why wouldnt she? She has always done wonderful public work regarding feminism, clean water, bipolar disorder and mental health. She is famous. She is loved. She endured the death of her beloved youngest son in a terrible accident, and I note that all her books have that most Canadian of themes: survival. Maxime Bernier said of her this week, What has Margaret Trudeau achieved in life to warrant being paid $250k to give a few pep talks to kids, apart from marrying a prime minister and being the mother of another? Bernier believes women exist to give birth; why would anyone pay to listen to them about anything else? I will explain how political parties think. Overall, the Conservative Party is run by men with traditional male values. Thats their thing. The NDP approves of certain charities, mostly small, run out of tiny offices and featuring activists doing admirable things on a local level. They are sometimes so high-minded that they edge toward irrelevance, but thats a feature, not a fault. The Liberals are equally sincere, but given the Trump catastrophe, canny enough to actively court young Canadians. They want female and male students to get involved politically and socially, with a particular view to international work. Canadian should try to be good world citizens. This is their thing. As reported by the CBC, some charities not large or organized or sufficiently student-oriented to get that government contract say it would have been better just to give money to needy students. No. Join in. Socialize. Its good for young people to transcribe oral histories of the elderly, for students of all races to work in underserved neighbourhoods, to distribute food, to sew masks, to help out, to give their parents a bit of peace. Were all in this together. That was the plan. Regular Canadians, busy shopping for disinfectant wipes, missed all that. Their hunt continues. Jeffrey Epstein's 'madam' Ghislaine Maxwell is secretly married but refuses to name her mystery spouse, US prosecutors have revealed. The shock disclosure came as dead billionaire Epstein's ex-girlfriend pleaded not guilty via video link to charges related to his sex trafficking ring on Tuesday. Maxwell's marriage was disclosed by US Attorney Alison Moe, one of three prosecutors on the case, at the detention hearing. She spoke about the lack of transparency in Maxwell's filings and asked who would co-sign her bond if she was given bail, saying Maxwell 'makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse whose identity she declined to provide to Pretrial Services.' Jeffrey Epstein's 'madam' Ghislaine Maxwell is secretly married but refuses to say who to, US prosecutors have said as she is denied bail Ghislaine Maxwell cried as she was denied bail on Tuesday and learned she must stay locked up until her trial next summer, as Jeffrey Epstein's accused madam pleaded not guilty to the sex trafficking charges brought against her Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend. She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, as prosecutors successfully argued that along with her three passports, connections to some of the world's most powerful people and her own fortune of more than $10 million - Maxwell had every incentive to try and flee Maxwell is currently in custody in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (pictured) where she is wearing paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself Ghislaine Maxwell's $1M hideaway was protected by ex-British soldier recruited by one of her brothers Ghislaine Maxwell was guarded by former members of the British army while on the run from police, a New York court was told. The wealthy socialite, 58, was said to have had the bodyguards at the New Hampshire property where she was arrested by the FBI two weeks ago. Papers filed for the case say a security guard at the mansion told investigators one of her brothers had hired the highly-trained personnel. One guard had her credit card to go and buy her supplies so she did not have to leave the house. Maxwell's brothers Ian, 64, and Kevin, 61, (pictured left and right) refused to answer questions about who paid for the protection detail. They are closer to her than older sibling Philip, 71, who has avoided the spotlight for many years Maxwell's brothers Kevin, 61, and Ian, 64, yesterday refused to answer questions about who paid for the protection detail, according to The Times. They are closer to her than older sibling Philip, 71, who has avoided the spotlight for many years. Kevin and Ian have many contacts in the security world after setting up a think tank in 2018 called Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism. It features Ian on its website as a director and publicly available Companies House data show feature its most recent accounts, which show liabilities of some 116,514. The New York court papers on Maxwell's case stated of her arrest: 'The FBI spoke with the security guard, who informed the agents that the defendant's brother had hired a security company staffed with former members of the British military to guard the defendant in rotations. Advertisement Moe said: 'In addition to failing to describe in any way the absence of proposed cosigners of a bond, the defendant also makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse whose identity she declined to provide to Pretrial Services. There's no information about who will be co-signing this bond or their assets, and no details whatsoever.' She did not say who she believed Maxwell's spouse was or give any indication as to how long they had been married. A source told ABC News disclosure of the marriage was intended to show the judge Maxwell has not been that forthcoming about her circumstances and finances. The only other mention made of Maxwell being married is when Moe revealed the socialite had toured her $1 million hideaway in Bradford, New Hampshire with an unknown man in November 2019. Moe said a real estate agent described the pair as a couple, giving their names as Scott and Janet or Jen Marshall. There is a discrepancy in Maxwell's alias, as Moe referred to the alias as both Jen and Janet during the hearing. The real estate agent said she only realized later that the woman was Maxwell. Moe said: 'The real estate agent told the FBI agent the buyers for the house introduced themselves as Scott and Janet Marshall. Both had British accents. 'Scott Marshall told her he was retired from the British military and was currently working on a book. Janet Marshall described herself as a journalist.' Last summer, DailyMail.com tracked down Maxwell in Manchester-by-the-Sea, living at a $2 million home owned by her tech CEO lover Scott Borgerson. It is unclear if the man who toured the New Hampshire home with Maxwell was Borgerson, whose shipping technology firm, Cargometrics, was valued at more than $100 million in 2016, according to the Financial Times. Borgerson is believed to have met Maxwell six years ago through speaking engagements connected to ocean preservation. They both were pictured speaking at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik in 2014. On the morning Maxwell was arrested, her lawyer Mark Cohen said his client was in her pajamas, 'with one security guard.... two people in the house.' Prosecutor Moe added: 'She is good at living under an assumed identity. There really can be no question that she can live in hiding.' Records also revealed Maxwell's $1 million home was purchased by a company that reportedly has ties to Borgerson. The buyer is listed as Granite Reality LLC - a mysterious corporation that was set up just weeks prior the purchase. The Sun reports that Granite Reality LLC is managed by Boston lawyer, Jeffrey W. Roberts, who is also the registered agent of a second company, Hopely Yealton. Curiously, the publication reports that the manager of Hopely Yealton is Borgerson. Prosecutor Allison Moe said when Maxwell bought her $1 million Bradford, New Hampshire home (pictured), she toured the home back in November of 2019 using the alias of Janet Marshall and claimed to the real estate agent that she worked as a journalist Last summer, DailyMail.com previously tracked down Maxwell living in Manchester-by-the-Sea at a home owned by her tech CEO lover Scott Borgerson. It is unclear if the man who toured the New Hampshire home with Maxwell was Borgerson(pictured last summer in Boston) with Ghislaine's dog The 58-year-old wiped tears away and hung her head as she learned her fate, wearing a prison-issued brown top and with her normally short hair now long and swept back into a bun, appearing via video link. Judge Alison Nathan denied Maxwell's proposal of a $5 million bond co-signed by two of her sisters and backed up by more than $3.75 million in property in the UK. Maxwell's legal team had argued she would be confined to a 'luxury hotel' in the New York area, surrender all her travel documents and be subject to GPS monitoring. But Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her 'substantial international' ties and 'extraordinary financial resources', setting an anticipated trial date for July 12, 2021. Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend. She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, as prosecutors successfully argued that along with her three passports, connections to some of the world's most powerful people and her own fortune of more than $10million - Maxwell had every incentive to try and flee. Maxwell will now return to the fortress-like Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself. Maxwell is being closely watched as the Department of Justice wants to ensure she does not kill herself like Epstein, who hanged himself last August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. During the two hour and 20 minute hearing at Manhattan's Federal Court, Maxwell appeared via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. She was wearing a dark brown prison issue top and her dark hair was far longer than in the past - she reportedly has not had a haircut in a year - and was swept behind her head in a bun It wasn't until Judge Nathan began reading her decision that Maxwell finally broke down. She began moving uneasily in her chair as the judge said the evidence against her was 'strong'. When Judge Nathan said a 'combination of factors' showed she had the 'motive and opportunity' to flee before her trial, Maxwell wiped a tear away Victim Annie Farmer (pictured) also spoke at the hearing, detailing how she met Maxwell when she was 16 years old. Farmer has previously gone on record with her claims against Maxwell During the two hour and 20 minute hearing at Manhattan's Federal Court, Maxwell appeared via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The small room she was in had white walls, a white bed, a window with frosted glass and a door at the back. She was wearing a dark brown prison issued top and her dark hair was far longer than in the past - she reportedly has not had a haircut in a year - and was swept behind her head in a bun. At the start of the hearing, Maxwell rested her elbows on a table in front of the camera and put her head on her hands. She appeared nervous and pensive and kept looking from side to side, as she leaned into the camera. Maxwell briefly spoke and only to confirm she could hear the judge and to enter her plea by saying: 'Not guilty, your honor'. Her demeanor changed when prosecutor Alison Moe began outlining the allegations against her, sitting back in her chair and bowing her head when Moe accused her of 'sexual abuse of minors'. With every allegation, Maxwell either scratched her face or moved her hair, but was emotionless as victim impact statements were read aloud. It wasn't until Judge Nathan started reading her decision that Maxwell finally broke down. She began moving uneasily in her chair as the judge said the evidence against her was 'strong'. MAXWELL'S LEGAL TEAM: Pictured l-r: Jeffrey S. Pagliuca,Christian R Everdell, Laura A. Menninger and Mark Cohen. In their filings to the court Maxwell's lawyers had argued that she is at increased risk of catching the coronavirus whilst in prison. They claim that the restrictions on access to her lawyers caused by the pandemic would mean it was impossible for her to get a fair trial Also on the case is (l-r) Alex Rossmiller, Alison Moe and Maurene Comey, James Comey's daughter Pictured: Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss speaks during a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell When Judge Nathan said a 'combination of factors' showed she had the 'motive and opportunity' to flee before her trial, Maxwell wiped a tear away. The second tear fell as the judge said Maxwell was 'sophisticated at hiding her financial resources'. For the rest of the decision, Maxwell rested her head in her hands as she had done at the start of the hearing. Maxwell sat though prosecutors detailing how she was 'skilled at living in hiding' and as two victims argued she was a flight risk, with one writing: 'Without Ghislaine, Jeffrey couldn't have done what he did. She is a predator and a monster.' Prosecutors argued against Maxwell being granted bail, citing that due to holding both French and British passports, she has the ability to 'live beyond the reach of extradition indefinitely'. Moe also read out a victim impact statement from a woman identified as Jane Doe, who also made the case that Maxwell was a flight risk. The victim said she knew Maxwell for 10 years and the socialite intended to 'deliver' her to Epstein, all the while knowing the 'heinous dehumanization that awaited me'. The woman claimed Maxwell 'was in charge' and 'egged' Epstein on. She described Maxwell as 'sociopathic' and said she would 'have done anything to get what she wanted - to satisfy Jeffrey Epstein'. The victim added that 'if [Maxwell] is out, I need to be protected', citing a phone call she received in the middle of the night threatening her two-year-old child. Annie Farmer also spoke at the hearing, detailing how she met Maxwell when she was 16 years old. Farmer has previously gone on record with her claims against Maxwell. She said Maxwell 'has never shown any remorse [and] tormented her survivors... She has associates across the globe, some of great means.' Maxwell's mugshot has not been released by the federal authorities and the hearing offered the first chance to see her in at least a year. Maxwell's whereabouts had largely been unknown since Epstein's arrest last July. Although DailyMail.com tracked her down to the New England coast last summer, she vanished again, later popping up in a photo at an In-N-Out in Los Angeles Maxwell was romantically involved with Jeffrey Epstein from around 1992, but then became his 'right-hand woman', managing his property empire and, it is alleged, his trafficking of minors Maxwell's attorney Mark Cohen tried to argue his client was not a flight risk, claiming she has community ties and is 'part of a very large and close family'. He said: 'Our client is not Jeffrey Epstein, and she has been the target of endless media spin', leading prosecutor Moe to later shoot back: 'These are the facts. It is not dirt, it is not spin, it is evidence to the court.' Cohen claimed Maxwell had received numerous threats and denied she had refused to open her front door to the FBI when they raided her home on July 2. He claimed her front door was unlocked, the windows were open and she had 'surrendered' to the agents. Addressing reports that Maxwell had wrapped her mobile phone in tin foil, which prosecutors called a 'seemingly misguided effort to evade detection' by law enforcement, Cohen claimed her phone had been hacked and she had to preserve the phone as evidence. Cohen went above the issue of Maxwell being a flight risk to complain that the charges against her are from 25 years ago, calling the indictment 'an effort to dance around' the controversial non-prosecution sweetheart deal Epstein and his associates received in Florida in 2007. With her bail now denied, Maxwell will return to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Journalists had started lining up outside the federal court in downtown Manhattan at 6am to get a seat inside the courtroom. They were allowed in at 11.45am and had to stand 6ft apart while they waited to ensure social distancing. The hearing took place in the jury assembly room which normally has space for hundreds of people but had a dramatically reduced capacity of just 60 due to the coronavirus. A dial-in phone line allowed 1,000 more people to listen in - the capacity was increased from 500 due to world-wide interest. Inside the room there were two projector screens, which showed the proceedings live. All parties, including the judge, appeared remotely and no one was physically in court. Maxwell's lawyer was visible at all times in a box on the screen. Maxwell had her own box, the judge had one and the prosecutors had another. Maxwell's mugshot has not been released by the federal authorities and the hearing offered the first chance to see her in at least a year. Maxwell's whereabouts had largely been unknown since Epstein's arrest last July. Although DailyMail.com tracked her down to the New England coast last summer, she vanished again, later popping up in a photo at an In-N-Out in Los Angeles. The FBI managed to finally trace her down in the quiet and rural town of Bradford, New Hampshire earlier this month, where she had been living since December. Officials said her conduct during the 8.30am raid at the property called 'Tuckedaway' was 'troubling'. They wrote that when the FBI arrived they were confronted by a locked gate which they forced their way through. The filing said: 'As the agents approached the front door to the main house, they announced themselves as FBI agents and directed the defendant to open the door. 'Through a window, the agents saw the defendant ignore the direction to open the door and, instead, try to flee to another room in the house, quickly shutting a door behind her. Agents were ultimately forced to breach the door in order to enter the house to arrest the defendant, who was found in an interior room in the house. 'Moreover, as the agents conducted a security sweep of the house, they also noticed a cell phone wrapped in tin foil on top of a desk, a seemingly misguided effort to evade detection, not by the press or public, which of course would have no ability to trace her phone or intercept her communications, but by law enforcement'. After Maxwell, the daughter of late newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell, was arrested the FBI spoke to a security guard who worked on the property who said that her brother had hired him from a company staffed with former British military soldiers. The filing states: 'The guard informed the FBI that the defendant had not left the property during his time working there, and that instead, the guard was sent to make purchases for the property using the credit card. As these facts make plain, there should be no question that the defendant is skilled at living in hiding'. In their filings to the court Maxwell's lawyers had argued that she is at increased risk of catching the coronavirus whilst in prison. So far there have only been five cases and no deaths at the prison. They claim that the restrictions on access to her lawyers caused by the pandemic would mean it was impossible for her to get a fair trial. The prosecutors said that in fact the prison had made substantial efforts to accommodate her and keep her safe. New York prosecutors said in a filing Monday this was evidence that Maxwell was 'skilled at living in hiding' and should be denied bail Her bail request (pictured) was filed in the US District Court in Manhattan and claims she was not 'hiding' from authorities, is not a flight risk and is at risk of contracting COVID-19 if she continues to be held in the Brooklyn jail The case against her is 'strong' and multiple victims have provided 'detailed, credible evidence of the defendant's criminal conduct' - with more women coming forward in the past week. The victims have made clear they want Maxwell remanded in custody and say they were 'directly abused as a result of Ghislaine Maxwell's actions'. The document states: 'While that conduct did take place a number of years ago, it is unsurprising that the victims have been unable to forget the defendant's predatory conduct after all this time, as traumatic childhood experiences often leave indelible marks. 'The recollections of the victims bear striking resemblances that corroborate each other and provide compelling proof of the defendant's active participation in a disturbing scheme to groom and sexually abuse minor girls'. The prosecutors said that it was 'curious' that Maxwell claimed to have access to millions of dollars had not offered 'a single dime' as collateral for her bond. They claimed that Maxwell's finances were 'completely opaque' and she had not even indicated which properties she would use for her bond. Some of the co-signers are 'themselves so wealthy that it would be no financial burden whatsoever' if they lost their $5 million by Maxwell skipping bail, the document states. Epstein's victims have long demanded Maxwell's arrest and lawyers for them say that a slew of new accusers have come forward since she was apprehended. Prosecutors will likely be looking to do a plea deal with Maxwell to lighten some of the six charges against her, two of which are perjury for allegedly lying during depositions. They will be questioning her about powerful men in Epstein's orbit including Bill Clinton with whom she flew on Epstein's private jet, called the 'Lolita Express', on a tour of Africa in 2002. Maxwell was also good friends with Prince Andrew and one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Roberts, claims she was loaned out to the Duke three times for sex when she was 17. New Delhi: Congress national general secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande on Tuesday dissolved the party's state executive and all departments and cells of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee. The development comes after Congress cracked down on Sachin Pilot, stripping the dissident leader of the posts of Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president, and sacking two loyalists from the state Cabinet. PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. today announced that monthly fund composition and performance data for Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund (NYSE: FMN) as of June 30, 2020, is now available in the Products section of FederatedInvestors.com. To order hard copies of this data or to be placed on a mailing list, call 800-245-0242 x5587538, email [email protected] or write to Federated Hermes, 1001 Liberty Avenue, Floor 23, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI) is a leading global investment manager with $605.8 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2020. Guided by our conviction that responsible investing is the best way to create wealth over the long term, our investment solutions span 163 equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies and a range of separately managed account strategies. Providing world-class active investment management and engagement services to more than 11,000 institutions and intermediaries, our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes' more than 1,900 employees include those in London, New York, Boston and several other offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com. ### SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc. Related Links http://FederatedInvestors.com Media Report: US Frees Convicted Terror Financier as Part of Deal with Iran By VOA News July 13, 2020 A Lebanese businessman, who pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating U.S. sanctions, was released from U.S. federal prison last month and is now back in Lebanon, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons said in a report by Reuters. Kassim Tajideen, 65, was accused of financing Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. In 2009, Tajideen was designated an important financial supporter of Hezbollah something he denies. He was extradited to the U.S. after his 2017 arrest in Morocco. And in 2018, he pleaded guilty to charges associated with violating U.S. sanctions and was sentenced to five years in prison. Lebanese Businessman Pleads Guilty of Violating US Sanctions A Lebanese businessman accused of providing millions of dollars to the Hezbollah militant group pleaded guilty Thursday and admitted his role in a money-laundering conspiracy to evade U.S. sanctions, the Justice Department said. Kassim Tajideen, 63, of Beirut was accused of conspiring with at least five other people to conduct over $50 million in transactions with U.S. businesses, in violation of sanctions that barred him from doing business with U.S. According to three Reuters' sources a senior official in the Middle East, a senior Lebanese official and a regional diplomat the release was the result of "indirect understandings" between Tehran and Washington. Two of the three sources said the release was part of a deal that last summer freed Sam Goodwin, a U.S. citizen being held in Syria, and Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent resident detained in Iran. A State Department spokesperson said Tajideen was released for health reasons and that reports of a deal were false. The spokesperson said the U.S. government would abide by the court's decision but opposed the release. The fact that he is being released early doesn't diminish the severity of his crime, a State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, on July 8, when Tajideen arrived in Beirut. In May, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., had ordered Tajideen released. Chibli Mallat, Tajideen's lawyer, called it "a purely judicial operation," he said. The exact reasons the Lebanese businessman was freed have been sealed. "The release of Tajideen comes within a long path of exchange operations that will happen later on a wide level. There are still those who will be released by the two sides. This operation will continue," the Middle Eastern official told Reuters. The regional diplomat also described Tajideen's release as a prelude to further possible deals involving around 20 people. "All parties involved are testing each other as there is zero trust," the diplomat told Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Local public health officials will be able to keep Texas schools closed for in-person instruction this fall without risking state education funding, a Texas Education Agency spokesperson confirmed to The Texas Tribune Wednesday. Last week, the state's education agency released an order requiring schools to open their buildings to in-person instruction five days a week for all students who want it. The order gives districts a transition period of just three weeks at the start of the year to hold classes virtually and get their safety plans in place before allowing students back on campuses. After the three-week transition, districts that stay entirely virtual would risk losing funding. But TEA officials confirmed Wednesday they would continue to fund school districts if local health officials order them to stay closed, as long as they offer remote instruction for all students. Gov. Greg Abbott told a Houston television station this week that the state would ease up on stringent reopening requirements, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations skyrocket across Texas, and would give school districts more flexibility to stay virtual for longer than three weeks. Public health officials warn that reopening school buildings in areas with a lot of community spread will exacerbate the virus impact on those communities. Even before Abbott's statement, some local public health officials had moved to mandate that schools remain closed at least through Labor Day, saying it would be unsafe to reopen school buildings while the pandemic was raging. El Paso and Laredo health officials were among the first to issue those mandates last week. And Tuesday, Travis County health officials ordered all public and private schools to delay on-campus instruction at least until Sept. 7. It was unclear last week whether Abbott or the TEA would let those orders stand. The wavering guidance has confused and frustrated teachers and parents wanting to know what the upcoming fall will mean for themselves and their families. A University of Texas and Texas Politics Project poll showed recently that 65% of Texans said it was unsafe for children to go back to school. And teachers unions are encouraging their members to look for legal avenues to stay home, including resigning or retiring early, instead of being forced back into classrooms while cases are rising. A TEA spokesperson told the Tribune that school superintendents and school boards cannot make the decision to stay entirely virtual for longer than three weeks without a mandate from public health officials. Some school districts, including San Antonio Independent School District, are moving their start dates to later in August and then starting their school years entirely virtually for three weeks. The TEA is expected to roll out revised guidance on reopening schools in the upcoming days. This story first ran on The Texas Tribune. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday honoured a former works minister, John Obada. The virtual FEC meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari observed a minute silence for Mr Obada, a retired major-general who died on June 13 after a brief illness at the age of 81. Mr Obada acted as Chief of Air Staff (COAS) from 1970 to 1971, and was Federal Commissioner for Works and member of the Supreme Military Council. He also served as the commissioner representing Delta State in the Federal Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in 2006. Born on April 4, 1939, he retired from the Nigerian Army in 1977 as a major general. Until his death, Mr Obada was the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Urhobo Progress Union, the apex socio-cultural body of the Urhobo Nation. Although Wednesdays FEC meeting was a virtual one, some of the attendees were physically present to attend the meeting. These include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; National Security Adviser; Babagana Monguno, and some ministers. The ministers at the Council Chambers include Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture); Zainab Ahmed (Finance, Budget and National Planning); Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba; Abubakar Malami (Justice); Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk; and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah and Alya Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16 2020 Two journalist associations have reacted strongly to attempts to discredit the Indonesian media following recent revelations about a list of journalists on a number of overseas trips accompanying then maritime affairs and fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti. In a written statement issued on Monday, Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) supervisory board chairman Ilham Bintang clarified that the image merely showed a list of journalists who were invited to cover Susis official visit to a number of countries, and that in no instances did reprehensible practices take place. Theres an irresponsible party who framed the list as something that it is not. Its [framed] as if the [accommodation] budget paid for by the government was a form of bribery, Ilham stated. 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 America's enemies were nothing to these six tours of duty veteran, but he ended his own life. As a soldier, he was known as Captain America who was never broken by his six tours of duty. When he came back home, the enemy inside him took over, and tore him inside out, reported Fox 5. Six tours for Captain America Master Sgt. Andrew Christian Marckesano went on in a six tour service to his country. In these combat tours, he received a Green Beret and a Silver Star as a soldier in the US Army, confirm Daily Mail. Having moved to the nation's capital and starting a job in the Pentagon soon, everything seemed alright. Just two days after Independence Day, he went out to dinner with his former battalion leader where things just unraveled. When Marckesano got home, he did the unthinkable and killed himself in front of his wife. Veteran's death struck home When news of his death came, many in his military circle were shocked. Most of them in the service did not expect that he'll take his own life. Fox News was told of his tour in 2009 at the Arghandab Valley, in Afghanistan. During that year, the unit he served in the 2-508 Battalion suffered many losses in the Afghan conflict. Former commanding Sgt Major Bert Puckett mentioned that it was a rough time for everyone. Before the death, Marckesano's said he was available anytime and ready to talk. He was saying things about what they did and even mentioned unthinkable things that they did. He stressed they needed to help each other and made mention of the valley, not letting it win. Also read: Taliban Takes Advantage of Pentagon Peace Deal by Attacking Afghan Allies, Killing Civilians His suicide is just the 30th in the battalion to end it abruptly and just another from his unit. People don't know it, but 20 veterans die by their own hands each day. The deaths of these men are trying to be prevented by the military and the White House. Many are not aware that President Trump started the PREVENTS Task Force to find ways for combat veterans to cope and prevent them from committing suicide. He calls them heroes who need help because the enemy is within them. Another from the 2-508 Battalion, Staff Sgt Allen Thomas also ended his life by suicide in 2013. He left a wife and two daughters who were at the President's program for vet assistance with The Independence Fund and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Be a Hero for a Hero. The purpose is to patch residual battle shock in retreats for vets at home. A 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 can be called for consulting vets who need someone to talk to. The Trump administration declares the right of war veterans for care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cost, cited American Mental Wellness. Thomas served three tours of duty with the 82nd Airborne. In one tour, he was one of the casualties of a suicide bomber. Having survived and sent back state-side but suffered from post-traumatic stress. All problems brought on by combat was not given enough attention by the Veteran's Administration, mentioned Law Enforcement Today. American heroes died: where are the parades Before killing himself, Thomas killed two people but he was someplace as he broke down mentally. Another addition to US army death is "Captain America" Marckesano. People are now asking where are the marches to honor their death and service to the country. Related article: U.S. Retaliates 'Defensive Strike' Against Talibans After Attack on Afghan Checkpoint @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. - The government has initiated plans to form a tax appeals board to serve as a mediator between the Ghana Revenue Authority and the taxpayer - The bill was laid before Parliament on Thursday, 30 April 2020, by deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare - The formation of the board is expected to cost the government GHc2.5 million Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in A bill to aid the establishment of an independent tax appeals board has been laid before Parliament. The board will be tasked with the responsibility of increasing the mobilisation of revenue for the government. It would also be responsible for resolving disputes between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the taxpayer. READ ALSO: African Development Bank issues warning to African countries over borrowed funds According to a report by classfmonline.com, a bill was laid on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, 30 April 2020, by deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare. Also known as the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Bill, it will hear and determine appeals against tax decisions made by the Commissioner-General. The bill will also make provision for the payment of shortfalls in tax liabilities which result from omissions. Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta Source: Starrfm.com.gh Source: UGC The bill is expected to demand the submission of Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs) without the payment of a penalty by subcontractors with respect to government contracts. According to the Chairman of Parliaments Finance Committee, Dr. Mark Assibey, the board will increase investor confidence and reduce litigations. The board would be set up at a cost of GHc2.5 million to the government. In other news, the 2020 Tax Transparency report has concluded that Africa is gradually eliminating tax evasion and money laundering. The report shows that Africa has taken important steps to strengthen commitments and capacities. It also showed that this would help achieve transparency and provide information on the illicit flow of funds. READ ALSO: Models of VWs outdoored in Ghana; prices as low as GHc60,000 Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Playstore now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Use the comments section below to share your views on this story. Do you have a story to share or have information for us? Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on or Instagram Source: YEN.com.gh LONDON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Bank communicated on June 30th that it is providing a further US$16.4 million to the Commonwealth of Dominica. This week, the Government Information Service shared that farmers are already receiving equipment provided with support from the World Bank. The additional financing aims to continue supporting the agricultural sector, food security, climate resilience and economic recovery from COVID-19. Similar to previous funding, the friendly terms allow for a 10-year grace period, with a 40-year maturity overall. In June, the World Bank replenished Dominica's COVID-19 recovery funds with US$3 million, after an earlier US$6.6 million support in April. Dominica's effective response to the outbreak resulted in only 18 cases and no deaths. "Agricultural livelihoods, food security, and resilience to climate-related shocks are key priorities for Dominica," said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. She added: "This financing will support Dominica's efforts in these areas, including providing local employment opportunities in the construction and agriculture sectors during this challenging COVID-19 period." Over 200 farmers have already benefitted from the World Bank support, with full balance expected by September. A local news report shows the equipment that Dominican farmers are collecting from the government, through a digitalised distribution system. One of the equipment recipients said that he has already seen a difference: "These tools are very handy and they are going to be very beneficial to me [] We ought to thank the World Bank for responding in a tangible way." Dominica's recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19 has been underway since May. One of the first government initiatives was facilitating 1% loans for affected small businesses. In a webinar with Dubai-based newspaper Khaleej Times, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit explained that Dominica finances its post-pandemic recovery "through a combination of loans, government revenue, including CBI [Citizenship by Investment] funds, and reduction in recurrent expenditure." Assisting Dominica's recovery is its famous Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. It attracts significant funds from reputable sources, and has been classed first in the world in the past three issues of the CBI Index, published yearly by FT's PWM magazine. The authors praise Dominica's focus on integrity and transparency. CBI funding has had a tangible impact on virtually all aspects of life, as noted in a PricewaterhouseCoopers report. Meanwhile, only carefully checked foreign investors can qualify for Dominica's valuable citizenship. Contact: [email protected] www.csglobalpartners.com SOURCE CS Global Partners Related Links https://csglobalpartners.com She is being held in solitary confinement with the lights of her cell kept on constantly in a jail where conditions have been compared to those of a Third World country. Could there be a harsher introduction to life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center a bleak high-rise concrete fortress in the Brooklyn district of New York for Ghislaine Maxwell? Even without the extra security precautions (because she is considered at risk of self-harm and a potential target for other inmates) conditions inside the MDC, as this maximum security establishment is commonly known, are grim indeed. 'The most troubled federal facility in the prison system' is how a former governor recently described the jail. Considering the US system includes such notorious names San Quentin and Rikers Island, it is quite some claim. Could there be a harsher introduction to life inside the Metropolitan Detention Center a bleak high-rise concrete fortress in the Brooklyn district of New York for Ghislaine Maxwell? Few, though, doubt, the accuracy of the statement there have been reports down the years of guards beating and raping female inmates. But this is where the daughter of disgraced newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell will spend the next 12 months after being denied bail yesterday following her appearance in court in Manhattan via a video link. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping her friend and former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in the depositions in 2016. They argued against her application for bail, describing her as an extreme flight risk. Anyone, let alone an Oxford-educated socialite who enjoyed a life of privilege until her arrest at her 800,000 New Hampshire hideaway last week, would find the prospect daunting. Little wonder Maxwell's family offered up a 4million bail package to get her freed before she stands trial to avoid incarceration in the MDC. Maxwell, 58, once so close to Prince Andrew, knows what lies in store for the foreseeable future. Pictured at a fast-food joint in Los Angeles in August 2019 Prosecutors have accused Maxwell of helping her friend and former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 On entering the jail, she will have been placed in 'full restraint' leg shackles, a body chain and handcuffs before being strip-searched. Initially, her Prada dresses and Louboutin heels were replaced by suicide-proof paper clothes and prison slippers. She has now been allowed to change out of them judging by her appearance in a khaki T-shirt and trousers in the court video link. Maxwell, 58, once so close to Prince Andrew, knows what lies in store for the foreseeable future. Her daily routine is spelt out in the Inmate Admission and Orientation Handbook. Her prison day starts at 6am, the booklet states. Her bed in her (10ft by 12ft) cell must be made by 7.30am, and she is 'responsible for sweeping and mopping' the cell floor, removing rubbish and 'ensuring it is clean'. This must come as a shock for a socialite who has probably never picked up a brush and pan in her life. Conditions inside the MDC, as this maximum security establishment is commonly known, are grim indeed But this is where the daughter of disgraced newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell will spend the next 12 months after being denied bail yesterday It doesn't get any easier. On the breakfast menu she will find grits, a type of porridge made from boiled cornmeal, popular in the American South. Would Maxwell have even had grits during her champagne existence on the outside? Probably not. Lunch is at 11am. Choices include barbecue chicken and macaroni cheese, followed by 'dinner' at 4pm (soup, hot dogs, pasta). Maxwell or inmate 02879-509 is not allowed any personal property. She is issued with toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and soap. Her cell contains a locker where she can keep newspapers and magazines (they may make uncomfortable reading) as well as books, letters and photos. Some inmates are given jobs inside the jail, where there has been a Covid outbreak, following a medical assessment. These include working in the kitchen or the maintenance shop. Such a privilege would probably not be extended to Maxwell who has already reportedly been the subject of 'multiple and credible threats' against her life. One source said other prisoners targeting Maxwell would be viewed as a 'badge of honour'. One of the few 'perks' will be watching TV in her cell. She is also allowed one approved MP3 player and a watch. Phone calls are limited to 15 minutes with a maximum 300 minutes a month. She can receive and send letters which must include her inmate number. Like other prisoners, Maxwell could be searched by guards at any time as the handbook makes clear: 'Staff may conduct a pat search of an inmate on a routine or random basis to control contraband.' The rules also state 'staff may search an inmate's housing and work area without notice, randomly and without the inmate's presence.' Maxwell will be set up with her own prison bank account, to which family and friends can wire money. She can spend up to $150 (120) at the prison shop every two weeks not even small change to a woman who had about 15 bank accounts, holding up to 18million, according to court documents. What the 'Inmate Admission and Orientation Handbook' doesn't detail is the controversial history of the Metropolitan Detention Center. Built in the 1990s, and holding 1,600 men and women, it has been the subject of a number of official investigations by the authorities. Last year, three male MDC guards were convicted of sexually abusing at least six female prisoners. In 2016, a judge expressed reluctance about sending women to the Brooklyn facility because, she said, conditions made it sound like it was in 'some third-world' country. The MDC continues to be plagued by reports of misconduct; only last month an inmate died after prison staff doused him with pepper spray, which had led to an inquiry by the Justice Department's inspector general; in May yet another inmate died at the jail. Maxwell herself is being held in 'administrative detention' solitary confinement. Her predicament was revealed by her lawyer at her court appearance this week. 'We have a client who has been kept alone in a room with the lights on all the time, is not allowed to speak with us in jail at all, and wasn't allowed to shower for 72 hours,' he said. Court papers showed she travelled internationally at least 15 times in the past three years, including trips to the UK. In 2019 a few days after Epstein killed himself in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges she was said to have been photographed in a restaurant in Los Angeles but the pictures were later discredited as Photoshopped fakes. 'The defendant has the ability to live in hiding, and she's demonstrated that she can live off the grid,' prosecutors said. Hence the reason why this London socialite will be eating grits for breakfast tomorrow. China-South Asia Friendship Organizations webinar is held on July 13, 2020. During a webinar on Monday, officials and scholars from friendship organizations of China and seven South Asian countries discussed ways to promote solidarity and pragmatic cooperation between China and South Asia in fighting COVID-19. Organized by Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), the China-South Asia Friendship Organizations webinar is themed Gather Strength to Combat COVID-19 through Friendship, Promote Common Development through Cooperation Acknowledging that China and South Asia are good neighbors with a long-lasting friendship and a shared destiny, participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka spoke highly of Chinas general assistance to South Asian countries at this challenging time, calling for strengthened solidarity and further people-to-people contact and friendship on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Lin Songtian, President of Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. (Photo provided by CPAFFC) Due to the global epidemic, it dawned on the world that all human beings are in a community with a shared future. No country can tackle this alone and no one can be an exception, shared the President of CPAFFC, Lin Songtian, in his opening remarks, adding that the key to victory is to put people first, put life above everything else and have respect for science. Lin pledged to establish a closer partnership with friendship organizations from South Asia and to strengthen dialogue on an equal footing for international equity and justice. South Asia, home to nearly 2 billion people representing 21 percent of the worlds population, is fiercely fighting to save the lives of its people, said Farwa Zafar, Secretary General of All Pakistan-China Friendship Association. COVID-19 is indeed ushering in an era of cooperation marked by shared responsibility for a shared future, she said, pointing out that the BRI corridor, ports and logistics hubs are now being used to provide medical support to partner countries. These efforts can be further coordinated to develop a healthy Silk Road in combination with the digital Silk Road to show how technology can harness to mitigate the social and economic fallout of the pandemic, she added. President of Afghanistan China Friendship Association, Sultan A. Baheen, said the experience of different countries, especially China, acknowledges that quarantine and city lockdowns are the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus. In his view, friendship associations are of great significance in fighting against the virus through measures such as raising public awareness, mobilizing people and providing aid through volunteers to affected areas. Founder and Chairman of China-Maldivian Cultural Association, Mohamed Rasheed, stressed the importance to improve the governance system for public health security in view of the weaknesses and deficiencies exposed by COVID-19, appealing for reducing virus-related stigma. Several media outlets in the region are spreading false news and disinformation that are extremely detrimental to our solidarity, Rasheed said, noting that all nations must unite together and use the great advances of science and instinctive compassion to heal. During the webinar, participants reached a broad consensus on fighting the pandemic, launching a joint initiative titled Fighting the Pandemic Together for a Beautiful Dream, emphasizing further practical cooperation between China and South Asia through friendly dialogue. In light of the Asia spirit, Asia wisdom and Asia strength, we shall make greater efforts in pushing forward the Belt and Road Initiative, to promote win-win cooperation for common development, and to safeguard the regional and world peace and prosperity, as well as to build a community of a shared future for mankind, the initiative stated. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alya Nurbaiti and Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 18:43 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066691d92 1 National djoko-tjandra,National-Police,house-of-representatives Free The National Police have launched an investigation into a police general at the Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) who reportedly issued a letter for fugitive and graft convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra that allowed him to travel within the country. The case first came to light after watchdog Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) reported that the head of the Civil Servant Investigator Supervisory and Coordination Bureau at Bareskrim, Brig. Gen. Prasetyo Utomo, had signed a travel letter on June 18, allowing Djoko to fly from Jakarta to Pontianak in West Kalimantan on June 19 and return on June 22 in his capacity as a consultant. National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Argo Yuwono admitted on Wednesday that the travel letter was issued by a police general and head of a bureau within the force, although he stopped short of mentioning the person's name. He said that person was currently under investigation by the police's internal affairs division (Propam). "The head of the bureau made the travel letter on his own initiative," Argo said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday. "If the investigation proved his involvement, he would be dismissed from his position." Read also: House mulls creating special committee to probe failure to detect fugitive Djoko Tjandra's return Djoko, a convict in a high-profile Bank Bali corruption case, has remained at large for more than a decade ever since he fled to Papua New Guinea following his conviction in June 2009. He reportedly returned to Indonesia without being detected by the Immigration Office and filed a review of his case in early June. He reportedly obtained an e-ID card from the South Grogol subdistrict in Jakarta on June 8 and a passport on June 27. However, his whereabouts now remain unknown to the authorities. Bareskrim chief Insp. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo said earlier on Wednesday that he had ordered the Propam to investigate the matter upon learning about the allegations, adding that he would take stern measures against the person involved in the case. House of Representatives deputy speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad also called on the police to check the validity of the letter. We must confirm whether the letter was true, which institution and who is responsible for the issuance of the letter, the Gerindra Party politician told The Jakarta Post. Fox News Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera vehemently disagreed with U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan for denying alleged Jeffrey Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell bail on Tuesday, claiming the judge caved to the mob and chickened out. Maxwell, who has been charged with four counts of child sex trafficking and two counts of perjury, pleaded not guilty to the charges on Tuesday and her trial was set for July 2021. Nathan then denied Maxwell bail, meaning the accused sex trafficker will remain in custody for a year. The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that no combination could reasonably assure her presence in court, the judge said. The risks are simply too great. Moments after Nathans bail decision, Rivera appeared to agree with Maxwells defense attorneys, who have argued in court that the alleged Eptein madam isnt a flight risk and that shes been in regular contact with the government, through counsel, since Epsteins arrest. Prosecutors have countered that Maxwell attempted to flee when they arrived to arrest her and wrapped her cell phone in tinfoil to evade detection. I think this was a political decision, Rivera said. I agree absolutely that the question is not whether she committed these hideous offenses. The question is whether or not she would show up for trial. Rivera, who is also an attorney, pointed to Maxwells recent purchase of a New Hampshire home to argue that she went to all this trouble to stay in the country and yet shes still being sent to a detention center thats a hotbed of COVID-19. I think that if you take her passport, you put the ankle bracelet on her, she owns property now, she could have led this country long ago if she was so inclined, he added. Now to keep her there in solitary confinement, essentially for over a year awaiting trial, they are doing this to put pressure on her, the federal prosecutors. Then, in a similar vein as former Epstein lawyer and friend Alan Dershowitz, Rivera offered up a defense of the accused sex trafficker. Story continues They are punishing her before conviction, he grumbled. She has never been held liable in a civil suit, never been convicted of a crime. She is not Jeffrey Epstein. Rivera would go on to insist that Maxwell wasnt necessarily hiding from the law over the past year but instead was running from the press, saying she was one of the most sought after tabloid figures in the country. Brushing off her charges as wobbly because they are from alleged actions that took place 25 years ago, he knocked the judge for seemingly caving to political and popular pressure. For this judge to chicken out and not give this defendant bail, I think, is copping out to the mob, he concluded. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Police have urged people quarantining for COVID-19 to 'put some clothes on' after many residents greeted them in the nude during door-to-door checks. More than 400 checks were conducted in the ACT on residents and businesses operating under current restrictions over the weekend. Detective Superintendent Jason Kennedy thanked everyone for the 'warm reception' but reminded those isolating not to get too comfortable before opening the door. ACT Police conducted hundreds of checks on people isolating over the weekend with many answering the door in the nude. Pictured nurses test patients for COVID-19 in pop up clinic in Canberra Detective Superintendent Jason Kennedy (pictured) thanked everyone for the 'warm reception' but reminded those isolating not to get too comfortable before opening the door 'Although some of them may need a reminder to put some clothes on before they open the door for a compliance check,' he said. 'We did get a few surprises on the weekend. 'If you are self-isolating and need assistance, please stay where you are and reach out for help by contacting the COVID-19 hotline.' All of the 367 compliance checks carried out on ACT residents quarantining in homes and hotels were successful. CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan said the state was yet to issue any infringements for people breaking the rules. 'Last week, when I announced police would be taking a zero-tolerance stance to breaches of people in quarantine, I hoped we wouldn't need to issue any fines,' he said on Monday. 'I'm happy to say that so far, Canberrans have done the right thing.' The territory has recorded its fifth day without any new COVID-19 cases. More than 1,100 people were tested within the past 24 hours after an outbreak from Victoria led to five active cases within the ACT. Canberrans have been warned not to visit south-west Sydney hot spots of Liverpool or Campbelltown after an outbreak of cases in the areas. Last week it was revealed a new cluster was forming at a Sydney pub after a 30-year-old woman and a man in his 50s were found to have contracted COVID-19 after visiting the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. Cases associated with the hotel reached 30 on Tuesday night. West Leagues Club at Leumeah and The Macarthur Tavern in Sydney's south-west were also both informed on Tuesday that infected patrons had visited the venues. Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, from San Francisco, California, attends a hearing of the trial for the case of two American teenagers accused of slaying Italian police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, at the Rome court, Italy, on July 15, 2020. (Riccardo De Luca/AP Photo) Police Partner at Americans Murder Trial Recounts Knifing ROMEAn Italian police officer testified Wednesday at the murder trial of two Americans about trying in vain to stop blood pouring out like a fountain from his partner who was fatally stabbed last summer on a Rome street. The two young men from California were in Italys capital as vacationers a year ago, and are charged in the killing of Carabinieri Vice Brigadier Mario Cerciello on a street near their hotel on July 26, 2019. The Americans, Finnegan Lee Elder, now 20, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, now 19, said in pretrial questioning that they mistook Cerciello and his partner as criminals trying to attack them and that they scuffled with the Italians to defend themselves, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege that Elder stabbed Cerciello 11 times and that Natale-Hjorth hid the murder weapon, a military-style attack knife that Elder allegedly brought in a suitcase from the United States. Under Italian law, defendants having a role in a murder case can also be charged with homicide. Rosa Maria Esilio, widow of Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, attends an hearing of the trial for his murder, in Rome, Italy, on July 15, 2020. (Riccardo De Luca/AP Photo) The confrontation followed an alleged attempt by the tourists to buy cocaine earlier in the evening in a Rome nightlife district. After allegedly paying for the drug, the Americans realized they were swindled and didnt receive it. Angry, the Americans snatched a backpack with a cellphone inside that belonged to the drug dealers go-between, the prosecution contends. The backpacks owner told police that when he called his own phone, one of the Americans answered and demanded money and cocaine in exchange for returning the bag. Cerciellos partner, Andrea Varriale, testified that the two officers were dispatched on a pre-dawn mission to retrieve the bag. Working in plainclothes, Varriale said he wore a polo-shirt and jeans while Cerciello wore a T-shirt and long shorts. Varriale testified that he pulled out his badge from his pocket and yelled, Carabiniere! to identify himself as a police officer, as did Cerciello. Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police officer Andrea Varriale (L) listens to prosecutor Maria Sabina Calabrettas questions during the trial for the murder of his colleague Mario Cerciello Rega, at the Rome court, Italy, on July 15, 2020. (Riccardo De Luca/AP Photo) The defense has insisted the Americans didnt realize the two were police officers and didnt see any badges. Varriale also testified that both he and Cerciello were unarmed. He said they cautiously approached two men at the appointed retrieval site, thinking the pair looked suspicious with their sweatshirt hoods pulled up over their heads on a steamy summer night. Varriale said the Americans immediately attacked them. I didnt even get to say Whats your name? when he grabbed me, we went down, we rolled, in a kind of funny way, on the ground. Prosecutors have said Varriale scuffled with Natale-Hjorth, while Elder wrestled with Cerciello. When I realized he just wanted to get free, I had my shoulders against the ground, I understood it was better to let him go, Varriale said. He said he first sensed something was wrong when he heard Cerciello yelling in a strange voice Stop! Carabinieri! At one point, I looked to the left, Mario was on his feet, swaying. They stabbed me, they stabbed me, Varriale said his partner called out. I saw the blood coming out like a fountain to the ground, and Cerciello was having a hard time breathing, the partner testified. Cerciello, 35, died a short time later in a hospital. Posters portraying the Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, are displayed in the square where he was stabbed to death last year in Rome, Italy, on July 14, 2020. (Domenico Stinellis/AP Photo) Varriale told the court he didnt see either defendant pull a weapon. Natale-Hjorth has told investigators he didnt know his friend brought a knife to the backpack exchange rendezvous. The days hearing was abruptly ended after Cerciellos father-in-law collapsed in the courtroom as the court was listening to a dramatic audio tape of Varriales call for an ambulance for his dying partner. As Varriale struggles to stem the bleeding with his polo-shirt and tells the police dispatcher the street name, he alternately calls out desperately, Mario, Mario. Cerciellos widow, clutching a photo of her newlywed husband, sobbed. The Americans, like everyone else in the courtroom wearing masks in accordance with COVID-19 laws in Italy, turned to watch the commotion. The remainder of Varriales questioning by prosecutors, and the expected start of defense cross-examination, was postponed until Thursday. At the hearings start, Judge Marina Finiti reminded Varriale that he himself is a defendant in a separate case. Hours after the slaying, as the suspects were being questioned at a police station, Varriale allegedly made a video of Natale-Hjorth sitting blindfolded as an officer asks him his name and other information. Blindfolding a suspect violates Italian law, which is supposed to safeguard the dignity of criminal suspects. Later this month, the court is expected to hear the findings of a psychiatric evaluation of Elder requested by the defense. The Americans turn on the witness stand isnt expected until after the court returns from an August vacation recess. By Frances Demilio Ishak Mostefaoui shuffled into the room slowly, wearing the orange jumpsuit given to all the prisoners here. He looked gaunt and sported a bandage on his head. His skull was fractured months earlier, he said, and his memory was still hazy. He looked broken, but he spoke clearly, and in detail, about how he said he spent his days during his time in the Isis caliphate. I had come to Hassakeh, in northeast Syria, in November last year to interview him in the jail where he was being held along with thousands of other Isis suspects by Kurdish forces. I watched many tired and defeated Isis fighters rounded up as they left the last Isis-held village of Baghouz during the fall of the Isis caliphate months earlier. Mostefaoui, 27, was a self-confessed Isis member. He travelled to Syria in 2014 after telling his family that he was going to Amsterdam for a short trip. He joined Isis shortly after his arrival, and while there he claimed to have carried out only administrative tasks for the terror group. His fate was unknown until a journalist came across him in the same jail in September, some six months after the caliphates fall. When we met, under the supervision of guards, he said he wanted to come back to the UK. He argued that, whatever he had been accused of, he had the right to a trial in his home country. If we go back home, and we get taken to court and we are found guilty of whatever crimes they see as a crime, Ill put my hands up and do my time for that. And Ill go out. This is what democracy is, he said. I regret everything Ive done. I want to start a new page, he added, while not admitting to any particular crimes. He wouldnt get that chance. According to reports, he died at the jail within the last two weeks, some nine months after our meeting. Conflicting reports suggested that he was killed either during a disturbance among prisoners or an escape attempt. His death is likely to reignite the debate over the UKs policy of refusing to bring back its citizens to face trial at home, arguing instead that they face trial where they were detained in this case, in a fledgling semi-autonomous region of northeast Syria. Since 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to Syria, a government spokesperson told me when I asked whether Mostefaouis death would impact the policy. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Those who chose to leave the UK and fight for, or support, Daesh potentially pose a very serious national security risk, they added. That risk is another part of the reasoning for leaving the suspects there. Securing a conviction in a UK court for someone like Mostefaoui would be difficult. There is little evidence to prove how these Brits spent their time in Syria. It is a policy that may give satisfaction to those who believe a special class of punishment should exist for Isis suspects, but it is one that also robs Isis victims of answers, and looks increasingly like a de-facto death penalty for the unconvicted. I felt it was important to interview Mostefaoui and other Isis prisoners because I wanted to know what led these young men to join the terror group, what they did while they were there. The British government has even refused to interview them in custody, forfeiting a full understanding of why and how they were radicalised, and the nature of the crimes they committed. The vital task of putting these pieces together has been left to the few journalists who would venture to these squalid prisons. The particular jail where Mostefaoui was being held was converted from a school. It was clear to me then that the building was not equipped to handle the roughly 5,000 suspected Isis members it held. The prisoners were crowded 100 to a cell and the overcrowding was causing disease to spread one guard said nearly half of the inmates were suffering from some kind of medical condition. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which controls the region where the estimated 10 to 30 British suspected Isis members are being held, had called repeatedly for countries to take back their citizens who joined Isis. Many of the victims of the terror group, too, have argued that the trial of these men is the only way to serve justice. Its a strange thing to interview one of your countrymen in such a dark place, especially someone so close to my age (only seven years separate us). I had interviewed Isis prisoners before, but usually through a translator. None of them had an east London accent. Despite his injuries, Mostefaoui seemed sharp. I wasnt sure how to read him. At times he seemed calculating and rehearsed, at others hopelessly naive. His story was similar to many other Brits that came before him. In 2013, he was studying economics at Westminster University when friends said he became more extreme. The next year, he and fellow student Zakariyya Elogbani travelled together to Syria. They were among seven students from the same university to join Isis. Among them was Mohammed Emwazi, also known as Jihadi John, the Isis executioner. One of my dads friends had a Syrian family. And he was chatting to me about how the Syrian people were being repressed at the time of the revolution and before. And on social media, Twitter, Facebook and all that, we saw people crying for help, he told me. When he arrived, Mostefaoui said he married a Syrian woman and set out to start a family. Like most captured Isis members, he denied being a fighter, but admitted to doing administrative work for the group. Mostefaoui left Baghouz while unconscious after being severely injured in a US-led coalition airstrike. His wife and young son were killed in the strike. He said his skull was fractured in the blast, and wore a bandage around his head. When pressed about whether he was involved in fighting or the war crimes that the group carried out, his answers were vague. I never saw any slaves or was taking part in these kinds of acts. I heard the news like any other guy. But you cant blame the mass for something the [leadership] was doing, he said. I disagreed with him then, of course. Many who went to join Isis did so in the full knowledge that the group was already committing heinous atrocities and war crimes, and went to participate in them. My meeting with Mostefaoui lasted for just half an hour. The resulting interview, and the few others he gave to other journalists, make up a fraction of what could have been learned about his time in the caliphate were he to have faced trial. But when he died, he took with him the answers to questions that many have not yet had the chance to ask. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was distorting facts about the death of Debendranath Roy, MLA from Hemtabad in North Dinajpur district who won the reserved seat on a CPI (M) ticket in 2016 before joining the BJP in 2019. Hours after her letter, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police charged Niloy Singh, an acquaintance of Roy, with murder. Singh was picked up from Malda district on Tuesday and interrogated for hours. The 63-year-old legislators body was found hanging on Monday morning outside a roadside shop about two kilometers away from his home. He left home around 1 am in the night with an unidentified person. Roys family and the BJP have alleged that he was murdered. The BJP has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and met Kovind on Tuesday. Bengal BJP leaders led agitations outside police stations across the state on Wednesday. Roys body was found hanging outside a mobile phone shop that he used to visit to meet local people, Banerjee said in the letter that was handed to the President by Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha member Derek OBrien. I am constrained to invite your kind and personal attention to a particular fact. This is in context of your meeting with a delegation of BJP who might have apprised with some distorted facts says the letters opening lines. On receipt of post mortem report and on primary investigation West Bengal police has reported that it is a cause of suspected suicide and could be related to some local money transfer activities. The note found in a pocket of the deceased also names two persons who are allegedly found to be related to such money transfer activities in the locality, Banerjee wrote. Therefore, I am sorry to say that it does not appear to be a political case as being projected by BJP, she said. She said her government has taken all necessary actions immediately for a comprehensive investigation and has handed over the case to CID for proper investigation. I would like to assure that West Bengal is a state where we always respect all political parties, their leaders and workers, the letter said. The death of one of our compatriots in the West Bengal legislative assembly is very unfortunate. Let his soul rest in peace and let the truth unravel, Banerjees letter said. The BJP reacted by saying that the letter is proof of the ruling the TMCs guilty consciousness. In the past, several murders were passed off as suicides by the police in Bengal. In none of those occasions the chief minister felt the urge to rush letters to the President. This proves that dal main kuchh kala hai (something is fishy), BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha told HT. Till Wednesday afternoon, state CID officers made no comment on the investigation. Nilay Sinha, one of the two men mentioned in the note found in Roys pocket, is being questioned by the police. Roys wife told the police that he was trying to get into the rice trade and had taken a huge loan from banks. This article was written by Mitchell Terpstra, an Entrepreneur NEXT powered by Assemble expert. If you are looking to take the NEXT step in your business then we encourage you to check out Entrepreneur NEXT powered by Assemble. Malcolm Gladwells bestselling book, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, has a provocative thesis. Contrary to commonsense, which warns against snap judgments, Gladwell argues that, often, our automatic, largely unconscious way of making decisions throughout the day is a fairly reliable way to navigate life in the modern world. There can be as much value in the blink of eye, writes Gladwell, as in months of rational analysis. You better believe that visitors to your website are judging your brands competency within seconds. Actually, some studies suggest it takes as little as 50 milliseconds (1/20th of a second) for a visitor to decide whether to stay on your site or click away. Well-designed websites, constructed with the user experience (UX) in mind, have the ability not only to keep visitors on your site, but to build the kind of rapport that leads to long-term loyalty. Poorly designed websites, on the other hand, are the digital equivalent of a brick-and-mortar store with stuck doors, broken windows and leaky pipes dripping puddles on the floor. Cue the horrified customers running to your nearest competitor, which, on the Internet, is only a few clicks away. Here are some of the most important principles for improving your own sites UX design and, ultimately, winning over audiences to your cause. Design for an overarching objective. Whats the number-one thing you want visitors to your website to do? Design for that. If you cant answer that question, youre likely not ready to make a website. Truly useful websites make it abundantly clear what theyre about. Consider the most-visited website in the world, not to mention the history of the internet, Googles homepage. It doesnt matter that Google offers dozens of goods and services at this point in 2020. Googles original and still-core product reigns supreme on their site: a lone search-entry blank and the buttons to activate it surrounded by plenty of white space; all other options are minimized and pushed to the margins. Good UX design funnels visitors toward a clear action, whether that be buying a product, signing up for a service or reading a breaking news story. Websites without an overarching objective often suffer an identity crisis and end up putting their visitors through the paradox of choicethe feelings of frustration and fatigue that come from having too many options at your disposal. Write for how the Internet reads. The Internet has fundamentally altered how we read. Reading a book from cover to cover may have once been a popular proverb about thoroughness, but, given the vast wealth of info on the world wide web, no ones got time for that. The speed of information-retrieval has replaced the virtue of thoroughness. Nowadays, instead of reading, we scan. Eye-tracking studies have revealed that Internet-users read in an F-shaped pattern, mostly scanning headlines, subheaders and the opening sentences of paragraphs as a means to compensate for the overwhelming amount of information available online. Smart UX design will accommodate such behaviors by frontloading the most important, topical, load-bearing information words toward the beginning of headlines and lead sentences, along the left-margin, where users are hoping to find them. Additionally, user-friendly websites will avoid long blocks of text in favor of shorter, easier-to-digest paragraphs with frequent breaks. Chunking your content, making use of bullet-point or numbered lists and using white space to visually separate content allow visitors more jumping-in points as they furiously scan for what the information theyre after. Invest in compelling visuals. Remember earlier when you learned that visitors will judge your website in less than a second? A lot of that has to do with the visuals. For many visitors, if the visuals disappoint, then the site as a whole disappoints. As humans, were wired to be visual creatures, favoring our eyes over all other senses, with more than 50 percent of the cortexthe surface of the braindedicated to processing visual information. Given our cognitive biases, then, its no wonder that we prefer beautiful, image-driven websites to less aesthetic ones. Even within visual information, we have a clear preference for pictures over text. Our brains process images 60,000 times faster than words, which is why we cant resist looking at the pictures before reading. Its just easier on our brains. Knowing this, its important to invest in high-quality photography or videography that helps tell as much of your websites story as possible, saving words for where pictures fail. But visuals go way beyond pretty pictures. Consistent typography, color schemes, icons, negative space and clear hierarchy between elements are other aspects of visual design that shouldnt be disregarded. Clock your page speeds. Its not just that people dont have patience for reading anymore. We dont have patience in general. For better or worse, the Internet has cultivated a culture that has come to expect instant gratification. When it comes to your website, that means that approximately 40 percent of your incoming traffic will give up if your site takes longer than three seconds to load. Page speed is the average time it takes for a page of content from your website to load. Its also important because, for many search engines, its one of the factors that determines how well your site ranks in search results. Many helpful sites exist that will give you a measurement of your websites page speed for free. There are a host of things you can do to rev up your page speeds, though many of them require a decent amount of web background to execute. For example, you could enable file compression, optimize your websites code, reduce the number of page redirects or leverage browser caching to cut down on page-load times. Another tactic is to make sure the file sizes of your websites images are no larger than they need to be, though not at the detriment of featuring high-quality images, given their importance as mentioned above. Dont forget about mobile. Certainly, youve experienced it before: a website that hasnt been optimized for mobile. It takes forever to load, the text is illegibly tiny, the images are improperly formatted and buttons, menu options or hyperlinks are nearly impossible to click with regular-sized human fingers. The sad part is that mobile traffic has made up more than 50 percent of all web traffic since 2015. That means that roughly one out of every two people visiting your website are likely viewing it on a smartphone. Is the experience visiting your website going to be as user-friendly for them as for someone visiting from a laptop? The biggest difference between smartphones and computers is that smartphones favor scrolling through vertically stacked content whereas larger computer screens allow for greater variety in how a user navigates through a website. There are two main design approaches for mobile-friendly websites: responsive or adaptive. Responsive design resizes the elements of your website to fit the resolution of the users device. Adaptive design is like having two different websitesone for computers and another for mobile. The former approach involves less work web development work overall and works across a range of screen sizes, while the latter has the potential to provide the best experience on mobile, particularly if thats where the majority of your web traffic is coming from. Fortunately, many CMSs, such as Wordpress, Wix and Squarespace, offer mobile-responsive themes. If youre using one of these to build your website, make your theme is mobile-friendly. Feeling out of your depth? If the thought of redesigning your site for optimized UX induces a headache, dont panic. There are numerous creatives, specifically UX writers and web designers, who can give your organizations website the makeover it needs. Professional matchmaking services like Assemble, Upwork, Toptal or Communo can connect you with the relevant expertise in short order. Simply tell them what you kind of project you need completed and theyll tap their database of skill-based professionals to find the right talent for your task. Some of these services will even help you with the scoping and quoting of your project so that your needs are clearly defined and more likely to be met with satisfying results. Whether you handle it in-house or opt to hire an expert, thoughtful web design can be the deciding factor between landing new sales, leads, readers ... you name it. Get started today! Related: Bad Web Design Isn't Just AnnoyingIt Costs You Why Your Website Needs to be Accessible to Everyone Grow Your Business on a Budget With This DIY Landing Page Service Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Kin of Covid-19 frontline workers will be given a govt job if they die fighting against the outbreak Sharp rise in number of cured patients take recovery rate to India's 63.24% Air India to send some staff on compulsory leave without pay A healthcare worker talks with a woman before collecting swab samples to be tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a public hospital, in Monterrey, Mexico (REUTERS) South Africa, states in the US and India have reimposed lockdowns in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19. Karnataka and Bihar have imposed lockdowns as cases increase in these states. In the US, California recalled its previous order of opening restaurants, malls and cinema halls as cases continue to rise. Texas and Missouri also reported new daily records of deaths in the last 24 hours. Click here for the complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic Epidemiologist Dr Anthony Fauci has expressed concern about Covid-19 becoming as severe as the 1918 Spanish Flu. He said that there are signs that Covid-19 could reach that deadly stage. Modernas vaccine has seen recipients develop immune responses with no one experiencing any side effects. A visualization of global methane on January 26, 2018. Red shows areas with higher concentrations of methane in the atmosphere. Credit: Cindy Starr, Kel Elkins, Greg Shirah and Trent L. Schindler, NASA Scientific Visualization Studio Global emissions of methane have reached the highest levels on record. Increases are being driven primarily by growth of emissions from coal mining, oil and natural gas production, cattle and sheep ranching, and landfills. Between 2000 and 2017, levels of the potent greenhouse gas barreled up toward pathways that climate models suggest will lead to 3-4 degrees Celsius of warming before the end of this century. This is a dangerous temperature threshold at which scientists warn that natural disasters, including wildfires, droughts and floods, and social disruptions such as famines and mass migrations become almost commonplace. The findings are outlined in two papers published July 14 in Earth System Science Data and Environmental Research Letters by researchers with the Global Carbon Project, an initiative led by Stanford University scientist Rob Jackson. In 2017, the last year when complete global methane data are available, Earth's atmosphere absorbed nearly 600 million tons of the colorless, odorless gas that is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 100-year span. More than half of all methane emissions now come from human activities. Annual methane emissions are up 9 percent, or 50 million tons per year, from the early 2000s, when methane concentrations in the atmosphere were relatively stable. In terms of warming potential, adding this much extra methane to the atmosphere since 2000 is akin to putting 350 million more cars on the world's roads or doubling the total emissions of Germany or France. "We still haven't turned the corner on methane," said Jackson, a professor of Earth system science in Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth). Growing sources of methane Globally, fossil fuel sources and cows are twin engines powering methane's upward climb. "Emissions from cattle and other ruminants are almost as large as those from the fossil fuel industry for methane," Jackson said. "People joke about burping cows without realizing how big the source really is." Throughout the study period, agriculture accounted for roughly two-thirds of all methane emissions related to human activities; fossil fuels contributed most of the remaining third. However, those two sources have contributed in roughly equal measure to the increases seen since the early 2000s. Methane emissions from agriculture rose to 227 million tons of methane in 2017, up nearly 11 percent from the 2000-2006 average. Methane from fossil fuel production and use reached 108 million tons in 2017, up nearly 15 percent from the earlier period. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, carbon emissions plummeted as manufacturing and transportation ground to a halt. "There's no chance that methane emissions dropped as much as carbon dioxide emissions because of the virus," Jackson said. "We're still heating our homes and buildings, and agriculture keeps growing." The global methane budget for 2017 based on data from satellite sensors. Orange shows sources related to human activities; green shows natural sources and sinks for the gas; hatched orange-green shows sources of methane linked to both human activities and nature, such as wildfires and burning biomass. Credit: Jackson et al. 2020 Env. Res. Lett. Emissions around the globe Methane emissions rose most sharply in Africa and the Middle East; China; and South Asia and Oceania, which includes Australia and many Pacific islands. Each of these three regions increased emissions by an estimated 10 to 15 million tons per year during the study period. The United States followed close behind, increasing methane emissions by 4.5 million tons, mostly due to more natural gas drilling, distribution and consumption. "Natural gas use is rising quickly here in the U.S. and globally," Jackson said. "It's offsetting coal in the electricity sector and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, but increasing methane emissions in that sector." The U.S. and Canada are also producing more natural gas. "As a result, we're emitting more methane from oil and gas wells and leaky pipelines," said Jackson, who is also a senior fellow at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy. Europe stands out as the only region where methane emissions have decreased over the last two decades, in part by tamping down emissions from chemical manufacturing and growing food more efficiently. "Policies and better management have reduced emissions from landfills, manure and other sources here in Europe. People are also eating less beef and more poultry and fish," said Marielle Saunois of the Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentin in France, lead author of the paper in Earth System Science Data. Possible solutions Tropical and temperate regions have seen the biggest jump in methane emissions. Boreal and polar systems have played a lesser role. Despite fears that melting in the Arctic may unlock a burst of methane from thawing permafrost, the researchers found no evidence for increasing methane emissions in the Arcticat least through 2017. Human driven emissions are in many ways easier to pin down than those from natural sources. "We have a surprisingly difficult time identifying where methane is emitted in the tropics and elsewhere because of daily to seasonal changes in how waterlogged soils are," said Jackson, who also leads a group at Stanford working to map wetlands and waterlogged soils worldwide using satellites, flux towers and other tools. According to Jackson and colleagues, curbing methane emissions will require reducing fossil fuel use and controlling fugitive emissions such as leaks from pipelines and wells, as well as changes to the way we feed cattle, grow rice and eat. "We'll need to eat less meat and reduce emissions associated with cattle and rice farming," Jackson said, "and replace oil and natural gas in our cars and homes." Feed supplements such as algae may help to reduce methane burps from cows, and rice farming can transition away from permanent waterlogging that maximizes methane production in low-oxygen environments. Aircraft, drones and satellites show promise for monitoring methane from oil and gas wells. Jackson said, "I'm optimistic that, in the next five years, we'll make real progress in that area." Explore further Global warming will cause ecosystems to produce more methane than first predicted More information: R B Jackson et al, Increasing anthropogenic methane emissions arise equally from agricultural and fossil fuel sources, Environmental Research Letters (2020). Journal information: Environmental Research Letters R B Jackson et al, Increasing anthropogenic methane emissions arise equally from agricultural and fossil fuel sources,(2020). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ab9ed2 Provided by Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences Image: Rodney Hurst (unfspinnaker.com) Nearly 60 years ago, 16-year-old Rodney Hurst led a group of 33 Black teenagers in a peaceful sit-in to integrate a whites only lunch counter at a department store in Jacksonville, Florida. At the same time a few blocks away, about 200 angry white men, many dressed as Confederate soldiers and armed with ax handles and bats, stormed the store to attack the demonstrators. Many of the teenagers were beaten and bloodied. Some, like Hurst, escaped unharmed, but were forever psychologically scarred. The episode became known as Ax Handle Saturday Aug. 27, 1960, a date that takes on greater meaning now because, on its 60th anniversary next month, President Donald Trump will accept the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, mere miles from the attack. This is the same Trump who has been divisive and inflammatory on racial issues, incapable or unwilling to at least attempt to bridge the divide during nationwide protests for justice after George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Recently on Twitter, for example, Trump called the Black Lives Matter movement, which in many cases is leading the demonstrations, a symbol of hate. Video: Artist says Trump is not in touch with reality after his comment on BLM And so, the juxtaposition of a vitriolic Trump speaking in Jacksonville on a day considered sacred in the city for Blacks during the coronavirus pandemic, no less creates a confluence of emotions for Hurst and African Americans, even if many are just learning about this dark moment in history. The best example I can give about this is when he was planning to speak in Tulsa on Juneteenth, said Dr. Rudy Jamison, assistant director of urban education and community initiatives at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, referring to a rally the president initially planned in Oklahoma for June 19, the day Blacks celebrate being freed from slavery. After a backlash, Trump moved his rally to June 20. Story continues Trump claimed he made Juneteenth famous. I dont know about that, but I know a lot of people have not heard about Ax Handle Saturday, Jamison added. And that speaks to a larger problem about whats being taught. I call it educational malpractice, which is another form of violence. Hurst, 76, still lives in Jacksonville and has remained an activist in the community throughout his life, working as a historian and writing two books, one chronicling that frightening experience. Not a day goes by that I dont think about that Saturday, Hurst told NBC News. It was real and surreal. We had heard something was going to happen, but we didnt know what. But we protested anyway. And the demonstrations have not stopped for Hurst. He said he will be part of a competing event to the Republican National Convention, a commemoration of Ax Handle Saturday that is held every decade. But it will be counter to the convention in spirit and execution, he said. Our commemoration will be outside. We will wear masks and we encourage social distancing, he said. We will represent an interesting contrast on a day that white racist thugs attacked teenagers with bats and ax handles. We will highlight the cowardly way whites in the South dealt with our quest for Blacks seeking human dignity and respect. Anna Coleman, a Jacksonville resident and the owner of The V Spot Vegan Eatz and Treatz, said she only recently learned of Ax Handle Saturday and considers Trumps presence in the city on its anniversary an affront, coincidence or not. The Black community has a never-ending fight for justice and equality, so to say that this is not the time is an understatement, Coleman said of Trump and the RNC. She said that, given a surge in coronavirus cases in Jacksonville and across Florida, the citys mayor, Lenny Curry, a Republican, and Trump are obviously not one bit concerned for the health and safety of any citizen in Jacksonville. Its all outrageous, Coleman added. Sixty years later, Hurst still finds it outrageous that a peaceful protest turned violent. Blacks were allowed to shop in W.T. Grants department store, but had to eat at a Black-only counter in the back. We could spend our money there, but not eat where we wanted, Hurst said. We had had enough. And we did not let the attackers deter us. We knew they were coming and we voted to sit in anyway. And after an agreed cooling off period (of three weeks), we continued to protest and sit in. Hurst led his group for the next seven months. There were countless more sit-ins and a boycott throughout the city. Eventually, lunch counters in Jacksonville were integrated in the spring of 1961. Afterward, Hurst and a friend ate lunch every day for a week at previously whites only counters so they would get used to seeing Black people dine there, he said. Ericka Durant, a Jacksonville native, said she is finding it hard to digest that Ax Handle Saturdays anniversary will be tarnished by Trumps presence in the city. Sick to my stomach, Durant, a health care business analyst, said. Trump accepting the nomination on the anniversary date of a literal race riot in Jacksonville is not only disgusting, but given the current tension surrounding race relations in this country, it is frightening. Theres fear for what may happen if and when protestors show up while the president is in town, she said. Fear for a rage that is already at its boiling point. Fear because there is a virus that is still very active in the city, and the cases are growing daily. Fear because people are putting their lives at risk to fight for justice, and are being mocked by those that dont understand. Durant said that while the mayor and others weighed the economic impact the convention could have on the city, she was weighing the mental health impact on Black Jacksonville natives, especially the ones that were alive when this happened. How much more can we take? she said. Is this going to be the breaking point for race relations and racism in 2020? I pray it isnt, but right now I feel like that is all I can do. White-owned local newspapers like The Florida Times-Union and TV outlets did not initially report about the sit-ins or the attacks. They wanted to black it out, Jamison said. And when they did cover it, they called the attack a skirmish downtown and that 33 Blacks and nine whites had been arrested. The black media in the area documented the event in greater detail and provided the few photos that captured what happened. Hurst said he learned decades later that the Jacksonville police were aware that the teenagers would be assaulted and that many of the attackers were Ku Klux Klan members, but did nothing. There was no police presence, he said. They let it happen. Hurst wrote the only comprehensive account of Ax Handle Saturday with the 2008 release of his award-winning book, It Was Never About a Hot Dog and a Coke! In it, Hurst writes: The Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP represented nonviolent, church-going, committed and dignified young people determined to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Of Trump, Hurst said: Hes part and parcel to the problem. I really dont care if he comes or not to Jacksonville. Trump will be inextricably linked now to Ax Handle Saturday. Hes a racist president who deals with public events inside during a pandemic. Not a good legacy. We love to tell our children to reach for the stars but, if we foster their interest in space exploration when theyre young, theres a chance they might actually get there! Aeronautical engineer Dr Norah Patten, on course to be Irelands first astronaut, honed her fascination with the night sky making model rockets from washing-up bottles. Chris Hadfield watched the moon landings at age nine and longed to fly. He started with kites, then model airplanes...then went on to orbit the Earth over 2,000 times. Not only could the youth of today become Irelands first astronauts, but they could join the ranks of existing Irish scientists building rockets, studying the stars and playing critical roles in space missions, says Rob OSullivan, science communicator at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory. Even if your budding astronauts dont walk on the moon, theres plenty to be learned from exploring the night sky. Both primary and secondary schools use space in their curriculums, explains Sinead Mackle, education and outreach manager at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. Primary schools will teach pupils to record, measure and test using space-themed challenges, while older pupils are introduced to physics through space activities. Theres also a wonderful sense of discovery associated with space. Space features in a lot of childrens books, and can really help spark that sense of wonderment from a very early age. We would certainly encourage parents to foster that interest as it helps children learn about the world around them, adds Sinead. So, whether its making a straw rocket or a tissue parachute, joining the dots to discover constellations, or helping clean up the galaxy, we hope your little star-gazers enjoy our tips for space camp at home. And who knows, it might be the launch pad for the next generation of space explorers. Join NASA Only one in 1,500 applicants make it into Americas elite space agency, but any budding astronaut can join NASAs Kids Club. With the intention to inspire, engage, educate and employ the next generation of explorers, the online resource ( Train like an astronaut Fancy something a bit more physical? Dr Norah Patten recommends checking out international Mission X challenge ( Go to the moon Have a lunar landing without leaving your living room thanks to the Moon Globe app (available free to download on iOS and Android) which lets you check out craters up close, discover fascinating facts and even hold the moon in your hands. Theres a handy instruction video for how best to use the app on the Armagh Observatory Planetarium Facebook page. Launch a straw rocket This is a great one for younger children. Get them to draw their rocket onto paper and cut it out. Take a straw and make a sleeve for it, wrapping paper around it and folding it over the top to create a pocket that you can tape to the back of a rocket which the straw can slide in and out of. Slide the straw into the sleeve and blow for blast off. (See Clean up space The European Space Agency has an Expedition Home page with activities for all ages that are out of this world. Screen-loving space cadets will love the computer games, like piloting an alien ship through the galaxy, cleaning space debris and fixing satellites. Make an orbiting model Conquer a complex concept with a simple model. Cut three circles out of a paper plate (one big and two smaller) and colour them in as the sun, Earth and moon. Cut two strips of paper from the rest of the plate and, using three split pins, connect one end of one strip of paper to the centre of the sun and the other to the centre of Earth. Use the second strip of paper to connect one end to the centre of Earth and the other end to the moon. Your moon and planet should now rotate as in space. See Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Facebook page for a demo video. Find out your weight on Mars Learn about gravity on different planets, make a parachute with just a tissue, four threads, tape and a lego figure and find out what falls fastest with dropping experiments (even adults might learn something new!) with the Science Foundation Ireland ( Explore the night sky Blackrock Castle Observatorys Daily Astro Challenges short videos are a brilliantly accessible way to learn from the experts and decipher whats going on in the night sky. The Another great way to make the night sky come alive is via AR apps like Sky Guide. Simply point your phone at the stars and discover the names of constellations, track the space station and even find out what direction the next meteor shower is coming from. At the end of the war, Mrs. Hamilton was working in Heidelberg, West Germany, when she decided to visit her parents in East Berlin. "I saved whatever money I could to pay the black market smugglers for their help," she wrote. "Led by a local farmer, we walked and crawled on our stomachs through open fields, past Soviet and East German soldiers. They say what doesnt kill you makes you stronger." After the war ended, Mrs. Hamilton worked in a hospital until, she wrote, "I was convinced by my mother to come to Buffalo and live with my grandmother," Elsie Kompalla, 76, of Cheektowaga, whom she had not seen in 25 years. Their reunion, under the headline "Her Little Girl is Grown Up Now," was described on page 1 of the Courier-Express on Oct. 4, 1950. On her first day in Western New York, Mrs. Hamilton attended a dinner at the home of her grandmother's Spiritualist pastor, the Rev. Thomas J. Kelly. The Rev. Kelly, Mrs. Hamilton wrote, was "a clairvoyant famous for wild stunts." He announced that she and a fellow guest, Willard Hamilton, a West Point graduate, would marry, she wrote, "much to my embarrassment ... Guess what three months later we were husband and wife." Joe Biden released a $2 trillion plan Tuesday aimed at combating climate change and spurring economic growth in part by overhauling America's energy industry, with a proposal to achieve entirely carbon pollution-free power by 2035. Speaking near his home in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden framed his latest policy proposal as a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump on how he'd handle job creation, the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic. "We won't be able to turn the corner and get American people back to work safely without presidential leadership. Mr. President. 'Open everything now' isn't a strategy for success. It's barely a slogan," Biden said. "Do your job, Mr. President, because if we can't deal with a public health crisis, we can't deal with the economic crisis," he added. Biden's climate and economic plan released Tuesday marks his latest effort to build out a legislative agenda with measures that could animate progressives who may be skeptical of the former vice president, who waged a more centrist campaign during the Democratic primary. Biden said Trump and the Republicans have ignored climate change and embraced backward-looking policies. He pledged to change course and boost the economy and job creation in the process. "When Donald Trump thinks about climate change, the only word he can muster is hoax. When I think about climate change, the word I think of is jobs," he said. Biden's plan places a heavy emphasis on updating America's infrastructure and includes investments in improving energy efficiency in buildings and housing as well as promoting production of electric vehicles and conservation efforts in the agriculture industry. In his remarks, Biden ridiculed Trump for his frequent "infrastructure weeks," and said he knows how to actually "get it done." "Seems like every few weeks when he needs a distraction from the latest charges of corruption in his staff or the conviction of high ranking members of administration and political apparatus, the White House announces, quote, its infrastructure week," Biden said. "But he's never delivered. He's never really even tried. Well, I know how to get it done." A young boy and his little sister have died in a house fire after their father ran into the building and tried to save them while screaming 'my baby's inside'. Brayden, eight, and Arianna, nine months, died in the blaze in Christchurch, New Zealand, at 10.45pm on Tuesday. Fire area commander Mike Bowden described the situation as 'unsurvivable'. Brayden was found in the eye of the inferno - in the doorway of his sister Arianna's bedroom. Firefighters retrieved the boy from the home, but neighbour Matt Fitzsimmons said 'you could just see it was too late,' he told Stuff. Brayden (pictured), eight, and Arianna, nine months, died in the blaze in Christchurch, New Zealand, at 10.45 on Tuesday night Mr Fitzsimmons and his wife Theresa had been watching TV in bed when they heard screaming. When he realised their neighbours' windows were bright orange with smoke billowing from the crevices, he ran outside and grabbed the hose. As he tried to extinguish the flames, he heard the father yelling 'my baby's inside'. 'The sound, the kids, the flames, the roar, the glass, the guy screaming out my baby ... I was seeing everything firsthand, it's just something I never thought I would ever have to deal with,' he said. While the father-of-four managed to save his other two children Lucas, age six, and Brianna, age two, he was injured trying to save the other two. Mrs Fitzsimmons said her eight-year-old son would often play with Brayden and spent the rest of the night vomiting with anxiety induced from the situation. She checked on her children 'a million times' that night to see if they were still alive and breathing. When she looked out their window, all she could see was the front room where baby Arianna died. Nine-month-old Arianna also died in the blaze. A neighbour said he can't get the childrens' screams out of his head Lynn Baughan was among the people who tried to help the 'hysterical' father save Arianna, not realising his son was also inside. 'We went in on our knees and had a look around, smoke and fire was everywhere. I told him we had to get out, it wasn't safe.' Neighbour Corey Dunnill said he 'can't get the screaming out of my head'. The 22-year-old grabbed a hose and tried to extinguish the flames, before he saw a body being dragged out of the smoke. A Give A Little fundraiser page was set up by a relative to raise money for the family who lost two children and all their possessions. 'Your donations will help the family of Brayden and Arianna cover funeral costs and help them get back on their feet without the financial burden that will accompany this horrific loss,' it said. Vicki-Anne Parker, founder of Christchurch charity NZ Gifts of Love and Strength has created care packages for the family with donations from the community. 'I think it's amazing, once again Christchurch comes out as a resilient city and wants to help people going through a tragedy, it's just so heartwarming,' she said. A spokesperson from Fire Emergency New Zealand confirmed four crews attended the scene at 10.47pm. Detectives section the home off to determine the cause of the fire. 'Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand remain at the scene today,' police said in a statement. Ten ships with an 11th on the way in 2021 to comprise the premium line's fleet SEATTLE, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line announced that Amsterdam, Maasdam, Rotterdam and Veendam will be leaving the fleet and transferring to undisclosed buyers. The ships have been sold in pairs, with the S-Class Maasdam and Veendam transferring to one company in August 2020, while the R-Class Amsterdam and Rotterdam will move to another company in fall 2020. Holland America Line will cancel cruises for the four ships' deployments, with some select itineraries being assumed by other ships in the fleet. The 2021 Grand World Voyage aboard Amsterdam will be postponed until 2022 and will now sail aboard Zaandam. The Grand Africa Voyage departing Oct. 10, 2021, aboard Rotterdam will also sail aboard Zaandam on the same dates. "It's always difficult to see any ship leave the fleet, especially those that have a long and storied history with our company," said Stein Kruse, chief executive officer of Holland America Group and Carnival UK. "However, Holland America Line has a bright future ahead that includes recent Pinnacle-Class additions, with a third sister ship next year that will continue to maintain our overall capacity in the marketplace." "I recognize and appreciate the deep affection our guests have toward our company and the ships in our fleet," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "While streamlined, our diverse fleet continues to offer exceptional options for cruisers looking for a mid-sized ship experience to destinations all around the world. I look forward to carrying on those beloved shipboard offerings while cultivating new ideas to bring to our guests." Maasdam joined the fleet in 1993 as the second of four S-Class ships. Carrying 1,258 guests, it is the fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the Maasdam name. Most recently, the 55,575-ton ship sailed longer South Pacific and Alaska voyages. Veendam, the final S-Class ship, was delivered in 1996. The fourth Holland America Line ship to bear the name Veendam, the 57,092-ton vessel carries 1,350 guests. The first ship in the R Class, 61,849-ton Rotterdam was introduced in 1997. Carrying 1,404 guests, it is the sixth Holland America Line ship to be named Rotterdam. Amsterdam joined the fleet in 2000 as the final of four R-Class ships. Carrying 1,380 guests, it is the third Holland America Line ship to be named Amsterdam. Most recently, the 62,735-ton ship operated the line's Grand World Voyage. Guests with bookings on future sailings of these ships will be notified that these cruises will be cancelled or changed. Along with their travel advisors, guests will receive information if the cruise will operate with a different ship or information and special offers on how to book another Holland America Line cruise when operations resume. Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated. Cancelled cruises will include scheduled Canada/New England and Grand Voyages on Amsterdam; Mexico, South Pacific, Australia and Asia itineraries on Maasdam; Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal, South America and Hawaii sailings on Rotterdam; and Caribbean and Europe itineraries on Veendam. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com. CONTACT: Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected] SOURCE Holland America Line Related Links http://www.hollandamerica.com Kanye West filed with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday in his first official step toward running for president in November. The rapper filled out the first form required by the FEC to run for president Form 1: Statement of Organization declaring that the Kanye 2020 committee will serve as the 'Principal Campaign Committee' with West as its candidate. West 43, declared he will be running as a third party candidate for the BDY Party, which he says stands for the Birthday Party. The FEC form signals West is serious about running for president in November after announcing on July 4 that he would be seeing the White House four years earlier than he previously said. 'We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION' West tweeted on Independence Day. The move with the FEC comes after reports emerged Tuesday that West decided to end his campaign less than two weeks after announcing he was seeking a run. A few hundred people are working on the ground for West already, but an election strategist told the Intelligencer on Thursday, just hours before the FEC filing dropped, 'He's out.' Kanye West filled out the first form required with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday to run for president The 43-year-old rapper (pictured with wife and pop culture icon Kim Kardashian West) is running for president under the third party 'BDY,' which he says stands for the Birthday Party West announced July 4 that he is running for president in November, but did not fill out or file any FEC paperwork until Wednesday Steve Kramer was hired by West to focus on getting the rapper's name on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina. 'I'll let you know what I know once I get all our stuff canceled,' Kramer told the Intelligencer, which is part of New York Magazine. 'We had over 180 people out there today,' Kramer said of the efforts in Florida, and later added: 'I have nothing good or bad to say about Kanye.' 'Everyone has their personal decision about why they make decisions. Running for president has to be one of the hardest things for someone to actually contemplate at that level,' he continued. Hired campaign staff were reportedly told that West's bid for president is off but the FEC filing tells a different story. When DailyMail.com reached out to the email on file with the FEC for West's campaign, the message was unable to be delivered with the error message indicating the 'recipient server is unavailable or busy.' Although West finished the first form to run for president, he has yet to fill out Form 2: Statement of Candidacy. The second and more important form would show that he has raised or spent more than $5,000 in campaign activity and would trigger immediate candidacy status under federal campaign finance law. The FEC filing shows funds for West's campaign will go through First Bank of Wyoming. The move comes as West has, on several occasions, talked about his desire to move him and his family to the deep red state and is in the process of building a massive mansion there now. Immediately following his announcement, West's wife, pop culture icon Kim Kardashian West, reposted his message along with an American Flag emoji signaling her support. West's longtime friend and eccentric billionaire and CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk also showed his support on Twitter for the candidacy. His presidential bid, however, could be doomed before it gets off the ground as the deadline to get on certain states' presidential ballots are approaching or already passed. Kardashian West issued her support for her husband on Twitter soon after the announcement was posted West's close friend and billionaire Elon Musk also said the rapper has his 'full support' The deadline to register to get on the November ballot has already passed in six states North Carolina, Texas, New York, Maine, New Mexico and Indiana and the deadline for at least seven others are coming up this month. Of the 538 Electoral College votes total, West would already be missing out on 102 if he were to successfully make his way onto the ballot in other states. He would need to move quickly to avoid losing out on 85 more Electoral College votes as the deadline to get on the ballot in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia are coming up in July. In December 2016, after Donald Trump won the presidential election, West said he was holding off until 2024 to run for president after previously saying he wanted to run in 2020. He also, on several occasions, showed his support for Trump, donning a red Make America Great Again hat and meeting with the president in the Oval Office. More recently, the rap star has said that he no longer supports Trump. West will appear on Oklahoma's presidential ballot, being that he successfully 'submitted the necessary paperwork and paid the $35,000 fee to run as an independent candidate' before the state's deadline on Wednesday, as reported by The Guardian. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 14:02:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The fishing ban in key waters of China's Yangtze River basin has seen marked results, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Wednesday. In the country's latest move to protect biodiversity, nearly 100,000 fishermen on 80,000 boats have given up their nets so far, Yu Kangzhen, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, told a press conference. Provincial regions including Shanghai, Jiangxi and Yunnan have shut down fishing operations ahead of schedule, said Yu. However, challenges remain with illegal fishing yet to be cracked down on in some areas, according to Yu. The country called for solid efforts to implement the fishing ban and ensure the livelihoods of affected fishermen after they bid farewell to their nets and boats, according to a circular released last week by the General Office of the State Council. Local governments should make targeted plans to relocate fishermen and help them find new jobs, while increasing funding to ensure subsidies for the affected, said the circular, stressing special campaigns to crack down on illegal fishing along the river. China began a 10-year fishing moratorium from the beginning of this year in 332 conservation areas in the Yangtze River basin, which will be expanded to all the natural waterways of the country's longest river and its major tributaries from no later than Jan. 1, 2021. The full-scale ban is likely to affect more than 113,000 fishing boats and nearly 280,000 fishermen in 10 provincial regions along the river, according to earlier estimations. Enditem A school board in New Jersey has sued an out-of-state travel agency, claiming students and parents are owed $55,000 in refunds after their field trip to Washington D.C. was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The suit, filed by the Demarest School Board, states some parents paid an extra $49 each in the event the trip was canceled. That fee entitles them to a refund minus the fee, according to the suit, filed June 30 in Superior Court of Bergen County. Curriculum Travels of America of Allentown, Pennsylvania, booked the trip back in September 2019 for the districts eighth-grade students, according to the complaint. The students were scheduled to stay in Washington, D.C. from May 19 to 21 and visit The White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Smithsonian Museum and other sites, the suit states. The students paid $688 each and many of the parents purchased a $49 cancellation waiver that entitled them to a full refund, according to the lawsuit. The event was canceled in March when the nations capital issued a shelter-in-place order, according to court papers. The lawsuit claims the travel agency initially offered full refunds to everyone, but later told middle school Principal Jon Regan that they would refund $328 each about half the cost to parents who did not purchase the waiver. But that amount left $28,760 unaccounted for, which was unacceptable, the district says in the suit, adding that the offer contradicts an initial agreement of a full refund. The travel agency, which specializes in student tours, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN experts charged with monitoring the arms embargo in the Central African Republic cited on Wednesday an "influx of foreign fighters" into the country ahead of elections later this year. The annual report said a "series of clashes was... fed by arrivals of foreign fighters and weaponry, mainly from the Sudan." "Regional arms trafficking also continued through other routes," it added, calling for the Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan to "strengthen their efforts to combat the escalation in the flow of arms and foreign fighters" into the country. One of the world's poorest and most unstable nations, CAR spiralled into bloodshed after former president Francois Bozize was overthrown in 2013. Fighting has since forced nearly a quarter of the country's 4.5 million people to flee their homes, and rival militia groups control most of the country. A presidential election is due in December 2020. "The prospect of elections represented an additional incentive for armed groups to maintain and extend their control over territory," said the UN report which will serve as the basis for renewing the arms embargo, in place since 2013. Two predominantly Fulani armed groups seek to extend their territory to maximize taxation of seasonal herders, it added. "The Union pour la paix en Centrafrique (UPC), led by Ali Darassa, and Retour, reclamation et rehabilitation (3R), led by Abbas Sidiki, expanded their areas of control," it said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 02:54:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BERLIN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The German government agreed to support the country's steel industry in its long-term transition to low-carbon production, the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) announced on Wednesday. The conversion to more "climate-friendly steel production" would require investments of around 30 billion euros (34 billion U.S. dollars) in Germany until 2050, according to industry calculations presented by BMWi. "It is important that we act now, so that this industrial sector, which is so important for our national economy, will still be able to produce competitively and in a climate-friendly way in Germany in 30 years' time," said German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier. According to BMWi, the situation in the global steel industry had become difficult in recent years due to overcapacities, difficult trade policy environment and as ambitious environmental and climate targets. Between 2010 and 2019, crude steel production in Germany fell by around 10 percent to 39.7 million tons last year, according to the German Steel Federation (WV Stahl). The COVID-19 crisis further aggravated the situation for the German steel industry. In both April and May, crude steel production in Germany plummeted by around 25 percent year-on-year, WV Stahl recently announced. WV Stahl President Hans Juergen Kerkhoff welcomed the government's decision on Wednesday, describing the strategy as a "coherent, overall industrial policy concept that addresses the challenges facing the industry." According to the German government, it would support the transition of the country's steel industry with "extensive investments" in energy industry infrastructure and the development of a hydrogen economy. Enditem Ukraine has ambitious plans for a summit with the European Union in October, in particular regarding the signing of a number of important agreements aimed at deepening the country's European integration. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said this at a briefing named "Ukraine and the Association Agreement with the EU: Implementation Monitoring 2014-2019" on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The increase in the dynamics of implementation of the Agreement allows us to say that the Ukraine-EU summit, which will be held in October, should be ambitious. This became possible thanks to the bills quickly adopted by the parliament and the bylaws developed and adopted by the government in pursuance of this legislation I can say that Ukraine is both technically and legally ready to become part of the European system," she said. She added that Ukraine also expects to sign a Common Aviation Area (CAA) agreement and launch a second mission for concluding the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA). ish SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bay Club Company ("Bay Club") has announced the launch of its own Diversity Task Force. Committed to serving as activists for social good and equality, the Diversity Task Force will engage the company, its associates, and its member community by representing voices from underserved and minority backgrounds. The Bay Club's Diversity Task Force will be pioneered by Bay Club associates, and husband and wife, Amber and Lloyd Cook. One of Bay Club's 24 properties located throughout California and Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Cook bring over 15 years of employment at the Bay Club to their new roles. "This company has made a commitment to be an ally and advocate for improved justice, equality, and inclusion in both our club and local communities, as well as provide opportunities to underserved groups," said Amber Cook. As for Diversity Task Force goals, Lloyd Cook said, "We want to engage with our associates, members, and community organization to understand what is important to them and how we can make a truly meaningful impact. This will fuel our projects and initiatives and guide how we can best support our communities." Bay Club President & CEO Matthew Stevens appointed the Cooks to lead the Diversity Task Force. "I have been fortunate to know Amber and Lloyd for over 16 years and have watched them grow as individuals, then as a couple, and now as parents. They are exemplary role models for our team." Stevens believes the task force is an important step in demonstrating the Company's commitment to listening and learning from diverse associates. "When we know better, we can do better," Stevens said. About The Bay Club Company Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Bay Club is an active-lifestyle and hospitality company with a network of experiential campuses that will now welcome more than 120,000 members. The combined portfolio will operate across nine West Coast campuses in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego and Portland markets, employing more than 3,000 people. For more information on The Bay Club Company, please visit www.bayclubs.com . Media Contact: Marissa Dorfler Email: [email protected] Related Images bay-club-el-segundo.jpg Bay Club El Segundo One of Bay Club's 24 properties located throughout California and Portland. SOURCE The Bay Club Company Related Links http://www.bayclubs.com Hyderabad: On Monday, the daily bulletin released by the Telangana health department in its COVID-19 bulletin said there were 9 deaths due to COVID-19 in the entire state. On Tuesday, it reported 10. All through this month, the daily toll due to COVID-19 reached double digits only three times. Hospital workers Deccan Chronicle spoke to disputed the figures acknowledged by the state's official COVID-19 bulletin. They say COVID deaths are being seriouusly under-reported in Telangana. On Monday, two employees of Gandhi Hospital, the main COVID-treatment facility in Hyderabad, said there had been no less than 30 deaths at just that hospital alone. "Twenty-five bodies were taken away for last rites after identification by their families, said V. Satyam (name changed), a contract worker who prepares the bodies to be handed over to famiies. Another contract worker, E. Prasad (name changed), said: There have been more than 20 deaths per day over the past many days. The mortuary is full. Sometimes, bodies are left in the wards because there is no space available in the mortuary. The state government has in the past repeatedly denied under-reporting COVID-19 deaths, claiming that it did not have anything to hide on that front. In earlier instances when there were reports that COVID-19 deaths were not being declared, it had said it takes two to three days to go through a deceased patients records and ascertain the actual cause of death. Though top health department officials said two weeks ago that they would include details of the deceased in the bulletin, including their home town, no such details are being provided. Nor is there a break-up of the number of deaths at various government and private hospitals. Satyam and Prasad said they and their fellow workers are repeatedly reminded by the higher-ups that it is easy to sack contract staff. We are the ones who help patients with their diapers, shifting them from one ward to another, and, in the event of a patient dying, packing the body as per the Covid-19 protocol. We also help families identifying their deceased kin and shift the bodies to ambulances before they are taken away for last rites, Prasad said. Satyam and Prasad are paid Rs 8,500 per month. Satyam, who was married four years ago, and lives not far from the hospital, said his landlord was constantly objecting to him returning home after work. Even my best friends have stopped meeting with me, because I work at Gandhi Hospital and I do what I do as part of my work, he said.similar story. Just a year older than Satyam, in his mid-twenties, Prasad said: When Gandhi hospital was in the process of being declared a Covid-19 centre, I sent my wife to my in-laws place. Whenever I go to see her now, my mother-in-law prevents us from meeting because I work at Gandhi hospital. She has told me not to return until the pandemic is over. The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) have raised concerns to the government about the planned re-opening of all pubs next week. Until now only bars that served food were allowed resume business. The health authorities are worried about the growing number of young people testing positive for Covid-19 in recent weeks. The final phase - Phase 4 - of the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions is due to take place on Monday, but has to be approved by the Cabinet first. The issue is due to be discussed by the government at a meeting tomorrow evening. This evening there were no further deaths from coronavirus reported however 32 new cases were confirmed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Meanwhile, the Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said house parties remain a cause of concern as a source for future Covid-19 infection clusters. Mr Martin told the Dail that during a conversation with acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, concerns were raised about the increase of coronavirus cases in recent weeks. Ive been speaking to the chief medical officer, there are concerns in terms of increases in the number of Covid cases over the last fortnight. Congregated indoor settings is presenting a problem 30 or 40 people in the house, for example at house parties, is an issue," the Taoiseach said. Hamiltons public school board has unveiled its preliminary return-to-school plan one that prompted a trustee to say it overwhelmed her. The 43-page executive report, presented to Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) trustees at a three-hour board meeting Monday evening, outlines the various learning models the board could put into effect depending on which return-to-school scenario the Ministry of Education chooses for the region come September. It was a lot to take in. Im overwhelmed with everything, said trustee Christine Bingham. If Im overwhelmed, I cant imagine what families are going to be feeling like. Much of the report lays out how the board will practically implement the three return-to-school models the province has directed them to craft: Scenario A would see a full return to school with enhanced public health protocols; Scenario B would include an adaptive approach with a blend of in-class and at-home learning, smaller class sizes, students split into cohorts and alternate day school attendance; and Scenario C would be exclusively at-home learning. In each scenario, students have the option of staying home, following along with an enhanced online learning model. Both the premier and the minister of education have said they prefer Scenario A, a full return to school, but local public health circumstances will impact which scenario the ministry chooses for each region. Final decisions are expected on Aug. 4, but scenarios may shift throughout the school year, depending on public health recommendations and COVID-19 spread. The HWDSB return-to-school report was presented by Peter Sovran, HWDSBs associate director of learning services. It included input from Hamilton public health and parents via an online survey and it also took into account practical realities and limitations imposed by the need to switch from one scenario to another, if necessary. A more polished report is expected to be unveiled at the next board meeting on July 27, though the Ministry of Education still needs to approve the boards plans. The Catholic board expects to release its return-to-school plans at a July 28 board meeting. What will school schedules look like at the elementary and high school level? If the blended Scenario B approach is chosen, the board wants to see elementary students attending school every other day and on alternate Fridays. For instance, Cohort A a group of no more than 15 students would attend school Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday and Cohort B would attend school Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Friday. On off days, students learn from home. Cohort A and B would likely have the same teacher, who is also teaching them online, allowing the board to shift smoothly into a Scenario A full-return model, if dictated by the province. Another model could see Cohort A attending school Monday and Tuesday and Cohort B attending school Thursday and Friday, with the groups alternating on Wednesdays. In high school, things get more complicated. The board prefers a high school schedule similar to the preferred elementary model, with students split into two cohorts and each attending every other day and alternating Fridays. However, students would only attend school for 150 minutes in the morning to study one subject. In the afternoon, they would learn remotely, spending 50 minutes, respectively, on a second, third and fourth subject. At the end of a 21-day rotation, students will learn at home for five days a time gap advised by public health and then a different subject would become the in-school morning lesson. Student cohorts would switch. In the next rotation, a third subject is the morning course, then a fourth. Another option, called the quadmester model would see the semester broken in half, with students studying two subjects at a time, one in the morning and one in the afternoon for 150 minutes each. Cohorts would attend school on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays for the full day, with each group alternating Fridays. On off-days, students learn remotely. Transportation and other considerations Sovern said the ministry is encouraging non-use of bus and non-use of vehicles where possible, with students encouraged to instead walk or bike, presumably. The board plans to accommodate students who already qualify for busing, and who cant otherwise get to school, ensuring physical distancing is adhered to. It may ease the minds of anxious parents to know the board plans to try to keep students from the same family within the same cohort, attending school on the same days, even if they go to different schools. The board plans to ensure students with high-level special education needs can attend school on a daily basis. All students and staff will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and are to remain home if they feel sick or have come in close contact with someone with a suspected or positive COVID-19 case in the past 14 days. Students will also be encouraged to practise proper hand hygiene and physical distancing. Desks will be spaced out and Plexiglas barriers will be erected in schools. If someone tests positive for COVID, all students and staff within their cohort will likely be asked to self-isolate by Hamilton public health, the report states. Bharatiya Janata Party will hold a meeting on Wednesday in Jaipur over the political situation in the state with the Congress government in the state facing a crisis. The meeting will be attended by former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. BJP leaders also held a meeting on Tuesday which was attended by state chief Satish Poonia besides Om Mathur, Gulab Chand Kataria and Rajendra Rathore. The Congress on Tuesday removed Sachin Pilot as Deputy Chief Minister and Rajasthan PCC Chief. Two other ministers loyal to him were also removed from their posts. The simmering differences between Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot have come out in the open. (The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text, only the headline has been changed) Chairman Robert Fico labelled the charges political bullying. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Investigator of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) has pressed charges against Smer MP Lubos Blaha. The charges against Blaha pertain to the crime of denying and approving of the Holocaust, crimes of political regimes and crimes against humanity, as defined in Slovak legislation. Chairman of Smer, Robert Fico, believes the charges to be political bullying. He expressed his support for Blaha. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Blaha is known mainly as a keen Facebook user, where he often speaks up against liberalism and does not shy away from posting links from fake news websites. He is an ardent supporter of Fico. Fico announced that the charges against Blaha were brought based on a criminal complaint filed by MEP Lucia Duris Nicholsonova of the coalition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS). He believes Blaha is charged for sharing a made-up picture of President Zuzana Caputova and the text: Lets live so as to make sure Martin Smid did not die in vain. Smid was a made-up person from the times of the Velvet Revolution. Fico visits Cuba with head of parliamentary committee Read more We all know that in November 1989, there was a a made-up death of a made-up person who reportedly died after a police intervention, only to increase the size of demonstrations in November 1989, Fico said. The disinformation about the dead person was spread on purpose back then and in the end it was debunked. Blaha only critically evaluated what happened in 1989, according to Fico. Blaha as vice-chair Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Ridgestone Mining Inc. (TSXV: RMI) (OTCQB: RIGMF) (FSE: 4U5) ("Ridgestone") is pleased to report the first three holes from a recently completed 1,674 metre drill program on its wholly-owned Rebeico gold-copper project in Sonora, Mexico. The holes were part of a maiden drill program conducted on the New Year Zone to investigate the subsurface extent of significant gold and copper mineralization previously sampled on surface. Highlights Hole 20REB013D intersected 2.13 g/t gold and 1.79% copper over a 16.25 metre interval from 3.05 metres to 19.30 metres, including a higher-grade 4.35 metre interval @ 5.25 g/t gold and 1.46% copper. Copper mineralization in hole 20REB013D commenced from surface for 19.3 meters averaging 1.56 % copper. Holes 20REB014D and 20REB015D collared 60 metres west and about 10 metres south of 20REB13D encountered significant copper mineralization from near surface to 18 metres. Pervasively hydrothermally altered rocks with variable amounts of pyrite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite were encountered in all three of these holes. Mr. Jonathan George, CEO, commented "We are very pleased that all three of these holes intersected multiple runs of elevated copper and visible chalcopyrite over tens of metres of length down-hole from the reported, near-surface significant results. As well, extensive intercepts with veinlets containing variable mixtures of pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, chlorite, calcite and quartz, and the intercepts of hydrothermal breccia, taken together confirm we have penetrated a highly-prospective copper and gold bearing mineral system." Hole 20REB13D was drilled vertically to a depth of 98 metres (Table 1), encountering abundant iron and copper oxides and sulphides in veinlets and disseminations in brecciated and silicified andesite and hydrothermal breccia from surface to greater than 19 metres (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Narrower intervals of hydrothermal breccia were penetrated to depths of 68 metres. Pyrite and minor amounts of chalcopyrite magnetite were observed in more extensive intervals in veinlets and as disseminated grains, as well as in narrow veins with calcite and/or quartz. Story continues Table 1: Summary of Drill Intercepts Hole # Azimuth (deg) Inclination (deg) Final Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Gold (g/t) Cu (%) 20REB013D 0 -90 98.5 0 19.30 19.30 1.80 1.56 including 3.05 19.30 16.25 2.13 1.79 which also includes 8.65 13.00 4.35 5.25 1.46 20REB014D 0 -90 170.1 1.6 17.8 16.2 n.s.i 0.25 20REB015D 270 -55 167.2 1.80 12.70 10.90 n.s.i 0.19 n.s.i. = no significant interval Figure 1: New Year Zone Phase 1 Drill Collar Location To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_001full.jpg Figure 2: Cross Section 3,188,100N To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_002full.jpg Holes 20REB014D and 20REB015D were collared approximately 60 metres west and 10 metres south of 20REB13D (Figure 3) and drilled vertically and west at -55 degrees, respectively. Hole 20REB014D was drilled to depth of 170.10 metres and intersected 16.2 metres grading 0.25 % copper from 1.6 to 17.8 meters (Table 1). Hole 20REB15D was drilled to a depth of 167.20 metres and intersected 10.90 metres at a grade of 0.19% copper from 1.80 meters to 12.70 metres (Table 1). Both of these mineralized intervals were within brecciated andesite. Multiple zones of hydrothermal breccia were intersected in 20REB014D from 100 to 155 metres, and both holes intersected multiple intervals with veinlets and disseminated grains of sulphides as well as anomalous gold and copper values at various depths. Figure 3: Cross Section 3,188,090N To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_003full.jpg Figure 4: Core Photo from 20REB013D Assaying 7.79 g/t Gold and 1.66% Copper To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5790/59780_b2cc2932c4021b22_004full.jpg The New Year Zone diamond-drill core program was completed by Layne de Mexico under the guidance of Steve Weiss (Chief Technical Advisor) and Jonathan George (CEO), with onsite supervision by geologists from Ridgestone's partner YQ Gold. Drill core of HQ size was recovered by conventional wireline methods and was transported daily from the drill sites to a secure logging and sample storage area. After logging by geologists, intervals selected for sampling were sawed in half lengthwise. The -core samples were placed in pre-numbered sample bags and weighed. Blanks and certified reference material samples were inserted into the sample stream for Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC") purposes. The samples were transported by YQ Gold personnel to the ALS Chemex ("ALS") preparation laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora. At ALS the samples were crushed in their entirety to 70% less than 2 mm, then riffle split to obtain a 250 gram sub-sample that was pulverized to > 85% passing 75 microns. After preparation, the sample pulps were air-freighted by ALS to their assay laboratory in North Vancouver, British Columbia. All samples were analyzed for gold by 30-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption ("AA") finish (ALS method code AuAA23). The samples were also analyzed for multiple minor and trace elements by inductively-coupled plasma-emission mass-spectrometry ("ICP-MS") following a 4-acid digestion (ALS method code ME-MS61). The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Steven I. Weiss, PhD, CPG, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Weiss is independent of Ridgestone Mining and YQ Gold, and all their respective subsidiaries. About Ridgestone Mining Inc. Ridgestone is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its wholly-owned, high-grade Rebeico gold-copper project located in Sonora, Mexico. For further information, please contact: MarketSmart Communications Inc. Telephone: 877-261-4466 info@marketsmart.ca This news release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. In this news release such statements include but are not limited to any ongoing drilling programs, timing of such programs, or exploration results. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the Company's regulatory filings available on www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements. The impact of any one factor on a particular forward-looking statement is not determinable with certainty as such factors are dependent on other factors, and the Company's course of action would depend on its assessment of the future considering all information then available. All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59780 India has ordered 375million people back into lockdown as the country suffered another record spike in coronavirus cases today. Health officials announced 29,429 new cases this morning, bringing the total from 906,752 to 936,181 with India on the brink of becoming the third country after the US and Brazil to pile up a million infections. The death toll jumped by 582, rising from 23,727 to 24,309, with nearly half of all fatalities recorded in the state of Maharashtra which includes Mumbai. As cases continue to surge, the impoverished state of Bihar yesterday ordered its 125million people into a two-week lockdown, while the IT hub of Bangalore has shut down shops and transport in another week-long shutdown. Daily cases: India's infection count rose by a record 29,429 on Wednesday, taking the total from 906,752 to 936,181 as cases head towards a million Daily deaths: Today's increase of 582 brought India's death toll from 23,727 to 24,309. The record spike of 2,003 deaths on June 17 included some earlier cases but authorities did not specify how many of them were new The lockdown in Bihar comes after the state recorded more than 1,000 cases for the third day running. 'All city municipalities, district headquarters, block headquarters will stay under lockdown,' deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said. 'There is no medicine or vaccine for corona. We have to ensure that we cover our faces with masks, handkerchiefs or towels,' the minister said. Nearly 2.5million migrant workers who had been stranded during India's initial lockdown have returned to the state after they lost their jobs in large cities. The lockdown in Bangalore, where tech giants such as Apple and Amazon have their Indian headquarters, means only 50 per cent of staff are allowed on the premises at once. Transport will be banned in the city except for emergencies, and only shops selling essential items are allowed to open. Places of worship, public transport and government offices will close again and people will be ordered to stay at home unless necessary. Schools, colleges and restaurants will remain shut, authorities said. Bangalore had only around 1,000 cases in mid-June and was thought to have fared better than other parts of India in terms of testing and contact tracing. But infections had grown to nearly 20,000 by Monday, a spike which has been blamed on the end of the national lockdown. Bangalore began seeing a surge in infections from late June as both testing and the movement of people picked up, said Hephsiba Korlapati, a senior official in the city's coronavirus response team. Emergency: Health workers spray sanitiser outside the home of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan in Mumbai at the weekend after he tested positive for coronavirus Orders: A police officer wearing a mask uses a loudspeaker to disperse people in a commercial area in Bangalore, which is entering a new week-long shutdown A new lockdown has also been imposed in the western city of Pune, which saw its worst daily increase with 1,333 new infections on Monday. Other states including Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous with 200 million inhabitants, Tamil Nadu and Assam have also introduced new restrictions. Kerala in the south has also implemented tight controls in a dozen areas including state capital Thiruvananthapuram until July 23. The state has seen cases shoot up to over 8,000 following the return of people from Gulf countries where Keralites make up a substantial proportion of foreign workers. Kerala's government last week extended until July 2021 rules on the wearing of masks, social distancing and limiting numbers of people at weddings and funerals. Cities as far-flung as Shillong in the remote north-east and Srinagar, the main city of Kashmir in the far north, imposed new curbs on movements to contain the virus. The Times estimated the total number of people back in lockdown as 375million, more than a quarter of India's population. India ordered its entire 1.3billion population into lockdown in March, when the country had only a few hundred cases and a handful of deaths. But the measures were lifted in May and June after the shutdown of the $2.9trillion economy left millions of people out of work. Cases have spiralled in recent weeks with the daily record repeatedly broken and 193,764 cases recorded in the last week alone. Maharashtra accounts for more than a quarter of India's total cases with 267,665, while Tamil Nadu and Delhi have both seen more than 100,000 infections. Indian paramilitary soldiers wearing white protective suits and face shields carry the body of an officer who died of Covid-19 to a crematorium in Indian-controlled Kashmir yesterday People gather outside a shop to make last-minute purchases in Bangalore before the city heads into a week-long shutdown to contain a surge in coronavirus cases India says more than 300,000 cases are currently considered 'active', with more than 100,000 of them in Maharashtra. In one glimmer of hope, Delhi reported its lowest daily figure for five weeks with 1,246 new infections on Monday. Delhi has largely seen activity return to normal apart from several 'containment zones' and has shelved plans to turn stadiums into coronavirus care centres. India's health minister Harsh Vardhan said he expected coronavirus cases to peak in various parts of the country at different times. More than 280,000 samples are being tested every day in the country, taking the total to nearly 12 million, the minister said. Jitendra Singh, a minister in Modi's office, quarantined himself on Tuesday after Ravinder Raina, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) president in Jammu and Kashmir, tested positive for the disease. Singh visited the region with Raina and several members of the BJP after a party worker was killed last week by militants. 24 BJP workers also tested positive in Bihar's capital of Patna, according to its chief minister. The latest curbs have raised questions about prospects for India's growth, according to Japan's biggest brokerage and investment bank Nomura. 'We also find growing evidence that after the initial normalisation in activity, mobility trends have started to plateau and fall lately,' Nomura said in a note. 'This implies that growth could remain below pre-pandemic peaks for a prolonged period of time.' Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Wednesday of "an alarming decline" in the number of children receiving life-saving vaccines around the world It is about safeguarding international law and multilateralism, Irans President Hassan Rouhani said in reference to the October expiry of an Iran arms embargo, as set in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as well as UN Resolution 2231. Rouhanis televised July 15 address came as the United States was in the middle of an intense and challenging campaign to get the UN Security Council to vote on extending the embargo. The Islamic Republic has been working relentlessly to counterbalance the US push by seeking support from the remaining JCPOA signatories, China and Russia in particular. In the opening of a series of US-called Security Council meetings on the matter in late June, the members emphasized the need to preserve the JCPOA. The Iranian president advised the 4+1 countries (China, Russia, UK, France and Germany) to resist the US pressure because its not just about their ties with Tehran and said failure to stop an extension will devalue international treaties leaving all sides at loss. According to Rouhani, Washington will face yet another defeat in its political and legal war against Tehran should the 4+1 nations act with vigilance. Rouhanis speech came on the fifth anniversary of the signing of the nuclear deal, and he used the chance to renew attacks on the US government for its illegal withdrawal from the pact in May 2018, a decision he blamed on Zionists [the Israeli government], reactionaries and hard-liners in America. Since its departure from the deal, the administration of President Donald Trump has been pursuing a maximum pressure policy to squeeze Iran economically. Rouhani again downplayed it, saying, Despite US efforts, Iran has not and will never become isolated. The campaign has sought to drain Irans oil exports, one impact of which has emerged in the form of an unprecedented depreciation of Irans national currency, the rial. The nosedive has accelerated in the past two months amid dwindling hard currency reserves as banking restrictions continue to cut off Tehrans access to its oil income. And that income is already fast diminishing as buyers are scared off by US penalties on business with the Islamic Republic. The nuclear deals failure to bring the promised economic relief appears to have forced the Iranian president to narrow his expectations and invest almost all his hopes in the end of the arms embargo. Rouhani described the expiration in his address as a key achievement, the protection of which is a big test for the UN Security Council. It is perhaps his top defendable gain in the face of stinging rhetoric from his hard-line critics before he bids farewell to the presidency next year. Fashion retailer Asos dropped its Leicester clothing factories two years ago after concerns began to emerge over their poor ethical standards and working conditions. The online giant stopped production in two factories after concerns were raised over their 'illegal wages', 'poor health and safety standards' and the employment of vulnerable employees It comes after it was revealed that clothes workers in Leicester were being paid as little as 3.50 an hour to produce items for some of the UK's biggest fashion brands including Boohoo and Nasty Gal. Earlier this week fast-fashion brand Quiz also suspended one of its suppliers amid claims that its factory workers in Leicester were being paid as little as 3-an-hour. In 2017, Asos chief Nick Beighton visited manufacturers in Leicester with the former New Look boss Anders Kristiansen in the hopes of tripling his production line. Asos stopped production in its Leicester factories two years ago after concerns were were raised over 'illegal wages', 'poor health and safety standards' and the employment of vulnerable employees. (Stock image) It was earlier revealed that clothes workers in Leicester were being paid as little as 3.50 an hour to produce items Boohoo. (Stock image) However the two bosses were left reporting the scenes to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and expressed their concerns over 'illegal wages', the 'poor health and safety standards' and 'subcontracting and vulnerable workers.' In a report to the committee, seen by the Leicester Mercury, the pair wrote: 'We have been sufficiently concerned about some of the conditions within the Leicester manufacturing industry as to join the Ethical Trading Initiative's (ETI) group focussed on Leicester.' They added: 'Despite our considerable efforts to play our part in improving the industry, we are still concerned over the presence of a number of key issues across the UK supply base and in Leicester in particular. 'These include illegal wages, right to work, poor health and safety standards, subcontracting and vulnerable workers. 'Those factories operating outside of legal standards are undermining our efforts to improve standards in UK manufacture and increase our sourcing in the Leicester area. The private sector cannot solve these issues alone.' Mr Kristiansen, who had been looking to double New Look's 35 million orders from Leicester factories, told The Telegraph at the time: 'Many of these factories have unsafe conditions with fire escapes blocked up, workers exploited and paid far below minimum wage. 'What happens if there is another massive fire, what will it take for people to wake up?' After raising their concerns, Mr Beighton and Mr Kristiansen pushed for a stricter enforcement of the law by arranging a meeting with Leicester's mayor Peter Soulsby, HM Revenue and Customs and the police. The British Retail Consortium also put pressure on the Government to act. Despite the government assessing proposed powers that would allow councils to close factories that broke the law, Mr Beighton and Mr Kristiansen said the progress was slow. This week it was revealed that Fast-fashion brand Quiz had suspended one of its suppliers in Leicester. (Stock image) Pictured: Workers at the Faiza Fashion factory in Leicester continue to work despite the newly reimposed lockdown Mr Kristiansen added: 'Everyone knows what is going on, but no one is listening, they are turning a blind eye to it.' Today an Asos spokesperson told MailOnline: 'At the heart of our industry-leading ethical trade policy is a commitment to rigorously and regularly audit our supply chain to ensure workers' rights are protected and respected. 'We work hard to uncover risks, often with the support of local NGO partners and unions on the ground, and if issues are identified we work closely with our suppliers to remediate them, ensuring that improvements are made quickly and effectively, which are then monitored through follow-up audits.' The revelations come after a Sunday Times investigation discovered clothes workers in Leicester were being paid as little as 3.50 an hour to produce items for some of the UK's biggest fashion brands including Boohoo and Nasty Gal. The undercover report also found that no additional hygiene or social distancing measures were in place, despite the city being in a localised lockdown due to an outbreak of the virus. In covert footage, the undercover reporter recorded himself packing garments clearly labelled as 'Nasty Gal'. He was also approached by the factory foreman, who warned: 'These motherf***ers know how to exploit people like us. They make profits like hell and pay us in peanuts. 'Take me for instance, I've been working for so many years in this industry, I've been here for five years but never could I take a proper pay packet. I'm still only on just over 5 an hour.' Following the shocking footage, the NCA said in a statement: 'Within the last few days NCA officers, along with Leicestershire Police and other partner agencies, attended a number of business premises in Leicester area to assess concerns of modern slavery and human trafficking.' More than 1billion has since been wiped from Boohoo's share price as the scandal unfolded. Responding to the investigation, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'These allegations are truly appalling and I commend the Sunday Times and local MP Andrew Bridgen for their roles in uncovering such abhorrent practices. The Chief executive of Quiz Tarak Ramzan has said the company is investigating the incident and will conduct a fuller review of their supplier 'I will not tolerate sick criminals forcing innocent people into slave labour and a life of exploitation. 'Let this be a warning to those who are exploiting people in sweatshops like these for their own commercial gain. 'This is just the start. What you are doing is illegal, it will not be tolerated and we are coming after you.' Earlier this week, Quiz suspended one of its suppliers amid claims that its factory workers in Leicester were being paid as little as 3-an-hour and vowed to investigate the allegations. Quiz said that the allegations 'if found to be accurate are totally unacceptable' and it is grateful to the press for highlighting the alleged breaches. The company believes one of its suppliers used a sub-contractor 'in direct contravention of previous instruction from Quiz'. It said it would terminate relationships with any suppliers who failed to comply with the Group's Ethical Code of Practice or meet the Group's standards. Chief executive of Quiz Tarak Ramzan said: 'We are extremely concerned and disappointed to be informed of the alleged breach of National Living Wage requirements in a factory making Quiz products. 'The alleged breaches to both the law and Quiz's Ethical Code of Practice are totally unacceptable. 'We are thoroughly investigating this incident and will also conduct a fuller review of our supplier auditing processes to ensure that they are robust. We will update our stakeholders in due course.' Following the allegations against Boohoo Home Secretary Priti Patel said it was 'truly appalling' In a statement, Quiz said: 'Quiz is extremely concerned by information recently reported in the media regarding an alleged instance of non-compliance with National Living Wage requirements in a factory making Quiz products in Leicester. The Group is very grateful to the press for highlighting these alleged breaches. 'The Group is currently investigating the reported allegations, which if found to be accurate are totally unacceptable. 'From our initial review, we believe that one of Quiz's suppliers based in Leicester has used a sub-contractor in direct contravention of a previous instruction from Quiz. 'It is this sub-contractor that is subject of the National Living Wage complaint. Quiz has immediately suspended activity with the supplier in question pending further investigation. 'The Board is aware that Quiz has clear-cut social responsibilities and legal obligations and understands the critical importance of ensuring the Group's products are sourced from manufacturers whose business operations conform to appropriate standards. 'All suppliers to Quiz must comply with the Group's Ethical Code of Practice. Relationships with any suppliers who fail to comply with this code or meet the Group's standards will be terminated. 'Quiz monitors its supplier base through audits and site visits and is in the advanced stages of appointing an independent third-party partner to provide more regular audits of suppliers in the Leicester region. 'In addition to taking immediate action on this incident, the Board commits to a full review of the Group's current auditing processes to ensure they are robust enough to ensure on-going compliance with our Ethical Code of Practice throughout the Group's supply chain.' Next, Asos and Amazon have dropped Boohoo clothes from their websites other online retailers, including Zalando and Very.co.uk, have also temporarily suspended their sale. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: After Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Olis controversial claims on 'real Ayodhya' being in Nepal, a group of Buddhists have now demanded the district administration for a UNESCO-monitored excavation of the Ramjanmabhoomi (RJB) premises. Two Buddhist monks, who reached Ayodhya from East Champaran in Bihar, launched a hunger strike near the office of District Magistrate of Ayodhya, claiming that the Ram Janmabhoomi complex was basically a Buddhist site. However, the preparations to commence the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram at his birthplace are on in Ayodhya. As per the sources in Ayodhya, Azad Bauddh Dhamma Sena chief Bhanteya Buddha Sharan Kesariya claimed that the remains of an ancient temple found at the Ram Janmabhoomi premises during the levelling of land in May indicated that Ayodhya was once the ancient Buddhist city of Saket, which was established by Kaushal Naresh Raja Prasenjit in memory of the sage Lomash Rishi. The All India Azad Buddhist Dhamma Army has demanded that remains found during the excavation of the Ram Janmabhoomi be preserved. The organisation claimed that the symbols found in the complex were from the Buddhist period. The Azad Bauddh Dhamma Sena chief said that the excavation of Ram Janmabhoomi site should be carried out under the supervision of UNESCO. However, the organisation did not oppose the construction of Ram temple. There is a demand to preserve the remains of Buddhist culture. Buddhists believe that the city of Lord Ram is the ancient city of Saket, which was considered to be the city of Buddha. The Buddhist monks said that those who wanted to build the Ram temple should go ahead, but they should not destroy the Buddhist symbols found during the excavation. Both the Buddhists monks have demanded land in Ayodhya, where they can preserve the ancient remains found in the excavation. A new report from a hair salon in Springfield, Missouri, shows wearing a face mask isn't just altruistic it also helps keep the person wearing it from getting COVID-19. And some infectious disease experts increasingly think wearing a mask could mean that even if a person is infected, they are more likely to get a milder or even asymptomatic form of the disease. The Missouri hair salon case was published in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's an example of the power of face masks to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On May 12, a hair stylist at a Springfield Great Clips salon developed respiratory symptoms, but kept working for eight days until a COVID-19 test came back positive. Another stylist started getting sick three days later and worked for another seven days before testing positive and staying home. Both colleagues wore masks only when customers were present. Six close contacts of the first stylist ended up coming down with COVID-19. But in the salon, where 98% of clients wore masks, things played out differently. Of the 67 clients exposed to one or both of the stylists and tested for COVID-19, not one tested positive. While cloth face coverings aren't 100% effective, "wearing them means you're exposed to less virus. Less is coming in from other people and you're inhaling less. It's a win-win," said Dr. John Brooks, a medical epidemiologist and the CDC's chief medical officer for the agencys COVID-19 response. If the American public were to embrace masking now, Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the pandemic could be brought to heel in less than two months. "If we could get everybody to wear a mask right now, I really do think over the next 4-6-8 weeks, I really think we can bring this under control," he said in an interview Tuesday with the editor in chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Story continues Masks could mean getting less sick And it might do more than quell the outbreak. A hypothesis among some infectious disease experts is that those infected while wearing masks breathe in a lower dose of the virus, and as a result often have less severe illness. A forthcoming article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine lays out the theory. It makes a lot of sense, said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, an expert in health policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Wearing a mask may protect the mask wearer more than we realize," he said. "This paper provides a new explanation for lower rates of death in areas where mask wearing is common, as well as an even stronger rationale for all of us to wear masks when around others." The rationale is based on the medical concept of "viral inoculum," or how much virus someone is exposed to. The evidence about viral, bacterial or fungal exposure affecting how sick someone gets goes back to the 1930s. We know this for gastrointestinal viruses, sexually transmitted diseases and respiratory infections. The bigger the load the more you get in your system, the more severe the disease, said Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco and co-author on the paper. 'No one is safe until everyone is safe': Vaccine nationalism threatens global coronavirus effort Vaccine horizon: We're one-third of the way to a widely available coronavirus vaccine, experts say Wearing a cloth face covering is estimated to screen out between 65% and 85% of viral particles, said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and another author. Depending on how robust the persons immune system is, a smaller exposure seems to correlate with milder cases of COVID-19. It's probably because with a smaller amount of virus to deal with, the bodys immune system has a better chance of mounting a defense, the paper's authors suggest. Its seen in many other diseases, said Otto Yang, a professor of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA When somebodys infected with a virus, theres immediately a race between the virus replicating itself and the immune system. The bigger the inoculum a person gets, the bigger head start the virus has, he said. It also appears people who wear masks but contract the disease are much more likely to be asymptomatic, meaning they have COVID-19 but no symptoms. "If youre going to get this virus, you want to have an asymptomatic infection. As so many people whove survived it have said, its not an ordinary flu. People are very sick, even those who don't require hospitalization," Beyrer said. The idea remains a hypothesis because the scientists don't have specific data, as it's impossible to do studies in humans. We cant spray SARS-CoV-2 virus in peoples faces at lower and higher doses and see who gets sicker, Gandhi said. But there is animal data. A study in hamsters found that if masks were used to filter the air into their cages, the hamsters were less likely to become infected with COVID-19, and if they did get infected, they had milder disease. Theres also ecological evidence from the pandemic that seems to bear this out. Take the case of two cruise ships that both had COVID-19 onboard. "Cruise ships in some ways are like a natural experiment," Beyrer said. "Things were done differently on different ships and the outcomes were different. The first was the Diamond Princess, where 18% of those who got infected with COVID-19 were asymptomatic. Very few passengers wore masks. A later infection hit the another cruise ship, the Shackleton. When the first case appeared, all passengers were issued surgical masks and all staff wore N-95 masks. While 58% of passengers and crew ended up becoming infected with COVID-19, a full 81% of them were asymptomatic. Another example comes from Oregon, where everyone in a fish processing plant was issued masks each day at work. While 33% of workers tested ended up being positive for COVID-19, 95% of them were asymptomatic. In countries where a high percentage of the population wears masks, the number of cases may rise, but the number of deaths falls. Some models show that if 80% of people wear masks, death rates from COVID-19 stay very low. In the United States, San Francisco has a very high level of mask wearing, and while cases have been going up, the death rate has remained flat. In fact, there have been no new deaths since June 27. The city also is showing a high level of asymptomatic cases. A high level of asymptomatic cases means that fewer people are actually getting sick from COVID-19, and those that are are less likely to spread the disease. Face masks could be key to getting back to as normal as possible before a vaccine is available. It will still require social distancing and handwashing, but masking could allow things to open up, said the CDC's Brooks. "What were saying is, if everybody will adopt cloth face coverings, we can begin socializing again without shutting down the economy," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wearing a mask may offer protection against catching severe COVID-19 Going Beyond the Usual Fallon is a slender man with a tidy salt-and-pepper beard and a soft-spoken manner. The patient briskly outlined the events of the past few months, then described her current symptoms. She had no energy for anything and went to bed right after dinner most nights. She slept but never felt rested. And once she got out of bed, every joint in her body ached; it was the worst in her hands. Both hands? Fallon asked. Yes. And it was a different kind of pain from the many sports injuries shed had. All she wanted was to feel herself again. Fallon spent nearly an hour getting the rest of her medical history. But by the end of the visit, he wasnt at all certain this was Lyme or any tick-borne infection. They can all cause fever and fatigue, but the joint pain in Lyme, the most common of these diseases, was usually limited to one side. Two other common tick-borne infections, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, can produce similar syndromes of fever, fatigue and body pain but are usually far more severe. Babesia, a parasite transmitted by the tick that carries both ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease, was possible, but that infection destroys red blood cells, causing severe anemia along with fever and malaise. Fallon ordered the extensive panel of tests used in his center to look for other infections that ticks can cause. An Insidious Bite Because her symptoms werent typical, Fallon also ordered tests to investigate other possibilities. Rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.) often causes joint pain that can be worse in the hands. Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, can cause this combination of gastrointestinal distress and joint pain. He also checked her thyroid hormones, her red-blood-cell count and calcium level. The results came back over the next couple of weeks: She wasnt anemic. Her calcium was normal. It wasnt her thyroid. She didnt have celiac disease or R.A. She didnt have Lyme disease either. Nor did she have babesiosis or ehrlichiosis. Only one result was positive the test for a distant cousin of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme. Its called Borrelia miyamotoi, and it causes one of the newest tick-borne diseases. The first cases, in Russia, were reported in 2011. Cases were reported in the U.S. two years later. B. miyamotoi, like Lyme, is carried by the black-legged deer tick, but its a much easier infection to get. With Lyme, the tick has to be attached to a body for two to three days before the bug can be transmitted. Thats because B. burgdorferi lives deep in the ticks gut. But B. miyamotoi lives in the ticks mouth and can invade the body almost immediately. When untreated, B. miyamotoi can cause recurrent episodes of illness because of an unusual ability to fool the immune system by changing its outer layer. Once it has eluded our disease-fighting antibodies by the equivalent of changing clothes, it can reproduce again and produce a new round of fever, headache, fatigue and body pain that characterize this as well as most other tick-borne infections. Fallon was a little surprised by the unusual result, but it made sense. The patient had been on Long Island where there are many ticks. And she reported this unusual relapsing fever. He called her with the news. She was ecstatic to finally have an answer. The recommended treatment is two weeks of an antibiotic called doxycycline. Dairy giant Ornua is to invest $10m (8.8m) in its cheese-making facility in the United States. The expansion will add a further 22,000 squ. feet of warehousing and cooling infrastructure to its operations in Wisconsin, and provide an additional 30pc growth in production capacity. Ornua Ingredients North America currently operates two sites in the US this and another at Byron, Minnesota. The US arm of the dairy company, whose brands include Kerrygold, specialises in producing customised cheese products for major US food manufacturing and foodservice customers. Its cheese is also used in meat dishes, frozen meals, soups and sauces, bakery goods and on pizzas. This latest investment is a result of a period of exceptional multi-year growth in the division, with 2019 reporting a record year with double-digit growth, according to a statement from Ornua. Bernard Condon, MD of Ornua Ingredients, said: Ornua Ingredients North America have had great success in partnering with blue chip customers, delivering innovative cheese solutions and as these customers grow their business, we are creating additional capacity to serve them. This latest round of investment is consistent with the investments made since Ornua acquired Thiel Cheese [in 2014] and it is a business that will see further investment over the coming years. Ornua - which employs 2,400 in 13 factories around the worldsaid construction of the sites new infrastructure is expected to be completed in February next year. Last year sales of Kerrygold exceeded 1bn globally as it grew its market share in key strategic areas of Germany and the United States. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:04:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia reported 4,540 cases of malaria in the first half of 2020, a 70 percent drop from 15,165 over the same period last year, Health Minister Mam Bunheng said on Wednesday. "Cambodia has seen no death from malaria since 2018, meaning that the country has achieved zero death from malaria three years earlier than the target," he said in a press release. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease, which is often found in rainy seasons and mostly happens in forest and mountainous provinces. Bunheng said to avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitos, people living in malaria-prone areas should sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets all the time. Huy Rekol, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, said that Cambodia is committed to eliminating malaria by 2025. To achieve that, the Southeast Asian nation needs a budget of approximately 140 million U.S. dollars for the next five years, he added. Malaria diagnostic tests and treatment are very effective in Cambodia, Rekol said, adding that Artesunate-Mefloquine, or ASMQ, is efficacious against malaria. Enditem Flamboyant San Antonio personal injury attorney Thomas J. Henry has been involved in his share of lawsuits, often touting in ubiquitous advertisements the multimillion-dollar awards his firm has won for clients. Its doubtful, however, that Henrys ever had a role quite like the one hes playing now in a case in state District Court in San Antonio. Henry is bankrolling litigation brought by Evelin Crossland, minority owner of a San Antonio oil field services company, against the company and its majority owner and her husband, Drew Crossland, according to a recent court filing by Drew Crossland. Evelin Crossland is engaged in an extramarital and adulterous relationship with an affluential and infinitely wealthy attorney who is funding her litigious efforts to harass her estranged husband, Drew Crosslands June 29 filing stated. RELATED: Prominent S.A. attorney flaunts luxurious life on Instagram Henry, 58, isnt identified by name in the document, but he figures prominently in a court exhibit attached to the filing. It contains some of Henrys social media posts showing him and Evelin Crossland, who turned 30 on Monday, flaunting their relationship. Posts by Evelin Crossland also appear in the exhibit. One shows Evelin Crossland holding a glass of Champagne with a plate of caviar in front of her. The photo was posted Feb. 14 and captioned My Valentine with a heart emoji. Court exhibit On ExpressNews.com: Corpus lawyer ratchets up profile with foray into S.A. politics Henry and his representative didnt respond to emails and a phone call seeking comment. Eric Pullen, Evelin Crosslands attorney, had no comment on whether Henry was funding her litigation or the nature of her relationship with Henry. The last photo Henry posted on Instagram of himself and Crossland together was March 11. Henry is no stranger to the public eye. He may be best known for slick television commercials promoting his legal prowess including ones that have shown him hopping from Learjet to Rolls-Royce as graphics tout the giant legal awards his clients have received and the massive fees his firm has pocketed. Hes earned a reputation for throwing lavish parties. He presented a Maxim Super Bowl party in 2017 in the Houston area, threw a 56th birthday bash for himself in 2018 in Miami featuring entertainers Cardi B and DJ Khaled, and hosted a 25th anniversary party for his law firm at the Convention Center in 2018. Perhaps most famously, he spent $6 million on a quinceanera for his daughter, Maya Henry, in 2016. Court exhibit Henry also appeared with his family a couple of years ago in a YouTube reality series called Hangin with Los Henrys, which chronicled the goings-on in his household. Theres another side to Henry a prolific philanthropist who has helped dozens of causes, including food banks, and women and childrens shelters. Evelin Crossland filed to divorce her husband July 3, 2019, almost two months shy of their 10th wedding anniversary. (Drew Crossland, 35, had filed his own divorce petition on April 20, 2018.) Marie D. De Jesus /Staff file photo The same month Evelin Crossland petitioned for divorce, Henry moved out of the Boerne house he shared with his wife, Azteca Henry. He bought a home in the Dominion in August. That same month, he posted an Instagram photo of himself with Evelin Crossland and others. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox On Nov. 21, Azteca Henry, 42, filed for divorce to end her 20-year marriage. Her lawyers disguised the petition by using the couples initials in reverse rather than their names. The couple have two adult children. Thomas J. Henry also has five children with two previous wives. Evelin Crossland sued her husband, Crossland Oilfield Services and three other companies in March alleging he has mismanaged the firms and diverted corporate funds for his own benefit. The companys services include pipeline construction and drilling, according to its website. Court exhibit Evelin Crossland owns 49 percent of Crosssland Oilfield, while Drew Crossland owns 51 percent, her lawsuit said. She had worked for the companies but has been completely excluded from them, the suit added. Drew Crossland claims the companies are financially depleted to such an extent that he has threatened to put (them) into bankruptcy, she further alleged. She called assertions the companies are broke false. For the past three years, the Companies gross revenue exceeds $5,000,000.00, the complaint added. Yet she also alleged that Crossland Oilfield doesnt have the resources to repay a $486,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan it received in April from San Antonios Jefferson Bank. Drew Crossland used $184,000 of the loan proceeds to pay past-due payroll taxes, she said, adding that she objected to the loan. Paying taxes is not one of the approved uses of the loan to have it forgiven. Court exhibit Evelin Crossland wants the court to allow her to inspect the companies books and records. In his June 29 response, Drew Crossland said Evelin Crosslands action is groundless and filed in bad faith. He also alleged it is causing undue delay in the divorce proceedings and interfering with the companies operations. Drew Crossland accused Evelin Crossland of trying to block the PPP loan, which he said was crucial for, not only the companys survival during the imminent oil crash, but also the continued employment of more than a dozen former United States military servicemen. Data released this month by the Small Business Administration show the PPP loan allowed Crossland Oilfield to retain 30 jobs. Drew Crossland also alleged Evelin Crossland destroyed his business relationship with Jefferson Bank by telling loan officers he was under investigation for fraud. To support his claim that Thomas J. Henry is funding the litigation, Drew Crossland attached another exhibit that included some of Evelin Crosslands bank statements. They show she received four deposits totaling $11,000 over a six-month period beginning Sept. 25. The name Henry appears in the highlighted description of each transaction. Purely funding somebodys litigation, I dont see how that would run afoul of any legal ethics, said San Antonio attorney David Clay Snell, who is not involved in the litigation. If (Henry) wants to gift her money to do whatever she wants with, theres nothing at all wrong with that. Snell added the only time it would be a problem is if it was intended to circumvent or conceal a conflict. Drew Crossland didnt raise any conflicts in his June 29 court filing. Diamond De Leon, a Corpus Christi attorney representing Drew Crossland and the Crossland companies, declined to comment on the litigation. All I can speak about on my clients behalf is that hes a wounded Marine and his company, which hes built from the ground up, they hire wounded warriors, De Leon said. Hes a good guy. De Leon said he couldnt confirm or deny whether the Crossland companies are still in business. A hearing on Evelin Crosslands request for a temporary restraining order to, among other things, prevent Drew Crossland from taking distributions from the companies and selling any assets had been set for July 6 but was subsequently dropped. Pullen, Evelin Crosslands attorney, said the parties agreed to the entry of a TRO. On ExpressNews.com: Thomas J. Henry law firm, Bill Miller Bar-B-Que among San Antonio companies that received millions in PPP loans Meanwhile, the Henrys split is shaping up to be potentially as contentious as the Crosslands litigation. Before a court hears the Henrys divorce, Thomas J. Henry wants a separate trial on whether the parties have a common law marriage. He didnt elaborate on the request. Nueces County records, where the couple previously resided, show the Henrys married June 3, 1999. In January, Azteca Henrys lawyers served Thomas J. Henry with written questions. He made various objections to the questions and failed to provide a single substantive answer, one of her court filings alleged. The first request she made: State whether you have represented to any person since July 28, 2005, that you were married to Azteca CRAWFORD HENRY. In a February court filing, Thomas J. Henry alleged that Azteca Henry misappropriated proprietary information and provided confidential documents that originated with him or his firm to her counsel at the law firm Langley & Banack. It should be noted that Langley and Banack is a frequent legal adversary to (Thomas J. Henry) and, therefore, has been exposed to proprietary information behind the mask of their representation of (Azteca Henry), he said in a motion seeking to be protected from his wifes discovery requests. Jo Chris Lopez, Azteca Henrys attorney, didnt respond to an email. In a separate response to the divorce petition, Thomas J. Henry said the document contains material misrepresentations and seeks remedies that are not available to her by law. He wants the court to impose sanctions on his wife for filing court papers in bad faith and for the purpose of harassing him. On July 1, Azteca Henry asked the court to compel Thomas J. Henry to answer her questions and order him to pay court costs and attorneys fees. A hearing on her request is scheduled for later this month. Patrick Danner Patrick Danner covers banking, insurance, business litigation and bankruptcies. To read more from Patrick, become a subscriber. pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD With the F-35 in full production, the J-20 needs to be produced as they are supposed to be stealth capable, compared to the current fighters in service with PLA Air Force. The newest Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jets are supposed to bridge the gap with US stealth fighters. But, there are too few in service mitigating the capability of Chinese military assets to defend against stealth attacks, reported by South China Morning Post. Lack of Powerful Dragons is compromising China's ability in the high technology area, which is dominated by the USA. Showcasing the Chengdu J-20: half baked stealth The People's Liberation Army Air Force showed a clip of two J-20's engaged in an adversary scenario. The aggressor in the exercise is two J-16s and a J-10c who are the attackers, from the Wang Hai Air Group. When the five-plane formation was featured for the first time as the Lunar New Year began, media reported that it is the first occasion to try having one J-20, and one J-10C in 2018. It showcased a kaleidoscope of tactics that the J-20 and other Chinese jet fighters can do, according to Global Times. These fifth-generation stealth fighter jets are drummed up to be the best of the best when it comes to Chinese air combat prowess. PLA Air Force is commemorating its 70th year in November since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Also read: Future War Air Force F-22s and F-35s: Swarming Attack Drones Will Change Aerial Warfare How many Chengdu J-20s are needed against the US Based on the might of the US military and opposing forces, Chinese planners are looking at one hundred to 200 J-20 step up a wide variety of missions that will be tasked. This comment was mentioned by the Hong Kong military commentator Song Zhongping. He mentioned the statement on Fighter Jets World. Song claims that the J-20 can engage the enemy without its radar signature compromised. Another is it can overcome American air superiority with armaments that will tag and engage with better radar at beyond visual range (BVR). A problem with the J-20 turbo fan engines Sources in Chinese alleged that the J-20s that have been built by 2019's end is 50 of these topline stealth jets. Problems with the WS-15 high thrust turbofan engines have experience hitches in technical aspects. As a result, the J-20 engineers are way behind in getting the engines working. Similar American or Soviet designs have had better luck and are installed in their 5th generation fighters. A stop-gap to get the J-20 flying without the intended engine is having the WS-10B or Russian-built AL-31FM2/3 jet engines installed. The current J-20's in service will be limited in air agility with a less than stealth capacity. More F-35s will be flying by 2025 The J-20 is presumed to be a match to the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters when completed. But more F-35s are in service and are in production already. Around 200 F-35s will flying by 2025 in the Indo-Pacific, cited Business Insider. Sources reveal that the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group production line can assemble only on J-20 a month. Assembly of the J-20 is paltry when Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth assembly plant has brought 134 F-35s to customers in 2019. They produce many F-35s that were over 47% in 2018, compared to Chinese productions of J-20s. The J-20 is too far behind in the production and development of its topline fighter that may not even be a match at all. Related article: F-35s Deadlier With Survivable Air Tankers That Extends Range Without Carrying Drop Tanks @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams and Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills were among 87 protestors arrested outside of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's home while demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, the African-American woman who was shot to death by Louisville police in March. Williams, 39, was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and intimidating a participant in a legal process. Stills, 28, was charged with intimidating a participant in the legal process, which is a felony, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. The group was encamped on the front lawn of the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron when Louisville police made the arrests. Others arrested on Tuesday included Until Freedom activists Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, as well as Houston rapper Frazier Othel Thompson III (Trae Tha Truth), according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. Two of the officers involved in the shooting, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, remain on the force, while another, Brett Hankison, has been fired. Not one of them has been arrested. 'Arrested for peacefully protesting,' Stills wrote on Twitter. 'While Breonnas (sic) Taylor's murderers are still out on the street.' Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams (right) and Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills (left) were among 87 protestors arrested outside of Kentucky Attorney general Daniel Cameron's home while demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, the African-American woman who was shot to death by Louisville police in March. Williams, 39, was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct and intimidating a participant in a legal process. Stills, 28, was charged with intimidating a participant in the legal process, which is a felony, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing Williams, 39, was among 87 protesters who were all charged on Tuesday with trespassing, disorderly conduct and intimidating a participant in a legal process Protesters filled the front lawn of Kentucky's attorney general on Tuesday, demanding criminal charges against police officers in the death of Breonna Taylor Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, is seen above. His office is investigating Taylor's death, but no criminal charges have been filed in the case Eyewitness video shows Williams, the granddaughter of civil rights leader Hosea Williams, being led away in handcuffs as other protesters chanted and cheered while sitting on the lawn. Williams was seen wearing a face mask reading 'Breonna Taylor' in the video shared by the Instagram account @friendsofnicole. Earlier in the day, Williams had predicted her own arrest in a video later shared on Instagram by a friend. 'Feel like today definitely going to end with me in handcuffs, but I'm about that, that's what we here for. Breonna Taylor - say her name,' she said. Taylor was shot eight times after officers used a battering ram to knock down her door while serving a search warrant and returned fire into the apartment after midnight on March 13. One officer was shot by Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home. The target of the warrant was an alleged drug dealer named Jamarcus Glover, who was arrested on trafficking charges the same night 10 miles away on a separate warrant. Taylor had a previous relationship with Glover. Taylor (above), an EMT in Louisville, died as police returned fire at her boyfriend while executing a search warrant in a drug investigation of her ex-boyfriend Jamarcus Glover 'Feel like today definitely going to end with me in handcuffs, but I'm about that, that's what we here for. Breonna Taylor - say her name,' Williams said in a video (above) earlier in the day Yandy Smith (left) posts a photo of herself with Tamika Mallory and Porsha Williams on Instagram on Tuesday As Stills pointed out on Twitter, he was arrested while Taylor's killers remain free Sgt. Johnathan Mattingly, who was shot in the leg by Walker, spoke to Louisville Police internal investigators about two weeks after the raid, and said that police expected Taylor to be alone in the house because Glover was known to be elsewhere. Mattingly said ahead of the raid officers were told Taylor's ground floor apartment was a 'soft target' and Taylor 'should be there alone, because they knew where their target was and I guess they thought that he was her only boyfriend or only acquaintance.' Mattingly told investigators in the interview recording that officers briefed on the raid were told Glover had packages sent to her apartment in her name. Taylor 'possibly held dope for him, received the packages and held his money,' Mattingly said he was told of Taylor's involvement. No drugs were found at Taylor's home. Louisville PD confirmed that each person arrested was charged with intimidating a participant in a legal process, a class D felony, and criminal trespass. Several other people were also charged with disorderly conduct Williams is seen left at the Emmys in 2016 and right being arrested on Tuesday 'We're in Louisville and our bottom line is there MUST be JUSTICE for #BREONNATAYLOR. #RP,' the Real Housewives of Atlanta beauty said in a social media post earlier Tuesday NBC News obtained the interview with Mattingly and another with Walker and released them last week. Activist Tamika Mallory was also arrested Taylor's death, along with the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minnesota, set off weeks of protests, as well as a call for the officers who shot Taylor to be criminally charged. 'We're in Louisville and our bottom line is there MUST be JUSTICE for #BREONNATAYLOR. #RP,' reality star Williams said in a social media post earlier Tuesday. Yandy Smith, a cast member on the reality show Love & Hip Hop, also was arrested at Tuesday's protest. Porsha's sister Lauren Williams posted video of her sibling's arrest, calling her 'fearless' in using her fame for social change. 'She has always been fearless. You mess with her people, you mess with her. She takes the case of #breonnataylor personally and she's sacrificing work, time with her loved ones, and her comfort to make sure the offenders are held accountable for their actions,' Lauren said. 'This is her passion, this is her purpose.' Stills has been an outspoke advocate for social justice and has repeatedly kneeled in protest of inequality and police brutality during the national anthem. Greenville County Schools pushed back Wednesday afternoon on Gov. Henry McMasters call for public schools to open for in-person classes in the fall. GCS Superintendent Burke Royster wrote in a statement that facts and science and, ultimately, the safety of students and staff ought to be driving any decisions around in-person classes in the fall. "As a state, we are deeply divided between those who believe in a return-to-school at all costs platform and those who recognize that fully re-opening schools could endanger our students, employees, and communities, and exacerbate the spread of the virus," Royster said in the statement. "Lost in all of this is the voice of moderation that looks to objectively combine a knowledge of educational operations and environments with factual information on the spread of disease, and the capacity of the healthcare systems. Royster's remarks came shortly after McMaster and top GOP lawmakers called on the state's public schools to reopen and offer face-to-face learning this fall despite the continuing spread of the infectious coronavirus. They also declared South Carolinas experiment with virtual instruction this spring a failure. Greenville County Schools the largest school district in the state with more than 77,000 students has been gearing up for the possibility of all-online instruction for students, depending on the prevalence of the virus in the community. Spokesman Tim Waller told The Post and Courier last week that the district plans to distribute 77,554 Chromebooks to every student, from pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, in the fall. Families have the option to enroll entirely in online classes. The in-person option will be available, the district has said, only as the safety of students and faculty permits. The Post and Courier asked Waller if the district, as the state's largest, felt particularly compelled to speak out after the governor's remarks. "I don't think that was so much our thought process today as much as it was shock over what we were hearing," Waller said. "Everything we have done up to this point has been with the understanding that whatever plan we come up with, we will put safety first. Then to hear Gov. McMaster and his cronies basically throw caution to the wind and not mention a single time in his comments the high rate of COVID-19 in this state. We couldn't believe it." The district's leadership was able to pull together its nearly 800-word response quickly, Waller said, because they have been paying attention to what the scientific community and state education leaders have been saying for months. The district has been preparing all summer, he said, to come up with a plan for handling in-person and online instruction in the fall. A school board member, Chuck Saylors, and district administrator, Scott Turner, are also both members of the state's coronavirus task force on education. "We are the kind of school district, we write things down when we think they may come up again," Waller said. Waller said the school district agrees with most South Carolinians in their desire to see students and teachers return to brick-and-mortar schools where "we do what we do best." McMaster's request to reopen schools also received immediate pushback from the states education chief, Molly Spearman, several state education groups and the top Democrat in the S.C. Senate, who said students should return to schools only when it is safe. McMaster shrugged off questions about how reopening schools for five days a week might fuel the ongoing spread of the virus, which has infected at least 60,000 South Carolinians and killed nearly 1,000 since March. Those numbers have spiked recently as South Carolina has become one of the countrys worst hotspots for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. In Greenville County alone, 2,507 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported over the past 14 days, third in the state behind Horry County (2,693) and Charleston County (4,091). Last night and earlier today, the Armenian armed forces stopped shelling Azerbaijani combat positions and settlements in the Tovuz region. According to he Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, the situation on the border between the two countries is relatively calm. Milli Majlis deputy Arzu Nagiyev, who is on the scene, told the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza that the situation in the recent war zone is stable. "This is the only night since the beginning of the shelling, when there were no shots from high caliber firearms, although machine gun bursts were heard," he said. "This morning I was in the Agdam village, which was fired earlier, spoke with people and I can say that the situation is completely controlled by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. There is no panic, people are in their homes. There is a certain tension at the border, but this is better than what happened from Sunday to Tuesday," Arzu Nagiyev noted. "Now I am in another village fired by Armenian artillery, Dondar Gushchu, and I also talk to people here about what happened. The village was shelled, one shell did not explode. Currently, the sapper is neutralizing it. In general, this night was calm," the Milli Majlis MP said. Since the Armenian Armed Forces failed to achieve their main goal - taking strategic heights on the Azerbaijani side of the border - it can be expected that clashes will be resumed. "Since it allows you to control the terrain for many kilometers around, I think there will still be attempts to take this height. But the Azerbaijani army will not let this happen," Arzu Nagiyev concluded. 15.07.2020 LISTEN I am perplexed about the abysmal performance of MPs in the Bono East, Bono, and Ahafo region but would limit myself to the two Bono MP's who have been the Nebuchadnezzar's of our time with each serving not less than 12yrs in Parliament now, but comparing them to Nebuchadnezzar might be wrong because Nebuchadnezzar brought some development to the good people of Babylon and was called "Babylon's great builder" with many achievement, hence comparing our M P's with zero attainments to Nebuchadnezzar might be meritorious to them and a disservice to Nebuchadnezzar. I cannot fathom where this policy of "1MP 1Radio station" emanated from, while other regions like Ashanti Region, Eastern Region & Greater Accra are busy lobbying for development our 2 MP's are at the office of NMC searching for frequency. A radio Pastor in our conversation asked me he heard of Sunyani West MP setting up another station + Tv in Sunyani why not at Nsoatre his constituency but instead Sunyani where his colleague MP of Sunyani East has established same from same party?... I told him honestly I have no idea...why Sunyani again?? Bono and Ahafo Region have about 6O radio stations more than even Ashanti region & Greater Accra, yet we are the poorest and internally underdeveloped region in Ghana and the 6O radio stations are all quite!!. Unfortunately there is one achievement our Members of Parliament can boast of, and that is setting up radio stations with ultramodern studios costing billions to propagate their self parochial interest and make them relevant and popular every day. In my candid opinion, the only record to account for in their 12yrs reign is establishing radio stations to my best of knowledge. Sunyani is far behind in all facets of development and Hon. Ameyaw Cheremeh and Hon. Baffuor Awuah makes the region seems to be an orphan region with no leaders...sad indeed. It seems when NDC is in power they have access to the 83.7MGZ - 1O8MGZ frequency range of Ghana free of charge & vis-a-vis when the NPP is in power . Currently the media is full of cowards & party folks who have averted their mandate to condemn bad leadership into praising them & is quite unfortunate. It saddens my heart to watch Metro Tv and listen to Hon. Freda Prempeh who have failed her people abysmally and has also established radio station (Jewel Fm) says that her track records are unmatched at Tano North & some feminine call her to ask how she did it, are you not ashame of yourself. 'Track record of establishing radio station indeed'. same as Jaman South M P (Hon. Yaw Afful) also establishing Jaman Radio at Drobo...Are this the core duties of M P's in Bono & Regions?? Were they really voted for to be agents of transformation. They loot the public and amass wealth for themselves and create their properties just like an M P here now owns hotel, filling station & frequency modulation (FM Station) and none belongs to the region. Let us be wise as Youth and deal with this malignant, insatiable, self-seeking M P's and leaders in our orphan Bono & Ahafo Region, or be judged by posterity!. Failed M P's in Bono & Ahafo Region, none can be marked 8% sadly enough... Go to the ant you lazy persons (M P's), observe it's ways & grow wise (Prov 6 : 6) It implies that, go & learn from your colleagues such as Afenyo Markins and the likes you admire. Thank You. Mc Manuel Germanys Green Party presented a draft party programme in Berlin on June 26 entitled To care and protect... It reveals that a future federal government involving the Green Party would continue and expand the current grand coalitions right-wing militarist agenda. After one wades through and past the typical phrases about ecology, justice and an economy for the common good, the true essence of the programme comes clearly into focus: police-state repression, attacks on the working class and the pursuit of a great power policy to make Germany and Europe fit for world politics. During their first participation in government at the federal level between 1998 and 2005, the Greens implemented savage attacks on the working class with the Hartz IV welfare reforms, and jointly organised Germanys first foreign military intervention since the Second World War, in Kosovo. Now they are banging the drums for sweeping attacks on the working class and the rearmament of Germany, both at home and abroad. Domestic state repression and police-state measures In the sixth chapter, which bears the cynical title Strengthening democracythe rule of law and security, the Greens call for the strengthening of the police to maintain control over mounting social opposition to inequality and state repression. The police and security organs guarantee security at home, declares the programme, remarkably. As the visible expression of the states monopoly of power, the police in particular are the protector and defender of a watchful democracy. For this, they need to be well equipped and provided with adequate personnel, both in the cities and in rural areas. They depend on the trust of all citizens. The reaction of the Green-led state government in Baden-Wurttemberg to the so-called night of violence in Stuttgart provides a foretaste of what the Greens mean with their talk about strengthening democracy and confidence-building measures: police in full riot gear patrolling neighbourhoods of cities, and arbitrary checksincluding full body searches24 hours a day. Stuttgart Mayor Fritz Kuhn (Green Party) and Baden-Wurttembergs Interior Minister, Thomas Strobl (Christian Democratic Union, CDU), recently signed a security partnership agreement. The 10-point plan for Stuttgart cements the law-and-order policies that have been practiced in the city for the past several weeks. It declares, The police in Stuttgart will, depending on the situation, ensure a large contingent of personnel for the Stuttgart security concept (SKS). In the city centre, police forces should be merged, and increase checks on entry and exit routes to Stuttgart. These plans are being augmented by the expansion of video surveillance in the city centre and a ban on alcohol and spending time at the popular Eckensee. In addition, the Greens want to extend these methods to as many European Union (EU) member states as possible. To this end, they call for the expansion of the executive powers of the European investigation bureau and the judicial powers of the European state prosecutors. By expanding cross-border cooperation between police and judicial authorities by means of European policing teams, a European investigative bureau and European state prosecutors, security policy will increasingly be coordinated and cooperatively pursued at the European level, states the document. The reform of federal cooperation between security agencies will create common standards so that investigations can increasingly be conducted jointly. The Greens anti-worker neoliberal policies The question that naturally arises is: whose interests does this massive build-up of the state apparatus serve? Cem Ozdemir, who responded to a left-wing interjection during an interview he was giving on the Stuttgart events by saying Shut your mouth, embodies the Greens aggressiveness. Asked about the possibility of a coalition with the CDU and the Christian Social Union (CSU), he told Der Spiegel that the Greens now explicitly and unashamedly advanced the interests of big business and the financial elite. The reconciliation between ecology and the economy took place long ago within the Greens, as can be seen by the growing support we receive from business, he remarked. The chapter Doing business in the futureeconomic and industrial policy describes the character of this policy as the maximisation of profit and share dividends for German capital at the expense of the working class. Regulations should be established to achieve these goals. They should give individuals and businesses the most freedom possible when it comes to the methods they choose. Inappropriate political regulations also limit free competition and inhibit economic development, notes the programme. To impose these methods of intensifying exploitation in the face of mounting opposition, the Greens propose strengthening the trade unions. The social-ecological market economy is organised on the basis of corporate co-determination, shareholder participation and trade union representation. All this requires strong trade unions, states the programme in the same chapter. The trade unions are nothing other than a workplace police force within the corporations. They compete with each other to slash wages and jobs. Their officials belong to a privileged layer of society that earns fat salaries for their positions on company supervisory boards. In partnership with big business and the government, they stand up for Germany as an economic location, meaning they do not represent the interests of the workers. The Greens advocate the same nationalist economic policy in their draft programme. They criticise protectionist measures, before calling three sentences later for the protection of European companies against hostile takeovers. Wage dumping, protectionism and lax regulations lead to unfair competition, the programme says. Many European companies are struggling with this. The purchasing of stakes in companies, direct investments, market access and the issuing of public contracts by and to third parties should be based on standards and on the principle of reciprocity. Takeovers from outside Europe must, where necessary, be prevented. Critical infrastructure and key industries must be protected. The Green document goes on to argue that the state must ensure by means of an active industrial policy that Germany maintain its position as a global industrial player. In summary, this means subordinating politics entirely to the interests of the financial and corporate elites at the expense of the wages and living standards of the working class. The result of this inhumane class policy is being made clear to millions of people around the world during the current coronavirus pandemic, with the placing of profits before human lives. Workers confront short-time work benefits, unemployment and a social crisis, and must now risk their lives due to the back-to-work campaign to boost corporate profits and repay the coronavirus bailout programmes. This was shown starkly in the district of Gutersloh. After an outbreak in a meat-packing plant belonging to billionaire Clemens Tonnies, 7,000 workers were forced into quarantine. The schools and childcare facilities throughout the district had to be closed once again and a lockdown imposed. The Greens aggressive anti-worker policy is not limited to Germany, but also encompasses its Europe policy. They advocate establishing Germany as a great power and securing its leadership role in Europe. The European Union as an imperialist world power In their chapter calling for a nationalist economic and industrial policy, the Greens advocate a policy for Europe in the interests of the German bourgeoisie. As one of the worlds largest economic areas, the European Union can set global standards with its common internal market, notes the programme. This should be used to press ahead with transformation, defend human rights, ensure competitiveness, remain as independent as possible from other global players and safeguard citizens rights in the largely unregulated global digital marketplace. What does this mean in practice? How and by what means do the Greens intend to set global standards and stay competitive? Which transformations do they want to carry out to become less dependent on other global players? They provide answers to these questions in the chapter International partnerships. Under German leadership, the EU is to emerge as a leading foreign policy and military great power. On their plans for the European Union, they write, The EU must become fit for world politics. It must jointly shape the rules of the global order in the spirit of universal values and interests based on them, states the document. A unified European Union can assert itself in a globalised world and unleash democratic power to shape change. To deal with global challenges, the European Union, as a peaceful power, must ... be conscious of its global responsibility. The call for a global role for Europe is a direct challenge to American imperialism and to the other two major economic and nuclear-armed powers, China and Russia. The Greens demand that Europe and Germany assume greater responsibility within the United Nations. Such responsibility means that they substantially ... strengthen their engagement financially, in terms of personnel and diplomatically, and implement international agreements decisively and coherently in European and national policy. They speak of the principle of reform by strengthening, so as to better enforce German and European interests. They intend to work on creating a security union in order to do justice to European defence and security. European foreign and security policy must be strategic, forward-looking, comprehensive and capable of taking swift action. To this end, a joint capacity for analysis and the strengthening of the European foreign affairs service are necessary. However, the Greens believe that they and the German bourgeoisie are obliged to determine the course on foreign policy that the EU must take. The European Union grows through stronger collaboration. Because not every European state wants the same thing at the same time. But European agreement and the blockading stance adopted by some states cannot become excuses for collective inaction. Thats why some states have to move forward further than others on certain things while advancing in other areas together, argues the programme. The main issue on which Germany is moving ahead together with other EU states is the military rearmament of the EU. Last year, then-German Defence Minister and current EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen signed several agreements with her French and Spanish counterparts to establish a joint air combat system, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Experts estimate that by 2050, total costs will amount to 500 billion [$US570 billion]! The system of systems explicitly incorporates manned airplanes with unmanned aircraft and other sections of the armed forces into a single unit. The air force, navy, and army can cooperate more closely as a result, notes a report on the Defence Ministrys official website. European rearmament and war under German leadership The drive to transform the EU into a combative military power occupies a central place in the Greens draft programme. They write in the section on global security that peacekeeping missions led by the United Nations are a central instrument of collective peace and security and should therefore be strengthened. The Greens declare their explicit support for militarism and war. The use of military force always brings with it tremendous suffering. But we also know that the failure to use it in certain situations can lead to even greater suffering, they cynically state. In international security policy, our actions [are] guided by ... the expanded UN responsibility to prevent, protect, rebuild, which commits us an international community to protect people from the worst of all human rights abuses, they add. The reality is that international military interventions organised under the banner of the responsibility to protect serve not to defend human rights, but to pursue predatory imperialist interests. In 2011, NATO bombarded Libya on the pretext of the responsibility to protect and organised the murder of Muammar Gaddafi in order to seize Libyas vast oil reserves. In order to more effectively enforce the geostrategic and economic interests of German and European imperialism, the Greens also call for the creation of independent military structures. They write that instead of directing more money into parallel national military structures they want to expand the cooperation of the EUs armed forces and integrate military capabilities. They also demand appropriate equipment, the increasing of EU units, and the strengthening of the joint European headquarters. Additionally, the Greens appeal for a new strategic orientation for NATO. With stronger military cooperation and coordination within the EU and with Britain, common European interests can be represented more decisively and forcefully, especially within NATO, states the programme. The restructuring of NATO is necessary, because NATO is suffering due to the divergent security policy interests within the alliance. The meaning of this is clear: like the entire German bourgeoisie, the Greens are striving for a more independent foreign and military policy from the US to defend the interests of German imperialism, including against Washington if required. To achieve this goal, the German army in particular needs to be massively strengthened. The Greens state that the army is a parliamentary army anchored in international alliances, and that therefore parliament has a duty to care for the soldiers ... as well as to equip them appropriately to fulfill their tasks. The Greens also demand that German imperialism intervene chiefly in the regions where it plundered in the past. They are striving, among other things, for partnerships and economic cooperation with the regions on Europes doorstep. The EUs eastern partnership, as well as cooperation with countries in North Africa and the Middle East strengthens democracy, human rights and economic development. They should be expanded. The right-wing coup in Ukraine, supported by the US and Germany, shows what the Greens mean by partnership and democratisation. Since the crisis in Ukraine triggered by the 2014 coup, the number and scope of military exercises in Eastern Europe have increased considerably. This year, Defender 2020, the largest NATO exercise in Europe in 25 years, took place. The cooperation with countries in North Africa is also aimed at expanding Germanys power. In countries like Mali and Niger, Germanys geopolitical interests in Africa are already being enforced with weapons. Access to rare earth supplies and cheap labour and the prevention of so-called illegal immigration are among Berlins central concerns. A right-wing, bourgeois party With its new programme, the Greens are auditioning for a major role in the next federal government, and signalling to the German bourgeoisie that they will unconditionally uphold its reactionary interests in all areas. They have inscribed protectionism, economic nationalism, militarism and war on their banner. This is a programme that ... bolsters our claim to leadership, offered Annalena Baerbock, the Green Partys federal co-leader. The programme was broadly welcomed by possible coalition partners. Friedrich Merz (CDU) was reassured, saying, I dare say I could achieve clearly recognisable CDU positions in a constellation with the Greens, and ensure that we not only adopt reasonable measures in economic and financial policy, but also on issues of social policy. The former pacifists have moved so far to the right that even the most reactionary representatives of the ruling class now applaud them. CDC director Robert Redfield says the current spike in COVID-19 infections in the South may have been caused by people from the Northeast traveling there for vacation and not due to states reopening too quickly. Addressing the alarming surge in coronavirus cases, Redfield said on Tuesday that infections in Sun Belt states 'simultaneously kind of popped' in the second week of June after reopening in various phases. Redfield compared it to the initial outbreak in the Northeast in March, which he says spread out to various states from epicenter New York. 'We tried to give states guidance on how to reopen safely. I think the guidance we put out was really sound,' he said in an interview with Dr Howard Bauchner of The Journal of the American Medical Association. 'I think if you look critically, few states actually followed that guidance, although I don't think the reopening's actually what's driving the current Southern expansion right now. 'If you look at the South, everything happened around June 12 to June 16. It all simultaneously kind of popped. CDC director Robert Redfield said on Tuesday the current spike in COVID-19 infections in the South may have been caused by people from the Northeast traveling there for vacation and not due to states reopening too quickly New cases have been spiking in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California in recent weeks and the US is now averaging about 50,000 to 60,000 infections per day. 46 states reported more new cases of COVID-19 last week compared to the previous week 'We're of the view that there was something else that was the driver. Maybe the Memorial Day, not weekend, but the Memorial Day week, where a lot of Northerners decided to go South for vacations.' Redfield said some states in the South didn't take social distancing measures as seriously as other parts of the country when they reopened because they didn't have huge outbreaks. This allowed the virus to spread rapidly once it was introduced and take hold in southern states, according to Redfield. 'Something happened in mid-June that we're now confronting right now. It's not as simple as saying it was related to the timing of reopening and no reopening,' he said. Redfield did not provide any data to back up his claim that Northeast vacationers may be partly to blame for the current surge in cases. CDC officials said that there are various possible explanations and that Redfield was offering just one. His comments contradict those of White House task force member Dr Anthony Fauci, who said on Monday that the current surge was due to the US not completely shutting down early in the pandemic. The CDC director's comments were slammed by the Director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, Dr Ashish Jha, who argued that infections started to spike on June 1 - a week after Memorial Day celebrations. 'Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, also start rising around the same time - within a week of Memorial Day. Did northern travelers vacation in Idaho, Alaska, Oregon and seed cases there too? Is it a coincidence many of these states relaxed around the same time?' Jha tweeted. 'How did these northern vacationers skip southern states like Virginia, which was still in phase 1? And what happened to these vacationers? Did they ever get home? And why didn't they seed cases in the north before they left? Bottom line is that this is silliness. 'Not sure why (Redfield) is pursing this argument. Either he's looking at bad data or is learning the wrong lessons. Northern vacationers not cause of big national outbreaks. We have to get better at managing the pandemic. Drawing wrong lessons is harmful to that goal.' Currently, there are more than 3.4 million infections across the US and more than 136,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. New cases have been spiking in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California in recent weeks and the US is now averaging about 50,000 to 60,000 infections per day. Deaths related to COVID-19 have also been rising in the last week with about a dozen states reporting increases in deaths for at least two straight weeks, including California, Florida and Texas. 'We have a very significant problem in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, South Carolina, looks likes things are starting to heat up in Tennessee,' Redfield said. He said, however, that he believes the US could get COVID-19 under control with four to eight weeks if all Americans wear a mask and continue to social distance. 'I think if we can get everyone to wear masks right now, we can bring this under control within four, six, eight weeks,' Redfield said. 'I am glad to see the president and vice president wear a mask. Clearly, in their situation they could easily justify they don't need to... but we need for them to set the example.' He said he was 'worried' about the fall and winter given it coincides with the flu season. TEXAS CASES: Texas reported a record 10,745 new cases on Tuesday TEXAS DEATHS: 87 new deaths were reported in Texas on Monday, down from the record 105 on July 9 CALIFORNIA: The state reported 7,346 new cases on Monday and 47 new deaths FLORIDA CASES: The number of cases in Florida increased by 9,194, bringing the total to 291,629 FLORIDA DEATHS: Florida added a record 132 fatalities to its death toll on Monday 'I do think the fall and the winter of 2020 and 2021 are probably going to be one of the most difficult times that we've experienced in American public health because of... the co-occurrence of COVID and influenza,' he said. It comes as 46 states reported more new cases of COVID-19 last week compared to the previous week, according to a Reuters analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project. New cases also continue to rise with the US reporting over 400,000 infections for the week ending July 12, which was up 21 percent from the previous seven days. Nationally, new COVID-19 cases have risen every week for six straight weeks. Cases are only falling on a weekly basis in New York, Tennessee, New Jersey and Delaware. While Southern and Western states are seeing the biggest increase in cases, infections are also rising in the Midwest with Minnesota cases up 60 percent, Missouri up 40 percent and Iowa up 30 percent. Meanwhile, more than 5,000 people died from COVID-19 between July 6 and July 12, which is an increase of 46 percent compared to the previous week. Texas, Arizona and Mississippi reported the biggest weekly spikes in the deaths last week. Redfield said he believes the US could get COVID-19 under control with four to eight weeks if all Americans wear a mask and continue to social distance. He commended President Trump, who has previously refused to wear a face covering until last Saturday, for setting an example Until now, the number of deaths per day from COVID-19 had been falling for months even as hot spots states like Florida, Texas and Arizona saw explosions in cases and hospitalizations. Health officials have been warning for weeks that deaths would surge again because the fatality rate lags several weeks behind infections. A coronavirus death, when it occurs, typically comes several weeks after a person is first infected. Experts had predicted states that saw spikes in cases and hospitalizations would, at some point, see deaths rise too. The impact of the new surge in deaths has been felt by the healthcare workers grappling in overstretched hospitals with Texas and Arizona requesting refrigerated trucks as morgues reach capacity. A forecast model from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics is predicting the death toll to rise to 208,255 by November 1. Experts say the death toll may not be as bad as when the pandemic first hit because testing was extremely limited early on and that many people's health behaviors have now changed with mask-wearing becoming more common in some places. Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) today released its regular weekly Net Asset Value ("NAV") and performance returns on its website, https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/weekly-navs/. The NAV and returns were computed as of the close of business on Tuesday, 14 July 2020. PSH NAV per share as of close of business on 14 July 2020 was 35.14 USD 28.00 GBP and year-to-date performance was 31.2%. Weekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft). Performance is presented on a net-of-fees basis and reflects the deduction of, among other expenses: management fees, brokerage commissions, administrative fees and accrued performance fees, if any. The performance figure includes the reinvestment of all dividends, interest and capital gains. Depending on the timing of a specific investment, net performance for an individual investor may vary from the net performance as stated herein. Net performance is a geometrically linked time weighted calculation. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. All investments involve risk including the loss of principal. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005940/en/ Contacts: Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 01:16:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said on Wednesday its troops have arrested four Palestinian "terrorists" and thwarted an attack in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The incident took place near the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank. "Two Molotov cocktails and an improvised explosive device were found in their possession and they appeared to have been on their way to perpetrate a terror attack," a military spokesperson said in a statement. The suspects and weapons were taken for further questioning, the spokesperson added. The military warned it will "continue operating in order to preserve the security in the region, thwart any terror attempts and apprehend terrorists." The incident came amidst tensions in the region sparked by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's intention to annex the Jordan Valley, part of the West Bank. The plan was condemned by the Palestinians and the international community as a violation of international law and possible risk for regional stability. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and has controlled it ever since despite international criticism. Enditem Libya was plunged into chaos when a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi who was later killed. The country is now split between a government in the east, allied with military commander Khalifa Hifter, and one in Tripoli, in the west, supported by the United Nations. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Motor Company Limited (GWM) intends to tap the business related to new energy vehicle (NEV) charging pile to support its NEV development. The company added on July 9 the sale, installation and after-sales service of new energy vehicles (NEV) to its line of businesses, according to the enterprise information query platform Tianyancha. Chinese government is vigorously promoting the construction of the new infrastructures, a widely-discussed term associated with the power to energize China's economic developmentNEV charging pile is one of them. The industry universally acknowledges that the building of charging piles plays an important role in easing the bottleneck in NEV development and vice versa. Thus, for Great Wall Motor, it may make sense to deploy charging facilities. (ORA White Car, photo source: ORA) The automaker launched its BEV-focused brand, ORA, in August 2018. For the first half of 2020, the sales of ORA added up to 9,436 units, of which 2,635 units were sold in June. The EV brand on July 6 kicked off the presale of its third mass-produced model that touts a cute name ORA White Car. It seems that consumers showed great appreciation to the mini-sized BEV model as over 1,000 units of orders were produced within 24 hours. GWM announced on July 13 that the company and its subsidiaries (including the firms they jointly control) received subsidies worth 495,832,697.7 yuan ($70,865,649) in total that occurred from November 16, 2019 to June 30, 2020. According to the announcement, GWM was granted 2.55 million yuan ($364,452) worth of governmental subsidy on June 23, 2020, which is set to be used to develop core technologies of ORA-branded high-performance BEVs. Besides, a cash handout of 1.26 million yuan ($180,082) was given on the same day for GWM to develop core technologies of full-power hydrogen fuel-cell PVs and relevant power system. In a statement reported by WLKY-TV, Mr. Cameron said his office would continue with a thorough and fair investigation into Ms. Taylors death. Justice is not achieved by trespassing on private property, and its not achieved through escalation, he said, according to WLKY. Its achieved by examining the facts in an impartial and unbiased manner. That is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do in this investigation. Mark Osler, a former federal prosecutor and a law professor at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., said the felony charge against the Louisville protesters was unusual. Felony intimidation charges might typically be filed against someone who tried to intimidate witnesses or jurors in a court case, he said not against protesters who had gathered on the property of a public official. That would usually be a trespass, not an intimidation charge, Professor Osler said. Certainly not a felony. Ms. Taylor, 26, an emergency medical technician, was shot and killed by the police on March 13 after three officers used a no-knock warrant to enter her apartment with a battering ram during a late-night drug investigation. The officers shot Ms. Taylor at least eight times. The police have said that they returned fire after Ms. Taylors boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot an officer in the leg. Ms. Taylors family has said that she received no medical aid for up to six minutes as she lay dying in her apartment. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:03:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Villagers transport sandstone bags to a ship to help with flood control in Wangjiang County, east China's Anhui Province, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) The government has pulled out all stops to reduce the loss of property and life as China is grappling with massive floods along the Yangtze River. BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The recent flooding along the Yangtze River has caused great loss of property and human life, challenging China's economic recovery from the COVID-19 impact. But the disaster cannot stop the country's progress toward achieving the goal of eliminating absolute poverty as scheduled. There have been worries that China could encounter disastrous flooding as it did in 1998, but statistics show water levels in major hydrological stations in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze are currently below those of that year. Even though the rainfall in the Yangtze River basin has been 51 percent above normal, the possibility of months-long concentrated precipitation as in 1998 is not great this year, said Vice Minister of Emergency Management Zheng Guoguang at a press conference on Wednesday. Photo taken on July 13, 2020 shows a pavilion submerged by the Yangtze River with rising water level in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) As China's flood control and disaster relief capability improves, the loss of property and life has significantly decreased compared to the same period in the past five years. The country has more than 98,000 reservoirs, 110,000 hydrological stations and over 300,000 km of major levees to guard against floods. The detailed scheduling of water discharges from reservoirs, particularly the Three Gorges project, has been effective in controlling floods. China's flood forecasting and risk monitoring capabilities have also been strengthened, providing strong support for rescue and relief work. Adopting concrete measures against the floods, the government is determined to keep people safe and away from the clutches of poverty. Governments at all levels are strengthening supervision of the impact of flooding on poverty-stricken regions to prevent any local families from falling back into poverty. Armed police officer Ma Paishan washes his face with a bottle of water in Poyang County, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Hu Chenhuan) Rescuers and local government officials are evacuating and relocating flood-affected residents. Houses and roads are being repaired and rebuilt, drinking water ensured, and agricultural production resumed in a timely manner. The government is also providing new jobs and helping promote the sales of local products to increase farmers' income. The effectiveness of these efforts stems from China's ability to pool all possible resources to address major problems, and its economy is resilient enough to withstand the shock of disasters. China has overcome many hardships on its path to development. It has every reason to be confident that its mission to eradicate absolute poverty will not be derailed by floods or any other challenges that lie ahead. Silver Peak Acquisition Solidifies Full Spectrum Enterprise Networking Portfolio By Maurice Nagle , Web Editor SD-WAN is growing up before our eyes, this quickly maturing space is consolidating, as this week we witnessed HPE announced the acquisition of Silver Peak for a valued $925 million. In adding award winning SD-WAN technology to an already robust Aruba portfolio its difficult not to predict big things. Michael Dickman, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Technical Marketing for Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company took some time recently to unpack the acquisition a bit, and offer a preview of what may lie ahead. Dickman explained, Our customers have three main needs: Branch Transformation requiring a holistic wired/wireless/WAN solution; Remote Work solutions requiring easy deployment of connectivity from the end-user to applications wherever they may be; and WAN Transformation requiring enablement of Hybrid WANs with automation and application experience capabilities. While Aruba supports the first two demands exceptionally well, Silver Peak (News - Alert) completes the puzzle with the WAN Edge Infrastructure piece. With Silver Peak, Aruba will be able to support the full spectrum of enterprise networking challenges around Branch, Remote Work, and WAN, and will be the only vendor placed as a leader in the Gartner (News - Alert) Magic Quadrants for both Wired & Wireless LAN, and WAN Edge, Dickman continued. The companies will operate separately with business as usual until the acquisition closes likely Q4 2020. Once closed, Silver Peak CEO and Founder David Hughes (News - Alert) will lead a combined business unit within Aruba that will include the Silver Peak SD-WAN solution, as well as Aruba SD-Branch and Remote Work solutions, noted Dickman. While the pandemic continues to challenge service providers, it also puts things in perspective. Dickman explained, the pandemic didnt play a role in the acquisition per say but, It certainly accelerates the need for us to support our customers who have had to transition their workforce to remote or hybrid work environments. Given the current situation, its more important than ever to take a holistic approach to how employees, guests, and devices connect with data and applications from Edge to Cloud. Enterprise-grade access that delivers reliable and secure access to their cloud applications is critical for both branch and home workers so that they can remain safe and productive. In 2018, HPE bet big on Intelligent Edge, planning to invest $4 billion in Intelligent Edge technologies and services over the next four years, with Aruba serving as the foundation. With the recently unveiled, cloud-native Aruba ESP customers can unleash AI and automation on security and the connectivity experience and the Silver Peak purchase is following suit, ushering in a complete edge to cloud vision. What does this mean for the industry? Is this Cloud Wars 2.0? Its really anyones guess, but what I can tell you is that were at an inflection point in the customer adoption cycle of SD-Branch and SD-WAN technologies, so its certainly an exciting time to be in networking, Dickman responded. The coming months in the SD-WAN space should prove telling, as consolidation isnt over and HPE is aimed at surrounding its Aruba investment with the best in the space. Whats in your WAN? Edited by Maurice Nagle A South Dakota state epidemiologist said in a call Monday with reporters that no public notices or trends in the data reflect an outbreak resulting from the July 3 fireworks show attended by President Trump at Mount Rushmore. Joshua Clayton, epidemiologist for the Department of Health, said in this instance, no public notices need to go out to those who went to the event. Clayton also said the DOH isnt seeing any specific trends related to new cases in Pennington, Custer, Meade or other surrounding counties as related to the July 3 fireworks show. What we typically have seen is that our cases have some amount of travel out of the state (or) individuals are known close contacts to a confirmed case, he said. The remainder, as reflected in the community impact map, are those cases that have been identified with no exposure, or potential exposure. Pennington, Meade and Oglala Lakota counties are listed as having substantial community spread, while Lawrence County has minimal to moderate spread of COVID-19. Custer and Fall River counties have no community spread of the coronavirus. The Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday warned that persons who are found to be acting as Guarantor Contractors would be handed over to the security agencies. Such an act, according to the Commission was illegal under the Constitutional Instrument (CI) 91 and that such persons would face the law. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency Mr Samuel Tettey, Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations said the CI 91 states that a registered voter who was the applicants parent, sibling, spouse, guardian and other are the only persons who can serve as a guarantor. He said the law specifies that an applicant must be well known to the guarantor and that anything contrary to that constitutes an electoral offence punishable by law. According to the CI 91, he said it was an offence to Make an entry of statement, which that person knows to be false or does not believe to be true for registering a voter. He noted that under the guarantor window, the individual vouching was required to swear an oath affirming that he or she knows the applicant, is qualified to register as a voter that registration centre. Mr Tettey said people who commit such an offence are liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than five hundred penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not more than two years or both. He reiterated that the collection of cards of registered applicants and writing of contact details at the back of the voter's identity cards are unlawful acts. The Deputy Chair cautioned agents of political parties at the registration centres to stop the collection of the voters ID cards of applicants with the view to taking details from the cards. He reminded applicants not to give out their contacts to political party agents or any official of the commission. 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 Mourners paid tribute Tuesday to Ivory Coast Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who died last week only three months before he was due to be the ruling party's presidential candidate. President Alassane Ouattara, who had considered Coulibaly his heir apparent, presided over the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan. He was joined by Senegal's President Macky Sall. The ceremony was broadcast live on national television and ended with Ouattara presenting the Ivorian flag to Coulibaly's widow. Coulibaly, wo was 61, will be buried Friday in his hometown in northern Ivory Coast, officials said. Aptitude Softwares RevStream solution is a true market leader, offering the capabilities and business value our Japanese clients are seeking. RevStream not only allows organizations to achieve Note 29 compliance in a timely manner but can also significantly improve key business metrics." Aptitude Software, a leading provider of financial management software, is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with Fierte, a specialist provider of consolidated accounting, reconciliation, and disclosure services to the Japanese market. Fierte, part of AVANT group, has strong and established relationships with over half of the largest 200 organizations in Japan and has seen a significant, underserved demand for revenue recognition software to meet the impending Note 29 regulatory deadline in the country. Aptitude RevStream is the solution leader in the North American market and was the first ASC 606/IFRS 15 revenue recognition solution to be made available as software as a service (SaaS). It is the solution of choice for leading global organizations in the TMT sector including Red Hat Software, Activision Blizzard, and VMware. Aptitude Software recently launched RevStream into the International region in response to increased demand for beyond-compliance, real-time, automated revenue management in a post-COVID world. Working with Fierte, Aptitude Software will now bring its fast to deploy, SaaS-based solution to Japan to address the impending regulation and provide longer-term benefits across the revenue management lifecycle. Adam Flowers, Aptitudes APAC Regional Director, is based in Singapore and has been working in the region since 2015. He states, we are excited to expand the Aptitude footprint further into Asia with the Fierte partnership. They are a very complimentary partner for Aptitude, both in the types of products they offer and the types of organizations they work with. By working together, we can bring exceptional products and services to Japanese firms needing to comply quickly with Note 29, while ensuring they have a solution robust enough to provide value into the future. Gen Nagata, CEO of Fierte corporation comments, Aptitude Softwares RevStream solution is a true market leader, offering the capabilities and business value our Japanese clients are seeking. RevStream not only allows organizations to achieve Note 29 compliance in a timely manner but can also significantly improve key business metrics and KPIs. Jeremy Suddards, Aptitude Software CEO, comments, the partnership with Fierte is very exciting for Aptitude Software. It comes at a time when many organizations are struggling with the pressure of a short deadline for new regulatory reporting in addition to the effects of COVID-19. Organizations will need to be able to adapt to changing business models and will require constant management reporting and analytics. This has created the perfect opportunity for Fierte and Aptitude Software to show the value of taking a disciplined and aggressive approach to revenue management at every stage of the contract lifecycle while also managing the transition to reporting under the new regulation. Aptitude RevStream enables companies subject to Note 29, IFRS 15 and ASC 606 to fully automate their end-to-end revenue lifecycle and provide strategic value far beyond compliance. Aptitudes existing RevStream clients are experiencing significant improvements in efficiency including a faster financial period close, reduction in errors, reduced risk of non-compliance and more time and resources to put towards forward-looking financial planning. About Aptitude Software Aptitude Software provides software solutions that enable finance professionals to run their global businesses, forecast decision outcomes and comply with complex regulations. Uniquely combining deep finance expertise and IP rich technology, Aptitude gives finance leaders the tools they need to transform their business and achieve their ambitions. Aptitude is proud to have served the office of finance for over 20 years, delivering financial control and insight to create a world of financial confidence for our global clients. Headquartered in London, Aptitude Software is an operating company of Aptitude Software Group plc. For more information, please visit https://www.aptitudesoftware.com/resources/revenue-management/ About Fierte Fierte, part of AVANT group, provides outsourcing services under the jurisdiction of CFO, including consolidated and nonconsolidated accounting, disclosure, tax and treasury. We have been supporting many of Japan's listed companies including large size corporations in many fields with our rich experience and knowledge. In AVANT group, Fierte takes on a role of "Spreading Accountability" through processing Accounting/Tax/Treasury work with Customers. For more information please visit: https://www.fiertecorp.com/en/ https://www.avantcorp.com/en/ Amber Heard would regularly pelt Johnny Depp with objects, including a fork, a cigarette lighter and a can of Coke, the High Court in London has been told. The Hollywood actor's security guard claimed that Mr Depp suffered bullying at the hands of his then wife. Malcolm Connolly, a former prison officer at Pentonville jail in the UK who has been Mr Depp's security guard for 16 years, said he had never witnessed Mr Depp hit Ms Heard or seen any of the injuries she claims he inflicted on her. His evidence came during the libel case brought by Mr Depp against 'The Sun' newspaper, its publisher NGN and Dan Wootton, its executive editor, over an online story from April 2018 which described him as a "wife-beater". The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star denies 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence being relied on by NGN in its defence. Describing the aftermath of an incident in which Mr Depp claims Ms Heard severed his finger with a vodka bottle in Australia, in March 2015, Mr Connolly said she appeared at the door of their house "screaming and crying". He told the court: "She was absolutely hysterical. I was worried she might start throwing objects at Johnny or myself, as I'd seen before. "For example, I had seen her lob a fork in Johnny's general direction once; another time I recall, she threw a lighter at him, another time, a can of Coke. I knew that we needed to get out of there as soon as possible. "I was much more concerned about Johnny. He was obviously in emotional distress and panicking. He wasn't that drunk or out of it though and was easily standing on his own and having a conversation." The security guard said Mr Depp's team knew the true cause of his injury would "create extremely bad publicity" and that Jerry Judge, the head of security, suggested they should say at the hospital that the actor had injured his finger while slicing onions. "I thought it was fairly obvious that this was not true given the severity of the injury and suggested we say he jammed it into a car door," said Mr Connolly. Expand Close Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court in London. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court in London. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire "However we went with the onion cover story. The specialist didn't believe us for one second." Mr Depp's lawyers say 'The Sun' article bore the meaning that there was "overwhelming evidence" he assaulted Ms Heard (34) on a number of occasions and left her "in fear for her life". Mr Connolly, however, said he saw no evidence that Ms Heard was being physically abused by her husband. He said he had been trained to recognise signs of abuse and intimidation and knew how to read the demeanour of victims of bullying as part of his former position as a prison officer in a UK prison. In response to being asked why there had been the need to construct different accounts of the finger-severing incident - including that Mr Depp had slammed it in a door or cut it off while slicing onions - Mr Connolly said they were "to protect" the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' production the actor was involved in at the time, as well as Ms Heard. He added he had "seen it in prison" that "the usual victim pattern is to protect the abuser for some reason, you know the psychological bullying... they fit the same criteria, they never come forward with the information." Asked by David Sherborne, Mr Depp's barrister, whether he had ever seen the actor physically attack Ms Heard, Mr Connolly replied: "No, and I wouldn't tolerate any man striking a woman, not even if he's my boss." Hollywood stylist Savannah McMillan told the court that Ms Heard had "no visible" injuries the day after the actress alleges Mr Depp was violent towards her during a row at their Los Angeles penthouse. Ms McMillen said she spent "much of the afternoon and early evening" with Ms Heard on December 16, 2015 as she prepared to appear on James Corden's 'The Late Late Show', and could "see clearly" she had no marks, cuts or bruises. Tara Roberts, the estate manager on the private island in the Bahamas where Mr Depp went to detox in December 2014, claimed she had seen Ms Heard calling him "washed up" and "fat" during their stay. After the court was shown a video of Mr Depp slamming a kitchen cabinet door, kicking furniture and shouting at Ms Heard while pouring himself a pint glass of wine, Ms Roberts said she had never seen him behave that way. The hearing continues. ANN ARBOR, MI -- Normalizing cannabis has been Mark Passerinis goal since the 1990s. In 1993, the Om of Medicine owner learned cannabis was decriminalized in Ann Arbor after he and his friend were pulled over by a local police officer. It led him to pursue his passion in the area. By Trend As many as 2,388 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, 199 more people have died from the coronavirus over the past day. Sadat Lari added that the condition of 3,411 people is critical. So far, more than 2.04 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 264,500 people have been infected 13,410 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 227,500 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. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The pandemic has impacted every industry, forcing many organizations to make rapid and often substantial changes to their operations. Banking is an essential industry service and, in addition to facing its own direct challenges, has had to support customers responses to the pandemic. Appropriate digital technologies and their effective deployment have been key to meeting these challenges, and a recent virtual summit organized by Huawei provided valuable insights into how the financial services industry is leveraging digital technology to meet COVID-19 and other challenges. The event attracted some of the worlds leading financial institutions Shanghai Pudong Development (SPD) Bank, China Construction Bank, Sberbank, BBVA, Isbank, and KBZ Bank. Unsurprisingly, attendees identified mobile, AI, and cloud as the key technologies underpinning the future of banking, and there was a particular focus on the potential of 5G to open up new opportunities. The challenges facing banking post-COVID-19 were spelled out by Michael Araneta, Head of Research and Advisory at IDC Financial Insights Asia/Pacific. He presented the results of research conducted with Huawei looking at how banks should exploit digital technology to meet these challenges. Results of the research will be published in August. A data-driven recovery An overarching theme of Aranetas presentation was that banks ability to easily access and analyze multiple disparate sources of data will be key to recovery. Banks are seeing the emergence of a new class of data that are created by the customers themselves now that their activities have shifted online, and facilitated by open banking sharing standards, Araneta said. There is also data-led engagement that emphasizes the need for accurate, reliable, and trustworthy data that allow us to use data from various internal and external sources. To create what he described as a recovery-ready risk framework he said banks would need, among other things: The ability to get to predictions and next-best actions quickly; The ability to understand the crisis through the use of new and alternative sources of data; Enterprise-wide consumption of on-time, trusted, and comprehensive risk data and risk analytics. This data will be gathered from many diverse sources using multiple technologies, but its Huaweis contention captured in the theme of the conference: Thrive Digitally in a Mobile Future that effective use of mobile capabilities will be key to banks future competitiveness. The 3 essentials: 5G, AI, cloud 5G is the future of mobile, said Jason Cao, President of the Global Financial Services Business Unit of Huaweis Enterprise Business Group: Mobile is not only applicable to the interface that connects with the client, but also to the internal operations and collaborations with partners, and supporting this mobile-centric business will require new IT architectures and key capabilities of 5G, AI, and cloud. Banks will therefore need to successfully integrate these technologies and exploit their synergies to ensure future competitiveness. Pan Weidong, President of SPD Bank, gave one example of this synergy of multiple technologies, describing the banks AI-powered virtual employee, Xiaopu, able to offer risk assessment, financial consulting, and investment advice online. In the 5G environment, she can work perfectly on various devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, and cars, he said. Also, China Construction Bank described how it used mobile technology to quickly offer a number of no-contact services following the onset of the pandemic. These included giving customers the ability to make applications for late personal loan repayments, make charitable donations, and deliver real-time data on the pandemic. Huawei has more than 1,600 financial institution customers including 45 of the worlds top 100 banks. It says the successful ones are adopting a multi-cloud strategy: deploying separate cloud functionality for individual user groups and focusing on customer experience in smart branches and via mobile services. Summing up the financial services summit, Huaweis Cao said: The COVID-19 pandemic has advanced digital operations in the financial industry, giving banks increased confidence in implementing digital initiatives and greater determination to do so. Moreover, the industry has demonstrated its advantages and value in applying new technologies in digital operations. Operational and infrastructure resilience needed However, there will inevitably be winners and losers. IDCs Araneta said the successful banks would be those with the infrastructure resiliency and operational resiliency to innovate effectively. Banks need infrastructure resilience very, very well in these times, he said. They need to be able to use cloud services as a recourse for availability and security, especially as customers move more and more of their transactions to digital channels. Operational resiliency allows us to run the best race no matter the shape, the extent, the pattern, and path of recovery that we will go through. He promised the forthcoming whitepaper would help identify the banks that will get there first. Learn more about Huaweis intelligent finance solution. Election 2020 Daw Aung San Suu Kyis Naypyitaw Candidacy in Myanmar Election Still Unconfirmed: NLD Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with her supporters in her constituency Kawhmu in Yangon in 2012. / The Irrawaddy Myanmars ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party says it hasnt confirmed that party chair and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will run for Parliament in a township in Naypyitaw in the upcoming election, despite rumors. The Union Election Commission announced that the country will go to the polls on Nov. 8 and that 96 parties, including the NLD, will field candidates. Political parties, including the NLD, still havent finalized their candidates. However, a social media post by opposition lawmaker U Maung Myint of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) prompted a rumor that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will run for a Lower House seat in Ottarathiri Township in Naypyitaw. He commented See you then on the post because he lives in the township. When asked by The Irrawaddy on Wednesday about his post regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyis candidacy, U Maung Myint said, I learned that her candidacy in Ottarathiri Township is not confirmed yet. I heard there are another two constituencies slated for her candidacy. NLD Central Executive Committee (CEC) Secretary U Nyan Win and Information Secretary Monwya Aung Shin said they could not confirm the State Counselors candidacy. For the candidates and their constituencies, the partys Central Executive Committee will officially announce them, Monway Aung Shin told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. The NLDs CEC is currently reviewing the candidates applications and the full candidate list is expected to come out on Monday. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ran for and won a Lower House seat in Yangons Kawhmu Township in the 2012 by-election and the 2015 general election. For this years election, a new NLD candidate, Daw Kyi Kyi Win, has applied to the party for the candidacy for Kawhmu. As for the Ottarathiri Lower House seat, current NLD lawmaker U Kyaw Min Hlaing has also applied for the candidacy. He told The Irrawaddy he will wait for the party Central Executive Committees decision as to whether he would be allowed to run in the township. To select candidates for this years election, the NLDs township-level executive committees and are working with community elders to choose priority and secondary candidates for each constituency. However, there have been disagreements over some of the candidates. Monwya Aung Shin said the party is choosing carefully and that the State Counselor herself is reviewing the list, as there are objections over some proposed candidates. You may also like these stories: NLD Have Constitution to Thank for Current Position: Myanmar Military Lawmaker Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Run in Myanmars General Election DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Automated Border Control Market: Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2020-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global automated border control market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.25%, over the forecast period 2020-2025. The automated border control system is in its third generation, where systems are being developed to support the e-border process of the future. These systems require an understanding of all traveler screening, authentication, and supporting technologies, to implement in a standardized manner. Gemalto mentioned that if these solutions are implemented, then the time required for airport passenger processing can be reduced by up to 80%. The deployment of e-passports, an electronic travel document, is transforming the border control application across the world. The increase in the number of international travelers is significantly growing Y-o-Y. According to UNWTO's latest publishing report in 2020, the foreign tourists' arrivals grew by 4% from the previous year, and it reached a figure of 1.5 billion. Due to this growth, the need for fast authentication processing is increasing and driving the demand for automated border control solutions. The user-friendly designs of automated e-gates and kiosks help in streamlining the experience for the passenger, from the point of check-in by eliminating the ques. Additionally, with the increasing technologies, along with efficient and quick processing capabilities, the automated e-gates offer a reliable solutions for immigration security, thereby, fueling the adoption of the automated border control systems at international ports. Moreover, due to rising cybercrimes and identity thefts across the world, the risk in maintaining security increases with process digitization and process automation. Additionally, for implementation, the high initial investment is required, and hence, limiting the growth of the market studied. Key Market Trends Airport Applications are Expected to Witness a Rapid Growth Airways are the most preferred means for international travelers, due to obvious reasons, like travel time and convenience. According to the European Commission, more than 887 million travelers are expected to make arrivals across the European Union. With this enormous difference in traffic, the adoption rate of the automated border control system is significantly high, as compared to seaports and land ports. In December 2019 , 12 new automated, pre-security e-gates were installed at the Aukland Airport, which can scan boarding passes and grant passengers access to secure areas. , 12 new automated, pre-security e-gates were installed at the Aukland Airport, which can scan boarding passes and grant passengers access to secure areas. The number of airports investing in automated border control, check-in, and bag drop solutions, worldwide, is increasing, for enhancing the airport operational efficiency. Airline services provider, SITA, estimated that over 72% of the air travelers in 2019 used one of these self-service solutions, thus, creating a key differentiator for the overall passenger value proposition. Recently in the United States , an Automated Passport Control (APC) program introduced to expedite the entry process for the Canadians, US passengers, and the passengers eligible for Visa Waiver Program, by providing an automated process through CBP's Primary Inspection area. Such initiatives by the government are estimated to drive the market studied. Europe is Expected to Hold the Largest Market Share The European region is one of the largest markets for automated border control solutions. Major companies, like Gemalto, OT-Morpho, Indra Sistemas, and Secunet Security Networks, are based in the region. Additionally, over the year, countries in the region are actively investing in implementing automated border control solutions in immigration ports. For instance, recently, in late 2019, the European Union announced that it is funding for the new deployment of a new automated border control system, iBorderCtrl, to be piloted in Hungary , Greece , and Latvia . The system is expected to be implemented for all the ports (air, land, and sea) in the countries, to streamline and automate the immigration process. , , and . The system is expected to be implemented for all the ports (air, land, and sea) in the countries, to streamline and automate the immigration process. Currently, the United Kingdom scores well in facilitating passengers with several advanced e-gates, automated border control systems, and the abolition of entry cards. Moreover, IATA has announced an approach, to improve its policy and border experience for travelers visiting the United Kingdom . This is estimated to drive tourism in the country, which may further fuel the adoption of ABC solutions in potential airports in the country in the future. Competitive Landscape The automated border control market is moderately consolidated, with the presence of a few major companies, like Gemalto and Vision-Box, dominating the market. These companies are continuously investing in making strategic partnerships and product developments, to gain a more market share. September 2019 - With the recent expansion in the region, IDEMIA announced to further invest in APAC border processing capabilities of Canberra and Sydney , to develop Gen 3.0 Border and Airport platform for the local market, with a portfolio of solutions for a seamless traveler experience across the whole border and airport process. - With the recent expansion in the region, IDEMIA announced to further invest in APAC border processing capabilities of and , to develop Gen 3.0 Border and Airport platform for the local market, with a portfolio of solutions for a seamless traveler experience across the whole border and airport process. March 2019 - Portugal -based company, Visio-Box, inaugurated its new technology and innovation center in Porto, Portugal . This center is one of the strategic expansion plans of the company. Key Topics Covered 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition 1.2 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET DYNAMICS 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.4 Market Drivers 4.4.1 Rising International Travelers Resulting in Growing Need for Automated Processes 4.5 Market Restraints 4.5.1 High Initial Cost Required for Complete Installation with Standardization 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION 5.1 By Type 5.1.1 ABC e-Gates 5.1.2 ABC Kiosks 5.2 By Offerings 5.2.1 Document Authentication System (DAS) 5.2.2 Biometric Verification System (BVS) 5.2.2.1 Face Recognition 5.2.2.2 Fingerprint Recognition 5.2.2.3 IRIS Recognition 5.2.2.4 Palm & Vein Recognition 5.2.3 Services 5.2.3.1 Installation 5.2.3.2 Maintenance 5.2.3.3 Consultancy 5.3 By Application 5.3.1 Airports 5.3.2 Landports 5.3.3 Seaports 5.4 By Geography 5.4.1 North America 5.4.2 Europe 5.4.3 Asia-Pacific 5.4.4 Rest of the World 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 6.1 Company Profiles 6.1.1 HID Global Corporation 6.1.2 Atos SE 6.1.3 Cognitec Systems GmbH 6.1.4 Cominfosec Inc. 6.1.5 Veridos GmbH 6.1.6 Thales Group 6.1.7 Gunnebo Group Corporation 6.1.8 Accenture PLC 6.1.9 Magnetic Autocontrol GmbH 6.1.10 Rockwell Collins Aerospace & Electronics Inc. 6.1.11 NEC Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. 7 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS 8 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/35ye0z Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com - The Pope Francis Hospital Ship has joined the fight against coronavirus by delivering medical aid and assistance to people - The ship is delivering medical aid and assistance to some 700,000 members of coastal populations - Many of the beneficiaries are members of indigenous communities in Brazils Amazon Rainforest Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The Pope Francis Hospital Ship has joined the fight against coronavirus as the world continues to battle with the deadly disease. A member of the ship's coordination team, Brother Joel Sousa, said "this ship has already worked bringing healing and hope to river populations". The ship has been sailing the Amazon River for a year, delivering medical aid and assistance to some 700,000 members of coastal populations many of them indigenous communities - in Brazils Amazon Rainforest, The Vatican News reports. Brother Sousa stated that the medical and logistical team aboard the ship got reorganised to specifically fight the pandemic. Pope Francis Hospital Ship. Photo credit: The Vatican News Source: UGC READ ALSO: Tracey Boakye shows off beautiful daughter's hair in new photo According to him, the crew is now committed to raising awareness and providing information to people and offers outpatient treatment. He said: "We are dealing mainly with flu-like symptoms and mild cases of Covid-19. READ ALSO: Fadda Dickson flaunts his classy hall in new photos The ship is delivering medical aid and assistance to some 700,000 members of coastal populations. Photo credit: Luntha Television Source: UGC "The doctors carry out the consultations, while we dedicate ourselves to the distribution of medicines. READ ALSO: Woman proposes to Don Little on the streets of America (video) In other news, a Nigerian man that recently survived COVID-19 has called on people to believe in the existence of the virus and take it seriously. Akinwale Oluwaleimu took to his Facebook page to narrate how he defeated the virus and to thank family members for coming to his rescue. READ ALSO: Pamela Watara flaunts her heavy bust in beautiful blue dress According to him, he began to treat malaria when he was feeling feverish till he realised that his symptoms were COVID-19 symptoms. Oluwaleimu said his symptoms included fever, cough, loss of smell, loss of taste, body pains and weakness of the body. He wrote on Facebook: "The family values I got during the period truly helped me physically and emotionally." According to him, some of the medications he used included Vitamin C, Longrich Cordyceps Militaris and Black Ginger, among others. Oluwaleimu, however, complained about the negligence of staff of the COVID-19 testing centre at Akowonjo Primary School. Ghanaians express fear over final year students in school | #Yencomgh Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Source: YEN.com.gh Just like the rest of us, celebrities have had to go months without a trip to the hair salon. But now that most salons have reopened across the country, Hollywood brunettes are making up for lost time by ditching their existing dark hair for bright blonde. As far as summer hair trends are concerned, going blonde is about as groundbreaking as wearing oxblood lipstick during the fall, or painting on pastel nail polish during the spring. But, who cares? Definitely not Emily Ratajkowski, Ariel Winter, Amandla Stenberg, Kaia Gerber, Millie Bobbie Brown, and Ashley Benson who have all bleached their hair within the past month. Even Kylie Jenner has joined in on the trend albeit, a less permanent change with a platinum blonde wig. RELATED: 10 Easy Hairstyles for Hot and Sweaty Summer Days For stars like Ratajkowski and Gerber, going platinum for the first time is a high-maintenance change that requires regular upkeep whether or not salons remain open for business. Sabrina Yamani Yamga, colorist at SPACE by Alex Brown in Chicago thinks that taking a big risk with your hair color is a reflection of the uncertain time we're living in. "Going into quarantine was an eye-opening moment in our younger generations to really see the privileges we once saw as our normal everyday lives," she says. "It's allowed us to deeply understand that we only have one life, and we ought to have fun with it while we can. Hair is always a good place to start." On top of wanting to live a summer of social-distancing to its fullest by trying a new hair color, your hair health is probably at an all-time high, which is the ideal condition for bleaching it. Story continues "We have experienced less sun exposure, decreased heat styling, and you have also forgone color services for months, much longer than your standard two to three month touch up," says Angela Soto, hairstylist and owner of Baja Studio in New York City. "So, your hair has just gone through a major detox. This is the best canvas to start the lightening process on." Anyone who's up for going platinum should expect to spend four hours at the salon every five to six weeks for root touch ups. "This is not an exaggeration and if you exceed six weeks you are entering disaster zone," warns Soto. "Our bodys natural heat releases from the scalp and this is a big factor in getting those roots the lightest possible. The longer your root is, our body temp cant travel that far down the hair shaft, so the additional regrowth doesnt lift or process as well potentially leaving you with a gold, yellow, or orange line of demarcation." But if you're down to work a rooted look, Edward Tricomi, co-founder and celebrity stylist of Warren Tricomi Salon says you can stretch your touch ups to every eight weeks, but that doesn't mean you can just neglect it. "As far as maintenance, you need to baby your hair for a while and condition and take care of it as you go to lighter shades," he explains. VIDEO: What Getting a Haircut Is Like Post-Quarantine What Getting a Haircut Is Like Post-Quarantine Your favorite salon has reopened, but what are the risks of getting that much-needed trim? Given that scheduling color appointments are like playing roulette right now, because certain states like California, Florida, and Texas are experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases, there is no guarantee that your salon will be open by the time you need a touch up. So, it's best to play it safe by revamping your haircare routine with products that help keep the brassiness and dullness out of cool-toned blondes. From color-depositing purple shampoo and conditioner to moisturizing masks, find the best products for maintaining dyed-blonde hair below. The Best Haircare Products for Color-Treated Blonde Hair Davines Alchemic Shampoo in Silver A toning shampoo is a must-have product for any first-time bottled blondes. This vegan color-enhancing shampoo refreshes and illuminates icy blonde hair and is formulated without stripping ingredients like surfactants, silicones, and parabens. To buy: $27; amazon.com. Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Silver Courtesy No toning shampoo should go without a conditioning counterpart. After washing your hair, work this hydrating, color-depositing conditioner through your hair to help further neutralize yellowness and boost softness and shine. To buy: $31; amazon.com. Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Courtesy Soto recommends pre-treating your hair at home before a bleaching session. She says to use a bond strengthener like Olaplex (a favorite among celebrities) because it minimizes breakage by repairing the hair strand from within. "The stronger and more moisturized your hair is before bleaching, the better your results will be and your texture will be less compromised," she says. To buy: $56; nordstrom.com. Kerastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Mask Courtesy On top of strengthening hair that's weak from the coloring process, this purple hair mask neutralizes cool-toned blonde shades. Use it bi-weekly in lieu of a color-depositing shampoo and conditioner. To buy: $62; sephora.com. Amika Mixtape Hair Color Drops Courtesy Don't feel like buying an entire set of products for your new hair color? Add these pigmented drops to your favorite moisturizing shampoo, conditioner, or hair mask. The purple pigment revives dull blonde hair by canceling out brassiness. To buy: $25; sephora.com. Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Superfoods Hair Mask Courtesy With nourishing kiwi, avocado, and spinach, regularly treating blonde hair with hydrating mask (like this one from Briogeo) helps keep it from getting dry and brittle. As Soto points out, you can mask leading up to your bleach session, too. The extra hydration will have hair in a healthy state before the damaging coloring process begins. To buy: $36; sephora.com. Nepals Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Olis statement about the pilgrimage city of Ayodhya and Lord Rama is incorrect to the extent that debating it is a waste of time. The head of state of the country adjacent to India and culturally connected with it should have a geographical and historical under- standing that Ayodhya is an ancient city and is located in India. Nepal also shares a border with Uttar Pradesh and the Hindu population of Nepal also has faith in the same Lord Rama who was the king of Ayodhya and was married to Sita of Janakpur. Oli has been making such ... Hanover County Public Schools families will have the option to continue online learning or return to schools five days a week when the academic year begins in September. Under the tentative plans the Hanover School Board endorsed Tuesday, students and teachers who return to school when classes begin again on Sept. 8 will be required to wear masks. Exceptions would be made for students with medical, developmental or physical conditions. The School Board unanimously approved the plans. With less than two months before the start of the 2020-2021 school year for most schools in Virginia, students and families are divided over whether conventional classroom instruction will be safe as the pandemic shows little sign of receding after public schools were shuttered in mid-March at the outset of the pandemic in Virginia. While Richmond and the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield have contended with more than 8,600 confirmed cases and 272 virus-related deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health, Hanover has not been hit as hard by the pandemic. As of Tuesday, there had been 486 confirmed cases and 31 deaths in Hanover. Not long ago, builders of fossil fuel pipelines in the U.S. followed a standard pattern: The operator made a business case for the project, lining up committed shippers, customers, and investors. Regulators obliged by granting a certificate of public need, which includes the power to acquire easements from property owners even if they object. But building a pipeline these days has become increasingly more challenging and expensive, as aggrieved property owners and climate activists have joined to rally political opposition to energy infrastructure projects as never before, and have scored a series of major legal victories. A federal judge in Washington last week ordered Energy Transfer LP to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, which carries crude oil from North Dakota shale fields, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts a formal environmental impact analysis that it previously passed on. The shutdown, if upheld, could lead to the permanent closure of the $3.8 billion (U.S.) project if it cannot resolve risks of oil spills. Dominion Energy Inc. also announced last week it was divesting ownership of all gas pipeline and storage assets, and would cancel its Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a project that would deliver natural gas from Marcellus Shale gas fields to Virginia and the Carolinas. Chief executive officer Thomas Farrell explained the exit, saying that building gas infrastructure is increasingly litigious, uncertain, and costly. Williams Cos. Inc. this year cancelled the Constitution Pipeline that would have delivered Pennsylvania gas into New York state after New York denied water permits, forcing Williams to settle with Pennsylvania landowners whose property it had already taken and cleared. And New Jersey last week suspended permits for New Jersey Natural Gas Southern Reliability Link after a drilling accident damaged a Monmouth County home. And then there is the Mariner East system, a state-regulated project to transport gas liquids like propane and ethane across Pennsylvania, through densely populated parts of Chester and Delaware Counties, to an export terminal in Marcus Hook, south of Philadelphia. The project, which Energy Transfer LP took over with its 2012 acquisition of Sunoco Inc., has repeatedly been fined for environmental violations, been forced to suspend construction while it changed construction methods, and remains the target of legal actions even as it approaches completion, now set for early 2021. Environmental advocates believe that after years of litigation and activism, the pendulum is swinging in their favour. The public discourse around pipelines, around climate change, is starting to break through the din, break through to the justices, said Maya K. van Rossum, the head of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. And that is the reason why were seeing some better decisions, some stronger decisions. Industry advocates fear the backlash will impede vital projects that keep energy supplies reliable and costs low, and will impair energy development in Pennsylvania, which became the nations second-largest gas producer in the last decade after the adoption of hydraulic fracturing extraction methods. I dont think people appreciate that if we dont build out the infrastructure, we will not have the resources that we need to heat and cool our homes, to power our businesses, to make the products that we all need on a day-to-day basis, said Gene Barr, president of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Its very short-sighted. Adversaries in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are currently manoeuvring for legal position before the U.S. Supreme Court, which is considering whether to hear a case involving the Penn East Pipeline, announced six years ago to transport natural gas 116 miles from Northeast Pennsylvania to New Jersey. PennEast is owned by five energy companies, including its operator, UGI Energy Services, a subsidiary of UGI Corp. of Valley Forge. New Jersey has blocked PennEasts access to 42 properties in which the state claims an interest. In 40 of the properties, the states interest are easements it granted requiring the land be preserved for recreational, conservation, or agricultural use. PennEast prevailed in lower court in its effort to acquire rights of way, arguing that the pipeline would preserve the land as open space. But the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia last year sided with New Jersey, saying that a states sovereign immunity protects it from lawsuits by private parties, even when entities like PennEast have obtained federal eminent domain authority. PennEast has asked the Supreme Court to take up the case. It says the Third Circuit decision undermines the Natural Gas Act of 1942, which gave the federal government the power to approve interstate pipelines, expressly to overcome obstacles erected by states, and to delegate eminent domain authority to private entities. PennEast said the appeals court panel got an exceptionally important question exceptionally wrong. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that reviews and approves pipelines, said that the Third Circuits decision will have profoundly adverse impacts on the development of the nations interstate natural gas transportation system, and will significantly undermine how the natural gas transportation industry has operated for decades. More than a dozen gas industry, labour and business organizations filed amicus briefs in support of PennEasts petition. The Supreme Court appears to be taking some interest in the case, and invited New Jersey and the solicitor general of the United States to file arguments about whether it should review. Gurbir S. Grewal, New Jerseys attorney general, said that PennEast greatly overstates the consequences of the case, saying the decision precludes only private parties from filing condemnation suits against states. The decision does not provide states with a veto over interstate pipeline projects, he said. The court will announce later this year if it will grant a formal review of the case. Even if the Supreme Court rules in PennEasts favour, the projects opponents believe numerous other legal and political obstacles await, each of which will cost time and money for the pipeline operator to resolve before various regulatory bodies part of a sophisticated legal strategy of this and other opposition campaigns to wage many simultaneous legal battles. The agencies are really, you know, taking a much harder look at these projects, at the need for these projects, at the environmental impact, said Tom Gilbert, the campaign co-ordinator of Rethink Energy NJ, a group formed to oppose fossil fuel pipelines and to promote renewable energy. So I think theres a whole set of factors there that are working against this project ever happening. The political landscape has changed dramatically in New Jersey since PennEast was announced in 2014, and was supported by former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican. PennEasts owners include companies affiliated with two gas distribution companies, South Jersey Gas and New Jersey Natural Gas. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat elected in 2017, has taken a hostile position toward the project, challenging PennEast in court, and applauding the state Department of Environmental Protections denial of permits last year in an Oct. 11 tweet. We are committed to transitioning New Jersey to 100 per cent clean energy by 2050, Murphy said. Pipeline opponents have also challenged the federal approval of PennEasts certificate of public need, saying there is no shortage of pipeline capacity to New Jersey, and that PennEasts owners are duplicating existing infrastructure. Why are we allowing new infrastructure if theres no new demand as defined by unmet capacity? said Jennifer Danis, a staff attorney with the Columbia Law Schools Environmental Clinic, which has represented PennEasts opponents. So if youre just kind of moving the air from one side of the balloon to the other theres a lot of environmental damage and also a lot of economic damage. But the industry says that infrastructure is in short supply. They point to the increasing need for natural gas in New England and New York state, where nuclear power plants were forced to retire, increasing demand for gas-powered generation to maintain reliable electricity supplies when intermittent renewable sources cannot deliver. We have a very, very close view of how perilously close we are to not having sufficient capacity for natural gas, said Anthony Cox, chairman of the PennEast Pipeline Company Board of Managers. The potential exists for there to be a real calamitous event. And it would only take one to change the minds of a lot of people as to whether or not infrastructure is needed. In response to New Jersey, PennEast in January announced changes: It now plans to build the pipeline in two segments, and 68-mile Phase 1 would terminate near Easton, Pa. That means the first part of the project would be contained within Pennsylvania, where PennEast has obtained necessary permits. Opponents are challenging the amendment before federal regulators and with the Delaware River Basin Commission, which says it has jurisdiction over the project. Much of the ongoing debate hinges around the future of renewable power sources, such as offshore wind energy or solar power. The builders of pipelines say that until renewable energy is in place, natural gas is the most affordable option and cleaner than other fossil fuels. We certainly recognize that theres a move to move toward a decarbonized future with respect to energy, and were committed to being part of that, said Cox. But the industry maintains that a growing population needs electrical power, and it needs to be affordable. This is not something that we can continue to put our heads in the ground and hope for the magic bullet, that we are going to snap our fingers and all of a sudden renewables are going to take care of our needs, he said. Thats an evolution that is going to take a lot of years, and a lot of money. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Holding company Udenna Corporation on Wednesday dismissed claims it is interested in acquiring the former broadcast frequencies of ABS-CBN following the networks shutdown. It has come to our attention that there have been certain speculations going around on social media saying that the Udenna Group is associated with a reported broadcasting entity interested in acquiring the broadcast frequencies left behind by ABS-CBN, the Udenna Group said in a statement posted on its website. These are unfounded and completely false. We in Udenna have been consistent in stating that our priorities do not include broadcasting, added the company founded by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy. Following House lawmakers denial of ABS-CBNs application for a fresh franchise, some netizens have claimed and suggested that a certain broadcasting corporation also supposedly connected to Uy may soon be acquiring the channels frequencies. The businessman also previously denied speculations his company had plans to acquire the network, stressing that broadcasting was not part of their corporate direction. ABS-CBN went off the air in May following the expiry of its license. The network said it will continue to deliver news through the limited platforms available to them. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Shanghai, China Wed, July 15, 2020 07:30 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666516b1 2 World China,torrential-rain,flood,rainfall Free Soldiers erected sandbag flood barriers in a city near China's largest freshwater lake after the heaviest rainfall in nearly six decades drenched the swollen Yangtze River basin. The vast Yangtze drainage area has been lashed by torrential rains since last month, leaving 141 people dead or missing and forcing the evacuation of millions more across several provinces. Flooding along the river -- the world's third longest -- has been an annual summer scourge since ancient times, but this year's inundation has been especially severe. The downpours have intensified since last week, causing dozens of Yangtze-basin waterways to post record-high water levels, while more than 400 had exceeded warning levels, Vice Minister of Emergency Management Zheng Guoguang said on Monday. "Since June, average precipitation in the Yangtze river basin has been the highest since 1961," he told a news briefing in Beijing. Authorities had been monitoring a flood crest as it neared Wuhan, the metropolis of 11 million that the Yangtze winds through and which had already suffered the vast number of China's deaths and cases in the coronavirus pandemic, which first emerged in the city. They said river levels were decreasing after the crest passed Wuhan on Monday with no reports of major new flooding there. Record rainfall Concern was now shifting downstream to Poyang Lake, which drains into the Yangtze in hard-hit Jiangxi province and is the largest freshwater lake fully within China's borders. State-run Xinhua news agency said water levels at a key hydrological station on the lake broke a record set in 1998, when more than 4,000 people were killed in China's worst flooding in recent decades. State media reported that more than 100,000 people -- including rescue personnel, soldiers, and ordinary citizens -- had been thrown into flood-control efforts in Jiangxi. Around half of those were deployed at Poyang Lake, where many dikes and levees had collapsed, state television reported. In the city of Jiujiang, near where the lake drains into the Yangtze, soldiers wearing orange life vests fortified the river bank with a wall of sandbags piled as high as a man. The Yangtze's length is exceeded only by the Nile and the Amazon, and its drainage basin is home to around 400 million people. Summer rains and seasonal glacial melt in the river's Tibetan plateau headwaters cause routine annual flooding. But environmentalists say the threat has worsened over the decades due in part to rampant construction of dams and levees that have cut connections between the river and adjacent lakes and floodplains that for centuries had helped absorb the summer surge. Conservationists also warn that the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers due to climate change may lead to more dangerous summer flooding. The UK's ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, and the Spanish Secretary of State for Migrations, Hana Jalloul, have sent our a joint message this week to British residents in this country. The video message comes one week on from the introduction of a new residency document for UK nationals protected by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and some changes to the application process. With the aim or providing clarity and reassurance, the representatives of both governments acknowledged the many questions from UK nationals about the new system. They made it clear that the green residency certificate (whether A4 or credit card-sized) remains valid proof of residency status and rights under the Withdrawal Agreement for the UK's exit from the EU, even after the end of the transition period. Speaking about the introduction of the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, TIE, Hana Jalloul said: If you already have a green residency certificate, you dont have to apply for a new status as a resident in Spain, and the documents you already have as an EU resident in Spain remain valid. And most importantly, as long as you are legally resident in Spain before 31 December your rights are guaranteed." She stressed, however, that anyone already resident, or who is coming to live in Spain before the end of this year, and does not already have the green document must take action. "I encourage anyone who does not yet have your residency certificate to apply to the immigration authorities as soon as you can, said Jalloul. The ambassador has also reminded UK nationals of the rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement: You will be able to continue to live and work in Spain. UK state pensioners will continue to have lifelong healthcare access as long as they remain living in Spain (this also applies to residents who claim a UK state pension in the future) and your UK state pension will continue to be uprated. Thats why it is so important that you register as a resident as soon as possible. The Ministerio de Inclusion, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations) has published a comprehensive Q&A document (in both English and Spanish) to provide answers to the questions UK nationals may have about their residency status and the new process. The British Embassy has pointed out that is updating its Living in Spain guide to reflect the new residency process and will be providing further information in the Brits in Spain Facebook group. To end the video, Hana Jalloul said: Many of you have built your homes here and we want you to stay. [...] You are part of the Spanish family. You are part of us. The Spanish Government is here to support you in this new phase and we want to send you a very clear message: this is, and will always be, your home. The video can be viewed here. Disappointing news In early 2014 I made the decision that, as a professional in the foreign service field, I needed to finally do postgraduate studies. My eyes set to see the world, I found a two-year masters in international studies to be undertaken by scholarship in Vienna, Austria. Much to my dismay, I didnt get the scholarship and I guess you could say I was really cut up. Nevertheless, I decided to pray about it, and the peace of God that I found in this loss, was true comfort. God had assured me that he had bigger plans, and though I had no idea what they were, I was content with just knowing that. Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORDs purpose that prevails (Proverbs chapter 19 verse 21, NIV). A chance encounter with providence I did not know what would be next, but one day in the office, a colleague called my attention to another Government employee she was currently assisting with a visa to study in New Zealand. She basically invited me to seize this opportunity and I took some time to peruse the information. Feeling confident with what I saw, I decided to apply. I would go off on vacation to New York to attend my uncles wedding that June, and the very morning after the wedding, I awoke to the email advising that I was provisionally accepted to the University of Auckland in New Zealand. At that moment, I started to see the onset of the bigger plans that God had spoken of. I had not secured a scholarship yet, but I knew God was on to something. When I returned home, I submitted the scholarship application and in October of that year it was made crystal clear that I had secured a New Zealand Aid (NZAID) Scholarship to undertake postgraduate studies in Development at the University of Auckland. As amazing as this all was, this was very new terrain. First, I had never thought I could get a scholarship, and I never dreamed I would get to live in the astounding New Zealand. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans chapter 8, verse 28, NIV). The Journey It took me about twenty hours just to get to New Zealand, but I relished the journey. I started out on a Sunday morning and arrived in Auckland on Tuesday morning. I completely lost Monday. I was in this beautiful new place to acquire more qualifications, but little did I know that this journey would be life-changing; that it would bring me closer to God. Though I had one friend from Jamaica who considerably helped me out, I quickly began to get homesick without the fellowship of a church. Eventually, on club expo day at the university, I found the University of Auckland (UoA) Christian club and soon signed up for weekly Bible study and gospel dinners. This considerably changed my outlook and whole stay in New Zealand. Their Christian hospitality was heart-warming. My Bible study coordinator was into full-time ministry. Though she had attended the University of Auckland and attained her degrees (Bachelors and Masters) in Engineering, she explained that this was her full-time ministry. She would relentlessly take us to UoA events and just ensured we were generally okay. Eventually during my second semester, when I changed dorms, one of my hallmates heard me mention the need to find and church. She invited me to Life Church, which was a Hillsong affiliate. The first week I attended church the theme was God, Money and Me. It was basically about the importance of stewarding your money in the Kingdom. I found this very timely as God had been teaching me some new things about money/tithing before I had come to New Zealand. Needless to say, they had a Christians Against poverty (CAP) programme which I gladly took. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs Chapter 3, verses 5 6, NIV). My Lessons I learnt some important lessons about loving myself as is, without all the additions I was used to back home. Lets just say there were some things I believed to be true about my appearance and God stripped that away. I must admit that I never thought I could look great without straightened hair or make-up. These were two things that I lived without for all of nine months and now I can choose to wear make-up or not. When I do wear it, its not because of that lie I used to believe. I can now choose to go out without wearing it and feel just as beautiful. As for my hair, I chose to wear it natural and lock it. I have never felt queenlier. I realised that I am smart enough to get and maintain a scholarship and though I am still not a straight-A student, I certainly represented the Kingdom well. I would not have had that chance, I believe, had it not been ordained by God. I got the opportunity to develop my writing skills through workshops with published writers I met in New Zealand. I documented a few memorable moments from my Kiwi experience in this blog at https://jamaicankiwikim.wordpress.com/. I was able to live in a faraway land, and although there were times I literally felt like God wasnt with me because of the unfamiliar, I know that he is everywhere. I found an amazing set of believers at school and church and it became hard to leave that fellowship behind. But it wasnt just fellowship, it was truth Christian growth. I ultimately became a stronger person and I now know what God was talking about when he said he had bigger plans for me. You see, I thought New Zealand was about school, and yes it was that too, but for God, it was my pilgrimage to certain truths I needed to learn. I got to see the world from a whole new angleI got to see me from Gods eyes. It was after my return that I realised that this whole experience was my modern-day pilgrimage. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah Chapter 29 verse 11, NIV). The Trump administration plans to scrap a 2013 agreement between US and Chinese auditing authorities, a senior State Department official said, a move that could foreshadow a crackdown on US-listed Chinese firms under fire for sidestepping US disclosure rules. The deal, which set up a process for a US auditing watchdog to seek documents in enforcement cases against Chinese auditors, was initially welcomed as a breakthrough in US efforts to gain access to closely guarded Chinese financial information and bestowed a mark of legitimacy on Chinese regulators. But the watchdog, known as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), has long complained of China's failure to grant requests, meaning scant insight into audits of Chinese firms that trade on US exchanges. The lack of transparency has prompted administration officials to lay the groundwork to exit the deal soon, according to Keith Krach, undersecretary for economic growth, energy and the environment, in a sign the PCAOB will give up on efforts to secure information from the Chinese. "The action is imminent," Mr Krach said on Monday in an emailed response to questions. "This is a National Security issue because we cannot continue to afford to put American shareholders at risk, to put American companies at a disadvantage and allow our pre-eminence of being the gold standard for financial markets to erode." The White House declined to comment, while the PCAOB did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China's Foreign Ministry, in a reply to Reuters, said abolishing the memorandum of understanding would not help improve the supervision of listed companies in the United States and would damage the interests of investors. It was not clear when or how the US administration would revoke the agreement, which requires 30-day notice by either party, and its termination would not directly threaten the listed status of Chinese companies that trade on US exchanges. Among some of the bigger Chinese companies trading in the US are Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Baidu Inc. In May, the administration successfully pressured an independent board that oversees a $40bn international pension fund for federal employees to halt plans to track an index that includes Chinese companies, citing "risks to investors resulting from inadequate investor disclosures and protections under Chinese law". In June, US President Donald Trump assigned a group of officials to recommend measures within 60 days to protect US investors "from the failure of the Chinese government to allow PCAOB-registered audit firms to comply with US securities laws". Last week, PCAOB chairman William Duhnke said he saw "no prospects" of being able to properly do its job overseeing disclosures and preventing accounting fraud in China. Pressure is also mounting from Congress, with the Republican-led Senate passing a bill that, if approved by the Democrat-led House of Representatives and signed into law, would bar securities of any foreign company from being listed on any US securities exchange if it has failed to comply with the PCAOB's audits for three years in a row. Actor Vaani Kapoor says late actor Sushant Singh Rajput was helpful and sweet, and greeted her with the warmest smile when she met him for the first time. Sushant died a month ago at the age of 34. Speaking to The Times of India, Vaani recounted the first time she met him. They worked together on Shuddh Desi Romance, which also marked her Bollywood debut. I had met him (Sushant Singh Rajput) for the first time at YRF, it was a reading session and Manish Sharma was there. I remember walking in and Sushant gave me the warmest smile. You know when you get that comfort feeling about someone even though you dont know them that well because they treat you with love and warmth. Sushant was very helpful and sweet. Throughout the film he was really sweet to me. He was so talented, when I see him in Dil Bechara now I just realise what a good actor he was. That void will always be there for all of us. It makes you feel gloomy when you think of what happened. Sushant was my first co-actor so that will always be a special memory. Earlier in June, Vaani had shared two Instagram posts in the actors memory. My first ever Co actor ! Its heartbreaking. Lots of love ..RIP, she wrote in a post. I remember my first meeting with you and there you were, the first person to smile at me and help me! My first co-actor! Still in disbelief and shock. I have known you as a happy & funny person. I wish I could do something to change this. I am going to miss you. Miss the chance to work with you again. I pray for your soul to find its calm, she wrote in another. Also read: Roopa Ganguly says PM Modis office invited Sushant Singh Rajput for swearing-in, asks who left him out of other Bollywood meets with PM Vaani was last seen in War with Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Her next film will be Bell Bottom with Akshay Kumar. I have great respect for Akshay sir. I have always looked forward to working with him. This, for me, is a great opportunity to be associated with a movie like this, Vaani said in a statement. Directed by Ranjit M Tewari, Bell Bottom is set in the 1980s and is about one of Indias forgotten heroes. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON He was preeminently the white mans president, entirely devoted to the welfare of white men, Douglass said, while adding that for African Americans, the hour and the man of our redemption had somehow met in the person of Abraham Lincoln, and that under his wise and beneficent rule we saw ourselves gradually lifted from the depths of slavery to the heights of liberty and manhood. Best Buy is now offering four months of free Apple News+ for new subscribers. Anyone in the U.S. can avail of this offer by heading over to Best Buy. It is not clear whether the offer is also available for those who had previously subscribed to Apple News+ and canceled the subscription, though it is not. All you need to do is check out Best Buy and add the offer to your cart. You will receive an email with Trial promo code once you make the payment and checkout on Best Buy. It is worth noting that Apple News+ automatically renews after the three or four months of the free trial. The offer is only available for Apple users in the United States. Typically, new Apple News+ subscribers get 1-month of the free trial, followed by $9.99/month. In other words, the four-month trial offer is worth nearly $40. Recently, The New York Times pulled out of Apple News+ and removed all of its articles. According to the publication, Apple News+ does not align with its strategy of building direct relationships with paying readers. Apple News+ debuted in 2019 and allowed subscribers to discover and read news from their favorite publication. The company has partnered with some of the most prominent news publications like The Los Angeles Times, Conde Nast, Vanity Fair, and Wired. The disagreement between publishers and Apple is not something new. Last year, New York Times CEO warned publishers that they would lose control over their product by partnering with Apple News+. On a related note, this week Apple announced six months of free Apple News+ subscription for iPad Buyers on Verizon. Update: Verizon has officially announced it is offering 6-months free Apple News+ with activation of a cellular plan on iPad. New to Apple News+? Here is a list of all the magazines and newspapers available on the platform. Note: We may earn a commission for purchases from the links above, which helps us keep the site running. NNTC, a software developer and solutions provider, said it has successfully deployed its iFalcon Foreman solution at leading UAE contracting firm Al Nasiya Construction. Powered by NNTCs trademark iFalcon video analytics technology, this solution is specifically engineered for the construction industry which automates the processes of monitoring worker attendance, subcontractor attendance and calculating overtime. The iFalcon Foreman application scans the faces of workers before the start of each shift with its recognition accuracy at over 98 per cent and automatically clocks them in, said the statement from NNTC. This automation of an otherwise time-consuming manual process speeds up check-in by five times, simplifies monitoring, and increases transparency on subcontractor attendance with instant overtime calculation, it stated. After implementing the iFalcon Foreman application, Al Nasiya Contracting pointed out that it has gained anywhere-anytime access to worker schedules and shift reports apart from getting insight into the overtime hours clocked by its workforce, as well as a comprehensive view of attendance on multiple sites. Established in 2004, Al Nasiya is a specialist in complex structural construction, alterations and refurbishment services across government entities such as healthcare, education, residential sector and government offices. "NNTCs solution has helped optimise work processes and schedules at our construction sites. This increased efficiency has also helped reduce the costs associated with overtime," said a company spokesman. "Innovative solutions such as iFalcon Foreman further the overall development of the industry, and we are thankful to NNTC for implementing it at our company," he added. Alexander Belyaev, the technical director at NNTC said: "We are continuously adapting our solutions to better serve the needs of our clients - our priority has always been to facilitate them in achieving their business goals." "The iFalcon Foreman is a major milestone for us and the increased efficiency at Al Nasiyas sites is testament to its efficacy. We are confident Al Nasiya will continue to reap the benefits of this solution well into the future," he added.-TradeArabia News Service According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. farms contribute more than $130 billion to the economy, emphasizing the critical role farmers play in our nation's food supply. Yet the industry faces challenges that threaten its viability, including climate change, trade issues and an evolving workforce. With the emergence of COVID-19, the industry is increasingly facing production and supply-chain issues, and many farmers are facing new economic challenges for their family-owned businesses. "Land O'Lakes is one of the most important food suppliers in the U.S., and our nation's farmers and consumers rely on its ability to rapidly adapt to changing market forces through innovation," said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. "Through our partnership, we will apply the power of Azure and its AI capabilities to help Land O'Lakes solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry and bridge the divide between rural and urban communities." "As America's farmers continue to deliver the world's safest, most affordable food supply, they face an increasing number of obstacles that are beyond their control. The data-based, precision agriculture tools that we are building with Microsoft will provide the edge they need, but unreliable or nonexistent high-speed internet in rural areas keeps these tools out of reach for many. Through this alliance, we will work to address this need and help farmers remain profitable and sustainable," said Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. Accelerating agriculture innovation Initially, the companies will focus on developing a connected AgTech platform, built on Microsoft Azure, that will bring together Land O'Lakes' portfolio of innovative AgTech tools, such as WinField United's R7 Suite, Data Silo and Truterra Insights Engine under one unified architecture. By standardizing on Azure and harnessing the power of Azure FarmBeats, Land O'Lakes will be able to derive insights that enable intelligent agriculture solutions for farmers to be more productive with their time and resources. This includes early mitigation of plant stress to guide precisely where and when farmers should take action on their field for ideal growth conditions, maximization of yield potential by planting the right seed varieties and nutrients, optimizing fertilizer investments, and ensuring accurate output ratio to meet demand properly, all while lowering the farm carbon footprint. Built on top of the AgTech platform, the companies will collaborate to advance an aggregator of data with Data Silo, as well as leverage Microsoft Azure and its AI capabilities and insights from WinField United Answer Plot test fields, to support more predictable decisions for placement of crop inputs such as seeds and treatments, with the goal of increasing return on investment with the entire acre. The companies will create a Digital Dairy solution, harnessing the power of edge computing to capture data from farms with poor internet coverage, and the power of AI to provide data-driven insights for dairy producers. This initiative will bring together multiple data streams including weather, feed management and animal health from sensors and third-party applications to help dairy producers improve profit potential, adopt conservation practices and reduce waste by feeding livestock only what they need and ensuring milk supply doesn't go bad in the supply chain. Through the Digital Dairy solution, the companies will enable Traceability throughout the Land O'Lakes supply chain, providing transparency to milk, butter and cheese, ensuring consumer confidence that foods are of the highest quality and sustainably sourced. At a time when the dairy industry is stressed with changing customer demand and supply-chain disruptions, these digital tools will help producers improve efficiencies and profit potential, while helping to ensure food gets to the people who need it most. Advancing sustainability initiatives With the challenges of a changing climate, more extreme weather and a growing world population, Land O'Lakes and Microsoft share a commitment to sustainability and natural resources stewardship to help farm fields be both more resilient and productive for generations to come. We can help farmers improve the health and function of their farms' soils to both produce more food and store greenhouse gas, including carbon. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that agricultural soils could hold up to 10% of human-caused emissions within 25 years. Yet, soils are largely absent from global carbon markets. As a result, farmers lack adequate information and incentives to practice regenerative agriculture to capture and store carbon. The companies are working together to change that by developing a technology suite to help farmers improve their profit potential and generate new revenue in carbon markets. The new alliance will develop capabilities to quickly and effectively predict the carbon benefits of regenerative practices like no-till, precision nutrient management and planting of cover crops. Combining such capabilities with the real-time transparency from remote sensing and satellite data will make certification of these projects in global carbon markets easier, quicker and less expensive ultimately maximizing the economic value for farmers. The companies will explore integrating these new capabilities into the Truterra Insights Engine to create a unique soil health platform that can help farmers identify new opportunities to adopt practices to improve the quality and function of their farms' soils, estimate the natural resource and economic benefits of those new practices, generate soil carbon credits, and connect to soil carbon markets that sell certified credits to buyers. The platform would help unlock the potential of hundreds of millions of acres of farmland to be an effective carbon removal system and improve soil health and productivity, while providing farmers with the insights they need to make the best decisions for their farms. Markets like these may help Microsoft reach its goal to be carbon negative by 2030 and remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emitted since its founding by 2050, and help other businesses take advantage of soil carbon credits and the market to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Connecting rural America Broadband is essential to fully participate in the modern economy. Unfortunately, more than 18 million Americans, 14 million of whom live in rural communities, don't have access to broadband connections. Both companies are working to connect rural communities: Microsoft's Airband Initiative has worked around the country to eliminate the rural broadband gap, and Land O'Lakes' American Connection Project aims to close the digital divide through action and advocacy. The companies are launching pilots that will lead to long-term programmatic solutions in rural communities. Combining Microsoft's Airband program and specific locations within the Land O'Lakes owner network, broadband will be deployed to rural communities along with services including telehealth, educational resources and digital skilling. Both companies are also advocating for policy changes to accelerate the availability of broadband in rural communities, including broadband mapping to fully understand who has and does not have access to broadband, and federal funding in upcoming legislation. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic makes the digital divide even worse for many people. Remote work, education and healthcare are out of reach for people living in rural communities without online access. The companies are answering this immediate need for connectivity by working together to turn on free public Wi-Fi at more than 150+ locations in 19 states using a mix of technologies, including fixed wireless, and supplying internet service providers with the necessary hardware. Land O'Lakes to transition its IT platforms to Microsoft Through this agreement, Microsoft becomes Land O'Lakes' strategic cloud provider, and Land O'Lakes will migrate the majority of the company's IT infrastructure onto Microsoft Azure. The company has enabled Microsoft 365 and Teams for its workforce, empowering them with next-generation digital experience technology for increased productivity, advanced security, internal collaboration and customer engagement. About Land O'Lakes Inc. Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2019 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands and businesses in agriculture and food production including Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra, LLC. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. SOURCE Microsoft Corporation The government official overseeing Germanys pandemic response expressed confidence Tuesday that his country can avoid a second big wave of coronavirus cases if people respect rules such as social distancing and wearing masks, but also floated the idea of local quarantines to curb fresh outbreaks. Helge Braun, who has coordinated the countrys fight against the pandemic from the start, said the government is considering limiting travel in and out of areas that see a sudden, unexplained surge in Covid-19 cases. Our measures are appropriate to preventing a second big wave, Braun told The Associated Press during an interview at the Chancellery in Berlin. But this requires us to stay the course, not get careless in our measures, and maintain our respect for the virus. Germans have watched in horror as cases in the United States, Brazil and elsewhere surged long after Germany flattened its own curve of infections in April. The country of 83 million has reported slightly over 200,000 confirmed cases and 9,077 deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the outbreak; the rate of new infections now averages about three per 100,000 inhabitants a week. Braun attributed Germanys relative success in part to swift action during the early stages of the pandemic. As a trained emergency room doctor, the 47-year-old said he was aware of the risks if hospitals became overwhelmed with cases. It was a great concern of mine to prevent such a situation, Braun told the AP. While other governments considered letting the virus sweep through the population to get the pandemic over with sooner, Germany never seriously toyed with the idea of herd immunity. Our conclusion was that unless one brings the infection under control very strongly, then it will tend to grow exponentially, Braun said. We discarded herd immunity as a political policy completely. Social distancing measures and the wearing of face masks in stores and on public transit, which have become an issue of contention in Germany and elsewhere, will likely remain compulsory for the coming months, Braun said. Its a fact that the infections are so low precisely as a result of these measures, he said. That distancing was maintained, that there are hygiene plans, that masks are worn. These measures arent obsolete with low numbers, Braun said. Instead, we have to continue to maintain them in order to keep the infection numbers low. The focus should instead be on reviving economic and social life despite those measures, he said. Wearing masks is the smallest restriction one needs to accept to prevent infection. Braun declined to comment directly on the escalating number of confirmed cases in the United States, but said his office was in constant contact with other governments to exchange best practices in fighting the pandemic. The experience we always share is that restrictive measures, especially when it comes to leisure activity, are very, very effective, he said. That a broad testing strategy is very, very helpful, and that early isolation of clusters can be a way to prevent more widespread restrictions. Braun also cited Japans approach of sealing off areas where there are new infection clusters, noting that similar moves would be possible in Germany, too, under rules the federal and state governments agreed to three months ago. A partial lockdown imposed on two German counties last month following an outbreak at a slaughterhouse caused anger and confusion among residents, who were told they would be turned away from some German regions unless they could produce evidence they recently tested negative for the coronavirus. Braun said that if the source of infection cant be directly identified and interrupted then of course its logical and also necessary to limit travel in an out of such especially affected areas. Pressed on whether this could mean police roadblocks, he declined to elaborate. Asked about the idea later Tuesday during a visit to Bavaria, Merkel suggested it was preferable for people to have certainty about travel restrictions than to find themselves banned from some places but not from others. Its a proposal one should discuss and one that I would advocate, she said. The idea of travel restrictions is likely to be sensitive given the countrys 40-year partition during which residents of communist East Germany were forbidden from freely going to the West. Braun, whose day job as Merkels chief of staff includes coordinating the governments digital policy, also helped spearhead the development of a smartphone app to notify individuals who might have been exposed to someone with the virus. Germanys Corona-Warn-App has been downloaded more than 15.5 million times since its launch last month. Germany, which holds the EUs rotating presidency for the next six months, wants leaders meeting in Brussels later this week to agree on an unprecedented 500 billion euro ($569 billion) stimulus package to revive the blocs pandemic-hit economies. Thats a strong signal of solidarity, said Braun. We want all European countries to get through the crisis well. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 01:45:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The total number of COVID-19 cases in Yemen's government-controlled provinces increased to 1,526 on Wednesday, as 10 new cases were confirmed. The Yemeni Health Ministry said in a brief press statement that during the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries in the government-controlled areas increased to 694 since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus on April 10. Also, the government announced that the death toll from the disease climbed to 433 in different areas under its control, including the southern port city Aden. The Yemeni 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 Sanaa. Enditem - President Rodrigo Duterte criticized the ABS-CBN network anew even if its franchise renewal has been rejected already by the Congress - Duterte told the troops in Jolo, Sulu, that the ABS-CBN has defiled him and that he succeeded in supposedly destroying the oligarchy in the Philippines without declaring Martial Law - The president also claimed that ABS-CBN does not pay tax for their equipment and that the network have holding companies in foreign countries - He also claimed that ABS-CBN did not properly declare the total land area of their compound on Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Photo from Wikimedia Commons Source: UGC President Rodrigo Duterte slammed the ABS-CBN network anew even if its franchise renewal has been rejected already by the Congress. In a report by Darryl John Esguerra for The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Duterte told the troops in Jolo, Sulu, that the ABS-CBN has defiled him and that he succeeded in supposedly destroying the oligarchy in the Philippines without declaring Martial Law. He also claimed that ABS-CBN does not pay tax for their equipment and that the network has holding companies in foreign countries. As for the networks compound on Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City, Duterte claimed that ABS-CBN did not properly declare the total land area. PAY ATTENTION: Shop with KAMI! The best offers and discounts on the market, product reviews and feedback Yun namang ABS-CBN binaboy ako. Pero sinabi ko kapag ako nanalo, bubuwagin ko ang oligarchy ng Pilipinas. Ginawa ko. Without declaring martial law, sinira ko yung mga tao na humahawak sa ekonomiya at umiipit sa tao at hindi nagbabayad. They take advantage, sa kanila political power Tapos may mga holding company sa labas. Ganun din. Ano yung, ano yung inano nila ni Marcos. Sila rin. Cayman, tapos may holding company sa Hungary, dun nila binubuhos. Kunwari, may ano sila, may investment sila dun. Padala sila ng pera. Pero yung investment na yan, wala na. Yung pera hindi na yan babalik. Kaya walang taxes. And to think that they talk and they play God over the lives of the Filipino. Kaya ako, wala akong ano, Duterte said. 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 ABS-CBN shutdown is one of the most controversial issues in the Philippines these days. Supporters of the network claim that the ABS-CBN is being unfairly targeted for political reasons. Famous stars have expressed their reaction to the closure of the Kapamilya network. Angel Locsin admitted to getting emotional over the decision against the network. Anne Curtis also admitted to getting heartbroken over what happened to ABS-CBN. As for Vice Ganda, he walked out during the opening segment of Its Showtime since he could not contain his emotions. Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters! Source: KAMI.com.gh Washington, Jul 15 (UNI) The US state department has welcomed United Kingdom's decision to ban Huawei from future 5G networks in the country saying that this decision was taken by the UK government for the sake of its national security. In a statement issued on Tuesday the state department said that the use of 'untrustworthy' and 'high risk' vendors ought to be avoided "We welcome news that the United Kingdom plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks and phase out untrusted Huawei equipment from existing networks. With this decision, the UK joins a growing list of countries from around the world that are standing up for their national security by prohibiting the use of untrusted, high-risk vendors. We will continue to work with our British friends on fostering a secure and vibrant 5G ecosystem, which is critical to Transatlantic security and prosperity." The statement added that more and more countries are insisting on securing a safe 5G network pointing out that several countries have banned from setting up their 5G network "The momentum in favor of secure 5G is building. The UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G networks. Clean carriers like Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and others have also prohibited the use of Huawei equipment in their networks."The statement suggested that there exists a trust deficit among countries as far as Huawei is concerned "Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property, or human rights." WYOMING, MI -- A 41-year-old man is accused of driving 97 mph along a Wyoming street before running a red light and causing a fatal crash. Ruben Cavasos is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of reckless driving causing serious impairment. Wyoming police said he was driving a vehicle west on 44th Street about 9:50 p.m. June 6 when he ran a red light. His vehicle collided with a vehicle going south on Byron Center Avenue SW. The collision caused Cavasos vehicle to go into the median and roll. It then struck two eastbound vehicles on 44th Street. A passenger in the vehicle headed south on Byron Center Avenue was seriously injured and died June 17. She has been identified as Jean Lieffers, 78, of Coopersville. Wyoming police said they later determined, through investigative techniques, that Cavasos vehicle was going about 97 mph at the time of the crash. Playwrights Horizons has announced its 50th anniversary season, set to take place whenever it's safe for audiences to reconvene in person. The list includes Dave Harris's Tambo & Bones, directed by Taylor Reynolds and presented with Center Theatre Group; Sylvia Khoury's Selling Kabul, directed by Tyne Rafaeli and presented in association with Williamstown Theatre Festival; Aleshea Harris's What to Send Up When It Goes Down, directed by Whitney White and presented with the Movement Theatre Company; and Sanaz Toossi's Wish You Were Here, directed by GT Upchurch and presented with Williamstown Theatre Festival. Selling Kabul and What to Send Up When It Goes Down were scheduled to run in 2020. The previously planned 2020 production of Jeremy O. Harris's A Boy's Company Presents: "Tell Me If I'm Hurting You", directed by Dustin Wills and choreographed by Jack Ferver, will be delayed until the 2021-22 season. Additionally, playwrights Eboni Booth, Agnes Borinsky, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, the Debate Society, Sarah Gancher, David Greenspan, Miranda Rose Hall, Dave Harris, Julia Izumi, Kit Yan, and Melissa Li will contribute audio dramas for the theater's Soundstage podcast series, while Cesar Alvarez, Bleu Beckford-Burrell, John J. Caswell Jr., Mia Chung, and Anne Washburn have been commissioned for new stage plays. Playwrights Horizons will launch two new initiatives, a digital magazine called Almanac and the Lighthouse Series, which "repurposes the time between productions to support artists across disciplines, rather than renting it to outside projects." The latter will include collaborations with Raja Feather Kelly's The Feath3r Theory, the podcast play company the Parsnip Ship, and a lecture series curated by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Merrill and all three gunmen are believed to be members of the 2 Risky gang and believed the killer lived on Latrobe. Soon after the June shooting, Mitchell and the other two gunmen had shot up an alley on Latrobe, Murphy said. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday shut the door on "Phase 2" trade negotiations with China, saying he does not want to talk to Beijing about trade because of the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm not interested right now in talking to China," Trump replied when asked in an interview with CBS News whether Phase 2 trade talks were dead. "We made a great trade deal," Trump said, of the Phase 1 agreement signed in January. "But as soon as the deal was done, the ink wasn't even dry, and they hit us with the plague," he said, referring to the novel coronavirus, which first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan. For months, Trump has blamed China for sending the coronavirus to the United States, saying that China must be "held accountable" for failing to contain the disease. The pandemic has taken a stiff toll on the U.S. economy, endangering Trump's hopes for re-election in November. China pledged to increase purchases of U.S. farm and manufactured goods, energy and services by $200 billion (159 billion pounds) over two years as part of the Phase 1 trade deal, but Trump has said the pandemic changed his views on the agreement. At the White House, Trump announced that he signed legislation and an executive order to hold China accountable for the "oppressive" national security law it imposed on Hong Kong. The measure approved by Congress, the latest in a series of moves aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Beijing, gives Trump's administration the authority to penalize banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement Beijings new national security law on Hong Kong. Trump said he has no plans to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Even before the coronavirus pandemic began, few trade watchers in Washington were expecting Phase 2 negotiations to bear fruit before the 2020 election. While Phase 1 focused mainly on Chinese purchases of U.S. goods, improved U.S. access to China's financial services market and some intellectual property issues, Phase 2 was meant to tackle far more difficult issues associated with China's technology transfer policies, industrial espionage and government subsidies to state-owned enterprises. A North Carolina man narrowly escaped being eaten by an alligator after the animal launched an attack on his kayak and nearly flipped it over. Peter Joyce was kayaking down the Waccamaw River in North Carolina at the weekend when the terrifying ordeal occurred. Mr Joyce was wearing a camera on his chest and so captured the alligator's charge on film. His footage shows him paddling down the tree-covered river as the alligator lurks on the surface of the water to his left. North Carolina man Peter Joyce narrowly escaped being eaten by an alligator after the animal launched an attack on his kayak and nearly flipped it over It then speeds across the water and butts Mr Joyce's kayak, pushing it over and sending part of his body into the water. Fortunately, he is able to use a nearby tree to lever himself back upright. He told WECT News he would have 'inverted' if not for the presence of the tree. Mr Joyce was kayaking down the Waccamaw River He said: 'I thought I heard a fish jump to my leftturned out not to be a fish.' 'About three feet from the kayak I made out the head of the gator and that was it, I had no time to react.' 'If it hit and there was nothing to grab on the right side of me, I would have inverted. It could've been a lot worse.' After Mr Joyce righted his kayak, the alligator did not re-emerge and he was able to continue his journey. He said his encounter has made him more respectful of the creatures' power. 'This was a continuous charge from about 20 feet away. It definitely made me think a little bit differently what their capabilities are.' It comes after Florida woman Susan Geshel discovered two alligators fighting outside her home in June. She filmed the surprising encounter and was heard telling her husband, 'Joe, they're fighting! Oh my God, they're fighting outside the door.' Mr Joyce was wearing a camera on his chest and so captured the alligator's charge on film After about 20 minutes by her house, one of the alligators walked across the street to a neighbor's home while the other disappeared from the area and could have gone to a nearby pond, she added. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Spokeswoman Melody Kilborn said the fighting alligators were reacting to being in a confined space. The reptiles, who Kilborn said are most visible when the weather is warm, also tend to mate during May and June, according to the wildlife agency. Recap: SoftBank partially decided to buy ARM to put itself in position to take advantage of the forecasted boom in the Internet of Things. Unfortunately for SoftBank, IoT hasnt advanced quite as rapidly as some experts anticipated and with the pandemic continuing to play out, it may take even longer for those plans to get back on track. ARM is reportedly looking to milk additional revenue from some of its customers in the form of higher licensing fees. Also read: How ARM Came to Dominate the Mobile Market Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that ARMs sales reps have called for price hikes that could increase the overall licensing fee charged to some clients by a factor of four. Unsurprisingly, the talks have reportedly prompted some licensees to look for more affordable alternatives. ARM is a semiconductor design firm that licenses its technology out for use by some of the worlds most successful companies including Samsung, Nintendo and Sony. Just last month, Apple announced it would be replacing the Intel processors in upcoming Macs with custom silicon based on ARMs technology. Japanese multinational conglomerate SoftBank purchased ARM for around $31 billion in late 2016. The following year, a 25 percent stake in ARM was moved to the Vision Fund, SoftBanks venture capital fund that has been hit hard by investments in Uber and WeWork. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank was exploring a potential sale or IPO for ARM. Goldman Sachs was brought on to advise the firm, the publication added. Image credit: Gorodenkoff, Karol Ciesluk Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Days after House lawmakers denied ABS-CBN's franchise application, a solon proposed that the Duterte administration to use the broadcasting network's former television and radio frequencies for distance learning in the upcoming school year. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymond "LRay" Villafuerte Jr, who admitted he was one of the 70 lawmakers who voted to deny the media giant's franchise bid, said on Wednesday he has filed House Resolution No. 1044. He sought the temporary "use of untapped television and radio frequencies as those vacated by ABS-CBN" as additional forms of media to help the Department of Education carry out "blended" modes of learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Villafuerte said the former frequencies used by ABS-CBN will be useful in areas not yet reached by digital infrastructure, such as some of the communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM). He added the frequencies may also be used for COVID-19 information dissemination. Villafuerte did not explain how the government can use the frequencies whether it will install transmitters nationwide or pay ABS-CBN for use of its transmitters. The House Committee on Legislative Franchises on July 10 junked the media giant's license application after its franchise expired on May 4, which forced it to go off air for the second time since martial law in 1972. Ishqbaaaz actor Shrenu Parikh has tested positive for Covid-19. She wrote a post on Instagram, informing her fans about her health. Shrenu said in her post that she was diagnosed a few days ago and is currently admitted to a hospital. Hey everyone have been away for a while but the bugger hasnt spared me... was found Covid positive a few days ago, and Im now recovering in the hospital! keep me and my family in ur prayers! and Im very thankful to all the corona warriors who treat the patients compassionately during these scary times too, she wrote. Even after being so careful if it can get to you then imagine the power of this invisible demon we are fighting with pls pls be very careful and save urselves, she captioned her post. Shrenu got messages wishing her a quick recovery from fans and friends. Wishing you a speedy recovery Shrenu take care, wrote actor Prachee Shah. Omg please take care of yourself. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Lots of love sistaaa, wrote actor Tina Phillip. Shrenu was also seen in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?...Ek Baar Phir and Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna. Another Ishqbaaaz actor Additi Gupta had also tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month. Speaking with Tellychakkar, Additi said, The moment I lost my smelling sense I quarantined myself and got tested. The reports came out positive and I chose to quarantine myself at home since I was an asymptomatic. Its been 7 to 8 days that I have confined myself in a room. Also read: Sonam Kapoor flies to beautiful London amid Covid-19 pandemic, says Im back Earlier, Kasautii Zindagii Kay actor Parth Samthaan was also diagnosed with Covid-19. Parth shared the news of his diagnosis on Twitter. Hi guys ,I have tested Postive for covid 19 and I would urge and request everyone whose been with me in close promitixy over the last few days please go and get yourself tested . am in self quarantine and I thank BMC for all their support ,Please be safe and takecare !, he wrote. The shoot of the show has been stopped and cast and crew members who were in close contact with him have been asked to undergo tests. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two to three hundred new jobs will be created in Welland over the next two years as Edmonton-based CNTNR opens a 125,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the former Welland Tubes plant on Rusholme Road. The company, which turns shipping containers into state-of-the-art technology-forward homes, has hired 30 employees and will hire another 80 as it gets ready to open. We anticipate hiring another 100 workers over the next two years, said CNTNR Modular Building Solutions chief executive officer Adam Morris. He said the company was aware many Wellanders travel out of town to work and was looking to entice them to CNTNR with wages comparable to what they are making now. The company had been looking to move east to service not only Ontario, Quebec and beyond but also the American northeast. Strategically, it made a lot of sense, he said. Morris said what drew the company to Welland was its industrial lease rates, access to the border and highway system, a skilled workforce with manufacturing experience and a city that welcomed them with open arms. Thats what made the area particularly attractive to us, he said. Sealing the deal was having post-secondary institutions Niagara College and Brock University nearby. Niagara College welcomed us with open arms. Morris said CNTNR felt incredibly welcomed and supported by Mayor Frank Campion, general manager of economic development, recreation and culture Dan Degazio, and economic development officer Lina DeChellis. They were fantastic. They said whatever they could do to help us, they would, he said, adding the company looked at locations in Brantford, Hamilton and the Kitchener-Waterloo area as well. CNTNR will initially use 125,000 square feet of the Rusholme Road plant, last home to the Senvion wind turbine blade plant. We intend to take another 110,000 square feet within the next six to nine months. The company formed three years ago and has been officially named CNTNR for about a year. It currently works out of a 25,000-square-foot facility in Edmonton. Office modules will be outside the plant, and Morris said there is a loading area and 1.2 hectares of storage space on site. The facility also has the height and width needed to pick up, move and stack containers for conversion. It fits our needs, said Morris. CNTNR uses patent-pending technology to take apart shipping containers and put them back together with any interior/exterior cladding or finishing material a customer wants. They have the look and feel of conventional homes, he said, adding the benefits of the shipping container homes appeal to millennials and beyond. With five million shipping containers a year abandoned and left to rust and rot, CNTNR can give them a new life, said Morris. He said as the homes are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and built to withstand a Category 3 hurricane It takes 2 1/2 to three months to build them, much shorter than traditional construction. When the Welland facility opens, Morris said, the company will complete a 150-unit housing project destined for Indianapolis, Ind., with 95 of them being affordable housing units. Morris said people interested in working at the Welland facility can send a resume to recruitment@cntnr.ca. Nigerias population is expected to surpass that of China by 2100, a new study suggests. China, which is currently the most populous nation in the world, is expected to peak at 1.4 billion in four years time before nearly halving to 732 million by 2100 while India will become the worlds most populous nation. The study predicts that within the same period, Nigerias population will hit 791 million, making it the second-largest country in the world. The research which was conducted by the University of Washingtons Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation states that the general population of the world will drop due to a reduction in fertility rates. However, the population of sub-Saharan Africa arguably the poorest region in the world is expected to triple in size to more than three billion people by 2100. In an interview with BBC, researcher, Prof. Christopher Murray, said the population boom in sub-Saharan Africa would lead to migration of Africans to many European and Asian countries in need of higher population. This, he said, would, however, lead to a high incidence of racism. Murray, who is a former Director of the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies, said, We will have many more people of African descent in many more countries as we go through this. Global recognition of the challenges around racism are going to be all the more critical if there are large numbers of people of African descent in many countries. According to the research, falling fertility rates mean nearly every country could have shrinking populations by the end of the century. The number of children under the age of five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100. Conversely, the number of over 80-year-olds will soar from 141 million in 2017 to 866 million within the same period. About 23 nations including Spain and Japan are expected to see their populations halve by 2100. This also implies that countries would age dramatically, with as many people turning 80 as they are being born. The fertility rate is dropping because women are getting better education and spending more time working coupled with greater access to contraceptives. If the number falls below approximately 2.1, then the size of the population starts to fall. In 1950, women were having an average of 4.7 children in their lifetime. The research showed that the global fertility rate nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017 and their study, published in the Lancet, projects it will fall below 1.7 by 2100. As a result, the researchers expect the number of people on the planet to peak at 9.7 billion around 2064, before falling down to 8.8 billion by the end of the century. Japans population is projected to fall from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to less than 53 million by the end of the century. Similarly, Italy is expected to see an equally dramatic population crash from 61 million to 28 million over the same timeframe. About 21 other countries including Spain, Portugal, Thailand and South Korea are expected to see their population drop by half. The population of the United Kingdom is predicted to peak at 75 million in 2063, and fall to 71 million by 2100. Source: punchng.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 Fresh hopes for a coronavirus vaccine and another round of US stimulus lifted most Asian markets on Wednesday, although gains were tempered by the reimposition of lockdown measures and China-US tensions weighed on Hong Kong and Shanghai. Investors took their lead from Wall Streets pop higher, which came after US biotech firm Moderna said the final stage of human trials for a COVID-19 vaccine would start at the end of the month, after a report said first stage tests had been a success. The news follows an announcement from Pfizer and BioNTech that two of four candidates for treatment had received Fast Track designation from US officials. OANDAs Jeffrey Halley said significantly the results have been published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning independent eyes have been cast over the results, and like what they see. Providing added support was optimism the US would add to its stimulus after reports said top Republicans were reconsidering their opposition to it, including on extending supplemental unemployment benefits. The trillions of dollars pledged by the US and other governments and central banks around the world have been a key driver of the rally in stock markets from their March lows. And analysts expect that cash will probably fuel further gains, with Stephen Innes at AxiCorp saying even weak corporate earnings would be unlikely to derail that. A market that has ignored virus resurgence concerns and US-China tensions is suddenly supposed to start worrying about earnings. That never made a great deal of sense to me. Sure, there may well be some profit-taking due to the run the market has been on, but we then go back to the wall of money argument time and time again. Booking profits are all very well and good, but the way this market seems to be heading, it is not clear you will be able to repurchase those stocks so readily again. Needless layer of uncertainty Tokyo, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore and Wellington rose more than one percent, while Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok also posted gains. But Shanghai ended more than one percent lower. Hong Kong was flat, with optimism over a vaccine offset by China-US worries and rising infection numbers in the city. Relations between the superpowers already hit by a series of issues including trade and Huawei were strained further by Donald Trumps decision to remove Hong Kongs special trade status, and his signing into law of an act authorising sanctions on banks over Chinas clampdown in the city. Beijing responded to the Hong Kong Autonomy Act by saying it would make necessary responses to protect its legitimate interests, and impose sanctions on relevant US personnel and entities. In the longer term, this adds another needless layer of uncertainty to already frosty Sino-US relationships, especially with regards to trade, said Justin Tang, head of Asian research at United First Partners. Against the backdrop of COVID-19-related disruptions, an escalation of trade wars will plunge supply chains into further disarray. Meanwhile, infections continue to spike around the world, forcing countries that had been emerging from lockdowns to enforce new measures to contain the pandemic and jolting the economic recovery. Officials in Hong Kong, which had gone weeks without a new infection, fear the city is about to be hit by a third wave, while Florida, which was one of the first states to lift restrictions, saw a new daily record of deaths Tuesday. In early trade, London, Paris and Frankfurt all rose 0.9 percent. Key figures around 0810 GMT Tokyo Nikkei 225: UP 1.6 percent at 22,945.50 (close) Hong Kong Hang Seng: FLAT at 24,481.58 (close) Shanghai Composite: DOWN 1.6 percent at 3,361.30 (close) London FTSE 100: UP 0.9 percent at 6,234.51 West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.0 percent at $40.68 per barrel Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.8 percent at $43.26 per barrel Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1432 from $1.1392 at 2040 GMT Dollar/yen: DOWN at 107.02 yen from 107.28 yen Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2602 from $1.2551 Euro/pound: DOWN at 90.72 pence from 90.76 pence New York Dow: UP 2.1 percent at 26,642.59 (close) SOURCE> AFP Viral footage shows a McDonald's clerk being attacked and beaten by a customer in a Hong Kong suburb. According to reports, the man was refused service unless he put on a mask. Video of the assault was uploaded to Facebook and shows a man who entered a McDonald's in Tuen Mun without wearing a mask, according to the English-language news outlet Coconuts Hong Kong. The man gets into a verbal altercation with one of the McDonald's workers before he steps behind the cashier's area and begins punching the worker repeatedly. The worker falls to the ground and the assailant then starts kicking him. More details from Apple Daily, via Coconuts: By Express News Service BENGALURU: Veena Kumari (28) and her mother Sidda Lakshmi from Hebbal in Bengaluru tested positive for Covid-19 after a relative died from the disease on July 8. What followed was a nightmare for the mother-daughter duo, who had to run from pillar-to-post to get treated. Even after two days of trying, not a single ambulance or Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) official came to their help. Out of desperation, Veena recorded a video where she is seen crying and begging authorities for help, as both mother and daughter were breathless, giddy and coughing. My mother is tired, has BP, sugar and is unable to hear. For two days, we have been calling the BBMP and 108. They are asking us for a doctors confirmation on bed availability. We dont have any contacts or enough money. We only have our BPL cards, Veena says in the video. Without a Bangalore Urban (BU code) assigned to them, hospitals the 28-year-old reached out to asked them to register themselves with the BBMP. How can we go to the BBMP office when we are Covid-positive, she asked. When she enquired with BBMP officials to admit her at GKVK Covid Care Centre, they reportedly asked her to get a doctors confirmation on bed availability. Even getting their Covid test results was a task. While Veena received her report on July 12, her mothers report was pending. We had to put pressure on the hospital to release the 55-year-olds report, which finally came on July 13 at midnight. We called many people to help them find a bed, including Byatarayanapura MLA Krishna Byre Gowda, said Jnanendra Kumar, a family friend. Finally, after the heart-wrenching viral video was aired on local TV channels and brought to the notice of higher authorities such as the BBMP Commissioner, an ambulance was sent for them on Tuesday afternoon, and they were taken to Koramangala Indoor Stadium. However, their ordeal didnt end there. There was no one to attend to them, bathrooms were filthy, no doctors to attend to them, and no facilities available. When Jnanendra raised the issue with BBMP officials, they were shifted to St Marthas Hospital. We got them tested by crowdfunding money. They will not be able to afford the charges at St Marthas unless they are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. We will shift them to another hospital tomorrow if it turns out to be unaffordable, but for now, they can get some immediate medical attention, he said. (CNN) Tina Turner is back with a remix of her classic hit, "What's Love Got To Do With It?" Turner worked with Norwegian producer DJ Kygo on a remix of the song. Kygo last year made a remix of Whitney Houston's cover of "Higher Love," which hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Kygo announced the news on Instagram, including a picture of himself with Turner, writing that the song will be available on Friday. "Can't believe I'm releasing a collab with @LoveTinaTurner this Friday! 'What's Love Got to Do With It' is one of my all time favorite songs," he wrote, adding, "It feels surreal to get the opportunity to work with such a legendary artist. Can't wait for you all to hear it." "What's Love Got To Do With It?" was first released in 1984. Turner last toured in 2008 with her "Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour." By Trend The Armenian armed forces continue to shell Azerbaijani civilians and settlements, Trend reports on July 15. The Armenian armed forces once again opened fire on Dondar Gushchu village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district. Along with the villagers, Azerbaijani MPs Arzu Naghiyev, Ganira Pashayeva, their assistants, as well as media representatives witnessed another gross violation of the ceasefire by the Armenian side. None of residents, journalists and MPs, who were on that territory, were seriously injured. Earlier, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at Dondar Gushchu village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district by using D-30 howitzer. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat, suffering losses. Azerbaijani personnel, sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Despite the efforts of the Azerbaijani doctors, severely wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Khayyam Dashdemirov also died. The tension remained in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani serviceman, senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Official In Iran Says Sanctions 'Have Broken Economy's Back' Radio Farda July 14, 2020 A provincial official in Iran has said that ignoring the impact of sanctions on the country's economy is "the wrong approach" and he emphasized that sanctions "have broken the back of the economy." The political deputy of Bushehr province governor Majid Khorshidi told a gathering on Tuesday, July 14 that "We used to see this approach from the previous administration [Ahmadinejad] and unfortunately it still continues. But I have to say that sanctions have broken the economy's back". The United States has imposed tough sanctions on Iran since 2018 when it withdrew from a multilateral nuclear agreement, demanding a better deal. Most damaging has been a total ban of crude oil exports by Iran, which constitute the bulk of the government's income. Oil revenues have declined from $100 billion in 2011 to less than $10 billion in 2019-2020. Top Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani have often dismissed the impact of the sanctions on Iran's economy, vowing to overcome challenges by relying on domestic initiatives. Khorshidi also directly addressed the deteriorating the financial condition of ordinary people. He reiterated that if sanctions are toughened further and considering the impact of the coronavirus economic impact, the country will face serious difficulties. He added that people's "livelihood does not fall from the sky". Governors in Iran are appointed by the president and are usually his supporters. Source: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/official -in-iran-says-sanctions-have-broken- economy-s-back-/30725948.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 Eight months after university student Gustavo Gatica was blinded by riot police, not one officer has been arrested. In the case of factory worker Fabiola Campillai, who was nearly killed by the impact to the head of a teargas canister, the Carabineros have not made public which officers were involved. These two cases are representative of thousands of human rights abuses committed in Chile since the eruption of massive demonstrations against social inequality last year. They reveal a level of impunity not seen since the 17-year military dictatorship, when thousands were arrested, tortured, killed and disappeared. On July 6, the Investigations Police (PDI) made a perfunctory promise to the Human Rights Commission of the lower house of Congress that investigations into the two cases would be concluded in the following days. The PDI has been promising this undertaking since prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus in March, but continues to drag its feet as human rights groups and investigative journalists publish further damning evidence. The PDI works in coordination with the civilian Public Prosecutors Office, a toothless body when it comes to prosecuting Carabineros. The police have an obligation to communicate the results in order to lower the perception of impunity, PDI director general Hector Espinosa told the parliamentary deputies. We are committed to the truth I have absolute confidence that my institution will rise to the occasion in these two cases, because the country needs to know what happened. Lt. Col. Crespo pointing gun at a firefighter in Plaza Dignidad. (Credit: @frentefotografico) Espinosa seemingly convinced the parliamentary human rights commission and its president Emilia Nuyado (Socialist Party), who openly praised the institution. No class-conscious worker, youth or studentthose who have borne the brunt of escalating human rights abuseshas any expectation that the thoroughly corrupt and brutal state repressive apparatus, which acts in the service of corporate and financial ruling elites, will be brought to justice. The Carabineros are an autonomous military unit barely answerable to civilian bodies and have from the outset lied, obfuscated and withheld information in these cases, as in so many others before and after them. At about 4 p.m. on November 8 of last year, Gustavo Gatica, a 21-year-old psychology student, was shot in the face by riot police while on Carabineros de Chile street. From a distance of no more than 30 metres, the special forces were indiscriminately firing rubber-coated lead pellets into hundreds of youth standing behind makeshift barricades. Each cartridge releases 12 pellets. In the space of four hours, three high-ranking riot police used 420 cartridges, releasing a total of 5,040 pellets against the youth. This came to light only at the end of June because of leaked evidence, published by Amnesty International and other human rights and investigative organisations, revealing the identities of the three agents: Col. Santiago Saldivia, Lt. Col. Claudio Crespo and Lt. Col. Andres Graves. The Deputy Director General of the Carabineros, Inspector General Diego Olate, also addressed the deputies at last weeks parliamentary session exclusively to whitewash the crimes of his agents. Crespo, he said, has an impeccable record, with commendations. Olate added that he wanted to put on the record that the disciplinary measures (against Crespo) are related to the breach of protocol and not the injuries sustained by Gatica. Olate was referring to the fact the institution had recently been impelled to remove Crespo because it had become public knowledge that the cop had attempted to hide his presence at the events of November 8he downloaded his body camera onto his computer before submitting it to internal auditors. As a matter of fact, the auditors initially did not even take his deposition, even though he was a commanding officer and had personally fired 170 cartridges. More information has since come forward about this sadistic cop, who has a long history of violence and systematic torture of minors, according to one medic. Gustavo Gatica (Credit Eduardo Gatica) On the day of Gustavo Gaticas blinding, the Medical Association and the Society of Ophthalmology released a chilling report stating that 176 people had suffered severe injuries to their eyes in the previous two weeks of protests. Sixty percent had severe decrease in vision, and 30 percent had been blinded in one eye. This is equal to more than two-thirds of all eye injuries caused by non-lethal weapons in demonstrations or areas of conflict from 1990 to 2017. The eruption of massive demonstrations on October 18, triggered by a public transport fare hike, was immediately met with unprecedented police state violence. The ultra-right administration of billionaire President Sebastian Pinera set in motion a series of draconian laws to outlaw protests and decreed for the first time in the 30 years of civilian rule a State of Constitutional Emergency. This allowed the military, Carabineros special forces and black berets to unleash a reign of terror. We are at war, Pinera broadcast on live television. We are at war with a powerful, ruthless enemy, who respects nothing and no one, who is willing to use violence and crime without any limits. Pineras war was, and continues to be, against the working class, students and youth who have been at the receiving end of 50 years of social and political counterrevolutionary measures that have helped enrich the scions of Augusto Pinochets fascist civic-military dictatorship and created one of the most socially unequal countries in the world. Chile, the paragon of free market nostrums of the World Bank and the IMF imposed at the barrel of a gun, today boasts shantytowns amid condominiums, 25 percent unemployment amid 4,000 multi-millionaires and, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, collapsed public hospitals for the poor amid concierge clinics for the rich. By November 26 of last year, the Chilean Institute of Human Rights reported that at least five people had died at the hands of the security forces and more than 2,300 had been injured, of whom more than 1,400 were wounded by firearms and 220 suffered severe eye trauma. The Prosecutors Office recorded more than 1,100 complaints of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as more than 70 crimes of a sexual nature committed by Carabineros. In the case of Josue Maureira, it reported that he had been raped with a cane while in police custody. Meanwhile Amnesty International documented the practice of Carabineros and soldiers running over or attempting to run over protesters walking in the street on at least nine occasions in the cities of Colina, Quilpue, Santiago, Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. The use of tear gas in an inadequate manner and in alarming quantities as well as in hospitals, universities, homes and even schools, seriously affecting children, adolescents and other populations that require special care, reported the human rights organisation. Its firing into the body of people at close range and through grenade launchers has generated severe injuries, including to the eyes. This is how Fabiola Campillai, 36 and the mother of three, was nearly killed by Special Forces in the working-class commune of Cinco Pinos in Greater Santiago on the evening of November 26. At 9 p.m., Fabiola and her sister Ana Maria were heading to work at Carozzi S.A., a Chilean-based food processing company. As they turned onto Portales Avenue East, riot police fired a tear gas canister into Fabiolas face from less than five metres. Ana Maria screamed at the cops standing two metres away to help her sister to the hospital Shes dying, she's bleeding to death. I told them. They just shooed me away. They smiled and threw a tear gas canister at my feet. Fabiola has undergone multiple high-risk procedures to prevent cerebrospinal fluid seepage and has been left with scar running from one ear to the other. She lost, in addition to her sight, her senses of taste and smell. Last week La Tercera released video footage from Capt. Jaime Fernandez GoPro body camera where officers are heard saying, He hit her, right?, Matu seems to have hit her, hit her with a as a third shot was fired by Capt. Patricio Maturana Ojedabut. Yet to date, no one has been charged. Public prosecutors have requested more time to investigate the case. There is no tally of the total victims of the police state repressionthe states own figures are a deliberate underestimation. Last March, the National Human Rights Institute issued a balance sheet indicating that 3,838 men, women and children were hospitalised due to severe injuries caused by bullet wounds, tear gas canisters and beatings. Of these, 460 suffered eye wounds. The NHRI recorded, during visits to police stations, the detention of 11,389 men, women, adolescents and children. Among those detained, 2,146 reported some kind of human rights violation: sexual violence (257); torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (617); and excessive use of force (1,272). The NHRI acknowledged that the figures do not represent the universe of people injured since the social crisis, but is only a sample of cases observed or confirmed. India's largest carmaker on Wednesday said it is recalling 1,34,885 units of WagonR and Baleno hatchbacks due to faulty fuel pumps. Maruti Suzuki said, "The Company will inspect 56,663 units of WagonR and 78,222 units of Baleno for a possible issue with the Fuel Pump. Faulty part will be replaced, free of cost." The company said, "Maruti Suzuki to proactively recall 134,885 units of WagonR and Baleno Maruti Suzuki India Limited today proactively announced to voluntarily undertake a recall for WagonR (1 Litre) manufactured between November 15th 2018 and October 15th 2019 and Baleno (Petrol) manufactured between January 8th 2019 and November 4th 2019." Owners of the suspected vehicles under this recall campaign will be contacted by Maruti Suzuki authorized dealers in due course of time. Customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the Imp Customer Info section on the Company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for WagonR) and www.nexaexperience.com (for Baleno) and fill in their vehicles chassis number (MA3 or MBH, followed by 14 digit alpha-numeric number) to check if their vehicle needs any attention and follow the instructions. (Newser) White House economic adviser Peter Navarro has penned a blistering op-ed targeting Dr. Anthony Fauci, claiming he listens to the nation's top infectious-disease expert "only with skepticism and caution." "He has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on," reads the critique published Tuesday in USA Today. Navarro, who clashed with Fauci over the use of hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, claims the doctor "fought against the president's courageous decision" to block travel from China in January and sought to assuage the public of the dangers in February "when I was working feverishly on behalf of the president to help engineer the fastest industrial mobilization of the health care sector in our history." The reaction: The op-ed "mirrors some of the president's own criticisms of Fauci," per CBS News. In May, Trump claimed Fauci disagreed with his decision to block travel from China, though conservative magazine The Dispatch determined that was untrue. It noted Fauci supported the move publicly and, reportedly, privately as well. Trump has become increasingly critical of Fauci. But even the White House is backing away from Navarro's take. Alyssa Farah, director of strategic communications, says the op-ed "didn't go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone." She adds Trump "values the expertise of the medical professionals advising his administration." story continues below However, the White House issued talking points this week faulting Fauci for not taking the virus seriously enough early in the pandemic. Those talking points "left out critical portions of Fauci's early comments in which he specified that he was making assessments based on the best available information at the time and that the outlook could dramatically shift," per Business Insider. Several of Navarro's claims don't hold up to scrutiny. "Fauci says a falling mortality rate doesn't matter when it is the single most important statistic to help guide the pace of our economic reopening," Navarro writes. (Trump has falsely claimed the US has "the lowest Mortality Rate in the World.") What Fauci actually said last week was that "it's a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death" because "there's so many other things that are dangerous and bad about the virus," per CNN. Navarro also complains about Fauci "flip-flopping on the use of masks." But "other administration officials have offered conflicting guidance to the public about the use of masks or face coverings," per CBS. The Hill notes there were early concerns about shortages affecting health care workers. Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine scientist, refers to the op-ed as "an outright and full blown Antiscience disinformation campaign coming out of the White House," per Forbes. "If this White House were waging war on Covid-19 half as much as theyre attacking Dr Fauci the economy would be in much better shape ... and a lot of people would be alive who no longer are," adds Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass. On Sunday, the White House denied that it was trying to undermine Fauci, whose dire warnings often grate against Trump's optimistic tone on the state of the country. That same day, Dan Scavino, the White House deputy chief of staff for communications, shared a cartoon in which Fauci appears as a faucet drowning Uncle Sam with water droplets containing the words "Indefinite lockdown!" and "Shut up and obey!" per the New York Times. (Read more Peter Navarro stories.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 19:44 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406669449e 1 National Semarang,pandemic,Semarang-Zoo,zoo,Central-Java,reopening,Semarang-mayor-Hendrar-Prihadi,COVID-19 Free Semarang Zoo in Central Java has reopened its gates to the public after being closed for several months due to COVID-19 restrictions. Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi inaugurated the zoos reopening on Wednesday as part of an effort to revitalize local tourism. Amid the excitement, Hendrar called on the sectors stakeholders to implement strict health protocols and limit the number of visitors. Once again, I shall stress that the activities [] must be done in compliance with [President Joko Jokowi Widodos] procedures, he said during his visit to Semarang Zoo as quoted by tribunnews.com. Read also: Indonesian zoos to implement 'new normal' protocols To mark the significance of the occasion, Hendrar named a couple of newborn tigers Covi and Vivid, in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the animals were born. This serves as a reminder that two tigers were born at Semarang Zoo amid the pandemic. Let us pray that they will grow up to become big and healthy tigers, he said. With the arrival of the 3-month-old cubs, Semarang Zoo is now home to a total of 286 animals of 68 different species. As of Wednesday afternoon, Central Java had recorded 6,346 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 543 deaths linked to the disease. (rfa) Mario Escamilla was furious. A colleague of his, nicknamed Porky, had just stolen his jug of raisin wine. So the 33-year-old Escamilla grabbed a rifle and set out to reclaim it. He had no idea he was about to get tangled up in one of the knottiest homicides in historya killing that also raises serious questions about how humankind should handle the first, inevitable murder in outer space. Escamilla worked on T-3, also known as Fletchers ice island, a Manhattan-size hunk of ice that at the time was floating north of Canada in the Arctic Ocean, roughly 350 miles from the North Pole. T-3 had been occupied off and on since the 1950s, and 19 scientists and technicians were stationed there during the summer of 1970, studying ocean currents and wind and weather patterns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the constant polar sunshine in the summer, the weather could be harsh, with temperatures dipping down to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit sometimes and winds reaching 160 miles per hour. But the worst thing the scientists faced was boredom: Besides work, there was almost nothing to do. For movies, they had a few 16-millimeter reels theyd seen a dozen times each. For music, they had two eight tracks. One was Jefferson Airplane. To compound the problem, the scientists had virtually no contact with the outside world. Satellite communication was iffy and often failed. And planes couldnt land on T-3 most of the summer, since the surface of the ice turned mushy under the sun. So after the initial arrival of people in the spring, that was it. Just 19 smelly dudes, with little to do but stare at one another and drink. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, T-3 attracted some real misfits at times, including alcoholics and weirdos. And all that angry, bored energy finally came to a head exactly 50 years agoon July 16, 1970. If contemporary accounts can be believed, Donald Porky Leavitt was a drunk, and a mean one. Three separate times on T-3, after running low on liquor, he attacked people with a meat cleaver to get his hands on their booze. On the night of July 16, Porky targeted electronics technician Mario Escamilla, breaking into Escamillas trailer and stealing a prized jug of homemade raisin hooch. Advertisement When Escamilla found out, something snapped. He was actually an unlikely vigilante. He was pudgy and wore glasses, and was considered quiet, even wimpy. But when he heard about the theft, he grabbed the base rifle and marched over to confront Porky. It was nearly 11 p.m., but the arctic sun was blazing like a Wild West high-noon showdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, Escamilla didnt know that the rifle hed grabbed was faulty. One hard bumpeven without pulling the triggerand it would fire. Escamilla found Porky in a trailer with a meteorological technician named Bennie Lightsy, a 31-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, who was Escamillas boss on T-3. Porky and Lightsy were, to put it mildly, shitfaced. Theyd been drinking a truly foul mix of raisin wine, grain alcohol, and grape juice; Lightsys blood-alcohol level was later estimated to be 0.26. A struggle for the raisin wine ensued, and in the confrontation that followed, Escamilla shot not Porky Leavitt, but his boss, Bennie Lightsy, square in the chest. He bled out moments later. With the help of newspaper articles, court transcripts, and online reminiscing from people who were there, Ive laid out more details about the killing in my new podcastalong with many more details about life on the impossibly remote T-3 (including, because I know youre curious, how they went to the bathroom). But here Id like to focus on what happened after Lightsys death, because thats when the real chaos startedthe legal mess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement T-3 was technically run by the U.S. Air Force, but Escamilla was a civilian, so they couldnt court-martial him. The nearest land mass was Canada, but T-3 lay well outside Canadas territorial waters, so it had no jurisdiction there. Perhaps the United States could have claimed the ice islandsimilar to the many uninhabited Guano Islands full of rich, natural fertilizer that the U.S. government seized during the 1800s. But unlike the Guano Islands, T-3 was temporaryit would melt away in the 1980sso under international law, no nation could claim it. Perhaps the law of the sea applied? After all, T-3 was in some sense the literal high seas, being high-latitude frozen seawater. Except, the law of the sea applies only to navigable areas, and T-3 wasnt navigable. Advertisement Advertisement In sum, T-3 was neither fish nor fowl. Murder in Legal Limbo, Time magazine called the case. Some legal scholars seriously questioned whether any nation had the right to try Escamilla. As one noted, It may shock the layman to learn that there may be parts of the world in which possible murders may go untried. In the end, might essentially tried to make right here. Four U.S. marshals undertook a harrowing, multiday journey via plane and helicopter, first to Greenland and then T-3, fighting brutal Arctic winds and weather. Upon landing, they grabbed Escamilla, the rifle, and Lightsys frozen body for transport back to the United States. T-3 was essentially treated as a freak occurrencea random, one-off event. But it wont be. Escamilla was then charged with murder in a federal court in Virginia. Why there? For the less-than-airtight reason that, well, Virginia was the first place the marshals and Escamilla landed after leaving Greenland, at Dulles Airport. Escamilla initially appeared in court in the same black Arctic rubber boots hed been arrested in. Advertisement But the trial presented all sorts of legal issues. First, there was the question of whether the government even had the right to try Escamilla, given T-3s legal limbo. Second, there was the question of venue. Technically, the marshals and Escamilla had landed in Greenland first on the trip back home, so according to international law, he should have been tried there. The U.S. government simply ignored this. Federal prosecutors also attempted to charge Escamilla under special maritime law for crimes committed on vessels, despite the fact that T-3 wasnt a vessel in any real sense. In addition, the judge in the case instructed the jury to ignore testimony about the harsh, crazy-making conditions on T-3which was surely relevant in determining whether Escamilla had been negligent in wielding a gun there. Along those same lines, theres the question of whether the trial was fair from a constitutional standpoint, on the grounds that Escamilla couldnt possibly be tried by a jury of peers in Virginia. After all, T-3 had no police force or other legal authorityand it did have a meat cleaverwielding maniac running around. Property rights there were enforced with guns or not at all. Contrast that to suburban Virginia, where most peoples grimmest daily fears involved traffic. Could a jury there really understand the pressures Escamilla faced and properly judge his actions? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, after an initial conviction for manslaughter and the inevitable appeals and remands, Escamilla was acquitted of all charges, given the faulty rifle. But because of that acquittal, all the juicy legal issues remained unresolved. T-3 was essentially treated as a freak occurrencea random, one-off event. But it wont be. The July 16, 1970, ice island killing took place one year to the day after the launch of the Apollo rocket that brought the first human beings to the moon. And even at that time, legal scholars realized that, given the legal limbo of T-3, the Escamilla case had huge implications for crime in outer space. No matter how noble and uplifting spaceflight seems, human nature is human nature, and sooner or later somebody will stab or shoot somebody else up there. And we have no idea how well handle it. Advertisement When looking for analogues to crime in outer space, some scholars point to Antarctica, where a surprising number of crimes have already taken placeincluding an ax murder over a chess game; an assault with the claw end of a hammer; and arson, when a stir-crazy doctor burned down a building to try to force an evacuation. (Most recently, at a Russian base in 2018, an engineer stabbed a welder in the chest with a knifeeither because, depending on the report, the welder insulted the engineers manhood by offering him money to dance on a table, or because the welder kept spoiling the ending of books the engineer was reading, and he finally snapped.) Advertisement In some ways, however, Antarctica isnt a great analogy for space. However remote and undeveloped, its still permanent territory, on Earth, and several countries have made territorial claims, however disputed. Bases down there are largely run by governments anyway and are essentially treated as sovereign territory. The no mans land of T-3 seems a better analogue, legally, to the near-vacuum of judicial oversight in space. Advertisement Advertisement About the only existing law governing space is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. But the treaty focuses almost entirely on what nation-states can and cannot do (e.g., deploy nuclear bombs, seize celestial bodies). Its virtually silent on what private companies or individuals can dowhich suddenly seems like a glaring loophole given the rise of private space companies like SpaceX, which recently transported its first astronauts to the International Space Station. These private vessels are far murkier in a legal sense. To be sure, a clause in the Outer Space Treaty does require nations to monitor their own citizens in space, which works fine when astronauts are few. But when hundreds or thousands of people reach orbit, that will become increasingly untenable. And so far, most crimes in remote places like T-3 have involved the citizens of one country alone (e.g., one Russian attacking another). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, news reports surfaced of the first-ever alleged crime in outer space, when an American astronaut reportedly accessed her estranged wifes bank account from computers on the International Space Station. Since then the astronaut has been cleared, and the wife charged with making false statements. But even if that crime had taken place, it would have involved two Americans and an American bank, and taken place on the American section of the International Space Station. As a result, only American laws would have applied. But the International Space Station is already, well, international, and future spaceflight likely will be, too. So consider this scenario: a German woman poisons a Congolese man on a spaceship owned by a Chinese-Belgian conglomerate thats headquartered in Luxembourg. Who the hells in charge then? Advertisement When colonies get set up on Mars or the moon and people start having children there, things will get even more dicey. Should an Earth court really have jurisdiction over people who have never set foot on Earth in their lives? If exercising legal power over T-3 was a reach, imagine the consequences for doing so on another planet. Advertisement As another issue, how would you arrest someone in space? It took U.S. marshals two full days to reach T-3 and grab Escamilla. Mars is multiple months away at its closest, and often farther. So is it really worth sending someone on a billion-dollar interplanetary mission just to make an arrest? Where do you hold the perp in the meantime? (In the most recent Russian assault in Antarctica, the engineer was tossed into the bases tiny Orthodox chapel, since no proper jail cell existed.) And if you do drag them back to Earth, what about finding a jury of peers? Could any earthling truly understand life on Mars and pass judgment on someone living there? Advertisement Advertisement Mario Escamilla had no desire to become a legal pioneer. He just wanted his raisin wine back. But as we return to the moon over the next few yearsNASA has plans to land people there in 2024, and push for Mars in the decade afterexpect to hear more about this obscure homicide. At a minimum, the spacefaring nations of the world need to update the Outer Space Treaty to account for private space flight. Sure, bickering over treaty clauses and extradition issues isnt as romantic as the quest to land on Mars or as sexy as the technology to get us there. But the Escamilla case shows that mundane legal issues matter, too. Laws dont save lives by themselvesthe first murder in space will happen with or without them. But a little forethought in handling such a case could go a long way toward ensuring that the society were working so hard to build up there gets a chance to survive as well. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated for severe punishment for rapists as a way of fighting the rising cases of rape and sexual violence in Nigeria. Mr Gbajabiamila said the stern punishment could involve chopping off the genitals of convicted rapists. Speaking on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Movement Against Rape and Sexual Violence (MARS-V) at the National Assembly, the speaker said leaders and citizens must rise against rape. Mr Gbajabiamila, who described the rising rape in the country as a pandemic, said the society, including the media, has a role to play in the fight against the pandemic. He said the statistics on rape cases in Nigeria is mind-boggling. He said Nigerians, especially those that hold religious views on rape, need adequate education and awareness against the rape pandemic. The statistics are very alarming on the issue of rape. You hear figures in terms of rape and gender-based violence that are mind-boggling. Its only a deprived mind that can engage in rape. I consider the issue of rape as a pandemic. In my estimation, its a pandemic. The issue of rape should be treated the way corona (virus) is treated. How do we treat a pandemic? There has to be a frontal onslaught. The media has a role to play. It should be in the front line. Theres a lot of work to be done from different angles. In a pandemic, you look for cure. No sane man would have sexual intercourse with a 3-month old baby. The idea alone is sickening, Mr Gbajabiamila said. He urged men to show solidarity with women in the fight against the scourge. Whilst I see so many women here with you, this is a fight not just for women. I can see some few men too, but this is a fight for all. Let a subliminal message be sent that even though over 95 per cent of the victims are women, let it be that its we, the men, that are championing your course. Relevant laws, weak The speaker also said the Nigerian laws related to rape are weak, hence they would not deter people from engaging in the act. Mr Gbajabiamila also said he believed a lot of rape cases are not reported as victims feel ashamed to speak out. He urged the movement to make a presentation in that regard to see what can be done as financial support in the 2021 budget to be presented to the National Assembly in September. Wife of Kaduna State governor, Aisha-Ummi El-Rufai. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of Mrs Hadiza @hadizel] Earlier, a wife of the Kaduna State governor, Aisha-Ummi El-Rufai, drew the speakers attention to the rising cases of rape in the country, saying it was becoming alarming and that urgent action needed to be taken. She said the current trend is a situation where our women are raped to death and butchered even in churches and mosques where God is worshipped. Their main reason for visiting the speaker, she said, was to seek his help, ask questions, seek justice and challenge the status quo. She noted that statistics had shown that 717 reported rape cases and 7,170 unreported ones occurred in Nigeria within five months. She said while over 7,000 lives have been brutalised, with some destroyed and others terminated, perpetrators of such heinous acts are not brought to justice even as the laws appear to the lenient. A building firm has copped a whopping $36,000 fine after erecting a garish sign which blocked angry residents' view of Sydney Harbour. Bay State Construction mounted an illuminated sign of its name on a crane while building a block of apartments in Darling Point, east Sydney, in 2017 and 2018. A resident on Darling Point Road said the sign 'completely' spoiled his harbour view and kicked off a lengthy court battle by filing a complaint to Woollahra Council. A neighbourhood feud and lengthy court battle erupted when a resident in Darling Point (pictured), east Sydney, complained a sign on a construction company crane ruined his view Pictured is a sign similar to the one that was erected outside the apartment complex The neighbour lodged the complaint over the sign on Loftus Road in December 2017, the NSW Land and Environment Court heard on Monday. 'He said it 'completely spoils' his night-time view across Sydney Harbour towards the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House,' Chief Judge Brian Preston said. Woollahra Council determined the sign, which was in place from August 2017 to December 2018, was a 'prohibited development'. The crane was found to be located in a medium density residential zone where advertising and business identification was prohibited. Bay State was issued with two penalty infringement notices and was later summoned to NSW Local Court in August 2018. The Local Court found Bay State guilty of three offences of carrying out a prohibited development and issued a total fine amount of $36,000 and $8,000 in court costs. Bay State lodged an appeal against the fine on the grounds that it was 'individually and cumulatively excessive'. The builder argued the sign was displayed over a single period of time rather than three separate occasions and said the fine was 'manifestly excessive'. Bay State Construction mounted an illuminated sign while building an apartment block (pictured) in 2017 and was fined $36,000 NSW Land and Environment Court heard Bay State Construction had received incorrect legal advice and also 'noted that there was only one complaint made'. Woollahra Council said 'the development resulted in significant harm' that had extended for at least 12 months. Justice Preston said the neighbour only noticed the illuminated sign between December 2017 and March 2018 and the unlawful development was 'minor'. He determined the harm from the sign was 'confined to only one person' for a limited period of time but said no changes should be made to the original fine. 'There is no justification for disturbing the order for costs made by the Local Court. 'A just and appropriate sentence is a fine of $36,000,' Justice Preston said. State Fair Meadowlands, which drew more than 400,000 visitors to its grounds in East Rutherford last year, has joined the long list of events canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. We are heartbroken to announce that the State of New Jersey has denied our plans for 2020 State Fair Meadowlands, organizers said on Facebook. The four-day event outside MetLife Stadium is famous for amusement park rides, carnival games, food and family-friendly shows like pig races, hypnotists and magicians. In recent years, the fair began offering helicopter rides. At the start of the pandemic, the fair was pushed back from late June to July 23 to Aug. 9. This week it was canceled altogether. We will deeply miss the opportunity to celebrate summer with you, organizers said. Cant wait to see you in 2021. New Jersey recently reopened amusement rides and water parks with capacity limits, requirements for face coverings and other restrictions. According to its website, the fair employs about 1,000 people each year from maintenance to management and generates nearly $1 million in state tax revenue. The average person spends $35.55 at the fair and last years attendance topped 400,000. The first State Fair Meadowlands opened in 1986 as a six-day event. Today, the fair is the largest in New Jersey and New York city and encompasses more than 35 acres outside the stadium with 20,000 parking spaces, according to organizers. We are heartbroken to announce that the State of New Jersey has denied our plans for 2020 State Fair Meadowlands. We will deeply miss the opportunity to celebrate summer with you. Can't wait to see you in 2021! Posted by State Fair Meadowlands on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Reporter Sara Coello has covered the Charleston area's justice system for The Post and Courier since September 2019. She previously covered crime and courts at The Dallas Morning News. NEW CANAAN Oversized balloons, a large grand opening banner, and a sandwich sign announced the opening of Your CBD Store over the weekend at 48 Elm Street an unusual sight during the coronavirus pandemic. The store sells herbal products made from hemp, not marijuana as many assume. The (grand) opening went very well, starting Friday, July 10, 2020, owner Anthony Pisano said. People were really receptive, and often said this is great. The grand opening went through Sunday, July 12, 2020. Pisano, a Hearst Connecticut Media Group advertising employee, was concerned that the weather may impact his opening, since Tropical Storm Fay was forecast to make its way to the Northeast, but instead it worked out very well. His store, at the corner of Elm Street and South Avenue, is the 24th Your CBD Store in Connecticut, which is part of a fast growing chain. In June, Pisano signed a contract for store number 681, and since, the franchise has grown to 746 stores. CBD is a chemical compound called cannabidiol, which is found in the hemp plant and marijuana. Pisano said the biggest misunderstanding he confronts is that people think it comes from marijuana, instead of hemp. Though CBD can be extracted from marijuana, hemp has a higher concentration of CBD and less of THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive substance, responsible for inducing a high. Marijuana, on the other hand, has a higher concentration of THC compared to its CBD, Pisano said. Pisano chose New Canaan since his family members are so close to the community, and he has children who attend St. Aloysius School and the YMCA Day Camp. His family lives in West Norwalk. People stopped into the store to ask questions and buy the herbal product, which many believe helps with anxiety. We met our targets, the owner said, since people purchased many of their SunMed products, such as oil-based supplements, water solubles, pet products, tinctures, gummies, soft gel capsules and beauty products. Rachael Quinn, Your CBD Store founder, shares her desire to help others through the use of natural, hemp-derived products, the website reads. The products are intended to be used as an herbal supplement. Patrons are asked to consult their doctors before quitting taking any medications with the intention of replacing them with the natural and holistic option of hemp, the website also reads. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect Pisano is a Hearst Connecticut Media Group advertising employee. Johnny Depp has finished giving evidence but was present at the High Court on Tuesday. A member of Johnny Depp's security team has told the High Court he was contacted to "extract the boss" from an argument with Amber Heard in Australia, and that the star was "panicking" as his finger had been sliced open. Malcolm Connolly, who has worked for the Hollywood star and his family for about 16 years, gave evidence on day six of the actor's high-profile libel action against the publishers of The Sun. He told the court in London he never saw Depp, 57, hitting Heard, and that he would never tolerate any man striking a woman, even if he was "the Pope". The court also heard from Tara Roberts, who has worked for Depp as the estate manager on his island in the Bahamas since December 2008, and Samantha McMillen, his stylist of around 18 years. Both described Depp as "kind". Mr Connolly was asked about what Heard, 34, has described as a "three-day hostage situation" in Australia in March 2015. It is one of 14 allegations of violent behaviour against Depp, who has previously told the court his finger was wounded during that incident when his then wife threw a vodka bottle at him. Giving evidence, Mr Connolly said that when he arrived at the rented house the couple were staying in, while Depp was filming a Pirates Of The Caribbean film in Australia, he could hear a "ruckus" and the actor was in a state of distress. In his witness statement, Mr Connolly said that Depp told him: "Look at my finger. She's cut my f***ing finger off. She's smashed my hand with a vodka bottle." Mr Connolly said Depp also told him that Heard had put a cigarette out on his face, and confirmed he saw a mark. He said he did not see any injuries on the actress. Mr Connolly said he got to the property at about 1.30pm after receiving an urgent call from the late Jerry Judge, the head of Depp's security team at the time, who told him: "Malcolm, get in the car, extract the boss from the situation." He continued: "I could hear the ruckus inside. I opened the door, which wasn't locked, and saw Johnny in the foyer area of the house." Story continues The security guard said that Depp and Heard were "screaming at each other". When Mr Connolly got Depp out of the house, he said: "I had the car door open and when we were outside Johnny said to me words to the effect of, 'Look at my finger. She's cut my f***ing finger off. She's smashed my hand with a vodka bottle'. "I saw his finger and it was a mess." In his statement, Mr Connolly said Heard came close to the car and said something like: "Are you just going to leave it like this, you f***ing coward?" Mr Connolly denied a suggestion in court that he might have been "pressured to lie and come on Johnny's side" when giving his evidence. He said he does not "depend" on the actor for his income. Later in the hearing, Ms Roberts - who described Depp as "an unusually kind man" - was asked about two alleged incidents in the Bahamas. One incident on the actor's island in August 2014 is one of the 14 allegations against the actor, who was there at that time to "cure his dependence on painkillers" - although Heard claims he was trying to give up other drugs, too. She alleges that he slapped, kicked and grabbed her by the hair during the trip. Appearing via video-link, Ms Roberts told the court she had never seen the actor being violent towards Heard. She also responded to the suggestion that she might be dependent on Depp for her livelihood, saying: "No... I have other sources of income." In her witness statement, Ms Roberts claimed Heard shouted insults at Depp, calling him "washed up" and "fat", during a separate visit to the island in December 2015. She also said she had seen a "red, swelling gash" on the actor's nose, and alleged he had told her that the actress had thrown a can of lacquer thinner into his face. The estate manager said in her statement that she "observed" during that trip that Heard was "a 'thrower', someone who threw projectiles". She alleged she saw Heard "lunge violently at Johnny, pull his hair, and commit other aggressive physical acts against him". In her statement, Ms Roberts said Depp responded to "verbal attacks" by Heard by saying "go away" and "just leave me alone". Appearing as a witness via video-link in the afternoon, Hollywood-based stylist Ms McMillen told the court she has worked for Depp since 2002, and worked as a stylist for Heard too while they were in a relationship. Ms McMillen was asked about an alleged incident of violence in December 2015. The court heard the stylist saw Heard the following day but did not notice any injuries. Asked by Sasha Wass, representing The Sun, if there was a "conflict" as Ms McMillen's might loyalties lie with Depp due to their long-standing working relationship, the stylist said: "I was close with [Heard] at the time. "I don't know what you are insinuating but I would not perjure myself for anyone. I'm obviously loyal because [Depp's] kind and loyal back, but without any other reason than that." The alleged violent incident is said to have happened the night before Heard appeared on James Corden's The Late Late Show. Ms McMillen claims that Heard said to her after recording the programme: "Can you believe I just did that show with two black eyes?" However, the stylist said: "I never noticed anything like that when I saw her. I never noticed her having two black eyes." She said she saw Heard at close range and wearing no make-up, and did not see any injuries. After being shown pictures of the actress's alleged injuries, Ms McMillen said her statement and recollection of seeing Heard at that time remained the same. Depp is suing The Sun's publisher News Group Newspapers, and its executive editor Dan Wootton, over an article published in April 2018, which labelled him a "wife beater". The actor denies allegations of violence against him. The trial continues. Scientists of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) have succeeded in synthesising platinum complexes which have cytotoxicity on cancer cells and have the potential for treating cancer. Scientists have evaluated invitro cytotoxicity of platinum complexes on human epidermoid carcinoma cells and breast cancer cells. Photo vast.ac.vn The research was recognised as outstanding and accepted by VAST's Appraisal Council on June 18. Cancer is on the rise in Vietnam and around the world. Although scientists have made great efforts in producing anti-cancer drugs, they have not met demand and the mortality rate among cancer patients is still high, said Nguyen Quang Trung, from the Institute of Chemistry of VAST, the leading author of the research. A research paper entitled Synthesis, characterization and In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Palatinum (II) complexes with Some Tetradentate Salen Ligands was published in Science Journal of Chemistry on July 1 last year. Cisplatin is a widely used drug across the world for the treatment of various cancers including ovarian and testicular cancer. However, it has severe side effects and drug resistance. Medical chemists are exploring to overcome these obstacles by developing new platinum complexes which have different structural features and reactivities. Trung and his colleagues have tried to create the platinum complexes that are effective in cancer treatment but minimise the side effects on patients. In the research, they evaluated the invitro cytotoxicity of platinum complexes on human epidermoid carcinoma cells and breast cancer cells. The results showed the complexes have positive effect on cancer cells. These research results have strengthened and developed the direction of inorganic biochemical research in Vietnam, contributing to improving the skills of synthesising ligands and complexes for researchers, Trung said. He also said it would help enhance capacity for studying the characterisation of platinum complex, especially cytotoxicity to cancer cells. VNS Scientist tackles Alzheimer's and cancer A female university lecturer is leading a group of scientists in the battle against dementia. Vietnamese scientist uses food fibers to prevent bowel cancer At the age of 30, Dr Tran Van Hung turned down a job opportunity in Japan and returned to Vietnam to work. He is the author of 16 SCI/SCIE articles published in Ranking Q1 international journals. Now that every month seems to bring the launch of a new streaming service, a perplexing trend has emerged: each platform debuts with a single standout original, but it usually isnt the one executives have poured the most effort into making and promoting. Apple TV+ spent months hyping The Morning Show, with its all-star cast and timely premise; offbeat Dickinson turned out to be its true gem. HBO Max seemed to be banking on Love Life, a gimmicky Anna Kendrick rom-com, when Legendarya wildly creative ballroom competitionended up being the real draw. The same is true of Peacock, which on July 15 became the last major streaming platform to launch for the foreseeable future. Brave New World, its shiny, expensive prestige sci-fi drama, is watchable enough if you dont mind that it lobotomizes the classic novel its based on. Intelligence is a smartly written workplace comedy that, unfortunately, miscasts David Schwimmer in a role that feels as though it was written for Steve Carell. (If only he wasnt wasting his flair for managerial awkwardness on Space Force.) But the only Peacock original I can wholeheartedly recommend is The Capture, a paranoid tech thriller imported from the BBC. Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Emma.) earned a BAFTA nomination for his twitchy performance as Shaun Emery, a British soldier who was convicted of murder while deployed in Afghanistan, then exonerated when his hotshot human rights lawyer Hannah Roberts (Laura Haddock, Guardians of the Galaxy) reveals a flaw in video evidence of the killing. His first act as a free man is an impromptu trip to his young daughters school, where his ex (Sophia Brown of Giri/Haji) reminds him that hes not supposed to see the girl until the next day. That night, at a party celebrating his release, Shaun bristles at coarse jokes from his old working-class buddieswho he doesnt seem particularly excited to seeand confesses to Hannah that he wants to end their professional relationship so he can ask her out. He walks her to a bus stop, they kiss, she hops onto one of Londons famous red double-deckers and he heads home. Story continues Callum Turner as Shaun Emery in 'The Capture' | BBC/Heyday Films/Nick Wall At least, thats what Shaun remembers. A worker (played by My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney) monitoring CCTV footage sees something very different: after the kiss, instead of depositing Hannah on the bus, Shaun beats her before dragging her out of the frame. With law enforcement alerted and Hannah missing, hes back in the governments crosshairs. Its up to Rachel Carey (Holliday Grainger of Patrick Melrose, serving stiff-upper-lip realness) an ambitious detective inspector who has just transferred from counter-terrorism to homicide, in an obligatory stepping stone on her path to security-state success, to figure out what happened. On one hand, live surveillance footage seems pretty airtight. Plus, Shaun has a violent temper, and his private doubts about what happened in Afghanistan make him question the trustworthiness of his own memory. Then again, video manipulation technology sure is advancing rapidly. The six-episode series moves at the breathless pace of 2018s hit BBC/Netflix thriller Bodyguard, and there are hints of Homeland in a premise that has a female investigator trying to suss out a traumatized male soldiers hard-to-read motivations. But on a thematic level, The Capture reminded me most of The Conversation, its surveillance anxiety updated for a contemporary world in the grips of social media hoaxes, the uncanny bottomless pit of deepfakes and other fake newsnot to mention real news dismissed by self-interested authorities as fake newswhere the notion of objective reality is under constant attack. Creator, writer and director Ben Chanan (The Missing) wisely complicates the story with an awareness of how class divisions feed tensions among an alphabet soup of British agencies. The shows casting choices force the never-more-relevant question of whether the supposed adults in the room really have societys best interests in mind. The Capture doesnt quite deliver the seamless resolution its first five episodes deserve. In its final minutes, an egregiously expository flurry of dialogue makes an apt yet glib connection to American politicsone that might have worked if it had been threaded more naturally into the plot. Still, this is the rare thriller that is not just smart and gripping, but also deeply engaged with our bizarre, often terrifying present. And its easily the best original show youll find on Peacock. The decision to release notorious Kansas City pharmacist Robert Courtney from prison seven years before his sentence was set to expire was made without consulting the federal prosecutors who put him there. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri said it was not even informed that Courtney was slated to be released from the federal correctional center in Englewood, Colorado. The Ministry of Transport has proposed to the Prime Minister that international flights to priority areas could begin to operate from early August. Flights to locations such as Guangzhou (China), Seoul (the Republic of Korea - RoK), Tokyo (Japan), Taiwan (China), Vientiane (Laos), and Phnom Penh (Cambodia), are expected to run one flight per week. In line with these plans, each week would see between 2,500 and 3,000 passengers enter the country, including 1,000 to 1,500 stranded Vietnamese citizens and foreign experts. The Ministry of Transport will therefore work alongside functional agencies in China, the RoK, Taiwan (China), Japan, Laos, and Cambodia to devise plans in order to conduct flights between Vietnam and these countries. For the time being, the Ministry proposed opening up a few routes, including Guangzhou-Da Nang, Tokyo-Hanoi, Seoul-Hanoi, Taiwan-Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane-Quang Ninh, and Phnom Penh-Can Tho. The first flight is expected to operate in early August. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has requested that the initial stage will see local airlines operate one flight per week per foreign destination. Indeed, priority will be given to flights to repatriate stranded Vietnamese citizens abroad, all of which will be carried out by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled globally, authorities will increase the frequency of international flights. According to the Ministry of Transport, passengers will be required to meet legal entry requirements, including a valid visa, while those entering the nation must follow isolation regulations to meet COVID-19 prevention and control requirements. VOV Russia to resume post COVID-19 flights to Vietnam Russia is likely to resume international flights to 13 countries, including Vietnam, in the post COVID-19 period, according to Russian News Agency TASS. As the Canadian stock market remains choppy and coronavirus cases continue to rise, investors should bet on Dividend Aristocrats for steady returns. Investors should note that few fundamentally strong TSX stocks offer eye-popping dividend yields and trade low, providing an opportunity to gain from consistent dividend income and capital appreciation in the long run. Without further ado, lets look at a few TSX Dividend Aristocrats that offer safe and high yields. Telus Despite the recent recovery, Telus (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU) stock is still down about 8% year to date. The company operates a recession-resilient business, and the chances are low that the rising coronavirus infections could have a material impact on its business. The company continues to add revenue-generating units, reflected through the consistent growth in its wireless subscriber base. Its extensive network infrastructure and investments in growth initiatives like 5G position it well to generate strong earnings and cash flows. Besides being one of the three largest telecom companies in Canada, Telus is also known for consistently paying higher dividends. Since 2004, it has returned over $13 billion to its shareholders in the form of dividends. Meanwhile, through its dividend-growth program, Telus expects to increase its annual dividends by 7-10%, which is encouraging. The companys growing customer base, lower churn rate, and the cost-reduction program should support its future cash flows and, in turn, its payouts. Telus offers a forward dividend yield of over 5%, which is high and very safe. TC Energy Shares of TC Energy (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) are down over 14% this year. However, the decline in its stock seems unwarranted. The company runs a low-risk business supported through long-term contracts and rate-regulated arrangements. The companys EBITDA, earnings, and cash flows continue to mark steady growth. Besides, the utilization rate of its assets remains high and unaffected, despite the disruption from the pandemic. TC Energys business remains relatively insulated from the volatility in the throughput volumes and commodity prices. Its ability to generate steady cash flows enables it to boost investors returns. Story continues TC Energy is also a Dividend Aristocrat, and its dividends have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 7% in the past 20 years. Its stock currently offers a juicy forward yield of 5.5%. Management expects its dividends to increase by 8-10% in fiscal 2021. Moreover, management projects a 5-7% increase in its dividends after that. Enbridge Enbridge (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB) stock is down over 19% year to date. Lower mainline volumes and the uncertain outlook for oil have taken a toll on it. However, the pipeline company offers an eye-popping dividend yield of 7.8%, which is safe. In the near term, lower throughput volumes could remain a drag. However, investors should note that most of the companys headwinds are temporary and could abate soon. Further, the company runs a diversified business that generates stable cash flows and supports its payouts through the cost-of-service and take-or-pay arrangements. With the uptick in economic activities, the mainlines competitive positioning, and resilient businesses like gas transmission and renewable power, Enbridge is a top TSX stock for investors seeking both income and growth. The post Dividend Investing: 3 Dividend Aristocrats With Eye-Popping Yields on Sale appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada. More reading Fool contributor Sneha Nahata has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Enbridge. 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 Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo "Unity" launches toward the edge of space on December 13, 2018. Virgin Galactic; MarsScientific.com/Trumbull Studios Virgin Galactic has a new CEO in Michael Colglazier, the now-former president and managing director of Disney Parks International. Outgoing CEO George T. Whitesides will assume a new "Chief Space Officer" role for the company. Colglazier is to run the suborbital space tourism side of the company while Whitesides pushes to leverage Virgin Galactic's growing expertise into high-speed travel and orbital spaceflight businesses. Virgin Galactic's chairman said the company is "months away" from commercial launches with passengers. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Virgin Galactic, the suborbital rocket company founded by Richard Branson in 2004, has brought on a former Disney boss as CEO to operate a real-life "Space Mountain" ride. Effective Monday, Michael Colglazier the now-former president and managing director of Disney Parks International will step into his new job as CEO of Virgin Galactic, according to a press release sent to Business Insider on Wednesday. Colglazier is also joining the publicly traded company's board of directors. In his new gig, Colglazier will oversee Virgin Galactic's forthcoming space tourism business and operations. He will earn a $1 million annual salary to start, plus a performance bonus of up to 150% of his salary, generous stock options, and other benefits, according to a new 8-K filing with the SEC. After 16 years of spaceship research and development, Virgin Galactic is shifting its focus to operations and making good on its promise to fly people to the edge of space for $200,000 or more per seat. Colglazier's experience is expected to make those rides the luxury experience customers will expect. "I am thrilled to join the talented team at Virgin Galactic at this inflection point in the Company's journey," Colglazier said in the release. "Like so many others, including hundreds of signed-up customers, I have been inspired by this purpose-driven, world-class brand and the incredible opportunity it offers to open space to change the world for good." Story continues George T. Whitesides, Virgin Galactic's former CEO since 2010, is stepping down from his old executive role and the board of directors. However, Whitesides, who arrived at Virgin Galactic after serving as NASA's chief of staff, is not leaving the company. Instead, he'll be its first "Chief Space Officer." Meet Virgin Galactic's new 'Chief Space Officer' George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic, stands inside Virgin Galactic's new LauncherOne facility in Long Beach, California, on March 6, 2015. Bob Riha, Jr./Virgin Galactic via Getty Images In the newly created executive role, Whitesides will focus on "developing the Company's future business opportunities, including point-to-point hypersonic travel and orbital space travel," the company said. Those new avenues could become multi-billion-dollar businesses, Whitesides has said. He will also chair the Virgin Galactic's Space Advisory Board. Virgin Galactic is entering a final phase of testing and regulatory clearances before it starts flying passengers, which explains the C-suite transition. The company has seen numerous setbacks, including a crash that killed a test pilot, in achieving its goal of routine civilian spaceflight, which Branson had predicted would start more than a decade ago. Virgin Galactic plans to unveil the interior design of its centerpiece suborbital rocket ship, SpaceShipTwo, later this month. Colglazier said on a Wednesday conference call with investors that he'd always dreamed of becoming an astronaut as a kid and that he "is going to be flying" on SpaceShipTwo in the future. In a recent interview, Whitesides said Virgin Galactic hopes to claim a fraction of the airline industry's premium long-haul travel business, which totals about $300 billion a year. "If we can just capture 5% or something like that, then it's still a huge number. I mean, $10 to $15 billion of revenue is is a massive opportunity," Whitesides told Business Insider in May, adding that he believes people will pay to travel faster in smaller vehicles. "The things that we're working on are very much part of our aviation future." The field for such operations is wide open, given that the supersonic airliner Concorde retired in 2003. That's not to say it will be easy or inexpensive to reclaim, improve, and expand. But Whitesides thinks Virgin Galactic is up to the challenge, even in the face of prior failures to create new supersonic and even hypersonic passenger vehicles. "The words 'many companies have tried' is music to my ears," Whitesides has said. "People said we couldn't build up human spaceflight company. People say we couldn't go public." In a statement, Branson lauded both men for taking on the new roles: "I want to thank George for his outstanding leadership of Virgin Galactic over the last decade. He has shown dedication and determination as its first CEO to build the Company from early stage development through to space flight, the first from American soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle. In the past year, George has taken the Company public and moved it to Spaceport America. He transitions into his new role as Chief Space Officer having created substantial value as CEO and with Galactic poised for an exciting next chapter." "At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Michael as the new Chief Executive to lead Galactic into commercial operations. I believe Michael's long and distinguished career at one of the world's leading customer experience brands provides a natural fit with Virgin's culture as well as Galactic's requirements as it prepares for commercial service." During Wednesday's call, Chamath Palihapitiya, chairman of Virgin Galactic, said Colglazier's skills and experience in building multi-billion-dollar consumer-facing businesses is exactly what the company needs to move forward as customers and their families begin traveling to Spaceport America in the deserts of New Mexico for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In his statement, Palihapitiya also hinted that Virgin Galactic could see its first passenger flight that of Branson himself before the end of 2020. "[Colglazier will] be, frankly, an invaluable addition to our company as we are now within months of commercial operations," Palihapitiya said. "I'm really confident he's going to create an amazing customer experience for our future astronauts. ... We've all talked about how we can create an incredible experience not just for the astronauts, but everybody that comes to Spaceport America. I think Michael understands how to do that." Read the original article on Business Insider The schools and families learning department at Norwich Cathedral are holding two sessions morning and afternoon for a Family Activity Day at the Cathedral on Wednesday February 16. The schools and families learning department at Norwich Cathedral are holding two sessions morning and afternoon for a Family Activity Day at the Cathedral on Wednesday February 16. Churches prepare Queen's Platinum Jubilee plans Churches, Christian charities and youth organisations are working together to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee over the four-day Bank Holiday from June 2-5 and a new website has been created to celebrate the Queen's 70 years of faith and service. Read more Eckling Grange cares for the elderly Despite some bad press, there are some Care Homes where 'Care' really does mean 'what it says on the tin', and a star example of this is the Norfolk Christian residential care home, Eckling Grange, at Dereham. Read more New Commission to look at use of Norfolk churches A new Church Buildings Commission has been launched with the purpose of looking at the church buildings across Norfolk and Waveney in terms of their use and sustainability. Read more Norfolk link to teaching opportunity with TCKs A Norfolk couple working in Asia have been helped by teachers of Third Culture Kids, and a programme is now inviting more people to get involved with it. Read more Norfolk charity seeks mentors for prison leavers Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN) continues to provide a Both Sides of the Gate Mentor support service to people leaving prison in Norfolk. Read more Prayer and Worship week for Sheringham church Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham has launched a Prayer and Worship week as they seek Gods guidance for 2022 Read more South Norfolk church schools are set to merge The Diocese of Norwich St Benets Multi Academy Trust has been given the green light to amalgamate Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School into one All Through School. Read more Norwich conference looks at how to tackle spiritual abuse Following a series of revelations about high-profile Christian leaders, a group of Norfolk churches is organising a conference to look at spiritual abuse and godly leadership. Read more Revelation vacancy for Centre Manager The Revelation Christian Resource Centre and Cafe is seeking to appoint a Centre Manager. Read more Gardening morning at N Norfolk Christian centre The Pleasaunce Holiday Centre in Overstrand is holding a work-party morning on Saturday February 5 and would like as many people as possible to join in to help get the gardens ship-shape. Read more Poringland Bible teachers look at a building project The Way of the Spirit is starting the New Year with a meeting in Poringland to explore the Book of Nehemiah. Read more House of Genesis needs part-time support worker The House of Genesis is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Support Worker to contribute to the day-to-day running of the charity, which provides accommodation to homeless adult men in Norwich. Read more Church marriage open to all? Regular contributor Philip Young shares with us his personal view on whether churches should marry same-sex couples. Read more Christian retreat centre has new Chair of Trustees Paul Dunning has recently been appointed as Chair of Trustees of the Quiet Waters Christian Retreat Centre. He explains how he got involved and how others can do the same. Read more Magdalene Group: Women's Specialist Practitioner The Norwich-based Magdalene Group needs a Womens Specialist Practitioner to provide gender and trauma-informed support to women experiencing multiple disadvantage and provide support to female sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation and coercion. Read more Ringsfield Hall offers residential trips on Norfolk border Ringsfield Hall provides children with outdoor residential opportunities through school trips. Activities relate to nature, care for the planet and very special care and respect for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each child. Read more Ministers outreach at Sheringham model boat lake Local Christian, Graham Pickhaver has been sharing his testimony by giving out tracts at the model boating lake in Sheringham. Read more Amul is known for sharing creative posts on different contemporary events. Case in point their latest tweet on Google CEO Sundar Pichais announcement that the company will be investing close to $10 billion to fund digital innovation in India. The investment would take place over a period of the next five to seven years. Amul has shared a post, saying Tech company announces digitization fund to accelerate Indias digital economy!. They also tweeted an image which shows Sundar Pichai enjoying a meal with the iconic Amul girl. The caption, Pichai aur India ki Googlebandi! is also seen written across the image. Take a look at what they shared: #Amul Topical: Tech company announces digitization fund to accelerate India's digital economy! pic.twitter.com/S4qU1Q4b15 Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) July 14, 2020 With over 4,600 likes and close to 700 retweets, people shared all sorts of comments on the post. While some couldnt stop praising the dairy companys creativity, others wrote about the opportunities which will arise from the investment. I just want to meet the person who has is leading the creative Team of Amul. Hats off, wrote a Twitter user. To which, another individual replied, Same here, Im a fan of their creative team. They always come up with innovative doodle showcasing social and economic pertinent situation of our country, Love you #Amul. Heres how others reacted: You guys have some dope level creatives with you you.... Vaibhav Chopade (@VaibhavChopad33) July 15, 2020 Always instant and buttery smooth, just like their butter Manish Kumar Tiwari (@8e56325acb9b4c4) July 14, 2020 This is so cute! Hats off to the artist! I I (@vibhapuri) July 15, 2020 Very creative!! wrote a Twitter user. The Google for India digitization fund will invest $10 billion over the next 5-7 years in terms of equity, partnerships, operations and infrastructure development, Pichai said on Monday. He was speaking at the sixth edition of Google for India. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. What do you think of Amuls tweet? Also Read | Amuls iconic girl works from home, urges others to control coronavirus, stay indoors Will has a wide range of practical agricultural experience including running the family farm; alongside the prefix of Picketts was established in the early 80s by his father and grandfather where Limousin genetics are still at the forefront of the herd. Will is very excited to settle into the role as the new breed secretary, he says he is looking forward to using these skills to take the Limousin Society forward from strength to strength whilst harnessing the talent that is already within the team. Will commented I am excited by the opportunity to fulfil the aspirations and potential of the Limousin Breed and its Members. I look forward to meeting as many of you, the Members, face to face once life resumes to normality. The British Limousin Society is very pleased to welcome Will to the team. Will brings a wealth of skills, experience, and enthusiasm which we are confident will help to take us on to the next exciting chapter within the society. Russian shipyards will hold a single day of laying down new ships and submarines on July 16, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Tuesday. Russian shipyards will hold a single day of laying down new ships and submarines on July 16, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Tuesday. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Project 22350 frigate (Picture source: Piotr Kovalev/TASS) "On July 16, shipbuilders will lay down upgraded Project 22350 two frigates, Project 885M Yasen-M two multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarines and, for the first time in the Russian Navys history, Project 23900 two multi-purpose amphibious assault ships," the source specified. The upgraded Project 22350 frigates will be built at the Severnaya Shipyard in St. Petersburg (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). They will be tentatively named the Admiral Yumashev and the Admiral Spiridonov. Currently, four frigates of Project 22350 and the upgraded Project 22350 are at various stages of their construction at the Shipyard. One of them, the Admiral Kasatonov, is preparing to enter service with the Russian Navy. The Severnaya Shipyard press office declined to comment on the sources information. Project 885M Yasen-M multi-purpose nuclear-powered submarines will be laid down at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). The contract for their construction was signed at the Army-2019 international arms show in the summer of 2019. Multi-purpose amphibious assault ships will be laid down at the Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch. Initially, the keel-laying ceremony was planned for June 29 but was postponed to a later date. As a source in the defense industry told TASS, Russias Defense Ministry had signed a contract worth 100 billion rubles ($1.4 billion) on the construction of two helicopter carriers. Project 23900 amphibious assault ships are expected to displace 25,000 tonnes and have a length of about 220 meters. The warships of this class will be capable of carrying over 20 heavy helicopters and transporting up to 900 marines. No warships of this class were earlier built either in the Soviet Union or Russia. TASS has no confirmations from the Sevmash and Zaliv press offices about the upcoming keel-laying ceremonies yet. Copyright 2020 TASS Navy Recognition. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The cascade of Australian and offshore energy companies taking billions of dollars in impairments on the back of the historically depressed price of oil and gas continues, with the latest coming from Woodside Petroleum and Origin Energy. For the most part, investors have taken the write-downs, though large, in their stride. Thats because everyone knew they were coming. Investors shouldnt read too much into these big 10 digit balance sheet adjustments. Firstly, because for the most part they are non-cash items, but more importantly because they are based on each companys assessment of future oil prices. And to be frank thats more guesstimate than science. The future price of oil and gas is difficult to predict. And this is why there is some significant disparity between oil price forecasts. The longer term the horizon the more variation there is. After I wrote the article titled "The Soviet Plan for 'Ideological Subversion' Describes Our Current Turmoil," Charles Cole, author of In Russian Wonderland: An American's Odyssey in Soviet Russia, contacted me. His memoir recounts his time in 1972 as a Russian-speaking American "guide" in various Soviet cities where the "Research and Development in the USA" exhibit was on display. He chronicles the lives of average Soviet citizens at that period and describes how people lived under the tyranny of an omnipotent government. He is exhorting Americans to perceive the lessons of the failed communist experience. Like others who have reviewed the book, I was struck by the following anecdote, where an elderly man gave Cole a bag of ten freshly picked apples. At the bottom of the bag, Cole found a piece of paper folded into a tiny cube. It read, "We have a totalitarian regime. If we had a democratic republic, we would have progressed further and achieved more. Nowadays the psychiatric hospitals are filled with dissidents[.] You should take pride in having such a democratic country and not be overly tolerant in the face of those who have been blinded and deceived by propaganda." Also illuminating is the story that Cole recounts of when he and his fellow guides went to dinner. They were approached by English-speaking black men from Africa. Cole asked if their country sent a lot of exchange students to Moscow. 'Oh, yes,' replied one, 'we send all of them here to the Soviet Union.' He explained why: 'We used to send quite a few of our students to Princeton, Columbia, and Berkeley, but they all came back Marxists. Now we send them here, and after three or four years in the USSR, they all return dedicated anti-communists.' It's a lesson that American parents still haven't learned. They send their kids to Princeton, Columbia, Berkeley, and other universities, and they come back as radical leftists, and, yes, some of them flat-out Marxists. Cole writes that "this was quite an indictment of America's higher-education system." Yet Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and materials from "The 1619 Project" continue to be a lethal combination that brainwashes American students. In light of the recent destruction of statues and renaming of signs, this recollection is also striking. We came upon an old man who recounted an interesting irony about the street we were on. In 1972 this street was called 'Lenin Street.' He said that during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s, it had been called 'Adolf Hitler Street. 'The man noted wryly that during the Latvian independence before Soviet occupation and before the Germans renamed it, the street had been called 'Freedom Street.' That a street named in honor of freedom would later bear the names of Hitler and Lenin was indeed a bitter irony. To see streets littered with Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs is a grievous irony. There is a straight line between Marxism and BLM. Social justice "achievements" require the most repressive of societies e.g., Stalin's forced starvation of seven to eight million Ukrainians, known as the Holodomor or "genocide by starvation." Most disturbing for Cole was what occurred in Leningrad, when a young Soviet man began refuting the standard Marxist-Leninist propaganda. He refused to stop speaking when, suddenly, KGB goons surrounded him and threw him into a black van. He writes, "It was quite a sight. And yet, when young, still somewhat naive Americans see before their eyes someone of their own generation summarily seized by plainclothes secret police goons ... for simply speaking his mind, it is difficult to fully comprehend it." More than likely, this young man was sent to a psychiatric hospital and administered "appropriate medications" or expelled from his job, making him unemployable. Thus, deemed "a parasite, [and] having violated a Soviet law requiring every citizen to have a job he was inevitably arrested and deported to a Soviet 'correctional' labor camp." In fact, the left in America continues to deem those who disagree with its heinous ideas mentally unfit. More recently, Cole explains that "every manner of diversity is extolled at universities except arguably the most important form of diversity which once characterized higher education in America: intellectual diversity. It has been ongoing for several decades and has severely damaged our country." He emphasizes that "there is no substitute for teaching history. Unfortunately, this subject has been mutilated as few others." In addition, Cole recommends the following movies: The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall, Stasi: East Germany's Secret Police, and the documentary titled The Soviet Story as well as The Lives of Others and Barbara. If America tilts toward socialism, communism, Marxist-Leninist doctrine, or left-wing progressivism as the Democrat Party now eagerly promotes, there will be no happy ending. The nuclear family will continue to be dismantled; rights will be destroyed, and the American dream will fade into the historical dustbin. As documented by Cole, a Soviet guard stated, "We don't need you to work. We need you to suffer." That is the ultimate aim of the above isms different names for the same brutal and soul-destroying system. Abraham H. Miller recounts that knowledgeable "Russians would say that communism is the longest road from capitalism back to capitalism" and that any revolution that would invite communism to our shores is a revolution filled with violence, deceit, and ultimate obliteration of civil liberties. As Cole explains, trust is a rare commodity under socialism or communism because "promises are made to lure the people ... and in every instance [emphasis mine], such promises are discarded and eventually forgotten as the new regime proceeds with the implementation of its real agenda, most often the accumulation and imposition of power and its use to strengthen the regime and eliminate all enemies, real or perceived. The individual is replaced by the collective." Charles Cole asserts that the House of Representatives "can truly be deemed an out-of-control cabal of lunatics" and that "if Democrats retain the House, reduce the Republican majority in the Senate, and capture the White House in November that will be the beginning of the end of our republic as founded." Thus, "if the radical Democrat Party is successful in watering down the Constitution, or jettisoning it altogether, Americans will enjoy no more rights than did Soviet citizens." People will find that they might have full health coverage but there will be very limited actual health care. Taxes will skyrocket, what pockets of resistance to leftwing brainwashing [that] still remain in the educational system will vanish, conservative media outlets will be hounded from the public square, and all this will be rigidly enforced by a federal police establishment much the way the Cuban hired guns exercise control of the people in Venezuela. This is truly an existential moment, and patriotic Americans should not fall for the lie that is socialism and communism. America is diametrically opposed to all this. We believe in individual liberty and true self-determination, not a coercive state that runs our lives. Mr. Cole's succinct but powerful memoir is but one in a long record of warnings about the devious, tyrannical, and murderous ways of socialism. Because the goal of socialism is always communism, we must, with hearty voices, reject it in every possible manner. We have been warned far too many times. This is truly a seminal moment in our country's history, and Mr. Cole's work is well worth reading. Will we heed his warning, or will we lose America? Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com. The OPEC+ group is easing the record 9.7-million-bpd production cuts as of August as demand has started to recover, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said at an OPEC+ panel meeting on Wednesday. As we move to the next phase of the agreement the extra supply resulting from the scheduled easing of production cut will be consumed as demand continue on its recovery path, the Saudi minister said, as carried by Reuters. The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the OPEC+ group is meeting on Wednesday to decide how to proceed with the cuts. OPEC+, led by OPECs top producer Saudi Arabia and by Russia, agreed in June to extend the record production cuts of 9.7 million bpd by one month through the end of July. According to the original agreement from April, OPEC+ was to cut 9.7 million bpd in combined production for two monthsMay and Juneand then ease these to 7.7 million bpd, to stay in effect until the end of the year. Then, from January 2021, the production cuts would be further eased to 5.8 million bpd, to remain in effect until end-April 2022. There wont be another extension of the record 9.7-million-bpd cut, according to the OPEC+ panel meeting today. The oil producers part of the pact will ease the cuts to 7.7 million bpd, but the cuts would actually be deeper than that because of the mechanism for laggards to compensate for their loose compliance in May and June, the Saudi energy minister said. According to OPEC+ estimates seen by Reuters, the collective OPEC+ cut in August and September would be on paper at least some 8.54 million bpd in the next two months, as Iraq, Nigeria, Angola, Russia, and Kazakhstan would be cutting deeper to compensate for previous lack of compliance. Saudi Arabia will keep its August oil exports at the same level as in July, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said today, confirming earlier reports that the Kingdom would not be rushing to boost its supply to the market. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: South Africas latest ban on alcohol sales is likely to force 35,000 bar owners in the poorest communities into bankruptcy, according to industry bodies representing the countrys biggest drink makers. The decision to abruptly prohibit the retail of booze for a second time since March is aimed at reducing alcohol-related hospital admissions while surging coronavirus cases put a strain on emergency wards. Still, the economic fallout could be severe, groups including the National Liquor Traders Council and the Beer Association of South Africa said in a statement. South Africas government lifted a more than two-month restriction on alcohol sales at the start of June, following discussions with the industry over opening hours and safety measures. Pub owners in so-called townships were allowed to convert into drink retail outlets as part of the agreement. However, the latest ban announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa came without consultation with the industry or a warning, leaving retailers with stock they cant legally sell. The governments decision has serious economic consequences, placing hundreds of thousands of livelihoods at risk, said the industry bodies, which count Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, Heineken NV and Distell Group Holdings Ltd. among their members. The hardest hit will be the significant number of smaller retailers and taverners. The liquor industry lost more than 117,000 jobs as a result of the initial ban and 18 billion rand ($1.1 billion) in revenue, they said. Coronavirus infections in South Africa have surged since lockdown restrictions were eased last month to allow millions of people to return to work. In defense of the governments decision, the Department of Health released a report Tuesday that showed stricter lockdown regulations and the earlier alcohol ban reduced the number of trauma cases by as much as half. Preventing township bars from selling alcohol pushes residents to travel long distances to get illicit booze, the industry bodies said. The ruling also increases security risks, with several liquor stores looted during the first phases of lockdown. The speculation that Alibaba's fintech affiliate Ant Group will go public has been swirling around for years. New details came to light recently. Reuters reported last week that the fintech giant could float as soon as this year in an initial public offering that values it at $200 billion. As a private firm, details of the payments and financial services firm remain sparse, but a new filing by Alibaba, which holds a 33% stake in Ant, provides a rare glimpse into its performance. Alipay, the brand of Ant's consumer finance app, claims to earmark 1.3 billion annual active users as of March. The majority of its users came from China, while the rest were brought in by its nine e-wallet partners in India, Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan. In recent years Ant has been striving to scale back its reliance on in-house financial products in response to Beijing's tightening grip on China's fledgling fintech industry. Tencent, Alibaba's nemesis, is considered a lot more reserved in the financial space, but its WeChat Pay app has been slowly eating away at Alipay's share of the payments market. In a symbolic move in May, the Alibaba affiliate changed its name from Ant Financial to Ant Group. Even prior to that, Ant had been actively publicizing itself as a "technology" company that offers payments gateways and sells digital infrastructure to banks, insurance groups and other traditional financial institutions -- rather than being a direct competitor to them. On the Alipay app, users can browse and access a raft of third-party financial services, including wealth management, microloans and insurance. As of March, Ant's wealth management unit facilitated 4 trillion yuan ($570 billion) of assets under management for its partners, offering money market funds, fixed income products and equity investment services. During the same period, total insurance premiums facilitated by Ant more than doubled from the year before. In June, Ant's new boss Hu Xiaoming set the goal for the firm to generate 80% of total revenues from technology service fees, up from about 50% in 2019. He anticipated the monetary contribution of Ant's own proprietary financial services to shrink as a result. Ant grew out of Alipay, the payments service launched by Alibaba as an escrow service to ensure trust between e-commerce buyers and sellers. In 2011, Alibaba spun off Ant, allegedly to comply with local regulations governing third-party payments services. Ant has since taken on several rounds of equity financing. Today, Alibaba founder Jack Ma still controls a majority of Ant's voting interests. Britain's Huawei Ban Resets Relations With China By Jamie Dettmer July 14, 2020 British officials are bracing for fierce Chinese government reaction and possible retaliation to Britain's decision Tuesday to block Chinese tech giant Huawei from playing any role in the development of Britain's next generation 5G phone network. Britain's culture minister, Oliver Dowden, told the House of Commons of the decision to banish Huawei from the network, saying any of the company's components already installed will have to be removed from the network by 2027. The major policy U-turn is prompting fears in Downing Street that Britain may become the target of a possible China-sponsored cyberattack similar to one that struck Australia last month amid heightened tensions between Canberra and Beijing. Chinese officials, including Beijing's ambassador to London, have maintained a chorus of warnings in recent months, threatening serious consequences if Huawei, one of China's flagship companies, is excluded from participation in developing Britain's 5G network. A Trump victory Tuesday's announcement is seen by analysts and diplomats as a big win for the Trump administration which, along with other Western allies, has been lobbying Britain for more than a year to block Huawei from Britain's 5G wireless network on security grounds. In January, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to allow Huawei a role in the development of the fast-speed network, limiting the company's participation to just 35%. But U.S. officials as well their Australian counterparts continued to lobby London to block Huawei altogether. U.S. officials say there is a significant risk that the company, which has close ties to the Chinese intelligence services and was founded by a former Chinese army officer, will act as a Trojan horse for Beijing's espionage agencies, allowing them to sweep up data. Dowden told British lawmakers: "We have not taken this decision lightly and I must be frank about the decision's consequences for every constituency in this country; this will delay our roll-out of 5G." The British government acknowledges the move will delay the rollout of 5G in the by two to three years and increase costs by at least $2.5 billion. Acting on the guidance of Britain's National Cyber Security Center, Johnson accepted that U.S. sanctions imposed on Huawei in May had become a "game changer." Previously the center, a department within Britain's intelligence agency GCHQ, said the security risks posed by Huawei could be safely managed and mitigated, a view not shared by U.S. intelligence agencies. But the imposition earlier this year of new U.S. restrictions on Huawei altered the picture, the center warned. Britain's cybersecurity chiefs concluded the U.S. sanctions, which block Huawei from using components and semi-conductors based on any American intellectual property, will mean the telecom giant will have to use "untrusted" parts, increasing security risks. Responding to the government's announcement, Huawei UK spokesperson Ed Brewster said: "This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone. It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide." He added: "Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about U.S. trade policy and not security." That view was not shared by former British Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has been at the forefront of a campaign to block Huawei. He says that it is impossible to separate Chinese firms like Huawei from the Chinese government. "Across the free world, more and more countries are now recognizing that they face a particular threat now from Chinese government intentions," he said. Big blow for Huawei Britain's decision is a big blow for Huawei. Europe accounts for 24% of the company's sales and the British decision could have knock-on effects elsewhere on the continent, where other governments are currently assessing how much access to give Huawei. British officials say the decision is bound to worsen already sharply deteriorating relations between the two countries. Chinese officials, including Beijing's ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, have underscored for weeks that there will be repercussions in the event Huawei is excluded. Tensions have been escalating between London and Beijing quickly over a Chinese security clampdown on Hong Kong, a former British colony transferred to China in 1997. To Beijing's anger, Britain announced Hong Kong residents would be allowed to move to Britain to escape the crackdown. The two governments have clashed also over Britain's backing of an independent probe into the origins of the coronavirus. According to press reports, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison briefed Johnson recently on a massive cyberattack Morrison says was launched on his country last month. The incident, say Australian officials, targeted "government, industry, political organizations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure." Australia and China's communist government have been at loggerheads since Australia became the first nation to call for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Critics have long alleged Huawei has close links to the Chinese Communist government and its equipment could be used for espionage purposes. The company denies the claim, describing Huawei as a private company "fully owned by its employees." An 'intimate part of the Chinese state' Former British intelligence chief Richard Dearlove disputes that description. On Sunday, he said Huawei "is not an ordinary international telecommunications company. It is an intimate part of the Chinese state." Dearlove added that a ban on Huawei would amount to "a reset of the whole of our relationship with the Chinese leadership." He has long lobbied for Huawei's exclusion, along with dozens of lawmakers from Johnson's own ruling Conservative party. Last week, Ambassador Liu warned Johnson of the consequences of excluding Huawei, saying at a virtual press conference, "You cannot have a golden era if you treat China as an enemy." A ban on Huawei, he said, would have many repercussions, including inflicting damage on Britain's reputation as "a business-friendly, open, transparent environment." Among other possible consequences, he said, China could disinvest from Britain's energy sector. Fallout Two studies, by British research groups and set for publication this week, warn that a major disruption in Britain's trade relations with China sparked by a ban on Huawei would depress the British economy. Cambridge Econometrics says hundreds of thousands of British jobs depend on trade with China and that the relationship directly supports more than 100,000 jobs in sectors such as education and tourism. The study was commissioned by the China-Britain Business Council, a trade promotion association. Clive Hamilton, an Australian academic and co-author of "Hidden Hand," a groundbreaking new book examining Chinese influence operations and networks in the West, says he expects "Beijing will react angrily" to Huawei's exclusion. Hamilton's book, co-authored with Marieke Ohlberg, a China scholar from Germany, has figured prominently in a fierce political debate raging in Britain about the future of Anglo-Chinese relations. The book has been cited by lawmakers who have been urging for Huawei to be banned from Britain's 5G network. In the book, Hamilton and his co-author accuse the CCP of intensive grooming of British politicians, business people and academics and warn that "so entrenched are the CCP's influence networks among British elites that Britain has passed the point of no return, and any attempt to extricate itself from Beijing's orbit would probably fail." Asked by VOA whether Tuesday's decision to exclude Huawei would suggest that such a judgment is premature, Hamilton responded in an email exchange that he "expects the CCP's powerful friends among Britain's elites to re-emerge and lobby hard to give priority to economic relations and give way to Beijing on other issues." Losing friends Hamilton added, though, that the coronavirus pandemic, and increasing "public awareness of the nature of the CCP regime," is hardening attitudes towards the Chinese government. "The pandemic, its origins in Wuhan and the early Chinese government handling of it have changed the international dynamic in ways that are still playing out." He says the Chinese communist government has taken "a big reputational hit in many countries around the world. In Britain, the damage has been compounded by the events in Hong Kong, which looms large in Britain's political consciousness for historical reasons." "Elsewhere in Europe, the picture is mixed. China retains warm ties with several nations in East and Central Europe and with Italy and Greece. But it is losing friends in nations like France and Sweden. Germany is the key, and it is wavering," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sitting on the green grass of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's front lawn, dozens of peaceful protesters in matching face masks and T-shirts on Tuesday afternoon chanted, "Breonna Taylor, say her name!" The activists had come to demand that Cameron, a rising star in the Republican Party and the state's first black attorney general, charge the three police officers who fatally shot Taylor, 26, inside her home while executing a no-knock warrant on March 13. Cameron asked police to remove the protesters from his property, a Louisville Metro Police Department spokesman said in a statement shared with The Washington Post. When 87 demonstrators refused to leave, officers arrested them one-by-one, restraining their hands with zip ties and escorting them to police vehicles to be taken to the jail. Each one was charged with a felony and two misdemeanors, police told The Post. "Due to their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions, each person was charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process," a police spokesman said. They also face disorderly conduct and trespassing charges, both misdemeanors. The felony charge applies to people who use "physical force or a threat" to influence "the testimony, vote, decision, or opinion" of a participant in the legal process, like a victim, a witness or a judge. If convicted, the protesters could face a prison sentence of one to five years, according to Kentucky's sentencing guidelines. The charge was recently leveled against a Kentucky woman who allegedly made threats to intimidate social workers during custody proceedings and a man who allegedly tried to interfere with an emergency protective order after he was arrested for strangling his girlfriend. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky denounced the felony charges filed against the protesters, calling them "overblown, outrageous and inappropriate." The 87 people arrested Tuesday included the Minneapolis NAACP president Leslie Redmond, activist Linda Sarsour and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-star Porsha Williams. The demonstrators on Cameron's lawn, led by Until Freedom, the grass-roots group founded by Sarsour, belted protest refrains from their seats as neighbors peeked out of their windows. "We want you all to know that you may see us often in your neighborhood," Sarsour shouted at the onlookers, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. A spokeswoman for Cameron's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night, but the attorney general gave a statement to local TV station WAVE. "The stated goal of today's protest at my home was to 'escalate,' " Cameron said in the statement. "That is not acceptable and only serves to further division and tension within our community. Justice is not achieved by trespassing on private property, and it's not achieved through escalation." Until Freedom had advertised Tuesday's demonstration as a "time to escalate." "It has been 116+ days since Breonna Taylor has been murdered by the Louisville Police Department and no one has been held accountable," the group said on its website. "We must now escalate our actions so that the powers that be know, we will not stop until we get justice for Breonna and her family." Police shot Taylor eight times after forcing their way into her Louisville apartment with a battering ram after midnight on March 13. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired one shot at the plainclothes officers, whom he said he believed were intruders. After Black Lives Matter protests spread nationwide in the wake of George Floyd's death in late May, the calls for action against the officers involved in Taylor's death intensified. As activists and Taylor's family have argued that local law enforcement officials have moved too slowly to investigate her death, the city has made several changes in response to the backlash. In June, Louisville banned the so-called "no-knock" warrants that allow police to enter homes without announcing their presence and showing a warrant. And more than three months after police shot Taylor, the Louisville Metro Police Department said in a letter that it had fired Detective Brett Hankison for violating multiple department policies and showing "extreme indifference to the value of human life" when he "blindly" fired 10 bullets into Taylor's home. Two other officers have been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal investigation. But none of the officers involved in Taylor's death, including Hankison, have been criminally charged. The investigation reached the attorney general's office on May 13, after the local prosecutor passed it on because of a conflict of interest. Cameron, who is serving as the special prosecutor investigating Taylor's death, has said his office is doing an independent probe and reviewing evidence provided by Louisville police's public integrity unit. "An investigation of this magnitude, when done correctly, requires time and patience," he said at a news conference on June 18. Cameron has declined to set deadlines or provide a timeline for his investigation, despite public appeals for him to do so. "I have a specific obligation to see that anyone accused of a crime is accorded procedural justice and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence, rather than public opinion," he said. After Tuesday's arrests, dozens of people, including Taylor's mother, sister and boyfriend, gathered outside the jail to protest and wait for people to be released. Around 4 a.m. Wednesday, activists said on social media that the jail had begun releasing some protesters, who emerged to cheers from the crowd. Two soldiers abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents along Auno road in Borno state, have been rescued by policemen. Citing a se... Two soldiers abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents along Auno road in Borno state, have been rescued by policemen. Citing a security situation report, PR Nigeria said the insurgents attacked a troop of soldiers who were on patrol on Auno road on Monday. After killing two soldiers, they went away with other soldiers and their gun trucks. At 14.30 hrs of July 13, 20120, an army patrol team was attacked by Boko Haram along Auno road and killed two soldiers and kidnapped others while carting away two of the militarys gun trucks, AK 47Rifles and unspecified numbers of ammunition, the report read. Counter-Terrorism unit of the Nigeria police on pin down point (operation), at the area went after the terrorists. After a gun battle recovered one gun-truck, rifles and rescued two soldiers alive. Boko Haram staged multiple attacks in Borno on Monday. The insurgents attacked the 333 Artillery Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno state capital. A resident had disclosed that some travellers on Maiduguri-Damaturu road were abducted by the insurgents. A number of lifestyle influencers used their platforms over the weekend to spread an unfounded conspiracy theory that Wayfair is trafficking children through its website a baseless claim that has been debunked by various outlets and denied by the company. The allegation has been floating around social media since June and seems to have originated from the conspiracy-theory group QAnon, according to BuzzFeed News, but it gained traction last Thursday after a post shared on the Conspiracy subreddit went viral. 'Is it possible Wayfair involved in Human trafficking with their WFX Utility collection? Or are these just extremely overpriced cabinets? (Note the names of the cabinets) this makes me sick to my stomach if it's true,' wrote Reddit user PrincessPeach1987. Say what? Influencers such as Rebecca Pfeiffer (pictured) are spreading an unfounded conspiracy theory that Wayfair is trafficking children through it's website Going viral: The baseless claims gained traction last Thursday after someone posted about Wayfair's high-priced cabinets on a Conspiracy subreddit The original poster shared a screenshot from Wayfair's mobile site that shows four cabinets named Neriah, Yaritza, Samiyah, and Alyvia that cost between $12,699.99 and $14,499.99. Conspiracy theorists believe the extremely expensive cabinets and human names they were given are evidence that Wayfair is trafficking children under the guise of the selling utility closets and other high-priced items. The unsubstantiated claim appears to have come from QAnon, an online group that believes President Donald Trump is fighting a secret war against deep-state pedophiles. The theory has been traced back to Twitter user @99freemind, a popular QAnon influencer who is known as Amazing Polly online. She shared a tweet about Wayfair's 'storage cabinets' that have 'extremely high prices' and are 'all listed with girls' names' on July 14. Origins: The theory seems to have originated from QAnon, an online conspiracy-theory group that believes President Trump is fighting a secret war against deep-state pedophiles Conspiracy: The cabinets were named Neriah, Yaritza, Samiyah, and Alyvia, leading conspiracy theorists to claim they were the names of reportedly missing children Fake news: NBC News journalist Ben Collins is among those who have condemned the debunked conspiracy on social media Not real: The conspiracy theory has also been debunked by Reuters, Snopes, Facebook's independent fact-checkers, and other journalists The unfounded allegation spread like wildfire across social media and began trending on Twitter as people shared screenshots of expensive cabinets, shower curtains, and pillows on Wayfair's website that they found to be suspicious. People stressed that the items in question had female names while others insisted they matched the names of reportedly missing persons. Some thought Wayfair's $12,899.99 'Samiyah' cabinet was a reference to Samiyah Mumin, a missing teenager who may have been caught up with the trafficking ring. However, Samiyah is not missing. The teen slammed the conspiracy theory in a Facebook video for taking attention away from actual missing children. 'Yall know how many people is actually missing?' she asked. 'Yall know how many peoples families are out there looking for them?' Platform: Rebecca Pfeiffer, who has a fashion and lifestyle blog called Luv Bec, is a follower of QAnon and has touted the Wayfair conspiracy theory on her Instagram Stories Interesting argument: In a recent post, she referenced Noah from the Bible amid claims she is a conspiracy theorist Wayfair has denied the allegations and given an explanation for the high price points that many found to be confusing. 'There is, of course, no truth to these claims,' the company said in a statement to Reuters. 'The products in question are industrial grade cabinets that are accurately priced. 'Recognizing that the photos and descriptions provided by the supplier did not adequately explain the high price point, we have temporarily removed the products from [the] site to rename them and to provide a more in-depth description and photos that accurately depict the product to clarify the price point.' Wayfair also stated that the company names its products using an algorithm that uses 'first names, geographic locations, and common words for naming purposes.' The conspiracy theory has been debunked by Reuters, Snopes, Facebook's independent fact-checkers, and other journalists, but that didn't stop influencers from promoting it on Instagram over the weekend. All in: Influencer Maddie Thompson discussed the Wayfair conspiracy theory in an Instagram Live video, saying she 'immediately believed it' Using their voices? Maddie's husband, Justin (pictured), agreed with her and went as far as buying a $17,000 table to further investigate the theory Spreading the word: Maddie, who has over 44,000 Instagram followers, posted a screenshot of their pending order, writing: 'Please SHARE THIS to raise awareness' Rebecca Pfeiffer, who has a fashion and lifestyle blog called Luv Bec, is a follower of QAnon and has nine separate highlights on her Instagram page featuring debunked QAnon conspiracy theories. The influencer posted about the allegations Wayfair on her Stories and saved them under 'Q (9).' She has also called the coronavirus crisis a 'scamdemic' and claimed the 'race war' is being used to 'distract and divide us.' Rebecca, who has over 112,000 Instagram followers later shared her outrage that people weren't posting about child trafficking as much as they do anti-racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. 'Where are the squares and the marches for the children?!' she wrote. 'You posted a black square in solidarity for the oppressed. It picked up tons of media exposure. Tons of activism for unified efforts for a better way. You fought for systematic change for those you believe deserve a voice. Now ... there are little people who need your help!' Influencer Maddie Thompson and her husband, Justin, discussed the Wayfair conspiracy theory in an Instagram Live video, saying she 'immediately believed it.' Won't stop: Her husband also shared a video of himself calling Wayfair customer service to buy one of the cabinets in question Not a believer: Maddie later shared a post saying she felt the conspiracy was 'debunked' too quickly, making it clear that she doesn't believe it is false Justin agreed with her and went as far as buying a $17,000 table to further investigate the theory. Maddie, who has over 44,000 Instagram followers, posted a screenshot of their pending order, writing: 'Please SHARE THIS to raise awareness. We will not stand for one more child to be trafficked. Not on our watch.' Her husband also shared a video of himself calling Wayfair customer service to buy one of the cabinets in question. When it became clear that he was inquiring about the conspiracy theory and not actually looking for help, the representative told him there wasn't anything else he could do for him. 'Shame on you for working for that company,' Justin said before hanging up. Maddie later shared a post saying she felt the conspiracy was 'debunked' too quickly, making it clear that she doesn't believe it is false. Investigation: Influencer Indy Blue Severe (pictured) has also shared Instagram Stories posts about the conspiracy, saying she was up until 2 a.m. 'trying to prove it was fake' Opinion: 'I'd rather post about this and be proved wrong later on, than [sic] ignore what I've seen,' Indy wrote. Screenshots of her posts were shared on Twitter '"Debunking" this trafficking situation as "false" cannon happen in 24 hours,' the post said. 'It can only happen after a proper and thorough FBI Investigation. If the face checkers ever claim to have "debunked" something look deeper...with both eyes wide open and brace yourself for what you will find.' Indy Blue Severe, who has 322,000 followers on Instagram, has also shared Instagram Stories posts about the conspiracy, saying she was up until 2 a.m. 'trying to prove it was fake.' 'I looked everything up before Wayfair had the chance to delete products/rename/reprice items, so I've seen this stuff for myself,' she wrote. 'I'd rather post about this and be proved wrong later on, than [sic] ignore what I've seen,' she added. 'I encourage you to look into this for yourself as well and quick reminder that you're not doing anything wrong by questioning VERY QUESTIONABLE THINGS. I'm so sick of seeing "conspiracy theorist" function as an insult.' Kassady Bingham, who has more than 170,000 followers, not only brought up the conspiracy theory, but she claimed her son Lucca was almost a victim of trafficking. Believer: Kassady Bingham, who has more than 170,000 followers, not only brought up the conspiracy theory, but she claimed her son Lucca was almost a victim of trafficking On the fence: Others shared they were just happy the story was bringing attention to human trafficking, even though they weren't sure if the Wayfair conspiracy theory was true 'I've actually had a close call with what I believe were child traffickers at IKEA a few years ago,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories. 'I explained the story here. I know the shady people following us with bad intentions with Lucca and my niece. NOTHING is stronger or more accurate than a mother's intuition.' The conspiracy theory was also posted by people who didn't necessarily believe it but wanted to discuss it with their followers. Emily Herren, who is known as Champagne and Chanel on social media, polled her one million Instagram followers and 65 per cent of them said they believed the Wayfair conspiracy theory. Others shared they were just happy the story was bringing attention to human trafficking, even though they weren't sure if the Wayfair conspiracy theory was true. 'I don't know what is going on with Wayfair. We need more answers. But what I do know is that child sex trafficking is a crime that hides IN PLAIN SIGHT,' Anna Lyn Cook wrote on her Instagram Stories. Reading the room: Emily Herren polled her one million Instagram followers and 65 per cent of them said they believed the Wayfair conspiracy theory 'It's shedding light on the fact children DO go missing and are sold. People are asking their own questions and doing their research,' an influencer known as Just Brandi wrote. 'People need to learn more and to help do what they can to be activists against it. Be a VOICE FOR THEM.' NBC News journalist Ben Collins is among those who have condemned the debunked conspiracy on social media. 'Pizzagate/QAnon people have Wayfair trending today. They falsely claim price glitches on storage boxes prove that the company is trafficking children,' he tweeted on July 10. 'This took off because of a post on Reddit's r/conspiracy subreddit yesterday, which is a clearinghouse for anonymous paranoia.' QAnon started on the fringe website 4chan, where a poster calling themselves Q left messages claiming to be a senior federal official and purporting to reveal a 'deep state' cabal intent on bringing down Donald Trump. Q grew out of the discredited Pizzagate conspiracy that top Democrats were involved in pedophilia and cannibalism from the basement of a Washington D.C. restaurant, but it quickly picked up steam with 'Q' leaving 'clues' and claims that Trump was going to bring down the deep state. Whenever the conspiracies turn out to not be true, followers rationalize that the inaccuracies are part of Qs larger plan. 1. Namastey London (2007) 2. Welcome (2007) 3. Singh Is Kinng (2008) 4. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) 5. Raajneeti (2010) 6. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) 7. Ek Tha Tiger (2012) 8. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) 9. Dhoom 3 (2013) 10. Bang Bang! (2014) 11. Jagga Jasoos (2017) 12. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) 13. Zero (2018) 14. Bharat (2019) Katrina Kaif has been around for more than 15 years in the industry and has made a mark for herself both for her grace and beauty as well as her acting chops. Her dance numbers add an X factor to films and shes much in demand to provide a whiff of oomph even in films which dont have her in a starring role. On the occasion of her birthday, we bring you a list of some ofdown the years. Happy viewing!Director: Vipul Amrutlal ShahCast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor, Javed Sheikh and Upen Patel.Katrina starred as a rich NRI who falls for the charm of an Indian guy who is a huge believer in Indian values. Manmohan Malhotra (Rishi Kapoor), an Indian NRI living in London wishes to get his daughter, Jasmeet (Katrina Kaif) married to someone from India. Jasmeet already has a British boyfriend named Charlie Brown (Clive Standen). She reluctantly agrees to marry her dads son Arjun (Akshay Kumar) to placate her father but upon returning to England, she refuses to recognise her marriage with Arjun as there is no proof of the wedding. Arjun doesnt want to force her into a relationship. He respects her wishes and maintains his distance. Though they are separate, circumstances force Jasmeet to see a different side of Arjun. She likes the way he takes pride in Indian culture and values. She begins to admire him from afar and soon falls in love with him. Whether or not she decides to come back to him forms the crux of the film.Director: Anees BazmeeCast: Feroz Khan, Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Paresh RawalThis hilarious comedy had Katrina playing the sister of two possessive gangsters. Dr Ghunghroo (Paresh Rawal) wants his nephew Rajeev(Akshay Kumar) married to a good girl belonging to a decent family. Mafia dons Uday (Nana Patekar) and Majnu (Anil Kapoor) con him into thinking that theyre law-abiding citizens as they too want their sister Sanjana (Katrina Kaif) married to a person who belongs to a good family. Rajeev and Sanjana meet and fall in love. All seems to be going well when Ghungroo comes to know of the subterfuge. He sends his niece Ishika (Mallika Sherawat) as Rajeevs sweetheart in a bid to break off the marriage but both Uday and Majnu get smitten by Ishika. Rajeev meanwhile inspires Majnu and Uday to give up their life of crime. However, another mafia Don, RDX (Feroz Khan) and his son Lucky (Shereveer), too get embroiled in this madness.Director: Anees BazmeeCast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Sonu SoodKatrina played a hot-headed Punjabi girl in this comedy of errors. Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar) is sent along with his friend Rangeela (Om Puri) to bring Lucky (Sonu Sood) back to Punjab. However, his tickets get mixed with those of Puneet (Ranveer Shorey) and he ends up going to Egypt, where he meets Sonia (Katrina Kaif) and falls in love with her. He eventually reaches Australia and finds out that Lucky is the uncrowned king of the Australian underworld. Owing to circumstances perpetuated by Happy, Lucky gets paralysed and somehow Happy gets his throne. Happy sets about reforming Luckys gang by making them help a distraught woman (Kirron Kher), who happens to be Sonias mother. Slowly, the gang gets reformed and want to give up their life of crime. Luckys brother Mika (Jaaved Jaffrey) doesnt like this development and wants to kill Happy and becomes the boss himself. However, at the last moment, hes stopped by Lucky, who is cured of his paralysis. Lucky agrees that he has been living the wrong kind of life and promises to reform himself and the film ends on a happy note for all.Director: Rajkumar SantoshiCast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Upen PatenKatrina played a young girl who is clueless about how the real world functions. The film is inspired by the Telugu hit Soggadu (2005). Prem (Ranbir Kapoor) is a slacker whose philosophy is to make everyone happy. He starts a Happy Club towards that end and with the help of his friends, goes about making everyone happy, leading to several misadventures. He meets Jenny (Katrina Kaif), and its love at first sight for him. Unfortunately, she loves Rahul (Upen Patel). They both stammer when stressed and at first it causes misunderstanding between them, later they become friends. When Prem finds out that Jennys parents are against her marrying Rahul, he sets aside his own feelings for her and makes it his mission in life to get her married to Rahul. Just before her marriage, shes kidnapped by a mafia don and is rescued by Prem and his friends. She gets to know of Prems good nature and of Rahuls mean ways and runs away on her wedding day, only to later marry Prem. Katrina Kaifs comic touch got noticed during the film. She played an airhead initially, and her clueless expression garnered laughs. Her chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor too was spot on.Director: Prakash JhaCast: Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Nana Patekar, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee, Sarah Thompson, Naseeruddin ShahThe film was inspired by The Mahabharata, The Godfather, as also the Indian politics. One can say Katrina played the character of Draupadi in the film. Samar Pratap (Ranbir Kapoor) wants to return back to the US to his girlfriend but stays back when his father, a prominent politician, is shot dead. He then treads a long-drawn path of revenge, willing to sacrifice everything he holds sacred, even the woman he loves, to get his way. Ranbir was both Arjuna and Krishna rolled into one, Ajay Devgn played Karna, Manoj Bajpayee was Duryodhan, while Arjun Rampal was both Yudhisthira and Bheema, while Nana Patekar was Bhishma. Katrina impressed even in her small role as a woman unwittingly drawn into politics.Director: Zoya AkhtarCast: Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Kalki KoechlinKatrina had a small but important role in a boys only film. She plays a diving instructor who helps Hrithik Roshans character overcome his fear of water. The film was a two-hour long advertisement for Spain. The La Tomatina festival of Bunol was re-created for the song Ik junoon. The flamenco song Senorita was filmed in Alajar, a town in the province of Huelva. The climax of the film, which features the Running of the bulls, was filmed at Pamplona, which has traditionally been the centre for the sport. ZNMD centred around a road trip taken by three friends, Arjun (Hrithik), Kabir (Abhay) and Imran (Farhan). While Kabir works for his familys construction business, Arjun is an investment baker and Imran is a copywriter. They plan a three-week road trip across Spain before Kabirs marriage and make a pact that each will pursue a thing that they were afraid of doing during the length of the trip. Kabir chooses underwater diving and Arjun who doesnt know how to swim gets to spend time with diving instructor Laila (Katrina Kaif). Arjuns choice is skydiving, where Imran initially struggles because of his fear or heights. The last adventure, chosen by Imran, is that of taking part in the Running With The Bulls race. The road trip helps the three friends to find fresh perspectives about their own life and about each other.Director: Kabir KhanCast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey, Girish KarnadThe film had Katrina taking the action route. Her kicks, punches and gun skills were on par with Salman Khans. One could see she was enjoying doing a different role. The film marked Salman Khans entry into the Yash Raj camp. It follows the adventures of an Indian spy code-named Tiger (Salman Khan), who is charged with recovering sensitive information before it falls into the hands of Pakistan and ends up falling in love with the Pakistani agent Zoya (Katrina Kaif), who is sent on a similar mission by her government. The film was shot extensively abroad in places like Dublin, Istanbul and Havana. It was one of the first Indian films to shoot in Cuba. It was praised for its stunts which were mostly executed by a foreign crew. Not only Salman but Katrina too vigorously participated in the stunt work. The film turned out to be a big blockbuster and gave way to a sequel,(2017) directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.Director Yash ChopraCast Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka SharmaKatrina Kaif played Shah Rukh Khans love interest in the film. She takes a vow not to talk to her lover if his life gets saved and this absurd promise to God opens up a host of misunderstandings between them. This was Yash Chopras last film as a director. Shah Rukh Khan played Samar, a bomb disposal expert with the Indian army who has yet to come to terms with his beloved Meeras (Katrina) absence in his life. Anushka plays Akira, an intern in National Geographic, who makes a documentary about the life of Samar as a bomb disposal expert. She comes to know about why he is so bitter about life and tries to reconcile him with his ex Meera. She too develops a crush on him but realises he was meant for Meera.Director: Vijay Krishna AcharyaCast: Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Uday ChopraFilmin this high voltage action film. She reportedly took special courses to do the intricate steps required of her. Her dance sequences in the film are something else alright. Aamir Khan played the antagonist in the film. It was a take-off on the Hollywood film The Prestige which used the similar conceit of twins fooling the audience in a magic act because of their similarities. Whilereprised their roles, the film was centred more on Aamir Khan, who was shown executing improbable heists in the full face of the police with the help of his identical twin brother. Whilewas admired, she didnt just play his love interest and had plenty to do in the film.Director: Siddharth AnandCast: Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Danny Denzongpa, Javed Jaffrey, Jimmy SheirgillIt was a remake of the 2010 American film Knight and Day by James Mangold starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Hrithik Roshan played an undercover Indian agent out to capture and kill the leader of a terrorist cell and avenge his brothers death in the process. Katrina Kaif plays an innocent bystander who gets embroiled in his exploits. She gets attracted to him and decides to help him, leading an adventurous life in the process. The film was shot across Europe and a portion was shot in Kashmir as well. Hrithik performed all kinds of stunts in the film. He got injured performing one of the stunts and had to be operated upon for blood clot removal from his brain.with Hrithik was one of the selling points of the film.Director: Anurag BasuCast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Saswata Chatterjee, Saurabh Shukla, Sayani GuptaThe story ofrevolves around the infamous Purulia Arms Drop, which happened in 1995. Jagga (Ranbir Kapoor) is a curious and shy young boy who leads a happy life with his adoptive father, Bagchi (Saswata Chatterjee). Jagga, being self-conscious of his stammer, doesn't speak much; until one day Bagchi teaches him to speak in rhyme. After admitting Jagga into a boarding school, Bagchi suddenly disappears. Jagga's only contact with Bagchi is a VHS tape that he receives in the mail every year on his birthday. One day, Jagga sets out to solve the mystery. He finds a partner in Shruti (Katrina Kaif), an accident-prone journalist who is hankering after a big scoop. The film was shot extensively in South Africa and Morocco.Director: Ali Abbas ZafarCast: Salman Khan, Katrina KaifKatrina played both a mother and a spy in the film. Just like, she took part in many hi-jinks action scenes here as well. Hollywood ace Tom Struthers, whose list of honours include The Dark Knight, Inception, X Men: First Class, and many more directed the action in Tiger Zinda Hai, and made Katrina do some insane stuff. The plot was said to be inspired by an actual event where a group of nurses were held hostage by terrorists and were rescued after a hush-hush operation. Katrina reprised her role of an ISI operative as Pakistani nurses were also involved in the hostage situation.Director: Aanand L RaiCast: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka SharmaKatrina Kaif delivered a knockout performance playing a superstar named Babita Kumari. She laid bare her emotions in the film and her raw and visceral portrayal came in for a lot of praise. Her character merited a standalone film of her own.was an ambitious project by Aanand L Rai that revolved around a dwarf, played by Shah Rukh Khan whose ambitions knew no limit. Anushka played a genius-level space scientist, who tragically is suffering from cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound in the film. Shah Rukh Khan's character Bauaa meets with her and tries to impress her. He feels that his being a dwarf and her being on the wheelchair all the time makes them compatible. She cuts off all ties with him when she finds out he is interested in a film star. Bauaa returns to her and becomes a volunteer in a space programme sending people to Mars. He does complete the mission successfully but isn't able to return.Director: Ali Abbas ZafarCast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Grover, Disha Patani, Nora Fatehi, Sonali Kulkarni, Aasif Sheikh, Kumud Mishra, TabuKatrina played a level headed woman whose iron maiden character thaws through Salmans love in the film. The Partition of India serves as the focal point of the film. Eight-year-old Bharat lets go of his younger sister's hands as they are climbing atop a train which will take the family to India from Pakistan. Father (Jackie Shroff) alights to search for her, and both aren't seen again. The incident haunts(Salman Khan) all his life and influences his every decision. So much so, in fact, that he decides to forgo marriage to the love of his life Kumud (Katrina Kaif) because of this. How he finally finds closure forms the crux of the film. The basic idea of the film, taken from the Korean hit Ode To My Father (2014), is to showcase a nation's history through the life experience of a single citizen. Unity and universal brotherhood are celebrated and so is the vast reach of Bollywood films. The film also touches upon the fact that even after all these years, the scars of Partition haven't healed. That people who suffered are still searching for answers. Salman Khan is the perfect heroic figure in the film -- caring towards everyone, loyal to his friends, devoted to his family and having a strong sense of justice.Read More - Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Kansas's 2nd district Steve Watkins speaks at a rally at the Kansas Expocenter in Topeka, Kansas, on Oct. 6, 2018. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Kansas Freshman GOP Rep. Watkins Charged in Voter Fraud Case Rep. Steve Watkins, a Republican from Kansas, was charged on July 14 with three felonies and a misdemeanor linked to a probe into whether he voted illegally in a municipal election last year. The charges, which stem from Watkins registering to vote using the address of a UPS storefront, were announced by Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay on July 14, shortly before Watkins was scheduled to appear in a televised debate with two GOP challengers. It came just weeks before his first primary to defend his congressional seat. Kagay filed multiple felony counts against Watkins, which stem from a ballot he allegedly cast in the Topeka City Council election in November 2019. The charges include interference with law enforcement; providing false information; voting without being qualified; and unlawful advance voting. Watkins also was charged with a misdemeanor for failing to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles about a change of address. Watkins dismissed the charges as clearly hyper-political and the timing as suspicious. They were announced about 45 minutes before GOP candidates for the 2nd Congressional District were due to debate on television. Weve cooperated with the district attorney completely, Watkins said. I look forward to clearing my name. Truly, the timing is suspicious. For the local election last year, Watkins in August used the address of a Topeka UPS store on his voter registration, before signing an application for a mail-in ballot in October. He also allegedly voted in the wrong city council district. At the time, Watkinss office said he had made an error and filled in his campaigns mailing address instead of his home address. In December 2019, he changed the address to an apartment complex in the city, about two miles north of the UPS store, but it was the address for the complexs office. That address was not in the same city council district as the UPS store but in a district with no council race last year. In January, Watkins filed another form listing another address for an apartment in the same complex as his residence. I havent done anything wrong, Watkins said at the start of the July 14 debate. As soon as I realized that I had put my mailing address instead of my physical address, we fixed it. Ill get my name exonerated, he said during his closing statement. Watkinss office didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. The most serious criminal charge accuses Watkins of voting in the 2019 local city and school board election without being qualified. A first-time offender whos convicted could face a year in prison, though the more typical sentence would be two years probation. Kagay also charged Watkins with voting illegally in advance and interfering with law enforcement by providing false information. Both felonies could bring up to seven months in prison, though a years probation is the presumed sentence. Kagays announcement didnt provide details about the alleged crimes, and the district attorney said in an email that he couldnt discuss them until they are presented in open court. No hearings have been scheduled yet. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Over the last decade, the field of condensed matter physics has experienced a golden age with the discovery of new materials and properties, and related technologies being developed at breakneck speed thanks to the arrival of topological physics. Topological physics took off in 2008 with the discovery of topological insulator, a type of material that is electrically insulating in the bulk but metallic on the surface. Since then, scientists have found more exotic topological phases including Dirac semimetals, Weyl semimetals and Axionic insulators. But most recently, materials that are insulating in the bulk, on surfaces and edges but are metallic only on the hinges or at the corners have been theoretically predicted. These bizarre new materials called higher-order topological insulators are extremely rare and only the element bismuth has been experimentally proven to possibly belong to this category so far. What is a hinge state anyway? Imagine a box - longer and wider than tall - with flaps on top and bottom that you can open to put things inside. The space inside the box would be called the bulk. Most materials which conduct electricity do so in the bulk. However, in topological insulators, the bulk of the box is electrically insulating but the top and bottom - the flaps - are metallic and maintain surface states. For some materials, the bulk, the top and bottom of the box are insulating but the sides (edges) are metallic. These have edge states which have been demonstrated in magnetic topological insulators. Finally, in higher-order topological insulators, the bulk, top, bottom and sides of the box are all insulating but the hinges and corners of the box are metallic and have disparate hinge or corner states. These hinge states have also been predicted to exist in topological semimetals like bismuth. The hinge states in particular are expected to be promising for the study of spintronics because the direction of their propagation is tied to their spin as well as for Majorana fermions which are actively being investigated for their applications to fault-tolerant quantum computing. Now an international team of scientists from the United States, Hong Kong, Germany, and South Korea have identified a new higher-order topological insulator. It is a layered two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) called WTe2. This is a famous material in condensed matter physics that displays a variety of exotic properties from titanic magnetoresistance to quantized spin hall effect. It was the first example of a Type-II Weyl semimetal that can be made into devices that are only one layer in thickness and is exfoliatable like graphene. WTe2 has also shown to superconduct under pressure which means electrons form pairs and a supercurrent travels through it without any resistance. Adding to this carnival of properties, theoretical physicists in 2019 envisioned WTe2 and its sister material MoTe2 to be higher-order topological insulators with metallic hinge states. Many research teams around the world have since searched for evidence of these exotic states in WTe2 and MoTe2 and some recent results have shown that there are extra conductive states at their edges. But the researchers were unable to identify if these were truly edge states or the highly sought-after hinge states. In a study published in Nature Materials on July 6, 2020, the team led by Kin Chung Fong (Raytheon BBN Technologies), Mazhar N. Ali (Max Plank Institute of Microstructure Physics and also Material Mind Inc.), Kam Tuen Law (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) and Gil-Ho Lee (Pohang University of Science and Technology, and the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics) took a new approach by using the Josephson junctions to spatially resolve the supercurrent flow and to show that WTe2 does indeed appear to have hinge states and be a higher-order topological insulator (Link to paper). Josephson junctions are an incredibly important device and tool in physics. They are used in a variety of technological applications including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines as well as in qubits, which are building blocks of quantum computers. These junctions are formed when two superconducting electrodes like niobium (Nb) are connected by a non-superconducting bridge like a high-quality WTe2 in a thin film device. When the temperature is lowered enough, the supercurrent that is injected from one Nb electrode can travel across the bridge without resistance to the other Nb electrode. Therefore the overall device shows zero resistance and is said to be superconducting. However, no infinite amount of supercurrent can be sent across the bridge while retaining superconductivity. When the injected current exceeds a critical current, the junction turns into a normal state and exhibits finite resistance. The Josephson effect states that as a function of the applied magnetic field, the critical current will oscillate in a Fraunhofer pattern between high and low values due to the changing phase of the superconducting wave-function across the sample. The team realized that hidden in this oscillation is location information of the supercurrent while it travels in the sample. By taking an inverse Fourier transform of the Fraunhofer pattern, the researchers were able to visualize the supercurrent flow in the sample and found that it indeed travels on the sides of the WTe2 device. However, this was not enough to distinguish the edge states from the hinge states. As shown in the figure below, due to a quirk in the symmetry-based origin of the hinge states, not all hinges are identical on the WTe2 sample. For example, there are metallic hinge states on top left and bottom right hinges on the sample but not on the top right or bottom left. This is different from an edge state, which would simply be existing on the entirety of the left and right sides of the sample. Regarding this, Kin Chung Fong of Raytheon BBN Technologies explains, "We used this difference to our advantage. By connecting superconducting electrodes on just the top half of the sample and not the bottom half, we realized we would see a different Fraunhofer pattern if hinge states existed and not edge states." He further commented, "In this configuration, electrodes would connect to only one of the hinge states (i.e. top left and not bottom right), which would show a distinct Fraunhofer pattern. If there were edge states, this configuration wouldn't be any different than connecting to both the bottom and top halves of the sample and the Fraunhofer would look the same." When they carried out this challenging experiment, they observed the hallmark of the hinge state, not the edge state. "But that's not all. WTe2 is a fairly low-symmetry orthorhombic material with high crystalline anisotropy. The different directions in the crystal are not equivalent and we also theorized and confirmed that the hinge states existing in WTe2 aren't all equivalent either. In some directions, they mix into the bulk while in other directions they don't," explained Kam Tuen Law at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. "There is a variety of exciting physics to be explored in these compounds in the near future now that hinge states have been found in WTe2," remarked Gil Ho Lee of Pohang University of Science and Technology. He added, "The possibility for dissipationless interconnections, true 1D superconducting nano-wires and spintronics devices, topological superconductivity, Majorana fermions and correspondingly topological quantum computers are all on the horizon." Mazhar N. Ali at the Max Plank Institute of Microstructure Physics explained, "WTe2 may be the second material shown to host hinge states, but it is very different from the other candidate, bismuth. Being 2D, WTe2 is easily fabricable into nano-devices with controlled surfaces, and can be layered on top of other 2D materials in heterostructures and even on top of itself when slightly twisted to form a Moire superlattice." He added, "Its sister material MoTe2 is expected to exhibit the same hinge states but it is an intrinsic superconductor at low temperatures." He questioned excitedly, "How can these hinge states be modified, controlled, and used? There are a lot of exciting research opportunities ahead." ### Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand's tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards and won over a sceptical public to their award-winning wine. Now they're taking on the "unfair" booze laws critics say benefit the kingdom's billionaire booze monopolies. Rows of Syrah, Viognier and Chenin Blanc grapes stretch across the 40-acre GranMonte Estate in the foothills of Khao Yai National Park. The elevated terrain, three hours outside of Bangkok, provides unexpectedly fertile ground for grapes and an escape from city life, complete with a rust-coloured guesthouse that could be pulled straight from a Tuscany tourism advert. As they snap selfies in between the vines visitors run into Nikki Lohitnavy, 33, who studied oenology in Australia and now steers the science behind each bottle. She painstakingly experiments with grape varieties to see how they respond to the climate -- it takes at least six years to see if a decent wine will emerge from the ground. The plot of land was once a cornfield, but their father Visooth transformed the terrain into trellised vines and as a teenager Nikki joined him in the fields. Younger sister Mimi was not interested in the viticulture, but today, she heads the label's marketing, calling it her "mission to put Thai wine into the market". The kingdom's wine remains an outlier -- grapes grown in warmer temperatures tend to produce tannic wines, something that seasoned drinkers eschew. But after more than two decades in business, GranMonte is gaining recognition especially for its progress in tropical viticulture. "Winemakers around the world want to know what we do here because the climate is changing so they have to adapt to warmer temperatures and higher rainfall in their regions too," Nikki told AFP. Its proximity to a national park also poses an unusual pest control issue as hungry elephants occasionally trespass through their vineyard, prompting calls from the sisters to rangers for help. - Que Syrah Sera - Despite the gains, the long term future of the GranMonte wines is clouded by the kingdom's heavily restrictive booze laws. Thailand has a strange relationship with alcohol. A devoutly Buddhist kingdom, it also has the highest alcohol consumption rate in Southeast Asia, according to the WHO. A web of rules, including high import taxes on alcohol, hefty fines for breaches and a licensing culture where bars require friends at local police stations, can make drinking a complicated business. Then there's the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, a law forbidding the display of booze logos on their products, as well as any advertising that could "directly or indirectly appeal to people to drink". It's aimed at controlling consumption, but in effect clips the wings of small producers who do not possess the same reach to customers as established brands. "I can't show clearly a bottle of my wine, I can't post on social media what the wine tastes like, or how or why it's good," says Mimi, who worries that their website might fall afoul of the law. Critics say it has always been unevenly enforced, allowing booze giants to cement their brand recognition, spraying their logos via non-alcoholic drinks like soda water on giant billboards and public transport. The market leader - Thai Beverage - makes the ubiquitous Chang lager. The firm is owned by Sirivadhanabhakdi family, the kingdom's third richest family with $10.5 billion in wealth according to Forbes, and their portfolio includes massive downtown Bangkok real estate projects and hotels. Together with Boon Rawd Brewery -- which produces Singha and Leo -- the duopoly are unrivalled in reach and capital. Neither responded to multiple requests for comment. Thailand's booze laws are uncharacteristically responsive to changes in drinking culture. Online alcohol sales - which surged during the pandemic lockdown - are now in the regulators' crosshairs, potentially closing down another revenue route for small alcohol producers. GranMonte lost 30 million baht ($964,000) in three months during the shutdown - and Mimi says their recovery will be further hampered by new rules slated to ban all online booze sales. - Monopoly players - But Nipon Chinanonwait, director of the Ministry of Health's Alcohol Control Board, rejects criticism that established giants are given an unfair advantage. "Both big and small companies face the same procedure," he told AFP, while the ministry insists the laws are there only to prevent underage drinking. The sisters have teamed up with dozens of small-scale craft brewers, importers and bars to petition the government to axe the advertising law, and to halt the impending online booze sales ban. "People cannot live like this," said brewer Supapong Pruenglampoo, who hid his Sandport Brewing Facebook page from public view in fear of a crackdown. "In these COVID times, (the fines) are impossible to pay," he told AFP. But in an unequal kingdom, any efforts to change the monopoly culture are bruising. It's "a reflection of how Thailand operates," says Mimi. "The lawmaking, the enforcement and everything surrounding it is to benefit the small group of people holding most of the wealth in Thailand," she said. As Nikki tastes their recent batch of Syrah grapes kept in imported barrels, she says the challenges to start were numerous. Now, they are working to stay on top. "It's our passion -- we like it so we do it," she says. Rows of Syrah, Viognier and Chenin Blanc grapes stretch across the 40-acre GranMonte Estate in the foothills of Khao Yai National Park Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand's tropical climate, chased elephants off their vineyards and won over a sceptical public The long term future of Thailand's GranMonte wines is clouded by the kingdom's heavily restrictive booze laws The Irish Government has decided to postpone plans to reopen pubs until August 10 over concerns about the increase in new Covid-19 cases. Pubs and nightclubs were due to reopen this coming Monday but the Cabinet has decided the push back the date over fears about the rise in coronavirus cases. Central to the Governments concerns are the rise in infections among younger people who are more likely to go to pubs or attend mass gatherings. The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) yesterday warned the government against moving into the fourth stage of the roadmap for reopening the country. Instead, public health officials said restrictions due to be eased on Monday should be delayed until August 10, which as originally suppose to be the fifth phase of the roadmap. The Cabinet is also expected to recommend that face coverings become mandatory in inside settings. They will also say foreign travel should be discouraged. The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) said that publicans have been dealt a "hammer blow" by the decision. They say it will have huge ramifications for family-run pubs across Ireland. This is a shocking decision not to proceed with the planned reopening of pubs and will be a hammer blow to thousands of pubs and their local communities around the country. "The vast majority of these pubs are small rural outlets run by families who are on first-name terms with their customers and far removed from the crowded venues that concern NPHET," said VFI Chief Executive Padraig Cribben. Publicans are reeling from this news. They did everything asked of them by remaining shut for over four months and our members had a reasonable expectation the sector would reopen next Monday. All other phases went smoothly so to now tell publicans they cant open like the rest of the hospitality sector makes little sense. This is a decision made by politicians who appear divorced from reality about life in rural Ireland," he added. A "major support package" is urgently needed for pubs which have been closed for five months, the federation added, which would include grants of 20,000 to 50,000. Loop is one of the most ambitious attempts yet to eliminate plastic waste from the household shop. Photo: Loop/PA A zero-waste shopping service is launching to deliver groceries and household essentials in reusable packaging to homes across the UK. Loop offers 150 products that usually come in single-use plastic packaging from 35 major brands, with more to be added in the future, that are delivered in fully reusable packaging which can be returned, cleaned and refilled through the scheme. Customers ordering online from the Loop website are charged a deposit fee on each piece of refillable packaging which is fully refundable when the empty item is returned, and the products are then delivered by courier DPD in a reusable container. Hailed as the milkman reimagined, customers can schedule a pick-up of their empty containers from the doorstep which can be combined with the next delivery to be cleaned for reuse up to 100 times. Customers can also drop them off at one of DPDs 2,500 collection points across the UK. Loop said it will sort and professionally clean the packaging to strict health and safety standards so it can be refilled by the manufacturer. READ MORE: Diageo announces worlds first 100% plastic free paper-based spirits bottle Major consumer goods companies such as Unilever (ULVR.L) and PepsiCo (PEP) have created eco-packaged versions of popular brands such as Tropicana, Persil and Hellmanns for Loop. Household favourites including Heinz (KHC) Tomato Ketchup, Coca-Cola (KO), Danone (BN.PA), Jackpot Peanut Butter, Brewdog, and Nivea will also be available on the scheme. Loop is already up and running in the US and France, with plans to launch in Japan, Australia and Canada next year. Tesco (TSCO.L) is partnering with Loop, which is a spin-off of waste management company TerraCycle, with plans for the supermarket to absorb the platform into its own business aiming to make products in reusable packaging available in dedicated aisles in Tesco stores from 2021. Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of Loop and TerraCycle, said: Loop was designed from the ground up to reinvent the way we consume by learning from historic circular and sustainable models like the milkman from yesteryear while honouring the convenience afforded by our single-use consumption of today. Story continues READ MORE: Coronavirus: 10 million hand sanitiser bottles heading to landfill Tesco is the perfect partner to bring Loop to retail in the UK due to its commitment to sustainability, in combating plastics waste, and its operational scale as the UKs biggest grocery retailer. Online shopping has skyrocketed since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, but progress in reducing single-use plastics has stalled, due to the increased use of masks, gloves, visors, disposable wipes, and hand sanitiser in plastic containers amid fears of contamination. Revelations that came to light on Tuesday that the cellphone of the Catalan parliamentary speaker, Roger Torrent, had been targeted by a spyware program that is only available to governments and state security forces have caused a political storm. It also emerged yesterday that another politician from the region, Ernest Maragall, was subject to the same alleged espionage, according to a joint investigation by EL PAIS and The Guardian. Torrent yesterday claimed that in Spain, spying is carried out on political adversaries. The Interior Ministry, the National Police and the Civil Guard stated that they have never hired the services of NSO, the Israeli company that makes the Pegasus program used on the politicians handsets, while the Spanish intelligence agency, the CNI, stated that it always acts in clear accordance with the law. Latest news Spains intelligence service has spyware program that targeted Catalan politicians The handsets of the two pro-Catalan independence politicians, who belong to the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) party, were targeted by the Pegasus spyware via a flaw in the WhatsApp messaging service. Between April and May 2019 around 1,400 terminals were targeted around the world using the program. The method used to activate the attack was a missed video call via the popular application, according to WhatsApp. Ernest Maragall, of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), in July 2019. Albert Garcia Pegasus took advantage of this weakness to target the Catalan politicians cellphones, according to Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity group from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, which exclusively investigated the security flaw. WhatsApp provided Citizen Lab with the numbers targeted by Pegasus, which was created by NSO. Among them were those of Torrent, who is the second-highest authority in Catalonia after the premier, Quim Torra, and of Ernest Maragall, a deputy in the regional parliament who held a number of different ministerial positions. EL PAIS and The Guardian have had access to a certificate from Citizen Lab that shows that the phones of both ERC politicians were targeted by NSOs spy program. There is, the document states, multiple evidence that could show that both Torrent and Maragall were monitored. Given the nature of this attack and the limited information collected by WhatsApp on its users, we can confirm that the telephone was targeted, said John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who has investigated the spyware, about Torrent. However, additional investigation would be necessary to confirm that the phone was hacked. At this time we have no reason to believe that it wasnt. This is the first time that what we already knew has been proven Speaker Roger Torrent The news caused political storms on Tuesday both in Barcelona and Madrid. Speaking in the Catalan parliament, Torrent accused the Spanish state of carrying out espionage against political adversaries, given that NSO only supplies the program to governments and security forces. This is the first time that what we already knew has been proven, he said. There were accusations about this from Amnesty International and from other organizations that some states were using this to pursue political dissidence, as has happened in Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Now we know that it happens in Spain, he continued. Congressional party speakers in Spain's Congress of Deputies read a statement in connection with the cellphone espionage claims on Tuesday. Mariscal (EFE) The Interior Ministry did not respond to questions from EL PAIS ahead of the publication of the story. It did, however, offer this statement on Tuesday: The Interior Ministry, the National Police and the Civil Guard have never had any relationship with the company NSO, and as such have never hired any of their services, the brief message from a spokesperson read. The actions of the state security forces are always carried out with a scrupulous respect for the law, it added. The CNI, meanwhile, pointed out that its activity is always supervised by a judge from the Spanish Supreme Court. The government is not aware that the speaker of the [Catalan] parliament, Roger Torrent, has been the target of a hack, said a spokesperson from the Spanish government on Tuesday, adding that any wiretaps are always carried out with a court order. Despite these claims from the authorities, the ERC along with nine parties, including Unidas Podemos, the junior partner in the Socialist Party-led coalition government made a statement denouncing the severity of the incident and calling for an investigatory commission into what it called the cesspit of the state. Former Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain to avoid arrest in the wake of the 2017 independence drive in the region, also commented on Tuesday on the revelations. Writing from Belgium via Twitter, the politician said: For some time now the Spanish state has not respected the rule of law. The problem is that even with such irrefutable evidence they are unable to carry out a full investigation and determine who is responsible. Its a scandal that cannot go unpunished. All my solidarity with Roger Torrent. 130 victims The cellphones figure on a list of a hundred or so cases across the world that were compiled by Citizen Lab of representatives of civil society who were indiscriminately attacked via the WhatsApp vulnerability, according to the Canadian institution. Citizen Lab states that 130 activists have been unjustified victims of the NSO program since 2016. Pegasus permits conversations to be listened to, messages read, access to the phones memory, screenshots to be taken, browsing history to be tracked and for remote access of the devices microphone and camera. This opens the door for the program to listen to the ambient sound in a room if a phone has been infected. The system even allows for encrypted messages and voice calls to be recorded, according to the Canadian experts. While Torrents cellphone was targeted by Pegasus, in 2019, the parliamentary speaker took part in dozens of political meetings and also appeared as a witness in Spains Supreme Court during the trial of the politicians and civil leaders who were involved in the 2017 independence drive in the Catalonia region, which saw an illegal referendum on secession from Spain held in October of that year. Among the sentences handed down by the court, Carme Forcadell, Torrents predecessor as speaker in the regional parliament, was given 11-and-a-half years in jail for the offense of sedition. In May 2019, when he was being targeted with Pegasus, Torrent took part in a meeting in Strasbourg with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatvic. English version by Simon Hunter. Haiti - News : Zapping... USA University : Trump retreat Trump government has abandoned its controversial decision to deny visas to students whose courses in the United States would remain virtual at the start of the school year due to the coronavirus epidemic "The parties have reached a solution [...] the Government has accepted to annul the decision," said the judge during a brief hearing without giving further details on the reasons for the decline of the Trump administration, faced with the lawsuit of the largest American universities... Moise J-C calls for an uprising Moise Jean Charles, leader of the radical opposition party "Pitit Dessalin" who has been silent for months, accuses the elites of all evils, including that of secretly fueling the epidemic of Covid-19, and plans within 6 next months a catastrophic situation in Haiti. He calls for unparalleled mobilization and a popular uprising to end this situation of social injustice once and for all. He asked the "intellectuals" to take the lead in this uprising. Covid-19 : Thanks to India The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government and people of Haiti, thanks the Government and people of India for the 4 tonnes of medical equipment sent to Haiti as part of the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. As a sign of the strengthening of cooperation between India and Haiti, this batch of medical equipment includes, among others, front thermometers, paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. Installation of the new DG of EDH Earlier this week, Nader Joiseus, Minister of Public Works, installed Michel Presume as the new Director General of Electricity of Haiti (EDH). He replaces Nicolas Herve Pierre-Louis in this position. Covid-19 : Increase in gender-based attacks Covid-19, in Haiti, has caused an increase in sexual and physical assaults against women and girls denounced Marie Ghislaine Monpremier, Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights who recognizes that despite the efforts made to combat this violence against women, this situation has worsened since the pandemic and is beyond the control of the authorities. Minister Clement deplores the slackening of the population Marie Greta Roy Clement Minister of Public Health notes a certain relaxation on the part of the population following the decision relating to the resumption of certain economic activities and recalls that the Covid-19 is still there. She insisted on the need for citizens to continue to be vigilant and to apply barrier gestures to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31289-haiti-covid-19-daily-report-july-15-2020.html HL/ HaitiLibre The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided one-time stimulus payments of $1,200 to most adults and $500 for eligible dependent children. The money was desperately needed by many who received it -- the country had been largely shut down, COVID-19 cases were spiking, and millions were out of work. There's a strong argument to be made that a second, similar payment is necessary, with unemployment still at Great Recession-level highs and an increased likelihood of a second wave of COVID-19. Unfortunately, U.S. politicians now seem to be putting forth stimulus check proposals that are increasingly ridiculous in how far they stray far from the purpose of the original COVID-19 payment. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has endorsed the idea of a $4,000 tax credit for travel, while Sen. Martha McSally (R-Arizona) one-upped him by proposing $8,000 in credits per adult per year for three years, plus more money for dependents. U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) put forth a proposal to provide a $1,200 hiring bonus for those who go back to work. The problem is, these suggestions are costly, they don't actually provide relief where it's really needed, and the proposed changes would mostly help people who are probably in pretty good financial shape already. Sadly, even as lawmakers continue putting forth these suggestions, they're dragging their feet on doing what matters most in keeping people out of poverty and avoiding a major economic disaster: extending expanded unemployment benefits. Why lawmakers should focus on expanded unemployment instead of additional stimulus payments When the CARES Act passed, the first stimulus payment got money into people's pockets when it was needed most. And the Act also provided an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits on top of what states typically provide, while making benefits available to people who don't typically qualify for them. These measures worked, with recent research from Brookings Papers on Economic Activity revealing the stimulus money and extra unemployment benefits kept millions out of poverty. But now the extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits is scheduled to come to an end July 31. And when it does, the average weekly payment benefit recipients receive will decline to around $380, leaving most workers with incomes of about a third of what they were making pre-pandemic. With past studies showing around six-in-10 Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, such a huge drop in income is likely to leave people with far too little money to pay the bills. And while a second stimulus check may help, if it's the same size as the last one, it's likely to cover less than a month of spending for the typical household. Unfortunately, there's a good chance people who've lost their jobs due to COVID-19 will take longer than that to get back to work. In fact, during the Great Recession (when around 10% of workers were unemployed), the median duration of unemployment jumped from around 8.6 weeks in November 2007 to 25.2 weeks in June 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unemployment is above 10% now, and with many areas closing back down because of increased rates of COVID-19, it could stay that way for a long time. That means the unemployed could be forced to struggle on a fraction of their ordinary income for months on end without expanded benefits -- long after a second stimulus payment has been spent. What are the consequences if lawmakers don't act? If lawmakers don't act, unemployed workers' income would drop dramatically, potentially forcing them to raid retirement accounts or borrow money from other sources. Some could face foreclosure, eviction, or damaged credit. All of this could have long-term catastrophic consequences for workers, their families, and the broader economy. All those Americans whose income has been cut will also have less to spend. Without their dollars going into local economies, more businesses will find themselves in trouble, more layoffs could occur, and the recession could deepen. Of course, the consequences won't just be felt by the unemployed who've lost their expanded benefits. Landlords will suffer if tenants don't pay rent, and property values will fall if people can't afford to stay in their homes. The stock market could also decline due to the worsening economic conditions and reduced potential for business growth. Prepare for politicians to drop the ball on extended unemployment benefits Although extending the extra $600 a week in unemployment aid would likely be the best and most important step lawmakers could take to help stave off economic disaster, expect them to continue putting forth stimulus payment proposals instead of acting. That's because expanded unemployment comes at a far higher price, and it's far less popular among Republican lawmakers, who believe it will discourage people from going back to work. Because of that, you need to be ready in case it doesn't happen. This could mean saving as much of your expanded unemployment benefit as you can while you're still receiving it, or making sure you're confident in your investments in case of a market crash driven by a deepening recession. You can take these steps now, in case lawmakers don't act, as it's far better to make your contingency plan now than wait until the last minute when it may be too late. It cannot be overstated that this pandemic is to be taken seriously and that we, as communities and a state, must work together to beat COVID-19. The public health order from the governor is not to be dismissed, and we all must take our personal health and the health of others seriously. To be commended are our front-line workers that have shown up daily to provide essential services to their fellow community members, workers all too frequently overlooked in the past that have emerged as the true guardian angels of our communities and the economy. Store clerks, postal workers, municipal employees, police, fire, EMS, construction, countless others and of course the health care workers that have taken on this battle with fearless resolve. That being said, New Mexicans should not place them in the uncomfortable position of now having to be enforcers of the governors public health order. They have worked for us; now lets work for them and wear a face covering when situations necessitate going out. No essential worker, including police, want to be the one to ask you to wear a face covering, but they are placed in that position when you dont wear one. From the onset of COVID-19, mayors and local leaders from across the state have engaged this fight head-on by educating citizens on social distancing, appropriate hygiene, working one-on-one with local businesses and constituents. Cities, towns and villages across the state moved rapidly to adopt local heath emergency orders to help with enforcement and compliance with national and state health orders. It was very surprising and off-putting when the governor wrote in a July 8 op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal that she had sought partners at every opportunity and received few and local governments and public safety agencies have passed the buck. When it comes to local government, there is no passing the buck. Local leaders must deal with these issues head-on and lead in a way we believe best serves our individual communities. In recent discussions with the Governors Office and with the governor herself, significant concern was raised by municipal governments about the enforceability of certain components of the governors public heath order. Local communities have repeatedly requested information on the legal authority of municipalities to enforce and even fine and incarcerate citizens for violating such. The most recent request to the governor herself, from her appointed task force, was on July 2 wherein an appeal for an attorney general opinion was made by the task force and promised by the governor. On July 3 at 5:03 p.m. via email to the task force and presumably others, a gubernatorial directive was issued requiring local police to enforce the public health order face covering provision, but no AG opinion. On July 7 a mysterious letter from the AG dated July 3 appeared on Twitter supporting the governors stance but fell short of a formal opinion issuance. On July 8 the Albuquerque Journal published the governor-issued op-ed wherein the AGs letter was referenced. Later that morning at 9:05 a.m., a copy of the AG letter was supplied to the task force and presumably others. Municipal leaders have an obligation to question laws and directives they are asked to enforce. Requesting clarification and legal backing is not passing the buck it is called due diligence. The governor in her op-ed additionally took the unprecedented approach of threatening to remove local elected officials from office. It is unclear how she would approach this, either by asserting executive authority or using political influence, but regardless, it is inappropriate to say the least. Local nonpartisan elected officials should not be threatened when (leaders are) merely asking questions. The governors op-ed painted with a broad brush and did a disservice to those on the front line fighting this pandemic. Local leaders including police chiefs, mayors, city councilors, city/county managers and county commissioners alike are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our communities, and that includes protecting the rights of our citizens from punishments not supported by laws and authority. We, the local leaders of our communities, are members of our communities that are fortunate enough to have been chosen to serve as leaders. Our constituents are our neighbors, family members and friends. There are none we care for more. Mayors fire back The letter was also signed by the following mayors: Mike Morris Clovis Lynn Crawford Ruidoso Linda Calhoun Red River Dave Venable Cloudcroft Nate Duckett Farmington Neil Segotta Raton Javier Sanchez Espanola Dennis Kintigh Roswell Edna Trager Elephant Butte Nathan Dial Estancia Cynthia Atencio Bloomfield Stephen Aldridge Jal Sam Cobb Hobbs Ted Hart Moriarty Jerah Cordova Belen Dale Janway Carlsbad Billy Hobbs Eunice SEAMUS Browne left Limerick many decades ago but his love of his homeplace ran deep. To honour his memory, his wife Dona printed off an obituary to Seamus on limerickleader.ie and placed it on the bar at his wake in Florida. The tribute accompanied photographs which showcased a life well-lived. Whatever you do, make it fun, was Seamus favourite saying. It was his way of saying goodbye and encapsulates his fun, kind, easy manner. That saying was printed on T-shirts worn at his wake in Delray Beach, Florida, July 3. It was Seamus' birthday - he would have turned 77. He is survived by his wife Dr Dona Browne; son Eamonn Conan Browne; siblings Brendan, Peter and Shannon; extended family and many, many friends. Seamus was born a long way away from Delray Beach. He grew up in Parkview Terrace, St Josephs Street and attended the Model School on OConnell Avenue. Seamus grew up playing hurling. It was in his blood. His paternal grandfather, Major Peter Browne, was a trainer for Ahane during the 1930s when the Mackeys were running riot. Seamus was very proud of Limericks All-Ireland win in 2018. Perhaps his love for America also came from his childhood. His maternal grandfather, Doggie O'Byrne took him to the Savoy cinema every Saturday morning to watch Cowboy movies. In later life, Seamus worked at Wang Laboratories in Limerick, rising through the ranks. He then decided to swap the rain in Limerick for the Sunshine State. In the mid 1980s he became the operations manager for Pan American Airways in Miami and retired from United Airlines. Starting a hurling club might have been a stretch too far but Seamus did help found the Tridents Rugby Club in Miami. He also played rugby for the University of Miami. His wife Dona says something very simple but very nice about her late husband. Seamus was never boring, she said. He was clever, original and inventive in his ability to problem solve and organise any operations situations. He made everything look easy to do, especially when solving problems. He encouraged those he worked with to be their best and in turn his offices at the airport in Miami were always busy with visitors, continued Dona. She said Seamus was an excellent father to Conan and husband. The other love of his life was his Glen of Imaal Terrier, aptly named Gulliver due to all the travel. They were inseparable for eleven years. Seamus never got over Gulliver's death from cancer, said Dona. Many feel the same about Seamus but he was very fondly remembered at his wake. Researchers at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, used the liquid crystal elastomer technology to demonstrate a series of micro-tools grown on optical fibers. The 200-micrometer gripers are controlled remotely, without electric wiring or pneumatic tubing, with green light delivered through the fibers - absorbed light energy is directly converted into the gripper jaws' action. Gripping objects is a fundamental skill for living organisms, from the microscopic rotifers, through the amazing dexterity of the human hand, to the jaws of predatory whales and soft tentacles of giant squids, and is also vital for many ever-shrinking technologies. Mechanical grippers, powered by electric, pneumatic, hydraulic or piezoelectric servos, are used at scales down to millimeters, but their complexity and need for force transmission prevent miniaturization. Researchers at the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw with colleagues from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow, Poland have now used liquid crystal elastomer microstructures that can change shape in response to light to build a light-powered micro-tool - optical pliers. The device was built by growing two bending jaws on the tips of hair-sized optical fibers. Liquid Crystalline Elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials that can reversibly change shape under illumination with visible light. In their prototype, scientists combined the light-powered LCEs with a novel method of fabricating micrometer-scale structures: when UV light is sent through the optical fiber, a cone-shaped structure grows at the fiber tip. The light-induced mechanical response of thus grown micro-structure depends on the orientation of molecules inside the elastomer element and can be controlled to get bending or contracting micro-actuators. The new elastomer growth technique readily offers a variety of micrometer-scale, remotely controlled functional structures - building blocks for the micro-toolbox. The research on light-powered elastomer microstructures is funded by the National Science Center (Poland) within the project "Micro-scale actuators based on photo-responsive polymers". Physics and Astronomy first appeared at the University of Warsaw in 1816, under the then Faculty of Philosophy. In 1825 the Astronomical Observatory was established. Currently, the Faculty of Physics' Institutes include Experimental Physics, Theoretical Physics, Geophysics, Department of Mathematical Methods and an Astronomical Observatory. Research covers almost all areas of modern physics, on scales from the quantum to the cosmological. The Faculty's research and teaching staff includes ca. 200 university teachers, of which 87 are employees with the title of professor. The Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, is attended by ca. 1000 students and more than 170 doctoral students. ### SCIENTIFIC PAPERS: Michal Zmyslony, Klaudia Dradrach, Jakub Haberko, Pawel Nalecz-Jawecki, Mikolaj Rogoz, Piotr Wasylczyk, "Optical Pliers - Micrometer-Scale, Light-Driven Tools Grown on Optical Fibers", Advanced Materials (2020) https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202002779 CONTACTS: Piotr Wasylczyk Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw email: pwasylcz@fuw.edu.pl tel. +48 505 004 059 RELATED LINKS: https://www.fuw.edu.pl The Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw web page https://www.fuw.edu.pl/press-releases.html Press office of the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw IMAGES: FUW200715b_fot01s https://www.fuw.edu.pl/tl_files/press/images/2020/FUW200715b_fot01.jpg The optical pliers next to the mandibles of a Formica polyctena ant for comparison (composite scanning electron microscope (SEM) image with added colors). The two jaws (red) close when light is sent through the optical fibers (light blue) that have the diameter of 125 microns, comparable to the diameter of a human hair. (Source: UW Physics) Italy's population is predicted to halve to 30 million by 2100, according to a new study. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Several European countries including Spain and Italy could see their populations halve by the end of the century, according to new research. Poland and Portugal are also among the nations possibly facing at least a 50% drop by 2100, research posted in medical journal the Lancet has suggested. A total of 23 countries around the world could see their populations drop by more than half of their current number, the report, compiled by the University of Washington, says. Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, said: The 21st century will see a revolution in the story of our human civilisation. Spain is also expected to see a steep drop in its population. (Eduardo Briones/Europa Press via Getty Images) Africa and the Arab world will shape our future, while Europe and Asia will recede in their influence. By the end of the century, the world will be multipolar, with India, Nigeria, China, and the US the dominant powers. This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today. Read more: UK population reaches 66.8 million The fall in European countries populations would have significant implications for their economies. If the assumptions used in our reference scenario were to hold true, Russia and Brazils relative ranking of GDP would decline moderately, whereas Spain and Italy would see substantial declines, the report says. In Europe, Spain is modelled to see a drop from 46 million people in 2017 to 23 million, while Italy falls from 61 million to 31 million in the same time frame. Sub-Saharan Africa is set to see a huge increase in population with Europe and North America low down the projections, if the study is accurate. (Lancet/Vollset SE, Goren E, Yuan C-W) Poland is modelled to fall from 38 million to 15 million, while Portugal is said to face a drop from 11 million to 4.6 million. Andorra, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine are the other European nations modelled to face a drop of at least roughly half. Read more: Population up by more than 25% in 23 areas of UK since 2001 The UK, on the other hand, is due to grow from 67 million to 71 million, with France growing slightly. The researchers based their forecasts on a falling overall fertility rate the average number of children a woman gives birth to and suggest the global population could peak at about 9.7 billion in 2064 before falling to 8.8 billion by 2100. Story continues Other countries outside of Europe that could see a steep decline in population include Japan and Thailand, the study says. Sub-Saharan Africa could see its population climb from about 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion by the end of the century because of the amount of women entering reproductive age there and a decline in the death rate. A comment appearing with the report says policy solutions could include finding ways to increase fertility rates and that migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Poland's deeply conservative president, Andrzej Duda, has won five more years in power -- and it means that country is likely going to find itself even more isolated within the European Union. The last votes are still being counted but official results show he's taken more than 51%, giving him an unassailable lead over Warsaw's more progressive mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. The EU has had a difficult relationship with Duda since he first came to power in 2015, with divisions focusing on climate change and migration, in addition to democratic norms. He's backed by Poland's nationalist Law and Justice party. His campaign was laced with homophobic language, attacks on private media and accusations that his rival served foreign interests instead of Poland's - accusations which Trzaskowski denied. [Andrzej Duda saying]: "If anyone was offended by anything I did or said in the last five years, not just during the campaign, please accept my apology. I want to assure you that I have respect for you, just like I have respect for all my compatriots, irrespective of their views. Like I said during the campaign, there is and there must be a place for everyone under the white and red flag, our common flag and the national anthem. And all of us should work to make sure that everyone feels there is a place for them." It wasn't too long ago that Poland had one of the most pro-EU administrations in the bloc. And for liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, it was a narrow defeat. He had pledged to repair Poland's relations with Europe, and make Poland a more tolerant country - with education about LGBT rights in the city's schools. "I am convinced we will change Poland", he told his supporters on Sunday (July 12) night. "We will continue fighting." 'These are lies that Priyanka Gandhi rung up Sachin Pilot.' IMAGE: Sachin Pilot, left, with Rahul Gandhi, then the Congress president, in Jaipur in happier times for both leaders. Photograph: PTI Photo The most vocal and the most articulate among the 19 MLAs in the Sachin Pilot camp, who have been served notices by the assembly speaker, is Vishwendra Singh. The MLA from Deeh-Kumher and ousted tourism minister in the Ashok Gehlot cabinet, Singh has been tweeted his grievances non-stop. Laced with humour and shayari, Singh tweeted on Tuesday, 'It feels nice to become just an MLA from being a minister in just a day'. 'Today was just a 20-20. The test match begins tomorrow. Keep watching what happens next', Singh tweeted, tagging Chief Minister Gehlot. "We just wanted to highlight people's grievances to the Congress high command. The charge that we are trying to ally with the BJP is a clever ploy to malign us before the people of Rajasthan," Singh, a Pilot loyalist, tells Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore. Why has the assembly speaker issued a notice to the 19 Congress MLAs who are with Sachin Pilot? Have you received the notice? Let me be very clear about this notice. It means nothing. There is a Supreme Court ruling (external link) from Arunachal Pradesh which clearly overruled the speaker when a no-confidence motion was tabled against him. The other argument is a three-line whip, or any such whip, can be issued only when the assembly or Parliament is in session. That is not applicable in our case. Like, if I invited you for tea and for some reason if you are unable to make it, then there is no way you can suspend or end our membership of the House. This is a clear example of bullying us for speaking about people's issues. What does the speaker's notice say? The speaker says that by the 17th (of July), you please give a reply as to why you were not present for the CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meetings. Will you be responding to the notice? Yes, we are talking with our lawyers and soon we will send a reply to this notice. Are you unhappy about the way events have unfolded in Rajasthan and the way Sachin Pilot was treated? Not only Pilot sahab, but myself and Ramesh Meena too are being targeted. They have sent us this notice with the aim of disqualifying us from the membership of the Rajasthan assembly. But this is just not possible. All of us will not cease to exist. They can't disqualify us from being MLAs. They can throw us out of the Congress. That's okay. But they cannot throw us out of the assembly. We are elected by the people of the state. Such notices apply only when the assembly is in session. Sachin Pilot has clearly stated that he will not join the Bharatiya Janata Party. So, what next for Sachin and the 19 MLAs who have been served this notice? That only Pilot can answer. I am not authorised to respond to such questions. He is our leader and he will find the best way for the development of the state and for solving the issues of our people. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has alleged that Pilot was in talks with the BJP to topple his government. Some Congress leaders claim there is a taped telephonic conversation between Pilot and BJP leaders that indicate the same. The point is the BJP has repeatedly said that this is the Congress's in-house fighting and it should not be dragged into it. What wrong have we done? We just wanted to highlight people's grievances to the Congress high command. The high command never reached out to us despite seeking appointments repeatedly. These are all lies that Priyanka Gandhi rung up (and spoke with Sachin Pilot), this one rung up and that one rung up. The charge that we are trying to ally with the BJP is a clever ploy to malign us before the people of Rajasthan. Did discussions happen between Sachin Pilot and the BJP to topple the Gehlot government? All this is nonsense plied by friendly media. We have been waiting for three days to get a response (from the high command). But nobody has contacted us. These are all lies. Why is the Congress high command not interested in talking to Sachin Pilot and the 19 MLAs who are with him? It is obvious that Mr Gehlot wants him (Pilot) out of the government and which he so far has succeeded in doing. Won't that harm his government by putting it in a minority? That is what is on right now. They shouldn't think they can get away with this, by disqualifying us. Do you think the Gehlot government will survive this crisis? I think you better speak with Sachinji. You will get better responses. You were a minister in the Gehlot government. What would be your message to the chief minister? I have already sent a message out in a video. That is the message. What is our fault? What anti-party activities have we done? So you would still want to remain with the Congress? We are still in the Congress. What if the party disqualifies you? What will be the option then? Then we'll think about it. Let them dare to do that first. How can I respond to something which is premature? A worker walks past empty tables at the Hosteria Romana restaurant, which is closed to customers, during the coronavirus pandemic, Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Miami Beach, Florida (Lynne Sladky/AP) The US state of Florida surpassed its daily record for coronavirus deaths amid rising global worries of a resurgence, even as researchers announced that the first vaccine tested in the US had worked to boost patients immune systems. Floridas 132 additional deaths topped a state mark set just last week. The figure likely includes deaths from the past weekend that had not been previously reported. The new deaths raised the states seven-day average to 81 per day, more than double the figure of two weeks ago and now the second-highest in the United States behind Texas. The worrisome figures were released just hours before the news about the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc. No matter how you slice this, this is good news, Dr Anthony Fauci, the US governments top infectious disease expert, said. Expand Close Registered Nurse Laure Hale writes on her car as she is preparing to take part in a motorcade protest to the Duval County School Board building in Jacksonville (Bob Self/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Registered Nurse Laure Hale writes on her car as she is preparing to take part in a motorcade protest to the Duval County School Board building in Jacksonville (Bob Self/AP) Key final testing of the vaccine will start around July 27, tracking 30,000 people to prove if the shots really work in preventing infection. Tuesdays announcement focused on findings since March in 45 volunteers. With the virus spreading quickly in the southern and western US, one of the countrys top public health officials offered conflicting theories about what is driving the outbreak. We tried to give states guidance on how to reopen safely. If you look critically, few states actually followed that guidance, Dr Robert Redfield, the director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday in a livestream interview with the editor of the Journal Of The American Medical Association. Dr Redfield said people in many states did not adopt social distancing and other measures because they had not previously experienced an outbreak. But he went on to say, without explanation, that he did not believe the way those states handled reopening was necessarily behind the explosive rise in virus cases. Expand Close A For Rent sign hangs on a closed shop during the coronavirus pandemic (Lynne Sladky/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A For Rent sign hangs on a closed shop during the coronavirus pandemic (Lynne Sladky/AP) He offered a theory that infected travellers from elsewhere in the country might have brought the virus with them around Memorial Day. Doctors in Florida have predicted more deaths as daily reported cases have surged from about 2,000 a day a month ago to a daily average of about 11,000, including a record 15,000 on Sunday. The state recorded 9,194 new cases on Tuesday. Marlyn Hoilette, a nurse who spent four months working in the Covid-19 unit of her Florida hospital until testing positive recently, said hospitals are so desperate for staff to return to work they are not following guidelines that call for two negative tests first. Nurses are getting sick, nursing assistants are getting sick and my biggest fear is that it seems we want to return folks to work even without a negative test, said Ms Hoilette, who works at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee, Florida. Its just a matter of time before you wipe the other staff out if youre contagious, so that is a big problem. A 31-year-old man has presented himself to police after discovering he was the subject of a large search operation at Coogee Beach. An operation involving police and a lifesaver helicopter recommenced on Wednesday morning, after a man was last seen struggling in the water on Tuesday afternoon. A helicopter searches along the coastline for a surfer who went missing at Coogee Beach yesterday. Credit:Kate Geraghty Police from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were called to the beach after 5pm on Tuesday in response to reports a man on a long blue surfboard was struggling in large waves about 200 metres from the shore. CCTV footage taken from the beach showed seven surfers in the water just after 5pm, although only six surfers were confirmed by CCTV to leave the water, police said. A European court on Wednesday annulled a previous European Commission order that Apple should repay Ireland 13 billion euros in back taxes, in a major legal setback for Brussels. The General Court of the European Union (GCEU) annulled the decision taken by the Commission regarding the Irish tax rulings in favour of Apple. According to the GCEU, the Commission was wrong to declare that Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, State aid. The iPhone-maker and Ireland had appealed the 2016 order that Apple CEO Tim Cook had slammed at the time as "total political crap". The unambiguous decision by the EU's general court will be open to a further appeal at the top European Court of Justice no earlier than 2021. The commission's historic ruling against Apple was delivered in August 2016 by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in a shock decision that put Europe on the map as a scourge of Silicon Valley. Vestager was derided as "tax lady" by US President Donald Trump because of the Apple case as well as the heavy antitrust fines she imposed on Google. The European Union (EU) accused Ireland of allowing Apple to park revenue earned in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India and sparing it almost any taxation. Irish taxes avoided Brussels said this gave Apple an advantage over other companies, allowing it to avoid Irish taxes between 2003 and 2014 of around 13 billion euros. EU officials argued that constituted illegal "state aid" by Ireland. But the EU court said the commission "did not succeed in showing the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage" as required by EU law. The commission "was wrong" to declare that Apple units based in Ireland "had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, state aid." Apple welcomed the decision and reiterated that the profits in question were always intended to go to the United States and not Ireland. Story continues "This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it," an Apple spokesman said in an email to French news agency AFP. "We're proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society," Apple added. Dublin also hailed the decision. 'No special treatment' The government said it had "always been clear" Apple received no special treatment, adding: "The correct amount of Irish tax was charged... in line with normal Irish taxation rules." The EU's competition supremo, Vestager, has been accused by US President Donald Trump of "hating" the United States. He has slammed her as the "tax lady" because of the Apple case as well as the heavy antitrust fines imposed on Google. Some observers have expressed doubts on the Apple case, wondering whether the EU was using antitrust law to crack down on tax optimisation strategies by multinationals. In similar cases, the same EU court struck down an order by Brussels that Starbucks pay 30 million euros in back taxes to the Netherlands. In a separate decision, however, it said Fiat must pay roughly the same amount to Luxembourg. Digital giants The case comes as the EU is trying to come up with ways to better ensnare digital giants to pay taxes where they do business, though this has been opposed by some European capitals. "Today's court decision illustrates how difficult it is to use EU state aid rules to collect tax," said Tove Ryding, tax expert at the European Network on Debt and Development. "If we had a proper corporate tax system, we wouldn't need long court cases to find out whether it is legal for multinational corporations to pay less than one percent in taxes," she said. Talks to come up with a new global tax system at the OECD have been stalled due to opposition by the US. The Apple decision came on the eve of another landmark case at the EU courts, this one a lawsuit brought by an Austrian activist against Facebook over data privacy. When we talk of the human rights violations, the worst example could be seen in the Indian Occupied Kashmir where the innocent Kashmiris cannot even breathe freely. by Ali Sukhanver No religion, no caste, no creed encourages any type of injustice, brutality and cruelty against humanity. Recently the whole world condemned the painfully agonizing picture of a three-year old boy sitting over the bleeding dead body of his grandfather and crying for help in the Sopore area of the Indian Occupied Kashmir. The man Bashir Ahmed Khan was callously murdered by the Indian forces. He never had a criminal record, never involved in any protest and never remained in any kind of political activity but he was shot to death just to spread harassment and fear among the people. The most painful part of the episode was that this all was done in presence of his innocent grandson. Advocate Devinder Singh Behl is the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum. Certainly he is not a Muslim but his only aim and objective is to fight for the rights of the suppressed Kashmiris which mostly are the Muslims. That is the reason he is respected everywhere as an impartial and neutral type of political leader. In a recent statement he said condemning the brutality of the Indian Army in the Indian Occupied valley of Kashmir that this brutal killing must be an eye-opener for the international human rights organizations and the international community. He said that the three-year-old grandson crying near his grandfathers body was a reflection of Indian oppression on unarmed Kashmiris and this brutal act of Indian forces personnel was enough to shake the conscience of the world. Advocate Devinder Singh Behl appealed to the international community and international human rights organizations to play their role in ending Indian oppression in occupied Kashmir and resolving the lingering Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions. When we talk of the human rights violations, the worst example could be seen in the Indian Occupied Kashmir where the innocent Kashmiris cannot even breathe freely. The situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir is getting worse day by day and even the pandemic could not put a full-stop to the human rights violations there. From illegal detention of young Kashmiri leaders to the rape of Kashmiri women, the tale of brutality seems never ending. According to the Kashmir Media Service, only in the month of June more than 50 innocent people were cruelly murdered by the Indian forces deputed in the Kashmir valley, three women were shamelessly gang-raped and more than 25 houses and shops were destroyed. From January 1989 to June 2020, at least 95623 Kashmiris lost their lives at the hands of the Indian forces and more than 11000 women have been molested during the same period. No report on human rights violations can be completed without giving reference to the brutalities done by the Indian Armed Forces deputed in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. The helpless people on one hand have to face indifferent selfish attitude of the court of law and on the other hand illegal abduction, sexual harassment and use of pellet guns and shotguns by the military troops. This all is being done under the command and guidance of Mr. Modi. Recently the UK has announced some serious sanctions against individual involved in human rights violations. These individuals include the abusers from Saudi Arab, Russia, Myanmar and North Korea. Dominic Rennie Raab, the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said announcing the names of the abusers in the Parliament that the sanctions would target 25 Russian nationals involved in the death of the Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, 20 Saudi nationals involved in the murder of the journalist Khashoggi, two high-ranking generals implicated in the systemic killing of the Rohingyas in Myanmar, and two organizations using forced labour in North Korea. Dominic Rennie Raab said, Those with blood on their hands wont be free to waltz into this country, to buy up property on the Kings Road, do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge, or siphon dirty money through British banks. You cannot set foot in this country, and we will seize your blood-drenched ill-gotten gains if you try. Certainly this bold action of the UK Parliament is highly appreciable; we all need to stand against every type of human rights violations. It is an undeniable fact that without putting a check on to those involved in human rights violations, this world could never be peaceful and prosperous. And furthermore it is also admirable that in the list of the human rights abusers, contrary to the previous practice, only the names of the Muslim individuals and Muslim countries are not included; the list includes the non-Muslims too; but at the same time it seems the list is missing some names which must have been on the very top; India, Kashmir and Mr. Modi. It is being hoped that the name of India and Mr. Modi would not be ignored when the UK Parliament prepares and issues the next list of those involved in human rights violations. A former associate principal from a Vancouver high school was sentenced to 10 months in jail for sexual misconduct with a student. Sadie Pritchard was also sentenced Tuesday to register as a sex offender after pleading guilty in February to sexual misconduct with a minor and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, KPTV-TV reported. According to court records, the victim told investigators that in October 2017 Pritchard started following him on Instagram. He said that progressed to flirtation, the exchange of nude photos and sexual encounters in her office and in a testing room at Evergreen High School. District administrators said they recovered emails between Pritchard and the students teachers in which Pritchard requested that he be pulled out of class and report to her office, according to court records. They said emails also showed Pritchard contacted his teachers to request that his grades be changed to a pass/fail status instead of actual grades to improve his G.P.A. The Associated Press A mosquito in Boston tested positive this week for the West Nile virus, marking the first time this season the disease has been detected in the city, officials said. The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory confirmed Tuesday that a mosquito sample collected July 9 in Brighton had the virus, according to a statement from the Boston Public Health Commission. The news comes after two other mosquito samples in the Middlesex County town of Belmont, located a little bit more than 20 minutes away from Boston, also tested positive for the disease, according to the state Department of Public Health. Two positive samples of eastern equine encephalitis, another mosquito-borne disease, have been reported in Massachusetts this year, both in the Pioneer Valley. EEE is a rare disease, but it can be fatal. In 2019, six of the commonwealths 12 patients with the virus died from their infections. Gov. Charlie Baker and other state officials last week warned of the dangers associated with the disease, noting it poses a very real threat. So far this year, there have been no human or animal cases of the West Nile virus or EEE in Boston or the rest of the state. Although there is no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with Tuesdays finding, BPHC has urged the public to prevent mosquito bites and to proof their homes. While much of the attention right now is on the COVID-19 pandemic and slowing the spread of this virus, we cannot lose sight of the importance of protecting ourselves against mosquito bites and the serious diseases they may carry, said Boston Public Health Commission Interim Executive Director Rita Nieves. I encourage everyone to take the precautions necessary as they spend more time outdoors. Like EEE, the West Nile virus is a rare but serious disease that is most often spread to people from the bite of an infected mosquito. In 2019, there were five human cases of the West Nile virus, and in 2018, 49 people were diagnosed with the disease, marking the greatest number of WNV cases the state has ever seen in a single year. The mosquito-borne illness has been detected in Boston during the summer and fall months, from June to November, every year since 2000. It is typical to find West Nile Virus in mosquitoes in Boston at this time of year, said BPHC Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Lo. There is not an elevated risk level in Boston right now. However, if you are going to be spending time outside, you need to be thinking about prevention and protection against mosquito bites. Instances of people contracting the virus are rare, though its symptoms can become serious. If someone is infected with the disease, they can develop a fever and flu-like sickness and, in rare cases, more severe illness. While the disease can infect individuals of all ages, people 50 years or older are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from the virus. Most people infected with the West Nile virus will have no symptoms, though. There is no vaccine or recommended antiviral treatment for the West Nile virus. The most effective way to avoid contracting the disease is to take measures to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes in Boston are most active from dusk until dawn during the summer months of July to September, but the insect can spread the disease until the first hard frost, which may occur as late as November. So officials recommend using insect repellent when outdoors and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible. Residents should also make sure that their window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside, BPHC recommended. To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, BPHC advises residents to empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths on a regular basis, the commission added. Related Content: People wearing masks walk outside a Huawei store in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on May 26, 2020. (HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) US Imposes Visa Curbs on Staff at Huawei, Chinese Tech Firms That Aid Human Rights Abuses The United States will impose visa restrictions on employees of Chinas Huawei and other Chinese technology companies that aid human rights violations around the world, the State Department announced July 15. The move, which could bar the individuals from entering the United States, is part of the Trump administrations response to rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It came a day after President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that would sanction Chinese officials and entities involved in suppressing freedoms in Hong Kong. The United States also sanctioned several CCP officials last week over their roles in suppressing Uyghur Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a press briefing that the restrictions would apply to certain employees of Chinese companies that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally. Huawei and other Chinese tech firms have come under growing scrutiny in the United States and elsewhere over their risks to national security and their role in supporting the CCPs rights abuses. The department singled out Huawei, saying the company is an arm of the CCPs surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang. A November report by an Australian think tank found that Huawei and Bytedance, the parent company of video app TikTok, facilitate the regimes suppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by providing surveillance technology and other services to security agencies. Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses, the department said in a statement. The restrictions are applied under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the U.S. secretary of state to refuse entry to those who would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. The department didnt specify which employees, nor what other companies would be affected; it didnt immediately respond to queries by The Epoch Times about the measure. Huawei also didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The administration last year blacklisted Huawei and its affiliates on national security grounds, and recently moved to limit its ability to buy global chips. Meanwhile, Washingtons campaign to convince its allies to exclude the firm from their 5G rollouts appears to be gaining ground, with the United Kingdom being the latest country to ban Huawei from its 5G infrastructure. Pompeo also said last week that the administration is considering banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. U.S. lawmakers have also raised security concerns over TikToks handling of user data, citing Chinese laws that require domestic companies to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers, the State Department said. Since last October, the Commerce Department has put 36 Chinese public security bureaus and companiesincluding some of Chinas top artificial intelligence startups and video surveillance company Hikvisionon its entity list over their roles in aiding the repression and surveillance of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. The designation bars U.S. firms from doing business with those firms, unless they obtain a special license from the department. To meet its soaring demand for energy, Egypt is turning to renewable sources. Its targets, if accomplished, will see it become a pioneer in the African energy landscape. But are the plans realistic? Toufik Khitous, business development manager for North Africa, Wartsila Energy Business Ambition driven by necessity The spill-over effect Need of the hour What lies ahead? Egypts population has now passed 100-million. As one of the most populous and fastest-growing nations on the African continent, providing electricity to all its citizens is a matter of priority for the Egyptian government.To ensure continuous security and stability of energy supply, Egypt has launched an energy diversification strategy, known as the 2035 Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES), which aims to step up the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the country.Egypt aims to produce 20% of its electricity using renewable sources by 2022 and 42% by 2035. For the second target, the goal is for wind to provide 14%, hydropower 2%, and solar 25%.This is a hugely ambitious energy plan, but it is one that is necessary for Egypt to flourish. In particular, the country wants to diversify its mix of power sources. Egypt has introduced nuclear power and it is also developing a few megaprojects that will bring a massive amount of gas into its energy mix.This is in stark contrast to 2014, when, due to electricity shortages, Egypt was forced to introduce more coal into its energy mix in order to lower its dependence on imported gas. Rising demands, the falling costs of renewable energy, and the discovery of new natural gas sources have allowed Egypt to both diversify its energy mix and become an exporter of gas.Furthermore, environmental concerns over the generation and use of coal have reinforced this ecological approach. Egypt has signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), meaning that it has no option but to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.Tapping into renewable energy will benefit Egypt in ways more than one. It will enhance the country's economic growth and bring revenues in foreign currency. The increased usage of renewable energy is expected to lead to exporting fossil fuels or using them in other areas domestically, such as industrial production.The transition to renewable energy sources is also expected to help local businesses in Egypt, since the cost of electricity is an essential factor for business owners. While solar power and sustainable electricity are not widely available in the country yet, there is merit in Egypt's plan to tap into renewable energy sources in the long run. More factories will lean towards sustainable renewable energy sources if it is economical, due to the cost of production and increasing price of electricity.But to leverage the benefits of the transition to renewable energy, Egypt needs to overcome a few infrastructural and geographic hurdles.A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) provides a comprehensive assessment and recommendations for primary measures that Egypt must consider to achieve the goals set out in ISES. The report points out the need to update Egypts electric power sector strategies to reflect the growing cost advantages and other benefits of renewable energy. It also focuses on reforming the existing market framework to improve the economic feasibility of projects.Additionally, the country is very much split in two by the fabled river Nile, with many regions in the south still not connected to the national grid. Egypt is very keen to invest in the tourism sector along the Red Sea, meaning there is a need for not only infrastructure but also the power to supply to these regions.Egypts situation has changed a lot since 2011. Nowadays, the issue is distribution rather than consumption. Egypt has a tradition of setting its energy distribution vertically. This has a rather negative impact on how the energy is consumed, but this can change since we are starting to see more industries coming into the country as Egypt is encouraging private sector participation.Between 2022 and 2027, Egypt plans to install an additional thermal power plant and two clean coal technology power plants. These initiatives are expected to exceed the nations peak power and electricity demands.Of the renewable energy targets for 2022, both solar and wind are considered achievable. In particular, the Benban Solar Complex project, which is considered one of the largest solar PV power plant projects in the world, and has a total installed capacity of 1.8GW, is foreseen to come online alongside a number of utility-scale wind farm projects in Gulf of Suez.Egypt certainly has a lot of unanswered questions at present, but it does seem to be on the right track. Three big parts gas, sea turbines and renewables need to play their part going forward. Egypt has no choice; it must invest in renewables. The sector at the moment only makes up around 2% of the energy mix, but these announcements could rise it to 20% this is almost a revolution. Jaipur: The Rajasthan Assembly has sent show-cause notices to 19 rebel Congress lawmakers, including former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, on the petition of chief whip Mahesh Joshi, according to Speaker CP Joshi. The notices were sent to the members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) electronically and also, put up outside their residences late at night on Tuesday. HT has seen the notices that have asked the MLAs to respond by 1 pm on Friday. The assembly would take a legal view of the future course of action depending upon the replies, said Speaker Joshi. Earlier, the party had initiated the process of disqualifying the legislators, who failed to attend two consecutive Congress legislature party (CLP) meetings in Jaipur on Monday and Tuesday, as it scrambled to shore up the numbers and save the government from an imminent collapse amid the factional feud between CM Ashok Gehlot and challenger Pilot. The decision came hours after Pilot was removed on Tuesday as Rajasthan Deputy CM along with two other ministers of the Gehlot cabinet -- Vishwendra Singh and Ramesh Meena. The sacked ministers are considered to be close to Pilot (42). Avinash Pande, Congress general secretary, in-charge of Rajasthan, said the party had initiated the process of issuing notices to the MLAs, who did not attend the CLP meeting, by submitting a petition before Speaker Joshi. He said the absence of the MLAs from the CLP meeting amounted to giving up their membership of the party voluntarily, as they tried to destabilise the democratically elected Gehlot government. We have filed a petition before the Speaker for their dismissal. If the replies arent found justified, then it is up to the Speaker to decide the future course of action, said Pande. There was no immediate response from the MLAs, who have been served the notices for skipping two successive meetings on Monday and Tuesday. To be sure, Pilot has neither been expelled nor has he formally quit the primary membership of the party. The same holds true for all the other rebel MLAs. Congress leaders confirmed to HT that 88 party MLAs attended Mondays meeting, while 86 were present the following day. Two MLAs Speaker Joshi and minister Bhanwarlal Meghwal, who is admitted to a hospital were not expected to attend the CLP meetings. Later on Tuesday, the Congress also dissolved the state executive and all department and cells of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCCC). Pande said these party wings would be reconstituted following the appointment of Govind Singh Dotasra, as the new Rajasthan PCC chief. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls cruised to victory in his race against Houston Republican party financier Kathaleen Wall to win the Republican nomination in the 22nd Congressional District setting the stage for what is considered one of the most competitive Congressional races in the nation in November. By winning the Republican primary runoff for the 22nd Congressional District, Nehls overcame a major financial disadvantage. Wall put more than $8 million of her own money into the race to help fund television ads that attacked Nehls, who raised less than $500,000 for his campaign through June. Thank you for entrusting me. I am not going to let you down, Nehls told supporters at a victory party in Fort Bend County as results were still coming in. Were going to keep this county red. Texas is one of the most watched states heading into November, with at least five seats in Congress currently held by Republicans considered to be in jeopardy to Democrats in November. RUNOFF ROUNDUP: Who won, lost in runoff elections in Houston, Texas The 22nd District was one of a few races that was sorted out early with many other high profile primary battles around the state still too close to call as of 11 p.m. In the battle to replace U.S. Rep. Will Hurd in South Texas, Navy veteran Tony Gonzales beat Del Rio native and Air Force veteran Raul Reyes Jr., by a mere seven votes, according to unofficial election results. If that lead holds up as the votes are recounted, Gonzales, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, will face Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones in November in a seat Democrats are slight favorites to flip, given Hurds retirement. In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, progressive Democrat Candace Valenzuela beat Air Force veteran Kim Olsen in the 24th Congressional District. Valenzuela will take on Republican Beth Van Duyne in November. The district has been held by U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, a Republican who is not seeking re-election. Back in the 22nd District, Nehls campaigned heavily on his 8 years as sheriff and 21 years in the Army as evidence of a commitment to public service. From the start of the campaign, Nehls has aligned himself with Trump, saying he would help the president build a border wall with Mexico and vowing to help deliver President Trumps agenda to grow the economy. For Wall, its the second time she has spent big on a congressional race and come up empty. In 2018, Wall spent $6.2 million of her own money in the 2nd Congressional District, but lost the primary to eventual winner U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw. This year, she spent $8.4 million in the 22nd a record for a self-funding candidate from Texas running for the U.S. House. Nehls now advances to the November general election where hell take on Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni, a former foreign service officer. They are battling in the 22nd District, which includes most of Fort Bend County, plus parts of Brazoria and Harris counties. Sri Kulkarni, you have no clue what youre going to deal with in the next 90 days, Nehls said. We have the right message. Kulkarnis campaign put out a statement shortly after Nehls was declared the winner making it clear he is going to go after Nehls for downplaying the pandemic; Kulkarni is also calling Nehls brand of politics divisive. The district is seen by both political parties as a major battleground in 2020 as Fort Bend County has become one of the most diverse counties in America. Once a solid Republican district, U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, won re-election in 2018 by just 5 percentage points. National political analysts, including those at the Cook Political Report in Washington, D.C. have listed the 22nd as one of six Republican-held seats considered pure toss-ups nationwide heading into the fall. Olson announced last summer he would not seek re-election after almost 12 years in Congress. The 22nd, 23rd and 24th are all districts Republicans have held for the past six years, but in all three districts the incumbent Republicans narrowly won re-election and opted to retire. In 2018, Hurd, Marchant and Olson all won re-election with less than 52 percent of the vote. In other races around the state, Houston Republican Wendell Champion easily won his Republican primary over Robert M. Cadena to face U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the 18th Congressional District in November. In the 35th Congressional District which stretches from San Antonio to Austin, GOP activist Jenny Garcia Sharon won Tuesday over ostrich rancher William Hayward in the Republican runoff. Shell face U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, in November. In the 10th Congressional District, Democrat Mike Siegel, an Austin attorney, prevailed in his race against doctor Pritesh Gandhi. The win gives Siegel a rematch against U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, a Republican, in November. In 2018, Siegel lost to McCaul by less than 5 percentage points. The 10th District stretches from Austin to northwest Harris County and includes much of Katy. Disqualification notices will be issued by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi to Sachin Pilot and other MLAs who did not attend the Congress Legislature Party meeting held on Monday and Tuesday, a senior party leader said. The Congress had on Tuesday cracked down on Sachin Pilot, stripping the dissident leader of the posts of Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president and sacking two loyalists from the state Cabinet. Rajasthan Political Crisis LIVE The notices of disqualification will be issued to all such MLAs, including Sachin Pilot, who were absent from the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting through the Speaker of legislative assembly, AICC general secretary Avinash Pande said on Wednesday. He said the party has filed a petition before the Speaker for dismissal of such MLAs. If replies by the MLAs are not found to be justified, it is up to the Speaker to decide for action, he added. A total of 19 party MLAs, including Pilot, were absent from the CLP meetings. By Trend The Armenians began shelling Aghdam village early morning, Zarnishan Gozalova, daughter of Aziz Azizov, resident of Aghdam village who was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces, told Trend on July 15. About half an hour after talking to my father over phone, the Armenians killed him, Gozalova added. Earlier, together with my son, I came to my fathers house and stayed there. When the Armenians made the provocation on July 12, I asked him to go with me, but he refused. My father said that he could not go anywhere as he did not want to leave his house, Zarnishan noted. So, we returned home on July 12. We talked to him over the phone in the evening on July 14. My father said that the Armenians were shelling the village again. When we started the conversation, there was a lull, but later during the conversation, the shelling was heard. I said goodbye to my father and asked him to take care of himself, Gozalova said. My father told me not to worry. Half an hour later, at about half-past eight, my sister called me and said that my father was not answering the phone calls. Then, we were told that immediately after our phone conversation, the Armenians fired at our house and my father died." Resident of Aghdam village of Tovuz district, 76-year-old Aziz Azizov was killed as a result of shelling by the Armenian armed forces. Earlier, the Armenian armed forces fired at Dondar Gushchu village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district by using D-30 howitzer. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat suffering losses. Azerbaijani personnel, sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Despite the efforts of the Azerbaijani doctors, severely wounded serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Khayyam Dashdemirov also died. The tension remained in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border on July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani serviceman, senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. As the Macklin and Bracks duumvirate (hat tip to Gough Whitlam and Lance Barnard ) sought an independent auditor to investigate the mess, it didnt have many choices. Former Victorian Labor secretary Sam Rae jumped across to PwC last year to become a partner, after Labors painful federal election defeat, which occurred just one day after KPMG, with exquisite timing, gave former union leader Paul Howes a big promotion to a partnership. And after managing the Virgin sale process with all the delicacy of a Tullamarine baggage handler, Deloitte might look upon tracking down ALP ghost members as a welcome diversion. Well, if you are Labor Party elders Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks , trying to clean up the rotten boroughs of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party, that answer turns out to be accounting and advisory firm Deloitte, which will perform a ghostbusting audit of party membership. Who knows what it might find? With Deloitte on board to deliver an external cleansing, the Victorian Right faction has decided to self-administer its makeover. The Centre Unity faction is wasting no time as it tries to extricate itself from the wreckage caused by this newspapers exposure of the potty-mouthed powerbroker Adem Somyurek and allegations of his industrial-scale branch stacking. Yesterday the tribes of the Right decided to dump the factions Centre Unity name, which had been the brainchild of the factional warlord. The move, described to CBD as the last remnants of Somyurek being erased, means the faction will be renamed Labor Unity. One participant of the meeting of rank-and-file ALP members and unionists said the plan was to break with the past, typified by Bill Shorten and Stephen Conroy, and move to a consensus model of decision making rather than one person calling the shots. Best of luck. BRANCHING OUT Where in this great nation would a billionaire property developer take their neighbour to court in a dispute over a tree, only for that neighbour to appoint a convicted cocaine dealer to represent them? At least ten children, aged between seven and 13, and two staff members, both 21, caught coronavirus at an English language summer camp in Spain. Health officials carried out 59 tests - 42 of which were on the children - at the YMCA hostel in Salduero, Soria, after one child fell ill with a sore throat and a fever and tested positive for the virus. The privately-run language camp was suspended and the children, who came from various regions in Spain, were sent back home. Worried parents were told of the outbreak and have been instructed to go into quarantine with their families to prevent further spread. At least ten children, aged between seven and 13, and two staff members, both 21, caught coronavirus at an English language summer camp at a YMCA hostel in Salduero, Spain (pictured) Locals in Salduero - which is within the region of Castile and Leon - slammed the decision to go-ahead with the summer camp. It was attended by children from all parts of the country with the aim of improving their English. As the first child tested positive for Covid-19, a further 42 children and 19 adults were tested - with 12 results coming back positive. Some 24 children and ten adults were from Aragon, of which four youngsters and two adults caught the deadly virus. A total of 11 children hailed from Madrid and three tested positive. As had one child from the Basque Country, one from Asturias and one from Navarra. One adult from Canada and another adult from Morocco were at the camp but tested negative. The children had been at the camp for four days before the first child fell ill and were living together in small groups. It is understood most of the activities, if not all, had taken place in the hostel or its ground. Locals in Salduero (pictured, file image) - which is within the region of Castile and Leon - slammed the decision to go-ahead with the summer camp The health authorities from all the regions involved have been informed of the situation and the need for the children and adults to now follow all the coronavirus protocols and isolation period. Salduero council said the summer camp had met all the necessary health and safety requirements and regulations. Family councillor, Isabel Blanco said she understood people's concern but all the right steps had been taken.'Fear is always present because the virus is present. 'What we have established are the guidelines and action protocols, that is the most important thing, to be able to detect those cases as happened in Soria, do the corresponding tests and act accordingly.' Kylie Jenner's two-year-old daughter Stormi already has a closet that most fashionistas dream of. The 22-year-old uploaded a new post to Instagram of Stormi looking as chic as ever with her very own vintage Louis Vuitton purse on Wednesday. Stormi's white multicolored mini purse is from the luxury label's famous collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami from spring 2003. Coolest kid: Kylie Jenner uploaded a new post to Instagram of Stormi looking as chic as ever with her very own vintage Louis Vuitton purse on Wednesday In the photo, Stormi is facing away from the camera with her hair slicked back in a tight bun with a bright colored scrunchie. Sitting outside in the sunshine, the toddler is dressed in white jeans and a simple white undershirt with her left hand holding the expensive vintage purse. First Kylie captioned the shot simply 'my storm' but later changed it to 'coolest baby to ever do ittt.' Louis Vuitton's multicolor mini speedy bags are only available these days pre-owned and are highly coveted items on the re-sale market. Wow! Stormi's white multicolored mini purse is from the luxury label's famous collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami from spring 2003 and are highly coveted items on the re-sale market costing anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to over $2500 depending on the condition The tiny, kid-sized items can cost fashion lovers anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to over $2500 depending on the condition. They come in both white and black versions. Stormi not only has one but two of the retro fashion pieces, she was gifted a black version for Christmas by her Aunt Kim who purchased one for all the girls in the family. Back in 2019, Kim Kardashian shared a snap to her Instagram story of the Louis bags writing, 'I got these for all of the baby girls in the fam for Xmas from Japan.' Lucky girls: Stormi not only has one but two of the retro fashion pieces as she was gifted a black version for Christmas by her Aunt Kim who purchased one for all the girls in the family Loving it! At the time, Kylie posted a video of baby Stormi reaching for her new bag with a big smile bag and immediately swinging it over her shoulder like a true fashion queen The SKIMs mogul wrapped them up for her two daughters, North and Chicago and her nieces Penelope, Dream, Stormi and True. When someone on social media noticed that there were more bags then bag owners, Kim informed them that she had over-bought as a back up measure. She quipped: 'Oh wait I kept one for myself and extras for the future lol' Taking after her Aunt Kim and her mogul momma, a nearly one-year-old Stormi was over the moon with her gift. Best friends: Kylie welcomed Stormi into the world February 1, 2018 with boyfriend Travis Scott and the mother-daughter-duo are inseparable (Pictured Christmas 2019) At the time, Kylie posted a video of the baby picking up the bag and immediately swinging it over her shoulder like a true fashion queen. 'Daddy dropped off a new chair for Stormi,' Kylie captioned her video. 'And omg this girl threw the bag over her shoulder I cant.' Kylie welcomed Stormi into the world February 1, 2018 with boyfriend Travis Scott and the mother-daughter-duo are inseparable. The KWUTK star and her little one recently got back from a vacation in Utah with the billionaire's model sister Kendall and some other friends. Summer vibes: On Tuesday, the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings shared some new snaps of her relaxing evening by the beach in Malibu On Tuesday, the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings shared some new snaps of her relaxing evening by the beach in Malibu. Also embracing a retro vibe like her daughter, Kylie sported a white and black bandanna printed maxi dress. Two peas in a pod, Kylie even styled her raven locks in a slicked back bun - the same way she did Stormi's hair the next day. Last week we shared all the good works we completed together, thanks to all of you and the COVID-19 Help Your Neighbor $50,000 Challenge. The donors of this matching grant were so moved by how their donation made a difference in the lives of the poverty stricken in our community that they have offered a new matching grant opportunity. The COVID-19 Help Your Neighbor II $50,000 Matching Challenge began this week. We are grateful and appreciative beyond words for the assistance this new matching grant opportunity will provide for the poverty stricken in our communities. As this virus continues to wreak havoc on our communitys health, jobs and well-being, we will be able to continue to be there to help our neighbors through these difficult times. Dear W.C., I am writing to see if you can help my elderly neighbors. The home they are living in is very rundown, and I know the husband is struggling due to his health. Both the husband and wife had COVID-19 in May, and she recovered fully. He was in the hospital for several weeks and continues to slowly recover at home. I have been dropping off groceries outside for them, and when I was up close to their house, I noticed all the damage. They have a sagging roof, and I could smell mold. The few times I talked to the wife outside, she did not say much. I asked if they needed help, and she began to cry. I have never felt so helpless until I thought of The Time is Now to Help. I told her I would write in her behalf, and she was very grateful. I have included her phone number and some pictures, so you can see the home for yourself. Dear Readers, It is situations like this that make our charity work even more difficult during a pandemic. In the past, I would have gone right to their door and looked at the damage for myself. Now, I would need to rely on the expertise of contractors who specialize in these types of assistance. After a short conversation with the caring neighbor, I would contact the wife to see how they were managing in other areas, in addition to the home repairs that were needed. I called the elderly woman, and we talked for a very long time. The first thing I asked was how her husband was doing since his release from the hospital. She shared with me they did not know where they had been exposed, as the only trips out of the home had been for a doctors visit and to the grocery store. She admitted her husband had not worn a mask, as he complained he had trouble breathing through it. Now she says he wishes he had worn a mask every time he left the house, after everything he has been through. She said, We both know it is a blessing at our age to even have survived. After four weeks in the hospital, her husband tested negative and came home very weak. The hospital would not release him until he tested negative several times. The wife told me how he continues to recover still, and does not have the strength yet to do any household chores or repairs. That was the perfect time for me to bring up the condition of their home and the repairs that would be needed. I asked the elderly woman to send me pictures of specific areas in the home that she mentioned needed work. I now had photos of both the outside that the neighbor had sent, and the inside photos from the wife. I saw water damage and appliances that did not work. The wife told me how their dryer was broken and she had been carrying out all of their laundry to hang on the line. At her age and with the amount of laundry she had been doing during her husbands illness, she told me it had to be very difficult for her. After she showed me a picture of the ancient dryer, I approved them for a new dryer. The water damage would have to be assessed by one of the contractors we work with. I told the senior woman that we would need to go over their budget and present financial condition. She admitted to having difficulty keeping up with their utility bills, after having to pay hospital co-pays, paying for a home repair from a disreputable contractor who had left the job undone, and she also mentioned the increase in food prices. The neighbor had told me how the woman had been giving her a smaller list every time she shopped for them, and the last time the senior woman had told her she did not need anything from the store. The neighbor knew this could not be true, as they had hardly gotten any food from her the previous week either. I learned the kind neighbor had dropped off a big pot of chicken soup, and when I asked the senior woman about that, she began to cry, admitting it had been all they had to eat for several days. When I hear stories like this, it breaks my heart. Thank God for the neighbor who had noticed this time, but what about the many senior citizens who have no one to help out, and go unnoticed? Knowing this is going on throughout our communities behind closed doors is what haunts me and spurs me on to help even more people every day. I asked more questions about the roof repair that had not been completed on their home. The senior woman had been coerced into paying for the whole job up front, and these funds had come out of their daily living expenses. She had done this while her husband was in the hospital, as she hoped to have it repaired before he came home. I told the woman I would contact the contractor in her behalf and make sure he finished the repair properly. This expense had caused them to go hungry and go through much stress over the past month. After reviewing their tight budget, I saw they could continue to live in their home safely if the necessary repairs were made. I would send someone to her home to complete several repairs I had noted in her photos. These repairs would remove the mold and water damage from their bedroom ceiling. The senior woman continued to cry as I told her about all of you and how your donations would make all these repairs possible. When she could finally speak, she said, I will say many prayers of gratitude for The Time is Now and all those wonderful people who are helping us. When speaking to this woman, I could hear the depression in her voice. These strange times we are all going through are especially difficult for our senior citizens and those who live alone. I asked about any children or grandchildren, and the woman shared they had a son who had passed away 20 years ago. They had two adult grandchildren, but they lived out of state and rarely visited. As I write this, I encourage children and grandchildren everywhere to make an effort to write, text or call their senior parents and grandparents, especially now. I know it would lift the spirits of this senior woman to hear from them. The senior woman and I spoke about keeping a positive attitude and how important it is for your health. She promised me she would work hard to improve her outlook, and she knew it would help her husband to have her be more positive around him. The senior woman complained about how hot it has been, and how they had been trying to cut back on their utilities in hopes of not being disconnected. I knew this to mean they had not been using their air-conditioning, even with her husbands ill health and the unseasonably high temperature we had been having. I told the senior woman we would be bringing their utilities up to date and paying some into the future, if she promised she would keep their air-conditioning on for their health. She promised she would do this, and again she cried tears of gratitude. The final help we provided was grocery gift cards for her to use for her food and toiletry needs. Again, I made her promise she would use these cards and fill her refrigerator with healthy foods. She again promised she would do this. I told her the neighbor was on standby, as they had told me during our brief phone conversation that they would make a special trip that night. She said she would write her list now. I was grateful to have the caring neighbor willing to help this senior couple. I told the woman I would be having a volunteer drop off her assistance right away, so she could get her food and get her utilities paid before they were disconnected. I also told her I would be immediately contacting the roofer who had not completed the repair, to make sure he finished the job he was paid for. I would be ordering a new dryer to be installed and have the old dryer hauled away. A contractor would be coming there to provide a quote for the repairs needed. The elderly woman seemed overwhelmed by everything, but I told her not to worry; we would keep track of it all for her. She was so grateful again for our help. The following week, the roofer was back, and this time he repaired their roof properly after I threatened to contact the authorities. When I was done with our conversation, he apologized profusely and admitted he had made a poor decision. One of our trusted contractors was able to make the repairs inside and remove all the water damage. The new dryer was delivered, and no longer did the senior woman have to carry heavy loads of laundry outdoors to hang. The elderly husband and wife have enough food and toiletries to live healthy and hunger-free. Their utilities are on and paid, so they will be able to keep their air-conditioning on during these hot days of summer. The husbands health is improving now, and he credits that to his wifes new positive attitude and all of us at The Time is Now to Help. Thank you for dramatically improving the lives of this senior couple and many more people in our communities every day. Thanks to the generous donors of the COVID-19 Help Your Neighbor II $50,000 Challenge, every donation will be matched up to $50,000, doubling your donations. One hundred percent of your donation will be used to provide poverty relief, including shelter, food, transportation assistance, utilities, beds, toiletries and other daily necessities during the COVID-19 crisis. Thank you and God bless you for your support during this especially troubling time. We will continue to provide our caring assistance, thanks to your support. Thank you and God bless you. Health and happiness, love and God bless everyone, Sal [July 15, 2020] New Lenovo Research: People are Working More by Not Going to Work, but Worry about Home Tech, Data Security and Personal Costs A new global research report1 by Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) highlights the triumphs, challenges and the consequences of the sudden shift to work-from-home (WFH) during the COVID-19 pandemic and how companies and their IT departments can power the new era of working remotely that will follow. This research is insightful as more than half of the global workforce surveyed believe they will work from home more in the future than ever before. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005277/en/ Lenovo's (News - Alert) "Technology and the Evolving World of Work" research explores employees' evolving attitudes toward tech and advice for businesses looking to thrive in the work-from-home era (Photo: Lenovo) The study, entitled "Technology and the Evolving World of Work," looks at how employees worldwide are responding to the "new normal" after a majority of those surveyed (72 percent) confirmed a shift in their daily work dynamic in the last three months. Employees feel more connected and more productive than ever before as they WFH, but the data shows financial, physical and emotional downsides for the global workforce. "This data gave us valuable insights on the complex relationship employees have with technology as work and personal are becoming more intertwined with the increase in working from home," commented Dilip Bhatia, Vice President of Global User and Customer Experience at Lenovo. "Respondents globally feel more reliant on their work computers and more productive but have concerns about data security and want their companies to invest in more tech training. We're using these takeaways to improve the development of our smart technology and better empower remote workers of tomorrow." Productivity, Connectivity, and IT Independence Increase Survey respondents around the world are embracing working away from the office - yet feel more connected to their devices than ever as the 'office' becomes wherever their technology is. Eighty-five percent of those surveyed feel more reliant on their work PCs (laptops and/or desktop computer) than they did working from the office. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of the global workforce surveyed feel they are more productive working from home than when they were in the office. Fifty-two percent of respondents believe they will continue to WFH more than they did pre-COVID-19 - even after social distancing measures lift This new confidence in working remotely has increased organizations' need for customizable, modern IT solutions to be deployed at scale. Seventy-nine percent of participants agree that they have had to be their own IT person while working from home, and a majority of those surveyed believe employers should invest in more tech training to power WFH in the future. But Sometimes Productivity Comes with Downsides In such a quick, dramatic shift to WFH that the pandemic brought on, workers say they have had to make personal investments on tech when their employers have not. Seven-in-ten employees surveyed globally said they purchased new technology to navigate working remotely Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed have had to partially or fully fund their own tech upgrades US respondents2 say they have personally3 spent an average of $348 (USD) to upgrade or improve technology while working at home due to COVID-19 - roughly $70 higher than the global average ($273), and the second-highest among 10 markets surveyed New ways of working have also brought on a set of literal aches and pains. Seventy-one percent of workers surveyed complain of new or worsening conditions, including headaches, back and neck pains, difficulty sleeping and more. Having a proper WFH setup is important to minimizing discomfort, including proper furniture and a larger-sized external monitor that can ergonomically adjust to natural eye-level. Making time for breaks is also important since many built-in workday breaks for office workers (stretching, getting up to get coffee, going out for lunch, etc.) occur in different rhythms while working remotely. Along with physical ailments workers around the world identified other top challenges to the WFH experience: reduced personal connections with coworkers, an inability to separate work life from home life, and finding it hard to concentrate during work hours due to distractions at home. Training and implementation of high-quality videoconferencing capabilities such as noise-cancelling headphones and webcams on the work PC, tablet or phone can help employees feel more connected with colleagues and feeling less distracted at home. Naturally as technology has powered WFH around the world, surveyed workers also expressed overall concerns overall around security and being heavily reliant on tech connectivity to get the job done. Employees of all ages agree their top tech-specific concern is how it makes their companies more vulnerable to data breaches. As a result, enhanced security will need to be built into employees' hardware, software and services (including deployment, set-up and maintenance) from the get-go and is especially critical within today's remote work environment. Forward-Looking Advice from Employees "Technology and the Evolving World of Work" also offers important guidance to employers around the world to embrace the new technology normal beyond the pandemic and into the future. Flexibility Isn't Just Expected, It's Required. Overall, surveyed employees globally expressed mixed feelings about work in a post-COVID world - while some employees expressed being happy (27 percent) and excited (21 percent) about working from home forever, others feel neutral (22 percent) and conflicted (17 percent). In light of this, it is more important than ever to give employees flexibility and the required tech to WFH so they don't have to spend their own money on tech upgrades for work. Tech Should Facilitate Balance, Collaboration, Multi-tasking. Although most respondents say tech makes them efficient and more productive, employees identified other ways that tech could improve to help them gain an advantage at work: Help them better maintain work life balance Make it easier for employees to collaborate with others at outside companies and organizations Assist with multi-tasking and switching gears between projects more frequently Automate some of their daily tasks More 5G, Please! Although emerging technologies may have been a new subject in the past, employees are now expressing excitement about the role it plays in improving the WFH experience. When asked which emerging technologies would have the most positive impact on their job within the next few years, employees ranked 5G wireless network technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/machine learning as their top choices. When implementing these technologies, companies should seek employee input on where these can make the most impact within their jobs. 5G provides a strong and more secure connection while giving employees the ability to move around, while AI can help automate routine responsibilities. A majority of employees have also expressed they are hopeful that emerging technologies can help improve work/life balance. Technology and the Evolving World of Work Overview Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group's "Technology and the Evolving World of Work" research study explores the perspective of employed adults in 10 markets - the United States, Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, China, India and Japan - as a resource for business leaders and tech suppliers around the world to understand employee needs amidst a dramatic shift in their way of working. A total of 20,262 respondents were surveyed between May 8-14, 2020 about their experience with technology in the workplace and the impact of COVID-19 on their preferences, connectivity and work/life balance. The full research report can be viewed here and additional images can be viewed here. About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 63,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society. By designing, engineering and building the world's most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure, we are also leading an Intelligent Transformation - to create better experiences and opportunities for millions of customers around the world. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Weibo and read about the latest news via our StoryHub. 1 10-market survey of 20,262 employed adults across industries from May 8-15, 2020 2 2,015 employed adults in the US surveyed from May 8-15, 2020 3 Designated as funds not provided by a business or expensed to receive a reimbursement LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others and are the property of their respective owners. 2020, Lenovo Group Limited. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005277/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] It also did not hurt that I sometimes think of the Late Fred Willard, which well exhibits my frivolous mind at work, stupidly and hilariously saying "What happened?" He is a funny guy, always will be: Below. This will be a collaborative effort from the BCN team, both technical and creative, and the public at large. The show, at least for the time being, will be referred to as. The title came to me late last night, the night before our first session, with the criteria of not being pretentious met, and not having my name in the title since I may not always be the host also met.All frivolity aside and there is nothing frivolous about this gentleman, The Beaufort County commissioner big daddy of them all - Hood Richardson - will be my first honored guest, and he will not disappoint. In this inaugural edition of What Happened ... NOW, he is on point, on message, and clearly knows his topic - governing as if one has good sense.Wait for it ... we shall be finished soon with this new presentation of information that will have its fair share of programming bugs to correct, but we shall endeavor, as always, to correct them, and then exceed all expectations. The show will touch on all issues, all subjects, and shall offer straight talk that should inform and enlighten.If the eastern North Carolina region is home to you or your business, and what we are doing piques your interest to gain greater exposure for your own special message, please contact us here:. I cannot guarantee that our show would be a good fit for your message; however, if there is a strong possibility that it could be, it would be worth your while to make that effort to present to the public.In the meantime, we shall create more content that is informative and hopefully, in some small way, entertaining as well.It has been our short history at BCN, about 3.4 years back, when we reached out in video, we were quite successful in that task of reaching over a hundred thousand folks for just a wee handful of editions, but, alas, we stopped because of time constraints. Now, with so much on the line in our Republic, with so much to profess, and so much to make understood, we are reaching out again, but with better equipment, greater production knowledge, and a fine will to succeed in this re-invented process.I am well satisfied, even at this onset, that we will succeed. The coronavirus pandemic continues to shift the landscape of events throughout the world and our weekly things to do in Central New York list will be a combination of virtual and live events. Though Covid-19 concerns have canceled the New York State Fair and several Syracuse events through November, there are still lots of ways to find summer fun. Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at features@syracuse.com. What a wonderful night we had last night in Minoa. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy some music and classic cars. We had a great crowd. I am pleased to announce we will be having shows every Friday night until the end of August. pic.twitter.com/zywk3hOw8I Village of Minoa (@villageofminoa) July 11, 2020 Classic car cruise-ins This weekend will play host to several classic car meet-ups. Some, like the Marcellus Cruise-In will have live music, vendors, raffles, food and drink and more. Here are the times and dates for some of this weeks cruise-in events: Three Rivers Point, 8892-8898 Gaskin Rd, Clay, NY 13041, every Wednesday from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Sylvan Beach, 112 Bridge St, Sylvan Beach, NY 13157, every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Lewis Park, S Main St., Minoa, NY 13116, every Friday night from 6-8 p.m. Route 31 near Home Goods, 3955 NY-31, Liverpool, NY 13090, every Saturday from 7-10:30 a.m. Fairmount Fair, 3529 W Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13219, every Saturday at 7 p.m. Provos Auto Parts, 3770 Lee Mulroy Rd., Marcellus, NY 13108, Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. With great excitement, the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) announces the launch of our new online gallery. Optimized... Posted by Community Folk Art Center on Friday, July 10, 2020 Community Folk Art Center Virtual Gallery The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) has launched a new online gallery to enable visitors to learn more about artists from the African Diaspora and other underrepresented groups. Three virtual exhibitions are currently on display, including Cherilyn Beckles: Syracuse Black Lives Matter Protest, Jaleel Campbell: 2020 demonstrating how the arts build community and Black Joy, and CFACs 48th annual Competitive Teen Art Show highlighting the artwork of high school students from the Syracuse City School District and surrounding communities. Where: cfacgallery.org When: Ongoing How much: Free to access The Causeway Giants during the 20th annual Irish Fest in downtown Syracuse. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)Charlie Miller Virtual St. Patricks Irish Fest The 29th annual St. Patricks Irish Fest has been canceled due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19. In lieu of the original event, an online event will be filled with music, dancing and the drawing of the Irish Sweepstakes to support St. Patricks and St. Brigids parish community. Sweepstakes tickets can be purchased by printing the form from the parish website, or by calling the rectory and they will mail you an application. A full schedule of performances is available on the parish website as well. Where: stpatricksandstbrigids.org/irish-festival When: July 18 from 4:45-8:45 p.m. How much: Free Mentalist Max Major presents his virtual show "Remote Control" which brings mind reading to an at-home experience over Zoom.Provided photo | syracuse.com Remote Control: A Mindreading Experiment Remote Control: A Mindreading Experiment is a new experience hosted by mentalist, Max Major. Through Zoom, Major promises to remotely control the actions of the audience and predict their thoughts from the comfort of their own homes. Passes to access this live streaming event are per device and attendance is limited to 49 passes per performance. Where: passportshows.com/rc-syracuse-shows When: July 18, 19 at 7 p.m. How much: $45 Social Distance Skate Date Every Wednesday night, Syracuse Skate Gang will host a social distance skate meet-up. Time and location announcements are made on their Facebook or Instagram pages. Previous locations have been points along Onondaga Lake Parkway and the Erie Canal. Where: syracuseskategang.com When: Every Wednesday, times announced on social media pages How much: Free Linda and Steve Webster got involved spending their free time doing Renaissance fairs to fill sad spots in their lives. Linda introduced Steve to it, and the pair have been fans ever since. They participate in a rowdy pub sing-a-long at the Sterling festival, July 20, 2019. Photo by N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.comN. Scott Trimble | strimble@syra Virtual Sterling Renaissance Festival The Sterling Renaissance Festival is canceled this year due to the coronavirus. However, they are releasing a series of six performances called Virtual Sterling, one for each weekend the faire would have been open. Every Saturday a new episode will premiere from July 11 through Aug. 15. If you cannot watch the stream live, it will be available on-demand through the run of the series. Where: Sterling Renaissance Festival Facebook page When: Every Saturday from July 11-Aug. 15 How much: $19.95 - $99.95, pay once for all six episodes Looking for activities for the kiddos? We have 2 painting classes and an acting workshop - all virtual- running next... Posted by Peaceful Schools on Monday, July 6, 2020 Peaceful Schools - Virtual School of the Arts Peaceful Schools is offering a number of virtual performing and visual arts opportunities. A series of virtual craft nights is available for both adults and kids. Registration fees include all craft materials which will be available for curbside pickups at the training center. The center also offers virtual acting, dancing, and instrumental lessons for all ages. Where: Peaceful Schools Training Center, 161 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205 When: Various dates throughout July, see the Peaceful Schools website for full course offerings How much: Varies by course 2020 Photo Walk The Stand is hosting their annual photo walk contest this month. This year there wont be any in-person gatherings, but photographers may enter up to two photos in each of our five categories via The Stand entry form. To be considered for prizes, photographers must follow recommended health guidelines and submit photos taken only in the city of Syracuse during the month of July. Final images will be shared with the community online, featured in The Stands September print issue and exhibited downtown, projected onto the Everson Museum of Art. Where: mysouthsidestand.com When: Images accepted from now through July 31 How much: Free to participate Artwork by Colello Creations. The 48th Annual Americu Syracuse Arts and Crafts Festival around Columbus Circle showcases the talents of 170 artists, July 27, 2018 Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.comMichael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syr 2020 Virtual Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival The annual Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival is moving online for 2020. Throughout the month of July, the virtual platform will feature 181 artists and crafters from 23 U.S. states and Canada. In most cases, works can be purchased online through links to the artists websites and social media pages. Where: downtownsyracuse.com/events When: For the month of July How much: Free The World Keeps Moving Virtual Race The Our Space Park, an accessible playground at Recreation Park in Binghamton, was burned June 1. Reports say the equipment was a $750,000 loss. This virtual race will raise funds for restoring Our Space Park. Where: runsignup.com/Race/NY/Syracuse/THEWORLDKEEPSMOVING When: July 4-Sept. 6 How much: $50 This is the last week for U-Pick Lavender! Our hours will be: Monday 10-4 Wednesday 1-6 Friday 10-4 Saturday... Posted by Spring Creek Lavender on Monday, July 13, 2020 Lavender Farm Events Spring Creek Lavender is a family run lavender farm that is now open for You-Pick Lavender and other events like paint and pick and lavender yoga for their first summer. The farm has around 2,000 lavender plants with 12 varieties of lavender. This weekend they will be offering their last week of You-Pick times as well as lavender yoga and a Painting with a Twist class. Paint night admission includes a bouquet of lavender. Where: Spring Creek Lavender, 8879 Trenton Falls Prospect Rd. Remsen, NY 13438 When: Paint night on July 17 from 6-8 p.m, yoga on July 18 from 10-11 a.m. How much: $50 for paint night, $25 for yoga, tickets available on springcreeklavenderny.com/what-s-happening-1 The Magic Paintbrush The Hangar Theatre Company presents this adaptation of a Chinese folk tale. If you had a magic paintbrush that could paint your dreams into reality, what could you do with it? Watch this Where: youtube.com/HangarTheatre When: July 18 at 10:30 a.m. How much: Free Jerk chicken tacos, anyone? @ermas_island is throwing down in the Curbside Test Kitchen this weekyou dont wanna miss... Posted by Salt City Market on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Curbside Test Kitchen Salt City Market is still under construction and awaiting a November opening date. In the meantime, it is running a Curbside Test Kitchen for its future vendors. This week Ermas Island will be offering Jamaican food for takeout including Jamaican jerk chicken tacos, oxtail with broad beans, and pina colada cupcakes. Menus will go live at 10 a.m. each day and orders will be taken until 5 p.m. Pickup will be at the With Love kitchen. Where: With Love, 435 N. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13203 When: July 15-17, order from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., pickup from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. How much: Prices vary, see menu at ermasisland.com Outdoor Adventures Nature Camp Baltimore Woods is offering a virtual summer camp opportunity with Outdoor Adventures with Baltimore Woods. Families will receive a packet of daily activity guides and have the opportunity to sign out materials such as nets and binoculars to help at-home campers get up close and observe the natural world around them. Each day will kick off with a Zoom meeting with a counselor and camp group. Adventurers will then have the rest of the day to complete a set of staff-guided, but self-directed, activities that can be adapted to a familys schedule and are structured so kids can explore nature in their backyard, at a local park, or at Baltimore Woods. Where: baltimorewoods.org When: July 6-Aug. 28, offered as a weekly series How much: $100 per week and requires a family-level membership to Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Multi-child and multi-week discounts are available. Sunrise Yoga at Clinton Square, sponsored by Metro Fitness.Ellen M. Blalock | syracuse.com Sunrise Yoga Sunrise yoga will return to Clinton Square with Metro Fitness on Wednesday mornings beginning on July 8. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Where: Clinton Square, 161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13202 When: Wednesdays July 8-29 from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. How much: Free Its been a busy six months for anyone tracking U.S. immigration issues, with multiple Trump administration efforts to rein in immigration and a ruling from the Supreme Court on Dreamers. But the activity hasnt been where it belongs in Congress. Its time for that to change. The administration has made 48 policy changes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that affect almost every facet of the immigration system and make it harder for foreigners to work and study in the United States. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration in favor of Dreamers people brought to America illegally by their parents when they were children in a case on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. But the DACA case was decided on a procedural point, and many of the administrations new actions are being challenged in the courts, so the issues are far from settled. If the Trump administration tries again to rescind DACA, it will put pressure on Congress to provide a permanent legislative solution this fall. The timing of all this is difficult in an election year, when legislative action is usually slower as we get closer to November, but its becoming increasingly critical. Whats at stake are the futures of hundreds of thousands of people. They include DACA recipients who live, study and work in the United States, as well as foreign workers, applicants for legal immigration and international students at U.S. universities who were all affected by recent executive actions. Also impacted are any U.S. citizen or resident family members and employers who sponsored them. A recent Pew Research study found that 74 percent of Americans favor granting permanent legal status to Dreamers. While support was highest among Democrats, most Republicans (54 percent) also approved. The Supreme Courts DACA decision in June wasnt about the legality of the policy first instituted by President Barack Obama through executive action but rather whether the Trump administration followed the correct process in rescinding it using the Administrative Procedure Act. Court watchers had predicted a victory for the Trump administration, but somewhat surprisingly Chief Justice John Roberts wrote an opinion that sided with the Dreamers, saying the Department of Homeland Securitys decision to rescind the policy was arbitrary and capricious. On its face, it was a victory for DACA recipients, but the ruling doesnt keep the Trump administration from trying again to roll back DACA this time using the proper procedures. In fact, there are reports that the administration will refile paperwork to end DACA any day. A group of business executives from companies including Target, Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, General Motors and Hilton Worldwide sent the president a letter Saturday, urging him to leave DACA in place or risk the economic recovery and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration has been busy limiting immigration on other fronts: At the end of June, it suspended new employment visas through the end of the year for highly-skilled workers, exchange workers, summer laborers and those being transferred to the United States within a company. The administration is also considering new rules that ensure high-skilled work-visa and employment-based green card programs dont disadvantage United States workers. And on Tuesday, the administration walked back plans to send home international college students who can only study online this fall. After the directive was announced in early July, 17 states and the District of Columbia sued the administration in an attempt to block the new rule. At a time when colleges are facing budget shortfalls, restricting international students in U.S. colleges would have had several detrimental effects, both for the institutions and the students themselves. Providing international students from around the world with access to our universities allows them to see and experience firsthand the fundamentals of American democracy and serves as a resource of American diplomacy. What does all this activity mean, and where should it lead? In each case, these are issues that should be sitting squarely in front of Congress, not being decided by the judicial and executive branches of government. Continuing to put off comprehensive immigration reform puts issues like DACA in the hands of the executive branch and only exacerbates the negative effects on our economy, our colleges and universities, and on immigrants themselves. It makes for a back and forth between Democratic and Republican presidents that is untenable and contributes partisanship, not long-term solutions, to this important issue. Once we get through 2020, lets hope we see immigration reform come front and center in Congress. In addition to settling current debates about Dreamers, work visas during the pandemic and student visas, it will be important to address other significant issues such as border security, what to do about the millions of undocumented immigrants in our country today and update our policies on refugees and asylum seekers. Its time we get to work on a comprehensive discussion that leads us out of this patchwork of policies and advances solutions. Kuzmich is the George W. Bush Institute executive director. Described as interactive and intuitive, the insurtechs system will allow RACQ to connect external assessment and repairer data with the insurance claims team, which in turn will be better-informed throughout the process. Benefits of ENDatas platform include claims administration automation, increased transparency across the claims journey, as well as improved ability to capture and analyse data. Well now be able to automate some of the ways we interact with our repairer and assessor network because this system will be an up-to-date snapshot of where assessment and repairs are for a claim our team will be able to use it to speed up claims resolution and keep our members connected and up-to-date along the way, said RACQ claims general manager Andrew Johnson. Not only is this technology going to mean a better experience for our members, we also love that were able to partner with a local Queensland tech business because it allows us to support our own states innovators. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- On July 17, European Union leaders will convene to discuss a 750 billion-euro ($853 billion) coronavirus recovery plan. If properly designed, the initiative would bring the EUs member nations together in a form of temporary fiscal union. The plan carries potential risks but the dangers of delay are far greater. In May, the European Commission outlined plans for a stimulus program that includes both loans and grants to countries hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis. Germany, putting its customary fiscal caution aside, has voiced support for such a scheme. Governments of the so-called Frugal Four Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden arent convinced. They favor a smaller plan with offsetting cuts to the EU budget and fewer outright grants, fearing that the commissions proposal will put fiscally disciplined governments on the hook for the budget excesses of countries like Italy. The skeptics have a point. Fiscal unions do involve this kind of moral hazard. Responsible governments manage their finances so that they have the fiscal space to stimulate their economies when the need arises. Chronic overborrowers find themselves without fiscal room for maneuver when they need it most. A fiscal union that provides net transfers to heavily indebted countries at times of stress does provide, in effect, a subsidy from the prudent to the profligate. The problem is that in a monetary union such as the euro zone, countries are shackled to a single interest-rate policy and cannot depreciate their currencies with respect to their main trading partners. In difficult times, a one-size-fits-all monetary stimulus, courtesy of the European Central Bank, is unable to deliver sufficient extra demand to the worst-off countries. Leaving national governments to cope with Covid-19 on their own risks terrible consequences for some, despite the European Central Banks best efforts. The political fallout might then put the whole European project at risk. Some form of fiscal partnership is vital. Story continues Europes leaders should therefore adopt a fiscal plan that is both temporary meaning tightly focused on the coronavirus emergency and sufficiently generous to cope with the pandemics economic consequences. In truth, the commissions proposal is at the low end of whats needed. Proponents should resist pressure to pare it back. And any plan adopted by EU leaders should deliver the bulk of support in the form of grants, rather than loans, because the countries most constrained in their national budgets are already financially stressed. Europe can readily afford to mobilize 2 trillion euros of emergency support, financed jointly according to shares of population and gross domestic product, with grants given by a formula that weighs unemployment rates and pandemic-driven declines in output. In the longer term, Europe will need a permanent fiscal union to make the most of its monetary union. Building support for such a scheme might take years. The union cant wait for that bigger debate to be resolved. Right now, it has an economic emergency on its hands, and needs to meet it with solidarity and mutual support. Editorials are written by the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. 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. The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare has said the best place to keep school children in the wake of COVID-19 is the boarding house to prevent them from getting infected and spreading the virus. Dr Asares comment comes on the back of calls from the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) to the government to send home all senior high school (SHS) students to prevent further spread of the deadly COVID-19. The appeal of the NCPTAs is as a result of reports that some students and teachers of some SHSs in the country, have tested positive for COVID-19. Fourteen SHSs have, so far, recorded COVID-19 cases. But reacting to this on the Citizen Show on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday, 14 July 2020, Dr Asare said: The best place to keep children now is in boarding house. Were making sure the day students also follow the protocols and precaution. He insisted that the most important thing to do to prevent contracting and spreading the virus is for students to obey the protocols. People go to the market and they follow precautions, dont they? So, in school, theyve been given extra directives to keep them safe. The parents must educate their wardsparents must tell their children, the day students, to put on their mask to and from school, use the sanitisers, wash hands and shower immediately they return from school. If every Ghanaian follow this protocol and make sure we obey social distancing we can prevent the spread of the virus, he added. Dr Asare noted that if Ghanaians, including the students follow the protocols theres no room for panic as according to him, there are sick bays in schools with nurses to attend to every sick child. ---classfmomnline Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 15:26:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A new generation of live working robots for power distribution systems have been put into service in north China's Tianjin Municipality, according to the Science and Technology Daily Wednesday. The robots, developed by the State Grid Tianjin Electric Power Company, are driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies including 3D reconstruction of the environment, visual recognition and motion control. They use algorithms to execute multiple power distribution missions. The robots can reduce safety risks and improve operation quality. Compared with previous live working robots, the latest versions are smaller and lighter, allowing them to work in complex terrain and narrow spaces. The robots have obtained six patents and conducted more than 80 operations in urban, suburban and mountain areas in Tianjin. The robot industrialization base in Tianjin has an annual output of 200 grid robots. According to the report, the company looks at fostering the application of AI technology in the energy sector to improve the power grid operation and maintenance. Enditem Peshawar: The historic ancestral home of late Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor in Pakistan's Peshawar city is facing demolition threat as the current owner of the house is adamant on building a commercial complex on the site. In 2018, the Pakistan government decided to convert the ''Kapoor Haveli'' in Qissa Khwani Bazar in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province into a museum, heeding to a request by Rishi Kapoor who died recently at a hospital in Mumbai. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had assured Rishi Kapoor that the Pakistan government will convert the actor's house into a museum. The haveli has turned into a ghost building, residents of the area said. Due to its dilapidated condition, the building can collapse anytime, they said. The state of the building is deteriorating with each passing day due to ecological impacts, torrential rains, earthquakes and wind storms. The haveli is currently owned by Haji Muhammad Israr, a wealthy jeweller in the city. The provincial government wanted to buy the haveli keeping in view its historic importance and conserve it in its original shape for the tourists. Israr, however, wants to demolish the building and construct a new commercial building at this prime location. He made three/four attempts in the past to demolish the building but could not do it as FIRs were registered against him by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa heritage department. There were reports that the provincial government has failed to convert the building into a museum due to differences with its owner over its price. Israr, the owner of the haveli, has denied that he had any issue with the government over the price of the property, estimated to be over Rs 5 crore. He said he simply wanted to demolish the haveli and construct a huge commercial market at the site. "I have sufficient money to cater to my needs. I supply around 3 to 4 maund (120kg-160kg) gold a week to the Peshawar biggest jewellery market," he said. Local residents fear that the building may automatically collapse unless the government takes timely action to conserve it. ?It is a matter of concern that the 'Kapoor Haveli' which we consider as the pride of our city is in dilapidated condition and is fast heading to the disappearance because of being ignored,? said Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, a resident of Dhaki Nalbandi where the palatial house is located. Mujeeb said that he was a teenager when late Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor had visited their ancestral home in the early 90s. Shakeel Waheedullah, Secretary Cultural Heritage Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed regret over the dilapidated condition of the house. The ''Kapoor Haveli'' was built by Basheswarnath Kapoor, the father of Bollywood pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor. The Kapoor family, originally from Peshawar in Pakistan, migrated to India after the partition in 1947. In 1990, Rishi Kapoor along with brother Randhir Kapoor visited their ancestral home where his grandfather, Prithviraj and his father Raj Kapoor, were born. The Supreme Courts decisions in Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue and Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru offered a one-two punch of victories for religious schools under the religion clauses of the First Amendment. Espinoza, a 54 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, protected the right of parents to use taxpayer-funded school choice for religious schools on the same basis as non-religious schools. Guadalupe, a 72 decision written by Justice Samuel Alito, protected the right of religious schools to control the hiring and firing of their religious teachers without interference from laws that govern teachers at non-religious schools. Some critics see a contradiction. As one Above the Law columnist argued, no sane reading of our religious liberty clauses supports the notion that government is both commanded to stay out of the affairs of religious schools while at the same time existing under the obligation to fund them. In fact, what the two cases do is preserve a space for the free exercise of religion that actually takes religion seriously. There will always be tensions inherent in both the structure of the First Amendment and a society that extends religious pluralism to the religious and the non-religious alike. But the Courts view is both philosophically consistent and firmly grounded in the history of the First Amendment. The liberal-progressive view sounds, at first glance, sensible enough: In the public, government-funded sector, everything religious must be subordinated to avoid an establishment of religion or the large-scale obstruction of civil law; on your own time and your own dime, you can practice your faith. But there are three problems with this framework. The first problem is religious: It is not enough simply to tell religious believers that they can participate in the government-funded sector in a non-religious way, and then just practice their faith on their own time. Thats just not how faith works. To the believer, the free exercise of religion is a pervasive thing an identity, not just an idea. Being a follower of Christ, or a Muslim, is not something you can take on and off like a hat. Being put to the choice will frequently compel believers to turn down benefits available to everyone else. It is no answer to tell religious schools that they can be religious, but not too religious. Story continues The second problem is political. As the government has grown and grown, it has become ever more difficult to maintain the fiction that the public, government-funded sector is the exception rather than the rule. The law has never actually required a wall of separation between church and state, and it has always been implicitly recognized that even if such a wall existed in theory, it could not be maintained in practice. Families can still pray together while walking on public streets. The fire department still comes when a church is on fire. A true wall of separation would divorce the state from its own citizens. Decisions such as Espinoza simply recognize that, if religious believers are cut out of government-funded programs in a country where the government is ubiquitous, they are effectively placed at a disadvantage compared to the non-religious. A big chunk of our money goes to the government, then is sent back in the form of subsidies or carved out in the form of tax breaks; telling only religious believers that they may not use that money is not equality. Allowing them to use it in the same way they would have used it from their own pockets just restores the status quo. As for poor people who get more from the government than they pay in, allowing them to practice their faith on the governments dime advances the purpose of policies designed to give the poor the same rights the rest of us enjoy. The need to prevent an ever-expanding government from crowding out the space for religious practice is even more urgent in the case of laws and regulations, which, unlike subsidies, are not optional. The age- and disability-discrimination laws at issue in Guadalupe did not apply only to schools funded with taxpayer assistance. While the government has an undoubted interest in uniform enforcement of such laws, they will inevitably contract the space in which sincere religious believers and institutions can practice their faith unless some form of accommodation is found. The third problem is legal: The free-exercise clause, unlike other equal-treatment provisions of the Constitution, is coupled with the establishment clause. The establishment clause restrains the government from affirmatively backing a church. It has grown over time, to a point well removed from its original understanding, into a broad prohibition on even fairly innocuous government endorsements of religion. A significant strain of establishment-clause jurisprudence prevents the government from even getting entangled with religion. But the core, original reason for the establishment clause was to prevent the government from bankrolling ministers. Why does that matter in Espinoza and Guadalupe? Because both cases drew a line to keep the governments hands off ministers. The Court in Espinoza distinguished Montanas student scholarships from Locke v. Davey, a 2004 case that upheld a state decision to exclude the training of clergy from a scholarship program for professional training. Espinoza and Locke, read together, mean that states cannot discriminate against religious students taught by religious leaders, but they need not foot the bill for the training of those religious leaders themselves. Guadalupe takes a similar stance toward keeping government away from religious leaders: Under the ministerial exception recognized unanimously by the Court in 2012, employment and other laws cannot interfere with a religious groups choice of ministers. No matter how much government grows around a religious institution, its interest in deciding who leads the flock is essential to its identity. If the government can decide who the ministers are, it runs the church the precise problem the establishment clause was written to prevent. This insider/outsider framework has parallels in the Courts separation-of-powers jurisprudence, in which the Court polices the outer limits of executive and congressional powers but jealously guards each branchs power to control its own internal affairs. Of course, if you exempt ministers from some generally applicable laws, courts inevitably have to decide who qualifies as a minister. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg objected to extending the definition of minister to Catholic-school teachers, who must lead their students in prayer and provide religious teaching and preparation for the sacraments but spend most of their time teaching secular subjects whose content is subject to state curricular regulation. Such a narrow definition of ministry, however, ignores the pervasive nature of religion in schools that still serve a secular purpose: A religious school is entitled to see teachers as models of the faith even when they are not teaching it. It is also the camels-nose-in-the-tent problem: If the existence of secular involvement or funding in some parts of the school limits the schools freedom to choose some of its faculty, the school will be more expensive to operate and may have to compromise its faith as a result of government regulation. Justice Clarence Thomas, by contrast, warned in Guadalupe that it would be dangerous for courts to ever inquire into who is a minister, so long as the religious group says they are. While his caution is well chosen, courts do routinely have to conduct limited inquiries in sensitive areas i.e., determining when a foreign state can assert sovereign immunity, or when the government can invoke the state-secrets doctrine. A modest judicial role is more than sufficient to prevent religious institutions from insincerely abusing the claim that everyone is a minister. Alarmist claims aside, the combination of Guadalupe with Espinoza will not suddenly create an entire sector of government-funded institutions that do not need to obey general laws, because the exemption of ministers is likely to end up as in Locke being no broader than the class of people whose training the state can legitimately refuse to finance. There is, in short, no contradiction between allowing religious institutions to participate in generally applicable government programs while still being religious institutions that control how they teach and practice their own faith. Any other outcome would offend one or both of the two values protected by the religion clauses: the equal rights of religious believers to exercise their faith, or the prohibition on the government controlling how churches are taught and led. More from National Review Reliance is all set to kick off its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020 today at 2PM IST. Interested in following the announcements, you can live stream the digital event on multiple platforms. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will be hosting its 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) today at 2PM IST. It will be for the first time that the annual event will be held virtually. That's because of the pandemic. At the AGM we are expected to witness the yearly results of the company and how it performed. There may also be some announcements on new products and platforms. Last year, at the companys 42nd AGM, RILs chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani had set a roadmap for the company to attain a debt-free status by March 2021. This year, he is expected to elaborate on how the company managed to attain that status and raise more in a short span of twelve weeks by selling just 25% shares of the companys digital wing, Jio Platforms. In addition to that, we also expect the company leaders to share details about the deal with Aramco that is expected to raise a whopping $75 million for a 20% stake in the companys Oil-to-Chemical (O2C) division. Apart from that, we also expect the company to share a detailed plan about Reliance Retail, a division that benefited greatly from Jios deal with Facebook, a deal that also ensured an increased participation between JioMart and WhatsApp for Business. Traditionally, RIL also uses its AGM to announce its future plans. For instance, last year the company focussed on its Jio Fiber service. In 2018, it launched the Jio Hungama offer while in 2017 JioPhone was launched. RIL is expected to make a similar announcement today, details of which remain undercover at the moment. How to watch the livestream As mentioned before, this is the first time that Reliance will host its AGM virtually. The event will begin at 2PM today and it will be broadcasted via multiple channels allowing shareholders and people at large to tune in to know details about the announcement made at the event. The event be be broadcasted via the company's Flame of Truth and Jio channels on YouTube. In addition to that it will also be streamed via the company's Flame of Truth and Jio Facebook handles and Twitter handles. Additionally, individuals will also be able to access the link to the live-stream via the company's JioMeet link. Lastly, people can get updates regarding the event using a WhatsApp chatbot that can be accessed by sending a Hi on the number +91-79771-11111. IMEE: WATER SECURITY AT RISK AS PANDEMIC CONTINUES Senator Imee Marcos has expressed alarm at the growing risk to water security as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on, with Angat Dam's water supply steadily diminishing despite the rains. "The increased use of water for personal hygiene and public sanitation amid the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be outrunning the amount of rain that is supposed to refill Angat," Marcos said. The water level at Angat dam - the main source of water for Metro Manila - has steadily fallen from almost 200 meters since a lockdown in mid-March to less than 186 meters, as of Tuesday, July 14. The present water level is almost 20 meters below the normal operating level of 205 meters and less than 6 meters away from the minimum operating level of 180 meters. "We may hit the critical level of 160 meters by October, if the trend continues. Should we cut down on washing our hands and cleaning our surroundings to prevent water interruptions?" Marcos asked. Marcos blamed the lack of water security on the continuing failure of Manila Water and Maynilad to meet their obligations to the public in a 1997 water concession contract they signed with the government. "The end of June marked the 20th anniversary of failure by Manila Water and Maynilad to fulfill their promise of providing a 24-hour supply of drinking-quality water to Metro Manila and neighboring cities in Cavite and Rizal by June 30, 2000," Marcos said. The Supreme Court also ruled last year that the water concessionaires violated the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 in missing their deadline to build waste water treatment systems in their respective service areas five years after the law took effect, Marcos added. T he reopening Irelands pubs and nightclubs has been delayed until August 10 due to coronavirus concerns. Plans to allow larger crowds to gather indoors and outdoors from Monday have also been scrapped. It comes as chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the total number of people infected per positive case is now 1.2-1.8. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: It is the right thing to do to press the pause button. Social visits to peoples homes will remain limited to a maximum of 10 visitors from no more than four other households. Restrictions on indoor gatherings to 50 and outdoors to 200 will remain until August 10, Mr Martin said. Plans to roll out phase four of the emergence from lockdown have been put on hold / REUTERS That will come as a set back to cultural facilities like theatres and cinemas and organisers of outdoor sports. Publicans said it was a hammer blow. Face coverings will also become mandatory in shops and other indoor public spaces. Plans to roll out phase four of the emergence from lockdown have been put on hold. A man walks his dog past coronavirus artwork painted on the shuttered windows of a pub in Dublin / REUTERS Mr Martin said his main priority was to reopen schools in September then resume non-Covid health services as quickly as he could. If we did not intervene and take these measures it would take an inevitable course, which is in nobodys interest. Pubs that serve food can continue to serve alcohol with a substantial meal. Dr Glynn said the number of cases had increased over recent days and expressed concern about the number of contacts for some individuals and over the development of infection clusters. He added: It is a pause. Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking at a post-cabinet press briefing at Dublin Castle. / PA Compared to many countries around the world we are still in a good position. The challenge is to maintain that good position and ensure that the good work over many months is not lost. This virus is extremely infectious. It wants to spread but it needs people to come into contact with each other to do so. Monday was supposed to mark the next stage of Irelands road map out of social distancing restrictions which have paralysed life there since March. Ministers were advised by public health doctors to proceed cautiously. Two more people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland, the National Public Health Emergency Team said, bringing the total to 1,748. A barman in Murrays pub on Grafton street checks the head on a pint of Guinness / Getty Images As of midnight on Tuesday, the health system had been notified of 14 more confirmed cases. Publicans said they would now lose 40 per cent of their trading year following the delay in reopening. Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) chief executive Donall OKeeffe said: This is a hammer blow for our industry. It does appear that pubs are being singled out. Pubs were first closed and last to reopen. No other part of the domestic economy is still shut. We have continually been placed in the last phase of the reopening road map. Dublin on lockdown / Getty Images Ireland has made good progress in containing the virus, driving the reproductive rate down through a speedy lockdown. Its new coalition Government has made dealing with the fallout its number one priority. On Wednesday, Irish police said the vast majority of licensed premises had been found to be in compliance with regulations and licensing laws. In 37 individual cases including 26 during the weekend of July 3-5 officers found potential breaches of health regulations or licensing laws even after providing premises with the opportunity to rectify the situation. In all these cases, gardai found customers consuming alcohol but no evidence of food also being consumed and no evidence of receipts to show food had been sold. John Twomey, deputy commissioner in charge of policing and security, said: The continued high level of compliance among licensed premises is very welcome. However, there remains a minority who are putting their employees, their customers and their local community at risk of getting Covid-19. New Delhi: Delhi Police On Saturday told a court here that it needs more time to complete its probe in a case involving a teenager who allegedly ran over a 32-year-old marketing executive while driving his fathers Mercedes here in April. Additional Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav listed the matter for further proceedings on December 15. Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava told the court that police is probing some news facts in the case. Further investigation is still going on and they need time to complete it. The police had earlier sought the courts permission to further probe the case saying some new facts have emerged in matter and it has come to their knowledge that before this hit-and-run case, the boy was also challaned for over-speeding in which he had shown a false and forged driving licence to the traffic police. The court had allowed polices plea. ALSO READ: (Delhi Mercedes hit-and-run case: Minor accused can be tried as adult, says Juvenile Justice Board) The accused had turned major four days after the April 4 incident. The plea by police was opposed by advocate Rajiv Mohan, who had appeared for the boy, on the ground that he was a juvenile and the police knew about the licence before and there was no fresh evidence. Police had said in its charge sheet that the boy had fatally run over victim Siddharth Sharma with his fathers Mercedes when the victim was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School in north Delhi on April 4. The Juvenile Justice Board had on June 4 ordered that the boy would face trial as an adult while observing that the offence allegedly committed by him was heinous. It is the first of its kind case since the amendment in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 which allowed the Board to transfer cases of heinous offences by children to the sessions court. The police had on May 26 chargesheeted the boy in JJB for culpable homicide not amounting to murder which entails a maximum of 10 years jail. The charge sheet was filed for alleged offences under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 279 (driving on a public way so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life) and 337 (causing hurt by an act which endangers human life) against him. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Cloudy. Morning high of 38F with temps falling to near 25. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later at night. Low 14F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Travis County in Texas voted on Tuesday to give Tesla at least US$14.7 million in tax breaks if it chooses to build its new Gigafactory near Austin, taking another step toward luring the EV maker to Texas. The Travis County Commissioners Court voted 4-0 on the deal, with one abstention, The Street reported. Earlier this month, the Valle Independent School District approved around US$46.4 million in property tax breaks to Tesla for the site of the potential factory. Elon Musk has said that the EV manufacturer is considering several options for the new plant. The new Gigafactory is expected to host the manufacturing of the Cybertruck, among other vehicles. Tesla is considering buying a property near Austin, Texas, for the possible construction of a new electric vehicle manufacturing plant, an application to the Texas Comptrollers Office showed last month. Tesla Inc is evaluating the possible development, design, and construction of a high-tech electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Travis County within the Austin Green property located at the intersection of SH130 and Harold Green Road, the EV maker said, noting that if the sale goes through and all required approvals are obtained, construction could begin in the third quarter of 2020. If the new EV manufacturing plant is built in Texas, it would create 5,000 jobs in the state, Tesla said in its application. Tesla has an option to purchase this land, but has not exercised it, Musk tweeted in June, replying to a news story reporting that it had already acquired the property in Travis County. Asked if Tulsa, Oklahoma, is also in the mix, Musk said that We are considering several options. If Tesla were to pick Austin for the next factory, it could save more than US$68 million on property taxes during the next decade, the Austin American-Statesman reported last month. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Florida surpassed its daily record for coronavirus deaths Tuesday amid rising global worries of a resurgence, even as researchers announced that the first vaccine tested in the U.S. had worked to boost patients' immune systems. Florida's 132 additional deaths topped a state mark set just last week. The figure likely includes deaths from the past weekend that had not been previously reported. The new deaths raised the state's seven-day average to 81 per day, more than double the figure of two weeks ago and now the second-highest in the United States behind Texas. The worrisome figures were released just hours before the news about the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc. "No matter how you slice this, this is good news," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press. Key final testing of the vaccine will start around July 27, tracking 30,000 people to prove if the shots really work in preventing infection. Tuesday's announcement focused on findings since March in 45 volunteers. With the virus spreading quickly in the Southern and Western U.S., one of the country's top public health officials offered conflicting theories about what is driving the outbreak. "We tried to give states guidance on how to reopen safely. ... If you look critically, few states actually followed that guidance," Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Tuesday in a livestream interview with the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Redfield said people in many states did not adopt social distancing and other measures because they hadn't previously experienced an outbreak. But he went on to say, without explanation, that he didn't believe the way those states handled reopening was necessarily behind the explosive rise in virus cases. He offered a theory that infected travelers from elsewhere in the country might have brought the virus with them around Memorial Day. CDC officials said that there are various possible explanations, and that Redfield was offering just one. Doctors in Florida have predicted more deaths as daily reported cases have surged from about 2,000 a day a month ago to a daily average of about 11,000, including a record 15,000 on Sunday. The state recorded 9,194 new cases Tuesday. Word of the rising toll in Florida came as Arizona officials tallied 4,273 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. Redfield urged Americans to wear masks to help contain the virus. High unemployment, shifting industry hiring patterns and fundamental changes to the way we work are some of the harsh realities Americans face when looking for jobs amid the Covid-19 crisis. It's important to be prepared with an understanding of how much has changed in the jobs market to increase your chances of finding a job under the current circumstances. Here are a few of the basic, sobering facts: Young workers, those with lower levels of formal education, Hispanic and Asian women, and minority workers more broadly, are among the demographic groups hardest hit by the tens of millions of job losses generated by the Covid pandemic. Restaurants, travel, hospitality, and retail have fared worse than other industries, extending job losses even to these sectors' white collar workers. Small businesses have laid off more employees than larger ones. Preparing for a new job or entirely new career requires preparation in this environment. While most of us may be looking for new jobs out of necessity, a crisis such as Covid-19 is also an opportune time for those fortunate enough to still be employed to radically alter a career path. Here are the questions you should be asking yourself. Are my resume and online professional presence current? Yes, your resume should be error-free, fully updated, and customized for each job for which you submit an application. But you can do more (and should) if you're actively searching for a job or to switch careers. Make sure your resume is posted online, where it can be easily seen (social networking platforms such as LinkedIn are an obvious place to start). But also look for job boards or sites specific to your target industry. Consider adding work samples, links to any published work, or a video introduction to your resume. Finally, ensure your resume is SEO-optimized, using keywords that are likeliest to yield results in searches by employers. Are you looking in the right places? Knowing where to look is half the battle. You should understand hiring trends, such as the rise of freelance work during the Covid recession, as well as companies that are actively hiring for remote workers. You should also be willing to consider new industries where job opportunities have been stronger, such as technology and health care. And you should be taking the further step of contacting those in your network who might be placed in favorable hiring industries. More from Invest in You: Free college programs could be a lifeline amid the coronavirus - here's where we stand Your income took a hit. Now what? These 7 freelance jobs pay more than $18 an hour - and you can do them remotely Do my skills need refreshing? Now is the time to take free or low-cost online courses or obtain certifications in a new skill. (Faced with a job loss during the Great Recession, I taught myself video and audio editing online for less than $100. That helped me land my next job in radio, where audio editing skills were indispensable.) Learning a new skill can be either complementary to your existing job trajectory, or geared towards a new career. If it's the latter, the rise of online learning due to Covid-19 means many graduate programs are now lower-priced and online, allowing you to continue working In another capacity more while you complete your studies. Where am I most competitive? Know your skills, your worth, and your passions these are the things that help differentiate you, and allow you to thrive in the areas in which you're most competitive. A good job search is targeted in many ways, including knowing where you're likeliest to be appreciated and in demand. More than 3.5 million Americans have been infected by the coronavirus and more than 139,000 have died. The Southeastern states have seen sharp spikes in the rates of infection, hospitalization, and death due to the coronavirus in the last month and a half. Young or old, black or white, COVID-19 knows no boundaries. The outbreak poses particular risk to meat processing and factory workers, teachers and students, and hospital staff. From June 1 to July 10, South Carolina reported a mortifying 436.5 percent increase in newly reported cases in the 21-30-year-old age group. Dr. Joan Duwve, director of public health for the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has reported that 42 percent of the coronavirus cases in South Carolina to date have been reported in the past two weeks. The state reports a 75 percent ICU bed utilization rate along with a 25 percent utilization rate of ventilators. Coronavirus patients represent less than 20 percent of all hospitalizations, yet they utilize the greatest amount of resources. Duwve also noted that 22 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state are among young people. She further observed that 15 percent of the cases in the state are in people 20 years old or younger. In addition to the continued rise in confirmed infections, currently at 60,389, the state witnessed its first child death Saturday, with a 5-year-old succumbing to COVID-19. On Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) reported 862 new cases and 23 additional deaths. The MSDH reports that 805 Mississippians are currently hospitalized across the state with coronavirus infections, an increase of 119 from the previous high of 686 reported on July 9. Mississippi reported 1,092 cases on June 25, the highest one-day total in the state during the pandemic. On July 9, State Department of Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs stated that Intensive Care Units (ICU) in five of the states 122 hospitals were full. As of Friday, there was a total of 109 outbreaks in long-term care facilities; 2,927 residents in those facilities have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with 586 deaths. The states current total of coronavirus cases is 37,542 with 1,272 deaths. The highest concentration of cases has been in the Jackson metro area and in north Mississippi, near Memphis, Tennessee. Hinds County, the states most populous county, has the highest number of cases at 3,102, closely tailed by Desoto County with 2,050 confirmed cases. Madison County ranks third with 1,560 confirmed cases. Mississippians aged 60-69 make up the largest number of hospitalizations with 777. Those aged 70-79 make up the largest number of deaths with 325 as of July 10. Meanwhile, Arkansas has a current total of 29,733 cases of coronavirus and 323 deaths. The hospital system in Arkansas is being stretched to its limits on resources and bed occupancy. A report published by Harvard Global Health Institute predicts that demand for hospital beds will be 156 percent greater than what is currently available at the pandemics peak in Little Rock, the states capital and largest city, concluding that demand will overwhelm ICU capacity. A 2018 census found that Little Rock had 4,850 hospital beds available, in which 55 percent were occupied, leaving 2,170 bed available. The bed count included 520 beds in ICU, as reported by the American Hospital Association and American Hospital Directory. With a population of about 1.6 million, and infection and fatality rates on the rise, and a strain of resources, hospitals in the city are soon to exceed maximum capacity. In Alabama, 57,255 people are confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 and 1,164 have died. The number of confirmed cases has been rising by more than 1,000 for the last week. In a dire warning for the state of the healthcare system, Alabama Hospital Association President Dr. Don Williamson asserted, Right now, were managing it. But you know, with 200 ICU beds, with 1,100 plus patients with COVID in the hospital, with 1,700 adult medicine beds, we can cope with where we are now. What we cant cope with is the sustained increase in the number of patients. The Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) reported an additional 1,514 cases on Monday, bringing the state's total to 66,788. TDOH officials also included in their report 38,272 recoveries, 767 deaths, and 3,378 hospitalizations. On Friday, ICU beds were at over 80 percent occupancy, while on July 8, that number was at 75 percent occupancy, and 72 percent on July 7. In addition to ICU beds decreasing in availability, overall available hospital bed occupancy increased from 73 percent on July 7 to 82 percent on Friday. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports that 89,484 people in the state have tested positive for the coronavirus, with 1,552 deaths and 1,109 hospitalizations. According to the NCDHHS, 78 percent of ICU beds were occupied as of Friday, for which the total of hospitalizations in the state sat at 1,046, surpassing the previous record of 1,034 reported at the day before, marking the fifth record-breaking day in a row. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) recorded the second highest single-day increase on Friday, seeing 2,600 new cases. This was the highest increase of cases in a 14-day observational period. As hospitalizations continue to rise, increasing from 75 to 1,362 people, 146 patients in the state are now on ventilators. The LDH reported a total of 82,042 cases Tuesdayan increase of 7,346 from Thursdayalong with 3,337 deaths since the first cases were diagnosed in March. On Tuesday, the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) reported 123,963 confirmed cases of coronavirus, a 9,562 increase from Sunday, 2,662 ICU admissions, and 3,054 deaths. The number of available hospital beds to treat critically ill patients afflicted with COVID-19 is dropping across the state as more and more cases are reported. Statewide, 13,685 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19. The Associated Press reported Thursday that 82 percent of Georgias hospital ICU beds are currently in use. As of Thursday, the hospitals in Columbus, Georgias Region I had less than 10 critical care beds available. Florida is now one of the main epicenters for the outbreak in the United States and globally with 291,629 total confirmed cases with 4,409 deaths reported by the Florida Department of Health. The states Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which updates the data in real time, reported on July 10 that 6,974 patients were hospitalized statewide with a primary diagnosis of [COVID-19]. Furthermore, on the same day, the AHCA dashboard reported that there were only 917 ICU beds available. With a population of 21.48 million, hospitals across the state will not be able to accommodate a large influx of new patients. In Miami-Dade County , 1,578 patients were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, with those in critical condition taking up 87 percent of the countys ICU beds. The explosive increase in cases of COVID-19 throughout the Southeast is attributable to the premature push to reopen the economy by state governors, following the lead of President Donald Trump, along with hostile work conditions conducive to the spread of the virus. The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting has tied 7,185 cases of coronavirus directly to poultry titan Tyson foods, based in Springdale, Arkansas. At least 24 Tyson workers have died of COVID-19. In addition, a large contributing factor to the rapid spread of the disease is the lack of proper personal protective equipment. Bedford, NH, July 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evergreen Management Group, an Associa company, announces Eric Anderson as the new branch president. Mr. Anderson joins Evergreen Management with a wide array of operational experience in retail, real estate, and construction, as well as more than 24 years at Brookstone, where he most recently served as the vice president of retail operations, real estate, and construction. In this role, he was responsible for the organizations store operations, property management, store design and construction, as well as lead administration for the nationwide retail chain. Mr. Anderson has extensive skills in contract and lease negotiations, professional development, teambuilding, and multi-site property management. As the new branch president, Mr. Anderson will focus on the branchs day-to-day operations, business development, client growth and retention, employee education and training, and developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients, communities, and residents. Eric has a unique approach to operational management and demonstrated success in our industry that makes him a great new addition to the team, stated Nancy Hastings, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, regional vice president, eastern region. His expertise will be an asset as Evergreen Management Group focuses on expanding our service area and continuing to provide exceptional management and lifestyle services for our clients. Mr. Anderson is a graduate of Bentley University, where he earned a bachelors degree in business administration and management. With more than 200 branch offices across North America, Associa delivers unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise and trailblazing innovation. For more than 40 years, Associa has provided solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. Stay Connected: Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/associa Subscribe to the Blog: https://hub.associaonline.com/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/associa Join us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/associa Mount Sinai Health System and Cross County Cardiology announced a new cooperative partnership today that will include five cardiology practices located throughout Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey. Cross County Cardiology-Mount Sinai Doctors will work to enhance clinical care for patients with cardiovascular disease bringing the most advanced techniques within the field of cardiology and vascular care to the region. Cross County Cardiology is extremely honored to partner with Mount Sinai and the world-class team of cardiologists led by renowned heart specialist Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital and to offer our patients access to advancements in practice, diagnostics and treatment and other specialty care within the Mount Sinai Health System, said Rick Pumill, MD, Director of Cross County Cardiology-Mount Sinai Doctors. Ranked 6th nationally for Cardiology & Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report, Mount Sinai Heart at The Mount Sinai Hospital, is celebrated internationally as a world leader in all facets of cardiology care, cardiac surgery, and advanced research. Patients will no longer need to travel across the Hudson River into New York City to receive their cardiac care as Cross County Cardiology-Mount Sinai Doctors will include five separate practice locations in New Jersey. The practices are located at 20 Prospect Ave Suite 909, Hackensack; 38 Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus; 103 River Road, 2nd floor, Edgewater; 7322 Bergenline Avenue, North Bergen; and 92 Summit Ave, Hackensack. With the new partnership, Cross County-Cardiology-Mount Sinai Doctors will also offer additional sub specialty experts. Mount Sinai Health Network is excited to collaborate with Cross County Cardiology and to welcome this talented team of cardiac specialists in the New Jersey region into Mount Sinais growing network of hospitals, clinical practices, and polyclinics, said Arthur Klein, MD, President of the Mount Sinai Health Network. Patients seen in the practice will receive the highest standard of personalized cardiac care by highly trained doctors and staff who employ the latest medical protocols and innovative research to save lives. Over the years, patients have become our best referral source and they have helped us to advance and grow our practice, added Pumill. We take pride in knowing that each and every patient encounter is a worthwhile experience and that all of our patients feel comfortable with their diagnosis and treatment plan. Patient care and safety is our number one concern. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai is a national and international source of unrivaled education, translational research and discovery, and collaborative clinical leadership ensuring that we deliver the highest quality carefrom prevention to treatment of the most serious and complex human diseases. The Health System includes more than 7,200 physicians and features a robust and continually expanding network of multispecialty services, including more than 400 ambulatory practice locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the Top 20 Best Hospitals in the country and the Icahn School of Medicine as one of the Top 20 Best Medical Schools in country. Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are consistently ranked regionally by specialty and our physicians in the top 1% of all physicians nationally by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Photo: (Photo : Instagram/fosterdadflipper) At the beginning of the year, Peter Mutabazi went viral because of his adoption journey. He opens his home as a haven to the many foster care children after growing up in an unstable environment. His father abused him and his siblings. As the oldest, he had to be a parent at a very young age to protect his siblings. His childhood experience shaped his unique perspective about foster children. His yearnings to become a foster parent came from understanding children who did not have anyone to rely on in times of need. Mutabazi lived in Uganda as a child. When he came to the US, he was shocked by so many things, including the many foods. He remembered that kids in his village and country would do anything to have just a bowl of rice. He also realized that many kids in the US foster care system do not have anywhere to go. This realization was the start of his urge to parent. Adoption journey Goalcast reports that before his adoption journey started, Mutabazi struggled because he was afraid that his childhood traumas might resurface. The first step he did was attend training to be aware of how to respond to the kids. After that, he was called to shelter a child, but he still battled with doubt and uncertainty. Everything went well, and he emphasized the role of friends in his journey as a parent. Emotional toll hit him Mutabazi felt the emotional toll on him after the 11 foster children he took in to his home. He said that he is crushed into pieces after the 11 children went back to their homes. He felt like a part of him us being taken away because he had to say goodbye after loving and caring for them. After the eleventh child went, he was determined not to be attached to the next one, Anthony. At first, the foster dad did not think he would be concerned about the child, but he found himself wanting to become Anthony's dad after hearing that this boy's story is the same as his. An unconventional family that works Mutabazi thought foster children would look for a female parent, but it turns out that a single dad filled a special place in the kids' hearts. He found that being a male has his perks because most children long for a dad. As a black man, he had to teach his children how discrimination affects him. He has taught his 13 children what to do to protect him whenever he could not. He knew that it was hard for his children, but they had to accept it. Pandemic expanded his family The single dad received a call about a seven-year-old who had nowhere to go during the lockdown. At first, he was afraid to open his home amid the pandemic, but he did. With the daycares closed, he had the opportunity to have the kid every day so they bonded more. Mutabazi has learned a lot from becoming a foster parent. He has learned how much he needs hugs and to value the small moments. He is planning on bringing Anthony on a trip to Uganda because that is where his story started. See also: Five-year-old boy walked with prosthetic leg, raised $1M for hospital that saved him White woman shares what she learned since marrying a black man Mom who adopted 2 biological siblings now adopts the third sibling Journalists, investigators, and researchers who use social media platforms for their research know how distressing and traumatic the content those platforms host can be. For the past decade, details from the worlds conflicts have been shared on platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, among others. The aftermath of air strikes, illegal killings, torture, decapitations, grieving parents and orphaned childrenif you can imagine it, you can probably find it. Many say there are more hours of the Syrian conflict on YouTube than there have been in the conflict itself. Thats why a May settlement from Facebook, dealing directly with the impact of secondary or vicarious trauma on its moderators, felt like a vindication. The settlement came as the result of a case brought in California by a former content moderator; for years, many have called for recognition of the impact of viewing this content. The out-of-court agreement will see over eleven thousand of the platforms former and current content moderators receive a minimum of $1,000 US as compensation for viewing distressing content as part of their job. (Moderators could receive more if they are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to their work.) The total outlay for Facebook is in the region of $52 million US. Such social media content has at times been extremely consequential: the United Nations, for instance, has cited content posted to Facebook as evidence of crimes against humanity, and the International Criminal Court has used videos of extrajudicial executions to issue arrest warrants. Filtering this content is crucial, and while machine learning is starting to be used, it still requires a human eye. Yet such a need comes with a costthe toll on mental health. Journalists largely began to cotton to the value of content posted to social media platforms in 2010, at the start of the Arab Spring. Prior to then, in breaking-news situations, news organizations historically relied upon stories from news agencies or state broadcasters before they could deploy their own staff. And even when foreign correspondents parachuted in, the video sent back was highly filtered, with gory context often removed before it even hit the editing room. Videos posted to social media changed this. They offered a different side of the storya perspective from the ground. Journalists could see the benefit in seeking out and embedding such video within their storieson the death of Colonel Qaddafi, or the siege of Homs, or the rise of Daesh. News desks began to value skills in sourcing and verifying social media content for publication. But even as editors increasingly championed such skills, little thought was given to the toll that viewing such content could take on mental health. The problem had not been encountered before at such scale. Videos posted by amateurs showedand, indeed, often dwelled onevery gory detail. Images started to travel from the field to the heart of the newsroom without any editorial filter. As this was all very new, the role of discovering content was often given to younger journaliststhose who got the internet, were tech savvy, and had the initiative to go looking for content. These junior staff members didnt always feel they had the power to speak up about the horrors they were seeing as they sat behind their screens, cut off from newsroom discussion as they listened to video via headphones. They were often afraid to speak up, thinking that doing so might affect their careers. They were afraid of hearing their editors say, If its so bad, maybe this job isnt for you. In 2014, I worked with Claire Wardle, now of First Draft, and Pete Brown, of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, on a project examining the role of user-generated content in broadcast news. A key finding of that report was that vicarious trauma was beginning to receive recognition as a serious issue, and news organizations must strive to provide support and institute working practices that minimize risk. This led to my 2015 report, Making Secondary Trauma a Primary Issue: A Study of Eyewitness Media and Vicarious Trauma on the Digital Frontline, which was cited by the plaintiffs in the case settled with Facebook. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The goal of this research was not just about finding out what was happening; it was about sending up a signal to say, Vicarious trauma is a serious issue; we have to take it seriously. We saw a toxic situation in most organizations we spoke to, where the higher-ups failed to notice the impact vicarious trauma was having on the staff, and where requests for even the most basic help were turned down, even where staff had left or been out sick for extended periods. In one organizationbased in a large city widely perceived as safean interviewee had asked to sit by a window for some respite from the daily grind of death and destruction they were viewing from their office. The request was turned down. Yet there were signs of hope. Some organizations, and the managers they employed, had started to recognize and take vicarious trauma seriously. Our mapping of vicarious trauma in newsrooms and human rights organizations was a small contribution to this change. Sessions on vicarious trauma are now regularly included in flagship industry events, including the Online News Association conference and the International Journalism Festival. Regular training now takes place, to show how to recognize and mitigate the worst aspects of viewing content. And, most importantly, senior management in many organizations now acknowledge vicarious trauma as an issue (although, of course, improvements could be made). More research is being done into establishing mitigation techniques for viewing distressing content, such as recognizing the value of working together as teams to unravel distressing, difficult topics. At the same time, as the practice of using content sourced from the public has gone mainstream (the work of the New York Times Visual Investigations Team was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize in 2020, for instance), the feeling that social media newsgathering is a job primarily for new journalists has dissipated. However, new challenges have started to appear as journalists investigate disinformation online. Away from viewing distressing content, researching platforms that host conspiracy theories or extremist forums and hate speech can be distressing in its own way. Doing this work requires self-care as well. Gathering and reading testimonies of covid-19 victims and their families brings in extra stress while doing work from home. This is why Facebooks recognition through the settlement is important. The argument has never been that these jobs should not exist, that they are not important. Journalists need social media platforms to find and tell stories. It is part of the job and has never been more important than today, when travel has become harder with much of the world in lockdown. Content moderators are needed to make sure that gratuitous violence is kept away from our screensand machine learning tools cannot make the judgment about what should be taken down. That Facebook now recognizes the toll this can take on the mental health of its content moderators should be the call for organizations working with social media to monitor the impact of conflict and violent events all over the world, to ensure that the well-being of those doing this work is placed front and center. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Sam Dubberley is head of the Evidence Lab in the Crisis Response Programme at Amnesty International. He is the co-editor of 'Digital Witness: Using Open Source Information for Human Rights Investigation, Documentation, and Accountability' published with Oxford University Press in 2020, and was a fellow of Columbia Journalism School's Tow Center for Digital Journalism in 2014. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jio Platforms, JioMart, strong retail footprint under Reliance Retail and recent strategic partnership with Facebook are all expected to generate strong revenue streams for Reliance Industries in the long run, experts feel. Reliance Industries share price hit a fresh record high of Rs 1,978.50 on July 15, the day of 43rd Annual General Meeting. The stock gained 3.2 percent intraday and at 12:51 hours IST, it was quoting at Rs 1,956.05, up 2.06 percent on the BSE. The stock has so far gained 128 percent from its March 23 low and remained the biggest gainer among Nifty50 stocks since then. It is the first company to cross Rs 12 lakh crore in market cap, thanks all to Jio and digital business. "RIL's well-established connectivity business under Jio Platforms, formidable offline retail footprint under Reliance Retail, proposed foray in the digital commerce segment under JioMart and recent strategic partnership with Facebook, have propelled it to the forefront of consumer-facing digital ecosystem opportunity in India," said Kotak Institutional Equities which retained buy rating on the stock, raising SoTP-based fair value to Rs 2,150 (from Rs 1,750 earlier). Catch All Live Updates on Reliance's 43rd AGM Here The brokerage believes RIL's ever-expanding portfolio of products and services to target the 4Cs of the digital ecosystem connectivity, commerce, content and currencywill enable it to leverage the sizeable traffic across its consumer-facing verticals, generate new revenue streams and create significant value in the long run. Reliance Industries has sold more than 25 percent stake in Jio Platforms since April 22, to global marquee investors. So far Facebook, the owner of Whatsapp, is the biggest shareholder in Jio Platforms after Reliance Industries, acquired 9.99 percent stake for Rs 43,574 crore. Kotak valued the overall retail business at an enterprise value of $62 billion. "(1) ascribing 25X EV/EBITDA multiple to core retail segment versus 20X earlier and (2) factoring incremental contribution of $17 billion (around Rs 1.3 lakh crore) from the digital commerce business based on probability-weighted scenarios that may evolve for e-commerce in India by FY30. (1) RIL's proven track record of execution, (2) large customer base of Jio and retail segments, (3) strategic tie-up with WhatsApp, (4) unmatched portfolio of private labels and exclusive brand tie-ups, (5) Indias domestic-centric policies and (6) possible inorganic ventures, will enable the company to overcome the head-start achieved by other e-commerce players," it reasoned. Its analysis of the overall retail business opportunity suggests that Reliance Retail can potentially double its revenues to over $26 billion from core segments in next four years, while achieving an incremental gross merchandise value (GMV) of $12 billion from its foray in India's e-commerce market, which is all set to treble to $100 billion by FY25. Kotak feels progress on digital commerce business, monetization of incremental ecosystem opportunities, increase in telecom tariffs and recovery in O2C business environment are the key catalysts to watch out for. Potential closure of transactions related to O2C and fiber-InvIT, and further strategic partnerships in digital services and retail business can be positive triggers as well, according to the brokerage. Disclaimer: The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. "Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes moneycontrol.com" Analysis Weapons Seized in Mae Sot Destined for Myanmars Rakhine State: Intelligence Sources A joint task force comprising Thai military and police seize a large cache of Chinese-made weapons, which are believed to have been destined for western Myanmar, on June 23 in Mae Sot, Thailand. In late June, Thai officials intercepted a shipment of weapons in the town of Mae Sot across the border from Myawaddy in Myanmars Karen State. They seized a large cache of brand-new Chinese-made weapons and detained two Thai citizens. The June 23 joint raid targeted a house in Mae Tao, in Tak Provinces Mae Sot district. Two Thai nationals, Sadayu Wutthichai, 39, and Apichai Sirithai, 27, were arrested and 33 war weapons, including M16, M79, M5.56 and AK47 automatic rifles and machine guns, were seized. Thai authorities investigating the weapons shipment have since made additional arrests. According to initial reports, six suspects from Myanmar were arrested at the Mae La refugee camp around 65 km from Mae Sot. Four are ethnic Karen and two are ethnic Rakhine. The two Thai nationals who were arrested were taken to Bangkok, but since then news about the weapons haul has dried up. Soon after the arrests, Thai police chief Police General Chakthip Chaijinda voiced suspicion that the arms were intended for use in stirring up a fresh round of political chaos within Thailand, and said police were expanding their investigation. According to well-informed intelligence sources in Thailand and Myanmar, however, the story is different. In fact, the seized weapons belonged to the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and were ultimately destined for Rakhine State bordering Bangladesh. Based along the Thai-Myanmar border, the DKBA is an ethnic armed group with more than 10 battalions based in Karen and Mon states. Originally known as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, the group changed its name in 2015. The DKBA is currently a stakeholder in and signatory to Myanmars Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). Arming the AA and ARSA Intelligence sources revealed that the seized weapons were destined for Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army (AA) and Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) ordered the weapons through their connections with the DKBA. In Myanmar, both the AA and ARSA are designated as terrorist organizations. As for the two Thai nationals, Sadayu is a Thai army veteran. According to the intelligence sources, Apichai is a Thai-Karen and a member of the DKBA. The AA has been engaged in clashes with Myanmars armed forces in Rakhine since 2014, and these have escalated recently. Sources say AA insurgents previously received arms and ammunition from agents working along the Thai-Myanmar border. It is also believed that several of the previous arms shipments were sent to Rakhine State through Mae Sot. After the seizure of the large cache in June, Karen sources on the border said that in the past several years, arms have been sent through the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border to Indian insurgents based in Sagaing Region, along Myanmars northwestern border with India. According to the Karen sources, these days, Rakhine and Indian insurgents are two of the main buyers of arms from various sources in the region, and Rakhine insurgents have lately ordered more machine guns and sniper rifles. Military intelligence officers with knowledge of arms smuggling in Myanmar said many arms shipments have been made to Rakhine State from areas on the Thai and Chinese borders. To facilitate delivery, smugglers bribe security officials at checkpoints. Ethnic insurgents, police, soldiers and customs officials are known to take bribes in exchange for allowing trucks or vehicles to pass through unchecked. However, the amounts of the bribes vary, the intelligence officers said. Besides the two Thai nationals, informed intelligence sources on the border said some Pakistani men were also involved in procuring the weapons seized in Mae Sot. These men are believed to have previously lived in Cambodia before moving to Thailand, raising questions about larger underground networks and terrorism links in the region. In February 2017, the Bangkok Post published a report, Tracing the path of terror home, citing security reports that several criminal suspects in Thailand had potential links to fighters belonging to ISIS and al-Qaeda. It briefly mentioned suspicions of a secret training base near Mae Sot: Investigators found a space being used as an ostensible training ground. The Post added, A foreign intelligence agency found several illegal activities to be taking place in the area, including bomb making. The Thai army subsequently cleared the area. The report also mentioned a man named Hayi Rasak (his nationality was not disclosed) who was arrested in Thailand on suspicion of working with the AA. The same report mentioned the arrest of two Pakistani nationals in Mae Sot and said Thai security agencies were keeping a close watch on some Pakistani nationals whom the Thais suspected of involvement in transnational crimes. A large number of Thai and Myanmar Muslims (including Rohingya) as well as Pakistanis live in Mae Sot, many of them involved in selling second-hand Japanese cars to the Myanmar market. However, due to ongoing security concerns and the suspected involvement of some members of this community in passport forgery, Thai police and intelligence agencies monitor the activities of Pakistanis living in Mae Sot. Myanmar intelligence sources also believe AA members are living and operating in areas controlled by Karen insurgents. In the past, members of the Arakan Liberation Army were stationed in areas controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), with whom they were allied; they still live along the border. Karen sources said several AA members have established a training camp inside KNLA territory. The Karen National Union/KNLA signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 2012. However, Karen leaders face ongoing internal rifts and are divided; it is possible that some Karen commanders sympathetic to the AA may be providing them with a camp or space inside KNLA territory. This month, 21 international humanitarian organizations working in Myanmar issued a statement urging the military and the AA to stop further escalation of the conflict in Rakhine State, to protect civilians and to adhere to international humanitarian law. As international humanitarian organizations working with communities throughout Rakhine State, we express deep concern for all those affected by the upsurge in fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar Military in northern Rakhine State, their statement read. In early April, a group of 18 ambassadors to Myanmar also called for an end to armed conflicts in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged all armed groups to protect civilians. The AA is well equipped and has the cash and resources to buy arms. It can also rely on support and arms from some ethnic allies in Myanmar. In a comment apparently targeted at China, commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said while visiting Russia last month that the Myanmar military suspects rebel groups including the AA continue to be armed from across the Myanmar-China border. There are significant differences between ARSA and the AA, however. Despite its blanket denials, ARSA has been accused of having connections with foreign extremist groups. Abdus Qadoos Burmi, a Pakistani of Rohingya descent based in Karachi who is considered the groups mentor, has called for jihad in Myanmar and has well-documented links to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), one of South Asias largest Islamic terrorist organizations, whose operations are based mainly in Pakistan. LeT was founded in Afghanistan in 1987 with funding from now-deceased al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. Abdus Qadoos has even appeared at meetings with LeT supremo Hafiz Mohammed Syed. (LeT is no stranger to Mae Sot, either. In the past, the group has been involved in providing explosives training to Sikh militants along the border between Myanmar and Thailand.) ARSA has received donations and training from broader Islamist terror networks in East Asia and militants in Bangladesh. Its leader, Attah Ullah, was born in Pakistan and raised in Saudi Arabia. ARSA is smaller than the AA and now targets mainly soldiers and police officers in northern Rakhine. Some foreign observers remain skeptical of ARSAs Islamist connections, though they agree that regional radical Islamist groups including LeT have full sympathy for the Rohingya cause. They acknowledge there is a growing possibility that ARSA will adjust and bring its methods in line with those of militant Islamist groups, or that militant Islamist groups will conduct violence on its behalf. In the past, ARSA has targeted Rakhine, Hindu, Mro and other ethnic groups in northern Rakhine State and is responsible for a well-documented massacre. In 2016 and 2017, ARSA also launched a series of coordinated attacks on border guard forces, civilians and police. ARSA massacred some 99 Hindus, including women and children, and abducted a number of others, in August 2017, as documented by Amnesty International and news media groups. It then launched daring attacks on more than 30 police posts and an army base in Rakhine, resulting in the deaths of dozens of ARSA insurgents as well as security personnel. Responding to the massacre and attacks, Myanmar armed forces backed by Rakhine politicians and vigilantes launched military operations against the insurgents and civilians, in the process committing mass atrocities that the United Nations declared to have genocidal intent. As the Myanmar military continues to engage Rakhine insurgents and fights occasional clashes with ARSA, the insurgents are seeking more arms. This means further orders of weapons and ammunition are surely in the pipeline. You may also like these stories: Chinese-Made Arms Due for Myanmar Seized on Thai Border Myanmar Military: Rakhine Internet Blackout Still Required to Protect Military Secrets (CNN) The world's population is likely to peak at 9.7 billion in 2064, and then decline to about 8.8 billion by the end of the century, as women get better access to education and contraception, a new study has found. By 2100, 183 of 195 countries will not have fertility rates required to maintain the current population, with a projected 2.1 births per woman, researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington's School of Medicine said. Some 23 countries including Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Spain will see populations shrink by more than 50%, researchers said. However, the population of sub-Saharan Africa could triple, allowing for just under half of the world's population to be African by the end of the century. The modeling study, published Tuesday in The Lancet, also forecasts dramatic declines in working-age populations in countries including India and China, which will hurt economic growth and could have negative implications for labor forces and social support systems, researchers said. But as fertility declines, researchers note that immigration could offset population shrinkage, particularly in countries with low fertility, such as the US, Australia and Canada. "The world, since the 1960s, has been really focused on the so-called population explosion," Dr Christopher Murray, who led the research, told CNN. "Suddenly, we're now seeing this sort of turning point where it is very clear that we are rapidly transitioning from the issue of too many people to too few." Shrinking populations Using data from Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, researchers predicted that the fastest-shrinking populations will be in Asia and eastern and central Europe. The report authors project that the population of Japan will shrink from around 128 million people in 2017 to 60 million in 2100, Thailand will see a shrink from 71 to 35 million, Spain from 46 to 23 million, Italy from 61 to 31 million, Portugal from 11 to 5 million, and South Korea from 53 to 27 million. A further 34 countries -- including China -- are also predicted to see their population decline by up to 50%. Murray said that not only will the population shrink, but society will generally be older, which would have a substantial impact on economic growth. "There's more people needing to receive benefits from the government, whether that's social security or health insurance, and there's fewer people to pay taxes," he explained. Researchers project that the population of sub-Saharan Africa could triple over the course of the century, from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion in 2100. North Africa and the Middle East is the only other region predicted to have a larger population in 2100 than in 2017, with a predicted 978 million compared to 600 million. "Because fertility will remain high for longer, the relative share of the world population that is African will go up very substantially. We will reach the point towards the end of the century, where just under half the world's population will be African on these trajectories," Murray told CNN. Over-80s will outnumber under-fives The study also predicts major changes in the global age structure as fertility falls and life expectancy increases, with an estimated 2.37 billion people over 65 years globally in 2100, compared with 1.7 billion under the age of 20. The global number of people older than 80 could increase sixfold, from 141 million to 866 million. Meanwhile, the number of children under the age of five is forecast to decline by more than 40% -- from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100. Researchers said that these "dramatic declines" in working-age populations in countries such as India and China, will both obstruct economic growth and lead to shifts in global powers. "It's already starting -- this is something that is not in the distant future. The number of working-age adults in China has already begun declining," Murray told CNN. "The profound decline in working aged adults that will happen in a place like China means that they will not be able in the long term to sustain economic growth at the pace that they have," Murray told CNN. The report authors say the new forecasts highlight the "huge challenges" that a shrinking workforce will pose to economic growth and the high burden that an aging population will pose to health and social support mechanisms. The role of immigration The authors suggest that population decline could be offset by immigration, and that countries with liberal immigration policies will be better able to both maintain population size and support economic growth -- even as fertility falls. "If more people are dying and then are born, then the population will go into decline. And the only way to counteract that is with migration," Murray said. Researchers suggest that population decline could be offset by immigration, predicting that countries with low fertility -- including the US, Australia and Canada -- will maintain working-age populations with immigration as fertility declines. While the report authors note that fewer people would have "positive implications for the environment, climate change, and food production," an aging population can bring its challenges. If it was just a question of the number of people and not all these other effects, you could make a very good case that for the planet -- it could be a good thing," Murray said. "The problem is that it's the inverted age pyramid is a real issue for how societies are organized and how economies work, how taxes get paid," he said. "What we really need to figure out is how to transition from the state we're in now," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com 'World's population likely to shrink after 50 years' The New Patriotic Party in the Savannah Region has said the NDC have become worried over the Deputy Chief of Staff Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor who is NPP parliamentary candidate for the Damongo Constituency on Tuesday. According to the NPP, the constituents in the Damongo Constituency have found a reliable candidate they believe can trust to bring about change in the constituency. "Let me state without any equivocation, that the incoming Member of Parliament for Damongo, Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapo is the problem of the NDC in Damongo. "Today, the people have identified with a reliable and excellent young man who stops at nothing to care for his people and all we see and here are insults upon insults. Lawyer Abu Jinapor has been vilified unjustly by the NDC for his relentless efforts at helping the poor and vulnerable." These allegations came off shortly after the NDC had inaugurated what they called "Operation Protect Your Registration Centre", a move the party said would protect registration centres in the region. Addressing the media on Tuesday at a conference, Mr. Mohammed Issah blasted the NDC member of parliament for the Damongo Constituency Hon Mutawakilu for allegedly neglecting the constituents. "Every constituent of Damongo is alert to the neglect and disdain that the current MP, Hon Mutawakilu visited on the people in his two term misery of MP. Until the coming of Lawyer Abu Jinapor, the Hon MP took weeks and months before visiting. He took the people for granted and did very little or nothing for the people. At the press conference, Mr Mohammed Issah announced that the NPP had not brought any vigilante groups to the region to cause mayhem. "May I humbly state for the record that the New Patriotic Party, the largest political party in Ghana has no group called invincible forces. All such groups were disbanded following the recommendation from the Ayawaso West Wagon Commission's report. Again, no single individual in the whole of Daboya Mankarigu Constituency has been beaten as peddled by the NDC. No such record exists in the Constituency." The NPP communications director further denied any wrongdoing by his party and alleged it was the NDC perpetrating violence within the region in the on-going voter registration exercise. "Mr Kiyoyo admits to an assault on our deputy Nasara Coordinator for Damango who came with a tenant to Register. He carefully narrated how our Constituency officer was severely molested by a gang put together by Hon Mutawakilu. How such an attack had miraculously metamorphosed into an attack on NDC and its functionaries is a misery." Mr Issah disclosed that the NPP are ready to assist the security personnel in the region in their operations to combat crime and protect the lives of people in the area. "We shall assist the security agencies in any form or shape to guard the lives of every citizen in the Region. The NPP stands for everyone regardless who you intend to vote for. We stand for Peace and Development: no desperate opposition shall be allowed to hurt a single citizen in their desperate attempt to come back for another round of miserable misrule." Meanwhile, he called on the people to ignore threats of the NDC and take part in the voter registration : "Every single potential voter who hails from the Savannah Region and or is eligible to register and vote in the Region must make it a point to come out and register. No one would be left behind in this exercise. The empty rants of the warbling NDC must be disregarded." However, he challenged his party's opponents the NDC saying: "Elections are not won in the media and from Accra. The job is and has always been on the ground. Let them come down with us on the ground." Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:28:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- At least seven commercial ships were burnt after a fire broke out in a ship building factory in southern Iranian port city of Bushehr on Wednesday, Tasnim news agency reported. The fire fighters from different organizations are trying to contain the fire, said Jahangir Dehgani, the director of Crisis Management of Bushehr province. However, due to the flammable materials and wind blow in the area, the fire has not been extinguished so far, Dehgani told Tasnim. According to the official, no casualties have been reported from the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation, the report said. Over the past weeks, Iran has witnessed a number of deadly fire incidents and explosions in different parts of the country. Enditem In American history, we learn that the arrival of Spanish explorers led by Hernando de Soto in the 1500s was a watershed moment resulting in the collapse of Indigenous tribes and traditions across the southeastern United States. While these expeditions unquestionably resulted in the deaths of countless Indigenous people and the relocation of remaining tribes, new research from Washington University in St. Louis provides evidence that Indigenous people in Oconee Valley -- present-day central Georgia -- continued to live and actively resist European influence for nearly 150 years. The findings, published July 15 in American Antiquity, speak to the resistance and resilience of Indigenous people in the face of European insurgence, said Jacob Lulewicz, a lecturer in archaeology in Arts & Sciences and lead author. "The case study presented in our paper reframes the historical contexts of early colonial encounters in the Oconee Valley by way of highlighting the longevity and endurance of Indigenous Mississippian traditions and rewriting narratives of interactions between Spanish colonizers and Native Americans," Lulewicz said. It also draws into question the motives behind early explanations and interpretations that Euro-Americans proposed about Indigenous earthen mounds -- platforms built out of soil, clay and stone that were used for important ceremonies and rituals. 'Myths were purposively racist' "By the mid-1700s, less than 100 years after the abandonment of the Dyar mound [now submerged under Lake Oconee], explanations for the non-Indigenous origins of earthen mounds were being espoused. As less than 100 years would have passed between the Indigenous use of mounds and these explanations, it could be argued that the motives for these myths were purposively racist, denying what would have been a recent collective memory of Indigenous use in favor of explanations that stole, and disenfranchised, these histories from contemporary Indigenous peoples," Lulewicz said. The Dyar mound was excavated by University of Georgia archaeologists in the 1970s to make way for a dam. Lulewicz and co-authors -- Victor D. Thompson, professor of archaeology and director of the Laboratory of Archaeology at the University of Georgia; James Wettstaed, archaeologist at Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests; and Mark Williams, director emeritus of the Laboratory of Archaeology at the University of Georgia -- received funding from the USDA Forest Service to re-date the platform mound, which contained classic markers of Indigenous rituals and ceremonies. Using advanced radiocarbon dating techniques and complex statistical models, modern-day archaeologists are able to effectively construct high-resolution, high-precision chronologies. In many cases, they can determine, within a 10- to 20-year range, dates of things that happened as far back as 1,000 years ago. "Radiocarbon dating is really important, not just for getting a date to see when things happened, but for understanding the tempo of how things changed throughout time and really understanding the complex histories of people over hundreds of years," Lulewicz said. "In archaeology, it's really easy to group things in long periods of time, but it would be false to say that nothing changed over those 500 years." Their research yielded 20 new dates from up and down the mound, which provided a refined perspective on the effects that early Indigenous-colonizer encounters did, and did not, have on the Indigenous people and their traditions. Missing from the mound was any sign of European artifacts, which is one of the reasons why archaeologists originally believed sites in the region were abruptly abandoned just after their first encounters with Spanish colonizers. "Not only did the ancestors of Muscogee (Creek) people continue their traditions atop the Dyar mound for nearly 150 years after these encounters, but they also actively rejected European things," Lulewicz said. According to Lulewicz, the Dyar mound does not represent an isolated hold-over after contact with European colonizers. There are several examples of platform mounds that were used beyond the 16th century, including the Fatherland site associated with the Natchez in Louisiana, Cofitachequi in South Carolina and a range of towns throughout the Lower Mississippi Valley. "However, the mound at Dyar represents one of the only confirmed examples, via absolute dating, of continued Mississippian traditions related to mound-use and construction to date." Today, members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, descendants of the Mississippians who built platform mounds like the one at Dyar, live in Oklahoma. "We have a great, collaborative relationship with archaeologists of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department, so we sent them the paper to review. It was really well received. They saw, reflected in that paper, a lot of the traditions they still practice in Oklahoma and were generous enough to contribute commentary that bolstered the results presented in the paper," he said. "This is where the archaeology that we write becomes so important in the present. ... Without this type of work, we are contributing to the disenfranchisement of Indigenous peoples from their history." "Of course, they already knew many of the things we 'discovered,' but it was still meaningful to be able to reaffirm their ancestral link to the land." In the end, Lulewicz said this is the most important part of the paper. "We are writing about real human lives -- Indigenous lives that we have historically treated very poorly and who continue to be treated poorly today in some cases. With the use of advanced radiocarbon dating and the development of really high resolution chronologies, we are able to more effectively reinject lives into narratives of the past." ### The total number of Florida's coronavirus cases has now surpassed 301,000 as the head of a health department in Miami said the surge in infections was due to 'aggressive non-compliant people' in the state. Florida added 10,181 confirmed cases to its tally on Tuesday with the total number of infections now at 301,810 since the outbreak began there March 1. The state confirmed an additional 112 deaths, which is the third time in the last seven days its eclipsed 100 and brings the statewide death toll to 4,626. Florida's rolling seven-day average for deaths has increased to 92 per day, triple the 31 posted a month ago. Florida added 10,181 confirmed cases to its tally on Tuesday with the total number of infections now at 301,810 since the outbreak began there March 1 The state confirmed an additional 112 deaths, which is the third time in the last seven days its eclipsed 100 and brings the statewide death toll to 4,626 As of Tuesday, Florida had the second highest death rate in the United States - slightly behind Texas. When the coronavirus was ravaging New York three months ago, it recorded 799 deaths on April 9 and a top seven-day average of 763 deaths on April 14. The surge in cases and deaths came as Miami's Jackson Health System reported a staggering 226 percent increase in COVID-19 patients in the last month. Carlos Migoya, the president and CEO of Jackson Health System, told CNN's New Day that they had 129 patients on June 14 and it had spiked to 420 by Tuesday. Migoya said the recent curfews and closures of bars and restaurants would help hospitals cope with the surge but said people across the state hadn't been wearing masks and properly social distancing since initially reopening in May. 'The biggest issue is that we have a lot of aggressive non-compliant people, people that just do not believe that masking is the right thing to do,' he said. The surge in cases and deaths came as Miami's Jackson Health System reported a staggering 226 percent increase in COVID-19 patients in the last month. Carlos Migoya, the president and CEO of Jackson Health System, told CNN's New Day that they had 129 patients on June 14 and it had spiked to 420 by Tuesday Major cities in Florida have now imposed mask rules but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a state-wide order, arguing such mandates are best decided on and enforced locally. The governor on Tuesday wore a mask while speaking publicly for the first time at a round-table news conference with Miami-Dade County mayors. Dr Nicholas Namias, chief of trauma and surgical critical care at Jackson Memorial Hospital, said diminishing bed capacity was creating problems at the Miami medical center. He described the issue as being the topic of daily strategy meetings to figure out which beds the hospital can convert to COVID-19 care. 'We're getting to the point where it's going to be full. We have gridlock and we won't be able to take patients and they'll just be stacked in the ERs,' Namias said. President Donald Trump delivers a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, on July 14, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Slams LA School District for Terrible Decision to Go Online-Only in Fall President Donald Trump called out the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for its terrible decision to not start the new school year with students going back to campuses for in-person learning. Appearing on CBS News on Tuesday, Trump told reporter Catherine Herridge that the LAUSD had made a mistake in deciding to keep campuses closed. The second-largest school district in the United States, the LAUSD announced on Monday that the fall semester will begin on Aug. 18 as previously scheduled, but its 600,000 students will learn online from home. I would tell parents and teachers that you should find yourself a new person, whoevers in charge of that decision, because its a terrible decision, Trump said. Because children and parents are dying from that trauma, too. Theyre dying because they cant do what theyre doing. Mothers cant go to work because all of a sudden they have to stay home and watch their childand fathers. Theres a tremendous strain on that whole side of the equation. Trumps remarks come as California Gov. Gavin Newsom rolls back the states reopening as the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations tick up. Newsom on Tuesday announced a return of lockdown measures that had previously been lifted, closing many indoor businesses and operations such as restaurants, movie theaters, and bars. The past weeks have seen an increasingly heated debate over the reopening of schools amid the CCP virus pandemic. While the Trump administration continues to urge school districts to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, local teacher unions are calling on their members to teach exclusively online. Over the weekend, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos once again demanded school districts resume in-person learning, threatening to defund those planing to stay entirely online or offer a combination of online and in-person classes. American investment in education is a promise to students and their families, she told Fox News Sunday. If schools arent going to reopen and not fulfill that promise, they shouldnt get the funds, and give it to the families to decide to go to a school that is going to meet that promise. Theres going to be the exception to the rule, but the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall, she said. And where there are little flare-ups or hot spots, that can be dealt with on a school-by-school or a case-by-case basis. Meanwhile, the 34,000 member United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) came out against physically reopening schools, arguing (pdf) that LAUSD should not reopen until a COVID-19 vaccine or cure is available, privately-run public charter schools are shut down, and police are defunded, among many other conditions. The eventual restarting of schools should be primarily about learning, not merely about the economy, the UTLA wrote. Unlike other countries that recognize protecting lives is the key to protecting livelihoods, the United States has chosen to prioritize profits over people. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: R99) ("Riverside" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Definitive Option Agreement (the "Agreement") with Carlyle Commodities Corp ("Carlyle"), for Riverside's 100% owned Cecilia Gold-Silver Project (the "Project") in Sonora, Mexico. The Agreement would grant Carlyle 100% undivided right, title, and ownership to the Cecilia Project for an aggressive work program, cash payments, shares over-time and a 2.5% NSR with Riverside managing as operator. Riverside developed several targets after consolidating claims and expanding the Project further through the Mexican lottery to grow to a consolidated ~80km tenure package. Highlights of the Agreement include: Cash payments of C$200,000 over 3-years to Riverside; Share payments of 4,500,000 shares to Riverside; C$2,500,000 of exploration and drilling expenditures made by Carlyle at the Project; 2.5% NSR to Riverside Please see the Transaction Details section below for more information on the Agreement. The planned work program will be developed in the coming weeks with Carlyle Commodities Corp and can build upon previous sampling, mapping, and structural work that the Company completed. The soil lines combined with the 3D modeling of past drill holes and projection of the surface mapped geology to depth begins to develop a range of precious metals targets that can be tested. A value add of a drone aeromagnetic survey is a critical next step to get a good picture of the ~80 km2 property tenure which will aim to define the deeper feeder structures that could be controlling near surface mineralization. Riverside's President and CEO, John-Mark Staude, stated: "We are excited to be working together with Carlyle to progress the various exploration targets at the Cecilia Project and particularly our shared keenness for discovery of high-grade mineralization on the district scale property package that Riverside consolidated and worked up." Story continues Riverside will act as the project operator during at least the first twelve months of the Agreement, following the closing date with the option to extend at Carlyle's request. As operator, Riverside will be able to provide continuity and skills operating during these COVID-19 times in regions of Sonora where the Company is already running programs with other major mining company partners including BHP and Hochschild Mining Corp. Figure 1: Zoning Map of the Cecilia Project Showing a Range of Targets To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/59803_77df5248543b9a97_002full.jpg The Cecilia Project: In 2017 Riverside consolidated and acquired the Cecilia Gold-Silver Project located in NE Sonora, Mexico near the US/Mexico border. The Cecilia Project is a district scale gold and silver low sulfidation epithermal system centered on multiple mineralized rhyolitic flow-dome complexes. One of the workings at the Cerro Magallanes dome returned high grades up to 133.7 g/t Au and 335 g/t Ag (see Press release dated June 6, 2017). In addition to the rhyolite domes epithermal type mineralization the underlying sedimentary Cabullona group and Paleozoic limestone provide an additional environment for replacement style mineralization at depth. Riverside's current analogues for Cecilia are SSR Mining's Pitarrilla deposit and Fresnillo's San Julian deposit, which contain 526 million oz Ag (Measured + Indicated[1]) and over 230 million oz Ag respectively. Since the acquisition of the Project, Riverside has completed a number of sampling programs with impressive results, it has increased the size of the Project to >7,700 hectares, produced new maps and has identified new mineralized zones and targets at Cecilia. Transaction Details: Table 1: Option Payment Schedule Payment Date Cash Payment ($C) Shares Special Warrants as Shares Expenditures Upon execution of the LOI $10,000 (Paid) - - - Upon Closing $40,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 12 months from Closing $50,000 - - $750,000 24 months from Closing $50,000 - - $500,000 36 months from Closing $50,000 - $1,250,000 TOTAL: $200,000 1,500,000 3,000,000 $2,500,000 Table 2: Special Warrants Vesting Schedule as Shares of Carlyle Vesting Date No. of Special Warrants Vested/Converted 12 months from Closing 500,000 18 months from Closing 500,000 24 months from Closing 500,000 30 months from Closing 500,000 36 months from Closing 1,000,000 Total: 3,000,000 Qualified Person and QA/QC: The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the Cecilia Project was reviewed and/or prepared under the supervision of Freeman Smith, P.Geo., a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources Inc. who is responsible for ensuring that the geologic information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ________________ [1] https://www.ssrmining.com/_resources/Pitarrilla_Technical_Report_Dec_14_2012.pdf About Riverside Resources Inc.: Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has no debt and less than 65M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside's own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has additional properties available for option, with more information available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com. ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC. "John-Mark Staude" Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO For additional information contact: John-Mark Staude President, CEO Riverside Resources Inc. info@rivres.com Phone: (778) 327-6671 Fax: (778) 327-6675 Web: www.rivres.com Raffi Elmajian Corporate Communications Riverside Resources Inc. relmajian@rivres.com Phone: (778) 327-6671 TF: (877) RIV-RES1 Web: www.rivres.com Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59803 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Following four consecutive months of contraction, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a report on Wednesday showing New York manufacturing activity expanded in the month of July. The New York Fed said its general business conditions soared to a positive 17.2 in July from a negative 0.2 in June, with a positive reading indicating growth in regional manufacturing activity. Economists had expected the index to jump to 10.0. The index returned to positive territory for the first time since February and reached its highest level since November of 2018. The jump by the headline index came as the new orders index spiked to a positive 13.9 percent in July from a negative 0.6 in June and the shipments index surged up to 18.5 from 3.3. The number of employees index also climbed to a positive 0.4 in July from a negative 3.5 in June, signaling employment levels were steady after falling in the previous month. Meanwhile, the report said the prices paid index dipped to 14.9 in July from 16.9 in June, while the prices received index fell to a negative 4.5 from a negative 0.6. The New York Fed also said firms remained optimistic about the six-month outlook, though less so than in the previous month. The index for future business conditions tumbled to 38.4 in July after soaring to 56.5 in June, its highest level in more than a decade. Noting New York was among the last states to reopen, economists at Oxford Economics said the report doesn't provide a particularly accurate depiction of national manufacturing. 'The broader national environment is deteriorating as a resurgence of coronavirus cases in other states is causing a renewed economic slowdown,' the economists said. They added, 'Looking ahead, the manufacturing recovery will proceed at a much slower pace compared to the initial, partial snap-back phase.' On Thursday, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve is scheduled to release its report on regional manufacturing activity in the month of July. Economists currently expect the Philly Fed Index to pull back to 20.0 in July after skyrocketing to 27.5 in June. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Orange County Beckman Legacy Award We are tremendously proud of these young scientists and the creativity and innovation they demonstrated in their research projects. - Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation announced today the selection of its inaugural 2020 class of Orange County Beckman Legacy Awardees. Five high school students were awarded for their excellent lab work after building a spectrophotometer and conducting an independent research project with mentorship from their science teachers. This marks the first high school program by the Foundation, honoring the legacy of Dr. Arnold O. Beckman and his invention of the spectrophotometer, while highlighting the Foundations mission of supporting young scientists. High schools from the Irvine and Tustin Unified School Districts were invited to participate in the program launch. The awarded students were selected after a competitive application process, which included a two-part, double-blind review by a panel of high school science teachers, college professors, and industry experts. This years award is comprised of $56,000 in scholarships to support the following students: First Place, $16,000 scholarship Erica Hsueh, Northwood High School Second Place, $12,000 scholarship, each Catherine Hu, Northwood High School Raj Kumar, Northwood High School Third Place, $8,000 scholarship, each Sasha Anand, Northwood High School William Huang, University High School We are tremendously proud of these young scientists and the creativity and innovation they demonstrated in their research projects, shared Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. High schools from the Irvine, Tustin and Santa Ana Unified School Districts have been invited by the Foundation to participate in the programs second year. About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1978 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org. New Zealand must prepare for new coronavirus outbreaks as the pandemic spreads globally but will not drop its elimination strategy if community transmission was discovered, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday. Ardern said the epidemic was now "exploding" in countries that had been models in the fight against COVID-19. NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Credit:Getty Images "In the world of COVID-19 that were currently living in, we must constantly be prepared. Today (alongside the Minister of Health) I set out what we will do in the event we have cases in the community again," Ardern wrote on Facebook. "While we have had no community transmission in New Zealand for over 70 days now, every other country that has been in that position has had a resurgence. If that happens here, we have a plan," she wrote. We are currently witnessing a torrent of calls for schools to return to full-time in-person learning in September. While the Ontario government had initially instructed school boards to prepare for multiple scenarios based on regional case counts, this was deemed unacceptable by many parents. In response, both the Toronto and Ottawa public school boards, along with many in the media, have called on the province to return all students to full-time schooling in September. Notably absent from these proposals is the potential impact on teachers. Indeed, the fact that there are school board officials and media commentators who are not going into their own offices for fear of contracting COVID-19 while simultaneously demanding that teachers return to crowded schools reveals a potent mix of hypocrisy and magical thinking. Well-organized teachers will not allow themselves to be shepherded back to unsafe working environments like has happened to meat packers and agricultural migrant workers. The claim is made that if children are not physically present in school five days a week, parents will not be able to return to work. While this is a valid concern that disproportionately affects working mothers, it mainly applies to children in elementary school who are not old enough to be home by themselves a few days per week. Now consider the reality of those elementary schools, where children share books, school supplies, mucus, and saliva. These are also the children that can be least expected to wear masks and socially distance. And while everyone purportedly cares about safety, the reality is that these same parents balked at school boards plans to set aside one day a week for the type of deep cleaning that would be required to make classrooms safe. Given these unrealistic demands, what is the path forward? First, should be the recognition that if the public is serious about children returning to schools in September, we should be doing everything to decrease community spread during July and August to as low a level as possible. That means not loosening restrictions or reopening businesses unless absolutely necessary. Are we willing to make that sacrifice? It is telling that, despite steady case counts, Ontario seems to be going in the opposite direction. Second should be the principle that no one should be punished for not wanting to put themselves or their children at risk by physically returning to schools. We need to recognize that there are many parents who are going to prefer to keep their children at home in September and teachers with legitimate health concerns that do not want to put themselves or members of their households at risk. These children should be matched with those teachers who will be expected to provide a rich, daily, interactive, online learning experience. For students that will be returning to school, some have floated the idea of expanding learning into community spaces like arenas, auditoriums, university campuses, and even the outdoors itself. Indeed, The New York Times editorial board recently proposed closing streets around schools and holding classes there. While these ideas deserve credit for creativity, they pose innumerable logistical challenges. These proposals are all based on the premise that reopening safely requires limiting the number of students in schools. But that is not the only option. Instead, we should be working toward a large-scale testing program for all students and staff. According to modelling from Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Romer, frequent (at least once every two weeks) testing of staff and students would be more effective at reducing school-based infections than limiting the number of children in schools. Combining this with daily temperature checks, hand hygiene measures, and PPE where possible, would reduce the spread even further. And while such a large-scale testing apparatus would be expensive, Romer notes that this is cost should be considered a public investment in our most vulnerable students that suffer the most long-term consequences from not being in school. It would also be a rounding error compared to all the economic benefits it would provide. If the public is serious about schools reopening in September, exhortations are not enough. We need to demonstrate that we are willing to make the social and monetary sacrifices required to make it happen safely. Cemex confirms decision to close Ferriby plant 15 July 2020 Following consultations with employee representatives and Unite the Union, Cemex has confirmed that it will be mothballing its South Ferriby plant in north Lincolnshire, UK. Approximately 110 employees who are currently based at the plant will be affected, with the majority of redundancies said to be taking place in July, according to a statement. However, customers will continue to be supplied from the companys existing cement network. "Cemex remains committed to the UK and its European business, which is one of the companys largest regions, and will continue to have a strong national presence. This decision will allow Cemex to optimise the network it has available across the region. This is part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen the Cemex portfolio and secure its place as a global leader in the industry," said the company. Published under A Danish ice cream maker has announced it would remove the name 'Eskimo' from one of its products in case it offended Inuit and other Arctic people. Hansens Floedeis said on Wednesday it had opposed changing the name of its Eskimo ice lolly but after careful consideration had decided to choose a more suitable name. The firm said there was now more information and debate 'around the derogatory treatment and inequality towards minorities and indigenous people'. The term Eskimo, used to refer to indigenous people from all over the Arctic, started being criticised by some of the 140,000 indigenous people of the Arctic region in 1970s. An Eskimo icecream on sale at Hansens Floedeis dairy in Jaegerspris, Denmark, on June 15. The ice cream maker announced it would remove the name 'Eskimo' from one of its products in case it offended Inuit and other Arctic people A view of commerical signs of Eskimo icecream at Hansens Floedeis dairy in Jaegerspris, Denmark. . In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, Hansens Floedeis has announced a name change for the Eskimo icecream The firm said there was now more information and debate 'around the derogatory treatment and inequality towards minorities and indigenous people'. Ice cream pictured above Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, one of two politicians representing Greenland in the Danish Parliament, pointed out that the term meant 'eater of raw meat' - although this theory is the subject of debate. 'Eskimo has a pejorative meaning for many Greenlanders. So I think it is only natural to show this level of respect for us,' she told Danish news agency Ritzau. 'After dialogue and examination, it was clear to us that people feel that the name Eskimo reminds of a time of degradation and unjust treatment - which we haven't considered before,' Hansens wrote on their Facebook page. Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, one of two politicians representing Greenland in the Danish Parliament, pointed out that the term meant 'eater of raw meat' - although this theory is the subject of debate. Above, Eskimo ice cream on sale in Jaegerspris, Denmark 'Eskimo has a pejorative meaning for many Greenlanders. So I think it is only natural to show this level of respect for us,' Aaja Chemnitz Larsen told Danish news agency Ritzau Chemnitz Larsen welcomed the move and encouraged other brands to follow suit. But Danish ice cream maker Premier Is said it intended to keep the name 'Kaempe Eskimo' ('Giant Eskimo') for its chocolate-covered ice cream stick, according to media reports. Greenland, with roughly 55,000 mostly Inuit inhabitants, became a Danish colony in the 18th century and remained so until 1953, when it became a Danish province. In 1979, home rule was established and in 2009 it increased its autonomy through a referendum. Joe Biden has a 13-point lead over President Trump in Pennsylvania, a state the president turned red in 2016, but is the presumptive Democratic nominee's birthplace. A Monmouth University poll released Wednesday shows Biden with the support of 53 per cent of Pennsylvania's registered voters, while 40 per cent support Trump. Despite Biden's commanding lead, Pennsylvanians are evenly divided, 46-to-45 per cent, on whether they think Trump or Biden, respectively, will win the commonwealth because 57 per cent believe so-called 'secret' Trump voters could put the state in the president's column for a second time in a row. Joe Biden has a 13 point lead among registered voters in Pennsylvania, a new Monmouth poll found. Biden was born in the state and visited his childhood home in Scranton last week A majority of Pennsylvania voters believe 'secret' supporters of President Trump (pictured) exist in their state. Voters in the commonwealth clinched the White House for Trump in 2016 A majority of Pennsylvania voters said they believed 'secret' Trump voters could tilt the state in his direction, while only about a quarter of Pennsylvania voters though people were secretly supporting Biden The president himself suggested the possibility when asked Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden if he expected to lose the November race. 'I think a lot of people don't want to talk about it. I think they're not going to say hey I'm for Trump, I'm for Trump, they don't want to go through the process,' Trump said, stating he believed he would win, pointing to shows of support among bikers and boaters. It was Trump's win in Pennsylvania in 2016 that put him over the top in the Electoral College. The state's Electoral votes hadn't gone to a Republican since 1988. Another batch of surveys back up the Monmouth poll, showing Biden with a eight-point lead in Pennsylvania - and leading Trump in five other key states: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin, according to polling from CNBC/Change Research. The Pennsylvania CNBC poll had the widest margin between the two candidates and North Carolina the most slim, with Biden only beating Trump by one point. That polling also shows that Trump had a lead in Pennsylvania until early June. Monmouth data points to the president's coronavirus response as a potential cause - with a majority, 56 per cent, saying Trump did a bad job handling the crisis. Another 42 per cent gave Trump high marks. In today's hyper-partisan political environment, both candidates are rated unfavorably by a big batch of Pennsylvania voters, but the president's marks are worse. Forty per cent of Pennsylvania voters have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 54 per cent - a majority - view him unfavorably. Forty-seven per cent said they held 'very unfavorable' views of the commander-in-chief. For Biden, 45 per cent viewed the presumptive Democratic nominee favorably, while another 47 per cent viewed him unfavorably. Thirty-two per cent said they held 'very unfavorable' views of the ex-veep. The demographic splits are similar to other recent polling, showing the president doing more poorly than a traditional Republican with voters over age 65. Biden has a 10-point advantage with that group in the Keystone State: 52 per cent to 42 per cent. He also beats Trump with voters under 50: 60 per cent to 29 per cent. The president beats Biden among voters ages 50 to 64: 56 per cent to 43 per cent. Biden has a 60-point advantage among voters who are black, Hispanic, Asian or from other racial groups. White voters are split by education level when it comes to Biden or Trump preference. White voters with college degrees are more prone to support Biden: 61 per cent to 34 per cent. While white voters who didn't go to college prefer Trump: 55 per cent to 39 per cent. Pollsters found that Biden's lead slightly shrinks when different models were applied. When they looked at a scenario where turnout increases in 2020 from 2016, Biden beats Trump 52 per cent to 42 per cent in the state. If fewer Pennsylvanians show up to the polls, Biden still beats Trump, but by only seven points - 51 per cent to 44 per cent. 'The good news for Biden is that he hits the magic 50 per cent mark in all the turnout models and far fewer voters are considering a third-party candidate than four years ago,' said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. But Pennsylvania voters are skeptical after Trump's suprise win in the state four years ago. When dissecting the 57 per cent of Pennsylvania voters who believe there's a secret Trump vote, 62 per cent live in swing counties, 61 per cent live in Clinton counties and a smaller percentage, 51 per cent, live in Trump-won counties. A smaller group of Pennsylvanians believe a secret Biden vote exists. In Trump counties 32 per cent hold this belief, compared to 23 per cent who live in Clinton-won counties and 23 per cent who live in swing counties. 'The media consistently reports that Biden is in the lead, but voters remember what happened in 2016. The specter of a secret Trump vote looms large in 2020,' Murray said. The poll has a plus or minus 4.9 per cent margin of error. Lee Seung-youl, CEO of Arirang TV / Courtesy of Arirang TV By Park Ji-won State-run TV Arirang CEO Lee Seung-youl pledged to take an active role to promote Korea as part of its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign. "A private company conducts CSR to improve the reputation and brand of the company. Ultimately, many companies expect an increase in profit. On the other hand, Arirang TV is different from other private companies since it tries to seek the public interest by burnishing Korea's image in the international community," Lee told The Korea Times. Lee is putting forth the idea of "Global CSR," which aims to pursue the public interest, as a vision for the state-run English TV station. The company is especially active in seeking collaboration with international and local organizations to broadcast the value of humanity and multiculturalism. In addition to that, CSR activities are necessary to encourage people to think that the company is trustworthy he noted. "Arirang has been producing and broadcasting content related to global issues set by the U.N., such as climate change, human rights and equality, which are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Through this content, Arirang has been trying to accomplish social goals at a global level Now, calls for CSR have grown more than ever, and more companies list harmony and balance as their core values. Many private companies have the perception that CSR is essential for a company's credibility and value," he said. Lee also stressed that the company played a key role in letting international viewers learn about quarantine measures imposed by the government from the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak. "Also, we explained that Arirang has been playing an important role in promoting the country's world-class response to COVID-19 for international viewers since February. After South Korea joined the WHO executive committee Arirang has served as a medium to promote 'K-quarantine' for government officials and viewers around the world," Lee added. The CEO said the network is delivering government briefings, news reports and broadcasts every day. The company is trying to expand its businesses and establish a comprehensive plan to share its philosophy on CSR activities. "Arirang's next goal is to propose a comprehensive plan to conduct CSR campaigns in the future At the same time, Arirang will establish and conduct new campaigns with Arirang's vision and philosophy that everyone can empathize with," Lee said. To realize the initiative, he added that the company opened a CSR website for international viewers to see all of Arirang TV's CSR activities. "Through active communication with our audience, Arirang TV is trying to become a good CSR model as a representative international broadcasting station in Korea," Lee concluded. Appointment of Claire Langelier as Group General Counsel of Vallourec Boulogne-Billancourt (France), July 15, 2020 - Vallourec announces the appointment of Claire Langelier as Group General Counsel. She is part of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the Supervisory Board. Claire is responsible for Legal and Sustainable Development. She reports to Olivier Mallet, Member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer. Claire started her career in the law firm Latournerie Wolfrom & Associes in Paris, where she spent 13 years in the Corporate, Merger and Acquisitions and Private Equity Department. In 2013, she joined Econocom as Senior Legal Counsel, in charge of Corporate, Merger and Acquisitions. She joined Vallourec in 2015 and was previously Senior Legal Director in charge of Group Governance, Stock Exchange and Financing Law. Claire Langelier holds a Master of Corporate Business Law from Paris IX-Dauphine and a Master from the Institute of Business Management, IAE. Paris I-Sorbonne, as well as a Professional Lawyer's Certificate (CAPA) from Paris Bar. About Vallourec Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourec's pioneering spirit and cutting edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 19,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible. Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK) and eligible for the Deferred Settlement System (SRD), Vallourec is included in the following indices: SBF 120 and Next 150. In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R2094, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1. For further information, please contact: Investor relations Jerome Friboulet Tel: +33 (0)1 49 09 39 77 Investor.relations@vallourec.com Press relations Heloise Rothenbuhler Tel: +33 (0)1 41 03 77 50 heloise.rothenbuhler@vallourec.com Individual shareholders Toll Free Number (from France): 0805 65 10 10 actionnaires@vallourec.com Attachment Some dog breeds have higher risk of developing certain cancers and joint disorders if neutered or spayed within their first year of life. Until now, studies had only assessed that risk in a few breeds. A new, 10-year study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found vulnerability from neutering varies greatly depending on the breed. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. "There is a huge disparity among different breeds," said lead author Benjamin Hart, distinguished professor emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Hart said there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to health risks and the age at which a dog is neutered. "Some breeds developed problems, others didn't. Some may have developed joint disorders but not cancer or the other way around." Researchers analyzed 15 years of data from thousands of dogs examined each year at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital to try to understand whether neutering, the age of neutering, or differences in sex when neutered affect certain cancers and joint disorders across breeds. The joint disorders examined include hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tears and elbow dysplasia. Cancers examined include lymphoma; hemangiosarcoma, or cancer of the blood vessel walls; mast cell tumors; and osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. In most breeds examined, the risk of developing problems was not affected by age of neutering. BREED DIFFERENCES BY SIZE AND SEX Researchers found that vulnerability to joint disorders was related to body size. "The smaller breeds don't have these problems, while a majority of the larger breeds tend to have joint disorders," said co-author Lynette Hart, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. One of the surprising exceptions to this was among the two giant breeds -- great Danes and Irish wolfhounds -- which showed no increased risk to joint disorders when neutered at any age. Researchers also found the occurrence of cancers in smaller dogs was low, whether neutered or kept intact. In two breeds of smaller dogs, the Boston terrier and the shih tzu, there was a significant increase in cancers with neutering. Another important finding was that the sex of the dog sometimes made a difference in health risks when neutered. Female Boston terriers neutered at the standard six months of age, for example, had no increased risk of joint disorders or cancers compared with intact dogs, but male Boston terriers neutered before a year of age had significantly increased risks. Previous studies have found that neutering or spaying female golden retrievers at any age increases the risk of one or more of the cancers from 5 percent to up to 15 percent. DISCUSS CHOICES WITH VETERINARIANS Dog owners in the United States are overwhelmingly choosing to neuter their dogs, in large part to prevent pet overpopulation, euthanasia or reduce shelter intake. In the U.S., surgical neutering is usually carried out by six months of age. This study suggests that dog owners should carefully consider when and if they should have their dog neutered. "We think it's the decision of the pet owner, in consultation with their veterinarian, not society's expectations that should dictate when to neuter," said Benjamin Hart. "This is a paradigm shift for the most commonly performed operation in veterinary practice." The study lays out guidelines for pet owners and veterinarians for each of 35 breeds to assist in making a neutering decision. Read the full list here. ### Other authors include Abigail Thigpen with UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Neil Willits with the Department of Statistics in the UC Davis College of Letters and Science. Research support came from the Canine Health Foundation, the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health and Versatility in Poodles. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is slated to make a historic decision later this year following a judges retirement from the highest court of the commonwealth, leaving open a vacancy many in the legal community hope will be filled by a candidate with a background in criminal or racial justice. Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Barbara A. Lenk is expected to step down from her position come December, allowing Baker the opportunity to make his sixth nomination to the seven-person legal body. The Republican governors looming appointment comes as conversations surrounding police brutality, systemic racism and equity are sweeping the country. Amid nationwide calls for justice, several attorney and advocacy organizations have urged Baker to consider a pool of potential SJC picks with a wide breathe of experiences and diverse backgrounds, as, they have pointed out, the judicial body has remained largely white and male for centuries. In this unique moment while people in the commonwealth and across the nation are calling out - and demanding the dismantling of - systemic racism, we hope you will consider applicants to the states highest court with a background in racial justice, civil rights, criminal defense or legal services, so that the next justice of the Supreme Judicial Court is ready to meet the challenge of this moment, the groups wrote in a letter to Baker last week. The Womens Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts were the key signatories of the letter. The three groups penned it in conjunction with Greater Boston Legal Services, Lawyers for Civil Rights, Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys, the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. The signatories emphasized that Lenks vacancy presents Baker with a tremendous opportunity and noted they support fostering diversity on the bench in all forms. The organizations signing this letter know from experience that representation matters, the 11 groups wrote. Having a judiciary that looks like the people of the commonwealth who come before it seeking justice is important - adding significantly to both the experience of those being heard and the richness of the top-notch jurisprudence in Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1692, though, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, the countrys oldest appellate court, has seen minimal diversity. Only three Black justices, 10 female justices, one Asian-American justice and two openly LGBTQ justices have served on the SJC over the course of its roughly 328-year history, the organizations pointed out. Lenk, the first openly gay justice to serve on Massachusetts highest court, was appointed to the SJC in 2011 by former Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat. Her nomination came after the courts monumental 2003 ruling that made the commonwealth the first state to allow same-sex marriage. Lenk married her long-time partner after the SJCs decision. Justice Elspeth Cypher, who was appointed to the court by Baker in 2017, is also openly gay. The 11 organizations also asked the governor to consider judicial nominees with a wide range of legal careers, as the court continues to be dominated by former prosecutors. Five of the SJCs seven justices served at one point in their legal careers in a prosecutorial role, whether that was in the Plymouth District Attorneys office or the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts. Only Lenk and her colleague Justice Scott L. Kafker do not have backgrounds in prosecuting legal cases. The legal community has pointed out the SJC holds significant power in defending individuals civil rights, though, particularly those embroiled with the criminal justice system. The seven justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May. The full bench writes roughly 200 decisions each year, while each individual judge rules on around 600 cases annually. The court has weighed in on a wide array of cases involving incarcerated individuals, from whether to vacate a prisoners decades-old, potentially wrongful conviction to whether to release inmates from correction facilities due to the risks posed by the coronavirus. Often it is our courts, particularly the Supreme Judicial Court, that serve as the critical line of defense of our constitutional rights and realizing equality, the Womens Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the ACLU of Massachusetts wrote in their letter. Who Baker will pick to replace Lenk and when he will announce his appointment remains uncertain. In early March, shortly before he declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Baker issued an executive order forming a 13-person nominating commission to evaluate applicants for SJC seats and to make recommendations about who should be appointed. Officials noted, though, there is no compulsory timeline within which the governor has to nominate a replacement for a vacancy on the SJC. The governors office told MassLive, the administration is pleased to have appointed diverse candidates to the Supreme Judicial Court and will continue efforts to support a culture of diversity throughout both the commonwealth and its courts. Anthony Benedetti, chief counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, argued that Baker has a chance to leave his mark by appointing a diverse, forward-looking candidate. Specifically, we would hope to see a justice who has worked with indigent clients who has fought for those who have the least and understands the plight of the many who find themselves thrust into a legal system that very often leaves them behind, Benedette said in a statement. Related Content: The Chinese yuan is set to see a sizable appreciation against the greenback in the next 12 months, according to Zach Pandl, co-head of global foreign exchange, rates and emerging market strategy at Goldman Sachs. Pandl forecasts the Chinese currency could hit 6.70 per dollar in the next 12 months, "primarily through the health of the Chinese economy." That compares against current levels of 6.9973 per dollar for the onshore yuan, as of Wednesday morning Singapore time. Meanwhile, its offshore counterpart changed hands at 6.9971 against the greenback. "I think the domestic picture in China actually looks pretty solid," the strategist told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia." He said the country is seeing a "pretty good rebound" from the shock of the coronavirus pandemic. The earliest reported cases of the virus were found in China. Authorities in the country swiftly put in place lockdown measures to curb the disease's spread, denting the economy in the process. Data releases out of the country have been watched by investors for clues surrounding the recovery of China's economy. Following Pandl's interview with CNBC, data released later on Tuesday showed China's exports and imports rising in June, beating expectations for a decline. Other recent data releases have also pointed to rising Chinese manufacturing activity, with both the official and Caixin/Markit Purchasing Manager's Indexes for June showing an expansion in the sector. "The only thing holding us back really from enthusiasm around the currency is tensions with the United States ahead of the November election," Pandl said. "If I could set those aside, and I think when you look 12 months ahead you can look through that to some degree," he added. "I think it actually does look like a pretty reasonable outlook for the yuan here." The results of four new holes from the Escape Lake Intrusion portion of the Project ("Escape Lake") comprise follow-up intercepts from those previously announced on June 17 and June 29, 2020 and are part of a 20,000m Phase 1 and 2 drill program (Table 1). The new tranche of assays includes Drill Hole ELR20-004 which intersected 27.9m of 3.39ppm (g/t) Platinum, 4.67ppm (g/t) Palladium, 1.67% Copper and 0.90% Nickel from 391.6m-419.5m downhole. Previously reported Drill Hole ELR20-003 (June 17, 2020) returned an assay interval of 78.9m of 1.66ppm (g/t) Platinum, 2.17ppm (g/t) Palladium, 0.8% Copper and 0.41% Nickel from 359.5m-438.4m, including 20.0m of 3.3ppm (g/t) Platinum, 4.49ppm (g/t) Palladium, 1.54% Copper and 0.84% Nickel from 395.5m-415.5m downhole. Abraham Drost, CEO of Clean Air Metals stated that "the newest drill core assays were obtained by Drill 1 from the southern portion of the Escape Lake Mineralized Zone. Hole ELR20-004 has delivered the highest platinum, palladium and copper, nickel grades to date at Escape Lake. We look forward to results next month from the newly added Drill 2 on the northern limits of Escape Lake Zone discovery area." Phase 1 drilling by the Company is part of a 15-20 drillhole program of 500-600m each, nominally on 50m centers designed to outline the full extent of Escape Lake Zone mineralization (see Figure 1). Phase 2 drilling announced by the Company on June 29, 2020, has now added a second drill to help complete several 50m-spaced sections of holes on the north end of the Escape Lake mineralized zone, before continuing north to test the strike extension and mineral tenors of the known magma conduit. Total contracted drilling commitment is 20,000 metres to date. Table 1 New (Highlighted) Assay Results from Holes ELR20 004-007 Escape Lake Zone, Thunder Bay North All intercepts are estimated to be 95% of true width based on drill hole inclination Mineralized intervals calculated at 1 ppm Pt+Pd cutoff The Escape Lake Zone mineralization is located at a depth of approximately 400m within the Escape Lake Intrusion (Figure 1). The southern contact of the intrusion appears to be controlled by the east-west trending Escape Lake Fault, a deep seated splay off the Quetico Fault Zone sub-province boundary fault. The objective of the ongoing program is to define the magnitude of the Escape Lake Mineralized Zone and the full strike length of the mineralized area as a precursor to future calculation of a mineral resource estimate of the Escape Lake horizon. Investor Update Webinar Please join Abraham Drost, CEO, and Jim Gallagher, Executive Chairman, TOMORROW, July 16th, 2020 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) to discuss the initial results from the Company's ongoing drill program, followed by a question and answer period. Date: Thursday, July 16, 2020 Time: 1:00 pm (EST) Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lgMMjCe8QQm4KIIr1Kt82Q After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Questions may be asked during the webinar, or can be emailed in to [email protected]. A replay will be made available on the Clean Air website. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Clean Air Metals uses ALS Global ("ALS"), a well-established and recognized mineral assay and geochemical analytical services company. The Thunder Bay laboratory holds ISO-9000 accreditation; the Vancouver facility holds ISO-17025 registration. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) statistical checks were performed on original, ALS-certified analytical data for all 8 holes in Table 1. Selected core intercepts from historic (RT) holes in Table 1 were relogged and resampled and compared with historic data. Mr. Andrey Zagoskin, P.Geo., Ontario, a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, led the validation exercise and has approved Table 1 assay results. All NQ-sized drill core is cut with a diamond-tipped saw blade with half of the core submitted to ALS for sample preparation and analysis. Core samples from selected intervals are individually bagged and tagged, gathered up in larger sealed poly bags and shipped to the sample prep facility in Thunder Bay, ON under custody of Clean Air Metals' personnel at all times. Sample preparation is completed at the ALS sample preparation facility located in Thunder Bay, ON and analysis is completed at the primary ALS assay laboratory located in Vancouver, B.C. Clean Air Metals follows a documented quality control procedure for its core assay sampling program consisting of the insertion of blind blanks, duplicates, and certified Palladium-Platinum and Copper-Nickel standards into the sample stream. The insertion procedure results in a minimum of 11% to 12% control sample frequency depending on the length of the sampled interval. Gold, platinum, and palladium are analysed using fire assay (FA) with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) finish. Samples with grades above the optimal ICP-MS detection limits are analysed using an optical emission spectroscopy method (ICP-OES). Also, thirty-three (33) elements of each sample, including copper, nickel, silver, chromium, cobalt, and sulphur, are analyzed by a multi-element analytical method using the atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) technique following four-acid digestion of the sample. When samples have grades above the optimal detection limits for this analytical method, they are re-analysed using a high-grade method consisting of either ICP-AES or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) techniques. Historic Estimate The Escape Lake Intrusion and magma conduit which is the Company's present focus in Phase 1 drilling (Table 1), appears to be a standalone, separate twin structure to the Current Lake Intrusion ('Current Lake') and magma conduit on the Thunder Bay North Project on which there exists a historic estimate of 9.8 million Tonnes (Indicated). The Historic Estimate is from Open Pit and Underground sources (Table 2). The estimate of the Current Lake Deposit at the Thunder Bay North Project is considered by Clean Air Metals to be historic in nature. No Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 has completed sufficient work for the Company to classify the historic estimate of the Current Lake Deposit as current and the Company is not treating the historic estimate as current. The Company's QP has verified the data but no resampling of core or any other tests on the analytical procedures has been performed by the Company to-date. Confirming the historic estimate at Current Lake and tradeoff studies on possible underground mining methods will be a concurrent priority for Clean Air Metals. Thunder Bay North Open Pit Historic Estimate The open pit Historic Estimate is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.59 g/t Pt-Eq within a Lerchs-Grossman pit shell optimized on Pt-Eq. The strip ratio (waste: ore) of this pit is 9.5:1. The platinum-equivalency formula is based on assumed metal prices and overall recoveries. The Pt-Eq formula is: Pt-Eq g/t = Pt g/t + Pd g/t x 0.3204 + Au g/t x 0.6379 + Ag g/t x 0.0062 + Cu g/t x 0.00011 + Total Ni g/t x 0.000195 + Total Co g/t x 0.000124 + Rh g/t x 2.1816. The conversion factor shown in the formula for each metal represents the conversion from each metal to platinum on a recovered value basis. The assumed metal prices used in the Pt-Eq formula are: Pt US$1,595/oz, Pd US$512/oz, Au US$1,015/oz, Ag US$15.74/oz, Cu US$2.20/lb, Ni US$7.71/lb, Co US$7.71/lb and Rh US$3,479/oz. The assumed combined flotation and PlatsolTM process recoveries used in the Pt-Eq formula are: Pt 76%, Pd 75%, Au 76%, Ag 55%, Cu 86%, Ni 44%, Co 28% and Rh 76%. The assumed refinery payables are: Pt 98%, Pd 98%, Au 97%, Ag 85%, Cu 100%, Ni 100%, Co 100% and Rh 98%. Thunder Bay North Underground Historic Estimate The underground Historic Estimate is reported at a cut-off grade of 1.94g/t Pt-Eq. The Pt-Eq formula is: Pt-Eq g/t = Pt g/t + Pd g/t x 0.2721 + Au g/t x 0.3968 + Ag g/t x 0.0084 + Cu g/t x 0.000118 + Sulphide Ni g/t x 0.000433 + Sulphide Co g/t x 0.000428 + Rh g/t x 2.7211. The assumed metal prices used in the Pt-Eq formula are: Pt US$1,470/oz, Pd US$400/oz, Rh US$4,000/oz, Au US$875/oz, Ag US$14.30/oz, Cu US$2.10/lb, Ni US$7.30/lb and Co US$13.00/lb. The assumed process recoveries used in the Pt-Eq formula are: Pt 75%, Pd 75%, Rh 75%, Au 50%, Ag 50%, Cu 90%, and Ni and Co in sulphide 90%. The assumed smelter recoveries used in the Pt-Eq formula are Pt 85%, Pd 85%, Rh 85%, Au 85%, Ag 85%, Cu 85%, Ni 90% and Co 50%. Ni and Co in sulphide were estimated by linear regression of MgO to total Ni and total Co respectively. The regression formula for Nickel in sulphide (NiSx) is: NiSx = Ni - (MgO% x 60.35 - 551.43). The regression formula for Cobalt in sulphide (CoSx) is: CoSx = Co - (MgO% x 4.45 - 9.25). COVID Policy Clean Air Metals has adopted COVID-19 avoidance and personal protection measures for its geological staff, drilling contractor and service suppliers. Personnel are required to maintain physical distance, use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), self-monitor and self-isolate or elect to work from home. Management had previously eliminated plans for a camp setup to service a planned diamond drill campaign on the Escape Lake Project. The Company is aware of Thunder Bay Health Unit guidelines that provide for "mandatory" self-isolation for returning overseas and inter-provincial travel. The guidelines previously also "strongly recommended" self-isolation after travel into the Northwest region from other areas of the Province. Mineral Exploration and Development has been deemed an essential service in the Province of Ontario (http://www.netnewsledger.com/2020/03/23/ontario-covid-19-business-allowed-to-remain-open-list-march-23-2020/). The Company has procured the services of a locally staffed and serviced diamond drilling contractor to complete the Phase 1 and Phase 2 diamond drilling programs. Mr. Allan MacTavish, P.Geo. a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and an employee of the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release. Clean Air Metals and its wholly-owned subsidiary Panoramic PGMs (Canada) Ltd. acknowledge that the Escape Lake and Thunder Bay North Properties are on the traditional territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock First Nation and Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishnabek, signatories to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Abraham Drost" Abraham Drost, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Air Metals Inc. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. SOURCE Clean Air Metals Inc. WATERLOO REGION Indigenous activists at the land back camp in Victoria Park say they want a dedicated part of the downtown Kitchener park to belong to the Indigenous community. They also want a dedicated space of their own in Waterloo Park. What we are looking for is land in each of those parks where we can gather and we can practice our ceremonies and spend time to teach one another, to teach our youth and learn from our elders, said Indigenous activist Lori Campbell. We dont have a permanent (public) space in this community where we can do that, she said. Campbell, who is the director of the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre at the University of Waterloo, is not a land back camp organizer but supports the demands being made by the group toward the mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo. In addition to wanting land back for gatherings and ceremonies, the activists say they want all fees waived for Indigenous communities to host events in public spaces. They also want the cities to create paid positions for Indigenous peoples to engage with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. They also want the cities to form an Indigenous Advisory Committee and pay committee members for their work. The group will also work with mayors and councillors to deal with racial injustice, lack of access to Indigenous services and community spaces, and address the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions 94 calls to action. Both Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic say they are aware of the demands and city staff are exploring the issues. Both mayors have met with Indigenous activists at the camp in Victoria Park. Im committed as mayor and as a city to working closely with organizers on these issues, Vrbanovic said. He said he is sympathetic to the exemption of fees. Im confident everyone is committed to working together to find a solution to these important issues in a timely manner, he said. 2020 is a real shakeup for all of us. What we learned in school and in history was skewed, said Jaworsky. Its a real wake-up call for everyone. Jaworsky said the city doesnt charge rental rates for events such as the annual powwow that was moved from St. Pauls University College campus at UW to Waterloo Park. We are doing a lot of learning and through that learning we need to move to action, he said. We have a lot of work to do. The activists say they will continue to occupy Victoria Park until their demands are met. They are not doing this occupation because they want to educate settler people. They are doing it to reinforce treaty rights, Campbell said. She said the benefits of the camp are plentiful with youth thriving and the Indigenous community gathering with each other to ensure we have what we need and what we have a right to in order to take care of ourselves. Activists occupied part of the park June 20, putting up tents and a teepee near the playground. They chose the area because of the deep-rooted, historical significance of the park. Victoria Park was once a traditional gathering, feasting and ceremonial space for people of the Chonnonton, the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabe people who lived on this land before German settlers arrived. Kitchener is part of the Haldimand Tract, a portion of land that was promised to Haudenosaunee Six Nations in 1784. The area is identified as the length of the Grand River and spans 10 kilometres on either side of the rivers banks. It was promised to the Haudenosaunee people for the loss of their traditional lands and also for their role as British allies. Campbell said there is ceremonial Indigenous space at St. Pauls University College but ideally a more permanent space is needed to connect with the land and care for the land. Campbell said the cities should also hire Indigenous peoples so they have knowledgeable people on staff. What currently happens is that I have to provide a whole lot of education on what it is that we want to do, she said. Often, Indigenous peoples in the community who are educated and skilled are volunteering rather than getting paid for their work, she said. If the region is interested in systemic reconciliation, it will take investment in Indigenous peoples, she said. Campbell said the demands are reasonable and its now up to the mayors to respond. Their action will show true commitment working toward reconciliation in our region. By Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday at a hearing in which women who accused her of enabling their abuse gave statements denouncing her 'heinous' crimes. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan presided over the arraignment and bail hearing for Maxwell, who prosecutors have accused of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016 By Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate charged with luring young girls so the late financier could sexually abuse them, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday at a hearing in which women who accused her of enabling their abuse gave statements denouncing her "heinous" crimes. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan presided over the arraignment and bail hearing for Maxwell, who prosecutors have accused of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016. The judge was expected to rule on whether to grant bail. Nathan also scheduled a trial date for July 12, 2021. Maxwell, 58 was charged with six criminal counts, including four related to transporting minors for illegal sexual acts and two for perjury. Prosecutors argued at the hearing against Maxwell's bid for bail, describing her as an extreme flight risk. "Not guilty, your honor," Maxwell said, after the judge asked her how she wished to plead to the charges. Maxwell appeared by video from the Brooklyn jail where she is being held. She appeared tired, with her hair pulled back and was wearing a brown T-shirt and tortoiseshell glasses. Alison Moe, a federal prosecutor, said the government's investigation is ongoing, but did not currently anticipate seeking an amended indictment expanding the charges against Maxwell. Annie Farmer, who has accused the defendant of enabling her abuse, said Maxwell "has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes" and told the court "the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously." "She is a sexual predator who groomed and abused me and countless other children and young women," Farmer told the court. "Without Ghislaine, Jeffrey could not have done what he did," an unidentified accuser said in a statement. This accuser's statement said she knew Maxwell for more than 10 years and still felt threatened, adding, "If she is out, I need to be protected." Prosecutors urged detention because they said Maxwell is a flight risk. "The defendant has the ability to live in hiding, she's good at it," and Moe said has demonstrated she can "live off the grid, indefinitely." Moe noted that it took a year after Epstein's arrest to find her. The wealthy socialite's lawyers sought a bail package including a $5 million bond and home confinement with electronic monitoring. Prosecutors said her wealth and multiple citizenships - American, French and British - also supported the need for detention. Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and longtime associate, was arrested on July 2 in Bradford, New Hampshire, where authorities said she was hiding out at a 156-acre (63 hectares) property she bought in December in an all-cash transaction with her identity shielded. Maxwell has been held since July 6 at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a Brooklyn jail. Epstein was charged in July 2019 with sexually exploiting dozens of girls and women from 2002 to 2005 at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. He hanged himself on Aug. 10 at age 66 in a Manhattan jail. Prosecutors accused Maxwell of luring girls as young as 14 by asking them about their lives, schools and families and taking them shopping or to movies - acts, they said, that served as "the prequel" to Epstein's abuse. Epstein has been linked socially to several powerful figures including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew. Prosecutors said on Monday that when FBI agents went to arrest Maxwell, they had to forcibly enter her home, where she hid in an interior room, and found a cellphone wrapped in tin foil in an apparent effort to evade detection. Maxwell also used former British military personnel to guard her in New Hampshire, prosecutors said. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld and Brendan Pierson in New York; Writing by Tom Hals; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. MBABANE Talk about being oblivious to some of the parcels you transport. A truck driver transported a sealed parcel in his truck, but little did he know that he was carrying E150 000 in cash. Simanga Simelane learnt about the money upon his arrest and was charged for failing to declare the cash at the Ngwenya Border Gate. He was driving a Mercedes Benz Truck registered BSD064CM. This transpired at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, where Simelane appeared charged for contravening Section 41 (1) as read with sub-section (2) of the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011 as amended. When the charge was read to him, Simelane pleaded guilty. He was represented by Jose Rodrigues in the matter. Mitigating on the sentence, Rodrigues pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client. He stated that Simelane was unaware of the existence of the money in the truck. His employer couldnt declare the money due to the business of the day in question. There were too many people at the premises so he decided to put the parcel in the truck. He trusts the driver because he had been loyal to him for so many years, submitted the defence counsel. Magistrate Xolile Nxumalo wanted to know if there was no notice attached to the parcel for Simelane to see that he was carrying money. In response, Rodrigues submitted that the employer just gave his client the sealed parcel to deliver to a person in Johannesburg, South Africa, without mentioning that it was money. He implored the court to consider the fact that there was no negligence on the side of the driver. He said Simelane was made to suffer due to the omission of his employer in informing him about the money. He has worked for the company for eight years and he is a breadwinner. He has a wife and four children, who depend on him, said the defence counsel. Rodrigues also moved an application for the release of the detained money back to its owner. He submitted that the owner of the money met the police officers and proved the source and legitimacy of the funds. He stated that the officers of the law were satisfied hence the application for the release of the money. In view of the circumstances, Magistrate Nxumalo cautioned and discharged Simelane. She ordered that the money be released to the owner. The defence counsel caused laughter when he left the court with the money box under his arm immediately after the finalisation of the matter. When several students came to her office one day in 2009 with high temperatures and pain in their throats, Mary Pappas knew something was wrong. So she called the New York City Health Department. That call soon led to national action in what would become the H1N1 influenza pandemic, including the closure of some schools. Laurie Combe is president of the National Association of School Nurses, or NASN. She recently told VOA that while school nurses can play an important role during any public health crisis, they are always sentinels for health in the school community. Combe explained that during a health crisis, school nurses can take on an amplified role. During the coronavirus crisis, teaching children and others how to wear face coverings and wash their hands is only a small piece of their work. As the virus picked up speed and schools closed, Combe says nurses continued do much of their usual work while taking on new responsibilities, some of which involved planning. School nurses are highly engaged in the physical and mental health needs of students and have expertise in emergency planning for pandemics. Nurses role changes, grows Many school districts are deciding whether and how to reopen for the fall term. The planning comes as some parts of the U.S. experience sharp increases in coronavirus infection rates. President Donald Trump has been pushing for schools to reopen in the fall. He recently criticized safety guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for schools to reopen. Trump said he found the guidelines impractical and too costly. The Trump administration has threatened to withhold federal money if districts do not fully reopen. Still, even when schools remain physically closed, the need for nurses usual expertise does not disappear. For instance, during the spring term, nurses continued many of their daily duties, such as keeping in contact with parents of children with health conditions or parents who needed medical advice and resources. Some nurses even took medicines and equipment to homes of students with health conditions. When schools shut their doors, some students received no home instruction. So some nurses reached out to families and students to find out if their needs were being met. Aside from physical or mental health concerns, nurses found that many students lacked access to the internet. The need for meals continued too, so nurses helped oversee the safe processes for delivering food to students, Combe said. Around 30 million American children depend on low-cost or free school meals each day for nutrition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. As schools remained closed, nurses stayed connected through local and national groups to stay informed about the virus. They also turned to state and federal health agencies for expert guidance. Janis Hogan is a nurse at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, Maine. When schools in her state closed in the spring, she continued to perform some day-to-day responsibilities. But, she also began taking part in video meetings with school nurses from around the country. And, Hogan joined an international online group of mostly school nurses to learn what was happening in Europes reopened schools. In some ways it was an amazing time of connection for school nurses because we were all in the same boat, but our boats are all a little bit different. Hogan is also on a team considering the states plans to reopen schools. Maine, which has had comparably low coronavirus infection rates, recently released its first reopening proposal. School nurses are named throughout the plan as central to the team effort, which includes administrators, teachers, transportation workers, food service and others. The shortage of school nurses Nurses nationally have been involved in these cooperative efforts. But not all schools have their own school nurse. U.S. school districts began cutting nurse staff leading up to the Great Recession of the early 2000s. Most districts did not bring the nurses back. Instead, many that were able to keep their jobs now work part-time at several different schools. A 2016 study by NASN showed that just 39 percent of U.S. schools employ a full-time nurse. And 25 percent of public schools had no nurse at all. About 35 percent have a part-time nurse. The American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, an organization of childrens doctors, urges that all schools have at least one full-time nurse. A few years ago, the AAP said it would be best to have at least one nurse for every 750 students. But even now, as the coronavirus crisis continues, many U.S. school districts have just one nurse for well over 1,000 students. Hogan said the shortage is especially troubling because many children receive their main or only medical attention from school nurses. Not much has changed since the earlier U.S. pandemics. A report by the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, on the 1918 influenza pandemic stated that officials in some cities - such as New York City and New Haven, Connecticut - chose to keep public schools open. Officials reasoned that many children would have little or no medical supervision if schools closed. They also argued that schools could be more effectively disinfected than homes. In those cities, school nurses and doctors performed daily medical inspections at schools. The nurses also educated their school communities on virus prevention and some made home visits to inspect the health of students and families. While much has changed since the early twentieth century, the need for health experts at schools during a pandemic has not. With large drops in tax revenues caused by the pandemic, schools across the U.S. have experienced huge budget cuts. Combe finds this concerning. She said that she has already heard reports of some nursing cuts, although massive reductions have not yet happened. Combe added that some schools are looking to bring in more nurses to help with the expected work load to come. If schools reopen, there are also worries about getting necessary supplies. In the Houston, Texas area, for example, the state education agency is providing schools personal protective equipment, or PPE. But the equipment does not include high-quality N95 face masks. School health rooms historically have very small budgets maybe 10, 20, 30 cents per student for a whole school year. A congressional bill called the NURSE Act, launched in March 2018, intended to increase school nurses in underfunded schools. The bill, however, did not pass. Im Alice Bryant. Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. What is the role of school nurses in your school community? Write to us in the comments or visit our Facebook page. Quiz - The Role of School Nurses During a Pandemic Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story role - n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation sentinel - n. a soldier or guard whose job is to stand and keep watch amplified - adj. made larger, greater or stronger engage in - v. to take part in something in the same boat - an expression that means to be in the same unpleasant situation as other people delivering - gerund. Taking something to a person or place impractical - adj. not practical access - n. A way of being able to use or get something disinfect - v. to clean something especially by using a chemical substance that kills all germs and bacteria revenue - n. money that is collected for public use by a government through taxes underfunded - adj. not receiving enough funding Another two Sydney pubs have closed after infected customers visited the establishments multiple times, as the city's coronavirus cluster continues to spread. West Leagues Club at Leumeah and The Macarthur Tavern in Sydney's south-west were both informed on Tuesday that infected patrons had visited the venues. It comes after a coronavirus cluster was found at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula and a person visited the gaming room at Picton hotel several times last week. Wests League Club at Leumeah was informed by NSW Health on Tuesday evening that a patron had received a positive COVID-19 test. The person visited the club twice, the first visit at 8pm Friday and the second on Sunday between midnight and 2.30am. The club took to Facebook on Wednesday morning to advise patrons of the news. Wests League Club closed from 11.30pm on Tuesday for a deep clean and is due to reopen at midday. Wests League Club (pictured) at Leumeah, near Campbelltown in the city's south-west, was informed by NSW Health on Tuesday evening that a patron had received a positive COVID-19 test NSW has ramped up its testing after an outbreak at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula (pictured: A nurse administering COVID-19 tests to people in their cars) 'By the time that we re-open, there will have been over 100+ man hours of cleaning and sanitising from additional staff and contractors to ensure that our Club is cleaner than it has ever been,' the club wrote. 'We are very committed to the safety of our staff, customers, and wider community and will continue to operate under the advice which NSW Health has provided to us.' Anyone who visited the club on those dates is being urged to remain alert for coronavirus symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell. Nearby venue The Macarthur Tavern was also told by NSW Health a patron who tested positive for coronavirus was at the pub. 'The patron was in our venue on Saturday the 11th July between 9pm and 12 midnight,' the venue wrote on Facebook. 'We are working closely with NSW Health on this case. Our patron's safety is of utmost concern during these difficult times. 'We have had strict procedures in place to prevent and control the spread of this virus and these procedures will continue to be put into action.' A nearby venue in Campbelltown, The Macarthur Tavern (pictured), was also told by NSW Health a patron who tested positive for coronavirus was at the pub The pub has closed for a deep clean on Wednesday but is set to open again after 3pm. A popular burger joint, a pizza restaurant and a Woolworths store in New South Wales were all forced to temporarily close after being hit with coronavirus cases. Store owners of Milky Lane in Parramatta were contacted by NSW Health on Tuesday after a customer tested positive for the illness. The customer visited the store on Saturday. All customers at the store on that day have been notified, the company said on Facebook. The store was closed for cleaning and all staff have been tested for the virus. NSW Health are investigating a potential new cluster after a coronavirus-positive man spent an hour at Mancini's Original Woodfired Pizza in Belfield, in Sydney's southwest, on Friday It comes as Mancini's Original Woodfired Pizza in Belfield, in Sydney's south-west, was forced to close for three days for cleaning after an infected man dined at the restaurant on Friday. NSW Health are now investigating the potential new cluster that could be forming and has been contacting customers who were at the venue on the same day. A Woolworths store in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, 110km southwest of Sydney, has also been forced to close for cleaning after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19. The store said the employee worked on Sunday but did not show any symptoms when they were at work. Any customers who shopped at the store on the day have been urged to make contact with NSW Health should they feel unwell. A Woolworths store in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, 110km southwest of Sydney, has been forced to close for cleaning after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19 Pictured: The Sydney venues feared to be at the centre of COVID-19 outbreaks The new cases come as fears grow of a new wave seeping into NSW from Victoria, which has been battling a fresh outbreak. The state now has 1,800 active coronavirus cases. Last week it was revealed a new cluster was forming at a Sydney pub after a 30-year-old woman and a man in his 50s were found to have contracted COVID-19 after visiting the Crossroads Hotel in Casula. Cases associated with the hotel reached 30 on Tuesday night. However, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she had no plans to put Sydney into lockdown again despite worrying clusters developing. 'Until we have a cure, we have to live with it. We cannot shut down every time we have a cluster of cases,' Ms Berejiklian told A Current Affair. 'We cannot keep shutting down, reopening, shutting down and reopening. That is not a good way for us to manage the pandemic because it creates chaos for people. Crossroads Hotel in Casula, in the city's south-west, was forced to shut after two revellers tested positive to coronavirus Medical workers are seen giving coronavirus tests in Sydney's Bondi on Tuesday (pictured) amid fears the Melbourne outbreak may spread to NSW 'It creates chaos for businesses who are employing people and it makes us lose confidence in the future.' But Ms Berejiklian announced a tightening of restrictions in response to the Casula outbreak with a limit of 300 people at pubs and hotels - and group bookings to be capped at 10 people. It will be mandatory for pubs and hotels to download and register the COVID-19 safe plan and take down contact details of all patrons. Venues with a capacity of more than 250 people will be required to have a full-time marshal on site to enforce COVID-19 safety guidelines. The changes don't apply to clubs, restaurants or The Star casino and will come into effect from 12.01am on Friday. The Central Intelligence Agency has conducted a series of covert cyber operations against Iran and other targets since winning a secret victory in 2018 when President Trump signed what amounts to a sweeping authorization for such activities, according to former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the matter. The secret authorization, known as a presidential finding, gives the spy agency more freedom in both the kinds of operations it conducts and who it targets, undoing many restrictions that had been in place under prior administrations. The finding allows the CIA to more easily authorize its own covert cyber operations, rather than requiring the agency to get approval from the White House. Unlike previous presidential findings that have focused on a specific foreign policy objective or outcome such as preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power this directive, driven by the National Security Council and crafted by the CIA, focuses more broadly on a capability: covert action in cyberspace. The very aggressive finding gave the agency very specific authorities to really take the fight offensively to a handful of adversarial countries, said a former U.S. government official. These countries include Russia, China, Iran and North Korea which are mentioned directly in the document but the finding potentially applies to others as well, according to another former official. The White House wanted a vehicle to strike back, said the second former official. And this was the way to do it. President Trump and the CIA. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP(3), Getty Images) The CIAs new powers are not about hacking to collect intelligence. Instead, they open the way for the agency to launch offensive cyber operations with the aim of producing disruption like cutting off electricity or compromising an intelligence operation by dumping documents online as well as destruction, similar to the U.S.-Israeli 2009 Stuxnet attack, which destroyed centrifuges that Iran used to enrich uranium gas for its nuclear program. Story continues The finding has made it easier for the CIA to damage adversaries critical infrastructure, such as petrochemical plants, and to engage in the kind of hack-and-dump operations that Russian hackers and WikiLeaks popularized, in which tranches of stolen documents or data are leaked to journalists or posted on the internet. It has also freed the agency to conduct disruptive operations against organizations that were largely off limits previously, such as banks and other financial institutions. Another key change with the finding is it lessened the evidentiary requirements that limited the CIAs ability to conduct covert cyber operations against entities like media organizations, charities, religious institutions or businesses believed to be working on behalf of adversaries foreign intelligence services, as well as individuals affiliated with these organizations, according to former officials. Before, you would need years of signals and dozens of pages of intelligence to show that this thing is a de facto arm of the government, a former official told Yahoo News. Now, as long as you can show that it vaguely looks like the charity is working on behalf of that government, then youre good. The CIA has wasted no time in exercising the new freedoms won under Trump. Since the finding was signed two years ago, the agency has carried out at least a dozen operations that were on its wish list, according to this former official. This has been a combination of destructive things stuff is on fire and exploding and also public dissemination of data: leaking or things that look like leaking. Some CIA officials greeted the new finding as a needed reform that allows the agency to act more nimbly. People were doing backflips in the hallways [when it was signed], said another former U.S. official. But critics, including some former U.S. officials, see a potentially dangerous attenuation of intelligence oversight, which could have unintended consequences and even put peoples lives at risk, according to former officials. The involvement of U.S. intelligence agencies in hack-and-dump activities also raises uncomfortable comparisons for some former officials. Our government is basically turning into f****ing WikiLeaks, [using] secure communications on the dark web with dissidents, hacking and dumping, said one such former official. The CIA declined to comment or respond to an extensive list of questions from Yahoo News. The National Security Council did not respond to multiple written requests for comment. While the CIA has been pushing for years to expand its cyber authorities, Russias interference in the 2016 election led Obama officials to grasp for new ways to retaliate against the Kremlin. High-level discussions included proposals for the CIA to dump embarrassing hacked information about Russian officials online, as well as to destroy Russian servers, according to former officials. But just days away from launching operations in the late summer of 2016, intelligence operatives were told to stand down, according to former officials. The decision to do so was made at the highest levels of the Obama administration, according to a former senior national security official. During the early days of the Trump administration, intelligence officials were hopeful that the president would give the go-ahead to those operations. But senior Trump officials werent interested in retaliating against Russia for the election interference, according to a former official. It was radio silence, the former official said. It all dissipated, went to nothing. While plans for immediate cyber retaliation against Russia faded, discussions about expanding the CIAs cyber authorities continued to accelerate under Trump. For years, the CIA had bristled under what some intelligence officials considered onerous barriers to covert action in cyberspace that prevented it from even proposing many operations, according to former officials. When it came to covert action, you always had the two camps [inside the CIA], said Robert Eatinger, who served at the CIA for 24 years, including a stint as the agencys top lawyer. There were those who felt that their hands were too tied, and those who felt the restrictions were wise and appropriate, recalled Eatinger, who said he has no knowledge of the CIA cyber finding signed by Trump and wouldnt discuss specific incidents that occurred during his time with the agency. Advocates for greater cyber authorities gained the upper hand in these debates under the Trump administration, which encouraged the CIA to stretch its prior authorities to pursue more aggressive offensive cyber operations particularly against Iran. Trump wanted to push decision making to the lowest possible denominator, said a former intelligence official. Mike Pompeo made that point clear after Trump made him CIA director in January 2017. Pompeos message, the former official said, was: We dont want to hold you up, we want to move, move, move. A current senior intelligence official, who declined to discuss specific U.S. government operations or policies, called Trump-era interest in offensive operations phenomenal. The CIA, the National Security Agency and the Pentagon have been able to play like we should be playing in the last couple years, the current official said. John Boltons appointment as national security adviser in April 2018 gave another boost to those seeking to ease restrictions on cyber operations. We needed to scrap the Obama-era rules and replace them with a more agile, expeditious decision-making structure, Bolton writes in his recently published memoir, The Room Where It Happened. Part of this involved strengthening the U.S. governments clandestine capabilities in cyberspace against nonstate actors and others, he writes. In September 2018, Bolton announced that Trump had signed a presidential directive easing Obama-era rules governing military cyber operations. Although the administration disclosed the existence of that directive known as National Security Presidential Memorandum 13 the underlying rules of engagement for military cyber operations remain secret. The administration also kept secret the CIA finding, which gave the agency its new authorities. The CIAs new cyber powers prompted concerns among some officials. Trump came in and way overcorrected, said a former official. Covert cyber operations that in the past would have been rigorously vetted through the NSC, with sometimes years-long gaps between formulation and execution, now go from idea to approval in weeks, said the former official. Former officials declined to speak in detail about cyber operations the CIA has carried out as a result of the finding, but they said the agency has already conducted covert hack-and-dump actions aimed at both Iran and Russia. For example, the CIA has dumped information online about an ostensibly independent Russian company that was doing work for Russian intelligence services, said a former official. While the former official declined to be more specific, BBC Russia reported in July 2019 that hackers had breached the network of SyTech, a company that does work for the FSB, Russias domestic spy agency, and stolen about 7.5 terabytes of data; the data from that hack was passed to media organizations. In another stunning hack-and-dump operation, an unknown group in March 2019 posted on the internet chat platform Telegram the names, addresses, phone numbers and photos of Iranian intelligence officers allegedly involved in hacking operations, as well as hacking tools used by Iranian intelligence operatives. That November, the details of 15 million debit cards for customers of three Iranian banks linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also dumped on Telegram. Although sources wouldnt say if the CIA was behind those Iran breaches, the findings expansion of CIA authorities to target financial institutions, such as an operation to leak bank card data, represents a significant escalation in U.S. cyber operations. Under prior administrations, senior Treasury Department officials argued successfully against leaking or wiping out banking data, according to former officials, because it could destabilize the global financial system. These were operations the CIA always knew were an option, but were always a bridge too far," said a former official. They had been bandied about at senior levels for a long time, but cooler heads had always prevailed." The new cyber finding further emboldened the CIAs operations against Iran, according to former officials. Even before Trump signed the directive, administration officials were already encouraging the CIA to aggressively interpret preexisting secret Iran-related authorities to help prosecute the administrations maximum pressure campaign against Tehran. Using the Cold War strategy of rolling back the Soviet Union as inspiration, senior Trump national security officials believed that destabilizing Iran within its borders would force the regime to cease its adventurism abroad and, perhaps, collapse. The maximum-pressure campaign includes punishing economic sanctions, but has also involved CIA cyberattacks on Iranian infrastructure, said former officials. It was obvious that destabilization was the plan on Iran, said one former official, and Trump administration officials were eager to have the CIA conduct destructive cyber operations against targets inside that country. Bolton wanted another tool, he wanted another hammer. He was looking at Stuxnet and how to be mean to Iran, so that was probably attractive to him, said another source. The Trump administration was able to lean on extensive legal powers for covert action against the Islamic Republic that were already on the books, including a presidential finding dating back at least to the early 2000s devoted to counterproliferation in other words, preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, according to former officials. Another long-standing Iran-focused presidential finding authorizes the CIA to counter Tehrans influence in the Middle East, in particular by combating Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and by supporting groups in the region opposed to the regime, according to former U.S. officials. Neither these two Iran-related findings, nor the new cyber finding, mention regime change as a stated goal, according to former officials. Over time, however, the CIA and other national security officials have interpreted the first two Iran findings increasingly broadly, with covert activities evolving from their narrow focus on stopping Tehrans nuclear program, they said. The Iran findings have been subject to classic mission creep, said one former official. Fatigue from having to continually beat back Irans nuclear progress gradually led U.S. officials to take an even more aggressive approach that began to resemble a regime change strategy, according to former officials. The thinking became If we can impact the regime, then no bomb, said another former official. Were playing semantics destabilization is functionally the same thing as regime change. Its a deniability issue, the former official said. While the CIAs new powers expand the agencys ability to target Iran and other foreign adversaries, they also present potential pitfalls, according to former officials. The CIA and the Pentagon have long tussled over authorities in cyberspace, and these coordination issues will only become more critical now, according to former officials especially when U.S. military operatives online unknowingly run up against their counterparts from the CIA. If youre doing something on someones network and you have friendly forces also on the network, you dont want to have fratricide, said a former senior military intelligence official. Even inside the U.S. intelligence community, the CIA has a reputation for secrecy, according to former officials. The CIAs deconfliction is poor, theyre not keeping people in the loop on what their cyber operations are, said another former official. Some former officials even worry about the oversight of cyber operations within the CIA. Agency cyber operatives werent always transparent about their activities, said a former senior official. It was a problem. There were times I was surprised. This more permissive environment may also intensify concerns about the CIAs ability to secure its hacking arsenal. In 2017, WikiLeaks published a large cache of CIA hacking tools known as Vault 7. The leak, which a partially declassified CIA assessment called the largest data loss in CIA history, was made possible by woefully lax security practices at the CIAs top hacker unit, the assessment said. Eatinger, the former top CIA attorney, who retired in 2015, said its unclear to him whether the new cyber finding would be a return to the agencys more freewheeling days of the 1980s, or something that goes even further. Either way, its a big deal, he said. Removing NSC oversight of covert operations is a significant departure from recent history, according to Eatinger. I would look at the intel community as the same as the military in that there should be civilian control of big decisions who to go to war against, who to launch an attack against, who to fight a particular battle, he said. It makes sense that you would have that kind of civilian or non-intelligence civilian leadership for activities as sensitive as covert action. Regardless, these expansive new cyber powers may become a lasting legacy of the Trump administration, solidifying the greater role the CIA has long coveted in a key arena, and providing the agency with authorities it has desired for three presidential administrations. People thought, Hey, George W. Bush will sign this, but he didnt, said a former official. CIA officials then believed, Obama will sign it. Then he didnt. Then Trump came in, and CIA thought he wouldnt sign, recalled this official. But he did. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: According to sources, the delay is caused by the fact that the commission itself is yet to be constituted. PTI Photo The National Medical Commission was created last year to replace the previous scam-tainted Medical Council of India (MCI) for the development and regulation of all aspects of medical education, profession and institutions. Yet despite the urgency displayed in the creating the new regulator, the government has still not issued a notification on the appointment of the chairman of the commission. Six months ago, the government named Prof. S.C. Sharma of AIIMS as the chairman of the new commission for three years. Yet it has yet to issue the notification of his appointment. This inordinate delay has set off whispers in the babu corridors about the governments intentions. According to sources, the delay is caused by the fact that the commission itself is yet to be constituted (its only on paper) since the selection committee recommendations for the other posts are still under consideration of the health ministry. So, according to them, the chairmans appointment can only be notified once the commission is constituted. Under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the commission will have a chairperson, 10 ex-officio members and 22 part-time members. Besides Prof. Sharma, the only person appointed so far is R.K. Vats, the secretary-general of the board of governors of the Medical Council of India. He too was appointed as secretary of the commission for a tenure of three years. Succession saga at Sebi With Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairman Ajay Tyagis term ending next month, the race to find his successor has heated up. The tenure of Tyagi, a 1984-batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, was set to end in February but he was given a six-month extension to ensure continuity at the regulator due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. According to sources, several names are being floated as probable successors to Tyagi. Among them are Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) chairman Madhusudan Sahoo and Madhabi Puri Buch, who is whole-time member of Sebi. Also being mentioned are former corporate affairs secretary Injeti Srinivas and a few officials in the finance and corporate affairs ministries. Apparently, the government had already narrowed down some of the probable candidates in February before it decided to give an extension to Tyagi. Will the list be revised now? Will it include only bureaucrats? Well have to wait and see. Cracks in the alliance? Mumbai police chief Parambir Singh recently transferred 10 deputy commissioners of police apparently without chief minister Uddhav Thackerays knowledge. On learning about the move, Thackeray promptly ordered the state home department to cancel the transfer orders. The CMs office claims that it was wrong of Parambir to shift such a large number of DCPs without the CMs knowledge. Later, it turned out that Parambir had briefed home minister Anil Deshmukh on the transfers, who failed to inform Thackeray. Thackerays alliance partner National Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar had to step in to mollify the irate chief minister. According to sources, during a meeting with the chief minister in the presence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Deshmukh argued that it was well within the powers of the Mumbai police commissioner to transfer officers without informing the CM. But the CMs office has taken the view that it not the rulebook but convention that is more important, which means that the transfers should have been discussed with Thackeray before the announcement. Does this imply that there are cracks in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government in Maharashtra, in which the partners do not see eye to eye anymore on important issues of governance? Share a babu experience! Follow dilipthecherian@Twitter.com. Lets multiply the effect. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The tides roll in, and the tides roll out, just like clockwork. It's this consistency and predictability that makes tidal energy attractive, not only as a source of electricity but, potentially, as a mechanism to provide reliability and resilience to regional or local power grids. Tidal power is one type of marine renewable energy, along with power harvested from waves, ocean currents, and temperature and salinity differentials from different water depths. Although tidal power is in its infancyno commercial systems are in place in the United Statesresearchers at PNNL are looking at the potential benefits it offers in addition to power production. In certain areas, tidal energy may be able to partially smooth out the peaks and valleys of its own electricity production by aggregating the resources at multiple sites within relatively short distances, a trait that other renewables like wind and solar are unable to achieve. By providing steadier power to the electric grid over time, tidal energy would reduce the volatility of the system compared to other intermittent resources. Even with the predictability of tides, the resource intensity can fluctuate in nearby areas. A tide is basically a big wave in the ocean, moving in a kind of snake-like pattern approximated by a mathematical sine wave, but unlike ocean waves that are often wind-generated, tides are a result of the gravitational pull from celestial bodies, most notably the moon and sun. In one location, the tidal wave might be peaking and, in another place, not so far away, another wave is plummeting. Deploying tidal energy devices in complementary locations would combine the power output and create a smoother, steadier power supply, which is critical to reliable grid performance. Tidal diversity This notion of offset tides in proximity is called tidal diversity, which can be exploited for energy production. The condition is not necessarily widespread, but PNNL researchers studied several locations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to determine where tidal diversity exists and how it might support grid reliability if utilized as an energy resource. The grid researchers used tidal models to evaluate tides over the course of 14 days from hypothetical locations for tidal energy development. While they found some areas that encompassed offsetting tides that could result in smoother power flow around Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island in Alaska, the study found limited potential for tidal diversity overall. This did not surprise the researchers. "We weren't expecting this to be a perfect or widespread phenomenon, but the results are still useful," said Danielle Preziuso, a renewable energy engineer at PNNL. "As tidal energy installations are planned and developed, it makes sense to evaluate locations that can possibly provide this extra value to the local power grid." Because intermittent renewable power resources can introduce complexity and instability to the grid, the delicate process of balancing the surges of increasing and decreasing electricity becomes more expensive. If developers can market the ability of predictable and diverse tidal energy to smooth its own ups and downs, they may be able to create a value-added market for tidal energy, which is not currently cost-competitive with other renewable technologies, like wind and solar. Those resources, of course, are not able to smooth their own output in the way that tides can. Believed to be the first study of its kind in the United States, the research was funded by the Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office. It was recently published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering and is part of a larger project to examine how marine renewable resources could be valuedfor more than just their power output. The project, Understanding the Grid Value Proposition of Marine Renewable Energy, is identifying conditions where marine renewable energy sources can provide a contribution to the electric grid, quantify that benefit, and illustrate how the value might be measured and put into practice. "The way we evaluate and value energy sources needs to evolve over time to meet the needs of an evolving grid, especially as we incorporate more renewable energy resources," said Preziuso. Recognizing and assigning value beyond conventional metrics like the levelized cost of electricity will help reframe the way that renewables are developed and integrated." Although the authors found limited potential for tidal diversity, the findings nonetheless illustrate another benefit of tidal energy. One of the locations found to have the highest tidal diversity for the smoothest power flownear Cook Inletis an area with expensive electricity, powered mostly by natural gas or diesel, that is struggling to move to cleaner energy sources. Kodiak Island also shows significant potential for aggregating its tidal resources, but the area is already largely powered by renewable energy. Nonetheless, tidal energy could provide valuable resource diversity, equating to increased system reliability and resiliency. "This predictable electricity generation can help to power resilient microgrids, reducing the need to import natural gas and diesel or eliminating the expense of building electricity transmission systems to remote regions," said Dhruv Bhatnagar, a PNNL power grid engineer. Locations near Alaska's Bristol Bay and Inside Passage also present the opportunity to use tidal resources for smoother power profiles in aggregate but to a more limited degree and over a larger geographic footprint. Locations near the Washington coast and the Salish Sea are significantly more limited when it comes to tidal diversity for energy production, beyond providing predictable periods of power. Explore further Tidal range power plants hold potential for electricity generation More information: Preziuso et al. Evaluating the Potential for Tidal Phase Diversity to Produce Smoother Power Profiles, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2020). Preziuso et al. Evaluating the Potential for Tidal Phase Diversity to Produce Smoother Power Profiles,(2020). DOI: 10.3390/jmse8040246 New Jersey public school districts have a few more weeks before they are scheduled to submit their proposals for reopening to state officials and alert students of their back-to-school plans. But several districts have begun notifying the states 1.4 million students of their preliminary 2020-2021 plans as parents weigh whether to send their children back to the classroom in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Jammu and Kashmir Police rescued abducted BJP Municipal Committee member Mehraj-ud-Din Malla from Watergam in North Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday. Sources said questioning of the leader is underway. According to his family, Malla was abducted while he was going to a friend's house for attending a marriage ceremony. "The kidnapped person has been rescued by the police," J&K Police DG said. Earlier, Malla's family had requested the abductors to release him in a video message put out by his daughter. After his abduction, the police had launched a major search operation in the area to trace him. Union Minister and senior BJP leader Jitendra Singh expressed relief on Malla's return. "Relieved to learn that our colleague in #BJP,Mehrajudin Malla who was abducted in Sopore this morning, is back home safe.While Security forces and @JmuKmrPolicedeserve all appreciation,where are the #Kashmir Apologists who lose no time in making unsubstantiated charges against," Singh wrote on Twitter. BJP leader Ram Madhav also put out a tweet in this regard. "J&K Police say they rescued BJPs Vice President Municipal Committee Watergam Baramulla, Meraj ud Din Malla who was allegedly abducted by some unknown persons in the north Kashmir district," Madhav wrote. (With inputs from IANS) MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI -- The city manager for Muskegon Heights has been suspended after less than a year on the job. The Muskegon Heights City Council voted Monday to suspend Troy Bell, who was hired last summer despite troubling reports about his prior performance at previous jobs. The position in Muskegon Heights is Bells first city manager job. Muskegon Heights Mayor Walter Watt declined to talk about the suspension, referring questions to the citys attorney, Doug Hughes. City Clerk Sharon Gibbs declined to give a vote tally on the suspension from the councils meeting on Monday, July 13, also saying Hughes needed to be contacted. Hughes did not return several calls from MLive requesting information about the suspension. Bell also did not return phone calls. WOOD TV reported that Bell was suspended because he was still being paid on an hourly basis rather than the contracted salary amount, and because he entered a software contract without the city councils consent. Muskegon Heights council members voted 4-3 on July 29, 2019, to begin negotiations with Bell to be their city manager. The council and Bell finally agreed to contract terms on Sept. 12, 2019. The three-year contract called for him to start Sept. 23, 2019 and earn an annual salary of $85,000. The three-year contract states that Bell would work two to three days a week on an interim basis until he was released from his teaching duties at Purdue. During that time, Bell was to receive an hourly wage of $44. Once he was relieved of his duties at Purdue, Bell was to receive his full salary, according to the contract. Prior to coming to Muskegon Heights, Bell was a guest lecturer at Purdue University. He is a former Miami, Florida, police officer and has worked as a deputy city manager in Washington and California, as well as a city and school administrator in Florida. In 2016, Bell was terminated from his position as deputy city manager for Walla Walla, Washington, after only four months on the job and as his probation period was expiring, according to the Union-Bulletin.com. The city manager told the news organization at the time that the alignment of (Bells) skills and job expectations were not what was hoped for. In 2017, Bell resigned from his position as chief administrative officer of the parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, five days after he was offered the position. His resignation followed questions about the accuracy of his resume, according to The New Orleans Advocate. When he interviewed for the Muskegon Heights city manager position, Bell said the New Orleans Advocates article contained several inaccuracies that he claimed were either misunderstandings of his history, blatant attempts to attack his credibility or were racially motivated. The Advocate cited a 2006 article in the Tallahassee-Democrat newspaper that indicated Bell was fired from two positions in Florida state government. Bell denied that he was fired. Also on MLive: Whitehall schools gave up on graduating seniors by canceling commencement, frustrated parents say Muskegon Lumberjacks plan to start 2020-21 hockey season in September Business as usual at Pronto Pups, after owners controversial social media post Samsung is expected to announce the all-new Galaxy Note 20 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event on August 5. As per the leaks, the company will reveal three smartphones in its Galaxy Note lineup this year. Along with the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus, Samsung will also launch the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. We have already seen several leaks about the Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Plus smartphones. As of now, there isnt much information available about the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. However, it has now been spotted on an Indonesian carriers certification website confirming its name. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra certification confirms its name According to the listing, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with the model number SM-985F. Previously, a few leaks mentioned the SM-985F to be launched as the Galaxy Note 20 Plus. Now, we can sort of unofficially confirm that the SM-985F is Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Advertisement This will be the first time Samsung will introduce three Galaxy Note smartphones. As seen with the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the upcoming Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will be the top-spec variant with all the bells and whistles you can expect from a Samsungs premium flagship. The SM-N985F was recently certified by the FCC, which confirms it is a 4G variant. An earlier leak hinted the company will launch the SM-N985F with no 5G support in Europe. Just like earlier, Samsung will launch its flagship Galaxy smartphones with an Exynos chipset in Europe and India. Most likely, the company will be using the Exynos 990 SoC. Samsung might only launch the 4G variant in Europe Compared to the 5G variant, the 4G variant should be costing a bit less. Still, we have to take this information with a pinch of salt, as there is no official confirmation yet. Samsung is said to be expecting lower demand for the Galaxy Note 20 series amid the ongoing pandemic. A recent South Korean report also suggests these new smartphones could be priced a bit lower than their predecessors. Advertisement The leaked Galaxy Note 20 renders in the Mystic Bronze color have already given us the first look at their design. For the first time, we will also be seeing a periscope zoom camera on the Galaxy Note lineup. All three variants might sport a triple camera setup on the rear. Obviously, the company will be using different sensors on each device. Moreover, the S Pen could also get new features like the leaked Pointer feature. It allows the user to navigate through the UI by moving the S Pen in the air. Samsung is also expected to reveal the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Fold 2, and Galaxy Tab S7 during the same event. Weve all been working together, Ms. Shalala said of the commissioners, two of whom were named by Democrats and two by Republicans. Weve been producing first-class reports. But its killing us. Its hard to do hearings without staff. For months, lawmakers and outside groups have prodded Ms. Pelosi and Mr. McConnell to quickly reach a compromise and choose a chair for the committee. Along with General Dunford, Sheila C. Bair, a former chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, has also been floated as a potential chair. Filling the job has been a particular challenge given the glaringly partisan nature of the political debate around the coronavirus and the Trump administrations response, which has made it difficult for Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to find a willing candidate upon whom they can agree. Further deepening the challenge are Senate ethics rules that bar from the position anyone employed for more than 90 days in the current calendar year or earning more than $25,000 from serving as an officer of a public company. The pay for commission members who are not federal employees is prorated based on annual pay of around $219,000, according to the stimulus law. One of the people familiar with the situation said that General Dunford had withdrawn because he had determined that service on the board was not compatible with his other commitments. Last month, Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Katie Porter, both Democrats of California, sent a letter to legislative leaders urging greater oversight of how the Trump administration was handling billions of dollars in relief funds. They argued the Trump administration was dragging its feet on distributing the money, and should be subject to tough questioning from the body. Every dollar that is not spent in the direct service of the American people, through programs like stimulus payments and expanded unemployment benefits, must be accounted for, and every decision as to how those dollars are spent must be scrutinized, Ms. Harris and Ms. Porter wrote. DCR Telecommunications, a company based in Reno, Nevada, announced the availability of high-quality, flexible and affordable business phone systems, VoIP managed services, and CCTV solutions. RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / DCR Telecommunications, a company based in Reno, Nevada, announced the availability of a turn-key business communication and security solution. The company provides business phone system, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and CCTV security system installation for clients in Reno and the Truckee Meadows area. More details can be found https://www.dcrtel.com. The latest announcement aims to provide the local business community with a flexible, affordable and reliable communications and security solution. The company offers high-quality business phone systems for companies across sectors. Services include the installation of new telephone systems or the upgrade of existing systems, servicing and relocation, and any others. Modern VoIP solutions are also available. DCR Telecommunications is a certified reseller of Allworx and ESIP Servers, two leading providers of VoIP technologies. Clients can benefit from the integration of their existing desk phone to their smart devices. All VoIP solutions are available on buy and lease plans, with low service costs and affordable annual service contrasts. Both hosted and hybrid systems are available. Unlike standard telephone systems, VoIP uses digital data to ensure high standards of audio quality and reliability while substantially reducing costs. Businesses implementing this solution benefit from the flexibility offered by a call center, including auto attendant, conference calls, CRM integration, unlimited scalability, mobile app integration, and many others. With the latest update, DCR Telecommunications continues to expand its range of high-quality services to meet the needs of business clients in Reno and the surrounding areas. The company's main goal is to offer high-quality products at affordable products, thus allowing businesses to work efficiently and become more productive. Story continues DCR Telecommunications was founded in 2000 by Dave and Chris Reinitz. The two have been a part of the Reno/Sparks community for over thirty years and have served countless business in the Truckee Meadows area. Dave Reinitz, company owner and president, is an US Army veteran with decades of experience in the telecommunications industry. "I worked for corporate America 22 years", said Dave. "I felt at that time that I could truly provide a better service to the client and a fair price than the big corporate companies. DCR was born in 2000, and my vision of customer service has been realized. DCR's standard of commitment to the customer is second to none in this community." Interested parties can find more information by visiting the above-mentioned website. Contact Info: Name: David Reinitz Email: Send Email Organization: DCR Telecommunications Address: 795 Robin St, Reno, NV 89509, United States Phone: +1-775-972-3476 Website: https://www.dcrtel.com/ SOURCE: DCR Telecommunications View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/597540/Reno-NV-VoIP-BusinessPhoneSystem-Installation-Hosted-ManagedServices-SipTrunks HK 'opposition camp primaries' 'a political farce' Global Times By Zhang Hui Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/13 23:13:40 Lawmakers should perform duties under 'one country, two systems' The "Hong Kong pan-democracy camp" or opposition camp's so-called primary election is a political farce and mobilization for disrupting Legislative Council (LegCo) elections in September, mainland analysts said. The opposition camp also demonized the national security law for Hong Kong - claiming that the law threatens the "primaries." But experts noted that this was rather far-fetched, as the law neither targets normal political activities in the city nor every politician in the opposition camp. More than 590,000 voters cast their votes online, and another 20,000 voters did so at polling stations, radical Hong Kong anti-government political activist Tai Yiu-ting claimed on Facebook on Monday. He called the number "record breaking." However, some analysts believe the number was hyped by the opposition camp, and the camp has tried to fake public support, with the actual number far below the number claimed. A spokesperson for the central government's liaison office in the HKSAR on Monday condemned the Hong Kong opposition camp for orchestrating illegal "primaries," saying that such political activity is suspected of violating the national security law for Hong Kong and the local election rules. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at a press conference on Monday that she will not call the political activities made by the opposition camp "the primaries" because in fact there is no "primary" in the Hong Kong election system. Hong Kong residents have the right to vote, but the activities "must be fair, open" and the HKSAR government will not tolerate any interruption to the LegCo elections in September, she said. Lam further said that the government has received numerous complaints that "the primaries" were unfair and violated the government's public gathering ban. Hong Kong authorities will continue to investigate and will respond to any illegal practices in these activities, Hong Kong-based media hk01 reported. The credibility of the "primaries" was widely questioned as local media reported that voters found that their votes at two different stations both showed success, and the voting station workers did not verify their IDs and addresses, which raised questions of possible duplicate voting, Hong Kong media Oriental Daily reported. Hong Kong police raided a polling institute on Friday on suspicions that the computers there had been hacked, leading to a leak of personal information. The institute had planned to work with the opposition camp's "primary." The incident triggered speculation that the opposition camp may hire hackers to serve their "primaries." Zhi Zhenfeng, a legal expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said that the online voting is an open voting, which allows all eligible people to vote. If the organizer failed to strictly check the IDs and IP addresses of the voters, then what's the meaning of the vote? In hyping public support, the opposition forces also tried every possible means to connect the "primaries" with the national security law for Hong Kong. Some foreign media also claimed that the turnout was seen as a test of opposition to the national security law, and a test whether the central government will use the law to interfere in the voting or destroy the "elections." Analysts said the opposition camp prepared the "primaries" since early this year, which clearly had no relation to the new law. They used the "primaries" and hyped the national security law to gain themselves some political space and attention, and then tried to turn this attention into ballots in the LegCo elections, but they have to give themselves a proper position. Otherwise, they will be a political joke and marginalized, experts said. Their aim was to secure at least 35 seats in September's LegCo elections and then coerce or paralyze the Hong Kong government, Tang Fei, a member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times. Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, a solicitor at the Supreme Court of Hong Kong, said some candidates and people inciting the "primaries" such as Tai have long been known for their connections to the US, and if they colluded with foreign forces in their "elections," the law enforcement department must investigate their "primaries." It is highly questionable whether the "primaries" were an act of democracy under the framework of "one country, two systems" or a Trojan Horse, Zhi said. Fan Peng, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Political Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that the central government will not undermine the current election rules of Hong Kong or completely eliminate the opposition camp after the national security law for Hong Kong took effect. Fan said opposition candidates have reached the crossroads where they could perform their duties under the "one country, two systems" or incite riots, hatred and mess up Hong Kong. If they choose to continue to use the elections for political gain, collude with external forces, incite hatred or even show secessionism in their oath, they would be dealt with by the national security law for Hong Kong, Fan said, noting this has nothing to do with the election itself. Zhang Xiaoming, a deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, explained in a press conference on July 1 that speculations claiming the enactment of the national security law is aimed at preventing opposition forces from being elected to the Legislative Council make the legislative purpose of the law too utilitarian and short-sighted, and the law does not treat the whole opposition camp in Hong Kong as an enemy. It targets only a few people, and not the entire opposition, Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address (TNS) - Texas and California will receive about 740 military medical and support personnel as part of ongoing coronavirus operations as the number of infected people in those states continues to climb, U.S. Army North announced Monday.Troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force were sent Monday at the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state officials and will primarily help civilian medical staff in their facilities."We are committed to assisting those in need as part of the ongoing whole-of-America response to [coronavirus]," said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Army North, which will oversee operations. "At the same time, we remain flexible and capable of providing other defense support to civil authorities as necessary."Texas will receive the bulk of the support, about 580 military medical and support personnel from the Army and Navy, which will be focused on Houston and San Antonio, according to the news release.The state reported 5,655 new coronavirus cases Monday and has seen more than 264,000 positive cases total since the pandemic began, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. A reported 3,235 people in Texas have died from the virus.About 160 military medical and support personnel from the Air Force will deploy to California to support FEMA and the state, where 8,460 new cases of coronavirus were reported Sunday, according to the California Department of Public Health. The state now has a total of 320,804 positive cases and a total of 7,017 deaths.Texass first troops, an 85-member enhanced Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force from the 627th Hospital Center, Fort Carson, Colo., arrived in San Antonio on July 6 and began treating patients at five San Antonio area hospitals three days later. Its soldiers come from several locations, including Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Friday that a second 85-member team will arrive Monday in Houston."Texas is grateful to the U.S. Department of Defense for providing these additional resources to Houston and San Antonio as we work to slow the spread of [coronavirus] and care for our fellow Texans," Abbott said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our local and federal partners to help ensure that all medical needs are met in Houston, San Antonio, and throughout the state."Four more 85-person Army teams, along with a 44-person Acute Care Team and four, seven-person Rapid Rural Response Teams from the Navy were also activated for statewide efforts in Texas."It's an honor to be in San Antonio, Texas, providing care to patients alongside local hospital staff," said Army Capt. Sarah Kopaciewicz, a critical care nurse embedded with Christus Westover Hills Medical Center. "I was doing similar work, treating [coronavirus] patients, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State before being employed here."In addition to Christus Westover Hills Medical Center, critical care nurses, emergency room nurses, medical surgical nurses, and respiratory specialists from the 627th Hospital Center are serving at Baptist Health Center, Christus Santa Rosa Medical Center, Methodist Metropolitan and University Hospital."Our soldiers train daily to maintain clinical skills so we can save and sustain lives wherever and whenever the nation calls," said Army Lt. Col. Jason Hughes, commander of the 627ths team in San Antonio. "We're proud to be here to support FEMA and Texas, and will work side by side with hospital workers to help communities as long as we are needed."Thayer.rose@stripes.comTwitter: @Rose_Lori2020 the Stars and StripesVisit the Stars and Stripes at www.stripes.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Boris Johnson has been accused of 'letting down' northern voters who helped him win a majority amid a row over the future of coal. The last coal mining company in England has urged ministers to make a decision on a new open-cast site after it started laying off staff as its sites cease production. Banks Mining is due to stop work at its final surface mine at Bradley, County Durham, next month. Redundancies: Banks Mining, the last coal mining company in England has urged ministers to make a decision on a new open-cast site after it started the process of laying off staff It has been waiting since April to hear if it can start production at the controversial Highthorn site near picturesque Druridge Bay, Northumberland, which has been opposed by locals. A planning decision is yet to be announced by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick. Normally Banks would operate a surface mine until the coal was extracted, restore the site, then move on to another, but it currently has nowhere else to go. The firm said British industry still needs more than 5m tons of coal a year, some of it used to make steel and concrete, and this would have to be imported from Russia, which operates less environmentally-friendly mines, with the added carbon cost of transporting it to the UK. With 250 jobs under threat, Banks managing director Gavin Styles and workers urged the Government to make a decision. Plant operator Steven White, 57, who has worked for the firm for 41 years, said: 'I am angry more than anything else that there is so much need for this coal and yet the Government seems to be ignoring us. 'I voted for Boris, which makes me even more angry. I think he's letting us down a bit.' Shop steward Graham Walton, in a message to Mr Jenrick, said: 'Stop messing about, give us our jobs and let us provide the coal that the country needs.' Production manager David Paterson said: 'It's absolutely gutting, it's unknown of for guys to spend north of 40 years working for the same company. 'That's testament to how Banks treat their employees,' he said. 'They have nowhere to go because of Government indecision.' The family's lawyer said the lawsuit seeks to set a precedent 'that makes it financially prohibitive for police to wrongfully kill marginalised people in the future' Minneapolis: George Floyd's family filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death, alleging the officers violated Floyd's rights when they restrained him and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. The civil rights lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Minnesota, was announced by attorney Ben Crump and other lawyers representing Floyd's family members. This complaint shows what we have said all along, that Floyd died because the weight of the entire Minneapolis Police Department was on his neck, Crump said in a statement. The City of Minneapolis has a history of policies, procedures and deliberate indifference that violates the rights of arrestees, particularly Black men, and highlights the need for officer training and discipline." Crump said the lawsuit seeks to set a precedent "that makes it financially prohibitive for police to wrongfully kill marginalised people especially Black people in the future". A message seeking comment from the city attorney's office was not immediately returned. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died 25 May after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldnt breathe. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers at the scene Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired the day after Floyd's death, which set off protests that spread around the world and turned into a national reckoning on race in America. Floyd's death also sparked calls to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a new public safety department. A majority of City Council members support the move, saying the department has a long history and culture of brutality that has resisted change. A public hearing was planned later Wednesday on the proposal, which requires a change in the city's charter that could go to voters in November. The lawsuit comes on the same day that a court allowed public viewing by appointment of video from the body cameras of Lane and Kueng. A coalition of news organisations and attorneys for Lane and Kueng have been advocating to make the videos public, saying they would provide a more complete picture of what happened when Floyd was taken into custody. The judge hasn't said why he's not allowing the video to be disseminated more widely. According to documents in state probate court, Floyd is survived by 11 known heirs, including five children and six siblings. They live in Texas, North Carolina, Florida and New York. All but one of Floyds children are adults. He has no living parents or grandparents. Kaarin Nelson Schaffer, named last week as the trustee for Floyd's family, is the plaintiff in the federal lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and special damages in an amount to be determined by a jury. The complaint also asks for a receiver to be appointed to ensure that the city properly trains and supervises its police officers in the future. The families of victims of other high-profile police shootings have received high payouts in Minnesota. Last year, Minneapolis agreed to pay $20 million to the family of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, an unarmed woman who was shot by an officer after she called 911 to report hearing a possible crime happening behind her home. The settlement came three days after the officer, Mohamed Noor, was convicted of murdering her and is believed to be the largest payout ever stemming from police violence in Minnesota. At the time, Mayor Jacob Frey cited Noors unprecedented conviction and his failure to identify a threat before he used deadly force as reasons for the large settlement. The mother of Philando Castile, a black motorist killed by an officer in 2016, reached a nearly $3 million settlement with the suburb of St. Anthony, which employed the officer. The officer, Jeronimo Yanez, was acquitted of manslaughter and other charges. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Star of Real Housewives of Atlanta Porsha Williams was arrested today at a protest calling for justice for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. Williams was arrested alongside 87 other protesters after organizing outside Kentucky attorney general Daniel Camerons home. Williams and the other protesters were all charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process (Class D felony), Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree (Class B misdemeanor), and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. (Violation), according to Louisville reporter Sarah Ladd. Williamss fiance, Dennis McKinley, shared a video on Instagram of police escorting Williams away from the demonstration. Earlier today, before the protest, Williams shared a call to action on Instagram, writing, Were in Louisville and our bottom line is there MUST be JUSTICE for #BREONNATAYLOR. Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in Louisville by Louisville police officers this past March; none of the officers involved in Taylors death has yet been arrested or charged with any crime. With a growing number of multinationals looking to set a foothold in Vietnam, the country is having a great opportunity from a new wave of foreign investment, according to the trade ministry. LG is expanding operation in Vietnam. Major global tech firms, including LG, Panasonic, or Foxconn, are looking to shift or expand production in Vietnam in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period, a report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has stated. With a growing number of multinationals looking to set a foothold in Vietnam, the country is having a major opportunity from a new wave of foreign direct investment, VnExpress reported, citing a semi-annual industrial production report by the MoIT. According to the ministry, South Korean tech giant LG has moved its entire production facility to northern city Hai Phong. Chairman of the Hai Phong Peoples Committee Nguyen Van Tung at a recent government conference said the city was seeking government approval for the expansion of an industrial park ahead of LG's plan, following the corporations first plant in the city in 2015. In addition to LG, Panasonic Vietnam is preparing for the relocation of a production chain for refrigerators and washing machines from Thailand, scheduled to take place in early September, informed the MoIT. Apple also plans to produce 30% of its total classic AirPods, equivalent to three to four million units, in Vietnam via Foxconn, after having started the process in March. Foxconn currently has a production plant in Bac Giang and is proposing three social housing projects in the northern region near its industrial parks with a total investment of over VND7.4 trillion (US$319.47 million). Specifically, the three projects would be located in Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Vinh Phuc. Among them, the one in Bac Giang is expected to be the largest with an investment of VND3.42 trillion (US$150 million) on an area of 16.7 hectares. The remaining two projects in Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc have investment capital of VND2.92 trillion (US$125 million) and VND1 trillion (US$43.17 million), respectively. Vietnams early containment of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to other parts of the world is considered a major factor attracting investment to the country. Despite the impacts of the Covid-19, an increase in capital inflows into the field of electronic production has helped the country maintain a positive growth rate in the first half of the year. Data from the MoIT demonstrated the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for electronic, optical products, and computers rose 29.3% month-on-month in June and 21.7% year-on-year. Exports of these products during the period stood at US$19.3 billion, up 24% year-on-year, while the turnover of phones and parts was US$21.5 billion. The MoIT forecast electronic production would continue to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as demand from major markets in the US or Europe is expected to stay low for a foreseeable future. Samsung anticipated a decrease in production capacity and revenue in this year due to Covid-19. As a result, Samsung Vietnam has revised down its export target to US$45.5 billion this year, down from US$51.4 billion in 2019. Hanoitimes Hai Yen Foreign investors expected to own 35 percent of stake in VN petrol and oil firms The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has proposed the Government to allow petrol and oil businesses to transfer stakes to foreign investors, but not exceeding 35 per cent. The stretch of 90-degree days in the nation's capital fell just short of tying its 21-day record on Thursday as temperatures settled at 87 degrees. The preceding days had barely scraped the 90-degree threshold. Washington, D.C., had seen its 20th straight 90-degree day on Wednesday, recorded at Reagan National Airport shortly before 1 p.m. EDT. The streak needed to continue through Friday to break the record for most consecutive 90-degree plus days, a record shared by the summers of 1980 and 1988. However, cooling conditions ended up getting the best of the rising temperatures, and the location where official temperature recordings are taken, at the airport, also played a factor. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski had said that although forecasters expected to see a high temperature near 90 F on Thursday, a slight breeze off the Potomac River could interfere with temperatures at Reagan National Airport. "The airport sits right along the west shores of the Potomac River, where the water temperature is cooler than the land," Sosnowski said. If the breeze had ended up blowing south-southwest, the record might have stood a chance, according to Sosnowski. However, a south-southeasterly flow ended up contributing to the shortcomings of Thursday's temperatures. Sosnowski added that more clouds around on Thursday, compared to other days this week, may also have been a factor. Wednesday's mark gave the city its second-longest streak ever, moving past the previous mark set way back in 1872. Earlier this week, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Cody Ledbetter told AccuWeather that he viewed Monday and Tuesday's conditions as the biggest threats to snap the streak. Many states away, enough new record book chapters have been rewritten in the Southwest that some areas might as well just get an entirely new record book. On Tuesday, another 15 daily records were set or matched in Texas alone. According to NWS meteorologist Jeff Vitale, who works in the Lubbock, Texas, office, conditions have hardly budged in the past week, keeping the blanket of heat draped over the region. Story continues "We've seen this upper-level ridge over the area for the past week and it's coupled with the relatively dry spring we had," Vitale told AccuWeather. "The dryness contributed to the amount of heat. We're in a drought at the moment." The drought conditions started in the spring and robbed the area of the normal wet period of the year, which typically occurs in May and June. Vitale said those same drought conditions have extended over the New Mexico state line. Lubbock saw new daily high temperature records set on both Monday and Tuesday this week, starting the week off on a historically sweaty note. Monday's high in the city reached 110 F and Tuesday's high reached even higher to 111 F. Elsewhere in Texas, new daily record high temperatures were set in Amarillo, Borger, Childress, Del Rio, Miami, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, and Victoria. In Midland, residents saw the all-time high temperature record from 1933 fall as thermometers reached 111 F. AccuWeather's National Reporter Bill Wadell reported this week that some water parks have reopened at half capacity to help residents cool down in the extreme Texas heat while following coronavirus safety guidelines. He said that even AccuWeather RealFeel Shade values have been eclipsing the 100-degree mark, adding to the grueling nature of the heat wave. The heat has been so intense that it forced organizers to cancel several historic cattle drives in Fort Worth, Texas. And cattle drivers are paying special attention to give the animals extra water, shade and care during the searing heat. "Animals are just like us. They get too hot just like we do," Lynette Jones of Springfield, Illinois, told Wadell. She traveled to Fort Worth specifically to see a cattle drive and visit family. Temperatures have topped out in the high 90s for the last several days there and are forecast to reach triple digits over the next couple of days. The recent record-breaking heat in Texas forced organizers to cancel cattle drives in Fort Worth, disappointing visitors who came in from around the country. (AccuWeather / Bill Wadell) For many Texans, the annually hot summer conditions may not be out of the norm, but this year's particularly intense heat is hard to live in, even for the most adapted residents. "We're used to it normally being pretty warm this time of year," Vitale said. "But this is pretty excessive." Additional reporting by AccuWeather's Bill Wadell. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. A man suffered life-threatening injuries in a Tuesday night shooting near a convenience store in Boston, news outlets reported. The shooting was reported around 9:15 p.m. near the M & R Store on Shawmut Avenue in Roxbury, WBZ reported. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, according to a report from NECN. It is unclear whether the man was shot inside the convenience store or outdoors, the news outlet reported. No arrests have been made, police told NECN. An area near the shooting was blocked off as Boston police investigated, WBZ reported. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Berlin, July 15 : German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany is willing to compromise on the European recovery fund at the upcoming summit of the European Union (EU) leaders. "We will of course go to Brussels and the German side has a certain stock of willingness to compromise," Merkel said on Tuesday during a press conference ahead of a preparatory meeting with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xinhua news agency reported. "It would be desirable to reach a quick result but I don't know whether there will be a success on Friday and Saturday," added Merkel, saying that time is pressing and the EU must act in an unusual, unprecedented situation and learn from the coronavirus pandemic. Sanchez said that July must be the month of decision and Spain would do everything for that. "If we postpone the agreement again, we will postpone the reconstruction. And if we postpone reconstruction, the crisis will be even more serious." Sanchez also predicted difficult negotiations and called on the other EU members to work on an agreement. At the same time, Sanchez emphasized that the EU members have different visions of where Europe should be headed, and each one of these is legitimate. Back in May, the European Commission proposed a 750-billion-euro (US $852 billion) recovery fund to help the bloc emerge from the pandemic-triggered economic crisis. This fund will be the focus of the special EU summit on July 17 and 18 in Brussels. According to the plan, 500 billion euros of this debt-financed recovery fund are to be granted as grants and 250 billion as loans. However, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria oppose providing the aid as grants, and argue that the aid must be linked to reforms. European leaders are busy visiting each other to prepare for the summit, with Germany, the current EU Council presidency, in the focus. Merkel met last week with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Italy and Spain are among the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe and both need financial aid. Sony's new wireless speakers come with IP67 rating, Google Assistant support, and more. Sony has launched three new wireless speakers in India under its SRS-XB series. The new Sony speakers will be available in India starting July 16. Sonys latest speaker lineup includes SRS-XB43, SRS-XB33 and SRS-XB23 priced at 16,990, 12,990 and 8,990 respectively. The speakers come in colour options of black, blue, red and green, and will be available via online platforms, electronic stores and Sony retail stores. The SRS-XB33 and XB23 feature a non-circular speaker design adding more sound pressure. The SRS-XB43 has a more rectangular design along with a 2-way speaker system. All three speakers are equipped with Sonys Extra Bass. The speakers are also IP67-rated for water, dust and rust resistance. Sony has also added a shockproof durable design which is claimed to make the speakers withstand knocks, bumps and scrapes. The speakers have a built-in microphone, and come with support for Google Assistant. The speakers are equipped with a USB Type-C port for charging. ALSO READ: Sony WF-XB700, WF-SP800N wireless earbuds launched in India starting at 9,990 In terms of battery life, the SRS-XB43 and XB33 can offer up to 24 hours of music playback. The SRS-XB23 has a lower battery capacity with up to 12 hours of music playback and 10 hours with EXTRA BASS. More features on the SRS-XB speakers include Party Connect which supports up to 100 compatible speakers via Bluetooth. Theres a Sony Music Centre app as well through which users can control the music playback and the lights as well. Speaking of which, the SRS-XB43 and SRS-XB33 feature a multi-coloured line light, tweeter light and speaker light. Artistes thank people of West Berkshire for their help THEYRE going home. Eight international circus performers who were stranded in Newbury, unable to perform since March 15 due to the coronavirus lockdown, are on their way back to Mongolia. The artists, who had been living at Zippos Circus in Enborne, had managed to raise enough money from family and friends to afford flights from Istanbul to Mongolia, but had been in desperate need of funds for a flight from Heathrow to Istanbul. Their prayers have now been answered after fundraising efforts through the Newbury Weekly News, Portsmouth-based charity Caritas and a discretionary grant from West Berkshire Council raised enough money to pay for the flights. They departed London on July 8 and the next day flew back to Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Zippos Circus founder and director Martin Burton, said: Theyre delighted that theyll soon be home with their families. Some of them wont have seen their children or families for 18 months. Its particularly trying because if coronavirus wasnt enough in their lives, they heard a few days ago that the bubonic plague is now rife in Mongolia. Theyre keen to get home and be with their families and children and to look after them. It was reported by the NWN on June 11 that the Mongolian performers were seeking around 6,000 to be able to go home after being left with no work and with no recourse to public funds due to their Tier 5 visas. The group survived on donations from strangers and from West Berkshire Foodbank. After fundraising efforts by charities such as Caritas, the social action agency of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, there was a shortfall of around 2,500. This was raised by a special discretionary grant from West Berkshire Council, which all local authorities nationally are encouraged to give to businesses who dont pay business rates. Mr Burton thanked the people of Newbury on behalf of the performers. He continued: We wouldnt have been able to do it without the Newbury Weekly News. The performers are all tremendously grateful to the people of Newbury for enabling them to get home safely. Theyre circus artists, so they want to live and perform at a circus and theyre very sorry theyve been unable to do that since March 15, but theyve enjoyed their time in West Berkshire. Theyve been spending their time today [Tuesday] with a number of other circus artists handing a letter to the Prime Minister in London trying to persuade him to remember that circuses exist, because he seems to have forgotten. We hope they do return to us, but it wont be until 2021 at the very earliest. NEWTOWN A judge has ruled that information 10 Sandy Hook families are seeking from gunmaker Remington in a wrongful death lawsuit are fair game, and Remington must act in good faith to provide it. The obligation to act in good faith and provide documents within their knowledge, possession, or power rests on (Remington), and it is fair game for the (families) to discover whether the defendants met their obligations, wrote Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis in a ruling on Tuesday. The ruling sends the nations oldest gunmaker back to the negotiating table with lawyers for nine families who lost loved ones and a teacher who was shot in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, as the two sides prepare for a 2021 trial. Tuesdays ruling against Remington represents the families latest victory in their six-year battle charging the maker of the AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting with reckless marketing, in violation of Connecticuts Unfair Trade Practices Act. In mid-June, Bellis permitted the families attorneys to question the gunmakers executives under oath about its internal organization and procedures questions which Remington considered invasive and improper. Autumn Driscoll The families lawsuit, once considered to have a slight chance of winning, has become the nations most visible case of victims suing a gunmaker over a mass shooting. Bellis ruling on Tuesday stems from a dispute between the two sides over Remingtons objection to naming every person the company has contacted for any statements, documents, and/or communication concerning the December 14, 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, including statements, documents, and/or communications concerning responses to the shooting and/or the shooter from the time of the shooting through December 31, 2016. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media / (Remingtons) obligation in responding to requests for documents is to make reasonable searches for responsive documents, Remingtons attorneys argued in a July 13 brief to Bellis. That is what (Remington has) done and will continue to do in responding to ... each of (the families) more than 70 separate requests for documents, which to date has resulted in production of tens of thousands of documents, consisting of more than 100,000 pages. Bellis disagreed. The court rejects the Remington defendants arguments that Remington defense counsel determines which Remington employees might possess responsive documents without further explanation, Bellis wrote in her Tuesday ruling. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 With Sachin Pilots ouster as Deputy Chief Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief of Rajasthan, it is deja vu all over again. The development comes close on the heels of the exit of Jyotiraditya Scindia in Madhya Pradesh under similar circumstances. While Pilots future has been speculated ever since Scindia made the switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), there could be more such exits of young politicians from a rudderless Congress in days to come. While it is clear that the Congress High Command waited till the horses.bolted (to borrow Congress leader Kapil Sibals phrase) to try and placate Pilot, one wonders if the high profile exits of Scindia and Pilot are purely accidental or part of a larger design. Back in 2003, following the Shimla Conclave, efforts were on in the Congress to identify a slew of young and promising faces to make their political debuts with a then shy and bespectacled 33-year-old Rahul Gandhi. Scindia was already an MP following the tragic death of his father Madhavrao Scindia in 2001, and Pilot had barely qualified to contest an election at 25. While Gandhi steadfastly stayed away from ministerial positions despite being prodded more than once by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, fellow Congress dynasts such as Scindia and Pilot made their mark as ministers and parliamentarians. When it was their turn to grab chief ministerial positions after leading Congress to victory in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively in late 2018, their ambitions were thwarted, and were instead asked to wait for their turn. True, both Scindia and Pilot had taken giant strides by then initially on account of their lineage, and later on their own ability. Yet, a chief ministerial position was seen as too high-profile by the Gandhi coterie for Scindia or Pilot to occupy before Gandhi could make his mark. After all, Narendra Modi had emerged as a prime ministerial contender in the BJP by his perceived success as Gujarat Chief Minister and such a risk was not advisable as the less talented Gandhi, who had qualified for Congress presidency purely on account of his lineage, had still not delivered. The need to contain leaders seen as contenders to Rahul Gandhi became all the more incumbent as Gandhi had stepped down as Congress President following the 2019 general election rout. With Scindia and Pilots exits in quick succession, there is no one else within the Congress to even figure as a name to rival Gandhi and, his comeback as President can now be orchestrated swiftly for want of a contender. It has to be underscored that its not the old guard versus young guard at play here, but merit versus mediocrity. Although Gandhi began the race together with Scindia, Pilot and the others, his fellow Congress dynasts have left Gandhi way behind. That explains the ploy to cut to size anyone who emerged as a threat to the chosen one by the seniors and juniors alike in the AICC coterie. This is where arguments like Scindia and Pilot were young men in a hurry or over-ambitious doesnt really cut ice. What prevents young men from aspiring for key political positions? Pilot definitely earned it he slogged it in the desert state for five years building up the organisation and rank and file after the 2013 rout when Congress was reduced to 21 seats after Ashok Gehlots second term. The argument that Gehlot commanded majority in the legislature party following the election is also a bit disingenuous, for the decision was arrived at by the AICC in Delhi. It also needs to be remembered that Gehlot himself was in Pilots shoes in 1998 when he got the nod over veteran Parasram Maderna as Chief Minister. The likes of Digvijaya Singh in Madhya Pradesh and Gehlot in Rajasthan emerged as chief ministerial faces in their forties, but the charismatic duo of Scindia and Pilot are left to wait their turn for Gandhi to leapfrog them than anything else. Congress can ill-afford such attrition at a time the oppositions role is under the scanner more than ever. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) - The Department of Health said Tuesday that Metro Manilas critical care capacity is now at danger level as more than 70 percent of isolation and ward beds for COVID-19 patients are already occupied. Health Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire explained that being in the danger zone means the utilization rate of COVID-19 facilities is at 70 to 100 percent. Vergeire said 73.7 percent of isolation beds and 77.4 percent of ward beds for COVID-19 patients of the capital region are already occupied as of July 12. On the other hand, 61 percent of intensive care unit beds are occupied while 36.3 percent of mechanical ventilators are currently being used by patients. The DOH said that it is already coordinating with hospitals and treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMFs) in case there is a surge of cases in the country. Nakikipag-ugnayan din po kami sa mga LGUs at TTMFs para magkaroon ng maayos na referral system upang ang mga mild na kaso mula sa ospital ay i-refer na lamang sa TTMFs para ma-decongest ang ating mga ospital, said Vergeire. [Translation: We are coordinating with local government units and TTMFs in order to have an orderly referral system, so that those with mild symptoms confined in hospitals can be referred to TTMFs in order to decongest our hospitals.] Vergeire announced earlier that there are currently nine hospitals in the country that have reached maximum bed capacity for COVID-19 patients. They are University of Santo Tomas Hospital, FY Manalo Medical Foundation Inc., Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, Qualimed Health Network Sta. Rosa, UPH-Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University Foundation Inc., Tricity Medical Center Inc., Westlake Medical Center, Antipolo City Medical Hospital, and Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center Inc. READ: St. Lukes, Makati Med COVID-19 facilities already at full capacity The DOH today reported 634 new COVID-19 infections, raising the countrys total to 57,545. Overall, the country has 14,945 ICU, isolation, and ward beds for COVID-19 patients with 49-percent utilization rate. Vergeire said that the utilization rate of these beds is still at warning zone, which means that the countrys health system is still operating at normal capacity. However, Vergeire said that being in the warning level is also an indicator that hospitals should prepare for sudden increase of cases. As such, the DOH is requesting hospitals to convert 30 percent of their beds into COVID-dedicated beds based on Administrative Order 2020-0016. READ: DOH: Private hospitals show low compliance rate for COVID beds amid reports of full capacity Moreover, DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega suggested that public and private hospitals should collaborate in order to provide more access to COVID-19 patients. One way of doing this is to come up with a good network and collaboration between the public and private. With one hospital command, wherein we will see in a dashboard where the free ICUs are free and where we can refer these patients, Vega told CNN Philippines. What we are trying to do here is not just to expand the number of beds in the private [hospitals]...but also making a system out of the public and private institutions to give more access to patients with Covid, he added. Staff of Shinhan Bank's branch in Yangon, Myanmar, address customers in this photo provided by Shinhan Bank. / Courtesy of Shinhan Bank By Kim Bo-eun Banks are expanding their presence in Myanmar, as they seek new opportunities in the fast growing Southeast Asian country. Myanmar is drawing the attention of financial firms, as a rising economy which has recorded an average of 7 percent GDP growth since 2012, and has a young working population. Nonghyup Bank is preparing to expand its existing presence, to offer specialized services in agricultural finance. The lender said last week it acquired approval from local authorities to set up an office in Yangon. The bank has been offering micro financing services via its subsidiary Nonghyup Finance Myanmar since 2016. "Setting up an office paves the way for us to set up a branch as well as a subsidiary," a Nonghyup Bank official said. While he said plans have not yet been specified as the lender is currently in the stage of setting up an office, Nonghyup is seen to be planning to begin a banking business there, based on its area of expertise. Nonghyup Bank, as a commercial bank offers both retail and wholesale banking services, but it is primarily an agricultural bank which provides financing for farmers. "Myanmar is an agriculture-based economy and with our expertise in agricultural finance, we will be able to offer relevant services," the official said. KB Kookmin Bank, along with Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and Korea Development Bank (KDB), received regulatory approval to set up a subsidiary in Myanmar in April. KB Kookmin plans on expanding a mobile banking base there, as well as provide housing finance. KB Kookmin is planning to launch its mobile-based financial services platform "Liiv" in Myanmar. The plan comes after the lender introduced the platform in Cambodia. The platform had 100,000 users as of the end of last year. "The plan is to connect the services of offline bank branches with mobile-based services available on mobile phones," a KB Kookmin Bank official said. "We are seeking to become a global digital banking platform there, because the region lacks competitive digital banking services." As for housing finance, this is an area of expertise for KB Kookmin Bank as the current lender is a merger of Kookmin Bank and Housing & Commercial Bank. "We plan to provide education and consulting on setting up related systems, based on an agreement with the government in Myanmar," the official said. Meanwhile, the state-run IBK and KDB are set to provide financing for Korean firms doing business in Myanmar. There are about 300 Korean companies there. IBK is preparing to change its existing office into a subsidiary in January next year. Shinhan Bank became the first Korean bank to enter Myanmar in 2016, setting up a branch in Yangon. The cloud-based group communication service provides users with instant, media-rich communication including live video streaming, regardless of their network or device. Around the world, businesses rely on group communication to streamline operations and provide better service for their customers. Instantaneous group push-to-talk (PTT) communication is one of the most efficient ways to communicate and is at the core of many business' operations. Today, Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) is taking voice PTT communications further with the launch of WAVE PTX, a subscription-based group communication service that delivers both voice and multimedia content via broadband and Wi-Fi. WAVE PTX allows users to seamlessly communicate across any Android or iOS device with the Mobile App, purpose-built WAVE PTX TLK Series devices and even PCs and tablets connected via Wi-Fi or cellular network. The cloud-based service is designed to meet the operational needs of various industries from large shipping and logistics organisations requiring instant and secure voice communication, to sophisticated retail operations demanding rich communication with video, documents or location data. The solution includes media-rich features such as group text, location sharing, photos, and videos. A powerful video streaming capability allows users access to live video, at the push-of-a-button, to provide other relevant users a view of critical events as they unfold. WAVE PTX allows organizations that rely on two-way radio communications, such as DMR and TETRA, to connect their existing system to the broadband service, thus expanding coverage and functionality. "Today more than ever organizations are looking for communication solutions to help them stay connected with increasingly mobile workforces", said Vivienne Francis, EMEA vice president channels at Motorola Solutions. "WAVE PTX brings together the simplicity of PTT communication with the richness of broadband to provide organizations with the ultimate group communications service". In addition to the Mobile App and TLK Series devices, the WAVE PTX solution includes WAVE PTX Dispatch: an advanced web-based dispatch software that helps organize and coordinate team communications, providing a comprehensive overview of all operations. This includes precise mapping tools to track the location of people and resources, which helps increase situational awareness and protect workers in times of emergency. THE EFFICIENCY AND SIMPLICITY OF PURPOSE-BUILT DEVICES To accompany the WAVE PTX service, Motorola Solutions introduces the new TLK 150 Mobile Two-Way Radio, designed for use in-vehicle, with easy-to-use one-button push-to-talk and hands-free accessories to help avoid driver distraction. The new device includes critical safety features like location tracking and emergency calling and alerts to help drivers remain safe and accounted for, while crisp, clear audio keeps everyone connected. TLK150 is the newest addition to the company's TLK Series, which includes the TLK 100, a handheld device designed exclusively for broadband PTT. TLK 100 optimizes efficiency and ease of use of a two-way radio while providing advanced features like location tracking, 3G/4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, voice announcement and incoming call identification. LEADERSHIP IN BROADBAND PTT COMMUNICATIONS Recently, Motorola Solutions has signed contracts with three major European mobile service providers to provide their customers with mission-critical broadband PTT: Dutch telecom provider KPN, the French telecom operator SFR and Telia, the leading telecom operator in Sweden. KPN and SFR are already providing network-integrated mission-critical broadband PTT service to their customers and have signed contracts with Dutch Rail in the Netherlands and the French National Railway company SNCF in France. Motorola Solutions' broadband PTT service is a 3GPP standards-compliant and future-ready solution that supports seamless interoperability between users on Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) systems as well as 5G, 4G and 3G cellular networks. The service instantly connects teams across different devices, networks, and locations no matter which technology they are using, and the service can be easily scaled to new staff or third-party partners, enabling rapid response to developing situations or changing needs. It is backed by over 15 years of experience in delivering fast, secure, scalable and highly resilient PTT communications to customers with currently over 500 deployments worldwide and more than one million end-users. The carrier-integrated broadband PTT solution has been adopted by leading mobile carriers like AT&T, Bell, Verizon, Sprint, Telstra and Telefonica. About Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical communications and analytics. Our technology platforms in mission-critical communications, command center software, video security analytics, bolstered by managed support services, make cities safer and help communities and businesses thrive. At Motorola Solutions, we are ushering in a new era in public safety and security. Learn more at www.motorolasolutions.com MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2020 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005125/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Maor Aharoni Africa and Israel Communications, Motorola Solutions maor.aharoni@motorolasolutions.com +972 3 5658703 South Africa: Performance agreements between Ministers and President still on track The signing of performance agreements between Ministers and the President are still on track, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu clarified on Tuesday. The signing of performance agreements as a mechanism to hold the Members of the Executive accountable was due to take place from 26 March 2020 but was eclipsed by the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic to the countrys shores. Initially, the President had intended to sign the Performance Agreements with Ministers from 26 March 2020. In this period, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, and on 15 March 2020, President Ramaphosa declared a National State of Disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act, to combat the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected some of the initial plans and budgets of the various departments leading to the review of the APPs. The reprioritisation of budgets also had an impact on the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) targets for financial year 2020-2021, and departments Strategic Plans 2020-2025 and APPs 2020/2021, said the Minister. The Business Day newspaper erroneously reported that President Ramaphosa reneged on his State of the Nation Address commitment to hold Ministers accountable through the signing of performance agreements. The error followed the pronouncement by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), in a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting, that the target of signing of the Performance Agreements was removed from the revised Annual Performance Plan (APP). During the presentation of the revised 2020-2021 APP of the DPME to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, on 10 July 2020, a question arose on the implementation of the performance agreements for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers and Directors-General, as announced by President Ramaphosa in the State of the Nation Address on 13 February 2020. The question was specifically directed at the Minister in the Presidency who unfortunately could not attend the meeting due to other urgent commitments. The Portfolio Committee resolved that the Minister will be requested to clarify the position of the department in writing to the committee. The Minister has since written to the committee indicating that contrary to the misunderstanding that might have arisen, government is going ahead with the signing of the performance agreements of Members of the Executive, in line with the revised APPs of the different national government departments. From the revised APPs as submitted to Parliament last week, we are extracting the responsibilities of Ministers. We are collating these Ministerial responsibilities into draft Performance Agreements to be signed with the President. This process is almost at its tail end, said the Minister. After the President has received the draft revised agreements, he will make his own inputs and further consult with the individual ministers on their revised performance agreements. Once this process is concluded, the President will then sign the revised performance agreements with the Ministers in the next coming weeks. Government remains committed to continue to enhance accountability through a structured performance management system at the executive level, said Mthembu. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2020-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Representative image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of telecom operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea fell 4-7 percent as Reliance Industries' Jio Platforms announced partnership with Google, said it is ready with its 5G technology. Bharti Airtel closed 4.24 percent lower at Rs 564.15 and Vodafone Idea was down 7.39 percent at Rs 8.65. Google has decided to invest Rs 33,737 crore for 7.7 percent stake in in Jio Platforms, which RIL said would build on Jio's and Google's existing efforts to expand the benefits of digitization across the length and breadth of India, beyond the current 500+ million Internet users in the country. "Jio Platforms and Google have also entered into a commercial agreement to jointly develop an entry level affordable smartphone with optimizations to the Android operating system and the Play Store," RIL said. Few months back, there was a buzz of Google investing in Vodafone Idea, which is now off following Jio-Google deal. Another reason for correction in telecom stocks could be that Reliance is ready to launch Made in India 5G solutions for trial once spectrum is auctioned. Also read - RIL AGM key highlights: Mukesh Ambani announces Google deal; Jio readies 5G solution "Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. This will enable us to launch a world-class 5G service in India, using 100 percent home grown technologies and solutions. This Made-in-India 5G solution will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year," Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries said while addressing 43rd AGM. "And because of Jio's converged, all-IP network architecture, we can easily upgrade our 4G network to 5G. Once Jio's 5G solution is proven at India-scale, Jio Platforms would be well positioned to be an exporter of 5G solutions to other telecom operators globally, as a complete managed service," he added. Mukesh Ambani said, "In the next three years, I can see a strong path for Jio to connect over a half a billion mobile customers, over a billion smart sensors; and over 50 million homes and business establishments. - RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, Embibe helping students get access to quality education online - RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, JioHealthHub to provide end-to-end digital health services Cultivating a habit of volunteerism is a positive attitude every individual must embrace in all facets of life whether in the corporate world, academia, community, events, religion, and the like. During my undergraduate days at the University of Ghana, I was always happy to join events, workshops, and training tailored at personal development and acquiring extra-curricular skills. This got me to join voluntary activities both on-campus and off-campus. So why do I want to share this now? The purpose of this article is to share my experience on how the culture of volunteerism I adopted a few years back has shaped my life. I will explain using a few quotes which inspire me. The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. ~Oscar Wilde I always believe Africa and Ghana to specific will always be great if we continue to collectively uphold the good name of the country. I volunteered to be an accredited media representative for Class FM during the 2016 parliamentary and presidential elections for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency in Ghana. I didnt receive any monetary rewards but I did my work happily. I was happy to have been able to contribute my quota to the peaceful elections in 2016 and I pray for peace again in 2020. Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you dont live in the world all of your own. ~Albert Schweitzer Often, the little things we do when volunteering matters a lot. This is because the smile you put on someones face can be the best day of his or her life. I remember last year when I volunteer for Developing Minds and Nurturing Unity (DUNK) at James Town in Accra. Although I am not a good dancer, I was assigned to the dance workshop category to support and help in the coordination of kids. I gladly accepted the role and I was able to cheer the kids up when they did their amazing moves. I also joined the face painting crew and I loved how the kids reacted to these paintings, most of them had not seen it before and were very happy and I was too. Isnt that amazing? Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You dont have to have a college degree to serve. You dont have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You dont have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr. People can see how great you are when you volunteer. In serving others, there are lots of inherent skills and traits inside of you but the act of volunteering will bring them out. This is because people will see the good and point it out to you. I didnt know I could one day become an Associate Trainer of an organization because I wasnt aware of that skill until I was told at a conference. In 2019, I volunteered for Action Aid at the African SDGs Summit in Accra. Before the summit, I had the privilege to be a representative from Action Aid on the consultative board. After day 2 of the summit an Action Aid trainer whom I dont even remember his name told the current Manager for Global Platform Ghana, this lady can be a trainer. I didnt believe I could do it until I participated in a Training for Trainers(Tot). After that, I have successfully facilitated 3 trainings in the Bono Ahafo region of Ghana for two major projects. I didnt know I could do it until I volunteered! Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew There are instances when you have to sacrifice your time although you have other equally important duties and assignments. In 2017 when I was about graduating from the university, I was busily working on my thesis which was a 6-credit hour work. During the same period, my church on campus organises an annual evangelism outreach known as the Presbyterian Students in Church Evangelism (PSICE) in rural areas. I had to sacrifice 2 weeks to travel to Dochrochiwa a village in the Coltar District. At a point I thought I wont be able to finish my thesis but I had to go the extra mile to finish and combine the missions work. In the long run, I passed my thesis very well and for your information, that thesis is available online for downloads. Also, before I decided to volunteer as an ambassador for the second annual Ghana Tech Summit, I was going through hard times in life. This is because I was robbed on my way home from school a week to the summit. The thief took away my laptop, phone, purse, and everything I had on me. I was left with just my handkerchief in my pocket. The painful part is, my masters thesis I had been working on for more than 3 months into the second year on my MPhil program was also stolen and the deadline for my submission was the end of December. But I told myself, I will still volunteer for Ghana tech Summit because I was part of the maiden edition and I want to be part of it every year. The good news is I was able to volunteer, through that I applied to pitch a startup company(JAAQUET GROUP) of which I am a co-founder and I won! Also, I deployed my CID skills into action and got the boys who robbed me arrested. You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. ~Winston Churchill I want to conclude with this quote from Winston Churchill above. Making a living is great but making a life is phenomenal. The life you make can serve as a positive impact on the lives of many people from far and near. Making a living may end when you are no more but when you make a life, generations unborn will reap the fruits of your labor. I have decided to live a purposeful and impact-driven life; will you join me? To my colleague, students all over the world dont finish school without volunteering! If you have finished school already, it is not too late to start volunteering, dont look too far, join or organize communal labor in your community. Help a non-profit organization by supporting a few hours of your time. Apply to volunteer for events, summits, training, boot camps, workshops, and many more. You will meet someone you didnt know and you will learn something new. You can reach out to the author via email: [email protected] Reliance Industries Ltd. Chairman Mukesh Ambani has confirmed the binding partnership and investment agreement between Google and Jio with Google buying 7.7% stakes in the enterprise, following the footsteps of Vista Equity Partners, Intel Capital, TPG and Facebook; Ambani lauded the novel tie as boost to India's economic potential. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a binding partnership with Google to pick up 7.7 per cent stake in Jio platforms for an investment of Rs 33,737 crore, said RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday. Addressing the 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company virtually, Ambani said, We are delighted to welcome Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms. We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement, under which Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for a 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms. He said that the company has attracted investments from most admired tech and financial investors including Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, and TPG, who have a long history of successfully investing in the best tech and growth enterprises. Total funds raised for Jio is Rs 1.5 lakh crore. We welcome ADIA and Mubadala of the UAE and PIF of Saudi Arabia as our valued partners. What they bring is more than money they bring faith in our economys immense growth potential, Ambani said. Also read: Google in talks to invest $4 billion in Reliances digital arm Also read: Hit hard by Covid-19, AirAsia deep in debt Intel and Qualcomm, who have shaped the semiconductor industry, are at the heart of the digital ecosystems. Reliance will work with them to develop new products for India and Indians, he added. Ambani also welcomed Facebook, a global tech powerhouse and a leading social media and internet company, as a premier strategic partner. He said that our world will change more in the next eight decades than it did in the last 20 centuries and expressed confidence that India can lead this change if its enterprises are empowered with necessary tech infrastructure and capabilities. Jio Platforms is conceived with the vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate the transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world, Ambani said. Ambani said Reliance is now truly a zero net debt company and added that the company has an extremely strong balance sheet that will support growth plans for its three Hyper-Growth Engines Jio, Retail and O2C. Cumulatively, RIL has raised Rs 212,809 crore through rights issue, combined investments in Jio Platforms, and investment by BP. It is in excess of our net debt of Rs 161,035 crore at the end of FY19-20, Ambani said. He said that RIL has completed Indias largest-ever Rs 53,124 crore rights issue. It was the worlds largest rights Issue by a non-financial institution in a decade. It was over-subscribed 1.59 times, setting another record in Indian capital markets. Also read: Intel Capital to invest Rs 1,894 cr in Jio Platforms For all the latest Business News, download NewsX App Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at this hour. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. World Youth Skills Day: PM Modi to address digital conclave World Youth Skills Day is an event recognised by the United Nations and is celebrated on July 15 every year. It was designated by the General Assembly in 2014. Read more here. 3 killed as building collapses in Dehradun, many feared trapped; rescue operation underway The states disaster response force had reached the spot and launched rescue operation. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also roped in later. Read more here. CBSE 10th Result 2020 to be declared today at cbseresults.nic.in, alternative ways to check scores online and offline The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will declare the class 10th results 2020 today, July 15 on its official website at cbseresults.nic.in. Read more here. How did French Fries get their name? Heres all you need to know about the worlds most favourite potato snack French fries are served as a common side dish to burgers, fried chicken, grilled steak and also, fried fish. The worlds most favourite potato fritters also have cultural variants. Read more here. Irrfan Khans son Babil stands up for family: Ma I would give it all for you, Yo bro you know I love you more than life itself Irrfan Khans son Babil has shared a poem in late actors memory, which talks bout dealing with immense loss and grief and standing up for his family in their hour of need. He shared the post with a few pictures of his parents and younger brother Ayan. Read more here. Graeme Smith highlights the biggest difference between MS Dhoni and Sourav Gangulys captaincy MS Dhoni made his India debut under Sourav Ganguly, but Graeme Smith feels India would have won a lot more trophies had the wicketkeeper batsman played more under Ganguly. Dhoni made his debut in December of 2004, less than a year before Ganguly was removed as Indias captain across formats. Read more here. HT Salutes: Delhi poet who arranges free mental health counselling sessions This Delhi-based poet and content writer has been arranging free mental health counselling sessions. Ankit Gupta pays for therapy sessions for those who cant afford it. Gupta says that Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death by suicide triggered him to help others. Watch. Iran COVID-19 updates, July 15: 2,388 new cases, 199 deaths 07/15/20 Source: Mehr News Agency The Iranian Health Ministry announced 2,388 new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours, putting the total number of cases in the country at 264,561. Speaking at a daily press conference on Wednesday, Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Lari put the death toll from the coronavirus in Iran at 13,410, saying the disease has taken the lives of 199 patients over the past 24 hours. Iranian children wearing face masks (see photos by Morteza Zangane, ISNA) She also noted that at least 227,561 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far and have been discharged from hospitals across the country. Among those undergoing treatment in medical centers at present, 3,411 patients have critical health conditions because of more severe infection, she noted. Lari went on to say that more than 2,048,049 coronavirus diagnostic tests have been carried out in Iran so far. She also advised people to continue the implementation of health guidelines while also labeling provinces of Khuzestan, Kordestan, Ilam, Razai Khorasan, West Azarbaijan, East Azarbaijan, Kermanshah, Bushehr, Golestan, Mazandaran, and Hormozgan as 'red' regarding the spread of the disease. According to the latest reports on Wednesday, the number of people around the world confirmed to have the coronavirus has risen to 13,459,235, and 581,221 have lost their lives, while 7,849,326 people have recovered. Covid-19 forces closure of museums in Tehran once again Source: Tehran Times All museums in Tehran have gone on lockdown again for one more week following the increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus, IRNA reported. According to the Coronavirus Control Operations Headquarters, museums' staff must be present at work during this period, but the museums are closed to the public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, said Mohammadreza Kargar, the director of museums and historical properties at the tourism ministry on Wednesday. The country closed cultural heritage museums and historical sites across the country in a preventive measure amid fears of coronavirus outbreak back in February, but as the coronavirus lockdown was eased, they were reopened in early May. Due to a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections and deaths, all art and cultural centers, universities, schools, seminaries, English schools, libraries, movie theaters, museums, mosques, beauty salons, and several other entities have been shut down as well. On Tuesday, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan announced that revenues from museums and historical sites were almost eight billion rials (about $190,000) during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20), a sharp decline compared to around 300 billion rials (over $7 million) in the same period last year. He also noted that most of the income is spent on preserving the historical sites and museums, but due to the closure of the sites, the ministry is facing a challenge in maintaining these places. Earlier this week, several provinces including Bushehr, Hormozgan, and Zanjan extended the closure of their museums and some historical sites as they are on the red risk zone. President Donald Trump has admitted that the killing of George Floyd was "terrible" but refused to answer a question about police violence against Black Americans, instead pointing out that "more white people" were the victims of police violence. Floyd, a black handcuffed man, died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis officer, pinned him to the ground and kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, ignoring his repeated cries of I cant breathe. During an interview with CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge, Trump was asked why Black Americans are "still dying at the hands of law enforcement in this country." "And so are white people, so are white people," Trump replied. "What a terrible question to ask. So are white people, more white people by the way, more white people," Trump continued.According to researchers, Black Americans are more likely to die at the hands of law enforcement than White people. One study published in 2018 found that Black men are roughly 3.5 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement than White men. Another study released in 2019 found that one in 1,000 Black men in the U.S. can expect to die at the hands of police over the course of their lifetimes. 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 Trend Live TV debates between Assistant to the Azerbaijani president, Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan were held by Al Jazeera broadcaster of Al Jazeera Media Network, Trend reports on July 15. Mnatsakanyan tried to distort the essence of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying that Armenia, allegedly, is a supporter of peace, that his country is working to prevent tension and is a guarantor of the security of the Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Hajiyev exposed the lies of the Armenian foreign minister during the live broadcast. The assistant to the Azerbaijani president emphasized that statements made by the Armenian minister once again confirm Armenias aggressive policy and territorial claims in relation to Azerbaijan. Hajiyev said that Armenia aggressively occupied the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the adjacent seven districts of Azerbaijan, as a result of which over a million Azerbaijanis living in these territories were subjected to ethnic cleansing and were expelled from their homes. The assistant to the Azerbaijani president stressed that being a state, Armenia bears international legal responsibility for military aggression against Azerbaijan. "What are the Armenian soldiers doing in the occupied Azerbaijani territories?" Hajiyev asked Mnatsakanyan. The assistant to the president emphasized that the incidents on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border are not a simple border clash as this provocation was thoroughly planned by the Armenian side and is a continuation of the military aggression against Azerbaijan. Hajiyev said that these provocations are directly related to the following reasons: - Armenia wants to avoid its responsibility for the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; - by making this provocation, Armenia wants to create tension in the region again and exposes the region to the direct threats; - seeking to involve the Collective Security Treaty Organization in the conflict, Armenia is trying to play a dirty and irresponsible political game; - Armenia pursues goals such as damage to the East-West transport corridor and [other] regional transport projects because it has remained beyond these projects; - the Armenian leadership is trying to divert attention from the acute socio-economic problems observed amid the widespread spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Hajiyev said that by making the statement Karabakh is Armenia and thats it, the Armenian leadership clearly demonstrates the policy of annexing a part of the Azerbaijani territories. He stressed that by making such statements, Armenia destroys the format and the essence of the negotiation process, which is conducted through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. The assistant to the president pointed out that first of all, this is disrespect to the co-chairing countries. Hajiyev emphasized that it is Armenia that is responsible for the provocation committed on the border. The assistant to the president added that Armenia is hiding its losses, but in the end, the leadership of this country will have to report to its people for real losses as a result of this military adventure. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Singapore State Courts. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE A German man previously convicted for facilitating commercial child sex tours overseas was given additional 12 weeks jail on Wednesday (15 July) on charges of possessing pornographic material. Michael Frank Hartung, 49, was jailed five-and-a-half years on 6 September last year for providing information to facilitate commercial sex with under-18 minors in the Philippines, after he was found guilty following a 20-day trial. The Singapore permanent resident pleaded guilty to two other charges of possessing 245 obscene films, 10 of which contained child pornography. Another two charges of possessing films without valid licenses were taken into consideration for his sentencing. Hartung, formerly a senior bank executive of Deutsche Bank, came to Singapore in 2006 and married a Chinese national. He has a daughter who is of kindergarten-school age. The German lost his job and annual income of $250,000 after he was charged and has since filed an appeal against his trial conviction and sentence. Undercover policemen had trapped Hartung while posing as prospective customers and later raided his residence on 30 August 2016 based on the information that he was planning illicit trips overseas. During the raid, they seized numerous handphones, thumb drives, laptops and hard drives. The police also confiscated a bag containing 235 DVDs, 225 of which were obscene films between an hour and five hours in length. A total of seven of these films contained child pornography with victims below the age of 16 engaged in sexual activity. Some were as young as five years old. Four other gadgets seized - comprising of two handphones, a tablet and a laptop - also contained 20 obscene films, with three of these involving children. Police surmised that the girls involved could be as young as four, going by their appearances and file name. The prosecution sought at least 15 weeks jail for Hartung given the large number of obscene films and the significant degree of morally depraved acts shown in the films. It also considered the length of the films and the ages of children who were sexually exploited. Story continues The court must send out an unstinting message to all like-minded offenders or people who currently have child pornography in their possession that such videos are clearly deplorable and offenders who continue to keep child pornography will be severely dealt with, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Andre Ong. By procuring such obscene films, Hartung had exploited child victims and supported demand for the films, said the prosecutor. Hartungs lawyer, Si Hoe Tat Chorng, said that Hartung had voluntarily surrendered the DVDs to the police, even though they had only been interested in the electronic equipment. The DVDs had been in a derelict state and unused at the bottom of storeroom, showing that they were of no interest to Hartung, the lawyer said. Commercial sex tourism with minor charges Hartung met two undercover policemen on 26 September 2015 at Starbucks in Raffles City Shopping Centre and promoted commercial sex with minors to them. He told the two officers that he could travel to Manila in advance to prepare for their arrival and promised to arrange for six virgin girls between 14 and 16 years old to accompany them. He later met another two undercover officers at a pub along Mackenzie Road in 2016 for the same purpose. Unbeknownst to Hartung, this meeting was recorded. At his trial, Hartung claimed that he wanted to play along with the officers so as not to offend them. He also alleged that he wanted to meet the officers to seek legitimate business opportunities. He claimed that he gave the cops information about the sex service in a bid to get out of the meeting. He also alleged a police conspiracy against him. But the prosecution argued that Hartung actively sought illicit business opportunities for the officers posing as customers. Other Singapore stories Poly student admits to spitting over railing at Bugis Junction, towards Subway diners Early closures, late starts for TEL train services from 20 Jul to 30 Aug Man fed 3 elderly women insomnia drug to steal from them Dolly Partons There Was Jesus rebukes Iris Dements How Long. These peak country/folk/pop artists are not in competition, yet their latest recordings offer contrasting responses to Americas current spiritual turmoil. Dolly keeps the faith while Iris follows the mob. If the truth lies somewhere in between, note that There Was Jesus just became Partons first song to enter Billboards Hot Christian Songs and Christian Airplay charts, while Dements release went nowhere except the uncharted territory of progressive ingrates. Parton clings to the rock of gospel tradition while Dement seems unsure, grasping a weaker tradition that currently dominates the culture. There Was Jesus is Partons collaboration with the songs composer Zach Williams, the Christian-rock artist from Arkansas writing about his religious conversion, realizing Gods presence in all stages of his life. Her stirring back-up vocals raise the songs testimony from an individual statement to wider affirmation. Partons irresistibly sweet, soaring notes connect to cultural memory, making this a pop record no longer the subgenre of a minority group that, ironically, has been marginalized by the mainstream media. Dement has always performed on the margins, despite a brief major-label stint in the Nineties, but her new release is what insiders call a pop move. She joins the moment of political piety in which the radical Communist origins of Black Lives Matter are confused with sentimentality about racial prejudice. Dements lonesome voice on How Long echoes an old folk-music trap; her political conversion, unlike Williamss gruff realism, is rapt with self-righteousness. This serious error demands clarification. Dement co-opts gospel in her opening verse: Someone asked the question once of Martin Luther King How long do you stay the course and dream the dream? But it seems evils won and greed is on the throne And you feel like the silent voice in a wilderness all its own How long? How long? Story continues She purloins the speech that Martin Luther King Jr. gave after the Selma to Montgomery March on June 25, 1965. In what is known as the How Long, Not Long speech. King quoted the Book of Amos (5:24). But Dement adds the excessive cynicism that defines the George Floyd riots, and she thereby loses the sanctity of Kings sermon. By repeating How long? Not long, King asked and answered an existential quandary according to his faith. Faith is missing in Dements song; she replaces it with political pity and the secular longing to join a mass movement of virtue-signaling without thinking through its origin or its mission. (Her refrain Till justice rolls down like water / And righteousness flows like a mighty stream manipulates scripture for a worldly purpose, an offense similar to martyrizing miscreant George Floyd like MLK.) The impact of Dements strongest performances (the album Sing the Delta is her masterpiece) always comes from the purity that her vibrato conveys about plain, honest experience. (She matches Partons unerring popular affect.) If not a believer herself, she respects the belief of decent people, and this carries over even into songs such as Let the Mystery Be, where she confronts the unknown and the ineffable. But How Long is too effable. Dement shifts into an anecdote about a little boy about ten years old watching his TV that recalls a tactic of Obamas speeches; its pandering is unworthy of the country honesty Dement shares with Parton and Williams. Dement would do well to cover Williamss No Longer Slaves, another strong evangelical song that overturns the Lefts victimhood narrative. (An extraordinary music video shows Williams performing it live before black and white prisoners at Nashvilles Harding prison.) By contrast, There Was Jesus relays the personal experience and sacrifice that also endowed Black civil-rights protesters with grace. They were being devout (practicing their faith) while improving their conditions. As long as the world respected this, society seemed to improve. But now that Black Lives/Antifa marches when churchgoers are not allowed to worship, the non-sanctity of the new movement is revealed. It doesnt even follow the hippie peace-and-love movements but merely reacts to frustration, not hope. Hope is missing from Dements plea, as it was when she solicited liberal approval in her misconceived 1996 antiDesert Storm song Wasteland of the Free. Parton, however, goes back to the Old Landmark, surpassing political solutions and reminding us of what once was valiant in civil-rights protests that those marchers were not sanctified because they were right but because they exhibited belief in a higher power and humbly and steadfastly pled for common empathy. And it worked. Parton and Williams recall those sociological events as miracles: There was Jesus. Throughout their careers, these women have created great emotional, universal art, showing how roots music maintains the essence of American spirituality. Their best songs, Partons Daddy Come and Get, Dements He Reached Down, override fickle political fashion with essential human truths and devotion. (I could have chosen either one of them as well as Motown as my contribution to the defense of America, in the most recent print edition of National Review.) Now Parton chooses faith, Dement chooses politics. There Was Jesus rejoices, but How Long worries. Belief verses skepticism. You decide which provides sustenance. More from National Review i-payout, the worlds leading provider of customized SaaS software for global disbursements and related payment management solutions for international companies does it again. i-payouts new client onboarding team, The FACILITEERS, just got another rave review. This team of project facilitators took just one week to make its latest client fully integrated and operational on the i-payout international payment platform. Eddie Gonzalez, i-payouts C.E.O talked about his FACILITEERS during an interview with Ted Nuyten, C.E.O at the Business For Home Foundation. The FACILITEER team has a representative from each of our departments. In all cases they are high achievers and they follow written protocols for onboarding a new client successfully and rapidly, said Mr. Gonzalez. Our onboarding process follows many of the principles outlined in four domains as theyre defined by the Project Management Institute: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing. Its a very thorough and detailed approach. The latest client to be boarded at i-payout is Mannatech a publicly traded company that produces and sells premium, wellness and personal care products on four continents. The process went exceedingly well and Mannatech was highly complimentary about it. Senior Project Manager at Mannatech, Tammy Gilbert, had this to say about the onboarding process with i-payout in a recent eMail to Mr. Gonzalez: Working with vendors is not always easy. But I have to say that working with your team has been awesome. They are professional, responsive and helpful whenever I need anything. During the set-up period I was never told no by your team. Ms. Gilbert went on to say, i-payouts platform is very user friendly to the end user and the Management the Console is very intuitive. And i-payout provided clear documentation to assist Mannatech with communicating and training the field As this release was being prepared the FACILITEERS were, once again, ramping-up to onboard a new client. Its all going to go according to plan, Mr. Gonzalez commented, Exactly the way its supposed to. About i-payout i-payout is a leading financial software company that facilities global payments for its clients and provides related payment management services in over 180 countries. The Company supports a diverse group of verticals including gig networks, insurance companies, eSports, royalties, marketplaces, clinical trials, direct sellers, and more. With its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, i-payout, now in its 14th year of operation, is recognized for its endlessly adaptable software platform that enables the Company to fully customize payment solutions to the specific needs of each client. The Company was founded in 2007 by Edwin Gonzalez, President & C.E.O. Mr. Gonzalez has held leadership roles within the financial software industry for over 20 years. At i-payout, he collaborates with a highly accomplished group of fintech professionals. Many of which have decades of experience in the fintech space. For further information visit the Companys website at http://www.i-payout.com. For inquiries write to discover@i-payout.com or call 954-513-3150 ext 8013 Millions across the globe are still incorporating the drastic changes in lifestyle amid unforeseen circumstances, there is a lot of gloominess among people but it also paved the way for some kind and inspirational gestures. From COVID-19 outbreak to Black Lives Matter protests, from the horrors of police brutality to constant paranoia of maintaining personal hygiene, theres a lot that goes through an individuals mind these days. But still, confined to their homes, people have managed to come up with unique challenges and 'adorable' videos of their pets that have uplifted moods for others. To dial down on the negativity, many people have been voluntarily searching for good news. Therefore, here is a compilation of five heartwarming stories that are unique as well as uplifting. From 6-year-old's courageous story to shop owner's act of kindness, these are five best from today. 6-year-old gets 90 stitches after saving his sister from dog Becoming a pinnacle of bravery at the mere age of six, Bridger Walker saved his little sister from a dog and in turn, suffering from severe injuries that caused him over 90 stitches. The courageous act of the boy hailing from Wyoming, United States was narrated by his aunt Nikki Walker on Instagram along with pictures of Bridger and his sister prompting responses from several Hollywood actors including Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway. The incident reportedly happened on July 9 when the dog approached the little girl but her brother stood in front of the animal to protect her. Read: 6-year-old Gets 90 Stitches After Saving His Sister From Dog, Mark Ruffalo Comments Shop owner gives shelter to street dog during rain A video, that is now winning hearts all over, shows a man helping a dog amid heavy rainfall. The short video clip, shared by Street dogs of Bombay on Instagram features a stray dog getting drenched in rain when a human interview to save it from the heavy downpour. The incident, which shows how the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intentions. Read: Mumbai: Shop Owner Gives Shelter To Street Dog During Rain, Netizens Laud His Kindness 50-year-old granny clears class 12 board exams A 50-year-old mother to four and a grandmother to two, Lakyntiew Syiemlieh, passed her Class 12 exams on July 13 after she dropped out of Class 10 back in 1988. The Meghalaya Board of School Education's Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSLLC) examination results were declared on Monday and Syiemlieh got third division. While speaking to a media outlet, the 50-year-old said that she has now decided to pursue a Bachelors degree in her favourite language, Khasi. Read: Class 12 Results: 50-yr-old Granny Clears Exams; Plans To Pursue Bachelors Next Lions self-care session breaks internet A 'never before seen' video of a lion, named Hubert, indulging in self-care session has taken the internet by storm. Shared on Instagram by the Los Angeles Zoo, the short clip surely has a calming vibe. In the video, one can see Hubert, the lion enjoying the open. The big cat is seen licking its paws slowly with ease and making the motion highly soothing to watch. The caption of the post read, Calming Video: Hubert the Lion's Self-Care Session. We arent lion this video will help you relax. The newest calming video with Hubert the lion. Read: Video Of A Lions self-care Session Breaks Internet, Netizens Call It 'beautiful' Cute bond between orphaned baby elephant and trainer A recently shared video depicting the bond between an orphaned elephant and its trainer has left netizens in awe. Shared on Twitter by Zoos of Karnataka, the clip shows Somu, the trainer walking along with Vedavathi, a rescued elephant calf. Since shared, the clip has captured everybodys attention. While many have called the bond cute others have taken the opportunity to voice against animal cruelty. Read: Karnataka: Cute Bond Between Baby Elephant And Trainer Wins Internet, Watch Video Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 11:13:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close URUMQI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- For locals in the southern part of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, eating mushrooms is not a traditional practice. But Nurmemet Ihetiwakhi, a villager in Karakax County of Hotan Prefecture, is a new fan to shiitakes as the edible fungi is used to cook up a better life. His family used to rely on livestock breeding and walnut planting for a living. Walnut trees, a major source of income for locals, can be seen almost everywhere in southern Xinjiang, but profit margins have been dwindling due to overcapacity. It never occurred to Nurmemet Ihetiwakhi that the walnut trees' trimmed branches and trunks could be a new source of income. Walnut wood is purchased, shattered and turned into mushroom sticks by Xinjiang Shushanglaojun Mushroom Industry Co., Ltd., a locally headquartered company that started shiitake cultivation in late 2019. The dry climate in southern Xinjiang and lignin-rich walnut mushroom sticks make shiitakes compact and tasty, which sell well in other parts of the region, said the company's chairman Yin Jinyao. To expand production and help boost the local economy, the company inked cooperation agreements with local villagers to offer them mushroom sticks and cultivation training, and purchase their shiitakes at a fixed price. Nurmemet Ihetiwakhi was one of the first to sink his teeth into the shiitake cultivation business after an organized trip to central China's mushroom breeding hub Henan Province earlier this year. Now he runs two mushroom greenhouses, each hosting 2,000 mushroom sticks. He is expected to rake in 12,000 yuan (about 1,712 U.S. dollars) from each greenhouse this year. "They are easy to manage and won't take up much of my time," he said. Currently, more than 3,000 mushroom greenhouses have been built across the county, and the number is likely to hit 6,000 by the end of 2020, according to Yin. Nurmemet Ihetiwakhi has developed a taste for shiitakes after four months of mushroom breeding. "It's good for your health, and more importantly, adds to our wealth." Enditem AMSTERDAM, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Helvetic Airways has signed a commitment with Embraer to convert four of their remaining firm orders to the larger E195-E2 aircraft. The original order, for 12 E190-E2s with purchase rights for a further 12, and conversion rights to E195-E2, was announced in September 2018. Embraer has so far delivered five E190-E2s to Helvetic Airways, and all deliveries of the remaining seven aircraft, including the four E195-E2s, will be completed before the end of 2021, with the majority in the first half of 2021. The remaining firm order for the seven aircraft to be delivered has a value of USD 480 million, based on current list prices. With all the purchase rights being exercised, the deal has a list price of USD 1.25 billion. In a move to diversify fleet capacity, Helvetic Airways will configure the E195-E2 with 134 seats in a single class layout, while their E190-E2s have 110 seats. This gives Helvetic Airways the ability to alter their offering for airlines and other customers and to meet the actual passenger demand for each mission; very useful in the current environment where demand is seeing significant fluctuations. This ability, to dynamically 'rightsize' to meet their customers' demand, is operationally possible due to the common E2 cockpit allowing flight crews to operate across all E2 variants. The new E195-E2 provides greater capacity, whilst being more sustainable and quiet; the E195-E2 burns 10% less fuel per flight, emits 30% less CO2 per passenger, and is 48% quieter than the E190 aircraft it replaces in Helvetic's fleet. Helvetic Airways CEO Tobias Pogorevc, said "The Embraer E195-E2 strikes a good balance between seating capacity, range, fuel consumption and environmentally friendly operation. With between 120 and 150 seats, it has virtually no competition in the regional aircraft segment. Operating a single fleet in terms of cockpit with varying seating capacities will enable us to expand our organisation's operational flexibility and autonomy." "Helvetic Airways is powered by a high performance culture, the airline already manages to deliver greater fuel and emissions efficiency from its current E2s than Embraer advertises; and the E2 is already the most efficient single-aisle aircraft family on the market", said Martyn Holmes, Vice President Europe, Russia and Central Asia at Embraer Commercial Aviation. "Innovative and successful airlines operating our jets is the greatest advertisement for our aircraft, and acting now to ensure the best capacity diversity for their fleet sets Helvetic Airways up for further success, even in these challenging times." For nearly two decades, Embraer's innovative E-Jets family has been transforming commercial aviation. It is the industry's most successful line of 70-to-150-seat passenger jets designed specifically for this capacity segment. The program has logged in excess of 1,900 orders to date from more than 100 customers. Some 80 airlines currently fly Embraer E-Jets. The global E-Jet fleet has accumulated more than 30 million flight hours, with an average mission completion rate of 99.9%. The versatile airplanes are flying with low-cost, regional and mainline carriers. Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer About Embraer About Embraer A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer celebrates its 50th anniversary with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. PRESS OFFICES: Headquarters (Brazil) Corporate Communications [email protected] Cell: +55 11 98890 7777 Tel.: +55 11 4873 7984 North America Alyssa Ten Eyck [email protected] Cell: +1 954 383 0460 Tel.: +1 954 359 3847 Europe, Middle East and Africa Guy Douglas [email protected] Cell: +31 (0)657120121 Tell: +31 (0)202158109 China Mirage Zhong [email protected] Cell: +86 185 1378 5180 Tel.: +86 10 6598 9988 Asia Pacific Nilma Missir-Boissac [email protected] Cell: +65 9012 8428 Tel.: +65 6305 9955 SOURCE Embraer S.A. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Industry Update Appointment 15 July 2020 Chantal Bazzoni-Boncher Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing At Renaissance Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa - WI, USA Chantal Bazzoni-Boncher, Renaissance Milwaukee West's new Director of Sales and Marketing, lives and breathes the hospitality industry from growing up in family-owned hospitality businesses in Canada. After graduating with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Confederation College in Ontario, Bazzoni-Boncher joined CSM Corporation, where she worked with various hotels in the Milwaukee area. In 2018, she was awarded CSM Director of Sales of the Year. With Renaissance Milwaukee West, Bazzoni-Boncher aims to lead the Sales & Catering Department in generating top-line revenue growth and business for the hotel and restaurant. Concord Hospitality Enterprises Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, an award-winning hotel management and development company based in Raleigh, N.C., manages more than 90 hotels offering more than 13,000 guest rooms in 20 states and two Canadian provinces. more information Recent Appointments at Concord Irma Salinas - Food & Beverage Manager 30 September 2021 As AC Hotel Miami Dadeland looks to its opening later this fall, Marriott International and Concord Hospitality Enterprises are pleased to announce the appointment of Irma Salinas to the role of food and beverage manager for the property. read more Ryan Shafi - Director of Operations 30 September 2021 As AC Hotel Miami Dadeland looks to its opening later this fall, Marriott International and Concord Hospitality Enterprises are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Shafi as director of operations for the property. read more D onald Trump has signed legislation mandating sanctions for Chinese officials involved in Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong. The US president also issued an executive order that ends preferential treatment for the territory. The two actions are part of the Trump administration's offensive against China for what he calls unfair treatment by the rising Asian superpower which hid details about the human-to-human transition of Covid-19. The almost daily administration broadsides against China come as Mr Trump is being criticised for the surge in coronavirus cases in the US and as he works to portray his expected Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden, as weak on China. Mr Trump talked up his approach to Beijing, though he spent the early weeks of the pandemic praising Chinese President Xi Jinping, in hopes of securing a new trade deal. But since the two nations signed phase one of a deal, the talks have stalled with virtually no hope of restarting before the November election. US-China relations are at a low ebb. Since the two nations signed phase one of a trade deal, the talks are currently stalled with virtually no hope of restarting before the November election. The legislation targets police units that have cracked down on Hong Kong protesters as well as Chinese Communist Party officials responsible for imposing a new, strict national security law widely seen as chipping away at Hong Kong's autonomy. The mandatory sanctions are also required to be imposed on banks that conduct business with the officials. Lawmakers from both parties have urged Mr Trump to take strong action in response to China's new national security law that erodes the "one country, two systems" framework under which Britain handed Hong Kong over to China in 1997. Hong Kong is considered a special administrative region within China and has its own governing and economic systems. "This law gives my administration powerful new tools to hold responsible the individuals and the entities involved in extinguishing Hong Kong's freedom," Mr Trump said. "Their freedom has been taken away. Their rights have been taken away, and with it goes Hong Kong in my opinion because it will no longer be able to compete with free markets. A lot of people will be leaving Hong Kong, I suspect." Though The Sandman has joined other works of his that have been adapted, Neil Gaiman does not necessarily feel a sense of closure or coming full circle. When Neil Gaiman devised his influential fantasy comic-book series The Sandman for DC Comics in the late 1980s, he was a 26-year-old literary neophyte with a few short stories and graphic novels on his resume and untested ambition. In retrospect, I think I got DC to do it because they really didnt know what it was they were signing onto, he said recently. Three decades later, Gaiman, now 59, is a bestselling author and a brand unto himself, whose fiction has provided the source material for films like Stardust and Coraline, and television series like Good Omens and American Gods. The Sandman, an episodic and ever-changing story which varied in tone and topic from light comedy to dark thriller, was originally published from 1989 to 1996. Yet while so much of Gaimans writing has been brought to other media, this formative work has historically resisted efforts to present it in any form other than the printed page. It has not been for lack of trying, as various film and TV studios have taken interest in The Sandman over the years. But the fact that some previous screen translations have failed to materialise, Gaiman said, has always been a source of incredible relief to me you only have to miss by a tiny amount for Sandman to go very wrong. Instead, an authorised multimedia adaptation of The Sandman will arrive on 15 July as an audio drama on Audible, which has been building its library of audio narratives and other original content. (The company, which is owned by Amazon, is also preparing new projects from authors like Jesse Eisenberg, James Patterson, and David Koepp and featuring actors like Christian Slater, Carrie Coon, Aaron Paul, and Alicia Silverstone.) The first instalment of its series, which consists of 20 episodes, is based on the first three volumes of the Sandman graphic novel. It features a cast that includes James McAvoy as the ethereal title character; Kat Dennings as his spectral sister Death; Michael Sheen as the fallen angel Lucifer; and Riz Ahmed as the stylish nightmare being the Corinthian. For Gaiman, who is the creative director and an executive producer of the audio project, the endeavor is a validation of his patience and his strategic stubbornness. As he sees it, the Audible adaptation has not required him to compromise the audacity, the ambiguity or the endearing strangeness of the comics. I didnt want to see the changes that would have to be made to Sandman to make it palatable to everyone, he said. We havent filed off the rough edges. Weve gotten to make a version of Sandman that is everything we wanted to do. Speaking by phone from Scotlands Isle of Skye, where he was sheltering in place, Gaiman recounted how DC had initially offered him his own monthly comic book to help raise his profile as the publisher prepared to release Black Orchid, a costly project he was writing for the company. They said, you have 12 issues well let it go for a year before we cancel it, he recalled. Gaiman said he envisioned The Sandman as a machine for telling stories something that I could go anywhere with. By centering the series on a supernatural protagonist named Morpheus, an ashen immortal being also known as Dream, Gaiman gave himself an off-ramp to pursue narratives well outside the realm of superhero adventuring. I can do horror, he said. I can do fantasy. I can do historical fiction. I can do science fiction. I can go all the way back to the beginning of the universe. Early issues, which told the story of Morpheus escape from a long imprisonment, and the rebuilding of his metaphysical powers, also featured appearances from established DC heroes like Batman, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter. But within months, Gaiman was off chasing his own imaginative and sometimes very dark muses, using The Sandman to spin tales of a serial killers convention and a cat who hopes to reshape reality to make humans subservient to felines. The series became a hit, and sold especially well in graphic-novel collections stocked at traditional bookstores. Not long into its run, The Sandman was eyed for a film adaptation by Warner Bros, where Batman had just taken wing as a movie franchise. Gaiman described a conversation he had in 1990 with a Warner Bros executive whom he asked not to pursue the project, arguing that it would distract from his work on the comic. She said, Nobody has ever walked into my office and asked me not to make a movie before, Gaiman recalled. And I said, well, I am. The project did not move forward. A few years later, Gaiman was approached by Dirk Maggs, then a BBC producer, who was interested in turning The Sandman into an episodic radio drama. Describing the approach he has sought to apply to his work, Maggs said, The idea was to avoid it sounding like a polite BBC production of rattling teacups and the occasional door opening while somebody talks to the vicar about their dead dog. But while Gaiman was intrigued, Maggs could not get his BBC superiors to approve the proposal. Other attempts to bring The Sandman to movie and TV screens went nowhere. A film adaptation that would have been directed by Roger Avary (The Rules of Attraction) collapsed, as did another that would have starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Morpheus. Efforts to translate the comics to TV, including one developed by Eric Kripke (the creator of Supernatural), also stalled, although they did yield the series Lucifer, based on the conception of the character by The Sandman, on Fox and Netflix. A fan-made film called Sandman: 24 Hour Diner, based on the Sandman story 24 Hours, was released in 2017. Although Gaiman does not own the rights to the Sandman properties, he said that DC had been respectful about consulting him on any adaptations it pursues. Everybody at DC understands that this is my thing and Im identified with it, and that it is much better to have me working on it because then it will be better, he said. And I want to be onboard. Meanwhile, Gaiman continued to work with Maggs, now a widely regarded producer and director of audio dramas, on adaptations of his novels Neverwhere and Good Omens (which Gaiman wrote with Terry Pratchett). About two-and-a-half years ago, with DCs involvement, they got their long-awaited Sandman audio series set up at Audible. In adapting the series, Maggs returned to the original Sandman scripts that Gaiman wrote for artists like Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg, using those texts as the basis for character dialogue and audio atmosphere as well as for narration performed by the author. Looking back over Gaimans manuscripts, Maggs said, It is like being inside his head while hes writing them. His descriptions of scenes are quite poetic theres a Dylan Thomas kind of vibe. Although his job came with a fair amount of creative freedom, Maggs said his task was to present The Sandman as it was written and not to over-embroider. If I can add a sense of drama, propulsion, dynamism to it as a story, thats great, Maggs said. I dont want to try to improve it at all. Its monolithic. McAvoy, who plays the evanescent Morpheus, said that the demands of the role varied from episode to episode. Youre not looking for just one characteristic youre going to get to play hundreds, McAvoy said. There is a more distant, alien detachment to him, especially at the beginning when he is trying to put himself back together. Then theres times where hes actually quite forthright, and times where hes quite comic. But McAvoy, who has played superhuman characters in films like Split and the X-Men series, said that bringing life to stories with fluid rules of reality has become second nature. Its given me a lot of experience in going, OK, were jumping off a building, then halfway down, well go through a vortex into the nth dimension, which is actually 400 years in the past, he said. I know how to deal with that. Dennings, the comedic star of Dollface and the Thor movies, said that she was invited to play Death by Gaiman, a longtime friend. I dont know if this was a compliment or not, but he was like, Just be you, Dennings recalled. I was like, what are you saying? But he was like, Shes very sweet. Shes very bubbly. Shes the opposite of all things around her. I wouldnt call myself bubbly but I guess I have my moments. Beyond the opportunity to play one of Gaimans coveted characters, Dennings said she was grateful to spend a portion of the coronavirus pandemic immersed in an audio project, as both an actor and as a listener. Im so overwhelmed all the time, she said. Im on my phone, reading everything, and Im so stressed out. Listening to something actually feels very cozy. Its a nice gift to give to yourself, the gift of distraction. Last year, Netflix struck its own deal for a TV adaptation of The Sandman, one that will be run by Allan Heinberg, the screenwriter of Wonder Woman. No casting or debut date has been announced. Gaiman, who is an executive producer on that series, was understandably superstitious about revealing too much about it. But he said he was grateful to finally be making a Sandman show with the budget and the technical capabilities to make it properly theyre spending the hundreds of millions, and were not changing it into anything. Even though The Sandman has joined other works of his that have been adapted, Gaiman said he did not necessarily feel a sense of closure or coming full circle. Instead, he said, It feels like we were way ahead of our time, and that time has caught up with us. Dave Itzkoff c.2020 The New York Times Company All images from Facebook. [July 15, 2020] Mandating MVNOs would have significant negative impacts on Canada's economy: PwC study Reduced GDP and tax revenue as Canada looks to recover from massive COVID-19 job losses and shrinking economy OTTAWA, ON, July 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Canada's Gross Domestic Product would be reduced by an estimated $10 billion within five years if Canada's facilities-based wireless carriers are required to grant mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) access to their networks, according to a new PwC study released today by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). Other negative impacts on the economy would include an estimated $2.5 billion reduction in government tax revenue, approximately 94,000 jobs lost across the supply chain, and a widened digital divide between rural and urban Canada. The PwC study, Understanding the likely impacts of MVNOs in Canada: Impacts on the Canadian telecom industry and economy, evaluated possible outcomes should wholesale MVNO access be mandated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). PwC conducted a detailed economic assessment taking into consideration a range of factors including federal government objectives and policy levers at the CRTC's disposal. Canada's world-class wireless networks are critical infrastructure enabling innovation across every industry and fuelling Canada's economy. The wireless industry contributed more than $48 billion to Canada's GDP in 2018 alone, and facilities-based operators have invested more than $70 billion in building Canada's wireless networks that are among the fastest in the world. During the COVID-19 crisis, the country's digital infrastructure is keeping Canadians connected, allowing people to work, study and stay in touch with family and friends. "Our country's networks are playing a critical role in sustaining social and economic activity as Canadians deal with COVID-19 and they will play a critical role as we rebuild and secure Canada's future prosperity. Now is not the time for regulatory intervention that would slow down investment it's time for measures that further encourage network operators to expand connectivity so all Canadians can thrive in the digital economy," said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of CWTA. The CRTC is conducting a review of mobile wireless services in Canada, and is considering mandating national mobile network operators to provide wholesale network access to MVNOs companies that don't invest in building their own infrastructure. According to the scenario analysed by PwC, requiring Canada's wireless carriers to give MVNOs access to their networks at reduced rates would significantly impact investment, including estimated annual cuts of $5 billion in operating expenditures and $3 billion in capital expenditures over the next five years. Within five years, the study found that this would translate in aggregated impacts to network operators including an estimated 24,000 fewer jobs and 850 retail stores closed. These cuts would also result in the delayed rollout of new services and a widening of the digital divide between Canadians living in urban and rural areas. "These cumulative impacts on Canada's network operators would negatively impact Canadians and our national economy," added Ghiz. "Canada is already dealing with millions of job losses and an economy expected to shrink by 6.8%. We need to stimulate long-term investment and economic growth, not stifle it." For the PwC report, please visit here. Part 2 of the study, focusing on the impact on Canada's transition to 5G, will be released shortly. About CWTA The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents companies that provide services and products across the wireless sector, and administers a number of initiatives on behalf of its members, including corporate social responsibility programs and the national common short codes program. SOURCE Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com\LTE's Homepage ] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sophie Deviller (Agence France-Presse) Bangkok, Thailand Wed, July 15, 2020 15:15 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406667f63f 2 World Asia,garment-workers,coronavirus,coronavirus-effect,COVID-19,coronavirus-restrictions,workers-exploitation,workers-protection,labor-union Free From factory floors in India to the warehouses of Cambodia, garment workers for global brands say the collapse in demand triggered by the coronavirus is being used as a cover to break their unions. The crippling effect of the pandemic has seen orders worth billions of dollars cancelled across manufacturing hubs in China, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia and Myanmar. That has left hundreds of thousands out of work in some of Asia's poorest countries. But workers allege the financial turmoil has also provided an opportunity for bosses to target troublesome shop floors where unions have pressed for higher wages and better conditions. In southern India's Karnataka state -- home to 20 percent of India's massive garment manufacturing sector -- union leader Padma has sat every day cross-legged outside her factory Euro Clothing Company II to protest its closure since early June. She was among the entire 1,200-strong workforce let go -- 900 of whom were with a union. "I have sweated here for the past 10 years for 348 rupees ($4.60) a day," said the 49-year-old, who was responsible for checking trousers, jackets and T-shirts bound for Swedish clothing giant H&M. The workshop's parent company is Gokaldas, Karnataka's oldest manufacturer, a firm that runs more than 20 factories. But Padma's workplace was the only Gokaldas plant with a union, she said. "They wanted to get rid of the union for a long time, and now they're using COVID-19 as an excuse," Padma told AFP, alleging the workers were "illegally laid off" without notice. Gautam Mody, general-secretary of the New Trade Union Initiative, which represents hundreds of workers' groups across India, said the firm was "union-busting under the pretext of COVID". Mody told AFP the shuttered facility was "the sole factory where the majority of workers are union members". Gokaldas did not reply to requests for comment but H&M confirmed the closure of the plant. "We are in close dialogue with both local and global trade unions as well as the supplier to help them resolve the conflict peacefully," H&M told AFP. The high street clothing giant also buys garments from four other Gokaldas factories, according to the New Trade Union Initiative. Fast fashion, cheap wages Asia's textile factories have provided jobs for millions of people as well as vital foreign currency for many poorer nations, but the pandemic has gutted the sector. In Bangladesh alone, more than 100,000 workers have been left jobless. About half are involved with unions, according to Rafiqul Islam Sujon, president of the Bangladesh Garments and Shilpo Sramik Federation, a rights group. Many factories have long resented the work of unions and have discouraged workers from collectivizing while harassing or firing the most vocal leaders, campaigners say. But the economic crunch has offered "an opening for this tactic on a wide scale", said Jamie Davis of the Solidarity Center, a workers' advocacy organization affiliated with American unions federation AFL-CIO. Major brands are now being urged to use their financial muscle to protect the most vulnerable in their supply chains. The big names "must make it clear that they will end the business relationship [with a factory] if the violations continue", said Scott Nova of labor watchdog the Worker Rights Consortium. "It is illegal to dismiss workers because of their union affiliation or to close a factory because it is unionized," he said. "Such anti-retaliation laws exist in most countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar and India -- though they are, unfortunately, often not enforced." Impassioned letter In Myanmar, where the nascent garment sector was seen before the pandemic as a beacon of prosperity, 298 workers were fired in May at the Rui Ning factory, which produces clothes for the likes of Spanish fast-fashion brand Zara. Desperate to be reinstated, unionized workers wrote an impassioned letter to Amancio Ortega, founder of the Inditex fashion group that owns Zara. "Surely a man of such riches would not need to profit from the global pandemic by smashing our unions," it said. Ortega is the sixth-richest man in the world with a $62.8 billion fortune, according to Forbes. Inditex said it was aware of the labor disputes and cited its code of conduct, which "expressly forbids discrimination against workers' representatives". It is a position shared in public by other multibillion-dollar clothing giants aware of the PR damage that allegations of worker exploitation can inflict. In the worst cases, workers voicing opposition to lay-offs are facing jail. Cambodian union representative Soy Sros took to Facebook in April to protest the dismissal of dozens of workers from a Superl factory on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The Hong Kong-based company makes leather handbags for brands including Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Kate Spade. Forty-eight hours later, she was behind bars and charged with incitement. Sros was released 55 days later, but the charges remain. Another Cambodian workers' leader, Pav Sina, said more than 2,000 laborers with his union had seen their contracts terminated. "In the past, factories couldn't do this," he said. "But COVID has given them the opportunity." A man was struck and seriously injured by a Jeep on the West Side after getting into an argument about the driver honking his horn, according to Chicago police. On Tuesday, Germany put Luxembourg on its list of countries considered at-risk areas for Covid-19 infections. The German Robert Koch Institut cautioned against unnecessary travel to Luxembourg. The federal governments of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate quickly followed up on the national recommendations on Tuesday evening. It transpires that travel restrictions apply in most German states. Travelers arriving from Luxembourg must quarantine for 14 days and inform the local health authorities. According to officials, the situation largely depends on the virus developments in Luxembourg in the coming days. Exceptions apply to cross-border workers, or those visiting Luxembourg for medical reasons or other reasons deemed "important". Those carrying a negative Covid-19 test not older than 48 hours are also exempt from these new regulations. You can also still enter Germany without restrictions if your partner lives there or if you share the custody of a child with a German resident. Students, trainees, and apprentices can also still enter Germany without being required to self-isolate upon arrival. People living in Rhineland-Palatinate/Rheinland-Pfalz and whose visit to the Grand-Duchy did/does not exceed 72 hours are not required to go into quarantine when they come back from Luxembourg. It is still possible for Luxembourg residents to transit through Germany to reach other countries. Travelers can stop to use the bathroom or to fill up their car. It is also still possible to transit through Germany by bus and train, and to driver to German airports to fly to other countries. The federal government of Saarland is advising cross-border workers to regularly get themselves tested for Covid-19. The government spokesperson also pointed out that Luxembourg is offering free tests to cross-border workers. This way a possible quarantine could be avoided. The federal governments of both Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate/Rheinland-Pfalz are also still opposed to return to border controls with Luxembourg. When contacted by RTL, the state chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate reiterated this Wednesday morning that Luxembourg now counts as a high-risk zone, and that the official regulations for risk areas apply. As a result, Luxembourg residents face the same restrictions than people from the Gutersloh district. This district was also declared a risk zone after a massive virus outbreak at a Tonnies slaughterhouse. The chancellery again stressed that Luxembourg residents arriving in Germany must self-isolate and inform local health authorities (see above for exceptions). People found to disregard Germany's quarantine rule risk fines of up to 25,000. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn, advised Luxembourgers to only travel to Germany when it is absolutely necessary. A collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) has helped Rhode Island survive an unprecedented torrent of unemployment claims. Why it matters: While tech companies were well-positioned to pivot to digital-first business in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown, state governments faced paralysis. With the pandemic continuing and lockdowns potentially returning, states will need to innovate to keep their systems running. By the numbers: More than 40 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the start of the pandemic. Rhode Island, which has a population of just over 1 million people, received more than 140,000 jobless claims in the 45 days after a state of emergency was declared on March 9. At the onset of the crisis, the state was trying to process those claims using 30-year-old systems. And since Rhode Island requires the unemployed to file a continuing claim each week to get benefits, "It looked like we could be facing 200,000 people calling within a 12-hour period," says Scott Jensen, the director of Rhode Island's department of labor and training. At the start of the crisis, the department could only handle 75 concurrent calls. "The math didn't work anymore," says Jensen. What happened: Rhode Island reached out to AWS, which was working to update the technological infrastructure of state governments. AWS helped install Amazon Connect, the company's cloud-based contact center solution, the same system Amazon uses to handle the Black Friday sales event. That gave the department the ability to process up to 2,000 concurrent calls, ensuring that "no one was getting a busy signal." What they're saying: "Instead of having to hire a new labor force, you can use your existing employees and scale them so they don't need to be in a call center," says Teresa Carlson, vice-president of the worldwide public sector at AWS. "They can be virtual instead." AWS has worked with other states on updating unemployment systems, including Massachusetts, as has its cloud competitor Google. The bottom line: State governments need to move fast to catch up with the digital transformation forced by the pandemic. Andreas Josefsson, University of Umea, and Karin Welen, University of Gothenburg. Credit: Mattias Pettersson and Ida Welen In a new trial, Swedish researchers will investigate if a medicine normally used to treat prostate cancer can also be used to treat COVID-19 in patients. The desired effect is that the medicine will shorten the course of the disease and the need for intensive care. The drug itself is known to not least affect an enzyme important in prostate cancer cases and in corona infections. "Our objective is that this drug will reduce the amount of coronavirus that can reach lung cells by preventing the underlying process behind an enzyme," says Assistant Professor Andreas Josefsson, who leads the trial. He is group leader at the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umea University and is consultant physician in urology at Region Vasterbotten and in Sahlgrenska University hospital in Gothenburg. The risk of falling seriously ill with COVID-19 has so far been remarkably higher for men than for women. This suggests that the system this medicine affects can be of importance in the treatment of corona infections too. The drug Enzalutamide blocks signals of male sex hormone, testosterone, which in turn affects the enzyme TMPRSS2, among others. This happens to be the same enzyme that the virus SARS-CoV-2 needs to get into cells and harm lungs. Data from Italy shows that among men treated with similar drugs against their prostate cancer, a considerably lower number has fallen ill with COVID-19 than in comparable control groups. It may also be possible that testosterone itself weakens the immune system's ability to cope with SARS-CoV-2 infections, and that the medicine in that way could have positive effects also on this. The trial will be conducted at voluntary basis on hospitalized patients treated for COVID-19, but who are not critically ill enough to require intensive care. The patients in this trial will be administered the drug in the form of pills over the course of five days during which they will be closely monitored. The result of this treatment will then be compared with a control group. "This is a drug that we are very familiar with, but it will now be used for a new purpose. Hence, safety is a very important part of this trial," says Andreas Josefsson. Normally, the drug is administered in long-term treatment, and with this short treatment period, the risks of potential side effects reduce. Follow ups will take place continuously for six weeks and again after six months. This national Swedish trial is based on a collaboration between Umea University, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the infection and urology clinics at Norrlands University Hospital in Umea and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. A further six Swedish medical regions have expressed their interest in participating so far, and the hospitals in Malmo, Sundsvall and Jonkoping are preparing to start. The study has a capacity of recruiting up to 600 patients. "We also have close collaborations internationally with the US where similar trials are commencing, and we are sharing experiences with each other. The spirit is high in collaborations both within research fields globally as well as cross-disciplinarily to find drugs against COVID-19," says Karin Welen, docent at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, who leads the study together with Andreas Josefsson. The trial Covidenza has passed ethical review and has been approved by the Swedish Medical Products Agency. Region Vasterbotten is the accountable authority of the trial supported by medical regions involved, the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine in Umea and the pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma. The pharmaceutical company, however, is not involved in planning the trial or processing the results. Explore further Side effects seen with use of chloroquine against COVID-19 Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 18:09:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ATHENS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Greece and Cyprus will seek a "comprehensive European response" to Turkey's recent moves concerning Hagia Sophia and energy exploration, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Tuesday after talks with visiting Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. Relations between Greece and Turkey have grown increasingly tense in recent months over several issues including undersea drilling rights in disputed eastern Mediterranean waters and Turkey's decision to convert the landmark Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque. In a joint statement, the Greek prime minister described Turkey's recent moves as "provocations" directed at the entire Europe as "they came from a country that was formally recognized as a candidate for EU membership." "Therefore, a comprehensive European response is needed," Mitsotakis said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday formally changed the status of Hagia Sophia to a mosque and declared it open to Muslim worship, triggering strong reactions and criticism from across the globe. In response to the European Union (EU)'s reaction, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that his country firmly rejected "the word of condemnation used by the EU." "This is a matter concerning Turkey's sovereign rights," he added. The 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, which first served as a cathedral and later an Ottoman imperial mosque, was transformed into a museum in 1935. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a monument of world cultural heritage since 1985. Also on Tuesday, Mitsotakis said in a broadcast on Greek national broadcaster ERT that Europe, united and with decisiveness, should "draft a precise list of actions and sanctions" against Turkey's move. According to Turkish religious authorities, Hagia Sophia, a major tourist attraction in the country, will remain open to visitors outside the prayer times and Christian icons in the building will be curtained off during times of Muslim prayer. Enditem A brutal day of hand-to-hand combat on the India-China border last month may accomplish what years of Pentagon and White House outreach has struggled to achieve: draw the U.S. and India closer militarily. U.S. strategists have long wanted to get India firmly on America's side, seeing the nation of 1.3 billion as a powerful counterweight to China. But while India has historically tried to balance its ties among global powers, the clashes with China at 14,000-feet (4,300 meters) laid bare the potential longer-term risks of not having the U.S. more clearly behind it. "My former Pentagon colleagues see the India dust-up as nothing you'd want but a great opportunity for further strengthening U.S.-India cooperation," said Randy Schriver who stepped down as assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs in December. "Our defense strategy is really getting a boost from all this." Closer ties would represent a big strategic win for President Donald Trump, who has courted Prime Minister Narendra Modi since taking office in 2017. In 2018, the two nations signed a defense agreement that allowed India to purchase advanced American weapons and share sensitive military technology. In 2019 the U.S. approved the largest defense deal between the two countries in four years when it confirmed the sale of $1 billion in naval guns to India. Last year the U.S. and Indian militaries also conducted their first-ever joint land, sea and air exercises. In February, just before the covid-19 pandemic exploded in the U.S., the two leaders confirmed that $3 billion in defense deals would go forward, including $2.6 billion for MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters built by Lockheed Martin. They promised more to come. Then came the border clash on the Tibetan plateau, just as tensions were soaring between Washington and Beijing. Trump, who used to regularly praise his friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, now lambastes Beijing over the origins of the coronavirus, its growing intervention in Hong Kong and its treatment of Muslim Uighurs in the western region of Xinjiang. That's all playing out to New Delhi's benefit as well as Trump's. One official with Modi's government who asked not to be identified discussing policy said India is now more likely to pursue complex military exercises with the U.S. and to purchase offensive weapons platforms. The official said India has become less concerned about provoking China since the clash along their remote Himalayan boundary that left 20 Indian troops and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers dead in a fierce skirmish. In the latest sign that New Delhi is open to closer military ties with the West, the country plans to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar naval exercise later this year that has so far included just Japan and the U.S. That would mark the first joint military drills by all the nations that take part in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also referred to as the "Quad." In the past, India was hesitant to engage in high-level defense exchanges with the other three powers to avoid irritating China, said Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, a distinguished fellow at the Aspen Center in New Delhi. Now, however, "India has no choice or incentive anymore to stay away from the U.S.," Chaudhuri said. In Beijing, too, there's a recognition that Sino-Indian tensions are likely to draw the U.S. further into South Asian geopolitics. "India has wanted to strengthen its military alliance with the U.S. in recent years, so the border incident with China may expedite this trend," said Zhu Jiangming, a senior researcher at the Renmin University's Overseas Security Research Institute. The geopolitical maneuvering comes after the Trump administration sought to build on an Obama-era effort to brand the region stretching from India to Hawaii as the "Indo-Pacific." In 2017, Trump delivered a speech in Vietnam stressing the U.S. commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific." A year later, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis renamed U.S. Pacific Command the "U.S. Indo-Pacific Command." The Pentagon's strategy report for the region calls out the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to "reorder the region to its advantage by leveraging military modernization, influence operations and predatory economics to coerce other nations." The Indo-Pacific alliance, the document says, is meant to counter that effort. Enhanced cooperation is also likely in the field of military intelligence, according to Schriver, the former Pentagon official. "When it comes to things like PLA deployments in the Indian Ocean, it means sharing information, shadowing vessels and looking at whether you can hold a vessel and pass it onto another," he said, referring to China's People's Liberation Army. The two sides are also likely to move beyond naval cooperation, branching out into ground force cooperation, Schriver said. Deteriorating U.S. ties with India's South Asian rival Pakistan are easing the way for a closer U.S.-India defense relationship. In September 2018, the U.S. cut $300 million in military aid to Pakistan after longstanding frustration that the country was providing safe haven to the Afghan Taliban. The shift opened a path for "better and more fulsome engagement" with India, the Aspen Center's Pal Chaudhuri said. U.S.-India ties also have been strengthening for reasons beyond the border spat. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has touted India as a potential supply chain partner as the U.S. seeks to reduce its dependence on China's economy. Still, many of the obstacles that have stymied US-India military cooperation in the past are likely to persist. New Delhi has continued to maintain friendly security ties with Moscow, going as far as to buy a Russian S-400 air defense system, echoing a move that hobbled U.S. ties with Turkey. Russia remains India's largest arms supplier, accounting for 56% of its weapons imports from 2015 to 2019, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. For India, analysts say, the pursuit of closer U.S. military ties will be just part of a broader strategy to hedge against Chinese influence. "India will continue to have multiple alignments," said Kashish Parpiani, a research fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Mumbai. "While the U.S. will be the biggest gainer, major partners like France, Israel, Russia and Japan will gain too." "India is not going to wholeheartedly pick a side," Parpiani said. "It will signal, and signal hard. But unless the Chinese troops actually start marching down and India is cornered, it will not pick a side." Adam Neumann, chief executive officer of U.S. co-working firm WeWork, speaks during a signing ceremony in Shanghai TEL AVIV (Reuters) - WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann has invested $10 million in GoTo Global as part of a $19 million funding round for the vehicle sharing service provider that operates in Israel and Malta. The fundraising values GoTo Global, a subsidiary of Israel's Shagrir Group Vehicle Services, at $30 million and Neumann will hold a 33% stake, the company said on Wednesday. GoTo Global, which plans to expand in Europe this year, provides shared vehicles including cars, mopeds, bicycles and scooters. In 2019 it had revenue of $13.2 million and provided more than 1.3 million trips. GoTo Global CEO Gil Laser said the alternative transportation market is expected to exceed $600 billion by 2025. The coronavirus pandemic increases the potential for the company's market as people avoid public transportation, he said. In May Neumann filed a lawsuit against Japans SoftBank Group and its Vision Fund for terminating a $3 billion tender offer to WeWork's shareholders. The office-sharing startup has gone through a tumultuous period since abandoning its initial public offering in September. It pushed out Neumann last year and has seen occupancy rates plummet amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Reporting by Tova Cohen; Editing by Steven Scheer) Mumbai, July 15 : "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" clocked nine years of release on Wednesday, and filmmaker Zoya Akhtar walked down memory lane, looking back at the time of making the film. Zoya took to Instagram to post a picture featuring her with the three lead actors of the film, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol. In the image, they seem to be looking into the monitor to preview a shot. "I THINK WE GOT IT! #znmd #9yearstoday #besttimeever," Zoya wrote with the image. Hrithik commented: "Things that make you wanna shout out " "AAAI LOVE YOU GUYS !!!" Truly the best times ever." Abhay also responded: "Uff! I'd make this film all over again just be back on set." "I can't believe it's 9 years already. I remember every single day of that shoot. I was lucky to work with my favourite artists in the cast and crew. Form friendships that will stay for life, grow up as a filmmaker.. and have an affair with Spain. If I could be taken back in time, I would choose to experience this shoot again," Zoya said. Farhan also shared a special post on his Instagram handle. He wrote: "Miss this shoot. Miss the crew. Miss their madness. Forever grateful to the universe for the experience of this film and for the love you continue to show it. Big hug. #9YearsOfZNMD." The road trip drama also stars Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration said Wednesday it will impose travel bans on employees of the Chinese technology giant Huawei and other Chinese companies the U.S. determines are assisting authoritarian governments in cracking down on human rights, including in Chinas western Xinjiang province. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said the administration is finalizing plans to minimize data theft from the popular Chinese video streaming app TikTok, although he stopped short of saying it would be banned outright. Pompeo made the announcements a day after the British government said it would ban Huawei from its 5G networks over concerns that sensitive data could be compromised by the Chinese Communist Party. Pompeo told reporters at a State Department news conference that Huawei employees found to be providing material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally would be hit with sanctions. Companies impacted by todays action include Huawei, an arm of the CCPs surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China, he said. Certain Huawei employees provide material support to the CCP regime that commits human rights abuses. Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers, Pompeo said. Huawei said it was disappointed in the decision, which it called unfair. Huawei operates independent of the Chinese government, it said in a statement. We are a private, employee-owned firm. We are disappointed by this unfair and arbitrary action to restrict visas of our employees who work tirelessly to contribute to technological innovation in the U.S. and around the world. At a later event sponsored by The Hill newspaper, Pompeo said the administration was also looking at how to prevent data theft from TikTok and other Chinese companies. Whether its TikTok or any of the other Chinese communications platforms, apps, infrastructure, this administration has taken seriously the requirement to protect the American people from having their information end up in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, he said. And so we are working through a process where all the relevant agencies and the private sector are getting to say their piece. We hope to have a set of decisions shortly which will reflect this central understanding. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Air Force One that administration officials are looking at the national security risks associated with TikTok, WeChat and other apps gathering information on American citizens. He said there is no deadline for action, but said it was likely weeks, not months. It is not clear how many Huawei employees would be affected. Huawei says on its website that it has more than 194,000 employees in more than 170 countries and regions. The U.S. has led a worldwide campaign to convince foreign governments, particularly those in allied nations, to bar Huawei from their advanced telecommunications networks, arguing that allowing them into those systems would lead to violations of their citizens privacy. The U.S. has also threatened NATO and other allies with curtailments or suspensions in intelligence sharing and co-operation should they allow Huawei components or technology in their high-speed networks. ___ Associated Press staff writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report. The Houston Chronicles Live Updates blog documents the latest events in the coronavirus outbreak in the Houston area, the state of Texas and across the U.S. with a focus on health and economic impacts. The Houston Chronicles ongoing coverage is available to subscribers. Subscribe now for full access and to support our work. Total coronavirus cases: 292,060 cases in Texas, including 105 deaths. 71,899 in the Houston region, including 697 deaths. More than 3.4 million in the U.S., including 137,357 deaths. Click here to see a U.S. map with state-by-state death tolls and coronavirus case counts. More than 13.5 million in the world, with more than 582,596 deaths. More than 7.4 million people have recovered. You can view the worldwide totals here. Resources on COVID-19 and Texas' reopening: Use our interactive page to track the spread of cases through Harris County and the rest of Texas. For a detailed look at our state, check out the Chronicle's Texas Coronavirus Map. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter. Latest updates from today: 7:40 p.m. Texas set another record Wednesday for new COVID-19 cases statewide with 10,975, more than 100 cases greater than the record set Tuesday, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data. Tuesday's record was 10,859 new cases. There are now 292,060 cases statewide. The state's seven-day rolling average for new cases climbed for the 12th straight day to 9,479.9. Also, the 105 new deaths reports Wednesday became the state's third-highest single-day fatality increase. Meanwhile, the state's positive test rate dropped from 16.89% to 16.81%, and the number of hospitalizations dipped to 10,471. There are now 10,586 beds available statewide, including 853 ICU beds. The Houston region's case count is 71,899, up 2,624 from yesterday. Harris County added 1,343 new cases today, and is now at 50,370 cases total. There have been 697 deaths in the Houston region, up 21 from Tuesday. 6:05 p.m. Fort Bend Health and Human Services reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths. The deaths included two men with underlying conditions, one in his 60s and the other in his 70s. 5:15 p.m. As new COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County topped 853 on Wednesday, health district officials say the agency is changing the way it reports cases amid the increasing numbers that has resulted in a backlog for staff, reports the Chronicle's Catherine Dominguez. Montgomery County Hospital District Spokeswoman Misti Willingham said the health department will now report all cases it receives before an investigation is launched into each case to gain more information from the patient including sex and status. We will only have preliminary information we receive from individual healthcare providers on the laboratory report age and address, Willingham said. Sex and status will be filled in once a contact investigation is initiated. 4:25 p.m. The Houston Health Department reported 16 new COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, the citys highest single-day total since the start of the pandemic, reports the Chronicle's Jasper Scherer. The deaths, which brought Houstons cumulative total to 295, spanned a wide range of dates, with one of the fatalities coming on May 4. All but two of the victims had underlying health conditions, according to data from the city. The health department also reported 703 new cases of COVID-19. 4 p.m. United Airlines may lay off as many as 3,900 employees at George Bush Intercontinental Airport beginning this fall, along with hundreds of other employees at William P. Hobby Airport and North Houston Center, the airline warned in a state-required notice. A dramatic downturn in demand for travel resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the airline to slash expenses. While layoffs had been staved off by Congress bailout money, now, the company plans to cut jobs beginning in October. We expect that travel demand will not go back to normal until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, wrote Kate Gebo, executive vice president of human resources and labor relations at United, in a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission, warning of the coming layoffs. Even if demand continues to slowly improve, it is unfortunately very likely that we will need to adjust the size of the company to reflect lower demand levels. 3:30 p.m. An estimated 659,000 adults in Texas lost health care coverage with their jobs between February and May as employers laid off workers in droves, according to new reports. The uninsured rate in the state surged to 29 percent, meaning nearly one in three Texans under 65 are without health insurance, the highest rate in the nation, according to an analysis released Tuesday from Families USA, a consumer health advocacy nonprofit. Texas already boasted the highest rate of uninsured residents before COVID-19, with approximately 18 percent of adults uninsured. Across the United States, 5.4 million workers lost their health insurance during the pandemic, bringing the uninsured rate to about 16 percent, according to the Families USA study. It will likely be the biggest increase in uninsured over a one-year period ever recorded, already exceeding the 3.9 million who lost employer-sponsored coverage from 2008 to 2009, in the thick of the Great Recession. 2:50 p.m. With the oil and energy industry still reeling from the pandemic, President Donald Trump claimed during a Monday roundtable discussion at the White House that he "saved" and "created" the oil industry in Texas. "I saved the oil industry, two months ago I saved the oil industry," Trump said. "I created it, it became number one, we have millions of jobs and we saved it so Texas is not going to have to let go of millions of millions of people." The president called recent polls between himself and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden "fake news, phony-polls, same thing," and said his move to "save" the oil industry has him higher in the polls than what is being reported. "We are doing well in Texas," Trump said. "We would have had millions of people out of work, I saved it, and then they say I am leading by one point in Texas?" The president did not elaborate on how he saved or created the industry, which is currently facing one of the biggest challenges since the 19th century due to slowing petroleum demand from the pandemic, according to a recent report from the U.K. financial services firm Deloitte. 2:15 p.m. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spike across the country, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one thing could help get the virus under control in weeks: masks. "I think if we could get everybody to wear a mask right now, I really do think in four, six, eight weeks we could bring this epidemic under control," Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a discussion with the Journal of the American Medical Association. 1:45 p.m. Houston ISD plans to delay the start of its school year until Sept. 8, and remain in online-only classes for at least the first six weeks of school, keeping students and teachers home during that time, district officials said Wednesday. Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, speaking to a group of parent-teacher organization leaders, said decisions about returning to in-person instruction will be based on what the health threat level is in the area. While district leaders hope to reopen facilities on Oct. 19, that decision could depend on orders issued by local health authorities or Gov. Greg Abbott. Right now, it is just not possible for us to do (reopen campuses), and Im sorry thats the situation, Lathan said. We moved too fast in the city and state as it relates to reopening. For now, students will receive a mix of live instruction delivered via video conferencing and online coursework they can complete on their own time. Daily attendance will be tracked, with students considered present if they participate in live instruction, use the districts online learning platform or submit completed assignments. 1 p.m. Houston ISD is scheduled to release its back-to-school plan Wednesday afternoon even as the outlook on classes restarting in August grows murkier across Texas. HISD leaders are expected to detail their options for providing in-person and virtual classes to the districts nearly 210,000 students, in addition to outlining health and safety protocols that will be closely watched by parents and 24,000-plus employees. A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. Several of the regions largest school districts, including Aldine, Fort Bend, Katy and Klein ISDs, unveiled their plans for August in recent days. Cy-Fair ISD, the regions second-largest district, is scheduled to release its plan on July 27. While many districts across the state are working toward reopening buildings in August, the prospect of in-person classes next month grows dimmer by the day. 12:30 p.m. A top medical adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday the states coronavirus surge is rampant enough to warrant lockdowns in at least the hardest hit regions. In an interview, Dr. Mark McClellan said Texas is not meeting key requirements that would need to be in place for a safe reopening, especially with the school year set to convene next month. Those include declining cases and adequate hospital capacity. Its clear that the state has not been on a sustainable course and its worth considering a regional approach, said McClellan, a physician and economist at Duke University and a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. He added, Its so hard to stay ahead of the pandemic when its in a growth phase. 12 p.m. Mortgage rates are at an all-time low, and the number of homeowners looking to reduce their monthly mortgage payments by taking out new home loans at current rates has surged. The number of refinance applications last week was up 107 percent from the same week a year before, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The activity cam as the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for the week ending July 9 fell to 3.03 percent, according to Freddie Mac. 11:30 a.m. A laboratory in San Antonio is testing masks for frontline workers and health care providers to ensure they properly filter small particles that could carry the new coronavirus. Southwest Research Institute announced Tuesday that its Particle Science and Technology Laboratory is now testing face masks to check for counterfeit or underperforming masks. 10:45 a.m. Diamondback Energy has restarted oil production at nearly all of its wells that were temporarily shut down after the coronavirus-driven oil crash earlier this year. The Midland shale driller on Tuesday said it has lifted its self-imposed production cap of 9 million barrels of oil per day, set back in May after oil demand and prices crashed as the coronavirus pandemic forced economies around the world to restrict business and travel. Diamondback said it began pumping oil out of its shut-in wells in June, and has since brought back nearly all of its curtailed production. 10:15 a.m. With Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Gov. Greg Abbott publicly disagreeing over the need for a new stay-at-home order to control the COVID-19 outbreak, a key constituency has declined to offer public guidance: Texas Medical Center executives. TMC leaders in March unanimously called on elected officials to issue a stay-at-home order and praised Hidalgo when she did so. Two months later, they commended Abbotts reopening plan. They continue to urge the public to wear masks and practice social distancing. They conspicuously, however, have avoided offering opinions on the debate between Hidalgo and Abbott over a new stay-home order even as a top medical adviser to the governor said Tuesday the tactic was worth considering. 9:45 a.m. Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that changes likely are coming to the states guidance on reopening schools, with local officials potentially getting more latitude to keep campuses closed in August. Abbott offered few details on potential tweaks to the states guidelines, which have drawn criticism from several leading education groups amid a continued spike in COVID-19 cases, but he suggested new regulations could be released in the next few days. I think Mike Morath, the commissioner of education, is expected to announce a longer period of time for online learning at the beginning of the school year, and flexibility at the local level, Abbott told KTRK-TV in Houston. This is going to have to be a local-level decision, but there will be great latitude and flexibility provided at the local level. 9:15 a.m. Texas on Tuesday saw its highest single-day increase yet in COVID-19 cases with 10,859, more than 400 cases greater than the second-highest jump, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data. There now have been 281,085 overall cases statewide. The previous record increase was reported July 7 with 10,414 new cases. Additionally, Texas saw another uptick in hospitalizations, one day after reporting its first dip in that number over the previous two weeks. Statewide, a record 10,569 people are now hospitalized for COVID-19 with lab-confirmed infections an increase of 164 from Monday. Despite the new peak in cases and hospitalizations, Gov. Greg Abbott continued to back away from considering another statewide lockdown. In an interview with KTVT Dallas, he said his current order closing bars and mandating masks has yet to be reflected in the data, he said. 8:40 a.m. A month before Houston-area schools plan to reopen in August, scientists still do not know the role children play in spreading the disease and the risk they and their teachers will assume when they return to campus. The reality is, we wont know until we put large numbers of kids close together again, said Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. Our knowledge about the virus is constantly changing. Were still learning new things every day. Texas school districts, however, continue to move forward in releasing plans for resuming classes, including HISD, which is scheduled to announce its reopening guidelines Wednesday. Yale SOM during the pandemic Yale School of Management has split its Executive MBA classes into three for social distancing For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke in March, Yale Universitys School of Management welcomed MBA students back to its campus for in-person classes on July 10. In this case, it was Yales incoming cohort of Executive MBAs who began a nine-day residency on the otherwise empty Yale campus. For the remainder of their first year, they will attend in-person and virtual classes every other weekend while continuing their professional lives. Its the first of SOMs masters degree programs to resume in-person classes since the shift to remote instruction four months ago. And their arrival is also a harbinger of the new normal that MBA students are likely to experience when their classes resume in late August. For Yale, its a controlled pilot with an incoming class of 77 students, 16 of them deciding to take advantage of the hybrid format SOM has adopted to do their classes remotely. As the first class back, were leading the way in trying to figure everything out, says Wendy Tsung, assistant dean of the schools Executive MBA program. It is a test to see what we can do and the type of environment we can create to keep faculty and students safe. A MONTH-LONG VIRTUAL ORIENTATION PRECEDED THE ARRIVAL OF THE LARGEST EMBA CLASS IN THE SCHOOLS HISTORY Wendy Tsung, assistant dean of Yale SOM's Executive MBA program Wendy Tsung, assistant dean of Yale SOMs Executive MBA program The class is the largest in the programs history, three more than the record of 74 students who had enrolled a year earlier. It boasts an accomplished group of leaders from a variety of industries and sectors within each area of focus. They include chief compliance officers, lawyers, physicians, engineers, chief operating officers, and entrepreneurs. A month-long group of virtual orientation activities preceded their arrival on campus. So we had this entire month to get people ready to start the program, says Tsung. The cohort really came together and students knew each other so much better than if we started on July 10 with orientation. The faculty have commented on how many more questions there are and how well the teams are already working together. Story continues With state guidelines that prohibit the gathering of more than 25 people, the resumption of classes posed an unusual challenge for the school. Ordinarilly, the entire entering cohort would take its classes together. Instead, SOM divided up its new students into three groups so that two-thirds of the seats in its 80-seat classrooms would be empty for social distancing. The goal: One professor would be present in one classroom, while students in the other two classrooms would experience that professor remotely. Yet, at least in one case, a faculty member preferred to teach all her sessions from her office. THERES A DIFFERENT VIBE IN THE CLASSROOM Its been a big logistical undertaking, says Tsung. It is a different environment. It is a new age. Theres a different vibe in the classroom, but having some form of personal interaction is really helpful. The precautions put in place to bring students back to campus safely start well before they arrive. Students, staff and faculty all must undergo COVID testing before entering campus. In fact, students are required to take a COVID test twice, once at home and then, if they test negative, again when they arrive on campus. They are asked to bring their own thermometers for their daily temperature checks, one of many conditions they must agree to in a community compact that requires daily health monitoring and basic safety procedures from wearing face coverings at all time to agreeing to socially distance from classmates, faculty and staff. They have to acknowledge that they dont have a list of basic symptoms and have to affirm their temperatures before they come into the building, explains Tsung. We also have temperature guns once they arrive. Anyone with an elevated temperature or coronavirus symptoms would be subject to yet another COVID test and a period of self-quarantining. Yale SOM Professor Michael Sinkinson at his first in-person class with Executive MBA students Yale SOM Professor Michael Sinkinson at his first in-person class with Executive MBA students FACULTY ROTATES FROM ONE CLASSROOM TO ANOTHER, TEACHING ONE-THIRD OF THE STUDENTS IN-PERSON & THE REST ONLINE The state guidelines placing a limit on gatherings of more than 25 people imposed a new way of thinking about how to manage space in a classroom. Even though our classrooms are quite large and cat seat 80 students, when we appropriately social distance we can sit more than 25 at a time, adds Tsung. But we split the 61 students who are now doing the program in person into three rooms at the same time. We want to make sure we are under that 25-person limit and then we have a faculty member rotate from room to room. The result? Two sections of the cohort experience it in a classroom on campus but the professor is only on a large screen. The other section has the professor in the classroom. Even though the faculty isnt teaching physically in front of all the students, their image is still in front of them along with PowerPoint slides. The students that participate remotely are on another screen so everyone in class can see all the other students as well. For the most part, SOM faculty is teaching in person behind face shields but the school cant force a professor, particularly one with pre-existing conditions who would be more vulnerable to the virus, to do so. Its a very individual decision to make, concedes Tsung. The faculty working with the Class of 2022 all wanted to be near our students. So three are now in person and one is teaching from her office so she is in the building even though she is not in front of her students. The faculty and the staff go through the same process as well. They are tested. They need to agree to the compact and do daily health monitoring. STUDENTS SIT IN CLASSES, SURROUNDED BY PLEXIGLASS PARTITIONS, WITH MASKS ON But that is not all. Before faculty and students showed up, a minimum of six feet of social distancing was measured out in each classroom, an exercise that led to the decision to reduce the capacity of each classroom by two-thirds. And then, after learning that IMD in Switzerland erected plexiglass partitions around students when it opened the campus to MBA students, Yale decided to go the same route. We wanted to create as safe an environment as we could, explains Tsung. Obviously, nothing is 100% and frankly right now the research is still being done on what is effective and what isnt. This was our approach to help alleviate risk and increase safety. But students still have to wear masks in the classroom, even when they are behind the plexiglass. The cleaning regiment for simplified by not allowing students to enter any other classroom than the one they have already been in. Classrooms are wiped down every day, but these are assigned seats, adds Tsung. We want students to have interaction with each other and the faculty, but we also want to cohort students so each student has an assigned seat so they dont change rooms while they are here. BREAKOUT ROOMS FOR TEAM MEETINGS ARE NOW USELESS BECAUSE SOCIAL DISTANCING PREVENTS THEIR USE BY TEAMS Then, there was the problem of where student teams would collaboratively work together. In pre-pandemic days, that was no problem at all because SOM, in common with most other business schools, had plenty of breakout rooms for team meetings. But those rooms are now too small to allow for proper social distancing. Instead, SOM is using other empty classrooms for that purpose, something that will be harder to do when all the students return in the fall. Weve been really fortunate because we have the building to ourselves and that creates so much more space, says Tsung. Each of our learning teams has their own classroom to meet as a team because we have the extra space. Our breakout rooms are no longer big enough because of the social distancing required. So we have a lot more flexibility being a program of our size and being the only ones in the building right now. Less than a week into the experiment, Tsung says some key learnings have already come from the experience. Having gone through the last few days, we identified a bunch of things to do when we are able to bring more students back to the building, some operational things that goes toward bringing people back and some technology things between classrooms. That is different when we all went online in the spring. All of these things were experimenting with and working out. THE IN-PERSON PILOT HAS LED TO A HOST OF IDEAS FOR HOW SOM CAN OPEN THIS FALL Of course, putting on in-person classes for fewer than 100 students is different than opening up the building to the much larger population of MBAs, faculty and staff in the fall. The great thing about the EMBA population is that they are not 18-year-olds, says Tsung. A third of our class is the healthcare space, whether they are physicians or nurses or work in hospitals, so that also adds a different dimension to what we are able to achieve. Yales Executive MBA program allows students three tracks in healthcare, asset management or sustainability. Of the groups 77 students, 34% are focusing on healthcare, 36% on sustainability, and 30% on asset management. The newest students in the healthcare area of focus include the chief of otolaryngology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and a principal global innovation manager at Medtronic. Many of them have had to directly deal with the coronavirus in hospital settings so they are more than aware of the dangers the virus poses. The in-person pilot, says Tsung, has led to a host of ideas of how the school will approach its opening in the fall. A lot of thought has gone into this A/B model where some of the students are on campus and in person and some are remote. It might be that some of the full-time MBA students would come to campus on Monday and Wednesday and the others on Tuesday and Thursday. There will definitely be a need to bring down capacity in the building. And there will be a group of students who may not be able to come to campus at all. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE: CONSTANT CHANGE & WHAT IS UNKNOWN Tsung remains upbeat. Its a fantastic class and the students are so excited to start this journey and have the opportunity to start it in person and to meet their classmates and the faculty. The single biggest challenge so far? For us, there are so many things that are constantly changing, and there are so many unknowns. You think that maybe in a week well know more. But there is this constant flux of either not knowing or conditions changing that makes it really challenging. DONT MISS: MBA CLASSES THIS FALL: DAILY TEMPERATURE CHECKS, MASKS, PLEXIGLASS & SMALLER CLASSES or THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS & UV-RAY ROBOTS: A B-SCHOOL PRODUCES A VIDEO ON WHAT CLASSES WILL BE LIKE The post How Yale Brought Its First MBA Students Back To Campus appeared first on Poets&Quants. Priti Patel's enormous mug has caused a stir on Twitter just days after Rishi Sunak showed off his own 180 'smart' coffee cup. The Home Secretary sparked a social media frenzy after she was pictured drinking out of a massive vessel during the Home Affairs Committee remote hearing today. It comes just a week after the Chancellor was photographed with his 180 'smart' mug an expensive gift from his wife as he prepared his coronavirus mini-budget. Priti Patel was seen on video during the Home Affairs Committee remote hearing drinking out of a huge London-themed coffee mug (above) The sheer size of the Home Secretary's mug caught attention on Twitter, as people called it a 'tankard' and joked that it was nearly the same size as her Ms Patel was seen sipping from her oversized cup, which was London-themed and decorated with guards, crowns and the Union Flag. One Twitter user joked: 'I don't think we can rule out the possibility that the mug is normal sized and Priti Patel is just very small.' Journalist John Rentoul shared the picture, saying: 'Priti Patel has the biggest mug yet seen in a select committee remote hearing.' Other Twitter users quipped that the cup was 'exactly the same height as Priti'. People continued to ridicule her choice of mug, with one person calling it a 'tankard'. People took to Twitter to ridicule Priti Patel's choice of mug, with some users quipping that the mug was not, in fact, extremely large, but the Home Secretary was 'just very small' Chancellor Rishi Sunak, 40, posed with an expensive 180 smart mug for his pre-Budget photograph last week Some social media users even went as far as to slam her beverage as 'problematic', arguing that it was too tall to be able to adequately stir with a teaspoon. Another Twitter user said: 'Priti Patel's mug holds three hundred thousand and thirty four, nine hundred and seventy four thousand ml of coffee.' But it is not the first time politicians have caused a stir with their tea-drinking habits, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak posed with an expensive mug last week. He was pictured with his packed lunch and a pricey 180 'smart' mug in his pre-Budget photograph. Mr Sunak, 40, looked over his mini-Budget plans with the Ember Travel Mug displayed prominently on his desk. Philip Hammond was memorably pictured drinking out of an Emma Bridgewater mug with 'Chancellor Philip Hammond' written on it back in 2018 The mug sells for 180 online and can keep drinks warm for three hours. Users can even use a smart phone app to set the exact temperature they want their beverage to be kept at. Philip Hammond's personalised mug was made by designer Emma Bridgewater The mug, which uses an electronic 'charging coaster', was reportedly a Christmas gift from his wife. But Mr Sunak's expensive mug could not compare to the famous picture of Philip Hammond drinking a cup of tea. Mr Hammond was memorably pictured drinking out of a personalised Emma Bridgewater mug back in 2018. The simple mug had 'Chancellor Philip Hammond' written on it, arguably a more traditional choice than Mr Sunak's 'smart' mug. But Mr Hammond's personalised mug still caused a stir on Twitter, with people joking about the price of the designer mug. One person quipped that the mug was there 'in case he forgets who he is and what he's supposed to be doing all day'. Other Twitter users joked that they hoped the mug didn't come at the expense of the taxpayer. Canadians are flooding a foreign chapter of the Democratic Party with offers to help it defeat Donald Trump in this fall's U.S. presidential election. The head of the party branch in Canada, Steve Nardi, chuckles as he scrolls through his email inbox and describes the range of messages he gets, such as one note complaining that Democrats need better attack ads. "Oh, I get advice," said Nardi, a Toronto-based American expat. He also gets warnings. "I get a lot of Canadians talking to me saying, 'You'd better work [hard this year].'" Finally, Nardi fields offers to volunteer many of them. "I get requests. I get emails almost daily from Canadians saying, 'I want to help. How can I help?'" It's that last type of message that raises legal and ethical questions about what tasks foreigners are allowed to perform in a U.S. election. Interviews with U.S. election-law experts and officials in both major U.S. political parties produced a short, clear answer to that question, and a longer, murkier one. Every single vote will count. Canada could make the difference in an election like that. - Bruce Heyman, former U.S. ambassador to Canada The short answer is: U.S. election law allows foreigners to do just about anything, as long as it's routine volunteer work. And potentially the most impactful, least controversial of those activities is to inform friends holding U.S. citizenship who live in Canada that they're allowed to register to vote, an initiative promoted by both Democrats and Republicans. Canada is home to more of these eligible American voters than any other country. Nardi raises a provocative possibility: that there are enough potential voters in Canada to decide an American election. A U.S. federal report said there were 622,492 American citizens living in Canada who were eligible to vote in the U.S. election in 2016 and only 5.3 per cent cast a ballot. Consider that the election was decided by 77,744 votes combined in three major swing states Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Two of those states border Canada, and the margin in Michigan was barely 10,000 votes. Story continues "A lot of Americans don't realize they are eligible to vote," Nardi said. "There's a huge, huge opportunity [in Canada] to deliver impacts." Other rules on volunteering The U.S. Federal Election Commission says that foreigners can volunteer during election campaigns as long as they're doing it in their personal time, not offering anything of monetary value, and not participating in planning election strategy. One prominent expert on U.S. election law said he was taken aback when he checked the rules and saw how permissive they were of foreign volunteers. "I was really surprised," said James Gardner, a law professor at the University of Buffalo. "That just seems quite inconsistent to me. It sounds like someone can do phone-banking," he said, referring to the common practice of calling voters and urging them to cast ballots for a particular party. "It sounds like someone can do get-out-the-vote, as long as they're not compensated." Brian Snyder/Reuters Being allowed is one thing, but whether a Canadian should is another. Gardner's view is that it's morally wrong for people to volunteer during a foreign election because it erodes basic principles of democratic self-governance. He said the country's constitutional drafters in 1787 were deeply worried about foreign interference. Gardner said he feels the same way about people from one U.S. state getting involved in another state's election. "As an ethical matter, I would say, 'Even if you can, you should not,'" he said. An ethical quandary What about the argument that what happens in the U.S. affects the entire world, so foreigners deserve a say? Gardner said that logic leads to the absurd conclusion that everyone in the world should be allowed to vote in American elections. Foreigners are entitled to share opinions, perhaps even distribute voter information, but should otherwise steer clear of interfering, he said. I don't think you'd want a lot of Americans making calls to tell you whether or not to support Trudeau's government. - Rick Hasen, election-law expert at the University of California Rick Hasen agrees. The election-law expert at the University of California in Irvine, Calif., said foreign volunteering in phone banks may be allowed, but it's wrong and undermines democracy. "I don't think you'd want a lot of Americans making calls to tell you whether or not to support Trudeau's government," Hasen said. Republican official: What if it's China? The chief executive of the group Republicans Overseas said it's fair to register American expats to vote, though he suspects some of those expats actually have minimal ties to the U.S. What's less fair, he said, and what could prove controversial, is non-Americans working to defeat a president they dislike. "You might have people outside the U.S. beat up Trump. Then you'll have liberal Democrats cheering for that," said Solomon Yue, who is head of the group and a Republican National Committee member. "But in my view, that actually hurts the credibility of liberal Democrats. If you've really got solid grounds and you have lots of things you can say yourself about Trump, why bother using foreigners?" He raised the spectre of foreigners in countries that have tense relationships with the U.S., such as China, calling into the United States during phone-banking. "How will people react? Yue asked. "It would be argued it's Chinese collusion. I wouldn't do it." So, how do Democrats respond when foreigners ask to volunteer? It depends who you ask, and under what circumstances. Democrat: 'We're now calling on the world to help us' A former Obama speechwriter turned podcaster responded with unflinching enthusiasm when a Canadian listener living in the U.S. asked if he could volunteer for the Democrats. "You can't donate, you can't vote, but you can do everything else. You can volunteer, you can contact voters knock on doors phone-bank sign people [up]," said Jon Favreau on a recent episode of his podcast, Pod Save America. "Help us out here in America. We're now calling on the world to help us. We're in dire straits here." Stefan Wermuth/Reuters The Canadian chapter of Democrats Abroad is far more circumspect. Nardi said he's just asking people to spread non-partisan information on voter registration. He said party organizers in some states might allow foreigners to phone-bank but not his group. Nardi said his group will only share Democrats' phone contact lists with Americans belonging to the party: that's because overseas party chapters call expat voters around the world and follow the stricter European data-protection standards. Briefings on vote-abroad rules A former ambassador to Canada under the Obama administration is equally cautious when asked about foreign volunteers. Bruce Heyman said U.S. elections should be run by Americans. But he's all in on finding, and registering, American voters in Canada. Heyman announced a related project in a U.S. TV appearance Wednesday he said he and other former U.S. diplomats who support Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will launch an international campaign to sign up voters. The U.S. government's Federal Voting Assistance Program will also hold an online seminar July 30 for to Americans overseas. Most U.S. states allow people with U.S. citizenship to vote in the state where they or their parents last resided. Different states have different rules. Yue said he suspects many U.S. expats simply don't vote because they fear possible tax implications under the U.S.'s complex rules for citizens abroad. Nardi, on the other hand, said he's never heard of a single problem for an expat voting in a federal race. And if the election is as close as 2016, Heyman said, the deciding ballots could be cast in Canada. "Every single vote will count," Heyman said. "Canada could make the difference in an election like that." BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Switzerland stock market ended on a bright note on Wednesday, in line with markets across Europe, as upbeat news on the coronavirus vaccine front bolstered sentiment and triggered strong buying at several counters. The benchmark SMI ended with a gain of 200.51 points or 1.95% at 10,460.01, after climbing to a high of 10,501.34 intraday. The index, which slipped to a low of 10,117.64 in the first hour on Tuesday, recovered well from those levels, but still ended the session with a notable loss of 41.46 points or 0.4% at 10,259.50. Alcon, up 6.7%, was the biggest gainer in the SMI. Swatch Group shares gained nearly 6%. The company has cut 6.5% of its jobs and trimmed its retail network, due to loss caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The company also announced the end of its 22-year-old contract to sell Calvin Klein watches and said it expects a positive operating result for the full year. Lonza Group shares gained about 4.5%. Adecco, Richemont, Roche Holding and LafargeHolcim movedup 2 to 3%. Nestle, Novartis, Sika and SGS gained 1.8 to 1.9%. ABB, Credit Suisse, Zurich Insurance Group, Swiss Re, Givaudan and UBS Group also ended notably higher. Among midcap stocks, Dufry soared 10.3%. Straumann Holding moved up 6.1%, while Sonova gained 5.8%. BB Biotech, Vifor Pharma, Flughafen Zurich, AMS, Barry Callebaut, Logitech, Lindt & Sp Ps and Kuehne & Nagel advanced 2 to 3.1%. Partners Group and VAT Group also closed sharply higher. Close on the heels of recent positive developments on coronavirus treatment and vaccine fronts, U.S. biotech firm Moderna has announced that its experimental vaccine mRNA-1273 for Covid-19 was safe and produced strong immune responses in all 45 patients in an ongoing early-stage human trial. An interim analysis of the open-label Phase 1 study of the vaccine candidate was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The pan European Stoxx 600 moved up 1.76%. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 surged up 1.83%, Germany's DAX advanced 1.84% and France's CAC 40 climbed up 2.03%, Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Emily Chan and Ben Blanchard (Reuters) Taipei, Taiwan Wed, July 15, 2020 17:15 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406668aa7b 2 Business Hong-Kong,political-crisis,political-movies,Taiwan,political-oppression Free Amid political turmoil in financial hub Hong Kong, Taiwan is pitching investors its democracy, rule of law and high quality of life as the island aims to draw more foreign money and talent, Taiwan's top financial regulator said on Wednesday. Financial Supervisory Commission Chairman Huang Tien-mu told Reuters it has been in discussions with foreign financial institutions about increasing their investments and operations in Taiwan, and have had "positive reactions" from not only Hong Kong but also the United States and other countries. "This has been ongoing. It's not only aimed at Hong Kong," Huang said in his first interview with foreign media since being appointed to the post in late May. The commission has been pushing financial reform to attract money and talent from around the region, and to bring Taiwan's financial system in line with international standards, he said. "Our main aim is not to replace any particular region or city," Huang added, when asked if China's new national security law for Hong Kong was an opportunity for Taiwan to supplant the city as Asia's financial center. "We hope to attract not only people or funds from one place. We hope to make Taiwan's market even more competitive, so it becomes a financial market that gets more attention in Asia." Chinese-claimed and democratic Taiwan has condemned the new law, and anti-government protesters in the former British colony have won widespread and cross-party support on the island. Taiwan opened an office this month to help people fleeing Hong Kong after China imposed the security law on the city, with a senior minister saying at the time Taiwan hoped to seize the opportunity to attract professionals and capital from the city. But Huang, 61, said problems include Taiwan's more complex tax system, lower salaries, lack of wide usage of English and financial regulations that may be relatively liberal but are not as free as other parts of the world. "In the short term, this is perhaps not something we can be like others with," added Huang, who started his career in Taiwan's Finance Ministry and has a doctorate from the University of Southern California. "But Taiwan has its attractions. Our democratic system, rule of law that is transparent," Huang said, pointing to its freedom of speech, ability to elect its own leaders and even legalizing of same-sex marriage. "I've been to many international meetings, and I feel that everyone likes Taiwan - they feel very relaxed when they come here." On a crisp autumn day in April in Melbourne, my phone has several missed calls from an Indonesian friend. With a heavy heart, I call back to see what might be wrong. As has been the case over the past several weeks, he has grown increasingly restless and confused since the beginning of social distancing and travel restrictions that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic. Usually frequent posting on social media, his feed has slowed as days and weeks are spent at home, alone, with next to no support from the state. He is lonely, afraid, cut adrift. As movement became restricted with the closure of borders first national, and then usually unnoticed state borders and large numbers of police were deployed to patrol public spaces in cities around Australia, several queer migrant friends found themselves in a delicate position. This was particularly so given that their short-term work and study visas offered them few protections or rights to entry back into the country as Australia closed its borders to most non-citizens. One, who had surgery planned in another country, struggled to find a way to negotiate entry back into Australia after the surgery. The livelihood of many others, relying on short-term labour in the gig economy and some on sex work, was obliterated or heavily curtailed following the introduction of restrictions. As networks and forms of sociality extended between different houses, and for some survival rested on continuing to interact with unknown others to work, the simple slogan stay at home was hard to transform into practice. Already subject to extensive surveillance on basis of gender presentation and race, these new restrictions, backed up with extraordinary police powers to stop and question, required additional vigilance. One trans- friend told me how previously ordinary visits to her kin of choice now required studied attention to dress and comportment before departing home. Every street crossing presented a possible danger of interrogation and detention before reaching the safe haven presented in her distributed definition of home. The experiences of queer migrants in precarious positions is yet another story of how the one size fits all restrictions of the lockdown a policy framed which positions the absolute value of life apart from the domains of society and economy, as Didier Fassin recently highlights is an unevenly distributed burden. But although the widespread application of severe restrictions on movement is unprecedented, the borders and barriers erected by diverse Australian jurisdictions to protect the health of the population was in other ways familiar. In particular, the concepts of hard borders and ring fencing erected in the name of protecting the population echoed existing HIV policy which framed viral transmission in terms of threats to biosecurity. The impact of such policies could not be more acute than for HIV positive queer migrants, who live at the intersection of two pandemics. Anxieties about leaving home at risk of surveillance and punishment led to missed appointments for life-saving testing and treatment.[i] Worries that a positive COVID-19 test result might be reported to authorities and result in deportation or other punitive measures generated a reluctance to get tested. Such experiences highlight the need to consider the impact of COVID-19 as a part of existing racialized histories. These inform the concepts deployed during the pandemic in the name of public health. In Australia, this requires reckoning with the relatively recent history of the management of HIV, and its intersection with policies governing migration. Framed consistently as an external threat to Australias way of life, policies concerned with the containment of HIV since the 1990s were not only defined in relation to sexuality, but articulated threats in relation to Australias territorial and national integrity, notions of contagion and contamination, and the management of risk (Brotherton 2016, 46). A racialized discourse of borders and boundaries transferred into political pressure to limit migration on the basis of HIV status, even as easy movement across borders became taken for granted as a component of economic growth thanks to access to deregulated, cheap labour and international markets for services. One understanding of boundaries based on the surveillance of infectious diseases emerges in the ways that Australias immigration policies consider HIV. Australias immigration policies discriminate on the basis of HIV status, effectively requesting disclosure for visas of any length, and mandatory testing for permanent visa applicants.[ii] After arrival, if granted, it is not only access to further visa extensions but HIV medication that is fraught with difficulty for non-citizens. Although citizens and permanent residents can access both HIV medication and pre-exposure prophylaxis at lower costs through Australias healthcare system, the same is not true for migrants. As activists outlined in an interview last year, those resident in Australia on various short-term visas including very large numbers of international students rely on the know-how of doctors and the good grace of pharmaceutical companies, who provide anti-retroviral medication through a time-consuming process known as compassionate access. HIV positive migrants have also had to navigate other forms of criminalization, including a Victorian state law that criminalized deliberate transmission, which until its repeal in 2015 brought with it a maximum 25 years imprisonment. In the same state, sex work by people living with HIV is also a criminal offence. The migrants living with HIV who navigate these laws highlight how the containment of epidemics is never only about saving lives, but takes is inseparable from moral and social definitions of containment. It is then less a question of life that comes after COVID-19, but more a question of how the recent pandemic represents an extension of concepts in which health is subject to neoliberal governance regimes grounded in securitization and risk. And the true costs of such policies on the vulnerable remains obscured. In a powerful essay, the HIV/AIDS activist and scholar Alan Brotherton incisively identified the intersection of racialization and individual responsibility at the core of Australias management of the health of the population. At a time of intensified anxieties about borders and boundaries in the 2000s, a political emphasis on containing infectious disease consistently blurred moral and physiological risks. His prescient definition of shifts in Australian HIV policy, and the symbols of infection and containment they deployed as a form of psychic containment (Brotherton 2016, 52), facilitate an incisive view of Australias policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Referring to the rise of political efforts to limit migration on the basis of HIV status, framed by a broader anti-immigration discourse, he described how notions of sexual predation and immigration of people with HIV were powerfully conflated the gay community [were] an imagined site of disease prevalence at once safely contained within the nation, yet constituted as a place apart (p. 49). In 2020, the imposition of previously unthinkable forms of spatial containment, first of internal state borders, followed by particular suburbs in the pursuit of the preservation of health suggests the scale and versatility of this politics of a place apart. On 4 July, thousands of residents of several Melbourne public housing towers, home to many migrants and refugees, were subject to extreme privation. Occurring without notice, the government instituted what it called a hard lockdown backed up with detention orders issued by the chief medical officer with residents unable to leave their apartments enforced by several hundred police officers. The symbolics of infection and containment identified by Alan Brotherton are marshalled anew in policies and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The separation of the population into those who suffer extreme privation at the hands of the state and those who live in relative freedom is sustained through the twin containments of individualized risk and production of borders. While the production of boundaries to address pandemics and epidemics is not new, both its visibility and extension into the everyday life of citizens is unprecedented. Days after the hard lockdown of the public housing towers, metropolitan areas of the state of Victoria entered a second lockdown. Just prior to this moment, a friend who had been unwell described symptoms of a fever and coughing. Through WhatsApp, I negotiated with her to go and get tested for COVID-19 at a clinic a short walk from her house. She responded: What can I do if I test positive? Ive paid my school fees already. I cant be deported. In her mind, already shaped by interaction with the health governance of HIV in the process of obtaining a student visa, the act of testing for COVID-19 was reconfigured as a risky negotiation with a state surveillance apparatus. Coupled with anxiety as to whether she would be stopped by the police on her way to get a test, she felt alone and cut adrift. This was health not imagined as care but containment. How can these queer migrants interactions with Australias governance of health operate as a call to imagine other possibilities? They draw attention to the fact that health, although present as a distinct and transparent domain, does not stand alone from the moral, the social and the economic dimensions of life. And this impoverished vocabulary of borders and responsibility appears to come at a very high cost indeed. In Indonesia, as elsewhere, lockdowns and border closures imposed to stop COVID-19 impacted both the production and distribution of life-saving medication. In the meantime, living through multiple epidemics HIV having killed an estimated 32 million people globally and 38,000 people in Indonesia in 2018 alone it is my queer migrant friends who live in the shadow of such limited political imaginings and the forms of containment from which they draw their power. An earlier version of this blog post appeared in the Institute for Postcolonial Studies newsletter, Against Social Distancing. Benjamin Hegarty is a McKenzie Fellow in the School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne. His research addresses how histories of gender and sexuality interact with emergent forms of governmentality in Indonesia. Benjamin is also conducting applied social scientific research on HIV care in collaboration with Indonesian physicians and epidemiologists. Bibliography Brotherton, Alan. 2016. The Circumstances in Which They Come: Refiguring the Boundaries of HIV in Australia. Australian Humanities Review 60 (November). Footnotes [i] Under the conditions of the lockdown in the state of Victoria, attending healthcare appointments is a valid reason to leave home. However, the sight of police patrolling streets and fining people meant that my queer migrant friends became nervous about leaving home for any reason, particularly during the day. [ii] Legal justifications for denying a visa on the grounds of health conditions are complex but currently fall down to two main categories; risk to public health, and the cost to the Australian community of treating the condition. Denial of visas on the grounds of HIV status for entry to Australia is usually due to the cost of treating the condition, which usually affects those who apply for visas for a longer period of time (or indeed, for permanent residency). Share this: Share Email Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr LinkedIn [view academic citations] [hide academic citations] The Chief Executive Officer of the motorcycle-sharing platform, Gokada, Fahim Saleh, is dead. Mr Falehs body was found Tuesday afternoon decapitated in his Manhattan apartment in the U.S., the New York Daily News reported. The tech entrepreneurs limbless, headless torso was found inside his Manhattan condo Tuesday afternoon with an electric saw lying next to the remains, the paper quoted the police as saying. Mr Saleh, 33, is believed to have bought the condo for $2.25 million last year. Police found his dismembered body in contractor bags in what seemed an effort to hide the evidence of the crime. We have a torso, a head thats been removed, arms, legs. Everything is still on the scene, the New York Police Divisions spokesperson, Carlos Nieves, told the paper. He said they could not immediately identify the dismembered corpse but Mr Salehs sister who discovered the dismembered body Tuesday afternoon made a distress call to them after not hearing from him for a day and feared the lifeless body might be her brothers. After checks with friends and neighbours who spoke on anonymity, they identified the grisly body lying next to the electric saw as the young CEO who had been residing in the apartment for a year. The police said the saw was still plugged into an electrical outlet when they arrived which prompted an investigation into whether or not the arrival of Mr Salehs sister at the condo could have interrupted the killing and alerted the killer to flee through another exit. They are yet to understand the motive of the gruesome murder. An elevator surveillance camera may have caught the victims last moments, sources said. The CCTV camera captured Mr Saleh getting into the elevator Monday and was followed quickly by a second man, dressed in a suit, wearing gloves, a hat and a mask over his face. After he walked out onto his floor, he fell immediately, possibly shot or stunned. His friends and neighbours believe he was targeted as they described him as a big-time person who though may have been going through a lot but never acted like he was worried about anything. He never said he was scared, a male friend told the paper. He was always very happy-go-lucky. I hope they find that person (the culprit), he added. Mr Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia to Bangladeshi immigrant parents. He was a website developer before turning to venture capital and had described his history as an entrepreneur in a series of posts on Medium.com. He got his start creating a prank calling website, then moved on to create a motorcycle-hailing company in his parents native Bangladesh before starting Gokada with Nigerias Ayodeji Adewunmi, in Lagos in 2018. In January, the company suffered setbacks and mass layoffs after the Lagos state government banned commercial motorbike operation in the state. He has been described as a self-made millionaire who brought tech companies into nations like Nigeria and Indonesia, and an energetic person who loved gadgets and video games. Matt Hancock today swiped at Donald Trump for 'claiming credit' for the UK's decision to dump 'unsafe' Huawei from its 5G plans. The Health Secretary hit out after the US President boasted about Boris Johnson's U-turn on the Chinese firm, which will see its technology ripped out from most of the telecoms network. Mr Trump said last night: 'We convinced many countries, many countries - and I did this myself for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk, it's a big security risk'. But on a round of interviews this morning, Mr Hancock said: 'We all know Donald Trump don't we. But I think this is a sensible decision.' Pressed on what he meant by the comment about Mr Trump he said: 'All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision but this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest quality 5G systems in the future.' Donald Trump said at the White House last night (pictured) that he 'convinced' countries such as the UK to cut ties with Huawei Matt Hancock today swiped at Mr Trump for 'claiming credit' for the UK's decision to dump 'unsafe' Huawei from its 5G plans Mr Trump hailed the UK decision as he ordered an end to Hong Kong's special status under US law to punish China for what he called 'oppressive actions' against the former British colony. But Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, voiced anger at the decision by Mr Johnson. 'Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on Huawei. It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries,' he tweeted. Huawei's UK spokesman Ed Brewster told BBC's Newsnight that the company believed the U-turn and ban was 'because of the pressure from the US'. He said: 'I think this is clear this is not about security this is about trade. This is a US campaign focused on attacking our business and attacking the technology and that is because the US is behind on the technology. Boris Johnson had been ready to plough on with Huawei but now the Chinese firm's equipment will be made illegal and stripped out 'Today's decision is as much driven by trade and US trade policy, US concerns around falling behind in technology. We are in a long-term ... trade dispute escalation from the US around how it wants to retain technology leadership.' He added that the decision was 'bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone'. Britain could face mobile phone blackouts if it tries to boot out Huawei even more quickly, ministers warned Tory rebels last night. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden yesterday confirmed a partial ban on the Chinese telecoms giant after a review found it could pose a security risk to the UK's new 5G mobile network. Internet firms have been ordered to stop using Huawei kit in 5G systems by the end of this year and to strip out all existing equipment by 2027. Mr Dowden said the decision would delay the introduction of 5G, which promises lightning fast download speeds, by up to three years. It will also lead to additional costs of up to 2billion, meaning higher bills for mobile users. Firms will be allowed to continue using Huawei equipment in 3G, 4G and fibre broadband networks for now. Tory MPs welcomed the partial ban but said it did not go far enough and called for the kit to be removed within four years. It came as: Ministers were last night facing the prospect of a rebellion in the autumn by MPs who want the Government to remove all Huawei kit from the UK's critical national infrastructure by 2024. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said there was 'no reason' why Huawei equipment could not be removed from 5G by then and said the firm was also a 'security risk' to 3G and 4G networks. Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, tweeted yesterday: 'Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on Huawei' But Mr Dowden warned moving further and faster could lead to the temporary loss of mobile signals in parts of the country. Why has the Government banned Huawei from the UK's 5G network? What did ministers announce today on Huawei? The Chinese tech giant's equipment must be completely removed from the UK's 5G networks by the end of 2027. Ahead of this, there will be a total ban introduced on the purchase of any new 5G hardware from Huawei after December 31 this year. Telecoms firms will also be ordered to shift away from the purchase of Huawei's equipment for full-fibre broadband networks over a period lasting up to two years. What is Huawei and why is it controversial? Huawei is a Chinese telecoms company which describes itself as a private company 'fully owned by its employees'. But it has been criticised over its alleged close ties to the Chinese state. The country has a history of state censorship and surveillance, and under Chinese law, firms can be compelled to 'support, co-operate with and collaborate in national intelligence work'. As a result, critics of Huawei have expressed concerns that Beijing could require the firm to install technological 'back doors' to enable it to spy on or disrupt Britain's communications network. Huawei has always denied any suggestions of close links with the Chinese state or that it has ever been asked by Chinese authorities to help spy on others. Why has the Government changed its mind now? The UK made its decision after US sanctions were imposed on Huawei. Those sanctions effectively banned the firm from using US technology in its 5G equipment. The Government said that means it can 'no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment'. How will this affect me? The US sanctions and subsequent UK move does not directly affect existing Huawei devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. But as seen with more recent Huawei releases, such as the P40 handset, restrictions on dealings with US firms means it can no longer provide the full Android experience from Google on future devices, meaning core apps such as YouTube and the Google Play Store cannot be provided. What about an impact on the rollout of 5G? Today's decision means the completed rollout of the 5G network could be delayed by two to three years. Advertisement Asked about the possibility of blackouts, he said: 'It is absolutely right to raise the risk of that kind of disruption and blackouts, and that's one of the reasons that led us to the timetable we've set out. 'Put bluntly, the shorter the timetable for the removal, the higher the risk of that happening.' A Whitehall source said: 'This is a significant step which rolls back Huawei's involvement in the UK. It already comes at a significant cost. Go further and faster then you run the risk that people's mobile phones will stop working.' Yesterday's move represents a significant U-turn from ministers, who ruled in January that Huawei was safe enough to be allowed to take 35 per cent of the 5G market. Mr Dowden yesterday said the change of heart had been prompted by tough US sanctions that will prevent Huawei from using any microchips that rely on American technology. MPs were told the move raised questions about whether the firm would be capable of supplying reliable 5G components in the medium term. And security sources said they would be unable to guarantee the safety of any Chinese-designed alternatives produced by Huawei to get round the ban. However, ministers had also come under intense pressure from the US and other intelligence allies to prevent Huawei gaining a foothold in the 5G infrastructure of a major western nation. Washington last night hailed the UK's decision, with the White House saying Huawei was a national security threat because it was 'beholden to the Chinese communist party'. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: 'Today's decision by the UK to ban Huawei from its 5G networks advances transatlantic security in the 5G era while protecting citizens' privacy, national security, and free-world values.' US ambassador to Britain Woody Johnson added: 'Britain's decision to protect its national security by banning Huawei from its 5G network is also a win for fair trade and human rights.' But Mr Liu, who has been China's ambassador to the UK since 2010, described the move as 'disappointing and wrong'. He added: 'It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries.' Mr Liu has previously warned of 'consequences' for the UK if it went ahead with a ban on one of China's national champions. Mr Dowden said the Government would 'not be cowed by the comments of any other country', adding: 'This decision has been made in the national security interests of this nation.' Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons defence committee, warned there would be 'repercussions from China' but said it was right to 'reset' relations. Huawei, which denies being controlled by the Chinese state, accused ministers of taking a politicised decision which would 'move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide'. A source close to the Tory Huawei rebels said: 'The fight is back on. The fact that telecoms firms can stockpile Huawei kit at bargain-basement rates for another six months and install it for years is equally unacceptable.' What exactly is 5G, why is Huawei banned from the deal, and how will it affect consumers in the UK? After the Government acts to keep Chinese firm away from tech launch amid security fears, we answer your key questions What exactly is 5G? It is the next generation of mobile internet connection, promising much faster download and upload speeds and reducing lag times dramatically. It will allow a high definition film to be downloaded to a mobile device in less than a minute and for far more devices to access the internet at once. It is also crucial to new technologies such as driverless cars. 5G is the next generation of fast mobile internet connection, but Huawei has been ditched from the UK's 5G network due to security concerns What has happened? Ministers have told broadband operators to stop installing equipment from Huawei in their 5G networks by the end of this year. They have also been told to remove all existing kit by 2027. Huawei equipment already in the 3G and 4G networks will be allowed to stay. The firm will also be allowed to continue supplying new equipment for the rollout of fibre broadband for two years. Why is Huawei banned? Security officials have long had concerns about Huawei because of its links to China's communist rulers. In January, ministers announced that the firm's involvement would be capped at 35 per cent of the 5G network. But the Government was forced to rethink after Donald Trump announced sanctions on Huawei in May as part of a trade war. The decision to ban Huawei from Britain's 5G network comes after Donald Trump announced sanctions on Huawei in May as part of a trade war What kind of sanctions? They ban Huawei from using microchips that use, or are produced using, US intellectual property. In effect, suppliers will be unable to continue making existing Huawei chips because these were produced using US knowhow. Huawei faces having to produce its own microchip designs from scratch. Why has the UK changed its policy? Ministers believe the sanctions will bite so hard on Huawei that the firm will be unable to supply the technology needed for 5G in the medium term. But there are also major security concerns. The National Cyber Security Centre has already designated Huawei a 'high risk vendor' but was willing to allow it to continue supplying the UK because it understood how the firm's microchips work. Security sources say officials will be unable to sign off any Chinese-designed alternative that Huawei might come up with. The National Cyber Security Centre has already designated Huawei and its products as a 'high risk vendor' Is it just a technical issue? No. The UK has come under intense pressure from the Trump regime and other intelligence partners, such as Australia, to boot out Huawei. A growing number of Tory MPs were also demanding that the firm be banned from 5G because of the increasingly aggressive global stance adopted by China's leadership. In return, China has warned of 'consequences' for the UK, with officials fearing Beijing could even mount a trade war or cyber-attack. What does this mean for consumers? Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden yesterday told MPs that the Huawei ban will delay the introduction of 5G into the UK by up to three years and add 2billion to costs, leading to higher bills for consumers. Most kit is in base stations and sources said removing it would not involve extensive work. Huawei's consumer devices like phones and laptops are not directly affected by the latest decision. But the NCSC pointed out that US sanctions mean its new devices will not be able to use Google applications, including YouTube. The Huawei ban will delay the introduction of 5G into the UK by up to three years and add 2billion to costs What about other Huawei equipment? Operators will be able to retain and maintain Huawei kit in 3G and 4G networks indefinitely. Security sources said this technology was well understood and warned that taking it out could lead to disruption of mobile phone networks. Huawei can continue supplying broadband for now, partly because of a lack of other suppliers and partly to keep alive Boris Johnson's pledge to roll out full fibre to every home by 2025. Huawei and its UK partners hope the Government will think again if Mr Trump fails to secure re-election in November Is this the final decision? Huawei and its UK partners hope the Government will think again if Mr Trump fails to secure re-election in November and the sanctions are dropped. But Conservative MPs are unlikely to allow backtracking. Several senior figures indicated they would push the Government to go further by demanding Huawei be kicked out of all parts of the UK's critical national infrastructure, including 3G and 4G. What does Huawei say? Huawei has always denied it poses a security risk and claims to be independent of the Chinese state. In a robust response yesterday, the firm said the UK's decision would leave the country in the 'digital slow lane'. China's ambassador said the decision was 'disappointing and wrong'. A presentation on infrastructure plans at Blackinton shows where culverts and stormwater systems will be upgraded to prevent flooding. $2.4M Grant Will Address Water Issues Around Blackinton Mill An illustration showing the easement that will allow for work around industrial waterway and banking. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The city is using a $2.4 million MassWorks grant to fix infrastructure issues that have slowed attempts to redevelop the Blackinton Mill. Zachary Feury, project coordinator with the Office of Community Development, said the $2,436,000 in funds will be used to fix an industrial waterway that runs under the mill, install a box culvert on Ashton Avenue and improve stormwater drainage on Wood and Massachusetts avenues. The mill was purchased several years ago by The Beyond Place LLC, the developer of Tourists on State Road. The initial renovation of what had been the Redwood Motel has spread to both sides of the river as the hospitality group has expanded its vision of the resort. "In addition to enabling a redevelopment of the mill, these infrastructure improvements will also create distinct public benefits in the Blackinton neighborhood," Feury told the City Council on Tuesday night. He explained that the waterway under the mill and the culverts on Ashton Avenue had become clogged with sediment and debris. "As many of you likely know, when it rains on Massachusetts Avenue, it doesn't just pour, it often floods," he said. "This is due to the large amounts of water flowing down the mountain in excess of stormwater drainage capacity." The industrial waterway connected to the mill is so clogged that the water can no drain to the west as originally designed. "This combination has resulted in years of flooding within the mill basin and impeded its redevelopment," he said. "This project will increase stormwater drainage capacity to 100-year storm levels." In addition to the correction of the failed waterway and the stormwater capacity, the third public benefit will be the reduction of blight in terms of the undeveloped property on the west side of the mill. The parcel had been the site of the Blackinton tannery that was destroyed by fire years ago. The Beyond Place had taken out an easement on the property, which is owned by the city, with the purpose of revitalizing it as part of the resort. "Due to its contamination, the parcel has remained undeveloped and is now largely blighted open space," Feury said. "The MassWorks grant will allow for the preparation of the parcel development, as the front entrance to the Blackinton Mill." The grant was applied for the by the city in conjunction with Tourists and the city's state representatives. The matter before the City Council was acceptance of an easement agreement with the owners of 1476 Massachusetts Ave. that would allow the city access to the area around the mill where the work is to be done. Allan and Cynthia McLain of Clarksburg will allow access to the project for the price of $1 for a period of three years. The council approved the easement with Councilor Jason LaForest complimenting the administration for its efforts in gaining the grant, which had been rejected at first. "The mayor himself will probably be surprised but ... I need to applaud the mayor, and his team for the extraordinary amount of work that went into securing this MassWorks grant," he said. "The mayor worked very hard with the lieutenant governor to ensure that this money was made available to the city, so that this extensive redevelopment of the Blackinton Mill and surrounding property could go through." He also thanked state Rep. John Barrett III and state Sen. Adam Hinds for their efforts on the city's behalf. The council also approved an easement onto land owned by Cumberland Farms on Ashland Street. The company is relocating the water main at 227 and 245 Ashland (the former City Yard), where it is building a new convenience store and gas station. Once moved, the city will take over responsibility for maintaining the line as part of the public water system. The easement is necessary to access the main. The council also continued a number of matters that have been lingering for months, passed the changes in transfer station charges to a second reading and approved transfers between accounts totaling $466,964.09 to close out fiscal 2020. Britain's lockdown has ruined people's relationships with friends and loved ones, according to a study. A fifth of 70,000 respondents admitted they had grown distant from friends outside their own home and 18 per cent said the same had happened in their relationship with their partner, according to the research. University College London academics say the draconian restrictions on socialising had driven a wedge between swathes of people. However, there is also evidence Britons have united during the crisis and are helping others more often, they said. Lockdown has ruined relationships with friends and loved ones, according to a study of 70,000 people. Under 30s appear to be harder hit (stock image) The results come from an ongoing survey that started in March and was funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It began a week before lockdown and has continued through the past few months, measuring how Britons have fared through the unprecedented measures. A quarter of people said they had a worse relationships with colleagues. Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised Britons to work from home as much as possible and millions ended up furloughed, contact with co-workers fizzled out. Tensions were also high at home a fifth of people polled reported a worsening of relationships with other adults they lived with. Some adults said relations with their children had gone down the pan 17 per cent of those who lived with their children and 19 per cent who lived apart. WOMEN HARDEST HIT BY LOCKDOWN, STUDY SUGGESTS Women are almost twice as likely as men to have lost their job or suffered an anxiety attack during lockdown, according to a study that reveals how Covid-19 has driven widespread gender inequality. In a survey of 1,500 people, researchers from the University of Exeter found that lockdown had highlighted gender inequalities across mental health, employment and wellbeing, with women most negatively impacted. The study revealed that around one in four women had experienced an anxiety attack in the previous two weeks, compared with around one in seven men. Women were also more likely to feel depressed or hopeless, and scored 6 per cent higher on a loneliness indicator. The outlook for women's employment was also bleak. Women were 96 per cent more likely than men to have been made redundant because of the coronavirus pandemic, with 8 per cent of women reporting a job loss during lockdown compared with 4 per cent of men. Women were more likely to have seen a reduction to their working hours during lockdown, while at the same time taking on more childcare, homeschooling and housework responsibilities than men. Women were more likely to have seen a reduction to their working hours during lockdown, while at the same time taking on more childcare, homeschooling and housework responsibilities than men. The authors, Professor Sonia Oreffice and Professor Climent Quintana-Domeque, said their research paints a 'dramatic picture' of gender inequality under the Covid-19 lockdown. 'We believe that the gender dimension of Covid-19 should be on the radar of policy-makers, and call for more Covid-19 gender-related research and policy analysis,' said Professor Oreffice. Advertisement The research did not dig deeper into why people felt their relationships had deteriorated. Relationships could have been impacted either by effect of spending more or less time with certain people. Respondents were asked whether they had experienced 'a breakdown' in their relationship with any family, friends, colleagues or neighbours since lockdown had come in, and 12 per cent of respondent said yes. Younger adults (under 30) were more likely to say their relationships had suffered during lockdown, and over 60s the least. Problems were more common among those with a mental illness or who live alone, as well as key workers and poorer people. The team behind the research warned the problems may be exacerbated for these people by greater financial woes. Fewer than half of people reported being in a similar financial position now as they were before lockdown. Some 29 per cent admitted their financial situation had worsened and 27 per cent claimed to have seen an improvement. Cheryl Lloyd, of the Nuffield Foundation said: 'This research shows relationships with neighbours have improved since the Covid-19 crisis, especially for 30-59 year olds. 'While this suggests a resurgence in community spirit, it is cause for concern that the survey also show that people who are more vulnerable - those on lower household incomes and those with diagnosed mental health issues - are more likely to report worsening friendships and relationships during lockdown.' The Covid-19 Social Study is the largest study into how adults are feeling about the lockdown, government advice and overall wellbeing and mental health. Similar work by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has pointed to changes in people's mental health during lockdown. One survey of more than 5,500 people suggested 14.3 per cent of the population or 7.4million people have suffered loneliness in the past seven days. This group of people, dubbed the 'lockdown lonely', tend to be young, single or divorced, and renting. However, Britons appear to be looking out for each other more often during the lockdown. An ONS survey last week revealed the number of Britons helping someone outside their own home by cooking meals or buying their shopping quadrupled in April the first full month of lockdown. This is up from 11 per cent of adults who reported providing a regular service or help for a sick, disabled, or elderly person not living with them during 2017-2018. And in the latest UCL study, more than a third of adults who live with children said they were getting on better with people around them, including neighbours. BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Wanda Film Holding Co., Ltd. on Tuesday reported a notable net loss in the first half of the year (H1) as COVID-19 forced China's biggest movie theater operator to shut its theaters. The company suffered a net loss in the range of 1.5 billion yuan (214 million U.S. dollars) to 1.6 billion yuan in H1, compared with a profit of 524 million yuan during the same period last year, the company said in its preliminary earnings estimate, filed with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Wanda Film said more than 600 of its domestic cinemas had been closed since Jan. 23, while its overseas cinemas had also suspended operations since the end of March. The company also cited postponed releases of movies it invested in, and the delayed shooting of TV dramas. The shares of Wanda Film rose by 7.94 percent to close at 20.81 yuan apiece on Tuesday. While mask wearing is expected to become mandatory in Hamilton following a council vote Friday, McMaster University and Mohawk College are leading the way requiring mask wearing on campus. McMaster issued a release July 10 announcing mandatory face coverings indoors at all university locations starting Tuesday. Masks are only part of the schools plans, in addition to existing workplace health and safety guidelines and practices for COVID-19 already in place. The release, also announcing the reopening of the David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre by appointment only, says that masks are required in hallways, elevators, lobbies, classrooms, washrooms, on university shuttles, in other common use areas and anywhere that physical distancing would be difficult to maintain. McMaster is offering exemptions for health reasons or for religious considerations. Disposable masks will be provided to anyone without a face covering and they can be picked up at the COMPASS desk in the student centre and in the lobby of John Hodgins Engineering Building, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about McMasters coronavirus plan, go to covid19.mcmaster.ca. Mohawk is requiring everyone coming to campus to bring and wear a mask. The college is not providing masks except for students in programs where personal protective equipment is required. Masks are required on the college campus wherever physical distancing is not possible. Mohawk is asking anyone that requires accomodations related to mask wearing to email equityandinclusion@mohawkcollege.ca. The college has set up daily screening protocols for anyone accessing campus and they are restricting access for everyone except students, staff and contractors with approved access privileges. For more information about Mohawkss coronavirus plan go to mohawkcollege.ca/campus-re-opening. One of the most disturbing things about our already unsettling times is the way the left is forcing ugly binary choices on Americans. The most obvious example is how the phrase "all lives matter" is being twisted to mean "I hate blacks" or "I'm a white supremacist." The latest manifestation of the charge that refusing to recognize black supremacy is proof that someone is a white supremacist comes from San Francisco. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ("SFMOMA") has forced out its senior curator for the crime of refusing to ban white artists entirely from the museum's collection. If you happen to find modern art attractive, SFMOMA is an excellent place to see it. The building is itself a decent example of contemporary architecture, and the collection offers solid examples of late 20th-century and early 21st-century art. And of course, because it's a San Francisco institution, SFMOMA has been all over the Black Lives Matter movement. At the very top of its home page, right under the "we're closed because of the Wuhan virus" announcement, the museum promises that it has "Ongoing Commitments to Diversity and Inclusion." On the page dedicated to that promise, the museum assures everyone that it's been talking a lot about "diversity, equity, and inclusion" because the country is steeped in "fundamental systemic racism built into museums and this country's origins." One of the many things SFMOMA promises to do is require "anti-racist and implicit bias training for all staff" (along with contemplating "gender-neutral restrooms"). The museum also promises a full racial analysis of all people working for it. It turns out, though, that "diversity, equity, and inclusion" do not extend to white people. Instead, whites are to be the victims of systemic discrimination, whether as artists or employees. Reason details how Gary Garrels, a senior curator, was forced out of the museum because he has said that deliberately excluding white artists is itself be a form of wrongful discrimination: Until last week, Gary Garrels was senior curator of painting and sculpture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). He resigned his position after museum employees circulated a petition that accused him of racism and demanded his immediate ouster. "Gary's removal from SFMOMA is non-negotiable," read the petition. "Considering his lengthy tenure at this institution, we ask just how long have his toxic white supremacist beliefs regarding race and equity directed his position curating the content of the museum?" This accusation that Garrels' choices as an art curator are guided by white supremacist beliefs is a very serious one. Unsurprisingly, it does not stand up to even minimal scrutiny. The petitioners cite few examples of anything even approaching bad behavior from Garrels. Their sole complaint is that he allegedly concluded a presentation on how to diversify the museum's holdings by saying, "don't worry, we will definitely still continue to collect white artists." Garrels has apparently articulated this sentiment on more than one occasion. According to artnet.com, he said that it would be impossible to completely shun white artists, because this would constitute "reverse discrimination." That's the sum total of his alleged crimes. He made a perfectly benign, wholly inoffensive, obviously true statement that at least some of the museum's featured artists would continue to be white. The petition lists no other specific grievances. Garrels, as a good Democrat, accepted his sin of white privilege and meekly acquiesced to his ouster: In a statement announcing his decision to step down, Garrels apologized for the harm his words caused, only slightly disputing the absurd charge against him. " I do not believe I have ever said that it is important to collect the art of white men," he said, according to artnet.com. "I have said that it is important that we do not exclude consideration of the art of white men." A principled person without the Stockholm syndrome that currently characterizes all white Democrats would have forced SFMOMA to fire him and then sued the institution into bankruptcy for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What's chilling about Garrels's experience is that he's obviously not a white supremacist. Instead, he is the victim of a movement that labels as a "white supremacist" anyone who refuses to be a black supremacist. This is totalitarianism. In Nazi Germany, people who were slow with their "Heil Hitler" salute found themselves in concentration camps as enemies of the state. Here, they find themselves erased from their careers. It's fine to quote Martin Luther King about the content of a person's character versus the color of his skin. Still, people who have to put food on the table or pay a mortgage can easily be bullied into going along with this coerced speech about black racial superiority. What we're seeing here is, weirdly, a "Spartacus moment" for Americans. We can yield to the un-American, fascist, eugenicist demand that we accept one race's superiority over all others, or we can stand up and make the unexceptional (indeed, laudatory) statement that "all lives matter," adding, "If that makes me a white supremacist, so be it." Image: Wikimedia. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 23:32:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WINDHOEK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday evening opened an exhibition titled "While in Quarantine" at the Namibian Arts Association (NAA) Gallery in Windhoek. The exhibition showcased art produced during COVID-19 lockdown. It is the first of its kind held in Namibia, and will open until July 30. The curator at the NAA Marcii Magson said the exhibition is aimed at giving artists a voice through their artworks. "In an attempt to find symmetry in chaos, the NAA has asked artists and creators to share their works from the period of the nationwide lockdown. It is a group exhibition of the creative mind grappling with chaos," she said. One of the artists Mukwendje, said many people who attended the exhibition this far were filled with sadness, and new hope for the future. He said they told him that the exhibition has taken them back to a very sad time in their life. "Many people have painful memories of this period until now, as many of them have lost their jobs. I watched how people stood by one artwork which they could relate to for a long time. We have achieved our vision and this makes me happy," Mukwendje said. Magson said they decided to host the exhibition because of the positive impact that the industry has on the public. She said artworks have the potential to inspire and motivate during a difficult time. "2020 held many surprises but none as great as the COVID-19 pandemic that pressed pause to everyday life around the globe. The unthinkable is the new normal and again we look to our artists to lay out the landmarks and reflect on the process," she said. Enditem Authorities on Tuesday afternoon identified the deceased man who was found on the side of a Dartmouth road by a passing driver as 27-year-old Jose Cortez Cornejo of New Bedford. The office of Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said that because the investigation is active and ongoing, no further information can be released at this time. A driver called 911 Tuesday at 5:10 a.m. after seeing a man collapsed on the side of the street near 180 Horseneck Road, Quinns office said. Police and paramedics determined the man was deceased at the scene. The preliminary investigation indicates the man was the victim of a homicide, according to the district attorney. Authorities believe the death happened late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The state Medical Examiners Office will perform an autopsy. Anyone who has information about the incident or who was near 180 Horseneck Road between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. is asked to call Dartmouth police at 508-910-1700, send an anonymous tip by texting the word Bristol to the phone number CRIMES (274637), or to submit a tip online. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. Related Content: Georgieva: It is in the interest of Ukraine to preserve independence of NBU Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva in a phone conversation has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to preserve the independence of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). "The reform of the NBU and its performance over the past five years is a clear success story for Ukraine. An independent central bank helps macroeconomic stability, supports investors' confidence, and protects the financial system," says a statement by the IMF Managing Director on the results of the phone conversation with the Ukrainian president. Georgieva also said that the credible policy actions of the NBU have been instrumental in stabilizing the economy of Ukraine. "It is in the interest of Ukraine to preserve the independence of NBU and it is also a requirement under the current IMF-supported program. I urged President Zelensky to stay the course of sound monetary and financial policies those are key to stronger investment and inclusive growth," she said. As reported, Zelensky and Georgieva had a phone conversation on July 14 to discuss further active cooperation. What do we get for our "VOTE"? During a recent car ride, I noticed that one community of people who have just moved here live in well-to-do neighborhoods, while people in my city are still stuck in some of the same areas where they grew up. I wondered why. The reason other communities prosper is their representatives and politicians actually work for them! It amazed me how politicians come into the African American communities and beg for our votes, and then leave us in the same condition. After they are elected, we are left with empty promises. Where are our representatives working for the Black community? They promised to help rebuild and restore our neighborhoods, but they seem to get amnesia. They forget their promises to fight crime, build better schools, better streets along with decent and affordable housing. Once elected, we find promises are made to be broken. Heres an example Some people move to the United States from other countries, and their representatives work with their embassies to ensure they dont move into a high crime area. They get help moving to better areas -- usually outside of the city. The African American communities dont really have this type of representation or help with moving their families into better neighborhoods. In fact, we will more than likely be directed or pushed to keep us away from the better areas. Some of us who are fortunate enough to live in great neighborhoods, but many African Americans are still stuck living in the inner cities, and no one is fixing these blighted areas or keeping their election promises. We need to demand that politicians we vote for do better by us. The turbulent 60s and 70s have paved the way for many civil rights changes, but it seems that the Black community gained the least from these efforts. We, as a people, deserve better. Our neighborhoods are in shambles, and our streets look like war zones. Yet, politicians come in our neighborhoods and beg for our vote, and we truly get nothing in return. We, as a people, must come together. The African American Community needs to hold politicians accountable concerning our well being. We also need to take a closer look at what is driving our people to make some of the mistakes that land us into the criminal justice system. We need to look for ways to deter us from making these mistakes. We also have to pay attention to some of the laws that are presented in our local legislature that hurt residents of our communities. Did we forget that the same people we vote into office are the very same ones who are drafting legislation to harm us? We need changes to the justice system and to the unfair sentencing guidelines, as well as stop the police brutality we experience at an alarming rate. The African American community must have an agenda for today. In the 60s and 70s, Black is Beautiful seemed to be echo as the emergence of Black culture that gave us a sense of Identity and pride. Somewhere, we forgot our true being. When we walked the streets, we always greeted each other with a, Hello my Brother and hello my Sister. But now, we just stare at each other like were in competition. This has got to stop, and we need come together. If nothing else, this last presidential election showed us how far we did not come in race relations in this country. We, as a people, are too divided, and it works against us. We need to support and respect each other. We must educate ourselves and stress our history, and not just the same pigeonhole it gets one month out of the year. Instead, we must make it a practice to educate not only our children but ourselves -- 365 days a year. We must start teaching the things at home that we dont learn in school and demand a curriculum on African American history. There is so much more to our black history than what is being taught. We also need to also make an effort to send our students to HBCUS (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and bring back the pride thats been lost. Vinie Davis is a resident of Harrisburg and organizer of the first Battle of the Bands held in 2019 at John Harris High School. Good Morning Britain's Laura Tobin joked a crew member may have been drinking after she was cut off during Wednesday's show. The weather presenter, 38, was about to host her latest forecast when she was unexpectedly cut off and could be heard saying 'Oh...' Laura had been speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins before the gaff and then the camera panned back to her as she reattempted the segment. Awkward: Good Morning Britain's Laura Tobin, 38, joked a crew member may have been drinking after she was cut off during Wednesday's show The broadcaster had barely begun when the usual weather advertisements began to play over the screen. Laura then vanished from the screen and the sound of the advert drowned out her segment. Taking the mishap in her stride, Laura joked it was likely due to a member of the crew consuming an alcoholic beverage ahead of work. Ben and Charlotte had been discussing Buckingham Palace's new gin, with Ben admitting that the drink doesn't last long in the Shephard household. Oops: Laura had been speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins before the gaff and then the camera panned back to her as she reattempted the segment As the mistake occurred around then, Laura quipped: 'I think somebody had been drinking gin just then', prompting laughter from the crew. In the same episode, Laura was subject to another mishap by Ben after he called her 'Charlotte'. The host had been discussing Hamilton being made available for streaming on Disney+, when he said: 'Good weather I think for streaming Hamilton this evening, Charlotte, um Laura. Whatever your name is!' Mishap: The broadcaster had barely begun when the usual weather advertisements began to play over the screen Laura remarked: 'You were either thinking of my little Charlotte or that big Charlotte. 'She always gets annoyed when I call her big Charlotte - not big Charlotte just the other Charlotte. 'Thank you for another tenuous segway into the weather Ben,' she added, before carrying on with the segment. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am to 9am. Dubai, July 15 : The UAE-based parents of children under 12, who are stranded in India, are in a tight spot as several airlines have refused to let unaccompanied minors fly back home and are now appealing for excemption from the rule in these trying times, a media report said. Starting July 12, Indians wanting to return to the UAE have been given a 15-day window to travel back on the condition that they have valid residency permits. They also have to produce a negative COVID-19 test certificate. But parents of minors said they are feeling helpless as children are unable to avail of the travel opportunity despite having return permits, Khaleej Times reported. "It has been more than three months since my daughter has been stuck in India. We have GDRFA approval for her but the airlines are not accepting her booking, saying she is under 12," Poonam Sapre, a Dubai-based woman, told Khaleej Times. Her daughter Eva Sapre, 10, is in Hyderabad and is awaiting a reunion with her parents. "She is just 10 and it has already taken an emotional toll on her. She is eager to come back and is asking me every day about her return. This is so frustrating." Barring Emirates and Etihad, other airlines including flydubai, Air Arabia and Air India Express are not accepting unaccompanied minors. With India extending the travel freeze till July 31, normal flights are yet to resume and only special flights are allowed between India and UAE under a bilateral agreement. Sapre said only flydubai is flying the Hyderabad-Dubai route, and the carrier has restrictions on minors travelling alone. "My daughter is too young to fly through indirect routes," claims the mother. When Khaleej Times reached out to the airlines for comment, they confirmed that such rules on unaccompanied minors were already in place even before COVID-19 travel restrictions came into effect. Another Dubai-based distressed parent, who did not want to be named, said her eight-year-old son is in Kerala and is unable to fly due to airline policies on unaccompanied minors. "I called up Air India Express and they said this has been their rule even before the COVID-19 outbreak. I am appealing to them to re-consider and make an exception during these trying times so that our children can come home safely," she said. Faced with this eventuality, some parents are forced to fly out of the UAE so they can accompany their children on the flight back home. An Indian woman, who is currently in Mumbai, said she flew out of Dubai on Monday morning solely for the purpose of bringing back her twin daughters, aged 10. "I had no choice. Ideally, they could have travelled together, but under these circumstances I thought it best to get them with me personally," said the woman. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A construction worker was struck and killed by a commercial truck along a highway in Wisconsins Columbia County, according to sheriffs officials. The 29-year-old man was working in a construction zone on Highway 151 near Columbus Monday when he was hit by a truck owned by Michels Construction. The victim was employed by a private construction company. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Columbia County Medical Examiner, according to the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. He has not yet been identified. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Commercial Lines Construction Wisconsin Trucking A study published earlier this year claiming the coronavirus may have jumped from dogs to humans is scientifically flawed, offering no direct evidence to support its conclusions, according to a collaborative group of international researchers, including scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. During this time of Covid-19 we are seeing people publish things that make wild leaps to conclusions that are not justified by the evidence, and this seems to be one of them." David Pollock, PhD, Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Pollock and CU Anschutz alumnus Todd Castoe, an associate professor of biology at the University of Texas Arlington, are lead authors of an academic letter published this week in Molecular Biology and Evolution aimed at refuting the earlier study published in the same journal. Pollock and his co-authors, including PhD student Kristen Wade and colleague Elizabeth Carlton, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor at the Colorado School of Public Health at CU Anschutz, took issue with the April 2020 study by biology Professor Xuhua Xia of the University of Ottawa in Canada. Many scientists are interested in the origins of the novel coronavirus. The want to know which host the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for Covid-19, came from before making the leap from animal to human. The classic way to address this is by finding viruses with similar genome sequences in a particular animal host. Xia, however, focused on a feature of the coronavirus genome known as CpG content, and found that a distantly-related dog coronavirus had similar CpG content as SARS-CoV-2. Because this distant virus replicated well in the dog's digestive tract, he concluded that a dog's intestines were the ideal place to have affected the ancestral SARS-CoV-2's CpG content. "However, there is no evidence for the logical premise of Xia's argument, considering that all mammals have digestive tracts," the researchers wrote. They showed that dogs aren't special in their content of ZAP and ABOBEC3G proteins, which help safeguard humans from viruses and can interact with viral CpG content. "Additionally, a recent inoculation study found that while other domesticated mammalian hosts are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, canines exhibited low susceptibility, and no traces of viral RNA were detectable in any dog organs," the scientists wrote. Pollock and his colleagues said that although the recent origin of SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain, the best current evidence makes it likely that it was passed to humans by horseshoe bats or possibly pangolins, a kind of spiny anteater in China. There is strong evidence that the virus has recently jumped between humans and these animals or other intermediate hosts. Bat and pangolin viruses also have CpG content similar to human SARS-CoV-2, so the environment that affected viral CpGs must have happened long ago and possibly in one of these two mammals. They noted that there are signs of prior recombination events among divergent viruses. That suggests that over the years relatives of coronaviruses found in bats and pangolins mixed and mutated to give rise to SARS-CoV-2. The proposition that dogs were likely recent ancestors of SARS-CoV-2 is not justified by the available evidence, the researchers concluded. "Xia did not demonstrate that the low CpG frequency in the SARS- CoV-2 genome was driven by a unique selective environment in dog digestive tracts," the authors wrote. "Dogs are not more plausible than most other potential host species, and based on current data, far less plausible than bats or pangolins." Pollock said determining how the virus jumped from animals to humans is critical in preparing for the next pandemic. Even so, he said, in the midst of a pandemic scientific results can be over-interpreted and misused, leading to misappropriation of resources and effort. Rather than promote the speculations of a study based on weak evidence, he noted, it is better to admit uncertainty. If not, the scientific community has an obligation to respond. "Considering the ramifications, scientists need to be particularly careful in interpreting findings, and avoid rushing to conclusions that are not well supported by solid evidence" co-lead author Castoe said. "We need to get this right." New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): The Ministry of Shipping on Tuesday approved Rs 107 crore for augmentation of firefighting facilities on five jetties of Haldia Dock Complex, Kolkata Port. The allocation was announced by Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya. In a release, the Shipping Ministry said the modern firefighting facility will enable the Haldia Dock Complex in the safe handling of the movement of petrochemical products. The ministry has prioritised safety and security of cargo operations on all major ports. It is a move towards compliance of global standards for fire safety, the release said. The existing firefighting facility does not support handling the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other petroleum products as per the guideline of Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. LPG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo on Haldia dock are projected to increase in the near future. This infrastructure will help to manage the petro-chemical goods in a safe and secure manner at Kolkata Port by complying OISD guidelines, the ministry stated. (ANI) 15.07.2020 LISTEN Ghanaian 71-year-old Abena Yeboah in New York City has been arrested after being captured on camera physically abusing a child under her care. With regards to the Prosecutors Office, the Ghanaian woman was hired to take care of a baby in Hackensack but she abused the toddler instead. She has been charged with one count of Title 9 child abuse. During her time as a nanny for the family, she was observed on a nanny camera physically abusing the child by hitting, kicking, and yanking the child by the arm, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said while announcing Yeboahs arrest. The police in Hackensack were first notified of the alleged abuse on July 8 The suspect was arrested in the Bronx by New York police after Hackensack police issued a warrant for her. She was taken into custody and is awaiting an extradition hearing. New Jerseys Title 9 child abuse statute makes it a fourth-degree crime to inflict "unnecessarily severe corporal punishment or unnecessary suffering or pain, either mental or physical, on a child. People convicted of a fourth-degree crime may face up to 18 months in prison in relating to the judgment. ---NaijaNews Washington: The Trump administration has escalated its attack on China, restricting some employees of Huawei from entering the US and accusing the telecommunications giant of facilitating human rights violations. One day after the Boris Johnson government banned the use of new Huawei equipment in Britain's 5G rollout, Washington said it would impose visa curbs on certain employees of Chinese companies that "provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights abuses globally". President Donald Trump has in the past praised the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit:AP "Companies impacted by today's action include Huawei, an arm of the CCP's [Communist Party of China] surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday, US time. "Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers." STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Because the Global Medical Relief Funds Pop-Up Food Pantries were so well received while some other food pantries are depleted during GMRF is offering yet another pantry open to the public. The event is set for Saturday, July 18 from noon until 2 p.m. at 112 MacFarland Ave. at the corner of Sand Lane, across from PS 39, in Arrochar. Available will be packaged foods, canned goods, cereals, tissues, paper towels, and other items that will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, some of which is being supplied by City Harvest, New York Citys largest not-for-profit food rescue organization. The city Department of Sanitation has also supplied 500 reusable bags to be used for individual donations. Elissa Montanti, founder of the organization, said she decided to invest in a food distribution to give back to our community during this fragile time. Montanti, as well as other organizers, ask that participants wear a mask or facial covering and practice social distancing while picking up food packages. Those who would like to donate unexpired, non-perishable items may do so before Saturday and are asked to drop off items at the same location from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission of GMRF is to help children in need who are victims of war, natural disasters or other catastrophes locally and worldwide. For additional information phone 718 448-6984, extension 103. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE The economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic is likely to reshape New Mexicos economy for years, killing smaller companies, and expanding the gap between high- and low-wage earners, university researchers told lawmakers Wednesday. Even if state employment bounces back by the end of 2024, they said, the jobs available may be different, with more of the states workforce at large employers rather than at small businesses that didnt survive. Some things you cant just reverse, said Jim Peach, a professor emeritus in economics at New Mexico State University. The world is going to be different. Our lives will be different. He and Jeffrey Mitchell, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of New Mexico, delivered a rather sober presentation Wednesday to members of the Legislative Finance Committee. The committee met in Cloudcroft, though members of the public were not allowed to attend in person and many presenters testified remotely. Peach and Mitchell encouraged state legislators to view the pandemic-triggered recession as a longer-term change to New Mexicos economy, not just a temporary storm to be weathered. Each expressed doubt that the oil and gas industry a critical source of state revenue will recover quickly. This is not a simple shutdown and then over with, Mitchell said. It may take about four years for New Mexico employment to bounce back to 2019 levels, he said. Metropolitan areas should recover a little more quickly, Mitchell said, while the oil patch will take longer. But the pace of recovery will depend on a host of factors the spread of COVID-19, the length of state-imposed business closures, how long it takes consumers to feel safe enough to go out again, and the availability of a vaccine. Both university researchers said some jobs will survive better than others. Higher-paid professionals who can work from home are better protected from the economic pain, they said, while lower-paid frontline workers in retail or at small businesses are most at risk. The consequence, Mitchell said, is that were likely to see a widening of income gaps. The change, he added, would likely boost demand for health care and social assistance programs. An overriding factor in the near term, Mitchell said, will be the federal response to the pandemic, including whether financial relief is provided to local and state governments, and unemployed workers. The $600 weekly benefit added to peoples unemployment compensation has disproportionately helped New Mexicos economy so far compared to other states, Mitchell said, because wages are generally low. But the federal benefit is set to expire July 31, Mitchell said, removing a cushion that has helped protect New Mexico from the full impact of the crisis. What were seeing now may not be the worst, Mitchell said. Peach said the loss of that federal benefit will wipe out some jobs as consumer demand weakens. He also warned legislators to prepare to consider tax increases or dramatic spending cuts next year as the economic downturn continues. Things in the oil industry are not OK, Peach said. Youre going to be forced to find some alternative revenue sources. Bernadette Johnson, vice president of Texas-based Enverus, an energy tech company, told members of the LFC on Wednesday that a recent increase in oil prices had helped stabilize the industry. Were seeing signs the market is in the early innings of recovery, she said. Johnson also said many oil companies would likely avoid bankruptcy if oil prices remain in the $40 per barrel range, though that could change if prices fall once again. Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes offered a touch of optimism. She said more companies are considering moves to mid-size states such as New Mexico, rather than New York and California. The silver lining of this is we have never been busier, Keyes told lawmakers. Democratic and Republican legislators, meanwhile, expressed frustration about New Mexicos business closures, and whether the state can do more to help local restaurants and companies. I cannot express the frustration, the concern and quite frankly the fear that businesses in New Mexico have because they cannot open, Sen. William Burt, R-Alamogordo, said. Rep. Harry Garcia, D-Grants, said restaurants are taking a beating with the reimposed ban on indoor dining. Theyre asking how are you going to help us, he said, and we dont know how to answer that question. John Bingaman, chief of staff for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, said the states reopening plan is based on standards suggested by federal officials and other experts. Eating inside at restaurants is prohibited, he said, because its the only indoor business activity that cannot be done while wearing a mask. He added that he hopes the reimposed restrictions will be just a temporary pause before the state moves forward with another round of reopenings. We hope this period will be brief, Bingaman said. Keyes said the best way for people to support the economy is by wearing masks, washing their hands, engaging in social distancing and taking other steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, allowing business restrictions to be relaxed. Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report. MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is set to meet with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 on Wednesday evening (July 15) to discuss the next steps with regard to the implementation of community quarantine in different parts of the country. He is expected to decide on the new quarantine status that will take effect on Thursday, July 16. According to Malacanang, there was no mention in the previous IATF meeting about easing quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila. Specifically, there was no discussion about the shifting from general community quarantine (GCQ) to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in the National Capital Region considering the increase in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and the full utilization of the regions critical care capacity. Hindi ko po alam dahil sa huling meeting ng IATF talagang hindi po na-discuss ang MGCQ for Metro Manila (I have no idea because in the previous IATF meeting there was no discussion about MGCQ for Metro Manila), noted Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque. The Philippines has entered the fourth month since the government imposed community quarantine orders due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Roque assured, meanwhile, that the NCRs hospitals have enough beds for COVID-19 patients despite the announcement of Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega that the regions intensive care system has now reached the danger zone. Ang pakiusap lang natin sa mga pasyente, makinig lang po tayo kung saan tayo dapat pumunta at huwag na tayong mag-insist (We only ask that patients listed [to authorities] where they are supposed to go and not insist [on what they want]), Roque stressed. Huwag na tayong mag-worry kung puno ang isang ospital, ire-refer naman po kayo sa iba pang ospital, (Do not worry if the hospital is full because you will be accommodated in other hospitals), he added. MNP (with details from Rosalie Coz) The post Duterte to announce new quarantine status; not sure of MGCQ for Metro Manila appeared first on UNTV News. A sitting of NATO-Georgia Commission, headed by Davit Zalkaliani, Georgian Foreign Minister and Mircea Geoana, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, was held in Brussels, Belgium, Trend reports citing 1tv.ge. Georgian Foreign Ministry reported that the Commission gave high evaluation to the reforms carried out by Georgia in process of Euro-Atlantic integration, Georgias engagement in global security processes, strengthening of democracy, election systems reform and effective measures in struggle against COVID-19 pandemic. NATO allies reiterated Georgias support on its path of NATO integration and expressed expectation that Georgia would hold democratic and high-standard parliamentary elections in autumn. It was underlined during the sitting that the alliance welcomes Georgias involvement and dialog about regional security issues and Georgias contribution to peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. - Hands-free robotic system combines image-based planning and navigation with instrument insertion and steering delivering procedural Accuracy, Consistency and Efficiency - - ACEs compact, mobile design, coupled with its ease of use and remote procedure capabilities, enable providers to safely treat a broad range of patient care needs in multiple sites of service - HINGHAM, Mass. and CAESAREA, Israel, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XACT Robotics Ltd. announced today that its XACT ACE Robotic System was cleared to market in the U.S. for computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous procedures. ACE is XACTs second-generation proprietary robotic system, which the company intends to launch later this year with initial market focus on interventional radiologists. XACT is the first and only company to market a hands-free robotic solution combining image-based planning and navigation with insertion and steering of various instruments to a desired target with accuracy, consistency, and efficiencies. The ACE Robotic System was designed to treat a wide range of clinical applications as well as indications and to be compatible with multiple imaging modalities. In addition, its remote procedure capabilities will allow users to operate the system from outside the radiology procedure room to minimize staff and patient exposure and enhance safety measures. Following the clearance of our first robotic system last year, and the successful experience we have had to date with the medical centers using our system, we are excited to leverage our recent ACE Robotic System clearance to scale up our commercialization efforts and enable other centers to access our technology and enhance their clinical and economical outcomes, said Chen Levin, CEO, XACT Robotics. CLICK TO TWEET The Company has begun its controlled market release with select U.S. Radiology Centers of Excellence partners while planning for a broader commercial launch of the ACE system later this year. Story continues XACT Robotics will showcase the ACE Robotic System at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference to be held virtually November 29 - December 4, 2020 (virtual expo #3348). For the latest updates on XACT Robotics, follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. About XACT Robotics XACT Robotics is advancing the field of radiology, pioneering the first hands-free robotic system combining image-based planning and navigation with instrument insertion and steering capabilities, to democratize percutaneous radiology procedures. Founded in 2013, XACT Robotics Ltd., is a privately held company, with offices in Hingham, MA, USA and Caesarea, Israel. For further information, visit www.xactrobotics.com Media Contact Glenn Silver Glenn.Silver@FinnPartners.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/430c357a-82c8-4d97-83e6-a13da8efed37 Highlights Realme is set to launch its 125W fast charging technology on July 15. The announcement comes after Oppo's that will launch its 125W tech today. The tech is said to charge a 4000mAh battery in under 10 minutes. Realme has said it will also announce the 125W fast charging technology, only a day after its sister concern Oppo will do the same. Oppo is set to unveil the 125W SuperVOOC fast charging method today globally. This means Realme will follow in Oppo's footsteps to introduce the same technology with another name, probably 125W UltraDart Charge, on Wednesday, July 15. Realme began teasing about its upcoming fast charging technology a while back, but, interestingly, the hints that were dropped pointed out to 120W fast charging speed instead. We do not know which charging speed would finally be announced, but 125W makes more sense since Realme can readily borrow it from Oppo. In a Weibo post, Realme China CMO, Xu Qi Chase has posted a binary code in a bid to build hype before the tentative launch of the charging technology. The binary code calculates to 125, suggesting Realme's charging tech will be same as Oppo's. This is not the first time the two companies will share technology as Realme is a spinoff company of Oppo. Previously, Oppo's 65W SuperVOOC charging method trickled down to be featured on Realme smartphones, including the X50 Pro 5G. The upcoming 125W fast-charging method will be reserved for flagship devices of both brands, the announcement on which can be expected at Oppo's and Realme's events. While the final teaser hints at 125W, a previous one from Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth alluded to the arrival of 120W fast charging. Sheth's tweet featured 120 high-voltage emojis, symbolic of fast charging. The teaser added some weight to the rumour that suggested Realme is working on a 100W+ fast charging technology and that the total output from it could be 120W. It was also said the 120W technology could charge the one-third of a 4000mAh battery in three minutes. While there is no telling to what it is between the two, Realme is asking people what percentage of battery its upcoming UltraDart technology can fill in three minutes. Oppo's and Realme's technology will emerge a day after Vivo's iQoo 120W fast charging tech. iQoo said its 120W technology can charge a 4000mAh battery from 0 to 50 per cent in 5 minutes. Since Oppo and Realme are touting 125W technology, it could be slightly better than iQoo's. Xiaomi is also announcing its 100W fast charging technology, which it demonstrated earlier, next month in China. The 100W technology would definitely be less powerful than the ones iQoo, Realme, and Oppo would release on their respective smartphones. The Bethlehem Area School District is leaning towards opening schools at the end of August with a mixed approach to instruction. It means that students in some grades will return full-time, five days a week, with as normal a school experience as one can get during a pandemic. But students in other grades may see a hybrid approach where students get in-person and virtual instruction. Superintendent Joseph Roy issued a video update to the school community Tuesday and promised a final decision by the end of the month. COVID-19 case counts have remained fairly steady in the Lehigh Valley since the region eased into the green phase. Although, the southeast portion of the state is contending with an outbreak. We want to make sure we dont have widespread community spread of the virus and we dont want the opening of schools to contribute to that, Roy, who has two daughters enrolled in district schools, said. If schools reopen, it will be crucial to keep them open through a mix of testing, monitoring and case tracking, Roy said. The district has been weighing three scenarios: all online learning; normal school with precautions and a hybrid approach. With the school year approaching, Roy believes the district will see a mix of the last two scenarios. The superintendent did not specify which grades might primarily see face-to-face instruction versus a hybrid approach. A possible scenario is that young elementary students, who have smaller classes, return to a fairly normal school year and high schoolers switch to hybrid learning. Bethlehem hopes to finalize a plan by the end of the month and bring it to the school board in August. The district is relying on research from Harvard and Johns Hopkins universities as well as guidance from the state Department of Education to guide its thinking, Roy said. State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday that guidance is forthcoming on what the states universal mask mandate means for Pennsylvania students. The education department has already said it applies to students in school settings from preschools to private schools. Educators are writing the plan hand-in-hand with St. Lukes University Health Network infectious disease experts, its community health division and the Bethlehem Health Department. Roy asked for patience as the district develops a plan with the approval, support and advice of public health experts. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 06:30 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406664fa19 1 National correctional-facility,Papua-protest,salemba-prison,penitentiary,penitentiary-crisis,convicts Free Problems surrounding Indonesia's correctional facilities have once again come under the spotlight after a Papuan rights activist shared his past experience living behind bars at Central Jakarta's Salemba Penitentiary, which he described as overcrowded, filled with illicit drug trade and inmates struggling to fulfill basic needs. Surya Anta, one of six Papuan rights activists who recently completed their sentence for treason, gave his candid story over the weekend about the situation he had gone through in the prison between November 2019 and May 2020 through a series of posts on his Twitter account @SuryaAnta. Surya and his colleagues were arrested in August last year after staging a protest supporting Papua's independence in Jakarta. The court sentenced him and four others to nine months' imprisonment, while the other one was given an eight-month prison sentence, for treason in April. All of them had been released by late May. In his Twitter posts, Surya said that upon entering the penitentiary, he and four of his friends lived for a month inside what they called a "Ruangan Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan" or Adaptation Room, where there were about 420 inmates occupying a 20-square-meter space that only had two toilets. Read also: Overcrowded and understaffed, prisons scramble to protect inmates from infection He also included photographs as proof, which he said were made possible by "mobile phones trade and service" business inside the facility. Surya added that the whole facility was "overcrowded" as it housed about 4,300 inmates when he arrived there, exceeding its maximum capacity of 1,500. "Inmates sleep like boiled fish lined up. [We] often have to tilt our bodies so that we can sleep," he wrote in one of the posts uploaded on Sunday. Beginilah kondisi Tahanan di Mapenaling, Rutan Salemba, Jakpus. Dulu, sebelum Covid, saat Covid (sebelum kami bebas) ruangan/Barak Penampungan ini sudah kosong sebab Rutan tak terima Orang Tahanan Baru. pic.twitter.com/ZAsc4dFlfi Surya (@SuryaAnta) July 12, 2020 When they first arrived, Surya said he and his friends were asked by other inmates to pay between Rp 1 million (US$68.78) and Rp 3 million each. They eventually paid Rp 500,000 after the inmates discovered that they were activists and not "sons of officials." In the room, Surya said the inmates had to drink water that Surya describes as "sticky" and gave some of the inmates a sore throat. If they wanted to cook instant noodles or brew coffee, Surya said they had to boil the water with plastic bottles, which often created fumes that caused illness among them. "This one time, I had a fever and my nose was bleeding, but the procedure to go to the clinic was very complicated," he wrote. Utk bisa masak mie & seduh kopi hrs "nembak air" caranya air di botol plastik lalu bakar bawahnya dgn plastik2.. polusi udara jdnya. Makanya banyak tahanan yang sakit. Saya sempat sakit demam dan keluar darah dari hidung. Ehh mau ke klinik prosedurnya rumit. Surya (@SuryaAnta) July 12, 2020 After spending one month there, Surya and his friends were able to enter a cell, which he said inmates actually had to pay to stay in, as others with no money had to sleep in the hallways of the penitentiary. He also suggested that money was a necessity as he had to buy and cook on his own to offset the little amount of food provided by the facility, and to purchase other staple needs such as water, cleaning supplies and for electricity maintenance. Setelah 1 blm di barak penampungan. Kami turun blok. Kami di blok J. Kamar 18. Itu pun stlh ada tekanan dr teman2 diluar. Banyak tahanan dan napi tidur di lorong krn gak punya uang untuk "tiket" masuk kamar dan bayar uang Mingguan kamar. Beginilah situasi di lorong blok pic.twitter.com/xwk6wtiAMn Surya (@SuryaAnta) July 12, 2020 Surya had also found illicit "drug trade" activities in the penitentiary. In his cell, which was divided into three rooms, Surya said one of the rooms was known as a "pharmacy" designated for selling methamphetamine. He also said a "meth salesperson" walked around to offer and sell meth and marijuana to inmates in the Adaptation Room. When contacted by The Jakarta Post, Surya said he initially posted the pictures and stories to look back on the time he spent in jail. "But I know that problems in detention centers and prisons are inseparable from our regulations, systems, implementation and law enforcement actors," he said Tuesday. Surya argued that an insufficient number of correctional facilities, coupled with the punitive attitude of Indonesian authorities, were among the reasons for overcrowding prisons in the country. According to data compiled by the Justice Monitoring Coalition -- a group of civil society organizations -- Indonesia's prisons and detention centers held up to 270,466 inmates as of March, about 104 percent above their capacity of 132,335 prisoners. The coalition further called the government and the House of Representatives on Tuesday to amend the Criminal Code and improve the country's criminal justice system, as well as to reform the punitive approach against drug users and focus on using a health approach to handle cases of drug abuse instead. Read also: BNN busts drug ring allegedly controlled by Salemba inmate "[Surya's] finding is not surprising, but it remains a cause for concern because this condition continues without any comprehensive solutions," the coalition said in a statement on Tuesday. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said Monday that he had sent a team to investigate the condition of Salemba Penitentiary. "We will check whether [the findings] are true or not." The spokesperson of the ministry's Corrections Directorate General, Rika Aprianti, conceded that there was an overcrowding issue in Salemba Penitentiary, which she said currently housed 3,249 prisoners compared to its 1,500 capacity. She added that the facility was also understaffed. "However, we have continued efforts to provide corrections for all prisoners and inmates, eradicate illegal levies as well as drug trade," Rika said on Monday. Rika, however, did not provide comments when asked by the Post about Surya's claims of payment to afford a prison cell in Salemba Penitentiary. Ghina Ghaliya contributed to the report. Editor's note: The heading, as well as the first and second paragraphs of this article have been revised for accuracy. Surya Anta is an activist advocating the rights of Papuan people, but he himself is not of Papuan descent. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 11:27:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday urged all Americans to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. "Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus, particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement. CDC's appeal came days after U.S. President Donald Trump wore a mask publicly for the first time when visiting a hospital in Maryland. For months, Trump and some senior administration officials have been criticized for being reluctant to advise the public to wear masks. According to a new Hill-HarrisX poll, 44 percent of voters said people were less likely to wear masks when Trump did not set an example in wearing a mask to lower the spread of COVID-19. Enditem Advertisement Keen surfers have been captured risking their lives to tackle monstrous surf conditions at Deadman's Reef in Sydney. Daredevil board riders were spotted taking on the powerful surf conditions off Shelly Headland south of Manly Beach on Wednesday. Huge open ocean swells of more than 10 metres were seen slamming into the shallow rock ledge just metres away from the rocky shoreline. Spectators were in awe of the surfers' incredible courage and bravado to tame the wild conditions and score some amazing rides in the process. Board riders have been spotted taking on enormous surf conditions at Deadman's Reef off Shelly Headland south of Manly Surfers risked their lives to ride monster swells of more than 10 metres at the treacherous break from the huge south-east swell A surfer jumps down the face in front of a close out section just metres away from the rocky shoreline and cliff face at Deadman's Reef A board rider stands casually in front of a throaty hollow tube as another barely sneaks over the top of the lip at Deadman's on Wednesday A hazardous surf warning is in place for Wednesday and Thursday from Byron Bay to Eden as huge swells and damaging winds test board riders along Australia's eastern seaboard. The swell has been generated by a large low pressure system parked off of NSW, with waves causing significant erosion along the coast line. A peak wave height off the Sydney coast overnight reached 11.6metres, with the NSW police marine area command advising people to stay out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas. Police have advised people planning to do coastal activities including rock fishing, boating, and swimming to reconsider. The hazardous south-east swell rolled into Australia's east coast on Tuesday and will begin to ease into the weekend, with beach users told to remain wary of the waves. 'A deep low pressure system is centred over the central Tasman Sea,' the Bureau of Meteorology website reads. A surfer in two minds stands stands at the lip line of a huge set at Deadman's on Wednesday. Police have urged people to stay out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas due to the extreme swell A board rider makes a bottom turn around an exploding section of whitewater on the inside of a huge set wave at Deadman's A surfer flies out of the tube in blustery conditions at Deadman's on Wednesday. The Bureau of Meteorology have issued a warning about damaging and powerful wind gusts from the low pressure system 'This system is whipping up blustery winds and powerful waves along parts of the New South Wales coast, with conditions gradually easing later in the week as the low moves east towards New Zealand and a high pressure ridge moves over the state from the west.' Many surfers headed to novelty breaks across the city with gale force winds making conditions not for the faint-hearted. A massive police search for a missing surfer who disappeared in huge swell off Coogee Beach was called off after the man was found alive. The weather bureau issued a separate warning about damaging and powerful wind gusts. A gale warning is in place for Wednesday and Thursday on the Byron coast, Coffs coast, Macquarie coast, Hunter coast, Sydney coast and Illawarra coast, with a strong wind warning for Sydney closed waters, Sydney coast, Illawarra coast, Batemans coast and Eden coast. This is an installment of Veepstakes, Slates series on who Joe Biden should pick as his running mate. Just to move it out of the way: Getting Michelle Obama to run for vice president is a pipe dream. The former first lady, bestselling author, and most admired woman in the United States has repeatedly said she does not want to run for higher office. Last year, Obama said there was zero chance she would run for president. Prior to that, shed said of her political aspirations no, nope, not going to do it, its just not for me, and its not something Im interested in or would ever do. Ever. Advertisement So, no, Michelle Obama is not going to be running for political office. That said, it would clearly be best for the rest of the country if Michelle Obama did run for president ornow that Joe Biden is going to be the Democratic nomineevice president in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case for a Michelle Obama national candidacy has always been incredibly simple. If you think that the most popular and qualified candidates with the widest appeal are the likeliest to win a national election, you should want her on the Democratic ticket. Most critically this year, if you genuinely believe that President Donald Trump is an existential danger to American democracy and the health, economic well-being, and lives of people in this countryas the past four years have proved and as so many progressives profess to believethen you should want the ticket to include the candidate who is most likely to prevent him from winning another four years in office. Michelle Obama is that person. Advertisement Advertisement One of the reasons Obama has given for declining to run for higher office is that the skill set shes demonstrated to the public, during and after her husbands eight years in the White House, shouldnt automatically qualify her for the job. Just because I gave a good speech, Im smart and intelligent doesnt mean I should be the next president, Obama said two years ago, referring to her celebrated 2016 Democratic National Convention speech. Thats not how we should pick the president. Advertisement Its true that she does give a good speech, and its also true that giving a good speech shouldnt automatically qualify someone to be president. (Though it can occasionally launch strong candidates into the national spotlight.) The demurring implication that she isnt otherwise qualified, though, is absurd. Advertisement Like Hillary and Bill Clintonminus the ghastly public domestic psychodramaMichelle and Barack Obama were intellectual and professional peers. Barack Obama just happened to prefer being the one in the foreground when it came to politics. Unlike Hillary Clinton, and almost certainly informed by Hillarys health care experience, Michelle Obama kept her official policy duties as first lady circumscribed, focusing on high-profile and successful public health campaigns (and avoiding the rights often racist efforts to demonize her). Before that, she had worked for years as an executive at a major American hospital, developing neighborhood outreach and volunteer recruitment programs to help underserved communities. This seems like useful experience for a leader to have during the worst public health crisis in 100 years, particularly during a pandemic that is having a disproportionate impact on the health of people in already marginalized black and brown communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in her life, Obama used her time at Harvard Law School to advocate for increased staff and student diversity while doing voluntary legal aid for people facing housing insecurity, then went into city government and eventually became the director of a Chicago nonprofit that worked to inspire young people to enter public service. This seems like useful experience for a leader to have at a time of a possible long-overdue reckoning over how systemic racism has created disparities in nearly every sector of American society. Advertisement Advertisement After eight years in the White House alongside a very popular president, Michelle Obama wrote a memoir that had record-breaking sales and was a producer on an Oscar-winning documentary. More importantly, she founded a voter registration initiative that is already reaching hundreds of thousands of potential voters. This seems like useful experience to have when facing down a generational assault on voting rights. Advertisement While Michelle Obama is exceedingly well prepared to be president or vice presidentespecially right nowthe biggest thing that her candidacy would have going for it is that shed make any ticket likelier to win. There isnt much polling on Michelle Obama as a politician, possibly because she has been so clear that she never wants to be one. What limited data does exist, however, is very clear. In a CBS poll in May, 64 percent of Democratic respondents said they would want Obama to be on Bidens ticket if she were willing to do it. That number compared favorably to the leading actual candidates. In regard to those other contenders, smart analysts, like my colleague Christina Cauterucci, have argued that constantly focusing on the spouses of male political leaders for national leadership undersells women candidates with independent political ambitions and stifles new blood. That mayto a certain degreebe true. But we just held a Democratic primary in which the four leading candidates were respectively a 77-year-old white man, a 78-year-old white man, and a 71-year-old white woman followed closely by a 78-year-old white man. In that same election, those voters opted for the nearest possible candidate they had to a restoration to the Obama presidency. Given those outcomes, maybe its worth overlooking as a strike against her that this powerful, popular, brilliant 56-year-old Black woman happens to have been married to a previous president, and accepting it as an asset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again, the polling suggests that her standing would be a great asset to any ticket. While public figures are always more popular when theyre not running for officeask Hillary Clintonpeople have reacted better to a hypothetical Michelle Obama candidacy than to most others. For example, an Axios and SurveyMonkey poll from last October had Michelle Obama beating Donald Trump 5542 among registered voters in a hypothetical presidential contest. This 13-point lead surpassed Bidens 9-point head-to-head margin and the 2-point margin of Sen. Elizabeth Warrenone of the current top contenders for the VP slotin that same survey. Obamas personal favorability in that poll was plus-31. That compares with negative-6 for Warren and negative-2 for Biden in recent polls. Advertisement Its true that Biden currently leads Trump by an average of about 9 points. But there are four months to go until the election, more than enough time for Trumps vincibility or the former vice presidents inherent vulnerabilities to start to manifest in the race in a way that could lead to defeat. Having the most popular possible candidateMichelle Obamaon the ticket is one way to actually ensure the best possible odds of not losing to Donald Trump. As one Michigan state representative put it, If he puts Michelle on the ticket, everybody turns out. Advertisement Advertisement Americans are, of course, not entitled to Michelle Obamas candidacy, and she has already given more than anybody could be reasonably expected to as part of her historic and incredible public service. Still, the fact that she doesnt want the job makes her even more qualified for it. Its a cliche that anyone who wants to be president badly enough to do what is necessary to win cant be trusted with the job. After four years of a president who most wanted the spoils of the presidency and was least trustworthy to have it, putting the opposite type of person in office is just what this country needs. For more of Slates news coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below. As the Supreme Court ends its term and a momentous presidential election looms ahead, the contrast between the Roberts court and the country could hardly be starker. Much of American government and politics is dysfunctional. Each party panders to extremists in its base, and media outlets have correspondingly polarized. Presidential politics, congressional politics and local politics have all suffered. Each side produces and consumes the news and facts it prefers, and almost every leading American politician hesitates to ever cross the aisle. Fortunately, there is no aisle on the Supreme Court bench, literally or figuratively. True, most justices most of the time vote in line with their partisan affiliation. But their partisan affiliations do not invariably result in partisan decisions. In some of the biggest cases of the modern era, justices have in fact swung. Most notable, of course, was Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired in 2018. He joined fellow Republican appointees on most issues, but sided with Democrat appointees in four major gay rights cases and split the difference on abortion and affirmative action. He sided with liberal free-speech advocates in major cases involving legal aid and flag-burning, and with conservative free-speech advocates in important cases involving political advertising. Alabamas Senate race between Democratic incumbent Senator Doug Jones and Republican challenger Tommy Tuberville will play a pivotal role in determining which political party assumes the majority in the upper chamber in January. Republicans hold a 53-to-47 majority in the Senate, but their electoral prospects are iffy in November with five incumbents looking increasingly vulnerable: Cook Political Report rates the races held by incumbent GOP senators as toss ups in Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Montana and North Carolina. Analysts believe the Alabama Senate contest is the only likely opportunity for Republicans to reclaim a Senate seat from a Democrat, raising the stakes and the pressure for the Alabama GOP to deliver a winner. Jones became the first Democrat since 1992 to win a Senate election in Alabama when he defeated scandal-ridden Republican Roy Moore during a special election contest in 2017 that generated international media attention. But this year, unlike 2017, the Senate election will be on the same ballot as the presidential contest. President Donald Trump enjoyed his highest favorable ratings in Alabama before the coronavirus pandemic struck in early March, according to Morning Consult. Tuberville, who was endorsed by Trump in March, easily defeated former Senator and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions during Tuesdays GOP runoff. Alabama is also one of only a half-dozen states in the U.S. with straight-ticket voting, which analysts believe will be beneficial for Tuberville as the Republicans look to unseat Jones. Alabama is Republicans best, and perhaps only, pickup opportunity in a Senate map that has expanded and overwhelmingly favors Democrats, said Jessica Taylor, the Senate and Governors editor with The Cook Political Report that rates Alabama as leans Republican the only Senate seat in the U.S. held by a Democrat that favors the GOP in 2020. In a state like Alabama, where President Trump still remains very popular and should carry the state again handily, it will be an uphill battle for Senator Doug Jones as he wasnt running against a controversial and damaged nominee again like Roy Moore, she added. Extremely competitive Jones, to his advantage, has amassed more than $8 million in campaign funds at the end of June. Jones proved to be an adept fundraiser in 2017, raising more than $22 million ahead of defeating Moore by a slim margin of 21,924 votes. The Jones campaign is pushing out internal polling from last month that shows the Democratic incumbent in a competitive race with Tuberville. And though Trump is viewed as almost a sure-bet to win Alabama in November, there are some questions over whether his popularity has eroded within the state during the pandemic. According to a new national survey led by researchers from Northeastern, Harvard, Northwestern and Rutgers universities, under 50% of Alabamians approve of Trumps handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an extremely competitive race and Im confident it will stay that way through November, said Zac McCrary, a Democratic pollster and strategist based in Montgomery. And all indications are that the Trump margin in Alabama will be tighter than anyone wouldve expected a few months ago. Trump will almost certainly carry Alabama but if his margin is 10-15 points versus the 28-point margin he had in 2016, then that means Senator Jones has to split fewer tickets than previously though and ultimately has a wider path to victory. Doug Jones is greeted by a supporter before speaking during an election-night watch party Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Birmingham, Ala. Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in Alabama's special Senate election. It was the first time a Democrat won a Senate race in Alabama since 1992. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Jones is expected to enjoy strong support from Black voters, especially Black women who carried him to victory in 2017. Black voters made up 29% of the electorate in 2017, and backed Jones with 96% support, with 98% of Black women voting choosing him over Moore. National polling shows Trump trailing former Vice President Joe Biden as the pandemic, a slumping economy and racial justice politics hamper his presidency. The website FiveThirtyEight has Biden leading Trump by 9 percentage points nationally, and a new CBS News/YouGov poll suggests Trump could be vulnerable in states he carried in 2016, such as Florida and Texas. Were at a time our country is facing a generational public health crisis, McCrary said. That puts a premium on experience and leadership. Doug Jones is uniquely well-suited for these times, especially compared to Tommy Tuberville who has no real experience handling tough issues and has shown no inclination to roll up his sleeves to better understand whats facing our country. He added, Six months ago during relatively placid times of prosperity, maybe Alabama voters were just looking for a friendly guy who would be a rubber stamp for Trump. But now were facing an existential crisis both to our health and our economy and that makes voters give more scrutiny to these candidates. It means voters will give a second look to Senator Jones, even if they generally lean Republican. Targeted flips Alabama Republicans are intent on winning back a seat they held since President Bill Clintons first term in the White House. And despite Trumps slumping poll numbers nationally, GOP leaders in Alabama believe they have the momentum and point to the 2018 midterm elections as evidence. That year, Republicans in Alabama swept the statewide general election races, even as Democrats overall enjoyed a strong showing and recaptured the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans still view Jones win in 2017 as an aberration, occurring only because of the unusual amount of media attention placed on the special election and the accusations that Moore had molested teenage girls decades ago when he was in his 30s and serving as a prosecutor in Etowah County. Senator Jones barely won with 1.6% of the vote while over 600,000 Republicans didnt vote in that 2017 election, said Terry Lathan, chairwoman of the Alabama GOP. They came back in 2018 and set another record GOP voter turnout. Now with the high popularity of President Trump on our ballot, we feel confident that if our voters show up, we will win. However, we are not complacent. We are working harder than ever to end the tenure of Doug Jones. Michael Hoyt, chairman of the Baldwin County Republican Party, said the only reason Jones is in the Senate is because the stars aligned for him in 2017, when he went up against who had major issues. The Democrats can spend a lot of money and Im glad to hear they are doing that but we feel real good about reclaiming our seat and defeating Doug Jones, he said. Tommy Tuberville greets supporters in the ballroom at his watch party on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, following his GOP runoff victory over Jeff Sessions. Tuberville will face Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Doug Jones on Nov. 3, 2020. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com Alabama Republicans are also banking on assistance from national organizations such as the potent Senate Leadership Fund, which sat out of the general election in 2017 out of objection toward Moores candidacy. This November, we will retire the most liberal Senator in Alabamas history and replace him with a conservative who will support President Trumps agenda, not impeach him, said Jack Pandol, spokesman with the SLF. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other powerful big business interest groups were also non-factors during the 2017 race, but GOP leaders are hopeful they return in a big way ahead of November. We will significant funds coming our way, said Lathan. This seat is one of the highest targeted flips in the nation. Our candidates have been disadvantaged in dollars due to the primary runoff, but thats about to change. Alabama Republican leaders are likely to feel pressure to win the Senate seat, given the stunning loss of the 2017 special election and the high pressure stakes of this years race: The winner holds onto the Alabama Senate seat for six years and could become the states senior senator if 86-year-old Richard Shelby decides not to seek re-election in 2022. Said Lathan, There has been only one consistent message in planning with all Republican groups and conservatives in our state and nationally stand together and beat Doug Jones. I believe Alabama voters will strongly support that big picture. Big money Scholars believe Alabama Republicans have a strong reason for hope, but warn that they should not get overconfident. Jones, after all, is a proven winner and remains a strong candidate. Republicans, they believe, will spend big money in a state in which they historically enjoy sizable advantages. Any time that one is trying to unseat an incumbent, it is expected that you will need to spend a fair amount of money, said Eric Schickler, a professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. On the other hand, if Doug Jones is running competitively in September, that will be a sign of just how bad the overall situation is for Republicans. Bruce Oppenheimer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, said the fact that both parties are likely to spend big on Alabama reflects on Jones strengths winning an election one year after Trump won Alabama by a huge margin. If the general election appears competitive in the fall, then I suspect that will stimulate higher turnout that Alabama has experienced in some time, said Oppenheimer. I suspect both sides will have to work at turnout. Even if Jones loses in November, the Democrats are on a path toward reclaiming the Senate. Aside from five the toss up states, analysts project Democrats competing for Senate seats in Iowa, Georgia, and Kansas. Perhaps the only other state where Republicans could pick off a Senate seat from a Democrat is in Michigan, where incumbent Democratic Senator Gary Peters is being challenged by Republican John James. James, an Iraqi military veteran and conservative media darling, has held a fundraising advantage over Peters in a race that is likely to be tied to the presidential contest since Michigan is considered a key swing state in November. Cook Political Report rates the Michigan Senate contest as leans Democratic. I think Republicans see it as an opportunity because they see Gary Peters as someone who is vulnerable because he doesnt have great name recognition across the state, said David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University in Michigan. It think its not insignificant that James has outraised Peters. Michigan politics, however, are much more flexible and unpredictable than Alabama. According to a FiveThirtyEight analysis in 2018, Alabama only rates ahead of Washington, D.C. when it comes to states considered inelastic in their political preference, or those where voters are not as prone to shifts in the national political mood. Before the Jones victory in 2017, Alabamas statewide elections had generated a reputation as contests decided during Republican primaries, while lacking competitiveness during general elections. If Republicans cannot get the Alabama seat back, my gosh, said Dulio. He said the 2017 special election remains a shock to political scientists nationwide. I kind of think Michigan politics is a little nutty, he said. But that was unlike anything Ive ever seen. A healthcare worker conducting a coronavirus test in Tolleson, Arizona, on June 18. Courtney Pedroza/Reuters Arizona's coronavirus case count was above 128,000 on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, has nearly 65% of the state's cases. Mayor Kate Gallego says Phoenix is struggling with insufficient testing capacity, a high positivity rate in COVID-19 tests, nearly full morgues, and tired healthcare workers. Arizona's ability to control the outbreak requires Gov. Doug Ducey to issue a statewide mask mandate, she said. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A few days ago, Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix drove past a long line of cars. They were all waiting for coronavirus tests. Some people were forced to sit for eight, 10, or even 13 hours to get a nasal swab despite an excessive heat warning, she learned. On Monday, 26% of COVID-19 tests conducted in Phoenix were coming back positive, she said. The World Health Organization recommends that governments implement a stay-at-home order if more than 5% of tests in a region come back positive over two weeks. "I know people in my community are suffering with both their health and economically, so it's a very tough time," Gallego told Business Insider. "I'm deeply concerned." Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix. David Wallace/The Republic/Reuters Arizona has recorded more than 128,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,300 deaths, based on data from Johns Hopkins University. About 65% of those cases and 51% of the deaths have been in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is. The county morgue is at 96% capacity, Gallego said, and frontline medical workers are exhausted. It's taking up to nine days for some Arizona residents to get their test results back. She thinks much of Arizona's alarming spike in COVID-19 cases was preventable, arguing that the state reopened too early and that Gov. Doug Ducey did not offer a consistent message that all Arizonans should wear face masks and stay 6 feet apart. "If people had followed common-sense precautions," she added, they most likely "would not have contracted the virus." Story continues She's one of five Arizona mayors who wrote a letter asking Ducey to impose a statewide mask mandate, bolster testing and contact tracing, and shut close-contact venues like nail salons, barbershops, and indoor restaurants. Without decisive, statewide action, "more lives will be needlessly lost," they wrote. "If the governor does not want to implement them himself, we would like the legal authority to do it," Gallego said. Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona. Ross D. Franklin/AP Images 'I wish we were in a very different position so far into COVID-19' Ducey's stay-at-home order expired May 15, before the state had reported a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases the White House's recommended benchmark for a safe reopening. Over the past six weeks, Arizona's coronavirus cases have exploded. On June 1, the state reported more than 1,000 new cases for the first time. Then it reported more than 2,000 new infections on June 10, 3,000 cases on June 17, and 4,000 on June 22. Its highest single-day jump 5,339 new cases came June 29. Ducey responded to that record by ordering a 30-day pause on the reopening of bars, gyms, water parks, and movie theaters. His executive order also banned "organized public events of more than 50 people." The governor issued another executive order on Thursday that limits restaurants' indoor dining capacity to 50%. As of Monday, 1,498 of Arizona's intensive-care-unit beds 88% of the available ones in the state were occupied. "It's heartbreaking to be at this point months after our first case," Gallego said. "I wish we were in a very different position so far into COVID-19." Young people make up 50% of Arizona's coronavirus cases Gallego said the coronavirus had become "unnecessarily political." People at a July 4 rally in Phoenix to protest coronavirus-related restrictions. Cheney Orr/Reuters Neither President Donald Trump nor Ducey, a Republican, has consistently urged people to wear masks or stay home whenever possible, she added. Trump has routinely refused to cover his face in public. On Monday, he retweeted an allegation that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was lying in some way about the pandemic to jeopardize his reelection chances. Ducey was caught on camera at a party on June 6 where he wasn't wearing a face mask or maintaining distance from others. Gallego said reopening Arizona led many people, mostly young adults, to congregate in crowded places like nightclubs. She added that more generally the summer heat was driving people indoors, where they're more likely to pick up the virus or transmit it to others. People ages 20 to 44 now make up 50% of Arizona's COVID-9 patients. Gallego said she's worried both about getting through this initial wave and about the state's readiness for another possible wave of coronavirus cases in the fall or winter. "The combination of a bad flu season and COVID-19 is quite scary," Gallego said. Read the original article on Business Insider BERLIN, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Angela Merkel refused to comment on Tuesday on Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder's purported candidacy to succeed her as German chancellor. By announcing that she will not seek reelection, she has imposed a "particular restraint" on her succession, Merkel said during a joint press conference with Soeder in Bavaria. "Therefore, you will not hear me comment on the issue... in any form or in any forum," Merkel said, adding that she would only say that "Bavaria has a good premier." Germany is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections in autumn 2021. Last year, German media identified Merkel's potential successors. The list included Soeder, former leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz, Health Minister Jens Spahn, and minister president of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet. Support for Soeder's candidacy has increased in recent days as he imposed strict measures to contain the pandemic in the southern German state. Read the full article on Motorious This is one of the most unique projects to roll out of Vilner Garage, and it harbors an interesting past living in a convicted war criminal's living room... In WWII, a German fighter pilot by the name of Erich Hartmann set a record for aerial victories. To this day, his tally remains unchallenged. Nicknamed Bubi (The Kid) by comrades and Black Devil by his Soviet adversaries, he shot down 352 Allied aircraft. After the war ended, Erich was charged, tried, and convicted of war crimes spending 10 years in Soviet prison camps as a result. He was released in 1955, joined the West German Air Force in 1956, retired in 1970, and died of natural causes in 1993. Why are we telling you this? Well, the Hartmann family spent time on American soil and fell in love with a Gold Metallic 1976 Datsun 280Z Fairlady Z while exercising their freedom. Upon returning to Hamburg, the family had the Datsun shipped to, and stored, in Erich's living room; along with parts from a Messershmitt Bf 109 a German aircraft used in WWII that was associated with Hartmann's flying days. Looking to part with the car that had in some way come to the attention of Atanas Vilner of Vilner Garage, the owner had to remove some of the window assembly from his home to get the car out. With the use of the code art program BASF R-M, Vilner developed a truly unique color scheme and redesign for the car. Featuring LED head and tail lights, LED Z badge side indicators, and machined side view mirrors, the exterior is Vilner Cobalt Matt Metallic with Vilner Copper Rose on the front grill and back side of the car along with the Superlite styled wheels. Removing the front and rear bumpers, Vilner said of the restomod, Ive kept the car as close to the original. As my imagination allowed me to do so. Most of the interior panels were wrapped in Vintage leather or blue felt with matching seatbelts and floor mats. The floor mats are edged in leather and feature metallic Fairlady Z lettering and the seats are adorned with the prestigious 20 years Vilner Studio badge. Story continues To sum up the project with some numbers? Its impossible, says Vilner. The amount of work put into this project is beyond any car done from my team. And I can guarantee that this Datsun 280Z Fairlady Z is one of the most unique cars on the planet. Even the asking price of 75k is modest when you consider the amount of work and materials put into this project, not to mention the art work." Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The National Assembly Service Commission and the assembly management have locked horns over the tenure of the clerk, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, and some senior civil servants. The Executive Chairman of the commission, Ahmed Amshi, on Wednesday, directed that those who had attained the age of 60 or 35 years in service should proceed on compulsory retirement. Mr Sani-Omolori has spent 35 years in service but seeks to continue in office. The tenure of the clerk has been a matter of controversy because of the implementation of the National Assembly Revised Condition of Service which took effect in 2019. Based on the controversially amended conditions, the clerk and no fewer than 160 officers, who were to have retired from office, were expected to remain in office for about five more years, after the retirement age was raised from 60 to 65 years and years of service from 35 to 40. But in a bid to intervene, Mr Amshi-led commission ignored the amendment by the two chambers of the National Assembly in 2018 and asked all those affected to proceed on compulsory retirement. Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first. To this effect the commission has approved the immediate retirement of staff of the National Assembly Service who have already attained the retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age. Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly, he said. Official kicks Reacting to the development, Mr Sani-Omolori, in a statement on Wednesday evening, insisted that the retirement age for the National Assembly remains 40 years of service or 65 years of age. He said the resolution of the National Assembly which increased the age and years of service has not been amended. He also said the commission has no powers to intervene in the controversy. The attention of the National Assembly Management has been drawn to a press release dated 15th July, 2020 signed by the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, informing the general public that the commission has approved the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first. The Management of the National Assembly wishes to inform all staff and the general public that the extant regulation as contained in our Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both Chambers of the 8th National Assembly puts the retirement age of staff at 40 years of service and 65 years of age whichever comes first. The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission. Therefore, the National Assembly Service Commission does NOT have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly. He said the management had maintained a studied silence in deference to the leadership of the 9th National Assembly which is looking into the position being canvassed by the commission but finds it intriguing that the National Assembly Service Commission has unilaterally gone ahead to take a decision. He urged all staff to disregard the press release by the commission and go about their lawful duties. Controversy The controversial bill was proposed and passed at a time that the commission (known as NASC), which is the policy-making organ of the federal legislature, had not been constituted. Following its constitution in February by President Muhammadu Buhari with Mr Amshi as its chairman, the NASC reviewed and decided to set aside the revised condition of service, saying it was self-serving and not duly passed. This development has divided National Assembly workers in the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). Advertisements While a faction is applauding the decision of the NASC to jettison the new rule, another is standing with the National Assembly management led by Mr Sani-Omolori. An argument preferred by a group is that if the bill was passed by the National Assembly like similar ones, it thus requires assent by President Muhammadu Buhari to become law. The other group counters, saying it does not require presidential assent but that NASC, which they pointed out was not on ground at the time the bill was passed, can move for a revision of its provisions. The opponents of the bill also alleged that the five-year increase in service years was smuggled through the back door into the original body of proposals. They fingered Mr Sani-Omolori, his management team and the leadership of the 8th National Assembly as the architects of the surreptitious extension of service years under the guise of reviewing the conditions of service of legislative workers. The revised conditions, however, appear to be very popular with a majority of the over 4,000-strong workforce of the National Assembly who all stand to benefit from the implementation, one way or the other. A Cambridge-educated junior doctor who was caught drink driving twice has been declared fit to practise medicine after a disciplinary panel ruled she posed no risk to patients. Dr Lauren Fowler, 27, drank white wine with friends over lunch then crashed her Ford Ka in an area busy with pedestrians. The medic was so drunk she was barely able to speak when police arrived at the scene and officers found an empty bottle of wine in the footwell of her car. Fowler was bailed but stopped again less than two months later after she consumed half a bottle of vodka then drove around a hotel car park near her family's home in Styal, Cheshire. Tests showed she was more than three times the drink drive limit. In 2018, Fowler admitted drink driving and failing to provide a breath specimen but got a suspended prison sentence after claiming she had an addiction to alcohol due to the 'stress' of studying medicine at Imperial College London. The medic then faced a misconduct hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester, where she was told she could only continue working in medicine under supervision. Dr Lauren Fowler, 27, drank white wine with friends over lunch then crashed her Ford Ka in an area busy with pedestrians in October 2017 It emerged today a Fitness to Practise panel has now lifted these restrictions and allowed Fowler to return to work unsupervised following a hearing held in private. The General Medical Council did not challenge the move. In a redacted document issued after the hearing, panel chairman Anya Lewis said: 'Dr Fowler has remained in practice during very difficult and turbulent times both personally and professionally, during which she had maintained and improved her clinical skills. 'The Tribunal accepted that Dr Fowler recognises the gravity of her misconduct, has developed further insight, has taken the necessary steps to remedy her misconduct. 'It is also satisfied that patients would not be placed at risk if Dr Fowler was to return to unrestricted clinical practice. 'The Tribunal is therefore satisfied that she is safe to return to unrestricted practice, and that it is in the public interest for her to do so.' Miss Lewis added there has been 'no repetition or suggestion of any repetition of such conduct' since Fowler's conviction. 'The tribunal is satisfied that Dr Fowler has developed further insight and sufficiently remediated so that there is no risk of repetition,' she said. 'There is no requirement to issue a further sanction.' The medic previously claimed she drank heavily during her studies at Imperial College, adding she did not know who to turn to for help. She has since given up drinking and is serving a three year driving ban. Fowler had pursued her career in medicine after she excelled at Stockport Grammar school, where she was a senior prefect and attained two A* grades and an A at A Level. She was also shortlisted for a UK Scientist of the Year award for a research project she carried out at Manchester University in 2011. It is thought Fowler attended Clare College at Cambridge before enrolling in 2014 at Imperial College, which was founded by Prince Albert in 1845 and ranks 8th in the Times Higher Education World University. Fowler (pictured outside court in 2018) was bailed but stopped again less than two months later in Styal, Cheshire But within days of her graduation ceremony in October 2017, Fowler went out for lunch in Manchester during which she shared a bottle of wine with friends - and then drank more wine whilst at the wheel of her car. During her court appearance, Joseph O'Connor said: 'Police attended a minor road traffic collision and met the defendant who was clearly intoxicated. She was swearing and slurring her words and they could smell intoxicants on her breath. 'When they tried to speak to her they had trouble understanding what she was saying, she was incoherent and the officers assumed she was drunk. 'As she was arrested she admitted that she had drunk two bottles of wine and was taken to the police station. She was described as acting very emotionally and she failed to provide a specimen of breath because she was so upset.' She was bailed to face court but held again less than two months later after being caught drink driving at the Stanneylands boutique hotel in Wilmslow. Mr O'Connor added: 'She collided with another car whilst trying to leave the car park of the Stanneylands Hotel. 'When the police arrived they tried to speak to her, but the noticed a smell of intoxicants on her breath and she was slurring her words. 'She was taken to the police station and gave two samples of breath. In interview she made admissions and told then she had drunk half a bottle of vodka before deciding to go to the gym. She accepts she shouldn't have driven. 'The second offence was committed whilst she was on bail, which is an aggravating factor. She was inebriated during the accident.' Tests showed Fowler had 112 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. The medic had to abide by the restrictions on her job for 20 months but they have since been lifted with immediate effect. Her lawyer Miles Bennett said: 'Nothing will minimise the seriousness of Dr Fowler's conduct but that the concerns of the 2018 Tribunal has been fully addressed by Dr Fowler. 'She has risen to the challenge and had exceeded it and evidence presented today by the GMC was positive and that none of it was conflicting in nature. Her fitness to practise medicine is no longer impaired by her convictions.' BJP deligation meets President Kovind, seeks CBI probe into Bengal MLA's death India oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P New Delhi, July 15: A BJP delegation on Tuesday met President Ram Nath Kovind to seek a CBI probe into the death of a West Bengal MLA, who had joined the party from the CPI(M). Accoring to reports, Hemtabad MLA Debendra Nath Ray's body was found hanging near his home in Bindal village in North Dinajpur district on Monday. Ray had won the Hemtabad (reserved) seat on a CPI(M) ticket in 2016 but had later joined the BJP. Coronavirus: India records more than 29,000 fresh COVID-19 cases, 582 deaths Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News The BJP delegation, led by party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, demanded that the TMC-led government in the state be dismissed. The delegation told President Kovind that Ray's "murder" is another one in a long series of "political killings" in the state. Speaking to reporters, Kailash Vijayvargiya said, "Democracy has been hanged in West Bengal. Political workers were being killed so far, and now elected leaders are being murdered and shown to have committed suicide. Anarchy prevails in the state, and its government has no right to be in power... We have demanded that the assembly be dissolved." Human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine initiated in India: ICMR According to Vijayvargiya, more than 100 people, associated with the BJP have been killed in the state in the last three years. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 12:53 [IST] The novel coronavirus has compounded the vulnerability of street children, as the country battles an economic downturn and access to support is reduced due to lockdown measures Wandering Cairo's bustling streets, Zeinab was struggling to survive by selling tissues when the coronavirus left her even more vulnerable, along with thousands of other homeless people and street children. The only good news was that, amid the pandemic fears, physical violence against the destitute has declined, Zeinab told AFP at a mobile shelter for the poor in Abbassiya, a working-class district. "People attack us less because they are afraid," she said. But with fewer people in the streets, "we have less work and less money," added the young woman, while keeping an eye on her one-year-old son, Abdallah. Almost one third of Egypt's population of 100 million live in poverty. Young people and children who roam the streets are among the poorest and are regularly exposed to verbal, physical and sexual violence and exploitation. The novel coronavirus, which has killed nearly 4,000 people and infected around 83,000 more in Egypt, has compounded their vulnerability, as the country battles an economic downturn and access to support is reduced due to lockdown measures. "They are isolated, the population at large avoids them... and their meagre income has been hit hard," said Youssef Bastawrous, manager of the French civil society group Samusocial International, which works with street children in Egypt. 'I miss school' In 2014, authorities estimated Egypt had around 16,000 youngsters and children living rough on the streets. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) believes this a massive "underestimation" of actual numbers, said its communications head in Egypt Jonathan Crickx. The problem of compiling reliable figures on street children is compounded because many are from families long trapped in poverty and without stable housing who may not be listed in civil status registries. In 2016, Egyptian authorities launched the national programme "Atfal bala ma'wa" (Children Without a Home) with the aim of "integrating" street children and helping them "abandon street behaviour," said Mohamed Shaker, head of the programme at the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The programme deploys 17 mobile units throughout the country, providing a place to rest, food and games as well as medical, social and psychological support to street children. "The aim is to build a relationship with the homeless children and help them build trust between each other," said Salma Ismail, communications officer at a non-governmental group Bannati. At the Abbassiya mobile unit, Karim tentatively approached and grabbed a snack on offer. He said he was 12 years old but staff cautioned that most of the children who use the services do not know, or prefer not to disclose, their real ages. Karim said he sleeps in a local park and earns his living by cleaning car windshields. He said he was attending a public school before authorities shut them down in late March as part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus. "I come here to play," Karim told AFP. "I miss school. "Since it has been closed, I have forgotten everything. Before, I used to learn how to read and count." 'Treated 'like trash' The economic impact of Egypt's lockdown measures has stretched already overextended aid offered to street children. With the financial crunch, some charities have concentrated efforts on health and sanitation to help children protect themselves against the disease. "We make them aware of health issues, we distribute masks and explain to them how to wash their hands," said Samusocial International's Bastawrous. The lifting of a three-month curfew in late June brought some reprieve for street children, who could again sell trinkets and tissues or beg for money as people returned to cafes and restaurants. Restrictions have also been partially lifted on mosques and churches, which have long provided sanctuary for street children. At some mosques, the bathrooms usually used by worshippers to perform their ablutions act as a one-stop shop for the children's hygiene needs. Maryam Hisham, a researcher on issues facing street children, said they are particularly vulnerable to disease and are often harassed by authorities patrolling Egypt's streets. She criticised an anti-begging law that deems the children's presence on the street illegal, saying it hurts rather than helps their situation. "The police are already treating them like trash," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: Based on data gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center found that social media, primarily Twitter, is an effective way to keep pediatric intensive care units around the world connected and informed during a global medical crisis. Credit: Graphic by M.E. Newman, Johns Hopkins Medicine, using public domain images and SARS-CoV-2 virus from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Ever since the microblogging and social networking platform Twitter emerged in 2006, it has consistently ranked among the top ways that people around the world communicate with one another, with some 500 million tweets sent per day. According to the Twitter monitoring company, Tweet Binder, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the Twitterverse with about 600 million tweets alone using the hashtag #COVID19, #coronavirus or something similar between February and May of this year. Among the massive volume of COVID-19 tweets posted during that time were ones teamed with a second hashtag, #PedsICUa social media designation created long before the pandemic to foster international collaboration, rapidly disseminate information and keep the lines of professional communication flowing among members of the pediatric critical care community. How effectively this hashtag twinning actually "spreads the word" about COVID-19 to those serving in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) worldwide is the subject of a recent study posted online May 27 in the journal Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. "We wanted to determine if leveraging social media, specifically Twitter, was a solid strategy for keeping PICUs across the globe connected and informed on the most current information during a pandemic," says Sapna Kudchadkar, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-investigator for the study. To conduct their study, Kudchadkar and co-investigator Christopher Carroll, M.D., M.S., research director of pediatric critical care at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, collected data on all tweets posted worldwide from Feb. 1 to May 2 that contained the hashtag #PedsICU, along with those containing both #PedsICU and a recognizable COVID-19 hashtag. During that span, there were 49,865 #PedsICU tweets, with 21,538 (43%) of them also including a COVID-19 hashtag. Of the latter, #COVID19 was the most commonly used pandemic-related tag (69%). Geographic distribution for tweeters using the tandem hashtags spanned six continents, with the majority of tweets coming from North America and Australia. There was a sharp rise in tweets with both hashtags around mid-March, which coincided with the World Health Organization raising COVID-19 to pandemic status. Since then, more than two-thirds of #PedsICU tweets were about the disease. About a third of the tweeters were physicians, but the researchers note there also was "robust engagement" from other PICU team members, including nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and pharmacists. One example of social media quickly disseminating COVID-19 news globally occurred April 26, when clinicians in the United Kingdom first recognized multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was potentially related to COVID-19. Tweets on this announcement with the hashtags #PedsICU and #COVID19 received some 3,500 shares within a few hours of the initial post. The most popular tweets during the study period, the researchers say, were links to medical literature, reviews, educational videos and other open-access resources. "Our study demonstrates that during a pandemic such as COVID-19, targeted use of #PedsICU combined with a specific disease-related hashtag significantly helps combat misinformation, quickly spreads useful data and news, and optimizes the reach of pediatric critical care stakeholders to others around the world," says Kudchadkar, who is available for interviews. Explore further Twitter posts reveal polarization in Congress on COVID-19 More information: Sapna R. Kudchadkar et al. Using Social Media for Rapid Information Dissemination in a Pandemic, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (2020). Sapna R. Kudchadkar et al. Using Social Media for Rapid Information Dissemination in a Pandemic,(2020). DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002474 President bristled at a reporter's question about police killing African Americans and defended the right to display the Confederate flag as he continued to play into racial divisions in a pair of interviews Tuesday. In one interview, Trump seemed taken aback when asked why African Americans are still dying at the hands of police. "And so are white people. So are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people," Trump told CBS's Catherine Herridge. "More white people, by the way. More white people." There is no national database tracking police-involved shootings. But studies have shown that Black Americans are much more likely to be killed by police, even though more whites -- who make up a larger portion of the population -- are killed. One study that examined the use of lethal force by law enforcement from 2009 to 2012, for instance, found that while victims were a majority white (52 per cent), they were disproportionately Black (32 per cent) with a fatality rate 2.8 times higher among Blacks than whites. Trump's comments drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union's Jeffery Robinson, who issued a harshly worded statement, saying Trump's answer "not only ignores the fact that per capita Black and Brown people are disproportionately killed by police, it provides the foundation for the dangerous and unconstitutional police practices that result in the deaths of Black people with regularity. "Trump's is so absolute that he continues to refuse to give even a tacit acknowledgment to the epidemic of police violence against Black people in America," Robinson alleged, accusing Trump of "using the violence and suffering perpetrated against Black communities as a white-supremacist dog whistle ahead of the coming election". In the interview, Trump also defended the use of the Confederate flag, despite saying in 2015 that he believed the flag belongs in a museum. "All I say is freedom of speech. It is very simple. My attitude is freedom of speech," Trump responded. "Very simple. Like it, do not like it, it is freedom of speech." Asked whether he understood the flag is a painful symbol to many because it is a reminder of slavery, Trump told CBS that some "people love it", adding: "And I know people that like the Confederate flag and they are not thinking about slavery."Trump has been under fire for his response to the mass anti- protests that broke out across the nation following the killing of George Floyd in police custody. In the face of demands for racial justice and equality, Trump has instead leaned in on a law-and-order message, painting mostly peaceful protesters as domestic "terrorists" and continuing to stoke divisions. In a second interview with the conservative Townhall Media, Trump defended the white St Louis couple captured on video brandishing guns as they defended their home during one racial injustice protest. Trump claimed that Mark and Patricia McCloskey "were going to be beat up badly, if they were lucky" and said their house would have been "totally ransacked and probably burned down" had they not been out there. "And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. It is a disgrace," he said. Missouri Governor Mike Parson told reporters that he spoke with Trump and US Attorney General William Barr by phone earlier Tuesday and that the president expressed concern that St Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, may file charges against the couple. "I think the president did not like what he was seeing, and the way people are being treated," Parson said, adding, "I think you'll see some sort of action. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. is letting most corporate employees work from home until January and will continue restricting business travel, echoing growing fears that the pandemic will linger until at least next year. We continue to prioritize the health of our employees and follow local government guidance, the company said in a statement. Employees who work in a role that can effectively be done from home are welcome to do so until January 8. Amazon had previously said corporate staff could work remotely until early October. Employees at the companys warehouses have no such luxury because theyre considered essential workers required to fulfill online orders as many Americans continue to hunker down at home. Earlier this year, Amazon began paying these workers an extra $2 an hour and let them take leave with no questions asked. The company subsequently revoked those perks and now requires warehouse workers to formally apply for leave, a process some employees say has been plagued by confusion and delays. Some workers at a warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee, fault Amazon for ending the no-questions-asked leave and resent the fact that other employees can work from home. They say their Memphis colleagues are getting sick with Covid-19 as the pandemic rages in southern U.S. states. Geekwire reported the work-from-home extension earlier. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Wednesday condemned the conduct of a former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari. The former governor was alleged to have violated protocols put in place to arrest the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria. He was also said to have physically assaulted an officer of the agency when asked to adhere to basic protocols on disinfection of luggage. The incident was said to have taken place at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday. In a series of tweets on Wednesday, FAAN condemned the alleged act of violations of protocols, describing it as unacceptable and irresponsible. https://twitter.com/FAAN_Official/status/1283323569284546560 The Management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby strongly condemns the conduct of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Abdulaziz Yari who blatantly violated the Public Health procedures (#COVID19)on travels at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday 11th July 2020, the agency said. He refused to adhere to the protocols and procedures put in place by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on #COVID19 by forcefully pushing away an officer of the Environment department when he insisted that his luggage must be disinfected. The former Governor said the officer should have known he is a VIP. This irresponsible act endangers all other airport users, it is unacceptable, and as such it has been duly escalated. FAAN,in its statement, cautioned all airport users, especially VIPs, to respect the presidential directive by observing the public health travel protocols put in place to protect all air travelers against infection and the spread of the covid-19 pandemic. PREMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that ten more people died as a result of COVID-19 complications in Nigeria, pushing the total death tally to 754 in a country of over 200 million. The countrys infectious disease outfit, NCDC, reported 463 confirmed infections on Tuesday being the first time in the last four days that infections fell below 500 in Africas most population. The new figure shows a significant decrease from the 595 infections found on Monday. So far, 33,616 cases have been confirmed while 13,792 people have recovered. The NCDC, in a tweet, said the new cases were reported in 17 states including Lagos-128, Kwara-92, Enugu-39, Delta-33, Edo-29, Plateau-28, Kaduna-23, Oyo-15, Ogun-14, Osun-14, FCT-12, Ondo-9, Rivers-9, Abia-8, Bayelsa-5, Ekiti-3, Borno-2. All 36 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. AUBAGNE, France, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on strong business performance in the first half of 2020 and on expectations that demand will remain high for the rest of the year, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is raising its growth and earnings forecast for fiscal 2020. Management now projects sales growth of 26% to 30% (previously 17% to 21%) and an underlying EBITDA margin1 of approximately 31% (previously around 30%), with figures given in constant exchange rates as in the past. Upward revision of the forecast is partly related to the current coronavirus pandemic as Sartorius Stedim Biotech products are used for manufacturing both vaccines and antiviral medications. Due to the ongoing pandemic, this guidance is subject to greater uncertainty than usual. In particular, these updated projections are based on the assumptions that logistics chains will continue to be stable and production lines remain in operation. In the first half of 2020, the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group increased its order intake2 according to preliminary figures by 34.1% in constant currencies. Sales revenue in constant currencies rose 22.0% and the company's underlying EBITDA margin1 surged to 30.2%. Sartorius Stedim Biotech will publish its complete first-half report on July 21, 2020, as planned. A conference call for investors and analysts will be held on the same day at 3:30 pm CEST. Aubagne, France, July 15, 2020 6:37 pm Sartorius Stedim Biotech publishes alternative performance measures that are not defined by international accounting standards. These are determined with the aim of improving the comparability of business performance over time and within the industry. Underlying EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items Order intake: All customer orders that were legally concluded in the respective reporting period This notification according to Article 17 MAR contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. The content of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are based on assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. This is a translation of the original French-language announcement. Sartorius Stedim Biotech shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original French announcement is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius Stedim Biotech reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. Contact Petra Kirchhoff Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations +49 (0)551.308.1686 [email protected] https://www.sartorius.com/en SOURCE Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco and Sacramento have become the latest cities in California to announce that public school students will not return to classrooms when the new term begins because of surges in coronavirus cases and delays in getting test results back. They join Los Angeles and San Diego, the states two largest districts. Also not reopening are schools in Oakland, Long Beach, Santa Ana, San Bernardino and others that have chosen to start the new term with digital learning amid strong concerns from teachers unions and public health officials about the safety of staff on school campuses. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says he expects more districts to announce plans for distance learning. ___ HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: Texas sets daily record for virus cases with nearly 10,800 Oklahoma Gov. Stitt tests positive for coronavirus Organizers have canceled the 2021 New Years Day Rose Parade Walt Disney World is welcoming back visitors to two more theme parks that had been shuttered since March because of the new coronavirus. The Florida theme park resort reopened Epcot and Disneys Hollywood Studios. Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sams Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ___ MELBOURNE, Australia Australias coronavirus hot spot Victoria state is reporting a record 317 newly confirmed cases in a day. The tally for Thursday surpassed the states previous high of 288 on July 10. The previous one-day Australian record was 212 cases set March 28 by New South Wales state at the first peak of the pandemic. New South Wales reported only 10 new cases Thursday. Two men in their 80s died in Victoria in the last 24 hours, bringing the national death toll for the pandemic to 113. Victorias government is reducing the number of non-urgent surgeries allowed in hospitals to increase beds available for COVID-19 patients. State officials had planned to restore hospitals to normal medical services by the end of July before infections began to rise in recent weeks. Victoria Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says of the latest case load: Its a big number. It needs to turn around. ___ SEOUL, South Korea South Korea has reported 61 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, most of them tied to international arrivals. The tally reported Thursday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the countrys caseload to 13,612 during the pandemic, including 291 deaths. The center says 12,396 people have been released from hospitals while 925 remain in treatment. Officials say 47 of the new cases involved people arriving from overseas. South Korea has been requiring two-week quarantines on all passengers arriving from abroad since April. This week, it began requiring foreign nationals arriving from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to provide health certificates proving they have tested negative for the coronavirus. ___ HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania is imposing broad new statewide restrictions on bars and restaurants and larger indoor gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday there has been an alarming escalation in new infections. Nightclubs will be shut down, bars must close unless they also offer dine-in meals, and bars and restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity under Wolfs order that takes effect Thursday. The order also requires businesses to have their employees work from home to the extent possible. The new restrictions come more than two months after Pennsylvania began reopening its pandemic-battered economy and they risk major backlash in large swaths of the state where COVID-19 has largely been kept at bay. But Wolf warns that a new surge is in the offing that could eclipse what happened in the spring, when the virus killed thousands and sickened tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians. CHEYENNE, Wyo. Wyomings governor and top public health officer are speaking out firmly in support of wearing face masks in public amid an accelerating spread of the coronavirus and doubt among some that masks are necessary. Gov. Mark Gordon said Wednesday that it is important to be conscientious to one another and that there is no constitutional right to go infect somebody else. Gordon had a face mask hanging around his neck during the news conference. The governor blamed a casual attitude about mask wearing and social distancing for Wyomings growing number of cases and his recent decisions to extend health orders affecting public gatherings through July. ___ JACKSON, Miss. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves says he may set restrictions on bars in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus, but he isnt revealing any timetable and hasnt indicated if the rules will be statewide. The governor commented Wednesday after meeting with Dr. Deborah Birx from the White House coronavirus task force. Reeves says Birx praised the Mississippi order that took effect this week requiring people to wear masks in public in 13 of the states 82 counties. The Mississippi Health Department reported that a record 1,099 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of the coronavirus in the state as of Tuesday evening. That is up from 664 on June 22. Mississippi has had more than 38,500 confirmed cases of the virus since the pandemic began. ___ SACRAMENTO, Calif. California has reported its second-highest daily total of new coronavirus cases and equaled its second worst day for deaths. More than 11,000 new cases were recorded by state officials Tuesday, a rise of 3.3%. California also recorded 140 deaths, tying a recent tally for its second-highest daily figure. The number of tests and the rate of those testing positive also rose. The positivity rate over the past two weeks has now topped 7%, while in hard-hit Los Angeles County with a quarter of Californias population that rate has soared to nearly 10%. Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Wednesday that Los Angeles County is in an alarming and dangerous phase that could overwhelm intensive care units and prompt sweeping closure orders if not reversed. ___ LAS VEGAS Several Las Vegas casinos are limiting smoking to keep patrons from removing the protective face masks they are required to wear. Las Vegas Sands Corp. in mid-June updated its policy to ask that table game players and spectators do not smoke or vape in its Venetian and Palazzo resorts. Wynn Resorts Ltd. has designated any table games without a plexiglass barrier as nonsmoking areas inside its Wynn and Encore casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Nevada on Wednesday reported 849 new cases of COVID-19, a decline from a day earlier, when the state set a new daily high of 1,104 cases. ___ SPOKANE, Wash. A federal judge has rejected a water parks challenge to Washington Gov. Jay Inslees emergency powers as the state responds to the coronavirus pandemic. The Slidewaters water park in Chelan sued the governor and the Department of Labor Industries last month, arguing that Inslee abused his power in declaring the emergency and that the states restrictions were likely to prevent it from opening for the summer. Slidewaters nevertheless opened on June 20 and has remained in operation despite the threat of $10,000 or more in fines from the state. In ruling against the park Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice in Spokane returned the case to Chelan County Superior Court for consideration of the states counterclaims seeking an order to close Slidewaters. ___ RICHMOND, Va. Virginia officials have passed temporary new workplace safety rules designed to protect employees from the coronavirus, becoming the first state to adopt such measures. The Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board voted Wednesday to approve rules for businesses that include social distancing requirements, notifications for employees when a co-worker has tested positive for the virus and timelines for when employees who recover from the virus can return to work. Business groups said the new rules were an overreach that will add unfair burdens on businesses already struggling with the virus economic fallout. Labor groups hailed the new rules as crucial to worker safety. ____ TOPEKA, Kan. Kansas governor says she will delay the reopening of the states K-12 schools for nearly a month until after Labor Day because of a resurgence in reported coronavirus cases that has given the state its worst weeklong spike since the pandemic began. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced her plans Wednesday, only hours after the State Board of Education approved roughly 1,100 pages of reopening guidelines for local boards of education. Kelly said she will issue an executive order Monday to delay reopening of schools until Sept. 9 to give the states districts time to prepare for the extra health and safety standards. She said she will issue a second order making parts of the state boards guidelines mandatory. ___ SAN FRANCISCO Californias education chief has applauded the states two largest school districts, Los Angeles and San Diego, for this weeks decision not to reopen classrooms this fall amid rising coronavirus cases. But Tony Thurmond says the same rules need not apply in counties with low rates of infection. In a media briefing, Thurmond says that in counties where the number of cases is low, schools could reopen for in-person classes as long as they follow the states guidance on physical distancing and wearing face coverings. ___ HELENA, Mont. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has issued a directive requiring face coverings at indoor public spaces and at larger outdoor gatherings in counties where four or more people are known to be currently infected with COVID-19. Bullock says too many people continue to meet in large gatherings and too few are wearing masks. Montana reported a record 145 additional coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the states number of known cases to 2,096. Bullocks directive came after several local governments passed or are considering similar measures. ___ BATON ROUGE, La. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion saying the governors statewide mask mandate and bar restrictions to combat the coronavirus outbreak appear to violate Louisianas constitution. The Republican attorney general issued the assessment Wednesday while quarantining after a positive coronavirus test. His legal assessment doesnt carry the force of law. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards order requires most people to wear face coverings, limits bars to takeout and delivery and bans gatherings of more than 50 people indoors. Landry wrote thats likely unconstitutional and unenforceable. Although the mask mandate and the 50-person limit may be good recommendations for personal safety, they may not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties, Landry wrote. The opinion comes a day after Vice President Mike Pence complimented Edwards virus response and suggested residents should comply with the regulations. Edwards defended his coronavirus order as well within the scope of his legal authority. ___ COLUMBIA, S.C. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and fellow Republican leaders of the House and Senate have joined forces to demand that schools open five days a week for in-person instruction. Wednesdays announcement at a news conference came as COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the state. McMaster says parents need to go back to work and children need to stop falling behind. Independently elected state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman says she doesnt support the demand because of the virus spread. The Palmetto State Teachers Association says the state has to get COVID-19 under control before students and teachers can return safely to classrooms. ___ DETROIT The city of Detroit announced a memorial day to honor more than 1,400 residents who died from COVID-19 and invited families to share photos that will be enlarged and displayed at a state park. The citys director of arts and culture says the photos will be staked along the route of a memorial drive scheduled for Aug. 31. This is a very special thing for those of us who have lost people, Riley said Wednesday. We want to make sure we take a chance to take one last look at them. She says every person, church and community group in southeastern Michigan will be invited to ring bells for 15 minutes at 8:45 a.m. ___ JOHANNESBURG South Africa has surpassed 300,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as the first wave of the pandemic crashes into the African continent. South Africas 311,049 cases make up close to half of those across the 54-nation continent. Already shortages of medical oxygen and hospital beds are being reported. While more than 4,400 deaths in South Africa have been attributed to the virus, a report by the South African Medical Research Council says the country had nearly 11,000 excess deaths between May 6 and July 7. The government this week tightened some restrictions, making face masks mandatory in public places and re-imposing a ban on alcohol sales. ___ LAKE ZURICH, Ill. At least three dozen high school students in northern Illinois have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after some attending summer sports camps showed symptoms of the disease. Lake County health officials say investigations and contact tracing of the infections are tied to the camps held last week at Lake Zurich High School and multiple prior social gatherings. Health officials said health screenings were conducted at the start of the camps on July 6 and some students who showed symptoms were turned away. But other students experienced symptoms during the camps and were sent home. Health and school district officials met the next day and decided to close the camps. ___ PASADENA, Calif. Organizers have canceled the 2021 Rose Parade because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on long-range planning for the New Years tradition and the risk of spreading infections among its huge audience and participants. The Pasadena, California, Tournament of Roses Association said the Wednesday decision was put off until organizers were certain that safety restrictions would prevent staging of the 132nd parade. Planning for the Rose Bowl college football game that traditionally follows the parade is continuing, the association said. The parade is held every Jan. 1 except when New Years Day falls on a Sunday and the event is pushed to Jan. 2. ___ ORLANDO, Fla. Walt Disney World welcomed back visitors to two more theme parks that were shuttered since March because of the coronavirus. The Florida theme park resort reopened Epcot and Disneys Hollywood Studios, completing a rolling opening of Disney Worlds theme parks that started last weekend with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom welcoming back visitors. The parks were the last of Orlandos major theme parks to reopen. Both Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando opened their doors last month. All parks require reservations and social distancing. Visitors and employees need temperature checks upon entering and must wear masks. There are no live shows at Disney World because the reopening created a labor dispute between Disney and its actors and singers. A teenage suspect has been identified in the devastating fatal shooting of eight-year-old Secoriea Turner and has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, police say. A warrant was issued Tuesday for Julian Conley, 19, and he turned himself into police around 4.30pm local time Wednesday. His lawyer insists he did not open fire in the shooting, though he was armed. 'He was out there peacefully protesting. He doesn't know the people who did the shooting. He just witnessed it,' attorney Jackie Patterson said according to CNN. The death of Secoriea shook Atlanta, already reeling from the police killing of black man Rayshard Brooks, 27, who was shot in a Wendys parking lot on June 12. The little girl was shot on July 4 around 9.30pm when gunmen opened fire on her mother's SUV as it tried to drive around an illegal barricade set up by protesters across the street from that same Wendy's where Brooks died, authorities say. The announcement came as mourners attended Secoriea's funeral Wednesday at New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Atlanta Police issued a warrant for Julian Conley, 19, on Tuesday in the shooting death of eight-year-old Secoriea Turner, who was killed on July 4. He turned himself in Wednesday afternoon Conley was seen walking into police custody wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans and sandals accompanied by his lawyer Third grader Secoriea Turner was shot on July 4 around 9.30pm when gunmen opened fire on her mother's SUV while she was trying to drive through an illegal roadblock set up by protesters across the street from that same Wendy's, authorities say 19 year old Julian Conley just turned himself in to Atlanta Police. APD has warrants for Conley for felony murder and aggravated assault in connection to the killing of 8 year old Secoriea Turner. #11Alive pic.twitter.com/wonGtp6PtE Joe Henke (@JoeHenke) July 15, 2020 Conley was seen walking into police custody wearing a white T-shirt, black jeans and sandals accompanied by his lawyer, as per WXIA. Conley came forward after Atlanta police circulated his photo taken from surveillance footage saying he was wanted for questioning in the childs death. He was pictured with a large rifle strapped to his body. On Monday the teen told the media that he was at the scene of the shooting but denied that he was the one that opened fire. 'At the end of the day, I had nothing to do with it,' Conley said to Fox5. 'It is no doubt this comes as a shock,' Patterson said. 'Why would you want to charge a man who saw a crime but did not participate in a criminal act? Police would have a better chance at winning the lottery than getting a conviction on my client.' On Sunday Atlata police a photo of Conley, a second person of interest in her murder. He's seen with a large rifle strapped to his body and a black crossbody bag over his shoulder In the shooting Secoriea, her mother and another male adult were in the vehicle. Protesters had set up barricades and roadblocks where the Wendy's where Brooks was killed and armed men were repotedly blocking roads in the area and turning drivers away. Conley said the SUV tried to come through a road block and hit a barricade and a man armed with a rifle, Patterson said, as per the Atlanta Constitution-Journal. The man got up and opened fire at the vehicle, Patterson said his client told him. Conley said everyone thought somebody in the SUV was shooting and other armed people opened fire at the vehicle, Patterson said. Secoriea's family have described the eight-year-old as a star student who loved playing with her phone. She is survived by her parents and two brothers Charmaine Turner said of her daughter: 'She was only 8 years old. She would have been on TikTok dancing on her phone, just got done eating' The Atlanta Police Department released this short clip last week that shows a gunman carrying AR-15 near the scene where Secoriea was shot on July 4th He said he didnt know the name of the shooter. Atlanta Police also released a photo and video for the first person of interest in the case last week. It shows a man in a white T-shirt, black pants and sneakers carrying an AR-15 assault rifle in the area of University Avenue and Pryor Road. Secoriea's parents have pleaded for the public to help find whoever was responsible for the killing. A total of $50,000 in reward money was offered for the apprehension and conviction of those responsible. Family and friends of the beloved child gathered to pay their respects to little Secoriea in an emotional funeral. Secoriea was laid to rest in an emotional funeral service on Wednesday. A man carries flowers into a viewing for eight-year-old above Charmaine Turner, Secoriea's mother and her sons, pictured peering into her coffin during her home-going service on Wednesday at at New Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Friends and family fathered for Secoriea's home-going service, many of them wearing white to celebrate her life Charmaine Turner, second from right, is comforted by family and friends as she peers into the casket of her 8-year-old daughter, Secoriea Turner Secoriey Williamson, father of Secoriea Turner, is comforted as he cries during the home-going service for Secoriea on Wednesday Family and friends of Secoriea Turner present floral arrangements during her touching home-going service Wednesday A long line of relatives and friends filed past her body as the gospel song 'I'll Fly Away' filled the church. 'If there's ever a time that we need the Lord, we need him now,' The Rev. Gregory Sutton told mourners. At her funeral, Secoriea was described as bringing joy to everyone around her. When she began first grade, she walked into class with a unicorn backpack and 'she was cute and bright with a smile to adore,' her teacher recalled. 'She sprinkled her magic all over the class, bringing laughter and joy to all of our faces,' she said. 'Really, she made my heart smile and her life can teach us all a valuable lesson. So the lesson from Secoriea today is to be a unicorn - find your magic, use your power, speak your truth, spread your wings and share your shine.' To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Asos has confirmed it plans to repay the Government the money it saved by furloughing around 1,000 staff via the Job Retention Scheme as the pandemic hit. In a trading update, Asos said: 'As a result of our expectation that we will deliver a better than initially anticipated full-year performance, we are repaying the support we received from the UK Government furlough scheme.' Asos told This is Money the cost of the repayment looked set to come in at just under 2million for April. Joining the likes of Primark and John Lewis, Asos also said that it would not be taking advantage of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 1,000 per employee bonus scheme for bringing back staff from furlough. Asos has confirmed it plans to repay the Government the money it saved by furloughing its staff via the Job Retention Scheme Asos' fast fashion rival Boohoo is embroiled in a scandal regarding allegations over working conditions at supplier factories in Leicester. Asos reportedly dropped a slew of suppliers after unearthing health, safety and human rights threats. According to the Telegraph, a leaked 2018 report stated that Asos inspectors had found a series of breaches at around a quarter of its suppliers, include some sites in the UK. The Telegraph added that since then, Asos has ditched several factories. One supplier in the UK it reportedly ditched was based in Leicester, the city which has been at the centre of allegations involving Boohoo, the the Telegraph said. A spokesperson for Asos told This is Money: 'At the heart of our industry-leading ethical trade policy is a commitment to rigorously and regularly audit our supply chain to ensure workers' rights are protected and respected. 'We work hard to uncover risks, often with the support of local NGO partners and unions on the ground, and if issues are identified we work closely with our suppliers to remediate them, ensuring that improvements are made quickly and effectively, which are then monitored through follow-up audits.' The impact of the allegations surrounding Boohoo has been dramatic, with its share price tumbling. Some of Boohoo's investors, including Aberdeen Standard Investment, have already started offloading their stakes in the fast fashion group. Aberdeen Standard Investments said Boohoo's response to the allegations had been 'inadequate in scope, timeliness and gravity.' Big-name brands in retail, including Amazon, Asos and Next have temporarily pulled Boohoo products from their online shops as a result of the allegations. Asos' rival Boohoo is embroiled in a scandal regarding allegations over working conditions at supplier factories Boohoo launched an urgent investigation into its supply chain earlier this month, saying conditions at the warehouse in question in Leicester were 'totally unacceptable and fall woefully short of any standards acceptable in any workplace.' A review will also be carried out by Alison Levitt QC, which will be accompanied by a 10million investment in 'eradicating malpractice' across Boohoo's supply chain, the company said. Meanwhile Asos also revealed its sales rose 10 per cent to over 1billion in the four months to the end of June, after suffering a near 25 per cent fall in sales once lockdown kicked in. 'Lockdown' fashion helped drive Asos' sales up, with casual clothes, exercise gear and face masks all proving popular with shoppers, while occasion-wear and dresses fell out of favour. Asos said: 'This shift in product demand was reflected in a reduction in average selling price, which was 9% lower in the period and flowed through to average basket value. 'The categories that outperformed also attract an overall lower gross margin.' Asos said it expects sales of clothes like dresses for weddings to remain limited 'until a more normal pattern of social events resumes', adding that a second wave of the virus remained a possibility. The company said it also remained 'cautious' about consumer demand, noting that the economic and financial hit for its core customer base in their 20s looks set to hit later this year. Looking ahead to the next key fashion season this autumn, Asos said stock availability from some of its 'brand partners' could also remain a challenge amid the global pandemic. During lockdown, Asos cut the number of promotions available to shoppers via its online shop and reduced its spending on marketing. Nick Beighton, chief executive at Asos, said: 'This has been a tough time for all businesses, but we have remained focused on doing the right thing for our people and our customers and making sure that we emerge from the current crisis as a stronger and better organisation.' He added: 'Our performance in P3 shows that we are delivering against this aim despite the tough economic and social backdrop. 'We have learnt a lot and adapted quickly, and ASOS finishes the period with improved underlying profitability. 'While we remain cautious about the consumer impact of Covid-19 looking forward, we are on track to deliver strong year-on-year profit growth and to return to positive free cash flow for the full-year.' Asos said it had over 235million visits to its online shop in June, with around 23million active customer, 7million of which are located in the UK. Back in 2014, a fire at one the company's warehouses in Barnsley caught fire, prompting Asos to close its website for orders for nearly three days. The company now sells around 85,000 products on its website, sourced from 850 global and local third-party brands, and has a number of own-brand labels. The vast majority of the company's suppliers are based outside of the UK. Asos said it remained 'cautious' regarding its outlook for the near future, but expects its full-year profit to come in at the upper end of market predictions. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The fashion retailer had already been through the wars before the pandemic thanks to warehouse problems. Coronavirus struck just as ASOS was getting back on its feet, meaning the company had to be very careful not to derail its recovery efforts. 'Online retailers have enjoyed a surge in demand during lockdown as people stuck at home find solace in having deliveries to their homes to cheer them up. Some of Boohoo's investors, including Aberdeen Standard Investment, have already started offloading their stakes in the fast fashion group 'While Asos had a clear advantage over high street retailers, a reduction in marketing activity meant sales growth in some of its regions wasn't at the levels one might expect from the business.' He added: 'It looks like Asos will have to wait a bit longer for a return of its normal sales mix. Even though more people are now returning to work and shops and leisure attractions are reopening, it seems there is still subdued demand for a big night out or going abroad on holiday. As such, Asos is still without a major sales catalyst for a key part of its product range.' Shares in AIM-listed Asos have fared well today and are currently up over 5 per cent or 188.45p to 3,561.45p. A year ago, the share price stood at around the 2,737p mark. In respect of Asos' share price performance, analysts at Liberum said: 'We remain sellers due to concerns of heightened promotions as we head into Q4, and considering the strength of the shares the past few months, we see this reversing somewhat.' The UNs top court ruled in favor of Qatar on Tuesday, clearing the way for the oil-rich peninsula to challenge an aviation boycott imposed by four of its regional rivals. The dispute stems from a 2018 ruling by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that claimed it had the jurisdiction to settle a challenge brought by Qatar against Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The so-called Anti-Terror Quartet accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and announced an end to all air, land and sea traffic in the summer of 2017. Qatar, in turn, said the air boycott violated its sovereignty as well as an international convention on aviation. The four allies appealed the ICAO decision, arguing its involvement in the case was "manifestly flawed and in violation of fundamental principles of due process and the right to be heard." But on Tuesday, the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) rejected the appeal, opening the door for the world aviation body to act in Qatars case. "We welcome today's decision by the International Court of Justice that will see the blockading states finally face justice for violating international aviation rules," said Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Saif Ahmed al-Sulaiti in a statement. The quartets rivalry with Qatar stems in part from its support for Islamists during the Arab Spring uprising and coverage on the Qatari-funded satellite news channel Al Jazeera as well as Dohas relations with Iran, Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood. Responding to the ICJ ruling, the UAE said in a statement that it "will now put its legal case to the ICAO supporting the right to close its airspace to Qatari aircraft. This story contains reporting from Agence France-Presse. Hiring freezes and the withdrawal of jobs and internships are just a couple of challenges todays students and recent graduates are facing we must tap into the wealth of knowledge and innovation that exists in higher education, said Adam Saven, co-founder and CEO at PeopleGrove. The threats facing higher education and the economy have accelerated amid a global pandemic and have made future paths for students and recent alumni unclear. In an effort to unite institutions and their communities, PeopleGrove introduces the BridgesAlliance, a growing network of 40 universities worldwide that have pledged to connect students to meaningful experiential learning, and open doors to non-traditional career opportunities. In a pilot program this summer with Wellesley College, the founding member of BridgesAlliance, more than 300 students have been hired through the colleges network. We approached PeopleGrove to help us serve current students and class of 2020 graduates facing a challenging job and internship market. Our goal was to fill this gap through skill-building and networking experiences that were short-term and virtual in nature, said Jen Pollard, Director of Operations and Analytics for Career Education at Wellesley College. "Bridges has helped us celebrate what makes our community diverse and unique, promote a deeper level of connection, and reach record engagement in experiential learning. We've increased accessibility to opportunities for all students in a way that is meaningful and lasting. Members of the BridgesAlliance include Wellesley College, Johns Hopkins University, Georgia State University, University of Miami and Drew University. A full list of members appears below. These institutions will leverage their networks, including alumni, families, supporters and corporate partners, to provide students with real-world career experiences in respective fields. Our university stands behind the values of diversity and inclusion, and joining the BridgesAlliance will support us in achieving a new vision of equitable access to immersive experiences and mentoring for all students - regardless of background or social capital, said Farouk Dey, Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life at Johns Hopkins University. Joining this alliance enables us to partner with a network of peers in higher education to empower all students to design their most audacious futures. Like-minded universities are encouraged to join the BridgesAlliance and pledge their commitment to connecting students and alumni with mutually beneficial experiential learning engagements. Rising seniors and recent graduates face a challenging job market. Hiring freezes and the withdrawal of jobs and internships are just a couple of challenges todays students and recent graduates are facing we must tap into the wealth of knowledge and innovation that exists in higher education, said Adam Saven, co-founder and CEO at PeopleGrove. Universities from across the country have banded together to form BridgesAlliance, and will work to identify new ways to get graduates into the workforce at a time when their skills are needed most. PeopleGrove helps higher education institutions bring personalized, connection-focused communities to students and alumni. PeopleGroves Bridges online platform empowers students and universities to tap into their network of alumni, parents and friends for short-term project-based work. BridgesAlliance magnifies the power of Bridges, providing access to real-world work experience shared across PeopleGroves network of innovative institutions. By engaging our rich and diverse network of alumni, we can connect students to meaningful opportunities that will help them build the skills they need to be successful in the workforce of today and tomorrow, said Christian Garcia, Associate Dean and Executive Director, Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami. Were thrilled to be a part of the BridgesAlliance, and eager to address the pervasive barriers to entering the workforce that todays graduates are facing, particularly those from marginalized communities. To learn more about BridgesAlliance, please visit http://www.bridgesalliance.org. BridgesAlliance Partners Ashford University Barnard College Benedictine College Boise State University Boston College Brigham Young University Clark University Cornell University DePaul University Drew University Georgia State University Gonzaga University Johns Hopkins University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Maryland Middlebury College Northeastern University Ohio University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Seattle University Southwestern University Stanford University The University of Texas at San Antonio Trinity College Tulane University of Louisiana University of Alabama University of California-Berkeley University of California-Irvine University of Delaware University of Kansas University of Miami University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of Notre Dame University of Pittsburgh University of Southern California University of Virginia Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wellesley College Williams College About PeopleGrove PeopleGrove connects every student and all alumni with the network and resources they need to realize their full potential before, during, and after their time in college. Founded in 2015, PeopleGrove works with over 250 institutions worldwide, including Stanford University, the University of Michigan, Wellesley College and University of Maryland Global Campus. Headquartered in San Francisco, PeopleGrove is backed by Reach Capital, and other leading capital partners. To learn more about how PeopleGrove is working to ensure all students and professionals have access to the community and connections needed to succeed, visit peoplegrove.com. By Mahesh Trivedi, TwoCircles.net Gujarat: On 30 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his governments free ration scheme would benefit 800 million cash-strapped people but the sorrowful screams of hundreds of hungry Dalits, Muslims and other have-nots in his home state of Gujarat remain a cry in the wilderness. Support TwoCircles Surveys, raids and right-to-information queries by non-government organizations, as well as inquiries made by this correspondent in Ahmedabad, revealed that fair-price shop owners and government officials with greasy palms have made a mess of the ambitious Rs 900-billion Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, worlds largest food security welfare scheme aimed at feeding the poorest Indians. The result is that countless poverty-stricken citizens in the world heritage metropolis have not received their sizable free quota of grains and pulses, the worst-hit being Dalits and Muslims living in ramshackle shanties who are still eating their hearts out despite the country holding 100 million tons of food grains in its godowns. According to a 759-home survey conducted in 64 slums, and helmed by urban planning experts Prof Darshini Mahadevia and Dr Renu Desai, an astounding 37 per cent of households had not received free 5 kg wheat/rice and 1 kg pulses for various reasons. The Dalit and Muslim families accounting for a good number in the 281 unlucky homes left to fend for themselves. An autorickshaw driver Majhar Rangwala told TwoCircles.net that he had lost count of the trips he made in vain to a ration shop where the manager always gave him a stock reply: No stock, even as the coronavirus continued to kill 10 people daily in Ahmedabad. Finally on July 12, when my wife almost begged him for the free ration as promised by even Gujarat governments Anna Brahma Yojana, she was told to come after a week and collect the ration but only on payment of 50 per cent of the cost, he said. The Gujarat government, as proved by the Consumer Affairs Ministry data, doled out only less than one per cent of the allocated food grains through the public distribution system and did not provide grains in June. But unfair practices by fair-price shops are not uncommon with many illiterate or gullible beneficiaries rightful share being siphoned off and sold in the black market. Dalit housewife Rekha Parmar, a resident of a low-income settlement, said she was refused her promised free quota just because her ration card was a little torn and her scheduled caste neighbour was also sent back as her name was not visible on the card. While Abeda Momin, a retired teacher, told TwoCircles.net that the ration shop was far away from her home. Hema Solanki, a daily wagers wife, said that the ration shop remained closed most of the time and when she did get her ration, she found that the quality of grains and pulses left much to be desired. Specially-abled Rajput Fajluddin and his wife, both using crutches, footed it to their far-off ration shop in Muslim-dominated shantytown in Vatva but they were pushed and felled by the milling crowd and the couple had to return home empty-handed. After the beleaguered Gujarat government gave an assurance in the High Court to provide food grains to the needy and migrants from other states, Jatin Sheth, convener of the Nagrik Sashaktikaran Manch (NSM), a platform for citizen empowerment, went round colonies of hard-up citizens and sent a list of some 10,000 penniless families who were left out in the basket but only 2,000 of them received their supplies, and this only after several reminders. During the quick, haphazard government survey by school teachers, 250,000 down-and-out families were enrolled but our survey discovered that only 60,000 of them benefited from Modis free-ration scheme, says Sheth. Another social worker, Santoshsingh Rathod of Jagrut Yuva Seva Samiti (JYSS), dispatched a list of 400 migrant families in the lower-middle-class locality of Jashodanagar in Ahmedabad, but they never received their promised share of essential goods. Rathod added, Some 118,000 pre-teen students who were also deprived of nutritious food under the midday meal scheme due to closure of schools in the lockdown waited in vain for grains to be delivered to their homes. However, deputy food and civil supplies controller J B Desai told TwoCircles.net that licences of four ration shops were suspended following complaints against them and every cardholder would get free ration quota but admitted that his department had stopped providing grains to those who do not possess cards. Indeed, with the government not intervening to mitigate the plight of the poor or its aid coming in dribs and drabs reduced to a trickle, it was left to NGOs like NSM and JYSS to lend a helping hand to the disadvantaged lot by dashing off letters to authorities, staging demonstrations, raiding ration shops, passing round the hat for donations and even distributing food grains and cooked food to the poorest of the poor. Social reformist Ruzan Khambattas Wajra O Force Empowerment Foundation, in association with the Gujarat Police and Manav Seva Mandal, also distributed 140,000 food packets to vagrants, panhandlers, have-nots and the homeless. Vikalang Sahayak Kendra, a voluntary organization headed by differently-abled Ghulam Murtaza (Babubhai) gifted hundreds of ration kits and fed about 500 underprivileged people daily with steaming hot meals for as many as 50 days during the pandemic. The massive Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will not percolate to the truly needy till honest-to-boot food inspectors and government officers keep a tab on unscrupulous fair-price shopkeepers. But till then, the poor will continue to struggle for essentials for bare survival. The outbreak of coronavirus and the crash in crude oil prices have forced Saudi Aramco, the oil company controlled by Saudi Kingdom, to suspend the $15 billion deal with Reliance Industries (RIL). "Due to unforeseen circumstances in the energy market and the COVID-19 situation, the deal has not progressed as per the original timeline," Mukesh Ambani, chairman of RIL said at the company's 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM). With this announcement, RIL's share price crashed nearly 4 per cent to Rs 1,844 in the final session trade on Wednesday. Ambani said that the company's equity requirements have already been met with the deals with Facebook, Google, BP Plc and a slew of private equity companies around the world. RIL has raised Rs 2,12,809 lakh crore (including the Rs 53,124 crore rights issues and other commitments) in the last three months. Also Read: What is Reliance Jio Glass? Ambani didn't elaborate on the future possibilities of concluding the deal. He said, "Nevertheless, we at Reliance value our over two-decade long relationship with Saudi Aramco and are committed to a long-term partnership. We will approach NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) with our proposal to spin off our O2C business into a separate subsidiary to facilitate this partnership opportunity. We expect to complete this process by early 2021." Aramco was planned to pick up 20 per cent stake in Reliance O2C Ltd, the newly-formed subsidiary, for Rs 1.14 lakh crore. Ambani had prepared a blueprint for its oil-to-chemical (O2C) play and discussed it with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, in February 2019, when the de-facto leader visited India. RIL wants to convert 70 per cent of its output from the Jamnagar refinery and petrochemical complex to chemicals. At present, the complex produces 90 per cent fuels - primarily petrol, diesel, naphtha, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas - and 10 per cent chemicals. Convinced by Ambani's concept, Saudi Aramco has expressed its desire to be a strategic partner. The deal includes stake in material assets such as the two refineries and a petrochemical complex in Jamnagar, besides stake in fuel retailing. "As the world migrates from fossil fuels to renewable energy, we will maximise O2C conversion and upgrade fuels to high-value petrochemicals. This will be done in a phased manner over the next decade to meet the rapidly increasing demand for petrochemicals, in India and the region," Ambani said in the company's 2019 annual report. Aramco had also agreed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil every day to RIL's Jamnagar refinery (28 per cent of its requirement) on a long-term basis. If the deal could have materialised, the Saudi firm would have been holding stake in Jio-BP fuel retailing business also. BP has invested Rs 7,629 crore for their 49 per cent stake in the Jio-BP. Proposed amendments to the fiscal 2021 National Defense Authorization Act would add three diseases to the Department of Veterans Affairs' list of illnesses presumed to be linked to Agent Orange -- measures that, if approved, would provide health care and disability benefits to roughly 22,000 affected veterans. The House and Senate amendments, proposed by Rep. Josh Harder, D-California, and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, would add bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to the VA's list of 14 conditions considered related to herbicide exposure during the Vietnam War. Read Next: Esper Bans Promotion Board Photos, Orders Review of Hair and Grooming Standards In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine deemed the three named diseases to be associated with exposure to defoliants used during the war. But the proposals do not include hypertension, a condition that the Academies also linked to Agent Orange in 2018. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is common among the elderly and, if included, could add more than 2 million veterans to VA disability rolls in the next 10 years, at an estimated cost of $11.2 billion to $15.2 billion, according to department estimates. Thirty veteran and military groups have backed the proposals and asked congressional leaders to do the same. On Tuesday, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America and 27 other groups wrote House and Senate leaders urging them to get behind the provisions. "We call on you to lead and pass House Amendment 264 into law and end the waiting for many of our nation's ill veterans so they can receive disability benefits," stated letters sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "There is more work to be done to care for those who are ill from toxic exposures, including adopting hypertension as a presumptive disease ... but with your leadership, tens of thousands of Vietnam War veterans will receive their benefits and justice," they wrote. A decision on whether to add the three conditions has been delayed since 2017, when then-VA Secretary David Shulkin expressed support for including them but never formally announced his decision. According to internal VA documents, Shulkin had been on the verge of including the three conditions when the Office of Management and Budget and other White House officials objected, citing what they called "limited scientific evidence" and cost. Meanwhile, thousands of veterans have waited. "Vietnam vets have been waiting for this for decades, and it's a national shame that it's not fixed yet," Harder told Military.com. "We have a real chance here to make this right after all this time, and we should seize the opportunity." VA Secretary Robert Wilkie told lawmakers late last year he wants the results of two studies -- the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational Study, or VE-HEROES, and the Vietnam Era Mortality Study -- to be reviewed for publication before announcing a decision on whether to broaden the presumptives list. But lawmakers and advocacy groups have balked at the delay. "This is something we are still fighting after how many decades from the Vietnam War?" asked Cory Titus, director of veterans benefits and Guard/reserve affairs at MOAA. "We should be making sure there aren't any service members with illnesses who aren't getting the care and benefits they earned." In February, Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, penned a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to "take corrective action" and add all four diseases to the list, including hypertension. "Your administration has the ability to add these conditions to the presumptive list and provide lifesaving benefits to more than 190,000 veterans. Without your action, tens of thousands of sick and aging veterans will continue to go without VA resources and health care in their time of need," he wrote. The letter was signed by 77 members, all Democrats. While hypertension is not included in the proposed amendment, the coalition of veterans and military organizations pledged to continue working on adopting it as a "presumptive disease as linked by the National Academies." "This needs to be covered as well. This is not something that we will forget -- hypertension," Titus said. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees have both passed their versions of the fiscal 2021 defense bill and forwarded them to their respective chambers for consideration. Currently, committees are weighing the rules for amending and deliberating the bills before they move ahead for debate. Both Harder and Tester's proposals must make it through that process before coming up for a vote. A legislative source said Tester's amendment has been identified for a vote. "With a bipartisan team of lawmakers and the support of the entire veterans community, we have a strong chance to finally get this done," Harder said. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Titus' first name. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. Related: Report Claims Vietnam Era Veterans Were Exposed to Agent Orange on Guam The debate over what school should look like in a few weeks, no matter what your perspective is, doesnt have a lot of simple answers. Starting up schools again may seem like a tall order in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. But what happened this spring with the sudden nationwide adoption of remote learning has not inspired confidence in the efficacy and sustainability of that particular adjustment. Parents are tired, kids are being deprived of proper education, every individual school district seems to be doing things a little differently, and its hard to figure out what the first day of school is going to look like whenifkids go back in a few weeks. To puzzle through this terrible situation, I spoke with Washington Post education reporter Laura Meckler on Tuesdays episode of What Next. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Mary Harris: What does the CDC say about reopening? Like, what should schools look like? Laura Meckler: One of the guidelines is about social distancing, essentially, within the building, trying to keep kids away from one another. That means keeping kids 6 feet apart in one room all dayno changing classes, no cafeteria. Theres also health stuff like temperature checks, having staff and kids wear masks, wiping down surfaces. Kids would have their own supplies instead of having, like, a pile of crayons in the middle of the table for everybody to use. Youd have your own set of crayons. As someone whos covered education for years, when you look at these guidelines, do you think theyre reasonable? Advertisement The first thought I had was, is anything reasonable right now in our lives? Its a balancing of risks. I do think the guidelines make sense. But how many schools are really going to be able to implement them? I mean, there are places where they dont even have soap in the bathrooms. We have only four to six weeks before schools will be cranking up again, maybe. So Im curious if we can look at how some of this confusion is trickling down to actual school districts. I live in New York City, and here weve announced one of these hybrid plans for going back: a few days on, a few days off. Its still pretty unclear what that will really look like because we dont even have a first day of school yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its stunning that we are so close to the start of school and so many people dont even know what its going to look like. Im in D.C. and the public schools have not said yet what their plan is going to be. Advertisement Advertisement Just this week, Los Angeles announced that it wasnt even going to try in-person classes. It was gonna be all digital in the fall. At the same time, just a few miles away, in Orange County the school board voted to issue its own recommendations about going back to school, saying schools should go back to five days a week in person. Kids arent even required to wear masks. The recommendations are nonbinding, but it seems like they encapsulate the confusion going on right now. Advertisement Advertisement I do think the CDC guidelines make sense. But how many schools are really going to be able to implement them? Laura Meckler The situation with the virus is different in different parts of the country. Los Angeles and San Diego said they were going to start all digitally while COVID cases are surging throughout California right now. So thats much different than whats happening somewhere, say, in the middle of Montana. Its also different from New York and Washington, where we had a lot of cases in the spring but have not had another wave of cases yethopefully not at all. So maybe a hybrid model makes sense there. Advertisement Advertisement Almost everyone wants kids to go back to school. Parents definitely want their kids learning. And I think a lot of teachers hated online instruction. But theres all this confusion about how and when to do it. To me, this was best crystallized by how the American Academy of Pediatrics responded: In the past month, its said a couple different things. It first came out with this statement saying schools need to reopen, that the benefit is really much greater for kids than the harm. And then in the past week, AAP issued another statement together with superintendents and teachers unions saying that if theres a risk of the coronavirus, schools should have the option to close. Advertisement AAP was right in both statements. Its right that it is better to go back to school. Its also right that you need to follow local health conditions. I think what happened was AAP came out with its first statement, which it really believed for good reasons, and it got super politicized. Suddenly, AAP was President Donald Trumps favorite medical association to have walked the earth. Advertisement The White House was eager to hear what these pediatricians had to say because Trump wants schools open. His education secretary, Betsy DeVos, has been clear: If it were up to this administration, kids would be back in the classroom five days a week. Trump had this event at the White House last week where he and his advisers talked about how important it was to reopen schools. And the school leaders who were there were very gently saying, Well, I think were going to try a little digital learning and a little bit in person. Advertisement Advertisement There was this principal from a Catholic school in California. In this big roundtable with Trump, he says, Were planning this hybrid model where kids are at home some days and in school other dayswhich is what a lot of districts are planning. The implicit message of the whole White House event was, we want you there full time. Its also become pretty clear that the White House wasnt too happy with the CDC guidelines. The White House does not have much use for the CDC, it seems. The CDC director, perhaps mindful of keeping his boss happy, has emphasized over and over again that its guidelines are meant to tell people how to reopen, not to give them a reason to stay closed. As I mentioned, one of the key pieces in the CDC guidelines was to have physical distancing between students in the classrooms, desks 6 feet apart. Well, most schools do not have enough space to accommodate that if all the kids are in the building. And thats why schools are looking at hybrid models where half the kids would be in on some days and the other half would be in on other days, in order to allow space between them. The problem with the CDC guidelines is theyre pushing schools toward something less than fully reopening. That seems to be why some people dont really like them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the White House doesnt like the CDCs plan, but does it have a plan for how schools should be opening instead? Or is it just, We dont like what theyre doing over here? What Trump has said is, I want schools open. I dont know if we could call that a plan. Hes said he thinks the CDC guidelines are tough and expensive and essentially go too far. Trumps suggested cutting off funds for schools that dont open. DeVos cant do that with funding thats already been appropriated. But the vice president, at a briefing last week, said something that they could try to do is, if there is another coronavirus relief package and it includes money for schools, you could theoretically put a requirement in it that says you only get the money if you reopen. So Mike Pence said that they would be pushing for that, and well see if they actually do. Advertisement Is there an estimate of how much it will cost if we wanted to bring kids back to school fully? You clearly do need more money. If you want to have no-touch trash cans, most schools dont have that. You want to be sure theres hand sanitizer throughout the building. Most schools dont have that. You want to do temperature checks. Whos doing the temperature checks? Lots of schools dont even have a nurse. Not to mention the fact that kids have lost learning over the spring and summer and theyre going to need even more help going back to try to catch up. Advertisement Have you been able to talk to school stakeholders, people like principals and teachers, who are going to have to figure out the fall no matter how it plays out? Advertisement Advertisement Ive talked to some of them, and everybody says its going to be better. Well see. I have a story about a class of sophomores who took AP World History in the spring. I followed them over the course as they did remote learning and prepared for this high-stakes test at a high-poverty school in San Francisco. There were certain things that got mentioned over and over again: Do people have computers? Do people have internet access? There were so many issues that came up in this reporting that I dont really know if people have figured out how to solve. Like what? For some children, it was extreme social isolation. One of the kids I spent a lot of time talking to was just really lonely, and so he was up until like 2, 3 in the morning every night playing video games with his friends online, because it was the only way he could connect with them. I talked to other people who had to spend hours every day caring for their younger siblings or nieces and nephews who were living with them. This is the kind of stuff that is not easily solved by anybody, frankly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah, especially not by a principal or a teacher, not over Zoom. The Zoom thing, alsoI met this teacher over the course of this reporting. He said hes used to reading the room when hes teaching, acting stuff out and seeing when kids are getting sleepy, whos not getting it. And now hes like, its just me with a PowerPoint. And often kids would have their cameras off. So he couldnt really see faces, even though he would encourage students to keep their cameras on. And then when people did have their cameras on, sometimes embarrassing things would happen. Thered be fights behind them in the background or stuff in their house that might be a little bit embarrassing to their peers. There were a lot of complicating factors that he found. Other countries, like Denmark, have sent their kids back to school. Are people in the U.S. looking at those other countries for guidelines here? Theres a lot of looking at whats happened in other countries, and in fact, people who advocate opening schools have said its gone all right in other countries. The problem is in those regions you dont have the surge in cases that we have in states here. Thats why this is a hard problem. Its not just like one point of view is the obvious, right one. Youve basically got more than 13,000 school districts in the U.S. serving 56 million kids who have to navigate this essentially one at a time. Listen to the full episode using the player below, or subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You have reached a premium content area of TOL. To read this entire article please login if you are already a TOL subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Prof. Tang Youqi, a renowned biochemist, educationist, and academician, celebrated his 100th birthday on July 11. That day also marked the launch of a scholarship for students in Peking University provided by Tang and his wife Zhang Lizhu. Prof. Tang Youqi signs a donation agreement at the establishment of a scholarship for students in Peking University provided by him and his wife Zhang Lizhu. (Photo/WeChat account of Beijing Daily) The couples life story is the stuff of legend. Tang was born in 1920 in Shanghai, and developed a love of science when he was a child. In 1937, he graduated from high school with an outstanding academic performance. Tang had wanted to apply to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing, as he had been a fan of the institution, but after the war of resistance against Japanese aggression broke out, Tsinghua University stopped admitting students in Shanghai. He was eventually accepted by Shanghais Tongji University. Tang Youqi and his wife Zhang Lizhu pose for a picture after getting married in Shanghai in January 1952. (Photo/WeChat account of Beijing Daily) After graduation, he made up his mind to use his knowledge to serve the country. However, his work experience after graduation told him that to make technological breakthroughs, he needed to possess even more knowledge. In 1944, Tang went to the U.S. to pursue his further education under the guidance of Nobel Prize laureate Linus C. Pauling. While in the U.S., Tang mastered cutting-edge knowledge such as crystal chemistry and molecular biology. After the founding of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, Tang was eager to return to his motherland. However, under the rules of the time, as a science student from China, he was forbidden to leave the U.S. Meanwhile, his tutor also asked him to stay. Im a Chinese and I have to go back to my motherland to help bring its chemical research to a new level, Tang said. With his tutors help, Tang finally returned to his country via Sweden, which had just established diplomatic relations with China. Tang (left in the back row) checks the operation of a four-circle diffractometer, which was introduced from the U.S. in 1980. (Photo/WeChat account of Beijing Daily) In 1951, Tang started to teach molecular structure and chemical bonding in Tsinghua University. In 1952, he started working as a teacher at Peking University, up until his retirement more than half a century later. Tang built up Chinas crystallography and structural chemistry fields from scratch. He compiled teaching materials by himself, established courses to teach students in a systematic way, and promoted the popularization of crystal chemistry at universities around the country. Tangs wife, Zhang Lizhu, was born in 1921 in Shanghai. In 1950, she graduated from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists in the U.K. One year later, she returned to China. A group photo of medics from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing (Photo/WeChat account of Beijing Daily) After marrying Tang in 1952, she quickly took part in the construction of Peking University Third Hospital and became the director of the hospitals department of obstetrics and gynaecology after it was founded in 1958. In 1982, Zhang began devoting herself to researching in vitro fertilization. Through the joint efforts of Zhang and her colleagues, the first test-tube baby on the Chinese mainland was born at Peking University Third Hospital in 1988. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Two hairstylists at a salon in Missouri who were infected with the coronavirus were able to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to nearly 140 clients thanks to the use of face masks, according to new research. In an editorial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association or JAMA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed the latest findings and affirmed that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease. The CDC noted that the findings add to increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. On May 12, a hair stylist at a salon in Springfield, Missouri developed respiratory symptoms and continued working with clients for eight days until May 20, when she received a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. A second hair stylist, who had been exposed to the first hair stylist, developed respiratory symptoms on May 15. She worked with clients at the salon until May 20 before seeking testing for SARS-CoV-2, which returned a positive result on May 22. Following this, the salon was closed for three days to disinfect frequently touched and contaminated areas. The Greene County Health Department performed contact tracing and identified a total of 139 clients who were directly serviced by the two stylists from the time they developed symptoms until they took leave from work. No symptomatic secondary cases were reported among the 139 clients and the results of 67 clients who volunteered to be tested were also negative. Both stylists wore double-layered cloth face coverings or surgical masks when seeing clients, while their clients also wore face coverings. 'The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that cloth face coverings provide source control - that is, they help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19 to others,' the CDC said. The agency noted that as stay-at-home orders are lifted, professional and social interactions in the community will present more opportunities for spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, broader implementation of face covering policies could mitigate the spread of infection in the general population. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de A jogger wears a mask as he runs along Millenium Bridge in London on the morning on March 24, 2020 after Britain ordered a lockdown to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS | AFP via Getty Images With the British government set to make face coverings in English shops mandatory, experts explain why they haven't seen the same widespread uptake as in other countries during the coronavirus pandemic. Data from market research firm YouGov shows that the U.K. has had among the lowest uptake of people wearing masks in public places throughout the pandemic. The last recorded data found that 38% of Britons said they wear masks in public, versus 88% of people in Spain and 83% in Italy. The levels in Italy and Spain are around the same as countries in Asia, where mask wearing was already more commonplace before the coronavirus. The YouGov data showed 90% of people in Singapore said they are wearing masks in public, along with 82% in China. U.K. Health Minister Matt Hancock announced Tuesday that it would become compulsory to wear masks or coverings from July 24. If people don't comply with the new rules they could be fined up to 100, Hancock warned. Until now the government had only made face coverings compulsory on public transport, which came into effect on June 15. It had also advised people to wear face masks in enclosed spaces where social distancing wasn't possible to help limit the spread of the virus, which has infected over 13.3 million people worldwide and killed 578,628, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. A YouGov chart shows the percentage of people in different countries who say they wear a face mask in public places. YouGov 'Late to the table' Stephen Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the U.K.'s University of St. Andrews, pointed out that early on in the pandemic Spain and Italy's take-up of wearing masks had been perhaps even lower than in the U.K. That changed in a matter of weeks because masks were made compulsory, he argued, speaking during a public consultation on Tuesday on face coverings, as part of the U.K.'s independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. Reicher added that Italy had also succeeded in increasing usage without the threat of fines, so he didn't believe that the U.K.'s new rules needed to be "accompanied by enforcement, or repression, or fines." He said there had been fewer people wearing masks in the U.K. as a result of a "lack of a clear leadership and clear guidance." Susan Michie, a professor of health psychology at University College London, also suggested that a lack of clear messaging could be one reason why masks haven't been more commonplace in the U.K. as in other countries. She believes that if the government had advised wearing masks in enclosed spaces at the same time as the World Health Organization changed its guidance in June and then followed this up with an effective public information campaign and then mandating, then this would have lead to "high adherence" on transport and in shops. Instead, Michie told CNBC via email that the U.K. government had been "late to the table," arguing this was also the case with going into lockdown and setting up its "test-trace-isolate" strategy. Hancock has previously said the government was following the scientific evidence, in defense of it not making mask wearing compulsory. The U.K.'s department of health had not responded to comment when contacted by CNBC at the time of writing. Public 'don't know what to believe' Old Main is pictured on the Penn State University campus in State College, Pa., on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Read more As coronavirus cases continue to climb around the country, so do concerns among faculty about the prospect of teaching students in the classroom. Nearly three-quarters of faculty who responded to a survey in the last week at Pennsylvanias 14 state universities said they would not feel safe teaching or interacting with students in person in the fall. Only 12% said they want to return to in-classroom teaching, according to the survey conducted by the staffers union, the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties. Nearly two-thirds of the 4,800 faculty members responded to the survey. The take-home message I got after reviewing the survey data was that faculty do not feel safe going back face-to-face in the fall, said Jamie Martin, a criminology professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and president of the faculty union. They want to teach. They dont want to get sick. Concerns also are mounting on other campuses, including Temple and Pennsylvania State University, where administrators said they intend to bring students back under a hybrid teaching model of in-person and online classes in the fall. Meanwhile, some universities, including West Chester, with more than 17,000 students the largest in the state system, have begun to reverse course, moving to all or mostly remote instruction for the fall. East Stroudsburg University, another state school, this week said it would conduct most of its classes online. In New Jersey, Rutgers University last week made a similar announcement, with limited exceptions in areas such as the arts, laboratory or fieldwork, and clinical instruction. And Dickinson College in Carlisle on Wednesday said its classes would remain remote for the fall, citing increased cases of the virus around the country, potential delays in test results, and the need to quarantine hundreds of students who may be coming in from hot spots. Faced with the scientific evidence, and understanding that the virus spreads easily in locations where large groups of people live in close proximity, we felt we had to make this decision to preserve the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the greater Carlisle community, president Margee M. Ensign said. Where campuses are still planning more in-person instruction, professors are questioning how schools can ensure the safety of staff and students. We have significant concerns about how faculty requests to teach remotely are being accommodated, said Steve Newman, president of the Temple Association of University Professionals, its faculty union, and we have concerns about the steps that the university is taking in order to make the campus safe. Nearly three-quarters of more than 360 Temple faculty who responded to a survey said they would rather teach online; only 5% said they want to teach in person, Newman said. READ MORE: Temple University intends to open for in-person classes this fall Temple on Wednesday said in a campus message that physical distancing guidelines had greatly reduced campus capacity, and that only 3,300 seats will be available in traditional classrooms that typically held more than 15,000. The school is establishing new classroom space in other buildings not traditionally used for teaching, including the library. Nevertheless, campus leaders said, the instructional format of many classes has changed to hybrid or online-only to reduce the number of people on campus and in classrooms at any given time. The university has extended its deadline for students to withdraw from university housing to July 31, given the course plans outlined this week. At Penn State, some faculty have been meeting to figure out ways to pressure the university to reconsider its plan, said Sarah Townsend, an associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese at University Park. READ MORE: Thousands of students back in Happy Valley? Penn State is planning for it With cases surging around the country, fewer and fewer people think the university can safely bring students back to campus, she said. They havent done what it takes. They have not shown they can pull this off, and I dont think they will. Some universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, have pledged to test all students when they return, she said. Yet, at Penn State, where enrollment at University Park is about 47,000, the university has not made such a declaration, she said. READ MORE: What if students wont wear masks in class? Professors want assurances that universities will enforce a mandate Faculty also had been asking for the right to bar students from classrooms if they refuse to wear face masks. The university this week said faculty will be asked to refer students to the student conduct office for discipline if they fail to comply with a directive that face masks be worn in classrooms, labs, offices, and campus buildings. Social distancing also is required, the school said. At state system universities, Martin said, her members have many concerns. About 40% of faculty who responded to the survey have an underlying condition that could put them at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if they have to teach in person, she said. Many also live with or care for someone who is at risk. And more than 60% are concerned about contracting COVID-19 or exposing their family to it. The responses came from faculty from all campuses West Chester, East Stroudsburg, Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, and Slippery Rock. READ MORE: Reopening of Pennsylvania state universities will vary by campus Faculty also are concerned that students will not comply with social distancing guidelines outside the classroom. About 95% of respondents said they didnt think students would comply, Martin said. She acknowledged that enrollment could be impacted with only online classes, which could be difficult for the state system, where enrollment has fallen about 20% since 2010. But other concerns outweigh that, she said. Whats going to be the impact on a school and community if you have an outbreak and have people die? she asked. I dont think we are being dramatic. Its happening all around us. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16, 2020 11:14 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066692bad 1 Business EU,Indonesia,IEU-CEPA,palm-oil,pandemic,Trade,export Free Indonesia hopes to conclude negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union next year to bolster the countrys economic recovery after the pandemic, but policies on palm oil remain a major sticking point. The Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), Indonesias largest bilateral trade negotiation to date, was expected to boost trade, investment and tourism for the country, said Rizal Affandi Lukman, undersecretary of international economic cooperation at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister. Our two economies are complementary to each other, Rizal said in a virtual press conference held by the European Business Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Indonesia on Tuesday. The EU was Indonesias fourth-largest trading partner with bilateral trade worth US$26.9 billion in 2019. After nine rounds of negotiation since 2016, Indonesia and the EU were supposed to hold the 10th round in March. However, with the pandemic limiting mobility, both sides chose to hold a virtual intersession meeting from June 15 to June 26. Indonesia initially planned to seal the pact this year. With this complementary nature [and] mutual interests, we can hopefully conclude it next year to provide opportunities for Indonesia and the EU, Rizal added. With the pandemic disrupting supply chains and halting business activities, Indonesias trade slowed following the COVID-19 outbreak in March. Exports decreased by 5.49 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first half of the year to $76.41 billion, while imports fell by 14.28 percent yoy, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data show. Meanwhile, Indonesias exports to the EU fell by 12.50 percent yoy to $6.4 billion in the first half of 2020. The countrys imports from the bloc fell by 7.09 percent to $5 billion over the same period. The pandemic-induced downturn has taken a toll on Indonesias gross domestic product (GDP), which expended by only 2.97 percent yoy in the first quarter, marking a significant drop from typical growth of around 5 percent in recent years. The trade negotiation has faced a challenge over palm oil, with a document leaked last year revealing a plan by the European Parliament to exclude biofuel and bioliquid made of palm oil, but not of other vegetable oils, from the scope of the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). The plan unsettled Indonesia, the worlds largest palm oil producing country. The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, categorizes palm oil as an unsustainable product and has laid out plans to phase out its use in biofuels by 2030. Indonesia filed a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the blocs palm oil policy in December 2019. With respect to texts on trade and sustainable development in the IEU-CEPA, the European Commissions report on the 9th round of negotiation stated that important conceptual differences remain between both sides, and Indonesia was planning to table additional proposals on vegetable oils. Aside from new regulations on trade, businesses from the bloc were expecting the IEU-CEPA to bring about a clear set of rules that would reduce the administrative burden on investment, said Wichard von Harrach, the vice chairman of EuroCham Indonesia. In its 2020 position paper, for example, the chamber suggests that Indonesia relax its negative investment list, especially for horticulture businesses. The list currently caps the share of foreign ownership in the horticulture industry at 30 percent. In these times, investment will be considered multiple times from different aspects, and as such, we are looking for a sustainable, long-lasting, integrative investment playground, said von Harrach. In 2019, Indonesia booked a yearly increase of 60.8 percent to $3.7 billion in foreign capital inflow from the EU, making it the fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment. Quarterly Activities Report 30 June 2020 Perth, July 15, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to provide the June 2020 Quarterly Activities Report. Horizon is a gold production, development and exploration company with a key focus in the Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie regions of Western Australia and has a joint venture in place covering the world class 1.8Bt Richmond oxide vanadium project in North Queensland.Primary activities during the Quarter included the commencement of mining at Boorara, follow up drilling and resource modelling at Rose Hill and Nanadie Well, resource update work for the Lilyvale vanadium project and putting prudent safety and financial measures in place to ensure the welfare of staff, the local community and the strength of the Company's balance sheet.To view the quarterly report, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. New Delhi, July 15 : The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a red alert for the doctors and medical administrators on Wednesday, given the increasing rate of mortality among the fraternity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The IMA has issued a circular where it asked the doctors to adopt the highest standard of infection control protocols. The IMA officials said that they aimed to ensure the safety and security of the doctors and their family members from the Covid-19 pandemic. The officials also said that the doctors need to introspect their working. "Doctors need to take charge of the situation and ensure safety for themselves, their families, their colleagues and staff," the circular read. Speaking on this, Rajan Sharma, national president of IMA, said, "We have lost more than 100 doctors in the battle against the pandemic. We need to introspect and rethink where we went wrong in this fight. The key to protection is never to lower your guard." The circular stated that "If Covid mortality has to be lessened, it has to start with doctors and hospitals." The circular further advised that "intense review and updating of all administrative set-ups in the hospitals including the infection control protocols. Any gap in providing for the safety of doctors, nurses and staff have to be closed. A feedback system from the doctors, employees and public needs to be in place. Cleaning and sanitising protocols should be meticulously adhered to." The association also told that their suggestions are directed to all the doctors, irrespective of practicing in government or private facilities. However, the doctors in the government facilities mostly rely on the administration and the government for the improvement of the safety measures. When asked, Sharma said that the association is not blaming and criticising the government. "Our suggestions are directed to the doctors only. We don't intend to blame anyone," he said. Meanwhile, the circular and advices mentioned in it have not gone down well with the government doctors. They said that they don't have many options and dependent on the government to ensure better safety measures. Adarsh Pratap Singh, president of the Resident Doctors' Association at AIIMS, said that rather than advising the doctors, the IMA should raise the problems doctors face during the pandemic. He also said that the suggestions by the IMA would be seen as vague unless they are directed towards the government. "We are already doing our best. Rather than issuing advises, what the IMA should be doing is to raise the problems we face. It should ask about the vacant posts in the medical colleges and the hospitals. It should question the months of delay in salary dispersion. It should demand a proper safety net provided by the government. If these issues are addressed, our security and working condition will improve automatically," Singh said. As per the IMA, around a hundred doctors lost their lives to the Covid-19. "We have gathered data from all the districts, and it shows that more than 1,300 doctors got infected by Covid-19, in which, almost a hundred lost their lives. This situation demands us to be more vigilant," said R.V. Asokan, honorary secretary secretary-general, IMA. A GROUP of former retail workers in Limerick are keeping an around-the-clock vigil outside the old Debenhams store in a bid to prevent stock leaving the premises. More than 110 staff were made redundant overnight just before Easter when the British retailer placed its Irish operation into liquidation, forcing the closure of the landmark unit in the city centre. Since then, they have struggled to get any redundancy settlement from Kieran Wallace of KPMG, who was appointed as liquidator shortly after the stores were wound up. The action is supported by the Mandate trade union. The reason the pickets go on is to prevent stock leaving the store, with workers saying its their only bargaining chip remaining. Aisling OGorman, the spokesperson for the workers in Limerick, said: We are holding pickets all the time. We are here all day, people are through the night too, because people from Debenhams are changing their times in the night trying to remove stock. Yesterday, management at the firm accessed the store to do a stock take, but no clothing or other goods were removed from the Sarsfield Street/OConnell Street store. We dont want any stock leaving the store. People are going to pass the picket individually, but we are not allowing trucks or vans to allow anything be removed. Its our only bargaining point now to get a decent redundancy. We have to put pressure on them. The buildings arent owned, they are only leased. The British company is contesting the ownership of the stock, which is why we want to keep it here, Aisling said. She also paid tribute to taxi drivers, political activists and others who have kept an eye on the store. Meanwhile, this Saturday, a public rally will take place outside the former store to allow workers to present their case to the general public. It gets under way at 2pm, and all are welcome. Deepika Padukone is popular for her sartorial choices as much as she is loved for her onscreen characters and movies. With her talent and hardwork, the actress has made a name for herself in the industry. From actor to philanthropist, she juggles many hats. After past successful edits, Deepika is back with a new edition of clothes for her initiative 'The Deepika Padukone Closet' that gives her fans an access to her closet and allows them to shop from her specially curated closet items. This time, it is special as the edition is called 'At-Home' wardrobe. It comprises her favourite comfort wear that is already out now at her website DeepikaPadukone.com/Closet. Deepika shared this news on her social media handle and asked her fans to sent in their pictures. Her caption read as "We're back! #TheDeepikaPadukoneCloset presents The At Home Edit. Proceeds support @tlllfoundation #sendinyourpics." Check out her post. The edition is a mix of comfortable yet stylish clothes. Right from sneakers, jumpers, olive dress, trackpants, it has everything. This is a chance for all her fans to recreate their favourite look of hers. All the proceedings from the sale will go towards her 'The Live love laugh foundation'. The actress has always been vocal about issues concerning mental health and is driven towards raising awareness and offering help to those who need it. Speaking about work, Deepika will next be seen in Shakun Batra's directorial. The film was supposed to go on floors in Sri Lanka before the COVID-19 lockdown was announced. The untitled film also stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday in pivotal roles. ALSO READ: 8 Years Of Cocktail: When Deepika Padukone Revealed Why She Didn't Take Up Diana Penty's Role ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone Is Heartened To See Danish Sait Share His Experience With Mental Illness Gemini Capital Management is in the process of redeveloping two historic downtown buildings in Ithaca. One, a two-story structure at 105 E. Center St., will feature four upper level apartments and two retail spaces on the ground floor. The other, a three-story building at 146 E. Center St., will include eight upper level apartments and two on the lower level, along with two spots for commercial businesses. When complete, the company will have a total of $2.75 million invested in the two projects, according to owner Ryan Smith. We are just happy that we can restore and preserve two historic buildings in Ithaca and hopefully create some momentum that helps revitalize the downtown area, he said. The 105 E. Center St. location will have three two bedroom apartments ranging from 970 to 1,275 square feet, and a 600 square foot one bedroom unit. The Precious Memories bridal shop will continue operating in one of the lower level spaces, while the other, a 1,800 square foot spot which once housed a video store, is presently vacant. For the time being this space will be white box and finished out once a tenant is lined up, Smith said. The larger building at 146 E. Center St. will have eight apartments, all one bedroom units, on the upper two levels. They will range from 629 to 782 square feet, including one studio apartment. There will also be two ground floor one bedroom units, both in the rear of the building and ADA compliant. One is 820 square feet the other 780 square feet. Tenants are still being sought for the two lower level commercial spaces, which previously housed a barbershop and a bakery. Smith hired JBS Contracting Inc. of Mt. Pleasant to renovate the structure at 105 E. Center St., while the Kincaid Building Group of East Lansing is handling the work at 146 E. Center St. Gemini Capital Managements has also started redevelopment of an historic building in downtown St. Louis. That project, at 131 and 133 N. Mill St., will feature five second story apartments. The lower level is occupied by three businesses, TEASE Salon, Meadow & Lark Photography and OBoyle Insurance. The company already has several upper level apartments in downtown Alma, with plans to add more, including a nine-room boutique hotel called the 3one3 at 311 N. State St. That project will also include eight apartments on the second floor. Thats in addition to the major housing development Smith has proposed for the 300 block of East Downie St., the site of the former Alma Middle School. Plans for the 3.15-acre parcel, that encompasses an entire city block, call for the construction of 40 residential units of various sizes along with two commercial buildings, a management office and a daycare center. A museum official (or close relative) who loans an object to the museum for display then sells it after exhibition would likely earn an enhanced price for the object, said Greg Stevens, director of the Institute of Museum Ethics at Seton Hall University. And it would also cause the appearance of impropriety to arise namely, that the museum used its prestige, resources, and reach to enrich the official. The institute said it had engaged a Washington law firm to review the museums loan procedures and policies to ensure that they had been followed. The bond between museums and wealthy collectors is one of the essential relationships of American museums. Without the generosity of such patrons museums could likely not afford the art that enhances the visitor experience. So, museums routinely engage in all manner of relationship-building they hope will lead to collectors gifting money or major works. Mr. Salort-Pons said that was his ultimate goal when he implored the collector, Alan M. May, a retired real estate investor, to lend the El Greco. The late-16th-century painting, valued at $5 million in the museums internal database, shows the young saint standing alone in a wild landscape. Praising its dynamic image of ecstasy, Mr. Salort-Pons said the work surpasses in quality the institutes existing El Greco, Madonna and Child, which was donated in 1970 by a Detroit collector. (Damaged by a repaint, it has not been exhibited for decades.) Ukraine is looking forward to signing a Common Aviation Area Agreement. Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna says Ukraine's membership of the European Union is a matter of time. "Ukraine has done a lot, but there is still a colossal work ahead of us. But I am sure: Ukraine is legally and technically ready to become part of the European system. One day we will definitely become a member of the EU. It's only a matter of time," she said at a press briefing titled, "Ukraine and the Association Agreement with the EU: Monitoring the Implementation in 2014-2019," according to an UNIAN correspondent. Read alsoCabinet seeks to update Ukraine-EU association deal, remove technical barriers to trade Ukraine will determine this timeframe on its own, she said, "because the European Union is not a donor organization, it is an association of strong, stable democracies with strong economy, and that is why Ukraine is now on the path of those reforms that will allow it to be a full-fledged member of the European Union in the understanding that we will be strong, with independent economy, and even the progress that we have today signals that this path is already irreversible." Ukraine is now "entering the level of European integration 2.0," she said. In this regard, Stefanishyna says that emphasis should be placed on Article 481 of the Association Agreement, which stipulates that the parties should periodically review the effectiveness of certain agreement mechanisms. "This is crucial now as over five years Ukraine has done tremendous work and even the fulfillment of the European Union's biggest agreement with a third country by 41% is, in my opinion, a tremendous result not ideal, but tremendous progress, given that the agreement concerns about 27 areas of legal relations," she said. According to her, the process of updating the Association Agreement is comprehensive and involves more than one particular document. Stefanishyna also mentioned what she expected from the Ukraine-EU summit to be held in October this year. "I am inspired by the results of my visit to Brussels. I had a large number of meetings, and in fact the progress that we have today, and an increase in the dynamics of the implementation of the agreement for those bills that were adopted by the parliament in 'turbo' mode, and those acts that the government is developing now, are being adopted in favor of the implementation of this legislation, they allow us to say that the Ukraine-EU summit, which will be held in October this year, could and should be quite ambitious," she said. "We're putting forward all decisions on integration into the common digital market, advances in Ukraine's incorporation into the network of electric energy regulators as proposals for the summit's conclusions," she said. "We also look forward to signing a Common Aviation Area Agreement and launching a second mission as part of [preparations for signing] an Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA)." As the race for a COVID-19 vaccine gains pace, here is the progress of five countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, India, China and Russia: United Kingdom: United Kingdom is carrying out the highest number of 24.5% clinical trials. British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca along with the University of Oxford is developing AZD122 which is being administered to 8,000 participants in Phase III trials. Starting a race for the first claim on the vaccine, AstraZeneca announced deals with the United States and European governments to supply 400 million doses of the unproven vaccine each. Read: Asian Markets Mostly Higher On Hopes For Coronavirus Vaccine China: China is also in the race to develop a vaccine. Chinas Sinovacs trial of an inactivated vaccine in Brazil is one of the two listed by the World Health Organisation in clinical trial stages. Russia: Russia's Sechenov University claims it has successfully completed clinical trials of what it describes as the world's first coronavirus vaccine. WHO said the vaccine was still in Phase I trials and has to undergo two more levels of large-scale trials for it to be listed as safe for use. India: In India, Bharat Biotech International has received regulatory approval to start human clinical trials for its experimental shot of the vaccine named Covaxin. The aim is for it to be unveiled by August 15, after the completion of all clinical trials. Read: Tamil Nadu: BCG Vaccine Trials Administered For Adults Between 60-95 Age Group United Forces: In the United States, the Trump administration has financed the development of 4 COVID-19 vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson, Moderna Inc, AstraZeneca Plc and Novovax Inc. under Operation Warp Speed Program which aims to produce 300 million vaccine doses by the end of 2021. On Tuesday, Moderna Incs experimental vaccine announced the successful completion of Phase I trials. Earlier this month, Novavax also received $1.6 billion from the US government for delivering 100 million doses by late 2020. Read: More Than 150 Countries Sign Up For Global Vaccine Plan Read: Russian Defence Ministry Declares Coronavirus Vaccine Safe; Volunteers Discharged (Image credits: AP) (TNS) Court was back in session in Miami-Dade County this week but it was not business as usual.In a first run of what could be a model for the rest of the state, a civil suit this week over a home insurance dispute gave a glimpse of how the justice system hoped to adapt to the new socially distant normal as COVID-19 cases surge in Florida.Jurors were selected via Zoom, attorneys made opening statements wearing protective masks and the trial was streamed on YouTube. It worked pretty well aside from some technical glitches and an awkward moment or two.During a Zoom call to pick a jury, some prospects forgot to unmute while answering questions and one even forgot to do the opposite during a bathroom break producing a sound effect that drew a few odd looks among those on the call.The virtual jury selection went better than expected, said Brandon Waas, an attorney representing the plaintiff Peoples Trust Insurance. There were some other minor glitches, including background noise and growing pains in learning how to navigate the video call software but extensive preparation for the pilot made the selection process go smoothly.He said the main challenge in jury selection was being unable to tell if people were paying attention or even texting, as individuals were only visible to him as tiny boxes on the computer screen.In real life I can see out of the corner of my eye if someone is not paying attention, Waas said, and that might tell me a lot about whether someone is going to be a good juror or a bad juror.Miami-Dades 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida is the first of five judicial circuits in the state chosen by the Florida Supreme Court to test out using remote video technology. A report on the success of the pilot programs from the courts is due in October.After getting to lounge at home during the selection process, jurors headed down to the courthouse Tuesday for a socially distant in-person trial.The trial was livestreamed on the Circuits YouTube channel as the courthouse is still officially closed to the public. Four camera views split the screen, showing the judge, attorneys, jury and the witness stand, which is surrounded by a plexiglass shield.Miami-Dade Civil Administrative Judge Jennifer Bailey said the court was guided by advice from epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists when planning the in-person trial.At the courthouse, trial participants are under strict social distancing and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Face masks are mandatory at all times and every person is spaced at least six feet apart. Instead of sitting in a jury box, jurors are spread out in the gallery constantly maintaining six feet distance from everyone else. The court also provided all participants with face shields, gloves, individual evidence notebooks and hand sanitizer.Even if somebody was in [the courtroom] with COVID, its extremely unlikely that anyone else would contract it if everyone else just follows the rules, Bailey said. Which is a lesson for everyone in Florida wherever they go, just follow the rules.To get into the courthouse, individuals must get their temperature checked and answer COVID-19 screening questions. During breaks, the jury cannot leave the courthouse and participants are assigned separate courtrooms to social distance themselves. Lunch is provided so no one has to leave to eat.The 11th Judicial Circuit is considering doing another civil jury trial, but Bailey said it is not yet possible to bring in a jury for a criminal trial. The planning of the pilot trial took a village, she said, and currently it would be impossible to have 10 or 15 trials going on at the same time.While this jury trial marked the first of its kind in the state, not all court proceedings have been put on hold. As of the end of June, the Circuit has done approximately 32,000 hearings for non-jury trials via Zoom, Bailey said.Miami-Dade Chief Judge Bertila Soto said she was impressed with the commitment of the members of the juror panel during the trial.It has been very gratifying to know that the public believes in what we believe, Soto said. It is a very important part of our court system and of our community that the court system needs jury trials. HUNDREDS of families enjoyed drive-in comedy, theatre and karaoke shows as part of this years Henley Festival. The Car Park Party was held in the evenings on Lion Meadow, between the River Thames towpath and Remenham Lane near Henley, from Thursday to Saturday last week. The festival would usually have been taking place on the royal regatta site on those dates but was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The first two drive-in nights featured stand-up in association with the Comedy Store, with compere Stephen Grant introducing Dane Baptiste, Hal Cruttenden, Christian Reilly and Suzi Ruffell. The third featured a karaoke singalong with a live band playing popular tunes on the themes of A Night at the Musicals and Back to the Eighties. There was also a production of Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain by the Birmingham Stage Company, which followed the nations history from the age of Queen Boudicca to the Tudor, Stuart and Victorian eras. Planned cinema screenings were called off but the other events initially sold out, prompting organisers to put more tickets on sale. Guests parked at a safe distance apart to avoid the risk of infection and could purchase snacks from attendants wearing personal protective equipment. They were encouraged to flash their lights and wave their wipers in time with one another at points. They also honked their horns despite requests to respect the peace of neighbouring residents. The Bono Regional Police Command is investigating an alleged stabbing to death of a 29-year old teacher in a passenger bus by a member of a group at Kabironu near Banda-Ahenkro in the Banda District of Bono Region. Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong, the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on Wednesday in Sunyani. He said on Monday, July 13, 2020, the Banda District Police Command had information that the group was at Banda-Ahenkro, the District capital, and its environs to monitor the progress of the on-going voters' registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC). Chief Inspector Oppong said the Banda Police investigations established that some members of the group were not residents of Banda-Ahenkro, adding that, the Police again had information that some residents of Banda-Ahenkro had also barricaded the main entry road to the town to prevent the group from entering. He said the Police intervened to remove the blockade to avoid any possible clash between the Banda-Ahenkro youth and the group. Chief Inspector Oppong said the group began to retreat but in the process, their vehicle knocked two people who have been currently hospitalized. He said the crash infuriated the youth of Banda-Ahenkro and the Police unexpectedly heard the firing of gunshots and moved to the scene to bring the situation under control but two of the Policemen were hit by pellets. They were rushed to the Wenchi Methodist Hospital for treatment and were discharged the same day, Chief Inspector Oppong said. He said in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2020, the Banda Police had the information that the group had attacked a vehicle travelling from Kabironu, near Banda-Ahenkro and a member stabbed deceased to death. Chief Inspector Oppong said the deceased, Silas Wulochema was a graduate from the Akim Oda College of Education. He said no arrest has been made and the investigation is on-going. 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 Shortly after Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and pradesh Congress chief yesterday, announced on Wednesday that he was not joining the BJP, the Rajasthan Congress in-charge tweeted that the party doors were not closed on the leader. The Congress doors havent been shut on Sachin Pilot, may lord grant him good sense and may he understand his mistake. I hope he gets out of the BJPs deceptive ways, tweeted Avinash Pande. The Congress is wary of what happened in Madhya Pradesh and has been making overtures to the rebel leader to sit with the party and resolve issues. At the same time, Rajasthan Speaker has issued notices to Sachin Pilot and 18 other rebel Congress MLAs after the party sought their disqualification from the state assembly. They have been asked to respond by Friday. The Congress complained that the rebel MLAs allegedly made statements to the media in an openly hostile and prejudicial manner against the interests of Congress and its government in Rajasthan. Also read: Congress dissolves all party panels in Rajasthan, aims for fresh start Pilot, 42, underscored today that he had worked hard to defeat the BJP and bring the Congress back to power in Rajasthan. I am not joining the BJP, he said as rumours swirled around about him joining the opposition camp. He further said that connecting him with the BJP was being done to tarnish his reputation in the eyes of the Gandhis. The rebel leader, who has been camping in Delhi, has still not met the Gandhis. However, the Gandhis have reached out to him through their emissaries. The BJP, on its part, has kept its distance from the Congress drama playing out in Rajasthan, saying they are tracking the developments. The party does not want a repeat of the Maharashtra fiasco where despite being short on numbers it backed the leader from the rebel camp and rushed in to form the government. It had to beat a hasty, and ignominious, retreat. In the 200-member Rajasthan assembly, the BJP has only 72 MLAs, while the majority mark is 101. Pilot claims the support of 30 MLAs, but has also made it clear that he is not looking to jump ship as yet. Buyout firm Carlyle and a consortium backed by Cairn Energy are among the bidders for Royal Dutch Shells onshore Egyptian oil and gas assets, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Bids for the assets are now expected to be sharply lower than initial estimates of up to $1 billion due to a weaker outlook for global oil and gas prices, said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public. Shell launched a process at the end of November to sell its onshore upstream assets in the Western Desert as it focuses on expanding its Egyptian offshore gas exploration. The process, which was expected to be completed in May, was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic, which limited travel and led to a collapse in oil and gas prices. As a result, various parties are at different stages of negotiations. Some Asian investors are at a more advance stage, while talks with companies including Dubai-based Dragon Oil are moving at a slower pace, one of the sources said. Shell hired investment bank Citigroup last year to run the sale, which is now expected to close by September, one of the sources said. Shell, Citi, Carlyle and Cairn declined to comment. Dragon Oil did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Western Desert portfolio includes stakes in 19 oil and gas leases of which Shells working interest included production of around 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2018. Egypts oil and gas sector has seen a rapid expansion in recent years after the discovery of vast offshore gas reserves that has drawn major investments from international companies including Eni and BP. At the same time, Egypts aging oil and gas assets have changed hands. BP in 2018 sold its decades-old stake in the Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO) to Dubai-based Dragon Oil Ltd. Search Keywords: Short link: The popular video-sharing app, TikTok, has become the Trump administration's new punchbag in its anti-China policy. Americans are advised only to download the fun app if they want their private information "in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party", says Mike Pompeo. White House adviser Peter Navarro has even accused it of engaging in "information warfare" against the U.S., indicating that the president is "just getting started" by considering banning it, together with the popular messaging app WeChat. So, what exactly is the information that TikTok is collecting? According to the company's privacy policy, users registering or uploading content to the platform are asked to provide their name, age, email or phone number, payment information, and their contacts if they want to connect to other users through their phone or social media contacts. It also automatically collects users' IP addresses, location, device information amongst other things. But that's the same as almost all social media platforms, including Google and Facebook. As a young and fast-developing tech company, TikTok does sometimes have to grapple with security vulnerabilities, but coding flaws are almost unavoidable in any app and it's too far-fetched to link them to national security threats. In January, Cybersecurity Company Check Point said in a report, that it had found several security flaws in TikTok which potentially allowed hackers to take control of the accounts and manipulate content. But the problems were quickly fixed when they were raised, and according to Oded Vanunu, the lead researcher on Check Point's report, TikTok "were very happy to get this kind of information and were happy to cooperate." TikTok's biggest vulnerability, from Washington's perspective, seems to be its link to China, as it is owned by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, which is headquartered in Beijing. TikTok has made it clear that it stores American user data in the U.S. with backups in Singapore, and that it has never provided user data to the Chinese government and wouldn't do so even if asked. In common with other social media companies, TikTok follows the local rules of the countries where they operate. According to TikTok's latest transparency report, the company received 500 government requests for data during the second half of 2019, among which 302 were made by India and 100 were made by the United States. The report says it didn't receive any user information or content removal requests from China. But that doesn't seem to dispel Washington's mistrust, with Peter Navarro saying it wouldn't help even if TikTok was separated off as an American company. The Committee on Foreign Investment launched a national security review of ByteDance late last year after its one-billion-U.S.-dollars acquisition of the U.S. social media app Musical.ly which was completed in 2017. And the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department are probing whether TikTok has failed to meet its obligation to protect children's privacy under a previous agreement. But up until now, there has been no concrete evidence showing that TikTok poses any threat to U.S. national security, which makes TikTok look simply just like another scapegoat of the China-U.S. rivalry. Washington has taken a similar approach to Huawei, banning it citing national security concerns and asking other countries to do the same without providing any evidence. It seems there's a presumption from the Trump administration that any Chinese company popular in the U.S. will threaten its national security and it is doing all it can to find a way to back up that argument. It is looking at China through ideological lenses which is leading to serious misconceptions about China's intentions. A White House report released in May said that for decades, the U.S. has hoped that China would become closer to the U.S. model through deepening engagement of the two nations, but that hasn't happened. FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed in a recent speech that China was "the greatest long-term threat to our nation's information and intellectual property, and to our economic vitality." The U.S. is assuming that China would become an opponent or even an enemy as it becomes more powerful. But as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out, "aggression and expansion have never been in the genes of the Chinese nation throughout its 5,000 years of history." More importantly, the environment for ideological confrontation between capitalism and socialism no longer exists as countries today have intertwined interests in trade, finance, fighting terrorism and dealing with all kinds of unconventional challenges like the coronavirus pandemic. It is not in China's interest to take on the U.S. as an enemy, nor will it ask TikTok to provide its user data or force Huawei to spy, because that would kill the country's leading tech companies. Using a Cold War mentality to handle international relations today is like treating a healthy person with cancer therapy. A technological decoupling between the U.S. and China will hurt both countries and undermine innovation. Domestic companies should try to win in the marketplace by upgrading their products, not through protectionist policies imposed by the government. Shutting its doors to foreign tech companies would harm America's reputation as a global innovation center. After all, TikTok is just a fun video-sharing platform. Its focus is on sharing creative short videos like dancing and lip-syncing. Does the Trump administration really want to deprive American youngsters of the right to have fun? Laos has not fully recovered from the impact of the U.S. bombing of the country: 2.5 million tons of U.S. bombs dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973, with the soil in many parts of the country polluted for generations. by Vijay Prashad On June 11, Laos (Lao Peoples Democratic Republic)a country of 7 million in Southeast Asiasaid it had temporarily prevailed over COVID-19. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said that his country had gained an important victory in the first campaign against this vicious enemy. The first cases of COVID-19 detected in Laos were registered on March 24; a total of 19 people had been infected with the virus by April 12, andafter 58 days of no new casesthe last patient was discharged on June 9. There were no new cases of COVID-19 in Laos since April 12 (93 days of no new cases as of July 14). There have been no deaths from COVID-19 in Laos. Laos is a landlocked country, surrounded by the Peoples Republic of China, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. It shares a 423-kilometer border with China, across which traders and tourists routinely travel. Nonetheless, Laoslike its neighbor Vietnamhas had no deaths from COVID-19. Laos has been particular about the possibility of transmission through travelers who have crossed from neighboring countries (which is why they are being held in quarantine centers for two weeks). How Did Laos Do It? News came from Wuhan, China, in the first week of January of the spread of a new coronavirus. On January 6, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun was in Beijing for talks with Chinas President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, where their conversations were mainly about economic development. In particular, the leaders of the two countries discussed the China-Laos railway, which has been in the works since 2016 and will run for 414-kilometers from Vientiane (Laos capital) to Boten (on the China-Laos border). At the time, too little was known about the coronavirus for it to have been a likely focus of the meeting. Until January 20, there was no clarity that this virus could be transmitted from human to human. As soon as the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, the government of Laos set up a Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control to monitor the virus and prevent its spread in Laos. The first sign of trouble came on February 1, when Zhang Biao, who had recently visited Laos, was found to have the virus upon his return home to Chongqing, China. On January 26, Zhang arrived in Vientiane on a China Express Airlines flight as part of a tourist group. He traveled with the group to Vang Vieng, a tourist destination four hours away from Vientiane. He returned to China on January 31, where he was found to be infected. In response, the Laotian authorities retraced his steps, tested people who had come into contact with him, and aggressively moved to prevent any further infections. Laos suspended the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals, and Lao Airlines reduced its flights to China (not only is China the main market for Lao Airlines, but the tourist trade in Laos is also almost entirely reliant upon China). There were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Laos until almost two months later, March 24. On March 5, Laos Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Phouthone Muongpak held a press conference where he said that there had been 53 suspected cases of COVID-19 in the country, but each of the patients had tested negative. We are confident in our surveillance system, said Dr. Phouthone, the deputy head of Laos Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. Teams of epidemiologists traveled to places in Laos where there were reports of deaths that appeared to be from COVID-19; samples taken from the bodies were tested at three laboratories: the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (which had WHO experts oversee the test), the Institut Pasteur du Laos and the Microbiology Laboratory at Mahosot Hospital. They all came back negative. Additionally, samples were also sent to the WHO laboratory in Australia and came back negative, said Dr. Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, the director-general of Laos Department of Communicable Diseases Control. The Vientiane Times credited the lack of cases in Laos to the rigorous scanning and testing done at ports of entry and the quarantines imposed on those who entered the country. Even those who showed no symptoms when they entered Laos were told to go into self-imposed quarantine for two weeks. Showing an abundance of caution, on March 9, the government declared that celebrations of Lao New Year (April 13-15) would be canceled. In fact, there were no cases in Laos from January 30 until March 24, when the first two confirmed cases were reported: they were a 28-year-old male hotel worker from Vientiane who most likely contracted the virus during a work trip to Bangkok, Thailand, in early March, and a 36-year-old female tour guide from Vientiane who most likely contracted it from a tourist (as reported to me by a government official). Both patients were taken to the Mittaphab 150 Bed Friendship Hospital in Vientiane, which was soon to be designated as a COVID-19 hospital. Five days later, on March 29, the Lao government announced a full lockdown of the country. Any necessary activity would have to follow the strict WHO protocols of physical distance, mask wearing, and hand washing. The task force was enjoined to train medical professionals and the security services, develop plans to break the chain of infection (including testing, contact tracing, quarantine, and treatment), and use the public sector to procure necessary medical equipment (including protective gear and ventilators). The government agencies were told to provide detail[ed] guidance in an easy-to-understand format through the various government media and through a special website; only science-based information was to be transmitted to the public. On July 8, Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research released a report called CoronaShock and Socialism. The text looks closely at the experience of four parts of the world with socialist governmentsCuba, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Kerala, Indiaand how these parts of the world were able to substantially break the chain of infection. The analysis showed that these countries were better able to deal with the virus because they took a science-based approach, they had a public sector that they could rely upon for the production of the materials they needed to combat the virus, and they cultivated public action. Laos very much followed these principles, as two officials at the Ministry of Health informed me via telephone in early July. In addition, Laos received essential materials (protective suits, masks) from both Vietnam and China (Chinese medical personnel also came to assist the Laotian medical service). In June, Prime Minister Thongloun said thatfor nowLaos appeared to have beaten back the virus. Dr. Howard Sobel, the WHO representative in Laos, concurred. The response of the government of Laos, Dr. Sobel said, was exemplary. The government anticipated the arrival of this terrible disease and did all the right things to stop it spreading. Doubts about the low number of cases and the lack of deaths were set aside by Ludovic Arnout of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Its difficult to hide [coronavirus cases], he said, so I believe it. Impact Laos has not fully recovered from the impact of the U.S. bombing of the country: 2.5 million tons of U.S. bombs dropped on Laos between 1964 and 1973, with the soil in many parts of the country polluted for generations. When U.S. President Barack Obama visited Laos in 2016, he regretted the biggest bombing in history, but he did not apologize for it. He promised $90 million over three years to remove an estimated 75 million unexploded bombs that continue to claim lives and damage agriculture decades after the secret war ended. Nonetheless, the communist government in Laos haswith investment from Chinapersisted in a development pathway that has brought some gains for its population. Basic human indicators have improved, and for the past two decades unemployment has remained under 1 percent. But the coronavirus recession will strike Laos very hard. In April, Anousone Khamsingsavath, director-general of the Department of Labor Skill Development at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, said, Poverty in Laos will be exacerbated because large numbers of people have been laid off from their jobs. Her ministry reported recently that the unemployment rate had surged from the average of 2 percent to 25 percent at present, according to the Vientiane Times. The World Bank noted that while Laos has so far avoided a health crisis, it has not been immune from the global economic downturn. Growth rates, which had been estimated before the pandemic to be secure at 7 percent, will collapse to near zero as a consequence of the global coronavirus recession. Most terrifyingly, this will mean that Laos, which had a relatively stable economy, will slip into debt and chaos. In May, Fitch Ratings downgraded Laos Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating to B- and revised its overall outlook from Stable to Negative. This change in Laos economy is mostly due to the effects of the coronavirus on the global economy. Laos is slated to make a debt servicing payment of about $900 million in 2020, money that it simply cannot afford to pay (its foreign exchange reserves are a mere $1 billion). We defeated the virus crisis, a government official told me. Now we are going to be defeated by the debt crisis, which we did not create. This article was produced by Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. Vijay Prashad is an Indian historian, editor and journalist. He is a writing fellow and chief correspondent at Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute. He is the chief editor of LeftWord Books and the director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He has written more than 20 books, including The Darker Nations and The Poorer Nations. His latest book is Washington Bullets, with an introduction by Evo Morales Ayma. The Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is a purpose-built structure, and its purpose is the worship of the Christian God. This particular function is not incidental to the way the church was designed and built by its two visionary architects at the high meridian of the Byzantine Empire. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus were what their contemporaries called mechanopoioi, a term that is best translated, according to Richard Krautheimer, as architectscientists. Their elite proficiency in mathematics and physics suited them to the task theyd been given by the emperor: building an originally Christian place of worship. In the sixth century, Christians were still drawing on the aesthetics of pagan antiquity, and the basilicas and colonnades of classical Rome had been accepted as the supreme expression of architectural grandeur. Hagia Sophia changed all that. When Emperor Justinian entered the church for the first time after its completion, he is said to have boasted, Solomon, I have vanquished thee! He, or rather his two architects, certainly had. With an interior space of almost 43,000 square feet, it was at the time the single-greatest building ever constructed. Its crowning jewel was its gravity-defying central dome, which in a single stroke supplanted the basilica as the defining feature of church architecture in Eastern Christendom. The dome serves as a mirror to heaven, believed in late antiquity to be the most distant in a series of concentric spheres, and its 40 windows allow light from above to shine upon the glittering religious mosaics inside the church. But its most important religious function is musical. The interior of Hagia Sophia was designed for the antiphonal singing of the Christian liturgy, with two choir sections alternating chants across from one another. The dome captures and enhances the sound of this exchange. Musical notes usually reverberate for two to three seconds in a modern concert hall. In Hagia Sophia, they resound for up to twelve seconds, enveloping worshippers in the sounds of the liturgy or at least they did, until the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Story continues For 482 years after that, Hagia Sophia was used as a mosque. In the 1930s, when Turkey was born from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire as a secular state, the mosque was repurposed once more as a museum for Christians, Muslims, and any other admirers to visit. But now, that state is being systematically remade by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has come to dominate Turkish politics with his own malevolent brand of neo-Ottoman Islamic nationalism. Erdogan has long sought to reconvert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, and this week he was finally granted his wish by the Turkish Council of State. The Councils legal reasoning was about as risible as one could possibly imagine: It ruled that the initial conversion of the church into a museum in 1934 was unlawful, because Hagia Sophia was the personal property of Mehmet the Conqueror, the sultan who captured the city in 1453. The Council then transferred control of the museum to a foundation named after the sultan, which is in favor of its repurposing as a mosque. There are many problems with this ruling, but chief among them is the fact that under 15th-century Ottoman law, as Professor Metin Gunday has observed, the entire country was the personal property of the sultan. The legal precedent set in the case of Hagia Sophia seems to suggest that through the shell foundation named after Mehmet II, any living heir of the sultan can lay personal proprietary claim to the entire nation of Turkey and all of the property therein! Whats more, the Church of Hagia Sophia has now been reduced to the same legal status it held at the sack of Constantinople, with Muslims worshipping there on the legal basis of Mehmets bloody conquest of the Christian population. It is true that the conquest ethic was, until very recently, universal in human relations, and it does no one any good to condemn the actions of medieval men in this regard or to adjudicate property disputes accordingly. To call Mehmet the Conqueror a violent and oppressive warlord is merely to observe that he was a political leader in the middle of the 15th century. But for a court of law to resurrect the logic of medieval conquest in the 21st century is truly appalling. To repeat: Christians access to one of their greatest holy sites will now be greatly curtailed on the grounds that they were conquered by a Muslim sultan and forced into what can only be described as sacred-asset forfeiture at the point of a sword more than 500 years ago. The global response to Erdogans move has ranged from indifference to outrage. The Turks have close ties with Moscow, and the Russian deputy foreign minister said last Monday that changing the status of the church to a mosque was the internal business of the Turkish government. (Given the way in which the Kremlin has sought to blur the lines between Orthodox Christianity and Russian Nationalism, its acquiescence to the desecration of an iconic, non-Russian Orthodox church is perhaps unsurprising.) By contrast, the Greek culture minister called Erdogans move an open provocation to the civilized world in a statement on Friday, and the Greek government is pushing for the European Union to impose diplomatic sanctions on Turkey. The leader of the Italian Northern League, Matteo Salvini, has also criticized the decision, citing it as evidence that the pre-eminence of Islam is incompatible with the values of democracy, freedom and tolerance of the West. The Turkish governments response to the criticism has been positively schizophrenic. Erdogan and his deputies tend to rhetorically oscillate between the language of national sovereignty and the language of Islamic expansionism. On the one hand, a deputy chairman in the governing party told a local publication that estranging a structure, the property of which belongs to Turkey, was going against our sovereignty. On the other, Erdogan himself said in a public address that the resurrection of Hagia Sophia [as a mosque] follows the express will of Muslims throughout the world and will serve as a first step towards the liberation of Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. Even before his speech, crowds had gathered outside Hagia Sophia chanting Onward to Jerusalem! In what will come as a shock to absolutely no one, it seems that many Turks do not believe that national sovereignty obtains for Israel. Hamas was quick to endorse Erdogans decision. The religious vision of pan-Islamic civilization that appears to drive Erdogans attempts to dismantle the secular constitution of Turkey, a document of which many Turks are still very proud, does not stand up to any kind of scrutiny. In historical terms, there is vanishingly little evidence of Islamic civilization to begin with. Most of the great achievements attributed to Islamic cultures have been those of conquered peoples, or dhimmis, to use the theological term, whose work has been co-opted by their conquerors. Hagia Sophia is a case in point. The dome that was so ingeniously designed by Anthemius and Isidore has been used as the model for mosque architecture ever since. Indeed, when Caliph Abd el-Malik commissioned the Dome of the Rock, now considered one of the great masterpieces of Islamic art, to be built in Jerusalem, he employed Byzantine architects and craftsmen, which is probably why the structure looks so much like the same citys Church of the Holy Sepulchre. To the extent that Arab elites acquired a sophisticated culture, they learned it from their subject peoples, the sociologist Rodney Stark has noted. The much-vaunted Arabic numeral system is in fact Hindu in origin, based on the concept of zero, which had theretofore eluded the Muslim overlords of Hindu populations. The earliest scientific text that appeared in Arabic, the holy language of Islam, was translated by a Jewish physician from the work of a Syrian Christian priest in Alexandria, which would have surprised no Arabian Muslim of that time. As Stark notes, Muslim or Arab medicine was in fact Nestorian Christian medicine; even the leading Muslim and Arab physicians were trained at the enormous Nestorian medical center at Nisibus in Syria. It was the Nestorian Christian Johannitius who collected and supervised the translation of Hippocrates, Galen, Plato, and Aristotle into Arabic. Furthermore, a Muslim writer of the eleventh century, Nasir-i Khrusau, reported that the scribes here in Syria, as is the case of Egypt, are all Christians. . . . It is [also] most usual for the physicians . . . to be Christians. There are countless examples of this dynamic, and they have been chronicled exhaustively by Stark and historians such as Donald R. Hill. The idea of Islamic civilization, which regularly threatens the security of Israel, the West, and anyone unfortunate enough to live under the rule of men such as Erdogan, resembles nothing so much as a great act of intellectual-property theft. Worse yet, this great fiction has real-world consequences beyond the religious annexation of Hagia Sophia. Erdogan has offered very generous military aid to the Libyan government in Tripoli as it fights a war against the insurgent Haftar in Benghazi. Hes described Turkish military casualties in the conflict as martyrs in the tradition of the Ottoman soldiers who fought in Libya from the 16th through 20th centuries. And following his announcement about the reconversion of Hagia Sophia, the Turkish Media outlet Haber 7 tweeted, Hagia Sophia is done! Next is Athens. Sentiments such as this suggest that the spirit of conquest among devout Muslim Turks has increased rather than decreased since the countrys secular founding in the 1930s. In this respect, Western governments have made the same mistake with Turkey as they have with China, assuming axiomatically that exposure to liberal-democratic capitalism increases the desire for it over time. The truth is that Turkey and many other conservative Islamic countries are taking a different path through the 21st century than the United States and its allies. The holy texts of Islam suggest that this path will not be one that seeks to avoid conquest. According to the Hadith of Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad himself claimed to have been made victorious with terror (4:52:220). The actions not only of Turkey in Libya but of Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen testify to the lasting impact of this sentiment upon the authors religious progeny. The United States cannot continue to deal with Islamist countries as if they were nation-states like any others. Turkey and its allies have learned to use Western concepts such as national sovereignty in pursuit of their own theocratic, imperialist ends. If they are not challenged robustly when they employ this tactic to win huge symbolic victories, as they have with Hagia Sophia, they will only feel more emboldened to reach for it again when lives are on the line instead of mosaics. Turkeys status as a member of NATO and its potential accession to full membership in the European Union should be conditional upon the rejection of political Islam and the total cessation of all rhetorical or military hostility toward Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the West in general. Entry into the Western community of nations must be contingent on adherence to a standard of civilized government, and until it is, American leaders should highlight the problem as often, as forcefully, and as publicly as they can. History teaches us that the moment Islam shifts from spiritual discipline to governing philosophy, free infidels have cause for concern. After 85 years of secular Turkish government, it looks like President Erdogan is effecting that shift once again. If Turkey is to receive any more economic, military, or diplomatic favors from the Western world, Hagia Sophia should either be returned to its status as a museum or remanded into the care of the Greek Orthodox Church, for whose liturgy and worship it was purpose-built so many centuries ago. More from National Review When it comes to homeland defense, most people immediately think about the military. But what if the biggest threat to this nations safety and well-being has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction or foreign militias? What if the biggest threat is invisible? The State of Federal Cyber Security The United States of America has been and continues to be a shining beacon of freedom throughout the world. Despite the whiny voices of millions of young people and radical left-wing activists who lack historical context to understand the incredible beauty and novelty of what we have in the U.S., were currently living in the most successful nation the world has ever seen. (In terms of wealth, freedom, and opportunity.) Thats a fact thats rather hard to deny. And guess what everyone else wants? A taste of what we have. This leads adversaries, onlookers, and even certain allies to target our great nation. And one of the primary means of attack in the 21st century is via cyber channels. Yet up until recently, the nations cybersecurity infrastructure was soft and poorly-supported. (This is a clear strike against the previous administration -- but thats an entirely different discussion.) Americas networks are threatened daily by criminals, terrorists, and foreign adversaries. In the face of growing threats, the federal government has the responsibility to do its part to ensure America has the best cybersecurity in the world, writes Grant Schneider, Federal Chief Information Security Officer and Senior Director for Cybersecurity Policy under President Donald Trump. Failures to prioritize cybersecurity by both government and industry have left our Nation less secure. In light of this, President Trump unveiled Americas new cybersecurity strategy in 2018 - the first one in more than 15 years. This Administration will not treat cyberspace as a separate arena. Instead, we are integrating cyber into all elements of national power, Schneider continues. Structuring the National Cyber Strategy around the four pillars of the National Security Strategy reflects and advances and this approach. According to the new National Cyber Strategy, the four pillars are as follows: Protect the American People, the Homeland, and the American Way of Life Cybersecurity risks will be managed in such a way that they increase the resilience of the nations various information systems. This is being done by taking steps to secure various federal networks and improve incident reporting. Promote American Prosperity The objective is to preserve Americas influence in the technological ecosystem, pursue cyberspace development, and enhance efficiency at all touchpoints. This supports the digital economy and develops an elite cybersecurity workforce. Preserve Peace Through Strength Cybersecurity is all about identifying, countering, disrupting, degrading, and deterring any cyberspace activities that run contrary to our national best interests. This is done by increasing knowledge of threats and responding with proactive defenses. Advance American Influence The fourth pillar aims to preserve the long-term openness, interoperability, security, and reliability of the internet, which continues to support Americas best interests. But this was just the start of the Trump administrations focus on federal cybersecurity. Hes also moved the needle on grooming a talent-rich cyber workforce. Here are a few of the details: President Trump has signed an Executive Order that encourages the creation of programs to grow and strengthen the cybersecurity workforce on an ongoing basis. The administration has developed a rotational program that allows federal employees to expand cybersecurity skills and expertise through temporary reassignments. The administration has established the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Awards, which recognize excellence in both elementary and secondary school educators who teach cybersecurity content to students. As President Trump explains, America built the internet and shared it with the world; now we will do our part to secure and preserve cyberspace for future generations. Practical Ways to Further Strengthen Federal Cybersecurity Federal cybersecurity has improved by leaps and bounds over the past four years, but theres still a long way to go. So without further ado, lets explore some of the practical ways we can continue to improve our efforts and protect against hostile adversaries who want to compromise our freedoms through targeted attacks on our nations technological infrastructure. Educate and Empower The federal government can only do so much. The power has been - and always will be with the American people. The more the government can do to educate and empower private businesses and individuals to strengthen their own individual cybersecurity efforts, the stronger the nation will be as a whole. For example, an increased emphasis on firewalls and how they monitor and filter income and outgoing network traffic could do wonders for the security of individual businesses. The same goes for a focus on multi-factor authentication with social networking platforms and other services with large user bases. Hold Foreign Powers Accountable Technology has changed so rapidly over the past few years that the international rules regarding cybersecurity are hazy and incomplete -- especially when it comes to cyberespionage. If the U.S. wants to do anything about this, it has to solidify ground rules and hold foreign powers accountable when they break them. Garner Support of Allies Cyberspace transcends geographical borders, which means it cant be controlled by any single nation or state. This increases the need for cooperation with allies and interests. Forming some sort of coalition with other countries could strengthen our own national security, while also improving international security in the process. Tap the Private Sector Our nations most innovative work comes from the private sector. This is something the government needs to recognize and respect. Through government grants and sponsorships, its possible that Silicon Valley and techpreneurs could come together to create the next big wave of cybersecurity technology to benefit both the private and public sectors. What Does the Future Hold? While it feels like the internet is all weve ever known, the truth of the matter is that its still relatively young. In 25 or 30 years, well look back at 2020 as still being in the infancy stage of the internet. And having said that, its impossible to know what the future might hold. Cyberattacks and cyberdefenses have changed rather dramatically over just the past three to five years. Trying to project what will happen over the next decade is an impossible and foolish proposition. But we do know one thing: the government must continue to invest in national cybersecurity to protect our great country against dangerous external attacks that threaten to compromise the fabric of our nation. The protest against the prime minister and his government is growing over their failure to handle the countrys economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister also faces a corruption trial. Police arrest at least 50 people. For Sobhy Makhoul, Israel needs a left-of-centre leader capable of taking up the challenge. After years of lethargy, there is an awakening. Jerusalem (AsiaNews) The wave of protests in Israel against the government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues. Some 50 people were arrested yesterday following clashes between thousands of protesters and the police. The government has come in for serious criticism over its poor handling of the coronavirus pandemic, amid a surge in new cases (less serious according to scientists), and the economic crisis, whilst the prime minister is seen as unfit for office because of fraud and corruption which he must answer in court. Speaking to AsiaNews, Sobhy Makhoul, a member of the Maronite Church in Jerusalem and administrator of the Christian Media Center, notes that Israel "is experiencing the birth of a new movement". We are witnessing limited centre and left-of-centre political actions, which have not been seen for some time: an awakening after so many years asleep, of lethargy. They include military, intellectuals, activists and citizens who openly challenge the prime minister, starting with the charges of corruption. For the Christian leader, Netanyahu "is mismanaging the coronavirus emergency" and has made mistakes at the economic level, presenting two or three projects, including tax exemptions for the rich, many of whom are his associates. This has led to dissatisfaction. This, coupled with allegations of corruption, has generated "a wave of protests that seem to grow" day by day. For Sobhy Makhoul, unlike the past, "these protests will have a future" also because the pandemic has angered people, raised tensions and worsened the problems, starting with the economy "where Netanyahu has done little for ordinary people". His government ally, the centrist leader Benny Gantz, also does not seem to enjoy greater support in the population. He is also very weak, and attention is concentrated on the left, where a leader capable of harnessing support could finally emerge. Triggering the confrontation with the security forces was the attempt by a group of demonstrators to protest in front of the Prime Ministers Residence in Jerusalem. Hundreds blocked the main access roads to the holy city, especially Jaffa Street and the surrounding streets. The police moved in with water cannons and mounted officers. Protesters shouted slogans and sang, waved flags, and carried anti-Netanyahu and anti-government banners. Netanyahus corruption makes us sick," "Netanyahu resign" or "Crime Minister" read some of the placards carried by the crowd. The central issue is the corruption trial that hangs over Netanyahu's head and which, according to critics, makes him unfit to lead the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and the annexation plan of the Palestinian territories. Police said that protesters were taken into custody for causing public disturbance, vandalism and resisting public officials. Eight were remanded in custody, whilst the others were released on restricted conditions. Protesters allegedly beat up a man suspected of being an undercover police officer. A dozen of pro-Netanyahu sympathisers demonstrated in support of the prime minister. One anti-Netanyahu protester, Yasmin, said: I was born in 1996. That means I have not known a world without Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu]. I dont know what it is to have a decent prime minister, someone who thinks about the people. Meanwhile, unemployment is rising. The number of the unemployed rose from 3.4 per cent in February to 27 per cent in April, before falling to 23.5 per cent in May. Many of the jobless cannot benefit from state subsidies, especially self-employed workers and small entrepreneurs. Promised financial aid has not reached those it was intended for. On July 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed about developments in Libya. After their discussion, which was initiated from the Emirati side, Russia stated that it and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) wished to revive inter-Libyan dialogue initiatives and consolidate international efforts on a political-diplomatic settlement of the Libyan crisis. Russias official statement placed discussions about Libya within the broader context of a strengthening Russia-UAE strategic partnership, which was forged by both countries in June 2018. Due to their regular consultations and shared support for Libya National Army (LNA) strongman Khalifa Hifter's offensive on Tripoli, Russia and the UAE are often described as partners in Libya. Albadr Alshateri, a former professor at Abu Dhabis National Defense College and commentator on Emirati security policy, told Al-Monitor that the UAE and Russia are on the same side of the Libyan conflict. To elaborate on this assertion, Alshateri said that the UAE sees Russia as a very reliable partner as opposed to Western countries who have to defer to parliaments and civil society pressure. If Vladimir Putin says something, you will have an ironclad commitment that it will be done. Despite tightened Russia-UAE military cooperation, which includes reports of the UAE financing Russias Wagner Group private military contractors in Libya, the collapse of Hifter's offensive against Tripoli has exposed latent frictions within Moscow and Abu Dhabis approaches to Libya. This discord is principally fueled by Russia and the UAEs clashing geopolitical ambitions and differing acceptable post-conflict outcomes in Libya. In a comment to Al-Monitor, Kirill Semenov, a Russian defense expert focusing on Middle East affairs, summarized Russia-UAE disagreements on Libya. Semenov stated that Russias vision for Libya is driven by pragmatism as Russia is ready to work with all Libyan forces that might be useful, but the UAEs involvement in Libya is motivated by ideology and its opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey and Qatar. Given this contrast in their respective approaches to Libya, Russia and the UAE disagree most sharply on diplomatic engagement with Turkey, the extent of their loyalty to Hifter and the acceptability of prospective Egyptian military intervention in Libya. Russias continued engagement with Turkey on Libya has engendered periodic frictions with the UAE since January. The sudden breakdown of the Russia-Turkey cease-fire initiative on Jan. 14, which was triggered by Hifter's walkout from Libyan peace negotiations, was rapidly linked to interference from the UAE Embassy in Moscow. On Jan. 15, Libyas Chairman of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri confirmed these rumors by stating that the presence of a charge daffaires of the UAE Embassy in Russia at the negotiations triggered Hifter's volte-face on peace. As tensions between Russia and Turkey over Syria have de-escalated since their March 5 accord on Idlib, both countries have engaged in regular dialogue on Libya. Due to these consultations, the UAE is skeptical of Russias diplomatic aspirations in Libya and reportedly spearheaded efforts to block the appointment of former Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra as UN special envoy to Libya, as he was deemed to be too close to Moscow. The UAE and Russia have also differed in their levels of commitment to Hifter's military ambitions in Libya. Even though both Russia and the UAE have expressed frustrations with Hifter's declaration of self-rule, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov immediately condemned this move and Anwar Gargash criticized Hifter on June 17 for making unilateral calculations that have turned out wrong, these shared reservations have not translated into policy coordination. On May 2, Tobruk-based House of Representatives head Aguila Saleh claimed that Russia was behind Hifters sudden truce offer on April 30, which contrasted with the UAEs support for continued LNA military operations. Moreover, the UAE has not followed Russias efforts to bolster Salehs political standing at a time when he is reportedly clashing with Hifter. When asked about Russias willingness to engage with Saleh, Mohammed Ali Abdallah, a senior adviser to the Government of National Accord (GNA) on US affairs, told Al-Monitor that both Russia and the UAE wished to destabilize Libya but had different aspirations for how they will benefit from installing Gaddafi 2.0. Abdallah argued that Russia is engaging with Saleh to secure a proxy player at the bargaining table, which will further its objectives of establishing a permanent military presence on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. If Russia can secure a military foothold in eastern Libya by aligning with Saleh and appeal to the GNA by framing itself as being able to moderate Hifter's conduct, Moscow could diminish the UAEs clout in post-war Libya. Another potential source of discord between Russia and the UAE stems from both countries divergent reactions to the prospect of Egyptian military intervention in Libya. The UAE immediately rallied behind President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis national security argument for intervening in Libya, which was voiced on June 20. Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a leading Dubai-based political scientist, argued that Egypts status as a top 10 military power could allow it to successfully deter Turkey through the use of force. Russias refusal to endorse Egypts threat to militarily intervene in Libya was viewed by prominent academics, like Higher School of Economics professor Andrey Chuprygin, as proof of Moscows deviation from Saudi Arabia and the UAEs position on this issue. Semenov concurred with Chuprygins assessment, as he told Al-Monitor that an Egyptian invasion of Libya would reduce Moscows role in Libyan affairs and that Moscow could strategically bolster or cut military aid to the LNA to undermine Cairos intervention. Although Russia-UAE cooperation in Libya remains a cornerstone of Moscows strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi, sources of discord impede strategic cooperation between the two countries. These disagreements are not unique to Libya, as the UAE disagrees with Russia on the acceptability of Irans presence in Syria, and Russia has criticized the UAEs unilateralism in southern Yemen. Nevertheless, if these frictions persist, Russia and the UAEs alignment in Libya could more closely resemble the competitive partnership dynamic that has long defined Moscows cooperation with Iran in Syria. Ukraine should sign ECAA agreement as soon as possible Stefanyshyna Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanyshyna has said that the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) Agreement should be signed with Ukraine as soon as possible. "The agreement will contribute to development of Ukraine's aviation industry, increasing the number of flights and the passenger flow," Stefanyshyna said during a phone conversation with European Commissioner for Transport Adina Ioana Valean, according to the deputy prime minister's press service. During the conversation, they stressed the importance of including Ukraine's inland waterways to the region regional map of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), in particular the Ukrainian part of the Danube River. "Active participation of Ukraine in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region is one of my priorities. It is about the strengthening of our practical cooperation and communication with the EU member states," she said. LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - Britain publishes plans on Thursday to keep trade flowing freely between its constituent nations when regulatory powers are reclaimed from the European Union at the end of the year and redistributed to devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While it was part of the EU, Britain abided by the bloc's rules in areas like agriculture, the environment, consumer protection and employment rights. Now that Britain has left, those powers will be repatriated to the UK. Some will remain with the central government in London, others will be distributed to the devolved nations. Thursday's plan will outline who gets what and how they are overseen. Both the Welsh and Scottish administrations have in the past voiced concern that they will lose out to central government in the distribution. The government said its plan was designed to ensure rules do not diverge within Britain and create barriers to trade - guided by principles of mutual recognition and non-discrimination. "We want to ensure the most successful political and economic union of nations in the world continues to grow and thrive," said business minister Alok Sharma. The independence-minded administration of Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland will be watching the distribution particularly closely. Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom in 2014, but its overall opposition to Brexit has renewed separatist sentiment. The coronavirus pandemic has also highlighted the tension among the home nations. Despite sharing a land border with England, Scotland and Wales have each chosen to diverge from and often criticise English lockdown rules. Nevertheless, British cabinet minister Michael Gove described the plan as a "power surge" to devolved administrations. It will be subject to a consultation with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland before the final wording of legislation is decided. (Reporting by William James; editing by Stephen Addison) House Democrats advanced three provisions today that would broadly curtail President Donald Trumps ability to conduct offensive military action across the Middle East and the world should they become law as part of the annual defense spending bill. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., introduced all three amendments, which would repeal the 2001 military authorization used as the legal basis for counterterrorism operations throughout the world after eight months, immediately revoke the 2002 authorization to invade Iraq and prohibit the president from using funds to launch offensive military action against Iran. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the 2001 authorization, which Congress hastily passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. From pulling out of the Iran deal, to moving US carriers to the region, the administration has continued to issue vague threats of military action, Lee said ahead of the vote series. It has even floated the idea of using the 2001 Authorization for the use of Military Force (AUMF) as a legal basis to go to war with Iran. Congress cannot allow this to happen, and its a stark reminder once again of the danger that using the 2001 AUMF on the books indefinitely could cause another unfortunate war. The House Appropriations Committee adopted all three Lee amendments to the defense spending bill over Republican objections before advancing the legislation in a 30-22 party-line vote. Why it matters: None of the Lee amendments are new. Democrats tried to repeal the 2002 Iraq war authorization and defund offensive military action against Iran as part of last years defense authorization bill. And last years spending package also included a Lee amendment to sunset the 2001 authorization within months. However, Democrats abandoned all three provisions during negotiations on compromise legislation with the Republican-held Senate. Shortly after the signing the compromise bills in December, President Trump cited the Iraq war authorization as part of his legal justification for killing Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in January. Whats next: The Senate defense bill is unlikely to contain any of the Lee provisions, setting up a potential flashpoint in negotiations to fund the Defense Department for fiscal year 2021. If Democrats succeed, Congress would have eight months to replace the 2001 authorization which is used as the legal justification to attack the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, the Taliban and a myriad of other terrorist groups before the law becomes void. Republicans argue that Congress is unlikely to coalesce around any new military authorization. It is not in the United States interest to repeal this counterterrorism authority without having an adequate replacement that we know will be signed into law, said Rep. Ken Calvert of California, the top Republican on the defense spending panel. Repeal and replace would need to be simultaneous. Know more: Democrats did succeed in convincing some Republicans to pass an Iran war powers resolution this year after the Soleimani strike, but Congress failed to override Trumps veto. Congressional Correspondent Bryant Harris has that story and the White Houses changing legal justification for the Soleimani killing right here. A website has been launched for credit unions and other financial institution plaintiffs to file claims in the settlement reached in the Equifax data breach lawsuit. CUNA, Leagues and credit unions are among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which stems from a 2017 data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 145 million consumers. The settlement, announced in June, provides up to $4.50 per alerted-on payment card as well as up to $5,000 per financial institution for its documented damages claim resulting from PII theft for class members. The total amount being offered for these two components is $5.5 million. The Settlement Class will be limited to financial institutions that had alerted-on payment cards as a result of the breach. While most law enforcement agencies say theyve been blessed to have healthy employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least nine law enforcement staff members in the Mountain Empire have tested positive for the coronavirus including eight employees at the Smyth County Sheriffs Office. Deputies in Smyth County and Wythe County have tested positive within the last two weeks, authorities said. Smyth County Sheriff Chip Shuler said late Tuesday that eight positive COVID-19 tests have been reported at his office, including four bailiffs, one patrol deputy, one captain and two support staff members. Shuler said he believes one of his deputies contracted the virus after encountering a Wythe County deputy. The deputy was among the officers at the July 3 protests in Marion but stayed on standby at the Smyth County Courthouse. The sheriff said the Health Department, the Saltville Medical Center and Ballad Health are assisting the office with testing and guidance. The courthouse will be closed until Monday, but the Sheriffs Office remains open. Shuler said citizens using the office need to use the door buzzers or call in for their safety. I ask that everyone please wear a mask and practice social distancing, Shuler said. This virus is real. No other deputies or officers have tested positive, according to area officials. We have not had any employees test positive, said Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis. We are taking extra precautions. Washington County Sheriffs Office staff members are being screened daily for any COVID-19 symptoms to prevent any spread to others, Andis said. Officers also go through many hours of training on how to protect the public from communicable diseases. No Sullivan County employees have been sent for testing, but Capt. Andy Seabolt said some could have been tested on their own. We have been blessed to have kept a healthy staff during the pandemic, Seabolt said. Staff members are still exercising caution and will continue to into the foreseeable future. No Wise County Sheriffs Office employees have tested positive, but some have been tested as a precaution. All have returned negative, according to Sheriff Grant Kilgore. A this time, we have not had any of our staff test positive for COVID-19, Kilgore said. We have truly been blessed up to this point. Kilgore said his office is following all precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the local health department. No officers in either Bristol have tested positive, police department officials in both cities said Tuesday. Not as of this date, said Bristol Virginia Police Department Capt. Darryl Milligan. Weve been lucky. Bristol Tennessee Police Chief Blaine Wade said his department continues to take extra precautions during the pandemic. Reporter Jasmine Franks contributed to this story. Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Mr Christoph Retzlaff, the German Ambassador to Ghana, has said Africa remains at the heart of the European Unions (EU) global response to COVID-19. As Team Europe, we stand with our neighbouring continent to respond to the immediate priorities of African states, societies and people in need in this crisis, Mr Retzlaff said in a message issued and copied to the Ghana New Agency in Accra on Tuesday. He said the EUs support to Africa echoes the United Nations call to build back better, since Africa alone could not surmount the weight of the pandemic. The Ambassador said now that Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, We are expanding our cooperation with the African Unions Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to advance diagnostics and disseminate information on COVID-19. During its term as Council Presidency, Germany will lend its full support to an ever stronger EU-Africa partnership aimed at building a shared and brighter future for our peoples, the statement said. It said when COVID-19 struck at the beginning of the year, it revealed in drastic ways, how interconnected all countries were, adding that while the rapid spread of the pandemic impacted all people, it had not affected us in similar ways. It has hit Africa particularly hard, causing severe economic, social and humanitarian damage. The statement said the present crisis had reinforced Europes partnership with Africa with determination for closer cooperation, guided by a sense of shared responsibility and solidarity. It said for instance, Germany, in making a strong commitment to Team Europe, had taken extensive steps in the fight against COVID-19 by helping build resilient health systems and mitigate the economic and social impact for people in Africa. The statement said amongst other bi-and multilateral commitments, Germany had backed the World Health Organization (WHO) in its coordinating role in the fight against COVID-19 by increasing its annual commitment for year 2020 to over 500 million including; 250 million for the WHOs Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, making it the largest donor. We support the European Commissions Coronavirus Global Response initiative and the WHO-initiated global ACT platform to develop and ensure an equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, it said. The statement said Germanys commitments amounted to a total of 908 million, which included; 230 million for CEPI and an additional 100 million for Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance; as well as advocating strongly within the G7 and the G20, for a moratorium on debt payments for least developed countries and secured additional credit lines through World Bank and the IMF. It said the Federal Government, was also providing 450 million in additional humanitarian assistance to ensure food security, water supply and sanitation for the most vulnerable groups, including; refugees and displaced persons in conflict regions, and to keep the humanitarian logistical system up and running. Without collective action, solidarity, and empathy, it will be impossible to tackle this global challenge. If we uphold these values in our joint effort against COVID-19, we can apply them to many other pressing global challenges we are facing together. The upcoming AU-EU Summit is a milestone for jointly developing a broad and ambitious political agenda that will deepen our strategic cooperation in the long term, the statement said. It said at the country level, Germany responded and supported Ghanas COVID-19 rapid response measures with up to 18 million EUR grants, including providing the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) a 650.000 EUR grant to modernize the centres technical facilities and to buy consumables and reagents for more testing of potential COVID-19 cases, adding that the KCCR was supported and seconded by a German virologist since 2016. The statement said also, in collaboration with the German Company Hospital Engineering, the German Government was supporting seven public and private hospitals in the Greater Accra region to protect their medical staff from Covid-19 infections, while treating patients in intensive care. It said with co-financing from the German Government and the EU, 17 public-sector partners and 45 private partners from the agric sector in the North West Region of Ghana would be supplied with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to secure working capacities in the agricultural sector in the beginning of the harvest season. 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 An airport worker guides a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319-100 plane on the tarmac at LAX in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 6, 2020. Delta Air Lines said Wednesday it expects to take a charge of as much as $3.3 billion from voluntary separation agreements with staff as it seeks to slash its labor bill because of the coronavirus pandemic. Delta and other carriers are urging employees to take buyouts and early retirement packages to help it cut costs with little end in sight to the pandemic's impact on air travel. They're prohibited from laying off workers through Sept. 30 under the terms of a $25 billion federal aid package to support employee payroll. Delta's CEO Ed Bastian said on an earnings call on Tuesday that more than 17,000 of the Atlanta-based carrier's roughly 91,000 employees signed up for the separation packages, which include cash severance, extended health care benefits and free flights. New Delhi: Actress Kriti Sanon dropped a cryptic post on Instagram last night, a month after actor Sushant Singh Rajput's demise. She did not tag anyone in her post or dedicated it to anyone. It simply said, "And in between a guilty laughter that pretended to move on, her eyes shed tears of reality and broke all her delusions." Kriti and Sushant were rumoured to be dating in 2017. In the same year, their film 'Raabta' had also released. Sushant died on June 14 by suicide in Mumbai. Kriti was one of the few people from the industry who had attended his funeral. After his sudden demise, Kriti had also penned an emotional eulogy for Sushant. She said that a piece of her heart has gone with him and she is completely broken with his passing away. "Sush, I knew that your brilliant mind was your best friend and your worst enemy.. but it has broken me completely to know that you had a moment in your life where dying felt easier or better than living," read an excerpt from Kriti's heartbreaking note. She added, "I so wish you had people around you to get you pass THAT moment, I wish you hadnt pushed the ones who loved you away.. I wish I could have fixed that something which was broken inside you.. I couldn't.." "I wish so, so many things.. A part of my heart has gone with you.. and a part will always keep you alive.. Never stopped praying for your happiness and never will," Kriti signed off. Meanwhile, she also shared the trailer of Sushant's last film 'Dil Bechara' and said it would be hard to watch it. 'Dil Bechara', directed by Mukesh Chhabra, and also starring Sanjana Sanghi, streams on Disney+ Hotstar from July 24. HOUSTON A government auditor did not employ medical professionals when his office cleared U.S. border agents of wrongdoing in the deaths of two Guatemalan children, the auditor said Wednesday. Joseph Cuffari, the Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general, testified before the House Homeland Security Committee regarding the deaths of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal and 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo. Both children died in December 2018 after being apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. Jakelin died of a bacterial infection that quickly led to sepsis and organ failure. Felipe contracted the flu, which led to a rapid, progressive infection. In both cases, the children were in Border Patrol custody, sick for hours, before they were taken to hospitals. Advocates have accused the Border Patrol of negligence and say the Trump administration has not done enough to protect immigrant families. The agency has defended the care given to migrants, including numerous rescues of people trying to cross the border, and said agents took both children to the hospital as quickly as they could. Jakelins father signed an English-language form shortly after they were apprehended saying she was in good health, but his native language is the indigenous Qeqchi. Their deaths occurred when many Border Patrol facilities were packed with parents and children during a surge in border crossings. Border facilities are currently close to empty during the coronavirus pandemic because the U.S. government is expelling almost all people crossing the border, including at least 2,000 children. Cuffaris office found no misconduct or malfeasance by DHS personnel in either death. Questioned by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who chairs the committee, he acknowledged that his office had not contracted any medical personnel for the reviews, but that it would do so in the future. Jakelin and Felipe are two of at least six immigrant children known to have died after being apprehended by government agents since August 2018. A third child, 16-year-old Carlos Hernandez Vasquez, also died after contracting the flu and was found to have been lying unresponsive in a Border Patrol cell for hours before his death. Their deaths sparked national outrage and multiple investigations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued new directives on medical care and notifying Congress and the public about deaths. But months after they died, reports emerged of children locked in cells at a Border Patrol station in Clint, Texas, with inadequate food, water and sanitation. CBP at the time said it was in crisis and needed funding. Congress then passed $4.6 billion in emergency funding to improve conditions at the border. The Government Accountability Office found last month that CBP misspent some money intended for medical care on things like all-terrain vehicles, boats, and a police dog program. A new GAO report released Wednesday found that CBP had not consistently implemented enhanced medical care policies and procedures or have reliable information on deaths or serious injuries in its custody. In a statement, CBP said a very small percentage of spending was incorrectly categorized and that it was fixing any mistakes. CBP takes its role in providing care and ensuring the health, safety, security, and welfare of each adult and child in its custody very seriously, the agency said. Lahore: Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has criticised the Nawaz Sharif government for giving a cool response to India over alleged atrocities in Kashmir, saying people in the Valley need Pakistans full practical support. The Pakistani governments response to India over atrocities in Kashmir is cool and by doing so it is not pleading the case of oppressed Kashmiris, Saeed said, delivering Friday sermon at JuD headquarters Masjid-e-Qadsia. ALSO READ: (26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed finds easy villain in India for Pak's political turmoil) He said there is no value of one or two statements in favour of Kashmiris by the Prime Minister and other members of his government rather they need full practical support. ALSO READ: (Pakistani lawmaker demands action against 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Resident doctors working at the COVID-19 isolation centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, have embarked on an indefinite industrial action. Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the hospital, comprising resident doctors, medical officers and house officers, had on July 1 begun the strike but doctors at the isolation centres were exempted. The strike action followed letters issued to the state government and a series of protests over the refusal of their demands by the state government. Some of the doctors demands include non-implementation of the new minimum wage, hazard allowance, inappropriate remuneration, low entry-level and absence of a life insurance policy for its members. According to the doctors, the alleged refusal of the state government to appropriately attend to previous warning letters had shown that the government was less concerned about their plight. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the doctors left the isolation centre following the directive by the Association of Resident Doctors, OOUTH, Sagamu. They were instructed to leave their duty posts at the isolation centre and join the indefinite strike. This was confirmed in a statement jointly signed by ARDs president, Popoola Mutiu, and the secretary, Osundara Tope. READ ALSO: The association in the statement said it has rescinded its decision to continue work and asked its members to leave the isolation centre in protest against the alleged maltreatment of its members by the state government. Since the government has chosen to simply rub the issues without any form of real commitment, our members working at the COVID 19 Isolation Centre will henceforth join the Industrial action. We expect the government not to dethrone reasoning or shirk from responsibility expected of a considerate, sincere and truthful government. We call on the Ogun State government not to leave us up a creek without a paddle. Our service to the people should not be abridged by the ineptitude of the government. We work for the common good and sound health of the people of Ogun State, the statement reads. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 15, 2020 / Core One Labs Inc. (CSE:COOL)(OTCQX:CLABD)(Frankfurt:LD62)(WKN:A2P8K3) (the "Company"). The Company wishes to advise its valued shareholders that the new management team ("Management") is currently working with its auditor and accountants around the clock to finalize its audited financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the year-ended December 31, 2019. With the majority of the Company's operations being located in California, COVID -19 has caused delays to the audit that are beyond Management's control due to the ongoing border closure with the United States, travel restrictions arising from the ongoing pandemic, and related lockdowns imposed by the State of California. Management continues to work closely with its auditor to ensure the audit is completed as close to the July 15th deadline as possible. At the outset, Management was able to identify the areas of the audit which required the most amount of attention, and moved to address those immediately, including deploying funds from the recently completed financing to settle an outstanding account with the auditors. Daily update calls are being done with the auditors and accountants to ensure the auditors have the full support of Management to expedite this process and ensure that shareholder value is not lost due to a prolonged cease trade. The Company confirms that it has the financial resources necessary to complete the audit, and now anticipates being in a position to file the audited financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2019, along with the interim financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, and their related MD&A (collectively, the "Required Filings"), by July 31, 2020. "With new management coming on board, our goal is to create shareholder value and build a strong Company. Although there were some clean-up issues when we took over management of the Company, we feel that we have a handle on all items that impact the Company, and are excited about moving the Company forward. The Company is now properly capitalized with two operating assets which are generating monthly revenue. I feel that we are in a strong position to grow the business and create shareholder value, once we get through this challenge," said Joel Shacker, CEO of the Company. The Company is currently subject to a management cease trade order ("MCTO") issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC") on June 16, 2020. The BCSC has now notified the Company that it will not consent to an extension of the MCTO beyond July 15, 2020, and as a result the Company anticipates that a general cease trade order will be issued by the BCSC. It is anticipated that a general cease trade order will remain in effect, and trading in the securities of the Company will be suspended, until the Required Filings are completed. About Core One Labs Inc. Core One Labs Inc. is a technology company that licenses its technology to a state-of-the-art production and packaging facility located in Southern California. The Company's technology produces infused strips (like breath strips) that are not only a safer, healthier option to other forms of delivery but also superior bioavailability of cannabis constituents. Some strips will also include supplemental co-active ingredients such as nutraceuticals, vitamins and peptides. The technology provides a new way to accurately meter the dosage and assure the purity of selected product. Core One Labs Inc. Joel Shacker Chief Executive Officer FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: InvestorRelations@coreonelabs.ca 1-866-347-5058 Cautionary Disclaimer Statement: The Canadian Securities Exchange, and its Regulation Services Provider, have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. In addition, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under the United States Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Although Congress has prohibited the US Justice Department from spending federal funds to interfere with the implementation of state medical marijuana laws, this prohibition must be renewed each year to remain in effect. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: Core One Labs Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/597584/Core-One-Labs-Provides-Update-on-Financial-Statements-and-Management-Cease-Trade-Order DHAKA, Bangladesh - Heavy flooding is worsening in parts of Bangladesh, with over 1 million villagers marooned or leaving their homes for higher ground along with their cattle and other belongings, officials and volunteers said Tuesday. Water levels at major rivers were rising Tuesday at around two dozen points in 20 districts. Many new areas in northern, northeastern and central Bangladesh have been affected over last 24 hours, Arifuzzman Bhuiyan, an executive engineer with the Water Development Board, said by phone. Bangladesh has 64 districts. The situation is worsening, he said. The worst thing is that the floods are getting prolonged this year, which is a bad sign. Bhuiyan said heavy rainfall and rushing waters from upstream India were the main reasons for the floods in the delta nation of 160 million people, which receives monsoon rains between June and October every year, often leading to flooding. The floods started late last month, and after briefly easing continued to worsen, affecting many new areas, destroying crops and driving people from their homes in several impoverished regions. Bangladesh is crisscrossed by 230 rivers, including 53 shared with India. In the northern district of Kurigram, one of the worst-hit areas, thousands of villagers have moved from their homes to higher ground since the weekend, bringing along their cattle and other belongings, said Mizanur Rahman Soikat, project co-ordinator with the Bidyanondo Foundation, a local charity. The foundation has been distributing both cooked and dry food to the flood-affected villagers, many of whom have lost their crops and livelihood. Soikat said that over the last few weeks, the charity has distributed food to some 135,000 people in Kurigram, while the governments relief office was also providing food, cash and cattle food. Over last two days, the situation has deteriorated and many villages went underwater in the district, he said by phone. I have seen thousands taking shelter. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement Monday that more than a million Bangladeshis have been marooned by the floods, with the worst of it happening since the weekend. Thousands of people are expected to leave their homes throughout the beginning of this week to seek shelter in higher ground as the Water Development Board warned that the onrush of water from upstream would further intensify, the statement said. A.T.M. Akhteruzzman, a relief and rehabilitation officer in the northern district of Rangpur, said about 50,000 people who live along the Teesta River basin have been marooned. Waters are coming from India, while heavy rainfalls in the region are causing havoc, he said. We are trying to do our best to stand by the people, as we have already provided more than 300 tons of rice, cattle food, baby food and a good amount of cash. Our relief operations will continue. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin visits the control centre for a launch pad for the Soyuz-2 carrier rockets at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia. The head of Russia's space organization criticized the current United States plan to return astronauts to the moon as "a big political project," saying his country is instead speaking with China about establishing a lunar base of operations. NASA last year announced its Artemis program, the agency's plan to fulfill President Donald Trump's order in 2017 to return Americans to the surface of the moon by 2024. Additionally, NASA in May unveiled the "Artemis Accords" a set of principles it seeks to use as the basis of international agreements with other countries about using and operating in space, especially as the U.S. returns to the moon. But Dmitry Rogozin, the leader of state-backed space corporation Roscosmos, said Russia does not intend to join any such U.S. partnership. CNBC translated Rogozin's comments from an interview with Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda, published on Monday. "For the United States, this right now is a big political project. With the lunar project, we are observing our American partners retreat from principles of cooperation and mutual support, which formed in collaboration with the [International Space Station]. They are perceiving their program not as an international one, but one resembling NATO," Rogozin said. NASA and the White House did not respond to CNBC's requests for comment on Rogozin's remarks. Rogozin declared that Russia is not interested in participating in NASA's Artemis, but hinted that "there are other projects that interest us." One such possibility for Roscosmos: Joining China in building a base on the moon's south pole. Rogozin emphasized that he recently spoke with the leadership of China's space agency about shaping such a partnership. "We agreed to begin the first steps toward meeting each other halfway, namely by determining the contours and value of a lunar scientific base," Rogozin said. FARMINGTON Outdoor Shakespeare returns to Greater Hartford with a reading of Shakespeares rom-com epic poem, Venus & Adonis by members of the Capital Classics Theatre Company, Aug. 5 at Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Road. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 6:30 p.m. on Hill-Stead Museums Veranda and West Lawn. Guests are encouraged to maintain safety standards and bring a blanket, picnic dinner and even order beverages online from the Wise Old Dog boutique bottle shop in West Hartford. Tickets are $20 each and must be purchased in advance on the Hill-Stead website. Venus & Adonis tells the story of the Roman goddess of love, Venus, who is smitten with Adonis, the most beautiful youth ever created. It seems like a match made in mythical bliss, but in Shakespeares comedic twist Adonis would much prefer to go hunting. The cast includes some of the regular members of the Capital Classics Theatre Company, who will present the tale in a lively reading, accompanied by live music by Jaeme McDonald. For safety precautions, Capital Classics and Hill-Stead Museum require that guests practice physical distancing by standing/sitting at least six feet apart while standing in lines and moving around the property. Face masks should be worn by all visitors. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at entrances and high contact areas. Hill-Stead employees have pre-marked spaces on the lawn for groups. Upon arrival, guests will be escorted to a pre-marked space on the west lawn by an employee wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Visit Hillstead.org or CapitalClassics.org to order $20 tickets in advance or for more information. For tickets, go to www.hillstead.org/event/from-the-porch-august-5/ China Warns Weekend Vote May Have Violated Hong Kong's New National Security Law By VOA News July 14, 2020 China is warning the recent vote by pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong to choose candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections there may have violated the new national security law imposed on the financial hub. More than 600,000 Hong Kongers flocked to some 250 polling stations to cast ballots to select the strongest pro-democracy candidates to contest pro-Beijing candidates in September's Legislative Council elections, defying earlier warnings from Erick Tsang Kwok-Wai, secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, that the vote might run afoul of the national security law. A statement issued Monday by the Liaison Office, which represents the mainland Chinese government in Hong Kong, called the primary vote "a serious provocation to the current electoral system." The statement also criticized the efforts of the vote's organizers, specifically longtime pro-democracy activist Benny Tai, as an attempt "to seize the power of governance in Hong Kong and stage the Hong Kong version of a 'color revolution.'" The term is used to describe popular protest movements around the world that have swept a government from power. Pro-democracy forces say the goal of fronting candidates for the September elections is to achieve a parliamentary majority that could block passage of the budget and other key legislation, and thereby force the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Under the new security law, anyone in Hong Kong believed to be carrying out terrorism, separatism, subversion of state power or collusion with foreign forces could be tried and face life in prison if convicted. The new law was a response to the massive and often violent pro-democracy demonstrations that engulfed the financial hub in the latter half of last year. Western governments and human rights advocates say the measure effectively ends the "One Country, Two Systems" policy under which Hong Kong was promised a high degree of autonomy after the handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dixons Carphone full-year sales fell by 1%, while sales at its UK and Ireland mobile phone business collapsed by 20%. Photo: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images Electrical retailer Dixons Carphone (DC.L) has blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for halving annual profits. Dixons Carphone said on Wednesday it made an adjusted pre-tax profit of 166m ($209m) in the 53 weeks to 3 May, compared to an adjusted profit of 339m in the prior year. This years profit was 44m below guidance given by the company in January. On a non-adjusted basis, Dixons Carphone lost 140m in the year, an improvement on last years loss of 259m. The retailer has been in the midst of a turnaround plan and blamed the COVID-19 pandemic squarely for the poor performance. The first ten months of the year was a story of delivering on our promises and accelerating the transformation of Dixons Carphone, chief executive Alex Baldock said in a statement. With COVID-19, our immediate priorities abruptly changed to keeping everyone safe, helping our customers and securing our future. READ MORE: Asos to pay back government furlough money as sales rise Dixons Carphone was forced to close its stores due to lockdown in the UK in March. Sales for the full financial year fell 1% to 10.1bn, dragged down by a poor performance for the companys mobile phone business in the UK and Ireland. Smartphone sales fell by 20%. Independent retail analyst Nick Bubb said: The results themselves are nothing to write home about, given the big loss in UK Mobile. And shareholders may groan to hear that the UK Mobile loss in the new year is now expected to be slightly worse than last year. There is no guidance on current trading or the outlook in the core Electricals business, although the company says that technology retailing is resilient. Baldock said: We expect a weakening of consumer spending later this year and are being cautious in our planning. We've learned a lot during this crisis and will emerge a better business from it. Shares in Dixons Carphone fell by 2.5%. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE The number of new coronavirus infections detected in New Mexico tied the states record high Wednesday, reaching 330 cases. The growth was driven by an explosion of cases in Bernalillo County, home to Albuquerque, the states largest city. The countys new case total jumped from 65 on Tuesday to 162 on Wednesday. Health officials also reported the deaths of six more residents, pushing the statewide death toll to 557. Those who died ranged in age from their 30s to their 80s. Five of the six had underlying medical conditions, a risk factor for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The jump to 330 cases ties the daily record from June 5, when an outbreak at the Otero County prison helped drive the growth. Wednesdays surge in infections isnt simply a result of increased testing. About 4.7% of the tests reported Wednesday were positive, up from about the states overall average of 3.6% since March. The state reported 174 virus patients in hospitals Wednesday, a slight increase from the day before. Statistical modeling by Presbyterian Healthcare Services and state officials, meanwhile, offers a hint of optimism. The spread rate of the disease fell to an estimated 1.1 through Monday meaning each sick person will, on average, infect 1.1 others. It had been 1.2 as recently as June 21, according to the Presbyterian data. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration issued a more stringent health order this week, requiring people to wear masks almost anytime they leave the house and banning indoor dining at restaurants. One week after Tulsa police reported Officer Aurash Zarkeshans condition was improving, the agency provided an escort for his transport to the airport as he enters the next stage of his recovery. Tulsa police on Wednesday escorted an EMSA ambulance as it took Zarkeshan from St. John Medical Center to the Tulsa International Airport. About 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, a caravan of patrol vehicles cleared the way on Utica Avenue, heading north toward Oklahoma 51 and then U.S. 75. A procession of more police vehicles, including a formation of motorcycle officers, led the ambulance on the path to the airport. From there, Zarkeshan was transported via air ambulance to an out-of-state facility. ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador will have a new premier in August as a Liberal leadership race disrupted by COVID-19 barrels ahead amid heightened scrutiny. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Dr. Andrew Furey officially enters the race to replace Dwight Ball as leader of the provincial Liberal party and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. Johns on Tuesday March 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Douglas Gaulton ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador will have a new premier in August as a Liberal leadership race disrupted by COVID-19 barrels ahead amid heightened scrutiny. The contenders are Andrew Furey, a prominent surgeon and charity founder with family connections in Ottawa, and John Abbott, a former civil servant who has served in deputy minister roles. Both have run physically distant campaigns in recent weeks, holding video-call town halls and maintaining a safe two-metre distance when out in public. "It's a lot of looking at the green dot and engaging people through Zoom or other platforms," Furey said in a recent telephone interview. Neither man has held elected office, and the governing Liberal caucus and cabinet have thrown their support behind Furey. The son of Sen. George Furey declared his candidacy shortly after Premier Dwight Ball announced his intention to resign in February, saying he would stay until his party chose a new leader. Ball's commitment took on a new meaning as COVID-19 forced a public health state of emergency in March. The Liberal race that had been set to pick a new leader in May was put on hold after people questioned the party's initial determination to forge ahead despite the pandemic. Kelly Blidook, a political science professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, calls the convergence of events "a perfect storm of things going poorly" for governing the oil-reliant, financially troubled province. Now, with the first wave of the pandemic under control, voting is set to take place remotely between July 28 and Aug. 3. The heightened stakes of choosing a premier not elected by popular vote, in the middle of a global crisis, have focused attention on party decisions that in other circumstances might have attracted little scrutiny. "The moderation role of the committee overseeing everything has kind of been politicized," Blidook said. "It's been front and centre in a way that we don't usually see to the same extent." Last month, Furey's campaign took issue with Abbott's advertisements declaring "everyone can vote" for a new leader when, Furey's camp argued, the vote is limited to party members and supporters. In a decision reported by the online news outlet The Independent, the election committee did not find fault with Abbott's ads. But it did decide to robocall newly registered party supporters to gauge their true allegiances. The review process led to about 1,000 people being found ineligible to vote for various reasons, though they were able to appeal the decision. Of those, 300 people a small fraction of the 33,500 eligible voters were knocked out over their perceived lack of support for the party's objectives. Some who considered themselves lifelong Liberal voters took issue with a process they saw as undemocratic. Blidook says the party's approach to reviewing supporters was logical and fair, but the move may not have been worth the public blowback. "I would have still advised them not to do it," Blidook said. "To go through the optics to purge that tiny proportion of people, I think it probably hurts the party more than it helps." Furey defended the complaint about Abbott's ads, saying it was an issue of the integrity of the process, while noting the campaigns played no role in vetting supporters. He also rejected the idea floated by some observers that the race is a "coronation" in which he is the clear front-runner backed by the party establishment. "This is a full race, and I'm fighting to be successful," Furey said. Furey said he'll continue to work with Ottawa on solutions for the province's financial woes and proposed the new role of a "chief economic recovery officer" to help his government "perform damage control on the ship here." Abbott, who has campaigned on taking a tougher negotiating stance with Ottawa on financial matters, said the party could have done more to encourage voters to sign up. But now that the vetting issue has been mostly resolved, he said he's pleased to see more than 33,000 voters are engaged. "That speaks volumes to me about the interest," Abbott said. He acknowledged that as a candidate who has not held office before, he needs to win voters' trust. Abbott said his policy-focused campaign and experience with government has captured people's attention, even though the Liberal caucus supports his opponent. "We'll see what happens, and we'll know that literally in three weeks," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. [July 15, 2020] Ontario Provincial Police Conducts First NG9-1-1 Call Transfer In Canada - Will Help Save Lives With Next Generation Technology from Avaya and Komutel Avaya (NYSE: AVYA) and Komutel, in close collaboration with Combat Networks, Bell Canada and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), has conducted the first Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) test call transfer in Canada. NG9-1-1 carries the promise of more effective call handling for public safety personnel with the goal of improving outcomes in emergency situations, including those that are life-threatening. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005255/en/ NG9-1-1 is a cross-industry initiative that strengthens and improves how 9-1-1 calls are handled. It reimagines the response possibilities of emergency services, allowing responding agencies the opportunity to have greater context, smoother workflows, and improved operating efficiency. This ultimately helps empower public safety agencies to respond to emergencies with greater speed and effectiveness for better outcomes that save lives and property. Effective handling of 9-1-1 calls often starts at a Primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) where calls are triaged before transfer to the appropriate Secondary PSAP that will take the lead in responding to the incident. While this is standing operating procedure for Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) today, the first NG9-1-1 test call transfer from one PSAP to another has taken place in Canada, marking a significant milestone toward establishing robust NG9-1-1 services. The call originated from the Bell Canada (News - Alert) Emergency Services IP network (ESInet) to the OPP General Headquarters in Orillia where it was transferred across the new network to a PSAP in Quebec. "For an entire generation, 9-1-1 systems and operations have remained mostly unchanged while communications technology such as the internet, cloud, and mobility have raced ahead," said Allan Mendelsohn, Principal Consultant, and Public Safety Practice Lead, Avaya (News - Alert) . "We all have a role to play in realizing the vision for NG9-1-1 in Canada. Avaya is a communication solution provider spanning the entire continuum of public safety-from the enterprise office worker placing an emergency call, to a PSAP, to mobile first responders, and to healthcare professionals at hospitals and trauma centers. It's a role we take seriously." "Citizens expect much more when calling 9-1-1 today, such as the ability to text to 9-1-1, and the move to NG9-1-1 will help get us there," said Deputy Commissioner Rose DiMarco, Commander Ontario Provincial Police Traffic Safety and Operational Support. "This is a key milestone that is the next step towards more fully implementing Next Generation 9-1-1 services across Canada" "Bell is pleased to enable this important milestone in the evolution of NG9-1-1 in Canada with our advanced ESInet technology," said Nicholas Payant, Bell's Vice President of Connectivity and Reliability. "Alongside our technology partners, we're ready to deliver the next generation of innovative 9-1-1 services to public safety and other first responders to support their essential roles in keeping Canadians healthy and safe." "Our team members have been active participants and contributors to CRTC Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG) for several years, which uniquely enables us to partner with PSAPs in order to implement NG9-1-1 solutions as envisioned for Canada," said Yves Laliberte, President, Komutel. "We have combined our technical expertise and collective portfolios with a best of breed approach to helping public safety agencies and their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) evolve from Basic 9-1-1 (B9-1-1) and Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). These customer centric innovations are further enabled by leveraging our open and software-based architectures, and commitment to industry standards as adopted and deployed in Canada." "This is new ground for everyone, so we've applied our best integration specialists to iterate through these trials on behalf of everyone in Canada," said Christopher Emery, Chief Executive Officer at Combat Networks (News - Alert) . "The dedicated team of professionals from Bell Canada, the OPP, and our vendor partners, Avaya and Komutel, have demonstrated that both the technology and expertise for future successful NG9-1-1 deployments are ready to meet and exceed the new standard for Emergency Services in Canada." Learn more about Avaya's Public Safety Communications & Next-Gen Emergency Services. About Avaya Businesses are built on the experiences they provide, and every day millions of those experiences are built by Avaya Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AVYA). For over one hundred years, we've enabled organizations around the globe to win - by creating intelligent communications experiences for customers and employees. Avaya builds open, converged and innovative solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration - in the cloud, on-premise or a hybrid of both. To grow your business, we're committed to innovation, partnership, and a relentless focus on what's next. We're the technology company you trust to help you deliver Experiences that Matter. Visit us at www.avaya.com. About Komutel Komutel is a leading developer of 9-1-1 communication solutions which are easily integrated with our Public Safety Client's existing telecommunications and IT infrastructure (IT, VoIP, TDM, UC, Centrex, VM, mobiles, and radio). Komutel's portfolio of 9-1-1 solutions is designed to be cost effective, and facilitate migration from legacy environment to NG9-1-1(Nena i3) standards while minimizing risks and disruptions as much as possible. Based on Open Standards, the Komutel architecture enables clients to configure the modular applications according to their specific needs, requirements and operational preferences. Komutel is a privately-owned company founded in 2001. About Combat Networks Since July 2001, Combat Networks has assisted its customers by designing and architecting state of the art high-performance networks. We have been installing, and training supported vendor solutions as well as maintaining, monitoring (NOC), and troubleshooting as required. Headquartered in Ottawa and with offices across Canada, we serve many of the country's largest Federal and Provincial Government Departments, National Defense Interests and Fortune 1000 companies. Our corporate mission is to be recognized by our customers as the most knowledgeable, most responsive, and most valuable external resource for network infrastructures where security, performance, and reliability are vital requirements. Everyone at Combat is focused and dedicated to your success by providing a complete lifecycle solution from network planning and project management through to post-sales support and network transition services. Combat has the people, skills, and products to work for you at all stages of the network infrastructure lifecycle. About Bell Canada's largest communications company with more than 22 million consumer and business connections, Bell provides advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication services throughout the country. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home and digital media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE (News - Alert) .ca. About Ontario Provincial Police Please visit www.opp.ca Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking" statements for purposes of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "our vision," "plan," "potential," "preliminary," "predict," "should," "will," or "would" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. The factors are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") available at www.sec.gov, and may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Company's SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not in fact occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. Source (News - Alert) : Avaya Newsroom View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005255/en/ [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] New Delhi, July 15 : A three-day-old infant born in Uttar Pradesh travelled 17 hours on ventilator in an ambulance to get admitted to Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the national capital for a cardiac procedure. Post-surgery, the miracle child showed immense improvement and was discharged within 10 days of neonatal intensive care. The recent event came to light when the infant was referred to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi, post developing breathing trouble right after birth. Surgeons said that the surgery was a high-risk procedure owing to the infant's low birth weight of around 1.5 kg -- the lowest weighing child to have ever gone through such a complex cardiac procedure at this hospital. In view of need, Apollo arranged for the baby's travel to Delhi. "The child travelled for 17 hours on a ventilator in an ambulance and was successfully operated at Apollo Hospital," the hospital told IANS. Dr Muthu Jothi, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Cardiology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said that the case was specifically challenging as a lot of time was lost in getting the baby here and beginning his treatment. "The surgery was a high-risk procedure owing to the infant's low birth weight (1.5 kgs). This was the lowest weighing child at 1.5 kgs, to have ever gone through such a complex cardiac procedure at this hospital. The timely treatment of the kid saved him," Dr Jothi, the lead surgeon for the procedure said. Amidst COVID-19 fear and imposed restrictions on travel, the hospital says emergency services were the worst hit and health conditions that need immediate medical attention have taken a toll. It has been observed that people are delaying their surgeries owing to the fear of visiting a hospital and contracting the infection, the hospital said, adding there is no health condition irrespective of age group that can be ignored or the treatment for which can be put on hold. "More so in the case of infants who are born with congenital heart diseases." Dr Jothi said that congenital heart diseases can be life-threatening for children especially when the treatment is delayed and that if not detected and simultaneously treated at birth, the child develops symptoms like shortness of breath, heart murmurs, recurrent respiratory and lung infections. "This not only impacts the quality of life of the child but also affects the child development and limits life expectancy." Sharing details, the hospital said similar was the case of a seven-year-old child hailing from Ludhiana, who was born with a hole in her heart leading to very high pressure in the lungs (a large ventricular septal defect and severe pulmonary hypertension). The child's surgery had been delayed for a few years owing to financial limitations of the family, the hospital said. Consequently, it said, the girl was brought into Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in an emergency situation when episodes of pneumonia and breathlessness worsened. Amidst stringent travel and lockdown rules, arrangements were made for the child's transportation to Delhi, where she was operated successfully. In situations like this, the hospital says, apart from the surgery itself, travel approvals and organizing finances from various NGOs becomes a larger challenge for the hospital, as every minute wasted can be life threatening for the patient. "Late surgical interventions in children with congenital heart disease can result in several morbidities and mortality. Hence delaying the procedures only puts the patient's life at a greater risk, where surgical interventions at a later stage might not be successful," it added. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal expects that Naftogaz Ukrainy will join the financing of the program to improve the energy security of social infrastructure in the controlled territories of Donbas. "This is a social and charitable program to improve energy security. This program will allow the creation of small solar power plants in schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other social infrastructure. We hope that Naftogaz Ukrainy will support the government in this and will finance the corresponding program in the form of humanitarian assistance!" he said during a government meeting. According to him, the implementation of such a program will be one of the steps to the development of the region and the country as a whole. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:31:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YANGON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Arrangements are underway by Myanmar authorities on repatriation of about 1,800 citizens stranded abroad by relief flights soon, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Xinhua on Wednesday. Due to the suspension of international commercial flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Myanmar government has been repatriating its citizens stranded in foreign countries, in cooperation with the authorities concerned. "We are planning to bring about 1,800 nationals by 13 relief flights in three weeks starting Tuesday," said the official from the Consular and Legal Affairs Department under the ministry. Myanmar nationals will arrive from five countries -- Malaysia, Singapore, Jordan, Australia and South Korea this week, the official said. Minister U Kyaw Tin for International Cooperation recently said that the repatriation programmes need to be adjusted with the capacity of quarantine facilities, and the national-level Central Committee for Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19 has recently limited only 700 nationals to be brought back home in one week. So far, over 8,000 Myanmar nationals stranded in foreign countries and regions have been repatriated by 56 relief flights, the minister said. Enditem Gary Garrels (pictured) resigned as senior curator at the San Francisco Museum of Art after his colleagues circulated a petition accusing him of holding 'toxic white supremacist beliefs' A senior curator at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has resigned after his colleagues circulated a petition accusing him of holding 'toxic white supremacist beliefs'. Gary Garrels sparked outrage among staff when he concluded a presentation about recent acquisitions of art by people of color by saying: 'Don't worry, we will definitely still continue to collect white artists.' The senior curator of painting and sculpture was then confronted about that comment and others during an all-staff Zoom meeting on July 7, according to Artnet. In the meeting Garrels argued that avoiding work by white men would amount to 'reverse discrimination' - prompting a group of museum employees to start a petition calling for him to resign immediately. 'Gary's removal from SFMOMA is non-negotiable,' the petition states. 'Considering his lengthy tenure at this institution, we ask just how long have his toxic white supremacist beliefs regarding race and equity directed his position curating the content of the museum?' About 180 people signed the petition before Garrels stepped down on Saturday, effective July 31. Since then a total of 279 people have added their signatures as of Wednesday. However many people decried his decision to resign over 'baseless accusations' of racism and said he had been unfairly targeted by a 'pathetic cancel culture mob'. Garrels has worked for the SFMOMA for nearly 20 years and also held prominent curatorial positions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Over the course of his career Garrels helped organize early shows by emerging artists of color including Glenn Ligon, Doris Salcedo and Kara Walker, as well as retrospectives featuring Vija Celmins, Bruce Conner and Sol LeWitt. Just last year he spearheaded the sale of a $50.1million Mark Rothko painting that was used to create a fund dedicated to purchasing works by female artists, artists of color and LGBTQ+ artists. Garrels reportedly sparked outrage among SFMOMA staff when he concluded a presentation about recent acquisitions of art by people of color by saying: 'Don't worry, we will definitely still continue to collect white artists. Garrels is pictured (left) with gallery owners Jack Wendler (center) and Adrian Rosenfeld (right) at artist Richard Prince's High Times exhibit in May 2019 Garrels had worked at the SFMOMA (pictured) for more than 20 years before his resignation and also served in curatorial roles at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles Garrels' alleged remark about continuing to collect work by white men was featured in a viral Instagram post on the account @changethemuseum, which seeks to shed light on racism within the museum industry. While the post only referred to a 'white senior curator', it was widely understood to be Garrels. The employee petition charges that Garrels 'has been obtuse (at best) to the point of offense or deliberately racist (at worst) in his retorts to criticism'. 'Amongst SFMOMA staff as well as in public view, Gary has used and continued to use white supremacist and racist language such as "reverse racism",'' it adds. Garrels reportedly made similarly controversial comments earlier this year during a February panel at the FOG Design+Art Fair called 'Ways of Being Seen: Creating Visibility for Women in Art'. 'You've got this huge mountain you're scaling to get to parity, to get to balance. It's going to take a lot of time,' he said, according to KQED. 'The other thing I have to say, and I've reassured artists, we will continue to collect white men. There are a lot of great women artists, but there are also still a lot of good men out there working as well.' Panel moderator Sarah Douglas, the editor in chief of ARTnews, then suggested that curators could help achieve balance in their collections by suspending acquisitions by white men for a period of time. 'I just don't agree with that. That's an alternative, different kind of profiling,' Garrels replied. Employees started a petition for Garrels removal after an all-staff meeting on July 7. 'Gary's removal from SFMOMA is non-negotiable,' the petition states. 'Considering his lengthy tenure at this institution, we ask just how long have his toxic white supremacist beliefs regarding race and equity directed his position curating the content of the museum?' The description on the Change.org petition is shown in full above Garrels acknowledged his remark at the Zoom meeting in his resignation email to staff on Saturday. 'I want to offer my personal and sincere apology to every one of you. I realized almost as soon as I used the term "reverse discrimination" that this is an offensive term and was an extremely poor choice of words on my part. I am very sorry at how upsetting these words were to many staff,' he wrote. He also appeared to deny making the comment described in the @changethemuseum Instagram post. 'I do not believe I have ever said that it is important to collect the art of white men,' he wrote. 'I have said that it is important that we do not exclude consideration of the art of white men.' Garrels went on to say that 'true diversity and the fight for real equality is the important battle of our time' and promised to 'contribute in any way that I can to reach that goal'. 'I am so proud of this museum and I am proud of the work I have been able to do with so many of you,' he concluded. 'But I realize that in the current climate, I can no longer effectively work at SFMOMA, and so I have offered my resignation.' In an email to all staff announcing his resignation, Garrels wrote: 'I want to offer my personal and sincere apology to every one of you. I realized almost as soon as I used the term "reverse discrimination" that this is an offensive term and was an extremely poor choice of words on my part. I am very sorry at how upsetting these words were to many staff.' Garrels is pictured (right) with artist Richard Mayhew and prolific collector Fred Giuffrida at the Abstracted Black Tie Dinner at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in September 2016 The petition for Garrels removal continued to rack up signatures even after he stepped down, with 279 as of Wednesday morning. But the news of his resignation drew criticism from many who said the claims that he is racist do not stand up to scrutiny. In the comments section of the petition and several social media posts promoting it, critics noted that the offended employees shared little evidence of Garrels misconduct beyond his comment at the Zoom meeting. They argued that it was completely reasonable to continue collecting work from white artists under the museum's efforts to diversify its collection. 'All of those who have signed this petition and who have contributed to ousting this man for nothing - the mob will come for you, too, eventually,' one man wrote on the petition. 'This is pathetic cancel culture,' another added. An Instagram account for the podcast WTF, Utah?! called the petition 'far more problematic' than Garrels' comments. 'There's far more violence in trying to fire someone & ruin their life because you don't like what they say/how they say it. That will never be okay,' the account commented. The petition for Garrels removal continued to rack up signatures even after he stepped down, with 279 inked as of Wednesday morning. But the news of his resignation drew criticism from many who said the claims that he is racist do not stand up to scrutiny. Garrels is pictured (center) with gallery owners Jessica Silverman and Paula Cooper in September 2016 In the comments section of the petition critics noted that the offended employees shared little evidence of Garrels' misconduct beyond his comment at the Zoom meeting Some critics said Garrels had been unfairly targeted by 'cancel culture' An Instagram account for the podcast WTF, Utah?! called the petition 'far more problematic' than Garrels' comments Garrels first worked at the SFMOMA from 1993 to 2000 and then returned in 2008 after holding curator positions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Over the course of his career Garrels helped shine the spotlight on numerous female artists and artists of color by organizing some of their first major museum shows. He made headlines in May 2019 when he orchestrated the $50.1million sale of a Mark Rothko's prized 'Untitled' painting from 1960 and put the proceeds toward SFMOMA's new initiative to showcase female, queer and minority artists. So far the funds have been used to purchase 11 works by 10 artists in those categories, including Rebecca Belmore, Forrest Bess, Frank Bowling, Leonora Carrington, Lygia Clark, and Norman Lewis. Another one of Garrels' top accomplishments was inking a deal which saw Gap founders Doris and Donald Fisher loan 270 works from their private collection to the SFMOMA in 2016 - including pieces by Chuck Close, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. He made headlines in May 2019 when he orchestrated the $50.1million sale of a Mark Rothko's prized 'Untitled' painting from 1960 (pictured) and put the proceeds toward SFMOMA's new initiative to showcase female, queer and minority artists Garrels is the fifth SFMOMA employee to resign in recent weeks as the museum has been accused of racial inequality both by staff and by outside critics. The accusations arose after Taylor Brandon, a former black employee who left SFMOMA due to perceived racism in the workplace, criticized the museum for posting artwork by a Black artist on Instagram to express support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Brandon commented on the post, calling it a 'cop out' and saying that the museum has a 'history of using black pain for their own financial gain'. Public outrage erupted after the museum appeared to delete Brandon's comment from the post. In the wake of that incident four people stepped down: Nan Keeton, the deputy museum director in charge of external relations; Marisa Robisch, director of human resources; Cindi Hubbard, recruitment and staffing manager; and Ann von Germeten, chief marketing and communications officer. Brandon and others have also called for Neal Benezra, the museum's director, to resign. Benezra released a statement announcing Garrels resignation on Saturday. 'There are few curators over the course of SFMOMA's 85-year history who have made as profound a contribution to the museum and our community as Gary Garrels,' he wrote of the 'exceptionally gifted curator'. 'Gary is to be especially acknowledged for his passionate collection development, with a particular emphasis on broad diversification and expanded narratives.' 'I cannot thank Gary enough for his exceptional work on behalf of SFMOMA, and wish him the absolute best in his next chapter.' Benezra concluded the statement by saying that Sarah Roberts, curator and head of painting and sculpture, would serve as interim senior curator after Garrels' departure. Midland County residents didnt have any problem approving a sales tax increase to help the Midland County Hospital District. More than 70 percent of those voting in the election favored passage of a quarter-cent sales tax addition inside the city and county to be used by the hospital district to help offset anticipated federal revenue lost. Of the 10,169 votes, 7,135 called for its passage. That was 70.16 percent of the vote. The lopsided victory for Proposition A marked the second time in 11 years Midlands Rosalind Grover led a successful hospital tax election campaign. People care about health care, Grover said Tuesday. I have lived here all my life. I believe in Midland and believe in the voters. Tell them what the story is, and they will vote for it if it is good. They looked at (Proposition A) and said we need health care. The sales tax increase will go into effect before the end of the year. The amount of the sales tax on the ballot is one-quarter of 1 percent. That amounts to a quarter for every $100 spent on eligible goods. Currently, the sales tax inside the city of Midland is 8 percent. The sales tax inside the city now is capped at 8.25 percent. The quarter-cent of sales tax could potentially raise as much as $30 million for the hospital district to use for community health care services funding, including nonprofits, the Midland Community Healthcare Services, contracted physicians, mental health services, ER calls and Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Midland Health CEO Russell Meyers said previously that reductions in Medicaid supplement reimbursements are projected to reach $23 million in fiscal year 2021 and $38.4 million by fiscal year 2024. Hospital district officials also have said that more than $40.147 million was spent in community health care services in fiscal year 2019. Benefits of those services include compensation paid to more than 200 physicians -- more than 75 percent of active medical staff). Midlanders appeared to rally around the ballot item from the time the campaign started. Support included op-eds sent to the Reporter-Telegram from Diamondback Energy's Travis Stice, OGX Resourcess Richard Coats, Drs. Shelton and Reagan Viney, Nadine Craddick, Museum of the Southwest Executive Director Daniel Eck and CrownQuest Operatings Tim Dunn. Conservative oilmen Ernest Angelo and Don Sparks also provided letters to the editor in support of Proposition A. Grover was the architect of a $115 million hospital bond that passed by nearly 29 percent of the vote in 2009. It was the first $100 million bond passed inside Midland County. Midland County Hospital District Proposition A Early Election Voting Day Total For 5,369 1,766 7,135 Against 1,994 1,040 3,034 Runoffs Republican 142nd District Judge David Rogers 3,897 Mary Baker 2,325 Democrat U.S. Senator Mary MJ Hegar 608 Royce West 522 Railroad Commission Chrysta Casteneda 632 Roberto R. Alonza 475 Your browser does not support the audio element. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has decided to tighten its grip on domestic flights following an increase in delays and cancelations brought about by runway upgrades at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports. Since two runways at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports were shut down for an upgrade on July 1, flight delays and cancelations have become more frequent and serious, affecting the quality of the transportation services, the CAAV stated. The problems have been exacerbated by local airlines operating their flights outside of their original, stated plan. To solve the issues, the CAAV has requested all carriers only sell tickets of flights whose take-off and landing slots have already been confirmed. Airlines have also been told to minimize the operations of smaller aircraft at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International Airports. They should instead focus on alternate airports such as Cat Bi in northern Hai Phong City, Tho Xuan in north-central Thanh Hoa Province, Cam Ranh in south-central Khanh Hoa Province, and Can Tho in the Mekong Delta city. Cargo flights to and from Tan Son Nhat should only be operated between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. Local airlines have been asked to offer a refund to passengers whose flights were canceled without charging any additional fees. They must strictly comply with their obligations in the event of flight delays or cancelations in accordance with regulations. An official of an airline explained that local carriers had sold their summer tickets in April and May and did not take into consideration that some of the runways would be closed for upgrades in July. Local airlines only received an announcement about the runway upgrade projects two weeks before they were initiated, he added. The airlines were told to reduce the number of flights at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, but tickets had already been sold to customers, the representative said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Burlington County Freeholder Board plans to give itself a new name, abandoning a centuries-old title considered by some as sexist and racist. Director Felicia Hopson announced a plan Tuesday to introduce a resolution at the boards Aug. 12 meeting to replace the term chosen freeholder with county commissioner. She said the county plans to begin phasing out the use of the word on its materials, website, and signs. The action comes days after Gov. Phil Murphy and State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, (D., Gloucester) expressed support for replacing the slave-era term. Lawmakers are expected to consider a bill on Thursday to adopt the term commissioner, which is used by most states, and require all 21 counties to use it. READ MORE: Gov. Phil Murphy leads New Jersey push to drop freeholder title, rooted in slavery, from local governments New Jersey is the only state in the country that uses the word freeholder to refer to its elected officials. The title is derived from an old-English term that referred to free landowners at a time when only white men could own property. The property could include enslaved people. Continuing our work to end systemic racism must be everyones objective, and eliminating an antiquated title from an era when slavery and racism [were] tolerated is one step we can take right away, Hopson said in a statement. Burlington County was a cradle of the abolitionist movement and home to several stops along the Underground Railroad, and we will once again lead the way by proactively eliminating this vestige of discrimination. The first Black Democrat to head the board in the predominantly white county, Hopson said the board doesnt want to wait for the Legislature and Murphy to act and will immediately stop using the term freeholder in communications. She said the cost will be minimal because materials and signs will be updated under the countys normal replacement schedule. READ MORE: Is the term 'freeholder' offensive? Some N.J. lawmakers say it is. Hopson, of Willingboro, joined 18 other Black freeholders in a statement Tuesday calling for the state to abandon a word that was born out of a period in which exclusivity, misogyny, racism, and privilege reigned. They noted that New Jersey was the last Northern state to abolish slavery. As that period of our history has ended, so too must the title freeholder come to an end, the statement said. The time has come to do what is right. Thats when we started actively looking in that area, because it was in close proximity to where the womans car had been left along Interstate 80, Vrbka said. We have been searching ever since, and we have found no one. Her fiance drove here to speak with us, and its been determined that no one has seen her since. And she has not been in contact with any of her friends or family. The State Patrol has assisted the Sheriffs Office in the search. Troopers with an airplane searched the area using infrared technology, and a drone and canine units were deployed. Farmers and area residents also have been helping with the search, along with volunteers from the fire department in York. There are so many unknowns in this situation, the sheriff said. There is also the issue that on Friday, at 7:30 a.m., there was a report of a hitchhiker on Highway 34 in the area of Road I. The hitchhiker was a man. So then we wondered if that was the person the farmer saw run into the cornfield.We just dont know. NEW YORK - A week after losing a Supreme Court ruling, President Donald Trumps lawyers said Wednesday theyre considering challenging a subpoena for his tax records by criminal prosecutors on grounds that its a fishing expedition or a form of harassment or retaliation against him. The plans were outlined in a letter to a Manhattan federal judge overseeing legal squabbles related to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.s request to Trumps longtime accountant for eight years of the presidents personal and corporate tax records in a criminal probe. The judge, Victor Marrero, scheduled a hearing for Thursday. Vance is seeking the records in part for a probe of payments that Trumps then-personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged during the 2016 presidential race to keep the porn actress Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal from airing their claims of extramarital affairs with Trump. Trump has denied the affairs. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to campaign finance and lying to Congress, among other crimes. In its ruling last week, the Supreme Court rejected arguments by Trumps lawyers and the Justice Department that the president cannot be investigated while he holds office or that a prosecutor must show a greater need than normal to obtain the tax records. The top court returned the fight over the subpoena to Marrero, saying Trumps lawyers may still challenge it in the same manner as anyone served with a subpoena. Lawyers for the Republican president noted that the Supreme Court in its ruling said they can raise arguments that the subpoenas seek too much information, or are designed to impede Trumps constitutional duties or harass, manipulate or retaliate against him. The President intends to raise some or all of these arguments, the lawyers wrote. Lawyers for the prosecutor wrote in the jointly submitted letter that Trumps lawyers are asking for more than they are allowed. They said Trumps lawyers are basing their plans on a concurring opinion that conflicts with the Supreme Courts majority opinion in the case, and that the lower-court judge already rejected the same arguments Trumps lawyers are suggesting they might make. Last September, Trumps lawyers argued to Marrero that the subpoena requests by Vance were a bad faith effort to harass Trump. The judge rejected the argument. This Court has already found that there was no demonstrated bad faith, harassment, or any other unusual circumstance, Vances lawyers wrote. And this Court has rejected the Presidents claim that there was any evidence of a secondary motive that goes beyond good faith enforcement of the criminal laws. Lawyers for Vance, a Democrat, also objected to a request from Trumps lawyers that they be entitled to gather new evidence before the subpoenas are enforced and that nothing occur until the Supreme Court issues a mandate. In Wednesdays letter, they also expressed confidence after the Supreme Court victory, saying they could enforce the subpoena immediately but were holding off, provided the appropriate schedule moves on an expedited basis. Vances attorney, Carey Dunne, also asked the Supreme Court Wednesday to formally issue a certified copy of its decision last week to the lower court so Trumps lawyers cannot argue that everyone must wait another three weeks before proceeding. Dunne said issues could arise in the near future concerning the applicable statutes of limitations if proceedings are delayed, potentially giving Trump the absolutely temporary immunity that the Supreme Court rejected. He also said further delay could result in the fading of memories by witnesses and the loss or disappearance of documents. ___ Associated Press Writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report from Washington. CLIMATE Action Minister Eamon Ryan has defended government plans to quadruple carbon tax over the next decade insisting people at risk of fuel poverty will be protected. The government plans to raise carbon tax from 26-a-tonne to 100-a-tonne by 2030. Speaking in the Dail Sinn Fein TD Darren O'Rourke argued that it will be a "punitive tax" that will "hit workers and families hard". He said there's already 400,000 people living in fuel poverty. Mr Ryan said carbon tax has an important role to play in changing behaviours and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. He said that under the Programme for Government there is to be a 7.50-a-tonne increase each year to 2029 and a 6.50 increase in 2030. The ESRI has been commissioned to conduct research on how to protect households at risk of fuel poverty. Mr Ryan said that the government will be ring-fencing additional carbon tax revenue for a climate fund of an estimated 9.5bn over the next decade. There are plans for targeted social welfare increases of 3bn aimed at preventing fuel poverty and ensuring a "just transition" to a low carbon economy. A further 5bn is to be used to part-fund the retrofitting of homes for energy efficiency - focusing first on social housing and rental properties "where people are at risk of fuel poverty", Mr Ryan added. There is to be another 1.5bn for a 'REPS 2' programme of farm payments - in addition to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports - to incentivise greener farming. Mr O'Rourke said Sinn Fein disagrees with the government's approach and asked if Mr Ryan has abandoned a fee and dividend model which he had previously favoured. Under such as scheme the tax paid would be returned to households. Mr O'Rourke pointed out that Mr Ryan previously said such a model was a signal to reduce carbon that "doesn't hit people in the pocket". Mr Ryan said: "It is true I was an advocate and still am of the fee and dividend model." But he also said he had never ruled out the ring-fencing model if it could be structure to achieve the same objective of protecting people in fuel poverty. He said he believes the planned use of the carbon tax receipts will "address that social justice objective". Mr O'Rourke argued that the model proposed is a "very regressive measure" and he said some in the Green Party "say the same". The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Pakistans air safety rating after the agency raised concerns about pilot certifications. The decision disclosed on an FAA spreadsheet dated July 15 that was posted on an agency website and confirmed by an agency official, means the U.S. air safety agency determined Pakistan does not achieve international standards and now has a Category 2 rating. Pakistan last month grounded almost a third of its pilots after discovering they may have falsified their qualifications. The Pakistani embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The new rating means Pakistan airlines could be subject to additional inspections at U.S. airports and could not add additional flights. A company spokesman told Reuters last week the airline was planning to expand the current special flights arrangements to re-initiate a regular schedule from Pakistan to the United States to provide direct flights. Also Watch: On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it has revoked permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to conduct charter flights to the United States. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has suspended PIAs authorization to fly to the bloc for six months in a blow to the carriers operations. Pakistans grounding of pilots with dubious credentials followed the crash of a PIA jet in May that killed 97 people. GREENWICH To celebrate the artistry of L.A. Ring the Danish master painter whose work is featured in a visiting exhibit in Greenwich the Bruce Museum will host a virtual performance by Nikolaj Hess, an internationally renowned Danish jazz and improvisational artist. Filmed on June 24 before a live audience at SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen, the audiovisual hybrid concert will also feature visuals by acclaimed film director Andreas Johnsen based on Rings paintings. Impressions of L.A. Ring: On a Threshold will be broadcast from 2 to 3 p.m. July 19 via Zoom. The concert is part of the Bruce Experiences series of special programming. It is free for Bruce members and AFSMK patrons and $10 for nonmembers, to benefit the Bruce Museum. To reserve a place or to join as a member, visit brucemuseum.org or call 203-869-0376. A link to attend the online concert will be sent to registered attendees one hour before the program. Hess composed the unique concert reflecting on the themes in Rings artistic universe to paint a modern impression of one of Denmarks most celebrated artists. The performance explores Hess interest in the main themes of Rings work, including the naturalism seen in the landscape paintings and the humanity captured through portraiture. On the Edge of the World: Masterworks by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK the National Gallery of Denmark will be on view through Aug. 9. It showcases 25 of Rings most important paintings. The opportunity to present the work of this great Danish artist to audiences on the East Coast is unprecedented, and the Bruce strives to engage museum visitors both near and far with new experiences and insight, said Robert Wolterstorff, executive director & CEO of the Bruce. The Bruce Museum is the only East Coast venue to host this first exhibition outside Scandinavia to be solely devoted to L.A. Ring. It is part of our mission at SMK to inspire and spark creative thinking by making the art of our collection known to a wider audience, which includes audiences outside the Nordic region, said Mikkel Bogh, director of SMK. L.A. Ring was a sensitive and profound interpreter of the changing conditions of human existence at the threshold of modernity, in Denmark and elsewhere. As an artist, Laurits Andersen Ring never distanced himself from his humble origins, born into a smallholder family in the village of Ring. The two central themes of his art were the everyday struggles of ordinary people and the Danish landscape. The DAs office argued in an application sent to the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it was necessary to accelerate the next steps, asking it to transfer the case to the lower courts immediately. The grand jury has already seen extraordinary delays in its access to the subpoena materials and that given the age of many of the transactions at issue . . . issues could arise in the near future concerning the applicable statute of limitations, Dunne wrote. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 05:16:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ANKARA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and U.S. presidents on Tuesday held talks over the phone about the developments in Libya and bilateral economic ties, Turkey's Communications Directorate said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed to keep coordination for reaching a lasting peace and stability in war-torn Libya, as well as achieving the trade target, it said. White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere also confirmed the phone conversation, saying on Twitter that both leaders stressed the need for "a negotiated settlement for regional issues." Libya has been suffering from escalating violence and political instability ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Enditem Lily Cole has described cancel culture as problematic and said it does not allow space for growth. The model and activist spoke out against the social media phenomenon of boycotting someone who has acted or spoken in a questionable or controversial manner. She told the Womens Prize for Fiction podcast: Our culture today is quite problematic: how we take very strong moral positions sometimes, and then dont allow for imperfection and dont allow for space for growth. Whether its the cancel culture or cutting people down, I get quite uncomfortable with how that discourse can get quite uncompassionate and judgmental. Cole said she turns to her daughter Wylde, four, in her bid to remain open to learning new things and said: Im interested in what adults can learn from children because they have magic and an openness that is sadly lost along the way for a lot of people growing up. The actress also discussed what she hopes what she hopes will be a positive that will come out of the coronavirus pandemic, saying: I talk about climate crisis as a unifying threat that has potential to bring humanity together. And coronavirus has done that. For all the hugely traumatic and negative fallouts, one of the silver linings is that we have been brought together, and people of different backgrounds all have to deal with it together. Im hopeful theres a potential for something very unifying to come out of that experience. Berlin, July 15 : Angela Merkel refused to comment on Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder's purported candidacy to succeed her as German chancellor. By announcing that she will not seek reelection, she has imposed a "particular restraint" on her succession, Merkel on Tuesday said during a joint press conference with Soeder in Bavaria, Xinhua news agency reported. "Therefore, you will not hear me comment on the issue... in any form or in any forum," Merkel said, adding that she would only say that "Bavaria has a good premier." Germany is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections in autumn 2021. Last year, German media identified Merkel's potential successors. The list included Soeder, former leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz, Health Minister Jens Spahn, and minister president of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet. Support for Soeder's candidacy has increased in recent days as he imposed strict measures to contain the pandemic in the southern German state. The political turmoil within the Rajasthan Congress continued on Wednesday, with chief minister Ashok Gehlot accusing his former deputy Sachin Pilot of being part of a conspiracy to topple the government and asserting that it was political commitment and not traits such as looking good and speaking fluent English that mattered in public life. This sharp attack on Pilot, who was sacked by the Congress as deputy CM and the state unit chief on Tuesday, came hours after the rebel leader said that he remained a Congressman, had not made any disparaging comments against the party and the high command, and would not join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress said its doors were still open for Pilot, with former party president Rahul Gandhi understood to have told party leaders to leave room for an honourable stay in the party. But the Congress laid out a clear set of conditions for Pilot recognise his mistake, stop conversing with BJP leaders, get legislators loyal to him to leave the Manesar hotel where they are being hosted by Haryana government, communicate directly with Congress leadership rather than through the media, and return home to Jaipur. Also read: 24 hours of twists and turns in Rajasthan political drama In moves that further highlighted the Congresss stance, the party on Wednesday dissolved the state, district and block units of the Rajasthan Congress which, so far, had Pilots strong imprint. The Rajasthan assembly, too, sent showcase notices to rebel legislators, based on a Congress petition, accusing them of anti-party activities an initial step in disqualification proceedings and asked them to respond by July 17. Speaking to reporters in Jaipur, Gehlot, said that he had proof that horse trading was taking place and money was being offered to legislators (to topple the government). In a direct reference to Pilot, the CM said: With us, you are deputy CM and PCC (state unit chief) and you make deals with [BJP] people. You ask for mobile number and names and are involved in conspiracy and then... give clarification that there was no horse trading. You were part of the conspiracy and what are you clarifying now... Speaking good English or giving byte or being handsome is not everything. What do you have in your heart, what commitment do you have, all this is seen. The numbers still remained slightly tenuous for Gehlot, who appeared to have the support of at least 100 members one short of the majority mark in the 200-member state assembly (though this does not include speaker CP Joshi). The allegiance of one of the two members of the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) remained in flux through the day. Pilot has 18 other Congress MLAs and three independents in his camp.The BJP and its ally Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party have 75 seats. One Congress MLA, Bhanwarlal Meghwal, is indisposed, though he is said to be close to Pilot. If any of the Congress MLAs with Pilot are disqualified, however, it will reduce the strength of the house and increase Gehlots majority. Earlier, in an interview to India Today magazine, published on Wednesday morning, Pilot criticised Gehlots governance in Rajasthan, said the CM had humiliated him, claimed he had repeatedly raised issues in internal party forums, rejected all allegations of conspiring with the BJP, said that he was still a Congressman and that all he wanted was dignity and the freedom to work. Outlining his grievances with Gehlot, he said: He did not allow me and my followers the dignity and space to work for Rajasthans development. The bureaucrats were asked not to follow my directives, files were not sent to me, Cabinet meetings and Congress Legislature Party meetings had not been held for months. Whats the worth of a position if that doesnt allow me to fulfil the commitments I made to my people? He said he had not attended the recent legislative party meeting because his self respect was hurt because of the police notice against him, which included sedition charges. When asked whether he would stay on in the Congress, Pilot said, Let the feeling sink in. It has not even been 24 hours. Im still a Congressman. I have to discuss with my followers about my next course of action. But he categorically said he had not met any BJP leader. After Gehlot spoke on Wednesday afternoon, strongly rebutting Pilot, Rahul Gandhi called up the central observers and asked them to leave a window open for Pilots honourable stay in the party, according to a person familiar with the development. Rahulji felt that nothing should be done to precipitate the matter further after Pilot insisted that he will not leave the Congress to join the BJP, he said. It was after this that Randeep Singh Surjewala, the partys chief spokesperson and a central party observer delegated for Rajasthan, spoke to the media in remarks which firmly outlined the partys red lines but were more accommodative than those of Gehlot. He said that the party had noted Pilots statement that he would not go to the BJP. If you do not want to go to the BJP, stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP immediately, Surjewala said, claiming that the rebel legislators were under the security net provided by the BJP government in Haryana. Come back and you can talk to the leadership about all the issues that you have directly, not through the media. Asked about his comments, and whether they were reconciliatory, Surjewala said, Whatever I said was with the concurrence, consent and approval of the Congress leadership, the chief minister and the party. Reacting to Gehlots statement on horse-trading, a former minister in his Cabinet and a Pilot loyalist, Ramesh Meena, said: People are disgruntled from his working and dominating bureaucracy across the state. Our demands and issues were not addressed. The CM made statements on horse trading and luring of MLAs, I want to ask him how much was paid to us when we joined Congress from BSP? The Rajasthan BJP, which is waiting and watching the events unfold, claimed that the Gehlot government was in a minority but said it will not seek a floor test just yet. The leader of opposition in the assembly, Gulab Chand Kataria, said it was for the Congress government or the rebel MLAs who are supporting former deputy CM Sachin Pilot to do so. He also questioned the notices issued by the assembly speaker to the 19 MLAs, contending that the assembly secretariat had no locus standi in the matter. The Rajasthan Assembly sent notices to the MLAs, including Pilot, based on a petition of chief whip Mahesh Joshi to Speaker CP Joshi. The notices were sent through WhatsApp, email and even pasted outside their houses late Tuesday night. The MLAs have been asked to respond by 1pm on Friday. The Assembly will take a legal view of the future course depending upon the replies, said Joshi. A 22-year-old man randomly attacked four women within minutes before being arrested when he crashed his car while trying to evade officers in Essex County, police said Tuesday. Quinn Mayweather was charged with offenses including simple assault and aggravated assault stemming from the string of violence on Monday in Nutley, according to authorities. The first assault occurred around 4:40 p.m. when Mayweather got out of a car and asked a 31-year-old Nutley woman if he could talk to her near Hawthorne and Bloomfield avenues in the township, police said. When she said no, the assailant punched her in the face and fled to Hillside Avenue. The injured woman ran to a nearby store for help, police said. A short time later, the attacker demanded that a 60-year-old woman let him use her phone on Hillside Avenue, according to police. She declined and Mayweather took a swing at her, causing her to fall over. Authorities said the spree continued to Franklin and Chestnut streets, where Mayweather grabbed a 45-year-old woman from behind and put her in a chokehold. The woman, authorities said, screamed to her husband and the attacker took off. Mayweather also crossed the street and punched a 35-year-old woman in the face near a nail salon, according to township police. Using a description broadcast over police radio to surrounding towns, Belleville officers found the car linked to the attacks, police said. That vehicle was reported stolen earlier in the day in East Orange. Mayweather allegedly tried to elude authorities, but crashed his car. Four women walking at separate locations, minding their own business, all assaulted for no reason is not something we see very often, Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said in a statement. Nevertheless, when things like this happen our officers jump into action and do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens in this town. Mayweather, of East Orange, remained in custody at the Essex County jail as of Tuesday night, according to county corrections department records. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Father Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman also sentenced to 24 lashes with a cane The parents have each been sentenced to 27 years behind bars for their crimes A mother and father who kept their five-year-old son in a cat cage before scalding him to death have been jailed for 27 years. Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman, 28, and wife Azlin Arujunah, also 28, repeatedly scolded their son in boiling water at the family home in Singapore three years ago. Father Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman was also sentenced to 24 lashes with a cane. Azlin Arujunah (right) and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman (left), both 28, have been jailed for 27 years The cat cage that Arujunah and Rahman kept their five-year-old son in before his death in October 2016 Mother Azlin Arujunah will serve an extra year in prison in lieu of caning after the judge declared they were equally to blame for the boy's death. Prosecutors have described the case, which was heard at Singapore's High Court, as 'one of the worst cases of child abuse'. The trial, which began on November 12, heard how their five-year-old son had died in October 2016 after being scalded by 198F (92C) water which had caused burns to 75 per cent of his body. In total the couple scalded the boy with hot water on four occasions between October 15 and 22, 2016, at their one-bedroom apartment in Toa Payoh, Singapore. On one occasion, the boy yelled 'are you crazy or what?,' which angered the parents into dousing him with more steaming liquid, prosecutors said. On the day of his death, October 22, 2016, the boy was allegedly confined to a cat cage. His mother wanted to bathe him but the child refused. His was called to discipline him and he poured a flood of hot water over his calf and back, the court heard. The boy then toppled forward and stopped moving. Rather than immediately seeking medical attention, the parents waited six hours to take the boy to hospital. On the first day of the trial the court heard how the five-year-old was kept in a cat cage and tortured with heated spoons and pliers for months before he died. His death was caused by blows to the head and a deluge of 198F water poured over his back and calves, prosecutors said. Pictures of the boy's injuries were shown on a screen in court. He had a fracture to his nose and bruising on his limbs, scalp and lips as well as his gums being torn, the pathologist said. The child, who has not been named due to a court order, died just a day after he was admitted to hospital. A foster family had taken the boy in shortly after his birth in 2011 but he later returned to his biological parents in 2015. Rather than immediately seeking medical attention, the parents waited six hours to take the boy to hospital. The couple stood trial at Singapore's High Court (pictured) The pair, who are unemployed and have other children, also confined the child to a pet cage, pinched him with a pair of pliers, hit him with a broom and burned his palm with a heated spoon. The cage measured just 91cm long, 58cm wide and 70cm tall, the Straits Times reported. During the sentencing, Justice Valerie Thean described confining the boy to a cage as 'extremely cruel'. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Wen Hsien said the boy had suffered a 'fate worse than death'. The pair were originally charged for murder with common intention to inflict fatal scald injuries on the boy, but were formally acquitted of murder in June and instead convicted of causing grievous hurt by dangerous means for the acts of scalding. The prosecution has since filed an appeal against the murder acquittal. By Trend The Secretary General of the Turkic Council Baghdad Amreyev expressed his deep concern and strongly condemned the artillery shelling of the Armenian Armed Forces densely populated territories of Tovuz region along the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and therefore escalation of tension in the region, Trend reports citing the Turkic Council. The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the martyrs, the people and the Government of Azerbaijan over loss of lives and wishes a speedy recovery of the injured. The Turkic Council reaffirms its commitments to the norms and principles of international law and reiterates the importance of the early settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In this context, the Secretary General urges an immediate end to the fighting and calls on the Parties to de-escalate the situation and continue to seek ways to resolve the conflict peacefully, on the basis of generally accepted principles and norms of international law, and the related resolutions of the UN Security Council adopted in 1993. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The creators of Glee have paid tribute to Naya Rivera and announced plans to establish a college fund for her four-year-old son (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) The creators of Glee have paid tribute to Naya Rivera and announced plans to establish a college fund for her four-year-old son. The actress, 33, went missing during a boating trip at Lake Piru, Southern California, on July 8 and police confirmed on Monday they had found her body. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office said her last act may have been to help son Josey Hollis back onto their rented vessel before she became exhausted and drowned. Tributes have since poured in for Rivera, who was best known for playing cheerleader Santana Lopez on TV musical-comedy Glee from 2009-2015. And the shows creators, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk, have now shared their own tribute, praising her work on the show and saying she was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around. Her portrayal of Santana, an openly LGBT character who proved hugely popular with fans, was described as groundbreaking. The creators said: It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what Brittana meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time. Naya always made sure that Santanas love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittanys love affected them. Nayas obligation to them and to all of her fans was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent. Murphy, Brennan and Falchuk said Rivera was a real pro who always kept everyone laughing on the set. They added: Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was a big part of the Glee family and her son Josey. The creators are now establishing a college fund for Josey. Their tributes came as Glee cast members told of their grief following Riveras death. Gwyneth Paltrow, who is married to Falchuk, had a recurring role on the show and said she is in utter shock and disbelief. She shared a clip from Glee of her performing alongside Rivera and described it as a special moment. Dianna Agron starred in Glee as Quinn Fabray, a close friend and fellow cheerleader of Niveras Santana. Alongside a poignant picture of her and Nivera touching noses, she wrote: I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy. Darren Criss played Blaine Anderson on the show and paid tribute to a wild, hilarious, beautiful angel. Demi Lovato, who played Riveras on-screen girlfriend, said she would forever cherish starring alongside her. And Chris Colfer shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, celebrating his more than 10-year friendship with Rivera. KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City officer who was shot in the head while responding to a disturbance call on July 2 is now in stable condition, according to the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. KCPD said after the weekend he is no longer intubated and now has a tracheostomy which still helps with breathing. Good for you, your wallet, and the environment, all Sukin products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, biodegradable and carbon neutral SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sukin , a brand of vegan, cruelty-free and natural skin, hair and body care products today announced its arrival in Sprouts Farmers Markets , one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. Like Sprouts, which has made healthy living accessible to shoppers for nearly two decades by offering affordable, fresh, natural and organic products, Sukin benefits from a strong consumer following thanks to its commitment to eco-values and producing only the highest quality natural, safe and effective products that are good for you, your wallet, and the environment. Sukin the #1 natural skin care brand in Australia is carbon neutral and grey water safe and incorporates recyclable packaging. Sprouts, which brings the best parts of a real farmers market under one roof, seven days a week, is currently selling seven of Sukins Australian-made skin care products from its best-selling 100% vegan Signature Range. The Signature Range, like all Sukin products, is free from phthalates, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrances, making it suitable for all skin types. Featuring Australian indigenous ingredients such as Kakadu Plum, Quandong, Pure Ribose, and Cramble Oil, Sukins powerful yet gentle products nourish skin from the inside out, all at affordable price points ($5.99- $16.99). Available in stores now: Hydrating Mist Toner: a cooling, alcohol-free mist toner with chamomile and rosewater Foaming Facial Cleanser: a non-drying, gentle gel cleanser for normal and oily skin types Revitalizing Facial Scrub: a cream-based exfoliator that uses Walnut Shell Powder and Bamboo Extract to remove impurities Cream Cleanser: a gentle cleanser containing a hydrating blend of Rosehip, Avocado, Sesame and Wheat Germ Oils Hydrating Facial Mask: a restoring cream-based mask featuring a rich blend of Mango, Seed Butter, Avocado, Olive Fruit and Jojoba Oils Antioxidant Eye Serum: a fragrance-free serum featuring plant extracts and natural oils Moisture Restoring Night Cream: a super blend of oils, butters and essential fatty acids that improves the skin texture, leaving skin feeling soft and rejuvenated Story continues When Sukin first launched in 2007 in Australia, it was one of the first brands to say No to ingredients and processes that can cause harm to you, animals and the environment. In 2008, Sukin expanded its commitment to its eco-values by becoming carbon neutral . Sukin invests in certified projects that offset the companys carbon emissions and ensures that Sukins total carbon output is 100% counteracted, guaranteeing that Sukin does not leave a carbon footprint on this earth. Over the last 10 years, Sukin has offset over 45,000 tons of carbon. Sukin also partners with Greening Australia , a non-profit tackling Australias biggest environmental challenges, to support its Reef Aid program , which helps to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef and stop sediment at its source by rebuilding eroding land and restoring vital coastal wetlands. As a pioneer in the natural beauty movement, we continue to champion sustainability practices with our commitment to providing high-quality vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO and carbon-neutral products, said Nigar Zeynalova, Brand Manager of Sukin in North America. We are excited to offer our Signature Range in Sprouts, which shares our value that living healthy is more than just a trend, its a daily way of life. Sukin is now available in 341 Sprouts stores nationwide. Shop Sukin at Sprouts between July 15th and August 15th to get $3 off any Sukin Product when using Sprouts Digital Coupons, available via the Sprouts website and mobile application. ABOUT SUKIN Since its inception in 2007, Sukin has provided natural and effective products that are good for you, your wallet, and the environment. Vegan, cruelty-free, carbon-neutral, grey water safe, and made with recyclable packaging, Sukin was one of the first to say No to artificial additives and harsh ingredients that can cause harm to people and the environment. Sukin is available nationwide in the US at select retail stores including Target, Amazon, iHerb, Thrive Market, and SukinNaturals.com. For more information about Sukin, visit https://sukinnaturals.com/ , Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sukinskincare_usa/, and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Sukin-Natural-Skincare-USA-101996211294670 ABOUT BWX BWX is a global, natural beauty company with a portfolio of leading natural brands in Australia, USA, Canada, UK, China, and select other international markets. Founded and headquartered in Victoria, Australia, our expertise in innovation, product development, manufacturing and marketing natural products makes us unique in the beauty industry. Our goal at BWX is to make natural beauty the only choice for people wanting to live a healthy, balanced life, free from unnecessary toxins. We believe everything we need to nourish, rejuvenate and enhance our bodies can be found in nature and our goal is to give people all over the planet a choice for natural personal care without compromising on performance. We want to use our business to inspire the advancement of plant and mineral based science without causing unnecessary harm to the planet. We say NO to testing our products on animals, not because it suits our brands commercial goals, but because it is core to our belief system. BWX is a business with purpose and believes in giving. We are actively involved in giving back to causes relating to the environment, social responsibility and projects that empower women. Contact: Sukin PR Molly Antos T: (847) 848-2090 sukin-pr@dadascope.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d58b58b0-88e5-4d11-816c-809234096947 Nearly two in three married women, or almost 63%, have experienced one or more forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviours by their husbands in their lifetime, a study has found. SOURCE: UNFPA The Second National Study on Violence Against Women which was conducted last year and the results were released on Tuesday in Hanoi. Vietnam is the only country in the world which has conducted a second dedicated study specifically using a cross-culturally validated methodology developed by the World Health Organisation. The study was managed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the General Statistics Office, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The study aims to enable a better understanding of what has changed since the first study in 2010, as well as what has not, and what needs to be in place for strengthening gender equality and ending gender-based violence in Vietnam. Nearly 6,000 women aged 15 to 64 were interviewed, with results showing that in Vietnam most of the violence against women is perpetrated by their husbands or partners. Under the study, prevalence rates of all forms of violence against women by their husbands are slightly lower in 2019 than in 2010, except for rates of sexual violence. For instance, fewer women experienced physical violence by their husbands in their lifetime in 2019 26.1 per cent compared to 2010 31.5 per cent. This was more prominent among younger women. However, more women reported experience of sexual violence by their husbands in their lifetime in 2019, which is 13.3 per cent, compared to 2010, which is 9.9 per cent. This was more prominent among younger women aged 18-24, which is 13.9 per cent in 2019 compared to 5.3 per cent in 2010. Women with disabilities were more likely to experience all forms of violence by a husband than women without disabilities. Further, 4.4 per cent of women indicated they had experienced child sexual abuse before the age of 15. Violence against women has serious consequences on economic development, as well as physical and mental health and is estimated to cost Vietnams national economy the equivalent of 1.8 per cent of GDP. Nguyen Thi Ha, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and also Deputy Chairwoman of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, said: "The percentage of women suffering from these forms of violence has decreased slightly. Positive change is clearly seen among young women who did not endure and showed their strength in fighting against violence." Women who have higher education are less likely to experience violence. This shows that education is very important in helping women to be stronger, more confident and independent in life. However, many women are still vulnerable to violence. Violence against women remained hidden because gender stereotypes were still common in society. These shortcomings and challenges need to be thoroughly addressed by Government agencies as well as the socio-political organisations, non-governmental organisations and each citizen in society, she said. UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara said: No matter where violence happens, in what forms, or who it affects, it must be stopped. Together, we should work to create a world where both women and men, and girls and boys, can enjoy a life free from violence. We commend Vietnam for its commitment to achieving this vision, she said. Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, said: We have supported this study because it leads us all to acknowledge just how many lives are affected by violence, coercive control and harassment. "Each piece of data in this report represents the experience of a Vietnamese woman or girl, whether in their home, at work or in a public place. This report means that we hear the survivors, we believe them, and we need to act, she said. VNS Vietnam praised for fighting violence against women, children Vietnam has made great achievements in promoting gender equality and fighting violence against women and children, an official from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has said. Although Saeeds group has been linked to attacks outside the region, its activities have mostly been directed at Pakistans enemy neighbor India and the dispute in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, a former princely state divided between Pakistan and India and claimed by both. We will be leaner. There is no question about it. And well be stronger, said Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation, in an interview with Cruise Industry News. What happens in these times is that you are forced to do things that may have been a good idea to do before but werent necessarily material enough in the moment. Right now, we have no revenue. We have to slim down. We have to reduce overhead and we have to reduce our cash flow, continued Donald, who is at the helm of the worlds largest cruise company, which was set to operate in 2020 with nine brands, over 100 ships and carry approximately 12.5 million guests at double occupancy according to the 2020 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. If we are literally sailing with no guests, there is no work for some people to do. We arent doing a lot of advertising right now; the work has gone away. We are taking the time now to see how we can do it smarter, better and more efficiently, so we can get even more done at a lower cost. Donald expects the earliest return to 2019, pre-COVID 19 capacity levels to happen in 2022. Already, however, there are encouraging signs. Three AIDA ships will be back in service sailing short cruises featuring all sea days and a modified onboard look and feel in August. Phase two of that may see port calls outside of Germany, as well as more AIDA ships cruising from German homeports. Donald said the initial bookings were very encouraging, despite no advertising from AIDA, the leading brand in the German marketplace. If you think about it logically, there is pent up demand for travel, and very scarce access were not talking the AIDA fleet we are talking three ships. It is logical you would think there would be strong demand given the scarcity, Donald said. Italy and Spain are probably the next regions to open to cruising, Donald noted, which would most likely see the Costa brand back in action as Carnivals national brand portfolio is emerging as a key strength. For a period of time, those national brands, performed very, very well and for a period time, because they are national brands, they can get caught up in whatever is going on in their region and not perform as well, noted Donald. Over time, we believe we have demonstrated as a company that having the portfolio of brands we have, allows us, over time, to generate great returns for shareholders. Without all the ships returning at once, Carnival can use supply to regulate pricing. Some people are concerned about demand. Honestly, in the beginning we dont anticipate a problem. Our bookings are within the range in 2021 of what the historical range has been for each quarter, Donald explained. The reality is we are not going to have all the ships come back at once. They wont be able to. I think there is going to be a scarcity of supply for the pent-up demand there will be. We can reintroduce the ships to guests at a pace that is consistent with the demand that is out there. Stay tuned to the Cruise Industry News website for more in a multi-part interview with Arnold Donald. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. Nonetheless, only a fool would ignore the risk that a loss making company burns through its cash too quickly. Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether CPPGroup (LON:CPP) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. See our latest analysis for CPPGroup How Long Is CPPGroup's Cash Runway? You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. CPPGroup has such a small amount of debt that we'll set it aside, and focus on the UK21m in cash it held at December 2019. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through UK2.5m. That means it had a cash runway of about 8.3 years as of December 2019. Even though this is but one measure of the company's cash burn, the thought of such a long cash runway warms our bellies in a comforting way. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time. How Well Is CPPGroup Growing? We reckon the fact that CPPGroup managed to shrink its cash burn by 29% over the last year is rather encouraging. And considering that its operating revenue gained 26% during that period, that's great to see. It seems to be growing nicely. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years. Story continues Can CPPGroup Raise More Cash Easily? There's no doubt CPPGroup seems to be in a fairly good position, when it comes to managing its cash burn, but even if it's only hypothetical, it's always worth asking how easily it could raise more money to fund growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn. CPPGroup has a market capitalisation of UK30m and burnt through UK2.5m last year, which is 8.5% of the company's market value. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan. How Risky Is CPPGroup's Cash Burn Situation? It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way CPPGroup is burning through its cash. In particular, we think its cash runway stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Its cash burn reduction wasn't quite as good, but was still rather encouraging! After taking into account the various metrics mentioned in this report, we're pretty comfortable with how the company is spending its cash, as it seems on track to meet its needs over the medium term. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 3 warning signs for CPPGroup (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Because a professional headshot is key to finding employment today, more than 200 photographers are set to provide 10,000 headshots to some of the nations unemployed workers. Katy photographer John Glaser plans to join them in shooting 50 headshots from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at The Woodlands Mall, located at 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands. Beating the Heat: Katy-area shoppers get out despite heat, COVID-19 Glaser knows from experience the impact of suddenly losing a job and said that it is important for him to participate in the event. When he was a senior in high school, his dad lost his job after 20 years, throwing their family into financial hardship as he was the sole provider. I can only imagine what people are going through right now in a pandemic, losing their job, Glaser said. When I heard about this, I was like, You know, its my talent. I like to do photography. I do headshot photography. I do portrait photography. This is my way to give back to the community in a way that I have talents in, you know, and abilities. He said when employers look at LinkedIn, the first thing they see is the photo, way before they look at any resume. So it needs to be a good professional one, not a selfie, he said. Movie Night: Crime Stoppers webinar to address social media risks for tweens, teens The project is a collaboration of Headshot Booker and Brookfield Properties, which owns The Woodlands Mall and other retail properties across the country. Brookfield has donated space in 50 states to use for the photo shoots. Michelle Snyder, their chief marketing officer, said in a news release that they were looking forward to having the events and proud to help people find employment. As we continue to welcome guests back to our centers, we are grateful for this opportunity to help the members of our communities that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Photographer Tony Taafe conceived the idea for 10,000 Headshots. He co-founded Headshot Booker with photographers Peter Hurley and Lauren Lieberman. Because Taafes dad worked construction, his employment and income were often unpredictable. Unemployment impacts everyone and everything associated with that person, Taafe said in the release. Headshot Booker is in a unique position to provide out-of-work Americans with an important element of the job search process a great, professional headshot, he continued. And thanks to our partners who share a similar vision, we will be able to help thousands of unemployed Americans put their best foot forward and help them get back to work. Katy ISD: Katy ISD sets dates for virtual learning enrollment According to the release, a headshot usually starts at about $250, so the project will be helping out workers with $2.5 million in services. Glaser said an employer is 21 times more likely to notice a LinkedIn profile that has a quality headshot than one that does not. My dad didnt have the chance to get a professional headshot when he lost his job and I am happy to be able to help someone who might not be able to afford this service, he said in the release. The photo shoot time slots are for 10 minutes and by appointment. If you are unemployed, you can sign up at www.headshotbooker.com. John Glaser Photography specializes in headshot photography and black and white family portraiture. For further information on his work, visit www.johnglaserphotography.com. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com Abu Dhabi Health Services Companys (Seha) pharmaceutical teams are playing a prominent role in combatting Covid-19 on the frontlines. Pharmaceutical teams have joined the medical, nursing, and administrative staff in the nations fight against the virus, making it their national duty. Clinical pharmacists in particular are on the frontlines, supporting Covid-19 patients every day. These teams are part of Sehas Allied Health arm responsible for medical prevention, diagnostic treatment programs for a range of conditions and illnesses, in synergy with other multidisciplinary health teams to provide the best patient outcomes. Dr Zain Al-Yafie, Pharmacy and Allied Health Director of Seha, confirmed that around 900 pharmacists are based at various Sehas Covid-19 treatment facilities, isolation wards and field hospitals, to deliver the best pharmaceutical services. Dr Al-Yafie explained that the pharmaceutical team plays an essential role within the medical treatment team, as they provide the necessary medications and treatment for patients, in collaboration with the diagnostic plans approved by specialist doctors. Their role contributes to quicker recovery periods and shorter hospital stays for patients. In addition, Seha provides an opportunity for pharmacists to apply their clinical experience to promote the advancement of medical and academic scientific research, as well as applications to improve and contribute to the latest developments in the field of drug administration and therapy. Dr Zain Al-Yafei provided further insight on the rollout of the Smart Pharmacy Application at Seha facilities, which contributed to achieving important milestones. Since the launch of the application at the beginning of 2020, two million medications were dispensed. Meanwhile, 40,000 patients have benefitted from the delivery of pre-dispensed prescriptions and telemedicine. This was made possible due to a collaboration with a medical distributor. Dr Al Yafei added that the pharmaceutical teams are heavily involved in the delivery of medications to patients residences, the preparation of medication and remote follow-ups with patients. Furthermore, pharmacists contribute to the continuity of drug education, whilst safeguarding the interests of patients in line with global health standards and Covid-19 measures. Khulood Jamal Bin Rafee, Director of Tawam Hospitals Pharmacology department, said that the pharmaceutical staff at Tawam Hospital are making great strides to secure medication for all patients, whether they are admitted in the hospital, or are in outpatient clinics. This includes patients receiving home medications. She added that Tawam Hospital is witnessing an influx of patients, especially after Al Ain Hospital became a dedicated Covid-19 treatment facility. As a result, outpatients from Al Ain Hospital were referred to Tawam Hospital, doubling pre-Covid-19 visitor numbers to the hospitals, clinics and the demand for medications. Aisha Ibrahim Yaqeib, Manager of Pharmacy at Seha said that the pharmaceutical teams are dedicated to playing an integral role in battling Covid-19 pandemic, alongside other front-line teams. Part of a pharmacists responsibilities include checking for the dosage and drug against a doctors diagnostic plan. Moreover, pharmacists review all medical prescriptions to ensure the suitability of medications to the patients condition before dispensing. The pharmacist and clinical pharmacist are also involved in disease management through the regular monitoring and improvement of drug therapy - in cooperation with doctors and other medical staff to administer the safest treatment for patients. Yaqeib added that the pharmaceutical staff have ensured that Covid-19 does not disrupt the treatment plans or delivery of medications to patients in outpatient clinics, nor inpatients at the hospital. She emphasised that the staff help in maintaining the supply chain operations from medical warehouses to provide medications as needed. Dr Amna Al Amri, Director of the Corniche Hospital pharmacy, confirmed that with the beginning of 2020 and with the onset of Covid-19 cases, the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacist in the provision of primary health care to patients has increased, amid challenges such as shortage of medicines and medical supplies. In response to the challenges, the pharmaceutical team partnered with medical teams to minimise the adverse effects of usage of drugs currently under clinical trials but have been included within the global treatment plans of patients diagnosed with coronavirus. Pharmacists also play a role in monitoring a patients safety by reviewing the results of the liver and kidney tests to ensure the correct dosage is being provided to each patient separately. -- Tradearabia News Service Florida is the new domestic epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, and it's on track to keep getting worse. By the numbers: Of the 20 U.S. metro areas with the highest daily case growth, nine are in Florida, according to Nephron Research. Driving the news: The state health department announced 132 new deaths yesterday, the most the state has seen since the pandemic began. Between the lines: Deaths lag several weeks behind new cases, and cases are skyrocketing. The state on Sunday announced more than 15,000 new cases, shattering the single-day case records in New York and California. Florida now has more confirmed cases, adjusted for population, than New York ever had although New York's true caseload was almost certainly multiple times higher than its official one. Zoom in: "Miami is now the epicenter of the pandemic. What we were seeing in Wuhan five or six months ago, now we are there, said Lilian Abbo, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Miami, earlier this week. Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Sarasota-Bradenton, Jacksonville and Pensacola are also in the top 20 metro areas, as of July 12. What we're watching: Hospitals are filling up, Disney World is open and the state is imposing minimal social distancing requirements. What value do we put, or should we put, on our natural heritage? To put it mildly, the coalition of Ireland's leading environmental organisations is not happy with the way the new government is treating nature and our environment. Their banner headline expresses: "Disbelief as Green ministers hand nature protection to Housing Department". In the past, probably as an accident of history, responsibility for environmental issues was fragmented across several government departments. That fragmentation has long hindered the successful restoration and protection of our natural environment as different departments had different priorities and were often driven by conflicting agendas. As a result, the environment suffered. Before the last election, environmental campaigners called for responsibility for everything to do with the environment - nature, water, waste and climate change - to be brought together in a rejigged, revamped and strengthened Department of the Environment. The thinking was that if a senior minister had responsibility for all environmental matters that meaningful progress might be achieved. However, when the new cabinet was announced it came as a surprise that, rather than being strengthened, the name 'Department of the Environment' was done away with. So, fragmentation continues, and nature conservation has moved to the Department of Housing. Housing was a huge issue at election time so a massive challenge faces Darragh O'Brien, the new Fianna Fail minister. As he struggles for support at the cabinet table with tackling the national housing crisis and the scandal of homelessness, the focus on biodiversity issues is, obviously, likely to be a somewhat lesser priority. On 1 July 2020, Malcolm Noonan, Green Party, was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Housing with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform. He didn't have much time to celebrate his appointment as the following day the European Commission referred Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union over its failure to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). There are 423 SACs in Ireland. 154 of them have not yet been designated although the deadline for doing so expired in December 2014. Site-specific conservation objectives have not been established for 87 sites, and the conservation measures necessary to give effect to these site-specific conservation objectives have not been established at any of the 423 sites. Hopefully, the pending court action will focus minds in the corridors of power on our poor record to date in protecting our natural heritage, will strengthen Malcolm Noonan's hand in addressing past failures, and that increased resources will be put into the government's beleaguered National Parks and Wildlife Service. The prosecutor investigating the St. Louis couple who aimed guns at protesters says she has received racist attacks and death threats that have worsened as President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the couple. "This is a modern-day night ride, and everybody knows it," St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, a Democrat, said in an interview with The Washington Post, referring to the terroristic forays of the Ku Klux Klan into African American neighborhoods in the 19th and 20th centuries. "And for a president to participate in it, in the larger context of racism and cronyism, is scary." Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a white couple who say they were afraid for their lives as protesters marched through their neighborhood on June 28, pointed guns at the multiracial group of demonstrators - an incident that politicians and commentators have made a focal point of the nation's culture war. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday that Trump would be "getting involved" in the case of the St. Louis couple, who are under review for potential criminal charges. Both the president and Republican governor have offered impassioned defenses of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who went viral after brandishing guns at protesters on the private street outside their mansion. Parson, who said the couple had "every right to protect their property," said he spoke with Trump just before the governor's coronavirus news briefing this week. He said Trump made it clear he "doesn't like what he sees and the way these people are being treated," referencing the McCloskeys. He said Attorney General William Barr "was represented on the call," and he thinks the president and the attorney general "are going to take a look" at the McCloskeys' case. "The president said that he would do everything he could within his powers to help with this situation and he would be taking action to do that," Parson said. Gardner, St. Louis's first black chief prosecutor, accused Trump and Parsons of playing politics with a local criminal investigation, but said she couldn't comment on the McCloskey case, which is an open investigation. No charges have been filed. Elected four years ago on a platform to reform the justice system in St. Louis, Gardner said she began receiving threats and insults even before she took office. The abuse ramped up when she moved to release nonviolent offenders from jail at the outset of the pandemic, she said. It further intensified since the McCloskey incident, with what she called a coordinated attack by Trump and Parson. Gardner shared emails and social media messages she had received, some from outside St. Louis, with vile and racist language. "It is YOU who are the racist, unfairly targeting white McCloskeys for exercising their 2nd Amendment rights," wrote one emailer, "while your people stormed their property. U really need to be run out of town you black b----!" She said a note was left on her car saying, "I hope you hang from a tree." Trump, in a Tuesday interview with conservative news website Townhall, said any attempt to prosecute the couple for a crime would be a "disgrace." Earlier in the day, Trump also scoffed at a question about black people dying at the hands of law enforcement - a focus of the protests - by pointing out police also kill white people. He recently described BLM as a "symbol of hate" and has called for protecting Confederate monuments, painting those seeking to topple statues with racist histories as violent mobs. In his news conference, Parson did not offer any details about how the president would be "getting involved" in a case in which the federal government has no jurisdiction. Federal intervention in a state criminal investigation would be unusual and legally questionable depending on the assistance Parson is seeking. Representatives for the Justice Department could not be immediately reached. "I have no statement or comment at this time," Joel Schwartz, the criminal defense attorney who represents the couple, told The Post on Wednesday when asked about the president's involvement in the case. Schwartz, who has previously maintained there is no basis for criminal charges against the McCloskeys, told the Associated Press last weekend that police had executed a search warrant and seized the gun the man brandished last month. Police also seized the handgun, which Schwartz said was inoperable, held by Patricia McCloskey. During a Tuesday interview with journalist Casey Nolen, of local NBC-affiliate news station 5 On Your Side, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden said the department has turned over an "unlawful use of a weapon" case to the St. Louis circuit attorney's office. The attorney told Forbes that dozens of people, including the owner of a Missouri gun store, offered to donate new weapons to the couple. They have declined those offers, the defense lawyer said. The McCloskeys - who have a history of suing their neighbors, family members, employers and others over a wide spectrum of disputes, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch found - have said they feared for their lives when more than 100 protesters, who were headed to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's home, walked onto their private street. The protesters have acknowledged trespassing on the private street but deny damaging any property; the McCloskeys claimed they broke their gate. In interviews with Fox News and CNN, the couple painted the protesters as a mob of "terrorists" intent on killing them, burning down their home and ransacking it, although there is no evidence the protesters attempted to do so. On Tuesday, Trump adopted their side of the story, defending the couple while mirroring claims the couple made about imminent death and destruction. "They were going to be beat up badly if they were lucky. If they were lucky," the president said of the McCloskeys in an interview with Townhall's Katie Pavlich. "They were going be beat up badly, and the house was going to be totally ransacked and probably burned down like they tried to burn down churches. "And these people were standing there, never used it and they were legal, the weapons. And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. It's a disgrace," Trump said. Parson views Gardner's investigation as an affront to the Second Amendment, saying he believed the couple was legally allowed to brandish the firearms under the state's "castle doctrine," Missouri's version of stand-your-ground laws that allow property owners to use force against intruders who cause the owners fear of imminent harm. The governor on Tuesday suggested he wanted Gardner removed from office, saying the state legislature should consider ways to remove local elected officials in future legislative sessions. "We've got to explain to him why it's very difficult for an elected official in this state, for a governor, to remove somebody from office, or what powers you have as a governor," Parson said of Trump at the briefing. "I don't want to make it sound like he's going to come in and remove somebody from office, but I'll guarantee you that the president's focused on what's happening here." Gardner said Missouri officials and Trump "are all using their political platforms to tell a locally elected prosecutor what to do. That is dangerous ... Why is it okay to dehumanize me, to put my life, my office's life, as well as my family, in danger?" She said that Parson, running for reelection, asked Trump to speak out about the case to energize Parson voters. Court applications relating to domestic violence slumped by 23pc after the Covid-19 lockdown, figures obtained by the Irish Independent reveal. Although gardai reported a spike in reported domestic abuse incidents, this did not translate into increased court hearings. Support groups say the mid-March lockdown reduced the ability of victims to access the courts. Amid concern over the issue, the President of the District Court, Judge Colin Daly, is now examining whether one-side-only applications can be made by online video link in future. Courts Service data shows there were 4,695 domestic violence-related applications in the District Court between March 16 and July 3. This was down from 6,149 applications in the same period last year. Despite the slump, the level of temporary orders applied for and granted increased on the same period last year. However, permanent orders were down considerably. Applications for protection orders, temporary orders which prohibit respondents from using or threatening to use violence, were up 17.5pc, with 2,497 made in the 110-day period after the lockdown in mid-March. Some 2,170 of these were granted. Also up were applications for interim barring orders, increasing by almost 33pc to 658. Of these, 406 were granted up to July 3. On the flipside, full barring order applications slumped by 45.9pc, down to 541 compared to the same period last year with 250 being granted. Applications for safety orders, which prohibit a respondent from acts or threats of violence and can last for up to five years, decreased by 60pc after the lockdown, with just 939 being made. Of these, 242 were granted by July 3. Chilling Women's Aid chief executive Sarah Benson said lack of childcare and concern over public transport were among the "chilling factors" that stopped victims from accessing the courts. She predicted the courts would be "absolutely swamped" in the coming months, not only dealing with pent-up domestic violence applications and other family law matters. Caitriona Gleeson, programme and communications manager with Safe Ireland, said the use of virtual hearings warranted consideration, not as a replacement for regular court sittings, but to facilitate applicants who may not be able to travel to court for a variety of reasons. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today announced the appointment of Scott Dahnke to its Board of Directors as a new independent director, effective July 14, 2020. It is my pleasure to welcome Scott to our Board of Directors, said Russell W. Galbut, chairman of the Board. Scotts extensive experience partnering with and building leading consumer brands over multiple decades will be invaluable to our Board. Scott is an ideal candidate and his experience will complement the diverse talents of our existing board members, said Frank J. Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Scott brings strong leadership capabilities and significant finance, management, and investing expertise, as well as unique insights into the global consumer that he has cultivated during his impressive career. Dahnke is the Global co-Chief Executive Officer of L Catterton, the worlds largest consumer-focused private equity firm, with approximately $20 billion of equity capital across seven fund strategies in 17 offices globally. The company is a recent investor in Norwegian. I am pleased to be joining the Board of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings at such a dynamic time for the industry, said Scott Dahnke, Global co-Chief Executive Officer of L Catterton. Norwegian has been an innovator in global cruise travel, providing exceptional vacation experiences to consumers for more than 50 years, and I look forward to leveraging my insights and experience as I work closely with my fellow Board members and management to continue building on this great legacy. Virginias colleges and universities are globally prestigious destinations for higher education, but instead of looking for ways to support our schools, the Trump Administration is trying to co-opt them into a never ending quest to deny the realities of COVID and demonize immigrants. He added: Our Commonwealth is better for the presence and contributions of international students to our economy and campus communities, and I will do all I can to fight this hasty, dangerous new rule. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE say the new policy is backed by existing law forbidding foreign students from taking all of their classes online. ICE suspended the rule in March in response to the pandemic, but the agency told universities it was subject to change, according to a Monday court filing from the Trump administration. The agencies say their updated guidance still provides leniency by allowing foreign students to maintain their visas even if they study online from abroad this fall. A twisted tale of Chinese porcelain Reverse engineering, industrial espionage: Been there, done that, got the T-shirt in the 17th century China hasn't always been trying to catch up with the West. Gunpowder, the compass, paper and movable type: The Chinese are famous for inventing them all. A little less well known is that the Chinese perfected the manufacturing process for fine porcelain, centuries before Europe had a clue. But not for lack of trying. From at least the 16th century onward, Europeans obsessively attempted to master the secret of porcelain. Europe was mad for the "white gold." In the first half of the 17th century alone, the Dutch imported some 3 million items. Chinese porcelain, with its steely hardness and sublime translucence, was a status symbol, collector's item and dinner-table fixture. But for hundreds of years, European efforts to crack the porcelain code proved as fruitless as the quest to transmute gold from base metals. The necessary technique turned out to be bafflingly complex. The right clays had to be purified, mixed together, and fired in a kiln at extremely high temperatures. Ultimately, a combination of inspired reverse-engineering by German alchemists and industrial espionage by Jesuit missionaries solved the mystery. In Meissen, Germany, Ernst Tschirnhaus and Johann Bottger, two men in the employ of the porcelain-infatuated Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, first succeeded in creating porcelain that matched the Chinese standard. Reports previously transmitted from China had given the men clues as to the types of clay necessary, and in a stroke of luck, one of the key ingredients, kaolin -- the so-called China clay -- was available in large quantities near Meissen. At nearly the same time, Pere d'Entrecolles, a Jesuit priest and missionary who had finagled his way into Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China, sent two voluminously detailed letters back to Europe detailing every iota of information he was able to glean about the porcelain manufacturing process. While his information was not crucial to the work at Meissen, say ceramic historians, it was instrumental in assisting other European efforts to break the Meissen monopoly within Europe. Chinese exports of porcelain to Europe soon plummeted. It should go without saying that today, such manufacturing methods would be (and are) considered protected trade secrets and guarded by thickets of patents and high-powered intellectual property litigators. But in the 17th and 18th century, I.P. laws were in their infancy, and certainly didn't apply to European relations with China. (It should also be acknowledged that modern patents last for only 20 years, and would not have been of huge help in keeping Chinese secrets safe for multiple centuries. Then again, copyright law might have helped prevent the wanton copying of Chinese designs that appeared on the new European porcelain.) When discussing the current state of intellectual property woes in China, you don't hear a whole lot of moaning from the Chinese about how the Europeans stole the secret to porcelain manufacturing as a rationale for why China blithely copies DVDs, Armani suits, and top-of-the-line semiconductor chips. In fact, you are more likely to hear the current manufacturers of Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain complaining about other Chinese who are ripping off their designs, domestically. Still, contemporary observers of the Chinese economy would do well to recall the troubled history of Chinese relations with the West. For as long as it was able, the West took what it wanted from China. If China resisted, the West brought in the artillery. The most famous example of this was the Opium Wars, in which Britain won the right to addict Chinese citizens to narcotics by brute force. But that was merely the grossest miscarriage of imperialism. China never had a chance to join the global economy on its own terms -- from the 19th century on, Western nations (and Japan) forced their own laws and business methods upon China. Today, if you listen closely, it's not hard to hear an echo of extraterritorial concessions and British imperial arrogance in the communications of the United States trade representative with respect to China and intellectual property. And it's not hard to understand why some Chinese leaders might think that the current international intellectual property regime is just another, more sophisticated version of the gunboat diplomacy that once ensured Western superiority. But here's the real irony. Today, who do you suppose is once again the primary source of the world's porcelain? Not the Dutch or the Germans. It's come back to China, where thousands of porcelain firms are now undercutting their Western competitors by pumping out dirt cheap copies of Western porcelain that itself was copied from the Middle Kingdom hundreds of years ago. A better demonstration of "what goes around, comes around" might be hard to come by. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako has described former President John Dramani Mahamas brother, Alfred Mahama as an ungrateful person. Speaking on Wontumi FM in Kumasi, the outspoken NPP guru expressed shock at how Mr. Alfred Mahama could speak evil about him at the least opportunity he gets when he had 'fed' him before. I used to feed Alfred Mahama, he said. You didnt have a car when your brother was President. I used to feed you. I have fed you before and you want to talk bad about me? Chairman Wontumi wondered. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video According to World Economic Forum, at the current rate, it will take 140 years to achieve gender equality in top leadership positions1 and 99.5 years to have a gender equal world.2 This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005391/en/ Mary Kay became a signatory of the Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPS) on February 28, 2019. (Graphic: Mary Kay Inc.) As workplaces across the globe gradually reopen amidst COVID-19 concerns, the fight for womens empowerment in the public and private sectors must continue. At a time when COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated womens vulnerabilities and gender inequality, resulting in a shadow pandemic,3 the Womens Empowerment Principles offer critical benefits for everyone. I challenge our peers in business to make a public pledge to become gender equal. How? By hiring, developing, and promoting women and by encouraging female leadership throughout their organizations. As the world gradually rebuilds and recovers from the impact of COVID-19, back to business should, more than ever, mean inclusive business, stated Deborah Gibbins, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Mary Kay Inc. We congratulate Mary Kay for taking their first step in their WEPs journey. We consider Mary Kay a key partner in closing the gender gaps in the workplace, marketplace and community and in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women. Watch the video statement from Deborah Gibbins, COO of Mary Kay here. Did you know? Gender Diversity for Global Workforce and Leadership at Mary Kay as of June 2020: Employees: 61% Female Exec Team: 50% Female VPs and above: 52% Female Directors and above: 59% Female Managers and above: 58% Female Market Leaders: 64% Female Top 10 markets: 60% Female About Mary Kay One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her beauty company more than 56 years ago with three goals: develop rewarding opportunities for women, offer irresistible products, and make the world a better place. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skin care, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay is committed to empowering women and their families by partnering with organizations from around the world, focusing on supporting cancer research, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Mary Kay Ashs original vision continues to shineone lipstick at a time. Learn more at MaryKay.com. About the Womens Empowerment Principles The Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPS) guide businesses on how to promote gender equality and empower women in the workplace, marketplace, and community. Jointly established by the UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are underpinned by international labour standards and human rights and by the recognition that businesses have an important role in promoting gender equality and womens empowerment. Adopting the seven principles is the best way that businesses can deliver on the ambitions for gender equality and womens empowerment as outlined in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and in the 17 SDGs. Learn more at WEPS.org. 1 Women CEOs in Fortune 500 Company, 2019 2 World Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap Report, 2020 3 United Nations Secretary-Generals Policy Brief on The Impact of COVID-19 on Women, April 9, 2020 https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/policy_brief_on_covid_impact_on_women_9_apr_2020_updated.pdf View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005391/en/ At the foot of certain shrubs in the Mojave Desert, fluffy white motes skitter like tumbleweeds across the sand. Some are fruit: harmless, fuzzy orbs dropped by the creosote bush. Others are white wasps not that kind of the species Dasymutilla gloriosa, which have painful stingers and luxuriously silky hair, or setae. The creosote fruit and the female D. gloriosa, also called the thistledown velvet ant which is a wasp, not an ant are near perfect doppelgangers. So entomologists long assumed the wasps had evolved their white tufts to camouflage themselves as fallen creosote fruits. The resemblance was so obvious that no one ever questioned it. Until Joe Wilson. Ten years ago, Wilson, a biologist at Utah State University, was at work on a dissertation on how deserts influenced velvet ant evolution when he found himself entranced by the white and fluffy thistledowns the Bichons Frises of wasps. The species was old, with white ancestors living in North America five million years ago. But fossil records suggest the creosote bush evolved in South America, travelling north sometime during the Ice Age and only becoming well-established in the Mojave approximately 100,000 years ago a blink of an eye in an evolutionary time scale and hardly enough time for the wasps to evolve mimicry colouration. I had to know, Wilson said. Why was this wasp white? A decade later, Wilsons team thinks they have solved the conundrum. The wasps colouration may have emerged as a strategy to stay cool on scalding hot sand, according to a study published Wednesday in Biology Letters. The cooler a female thistledown stays, the more time she can spend on her lifes true purpose: wandering the desert in search of sand wasp burrows to parasitize. The first clue was the wasps colour. Wilsons lab studies Mullerian mimicry, a defence mechanism whereby different species develop similar traits, with the result that predators learn to avoid the whole group. The thistledown belongs to a mimicry ring of whitish and fuzzy velvet ants, many of which resemble the creosote fruit, at least to the human eye. But humans and animals perceive the world differently, particularly with regard to ultraviolet light. When the researchers measured the spectral reflectance of the wasps and the fruit, the two reflected different amounts of UV light, meaning they would look distinct from one another in the eyes of, say, a bumblebee. Wilson suspected that there must have been a strong selective advantage for the wasps coloration. After all, a snow-white bug sitting on red-brown sand is asking to be eaten. He wondered if the wasps whiteness could be a way of regulating its body temperature in the deserts scorching heat. Measuring the body temperature of a live, wiggling velvet ant seemed like an insurmountable challenge, so the researchers placed temperature probes in the abdomens of preserved white thistledown velvet ants and their close relatives, Dasymutilla vestita, which is orange. When placed under an incandescent heat lamp, the white wasps remained several degrees cooler, internally and externally, than the orange wasps. The specimens came from Utah States dizzying collection of velvet ants, one of the largest in the world. Wilson selected only the fluffiest wasps. When you store them for too long, the hairs can be rubbed off and the wasp looks a little bald, he said. As the team examined the velvet ants phylogenetic history, they found that the wasps evolved their white fuzz around the same time as deserts formed in the southwest, further supporting their hypothesis. If youre white and fluffy, you wont get cooked in the sun, Wilson said. He added that the creosote fruit may have evolved its pale, hairy tendrils for a similar reason. Donald Manley, a professor emeritus of plant and environmental sciences at Clemson University and an expert on velvet ants, did not dispute Wilsons finding but said that the wasps similarity to the creosote extended beyond mere appearance. On many occasions I chased down what appeared to be a female D. gloriosa only to discover that it was a creosote fruit tumbling in the wind, Manley said. They move almost exactly like a creosote fruit. Wilson said that the arrival of the creosotes likely reinforced the wasps colouration, encouraging the species to grow even whiter and fluffier. He hopes that his beloved wasps inspire other researchers to re-examine assumptions they have made about animal camouflage that deceives the simple human eye but not necessarily the complex eyes of the animal kingdom. Just because something looks like a leaf doesnt mean it must look like a leaf to everything, Wilson said. Canadas budgeting process needs to regard vaccination programs, to name just one example, the same way it regards investments in physical infrastructure like bridges and highways. Credit: CDC/Unsplash Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and hurricanes reveal the little-noticed cracks in our physical infrastructure as buildings, highways, dams and other structures fail under the extraordinary stress. Similarly, the stresses of the coronavirus have revealed little-noticed cracks in our public health, social and community infrastructure that has suffered from under-investment. Public health agencies in many parts of Canada have struggled to provide basic pandemic-related services such as testing. Across Canada, we don't count COVID-19 cases and deaths consistently, and we still lack strong testing and tracing programs necessary to reopen in a safe manner. Social support programssuch as employment insurance and social assistance are outdated and unsuitable for providing support for laid-off workers in our modern gig economy. The result has been numerous temporary emergency programs. Under-funding combined with weak and unenforced regulation of long-term care for our elderly has caused hundreds of unnecessary deaths. Health and safety protocols have failed to protect workers in many sectors, meat-packing in particular. Our ability to protect vulnerable women and children experiencing intimate-partner violence has faltered just when that protection is most needed. The list could go on. Delivering services and support By public health, social and community infrastructure, I don't mean the services themselvesthe tests, the financial support. Rather, I mean the capacity of government and community organizations to deliver such services and support. That is, the institutional and organizational protocols, the processes and structures that enable governmental and community organizations to provide needed health, social and community services. Unlike buildings and bridges, much of this infrastructure is intangible. You can't kick it like a bridge, but this does not make it any less an essential asset for society. Why have we failed as a society to invest in this crucial infrastructure? Human nature is partly to blame. In the competition for scarce public resources, investments in infrastructure for prevention and early intervention lose out to the demands of immediate, identifiable crises. Change is also hard. Inertia causes programs to stagnate in the face of the ever evolving health, social and economic problems they are meant to address. An important part of the blame, however, lies with the way government budgeting and reporting works. Public works versus public health Compare the treatment of public works spending on building a bridge to that of public health spending to create a vaccination program. Spending on a bridge is treated as an investment, with all its positive connotations. Spending on vaccination infrastructure is treated as consumption, no different than paper clips. Because the bridge is classified as an asset, government can spread the construction costs over the life of the bridge. Because the infrastructure for a vaccination program is not classified as an asset, government must record the development costs in the year they occur. And on government financial statements, the completed bridge increases the value of government assets. The infrastructure to deliver a vaccination program, however, is not recorded anywhere. All these factors create a bias against investment in intangible social infrastructure. What is to be done? Two things, one immediate and one a long-term initiative. Two solutions First, in addition to investing in physical, shovel-ready infrastructure to help revive the post-COVID economy, governments should invest in service-ready public health, social and community infrastructure. While the pandemic has exposed cracks in this essential societal infrastructure, the cracks have been there all along and need to be repaired to strengthen the capacity of governments to provide necessary social, health and community services as we emerge from the pandemic. Second, over the longer term, governments need to reform their budgeting and reporting methods to recognize the true underlying nature and value of expenditures on this societal infrastructure. Such expenditures are investments in essential, intangible assets for government and society, and budget processes and financial reporting should reflect this. Further, governments should report such investments as part of performance reporting. New Zealand's Wellbeing Budget and reporting process offers a useful example. The country's budgeting process highlights the investment value of such expenditures. As part of its performance reporting, government documents investments in four types of societal capital: traditional financial and physical capital, but also social capital, human capital and natural capital. It's time for Canada to do the same. Explore further Capital funding of health care in Canada is critical, yet declined in last 20 years This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Why it matters: Theres little doubt that Sony fans decided they wanted a PS5 the second it was rumored. With Covid-19 making indoor activities such as gaming the new preferred pastime for many, demand for the next-gen console is expected to be through the roof. As such, Sony is reportedly increasing production of the machine to ensure consumers are not left disappointed. Both Bloomberg Japan and Nikkei Asian Review report that Sony aims to produce 10 million PS5 units before the year is out and has already informed part suppliers and manufacturing plants of its intentions. Back in April, Bloomberg wrote that Sony expected initial demand for the PS5 to be subdued due to its predicted high selling price. The company was reported to be releasing 5 to 6 million units before March 2021. Now, that figure is said to have doubled and will be met before 2020 is out, though we dont know how many will be Digital Editions (disc-less), as opposed to the standard version. For comparison, the PS4 sold 7.5 million in its first two quarters, and that was with a delayed-release in Japan. Stay-at-home orders increased the time people spent playing video games from 4.5 5.4 hours per week to 6.8 8.7 hours, and even though lockdowns are easing, more people are choosing to stay in and play games rather than go out. We still dont know the selling price of the PS5its something thats said to be a sticking point for Sonyor its release date beyond holidays 2020. But if a recent German Amazon listing is correct, we know itll be the second-heaviest console of all time. N aya Riveras family have paid tribute to the actor following her tragic death, aged just 33. Rivera, who was best known for playing feisty cheerleader Santana Lopez in musical comedy Glee, accidentally drowned while trying to save the life of four-year-old son Josey, officials ruled. Since her body was retrieved from in Lake Piru, California, a number of her co-stars have paid tribute to the actor and lamented her shocking death. Riveras family have now broken their silence following the coroners report, issuing a statement asking for privacy at this difficult time. Rivera's family have now issued a statement / REUTERS We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week, a family representative told Deadline. "While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honour her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister. Rivera drowned trying to save her son, a coroner reported / Getty Images The statement continued: Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support. Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time. Some Rivera's Glee co-stars held hands at the lake where Rivera's body was found / ABC Officers have said there was no indication that Rivera took her own life or there was foul play. Speaking during a press conference, Sheriff Bill Ayub shared more details about how the actor may have died. He said police were working on the theory that currents may have caused an unanchored boat, which she had hired out, to drift away from Rivera and her son Josey, who was wearing a life jacket, while they were swimming. Rivera, who was not wearing a life jacket, may have mustered enough energy to put the child back on board but not enough to save herself, he added. Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 1:00PM Daniel Walber's series on Production Design. Click on the images to see them in magnified detail. First Cow is a mossy and melancholy tragedy. Kelly Reichardt makes the failure of her protagonists clear from the start, showing us their skeletons before introducing them in the flesh. Theres a morbid air to everything that follows, though its softened by an atmosphere of tremendous beauty. Its the best ASMR video of the year. Cookie Figowitz (John Magaro) and King-Lu (Orion Lee) clearly think that they are in a land of endless possibility: Oregon Country in the 1820s. Decades before a settled border, the USA and the British Empire jointly occupied the Pacific Northwest, in accord with an 1818 treaty agreement that did not even acknowledge the presence of indigenous people. This is the context for King-Lus utterly false observation: This is still new - more nameless things around here than you could shake an eel at History isnt here yet. Cookie disagrees, saying that to him it seems old. Its a crucial early conversation, which sets up some difference in their characters. But its hard to shake the notion that these two are really just opposite sides of the same coin. Both men taken in by the myth of a lush, ancient landscape without names or living languages, densely forested but devoid of human culture - and with riches ripe for the taking by the common settler, if only he gets there in time. And they never learn otherwise. Cookie and King-Lu dream of beaver glands and hotel bakeries until their last, somnolent breaths. As such, this mythology must be busted elsewhere, in large part via the work of production designer Anthony Gasparro and art director Lisa Ward. The colonial filter through which most of First Cows characters see their environment is quietly dismantled through an artful exhumation of colonial architecture. Take, for example, the arrival of the titular cow. The scene begins with some close-ups of baskets, upon which local indigenous women are cracking nuts (see what I mean about ASMR?). Its a symbol of, among other things, a continuity of local craftsmanship that stretches back well before the arrival of the settlers. There are plentiful names, languages, cultures and histories already present. Then Reichardt cuts to the dock. Its small and nondescript, only big enough to handle one or two cows. Granted, it only needs to support the one. To King-Lu and Cookie, this first cow is a sign that theyve not yet missed their moment, that this is still a time of before. But to the women on the shore, the landscape has already irrevocably changed. CHICAGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoltmann Law Offices warns former DeVry University Inc. ("DeVry") and Keller Graduate School of Management ("Keller") students that the deadline for excluding oneself from the class action lawsuit settlement is August 24, 2020. The proposed class action settlement will lead to a paltry recovery for most students of less than $200 per student and provides other illusory benefits for victims of DeVry's fraudulent marketing scheme. Stoltmann Law Offices is encouraging many former DeVry students to either request an exclusion from the class action or object to the petty settlement terms. According to Chicago attorney Andrew Stoltmann, who is currently representing over 540 defrauded DeVry students in individual actions against DeVry, students should "Contact our law firm to learn how to exclude yourself from this meager class action settlement and actually attempt to wipe out all of your debt from DeVry instead of eliminating only a few hundred dollars. In our opinion, the proposed class action settlement for DeVry students is woefully inadequate and it won't put a meaningful dent in the massive student loan debts owed by DeVry and Keller students. It's a great deal for DeVry and class counsel, but not for the victims. In order for DeVry and Keller students to avoid being victimized a second time through this frivolous settlement, we are in the process of excluding all of our clients from the settlement and have already filed an objection to the settlement in court. According to attorney Stoltmann, very specific steps must be taken by DeVry students in order to be excluded from the class action settlement. "DeVry students need to request in writing that they be excluded from the class action settlement, otherwise they will be barred from suing individually to secure a meaningful award that could actually wipe out their debt. There are specific steps that must be taken by the former students, including sending a letter to the court with their name, address and telephone number stating 'I hereby request to be excluded from the proposed settlement class' before August 24, 2020. We can assist in this process, as well as, help objectors." To learn how to sue DeVry to wipe out the debt and exclude yourself from the settlement, please call the law firm in Chicago, Illinois at 312.332.4200 or visit www.StudentLoanDebtSlave.com for more information. Media Contact: Andrew Stoltmann (312) 545-5711 [email protected] SOURCE Stoltmann Law Offices Related Links https://www.stoltmannlaw.com For as long as he can remember, Sean Black had always wanted to visit Mexico City. And this past Christmas, he finally made his dream come true. Traveling on Christmas Day from Miami, a simple three-hour flight, I immediately set off on my adventure hailing an airport cab and taking a scenic, half-hour drive into one of the many breathtaking neighborhoods of one of North Americas oldest cities, said Black, a photography lecturer at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences Department of Art and Art History. His experience touring the vibrant and colorful cosmopolitan city has become the latest online photo exhibitionMexico City: An Enchanting Trip Through Timeat the Universitys Wynwood Gallery. Im really honored to be able to get this opportunity. This online exhibition is the perfect chance to move with the time of technology during this pandemic, he said. I find my work is something that allows me to connect with people, even if its at a glance or through the lens of my camera. The photography exhibition takes a viewer through Paseo de la Reforma, a magnificent central boulevard; Jardin Botanico; the National Zoo; Chapultepec Castle; and museums such as Museo Nacional de Antropologia and the Museo de Arte Modernowhich houses the iconic masterpiece Las dos Fridas (The Two Fridas) by Frida Kahlo. Black said that a highlight of the trip was a personally guided tour by his good friend and fellow lecturer in the Department of Art and Art History, Gerardo Olhovich, a painter and native of Mexico City. Black, who also is an alumnus of the University, is a Miami-based artist, educator, and journalist working in the fields of social justice and sexual health. I want to create work that hopefully adds elements that allow people who are marginalized to be seen in a different light, he said. We have this tendency of being really plural in our judgments of people. I just want people to consider individuality in our humanity, so that were kinder and maybe more gentle to one another. Black hopes his latest exhibit is a learning experience for the students that he teaches at the University. The message that I have for all my students is that you always have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams, but you have to work really hard, said Black. Be vigilant for opportunities and constantly keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening in the vocation you have your sights set on, because thats a big part of keeping up with the evolution of our culture. Visit https://art.as.miami.edu/gallery/online-gallery/sean-black/index.html to experience the exhibit. Updox has a great set of communication tools that fit perfectly with our overall patient communication strategy, which is key to the ERxDirect platform, said Steve Weiker, Chief Technology Officer. Two central Ohio-based companies committed to revolutionizing healthcare delivery have launched an innovative new partnership, as Health in Motion Networks (HIMN) ERxDirect pharmacy platform is now being powered by Updox, a platform that manages healthcare communications across both in-person and virtual care. The two disruptive healthcare presences have signed a partnership agreement that integrates Updoxs HIPAA-compliant virtual care solutions, including video and secure text, into the Health in Motion Networks consumer-direct pharmacy platform, ERxDirect. The partnership provides the base for consumer-centered pharmacy care within Health In Motion Networks total health engagement platform, which is already beginning to roll out across the country. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by uniquely connecting local health care, community pharmacies and urgent care centers with the innovation they need to compete in the future and remotely communicate with patients in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Updox has a great set of communication tools that fit perfectly with our overall patient communication strategy, which is key to the ERxDirect platform, said Steve Weiker, Chief Technology Officer. Updoxs willingness to act like a true partner and make product enhancements based on our requests is truly appreciated. Their collaboration speaks volumes to the level of trust each party has in the others future. Updoxs healthcare engagement and communication software connects and builds relationships that help pharmacies and community health providers grow with more satisfied customers. Updox tech includes video, secure texting, online fax, instant messenger, reminders, notifications and more. The companys HIPAA-compliant virtual care solutions protect patients and healthcare providers by streamlining communication and providing secure channels, supplementing the already robust Health In Motion Network, a connected and collaborative healthcare delivery platform that brings personal health management to the consumers fingertips. Healthcare has been forever changed by COVID-19. While lockdowns and stay-at-home orders forced many healthcare providers to quickly implement telehealth, the safety and convenience of it makes it a preferred option going forward for providers and patients, says Michael Morgan, chief executive officer, Updox. Pharmacies play an essential role in healthcare delivery and were excited to offer them opportunities to support their patients with consultations, medication therapy management and chronic disease care in ways that are safe, secure and convenient and help them grow their businesses. Powering up the Health In Motion Network platform will allow Updox to greatly expand its coverage. By partnering with the expansive Health In Motion Network, Updox will grow its pharmacy presence exponentially, from 400 pharmacies to more than 2,000 independent EPIC Pharmacies in the Health In Motion Network as part of a national expansion. Pharmacy operators like Emlah Tubuo R.Ph., PharmD, who owns Powell Pharmacy in central Ohio, are already seeing what the platform can offer. I believe a community pharmacist can make a major change in the lives of patients, she said. With the ERxDirect platform, I see a totally different practice model for pharmacists in general. We are highly trained medical professionals who can do so much more than give medication to patients. We can work as an integral part of the treatment team. Health In Motion Network is specifically designed to enhance care delivery. The ERxDirect platform will move pharmacy care forward by elevating healthcares most accessible healthcare provider across the country. About Health in Motion Network: The Health In Motion Network is redefining how healthcare is delivered, providing an entire care ecosystem tied to local providers and pharmacies. Total health engagement directly provides a transformational model of care delivery focused on access to lifestyle enhancement, personalized complex care management and improving measurable health outcomes. About ERxDirect ERxDirect provides consumer-direct pharmacy integration and services, the pharmacy portion of the Health in Motion Network. The platform is a vast network of community pharmacists committed to the innovative platform of improving health management directly with patients or employees as part of managed pharmacy benefit. About Updox: The only place to manage healthcare communications across both in-person and virtual care, Updox offers one consolidated inbox for healthcare providers to manage the entire patient journey and office productivity. Through an all-in-one platform, Updox provides a broad set of capabilities for virtual health, patient engagement, and paperless office efficiency that work together to reduce costs and drive revenue. Updox is integrated with more than 100 electronic health records (EHR) and pharmacy management systems and serves more than 560,000 users and 210 million patients. Updox customers also benefit from an engaged user community for benchmarking, idea exchange and networking. Learn how we simplify the business of healthcare. Visit http://www.updox.com or follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Derry Girls season 2 has been removed from Netflix (Channel 4/Jack Barnes) Derry Girls season two is no longer available to watch on Netflix UK just days after it was made available to watch on the streaming service. On 9 July, Netflix had publicised that the second instalment of the hit comedy, which was originally broadcast on Channel 4, was up on the site. "Derry Girls S2 is now on Netflix if you were looking for an excuse to watch it again," a tweet read. Read more: Netflix removes Peep Show blackface scene However, the series was taken down on 14 July meaning just the first season was available to UK viewers with Netflix explaining in a tweet they had been "a bit early". UPDATE: it looks like we were a bit early with this one so have had to take season two down for now. We'll let you know when it's coming back as soon as we can. In the meantime, it's available now on All 4. https://t.co/UQR5dZvqeb Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) July 14, 2020 They also redirected viewers to Channel 4's ondemand service All 4 where the second series is still up. "UPDATE: it looks like we were a bit early with this one so have had to take season two down for now. We'll let you know when it's coming back as soon as we can. In the meantime, it's available now on All 4," the tweet read. In response to a message from a fan questioning the take-down, Netflix's help account responded: "We can confirm that season 2 of Derry Girls is no longer available in the UK and Ireland due to a licensing agreement." Thanks for reaching out Kate! We can confirm that season 2 of Derry Girls is no longer available in the UK and Ireland due to a licensing agreement. ^HL Netflix CS (@Netflixhelps) July 13, 2020 Yahoo News UK has contacted Netflix for comment. The sudden removal of the series about a group of Derry school friends in the 1990s prompted some fans to publicly vent their frustration. Story continues why did they add derry girls series 2 to netflix and then immediately take it off again thats criminal bethany (@dinosaurpng) July 13, 2020 So we were in the middle of watching Derry Girls Season 2 and it just VANISHED off @netflix. This has truly been A Day Anne-Marie (@am_flynn) July 13, 2020 Although there were other who were keen to point out they'd managed to finish the whole second series before its removal. binged it all in one night before they took it down jacquemus stan account (@ysldoll) July 14, 2020 Good thing I watched it while it was up zz (@crypttiiic) July 14, 2020 Both series are available to watch on Netflix US. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Recommended An SMM long-range UAV in Donbas spotted vehicles driving at night on an unpaved road near a temporarily uncontrolled section of the border with Russia. On the night of 10-11 July, between 23:55 and 00:30, an SMM long-range UAV spotted three vehicles (SUV- or minivan-type) and a military-type truck driving behind them, all heading south-west on an unpaved road near Manych (76km east of Donetsk) about 3km west of the international border where there are no border crossing facilities, reads the daily report, No.166/2020, issued by the OSCE SMM to Ukraine on July 14. The UAV then saw all vehicles turn and drive south-west on a road leading to Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk) where the truck split from the other vehicles and was seen driving into Uspenka and then south to Katerynivka (79km south-east of Donetsk) where it turned around and drove back to Uspenka on the same road whence it had come. Subsequently, it left Uspenka and continued north-east in the direction of Komyshuvakha (75km east of Donetsk). On July 13, at a border crossing point near Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk), the Mission saw 11 pedestrians (six women, two men, mixed ages, and two children) entering Ukraine. After about 15 minutes, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area. ish KARLSRUHE, Germany, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Enscape, the leading provider of real-time rendering and virtual reality technology for the global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) market, announces the release of Enscape version 2.8. With a focus on collaborative model-based workflows and enhanced visualization, Enscape 2.8 enriches the design review process for the entire AEC project team. Teams can now easily identify and document design and construction issues when reviewing projects in Enscape 2.8. Whether it's a question, RFI, or clash, each issue can be quickly captured in a photorealistic 3D view, noted, and assigned to the appropriate team member. Comments, along with saved 3D views, are stored in the Enscape project file for easy archiving and retrieval. For multi-disciplinary BIM coordination, Enscape has partnered with BIM Track, one of the world's leading cloud-based BIM collaboration platforms. Issues can be synced between Enscape 2.8 and BIM Track, then retrieved in popular BIM software including Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Procore, Tekla Structure, Solibri, and more. "Providing designers and contractors the ability to capture issues during an Enscape review session extends the value of real-time visualization to the entire AEC project team," said Moritz Luck, Co-founder of Enscape. "The new issue management features in Enscape 2.8, and our new partnership with BIM Track, promise to make the design process faster, by making communication between teams easier and more robust." To further enhanced presentation, Enscape 2.8 introduces new wind effects. Create stunning animations by increasing or decreasing the extent leaves rustle, plants sway, and water ripples with the wind. Also, designers working in healthcare will benefit from a new Asset Library of medical equipment and medical staff, including doctors and nurses. Users will find several BIM workflow enhancements. Enscape 2.8 is fully compatible with Revit 2021. For ArchiCAD users, views created in Enscape now display in the ArchiCAD view map, and views can be batch rendered for improved performance. And, all Enscape Asset libraries are now supported in the beta version of the Enscape plug-in for Vectorworks. Enscape 2.8 is available in English, German, and now Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Users can try Enscape free for 14-days at https://www.enscape3d.com/latest-version. Educational licenses are free. More information Learn more about the release of Enscape version 2.8 and our partnership with BIM Track, by visiting https://blog.enscape3d.com/bim-track-integration. About Enscape GmbH Enscape, based in Karlsruhe, Germany, and New York, was founded in 2017 and has established itself firmly in the international architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Its product enables users to create live, high-quality real-time 3D renderings and virtual reality scenes from today's most popular modeling and BIM software. Companies from 150 countries and 85% of the internationally renowned TOP100 architectural firms use Enscape to improve their design process. For more information, visit www.enscape3d.com. SOURCE Enscape Related Links http://www.enscape3d.com by Sumon Corraya Large numbers attended his funeral. His work among Catholics increased membership in the local Church. Youth leader remembers that He called the young salt and light of the world. I still feel this and I personally heard his call and I'm trying to follow his advice in my life. Chittagong (AsiaNews) Catholics in Chittagong have prayed, brought flowers and shed tears for their archbishop, Moses M Costa, who passed away on Monday after a series of strokes. His funeral was held today in the cathedral where he was buried next to another local bishop, the late Joachim Rozario, CSC. Thousands of people paid the respect as he laid in state. Some spoke about the 69-year-old bishop who served in two dioceses. Chittagong dioceses Desk for Migrants and Itinerant People coordinator Probal Deo, spoke to AsiaNews about the late prelate. Before 2011, the faithful of our diocese were not very active in the life of the church. After he became bishop, Mgr Moses created 13 districts in the diocese and gave responsibility to the members of the district, thus attracting faithful to the Church. Now people actively participate in all church activities and know all about these activities. Membership in the local Church has grown among Catholics. Probal Deo, who twice served as secretary of the cathedral's parish council, added that Archbishop Moses had exceptional leadership qualities that allowed him to engage the faithful in the activity of the Church. "When Archbishop Moses drew up a new work plan, he shared it with us and asked for our cooperation to implement it. We naturally responded and that's how we all worked as a team in the diocese. Probal Deo, an ethnic Garo, explained that half of the Catholic community in Chittagong is tribal. Sister Violet Rodrigues, Provincial of the Holy Cross Sister in Bangladesh, spoke to AsiaNews saying that Archbishop Moses was a good pastor from what she could see. "He was a person with depth of thought and great spirituality." Hubert Sony Ratna, youth leader in the Diocese of Khulna, said that a homily by Archbishop Moses Costa motivated him to become a good Catholic. In 2002, I participated in the national youth day in the Diocese of Chittagong. On that occasion, the archbishop made a homily centred on Salt and light from the Bible. He called the young salt and light of the world. I still feel this and I personally heard his call and I'm trying to follow his advice in my life. Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association, which defends the rights of Christians, said he spoke several times with Archbishop Moses Costa and thought that the he was a forward-looking spiritual leader. He was a brave man who worked with people from Dinajpur and Chittagong who live far away to better their life. His death is a great loss for the Catholic Church in Bangladesh. Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League and current Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, issued a press release, expressing his deep condolences for the death of Archbishop Moses Costa. In it, he said that the prelate was a special person who worked with people of all faiths. He was respected by people of all faith. We pray for the eternal peace of his soul. An Alabama school board has decided to rename high schools that honor two Confederate leaders and a poet who served in the rebel army. News outlets reported that the Montgomery County Board of Education voted Tuesday to change the names of high schools honoring Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confederate President Jefferson Davis and poet Sidney Lanier, who was a Confederate soldier. The board will now either have to get a waiver of a 2017 state law guarding Confederate memorials or pay a $25,000 fine for each renaming. Board member Jannah Bailey said a private group had raised more than $42,000 toward paying the penalties. A debate over the school names began amid protests over racial inequality following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. Someone ripped down a Lee statue outside his namesake school during the demonstrations. The board voted 6-1 in favor of renaming Jeff Davis and Lee high schools and 5-2 to rename Lanier. Opponents said the Georgia-born Lanier was known more for his poetry and music than his service in the Confederate army. "History is not here for us to like it or dislike it. Most of you are affected by it, and I see that and understand it, but that's a good thing to be offended because that means we will never repeat it. All lives matter. History matters," said board member Lesa Keith, who voted against renaming the schools. Several in the audience walked out in response to Keiths remarks. Ryan Reynolds is known to be a prankster in Hollywood. The Canadian actor often enjoys social media banters with his wife Blake Lively and other celebrity pals. Taking part in another prank, Ryan just pre-ordered a bottle of royal gin for the iconic Beatles star Paul McCartney. The Royal Family of England recently announced the launch of their own Gin brand officially, called Buckingham Palace Gin. Ryan Reynolds send a bottle of Gin to Paul McCartney ALSO READ | Dwayne Johnson Reveals Ryan Reynolds Kept Cracking Jokes While Filming 'Red Notice' Ryan Reynolds, who also owns a gin brand called Aviation Gin, welcomed this healthy competition with a little joke of his own. The actor jokingly ordered a bottle of the royal gin for the Beatles artist Paul McCartney. He shared the false receipt on his social media and wrote in the caption, "Pre-ordered". [sic] Fans were quick to notice the addresses from the screenshot. Reynolds put down a fake billing address in his name and wrote, " Ryan Reynolds -1 Upmanship Much Dr., Notcoolington, W** *ML, United Kingdom". Fans also noticed that the famed musician's address was put down as a combination of Sherlock Holmes' address and One Direction fan club tags. Ryan wrote the delivery address as, "Paul McCartney -221b Baker Street, Downton Abbey Rd, 1D4 LYF, United Kingdom". He also added more jokes when he put down the payment method as "Loonie" and the delivery method as "Royal Space Force". ALSO READ | Ryan Reynolds Pitches Idea To Introduce 'Deadpool' Into Marvel Cinematic Universe? The comments section on the post was flooded in no time with fans and friends making their own jokes about the bill. Blake's sister Robyn Lively wrote, "I literally can not believe you put your actual billing address". Another user wrote, "For a second I was like yes we know where hes located". One user wrote, "The longer I look at this, the funnier it gets". Acknowledging the funny address, one user wrote, "I want a condo in Notcoolington". Another one asked if the Royal Space Force could ship a bottle of Gin to him. Though it is unclear why Paul was brought in on the joke, fans think both the addresses had "United Kingdom" in it because the Gin is only shipped in the UK. ALSO READ | Ryan Reynolds Shares 'useless Facts' & BTS Pics Of 'Deadpool' As He Walks Down Memory Lane This is not the first time that the actor poked fun at Paul McCartney. When Ryan Reynolds earlier met him in 2018, he shared a picture with him and wrote in the caption, "Have you ever had a dream to meet someone so badly and somehow it comes true? Youre welcome, Paul". [sic] Fans now await Paul's reply to the Gin joke. ALSO READ | Ryan Reynolds Shares Photo Of Unseen Suit On 'Deadpool 2' That They Almost Used 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. Glee creators said Naya Rivera was one of the 'most talented and special stars' they have had the pleasure of working with. Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan have announced that they are creating a college fund for their show's actor Naya Rivera's four-year-old son, following her death of at the age of 33. Rivera was confirmed dead by authorities on Monday, 12 July, days after she disappeared during a lake trip with her son. The news of the actor's death came as a shock to the whole team, with the cast, and crew paying tribute to her in their own ways. However, to honour Rivera's legacy, the creators of American musical comedy series said they "are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all." Josey is Riveras son with her former husband, actor Ryan Dorsey. She called the boy my greatest success, and I will never do any better than him. According to The Hollywood Reporter, show's creators also penned a touching tribute explaining how "heartbroken" they felt over the loss of their "friend" that they "lucked into finding." "Naya wasn't a series regular when we cast her on Glee. She didn't have more than a few lines in the pilot. But it didn't take more than an episode or two for us to realise that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with," the publication quoted the creator's written statement. They praised Rivera for being someone who could act, dance, since and "nail a joke as well as she could crush you with an emotional scene". They added, "She could move between being scary, tough and deeply vulnerable with ease. She was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around." Earlier, the cast of Glee came together and held hands on the shore of Lake Piru, as a moving tribute to their co-star. Ventura County Sheriff, during a press conference on Monday, confirmed to have found her body at the lake. Rivera is known for portraying the character of Lopez from 2009 to 2015 which was the finale of the said show. She has received several nominations at Grammys, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Teen Choice Awards for her role in Glee. Born in Valencia, California, Rivera appeared in several commercials as a toddler and made her debut with CBS sitcom The Royal Family at the age of four. Her other acting credits include shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and Baywatch. (Alliance News) - Dixons Carphone PLC on Wednesday decided against issuing guidance for financial 2021 due to the "high levels of uncertainty" created by the Covid-19 pandemic, but warned that its mobile phones business will be hurt by the virus outbreak. Shares in the FTSE 250-listed company were down 9.0% at 78.75 pence each in London. The technology products retailer also reported a narrowed pretax loss for the financial year that ended May 2 of GBP140 million compared with a GBP259 million loss a year ago. Adjusted pretax profit - the company's preferred profit measure - fell 51% to GBP166 million from GBP339 million due to a poor performance from its mobile phones business and Covid-19 related store closures. The adjusted profit figure was GBP44 million below the company's guidance reiterated in January. UK & Ireland Mobile revenue fell 20% in financial 2020 to GBP1.59 billion due to 3-in-1 store closures during lockdown and low transfer of store sales to Dixons' online channel. The division swung to an adjusted loss before interest and tax of GBP104 million from a GBP50 million profit. Dixons' 3-in-1 stores are its large stores that feature the Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse brands. Revenue in the UK & Ireland Electrical unit, however, rose 1% to GBP4.54 billion. Adjusted Ebit fell 10% to GBP162 million. Overall, annual group revenue fell 3% year-on-year to GBP10.17 billion from GBP10.43 billion. For financial 2021, Dixons Carphone expects to maintain a good liquidity position, even as it anticipates GBP175 million in exceptional restructuring costs, mainly relating to restructuring of its mobile phones business. The UK & Ireland mobile business is predicted to post a slightly worse Ebit loss in financial 2021 than in financial 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The division, as a result, is anticipated to reach breakeven level 6 to 12 months later than previously expected. Chief Executive Officer Alex Baldock said: "Since the year end, all our Electricals businesses have continued to grow sales. Where our stores have reopened we've performed well, while continuing to see strong online sales growth. That said, we expect a weakening of consumer spending later this year and are being cautious in our planning." By Tapan Panchal; tapanpanchal@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "High-Grade Glioma - Market Insights, Epidemiology and Market Forecast - 2030" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the High-grade Glioma (HGG), historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the High-grade Glioma (HGG) market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, and market share of the individual therapies, current and forecasted 7 MM High-grade Glioma (HGG) market size from 2017-2030. The report also covers current High-grade Glioma (HGG) treatment practices/algorithm, market drivers, market barriers and unmet medical needs to curate the best of the opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the market. Epidemiology The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Incident Population of High-grade Glioma (HGG), Total Incident Population of Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), Total Incident Population of Diffuse Midline Glioma With H3K27 Mutation and Gender-specific Incidence of High-grade Glioma (HGG) in the 7 MM market covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017-2030. Key Findings The total incident population of High-grade Glioma in the 7 major markets was found to be 32,444 in 2017. In case of High-grade Glioma patients in the United States, the incident cases were estimated to be 16,295 in 2017. There are three main types of High-grade Gliomas that are considered in this report: Anaplastic Astrocytoma (WHO Grade III tumor), Glioblastoma (WHO Grade IV tumor) and Diffuse Midline Glioma (WHO Grade IV tumor), where the majority of cases were found to be of glioblastomas that develop rapidly de novo, without clinical or histological evidence of a less malignant precursor lesion. Incidence of Diffuse Midline Glioma with H3K27 Mutation has been considered in this report as well. The highest incidence of H3K27 mutants were found in pediatric population which was estimated to be 303 in 2017 in the United States. However, the incident population of H3K27 mutants in adult population was found to be 204 in 2017 in the United States. Japan accounted for 2,519 incident cases of High-grade Glioma in 2017, which is expected to increase in the forecast period 2020-2030. Drug Chapters The drug chapter segment of the High-grade Glioma (HGG) report encloses the detailed analysis of High-grade Glioma (HGG) marketed drugs and mid- and late-stage pipeline drugs. It also helps to understand the High-grade Glioma (HGG) clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, approval and patent details of each included drug and the latest news and press releases. Marketed Drugs Avastin: Genentech Temodar/Temodal: Merck Emerging Drugs Eflornithine + Lomustine: Orbus Therapeutics Ofranergene Obadenovec (VB-111): VBL Therapeutics Trans Sodium Crocetinate: Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Regorafenib: Bayer Durvalumab (MEDI4736): MedImmune Tasadenoturev (DNX-2401): DNAtrix ONC201: Oncoceutics Selinexor (KPT-330): Karyopharm Therapeutics VBI-1901: VBI Vaccines Paxalisib (GDC-0084): Kazia Therapeutics AV-GBM-1: Aivita Biomedical Further Key Findings The United States accounts for the largest market size of High-grade Glioma (HGG), in comparison to EU5 (the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain) and Japan, which was estimated to be USD 739 Million in 2017. The market size of HGG in the seven major markets was estimated to be USD 1,152 Million in 2017, which is expected to increase during the forecast period 2020-2030. Expected Launch of potential therapies may increase the market size in the coming years, assisted by an increase in the incident population of HGG. The market is expected to witness a significant positive shift owing to the positive outcomes of the several products during the developmental stage by key players such as Bayer, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, VBL Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, DNAtrix, DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Oncoceutics, KaryoPharma, VBI Vaccines, Kazia Therapeutics, Aivita Biomedical, Medicenna Therapeutics, Immunomic Therapeutics, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, and Orbus Therapeutics. Among the EU5 countries, Germany had the highest market size with USD 85 Million in 2017, while Spain had the lowest market size in 2017 with USD 42 Million, which is expected to increase during the forecast period 2020-2030. The market size of HGG in Japan was estimated to be USD 65 Million in 2017. Drugs Uptake This section focusses on the rate of uptake of the potential drugs recently launched in the High-grade Glioma (HGG) market or expected to get launched in the market during the study period 2017-2030. The analysis covers High-grade Glioma (HGG) market uptake by drugs; patient uptake by therapies; and sales of each drug. This helps in understanding the drugs with the most rapid uptake, reasons behind the maximal use of new drugs and allow the comparison of the drugs on the basis of market share and size which again will be useful in investigating factors important in market uptake and in making financial and regulatory decisions. Competitive Intelligence Analysis The publisher performs competitive and market Intelligence analysis of the High-grade Glioma (HGG) market by using various competitive intelligence tools that include-SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies, etc. The inclusion of the analysis entirely depends upon the data availability. Scope of the Report The report covers the descriptive overview of High-grade Glioma (HGG), explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis and currently available therapies. Comprehensive insight has been provided into the High-grade Glioma (HGG) epidemiology and treatment. Additionally, an all-inclusive account of both the current and emerging therapies for High-grade Glioma (HGG) are provided, along with the assessment of new therapies, which will have an impact on the current treatment landscape. A detailed review of High-grade Glioma (HGG) market; historical and forecasted is included in the report, covering the 7 MM drug outreach. The report provides an edge while developing business strategies, by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7 MM High-grade Glioma (HGG) market. Report Highlights In the coming years, High-grade Glioma (HGG) market is set to change due to the rising awareness of the disease, and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market. The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence High-grade Glioma (HGG) R&D. The therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition. The report contains Gender-specific prevalence of HGG in the 7MM, wherein males are found to suffer more as compared to females. The report also covers Incident Population of Diffuse Midline Glioma, including both adult and pediatric population of HGG. The publisher has also estimated Incident Population of Diffuse Midline Glioma With H3K27 Mutation, including both adult and pediatric population of HGG. It was found that H3K27 mutation is more prevalent in adult DMG patients than in pediatric DMG patients. The most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for treating HGG in the United States is temozolomide (Temodar/Temodal; TMZ). It is generally used in combination with radiation therapy. The publisher has found that there are certain upcoming therapies targeting specific mutations in HGG patient pool, such as Oncoceutics, MedImmune and DelMar Pharmaceuticals. Oncoceutics is developing ONC201, which is in phase II clinical trial for H3 K27M-mutant glioma and diffuse midline glioma. On the other hand, Durvalumab by MedImmune is also in its phase II trial for newly diagnosed unmethylated MGMT Glioblastoma. Companies Mentioned Genentech Merck Orbus Therapeutics VBL Therapeutics Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Bayer MedImmune DNAtrix Oncoceutics Karyopharm Therapeutics VBI Vaccines Kazia Therapeutics Aivita Biomedical For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r49yzz Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Professor Goski Alabi, the President of Laweh Open University College has called on the government to collaborate with service providers to make the internet affordable, available, and accessible for online education. Mrs Alabi noted that the internet was too expensive for digital education and until the government intervened, it would be difficult for a lot of students especially those in the rural areas to be part of the new revolution in the wake of coronavirus (CONVID-19). This, she explained was critical because no global educational institutions can thrive without reliable and effective internet connectivity. The Professor made the call on Tuesday in Accra at a news briefing to launch the Laweh International High School (LAWIS), the first Pan African online education in the country. The event was on the theme The Relevance of Online Education Across All Levels of the Ghanaian Educational System. She said the school had partnered with Edoptions Academy of Edmuntum, USA to award graduates with American High School Diplomas which can be used in Ghana and anywhere in the world for university admissions. LAWIS students take 21 courses within three years to get an American High School Diploma if they have completed Junior High School or five courses for those who have completed Senior High School in Ghana or Nigeria, she said. Mrs Alabi said COVID-19 had made online education essential for all schools, stressing that the citizenry needed to take advantage of the platform and maximized its full potential for national growth. She said the school had the required resources to support the West African Examination Curriculum and British International General Certificate Secondary Education and the Advanced level curriculum which engaged students both on-line and off-line through interactive project-based learning. LAWIS equips its students to be purpose-driven, creative, entrepreneurial and intellectually stimulated in a way that pushes the boundaries of traditional education, she said. Students in such a learning environment will acquire the requisite competencies, skills, and experiences to prepare them to thrive in the chosen future career through their learning style and pace. 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 The province says it is still investigating the source of black, stinky water draining into Lake Ontario after a reported spill of food-grade acid from a Stoney Creek manufacturer. A resident complaint about black liquid and septic odour in June spurred the city to search a storm sewer that runs from a Stoney Creek business park to a lake outfall near Cherry Beach park, said water director Andrew Grice. The city didnt find any sewage but it did find black water pooled in a ditch behind Bartek Ingredients, which bills itself as the worlds largest manufacturer of malic and fumaric acids. Those food-safe ingredients are added to make juice taste tart or fruity, for example. Bartek reported a spill of an unknown amount of a 50 per cent malic acid solution last month to a ditch from a cracked containment wall backing onto Belgraden Avenue, said Gary Wheeler, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Its not clear how much acid soured the ditch or for how long but the spill was reported June 5, more than a month ago. A pump is now visible in the dark water of the ditch behind the facility. The septic smell that prompted a probe was reported close to Cherry Beach park. Despite the name, the park where the storm sewer hits the lake is actually an off-the-beaten-path natural area with a rocky shoreline not known for swimming. Storm sewers do run along an open channel near a series of houses along the service road, however. A spill of diluted malic or fumaric acid into the sewer is not considered a risk to human health, said Grice. Wheeler did not indicate what impact a long-term acid spill could have on fish or the broader environment. He said the province noted red staining and a sewage odour at the lake outfall, but no other visible ongoing pollution. At the moment, the ministry is still trying to confirm what caused the black, stinky water that spurred resident complaints in the first place, he said. In an emailed statement, Bartek said the city made the company aware of organic material in the ditch behind its operation, but its own consultant tests in June found no evidence of either malic acid or fumaric acid. It said the findings suggest no apparent connection between Bartek products and the black water in the ditch, although the company continues to examine its facility and property. Wheeler also said the ministrys own tests of water in the ditch did not show any malic acid. Tests up and down the storm drain did show levels of aluminum, iron, total phosphorus and zinc that exceed provincial pollution guidelines, however. These sample results cannot be attributed to a source at this time, he said. So far, neither Bartek nor the city believe they are responsible for the smelly black liquid. The company said it will continue pumping out water from the ditch on a voluntary basis. No provincial orders have been issued so far. Wheeler said the city is also expected to continue searching the local storm sewers and to evaluate potential cleanup measures in the drain closer to Lake Ontario. Old sewers have been a headache for the city lately, with the province looking into sewage overflows into Red Hill Creek and formally investigating an infamous four-year spill into Chedoke Creek. But in this case, Grice said the city has found nothing wrong. He said the citys working assumption is that acid leaking from Bartek may have reacted with other pollutants to cause a septic odour. Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BFA) (NYSE:BFB) announced today that DDB Unlimited will be the new lead strategic and creative agency for Finlandia Vodka, with Haygarth as their partner to handle shopper and retail marketing. This competitive pitch process was managed by Creativebrief. Alexander Gorelin, Global Brand Director for Finlandia Vodka, said of the news: "We're delighted to have appointed DDB Unlimited. We have a rich brand story at the heart of Finlandia and are confident we have found the right agency partner to tell it in a powerful, meaningful and distinctive way. DDB Unlimited displayed a great understanding of what Finlandia is about now and its heritage, and we can't wait to start working together." Esther te Pas, Managing Director at DDB Unlimited said: "We're thrilled to welcome Finlandia Vodka on board. We're honored to use our creative and strategic thinking to help one of the world's iconic brands refine and maintain its relevance in a world that is, quite literally, changing faster than ever before." With the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown coming into effect shortly after the review began earlier this year, the brand team, alongside Creativebrief, ran the process entirely remotely. "Running a pitch virtually was quite unusual for us and the participants, yet we've experienced a great level of involvement and chemistry with the agencies," commented Daria Gladysheva, Global Brand Manager for Finlandia Vodka. "With the Brown-Forman team and stakeholders split across Amsterdam, Louisville and Helsinki, the pitching agencies spread throughout Europe, and Creativebrief based in London, the virtual process added agility and allowed to save significant time on travel." Joris Kang'eri, Creative Director at DDB Unlimited: "The interpersonal chemistry in a pitch is always important, but in this case it was critical, as it helped overcome the limitations that physical distance and a lack of shared space presented. For the teams from Finlandia, Haygarth and ourselves being able to naturally play off each other during brainstorms, creative sessions and reviews has set an excellent foundation for a fruitful partnership." Finlandia Vodka previously worked with Wieden Kennedy London. About Finlandia Vodka Part of the Brown-Forman Corporation, Finlandia Vodka began their agency search, intent on driving the growth of the premium vodka brand in key international markets. A brand of deep heritage and tradition, every drop of Finlandia Vodka is and has always been produced in Finland. Launched half a century ago this year in 1970, Finlandia is built on the founding principles of Finnish nature (luonto), sustainable distillation (tislaus), and design (muotoilu). Finlandia Vodka's exceptional smoothness and clarity can be attributed to only the finest nature's ingredients: pure glacial spring water and Suomi barley, which offers the high-quality starch and the low content of natural oils, delivering a crisp, pure taste. Live magnificently. Drink responsibly. Finlandia and Finlandia Vodka are registered trademarks. 2020 Brown-Forman Finland. About DDB Unlimited DDB Unlimited is the first creative agency with data in its blood, combining the magic of creativity and the science of data, smoothly delivered to guarantee performance. We bring together an inspiring and diverse team of professionals in the fields of creativity, strategy, data analysis, technology, econometrics and media to craft unreasonably successful campaigns. From our home base in Amsterdam, we service a wide range of domestic and international companies including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LeasePlan, CarNext.com, adidas, Royal Canin, McDonald's, Unilever, Ben, Centraal Beheer, Duyvis, HAK, Kruidvat, NVM, Riedel, Toyota and Vattenfall. DDB Unlimited is part of DDB Worldwide, which is part of the industry-leading Omnicom Group. The DDB network was founded in 1949 and comprises 200 agencies in hundreds of countries around the world. About Haygarth An award-winning creative agency, developing powerful and engaging brand and retail ideas. Haygarth is part of the DDB network; a division of Omnicom Group. www.haygarth.co.uk Haygarth works with a range of clients including Vodafone, Disney, Kraft Heinz and Brown-Forman owned Jack Daniels. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005518/en/ Contacts: Abby McDonogh, abby_mcdonogh@b-f.com By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will begin debate next week on a fifth coronavirus-response bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday, as he forecast tough negotiations with Democrats who are seeking broader aid than Republicans. "Next week, we'll be beginning a new bill," McConnell said during an interview with WRVK radio in his home state of Kentucky. McConnell added the legislation, which has not yet been unveiled, will likely be more contentious than the previous four coronavirus aid bills. Those pumped more than $3 trillion into the hobbled economy with a combination of business loans, expanded unemployment benefits for workers and direct payments to families. "I do think we'll get there and do something that needs to be done" before Congress begins an August recess, the Republican senator predicted. But there are also divisions among Republicans - in the White House and in Congress - over the precise direction of the upcoming bill, including whether there should be another round of direct payments to individuals and families. McConnell has talked about a bill costing no more than $1 trillion, while Democrats in the House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion measure in mid-May that McConnell has so far ignored. McConnell wants to focus on liability protections for business, schools and other entities as they reopen their operations even as coronavirus cases surge in many parts of the United States, including Kentucky. California on Monday imposed new restrictions on businesses as coronavirus hospitalizations soared in the country's most-populous state. Coronavirus infections have risen rapidly in about 40 of the 50 states over the past two weeks, according to a Reuters analysis. Democrats are pushing for new federal aid to state and local governments affected by the coronavirus, which Republicans have resisted. Lawmakers also have been arguing over extending special unemployment benefits that are due to expire at the end of July, as well as a massive small business-loan program that runs through early August. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Peter Cooney) US leader Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president, has announced an immigration agenda that will end the country-wise green card caps for employment visas so that wait times stretching to decades for Indians can be reduced if he is elected. His "Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants" will also link H1-B visas to wages while increasing the number of such visas. The Plan, which could be the basis of his manifesto for the November election when he is expected to take on President Donald Trump as the Democratic candidate, seeks ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15 2020 As the new school year began on Monday, millions of students and teachers across the country learned how risky education would be if we maintained the old normal in these times. Over 1,300 students of the Armys Officer Candidate School (Secapa) in Bandung, West Java, and Indonesian Military Police Training Center in neighboring Cimahi, their teaching staff and instructors have tested positive for COVID-19. The soldiers were attending an education and training program conducted face-to-face, reportedly following strict health protocols. They also lived in boarding houses during the program, as had been practiced for many years. Previously about 300 police officer candidates attending courses to win promotion in Sukabumi, West Java, contracted the virus in April. 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 AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Dutch exports and imports continued to fall in May as demand remains impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic, figures from the statistical office CBS showed on Wednesday. Merchandise exports fell 11.8 percent year-on-year in May, following a 13.8 percent decrease in April. Exports declined for the third consecutive month. In May, exports of transport and petroleum products decreased and manufactured exports were greater than that of re-exports, the agency said. Imports decreased 7.6 percent annually in May, following a 9.0 percent fall in the prior month. Imports fell for a fifth month in a row. In May, imports of transport equipment, machinery and clothing decreased from last year. Conditions for exports in July are less favorable than in May, the CBS said, mainly because the shrinkage of German industrial production was greater. Further, both Dutch and European industrial entrepreneurs assessed their foreign order position more negatively. Meanwhile, the confidence of German and European entrepreneurs was less negative. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Bengaluru, July 15 : People volunteering as civil police wardens with the city police department will not receive any remuneration, an official said on Wednesday. "We wish to clarify the rumours floating on social media and confirm that the volunteers helping local police as civil police wardens in enforcement of anti-Covid measures will not be paid any remuneration," said an official. On Tuesday, Bengaluru city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao had urged interested people to volunteer for the department, indicating how strained the department has been amid Covid. "Inviting physically fit and service minded residents of Bengaluru, both men and women, between the age of 18-45 to volunteer as civil police wardens," said Rao. The department is offering a choice of the police division, jurisdiction and the shifts one wants to choose to be a civil police warden. Additional Commissioner of Police Hemant Nimbalkar said volunteers are a welcome support to the police in their field duty but should not be left alone. "Volunteers are a support to the police in the field and shall not work standalone. They shall be attached with duty police as assistance. A jacket and a cap should be provided to them," said Nimbalkar. He reminded that the safety of the volunteers is the responsibility of the policemen. Many city policemen have been infected with the virus and quarantined while more than six have succumbed. "It is a tough time for all policemen irrespective of the rank. Four hundred and fifty active cases across the state and the loss of six lives speak volumes about their involvement in the war against Covid," said Director General of Police Praveen Sood recently. He expressed hope that the difficult times will pass, saying all the members of the police department are a family. Mountains of methamphetamine crystals were seized this year in Thailand after Myanmar eased its crackdown and pandemic restrictions. Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) Mountains of crystal methamphetamine, aka "ice," have been seized this year as a result of a major crackdown in Myanmar, causing an influx of the drug into Thailand, Office of Narcotic Control Board (ONCB) secretary-general Niyom Termsrisuk said on Monday. The latest shipment of crystal meth was intercepted on Saturday, said Mr Niyom, when a six-wheel lorry was stopped for a search at a checkpoint in Phun Phin, a district in Surat Thani. Forty sacks containing around 1,200 kilos of crystal meth were found under sacks of cow dung. Three men were arrested. Crystal meth is being trafficked through Thailand more frequently and in larger quantities because drug stocks have piled up at production bases, the ONCB secretary-general explained. Since the start of the year, crystal meth trafficking has been largely frozen due to a government crackdown in Myanmar as well as restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, resulting in rapidly growing stocks. As suppression and pandemic restrictions ease, traffickers have resumed distribution. Intelligence operations have revealed that since the beginning of fiscal 2020 there have been 17 deliveries of more than 11 tons of crystal meth across Thailand. Most of the seized drugs were heading south, for shipment by sea to countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and Australia. In Myanmar, local authorities have seized more than four tonnes of ice, believed to be on their way to Thailand for shipment to third countries. Since Thailand borders with the drug producing Golden Triangle and has major land, air and sea communication routes, it is hard not to be used for shipment to other regions. According to a study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Thailand and other countries in the Mekong River basin are now facing serious problems involving drug smuggling, particularly ice, because of the proliferation of synthetic drugs in East and Southeast Asia. Anuraag Singh By Express News Service BHOPAL: A Dalit couple who allegedly attempted suicide on seeing a JCB machine crush their standing crop was brutally assaulted by the police in Jagatpur Chak area of Guna district on Tuesday. The alleged police brutality didn't end there, as the couples kin who tried to save them too were assaulted by cops. The police then went on to abuse and pushed away the helpless kids of the couple. The Madhya Pradesh government had allotted the 20 bighas public land for construction of a Model Science College two years back, but the land had been encroached upon by the Dalit family, which claims to have been farming on it for a long time. A revenue department team escorted by cops went to get the land vacated and pave the way for building a boundary wall there on Tuesday. But the Dalit family resisted the government teams bid. On seeing their entire standing crop being crushed by a JCB machine, the Dalit couple Ram Kumar Ahirwar and Savitri Devi went on to consume pesticide. Following this, the cops assaulted them and forcibly dragged them into an ambulance. The couples kin, including Ram Kumars mother and brother, who tried to save them, too were brutally assaulted by the on-duty cops. Further, when the Dalit couples kids tried to rush to save their parents, the weeping kids were verbally abused and pushed away by the cops. Before the incident happened, Ram Kumars wife Savitri Bai said theyve been farming on the land for years. We dont know whose land it is, weve been farming on it for a long time. If our standing crop is destroyed, we dont have any other option but to kill selves. We have a debt burden of Rs 3 lakh on our heads - who will pay it, the government or anybody else. ALSO READ | Atrocities against Dalits see a rise Meanwhile, instead of acting against the cops, the Guna district police lodged a case under 353, 141, 309 of IPC against seven people, including the couple at the Guna Cantt police station. After handing a clean chit to the police on Wednesday, Guna district collector S Vishwanath said, Weve probed the entire episode and checked the entire footage of the incident. Our team had to act only after the couple consumed pesticide and had to be rushed to the hospital. Had the team not acted, the couple could have died and more such cases could have taken place. The action was also essential as some others present on the spot were hell-bent on making the incident even more serious, but our priority was to rush the couple to the hospital. The couple is now out of danger". According to the district administration, around 45 bighas land there has been grabbed by a land mafia led by Gabbu Pardi, who already owns 80 bighas land and a big house. The Dalit family was pushed to the forefront by Pardi and his men only to stop the encroachment removal team. Importantly, the Dalit family had taken possession of the land after paying Rs 3 lakh to Gabbu Pardi. The opposition Congress state spokesperson Narendra Saluja condemned the incident. If there was any dispute pertaining to the land, it could have been resolved as per law instead of the police assaulting the Dalit family and their kids. If the state government is so committed to removing encroachments from public land, then it should get public land cleared from big and influential encroachers. Was the family attacked only as it was Dalit and poor? The Congress will not stay silent, but raise the issue vigorously till the culprits are punished," he said. There's currently a debate about whether students should return to school in the fall or have distance learning only. The Trump administration is pushing for a return to normal, while leftists, reflexively, are pushing back against the idea. United Teachers Los Angeles ("UTLA"), the teachers' union controlling more than 500,000 public school students in Los Angeles County, has decided that, with parents effectively held hostage, it's time to make its demands, and what demands they are! In a sane world, teachers who are concerned about health would be focused on the actual risks to children and teachers in classrooms, as well as ways to mitigate those risks all while recognizing that there is no such thing as perfect safety. For example, with regard to the Arizona teacher who died when she and two other teachers caught the Wuhan virus, although her death is undoubtedly a tragedy, she had severe existing health conditions. The focus should be on protecting teachers like her, as well as students who are also at risk. That, though, is not the UTLA approach. Instead, it's issued a lengthy manifesto describing the systemic racism that affects the Los Angeles Unified School District and demanding a complete remake of the school system before its teachers will return to the classrooms. It's worth noting that Los Angeles has consistently been one of the worst school districts in California. Having established that systemic racism is the problem with public education in Los Angeles (as opposed to the lack of competition and a union system that has as its priorities protecting bad teachers and indoctrinating students), UTLA is ready with its demands. There are dozens way too many for this post but here are the standouts: "Testing of 100% of symptomatic individuals in the community." "Paid sick leave for parents to be able to keep symptomatic children home." "Greatly increased federal and state funding to support physical distancing and hygiene practices." "A robust, free testing and contact tracing system for the entire community that explicitly addresses access issues about Black, Brown, and low-income communities." "Drastically reduced class sizes to no more than 12 per classroom." "Dramatically changed transportation plans to ensure social distancing." "Adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all staff and students." "Student and staff symptom and temperature screening before entering buses or school buildings." "Explicit plans to address social emotional trauma and continued stress amidst pandemic through increased mental health supports, including increased staffing of counselors, psychologists, PSWs, and PSAs. According to the CDC, even before the crisis, suicide was the second leading cause of death among youth aged 1024 years.[fn.] An estimated 20% of LAUSD students have a diagnosable mental health issue." "No standardized testing infringing on instructional time." [This translates to "get rid of tests that show what a bad job we're doing."] The manifesto's authors are aware that California is already bankrupting itself with endless shutdowns. The manifesto, therefore, includes a demand that California must make "millionaires and billionaires finally pay their fair share." To this end, it's got not one, but two, proposed wealth taxes: "Wealth Tax: A new tax on unrealized capital gains to California billionaires only, 1% a year until capital gains taxes are met. This would generate an estimated $10 billion a year initially." "Millionaire Tax: Add a 1% surtax on incomes over $1 million a year, and 3% for over $3 million a year. This would generate an estimated $4.5 billion-plus a year." Additionally, before returning to classrooms, Los Angeles public school teachers have three more demands: get rid of the police (who are often the only thing keeping schools viable in dangerous districts), stamp out competition by defunding charter schools, and provide even more taxpayer funding for illegal aliens. It remains to be seen whether Los Angeles's hard-left government will accede to these requests. Even if it does, it's questionable whether taxpayers will finally have enough when they see the union extorting parents by refusing to give Los Angeles's children an in-class education until the union's over-the-top demands are met. Some enterprising parents might suggest that if schools aren't giving children their all, taxes should be lowered, not raised, and teachers and administrators need to start getting laid off. After all, people are noticing that, since the Democrats decided to destroy their states' economies, the private sector is getting bankrupted while the state governments keep everyone on the payroll. Image: Pixabay. WATERLOO REGION The provincial government pledged Wednesday that it is committed to building a new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph. The proposed 18-kilometre four-lane highway has been in the planning stages for more than 30 years. Preparatory construction, design and engineering work has already begun at a cost of $120 million. The contract to build it is expected to be awarded in 2021, the government said. When finished, the highway is expected to have seven interchanges, including a seamless connection to Highway 85 between Kitchener and Waterloo. The new highway will be built parallel to and just north of the existing Highway 7, now one of the busiest two-lane provincial highways in Ontario with more than 23,000 vehicles on it every day. We are thankful to the province for delivering certainty for Highway 7 during this time of economic recovery, said Regional Chair Karen Redman in a statement. Everyone in Waterloo Region knows how important the construction of Highway 7 is for the Innovation Corridor connecting the communities of Waterloo Region and Guelph. The value of the project wont be known until the successful bidder has been identified. Highway 7 is part of a $2.6-billion funding commitment in 2020-21 to expand and repair Ontarios highways and bridges. The announcement was made by the three Progressive Conservative MPs in Waterloo Region: Michael Harris in Kitchener-Conestoga; Amy Fee in Kitchener South-Hespeler; and Belinda Karahalios in Cambridge. The first phase of the construction project was completed last year. Work included replacing the Victoria Street bridge with a wider, longer span to accommodate the future four-lane highway, widening the Guelph Street underpass and widening and realigning Shirley Avenue. The next two phases involve building twin bridges over the Grand River to connect the new alignment to the Conestoga Parkway in Kitchener, and construction of the actual highway. Here are some of the stocks in the news today. (Image: Moneycontrol) Reliance Industries | RIL to hold its 43rd AGM on July 15. (Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.) (Image: Reuters) Yes Bank | The bank's Rs 15,000 crore further public offering will open for three days from July 15. The bank has garnered Rs 4,098 crore from anchor investors on July 14, a day ahead of its follow-on public offering. All 12 anchor investors placed their bids for 3,41,53,84,614 equity shares at the lower end of price band of Rs 12-13 per share. Bay Tree India Holdings I, owned by Tilden Park, was the largest anchor investor, investing Rs 2,250 crore in Yes Bank for an allocation of 1,87,50,00,000 shares. Bharti Airtel | Company in strategic alliance with Verizon to bring secure, world-class video conferencing solutions to businesses in India. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has asked private telecom operator Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom to pay Rs 112 crore to Aircel. A three-member NCLAT bench on Monday set aside the order of the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which on May 1, 2019, granted a set-off of Rs 112 crore to Bharti Airtel and Bharti Hexacom in their Rs 453 crore Spectrum Trade Agreement with Aircel and Dishnet Wireless. Wipro Q1 | IT Services revenue at Rs 14,595.6 cr versus Rs 15,296 cr, EBIT margin at 19.1 percent versus 17.6 percent QoQ. Company has signed an agreement to acquire Brazil-based IVIA Servicos de Informatica. (Image: Reuters) Khadim India Q4 | Loss at Rs 19.87 cr versus profit at Rs 1.2 cr, revenue at Rs 158.2 cr versus Rs 206.6 cr YoY. (Image: Moneycontrol) Affle India | Company appointed Martje Abeldt as Chief Revenue Officer of Affle RevX Platform. (Image: News18) AksharChem India | UBS Principal Capital Asia sold 58,868 shares at Rs 229.73 per share. (Image: aksharchemindia.com) Apollo Micro Systems | OHM Edubridge Private Limited sold 1,23,000 shares in company at Rs 135.49 per share and OHM Core Investment Corporation sold 7,75,000 shares at Rs 130.89 per share. (Image: Moneycontrol) Cosmo Films | Anvil Wealth Management bought 1,00,285 shares in company at Rs 372.81 per share. (Image: Moneycontrol) Eveready Industries India | Puran Associates Pvt Ltd purchased 19,63,006 shares in company, VIC Enterprises Private Limited 19,63,006 shares and M B Finmart Private Limited 22,41,774 shares at Rs 81.8 per share, whereas IL and FS Financial Services sold 51,48,506 shares in company at same price and Vistra ITCL India 12,19,000 shares at Rs 81.85 per share. (Image: evereadyindia.com) Infosys | IT services provider is expected to report around 5 percent sequential decline in June quarter profit, hit by COVID-19-led lockdown, when it announces the result on July 15. Brokerages expect around 20-30 bps cross-currency headwind on dollar revenue growth, which could be down around 5.3-5.5 percent compared to the March quarter. The Bengaluru-headquartered company may see its profit dip 10-11 percent QoQ, partly due to lower other income. IndiaMART InterMESH | FPIs increased stake in company to 15.15% in June quarter, from 12.24% in March quarter; Intel Capital (Mauritius) exited company, was holding 3.58%. (Image: WIkimedia) Karnataka Bank | Motilal Oswal bought 1% stake in June quarter, FPIs cut stake to 8.7% (against 12.80% in March quarter), MFs reduced to 2.01% (from 4.56%). (Image: Moneycontrol) DJ Mediaprint & Logistics | The National Co-operative Bank, Fort branch in Mumbai selected company for printing of bank's cheque books and pin mailer. (Image: djcorp.in) Pidilite Industries | Company increased shareholding in subsidiary Nina Percept 71.53% to 73.74%. (Image: Wikipedia) Delta Corp Q1 | Loss at Rs 28.24 cr versus profit at Rs 42.48 cr, revenue at Rs 48.34 cr versus Rs 186.51 cr YoY. (Image: deltacorp.in) DB Corp | Promoter DB Consolidated released a pledge on 25 lakh equity shares of the company. (Image: Wikipedia) Salasar Techno Engineering | Company received an order of 189 telecom towers to be supplied to ATC Nigeria of value $2.43 million. (Image: salasartechno.com) Motherson Sumi Systems | Moody's rated Ba1 corporate family rating (CFR) and revised Outlook to negative from "rating under review". India Ratings revised outlook on term loan to Negative from Rating Watch Negative and retained AAA rating. (Image: Moneycontrol) Century Enka | OR Chitlange resigned as Managing Director of the company. (Image: centuryenka.com) Camlin Fine Sciences | Promoter Ashish Dandekar released pledge on 30 lakh shares (2.47 percent of total paid up equity of company). (Image: Moneycontrol) Emami | Company completed sale of Emami Cement to Nuvoco Corporation. (Image: emamiltd.com) Oberoi Realty | Company reported a 82 percent decline in its consolidated net profit at Rs 28.07 crore for the quarter ended June. Its net profit stood at Rs 152.07 crore in the year-ago period, the Mumbai-based realty firm said in a regulatory filing. Total income also declined to Rs 126.86 crore in the first quarter of ongoing fiscal from Rs 618.10 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. NAPA, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability has been core to The Hess Collection since it was established by the Hess family in 1978. As founder Donald Hess said, "Nurture the land, return what you take." In keeping with their time-honored philosophy, this National Forest Week (July 13-19, 2020), The Hess Collection announces the Pour One, Plant One program, in partnership with The National Forest Foundation. Through Pour One, Plant One, Hess has committed to supporting long-term environmental efforts, with each bottle of its Hess Select range of wines sold over the next year contributing towards the planting of 25,000 trees in National Forests around the United States. From July 2020 through June 2021, sales of Hess Select wines will support the National Forest Foundation as they work to reforest and strengthen national forests around the country. The organization takes a science-based approach, focusing efforts on high priority regions across the country, each with their own unique reforestation needs. The Pour One, Plant One program will be supported with digital advertising, in-store POS, social engagement, and a 2021 consumer sweepstakes. Sustainability is an essential part of The Hess Collection's philosophy. In 2008, Hess was among the first 10 wineries to receive certification as a Napa Green Winery. Today, Hess estate vineyards are certified Napa Green Land properties and its winemaking facilities are Napa Green Winery certified. The Hess Collection is also certified as a Fish Friendly Farming organization, a program designed to voluntarily implement the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, State Water Code and other regulations on private agricultural lands. "Hess was built on sustainable practices and we're thrilled to take that commitment national this year with the Pour One, Plant One program," explains The Hess Collection Chairman Tim Persson. "By partnering with The National Forest Foundation, we're able to make a real impact in restoring our National Forests, planting 25,000 trees and extending the environmental work that we do locally with our Napa Green and Fish Friendly Farming certified estate vineyards." The Hess Select range of wines represent benchmark wines curated from the best growing regions in California. The grapes are sourced from a select group of growers in Napa, Monterey, Lake and Mendocino Counties with whom the Hess family has had long-term relationships and who share a sustainable farming philosophy. Hess Select wines are crafted by the award-winning Hess Collection winemaking team for immediate enjoyment and offer vibrant, balanced flavor and true varietal character. For more information on the Pour One, Plant One program and Hess Select wines, visit www.HESSCOLLECTION.com/POURONEPLANTONE. ABOUT THE HESS COLLECTION The Hess Collection Winery is a family-owned, fifth-generation company with a deep commitment to responsible agricultural and business practices. The Hess family's wine portfolio is comprised of The Hess Collection, Lions Head Collection, MacPhail, Artezin and Hess Select wines. ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION The National Forest Foundation works on behalf of the American public to inspire personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and public funding, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. Each year the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat, facilitates common ground, plants trees in areas affected by fires, insects and disease, and improves recreational opportunities. The NFF believes our National Forests and all they offer are an American treasure and are vital to the health of our communities. Learn more at nationalforests.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Jaffe, Nike Communications, [email protected], (203) 980-9657 SOURCE The Hess Collection Related Links http://www.HESSCOLLECTION.com ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Motorists line up to cross the Confederation Bridge as the so-called tourism bubble for the Atlantic region begins, Friday July 3, 2020. Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Brian McInnis ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Nearly two weeks after a loosened travel agreement between their provinces came into effect, Atlantic Canadian premiers are not rushing to set a date to welcome visitors from the rest of the country. The Atlantic travel "bubble" that opened July 3 allows residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island to travel between the four provinces without being required to self-isolate for 14 days. Newfoundland and Labrador's premier had floated the idea of lifting restrictions for other Canadians by July 17, but Dwight Ball said Wednesday that date was merely a rough estimate of the earliest possible time the bubble could open. "Right now we're just going to continue to monitor this," Ball said during a COVID-19 news conference Wednesday. "We're not anxious to get there right now." Newfoundland and Labrador has a strict ban on entry for non-residents of the Atlantic provinces, a measure that is being challenged by two lawsuits. Ball said 9,900 exemptions to the travel ban have been granted to people in special circumstances. The four Atlantic provinces have recently loosened rules restricting businesses and social activities as cases of the illness have dwindled in the region. Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King said Tuesday he is comfortable with the regional bubble as is. "At this point, I would say like my colleague the premier of Newfoundland, Premier Ball that I don't think we would be actively looking beyond the Atlantic bubble anytime soon," King said. New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said in a statement Wednesday that while he is not ready to open the region to the rest of Canada, his government is looking at loosening restrictions for people who live near the Quebec border. He said it may be possible to allow travel to and from Gaspe and some other regions of Quebec, but health risks will have to be assessed before making a decision. "I have some apprehension right now about opening up the Atlantic region to the rest of the country," Higgs' statement said. "I believe my fellow Atlantic premiers share those concerns, and we will be discussing the matter in the coming days." A statement from the office of Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said expanding the regional bubble to the rest of Canada will be based on the COVID-19 situation and epidemiology at the time. The remarks from the premiers came after Prince Edward Island's top doctor said Monday it is "premature" to encourage broader travel. P.E.I. has nine active cases of COVID-19, out of 36 total cases. People who have recently tested positive in the province include a health-care worker and a patient in the emergency room at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick both reported one new positive case in their provinces Wednesday. None of the four Atlantic provinces have indicated a firm date to broaden travel. Instead, officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of local destinations this summer and support their struggling tourism industries. 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. The Newfoundland and Labrador government has spent $450,000 on a marketing campaign promoting local travel, which launched last month with the slogan "Stay Home Year 2020." On Wednesday, the New Brunswick government announced a rebate program to support residents planning staycations in the province. The Explore NB Travel Incentive program offers a 20 per cent rebate on certain expenses on overnight stays in the province between July 15 and Sept. 30. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health, asked people to be respectful of the local residents and communities during their travels throughout the region. "As you set out to enjoy your summertime activities at home or afar, please continue to be safe," she said Wednesday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2020. With files from Kevin Bissett in Fredericton. EU's China measures only 'symbolic' Global Times By Zhao Yusha Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 22:33:40 Difficult for bloc to reach a consensus on China-related issues: observers In what seemed more like a move to "walk through pressure from the US and the UK," the EU announced on Monday it would take countermeasures against China over the new national security law for Hong Kong. Observers believe members of the bloc, divergent in views and interests, would find it hard to reach consensus in practice. Even if implemented, those measures would only be symbolic, with no significant harm to Beijing, they said. The EU is preparing countermeasures against China in response to the national security law for Hong Kong, the bloc's top diplomat was quoted by Reuters as saying on Monday. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said nothing specific had been decided, but that EU foreign ministers had discussed extending the EU's export ban on "sensitive technology" to Hong Kong. "We have agreed today to develop a coordinated European Union response to show support for Hong Kong's autonomy and civil society," he told a news conference on Monday. The idea of coming up with a coordinated decision from the bloc is likely from Germany, which just took over the rotating presidency of the European Council, and wants a unified stance toward the Hong Kong issue, and wants to stand together to face outside pressure from the US and the UK, Sun Keqin, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times. But experts agreed that it is difficult for this bloc, with each member having its own interests in relation to China or the US, and having different views on issues about Hong Kong, to reach a consensus on whether to impose heavy sanctions on China. Divergences among the members will emerge, especially when they talk about specific measures against China, said Shi Yinhong, a professor of International Relations and Chairman of the Academic Committee of the School of International Studies, noting some EU members will be concerned if sanctions on China will have a negative influence on their cooperation with Beijing. Reuters reported said that tough measures were not being discussed in detail because of resistance from members like Hungary and Greece. Sun explained that some members within the bloc, including Sweden, which frequently used issues such as "human rights" against China, will likely exert pressure to push the bloc to be tough on China. Sweden said on Monday that it supports Franco-German efforts for a robust response to China's new national security law for Hong Kong, joining Denmark and the Netherlands in pushing the European Union to consider countermeasures against Beijing. Germany and France, the most influential members of the bloc, have always sought to strike a balance on issues involving China. On one hand, they echo the US and other Western countries, as they share some ideological values; on the other hand, they also prioritize practical policies and economic benefits, and won't go against China on core issues, and hurt their cooperation, Sun said. He pointed out Germany, in particular, shares with China an overarching exchange system on human rights issues, which both countries recognize. As key discussions on an EU-China investment agreement near, it is unnecessary for Germany to act as a prominent opponent of China. "Both Germany and France know that the Hong Kong issue will become a burden for them if they interfere too much," Sun said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday that the new national security law for Hong Kong is no reason for the European Union to sever dialogue with China. "It is important that EU member states are trying to find a common policy toward China and a common answer," Merkel said during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Apart from an export ban on "sensitive technology" to Hong Kong, Borrell said EU governments could also review their extradition agreements with Hong Kong, review travel advice, increase scholarships for Hong Kong students and offer more visas to Hongkongers. The bloc's envoys stressed the likely steps will not amount to economic sanctions. This is probably as far as the EU could go on sanctioning China. That's because the bloc rarely has any leverage over Hong Kong, said Shi, noting that Hong Kong is not a major conflict point between the EU and China, as the city "has many economic representative offices in all EU countries, and the EU also has vast economic interests in this city That's why the bloc agreed to sanctions, if issues won't touch on the economic level." The measures, if put into practice, are mostly symbolic, said Sun, noting that the bloc's visa relaxation for Hong Kong residents, or ban of "sensitive technology" copied the US and other Five Eyes intelligence alliance members, and the EU knows those measures won't significantly harm Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland. The EU is now gradually realizing the importance of the bloc's strategic independence, as it has seen that it only has itself to rely on when attacked by non-traditional security issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic, without assistance from the US, according to Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China. The bloc is encountering friction with the US, as the latter forced EU countries to take sides when it initiated a trade war with China, and the gap widened as EU members challenged the US on multilateral agreements, Washington's handling of COVID-19, and dealing with racial riots, Wang noted. A March poll conducted by the US-based think tank Pew Research Center and the K?rber Foundation found that 64 percent of Germans considered the relationship between the two countries to be bad in 2019, although that represented a small improvement from the 2018 figure of 73 percent. The poll suggested that negative feelings toward the US in Germany are growing quickly in the pandemic era, which also indicated a shift in public opinion toward Beijing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bankograph Financial Group joined forces with National Citizen Bank to develop credit card services According to MoU, Bankograph ties up with NCB to not only extend the latter's business network and potential customer data but also complete procedures, optimise credit products to make them more accessible and affordable for customers on the back of the existing operating Master Service agreement. NCB, with innovation as one of its core values, sees the need to bring digitally-optimised financial solutions to retail customers for each of its product segments, especially credit card business. The cooperation between NCB and Bankograph will extend NCB's capabilities to become a significant credit card issuing financial institution in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Bankograph is a Singapore Fintech company, which owns and operates digital banking platform and has developed an innovative third-party credit card management platform. It is committed to long-term cooperation with NCB and supports NCB in developing its credit card operations, building a new customer base and a commercial agency system that connects NCB's electronic payment service platform. Bankograph will work with NCB to drive foreign investment to Vietnam. Bankograph will work with NCB to drive foreign investment to Vietnam. Alexander Gold, chairman of Bankograph Financial Group, said, We are very excited to enter into the next phase of our close relationship with NCB, one of the forward-looking banks in Vietnam. NCB is on the way to new heights and we are honoured that they have entrusted us with assisting them on their journey. By the end of the third quarter of 2018, there were 4.6 million credit cards issued in Vietnam with total trading value reaching approximately VND50 trillion ($2.17 billion), up 50 per cent over the same period of 2017. With more than 70 million adults and the fastest growth in both income and spending in the region, Vietnam is showing its potential as a lucrative credit card market. Amid ongoing political drama in Rajasthan, the state's Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday (July 15) issued notices to former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs for not attending Congress Legislative Party meetings. The notice was issued under Article 191 of Constitution and the 10th Schedule as per the provision of Disqualification Rules 1989on a petition submitted by Dr Mahesh Joshi, the Chief Whip of the Congress in Rajasthan. Pilot and 18 other MLAs have been asked to attend the proceedings on July 17 at 1 PM in the chamber of Assembly Speaker CP Joshi. The notice has also been pasted on the official residences of all these MLAs and they have been asked to submit written reply to the notice by July 17. The notice also mentioned that if the MLAs fail to submit their reply within the given deadline then the Speaker would take unilateral action against them and may cancel their membership of Assembly as well. In a related development, Pilot on Wednesday told ANI that he is not going to join the BJP. It may be recalled that Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief on Tuesday for revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and not skipping two meetings of Congress Legislative Party. The decision to sack Pilot was announced by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala during a press conference. The Congress decided to show the door to Tonk MLA after he skipped a second meeting of Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday in Jaipur. After being removed from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and the state president, Sachin Pilot merely said that truth can be disturbed but not defeated. It was also reported that Pilot would address a press conference on Wednesday in Delhi but sources claimed that the Tonk MLA would not talk to the media on Wednesday. UK orders all mobile providers to cut ties with Huawei by 2027 Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 2:51 PM As widely expected, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has decided to end the Chinese technology giant Huawei's role in the development of the UK's 5G network. The PM has ordered all the UK's mobile providers to stop buying new Huawei 5G equipment after December 31 and then to remove all the technology giant's 5G kit from their networks by 2027. Johnson's decision was relayed by digital secretary, Oliver Dowden, to the House of Commons earlier today. The PM's decision is a victory both for the US government (which had been lobbying the UK for months to ditch Huawei) in addition to a powerful anti-China faction in the ruling Tory party. Only six months ago Johnson agreed for a limited Huawie role in the development of the UK's national 5G network but the PM was immediately subjected to intense pressure and lobbying to reverse his decision. According to multiple reports, the PM and senior ministers agreed to the expulsion of Huawei at a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) earlier this morning. Sky News is claiming there were "tense exchanges" during the NSC meeting as Huawei's fate in Britain was decided. But the UK's decision does not come without costs both in terms of time and money. The government has already acknowledged the move would delay the roll-out of 5G in the UK by two to three years and increase costs by up to 2 billion. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria will lift its travel warning for Lombardy, the region at the centre of Italy's novel coronavirus outbreak, because of a fall in infections, Austria's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The relaxation could pave the way for the resumption of flights between Lombardy's capital Milan and Vienna, since such travel warnings come with a ban on direct connections. It will, however, make little difference for those travelling by land as Austria lifted controls at the shared border a month ago, three months after they were introduced when Italy's outbreak worsened. "The epidemiological development of the province, which was hit first and particularly hard by the pandemic, now makes this step possible," Austria's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the travel warning would be lifted on Thursday. The coronavirus has killed roughly 35,000 people in Italy, the fifth highest number in the world after the United States, Brazil, Britain and Mexico. Austria, by contrast, has reported just 710 deaths so far. But in recent weeks Austria has seen an increase in infections connected to Balkan countries, and has introduced travel warnings for Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, as well as European Union member states Bulgaria and Romania. Those warnings have also meant a ban on direct flights, which flag-carrier Austrian Airlines, part of Lufthansa, said was "an enormous challenge", particularly for passengers with connecting flights. "We advocate a uniform and stable travel policy within the EU so as not to weaken Vienna's position as a flight hub in the long term. Business travellers and other transfer passengers will otherwise find alternative ways of getting to long-haul destinations," Austrian said in a statement on Wednesday. "We want and must find a solution for transfer traffic in order to prevent uncontrolled entry as fast as possible." (Reporting by Francois Murphy; editing by Barbara Lewis) The year 2020 will witness an inflection point in the UK-India collaboration as the pandemic has brought collaboration in medicine to the centrestage, outgoing Consul General of India in Birmingham Dr Aman Puri has said. In an interview to PTI on the eve of his departure from the West Midlands region of England, Puri reflected on the recently-launched West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP) to boost India- investment flows and flagged the sector as a particular focus of bilateral ties amid the pandemic. My sense is that 2020 will witness an inflection point in the UK-India collaboration. has brought healthcare centerstage, and the need for collaborations has been realised by all stakeholders more than ever before, said Puri, who organised annual India- healthcare conferences during his three-year tenure, resulting in several MoUs between key stakeholders. Puri has been the Consul General of India in Birmingham since 2017 and leaves the on Wednesday at the end of a three-year tenure to take charge as India's Consul General in Dubai. Today, as the world is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the pandemic, the partnership between health systems assumes even greater significance. The Prime Minister of India, while announcing India's commitment of USD 15 million to the UK-led Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), said the pandemic, in some ways, exposed the limitations of global cooperation and that for the first time in recent history, humankind faces a clear common enemy," according to Puri. "Apart from this, there have been several collaborative efforts between British and the Indian healthcare systems, both in the public and the private sectors, in the areas of clinical research, vaccine development and exchange of best practices to manage pandemic, he said. The 44-year-old diplomat, who has previously been based in Brussels during his tenure in the European Union, believes Britain's exit from the EU and the pandemic-induced economic crisis will also throw up some opportunities within the India-UK sphere. As a result of the economic crisis due to the pandemic, there is going to be a spike in distressed assets in both economies. Identifying complementarities between the UK and India, catalysing mergers and acquisitions will be a significant measure required to protect jobs, improve sustainability of business and promote long-term value creation, he said. Reflecting upon the momentum and impetus provided by trade missions from the West Midlands region to India over the past three years, the diplomat expressed the hope that the region is firmly on India's investment map. I believe that the West Midlands region could be marketed better in India. London remains the preferred location for more than half of the Indian companies investing in the UK, noted Puri. I strongly believe there is appetite and ample opportunity for Indian companies to do business in this region and vice-versa. Hopefully, the West Midlands India partnership (WMIP) will help to better broadcast opportunities which abound in this region, he said. The WMIP is a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' pushed forth by the Consulate of India in Birmingham, backed by both Indian and the UK governments, to attract jobs and tourists and promote two-way trade and investment. The setting up of the 'Guru Nanak Chair', supported by the government of India, at the University of Birmingham to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith last November, and the India Institute launched at the university a year earlier are among some of the other legacies of Puri's UK posting. My vision and passion for India-UK collaborations and partnerships during my tenure in the UK has come to its fruition thanks to each and every individual and organisation that supported us. I hope the consulate will receive the continued support in the future and thereby help in strengthening India-UK relations, he said. The repatriation of Indian nationals stranded in the UAE to their home states will be Puri's foremost priorities as he takes up his new posting in Dubai later this month. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ireland will not progress to Phase 4 of the roadmap on reopening as planned next week, the Taoiseach has said. Micheal Martin said that Cabinet has agreed that current health measures on Covid-19 should remain in place until 10 August. Speaking at a press conference following a Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle, Mr Martin said that the Government identified five key priority areas: - Face coverings must be worn in all shops and retail settings and shopping centres. Retail staff will also be required to wear them unless there is a partition in place or there is a space of 2 metres between them and customers. - Pubs, bars, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos will remain closed until 10 August. Pubs currently serving food can remain open. - Social visits to people's homes should be limited to a max of ten people from no more than four different households. - Current restrictions of 50 people in indoor gatherings, 200 at outdoor gatherings is being extended until 10 August. - It is continuing to advise against all non-essential travel. An experimental COVID-19 vaccine that is being developed by US biotech firm Moderna induced antibody responses against the coronavirus in all 45 participants - Reuters An experimental Covid-19 vaccine that is being developed by US biotech firm Moderna induced antibody responses against the coronavirus in all 45 participants of a human trial, a paper published Tuesday showed. Moderna had previously published "interim results" from its Phase 1 in the form of a press release on its website in May, which revealed the vaccine had generated immune responses in eight patients. Though these were called "encouraging" by Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases official, the full study had been eagerly awaited by the scientific community. The company has since moved to the next stage of its trial, involving 600 people. The new paper was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The 45 participants were split into three groups of 15 each to test doses of 25 micrograms, 100 micrograms and 250 micrograms. They were given a second dose 28 days later. Dr Anthony Fauci, pictured behind President Donald Trump in a May press conference, said the results were 'encouraging' - AFP After the first round, antibody levels were found to be higher with higher level doses, and after the second round, participants had higher levels of antibodies than most patients who have Covid-19 and gone on to generate their own antibodies. More than half the participants experienced mild or moderate side-effects, though these did not rise to the level where the trial would be called off. The side effects included fatigue, chills, headache, bodyache, and pain at the injection site. Three participants did not receive their second dose, including one in the 25 microgram group who developed a skin rash on both legs, and two (one in the 25 microgram group, one in 250 group) who missed their window because they had Covid-19 symptoms, but their tests later returned negative. Andrew Freedman, an infectious disease expert at the University of Cardiff who was not involved in the study, said the paper suggested the vaccine "is able to stimulate antibody production in a dose-dependent fashion." "Importantly, the antibodies generated were able to neutralise the virus" in lab conditions, he added. Story continues "The side effects experienced by more than half the participants are quite common after other vaccinations, although the 'more severe adverse events' experienced by three of the subjects given the highest dose may mean that dose is too high to take forward," he said. The Moderna vaccine belongs to a new class of vaccine that uses genetic material, in the form of RNA, to encode the information needed to grow the virus' spike protein inside the human body, in order to trigger an immune response. The spike protein is a part of the virus it uses to invade human cells, but by itself is relatively harmless. United Nations demographers have been anticipating since last year that the worlds population may stop growing by 2100 as fertility rates decline, projecting a peak of 10.9 billion people by centurys end, compared with roughly 7.8 billion now. But a study published on Tuesday in The Lancet, the medical journal, has challenged that forecast, with major economic and political implications. The study asserted that the global population could peak at 9.7 billion by 2064 nearly four decades earlier and decline to 8.8 billion by 2100. Moreover, the study concluded, the elderly will make up a bigger chunk of the total than foreseen in the U.N. forecast, and the populations of at least 23 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Italy and Spain, could shrink by more than 50 percent. The study also projected significant declines in the working-age populations of China and India, the two most populous countries, portending a weakening in their global economic power. The studys projections, if borne out, also carry significant consequences for the United States, whose economy is expected to trail Chinas in size by 2035. As Chinas working-age population declines in the second half of the century, the study said, the United States could reclaim the top spot economically by 2098 if immigration continues to replenish the American work force. After they were dismissed from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTWS) within a few minutes of each other in March, Steve Ortiz and Tom Davis put their heads together to pray and figure out what they were going to do. Ortiz and Davis were both seasoned directors of archaeological projects in Israel and across the Middle East. While at SWBTS, the third-largest seminary in the United States, they saw the Tandy Institute for Archaeology contribute to the schools growth and vision. The institute had about two dozen MA and PhD students, making it the largest archeological program at an evangelical school. The two professors expected cutbacks in 2020 because of COVID-19 and ongoing financial challenges facing higher education. But they had no idea their jobs were on the line. It didnt seem right to them. As Ortiz and Davis reviewed their accomplishments of the preceding decade, they came up with a growing list of accomplishments. Theyd done an amazing amount of research since Ortiz started as director. We saw how God had been growing the Tandy and providing us projects that were already funded and just needed our staff members and our students, Ortiz told Christianity Today. So we said, Let's see if somebody will hire both of us. One of the first people they called was former SWBTS president Paige Patterson, who had been a strong Tandy supporter before he was fired in 2018 for mishandling a students allegations of sexual assualt. Patterson suggested they talk with Mark Lanier, a Houston attorney and the founder of the Lanier Theological Library. Lanier was in touch almost immediately and said he would like to see them hired at his alma mater, Lipscomb University, a 129-year old, Churches of Christ-affiliated school in Nashville. Ortiz and Davis didnt know anything about Lipscomb, except that Lanier was on the board of trustees. God is amazing, Ortiz said. On the day we got our notification that we were being fired, we already had somebody talking about a potential job offer that evening. Lanier didnt waste any time taking his vision to Lipscomb president Randy Lowry and the rest of the trustees. I think within two weeks we had the entire deal put together, Lanier said. Classes start in Janurary The new Lanier Center for Archaeology was announced on the colleges website Wednesday. Ortiz and Davis will join the faculty in the fall, and the school will start offering archaeology classes in January, when it expects to complete the accreditation process. There will be a graduate-level program as well as undergraduate courses. Ortiz was the principal investigator and co-director of the Tel Gezer Excavation Project and is also participating in a dig at Tel Burna, both in Israel. Davis directs the Kourion Urban Space Project at the early Christian site in Cyprus and is part of an ongoing project documenting findings in a temple in Egypt. Lipscomb provost W. Craig Bledsoe said the center for archaeology will provide our faculty with new opportunities to collaborate as well as to share and apply their knowledge and expertise. We look forward to the impact this program will have not only on Lipscomb but also on the field of archaeological research on the whole. Lipscomb faces the same economy and the same coronavirus-caused disruptions as other Christian schools and universities, according to Lanier, but the administration and trustees were excited about the new opportunities. Lipscomb is looking at this as a wise use of our opportunities, resources, talents, and gifts, Lanier said. We want this program to grow and thrive and become a world-recognized program both within Christianity and even outside the Christian circles. The program is funded for five years, after which it will be reevaluated. Because of Steve Ortiz and Tom Davis, we will go from zero to 60 faster than a Tesla, Lanier said. Graduate students transferring Many of the graduate students from SWBTS are transferring to Lipscomb and will not have to restart their degree programs. Two international students are tied to Texas seminary by the terms of their student visas and will not be transferring to Nashville. Some of the students have filed a complaint against SWBTS with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the regional accrediting agency. The complaint says that when a graduate-level academic program is canceled SACS standards call for the need for teach-out plans to offer students a chance to continue their degree with 1) minimal disruption, 2) be reasonable, and 3) offer a chance to transfer to comparable programs. Like fellow professors, Oritz and Davis are not sure at this point how much of their teaching will be in person and how much will be online this fall. But they are eager to get started and pleased to have found a new home at Lipscomb. At SWBTS, we thought that was the end of archaeology, Ortiz said. And now all of a sudden we're at Lipscomb and we have a bigger footprint and an institute that wants us there, thats a big difference. The Network of Progress and Good Governance (NOPAGG) has described the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN). Mr. Malami (SAN) as a man of excellence. Dr Rasheed Ahmed, the Convener Network of Progress and Good Governance NOPAGG in a statement Wednesday 15 July, 2020 noted that NOPAGG has over the years maintained a habit of celebrating successful and worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, around the world, adding that on this occasion the spotlight has fallen on the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN). According to Ahmed, Mr. Malami (SAN) has proved himself to be a man of excellence. The Honorable Minister for Justice has over the years shown a high level of discipline and decorum. He has been involved in so many government projects and has always ensured that the fight against corruption is well executed. He reeled out some of the successes of Mr. Malami to include the implementation of Executive Order No. 6. He worked with other enforcement authorities the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), among others to ensure that assets connected to corruption, belonging to anyone linked to corruption related investigation or prosecution, are duly protected. Malami also worked to ensure the launch of the document called the National Judicial Policy (NJP), which points the nations direction in justice administration, particularly as it relates to criminal justice. Malami can be credited with aiding the success of the Federal Governments initiative deployed to address the challenge of dealing with the army of arrested Boko Haram suspects, who were kept for years in various detention centers and unattended by the previous government. Malami also facilitated the repatriation of $321 million Abacha loot; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between World Bank, Nigeria and Switzerland for the early return and transparent management of $322.5m stolen assets from Switzerland, which has since been repatriated back to Nigeria and is now being managed by the National Social Investment Office under the supervision of the World Bank. Recall that Mr Malami who has been pushing the Federal Governments anti-corruption drive, once said the Federal Ministry of Justice, under my watch, released the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Framework (NACSF) for collaboration by all the relevant agencies. Malami explained that the NACSF revolves around five pillars which include prevention of corruption, public enlightenment, campaign for ethical re-orientation, enforcements and sanctions/recovery of proceeds of corruption. Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) is our icon for the second quarter of the year. We encourage him to remain steadfast and keep up the good work. His stand with Mr. President, President Muhammadu Buhari, on the fight against corruption, has made him stand out as one of the most outstanding Northerners and we appreciate him for that. Keep the flag flying, the Dr Rasheed enthused. Signed Dr Rasheed Ahmed Convener Network of Progress and Good Governance (NOPAGG) The content on the Web page you requested is currently under review. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please contact the Superintendents Initiatives Office to request information regarding the page you are trying to access. Page Title: Ethnic Studies Virtual Event with Dolores Huerta Web Address: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel57.asp Back to Previous Page Srinagar: Several senior leaders of the BJP, including national general secretary Ram Madhav and Union minister of state Dr. Jitendra Singh have gone into self-quarantine or home isolation following the partys Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Raina had accompanied these leaders during a visit to the home of local BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari to offer condolences to the bereaved family in Bandipora district on July 12, days after the latter was gunned down by militants along with his father and brother. Madhav tweeted, Am quarantining myself for a few days since my colleague and BJP J&K President Ravinder Raina tested +ve for Corona today and I was with him 48 hrs ago in Srinagar. I tested -ve for Corona four times during travel in the last two weeks. Yet taking precautions to ensure the safety of me and others. (sic) In another tweet, he wished Raina a speedy recovery. Singh also informed about quarantining himself as a precautionary measure through his Twitter handle. He wrote on the micro-blogging site Have gone into Self-Quarantine with immediate effect from 4 PM today, after receiving the news about #Corona positive test of J&K BJP President Sh Ravinder Raina who had accompanied us from Srinagar to Bandipora on 12th July (sic). BJPs vice president Avinash Rai Khanna and several J-K party leaders and activists too had travelled to Bandipora, 66-km north of Srinagar, on July 12 to show solidarity with the family. Raina announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 in a tweet earlier during the day on Tuesday. He said that he had stayed in the Valley for five days after the murder of Bari, a former district president of the BJP, his father Bashir Ahmed and brother Umar Bari on July 8 night. Today I had a mild fever. I got myself tested. The test has returned positive for COVID-19. No other symptoms.(sic) The party sources said that Raina was immediately shifted to Naryana Hospital at Kakryal in Katra area in Jammu where he has been kept in an isolation ward. J&Ks COVID-19 toll has reached 195 after eight more people died across the Union Territory during the past 24 hours. The number of positive cases has crossed the 11,000 mark. The authorities, however, said that over six thousand patients have recovered from the disease, so far. Most parts of Srinagar were brought under virtual lockdown again from Sunday night in view of the rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 deaths with the summer capital reporting the maximum number of 46 followed by Baramulla district with 35. The authorities said that as many as 88 areas of Srinagar were notified as red zones in view of a sharp spike in COVID-19 positive cases reported in the district in the last couple of weeks. Restrictions on public movement and certain curbs on trade activities were earlier re-imposed in some other districts of the UT including Rajouri and Kupwara as positive cases of the deadly virus are increasing by the day in both Kashmir Valley and Jammu region. Meanwhile, J-Ks Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, on Tuesday visited the house of slain BJP leader and after expressing his condolences to the bereaved family handed over the financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. He strongly condemned the killings and said that the perpetrators of this dastardly act of violence would be brought to justice. He also said that such a heinous act is an attempt to spread fear, and there can be no justification for such attacks, an official release said. Madhav had during his visit to Bandipora announced Rs 100,000 as relief to the family from the party. Ukraine should focus on implementing comprehensive internal reforms, in particular in the country's security and defense sector, said head of the NATO mission in Ukraine Oleksandr Vinnikov. "Today, Ukraine's focus should be placed on introducing internal comprehensive reforms, in particular in the Ukrainian security and defense sector, and NATO supports these actions of the Ukrainian government. We have advisors who work daily with colleagues in Ukrainian institutions, and there is also a high-level dialogue," Vinnikov told Ukrainian Radio on Tuesday. He clarified that we are talking about introducing reforms of democratic institutions in Ukraine, which also includes justice reform, reform on anti-corruption actions, strengthening the rule of law. "We also expect the development of defense capabilities in accordance with NATO standards and principles. This also includes the implementation of the national security law, which was adopted in 2018. We are actively working with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as the executive branch, to support the process. We need to implement this law, reform the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the intelligence sector and also pass a bill on state secrets and parliamentary oversight of the security sector," he said. In addition, he noted that in order to become a member of NATO, Ukraine needs to carry out comprehensive reforms, including in the economic sphere. "To become a member of NATO, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive reforms in Ukraine. It also covers the economic sphere. It is very important for business that the judicial system work in Ukraine to protect investors," he said. Under 25 year agreement reportedly finalized, Beijing and Tehran to increase military cooperation, including weapons development and intel sharing; China getting discount oil, Times of Israel reports in its article China strategic accord could give Iran a $400 billion boost, up military ties. Negotiations between Iran and China over the creation of a 25-year strategic accord appear to have concluded, with The New York Times on Sunday publishing excerpts from an 18-page agreement labeled final version that could see Beijing invest $400 billion over the next 25 years in exchange for discount oil. The document which The Times said was dated June 2020 and has yet to be approved by the Majles, Irans parliament detailed how Beijing would receive Iranian oil at a sharply reduced price for the next quarter century in exchange expanding its economic involvement in a variety of fields, including banking and infrastructure, such as telecommunications and transport. This would potentially include giving the Iranians access to Chinas global positioning system and helping roll out an Iranian 5G network. China is Irans top trading partner. Tehran has been hit hard by American sanctions reimposed following Washingtons withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018. Iranian crude exports have been severely curtailed by the US sanctions, as has much of the countrys foreign trade. The deal could bring Iran as much as $400 billion in Chinese investment over the next quarter century, according to sources with knowledge of the deal who spoke with The Times. The deal would also encompass military cooperation, including weapons development, combined training and intelligence sharing in order to combat the lopsided battle with terrorism, drug and human trafficking and cross-border crimes, The Times reported. Both Tehran and Beijing are currently at loggerheads with Washington, Iran over its nuclear program and China over ongoing trade disputes with the Trump administration. The US has accused China of stealing its intellectual property and engaging in forced technology transfers from US firms doing business there. The accord said that Iran and China as two ancient Asian cultures, two partners in the sectors of trade, economy, politics, culture and security with a similar outlook and many mutual bilateral and multilateral interests will consider one another strategic partners, the paper reported. On Sunday, a senior aide to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the accord could be signed as early as next March, Radio Farda reported. There has been some pushback in Iran regarding the deal. Last Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told lawmakers that their country had been negotiating with the Chinese and that the terms would be announced once a deal is struck. During the session, Zarif was heckled by lawmakers, largely over his key role in negotiating a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which the US unilaterally abandoned in 2018 as a prelude to reimposing biting sanctions. It was his first address to parliament since a new house started work in late May in the wake of elections that were dominated by conservatives and ultra-conservatives. Zarif insisted there was nothing secret about the prospective China deal. The nation would be informed when an accord has been concluded, he said, adding that the intention had already been made public in January 2016 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tehran. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has come out publicly in support of a strategic bilateral partnership with China. The planned China deal has been a hot topic on Iranian social media since populist ex-president Mahmud Ahmadinejad last month condemned negotiations underway with a foreign country. Early in episode one of the three-part The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, Alastair Campbell shared a piece of advice he and Tony Blair were once given about how to negotiate with Rupert Murdoch: Hes a really hard b*****d. The only way to deal with him is to be a really hard b*****d. He wont respect you otherwise. This was the summer of 1995, when Blair, the beaming, fresh-faced new Labour leader, joined Murdoch, his clan and the various execs in charge of the many tentacles of his media empire for a summit on Murdochs private island in Australia. Fuzzy, grainy footage of the event showed what youd expect it to show: sun, sea, yachts, swimming pools, expensive shades, private planes, clinking champagne flutes and rictus grins of terror. Blair was there to sell his soul sorry, I mean sell Murdoch on the idea of switching his support from the Tories to Labour, after years of his newspapers relentlessly battering Neil Kinnock. It worked. Murdoch apparently thought Cherie Blair was a bit strange, but he liked Tony. Mind you, Campbell thought Murdochs description of the two mens relationship as being a sort of lovemaking a bit f***ing weird. Two years and many pro-Blair headlines in Murdochs papers later, Labour destroyed the Tories in the general election. The price was high, though. Murdoch, for instance, wanted an assurance from Blair that Britain would never join the euro without holding a referendum first. He not only got it, he got it in print, in an article Blair agreed to write for one of his newspapers. When the papers editor complained that the article was nothing but public relations flimflam, Blair dutifully rewrote it. If you can believe Nigel Farage, who popped up mercifully briefly, Murdoch was responsible for keeping Britain out of the euro, which in turn ultimately led to Brexit being carried. Bizarrely, in what seemed to be an off-camera moment that nonetheless wound up on-camera, Farage admitted to asking Murdochs permission to take part in the programme. If hed said no, I wouldnt have done it, he croaked. See? Thats how much power Murdoch has! Not only is he powerful enough to control prime ministers, hes powerful enough to control whether Farage appears on a programme about how powerful he is. Video of the Day We get it. Murdoch is powerful. Murdoch is nasty. Murdoch is a threat to democracy. We already knew all that. But whats he really like? According to a former Sun editor, David Yelland, Murdoch is the most interesting man Ive ever met. He didnt elaborate on that and neither did anyone else. Frankly, this opening episode, which was all over the place in terms of chronology and subject matter, was better on the really hard b*****d stuff than the supposedly interesting stuff. The intermittent focus on which of Murdochs children Lachlan, James or Elizabeth, who hes said to pit against one another will inherit his empire has drawn comparisons with the brilliant drama series Succession. But nobody would watch Succession if the characters were as bland and dreary as these three seem to be. Lachlan apparently has the charm but not the smarts. James apparently has the smarts but not the charm. Elizabeth has the charm and the smarts. On the evidence here, she does a pretty good job of hiding both. Ultimately, they came across as what they are: privileged, entitled kids of a wealthy mogul, born with silver money clips in their mouths and always destined to work for daddy. As for Murdoch, the programme told us hes an enigma. He gives nothing of himself away. Well, apart from his wives. Jerry Hall is number four in the collection. Maybe theres nothing else to give away. Maybe under all that viciousness and egomania, theres just more viciousness and egomania. The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty (BBC2) - 3 stars Ivanka Trump is facing questions of whether she violated White House ethics rules as a result of a social media post that promoted Goya Foods, whose CEO angered opponents of President Donald Trump last week by praising the president at an event. The White House adviser and president's oldest daughter on Tuesday posted an image of herself on Twitter holding aloft a can of Goya black beans, along with a caption featuring the company's slogan, "If it's Goya, it has to be good," in both English and Spanish. People who were angered by the Goya CEO's comments at a Hispanic business event at the White House last week have called for a boycott of the company. Robert Unanue, the chief executive at Goya, said at the event: "We're all truly blessed at the same time to have a leader like President Trump, who is a builder." If its Goya, it has to be good. Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno. pic.twitter.com/9tjVrfmo9z Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 15, 2020 As social media users attacked that comment by using the hashtag #BoycottGoya, Unanue said he would not apologize and called the boycott attempt "suppression of speech." Ivanka Trump's post drew swift reaction on social media, including from several critics who maintained it was a violation of a rule that prohibits executive branch employees from using their position for the "endorsement of any product, service or enterprise." "Yes, the Goya tweet was an ethics violation," tweeted Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, who resigned less than seven months after Trump took office. Shaub said that because Ivanka Trump often uses her Twitter account to conduct official business and includes her job description in her profile, "Ms. Trump's Goya tweet is clearly a violation of the government's misuse of position regulation." Story continues The White House said Wednesday that Ivanka Trump's tweet was merely a reflection of her personal preference. Misuse of position, it's what's for dinner. pic.twitter.com/iOhuctn8HF Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) July 15, 2020 The president also has expressed his support for the company, tweeting on Friday: "I LOVE @GoyaFoods!" "@GoyaFoods is doing GREAT," Trump tweeted Wednesday morning. "The Radical Left smear machine backfired, people are buying like crazy!" Later Wednesday, Trump posted a photo on Instagram that showed him giving two thumbs up while seated behind a row of Goya Foods products. "Only the media and the cancel culture movement would criticize Ivanka for showing her personal support for a company that has been unfairly mocked, boycotted and ridiculed for supporting this administration one that has consistently fought for and delivered for the Hispanic community," White House spokeswoman Carolina Hurley said in a statement. "Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in the U.S. and has every right to express her personal support." Jordan Libowitz, communications director for the nonprofit watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said of Ivanka Trump's posting: "It appears that Ivanka tweeted an endorsement of a product in her official government capacity. That would be a violation of the government's misuse of position regulation. And it further sends the message that senior Trump officials believe that government ethics don't apply to them." Libowitz told USA TODAY the organization planned to file an official complaint about the tweet with the Office of Government Ethics. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., weighed in on the controversy with a play on the company's slogan. "If it's Trump, it has to be corrupt," she tweeted in Spanish. Si es Trump, tiene que ser corrupto https://t.co/Ti3oxFO6oY Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 15, 2020 Former Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said it was a "clear violation." "Both parties should call this out or we end up like a banana republic. Surely they know better," he tweeted. Shaub said "it would be disingenuous for anyone to argue that you weren't making an official endorsement" in light of the tweet's context. "If you tout the company's product in an obvious response to the backlash the company is facing for the CEO's remarks about your father-president, you knowingly link your account in people's minds to your official activities,'' Shaub said "You create the appearance of official sanction. "Ms. Trump has had ethics training. She knows better. But she did it anyway because no one in this administration cares about government ethics." White House counselor Kellyanne Conway faced no consequences under the ethics requirements after she urged "Fox & Friends" viewers to "go buy Ivanka's stuff" in February 2017 even though Shaub who was then still at the helm of the Office of Government Ethics had determined the comment appeared to be "a clear violation of the prohibition against misuse of position." Isn't there like... A global pandemic, two middle eastern wars, the worst federal deficit in US history, and severely strained racial tensions going on? Could you guys do something about that instead of trying to sell us beans? Libertarian Party (@LPNational) July 15, 2020 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ivanka Trump faces criticism and ethics questions for Goya beans tweet Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will hold its 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) online on Wednesday. The oil-to-telecom major will organise the meet through its newly-launched video conferencing platform, JioMeet which will host over 1 lakh shareholders of the company from 500 different locations simultaneously. This will be RIL's first virtual AGM in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The event is scheduled to start at 2 pm. In terms of expectations from the conglomerate's Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani, the shareholders have huge expectations from him as he has fulfilled most of the promises he made a year ago at RIL's 42nd AGM. Ambani has achieved the main task of making RIL debt-free by March 31, 2021, which he accomplished eight months before the deadline. Also Read: Google in advanced talks to invest $4 billion in Mukesh Ambani's Jio Platforms: report What to expect from Mukesh Ambani at Reliance's 43rd AGM:- 1. Jio Platforms RIL has raised over Rs 1.7 lakh crore in the last three months by selling its stake in Jio Platforms and rights issues. The country's most valued firm has raised Rs 53,124.20 crore through mega rights issues and over Rs 1.18 lakh crore from global tech investors by selling its stake in Jio Platforms. The investors are now focusing on the company's plan to scale up its revenues from all the 10 affiliates of Jio platforms. As Mukesh Ambani has committed to listing Jio in the next five years, RIL will now concentrate on shoring up its revenues from its digital assets. Shareholders and investors alike expect him to steer the company towards a comprehensive revenue growth for Jio platforms. 2. Petrochemicals business Mukesh Ambani at the last RIL AGM had made the announcement that the company had inked a deal with the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. to sell up to 20% in its refining and chemical business at an enterprise value of $75 billion. RIL has since begun the process of demerging its oil and petrochemical business into Reliance O2C (oil-to-chemicals). Investors are awaiting updates in this context. Also Read: Reliance's first virtual AGM today: Where to watch, expectations, other details 3. Retail businesses, Facebook tie-up Shareholders will be keen to understand how Mukesh Ambani will devise strategies to scale-up RIL's retail business, specifically its partnership with WhatsApp. The conglomerate wants to leverage Facebook's messenger service for its e-commerce foray. Investors are keen to know how JioMart will unify with local stores across the country and WhatsApp's platform. 4. Asset monetisation RIL is presently holding talks with prospective investors to sell its stake in its Jio Optic Fibre investment trust. The company has already divested its stake in its tower business and sold it to Canada's Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP, GIC Investors, and British Columbia Investment Management. Stakeholders will be keen to get more information on this front. Also Read: Reliance 43rd AGM on July 15: What shareholders can expect from Mukesh Ambani 5. Jio Fibre Commercially launched in September last year, Jio Fibre Reliance, the fibre-to-home service of Jio secured over a million subscribers as of February 2020 against its plan to reach 20 million homes and 15 million businesses, as per data from the telecom regulator. Mukesh Ambani is expected to announce the action plan for the rollout of this service, as he had said earlier that the home broadband service's rollout will be concluded within 12 months. Shareholders will expect updates on Jio Fibre's subscriber addition from February this year, revenue target, and the company's outline to make it available for mass adoption. Western Union (NYSE: WU), a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, and Techstars, the global platform for investment and innovation, today announced the launch of its second class of the Techstars & Western Union Accelerator. From machine learning and artificial intelligence, to cloud services, digital banking and advanced analytics, the common thread across the portfolio of 10 companies is their commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to create greater access to global and local economies, through inclusive finance. The 2020 Accelerator companies are led by founders originating from across the world, including the Philippines, Egypt, Gambia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Spain, South Africa and the United States. They share Western Unions commitment to inclusive innovation by developing products and services that accelerate access for a more equitable global financial system. The concept of financial access served as the North Star throughout the 2020 Accelerator selection process, as program leaders contemplated the question: In the face of a global health crisis, which companies are best positioned to accelerate and expand financial access in a post-COVID world? The startup founders will participate in an intensive 13-week virtual program during which they will focus on growing and evolving their companies with the mentorship, entrepreneurial expertise, business strategy and marketing guidance of fintech subject matter experts in a range of areas, including compliance, mobile wallets and settlement. The Western Union team is tremendously impressed with this diverse group of founders and entrepreneurs who are actively addressing challenges across the financial services ecosystem, said Western Union President of Product and Platform, Shelly Swanback. I am confident that the breadth of perspective, experience and technologies represented in this years portfolio will drive us to be even more disruptive as we endeavor to develop more inclusive financial services and payment technologies in a rapidly changing global economy. Swanback added, I am especially proud of the fact that many of the companies in the accelerator are led by founders from many different countries, which nicely reflects the global diversity of our employee, customer and partner base. A global lens is critical as we look to create opportunities for billions of people to access the latest innovations in finance, innovate opportunities for businesses and customers, and help close the growing inequality gap. According to the New American Economy, a U.S.-based bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on federal, state, and local immigration policies, in 2019 approximately 45% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. We are proud to announce the companies selected to participate in the 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator, said Ethan Austin, Managing Director of the Techstars Western Union Accelerator. Each of these companies is tackling systemic industry obstacles with innovative and original solutions using leading edge technologies. We are excited to support their continued growth over the next 13 weeks of our program and beyond. The 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator will culminate with a Demo Day on Oct. 8, where startup founders will pitch their products and services to potential investors. This year, the program has shifted from an in-person to virtual program due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2006, Techstars has worked with more than 2,000 startups, forging deep and meaningful relationships between young startup companies and global corporations. The competitive selection process for the Techstars & Western Union Accelerator began in early 2020 with hundreds of entrepreneurs vying for one of 10 coveted spots. Techstars and Western Union extend a hearty congratulations and a warm welcome to the 2020 Techstars & Western Union Accelerator companies. 2020 Techstars Western Union Accelerator Roster AidBanc Little Rock, AR | USA and LA AidBanc empowers NGOs with digital banking and spend management tools to seamlessly disburse aid in an increasingly cashless world. https://www.aidbanc.com/ Plentina San Francisco, CA | USA Cloud services provide alternative credit scoring and lending for global financial inclusion. https://www.plentina.com/ Gig Wage Dallas, TX | USA Gig Wage is a payments platform specializing in independent contractors. Their technology makes it simple, fast and easy to pay, manage, and support contractors. https://gigwage.com/ Rise Capital Lagos, Nigeria A technology-driven finance company connecting everyday Africans with the best dollar-denominated investment opportunities around the world. https://rise.capital/ Heights Labs New York, NY | USA AI and network analytics platform for risk, fraud, compliance, and AML/CFT to mitigate risks and threats across the compliance, intelligence, and national security landscape. https://www.heightslabs.com/ Robbie AI Boston, MA | USA Facial recognition technology through real-time streaming in natural settings. https://robbie.ai/ Line San Francisco, CA | USA AI-powered technology helps qualified and banked individuals establish credit and access to affordable financial services. https://www.useline.com/ Vested Finance Berkeley, CA | USA Investment advisory platform promoting sustainable wealth creation by empowering local Indian investors to go global. https://www.vested.co.in/ Logicluster San Francisco, CA | USA An Artificial Intelligence powered pricing engine to enable businesses to grow revenue through optimized pricing. https://www.logicluster.com/ Yunit Oakland, CA | USA Allows users to save money with their friends. https://www.yunit.co/ WU-G About Techstars Techstars is a global platform for investment and innovation. Techstars founders connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporations to grow their companies. Techstars operates three divisions: Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and Techstars Community. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 2,200 companies with a market cap of more than $26 billion. www.techstars.com About Western Union The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. Our omnichannel platform connects the digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease, and reliability. As of March 31, 2020, our network included over 550,000 retail agent locations offering our branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the capability to send money to billions of accounts. Additionally, westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2019, is available in over 75 countries, plus additional territories, to move money around the world. With our global reach, Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends, and businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005456/en/ The Axim Divisional Police Command is said to have saved the life of a Metro TV cameraman who could have been thrown into jail for secretly filming a court proceeding involving the husband of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira and a communicator of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The cameraman is said to have gone to the court in the company of a reporter from The Chronicle, Alfred Adams, to cover the said court proceedings in which Mr. Seth Afeku, husband of Hon. Catherine Afeku, had brought defamation suit against the NDC communicator, one Angate Borzah. Alfred Adams, who for some strange reason, has a long standing feud with the Afekus, is said to have shown his media ID card to the court interpreter to allow him cover the said proceedings. He then introduced the cameraman to the Court Interpreter as a Cameraman from Metro TV without showing his ID card. The Court Interpreter, we understand, did not see the media ID card of the cameraman. Only that of Alfred Adams was shown for them to be allowed entry into the court room. However, they were told not to film court proceedings since it was against the law. The Court Interpreter, we further understand, is said to have even told the two media professionals to hold on until they permission from the District Court Registrar before they could cover the proceedings. When the District Court Registrar came, they (Alfred Adams and the cameraman) did not seek any permission from him. The Chronicle reporter, we are told, was later allowed entry into the court room, whilst the cameraman was made to wait outside. While in the corridors of the court building, the cameraman then started to secretly film the proceedings since one could easily have access to what was happening inside from where he was standing. Unknown to him, the bodyguard of the MP was in plain cloth outside the courtroom watching every move he takes. Eyewitnesses say, the cameraman placed the camera under his armpit and pretended he was doing nothing. Meanwhile, he was secreting filming the court proceedings. Having monitored his movements for some time, the bodyguard of the MP approached him and asked him why he was secretly recording the court proceedings. The cameraman then denied but the Policeman stood his grounds and then drew the attention of another policeman detailed at the court to what was happening. That policeman then called the Divisional Police Commander and informed him of what was happening there. In a twinkle of an eye, the Divisional Police Commander stormed the court premises and demanded to inspect what had been captured on tape by the cameraman. According to eyewitnesses, the said Metro TV cameraman had on tape some recordings from the court proceedings that was ongoing. The Divisional Police Commander, according our sources, instructed one of his boys to collect the camera for him. The Police then took him to the Police Station to ascertain why he was recording a court proceedings which was a criminal offense. At that juncture, the Western Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Nana Toku, proceeded to the Police Station to plead on behalf of this unidentified cameraman. After his pleadings, the camera was given to the cameraman and he voluntarily, deleted the content in the presence of the Police at the Police Station. This decision by the Police, we are told, was arrived at because of the good relationship that exist between them and the media. "The Police Commander told him that he didn't want to cause his arrest to create chaos and besides, it was an election year and wanted to maintain the peaceful atmosphere the district was enjoying", one of the eyewitnesses who did not want his name to be made public recounted. Sources within the Police have confirmed the incident but are rather surprised that an incident they handled peacefully has turned to be a confrontational issue in which the Western Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) whose Secretary, Zambaga Rufai Saminu, was a working colleague of Alfred Adam at The Chronicle newspaper, to issue a statement contradicting what transpired at the Axim Magistrate Court on Friday, July 10, 2020. Per the dictates of the guidelines in the GJA Code of Ethics, a journalist should make adequate enquiries and cross-checks his/her facts before going ahead with any publication. It also urges journalists to make and verify the source of every information as well not to suppress news, information and materials on the basis of threats, inducements, and individual preferences or for personal gain. Checks at the various police stations under the Axim Divisional Police Command and those near as well as the Regional Police Headquarters have revealed that the cameraman did not make any case of assault against the MPs bodyguard in any of the Police Stations in the vicinity. We are also informed by eyewitnesses that the MPs bodyguard did not heckle the cameraman contrary to claims by the Secretary of the Western Regional GJA whose friend is Alfred Adams. Also, this Regional GJA Secretary did not bother to even verify the other side of the story. He instead, went ahead to write what his friend, Alfred Adams narrated to him. Efforts to reach the Axim Divisional Police Commander to comment on the issue proved futile as his mobile phone was either switched off or out of coverage area. However, the Court Interpreter, Mr. Bright Kumah, when contacted confirmed the incident but denied ever seeing the MPs bodyguard heckling the Metro TV cameraman. I was inside the court room when I heard noise from the corridors of the court room and I immediately went out to find out what was happening. When I got there, I saw the MPs bodyguard questioning the cameraman about the secret recording he saw him doing. The incident happened on the corridors of the court room where one could easily see and hear what is happening in the courtroom. Having succeeded in moving them away from the corridors of the courtroom, I then moved inside to observe the proceedings, he explained. According to the eyewitness, the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira lawmaker that the Regional GJA Secretary was trying to draw into the fracas was nowhere near where the incident happened. She was seated in the court room observing proceedings. The MP for the area, Hon. Catherine Afeku when contacted, said she has just been briefed about the incident and is doing further checks before she will comment on it. 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 Baku (AFP) - At least 11 troops and a civilian were killed on Tuesday in a third day of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, despite international calls for restraint. The fighting between the arch-foes in the South Caucasus since Sunday is the heaviest in years, raising fears of a major flare-up in the volatile region. All-out war between the ex-Soviet republics could have wider implications and pit regional rivals Russia and Turkey against each other. Azerbaijan said seven of its troops - including a major general and a colonel - and a civilian had died on Tuesday, and Armenia said four of its troops had been killed, its first reported fatalities in the clashes. Overall, 16 people have been killed from both sides since Sunday. The ex-Soviet republics have for decades been locked in a simmering conflict over Azerbaijan's southwestern separatist region of Nagorny Karabakh, which was seized by ethnic Armenian separatists in a 1990s war that claimed 30,000 lives. Fighting outside the region is rare, but since Sunday the two sides have reported clashes in northern areas along their shared border. The fighting hundreds of kilometres from Nagorny Karabakh has prompted calls for an immediate ceasefire from the United States, European Union and the regional power broker Russia. Azerbaijan's defence ministry said Armenian forces had attacked its positions in the northern Tovuz region with artillery fire, mortars and large-calibre machine-guns on Tuesday. It said several villages in the area had also come under fire. Azerbaijani forces opened fire again on the northeastern section of the border in its Tavush province, the defence ministry spokesman, Sushan Stepanyan, said. - 'Baku will retaliate' - Azerbaijan's ally Turkey -- which competes with Russia for the influence in the strategic region -- expressed support for Baku. Turkish foreign ministry has accused Armenia of "aggressive nationalism" and vowed to "continue, with all its capacity, to stand by Azerbaijan in its struggle to protect its territorial integrity." Story continues Azerbaijani political analyst Elhan Shahinoglu said the probability of a full-scale war was now "very high". "An Azerbaijani general has been killed and Baku will retaliate," he said. "There is a widespread popular demand in Azerbaijan to shift military actions to Karabakh." But Armenian analyst Hakob Badalyan said an all-out war was very unlikely. "Baku and Yerevan, as well as the region's geopolitical powers (Russia and Turkey), don't want a big war which they know will lead to catastrophic consequences," he said, adding that neither side was in a clear position to win a protracted conflict. Four years ago, Azerbaijan had military superiority over its neighbour, but Armenia has since "restored the balance" with purchases of sophisticated Russian weapons, he said. - Stalled talks In April 2016, four days of fierce fighting in Karabakh -- the worst violence in decades -- claimed dozens of lives from both sides and nearly spiralled into full-scale war. Mediated by the "Minsk Group" of diplomats from France, Russia and the United States, talks on the Karabakh conflict have been largely stalled since a 1994 ceasefire deal. Armenia, which controls the disputed region, is happy with the status quo in Karabakh that also suits Russia's interests as the Kremlin uses its power-broker's role in asserting its influence in the ex-Soviet republics. Moscow has a military alliance with Armenia, where it maintains a base, but supplies both Yerevan and Baku with weapons worth billions of dollars. Energy-rich Azerbaijan, whose military spending exceeds Armenia's entire state budget, has repeatedly threatened to restore control over the territory by force. Armenia has vowed to crush any military offensive. Professor O'Shea had been expected to serve as UCC boss for another seven years University College Cork (UCC) has been stunned by the early retirement of its President, Professor Patrick O'Shea. Prof O'Shea, who was only appointed in 2017, has confirmed his retirement from his UCC role for personal reasons and will finish up by the end of the year. In a statement, UCC Governing Body Chairperson Dr Catherine Day confirmed Prof O'Shea's resignation has been accepted. It is the second major retirement at an Irish university in a matter of weeks with University of Limerick President Dr Des Fitzgerald tendering his resignation last May. Read More Dr Fitzgerald said his departure was over personal concerns with the Covid-19 pandemic limiting his ability to fully perform the role he had taken up in 2017. All Irish universities now face challenging times given the fall-out from the pandemic and the potential loss of overseas students earnings. UCC, which has almost 22,000 students, has paid tribute to Prof O'Shea for his work over the past three years. He was formerly Vice President and Chief Research Officer at the University of Maryland in the US and had been expected to serve as UCC boss for another seven years. I would like to thank President OShea for the outstanding contribution he has made to UCC. His lifelong commitment to UCC began when he studied here in the 1970s. When he commenced his role as President in 2017, he brought huge experience of top-level university education in the United States back to Cork," Dr Day said. "This has helped UCC to think big and to expand its international activities both in research and in the diversity of its students. President OShea has been a strong advocate of the importance and value of higher education to individuals and to society. He has also been a strong advocate of gender equality, diversity and inclusion." Prof O'Shea said the pandemic had brought out the best in the UCC community and his retirement was for personal reasons. UCC is an extraordinary university, with amazing students, staff and alumni. I am honoured to have served as its 15th President. It particularly gratifies me to note how well UCC responded to the COVID-19 epidemic." "We moved our operation online in a matter of days, while also deploying our resources at the front line in support of the direct healthcare response. "The further steps we are taking will place UCC in a strong position to weather the storm and emerge as a more resilient and transformed university." Infrastructure of Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park phase 2 is under construction This was emphasized at the second Industrial Real Estate Forum held by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) in collaboration with the Vietnam Real Estate Association (VNREA) in June in Hanoi. Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, deputy regional managing director and representative of the US-ASEAN Business Council in Vietnam, said that Vietnam was expected to welcome around five to seven major companies in this foreign direct investment (FDI) wave, which would be a remarkable achievement. The arrival of these top companies will bring more small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their global supply chains to Vietnam. It is like what we have done with Intel, Samsung, LG, and other giants he said. It also opens up new occasions for Vietnamese firms to tie up with foreign SMEs which have extensive experience in the supply chain for global companies. Therefore, Vietnamese firms can take this opportunity to receive technology transfer from oversea and improve its management skills. The foreign suppliers will become a new source of tenants for many existing and upcoming industrial parks in Vietnam. According to Economic Zones Management Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), by May 2020 the whole country has 561 industrial parks with a total area of about 201,000 hectares, including 374 established industrial parks with an area of about 114,400ha and 259 unestablished industrial parks with 86,600ha. Big Investor Foxconn is also proposing the development of a new industrial park in Vietnam. Meanwhile, localities such as Haiphong are su plans to implement over dozens of new industrial parks. Warehouse of Hai Phong Port Service JSC, Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park Prepared for new quality FDI At the Industrial Real Estate Forum 2020, Mr. Do Nhat Hoang, general director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the MPI, underlined that the country had failed to meet some expectations after 30 years of FDI attraction, particularly in technology transfer and the added value by foreign investors in Vietnam. The spillover effects remained low. To improve FDI attraction, the Vietnamese National Assembly has recently approved the revised Law on Investment, adding a new group of investors who are entitled to preferential treatment such as high-tech firms, sci-tech firms and organisations as well as innovation centres. However, it is not easy for Vietnamese firms to become suppliers for these big investors due to the insufficiency of requisite technology. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phuong, general director of Sao Do Group, said that Vietnam had more advantages than other ASEAN countries in attracting new foreign inflows, especially in the wave of manufacturing relocation outside of China. However, Vietnam needs to make breakthroughs in administrative reforms and prepare highly skilled workforce to progress to higher-level qualifications. Otherwise, Vietnam will continue to be an outsourcing destination despite luring big investors in the new FDI wave. This will not improve the added value for the local manufacturing industry. We should not expect sudden and immediate changes as foreign investors need time to conduct research and consider the efficiency of the relocation plan. There will be a delay in luring these foreign inflows. Thus, it is time for us to make careful preparation, he stressed. He further noted that Vietnam should consider the capability to absorb the capital wave. Industrial parks in the country should be at ready to meet investors demand. Besides the facilities construction, It is also important to develop high-quality workforce and skilled foreign workers in order to prepare a huge personel for new FDI projects. Elon Musk has shared a render of Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin Brandenburg that will open in 2021 and be the automaker's first full vehicle factory in Europe. The enormous construction plant which is being built in Grunheide, 25 miles south-east of Berlin will be the firm's fourth such factory. When completed, the plant is expected to produce battery parts and powertrains for use in Tesla cars, as well as the Tesla Model Y, an electric crossover utility vehicle. Elon Musk has shared a render of Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin Brandenburg, pictured, that will open in 2021 and be the automaker's first full vehicle factory in Europe First announced in 2019, construction and foundation work began at the 300-hectare site on the Freienbrink industrial park, pictured with the surround man-made pine forest in June 2020 First announced in 2019, construction and foundation work began at the 300-hectare site on the Freienbrink industrial park in June 2020. The digital render of the sizeable facility appears to show a large reception centre, some form of water feature or pool, green space and seating area on an upper floor and a roof lined with multiple arrays of solar panels. Chimneys for the factory have been 'carefully hidden', Mr Musk added, when asked why they were not obvious in the three-dimensional mock-up. Work on the site was delayed at the beginning of the year when an environmental group the Green League Brandenburg appealed in the local courts against deforestation of parts of the man-made pine forest that occupies the site. When up and running, the plant is reportedly expected to be able to produce some 150,000 vehicles per year with the goal of eventually reaching 500,000 annually and will initially employ up to 12,000 people. 'Gigafactory is the product even more than the car,' Mr Musk tweeted in response to a question about whether each of the production facilities improved on the last. The enormous construction plant which is being built in Grunheide, 25 miles south-east of Berlin will be the firm's fourth such factory. Pictured: Gigafactory 1, in Nevada, the US Mr Musk had previously teased in a Twitter poll that the Gigafactory Berlin might even feature a so-called 'mega rave cave' underneath the production floor. When asked about the feature and whether there were also renderings of such the Tesla CEO responded there 'might be an indoor/outdoor rave space on the roof.' The Gigafactory Berlin will join its three existing counterparts Gigafactory 1, in Nevada, Gigafactory 2 in New York and Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, China. Rev. Kim Tae-young, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK), speaks during a news conference in the Christian Church of Korea building in central Seoul, Tuesday. The UCCK leader urged the government to scrap "discriminative" COVID-19 measures. / Yonhap UCCK leader urges gov't to scrap ban of small gatherings By Kang Hyun-kyung Protestant Church leaders slammed the government for banning any small church gatherings, other than Sunday worship, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it constitutes religious discrimination. "I felt angry and humiliated while watching the government's announcement (on TV) that it would ban any small gatherings in church," Rev. Kim Tae-young, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK), said during a news conference at a conference room of Christian Churches of Korea building in Seoul, Tuesday. "Without even trying to reach out to churches for communication, they went ahead with the announcement. Over the past week, I have struggled to figure out why they did that." The UCCK leader criticized the government for "discriminative measures," a day after he and other church leaders met Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to discuss anti-COVID-19 measures. Commenting on their conversation, Kim said progress was made but the face-to-face meeting was not enough to assure him and other church leaders that the government's decision made sense. "Prime Minister Chung promised to strengthen communication with the churches, which we think is positive," he said. "But the dialogue with the prime minister itself was not enough to make us feel better." Presiding over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Friday, Prime Minister Chung said any types of small groups inside churches, other than Sunday worship services, would be banned from July 10. The tough measure came as infection clusters continue and show no signs of abating. Chung's remarks caused the ire of Protestant Church leaders. They claimed banning small group gatherings in churches constitutes discrimination against the Protestant Church because the government pinpointed it only, while not mentioning any other religious groups, such as Buddhists or Catholics. The UCCK said the July 10 measure is the tip of the iceberg. "Every Sunday, people get text messages urging them not to go to church. This text is sent indiscriminately to everybody regardless of their religious affiliation. The government is interfering with Sunday worship and this must be stopped," it said in a statement. The UCCK said some local governments also implemented discriminatory measures, mentioning Guri local government's announcement that those who report churches violating the government's anti-COVID-19 measures to the city will receive a financial reward. It claimed other municipal governments, such as Seongnam, have also overreacted against Protestant churches. The UCCK urged the central and local governments to stop such "repressive measures," otherwise they would take legal action against them. The Protestant Church also urged Prime Minister Chung to scrap the ban on small religious gatherings. "We'll see how the government reacts to our requests this weekend. If no measures are taken by then, we will take the necessary legal measures," Rev. Kim warned. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is not interested in talking to China about a Phase 2 trade deal. 'I'm not interested right now in talking to China,' Trump replied when asked in an interview with CBS News whether Phase 2 trade talks were dead WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he is not interested in talking to China about a Phase 2 trade deal. "I'm not interested right now in talking to China," Trump replied when asked in an interview with CBS News whether Phase 2 trade talks were dead. "We made a great trade deal," Trump said, referring to the Phase 1 agreement signed in January. "But as soon as the deal was done, the ink wasn't even dry, and they hit us with the plague," he said, referring to the novel coronavirus, which first emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan. "So right now, I'm not interested in talking to China about another deal," Trump said. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Chris Reese and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. (Newser) President Trump signed a bill Tuesday targeting China over its harsh treatment of Hong Kongbut a press conference he called to discuss the measure quickly turned into something strongly resembling a campaign speech. The New York Times reports that after a few minutes of discussing the sanctions, Trump launched into a lengthy attack on Joe Biden, causing networks including CNN to cut away "after it became clear that he intended to use it as a televised campaign event." Biden and President Obama "freely allowed China to pillage our factories, plunder our communities, and steal our most precious secrets," Trump said. "I've stopped it largely." story continues below The president, who spoke for around an hour, delivered a point-by-point attack on Biden, "attributing dozens of policy ideas to him that appeared drawn from opposition research," Politico reports. He also brought up Biden's son, asking, "Where is Hunter?" In answer to a question from a reporter, Trump said he didn't see himself as the underdog in the race and said polls showing Biden ahead are skewed, the Hill reports. "The enthusiasm now is greater and maybe far greater than it was in 2016," he said. The bill Trump signed, which passed Congress unanimously after Beijing introduced a draconian security law for Hong Kong, targets the Chinese Communist Party officials behind the law and police units that have cracked down on protests, the AP reports. Trump said he had also signed an order to end preferential trade treatment for Hong Kong. (Read more President Trump stories.) Virus detectives have identified patient zero from the Crossroads outbreak as a Melbourne freight worker who infected several colleagues at their workplace before they all attended a dinner party at the south-western Sydney pub. NSW's COVID-19 operations manager and epidemiologist Jennie Musto said the first clues were supplied via two simultaneous interviews of seemingly unconnected cases. A man in the Nepean told contact tracers he had been to the Crossroads Hotel, and a woman told tracers at Liverpool Hospital she had also had dinner at the venue. "From there we've uncovered an additional 32 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel and from there we have actually learned that the most likely link, supported by epidemiology, is that a man from Melbourne came into a workplace in Sydney and there was some transmission within that workplace and then they all went to a party the night of the 3rd of July at the Crossroads Hotel," she said. "So this is where it all began," she said, with roughly six colleagues sharing a meal. The man from Melbourne worked in the freight industry, but was not a truck driver. "We didn't think he was sick with COVID. He travelled on 30th of June. He's been in NSW for a while and it wasn't until we interviewed him and his colleagues with more details that we made the link that they were all at the Crossroads on 3rd of July," Ms Musto said. Jennie Musto: "We've identified all links, at this point in time, but we'll get new cases." Credit:James Brickwood "We've identified all the links at this point in time, but we'll get more cases and we'll have to identify further links with them and further contacts and get them all to go into isolation as well," she said. Dr Chant said it was likely two or three people at the July 3 party were infectious. Loading She said the community cannot lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 was a "stealthy virus" that could be spreading throughout other parts of Sydney and NSW. Premier Berejiklian said she was considering introducing further restrictions in NSW, but pursuing a strategy of elimination was "very unrealistic". "I think suppression is our only option," she said, particularly when some residents continued to disregard public health orders and social distancing measures. The Northern Territory has declared Greater Metropolitan Sydney a coronavirus hotspot. It means anyone from Sydney travelling to the NT must enter mandatory quarantine when its borders reopen on Friday. Loading Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said a strategy to eliminate coronavirus in Australia was not just unrealistic, "its dangerous". "True elimination is really only a realistic strategy when you have a vaccine," Dr Coatsworth said, instead advocating Australia's "aggressive suppression" scheme. "The risk of elimination creates a false sense of security that may diminish the community engagement with widespread testing and lead to a downsizing of the enhanced public health response based on an assumption 'we have got rid of the virus once and for all'," he said. Dr Chant urged the public to get tested if they develop any symptoms no matter their location, flagging a new testing target of more than 23,000 swabs per day. In Sydney's south-west alone, almost 3300 people came forward for testing in that 24-hour period. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard supported the use of masks if people were in a public space where they could not maintain social distancing, stressing the importance of hand hygiene, and isolating if unwell. "Complacency is the killer," Mr Hazzard said. "I am really worried. We are still effectively in a war zone." In the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday there were 13 new cases, including 10 of those linked to Crossroads, taking the state's total number of COVID-19 cases to 3328. Gauteng universities consortium launch urban research nodes to inform response to Covid-19 hotspots The South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) has launched two new urban research nodes to improve response to Covid-19. SAPRIN is a national research platform funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) The new Gauteng and Western Cape urban population research nodes are launched at a time when both provinces are identified as Covid-19 hotspots. These two nodes, added to the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), expand SAPRINs national research platform to a total of five. The two new urban nodes are expected to considerably strengthen the basis for conducting research and providing evidence for policy-making and research training, says Wits Associate Professor Mark Collinson, co-director of SAPRIN along with Dr Kobus Herbst. In Gauteng, the new node has been awarded to the Gauteng Research Triangle (GRT), a consortium which is a collaboration of the three research universities: University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg. The planned sites in Gauteng are in Atteridgeville and Melusi in the north-western part of the Tshwane Metro, and in Hillbrow in the very centre of Johannesburg. The GRT will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the analysis of vital statistics, migration and other key data generated from multiple angles. Professor David Everatt leads the GRT. Our approach is not only to ensure the most accurate and quality vital statistics data possible, but to understand it in its specific urban context, including issues such as differing urban forms, inequality and the like, says Everatt. In the Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Health leads a consortium comprising the University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape, the South African Medical Research Council, Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and community-based organisations. Areas covered include Nomzamo and Bishop Lavis in the City of Cape Town metropole. We plan to embed the node in existing community health worker services as part of the community-oriented primary care approach. This will ensure alignment between surveillance activities conducted as part of service delivery, and those required to contribute to SAPRIN, says Professor Andrew Boulle from the Cape Town Surveillance through Healthcare Action Research Project. In future, SAPRIN will expand its network to seven nodes to include eThekwini. The expanded research network will cover an inclusive spectrum of the impoverished yet dynamically developing populations, and incorporate bi-directional migration flows linking poor, rural communities with urban centres. SAPRIN and Covid-19 SAPRIN developed a surveillance protocol that was implemented within a month of the first case of Covid-19 reported in the country. The research involves ongoing telephonic interviews to screen for Covid-19 symptoms in more than 60 000 rural households in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. SAPRIN will continue to monitor the demographic, social, health and socio-economic well-being of the entire study-population. The impact of Covid-19, and its related lockdown policies are being carefully observed, and this vital information is being fed back to policy makers and planners, says Collinson. The initiative had already contributed data to the HSRCs assessment of the impact of the pandemic on households and in future will provide more insights into the pandemic in South Africa, particularly in reference to its interaction with HIV and TB. Collinson and Herbst are finalists in the NSTF-South 32 Research Awards in the Data for Research category. Their nomination recognises their work in the field of researching public health in rural areas using SAPRIN. About SAPRIN Established under the ambit of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR), SAPRIN is a major investment in research infrastructure which aims to help South Africa respond to some of its biggest issues including poverty, inequality, unemployment, lack of access to effective health care and now to Covid-19. In 2019, the Network released its first population dataset since its inception in 2017. The dataset monitors the health and wellbeing of people over time in order to gather new information on the situation of poorer South Africans. All data harvested by SAPRIN is to be tested to provide hard evidence to policy makers in order to influence programmes in the Departments of Health, Social Development, Home Affairs, Basic Education, and others. Insurance regulator IRDAI has said that hospitals cannot deny cashless facility claims to policyholders for treatment of coronavirus. It also said that if the hospitals' conduct adversely impacted the policyholder, then they must be reported to the concerned government agencies. IRDAI has also asked insurance companies to maintain a communication channel with hospitals for prompt resolution of grievances of policyholders. The regulator has stated that insurance providers must put in place an exclusive grievance redressal mechanism to address the complaints of policyholders.The circular was issued following reports that some hospitals are not ranting cashless acility for COVID-19 treatment. Cashless facility ensures that policyholders don't have to pay for treatment costs from their own pocket. According to Aegon Life, "The insurance company settles the bill with the hospital. Insurance companies have tie-ups with hospitals, which are known as 'network hospitals'. You don't have to stump up the cash if you are admitted to one such network hospital. The insurer will directly settle the bill with the hospital." The IRDAI added that every general and health insurance company must endeavour to enter into agreements "with an adequate number of both public and private sector network providers across the geographical spread". "Insurance companies are also advised to put in place an exclusive grievance redressal mechanism to address the grievances of policyholders relating to the denial of the cashless facility for COVID-19 and other grievances against such hospitals that are enlisted as network providers. Insurance companies shall also put in place a continuous communication channel with all the network providers for prompt resolution of the grievances of policyholders," it said. The IRDAI said that if a hospital deviates from the cashless facility agreement as mentioned in the Service Level Agreement (SLA), the insurance company would take appropriate action against it. It said that insurance companies could also display on its website the action taken against the hospitals for violation and in order to inform the insured public. In another circular, the IRDAI said that all insurers are expected to enter into an agreement with hospitals. "Where such service level agreements (SLA) are entered with the Network Providers (hospitals), it is essential for all such hospitals to provide the cashless facility for any treatment to the policyholders including Covid-19 treatment in accordance with agreed provisions of SLA and terms and conditions of policy contract," it said. Also read: Mental well-being crucial amid coronavirus, so why is insurance not easy? Also read: Coronavirus insurance: IRDAI allows 29 insurers to market short-term Corona Kavach policy GRAND HAVEN, Mich., July 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Access-Power & Co, Inc., (ACCR or the Company), a Grand Haven based diversified holding Company is pleased to announce that we have begun taking payments online and over the telephone for our revolutionary new curbside home delivery service of Medical Marijuana Clones and Medical Hemp Clones. Our business model is a non-THC delivery of baby little live plants. This is a new trademarked and patent pending service with the US Patent and Trademark Service or http://www.uspto.gov . Our new website to generate PARABOLIC SALES can be found at http://www.clonesbycars.com . The online cash register is open for business at ACCR, and in operation in West Michigan. We hope to be the next generation of Medical Marijuana and Medical Hemp home curbside delivery in West Michigan. ACCR has zero long term debt. ACCR applied for a Michigan Micro Marijuana Delivery Service in 2019, and is still in the process of this application. All Michigan residents are welcome to visit our new website for full details and place their orders. GO ACCR!!! We were victims of a naked convertible death spiral debenture from the past, and we survived it. Established in 1996, Access-Power & Co., Inc. is a Florida based for-profit Corporation with operations in West Michigan. There are various risk factors that should be carefully considered in evaluating our business; because such factors may have a significant impact on our business, our operating results, our liquidity and financial condition. As a result of these various risk factors, actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider to be immaterial, may also impact our business, result of operations, liquidity and financial condition. If any such risks occur, our business, its operating results, liquidity and financial condition could be materially affected in an adverse manner. Under such circumstances, if a stable trading market for our securities is established, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Story continues SECURITIES ISSUED BY THE COMPANY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY SPECULATIVE. THEY SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED BY PERSONS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE POSSIBILITY OF THE LOSS OF THE ENTIRE INVESTMENT. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD READ ALL OF THE COMPANY'S FILINGS, INCLUDING ALL EXHIBITS, AND CAREFULLY CONSIDER, AMONG OTHER FACTORS THE VARIOUS RISK FACTORS THAT MAY BE PRESENT. You should be aware that there are many substantial risks to an investment in our common stock. Carefully consider these risk factors, along with any available information currently reported by the Company (of which there are note), before you decide to invest in shares of our common stock. If these risk factors were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, the market price for our common stock, if any, could decline, and prospective investors would likely lose all or even part of their investment. Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Company's business, based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may, and probably will, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Contact Information: Patrick J. Jensen Director Tel: 616.312.5390 Email: pjensen@myaccess-power.com Corporate Website: http://www.myaccess-power.com Access-Power & Co., Inc. OTC Ticker: ACCR A worker died late Monday night after he fell through the roof of a Bridgewater warehouse, police said. The Bridgewater Police were called to the Brook Warehouse at 5 Van Veghten Drive after they were told a roofer fell 30 feet onto the warehouse floor, according to a statement from the department. The officers began life-saving measures on the man, identified as Frank Bartholomew, 34, of Pennsylvania, until the Finderne Rescue Squad and Medics from Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center arrived and took over, authorities said. Bartholomew was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick where he died from his injuries, police said. The incident was under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Brook Warehouse specializes in storage and handling of packaged chemicals, according to its website. 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. David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, answers reporters' questions after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Cho Sei-young at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 6, 2019. (Heo Ran/File Photo/Reuters) US Says Room for Sanctions in Response to China in South China Sea WASHINGTONThe top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijings claims there. Nothing is off the table there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understanddemonstrative and tangible action, David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia, told a Washington think-tank when asked if sanctions were a possible U.S. response to Chinese actions. Stilwell spoke a day after the United States rejected Chinas claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea as completely unlawful, a stance denounced by Beijing. The United States has long opposed Chinas expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and has sent warships regularly through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year, to demonstrate freedom of navigation. But Mondays announcement was the first time it declared Chinese claims illegal. Two excavators are pictured at a construction site on Taiping island in the Spratly chain in the South China Sea on March 23, 2016. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images) China claims 90 percent of the potentially energy-rich sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim parts of it. Beijing has built bases on atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday the U.S. threat of sanctions was its latest attempt to stir up trouble and destabilize the region. Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) speaks after reviewing the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy fleet in the South China Sea on April 12, 2018. (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP) The U.S. arbitrarily talks about sanctions this is very pathetic, she told reporters during a daily briefing in Beijing. We are not afraid of sanctions. Greg Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, said declaring Chinas claims illegal opened the way for a tougher U.S. response, such as through sanctions, and could also lead to more U.S. naval presence operations. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman earlier condemned the tougher U.S. stand on Chinas claim, saying it destroys regional peace and stability and is an irresponsible act. A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation on Tuesday near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the U.S. military said. The Royal Australian Navy guided-missile frigate HMAS Parramatta (L) is underway with the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS America, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry on the South China Sea on April 18, 2020. (U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Huynh) This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging the restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the Navy said. Such operations have been increasingly common in recent years. The U.S.-China relationship has grown increasingly tense recently over various issues, including Chinas handling of the novel coronavirus and its tightened grip on Hong Kong. Stilwell said the tougher U.S. position meant we are no longer going to say we are neutral on these maritime issues. When a (Chinese) drilling rig plants itself in Vietnamese or Malaysian waters, were going to be able to make a positive statement, he said. Stilwell had a particular warning about the Scarborough Shoal, an outcrop 200 km (124 miles) from the Philippines claimed by Beijing and Manila that China seized in 2012. Any move by (China) to physically occupy, reclaim or militarize Scarborough Shoal would be a dangerous move and would have lasting and severe consequences for (Chinas) relationship with the United States, as well as the entire region, he said. By Humeyra Pamuk and David Brunnstrom Paul Stephen / Staff Tis undoubtedly the summer of the seltzer. Bubbly waters spiked with booze and countless other flavors are flooding the beverage aisles at supermarkets and corner stores alike as drinkers seek out low-calorie and refreshing sippers. Ive tried most of the market leaders think White Claw, Truly and a handful of others with a mostly meh reaction. But one Texas-born brand of boozy bubbles has managed to find a regular space in my fridge with a spin on one of the few cocktails to originate in Texas: Ranch Water. The Ranch Water is a mixture of lime juice and tequila in a tall pour of Topo Chico. During the trip, wellness expert Darin Olien also known as "the Superfood Hunter" acts as his guide along the way. The anecdotes of Efron's visit to Peru are contained in two separate chapters of the new travel docuseries. The above-mentioned episodes were shot in Lima and Iquitos. As part of Episode 5 "Lima," Zac and Darin head to Peru to delve into potato cryopreservation, biopiracy, and the sport of sandboarding. In Iquitos, Zac boosts his immune system in the Amazon rainforest before climbing a tree, exploring ayahuasca tourism and watching his dinner wriggle on a plate. Over the course of eight episodes, Efron is seen milking a goat in San Juan (Puerto Rico), wearing a beekeeper's outfit to visit a hive in New York (U.S.), and visiting a number of other locations. Efron's presence on the platform with the docuseries has become a trend on social media. (END) CFS/RMB/MVB Zac Efron is in the media eye with the premiere of "Down to Earth," a Netflix show in which actor Zac Efron journeys around the world, making stops in Peru, to explore healthy, sustainable ways to live.Published: 7/15/2020 Pengsoo, left, and Kumamon. Yonhap, Kyodo By Dong Sun-hwa The Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) denied Tuesday a claim that its sensational giant penguin mascot Pengsoo is a copycat of the Japanese bear character Kumamon. "Pengsoo is not a knockoff version of Kumamon," an EBS spokesperson said. A Korean freelance writer made the claim on July 9 on Japanese media outlet Daily Shincho, insisting the two mascots share plenty of common ground. He said Pengsoo and Kumamon are animal puppets with a person inside and have similar eyes and lips. "Kumamon is not merely a character it is a new content that has won the hearts of people by promoting Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture through diverse activities," he said. "Pengsoo is comparable in that it also participates in promotional activities for local governments (in Korea.)" In his article, the writer admitted that Pengsoo speaks with his own voice, has released a song "This is PENGSOO" (2020) and even created a buzzword like "Pengha" (meaning "Pengsoo, hi" in Korean.) But he maintained that "the voice pointing out the similarities between the two characters is dominant on Korean online communities." His article received more than 1,000 comments on Japan's biggest portal Yahoo Japan, with numerous online users criticizing Korea for "imitating." But most Koreans do not seem to agree. "There are countless animal puppets in the world," a Korean online user commented. Another wrote: "Kumamon doesn't speak, but Pengsoo does. It has gained popularity thanks to its witty but thoughtful remarks." Pengsoo, a genderless 10-year-old penguin from Antarctica, came to Korea to become a star, according to EBS. The 210-centimeter tall character debuted in 2019 and rose to stardom with his humor and bluntness, being voted "Person of the Year" here last year. Its YouTube channel "Giant Peng TV" clocked up more than 2 million subscribers as of Wednesday. Kumamon is a popular mascot created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture in 2010 to lure tourists to the region. Kuma means bear in Japanese. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The deadline to file a new or supplemental claim, or to reopen a previous insurance claim regarding Hurricane Irma damages is fast approaching on September 10th, 2020. Time is of the essence for Community Associations as any claim not filed, supplemented, or reopened by the deadline, may be forever barred pursuant to Florida Law. It is imperative that Community Associations seek legal guidance regarding the upcoming statutory deadline, as well as the specific provisions of their insurance policies that may directly affect any potential claims. To facilitate this process, the Law Firms of Katzman Chandler and Farrell Patel Jomarron & Lopez (FPJL) have established an informational website, WWW.IRMADEADLINE.COM. Volunteer Board Members and Community Association Managers throughout Florida are invited to visit WWW.IRMADEADLINE.COM to learn about the upcoming statutory deadlines, and to request their Association's Free, No Obligation Hurricane Irma Property Damage Inspection. Katzman Chandler's and FPJL's goal is to increase Community Association awareness of impending statutory and contractual deadlines before it's too late, and to conduct as many FREE Property Damage Inspections and Evaluations as possible prior to the upcoming deadline. If your Association never filed a claim following Hurricane Irma, there is still time to file. If your Association did file a claim and your claim was denied, the Free Inspection offered could serve as your Association's Free "Second Opinion" on the "Below Deductible" determination made by your insurer. Finally, if your Association filed a claim and received some insurance proceeds, you may still be entitled to more. Take the first step to fully understanding your Association's legal rights today by visiting WWW.IRMADEADLINE.COM or calling Toll-Free (844) 794-7603 to request your Association's Free, No Obligation Hurricane Irma Property Damage Inspection. Katzman Chandler is a Full Service Florida Law Firm devoted to all aspects of Community Association representation. We are truly "Committed to Community" and evidence this commitment each day through Passion, Experience and Technology. Regardless of the size of your community, Katzman Chandler is dedicated to meeting your needs, achieving your goals and exceeding your expectations. Our services include General Corporate Representation, Delinquent Account Collection, Litigation, Covenant Enforcement, Document Amendment/Rewrite, Property Insurance Damage Claim Recovery, and Construction Defect Representation. Katzman Chandler can be reached by calling Toll Free 800-987-6518 or via email at [email protected]. Information about the Law Firm can be requested through their website which can be found at www.KatzmanChandler.com. Farrell, Patel, Jomarron & Lopez (FPJL) is a national Law Firm with offices in Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas. Our Firm has successfully recovered numerous multimillion-dollar awards for Condominium Associations in Florida, represented over 3000 business, hotels and families damaged by the BP oil spill (the largest environmental disaster in the history of the United States), and after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, worked closely with Legislators to adopt legislation to curb potential abuse and unfair trade practices by insurance companies. FPJL's lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers, America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, The National top 100 Trial Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent. FPJL can be reached by calling (305) 300-3000 or via email at [email protected]. Information about the Law Firm can be requested through their website which can be found at www.Justice360.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214727/Katzman_Chandler_Hurricane_Irma.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1201558/Katzman_Chandler_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1213239/FBJL_Logo.jpg SOURCE Katzman Chandler Related Links https://www.katzmanchandler.com/ Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:05:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANOI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam reported eight new cases of COVID-19 infection on Wednesday, bringing its total confirmed cases to 381 with zero deaths so far, according to its Ministry of Health. The latest cases are all people recently entering the country from Russia, said the ministry, noting that they were quarantined upon arrival. Meanwhile, one more patient was given all-clear on Wednesday, increasing the total cured cases in the country to 353, according to the ministry. Vietnam has recorded no local transmission for 90 straight days while there are over 12,300 people being quarantined and monitored in the country, Vietnam News Agency reported. Enditem TORONTO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Russel Metals Inc. (TSX: RUS) announced today Martin Juravsky will succeed Marion Britton as the Company's next Chief Financial Officer effective today. President and Chief Executive Officer, John G. Reid commented, "We are moving to the next phase of our planned Chief Financial Officer transition. Marty Juravsky will assume the role effective today with Marion Britton continuing to support for the balance of 2020 as Executive Vice President. Marion is also serving in a key role on our ERP implementation team and will continue this role beyond 2020. Marion's career and numerous accomplishments epitomizes a consummate professional driven by a tireless work ethic as she has always produced work of remarkable quality and quantity. Her professional and personal contributions have left an indelible mark on our history." Russel Metals is one of the largest metals distribution companies in North America. It carries on business in three metals distribution segments: metals service centers, energy products and steel distributors, under various names including Russel Metals, A.J. Forsyth, Acier Leroux, Acier Loubier, Acier Wirth, Alberta Industrial Metals, Apex Distribution, Apex Monarch, Apex Western Fiberglass, Arrow Steel Processors, B&T Steel, Baldwin International, Color Steels, Comco Pipe & Supply, DuBose Steel, Elite Supply Partners, Fedmet Tubulars, JMS Russel Metals, Leroux Steel, McCabe Steel, Megantic Metal, Metaux Russel, Metaux Russel Produits Specialises, Milspec, Norton Metals, Pemco Steel, Pioneer Pipe, Russel Metals Processing, Russel Metals Specialty Products, Russel Metals Williams Bahcall, Spartan Energy Tubulars, Sunbelt Group, Triumph Tubular & Supply, Wirth Steel and York-Ennis. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving Press Releases, you may do so by emailing [email protected]; or by calling our Investor Relations Line: 905-816-5178. SOURCE Russel Metals Inc. Related Links http://www.russelmetals.com Late last month, a crowd of mostly young Asian American Christians gathered in the parking lot of the historically black Progressive Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago. The group of more than 1,000 had marched two miles through the citys Chinatown and into a predominantly black neighborhood just south of it, crossing an unspoken border that divides the historic minority communities. This was a spiritual act in opposition to the powers and principalities that seek to destroy and divide the church. We broke the stronghold that divided our communities and we said enough is enough, said Raymond Chang, president of the recently founded Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC), which organized the march. Participants came from Chinese Christian Union Church in Chinatown and Progressive Baptist, led by Charlie Dates, along with representatives from over 100 churches to rally together in an act of Christian solidarity. Both congregations have been stalwarts in the city for over a century. Chang and his cohort represent a growing number of millennial and Gen Z Asian American Christians who are striking a new tone when it comes to seeking racial justice and calling out racism in their own communities. Predominantly American-born, these church leaders are paving a path distinct from the historically mono-ethnic enclaves of the immigrant church and choosing instead to build stronger interracial church partnerships. The AACC was founded in March as a response to the worldwide spike in anti-Asian racism following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the collaborative of East, Southeast, and South Asian church leaders is taking aim at the often-latent anti-black racism within the ethnic churches it represents, holding online panels with black Christian leaders like Esau McCaulley and Ekemini Uwan and pushing members to examine how Asian Americans have served as a wedge against our Black and Brown peers. Tao Thou, one of the police officers charged with the killing of George Floyd for failing to intervene, recently reinvigorated discussion among Asian Americans. Thous actions were a perfect representation of Asian American complicity in racism, wrote Larry Lin, a pastor at the Village Church in Baltimore. Others, like Ashley Gaozong Bauer, a biracial white and Hmong American minister, found such arguments reductive. You look at one Hmong man, call him Asian, and then project your collective shame unto a people group that has never been fully received by Asian Americans, she wrote. Typically established to minister to the recently immigrated, mono-ethnic congregations have acted as cultural safe havens for newcomers to the United States looking to maintain a cultural connection to their homeland. A 2012 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 42 percent of Asian Americans are Christian. And while many of these immigrant communities initially operate within cultural bubbles adjacent to the majority culture, there can be strong deference toward the American way of life by those who have emigrated to the US by choice. Theres this overarching desire among Asian Americans to try and be like white people while simultaneously ignoring black people, said Lin, who was raised in a Chinese immigrant church in San Jose, California. That ignorance itself is complicity. While blacks and Asian Americans are both racial minorities in the US, many believe that solidarity among these ethnic groups cannot occur until the model minority ideology is dismantled. Coined in 1966 in the midst of the civil rights movement, the term presupposed that Asian Americans (specifically Chinese and Japanese Americans) were outpacing other non-white groups in their ability to assimilate and achieve economic success. Both statistically inaccurate and culturally reductive, the label has been historically used to distinguish Asian Americans, seen as hard-working and unproblematic, from African Americans. Article continues below For many Asian Americans, the American dream was true, said Peter Cha, a professor of church, culture, and society at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Partly because of that, when they looked at African Americans in particular, they repeated the narrative that black suffering was their own fault. Plus, he said, their churches historically idealized the United States as a morally upright Christian nation, so in that narrative, America could not be an ugly racist country. More of todays Asian American Christian leaders, like those involved in the AACC, are changing the narrative and turning to Scripture for a more robust understanding of the churchs role in addressing racial injustice. On the AACC blog, Dallas Theological Seminary student Andrew Wong confronted this ideology and rebuffed his own identity within the model minority myth, saying, As followers of Jesus, we must lay aside hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col. 2:8) that divides, and instead move forward in full fellowship, of one mind, in Christ Jesus. At Lins multiethnic church in Baltimore, leaders have devoted weekly prayer meetings to lamenting over racial injustice, hosted an online panel with black church leaders, and released a list of anti-racist reading materials for the church to access. I used to see conversations on race as pandering and distracting from the gospel, but now as I read the Bible I cant avoid seeing its racial connotations, he said. Its so relevant to our context. We need to be talking about race in Bible studies and sermons. On the West Coast, Roy Chang (no relation to Raymond) opened the pulpit at Seattle Chinese Alliance Church to black church leaders hes known for over a decade through community partnerships. Theres something deeply, deeply wrong when black people have been crying out for centuries and the church has no response, said Chang. Another pastor at a multilingual Chinese congregation, Tranwei Yu, recently held a teaching session on Zoom about how the Bible addresses racial tension. I want to help my people love all of their neighbors, not just their Chinese American ones, said Yu, a second-generation Chinese American and the English pastor at Chinese Grace Bible Church in the suburbs of Sacramento. These grassroots efforts to address anti-black racism and other social issues in Asian American churches are not likely to be broadly broadcast. Raymond Chang hopes the collaborative can provide a unified platform to bring similarly convicted believers together. Image: Photo by Isaiah Jeong / Courtesy of Raymond Chang Many Asian American Christians want to work through these racial divisions, but because of cultural forces [in their churches] like respecting elders or maintain harmony, they havent been able to vocalize their concerns, said Chang. Now, theyre all coming out of the woodwork. Saturated in more multicultural perspectives than their parents and equipped with online resources and communities, Christians who previously found their perspectives unaddressed in church have connected online through forums like the AACC and Progressive Asian American Christians, a group established shortly following the election of President Donald Trump. Theyre also using the internet to spread their message. Jocelyn Shannon Chung, a 24-year-old designer and Taiwanese American in Cerritos, California, posts weighty quotes like the lament from Habakkuk 1 and critiques of white supremacy in trendy hand lettering styles on Instagram. As a fifth-generation Christian whose ancestors were evangelized to by George Leslie Mackay, the first Presbyterian missionary to visit Taiwan in the 19th century, Chungs faith is deeply intertwined with both Western and Eastern ideals, something she is fighting to untangle. Article continues below Since hearing Michelle Higgins speak at InterVarsitys Urbana conference in 2016, Chung has been intentionally listening to more non-white pastors and dialoguing with her older relatives on race. I dont want to throw out the baby with the bathwater, rather I want to identify the air that I breathe, to see which parts of [my theology] are still colonized and which parts are authentic. Ha-Young Kwon is a pastors daughter raised in a Korean American church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While home from college due to the pandemic, the 21-year-old has begun discussing the Bible and racism with her parents, who are leaders in the Korean community in her area. During a Bible study, I overheard my dad say to someone, I dont really think about racial issues, but when I listen to my daughter talk about them, I feel I need to participate. This is the America shes going to be living in, she said. Last month, Kwon, her parents, sister, and cousin attended The Movement Continues Rally, a local protest demonstration. They brandished a simple sign: Asians 4 BLM. I was surprised that they responded so well, not because I thought theyd be racist, but because I didnt think they considered themselves American, said Kwon. Im able to serve as the person who connects them to the land that they have lived in for so long. Thats so very valuable for me. Curtis Yee is a reporter in Sacramento. Thousands of dollars worth of property and cash was stolen in a pair of burglaries over the weekend at the Jersey City NAACP headquarters and a 99 cent store across the street. Rev. Nathaniel Legay, president of the Jersey City chapter of the NAACP, said the organizations office on Martin Luther King Drive was broken into Friday night and raided for computers, a TV, printer, microwave oven, food, and other items. Ahmed Sawar, owner of Khan 99 Cent and Up Store, said burglars broke into the business through a back door on Friday and stole approximately $1,500 from the cash register. Authorities say cigars and other electronics were also reported stolen. Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the investigation into the two burglaries is ongoing. On Tuesday, Legay focused less on the burglaries themselves, and more on the conditions in the citys predominantly Black neighborhoods, where the break-ins occurred. A frequent critic of Mayor Steve Fulop, Legay said the city must do more to fight poverty in the surrounding neighborhood, specifically by helping at-risk populations like the homeless and drug-addicted. I want the mayor to know hes responsible. He should be taking care of the needs of the people, Legay said. What if these people were white folks? he added. Would (Fulop) allow them to sit there day in and day out? We want the city to reorder its priorities; to take care of the unemployed, to take care of the homeless, to take care of derelicts, to take care of the drug addicts. In defending the Fulop administration, Wallace-Scalcione noted that crime has decreased year over year and more illegal guns are being taken off the streets than ever before. Youd be hard pressed to factually say that this Administration does anything less than fully embrace the diversity of this great city, and is providing an expansive array of resources and services to help meet the various needs of all Jersey City residents with some of the largest investments being made specifically to help the homeless, the lowest-income households, the unemployed, the crime-ridden, the alcohol and drug addicted. But Legay wants the city to invest more in its most impoverished neighborhoods, starting with increased job training resources. Somebody has to say we have these people who are wasted, and we have to do something to make them useful, Legay said. Once you have that mentality, once you set up the process, you will find a way to retrain them. ALAMEDA (BCN) A store clerk has been arrested on suspicion of homicide after he shot and killed a transient who allegedly tried to steal from a Circle K gas station in Alameda late Saturday night, police said Tuesday. Wenyong Huang, 26, of Oakland, was arrested shortly after police went to the store at 1716 Webster St. at 11:45 p.m. Saturday after someone had reported a robbery there. The person who died is Ethan Escorcio, 24, who was allegedly committing a petty theft when Huang opened fire, Alameda police Lt. Ryan DeRespini said. The level of force used by Huang was not justifiable, DeRespini said. Huang needed to step back and call police rather than intervene and risk getting hurt or possibly face higher criminal liability as in this case, the lieutenant said. Huang is in Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, according to jail records. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. As we anticipate that many voters may choose to use the mail to participate in the upcoming elections due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are conducting . . . outreach with state, county and local election officials and Secretaries of State so that they can make informed decisions and educate the public about what they can expect when using the mail to vote, the statement said. How to Respond to 2020 Census Visit my2020census.gov to fill out the questionnaire online. to fill out the questionnaire online. Call 844-330-2020 or visit 2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html to find the phone number associated with your preferred language. to find the phone number associated with your preferred language. Fill out the paper questionnaire you received in April and mail it to the Census Bureau. Local Response Rate (TNS) The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the recalculating and rescheduling of countless events perhaps none bigger than the 2020 census.While the decennial count of every person in the country has been underway for many months, the U.S. Census Bureau shifted field operations due to the novel coronavirus.Enumerators were scheduled to begin knocking on the doors of nonresponding households in May. For most areas, including Clark County, Wash., the start date was pushed to Aug. 11.Tacoma is among a handful of areas where enumerators will start surveying people July 23. Toby Nelson, Pacific Northwest spokesman for the Census Bureau, said the reason for this soft launch is to retest and refine processes. The Census Bureau added new safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Enumerators will wear face masks, practice social distancing, have the option to wear gloves and be asked to sanitize their hands multiple times a day.Also new: Enumerators are prohibited from entering homes. In the past, enumerators could step inside if invited. Enumerators will have government-issued photo ID badges. (To verify whether someone is an enumerator, call 1-800-992-3530.)The Census Bureau also moved its count of people at shelters, soup kitchens, mobile food vans and certain outdoor locations to Sept. 22-24. Nelson said Oct. 31 is the absolute end date for census work. During a news briefing last week, the bureau said there will be a delay in calculating the number of House representatives allotted to each state. The current legal deadline is Dec. 31 for the apportionment count and March 31, 2021 for redistricting data.The Census Bureau is encouraging everyone to respond to the census over the next month to avoid having an enumerator visit their home.At 71.5 percent, Clark County has the highest response rate in Washington and passed its 2010 self-response rate of 69.5 percent. Nelson said urban areas tend to have higher response rates than rural areas, but there are always exceptions to that trend; every known resident in the tiny town of North River, N.D., has completed the census.So far, the vast majority of nationwide respondents, about 80 percent, responded online. Another 19 percent used the paper questionnaire that came in the mail and 1 percent responded by telephone.The novel coronavirus threw a wrench in many groups efforts to promote the census.The Complete Count Committee for all intents and purposes kind of disappeared, Vancouver City Councilor Ty Stober said.He helped chair the local committee focused on engaging people in the census, which last met in January. After returning from an overseas trip at the beginning of March, Stober wanted to arrange another meeting with the group, but it never happened due to COVID-19 precautions.While the county is leading the states census response, the city isnt doing as well. Its not surprising, Stober said, because the city has more of the historically undercounted populations the people who could most benefit from federal dollars allocated as a result of an accurate census.At the same time its concerning that were struggling because every number counts, he said.Stober said he may reconvene the Complete Count Committee if Clark County begins to fall behind.In April, the city hired Tony Ramos to be its public engagement manager. He organized recent listening sessions on race and has been working online to encourage people to complete the census. In a non-pandemic world, hed be attending community events to deliver his message.Were adapting. Its definitely been an interesting onboarding, he said.Ramos said the city will encourage people to complete the census and avoid having a Census Bureau field worker visit their home.The city is working with groups like the The Noble Foundation to engage minority populations and historically undercounted communities.The Noble Foundation also moved its work online. Its held virtual meetings, and supported people in completing the census by phone and Zoom video conference.It has complicated our work, said Ophelia Noble, the nonprofits executive director.Two months ago, The Noble Foundation opened a technical assistance center at Our Place Multicultural Center/Nuestra Casa Centro Multicultura in central Vancouver, but only one visitor can be inside at a time and the space has be to cleaned after each visit. Still, that one-on-one assistance is critical. Noble said once trusted community members educate people on the importance of the census, theyre more inclined to complete it.As an essential service, Our Place remained open during quarantine and received funding to help people pay utilities, rent and food. Through that support, the nonprofit made connections and spoke with people about the census. Those who need help or have questions around the census can call 360-718-7454 to schedule a visit at the center, located at 2818 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.While The Noble Foundation has been doing work around the census for a year and a half, Noble said it wasnt prepared for COVID-19 and the lack of large gatherings. Before COVID-19, The Noble Foundation planned to hold events at the multicultural center. Hosting a table at events was to be a big part of getting the word out about the 2020 census.Its been a challenge to meet the ongoing needs of a community where the census was a priority, Noble said. 'When you start distributing wealth, you end up distributing poverty.' Where is India's economy heading? After more than 100 days of lockdown, have the green shoots of growth finally started appearing, like what the Government of India claims? M R Venkatesh, the well known chartered accountant, lawyer and political commentator, along with other professionals came together under the banner Artha Yagna and wrote a letter recently to Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi with suggestions on how to revive the economy. "The government must focus on a 10%-12% growth in agriculture. We feel strongly that the revival of the economy post-Covid will be in the rural areas and in the agri sector... We feel the engines of growth will not be the cities, but will be several small towns and probably villages," Venkatesh, below, tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com in the first part of the interview. Before the government announced the Rs 20 lakh stimulus package to revive the economy, some well-known economists wrote to the government with suggestions on how to revive the economy. It is another matter that they were not given much attention by the government. Why did you and other professionals decide to write to the prime minister on the same lines? We were not comfortable with two things. One, we felt the government was not getting proper feedback in terms of what it was doing. And two, this is not limited to the post-Covid lockdown. Even before Covid, in our view, the government was quite oblivious of the kind of development that was happening. So, some of us were quite keen on providing inputs. Yes, it is for the government to decide whether they are workable, feasible or appropriate. We have put in some alternate thoughts which we felt was necessary. You said the government was not getting proper feedback. But the letter written by the economists was genuine feedback on the economy. So, how can you say the government was not getting proper feedback? Yes, there are many people who are giving various suggestions to the government. Feedback or suggestion is not the issue. The challenge is action. Moreover, we felt those suggestions were predominantly not concentrating on wealth generation, but only on wealth distribution. We felt that a genuine change can happen only when you start generating wealth. When you start distributing wealth, you end up distributing poverty. I don't know whether we can call ourselves Right-leaning economists, but we definitely are not Left-leaning economists. We thought it was time we reached out to the highest in the land with our views. It was Mr Giridhar Mamidi, an economic, political and strategic affairs analyst, who welded us all together. We brainstormed for many days to prepare the document. I would say what we have prepared is predominantly an alternate thought on reviving the economy and nation building. Now, it is for the government to decide what they want to do and how they want to do. It is an honest feedback from a set of people who do not expect any benefit out of this. We are neutral to the outcome of the document. You spoke about wealth creation. Don't you feel in India even today wealth creators are looked at as villains? Absolutely. There is a theory in this country for the last 70 years that those who are successful are villains. Wealth creators are abhorred, thanks to Nehruvian socialism. The reason is because the government thinks laws are created not to make anyone prosperous but only to distribute poverty. Consequently, it is assumed even to this day that only when you break a law that you can be prosperous. So, anybody who is prosperous is a law-breaker. This is very clearly etched in the collective wisdom of babudom. We wanted to attack precisely this particular thought. Last time we spoke, you had said the Rs 20 lakh stimulus package was like asking a patient in the ICU to start exercising. More than two months have passed since the stimulus was announced, is the patient still in ICU, or is he dead? He is alternating between ICU and ICCU! But finance ministry officials are saying they are able to see some green shoots of recovery. That's the phraseology used for the last 10 years. It is very strange that the green shoots are visible to finmin officials and not to us! I guess it must be the bamboo shoots; as bamboo takes such a long time to grow. It is definitely not the green shoots of the economy. So, there is going to be a long haul. That's why one of the important things we have suggested is that for the next three years, the government must focus on a 10%-12% growth in agriculture. We feel strongly that the revival of the Indian economy post-Covid will be in the rural areas and in the agri sector. We feel this is going to be the biggest and surest route to wealth creation. We feel the engines of growth will not be the cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad or Chennai, but will be several small towns and probably villages. We have also suggested the need to focus on the health sector. The government should focus on building hospitals. You mean, not public-private partnerships, but the government should start spending on various projects? We believe that the government must spend. In fact, one of our first suggestions was to suspend FRBM (the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) Act. The government should not be worrying about fiscal deficit now. Of course, they should worry about revenue deficit. They should start spending large amounts of money on infrastructure and the pipeline should be frontloaded. They should concentrate on sectors like healthcare. This is the right time to make India the healthcare capital of the world. For the last five years, ever since the economy started slowing down, we have been hearing experts talking about the need for the government to spend on infrastructure for the lending cycle to start for an economic revival. But nothing is happening... Nothing is happening is a very harsh term to use. I would say, things are not happening at the pace at which we would all be happy. Yes, you are right, the pace is very slow, and we are moving at a glacial pace. That is why we have suggested two important things. One is to appoint an expert committee to suggest appropriate income recognition and asset classification norm which is the NPA norm. They should look at the NPA 90-day law thoroughly. Second is to appoint an expert group to look into the role of the RBI. It means they have to look into the entire banking system. Let us be very clear that lending, including infrastructure lending, is not happening. We are clear that there are certain constraints put on us by our own policy-makers and we want this to be addressed. In a meeting held on Zoom Tuesday, state officials and private sector leaders kicked off a new effort to find ways to improve the future of one of the states most well-known cities. It was the first meeting of the Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. Discussions ranged from residents health and wellness to the citys economic outlook and workforce development. The group is also looking to find ways on how to fully reopen the city safely as the coronavirus pandemic continues its course. From day one, our Administration has made Atlantic Citys revitalization a top priority that includes commitments to strengthening local government and diversifying the regional economy, and we cannot allow our progress to backslide, Murphy said in a statement. This collective effort is not about one industry, or one neighborhood its about positioning the entirety of the Atlantic City community to emerge on the other side of COVID-19 stronger and more resilient than before this emergency started. Joining Murphy was Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, and legislators from Atlantic County, State Sen. Chris Brown and assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, as well as Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. A number of other stakeholders such as union leaders and business leaders were on the call. The group will be spearheaded by Oliver, who also serves as Commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA). She said the citys diversification is vital to see the city reach its full potential. Governor Murphy and I are united in the restart and recovery efforts for the City of Atlantic City. We are determined to build on the great progress that was made in Atlantic City pre-COVID-19, Oliver said in the statement. This diverse, new working group includes some of the best and brightest minds in the State of New Jersey to help tackle the economic, health, and community wellness issues facing Atlantic City. I am confident that through their work, and with an even deeper commitment to renewing and diversifying the economy, that prosperity and growth will be attainable for all Atlantic City residents. Known for a long time as a casino destination, Atlantic City has been trying to find footing in ways to open new channels for businesses to not solely relying on the gaming industry to help fund the citys economic coffers and not rely on casinos being the primary employing block of the municipality. The multi-faceted group has been broken down into subcommittees, with goals on improving job training opportunities to Atlantic City residents in both existing and emerging sectors, providing technical assistance to small minority-owned businesses, and working on social issues that include the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us in ways we could have never imagined. As the largest regional business group in South Jersey, we are acutely aware that when Atlantic City prospers the entire region prospers people are working, businesses are thriving, economic activity is growing - and as a result, the entire state is prosperous, CEO Christina M. Renna of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey said in the statement. Renna also will serve as the groups vice chair. Health initiatives are also on the docket, explicitly focusing on the importance of getting tested for the coronavirus, cooperating with contact tracers, addiction recovery, mental health, and maternity care for women. At one point, Atlantic City had one of the highest infant mortality rates in the state. Its a great day here in the City of Atlantic City and Im honored to serve on the committee with various stakeholders, who offer a broad base of knowledge & expertise, Mayor Small said. The committees goals align with my administrations vision to improve the quality of life for residents, improve small businesses and create jobs. I am confident that we will get through this together, tough times dont last, but tough people do. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Mary Trump, the niece of President Donald Trump, has called on her uncle to resign from office as she breaks her silence after publishing a memoir describing him as a 'sociopath'. 'Resign,' Mary Trump responded when ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos asked her what message she would have for her uncle if she were in the Oval Office. She said that, after being 'perverted' by the family's deep-seated 'issues,' her uncle was destined to become a man 'utterly incapable of leading this country, and it's dangerous to allow him to do so.' 'I saw firsthand what focusing on the wrong things, elevating the wrong people can do the collateral damage that can be created by allowing somebody to live their lives without accountability,' she said. 'And it is striking to see that continuing now on a much grander scale.' Scroll down for video Mary Trump broke her silence in an interview that will air on Wednesday. An advance clip of the interview (above) was published on Tuesday George Stephanopoulos interviews Mary Trump for ABC's 'Good Morning America'; the full interview will air Wednesday morning In the interview, Mary Trump also recalled visiting with her uncle in the Oval Office several months after he was inaugurated. 'He already seemed very strained by the pressures... and I just remember thinking, "He seems tired. He seems like this is not what he signed up for,"' she said. A clip of the interview was published on Tuesday, and the full interview is scheduled to air Wednesday morning. It is the first time people can hear from the author herself about life in the Trump family. It comes after Judge Hal Greenwald of the New York State Supreme Court stopped the Trump family's attempt to gag Mary Trump from talking about her book - 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man' - which was released on Tuesday. It's already topped Amazon.com's best seller list and the publisher sent out advance copies to several news outlets, including DailyMail.com. Mary Trump, seen sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office during a April 2017 visit to the White House, is scheduled to appear on ABC's 'Good Morning America' on Wednesday Mary Trump's book about her famous family is published on Tuesday, despite family concerns Mary Trump had been unable to personally talk about it after Robert Trump, President Trump's brother, argued that the book violated a confidentiality agreement related to Fred Trump's estate. Mary Trump is President Trump's niece, the daughter of his eldest brother Fred Trump, who died in 1981 due to complications from alcoholism. However the courts ruled in her favor - both in publishing the book and letting her discuss it. Judge Greenwald ruled that stopping publication was a 'moot' point because the book had already been distributed to sellers and publicized in the media. 'Notwithstanding that the book has been published and distributed in great quantities, to enjoin Mary L Trump at this juncture would be incorrect and serve no purpose. It would be moot,' he wrote. Robert Trump, who is barely mentioned in the book, led the lawsuit that attempted to stop Mary Trump from publishing it, citing an agreement she signed following a financial settlement after her grandfather's death. Greenwald refused to apply a broad view of the estate settlement, saying that 'what was confidential was the financial aspect.' 'The parties agreed to keep the settlement under seal. That's it,' Greenwald wrote of the deal that was executed at a time when 'the Trump family were New York based real estate developers and not much else.' The White House has disputed book's claims, which includes the charge that the president cheated on his SATs Mary Trump's book hit store shelves on Tuesday and quickly sold out on Amazon.com Mary Trump's book is the second insider account of Trump to be published this summer. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton published his memoir of working in the White House last month - a book the administration tried to stop from being published. Mary Trump, a trained psychologist, explores in the book the role the president's father, Fred Trump, played in his life and his development. She wrote in the book she has 'no problem calling Donald a narcissist - he meets all nine criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.' She also calls the president a 'sociopath' and claims his life work has been an effort to please his difficult father, Fred Trump Sr, whom she also describes as a high functioning sociopath. Mary Trump, in her book, calls Trump's father (above) a high functioning sociopath, marked by a lack of empathy, a facility for lying and a lack of interest in others The White House has disputed the book's claims, which includes the charge that the president cheated on his SATs, paying a friend to take them for him so he could attend the University of Pennsylvania's famous Wharton School of Business. A spokesperson said the book was written 'clearly in the author's own financial self-interest.' 'The President describes the relationship he had with his father as warm and said his father was very good to him,' White House spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said earlier this month. 'Also, the absurd SAT allegation is completely false.' The book paints a dark portrait of the Trump family and says that the President's father Fred Sr neglected him so much it amounted to 'child abuse'. The psychological damage was such that Donald became a sociopath, a narcissist and a threat to the entire country, according to Mary. Mary, 55, portrays the family as deeply damaged people, starting with Fred Sr and his wife Mary Ann and filtering down to their five children. A former staffer at a veterans hospital in West Virginia pleaded guilty Tuesday to intentionally killing seven patients with fatal doses of insulin, capping a sweeping federal investigation into a series of mysterious deaths at the medical center. Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg was charged with seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with the intent to commit murder of an eighth person. She faces life sentences for each murder. At a plea hearing, Mays, 46, admitted to purposely killing the veterans, injecting them with unprescribed insulin while she worked overnight shifts at the hospital in northern West Virginia between 2017 and 2018. Her voice cracked throughout the hearing as she answered a judges questions. She shook and appeared to weep as details of the charges were read aloud. US Attorney Bill Powell told reporters that Mays motive is still unclear, saying that authorities did not receive a satisfactory response to questions about the reasoning behind her actions. Though we cant bring these men back because of her evil acts, we hope the conclusion of the investigation and guilty plea helps ease the pain of the victims families, Powell said. Court records unsealed Tuesday, which named Mays publicly for the first time, came after multiple families initiated civil lawsuits against VA leadership alleging a widespread system of failures at the hospital, where victims were wrongfully given insulin and suddenly died. The widow of one of the victims, 81-year-old George Nelson Shaw Sr., filed a case against the VA alleging the retired Air Force member was given four insulin shots without a doctors order in March 2018, accusing the hospital of failing to securely store insulin and prevent its access by unauthorized personnel. As a nursing assistant, Mays did not have authorization or qualifications to administer medications. In a statement, a spokesman for the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center said hospital officials reported the deaths to the VA inspector general and noted that they fired Mays. Powell has described a criminal investigation of the deaths, which initially involved at least 11 fatalities, as a top priority that required the exhumation of multiple victims. He told reporters Tuesday that prosecutors brought charges in all instances where there was sufficient evidence against Mays. US Sen. Joe Manchin, who previously expressed grave concerns over the pace of the investigation to Attorney General William Barr, said then that the VA inspector general told his office that the probe was opened in July 2018, after at least nine patients were diagnosed with unexplained low blood sugar. While overdue, today justice is finally being served, Manchin said in a statement Tuesday. I hope todays announcement brings some semblance of peace to their hearts and to the families who are still uncertain about the fate of their Veterans. The VA is the governments second-largest department, responsible for 9 million military veterans. The agencys former director was fired in 2018 in the wake of a bruising ethics scandal and a mounting rebellion within the agency, and the doctor who Trump nominated to replace him had to withdraw his nomination amid accusations of misconduct. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The spy watchdog may be called in to determine whether the release of secret police documents detailing a year-long probe into Nationals MP George Christensen's frequent trips to the Philippines could jeopardise national security. The Australian Federal Police has been blocking the release of a letter it sent to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton about its inquiries for more than a year. Nationals MP George Christensen. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Since July last year, the AFP has been arguing the documents cannot be released under Freedom of Information laws because it would constitute an "unreasonable disclosure" of personal information about Mr Christensen. After Nine News, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age challenged the decision not to release the document, the AFP last month submitted a separate argument that the disclosure would also jeopardise the "security of the Commonwealth". A Brisbane medical research centre says it is the "natural home" for a new centre for disease control, arguing it would ensure Queensland is well-placed to respond immediately to future pandemics. In a submission to the state government's parliamentary inquiry into its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, QIMR Berghofer medical research institute director Fabienne Mackay says such a centre would draw together state-based, national and international expertise. A worker in full protective gear at QIMR Berghofer's secure facility in Brisbane where work on treatments for the virus is being conducted. QIMR Berghofer has been researching the differing levels of immune response to COVID-19, with a $1 million funding injection in March dedicated to coronavirus research. Australia does not have a centre for disease control, but in recent months calls have been renewed for such a centre, including from federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and the Australian Medical Association. Afterward, I told reporters, We are not merely fighting to tear down systems of oppression in the criminal justice system we are fighting to tear down systems of oppression that exist in housing, in education, in health care, in employment and in the very air we breathe. . . . As long as our economic and political systems prioritize profit, without considering who is profiting and who is being shut out, we will perpetuate this inequality. So we cannot stop at the criminal justice system. We must begin the work of dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it. Were eager to partner with districts across Louisiana, and ready to support school systems in meeting the social, emotional and academic needs of their students by using FastBridge, said Dr. Shawn Mahoney, Chief Product Officer and Chief Learning Officer at Illuminate. To support districts in meeting the requirements of its Strong Start 2020 plan, the Louisiana Department of Education has selected Illuminate Educations FastBridge solution as an approved Social Academic and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS), and progress monitoring tool for reading and math. Were eager to partner with districts across Louisiana, and ready to support school systems in meeting the social, emotional and academic needs of their students by using FastBridge, said Dr. Shawn Mahoney, Chief Product Officer and Chief Learning Officer at Illuminate. As we continue navigating the challenges presented by COVID-19, its vital that educators are equipped with resources and guidance to ensure all students have a strong start to the 2020-21 school year. FastBridge supports educators in performing universal screening, skills analysis and progress monitoring for reading, math and social-emotional behavior, and is the only behavior assessment that has been reviewed and listed on the American Institutes for Research NCII site. Identifying students Social Emotional Behavior needs is more important than ever. The evidence-based behavior screening tool provided in FastBridge is designed to be highly efficient and allow districts to identify risk and needs for tier 1, system-wide instruction as well as for individual students. Launched to support students and staff as they enter the 2020-21 school year, Strong Start 2020 requires school systems to provide individualized supports and services to meet the social, emotional and mental health wellbeing of students. Illuminate Education is offering webinars on how FastBridge and the Illuminate Education comprehensive solution can be used to prevent learning loss and accelerate learning. Educators can send their district name and availability to sales@Illuminateed.net or click here for more information. About Illuminate Education Illuminate Education partners with educators to reach new levels of student performance, empowering teachers with data to serve the whole child. Our solution brings together holistic data and collaborative instructional tools, and puts them in the hands of educators. As a result, they can visualize each student's progress, determine the right instructional or intervention strategy, and take the best next action. More than 17 million students and 5,200 districts and schools across all 50 states rely on Illuminate every day to move the student performance needle. Cooley said she went for the position because of her long career with Morrill, saying she wore a lot of hats and had the experience. I had a council, but pretty much I was the one who got to make those decisions and lead our people and lead our town, she said. I know this is a lot bigger city and I also know these opportunities dont come around often. She said some of her strengths were communication and listening. She talked about her habits of staying organized. When it comes to dealing with the public, Cooley said she wants to be hands-on. I think you need to be an active part of the community, being part of groups, being out and about, not always dressed like this, of course, she joked, gesturing to her white suit with navy trim. Cooely said she wanted to be honest, transparent, dependable and consistent. Those may sound like cliches, but in the real world, theyre not, Cooley said. The next finalist interviews are scheduled for July 16, 20 and 22. The other finalists are former Alliance City Manager Pam Caskie from Sevierville, Tennessee; veteran Dustin Stambaugh from Littleton, Colorado; and current director of public works for Gering, Pat Heath. Danielle Prokup is a reporter with the Star-Herald. She can be reached danielle.prokup@starherald.com. Submit Your News We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form We have seen the future of European fashion, and it is California. Peering out from behind the curtain of a long lockdown, designers in Paris and Milan seemed unanticipatedly hopeful during the digital shows this past week. It was not so much that they were willing to forgo the inimitable theater of the fashion show as ready to embrace the accelerated alterations in everybodys way of doing business forced on us by the pandemic. Being indoors, onscreen, casual to the point of forgetting to put on our hard pants has affected us all, not least designers. I was doing all these Zoom meetings, and I didnt have the garments I wanted, Alessandro Sartori, the Zegna designer, said last week by phone from northern Italy. What he needed was lightweight things suited to the new exigencies of the workplace. What he had was summer linen jackets in what he called vacation colors. But we are not on vacation, are we? Though we may be working 10 feet from our beds, we still need uniforms that draw a clear distinction between labor and leisure. Its not phenomenal, but I dont think its all that dire for the Max, despite Covid and everything else, said Sheila Kahyaoglu, an aerospace and defense analyst with Jefferies, an investment bank. It may seem misguided for an airline in the midst of a major crisis to buy a tarnished jet that costs tens of millions of dollars, but experts say there is good reason many companies like Southwest Airlines and American Airlines will stick with the Max. The plane can offer substantial savings on fuel and maintenance that are even more valuable in lean times. Other airlines might find it difficult to walk away from orders they have already placed, and will reluctantly go through with purchases. A new plane can last a generation, and the Maxs efficiency matters a lot because fuel can account for about a fifth of an airlines operating costs. Boeing says the plane uses at least 14 percent less jet fuel than its predecessors. That could yield double-digit increases in profits for airlines, said Vitaly Guzhva, a professor of aviation finance at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Theres still a pretty strong business case for the Max. Southwest, for example, has nearly 750 planes in its fleet, each some version of the 737. If it had been able to replace part of its fleet last year with the more than 275 Max jets it hopes to own, Southwest could have saved more than $230 million in fuel costs, according to Dr. Guzhvas math. Boeing says the plane offers fuel savings of more than $10 million over its 25- to 30-year life span. Airlines can also point to fuel savings as an indication of their environmental stewardship to customers who are increasingly cognizant of air travels contribution to climate change. Others might just want to apply the money saved to lowering the price of tickets to lure business. The jet could yield big savings on maintenance, too. New planes often come with warranties, and expensive engine overhauls are typically needed a few years after those end, said Robert Spingarn, an aerospace and defense analyst at Credit Suisse. If the timing is right, an airline might choose to replace a plane in need of major repairs with a Max. When you have a brand-new airplane, you dont have to think about that kind of expense, Mr. Spingarn said. Theres going to be some that say, Im sticking with the Max because the math works better for me than not taking it. In brief: Controversial security firm NSO Group scored a win in an Israeli court, after being accused of profiting from tools that are used by human rights abusers. The company still faces a long string of legal fights though, including one with Facebook-owned WhatsApp. Back in 2018, human rights group Amnesty International sued NSO in an Israeli court, alleging the latter was exporting spyware tools that end up in the hands of clients that have a penchant for abusing them to target certain individuals, including Amnesty activists. Naturally, NSO denied the accusations as unfounded and reaffirmed that it only sells its cyber tools to government agencies that need it to disrupt terrorist and criminal plots. The lawsuit was prompted by a discovery made by a few Amnesty International activists who received carefully crafted WhatsApp messages with links to certain websites that, when clicked, would install some of the most potent spyware out there, dubbed Pegasus. After investigating the matter, the activists found that the domain names corresponded to a list of over 600 suspicious websites that had been linked to NSO Group. For the activist group, the findings suggested an attempt had been made by NSO "clients" to target Amnesty employees, especially since they closely resembled similar campaigns used against journalists and activists in the recent past in countries like Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Morocco, and the UAE. However, a Tel Aviv District Court judge dismissed the lawsuit due to insufficient evidence to support the allegations against NSO Group. That means the company will continue to export its surveillance tech, and Israel's Ministry of Defense remains confident about its ability to guarantee the tools won't be used to violate human rights. An NSO spokesperson applauded the court's decision and noted "the judgement is irrefutable evidence that the regulatory framework in which we operate in is of the highest international standard. [...] Advanced encryption by terrorists and criminals necessitates the kind of legal and proportionate response that NSO provides to authorised and verified government agencies." Danna Ingleton, who is co-director of Amnesty Tech, lamented the court's decision, describing it as a "cruel blow to people put at risk around the world by NSO Group selling its products to notorious human rights abusers." But, of course, this is only a small win for NSO Group, as the company is embroiled in several other lawsuits. A notable example is the one filed by Facebook last year, alleging that NSO facilitated a sophisticated cyberattack on thousands of WhatsApp users using fake servers. The Israeli company has chosen not to defend their actions in court, explaining that Facebook had lied in its court filing. As for its defense strategy, it looks like NSO is planning to work a novel "sovereign immunity" angle. CAIRO - Over the course of Yemens civil war, African migrants determined to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia have endured unspeakable cruelties - torture, rape, detention, extortion - often perilously close to front lines. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has dealt yet another blow to vulnerable migrants caught in Yemens war zone. Stigmatized as carriers of COVID-19, over 14,500 migrants, mostly Ethiopian, have been relentlessly hounded, rounded up and sent packing to different provinces, the U.N. migration agency reported on Tuesday. They remain stranded without adequate food, water or shelter. For nearly six years, Yemen has been an extremely unsafe place to be a migrant, Paul Dillon, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration told reporters in Geneva. COVID-19 has made this situation worse; migrants are scapegoated as carriers of the virus and as a result, suffer exclusion and violence. Last year, over 138,000 migrants desperate to find jobs as housekeepers, servants and construction workers in Saudi Arabia embarked on the arduous journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, according to IOM. Ethiopians traverse hundreds of miles from their home villages through countries like Djibouti or Somalia, then across the sea and through war-torn Yemen. In many cases, migrants are at the mercy of smugglers who may imprison and torture them, leave them stranded on the route or sell them into virtual slave labour. But this spring that traffic came to a grinding halt, as countries closed their borders to contain the virus spread. Movement restrictions curbed migrant arrivals in Yemen by 90%, IOM reported, while leaving the tens of thousands of Ethiopians in the country trapped in limbo. With transportation between provinces at a standstill, thousands of migrants, blamed for spreading the virus, have been bussed from their makeshift homes and dumped in different provinces. At least 4,000 are stranded in the southern government-held city of Aden and 7,000 in the rebel stronghold of Saada, among other places, the IOM said. The agency did not specify which authorities, whether Iran-allied rebel Houthis that control much of the countrys north or Saudi-backed government forces, were responsible for the forcible transfers. Saudi Arabia, which has struggled to contain a major outbreak of COVID-19, has continued its long-standing practice of expelling migrants who manage to make it into the kingdom. As of mid-April, Saudi Arabia had deported nearly 2,900 Ethiopians due to the pandemic, IOM reported at the time, and another 250 deportations were planned each day over the weeks that followed. In May, Houthi authorities accused Saudi Arabia of deporting 800 Somali migrants and dumping them at the desert border. On top of being deported and transferred against their will, migrants have been verbally and physically harassed as a result of mounting virus fears in Yemen, the agency added. Although government authorities have recorded no more than 1,516 infections and 429 deaths as of Tuesday, aid workers and doctors say the virus is surging across the country and overwhelming a health system already in shambles after five years of war between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemens government. Long before the pandemic, the U.N. labeled Yemen the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Migrants, many who sleep outdoors, in abandoned buildings or in squalid detention centres without access to medical care, are particularly vulnerable to infection, Dillon warned. Theres no access to some of the basics that one would need to address public health concerns such as COVID-19, he said. The Houthis have suppressed all information about the outbreak and refused to make infection figures public since they reported just four cases in May. The first and only person the Houthi health ministry has confirmed dead from the virus is a Somali man. Rights groups took the announcement as a sign of deep-seated discriminationand an ominous portent of retaliation to come. Rating Action: Moody's assigned a B3 rating to Navistar's proposed $225 million IRB issuance; outlook is negative. Global Credit Research - 15 Jul 2020 New York, July 15, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") assigned a B3 rating to Navistar International Corp.'s (Navistar) proposed issuance of $225 million of senior unsecured industrial revenue bonds (series 2020 IRBs). Navistar's other ratings are unaffected, including: corporate family rating at B2; second-lien industrial revenue bonds (series 2010 IRBs) at B1; and, senior secured, third-lien notes at B2; and senior unsecured debt at B3. Also unchanged are the ratings of its major subsidiary, Navistar, Inc., with senior secured, first-lien term loan at Ba2. The speculative grade liquidity rating remains SGL-3. The outlook is negative. The B3 rating of Navistar's newly-issued series 2020 IRBs reflects: 1) the obligations' unsecured status; 2) the guarantee provided by Navistar, Inc.; and 3) a priority of claim ranking that is equivalent to that of Navistar's other senior unsecured debt which is also guaranteed by Navistar, Inc. and is also rated B3. The anticipated $225 million in proceeds from the series 2020 IRBs will be used to fully repay the $225 million of outstanding second-lien series 2010 IRBs which become callable on October 15, 2020. Upon repayment, the rating of the series 2010 IRBs will be withdrawn. The following rating action was taken: Assignments: ..Issuer: Illinois Finance Authority ....Senior Unsecured Revenue Bonds, Assigned B3 (LGD5) RATINGS RATIONALE Navistar's ratings reflect the company's position as the third-leading producer of medium and heavy trucks, and the progress it has made in strengthening its operating performance and competitive position. Key areas of operational progress include: 1) expanding market share; 2) reducing warranty expense; and 3) significantly improving its cost structure. As a result of this operational progress, and an adequate liquidity position, Navistar should be able to sustain a solidly competitive position in the North American truck market despite the near-term pressure that will be caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Moody's expects that during 2020 Navistar's revenues could fall by 25% and free cash flow could approach negative $500 million. However, Moody's further anticipates that the company has the necessary operational and financial resources to begin strengthening its performance in 2021. Story continues Navistar's liquidity position consists of $1.5 billion of cash as of April 30, 2020, with less than $100 million of debt maturing over the coming twelve months. This cash position affords the company adequate capacity to cover the approximately $500 million cash burn it will likely incur during 2020 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and to seasonal working capital requirements of $500 million. The Ba2 senior secured term loan rating at Navistar Inc., the major operating subsidiary of Navistar, reflects the obligation's first priority lien on the majority of Navistar's operating assets. The B1 rating of Navistar's series 2010 IRBs reflects a second-lien position behind the first-lien term loan. The B2 rating of Navistar International's $600 million of third-lien secured notes reflects an upstream guarantee from Navistar Inc., and a priority of claim position that is junior to both the Ba2 and B1 rated debt instruments. The B3 rating of Navistar International's unsecured notes also benefits from a Navistar Inc. guarantee, but the obligation's unsecured status results in the most junior claim of the company's rated debt. The B1 rating of Navistar International's $225 million of second-lien IRBs, and the B2 rating of its third-lien notes both reflect a one-notch downward override of the rating outcomes that results from an application of Moody's Loss Given Default model. Following the repayment of the second-lien IRBs, the priority of claim and asset coverage of the B2-rated third-lien notes will improve. However, Moody's views the degree of this improvement in recovery characteristics as modest. Consequently, after the repayment of the $225 million of B1-rated IRBs, Moody's will maintain the current one-notch negative override of the $600 million in third-lien notes and the obligation's B2 rating will remain unchanged. FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS The negative outlook reflects the significant deterioration that will likely occur in Navistar's operating performance and credit metrics during 2020 as a result of both the coronavirus outbreak and the already anticipated cyclical slowdown in North American truck demand. Navistar's rating could be downgraded if the company is not on track to restoring 2019-level financial metrics by 2021. Factors that would contribute to a downgrade include: 1) a cash burn that exceeds $500 million during 2020; 2) market share erosion in key product segments; and, 3) any material weakening in the company's liquidity profile. Prospects for an upgrade during the next twelve months are modest. Nevertheless, an operating performance that is on a clear trajectory to achieve the following metrics could support an upgrade: EBITA margins above 7%, debt to EBITDA sustained below 5x and EBITA/Interest above 3x. Navistar's principal environmental risk is its exposure to increasingly burdensome emissions regulations covering its trucks and buses. The company continues to make the investments necessary to remain in compliance with these regulations. The major social risk facing the company emanates from the economic stress resulting from the coronavirus. The company's governance practices have enabled it to pursue successful operating strategies and prudent financial policies. The principal methodology used in these ratings was Manufacturing Methodology published in March 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1206079. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. 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SAN FRANCISCO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SOSV and Mayfield today announced the creation of the Genesis Consortium , an alliance to promote human and planetary health, which will invest alongside SOSV into IndieBio startups at the pre-seed stage. Like-minded leading VC investors can consider joining Genesis to support pre-seed stage life science startups. An alignment of vision has led the two firms to co-found the Genesis Consortium. Genesis will support scientific and technical founders with the resources to grow their startups from the pre-seed stage. "IndieBio has consistently demonstrated that we transform very early stage startups, growing them into world-class technologies and industry-leading companies," said Po Bronson, IndieBio Managing Director. "At the pre-seed stage, small investments make a huge difference. Genesis will help startups have enough runway to reach clear milestones that merit seed funding from the rest of the venture industry." Both SOSV and Mayfield are committed to the sustainability of our planet and the improvement of healthcare for all. To that effect, the firms, in the regular course of business over the next five years, expect to invest over $400M of their own funds into companies that are engineering biology, with the majority of those funds going into startups at Series A and beyond. "Mayfield is one of Silicon Valley's most experienced and successful firms," said Sean O'Sullivan, SOSV's Managing General Partner. "We'd like to see more visionary venture funds join us in dedicating early-stage investment into human and planetary health, to create the change we all want to see in the world." Just five years old, IndieBio is growing rapidly from its San Francisco roots. In January 2020, with support from the State of New York, SOSV launched IndieBio New York. The combined programs are expected to bring 50 new startups per year through IndieBio. In the past 12 months alone, the SOSV portfolio of alumni life science companies has doubled in value to $3.2 billion. The cooperation has IndieBio founder Arvind Gupta joining Mayfield as a Partner, doing Series A investing, while maintaining a position at IndieBio as a Venture Advisor. Po Bronson has been elevated to an SOSV General Partner and Managing Director of IndieBio. For further alignment, Mayfield invested in IndieBio's parent fund, SOSV IV. IndieBio now has six investment Partners. In San Francisco, Jun Axup has been named Chief Scientific Officer. Alex Kopelyan is Senior Director. Pae Wu recently joined the team as Chief Technical Officer. In New York, Stephen Chambers joined IndieBio as Managing Director, and Rodrigo Mallo Leiva moved over from SOSV's London operations. "The Genesis Consortium will make sure the most exciting and impactful work that scientists are doing today will have support to translate ideas into venture-backable companies," said Arvind Gupta, Mayfield Partner and IndieBio founder. "We will create more startups, and better startups, for the entire industry to advance." Currently, SOSV's IndieBio program is among the world's most richly-funded startup accelerator programs, funding $250k to each of 50 startups annually. The Genesis Consortium aims to increase that to up to $500k available for each startup at the pre-seed stage, starting in 2021. Of course, most of the funding for IndieBio startups comes from the community of later-stage VCs who lead investments post-accelerator, investing more than $10 in every IndieBio startup for each $1 from SOSV's funds. Consortium Activities The Genesis Consortium will put together monthly, quarterly, and annual physical and virtual events in life sciences investing, with a dinner series focused on relevant and emerging topics of life science breakthroughs; with tech talks and seminars on a frequent basis both at the IndieBio event center in San Francisco and a new IndieBio center opening in New York; and with an annual corporate engagement conference for later stage investors and corporates. SOSV welcomes the participation of other investors who are committed to the mission of the Genesis Consortium. The initiative is geared toward creating a healthy ecosystem rather than exclusive deal flow. To find out more about Genesis Consortium, sign up here: http://genesisconsortium.org About SOSV: SOSV is a global venture fund with $750M under management that runs deep-tech accelerator programs around the world, including HAX in Shenzhen, Chinaccelerator in Shanghai, MOX in Taipei, Food-X in New York, and IndieBio. SOSV is also the third-most active investor in early-stage startups in India. SOSV has backed nearly 200 early-stage startups that use biology as their enabling technology. SOSV has helped launch new industries in life sciences, including notable cellular agriculture startups (Memphis Meats, Perfect Day, Geltor); breakthrough therapeutics and diagnostic companies involved in advances against cancer, autoimmune diseases and autism (Synthex, Serenity, BioRosa); and regenerative medicine companies (Prellis Biologics, OneSkin, Membio) helping improve the quality and longevity of life. SOURCE SOSV Related Links https://sosv.com/ Cyclists ride along Marina Bay overlooking the financial business district in Singapore. (PHOTO: AFP via Getty Images) SINGAPORE The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (14 July) confirmed 347 more COVID-19 cases in Singapore, bringing the total to 46,629, as well as the city-states 27th coronavirus-related death. A 62-year-old Singaporean man, identified as case 17168, died from COVID-19 complications on Tuesday. The man who had a history of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol level was confirmed to be infected with the virus on 30 April. Sengkang General Hospital has reached out to his family and is extending assistance to them, the MOH said. The ministry also announced a new cluster of eight cases linked to a foreign worker dormitory at 96 Kaki Bukit Industrial Terrace. Of the 347 new cases, seven including one Singaporean are classified as cases in the community, while two both Singaporeans are imported cases. The remaining 338 are foreign workers residing in dorms. Overall, only one per cent of the new cases have no established links. UPDATE: 2 imported COVID-19 cases, 7 community cases in Singapore on Tuesday https://t.co/MrIJbDfdDF pic.twitter.com/V0Vqm8vdCu Yahoo Singapore (@YahooSG) July 14, 2020 Of the seven community cases, three no. 46715, 46716 and 46722 are linked to previous cases or clusters. They had all been identified as contacts of previously confirmed cases, and had been tested during their quarantine to determine their status, even though they are asymptomatic, said the ministry. The remaining four community cases that are unlinked belong in the construction sector and had been swabbed as part of periodic screening of workers in essential services who are living outside the dorms, the MOH added. Three of these cases no. 46385, 46386, and 46387 are asymptomatic. All four unlinked cases are undergoing epidemiological investigations while all the identified close contacts of the cases have been isolated and placed on quarantine, said the ministry. These close contacts will be tested at the start and end of their quarantine period so as to detect asymptomatic cases. Story continues We will also conduct serological tests for their household contacts to determine if these cases could have been infected by them, added the MOH. The two imported cases were identified as Singaporeans who returned to Singapore from India on 9 July. They had been placed on a 14-day stay-home notice upon their arrival in Singapore, and had been tested while serving the notice, said the ministry. The MOH noted that the number of new cases in the community has decreased from an average of 14 cases per day in the week before, to an average of 13 per day in the past week. On the other hand, the number of unlinked cases in the community has increased, from an average of six cases per day in the week before, to an average of seven per day in the past week. To date, more than 215,000 foreign workers or two-thirds of those living in dorms have been tested and cleared in an ongoing effort, added the ministry. Of Singapores total COVID-19 tally, 43,942 or 94 per cent are workers living in dorms. We are on track to clear about 80 per cent of workers staying in the dorms by end-July, and to complete the testing of dorm residents around mid-August, it said. The ministry said to expect a higher number of confirmed cases from foreign workers living in dorms over the new few days. In the next few days, we have a larger population of migrant workers in various purpose-built dorms completing their isolation period and being tested for COVID-19, it added, noting that some of them came from dorms with a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection. 92% of cases recovered, zero in ICU With 196 more patients discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities on Tuesday, 42,737 cases some 92 per cent of the total tally have fully recovered from the infection. Most of the 161 hospitalised cases are stable or improving, while none are in critical condition in the intensive care unit for the first time in months. A total of 3,704 patients with mild symptoms or are clinically well but still test positive are isolated and cared for at community facilities. Apart from 27 patients who have died from COVID-19 complications, 14 others who tested positive for the virus were determined to have died from unrelated causes, including three whose deaths were attributed to a heart attack and another four, 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 6 July, the ministry has conducted 866,414 swab tests, of which 467,008 were done on unique individuals. This translates to around 152,000 swabs conducted per 1 million total population, and about 81,900 unique individuals swabbed per 1 million total population. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: TTSH apologises for mislabelling samples, causing student to be wrongly admitted as COVID-19 patient GE2020: PSP selects Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa for NCMP seats Youth who flouted circuit breaker rules while harassing loanshark's debtors given reformative training Plans for 10 Aug start for 2 cross-border travel schemes between Singapore, Malaysia President Donald Trump's administration agreed Tuesday to rescind its plans to ban foreign college students from living in the U.S. if their university is implementing online classes only during the fall semester. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency released the visa restrictions last week. The rule would have forced foreign college students to leave the U.S. and take their online courses in another country. The Trump administration faced immediate backlash, as many colleges and universities had already announced offering online-only classes because of the coronavirus pandemic. This meant college students under the visa restrictions faced deportation or prevention from going into the U.S. It left many scrambling to figure out how they will deal with the new rules. A Slew of Lawsuits Universities like Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a case against the visa restrictions of the administration. A Massachusetts judge, District Judge Allison Burroughs, said the request to stop the rule is moot as the government chose to drop the restrictions. On a Tuesday session at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the universities were expected to argue their case, saying the rule was hard to do for schools and even harmful for students, reported NPR. In a BBC report, Burroughs said the parties have come to a settlement. On Monday, 18 states had sued the Department of Homeland Security over the rule, USA Today reported. California officials also intended to file a case, saying the rule will "risk education possibilities." They pointed out that they have the most number of students on visas than any other state in the U.S. The legal challenge was supported by many colleges, universities, municipalities, and tech companies. Dropped Nationwide Since the new directive was dropped "on a nationwide basis," schools will follow ICE guidelines set last March. The past rule gives room for flexibility regarding college student visas. It let international students attend all of their classes online as the pandemic is taking place. Some universities planned to offer online classes only this fall due to the concern that college campuses might make coronavirus hot spots and add to the country's number of cases. The rules were set as the Trump admin seeks to reopen universities and K-12 schools in the fall. The visa restrictions, issued last July 6 by ICE, would have done a hard blow to students and universities alike. Foreign Students in U.S. Universities Nine percent of the schools in the U.S. are going to do online study due to the pandemic. Harvard and MIT are some of those universities. Harvard plans to move online and intends to ask up to 40% of its students to go back on campus. MIT is planning to do both on-campus and online classes. The restrictions applied to F-1 and M-1 visa holders, which are academic and vocational students. In 2019, the state department issued 388,893 F visas and 9,518 M visas. The commerce department also saw that international students added $45 billion to the U.S. economy in 2018. Last year, the U.S. saw 1.1 million international students. Want to read more? Check these related articles! Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) speaks during a roundtable at the State Dining Room of the White House June 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first governor since the start of the pandemic to publicly announce a positive diagnosis. "I got tested yesterday for Covid-19 and the results came back positive," Stitt told reporters. "I feel fine; I felt a little bit achy yesterday." The Republican governor said he is isolating from his family and working from home. He resisted calls to roll back Oklahoma's reopening plans, which are being tested by a viral resurgence. "Going back and bunkering in place doesn't remove" the virus, Stitt said, adding, "It's way, way premature to think of slowing down or backing up" the reopening. Stitt is one of several Republican governors around the country who have been especially vocal in questioning whether coronavirus safety recommendations from public health experts are really necessary. On a recent visit to the White House for an event to showcase governors who were moving quickly to reopen businesses, Stitt boasted that Oklahoma was one of the first states to reopen. "We have to learn how to be safe and to move on," said Stitt. Later in the month, with cases in Oklahoma already rising a second time, Stitt answered a question about a possible mask mandate by saying, "I'm always reluctant to mandate things." Instead of adopting strict public health measures, Stitt has said Oklahomans will "just have to learn how to live with" the deadly coronavirus. The phrase "learn to live with it" has gained popularity during this latest spike of coronavirus cases, as a sort of alternative theory to aggressive public health action. Repeated by Trump and other Republican governors, the phrase reflects a hands-off approach to government intervention aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. All Sydneysiders are banned from freely entering the Northern Territory when it reopens its borders to the rest of the country - except Victoria - in two days. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Wednesday that allowing travellers from Greater Sydney would be 'too risky' as the city's south-west battles a coronavirus outbreak. The NT will end 14-day compulsory self-quarantine for interstate travellers come Friday but quarantine will still apply to residents arriving from COVID-19 hotspots. Mr Gunner declared Sydney to be a hotspot and said all residents wishing to enter the NT from the city will be forced to spend two weeks in mandatory quarantine. The travellers will be charged $2,500 each for the supervised quarantine. Chief Minister Michael Gunner (pictured with a beer at a Darwin hotel in May) said on Wednesday that allowing travellers from Greater Sydney would be 'too risky' as the city's south-west battles a coronavirus outbreak The NT will end 14-day compulsory self-quarantine for interstate travellers come Friday. Pictured: Border between Northern Territory and South Australia 'Nobody wanted this, everybody had hoped by now that coronavirus would be under control down south,' Mr Gunner said. 'But as we keep being reminded, we cannot underestimate this virus.' Mr Gunner said the borders will remain shut to Victoria indefinitely amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The decision to block travellers from Greater Sydney will be reviewed in two weeks. 'What the Victoria situation has told us, you don't make a decision solely on what today's numbers are,' Mr Gunner said. 'This [the outbreak in south-west Sydney] has the potential to get worse before it gets better and we need to assume it will get worse. 'To open our borders to Sydney right now when we don't know the full extent of this cluster would be a role of the dice. 'And I don't gamble with the lives of Territorians.' All Sydneysiders are banned from freely entering the Northern Territory when it reopens its borders. Pictured: Kakadu National Park Health workers conduct coronavirus tests at the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney's south-west The NT border is opening on Friday for the first time since March 24. Mr Gunner's announcement comes after Queensland moved to ban travellers from south-west Sydney and South Australia pushed back the reopening of their borders to NSW. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday morning that residents within the local government areas of Liverpool and Campbelltown would be banned from entering her state at midday on Tuesday. The rule applies not only to residents of the LGAs but to anyone who has travelled through them in the past two weeks. 'Travellers who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the past 14 days can't quarantine in Queensland and will be turned away at our borders,' she said. 'Queenslanders who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the past 14 days are required to hotel quarantine at their own expense.' All residents wishing to enter the NT from Sydney will be forced to spend two weeks in mandatory quarantine. Pictured: Uluru in the NT Sydney is currently battling an outbreak in the city's south-west. Pictured: COVID-19 tests are carried out at a pop-up clinic at Victoria Park in Picton on Tuesday Queensland opened to the rest of the country - except Victoria - at midday on Friday. South Australia Premier Steven Marshall on Tuesday announced his state would delay reopening borders to NSW and the ACT. The state's transition committee met and decided not to go ahead with the lifting of quarantine measures on July 20. He says of particular concern is the 'super spreader' event associated with the Crossroads Hotel at Casula, in south-west Sydney. New South Wales recorded 13 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, with 10 linked to the infected pub. Victoria reported 238 new cases of coronavirus. There are currently 1,931 active cases in the state. The High Court has extended to eight years the bankruptcy of Co Monaghan farmer John Hoey whose cattle were shot by members of the Defence Forces in 2016. The decision by Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington means that Mr Hoey from Carrickmacross will not emerge from bankruptcy until February 2024. Earlier this year the judge ruled that Mr Hoey's bankruptcy should be extended due to his lack of co-operation with the official in charge of his bankruptcy, the Official Assignee(OA), Chris Lehane. The Judge had invited further submissions from the parties as to the length the bankruptcy should be extended for, and added that any future cooperation by Mr Hoey with the OA could determine the length of the extension. When the matter returned before the High Court on Monday, Bernard Dunleavy SC, for Mr Lehane, said that there had been no co-operation with the OAsince the judgement was delivered. Mr Hoey had not availed of the second chance given to him by the court. This was an aggravating factor and counsel said the OA was seeking an order under Section 85 of the 2015 Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act that Mr Hoey's bankruptcy be extended by 7to 10 years. Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by solicitor John Geary, for Mr Hoey said a document sent by his client in 2016 to the OAhad been unearthed after the judgement had been given. It was a statement of personal information and meant that Mr Lehane was incorrect to say that no statement of affairs had been furnished. His client deserved some credit for it, counsel argued. In reply Dunleavy said the unearthed document did not constitute a statement of affair, as it lacked important details including Mr Hoey's debts and other items. Ms JusticePilkington said the unearthed document had no bearing on the findings contained in her judgement. She also noted that there had been no co-operation by Mr Hoey with the OA since her judgement was delivered in April. In the circumstances, she was satisfied to extend Mr Hoey's bankruptcy by eight years from the time he was adjudicated bankrupt. Mr Hoey intends to appeal the court's ruling. He was declared bankrupt on foot of a petition brought by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for 262,000 in February of 2016. He was due to exit the process 12 months later. His discharge from bankruptcy was stayed pending the outcome of the OA's extension application. Mr Lehane claimed that Mr Hoey had failed to co-operate by failing to provide a statement of affairs detailing all of his assets, had moved a substantial amount of farm machinery from his farm and hid them on the grounds of a local hotel. It was also alleged that Mr Hoey attempted to hide payments he received from a meat factory and had hid cash on his property, which was recovered following a search of the premises. The court also heard that In the interests of public health and safety, and to prevent the spread of TB, Mr Lehane had reluctantly used defence force marksmen to humanely destroy five of Mr Hoey'scows. The animals had gone wild, dangerous and could not be captured, Mr Lehane said. Mr Hoey claimed that everything he had worked for was "literally wiped out and destroyed" by Mr Lehane and his agents. Ginsburg had gone to a hospital in Washington on Monday evening after experiencing fever and chills. She had a procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August when she was treated for a cancerous tumor on her pancreas. The court said in a statement Tuesday that she would stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment. Blow for EU as Apple wins fight against $15 billion tax order The Apple Inc. logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in New York By Foo Yun Chee and Padraic Halpin LUXEMBOURG/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Apple scored a major win on Wednesday as Europe's second-highest court rejected an EU order for the iPhone maker to pay 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in Irish back taxes, dealing a blow to the bloc's attempts to crack down on sweetheart tax deals. In its order four years ago, the European Commission said Apple benefited from illegal state aid via two Irish tax rulings that artificially reduced its tax burden for over two decades - to as low as 0.005% in 2014. "The General Court annuls the contested decision because the Commission did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage for the purposes of Article 107(1) TFEU1," judges said, referring to EU competition rules. They said the EU executive was wrong to say Apple's two Irish subsidiaries - Apple Sales International (ASI) and Apple Operations Europe (AOE) - had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, state aid. Apple welcomed the ruling, saying the case was not about how much tax it pays, but where it is required to pay it. Ireland - which had appealed against the Commission's decision alongside Apple - said it had always been clear it had not given special treatment to the U.S. company. The defeat for European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager could weaken or delay pending cases against Ikea's and Nike's deals with the Netherlands, as well as Huhtamaki's agreement with Luxembourg. Vestager, who has made the tax crackdown a centrepiece of her time in office, saw the same court last year overturn her demand for Starbucks to pay up to 30 million euros in Dutch back taxes. In another case, the court also threw out her ruling against a Belgian tax scheme for 39 multinationals. Vestager said she would study the court's judgment and reflect on possible next steps. The Commission can appeal on points of law to the EU Court of Justice, Europe's top court. Story continues The Commission, which was ordered by the court to pay Apple's and Ireland's legal costs, could still salvage its case, said Dimitrios Kyriazis, Head of Law Faculty at the New College of Humanities in London. "Its defeat is very similar to its defeat in the Starbucks cases, that is it won on matters of legal principle and lost due to the allocation of evidentiary onus," he said. "It is more likely that the Commission will re-adopt a decision against Ireland and Apple and try to show exactly how the tax rulings granted AOE and ASI a selective advantage," he said. IRELAND IN SPOTLIGHT The European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) said the judgment showed the need for corporate tax reform in Europe. "Today's court decision illustrates how difficult it is to use EU state aid rules to collect tax. If we had a proper corporate tax system, we wouldnt need long court cases to find out whether it is legal for multinational corporations to pay less than 1 percent in taxes," its tax justice coordinator Tove Maria Ryding said. The ruling puts Ireland's tax regime back in the spotlight at a delicate juncture. With attempts to get a global agreement on taxing multinationals buckling, plans for an EU tax could be revived, putting Dublin's low rates in the firing line. Multinationals, attracted by Ireland's low taxes, employ around 250,000 people in the country, accounting for one in ten workers at the end of last year. However, the government has faced heavy criticism from opposition parties for fighting against a tax windfall that would have amounted to 14 billion euros, including interest, and could have covered at least half of a budget deficit forecast to balloon to as much as 10% of GDP this year. "This is a bad day for the taxpayer," said Pearse Doherty, the finance spokesman for the main opposition Sinn Fein party. "While the Department of Finance might be thinking this is a good day for themselves, morally this is a terrible day." (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter) There is mass opposition among nurses and other health care workers to the sellout agreement reached between the French trade unions and the Macron government on Friday. Thousands took part in demonstrations across the country yesterday on Bastille Day, including hundreds of nurses who marched to oppose the assault on the public hospital system during the coronavirus pandemic. The agreement has been hailed by the Macron government and French and international media as an historic sign that health workers are finally receiving just recognition for their sacrifices. This fraud was taken to new heights of cynicism with the homage given to health care workers at the official Bastille Day celebration at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Macron, his wife Brigitte and other political figures who have slashed hospital resources applauded before a group of hospital employees, with television cameras panning slowly across their faces. The protest in Paris Reality was able to break into this spectacle only via a personal drone hovering above and carrying a sign reading, Behind the homages, Macron strangles the hospitals. None of this has convinced health employees or the working population, which is overwhelmingly opposed to Macrons accelerating austerity program. The agreements covering health care workers include a total of 7.5 billion of additional funding for wages and new positions. This is less than the 12 billion the Macron government handed over to just two companies, Renault and Air France, which have proceeded to lay off tens of thousands of workers. It is approximately 2 percent of the hundreds of billions pledged in March to prop up the debts of French banks and corporations. It includes two successive wage increases of 91 per month, to be delivered in September 2020 and March 2021. Additionally, 7,500 new nursing positions are to be createda drop in the ocean, equivalent to approximately two or three new positions per institution. There are already another 7,500 such positions across the country that are budgeted for but still unfilledsuch are the horrendous conditions for nurses that have made it impossible to attract and retain staff. The insulting wage rise follows 10 years in which nurses have not seen a pay increase. Nurses in France are among the worst paid in Europe, receiving on average respectively 13 percent and 29 percent less than their Spanish and German counterparts, who themselves are grossly underpaid. The 300 per month that the French unions claimed was their central demand in negotiations would have brought nurses to the median for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Most significantly, the agreement includes nothing to address the hospitals chronic funding shortfalls, which have been glaringly exposed by the pandemic. In the past 30 years, more than 100,000 hospital beds have been closed due to repeated funding cuts by both Socialist Party and Gaullist governments. The agreement also allows hospitals greater flexibility in extending employees work week beyond the official 35-hour maximum. Even 300 euros would not be a lot compared to what we have lost in the last 10 years, said Dominique, a hospital administration worker with more than 30 years who came to the Paris demonstration. Its shameful. We see the working conditions that have gotten worse. They are continuing to close beds. They want to privatise everything. We are fighting here for the public health system, so that everyone can have access to health care. Thats why were on the street today. Im here for myself and the generation to come. Dominique Dominique denounced the unions role in negotiating and signing the agreement. I have been against the unions for years, she said. I dont trust them. Its more than a year and a half that we have been protesting and striking in the hospitals. Everyone knows what our demands are: for more money, more resources. They keep going to these negotiations with the government. It is just to draw us out. They dont belong on our side. For me, theyre bought. There are a lot of staff who are leaving the public system, she added. Thats the purpose. They want people to leave so they can privatize. The government gives billions to private companies that are laying off employees. Its open and in front of our eyes. Were exhausted and angry. We are not slaves, but today we are just surviving. What will become of the lives of our children? Are they to be slaves? On Facebook, nurses have posted statements denouncing the union sellout. The agreement was signed by the French Democratic Labour Confederation (CFDT), the National Union of Autonomous Unions (UNSA), and Workers Force (FO). This provided the necessary number of signatures to ensure its passage. Knowing that the agreement would pass regardless, the SUD union and the General Federation of Labour (CGT) have postured as critics of the agreement. The CGT itself declared that it may eventually sign the agreement, with Mireille Stivala declaring that while it may be disappointing, we have to acknowledge all the same that its thanks to the mobilisation of staff over recent years, and thanks to the trade unions, that weve been able to [obtain] this wage increase. The unions are worse than the employers, and thats why were getting nowhere with social policies, commented a nurse, Lydie, on the Inter-Urgences Facebook page. I agree with the word mascarade, said Gwenaelle. We are not asking for charity but a fair wage increase. Augore commented, I no longer have any confidence in the trade unions after this. Im ashamed of all of it. Im fed up. At the Paris protest, Emilie, a young nurse with five years experience, described the conditions during the height of the first wave of the pandemic in France. I was in an area that treated coronavirus patients, she said. We were given only surgical masks, which dont protect the wearer from catching the virus. Some of the patients tested positive with the serological test but negative with the rapid nasal test, which has many false negatives. They were kept without masks and treated as though they were negatives. I am not principally concerned with a wage rise. What we need is more resources, human and material. Throughout whole shifts in the night, often I have nothing. I dont believe there will be a change though. Or it will not be sufficient. The unions signed this agreement, except Sud and the CGT. But I dont trust them either. The Socialist Equality Party urges nurses and health care employees to take their struggle out of the hands of the pro-corporate trade unions by forming independent rank-and-file action committees, controlled directly by workers themselves, to organise a struggle for a well-resourced, high-quality public health care system, and to appeal directly to workers across Europe and internationally. This must be based on a socialist programme to reorganise societys resources according to social need rather than private profit. A Research article by the Institute for Energy Security (IES) has made a case for the strong consideration of Solar and Wind energy sources in Ghana and Africas post-COVID recovery plan. In an article authored by IES Research and Policy Analyst Raymond Nuworkpor citing multiple authorities, The IES said not only does the adoption reduce pressure on the national grid because of its unreliability in terms of power supply, but provides cheaper sources of energy at more stable generation and use levels, that enable businesses to adequately plan and grow. The institute added further: The green energy sources are rapidly becoming cheaper than fossil fuel powered plants. 56 percent of capacity additions for utility-scale renewable power in 2019 achieved lower electricity costs than cheapest coal plants. There will also be 23 billion annual potential savings if the costliest 500 GW of existing coal were replaced by solar and wind. Also, 1.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide reduction annually possible, equalling to 5 percent of the total global carbon dioxide emissions last year. And lastly, a cumulative global GDP will grow by US$98 trillion, according to IRENA. Find the full article below: During the first quarter of 2020, the world recorded slumps in prices of crude oil, exposing its vulnerability and volatility. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), crude oil prices plunged by 54.18 percent on average terms, starting the year on a high of US$66.74 to close the first quarter of 2020 at US$30.58 per barrel. The price plummet was so precipitous that at a point, a barrel of crude cost less than a meal at any fast food restaurant. The suspension of exploratory works, slashing of projected crude oil receipts, job losses, diversification of investment from fossil fuel, withholding of shareholders returns, filing of bankruptcy et cetera were the dominant features of the crude market in the first and second quarter of year 2020. COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it. The pandemic has changed among others, the way we eat, the way we work, the way we communicate. In International Energy Agencys report, World Energy Investment published in May 2020, the agency describes drastic changes in the energy markets in the wake of the pandemic. The report reveals the largest fall in energy sector investment ever and uncovers historic shift along the way. It shows that for the first time ever, there will be more spending on electricity than on oil. Most importantly, the report asserts that it is in the power sector where the possibilities of transition to a low-carbon energy sector are most apparent. Although a separate report from the IEA noted that, newly installed renewable power capacity was expected to decline by 13 percent this year, the renewable (green) energy sector was proven to be disproportionately resilient to the impacts of the pandemic. Damilola Ogunbiyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Special Representative of the United Nation (UN) Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) and Co-Chair of UN-Energy, has noted that, as countries rebuild economies from the impacts of the pandemic, they are faced with a unique once-in-a-generation opportunity to recover better with sustainable energy. It will therefore not be shocking that the post-COVID-19 era will be jam-packed with sustainable energy related programmes, and laggard governments that are slow to adopt and advance their renewable energy resources, risk being left behind or worse, will completely be shut out. They will suffer consequences such as slow social and economic development, augmented environmental problems resulting from continued reliance on fossil fuel energy resources. The Renewable Agenda Energy related matters, particularly the production of electricity from renewable sources, are critical on the agendas of most governments around the world today. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7- Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030) and the Paris Agreement, emphasize the importance of energy sustainability, healthy ecosystem and decarbonisation. The UN Secretary-Generals SE4ALL initiative, clearly shows how clean, affordable and safe energy can enable countries recuperate better and leverage renewable energy to not only close the energy gap but also reset their economies. The SE4ALL guide shows that African countries, through a widespread, ambitious and genuine commitment to advancing comprehensive renewable energy can achieve resilient economies with long-term growth, new jobs, cleaner and healthier environments, increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), improved agriculture yields, and affordable and sustainable energy for all in the long term. It is an important fact that developing renewable energy is a must-have, a make-or-break commodity. Hence, most governments have already planned and are deploying strategies to achieve sustainable energy supply. Many countries around the world have instituted objectives to adopt and utilize renewable energy resources to shore up their power generation and consumption. By the adoption of policies and pursuance of targets, countries like China, United States (USA), Germany, United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become world leaders in renewable energy, and are investing heavily into renewable energy technologies (RETs). Germany for instant, continue to play a key role in the energy transition conversation, investing heavily in technology, education and research. Germany has set for itself a 65 percent target by 2030, requiring an increase in wind and solar generation capacity to between 215 and 237 gigawatts (GW) from 120 GW presently. Wind, solar and other clean energy sources currently account for more about 40 percent of the countrys energy production, having more than doubled over the past 8 years, according to Reuters. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) figures for 2018 show around 284,000 people working in Germanys renewable energy sector, the vast majority in wind energy. The African Story The story in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa looks different, yet promising. A crucial source of concern is the worrying trend of lack of access to affordable electricity and the unsteady nature of electricity supply; factors which have been impediments to continental development and energy security. Isnt it mind boggling that till date Africa, a continent with the richest solar resources in the world, has installed only 5 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV), which is less than 1 percent of the global total, as noted by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Meanwhile, the agency projects that Sub-Saharan African countries are to witness the fastest growth from 2020 to 2040, with demand for electricity doubling to over 1,600 terawatts-hour (TWh). Morocco remains the leading country playing an important role in Africas energy transition with the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, according to a June report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. The country is making strides to address Africas energy infrastructure deficit challenge. The June 2020 Climate Action Tracker statistics, founds Morocco and the Gambia as the only countries in the world on track to curb emissions to the 1.5C limit urged by Paris Agreement and the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In Ghana, businesses production and outputs over the years have been affected in one way or the other, due to inadequate power supply or power fluctuations. It is reported by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana that Ghanas power crisis of 2012-2015 had a huge negative effect on manufacturing firms, which includes the fold up of businesses and job loss. It is for such reasons that a push for the utilization of renewable sources of energy is in the right direction. Not only does this take pressure off the national grid with its unreliable power supply, but also provides cheaper sources of energy at more stable generation and use levels, that enable businesses to adequately plan and grow. Africa and for that matter Ghana, stands to potentially benefit immensely with its small and medium scale enterprises, households et cetera, as they explore and utilize available sources of renewable energy to cut down on their energy expenditure. Adoption and Benefits According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), jobs in renewables would reach 42 million globally by 2050; additional 21 million jobs through energy efficiency measures and 15 million jobs through system flexibility. The green energy sources are rapidly becoming cheaper than fossil fuel powered plants. 56 percent of capacity additions for utility-scale renewable power in 2019 achieved lower electricity costs than cheapest coal plants. There will also be 23 billion annual potential savings if the costliest 500 GW of existing coal were replaced by solar and wind. Also, 1.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide reduction annually possible, equalling to 5 percent of the total global carbon dioxide emissions last year. And lastly, a cumulative global GDP will grow by US$98 trillion, according to IRENA. Power generation cost by wind energy for instance continue to rapidly plummet over the last decade per data gathered by IRENA. Onshore and offshore wind declined by 39 percent and 29 percent respectively. The declining cost of wind energy makes it cost effective and prudent investment, with the same amount of money, investment value increases i.e. US$1 million invested 2010 yields 514 kilowatts (Kw), the value however increases to 679 kW in 2019 for onshore wind. With the lowering cost of renewable energy sources, renewable has demonstrated its robustness, stability, sustainability, and cost effectiveness over this malignant Covid-19 period unlike the crude oil market. The shift from a hydrocarbon based energy production to renewable energy sources is pushing lot of investors, fund managers, and oil majors to diversifying capital into renewable energy sources. The sustainable recovery strategy by countries around the world especially Africa must be to protect existing renewables project while erecting the needed enablers to upscale infrastructure related to energy transition. Securing strategic funding for local industries and institutions for a smooth transition from hydrocarbon based sources to renewables for an inclusive growth and development, is something that cannot be overlooked. The energy transition conversation must be a global dialogue, with Africa as an active participant because of the enormous job opportunities associated with renewable energy production, i.e. drastic reduction in electricity tariffs, decarbonization, and minimization of climate change-related disasters. The renewable energy conversation does not mean pulling the plug on fossil fuel overnight but rather providing the needed catalyst to ensure adequate energy mix especially in Africa with it attended electricity challenges. It is the resilience of renewable to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the falling cost of power generation from renewable energy resources that has led many to forecast a significant increase in green investment post-COVID-19, and Africa cannot miss out of this opportunity. There is a strong consensus that renewable energy is the future emerging segment for the energy industry, an opportunity for also green investors to acquire shares at cheaper prices. Written by Raymond Nuworkpor, Institute for Energy Security (IES) 2020 Email: [email protected] The writer is a Research and Policy Analyst with the Institute for Energy Security (IES). He is a graduate from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He pursued MSc. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). (TNS) Within a year, Stark County residents should be able to text 911 for help from police, fire or emergency medical services.Tim Warstler, director of the Stark County Emergency Management Agency, briefed the Stark County commissioners Tuesday on the planned $826,192 upgrade of the county's 911 system.Warstler said the next-generation 911 system provided by AT&T is called VESTA. It will replace the county's Patriot System, which the county launched in 2011.If the commissioners approve the change this month, Warstler said, the upgrade could be installed by November. But approval by an entity overseen by telephone companies known as the Text Control Center would be required for 911 texting to be implemented. He expects that feature would not be ready until mid-spring.Users would just tap 911 when designating a recipient for their text message on their phone.The new system will be less prone to going down as it will route 911 calls and texts to Stark County and Canton dispatchers through AT&T-operated centers at Kent via Akron or Dublin via Indianapolis, Warstler said.Warstler said the current system routes calls through equipment at the Stark County Sheriff's Office.He can recall at least two outages the past five years where the 911 system went down for hours, and it took AT&T about an hour to send a technician to the sheriff to fix the issue.With the new system, if any part of the network goes down, 911 calls would be routed through another location. Plus, technicians are based at the centers in Dublin and Akron 24 hours a day and could more quickly restore the parts of the network that go down, Warstler said."Can 911 still go down when this is all done? I don't believe for a minute we're bulletproof, but we'll be better than we were," Warstler said after the meeting.Warstler said Portage County, Mahoning County and the city of New Franklin use VESTA, which would work separately from Stark County's Carbyne 911 software. Carbyne, which went live in August, allows dispatchers to more narrowly pinpoint a caller's location and allows the caller to grant a dispatcher access to their smartphone camera.Warstler said a $250,000 federal grant will help cover the cost, with the rest coming from about $6.4 million 911 levy fund and the 911 wireless fund, which is funded by an assessment on wireless users' cellphone bills.Warstler said state law requires counties to get 911 service through the largest telephone service provider in the state, which is AT&T.Commissioners indicated that they did not oppose the upgrade. And the matter is expected to come up for a vote next week. There is around 150 percent jump in ceasefire violations by Pakistan when January-June 2020 figures are compared to the same period of 2018 New Delhi: There has been around 75 per cent jump in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the first six months of 2020 along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir as compared to the same period last year. The incidents of ceasefire violations this year are still high at around 25 per cent if January-June 2020 figures are compared to the second half of 2019 when tensions between India and Pakistan had increased after the article 370 was abolished in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, there is around 150 per cent jump in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in J&K when January-June 2020 figures are compared to the same period of 2018. According to sources between January-June 2020, there have been 2,300 ceasefire violations by Pakistan against 1,321 in the same period last year. For the full year in 2019 there were around 3,168 ceasefire violations by Pakistan. In the current month till July 11, there have already been 142 ceasefire violations by Pakistan. In March there were 411 incidents of cross firing between the two countries. In 2018 there were 1,629 ceasefire violations in the whole year. In 2020, security forces have already eliminated 139 terrorists in J&K till July 11. This when in the whole of 2019 terrorists killed were 158. The number of terrorists killed in 2018 were 254 and 213 in 2017. This year till 31st May there have been 52 local recruitments to the terrorists organisations in J&K. In 2019, 119 local youth had joined terror organisations. Army chief General MM Naravane on Monday had visited forward areas in Jammu-Pathankot region to review the current security situation and operational readiness of the troops deployed on ground along the international border with Pakistan. During his visit, the Army chief told his commanders that there should be zero tolerance against the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and infiltration attempts by terrorists. He asked troops to continue to defeat the nefarious design of proxy war being fueled by our adversaries. Koalas infected with chlamydia may be able to help us produce a vaccine from this widespread STD (or sexually transmitted disease). (Photo : Pixabay) Koalas infected with chlamydia may be able to help us produce a vaccine from this widespread STD (or sexually transmitted disease). Chlamydia is a bacterium that is acting like a virus, and it has infected many vertebrates, including frogs, parakeets, fish, and yes, even koalas and humans. Such a shared susceptibility to chlamydia led researchers to consider saving and studying koalas to develop a cure for people. University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland microbiologist Peter Timms says researchers can give koalas a chlamydia vaccine and observe if it works under actual conditions. Timms has worked for a decade on developing a vaccine for the disease for koalas. He is currently conducting trials on wild specimens and hopes that the vaccine will be ready for widespread use soon. Chlamydia in koalas can cause severe inflammation, scarring, and massive cysts in their reproductive tract. The chlamydia bacteria in koalas is remarkably similar to human chlamydia, because of their highly conserved and tiny genome, with active genes numbering only 900. This is a lot fewer than most infectious species of bacteria. The vaccine being developed by Dr. Timms and his team may provide insights on the development of a human vaccine. Chlamydia is the most common STD in humans, having 131 million new infections every year. It can stay in the reproductive tract for years, and infections can cause ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory disease in the pelvis, and infertility. Chlamydia may affect male fertility as well, damaging sperm and causing congenital disabilities. These clinical signs are seen in chlamydial infections both in koalas and humans. In koalas, however, it is more severe, with the infection rapidly ascending the animal's urogenital tract and even going to its bladder. Timms says the koala can be the ideal animal model for researching chlamydia and chlamydia vaccine development. Dr. Timms said that instead of treating sick koalas, a vaccine would protect them from future infections and prevent the mother from passing it to her newborn. The vaccine trials developed by Dr. Timms and Queensland University of Technology immunology professor Dr. Kenneth Beagley showed that it takes effect in two months and is safe. Furthermore, one-shot immunizes the koalas for their whole reproductive life. Optimizing it for field use is their next step. And after the trial, Timms hopes for the approval for mass vaccinations by the government in the northern part of Australia. Timms' work with koalas made him realize that they are so much like us, in the sense that they can also be naturally infected by several chlamydia strains and have the same reproductive symptoms, such as infertility. This makes the koala, he says, be the ideal model animal. University of North Carolina Pediatric Infectious Diseases Division chief Dr. Toni Darville and colleagues got a 10.7-million dollar grant to develop a chlamydia vaccine for humans. It was awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It is not yet certain how koala chlamydia research and vaccine will contribute to human chlamydia vaccine development, but human chlamydia research has already certainly benefited koalas. All attendees must be 21 or older. Historic homes Historic Waco Foundation has reopened two of its historic homes, East Terrace, 100 Mill St., and Earle-Napier-Kinnard House, 814 S. Fourth St. Admission is $5 each, and the new hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. McCulloch House will remain closed until further notice. Guests are asked to wear a face mask and no more than four people may tour the house at a time, unless it is a family group. Mask complaints Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order requiring face masks be worn in public, with a few exceptions, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in Texas. The city of Wacos emergency order requires employees and customers of all businesses to wear face masks. To report a violation of these emergency orders, call 750-5970. Do not call 911. Rental assistance Tenants in McLennan County may contact The Salvation Army regarding emergency rental assistance programs for those facing eviction. Landlords may also refer tenants. Upon completed application and approval, rental payments are made directly to landlords. Submit items in printed or typed form to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco, 76702-2588; fax 757-0302; or email goingson@wacotrib.com. The UK announced it would remove Huawei from its 5G network on Tuesday. (PA) China has hit out at the UK's decision to strip Huawei equipment from its 5G network, urging a public and painful revenge. In a scathing editorial in the Global Times a tabloid published by China's ruling Communist Party's main newspaper, People's Daily the UKs decision was blamed on heavy pressure from Washington. Boris Johnson on Tuesday ordered telecoms firms to strip equipment from the Chinese tech giant out of 5G networks by 2027. The move, which will delay the deployment of 5G technology by up to three years and add billions to the cost, came after the UK's experts warned that highly restrictive US sanctions meant the security of Huawei's equipment could not be guaranteed. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden tells MPs that purchase of new 5G equipment from Chinese tech giant Huawei will be banned after 31 December. (PA) Necessary for China to retaliate Reacting to the move, the Global Times warned: The UK's decision means huge economic loss for it It's really not easy to say goodbye to Huawei. It's necessary for China to retaliate against UK, otherwise wouldn't we be too easy to bully? Such retaliation should be public and painful for the UK. Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, also blasted the move, tweeting: "Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on Huawei. Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on #Huawei. It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries. https://t.co/fp1D9Yn2vt Liu Xiaoming (@AmbLiuXiaoMing) July 14, 2020 "It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries. After a speech on China-Europe relations, Xiaoming added that trust between the two nations has been seriously damaged. He said: I think it firstly undermines the trust between the two countries. Its not only disappointing, its disheartening. Story continues He praised the good company for having invested 2 billion in the UK, creating 28,000 jobs and having contributed greatly to the telecoms industry. But he said the UK had acted to simply dump Huawei. Its very disheartening. The way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses, he said. I think the trust is seriously damaged between the government-level and among the businesses. Huawei said it was disappointed by the move and claimed decisions on its future in the UK had become politicised. The company's chief security officer Andy Purdy said the decision was "very bad news. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Andy Purdy said: "We think when you weigh the impact of things it's an even greater negative impact on Britain. "A financial impact, an impact on the service, the equality of service between rural Britain and urban Britain. Huawei ban explained From next year, telecoms firms will be banned from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei, and they will have to remove all the Chinese company's kit by 2027. They are also expected to be ordered to shift away from the purchase of Huawei's equipment for full-fibre broadband networks over a period lasting up to two years. The decisions were taken at a meeting of the National Security Council chaired by Boris Johnson on Tuesday morning. It followed an assessment of the impact of US sanctions by experts from the National Cyber Security Centre. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK News In January, the firm had been given permission to play a limited role in the 5G network, but Downing Street insiders said the US sanctions, imposed in May, were a "game changer. The restrictions imposed by Donald Trump's administration removes Huawei's access to products that have been built based on US semiconductor technology. The move takes place as the relationship with Beijing was already under strain over the imposition of a new national security law in Hong Kong. A Huawei sign is displayed on their premises in Reading. (AP) Trump takes credit Donald Trump has appeared to take credit for having "convinced many countries" including the UK not to use Huawei. The US president said: "I did this myself, for the most part," as he spoke of having worked to pressure nations to not use Huawei, adding: "If they want to do business with us, they can't use it." However, health secretary Matt Hancock said "people can try to claim credit" for the Huawei ban but defended it as a "sensible, balanced decision. Customers browse 5G mobile phones in a Huawei authorised experience store in China. (AP) He told Sky News: "We all know Donald Trump, don't we? But I think this is a sensible decision. "All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision but this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest quality 5G systems in the future. "There is that interaction with the US sanctions that the culture secretary set out and I think it's a sensible, balanced decision. The EXIM Annual Conference is the premier event for American companies to hear from high-level speakers & network with peers, EXIM staff & potential buyers. We look forward to helping businesses learn about EXIMs product enhancements & new tools that will help them export Made in the USA goods. The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) today announced plans to hold its 2020 Annual Conference from September 9-11, 2020, via a virtual platform that will provide wider access for more businesses to participate in events featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to help U.S. companies expand their exporting opportunities. The virtual format will provide attendees the ability to view activities as they occur during the three-day event. The conference will begin Wednesday, September 9, with an interactive exhibitors hall where attendees can request one-on-one appointments with exhibitors and EXIM staff. Plenary and breakout sessions will take place on Thursday, September 10, and Friday, September 11, including live question-and-answer opportunities. At the conclusion of the conference, attendees will have access to recordings of all sessions. Throughout the event, attendees will hear from distinguished speakers representing the business, academic, media, and government sectors. In addition to EXIM President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed, speakers confirmed for the conference include: Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce. Robert C. OBrien, National Security Advisor. Lawrence A. Kudlow, Director of the National Economic Council. David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman of The Carlyle Group. Meg Gentle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tellurian Inc. Rodney Hood, Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration. Please check for additional announcements of confirmed speakers on the annual conference page on EXIMs website. The EXIM Annual Conference is the premier event for American companies to hear from high-level speakers and network with peers, EXIM staff, and potential buyers, said Chairman Reed. We remain committed to the theme of EXIMs 2020 Annual Conference Keeping America Strong: Empowering U.S. Businesses and Workers. We look forward to helping businesses of all sizes learn about EXIMs product enhancements and new tools that will help them export their Made in the USA goods and services around the world. In conjunction with the virtual format, EXIM is incorporating a small-business track to provide additional information and more sessions designed for small and medium-sized companies, both current and potential exporters, to learn how EXIM financial products can support their international sales. In addition, a mobile app will foster networking opportunities by allowing attendees to connect directly with EXIM staff and other attendees. For attendees who registered for the conference when it was originally scheduled in April, registration will be automatically transferred to the virtual platform. Because the virtual conference is being offered at a reduced cost, EXIM will issue a partial refund for those who paid previously. Those unable to attend the virtual event should email registrar@cmpinc.net by July 17, 2020, to receive a full refund. More information, along with answers to frequently asked questions, can be found here on the EXIM website. Please contact EXIM at exim@cmpinc.net for other questions. ABOUT EXIM: EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs by providing competitive and necessary export credit to support sales of U.S. goods and services to international buyers. A robust EXIM can level the global playing field for U.S. exporters when they compete against foreign companies that receive support from their governments. EXIM also contributes to U.S. economic growth by helping to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. In recent years, approximately 90 percent of the total number of the agencys authorizations has directly supported small businesses. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt. For more information about EXIM, please visit http://www.exim.gov. ### A day before the Turkish courts decision to convert the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque, a Greek political party called for the birthplace of the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Thessaloniki, Greece to become a museum commemorating Greek genocide victims. The call was made by the Greek Solution Party and the countrys Minister of Rural Development Makis Voridis. Greek scholar Vassilios Meichanetsidis told Ahram Online that turning Ataturks birthplace into a genocide museum should not be perceived as a form of retaliation for the reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. These are two different issues and are of a different moral order. Meichanetsidis said that the Hagia Sophia issue is about the desecration of a historical Greek Orthodox shrine of pan-Orthodoxism and pan-Christianity, which is of spiritual and cultural significance, while the issue of converting the house of Mustafa Kemal into a museum is about highlighting the tragic fate of a nations victims of genocide, putting an end to a historical and moral absurdity of promoting a notorious genocidaire. Both issues, the Hagia Sophia and Kemal Pashas house, are extremely important from a historical and moral point of view, each one on its own merits, Meichanetsidis said. The Greek Solution Party said in a statement that no Turkish court can desecrate the character of the Hagia Sophia, and that Greece can and must convert Ataturks house into a genocide museum. For Turks, Ataturk is the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, while Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians remember him as one of the main perpetrators of genocide against Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire, which involved the systematic extermination of around 3.5 million people between 1915 and 1924. More than 1.2 million Greeks were forcibly removed from Turkey in 1923-1924 as the result of the Treaty of Lausanne. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece with a population of over 1 million. Experts have differed over Ataturk's exact birthplace in Thessaloniki. Ataturk was born in 1881 to Ali Riza Efendi and Zubeyde Hanim. He served as Turkeys president from 1923 until his death in 1938. Search Keywords: Short link: A Royal Navy nuclear submarine came within 30 seconds of colliding with a car ferry packed with hundreds of passengers. Disaster was narrowly averted when a lookout on the bridge of the when a lookout on the bridge of the Stena Superfast VII spotted the submarines periscope slicing through the choppy waters 250 yards ahead and the ferrys captain ordered a sharp turn to port. The ship, carrying 282 people, was sailing between Belfast and Cainryan in south-west Scotland, when the terrifying incident unfolded in the North Channel on November 6, 2018. A report into the near-miss published today said there was a genuine and serious risk of collision and that the passengers and crew of both vessels were in immediate danger. A handout photo issued by the Marine Accidents Investigations Branch of the Stena Superfast VII ferry. The Royal Navy submarine and the ferry were at 'serious risk of collision' after safety decisions on the Navy vessel were taken based on inaccurate information, an investigation has found It is the most serious near-miss in recent history, according to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Its inquiry found that the speed of the ferry 21 knots and its distance away were disastrously misjudged by the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine, which was travelling at six knots. The name of the submarine, based at Faslane in Scotland, has not been disclosed for security reasons. The Navy said there were no nuclear safety issues during the incident. The MAIB report said: The latest event, though ultimately a near miss, had the potential to be the most serious of all, and it was avoided only by the actions of the bridge team of the ferry involved. In all three cases, not only did the submarines command teams have an inaccurate appreciation of the position, course and speed of the surface vessels in their vicinity, but they also did not detect that their assessments were in error in sufficient time to take action to remain safe. In April 2015, a fishing trawler was towed at high speed through the Irish Sea after a submarine snagged its nets. An investigation found the crew of the Karen were endangered as the ship was almost capsized. At the time, the Navy said it had put in 12 new recommendations to avoid similar incidents. Its inquiry found that the speed of the ferry 21 knots and its distance away were disastrously misjudged by the crew of the nuclear-powered submarine, which was travelling at six knots The MAIB has ordered the Navy to carry out an independent review of the latest incident. One of the recommendations is for submarines to use radar in busy shipping lanes. Andrew Moll, chief inspector of Marine Accidents, said: Although there was no collision, this was the third accident or incident between a dived Royal Navy submarine and a surface vessel in 4 years, which is a matter of significant concern. The Royal Navy co-operated with the MAIBs investigation into this near miss and has taken a series of actions, intended to prevent recurrence, in response to this and the other similar incidents. However, I have today recommended that the Royal Navy undertakes an independent review of the actions that have been taken, in order to ensure that the risk of similar collisions has been reduced to as low as possible. A Royal Navy spokesman said: Ensuring safety at sea is a top priority for the Royal Navy, which is why we welcome this report and have already taken action to tighten our training and procedures. The Netherlands has revealed additional details of the lawsuit filed against Russia over downing of MH17 flight at the European Court of Human Rights. "At todays [July 14] briefing at the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands, representatives of the international Joint Investigation Team member states and countries, whose citizens died in the plane crash, provided detailed information about the Netherlands' lawsuit against Russia and suggested supporting such a step. In particular, countries wishing to join the lawsuit as a third party will be able to do so within 12 weeks after the ECHR Secretariat officially submits the lawsuit to the Russian Federation," Ambassador of Ukraine to the Netherlands Vsevolod Chentsov said in an exclusive comment to an Ukrinform correspondent in The Hague. He noted that the lawsuit concerned Russia's violation of 2nd, 3rd and 13th articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 2 of the Convention stipulates that everyones right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law. Article 3 emphasizes that no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 13 points out that everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity. "The Netherlands refers to Article 13 of the Convention due to the inadequate level of Russias cooperation in the investigation into the downing of the plane and, therefore, failure to fulfil its obligations under the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters," the Ambassador said. As reported, the Netherlands filed a lawsuit against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights over the downing of MH17 flight over the occupied part of Donbas six years ago. In May 2018, the Netherlands and Australia formally accused Russia of being responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet. On June 19, 2019, the international Joint Investigation Team named four suspects believed to be involved in the transportation and combat use of the Buk missile system, from which MH17 flight had been downed. Three of them are Russians: Igor Girkin (Strelkov), former colonel in Russia's FSB intelligence service and former so-called defense minister of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic; Sergey Dubinskiy, general (at the time of downing colonel) of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and head of the so-called Main Intelligence Directorate of the Donetsk Peoples Republic and Oleg Pulatov, lieutenant colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The fourth suspect is Leonid Kharchenko, a Ukrainian civilian, who fought on the side of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic. In March this year, the District Court of The Hague began its consideration of the case of the downing of flight MH17 in the sky over Donbas. On July 10, 2020, the Dutch government decided to bring Russia before the European Court of Human Rights for its role in the downing of flight MH17. ol Hong Kongs largest business group has warned the citys position as a hub of global trade could be tarnished after US President Donald Trumps Wednesday decision to strip it of its preferential treatment and sanction individuals and entities deemed to have helped erode its autonomy. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, with about 4,000 corporate members, said the decision would cause more uncertainty and concerns for a city already in the midst of a recession exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. A large banner promoting Hong Kongs new national security law stands near the freeway in Quarry Bay. Photo: Sun Yeung Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. It also creates uncertainty and concerns about what the US and its allies might do next, the business groups CEO George Leung Siu-kay said. We are disappointed with such retaliatory actions, which can only exacerbate the economic hardship of the Hong Kong people, rather than help them. In a tit-for-tat move following Beijings imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong last month, Trump signed an executive order terminating the preferential treatment the city has enjoyed since the handover from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. We are disappointed with such retaliatory actions, which can only exacerbate the economic hardship of the Hong Kong people, rather than help them George Leung, CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce In a statement issued late on Wednesday evening, the Hong Kong government said it strongly opposed the US executive order and sanctions on the city, vowing to facilitate Chinas countermeasures. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act not only threatens sanctions for government officials, but for foreign individuals and banks deemed to be contributing to the erosion of the citys autonomy. The citys new national security law, enacted on June 30, outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with a foreign country or external elements, and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Story continues Trump said the act he signed into being would punish those who developed and implemented the law and block them from investing and transferring properties in the US. Targeted individuals and their immediate family members would also not be allowed to enter the country. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act, which allows for a variety of sanctions against local and mainland officials, was signed into law on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump. Photo: Warton Li The move was blasted by a wide array of Hong Kong politicians and officials on Wednesday, including Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, who said any countries attempting to meddle in the domestic affairs of another country did so in defiance of accepted international standards. Without naming the United States, Cheng said it was the legitimate right of any jurisdiction to ensure its authority on national security issues. The central government will definitely continue to protect national security and its autonomy, she said. Former security minister Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of city leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngors Executive Council, accused the US of being arrogant and ridiculous, saying the sanctions could unfairly pressure government officials. Its unreasonable for the US to say that China unilaterally and arbitrarily imposed the law on Hong Kong. Theyre saying this to undermine the implementation of the law, she said. I believe there will be countermeasures from China. But she said the new restrictions, including the cancellation of 10-year visas for the US along with certain academic exchanges, would largely affect travellers and the education sector. Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah on Wednesday said the US new measures represented meddling in another countrys domestic affairs. Photo: Nora Tam The citys status as an international financial centre and its currency peg to the US dollar, however, would not be undermined, she said, pointing to the sanctions targeted nature. Banking giants HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank declined to comment on the executive order, as did the American Chamber of Commerce. Asked whether the new measures had implications for herself, legislator Regina Ip said: I dont think legislators come within the scope of the sanctions, as they have no executive powers and the national security law was not enacted by Hong Kong legislators. Executive Council member and businessman Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung was also among those saying it was unfair to sanction Hong Kong officials for performing their duties, but, like Ip, he expected the impact to be minimal. My understanding is that the US sanctions only target government officials involved in the enforcement of the national security law, not businessmen, he said. But as far as I know, local government officials dont have too many assets in the US, so I think the impact will not be that great. That view was not held by outspoken businessman and Centaline Group founder Shih Wing-ching, who said he believed Lam and her predecessor, Leung Chun-ying, would likely be the first sanctioned under Trumps executive order. They bear the biggest responsibilities for undermining Hong Kongs autonomy. They should be sanctioned first, he said. Shih added he believed many officials and pro-Beijing lawmakers were holding assets in the US and could already be in the process of transferring them out of the country. I think the security minster and the police commissioner are among them. Other senior officials will need to decide whether they want to stay on with the government, he said. Joshua Wong Chi-fung, an activist who publicly lobbied Washington for sanctions against China, meanwhile, said the security law offered the US new tools to respond to Hong Kongs repression. The passing of the national security law has led the international community to attempt to contain China. Its time for Beijing to pull back before its too late, he said. Eroding Hong Kongs freedom is not the way out. [Beijings] crackdown on Hong Kong will backfire. Hong Kong Police Commissioner Chris Tang once received training from the FBI in the United States, but a force insider said such programmes had largely been suspended already due to heightened US-China tensions. Photo: K. Y. Cheng He also urged the US Congress to adopt the Hong Kong Safe Harbour Act, a bipartisan bill that would offer refugee status to Hongkongers at risk of persecution under the security law. Another key part of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act will end the provision of training services to Hong Kong police force members and ban the sale of defensive weapons to the city. But a senior police source insisted the restrictions would pose minimal impact as only a few officers were sent to the US each year for short visiting programmes police chief Chris Tang Ping-keung once received training in the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and even those had been a while ago amid the tension between the States and China. Activist Joshua Wong, among those who publicly called for the sanctions, has also urged the US to adopt the Hong Kong Safe Harbour Act, which offer refugee status to residents at risk of alleged persecution. Photo: Sam Tsang The States think we will suffer, but seriously, it doesnt hurt at all. It does not affect our performance, and we actually can still visit organisations of many other countries, the insider said. Speaking on the ban of the defensive items supply, the insider said the force did not solely rely on the Americans and that polices current weapons were sourced from many other places, including China. It is not like the States providing us something so unique that we cant find alternatives in the market. The Security Bureau also condemned the act, saying the weapons and equipment used by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies were similar to those used by their overseas counterparts. It said the agencies procured different types of weapons and equipment from around the world and conducted market surveys and tests to ensure they met their safety standards and operational needs. Hong Kong law enforcement agencies will continue to follow the governments established procurement procedures in procuring the required weapons and equipment, the bureau said. Lam Chi-wai, chairman of the Junior Police Officers Association, which represents 80 per cent of the 32,000-member force, said the act, which also suspends US extradition treaty with Hong Kong, went against the spirit of the rule of law, as the country itself would suffer. On top of that, I cannot recall any frequent training provided by the States. We regret [they] stopped exchange programmes with us, but I believe it will have a negligible impact, Lam said. According to the latest available figures, the Department of Justice received seven applications from the US between 2015 and 2018 for the surrender of fugitives. The city surrendered two during that period. 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. This article National security law: Hong Kong chamber says US sanctions source of uncertainty that will only exacerbate hardship first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Amid rising speculations that Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief on Tuesday, will join BJP, Pilot on Wednesday (June 15) asserted that he is not planning to join the saffron party. Pilot and 18 other MLAs, who are believed to be his supporters, were issued notices by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on Wednesday (July 15) seeking their reply by July 17. Speaker Joshi issued the notice after the Rajasthan government's chief whip Mahesh Joshi lodged a complaint with him. Speaker Joshi issued the notice to Pilot and his loyalist MLAs for ignoring the party whip. It is to be noted that Pilot and 18 rebel MLAs could be sacked from the Congress if proven guilty of deliberately ignoring the party's whip. "Notice issued to Sachin Pilot and 18 other party members, for not attending Congress Legislative Party meetings. If they don't respond within 2 days, then it will be considered that they are withdrawing their membership from CLP," Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande told ANI. "May God give Sachin Pilot wisdom and he doesn't try to topple govt. He should admit his mistake. Doors were always open for him for talks, even today. But, now he seems to have moved ahead of all this, so these things don't matter now," he added. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also took a potshot at Pilot and said that he was made an MP, a Central Minister, Rajasthan Party Chief and Deputy CM at a very young age but he failed to show patience. Singh added that Pilot's actions have been against the party discipline. The decision to sack Pilot was announced by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala during a press conference. The Congress decided to show the door to Tonk MLA after he skipped a second meeting of Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday in Jaipur. After being removed from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and the state president, Sachin Pilot merely said that truth can be disturbed but not defeated. It was also reported that Pilot would address a press conference on Wednesday in Delhi but sources claimed that the Tonk MLA would not talk to the media on Wednesday. The political crisis in Rajasthan started on Sunday (July 12) after Pilot raised the banner of revolt against CM Gehlot and sent a message to the party that he may quit the party with this loyalist MLAs. Pilot claimed in some interviews that he has the support of over 30 MLAs. Flash The Security Council held an in-person meeting on Tuesday at UN Headquarters in New York, the first of its kind since mid-March when COVID-19 forced the council to convene virtually. "In light of recent developments regarding the containment of COVID-19 in New York, the UN Security Council together has decided to begin a gradual and phased shift toward in-person meetings here at the UN Headquarters, of course, while ensuring all health precautions," Christoph Heusgen, the German UN ambassador, told reporters before he presided over the Security Council meeting. The meeting was held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber instead of the Security Council Chamber, where the council usually meets. The change of venue is obviously out of the need for social distancing. The Security Council Chamber, with a horseshoe-shaped table in the center, is less desirable for such a purpose. Participants of Tuesday's meeting were seated sparsely in a large circle in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, with many of them wearing face masks, live video feed shows. Briefers who are currently not in New York delivered their statements via video teleconference. Reporters were denied physical access to the Economic and Social Council Chamber. The restriction was "to minimize risk," said the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit on Monday night. Tuesday's meeting agenda was a heavy one. The council first adopted its annual report to the UN General Assembly before the adoption of two resolutions: one on the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement, the other on youth and peace and security. The council then heard a briefing on the peace process in Colombia. Heusgen, whose country holds the Security Council presidency for the month of July, said his delegation intends to have a few more in-person meetings before the end of July. Heusgen said Tuesday's in-person meeting was the result of a unanimous decision of the 15 members of the Security Council. He said he would discuss with other council members after Tuesday's meeting to see whether further in-person meetings would be arranged. Germany's position is that Security Council meetings should go gradually in this direction, he said. "We were pushing, as the presidency, for this. We have everybody on board. And now I want to see how colleagues react. We haven't made any concrete plans. But to give you a German response: yes, we would like to have a few more meetings before the end of our presidency here at the UN Headquarters." Heusgen said virtual meetings cannot replace in-person diplomacy. But he added that the safety of everyone involved is a priority. "We will continue to be very careful," he said. The Security Council began to convene via video teleconference in mid-March after restrictive measures were implemented at UN Headquarters in New York in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last in-person meeting of the Security Council was held on March 12. After that it had to shift to interim procedures for the conduct of its business, including how meetings are convened and how resolutions are adopted. No interpretation between languages was made available in the meetings via video teleconference. In Tuesday's in-person meeting, several representatives were pleasantly surprised by the fact that they could speak their mother tongue in interventions. The dramatic drop in crime seen in many of the Bay Areas largest cities in the first week of shelter-in-place has largely continued for San Francisco in the months since, even as partial reopening has begun, city data show. In one particular pandemic silver lining, violent crimes have decreased during shelter-in-place compared to the same time last year, according to the Police Departments crime statistics dashboard. From March 1 through June 30, crime overall went down 27.7% compared to the same time period last year. During the period when shelter-in-place was fully in effect, March 17 through June 30, the decrease was even larger: 31.6%. Larceny theft and rapes saw the biggest drops, while robberies and assaults also decreased. The dashboard shows homicides increased by 21.4% in San Francisco from March to June of this year compared to that time period in 2019, but the percentage is skewed by the small number of incidents: 14 last year and 17 this year. The dashboard categorizes nonviolent crimes as burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson and larceny theft. Burglaries are defined by the FBI as unlawful entry to commit a felony or theft; larceny means the theft does not involve force or violence. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, assault and human trafficking-sex act. Robberies are larceny involving use or threat of force or violence. Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a San Francisco police spokesman, said many of the recent trends can be attributed to people staying at home during the pandemic and having fewer opportunities to commit crimes. Robberies and assaults, he said, likely decreased because fewer people are going out and many businesses have been closed. Fewer social interactions outside the house also could explain the decrease in sexual assaults. Robert Weisberg, director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, said the most significant factor affecting crime during the pandemic is that people are home more. Violent crime tends to be the result of very hostile interactions among people, often among gangs and drug transactions, he said. There is less interaction in terms of people moving around the city and getting into trouble with one another. Big increases in some non-violent crimes But some types of crime also increased, mostly non-violent offenses. Burglaries shot up the most at 53.6%, with 1,644 reported incidents last year and 2,526 this year. Arson went up 51.4% and motor vehicle thefts saw an overall increase of 27.7%. Weisberg wasnt surprised by the increase in motor vehicle thefts. Anything involving cars has always been an anomaly, he said. They are based on a network of thieves and chop shops that are pretty organized. Andraychak added that jail releases during the pandemic could be a factor in the rise of car thefts and break-ins. Due to COVID-19, many suspects in non-violent felonies such as auto theft and burglaries are not remaining in jail, he said. Prolific offenders who are not in custody may be accounting for some of the increases. He also noted a trend of residential garage break-ins to steal bicycles, which may account for some of the increase in burglaries. Andraychak said commercial burglaries have increased in San Francisco during shelter-in-place as most businesses have been shuttered. Weisberg thought that could explain the increase in overall burglaries. If people are breaking into stores, that would make sense, he said. I would be very surprised if home burglaries really went up. That would be very, very improbable. Trends within neighborhoods The overall city trends seem to hold when the numbers are broken down by neighborhood during the March-June pandemic time frame, but the increases and decreases are more pronounced in some areas versus others: Central District: In this area, which includes many of the citys top tourist attractions, including Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown and North Beach, larceny dropped 69.8%, from 2,741 crimes last year to 829 this year. Tenderloin: Larceny also decreased 69.5% in this neighborhood, with 862 last year to just 263 this year. Burglaries increased by 53.6% and motor vehicle thefts were up 57.1%. Park district: In this area, which includes the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury and the Castro, burglaries rose by 108.3%, with 84 last year and 175 this year. Larceny held steady at 485 last year and 482 this year, a slight drop of 0.6%. Mission District: Burglaries in the Mission spiked 86.3% from 160 to 298, and rapes dropped 86.8%, from 38 reported last year to five this year. Ingleside: This district encompasses San Francisco City College and many residential neighborhoods, including Mt. Davidson, Bernal Heights and Outer Mission. Motor vehicle thefts here shot up 94.6% from 147 recorded last year to 286 this year. Larceny decreased by only 6.5% with 588 incidents last year and 550 this year. Richmond District: Arsons increased from one last year to 10 this year. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The Chronicle San Franciscos shelter-in-place order went into effect March 17, and comparing March to April reveals the most significant decrease in robberies and larcenies. In June, as the city began reopening from some coronavirus restrictions, an uptick in robberies and a small increase in assaults occurred. Also, as demonstrations against police brutality and racism took place across the Bay Area from late May to early June, some looting and arson incidents occurred. Data show a 35.2% rise in burglaries for the May 29 to June 14 period from the previous 17-day period, from 389 to 526. The spike in burglaries between May 29 and June 14 appears to be related to the looting and commercial burglaries that took place during recent civil unrest, Andraychak said. During that period robberies also rose to 104 from 83 in the previous 17-day stretch, and assaults increased to 100 from 92. Larcenies fell to 822 from 947. At the start of the pandemic, experts had expressed fear that problems that typically occur inside the home such as child abuse, battery and domestic violence could increase. Domestic violence still a concern Domestic violence incidents are not a category in the dashboard, but from the beginning of the year through June 30, Andraychak said, the department has seen a decrease in those incidents. However, he said that drop could reflect a decrease in reporting rather than a drop in the actual number of incidents. One factor that may account for this is the inability of victims to leave their residence to report abuse, he said. The SFPD Special Victims Unit has maintained staffing and services since the implementation of the shelter-in-place orders. Andraychak said domestic violence shelters have remained open and have accepted clients during the pandemic. San Francisco police can request emergency protective orders, and victims are still able to file restraining orders. In April, the city implemented the Text to 911 program so individuals who are unable to make a voice call can report a crime. To safely and efficiently text 911, mobile users are advised to keep the first text short, include the location of the emergency and say whether police, fire or medical assistance is needed. When a dispatcher responds, answer their questions with short, simple replies and follow their instructions. Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com New Broadcasting Chief: More U.S. Broadcasting Focused on China Needed Michael Pack, chief executive officer of the new U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), said in a recent interview with The Washington Times that more assertive news reporting, especially to China, is needed to counter foreign disinformation and to promote American ideals. Li Heng-Qing, the Director of the Institute of Information and Strategy in Washington, DC, said: This event comes at the right timing and I think everyone is happy about it. Right now you can say that the American government has clearly changed the policies towards the Chinese Communist Party as a whole. It has started competitions with China (CCP) in areas like politics, economy, culture, and military. The training, jointly organised by the NUSOJ and the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) in partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed at improving skills and knowledge of local journalists when reporting on sexual and gender violence and providing them with valuable resources. Deq Sulieman Yusuf, Director General of MoWHRD, expressed serious concerns about the increasing number of SGBV cases in Somalia and urged the national media and journalists to do their utmost to raise awareness about this problem. Yusuf highlighted the role of media in educating society and stressed the importance of using the correct words and avoid stigmatization, while alleging that perpetrators must be named and shamed. Journalists must try to get all the facts of any SBGV case before reporting, he added. In his opening remarks, NUSOJ Secretary-General Omar Faruk Osman said journalists have a role to play in providing accurate reporting to the public. Journalists must lead a campaign on SGBV through increased reportage to eliminate the practice because the work of the media can bring people together to put an end to all forms of discrimination and negative stereotypes against women and girls. Osman expressed hope that after the training journalists will play a pivotal role in eradicating SGBV in Somalia. Participants said the training was timely, noting that incidences of SBGV occur frequently. The training, which is first of a series of courses, was facilitated by veteran former BBC journalist Yusuf Hassan Isaq. Amid the border row in Ladakh and worst tensions there since the 1962 India-China war, the government on Wednesday authorised the Armed Forces to process cases for buying urgently-needed weapons and equipment worth up to Rs 300 crore to meet their critical operational requirements, a defence ministry spokesperson said. This will shrink the procurement timelines and ensure placement of orders within six months and commencement of deliveries within one year, the ministry said in a statement. The decision was taken at a special meeting of the defence acquisition council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh. The ministry said the special meeting was convened considering the security environment due to the prevailing situation along the northern borders and the need to strengthen the armed forces for the defence of our borders. The DAC on July 2 Thursday approved the purchase of weapons and ammunition worth Rs 38,900 crore. The purchases include 33 new fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) that is grappling with a shortage of warplanes. The proposals green-lighted by the DAC included buying of 21 MiG-29s from Russia, 12 new Sukhoi-30 fighters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), home-grown Astra BVR air-to-air missiles, locally-developed land-attack cruise missile (LACM) systems with a range of 1,000 km, indigenous rocket systems, and the upgrade of 59 MiG-29 jets. The cost of military hardware cleared for purchase on July 2 from the domestic industry is pegged at Rs 31,130 crore and the orders are expected to give a push to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Movement). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Cham Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) management board has released a female Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) an endangered species after five months of care at the Da Nang-based SaSa Marine animal rescue team. A female Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys Olivacea) an endangered species, moves back to the sea at a beach of Cham Islands, off the coast of Hoi An. The turtle was trapped in a fishing net in Quang Nam Province before being rescued. The MPAs communication section member, Huynh Thuy Huong, confirmed to Viet Nam News that the turtle moved back to the sea at Bac beach of the Cham Islands on July 14. She said the turtle was trapped in a fishing net on the beach of Tam Thanh Commune in Quang Nam Province in February. It was exhausted with different injuries to its shell, breastplate and front limbs, while too much waste oil and plastic waste was stuck inside the animal. The turtle, which weighed 13.5kg, had increased to 17kg after five months before heading back to the ocean. A female Olive Ridley sea turtle is in a box before being released to the ocean. The turtle was released at the Bac beach of Cham Islands. Photos courtesy Huynh Thuy Huong Le Chien, head of the SaSa team, said the treatment and care process for the endangered turtle was supported by a sea turtle hospital in Florida, the US. According to the Cham Islands MPA, 30 sea turtles have become trapped in fishing nets off the islands since 2018. Two-thirds of the turtles died after becoming entangled. The city of Hoi An has been building sea turtle conservation centres on beaches of the Cham Islands, and expanding the core zone for special protection to 30 per cent of total 33,000ha. Cham Islands-Hoi An was recognised as a world biosphere reserve site from 2009. Only seven species of sea turtle exist in the world, and five of those are found living in Vietnam. VNS Jio Platforms has over 20 startup partners with whom it has developed various technologies including 4G and now 5G, Mukesh Ambani told shareholders at an annual general meeting. (Image | US Joint Base San Antonio - Nelson James) Mumbai: Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday announced that Jio is developing a 5G telecom solution. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year, Ambani said at Reliance Industries annual general meeting. The announcement comes amid news that the United Kingdom, following the lead of the United States, has banned Huawei from its telecom networks and will be phasing out reliance on the Chinese companys infrastructure by 2027. India too has been facing pressure to leave Huawei out of 5G trials. Jio Platforms, with over 20 startup partners, has developed technologies in 4G, 5G, cloud computing, devices and OS, big data, AI, AR/VR, blockchain, natural language understanding and computer vision, he said. Using these technologies, we can create compelling solutions across multiple industry verticals like media, financial services, new commerce, education, healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, smart manufacturing & smart mobility, Ambani said. In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments, Ambani said. We have fully kickstarted five accelerators of growth of digital connectivity: Mobile broadband, JioFiber, Jios enterprise broadband, broadband for SMEs, and Jios Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NBIoT), he added. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. To the Times: Im white and a Catholic whos gay. Im also a retired teacher who during my career working in different ways with disabled people for over 25 years (Im 58) had as co-workers Black people by a large majority. Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis., on June 24 said, as a shepherd of the Catholic Church I cannot remain silent. I need to denounce such a call to violence and destruction. Why his outcry? Black Lives Matter activist and author Shaun King said that statues of Jesus that depict him with European features need to come down because. they support white supremacy. In a June 22 tweet Mr. King continued criticizing the statue of the white European they claim is Jesus. Regarding Kings call for the destruction of white artists depiction of Jesus, Bishop Hying said, The principle of enculturation merits our reflection here. I looked up the definition of enculturation because I was unfamiliar with the term. It means the gradual acquisition of the characteristics of a culture or group by a person or another culture. The bishop explained that in the Catholic Church every country, culture, and race has claimed Jesus and the Blessed Mother (Mary) as their own. He observed that African art depicts Jesus as Black, and Asian depictions of the Blessed Mother. take on similarities of both bodily appearance, and often, cultural dress. Catholics also believe that on 1531, that Mary appeared to a man in Mexico, Juan Diego. Known as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary appeared as a mestiza. This is a woman of mixed race, especially one of native and Spanish descent. I agree with Bishop Hying that white representations of Jesus and his mother arent signs of white supremacy. I further agree with him that all of humanity (has) the spiritual ability to depict him through the particular lens of their own culture. Further, I agree with Bishop Hying who said that the violence and oppressionf African slaves and Native Americans are two of the greatest moral failures of our country. As a retired teacher I believe it would be beneficial to have a national educational effort to when necessary rewrite our history books. The bishop summed up his view well that we must study and learn from history to commit ourselves to justice, equality. In my view Bishop Hying rightly ended his statement that even the worst aspects of history should be remembered Auschwitz remains open as both a memorial and a museum, so that humanity never forgets the horror of the Holocaust. I certainly deplore the horrible killing of George Floyd on May 25, as well as violence by some other racist white police officers against other Black people. Last month I had a letter in the Daily Times when I called for reconciliation between many of our police departments and minority communities. However, several caveats. First, I believe that most police officers are decent people who do a good job to protect and serve us. Second, it offends me that anyone would favor the destruction of any statue of Jesus because of his being depicted as white. As a pro-life advocate, I agree that all human lives matter, regardless of race. Admittedly, Black and brown people in our nation have been especially victimized by both our government at times and society at large. However, I disagree with the political group Black Lives Matter Inc., regarding several important issues. According to The Hill (Sept. 6, 2016), one of their principles states, We are committed to fostering a queer-affirming network. I assume (reasonably, I believe) that the group supports same-sex marriage. As a gay man, I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. I do understand prejudice against gay people, as when growing up I was fairly often called the offensive and painful term f. Despite my beliefs about marriage (based not only on traditional morality but centuries of Western culture) I dont object to private, voluntary sexual acts between consenting adults. Also, The Hill article notes that Black Lives Matter Inc. also advocates redefining the family. The group states in part, We are committed to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure. I do agree that the common good requires that we all care about extended families. For instance, my dear grandmother and great aunt lived with my family in the early 1980s. Further, I believe we should care about children, including those of other people. Tragically, Black Lives Matter Inc. staunchly asserts, We deserve and thus demand reproductive justice (i.e. abortion) that gives us autonomy over our bodies. In my view its very unfortunate that the group, which has so many admirable goals for the betterment of our nation for Black people and other minorities, favors the violence of killing unborn human beings. Tim Donovan, Prospect Park The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said praised the efforts of Governor Bello Mohammed in ensuring peace returns to Zamfara State. Mr Buratai, a lieutenant general, who was in Zamfara for an official function, was taken to one of the three modern rugga settlements being constructed by the Matawalle Administration for repentant bandits in the state. The first rugga now nearing completion at Maradun occupies nearly 2,500 hectares of land and will consist of grazing areas, houses, a school, hospital veterinary clinic, earth dams, water canals, a police post, network of roads, sporting facilities and worship sites. Mr Buratai, who went around the site, said Governor Matawalle is a champion of peace and should be supported by all well-meaning citizens in the state to end the ravaging menace of banditry and other crimes in the state. He promised that the Nigerian Army will always cooperate with the governor in order to achieve a lasting peace in the state. At the palace of the Emir of Maradun, Mohammed Tambari, the army chief told the emir they had a proud son in Governor Matawalle and assured him of their commitment to deal with the problem of banditry in the state. The emir commended the presence of the army in the state and promised that he will continue to support its operations in the emirate in line with the promise he had made to Mr Mohammeds administration. DELTA TOWNSHIP, Michigan A man stabbed another man during an argument at a store over wearing a mask, then was later shot and killed in a confrontation with a sheriffs deputy, according to reports. Authorities identified the suspect as Sean Ernest Ruis, 43, of Grand Ledge, Michigan, Local 4 reports. He died at a hospital after being shot by an Eaton County sheriffs deputy after being pulled over shortly after the stabbing. The Detroit News says the incident started when Ruis got into an argument with a 77-year-old Lansing man inside Windsor Township Quality Dairy at about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday. The Lansing man was wearing a mask, while Ruis was not. Ruis reportedly was refused service because he was not wearing a mask, Michigan State Police tell the News. During the argument, Ruis reportedly stabbed the Lansing man then left the store. State police Lt. Brian Oleksyk tells the Associated Press that a deputy spotted Ruis vehicle in a residential neighborhood at about 7:15 a.m. Ruis got out of the vehicle holding a screwdriver and two knives, police say, and began approaching the deputy. The deputy, a 22-year veteran of the Eaton County Sheriffs Department, can be heard in video yelling Drop the weapon! Drop the weapon! before firing, the AP reports. The deputy then fires multiple shots. VIDEO IS SENSITIVE IN NATURE: Eaton County Sheriffs Department Deputy Involved Shooting. The Michigan State Police 1st District Investigation Response Team is investigating the deputy involved shooting that occurred on Jerryson Drive in Delta Twp, Eaton County on July 14. pic.twitter.com/733H2iOhCa MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) July 14, 2020 Its very unfortunate she had to use her weapon, but she had to save her life, Reich said. She had to use deadly force. She did it properly. The stabbing victim was in stable condition at a hospital, reports say. The deputy was not injured. The News reports Ruis was an employee with the Michigan Department of Transportation since 2008 and that he likely was on his way to work when the stabbing occurred. Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Tab S7 tablet will be available in two sizes but the smaller 11-inch variant wont feature in-display fingerprint scanning. Thats according to a recent report from SamMobile, citing a usually reliable insider source. The larger, 12.4-inch version of the device will still come with an in-display fingerprint scanner, the source indicates. But the smaller of the two devices will pack the fingerprint scanner under the power button. Speculatively, the decision for Samsung may ultimately come down to cost-cutting measures. Those would, in turn, help the smaller gadget sell better. What does this mean for Galaxy Tab S7 end-users? Its debatable whether or not an in-display scanner is going to really be a feature. Ultrasonic fingerprint scanners, as the company is likely to use in the plus variant, are typically considered to be more accurate and secure. But they also arent necessarily the best option, in terms of comfort and positioning, in a screen as large as 12.4-inches. Advertisement In smaller smartphone screens, the scanners are already well-within thumbs reach effectively no matter how the device is held. In a tablet, a center-placed scanner is arguably not in such a convenient position. Either users must be able to reach several inches or they must hold the device awkwardly in one hand while pressing on the screen with the other. S0 a power button-mounted scanner would arguably be more well-positioned to favor comfort. Samsung could also use an optical scanner under the display in its larger tablet. If it does, the difference in terms of security may effectively be moot. That would result in a choice for end-users that comes down to preference rather than which is the better or worse fingerprint technology in the Galaxy Tab S7. Why would Samsung be worried about pricing here? The last premium Samsung Galaxy-branded premium tablet to launch was the Galaxy Tab S6. That only just landed in August 2019. Users are already reluctant to update expensive smartphones and undoubtedly are more reluctant still when it comes to less popular devices such as tablets. So Samsung needs to make sure it gets the pricing right. Advertisement Perhaps as pertinently, the companys flagship smartphone sales are not going as well as might be hoped. So it makes sense that Samsung would want to compromise on some features to ensure a high-value offering. Fingerprint scanning technology represents just one place it can do that without damaging the user experience. This cover image released by Minotaur shows "One Last Lie," by Paul Doiron. (Minotaur via AP) Read more One Last Lie By Paul Doiron Minotaur. 320 pp. $27.99 Reviewed by Bruce DeSilva Fifteen years ago, a young Maine game warden went undercover to investigate a poaching ring in Maines north woods and was never heard from again; so his mentor, retired warden Charlie Stevens, is stunned when he stumbles onto the missing mans badge being offered for sale at a flea market. The discovery, Charlie realizes, means everything he had believed about his young friends disappearance and presumed death was wrong. Determined to solve the mystery, he rushes home, packs a bag, tells his wife not to ask any questions, and urges her not to let anyone especially his friend Mike Bowditch try to find him. But Charlie is like a father to Mike, so, a game warden himself, he sets off to track Charlie down. So begins One Last Lie, the 11th novel in Paul Doirons fine series of Mike Bowditch crime novels. Mike and Charlies dual investigations lead them on a dangerous journey through forests and ramshackle riverside towns along the Maine-Canadian border. Gradually, Mike discovers that Charlie, as well as several men in positions of power in the warden service, have been harboring secrets about what happened 15 years ago and at least one of them is willing to kill to prevent the truth from surfacing. This novel is something of a departure for Doiron. The lyrical descriptions of the natural world that have distinguished his previous novels are less in evidence this time, and the suspenseful, fast-paced plot has more twists and turns than usual in a Mike Bowditch novel. Meanwhile, Charlies daughter, Stacey, Mikes first true love, resurfaces, complicating Mikes relationship with fellow warden Dani Tate. The last chapter warns that Mikes always tumultuous love life may be headed for more trouble in the next installment of the Mike Bowditch saga. From the Associated Press. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal The states open records law does not allow law enforcement agencies to withhold police records simply because of an ongoing investigation, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. In a unanimous decision, the court said the Inspection of Public Records Act does not create a blanket exception from inspection for law enforcement records relating to an ongoing criminal investigation. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, which filed a friend of the court brief in the case, hailed the ruling as a victory for transparency. This ruling is significant because it makes clear that ongoing investigation is not a basis for withholding records, Melanie J. Majors, FOG executive director, said in a statement. It is also significant that the court said the fact that federal law enforcement is also investigating the criminal matter is not a defense. The ruling stems from a records request made by Andrew Jones, the brother of a homeless man, James Boyd, 38, who was shot and killed by Albuquerque police after a long standoff in the Sandia foothills in March 2014. Jones requested the state Department of Public Safety release records of its investigation of the shooting in April 2014, but that request was denied, partly because the FBI requested that the records not be released because of its ongoing investigation into the shooting. Jones sued DPS for violating the states public records act, and the district judge ruled that the exception applied, but set a time limit on how long DPS could withhold the records before providing a list of records it was withholding to the court. DPS turned over the records before the time limit expired in January 2015. The District Court then granted summary judgment to DPS. Jones appealed to the Court of Appeals, which sided with the District Court. The Supreme Court overruled both courts, finding that Jones should have been granted summary judgment because there is not an ongoing investigation exception under state law that allows law enforcement agencies to withhold records. Instead of focusing on whether there was an ongoing investigation, our Legislature was concerned with the specific content of the records, Justice Barbara J. Vigil wrote in the unanimous opinion. The only records exempt from the Inspection of Public Records Act are records that reveal confidential sources, methods, information or individuals accused but not charged with a crime. The court said that requested law enforcement records containing both exempt and nonexempt information cannot be withheld in toto. The records custodian is required to separate out the exempt information and release the nonexempt information for public inspection. DPS had argued that the FBI had requested the records be withheld because it was investigating Boyds shooting death. Boyd, a homeless man with a history of mental illness and violence, was camping in the foothills when he was confronted by city open space officers. Boyd pulled knives and that led to a standoff with Albuquerque police that lasted several hours before he was shot when officers attempted to arrest him. Two officers were charged with second-degree murder and their trial ended in a hung jury. The District Attorneys Office declined to retry the case. The city settled a civil lawsuit brought by Boyds family for $5 million, the bulk of which went to fund increased psychiatric services for the homeless. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) A local court has issued a hold departure order against the crew of a Hong Kong-registered bulk carrier involved in the sinking of a boat in Occidental Mindoro in late June that left 14 Filipino fishermen and passengers missing. The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement on Wednesday that Branch 44 of the Regional Trial Court in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro granted their motion for a hold departure order so the Chinese crew can face criminal charges in the Philippines. A hold departure order directs the Bureau of Immigration to prevent an individual from leaving the country. The PCG last week filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property against the Chinese owners and crew of MV Vienna Wood over the collision that happened early morning of June 28. Named in the complaint before the Occidental Mindoro provincial prosecutor's office were Captain Zhang Weiwei from Shandong, China; Shin Bin from Henan, China; Yi Lei from Jillen, China; and Yang Xileng from Shandong, China. Authorities ended the search and retrieval operations after more than a week. "Sa ngayon, wala pa rin tayong nakikita na katawan. But we cannot cannot declare them dead," Coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral George Ursabia, Jr. told the families on July 8. "There is still a possibility na buhay pa sila." [Translation: We still haven't found their bodies but we cannot declare them dead yet. There is still a possibility that they're alive.] The PCG station in Occidental Mindoro will continue to be on the lookout for any possible lead and information to locate the fishermen. Personnel will also patrol adjacent coastal municipalities, the Coast Guard said. Amid speculations the Chinese government could request to free the Chinese crew, Ursabia clarified that Beijing is not meddling in the case. The PCG earlier said based on the initial investigation, the collision at around 10:20 p.m. on June 27 was not deliberate. But the foreign crew members were believed to have committed negligence, sending a distress call via email three hours after the incident. READ: Hong Kong vessel did not abandon Filipino fishermen, but several lapses found PCG CNN Philippines' David Santos contributed to this report. PRC TO LAUNCH SAMARITAN PROGRAM FOR CONVALESCENT PLASMA As the Philippine Red Cross opens a convalescent plasma center to boost the fight against the Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, Senator Richard J. Gordon disclosed that they will also launch a Samaritan program for convalescent plasma. Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, explained that the Samaritan program would give hope to poor citizens afflicted with COVID-19 because it would ensure that even those who can't afford it can avail of convalescent plasma. "Gagawa din tayo ng Samaritan program para sa convalescent plasma para sa mga mahihirap para hindi lang pang-mayaman 'yan. 'Yung makakalap nating pera ay maitulong natin doon sa mahihirap na mangangailangan ng dugo na ganyan nang sa ganun mabuhay ang mga kababayan natin. Malaking bagay 'yan sa mga tao na umaasa," he said. The PRC's other Samaritan programs include the Blood Samaritan, Dialysis Samaritan, COVID Samaritan and the General Good Samaritan. Gordon said companies and individuals who would like to donate, may call him directly or the PRC to facilitate their donation. "Kagaya din nung iba nating Samaritan programs, sa pamamagitan nitong Plasma Samaritan program, sasagutin ng pondong ido-donate niyo 'yung mahihirap nating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng convalescent plasma para malabanan nila ang COVID. Ang ating sampalataya sa Panginoon ay maisasabuhay kung may mga tao na talagang tutulong at magbibigay-buhay sa mga kababayan natin," he added. Under the convalescent plasma therapy, blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors will be transfused to a patient who is still battling with the disease. Convalescent plasma contains neutralizing antibodies which will help recipients fight off the infection. Cost ranges from P30,000 to P50,000 per unit of bag of convalescent plasma apheresis product in government hospitals because the blood undergoes a series of testing and processing. Private hospitals charge more than the said fees. Too few of us realize we are frogs in water that is slowly being brought to a boil. Ergo, here is my "Top 10" list of cities, counties, and states that have hotlines for citizens to rat on neighbors and business deemed to be violating COVID-related edicts from unaccountable bureaucrats. Note, there are many worthy candidates that continue to raise their game, along with a pipeline of emerging entrants, so this list will be continuously updated and likely expanded. 1. Santa Ana, California took inaugural honors in March with this "service" to the community: "Who to Call: COVID-19 Hotlines, Report Open Businesses and Fraud, Reach City Services" 2. Los Angeles was the first megacity, back in May, with this headline: 'What Could Go Wrong?': LA County Launches Hotline To Report Businesses Violating Stay-At-Home Orders' 3. Cleveland's Cuyahoga County joined the fun this week. The "Mistake on the Lake" keeps making mistakes: "Cuyahoga County starts hotline to report people not wearing masks" 4. Not to be outdone, the state of Kentucky was especially caring back in March, creating this form for its constituents to anonymously rat on fellow citizens: 5. Kudos to the Land of Enchantment. Sparsely populated New Mexico was early to the party in March: 6. Then there is the county that introduced us to "hanging chads" and a pathetic sheriff. They were not about to be left out. Woop, woop, Broward County! 7. How about that Big Apple? Way to go Warner Wilhelm, Jr. (AKA Bill de Blasio). 8. Kansas City, home of the likely to be renamed Chiefs. You waited until the last day of March, but better late than never! "KCK police launch special COVID-19 hotline for reporting of non-compliant businesses" 9. New Jersey is IN THE HOUSE! Here's their offer to "help." 10. Let's give it up to that bastion of liberalism and elitism, the Bay State! In closing, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge La Crosse County, Wis., for empowering its Health Department to get into the business of unaccountable law enforcement. The "Driftless Region" is experiencing change not seen since the glaciers melted. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 18:22:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Officials of Disease Control Department check the area outside a residential building where a daughter of a Sudanese diplomat had tested positive for COVID-19, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 14, 2020. The recent case of two foreigners who were allowed entry into Thailand and later tested positive for COVID-19 has prompted the Thai government to revise its measures on granting entry permission to certain groups of foreigners. An Egyptian military officer and a daughter of a Sudanese diplomat were this week found separately to be infected with the COVID-19 virus. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) BANGKOK, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The recent case of two foreigners who were allowed entry into Thailand and later tested positive for COVID-19 has prompted the Thai government to revise its measures on granting entry permission to certain groups of foreigners. An Egyptian military officer and a daughter of a Sudanese diplomat were this week found separately to be infected with the COVID-19 virus. "From now on, all diplomats and foreigners will be reviewed case by case before being allowed entry into Thailand," said Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Taweesin also said from now on, diplomats' families entering Thailand must undergo a 14-day quarantine. Thailand has entered into a 52-day free of local COVID-19 transmission on Wednesday. The recent visit by the Egyptian officer to several shopping venues in Thailand's eastern Province of Rayong had also prompted local residents to queue up at hospitals to do swab tests. To allay fears of a second wave, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and executives from the Health Ministry's Disease Control Department unit will fly to Rayong province to visit the Passione Mall, the D Varee Diva Central Rayong Hotel and a wet market, places where the Egyptian officer visited, and to offer moral support to the townspeople. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have arrested a cybercrime suspect accused of swindling unsuspecting Kenyans by purporting to be a manager at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 29-year-old Paul Mwangi Njihia is said to have pretended to be the USAID General Manager, Rift Valley region. According to DCI, Mr Mwangi is a former computer technology student at a local university. He reportedly created an online profile assuming the identity of a USAID official, which he used to obtain facilitation fees from members of the public. His Job seeking victims who were later issued with FAKE Gate Passes are reported to have sent a substantial amount as facilitation fees to a bank account linked to the suspect, the DCI said in a statement Tuesday. The cybercrime suspected was nabbed by detectives attached to the Oversees Criminal Investigation Office in Nairobi. He is set to be charged with obtaining money by false pretenses and personation. With days until a public hearing to consider police accountability reform, advocates claim the proposed legislation doesnt go far enough while law enforcement leaders want to be part of discussions on its final form. The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association wants to work with the legislative leadership to ensure we have effective and meaningful changes that will benefit law enforcement and the public, said the organizations president, Stonington Police Chief Darren Stewart. An Act Concerning Police Accountability redefines several areas of policing in the state. It requires that all officers undergo regular mental health evaluations and that training policies be updated to include classes in de-escalation. The bill also changes the way deadly use-of-force incidents are investigated and changes the standard for determining whether an officer is justified in using deadly force. One segment of the public is going to say weve gone too far and a second portion of the public is going to say we havent gone far enough, said Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, who crafted the bill with representatives from each of the caucuses on the Judiciary Committee. The legislation will be the subject of a public hearing Friday. Since the state is still ensnared in the coronavirus pandemic, how the public will be able to provide testimony either written or by a virtual meeting will have to be ironed out, Winfield said. Winfield expects opposition to provisions that change the standard for determining whether an officer was justified in using deadly force. I know well be met with calls saying you cant do it, Winfield said. But I think its going to have to play out. While hailing the bill as making some positive changes, the portions that pertain to the use of deadly force arent strong enough, according to the Connecticut American Civil Liberties Union which has been championing independent investigations of these cases for years. As it stands right now it doesnt do enough to end the epidemic of police violence in Connecticut, said Kelly Moore, the organizations policy counsel. Moore contends that the bill needs a strong use-of-force standard thats very clear and that the entire interaction between a civilian and an officer during an incident needs to be considered when determining if the deadly use of force was justified. Moore also said, The use of force needs to be necessary and proportional to the threat. While the bill makes inroads, Moore said it should require an officer to exhaust all avenues to de-escalate a situation and to consider if bystanders could be harmed before using deadly force. There are other things that need to be considered, she said. If the person is in physical or emotional distress, that needs to be addressed a little more clearly. Winfield and others within the legislature began talking to advocates to draft legislation to change policing as protests spread throughout Connecticut with people blocking portions of highways and staging peaceful rallies in suburban towns and cities following the death of George Floyd. Winfield said he is prepared to defend the sections on the use of deadly force that build upon a police accountability law that passed last year. That bill required police to release any body or dashboard camera footage of a deadly use-of-force incident within 96 hours, but it did little to change the way investigations were handled. At present, a states attorney can only consider what happened in the few seconds before a death occurs when deciding if an officer was justified in using deadly force. Any prior interaction between the officer and the person is not taken into consideration. Individual police departments determine if any violations of policy have occurred. No officers have been charged criminally in the state of Connecticut in dozens of deadly use-of-force investigations that have taken place since 2004. Advocates from the CT ACLU have said thats because the current law is inadequate and weighs more favorably toward police. The proposed bill sets up an Inspector General who will only investigate deadly use-of-force incidents. The Inspector General will be nominated by Chief States Attorney Richard Colangelo and approved by the legislature. Colangelo will have the power to remove the inspector general, under the proposed bill. The ACLU is unhappy with that, believing instead that the Criminal Justice Commission, which confirms states attorneys, should have that power. The Inspector General will be required to look at the entire incident and how the officer handled the interaction when determining whether the deadly use of force was justifiable under the new law. A subcommittee of the states Police Officer Standards and Training Council is already working on drafting new guidelines for a state-mandated use of force policy, said Milford Police Chief Keith Mello who is the chair of the organization and also a member of the Police Accountability and Transparency Task Force created by the 2019 police accountability law. The goal is to provide a comprehensive policy based on best practices that protects the public and protects police officers, Mello said. Stewart said the CPCA is still examining all the details of the 65-page law but the group wants a seat at the table during any discussions on the version that will pass. We know change is coming, Stewart said. And we want to be a part of that change. As the multi-agency probe in Kerala gold smuggling case took up speed, smugglers and hawala operators have started feeling the heat even as the Customs Department grilled chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans former principal secretary M Sivasankar for nine long hours. Arrived for questioning at 5.30 pm at the customs office on Tuesday, Sivasankars grilling went on till 2.30 am till the early hours on Wednesday. Officials said he will be summoned again after cross-examining information provided by him. Kerala gold smuggling drama unfolded after the customs seized 30 kilograms of gold from an air cargo consignment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the countrys consular office in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5. Later it arrested four persons including Swapna Suresh, a consultant with the state IT department. CMs powerful secretary Sivasankar, a senior IAS officer, was later removed from his post after reports surfaced that he was allegedly close to Suresh. The case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). As the multi-agency investigation progressed, customs commissioner in-charge of Kerala and Lakshadweep Sumit Kumar, known for his tough stance, gave out an ultimatum to smugglers to either surrender or face action. There are reports that at least six of them have already surrendered and more are in touch with the officials. Also read: Customs question Kerala CMs former secretary in gold smuggling case We have told them to surrender or face music. We have a list of regular offenders and we are out to break their syndicate. The multi-agency probe is going as planned. Since the investigation is on, I cant say more at this juncture, he said. Meanwhile, the NIA has approached the Interpol, international criminal/police organisation, for the extradition of Faisal Fareed, the third person accused in the case, who is reported to be in the UAE. A court in Kochi had issued an arrest warrant against him. Reports from Dubai also suggest he was absconding fearing arrest and extradition. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and other agencies are also helping the ongoing probe. People familiar with central agencies also said this is the strongest ever probe conducted by central agencies being supervised by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. This is the first time the NIA is taking up a smuggling case, said an official familiar with the probe. In the custody application for those arrested, the NIA said a good amount of money generated through smuggling was pumped in to funding terror activities. It also said 150 kilograms of gold was smuggled through Thiruvananthapuram airport in last six months in a similar fashion. Four persons had been named in NIA FIR and include, Sarith Kumar, a former employee of the consulate; Swapna Suresh, Fareed and Sureshs friend Sandeep Nair. The customs department has arrested three others and detained many, some of them will soon figure in the FIR after a detailed questioning, said the official. There are also reports that at least two dozen smugglers and hawala operators, including some living abroad, have expressed their willingness to surrender. After we tightened the grip they are running for cover. We will net them. If it goes unchecked it will take the proportion of notorious cartels of Columbia. Their roots are very strong in south India, especially in Kerala. They are posing a big threat to the economy and national security, said the senior official. There are reports that the customs department has prepared a list of 100 known offenders from south India and some people from Mangaluru in Karnataka and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu figure in this. There are also reports that the Union Finance Ministry will amend some of the gold and money laundering laws to give them more teeth and plug loopholes. Usually, carriers get away after coughing up fine and only small fries get netted and now the multi-agency probe is after elusive kingpins, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Accra, July 14, 2020 MTN Ghana Foundation has donated 44,000 Personal Protective Equipment, four (4) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Machines, and Test Kits to the National COVID Trust. The donation which comes at an estimated cost of GHS 5 Million is to enhance the protection of all health personnel in the fight against COVID -19 in the Country and also to support testing-scale and speed. The donation comes at a time when the nation is highly in need of PPEs, test kits and PCR Machines. Speaking at the presentation, the Board Chairman of the MTN Ghana Foundation, Prof. Franklyn Manu said, We are aware of the enormity of the challenge the nation is facing due to COVID 19 and the MTN Ghana Foundation Board thought, the best way we could help was to provide PPE for health workers and equipment for testing facilities. Today, we are pleased to donate PPEs and essential medical equipment worth five million Ghana cedis (GHS5 million) as our commitment towards the fight against the pandemic. The items comprise the following: N95 Masks 10,000 PPE Disposable coveralls 7,500 PCR Machines 4 Gloves - 10,000 Virus sampling kits 10,000 RNA Extraction kits 3,000 Infrared Thermometers- 500 Disposal Bedsheets 3000 Prof. Manu said, The Foundation received several requests from a number of partner hospitals, but we thought we should provide the bulk of our donation to the National COVID Trust for onward distribution. It is our hope that they will facilitate and further enhance the fight against COVID 19 in the country and keep our health workers, patients, and families safe. Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh used the occasion to congratulate the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Government for taking the needed measures in managing the spread of the disease in the Country. Adding that, As a result of governments interventions, our country has been highly ranked amongst nations who are taking the right measures on the fight against the pandemic. He said, At MTN, we acknowledge that we have a major role to play in this fight against COVID-19 right from the onset, and this continues to be paramount to us. This fight can only be won if we all come together as private organizations working in collaboration with Government on the singular focus of defeating the deadly virus. You can be assured of MTNs continued commitment to this cause. MTN Ghana since the outbreak of the virus has supported Ghanaians with many interventions to lessen the impact of the pandemic on the nations socio-economic infrastructure. Key among such interventions include: Collaboration with the National Information Technology Authority (NITA) to offer all Government workers free access to the Smart Workplace Portal to support Governments work from home program, protecting the customer through the provision of critical health information, providing free internet access to over 200 websites for online education for public and private institutions, free MoMo transfers up to Ghc100 a day and revision of MoMo wallet limits. MTN Ghana also brought to bear its leadership in the technology space by supporting the infection monitoring and contact tracing team through the provision of 800 SIM Cards and 8 Terabytes of data to National Security and 10 TurboNet fixed wireless devices with over 2 terabytes of data to the COVID-19 Response Team for use by contact tracers. MTN has also deployed mobile money merchant accounts as collection conduits to support Government institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and the First Ladys mobilization fund for COVID-19. MTN Ghana Foundation will continue to support efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID 19 in Ghana. About the MTN Foundation: The MTN Ghana Foundation was established in November 2007 as the vehicle to select and implement MTNs Corporate Social Investments. MTN Ghana Foundation has three areas of focus -Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. From inception to date, the Foundation had undertaken 149 major projects across the country. Notable health projects include: construction of a Neonatal Care Center for Tamale Teaching Hospital, refurbishment of the 2nd floor maternity block of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, construction of a maternity block for Ejisu Government Hospital, and construction of an Emergency Center for Atua Government Hospital. Education projects undertaken include: construction of a boys dormitory for Akropong School for the Blind, construction of a six-unit classroom block for Kodjonya Millennium School, establishment of 10 MTN ICT Learning Centers in each of Ghanas 10 regions and the institution of an Innovation Hub at KNUST to promote Telecoms Engineering and Research. Key projects undertaken in Economic Empowerment include: the construction of shea butter processing centers, provision of seed capital and skill training for Women of Tizaa Dini Association of Yendi and the Sung Suma Women Association of Wa. For more information visit http://www.mtn.com.gh/about-mtn/community/mtn-ghana-foundation. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Steel Strip Wheels share price rose 4 percent intraday on July 15 after the company received export orders. The company has received new orders for Mobile Home market from the US. The order comprises of almost 8,200 steel wheels to be executed in the month of August from its Chennai plant. The revenue thus generated would be a total of $71,000. Similar orders are expected in times to come from other regular customers as the market regains normalcy. This will support further ramping up of production at Chennai steel wheels plant, the company said. On July 14, the company has bagged firm export orders for over 29,000 wheels for EU Caravan Trailer Market to be executed in August from its Chennai plant. At 11:42 hrs Steel Strips Wheels was quoting at Rs 446.10, up Rs 10.90, or 2.50 percent on the BSE. Britain Bans China's Huawei from New 5G Network By VOA News July 14, 2020 The British government has banned China's Huawei telecommunications equipment company from playing a limited role in Britain's new high-speed mobile phone network. Britain's Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said the country's telecommunications operators have until 2027 to remove Huawei's equipment that is currently used in Britain's 5G network. Britain's decision could have wide-ranging implications for relations between the two countries and signals that Huawei may be losing support in the West. Dowden said the ban was imposed after the U.S. threatened to cancel an information-sharing deal due to concerns Huawei's equipment could allow the Chinese government to penetrate British networks. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed in January to give Huawei a limited role in Britain's high-speed network, but the decision sparked a diplomatic disagreement with the U.S. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AUSTIN, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest association of nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties, today called on the American public to renew its commitment to slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, social distancing and hand-washing. "As cases continue to surge, our nation's health depends on each of us wearing a mask in public, hand-washing and social distancing to help stop the spread of this virus," said AANP President Sophia L.Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP, FNAP, FAANP. "Every mitigative step is crucial to limiting new coronavirus cases. As NPs on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, we've witnessed the tragic and stunning impact the virus has had on our communities and our way of life. It's understandable that our country has grown restless after months of uncertainty, but we must recommit to proven and effective measures to slow the spread. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and we need everyone to wear their masks, practice strict social distancing and wash their hands regularly. Research shows that wearing a mask results in a 65%-85% reduction in the wearer's risk of contracting infections. Let us pledge to do our part to protect each other." The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 290,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, go to npfinder.com . For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org . For COVID-19 information from AANP, visit https://bit.ly/2UFPhgz . SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners Related Links http://www.aanp.org Kate and Gerry McCann would be hugely disappointed but not totally surprised if the German investigation into Madeleines 2007 disappearance is dropped due to lack of evidence, MailOnline can reveal. Detectives in northern Germany have spent six weeks making desperate appeals for information to link prime suspect Christian Brueckner to the three-year-olds abduction but havent secured the vital evidence they need. German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters told the McCanns they had concrete evidence that Madeleine was dead in the biggest breakthrough in the 13 year case and said he hoped they could charge Brueckner within the next two months but has added that their investigation wont drag on forever. Kate and Gerry McCann, pictured in April 2007 after a church service in Praia Da Luz, in the Algarve, are being kept appraised about the investigation by German authorities who are expected to comment further this week Madeleine McCann, pictured, went missing from her family's holiday accommodation in Praia Da Luz on the Algarve in May 2007 Lawyers for Brueckner are due in the European Court tomorrow (Thurs) to argue that a 2005 rape conviction against him is unsafe and that he should be released from prison within days. Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley in Lesicestershire, had their hopes raised but are now preparing for the worst. A friend of the McCanns told MailOnline: It looks like the latest suspect could be ruled out because there is not sufficient evidence to charge him which would be a huge embarrassment to the German authorities and very disappointing but not a total surprise to Kate and Gerry. It had initially appeared such a vital and solid lead, and the breakthrough they had been dreaming of, but there seems to be a lack of any real evidence. Kate and Gerry have had their hopes raised and dashed so many times before. All they want is answers and to find out what happened to their daughter after more than 13 years. 'It is a very frustrating and difficult time for them.' Brueckner, who is currently in a German prison for drugs offences and is set to be starting a seven-year jail term for raping an American tourist, is hoping to be freed this week on a legal technicality. His appeal will be heard in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. German authorities believe Christian Brueckner, pictured, is responsible for Madeleine's disappearance Mr Wolters had told the world he was convinced that Maddie, who vanished as a three-year-old from a holiday apartment in Portugal in May 2007, had been murdered. He said he even knew how she had died but had no idea where her body was. He has now warned his team have no plans to 'drag this out unnecessarily' and said they would 'draw a line under' the investigation at some point. Time is now running out as the three nation joint investigation, which has been embroiled in public spats, seek enough evidence to charge Brueckner with Maddies kidnap. The McCann source said: If inquiries into this suspect are dropped because of lack of evidence Kate and Gerry know that at least police have been trying and realise they cant keep it going indefinitely.' Former GP turned medical worker Kate and heart doctor Gerry cling onto a glimmer of hope that their daughter could still be alive. She would now be aged 17. The couple, both 52, from Rothley, Leicestershire, had welcomed the high profile joint appeal in early June from British and German police for witnesses to come forward after naming 43-year-old Breuckner. They said in a statement: 'We would like to thank the police forces involved for their continued efforts in the search for Madeleine. All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace. If German authorities drop their inquiries into the latest suspect, the McCanns are buoyed up knowing the search for Maddie is being continued by Scotland Yard. Their nine-year Operation Grange probe is set to get renewed Home Office funding to keep it going until at least spring next year. A force spokesperson said: The inquiry remains open and continues but we cannot give a running commentary on it. A spokesman for the Home Office, which is on the verge of formally approving the Met Polices fresh request for more money, said: We do not foresee a problem and often grants, in special cases like this, are given retrospectively while work is still being undertaken.' So far Op Grange has cost the taxpayer 12 million. The friend of the McCanns added: Kate and Gerry have always held the British Police in the highest regard and have put their faith in them completely during the search for their daughter. They are relieved and remain very grateful that a UK force is still actively involved in the search for Madeleine. Portuguese police continue their search of remote disused wells near Praia da Luz, the resort Maddie vanished from, in the grim hunt for her body. Three have already been examined with up to 20 more expected to be targeted in the coming days. The McCanns have remained on tenterhooks after learning of the latest police activity in The Algarve. The source said: 'It is a period of prolonged agony. They have still absolutely no idea what evidence police have and no idea if their daughter is dead or alive. They remain on tenterhooks during this time.' The familys former spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: 'Kate and Gerry want answers and while the Met are still treating Madeleines abduction as a missing person rather than a murder inquiry it gives them a glimmer of hope. They will continue to hope until there is incontrovertible evidence which proves Madeleine is dead.' Home Just In Most private schools of Nepal to discontinue online classes also from Thursday Kathmandu, July 15 Protesting organisations of private school operators across Nepal have said they will stop online classes also from Thursday, citing the government did not address their concerns. Private and Boarding Schools Organisation Nepal (PABSON) and National Private and Boarding Schools Association Nepal (N-PABSAN) had launched a protest demanding relief packages for the losses caused due to the months-long lockdown. Citing they could not pay teachers and staff involved in delivering online classes, the organisations said they would send them on unpaid home leave till the next notice. The organisations said the schools would reopen only after there would be an environment to conduct physical classes. Earlier, the school operators had also urged guardians of their students to pay the fees for the period of lockdown also. However, the government had stopped them. Therefore, the organisations had also demanded that they are allowed to collect the fees so as to pay the teachers and staff and landlords. New Delhi: Global issues and tensions are expected to figure on the agenda for the 15th India-European Union (EU) Virtual (video-conference) Summit on Wednesday, Government sources indicated on Monday. With tensions between the US and China at a global level, the virtues of multilateralism are expected to be acknowledged. It is therefore being seen as probable by observers that the recent Sino-Indian military tensions may well come up for discussion. But India and the EU are essentially expected to focus on their bilateral strategic ties including the important issue of trade at the Summit. Global responses to the Coronavirus pandemic will figure prominently during the Summit and this may well be significant, given the criticism in the West over Chinas initial handling of the pandemic at Wuhan. EU member nations like Italy, Spain and France were among the worst affected globally by the Pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent India while the EU will be represented by President of the European Council Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The Summit was to have been originally held in the Belgian Capital Brussels in March this year but was postponed due to the Covid pandemic. The previous (14th) India-EU Summit had been held in October, 2017 in New Delhi. It may be recalled that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said last week that the Summit will review India-EU cooperation covering political & security relations, trade & investment and economic cooperation and is also expected to discuss developments around the Covid-19 pandemic and contemporary global matters of interest to both sides. Both sides may explore ways to once again begin talks on a free trade agreement on which a pause button had been pressed in the past. It may also be recalled that in February this year, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had travelled to Brussels and had met top EU functionaries as well as certain Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during which he had strongly defended the Indian position on the Kashmir issue and situation in J&K as well as on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which could both be raised now by the EU during the Summit. The top EU dignitaries the EAM had met then included Mr. Michel, President of the European Council of Heads of Government of the 27 member states of the EU. The recent Sino-Indian military tensions at the border could also come up during the discussions. EU sources had said last week that the Summit will be an opportunity to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership, based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and respect for human rights, aiming at delivering concrete benefits for the people in the EU and India. EU sources also said bilateral, regional and global issues are expected to be discussed and that leaders are expected to discuss (bilateral) cooperation in security, climate, environment, trade and investment, digital economy and connectivity. EU sources meanwhile also said the leaders would discuss global cooperation and solidarity to protect lives, to mitigate the socio-economic consequences and to strengthen preparedness and response capacities in view of the Coronavirus pandemic that also severely affected EU countries including Spain, Italy and France. Leaders will also discuss global and regional issues and are "expected to reiterate their determination to promote effective multilateralism and a rules-based multilateral order, with the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core". Web.com Group customers will have access to growth capital through the nations largest small business loan marketplace SILICON SLOPES, Utah, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lendio, the nations leading marketplace for small business loans, today announced a partnership with Web.com Group, a leading web technology company helping millions of customers around the globe thrive in a connected world, designed to help merchants get access to capital for pandemic-related relief, cash flow management, business expansion and more. Small businesses are diverse and theres not a one-size-fits-all financing solution for them. With access to Lendios loan marketplace, our merchants will be able to select from a wide array of loan options from the nations top online lenders, said Chris Ortbals, Chief Product Officer, Web.com Group. Were committed to helping our small business customers thrive online, and we are pleased to be providing yet another solution to ease the hurdles they face. Through the partnership with Lendio, Web.com Group will provide its customers with streamlined access to capital to help solve their financial challenges. Lendio will continue facilitating loans through the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the recent economic downturn, less than half of small businesses reported that their funding needs were satisfied. According to Fed Small Business 2019 Report on Employer Firms, financing shortfalls were most acute for firms seeking $100 to $250K in funding. Lendios approach to small business lending helps eliminate common financing challenges by matching business owners with the right lender for their needs. Lendio is committed to fueling the American dream for small business owners by making it simpler and quicker to access capital which is more important than ever, said Brock Blake, CEO and founder of Lendio. We are excited to partner with Web.com Group, which shares our passion for providing small business owners with tools to succeed. Whether its addressing cash-flow related issues, helping business owners apply for federal relief funds or assisting those who are poised for growth, Lendio looks forward to helping these merchants innovate and succeed. Story continues For more information about Lendio, visit www.lendio.com. For more information about Web.com Group, visit www.web.com. About Lendio Lendio is a free online marketplace that leverages machine learning to help business owners find the right small business loans within minutes. With a network of over 75 lenders offering multiple loan products and over 100,000 small business loans funded, Lendios marketplace is the largest in the country and the center of small business lending. Based in the Silicon Slopes of Lehi, Utah, Lendio was recently recognized by Glassdoor as one of the Top 50 Workplaces and has been certified for four years running as a great workplace by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work. In addition, Lendio ranks on Fortunes Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance and Inc.s Best Workplaces. For every new loan facilitated on Lendios marketplace platform, Lendio Gives, an employee contribution and employer matching program, provides a microloan to a low-income entrepreneur around the world through Kiva.org. More information about Lendio is available at www.lendio.com. Information about Lendio franchising opportunities can be found at www.lendio.com/franchise. About Web.com Group Web.com Group is a leading web technology company serving millions of customers around the world. Through our portfolio of brands CrazyDomains, Network Solutions, Register.com, Sitebeat, Vodien and Web.com we help customers of all sizes build an online presence that delivers results. Web has the breadth of capabilities and depth of knowledge to be your go-to partner in todays always-on digital world. With our extensive product offerings and personalized support, we take pride in partnering with our customers to service their online presence needs. Learn more at www.web.com. Melanie King Lendio 801-748-4782 melanie.king@lendio.com Alex Sheehan Finn Partners for Web.com Group 630-479-2237 alex.sheehan@finnpartners.com As the coronavirus surges across the U.S., states across the South and West have reported sharp increases in their daily number of new cases. While the initial outbreaks in New York and Seattle reflected where community spread of the disease began in the U.S., these more recent surges in Florida, Texas, Arizona and some two dozen other states reveal more about our capacity to respond. Many Asian and European countries that experienced their first cases and initial outbreaks at the same time we did have successfully suppressed the virus and returned to semi-normal life. Meanwhile, COVID spreads across the U.S. like contrast dye on an MRI, highlighting a malignancy in our body politic. When we look closely at the data, the regions where the coronavirus is currently surging are precisely the places where white people have been manipulated by a distorted moral narrative for decades. Ironically, the governors who are most willing to watch their citizens die are the ones who have used pro-life rhetoric to compel people of faith to support the narrow interests of corporate greed and white political power. COVID has revealed how the pro-life movement is killing us. Beginning in the late 1970s, Republican politicians who wanted to unite a white electorate in the South, the suburbs and across the Sunbelt knew they could no longer directly appeal to white cultural values in the wake of the civil rights movement. So they began using the language of traditional values and religious liberty to persuade white voters that the real problem in America is moral decline and cultural corruption. By framing womens rights as an assault on traditional values, this movement mobilized white people who felt threatened by civil rights, womens rights and the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 70s to assert their values as pro-life. They opposed abortion while promoting a narrative that blamed poor people for their problems and glorified the opportunities corporate profits afford to the industrious. Story continues An aerial view from a drone as residents wait in line for the drive-thru COVID-19 testing center at the Ellis Davis Field House on July 2 in Dallas | Tom PenningtonGetty Images For the past 40 years, this narrative has been reinforced through a coordinated network of independent media, private school curricula, pulpits and political operatives. As investigative journalist Anne Nelson describes in her book Shadow Network, conservative Christians have increasingly come to live in a self-reinforcing wraparound culture of propaganda. When that network of information demonized efforts to address the current pandemic by staying at home, even from church, they resisted public health advice in the name of religious liberty. In their book Taking America Back for God, sociologists Samuel Perry and Andrew Whitehead describe this way of seeing the worldwhere anything that challenges traditional values, including science, is viewed as threatas Christian nationalism. While their analysis suggests that less than 20% of all Americans fully embrace this narrative, they say more than 30% have accommodated it in some way. This is especially true among white Christians and, in particular, in the South and Midwest. Their map of states where the highest percentage of Americans embrace Christian nationalism matches up almost exactly with the current map of where COVID cases are surging. But the demographics of that map are shifting, and Republican strategists know it. Migration from urban centers in the Northeast to cities in the South and the Sunbelt have made the traditional Bible Belt much less white, threatening the power of pro-life politicians. Its no wonder, then, that, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center, 25 states have passed voter suppression measures since 2010, and that they are largely the same states where politicians have used Christian nationalism to cling to power. Keep up to date with our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking here. The distorted moral narrative of Christian nationalism has allowed political leadership to claim to be pro-life for decades, even as they undermined the social safety net and public goods that protect and sustain life. Many of these same states refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, denying access to health care to hundreds of thousands of their citizens. And because funding for rural hospitals was tied to Medicaid expansion under the ACA, this led to the closure of scores of hospitals in rural communities across the South and Midwest. In a small town in eastern North Carolina, we met a white man who lost his wife in 2014 after our state refused to expand Medicaid. She died of a heart attack waiting for a life flight in the local high school parking lot, just after the local hospital that could have saved her life had closed. Though we spend more on health care per capita than any country in the world, the U.S. leads the world in coronavirus deaths. These deaths are not spread equally across our population. They disproportionately represent poor Black and brown communities and, increasingly, poor white communities represented by pro-life politicians who have manipulated faith to hold onto power. If COVID is the contrast dye that allows us to diagnose this malignancy in our common life, then a new moral narrative that centers the common good and strives toward a democracy that works for everyone is the medicine we need. From the multicolored crowds marching for racial justice in our streets to the Black, white, brown, Native and Asian people who have joined us in the work of building a new Poor Peoples Campaign, we see signs of a new moral movement rising in America. When we vote together, we can shift priorities in our public life. When we demand an America that works for all, we can revive the heart of a genuine democracy. Please send any tips, leads, and stories to virus@time.com. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco deplored the complacency of the city residents that led to the city's 14-day hard lockdown starting at 5 a.m. of Thursday. In an interview with CNN Philippines Rico Hizon on Wednesday, Tiangco said Navotas residents did not strictly follow quarantine protocols such as regular wearing of face masks when the entire Metro Manila was placed under the less tight general community quarantine by the national government. They became too complacent because 85 percent of positive patients in our city are asymptomatic, said the mayor. READ: Navotas placed on citywide lockdown from July 16 to 29 Based on the city's data, Tiangco emphasized that most virus transmissions in Navotas came from families. He also justified the city-wide hard lockdown, saying they have to limit the movement of the people by implementing strict stay-at-home orders to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. When a person goes out of the house, we should suspect that he/she contracted COVID-19," pointed out. "We cannot do anything about it, that is the characteristic of the virus." Tiangco added that many of the citys frontliners tested positive of the virus which led him to fully implement the 14-day lockdown. He assured that despite reaching full capacity in the citys isolation centers, those who need to undergo quarantine were brought to bigger isolation areas like the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan and the World Trade Center in Pasay City. As of July 14, Navotas City has 1,074 confirmed COVID-19 cases along with 661 active infections. In addition, the city recorded 69 deaths and 344 recoveries from the virus. A panel under the justice minister proposed Tuesday establishing criminal penalties for foreign nationals who do not comply with deportation orders as Japan seeks to curb long-term detention of foreigners at immigration facilities. The Immigration Services Agency is expected to consider drafting revisions to the immigration law based on the panel's proposals to Justice Minister Masako Mori to include imprisonment or fines for those resisting deportation. Supporters of those detained, however, worry the move could lead to lawyers and volunteer workers helping foreign nationals avoid deportation being charged as accomplices. They say some of those detained cannot go back to their home countries for fear of persecution, or because they have families in Japan. "The immigration law should not be amended easily," said Shogo Watanabe, a lawyer well-versed in refugee issues. Japan has long been criticized by bar associations and human rights groups for long-term detention of foreign nationals who refuse to accept deportation on the grounds that they are seeking recognition as refugees or have families in the country. The panel was set up last October to review the system following the death of a Nigerian man in his 40s in June of last year who had gone on a hunger strike at an immigration center in Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture, over his prolonged detention, marking the first such death in Japan. The man had been detained since July 2016 and refused to be deported because he had family in Japan. Those facing deportation in Japan are expected to leave at their own expense unless they lack the financial resources to do so. The government says it does not have either the funds or manpower to deport those financially capable of leaving if they refuse to do so. Voices of Protest spotlights individuals throughout the Capital Region who play a direct and important role in the activism scene. Ira McKinleys father was fatally shot by police outside Miami in 1979. In 1989, McKinley himself got beat up by police officers like Rodney King. Protesting for social justice is familiar to McKinley, and a fight he portrays through art. Voices of protest: Activist profiles He released a documentary in 2013 called The Throwaways, which traces McKinley's troubled past and the larger struggle for economic and social justice in the city's impoverished South End and beyond. McKinley has two more films in production now, Outta the Muck and Honor Your Mother, both of which explore the stories of his ancestors. Looking out on the sea of diverse protesters on a hot, June afternoon, McKinley felt a surge of pride. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. I appreciate what you guys are doing, he said to the crowd at the Washington Park Playhouse. He reflected on his own familys history. Florida natives, his 91-year-old mother lived in the Jim Crow South. (My family) moved us up north to give us a better way of life. And I came up here in this state, the same thing exists, he said. So stick with this, please. The Indian military conveyed a "very clear" message to the Chinese army during nearly 15-hour-long talks that status quo ante must be restored in eastern Ladakh and it will have to follow all mutually agreed protocols for border management to bring back peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control, government sources said on Wednesday. During the course of the intense and complex negotiations between senior commanders of the two armies that ended at 2 am on Wednesday, the Indian delegation also apprised the Chinese PLA about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, the sources said. The talks were "very fruitful" and both sides agreed to begin phase two of the disengagement in the next few days, they said. The two sides agreed on certain modalities for rolling out the next phase of disengagement and are expected to get in touch with each other after discussing agreed points with the higher authorities of both sides, the sources said. The fourth round of Lt General-level talks began around 11 am on Tuesday at a designated meeting point in Chushul on the Indian side of the LAC, they said. There was no official word on the outcome of the talks. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by Major General Liu Lin, Commander of the South Xinjiang military region. Army Chief Gen M M Naravane was apprised about the details of the negotiations following which he held discussions with senior military officers. He held another meeting with a number of senior military officers later in the day. China's People's Liberation Army has already completed pulling back troops from Galwan Valley, Gogra and Hot Springs and significantly thinned down its presence in the ridgeline of Finger Four in the Pangong Tso area in the last one week as demanded by India. Phase two of the disengagement will focus largely on further withdrawal of troops from Pangong Tso. The troops are separated by around 1 km in Finger Four area, the sources said. Tuesday's discussions were the longest negotiations between the two armies after the tense standoff that began on May 5. The third round of Lt General-level talks on June 30 lasted 12 hours. During this round, both sides agreed on an "expeditious, phased and step wise" de-escalation as a "priority" to end the standoff. The sources said the main focus of the latest round was on finalising a framework for a "time-bound and verifiable" disengagement process from all the friction points like Pangong Tso and Depsang and pulling back large numbers of troops and weapons from rear bases along the LAC as part of modalities for further de-escalation. "It was clearly conveyed to China that it must follow all the relevant provisions of agreements and protocols that govern management of the border by both the sides," they said. The Indian side insisted on "total restoration" of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to May 5 when the standoff began following a clash between the troops of the two countries in Pangong Tso, they said. The Indian delegation also conveyed concerns over China's "new claim lines" in the region, and insisted that Beijing must adhere to earlier framework on carrying out patrolling in the areas, the sources said. The talks took place days after implementation of the first phase of the disengagement process from the friction points. In line with a mutually agreed decision, the two sides created a minimum buffer zone of three kilometres in most of the friction points where they were locked in a standoff. The formal process of disengagement of troops began on June 6, a day after a nearly two-hour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tension in the area. The first round of the Lt General talks was held on June 6 during which both sides finalised an agreement to disengage gradually from all the standoff points beginning with Galwan Valley. However, the situation deteriorated following the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 as the two sides significantly bolstered their deployments in most areas along the LAC. The second round of talks took place on June 22. The Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35. Following the Galwan Valley incident, the government has given the armed forces "full freedom" to give a "befitting" response to any Chinese misadventure along the LAC. The army has sent thousands of additional troops to forward locations along the border following the deadly clashes. The IAF has also moved air defence systems as well as a sizable number of its frontline combat jets and attack helicopters to several key air bases. CBSE 10th board result 2020 DECLARED | The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared Class 10 results on official websites cbseresults.nic.in and results.nic.in today (Wednesday, 15 July). CBSE 10th board result 2020 DECLARED | The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared Class 10 results on official websites cbseresults.nic.in and results.nic.in today (Wednesday, 15 July). Almost 18 lakh students await the Class 10 results. However, heavy traffic can cause official websites to become unresponsive. Students can check their scores using IVRS and mobile applications like UMANG and DigiLocker. Follow LIVE Updates on CBSE 10th Result 2020 Here some of the alternative websites to check your score: The education board had told the Supreme Court that both Class 10 and 12 results will be announced by 15 July. Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' tweeted that the results will be announced on Wednesday. My dear Children, Parents, and Teachers, the results of class X CBSE board examinations will be announced tomorrow. I wish all the students best of luck.#StayCalm #StaySafe@cbseindia29 Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 14, 2020 As per previous the previous schedule, exams for CBSE Class 10 were to be conducted from 15 February till 20 March. However, exams from 19 March onwards were postponed owing to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The remaining papers were then scheduled to be held from 1 to 15 July. However, these exams were cancelled as coronavirus cases continued to rise. Check result using DigiLocker CBSE will provide digital academic documents like marksheets, migration certificate and pass certificate through Parinam Manjusha, which is integrated with the DigiLocker mobile application. The DigiLocker account credentials will be sent to students via SMS on their mobile number registered with CBSE. Check result using UMANG app The mobile application is available on both Android and iOS. Students can access their scores by clicking on the marksheet tab and then entering their roll number and date of birth. How to check Class 10 result through CBSE website: Step 1: Login to official website cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in Step 2: Click on the link for result 2020. Step 3: Enter your roll number and date of birth. Step 4: The result will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Download the result and take a print out. A ghost candidate is suspected of forcing the runoff election that state Rep. Harold Dutton narrowly won Tuesday night over Houston City Councilman Jerry Davis. Dutton was just barely ahead of Davis, who has represented District B on the city council since 2011. The two moved to a runoff for the House District 142 seat after Dutton claimed about 45 percent of the vote in the March primary and Davis took the next-most out of three other candidates, with about 25 percent. The circumstances surrounding the primary have been curious. Prompted by a news report that raised questions about one of the primary competitors, Natasha Ruiz, after reporters struggled to confirm her identity, Houston-area state lawmakers and the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats called on authorities to investigate. Ruiz, who garnered 20 percent of the vote almost 2,600 votes without doing any campaigning, has not been seen or heard from publicly since filing her candidacy. In April, the Harris County Attorneys office and the district attorney confirmed they were looking into claims that Ruiz was a ghost candidate. MYSTERY CANDIDATE: DA, county attorney review allegations of ghost candidate in Houston state house race Duttons race was one of five Houston-area state House races in the primary runoff. In the race to fill House Speaker Dennis Bonnens seat in House District 25, attorney and former Angleton City Council member Cody Vasut beat Brazoria Countys tax assessor-collector RoVin Garrett. The district covers Matagorda County and some of Brazoria County. Democrat Akilah Bacy won the nomination for the suburban Houston state House district that Democrats nearly flipped in 2018. She beat Jennifer Rene Pool, a self-styled angry progressive who in 2016 became the first transgender candidate to win a primary election in Texas history. District 138, which includes the Addicks Reservoir, Bear Creek neighborhoods and parts of Spring Branch, is wide open after Republican Dwayne Bohac announced he would retire after nearly two decades in office. Bohac won his 2018 reelection by just 47 votes. Over in the north and northwest part Houston state House District 148, attorney Penny Morales Shaw narrowly defeated incumbent Anna Eastman. Eastman won the seat after a November 2019 special election and a runoff this January. Tonight did not go as we had hoped, Eastman said in a concessionary Facebook post. I want to thank everyone who volunteered, voted and supported my run for 148. I look forward to continuing the fight for children and parents everywhere! The seat formerly belonged to Democratic Rep. Jessica Farrar, who resigned in late September of last year. Farrar had endorsed Shaw in February, calling her the candidate that will best represent the people of the district. Morales Shaw had also sprung for Farrars seat in November but won just 8 percent of the vote in a crowded election with a dozen Democrats, two Republicans and one independent competing. In Fort Bend County, Republican Jacey Jetton won in the state House District 26 race for Republican State Rep. Rick Millers seat. Jetton is a business owner and former Fort Bend Republican Party Chairman. Miller, of Sugar Land, dropped out of the race in December after the Houston Chronicle reported that he said Jetton and another primary candidate were only running because theyre Asian. The remarks drew strong condemnation from fellow Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott who rescinded his endorsement of Miller. Ben Wermund contributed to this report. taylor.goldenstein@chron.com Dr. Douglas F. Mann begins his tenure as Bryan Colleges eighth president this week. Dr. Mann is a 1992 graduate of Bryan College and earned an M.A. degree in Christian Thought from Trinity International University and later, received his Ph.D. in History from The University of Georgia. Prior to joining the leadership of Bryan, he was Professor of History at Liberty University. He also served in various leadership roles at Liberty University including Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Administrative Dean for Graduate Programs and Dean of the Graduate School at Liberty University. During that time, Dr. Mann provided leadership for academic administration and operations in the creation and implementation of more than 100 new graduate programs. Dr. Mann was engaged in all facets of graduate education including the review and improvement of curriculum; providing leadership in monitoring University compliance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; oversight of the universitys Research Ethics office; and, provided support of faculty research that garnered more than $150,000 of internal funding through the graduate school. As a historian of the British Atlantic World, he also has extensive teaching and research experience in higher education. Upon taking office, Dr. Mann will become the eighth president of Bryan College. Board of Trustees Chair Delena Bice said, Bryan College is fortunate to have a leader like Dr. Mann. With COVID-19 as a continuing concern, its wonderful having a president with a vision for the future who is also able to pivot to meet present needs. Dr. Mann is the right person for a time like this. Dr. Mann said, As I returned to the college that laid the academic and professional foundation for my own future, I realized the magnitude of doing the same for present and future students. Bryan College has always focused on developing the knowledge, values and skills our students will need to make a difference in todays world. That focus continues as we step forward into a new and ever-changing world. I am excited to join the great team at Bryan College as we look to serve our students and community. Bryan College currently has 1,450 enrolled students and with a 40 percent tuition decrease announced last fall, is looking to potentially double that number within the coming years. Bryan College has always looked to serve our students with an affordable, high quality education, said Dr. Mann. As a graduate of Bryan, I am keenly aware of the foundation that has been laid for me that positions us well for future success and influence. To learn more about Bryan College, please visit: Bryan.edu/leadership/ Scott Morrison insists his government's widely-criticised COVIDSafe tracking app is working as designed - even though it hasn't detected a single case of coronvirus outside of manual contact tracing. The prime minister said the COVIDSafe app has been involved in tracing more than 300 coronavirus cases in Victoria and that 'technically, it's working fine.' 'It's supposed to work in combination with the physical tracing that is done by contact officers - the two go together,' he told Triple M Melbourne on Wednesday. While the app has been involved in tracing infections, it has not identified any unknown close contacts and has been described as a '$2million failure' by the Labor party. No contacts from the 1,931 active coronavirus cases in Victoria or the cases from the outbreak at the Casula Pub in New South Wales have been solely identified by the app. The prime minister said the COVIDSafe app has been involved in tracing more than 300 cases in Victoria and that 'technically, it's working fine' 'It's supposed to work in combination with the physical tracing that is done by contact officers - the two go together,' he said on Wednesday The COVIDSafe app has been downloaded by more than 6.6million people since it was released in late April. It is supposed to slow the spread of coronavirus by using Bluetooth connections to trace who infected people came into close contact with. No person diagnosed with the virus in Queensland and South Australia had the app downloaded on their phone. The app has not been useful in Western Australia as there have been no cases of community transmission. Shadow Health Minister Chris Bowen criticised the app and said it was a 'failure.' 'It's played no role in effectively finding anybody who's been exposed to COVID-19,' Bowen told 9news. While the app has been involved in tracing infections, it has not identified any unknown close contacts and has been described as a $2million dud by the Labor party No contacts from the 1,612 active coronavirus cases in Victoria or the cases from the outbreak at the Casula Pub in New South Wales have been solely identified by the app (pictured: A medical workers tests a woman in Sydney) NSW Labor Leader Jodie McKay said on Tuesday a party colleague who had the app went to the Crossroads Hotel where two patrons tested positive of the coronavirus on July 3. McKay said her colleague had not been contacted even though she visited a location where two known coronavirus cases had also been. An anonymous man who had also visited the hotel also said he did not receive any alerts. 'I don't know if it's working,' the man said. The COVIDSafe app has been downloaded more than 6.6million times since it was released in late April (pictured: Man in a mask using his phone at Sydney Airport) It is supposed to slow the spread of coronavirus by using Bluetooth connections to trace who infected people came into close contact with (pictured: Medical staff at pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic in Casula) CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement The prime minister said the app was working as intended. 'But it was never supposed to be in isolation to replace physical tracing,' Mr Morrison said. 'The physical tracing is quickly identifying a lot of the contacts.' Government senator Matt Canavan also conceded the technology had not been as successful as first hoped. The prime minister said people should stop 'taking pot shots' at the app. '(They) are just undermining confidence and that's not a good thing,' the prime minister said. 'It's a good thing to get people to download the app and not be throwing stones.' The government said the app, which is based on a successful system in Singapore, needs to be downloaded by at least 40 per cent of Australians before restrictions can be lifted. It uses an encrypted user ID, which regenerates every two hours, and will not log any location data. This means neither a user's whereabouts nor activities will be tracked, with all data deleted after 21 days. Other countries have abandoned the tracing apps they created and decided to use versions made by tech giants Apple and Google. The Australian Government said they will continue to push the COVIDSafe app and encouraged more people to download it. By PTI MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Ashok Chavan on Wednesday said it is very satisfying that the Supreme Court refused to pass any interim stay order on the Maratha quota in admission to post-graduate medical courses. The apex court also said on Wednesday that from July 27 it would commence day to day hearing through video conferencing on a batch of pleas challenging the Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. Chavan, who heads the Maharashtra cabinet subcommittee on Maratha reservation, in a statement said the state government will put forth its stand strongly before the court when the day to day hearing begins. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal and advocate Rafique Dada are arguing in favour of the intervener, who is for the quota. Senior lawyers Mukul Rohatgi and Paramjit Singh Patwalia are representing the state government before the court. "The Supreme Court today refused to pass any interim stay order on the Maratha quota in admissions to post graduate medical courses, which is very satisfying, the statement quoted Chavan as saying. A plea was filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the Bombay High Court order upholding validity of quota for the Maratha community in education (12 per cent) and government jobs (13 per cent). The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 was enacted to grant reservation to people of Maratha community in Maharashtra in jobs and admissions. The Bombay High Court, while upholding the law in June last year, had held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable and said that quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admissions. On February 5, the apex court had refused to stay the high court order upholding the Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. Earlier, the top court in July last year decided to examine the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra law, but refused to stay the high court order upholding the statute with some modifications. New owners to reopen restaurant at Echo Mountain Inn in Laurel Park New owners Bud and Jan Bonnema and chef Tom Makowski plan to open the Bistro at the inn next month. When Bud and Jan Bonnema left their Minnesota roots a few years ago, they found the pace a little too slow. We moved to Florida to kind of retire, he said. Like most people, that was too boring. We werent active in things. I had joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary and like most military experience its sit around and wait and I got sick of that. If retirement was too leisurely, the couple fixed the problem big time. When they bought the 25-room Echo Mountain Inn a year ago for $1.2 million, they didnt plan to manage it. The people that were hired to run this place, a month after we came, all quit, he said. We said, Well, well run it, so it was flying by the seat of our parents. The lady at the front desk helped us, shed been in the hotel business for 20-some years. When winter came, business slowed down and Bud and Jan became comfortable running the place, then added son Travis and his wife, Becky, to help manage the inn. The past year has been filled with on-the-job training and plenty of renovations. They had the entire outside repainted, replaced freezers, ovens and ranges in the kitchen, replace a generator and a lot of the plumbing and bought new furniture. He considered closing the pool because people told him no one used it. We found a lake and now were saving about $1,000 a month on the water bill, he said. It gets used so much more than we were told. It gets used a lot. Bonnema was a police officer in Burnsville, a suburb of Minneapolis, which was wracked by weeks of protest after the death of George Floyd in police custody. Part of you wants to be there, to see what good you can do, and part of you wants to be as far away as you can. Built in 1896 as a summer home The Bonnemas hung an exhibit in the library documenting every owner of the property, starting with the Jessie and John H. Patterson, a well-to-do couple from Florida who built a summer home on Echo Mountain to escape the heat and the mosquitos. Seven owners and many additions and renovations followed. The Bonnemas bought the property from Becky and Chester Kylstra, who made part of it a Christian healing center and retreat called Restoring the Foundation. During an open house on Sunday, local people gushed over the news that the Bonnemas plan to reopen the restaurant, a popular dining destination that has not operated for lunch and supper for 15 years or so. When I tell people that we had just moved to North Carolina and we own the Echo Mountain Inn, they say, Thats where that supper club was. We used to eat there all the time. We loved it. More than anything, thats a comment I hear, he said. Since theyre not restaurateurs, Bud and Jan hired an expert with experience. Tom Makowski, 29, is executive chef for the Charleston airport, where he manages 12 restaurants and around 200 employees. Makowski, who served up a sumptuous feast of fruit and hors doeuvres on Sunday afternoon, said he plans to keep both jobs. The bistro, open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, will specialize in Low Country and American cuisine and serve beer and wine. Breakfast has been a staple at the Echo Mountain Inn for a long time. The menu is bacon and eggs, yogurt, fruit, pastries, some days fancy French toast, sausage and gravy and other specials, Bonnema said. Id like to go back to last year, he said when asked about occupancy. Last year was great and we had a lot scheduled for this summer but as of that February day when they announced corona all we have is cancellations. Id say we havent made any money until July 1. The new owners converted the administration building into the Abundant Energy Wellness Center, which contains a sauna, therapy and a small group meeting space. Daughter-in-law Becky Bonnema runs it. Bonnema, the cop turned hotelier, said the family has been blessed to find the Echo Mountain Inn and to make it home to four generations. His mother, 90, lives on the property, as do Travis and Becky and their five children. For 15 years (the Kylstras) have been praying over this property and we can feel the effects of that, he said. Its peaceful here and I think its more than just a view of mountains. Years of people taking care of it and praying over it and really putting their life into it has made our getting started a lot easier. * * * * * Echo Mountain Inn is at 2849 Laurel Park Highway in Laurel Park. For information call 828-693-9626 or visit EchoMountainInn.com. For more photos of the inn, the common space, rooms and wellness center, visit hendersonvillelightning.com. Fianna Fail county councillors on Offaly County Council have issued a statement in support of Barry Cowen following his removal from Government. Deputy Cowen was sacked agriculture minister by Taoiseach Micheal Martin after just 18 days in the job amid a drink-driving scandal. "Fianna Fail councillors on Offaly County Council have expressed deep disappointment at the news that Deputy Barry Cowen has been relieved of his duties as Minister for Agriculture and the Marine late last evening. "On hearing the news, the councillors have offered their full support to Deputy Cowen and his family at this difficult time. "Barry Cowen has always been available to us as councillors and his dedication to Fianna Fail and the constituency of Laois-Offaly is second to none. "We had looked forward to working with Deputy Cowen as a member of Cabinet on many initiatives in the Programme for Government and implementing some of the policies he had fought so hard to have included for Offaly, the Midlands and rural Ireland. "It is a difficult day for the organisation in Offaly and for the constituency. We hope today's (Tuesday's) event will not hinder Deputy Cowen's entitlement to a fair process," he said. The statement was signed off on by councillors: Peter Ormond, Eamon Dooley, Declan Harvey, Danny Owens, Tony McCormack, Frank Moran, Robert McDermott and Eddie Fitzpatrick. Dep Cowen served a three-month ban in 2016 while driving on a learner permit. Further details from the Garda PULSE file related to the incident in a Sunday Times articles suggested he attempted to evade a garda checkpoint, something he vehemently denies. The Taoiseach said these details raised additional concerns about the incident and he terminated Cowen's position as a minister on Tuesday night, July 14. The Centre's nodal ministry for labour and employment has been missing in action during the biggest job and income crises of our time. How many workers lost jobs and incomes due to the lockdown? How many have been rehired since the unlocking began on June 1? How many migrants went home and how many have returned? How many of those who lost their jobs received government assistance? These are basic questions to which no answers are available because the government is not tracking these developments. There is official confirmation on this. Working in a complete information and policy vacuum On June 1, the day the unlocking began, Minister for MSMEs and Road Transport Nitin Gadkari said there had "not been any official analysis" of job loss, grudgingly admitting that the lockdown "definitely impacted it (jobs)" when the evidence was all around, staring at the face. Also Read: Rebooting Economy V: Why healthy environment is critical to fight COVID-19 pandemic For the labour ministry, this is an encore. It was missing in action during the job crisis of pre-pandemic years too. One can be forgiven for not knowing the name of the union labour minister. This is contrary to the mandate though. The ministry, on its website, claims that its "main responsibility" is "to protect and safeguard the interests of workers" and that it is "focused on promotion of welfare and providing social security to the labour force both in organised and unorganised sectors". These claims sound hollow. A simple tracking of its activities through the statements it has issued would show why. The ministry's website lists 20 press statements in all, issued between April 18 and July 8, 2020. Of these, 12 relate to provident fund (PF) related matters. Not one mentions the state of employment or job loss or income loss of workers. There is no information about mass reverse migration except for a passing mention that it is collecting and passing on information to states for assistance. A statement says Rs 4,957 crore has been paid to construction workers (Rs 1,000-Rs 6,000 to each) from their welfare fund. This is just 9.5% of Rs 52,000 crore lying unutilised in the welfare fund. Why is there so much focus on EPF? It is because that constitutes a pivot of the government's response. There are three moves relating to PF. First, on March 29 the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme of 1952 was amended "to allow withdrawal of non-refundable advance by EPF members/subscribers...up to the amount of basic wages and dearness allowance for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member's credit in the EPF account..." Second, PF contribution for employers and employees reduced from 12% to 10% until August. How allowing organised sector workers (6% of total workforce) to withdraw from their own contingency post-retirement fund constitutes a state assistance defies logic. Or, for that matter, a temporary reduction of 2% in contribution to PF fund? Third, the PF support to establishments having up to 100 workers and 90% of them claiming less than Rs 15,000 a month is extended (announced in March) to August. This is to protect jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is it working? There is no evidence either way or how much money the government has paid to save jobs. Also Read: Rebooting Economy IV: Is govt using environmental laws to protect polluting industries? These measures are for the organised sector. What about the unorganised workers constituting 94% of the total workforce and the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic? A few measures have been announced for those, including the migrants who went back home. One is an additional credit facility for the MSMEs providing second-most jobs at 111 million after agriculture. But there are no takers. There wouldn't be any takers for such credit until economic uncertainty continues as the world has repeatedly learnt since the 1929 Great Depression. Businesses don't need to take credit or invest in capacity building when demand is weak and industrial production has crashed. Liquidity measures are a waste and the RBI knows it. (For more read, ' Coronavirus Lockdown XIX: Where is excess liquidity generated by RBI going ?') The uncertainties would continue for some more time with several states (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal) and cities (Bangalore, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad) continuing complete shutdown a month-and-half after the "unlocking" began on June 1. Then there is the Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojna, announced in late June, which is an amalgamation of 25 existing schemes with no additional allocation. It would provide jobs to migrants who went back home in 116 districts in six states. But that means the existing local jobless and job seekers in these areas would be short-changed and hence, it is a zero-sum game. Then there is the additional allocation of Rs 40,000 crore for the rural job guarantee scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), long condemned as a "living monument of UPA's failures", inadequate to meet existing work demand for several years and the average days of work for households remains less than 50 days (average of five previous fiscals is 48 days). All three measures are designed as distress relief measures ab initio. These are not part of a job creation policy or strategy to address structural deficiencies that caused a job crisis in the pre-pandemic era in the first place. What about the job crisis in urban areas? Nothing has been heard. To cut to the chase, the government is working on a complete information and policy vacuum. Job crisis unacknowledged and unattended for years India's job crisis is not new but the NDA-II regime has refused to acknowledge it or take remedial measures even though it promised one crore jobs every year. In January 2019, the government stopped the release of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of 2017-18 report for showing the unemployment rate (UR) at a 45-year-high of 6.1%. It was released post-2019 election win but the three subsequent budgets (one interim) and two Economic Surveys were silent. Amidst the current job crisis, the government released the PLFS of 2018-19 in June stating that the Unemployment Ratio (UR) had fallen to 5.8%, even though it is statistically insignificant (The error margins (RSE) in UR for both reports is 1.8-2%) and irrelevant to the current crisis. The pandemic has worsened the job crisis. Riding on precarious 94% of workers in unorganised sector Indian economy is riding on one of the most enfeebled and vulnerable workforces in the world. The labour ministry's website says, 43.7 crore of a total workforce of 46.5 crore is in the "unorganised sector". This works out to be 94% of the total workforce. By its very definition, the unorganised sector and workers have little legal protection, jobs or social security in India. The unorganised sector is defined as enterprises with less than 10 workers, owned by individuals or self-employed; unorganised workers are home-based, self-employed or a wage worker in the unorganised sector and includes those in the organised sector not covered under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. (For more, read " Labour reforms: No one knows the size of India's informal workforce, not even the govt ") Besides, there are a large number of "informal" employments in the organised sector (no legal and social security protections), such as short-term contracts (quarterly contracts, for example), causal and retainers. That should take the number of precarious workers (called 'precariat') to a higher level. In January 2020, the government declared it would hold a survey to count their numbers for providing them social security. But, the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed it indefinitely. Internationally, similar enterprises and workers are called "informal". Informal enterprises are not covered by law or insufficiently covered by formal arrangements. Informal employments are de facto or de jure not subject to labour laws or entitled to social protection and benefits like advance notice of dismissal, severance pay, paid annual or sick leave, etc. Also Read: Rebooting Economy III: All that's wrong with India's environmental governance Though not the same, India uses both "informal" and "unorganised" alternately for some decades now. For example, without an official definition for "informal", the Economic Survey of 2018-19 said "almost 93%" of the total workforce is "informal", without even disclosing its source of information. Globally, India stands at the top when it comes to "informal" workers. An OECD-ILO study of May 2019 says India's informal workers constitute 88.2% of the total workforce. India is clubbed with some of the least developed economies like Sub-Saharan Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia etc. Broadly speaking, the report says, informality represents 70% in developing and emerging economies and about 18% in developed countries. Why informality is a concern? The OECD-ILO report, 'Tackling Vulnerability in the Informal Economy', lists some: (i) higher presence of unskilled workers and low productivity (50% of formal sector workers) (ii) in-work poverty risk is 200% higher - 42% informal workers live in poverty worldwide (iii) greater risks and vulnerability due to unprotected status, inferior working conditions and (iv) higher presence of low-paid wages and a high wage gap from formal employment. In India, the Economic Survey of 2015-16 found that wages in the organised/formal sector are over 20 times higher, on average. The Indian economy is riding on 88.2-94% of such low-skilled, lowly paid with little job or social security cover. Are they capable of building a robust economy? Or quickly rebuild an economy battered by the lockdown? No social security for 88.5% of workers; their numbers are growing How many Indian workers have social security? No official data exists but an estimate can be made. Also Read: Rebooting Economy II: What stock market boom means to people and economy The PLFS of 2018-19 says 51.9% of regular wage/salaried in the non-agriculture sector are "not eligible for any social security benefit". Since regular wage/salaried constitute 23.8% of the total workforce - the rest being self-employed (52.1%) and casual workers (24.1%) - those without social security work out to be 88.5% of the total workforce. Social security benefits mean provident fund (PF), pension, gratuity, healthcare, and maternity benefits singly or in any combination (as per the PLFS report). Those not eligible for any social security benefit in 2017-18 were 49.6%, as per the PLFS of 2017-18. In 2018-19, their number went up to 51.9%. If the well-off among the self-employed, like doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, and others, who would have their own private social security arrangements, are added, the total number would go up but by what is not known in absence of data. Assuming an addition of 2%, those without social security will still be 86.5%. Toothless social security laws Such a poor social security cover is because of official negligence. The only law that provides social security to unorganised workers is the Unorganised Workers' Social Security (UWSS) Act of 2008. It is proposed to be subsumed in the Social Security Code of 2019, now pending before a parliamentary committee. Neither the UWSS Act of 2008 nor the Social Security Code of 2019 is designed to ensure what they claim to do. Here is how Prof. Ravi Srivastava, an eminent labour economist with long experience in formulating social security measures as a former member of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS), currently a faculty at the Institute for Human Development, explains their failings. Also Read: Rebooting Economy I: Why stock market is booming when COVID-19-hit economy sinks Regarding the UWSS Act of 2008, Prof. Srivastava says, "It did not provide an adequate legislative framework for universal social security to unorganised workers. It didn't provide a financial framework as social security was to be provided through separate schemes. It provided for registration of unorganised workers, but even that has not been implemented by successive governments." About the 2019 Social Security Code, he says, "Almost the same provisions have been incorporated in this code. Further, it has taken out informal workers in organised sector, like contract and casual workers, from the purview of organised sector schemes of EPF and ESI. They are now part of unorganised workers without any mandatory social security coverage." That is because Prof. Srivastava says these laws are so designed to provide for framing various social security schemes, but there is no timeline, nor is it mandatory for those to be universal. Strong protests from trade unions and labour economists forced the government to send the 2019 Code to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for re-examination. Presents Expansion Plans at Noosa Virtual Conference Brisbane, July 15, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( FRA:DML ) ( OTCMKTS:DMNXF ) invites investors to learn more about the Company's exciting growth strategy in Canada and Australia at a webinar as part of the Noosa Mining Virtual conference, at 9.40 am AEST Friday, 17 July 2020 (7.40 p.m. EDT Thursday, 16 July 2020).Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch will outline Sayona's current growth plans and vision to become a leading lithium producer in Quebec, amid the Company's bid for North American Lithium and rapid growth of the lithium-ion battery market in North America on the back of the electric vehicle revolution.The presentation will also highlight the benefits of Sayona's earn-in agreement with established lithium producer Altura Mining concerning an exploration portfolio of lithium and gold projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.The presentation will be released to the ASX on Friday, with a recording also to be made available via the conference website.Presentation DetailsTime: 9.40am AEST Friday, 17 July 2020(7.40 pm Thursday, 16 July EDT (Montreal time))RSVP:For any questions concerning the webinar, please email info@sayonamining.com.au or phone +61 (7) 3369 7058.About Sayona Mining Ltd Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:SYAXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia. Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans decree Friday turning the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a working mosque is an Islamist populist gesture that will accelerate the drive to war across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The history of this unique, nearly 1,500-year old basilica is of cultural significance to billions of people in many countries and cultures. It is not so much a Turkish monument as a world monument that the course of history has entrusted to the Turkish people for safekeeping. Amid the growing ethnic and sectarian bloodshed caused by decades of imperialist war in the Middle East, the attempt to claim the Hagia Sophia for Islam alone cannot fail to have unforeseen consequences. The Hagia Sophia was completed in 537 during the reign of Roman emperor Justinian I, as a Christian church in what was then Constantinople. UNESCO, which has placed it on the World Heritage List, calls it one of the unique architectural masterpieces of Byzantine [art] designed by Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletus in 532-537. This breathtaking building was a center of the Eastern Orthodox Church until the 15th century, except for a brief period in the 13th century when Crusaders sacked Constantinople and turned the Hagia Sophia into a Roman Catholic cathedral. In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II conquered the city, turning the Hagia Sophia into a mosque. The Ottoman Empire added minarets to the Hagia Sophia, as well as antique Hellenistic art drawn from across Turkey. The fall of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment in 1923 of an independent Turkish Republic, in a war fought with Soviet aid against invading British, French, Italian, Greek and Armenian armies, changed the Hagia Sophias status. In 1935, President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his cabinet converted the Hagia Sophia into a museum. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1985. In the period since 2007, over 30 million people have visited the Hagia Sophia. Since the 1935 decree turned the Hagia Sophia into a museum, Islamists and certain Turkish nationalists have called for reversal of this decision and to turn it back into a mosque. Significantly, the risk of international conflict posed by such communal and nationalist appeals was acknowledged by Erdogan himself barely a year ago. Just before the March 2019 local elections, he dismissed the call to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque as a provocation. Referring to the thousands of mosques scattered in non-Muslim-majority countries across the world, he asked: Do they think what would happen to those mosques? I will not be duped. Fifteen months later, Erdogan has resorted to this provocation, and it has not taken long for the first denunciations to begin pouring in. The Russian Orthodox Church called the Hagia Sophias conversion into a mosque unacceptable, while Catholic Pope Francis declared himself very distressed. Indian media, incensed by Erdogans criticisms of anti-Muslim communal riots in India, are demanding that New Delhi intervene to criticize Erdogan. The Greek government, a nominal NATO ally of Turkey, which is locked in a bitter dispute with Turkey over Cyprus and oil drilling rights in the Mediterranean, also condemned the decision. Athens warned that it does not only affect relations between Turkey and Greece, but its relations with the European Union. Underlying the shift in the Erdogans policy are intractable international crises and class conflicts for which the Turkish bourgeoisie has no solutions. Three decades since the Stalinist regimes dissolution of the Soviet Union removed the main political and military obstacle to US-led wars in the Middle East, Turkey is surrounded by wars and bitter commercial and geopolitical conflicts that threaten to escalate into an all-out military conflagration. Erdogans decision to join US-led wars in Libya and Syria in 2011 has ended in a bloody debacle; it now finds itself waging proxy wars in both these countries against its nominal allies. Turkey is backing the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) against the French- and Russian-backed militias of warlord Khalifa Haftar, and clashing with Greece in the Mediterranean. As part of its ongoing war against US-backed Kurdish nationalist groups, it has repeatedly invaded the north of Syria, whose government is supported by Russia. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic is vastly intensifying international class conflict and fueling the Erdogan governments collapse in the polls to the lowest level since 2002, to about 30 percent. According to trade union estimates, the pandemic has led to at least 11 million job losses in Turkey, raising the number of unemployed to over 17 million, a historic record. The Turkish bourgeoisie are watching with concern and dismay the growing strikes and protests by workers for safe working conditions and against austerity across America, Europe and internationally. Especially after mass multi-racial and multi-ethnic protests internationally against the US police murder of George Floyd, they are terrified of growing mass political opposition. Erdogans turn to using the Hagia Sophia to incite religious and communal sentiment aims to suppress these class contradictions, divide the working class along religious and national lines, and promote nationalism amid an escalating spiral towards war between the major powers. Precisely because this is a class policy, it cannot be opposed by supporting Erdogans opponents within the Turkish bourgeois establishment. The decision to turn the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque is supported not only by Erdogans Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) ally but also by its bourgeois opponents, including the Kemalist Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and its far-right ally, the Good Partyparties that imperialist governments and media present as the enlightened alternative to Erdogan. While CHP leader Kemal Klcdaroglus reaction to the Hagia Sophia decision was to state, Open it, if you want it to open, Muharrem Ince, former presidential candidate of the CHP-led opposition against Erdogan in the 2018 presidential election, declared his support for the decision. Ince said he would be among worshippers in the first prayer in the Hagia Sophia on July 24. It is no coincidence that these parties also fully support Erdogans war policies across the region in the interests of the Turkish ruling class. The Hagia Sophia question provides its own confirmation of Leon Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution. In the final analysis, democratic rights and human culture cannot be defended, and ethnic and religious divisions in countries of belated capitalist development cannot be overcome, under the leadership of the bourgeoisie. The defense of democratic rights and the overcoming of ethnic and religious conflict require a turn to the working class, mobilized on an international and socialist program against capitalism and imperialist war. None of these struggles can be advanced without a direct struggle against imperialism, nationalism and war. Expressions of concern over the Hagia Sophia from governments and religious bodies in imperialist countries of America and Europe are false to the core. Their manifestly hypocritical criticisms only play into the hands of the Turkish bourgeoisies promotion of nationalismamid explosive tensions between Turkey and not only Russia, but also its ostensible NATO allies including Washington, Paris and Athens in Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. While French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian declared France deplores Ankaras decision, which European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called regrettable, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement on July 1 urging Erdogan to continue to maintain the Hagia Sophia as a museum and adding that he views a change in the status of the Hagia Sophia as diminishing the legacy of this remarkable building ... The imperialist ruling classes have overseen for decades the plundering of priceless cultural sites across the Middle East, and their empty invocations of concern today deserve nothing but contempt. The Iraqi National Museum was looted after the illegal US-led invasion of country in 2003. The NATO proxy war in Syria, launched by Washington and the European powers, led to the destruction of cultural sites dating back millennia, such as the old city of Palmyra. While the Trump administration criticizes Erdogans transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, it supported the granting of full control over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa mosque to the Israeli state. Imperialist governments obscene looting of the globe with wars, bank bailouts, tax cuts and other hand-outs to the global financial aristocracy goes hand-in-hand with disregard for art and culture in their own countries. As Le Drian hypocritically expresses his concern over the Hagia Sophia, he said nothing of the fate of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. His own government spent so little on fire security during the catherdrals renovation that a fire destroyed the roof and spire and very nearly the entire building, which is closed for years to come. The Erdogan governments transformation of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque is an exposure not only of the Turkish bourgeoisie. It is a warning that amid an intensifying spiral of war and a deadly global pandemic, the capitalist class around the world is engaged in a relentless promotion of nationalism and religious politics that, if it is not stopped, can only end in even greater disasters. The social force that can and must be mobilized against this growing drive to war is the international working class. Already before the COVID-19 pandemic, mass strikes in the United States and yellow vest protests in Francetogether with mass protests from Algeria and Lebanon to those in Iraq and Iran over the US murder of Iranian General Soleimanisignaled a new upsurge of the class struggle. The critical question is to unify these growing struggles of the international working class by arming them with a socialist and anti-imperialist perspective. This is the only way to stop the drive to war, growing incitement of religious and national divisions by the bourgeoisie, and to defend the common cultural and historical heritage of humanity. Queen Mathilde of Belgium put on a stunning display in a coordinated gown and mask as she joined King Phillipe at a concert in Brussels this evening. Mathilde, 47, and Philippe, 60, attended a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts museum in capital, in prelude to the national holiday. The Belgian Queen looked stunning in the magenta cape dress, matching her face mask to the ensemble and adding a remarkable diamond necklace and drop earrings. Sweeping her hair into an up-do, she added height to her stature with gold sandals, and a coordinating clutch. Queen Mathilde, 47, and King Philippe of Belgium, 60, were attending a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. The royal couple stunned fans tonight with acolour coordinated outfits Mathilde, 47, and Philippe, 60, attended a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts museum in capital, in prelude to the national holiday King Philippe looked dashing in a pinstripe navy suit and mask, wearing a vibrant tie to match his wife's ensemble. Arriving at the venue, Mathilde carried a bouquet of flowers as she placed a mask over her face when stepping inside. The couple were attending a concert ahead of Belgium's national holiday on July 21. Mathilde accessorised with a statement necklace and a pair of matching earrings. She wore the gown with a pair of platform stilettos and a small clutch bag The royal couple made sure to respect sanitary guidelines and more masks just like all the other attendees Mathilde has been experimenting with bold colour-block combinations lately. She put on a vibrant display as she completed an engagement in Western Belgium, near the French border on Sunday. The royal wore a a vibrant green blazer dress, which she teamed with a face mask as she took part in a meet and greet at the Technical Institute of the French Community Val-Itma in Tournai. The mother-of-four, 46, was given a tour of the institute, where she met with teachers and pupils to discuss the impact of coronavirus on the school. The couple took their masks off before heading in to attending the concert at the Palais des Beaux-Art It was the royal's fourth public appearance since the start of Belgium's coronavirus lockdown, with Queen Mathilde opting to wear a mask on each occasion. The royal couple are parents to Princess Elizabeth and her siblings Prince Gabriel, 16, Prince Emmanuel, 14 and Princess Eleonore, 12. The Queen's eldest daughter Princess Elisabeth of Belgium will start at the national military academy this autumn after completing her secondary education at a Welsh boarding school. The heir to the throne, 18, will follow in her father's footsteps by enrolling at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, where she will learn about military and social affairs that will help her prepare for her future role as Queen. Elisabeth is the heir apparent to the Belgian throne - the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. A change in the law a decade ago made it possible for the eldest child, male or female, to ascend the throne in the country. She will become the country's first Queen Regent if she takes up the role. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Patrick Galey (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Wed, July 15, 2020 10:10 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666637c4 2 Environment methane,emission,air-pollution,climate-change,environment,environmental-issues Free Emissions of methane -- a planet-warming gas several times more potent than carbon dioxide -- have risen by nine percent in a decade driven by mankind's insatiable hunger for energy and food, a major international study concluded Wednesday. Methane (CH4) has a warming potential 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period and its concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled since the Industrial Revolution. Over a 20-year period, it is more than 80 times as potent. While there are a number of natural methane sources such as wetlands and lakes, the team behind the study concluded that 60 percent of CH4 emissions are now manmade. These sources fall principally into three categories: extracting and burning fossil fuels for power, agriculture including livestock, and waste management. The 2015 Paris climate agreement saw nations commit to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Farenheit) above pre-industrial levels. While emissions are expected to fall somewhat this year due to the pandemic, the levels of atmospheric methane are increasing by around 12 parts per billion each year. This trajectory is in line with a scenario modeled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that sees Earth warming as much as 3-4C by 2100. "Regular updates of the global methane budget are necessary ... because reducing methane emissions would have a rapid positive effect on climate," said Marielle Saunois, a researcher at France's Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environment and lead on the study. "To meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, not only do CO2 emissions need to be reduced but also methane emissions." The Global Carbon Project, a consortium of more than 50 research institutions around the world, has gathered data from more than 100 observation stations. The world now produces around 50 million additional tons of methane every year than it did between 2000-2006. Around 60 percent of manmade CH4 emissions were estimated to come from agriculture and waste, including as much as 30 percent from the digestive processes of cattle and sheep. Twenty-two percent comes from the extraction and burning of oil and gas, while 11 percent leaks from the world's coal mines, the study found. But recent studies based on new techniques for spotting methane leaks using satellite data suggest that emissions from the oil and gas sector may be significantly higher than those shown in the study, which only included data through 2017. Short-term threat While the overall trend is upwards, emissions levels fluctuate between regions. For instance, Africa, China and Asia each produce 10-15 million tons annually. The US churns out around 4-5 million tons. Europe is the only region where methane emissions are falling -- between 2-4 million tons since 2006, depending on the estimation method. The United Nations says that to hit the more ambitious Paris target of a 1.5-C warming cap, all greenhouse gas emissions must fall by 7.6 percent annually this decade. "The 20 year framework [of methane's warming effect] may be more appropriate given our policy goals," said Saunois. The National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has recognised the Geographical Indication (GI) for the Ly Son garlic products and more than 100 members of the Ly Son Garlic Association. Ly Son Islands-rooted garlic is seen as special farm produce of Quang Ngai Province. The product has Geographical Indication (GI) for better protection. VNS Photo Son Ly Son Vice chairwoman of the Ly Son Islands District Peoples Committee, Pham Thi Huong confirmed the decision to Viet Nam News, stating the GI was granted a year after submission. She said the GI would help promote the islands key farm produce brand and protect the original garlic from being hurt by fake garlic from other provinces. Its a progressive step in turning the islands garlic as a typical key farm produce for sustainable development. We have been calling on investment from the private sector in starting up high-tech and sustainable garlic farming for export, Huong said. The district and the Ministry of Science and Technology would build a strict rule on organic crops garlic and purple onion on the islands. Farmers are encouraged to use less coral sand as soil for garlic plantations. In 2007, the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam also recognised the brand ownership for the products of Ly Son Island, including garlic, onions, seafood, garlic wine, dried seafood and seaweed for 50 households on the island. According to the island district, islanders could produce 2,500 tonnes of garlic and 6,500 tonnes of purple onion on 1,000ha of farmland per year. In recent years, the mass trade of fake garlic has hurt the islands signature product, and dozens of companies and shops sold fake products. Ly Son garlic is priced at VND60,000 (US$2.6) for a fresh kilo, and VND150,000 ($6.6) for a dried kilo, according to the district. The island plans to produce organic black garlic as well as garlic oil for export to Japan, the US and other Asian countries. The islands, known as the Kingdom of Garlic in Vietnam, have around 22,000 inhabitants, of whom 73 per cent make their living from farming garlic and spring onions, alongside fishing. Local farmers on the island have been gradually applying safe farming techniques and have joined value chains with high productivity. Garlic is farmed on Ly Son Islands, off the coast of Quang Ngai Province. The farm produce is an attraction for tourists. VNS Photo Chu Manh Trinh The province has included the islands and nine districts of Quang Ngai in the Ly Son-Sa Huynh Global Geo-Park list for recognition by UNESCO. Eco-tour services have developed on the islands with 18 hotels, guest houses and 56 homestays for hosting up to 2,000 visitors. Annually, more than 200,000 tourists visit the islands and An Binh Islet which were formed by dormant volcanoes. The terrain of the islands was created from eruptions 25 to 30 million years ago, leaving landscapes with rocks, caves, cliffs, arches and a lake. VNS Geographical indication given to Ly Son garlic The National Intellectual Property Office handed over a certificate to the Peoples Committee of Ly Son island district recognising its specialty garlic with a geographical indication (GI) during a ceremony on July 5. Apple cured its big tax headache in Europe. Its now facing far bigger antitrust problems on both sides of the Atlantic. In a rare piece of unalloyed good news for an American tech giant, an EU court on Wednesday overturned a landmark $15 billion tax bill slapped on Apple by European authorities. But this notable setback for regulators and techs political antagonists will likely be brief. Less than two weeks from now, CEO Tim Cook is set to join his counterparts at Facebook, Google and Amazon in a congressional hearing focused on the companies alleged antitrust abuses an arena where Apples cash-cow App Store is emerging as one of its biggest vulnerabilities. Even worse for Apple, both the Trump administration and the EUs antitrust authorities appear to be of similar mindsets in examining the companys ironclad control of its app platform. POLITICO reported last month that the U.S. Justice Department and a coalition of state attorneys general have taken the first steps toward an antitrust case against Apple, just after European competition officials announced two investigations of the company. Some national authorities in Europe, including in the Netherlands, have also begun probes of Apples treatment of news media apps. Apps and related subscription services represent Apples second largest source of revenue, after iPhone sales, as well as its biggest growth area. So any successful antitrust case over the App Store would have a huge impact, said Shili Shao, who wrote two recent papers on antitrust concerns about Apple. Tens of billions of dollars are at stake, Shao added. Apple didnt respond to a request for comment on the ongoing antitrust probes or an opportunity to interview Cook. The company said it was pleased with the decision on its tax bill, noting that it paid more than $100 billion in corporate taxes worldwide over the past decade. At its annual developers conference last month, Apple announced that it would make some changes to its App Store later this summer to assuage some developer concerns, including the ability to appeal the company's guidelines for app approvals. The company hasn't yet said how those appeals will work or when they will begin. Story continues FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 file photo, European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels. A European Union high court on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 ruled in favor of technology giant Apple and Ireland in its dispute with the EU over 13 billion euros, 15 billion US dollars in back taxes. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) Wednesdays tax decision was a setback for EU competition czar Margrethe Vestager, who ruled four years ago that Ireland must claw back 13 billion in unpaid levies plus interest that it had failed to impose on Apple. Vestagers crusade against Apple inspired objections from the Obama administration and friction with President Donald Trump, who has dismissed her as the tax lady who really hates the U.S. The European Commission can still appeal the tax case to Europe's highest court, the European Court of Justice. Vestager said in a statement that the Commission would "carefully study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps." In contrast with those trans-Atlantic tax tensions, antitrust authorities in both the U.S. and Europe have expressed interest in developers complaints that Apple imposes unfair restrictions on how they can access the company's popular operating system. In particular, companies have complained about Apples in-app payment system, which takes a 30 percent cut of most transactions, including app downloads and services like music and dating app subscriptions. Apple is also in the crosshairs of a July 27 hearing of the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, where Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos and Google's Sundar Pichai have all agreed to testify virtually in a first-of-its kind joint appearance of tech's most powerful CEOs. Unlike with Googles rival Android platform, developers must get Apples approval to offer their applications on Apples App Store. Apple also makes it impossible for typical users to install apps from sources outside the App Store. It is very difficult for developers and apps to speak out because Apple is the only way for them to reach Apple users. The power that they have is enormous, said Melissa Newham, one of Shaos co-authors and a Ph.D. candidate in economics at KU Leuven University in Belgium. Apple's control of the App Store also gives the company unmatched access to data, she said. They can learn about the performance of rival apps, said Newham, who focuses on competition policy and worked as a trainee at the European Commissions competition unit. They can see which apps consumers are using and paying for, and which apps are likely to be successful in future. This is incredibly valuable information which can be used to build their own apps going forward. Rival apps do not have access to this data." Shao, who recently graduated from Yale Law School, has more than an academic interest in Apple: He previously ran an online education start-up in China and helped develop the companys iOS app. As an app developer, Shao experienced firsthand how Apples policies can impact smaller companies. Shao, Newham and four other Yale Law students researched the antitrust case against Apple as part of Yales Thurman Arnold Project, which is funded by the nonprofit Knight Foundation and Omidyar Network, a foundation by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. The project aims to study competition in the digital economy, with a particular focus on major tech platforms like Google, Facebook and Amazon. In mid-May, they presented their findings on Apple to a group of officials at the Federal Trade Commission, including Democratic Commissioner Rohit Chopra. Aside from any immediate change to Apple revenue, an antitrust suit would also have a long-term strategic impact on the company as it seeks to pivot from selling smartphones and tablets to offering more services like music, video and games. In 2019, Apple brought in $260 billion in revenue. Of that, services which includes the money made from the App Store and subscriptions like Apple Music and Apple TV accounted for $54.2 billion, the second largest category after iPhone sales. The App Store is their biggest growth area, said Sally Hubbard, director of enforcement strategy at Open Markets Institute, an advocacy group that has called for tougher antitrust action against big tech companies. The ability to put a thumb on the scale in favor of their own services on their platform is an easy path to growth that all the tech giants have been using. Hubbard, whose forthcoming book, Monopolies Suck, explores the iPhone-makers market power, said regulators have focused less on Apple because the company has historically been viewed as the maker of luxury goods and its conduct creates fewer immediate harms than the other tech giants. She dubbed the company everyone's "favorite monopolist. Were not seeing some of the huge democracy harms weve seen with Facebook and Google in terms of speech, and elections, disinformation, and were not seeing the really aggressive bullying tactics that we see out of Amazon, she said. Its important to protect economic liberty and entrepreneurialism, but thats not quite the same as disinformation and elections. Its more a question of prioritization than actually the merits. But I think theres a strong case there. Simon van Dorpe contributed to this report. The Death of the Liberal US University Occurred This Month Commentary Many of us are already aware of the decline of U.S. universities. Once, they were the bastions of liberal ideology, the pinnacles of academic achievement that produced the greatest breakthroughs in the world and some of the greatest thinkers of each generation. They were the envy of the world. It was a goal of many people from underclass and working-class American families, immigrants, and foreigners to send their children to be educated at one of these institutions. It was a great achievement to graduate because it meant not only a great job was waiting, along with almost assured financial success, but that students had competed and succeeded based on their abilities alone. Was it perfect? No. Was it always a level playing field? No. As a Jew, I knew that, like many other institutions, there would be some who would make my life harder, and my goals more difficult to reach. But in the end, if I succeeded, it was as a result of my abilities and hard work. So where did the liberal university begin and where did it die? Both occurred at the same placemy alma mater, Cornell University. It began in 1865 and it died about two weeks ago. Cornell was founded in 1865, shortly after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which granted federal land to each state to set up a college for teaching greatly needed practical skills, in particular agriculture, engineering, and military tactics. It was founded by two men from highly different backgrounds, which accounts for it becoming unique among U.S. universities and setting standards that were first adopted by Stanford University, which was modeled after Cornell, and later by all American universities. Cornells namesake, Ezra Cornell, was a self-taught working mana carpenter, a mechanic, a farmer, and an inventor. He invented machinery for laying telegraph cables, worked with Samuel Morse, and created his fortune through his company, Western Union. He joined Lincolns abolitionist Republican Party and served as a senator for New York for many years. Cornell believed in the need for highly skilled technical people; he had little respect for philosophers and other abstract thinkers. He wanted to build an institution that would train students in practical skills so that they could be productive members of society. Andrew Dickson White came from a wealthy family and attended Yale University. After graduation, he traveled the world and then took a position as professor of history and English literature at the University of Michigan. White also joined Lincolns Republican Party because of his devotion to the abolitionist movement, about which he wrote many legal arguments. He served as a diplomat to Germany, where he became fascinated with the unique German model of liberal education. White treasured the study of humanities as providing required knowledge for being good, informed citizens of our society. These two pioneers, though different in many ways, had a common philosophy that cemented their partnership and friendship and drove their vision for creating a great university. This philosophy was enshrined in Cornells simple and clear motto: I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study. Cornells motto wasnt simply window dressing to attract funding or to appeal to an elite student body. Cornell was one of the few higher educational institutions in America, at the time of its inauguration in 1868, that admitted women, and offered the same classes as to the male students. The other Ivy League schools had sister schools, but never actually admitted women until as late as 1982. Cornell was one of the first major educational institutions in America that admitted African Americans. George Washington Fields was a former slave who graduated from the Cornell Law School in 1890, a time when blacks were excluded from many other U.S. universities. Photographs from that time period show black and white students comfortably coexisting on campus. Most American universities at the time of Cornells founding had a church and a Christian denomination to which it adhered. Harvard University was founded with the purpose, to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity, dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches. Yale University was founded with strict adherence to orthodox Puritanism. Princeton University was founded by Presbyterians for the purpose of training its ministers. Cornell was founded without devotion to any particular religion. Cornells Sage Chapel was funded by businessman and philanthropist Henry Sage, on the conditions that it would never be delivered over to one sect, and that students should be attracted but not coerced into it. While Jews were overtly and later privately restricted from admission to Americas most prestigious universities, they were openly accepted at Cornell. Each person was accepted according to their abilities, and graduation from Cornell meant that they had met the same requirements as any other Cornell graduate. While these values of equality have been eroding over the past decades at American universities, it appears to have met the death blow in recent weeks. In particular, Cornell has just announced a scholarship for students that is predicated on one criterionthe persons skin color. The Robert 92 and Carola Jain Cornell Promise Scholarship will be given to black students only. The first question I have is, who is black? Is it someone descended from a slave in America? Is it someone with at least one parent, one grandparent, or one great-grandparent who has identifiably dark skin in a photograph? Does it include students from Africa or only African Americans? Does it include people from India? From Jamaica? Will the administrators of the scholarship perform DNA tests? Perhaps its based on the one-drop rule used by racists and slaveholders for decades to segregate and persecute African Americans. Will someone identifying as black be expelled if they cant prove their blackness? For years, these criteria were used surreptitiously. As a teenager, I was turned down for a scholarship at a prestigious school where I was informed that, while I got the highest score on the tests, I was not the kind of person they were seeking to support. When Princeton accepted its one student from my high school, it was the highest achieving non-Jew in the school, skipping over 18 more qualified students. When I interviewed students for admission to Cornell, I found that the white and Asian students that I recommended were rarely accepted. The slide down this slippery slope at Cornell started years ago, but accelerated recently, as signaled by the $50 million donation by billionaire Robert F. Smith and his Tech Scholars Program for minority and female students only. Its hard for me to understand how a billionaire African American can claim systemic racism held him down. I took pride in having attended a highly respected university known for its high standards, competing and cooperating with some of the best minds in the world, and which set the bar in the United States for equal opportunity in higher education. I believed in Cornells motto that even a Jewish student from a working-class family like me could attend and excel. I cherished the environment at Cornell, where I sat and befriended people of every ethnic, religious, and class background, where we conversed, debated, and partied on equal footing, without questioning how any of us got admitted or whether any of us belonged there. For me, now, that feeling of pride is gone. Opinions like mine in this article are rarely tolerated these days, especially by institutions of higher learning. This is exemplified by the boycott and protests against Cornell Law School professor William A. Jacobson, due to his public criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement. My one hope is that money still matters. As a longtime donor to Cornell, Ive made it known to the Cornell administration that they should no longer expect my dollars. Im reaching out to other donors to do the same. Perhaps financial pressure will return Cornell to its roots of race-blind, religion-blind, and sex-blind policies, and where true freedom and equality will once again be a core value as intended by its founders. Bob Zeidman has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. He is an inventor and the founder of successful high-tech Silicon Valley firms, including Zeidman Consulting and Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering. He also writes novels; his latest is the political satire Good Intentions. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Britain should face retaliation over its decision to ban Huawei from its 5G networks, Chinese state-backed media urged, dubbing the move "ill-founded." On Tuesday, the U.K. said the country's mobile network operators will not be allowed to buy new Huawei 5G gear after Dec. 31. And the carriers must also strip out existing Huawei 5G gear by the end of 2027. The decision marked a U-turn by London after initially allowing Huawei to play a limited role in the U.K.'s next-generation mobile networks. New U.S. sanctions in May, aimed at cutting off Huawei from chip supplies made using American software and equipment, prompted an emergency review by Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The organization said that "Huawei's long term ability to build products using state-of-the-art technology has been severely affected." "The U.K. can no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment," the country's digital minister, Oliver Dowden, said on Tuesday. Huawei urged the government to reconsider the move, adding it was "confident" the new U.S. restrictions "would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply." And while U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.K.'s decision "advances Transatlantic security in the #5G era while protecting citizens' privacy, national security, and free-world values," Chinese state media urged retaliation. "It's necessary for China to retaliate against UK, otherwise wouldn't we be too easy to bully? Such retaliation should be public and painful for the UK," the Global Times wrote. "But it's unnecessary to turn it into a China-UK confrontation. The UK is not the US, nor Australia, nor Canada. It is a relative 'weak link' in the Five Eyes. In the long run, the UK has no reason to turn against China, with the Hong Kong issue fading out." The state-backed publication was referencing Britain's criticisms of the new Hong Kong national security law that has stoked tensions between London and Beijing. The Global Times did not outline what retaliation would entail. Meanwhile, another state-backed publication, Xinhua, called the U.K.'s decision on Huawei "ill-founded" and said the move could negatively affect the investment environment in Britain. "London's reversal on Huawei will also cost Britain its credibility. As a global financial and trade center, as well as a favorable destination for overseas investments, it is in the country's best interests to maintain a fair, open and indiscriminate market," Xinhua wrote. Real WorldLater this year, Peter Gabriel will release four archival live albums as multiple-LP vinyl sets, three of which have never before been available on vinyl. The albums -- Plays Live, Live in Athens 1987, Secret World Live and Growing Up Live -- have been half-speed remastered and will come with cards allowing access a high-res digital download of the records. Plays Live, Gabriel's first solo live album, will be re-released as a two-LP set on August 28. Originally released in 1983, the album was compiled from performances at four U.S. venues in the Midwest in late 1982. The shows focused on material from Peter's first four self-titled solo efforts. Live in Athens 1987 will be issued as a two-LP set on September 25. The album was recorded in the Greek capital at the last concerts of Gabriel's This Way Up world tour, which supported his multi-platinum 1986 album, So. Live in Athens 1987 initially was released in 2012 as a two-CD set and a DVD as part of the deluxe 25th anniversary So reissue. Secret World Live will be issued as a two-LP set on October 23. The album features performances from two concerts Gabriel played in November 1993 in Modena, Italy, during his Secret World Live tour, which promoted Peter's 1992 album, Us. The concert album, which never has been available on vinyl, originally was released as a two-CD set in September 1994. Growing Up Live will be released as a three-LP set on November 27. The album features the audio from a 2003 home video of the same name. It was recorded at two shows in May 2003 in Milan, Italy, during Gabriel's tour in support of his 2002 studio effort, Up. By Matt Friedlander Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Niagara Falls will recognize the late Wilma Morrison in several ways for her tireless efforts to bring Niagaras rich Black history to life. During Tuesdays meeting, city council approved re-installing the street signs with the Running Man icon in the Peer Street area. Politicians also approved three recommendations from a committee, including naming the eastern courtyard at the future cultural hub The Wilma Morrison Courtyard, with lettering in a prominent location; a temporary public-art panel in the courtyard focused on Morrison and her work; and that the permanent Black history exhibit at the Niagara Falls History Museum be dedicated to Morrison. So fitting, said Coun. Victor Pietrangelo of the recognition. Morrison, who was well respected for her passionate advocacy of Niagaras Black history for decades, died April 23. She was 91. Morrison fought to save the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls from demolition in the 1990s. The Peer Street church is where many former slaves congregated after fleeing the U.S. via Niagaras Underground Railroad. Thanks to Morrison, it was declared a heritage site in 2000. Morrison received numerous awards for her dedication to Black history and her volunteer efforts, including the Order of Ontario, the highest official honour the province can bestow. At the May 12 council meeting, the city received a letter from Jim Doherty of the Niagara Military Museum about the need to recognize Morrisons work. Council directed the citys recreation and culture department to strike a committee to determine the best way to recognize Morrison. The committee consisted of her friends, family, local history officials and city staff. Committee members talked about the Running Man icons that were once installed in the Peer Street neighbourhood but are now gone. The city had also put the icon on the current Grey Street. The city worked with the local heritage community in 2001 to install the icon, which is internationally recognized as a sign of an escaped slave, in several locations and promised to ensure they would be maintained by the city. With the passing of Morrison, committee members felt it would be prudent to live up to this commitment and recognize Morrisons important work in providing recognition to those who contributed to the early history of the community. The cultural hub will be constructed close to the BME Church that Morrison was so active in preserving. The area was also the centre of the early Black community and those who knew Morrison best liked the courtyard naming because of her commitment to ensuring people communicated with each other and have a dialogue and understanding of where they come from and their history. The art installation will provide context. Niagara Falls Museums will also be hosting the North is Freedom exhibition by photographer Yuri Dojc. The photo exhibit celebrates the descendants of freedom-seekers who escaped slavery in the United States in the years before the American Civil War. Some came entirely alone and unaided; others found their way to Canada with the help of a clandestine network of conductors and stations called the Underground Railroad. Morrison is highlighted in the exhibition, which will open in September. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 18:46:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the move of the U.S. side of signing the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" into law, said a statement released on the foreign ministry's website Wednesday. In disregard of China's serious representations, the United States recently signed into law the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" passed by its Congress, according to the statement. The Act maliciously denigrates the national security legislation for Hong Kong, and threatens to impose sanctions on China. It seriously violates international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations. It constitutes gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. "The Chinese government firmly opposes and strongly condemns this move by the United States," said the statement. The enactment and enforcement of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is fully consistent with the relevant provisions of the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. It provides the institutional and legal safeguards for the sound and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems," and serves to uphold sovereignty, security and development interests of the country as well as the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. The Law is unanimously supported and endorsed by all the Chinese people including the people in Hong Kong, the statement said. Noting Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, the statement said Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere. China is firmly resolved to uphold its sovereignty and security, safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and oppose external meddling in Hong Kong affairs. The U.S. attempt to obstruct the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong will never succeed. In order to safeguard its legitimate interests, China will make necessary response and sanction the relevant individuals and entities of the United States, said the statement. "We urge the U.S. side to correct its mistakes, not to enforce the so-called 'Hong Kong Autonomy Act,' and stop interfering in Hong Kong and other internal affairs of China in any way," it said, adding that if the U.S. side insists on going in the wrong direction, China will respond resolutely. Enditem PHOTO: Workers' Party members witness the overseas ballot count for GE2020 at the Elections Department Training Centre on 15 July 2020. (PHOTO: WP's Terence Tan/Facebook) SINGAPORE A group of Workers Party (WP) members turned up at the Elections Department Training Centre at Victoria Street on Wednesday (15 July) to witness the counting of overseas ballots for the 2020 General Election (GE). Among them were WP chairman and incumbent Aljunied GRC MP Sylvia Lim, fellow Aljunied MP-elect Gerald Giam, Sengkang GRC MP-elect He Ting Ru, Hougang SMC MP-elect Dennis Tan, and other candidates from the leading opposition party who took part in the GE. Terence Tan, WPs East Coast GRC candidate, posted a slip of the vote count of overseas ballots for the GRC on his Facebook page. It showed that WP garnered 147 votes versus 135 votes for the Peoples Action Party (PAP). During the GE, the PAP, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, won East Coast GRC, securing 53.41 per cent of the vote share (61,009 votes), compared with 46.59 per cent (53,228 votes) for the WP. PHOTO: Workers' Party members witness the overseas ballot count for GE2020 at the Elections Department Training Centre on 15 July 2020. (PHOTO: WP's Sylvia Lim/Instagram) Nicole Seah, who also contested as part of the WP East Coast GRC team, posted the same overseas vote count on her Instagram page. Thanking the East Coast voters living overseas, she said that the WP understands it is an arduous process for them to cast their votes overseas. Many factors such as limited polling stations and a logistically arduous journey for many living in large continents, lack of online voting, hiccups with voter registration mean that only a tiny fraction of overseas Singaporeans are able to vote. Nevertheless, we are deeply appreciative for the efforts of those who who made it, and made your vote count, she added. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore GE2020 stories GE2020: ELD apologises for miscommunication that prevented woman from voting report GE2020: Leader of the Opposition role reflects WP's coming of age, say analysts GE2020: PSP will 'respect' WP's Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition - Tan Cheng Bock An elderly nursing home patient died over the weekend while waiting in line for a drive-thru COVID-19 test in the parking lot of a Utah clinic. The 71-year-old man, who has not been named, was brought in a van by a driver and a caregiver from Mountain View Health Services to be tested at the Intermountain Healthcare clinic in North Ogden on Sunday. However, by the time the vehicle arrived at the front of the line, the man was found unresponsive, cold to the touch, and likely deceased, Intermountain Healthcare said in a statement. Testing center caregivers acted quickly and followed correct procedures by immediately calling 911, but EMS workers could not revive the individual. The 71-year-old man, who has not been named, was brought by a driver and a caregiver from Mountain View Health Services to be tested at the Intermountain Healthcare clinic (above) in North Ogden on Sunday Its currently unclear if the nursing home residents death was related to COVID-19. Intermountain said the testing center was fully staffed and the number of people waiting to be tested was significantly lower than average on Sunday. The wait time for testing was no longer than 45 minutes on the day the man died, the clinic told KUTV. Deputy Chief Jeremiah Jones, of the North View Fire District, told Fox 13 that the elderly man had been discovered in a state of cardiac respiratory arrest. According to Jones, Cardiac respiratory arrest is when you have no heartbeat and you're not breathing on your own. The Deputy Chief said there are a number of ways a person can suffer cardiac respiratory arrests, including a heart-attack or from complications brought on by COVID-19. However, Jones insisted that emergency services do not diagnose in the field and said its too early to determine why the 71-year-old died suddenly. North Ogden Mayor Neal Berube also called for patience. I think until an autopsy is performed, we shouldnt jump to conclusions, he said. It would be very unfortunate to try to place blame on what happened here... the anxiety, the fear that's present in our community, it just gets compounded when we jump to conclusions, the mayor continued. However, by the time the vehicle arrived at the front of the line of the drive-thru testing site, the man was found unresponsive, cold to the touch, and likely deceased' (file photo of testing site at South Mountain Community College, AZ) The deceased patient was a resident at Mountain View Health Services in Ogden (above) Berube said he believes the patient was getting tested as he was due to undergo surgery in the coming days. The mayor also voiced confidence that the clinic is adequately coping with the demand for testing as in previous days wait times had been in excess of several hours. North Ogden Mayor Neal Berube (above) also called for patience. I think until an autopsy is performed, we shouldnt jump to conclusions, he said. Safety of patients and the community is number one. I believe that if additional resources are identified then Intermountain Healthcare, following their values and their mission that they would make sure resources are there, Berube said. Any given day, you don't know how many patients are going to show up to get tested. It's not a pre-scheduling situation. Neither Intermountain Healthcare nor Mountain View Health Services have yet returned a DailyMail.com request for comment. To date, Utah has reported 30,769 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 226 deaths. Hospitalizations in the state reached an all-time high of 209 on Sunday, with 26 more admitted on Monday. San Juan County had the highest rate of new infections in Utah, averaging 60 new cases a day per 100,000 people for the week ending Monday. Officials have attributed the surge to an outbreak at a nursing home in Blanding. Ten people died statewide Tuesday, the highest single-day death toll in Utah since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, the US has reported 3,431,744 confirmed coronavirus cases since March. More than 136,000 Americans have so far died from the highly infectious disease. The US has reported 3,431,744 confirmed coronavirus cases since March. More than 136,000 Americans have so far died from the highly infectious disease Throughout all of these releases and merged changes, OpenStack evolved into the only open source integration engine that provides APIs to orchestrate bare metal, virtual machines and container resources on a single network. OpenStack, one of the top three most active open source projects, marks its 10th anniversary this month by hosting a virtual celebration with its global community of more than 100,000 supporters. What: OpenStack Virtual 10th Anniversary Celebration When: July 16, 10am CDT // 15:00 UTC Join: Live Event Link (registration not required) Key Facts: Launched in 2010 as a joint project between Rackspace and NASA, OpenStack started as two open source projects to orchestrate virtual machines and object storage. It has evolved into one of the three most active open source projects in the world. Supported by a global community of over 105,000 individuals, the OpenStack project has accomplished several big milestones: 21 on-time releases, from Austin to Ussuri 451 Research projects a $7.7 billion USD OpenStack market by 2023, citing the most growth in Asia (36%), Latin America (27%), Europe (22%), and North America (17%). From two projects in 2010 to 42 projects in 2020 Over 10 million cores in production 500,000+ changes merged 8,000+ individual developers authoring those changes Every day, 900 changes are proposed and 18,000 tests are run to evaluate them Throughout all of these releases and merged changes, OpenStack evolved into the only open source integration engine that provides APIs to orchestrate bare metal, virtual machines and container resources on a single network. The upstream community continues to collaborate with OpenStack operators to ensure the software meets the demands of emerging use cases like edge computing, high performance computing (HPC), AI and Machine Learning, and 5G. The OpenStack Foundation, created to support the global OpenStack Community, has also evolved as well in its mission to establish new open source communities to advance areas where technology can successfully contribute to the development of open infrastructure: AI/Machine Learning, CI/CD, Container Infrastructure, Edge Computing and of course, Public, Private and Hybrid Clouds. The OSF now supports multiple Open Infrastructure projects, including Airship, Kata Containers, OpenInfra Labs, OpenStack, StarlingX, and Zuul. About the OpenStack Foundation The OpenStack Foundation(OSF) supports the development and adoption of open infrastructure globally, across a community of over 100,000 individuals in 187 countries, by hosting open source projects and communities of practice, including datacenter cloud, edge computing, NFV, CI/CD and container infrastructure. ### The opposition National Democratic Congress in Ajumako Enyan Essiam says it will petition the five paramount Chiefs in Ajumako to intervene in the alleged bussing of non-residents to register in the ongoing voter registration exercise. The Communications Officer for the NDC in the area, Galahad Alex Andoh, said although the Electoral Commission is on top of issues, more needs to be done to prevent outsiders from registering. When they bring in the foreigners, we usually don't want to allow them to register so we use every means possible to stop them and sometimes it leads to confusion and chaos. So we are telling all well-meaning people of Essiam and Ajumako, the chiefs, the security council and the district police command to advise the parliamentary candidate to avoid some of these things. We don't want this area to be captured as one of the flag points in the country. The busing is becoming too many. Even though we also bus people here, they are indigenes and not outsiders. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission on Monday, July 13, 2020, warned parliamentary candidates and operatives of political parties to desist from transporting applicants to registration centres. Dr Bossman Eric Asare, EC Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services, further asked operatives of political parties to stop fronting for people who were not Ghanaians. He said, the Commission needs the support of all our stakeholders to compile a clean register. He appealed to the political parties to educate their agents to avoid challenges that were needless, saying, challenges must be based on evidence of people violating the rules on voter registration. Dr Asare said some registered applicants were challenged by agents of political parties, adding, the District Registration Review Committees in the districts have started sitting to check whether those who have been challenged qualify to register and vote at the centres where they were challenged. It is important to point out that a number of these challenges are as a result of people who are alleged not to be citizens of Ghana and not resident in the electoral areas where they want to register and vote. ---citinewsroom Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced on Wednesday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, weeks after attending a campaign rally for President Trump in Tulsa. During a remote press conference, Stitt said he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon. The Republican is the first governor in the United States to announce a positive test. I feel fine, Stitt said. I felt a little bit achy yesterday. I did not have a fever. He said he is working with contact tracers and will keep working from home in isolation. His wife and children have tested negative, he said. Stitt attended Trumps controversial campaign rally in Tulsa on June 20. Health officials there said the rally more than likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases. The past two days weve had almost 500 cases, and we know we had several large events a little over two weeks ago, which is about right, Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Bruce Dart said on July 9. So I guess we just connect the dots. At least eight Trump campaign staffers who attended the rally in Tulsa later tested positive for the coronavirus, according to CNN. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at President Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., on June 20. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) On the eve of the rally, Stitt downplayed concerns about holding the event amid the pandemic. We have been safely reopening, he said during an interview with Fox News on June 16. We were one of the first states to start reopening. So, were 57 days into our reopening campaign, and we feel like its the right time to start reopening. So were excited about the president coming. Stitt, who did not wear a mask at the rally, said Wednesday that he does not believe his exposure came from the event. He also said he would not have been contagious before this past Saturday, but its unclear how he would know that. On Tuesday, Oklahoma reported 993 new coronavirus cases, its highest single-day tally since the pandemic began. Overall, the state has had more than 21,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 428 deaths. We need to take this virus very seriously, Stitt said. We need to come together and make sure each one of us is doing the best we can to slow the spread." Story continues Many states have mandated that people wear face coverings to stop the spread of the virus when social distancing is not possible. Concern over rising cases and deaths recently prompted the governors of Alabama, Kentucky and Louisiana to join more than a dozen other states that have some form of a statewide mask mandate. But Stitt said that Oklahoma wont be one of them. Im not thinking about a mask mandate at all, he said, adding: Im hesitant to mandate something that is problematic to enforce. ___ Read more from Yahoo News: Three alleged drug dealers accused of plotting to murder a rival were arrested after police decoded their conversations on an encrypted military-grade chat room, the Old Bailey heard today. Michael Ematuwo and Calvin Crump, both 24, along with Jimmy Gottshalk, 32, allegedly conspired to kill an unknown person on Encrochat after a row over the supply of class A drugs. Encrochat is an encrypted, military-grade communications network used by 60,000 people worldwide. Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, told the court: 'We are awaiting provisional and evidential copies of the servers from which the Encrochat communications of these defendants are available. Three alleged drug dealers accused of plotting to murder a rival were arrested after police decoded their conversations on an encrypted military-grade chat room, the Old Bailey heard today. Pictured: Police raid a property in June as part of an investigation on Encrochat Encrochat is an encrypted, military-grade communications network used by 60,000 people worldwide Michael Ematuwo and Calvin Crump, both 24, along with Jimmy Gottshalk, 32, allegedly conspired to kill an unknown person after a row over the supply of class A drugs (pictured: The Old Bailey) 'That has to be provided by the French authorities pursuant to a EIO (European Investigation Order). 'That has not been presented to us but when it is, it is envisaged further charges will be brought - particularly conspiracy to supply drugs of class A which provides the necessary context for this conspiracy to murder for which they are currently charged.' Mr Atkinson added a fourth suspect is likely to be joined to the case in the coming weeks. This follows a series of raids across the capital which saw hundreds of arrests. More than 100 people from London have been charged since police cracked into the Encrochat messaging service. Crump, of Surrey, Gottshalk, of Wolverhampton and Ematuwo, of Brixton, were all remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on 30 October. They are all charged with conspiracy to murder an unknown person between May 15 and June 6 this year. We're all familiar with the freewheeling documentary series where the host explores a locale or topic through a series of expert queries and colourful encounters. But when that host is Shaun Micallef, an absurdist who tends to treat television as a funhouse for his brimming imagination, the genre's form gets stretched further than usual. Shaun Micallef On The Sauce Credit:ABC In other words this deft series about Australia's tangled relationship with alcohol begins with Micallef on the South Australian road where 100 years ago his inebriated great-great-grandfather dropped his lit pipe and perished in the subsequent car fire. That's an open and shut case of excessive drinking, notes Micallef, "but what about the grey area between the first glass and self-immolation?" A teetotaller for decades but with teenage children approaching the legal drinking age, Micallef is a curious sceptic whose cheery proficiency allows him to ask probing questions to illustrate the often startling official figures about consumption. He notes our national hypocrisy, where the public health message condemns drinking but every prime minister must knock a schooner back for the camera while campaigning, and delivers some historical recapping that is anything but sober. The camera picks up moments of absurdity to complement Micallef's observations, such as a bar-side pan across a B&S ball, and while this first episode tinkers with the documentary form instead of detonating it, the result is informative. Schitt's Creek Streams partnership with DealerSockets DealerFire will allow both companies to innovate faster and provide the best client service in automotive marketing DealerFire, a business unit of DealerSocket, and Stream Companies, a full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled ad agency, today announced a strategic partnership that brings together expert advertising solutions with award-winning technologies to offer dealers a consolidated approach to digital marketing management. This new partnership taps into the power, strengths, and capabilities of both companies to provide dealers with an innovative way to accelerate their digital marketing performance. Stream will serve as the full-service ad agency and ad tech provider and DealerFire as the website and SEO provider for dealers who will now have the best of both offerings combined together. Dealers will continue to receive the white-glove customer service for which both companies are well known. Streams partnership with DealerSockets DealerFire will allow both companies to innovate faster and provide the best client service in automotive marketing, said Dave Regn, co-founder of Stream Companies. Innovation and integrated advertising, plus retailing, are key to long-term growth and competitive positioning in the marketplace. By leveraging each companys technology and expertise, the ongoing partnership aims to drive client success under the following Core Four goals: Spark Retail Traffic with Exclusive Web & Marketing Integrations Captivate, Convince, & Convert with Strong Brand Message Identification True Transparency with Business Intelligence Targeting & Reporting Fanatical Customer Service with Detail-Oriented, High-Touch Support "When I took a closer look at Streams offerings and what it has done to accelerate automotive dealerships advertising returns on investment, I knew it would be a perfect partnership and complement our websites and SEO offerings at DealerFire," said Darren Harris, executive vice president and general manager of retail solutions at DealerSocket. "Todays announcement allows us and Stream to jointly deliver successful digital marketing that dealers need right now. Our partnership will allow dealers to optimize their clicks-to-showroom buying experience with DealerFire websites while fulfilling their broader digital advertising needs with a full-service, fully integrated ad agency with Stream Companies. About Stream Companies Stream Companies is a full-service, fully integrated, tech-enabled advertising agency. With over 20 years of experience in advertising and digital marketing, Stream Companies uses a data-driven and solutions-oriented approach to deliver retail traffic to businesses across the U.S. Currently, Stream is comprised of over 350 team members and has offices in Pennsylvania, Florida, and California. Stream has partnered with over 1,000 businesses, including some of the largest publicly and privately-owned dealership groups in the United States: The CAR Group/Norm Reeves Brands, Group 1 Automotive, and Fred Beans Family of Dealerships. The company has been recognized by Inc. 500/5000 as a "Fastest Growing Company" 12 times, by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a "2019 Top Workplace," named one of the "Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania," and named one of the "Healthiest Employers" many years running. To learn more about Stream's offerings, visit http://www.streamcompanies.com. About DealerSocket DealerSocket is a leading provider of software for the automotive industry, offering a suite of seamlessly integrated products to help dealers sell and service vehicles more profitably, while improving their customers experience. DealerSockets suite of products gives dealers of all sizes advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM), innovative Digital Retail, Marketing and Websites, robust Vehicle Inventory Management, insightful Analytics Reporting, and solutions to streamline dealer operations such as Desking, Credit Reporting, Compliance, an independent-geared Dealer Management System (DMS), as well as Auto/Mate, a leader in franchise DMS. DealerSocket serves more than 9,000 dealerships and 300,000 users. DealerSockets software has helped its customers sell more than 100 million vehicles throughout its history. For more information, visit DealerSocket.com, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Wednesday is another banner day for hot weather in Houston. The high temperatures will reach the mid-90s. Heat index values, or feels like temperatures, will be in the triple digits. Nows the best time to be reminded to always Look Before You Lock, meaning make sure to check your car for precious cargo before you go inside your home. You could accidentally leave the pizza in the backseat! But for those of you with children (and those who drive with their pets, like me), it is pertinent to remain vigilant when driving around town with our loved ones, especially in this summer heat. Since 2010, nearly 70 Texas children have died of heat stroke after they were left inside sweltering vehicles. There were three such deaths in the Houston area in 2018, one in 2019 and one so far in 2020, according to Kids And Cars, a child-safety advocacy organization. Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen helped develop a special placard for drivers with children to serve as a reminder to check their backseats before they lock up their cars. The constables office announced the initiative last year after investigating the untimely death of Raymond RJ Pryor, Jr., who was left inside the back of a daycare van in north Houston in 2018. The bright-yellow placards are designed to hang from your rear-view mirror and be a reminder to check the backseat before locking up your car. Best of all, theyre free. Visit the constables office website and provide your name, address and email, and Rosens office will mail you a placard. On a bad day, it beats those tacky baby on board bumper stickers. On a good day, it could save a life. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news for Chron.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com WASHINGTONThe expected extension of the ban on non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border will be greeted with relief by many Canadians as they watch coronavirus cases spiral out of control across the United States. The same news may inspire humiliation in many Americans. This is so g-----n embarrassing, political scientist Daniel Drezner tweeted this week about Canadian opposition to reopening the border. Americans have seen their passports quickly become useless in much of the world, and its not hard to understand why. The state of Florida alone recorded more new coronavirus cases on Sunday than did all of Europe, and has confirmed more cases in the past two weeks than Canada has in the five months since the start of the epidemic. Americans are isolated, with borders now closed to them in all but a handful of countries. Its an interesting turnabout for a country that has spent much of the past four years isolating itself from the international community. Since his election, Donald Trump has pursued America first policies in ways that led towards an America alone conclusion. The decision to pull out of the World Health Organization was a stark example, but it aligned with the presidents general mistrust of global organizations. Hes pulled out of multilateral agreements and treaties, including the Paris climate accord, the Pan-Pacific trade agreement and the Iran nuclear deal. Hes questioned U.S. membership in NATO, threatened to pull troops out of Germany, and stood down from protecting Kurdish allies in Syria. As Republican strategist Alex Conant noted late last month, The only policies that Trump has been consistent on are supporting higher tariffs and lower immigration. Hes repeatedly imposed or threatened tariffs on allies and erected barriers on those seeking to enter the country, including his controversial Muslim ban, the detention and rejection of refugee claimants, and the recent ban on new permanent and temporary resident visas. Each of these policies can be evaluated on its own merits, but together they add up to significant international disengagement. The U.S. still exerts influence through muscle and cash, but it does so one-on-one, issue by issue. Its ability to shape global policies through multilateral diplomacy is diminished. When the U.S. pulled out of the WHO, experts said one result would be less U.S. influence on international public health policy. European allies have reportedly stopped looking to the U.S. for leadership. The drop in foreign enrolment in U.S. schools is thought likely in part to diminish its international influence. Much of American power was embodied in alliances, U of T international relations expert Robert Bothwell said. Weakening those undercuts it substantially. Some of the alliances themselves could collapse absent American involvement. Germany has obviously written Trump off if Trump remains in office, the G7 has ended. It wont meet again, Bothwell said. A question for Canada is how to adjust. Canadas role as a middle power, says Chris Sands of the Wilson Centers Canada Institute in Washington, has often been based on its ability to understand the U.S., and act as a bridge between other countries and the superpower. For much of that history, the U.S. was actively seeking engagement and support. Americas current impulse to go it alone leaves Canada needing to rethink its own approach. One of the challenges now is understanding the United States, Sands said, and for Canada to find a way to, if its comfortable doing that, to bring Americans back to the table. Canadians can also take a lead role on specific issues, Sands says, and co-ordinate efforts to solve problems and update institutions. He points to Canadas lead among a group of middle powers pushing for reforms to the World Trade Organization as a hopeful example. Bothwell says the end of some international organizations would have horrific consequences for Canada. Continuing to participate, while trying to bring the U.S alongside is a goal. But he thinks that as long as Trump is in office, it will be a difficult slog. Sands says that while Trump is driving the change in approach by the U.S. forcefully, many of the underlying policies represent longer-term trends in American thinking since the end of the Cold War. Reshaping international organizations was likely necessary anyway, and will remain so whatever the U.S. election result. So far, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government have carefully negotiated exceptions for Canadians to American isolationist policies the trade exemptions to border travel are an example. The border isolation forced on American travellers will ultimately be resolved by how the pandemic proceeds. But the larger isolation of the U.S. as a result of its foreign policy decisions will likely present a longer-lasting challenge to traditional allies such as Canada one that could ultimately reshape how Canada must approach the world. Read more about: Countries around the world are getting tougher on privacy regulation. And Facebook is moving to steer the debate so the rules are written on its terms. The social network Wednesday released its latest white paper, a 29-page document calling current privacy practices and laws "insufficient." The company says the paper is intended to spark greater debate about how the tech industry can inform people about its use of their data - and move beyond convoluted privacy policies or notifications about cookies that pop up so frequently they make people's eyes glaze over. "I think we can all agree that obviously policies are probably not the best way of communicating about privacy," said Rob Sherman, Facebook's deputy chief privacy officer, told me in an interview."But also there's little consensus on how to do that." The company lays out in the paper some of the tensions it sees for businesses and regulators on privacy issues. On the one hand the company gets criticism that these policies are too long, Sherman says, but it's also trying to ensure it's making all the disclosures required to under a complex web of international laws and regulations. The paper calls for greater collaboration between regulators and companies to develop and test new ways for people to learn more about the use of their data by the giant social media platform, which has been criticized - especially surrounding Cambridge Analytica and the 2016 election - when third parties improperly obtained data of Facebook users without their knowledge. The company was required to make major changes to its business in the year since it reached a historic $5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission to end a privacy investigation. Now Facebook is hoping its forced education in improving privacy can be useful to policy advocates and regulators. "Hopefully some of that is useful to policymakers as they're making decisions about how to regulate privacy," Sherman said. "Our goal is not to try to write a law that would regulate us. There are other people that will do that. We want to certainly be a part of the discussion and give our perspective on what we think makes sense and how it would work in practice and in our environment." Given its spotty track record on privacy, the company is facing an uphill battle in rebuilding relationships with regulators and consumer advocates. But Sherman says Facebook has aggressively invested and hired privacy experts over the last year, adding every new product the company builds now goes through a comprehensive privacy review. "Culturally it's become very clear across Facebook that privacy is something that is essentially important for business," Sherman told me. "If people don't trust us to safeguard their data, they won't feel comfortable using our services." Facebook's report arrives as countries around the world, including Australia, are cracking down on data collection. California began enforcing its new state privacy law earlier this month, which could reinvigorate the privacy debate in the United States. This isn't the first time that Facebook released a white paper. The company published one earlier this year on content moderation, another contentious issue in Washington. Facebook was planning to release the paper before the coronavirus pandemic intensified when privacy issues were a greater focus on the presidential campaign trail and on Capitol Hill. But now the debate is shifting, especially as data plays a critical role in the coronavirus response and people are spending more time using online services while staying at home. One recent bipartisan privacy proposal, which The Washington Post's Tony Romm detailed, aimed to ensure new digital tools meant to combat the coronavirus don't come at the expense of user privacy. Sherman says the pandemic is testing some of the company's transparency and privacy work, especially as the platform seeks ways to use its data for the coronavirus response. The social network has had to communicate with users about some of its new covid-19 tools, such as providing aggregated data about its users to public health officials about the virus's spread. The company is also working with Carnegie Mellon researchers to gather covid-19 symptom data. "There's also a really core responsibility that comes along with that, both to use data responsibly and also to communicate effectively with people about how their data is being used," Sherman said. Ontario reported 102 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the lowest number since March 25. But there were also nine more deaths reported overnight, up from just one reported a day earlier. That news came as the province prepares to further open up businesses and services in many regions Friday though not in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. Locally, 31 of Ontarios 34 public health units are reporting five or fewer cases, with fully 19 of them reporting no new cases, tweeted Health Minister Christine Elliott on Wednesday. With 135 more resolved, there are 33 fewer active cases in Ontario as we continue to track a persistent decline in the number of active cases in the province, Elliott said on Twitter. Queens Park says 2,732 people have died from the virus since the pandemic struck in March, but the Star has determined there have been at least 2,770 coronavirus deaths in Ontario. That difference of 38 fatalities is because some were not included early in the outbreak since COVID-19 tests had not been conducted before those people most of whom were elderly residents of long-term-care homes died. The government says there have been 37,052 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ontario. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday , a Star survey of Ontarios regional health units found a total of 39,062 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19. The rate of new infections in Ontario has fallen sharply over the last two months and has continued to fall so far in July. Over the last week, the provinces 34 health units have reported an average of 127 new infections per day well down from a sustained peak of nearly 600 cases per day, seen in late April. There are 115 people in hospital with COVID-19, 31 are in intensive care units. Of those, 22 are on ventilators. The Stars tally includes some patients reported as probable COVID-19 cases, which means they have symptoms, travel history or contacts that indicate they likely have the disease, but havent yet received a positive test from a lab. Ontario has been in a state of emergency due to the outbreak since March 17. Read more about: New Delhi, July 15 : Even as the privatisation process drags on, national carrier Air India has instituted a scheme whereby employees can opt to take 'leave without pay' ranging from six months up to five years. Additionally, the airline's management will also have the option to send any employee on leave based on a few criteria. An Air India staff notice, which was reviewed by IANS, read: "The Board of Directors in its 102nd meeting held on July 7, 2020 has approved a scheme whereby employees can opt to take 'leave without pay' ranging from six months or for two years and the same can be extended up to five years. "The scheme also authorises the CMD to pass an order on behalf and in the name of the company whereby an employee could be sent on leave for six months or for a period of two years extendable up to five years." However, this provision can only be exercised depending upon factors such as "suitability, efficiency, competence, quality of performance, health of the employee, instance of non-availability of the employee for duty in the past, as a result of ill health or otherwise and redundancy". The notice calls upon "department heads at headquarters and regional directors of the region" to assess each individual on the above mentioned factors and identify the cases where option of compulsory leave without pay can be exercised. "Names of such employees need to be forwarded to the general manager (personnel), headquarters, for obtaining necessary approval of the CMD," the notice said. As per the notice, regional directors will constitute a committee comprising of "General Manager (Personnel), General Manager (Finance) and concerned Departmental Head" which will identify redundant manpower, who would be told to proceed on compulsory leave without pay. "The committee would go through the records, based on the above factors and will recommend the individuals whose names will be forwarded to headquarters with due recommendations of 'Regional Director' for obtaining approval of CMD, for compulsory leave," "Similarly, at 'Headquarters a Committee comprising of General Manager (lR), General Manager (Finance) and concerned Executive Director or General Manager' of the respective 'Departmental Head' shall be constituted for the said purpose." Thereafter, the regional directors and 'Headquarters' Departmental Head' would forward the list of identified individuals to 'General Manager (Personnel), Headquarters' on or before August 15, 2020 for obtaining necessary approval of CMD. Meanwhile, all the unions of Air India will be holding an online meeting to discuss the latest development. An Air India union leader told IANS: "LWP has to be across the board for all employees and burden has to be shared by all employees. This is not market standards. This is cherry picking by the top management." According to Air India PIM document, as on November 1, 2019, the airline on a standalone basis (without subsidiaries) had around 14,000 employees, including fixed term contract staff. The development comes as the Centre has re-initiated the airline's divestment plan with new norms. Interestingly, this time, it has sweetened the deal by substantially reducing the debt on the airline's account books and offered a 100 per cent stake in the loss-making airline. The last date for bid submission to acquire Air India has also been extended to August 31. In January, the Centre had invited expression of interest (EoI) from prospective buyers for Air India and two of its subsidiaries. Along with Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, the flag carrier's 50 per cent stake in ground-handling arm AISATS has also been put on the block. (Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in) Pipeline 15 July 2020 Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton (7730 Bonhomme Ave, St. Louis, MO 63105), a new hotel opening this fall in downtown Clayton, Missouri, announces plans for socially distanced conferences and meetings. Located on Bonhomme Ave., just west of Hanley Road, the 268-room hotel will open after a multi-million dollar, full-scale transformation by Silverwest Hotels. With its proximity to Clayton's Busi ness District, Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton offers redesigned in-person meetings as well as hybrid and satellite meetings options for less contact and more connection. With over 17,000 square feet of meeting space, including an open-air pool deck on the third floor, the hotel has extensive safety practices for meetings as well as a menu of unique experiences to encourage creativity, teamwork and fun amongst groups at a safe distance. "We all hope for a way to overcome this pandemic in the near future. In the meantime, conference planning and meetings must evolve as we navigate new social distancing guidelines together," says General Manager Andrew Hargis. "With less contact and more connection, Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton is committed to keeping meeting attendees safe, comfortable and creative. Adaptability and memorable experiences will be crucial for groups looking to gather safely this fall and winter." Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton has the unique ability to offer touchless in-person meetings with their extensive conference space. With a dedicated Conference Level floor, the hotel can provide distinct areas for private, socially distanced general session meetings at the Pavilion Room with over 3,371 square feet of conference space, 3 breakout rooms (Parlor I, II and III) as well as pre-function space for private meals and breaks. Two ballrooms, The Forest Park Ballroom and Grand Salle Ballroom on the Lobby Level offer an additional almost 7,000 square feet of function space for socially distanced events. For smaller groups who choose to stay and meet on the same floor, the Bonhommme Boardroom is available on the second floor, and suites can be utilized for private meetings, including one with its own outdoor rooftop patio. A sought-after meeting destination in St. Louis will be the pool deck on the third floor of Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton. With the ability to host private events for up to 200 people, the po ol deck immerses guests in the surrounding Clayton cityscape for an open-air meeting experience. In addition to space, safety precautions will be put in place to strictly align with CDC guidelines to include: designated entrance and exit for meeting rooms; sanitation stations, including PPE; reduced seating capacities to 50% or less; AV and break sanitation; mobile service requests and mobile bill review + approval; self-parking; dedicated private meeting space floor; staff sanitation training and wellness checks; and more. For Streaming and Hybrid Meetings, guests will have access to free internet up to 250mg with flexibility to 1 GB as well as large broadcasting capabilities, satellite huddle areas throughout the hotel to create smaller gatherings as well as an in-house partnership with PSAV for event needs. For food and beverage, Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton can replace self-service buffets with individually boxed breakfast and lunch options; redesign Hydration station set-ups; offer standard as well as elevated packaging + menu items; elimination/modification of all shared and reuse items; eliminate/reduce of non-essential items such as linens, paper, glassware. Package pricing starts at $35/per person. In addition to social distancing measures, Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton will also offer a unique Experience Menu, where meeting attendees can take part in interesting breakout activities, such as the: *Giving Experience: Teams work together to build snack donations for local schools. The hotel provides the snacks, sanitation materials, scoops and labels, and the team practices teamwork to divide the tasks into stations and roles. At the end of the experience, the donation is delivered to a school in St. Louis in the group's name. *Game Time Experience: The hotel will provide giant Jenga, Connect Four and other oversized games for meetings and network groups to utilize and play at a social distance.Communal Art Experience: Guests will exercise their creativity on a blank canvas. Groups are provided with a canvas, ink pads and pens to design their own piece of art. *Sparkling Cocktail Lab 101: Guests will be able to learn impressive cocktail skills with a guided class from a mixologist with Le Meridien's special focus on sparkling cocktails.Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton will blend St. Louis' rich European heritage with a chic, sophisticated design. Located in the heart of the Clayton Business District, the hotel is within walking distance of top restaurants as well as a short drive or jog to St. Louis' award-winning Forest Park or the Washington University campus. Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton has a passion to embrace St. Louis' local culture, specifically in regard to the arts and cuisine. The hotel will also feature an entirely new restaurant, cocktail bar as well as coffee bar and feature over 50 works of art, including several by local St. Louis artists. Global design firm HOK is leading the overall design of Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton and will bring an original, refined and forward-looking style to the property. Denver-based Silverwest Hotels purchased the property in 2018, and Crescent Hotels & Resorts will manage the Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton. Maskot | Getty Images A bipartisan bill called The Paycheck Protection Small Business Forgiveness Act has been introduced into the Senate that would allow small businesses who received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $150,000 or less to obtain automatic forgiveness after submitting a one-page attestation form. The attestation form would be limited to one-page, and the small business would simply attest that the loan is eligible for forgiveness and that the business complied with the requirements of the Paycheck Protection Program found in the CARES Act. The legislation would be beneficial to the smallest of small businesses that received PPP loans of $150,000 or less, as well as the banks who lent to smaller PPP borrowers, by reducing the paperwork and documentation requirement currently required on all PPP forgiveness requests. These "smaller" small businesses, sometimes called "micro small businesses," generally do not have in-house accountants and payroll departments to rely on for PPP professional assistance, and engaging an outside accountant or attorney for professional services isnt something they do on a regular basis. These smaller PPP borrowers include a significant number of sole proprietors, independent contractors and one-person operators, as well as persons who have a day job and a side hustle. Deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods 75% down in Jan-May 20:56, 15.07.20 629 China became Ukraine's major trading partner in the five months. ST. LOUIS, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today announced it will hold a conference call on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. EDT to discuss financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2020 outlook and to respond to questions. Robert V. Vitale, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff A. Zadoks, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the call. Post also announced it plans to release its financial results for the third quarter after market close on Thursday, August 6, 2020. Interested parties may join the conference call by dialing. A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, August 21, 2020 by dialing (800) 585-8367 in the United States and (404) 537-3406 from outside of the United States and using the conference identification number 9687370. A webcast replay also will be available for a limited period on Post's website in the Investor Relations section. About Post Holdings, Inc. Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient and convenient nutrition food categories. Through its Post Consumer Brands business, Post is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category offering a broad portfolio including recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains and Malt-O-Meal bag cereal. Post also is a leader in the United Kingdom ready-to-eat cereal category with the iconic Weetabix brand. As a leader in refrigerated foods, Post delivers innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato products to the foodservice channel and the retail refrigerated side dish category, offering side dishes and egg, sausage and cheese products through the Bob Evans, Simply Potatoes, Better'n Eggs and Crystal Farms brands. Post's publicly-traded subsidiary BellRing Brands business is a holding company operating in the global convenient nutrition category through its primary brands of Premier Protein, Dymatize and PowerBar. Post participates in the private brand food category through its investment with third parties in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, a leading, private brand centric, consumer products holding company. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com. Contact: Investor Relations Jennifer Meyer jennifer.meyer@postholdings.com (314) 644-7665 ATLANTA Democracies around the world need to adopt new ideas and approaches to ensure the lasting protection of democracy and civil liberties threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report endorsed by The Carter Center that was released today. The report, Global Democracy and COVID-19: Upgrading International Support, highlights the ways some governments are using the public health crisis to further curtail core democratic freedoms and provides recommendations for policymakers and civil society to counteract the negative impacts of COVID-19 on democracy. The Carter Center and 10 other pro-democracy institutions endorsed the report, which is aligned with a recent Call to Defend Democracy that was signed by almost 100 organizations from all over the world, as well as nearly 500 prominent individuals from 119 countries, including Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander. Many governments are restricting human rights and fundamental freedoms such as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and movement under the guise of battling the pandemic. The report highlights how some governments are interrupting elections, clamping down on political opponents, discriminating against minority and vulnerable groups, censoring media, and increasing disinformation and digital surveillance. To combat these tactics, the report recommends: Creating a comprehensive monitoring mechanism to guide international responses to COVID-19 democratic infringements. Incorporating democracy efforts into COVID-19 emergency and recovery aid. Cooperating multilaterally to safeguard democratic practices. Providing support to new civic initiatives to support democracy that have emerged as a result of this pandemic. Harnessing emergent innovations in democratic participation, such as online protests, parliamentary digitalization, and taking steps to improve accountability mechanisms for oversight of elections and democratic institutions. To interview a Carter Center expert on COVID-19s potential threats to democracy and human rights, contact Soyia Ellison, associate director of communications, at soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org. Read the report: Global Democracy and Covid-19: Upgrading International Support (PDF) Defense Secretary Mark Esper put out a military-wide directive Wednesday barring the use of photos in promotion boards and ordering the development of new hair and grooming standards devoid of racial bias. In a memorandum to the service secretaries and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Esper outlined a series of steps aimed at eliminating "discrimination, prejudice and bias in all ranks" to promote equal opportunity, morale and the readiness of the force. Read next: An Airman Died After His Chute Opened While He Was Still in the Plane, Says New Report The steps include "prohibiting the use of photographs for promotion boards and selection processes pertaining to assignment, training, education and command." The Army had already moved to stop using photos in promotion boards, and the Navy planned to review the practice. Esper also ordered all the services to "review hairstyle and grooming policies for racial bias" and "make appropriate policy modifications" no later than Sept. 15. In addition, the memo calls for an update to equal opportunity policy "to prohibit pregnancy-based discrimination." "We must root out prejudice and bias that may exist but isn't always transparent" throughout the military, Esper said. The measures are based on recommendations from the service branches. The memo did not address two of the hot-button issues now facing the military following the May 25 killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd in police custody -- the display of Confederate flags and the renaming of military bases now honoring Confederate leaders. The Marine Corps, U.S. Forces Korea and U.S. Forces Japan have already acted separately to ban the display of Confederate flags. The Army and the Defense Department currently have the renaming of bases under review. In a series of Twitter posts, Esper said that all commands should work to eliminate "unconscious bias" among service members through frank and open discussions. Prejudice and bias in the ranks are not always transparent, he said in urging commands to increase the frequency of workplace and equal opportunity surveys to identify areas for improvement. He called on commands to give him monthly updates through the end of this year to gauge the effectiveness of the policy changes. "The actions I am directing are a necessary first step, but hard work remains and we will continue to learn as we move forward," Esper said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. Related: 'Sailors Using the N-Word': Navy Leaders Hear Painful Cases of Racism The final phase, which was due to begin on Monday, would have seen pubs and nightclubs reopen (Yui Mok/PA) Government plans to reopen pubs and nightclubs have suffered a major setback as public health chiefs have issued a stark warning about the spread of Covid-19. The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has raised serious concerns about moving into the fourth stage of the Governments plan for reopening the country due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases. The final phase, which is due to begin on Monday, would see pubs and nightclubs reopen. The number of people who could attend mass gatherings would also increase to 100 people for indoor events and 500 outdoors. Read More However, health chiefs expressed concern at a meeting today about the doubling of new cases over the last two weeks and the high rate of infection among young people. They agreed to highlight these concerns directly with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly ahead of tomorrows crucial Cabinet meeting. The new Government is now facing its first big decision on the Covid-19 pandemic. Nphet did not specifically warn against reopening pubs and nightclubs or increasing the number of people who can attend indoor and outdoor mass gatherings. However, they said they are deeply concerned about moving into the final stage of the roadmap due to the spread of the virus. Nphet will give their advice and the Government will make their decision, a source said. Central to their concern is the spread of the virus among younger people who are more likely to go to pubs or attend mass gatherings. The Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss entering into the final stage of the plan to reopen the country. Speaking in the Dail, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was more concerned about house parties than pubs reopening. What is of more danger than anything is a situation where we have 30 or 60 people at a house party or parties taking place on certain roads in our cities, and we will have to do something about that, Mr Martin said. Knowing how important these facilities are to the community and Beebe Healthcare, everyone involved in this project continued working diligently throughout the COVID -19 pandemic to deliver the project on-time and on-budget as planned. Hammes Company Healthcare, a leading provider of consulting and project delivery services, celebrated the opening of Beebe Healthcares new Cancer Center at its South Coastal Health Campus near Millville, Delaware. The cancer center is part of a larger campus, which includes a 23-exam room freestanding emergency department, which opened in May. Hammes has been the project manager for the new campus since 2017. The opening of this campus demonstrates Beebe Healthcares dedication to continually providing advanced quality care for all of Sussex County. We are incredibly proud to open these new facilities, especially while leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. In addition to serving as project manager for Beebe Healthcares South Coastal Health Campus, Hammes is also overseeing the development of a new 136,000-square foot, specialty surgical hospital at Beebes Rehoboth Health Campus. Knowing how important these facilities are to the community and Beebe Healthcare, everyone involved in this project continued working diligently throughout the COVID -19 pandemic to deliver the project on-time and on-budget as planned, said Mike Killian, Regional Vice President of Hammes Company Healthcare. Its been a privilege working with Beebe to see these projects come to life. About 1,365 (0.54%) of the 262,075 people who tested negative for Covid-19 through antigen tests are believed to have showed symptoms for the disease, and, among these, 243 (17.8%) were found to have the virus through lab tests, according to data with the government that appears to address some concerns over the rapid kits accuracy, although experts said the protocols and the opinion of diagnosticians in each case may have a bearing on this. Between June 18, when testing with these kits began in the national capital, and 10:15am on July 15, there were 281,555 rapid antigen tests (RAT) of which 19,480 people were found positive for the virus. From the 262,075 people who were negative, 1,365 people showed symptoms of Covid-19 and were referred to take a test through the RT-PCR method, which is regarded as the most accurate type of test yet for detecting the Sars-Cov-2. Of these, 243 were eventually found to be positive, meaning they had a false negative on a rapid antigen test, which has been crucial to ramping up testing and thus tracing and isolation of active cases in the country. The follow up testing on RT-PCR is only for symptomatic negative persons on rapid tests as per the protocol laid down by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). RAT negative persons are administered the RT-PCR tests only after due clinical classification by the medical officer in charge at the concerned antigen centre, said Manish Sisodia, Delhis deputy chief minister who is currently also heading the health department at present. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage As per ICMR guidelines, symptomatic persons who test negative in the rapid antigen tests should be followed up with an RT-PCR test. Rapid antigen detection tests are quicker (take up to 30 minutes compared to 2-5 hours in RT-PCR test). The accuracy levels of these kits are such that if someone tests positive, they are considered a true positive case but a negative result might be a false one, which is why those with symptoms are advised to go for an RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test. The governments data, seen by HT, showed that of the 11 districts in Delhi, Southwest conducted the maximum number of rapid antigen tests and hence, had the highest positive cases through this technique. It has carried 39,804 antigen tests of which 3,798 were positive, while 38 among those who tested negative were followed up with an RT-PCR test, of which 11 tested positive. Also read: Beaten projections but cant be complacent, says Delhi CM on Covid-19 situation Shahdara district conducted the maximum follow-up RT-PCR tests on RAT negatives. In all, 648 symptomatic persons were sent for follow-ups, of which 123 tested positive, the highest among all districts. Dr Lalit Kant, former head, division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR said that the process also depends on the judgment of the medical officer screening the people at the testing centres. In this season, more and more people develop ILI and SARI symptoms, which are Covid-19 symptoms too. So, the number of symptomatic persons already must have increased in Delhi by now. Clear guidelines must be issued to all medical teams of every district that no symptomatic persons should be left without and RT-PCR test. Anyone with cough and fever should be tested, said Kant. Dr T Jacob John, virologist and former professor at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu said it is unlikely that across Delhi only 1,365 of the roughly 262,000 persons who tested negative in the rapid tests could have been symptomatic. The antigen tests in Delhi started off from the containment and buffer zones which anyway should have increased the number of positive results. Widespread use of rapid tests is a good thing that Delhi is doing. But, this needs to be backed up with RT-PCR tests on all symptomatic RAT negatives because RT-PCR is the most accurate testing method so far. Otherwise, it would defeat the purpose of scaling up testing. The perception among the public that a negative result in the antigen test is the final word in a persons Covid-19 diagnosis needs to be changed by the authorities, he said. John further added that simple statistical extrapolation of the government data showed that if 17.8% people tested positive in follow-up RT-PCR tests out of the RAT negatives, then over 46,000 persons could, potentially, have had a false negative. However, the sample size of 1,365 persons is too small. This statistical extrapolation can only give an indication. It is also indicative of the fact that in Delhi, post peak transmission of Covid-19 continues, he said. Finnegan Lee Elder (pictured), 20, admitted to stabbing officer Mario Cerciello Rega An Italian policeman whose partner was fatally stabbed during a failed drug bust last year described Wednesday the moment the knife was pulled by one of two US students standing trial for murder. Andrea Varriale claims his partner Mario Cerciello Rega was slain in an unprovoked nighttime attack on July 26, 2019 after the officers, who were in plain clothes, approached the Americans, who had earlier tried to buy drugs. Varriale described to the Rome court how he desperately tried to stop up Cerciello's wounds until an ambulance arrived, but 'the blood was spurting out'. Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth allege they were attacked by the policemen from behind on a dark street in Rome, and defended themselves from what they believed to be dangerous drug dealers. Elder, 20, and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, 19, (right) are charged with stabbing Deputy Brigadier Rega to death in Rome Mario Cerciello Rega, who had just returned to work from his honeymoon, suffered 11 stab wounds and later died in hospital from his injuries Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth allege they were attacked by the policemen from behind on a dark street in Rome, and defended themselves from what they believed to be dangerous drug dealers 'We approached the pair from the front and we pulled out our badges, saying we were police,' Varriale told the court, according to Italian news agencies at the hearing, which was closed to most media due to coronavirus restrictions. Elder, 20, has admitted to stabbing Cerciello several times with an eight-inch combat knife, but insists he did not know he was a police officer. 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. The two Americans face life sentences if found guilty of knowingly killing a police officer. 'They had nothing in their hands. We just wanted to identify them. They immediately attacked us,' Varriale said. 'I was grabbed by Natale and we wrestled on the floor. At the same time I could hear Cerciello shouting "Stop! Police!" His voice was breaking,' he said. The murder sparked a national outcry. The funeral was held in the same church where Rega had married just months before Brigadier Rega (pictured) died from multiple stab wounds 'The whole thing lasted just a few seconds. I let my aggressor go because I was alarmed by Cerciello's shouts. I looked up and I saw him standing, and he said "they stabbed me", before collapsing on the ground.' The court then heard the audio recording of the emergency call Varriale made, but the father of Cerciello's widow was taken ill as the call was played, and the judge adjourned the hearing until Thursday. 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. Natale-Hjorth is pictured in February at the opening of his trial for the killing of Italian policeman Mario Cerciello Rega in Rome Elder, 20, is pictured at court in Italy at the opening of the trial for the murder of an Italian officer last year The case has been marked by major blunders - especially the blindfolding of Natale-Hjorth during his police interrogation (pictured) The defense 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. The day after the Americans were arrested, a photograph was leaked to the press showing Natale-Hjorth illegally blindfolded and handcuffed at the Rome barracks where he had been taken for questioning. Varriale admitted he had not only been present, he had taken the photograph and had filmed the scene as well. Varriale stuck by his story that he had been carrying his gun until August 9, when he confessed that not only did he not have his gun on him, but that he had conspired with a superior officer to lie about it. The defense was expected to ask Varriale why he and Cerciello left their designated patrol area to track down the US students, without informing central command. Elder's (left) legal team claim their client acted in self-defense when he stabbed officer Rega. Natale-Hjorth's (right) lawyers are attempting to distance their client from Elder and for him to be judged separately for his part in the event Natale-Hjorth could face life in prison if convicted. He is from the affluent area of Mill Valley, California, known as 'millionaire's village' The Americans had earlier that night stolen the bag of a man who had introduced them to a drug dealer. They say the theft was revenge for the dealer having tried to rip them off. What they did not know was that the dealer was a police informant. When they set up a meeting to swap the bag in return for money, the police turned up instead. While Varriale says he and Cerciello showed the Americans their badges, Cerciello's badge was never found, and in the chaotic aftermath of the stabbing, Varriale was not asked to produce his, or his handcuffs. Michael Moore, a former Houston mayoral chief of staff, defeated educator Diana Alexander in the Democratic primary runoff for the Precinct 3 seat on Harris County Commissioners Court, pitting him against Republican Tom Ramsey in November. With 100 percent of Harris County voting centers reporting late Tuesday evening, Moore led with 57 percent of the vote. He won more than two-thirds of absentee ballots and 52 percent of in-person votes between early voting and Election Day, according to unofficial results. In a statement, Moore called Alexander a dedicated public servant and a tough opponent, and said his campaign would be back at work tomorrow on the way to November. The Precinct 3 seat long has been occupied by Commissioner Steve Radack, a Republican who opted not to seek a ninth term this year. Viewed for years as a Republican stronghold, the sprawling 464-square-mile precinct has attracted the attention of Harris County Democrats who believe it is ripe to be flipped this year amid favorable national conditions and the precincts changing demographic makeup. Moore, who served as former Houston mayor Bill Whites chief of staff, vastly outspent Alexander in the runoff and garnered most of the endorsements from Houston elected officials. Alexander finished first in the six-candidate March primary, about half a percentage point ahead of Moore. Ramsey, the mayor of Spring Valley Village, faced two opponents in the March Republican primary and collected more than 70 percent of the vote. Democrats currently control a 3-2 majority on commissioners court, though Radack and Republican Jack Cagle last year thwarted Democrats attempts to pass a property tax hike by denying them the four-person quorum needed to approve tax increases. In other county races, state District Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas lost her re-election bid to Democratic runoff opponent Cheryl Elliott Thornton by nearly 42 percentage points, according to unofficial results. Smoots-Thomas was indicted on federal wire fraud charges in November over allegations that she spent campaign donations on personal expenses. Precinct 2 Constable Chris Diaz, meanwhile, appeared to narrowly lose his Democratic primary battle against runoff foe Jerry Garcia, trailing 51 to 49 percent with 100 percent of voting centers reporting. Diaz has been accused of recruiting a second candidate named Jerry Garcia to run for the seat, pressuring employees to donate to his re-election campaign and punishing those who refused. Democratic Precinct 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton easily defeated runoff opponent Ken Jones Tuesday, while Democrat Mark Alan Harrison beat runoff opponent Randy Newman with 57 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns in the Precinct 5 constable primary. Harrison will face GOP incumbent Ted Heap in November. In the Republican primary runoffs, former deputy constable Joe Danna appeared to narrowly defeat Harris County Sheriffs patrol deputy Paul Day in the race to decide who will take on Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. jasper.scherer@chron.com Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence and misgendering against a transgender person. Rita Hester fought like hell. The story was written in blood. The phone had been ripped from the wall. Half a shoe print not Rita's marked the bloody floor. The locks on the front and back doors had been left intact, leading neighbors and police to believe her killer had been invited in. Police don't clean crime scenes. Families can hire specialized crime scene cleaners, but Hester's family didn't have the thousands of dollars that would cost. They walked into her first-floor apartment to find blood all over the walls and the floor. Hester had been stabbed 20 times. I kept telling her, I said, Baby, just because you are the way you are, dont be thinking you can go up into these straight clubs thinking you can just pick up anybody. Hester's siblings and her best friend, Brenda Wynne, cleaned the apartment themselves, trying to spare Hester's mother, Kathleen Hester, the sight. "The mother was in the apartment as we were cleaning up," Wynne recalled. "Her mother found a bloody sandal." The Hesters have been forced to relive these details for more than 20 years, because, by some stroke of fate, Rita Hester's death spurred the international movement Transgender Day of Remembrance. Every November since her death in 1998, reporters have called Hester's mother and sister Diana Hester to rehash the details and get updates on the case. And still, Hester's murder has never been solved. Video: Laverne Cox says long way to go with Black Trans Lives Matter movement The Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual vigil for transgender homicide victims, has been instrumental in humanizing transgender people in the eyes of the media, the police and the wider public. For many in the trans community, the day is the only annual gathering they have. And still, most transgender people can't tell you who Rita Hester was. Transgender history is rarely taught in schools, and trans issues remain largely underreported. Two decades after Hester's death, the U.S. is facing what advocates are calling an epidemic of anti-trans violence. Story continues This year is on pace to be the deadliest for trans people since advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign started tracking transgender homicides in 2013. Last year, the campaign tracked 27 transgender deaths due to violence. Just over halfway through the year, 2020 has already had 21 violent transgender deaths, according to the campaign. Black trans women, like Hester, still make up an overwhelming number of the victims. Like Hester, their lives are often distilled into headlines and then lost. Hester was killed on Nov. 28, 1998, in Boston. Little has been reported on her life. Her mother, now 82 and ailing, faces the prospect of dying without ever knowing why her daughter was targeted other than the frustratingly obvious: She was trans and Black and beautiful. 'Everybody knew Rita' Hester was born Nov. 30, 1963. She grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, one of five kids. There was never a time in her life when Hester wasn't "Rita," according to her younger sister, Diana. As far as Diana can recall, her big sister didn't have a particular "coming out" as trans moment. "I kind of always knew, just the very feminine ways that she was and everything," she said, adding that her family embraced her sister's transition. "My entire family, you know, even my nieces and nephew, everybody knew Rita," she added. "It was very receptive. Was no issue whatsoever. You know, it was fine." Image: Rita Hester (Courtesy of John Freda) Hester's mom, Kathleen, and some other relatives still often use masculine pronouns and a male birth name when talking about Hester, as if, even 22 years later, that part of their minds hasn't transitioned. It's hard to conclude that this is an outright denial of Hester's womanhood. After Hester's murder, her mother campaigned for justice alongside her daughter's transgender friends. Kathleen Hester is quoted in news articles during that time using the name Rita to refer to her child. If anything, the old name and pronouns feel like the byproduct of a family cut off from their transgender loved one in the '90s, before pronouns became a barometer of respect for trans life. It's unclear what boundaries Hester set for her family before her death. Hester didn't find as loving a welcome in the larger Hartford community, according to her sister. "In Hartford, people got assaulted and got hurt and all the other stuff, but Rita had friends initially in Boston and started going to Boston," Diana Hester said. In her early 20s, Rita made the move permanent. In Boston, she could also her make gender transition permanent. Hester found community in unlikely places for a Black trans woman in the '90s in Boston, according to friends. She was deeply embedded in the city's rock scene and hung out in her neighborhood's straight bars. Hester lived large and loved big, friends said. She frequently traveled to Greece for vacation and kept a cat and a boa constrictor as pets. She left her house in disarray. She and her friend Brenda Wynne were always making a racket in Hester's first-floor apartment on Park Vale Avenue in Boston's Allston neighborhood, Wynne said. The two were constantly laughing and gossiping and cooking. "I ordered a large pizza, and I came out, and she ate the whole pizza on me," Wynne recalled, laughing. "And then we went out to eat, and she wouldn't let me try one oyster. ... But yeah, she would eat you out of house and home." Hester spent a good deal of time at Jaques, a gay bar known for its drag shows. Johnny Freda, who has tended bar there since 1973, remembers her well. "She was a happy person," Freda said. "She would get up and dance. ... She was out for good times." But friends at Jacques also worried that their beautiful, undaunted friend might end up in trouble. Image: Melina Wilson (Kate Sosin / for NBC News) Melinda Wilson, a fixture of Boston's trans community, said Rita's habits made her nervous. "Our life is difficult, it really is," Wilson said of being a Black trans woman in Boston. "Our lifestyle is dangerous, to tell you the truth." She wondered whether Hester was too casual about the freedoms the city offered. Rita had a magnetic presence, friends said. It was hard to imagine anyone disliking her. And her natural beauty granted her some privileges that many trans people just didn't have. "I kept telling her, I said, 'Baby, just because you are the way you are, don't be thinking you can go up into these straight clubs thinking you can just pick up anybody,'" Wilson said. Hester did find close friends in straight clubs. She met Wynne on one of Wynne's first bartending shifts in 1990 at Bunratty's in Allston. Back then, Bunratty's was a haven for artists and rockers, the exact type of place where Hester would hang out. The bar was also just a three-minute walk from Hester's apartment. "I see her street was blocked with cops, and I'm like, 'What happened?' and I have a bad feeling." When Hester walked into Bunratty's the day she and Wynne met, some of the regulars started snickering. "I go down, and I give them attitude and give her a welcome and ask what she wanted and, of course, she ordered a mudslide," Wynne said, laughing. It was a few months before the two ran into each other again. After that, Wynne said, they were practically inseparable. Wynne is white and cisgender. She has bright red hair. Rita was her first transgender friend, but that didn't matter, Wynne said. "You meet your best friend in life, and as soon as you meet them, it's like you've known them your whole life, and you just hang out," she said. "It's very normal and comfortable that we had that, like, right away. It was nice." The two were so close that Hester spent Thanksgiving with Wynne and her family on Nov. 26, 1998. It was the first time Hester hadn't gone home for Thanksgiving and the last time she would celebrate the holiday. Nov. 28, 1998 Local police called Kathleen Hester at her home in Manchester, Connecticut, late on the evening of Nov. 28, 1998, two days before Rita Hester's 35th birthday. They told her that the Boston Police Department had called with some bad news. Diana Hester said: "She was home alone at the time, and basically, they just called and told her that her son was murdered. Nobody came to the home or anything." Diana Hester had come back from a concert. It was well past 10 p.m., and her son, Taufiq, then 7, was already asleep. She was standing in the bathroom when her husband told her that her mom was on the phone. "I just heard her screaming, and I couldn't really make out what she was saying," she recalled. She rushed to her mother's house, 15 minutes up the road, to console her. Related: Memphis-based My Sistah's House is one of several trans-run groups working to create long-term housing solutions for Black trans people in the South. At Wynne's apartment in Allston, the TV flickered as she slept. Hester had been due hours earlier to watch figure skating competitions, but she never showed. The two had spent that Saturday morning playing racquetball. Hester left Wynne's house around noon. At 4 p.m., Hester called a friend, another trans woman who lived in Allston. Hester told the friend who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she has feared for her life since Hester was killed that she was headed to the Silhouette Lounge, a dive bar just around the corner from her apartment. The friend took a nap before heading over to meet Hester shortly after 7 p.m. "I walk to the Silhouette, and I see her street was blocked with cops, and I'm like, 'What happened?' and I have a bad feeling," the friend recalled. When Hester didn't return to Wynne's apartment that night, she assumed Hester had met a guy at Silhouette and just forgot to call her to cancel. That happened sometimes, according to Wynne, who said she went to bed without giving it a second thought. Officers responded to a call about a fight at Rita's address at 6:12 p.m. on Nov. 28 and were dispatched 7 minutes later, according to a Boston Police Department report. When they found Hester, she was still alive on the floor. She had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest. More than an hour passed between the time police were dispatched and an ambulance took her to Beth Israel Hospital, where she died of cardiac arrest. A next-door neighbor would later tell the Hesters that she had called police. "They took a long time to enter the apartment when the back door was opened," Diana Hester said the neighbor told her. The police report listed Rita Hester as a male by the name of "John Doe." The makings of a movement In October 1998, just weeks before Hester was killed, another anti-LGBTQ murder rocked the nation. A gay white college student, Matthew Shepard, was fatally beaten and tortured in Laramie, Wyoming. The heinousness of Shepard's murder catalyzed a mainstream movement against homophobic violence. Still, for many transgender people in Massachusetts, such crimes were all too familiar. In November 1995, Chanelle Pickett, a Black trans woman, was strangled to death in Watertown, 10 miles west of Boston. The same year, Debra Forte was stabbed to death in Haverhill, which sits on the New Hampshire border. And in September 1998, just two months before Hester's death, Monique Thomas, another Black trans woman, was killed in Dorchester, just south of Boston. Forte's and Thomas' killers were convicted of murder. According to Nancy Nangeroni, a transgender activist who carefully documented Hester's death at the time, Hester had once remarked to a local paper, In Newsweekly, that she hoped Pickett's killer, William Palmer, would face justice. "I'm afraid of what will happen if he gets off lightly," Hester told the paper. "It'll just give people a message that it's OK to do this. This is a message we cannot afford to send." In 1997, Palmer's attorney used the "trans panic defense," and Palmer was acquitted of murder. The lawyer argued that Palmer's homicidal reaction was justified because he discovered during sex that Pickett was transgender. Palmer was convicted of assault and battery and served two years. Three years and eight days after Pickett's murder, Hester was slain. Related: Critics say the ruling, which broadens the ministerial exception in employment nondiscrimination law, could open a Pandoras box of workplace discrimination. On Dec. 3, 1998, Bay Windows, an LGBTQ newspaper in Boston, reported that a "transgender man" had been killed in the city. The story misgendered Hester throughout and put her first name in quotes, like it was a nickname. Mainstream newspapers like the Boston Herald and The Boston Globe the latter referring to Hester in 1998 as "a man who sported long braids and preferred women's clothes" had long been misgendering trans people, but that LGBTQ media actively refused to correct their coverage proved to be the breaking point, said Gunner Scott, former executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Action Coalition. "The worst part was the gay community ... in contrast to how Matthew Shepard was kind of uplifted, and that has continued to this day," Scott said. Another Bay Windows article from Dec. 10, 1998, referred to Hester as a slain "Allston man" and used her former name, even after Kathleen Hester was quoted in the article using the name Rita. Subsequent articles in Bay Windows detail the discontent of transgender people over the paper's coverage while continuing to misgender Hester. Jeff Epperly, the paper's editor at the time, refused to change course. "I had the lofty goal of defending journalistic independence," Epperly said recently of his thinking at the time. "Rita may have been killed because she was a man who lived as a woman. Therefore I insisted that her status as what I saw as a man living as a woman was germane to the story." Epperly said he stuck at the time to The Associated Press Stylebook a widely used guide followed by newspapers across the country, which then recommended that reporters use only a trans person's new name and pronouns if they had undergone gender confirmation surgery because he wanted the paper to hold up against mainstream outlets and win awards. He now calls the decision "indefensible." Days after Hester's death, 50 transgender people and allies marched from the Boston Herald headquarters to Bay Windows' offices to protest. By the time they got to their destination, everyone had gone home except for a young sales associate named Sue O'Connell. "I felt it was important that if they were going to protest that they actually see someone from the paper there," said O'Connell, who has since become Bay Windows' co-publisher. "It was a large crowd, and they were very, very angry." The same year, inspired by Hester's murder, Gwendolyn Ann Smith created a web project called Remembering Our Dead to honor transgender homicide victims. The following year, she founded the Transgender Day of Remembrance and planned marches to honor the victims in Boston and San Francisco. "When the Transgender Day of Remembrance first began, trans people were nameless victims in many cases," Smith wrote in 2014 in The Advocate. "Our killers would do their best to erase our existence from the world. And law enforcement, the media and others would continue the job." "We don't like the connotation of 'cold.' We call it 'unsolved.'" Leading the charge against the media's misgendering trans people at that time was transgender activist Nancy Nangeroni, who scaled down her hours as an electrical engineer to advocate for justice for trans homicide victims on her website and radio program, GenderTalk. In 2000, to mark the second anniversary of Hester's death, Nangeroni interviewed Kathleen and Diana Hester on GenderTalk. Kathleen Hester sounds like she's crying throughout. During the interview, Kathleen Hester recalled when she was very ill after having been diagnosed with diabetes and Rita held her and told her she needed to get better. "Ma, please take your medicine and take care of yourself, because I want you to be here a long time with me," Rita Hester said, according to her mother. At one point, Nangeroni asked whether there was anything the trans community could do for the Hesters. Kathleen Hester encouraged listeners to donate to increase to $5,000 the reward being offered for information leading to an arrest in her daughter's murder. "Since this has happened ... the police don't seem to be doing anything at all," Kathleen Hester said in the interview. She gave out her phone number and urged anyone with information on her daughter's killing to call her. Diana Hester said at the time: "Basically, what the Boston Police Department has stated is this is a cold case now. They're not really diligently working on it at this point." A legacy cemented, a name lost Not much changes in places like the Satellite Bar and Lounge in Allston. Popcorn from the machine is always free. The photos stuck to the walls reflect a kind of familial commitment from customers. This is the Cheers of Allston. The student crowd turns over; the regulars just age. A missing face goes noticed, even two decades later. Rita Hester used to sit here. It's a Friday night at the end of November, and the student crowd is monopolizing the pool tables. But if you ask, about every third person remembers Hester. Kate Noonan lifts her arm from the honey-colored bar. The name "RITA" has been scrawled on her right forearm in pink marker and pen, faded by three days of wear. Image: Kate Noonan's arm reads 'Rita.' (Kate Sosin / for NBC News) It took more than 20 years for Noonan to discover that her friend's death had inspired the Transgender Day of Remembrance. "I looked it up online, and it was just right there," she said. "I was floored." Noonan wrote down Hester's name, over and over, like it was at risk of being lost. And maybe it is. Her murder, just around the corner from the Satellite Bar, is decades in the past. This was the last place she was seen alive. And then, barely any more information. Neighbors told Diana Hester that they saw two white men leave Hester's building just after 6 o'clock the night of her death. For years, Hester had a white, blond boyfriend named Bobby, according to friends and family. No one can seem to remember his last name. While Bobby was "her main guy," Wynne said, "she had others, some sugar daddies, some just for fun." Wynne isn't sure what kind of arrangement Hester had with Bobby or whether the two were exclusive because Hester was very private about her dating life. Diana Hester said she told the police about Bobby. After Rita died, no one saw him again. "Her boyfriend just disappeared, baby," Wilson said. But then, he didn't seem to come out with her a lot to begin with. A few weeks before her death, Hester went on vacation to Greece. Right before she left, she punched someone in the face at the Model Cafe, another Allston bar she frequented, according to the friend from the neighborhood who spoke anonymously. Wynne said she vaguely recalled the incident. If anything, it was the kind of thing Rita would do to protect one of her friends, possibly even Wynne, she said. The Allston friend relayed the incident to police, too. Both the friend and Wynne have another suspicion: A man (or men) who couldn't face his attraction to a trans woman came home with Hester and killed her in a fit of shame. Related: C. Jay Smith, who's serving 25 years to life at San Quentin, could face 10 more years behind bars after she made a sex abuse complaint, her lawsuit says. The night before her murder, Wynne and the friend said, Hester had met two guys at the Silhouette Lounge. "She was hanging out with some Brazilian guys, supposedly," Wynne said, adding that the details were fuzzy because she wasn't there. She heard about the guys later from Rita's friends. The other friend was with Rita that night. She said the guys were Australian, one young, one old. She recalled seeing them at the Silhouette the night before Rita's death. "I always got a bad feeling about those guys. I don't know why," she said. "They looked really like they would carry knives or something ... and I mentioned it to the police." Questioned multiple times about Hester's murder via email and phone, the Boston Police Department didn't give a statement to NBC News on the case for eight months. A request to see the initial police report on her death also took eight months. Sgt. John Boyle, a police spokesman, declined to comment on specifics about the case, because the investigation is still active. "We don't like the connotation of 'cold,'" he said. "We call it 'unsolved.'" Boyle said an unsolved homicide unit continues to work the case, but he wouldn't let NBC News interview any of the detectives. He couldn't say how many other cases the unit was responsible for, but he added: "They don't give up on their cases. They work on them." Last year, WBUR radio of Boston reported that the city was doubling the number of officers and criminologists assigned to unsolved murders by adding seven people to the unit. At the time, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office reported that the city had 1,367 unsolved homicides. Kathleen Hester, now in her 80s, is in failing health. These days, it's hard for her to sit through an interview. She fears dying without knowing who killed her daughter or why. There are constant reminders. Birthdays tick by without Hester, who would have turned 57 this year. Diana Hester recently found some of her sister's clothing when cleaning out a closet. Taufiq Chowdhury, Diana's son, grew up visiting Hester in Boston. He has since come out as gay. Today, he travels from Connecticut to Boston and wonders what it was like for Hester to come out and find safety and community on the streets he now frequents. Chowdhury said coming out to his family was stressful, even though they ultimately embraced him. He wonders what it would have been like if Hester had still been alive to serve as a queer role model. "It would have been a completely different lifestyle. I think I'd probably be living in Boston today," he said. "You know, it would have been someone I could have looked up to." Now, he goes to Transgender Day of Remembrance events to honor her. Diana Hester said that for the first several years, she called the Boston Police Department all the time for updates on the case. In 2006, it announced that it was reopening the case. She never heard much after that, she said. "And after a while I just, I really stopped calling." Click here to listen to a radio feature about this story by Cristela Guerra of WBUR Boston. Follow NBC Out on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram The RIL chairman also announced that his group''s digital arm Jio is developing a homegrown 5G telecom solution. Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani told shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting that intellectual property will be an important pillar of the conglomerate's value creation journey. "Jio Platforms has been conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world," Ambani said. The RIL chairman also announced that his group''s digital arm Jio is developing a homegrown 5G telecom solution. "Jio has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. It will be ready for trials as soon as 5G spectrum is available and can be ready for field deployment next year," Ambani said at Reliance Industries' annual general meeting. Ambani on Wednesday addressed the conglomerate's first virtual annual general meeting (AGM). In his address, he made major announcements from Google buying a 7.7 percent stake in exchange for an investment of over Rs 33,000 crore to the progress on indigenous 5G network and expansion of JioMart. Ambani said RIL has become the first Indian company to exceed market cap of $150 billion. Consumer business continued to deliver EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization) growth of 49 percent this year, he added. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. US President Donald Trump has revoked his July 6 rule that would have stripped visas from many international students if they chose to take online classes amid coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to bar international students from staying in America if they attend universities through online classes without any in-person instruction. The order required students to take at least one in-person class, amid COVID-19 outbreak. The U-turn by the Trump administration comes following a nationwide outrage and a series of lawsuits filed by a large number of educational institutions, led by Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and later joined by a California public school and coalition of 17 states. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Massachusetts, challenged the order and calling it "cruel, abrupt and unlawful action to expel international students amid pandemic that has wrought death and disruption across the United States". IT companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, joined MIT and Harvard in the US District Court in Massachusetts against the DHS and the ICE in seeking an injunction to stop the entire rule from going into effect. The lawsuit alleged that the new rule imposed significant economic harm by precluding thousands of international students from coming to and residing in the US. India also conveyed its concern regarding the F1 visa to the US during the virtual foreign office consultation between Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale last week. The court said the Trump administration agreed to revert to a previous rule, implemented in March, when coronavirus caused shutdowns across the country. Under that policy, international students were allowed to attend all classes online during the pandemic. The announcement comes as a big relief to international students, including those from India. In the 2018-2019 academic year, there were over 10 lakh international students in the US. According to a recent report of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), 1,94,556 Indian students were enrolled in various academic institutions in the US in January. Also read: TikTok ban takes a big tool away from China's 'espionage work': US NSA Also read: TikTok's loss is Instagram's gain; 55% influencers favour Facebook-owned platform after Chinese apps ban Roadside bomb hits Russian-Turkish patrol in Syria, injuries reported Iran Press TV Tuesday, 14 July 2020 10:10 AM Several Turkish and Russian soldiers have been wounded after a roadside bomb planted by militants in Syria went off near a joint Moscow-Ankara patrol in the Arab country's northwestern province of Idlib. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the explosion occurred near the town of Ariha on Tuesday, injuring three Russian soldiers and an unspecified number of Turkish soldiers. "Three Russian servicemen were slightly injured. There are wounded among the crew of the Turkish armored car. All victims were promptly evacuated from the area," said the ministry. Russia called off the patrol following the blast that damaged one Russian and one Turkish armored personnel carrier, it said. The ministry said that Russia was evacuating its equipment from the area and moving its troops to the Hmeimim airbase in western coastal province of Latakia, where some of them would receive medical care. Two Turkish sources, however, said there were no Turkish casualties in the attack. On March 5, Russia and Turkey, which support opposite sides in the Syrian conflict, came to an agreement on a ceasefire regime in Idlib, where a Turkish aggression had risked the breakout of a war. According to the agreement, joint Russian-Turkish patrols will secure a six-kilometer-wide corridor along the M4 highway connecting the two government-held provinces of Latakia and Aleppo. The ceasefire also consolidates Syrian control over the M5 highway, which links the capital to the major cities of Hama, Homs, and Aleppo. The ceasefire came a few months after the Syrian army launched an anti-terror operation against foreign-sponsored militants in Idlib after they failed to honor a de-escalation agreement between Ankara and Moscow. Ankara has long sought a "safe zone" in northern Syria void of Kurdish militants whom it sees as terrorists tied to the autonomy-seeking Kurdish groups militants at home. The new pact came after a series of deadly clashes between Turkish and Syrian government troops. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address - The world's biggest vaping device provider, VAPORESSO's parent company, SHENZHEN SMOORE TECHNOLOGY LTD (SMOORE), has become the first in the vaping industry to announce an IPO in Hong Kong, with a total market value of over 21.8 billion USD - triple the estimated value before IPO. SHENZHEN, China, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 19, 2019, SMOORE submitted the listing application materials to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in the name of the holding company SMOORE International Holdings Limited. At 9:30 am on July 10, 2020, SMOORE International (6969.HK) was officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. As the world's largest manufacturer of vaping equipment, SMOORE constantly aims to improve the status quo and is committed to bringing a unified and complete standard to the entire vaping industry. The listing in Hong Kong has provided SMOORE with a strong supporting role in setting the industry benchmark. Hiring more employees in the R&D field than employees in the sales team, it's obvious the significance SMOORE puts on the innovation part. With 14 years' experience in the field of OEM/ODM, it's no wonder that, according to Frost & Sullivan, based on 2019 revenue calculations, SMOORE accounts for 16.5% of the total market share. Synonymizing with high quality, SMOORE has obtained its professionality in heating element technologies, which has been passed down to its sub-brands' products, giving them the same innovative and safe qualities. As one of the sub-brands, VAPORESSO has inherited SMOORE's spirit and incorporated it into its own mission to be Beyond the Ordinary. With cutting-edge ingenuity, VAPORESSO is dedicated to satisfying its customers with the high-quality vaping experience. VAPORESSO's products - such as VECO, ZERO, LUXE and the GEN family - cover the full range of open-system vapes and fulfil the various needs from the vapers. So far, along with SMOORE, VAPORESSO's business has spread to more than 60 countries and regions around the world and has established a substantial brand influence in Europe, America, and emerging markets. But VAPORESSO's efforts far exceed that. By working closely together with partners, with its consistent innovation and craftsmanship, VAPORESSO will keep providing high-quality products and services for the existing 800 million happy users and counting, thereby providing a better future for the vaping industry. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214859/image_5004956_14846240.jpg Officials say the change will streamline data gathering and assist the White House coronavirus task force in allocating scarce supplies like personal protective gear and remdesivir, the first drug shown to be effective against the virus. But the Health and Human Services database that will receive new information is not open to the public, which could affect the work of scores of researchers, modelers and health officials who rely on CDC data to make projections and crucial decisions. The regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned the Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Istanbul, the most iconic church of the Orthodox Christian world, into a mosque last weekend. Through this initiative, Turkey declared its intention to confront the Western world and to bring back to life the dynastic reality of the former Ottoman Empire and its geopolitical aspirations. The decision carries specific historical and ideological connotations, is another manifestation of Turkeys Islamist identity, and is a direct assault on religious pluralism and history itself. On 10 July, the Turkish president signed an executive decree that turns the historical Christian church of Hagia Sophia located in modern-day Istanbuls central Fatih district into a fully-fledged mosque, reclassifying it from a museum. The Hagia Sophia had been functioning as a museum from 1935 after a decree issued in November 1934 by then Turkish president Mustafa Kemal and members of his cabinet. Erdogan used a decision by the Turkish Supreme Court that deemed Kemals decree as void. In a hasty meeting that lasted just 17 minutes, the court ruled that the Hagia Sophia was owned by a religious foundation established by the Ottoman sultan Mehmet II, the conquering Ottoman ruler of Constantinople, the former name of Istanbul. According to the courts reasoning, the Hagia Sophia was presented to the community of the faithful as a mosque, and thus its status cannot be changed, making the 1934 decree invalid and needing to be annulled. In a speech after the signing of the decree, Erdogan said that the Hagia Sophia would open as a mosque for Friday prayers in two weeks time, in other words on 24 July. The manipulation of justice by Erdogans autocratic regime meets Islamist aspirations. The very fact that the Supreme Court invoked an Islamic perception of a law issued hundreds of years ago before the foundation of the Turkish Republic demonstrates the fundamental transformation of the underlying ideological structure of the Turkish state under the Erdogan regime. In the past, the same court has on numerous occasions ruled that the use of the Hagia Sophia as a museum is legal, with relevant rulings being issued in 1945, 2005, 2006 and 2008. The Hagia Sophia is officially recognised by the UN cultural organisation UNESCO as part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul that were added to its World Heritage List in 1985. Turkey is a member of the World Heritage Convention (1972) that oversees such registrations, which it ratified in 1983. According to Article 6 of the Convention, each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 situated on the territory of other States Parties to this Convention. The use of the Hagia Sophia as a mosque entails endangering its cultural legacy, as it changes the historical identity of this church and monument. There have already been reports of considerable damage to the mosaics in the interior over the years, as the Hagia Sophia had been partly used on specific occasions as a mosque. The Hagia Sophia is a unique monument and is unlike any of the other Byzantine churches scattered across modern Turkey. Although it has not been used as a church for centuries, the Hagia Sophia is the ideological and symbolic centre of Orthodox Christianity, having served as its main church for nearly a thousand years. Its symbolic and spiritual importance equals that of St Peters in Rome, forming twin ideological centres of eastern and western Christian culture. The formative principles of Orthodox Christianity are intricately linked to the symbolism and the special historical identity of the Hagia Sophia church. By turning the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, the Turkish regime is explicitly declaring its Islamist identity. Turkeys decision was greeted enthusiastically by Islamists and extremist ideologues. Members of the Muslim Brotherhood were joyful at the decision. In early July, Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader and former MP Mohamed Al-Sagheer wrote that prayers were performed [there] for more than 400 years, and Mehmet the Conqueror bought its land [of the Hagia Sophia] and its surroundings. Will Erdogan revive the conquerors methods, and will we hear Allahu akbar in the mosque again, he asked. Another prominent Islamist writer, the Qatari national Faisal Al Thani, went a step further by denying the Christian historical identity of the Hagia Sophia, writing that the Hagia Sophia has ended its ties with the church, and since four centuries ago it has only been a mosque. According to Al Thani, echoing the Turkish arguments, the decision to do so [to change the Hagia Sophia into a mosque] is a matter of sovereignty for the Turkish people. It will be joyful news that will reinforce pride and identity. It will be considered a historic day and the beginning of a new phase. Its title is Turkeys independence and a bright future. The militant Islamist Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip also expressed its support for Ankaras decision. According to an official statement issued by Rafat Murra, head of the international press office, the opening of the Hagia Sophia to prayer is a proud moment for all Muslims. The decision fell solely under Turkeys sovereign rights, he said, and it demonstrates Turkeys self-confidence and its place in the international arena. Hamas, active on the borders of Egypt, is increasingly becoming a proxy for Turkish influence and is undermining Egyptian national interests in the Sinai region and the greater Middle East. In the wider Islamic world, Erdogans decision was not fully supported and met with different reactions. The Egypt-based Global Fatwa Index, a foundation that aims to counter terrorist fatwas, or religious rulings issued all over the world, issued a statement in June saying that the Hagia Sophia had served as a Christian church for 916 years from its construction in the 6th century CE until 1453 when the Ottoman army conquered Constantinople and turned the church into a mosque. According to the statement, the Turkish regime is exploiting the issue of converting the Hagia Sophia into a mosque as an electoral weapon for Erdogans domestic political ambitions. In Saudi Arabia, the national Al-Arabiya news network said that Turkish plans concerning the Hagia Sophia sow religious strife between the followers of the different faiths around the world. The decision to turn the historical Christian church of the Hagia Sophia, the epicentre of the Orthodox faith, into a mosque is a direct attack on the historical and cultural legacy of the Orthodox world. Turkey aims to resurrect the notion of an ideological caliphate just a few years before it celebrates 100 years of the Turkish Republic. The transformation of Turkey has been unfolding steadily ever since the Erdogan regime took power. Now, Turkey is plunging itself fully into the Ottoman past through such symbolic gestures and its illegal intervention in Libya, once a province of the former Ottoman Empire, against the interests of Egypt, the centre of the Arab world. The world needs to wake up to the dangerous revisionist entity that Turkey has become, an aggressor against the Arab world and against the Christian world and its historical and religious symbols. The decision to turn the Hagia Sophia into a mosque has been met by strong reactions by the Orthodox Church and the international community, especially the US, the EU, UNESCO, Greece and Russia. But such reactions are of limited use unless accompanied by diplomatic measures that can safeguard the historical realities of religious pluralism and respect for the symbols of religions. The writer is a lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens in Greece. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: BRIDGEPORT After getting a complaint that Brian McAllister, a local man with a history of of crimes involving children, had repeatedly raped a young girl, police waited five years before seeking an arrest warrant. On Wednesday, McAllisters lawyer argued his client should get a reduced bond because of the delay. Bridgeport police admit that mistakes were made with the Police Departments Youth Bureau, disbanded in 2018, but have been hard pressed to explain them. In a number of cases, files were simply stuck in draws and forgotten, according to police sources. Detectives and supervisors of the Special Victims Unit uncovered several cases dating back to 2013 that were a part of the original Youth Bureau files, Police Department Spokesman Scott Appleby previously said. These cases were reviewed, and when necessary re-investigated, and evidence was sent to the state laboratory when appropriate. If probable cause existed to charge, a warrant was applied for. McAllisters case was one of the lost cases. In November 2015, the state Department of Children and Families received a complaint by a school counselor of a sex assault of a child and forwarded the complaint to the Police Departments Youth Bureau. In December 2015, a forensic interview was done with the girl at The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport. The girl disclosed during that interview that she had been sexually assaulted by Brian McAllister about two to three times a month between 2012 and 2013, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. Police did not present an application for an arrest warrant for McAllister until Jan. 20, 2020. The now 41-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child, risk of injury to a child and fourth-degree sexual assault. McAllisters lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Jared Millbrandt, argued Wednesday that there can be no justification for the delay between the time the girl made her complaint and the request by police for a warrant. He urged Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander to significantly reduce his clients $500,000 bond. But Supervisory Assistant States Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr. objected, pointing out that McAllister has convictions in 1999 and 2009 for risk of injury to children. He did not comment on the delay in the case. Alexander said given the defendants history and seriousness of the allegation in this case, she was denying the bond reduction request. Millbrandt declined comment after the hearing. InterContinental Hotels Groups (IHG) fastest growing hotel brand has made its debut in New Zealand with the launch of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown. Opened in partnership with Pro-invest Group, the new-build hotel welcomes guests in time for the start of the ski season, offering an unrivalled location on the corner of Stanley and Sydney Streets in Queenstowns city centre. The hotel features 227 contemporary guest rooms including spacious suites a Holiday Inn Express first in Australia and New Zealand in addition to superior rooms which provide breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The hotels architecture, designed by local architectural practice McAuliffe Stevens (MSRA), combines abstract elements representing ice and erratic rock forms to pay homage to the hotels landscape history and achieve a design that fits with the surrounding urban environment. Smart travellers will be rewarded with easy access to the popular ski destinations of Coronet Peak, Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone, while tourist attractions such as the Skyline gondola and the towns dining precinct are right on the doorstep. Home to fresh air and adventure, Queenstown is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Milford Sound for unforgettable exploration. Ronald Barrott, Pro-invest Group Chief Executive Officer, said: We are committed to expanding the Holiday Inn Express brand in New Zealand and were confident that Queenstowns reputation as premier destination makes it the ideal place to start." Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown has a stylish alpine vibe, complete with an outdoor lounge with firepit. Its also equipped with the smart, simple rooms and features business and leisure travellers know and love, he said. With smart, savvy travel in the brands DNA, the hotel is complete with everything guests need including a fitness room, sauna, two flexible meeting rooms, self-serve laundry, dry room, onsite parking and a free business centre. The brands much-loved perks will also be on offer with complimentary Express Start breakfast, power showers, black-out blinds, high-quality bedding with a choice of pillows for a sensational sleep experience, and uncapped wi-fi. Introducing a sustainable stay Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown continues the brands commitment to responsible tourism, with various innovations and design elements for a sustainable stay. From a design perspective, all air exhausted from the hotel passes through a heat recovery plant, which then extracts the energy from the air exhausted from the hotels bathrooms, toilets, gym, meeting rooms, restaurant and general-purpose areas, and transfers that energy to the incoming fresh air. The results are a substantial reduction in energy used to pre-treat the incoming air used in ventilation of the hotel. The hotel will also roll out IHGs flagship sustainability initiative, A Greener Stay, which allows guests to take part in conserving the environment through opt out of housekeeping services, resulting in energy and water savings. As an added reward, guests who choose the opt-out receive up to 500 IHG Rewards Club points per night. Leanne Harwood, Managing Director, IHG Australasia & Japan, said: The opening of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown is not only a wonderful addition to this vibrant and much-loved town, but a testament to the strong, ongoing partnership with have with Pro-invest Group. I have no doubt that the brands unique approach to smart travel, essential facilities, sustainability and fresh energy will make it staple for holiday-goers for many years to come. The opening is the sixth Holiday Inn Express property since 2016 to be opened by Pro-invest Group, following the launch of Sydney Macquarie Park, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne Southbank hotels in Australia. - TradeArabia News Service Lockdown loneliness has robbed many of Ireland's older generation of their pre-Covid-19 resilience. Before the pandemic hit more than 70pc of cocooners reported they never or rarely feeling lonely, according to a study. But the order not to leave their homes for weeks and avoid close contact with relatives and grandchildren took its toll on their mental health. The findings have emerged in the first insight from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) at Trinity College Dublin and Alone, the organisation which ran the national support helpline. It received 26,174 calls from March to July 5, more than half from cocooning over-70s. There was an increase in callers reporting negative emotions, including suicidal ideation during the pandemic. Three-quarters of callers were living alone and their greatest need was for support for their physical health, befriending, and emotional and mental health. "It shows most older adults are not often lonely and highlights the resilience of older adults as they adapt to an ever-changing world," said Prof Rose Anne Kenny, principal investigator of Tilda. "The world has witnessed how older adults have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. "Alone's research provides front-line evidence that shows the true toll public health measures have had on older people with increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation." Meanwhile, the health impact of loneliness can be the equivalent of smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day, experts warned the committee investigating the fallout from Covid-19 yesterday. Martin Rogan, chief executive of Mental Health Ireland, said the pandemic will have an unsettling and dislocating impact on people. He told the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response there is likely to be a "slow burn" effect from the pandemic on people as they find old routines are disrupted. Mr Rogan has found that people seeking help are on the phone for longer and the calls are more intense. Asked about the impact on older people, he said loneliness is an issue and it has been described as "equivalent to smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day". His organisation has been using various ways to reach out, such as video-conferencing service Zoom, in a way that months ago would have been seen in the realm of science fiction. Technology has its limitations and people can be cautious about the service if they are very unwell. Covid-19 has had an amplifying effect on people resorting to old coping mechanisms such as alcohol. Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd said he knew of older people who no longer leave their homes. Meanwhile, the committee was told that younger people are seeking more help in the 18-20 age group and this has been linked to job losses for many of them. Paul Longmore, clinical director of young people's organisation Jigsaw, said they have been seeing more people suffering anxiety and low mood. Their sense of uncertainty has been affected by the way their life expectations have been disrupted. John Farrelly, of the watchdog Mental Health Commission, highlighted significant risks associated with shared accommodation in mental health facilities. He said that 17 patients died of the virus from early April and July 10. A police officer was justified in killing a 17-year-old girl who appeared to be having a mental health crisis and pointed a replica gun at him when he stopped her for driving erratically on a California freeway, an investigation has found. Fullerton Officer Scott Flynn shot Hannah Williams three times on July 5, 2019, killing her, before cops later discovered she had a BB gun. In a letter shared on Tuesday, the Orange County district attorney's office says that an investigation found the cop reasonably believed that the teenager was going to kill him. 'Based on the totality of all the circumstances, it was necessary for Officer Flynn to react by firing his weapon in self-defense and defense of others,' Deputy District Attorney Avery Harrison wrote in a letter about the investigation sent to the Fullerton police chief on June 22. Fullerton Officer Scott Flynn was justified in killing 17-year-old Hannah Williams on July 5, 2019, the Orange County district attorney's office has said. Flynn spotted Williams driving erratically on the 91 freeway and did a check on the vehicle to find it was a rental, leading him to believe it was a criminal fleeing 'Although the incident is deeply saddening, resulting in the death of a minor with mental illness, Officer Flynn did not commit a crime,' the prosecutor wrote. 'To the contrary, he carried out his duties as a peace officer in a reasonable and justifiable manner.' The letter didn't name the teen, but her family previously identified her as Hannah Linn Williams, the Orange County Register reported. Flynn was on duty and driving an injured police dog to a veterinarian when the rented gray Dodge SUV Williams was driving sped past him at more than 100 mph on an Anaheim freeway. Flynn did a check and discovered she was driving a rental. 'It was at this time Officer Flynn believed that the driver might be fleeing from the commission of a crime because, in his 11 years of police experience, suspects involved in criminal activity often use rented vehicles during the commission of their crimes,' the district attorney's letter states. 'Due to the SUV acting so erratically, he felt this could possibly be one of those vehicles.' An investigation found the cop reasonably believed the teenager (right) was going to kill him, a letter dated June 22 states She was later found to be holding a BB gun (pictured) and appeared to be suffering a mental health crisis There is no audio for the first 30 seconds of the clip but when it does start the officer can be heard shouting 'Show me your f***ing hands! Show me your hands' after she has been shot Another officer then arrives on the scene and, they restrain her and after securing the area they administer first aid to the girl, who appears to have been hit in her chest and leg The car then slowed down, forcing him to brake and change lanes to avoid a crash, Harrison wrote. The SUV then turned and hit the front end of the patrol car and ended up parked the wrong way on a freeway ramp. The letter states that Flynn believed he was being attacked. Video from Flynn's body-worn camera shows him walking toward the SUV and facing the teenager. At the same time she is 'walking toward him with her arms raised, holding what appeared to be a black semiautomatic firearm, in a shooting position with the barrel raised and pointed directly' at him. Flynn fired several shots. There is no audio for the first 30 seconds of the clip but when it does start the officer can be heard shouting 'Show me your f***ing hands! Show me your hands' after she has been wounded. Another officer then arrives on the scene and quickly begins to help his colleague administer first aid to the girl, who appears to have been hit in her chest and leg, after securing the area. The teenager was a lifeguard and high school senior. The June 22 letter states she was taking antidepressants and seeing a psychiatrist He can be heard saying: 'It's a replica, it's a replica.' In the harrowing clip high school senior and lifeguard Hannah can be heard pleading for help and telling officers she cannot breathe. When told to roll over onto her stomach and put her hands behind her back she complies with both police orders. She is then handcuffed. She says: 'Please, help me. I can't breathe.' Shortly after the fatal shooting Hannah's father made a call to report his daughter missing, telling the 911 handler he was worried she could be a danger to herself and that she was on medication for depression. The June 22 letter states she was taking antidepressants and seeing a psychiatrist. Asked if she had spoken about hurting herself he replies: 'No ma'am. But like I said, she is on medication right now. It's just you know out of the blue, she's never done this.' Her stepmother said Williams had tried to run away and 'hurt herself' in the past. Hannah's family lawyer S. Lee Merritt is pictured right with her loved ones. Shortly after the fatal shooting Hannah's father made a call to report his daughter missing, telling the 911 handler he was worried she could be a danger to herself. Her stepmother said Williams had tried to run away and 'hurt herself' in the past On April 29, 2019 she allegedly resisted a police officer while running away from a mental health facility. 'During the physical struggle, Minor Doe [Williams] grabbed the officer's duty pistol and was able to pull it out of the officer's gun belt,' the letter states. 'The officer, with the assistance of a civilian, was able to wrestle the gun out of Minor Doe's hand and no shots were fired.' In August 2018, she was found with a hunting knife on a street and told officers she had planned to kill someone, the prosecutor's letter said. It states that the same month she threatened to torture and kill her stepbrother and mother. It's unclear in which cities these prior incidents took place. Flynn was an officer with the La Palma Police Department from 2008 before joining Fullerton police in 2014. The Fullerton Police Department declined to comment on Tuesday saying 'the case is still pending litigation right now.' Shortly after the shooting Williams' family filed a lawsuit against the city for damages. The attorney claimed the officer did not follow department protocol when approaching the vehicle. The explosion of a solvent recovery reactor in Visakha Solvents Limited at Parawada on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam on Monday night was due to negligence in rectifying a technical snag on time by the chemists on duty, a five-member inquiry committee reported on Wednesday. A 44-year old chemist Kandregula Srinivasa Rao was charred to death and another chemist T Malleshwar Rao (34) sustained severe burn injuries while three others escaped with minor injuries in the explosion of the reactor in the chemical plant. The committee led by a senior engineer from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant J S S Reddy conducted an inquiry into the accident and submitted its preliminary report to Visakhapatnam district collector Vinay Chand. According to the report, the accident occurred on the first floor of the solvent recovery plant in Reactor No. 102, under the process of distillation of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), which was supplied by Hyderabad-based company Pratik industries. During the distillation, steam was being supplied into the reactor tank. At about 9 pm during shift change, it was observed that the intensity of vacuum in the tank had gone up and Malleswara Rao had cut off the steam supply to reactor and gone to the second floor to check the vacuum pumps. Also Read: Andhra Pradesh to reorganise its 13 districts into 25 for optimal use of resources When he came down to the first floor, he found smoke coming out from the shaft seal of agitator of reactor 102. He immediately alerted Srinivasa Rao asking him to run out of the block, but by that time, the reactor had exploded, the report said. While Malleshwar Rao sustained burn injuries on the body, Srinivasa Rao was found dead at the incident spot the next morning. The committee observed that the chemists on shift had failed to maintain the required vacuum pressure in the reactor. With the increase in intensity of vacuum the boiling point of the above chemical mixture obviously decreased and it reached the flash point resulting in explosion, the committee said. Minister for industries Mekapati Gautam Reddy said the company management had agreed to extend ex gratia of Rs 35 lakh to the family of the deceased chemist Srinivasa Rao, while the state government would release another Rs 15 lakh from the chief ministers relief fund. Similarly, an amount of Rs 20 lakh would be paid to the family of Malleshwar Rao who sustained burn injuries, he said. Main opposition Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday demanded that the state government should pay ex gratia of Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased chemist. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jaipur/New Delhi, Jul 15 (UNI) Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday conveyed through media that he would not be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party as per rumour floated by some sections and received an offer from the Congress to rejoin the party fold. "Why would I join the BJP against whom I have worked all my life"? the 42-year-old leader told media. "I just wanted to raise my legitimate grievances against Mr Gehlot and nothing more," he asserted. Mr Pilot said that the political developments in his state are just a ploy to spoil his image among the high command and party leaders. As per reports, Mr Pilot and several Rajasthan MLAs are staying in ITC and Lemon Tree hotel in Manesar of Haryana, 280 km away from the pink city since past week. On his future course of action, Mr Pilot said it is yet unclear but wished to keep working for the people of the state. Responding to Mr Pilot's assertion, Congress leader and party's spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked him to immediately check-out from the hotel in BJP-ruled Haryana and return to the pink city. "Through media, we have heard that you (Mr Pilot) does not want to join the BJP. Then why are you staying in hotel in Manesar of Haryana under the protection of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. That hotel has become a place of horse-trading. Leave it immediately and return to your city," Mr Surjewala said while holding a press conference here. Mr Surjewala asserted that Congress doors are open for him and will be accepted warmly. Over allegations that Mr Pilot was deliberately sidelined despite sweating to de-thrown Vasundhara Raje government in 2018, the Congress leader stated that at very young age (41), Mr Pilot had held the post of an MLA, Union Minister and state president. On Mr Pilot's expulsion from the deputy chief minister post, Mr Surjewala said Congress higher-ups, including many senior leaders--K C Venegopal and others--have approached him in last four to five days and urged him to raise his issues on party forum. "After all efforts went in vain, we unfortunately took the decision with a heavy heart," he stated. Mr Surjewala along with Ajay Maken have been send by party's high command to Jaipur to cool off the rising political temperature of the desert state. Congress' National General Secretary and Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande also asked Mr Pilot to return to the party fold. "Political struggle is a continuous process that cannot be measured in a few years. Reverence and patience, the core of life, are essential in politics", the Congress leader said. Earlier in the day, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Dr CP Joshi issued notices to Pilot and 18 other MLAs for skipping Congress Legislature Meeting (CLP) called to discuss the frictions between the camps of Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The Speaker has sought a reply by July 17, Friday. According to sources, if rebel MLAs fail to respond, it will be assumed that they are withdrawing their membership from the Congress. However, as per sources, the rebel Congress leaders have called the notice 'illegal'. "We are very much with Congress, unless the party removes us. We are in touch with our lawyers and if it comes to that, after exhausting all options, will resort to legal recourse", the sources said. On the other hand, in an apparent reference to Mr Pilot and his supporters, Mr Gehlot alleged that the young men of the Congress, instead of taking forward the grand-old party, are indulging in 'horse-trading. "Golden knife is not for stabbing," Mr Gehlot said. Mr Gehlot said speaking good english, giving good bytes and being handsome isn't everything. "What's inside your heart for the country, your ideology, commitment is all needed", he asserted. "This new generation, they have become central ministers, state presidents, but if they had gone through what we been through, they would have understood," Mr Gehlot remarked. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP seems to be keeping their cards close to their chest as they have been a 'mute' spectator. Earlier, in the day, the BJP has called a high-level meeting which was to be attended by senior party leaders like Om Prakash Mathur, former Chief minister Vasundhara Raje, V Satish and many other position holders. But the meeting was cancelled later in the day. Ironically, cancelling of the meeting and Mr Pilot's assertion of not joining the BJP coincided. There is also no official statement from higher-ups over the political situation in the state. The Congress, however, continued to put the onus of political turmoil on the BJP. "Last month all have seen that we kept our MLAs in hotel for more than 10 days just because of poaching by the BJP. Had we not done so, what happened today, would had happened then," the chief minister claimed. Mr Gehlot further alleged that the BJP was using not only money-power but also 'misusing' central investigative agencies to blackmail its leaders. "On one hand we are handling COVID-19 crisis, looking into unemployment, providing food and just see what they (BJP) are doing. Is this democracy?", he questioned. The political turmoil began in the state when Special Operation Group (SOG) constituted by the chief minister to investigate alleged horse-trading before Rajya Sabha polls, asked Mr Pilot to record his statement. Later, the SOG also sent a letter to the chief minister for his statement, but Mr Pilot called it a 'coverup'. Mr Pilot, then left his home state and reached the national capital region and claimed that he has a support of over 30 Congress MLAs, sufficient to topple the Gehlot-ruled government. Mr Pilot along with two other ministers--Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena--were sacked on Tuesday for 'anti-party' activities. In the 200-member State Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs, while the BJP 72. The ruling party has the support of one Rashtriya Lok Dal, two Communist Party of India (Marxist), two Bharatiya Tribal Party MLAs and 13 Independents. UNI PS JAL SV 2223 NEW YORK, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- People are facing challenges more than ever, questioning their life goals and wondering if happiness and success need to be put on hold. Now comes a book that is essential for these times. PROJECT BOLD LIFE: The Proven Formula to Take on Challenges and Achieve Happiness and Success (9781735334905; Trade Paperback; approx. 255 pages; $24.95; on sale 8/18/20) is a vital contribution to the self-help genre and an important book for those with obstacles standing between them and their dreams. See the book trailer here. 3D book cover of Project Bold Life Headshot of Project Bold Life Author Ed Kopko Boldy sitting on top of the Project Bold Life title. Boldy at the crossroads of Bold Mountain and Ordinary Hill. While other self-help books address different pieces of the life management puzzle, PROJECT BOLD LIFE's modern, fresh approach is an encompassing framework. Some key lessons and components of the book include: Proprietary research from almost 2,000 participants that showed that only 39% of respondents believed that they were making good progress towards their goals and that younger demographics are passionate about living a bold life How to take on challenges and move forward How to determine what's really important to you, and how to use that to inspire your goals Inspiring stories of people from all walks of life who turned setbacks into amazing deeds--like the disadvantaged youth who become a pro wrestling star, the grandmother who got her PhD just before her 70th birthday, and the immigrant who arrived in America with 33 cents in his pocket and found happiness and success in his pocket and found happiness and success As a result of the strong interest found in younger groups, a cartoon character named "Boldy" was created (see cartoon below), and his journey to create a Bold Life is outlined in the book, with more than 60 custom illustrations, making an important topic fun PROJECT BOLD LIFE contains unique concepts and ideas to help people turn challenges into stepping stones for great accomplishments. From being stuck in "Seesaw Park" and the indecision that comes with choosing major life goals, to the need for a "Fall Off the Horse Plan", to making "stretch" goals that fuel inspiration and the Seven Pillars of a Bold Life--and of course the eponymous Bold Life Formula--the book has the tools needed to build a Bold Life Action Plan. Early accolades from leaders in the diversity and inclusion movement, corporate world, and education community show that PROJECT BOLD LIFE is for everyone--young, old, student, parent and more. A Bold Life can be attained despite challenges and setbacks. PROJECT BOLD LIFE can help. "Ed Kopko's book PROJECT BOLD LIFE is beyond motivational; it's transformative. Faith is a precursor to boldness, and oftentimes people have faith but lack the boldness to go beyond self-imposed limitations. PROJECT BOLD LIFE gives ample examples of people that have shattered any notions of limits on their potential towards pushing past any obstacles in their way. Living a Bold Life annihilates doubt, and frees the spirit towards greatness. I'm Living a Bold Life. Come join me." - Bruce George, Founder of the Genius is Common Movement, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam on HBO ABOUT EDWARD M. KOPKO Bold Business CEO and publisher Ed Kopko has racked up an extensive list of media appearances and publishing credits over the years--from CNBC to Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets. The PROJECT BOLD LIFE book was born from his observations, interviews and interactions with countless people from Main Street to the boardroom who overcame hardship and achieved success. Previously the CEO of Butler International and Chief Executive Magazine, Ed's work in the diversity and inclusion movement garnered him the prestigious 2019 Impact Award from Diversity MBA Magazine. Ed has an MA degree in Economics from Columbia University. He splits his time between New York City and St. Petersburg, FL, and finds time to meditate daily. For more information on the author, check out his site: www.EdKopko.com. For more information on the book, plus a video teaser, go to: https://www.edkopko.com/project-bold-life-book/ AVAILABLE in Trade Paperback (9781735334905) and Ebook (9781735334912) on August 18, 2020. PROJECT BOLD LIFE Virtual Book Event Schedule (additional events TK): Virtual Registration KEYNOTE: Diversity MBA's 14th Annual Conference 9/17/20 Virtual Registration Book Launch Event 8/18/20 For More Information, Please Contact: Kimberly Escobar Thursday Media 908-303-4746/[email protected] ADDITIONAL ADVANCE PRAISE "Ed has a gift for making things simple, with wonderful stories, and actionable steps to enable you to lead a bold life." - Neddy Perez, Chief Diversity Officer, McCormick & Company "Bold is a gift, a weapon and a lesson. If you don't learn the lesson, you won't be able to use the weapon against adversity and bring the gift back to your organization, your community and to benefit your own development. Ed Kopko offers us access to the timeless importance of being Bold...learn, fight, give: the numbers don't lie!" - Bruce Craven, Author of Win or Die: Leadership Secrets from Game of Thrones, Professor at Columbia University "As a parent and a professional, managing work-life challenges can sometimes be daunting. Ed's book gives thoughtful advice on how to successfully manage work-life challenges and live a life of no regrets. Every parent should read this book! And then tell their children to read it as well!" - Dr. Marion Brody, Radiologist and Parent Ed's message of achievable bold goal-setting should resonate with every talent-based organization. Anyone interested in advancing within their career, or any company interested in fostering a culture of pipeline development and internal mobility, will find these principles to be vital. Every talent management office should encourage their team to read this book - Project Bold Life inspires enthusiasm and action regardless of where you sit within your company." James E. Taylor, Ph.D., Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Management Officer, UPMC "Ed has worked extensively to bring diversity and inclusion to the global business arena, imparting a message of hope and positivity for all. This book is an extension of that message, and it outlines the path individuals can take to attain fulfilling, bold lives!" - Pamela McElvane, Publisher of Diversity MBA Magazine "I recommend PROJECT BOLD LIFE by Ed Kopko as an ideal addition to those freshman college courses designed to introduce students to college life and a consideration of life's purpose. At the university, I would urge parents to encourage their students to study that for which they have a passion because this is a sure way to success. By success I meant the optimal balance of talent, time, and treasure the talents we develop and deploy for the betterment of self and society; the use of time so that the personal and professional dimensions of life are in balance; and the treasure we start with, accumulate, and give away, recognizing that luck plays a part and we should always say, 'Thank you.' Project Bold Life is a terrific guide to help students become the author of their own lives instead of merely an actor in someone else's script. Buttressed by scientific research as well as personal stories, PROJECT BOLD LIFE does all this and more." - Dr. Robert A. Scott, President Emeritus and University Professor Emeritus, Adelphi University Contact: Kimberly Escobar 908-303-4746 | [email protected] Related Images project-bold-life.png Project Bold Life 3D book cover of Project Bold Life edward-m-kopko.jpg Edward M. Kopko Headshot of Project Bold Life Author Ed Kopko meet-boldy.jpg Meet Boldy Boldy sitting on top of the Project Bold Life title. boldy-choosing-the-bold-path.jpg Boldy Choosing the Bold Path Boldy at the crossroads of Bold Mountain and Ordinary Hill. SOURCE Edward M. Kopko By Zachary Fagenson MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - A few blocks from the Miami Beach Convention Center, where an emergency field hospital stands ready to treat a potential tidal wave of COVID-19 patients, it's party-on along the resort city's famed Ocean Drive. In recent days, social media has shown maskless revelers dancing in the street, jammed into cars turned into ad hoc nightclubs, and crowding shoulder-to-shoulder, with drinks in both hands, in the outdoor seating areas of restaurants. "It's a tale of two cities," said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. "Our residents are pretty compliant, but our visitors have been spotty and there are areas of the city where it feels like the only people there are those who don't think there's a virus." Florida is fast becoming the epicenter of a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. The Florida Department of Health confirmed over 9,000 new cases on Tuesday, bringing the total to over 290,000. An additional 133 deaths pushed the statewide total past 4,500. In populous South Florida, hospital officials have reported emergency rooms and intensive care units nearing capacity. On Sunday, Florida reported more than 15,000 cases - a new state daily record that surpassed New York's April peak. But a group of mask-and-bikini-clad vacationers from New York City said that was not enough to discourage them. "We know there's a pandemic going on but it's not like you're not going to live your life," said Tamia Young, a 36-year-old postal worker visiting from Brooklyn with her mother and two daughters. "Everything is closed anyway, so it's not like you can even enjoy Miami." The number of closures has increased in recent days, as partially opened businesses began testing their employees for the coronavirus, with some coming back positive. The Clevelander, an Ocean Drive hotel best known for its all-day parties spread across multiple levels of bars, pools, and clubs, reopened on June 18 but closed again on Monday, after one of its employees tested positive. Story continues "Once we see the number of new cases start to go down, less delay in receiving test results and are confident that city and state guidelines are being followed and enforced, and that there is accountability, then we will re-evaluate and put an opening plan in place," said Jessica Francos, vice president of operations for owner Jesta Hotels & Resorts, in an emailed statement. Miami Beach officials are planning an increased police presence across the city, in the hope of dispersing large crowds and ensuring social distancing, mask wearing, and restaurant compliance with restrictions. "The plan will provide... much needed extra personnel to manage the frequently uncooperative and unruly crowds that are completely ignoring all reopening guidelines," Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy Morales wrote in a Monday memo to other city officials. The surge in cases has also prompted state officials to consider reactivating a temporary, 450-bed field hospital that was constructed in the sprawling Miami Beach Convention Center near the outset of the pandemic in Florida. The center is usually home to events like Art Basel Miami Beach, which in December of each year attracts the global elite to sip champagne and purchase millions of dollars worth of contemporary art. For the past two months, the driveway leading up to the building has been filled with Florida National Guardsmen, and medical officials conducting drive-through COVID-19 testing. The crowds and the rapidly rising number of cases across the state are leaving many restaurants on Miami Beach in an impossible situation. Jacqueline Pirolo, managing partner of Macchialina Taverna Rustica, best known for its homemade pasta, said she supported the rules being imposed on restaurants, including a controversial indoor dining shutdown imposed last week. Since the start of the pandemic the restaurant she runs with her brother has gone from offering take-out, to becoming a wine shop, to closing its doors temporarily. It is preparing to reopen with take-out and outdoor dining, but even that is scary, she said. "I'm excited, but I'm also terrified for the safety of our guests and our staff," said Pirolo. "It doesn't matter how well you follow the rules when you don't know if anybody else is." (Reporting by Zachary Fagenson and Frank McGurty, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) But the company, which will have its own board of directors and management team while still operating under the purview of Doane's Board of Trustees, envisions growing along with Nebraska's hemp industry. Dr. Amanda McKinney, a member of CTL's management team who will also help teach a class on medical cannabis at Doane this fall, said Nebraska used to be one of the largest hemp-producing states in the country between 1887 and 1914. "Nebraska can be on a similar trajectory again," McKinney said. "But, in order to do so, hemp farmers in the state need support services, and now we're providing that." Sutlief said in addition to serving a crucial role in growing the industry here, CTL also wants to tap into and develop another important resource at Doane: Students interested in pursuing careers in cannabis-related fields. "Because we are closely associated with Doane's program, we can get students into the lab so they are getting hands-on experience," she said. "We want to build an internship program so students have the opportunity to work in the lab over the summer and get that training. "It could be a very good way to start careers in this industry, particularly as it needs people who have actual experience," Sutlief added. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Love 11 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. (Bloomberg) -- It wasnt meant to be like this for Margrethe Vestager, the European Union competition chief whos made a name for herself as Silicon Valleys worst nightmare. Her order for Apple Inc. to pay back a record 13 billion-euros ($14.9 billion) in state aid from Ireland in 2016 sealed her reputation as the worlds most feared antitrust enforcer. But the iPhone makers court victory on July 15, toppling the decision, risks leaving her crusade against unfair tax deals in tatters. It follows separate criticism that huge EU antitrust fines for Google have made little difference. How she reacts now will define her attempts to ensure some of the worlds top companies pay their fair share of tax and that U.S. tech giants dont abuse their power as they grow ever more dominant. This is a painful defeat for Vestager after she made tax rulings under state-aid rules a priority, said Annabelle Lepiece, a lawyer at CMS, noting that this weeks reversal comes hot on the heels of another defeat involving Starbucks Corp.s tax treatment in the Netherlands. While shes been depicted on social media caricatures as an ax-wielding Viking warrior, Vestager is a mild-mannered Dane who calmly bats off angry presidential tweets and Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cooks complaints that her decisions are political crap. Fair Treatment Her motive, she says repeatedly, is to ensure fair treatment and to ensure all companies face the same tax rules. Her method was to deploy EU state-aid laws to go after secretive preferential agreements that big businesses often reach with tax authorities. The only comfort here is that the court agrees with us that we can use state-aid tools to look at fiscal state aid as well, Vestager said in an online event on Thursday. It was never so that state aid, too, will give us tax justice as such. Of course, we need to change legislation and implement it. A crack team of EU antitrust investigators, known as the tax-planning task force, has targeted Amazon.com Inc., Starbucks, Nike Inc. and Ikea for fiscal deals -- known as tax rulings -- they reached with Luxembourg or the Netherlands. Story continues Along with Ireland, where Apples European headquarters are, the three countries have attracted many multinationals that shift profits across units. Ireland especially has become a favorite for U.S. tech giants, attracted by a low corporate tax rate thats often criticized by bigger European countries. What seemed like Vestagers master stroke was to attack individual companies taxation arrangements and push countries to change tax rules. She extracted progress that years of EU governments had failed to achieve. Until recently, tax was a taboo issue among EU nations, with any of them -- often Ireland or the U.K. -- able to threaten a veto to any effort to push for more uniform tax rates or treatment. Despite the defeat, Vestager vowed not to give in on taxes -- even though she didnt say whether the commission would take up its right to appeal. Her team will continue to look at aggressive tax planning measures under EU state-aid rules to assess whether they result in illegal subsidies, she said in a statement soon after the judgment. If member states give certain multinational companies tax advantages not available to their rivals, this harms fair competition in the EU, she said. It also deprives the public purse and citizens of funds for much needed investments -- the need for which is even more acute during times of crisis. The court ruling forces the EU to make some hard choices. Winning an appeal could be tough after the lower court cited multiple errors in its work. It could try to re-investigate Apples tax affairs in Ireland to fix those errors. But that might not allow it to claim another massive back-tax order. Regulators failed to prove that Apples tax treatment by Ireland was an unfair subsidy and were wrong to find Apples Irish branches were responsible for profits it made in Europe, the EU court said. It was apparent, judges pointed out, that research and development, strategies for new products and distribution in Europe were led out of Apples Cupertino headquarters in California. That means the profits attributed to the Irish branches -- the profits used to calculate some 13 billion euros in unpaid tax -- may be far lower and any new repayment order may not catch quite so many headlines. EU officials may also have to work harder to show that tax arrangements breach subsidy rules. Lawyers pointed to some crumbs of comfort following the ruling. While the judgment is a major setback for the commission it does not generally question its approach to tax rulings or fiscal state aid, said Alfonso Lamadrid, a Brussels-based lawyer at Garrigues. Going forward, however, it will need to carry out a more in-depth analysis of all relevant circumstances and avoid relying on presumptions. Much Harder The court sets a high burden of evidence for regulators to prove that a tax measure breaches state-aid rules, said Totis Kotsonis, a lawyer at Pinsent Masons. But that doesnt mean the fight against unfair tax arrangements will go away. It simply has become much harder, he said. Meanwhile Vestager keeps up the drumbeat on taxation and fair treatment, calling for governments to ban financial support to businesses based in tax havens, potentially shutting them out of some 3 trillion euros in aid being doled out during the pandemic. Her job policing subsidies needs to go hand in hand with a change in corporate philosophies and the right legislation to address loopholes and ensure transparency, she said. We have made a lot of progress already at national, European and global levels. (Updates with Vestager comment in 8th paragraph) For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. By Jessie Pang and Yanni Chow HONG KONG, July 15 (Reuters) - A key organiser of primary elections for Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp said on Wednesday he was stepping down after Beijing said the vote may violate the new national security law and could amount to subversion. Former democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin helped organise the weekend poll that saw more than 610,000 people vote in what was widely seen as a symbolic protest against the sweeping legislation imposed on the city by Beijing. "Withdrawal is the only choice (I have, to) ... protect myself and others," Au said in a Facebook post. The primary polls were aimed at selecting democracy candidates to stand in September elections for the Legislative Council, Hong Kong's governing body. However, the primaries could violate the new national security law, said Beijing's top office in the city, the Hong Kong Liaison Office, the Chinese government agency Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and the city's leader Carrie Lam. "For those who do not recognise democracy, or do not agree with democratic values, it is difficult to understand the meaning of the primary election," said Benny Tai, another organiser of the pro-democracy polls. The new security law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and sees Chinese intelligence agents operating officially in the city for the first time. Critics of the law fear it will crush wide-ranging freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, while supporters say it will bring stability to the city after a year of sometimes violent anti-government protests. The primaries saw a group of young democrats, or "localists" perform strongly, reflecting a potential change of guard to a more radical grouping likely to rile authorities in Beijing. Hong Kong police on Wednesday arrested the vice chairman of the city's Democratic Party, Lo Kin-hei, on charges of unlawful assembly related to anti-government protests in November, he wrote on his Facebook page. He was released on bail. Story continues Hong Kong police said it charged five males aged 21 to 70 with unlawful assembly, without giving names and they will be mentioned in court on Aug. 21. The moves come as U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered an end to Hong Kong's special status under U.S. law to punish China for what he called "oppressive actions" against the former British colony. "Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China," Trump said. China said on Wednesday it would impose retaliatory sanctions on U.S. individuals and entities after Trump signed a law penalising banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement the new Hong Kong national security law. In another blow to the city's international status, the New York Times said it would shift part of its Hong Kong office to Seoul, as worries grow that security law would curb media and other freedoms in the city. (Additional reporting by Aleksander Solum; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Michael Perry) Welcome back to Tech Chronicle. If you want to group yourself in leadership, subscribing to this fine newsletter would be a good start. For decades, Carl Guardino has been trying to talk Silicon Valleys big employers into allowing more workers to telecommute. Now, just as hes about to leave the post he has held since the mid-90s as CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, hes gotten his way. Look what weve learned with COVID(-19), he told me recently. We can have a positive experience on clearing our roadways and cleaning our skies by trusting our employees. It is eerie to see Highway 101 and Interstate 280 nearly emptied, more ghostly than they were after the dot-com bust. Some are wondering whether Silicon Valley will ever come back as a physical entity, a center of gravity for the tech industry. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2005 A few years ago, I asked AnnaLee Saxenian, the Berkeley scholar and author of Regional Advantage, how Silicon Valley might be defined. Its about a set of human beings, and a set of institutions around them, that happen to be very well adapted to the world that we live in, she told me. For the past couple of decades, Guardino has been one of the leading representatives of those institutions and their interests. But the human beings are now scattered into home offices, some packing up and becoming truly remote from the physical social networks where they built their careers. Michael Maloney / The Chronicle 2003 Guardino is bullish on the regional tech industry so much so that hes remaining a part of it, taking a job at Bloom Energy, the San Jose maker of fuel cells. The pandemic didnt throw Guardino, whos led fierce fights over transportation and housing in the Bay Area. Having seen the industry through multiple booms and busts, hes philosophical about the present crisis. Vasna Wilson / Special to The Chronicle When were in it, its easy to forget there was a starting point, there will be an ending point, primarily through treatments or a cure, he said. We can sometimes get lost somewhere in the middle point. Josie Lepe / Special to the Chronicle The middle point feels very much where we are, in the housing crisis, in the regions half-built transportation system. (Guardino recently saw BART extended to San Jose, a cause he has long championed.) The key is not to get lost. And Guardino always seemed to have a map of where he wanted us to head. Owen Thomas, othomas@sfchronicle.com Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Quote of the week If Elon doesnt care about it, its not going to happen. An unnamed Tesla worker on the lack of visible support for diversity initiatives at the company from CEO Elon Musk, to Protocol Coming up Its (pandemic-delayed) tax day Wednesday. If you cant get it together to file your return, make sure to put in for an extension. What Im reading Gideon Lewis-Kraus on the Twitter war between the media and tech investors. (The New Yorker) Carolyn Said on the dilemma laid-off H-1B workers face. (San Francisco Chronicle) The Tech Transparency Project on a secretive Montana retreat organized by former Google adviser Eric Schmidt. (Tech Transparency Project) Tech Chronicle is a weekly newsletter from Owen Thomas, The Chronicles business editor, and the rest of the tech team. Follow along on Twitter: @techchronicle and Instagram: @techchronicle Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 05:00:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A screenshot taken from modernatx.com on July 14, 2020 shows the graphics and title of U.S. biotech company Moderna's latest release "Moderna's Work on a Potential Vaccine Against COVIOD-19." (Xinhua) Researchers plan to enroll 30,000 adult participants, including people whose locations or circumstances put them at high-risk of infection. Participants will either receive the vaccine or a placebo. WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. biotech company Moderna plans to begin its final phase of testing for its COVID-19 vaccine on July 27, according to details posted Tuesday on government database clinicaltrials.gov. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech company is the first to announce a start date for phase 3 study in the United States. The study aims to valuate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in adults aged 18 years and older, according to information on the website, which is maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health. Researchers plan to enroll 30,000 adult participants, including people whose locations or circumstances put them at high-risk of infection. Participants will either receive the vaccine or a placebo. The experimental group will be injected with 100 micrograms of the vaccine on day one and again on day 29. The placebo group will be injected with two doses of matching placebo on the same dates. Researchers will evaluate whether the participants develop COVID-19 14 days after they get their second dose. The participants will be followed for two years after receiving their second dose. The study will be conducted at 87 locations across the United States. Moderna Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks said earlier that the company is committed to advancing the clinical development of mRNA-1273 as safely and quickly as possible to demonstrate its vaccine's ability to significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 disease. Moderna was the first company in the United States to launch phase 1 study of COVID-19 vaccine in March in Seattle. In May, the company announced positive interim clinical data of the vaccine, saying it was generally safe and well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with that seen in prior Moderna infectious disease vaccine clinical studies. According to Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the U.S. government will fund and conduct key studies on three experimental coronavirus vaccines. The phase 3 trials will begin with one by Moderna in July, then an Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in August and one by Johnson & Johnson in September, according to Fauci. Kansas City, Mo.'s First Ever CDO Leaves for Job in Texas Eric Roche, Kansas City, Mo.'s first-ever chief data officer, has left his position for a new opportunity with the city of Pearland, Texas. Roche announced on Twitter Monday that he would be serving as Pearland's new budget officer. In an email to Government Technology, Roche said the new job would still deal heavily with data. A sign of the times and market forces at work whilst so many locals find that making a buck on the Internets is harder than it seems . . . Read more: Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 17:45:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VIENTIANE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government is cooperating with different sectors and entrepreneurs to improve the quality of agricultural products in order to increase exports to China. The country earned 560 million U.S. dollars in 2019 by exporting agricultural products, with 80 percent of the goods being sold to China, according to Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. China is the largest market for exports from Laos, which benefits from the quotas for 50,000 tons of rice and 500,000 cattle a year, local daily Vientiane Times on Wednesday quoted Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Lien Thikeo as saying in the ninth Ordinary Session of the National Assembly's eighth legislature. In addition, the ministry has successfully negotiated market opportunities and regulated hygienic conditions for export crops and related products, including rice, corn, cassava, bananas, watermelons and sweet potatoes, to China. Currently, the ministry is coordinating with the General Administration of Customs of China to draft conditions and specifications for the export of dried tobacco leaves, passion fruit and oranges. The two sides are also preparing documentation on market openings for durian, longan, dragon fruit, jackfruit and job's tears, said the report. Lien said that so far, three companies have completed 90 percent of livestock quarantine centers capable of processing 228,000 animals annually for export. Lao authorities are waiting for a technical team from China to inspect and confirm the facilities for official use. In order to increase the export of agricultural products, the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and entrepreneurs to actively work with China to negotiate on agricultural product lists, which will be confirmed along with the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary measures. The ministry will also cooperate with China to conduct inspections at international and local border checkpoints between the two countries to ensure the prompt movement of farm products, especially fresh produce. The value of products exported from Laos to China has continuously increased every year as part of the strengthening and deepening of cooperation between the two governments. During 2015-19, the value of exports from Laos to China increased by more than 100 million U.S. dollars a year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Laos earned around one billion U.S. dollars in 2015 from exports to China, 1.13 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, 1.23 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 and 1.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2019. Enditem Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 10:12 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066663ea0 1 Business Cathay-Life-Insurance,shareholders,share-sale,Cathay-Financial-Holding,Bank-Mayapada,banking,ownership Free Taiwan-based Cathay Life Insurance, a subsidiary of Cathay Financial Holdings, is preparing to increase its ownership of PT Bank Mayapada Internasional (Bank Mayapada), the banks executive says. The publicly listed insurance company now owns 37.33 percent of Bank Mayapada, making it the banks biggest shareholder, followed by PT Mayapada Karunia Corporation, which owns 26.42 percent of the total shares. Cathay Life insurance is one of the controlling shareholders of Bank Mayapada at the moment. They do have a desire to increase their ownership as part of their long-term strategy, Bank Mayapada president director Hariyono Tjahjarijadi told The Jakarta Post on Monday. In regard to the number of shares, what the composition of ownership will look like and when, are still being prepared by Cathay. Read also: Government gives LPS more power to prevent bank failure The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has reportedly given Cathay the green light to acquire 51 percent of the banks shares or more, which will make Cathay majority shareholder. Cathay is doing its due diligence right now, OJK deputy commissioner for banking supervision Slamet Edy Purnomo told tempo.co on Sunday. As long as it has a commitment to better bank development, Cathay is a major company that doesnt need to be doubted anymore. The OJK has not responded to the Posts request for comment at the time of writing. Hariyono hinted that Bank Mayapada would be upgrading to a BUKU IV bank, or banks with a core capital of over Rp 30 trillion (US$2.08 billion), upon completion of the deal. The bank is now in the BUKU II category with a core capital between Rp 5 trillion and Rp 30 trillion. Throughout the year, shareholders have been funneling funds to strengthen the banks capital. Read also: Letting BI supervise banks could backfire, experts warn It received a deposit of Rp 1 trillion by its controlling shareholder in two injections worth Rp 750 billion on July 1 and Rp 252 billion on April 24, according to its statement on July 3 as published by the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). PT Mayapada Karunia channeled Rp 230 billion out of the Rp 252 billion in April, while PT Mayapada Kasih funneled Rp 22.09 billion, according to a statement on the IDX website on April 28. The fund placement strengthened [the banks] capital and is part of the companys plan to carry out rights issues in 2020 worth a total of Rp 4.5 trillion, the banks statement says. A rights issue is usually offered when a company needs to raise capital by offering its shareholders the chance to buy newly issued shares at a discounted price. In the first quarter of this year, Bank Mayapadas net profit plunged by 44.52 percent to Rp 79.22 billion from Rp 142.78 trillion in the same period last year. Its non-performing loans (NPL) stands at 6.94 percent as of March 31, up from 4.99 percent last year and above the OJK health threshold of 5 percent. The banking industrys NPL, on the other hand, is at 2.77 percent in March, showing an upward trend as peoples purchasing power declined during the pandemic. Bank Mayapadas shares, traded on the IDX under the code MAYA, have lost 28.57 percent of its value as of Monday. Throughout the same period, the finance sector was down by 17.5 percent while the benchmark Jakarta Composite Index declined by 19.61 percent. Read also: Bukopin inches closer to solving liquidity problems, regaining customer trust Aviliani, a senior economist at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), told the Post on June 12 that foreign banks were attracted to Indonesias banking industry for its growth prospects. Investing in developing countries, including Indonesia, is seen to have very big market potential. Secondly, they [foreign entities] see that the profit margin is still quite high, Aviliani said. There have been several notable foreign acquisitions of Indonesian banks this year. In June, the OJK confirmed KB Kookmin Banks acquisition of Bank Bukopin with a $200 million deposit into an escrow account as part of the South Korean banks commitment. In May, Thailands Bangkok Bank completed the acquisition of Permata Bank through a $2.3 billion deal. Despite falling net interest margins (NIM), Indonesias banking industrys NIM was still considered attractive relative to countries in the region, she added. According to OJK data, Indonesias NIM was at 4.57 percent in April. Meanwhile, Bank Mayapadas NIM was recorded lower at 3.03 percent as of March 31, a significant downfall from 6.78 percent booked last year. Voices of Protest spotlights individuals throughout the Capital Region who play a direct and important role in the activism scene. Said Ibrahim was born out of struggle. The Palestinian Americans family was expelled from their home throughout the creation of the state of Israel twice the village of Al Abbasiyyah in 1949, and the Jericho refugee camp they fled to afterward in 1967. Ultimately, they relocated to neighboring Jordan. It informs my worldview, the 32-year-old lawyer said. As Palestinian Americans who were born here, the ties we have to that country and that struggle under oppression its a part of your identity, its a part of your soul. The injustice is felt wherever you see it. Voices of protest: Activist profiles That tie to injustice has brought Ibrahim, who grew up in Latham, to the streets at almost each Black Lives Matter protest in the Capital Region. When the video of George Floyds killing after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee to Floyds neck for nearly nine minutes was released, Ibrahim didnt need to watch it. His heart was already broken. But Floyds killing wasnt a final straw for him the way it was for many other Americans. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. I'm surprised that we haven't been out here for 30 years, he said . Ill be surprised if we dont stay out here until 2022. No justice, no peace, works. Police brutality, Ibrahim said, is only one of his concerns its just a single facet of an entire web of systemic racism. There isn't really a subject issue or a political issue in America where you cant add the phrase Black and brown people are more negatively impacted than everybody else. Which means our entire system in every facet is geared towards white supremacy, he said. So we are trying for equity and we're trying for a correction of that system. Dr. Thomas Holmes, a practicing surgeon who had perfected his method of embalming in the 1850s, approached President Lincoln after Ellsworths death and offered to embalm Ellsworths body for free. Lincoln acquiesced, and thousands of people flocked to view Ellsworths body lying in state in the East Room of the White House. The body remained there for several days, then was taken to New York City, where thousands more lined the streets to view the funeral cortege of this popular and well-connected man, the first Union casualty of the Civil War. Embalming the fallen dead took off; people clamored for the embalming and the return of their sons for burial at home, even if it meant severe financial hardship. Holmes alone reportedly embalmed 4,000 men over the course of the war at $100 per body. Opportunists, seeking to cash in, quickly set themselves up in business. Embalmings took place on the battlefield under makeshift tents, performed by nonprofessionals with little or no knowledge of anatomy, and results varied widely. Business was so good that the War Department was eventually forced to issue General Order 39, which stated that only properly certified embalmers could offer their services. The beginning of mortuary service as a profession had begun. The death of Abraham Lincoln From a model city hailed for its Covid-19 containment efforts, Bengaluru is now under a strict 7-day lockdown, from July 14 to 22 after witnessing an exponential rise in the number of cases during the last two and a half weeks. Surge in Cases Bengaluru (Urban + Rural) had recorded just 374 cases till the end of the lockdown on May 31. Just for perspective, Delhi had already registered 19,844 cases, Chennai had 14,799 and Mumbai had 39,686 cases. Post the lifting of the restrictions, Bengaluru first witnessed a major surge from the 19th of June and registered 140 cases, on an average, every day for a week till the 25th. This was a big jump from an average 38 cases daily in the previous week (June 12 to 18). But thereafter it has witnessed an unprecedented surge in cases. Bengalurus cases have risen at an alarming rate since June 27. They have multiplied by more than 10 times in this 17-day period, which is by far the highest growth rate for any major city in India. From 2,008 cases on June 26, the city has crossed 20,000 cases by the 13th of July. Bengaluru accounted for just 10.58 per cent of Karnatakas cases till mid June. That percentage rose to 30.73 per cent till the end of the month. As of July 13, the capital of Karnataka contributes almost half (48.31 per cent) of the total number of Covid-19 cases in the state. Till mid-May, Bengaluru did not even feature in the 40 worst affected cities (in terms of the number of cases) in India. It has now one of the 8 cities in the infamous 20,000-plus club. Bengaluru has added 18,079 cases in the last two and a half weeks (June 27-July 13) averaging above a thousand daily cases in this period. With the exception of the 7th, it has recorded more than 1,000 daily cases every day since the 3rd of July. The city witnessed its highest single-day surge on July 12 with 1,544 cases. It registered a higher daily count (1,336 cases) than Delhi (1,246), Mumbai (1,158) and Chennai (1,235) on July 13. The containment zones in the city have also gone up from 63 on May 31 to 554 on June 30 to 4,616 on July 12. Increase in Positivity Rate Along with the surge in cases, what is concerning for Bengaluru (Urban) is the increase in the Positivity Rate. It (Cumulative Positivity Rate) has gone up from 1.17 per cent on the 31st of May to 4.11 per cent (June 30) to 10.97 per cent on July 12. What is worrying is the rise in the Daily Positivity Rate (DPR) of Bengaluru in the last few days. It crossed 25 per cent on the 9th and 10th of July, which implies that one in every four people tested on those days in the city was positive. The Average Positivity Rate between July 6 and 11 was 22.35 per cent. Rise in Fatalities in July Bengaluru (Urban) has recorded a spike in the number of Covid-19 deaths in the last 10 days. The city had a total of 105 fatalities till the 3rd of July but has witnessed more than double (216) the number in just one and a half weeks since then. It has registered a higher number of deaths (92) in the last two days (July 12 and 13) than Delhi (77), Mumbai (91) and Chennai (56). The only silver lining for Bengaluru is that its Mortality Rate has come down from 2.03 per cent on June 30 to 1.6 per cent on July 13. But this is more a factor of the huge rise in the number of cases. Bangalore had been initially successful relying on the 4Ts of testing, tracing, tracking and treatment. But the end of the lockdown and the easing of curbs led to violation of social distancing norms, inter-city, inter-district and inter-state movement and subsequently a sudden surge in cases with the authorities not equipped to tackle the heavy case-load. For the period between June 23 and July 7, the source of transmission remained untraced (till July 9) in as many as 9,867 of the 9,964 reported cases, that is, 99.02 per cent. Perhaps, there lies the story! SAGINAW, MI Saginaw native Robert Reed has lived at White Deer Apartments in Saginaw for eight years. But now, he and other tenants of the apartment complex are scrambling to figure out where they will live next. They have less than 48 hours to figure it all out. Reed and about 30 residents at the apartment complex, 1800 Beacon Drive, were notified on Tuesday, July 14, that they had until 5 p.m. Thursday, July 16, to pack up their belongings, and find somewhere else to live. The city of Saginaw is planning on condemning the buildings on Thursday. Reed will have no choice but to leave his residence of nearly a decade due to safety concerns at the complex that has prompted officials with Saginaw to take action. Its unfortunate, especially at a time like this, with this pandemic going on, Reed said. It just happened so fast and without us even knowing ahead of time, even 30 days, 90 days. It just landed on us - three days. Its just overwhelming. A lot of us dont even know what to do. Were trying to stick together and figure stuff out for each other. City Chief Inspector John Stemple said the impending decision to condemn the buildings of the complex comes after a lengthy period of poor conditions at the site. Reed said after his first four years of living at White Deer, he began to notice how poorly maintenance was managed. Stemple said some of the repairs needed are significant and are dangerous such as electrical, plumbing and HVAC issues. In addition to those issues, some of the outdoor balconies are in jeopardy of collapsing, he added. Weve been more than patient, Stemple said. Our inspectors have tried to encourage them to get things done and tried to work with them and give them extensions. But from what I understand a number of things still havent been corrected. Stemple said officers from the Saginaw Code Enforcement Neighborhood Improvement will visit the complex again on Thursday, and inspect any repairs that may have taken place since their last visit. If some of the work has been done and we can not condemn some of the buildings, then so be it, Stemple said. " We have to wait and see what that shows. The apartment manager who has asked to not be named said there has been communication between the city and the apartment owner, who lives in Argentina, for over a year in regard to maintenance issues. She hasnt given me the money to be able to do any of these repairs and its been well over a year, the manager said. The balconies are not finished, that was one of the things we had to finish. The manager said the notice from the city caught them off guard as well. Come Thursday, the manager will also be jobless, they stated. Since residents have been notified about the city potentially condemning their homes, some residents like Reed retrieved his July rent payment. After work on Tuesday, Jeremy Robinson learned the news about his home possibly being condemned in a letter from management posted on the doors of the complex. How is she going to give us a three-day notice to move? Robinson asked. You know thats kind of impossible to do. Jeremy Robinson, Robinson's daughter Jai'La Robinson and Jai'La's mother, Teraiya mcGee. Robinson lives in a two-bedroom unit with his two children and childrens mother. Hes in the process of finding a storage unit to store the familys belongings. His children and their mother will stay at her mothers home. Robinson is still looking for housing for himself, he said. As for Reed, hes also still in the process of lining up a place to stay for him and his mother. The city inspector said the city has reached out to organizations such as the Red Cross, Department of Health and Human Services, Rescue Mission and United Way of Saginaw County in an effort to help some get assistance with their move. The city is very concerned for the safety and well-being of the residents of the apartment buildings, which is why were making this a priority and getting involved at this level, Stemple said. " We certainly dont want to displace anybody, but if we have to, we want to make sure the resources are there, so that they have a place to go where they can live and be safe. Related news: Community cleans up condemned Saginaw apartments, some tenants return Family shouldnt have been in condemned home that burned, killing 2 Patna, July 15 : The Bihar Congress on Wednesday flayed the Nitish Kumar-led government for the exponential increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the state. However, the Bihar government claims that prompt treatment is being provided to the patients following necessary rules and laws. Senior Congress leader and former Youth Congress President Lallan Kumar alleged on Wednesday that Nitish Kumar holds meetings apparently to fight Covid-19, but actually he is eyeing the upcoming Assembly polls. Quoting the World Health Organization (WHO), Lallan Kumar said that those infected by coronavirus should be kept in quarantine centres. If infected people are being isolated at home, then the family and those in the vicinty are at a greater risk, Kumar said. Kumar alleged that the health system in Bihar was the worst among all the states in the country, adding that the medicine for common diseases was rarely available at the health centres in the state. The government, he suggested, should build a quarantine centre in the Bihar Museum building in Patna so that all corona-infected people can be safely housed there and protected. He said the Covid-19 infection cannot be controlled only by imposing 'lockdown' but it needs to be strictly followed. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Photo for illustration. (Source: vneconomy.vn) According to the agreement, some processed products with high basic tariffs when exported to the EU will be immediately reduced to 0%, such as oysters, scallops, squid, octopus, clams and processed abalone. Additionally, Vietnamese lobster, frozen or smoked sugpo prawn (without shells), dried fish (salt or brined), smoked fish and tuna of all kinds exported to the market will be cut to 0%. Currently, these items are subject to 8%-22% tariffs. The EU is now the second biggest seafood market of Vietnam, making up more than 17% of the total export value. Of this, shrimp accounts for 22% of market share, tra fish 11% and other seafood products 30%-35%./. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 08:33 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666552fb 1 Business logistics,FoodPrices,distribution,pandemic Free The logistics disruption due to social restrictions to contain COVID-19 has affected the food distribution to many regions in Indonesia, particularly the eastern parts, Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said. The pandemic restriction led to a decline in the number of ships delivering food to eastern Indonesia to six ships per month from 48 ships per month in normal times, according to the minister. Many do not know that ships going to the eastern part of the country, including Papua, that normally can amount to 48 ships a month, now can only be six ships monthly, Syahrul said in a virtual briefing on Monday. Truck drivers who have delivered food or picked up food from the countrys hard-hit areas also have to be in quarantine for two weeks, adding to the prolonged food distribution across the country, Syahrul added. COVID-19 restrictions, which are now being phased out in some places, have caused logistical disruptions along the supply chain by limiting mobility in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 78,500 people nationwide. At the beginning of June, TaniHub Group, which sells agricultural products online, told The Jakarta Post that the mandatory quarantine for truck drivers, which led to delays in food logistics, had increased its operational expenses. This is despite the government exemption for food logistics on the restrictions in the regions. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that the transportation and warehouse sector grew 1.27 percent yoy in the first quarter of 2020. This was a significantly slower pace than the 5.25 percent annual growth in the first quarter of 2019. The disrupted food logistics might also affect food prices. The average price of onions on July 14 in Jayapura, Papua, stood at Rp 67,000 per kilogram this year, a more than 34 percent increase from Rp 49,750 on July 15 last year, according to monthly data from the Center for Information on Strategic Food Prices (PIHPS). Previously, the Transportation Ministry stated that it was relying on a long-running sea transportation program the maritime highway to support logistics in the country amid disruption induced by the pandemic. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on June 21 stated that optimizing the maritime highway, a flagship program in President Joko Jokowi Widodos first term in office, was part of the governments efforts to ensure the movement of goods during the health crisis. The maritime highway is expected to secure supply logistics all across Indonesia during the pandemic, Budi said according to a press release. To optimize the maritime highway program, all stakeholders need to take part to maximize the carrying capacity of the ships and reduce price disparity [among islands]. The maritime highway, which has run since 2015, is a subsidized cargo program to distribute staple goods and major consumer items including rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil and eggs as well as steel and cement to remote regions of the archipelago. It aims to reduce the price disparity across the countrys many islands, which is generally caused by costly logistics. Topics : logistics FoodPrices distribution pandemic The Madras High Court directed Oyo Hotels & Homes to respond to a breach of contract case filed by Hotel Sakthi Park before its next hearing on August 12. The hotel, which is around 100 km south of Chennai, had filed a case against Oyo in the Madras High Court on July 10 for non-payment of minimum guarantee. The case was filed under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The hotel is now seeking relief and is requesting for a compensation of Rs 75 lakh from Oyo Hotels & Homes. According to advocate B Raghupathy, who is representing Hotel Sakthi Park in the case, the company was in a contract with Oyo that guarantees minimum income per month for three years despite its performance. The hotel, he said, had also spent significantly in renovating the place, catering to Oyos standards in turn for a minimum guarantee. G Vairava Subramanian, another lawyer representing the hotel, said the hotel entered into an agreement with Oyo in July 2019 for a three year lock-in period. While Oyo had paid six month advance rent till November 2019, the hotel did not receive payment after that. This is not the first case filed against Oyo for breach of contract. Recent times have seen Oyo being dragged to court by multiple hoteliers in states such as Bengaluru and New Delhi. "The matter is sub judice and hence we cannot comment. While we will defend the matter in the court, we endeavour to resolve all issues with a one on one mutual engagement," an Oyo spokesperson said in an earlier statement to Moneycontrol on July 13. KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th July, 2020) Ukraine and Slovakia are planning to sign an agreement on the Uzhhorod airport during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit this autumn, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. On June 10, the Ukrainian government approved the inking of an agreement with Bratislava on the operations of the airport in the city of Uzhhorod, which is located in western Ukraine. The facility's runway ends at the border with Slovakia, meaning all planes have to take off or land through the latter's air space. Earlier in the day, Kiev's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed the issue by phone with his Slovakian counterpart, Ivan Korok. "Ukraine has met all the demands for the signing of the agreement and is expecting from Slovakia to swiftly finalize the domestic procedures on preparing the document to be signed," Kuleba said in a statement. The document is expected to be inked "during the official visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Slovakia, scheduled for autumn." Korok has assured that that working on the agreement is a priority for the Slovakian side. Citigroup said Tuesday that its quarterly profit fell 73 percent as it set aside $5.6 billion to cover future loan losses triggered by the widespread unemployment caused by the pandemic. The bank also reported net credit losses of $2.2 billion, a 12 percent increase from last year, resulting from individuals and businesses that have already defaulted on loans during the crisis, bringing the Citis total credit cost in the second quarter to $7.9 billion. As the third largest credit issuer in the United States, Citigroup is particularly vulnerable to increases in credit card delinquencies, which tend to dovetail with a rise in unemployment. The bank said it had offered forbearance on two million credit card accounts representing 6 percent of balances so far. Net income fell to $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2020 from $4.8 billion a year earlier. Revenue rose 5 percent to $19.77 billion as the pace of trading activity rose. This spring-now-summer of protest shows no signs of fading away, as demonstrators make their voices heard on issues as disparate as health regulations, gun violence, Confederate statues and institutionalized racism. Through it all, the First Amendment both fuels those voices and protects those rights at times in collaboration with other amendments in the Bill of Rights. Still, few of us are steeped in constitutional law and statutory regulations. Primers can provide any citizen with the basics on rights, responsibilities and potential entanglements with a patchwork quilt of federal, state and local laws. Heres a First Amendment-friendly guide with links to those primers, classes and advisories about protest how the rights of free speech, assembly and petition work when you step outside or go online to be heard. From the Freedom Forum: Freedom of Assembly protects the right to peacefully gather with others, without regard to views and opinions when we take the streets in protest or in support of a causes. Everything you need to know whether youre a student, parent, teacher, school administrator or lawyer about classroom walk-outs and school protests. Social media platforms are private companies and since the First Amendment only applies to government, they can accept or reject what people post. But given their growing role in public discourse, what are their censorship policies? How do they compare to each other and to the First Amendments protections? Im just speaking my mind, at work or in a public place how protected is what I say? Pushing the limits of protected speech: When is disruptive too disruptive? How it was done: (Video) Shirlene Mercer remembering the modern civil rights-era protests around lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro, N.C. From other sources: The experts at New York Universitys online First Amendment Watch have produced a detailed guide for citizens when recording police activity. Learn about federal and state laws, how your rights apply in different situations and the legal roots for this still-new tool in holding police accountable. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a quick, to-the-point general guide to know your rights at a protest. The online legal services site FindLaw has a guide to legal issues ranging from basic rights to a section titled somewhat ominously wartime policies. The same site also provides a guide to each states unique laws about protesting in public. To all of that information, lets add a few additional items: When protesting, there is no immunity under the First Amendment that allows you to disregard, without potential arrest and penalty, a direct order even one you believe is illegal from a police officer. The First Amendment rights of petition and assembly do not give you permission to cross or occupy private property; thats still called trespassing. And as to occupying public property: Since the occupy movement a few years ago, many jurisdictions updated their policies regarding public squares, parks and such, with many outlawing overnight stays or blocking the space so that other, non-involved persons are unable to pass through it. Blocking traffic on a public street, whether an individual effort or a mass protest, likely is illegal. Again, there is no First Amendment shield against arrest, though police action may well depend on balancing the taking of protesters into custody versus clearing the thoroughfare. The rights of assembly and petition on National Park Service property have certain limitations, with permits required if a group of 25 or more, or pay attention to this the protest is likely to attract a combined audience of participants and those watching of more than 25. A court decision some years ago cleared the way for individuals to protest with no permit conditions, as long as the person was not blocking others from using the park. Granted, a recitation of the rules, regulations and legal circumstances around exercising your free speech when assembling peaceably to petition for change may lack the passion of the real thing. But its those freedoms that give legal protection for the passions that have changed the nations laws, policies and even attitudes, about womens rights, racial injustice, juvenile protection laws, labor regulations and rights and much more. And thats a lot from a little: the simple but majestic 45 words of the First Amendment. Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at gpolicinski@freedomforum.org, or follow him on Twitter at @genefac. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 13:19:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SYDNEY, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A COVID-19 outbreak centered around a popular Sydney pub has been identified as originating in the neighboring state of Victoria. New South Wales (NSW) State officials made the link on Wednesday, however have avoided calls to implement a lockdown of hospitality venues in order to stop the spread. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro told local media on Wednesday that genomic testing had linked the cluster to a strain of the virus emanating from Victoria. "There is no question the virus has come from Victoria. We don't know where that's seeded, we have been doing the contact tracing," Barilaro told the Seven Network. Later, NSW's COVID-19 operations manager Jennie Musto confirmed that the most likely source of the cluster was a work function in which one of the attendees had travelled from the Victorian state capital of Melbourne. Barilaro was resistant to the idea of localised lockdowns in order to stop the cluster spreading further, saying that the economic impact of a return to lockdown was undesirable and that NSW had the facilities to deal with a modest outbreak if one occurred. "Economically that would have an impact, that would be detrimental and we believe we have the health system in place to deal with the spread," Barilaro said. "We're not panicked ... remember when we did the first shutdown, we were able to build the health system up from 550 ICU beds to 2,000." In response to the developments, state leaders in Queensland and the Northern Territory declared parts of Sydney to be COVID-19 hotspots, placing harsh restrictions on anyone who had travelled there in the past two weeks. Meanwhile a woman in her 90s and a man in his 80s died in Victoria after contracting the virus, taking the country's death toll to 111. In the past two weeks Victoria has recorded over 2,000 new cases of transmission, spurring concern over the potential for a nationwide second wave of the virus. NSW, of which Sydney is the capital, saw a much smaller spike in cases, notably a cluster of over 30 cases linked to a popular bar and restaurant venue in the city's outer southwest suburbs. Enditem According to multiple media reports, rapper Kanye West has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race after announcing he would run two weeks ago. Newsweek reported, A member of the rappers campaign team has confirmed that West will no longer be contesting the election. Steve Kramer, who specializes in getting candidates on the ballot, told New York Magazines The Intelligencer that West, 43, is out of the race. The Intelligencer reported yesterday that Kramer was hired to help West get on the ballot in Florida and South Carolina. West had tweeted his intent to run on the Fourth of July. We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States ! #2020VISION ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020 Days later he said he would run as a third party candidate under the Birthday Party because when we win, its everybodys birthday. #BREAKING: Adviser says Kanye West no longer trying to run for president: "He's out" https://t.co/1xGxQgejGT pic.twitter.com/zl9299pSg7 The Hill (@thehill) July 15, 2020 READ MORE 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. RTHK: Protester sculpture replaces slave trader statue A sculpture of a Black protester with her fist raised in the air has been erected in place of a 17th Century English slave trader whose statue was toppled by anti-racism demonstrators last month in Britain's port city of Bristol. Edward Colston, who made a fortune from trading in West African slaves, was pulled down and thrown in the harbour last month by protesters demonstrating in the wake of the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25. The death of Floyd led to protests for racial equality and police reforms across the United States and around the world. The sculpture of Jen Reid, who was photographed standing on the plinth of Colston's statue just after it was pulled down, was put up in the early hours of Wednesday by a team directed by artist Marc Quinn, the Guardian newspaper reported. "Resident Jen Reid and I have unveiled a new temporary, public installation, A Surge of Power (Jen Reid) 2020, on top of Edward Colstons empty plinth in Bristol, England," Quinn said on Instagram beside a photograph of the new work. Quinn is best known for his statue of a pregnant disabled woman in London's Trafalgar Square. "I think it's something the people of Bristol really appreciate seeing," Reid told the BBC. Bristol mayor said the future of what should replace Colston should be decided by the people of Bristol, though he said the sculpture of Reid was installed by a London-based artist and no permission was given for it. Last month, Rees said Colston's statue, now retrieved from the water, would be exhibited in a museum and displayed alongside Black Lives Matter placards from the recent protest so the 300-year story of slavery and the fight for racial equality could be better understood. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2020-07-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Michael Zucker used to help run hospitals for big, for-profit health care corporations. Now hes leading a San Antonio-based health care tech startup thats one of the few companies managing to turn a profit during the pandemic. The firm is Ranger Health, which does business as FetchMD, and the idea behind it is simple: Let patients set up visits with medical professionals through an app. Since its 2015 founding, the company has raised more than $10 million from investors, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Zuckers co-founders are Dr. Cameron Powell and software developer Trey Moore a pair of entrepreneurs best known for launching AirStrip Technologies in 2004. The startups flagship product was a mobile app that allowed physicians to monitor their patients vitals remotely. Zucker, who previously was the regions chief strategy officer for Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., serves as Ranger Healths CEO. He recently discussed how the privately held business started and how the coronavirus crisis has affected its operations. Below is an edited transcript of the interview. Q: Your company brings back doctors house calls, but you request the service through a smartphone app. How did you develop the idea? A: When we started the company, it was really a very different business that we were in. We were servicing employers in the region and helping them with their hospital events that were driving up their health care costs in their health care plans. We saw an interesting trend within our clients and their employees. They were contacting us daily about their most minor health care needs. Theyd call and say, I think I have the flu, but I dont have a primary care doctor. Where should I go? or We think our kid has strep throat and cant get in to see the pediatrician. There were all these questions about access and navigation, and it seemed to go hand in hand. If they had somewhere to go, they couldnt get in for weeks. Because we were a small and nimble company, we thought well, lets try something. On ExpressNews.com: House calls go high-tech with San Antonio service Q: That was the start of FetchMD? A: Not yet. We were originally called Ranger Health On Call, and we offered essentially house calls where we would send a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner out to see employees at their home or office. We really did this as an added benefit for being part of the Ranger Health network. Within weeks of introducing it to our clients, we found it very challenging to keep up with the demand. Our physician assistant was driving all over San Antonio, but we realized the consumer loved it because what we were offering was fast, affordable and super convenient. All I can say is those are three things you rarely hear in health care. We hired three PAs and an interesting thing happened we started getting phone calls from people all over the city after hearing about it from their friends or family or even their neighbors who worked for our clients. Q: Were you able to do house calls for these neighbors? A: At first, we said we really werent able to because at the time we operated like a members-only business. We really werent set up to see people unless they were employees of our clients. But those calls just kept coming in so we decided to open it up to just anybody in the San Antonio region. Initially, we charged $99. It was a flat price and it was all inconclusive, whether you needed a test or stitches. People liked knowing exactly how much it would cost. We didnt take insurance so they could pay cash or use a flexible spending account or health savings account. And then we realized we couldnt just keep hiring more staff, and it would be challenging treating people at that price, too. Q: So how did you expand operations? A: This is where my two co-founders come in. They have a lot of experience in software and technology given their background with founding AirStrip. Trey Moore, who is our chief technology officer, said why dont we create a platform where people can request a visit, and we can match them with health care providers? It was very similar to Lyft or Uber or any of these platforms where youre matching consumers with services. It had never really been done before in health care. It took us about six months to do it. It was about 2 years ago and then we decided to change the name to FetchMD because the name was kind of consumer-friendly. Q: Who are your customers? A: Mainly employers because providing our service is an affordable, easier option for their employees. Its really an alternative to going to an urgent care center or ending up in a hospital emergency room for minor care. Remember that so many people today dont have primary care doctors or even if they have one, its very difficult to get in. For the employers, its about productivity and cost savings. A parent wouldnt have to take off four hours to take their child to the pediatrician. Its good for white-collar workers because they dont even have to leave their desk. Weve got all different types of customers from factory workers to people who work in banks and lawyers. Q: How have you scaled the business? A: We had a traditional business model where we employed medical practitioners who made house calls, but we realized in order to scale the business we were going to have to build a much more efficient technology platform. The mobile application is actually only one of the services we had to create. We have the consumer-facing app and then the app that providers use and an administrative app where we can keep track of all of these interactions, and 17 different portals. We truly are a virtual company we always were. Our workforce is predominantly independent contractors. As weve evolved, we made it to Austin and now we service all of Texas, mainly on a telehealth platform that we developed prior to COVID that we used for follow-up visits. Little did we realize that telehealth service would become our predominant way of seeing people today. On ExpressNews.com: For the first time, telemedicine is surging in San Antonio Q: Is the company still making house calls during the pandemic? A: On March 13, we made the decision to stop going to see people in person. I think theres just a lot of uncertainty around COVID-19. We pivoted the entire company to telehealth, and weve seen exponential growth. Were 600 percent busier in July than we were in March, and its all on the telehealth platform. Its unbelievable. Typically, (during) your summer months, it gets slow for health care providers, yet were seeing so much volume right now. Q: So you partnered with the grocery chain H-E-B? How does that work? A: We formed a relationship with H-E-B a couple of years ago as our preferred pharmacy. Whenever a prescription is filled, its sent electronically to an H-E-B pharmacy and customers get free delivery to their home. Q: Have you increased your fee? A: Our employers get a discount off of our published rate. Our telehealth visits end up being around $59. When you request a visit on the app, it runs you $149, all inclusive your lab tests, injections, stitches (for which FetchMD is currently directing clients to third-party providers). Thats a pretty good deal because you never have to leave your house. Q: Why do you think health care consumers are looking for this kind of service? A: I think since the advent of the smartphone, which has only been what 10 or 11 years, its enabled or empowered consumers in a whole different kind of way. Likewise, weve seen a huge rise in out-of-pocket expenses or deductibles for consumers. Almost half of the country is on a high deductible plan, which means that a couple thousand dollars are coming out of a persons pocket until the insurance will kick in. I think those two dynamics intersected, which is really moving people toward becoming more informed consumers. Just like anything else, consumers want value and convenience all things they can access with their phone in the palm of their hand. Health care has been the last industry to evolve. On ExpressNews.com: Drugstore giants vie for patients in telemedicine market Q: Is this the biggest change in health care since youve been in it? A: Id have to say it is. Its only been in the last few years, but the shift toward empowering individuals to become better informed consumers has been a drastic change. I think the pandemic has done more to accelerate this than anything else. Even though telemedicine had been around for decades, nobody ever used it. Laura Garcia covers the health care industry. To read more from Laura, become a subscriber. laura.garcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @Reporter_Laura By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has contacted via phone families of Major General Polad Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzayev, who heroically died during the battles on the Azerbaijani- Armenian border, the presidents press service reported on July 15. Speaking with the Hashimovs mother and Mirzayevs son, Aliyev expressed deep condolences to the families of the martyrs. The president noted that the heroism of servicemen who died for the motherland will never be forgotten and their deaths will be avenged. The funeral ceremony was held for Major-General Polad Hashimov and Colonel Ilgar Mirzaev today, who heroically died on July 14 during heavy fighting in the Tovuz region on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. At the funeral ceremony held in the Second Alley of Honor, Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, First Deputy Minister of Defense-Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel General Najmaddin Sadiqov, Deputy Head of Military Affairs Department of Presidential Administration Lieutenant General Yashar Aliyev, Head of Sector for Work with Armed Forces of the Presidential Administration Lieutenant General Elshad Babayev, Head of Baku city Executive Powers Eldar Azizov, as well as public figures and colleagues of the victims expressed their condolences to relatives and friends of martyrs. To the sounds of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan performed by the Military Orchestra, martyrs were buried under the salvo fire in accordance with the military traditions. Defense Ministry stressed to the families of the martyrs and all participants of the ceremony that martyrs death will be avenged. Major General Hashimovs brother Ilham Hashimov and Colonel Mirzaevs son Elvin Mirzaev expressed deep gratitude to Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and the Defense Ministry for high level of organization of the funeral ceremony. Following the path of his father, Elvin Mirzayev promised to join the Azerbaijani army as an officer and avenge his father and all countrys martyrs. On the night leading to July 14, five Azerbaijani servicemen, including a major general and colonel, were killed during the Armenian attack on the border. In three days of fighting, the Azerbaijani army lost 11 officers and soldiers. One civilian was killed as a result of artillery fire by the Armenian armed forces. The cross-border fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan started on July 12 with Armenia's firing artillery at Azerbaijan's positions in the direction of Tovuz region. It should be noted that 43 parties in Azerbaijan issued a joint statement on July 15 in which they expressed full support to President Aliyev amid Armenias provocation on the border. "We, the political parties of Azerbaijan, strongly support the policy pursued by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, to ensure the territorial integrity and security of the population (...) declare close cohesion around the head of state," the statement reads. Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a conflict over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh breakaway region, which along with seven adjacent regions was occupied by Armenian forces in a war in the early 1990s. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France has been mediating the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict since the signing of the volatile cease-fire agreement in 1994. However, final peace deal has not been reached yet. Nigerian government on Wednesday said it would not yet reverse its decision not to reopen schools to allow SS 3 students participate in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE. There had been outcry and condemnation since the Nigerian government announced that SS 3 students would not take part in this years WASSCE in order to avert the spread of Coronavirus. Minister of State for Education, Chief Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, after the Virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting on Wednesday said the position remained unchanged. The minister said the Ministry was still consulting with education stakeholders on what the best position should be, adding the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had also started consultations with West African nations on a possibility of shifting dates. According to him, government was still meeting with parents over the decision of the Ministry, adding that what the Minister said reflected the true position of the Ministry We are not confident yet that everywhere is safe, the numbers from the NCDC are still alarming and we have put this before parents and all the stakeholders in the the Education ecosystem, we are still meeting with them. In fact, theres a stakeholders meeting convened for Monday, he said. Nwajiuba said WAEC on its own part was also negotiating with other West African countries to look at possible shift in date. He said once they were through with that meeting and that hopefully when government was through with the consultation with stakeholders, if there was any change in the Ministrys position, it would be communicated. But as it stands, the position of the Honourable Minister, as communicated to you last week, remains the position of the Ministry until further evidence to the contrary or further agreements that may alter those arise, Nwajiuba said. Related New South Wales recorded 13 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with ten of those cases coming from the Crossroads Hotel outbreak. Authorities also confirmed an infectious traveller from Victoria dubbed 'patient zero' sparked the flare-up. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says there are now 34 cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula in Sydney's south-west, at least 20 of them patrons. Contact tracer Jennie Musto told reporters the link between the outbreak with Victoria was a man who travelled from Melbourne to Sydney at the end of June. The Melbourne man went to a workplace in Sydney, which has since had confirmed cases, before all employees went to a party at the Crossroads Hotel on July 3. New South Wales recorded 13 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with ten of those cases coming from the Crossroads Hotel outbreak (pictured, officials cleaning the hotel) Residents and business owners being tested at Casula in the vicinity of The Crossroads Hotel where a COVID-19 testing clinic has been set up (pictured on Tuesday) 'So this is where it all began,' Ms Musto said. Ms Musto said the man travelled between the states on June 30 and worked in the freight industry. The man was linked to six other colleagues who were also infected with the virus. NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro had earlier in the day confirmed genomic testing of the Casula virus found links to a strain from Victoria, where hundreds of new COVID-19 cases are being reported each day. Victoria recorded 238 new cases on Wednesday, the tenth consecutive day of triple-digit infection rates. 'It's not a virus which has been transmitted through the community because something has occurred here,' Mr Barilaro told the Seven Network. Of the ten cases on Wednesday related to the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney's south-west, six people attended the venue and two were closes contacts of people who attended. NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant (pictured) told reporters any staff and patrons who attended Planet Fitness between July 4 and July 10 are now considered close contacts Queensland has declared the Sydney local government areas of Liverpool and Campbelltown (pictured) as COVID-19 hotspots, banning residents or visitors from those areas from entering CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 27,244 Victoria: 20,269 New South Wales: 4,273 Queensland: 1,161 Western Australia: 692 South Australia: 473 Tasmania: 230 Australian Capital Territory: 113 Northern Territory: 33 TOTAL CASES: 27,244 ESTIMATED ACTIVE CASES: 269 DEATHS: 897 Updated: 5.31 PM, 11 October, 2020 Source: Australian Government Department of Health Advertisement The remaining two cases were already reported cases who got the infection from the Planet Fitness gym in Casula. The other three new cases were returned travellers, Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed. Dr Chant told reporters any staff and patrons who attended Planet Fitness between July 4 and July 10 are now considered close contacts. But she said it was important not to lose sight of the fact the infection may have been spread elsewhere in the state. 'This highlights the rapidity with which COVID can spread, and the importance of us tracing the contacts very quickly,' Dr Chant said. 'It's very important we don't lose sight that COVID could've been introduced in any other part of Sydney ... this is a stealthy virus.' Ms Chant thanked a confirmed case in the Blue Mountains who was tested and a clinician in Liverpool who found a link to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak. 'They're actually the heroes...those two actions by that individual and that registrar enabled us to put the puzzle together,' she said. Ms Musto said the Melbourne freight worker is not the Blue Mountains man, but that they both attended the Crossroads Hotel on July 3. Anyone who visited the Crossroads Hotel between July 3 and July 10 is also being urged to get tested immediately. Testing has been ramped up in Sydney's south-west with 3,297 people presenting themselves for testing in the region on Tuesday (pictured, a pop-up clinic in Picton on Tuesday) A general view of the Planet Fitness Gym in Casula (pictured), which has closed after a worker tested positive for COVID-19 on July 13 Testing has been ramped up in Sydney's south-west with 3,297 people presenting themselves for testing in the region on Tuesday. There are more clinics available at Liverpool Hospital, Campbelltown Hospital, Victoria Park in Picton, Camden Hospital, Narellan Community Health Centre, Bankstown Hospital, Fairfield Hospital and Bowral Hospital. Dr Chant also named a number of venues where confirmed COVID-19 cases spent time, including the YMCA at Revesby, Wests Leagues Club at Leumeah, Macarthur Tavern in Campbelltown and Casula Kmart. A worker at Woolworths in Bowral has also tested positive to the virus and the store underwent deep cleaning on Tuesday night. The staff member worked at the store on July 12 and was asymptomatic at the time. A southwest Sydney pizza restaurant, meanwhile, is closing for three days for deep cleaning after a customer tested positive for COVID-19. Mancini's Original Woodfired Pizza at Belfield said NSW Health had deemed the case a low risk to staff as the male customer stayed within his group when he was there on Friday. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) looks on during a press conference in Sydney on Tuesday NSW Health are investigating after a coronavirus-positive man spent an hour at Mancini's Original Woodfired Pizza in Belfield (pictured), in Sydney's southwest, on Friday Police are working with Liquor and Gaming to investigate if Crossroads Hotel breached any guidelines. All patrons of the hotel from July 3 to 10 must self-isolate and are being urged to get tested. One of the cases linked to the hotel is a person who visited the Prestons Lodge Advantaged Care nursing home, which has been placed into lockdown. Dr Chant said other venues across Sydney may have been exposed to the virus between June 27 and July 10 after visits from people linked to the outbreak. Ms Berejiklian also on Tuesday announced a tightening of restrictions for pubs and hotels, including a cap of 300 patrons and mandatory sign-ins. Those restrictions will come into effect from Friday. Lidl will open one new store per week between now and Christmas, creating up to 1,000 jobs, as part of plans to expand to 1,000 supermarkets by the end of 2023. The discounter plans to open over 25 stores in the next six months, and 100 stores in 2021 and 2022, creating a further 4,000 new jobs. By comparison Sainsbury's has 1,400 supermarkets, Morrisons has 500 outlets, and Britain's largest supermarket Tesco has 6,800 stores. Expanding: Lidl plans to open over 25 stores in the next six months, and 100 stores in 2021 and 2022, creating a further 4,000 new jobs Lidl GB chief executive Christian Hartnagel said he was pleased to be expanding 'despite the challenging circumstances' surrounding the virus. The supermarket also took on 2,500 temporary jobs at the start of lockdown, to help meet increased demand. Lidl saw its sales rise 16.5 per cent in the 12 weeks to May 17, according to data from Kantar, a bigger rise than those enjoyed by the Big Four of Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's. This is despite the discounter having a negligible online business. Discounters, Aldi and Lidl, together had 13.6 per cent of the UK grocery market. Credit: Joel de Vriend/Unsplash (licensed under CC.0) Extinction Rebellion supporters are more likely to be new to protesting than other environmental activists, a new study shows. Ten per cent of those who took part in the group's protests in April 2019 were first-time demonstrators, twice the proportion of 'novices' at climate marches a decade before. The research, funded by the Center for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, shows Extinction Rebellion activists in London last year had a much broader and more diverse age profile than has been the case in other environmental direct action protests. Academics at the University of Exeter, Keele University, and Aston University surveyed those involved with Extinction Rebellion's mass civil disobedience actions in London in April and October 2019. They carried out 303 short face to face interviews, and also got 232 mailed back questionnaires from protestors. They also attended court hearings of 144 Extinction Rebellion activists charged with minor public order offenses. The study also shows activists who took part in Extinction Rebellion's major protests were overwhelmingly middle class, highly educated, and southern. Around 85 per cent of those who took part in the action in London in 2019 had a degree, and a third had a postgraduate qualification. Two thirds identified themselves as middle class. A high proportion were self-employed, part-time workers, or students. Three-quarters of those who were charged with offenses lived below the Severn-Wash line traditionally separating the north and south of England. XR activists were mostly non-metropolitan. A third of those who appeared in court were from the West Country with hotspots in Stroud, Totnes and Frome, whereas just 6 per cent of those who appeared in court after the protests were from Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Swansea and Cardiff combined. More women than men were present in both the major 2019 demonstrations (64.5 per cent in April, and 56.8 per cent in October). Professor Clare Saunders, from the University of Exeter, said: "Our analysis shows one strength of Extinction Rebellion has been to involve people who are not natural protesters, and perhaps even less so natural law-breakers, but who were already persuaded of the rightness of the climate cause, and frustrated with the inability of both politicians and lifestyle environmentalism to bring about change. "Mobilising this group enabled Extinction Rebellion to significantly expand the numbers of people willing to engage in environmental direct action, broadening its age profile, and bringing non-violent direct action on climate change into the center of political life in the UK." People of all ages were arrested, but more people aged 56 and over were charged with an offense (32.2 per cent) than those participating in the action as a whole (23.1 per cent). Researchers observed hearings at the City of London Magistrates Court, on seven separate Fridays in August, September, and October 2019, witnessing the cases of around 17 per cent of those charged during the second phase of the protests. In only two of the 144 court cases observed relating to arrests during the April 2019 protest, did protesters have any previous convictions for protest action. However, 12.4 per cent of the participants in the second October 2019 protests had previously been arrested at a protest. The majority of protestors surveyed said they most closely identified with the Green Party (59.1 per cent), followed by Labour (15.5 per cent), There was almost no support among Extinction Rebellion activists for the Conservative Party, and very little for the Liberal Democrats. Professor Brian Doherty, from Keele University, said: "We found Extinction Rebellion activists are much more likely to vote and be members of political parties than the general population, but they are also skeptical about the ability of political parties and government to deliver effective solutions to environmental problems." Dr. Graeme Hayes, from Aston University, said, "Protestors said they did not believe in reliance on companies and the market, governments, or lifestyle changes by individuals to solve the climate crisis. Almost all said they were protesting to raise awareness of the climate emergency, and to pressure politicians to act. "This is a potential point of contention for Extinction Rebellion. Its strategy emphasizes lobbying the government for action, but its activists do not think the government can deliver." More information: Clare Saunders et al. A New Climate Movement? Extinction Rebellion's Activists in Profile | A Report. CUSP Working Paper Series | No 25. Clare Saunders et al. A New Climate Movement? Extinction Rebellion's Activists in Profile | A Report. CUSP Working Paper Series | No 25. www.cusp.ac.uk/themes/p/xr-study/ Srinagar, July 15 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police has rescued abducted BJP Municipal Committee member Mehraj-ud-Din Malla from Watergam in North Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday. According to his family, Malla was abducted while he was going to a friend's house for attending a marriage ceremony. "The kidnapped person has been rescued by the police," J&K Police DG told IANS. Earlier, Malla's family had requested the abductors to release him in a video message put out by his daughter. After his abduction, the police had launched a major search operation in the area to trace him. BOSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has won the Industrial Energy Efficiency Award category "Energy Economy" for its new SM AirSeT switchgear, a green and digital medium voltage technology. The company's innovation makes it possible to end reliance on the now-standard sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) greenhouse gas commonly contained in electrical equipment used to power the grid and industrial electrical installations. The Industrial Energy Efficiency Award showcases companies' outstanding commitment to investing in and applying energy-efficient solutions. In cooperation with the independent market research and consulting company EUPD Research, the award was conferred by Deutsche Messe at the HANNOVER MESSE Digital Days. When choosing the recipient of the award, the jury considered its degree of innovation, contribution to efficiency, economic benefits, and social sustainability characteristics. "As electrification increases around the world, and renewables continue to grow, more MV switchgear is needed. With our new SF6-free technology that replaces the greenhouse gas with pure air, we've accomplished a key step toward decarbonizing the grid and making power systems that are truly green," said Frederic Godemel, Executive Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric. "My company prides itself on pioneering a sustainable future of electricity, so I am delighted to accept this award." The SM AirSeT medium voltage switchgear uses pure air insulation combined with Schneider Electric's new shunt vacuum interruption (SVI) technology. It enables the adoption of green technology while maintaining the advantages of the compact physical footprint, cost-effectiveness, and trusted operating mode of traditional SF 6 -based equipment. "The replacement of SF6 gas with normal air in switchgear contributes to making the energy industry more sustainable. Schneider Electric has developed an innovative plug-and-play solution and demonstrated its usage in various projects," said Martin Ammon, Managing Partner and Head of Energy Industry at EuPD Research. One exemplary project is with electric utility company EEC ENGIE in New Caledonia. In their pursuit of grid decarbonization, SM AirSeT is already proving its worth. "On behalf of EEC ENGIE, I am proud to have contributed to this unique technological advance that promotes the development of cleaner energy for our ecosystem and our customers. The absence of SF6 is a major asset in the operation of our networks for our island and distant territories faced with the problem of waste treatment. We would like to thank the Hannover Messe which, with this award, rewards manufacturers and their customers for their commitment to a low-carbon industry," said Dominique Roecker, Energy Procurement Manager at EEC ENGIE New Caledonia. Schneider Electric has reported successful pilot projects of its new SF 6 -free medium voltage SM AirSeT range at numerous other electric utilities, including E.ON in Sweden and GreenAlp in France, with more being energized on a regular basis, including in private power networks for commercial and industrial applications. The Industrial Energy Efficiency Award comes on the heels of a previous recognition: In May, Schneider Electric's SM AirSeT technology was recognized by IF, the celebrated design institution, with an IF Design Award. It was also nominated for another industrial prize awarded this year by Deutsche Messe, the HERMES Award, where it placed among the three finalists. About Schneider Electric At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to make the most of their energy and resources, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate about our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com Discover Life Is On Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Blog Hashtags: #LifeIsOn #NewElectricWorld Related resources: SOURCE Schneider Electric Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Customer complaints over spikes in electricity bills have surged to 50,000, the Energy Regulatory Commission reported Wednesday. During the hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, ERC executive director Floresinda Baldo-Digal said they have already issued show cause orders on distribution utility firms who have violated certain regulations. "We are processing around 50,000 consumer complaints, and we have tapped assistance of mother organizations of private distribution utilities [in the investigation]," she said. Baldo-Digal added that they have issued at least three show cause orders against unnamed utilities, while nine others are under evaluation on status of their compliance on other regulations. The Manila Electric Co. and other power utility firms have been in hot water over the past months for alleged lapses in their billing statements during the lockdown in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, when bills were mostly based on estimates instead of actual meter readings. Meralco vice president and customer retail services head Victor Genuino noted that they performed actual meter reading for 99 percent of its customers for the month of June. They will also continue to shoulder convenience fees for online transactions until the end of the general community quarantine period. "Aside from the regular bills, we also issued individual installment plan bills so as not to confuse our customers," Genuino said. Customers were previously reminded to settle their unpaid bills every 15th of the month, starting June 15. Those who paid their bills in full but are entitled to installment plans may refund their payment. The utility firm has also agreed to reschedule until September the issuance of disconnection notices on unpaid electricity services to cushion the burden of consumers. On the other hand, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano called out ERC for its supposed bias towards power producers. On ERC, I've been watching you even sa iba naming mga hearings, paki-review lang yung mga nagiging stand niyo, said Cayetano. [Translation: On ERC, Ive been watching you even in our previous hearings, please review your stand.] He added, Kasi maraming kumpanya ang may utang sa gobyerno o kaya may mga pwedeng gawin para maibsan ang pangangailangan ng tao. Yet, parang kinakampihan ng ERC parati yung power producers at may ari ng kumpanya. [Translation: Because there are companies out there who have debt with the government or you could have planned out how to ease the burden of the consumers. Yet, it seemed that ERC is siding with power producers and the company owners.] Cayetano said ERC and other agencies should be more progressive in interpreting laws. We have to interpret this in favor of the public [] Yung kuryente, public interest ito (Electricity is a public interest). Public utility ito (This is a public utility), he said. Public policy should be for the public. One employee has died and thirteen others have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks at DENSO Manufacturing in Battle Creek, Michigan. The thermal manufacturing facility employs a total of 2,900 employees and is a part of the Toyota Group. DENSO employees have also tested positive for COVID-19 at the small motors manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, the research and development office in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the North American headquarters in Southfield, Michigan, according to the company. The spread of the virus demonstrates the worthlessness of the supposed safety protocols trumpeted by DENSO Manufacturing Michigan President Kevin Carson, including social distancing, limiting the number of employees on-site, the wearing of face masks, temperature screenings and increased cleanings. The company, working with the Calhoun and Barry County Health Departments, has claimed that it has determined that all seventeen cases companywide were contracted outside of the workplace. This was according to Bridgette LaRose, manager for corporate communications at DENSO. At the same time that the corporate and political establishment enforces its homicidal back-to-work policy, they are working together to deflect blame for the inevitable spread of deadly COVID-19 infections from the companies onto the shoulders of individual employees. Jessica, a 42-year-old worker at DENSO with two years at the plant, spoke to the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter and described the sweatshop conditions under which workers are forced to bear the entire burden of implementing safety measures. If its 85 degrees outside, then its well over 100 degrees in the building. Your clothes are sticking to you, and the humidity is unbearable. Jessica is facing possible termination because anxiety-induced panic attacks have prevented her from working on the line while wearing a mask. She was forced back to work in June, having been denied unemployment benefits in the preceding period due to problems in the records of the Social Security Administration. I stepped one foot in there. They gave us a couple masks and some hand sanitizer. I tried the mask and, due to previous issues, immediately had an anxiety attack. I tried the face shield and went into an anxiety attacksweating, crying, shaking. Medical came and told me I need to see a doctor. I was escorted out of the building and havent been back. Jessicas mother, age 64, and son, age 24, also work at the plant. Her son has developed sores on his face from the combination of skin contact with the masks and high heat and humidity. She said, Its extremely hot. They are not allowing any extra five-to-ten-minute breaks. People have been falling out like crazy. Last year they gave us five-minute breaks, increasing to ten minutes or fifteen if it was extremely hot. They havent done that at all this year. They now allow you to bring a personal water bottle to the line. We were never allowed that before. But my son and my mom say the water doesnt stay cold. They used to have it where you could get a cup and have cold Gatorade or water. Now you have to bring your own, and the water gets really hot after a couple of hours in the factory. The workers are tasked with maintaining as much social distancing as they can while still satisfying the demands of DENSO. Jessica stated: Theres no way they can do six feet of separation on the line. You have about a person and a half distance. They have shields between them. Before breaks they shut down a couple of seconds early so everyone can wipe down their own stuff. They shut down the cafeteria except for the vending machines. But if their customers [Toyota assembly plants] are operating, then theres not much the company can do. Another DENSO worker who wished to remain anonymous explained to the WSWS how difficult it is for workers to obtain the necessary cleaning supplies to be safe. They post that cleaning supplies are at security, which is way away from our break rooms and such. This worker explained the absurdity of the pretense of social distancing on the factory line, where workers are forced to share tools. We are constantly farmed out [i.e. sent to another area] so were in constant physical contact with each other... When we rotate or ask to be relieved to go to the restroom, we are all touching the drivers and brushes, and most stations are not six feet apart. Even during break periods, social distancing cannot be followed. We have about 40 plus people going to breaks and lunches at any given time... We all use the same bathrooms and sinks and everything else, like microwave and vending machines. [Facilities] are not regularly cleaned like [DENSO] states that they are. She also emphasized that despite the grueling conditions, workers are told that they must individually work to prevent the spread of the virus. We pour sweat all day with just a single fan at our station if you're lucky enough to be on a station rather than parts picking. We work ten hours a day normally. The outbreak comes as autoworkers at the Fiat Chrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, FCA Jefferson North Assembly Plant, and FCA Toledo North Assembly Plant have formed rank-and-file safety committees to take the struggle for worker safety out of the hands of management and the criminal UAW and into the hands of workers themselves. After Jessica heard the demands of the Jefferson North Assembly Plant Rank and File Safety Committee, she said, I think thats all awesome! I like the idea of slowing down and taking the masks off for a minute. We urge any workers from DENSO or other autoworkers to contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter. The WSWS pledges to assist workers in forming rank-and-file safety committees to fight for the safety of workers and their families. SCHOHARIE Plea-bargain negotiations between prosecutors and lawyers for Nauman Hussain, the operator of the limousine company that owned the stretch limo that crashed in Schoharie, killing 20 people nearly two years ago, ended Wednesday with no sign an agreement was in place. A new conference with Schoharie County Judge George Bartlett III was scheduled for July 30. Hussain and his attorney, Lee Kindlon, participated Wednesday in a video conference with District Attorney Susan Mallery and Bartlett. The 4 p.m. session concluded without announcement of an agreement. Such plea discussions are usually held behind closed doors. "I have no update on a plea or a potential trial date," Kindlon said later. "However I can say that the conference went well. Given the sensitive nature of the discussions around this case, I cannot comment further. Earlier: Possible plea deal roils limo crash case Last week, attorneys for the relatives of those killed in the Oct. 6, 2018, crash said they'd been told a plea deal was in place and that their clients felt they were left out of the discussions of a possible plea bargain that they believe could spare Hussain, 30, from serving prison time. The crash in the countryside outside of the village of Schoharie remains the nations deadliest transportation disaster in more than a decade. The Ford Excursion limo carrying 17 friends from Amsterdam to Cooperstown for a 30th birthday celebration ran a stop sign on Route 30 in Schoharie and crashed into an SUV in the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Store. The Excursion slammed into the side of a ditch after killing two pedestrians in the parking lot. A grand jury indicted Hussain on 20 counts each of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter. The manslaughter charges carry a maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. A forensics expert hired by the State Police ruled the crash was caused by a cataclysmic malfunction of the vehicle's brakes due to long-time neglect. The 34-foot-long limo showed "compelling evidence of the protracted history of neglect of proper inspection and maintenance, with specific emphasis expressed regarding braking system component deficiencies of the vehicle, Brian F. Chase, chief forensics expert at Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Services and Consulting, found. But an interview investigators did with a former manager at a Mavis Discount Tire outlet in Saratoga Springs gave a boost to the assertion by Hussains lawyers that he had no knowledge the limousines brakes were unsafe. The former manager of at Mavis told investigators in September 2019 that the auto shop had falsified invoices and failed to perform critical brake work on the vehicle. The alleged falsification of the records and the shop's purported failure to perform work on the Excursion were part of a systemic practice at the auto service outlet as it tried to meet corporate sales quotas, according to court records. The defense contends Hussain trusted that the repair work was done and is expected to raise the matter to convince a jury he is not to blame. Many famous and productive friendships have come out of California's Stanford University: from Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to Yahoo's Jerry Yang and David Filo. Snap billionaire Evan Spiegel started Snapchat with Bobby Murphy, who lived across the hall in their fraternity house. But Spiegel also made another enduring friendship at Stanford with a fellow future disruptor before the two were famous: Michael Tubbs, now the mayor of Stockton, California, who has made a name for himself piloting one of the country's first universal basic income experiments. "While I was campaigning for city council, [Spiegel] was building Snap," Tubbs told The Wall Street Journal Magazine for a feature about Spiegel and his model wife Miranda Kerr published Tuesday. About a decade ago, Tubbs and Spiegel met while studying abroad in South Africa. The two came from different backgrounds Spiegel was "this white frat boy" said Tubbs, who went to private school and grew up in tony Los Angeles suburb Pacific Palisades, while Tubbs was raised by a single mother and earned a scholarship to Stanford after excelling in public school in Stockton. But the two men "just clicked," according to Tubbs. Spiegel "was fearless in the way I was fearless, in terms of new experiences," Tubbs said. In the Journal Magazine, Tubbs told the story of how, while in South Africa, the pair made a tour bus they were on pull over so they could walk around Soweto, a predominantly black township once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. "I was like, I'm not going to Johannesburg and not going to Soweto," Tubbs said. And in turn, Spiegel "he had me go to some electronica concert," he said. Back at Stanford, Spiegel moved into Ujamaa House, an African-American themed dorm, according to its website, where he lived across the hall from Tubbs. It was there that they nurtured their career paths. Spiegel, with Murphy and another fraternity brother, Reggie Brown, started working on Snapchat in the summer of 2011 and soon dropped out of school to focus on it full-time. (He later completed his outstanding credits and graduated in 2018). Over the years, Snap had its ups and downs. It went public in 2017, and Spiegel is currently worth $4.78 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Tubbs had his sights set on politics. In 2012, just as he graduated from Stanford, Tubbs ran for a District 6 City Council seat in Stockton and got a rare campaign donation from Oprah Winfrey. At just 21, Tubbs ousted the incumbent and served until he was elected mayor of Stockton in 2016. That win made Tubbs, who was then 26, the youngest mayor ever of a city of more than 100,000 people. In 2019, Tubbs lead Stockton in a universal basic income test program (which is ongoing), where 125 randomly selected recipients receive $500 a month for 24 months. At least 12 suspected Bangladeshi nationals are stranded on the zero line of India-Bangladesh border in Tripura for the past four days as border guards of the two countries could not reach a conclusion about their citizenship. The group, including five women and five children aged between two and 14 years were caught by BSF personnel near the border at Miapara village in Sepahijala district, about 25 km from the state capital Agartala on Saturday. The BSF personnel claimed that they had illegally crossed the border but Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) personnel refused to accept the same without documentary proof. A commander-level flag meeting held on Tuesday failed to reach a conclusion leaving all 12 stranded in an abandoned house near the border. During questioning, they admitted that they are residents of Comilla district in Bangladesh. Even the son of an aged lady in the group, who lives in Comilla came close to the border to meet them. All these details were provided to the BGB officers but their response is not encouraging. In fact, they countered us saying they are Indian nationals and tried to illegally cross the border and were pushed back, a BSF officer posted in Tripura told DH on Wednesday. Tripura shares an 856-km border with Bangladesh of which 67 km remain unfenced. There isn't a no man's land in Tripura unlike other borders and the zero line is considered as the border. Indian fencing has been erected 150 yards from the zero line. "We have provided them food and shelter in an abandoned house near the border on humanitarian ground. But we expect the BGB to take them as early as possible," said the BSF officer. A similar situation prevailed in April when a mentally unstable woman remained stranded for days on a sandbar in the middle of Feni river in South Tripura that divides the two countries. Border guards of both countries claimed that she was not their citizen. The woman, however, was accepted by Bangladesh after 11 days. Even a group of 31 Rohingya refugees living in different parts of India, who tried to return to Bangladesh, similarly remained stranded on the border near Agartala for days. They were, however, accepted by India later. "The Rohingya issue is different as they are not Bangladeshi residents and are refugees from Myanmar. But this group is from Bangladesh and they have also admitted it," the BSF officer said. Thailand suspended all inbound flights Tuesday after an Egyptian soldier skipped self-quarantine and went to a shopping mall before testing positive for COVID-19. The kingdom has not recorded a domestic case of the virus for 50 days, winning praise for its strict lockdown which has so far controlled infections. The country had been gingerly reopening its airspace, hoping to use the low virus rates to tease back visitors to an economy flatlined by the collapse of tourism. But all inbound flights will be stopped after the group of Egyptian soldiers entered via the military-controlled U-Tapao airport, in Rayong province, without any virus screening. They were meant to self-quarantine at a hotel before flying out the next day but instead went to a nearby shopping mall. One soldier in the group later tested positive for the disease. Authorities are now scrambling to trace around 1,700 people at the mall and the surrounding area. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said he took "all responsibility" for the oversight and issued a rare apology for undermining the public's "confidence and safety". "It happened because people did not respect the rules," he said during a televised address. "All inbound flights are halted -- there are no more approvals until we can solve the problem." Thailand, which receives daily repatriation flights, had imposed a 14-day state quarantine on a few approved groups of foreigners allowed in -- like spouses of Thai nationals, work permit holders and foreign students. But aircraft crew and diplomats were exceptions allowed to self-quarantine. The Egyptian man arrived on a military flight with 30 other officers on July 10 after a 24-hour round trip to Chengdu, China. They departed for Egypt the following morning. After this incident, a health ministry official said that eight Egyptian military flights approved to travel through the kingdom later this month had been cancelled. Story continues The Egyptian embassy issued a statement Tuesday night expressing "its most sincere regrets and sympathies to all those who may have been adversely affected by this unfortunate incident". Authorities are also trying to trace the movements of the daughter of Sudan's charge d'affaires who entered the country on July 10 and stayed in a busy Bangkok condo instead of an embassy residence. Prayut's action appears to have also put a pin in plans for "travel bubbles", which the tourism-reliant kingdom had proposed last month to allow entry of travellers from selected Asian countries with similarly low levels of the virus. The incidents drew widespread anger from Thais on social media, with the hashtag "damn the government, damn its supporters" trending on Twitter. Thailand has recorded just 3,200 cases and 58 deaths, despite being the first country outside of China to record a case. But the virus has taken a toll on the economy, with growth expected to contract between six and 10 percent this year, leaving millions jobless. The Senate on Wednesday urged the federal government to direct the Ministry of Labour and Employment to set up a committee to review the age limit for job seekers in the country, to allow competent applicants to be employed by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. The call was sequel to a motion by Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East) where he noted that recruitment requirements of MDAs and other private bodies, which set age barriers, inadvertently excludes and marginalizes skillful and competent prospective applicants from participating in such exercises. He said due to the high unemployment rate in the country, many graduates spend up to 10 years seeking employment and this puts them in a disadvantaged position by no fault of theirs. Many individuals resort to falsifying their ages, all in a bid to fall within the required age limit for them to be gainfully employed, he said. This development, where a person believes he is unemployable, can lead them to embracing criminal activities and further increase the growing crime rate and insecurity in the country. In his contribution, Bala NaAllah reminded the Senate of the federal governments embargo on employment over 13 years ago. The embargo period, he said, must be factored into the review of age limit by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity for prospective job seekers in the country. The period that there have been embargo by the federal government in itself should be considered in the review of age limit. For example, if the age limit is 23, we must now add the 13 or 14 years of embargo on employment to the age already earmarked for employment, so that the age will be plus thirteen, because it is the government on its own that placed the embargo on employment. READ ALSO: There cannot be justification for you to place embargo on employment, then at the same time expect graduates to remain at the age they were during the period of the embargo. I think in the review, that has to be taken into account, and therefore, the age limit can now be raised in addition to the established age. That should be the legal verdict for the review, he said. In his remark, the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, urged the Labour ministry to address the issue promptly. It is not through a fault of theirs that people are discriminated against. Theyll tell you only 30 years limit, meanwhile someone graduated ten years ago. This is a very good motion urging the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to swing into action immediately. RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), the organisation that is at the forefront of the call to end India's dependence on Chinese imports by strengthening local manufacturing, says India has already demonstrated that it is capable of cutting down imports from China. "It is true that today there is too much dependence on Chinese imports. But this is equally true that in the last couple of years, there has been some reduction in imports from China," Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convener of SJM points out. Also Read: 'UK may move into digital slow lane': Huawei responds to Britain's ban Mahajan's logic is that there has been $8 billion fall in the import of electrical and electronic items from China in 2018-19. It declined further by another $1.5 in 2019-20, he notes. Interestingly, the import of iron and steel from China also declined by 12.3 per cent in 2018-19 and further by 22 per cent in 2019-20. The import from China of organic chemicals declined by 7.3 per cent and fertilisers by 11.4 per cent in 2019-20. Overall, in last two years, imports from China came down from $76.4 billion in 2017-18 to $65.3 billion in 2019-20. "Imports from China, which were rising in leaps and bounds earlier have shown a significant downward trend due to anti-dumping duties on Chinese products, hikes in tariff rates on goods where our dependence on China is more, and imposition of non-tariff barriers by way of standards. Due to this, production of all these items has also increased in the country," Mahajan argues. The flipside is that India still imported $65.3 billion worth of goods from China in 2019-20. Electronics, telecom equipment, chemicals, steel and other metals, machinery and parts etc continue to come from China. Further, a reduction in imports from China in itself will remain less meaningful unless alternate routes of Chinese products, Hong Kong for instance, are plugged. A general decline in demand could have also contributed to the reduction in imports, though to a lesser extent. As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atma Nirbhar call, India is now attempting to encourage production of electronic items and basic chemicals that go as ingredients into the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. The success of these initiatives will have a long-term impact on Indian imports from China. Also Read: India posts first monthly trade surplus in 18 years as coronavirus hits imports Also Read: Reliance AGM 2020: Mukesh Ambani brings bitter rivals Facebook and Google together An oil tanker tied to a sanctioned Iranian individual and under arrest in UAE waters has recently left the UAE port in violation of a Prohibition to Sail notice and has been hijacked, seafarers organization Human Rights at Sea told The Associated Press on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Human Rights at Sea raised concerns over the location of the tanker MV Gulf Sky and its 22 Indian crew. The vessel was under arrest under a UAE Admiralty Law injunction and was issued a Prohibition to Sail notice via the Commonwealth of Dominica while anchored off Port Khor Fakkan Anch. The tanker, however, has left UAE waters violating both the injunction and the prohibition to sail, and the last signal received from the vessel was eight days ago, the organization said on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Human Rights at Seas CEO, David Hammond, told the AP that the tanker had been hijacked and was in Iranian waters. Two of the Indian sailors remained in Tehran while the others made it back to India, Hammond told the AP. According to Marine Traffic, the last position received from the tanker was on July 5 and the vessel is currently out of range. TankerTrackers.com said they were asked to try to locate the missing tanker, and found it on Tuesday west of Hormuz Island offshore Iran. The tanker was under arrest in the UAE over suspicions of trying to circumvent the U.S. sanctions on Iran. The vessel is tied to Amir Dianat, also known as Ameer Abdulazeez Jaafar Almthaje, who was recently designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for being involved in the efforts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) to generate revenue and smuggle weapons abroad. The U.S. also filed criminal charges against Dianat and one of his business associates for violations of sanctions and money laundering laws, and filed a related civil forfeiture action alleging that some $12 million is subject to forfeiture as funds involved in these crimes and as assets of a foreign terrorist organization. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: British tourists were filmed on the Magaluf party strip of Punta Ballena. (Twitter/@GuillEsteban) A popular party strip on the island of Majorca has been closed after video footage appeared to show British tourists flouting social distancing guidelines. Footage shared on Twitter shows a large group singing and chanting while climbing on cars on Punta Ballena in Magaluf. No one in the footage appears to be wearing face masks and people are not keeping apart to stop the spread of coronavirus. La vieja normalidad de Punta Ballena, Magaluf. Video de: Michels. @UHmallorca pic.twitter.com/0gc8YXi5ha Guillermo Esteban (@GuillEsteban) July 11, 2020 Officers search premises after tourists were filmed crowding together. (Reuters) Wearing face masks outdoors on the Balearic Isles has been made compulsory. (Reuters) Wearing face masks outdoors on the Balearic Isles has been made compulsory, with exemptions made only for those on the beach or playing sport. The measure was put in place after the Balearics reported over 2,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 200 deaths so far as a result of the pandemic. Announcing the intention to close the party strip in Magaluf on Wednesday, Balearic Islands tourism minister Iago Negueruela told reporters: All commercial establishments, bars and restaurants in these streets will have to close following the publication of an official government bulletin which will be today. "They will have to close today. We cannot tolerate the sort of images we have been seeing over the last few days and we are not going to tolerate it. Our tourist and economic activity depends on our image. We urge the general population and the tourists to obey rules on social distancing and the other measures put in place by the Balearic Islands government. Police patrol the streets of Magaluf following the incident. (Reuters) Tourists on the party strip were filmed appearing to flout social distancing rules. (Reuters) Negueruela said that anyone not respecting the guidelines should not come to our islands and warned of further closures if similar incidents occurred. Spain has the seventh highest number of coronavirus deaths in the world, with 28,409 deaths from the illness so far, according to Johns Hopkins. Story continues Yahoo News UK has contacted the official tourist site for Majorca for a comment. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter New Delhi: The romantic-comedy movie `Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha` starring the husband-wife duo, Ajay Devgn and Kajol, has completed 22 years of its release today. As the movie marked its milestone mark today, Devgn took to Twitter to share his memories attached to the movie by posting a video montage. The video montage comprised of many stills, and videos from the 1998 released flick, which was directed by Anees Bazmee. The movie was a remake of `The French Kiss` starring Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan. It also starred Reema Lagoo. However, alongside the video, the `Singham` star also took a moment to drop a love-note for his then co-star and now wife, Kajol. Tagging Kajol, the 51-year-old actor wrote, "22 years in real, and reel. Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha". 22 years in real and reel. Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha @itsKajolD pic.twitter.com/TKmVfRiU8h Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) July 15, 2020 The stars, sharing adorable yet humorous chemistry, are one widely loved B-Town couple. The duo has graced the silver screen together in movies like `Ishq`, `Dil Kya Kare`, `Hulchul` and many others. Magnum opus - `Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior` released this year, marks the latest film of them. The movie shows Devgn essaying the role of Maratha warrior Taanaji Malusare fighting for the principle of `Bhagwa` (saffron) flag and `Swaraj` (home-rule) and `Satya` (truth). Kajol, who essays the role of the wife of Tanhaji -- Savitribai Malusare -- is shown as a strong character, who accompanies him in taking firm decisions together. ISTANBUL Nihal Olcoks husband and 16-year-old son were among the 251 people who lost their lives during a violent coup attempt the night of July 15, 2016. They had joined countless citizens in the streets to defend Turkish democracy against a military takeover in an event that continues to shape the country to this day. Her husband, Erol, worked closely with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Olcok, however, reflecting on the fourth anniversary of the failed putsch, said she believes the government has misrepresented the legacy of those who died that night, using the event to limit the democratic rights they fought for while infringing on rule-of-law principles in the post-coup purges that followed. I did not just lose my husband and son that night, Olcok told Al-Monitor. Turkey, as a nation, lost its sense of hope and trust on July 15. The government accuses supporters of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic cleric living in self-imposed exile in the United States, of organizing the failed coup. Since then, 282,790 people have been detained and 94,975 arrested on coup-linked charges, according to a statement issued this week by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu. During the same period, about 150,000 people were dismissed or suspended from their positions as academics, judges, prosecutors, police officers and public servants. Detentions of suspected coup-plotters are still taking place. Dissatisfied with this state of affairs, Olcok became a founding member of the Future Party established in December by former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. She joined it along with many figures from the former Justice and Development Party (AKP) who say Turkeys ruling party lost its reformist roots following the coup attempt. Some critics have accused some Future Party members of having partaken in AKP efforts to consolidate its governing powers. However, several leading figures in the breakaway party interviewed by Al-Monitor said their aim is to reverse the nations slide into authoritarian rule in recent years and to repeal an executive presidential system passed in a controversial 2017 referendum. Like other opposition parties in Turkey, Future Party members straddle a fine line between addressing legitimate threats posed by Gulen supporters still operating in Turkish institutions and fostering an impartial legal system that issues fair rulings for government critics, journalists and civil society leaders, many of whom remain imprisoned amid lengthy court proceedings. Olcok said that despite years of post-coup purges, key political figures with links to the Gulen movement have yet to be prosecuted in Turkey. This organization is like a lizard, you can keep cutting the tail and it will grow new tails so you have to cut the head, Olcok told Al-Monitor. By head, I mean the strong figures in this movement who are still in this country. The political branch of the movement still hasnt been touched. To date, Turkish courts have concluded 275 of 289 trials linked to the 2016 coup attempt. According to the pro-government Daily Sabah, 2,532 defendants in these trials were sentenced to life in prison. The Justice Ministry has requested the extradition of 807 suspected Gulen supporters, including Gulen himself, from 105 countries. At least 116 such requests had been fulfilled at the time of reporting. They will run and we will chase them, Turkish presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun told the Hurriyet newspaper July 14, referring to Gulen supporters. We will make them pay for the people who lost their lives and were injured during the coup attempt. Nate Schenkkan, director for special research at Freedom House, said coup-linked detentions and attempted extraditions have slowed in pace but are likely to continue indefinitely. The state officially considers a quite large segment of society morally and legally responsible for the coup attempt, Schenkkan told Al-Monitor. It considers anyone associated with that segment even tangentially through, for instance, a bank account, a newspaper subscription, an app or an educational history to be part of a terrorist network. Ayhan Sefer Ustun, a former AKP deputy chairman and the Future Party's vice president, criticized many of the post-coup changes that have taken place in Turkey. Ustun said his main concern was the 2018 establishment of an executive presidency, which diminished the role of parliament and consolidated governing powers under Erdogan. Ustun said he initially backed the presidential system, believing it would help prevent future coup attempts, but was unsettled when he saw drafts of the legislation. He raised objections to the proposals, but said his concerns were quickly dismissed. The main person that was drafting this law at the time, whom I will not name, told me, Mr. Ayhan, you are right; however, we are sewing this outfit for Mr. Erdogan. Once hes gone, youll be free to change the system however you like, Ustun told Al-Monitor. Selim Temurci, deputy chair for the Future Party and a former AKP Istanbul provincial chair, echoed criticism of the presidential system, blaming a two-year downturn in Turkeys economy on a highly centralized decision-making process that disregards democracy and rule of law. In a recent appearance on Turkeys Halk TV, Temurci also condemned post-coup narratives that depict AKP figures as defenders of democracy, claiming he could not reach party members by phone the evening of July 15, 2016. I acknowledge that fear is a human emotion, but many did not answer their phones and many did not take the streets like our supporters, Temurci told Al-Monitor. My main criticism is that they are being presented as heroes of July 15 and we see this as disrespectful of the 251 people who were killed. Looking back, Temurci said the politicization of the coup attempt had further polarized Turkish society. What has the government done in the last four years to ensure democracy and national unity? Temurci asked. The government has politicized July 15 and suspended democracy to keep their seats. We have seen this with the Istanbul municipal elections as well. Those who did not vote for [the AKP] were declared traitors and we see this as a contradiction of democratic norms. We think the policies currently in action are taking Turkey to darker days, Temurci said. The Apple Inc. logo is displayed at the company's store in the Omotesando district of Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Apple won a landmark court case Wednesday against the European Commission over a dispute concerning 13 billion euros ($14.9 billion) in Irish taxes. The EU's general court decided that the European Commission did not prove that the Irish government had given the U.S. tech giant a tax advantage. The commission, the executive arm of the EU, had concluded in August 2016 that the Irish government granted illegal benefits to Apple and ordered it to recover 13 billion euros in unpaid taxes. At the time, the commission said Ireland had enabled Apple to pay "substantially less tax than other businesses over many years," which meant that the U.S. firm was allowed to pay an effective corporate tax rate of 1% on its European profits in 2003, which fell to 0.005% in 2014. The Irish government and Apple decided to appeal the commission's decision, with the company arguing the order to repay taxes "defies reality and common sense." Ireland, Apple and the European Commission now have two months to decide if they want to appeal the latest ruling and potentially take it to the EU's highest tribunal. In reaction to the court ruling, the Irish government said it has always been clear "that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies" and that "the correct amount of Irish tax was charged taxation in line with normal Irish taxation rules." The European Commission said in a statement it "will continue to look at aggressive tax planning measures under EU State aid rules to assess whether they result in illegal State aid." It added that it "will carefully study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps." A spokesperson for Apple told CNBC: "We thank the General Court for their time and consideration of the facts. We are pleased they have annulled the Commission's case." Apple shares were up around 2% in premarket trading on the news. Leading architecture firm LWK Partners has announced the launch of its second studio in the Middle East and North Africa, two years after the opening of its regional headquarters in Dubai. It is the Hong-Kong based firms 12th office in the world as it continues to expand its global footprint. Since the inception of its Dubai studio in 2018, LWK + Partners has been collaborating with noted private developers as well as governmental organisations in the region to build a diversity of inspiring urban projects. As Saudi Arabia refocuses its national economy with Vision 2030, the Riyadh team sees real potential in the market. It looks to shore up Vision 2030 and make cities a better place for people by bringing in global insights together with diverse project experience. The Riyadh studio will be led by Kerem Cengiz, the managing director for Mena business at LWK + Partners and Usama Aziz, the new Saudi Director. "We have been working in and contributing to the growth of the built environment in Saudi Arabia for the last 24 months since the Dubai launch. During this period, the company had witnessed tremendous increase of investment committed by the kingdom to expand its 2030 vision and from overseas, particularly from China under the umbrella of The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," he staterd. "After the success the Dubai Studio has seen overcoming challenges, generating increased interest from our Saudi clients and understanding the potential diversity breaking into new markets brings, we are committed to rolling out expansion strategy plans to neighbouring markets," he added. According to him, Founder and Managing Director Ronald Liang and Director Ivan Fu are both committed to furthering LWK + Partners international reach. "The expansion plan was put in place to sustain the continuing demand for our unique offer and today we launch our 12th Studio in Saudi capital Riyadh, marking our second physical presence in Mena," he observed. Cengiz pointed out that its first Saudi commission was for a new retail typology and mixed-use environment that seek to challenge perceptions and buck trends, predicting the current global issues. "One of our biggest megaprojects is a province-wide masterplan that is hugely significant for the firm as It featured a very complex programme of initiatives and wide variety of key stakeholders which is currently under development," he added. LWK + Partners Saudi Director Usama Aziz said the group has experienced double-digit growth in Saudi Arabia since 2018 with increasing demand on its expertise and alternative built environment services covering master planning, smart relevant cities, transit-oriented mobility, viable mixed-use and engaging hospitality and leisure developments. "All of these projects have received numerous awards and ranked us 36th largest global architecture practice on the WA100 list," stated Aziz. On the launch, Mena Design Director Kourosh Salehi said: "We are excited about the opportunity to offer our brand and fresh perspective in design to our Saudi clients." "Being in the kingdom we will be able to better engage and utilise our local knowledge, presence and experience to support the specific needs of our clients, stakeholders and end users," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says he did not sexually harass Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of th... Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta affairs, says he did not sexually harass Joy Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Nunieh had accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her. Speaking through Anietie Ekong, his media aide, on Wednesday, Akpabio said he has never made sexual advances against Nunieh. The former governor of Akwa Ibom said he has never hidden his admiration of Ekaete Akpabio, his wife, whom he is contented with. The honourable minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, not even to put himself in a position or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, or any female staff of his ministry or the NDDC, the former senator said. For the records, the Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON is happily married and content with his wife. Together they are blessed with children, four of whom are young women. The honourable minister is an avid believer of Affirmative Action and that was visible in the appointments he made as a two term executive governor of Akwa Ibom state between 2007 and 2015. Under his watch, he appointed several women into various high level positions as Chairpersons of Local Government Councils, Magistrates, Judges, Heads of Parastatals, Directors, Permanent Secretaries, and Commissioners. He is the first governor in Akwa Ibom state to have a female deputy governor, was also the first to appoint female chief justices of the high court, recommended women for ministerial appointments one of whom was the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, and supported for appointment the first female vice-chancellor of the only Federal University in the state etc. The minister wondered why Nunieh did not speak out until the period the senate is probing the NDDC. If indeed the allegation was true. Waiting till July 10th and 13th 2020 when the National Assembly appears to be probing some of her actions as the Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) exposes her motive, especially at a time when the momentum for the Forensic Audit, he said. Investigation of the NDDC is heating up and the truth is about to be unveiled for all to see? The critical question is who is afraid of the Forensic Audit at the NDDC? Who is Afraid of the Truth? There is no doubt that Ms. Nuniehs attacks are both personal and sponsored. The minister added that he has instructed his lawyers to seek necessary redress in a court of competent jurisdiction on his behalf over the defamatory statements made by Ms. Nunieh. Health Minister: Wales entering new phase in pandemic but warns of a possible difficult Winter This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 15th, 2020 Anyone who displays symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how mild, are being urged to get tested as Wales moves into a new phase of the pandemic. The message comes as the number of tests returning positive in Wales has dropped to just one per cent. This is down from 43 per cent positivity rate at the peak of the pandemic. Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing, Health Minister Vaughan Gething stated that the prevalence of coronavirus in communities across Wales has dropped significantly. He added that moving forward people with symptoms of the virus, no matter how mild, presenting themselves for testing and self isolating will help prevent a second peak of the virus and a further lockdown. Mr Gething said: We are entering a new phase of the coronavirus pandemic in Wales. Parts of our lives are returning to a new normal as more people returned to work, travel further or get a hair cut. Thankfully coronavirus is no longer as prevalent in our communities, as it was just a few weeks ago. We have worked with Public Health Wales and our health boards to build an effective testing system that stretches the length and breadth of Wales. This means that if you need a test, you can get a test quickly and easily. This testing infrastructure, together with our contact tracing system and support from everyone living in Wales, is fundamental to successfully controlling the transmission of the virus We need everyone who shows symptoms, no matter how mild to get a test, and follow the advice to self isolate. This will support us in coming out of lockdown and preventing a second peak and in living with the disease until a vaccine or effective treatment is available. During recent outbreaks here in Wales, weve seen how swift action and effective contact tracing can stop coronavirus in its tracks and prevent it from passing into wider community transmission. An enormous amount has been achieved over the past few months. There was also a word of caution about a potential second wave in the winter which could put additional pressures on the NHS. A new report published yesterday suggested that almost 120,000 people could die from coronavirus in the UK between September and next year as part of a worst case scenario. The report, which didnt take into account actions such as lockdowns or effective treatments / vaccines, urged for preparations to put into place for the NHS over the winter period which is already facing a backlog of delayed operations and treatments. One method aimed to reduce the backlog and ease any upcoming winter pressures is the introduction of green zones in hospitals, which would allow routine appointments and procedures to take place. Mr Gething said: Weve directed the NHS to prepare for not just the autumn and the winter, but to prepare for having green zones where well keep them COVID secure and COVID positive zones or zones where you either have suspected COVID cases or COVID positive cases. That separation is really important. You either separate sites, so you have a whole site that doesnt take COVID positive people. Or you separate zones within hospitals for that to take place. Weve talked with a range of our clinical partners and our staff about what to do and how to do that and health boards are planning and implementing that. Ill be publishing more information on what green and red zones look like. It will require us to do some work and spend some money over the summer and the autumn to get that ready. That will mean we should be able to protect more regular NHS activity. However the minister ruled out expanding testing for asymptomatic cases in the the wider population and workforces. He said: The very clear evidence we have in the Technical Advisory Group that gets published alongside the strategy today, is that actually testing asymptomatic groups, people without symptoms within the population and other workforces without there being a clear purpose of there being evidence to underpin that. It isnt very helpful, because you expect there to be a rate of false positives test to come back positive but on real positives. Naftogaz to finance social program in Ukraine's Donbas Cabinet 17:55, 15.07.20 635 The program will allow installing small-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems in schools, hospitals, kindergartens and other social infrastructure facilities. Alfred Agbesi Woyome 15.07.2020 LISTEN A last minute attempt by troubled businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome to frustrate efforts by Akufo-Addo government to sell his properties to defray the GH51.2 million he fraudulently received as judgement debt has hit a snag. The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights based in Arusha, Tanzania, has for the second time refused an application by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier to set aside a decision by the Supreme Court of Ghana for his properties to be auctioned to defray the debt. In June last year, the African Court dismissed an application by Mr. Woyome, who was claiming the violation of his right to non-discrimination equal protection before the law and his right to be heard by an impartial tribunal. First Application In his first application, Mr. Woyome had averred that his right was violated because a Supreme Court judge, Justice Jones Victor Dotse, had made some personal remarks against him when he brought the judgement debt case before the highest court for constitutional interpretation. The African Court, in a unanimous decision, held that although Justice Dotse wrote the lead judgement on the constitutional matter, he was only one of the 11 judges. The court is of the opinion that the remarks of a single judge cannot be considered sufficient to taint the entire bench. Furthermore, the applicant has not illustrated how the judge's remarks at the ordinary bench later influenced the decision of the review bench. Second Attempt When everybody thought the case was over, Mr. Woyome, through his lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, who is the NDC parliamentary candidate in Madina, once again filed an application asking the international court to review its previous judgement because of a so-called new evidence they had uncovered. The application for review of the decision of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights was filed by Xavier Sosu on behalf of Mr. Woyome on March 4, 2020. The application was asking the court to reconsider its previous judgement as well as stay the execution of the orders of Ghana's Supreme Court for his properties to be sold through auction. 'New Evidence' He averred in his review application that he had discovered new evidence in the matter that was not in his knowledge at the time the African Court delivered the first judgement and also affects the Supreme Court decision in 2014. This evidence, Mr. Woyome said, related to another agreement between the Government of Ghana and Shanghai Construction Group for the construction of two stadia in Tamale and Sekondi. Court Rules Rule 67 of the African Court on Human Peoples' Right Rules places the onus on an applicant seeking a review to demonstrate the discovery of new evidence of which he had no knowledge of at the time of the court judgement, as well as when he came to know about the evidence. The rules of the court also dictate that a review application must be without prejudice and must not be used to undermine the finality of a judgement. Court Observation The African Court observed that Mr. Woyome, in his own admission in his supporting affidavit, indicated that he had been unable to come to an agreement with the Respondent State (Government of Ghana) on a payment plan for the judgement debt that he owes it. Having failed to secure such an agreement, the applicant seeks to use the court to forestall the proceedings going on in the national courts. Judges' Reasoning In its decision, the African Court held that the agreement between the Government of Ghana and Shanghai Construction Group Company was not brought to its attention at the hearing of the first application but held that the said contract cannot be said to be fresh evidence. It is inconceivable that the said contract between Shanghai Construction Group Company and the respondent state which was in the public domain since 2005 was not within the applicant's knowledge at the time of the delivery of the initial judgement, the court said. In addition, the said agreement would also have been brought forth given media frenzy in respondent state surrounding the tender process for the construction of the stadia for the CAN (Cup of African Nations) 2008, the court held further. Again, the court found that the supporting document submitted by the applicant has no correlation with its initial judgement which is the subject of this review, adding in other words, it is not related to his claims that the truncation of proceedings as assumption of jurisdiction by the respondent state's Supreme Court and the conduct of the review Bench of the Supreme Court resulted in violations of his rights under Articles 2 and 3 of the Charter. Case Dismissal The court, in a unanimous decision, dismissed Mr. Woyome's application for review, as well as the one seeking to stay the execution of the orders of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Mr. Woyome was represented by Xavier Sosu, while Ghana was represented by Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and assisted by Dorothy Afriyie-Ansah, a Chief State Attorney and Stella Badu, also a Chief State Attorney. The court was presided over by Justice Sylvian Ore and assisted by Ben Kioko, Raf Ben Achour, Angelo V. Mtusse, Suzanne Mengue, M-Therese Mukamulisa, Tujilane R. Chizumila, Chafika Bensaoula, Stella I. Anukam, and Imani D. Aboud. Supreme Court Order Already, the Supreme Court has directed the state to mobilize funds and purchase four properties belonging to Mr. Woyome after the court held that the Attorney General's Department cannot transfer the properties to the National Security Council Secretariat as it was seeking to do through an application. According to the court presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice Anin-Yeboah, and assisted by Justices Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Samuel Marful-Sau, Nene Amegatcher and Getrude Torkornoo, the writ of Fi Fa (legal instrument by which the assets of a judgement debtor may be seized) was already in action hence the AG cannot transfer the properties to the National Security but can buy them and decide what it wants to do with them. The court held that the state would have to purchase the properties through a public auction from the auctioneer. Dame Withdrawal Deputy Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, therefore, withdrew the application on June 24 for leave to transfer the properties, and it was subsequently struck out as withdrawn. The Supreme Court then completely stayed the hearing of a suit filed by Mr. Woyome at the High Court seeking to stop the sale of the properties and seek an order for the auctioneer to hand over his property keys to him. This suit, the Chief Justice has held, undermines the authority of the Supreme Court, as well as 'frustrates' the ongoing sales process. Woyome Properties Mr. Woyome's properties, being followed by the state, include two residential properties at Ameri Court, Trassaco Valley, Accra, another residential property at Kpehe in Accra, as well as plant and machinery of Quarry belonging to Anator Quarry Limited at Mafi in the Volta Region. ---Daily Guide After 15 years on the bench, Chief Justice John Roberts has emerged as what many legal experts describe as the most influential head of the Supreme Court since the 1940s. With two of its nine members appointed by President Donald Trump, the conservative-dominated court was thought by many to be drifting far to the right and threatening to undo progressive social policies. Instead, during its 2019-2020 term, which concluded last week, the court under Roberts defied Trump and his conservative allies in a string of cases, casting a light on the otherwise conservative chief justices inclination and ability to achieve consensus. These opinions struck down a Louisiana abortion law, expanded protections for LGBTQ people, and kept intact a government program for young undocumented immigrants. In two other cases on the final day of the courts term, the justices rejected Trumps claims of immunity from subpoena for his financial records. FILE - Justice Neil Gorsuch speaks during an interview in his chambers at the Supreme Court in Washington, September 4, 2019. At the center of it all was Roberts, 65, who was appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush in 2005. Roberts not only wrote several of the landmark opinions but was able to persuade one or both of Trump's conservative nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to join the more liberal justices. Of particular significance was the frequency with which Roberts voted with the majority, a measure of his growing influence and willingness to play the role of consensus builder. In all but two of the 58 cases heard by the court, Roberts was in the majority. That is something no other chief justice has achieved since Harlan F. Stone, who headed the court from 1941 to 1946, according to Adam Feldman, creator and author of the Empirical SCOTUS Blog. "Influence is such a subjective measure that without access to the justices conferences, it is very difficult to gauge. But with all the material at our disposal, he does seem to be the most powerful justice since Stone," Feldman said. Others, such as Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman, have gone much further, comparing Roberts to John Marshall, the legendary and highly influential fourth Chief Justice of the United States, who presided over the court from 1801 to 1835. FILE - Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist reads the vote tally in the Senate's impeachment trial of President Clinton, as Clinton's attorney Charles Ruff (L) listens, February 12, 2019. The Senate rejected both counts. For an otherwise low-key chief justice, the comparisons are surprising. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Roberts worked in the Department of Justice and the Office of the White House Counsel in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2005, after a two-year stint on the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Roberts was nominated by Bush as an associate justice of the high court. However, before his confirmation hearing was held, then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist died, and Bush renominated Roberts for the top job. Swing vote For most of Roberts tenure as head of the divided bench, retired justice Anthony Kennedy, another Republican appointee, was the "swing" member of the court, casting the decisive vote in a string of landmark cases that upheld abortion rights and legalized gay marriage, among other issues. FILE - White House counsel Don McGahn listens as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 27, 2018. With Kennedy's retirement in 2018, Trump nominated Kavanaugh as Kennedy's replacement, effectively pushing the more moderate Roberts to the ideological center of the court. That has given him unparalleled influence, enabling him not only to swing the court but also to write many of the opinions for the big cases himself. In two of three major cases a ruling against the Trump administration's effort to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and an opinion striking down a Louisiana abortion law Roberts cast the decisive fifth vote. He wrote the majority opinion in the DACA case. In the third case, in which the court determined employers cannot discriminate against LGBTQ people, both Roberts and Gorsuch joined the majority. Gorsuch wrote the opinion in that case. The decisions drew the ire of Trump, who blasted them as horrible and politically charged and indicated that much as in 2016 he would elevate judicial appointments into a campaign issue this year. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd. Amendment & everything else. Vote Trump 2020! Trump tweeted after the DACA ruling. Center of conflict This is not the first time Roberts has found himself in conservatives crosshairs. In 2012, he upset many on the right when he joined the liberal wing of the court in upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, then-President Barack Obama's signature health plan for the uninsured, colloquially known as Obamacare. But with so many decisions going against them this term, conservatives have never been more furious with the chief justice. This term was probably the worst from a conservative point of view, worst from a principled point of view, said Curt Levey, president of the conservative Committee for Justice. FILE - Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter smiles during a lecture series titled, "Constitutionally Speaking," September 14, 2012, in Concord, New Hampshire. While some conservatives worry that the court will likely drift further to the left with Roberts at the top, Levey said, the best we can hope for from a conservative point of view at this point is a moderate court with Roberts as the swing vote, keeping our fingers crossed that he doesnt go full Souter. David Souter, a Republican-appointed justice who served on the Supreme Court from 1990 to 2009, gained notoriety among conservatives for his proclivity to vote with the liberal wing. But Roberts is not Souter. On most conservative issues, he consistently votes with his ideological cohorts. He has joined more 5-4 conservative opinions this term than he did last term. In three religious liberty cases, he joined the majority in favor of religious organizations. Yet on hot-button issues like abortion rights, he has parted ways with the more conservative justices, in part, legal experts say, to avoid the perception that the justices often vote along party lines. These strategic votes are designed to achieve a particular outcome in the face of public pressure, Levey said. But liberal activists say Roberts votes do not make him any less conservative than his ideological associates on the court. There is no question that Roberts has disappointed conservatives who expect him to ignore the law no matter the case and simply deliver ideological victories in lockstep with the right, said Elizabeth Wydra, president of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center. The fact that Roberts is now sometimes a swing vote on this court only shows how conservative the court as a whole really is. At a time when Supreme Court justices are seen by some as "politicians in robes," experts say Roberts remains deeply concerned about the courts institutional legitimacy, willing to go to great lengths to defend its reputation. Last year, when Trump disparaged a federal judge who had ruled against him as an "Obama judge," Roberts issued an extraordinary rebuttal. "We do not have Obama judges and Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges," Roberts said in a statement. FILE - In this image from video, presiding officer Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts speaks during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 28, 2020. Yet a determination to defend the courts reputation is not all that is driving Roberts decision-making, experts say. Roberts is a judicial minimalist whose decisions are guided by a desire to avoid disruptions, according to Jonathan Adler, a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University and editor of a book on the Roberts court. "He does not make decisions that disrupt settled expectations or that dramatically overturn precedents or produce big changes," Adler said. "He prefers decisions that are relatively minor and narrow." Case in point: In striking down the Louisiana abortion law, Roberts wrote that he felt compelled to follow precedent set by a similar case four years ago, even though he disagreed with it, Adler noted. "The question today, however, is not whether (the 2016 case) was right or wrong, but whether to adhere to it in deciding the present case," Roberts wrote in a concurring opinion. Another example: Roberts joined the court's four other conservative justices to declare the leadership structure of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau as unconstitutional, but he stopped short of invalidating the agency. This kind of narrow ruling has the effect of generating broader consensus, Adler said. "He places a value on there being stability and clarity in the law, and he places a higher value on that than necessarily on reaching what he would think would be the doctrinally pure outcome," Adler said. That is certainly a way in which he differs from the other conservative justices on the court. Advertisement Banksy's latest artwork inside a London Underground train carriage, with messages about the spread of coronavirus, has been removed by Transport for London (TfL). The guerrilla artist, dressed in a high-vis jacket, boiler suit, goggles and face mask, painted a black rat coughing and sneezing green paint across the carriage's window and walls to encourage people to cover their faces in public. Using the same pressure sprayer used by London Underground staff to disinfectant trains, Banksy then tagged the door leading to the driver's cab and paints other rats using face masks as parachutes or shooting antibacterial hand gel. TfL confirmed on Tuesday evening that the work was removed 'some days ago' due to a strict anti-graffiti policy, but that it would welcome Banksy to recreate his message 'in a suitable location'. A TfL spokesperson said: 'We appreciate the sentiment of encouraging people to wear face coverings, which the vast majority of customers on our transport network are doing. 'In this particular case, the work was removed some days ago due to our strict anti-graffiti policy. 'We'd like to offer Banksy the chance to do a new version of his message for our customers in a suitable location.' Banksy is filmed entering a Tube station and getting on a train with his paint and stencils. At one point he ushers commuters away as he spray-paints the train as it travelled between Baker Street and Euston in broad daylight. Fans have hailed his work, calling it 'powerful' and 'crucial', but critics were shocked that he was able to graffiti a train while posing as a Tube worker completely unhindered before walking off and out of the station minutes later. It also appears he was able to graffiti a wall on a platform with nobody noticing. His latest work makes it clear that he believes anyone not wearing a mask is risking the spread of coronavirus in a film that ends with the message: 'I get locked down - but I get up again' - a play on words on the Chumbawamba hit that plays at the end. The star, who released a video of him spraypainting the train on Instagram this afternoon, has never identified himself but he is believed to be former public schoolboy Robin Gunningham, from Bristol. This sneezing and coughing rat is at the centre of a new Banksy artwork on the Tube, carried out as the train passed through central London The artwork was filmed being made and at one point Banksy ushers away a commuter from the part of the carriage he wants to paint The piece, named 'If you don't mask - you don't get', is encouraging Britons to wear masks to halt the spread of Covid-19 He even tags the door leading to the Tube driver's door as people in the train watched him do it in broad daylight It ends with the message: 'I get locked down - but I get up again' - a play on words on the Chumbawamba hit The release of the artwork today is significant because it came on the day Boris Johnson revealed that face masks will be compulsory in confined spaces such as shops and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan admitted one in ten on the Tube are still not wearing masks and only around 50 people have been fined. A British Transport Police spokeperson said: 'Banksy's strength of feeling towards the importance of wearing face coverings on public transport mirrors our own, which is why we have hundreds of officers out across the capital every day encouraging passengers to wear their face coverings. 'Regardless, please remember that it is an offence to deface any Tube or train carriage, or other station property.' The Tube artwork came weeks after Banksy showed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying 'people of colour are being failed by the system'. His comment came after week of protests sparked by the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US. The graffiti artist, who rose to fame for his provocative street art, shared a painting of a vigil candle burning an American flag along with his message. He wrote: 'At first I thought I should just shut up and listen to black people about this issue. 'But why would I do that? It's not their problem, it's mine.' He continued: 'People of colour are being failed by the system. The white system. 'Like a broken pipe flooding the apartment of the people living downstairs. The faulty system is making their life a misery, but it's not their job to fix it. They can't - no-one will let them in the apartment upstairs. 'This is a white problem. And if white people don't fix it, someone will have to come upstairs and kick the door in.' Banksy has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying 'people of colour are being failed by the system'. He shared a painting of a vigil candle burning an American flag along with his message Who is Banksy? Experts believe guerilla artist is middle-class boy from Bristol or could even a group led by Massive Attack star 3D Insiders in the art world have previously claimed there is compelling evidence suggesting that the artist is former public schoolboy Robin Gunningham, from Bristol, who is believed to be in his early forties. In March scientists at Queen Mary University of London backed a Mail on Sunday identifying Mr Gunningham as 'the only serious suspect'. They used 'geographic profiling', a technique more often used to catch criminals or track outbreaks of disease, by plotting the locations of 192 of Banksy's presumed artworks. But there have always been doubts. Is this him? The only clue until now has been a photograph taken in Jamaica 11 years ago of a man with a bag of spray cans and a stencil by his feet, who people say is Robin Gunningham Others have claimed Banksy is older, having been inspired by French artist Blek le Rat, who began working in 1981, which could make him at least ten years older. The only clue until now has been a photograph taken in Jamaica 11 years ago of a man with a bag of spray cans and a stencil by his feet, who people say is Gunningham. Banksy has admitted he disguises himself when in public and claims it is much easier and quicker to install works himself. Appearances in public, or on film, have also been in disguise or with his face covered. Banksy says he must remain anonymous because of the often illegal nature of his art. Robin Gunningham, who is thought to be in his late 30s or early 40s, remains the man most believed to be Banksy, although only a handful of the artist's friends know his true identity. He was educated at the 9,240-a-year Bristol Cathedral School, which shocked some of the artist's fans who were fond of their hero's 'anti-establishment' stance. Is it him? Massive Attack star Robert Del Naja, pictured arriving at Banksy's Dismaland in Weston-Super-Mare, has also been accused of being the guerrilla graffiti star Banksy has become renowned for his use of stencils to spray illegal images on public walls. Some councils and businesses have begun to protect his creations and his works have been sold to celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Rumours have persisted that the artist is called Robin Banks, that he is from Bristol, and that his parents think he is a painter and decorator. Gunningham's former school friend Scott Nurse said in 2011: 'He was one of three people in my year who were extremely talented at art. I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy.' Records reveal Gunningham once lived with artist Luke Egan, who later exhibited with Banksy. Mr Egan initially denied knowing Gunningham but later admitted he had lived with him. Around 2000, when Banksy moved to London, Gunningham relocated to a flat in Hackney. A number of Banksy's most famous works have appeared nearby. At that time Gunningham lived with Jamie Eastman, who worked for the Hombre record label which has used illustrations by Banksy. Mr Gunningham's own parents have denied the artist was their son, although when his mother Pamela was shown the picture by the Mail on Sunday four years ago she initially denied she even had a son, let alone one called Robin, according to the paper. But in 2016 a member of Massive Attack was named as the artist. Robert '3D' Del Naja, the founding member of the Bristol band, has been accused of being the guerrilla graffiti star because art keeps appearing near their gigs. I nvestigative journalist Craig Williams, 31, claims the artist could be Mr Del Naja, or perhaps a team of people led by him and linked to Massive Attack who combine their concerts with graffiti. Mr Williams has plotted Banksy murals around the world and said that on at least six occasions more than a dozen appeared shortly before or after Massive Attack gigs in the same cities over the past 12 years. 3D was a graffiti artist in the 1980s and has admitted he is friends with Banksy - but the journalist's new research concludes he may be the artist himself. His band, famous for songs Tear Drop and Unfinished Sympathy, has made millions while Banksy's art sells for at least 500,000 a piece. Mr Williams said it has been the common conception was that the artist was 'plain old public school boy Robin Gunningham'. He said: 'But what if Banksy isn't the one person everyone thinks he is. What if Banksy is a group of people who have stencilling different locations both at home and abroad? Such a rich body of work done over a decade, across the globe, may allow for the suggestion. Ronny Jackson departs the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 25, 2018. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Former White House Physician Ronny Jackson Wins House GOP Primary in Texas Former White House physician Ronny Jackson, who served three presidents, emerged victorious from a GOP runoff for a seat representing Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jackson, 53, garnered 55.6 percent of the vote. He beat Josh Winegarner, who was endorsed by the retiring incumbent, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas). Jackson was endorsed by President Donald Trump, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. The runoff was triggered by no candidate receiving a majority of the vote in March. In that primary, Winegarner received 38.8 percent and Jackson received 19.9 percent of the vote. Jackson said late Tuesday that he spoke with Trump over the phone. Its official! I am honored to be the Republican nominee for #TX13! I promise I will make you proud! he said in a statement on Twitter. Trump wrote on Twitter: Ronny will be a fantastic CongressmanWill represent the wonderful people of the Great State of Texas, and the USA, very well. Proud of you Ronny!!! Jackson launched his run for office after withdrawing from consideration for Veterans Affairs secretary. A Senate committee at the time was investigating allegations Jackson, a U.S. Navy rear admiral, had overseen a hostile work environment as White House physician. A voter shows his identification to a Harris County election clerk before voting in Houston, Texas, on July 14, 2020. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo) The document containing the allegations was compiled by staff on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and promoted by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mt.). Jackson vociferously denied the allegations. A White House doctor accused of initiating them later resigned. Texass 13th Congressional District is rated as solid Republican or safe Republican by political handicappers, meaning his win in the primary essentially secured the seat. Jackson says on his campaign website that he supports protecting the countrys borders, the Second Amendment, and pro-life policies. Gus Trujillo, a former Thornberry intern, won the Democratic runoff. Elsewhere in the state, former Rep. Pete Sessions won the runoff for the 17th Congressional Districts Republican nomination, and Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls won a runoff for the 22nd Congressional Districts GOP nomination. M.J. Hegar, a former Air Force pilot, secured the Democratic nomination after winning the runoff for a U.S. Senate seat. She's expecting her second child with husband Kevin Hart this summer. And on Tuesday, Eniko Hart was spotted running some errands in her Calabasas neighborhood in the LA suburbs. The 35-year-old stopped by a gas station to fill up her luxury convertible. Cool ride: She's expecting her second child with husband Kevin Hart this summer and on Tuesday, Eniko Hart, 35, stopped by a gas station in Calabasas to fill up her luxury convertibvle Eniko showed off her growing baby bump in a sleeveless black sundress with spaghetti straps. The low-cut frock barely skimmed her thighs and showcased her workout-honed figure. She stepped out in purple slides and wore her hair tied into a bun at the nape pf her neck. Eniko completed her look with plenty of bling, including diamond anklets and bracelets, diamond earrings and a diamond pendant necklace. Fit: Eniko showed off her growing baby bump in a sleeveless black sundress with spaghetti straps. The low-cut frock barely skimmed her thighs and showcased her workout-honed figure Bling: She wore her hair tied into a bun at the nape pf her neck and completed her look with diamond earrings and a diamond pendant necklace Eniko and Kevin married in 2016 and welcomed their son Kenzo in November 2017. They announced via Instagram on Mother's Day that this time around they are having a baby girl. The actor and comedian also has two children from his first marriage - daughter heaven, 15, and son Hendrix, 12. Hart infamously cheated on Eniko while she was pregnant with their son, but the couple has weather that particular storm. In the Netflix docu-series Kevin Hart: Don't F*** This Up, Eniko explained: 'It was a lot for me but we've been through it, we've gone through, we're past it and he's a better man now because of it.' Due soon: Eniko and Kevin married in 2016 and welcomed son Kenzo in November 2017. They announced via Instagram on Mother's Day that this time around they are having a baby girl EDWARDSVILLE The placement of two more ballot referendums and a resolution regarding MetroLink safety were approved by the Madison County Boards Governmental Relations Committee Monday for full board consideration Wednesday. Both referendums are advisory, meaning they are not enforceable. One deals with the practice of double-dipping and was prompted by the recent awarding of a contract to a former Madison County Sheriffs Department captain who was hired as a consultant after his retirement from the department. On Monday, committee members went to great lengths to avoid naming the former employee or citing other examples. The referendum question would read, Shall retired Madison County employees and officials drawing a pension be permitted to also draw a salary for service in another position as an employee, official, or independent contractor of Madison County? A second referendum deals with automatic pay increases for state lawmakers. That proposed referendum asks, Shall members of the Illinois General Assembly change state law to stop automatic annual salary increases for legislators? If accepted, the two referendums would join a third on the Nov. 3 ballot calling for a decrease in the maximum tax rate for the countys general fund. Ballots are limited to three referendum per election, according to Madison County Clerk Debra Ming-Mendoza. The resolution on double-dipping was presented by Madison County Board Member Don Moore, R-Troy. Its probably something that needed to be considered for quite a while, but it has finally come to a head, Moore said. We have a history of allowing this to happen in Madison County. I think its an opportunity for us to provide some leadership, Mo0re said. We can let our voice be heard. At Mondays meeting, Madison County Board Member Nick Petrillo, D-Granite City, said he wanted to see some statistics and numbers to show this is warranted. Last weeks county board Finance Committee meeting chaired by Moore included discussion of the awarding of a $114,000 contract to retired Madison County Sheriffs Department captain Eric Decker for administrative support to the department. Decker, the departments commander of administrative services, retired June 19 after 28 years with the department. On July 1 the sheriffs office hired his firm, Decker Analytics in Godfrey, to perform some of the administrative duties that had been part of his job. The contract had been on the agenda for several committees last month but was pulled because of questions. At last weeks Public Safety Committee meeting it was announced the sheriffs department had OKd the contract without board approval, which officials said it did not need. Unless this is really draining the budget I cant see voting for this unless I see more evidence of why we need this, Petrillo said. Chief Deputy Sheriff Maj. Jeff Connor noted several potential issues. Although the referendum deals specifically with county employees receiving a county pension, Connor said that if the concept was expanded it also could apply to someone drawing a military pension. He also cited a possible scenario where a county information technology employee retired and began working for a private company, asking whether that would be allowed. Mr. Petrillo wanted some scenarios, and those are ones that came to mind, Connor said. Committee Chairman Chris Guy said the referendum only applied to Madison County pensions and was nonbinding. Much of the discussion on the second referendum was led by Madison County Board Member Erica Conway-Harriss, R-Glen Carbon. Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler also introduced a resolution calling for the Bi-State to improve security for its transit services, specifically MetroLink. The original resolution focused on a spring decision by the Bi-State Board to disarm security guards, but the final version removed some of that language. The resolution cautions Madison County residents who use Bi-State transit services and calls on the Bi-State board to improve security. The debate is part of a larger issue between some county officials with Bi-State and St. Clair County political leadership. Last year State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, introduced bills Prenzler and others said were designed to take power away from Madison County. One of those bills took a Madison Countys Bi-State board seat and gave it to St. Clair County. The committee also approved a long-awaited ordinance prohibiting the purchase and sale of vaping and other electronic cigarette products by people under 21. The Madison County Board will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The meeting will be teleconferenced; people may join at https://www.twitch.tv/madisoncountyil. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 18:36:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Passengers get off the first flight into the country in months at the Velana International Airport in Male, the Maldives, July 15, 2020. A Qatar Airways flight carrying 107 foreigners and 27 Maldivians arrived at the Velana International Airport in the Maldives on Wednesday morning, marking the first arrival of tourists since the country closed its borders on March 27 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua) MALE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A Qatar Airways flight carrying 107 foreigners and 27 Maldivians arrived at the Velana International Airport in the Maldives on Wednesday morning, marking the first arrival of tourists since the country closed its borders on March 27 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. President Ibrahim Solih, in a message on his official Twitter account said, "The sun is shining again in the Maldives. Our borders are open for visitors once again and the first flight has just landed." In a joint press statement, the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation and and Maldives Airport Company Ltd. said, "After almost four months since the suspension of on-arrival tourist visas, the Maldivian tourism industry has re-opened with enhanced precautionary measures against COVID-19." "The health and safety of tourists and residents in the Maldives has always been paramount and the resumption of the tourism industry was only given the go ahead following extensive consultations with health professionals and industry stakeholders," the statement added. Tourists disembarking from the first flight into the country were greeted by government officials. According to a 28-page guideline published by the Ministry of Tourism, incoming tourists will be allowed to stay at facilities located on uninhabited islands starting July 15. Facilities on inhabited islands are scheduled to be re-opened on August 1. President Solih visited Velana International Airport (VIA) on Tuesday to inspect precautionary measures that will be implemented, including screening arrivals for COVID-19 symptoms, enforcing social distancing and good hygiene, and expanding testing capacity. The Maldives recorded 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019 and hopes to attract 850,000 visitors by the end of this year despite shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maldives confirmed its first COVID-19 infection on March 7 and declared a State of Public Health Emergency on March 12, which has been extended several times, most recently until August 7. A lockdown on the capital region of Greater Male was imposed on April 15, though restrictions have gradually been eased since June, with businesses including restaurants and cafes re-opening and inter-island transport and congregational prayers resuming by July. The Maldives currently has 2,801 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of which 2,302 have made full recoveries and 14 have died. A war of words was heating up Tuesday in oil-rich and conflict-torn Libya, where two rival administrations are battling for control and tensions have risen between outside forces Egypt and Turkey. The Libyan parliament aligned with strongman Khalifa Haftar issued a statement late Monday giving in-principle support to a threatened Egyptian military intervention against what it termed a "Turkish occupation". Libya has been torn by violence since the 2011 ouster of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising, and the conflict has since drawn in multiple foreign powers. The Turkish-backed and UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli in the west has been fighting Haftar's forces, which are supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and others. The GNA, with stepped-up Turkish support, in June repelled a 14-month siege of the capital by Haftar and launched a counter-offensive that is now stalled outside the coastal city of Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown. People wave flags of Libya (R) and Turkey (L) during a demonstration in Tripoli. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, alarmed by Haftar's setback, warned last month that Cairo could send troops into Libya. He threatened to send in his army if GNA forces capture Sirte, which is located more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the Egyptian border and now held by Haftar's troops backed by a local Salafist militia. The pro-Haftar parliament said Monday on its website that it would back an Egyptian intervention if necessary "to protect the national security of Libya and Egypt if they see an imminent danger to both our countries". Libya and Egypt should work together, the assembly said, "to guarantee the occupier's defeat and preserve our shared national security" in the face of "the dangers posed by the Turkish occupation". 'Drums of war' Sisi's warning was perceived as a "declaration of war" by the GNA but received the full support of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan, all members of the pro-Haftar axis. GNA spokesman Mohamad Gnounou pledged Tuesday that their forces would advance toward the "cities taken hostage" and "eradicate all outlaw groups", an allusion to the pro-Haftar forces. Egypt's military said Saturday it had carried out exercises involving navy, airforce and special forces near the Libyan border in response to the "severe and rapid changes" in the region. The UAE on Tuesday issued an implicit warning to GNA forces advancing on Sirte. "The drums of the war raging around Sirte in Libya threaten serious developments and dangerous humanitarian and political consequences," tweeted its minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. By KAYHAN OZER, Ludovic MARIN (AFP) "We in the UAE call for an immediate ceasefire and for wisdom to prevail," he added, calling for inter-Libyan dialogue "within clear international frameworks". Years of international efforts have so far failed to bring a lasting peace to the North African country which has the continent's largest proven oil reserves. Sisi in June called Sirte a "red line" for Egypt, while Ankara has urged Haftar to withdraw from the strategic city and negotiate a ceasefire. Relations between Cairo and Ankara have been deteriorating since 2013, when Sisi led the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood figure close to Turkey. Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui of the Clingendael Institute in The Hague said Tuesday that, despite the rhetoric, he did not see the imminent risk of major military escalation. "The military reality around Sirte has not changed significantly in the past two weeks," he said. Sirte remained well-defended by pro-Haftar Russian and Syrian mercenaries with UAE logistical support as well by dangerous minefields to the west of the city. "Cairo's political desire for a visible and official Egyptian intervention remains very tenuous," he added. At a time of regional economic and pandemic woes, he said, "Egypt has other problems at the moment". Kept apart from loved ones because of the coronavirus pandemic for nearly four months, parents and legal guardians of pediatric, developmentally disabled, and intellectually disabled residents at New Jerseys long-term care facilities will be allowed to visit them indoors by appointment, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday. Indoor visitation would also be allowed at facilities that have have no new probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases in a 28-day period, officials said. Thats two coronavirus incubation periods. There are four pediatric long-term care facilities in New Jersey, serving several hundred minors and young adults. In addition, there are about 500 adults with developmental disabilities in nursing homes. The length of time these long-term care residents have spent in near isolation because of the coronavirus makes this a human rights issue, said Gwen Orlowski, executive director for Disability Rights New Jersey, a legal advocacy group. Orlowski said her organization had asked for the Murphy administration to allow one support person to visit to ensure their medical needs were being met. On Wednesday, she said she was thrilled the state has gone a step further. Murphy said Wednesday this has been a trying time for the families of residents in these settings. However, as we have mentioned before, when it comes to some of our states most-vulnerable residents, we have had to take extra precautions to save lives, he said during his latest coronavirus briefing in Trenton. All visitors will be screened for symptoms, must following mask and hygiene protocols, and will be restricted to certain areas to minimize exposure to other residents. All facilities must have their own written guidelines in place before any visitation. Visits arent permitted to any residents that has COVID-19 symptoms or has had any recent exposure to the virus. Visitors must notify the facility if theyve tested positive or have any symptoms within 14 days of visiting, the governor said. Visitors also must sign an informed consent letter, acknowledging the parents or guardians understand the risks involved. Right now, only parents and guardians are allowed to visit, according to state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. They will not be required to maintain six feet apart from each other, she added. Persichilli called this move a critical step for the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of children in these facilities. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage Persichilli has acknowledged in earlier briefings that the families of people with developmental disabilities in long-term care centers have been asking for a restoration of in-person visits which ended in mid-March. Group activities also ceased, creating an isolating existence that has exacted an emotional toll on people who may not be able to understand the implications of the pandemic. Yes, we do understand how stressful and heartbreaking it has been for so many families to not be able to visit their loved ones for more than three months now, Persichilli said. Given how medically fragile the pediatric population that resides in long-term care facilities are, we have been focused on putting together guidance that not only safeguards the health of these individuals, but includes the very latest we are learning day by day about this virus. Kimberly Paterson of Sea Girt has been lobbying state officials relentlessly to restore indoor visits and restore daily activities on behalf of her daughter, Zoe Mariziano, who has lived at the long-term care facility in Toms River run by Childrens Specialized Hospital since she was a toddler, more than 15 years ago. News about the prospect of Indoor visits is certainly welcome, but it doesnt address the problem, Paterson said. State officials need to give disabled people like my daughter the same rights as other New Jersey residents. Instead, Zoe is confined to an area 6-by-10 feet, a bed, night table and a dresser, Paterson said. She may spend 30 to 40 minutes with a person, but she is not allowed to be in a group, Paterson said. She sits, watches TV all day and sleeps. Her life is not even as good as good as jailed prisoner and shes done nothing wrong. Although Zoe uses a wheelchair and communicates through an eye-gaze electronic device, prior to COVID-19, her life was filled with school, swimming, arts and crafts, dances, and social gatherings with other residents. Paterson and her husband and Zoes father, Fred Marziano, said the state is more concerned with the threat of the virus than it is with the mental and emotional stability of their child. The Toms River facility hasnt had a positive COVID-19 cases since May 28, according to a spokeswoman for the facility. Give my child the same rights other children have. Other children arent locked up in their bedrooms, and prevented from having any kind of life, Paterson said. Long-term care facilities in New Jersey especially nursing homes have been hit hard by the pandemic, claiming the lives of more than 6,700 residents and staff members. Visitations had been off-limits for months as the state tried to manage the outbreaks. The state began allowing outdoor visitation at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities on June 21. Once a coronavirus hotspot, New Jersey has seen its daily figures drop dramatically since peaking in April and plateau in recent weeks. This comes as numerous other states especially ones that have lifted restrictions more quickly continue to see surging cases. New Jersey is calling on people traveling from 22 states that qualify as coronavirus hotspots to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New Jersey, including residents returning home. Murphy has also paused Stage 2 of the states gradual reopening from months of coronavirus restrictions. And the state is now requiring people to wear masks outdoors in public when they cant practice social distancing. New Jersey on Wednesday reported 25 more confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19 and 396 more positive tests. The state has now reported 15,634 deaths related to the virus, including 13,660 lab-confirmed and 1,974 probable, and 176,278 known cases since the first patient in New Jersey tested positive March 4. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. They are set to welcome their first child together later this year. And Gianluca Vacchi playfully communicated with his unborn child as he cradled his pregnant girlfriend Sharon Fonseca's baby bump in a cute Instagram video shared on Wednesday. It comes shortly after the Italian playboy millionaire, and his model girlfriend, 25, announced that they are expecting a little girl during a showstopping gender reveal video. Look who's talking: Gianluca Vacchi playfully communicated with his unborn child as he cradled his pregnant girlfriend Sharon Fonseca's baby bump in a cute Instagram video shared on Wednesday In the playful video, Gianluca is seen holding Sharon's bare baby bump as he jokingly asks: 'Amor, who is your favourite person in the world?'. He then takes out a stethoscope and holds it against Sharon's stomach in which to suggest he is going to get a reply. As a suit-clad Gianluca listens in, a babyish voice is then heard saying: 'Papa, papa!' The delighted businessman then jumps up and punches the air with glee as he shouts 'yes!' Congratulations: It comes shortly after the Italian playboy millionaire, and his model girlfriend, 25, announced that they are expecting a little girl during a showstopping gender reveal video As he gets up, Sharon, who is clad in a chic zebra print top and matching skirt, is left holding her arms out in bewilderment as he partner laughs in the background. The couple's joke come just days after they excitedly found out that they were expecting a little girl. In a spectacular video shared to both of their social media accounts, the couple can be seen excitedly holding hands as a helicopter flies overhead. As the helicopter got closer, it released a cloud of pink smoke, confirming the pair will have a baby girl. Daddy to be: In the playful video, Gianluca is seen holding Sharon's bare baby bump as he jokingly asks: 'Amor, who is your favourite person in the world?' Thrilled: As a suit-clad Gianluca listens in, a babyish voice is then heard saying: 'Papa, papa!' The delighted businessman then jumps up and punches the air with glee as he shouts 'yes!' The delighted couple, both clad in white, then hugged one another as their friends and family cheered in the background. It then cut to an emotional Sharon wiping away her tears as her partner comforted her. The sweet video ended in a cloud of pink smoke alongside the message: 'We are waiting for you little princess. Mom and Dad.' No way! As he gets up, Sharon, who is clad in a chic zebra print top and matching skirt, is left holding her arms out in bewilderment as he partner laughs in the background Last month Gianluca said his 27-year age gap with pregnant girlfriend Sharon doesn't 'concern' him. The businessman and stunning model candidly discussed their romance in a new interview where he revealed he has the energy of a 15-year-old boy and Sharon made him 'suffer' at the start of their relationship to win him over. The couple spoke from their lavish mansion in Bologna, Italy, which boasts three swimming pools and 38 acres of land, after returning from their penthouse in Miami, Florida. Asked about whether the 27-year age gap concerns him, Gianluca told HELLO! magazine: 'Not at all, if it doesn't bother her. Even though I have this white beard, my enthusiasm is that of a boy of 15.' Gender reveal: In a spectacular video shared to both of their social media accounts, the couple can be seen excitedly holding hands as a helicopter flies overhead She's coming! As the helicopter got closer, it released a cloud of pink smoke, confirming the pair will have a baby girl While Sharon added: 'Gian is an open book, a man from whom I can learn something different every day. And then there's his spirit and energy [like a 15-year-old's].' To which Gianluca joked that they should increase it to 18-years-old as he can drive at that age. The couple met two years ago on the set of one of his music videos and the Italian millionaire admitted he was struck by the 'incredibly sexy' Sharon. Although Gianluca revealed that the model played hard to get at the start of their romance, he joked: 'She made me suffer a lot, that's for sure. I thought that same night she would fall into my net, but I was wrong!' Happy tears: It then cut to an emotional Sharon wiping away her tears as her partner comforted her Rishi Sunak has ordered a review of capital gains tax. The Chancellor has asked the splendidly named Office of Tax Simplification to consider how exemptions from the tax could be reformed or scrapped. That fine body, I wager, will come back with a plan that wont be simple but will show how the Government could extract more tax from people who make a profit on the sale of houses, shares and other assets. And why not, some will say? Mr Sunak has spent 190billion propping up the economy. That figure is bound to rise substantially; it could easily double. If unemployment soars next year, so will government payouts to those who have lost their jobs. All this is borrowed money, and must be paid back. Little wonder that the Chancellors eyes have alighted on capital gains tax, though it currently raises only about 9billion a year, which is slightly more than one per cent of all tax receipts. Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured at Pret this week, has asked the Office of Tax Simplification to consider how exemptions from the tax could be reformed or scrapped Others are suggesting he should broaden his horizons. Why not a wealth tax? Labour is flirting with the idea, though in a television interview shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds wouldnt commit herself to this. A tax on assets is undoubtedly popular. A recent YouGov poll found 61 per cent of respondents supported a wealth tax on people with assets worth more than 750,000. Previous polls have produced similar results. Even a few of the super-rich are begging to pay more tax. This week, 83 virtue-signalling multi-millionaires signed an open letter to that effect. Theres nothing to stop them dispatching a cheque now. In 1919, Tory statesman Stanley Baldwin anonymously gave 120,000 (6million in todays money) to the Treasury to pay off war debt. Given the hole were in, the idea of soaking the rich, or even the fairly rich, may seem alluring. Every day one hears someone say we need a radical redistribution of wealth after all the tribulations of Covid-19. We cant, so we are told, return to our bad old ways. Could a Conservative chancellor turn out to be more Corbynista than the Corbynistas? Might Rishi Sunak follow the example of former Labour chancellor Denis Healey, who promised in 1974 to squeeze the rich until the pips squeak? I hope not. I dont think so. But I dont believe we should rule out the possibility that Mr Sunak, in a desperate attempt to balance the books, will bear down on the better off with a ferocity never before shown by a Tory chancellor. This would be a disaster. There are several reasons, some practical, others philosophical, why asking the rich to pick up the tab for the pandemic would be a very bad idea. In the first place, there simply arent enough rich people to go round. Take the example of capital gains tax. If the Chancellor lowered the annual tax-free allowance on capital gains of 12,300, or raised the top rate on property sales from 28 to 40 per cent, he might conceivably augment the overall tax take by a billion or two. Or he might not. Putting up a tax sometimes leads to less revenue, as former Tory chancellor George Osborne discovered after he raised the rate of stamp duty on some house purchases in 2014. The effect of that ill-judged measure was to slow down the property market, and reduce tax receipts. A graph shows how the cost of coronavirus will impact public debt over the coming years Any idea that a wheeze dreamt up by the Office of Tax Simplification in respect of capital gains tax could even fractionally address the countrys problem of mounting debt is extremely far-fetched. What about a wealth tax? Here let me quote no less an authority than the aforementioned Denis Healey. Before the 1974 general election, Labour promised to introduce a wealth tax. After achieving power, it gradually abandoned the idea. This is what Healey wrote later: We had committed ourselves to a wealth tax: but in five years I found it impossible to draft one which would yield enough revenue to be worth the administrative cost and political hassle. Some people point to Norway, where there is a wealth tax payable on assets worth more than 125,000 excepting a main home. Yet according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the wealth tax in the country raises less than 1.5 per cent of total annual tax revenues. Hardly a panacea, then. The truth is that wealth taxes such as exist in Norway and other places dont produce spectacular sums of money capable of transforming the public finances. My advice is not to believe crazed Left-wing academics who may suggest otherwise. Would raising income tax for the wealthy have a better effect? Before the December 2019 election, Labour proposed a new 45 per cent income tax rate starting at 80,000 a year, and a 50 per cent rate kicking in at 125,000. These were rightly regarded as swingeing increases. Yet they would have brought in relatively little money. According to the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies, a reasonable central estimate for the revenue [that would be] raised was around 3billion per year, but it is also plausible that it could raise 6billion, or that it could reduce revenue by 1billion. The fact is that, much as some of us may like to hate the rich, there arent enough of them to bail out the country from its present economic predicament, however many new taxes are dreamt up. What such taxes would probably accomplish, however, would be to drive away some wealth creators to other countries, or to induce them to work less hard. In other words, soaking the rich, although it would not even begin to rescue the Exchequer, would almost certainly have the effect of depressing economic activity. Does Rishi Sunak know this? Of course he does. Ive no doubt Boris Johnson does, too. But when you are faced with eye-watering debts, and siren voices are advising you to bash the well-off, its easy to panic and set aside core beliefs. A graph shows how unemployment could hit four million in 2021 following the fallout from the coronavirus crisis The Government will not be able to tax its way out of this crisis. That axiom extends to the not-so-rich, of whom there are many more millions. The worst possible thing for the Chancellor to do now would be to slap higher taxes on ordinary taxpayers. It would be tantamount to placing a lead weight on an invalid tottering back towards normality. The only way to get out of the mess were in is to fire up the economy and to encourage entrepreneurship. In the short term, at least, that is much more likely to involve tax cuts than tax increases. Mr Sunak got that message last week when he announced a temporary stamp duty exemption on the first 500,000 of all property purchases, and a reduction in VAT from 20 to five per cent on food in restaurants, pubs or cafes, accommodation and tourist attractions. Only economic growth at a rate we havent seen in recent years can produce the tax revenues which will enable this country to pay off its spiralling debt. Clobbering the better off, and increasing taxes for overstretched ordinary taxpayers, will merely succeed in killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Andrei Castravet and Elizabeth Potthast Castravet have been an even more controversial couple than usual on the fifth season of TLCs 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After. While Andrei has always clashed with his in-laws and advocated for traditional gender roles, fans have taken to social media to criticize the Moldovan stay-at-home-dad in droves. Andreis last-minute announcement of a second wedding in Moldovawhich he expected his father-in-law to pay for, without asking his wife firstas well as his comments that appear to compare American women negatively to Moldovan women, immediately drew fans ire. In a preview clip of an upcoming episode of 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After, Elizabeth and Andrei clashed more harshly than ever before on the show. 90 Day Fiance fans immediately commented on Andreis angry words to his wife as they hastily planned their wedding in his home country. Andrei, Eleanor, and Elizabeth Castravet | Elizabeth Potthast Castravet via Instagram Elizabeth and Andrei argued in a 90 Day Fiance preview clip In a sneak peek of an upcoming 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After episode, Elizabeth and Andrei toured wedding venues just a few weeks before their second wedding in Moldova. Elizabeth, who hoped the event would turn out to be her dream wedding, looked visibly stressed and disappointed when she didnt get to sample the food at one possible venue. Instead, she was given a menu of food options to flip through and pictures to browse. Obviously upset, Elizabeth complained, This is exactly what happens when you try to plan a wedding in two weeks. Then, an interview with 90 Day Fiance producers quickly got tense. Elizabeth said the tour wasnt up to her standards, and that she had expected to be able to taste the food options herself before serving them to her guests. I didnt think that, coming to a wedding venue, we look at pictures of food, and she began, before Andrei cut her off to say something about her family. Elizabeth turned to her husband and yelled, Dont interrupt me! But Andrei wasnt about to be chastised. Youre f*cking annoying, ****, he snapped at his wife. Just shut up. You shut up! Elizabeth retorted. Dont f***ing tell me how to do this now, Andrei bellowed in response. Elizabeth stormed off angrily without another word. RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Elizabeth Struggles To Find a Dress That Covers Her Cleavage For Her Moldovan Wedding RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Andrei Castravets Wife Elizabeth Potthast Is an Actress With IMDB Credits; See Clips and Read Reviews RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Some Fans Wonder Why Andrei Castravet Didnt Marry a Moldovan Woman RELATED: 90 Day Fiance: Andrei Castravet Claps Back at a Fan Who Calls Him a Poor Excuse of a Man Fans couldnt believe that Andrei insulted his wife in such a harsh way The word Andrei used in his rant against Elizabeth wasnt made clear by TLC, as it was censored out. But, with a little lip-readingand due to the fact that the censored word had four asterisks90 Day Fiance fans believed it was particularly harsh. Still, viewers couldnt completely agree on the exact insult he used. So Elizabeth is still with Andrei after he called her a fucking annoying b*tch (I can read lips; he said it)?? one 90 Day Fiance fan wrote on Twitter. Cause me? BABY! Another fan responded to disagree about the word Andrei used. Somebody else said that he might have said the C word, did you happen to pick that up? Or see him mouth that? they asked. He is unbelievable. Still another Twitter user wrote in disbelief, Did Andrei call Elizabeth a c*nt??? Because it sure looks like he did. Some 90 Day Fiance viewers argued that Elizabeth should stand up to her husband more After the preview clip aired of Andrei and Elizabeths bitter fight, many 90 Day Fiance fans wondered why Elizabeth wasnt more assertive in standing up for herself. Others simply called out her husband for being disrespectful. Why does Libby let Andrei talk to her like that? I just dont understand, one fan wanted to know. Andrei belittles Elizabeth like she isnt intelligent enough to pack a suitcase. Andrei is 100% verbally abusive. As sweet as her father is Im shocked she is putting up with this. Theres plenty of other non-abusive hot guys she can financially provide for #90DayFiance S (@akikofrances) July 13, 2020 Another critic pointed out that Andreis harshness towards his wife seemed to be a pattern, at least on the show. I really dont like the way Andrei been talking to Elizabeth, they wrote on Twitter. She needs to check him immediately. Andrei would need the soft food/mush menu options if he talked to me like that. #90DayFiance Donna M. (@Donna0422) July 13, 2020 Still another viewer wrote incredulously, If someone talked to me like Andrei did in this preview it would be a wrap. Most of the time star kids are part of the limelight and it becomes almost impossible to stay away from becoming the centre of attraction when you belong to a well known Bollywood parivaar. While some star kids are seen enjoying the attention there are a few who are unknown and try and not be in the medias attention. One such star kid is Amitabh Bachchans grandson- Agastya Nanda who has managed to keep away from the fair share of limelight that his filmy background brings along. Youtube/Page 3 Reporter Here is all we know about the handsome Agastya Nanda who has been doing the rounds on the internet recently- Son of Amitabh Bachchans Daughter Youtube/Page 3 Reporter Agastya Nanda is the son of Amitabh Bachchans daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda. He is very close to his grandfather and is only 20 years old. Also, he graduated from Seven Oaks School, London. He is very close to his family and his mother often shares his pictures along with the whole family on her Instagram. Stays Away From The Limelight Youtube/Page 3 Reporter While Agastyas elder sister Navya Naveli Nanda has caught the public eye many times and has also made headlines quite a few times. Agastya has managed to keep away from becoming the medias attention and likes to keep things low-key. He is also related to the Kapoor Family Twitter/Kiran Rawat He is not only related to one filmy khandaan but two. Shweta Nanda is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda with whom she has two kids- Agastya and Navya Naveli. And not many people know that Agastya Nandas father Nikhil Nanda is also closely related to the Kapoor family. He is the great-grandson of Raj Kapoor and Krishna Kapoor from his fathers side. Inclined Towards Direction & Filmmaking Youtube/Page 3 Reporter Agastya is more inclined towards filmmaking and direction. He has also made many short films with a few of his friends years ago. He didnt only write the script and directed the short films but also composed the background music for it. Also, in some of the pictures he has an uncanny resemblance with his uncle, Abhishek Bachchan. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below. The impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry has been monumental and brands need help planning new and more effective strategies in order to be successful. Shelf Pulse is crucial for CPG brands to understand how their categories are performing and how in-store conditions are impacting sales. Trax, a leading company in computer vision solutions and analytics for retail, and Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics company, today announced the enhancement of Shelf Pulse. At a time when retailers need more support than ever with navigating the new COVID-19 reality, this data platform provides CPG brands with critical shelf insights and intelligence to become retailers trusted advisors and drive continued category growth and sales. Using Traxs shelf intelligence data and Nielsens electronic point of sale (EPOS) data, Shelf Pulse provides brands a robust view into the store, enabling a deeper understanding of how their products, categories and competitors are performing. The platform delivers customized and frequent digitized measurements of in-store merchandising, planogram conditions and competitive presence, allowing brands to furnish retail partners with unbiased and data-driven recommendations to increase sales and improve KPIs. The impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry has been monumental and brands need help planning new and more effective strategies in order to be successful, said David Gottlieb, Managing Director, Americas for Trax. Shelf Pulse is crucial for CPG brands to understand how their categories are performing and how in-store conditions are impacting sales. In turn, this knowledge is invaluable to retail partners, as it can answer important questions related to which products are over- or under-spaced, how valuable a product is to the category and store, how position impacts sales in the category, and much more. Brands using Shelf Pulse have access to: Robust and Representative Samples: Designed by Nielsen, covering representative samples of stores across retailers that matter the most, from Walmart to Target, to the leading grocery chains and other retailers in all channels. Pre- and Post-Reset Visibility: Allows brands to gain a quick impact evaluation of all category products, brands and segments. Complete View of Performance: Reveals the most important metrics of category shelf condition such as Share of Shelf, Distribution, Shelf Positions, Adjacencies, and more. Full Analysis Flexibility: With insights delivered through a powerful business intelligence platform, enabling brands to compile specific datasets according to business needs and share across their organization. We are going through the largest reset of all time and retailers need help planning for this new reality, said Pete Conti, SVP Intelligent Analytics North America for Nielsen. Shelf Pulse enables brands to have unique eyes in the store to more deeply understand their categories, competitors, and overall performance, which can be essential to their success. Retailers and consumer goods manufacturers around the world leverage Traxs in-store execution, store monitoring and retail analytics solutions to better manage on-shelf availability and optimize merchandising. These solutions are powered by proprietary fine-grained image recognition algorithms that turn photos of retail shelves into granular, actionable shelf and store-level insights. Shelf Pulse is currently available for CPG brands in the United States. For more information or to request a demo, please visit http://info.traxretail.com/trax-shelf-pulse-nielsen. About Trax Trax Ltd is a leading provider of computer vision solutions and analytics for retail. Our computer vision, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms turn everyday shelf images into real-time, actionable insights that our customers leverage to optimize their in-store execution strategy and product availability. Simply put, we digitize the physical world of retail. Many of the worlds top CPG companies and retailers use our dynamic merchandising, in-store execution, market measurement, analytics and shelf monitoring solutions at scale to drive positive shopper experiences and unlock revenue opportunities at all points of sale. We began as pioneers in the retail computer vision space and we continue to lead the industry with innovation and excellence through our development of new advanced technologies and autonomous data collection methods. Trax is headquartered in Singapore with operations in over 90 markets worldwide. To learn more, visit http://www.traxretail.com. About Nielsen Nielsen Holdings plc is a global measurement and data analytics company that provides the most complete and trusted view available of consumers and markets worldwide. Nielsen is divided into two business units. Nielsen Global Media, the arbiter of truth for media markets, provides media and advertising industries with unbiased and reliable metrics that create a shared understanding of the industry required for markets to function. Nielsen Global Connect provides consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with accurate, actionable information and insights and a complete picture of the complex and changing marketplace that companies need to innovate and grow. Our approach marries proprietary Nielsen data with other data sources to help clients around the world understand whats happening now, whats happening next, and how to best act on this knowledge. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the worlds population. For more information, visit http://www.nielsen.com. Andy King has finally found true love. The breakout star of the 2019 Netflix doc Fyre took to Instagram to announce the good news on Wednesday. He shared a picture with the new man in his life, Craig McBlain, 26. Andy: The breakout star of the 2019 Netflix doc Fyre took to Instagram to announce he'd finally found love with Craig McBlain [L] on Wednesday The event planner, 58, captioned the post, 'It only took 58 years to find true love #neverstoplooking #scotland #usa #spreadlove' McBlain is from Ayr, Scotland and based on the pair's social media accounts, they seem to have met last year at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami. King became a star thanks to his involvement in Netflix's documentary about the ill-fated Fyre Festival, on which Andy served as an event planner. His fame was solidified after a scene in the film where he detailed how the Fyre team came up with a solution to a problem getting bottled water through customs. Just days before the festival was to kick off, disgraced organizer Billy McFarland was told the four 18-wheeler trucks filled with Evian water he shipped to the Bahamas would not be released until a $175,000 custom fee was paid. Breakout star: King became a star thanks to his involvement in Netflix's documentary about the ill-fated Fyre Festival, on which Andy served as an event planner McFarland was lacked the cash needed to pay the fee, and King recounts that Billy said, ''Well, you're our wonderful gay leader and we need you to go down ... will you suck d*** to fix this water problem?'' King, speaking in the Netflix documentary, said he showered, used mouthwash, and went to meet the customs official fully prepared to carry out the request by his friend and protege, but the official released the water to King with expectation of payment at a later date instead. In an interview with Neflix after the documentary aired, Andy admitted he 'didn't want to be known as the Blowjob King of the World,' but he did enjoy the memes people have cleverly created online. 'I'm blown away with the response of the documentary,' King told Netflix. 'Completely blown away. I am now a noun, a verb, an adjective. It's mind-boggling.' BEIJING, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju" or the "Company") (NYSE: LEJU), a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 15, 2020. The Annual Report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.leju.com. Leju will provide a hard copy of the annual report containing its audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations department, Leju Holdings Limited, Level G, Building G, No.8 Dongfeng South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 100016. About Leju Leju Holdings Limited ("Leju") (NYSE: LEJU) is a leading e-commerce and online media platform for real estate and home furnishing industries in China, offering real estate e-commerce, online advertising and online listing services. Leju's integrated online platform comprises various mobile applications along with local websites covering more than 380 cities, enhanced by complementary offline services to facilitate residential property transactions. In addition to the Company's own websites, Leju operates the real estate and home furnishing websites of SINA Corporation, and maintains a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings Limited. For more information about Leju, please visit http://ir.leju.com. For investor and media inquiries please contact: Ms. Christina Wu Leju Holdings Limited Phone: +86 (10) 5895-1062 E-mail: [email protected] Philip Lisio Foote Group Phone: +86 135-0116-6560 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Leju Holdings Limited Related Links http://ir.leju.com During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2003, North Korea halted flights between Pyongyang and Beijing, closed down the customs office in Sinuiju, which is the gateway to China, and halted tours to the scenic Mt. Kumgang resort for 62 days even though the project generated much-needed hard currency. And during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2015, the North turned to South Korea for medical supplies even though cross-border relations were bad during the Park Geun-hye administration. North Korea's nominal head of state Kim Yong-nam returned to the North in 2014 after eye treatment in Russia, but his plane did not land in Pyongyang but in Sinuiju about 200 km away, where he was kept in quarantine for three weeks due to the Ebola outbreak at the time. North Korea's one-time No. 2, Choe Ryong-hae, did the same when he returned to the North from abroad because the isolated regime quarantined everyone arriving from overseas. Such things were unheard of until the 1980s, when North Korea's economy was still in relatively good shape. Back then, tens of thousands of doctors were said to check on the health of nearly 150 families by making house calls. But when North Korea's economy began to flounder in the 1990s due to its costly nuclear arms program, the medical system collapsed completely. Hospitals ran out of medicine, while doctors merely wrote prescriptions telling people to buy smuggled drugs in open-air markets. Hospitals outside Pyongyang used empty beer bottles for intravenous drips, while surgery beds were stained with blood. Poor people can no longer afford to buy drugs and fake ones are rampant. Diseases caused by contaminated water like cholera and typhoid, which have been mostly eradicated elsewhere, are still rampant in North Korea. Wells are commonly contaminated with human feces used as fertilizer. Nor is there any option for social distancing in North Korea. People have to gather to plant and harvest crops, while factories require concentrated labor pools. On top of that, nutritional and sanitary conditions are poor, creating ideal conditions for epidemics. Hundreds of people have apparently died in North Korea due to the coronavirus epidemic. North Korean authorities probably do not know whether they number in the hundreds or thousands. Early this month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un referred to the epidemic as a "deadly crisis," suggesting the situation is very serious. The virus probably spread in May and June when farms mobilize workers to plant crops and students return to schools. North Korea needed to open its borders to keep its sputtering economy afloat, but the epidemic has made this impossible. SARS, Ebola and MERS did not last long, so North Korea only closed its borders for a few months until they disappeared. But there is no telling when the coronavirus epidemic will end. There is no vaccine or cure. Ancient Rome was devastated by malaria, while the bubonic plague raged across Europe during the Middle Ages and the Inca and Aztec civilizations were decimated by smallpox. It is unclear how North Korea can overcome the coronavirus crisis. There is a growing concern that certain parts of the world are going backwards in terms of reopening their economies. Hong Kong has reintroduced some restrictions, and the Australian state of Victoria has paused the reopening of its economy. In the US, Florida reclosed bars and restaurants. Philadelphia will ban large public events until February. European equity markets ended the day in the red. Some traders are concerned we have seen the high water mark as far as reopening the global economy is concerned. In addition to the health concerns, markets also have to contend with rising tensions in regards to China. US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, said that Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea are completely unlawful. The Chinese government claimed the US are intentionally distorting the facts. Yesterday, the UK announced that it will ban Huawei from its 5G network. The move wont be immediate, but it will be required to be out of the equation by 2027. Chinas international relations have been under strain recently since the introduction of the controversial national security law. It is not a huge surprise that the US and the UK are trying to apply some pressure to the Beijing administration in light of what is going on in relation to Hong Kong. It is interesting that the Trump administration dont want to take on China in terms of a trade spat. President Trump is content to keep phase one of the trade deal intact and pick smaller battles. The Donald is facing re-election in November so he probably wont do anything too drastic between now and then. Tensions between the US and China have risen again as President Trump signed legislation that will target individuals and companies that are helping the Chinese government tighten its grip on Hong Kong. Chinese government officials could be in the firing line. The US government will end its special status for Hong Kong, so that should apply pressure to the region in terms of tariffs. Stocks in China and Hong Kong are lower. Story continues Moderna, a pharmaceutical company, announced that its potential Covid-19 vaccine delivered a robust immune response in an early stage human trial, and that has helped wider market sentiment. European indices are called higher. Reporting season in the US kicked off yesterday as JPMorgan, Citigroup and Wells Fargo posted their latest figures. Collectively, the three banks set aside more than $27 billion for bad debt provisions. During the reporting season in April, the major banks set aside $25 billion for credit losses, and as far as this reporting season is concerned, we still have yet to hear from Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley. US stocks moved lower initially but the S&P 500 closed at the high of the day it finished up 1.3%. The latest UK GDP data showed the economy improved in May, but the rebound wasnt as impressive as economists were expecting. On a monthly basis, the economy grew by 1.8%, and that was a big difference from the -20.5% registered in April, but the consensus estimate was for growth of 5.5%. The annual reading was even less impressive. The reading for May was -24%, and that was a tiny improvement on Aprils -24.5%, and the forecast was -20.4%. The OBR issued a bleak outlook, as the body predicts the budget deficit will be 13-21% of GDP, and the yearly GDP forecast is -12.4%. The UK CPI rate for June is tipped to fall to 0.4% from 0.5%, and the core reading is anticipated to hold steady at 1.2%. The reports will be posted at 7am (UK time). The Italian CPI reading will be revealed at 9am (UK time) and economists are expecting it to fall from -0.3% to -0.4% in June. The New York Fed manufacturing reading is tipped to be 10, and that would be a big improvement from the -0.2 that was posted in June. It is worth nothing the previous reading was the highest in four months. The update will be announced at 1.30pm (UK time). At 2.15pm (UK time) the US industrial production report for June will be announced. The consensus estimate is 4.4%. The Bank of Canada is expected to keep rates on hold at 0.25%, and the decision will be released at 3pm (UK time). The press conference will be held one hour later. The EIA report will be posted at 3.30pm (UK time) and oil stockpiles are tipped to fall by 2.5 million barrels, while gasoline inventories are expected to rise by 1.3 million barrels. The Beige Book will be announced at 7pm (UK time) and the update should provide us with a flavour of how the US economy is performing. EUR/USD since late June it has been in an uptrend, and a break above the 1.1400 zone might put 1.1495 on the radar. A break below the 1.1168 area might pave the way for 1.1051, the 200-day moving average, to be targeted. GBP/USD moved lower in the past two sessions and further declines could see it target 1.2427, the 100 day moving average. A move higher might run into resistance at 1.2693, the 200-day moving average. A move through that level should put 1.2813 on the radar. EUR/GBP Mondays candle has the potential to be a bullish reversal, and if it moves higher it could target 0.9239. A break below the 50-day moving average at 0.8957, could put the 0.8800 zone on the radar. USD/JPY has been drifting lower for the last month and support could come into play at 106.00. A rebound might run into resistance at 108.37, the 200-day moving average. FTSE 100 is expected to open 53 points higher at 6,232 DAX 30 is expected to open 150 points higher at 12,847 CAC 40 is expected to open 58 points higher at 5,065 For a look at all of todays economic events, check out our economic calendar. By David Madden (Market Analyst at CMC Markets UK) This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: In this article STLA-IT SBUX European Commissioner for competition Margrethe Vestager addresses a press conference on Belgium excess profit tax scheme at the European Commission in Brussels on January 11, 2016. EMMANUEL DUNAND | AFP | Getty Images The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, will likely look at new ways to deal with taxation following a landmark legal loss to Apple on Wednesday. The EU's general court ruled the Commission failed to prove that the Irish government had given a tax advantage to the tech giant. This after the Commission ordered Apple to repay 13 billion euros ($14.9 billion) in unpaid taxes in 2016. The European Commission could appeal Wednesday's decision within a two-month period. The hotly-anticipated ruling was welcomed by Apple, but it doesn't prevent the Brussels institution from probing deals between governments and companies. It does, however, mean the EU needs to put forward more evidence in future a potentially lengthy and complicated task. "What is at stake is more than just the alleged aid granted to Apple. The judgement has consequences on the ability of the Commission to use state aid to rebalance tax regimes across Europe and also on its current plans to pursue low-tax member states which have advantageous corporate tax regimes," Paolo Palmigiano, head of U.K. competition, EU and trade practice at the law firm Taylor Wessing, told CNBC Wednesday. The Commission has opened up different tax probes into major companies in recent years under its state aid rules. In 2015, for instance, it said that Fiat and Starbucks had received illegal tax benefits in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, respectively. However, the EU's general court also ruled last year that the Commission did not prove that Starbucks paid less taxes as a result of the agreements with the Dutch government, also annulling the Commission's decision. But the court did support the Commission's work into its investigation against Fiat, asking it to repay up to 30 million euros in back taxes. Genevra Forwood, a partner at White & Case, told CNBC at the time that the Commission will likely put more effort into proving that the tax schemes by certain countries provided a clear advantage to the companies investigated. In reaction to Wednesday's Apple ruling, Brussels said it "will continue to look at aggressive tax planning measures under EU State aid rules to assess whether they result in illegal State aid." What are the alternatives? Starting Wednesday, people in Charleston will be required to wear face coverings in all public places. Those who don't could be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third. Exemptions still would be in place for medical and religious reasons. "We think that this is the best practice for trying to flatten the curve, shy of closing businesses again," Tecklenburg said in a City Council teleconference meeting on Tuesday night. "The numbers are going in the wrong direction. This is exactly where we did not want to be but here we are." The hefty fines are part of a series of new, stricter coronavirus measures Charleston City Council approved Tuesday night. On Tuesday, Charleston County, once again, led the state in new cases with 412 new, positive cases reported. It's nearly twice the number in either Richland or Greenville counties and more than twice the number in Horry County. In addition to mandatory face coverings in all public places, including sidewalks, streets and public rights of way when people can't stay at least 6 feet from others, City Council will prohibit bars and restaurants from playing amplified music after 9 p.m. and limit bar and restaurant occupancy levels. This is to cut down on the number of people frequenting bars and to cut down the number of people having to shout over loud music, possibly spreading the COVID-19 virus. Bars and restaurants will be required to keep their occupancy at 50 percent of the permitted level or one person per 36 square feet, whichever is less. Those new occupancy levels only apply to indoor dining. These bars and restaurants would be required to post the new occupancy limits at their entrances. Restaurant and bar owners are encouraged to reach out to city staff for help with customers who refuse to wear masks and won't be fined if customers won't wear them. The only nay-vote came from Councilman Harry Griffin. Ahead of the vote, he said he felt the city should either shut down bars and restaurants or leave things as they are. "This model that we've created with these regulations, these new rules put the burden back on the business," Griffin said. "We've been wearing masks for two weeks why haven't (the numbers) gone down? Is it because we haven't done a good job enforcing it?" Charleston leaders have focused on educating people over the past two weeks about wearing masks and haven't issued citations to date, city staff said Tuesday night. Charleston police will have the discretion to break up groups of three or more if they deem the group to be a public health risk. Social gatherings of more than 10 people in public spaces are also prohibited. The city enacted a face covering ordinance on June 25. It went into effect on July 1. That city law only required people to wear masks when they went into buildings or if they couldn't maintain a 6-foot distance from another person outdoors. The fine, after a warning, was limited to $50. Despite the ongoing rise of positive coronavirus cases in the state now among the top hot spots in the nation and world for COVID-19 growth Gov. Henry McMaster insists he wont issue a mask order like those in over 15 other states. McMaster said a statewide mandate would be impossible to enforce. He cited concerns about constitutionality, noting people could sue for government overreach. He also said there would be limited enforcement resources. Mali's protest movement kept up pressure for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to resign on Tuesday, declaring a new rally in memory of protesters killed during recent unrest. The opposition's defiant tone against Keita, known as IBK, came after days of protests left at least 11 people dead in clashes with the security forces in the West African state. "He who asked for us to get killed is no longer our president," opposition leader Mountaga Tall told reporters. "We are convinced that President IBK has neither the intellectual nor the physical capacity to lead the country." Keita was weighing his options on Tuesday after the unrest sparked by a contested parliamentary election, but whose underlying causes include discontent over his handling of the country's jihadist insurgency. The 75-year-old has made a number of failed overtures to political opponents in recent days, which continues to insist he quit. Tall, from the so-called June 5 movement behind the protests, urged civil disobedience against the government. He said that a rally on Friday in central Bamako would be a "ceremony of sacrifice and of prayer" for recent victims. Bamako was slowly returning to normal on Tuesday, after days of unrest where witnesses described security forces firing live rounds during protests. Mountaga Tall was among the detained opposition leaders released on Monday. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP/File) Calm has also returned to the Badalabougou neighbourhood, the stronghold of influential imam Mahmoud Dicko who has emerged as a leader of the protest movement, and the scene of clashes between civilians and security forces on Saturday night. Badalabougou was just one of the hotbeds of violence that seized various neighbourhoods on July 10, the culmination of a crisis that has alarmed international allies and neighbours that fear the demonstrations could further destabilise the country, one of the poorest in the world. Far-reaching consequences The June 5 movement has channelled deep-seated frustrations over a long-running jihadist conflict, economic woes and perceived government corruption. Mali. By (AFP) A rally it called on Friday turned violent after protesters blocked bridges, stormed the premises of the state broadcaster and attacked the parliament building. There were further protests on Saturday. After the worst civil unrest the country has seen in years, each side has been left facing decisions with far-reaching consequences. The president has tried to soothe tensions, offering a "consensus government of national unity" and fresh elections in constituencies whose provisional results in the March-April parliamentary elections are disputed. But the June 5 movement has rejected his attempts. In another apparent bid to appease the opposition, authorities on Monday night freed all June 5 figures who had been arrested during the protests. However it appears unlikely that the president will agree to the movement's long list of demands, which include dissolving the parliament and forming a transitional government -- let alone Keita's resignation. 'Paths out of crisis' The international community has meanwhile been trying to defuse the crisis. On Sunday night, representatives of the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and West African bloc ECOWAS urged Mali to pursue political dialogue. Condemning "any form of violence as a means of crisis resolution", they attacked the use of lethal force by the security forces. They also voiced support for proposals put forward by ECOWAS, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States of which Mali is a member. Members of these organisations met on Monday with figures from the June 5 movement, and were due to meet again on Tuesday. Facing popular anger over the deaths of protesters, Mali's prime minister on Monday also ordered an investigation into the alleged role of security forces. On Tuesday, his office also asked the security ministry to confirm reports that authorities had deployed an elite anti-terror squad during the unrest. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Toriq Rahmansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16 2020 The House of Representatives ratified the Indonesia-Swiss Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement in Criminal Matters (MLA) on Tuesday. The bilateral agreement creates a basis in international law upon which justice authorities in the two countries can cooperate in detecting and prosecuting criminal acts, particularly corruption and money laundering. Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said the MLA could also be used to combat tax crimes so that taxpayers fully complied with tax rules and avoided tax fraud. It is encouraging to know that Swiss authorities also agreed to apply a retroactive clause in the agreement, which means it can be used to handle criminal acts committed before the agreement was signed and ratified. 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 Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhmi's spokesman Ahmad Mulla Talal said that the government is determined to take resolute actions to end corruption at the border outlets. In a press conference June 30, Mulla Talal said, Pretty soon the government will take resolute action under the prime ministers direct supervision to establish state control over the border outlets, which the beneficiaries and corruption mafias have tainted, without naming any. Soon after, Kadhimi has started a campaign to impose full government control on the borders outlets. The campaign has started on July 11, when Kadhimi visited Diyala province. He reopened Mandalay border outlet with Iran and ordered the Rapid Response Forces to take control of the border and stop any illegal actions there. The next step was in Basra during Kadhimi trip on July 15. He ordered security forces to impose strict security and military measures on the province borders with Iran and Kuwait. Basra is Iraq's only outlet to the Persian Gulf. The security of Iraqi ports have been handed to the Marine Force Command and the land borders which include Shalamcheh outlet with Iran and Safwan outlet with Kuwait were handed to Basra Operations Force. The dwindling oil prices and the coronavirus outbreak have caused a stifling financial crisis in Iraq. The oil revenues that Iraq mainly depends on plummeted by nearly 50%. Based on that, the country will have to resort to domestic and foreign borrowing enabled under the law that parliament voted on June 24. The law allows the government to borrow $13 billion to pay employee salaries and to finance key sectors, such as the health sector. The financial crisis has prompted the Kadhimi government to set its sights on controlling some corruption areas that could ease the impact of the financial crisis. The corruption at the border outlets is a top priority file for Kadhimi, but extensive difficulties are seemingly ahead. According to Mulla Talal, the border outlets consist of important state resources, but most of their revenues go to the pockets of the beneficiaries and corruption mafias. There are 11 land border outlets, six seaports and three airports in Iraq, through which goods and commodities arrive from nearly 130 countries to the official institutions, merchants and investors. Nevertheless, the head of the parliament's Finance Committee, Haitham al-Jubouri, told a local TV channel, There are nearly 10 land border outlets that do not originally fall under the states authority in Maysan and Anbar provinces, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. These border outlets are run by the armed parties, clans and factions. Jubouri explained how corruption is occuring at the borders and preventing the state treasury to receive the funds. He said, There are investors who are taking advantage of the tax exemptions that are designed to encourage investments, by importing more than the investment project requires. For instance, there is a need for 10 tons of steel for a particular investment project. The investor would import 100 tons, use 10 for his project and sell the rest on the market. This example shows how the investors are evading taxes and custom duty at the same time. He added, Fraud at the border outlets and customs takes place while goods [entering Iraq] are registered. Imported goods worth $3,000 are reported at $1. Alaa ad-Din al-Qaisi, spokesman for the Iraqi Border Ports Authority, confirmed what Jubouri said. He told Al-Monitor, Food imports are mostly exempted from fees, which leads to reduced revenues. The investors are also being permitted to bring in the raw materials they need. Although there are no statistics on the state treasurys losses because of the corruption at the borders, Kadhimi said, Iraqs loss of a number of border outlets due to the armed groups and bandits control over them is causing the country a loss ranging from $3 billion to $4 billion. On June 12, head of the Iraqi Border Ports Authority Omar al-Waeli submitted to Kadhimi a request to have the counterterrorism forces control the security situation and protect the outlets from the outlawed groups that meddle in the work of the border outlets without naming them. Al-Monitor spoke with two members of parliament in order to learn about the parties that control the outlets. Yet neither mentioned any names. Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, an officer at the ports in Basra province said that the same thing happening at the ports is happening throughout Iraq, in reference to the political bodies dividing among themselves the ports and their resources, just as the political parties are dividing into shares the posts in government institutions. It is a hard task to control the outlets and ports. Anyone who discloses [information about] corruption would be sanctioned, noted the officer, who was threatened of being deported to another province because he rejected the entry of expired goods. Katea al-Rikabi, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, confirmed the officers remarks. The majority of the outlets in Iraq are out of control. There are violations there and some of them fall under the political parties control, he said. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Rikabi noted, The plan that parliament heard from the prime minister requires a comprehensive change in the border outlets management at the level of managers, and the imposition of the presence of security forces." In contrast, Jubouri believes that ending corruption at the outlets requires more than security services. Past experiences show that more security agencies at the outlets result in an increase in bribes that they share among themselves, he said. Mahasin Hamdoun, a member of the federal parliament's Finance Committee, said corruption and money waste are caused by border outlets that do not function properly. She told Al-Monitor, "There is administrative chaos at the outlets. There is no communication between customs, taxation offices and the central bank that grants the merchants and companies dollars at the currency auction in order to import goods. Rikabi noted that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is also a problem, saying, There is no unified customs and tax system linking the outlets throughout Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. That is also a big problem. For the Kadhimi government, the border outlets dossier is a top priority in the talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government, in the absence of any bilateral agreement so far. Qaisi did not disclose the next steps to control corruption in the border outlets. He told Al-Monitor, "The revenues of the border outlets are witnessing an increase month after month due to the continuous authorities' monitoring and scrutiny." According to Jabouri, Hamdoun and Rikabi, the outlets need more than scrutiny to control corruption. Jubouri disclosed features of the government's plan to control the outlets through "a shift to an automation system in the areas of border outlets and customs," noting that "the government has received offers from foreign companies in this field." Hamdoun is not very optimistic, saying, "The problem is that the political forces that use the outlets' money will block any measures to control it." On the other hand, Rikabi seemed more optimistic and said, "Parliament will support Kadhimi in his efforts to control corruption." Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:12:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NANNING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Customs in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, busted two cigarette smuggling gangs and nabbed five suspects, the customs said Wednesday. The gangs bought large quantities of counterfeit cigarettes of well-known brands in some Southeast Asian countries and smuggled them into China by sea through Qinzhou City and other coastal regions in Guangxi. They were suspected of smuggling cigarettes worth about 18 million yuan (about 2.57 million U.S. dollars) since November 2019, according to the customs. Further investigation is underway. Enditem President Donald Trump will be able to claim victory after a pair of down-ballot contests Tuesday evening where two high-profile Republican candidates he supported prevailed in primary races. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions came up short in a fight for his political life. Democrats picked their candidate to take on Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the fall, and Trump's former physician Ronny Jackson won a GOP primary runoff for a Texas congressional seat. Those were a few of the top takeaways from a slate of primary elections and runoffs Tuesday in Maine, Alabama and Texas. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNN's Simone Pathe and Alex Rogers contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today. WASHINGTON - The Trump administration is asking governors to consider sending the National Guard to hospitals to help improve data collection about novel-coronavirus patients, supplies and capacity, according to a letter, internal emails and officials familiar with the plans. The move is part of a new data reporting protocol for hospitals that eliminates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a recipient of that information - a decision that is sparking controversy about whether that data is reliable. In a letter to the nation's governors that says the National Guard could help improve hospitals' data flow, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Deborah Birx, the White House's Coronavirus Task Force response coordinator, say they ordered the changes because some hospitals have failed to report the information daily or completely. That portrayal, and the involvement of the National Guard, have infuriated hospital industry leaders, who say any data collection problems lie primarily with HHS and repeatedly shifting federal instructions. The new protocol, to begin Wednesday, leaves health-care institutions to report information daily about covid-19, the disease caused by the novel virus, to a federal contractor or to their state, which would coordinate the federal reporting. Public health experts say bypassing the CDC could harm the quality of data and the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the reporting system that is ending, about 3,000 hospitals - or the health systems that own them - send detailed information about covid-19 patients and other metrics to the CDC's long-standing hospital network, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). CDC staff members analyze the data and provide tailored reports to every state twice a week and multiple federal agencies every day, according to a federal health official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss policy deliberations. This data is used by local health officials and policymakers to identify coronavirus trends in hospitals in their communities, the official said. Some experts said the move could further marginalize the CDC, the government's premier public health agency, at a time when the pandemic is worsening in most of the country, with records falling day by day of new infections. "I worry greatly about cutting CDC out of these reporting efforts," said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Health Security. "I see little benefit from separating reporting of hospitalizations from reporting of cases, which CDC currently coordinates." The letter from Azar and Birx to the governors, which was sent out late Monday night or early Tuesday, backs away from earlier drafts that had as recently as late last week directed state leaders to deploy the National Guard to help hospitals with daily data submissions. It now includes the National Guard among states' options for improving the data flow, according to copies of the letter obtained by The Washington Post from two individuals. The idea of bringing in the Guard was first broached at a late June meeting with hospital industry leaders by Birx, according to two industry officials who attended and spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions. "Given our track record of being cooperative to evolving data requests, it's perplexing that the possibility of using the National Guard has been suggested," said Rick Pollack, president of the American Hospital Association. "It makes no sense. Certainly the expertise of the National Guard can be used in a more productive way." At meetings Monday and Tuesday between HHS officials and hospital representatives and state health officers to discuss the new protocol, posted as an FAQ on the department's website, there was no mention of the National Guard, according to a senior hospital industry official and other individuals present. According to one senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity about private conversations, the draft of the letter that had directed governors to deploy the National Guard was revised over the weekend. The final version tells governors that the data submitted by hospitals and health officials "is not always complete or timely enough to be effective. . . . We ask that you demand this of all of your hospitals, especially those that have failed to report daily or complete. Please insist that every hospital leader assign this reporting responsibility as a mission-critical assignment. If need be, you could consider prioritizing National Guard duties, in coordination with state health officers and emergency managers, to serve reporting needs for hospitals in the red zones." The letter also says it is "critical that we receive complete, accurate, daily hospital-level date in order to ensure that critical items such as therapeutics, testing supplies, and PPE are distributed efficiently and effectively across the country." It says that, starting, later this week, the daily data will be used to guide the following week's federal distribution of remdesivir, an antiviral medication that is the only approved treatment for covid-19 patients. The Post also obtained two earlier drafts. One said the data being reported to federal health officials overseeing the response is "not always complete or timely, and we understand that staff are stretched and hospital systems are also stretched." It was sent Sunday to dozens of federal health officials from a senior HHS official, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Daniel Abel, part of the HHS team overseeing the federal response to the pandemic, according to a federal health official who shared the document with The Post. The senior administration official said the letter "changed significantly," so governors will now be given a choice of ways they can bolster hospitals' data reporting if that is necessary. The earlier draft said: "We have been in dialogue with your health officials, hospital associations and hospitals over the past few months and working incrementally to improve the availability of key data but given the urgency in your state and hospitals, we are asking you to deploy the National Guard to these hospitals for these limited daily data collection." In an email exchange Wednesday between Abel and HHS general counsel Robert Charrow, Abel said about 3,000 hospitals "do not report sufficient data at the frequency required to work COVID preventative measures," according to copies of the emails shared by the federal health official. "One idea being discussed is to employ National Guard troops to be stationed in the hospitals with laptops/ipads to gather this data," Abel added. Charrow was asked whether this course of action was legally viable, and he replied that the Cares Act, a coronavirus relief package adopted by Congress early in the spring, may be "broad enough to permit us to request this information from each hospital on a daily basis," he wrote. But he questioned whether this was a good idea. "As a practical matter, I cannot imagine how the National Guard would be able to collect data at the hospital itself nor the number of Guards who would be exposed to COVID-19 in the process," he wrote in one email. In another email earlier that day, he said, "I believe that using National Guard troops to gather these data would be counter-productive." According to one of the senior hospital industry officials, the possibility of bringing in the National Guard was broached at meetings June 26 and Wednesday between Trump administration officials and hospital industry leaders - initially by Birx. "We just ignored it and said it's silly," said the hospital industry official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations. "It was an offhand threat," the industry official said. The official said Birx and representatives of HHS were expressing "undue frustration" at hospitals, mistakenly asserting that hospitals were not properly reporting data when, in reality, all but a few hospitals have been doing so. It was the HHS system on the receiving end that was flawed, the industry official said. A coalition of hospital groups protested in a letter to Birx, saying that the industry has been complying with the data requests and that almost all hospitals have been submitting the required information. Four previous CDC directors, who have worked in Republican and Democratic administrations, said in an opinion article in The Post that the White House's efforts to countermand the agency's school-opening guidelines are an example of the administration's disregard of scientific expertise. - - - The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. Quarterly Activity Report Sydney, July 15, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Board of BetMakers Technology Group Ltd ( ASX:BET ) ( FRA:T07 ) is pleased to release its quarterly cash flow statement and quarterly activity report for the quarter ending 30 June 2020 ("Quarter").Despite COVID-19 interruptions during this period, the Company had a successful Quarter:o delivering increased receipts from customers of $2.397 million (+40% compared to Q3 FY20);o delivering positive operational net cash flows; ando successfully raising $35 million ($33.46 million after costs) to position the Company for growth.The Company raised $35 million (before costs) in June 2020 by way of a placement to sophisticated and institutional investors at an issue price of $0.37 per new fully paid ordinary share. The placement was well supported by new investors and existing shareholders. The Company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth, including expansion into the U.S market. In addition, the Company repaid $4 million in outstanding debt (the Company now has nil debt).During the Quarter, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, BetMakers DNA Pty Ltd, signed a 5-year agreement to manage Fixed Odds terminals and kiosks at Monmouth Park racetrack (as announced on 10 June 2020). The Board expects this to have a material impact on the Company's revenues, and also expects to invest approximately $250,000 in establishing the infrastructure at Monmouth park racetrack. During the Quarter, the Company spent approximately $75,000 on wagering hardware to be used on-course at the racetrack and an additional $149,000 on initiatives as part of its broader U.S. growth strategy.As announced on 27 April 2020, BetMakers signed agreements with on-course Australian bookmakers Rob Waterhouse and Mark Sampieri to provide each of them with a new technology platform and Managed Trading Services for their online businesses. During the Quarter, robwaterhouse.com was launched, growing the BetMakers' stable of platform clients to three active bookmakers. The Company spent approximately $168,000 during the quarter on technology development and costs associated with its platform clients. The Company also has a strong pipeline of bookmakers looking to launch online and expects the number of active bookmakers powered and serviced by BetMakers to grow significantly.The launch of the Managed Trading Services product during June delivered revenues in excess of the minimum $100,000 required for the Class A Performance Right issued Waterhouse VC to vest. Accordingly, the Class A Performance Right will convert into Options based on the total revenue generated under the agreements between the Waterhouse Group and the Company up to 30 June 2021. Please refer to the Notice of General Meeting release on 17 April 2020 for full terms of the Performance Rights.The Company has continued to execute on key pillars of its strategy across platform deals, content distribution and U.S. expansion. The result of these efforts is reflected in the increased quarterly receipts from customers as well as the strong finish to the financial year, with in excess of $1 million of revenue reported for the month of June 2020 (unaudited).The Board believes the Company is well resourced to continue its growth in the coming financial year. The Company paid Directors $111,000 for services during the Quarter. This included payment to the Chief Executive Officer for employment services as CEO.During the Quarter the Company paid $88,000 in interest in relation to the deferred acquisition payments for the DynamicOdds and Global Betting Services businesses ($4.0million deferred, attracting 10% interest per annum, cash paid). No further interest payments are required in relation to this debt.To view the full report, please visit:About Betmakers Technology Group Ltd Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX:BET) (OTCMKTS:TPBTF) is an ASX-listed holding company and a global provider of online wagering products and services to both wholesale and retail markets through its various wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates a retail wagering business, offering consumers wagering, fantasy tournament and content products and services. In Jan.: WHO and others said COVID-19 would not spread human to human. In Jan., Feb., and early March, Fauci, the CDC, most of the media, and other Democrats said the virus wasn't very dangerous in the U.S. Caricature by Donkey Hotey. In late Jan., Trump put a travel ban on China, and he was widely criticized by the experts, Democrats, and most of the media. They called it an overreaction and called Trump racist and xenophobic, which is what they have called Trump for four years. Biden flips on China travel ban Former Vice President Joe Biden now says he supports travel bans to contain the Chinese coronavirus after all after he previously called the China travel ban issued by President Donald Trump in late January "xenophobia." In early March, the CDC, Fauci, the NIH, and others said don't wear face masks. On March 9, Fauci said it was OK to go on cruise ships. Then, suddenly, on March 13, Fauci and the CDC made up numbers and said millions would die and hundreds of millions would get the disease. There was no science to support this. Trump immediately mobilized the private sector and government to address the situation. Within weeks we had huge numbers of ventilators, Masks, PPE and tests. We built thousands of hospital beds that the experts said were needed. They were not. On March 25, Cuomo put out an order for nursing homes to take in sick patients, causing thousands to die, and the media cheered Cuomo. Several governors repeated this idiocy. and thousands died. (But Cuomo to this day is blaming Trump in collusion with most of the media.) In early April, the WHO said healthy people should not wear masks. The states that have been less strict have still had much better overall results. After months of saying COVID-19 would pass easily on surfaces, they said never mind. Essentially, they just made it up, just like making up the original modeling numbers. But according to the media, everything is Trump's fault, and Cuomo and Fauci are perfect. The idiot Jennifer Rubin called Cuomo and New York competent even though they have the worst results. Yes, Cuomo has almost 25% of deaths and the second highest deaths per 100,000, and she calls that competent? That is a very low bar to call it competent! Why don't the media list where the experts have been right and wrong instead of genuflecting to them? Do your job instead of campaigning for Democrats and cheering the intentional destruction of the economy in order to elect the corrupt, clearly incompetent Biden. The European Union's justice chief played down warnings that the wheels of commerce could grind to a halt after a landmark EU court ruling this week on trans-Atlantic data transfers. The EU has done its homework to prevent a repeat of the turmoil of five years ago when the bloc's top court threw out a data-transfer process that thousands of companies relied on to ship commercial data to and from the U.S., Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders told Bloomberg in an interview. "There's a huge difference between 2015 and now," Reynders said ahead of July 16's decision at the EU Court of Justice on the validity of the bloc's two most important data-transfer mechanisms. "We are prepared." The controversy stretches back to 2013, when former contractor Edward Snowden exposed the extent of spying by the U.S. National Security Agency. Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems has been challenging Facebook Inc. in the Irish courts -- where the social media company has its European base -- arguing that EU citizens' data is at risk the moment it gets transferred to the U.S. This week's ruling by the Luxembourg-based court could go many ways. While an adviser to the tribunal gave a relatively positive assessment of the status quo late last year, judges are free to take a tougher stance. The court could go as far as banning the standard contractual clauses that many businesses rely on to ship data legally. Another possibility is that it outlaws the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, the trans-Atlantic data transfer pact that companies can adhere to when they shunt personal information. This was adopted in 2016 to replace the previous accord that was torpedoed in the EU court by Schrems. The ruling is part of two key decisions this week before EU court judges sign off for the summer. The EU General Court, the bloc's lower tribunal, on Wednesday in a landmark judgment backed bids by Apple Inc. and Ireland to block the EU's record 13 billion-euro ($14.9 billion) Irish back-tax bill for the iPhone maker. What's changed since the EU court's surprise decision on data transfers in 2015 is that the bloc has since passed one of the strictest data protection laws, the General Data Protection Regulation. This gives watchdogs unprecedented powers, raising potential fines for companies to as much as 4% of global annual sales. The Privacy Shield is also subjected to annual EU-U.S. reviews. "We are working on updating the existing standard contractual clauses to align them" with requirements under the GDPR, Reynders said. "We will see if all the different amendments we have prepared are sufficient to answer the court, or if it's needed, to do something more." "We are ready to launch the adoption procedure as soon as possible," maybe in August or, at the latest, in September, he said. Reynders has been in regular contact with U.S. counterparts since a meeting with Attorney General William Barr in December to discuss data issues and the EU has seen a change in recent years. "At the beginning the question was: 'why are you doing that?'" and "now the question is more: 'how could you effectively regulate privacy?'" Reynders said. The U.S. is aware that "full respect will be needed of the European court's decision" and it may require "some steps on both sides." Data flows are critical to the functioning of economies, according to industry groups and officials on both sides of the Atlantic. Some 70% of the thousands of companies that are using the Privacy Shield are small and medium-sized companies. The only alternative for them if this tool gets struck down, would be to switch to SCCs, which are more expensive and administratively complicated. The long list of participants in the case also includes the U.S. government, which is rare in the EU courts. Privacy activist Schrems this time isn't questioning the validity of the transfer clauses, but mainly takes issue with how regulators protect EU citizens' data. It's a "systemic" problem, he told EU judges in a court hearing. "There's a huge amount at stake," Helen Dixon, the Irish data protection commissioner, told a conference on July 14. The ruling will "provide a definitive reference point against which the challenges presented by EU-US data transfers can be addressed into the future, bringing certainty to bear in an area that has been beset by uncertainty." The case is: C-311/18, Facebook Ireland and Schrems. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tri Indah Oktavianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, July 16 2020 With the COVID-19 pandemic still accelerating at an alarming rate, healthcare workers remain prone to the virus and social persecution, a medical association and human rights association have said. The Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) on Monday reported that at least 61 doctors across Indonesia had died in the fight against COVID-19. In the past week, 14 doctors have died [of COVID-19], IDI spokesperson Halik Malik told The Jakarta Post on Monday. It is the highest number of cases reported within a week, and they mostly came from East Java. 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 Angela Merkel refused to comment on Tuesday on Bavarian Minister President Markus Soeder's purported candidacy to succeed her as German chancellor. By announcing that she will not seek reelection, she has imposed a "particular restraint" on her succession, Merkel said during a joint press conference with Soeder in Bavaria. "Therefore, you will not hear me comment on the issue... in any form or in any forum," Merkel said, adding that she would only say that "Bavaria has a good premier." Germany is scheduled to hold its next parliamentary elections in autumn 2021. Last year, German media identified Merkel's potential successors. The list included Soeder, former leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz, Health Minister Jens Spahn, and minister president of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Laschet. Support for Soeder's candidacy has increased in recent days as he imposed strict measures to contain the pandemic in the southern German state. (CGTN) A team led by UT Southwestern researchers has identified brain circuitry that plays a key role in the dysfunctional social, repetitive, and inflexible behavioral differences that characterize autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The findings, published online this week in Nature Neuroscience, could lead to new therapies for these relatively prevalent disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 1 in 54 children in the U.S. have ASD, a broad range of neurodevelopmental conditions thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Although researchers have identified some key genes and pathways that contribute to ASD, the underlying biology of these disorders remains poorly understood, says Peter Tsai, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the departments of neurology and neurotherapeutics, neuroscience, pediatrics, and psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute. However, Tsai explains, one key brain region that's been implicated in ASD dysfunction is the cerebellum, part of the hindbrain in vertebrates that holds about three-quarters of all the neurons in the body and has traditionally been linked with motor control. Recent studies by Tsai and his colleagues have demonstrated that inhibiting activity in a region of the cerebellum known as Rcrus1 can cause altered social and repetitive/inflexible behaviors reminiscent of ASD in mice. Their work also found that stimulation of this area could rescue social behaviors in an ASD-relevant model but was unable to improve repetitive or inflexible behaviors. Together, these studies suggested that additional regions of the cerebellum might also regulate repetitive and/or inflexible behaviors. In addition, how these cerebellar regions might regulate these ASD-relevant behaviors remained unknown. To learn more about the brain circuitry controlling these behaviors, Tsai and his colleagues worked with mice genetically engineered to reduce the activity of Purkinje cells, specialized cells that turn down the activity of other brain regions. When they examined the activity of the rest of the brain, they saw increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), another region previously implicated in ASD. Behavioral tests showed that these animals displayed characteristic social and repetitive/inflexible behaviors reminiscent of ASD. When the researchers inhibited mPFC activity in these animals, both social impairments and repetitive/inflexible behaviors improved. Because the cerebellum and the mPFC are on opposite ends of the brain, Tsai and his colleagues used microscopic imaging to trace how these regions are linked. They found connections specifically between Rcrus1 and the mPFC in these animals, with decreased Rcrus1 activity leading to increased mPFC activity. Further investigation showed that connectivity in this region wasn't just disrupted in these particular mice. It also existed in about a third of 94 different mouse lines carrying autism-related mutations and in two independent cohorts of people with ASD. Looking further to better determine the anatomical connections between these regions, the researchers saw that signals from Rcrus1 appear to be routed to the mPFC through an area known as the lateral nucleus; however, modulation of this region was only sufficient to improve social behaviors in their genetic mouse model while repetitive/inflexible behaviors remained abnormal. Thus, Tsai and colleagues interrogated other cerebellar regions and found that modulation of another ASD-implicated cerebellar region, the posterior vermis, results in improvement in repetitive and inflexible behaviors. They then asked whether this cerebellar region also targets the mPFC and found that both posterior vermis and Rcrus1 converge on the mPFC through another intermediate region, the ventromedial thalamus. Each of these regions could play a key role in potential future therapies for ASD, Tsai explains. And because their experiments could improve dysfunctional social and repetitive/inflexible behaviors even in adult animals, it raises the possibility that therapies that target this circuit in humans might be able to improve ASD-related dysfunction even into adulthood. Just as an electrician can repair a home's wiring once he or she understands the wiring diagram, these findings give us potential hope for improving dysfunctional activity in the circuits involved in ASD," Tsai says. Other UTSW researchers who contributed to this study include Elyza Kelly, Fantao Meng, Yasaman Kazemi, Chongyu Ren, Christine Ochoa Escamilla, Jennifer M. Gibson, Sanaz Sajadi, Robert J. Pendry, Tommy Tan, and Brad E. Pfeiffer. This study was performed with critical contributions from scientists at the University of Toronto as well as Oxford, American, and Johns Hopkins Universities, among others, and was supported by funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS083733, NS107004, NS095232, and NS105039), the National Institute of Mental Health (MH116882 and MH094268), the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, the Department of Defense, Autism Speaks, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Ontario Brain Institute, and the National Institutes of Health (MH106957). Turkish authorities have fixed a historical mistake made in 1934 by turning Hagia Sophia from museum to a mosque, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. "We have fulfilled the will of 83 million of our citizens. In 1934, who turned it into a museum? And now we are correcting this mistake. This is our sovereign right," Erdogan said, specifying that Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque from a museum, not from a church. The president added that the Ottoman Empire took care of Hagia Sophia for centuries, and Turkey would continue preserving its cultural value. Erdogan also said that Turkish authorities often conduct restoration works of churches and synagogues in the country, and mentioned that there are "four to five times more" religious buildings for non-muslims in Turkey than for Muslims in Europe. Last week, Turkey's highest administrative court, the Council of State, annulled the decree converting Hagia Sophia into a museum, meaning it can now be used as a mosque. Erdogan has signed the decree. The move was not particularly welcomed abroad. Austria, France, Greece, Cyprus, Russia and the United States were among the countries that expressed regrets over Ankara's decision. Turkey views the matter as its internal affair. Hagia Sophia was founded by Byzantine Emperor Justinian as a cathedral and was opened on December 27, 537. The church, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture, was the world's largest building for over a thousand years. After the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans and the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque, but since 1934, the building, by a decree of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, became a museum and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The occupying forces in eastern Ukraine have recently increased the number of attacks on the positions of Ukraine's Joint Forces. Russian president's spokesman Dmitry Peskov admits the Kremlin has "influence on the republics" in occupied Donbas, but he "knows nothing" about the recent escalation along the contact line in Ukraine's east. "Honestly, I do not have detailed information about this. I'll tell you at once we have no influence on certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, but we have certain influence on the self-proclaimed republics," he told journalists, answering a question from an UNIAN correspondent in Russia whether the Kremlin intends to intervene and influence representatives of the so-called "republics" amid the ongoing escalation in Donbas. Read alsoRussia not ready for full-scale incursion into Ukraine U.S. Navy officer As UNIAN reported, the occupying forces in eastern Ukraine have recently increased the number of attacks on the positions of Ukraine's Joint Forces. On July 13, a Ukrainian military medic was killed as Russia-led forces fired on an evacuation team of the Joint Forces near the village of Zaitseve in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. The team wearing white helmets with identification marks was just a few meters from the body of the earlier killed soldier when the enemy opened fire from rifles, then from grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. As a result, the military medic was killed, one serviceman was wounded, while another one sustained a combat-related injury. On July 14, Russia's hybrid military forces used a Fagot anti-tank missile system to fire at the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novomykhailivka. As a result, six Ukrainian soldiers suffered shrapnel wounds. For the first time, Wisconsin today appeared on a list that no state wants to be on a list of states experiencing such a high rate of coronavirus spread that its residents are banned from traveling to New York. Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo began the list last month, along with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, to reduce their citizens exposure to new cases from outside of their region. States with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average. automatically wind up on the list. Wisconsin broke another record for newly found infections on July 14, reporting 964 new cases. That number represents 6.6 of the tests performed that day. On July 12, the test positivity rate was 10.1 percent. New cases are surging in nearly half of the states. Including Wisconsin, 22 states are on New Yorks travel ban list. Cuomo announced a travel enforcement operation that began today at airports across his state to help ensure travelers follow the state's quarantine restrictions. Wisconsin's COVID history Wisconsin's current spike in new cases comes after an early and successful public health intervention that began in late March. Wisconsin reached its highest positivity rate of 23.1 percent on March 11. But at that time, Wisconsins testing ability was limited to people who exhibited symptoms. The rate was 5.3 percent on March 23, when Gov. Tony Evers' Safer at Home plan went into effect, essentially putting the state under lockdown and pushing down the infection rate. But on May 13, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos persuaded the Wisconsin Supreme Courts Republican-backed majority to undo the Safer-at-Home plan before it had been fully implemented according to CDC guidelines. During the hearing, which was argued online to protect the justices from exposure to the virus, Justice Rebecca Bradley stirred national outrage by comparing Safer at Home to the internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II. Scott Walker originally appointed her to the court. By Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, Wisconsinites were picking up where their lives had left off, returning to work, bars, parties, places of worship and other crowded, indoor venues. The virus can take two weeks or longer before infected people become sick enough to see a doctor or go to the hospital. Meanwhile, they can still spread the virus; so can people who are infected but never become sick. So, its not surprising that in mid-June, the test-positivity began moving upward again. By the Fourth of July weekend, the number of people infected in Wisconsin and other states where all restrictions had been lifted exploded. New York takes action New York has been by far the hardest hit state, and the New York City area is by far the hardest hit area in the state. Nightmarish, dystopian images coming out of New York pictures of mass graves and refrigerated trucks used as temporary morgues shocked the world in late March and April. But Cuomo took strong, decisive action, and on July 12 the state had its first day with no COVID-19 deaths since March. Positive tests remained at about 1 percent from mid-June until July 13, when there were five deaths and the percentage of positive tests inched up to 1.5 percent. Cuomo blamed residents for becoming too complacent about wearing masks and social distancing, particularly on the Fourth of July. Now governors in other states where cases are exploding are mandating masks and social distancing, shuttering bars, limiting restaurant occupancy and considering other actions to mitigate the virus in their states. Unlike Cuomo and other governors, however, Evers has no discretion to implement public health protections, since the states high court has ruled them as unconstitutional. Dane County and Milwaukee enacted local ordinances requiring people to wear protective masks. Vos has said the mandates are unnecessary, but he doesnt plan to have the Supreme Court overturn them. CLEVELAND, Ohio Mayor Frank Jackson said Tuesday the citys requirement that people wear masks in public isnt something Cleveland wants to do, but it must be done to try and check spiking numbers of coronavirus cases. Jackson, joined by Public Safety Director Karrie Howard and Police Chief Calvin Williams for a teleconference, told listeners the city has a strategy for tackling the rise in cases, particular among people 20 to 29 the fastest growing age group for coronavirus infections. In addition to requiring masks to slow spread of the virus, the city also will seek to promote social distancing by limiting the number of people who can be in a business at one time to one-half its occupancy limit. Heres some takeaways from the event. Why require masks now? Cleveland was averaging about a dozen new coronavirus infections a day in the middle of June. Now that daily average, based on a seven-day rolling average, is about 80 cases a day. But as people continue to socialize and gather in places like such as bars and restaurants, exposure to the virus continues to increase. Last week, over a three-day span, 314 new cases were confirmed. As cases have gone up, so have hospitalizations and numbers of patients in intensive-care units. We dont want to do this, Jackson said. Were looking at this and were saying we have to take more drastic action because the voluntary efforts arent working. Whats the strategy? Cleveland City Council is expected Wednesday to establish penalties for people violating the mask requirements and for businesses that dont follow occupancy restrictions. Jackson said his administration will meet with businesses this week to discuss what is expected from them particularly bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Those businesses tend to draw customers in their 20s, the group that has seen the greatest increases in coronavirus infections. People are required to wear masks in public places and public settings unless they are eating or drinking. Those who dont may face citations. It would be very imprudent to believe that well be running around Cleveland and citing everyone without a mask. Wed just be chasing our tails, Jackson said. So, well be enforcing this in a strategic way. If a business requires patrons to wear masks to gain entry, those who refuse could also be cited with trespassing, as well as violating the mask requirements, Howard said. Whats the danger? Cuyahoga County is rated at the red Level 3 on the states risk scale for coronavirus infections. That triggered a state requirement that people across the county wear masks. Jackson is concerned that the county could be moved up to the states purple Level 4, which he expects could force another shutdown of the citys economy. That likely would force closure of classrooms in Cleveland schools in the fall, too, Jackson said. The district has been developing plans for a hybrid operation with a mix of in-class education and remote learning online. What has happened with crime? While the mayor, Williams and Howard did not provide statistics, they said crime has gone up during the coronavirus pandemic. Jackson suggested part of the rise in youth crime is due to recreation centers being closed during much of the summer when youth have more free time. The city reopened its rec centers, with several coronavirus-related restrictions, on July 6. Williams urged listeners to call the district police headquarters for their neighborhood when they see something. The police will then put their observations, coupled with the location, into police computers to develop prevention strategies. More from Cleveland City Hall Clevelands health department fields 1,834 complaint calls about COVID-19 coronavirus safety violations Cleveland City Council looks to scrap required police presence at street gatherings, block parties Cleveland reopens recreation centers, but with new rules, restrictions meant to check spread of coronavirus Ex-Cleveland safety director said Tanisha Andersons death wasnt an aggravating circumstance in disciplining officers, monitor says Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) A new international airport in Bulacan will start construction in the next three months, San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the company behind the project, disclosed on Wednesday. Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of SMC, said his group has just received the Justice Departments review on the project. The company bagged the contract for the P734-B airport back in August last year. Ang said that after this, SMC will have to look for the signing date of the financial closure with financial institutions. To be known as Bulacan International Airport, it is located in the coastal town of Bulakan, 35 kilometers north of Manila. It aims to provide a new gateway for the country and ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and traffic in Metro Manila. CNN Philippines' Correspondent Rex Remitio contributed to this report. The tragic death of Arizona schoolteacher Kimberley Chavez Lopez Byrd from COVID-19 has exposed the dangers of the rush to reopen schools across the United States while the pandemic continues to rage. The 61-year-old first grade teacher from Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District, a small rural district southeast of Phoenix, died on June 26, less than two weeks after being hospitalized for the infection. Byrd and two other teachers apparently contracted the disease while they were providing remote instruction to summer school students from the same classroom. The three teachers had taken precautions, however, including wearing masks, social distancing, sanitizing the room and only speaking one at a time. The two other teachers, Jena Martinez-Inzunza and Angela Skillings, are still recovering. Byrd, who reportedly had asthma and other health problems, was initially told by her doctor that she had a sinus infection. When she was finally diagnosed after a camping trip with her husband and admitted to the hospital, she ended up on a ventilator for 12 days before succumbing to the disease. Byrd is survived by her husband Jesse Byrd, Sr. and their blended family. Kimberley Chavez Lopez Byrd Byrd told local news media that his wife was admitted to the hospital and immediately put on oxygen and that he was not allowed to be with her. The last time they spoke was when she called to say doctors were putting her on a ventilator. She died just short of the couples 24th wedding anniversary. Arizona reported 4,273 new COVID-19 cases and 92 deaths Tuesday, bringing its total to 128,097 cases and 2,337 fatalities. The four zip codes in and around the small communities of Hayden and Winkelmanan area that includes the copper mining and smelting industryhave about 50 cases, according to Arizona Department of Health Services data. Jesse Byrds daughter, son, daughter-in-law, four-year-old granddaughter and several other relatives have also contracted the disease, while his wifes brother has been on a ventilator for over 27 days. Kimberly Byrd worked for the school district for 38 years, so long, as one local newspaper noted, that she started teaching the children of her former students. Co-workers described Byrd, who retired but returned to teach, as selfless. She and the other two teachers dropped off seed packets at each students home so the class could grow plants together as part of their virtual summer school course. She also taught art and folklorico dance to her first graders. A lot of her classroom rules were based around kids respecting each other and being kind to each other and not bullying, Jesse Byrd told CNN about his wife. That was really important to her. Byrd denounced the states plans to reopen schools in mid-August. They have no business opening the schools to try and get back to a traditional classroom, he said, adding, lets get through this pandemic first before we try to get back to normal. Other families should not have to suffer a similar tragedy, he said. Many grandparents wind up being caretakers to kids when they get off schoolmom and dad are working and a lot of grandparents are even raising their grandchildren. So, many of these grandparents fall into this high-risk category of being older with more health issues, he said. Hayden-Winkelman school superintendent Jeff Gregorich told CNN the concern our staff has is we cant even keep our staff safe by themselves ... how are we going to keep 20 kids in a classroom safe? I just dont see how thats possible to do that. He told USA Today, Were going to lose a lot of teachers if they bring kids back again. The learning can be made up, but the lives will never be brought back. Byrds fellow teacher, Martinez-Inzunza, denounced Trumps threats to cut off federal funding from school districts that do not reopen. Everything is safety, safety, safety, she told Arizona Central. What a contradiction to be threatened by the president. What a contradiction to be bullied: Do this, or Im going to pull funding. What a contradiction to say our kids lives matter. Why would you push to open schools? Byrds other fellow teacher, Skillings, told CNN Children that like to touch things, like to sharetheyre socializing. What are we going to do to them emotionally if they take that virus home and give it to a family member or daycare worker or someone they are close to and that person passes away? In a White House press briefing on Monday a reporter asked President Trump, What do you tell parents, who look at this, who look at Arizona where a school teacher recently died teaching summer school, parents who are worried about the safety of their children in public schools? Trump made no reference to Byrd, saying instead, Schools should be opened. Those kids want to go to school. Youre losing a lot of lives by keeping things closed. We saved millions of lives while we did the initial closure. Arizona has one of the earliest scheduled new school years in the country. The states 1.1 million students, 48,000 teachers and tens of thousands of support staff members were originally scheduled to start on August 3, but this was pushed back to August 17. On Tuesday, more than 100 school board members from across the state and 1,000 health care workers and education advocates delivered a letter to Governor Doug Ducey urging him to postpone the reopening of the schools until at least October. Commenting on the death of Byrd, Lori, a Phoenix area teacher, told the World Socialist Web Site, That was awful and tragic. She was just doing her job. Were all trying to help the kids the best we can. I have asthma and diabetes like Kimberly didthat could have been me. It broke my heart to realize that she sacrificed her life to get these kids an education. The teachers all took precautions, but they still got it. Trump, DeVos, Ducey, they all know this virus is killing people, but they are willing to sentence these children and these teachers to death. They dont care. Theyre saying, Lets reopen the schools so we can get their parents back to work making money for the rich corporations. That makes me angry. These politicians claim they have the best interests of children at heart. They are nothing but hypocrites. Theyve taken away funds from the schools for years, taking programs away from children that are vital. Governor Ducey is the multimillionaire former owner of the Cold Stone ice cream chain who just sold his private mansion in Paradise Valley, Arizona for $8 million. They dont care about these kids education, Lori continued, all they care about is giving more tax cuts to big business. We had to go on strike in 2018 because Ducey and the state legislature refused to fund public education. We fought for janitors, cafeteria workers, everybody, but the unions sold us out and we didnt get what we wanted. The unions tell us to vote for the Democrats, but they are for big business just like the Republicans. Lori continued, The politicians want to turn black against white and native born against immigrant, but thats not the issue, its about the haves and the have-nots. They are getting rid of lives for the sake of wealth. They dont care about the elderly in the nursing homes because the rich consider them a burden on society. Now they want to kill or force out older, more experienced teachers and replace us with lower-paid, inexperienced teachers who dont know how much public education has deteriorated, how the schools used to be, and what we have to fight for now. Asked about a national strike by teachers to oppose the rush to reopen the schools, Lori said, If everybody refused and just said, Sorry, we are not going to do it, then we could prevent this madness. We need to unite to fight for the things that are important. In the wake of Black Lives Matter, this list of resources to fight racism has been created to help combat the systematic oppression of Black lives. The list consists of multiple online platforms and what each contributes to the cause. This article was first published on Stacker live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Leading integrated logistics services provider Allcargo Logistics, which is expecting volumes to normalise by August after being disrupted by COVID-19, is also continuing on its plan to become asset-light. After selling is logistics park assets to private equity major Blackstone, the company is now evaluating its crane business. "We have sold some of the cranes. We won't further invest in the business, and are reviewing the portfolio," Deepal Shah, Chief Financial Officer, told Moneycontrol. Shah said utilisation of the cranes had dropped from 85 percent to 15 percent after a nationwide lockdown was imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19. "The utilisation has improved to up to 65 percent as economic activity has picked up in green zones," Shah said. The crane vertical, which caters to all kinds of construction activities, had revenues of about Rs 200 crore in the 2020 financial year. The review of the business is part of Allcargo Logistics' overall roadmap to becoming lighter and debt-free. In January, the company had signed an agreement with Blackstone to divest 90 percent of its equity in the warehousing vertical for about Rs 1,400 crore. 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 PTI reported in June that the PE major has already invested Rs 380 crore as part of the deal, which will be a mix of debt and equity. Chairman Shashi Kiran Shetty had said the deal will be completed soon. The deal will help Allcargo, which had invested Rs 1,000 crore in a third-party logistics business, to clear its consolidated debt. The company had debts of Rs 1,000 crore in June. The deal helped the company shore up its reserves even as it completes the buyout of Gati. The deal will help Allcargo get into the express parcel service. In March, it had got the clearance from market regulator SEBI for the deal, which will see Allcargo spend a little over Rs 400 crore for a 46.83 percent stake. "We will retain very little debt, which will be used for working capital requirement," Shah said. COVID-19 impact Allcargo claims to be the world's largest when it comes to 'LCL consolidation.' LCL stands for less than container load, and as again Full Container Loads is a shipment that only takes a part of an entire container. Allcargo provides export and import services for those looking to transport cargo. Explaining the business nature, Shah said any import order takes a 'lag' of a month-and-a-half or takes that much time to be completed. The orders travel through high seas before reaching ports in India. This is the reason why the segment didn't immediately feel the impact of the COVID-19 disruption. "It was near normal until the middle of June. At present, the volumes are down about 20 percent, but should get back to near normal in August," Shah said. Much of Allcargo's business, he added, has been functional through the lockdown. Universities minister Michelle Donelan said it was a 'struggle to understand how we can justify vice-chancellors being paid two, three times the amount of the prime minister' Pay cuts among university vice-chancellors during the coronavirus pandemic should continue after lockdown because their salaries should not be 'excessive', the universities minister has said. Michelle Donelan, 36, highlighted that universities received 'significant' amounts of public funding and money from students. Speaking to Parliament's Education Select Committee on Wednesday, she said: 'I think vice-chancellors' wages should be justifiable and should not be excessive. 'I myself, personally, struggle to understand how we can justify vice-chancellors being paid two, three times the amount of the prime minister and I think we do have to question that. 'We have seen in Covid some examples of universities coming forward and... voluntarily making reductions not just in vice-chancellors' wages but also senior leadership's wages by 10, up to 30%. 'And I want to hopefully see that continue and be the start of something.' The average salary of a Russell Group vice-chancellor is 380,000, according to The Independent. Imperial College London president Alice Gast topped the table of the group of leading universities, with a 554,000 remuneration package in 2018/19. Other high earners that academic year included the University of Liverpool's Dame Janet Beer, whose salary increased to 410,000 in 2018/19 - up from 363,500 the previous academic year. And Hugh Brady, vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol, saw his salary climb to 382,000 in 2018/19, the news site's analysis revealed. Alice Gast, from Imperial College London, has agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut But some vice-chancellors have taken pay cuts amid the Covid-19 crisis. They include Imperial's Alice Gast, who agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut, Times Higher Education said. She said the money saved from her pay package would 'be used to help our students and staff in hardship' due to the pandemic. 'The immediate need, as we face threats to enrolments and the financial burden of the shutdown, is to look for ways to conserve cash in the coming year,' she wrote in a letter. Ed Byrne, president of King's College London, announced in April he would take a pay cut of 30 per cent for six months from August this year. His full remuneration stood at 350,000 in 2018/19. Pete Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, will take a salary slash of 20 per cent in light of the pandemic. Ms Donelan, who studied history and politics the University of York, also said the government will introduce a 'restructuring regime' for any institutions that were financially under-pressure, which would be launched 'in the imminent future'. British universities face a massive funding shortfall, especially with the possible reduction in the number of foreign students studying in the UK. Many universities have significant numbers of students from countries such as China, who pay full fees for their courses. Ms Donelansaid the plan, originally mentioned in May, would be 'very much a last-resort scenario' after institutions have accessed existing support. 'There will be conditions attached to that funding but further details will be announced on that,' she said. Ms Donelan told the committee that the challenges and opportunities for the higher education sector had been 'changed and shaped by Covid', including a chance for it to 'innovate and diversify'. She said the sector should be 'flexible' and incentivise part-time learning and promote degree apprenticeships. Ms Donelan said: 'It's about the sector themselves offering part-time courses that will help individuals to progress, to up-skill, to re-skill. 'And that's so much more important now than ever, as we've had the Covid pandemic, but also we all know that people nowadays may do six careers in one lifetime and there will be an increased demand for these types of courses.' She added: 'I call on the sector to really invest more in part-time education and in promoting part-time education because it really is a powerful tool for social mobility for adults of all ages.' In a speech earlier this month, Ms Donelan said young people have been 'taken advantage of' and misled by the expansion of courses with no real demand from the labour market. She urged universities not to spend widening access funds on 'marketing' to get students through the door - but instead to focus on ensuring that graduates secure jobs. Asked during the committee meeting on Wednesday about which groups of young people were least likely to go to university, Ms Donelan said: 'We don't necessarily want everybody to go to university. 'Whether you're advantaged or disadvantaged, HE (higher education) is not necessarily the best route to get where you want to go in life,' she added. 'In fact, I want to see a system that promotes what the individual's needs are and the individual's desires in terms of progression.' Ms Donelan told the committee that the challenges and opportunities for the higher education sector had been 'changed and shaped by Covid', including a chance for it to 'innovate and diversify' (file photo) Ms Donelan said a focus on the number of students making it to university was a 'blunt instrument' in terms of social mobility. 'It doesn't matter about looking at which groups don't get to university,' she said, adding it was about what is in a student's 'best interests'. Ms Donelan said in the coming autumn term, students could expect a 'blended offering' of online lectures and in-person tutorials at universities. 'I think the next term will be very different and one of the things we've said to institutions... is that they need to be transparent about what students could expect,' she said. 'Students are in effect customers so they do have consumer rights.' The minister also said universities had a 'duty and responsibility' to support the welfare of students amid the coronavirus pandemic. Preeja Prasad By Express News Service BENGALURU: A total of 209 students from Karnataka, who were stranded at Moscow in Russia breathed a sigh of relief as they landed in Bengaluru on a chartered flight at 4.15 am on Tuesday. The medical students had been trying to get a flight to the city since the Covid-induced lockdown started in Russia on March 23. While there were several evacuation flights towards other states such as Delhi, Gujarat, Mumbai and even Kerala, there was only one flight to Bengaluru which had a stopover at Delhi. The flight to Bengaluru on June 30 was filled with those who wanted to reach Delhi. There were about 400 students from Karnatakastuck over there and we werent receiving any update from the Indian Embassy. However, they treated us badly for not knowing Hindi, said Rakshitha Umesh, one of the returnees. The Vande Bharat Mission which had repatriation flights bringing in stranded citizens had only one flight to Kerala from Russia. With no help from the Embassy, the students made several videos and posted them on Twitter which drew some traction. The students then reached out to MP G C Chandrashekhar for help. We immediately got a response from him and he wrote a letter to the Indian Embassy there. We were finally able to get a flight slotted for July 13, Rakshitha said. The flight also ferried several other students, who are natives of Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala. The students are currently undergoing institutional quarantine at various hotels in the city. Schmidt Marine Technology Partners announced today the winners of the inaugural Coastal Pollution Challenge, created to support the development of innovative solutions to reduce nutrient pollution plaguing the globes waterways. The winners are three start-up companies and a university. Nutrient pollution is a costly and challenging environmental problem caused by excess nitrogen in the water. The Schmidt Marine Coastal Pollution Challenge solicited technology solutions to address the urgent need to eliminate the causes and reduce the impact of coastal pollution, specifically nitrogen and phosphorous from sources like wastewater and agricultural runoff that are a major driver of harmful algal blooms and fish kills. Coastal habitats, which many communities rely upon for fishing, seaweed harvesting and recreation, have been impacted and continue to be at risk from coastal pollution and runoff. Schmidt Marine Technology Partners is a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation, which will fund more than $1.5 million over two years to the winners' projects to advance their technologies and demonstrate commercial viability. "The health of our ocean is deeply connected to the health of life on land," said Wendy Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Marine Technology Partners and president of The Schmidt Family Foundation. "The whole world has been brought to its knees by viral particles too small to see without a powerful microscope. As we look at the post-pandemic world, we will need to recognize that the tiniest organisms in our air, on land and in our oceans affect our very existence. Coastal pollution--everything from wastewater to torrents of plastics to nitrogen--is flooding our ocean and destroying its fragile and valuable ecosystems. We created this challenge to encourage and identify innovative solutions that reduce a critical component of that pollution, and to invest in their development so they can be brought to market and scale." The four winners are San Francisco-based Mango Materials, which converts methane waste into a biodegradable plastic alternative that can be used to remove nitrogen from the coastal waters; Berkeley-based Takachar, which is developing a technology that can make the organic fertilizer biochar to increase agricultural health and prevent nutrient runoff; a Cambridge-based startup Station C, that has developed a low-cost nitrogen sensor; and another sensor project from Northeastern University in Boston. The competition drew more than 70 applications from across the country. Thirty-two applicants were invited to submit full proposals that were reviewed by a 10-member scientific and academic panel, whose input Schmidt Marine used to make final selections. Mango Materials has developed full-circle fermentation technology that can convert methane waste from landfills and other sources into a biodegradable plastic alternative. Funding will allow the team to explore ways to expand use of this material for environmental deployments that encourage growth of bacteria that consume nutrient pollution. Possible applications include the creation of mesh materials to line banks or tributaries where runoff leads to dangerous levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The mesh would act as a scaffold on which the bacteria grow, and the material itself provides the food needed to fuel the bacteria growth that ultimately removes nutrients. The company estimates that deploying enough material to solve significant runoff problems would cost a fraction of what's currently spent to address such issues in areas like the Chesapeake Bay. Mango will also study potential use of the material in aquaculture cages and nets to reduce the need for conventional plastics, while also encouraging bacteria growth that would reduce harmful nutrient releases from fish waste. Takachar has developed a technology that produces inexpensive biochar, a carbon-negative additive to conventional fertilizers, which are the primary source of nutrient pollution from farms and industrial agriculture. The company has developed low-cost machines that use organic material like sugar cane pulp and rice husks to create biochar-fertilizer blends in rural villages--enabling farmers to generate their own nutrient-rich fertilizer on site that improves soil health and continues providing needed nutrients over the long term rather than washing away and entering waterways as conventional fertilizers do. Takachar is already working with a partner in Kenya and is developing additional global partnerships. The final two winning projects are focused on the development of low-cost nitrogen sensors using different technologies. Long-term, high-resolution sensing of nitrates is essential to identify the most troublesome pollution sources that plague coastal waters and could also be used in other waterways and in wastewater treatment plants. Current sensors cost thousands of dollars and can be difficult to use reliably in murky coastal waters, making it prohibitively expensive and difficult to obtain the necessary data. Station C, created by physicist and principal investigator of the Future Ocean Lab at MIT Allan Adams, is developing an optical sensor that uses light and acoustics to detect nitrogen, phosphorus and other components. And Amy Mueller, assistant professor in the colleges of science and engineering at Northeastern University, is working to create a simple and inexpensive nitrogen sensor using 3D printing and machine learning to develop an "electronic tongue" microchip with electro-chemical probes. "We focused on coastal nutrient pollution because it's a threat that causes major damages to habitats around the world and it's proven especially challenging to address adequately," said Mark Schrope, director of Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. "We are confident that the groups we're funding will achieve major advances that enable measurable improvements." As a testament to the breadth of expertise and innovation spurred by the coastal pollution challenge, an anonymous philanthropic partner will provide additional funding to several companies that participated in the challenge. ### Agathiyan's Kadhal Kottai can be said to have redefined romance in Tamil cinema, following its release in 1996. The film was an all-round success, completing 270 days of run in theatres and fetching the first Best Director National Award for the Tamil filmmaker, apart from bagging the Best Screenplay and Best Regional Film Awards as well. With the film hitting its twenty-fourth-year mark last Sunday and in the context of the current lockdown that has left many couples separatedmuch like Kadhal Kottai's Suriya and Kamaliwe relook this romance with Agathiyan. Excerpts from the interview: Kadhal Kottai paid ode to the art of letter writing. Do you think such a love story is possible today? No, certainly not. Even in the early 2000s, the film would have seemed funny and unrelatable. Back in the mid-90s, pagers and cell phones were costly and weren't accessible to commoners. Thankfully, we released the Hindi version, Sirf Tum, in 1998, just before the technological boom happened. The recent Malayalam film, Kapella, seemed to be related to Kadhal Kottai in a sense, given that love happens over a missed call. But I wasn't able to buy the story as technology is within our grasp now, and we are no longer separated from people today as we once were. I read that the friendship between King Kopperum Chozhan and poet Pisirandhaiyar in Puranaanooru is the inspiration for Kadhal Kottai. Is this true? You can say that. Their friendship grows though they do not meet each other. They only meet when Kopperum Chozhan is on his death bed. This made me come up with a love story where the lead pair meet each other only at the climax. The end of Kadhal Kottai is the real beginning of Suriya and Kamali's love story. Did you anticipate such overwhelming response? While making Kadhal Kottai, I expected it either to be celebrated by the audience or to be completely ignored. Thankfully, the former happened. I was confident that it would win the National Award for the Best Screenplay, but the additional recognition for Best Director was unexpected as nobody from Tamil cinema, even the legends, had not got it till then. Though many said the story was unique, very few thought it would be a success. Only during the rerecording did the entire orchestra of Deva sir tell me that the film was extraordinary. And then, director Sridhar sir saw a preview of the film and told me that Kadhal Kottai would be our times Kalyana Parisu. That famous sweater with lotus patterns, and the railway station are crucial elements in the story. Could you talk about them? Back then, trains were the only main source of transportation. Almost every one of us have a personal attachment to trains. And so, I wanted my film to begin and end in a railway station. Even the pre-interval scene where the lead pair catch a glimpse of each other, happens there. However, we initially had an alternate climax. They were not to end up together. But my producer Sivasakthi Pandian said, "The audience would tear the theatre screen in disappointment if they don't unite!" I then realised that the story needed a happy end, and came up with the idea of that lotus sweater to unite them. Even the supporting characters in Kadhal Kottai received a lot of love. I wanted my story to have characters who approach love from different perspectives. Karan's Siva is a representation of the quintessential friend in every gang, who loves to be in love, but hates staying in it for too long. I felt this contrast would make the audience root for Ajith's Suriya and his romantic ideologies. Thalaivasal Vijay's Paneer was a symbol of true friendship and trust. He cares for Suriya without expecting anything in return. Suriya and Kamali mean sun and lotus, an indication of their relationship in a sense. Were the other character names filled with meaning too? Yes. Every single character's name has a purpose. Kamali's sister was named Mallika, because I wanted to convey that fathers who bestow such aesthetic names to their children are usually escapist by nature, and crippled consequently by financial failure. Though we don't see him in the film, I wanted the audience to realise that his life might have been such a mess that he had no option but to ask his son-in-law to look after his younger daughter. Thalaivasal Vijay's character was named Paneer, because he is a sweet person who spreads happiness, much like the scent of paneer rose. Heera was called Neya (drawn from the Tamil word, Neyam) because she played a girl who deserved a lot of love. When I write a story, I build a concrete back story for each character. This makes them wholesome people, even if we dont see them. Almost all your films have spoken about the power of love in breaking barriers. Do you see any difference in how love is seen today? True love turns a person into a fighter and brave everything, till they unite with their loved one. Unfortunately, today, the success rates of love marriages have reduced. Back then, love marriages were lesser in number, but the couples lived happily. Kannadasan once said, "Kadhalil vendraal tholvi, thottral kaaviyam." I guess this defines today's love. Are you working on a new film? I had planned it for this year, but the pandemic has postponed it, mostly to next year. My first priority is safeguard the good name I have earned so far. So, I am careful about picking a producer. I stopped the production of a couple of films due to some differences which might have marred my name. When I made Kadhal Kottai, I said it would be a different film, and some of them laughed in response. If I tell them that my upcoming film belongs to a genre that our cinema hasn't seen before, they may laugh again. I have spent six years on this project. Just like Kadhal Kottai proved them wrong, so will this upcoming film. Flamboyant San Antonio personal injury attorney Thomas J. Henry has been involved in his share of lawsuits, often touting in ubiquitous advertisements the multimillion-dollar awards his firm has won for clients. Its doubtful, however, that Henrys ever had a role quite like the one hes playing now in a case in state District Court in San Antonio. Henry is bankrolling litigation brought by Evelin Crossland, minority owner of a San Antonio oil field services company, against the company and its majority owner and her husband, Drew Crossland, according to a recent court filing by Drew Crossland. Evelin Crossland is engaged in an extramarital and adulterous relationship with an affluential and infinitely wealthy attorney who is funding her litigious efforts to harass her estranged husband, Drew Crosslands June 29 filing stated. RELATED: Prominent S.A. attorney flaunts luxurious life on Instagram Henry, 58, isnt identified by name in the document, but he figures prominently in a court exhibit attached to the filing. It contains some of Henrys social media posts showing him and Evelin Crossland, who turned 30 on Monday, flaunting their relationship. Posts by Evelin Crossland also appear in the exhibit. One shows Evelin Crossland holding a glass of Champagne with a plate of caviar in front of her. The photo was posted Feb. 14 and captioned My Valentine with a heart emoji. Court exhibit On ExpressNews.com: Corpus lawyer ratchets up profile with foray into S.A. politics Henry and his representative didnt respond to emails and a phone call seeking comment. Eric Pullen, Evelin Crosslands attorney, had no comment on whether Henry was funding her litigation or the nature of her relationship with Henry. The last photo Henry posted on Instagram of himself and Crossland together was March 11. Henry is no stranger to the public eye. He may be best known for slick television commercials promoting his legal prowess including ones that have shown him hopping from Learjet to Rolls-Royce as graphics tout the giant legal awards his clients have received and the massive fees his firm has pocketed. Hes earned a reputation for throwing lavish parties. He presented a Maxim Super Bowl party in 2017 in the Houston area, threw a 56th birthday bash for himself in 2018 in Miami featuring entertainers Cardi B and DJ Khaled, and hosted a 25th anniversary party for his law firm at the Convention Center in 2018. Perhaps most famously, he spent $6 million on a quinceanera for his daughter, Maya Henry, in 2016. Court exhibit Henry also appeared with his family a couple of years ago in a YouTube reality series called Hangin with Los Henrys, which chronicled the goings-on in his household. Now Playing: Meet Los Henrys, a wealthy Mexican-American family from San Antonio. They travel, they spend, and they really know how to party. But at the end of the day, they are just your regular multi-millionaire family living in South Texas. Video: Courtesy Hangin with Los Henrys Theres another side to Henry a prolific philanthropist who has helped dozens of causes, including food banks, and women and childrens shelters. Evelin Crossland filed to divorce her husband July 3, 2019, almost two months shy of their 10th wedding anniversary. (Drew Crossland, 35, had filed his own divorce petition on April 20, 2018.) Marie D. De Jesus /Staff file photo The same month Evelin Crossland petitioned for divorce, Henry moved out of the Boerne house he shared with his wife, Azteca Henry. He bought a home in the Dominion in August. That same month, he posted an Instagram photo of himself with Evelin Crossland and others. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox On Nov. 21, Azteca Henry, 42, filed for divorce to end her 20-year marriage. Her lawyers disguised the petition by using the couples initials in reverse rather than their names. The couple have two adult children. Thomas J. Henry also has five children with two previous wives. Evelin Crossland sued her husband, Crossland Oilfield Services and three other companies in March alleging he has mismanaged the firms and diverted corporate funds for his own benefit. The companys services include pipeline construction and drilling, according to its website. Court exhibit Evelin Crossland owns 49 percent of Crosssland Oilfield, while Drew Crossland owns 51 percent, her lawsuit said. She had worked for the companies but has been completely excluded from them, the suit added. Drew Crossland claims the companies are financially depleted to such an extent that he has threatened to put (them) into bankruptcy, she further alleged. She called assertions the companies are broke false. For the past three years, the Companies gross revenue exceeds $5,000,000.00, the complaint added. Yet she also alleged that Crossland Oilfield doesnt have the resources to repay a $486,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan it received in April from San Antonios Jefferson Bank. Drew Crossland used $184,000 of the loan proceeds to pay past-due payroll taxes, she said, adding that she objected to the loan. Paying taxes is not one of the approved uses of the loan to have it forgiven. Court exhibit Evelin Crossland wants the court to allow her to inspect the companies books and records. In his June 29 response, Drew Crossland said Evelin Crosslands action is groundless and filed in bad faith. He also alleged it is causing undue delay in the divorce proceedings and interfering with the companies operations. Drew Crossland accused Evelin Crossland of trying to block the PPP loan, which he said was crucial for, not only the companys survival during the imminent oil crash, but also the continued employment of more than a dozen former United States military servicemen. Data released this month by the Small Business Administration show the PPP loan allowed Crossland Oilfield to retain 30 jobs. Drew Crossland also alleged Evelin Crossland destroyed his business relationship with Jefferson Bank by telling loan officers he was under investigation for fraud. To support his claim that Thomas J. Henry is funding the litigation, Drew Crossland attached another exhibit that included some of Evelin Crosslands bank statements. They show she received four deposits totaling $11,000 over a six-month period beginning Sept. 25. The name Henry appears in the highlighted description of each transaction. Purely funding somebodys litigation, I dont see how that would run afoul of any legal ethics, said San Antonio attorney David Clay Snell, who is not involved in the litigation. If (Henry) wants to gift her money to do whatever she wants with, theres nothing at all wrong with that. Snell added the only time it would be a problem is if it was intended to circumvent or conceal a conflict. Drew Crossland didnt raise any conflicts in his June 29 court filing. Diamond De Leon, a Corpus Christi attorney representing Drew Crossland and the Crossland companies, declined to comment on the litigation. All I can speak about on my clients behalf is that hes a wounded Marine and his company, which hes built from the ground up, they hire wounded warriors, De Leon said. Hes a good guy. De Leon said he couldnt confirm or deny whether the Crossland companies are still in business. A hearing on Evelin Crosslands request for a temporary restraining order to, among other things, prevent Drew Crossland from taking distributions from the companies and selling any assets had been set for July 6 but was subsequently dropped. Pullen, Evelin Crosslands attorney, said the parties agreed to the entry of a TRO. On ExpressNews.com: Thomas J. Henry law firm, Bill Miller Bar-B-Que among San Antonio companies that received millions in PPP loans Meanwhile, the Henrys split is shaping up to be potentially as contentious as the Crosslands litigation. Before a court hears the Henrys divorce, Thomas J. Henry wants a separate trial on whether the parties have a common law marriage. He didnt elaborate on the request. Nueces County records, where the couple previously resided, show the Henrys married June 3, 1999. In January, Azteca Henrys lawyers served Thomas J. Henry with written questions. He made various objections to the questions and failed to provide a single substantive answer, one of her court filings alleged. The first request she made: State whether you have represented to any person since July 28, 2005, that you were married to Azteca CRAWFORD HENRY. In a February court filing, Thomas J. Henry alleged that Azteca Henry misappropriated proprietary information and provided confidential documents that originated with him or his firm to her counsel at the law firm Langley & Banack. It should be noted that Langley and Banack is a frequent legal adversary to (Thomas J. Henry) and, therefore, has been exposed to proprietary information behind the mask of their representation of (Azteca Henry), he said in a motion seeking to be protected from his wifes discovery requests. Jo Chris Lopez, Azteca Henrys attorney, didnt respond to an email. In a separate response to the divorce petition, Thomas J. Henry said the document contains material misrepresentations and seeks remedies that are not available to her by law. He wants the court to impose sanctions on his wife for filing court papers in bad faith and for the purpose of harassing him. On July 1, Azteca Henry asked the court to compel Thomas J. Henry to answer her questions and order him to pay court costs and attorneys fees. A hearing on her request is scheduled for later this month. Patrick Danner Patrick Danner covers banking, insurance, business litigation and bankruptcies. To read more from Patrick, become a subscriber. pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD A former medical worker at a West Virginia veterans hospital pleaded guilty of murder charges after she murdered seven patients. Reta Mays, 46, was a nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2017 and 2018. During her employment, she injected seven military veterans with fatal doses of insulin. She also admitted to administering insulin to an eighth patient with the intent to commit murder. The 46-year-old received seven counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of the veterans. She also received one count of assault with the intent to commit murder, reports The New York Times. The suspect appeared in federal court on Tuesday, where she admitted to her crimes. She will serve seven life sentences. She will also get an additional 20 years in prison. The Deaths of the Veterans in West Virginia Reta Mays worked the night shift between 2015 and 2018. She was assigned to a ward that housed diabetic patients. According to the charging documents, the former medical worker did not need a license or certification to work at the VA hospital. In June 2018, a medical doctor voiced concerns after several patients suffered and died from unexplained hypoglycemic episodes due to a surplus of insulin in the body. Some events involved patients who did not have diabetes. The report filed by the doctor led the hospital to launch an internal investigation. Mays was fired the following month. According to NPR, all seven victims had their blood sugar levels drop to deadly levels of under 70 mg/dL. An 88-year-old patient named Raymond Golden had his blood sugar levels drop to 7. Archie Edgell, an 84-year-old veteran, had a blood sugar level of 24. Doctors were able to raise his level, but Mays injected him with another fatal dose. He died shortly after that. Other victims were identified as Robert Edge Sr., Robert Kozul, George Shaw, Felix McDermott, and a patient listed as WAH. The eighth person, only identified as RRP, was a 92-year-old man who did not have diabetes. The hospital staffers were able to stabilize his condition after Mays administered a fatal dose, but he died 14 days later at a nursing home. As a nursing assistant, the suspect was tasked with measuring the patients' vital signs and observing who needed extra attention. She was also required to test their glucose levels. Mays did not have the authorization to administer any medicine. Tony O'Dell, a lawyer representing the five victims' families, said the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General was conducting an investigation. O'Dell also said the hospital failed to store the insulin where Mays would not have access to it. He also said the medical center was unable to treat the patients who suffered from hypoglycemia due to the massive insulin shots. "There were a lot of system failures at that hospital that allowed this woman to do what she did for as long as she did," the lawyer said. Want to read more? Check these out: The Central Coast YMCA is providing safe, reliable childcare while following all current local, state and CDC guidelines to be safe during the pandemic. (TRAVPR.COM) CA - July 14th, 2020 - Salinas, CA, July 14, 2020 - Summer Camp is crucial for our youth and community. The Central Coast YMCA is providing safe, reliable childcare while following all current local, state and CDC guidelines to be safe during the pandemic. All branches are now open and operating Summer Day Camp, offering a summer experience that will last a lifetime. More than 2800 children are registered for Summer Day Camp and over 1050 have attended since June 1. Detailed guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the YMCA recommend extensive cleaning protocols and safety measures to protect kids. The Y will separate campers into small groups, require social distancing and wash hands frequently. The camps common areas and equipment will undergo frequent cleaning. Experts agree that kids need summer camp for their mental health. They need to be around children their own age to play and be kids again. They need a routine and something familiar. They need to feel normal again. Play is essential, Dr. Jeffrey Hutchinson, fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told CNN. Unstructured time is vital for development, stress reduction, and physical and mental health [for children]. Central Coast YMCA has moved its administrative offices from Salinas to Monterey in order to increase capacity for summer day camp while incorporating social distancing and complying with CDC guidelines. The camp runs Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and space is limited. Parents should reserve their childs spot now. Financial assistance is available. For more details, call your local branch or visit www.centralcoastymca.org. Contact: Marci Bracco Cain Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 747-7455 http://www.centralcoastymca.org ### ROCKVILLE, MD The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Montgomery County increased by 103 to 15,986, according to state data released Wednesday. Meanwhile, one more person has died from COVID-19, pushing the local death toll to 725. The fatality count does not include the 38 others whose deaths were linked to the virus, but never confirmed by a lab test. They are considered "probable deaths" and will not be added to the official total until a lab can confirm the cause of death. The county which is home to roughly 1.1 million residents continues to have the highest number of deaths in the state. It also has the second highest number of confirmed cases, after Prince George's County, which has 20,099, according to the latest figures. Statewide, health officials are reporting 3,209 confirmed deaths and 132 "probable deaths." On Wednesday, the state announced that confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rose for the second straight day. The latest data brings the total number of cases to 75,016. That's an increase of 756 cases overnight, and marks the second consecutive day that Maryland reported more than 700 new infections. Those between the ages of 30 and 39 make up the most cases (18.7 percent; 14,028 cases), according to the latest data. Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Health The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients increased by 32 to 447. It's the second day that hospitalization numbers were above 400. Before Wednesday, the largest single-day increase was recorded on May 26, with 39 new patients. In addition to those figures, the state has released data for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. It shows that COVID-19 has infected 3,907 residents and 2,039 staff members. Residents make up a majority of deaths, with 897. The death toll for staff members now stands at 15. Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Health In Montgomery County, residents in these facilities have had 676 cases and 189 deaths. Staff have had 457 cases and four deaths. Story continues Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Health Back in April, Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order that made universal coronavirus testing mandatory at all senior living facilities. The state levied $10,000 fines against ManorCare Health Services - Adelphi and the Stadium Place Nursing and Rehab Center in Baltimore, according to The Sun. The Glen Burnie Health and Rehabilitation Center and the Potomac Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Rockville were each issued a $4,000 fine. The fines were issued after health inspections in June, according to The Sun. This article originally appeared on the Rockville Patch DETROIT, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Individual investors own over $9 trillion in stocks through online brokerage accounts predominantly brands and companies they know and shop yet these brand-loyal shareholders are largely invisible to the public companies they own until now. TiiCKER, Inc. today launched the first intelligent software platform that engages, verifies and rewards individual investors through integrated content, stock perks and zero-commission trading. With TiiCKER, publicly traded companies gain new access to the high-potential demographic hidden in their retail shareholder base. Simply stated, Detroit-based TiiCKER reinvents how individual investors are rewarded for brand loyalty and creates a new, high-affinity audience to the product marketing mix: shareholders. "After decades of advising public companies on how to engage the investment community, we recognized the individual investor was the best kind of shareholder loyal to the brand and to management and long-term focused but they were also the hardest and most expensive to reach. Likewise, retail investor outreach was unmeasurable and siloed in finance or investor relations, far off the radar of the CMO," said TiiCKER founder Jeff Lambert. "We created TiiCKER specifically to convert the 56 million retail investors in the U.S. to consumers, while transforming consumers into shareholders in the brands they love." TiiCKER's online community brings individual investors and public companies together in a uniquely meaningful way, providing insightful content to help investors discover and invest in the brands they buy every day. Many brands give perks to shareholders, such as discounts on products and services, yet many investors are unaware that these perks even exist. In addition, companies and brands market their products to a wide range of affinity groups and target audiences, but rarely offer promotions and discounts to shareholders because "street name" brokerage accounts make these individuals hard to reach. This awareness gap, coupled with the complex process for shareholder verification, also led many companies to just give up on shareholder perks. TiiCKER bridges these gaps by verifying a company's shareholders and automatically serving up redeemable stock perks. TiiCKER drives user loyalty through intelligent software design that makes it easy for brands to regularly connect directly with individual investors and market to them, creating ongoing awareness of available perks. "People literally live, wear and eat the brands on TiiCKER, and their stock portfolio is a reflection of their interests and experiences," said Lambert. "We're here to help individuals discover and strengthen their connection to these brands and to give public companies a way to measure and maximize the lifetime value of their consumer shareholders." By linking dozens of online brokerages to the platform and leveraging TiiCKER's stock trading partner, Tradier, to provide free trading, individual investors are able to view their investments and perks all in one place. Based on user holdings, as well as engaging lifestyle questions and content, the TiiCKER platform serves up insights to help investors regularly discover additional brands, perks and shareholder-exclusive promotions. For more information and to join the next investment movement visit: TiiCKER.com or our social properties @TiiCKER and @TiiCKERPerks. Learn more about TiiCKER here. About TiiCKER Founded in 2019, TiiCKER invented direct shareholder marketing through its web-based and upcoming app software platform that provides consumers and investors a revolutionary way to engage with the brands they love. For individual investors, TiiCKER provides unique access to shareholder perks, commission-free trading, and insights needed to discover and stay close to the brands they follow. For its public company brand partners, TiiCKER enables companies to engage, verify and reward consumer shareholders to better serve and understand their investors and maximize the lifetime value of their consumer shareholders. For more information, please visit TiiCKER.com. MEDIA: Valerie Pesonen Lambert & Co. 313.309.9500 [email protected] INVESTORS: Mike Houston, COO TiiCKER, Inc. 646.475.2998 [email protected] SOURCE TiiCKER Flash floods and landslides have killed at least 16 people and displaced hundreds in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, according to officials, as rescuers continued the search for 23 missing people The flooding, which was triggered by heavy rains that caused three rivers to overflow, began on Monday evening and has since affected more than 4,000 residents of six subdistricts in North Luwu. Raditya Jati, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said on Wednesday that mud covering the main road into North Luwu district had blocked access to affected areas. The latest update from National Search and Rescue Agency 16 people dead and we are looking for 23 people, Jati said. People walk on debris at an area affected by flash-flooding in Masamba, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia [Khaizuran Muchtamir/ AP Photo] A truck is submerged in mud after flash floods swept through Radda Village [Antara Foto/Indra/ via Reuters] In one village, photographs showed a damaged house and a truck partially submerged under thick mud, while a runway at a local airport was also swamped by mud and debris. I hope we will be united in our recovery efforts, Nurdin Abdullah, the governor of South Sulawesi, said on Kompas TV. Indonesia frequently suffers from floods and landslides particularly during the rainy season, though the situation is often made worse by the cutting down of forests. In January, flooding killed 66 people in the capital, Jakarta, amid some of the heaviest rain since records began. (Natural News) Several British universities are now under fire for complying with Chinese internet censors in order to offer distance-learning courses to international students. According to a report by national British daily broadsheet The Telegraph, the courses are offered through software developed by JISC, a digital learning non-profit organization, in partnership with Chinese e-commerce and tech giant Alibaba. The software would allow Chinese students who would normally have to study in the U.K to continue their studies remotely. The software sets up a connection between the institution and the student via the Chinese internet company Alibaba Cloud. The software, however, has to comply with notoriously strict Chinese internet firewalls, which means that students will only have access to course materials that have been previously approved by Beijing. The pilot program involves Kings College London, Queen Mary University of London, University of York and Southampton University all of which are members of the prestigious Russell Group of research institutions. According to reports, the program once it is deemed successful could be rolled out to universities across the country. Brushing off any concerns regarding censorship, a Universities U.K. spokesperson maintains that academic freedom remains of utmost importance and that the organization was not aware of any alteration to course content to comply with local laws. (Related: Academic hypocrisy: Stanford, liberal universities accepted funds from commie Beijing.) This scheme is intended to ensure that Chinese students, learning remotely during the pandemic, can access course materials and are able to continue their studies, the spokesperson said. Matthew Henderson, a former diplomat and the Asia director at the Henry Jackson Society, remained unconvinced, however, noting that what the universities did is tantamount to censorship, as it limits the texts that students get to read. According to Anthony Glees, a professor at the University of Buckingham, the decision to limit the kind of materials that the students could access undermined what could be the main reason that draws overseas students such as those from China to the U.K., which is academic freedom. If you simply make UK universities an extension of what students might learn in the Peoples Republic of China, what would be the academic and intellectual point in coming to study in the U.K.? Glees said. A similar system has already been deployed by several Australian universities. Chinese students now almost a quarter of the U.K.s international student population The controversy surrounding the universities distance-learning program came after the release of a report showing that the U.K. has overtaken the U.S. as the preferred overseas study destination for Chinese students. The survey, published by New Oriental Education & Technology Group and conducted by market research firm Kantar Millward Brown, showed that the U.K. was preferred by 42 percent of the surveys 6,673 respondents, compared to the U.S. which was preferred by 37 percent of the respondents. According to the survey, the shift in students preference can be attributed to several factors, such as the current tense status of Sino-U.S. relations, the U.K.s reopening of its Post Study Work Visa, and quicker graduation requirements. As per official data, Chinese students now account for almost a quarter of the U.K.s total number of international students about 120,385. Several personalities have expressed concern over this, noting the effects of growing Chinese influence on British university campuses. In a column published on the website Conservative Home, Conservative lawmaker, Tom Tugendhat, noted that British society a society he describes as being built upon an open system of education that encourages freedom of thought is currently under threat from China. In the article, Tugendhat the leader of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee warned that the U.K. needs a global China strategy if it is to confront Beijing, which he describes as the biggest challenge to the liberal world since the end of the Cold War. Tugendhats statements came after several Chinese international students at the University of Warwick blocked a student union motion to express support for Hong Kong protesters. Following reports about the U.K.s lead over the U.S. as the preferred foreign destination for Chinese students, Chinas ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming told students to leverage their strength, practice patriotism and serve your motherland further exacerbating concerns over Chinese presence in the U.K. Sources include: Breitbart.com Telegraph.co.uk BBC.com GlobalTimes.cn ConservativeHome.com TheTimes.co.uk Click here to read the full article. Brooks Brothers first week in bankruptcy court, marked by a last-minute switch of debtor-in-possession financing lenders, shows how the retailer may be gearing up for a possible going concern sale. When the retailer began its proceedings in Delaware last Wednesday, its owner and chief executive officer Claudio Del Vecchio told WWD that although the company had entered the proceedings without a stalking-horse bidder despite exploring a sale of the business for years, it hopes for a relatively quick trip through bankruptcy court that would culminate in a sale. More from WWD There are some early indications of how the centuries-old classic mens wear retailer might pull this off. In its first-day hearing last week, the company revealed it had received an $80 million DIP facility offer from a joint entity of licensing company Authentic Brands Group and mall operator Simon Property Group, to replace the $75 million offer from WHP Global that it had entered the process with. The DIP by the ABG and Simon entity, which the court has preliminarily approved, establishes swift milestones in the case for a potential sale to be completed within 88 days of Brooks Chapter 11 petition. The apparent contest to provide the retailers DIP financing, and the involvement of Simon Property at this stage, is notable, bankruptcy experts said. Its an interesting change in retail bankruptcies that the landlord is entering the process very early on by providing the DIP loan, as opposed to waiting until later in the case to assist the company coming out of the bankruptcy, said Joel Shapiro, partner at Blank Rome LLP, who represents companies in bankruptcy proceedings. Shapiro is not involved in the Brooks Brothers case and spoke generally. And it remains to be seen why theyre doing it at this early stage, and we will see that play out during the case, he said. Representatives for Brooks Brothers and Simon Property did not respond to a request for comment. Story continues In general, the bankruptcy process gives a companys lenders some advantages if theyre angling to buy the business. For instance, the ability to credit bid, which is a feature of the bankruptcy code, grants DIP lenders and pre-petition lenders the right to use the amount of their loan to the debtor company as a credit in an eventual auction, if theyre bidding for the assets of the company that they have liens on. That essentially means those lenders could use the claims they own to pay toward a purchase price of those assets, if they successfully bid on them. The DIP lenders are in the strong position of being able to buy the company because they can then credit bid their claim, said Edith Hotchkiss, professor of finance at the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. Companies filing for bankruptcy over the last decade have also shown a tendency to sell their assets, experts said. Hotchkiss, who researches corporate finance and bankruptcy proceedings, said her examination of 540 large corporate bankruptcies between 2002 and 2017 showed that 18 percent of those cases involved a sale of substantially all assets in a going-concern process. That percentage increased when focusing on just 288 firms that had filed for bankruptcy since 2009, with going-concern sales in about 21 percent of those cases, she said. The figures are part of an ongoing study by Hotchkiss on corporate bankruptcies. An earlier version of the study in 2016, titled Cashing Out: The Rise of M&A in Bankruptcy, is available on the social science research network. The proportion is even higher when looking at companies that sell a portion of their assets as a going concern through the bankruptcy process, Hotchkiss said. In cases where there is a partial sale of assets as a going concern, such as a division of the company, the figure rises to 42 percent of the 540 firms that had filed for bankruptcy between 2002 and 2017, she said. Its very typical behavior at this point for firms to essentially, well, pre-market themselves before filing, and then enter bankruptcy with either the stalking horse in place, or something close to that, Hotchkiss said. To say that roughly one in five Chapter 11 cases for large corporations leads to a sale of substantially all assets as a going concern is a very good approximation. Brooks Brothers has indicated it plans to use the bankruptcy proceedings to shrink its footprint the company plans to reject more than 60 leases, according to its first-day declaration in the case by Stephen Marotta, a senior managing director at Ankura Consulting Group LLC, and the retailers chief restructuring officer. The company has roughly 424 retail and factory outlet stores and some 4,025 employees, and its revenue for the fiscal year ending 2019 was roughly $991 million, according to court filings. The company expects its total cash flow in the first 13 weeks of its bankruptcy to be in the range of negative $35.5 million, as its total operating disbursements exceed its projected income, according to a budget attached to its DIP financing. A bankruptcy process can accelerate potential sale timelines, as companies sometimes invoke the so-called melting cube argument of needing to preserve the business as costs rise and the value depreciates. One of the difficulties of sitting in bankruptcy for a longer periodis maybe the negative effect its going to have on the business in the meantime, Hotchkiss said. The flip-side criticism is, you push through a sale too quickly, not realizing the highest value for the assets. But neither a sale or restructuring guarantees the future of the business operating, Hotchkiss said, speaking generally about the prospects for companies in bankruptcy. Value could be more in the brand name and not so much in the stores. For Brooks Brothers, however, there appear to be signs of interest in preserving the companys future, some bankruptcy observers said, even amid the ongoing uncertainty about the future of business workwear as many white-collar professionals continue to work remotely during the pandemic for the foreseeable future. It shows that everyone believes its a strong brand, said Anthony Lupo, partner at Arent Fox LLP. Lupo is not involved in the Brooks Brothers case and spoke generally. I think these companies recognize the opportunity there, if they can clean up some of the debt. The latest numbers are stark: 53 people were shot four fatally from Friday through Monday, the police said. Over the Fourth of July weekend, the police reported 64 shootings. For the year, as of Sunday, there had been 634 shootings in 2020, compared with 394 in same period in 2019. Heres what we know about the violence. The recent casualties The 53 people shot in New York City between Friday and Monday included a 1-year-old boy who was killed on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire at a cookout in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and a 17-year-old boy who was shot in the head on Monday night outside a housing project in East Harlem. Also on Monday, in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, five people were shot in three drive-by shootings. The victims were expected to survive, a police official said. Even teleprompter could not take so many lies: Rahul's dig at PM Modis Davos speech PM CARES Fund: No curb on use of PM's name, photo, image of flag, emblem, PMO tells HC PM Modi to deliver keynote address at High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, July 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address virtually at the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on July 17. The event is being held on Friday between 9.45-11.30 am at the UNHQ. He will be speaking at the valedictory session and will be joined by Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg and UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres. PM Modi to deliver virtual keynote address at High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC on Friday Moderna's Covid vaccine shows promise in early stage trials & more news | Oneindia News The High-Level Segment is held annually by ECOSOC and convenes a diverse group of high level representatives from the government, private sector, civil society and academia. This year, the theme is Multilateralism after COVID-19-What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary. A note from the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said that the event assumes significance as this will be the first opportunity wherein Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the broader UN membership since India's overwhelming election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on June 17. The PM had earlier delivered the keynote address at the 70th anniversary of the ECOSOC, which had taken place on January 22 2016. Online orders of alcohol will not be delivered until the national alcohol ban is lifted, several ecommerce companies have confirmed to MyBroadband. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosas announcement on 12 July that alcohol sales, production, and distribution have been banned in South Africa with immediate effect. This is despite Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu saying in June that government was not considering this option. Ramaphosa said that the alcohol ban has been reinstated because of the large number of alcohol-related cases that have inundated hospitals since the original ban was lifted. While it lessened the strain on hospitals, the initial alcohol ban had an extremely negative effect on the economy. In a joint statement, several alcohol industry organisations said the alcohol industry has lost a total of R18 billion in revenue and R3.4 billion in excise tax during the lockdown. These organisations criticised the decision to reinstate the ban on alcohol sales, dispensation, and distribution. According to these organisations, they have been in constant communication with the government over how to ensure alcohol regulations could be adhered to. Despite these engagements, the industry was given no warning about the ban, nor an opportunity to consult with the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) before a decision was made and no consideration was given to the immediate logistical difficulties it poses for suppliers, distributors, and retailers alike, said these organisations. The governments decision has serious economic consequences, placing hundreds of thousands of livelihoods at risk. One logistical difficulty that the sudden alcohol ban has caused concerns online alcohol orders that have been paid for but cannot be delivered. MyBroadband asked several online stores what would happen to active alcohol orders as a result of the new alcohol ban. Makro Makro confirmed that the ban on liquor sales had resulted in an immediate impact on online liquor orders made prior to, or on, 12 July. It said that in compliance with the governments new regulations, it has implemented the following resolutions: All liquor orders that have not been delivered or collected by the courier will be cancelled and all affected customers will be refunded. All orders already collected by the courier for delivery, but not yet delivered, will be held back until liquor sales are permitted. Makro added that in the second situation, customers will also be offered the option to cancel their orders. CyberCellar CyberCellar said that since the new law states that it is illegal to dispense or transport alcohol, it cannot dispatch from its warehouse. Couriers that have existing orders will likely hold onto them until the ban ends as they did during the previous ban, said CyberCellar. The ecommerce seller said that its customers will receive their orders once the ban ends. Alternatively, they can choose to cancel their orders. CyberCellar said that the decision by Ramaphosa is extremely frustrating as there was no warning given to businesses, and the announcement has posed a major disruption to its business. OneDayOnly OneDayOnly told MyBroadband that all alcohol orders that were scheduled for delivery on Monday 13 July have been recalled, and the company is in the process of receiving these orders from its couriers. We will then safeguard these orders until such time as we are able to dispatch, said OneDayOnly. It added that all stock it was waiting to receive from its suppliers has been put on hold, meaning its suppliers will not deliver any alcohol until the regulations allow it. All affected customers will be kept updated, and we will continue to provide clear communication as more information comes up, said OneDayOnly. Japan's asteroid probe Hayabusa2 will return a capsule containing samples from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth in early December. Japan's education ministry announced that Hayabusa2 is scheduled to drop the capsule onto an Australian desert on December 6. The probe, which is operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, has touched down twice on Ryugu before collecting sand and rocks from its surface. The spacecraft left the asteroid in November last year to return to Earth. JAXA has already formed a team of scientists to recover the capsule and analyze its contents. The team will examine the sample for possible clues into the origins of life. JAXA is now deliberating the asteroid to which Hayabusa2 will next head after it drops the capsule. Terrorists kill 3 Pakistani security personnel in Balochistan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Islamabad, July 14, IRNA -- Three soldiers were killed while eight others were injured when their patrolling party came under attack of terrorists near Pakistan-Iran border in southwestern Balochistan province, a military statement said. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday terrorists attacked Security Forces' routine patrolling party near Gichak valley, Kahan, Panjgoor Balochistan. "3 soldiers embraced shahadat while 8 soldiers received injuries, including an officer. 5 injured are in critical condition," it said. The statement said the injured soldiers have been evacuated to military hospital in provincial capital Quetta. This is the third attack on Pakistani soldiers during past three months in Balochistan. In May Seven Pakistani security personnel were killed by terrorists near Mach in Balochistan, while in the same month one officer and five soldiers of Pakistan's FC were killed as their vehicle was targeted with remote controlled IED near Pak-Iran border in Balochistan. 272**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Online Learning Google Adds 3 New Certificates on Coursera Google has announced three new certificate programs on Coursera: Data Analytics, Project Management, and User Experience Design. Part of the company's Grow with Google initiative, the Google Career Certificates are available to anyone, with no degree required to enroll. Google's first certificate program, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, launched in 2018, with 80 percent of participants reporting that the program helped them advance their job search or career within six months. The new programs focus on equipping participants with essential tech skills for the workforce. They are created and taught by Google employees and can be completed in three to six months, the company said. Google is creating a hiring consortium for the certificates, to help connect completers directly with potential employers. And it is offering on-the-job training through a number of apprenticeship opportunities at Google, and will "consider all of its career certificates as the equivalent of a four-year degree for related roles at Google," according to a news announcement. Google is making 100,000 need-based scholarships available to certificate program participants, and has also awarded $10 million in grants to nonprofits YWCA, NPower and JFF, to "help workforce boards and nonprofits improve their job training programs and increase access to digital skills for women, veterans, and underserved Americans." "Google wants to ensure that technology helps all Americans emerge from this economic crisis without limitation based on zip code, race, background or education level," said Lisa Gevelber, Vice President of Grow with Google, in a statement. "We are excited to help equip Americans with the skills they need to succeed and get jobs through these new career certificates and scholarships." For more information, visit the Google site. In the almost two weeks since army reservist Corey Hurren attempted to assassinate Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it has become manifestly evident that the 46-year-old was motivated by long-standing far-right political convictions. Yet even as more evidence comes to light exposing Hurrens affinity for right-wing extremist views and websites, the political establishment, military, and corporate media continue to downplay the significance of his actions. Indeed, they are even trying to deny that they were politically motivated. Hurren was detained on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the official residence of Governor General Julie Payette and temporary residence of Trudeau, after crashing his pickup through the main gate early on the morning of July 2. Officially on full-time military duty at the time of his arrest, he was heavily armed, including with at least four firearms. He is due to appear in court on Friday on 22 charges of firearms offences and uttering death threats. Last week, anonymous sources spoke to the media about the contents of a note that Hurren allegedly wanted to deliver to Trudeau. The would-be assassin wrote that it was time for a wake-up call for Canada, which was in danger of becoming a communist dictatorship under Trudeaus Liberal government. He also wrote of his concern that his truck would be repossessed due to the collapse of his sausage-making business amid the coronavirus pandemic. Such a development, Hurren complained, would make it impossible for him to remain part of the Canadian Rangers, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) reserve unit responsible for patrolling rural and coastal areas. However, Hurrens far-right views were not merely a reaction to the economic and social distress triggered by the pandemic. A Toronto Star article published last weekend revealed that he had created a webpage in the early 2000s that promoted Infowars and other ultra-right conspiracy websites. Infowars is run by the right-wing extremist provocateur Alex Jones, who claims that the Democrats want to establish communism in the United States and conduct a white genocide. Just one hour prior to crashing his truck through Rideau Halls gates, Hurren shared an online post associated with QAnon, an internet-based fascist trend that urges US President Donald Trump to order the arrest of the Democratic Party leadership and impose dictatorial rule. The day prior to Hurrens attack on Rideau Hall, a right-wing extremist Dominion Day rally was held on Parliament Hill. Among the signs at the protest were one showing a picture of Trudeau standing in a gallows, another calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty for the Prime Minister, and several indicating support for QAnon. It is not known whether Hurren attended the event. The Star also revealed that Hurren penned an article in 2015 praising his familys military service and promoting the use of the term old stock Canadian, a phrase coined by the political right to refer to white, Christian, English or French speakers whose descendants have resided in Canada for several generations. During the 2015 federal election campaign, the phrase was used by Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper to whip up anti-immigrant chauvinism and mobilize the hard-right base of the Tory Party, including far-right elements. We are the people who built this country, defended this country, and made it one of the most desirable places on the planet to live, wrote Hurren in his 2015 article. That is also why people still want to come here and start a better life. If some of you still think it is an insult to be called an Old Stock Canadian then I think you are wrong. It is a title and a heritage that you should be proud of. Hurrens longstanding far-right sympathies and association with the militaryhe served as an artillery soldier between 1997 and 2000, before joining the reserves last yearraises many troubling questions. These include: Was the military, which claims to be concerned about the prevalence of racist and far-right views in its ranks, aware of Hurrens views? Did he share them with fellow Rangers and other CAF personnel whom he came in contact with, including during the weeks immediately prior to his assault on Rideau Hall, when he was on full-time active service duty as parts of the Canadian militarys COVID-19 deployment? How did Hurren obtain his arsenal of weapons, at least two of which were illegal? The corporate-controlled media has proven staggeringly uninterested in exploring any of these issues, just it has accepted the few details shared by the military and government about the events of July 2 as the full story. Thanks to the indifference of the corporate media, even basic information about the attacksuch as whether Hurren carried it out in CAF battle fatiguesis not publicly known. Publicly, at least, Canadas political establishment is presenting the attempted assassination of the prime minister as a virtual non-event, worthy of little comment, let alone investigation. Since Trudeau gave a perfunctory thank you to the RCMP one day after Hurrens arrest for their response to this concerning incident, no government official has bothered to speak publicly on the attempted killing of Canadas current head of government. (See: HYPERLINK "https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/07/08/trud-j08.html" Canadian establishment downplays failed attempt to assassinate Trudeau) The media coverage has been deliberately pitched to downplay and trivialize the event, with Hurren referred to as the Rideau Hall intruder, and someone who may have been seeking suicide by cop. Intelligence agency experts have also been cited to deny the obvious: that Hurrens actions were politically motivated. I still dont necessarily see this as an ideologically-motivated attack. Just because [he believed] in conspiracy theories doesnt mean thats why he ended up doing what he did, Jessica Davis, a security consultant and former CSIS analyst, told the Star. His motivation really does seem quite mixed. The political establishment and corporate media are anxious to conceal how the dramatic shift of bourgeois politics to the right over the past two decades is incubating extreme right-wing forces, including in the institutions of the state. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Canadas ruling elite united, in the name of the war on terror, around a policy of increased collaboration with Washington in aggression and war around the world, and attacks on democratic rights at home. In intrigues and military interventions from Haiti in 2004 to the ongoing CAF deployment in Ukraine, Canadian imperialism has pursued its predatory interests by allying with far-right and outright fascistic forces. Last year, a Canadian military intelligence report admitted that at least three dozen armed forces personnel were members of ultra-right groups or had voiced racist or extremist views. Prime Minister Harper, while whipping up anti-immigrant and Islamophobic prejudice, including with the references to old stock Canadians that Hurren apparently found so appealing, also declared Canada to be a warrior nation whose citizens owed their freedoms to the militarys battlefield prowess. While Trudeau and his trade union and New Democratic Party (NDP) allies have distanced themselves from such explicitly bellicose assertions of Canadian imperialist interests, they are in fundamental agreement with Harpers goal of massively expanding the resources of the military to wage war around the world. Trudeau has pledged to hike military spending by over 70 percent by 2026, and his government has integrated Canadas armed forces even more fully into US-led military-strategic offensives in the oil-rich Middle East, and against Russia and China. In the latest coronavirus spending bill adopted by the Liberal government with NDP support on June 17, the government smuggled in over half a billion dollars to ensure ongoing funding for the building of two warships in Vancouver. A serious examination of Hurrens background, would reveal the fact that the military and security agencies of the Canadian capitalist state are breeding grounds for far-right forces. In so doing, it would cut across the efforts of Trudeau and his allies, including the NDP, to pursue rearmament and promote Canada as a benign, humanitarian and pacific force on the global stage. It is within this context that the response of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh to Hurrens attempted assassination of Trudeau should be understood. Singh told a press conference last Wednesday that the main issue and concern raised by the July 2 events was that had Hurren been a person of colour it would have ended differently. Singh compared Hurrens peaceful surrender after a 90-minute police de-escalation effort to the fate of Ejaz Choudry, a South Asian man who was shot to death by police in his own home in Mississauga last month just minutes after they had arrived for a wellness check. That contrastsomeone showed up to potentially kill the prime minister of Canada, or with weapons at his residence, and that person was arrested without any violence and you had a person who in his own home was killed, commented Singh. That to me is what systemic racism in policing is all about. Singh then proceeded to praise the fascist-minded Trump for the cosmetic reforms he presented in an executive order last month following the mass protests against the brutal police murder of George Floydprotests that Trump had sought to suppress with military violence. The fact that President Trump, who has been horrible on this issue, who has said hateful things and Ive called him out on that, has done more in terms of a concrete policy change than the prime minister of Canada who says that he is an ally, that to me is really troubling, said Singh. Hes literally done nothing. Singhs intervention is a deliberate effort to dissipate popular concern over and opposition to the rise of the extreme right and divert it in a reactionary direction. At the very point when workers should be questioning the complicity of the capitalist state, its parties and its institutions, including the military and police, in the growth and emboldening of far-right forces, the NDP intervenes to declare that everything can be put right. All that is necessary is to change the racist mindsets of a few cops and ensure racial equity within the existing state structures and social order i.e., secure the equal right of wealthy blacks and whites to sit in corporate boardrooms, occupy senior positions within the repressive state apparatus, and exploit the working class. The fear that people developed at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak has given way to anger over the course of the pandemic, a study of global sentiments led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found. In an analysis of over 20 million tweets in English related to the coronavirus, an international team of communication researchers observed that tweets reflecting fear, while dominant at the start of the outbreak due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, have tapered off over the course of the pandemic. Xenophobia was a common theme among anger-related tweets, which progressively increased, peaking on 12 March - a day after the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The anger then evolved to reflect feelings arising from isolation and social seclusion. Accompanying this later shift is the emergence of tweets that show joy, which the researchers say suggested a sense of pride, gratitude, hope, and happiness. Tweets that reflected sadness doubled, although they remain proportionally lower than the other emotions. The rapid evolution of global COVID-19 sentiments within a short period of time points to a need to address increasingly volatile emotions through strategic communication by government and health authorities, as well as responsible behaviour by netizens before they give rise to "unintended outcomes", said Professor May O. Lwin of NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. Prof Lwin, who led the team representing four countries, said: "Worldwide, strong negative sentiments of fear were detected in the early phases of pandemic but by early April, these emotions have gradually been replaced by anger. Our findings suggest that collective issues driven by emotions, such as shared experiences of distress of the COVID-19 pandemic including large-scale social isolation and the loss of human lives, are developing. "If such overbearing public emotions are not addressed through clear and decisive communication by authorities, citizen groups and social media stakeholders, there is potential for the emergence of issues such as breeding mistrust in the handling of the disease, and a belief in online falsehoods that could hinder the ongoing control of the disease." The study was published in the scientific journal JMIR Public Health & Surveillance in May. A glimmer of hope and gratitude amidst anger To identify trends in the expression of the four basic emotions - fear, anger, sadness, and joy - and examine the narratives underlying those emotions, Prof Lwin and her team first collected 20,325,929 tweets in English containing the keywords 'Wuhan', 'corona', 'nCov', and 'covid'. The tweets, collected from late January to early April at the Institute of High Performance Computing in Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) using Twitter's standard search application interface programme, came from over 7 million unique users in more than 170 countries. "Although the data looks at only public tweets surrounding the four selected keywords, the results are sufficient to start a conversation about possible issues arising from the pandemic at present," said Prof Lwin, whose collaborators also include Tianjin University, University of Lugano, and University of Melbourne. The underlying emotions of tweets were then analysed using an algorithm developed by A*STAR, whose accuracy has been demonstrated in previous studies. Word clouds based on the top single words and two-word phrases were generated for each of the four emotions. Upon analysing the results, the team found that words such as 'first case' and 'outbreak' were among the most-used words in tweets from late January, indicating fear that was possibly related to the emerging coronavirus and the unknown nature of it, causing uncertainty about containment and spread. Xenophobia was also reflected at the start of the pandemic, when the disease was predominantly contained in China and Asia, as indicated by words such as 'racist' and 'Chinese people'. As the pandemic escalated, fears around shortages of COVID-19 diagnostic tests and medical supplies emerged, as suggested by words such as 'test shortages' and 'uncounted'. Anger then shifted to discourses around the isolation fatigue that can occur from social seclusion, indicated by words such as "stay home" and several swear words. Signs of sadness surrounding the topics of losing friends and family members also started to surface, with words relating to 'loved one' and 'passed away' highlighting potential social concerns arising from personal traumatic experiences of the pandemic. But accompanying these negative emotions were parallel escalating sentiments of joy relating to national pride, gratitude, and community spirit, the NTU-led team found, with words such as 'thank', 'good news' and 'feel good'. Tweets that were collected and analysed from early April to mid-June as an extension of the JMIR study also showed that these positive sentiments exceeded fear postings on social media. Upcoming follow-up studies led by Prof Lwin will dive into country-specific trends in public emotions. Preliminary findings show that in Singapore, there is a moderate balance of positive sentiments relating to resilience, civic pride, and celebration of heroic acts and acts of kindness. This is in contrast to other countries where strong negative emotions overwhelmingly feature in the social media posts. ### This work is funded by A*STAR and the National Research Foundation Singapore under the COVID-19 Research Fund, administered by the Singapore Ministry of Health's National Medical Research Council. Note to Editors: Paper 'Global sentiments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter' published in JMIR Public Health & Surveillance, May 2020. doi:10.2196/19447 Media contact: Foo Jie Ying Manager, Corporate Communications Office Nanyang Technological University Email: jieying@ntu.edu.sg About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges. It also has a medical school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, set up jointly with Imperial College London. NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes - the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering - and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N). Ranked amongst the world's top universities by QS, NTU has also been named the world's top young university for the past seven years. The University's main campus is frequently listed among the Top 15 most beautiful university campuses in the world and it has 57 Green Mark-certified (equivalent to LEED-certified) building projects, of which 95% are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a campus in Singapore's healthcare district. For more information, visit http://www.ntu.edu.sg. A Bangladeshi-origin technology entrepreneur who founded Nigerias Gokada ride-hailing app was found decapitated and dismembered in a luxury New York condo with a power saw plugged in nearby. The body of Fahim Saleh, 33, was found at around 3.30pm local time on Tuesday inside his apartment on the Lower East Side. Detectives found Salehs torso near a power saw and later discovered his head and limbs sorted into plastic bags, police told New York crime reporters. Salehs sister discovered the body and the fact the saw was still connected led detectives to suspect her arrival may have startled the perpetrator, who would have fled through another exit, The New York Times reported. We have a torso, a head thats been removed, arms and legs. Everything is still on the scene. We dont have a motive, said police spokesman Carlos Nieves. Security camera video showed Saleh in an elevator with a man in a dark suit, mask and gloves, media reports said. By Nichola Saminather TORONTO (Reuters) - The shift to Canadian traders working from home is putting the systems used to monitor their activity to the test, with some experts saying the technology needs to be more robust to secure against unauthorized activity or possible insider trading. The Bank of Canada warned in May the move to remote work could leave financial institutions more exposed to operational vulnerabilities, including increased challenges to trade surveillance from changing trading patterns. The central bank declined to comment for this story. So far, banks and the trading regulator have not significantly changed their surveillance systems, and little suspicious activity has come to light since most traders began working remotely in March. But some warn of risks. "More time is needed to detect any issues or malfeasance with work from home," said Marius Zoican, assistant professor of finance at the University of Toronto. The trading volatility seen at some points during the crisis, combined with a surge in retail trading, adds "noise to any 'signal' regulators might be looking for." The risks are higher for less-heavily-scrutinized securities like fixed income and other over-the-counter trading, according to Richard Carleton, chief executive of the Canadian Securities Exchange, which only hosts equities. "Banks' technology is sufficient to do trading, order reception, order execution" remotely, Zoican said. But without the added security of trading-floor cameras and on-site supervisors, there are gaps with remote trading, he said. Exemptions offered by the regulator, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), including relief from in-person audits, identity checks and reporting deadlines, could also delay detection. The technology could fall short in areas including determining whether a particular trader is the one carrying out trades, and instances of insider trading, Zoican said. Story continues Surveillance systems should include key-stroke recording, and firms' proprietary information should exist solely on the cloud, said Chris Ford, Canada chief executive of financial services-focused management consultancy Capco. IIROC hopes the changes wrought by the pandemic will "yield lessons" for the future, but such discussion is premature, a spokeswoman said, indicating changes are not on the horizon. Commercial banks have also maintained their systems. "The physical presence of a supervisor on the trading floor has now been replaced by a person ... working with teams on a regular basis remotely," said David Barrons, head of trading business management at Toronto-Dominion Bank. "All the other surveillance that we've done before has not changed." CRACKS Royal Bank of Canada, the nation's biggest bank, has deployed secure laptops with surveillance technology and communication equipment, said Bruce Ross, group head of technology and operations at the lender. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce said its trading teams are supported by "sophisticated trade surveillance technology and the expertise of our compliance teams." Nasdaq's surveillance software, which IIROC uses, functions the same when traders work from home as on trading floors, a spokesman said. But the technology does not record keystrokes or activity off the software, he said. Bank of Nova Scotia declined to comment. Bank of Montreal did not respond to a request for comment. Former IIROC executive Wendy Rudd, now on the board of industry group Canadian Regulatory Technology Association (CRTA), said while technology exists to bridge the gaps, smaller firms may not know of it, and legacy systems could hinder adoption at larger companies. "The shift has been so quick, the regulatory and compliance sides have had to evolve on the fly," said Bryden Teich, portfolio manager at Avenue Investment Management, which executes trades through one of the major banks. "Will stuff fall through the cracks? Yes. But it's a heavily regulated industry and there are things in place to safeguard the system." The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which oversees IIROC, will introduce a post-trade market analysis platform this fall complementing IIROC's live surveillance technology. Replacing its current system, it will "provide increased efficiency in the analysis and investigation stages by automating several processes," a CSA spokeswoman said. But it will initially only cover equities trading. While IIROC requires firms using its relief measures to have alternatives, it lets them determine what those are. "Canadian regulators are not that prescriptive," said CRTA co-founder Donna Bales. "If they were, you can have machine-readable rules," she added. "There are movements within some of the other global regulators to move toward more prescriptive rules in machine-readable format." (Reporting By Nichola Saminather; Editing by Denny Thomas and Chris Reese) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marlowe Hood (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Wed, July 15, 2020 07:10 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066650e4c 2 World baby,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Doctors in France have described what they said was the first confirmed case of a newborn infected in the womb with COVID-19 by the mother. The baby boy, born in March, suffered brain swelling and neurological symptoms linked to COVID-19 in adults, but has since recovered, they reported Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. Earlier research had pointed to the likely transmission of the virus from mother to fetus, but the study offers the first solid evidence, said senior author Daniele De Luca, a doctor at Antoine Beclere Hospital near Paris. "We have shown that the transmission from the mother to the fetus across the placenta is possible during the last weeks of pregnancy," he said. Last week, researchers in Italy said that data on 31 pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 "strongly suggested" that the virus could be passed on to unborn infants. A JAMA study in March reporting on a similar number of pregnant COVID-19 patients came to a similar conclusion. But evidence remained circumstantial. "You need to analyze maternal blood, amniotic fluid, the newborn's blood, the placenta, et cetera," De Luca said by phone. "Getting all of these samples during a pandemic with emergencies everywhere has not been easy. This is why it has been suspected but never demonstrated." De Luca and his team pulled together this data for the case of a pregnant woman in her twenties admitted to his hospital in early March. Because the baby was delivered by caesarean section, all of the potential sources and reservoirs of the virus remained intact. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2, the technical name given to the virus, was highest in the placenta, the researchers found. "From there it passed through the umbilical cord to the baby, where it develops," De Luca said. "That is the pathway of transmission." 'Bad news' The baby began to develop severe symptoms 24 hours after birth, including severe rigidity of the body, damage to white matter in the brain, and extreme irritability. But before doctors could settle on a course of treatment, the symptoms began to recede. Within three weeks, the newborn had almost fully recovered on his own. Three months later, his mother is without symptoms. "The bad news is that this actually happened, and can happen," De Luca said. "The good news is that it is rare -- very rare compared to the global population." Among the thousands of babies born to mothers with COVID-19, no more than one or two percent have tested positive for the virus, and even fewer show serious symptoms, said Marian Knight, a professor of maternal and child population health at the University of Oxford who was not involved in the research. "The most important message for pregnant women remains to avoid infection through paying attention to hand washing and social distancing measures," she said. Others said the case study shed light on how the virus passes from mother to child. "This report adds knowledge to a possible mechanism of transfer to the baby, via the placenta," commented Andrew Shennan, a professor of obstetrics at King's College London. "But women can remain reassured that pregnancy is not a significant risk factor for them or their babies with COVID-19." The department said it exercised restraint. This is what the videos show. At the height of the recent Black Lives Matter marches in New York City, the police were repeatedly recorded using force against protesters. The videos below contain scenes of violence. It was two hours after curfew on the sixth night of protests against police brutality in New York City. An officer in Brooklyn pushed a protester so hard that she fell backward on the pavement. Then he shoved someone on a bicycle and picked up and body-slammed a third person into the street. An officer shoves a protester to the ground and shoves a cyclist. The same officer then body-slams a third person to the pavement. June 2, Fourth and Atlantic Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Daniel Altschuler Nearby, a man fell running from the police. Officers swarmed him and beat him with batons. A commanding officer, in his white-shirted uniform, joined the fray and stepped on the mans neck. Several officers chase down and beat a person with their batons. A white-shirted officer runs up and steps on the persons neck. June 2, Fourth and Atlantic Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Allison McCann/The New York Times All of it was caught on video. In fact, the New York Times found more than 60 videos that show the police using force on protesters during the first 10 days of demonstrations in the city after the death of George Floyd. A review of the videos, shot by protesters and journalists, suggests that many of the police attacks, often led by high-ranking officers, were not warranted. Some videos have been edited for length and clarity. See the full set of videos below. A video of five or 10 or 30 seconds does not tell the whole story, of course. It does not depict what happened before the camera started rolling. It is unclear from the videos, for instance, what the officers intentions were or why protesters were being arrested or told to move. But the Police Departments patrol guide says officers may use only the reasonable force necessary to gain control or custody of a subject. Force, policing experts say, must be proportionate to the threat or resistance at hand at the moment it is applied. In instance after instance, the police are seen using force on people who do not appear to be resisting arrest or posing an immediate threat to anyone. Officers attacked people who had their hands up. A white-shirted officer shoves someone, who falls backward. May 29, Fifth Avenue and Bergen Street, Brooklyn. Source: @crankberries They hit people who were walking away from them. A white-shirted officer uses a baton to strike a person on a bike. June 4, Washington Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Source: John Knefel They grabbed people from behind. An officer walks into a crowd to grab someone from behind and pull them to the ground. A second officer throws a second person to the ground. June 2, Fifth Avenue and East 83rd Street, Manhattan. Source: Requested anonymity And they repeatedly pummeled people who were already on the ground. A person is tackled to the ground by a group of officers and punched in the head multiple times. June 6, Nassau and Gold Streets, Brooklyn. Source: Mike Hassell Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea has maintained that misconduct during the protests was confined to isolated cases and that officers were confronted with violence by protesters. He noted that during the first week of demonstrations, people looted businesses, burned police cars and attacked officers with bricks, bottles and in one case a fire extinguisher. The unrest prompted Mayor Bill de Blasio to impose an 8 p.m. curfew. I think the officers used an incredible amount of restraint in terms of allowing people to vent, Commissioner Shea said on June 22. I am proud of their performance in policing these protests, ending the riots and upholding the rule of law. Yet for just about each viral moment that emerged from the protests officers violently shoving a woman to the ground or beating a cyclist who seemed to be doing nothing more than trying to cross the street The Times turned up multiple examples of similar behavior. The police responded to words with punches and pepper spray. An officer hits a person in the face and knocks them down. The person gets up and moments later is pepper-sprayed and shoved again. Two more officers pepper-spray a crowd of people. May 30, Flatbush Avenue Extension and DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn. Source: Jean-Cosme Delaloye/JCDe Productions Officers charged into peaceful crowds and pushed people to the ground. An officer pushes through a crowd and grabs a person by the neck to push them aside. Another officer knocks the person over, and the first officer throws the person down again when they try to get up. May 30, Bedford and Tilden Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Doug Gordon Sometimes, they appeared to lash out at random. An officer runs up and shoves someone several times, and then shoves a second and third person standing nearby. May 29, Greene and Classon Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Zach Williams Devora Kaye, the Police Departments assistant commissioner for public information, declined repeated requests to review the full set of videos provided by The Times and to explain the use of force in them. She reiterated that isolated incidents of misconduct were being addressed, noted that four officers had already been disciplined, and said that the departments Internal Affairs Bureau was investigating 51 cases of use of force during the protests. The N.Y.P.D. has zero tolerance for inappropriate or excessive use of force, she wrote, but it is also critical to review the totality of the circumstances that lead to interactions where force is used. The police said that nearly 400 officers were injured during the protests, and that 132 of the more than 2,500 people arrested reported injuries, but that they did not have records of injured people who were not arrested. Protesters have described and documented at least five broken or fractured bones and four concussions. When presented with the videos collected by The Times, Kapil Longani, counsel to Mr. de Blasio, said, These incidents are disturbing and New Yorkers deserve a full accounting of these matters and access to a transparent disciplinary process. But he cautioned that the police disciplinary system needed time to carry out thorough investigations. To conclude that these officers or any American committed a crime without due process is inconsistent with the fundamental fairness that underlies our judicial system, Mr. Longani said. The Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents most N.Y.P.D. officers, declined to comment on the videos. The episodes in the videos The Times reviewed were spread across 15 neighborhoods in three boroughs. Several videos each were taken June 3 in Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and on June 4 in Mott Haven in the Bronx, when officers kettled protesters into tight spaces and then beat them with batons. Philip M. Stinson, a Bowling Green State University criminologist and former police officer who studies the use of force by the police, offered a blunt assessment of the behavior shown in these videos. A lot of this was street justice, he said, gratuitous acts of extrajudicial violence doled out by police officers on the street to teach somebody a lesson. Sometimes, the police went after people already in custody. A person is being led away when an officer throws them to the ground. May 30, Bedford and Tilden Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Lauren Mitchell Sometimes officers went after people they did not appear interested in arresting at all. An officer grabs someone from behind and throws the person into a parked car, where they appear to hit their head. Another officer steps over the persons immobile body. May 29, 67 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn. Source: Michael Thoreau Mr. Stinson said that in some of the videos, the police used force permissibly. He saw nothing inappropriate, for example, in this widely viewed video of officers using batons on people who appeared to be trying to evade arrest. Officers repeatedly hit two people with batons. Another officer pushes someone to the ground. May 29, Barclays Center, Brooklyn. Source: Jon Campbell In many other videos, though, he said he believed that force had been applied without discipline or supervision. Some of the stuff that they do is so sloppy, he said. Some of it is just downright criminal. Scott Hechinger, a public defender for nearly a decade in Brooklyn, said he found it striking that being filmed by crowds of protesters did not seem to inhibit some officers conduct. That the police were able and willing to perform such brazen violence when surrounded by cellphone cameras and when the whole world was watching at this moment more than any other, underscores how police feel and know they will never be held to account in any meaningful way even for the most egregious acts of violence, Mr. Hechinger said. Many of the videos show violence led by officers in white shirts, signaling a rank of lieutenant or higher. In Manhattan on June 2, one commander shoved a protester and another pulled her down by the hair. A white-shirted officer pushes one person down, and then shoves another. A second officer grabs a protester by the hair to bring her to the ground. June 2, 17 Battery Place, Manhattan. Source: Brandon Remmert A civil rights lawyer with the legal aid group the Bronx Defenders, Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, said she saw violations of constitutional rights in nearly all the videos, including the rights to free speech and due process. The primary question is whether the force is reasonable, but you have to remember, if theyre not arresting someone, they shouldnt be using any force, Ms. Borchetta said. At several protests, the police used bicycles as weapons. Two officers lift their bicycles and push them repeatedly into a group of people, knocking one person over. May 28, Union Square, Manhattan. Source: Requested anonymity More often, they used their hands. An officer shoves two people, and one falls to the ground. May 29, DeKalb and Classon Avenues, Brooklyn. Source: Requested anonymity The protests, and the outcry over the policing of them, have already led to changes. State legislators overturned a law that kept police discipline records secret and New York City cut its police budget and broadened a ban on chokeholds. Last week, New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, called for an independent commission to permanently oversee the Police Department. But acts of force by the police are still being caught on video, more than six weeks into the protests. Axel Hernandez, a high school teacher in New York City who on June 3 filmed an officer throwing someone down by the neck, said he felt it was important to continue to keep watch over the police. Part of the reason were out here is because they were on George Floyds neck, said Mr. Hernandez, 30. This is exactly why we are protesting in the first place. The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has celebrated a significant milestone in its transformation journey after being awarded The Middle Easts Best Bank Transformation by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2020. The global financial sectors most esteemed accolades also honoured it with the Bahrains Best Bank honour for the second consecutive year. NBB was nominated as a result of its significant transformation, positive results delivered over the past year, as well as its continued market leadership and ongoing efforts and investments in innovation. These coveted awards are a milestone of NBBs successful growth journey which has seen the bank heavily invest in the latest technologies and talent skill to digitally transform and modernise every aspect of the banking experience, converting it into a leading customer centric financial institution, officials said during a virtual celebratory event attended by the bank's board, management, staff and media persons. Commenting on the two awards, NBB Chairman Farouk Yousuf Khalil Almoayyed stated: This recognition is without doubt a proud accomplishment for NBB, and an even prouder moment for the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is regionally acknowledged as a regulatory benchmark and still holds firm as the financial hub of the Middle East. The awards stand testament to the efforts exerted over the course of the last three years to transform NBB into an institution focused towards the future and a solid, and agile entity that can adapt to changing market dynamics. Today, NBB is reaping the rewards of its strategic shift as a customer centric, digitally capable, modern and accessible banking institution with a unique value proposition for everyone it serves. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the banks board and management for navigating the complex market conditions and steering the organisation to new heights, and above all, to our customers for their unwavering loyalty and the people of NBB whose efforts have paved the way for the Banks numerous milestones including this regional accolade. Over the last three years, in light of the shift in customer expectations, banking habits and increased demand for digital solutions, NBB remained focused on serving the evolving needs of each and every segment of its customer base, spanning retail, corporate and SMEs, while maintaining high level standards in risk management and controls framework. With the customer experience as the driver of its strategy, the Bank prioritised its transformation across all customer touch points, serving different community members, including the special needs, who are being provided with physical, visual, and hearing supported services. Jean-Christophe Durand, Chief Executive Officer of NBB, stated: It is an honour for us at NBB to have received such recognition at local and regional level. These two awards underline the remarkable progress we have made in the past three years in executing and bringing to life our transformation strategy, despite the industry and market challenges. These accolades underscore our achievements to-date and further boost our drive to realize all our business ambitions. Today, we are in the position to be delivering on our brand promise, Closer to You; a commitment we made to our customers to add value and elevate their banking experience through service quality, innovation and the latest offerings. It is a journey that has taken a lot of work and dedication to achieve by every single person at NBB, and I would like to thank our teams, board members, and particularly our customers for putting their trust in NBB, and for continuously supporting us on our growth path as we continue to make further progress. Virginia Furness, Middle East Editor at Euromoney, said: This award recognises NBBs radical transformation programme, which is already delivering impressive results. Digital has been at the heart of the banks strategy, becoming the first bank in MENA to roll out Open Banking Solutions. It has invested in areas such as IT, internal processes, risk management structures and is raising the compliance function to international standards. Underpinning it all is the contribution made by the banks people. Investments in human capital development have been fundamental to achieving the banks vision, with a major part of its transformation focus being the re-engineering and upskilling of its internal talent pool. TradeArabia News Service Sani Omolori (pictured), clerk of the national assembly, has been forced to retire after a failed bid for his tenure and other senior ma... Sani Omolori (pictured), clerk of the national assembly, has been forced to retire after a failed bid for his tenure and other senior management staff to be extended. Omoloris retirement was approved by the National Assembly Service Commission on Wednesday. In a document signed by Ahmed Amshi, its chairman, the commission also approved the retirement age for national assembly staff as 60 years of age or upon 35 years of service. Omolori failed to leave despite being due for retirement. An illegal plot by the previous assembly saw the conditions of service of the national assembly staff being amended, increasing the requirement of retirement for the staff to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service. Some other senior management staff of the national assembly were affected by the new development. Pursuant to its mandate as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as amended), the National Assembly Service Commission at its 497th meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 has approved the retirement age of the staff of the National Assembly Service as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first, Amshi said. To this effect the commission has approved the immediate retirement of staff of the National Assembly Service who have already attained the retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age. Retirement letters would be issued to the affected staff accordingly. TheCable had reported how a bill tagged the Retirement age and conditions of service bill, increased the requirement of retirement for the staff to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service, contrary to civil service rules. Sources privy to the matter that the bill was secretly approved towards the end of the tenure of the previous assembly despite rejection by many lawmakers, including those now in leadership positions at the two legislative chambers. Although the amendment covers all staff of the national assembly commission, Omolori and some top officials including Giwa Anonkhai, clerk of the house of representatives and Olusanya Ajakaye, secretary of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), were the main beneficiaries. Omolori, who started his civil service career on February 6, 1985, was due to retire in February, while Ajakaye, who was born on August 19, 1959, was due to retire in August 2019. Also, Anonkhai, born on November 25, 1960, is due to retire in November. Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of service (HoS), recently faulted the attempt to extend the tenure of the affected national assembly staff through a memo to Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives. Yemi-Esan had argued that the public service rules provide only for attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years of service for an officer to retire, whichever comes earlier. Representative Steve Watkins, Republican of Kansas, was charged with three felonies related to voter fraud on Tuesday, shortly before a televised debate in which he dismissed the accusations involving a municipal election as a political move. The district attorney of Shawnee County, Mike Kagay, charged Mr. Watkins with three felonies: interference with law enforcement by providing false information, voting without being qualified and unlawful advance voting. Mr. Watkins was also charged with failing to notify the state motor vehicle agency of a change of address, a misdemeanor. Mr. Watkins changed his voter registration address to a UPS store last year before voting in a City Council race that was decided by 13 votes, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. During the primary debate on Tuesday night, Mr. Watkins, a first-term representative, said that he had accidentally put his mailing address instead of his physical address on his voter registration form and that he had corrected the error as soon as he became aware of it. Despite a nationwide quarantine that was lifted in early June, the government is being pressured by health experts to revive the nationwide lockdown that first took effect in early April. This did seem to halt the spread of the virus and make it easier to treat those who had it, or thought they did. The virus panic has brought out a lot of patients who are victims of anxiety, not covid19. The quarantine has been lifted in rural areas where there have been far fewer covid19 cases. But now there are calls to keep the lockdown in cities. The problem is that this shuts down the economy and the government has not got the resources to feed and care for so many urban Filipinos who are confined to their homes. Many of the confined are going hungry and not willing to quietly starve to death. People are defying the lockdown to survive all manner of privation. Covid19 cases in the Philippines are concentrated in cities, especially the capital Manila. Overall, the Philippines has suffered fifteen covid19 (coronavirus) deaths per million population so far, which is up from nine per million five weeks ago. Confirmed cases per million have gone from 200 to 525 known cases of the virus per million people. In early April the government ordered a nationwide lockdown to halt the spread of the virus and make it easier to treat those who have it. Many Filipinos do the simple math and realize that the efforts to halt the spread of the virus are more dangerous than the virus itself. Neighbors Malaysia currently has had 270 cases and four deaths per million, Singapore has 7,968 confirmed cases per million and five deaths per million while Indonesia has 287 cases per million and 14 deaths per million. The Philippines has an advantage because it has no land borders with any other nation. The Philippines consists of 7,600 islands, which further limits the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed cases is more a matter of how many people could be tested. An accurate count of covid19 deaths depends on the ability to test those who die, or are dying from covid19. This coronavirus has symptoms similar to many other existing diseases and the breathing problems that often kill covid19 victims are similar to those dying from pneumonia. This is a common cause of death for the elderly or those already weakened by other diseases. These comprise a disproportionate number of known covid19 fatalities. The number of confirmed cases is just that, people who have been tested and found to be, or has been infected. Its been known from the beginning (thanks to being able to test everyone on cruise ships and warships) that 80 percent of the population suffers no ill effects from the virus and half those who do get it feel no ill effects. The death rate for covid19 is low compared to the killer epidemics of the past (smallpox, typhoid, and so on) but higher than most strains of influenzas that appear each year. Scary but not that scary. July 13, 2020: The U.S. took a stronger stand against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea by declaring Chinese claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control these resources. In 2016 an international court ruled against China and stated that occupying uninhabitable rocks and building artificial islands did not confer an EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). Ownership of rocks gets you, at best 22 kilometers of territorial waters from the edge of each rock rather than 360 kilometers for EEZ rights. Before this change, the U.S. merely called for China to comply with the court ruling, something China said it would not do even before the court completed its deliberations. The Americans did continue to carry out aerial and naval FONOP (freedom of navigation operations) to assert the right of innocent passage. This annoyed the Chinese, who claimed most of the South China Sea was under Chinese control and no foreign ship or aircraft could enter without permission. The FONOPS will continue, and probably become more frequent. More importantly, the U.S. will now actively oppose all illegal Chinese claims that the 2016 court ruling agreed were invalid and not legally enforceable by China. The U.S. has already increased aerial reconnaissance over the South China Sea, which not only monitors what the Chinese are doing but also documents ongoing Chinese violations of international law. Before this change in American policy, China was confident it could bully the nations bordering the South China Sea that were suffering from the Chinese aggression. That bullying will be more difficult if the victims can call on the Americans for backup. Japan is now more confident in continuing its support for the South China Sea victims. July 9, 2020: In the south (Maguindanao province), a police patrol was ambushed with a roadside bomb and gunfire. A policeman and civilian were killed, four policemen were founded and the attackers got away. July 7, 2020: In the north (Manila), a senior prosecutor was shot to death as he drove to work. The war on drugs and corruption since 2016 has led to more attacks on judges, prosecutors and lawyers with about fifty of these legal personnel killed so far. The cause is usually intimidation and many of the dead were accompanied by bodyguards. July 6, 2020: In the south (Samar Island), an NPA ambush killed one soldier and wounded another. July 1, 2020: During the first half of 2020 at least 28 Abu Sayyaf Islamic terrorists were killed. More may have died from wounds or from artillery or airstrikes. Another 29 Abu Sayyaf men surrendered. June 29, 2020: In the south (Sulu province), four army intel specialists were killed by four policemen under mysterious circumstances. The four policemen have been disarmed and confined until the investigation can be completed. There have been clashes between police and soldiers before. Often these incidents are the result of poor communication or coordination. In some cases, the cause is dirty cops confronted by soldiers. After two weeks the police were found to have shot the soldiers multiple times, mainly in the back. Prosecutors plan to accuse the policemen of killing the soldiers. The police initially claimed that they fired in self-defense. June 26, 2020: In the north (Manila), police raided what was believed to be an Abu Sayyaf hideout and were met with armed resistance. The two Abu Sayyaf in the hideout were killed along with two others who were unidentified so far. The two dead terrorists also had links to ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). June 22, 2020: In the south (Sulu Province), an army patrol searching for Abu Sayyaf camps encountered a large number of armed Abu Sayyaf and a gun battle ensued. The Islamic terrorists withdrew with their dead and wounded but not before killing one soldier and wounding nine others. It is believed that there are fewer than 500 Abu Sayyaf members left and most are living in rural camps. Find the camps and you make it more difficult for the Abu Sayyaf who were there to operate and some will surrender. Some camps hold kidnap victims held for ransom while other camps contain bomb-building workshops. It is believed that there are at least a dozen such camps left. Shut down the camps and you shut down Abu Sayyaf. June 18, 2020: In the south (Zamboanga City), police arrested a wanted Abu Sayyaf bomb builder who was responsible for several notorious attacks. June 16, 2020: In the south (Negros Oriental province) soldiers and police, acting on a tip, raided a house in a rural village and killed five NPA rebels. A year ago, NPA undertook a major operation in this area to terrorize local politicians into cooperating with them. Dozens of local officials were killed or wounded, usually by NPA death squads that attacked the homes of politicians, tried, and often succeeded in killing the officials and then yelling long live the NPA as they left. The 2019 intimidation effort failed but was deemed necessary because the NPA has been suffering a massive decline in popular and communist party support. Increasingly most NPA units must depend on extortion, theft and other criminal activity to survive. This is causing much anger and protest in areas where the NPA still operates for the good of the people. Yet the NPA can no longer do much political work when their very survival is at risk. The government is trying, without much success, to negotiate a peace deal with the NPA. The leadership, as well as the commanders of various armed factions, are split on a peace agreement and most are continuing to operate (fighting and stealing). The NPA, to most Filipinos, have become bandits with a veneer of communist ideology to justify their crimes. The banditry option is not working well enough to assure long-term survival. This can also be seen when factions run short of money. Those actions begin to suffer from desertions. The army will grant amnesty to NPA members who surrender, especially if they bring their weapons and some useful information with them. Information on the location of NPA camps or weapons storage sites is considered useful and the fact that more NPA camps are being attacked and weapons storage sites seized indicates that the NPA is losing secrets as well as people and popular support. Some NPA leaders feel this is all a temporary setback and that a peace deal would enable a revitalized Philippines Communist Party to become a major political power. These delusions make negotiating a peace deal more difficult. Meanwhile, the NPA has become a major source of criminal (as opposed to Islamic terrorist) activity in the country. Most of the NPA senior leadership live in Europe and are considered somewhat out of touch with the reality of what the NPA has become in the Philippines. Because of all this, the government considers the NPA the main terrorist threat in the country. June 13, 2020: In the south (Sulu Province), Abu Sayyaf attacked a police station in a rural town and killed two policemen and wounded two others. The attack was repulsed and it was unclear if Abu Sayyaf suffered any casualties. A month before Houston-area schools plan to reopen in August, scientists still do not know the role children play in spreading the disease and the risk they and their teachers will assume when they return to campus. The reality is, we wont know until we put large numbers of kids close together again, said Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. Our knowledge about the virus is constantly changing. Were still learning new things every day. Texas school districts, however, continue to move forward in releasing plans for resuming classes, including HISD, which is scheduled to announce its reopening guidelines Wednesday. Texas Education Agency officials said last week that public school districts risk losing state funding if they do not offer in-person classes five days each week to all families that want it, with some limited exceptions. For medical officials, hope for schools is based on data that shows children are far less likely to suffer severe symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Some evidence suggests children also are less likely to become infected and transmit the virus, but the evidence is limited, partly because most comes from a time when schools were shuttered and kids cocooned with their families. Unanswered questions include to what extent infected, asymptomatic children are contagious and how effective schools can be at identifying and isolating such cases and the childs close contacts. It doesnt help that Houstons coronavirus case counts are currently at alarming levels, their ubiquity increasing the inevitably that cases will be brought to campuses. A number of scientists told the Chronicle they wouldnt send their child to school this week or next, given the continuing escalation in counts. No other country that has reopened its schools did so with anywhere near the amount of COVID-19 that is currently spreading in the United States. Still, most everyone agrees there is harm in keeping children out of schools that virtual education is a pale shadow of in-person learning; that such community is an important component of the socialization of children; that it makes parents juggle jobs and childcare; and that many low-income families depend on school-based meals for their children. The Trump administration cites some of those reasons for wanting to open schools. Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that changes likely are coming to the states guidance on reopening schools, with local officials potentially getting more latitude to keep campuses closed in August. Abbott offered few details on potential tweaks to the states guidelines, which have drawn criticism from several leading education groups amid the continued spike in COVID-19 cases, but he suggested new regulations could be released in the next few days. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Be ready to react Guidance released last week indicated school districts could remain shuttered and virtual-only for up to three weeks after their start, provided that all students had at-home access to a computer and Internet. If they stayed closed longer than that, under the current guidance, they would lose state funding. The key thing is that schools be ready to react to the data, said Spencer Fox, associate director of the University of Texas-Austin COVID-19 modeling consortium. If and when schools reopen, we need to have surveillance systems in place so we can really monitor the situation in real time and react accordingly with what the data are starting to show. Q&A Is there less of a COVID-19 risk in children than adults? A: The data shows COVID-19 doesn't infect children as often or cause them near as severe disease as it does adults. But pediatric cases are rising and the extent to which children who have the disease, especially those without symptoms, transmit it to others remains an unknown. Are there precedents of countries reopening schools? A: More than 20 countries have reopened, some with strict restrictions and others without restrictions. Outbreaks have followed in some countries but not in others. None of the countries that have reopened have had anywhere the amount of spread currently occurring in the United States. What is Texas guidance for reopening schools? A: Guidance released last week indicated school districts could only remain shuttered and virtual-only for three weeks after their start, provided all students had at-home access to a computer and Internet. Any longer than three weeks they lose state funding. But Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday hinted he plans to give schools more latitude. Do Texas daycare center portend anything for schools? A: Daycare providers have adapted to new safety measures, but COVID-19 cases have risen dramatically in the last month. Since March, there have been nearly 2,000 cases at child care centers, up from just a few hundred a month ago. About two-thirds of those are staffers, one-third children. See More Collapse Fox best articulates the uncertainty of a return to school, noting that there is some evidence that children might transmit the coronavirus less than adults and historic evidence that children contribute heavily to the spread of diseases like the flu and seasonal colds and other bugs. Schools are a major source of the transmission of such viruses, acquiring it from classmates, then passing it on to their families and others. Heres what the data shows: In Harris County, 10 percent of people whove tested positive are under 18 and 3 percent of those hospitalized for the disease are under 18. Nationally, the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that of 115,000 COVID-19 deaths, 30 deaths involved children under the age of 15. Thats less than die from the flu annually. But the percentage of underage cases has tripled since early in the pandemic, likely the result of more testing and the virus increased prevalence in the area. Scientists worry that trend will continue as children return to school and become exposed to more of the virus. Foresight in child care? Child care operations, such as summer camps and daycare centers, may offer some foresight into what Texas schools may encounter. Since March, a total of 1,997 cases of COVID-19 at 1,235 licensed child care operations have been reported to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, up from a few hundred a month ago. Of those patients, 1,343 were adult staff members and 654 were children. There are currently 12,230 licensed child care centers in the state. Many summer camps require precautions like outside pick-ups and drop-offs, temperature checks, regular hand washing and masks for adults. But enforcing admonitions for young children to wear masks and practice social distance can be difficult. Its very hard to keep a mask on a 5-year-old, said Kenny Martin, programs director of the Quillian Center, a camp run by First Methodist Houston. Were doing the best we can to keep them six feet apart, but theyre kids and they like to hug their best friend or just sit next to each other. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The American Academy of Pediatrics has cited some data suggesting suggesting that even if children under 12 are infected at the same rates as adults around them, they are less likely to spread it. That includes one study of Chicago households that found the virus spread went from an adult to a child 60 percent of the time, child to child 13 percent of the time, and a child to an adult 13 percent of the time. But the study was small. What we dont know is how contagious an asymptomatic individual is, said Dr. Lara Shekerdemian, chief of critical care at Texas Childrens Hospital. Until we have conclusive evidence to the contrary, I think we have to assume theyre every bit as contagious as someone symptomatic. Global experiments A number of countries Norway and Denmark, for instance reopened their schools a month after they were closed and didnt see a significant increase. They opened them first for young children, in whom infection percentages are the lowest globally, before eventually opening them for older grades, as well as implementing such safety measures as limiting class sizes and keeping children in small groups at recess. But not all countries have been as successful. Israel, with a higher community level spread, reopened in early May and lifted limits on class size a few weeks later, only to see the virus infect more than 200 students and staff. In Texas, many educators and school leaders argue the risks of reopening outweigh the rewards. The states four largest educator organizations and unions are calling on Abbott to keep schools online-only until the spread of COVID-19 declines. And many school board presidents and superintendents representing large Texas districts want the governor to provide local officials with more authority to remain closed for now. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer The state has had to reconsider many of the initial findings regarding the reopening of businesses, companies and restaurants, leaders of the Texas School Alliance, an organization comprised of 40 large Texas districts, wrote in a letter to Abbott. Districts and their communities are facing the same worsening conditions, and these recent circumstances are far more acute than when school districts across the state were initially closed this past spring. If and when schools do reopen, Shekerdemian says the key is that school provide copious amounts of information about the steps theyre taking to prevent transmission. The devil is definitely going to be in the details, she said. I expect theres probably more anxiety in some respects than there needs to be and in others theres probably not enough. todd.ackerman@chron.com jacob.carpenter@chron.com hannah.dellinger@chron.com Students of National Institutes of Design (NID) will be able to apply easily for work permits in Germany now as its centres have been included in the European country's Anabin database, the commerce and industry ministry said on Wednesday. It said Germany has opened a Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) which acts as the sole authority for the evaluation of foreign qualifications there. As part of their service, they maintain a database called Anabin that lists foreign degrees and higher education qualifications in relation to German diplomas and degrees. Recognition of foreign university-level qualifications in Germany is often an essential prerequisite for securing a German Work Visa, Job Seekers Visa or German Blue Card. It said often the success of visa application is dependent on the proof that the university-level qualification acquired outside Germany is considered on par with an equivalent German qualification. "NID Ahmedabad was included in the Anabin list in 2015 and the other new NIDs have also been incorporated in this database recently. Now that all NIDs are a part of this list, its students will be able to easily apply for work permits in Germany for working in the fields relevant to their education," it said. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the ministry, has established five National Institutes of Design (NID) in India for imparting world-class design education. While NID Ahmedabad (with campuses in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru) commenced its activities in 1961, four new NID's in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh came up in the last few years. These NIDs are declared as Institutions of National Importance by virtue of the act of Parliament and are internationally acclaimed premier design institutes. While graduates from NID are working in varied fields in India, many of them also opt for challenging opportunities in different countries outside India, it added. Abbie Chatfield's manager has claimed she will not be appearing on Bachelor in Paradise this season, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Breakfast radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson revealed on air on Wednesday that Abbie's agent had told KIIS FM producers his client would not be taking part in the series. 'Abbie's manager has told our producers off the air that Abbie is not on the show,' Jackie said while interviewing Bachelor in Paradise contestant Timm Hanly. 'And as far as they know they're just using her for promos, but she's not in it.' Are you sure about that? Abbie Chatfield's (pictured) manager has claimed she will not be appearing on Bachelor in Paradise this season, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary A puzzled Timm replied: 'I'm pretty sure I was there and I'm pretty sure I saw Abbie there... I don't know if I was imagining things or not, but I'm sure I saw her there.' Host Kyle Sandilands then speculated that Abbie might not have told her manager she was on the show, which was filmed in November and December last year. 'Maybe Abbie's made a side-deal? Maybe her manager didn't even know she went to the island?' he said. Mixed messages: Radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) revealed on air on Wednesday that Abbie's agent had told KIIS FM producers his client would not be taking part in the series Fact check! Fellow Bachelor in Paradise star Timm Hanly (pictured), who was being interviewed by Jackie, said: 'I'm pretty sure I was there and I'm pretty sure I saw Abbie there!' 'Just keep all the coin for herself!' laughed Timm. Abbie has been featured in several trailers for the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise, including one that shows her striding confidently into the Mango Bay Resort. 'I came here for Ciarran,' Abbie says while sashaying through the villa. Spotted! Abbie has been featured in several trailers for the upcoming season of Bachelor in Paradise, including one that shows her striding confidently into the Mango Bay Resort. She is pictured here, second from left, in a promotional photo for the series 'He's hot and he's such a naughty boy. He's mine... I'm going to get him!' she adds. She is also listed on Channel 10's official Bachelor in Paradise website as a contestant this season. Furthermore, Abbie has spoken extensively to the media about her appearance on the show, and mentioned it on her podcast. Perplexing: She is also listed on Channel 10's official Bachelor in Paradise website as a contestant this season Last month, she admitted she was worried about being portrayed as a 'sexy villain' on Paradise this year. 'I already am worried about how the edits are going to go,' she told New Idea. 'I think when you're on TV, you're a one-dimensional character. And my character [on The Bachelor last year] was overtly sexual and confident, and to a lot of people that equals b***h,' she added. There she is! If further proof is needed, Abbie was pictured catching a flight to Fiji from Brisbane Airport on November 3, ahead of filming the show. Pictured in a trailer for Paradise If further proof is needed, Abbie was pictured catching a flight to Fiji from Brisbane Airport on November 3, ahead of filming the show. On November 13, she was spotted returning to Brisbane looking rather downcast, which suggests she was sent home early. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 and Abbie's manager for comment. Experts warn of further crackdown measures if US exits audit deal with China Global Times Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 23:27:16 The US government reportedly plans to scrap a 2013 agreement between the US and Chinese auditing authorities, a move that could foreshadow a more direct crackdown on Chinese firms listed in US stock markets. Experts warned that Chinese companies listed in the US could face stricter management from US regulators, and it's possible that some mainland-based firms may be forced to delist from the US market as a result of increasingly tense China-US relations. According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, the 2013 agreement allows the US auditing watchdog to seek documents in enforcement cases against Chinese auditors, but the US side decided to exit from the deal because US regulators said many such requests were rejected by China, meaning they have scant insight into audits of Chinese firms that trade on US markets. The report cited a US government official as saying that the action is imminent, and that the US made the decision because of the need to protect American shareholders. However, Thomas Yeung, vice dean of the Futian School of Finance and an expert based in Hong Kong, said that the move is based on political reasons instead of the so-called regulatory needs, given that the Hong Kong stock market, which has even stricter IPO rules than the US, didn't have problems supervising relevant mainland companies' IPOs in Hong Kong. Leaving the agreement would not directly influence the listed status of Chinese companies that trade on US exchanges, but it shows a "growing frustration" among US authorities over Chinese companies' lack of transparency, which could lead to a more direct crackdown on Chinese companies listed in the US, Reuters noted. Such matters reflect a trend that the US aims to have a tighter grip on Chinese companies via financial means, under the US general strategy of suppressing the Chinese economy, experts said. "It's very likely that the US will find some means, technical rules for example, to crack down on Chinese companies listed in the US. Some firms might be forced to delist," Xi Junyang, a professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Tuesday. US companies might also target listed mainland companies that have business links with the Chinese government, or those who have used the services of mainland financial intermediaries in their IPO, Xi said. Thomas also said that Chinese companies' choice of market will depend on how local regulators view sustainable corporate development. In the short term, mainland companies listed in the US might have to tolerate the US' unreasonable requirements, but as the political risks of listing in the US are expanding and as restrictions accumulate on the US side, some Chinese companies might delist or withdraw capital from the US markets in the long run, Yang said. "For industrial giants like Alibaba, they might also choose to delist, as larger companies are likely to be burdened with more risk uncertainties in a chaotic and hostile environment (like the US)," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A third Wooloworths employee has tested positive for COVID-19 this week after two others were diagnosed in Victoria and New South Wales. The employee from the Arena Shopping Centre store, in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Officer, last worked when they were asymptomatic on July 4. The supermarket giant was notified of the positive diagnosis on Tuesday and closed the store overnight for deep cleaning. Another Woolworths employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and forced the supermarket in Officer (pictured), south-west Melbourne, to close for cleaning on Tuesday The employee last worked at the store inside the Arena Shopping Centre (pictured) when they were asymptomatic on July 4 and have since gone into self-isolation A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the worker had now gone into self-isolation. 'We're making contact with our Officer Arena team members and will provide our full support to those required to self-isolate in line with advice from the health authorities. 'While the risk of transmission to customers and team members is low, the safety and wellbeing of the local community is our priority. 'Customers and team members should be assured they can continue to safely shop and work at our Officer Arena supermarket,' the spokesperson said. Shoppers who visited the store on July 4 have been urged to contact the Department of Health and Human Services if they feel unwell. The diagnosis comes after another worker from Woolworths at Sunshine Marketplace tested positive for coronavirus. The store manager of the west Melbourne supermarket, Glenn Rayner, said the staff member worked Sunday July 5 from 10am to 3pm. Woolworths said customers could safely continue to shop at the Officer store (pictured) The store did not have a deep-clean until a week later on July 13. 'As a food retailer, we already have high standards of cleaning and hygiene in place, and the store had a detailed deep clean overnight on Monday July 13,' a store notice read. 'The wellbeing of our customers, team and communities is our highest priority, and in line with public health advice, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure ongoing safety in our stores.' A Woolworths store in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, 110km southwest of Sydney, was also forced to close for cleaning after a staff member tested positive. Woolworths shoppers in Melbourne's west have also been urged to look out for coronavirus symptoms after a worker tested positive to the virus (Sunshine Marketplace pictured) Store manager of the Sunshine Marketplace supermarket, Glenn Rayner, said the staff member worked Sunday July 5 from 10am to 3pm in a customer notice (pictured) The store said the employee worked on Sunday but did not show any symptoms of COVID-19 when they were at work. Any customers who shopped at the store on the day have been urged to make contact with NSW Health should they feel unwell. Both Victoria and NSW are battling to contain a second wave of COVID-19, with metropolitan Melbourne currently in its second week of stage three lockdowns. Victoria reported 238 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday and recorded the death of a woman in her 90s overnight. The number of Victorians killed by the virus is now 27 and the national toll is 111. Victoria's case total has hit 4,448 with 1,931 coronavirus cases still active. Meanwhile, New South Wales has recorded 13 new cases, with 10 linked to a cluster which developed at the Crossroads hotel in south-west Sydney. There are now 34 cases linked to the pub and authorities have confirmed the patient zero of the outbreak was a man from Melbourne. Tylenol 500 mg capsules. Credit: Wikipedia While paracetamol was the most common substance of enquiry for calls to the National Poisons Centre in 2018, new research reveals most New Zealanders have large quantities of the painkiller stockpiled in their homes. In 2018, the New Zealand National Poisons Centre based at the University of Otago in Dunedin provided assessment and advice for 64,358 enquiries, a number similar to previous years, a new study shows. Most calls to the Poisons Centre were related to substance exposures involving very young patients with half aged under 5 years. Most reported exposures occurred in the patient's own home and were unintentional and most were advised to self-treat the exposure at home, or that no treatment was needed. Paracetamol was the most frequently reported substance in all calls to the Poisons Centre and searches of the poisons information database, which is used by healthcare providers in their management of poisoned patients. University of Otago Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Eeva-Katri Kumpula led the analysis of enquiries made to the Poisons Centre as well as an entirely separate study funded by Oakley Mental Health Research Foundation, investigating stocks of paracetamol stored in New Zealanders' homes. While the two studies are in no way linked, they were both recently published and Dr. Kumpula says the findings are not surprising given the results from both studies. The survey of 201 homes throughout New Zealand, showed a large majority had paracetamol stocks readily accessible, with most having been obtained with a prescription. Dr. Kumpula says this is not surprising as the co-payment for a prescription of paracetamol is only $5 for up to three month's supply or 360g of paracetamol in total. Based on the study sample, researchers estimate about a third of New Zealand households have 30g or more of prescribed paracetamol present. Only 27 of the 201 households surveyed had no paracetamol products, highlighting the high prevalence of the medication in homes. Paracetamol is mostly safe, when used as instructed. It is important that people check with their pharmacist or doctor as to the dosage and frequency of use and when using liquid paracetamol Dr. Kumpula recommends using a proper measuring device, not a spoon. The study highlights the importance of assessing whether and how much paracetamol is truly needed when prescribing and dispensing the medication, she says. "Ensuring people have sufficient access to paracetamol for pain management needs to be balanced with preventing unnecessary accumulation of unused stock in households to minimize inappropriate use such as for intentional self-poisoning. "Prescribers and pharmacists need to be aware of the risks of such accumulation and assess the therapeutic needs of their patients." Public initiatives should be rolled out regularly to encourage people to return unused or expired medicines for pharmacies for safe disposal, the study concludes. The National Poisons Centre is available 24/7 to assist the public and medical professionals in the management of poisonings. For the public, advice is given on whether further medical care is needed and appropriate first aid measures. For healthcare professionals treating patients in real time, advice from practicing clinical toxicologists is immediately available over the phone and also via the centre's poisons information database. Explore further New recommendations for paracetamol poisoning The president of Brazil has reportedly been bitten by an emu-like bird that he tried to feed while in coronavirus quarantine at the presidential palace. Jair Bolsonaro complained of his horrible isolation on Monday, saying he cant stand this routine of staying at home. Later that day, he took a stroll around the Palacio da Alvorada in Brasilia and decided to feed the birds. One of the flightless creatures, called a rhea, pecked at the president, the Metropoles news website reported. The moment was caught in several pictures taken as he walked the grounds. On Monday, Mr Bolsonaro said he was feeling very good and would continue to isolate himself until he is free of the virus. The right-wing president told CNN Brasil he has not felt out of breath and has not lost his sense of taste. Mr Bolsonaro tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday last week, after coming down with a fever. By Wednesday, he said he was already doing very well, crediting his use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine - which has been unproven for treating coronavirus. Brazil is the second-worst hit country by coronavirus in the world after the United States. Some 20.286 new cases were registered by the Health Ministry on Tuesday, bringing the total to nearly 1.9 million. More than 72,000 people have died from the virus in the south American country. Lawyer and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola, has kicked against the decision of the Federal government to cancel Nigerias participation in the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination WASSCE, saying a year of idleness for 1.5million people may breed frustration and promote criminality. Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on July 8 announced that Nigeria will not be reopening schools for graduating students scheduled to write the examination due to the increasing number of confirmed COVID19 cases in the country. Babalola said that the decision of the Federal government to cancel the examination is flawed. In a statement released today July 14, Babalola said rather than cancel the examination, the Federal Government should allow schools conduct the examinations within their halls so the students can obey all the COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing and others. His statement entitled, Nigerias non-participation in the 2020 WASCE: Irreparable damage, reads in part If the Federal Government insists that there would be no WASSCE this year, the students are not just losing one calendar year, but losing an integral part of their entire lives which is gone forever by such declaration. We should always remember that after all, time is life and life is time. The Federal Government should allow the WASSCE to take place in the empty spaces which are wasting away in our tertiary institutions, secondary schools and elementary schools which can conveniently accommodate them with a lot of social distancing and due compliance with World Health Organisation rules. It is my firm belief that the future of these 1.5 million young Nigerians who have registered for WAEC should not be put in jeopardy. It is a well known fact that all schools, colleges and tertiary institutions in the country are currently shut down. This affords the Federal Government the opportunity to use them for WAEC examination. What the government should do is to prepare the empty rooms for WAEC examination fumigate the halls and the premises, use face mask, provide sanitizers and ensure that WHO rules are obeyed to the letter. He wondered why Nigeria is the only country pulling out of the examination within the West African region. On the back of rising demand from those above 60 years during the pandemic, Max India Ltd's arm Antara Senior Living is planning to invest over Rs 300 crore over the next four years for its existing and new lines of businesses that include residences for seniors, a chain of assisted living care homes and services. These are expected to come up in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. The company opened its first 30-bed Care Home in Gurugram on July 15. This will be followed shortly by another Care Home launch in South Delhi. Antara plans to set up a chain of 35-40 such care homes in the next three years that will operate with an asset-light model. Of these, around 10 are expected to specialise in Memory Care. The current launch is a part of Antaras strategic shift towards becoming an integrated service provider for all senior care needs, said Antara Senior Living MD & CEO Rajit Mehta. Our vision is to be able to come up with independent residences in the next five years covering three clusters - Delhi NCR, Mumbai/Pune and the south cluster (Bengaluru/Hyderabad/Chennai) and then build about 30 care homes in the three clusters and 10 memory care homes," he told Moneycontrol. 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 total capital invested in all these services residences for seniors, Care at Home and Care Homes and the medical care products will be about Rs 300 crore over the next three to four years, he added. The Care Homes and Care at Home services will cater to seniors over the age of 55, who need more immersive interventions in their daily lives due to medical or age-related issues. Antaras Care Homes will include healthcare and monitoring services with round the clock nursing support from medically trained care professionals, daily doctor consults, vital monitoring, medication administration and emergency response protocol, regular physical activity, physiotherapy, and counselling sessions. The second new line of business, Care at Home services will provide well-equipped, medically trained professionals who can offer seniors the care needed inside their own homes comfort. The initial set of services under the Care at Home business include critical care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, nursing, GDA, and diagnostics. Antara will also provide Med Care Products such as respiratory aids, wheelchairs, walking sticks, and other consumables to help address the diverse needs of seniors and ensure quality stay for its residents. The company already has an existing business line of residences for seniors. Antara is currently present in the senior living space with residences for seniors already operational in Dehradun. It has recently launched a project in Noida for which it has tied up with a landlord to develop this 4-acre project, located at Sector 150, Noida. The apartments are spread across 1500 sq ft carpet and the cost is about a crore. These are fully furnished apartments available for outright purchase. We have sold 50 units so far and intend starting construction later this year. We intend handing over possession in four years. The company is targeting a sales revenue of around Rs 550 crore over the next four years, Mehta said. The company has launched 340 apartments in Noida as part of the first phase. The potential market size of Assisted Living Services in India is estimated at about $1 billion. The Indian consensus suggests the share of elders as a percentage of the total population in the country will have increased from around 7.5 percent in 2001 to almost 12.5 percent by 2026 and surpass 19.5 percent by 2050. Of the current 120 million senior population, 40 million have vision-related problems, 3.7 million have diabetes and 1.7 million have cardiovascular ailments. Established in 2013, Antara Senior Living, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Max India, is being led by Tara Singh Vachani, who is the executive chairman. WASHINGTON Just weeks before voting starts in what is expected to be U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellars toughest re-election fight in years, a dark money group is flooding his South Texas district with ads supporting him. The nonprofit American Workers for Progress has poured more than $720,000 into ads in Austin, San Antonio, Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen, according to Advertising Analytics, a private firm that tracks political advertising. Little is known about the newly formed group. A longtime Democratic operative listed as its president declined to comment. Cuellar's campaign spokesman says he knows nothing about the group, as does the state Democratic party. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Nonetheless, the heavy spending is a sign of how nervous some in Cuellar's orbit are that Jessica Cisneros, a 26-year-old immigration attorney from Laredo who has become a star in progressive circles, could end his 15-year stint in Congress. The race will provide an early indication in 2020 of the electability of several progressive hopefuls in Texas. They argue that a key to turning the state blue will be reaching voters who have not made a habit of voting in the past, especially young and minority voters, who they believe can be energized by an unflinching progressive message. Cisneros has raised nearly $1 million in her insurgent effort to take down Cuellar an impressive haul for a political newcomer in a district long considered safe and shes drawn major endorsements from progressive groups, including Justice Democrats, the group that helped U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeat a longtime incumbent in New York. Cuellar already has more than $3 million on hand to defend himself, as well as the backing of the Democratic establishment, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The dark money spending was first reported by POLITICO. Thats real money, as they say, said Ben Ray, a spokesman for EMILYs List, another progressive organization that is backing Cisneros. Hes got three million damn dollars on hand and his team says theyre cruising, I didnt think he needed help. For subscribers: Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar moves to stave off primary challenge from progressive Cisneros Cisneros campaign was more pointed about the dark money in the race. "Congressman Cuellar has spent his career protecting the interests of his corporate donors and Republican special interests instead of the people of South Texas, said campaign manager Danny Diaz. We know he's trying to hide the groups that have stood by him his entire career so it's no surprise that no one is being transparent about where these hundreds of thousands of dollars are coming from." American Workers for Progress is led by Gilberto Ocanas, a former deputy executive director of the Democratic National Committee and longtime Democratic operative. Ocanas declined to comment. I've never heard of them and don't know anything about them, said Colin Strother, Cuellars campaign spokesman. I do know that our opponent's entire campaign has been orchestrated, directed, staffed, and funded by an out-of-state special interest group. American Workers for Progress so far has spent more than $340,000 in San Antonio, more than $104,000 in Laredo, more than $242,000 across the Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen markets and more than $27,000 in Austin, according to Advertising Analytics. For subscribers: Emboldened Democrats say its a myth that progressives cant take Texas The ads focus on health care: Congressman Henry Cuellar fought to protect Obamacare and is standing with Nancy Pelosi to lower drug prices, it says. Henry Cuellar is delivering, fighting for quality healthcare and lower drug prices Texas families can afford. ben.wermund@chron.com I am confident Ujval will thrive in the Montgomery County area, says Skolnick. We are thrilled to have welcomed him to our Monster Tree Service family. Monster Tree Service, the nations first and fastest-growing tree service franchise, is expanding in Maryland. Recently featured by SUCCESS magazine, Thrive Global and Franchise Times, the Monster Tree Service franchise continues to build on its rapid franchise system growth. Business entrepreneur Ujval Alva has purchased the rights to a Monster Tree Service Territory in Montgomery County, Maryland, covering Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Germantown and surrounding areas. Ujval attended the University of Maryland while obtaining his masters degree. Alva possesses unique skills that will contribute to his long-term success at Monster Tree Service. Having a masters degree in mechanical engineering and working in the telecommunications field, Alva is ready to begin this new venture with Monster Tree Service. This franchise has a great potential for growth, said Alva. During the process, I saw Monster Tree Service as an opportunity to own a business with a potential for high revenue and growth in the Montgomery area. After talking to various people, I felt comfortable with the brand and the company culture. It is apparent that the leadership team is doing everything in their power to help the franchise to continue growing. Josh Skolnick, CEO and Founder of Monster Tree Service, is confident Alva will be an excellent Monster Tree Service franchise owner. I am confident Ujval will thrive in the Montgomery County area, says Skolnick. We are thrilled to have welcomed him to our Monster Tree Service family. Monster Tree Service was the first franchise tree company capitalizing on the under-served $17 billion tree service industry. Monster Tree Service has achieved consistent year-over-year, 5 percent growth since 2009, resulting in a $10+ million business. Because its a high-upside opportunity, and a recession-proof business, Monster Tree Service expects to achieve $100 million in sales by 2021. We are excited to offer our community a wide array of services, said Alva. Including tree and plant health care, landscaping, tree removal, emergency services and more. For more information about Monster Tree Service, please visit http://www.whymonster.com/. For more information about Monster Tree Service franchise opportunities, please visit http://www.monsterfranchising.com/. To learn more about CEO Josh Skolnicks vision for Monster Tree Service, please visit https://www.monsterfranchising.com/vision-story. ### About Monster Tree Service Founded in 2008 in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, by Founder and CEO Josh Skolnick, Monster Tree Service is the nations first and fastest-growing franchise brand serving the $21 billion tree care industry. Over the past decade, Skolnick has aggressively built Monster Tree Service into a thriving national franchise system, working day and night to build the company into a multi-million-dollar business with more than 62 franchise partners and 166 territories sold in 28 states. With dozens of fantastic franchise partners doing great work in their respective communities, Monster Tree Service expects to exceed $35 million in systemwide revenue in 2019. Each Monster Tree Service franchised outlet offers full-scale tree pruning and removal services, including tree pruning and trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, shrub maintenance, emergency services, plant health care and various secondary services. Monster Tree Service franchise owners possess high levels of business acumen and business-building skills that bring a rare level of professionalism to the tree care industry. Fully invested in this industry both personally and professionally Monster Tree Service owners provide wonderful opportunities to other professionals who have a shared vision of continuing to legitimize the tree care industry as a skilled trade. These industry professionals will have the tools, training and respect to excel in providing unparalleled service to their clients and Make the World a More Beautiful Place, One Tree at a Time. Monster Tree Service is committed to educating all customers on the natural conditions, diseases and infestations that impact the health of their plants/trees and treating all issues with an environmentally friendly, Do Not Harm approach. Its all part of the Monster Tree Service vision to partner with homeowners across the country to make their trees healthy, strong, and vital. For more information about Monster Tree Service, please visit https://www.whymonster.com/. Media Contacts: Graham Chapman 919-459-8157 gchapman@919marketing.com WILLIAMSPORT A man under supervision for participating in five bank robberies in three states is now facing federal methamphetamine charges. James Edward King III, 42, of Danville, was arraigned Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court along with co-conspirator Christopher Lee Brown, 39, on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to deliver more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. They are accused of arranging last October to have a package containing the drug shipped from Hanford, California, to Browns address in the Mifflinburg area. Local authorities tracked the package shipped via United Parcel Service and learned the person to whom it was addressed did not live at that location. There was a controlled delivery of the package on Oct. 7. King and Brown were arrested driving from the scene and the package was found in the trunk, a police affidavit states. The package contained approximately 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine in a vacuumed-sealed bag, the document states. King and Brown have been detained pending trial on the federal charges. King also is facing a supervised release violation hearing. He had been sentenced in June 2005 in West Virginia to 9 years, 3 months in federal prison followed by two years supervised release and ordered to make restitution of $59,072. He was accused of participating in five bank robberies in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia between July 29 and Sept. 11, 2003. He pleaded guilty to one of them. Kings federal sentence did not begin until 2010 when he completed a state term in Fayette County where he was living in 2005. Drug charges in Union County against the two are being dropped in favor of the federal prosecution, it was stated at the arraignments. -- Other recent John Beauge stories published on PennLive Suspect advised death penalty is possible in fatal shooting of two in Snyder County Bystander justified in shooting man whod just killed ex-wife, district attorney says Killing ex-wife, date in Snyder County follows threats made to her earlier: court documents Montoursville Little League player tests positive for COVID-19, prompting team to be sidelined Talking about Flight 800 still difficult 24 years later for two retired Montoursville teachers 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. With COVID-19 spreading faster in Saskatchewan than it has for weeks, Manitoba may want to consider reinstating its 14-day self-isolation rule for those travelling here from western provinces. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. With COVID-19 spreading faster in Saskatchewan than it has for weeks, Manitoba may want to consider reinstating its 14-day self-isolation rule for those travelling here from western provinces. Saskatchewan reported 56 new cases of the disease over the weekend. The province reported five more cases Tuesday, bringing its total active cases to 76. Last week, Saskatchewan health officials issued several public health notices, warning people of outbreaks in various parts of the province. "We are seeing more positive cases of COVID-19 popping up around the province, reminding us that COVID-19 is everywhere and has no boundaries," Dr. David Torr from the Saskatchewan Health Authority said in a release Friday. "Across Saskatchewan, we need to be more vigilant when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus." Even in Alberta, a province with a much higher case load per capita than Manitoba, the number of active cases has been on the rise, including an outbreak last week at an Edmonton hospital that resulted in five deaths. Last month, Manitoba lifted its 14-day self-isolation requirement for anyone entering the province from Northwestern Ontario and the three western provinces. Manitoba decided to "bubble" with those jurisdictions because of a decline in daily case numbers in those parts of the country. Travel Manitoba is now actively promoting Manitoba as a tourism destination for western Canadians. But with cases spiking again in some areas of those provinces, is it wise for Manitoba to maintain that open-border policy? Like most decisions around this pandemic, it's not an easy call to make. Society has to accept that no matter how slowly and carefully economies reopen, there will be more cases. Test positivity rates will likely rise and sadly, there will be more deaths. The economy cannot remain closed forever. Another complete shutdown would devastate the country economically and socially, leaving governments virtually bankrupt. Trying to find the right balance between reopening the economy and minimizing the spread of the virus is one of the toughest decisions governments have to make. In many cases, there are no right answers; just judgment calls based on the best available data. However, if cases continue to climb in Saskatchewan, the public health cost of allowing people to travel freely between provinces may start to outweigh the benefits. The upside to allowing unfettered travel is it generates much-needed tourism dollars for all jurisdictions. It also helps replenish empty government coffers. When COVID-19 numbers are low in all participating provinces and the risk of spreading the disease interprovincially is manageable, its an easy trade-off. Trying to find the right balance between reopening the economy and minimizing the spread of the virus is one of the toughest decisions governments have to make. In many cases, there are no right answers; just judgment calls based on the best available data. 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. But at what point does maintaining open borders cause more harm than economic good? If Saskatchewan continues to see significant community spread of the virus, maintaining unrestricted travel between the provinces could be very dangerous for Manitoba. All it would take is one or two missteps by cross-border travellers and Manitobas COVID-19 picture could change drastically. Is it worth it for the modest tourism dollars? If eliminating self-isolation rules results in a major spike of cases in Manitoba forcing public health officials to shut down some businesses again and delay the reopening of schools in the fall the tourism dollars would obviously not be worth it. The most important thing for Manitoba now is to reopen its economy and allow businesses and not-for-profits to operate as close to capacity as possible. More people need to get back to work. The main focus for government should be to reopen schools in September. Kids, especially young children, need to get back to the classroom. Those are priorities. Unrestricted travel between Manitoba and western provinces, while good for the economy, is not. Thats why the 14-day self-isolation rule is still in place for most of Ontario and all of Quebec, which continue to see regular outbreaks of the disease. The economic gains of opening up unrestricted travel with those jurisdictions is not worth it. If cases and test positivity rates continue to rise in Saskatchewan, and Manitoba waits too long to reinstate travel restrictions, the damage could be severe and long-lasting. Erring on the side of caution is looking increasingly like the right thing to do on this one. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday made friendly overtures to rebel Congress leader Sachin Pilot after he was sacked as the deputy chief minister and Rajasthan Congress chief amid his face-off with Ashok Gehlot. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who is a BJP Parliament member from Rajasthan, said the party has grown manifold and any leader with the peoples mandate is welcome to join it. Another BJP lawmaker, Om Mathur, echoed him. The comments came shortly after Gehlot blamed the BJP for conspiring with Pilot to topple his government. Mathur rejected the allegation saying by shutting the eyes one does not erase the sun. In a tweet, he said the structure of your house is weak and questioned how could Gehlot blame the BJP for it. Also read: How Ashok Gehlot retained support, made inroads into Sachin Pilot camp The BJP sharpened its attack on the Congress leadership for blaming it for the crisis in Rajasthan. It also shifted its stance from watching from the sidelines to taking on an aggressive posture. Shekhawat called the events unfolding in Rajasthan a diversionary tactic. He likened them to the Bollywood trend of propaganda to make a film work if it seems it will not do well. This is what has happened in Rajasthan where the government has been unable to provide good governance, and crime and corruption have grown. In the last one and a half years, the way the Congress has been ruling in Rajasthan, it is only natural that they would have created propaganda, he said. He blamed Gehlot for orchestrating the discord and said he has directed, produced, and acted in the film that was in the making for the last six months. Shekhawat said Gehlot seemed very happy when he stepped out of the governors house on Tuesday whereas lawmakers have been held against their wishes. Shekhawat said Gehlot has been successful in planning Pilots ouster and added democracy and Rajasthans people have had to pay a heavy price. This government is a minority government and making efforts to save its chair... Also read: Congress ejects Pilot from power; CM Gehlot still in Rajasthan cockpit Shekhawats statement about the government lacking numbers was also an indication that the party could raise the issue of a floor test, even though Rajasthan unit president Satish Poonia told ANI, At present, we are not demanding anything as of now. Our priority was that it is a corrupt government and it did mismanagement in the coronavirus crisis. It has become a weak government. First thing is that this government should go away in the interest of the people. Satish Poonia, the BJPs Rajasthan chief, said they were not demanding anything as of now while calling Gehlots government inept and corrupt. He also accused it of mismanaging the coronavirus crisis. It has become a weak government. First thing is that this government should go away in the interest of the people, Poonia said. A BJP leader in Delhi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, earlier said the party will not seek a floor test unless it is confident that both Gehlot and Pilot factions are falling short of numbers. Also read: Numbers behind Rajasthan story Gehlot on Tuesday claimed to have the support of 109 lawmakers in the 200-member state assembly, where the halfway mark is 101. The BJP has only 72 lawmakers. The BJP has maintained it will keep its options open should the Gehlot government fall in the wake of defections to the Pilot camp. It has made no overt attempts to initiate an alliance with Pilot-led Congress rebels. Functionaries aware of the matter said senior BJP leaders, including general secretary Anil Jain and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, have been tasked with tracking developments in Rajasthan. Jain and Pradhan declined to comment on whether there was a meeting between BJP leaders and Pilot. The BJP has dismissed speculation about a meeting between Pilot and BJP chief JP Nadda. A second BJP leader, when asked about the speculation that the BJP could support Pilot if he floats his party and stakes claim to form the government, said they will watch from the sidelines until it becomes clear that the Gehlot faction does not have the required numbers to stay in power. A clear situation has to emerge for the party [BJP] to take its next steps. We are currently watching the Congress collapse because of infighting. The inability of the Congress leadership in keeping the unit together is showing and if the government falls, naturally we will explore all options open to us, said the second leader in Delhi, requesting anonymity. If Pilot has the numbers to form the government, the party will consider support. But if we go by the anti-defection law, he will need 2/3rd of the MLAs with him otherwise they stand disqualified and will require re-election. There has also been no statement from former Rajasthan chief minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje on the developments in the state, leading to speculation that she is not on board with Pilot joining the party. Raje, who claims to have the support of over 40 MLAs, has been at loggerheads with the central leadership over several issues in the past. The BJP has deputed Mathur to take stock of situation in the state. He is expected to chair a meeting of the BJP leaders in the state on Wednesday. The BJP leaders have insisted that they have had no role in engineering defections in the Congress. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The estranged husband of a woman whose body was found in her home has appeared in court charged with murder. Elaine Pandilovski, 44, was found dead at her home in Mill Park about 9.30pm on Tuesday by police who were conducting a welfare check. Elaine and Zoran Pandilovski. Credit:Facebook Her husband, Zoran Pandilovski, appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon and was charged with murder as well as dangerous driving offences following a crash in Mount Cottrell in Melbourne's west. Members of Mr Pandilovski's family held each others hands and wept during the filing hearing as his lawyer told the court Ms Pandilovski's death happened in the context of "supposed" domestic violence allegations. Mr. Jakes inadvertently gained notoriety in the run-up to the revolution when he described the Communist Party as a fence post, a symbol of its isolation in Czechoslovak society. His speech in July 1989 was subsequently leaked, prompting one of the main slogans of the hundreds of thousands of protesters that gathered in Prague and other cities later that year. The General Authority of Forensic Medicine has reported on the suicide rate, which has seen an increase from the previous year, with the most being in Aleppo reports Syria Scope. The director of the General Authority of Forensic Medicine (GAFM) in Syria, Dr. Zahir Hajo, revealed in press statements an increase in the suicide rate in Syria this year. The number of suicides last year was 124. As for this year, up until now, there have been 87 reported suicides, which means that almost every two days a Syrian citizen commits suicide. Hajo asserted that Aleppo is the city where most suicides occur, with 18 cases, followed by Lattakia with 13 cases, 10 in Damascus, and two in Daraa. Dr. Hajo added that the means of suicide differ with some hangings, 35 cases, followed by gunfire, 20 cases, followed by people falling to their deaths and poisoning. Hajo said that despite the high suicide rate, Syrias suicide rate remains one of the lowest in the world. Regarding crimes, there were fifty deaths resulting from crimes between Jan. 6, 2020 and May 25, 2020. Dr. Hajo confirmed that last month was one of the bloodiest months when it comes to suicides and crimes in Syria. Perhaps the only positive aspect of the spike in the crime rate is that criminal security, judges, and forensic medicine revealed details for 50 percent of crimes within 48 hours of their taking place, while key information about the rest of the crimes was revealed within a maximum of two weeks. Dr. Hajo indicated that 70 percent of crimes are in areas that had been under the control of militants and were liberated by the Syrian army. For example, most crimes in Aleppo occur in the eastern areas that were under the control of militants, and where people saw a viable opportunity to commit crimes and take advantage of peoples lives. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. - Musalia Mudavadi paid host to close to 20 representatives from Nyeri county at his foundation headquarters - The leaders said they were ready to support his 2022 bid so that Central Kenya farmers could benefit from his presidency - They raised concerns on the delay by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture to supply fertiliser to tea and coffee farmers The scramble for the vote-rich Central Kenya region has taken another turn after a section of Nyeri leaders declared their support for ANC party boss Musalia Mudavadi. At least 20 leaders trooped to Musalia Mudavadi Centre for what their host said was nothing short of a consultative meeting to lay the road map for his presidential ambition. READ ALSO: Cate Waruguru says Mt Kenya must rally behind Uhuru to benefit from development projects Mudavadi addressing Nyeri leaders who paid him courtesy call at his offices. Photo: Musalia Mudavadi. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Kimani Ichung'wah moved to catering committee after losing Budget docket "I held a consultative meeting with representatives of the people from Nyeri county today. They shared a lot on issues affecting the people of Nyeri especially in the area of tea and coffee farming," the former vice president stated. Musalia went on to disclose the representatives shared with him their challenges and aspirations and that of tea and coffee farmers in Nyeri county. READ ALSO: Mike Sonko considers vying for governorship in another county READ ALSO: Meshack Otieno: Juja artisan sidelined as Uhuru orders 500 unique hospital beds from Kiambu youths "They raised concerns on the delay by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture in supplying fertiliser to the farmers calling upon the government to work with speed in order not to disadvantage farmers. They also shared their expectations on how they are ready to support my presidential bid in 2022," he said. Over the past weekend, Mudavadi attended a similar meeting held at the home of Emuhaya MP Amboko Milemba which was aimed at addressing Luhya unity. READ ALSO: Bruno Fernandes: Solskjaer confirms contacting Cristiano Ronaldo before signing midfielder Musalia Mudavadi and Wetang'ula (right) kneeling down for prayers over 2022 presidency. The two leaders are fierce rivals. Photo: TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original The function also attracted Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula. The two Western Kenya politicians were asked to step forward and hold hands together for prayers. They went down on their knees to seek divine intervention to solve the 2022 equation and perhaps end any bad blood between them for a common goal. The two leaders were later on presented with symbolic walking sticks as a show that the Mulembe nation entrusted them with leadership. This came days after a high-powered delegation of prominent leaders from Mt Kenya region led by Speaker Justin Muturi met at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi. 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. Babies with babies : The sad life of single teenage mothers in Kenya | Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke New Delhi Indias population will peak at 1.6 billion in 2048, after which it will steadily decline to 1.09 billion in 2100, according to an analysis that covered 195 countries in the Global Burden of Diseases 2017 study, findings that hold mixed economic as well as social implications for the country. According to the study, which was published in The Lancet journal, the worlds population will peak at 9.73 billion in 2064, after which it will shrink to 8.79 billion in 2100. The projections set the population peak at about 2 billion lower than the UN Population Divisions estimate of 10.9 billion at the end of the century. Both China and India, the worlds two most populous nations, will register population peaks before 2050, following which they will post sharp declines. In 2100, Chinas population will be 51.1% of its peak population, and Indias will be down to 68.1% of its peak, said the analysis. The population of sub-Saharan Africa will triple from an estimated 1.03 billion in 2017 to 3.07 billion in 2100. North and the Middle East is the only other region forecast to host a larger population in 2100 than in 2017, with Asia and Eastern Europe recording the steepest declines. The populations of at least 23 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Portugal and South Korea, could decline at least 50%. Our forecasts for a shrinking global population have positive implications for the environment, climate change, and food production, but possible negative implications for labour forces, economic growth, and social support systems in parts of the world with the greatest fertility declines, said the study. Older population The global age structure will shift dramatically, with 2.37 billion people aged above 65 years in 2100, compared with 1.7 billion under 20 years, which underscores the need for liberal immigration policies in countries with significantly declining working age populations. The decline in the numbers of working-age adults alone will reduce GDP {gross domestic product} growth rates that could result in major shifts in global economic power by the centurys end... While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems, with more old people and fewer young people, economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers, and countries abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly are reduced, said first author Stein Emil Vollset,a professor at the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in the US. In 2100, India will have the worlds largest working-age population of 578 million in the world, followed by Nigeria, China and the US. Although the number of working-age adults in India is projected to fall from 762 million in 2017, it is expected to be one of the few - if not the only - major power in Asia to protect its working-age population over the century to rise up the GDP rankings from the seventh to third, said the report. India is also forecasted to have the second largest net immigration in 2100, with an estimated half a million more people immigrating to the country in 2100 than emigrating. To fully reap the benefits of this large working age population, called in demographic terms, the demographic dividend, it is critical to invest in quality health and adaptive education that empowers and equips young people to meet the needs of the job market, said Argentina Matavel Piccin, UNFPA Representative to India. The diverse fertility situations in the states combined with the inter-regional population dynamics in India present unique opportunities, which can be turned into a powerful engine for the overall socio-economic development, if a differential planning approach is adopted. Very few countries in the world boast of such a scenario of a significant staggered demographic transition. India can afford to fill shortage of labour in one part of the country with migrants from another part, hence reducing the usual cultural adaption periods that most cross-country and cross-continent migrants must go through before they can fully contribute to host countries, added Piccin. Small families The global total fertility rate (TFR is the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime) is predicted to decline from 2.37 in 2017 to 1.66 in 2100, which is well below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman. Indias TFR declined to below 2.1 in 2019, and is projected to have a continued steep fertility decline until about 2040, reaching a TFR of 1.29 in 2100, said the report. The sustained decline in population size is an obvious outcome of educating and empowering women along with meeting their contraceptive needs and choices. Family planning services are likely to have an economic impact for families that extends beyond the reductions in fertility and improvements in health to many other aspects of their lives. If womens needs for family planning and reproductive healthcare are met, along with other basic health and education needs, then population stabilization will be achieved naturally, not as a matter of control or coercion, said Poonam Muttreja, executive director, Population Foundation of India, New Delhi. Liberal immigration policies could help maintain population size and economic growth even as fertility falls, said the study, which notes that some countries, such as the US, Australia, and Canada, are likely to maintain their working-age populations through net immigration. We need a fundamental rethink of global politics. Greater multilateralism and a new global leadership should enable both migrant sending and migrant-receiving countries to benefit, while protecting the rights of individuals. Nations would need to cooperate at levels that have eluded us to date to strategically support and fund the development of excess skilled human capital in countries that are a source of migrants.... The projected changes in the sizes of national economies and the consequent change in military power might force these discussions, said Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, University College London, UK, and Chair of Lancet Migration (who was not involved in the study), in a linked comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanchita Sharma Sanchita is the health & science editor of the Hindustan Times. She has been reporting and writing on public health policy, health and nutrition for close to two decades. She is an International Reporting Project fellow from Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and was part of the expert group that drafted the Press Council of Indias media guidelines on health reporting, including reporting on people living with HIV. ...view detail Punjab on Wednesday reported 288 fresh Covid-19 infections and eight deaths. With this, the number of positive cases in the state has reached 8,799 and death toll 221, according to the media bulletin released by the state government. Six patients, four from Ludhiana, two from Nawanshahr (SBS Nagar) and one Sangrur died, while 73 persons, including 61 from Ludhiana tested positive of Covid-19. According to the health department, the positive patients include a DSP, four cops form Mullapur police station and a computer operator from at Moti Nagar police station. Besides, five health care workers, including one from Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC&H) contracted the infection. Two Amritsar Covid-19 patients died during treatment. Besides, 11 fresh cases were reported in the district, of which eight are fresh community transmission cases and three are close contacts of the Covid-19 patients. Six fresh cases were reported in Pathankot district. A 55-year-old woman died of coronavirus, while 36 tested positive in Patiala district. Of the total cases, 12 are from Patiala city, eight from Rajpura, five from Samana, three from Nabha and seven from different villages across the district. Phillaur deputy superintendent of police, eight employees of Regional Transport Authority, five ITBP personnel among 96 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Jalandhar district. Six persons, including three doctors of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital (GGSMCH), Faridkot, tested positive for the virus. Besides, 19 people, including six constables of Border Security Force (BSF), contracted infection in Ferozepur, five in Bathinda and three in Fazilka. Mohali reported 12 fresh cases, of which 4 are nurses of a charitable hospital. CNBC's "College Voices 2020" is a series written by CNBC summer interns from universities across the country about coming of age, launching new careers and job hunting during a global pandemic. They're finding their voices during a time of great social change and hope for a better future. As part of the series, each student chose a recent college graduate to profile to provide an up-close and personal look at who the class of 2020 is, what issues they're facing as they try to find a job in these extraordinary times and how they're tackling them. Here is the story of Joe Hewitt, a Denver native and graduate of the Metropolitan State University of Denver. I met Joe Hewitt in Denver last year. I was immediately inspired by his incredible work ethic and the way he sacrificed the traditional "fun" college route that his friends pursued to ensure he graduated from college in three years and debt-free. You might think a student would need wealthy parents or a trust fund to get out of school without debt. But Hewitt worked hard and made a lot of smart money decisions along the way. Hewitt, a Denver native, was a senior in high school when his parents told him they wouldn't be able to pay for his college. Hewitt had set his sights on the University of Colorado in Boulder, so he was hoping that he could get enough financial aid to make it happen. But, the numbers just didn't add up and Hewitt grew concerned about the potential student debt that would accumulate. "I was figuring out how to pay for it, and eventually my dad encouraged me to apply to Metropolitan State University in case I didn't get enough scholarships for CU Boulder," Hewitt said. His initial hope was to transfer after freshman year, but he would still need to apply for more financial aid and not all of his AP credits would transfer. "The more I thought about it the more I realized that I can get it done in three years and be debt-free if I took this route. More From Invest in You: It's a tough outlook for graduates in the Class of 2020 Many college graduates are relying on unemployment to pay the bills This STEM graduate has been applying for five jobs per day and no luck yet Although it meant sacrificing the quintessential college experience that many of his peers were living, Hewitt is grateful that his parents encouraged him to make this difficult decision. "Going to Metro opened my eyes more to what I value out of the people around me. Not necessarily that you're smart and got into a good school but that you worked through it and you did it on your own. I was really appreciative of that experience." For his first year of college, Hewitt lived at home and continued making money at the moving company where he had worked summers during high school. "It was full-time during the summer and during the school year I was able to work part-time on the weekends. By my third summer I was even a truck driver I think I was actually the youngest truck driver in Denver at the time." By his second year, Hewitt successfully moved out of his family home and lived with friends in the downtown Denver area, paying his own rent and expenses through his part-time job at Larraz Building Excellence, a Denver-based construction company. Fortunately, during the pandemic he has been able to keep his construction job and has moved back home to save money while he waits for the job market to open up. "I feel lucky that I still have work and am making money," he said. "It's important to keep working for my resume and personally, good overall to keep things going." TORONTO, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (Hudbay or the company) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) senior management will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the companys second quarter 2020 results. Second Quarter 2020 Results Conference Call and Webcast Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m. ET Webcast: www.hudbay.com Dial in: 1-416-915-3239 or 1-800-319-4610 Hudbay plans to issue a news release containing the second quarter 2020 results on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 and post it on the companys website. An archived audio webcast of the call also will be available on Hudbays website. About Hudbay Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a diversified mining company primarily producing copper concentrate (containing copper, gold and silver) and zinc metal. Directly and through its subsidiaries, Hudbay owns three polymetallic mines, four ore concentrators and a zinc production facility in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan (Canada) and Cusco (Peru), and copper projects in Arizona and Nevada (United States). The companys growth strategy is focused on the exploration, development, operation and optimization of properties it already controls, as well as other mineral assets it may acquire that fit its strategic criteria. Hudbays vision is to be a responsible, top-tier operator of long-life, low-cost mines in the Americas. Hudbays mission is to create sustainable value through the acquisition, development and operation of high-quality, long-life deposits with exploration potential in jurisdictions that support responsible mining, and to see the regions and communities in which the company operates benefit from its presence. The company is governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act and its shares are listed under the symbol "HBM" on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and Bolsa de Valores de Lima. Further information about Hudbay can be found on www.hudbay.com . Story continues For further information, please contact: Candace Brule Director, Investor Relations (416) 814-4387 candace.brule@hudbay.com Sisters Mimi and Nikki have battled Thailand's tropical climate, chased off elephants from their vineyards and won over a sceptical public to their award-winning wine. Now they're taking on the "unfair" booze laws critics say benefit the kingdom's billionaire booze monopolies. Rows of Syrah, Viognier and Chenin Blanc grapes stretch across the 40-acre GranMonte Estate in the foothills of Khao Yai National Park. The elevated terrain, three hours outside of Bangkok, provides unexpectedly fertile ground for grapes and an escape from city life, complete with a rust-coloured guesthouse that could be pulled straight from a Tuscany tourism advert. As they snap selfies in between the vines visitors run into Nikki Lohitnavy, 33, who studied oenology in Australia and now steers the science behind each bottle. She painstakingly experiments with grape varieties to see how they respond to the climate -- it takes at least six years to see if a decent wine will emerge from the ground. The plot of land was once a cornfield, but their father Visooth transformed the terrain into trellised vines and as a teenager Nikki joined him in the fields. Younger sister Mimi was not interested in the viticulture, but today, she heads the label's marketing, calling it her "mission to put Thai wine into the market". The kingdom's wine remains an outlier -- grapes grown in warmer temperatures tend to produce tannic wines, something that seasoned drinkers eschew. But after more than two decades in business, GranMonte is gaining recognition especially for its progress in tropical viticulture. "Winemakers around the world want to know what we do here because the climate is changing so they have to adapt to warmer temperatures and higher rainfall in their regions too," Nikki told AFP. Its proximity to a national park also poses an unusual pest control issue as hungry elephants occasionally trespass through their vineyard, prompting calls from the sisters to rangers for help. - Que Syrah Sera - Despite the gains, the long term future of the GranMonte wines is clouded by the kingdom's heavily restrictive booze laws. Thailand has a strange relationship with alcohol. A devoutly Buddhist kingdom, it also has the highest alcohol consumption rate in Southeast Asia, according to the WHO. A web of rules, including high import taxes on alcohol, hefty fines for breaches and a licensing culture where bars require friends at local police stations, can make drinking a complicated business. Then there's the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, a law forbidding the display of booze logos on their products, as well as any advertising that could "directly or indirectly appeal to people to drink". It's aimed at controlling consumption, but in effect clips the wings of small producers who do not possess the same reach to customers as established brands. "I can't show clearly a bottle of my wine, I can't post on social media what the wine tastes like, or how or why it's good," says Mimi, who worries that their website might fall afoul of the law. Critics say it has always been unevenly enforced, allowing booze giants to cement their brand recognition, spraying their logos via non-alcoholic drinks like soda water on giant billboards and public transport. The market leader - Thai Beverage - makes the ubiquitous Chang lager. The firm is owned by Sirivadhanabhakdi family, the kingdom's third richest family with $10.5 billion in wealth according to Forbes, and their portfolio includes massive downtown Bangkok real estate projects and hotels. Together with Boon Rawd Brewery -- which produces Singha and Leo -- the duopoly are unrivalled in reach and capital. Neither responded to multiple requests for comment. Thailand's booze laws are uncharacteristically responsive to changes in drinking culture. Online alcohol sales - which surged during the pandemic lockdown - are now in the regulators' crosshairs, potentially closing down another revenue route for small alcohol producers. GranMonte lost 30 million baht ($964,000) in three months during the shutdown - and Mimi says their recovery will be further hampered by new rules slated to ban all online booze sales. - Monopoly players - But Nipon Chinanonwait, director of the Ministry of Health's Alcohol Control Board, rejects criticism that established giants are given an unfair advantage. "Both big and small companies face the same procedure," he told AFP, while the ministry insists the laws are there only to prevent underage drinking. The sisters have teamed up with dozens of small-scale craft brewers, importers and bars to petition the government to axe the advertising law, and to halt the impending online booze sales ban. "People cannot live like this," said brewer Supapong Pruenglampoo, who hid his Sandport Brewing Facebook page from public view in fear of a crackdown. "In these COVID times, (the fines) are impossible to pay," he told AFP. But in an unequal kingdom, any efforts to change the monopoly culture are bruising. It's "a reflection of how Thailand operates," says Mimi. "The lawmaking, the enforcement and everything surrounding it is to benefit the small group of people holding most of the wealth in Thailand," she said. As Nikki tastes their recent batch of Syrah grapes kept in imported barrels, she says the challenges to start were numerous. Now, they are working to stay on top. "It's our passion -- we like it so we do it," she says. Wits University senior clinicians volunteer for Covid-19 vaccine trial Senior clinicians in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University have volunteered to participate in South Africas first Covid-19 vaccine trial. Volunteers were screened on Friday, 10 July and those found eligible to participate in the trail were vaccinated on Tuesday, 14 July at the Soweto trial site in Johannesburg. According to Wits Professor of Vaccinology, Shabir Madhi, who leads the South African Covid-19 vaccine trial, the legacy of vaccines shows that they dont necessarily work similarly across different populations. We really need to generate data applicable to the local context. A number of past vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in high-income settings, but when evaluated in low- and middle-income settings [like South Africa], the vaccines were found to be much less effective and, at times, not effective at all, says Madhi. Dr June Fabian, nephrologist and Research Director at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, explained her motivation for volunteering for the trial: For me its about supporting local scientists to do world-class science. I think its amazing that South Africa is a Covid-19 vaccine trial site and to be a part of that is very exciting. We must support each other as a Wits community and we must support our colleagues. Fabian was one of the scientists involved in the world's first intentional HIV positive liver transplant in 2018. Leading HIV clinician, Professor Francois Venter, Divisional Director of Ezintsha at Wits University, said of his participation in the trial: This collection of Wits Faculty, between them, have first-authored some of the highest-impact medical articles on pandemics. Its important to demonstrate how urgent and safe these [Covid-19 vaccine] studies are, and I have enough confidence in the science to put myself on the line. Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits and Professor of Surgery, Martin Veller, said of his vaccination this morning: The coronavirus pandemic has caused massive disruption in the world to public health and economies. As a consequence, a vaccine is probably the only way to manage in the medium term. We need to get a trial done quickly. Anyone who can enroll, and especially we in the healthcare fraternity who understand the risks, should. Veller added that he feels strongly that Africa needs to be involved in vaccine development so there is a moral obligation for the continent to be able to access the vaccine once it becomes available. Some in the healthcare fraternity are represented by the Progressive Health Forum (PHF), a national advocacy network of health professionals, activists and experts. Dr Aslam K. A. Dasoo, convener of the PHF and a trial volunteer, says that this vaccine trial is part of a multi-centre global effort to meet the greatest threat to humanity in living memory. Knowing that a vaccine is the best possible means of mitigating the global impact of the pandemic makes it a great privilege for me to participate in this study. For those who have expressed anxiety at the trial being conducted here, my enrolment, together with other doctors and medical scientists, should provide comfort that the trial is safe. More importantly, it is a signal that South Africa is not only at the forefront of this scientific effort, but also makes it more likely that the people of our continent will benefit from a future vaccine, says Dasoo. If you would like to volunteer to participate in South Africas first Covid-19 vaccine trial, email vidacov19@rmpru.co.za for information or call 072 055 1249 (Soweto area) / 074 800 7772 (Tshwane area) / 064 850 0744 (Hillbrow area). Madhi said: If we want to make informed decisions at an early stage about whether these vaccines are going to benefit people in South Africa, its critical that we undertake the clinical evaluation during the start of the entire programme, rather than at the latter stage. Waiting for results to come in from other studies would just lead to a lag in terms of the timing when vaccines would be introduced in South Africa as well as other low- and middle-income countries. Madhi assumes the role of Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits in January 2021 after Veller retires. New Delhi: Talented actor Sushant Singh Rajput's last film 'Dil Bechara' is inching closer to its digital release on July 24, 2020. The film marks the debut of actress Sanjana Sanghi and director Mukesh Chhabra. The makers have dropped its new song 'Taare Ginn' and it is an absolute melody to the ears. Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal's vocals make it a perfect ode to sweet, innocent college love. Watch 'Taare Ginn' song from 'Dil Bechara' here: Dil Bechara' will be releasing on OTT platform DisneyPlusHotstar. The music is by the maestro himself - AR Rahman, who has sung the title song which released a few days back to a thundering response from fans. Getting to watch Sushant, one last time on-screen performing will surely keep you hooked and might even move you to tears. Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. The 34-year-old actor's death has created a huge void in cinema space, leaving his loved ones in mourning. His fans are pressing hard on CBI enquiry to ensure a fair probe. 'Dil Bechara' is surely going to be a special watch! Kansas Republican House candidate Steve Watkins addresses the crowd during a campaign rally in Topeka, Kan. Charlie Riedel/AP The Shawnee County district attorney charged Rep. Steve Watkins of voter fraud, local outlets reported. The allegations stem from Watkins listing a UPS Store address on his mail-in ballot during 2019 local elections. He faces three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge. He has denied the claims and called listing the UPS Store's address an "honest mistake." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Republican Rep. Steve Watkins of Kansas is being charged in relation to a voter fraud investigation by the district attorney in Shawnee County, Kansas, local outlet KMBC reported. According to the outlet, Watkins was charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor. The three felonies charges are for providing false information, voting without being qualified, and unlawful advance voting. He is also being charged with a misdemeanor for failing to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a change of address. WIBW reported that the charges are related to Watkins listing the address for a UPS Store mailbox on his advanced 2019 local elections ballot. Watkins' office previously said it was an "honest mistake" and claimed that the store was used as a mailing address for his campaign, according to WIBW. District Attorney Michael Kagay said he was aware of the allegations in December 2019, but the investigation was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. NPR added that registering at the UPS Store address meant that Watkins could vote in a district other than his previous address. "The UPS store falls in a city council district where the election was decided by 13 votes," NPR wrote. "This is clearly hyper-political. It comes out moments before our first debate and three weeks before the election. I haven't done anything wrong. As soon as I realized that I had put our mailing address instead of my physical address we fixed it. This is very suspicious, seems highly political, we've cooperated with the district attorney completely. I haven't seen the charges. I simply know that I look forward to clearing my name. I've done nothing wrong and look forward to setting the record straight," Watkins said about the investigation on Tuesday at a debate, KMBC reported. Story continues According to KMBC, Watkins' actions could even be considered perjury. Watkins is running against Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor in the district's GOP primary. According to NPR, LaTurner said: "It's safe to say that this is now a two-person race. The reality is Steve Watkins needs to take responsibility for what he's done." Read the original article on Business Insider An Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court (HC) last week rejected an application for an interim bail filed by former Maharashtra service police officer Manoj Prabhakar Lohar, who was convicted last year for kidnapping for ransom and sentenced to life imprisonment. Lohar had sought an interim bail on health grounds. He contended that he is a cancer survivor and also recently underwent a heart surgery, which requires follow-up treatment in Mumbai. It was also argued on his behalf that since several inmates at Mumbais Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai were found to have tested coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive, Lohar, a heart patient, is apprehensive of contracting SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease. The two-member division HC bench, comprising Justices TV Nalawade and Shrikant Kulkarni, was not impressed with the argument. The judges found the period of follow-up treatment after the heart surgery had lapsed and a fresh report by jail authorities stated that the petitioner was in sound health condition and leading a normal life. Besides the court noted that on April 3, 2019, another HC bench, also headed by Justice Nalawade, had rejected the applications filed by Lohar for suspension of the substantive sentence handed down to him and his purported agent, Dhiraj Yeole, and grant of bail. Lohar, who was working as additional superintendent (ASP) of police at Chalisgaon in Jalgaon district, and Yeole, a local resident, were convicted by Jalgaon sessions court last year. They were convicted for kidnapping for ransom a local politician, Uttamrao Mahajan, the principal of an Ayurvedic medical college at Chalisgaon, in June 2009, and demanding a ransom of Rs 60 lakh for his release. Mahajan, according to the prosecution, was detained illegally and let off only after the Jalgaon SP intervened in the matter. The HC noted that there was no change in circumstances after the order dated April 3, 2019, when the bench headed by justice Nalawade rejected his bail plea. The court had said that releasing them on bail would send a wrong signal to the public at large and such persons need to be kept behind bars in a bid to send a strong message to others indulging in similar offences. These days police officers like the accused No.1 (Lohar) are virtually acting as leaders of gangs of dacoit, the HC had said in its April 3, 2019 order. It can be said that public is afraid of police like the accused No.1 more than the dacoits, who commit robberies or burglaries, the order had added. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat rebuked Congress' Rahul Gandhi, using his own words against him after the latter mounted an attack on the Centre for its 'global strategy being in tatters'. Breaking his Twitter silence amid the ongoing ruckus within the party in Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at the Government of India, claiming that its global strategy was in tatters and that power & respect was being lost everywhere, referring to China stealing a march on India over the Chabahar port in Iran. Taking to Twitter, BJP's Shekhawat asked Rahul Gandhi to mirror his tweet to see the condition of his own party - aptly described by the same words he put out to attack the Centre. READ | Rahul Gandhi Takes Jibe At Centre; Glosses Over Delayed 'thoughts' Video & Rajasthan Chaos Shekhawat gives Rahul Gandhi a taste of his own medicine What he really means to say: "INC's political strategy is in tatters. We are losing respect and power everywhere. And I have no idea what to do" https://t.co/AKOL1wh01C Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) July 15, 2020 READ | 'PM Modi Appreciated Our Performance': Sacked Sachin Pilot-camp Minister Meena Slams Cong Rahul Gandhi's attack on GoI Even as Rajasthan's Congress government is fighting for survival, Wayanad MP and former party chief Rahul Gandhi seems intent on very visibly not entering the fray, choosing instead to continue his attack on the Central government over geopolitical matters. While the leader is still silent on the sacking of Sachin Pilot and rising voices within the Congress against the old-guard, he on Wednesday quoted reports that claimed that Iran has dropped India from the Chabahar project. Rahul Gandhi has also failed to live up to his promise that he would communicate his thoughts via video with the people - dubbed in certain quarters as Rahul's own 'Mann Ki Baat' - which was expected on Tuesday. READ | Worked Very Hard To Bring Congress Govt In Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot After Big BJP Statement Congress sacks Sachin Pilot As Sachin Pilot skipped the second legislative party meeting on July 14, Ashok Gehlot's camp passed a resolution against Pilot and loyalists. Addressing the press, Gehlot said that Pilot is playing in the hands of BJP and accused the saffron party of horse-trading. Thereafter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a press briefing announced that party has sacked Sachin Pilot from the post of Deputy CM and PCC chief and accused him of conspiring with BJP. Alongside Pilot, Congress also sacked Vishvender Singh, and Ramesh Meena from their cabinet positions. Gobind Singh Dotasra has been appointed as new Rajasthan Congress chief. The party's entire Dausa unit also resigned after Pilot's removal. However, Congress leaders such as Sanjay Jha (who was later suspended), Jitin Prasada, Priya Dutt and several party functionaries in the Rajasthan unit of the party openly supported Pilot. READ | Sachin Pilot Says "I'm Not Joining BJP" Amid Speculation On Rajasthan CM Post Negotiations Federal officers again dispersed protesters gathered overnight in downtown Portland, deploying tear gas and less-lethal munitions. Demonstrators have also moved to establish an encampment in a park across the street from the federal courthouse. The developments come as nightly Black Lives Matter protests continued Tuesday in Portland for the seventh straight week. Between 200 and 250 people marched Tuesday from Revolution Hall across the Morrison Bridge, stopping at City Hall and making their way to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Dozens later joined protesters gathered near the Multnomah County Justice Center a hub for nightly protests. Demonstrators established barricades in the street nearby, using materials including industrial kitchen appliances, road blockades, and flashing traffic signs, according to Portland police. Portland police removed some of a barricade at Third Avenue and Salmon Street early Wednesday, but demonstrators returned and officers left. Police said demonstrators threw glass bottles and pointed lasers at officers as the officers disengaged. Portland police said at 2:45 a.m. that their officers did not use tear gas, crowd control munitions or force on demonstrators. But later in Wednesdays early-morning hours, federal officers appear to have used tear gas and less-lethal munitions to disperse the crowd. Employees of KOIN-TV, whose newsroom is down the street from the Justice Center and federal courthouse, reportedly saw tear gas being deployed. I had no idea why my nose was burning on the way into the studio.. and now I know it is because a coworker walked through tear gas before coming into newsroom. Thats some powerful stuff. https://t.co/Yw6KOq84hm Jenny Hansson (@jennyhKOIN) July 15, 2020 Livestream video footage captured officers in camouflage uniforms firing the munitions. Gas or smoke could be seen in the street at many points in the lengthy video stream. The footage shows the officers in camouflage breaking down a road barricade established by protesters near the Justice Center and federal courthouse. Demonstrators appeared to eventually disperse. Uniformed Portland police officers did not appear to be involved in the dispersal. The specific reasons why federal officers moved to break up the crowd werent immediately clear. The dispersal came amid ongoing scrutiny of federal involvement in policing protests in downtown Portland, where courts have restricted local police but not federal agents from using crowd control munitions against nonviolent protesters. Members of Oregons congressional delegation on Tuesday demanded to know more about the federal governments response to nightly Portland protests. They said in a letter to top federal law enforcement officials that theyre especially concerned the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal agents working the protests are taking direction from federal officials outside of Oregon. Their presence and lack of coordination raises urgent concerns about how those engaging in illegal use of force against demonstrators will be held accountable, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, all Democrats, wrote in a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf. The letter was spurred by an incident Saturday night in which a deputy U.S. Marshal fired across a street on a demonstrator identified as Donavan LaBella, critically wounding the man. The incident is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has said he remains deeply concerned about the actions of federal law enforcement officials and that La Bellas injuries at the hands of a federal officer were unacceptable. Wheeler said that while he doesnt want federal law enforcement officials to complicate already tense nightly protests, he lacks the authority to tell them to stay away. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has praised federal authorities in Portland for doing a great job. Authorities had descended on the downtown encampment Wednesday morning, clearing street blockades and reportedly telling people camped out in Lownsdale Square to leave. Several tents remained set up in the park, which is across the street from the federal courthouse. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Concerns have been raised with the government over the balance of veterinary expertise on the new trade and agriculture commission. The commission has been established to help inform post-Brexit trade policy and make recommendations for government. It will be chaired Tim Smith, a former chief executive of the Food Standards Agency and Tesco Group technical director. All five of the UKs farming unions are represented on the commission - the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, Ulster Farmers' Union and Farmers' Union of Wales. But the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has raised 'serious concerns' with international trade secretary Liz Truss over the commission's 'balance of expertise'. The UK vet body has pointed to the fact that only one member of the 16-strong commission is a veterinary surgeon. It has called for veterinary expertise to be at the heart of the commission's membership and remit, specifically asking for BVA representation. But when the Department for International Trade announced the membership on 10 July, it revealed that while nine members were representing industry and retail bodies, only one member is a vet former UK CVO Professor Nigel Gibbens. BVA said it 'fully supported' the appointment of Professor Gibbens, but has called on Ms Truss to reconsider the decision not to include a representative from the association. In a letter to the trade secretary, BVA president Daniella Dos Santos pointed to the fact that veterinary surgeons have the unique role, responsibility and training to advocate for animal health and welfare. It comes as the RSPCA also questioned whether the commission had the necessary expertise in these matters to deliver on the governments pledge to uphold standards in future trade deals. Ms Dos Santos said including more veterinary representatives would 'enhance the commissions credibility' as the British public felt 'strongly' about maintaining the UKs high standards. International trade in animal products cannot happen without the veterinary profession," she added. "We are uniquely qualified to safeguard animal health and welfare and public health and we should be well represented on the commission." A genetic analysis of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has re-established our understanding of its population structure, aiding its conservation. The collaborative study spanning seven countries and led by the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Bristol researchers is published in PLOS ONE. The American crocodile is widespread across the American continent (from South Florida to Venezuela, across the Greater Antilles, and from Mexico to Ecuador). Successful due to its ability to thrive within brackish and saltwater environments. Efforts to conserve the crocodile species have existed since 1975 when their status was set to vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list. However, although conservation efforts have been put in place, the American crocodile faces further threats including habitat degradation due to coastal development. Replenishing these populations requires understanding of population structures through genetic analysis, which can elaborate on the evolution of the species distribution. Gaining more understanding on how a species has come to be distributed so widely and how populations can differentiate genetically, can inform regions how best to manage their populations. The study reflected a regional collaborative effort, where DNA sampling occurred across seven countries including Venezuela, Jamaica and Cuba. There has been ongoing discussion on how these regional populations of C.acutus are similar. However, the studys results found that populations in Northern, Central and Southern Americas and Great Antilles differed genetically. There were similarities found between Costa Rica and Jamaican populations. In Venezuela, they identified three new haplotypes, which are closely related genes that help scientists identify an origin of distribution. Researchers believe that the mating with different species could have contributed to this distribution, also known as hybridisation. Crocodiles hybridise easily, contributing to their ability to survive since the prehistoric era. Additionally, in Florida genetic analysis showed there had been a case of unintentional translocation, where the species had been moved from a different location over time. This had been flagged by previous research, where crocodiles with haplotypes from Central and South America had been transported to Florida, most likely for the pet trade, and later escaped or released into the wild by owners. By identifying these differences between regional populations of C. acutus, conservation efforts can establish population clusters which consider the populationsas independent management units that may have different needs and focuses. The study was ambitious and could not have been achieved without its global collaboration and efforts from its long list of authors. In particular, the late John Thorbjarnarson and Rafael Crespo, who dedicated their lives to this research. Lead authors, Dr Natalia Rossi and Dr Angelica Menchaca-Rodriguez from Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, stress the importance of collaborating across borders, particularly for such a widespread species. They said, We are proud of having achieved this regional effort of understanding species at a scale no single scientist could have done. Paper 'High levels of population genetic differentiation in the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)' by N Rossi et al in PLOS ONE [open access] The US Justice Department announced Wednesday it is using terrorism charges for the first time to indict a member of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang. Attorney General Bill Barr announced the charges against Salvador-based gang leader Armando Eliu Melgar Diaz at a White House event meant to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on the group. In an indictment unsealed in the federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, Diaz was accused of directing MS-13 activities on the US East Coast region, ordering and approving numerous murders and overseeing drug deals while collecting payments from around 20 local MS-13 cliques. The Justice Department accused Diaz with conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to cross-border terror acts, along with narco-terror financing and other charges. The department did not explain why it was using terror charges for the first time against the gang, but it noted that the Salvadoran government had designated MS-13 a terror group. "MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization, whose criminal activities respect no boundaries," said John Durham, the Justice Department official in charge of a special task force to investigate MS-13. "The only way to defeat MS-13 is by targeting the organization as a whole, focusing on the leadership structure, and deploying a whole-of-government approach against a common enemy," Durham said in a statement. Diaz lived illegally in the United States, mostly in Virginia, from 2003 to 2016 when he was deported, according to the indictment. After that he became the gang's main coordinator for its eastern US operations based in El Salvador. He is currently under arrest in El Salvador facing charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. Meanwhile federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the indictments of 21 MS-13 members in New York and Utah belonging to US operations separate from those run by Diaz. Those involved charges including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and weapons violations. And the Justice Department said it would seek the death penalty for a notorious MS-13 hit man in New York, Alexi Saenz, who was indicted in 2017 for seven murders. Prayut apologises for Rayong COVID scare, vows to step up measures BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has apologised to the people for lax COVID-91 measures which failed to effectively put dozens of foreign visitors in quarantine. COVID-19healthimmigration By Bangkok Post Wednesday 15 July 2020, 09:37AM Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has apologised for lax measures to let an Egyptian soldier who tested positive for COVID-19 go around in Rayong. Photo: Bangkok Post/ file Gen Prayut made the remark after some of the 31 Egyptian soldiers in Rayong province had gone shopping downtown and one of them was a confirmed case, reports the Bangkok Post. The prime minister said the incident should not have happened. It shows no respect for the rules and a lack of discipline, he said. As the director of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), he said he would take the responsibility. More importantly, he wanted to find ways to plug these loopholes. Gen Prayut said he had sent a team of officials to gather in-depth information, inspect areas where the infected soldier had been, check those who were there at the same time, as well as registration desks where visitors checked in and out at malls via the Thai Chana web platform. Those who were in contact with him would be tested to ease public worries, said the prime minister. He also asked the centre to review health measures for diplomats and their families. Flights from foreign countries, including military aircraft, will have to follow these measures, he said. Gen Prayut said the visitors who left the quarantine facility breached the regulations. He had asked the Foreign Ministry to discuss the matter with the Egyptian embassy in Thailand to prevent a recurrence. He also banned all international flights coming to the country until the problem was solved. Meanwhile, resort operators, restaurants and ferry service providers in Rayong say they have been dealt a second blow, according to Sarinthip Thapmongkolsap, chairwoman of the Samet Tourism Association. All room bookings on Koh Samet have been cancelled. All tourists who were already there also left, she said. She urged the government to help tourism operators there. After reopening businesses for less than two weeks, they are now back to square one, she said. She added she would like to see strict measures applied to all foreigners and not just Thais. The Egyptian case in Rayong and the Sudanese case in Bangkok also triggered a 14-day quarantine requirement in some provinces such as Lampang for all visitors who were in Rayong and Bangkok during the time the foreigners were not in quarantine. All 127 schools in Rayong were also temporarily closed. A few schools in Bangkok near the condominium where the Sudanese family stayed also shuttered and shifted to the online learning mode. An Italian policeman whose partner was fatally stabbed during a failed drug bust last year described Wednesday the moment the knife was pulled by one of two US students standing trial for murder. Andrea Varriale claims his partner Mario Cerciello Rega was slain in an unprovoked nighttime attack on July 26, 2019 after the officers, who were in plain clothes, approached the Americans, who had earlier tried to buy drugs. Varriale described to the Rome court how he desperately tried to stop up Cerciello's wounds until an ambulance arrived, but "the blood was spurting out". Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Natale-Hjorth allege they were attacked by the policemen from behind on a dark street in Rome, and defended themselves from what they believed to be dangerous drug dealers. "We approached the pair from the front and we pulled out our badges, saying we were police," Varriale told the court, according to Italian news agencies at the hearing, which was closed to most media due to coronavirus restrictions. Elder, 20, has admitted to stabbing Cerciello several times with an eight-inch combat knife, but insists he did not know he was a police officer. 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. The two Americans face life sentences if found guilty of knowingly killing a police officer. - 'Immediately attacked us' - "They had nothing in their hands. We just wanted to identify them. They immediately attacked us," Varriale said. "I was grabbed by Natale and we wrestled on the floor. At the same time I could hear Cerciello shouting 'Stop! Police!' His voice was breaking," he said. "The whole thing lasted just a few seconds. I let my aggressor go because I was alarmed by Cerciello's shouts. I looked up and I saw him standing, and he said 'they stabbed me', before collapsing on the ground." The court then heard the audio recording of the emergency call Varriale made, but the father of Cerciello's widow was taken ill as the call was played, and the judge adjourned the hearing until Thursday. 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. The day after the Americans were arrested, a photograph was leaked to the press showing Natale-Hjorth illegally blindfolded and handcuffed at the Rome barracks where he had been taken for questioning. Varriale admitted he had not only been present, he had taken the photograph and had filmed the scene as well. - Drug bust gone wrong - Varriale stuck by his story that he had been carrying his gun until August 9, when he confessed that not only did he not have his gun on him, but that he had conspired with a superior officer to lie about it. The defence was expected to ask Varriale why he and Cerciello left their designated patrol area to track down the US students, without informing central command. The Americans had earlier that night stolen the bag of a man who had introduced them to a drug dealer. They say the theft was revenge for the dealer having tried to rip them off. What they did not know was that the dealer was a police informant. When they set up a meeting to swap the bag in return for money, the police turned up instead. While Varriale says he and Cerciello showed the Americans their badges, Cerciello's badge was never found, and in the chaotic aftermath of the stabbing, Varriale was not asked to produce his, or his handcuffs. Pro-democracy activist Lester Shum (2nd R) and other winners of the unofficial democratic primaries hold a press conference in Hong Kong on July 15, 2020. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) Unofficial Hong Kong Vote Sees New Generation Take Over Battle for Democracy HONG KONGA younger, more defiant generation of Hong Kong democrats has secured the most votes in unofficial primary elections in the Chinese-ruled city, setting the stage for a battle with pro-Beijing politicians for control of the citys legislature. The success of young contenders in the primaries organised by the pro-democracy camp on the weekend to pick candidates for a Sept. 6 election for a 70-seat city assembly comes amid widespread resentment of a national security law that Beijing imposed last month. Beijing denounced the vote as illegal and warned it may have violated the new security law, which has raised fears for the freedoms that have underpinned Hong Kongs open society and success as a financial hub. Prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong won in his district, but he has been disqualified from previous elections and could face similar hurdles this time. Wong warned against any sweeping disqualification of candidates when he held a news conference with 15 other young politicians who won in their districts. (L-R) Ivan Lam, Joshua Wong, and Agnes Chow speak to reporters after appearing in court in Hong Kong, on July 6, 2020. (Song Bilung/The Epoch Times) If the government cracks down on us and disqualifies all the candidates who joined the primaries, it will cause more outrage in the international community and encourage more people to vote for the pro-democratic camp in September, Wong said. The 16all but one under 30 and dressed in black T-shirtsare part of a so-called localist or resistance camp, which outshone the cohort of traditional democrats, which had secured 12 candidate slots as of Wednesday afternoon. Full results are expected later in the day. The localistsa term for those who do not see themselves as Chinese and focus on saving the former British colonys freedomstend to be more assertive than traditional democrats. The localists talk of resistance and saving democracy but they do not all have the same vision for Hong Kongs future. Some dream of independenceanathema for Beijingbut do not speak of it openly, which would see them fall foul of the new security law and face up to life in prison. Their performance in the primaries reflects frustration, especially among younger voters, with Hong Kongs more moderate, traditional pro-democracy politicians. Localism has become the mainstream, said localist candidate Henry Wong. We will resist against the tyranny. The new security law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and sees Chinese intelligence agents operating officially in the city for the first time. Police officers maintain orders as a 23-year-old man, Tong Ying-kit, arrives at a court in Hong Kong on July 6, 2020. (Vincent Yu/AP Photo) Critics fear it will crush wide-ranging freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, while supporters say it will bring stability after a year of often violent anti-government protests. Difficult to Understand The law has already had a chilling effect on many aspects of life. Earlier on Wednesday, former democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin said he was pulling out as an organizer of the weekend vote amid accusations from Beijing that it was illegal. Withdrawal is the only choice [to] protect myself and others, Au said in a Facebook post. A spokesman for Beijings top office in the city, the Hong Kong Liaison Office, said the pro-democracy camps bid for a legislative majority was an attempt to carry out a color revolution, referring to uprisings in other parts of the world. In comments that critics said were aimed at instilling fear, the Liaison Office as well as Chinese governments Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the citys leader, Carrie Lam, have all said the primaries could violate the national security law. Occupy Central leader Benny Tai (C) talks to reporters outside the High court in Hong Kong on Aug. 15, 2019. (Vincent Yu/AP Photo) Benny Tai, another organizer of the pro-democracy polls, was defiant. For those who do not recognize democracy, or do not agree with democratic values, it is difficult to understand the meaning of the primary election, Tai said. Hong Kong police on Wednesday arrested the vice chairman of the citys Democratic Party, Lo Kin-hei, on charges of unlawful assembly related to a protest in November. The political tension in Hong Kong has alarmed the business community while the new law has raised concern in countries that support the one country, two systems formula of government meant to safeguard its freedoms. On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an end to Hong Kongs special status under U.S. law to punish China for what he called oppressive actions against the city. China said it would impose retaliatory sanctions on U.S. individuals and entities after Trump signed a law penalizing banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement the new law. In an interview with state agency Xinhua, Chief Executive Lam said U.S. sanctions wont hurt Hong Kong and in time, concern about the security law would prove unfounded. In another blow to the citys standing, The New York Times said it would shift part of its Hong Kong office to Seoul, as worries grow that the security law will curb media and other freedoms. By Jessie Pang and Yanni Chow Each COVID-19 team is made up of a doctor, a nurse, a nursing technician, as well as Armed Forces staff , who visit the homes of people suspected to have the virus. If a person tests positive, a cordon sanitaire is implemented. Pink-caped Chilean deputy brings lawmakers to their feet to celebrate coronavirus bill Congressional session to vote a constitutional reform on pensions in Valparaiso By Aislinn Laing SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A Chilean lawmaker launched hundreds of internet memes on Wednesday when she ran through congress wearing a pink cape and waving matching fans to celebrate passage in the lower house of a coronavirus emergency aid measure. Wearing a face mask and a pink shawl streaming behind her, Pamela Jiles sprinted repeatedly past bemused senior ministers in President Sebastian Pinera's administration who sat on the front bench and had opposed the bill. Other lawmakers whipped out cellphone cameras, stood, clapped and waved their hands. Twitter users celebrated Jiles, who turned in an energetic performance despite a cast on one leg, as a "great grandma," compared her to Japanese cartoon ninja Naruto and called for Chile to be renamed "Jile." The former journalist turned lawmaker, a member of the far-left Broad Front coalition who represents a poor area of Santiago, has been a supporter of the populist plan to allow citizens hit hard by coronavirus lockdown measures to withdraw up to 10% of privately held pension funds. The bill will be voted on by senators next week. Jiles said on Tuesday on Twitter that she had strenuously lobbied, to the point of "offering my body," for lawmakers to vote in favour of a reform "that will save people from hunger." An opinion poll showed Chileans strongly in favour of the idea, but the center-right government sought to defeat it. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) As the world's largest manufacturer of vaping equipment, SMOORE constantly aims to improve the status quo and is committed to bringing a unified and complete standard to the entire vaping industry. The listing in Hong Kong has provided SMOORE with a strong supporting role in setting the industry benchmark. Hiring more employees in the R&D field than employees in the sales team, it's obvious the significance SMOORE puts on the innovation part. With 14 years' experience in the field of OEM/ODM, it's no wonder that, according to Frost & Sullivan, based on 2019 revenue calculations, SMOORE accounts for 16.5% of the total market share. Synonymizing with high quality, SMOORE has obtained its professionality in heating element technologies, which has been passed down to its sub-brands' products, giving them the same innovative and safe qualities. As one of the sub-brands, VAPORESSO has inherited SMOORE's spirit and incorporated it into its own mission to be Beyond the Ordinary. With cutting-edge ingenuity, VAPORESSO is dedicated to satisfying its customers with the high-quality vaping experience. VAPORESSO's products - such as VECO, ZERO, LUXE and the GEN family - cover the full range of open-system vapes and fulfil the various needs from the vapers. So far, along with SMOORE, VAPORESSO's business has spread to more than 60 countries and regions around the world and has established a substantial brand influence in Europe, America, and emerging markets. But VAPORESSO's efforts far exceed that. By working closely together with partners, with its consistent innovation and craftsmanship, VAPORESSO will keep providing high-quality products and services for the existing 800 million happy users and counting, thereby providing a better future for the vaping industry. SOURCE VAPORESSO President Donald Trump listens as Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, speaks in March. The Trump administration has ordered that hospitals bypass the premier federal public health agency when submitting COVID-19 data. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Read more The Trump administration is asking governors to consider sending the National Guard to hospitals to help improve data collection about COVID-19 patients, supplies, and capacity, according to a letter, internal email, and officials familiar with the plans. The move is part of a new data reporting protocol for hospitals. The protocol bypasses the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, and stores data in a new HHS database run by a federal contractor a change that is sparking controversy about whether the data will be reliable and accessible to the public. In a letter to the nations governors that says the National Guard could be called upon, HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Deborah Birx, the White Houses Coronavirus Task Force response coordinator, say they ordered the changes because some hospitals have failed to report the information daily or completely. That portrayal, and the suggestion that military reservists could help with medical information flow, have infuriated hospital industry leaders, who say any data collection problems lie primarily with HHS and shifting federal instructions. The new protocol, which began Wednesday, directs hospitals to report information daily about COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, to the federal contractor or to their state, which would coordinate the federal reporting. Public health experts say bypassing the CDC could undercut the quality of data and the federal response to the pandemic. The decision to have hospitals directly report to Washington instead of CDC makes no sense, said former acting CDC Director Richard Besser, now president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. CDC needs to be able to look at that data and see how it correlates with actions that states have taken. You dont want that information going to Washington, where it can be influenced even more by politics. Echoed Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley: I feel strongly that CDC, a non-political agency of public health experts, should be the central hub for data about the coronavirus epidemic. Any decision to bypass the CDC in reporting of public health data risks undermining the credibility of that information. Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University Langone Medical Center, was more blunt: This represents the continued effort by the White House to defeat a plague by not collecting data, distorting data, and hiding data. Under the reporting system that is ending, about 3,000 hospitals or the health systems that own them send detailed information about COVID-19 patients and other metrics to the CDCs long-standing collection system, the National Healthcare Safety Network, or NHSN. CDC staff analyze the data and provide tailored reports to every state twice a week and to multiple federal agencies every day. These data are used by local health officials and policymakers to identify coronavirus trends in hospitals in their communities, a federal health official said. Some experts said the move could further marginalize the CDC, the governments premier public health agency, at a time when the pandemic is worsening in most of the country. I worry greatly about cutting CDC out of these reporting efforts, said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Healths Center for Health Security. I see little benefit from separating reporting of hospitalizations from reporting of cases, which CDC currently coordinates. The letter from Azar and Birx to the governors, which was sent out late Monday night or early Tuesday, backs away from earlier drafts that directed state leaders to deploy the National Guard to help hospitals with daily data submissions. It now includes the National Guard among states options for improving the data flow, according to copies of the letter obtained by the Washington Post . The idea of bringing in the Guard was first broached at a late June meeting with hospital industry leaders by Birx, according to two industry officials who attended and spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions. Given our track record of being cooperative to evolving data requests, its perplexing that the possibility of using the National Guard has been suggested, said Rick Pollack, president of the American Hospital Association. It makes no sense. Certainly the expertise of the National Guard can be used in a more productive way. At meetings Monday and Tuesday of HHS officials, hospital representatives, and state health officers to discuss the new protocol, there was no mention of the National Guard, according to a senior hospital industry official and other individuals present. According to one senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity about private conversations, the draft of the letter that had directed governors to deploy the National Guard was revised over the weekend. The final version tells governors, If need be, you could consider prioritizing National Guard duties, in coordination with state health officers and emergency managers, to serve reporting needs for hospitals in the red zones. The letter also says, [I]t is critical that we receive complete, accurate, daily hospital-level date in order to ensure that critical items such as therapeutics, testing supplies, and PPE are distributed efficiently and effectively across the country. Tuesday evening, Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D., Conn.), chairwoman of the House Budget Committees subcommittee that funds HHS, issued a statement accusing the department of acting in direct violation with the law by ordering hospitals to bypass the CDC in reporting coronavirus data. HHS has been operating as a dangerous, political apparatus and cannot be trusted to share accurate hospital information with Congress and the American public, DeLauro said. Post reporters Josh Dawsey and Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report. Inquirer staff writer Marie McCullough also contributed. In fact, notions of what is The Island and what isnt has changed with the City Ship Canal. Before the southernmost portions of the canal were filled in, the references to The Island extended to include grain industry areas between Ohio Street and the Buffalo River south of the Ohio Street bridge- including todays Silo City as far south as what is now the Tifft Nature Preserve. The first known print reference to the current name of the place didnt come along until 1962, and adds an important clue about the derivation of the name. A Buffalo Evening News story about the closure of the Marine Elevator referred to the grain elevators location in the Kelley Island area. Adding the extra E points to the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company, which opened a factory and storage facility just south of todays Silo City along the Buffalo River in 1917. KIL&T was the countrys largest producer of limestone and lime. In Buffalo, the stone was used extensively in the buildings of the city and the lime was used extensively in the steel industry. The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) is likely to support the Congress government in case of a floor test in the Rajasthan assembly following Sachin Pilots rebellion against chief minister Ashok Gehlot, two functionaries said on Wednesday. Ramprasad Dindor, one of the two BTP lawmakers in the state, said they would support the Congress even as the party has asked them to stay neutral. Velaram Goghra, BTPs Rajasthan chief, said the party has been giving issue-based support to the Congress and if the government meets their demands, they will consider supporting it in case a floor test. He added BTP voted for the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections last month after the government promised to meet its demands. Two BTP members were among 101 lawmakers, who attended the Congress legislative party meeting at a Jaipur hotel on Tuesday. They later left the hotel saying they would take a call on supporting a political party at an appropriate time. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 72 lawmakers in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. Pilots camp has claimed to have the support of 22 legislators, including three independents. Goghra said their demands include the implementation of the Maharashtra model for the development of tribal areas in Rajasthan. Under the model, funds for tribal development are given to a tribal commissioner instead of various departments. If Gehlot announces it as promised, then we can discuss with our high command and within the community and offer our support, said Goghra. Our accountability is to our people and whatever is in their interest, we will do. We need to have an understanding with the government to get benefits of schemes for our people. Rajkumar Roat, the second BTP lawmaker, whose videos surfaced on Tuesday in which he claimed police were harassing him, said the party will take the final decision on supporting the Congress in a floor test. On Wednesday, Roat said he was not harassed. ...I had put out the videos, the incident was true but it was a case of mistaken identity by police. They did not recognise me, he said. Roat on Tuesday said police snatched keys to his car and that he was under detention and several people were asking him to go with them. Pilots social media team circulated Roats video to highlight how the government was harassing lawmakers. The BJP, too, cited the videos to claim the government was intimidating the lawmakers. BASEL, Switzerland, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Versameb AG, a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics, announced today the closing of a CHF 6 million seed financing round. Versameb further strengthens its team by the appointment of Dr. Klaas P. Zuideveld as Chief Development Officer effective May 1 to advance its lead molecule into clinical development. Versameb is engaged in the discovery and development of next-generation RNA-based drugs using its proprietary VERSagile technology platform. Management team joined by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Versameb appointed Dr. Klaas P. Zuideveld as CDO. Most recently, Dr. Zuideveld held the position of Vice President Pharmaceutical partnerships at Caris Life Sciences, where he was responsible for the company's first companion diagnostic partnership and precision medicine led clinical trials. Prior to that, Dr. Zuideveld held leadership positions in drug development and consulted for Pharsight (acquired by Certara), F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Mosaic Biomedicals (acquired by Northern Biologics) and Therachon (acquired by Pfizer). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands. "Klaas brings a rare combination of scientific excellence and strong operational expertise to this role. With his extensive experience in developing therapeutics from early discovery stages through clinical trials, he will oversee Versameb's preclinical and clinical development as the company advances towards planning and executing clinical development programs," commented Prof. Dr. Friedrich Metzger, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Versameb. The VERSagile platform - Programming mRNA sequences for improved therapeutic efficacy Versameb developed a unique proprietary molecular algorithm that has the potential to make mRNA therapies more effective. Molecular engineering mRNA sequences with the VERSagile technology platform generates molecules optimized for improved protein secretion and allows for modulation of different therapeutic targets. Versameb currently develops molecules targeting regulation of immune response or regeneration in the fields of dermatology, oncology and myology. The platform has been validated for these therapeutic targets and preclinical proof of principle has been established with its lead asset in animal models. The proceeds of the latest financing round will be used to progress its lead asset towards clinic by the end of 2021 and advance additional applications in therapeutic areas of high unmet medical need, creating an attractive and balanced portfolio. Dr. Reinhard Ambros, the company's Chairman of the Board and former Head of the Novartis Venture fund, stated: "Versameb has reached important milestones in developing a highly transformative, well differentiated technology platform. I am very pleased to see that the company is attracting excellent talent to perform on our strategic and operational goals and that it is enjoying strong support from its investors." About Versameb AG Versameb AG is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in Basel, Switzerland managed by an experienced scientific and business team. The company's focus is the development of novel RNA-based therapeutics. Versameb's proprietary VERSagile technology platform enables efficient development of functional mRNA molecules in multiple disease areas with high unmet medical need including dermatology, oncology and myology. For more information, please visit www.versameb.com. Contact for Media Enquiries Prof. Dr. Friedrich Metzger Chief Executive Officer Versameb AG Hochbergerstrasse 60C CH-4058 Basel +41-61-638-23-62 +41-79-293-13-05 friedrich.metzger@versameb.com SOURCE Versameb AG The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government on Wednesday appointed about half a dozen of its MLAs in state development boards and commissions, day after naming 15 legislators as parliamentary secretaries. Sources said some more Congress functionaries have been finalised to head other corporations, but the list is yet to be released. The move coming in the wake of a rebellion by Congress leader Sachin Pilot in the party-ruled Rajasthan is being questioned by the Opposition. Also, a surprise visit by senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh to the state has given rise to speculations that disgruntlement might be brewing in the partys rank and file. Only months ago, the Congress had lost power in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh where a rebellion by Jyotiraditya Scindia and his loyalists led to the fall of the Kamal Nath government and return of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Senior BJP functionary and former minister Brijmohan Agrawal said wrong decisions have led to dissatisfaction among Congress workers and the grand old party is now worried of a repeat of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in Chhattisgarh. From Raipur to Delhi, the Congress is rattled. There is no leadership in and they have no control. So they are making wrong decisions. This has caused dissatisfaction, Agarwal said. They are now scared that what happened in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, will happen in Chhattisgarh too, he added. While naming the parliamentary secretaries, Baghel had said that these appointees will be promoted in the next government and made ministers. On Wednesday, he said all those who have fought hard over the last 15 years will be given their due at the opportune time. Sources said the state government is planning to accommodate 32 MLAs at various boards, corporations and commissions. Meanwhile, Singh, who reached Raipur on Wednesday, refused to comment on developments in Rajasthan. When asked about Agarwals remarks, he said he would like to know if the BJP has acquired enormous wealth to accommodate MLAs from other parties everywhere. Some Congress workers from Janjgir met Singh during the day and submitted a memorandum against the district head stating that an outside has been appointed for the post. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a pot shot at Narendra Modi government saying its foreign policy is in tatters and India is losing power and respect everywhere. "India's global strategy is in tatters. We are losing power and respect everywhere and Government of India has no idea what to do," he said in a tweet attaching a news report. Indias global strategy is in tatters. We are losing power and respect everywhere and GOI has no idea what to do.https://t.co/rEMuMnJhOx Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 15, 2020 The news report claimed that Iranian government has decided to proceed in the construction of a rail line on its own from Chabahar port to Zahaden along the border with Afghanistan citing delays from Indian side in funding and starting the project. India had signed an agreement with Iran to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan. Rahul Gandhi has been critical of the government in the recent days and has sharpened his attack on the government over several issues like handling of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic situation, face off with China in Ladakh and economic issues etc. announcements Big Story | RIL AGM: From Google deal to homegrown 5G, here are 10 key announcements made by Mukesh Ambani Here's a quick wrap on key announcements made by Mukesh Ambani. Summary: - 2020-21 Medical Tourism Index released during COVID-19 global pandemic - Five new destinations added to the survey - New MTI online tools functionality added for customers - New Medical Tourism Calculator debuts alongside MTI as a complimentary gift WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) has published the third edition of its flagship survey tool, the 2020-2021 Medical Tourism Index (MTI), ranking the top ten destinations: Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, Dubai, Costa Rica, Israel, Abu Dhabi, and India. The MTI ranks the American perceptions of 46 international healthcare destinations providing insight into how consumers view 41 criteria within three dimensions including Medical Tourism Industry, Destination Attractiveness, and Quality of Care. It becomes the ultimate planning tool for industry stakeholders looking to invest, benchmark, and improve market share in medical travel. The new MTI adds five new destinations to the growing list of medical tourism destinations: Czechia, Portugal, Hungary, Greece, and Guatemala. Also released is the 2020-2021 Arab Medical Tourism Index. The Medical Tourism Index was first created in 2014 and updated for the sector in its 2016-2017 report; this third edition arrives at a critical juncture, where modern healthcare has never been more important, and the future evolution of a young, globalized industry has never been harder to predict. "The MTI is a unique survey tool for healthcare destinations looking for the industry equivalent of performance review," said Renee-Marie Stephano, one of the developers of the Index. "In a relatively young industry like medical travel, there are very few credible resources and planning tools for destinations and facilities that wish to improve their programs. For stakeholders in the medical tourism industry, the MTI can be used to measure the effect that sustainable development has on the MTI criteria scores and then benchmark against other destination." For this 2020-21 edition, MTI provides a fresh snapshot of each destination by providing geopolitical and demographic information, the current healthcare model for each, and insight into the scope and shape of each destination's medical tourism industry. Also new is the MTI Online Data tools. Customers that purchase the report will be able to login to access digital tools like custom graphs and tables for analysis. This will include data from 2020 for comparison with or against previous years. The novel coronavirus is putting tremendous strain on healthcare systems and world economies, which will alter the size and shape of the medical tourism market in unpredictable ways. Even so, it seems outright impossible that any world event - even one as deadly as COVID-19 - could permanently disable or destroy the medical tourism industry. As the threat of novel coronavirus becomes less ubiquitous and international travel guidelines return to normal, medical tourism, health tourism, and wellness travel industries all aim to slowly return to pre-2020 levels, particularly as health and wellness seekers look for more cost effective, and safe solutions for their healthcare and wellness needs. Destinations that use the updated MTI to prepare for this inevitable return to normal operation will be well-positioned to reap the rewards of foreign healthcare spending. "If you're a potential medical tourism destination, there's no better time to get your house in order," Stephano said. In the long run, COVID-19 should even stimulate new stakeholders in the medical tourism industry. Stephano is among those who believes COVID-19 could actually grow the sector more responsibly and more effectively over time with emphasis on the criteria in the MTI. "As travel restrictions ease and it becomes more safe to travel, but before the economic recession fades away, millions of people are going to be looking for ways to save money and access much needed health and wellness services," Stephano said. What is included in the purchase of the Medical Tourism Index? In celebration of the initial release of the report, a special price for a limited amount of time is being offered that includes access to the MTI online tools with custom graphs and analysis using the report's destination databases, included the two previous reports. In addition, the Medical Tourism Calculator will also be provided free with the purchase for a limited time. The Medical Tourism Calculator is a medical tourism planning tool developed by IHRC. It allows professionals, executives, and officials to examine the complete economic impact of the medical tourism industry on a destination city, state or country. Learn more and purchase at https://medicaltourismindex.com. International Healthcare Research Center The International Healthcare Research Center is a 501c (3) non-profit research center, dedicated to conducting research and delivering reliable information and actionable strategic insight in the following areas: International patient experiences & outcomes Trends & analysis of international patient care Global health insurance Employer-based healthcare trends Population health management Patient demographics Hospital quality Government healthcare policy Corporate wellness Wellness trends Medical tourism research The primary goal of the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) is to promote transparency and improve global healthcare quality, population health management, expanded access to care, and the consumer healthcare experience. Global Healthcare Resources Global Healthcare Resources is an international solutions firm providing strategic execution within the industries of employer healthcare, medical tourism, wellness tourism, self-insurance, and corporate wellness. Global Healthcare Resources meets hundreds of thousands of professionals with thought leadership through more than a decade of its associations, trade events, certifications, publications, cited research, and collaborated content. Reaching over 2.6 million professionals, GHR is a custom-tailored consulting firm with the ability to augment the strategy and growth of any business in the field. Global Healthcare Resources is a research partner of IHRC. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214765/MTI_Ranking_Infographic.jpg Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks via video link during a virtual emergency meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 9, 2020. OPEC is facing "the worst of both worlds" with the current oil market demand outlook, S&P Global Platts' head of EMEA news said Wednesday ahead of the group's Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), where it will announce recommendations for production policy along with its non-OPEC allies. "This demand issue is really key here," Andy Critchlow, a long time oil market veteran, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe," pointing to the 13-member organization's outlook for global oil demand next year at 97.7 million barrels per day. "That's a car crash. Let's face it this is not a great look for the outlook for oil." While the figure is expected to mark the largest one-year jump ever recorded, it's significantly below the already lukewarm demand figure of 99.8 million bpd recorded at the end of 2019, pre-coronavirus. And it's a dire forecast for producers who have invested billions of dollars in boosting production capacity. For OPEC, that's significant spare capacity that will be left untapped. International benchmark Brent crude has hovered in the $40-$45 per barrel range for the last five weeks, signalling a substantial recovery from its multi-decade trough of around $19 per barrel in March brought on by global coronavirus lockdowns and a Saudi-Russia oil price war. But the commodity still remains in correction territory, down more than 30% year-to-date and at a level Critchlow says paints a "bleak picture" for the alliance. Not only that it's also just enough for some U.S. shale operations to survive, he said, providing some oxygen to OPEC's American competitors. The higher the prices, the greater relief for shale. Forward-looking: 5G might still be in its infancy, but companies are already working on the successor: 6G. One of these is Samsung, which has just released a white paper outlining its plans for the sixth-generation mobile network and what the technology could enable. Samsung last year announced the launch of a new research center dedicated to initial work on 6G. The company said it is committed to leading the standardization of 6G in collaboration with various stakeholders across industry, academia and government fields. In the white paper, Samsung expects the earliest commercialization date of 6G to be 2028, with mass commercialization occurring in 2030. As you might imagine, 6G promises to make 5G look slow. Samsung writes that its performance requirements are a peak data rate of 1,000 Gps, which is 50 times faster than its predecessor, while air latency is less than 100 microseconds, whereas 5G is one millisecond. With reliability improved by 100 times compared to 5G, 6G could be utilized by latency-sensitive services such as remote surgery, emergency response, and industrial automation. Other areas where 6G will likely find use is in truly immersive extended reality (XR), a term that includes VR, AR, and mixed reality. Samsung believes truly immersive AR requires 0.44 Gbps throughput, while 16K VR streaming is closer to 0.9 Gbpsspeeds 5G cant provide. More use cases for 6G include high-fidelity holograms; a human-sized, real-time hologram similar to those seen in science fiction movies will require speeds of several Tbps. Theres also Digital Replicas, which involves the virtual replication of physical entities, including people, devices, objects, systems, and even places. The white paper states that meeting the requirements of 6G will require several technologies, including the use of the terahertz (THz) frequency band, novel antenna and advanced duplex tech, the evolution of network topology, spectrum sharing, and AI in wireless communications. Samsung isnt the only company working on 6G. Ericsson and Xiaomi are also researching the tech, while Huaweis initial work on 6G began last year at its research center in the Kanata suburb of Ottawa, Canada. Leaving the nation's coronavirus fight to individual states has created gaping holes in the public health response that have allowed the infection rate to soar and death rates to rise once again. While countries like New Zealand and Germany have taken a unified national approach to fighting the virus and are enjoying the fruits of a successful mitigation strategy the Trump administrations federalist philosophy has helped create chaos across the South and West. Cash-strapped cities and states trying to create their own testing, tracing and public awareness campaigns from scratch are desperate for federal support as they grapple with questions about whether its safe for people to return to school and work, along with bars and beaches. Every governor is out there on his or her own working to build the same programs that are being built next door, said Reed Schuler, a senior advisor to Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. The federal governments efforts range from a little bit of backup to not even being present. This dangerous new chapter of the coronavirus outbreak is intensifying calls from politicians and public health experts across the country for a set of national strategies to combat the virus. Arkansas entire congressional delegation all Republicans wrote Vice President Mike Pence this week asking the federal government to address shortages of chemical reagents needed to analyze coronavirus tests. And New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, expressed his frustration with the federal government's pandemic response on Tuesday. The White House doesnt get it, he tweeted. Until we control this virus as a nation, the economy cant fully recover. Where is the national plan? Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), who represents hard-hit Maricopa County, expressed similar frustration. How can you have national success without having a national plan? he said. How do you fight the worst pandemic in 100 years without a coordinated strategy? Story continues A White House official rejected such criticism. Were in a much better position now than we were at the beginning of the pandemic in terms of [personal protective equipment], ventilators, testing capacity, and vaccine and therapeutics development, the official said. The situation today is not as dire as it was in March and April in some ways. There are no shortages of ventilators, and doctors have more experience treating the virus. The countrys testing capacity has grown exponentially, and the death rate is lower thanks to concerted efforts to protect seniors and other vulnerable groups. But with cases still rising, public health experts say much more federal support and leadership are needed to bring the outbreak under control and keep it that way. We shut down the country for three months and we could have used that time for all kinds of planning and preparing, and we did not use it at all, said David Eisenman, the director of the UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters. Once-isolated outbreaks have grown into a national calamity concentrated in the South and Sunbelt where governors took early victory laps. Now the virus is spreading northward into the heartland and industrial Midwest, erasing the progress made in March, April and May while the country was locked down. With the death toll rising, several governors have reimposed restrictions on businesses and public life -- a move they once described as a last resort. School districts in Arizona, California and North Carolina are delaying their return to in-person learning, despite the presidents threats to cut federal funding for districts that dont fully reopen. In many ways, the White House has positioned itself as a consultant to states as they battle the virus. Federal officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, have warned that the governments Strategic National Stockpile is only a stopgap and that states themselves are primarily responsible for securing masks, gowns, gloves and chemicals for testing on the open market. Pence, White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx and others have also gone on listening tours in states where cases are climbing the fastest. Federal officials have also worked to increase the countrys testing capacity from hundreds of thousands to millions of samples per week. But the lack of stronger federal oversight has made it hard to maintain some of those gains. Commercial labs like Quest Diagnostics, which are handling about half of all tests, have not been able to keep up with the spike in demand. It now takes a week for people to get their results in some places, and labs say they are having trouble getting basic supplies. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown says her state's testing capacity has been overwhelmed by the recent surge in infections. The state is now averaging more than 270 new coronavirus cases a day a three-fold increase compared with a month ago. We could certainly use an assist from our federal partners, Brown said. But her administration has been frustrated by the lukewarm responses it has received from the Trump administration. Her next-door neighbor, Inslee, is one of several governors to call for a national testing strategy. In recent weeks, Washington state has struggled to buy enough swabs to collect patient samples and chemical reagents to test them. And the federal governments failure to fully use the Defense Production Act to increase available supplies and coordinate their distribution has put states like Washington in the horrible position of competing against one another, Schuler said. We have an obligation to the residents of Washington to ensure our labs are fully supplied, but we dont want it to come at the expense of a less successful state, he said. In its letter this week to Pence, the Arkansas congressional delegation said that the ongoing shortages of testing reagents have prompted the state to consider abandoning its requirement for people to be tested for Covid-19 before undergoing elective surgery. The testing problems are also hampering the countrys scattered and overwhelmed contact tracing efforts. Nationwide, there are fewer than a third of the 100,000 contact tracers that the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials estimates are necessary to contain the outbreak. Nearly six months into the pandemic, some states are still struggling to get their programs off the ground. Others have abandoned location-tracking apps that were supposed to help scale contact tracing to unprecedented levels. You need federal leadership, and thats been lacking, said former CDC Director Tom Frieden, who, for months has been calling for the federal government to expand testing and provide support for people asked to quarantine at home. Eisenman said the federal government should have used the spring lockdown to appoint expert commissions to address issues such as setting up contact tracing, distributing testing supplies and returning children to school safely. Testing and contact tracing are the cornerstones of the test-trace-isolate strategy that governments have used to thwart infectious disease outbreaks since the 19th century. But many understaffed and underfunded local health departments have not been able to adequately expand the small workforces they usually use to track outbreaks of measles and sexually transmitted infections to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama only has about 200 contact tracers to investigate the more than 1,000 coronavirus cases diagnosed there each day. Most of those workers have been reassigned from other public health duties, such as restaurant inspections and immunizations. They are currently trading off in 10-day rotations between tracking coronavirus cases and their other work meaning both are suffering. And with schools in the state set to reopen next month, the burden will only increase. Ricardo Franco, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, says the shortage of tracers is allowing the states outbreak to spiral out of control. If you asked me what we need, I would say we should have 5,000 contact tracers, he said. That would be the responsible thing to do. Washington state, which was among the first states hit by the virus, says that only 7 percent of the gowns, gloves and face shields it has handed out came from the federal government. The state has had to compete with other states and countries to purchase the rest itself. Its jaw dropping that after what weve been through, we didnt have hundreds of millions of face masks and other PPE stockpiled around the country, said Irwin Redlener, founding director for the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. Even as governors who once scoffed at fears they reopened their economies too quickly begin to reimpose restrictions, the White House is still struggling to put out a consistent message about the threat posed by the virus and how best to combat it. Trump on Monday attacked his own administrations public health officials, retweeting messages that suggested the CDC is lying about the virus and concern about the pandemic is overblown for political reasons, prompting top officials to defend themselves on national television. John Henderson, president and CEO of The Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals, said the lack of coordinated national coronavirus messaging has been compounded in states like Texas where governors, following Trumps lead, took a laissez faire approach until cases skyrocketed. Theres just been a leadership void at the federal level, he said. We have pushed everything down to the states and then conservative states, like Texas, have just pushed all that decision-making down to the local level. Every day that we go with a crisis and without a plan is another day lost. Rachel Roubein contributed to this report. Photo: Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Glee actress Naya Rivera is presumed dead by authorities in Ventura County, California, after going missing in a potential drowning. On Wednesday, July 9, Riveras four year-old son was found floating alone on a rented boat in Lake Piru in Ventura County. Per NBC Los Angeles, Rivera rented a pontoon boat at the lake with her son that day around 1 p.m. The Ventura County Sheriff Department responded to a report of an unaccompanied toddler found on a boat in Lake Piru around 4:48 p.m. The child has been confirmed as Riveras son, but Riveras whereabouts are currently unknown. Multiple news outlets have reported that Rivera and her son went swimming and that her son returned to the boat while Rivera did not. The missing person at Lake Puru has been identified as Naya Rivera, 33, of Los Angeles. SAR operation will continue at first light. @VCAirUnit @fillmoresheriff @Cal_OES pic.twitter.com/bC3qaZS3Ra Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020 As of Thursday morning, authorities have reportedly shifted their efforts to a recovery mission, presuming Rivera to be dead. TMZ reports that the lake only has five to nine inches of visibility and that local officials say it typically takes seven to ten days for a body to rise to the surface. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible drowning, and a dive team and air unit were deployed in the search Wednesday evening. Happening now: Search for possible drowning victim at Lake Piru, tweeted the Ventura County Sheriff Department at 9:30 p.m EST. @VCAirUnit @fillmoresheriff on scene. SAR Dive Team and PIO on the way. The search-and-rescue operation was suspended for the night and continued on Thursday, July 9, at first light, with assistance from dive teams from throughout the region. The search for Naya Rivera will continue this morning at Lake Piru. The lake will be closed to the public while search operations continue. Dive teams from throughout the region will be assisting us through mutual aid. @VCAirUnit @Cal_OES @fillmoresheriff pic.twitter.com/q6LsHd8xaT Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020 Update, July 9: The search for Naya Rivera has officially shifted from a rescue mission to a recovery mission. In a news conference held at 3 p.m. PST, the Ventura County Sheriffs department confirmed that the actress is presumed dead by authorities after disappearing during a boating trip with her 4-year old son on Wednesday afternoon. Per the media briefing, approximately 50 sheriffs personnel, along with a helicopter, boat crews, divers, and unmanned aerial vehicles searched the lake for five hours Wednesday evening before suspending the search at 10 p.m. due to zero visibility in the water and dangerous conditions for the divers. Approximately 100 personnel aided in the resumed search for Rivera which began again at first light on Thursday, July 9. Even in daylight, the divers experienced less than one foot of visibility making the recovery operation a very slow process according to the Ventura County Sheriffs department. Were presuming that an accident happened and were presuming she drowned in the lake, stated Ventura County Sheriff Deputy Chris Dyer during the news conference. Lake Piru Missing Person search https://t.co/tN0Vbq2fsU Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 9, 2020 Update, July 10: The Thursday recovery mission for Naya Rivera has been suspended for the night and will continue on Friday, July 10. Max OBrien, a diver, described the lake as having one to two feet of visibility with some clearings having three to five. He also described the lake as having a lot of tree branches and overgrowth from when the lake was lower and stated that the divers were searching a heavy brush bottom. The Ventura County Sheriffs Department has released audio of the 9-1-1 call, in which the caller reports a child found in a boat alone without a guardian. TMZ released footage of Rivera and her son pulling up to Lake Piru in her G-Wagon, getting into the pontoon boat, and heading off into the lake. #BREAKING: The search has ended for the night and still no sign of @NayaRivera . Max OBrien, a diver, describes the difficult search in the waters of #LakePiru. pic.twitter.com/ZyICmNWbs6 Robert Kovacik (@RobertNBCLA) July 10, 2020 Update, July 13: The Ventura County Sheriffs Department confirmed that a body was found at Lake Piru this morning. The recovery is in progress, the department wrote. A news conference will follow later in the day. Happening now: A body has been found at Lake Piru this morning. The recovery is in progress. A news conference will take place at 2 pm at the lake. Ventura Co. Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) July 13, 2020 This is a developing story and has been updated throughout. The investigation into the death of Debendranath Roy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker from Hemtabad in Bengals North Dinajpur district, took a new turn on Wednesday afternoon when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police charged Niloy Singh, an acquaintance of Roy, with murder. Singh was picked up from Malda district on Tuesday and interrogated for hours. The development came hours after chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind, saying the BJP was distorting facts about the death. Roy won the reserved Hemtabad seat on a Communist Party of India (Marxist) ticket in 2016 and joined the BJP in 2019. Banerjees letter said it was a case of suspected suicide and had links with monetary transactions. Interestingly, the police found the names, phone numbers and photographs of Singh and Mahmood Ali, another acquaintance of Roy, in an apparent suicide note in the dead legislators pocket. The body was found hanging outside a roadside shop in Hemtabad on Monday morning. His left hand was tied with a rope. The handwritten note, which was leaked to the media, along with the post mortem report, held Singh and Ali responsible for Roys death. The criminal investigation department (CID) is hunting for Ali. Echoing BJPs state and central leaders, Roys wife claimed that he had been murdered. She also said that Roy wanted to get into the rice trade and had given money to Singh and Ali. Singh was charged under Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (crime caused by multiple people with a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, said Pintu Ghosh, assistant public prosecutor at Raigunj court in North Dinajpur. He said the chief judicial magistrate ordered 10-day police remand for Singh although the CID sought a two-week remand. The BJP leadership said the development exposes the sorry state of governance in West Bengal By pressing charges under Sections 302 against Singh the government has admitted that Roy was murdered while the chief minister claimed that he committed suicide. More people are involved. Otherwise the CID would not have brought charges under Section 34, BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said. This is a political murder and needs to be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The CID is influenced by the ruling party, Sinha added. The 63-yer-old legislators body was found hanging on Monday morning about two kilometers away from his home. He left home around 1 am in the night with an unidentified person, his wife said. Demanding a CBI probe, BJP central leaders met Kovind on Tuesday. The partys state leaders led agitations across Bengal for three days. Banerjees letter was handed to the President by Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha member Derek OBrien. He also talked to the President for 25 minutes. I told the President that probe by a local cooperative bank in Raigunj has revealed that 4.97 crore was deposited in the bank but documents relating to 2.60 crore is not available. Roy was the secretary of the bank, OBrien told reporters in Delhi. I am constrained to invite your kind and personal attention to a particular fact. This is in context of your meeting with a delegation of BJP who might have apprised you with some distorted facts said the letters opening lines. On receipt of post mortem report and on primary investigation West Bengal police has reported that it is a cause of suspected suicide and could be related to some local money transfer activities. The note found in a pocket of the deceased also names two persons who are allegedly found to be related to such money transfer activities in the locality, Banerjee wrote to Kovind. Therefore, I am sorry to say that it does not appear to be a political case as being projected by BJP, she wrote. Our government has taken all necessary actions immediately for comprehensive investigation. I have already handed over the case to CID for proper investigation. I would like to assure that West Bengal is a state where we always respect all political parties, their leaders and workers, said the letter. [VTEX is] a simplified and extremely affordable platform thats also well-optimized for our business. Making the switch was the right move as we look to grow online," said Henrik Monfort, software and technology development project leader at Equinavia VTEX, the worlds first and only fully-integrated marketplace-commerce-OMS solution, welcomes Equinavia and its B2C store Equinavia.com (previously Horze.com) to its network of commerce providers. The equestrian clothing, equipment and supply retailer based in Watertown, Connecticut, recently left Salesforce Commerce Cloud for VTEX Cloud Commerce in pursuit of better merchandising, order management, customer experience and lower costs. Since we switched to the VTEX platform, our site has performed better in customer communication, inventory management, merchandising and much more, said Henrik Monfort, Equinavias software and technology development project leader. With VTEX, weve experienced efficient ecommerce management, better customer satisfaction around shipping and more reliable on-site merchandising. While most equestrian brands have long been entrenched in tradition, applying old-fashion commerce tactics in a digital age, Equinavia saw the opportunity to break the mold and adapt to its customers changing preferences. Its bold strategy of actively selling in all channels to support the overall branding was new especially to distributors and tack stores. VTEX was the last part of the puzzle in helping Equinavia better support the underserved equine market. Equinavias positive experience is the result of our focus on accelerating commerce transformation, said Amit Shah, VTEX US General Manager. Our goal is to help companies rapidly optimize and grow their commerce business with a unified view of inventory and orders, and to deliver these capabilities in a way that drastically reduces time-to-implement and time-to-revenue. This is why we are seeing more enterprise companies leave their legacy platforms for our comprehensive and scalable solution. Equinavia has been impressed by their new choice of commerce platform. We love that VTEX comes with so many built-in features, like the commerce, marketplace, OMS and multiple storefront management capabilities, Monfort said. Its a simplified and extremely affordable platform thats also well-optimized for our business. Making the switch was the right move as we look to grow online. To learn more about VTEX Commerce Cloud and how it is supporting companies like Equinavia, visit https://vtex.com/ About VTEX VTEX is the first and only global, fully integrated, end-to-end commerce solution with native marketplace and OMS capabilities. We help companies in retail, manufacturing, wholesale, grocery, consumer packaged goods and other verticals to sell more, operate more efficiently, scale seamlessly and deliver remarkable customer experience. Our modern microservices-based architecture and our powerful business and developer tools allow VTEX to future-proof our customers businesses and free them from software updates. Major brands including Sony, Walmart, Whirlpool, Coca-Cola, Stanley Black & Decker, Pizza Hut and Nestle, plus 2,000+ active customers in 30 countries, trust VTEX to accelerate and transform their commerce. Visit http://www.vtex.com to learn more. About Equinavia Equinavia.com is the B2C store owned by Equinavia, a US-based distributor, wholesaler and retailer of equestrian clothing, equipment and supplies. Established as Finntack USA in 2008, Equinavia spun off from its Scandinavian parent company in 2019 to focus on serving the North American market with an expanding range of high quality, stylish products for riders and horses. With the mission to equip and inspire every equestrian for excellence and vision to be the sound source, leading the way in equestrian innovation. Learn more at http://www.equinavia.com. Amid the COVID-19 surge in Houston, military medical reinforcements arrived in Houston late Monday, sending a critical message about the gravity of this deepening public health crisis. According to Texas Health and Human Services, there are now 10,405 COVID-19 hospitalizations across Texas. Houston Health Authority Dr. David Persse discussed the details at a press conference on Monday, explaining that the military medical task force had already begun to arrive in the area. "At this point, it looks like it's going to be UMMC (United Memorial Medical Center) that has an empty wing, and they are going to establish between a 30 and 50-bed hospital there," Persse said. 'UNTENABLE SITUATION': Houstonians weigh in on Turner's proposed 2-week shutdown Governor Greg Abbott requested the additional help of hundreds of military medical personnel to help combat the virus across Texas. Texans quickly responded the governor's request for federal help. "SHUT THE STATE DOWN. Are you just going to be happy until we surpass Florida and Arizona? Also, you might want to speak with your folks at TEA. NO WAY schools should open next month," tweeted Stephanie Pennell. "Instead of beer on ice in July, we have bodies on ice. Both Washington and your administration have failed. Not failing, failed. Too little, too late is all you will be known for. Lock it down and get this under control." HOUSTON CASES: Harris counties account for one-fourth of all Texas COVID-19 cases When we spoke to world-renowned infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez, he underscored how serious the situation was, calling it "untenable." "Hospital admissions are rising," Hotez said. "Hospital staff are getting exhausted. The acceleration of the death rate could go up higher as hospital staff get overwhelmed. You have to figure out another path. Patients are flowing in. This is all a consequence of transmission out of control." Hotez said there is a more complex problem at play here. "The bigger issue is that there is no plan for the country," Hotez said. "The entire southern half of the country is in a health crisis. But the problem is that we're not getting any federal guidance or leadership. Without us having a national roadmap, it's hard to do the details. I point fingers at the lack of coherent federal response." Hotez added that it is absolutely crucial that Houston and Texas get this virus under control. "As we say, we have to figure out a way to halt community transmission," Hotez said. "If we don't do it, it would be mandatory stay-at-home order." alison.medley@chron.com A schoolteacher for decades, she took over her husbands tahini business when he died after a heart attack in 2003. The company was in poor financial shape, she said in an interview on Saturday in Tel Aviv. But she poured herself into it, paying off debts, convincing the bank to lend her more money and upgrading the manufacturing process. Today, her companys two plants in the Nazareth area produce a whopping 20 to 25 tons of tahini a day. The thick paste they make from Ethiopian sesame seeds is nearly ubiquitous at supermarkets and restaurants in Israel, and is exported to 18 countries including the United States. And Ms. Zaher became the rare woman to lead a major Arab-owned company. No stranger to philanthropy, she had made previous donations to benefit womens rights and people with disabilities. The donation she made to Aguda, a national L.G.B.T. rights organization, was to help set up a hotline for Arabic-speaking Israelis. The groups C.E.O., Ohad Hizki, declined to say how much Ms. Zaher had given, but called it significant. He said the hotline would be open for calls by next month. The controversy erupted when Aguda thanked Ms. Zaher on Twitter on July 1. Mouad Khateb, one of the most prominent opponents of the donation, expressed the views of many critics, saying that he had no objection to whatever gay and transgender people do in private, but that the donation would contribute to normalizing their unnatural way of life to the Arab public. G. AFTIAS: We have the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, on the line. Good morning, Mr. Dendias. N. DENDIAS: Good morning, Mr. Aftias. Good morning to your guests and good morning to your viewers. G. AFTIAS: On the front page of KATHIMERINI, I read, ... Athens is playing a cautious game of diplomatic poker, as Ankara goes to the extreme, with Erdogans decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque, turning its back on the international community. The upcoming Mitsotakis-Macron meeting on the margins of the European Council is of particular importance. Minister, you have the floor. N. DENDIAS: Mr. Aftias, first of all, we are all extremely sad about this decision from the Turkish President. It reall goes too far. It is even reversing the tradition of his own country I remind you that the decision making Hagia Sophia a museum was made by the founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, in 1934 turning his back on the international community and its rules. Thats the truth. And this comes following a number of provocative actions against Greece and the countries of the region. It isnt just Greece; theres Cyprus, Libya, Egypt. Nor should we ignore the fact that President Erdogan shows absolutely no spirit of cooperation in the context of international law. But I must underscore a danger that we have to avoid. The danger of seeing the Hagia Sophia issue as a Greek-Turkish issue. It is not a Greek-Turkish issue. It is not an EU-Turkish issue. It is an issue of renunciation of rules and of not respecting rules that concern the global community. Greece must address Turkey on this issue as an agent of global vlaues. Of course, Hagia Sophia is a part of every Greeks heart, but in the present debate this is added to the fact of the global significance of the monument, and our dialogue with and demands from the global community must concern the monuments global importance, not just its enormous sentimental value in the heart of Hellenism. It would be a trap to see this as a Greek-Turkish dispute, and we must not fall into that trap. G. AFTIAS: In this direction, there are reports that there has been an initial reaction from France and well see it later on and that the issue will be raised by the Prime Minister at the Summit Meeting. And at the same time, you have already begun briefing the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Where are we on this, Mr. Dendias? N. DENDIAS: Mr. Aftias, unfortunately Im not pleased when our relations with Turkey deteriorate this was more or less predicted. I had sent a letter to the Director General of UNESCO with whom I talked when I was in Paris, and she had sent an unpublished letter and had unpublished communication with the Turkish side to prevent this from happening. At that time, we wanted to give Turkey the chance to change direction without giving the impression that the global community was obliging it to do so. To make it seem as if it were Turkeys own decision. Unfortunately, the Turkish side did not accept, did not appreciate, our effort, instead staying its course. I must say, I heard the Turkish Presidents speech. There was an automatic translation yesterday. It was a very long speech about 45 minutes and some of the arguments really were incredible. If I understood correctly, he indirectly accused Kemal Ataturk, referring to curses on anyone who converted Hagia Sophia into a museum. Things that I find incomprehensible. But in any event, from here on, this is the situation. G. AFTIAS: What do we do now, Minister? N. DENDIAS: Ill tell you. Our country has become an agent for the values of the global community. First of all, through my colleagues, the other Foreign Ministers, and also through UNESCO, which has an institutional responsibility to protect monuments. Turkey willingly made Hagia Sophia a UNESCO monument. Nobody forced that on Turkey. UNESCO didnt go and say, bring it here so we can make it a world heritage site. Turkey itself and correctly, in another outlook on things chose to have this monument characterized as a world heritage monument. G. AFTIAS: From here on, Minister, apart from our being the agent, the tip of the spear, if you will, against all of these developments, with all of humanity, do we also need to press for economic repercussions for Turkey? Im not suggesting it God forbid! N. DENDIAS: No, no. There nothing wrong with making suggestions. G. AFTIAS: Im describing the prevailing climate. N. DENDIAS: I understand that, but I said something earlier, and I ask you to see how important it is. On Monday, tomorrow, we will be discussing the Turkey issue in Brussels. Greece has asked the European Union to prepare a package of very strong measures against Turkey, to be used if Turkey violates the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of Greece. G. AFTIAS: Right. N. DENDIAS: Because, this concerns its own rights. G. AFTIAS: Thats an important piece of news youre giving us. N. DENDIAS: It will support Cyprus in imposing the sanctions that concern Cypriot rights. Im leaving Athens at dawn tomorrow, together with Nikos Christodoulides, the Cypriot Minister, to go to Brussels. And before the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, we have a meeting with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union. But these sanctions will not concern the issue of Hagia Sophia, just to be clear. On the Hagia Sophia issue, the international community must do its own duty. I will refer to Hagia Sophia, because its an indication of how Turkey sees things. But UNESCO, the EU, the United Nations not just Greece have to take initiatives on the Hagia Sophia issue. G. AFTIAS: International action. Right. N. DENDIAS: We arent going to fall into the trap of a Greek-Turkish dispute. It isnt a Greek-Turkish dispute. G. AFTIAS: Absolutely clear. From todays newspaper, ... the French are rushing ahead with surveys in Crete, and the French have no special fondness for Erdogan. N. DENDIAS: I dont think French-Turkish relations are at their high point right now, to be honest. And I dont think that is Frances fault. N. STEFOS: Minister, good morning. May I ask you something? N. DENDIAS: Good morning, Mr. Stefos. Its good to hear you. N. STEFOS: I want to ask you how realistic or utopian it is to expect that Turkey might back down from this decision it has taken. N. DENDIAS: Mr. Stefos, I want to be frank. A Turkish diplomat friend of mine, who isnt currently active, once told me that you can expect President Erdogan to go right, to go left, but dont expect him to back down easily, because he has a curious outlook on things. So, I must say that, in spite of the enormous damage being done to Turkeys image by this decision, we shouldnt kid ourselves. A very large portion of the Turkish political and diplomatic establishment is horrified at this decision because, due to this decision, an enormous cost will accrue for Turkey. Dont underestimate it. N. STEFOS: So, there is hope. N. DENDIAS: But not right away. And I should also say something that I say as a person: For me, the thought of covering over the wonderful mosaics of Hagia Sophia, the Pantocrator mosaic, is really horrible. If youve seen the Pantocrator mosaic in the narthex of Hagia Sophia and you realise that now a civilized country will cover over this artistic monument not to say religious, because that concerns us, as Christians, because Hagia Sophia isnt just Orthodox. It was constructed and consecrated before the Schism. Consequently, it concerns all Christianity. The Schism came much later. The fact that Turkey is going to hide this monument from the global community, removing it from global cultural heritage out of some unbelievable fixation, is honestly beyond me. And, as President Erdogan said that there are 453 Orthodox churches operating in Turkey, I respond that in Thrace, which is much smaller than Turkey (not even 1/100 the size of Turkey), there are 256 mosques operating. So, I think comments of this kind ... G. AFTIAS: Why hasnt the Pope spoken out? N. DENDIAS: I met with the Pope ... G. AFTIAS: And? N. DENDIAS: I went to the Vatican, if you remember. G. AFTIAS: I remember. N. DENDIAS: On Monday, well be launching an effort towards all the churches, not just the Catholic church. This is why I said earlier that Hagia Sophia isn't just a Greek or Orthodox issue ... G. AFTIAS: Its an international issue. Minister, I want you to tell me this: Erdogan does what he says hes going to do. He said, Ill go to Libya, conclude an agreement, ... and he did it. He said he would convert Hagia Sophia, and he did it. If Erdogan sends ships south of Karpathos, close to Crete, anywhere else, will Greeces stance be to wait for the unticipated results of the Summit Meeting? That Erdogan mustnt dare move onto our continental shelf, into our areas of sovereignty? N. DENDIAS: What we will be discussing tomorrow is how the European family will react to a violation of the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of a member state such as Greece. There is a qualitative difference that I have explained to my European partners, and the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has also made this very clear: Greece, unlike the Republic of Cyprus, has Armed Forces and capable Armed Forces. So, Europe needs to understand that it will have to take a stance quickly to deter. Because if it doesn't deter, it will not be at all pleased by what happens. Not at all. G. AFTIAS: What could happen, for instance? N. DENDIAS: Mr. Aftias, I dont want to use words or phrases I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I measure my every word. But we have told Turkey that we will not just sit by. We have a constitutional duty to protect our rights. Nobody gave us these rights to manage as we see fit. We have only the duty to protect them, and this is how the Greek state will act: constitutionally. It will fully defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights. And Europe needs to know this. Greece has Armed Forces. G. AFTIAS: Mr. Dendias is sending a loud message right now. N. DENDIAS: It is simply clear. It is neither a threat nor anything else. It is clear. This is our position, which the Prime Minister has set out repeatedly. G. AFTIAS: Exactly. And I have this to say: When the late Miltiadis Evert said that the borders of Greece are also European borders, and this was written in KATHIMERINI, Mr. Dendias, since then ... N. DENDIAS: I remember his saying it, Mr. Aftias. And in fact, I remember it with a map. G. AFTIAS: With a map. Exactly. I think this firm line Greece is following now will be adopted by Europe: that Greeces borders are Europes borders. N. DENDIAS: May I make a final comment? G. AFTIAS: Please. N. DENDIAS: National consensus and unity is always of enormous importance. It is the biggest weapon we have, internationally. Our internal unity. Im not saying this because Im implying anything. Im just saying it is imperative that we continue to be united on our national issues. It would be tragic, in the midst of this crisis the country is going through, if we were not a single fist. G. AFTIAS: Thank you very much for being here today and for the very important statements you made. N. DENDIAS: Thank you very much. Thank you, have a good day. And a good day to your guests and your viewers. Goodbye. BarcelonaThe Catalan government has decided to grant all nine political prisoners level 3 status. On Tuesday the Inmate Grading Service of Catalonias Justice Ministry announced that it is endorsing the reports of the various prison boards which unanimously proposed that Oriol Junqueras, Carme Forcadell, Raul Romeva, Jordi Turull, Jordi Sanchez, Joaquim Forn, Josep Rull, Jordi Cuixart and Dolors Bassa be bumped up to open prison status. The decision will have immediate effect and it means that the political prisoners will be allowed to sleep at home on weekends. Last Sunday marked the 1,000th day since the first political prisoners were jailed in the case of the 2017 independence referendum and now they will be allowed to serve the rest of their sentence under the lowest level of supervision. Since February with a break due to the covid-19 lockdown the Catalan political prisoners have been allowed to pursue gainful employment or engage in voluntary work outside their facility, as well as look after a family member on weekdays thanks to Article 100.2 of the Prison Service Rules and Regulations. They main change from now on is that they will also be allowed to sleep at home at the weekend. In fact, so far only Sanchez, Cuixart and Forn have been allowed to do so because they have already served one quarter of their sentence and are entitled to leave. For the other prisoners being able to sleep at home will be a significant novelty. Furthermore, they now stand a chance of getting permission to spend weeknights in an open facility or a government-supervised flat and, if Article 86.4 is invoked, they may also be allowed to sleep at home on weekdays. Spains General Prosecutor had announced that he would be lodging an appeal against the Catalan governments decision if, indeed, it endorsed the proposal which the prison boards made on July 2. Catalonias Justice Ministry had up to two months to reach a decision, but the Director of the Prison Service, Amand Caldero, made it very clear that they wouldnt wait that long. The court of penitentiary oversight will now be tasked with reviewing the Prosecutors appeal earlier it ruled that the political prisoners were entitled to benefit from Article 100.2 but eventually it will be Court 2 of Madrids Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Manuel Marchena, that will have the last say on the matter. Good conduct and family support outside In a statement released on Tuesday, Catalonias Justice Ministry led by Ester Capella emphasised that all nine inmates had engaged in activities that required reasoning, critical thinking and conflict resolution while in prison, showing themselves to be extremely cooperative towards prison staff and the other inmates. None of the political prisoners have been disciplined and they have met all their judicial obligations. All in all, coupled with the family support they will receive outside, has prompted the Catalan authorities to endorse the proposal from the prison boards. The Justice Ministry has also pointed out that Article 72.4 of Spains penitentiary law does not allow inmates who are ready to be classed as level 3 to be held back at level 2. The political prisoners will be granted leave at weekends with immediate effect, although they realise that the Supreme Court which originally convicted them will have the last word on the matter. Initial status review Level 3 was one of the options that was debated when the political prisoners were initially classed. In December the prison boards of Lledoners, Puig de les Basses and Mas d'Enric Carme Forcadell was transferred to the Wad-Ras facility in Barcelona recommended that all of them be classed as level 2 inmates, although the decision was not unanimous. In January the Justice Ministry confirmed the decision, which ruffled a few feathers. The lawyer that represents Turull, Rull and Sanchez, Jordi Pina, openly criticised the Justice Ministry, although neither he nor any of the other lawyers appealed against the decision. Six months later, once their status has come up for review, they have been granted open prison status. The length of their sentence had no bearing on the matter, even though it did when they were initially classed. It is highly unusual for convicts serving more than nine years to be granted level three status. 30 per cent of all convicts are level 3 inmates Most inmates are classed into level 2, although a significant number fall into category 3: 30 per cent, according to ministry figures. This is infrequent when an inmate still has to serve many years: only 56 (3 per cent) inmates placed into level 3 are still facing 8 or more years in jail. Among them are Junqueras, Romeva, Turull, Bassa, Forcadell and Rull. Nevertheless, having served a large portion of their sentence is not a must to receive level 3 benefits. In contrast, it does matter when it comes to being granted prison leave. Sanchez, Cuixart and Forn are entitled to it, whereas Rull will soon be. The other political prisoners will need to wait until early 2021. The Guardian, July 9, 2020 By Kaamil Ahmed Millions of people are being pushed towards hunger by the coronavirus pandemic, which could end up killing more people through lack of food than from the illness itself, Oxfam has warned. Closed borders, curfews and travel restrictions have disrupted food supplies and incomes in already fragile countries, forcing an extra million people closer to famine in Afghanistan and heightening the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, where two-thirds already live in hunger. One million more people are facing famine in Afghanistan as a result of coronavirus, according to a report from the charity. The number of people on the brink of famine in the country rose sharply from 2.5 million last September to 3.5 million in May, the result of border closures and the economic downturn in neighbouring Iran that caused a drop in home remittances by overseas workers. Oxfam said that up to 12,000 people could die from hunger every day globally 2,000 more than died from Covid-19 each day in April. Along with Afghanistan, the charity identified Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela, the west African Sahel, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Haiti as extreme hunger hotspots. The knock-on impacts of Covid-19 are far more widespread than the virus itself, pushing millions of the worlds poorest people deeper into hunger and poverty. It is vital governments contain the spread of this deadly disease, but they must also prevent it killing as many if not more people from hunger, said the chief executive of Oxfam GB, Danny Sriskandarajah. For many people, Covid-19 comes as a crisis on top of a crisis. To break the cycle of hunger, governments must build fairer and more sustainable food systems that ensure small-scale producers and workers earn a living wage. Oxfam said countries with existing problems, such as South Sudan and Syria, were already seeing hunger worsen but there was also concern for middle-income countries such as India and Brazil. Mass unemployment was affecting all countries, but informal labourers were suffering the most, often unable to travel to work. Travel restrictions were also hitting food supplies by preventing farmers from hiring workers and small-scale producers from accessing their own fields. The report said the virus was heightening the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, where two-thirds of people already have inadequate food. Remittances from Yemeni workers abroad had dropped by 80% $253m (200m) in the first four months of 2020 as a result of job losses across the Gulf region. The closure of supply routes has led to food shortages and food price hikes in the country, which imports 90% of its food. Salem Jaffer Baobaid, Yemeni spokesman for Islamic Relief, said the war in Yemen had destroyed the countrys economy, forcing many into day labour rather than secure jobs. This pandemic has obliged people to stay at home. This has made life very difficult for people who are meeting their needs on a daily basis, he said. The pandemic has affected even the basic life cycle and the suffering of the people has increased. Islamic Relief warned that even though food and fuel prices had spiked in recent weeks, the international community had failed to meet funding goals for Yemen. Baobaid said the result was more families having to beg on the streets. The global humanitarian community need to pay attention to the situation in Yemen. Its not long before we can slide into a catastrophic humanitarian situation, he said. The UN World Food Programme, which estimates that the number of people facing severe hunger will increase by about 122 million this year as a result of the pandemic, cut food deliveries by almost half in northern Yemen. Oxfam said humanitarian assistance around the world had been curtailed by restrictions on movement and other precautions to prevent the virus spreading. The Oxfam report said only 9% of funding for tackling food security had been met under then UNs global fund against Covid-19. Oxfam has called for more money to fight hunger caused by the pandemic, and pushed for the cancellation of debt owed by poor countries when G20 finance ministers meet next week. Oxfam also highlighted a crisis in Africas Sahel region, where at least 4 million people have been displaced by extreme climate conditions that were damaging crops, causing greater tension between communities sharing resources. (Natural News) In the early hours of Thursday, July 9, in Portland, Oregon, a man in his vehicle was forced to shoot his way out as a violent mob descended upon his car with the intent to harm even kill the person driving it. The car, a white Kia, was driving near the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland, where a majority of the nightly riots that have plagued the city have ended up. This was when a violent mob converged on the car, demanding that it clear the road so that the rioters can continue their battles with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). The whole incident was recorded by several journalists in the area, including the group known as Portland Independent Documentarians. They said that the vehicle was driving erratically before it was forced to accelerate into the rioters. One witness said that the car even tried to swerve into the street multiple times. Finding no other alternative to avoid the violent mob, which was chanting for the car to get out of the [expletive] road, the driver fired his gun into the air at least six times to warn the rioters to stay back. It promptly drove off afterward as the mob finally cleared for the vehicle to leave. The person who took the video claims that the driver was a demonstrator himself and that he had been drinking with some of them before getting into his car. No demonstrator has reported any injury related to the event. Unfortunately, nobody knows the motive behind either the drivers or the mobs behaviors, as the PPB did not respond and investigate the shooting incident. Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how the Black Lives Matter domestic terrorist movement and their Antifa allies have significantly updated the rules of engagement that they operate under to give their armed members the freedom to open fire upon people in cars with the intent of murdering the vehicles occupants. Officials in Portland bowing down to Antifa and BLM Every night since May 28, just three days after the death of George Floyd, Antifa and the Black Lives Matter Movement in Portland have been descending upon the city and turning it into a war zone. Mobs of violent rioters have been vandalizing and destroying both private and public property, as well as clashing with the PPB. This has led to hundreds of casualties on both sides. Unfortunately, it appears that unless a radically different change occurs in how the city is governed, the violent demonstrations will not end, as many city officials have repeatedly bowed down to the wishes of both Antifa and BLM. (Related: Portland police: Cops cant keep facing off with violent rioters every night.) Early in June, PPB Chief of Police Jami Resch was forced to resign as Black Lives Matter sent a scathing letter talking about the lack of diversity in her command staff. To replace her, African American police lieutenant Chuck Lovell, an 18-year veteran of the bureau, was made chief of police. The BLM movement has so far approved of his tenure as he has so far done very little to put a definitive halt to the nightly rioting. Worse still, the Portland City Council, composed entirely of Democrats and including Mayor Ted Wheeler, voted to cut $15 million from the budget of the PPB for the upcoming fiscal year. The bureau was supposed to receive an additional $244 million. The cut was proposed by City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, another Democrat and the only Black member of the city council, who said that the nearly six percent cut from the PPBs budget represents a historic moment for Portland. While this is a victory for the Black Lives Matter movement, they have not been satisfied by what they believe to be an insufficient cut, as the citys chapter of the domestic terrorist movement has been demanding a budget reduction of no less than $50 million. Nearly $5 million of the PPBs budget will be redirected to a new program to dispatch unarmed first responders to people experiencing homelessness known as the Portland Street Response. Unfortunately, this new program will not be able to do much to combat the citys violent mobs, who, as of July 9, have cost the city around $23 million in property damages and lost business revenue. And it seems that the PPB is also beginning to suspect that Portlands local government may be working for Antifa and BLM rather than for the PPB and the citys residents. The Portland Police Association, the labor union that represents rank-and-file bureau members, announced that the unions executive board has voted no confidence in the City Council. They have decried the lack of support from the council and bravely said that they would continue to stand up for the rights and safety of Portlanders even if the City Council refuses to do so. As the PPB begs the City Council to provide them with more aid and to stop defending the Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters, the only help the city has received has come from the federal government. President Donald Trump has proclaimed that federal agents have been deployed to Portland to conduct mass arrests of rioters and domestic terrorists and reinstate law and order in the city. Weve done a great job in Portland, said Trump on Monday, July 13. Portland was totally out of control, and they went in, and I guess we have many people right now in jail. We very much quelled it, and if it starts again, well quell it again very easily. Its not hard to do, if you know what youre doing. The federal officers come from four law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Protective Service and the U.S. Marshals. The objectives of their current deployment have been limited to protecting federal property and personnel in Downtown Portland. This includes keeping the rioters away from the Terry Schrunk Plaza, the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, the Pioneer Courthouse and the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse. So far, nearly a dozen people have already been arrested by federal authorities, and as the riots continue, theres no doubt that dozens more might be taken into federal custody. The civil unrest the whole country is dealing with is far from over. Stay updated on the latest criminal acts perpetrated by Antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement at Rioting.news. Sources include: PJMedia.com Yahoo.com OregonLive.com OPB.org 1 FoxNews.com OPB.org 2 KGW.com Destination Kohler will introduce its first-ever reconcepted marquee dining establishment this week with the opening of Taverne on Woodlake, 725E Woodlake Rd., a venue showcasing a combination of wood-grilled specialties and elevated comfort food dishes. The restaurant, which will begin accepting reservations on July 11, has been fully remodeled to create a comfortable interior environment as well as terrace-side al fresco dining overlooking Wood Lake. What to expect The new concept, which replaces Cucina Italian Restaurant at The Shops at Woodlake, is modeled after the highly acclaimed Taverne in the Sky, the Green Bay restaurant and bar at Lodge Kohler which offers panoramic views of the iconic Lambeau Field. Inside, diners will find a mix of modern and romantic decor from warm green leather banquettes surrounding the venues 12-seat L-shaped cocktail bar to the bright window-rich dining room featuring green velvet-backed booths, high- and low-top tables and concrete columns and walls covered in artistic depictions of market-style signs and animals. Meanwhile, the memorable vintage glass chandelier purchased at a California artist auction remains as the focal point of the new restaurant, set against a backdrop of hand-painted wrought iron caging and a mural of airy clouds on the restaurants domed ceiling. Meanwhile, the restaurants beautiful lakeside terrace is ideal for guests seeking an al fresco dining experience. On the menu The menu at Taverne on Woodlake created by Destination Kohlers Executive Chef Matt Bauer, features wood-fire-grilled specialties including a double-cut pork chop served with white cheddar grits, braised greens, jalapeno jam and teriyaki salmon served alongside a melange of snow peas, baby carrots, Napa cabbage and mushrooms along with wakame seaweed salad with charred scallion vinaigrette. Entrees can be accompanied by a variety of starters, from fried smelt with lemon pepper aioli to crispy Korean BBQ cauliflower with sesame seeds, cilantro and lime cream. Specialty pizzas, including classic Margherita, sausage and pepperoni and specialty pies featuring toppings like rock shrimp and bacon will round out the offerings. On the sweeter side, desserts by Destination Kohlers Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Blouin will include options like chocolate whiskey cake with cherry preserves and a warm beer doughnut served with choice of caramel and salted pecan or maple syrup and cayenne bacon dipping sauces. Beginning July 11, Taverne at Woodlake will be open daily for lunch service from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Curbside pickup is available. For reservations visit DestinationKohler.com/TaverneOnWoodlake or call 920-452-3888. Family of the 28-year-old man killed in registration chaos in Tabei in the Bono Region has given the Bone regional police command a two-week ultimatum to arrest and prosecute the killers of their relative. The victim was caught in a crossfire of attacks between NDC and NPP supporters. He was allegedly killed by individuals belonging to the ruling party. Speaking on the Starr Midday News, grandmother of the deceased said the police cannot blame anyone if things get out of hands in the community. She said the young man who was murdered is my grandson. When we went to the police, a witness came along to testify, so the police are aware, we are not doing politics. If the police dont arrest the murderer in two weeks we will not be responsible for what comes next. Since we went to make our case we have not heard from the police. The witness was in the car when my grandson was being beaten to death. And so we are expecting the police to act as soon as possible, else we will not be held accountable for what comes next, she added. Starr News checks with the Bono Police command indicates that the pathologist who will conduct the autopsy is on his way to the region from Kumasi. Meanwhile, Security Expert and Head of the Department of Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Professor Kwesi Aning has blamed the chaos that led to the death on the activities of vigilante groups. According to him, the development is an indication that vigilante groups are still alive and growing and in strength in political parties. ---starrfmonline By Nidal al-Mughrabi RAFAH, Gaza (Reuters) - Palestinian Sameeh Qe'dan is counting down the days until his son is released from an Israeli jail. There are just over three months left of his 16-year sentence, but with family visits from Gaza suspended due to the coronavirus, Qe'dan is worried. "I am 77 years old now and I am afraid, I am worried that I could die before I see my son or take him into my arms now with coronavirus," Qe'dan said. Frail with old age, he moves slowly around his run-down apartment in Rafah city in southern Gaza. The flaking walls are decorated with posters of the 40-year-old Abdel-Raouf. According to his family, Abdel-Raouf was convicted in 2004 of taking part in armed attacks against Israeli troops. The Israel Prison Service (IPS) would not confirm his conviction or sentence, saying it did not comment on the status of individual prisoners. Qe'dan used to visit his son in prison in Israel every two months, crossing the heavily-fortified border on trips organised by the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC). When coronavirus cases in Israel began to mount in March, these trips stopped and the authorities suspended or restricted family visits across the entire prison system. According to the IPS, there have been six COVID-19 cases in its prisons. Family visits are currently limited to one visitor, and not permitted from areas with high infection rates, the IPS said. Visits from East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank resumed in late June, but not yet from Gaza, according to the ICRC. The ICRC said Israel suspended visits "to protect both detainees and their families", but that it was exploring ways to either resume them or find alternative solutions. A spike in infections forced Israel to re-impose some restrictions last week. The authorities have reported 371 deaths and over 42,000 coronavirus cases, with around 1,700 new cases recorded on Tuesday. In Gaza, health officials have reported one death and 72 cases. Anyone entering the strip must undergo a month-long quarantine. Israel has also tightened restrictions on movement from the territory. Story continues There are 5,500 Palestinians in Israeli jails, many of them from the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Israel captured along with Gaza in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel pulled its troops out of Gaza in 2005 but blockades the territory, citing security concerns from Islamist ruling party Hamas. Qe'dan keeps a giant calendar to keep track of how much time remains until Adbel-Raouf's planned release. "Every day at dawn, I cross out a day," he said. (Additional reporting by Rami Ayyub; Writing by Nidal Almughrabi; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) The security forces on Wednesday arrested a terror associate of proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from Awantipora area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. He was involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the LeT terrorists in Tral, Kakpora, Khreew and Awantipora areas of the union territory. The person also helped the terrorists in transporting their arms and ammunition. A case has been filed against him in Awantipora Police Station under relevant sections of the law. The arrested terror associate has been identified as Sahil Farooq Mir a resident of Chakoora in Pulwama. Incriminating material including explosive material and ammunition has been recovered from him in Noorpora area. Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer As the death toll rises in Texas, things are becoming dire in some counties as hospitals fight the coronavirus. The Texas Tribune reported that Nueces County, which includes Corpus Christi, has requested a refrigerated morgue trailer to accommodate a surge in deaths. Travis County is also in the process of procuring a similar trailer, and Cameron County bought a 53-foot refrigerated trailer in preparation for a surge. Elon Musk has posted the first official render for what appears to be Gigafactory Berlin's first step. The new plant, featuring a vast, futuristic giant of a building covered by solar panels and several loading bays, is entirely incredible. Tesla is also refining the manufacturing cycle for Gigafactory Berlin, with the electric car manufacturer 's environmental permit suggesting that it will employ 10,500 employees for the next plant. Gigafactory Berlin's design The design of Gigafactory Berlin, which is very similar to Gigafactory Shanghai, was instantly visible from Musk 's recently shared image. It should be noted that Giga Shanghai's first official rendering only depicted the Model 3 facility at the venue. Having that in mind, it seems that the recently shared image of Musk for Giga Berlin reflects only the upcoming Model Y plant. Elon Musk noted that solar panels would protect the whole plant and that the building's chimneys would be concealed. These accents offer a futuristic feel to the entire Gigafactory Berlin complex, making it look much different from other vehicle manufacturing facilities in the area, including Volkswagen's Wolfsburg Facility, which consists of numerous traditional industrial constructions. Gigafactory Berlin's architecture is awe-inspiring overall, and it reflects Tesla's solid, unwavering stand for sustainability. But behind Gigafactory Berlin 's clean, futuristic theme, the facility is also being designed for performance. A look at the facility's sides reveals that it is loaded with truck loading bays. The first step is already under construction at Gigafactory Berlin. The speed of development of the facility has so far been rapid, suggesting that Tesla's target of beginning next year's Model Y production at the Germany-based plant may very well be feasible. It bodes well for the all-electric crossover's international ramp, which Elon Musk hopes to outsell the combined Model S, Model 3, and Model X. ALSO READ: Elon Musk Congratulates Tesla Employees Ahead As Automaker Makes Profit Despite Coronavirus Pandemic Tesla is hiring Elon Musk will recruit 10,500 employees for the new plant, too. Somewhat surprisingly, the number of workers listed in the company's latest environmental permit is 1,500 smaller than the original figures from Tesla. Past electric car manufacturer filings discussed creating up to 12,000 full-time jobs, as well as apprenticeships. Gigafactory Berlin will run at three shifts a day, with each shift covered by 3,000 to 3,500 employees each, according to a DW.com article. Tesla is currently looking to manufacture up to 500,000 vehicles per annum on-site with this number of employees. The factory intends to produce for the European market the Model Y, the newest vehicle Tesla has in production. Rather interestingly, the final environmental permit granted by Tesla is still officially pending, but the company has already started construction work on the massive plant. Construction is currently accelerating at Gigafactory Berlin, with columns now being installed on the site. The first walls have also been placed. A new concrete mixing plant was installed, and a railway station was also planned for unloading. ALSO READ: Elon Musk Updates: New Planet-Spying Space-Based Telescopes, Automated Traffic Lights, and More! #GigaBerlin July 12. 2020 The week in review. A lot has happened at GIGABERLIN. - new reinforced concrete beams were placed. - first walls were built. - new concrete mixing plant was built. - unloading railway station was prepared. ..... Picture source:@wolfpackberlin pic.twitter.com/vmkUbDru7J @GF4Tesla...build #GigaBerlin. (@Gf4Tesla) July 12, 2020 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NEW DELHI : Hero Future Energies Pvt. Ltd is exploring a fresh stake sale in its clean energy business and has asked HSBC to find a buyer, two people aware of the development said. The plan is at a preliminary stage with HSBC been asked to explore the opportunities available," said one of the two people cited above requesting anonymity. The size of the stake the promoters of unlisted Hero Future plan to sell and the valuation they are seeking could not be ascertained. Rahul Munjal-led Hero Future plans to sell the stake to raise growth capital for the companys expansion. Last November, the company sold around a 20% stake for $150 million to Masdar, also known as Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. The deal valued the New Delhi-based company at $750 million. Masdar is owned by the UAEs sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Co. Also, International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank, had invested $125 million in Hero Future in 2017. Queries emailed to spokespeople for Hero Future, Masdar, and IFC on Sunday evening remained unanswered. A spokesperson of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd in India declined to comment. With an installed capacity of 1.3 gigawatts (GW) and an additional 1.5GW under construction, Hero Future plans to build a 5GW portfolio by 2022 with a presence in Africa and India. There is a growing consolidation in Indias clean energy space. Potential deals reported by Mint earlier include a proposed 51% stake sale in Tata Powers renewable energy InvIT, and a majority stake sale in Finlands state-controlled power utility Fortum Oyjs 500 megawatts (MW) solar projects in India. Green energy projects make up more than a fifth of Indias installed power generation capacity. India has 34.6GW of solar power and 38GW of wind power. The country has become one of the top renewable energy producers globally, with an ambitious capacity expansion plan to achieve 175GW by 2022 and 500GW by 2030, as part of its climate commitments. There is a continuing overseas interest in Indias green economy. An auction in June by state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) was dominated by foreign clean energy firms. The lowest bid of 2.36 per unit was placed by Spains Solarpack Corporacion Tecnologica SA, followed by Italys Enel Group, Canadian firm AMP Solar Groups India unit, Frances EDEN Renewables, and Ib Vogt Singapore Pte Ltd. All four placed the second-lowest tariff bid of 2.37 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). UKs CDC Group-backed Ayana Renewable Power and Goldman Sachs-backed ReNew Power placed the third-lowest bid of 2.38 per unit each. There are, however, concerns plaguing the sector such as debt financing for green energy projects drying up, with large Indian banks declining to fund projects that have committed to selling power at less than 3 per unit. The banks are wary of lending to developers as they suspect the viability of the projects. There are also concerns about some state governments wanting to renegotiate clean energy contracts. The latest being the Punjab government led by chief minister Amarinder Singh seeking a discount from solar power developers due to low interest rates and a financial crunch exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Punjabs move comes on the heels of a widely criticized attempt by the Andhra Pradesh government led by chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to renegotiate clean energy tariffs. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:56:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Munkbayar(R), his wife and grandson are silhouetted against sunset on their way home after a day's work in Alxa Left Banner, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 7, 2020. In 1993, Munkbayar and his family contracted over 4,000 mu (about 267 hectares) of land to control the desert in Alxa Left Banner of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Twenty-seven years later, the sandy land has turned into an oasis thanks to Munkbayar and his family's forestation efforts. Munkbayar and his family also get benefited from fighting against the desert. Now he is able to earn a yearly income of about 400,000 to 500,000 yuan (about 57,166 to 71,458 U.S. dollars) by growing cistanche and cynomorium, two parasitic desert plants that are often used in traditional Chinese medicine. Motivated by Munkbayar's success, more and more locals have joined the desertification control and forestation work. (Xinhua/Peng Yuan) SALT LAKE CITY A Utah prosecutor who cleared two officers in the shooting death of an armed man has released a list of proposed deadly force policy reforms that he says would better allow officers to be held accountable. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill released 22 recommendations on Monday that include holding officers to a higher standard for using deadly force as self defense, requiring deescalation tactics and mandating implicit bias training. Several states, including New Mexico and Colorado, have approved police accountability legislation in recent weeks that included limiting use of force. Utah lawmakers voted last month to ban knee-to-neck chokeholds similar to the one used in the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and have promised additional reforms. The time has come to re-examine and, we hope, re-set the balance of justice in this state and in this country, Gill, a Democrat, said. Put another way, if we want different outcomes, we need different laws. Gills announcement came days after he said police acted legally in May when they fired more than 30 times at Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, 22, because he had repeatedly dropped and picked up a gun while running away. The district attorney said he was unable to pursue prosecution because the law protects officers if they fear that they or someone else are at risk. Gills decision to clear the officers prompted protests that resulted in an officer being injured. Demonstrators have chanted Palacios-Carbajals name, posted fliers calling for justice and painted the street outside Gills office red to symbolize blood. Lex Scott, who leads Black Lives Matter Utah, rejected Gills argument for not filing charges and said his recommendations reflect a pattern deflecting responsibility by not charging officers who use deadly force. Sim Gill allows police to kill us, Scott said. And by him allowing them to kill us, he is empowering more officers to kill us. Scott said she did support some of the proposed policies like eliminating qualified immunity and requiring an oral warning before using deadly force, but she characterized Gills memo as too little too late Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said she appreciated Gills assessment and plans to discuss the proposals with the citys racial equity commission and law enforcement officers. Several advocacy groups said the proposed policies are an encouraging first step but more would need to be done to address police brutality. Ultimately, we believe that police reform should not stop at addressing use of deadly force, but that we must make broader changes to ensure equity in policing in all aspects, said John Mejia, legal director for the the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah. Molly Davis, a policy analyst with the libertarian-leaning Libertas Institute group, said Gills proposed reforms could lessen the roadblocks prosecutors currently face when investigating officers who use deadly force. Using I was scared for my life as a legal defense for an officer employing deadly force should not be a justified standard, she said. But currently, this is what state law allows. ___ Sophia Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. To suggest as both OBrien and Pompeo did that the U.S. mission is defending Germany is simplistic and untrue. Forces stationed in Germany provide a strategic advantage for the U.S. on multiple continents. They afford logistical support, intelligence capabilities, medical services, and contracting assistance to U.S. governmental and military organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The forces in Europe are an ocean closer to many hot spots. For example, the mission in Germany includes medical support at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. This joint military medical facility is one the militarys largest trauma centers. Landstuhl serves the military and their families, but it also transfers the wounded and sick from other continents. During the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, having Landstuhl in Europe saved thousands of American lives. U.S. forces in Europe are also prepared to form the spearhead of many contingency operations. None of these plans address a defense of Germany. Anyone with recent military experience knows that. But one contingency would support Israel in time of conflict. As part of the mission, U.S. forces conduct critical exercises, training and engagements with 49 European nations and 54 African ones. Three hysterical Philadelphia women have been caught on camera throwing phones, shoes, full water bottles and even fast food at Spirit Airlines staff in Florida after their flight was delayed. Cell phone camera footage shows Danaysha Akia Cuthbert Dixon, 22, Kaira Candida Ferguson, 21, and Tymaya Monique Wright, 20, in a violent display at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Tuesday evening. They were arrested and face battery charges. The clip shows several women standing outside a gate inside the terminal throwing objects 'such as phones, shoes, full water bottles, metal boarding signs and fast food' at employees, according to police. 'The victims were also punched and kicked in different sections of their bodies numerous times,' the arrest report states. An altercation broke out at Fort Lauderdale Airport on Tuesday after a Spirit Airline flight to Philadelphia was delayed Pictured left to right: Tymaya Monique Wright, 20, Kaira Candida Ferguson, 21, and Danaysha Akia Cuthbert Dixon, 22 It's unclear what occurred in the moments leading up the time the video recording begins. However the suspects appear to be arguing with one woman initially and other members of staff crowd around her for protection when the passengers start delivering blows. Other airline staff and passengers are seen racing over to the victims. Spirit Airlines insists it wasn't a brawl and instead a one-sided attack. 'We thank our team members for their professionalism and quick actions, and we also thank the Broward Sheriff's Office for their assistance at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport yesterday,' Spirit Airlines said in a statement. 'Three guests became combative following a delayed flight, and they were arrested for physically assaulting our team members. Three of our Team Members sustained minor injuries. Video shows them throwing objects 'such as phones, shoes, full water bottles, metal boarding signs and fast food' at employees (left), according to police. Right, one suspect is seen running toward a member of staff as another tries to stop her 'This violent behavior is completely unacceptable and has absolutely no place in airports or any other place of business. We will not tolerate abusive behavior of any kind. Further questions about this incident should be referred to law enforcement.' The women were taken to the Broward County Jail. They were all arrested on charges of touch or strike battery and for Wright, there was the addition of petit theft. 'The safety and security of the traveling public and airport employees is part of our core mission,' an airport spokesperson said. 'The behavior of the individuals as seen in the video during Tuesday's incident is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our facility. We applaud the prompt response by our airline partner and the Broward Sheriff's Office.' 'The victims were also punched and kicked in different sections of their bodies numerous times,' the arrest report states. Spirit said three team members sustained minor injuries It's not the first time Spirit Airlines staff have been seen on video involved in a physical altercation. Fights broke out in May 2017 when 81 Spirit flights were delayed in one day. That same week 300 flights were delayed on the low-budget airline. At the time Spirit claimed it was 'a result of unlawful labor activity by some Spirit pilots designed to disrupt Spirit operations for our customers, by canceling multiple flights across our network.' However the Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA) denied the claims from the Miramar-based carrier. The same year, five women on a flight from Baltimore to Los Angeles were involved in a brawl over loud music. Payal Rajput is glad that she has successfully navigated the initial tough phases of the lockdown. The Venky Mama actress reveals that she was in Mumbai during the first three phases of the lockdown. She reached her hometown, Delhi, on June 12. The lockdown has taught so many things to so many people. I was stuck in my apartment in Mumbai for more than two months; there was no maid, so I did all the chores on my own and that is something I had never done before in my life. During that period, I realised the significance of being content and grateful with what we have in life, she shares. After I came to Delhi I am being pampered by my parents (smiles). So it just goes to show that family is our real strength during these testing times. The actress has signed a new music video in Punjabi, and says she will start shooting next month. We have to start somewhere; we cant get into a shell. I have been getting offers, but was hesitant to take them up fearing the Coronavirus spread. But now I have taken up one project. I need to build immunity whilst taking all the precautionary measures, she elaborates. Shooting in the new normal will be challenging, she feels. Wearing masks, gloves and sanitising frequently is very annoying, but we need to do those things to ensure that the virus doesnt spread, the RDX Love actress adds. For Payal, staging a comeback to Punjabi cinema is like a homecoming. Its a romantic music video and will serve as a drive to take up more films there, she says. The actress will be seen in the Telugu remake of Kannada film, Kalratri. I instantly connected to the script; this is the kind of role the audience would love to see me in,she signs off. While much loved by owners, one thing customers struggle with when it comes to the Okavango is what kind of car isshould you think of it as... UK Reportedly Plans to Send Aircraft Carrier to Asia Pacific as Tensions With China Rising Sputnik News 10:00 GMT 14.07.2020(updated 10:04 GMT 14.07.2020) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK military intends to send new aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth to the Asia Pacific as tensions with Beijing continue to rise, The Times newspaper reported, citing sources. According to the newspaper, the carrier is expected to start its voyage within a carrier strike group in early 2021. The ship's crew comprises almost 700 people, while together with crews of fighter jets and helicopters it might amount to 1,600 people. The ship, which cost the UK authorities about $3.9 billion, will depart from the UK with two squadrons of F-35B Lightning II fighter jets aboard, the media said. The vessel is set to visit the Far East and conduct military exercises with allies, including the United States and Japan. Plans to send the aircraft carrier to the Asia Pacific region are being considered as part of the review of the UK foreign and security strategy. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Olympic champion Dame Valerie Adams has been given her own Barbie doll. Toy company Mattel created the doll to honour 'trail-blazing women'. Valerie is the second NZ woman to be given the honour. Valerie spoke to the Herald about the process of getting the Barbie created... "I'm six foot four [1.9m], I'm a big Pacific Island woman. Never in my mind would I have thought something like this would be possible," she said. "To have them choose me was surprising but also very exciting.vIt's an amazing campaign and I'm really honoured to be a part of it." A work of art attributed to the British artist Banksy has been returned to France, from where it was stolen in 2019 before recently being found in a farm near Rome. The work of art of the famous artist, who keeps his identity secret, depicts a sad looking girl. It was painted in 2018 as a tribute to the victims of the November 2015 terror attacks in Paris. The Gate of Banksy has been officially returned to France on 14 July. It is exhibited at the Farnese Palace in Rome, which houses the French embassy in Italy. The date and conditions of the artwork's return to France were not disclosed. The Gate of Banksy had been painted in June 2018 on one of the emergency exits, located behind the Bataclan in Paris. It was a passage through which many spectators of the Eagles of Death Metal concert had escaped during the terrorist attack on 13 November 2015. Made with stencil and white paint, the work depicts a sad-looking girl as a tribute on the very spot where 90 people were killed during a series of terrorist attacks that hit Paris and its suburb Saint-Denis. The robbery on the night of 25 to 26 January 2019 was filmed by video surveillance cameras. The criminals, hooded, had seized the artwork by cutting the door with a grinder. The work of art was found in a farm, in the Abruzzo region near Rome. Six people were arrested at the end of June in France during a vast operation led by the Paris Criminal Investigation Department in the Alps and central regions. Two of them were charged with robbery in an organised gang and the other four with receiving stolen goods from an organised gang. According to the Italian news agency, Agi, two of the suspects are Italians born in France and a total of eight people have been arrested, while a suspected accomplice is on the run. Banksy, who likes to play with the media and the art market, is now one of the most highly regarded contemporary artists in the world. New bodycam footage shows a distraught George Floyd pleading with officers that he's 'not a bad guy' moments before his death. The video also confirms that the father's final words, which were not seen in a previously released transcript, were 'man, I can't breathe', reported CNN, which viewed the footage Wednesday. In the video, Floyd is heard saying 'I'm not a bad guy!' as the two Minneapolis cops - who were first on the scene - tried to wrestle him into a squad car. 'I'm not that kind of guy,' Floyd says as he struggles against the officers. 'I just had COVID, man, I don't want to go back to that.' When an onlooker pleads with Floyd to stop struggling, saying, 'You can't win!' Floyd replies, 'I don't want to win!' A few minutes later, Floyd is face-down on the street and the cameras record his fading voice, still occasionally saying, 'I can't breathe,' before he goes still. The shocking footage was made available to journalists and members of the public to view Wednesday by appointment but a judge has ruled it can only be viewed in the courthouse and news organizations cannot publish it. A coalition of media organizations filed a motion Monday calling for the immediate release of the videos. New bodycam footage shows the cops charged in connection with the 'murder' of George Floyd (pictured) calmly talking about his violent arrest as they knelt on him for almost nine minutes and saying 'I think he's passing out' as the black man lost consciousness and died The footage from the bodycameras of Lane and J. Kueng has been filed as part of the criminal proceedings against the four cops. Derek Chauvin, who held his knee against Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, has been charged with second-degree murder, while Lane, Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting. In the footage one of the officers is heard calmly observing, 'I think he's passing out,' as Floyd loses consciousnesses. The officers can be heard making light of the struggle with Floyd and casually talking about his violent arrest while they were kneeling on top of him for almost nine minutes. One cop - thought to be rookie cop Thomas Lane - is even heard brushing off his own menial injuries obtained during the black man's arrest over a fake $20 bill. 'My knee might be a little scratched, but I'll survive,' he says, while Floyd is currently lying dying under the weight of the officers in the Minneapolis street. The footage shows Floyd appears to be distraught from the moment the officers ask him to step out of his vehicle. It shows the officers spoke to the grocery store clerk - where Floyd is alleged to have tried to pay with a counterfeit bill - for just 36 seconds before they arrived at the door of his car and demanded he exit the vehicle, CNN reported. When Floyd did not immediately display his hands, Lane pulled his gun and pointed it at him, yelling 'Put your f**king hands up right now!' Floyd sobs and pleads with the officers, telling them he had been shot before and, at one point, placing his head on the steering wheel. After around three minutes, Floyd - who continues to sob - is forcibly pulled from the car. Floyd's hands are soon handcuffed behind his back, and he grows more anxious, telling the officers that he's claustrophobic and pleading with them not to put him in the back of a squad car. Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao (left to right). A coalition of media outlets is seeking public access to body camera video recorded by the former officers charged in the death of George Floyd A struggle follows when Lane and Kueng try to put him in the squad car. Kueng is seen trying to push Floyd in one side of the car while Lane goes around to the other side to try to pull him in from the other, CNN reported. Floyd is heard saying 'I can't breathe' for the first time, before falling out of the car on Lane's side. Thao and Chauvin appear on the footage and Chauvin, Kueng, and Lane struggle with Floyd to restrain him. Floyd loses a shoe in the altercation and what appears to be Chauvin's chest-mounted body camera winds up underneath the squad car. It is this point when Floyd ends up on the pavement with the officers holding him down in the position in which he would then stop breathing. Chauvin and Kueng each grip one of Floyd's handcuffed hands to hold them in position behind his back, with Kueng's knee appearing to press on Floyd's bottom or just below. Lane is at Floyd's feet. In the footage Chauvin appears to shift his weight to increase the pressure on Floyd's neck, CNN reported, with the veteran cop moving his torso from an upright position into a curling down motion at one point. The officers sound clinical as the minutes tick by while they keep pinning Floyd to the ground. 'I think he's passing out,' one officer says. 'You guys all right, though?' someone asks. 'Yeah - good so far,' says one. Another - apparently Lane - responds: 'My knee might be a little scratched, but I'll survive.' Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn't breathe In the footage (which news organizations are not allowed to publish) Chauvin appears to shift his weight to increase the pressure on Floyd's neck, CNN reported All four officers were fired the day after video of Floyd's death went viral, which set off protests that spread around the world and turned into a national reckoning on race in America Kueng reaches out with a free hand to pull a pebble from the police SUV's tire tread and toss it to the street. Lane did not sound particularly worried the first time he asked Chauvin whether they should roll Floyd on his side and suggested that Floyd might be in delirium. People in the crowd can be heard expressing fear for Floyd's condition, asking whether he had a pulse and was breathing. A couple of minutes later, Lane sounds a bit more concerned when he asks again about rolling Floyd onto his side. But the officers go quiet and show no apparent urgency as Kueng checks for a pulse and says he cannot find one. Lane's camera shows him following an unresponsive, shirtless Floyd on a stretcher into an ambulance, where EMTs instructed him to perform CPR. The video shows Lane then performing constant chest compressions by hand with no visible results. The new footage shows the officers making light of the struggle with Floyd (pictured) and seem unconcerned about his condition, despite the father-of-five repeatedly saying he couldn't breathe, desperate pleas from bystanders urging the officers to stop what they were doing and one of the cops vocalizing that he was 'passing out' The ambulance parks a few blocks away from the store for several minutes while Lane and the EMTs work on Floyd, rather than heading straight to the hospital, even though they all know that Floyd is in full cardiac arrest, as indicated by dispatcher audio. The body camera videos and transcripts were filed in court last week by Lane's attorney, Earl Gray, as part of a request to have Lane's case dismissed. Gray said at the time that he wanted the videos to be made public, telling the Star Tribune that they would show the 'whole picture.' Gray said the bystander video shows just the last piece of what happened and 'is not fair.' Gray's request highlighted portions of the body camera video that show Floyd 'actively resisting and acting erratic' with officers. It also noted Floyd's 'request' to be put on the ground. Gray also argued that Lane did not have a clear view of what Chauvin was doing. Judge Peter Cahill has declined to allow publication of the video but has not provided reasons for doing so. A coalition of news organizations is calling for them to be made public. Attorneys for Lane and Kueng have also called for the videos to be made public, saying they would provide a more complete picture of what happened when Floyd was taken into custody. Floyd died May 25 after white cop Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for nearly nine minutes as Floyd said he couldn't breathe. His death sparked protests across America and around the world calling for an end to systemic racism and police brutality. His death also led to calls to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department and replace it with a new public safety department. A majority of City Council members support the move, saying the department has a long history and culture of brutality that has resisted change. A public hearing was planned later Wednesday on the proposal, which requires a change in the city's charter that could go to voters in November. SCHENECTADY Carol Eto gets angry when talking about the emotional and financial toll her longstanding dispute with her next-door neighbor, Yugeshwar Gaindarpersaud, has had on her. "I am not moving, I will die in here," she vowed at one point during Tuesday's conversation about her dispute over a concrete driveway and fence with Gaindarpersaud, the man seen struggling on video last week with a city police officer after accusations he slashed two tires on Eto's son's car. Parbattie Datt, 51, lives on the other side of Gaindarpersaud, and doesnt get along with him either. Datt said she has a video of maggots around her fence and property resulting from Gaindarpersaud dumping his garbage right next to her fence, which is close to her kitchen. She has called the city code enforcement office and is waiting for it to look into the claims. "I had my land surveyed and the surveyor put a pole and he took it out, and I caught him on my video camera," she said. Gaindarpersaud is Guyanese as are the two women, and both said Tuesday they've called police on him multiple times and wont let him make their life miserable. The two neighbors say after seeing videos of Patrolman Brian Pommer chase, struggle, punch and knee Gaindarpersaud on or near his neck and head area, that the officer acted appropriately. "I personally feel that they did the right thing," Eto said, adding that Gaindarpersaud is just taking advantage of the global protest for racial equity and for police reforms following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, who died at the hands of Minneapolis cop who kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Steve Ram, who is also Guyanese and has in the past helped organize Guyana Heritage Day, said earlier this week that the police response only made an already tense situation worse. "The police should have de-escalated the situation and that is my main concern that he (Officer Pommer) did not," said Ram, adding that Pommer shouldn't have run after Gaindarpersaud and that Police Chief Eric Clifford "compounded it by agreeing with whatever happened." The July 7 encounter in Schenectady that began as a call that Gaindarpersaud had slashed a neighbors tires has sparked protests in Schenectady. It also led to calls for bans on police control holds to a persons head or neck, as well as other demands, which the department outlawed in the days after the incident. Pommer, a seven-year veteran, remains on desk duty as the police and the Schenectady County District Attorneys Office conduct an internal review into his actions. Gaindarpersaud, 31, is charged with resisting arrest and criminal mischief. He is scheduled to be arraigned on those misdemeanors on July 21. He did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment and his attorney, Derek Andrews, declined comment when asked about the problems his client had with neighbors. Clifford has said Pommer didnt violate any law but will likely face some sort of discipline. The chief and Mayor Gary McCarthy have been making the rounds over the past few days, meeting with neighborhood groups, including a gathering Sunday at the Guyanese Community Center in Mont Pleasant where Eto and Datt told their stories. City Council President John Mootooveren said he and County Legislator Philip Fields,who is also Guyanese, set up the meeting that attracted about 60 people to the center. "It is not a racist incident, it's a neighbor problem for 2 1/2 years and boils down to this unfortunate incident," he said. "When they heard those stories then people get to understand exactly what's going on here so I wouldn't say they were divided, I think people weren't hearing the true stories until Sunday." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Mootoveren said he has been aware of issues among the neighbors, encouraged them to call police and code enforcement, but said the altercation has not divided Schenectady' s Guyanese population. Citing the ongoing internal probe by the department's Office of Professional Standards and the DA's Office, Mootooveren declined comment. "I am concerned just like my colleagues on the City Council, even the mayor and the police chief have it made it very clear, but let's wait and see the outcome of the investigation," added Mootooveren, adding that some leaders at the center plan to reach out to the Gaindarpersaud. Eto, 65, said that her problems began in 2017 with the previous homeowner, who began the process of building the concrete driveway, before selling to Gaindarpersaud. She soon realized that the city erred in allowing Gaindarpersaud to encroach on her property, and informed him of her plans to erect a 6-foot wood fence. I dont care which way you twist and turn it, my 6-foot fence is going up there, she said. Eto said the intimidation and scare tactics began, including one instance where a group of about eight men stared her down. She started putting up the fence but had to stop to allow Gaindarpersaud to survey the land. She paid for a survey of her own and then later finished building the fence, which extends from her front to just beyond her back porch. When I put that fence down, I could have insisted that City Hall break up the concrete on their side because theyre not supposed to have any concrete on the side there, she said, adding that a $500 job ended up costing her $3,500 because of all the complications. Eto said she is in the process now of putting up a fence all around her property and a security system. All of the duty-free businesses that were taken by the regime from Rami Makhlouf have been offered to alternative investors writes Alsouria Net. The General Organization for Free Zones, affiliated with the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade in the Assad government, has offered free markets in Syria for investment, after the cancellation of the contracts with Rami Makhlouf, Bashar al-Assads cousin. The Organization issued a statement on Tuesday in which it announced its desire to have a public auction to operate duty-free shops at Damascus International Airport, Aleppo International Airport, Lattakia International Airport, Tartous Port, Lattakia Port, the Nassib Border Center, and the Jdeidat Yabous Border Center. The investment period was specified for only five years, renewable, according to the rules and conditions for free market investment. The Organization requested initial insurance of 500,000 dollars, which must be provided in the form of a certified check or a bank guarantee from one of the accredited banks in Syria, with a warranty period of 90 days, starting from the last day for accepting the submission of offers. It is worth noting that the Assad regime had canceled all contracts with the companies owned by Rami Makhlouf, and put them up for free market investment, in a development that confirms the continued conflict between the two sides. According to a statement issued by the Organization, the termination of contracts [with Rami Makhlouf] came after it was established that the investor in those markets was involved in smuggling goods and money. Makhloufs companies have been monopolizing the free markets since 2010, as no other competitor has been able to enter the battle, mostly due to the backing Makhlouf enjoyed by virtue of his closeness to Assad. The Finance Ministry of the Assad government had recently issued a decision to freeze the accounts of Rami Makhlouf, as well as those of his wife and children. Moreover, the Assad government has imposed, as part of the procedures, restrictions on Makhlouf and a judicial guard on Syriatel Communications, under the pretext of safeguarding the rights of the public treasury and those of the shareholders in the company. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended parties to the South Sudan peace process for the progress achieved in recent months despite the health and economic difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The President underscored the setting up of the executive arm of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), the agreement on responsibility sharing at state level as well as the appointments of state Governors as key success indicators in the peace process. I wish to note that in the last five months, we have witnessed a positive political momentum in the South Sudan peace process. Through significant compromises made by the parties, a number of important milestones and breakthroughs have been achieved, President Kenyatta said. The President spoke on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi during a virtual meeting of the 36th assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government. The Summit was convened by the Prime Minister of Sudan Dr Abdalla Hamdok who is also the current Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government to among other matters assess the South Sudan peace process and review regional Covid-19 response measures. On the security situation in South Sudan, President Kenyatta said it was encouraging that the permanent ceasefire is holding. He however cautioned against an increase in communal violence saying the insecurity risks worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. If the situation remains unchecked, these seasonal and perennial conflicts could have wider repercussions on larger security environment, President Kenyatta said. The President appealed to South Sudanese leaders to work towards strengthening institutions of governance so as to attain sustainable peace and stability in their country. On Covid-19, President Kenyatta commended joint response measures adopted by IGAD member states for helping slow down the spread of the virus in the region. The President also spoke about Kenyas election to the UN Security Council saying the country will carry the aspirations of all (UN) member states and continue to prioritize regional and African issues during its tenure. In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of IGAD Workneh Gebeyehu said the regions socioeconomic stability has been strained by several current challenges among them the desert locust invasion, floods and the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Gebeyehu said the multilateral approaches adopted by IGAD member states were helping alleviate adverse effects of these challenges on regional economies. On the South Sudan peace process, Dr Gebeyehu applauded the steady progress achieved despite the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Hamdok, other Heads of State and Government who addressed todays summit were Presidents Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Mohamed Abdullahi (Somalia), Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia). Also present was Kenyas special envoy to the South Sudan peace process Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka as well as representatives of the African Union, the European Union and other IGAD partner institutions. Foreign Affairs CS Amb Raychelle Omamo and Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua also attended the virtual meeting. In the cutthroat world of mortgage lenders, rivalry among competitors can get nasty real nasty. Just ask Theresa Niemiec, the wife of a Quicken Loans executive who claims her husbands rivals crowd shamed her in a series of raunchy and misogynistic texts and videos as a way to hurt her husbands employer. One man falsely accused her of performing sex acts with a competitor, she says, then mocked her husband in a follow-up text message: Im really sorry that I hurt your feelings, he texted, adding emojis resembling sex organs. Hows Teresa. Give her my best.' " Niemiec, the wife of Quicken Loans Executive Vice President Austin Niemiec, got the message and filed a defamation lawsuit this month against one of her husbands competitors: Anthony Casa, CEO of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME). The suit alleges that Casa falsely accused Niemiec of being promiscuous in college with United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Mat Isbia. According to the suit, Casa and Isbia are friends, have work ties, and consider themselves competitors of Quicken Loans. Isbia is not being sued. Though Casa has never met Niemiec, the suit states, he placed her in his crosshairs because shes Mr. Niemiecs wife, and degraded and humiliated them both through multiple defamatory text messages that he sent to her husband, including: Love to meet your wife. Its amazing thats the girl who (performed oral sex) in college. Way to marry up. No lip kisses. You never trusted her anyway. According to the lawsuit, Niemiecs lawyer demanded a retraction from Casa, but he allegedly mocked the couple instead, sending this text message on July 7 to her husband: Good morning little buddy. I saw the letter from your attorney. Im really sorry that I hurt your feelings. Give everyone my best! Cant (wait) to see you soon. He closed the text with a wink emoji. The next day, Casa sent the husband another text message: Hows Teresa. Give her my best. Added were numerous emojis representing sex organs, including eggplants. The lawsuit called the texts reprehensible and especially appalling during the #metoo era and said that Casa and others targeted Niemiec because of her gender. The defamatory video clips and text messages exploit the long and deeply disturbing history of boorish and misogynistic insults by men who seek to dominate and demean the role and place of women in society, states the lawsuit, which was filed July 20. This should not be tolerated nor diminished nor brushed off as jokes or boys being boys preying on the vulnerabilities of women, Niemiecs lawyer, Jason Hirsch, wrote in the lawsuit. The lawsuit includes screenshots of a lewd text chain about Niemiec that Casa sent to her husband and others, including Kevin Peranio, the chief lending officer at PRMG, and Ramon Walker, owner of Mount Diablo Lending. According to the lawsuit, Peranio and Walker recorded video clips of each of them viewing and reacting to Casas defamatory video clips and text messages in a disparaging, derisive and ridiculing manner. Casa then sent the video clips to Niemiecs husband and others in a deliberate effort to crowd shame her, the suit says. Neither Peranio nor Walker are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks a retraction of the videos, unspecified damages and attorney fees. Casa took to Facebook on Sunday to apologize for his alleged remarks. In an eight-minute video, he said that he made a big mistake and an error in judgment and that he let his anger get the best of him following a heated discussion with Mr. Niemiec. According to Casa, Mr. Niemiec had sent him a video of him and his wife celebrating a record month or quarter at Quicken Loans, and he felt that they were trying to egg me on. Unfortunately I let the emotions of the situation get the better of me. I responded with a video message and I said some really inappropriate lewd comments about that persons wife. Its things that I should have never had said, things that I dont believe and things that are inappropriate and hurtful, Casa said. I am beyond sorry to everyone for making those comments. In the moment, I just lost all sense of reality. In his video, Casa also asked for the support of the broker community, saying he is aware of the lawsuit filed against him in Michigan and that people will be talking about him but that he doesnt want his mistake to derail what he described as a strong broker movement. Im going to be embarrassed about this for the rest of my life. As the father of two daughters, I have to live with this, Casa said, noting he also works with many women in the broker community. This is just not who I am I am sorry that these words came out of my mouth I need to make sure that moving forward this never happens again Im going to own this. Casas post has triggered an outpouring of support from many. Since Sunday, more than 80 people have posted positive comments on his Facebook page, with many applauding him for owning up to his mistake and telling him nobody is perfect. Weve all done and said things we arent proud of. Who cares. Life goes on and we have your back Anthony, read one post. Thank you for your honesty, another Facebook user posted. Character shows up when nobody is looking and you taking the steps to clean up a mess on your own accord shows youre a man of character and integrity. One friend compared him to a popular cartoon character. Everyone makes mistakes. It takes a real Man to recognize, apologize and make it right. Youre a good man Charlie Brown. Stay strong. Tresa Baldas of the Detroit Free Press wrote this story. 2020 Detroit Free Press Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Pentagon announced on Tuesday (local time) that the US has withdrawn from five bases in Afghanistan and reduced the size of its forces there as part of the agreement it entered into with the Taliban earlier this year. "July 13, 2020 marks 135 days since the signing of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement on February 29, 2020. As stipulated in the agreement, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 and withdraw from five bases. US forces in Afghanistan remain in the mid-8,000s and five bases formerly occupied by US forces have been transferred to our Afghan partners," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. "US military presence in Afghanistan remains focused on capabilities -- not numbers. We maintain the capabilities and authorities necessary to protect ourselves, our Allies and partners, and US national interests," Hoffman said. The statement makes no mention of the Taliban's continued links to al Qaeda, something referenced in a Defense Department report earlier this month. "We will continue to execute our counterterrorism mission while simultaneously supporting the 38-nation NATO Resolute Support Train, Advise, Assist mission and Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) as they work to secure peace in the country," it read. "The United States honors its obligations. All sides should reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan," it said further. In late February, the US and the Taliban signed a historic agreement, setting into motion the possibility of ending America's long involvement in the war, which has stretched nearly two decades. The "Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan" outlined a series of commitments from the US and the Taliban related to troop levels, counterterrorism and the intra-Afghan dialogue aimed at bringing about "a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire." As per CNN reports, the agreement laid out a 14-month timetable for the withdrawal of US military forces, its allies and coalition partners. The media reported in May that data provided to the Pentagon's special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction showed that in the month following the signing of the peace deal, the Taliban increased their attacks on America's Afghan allies to levels higher than usual. The US-led international military operation in Afghanistan told the inspector general that from March 1 to March 31, "the Taliban refrained from attacks against Coalition Forces; however they increased attacks against (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) to levels above seasonal norms." -ANI Also Read: Donald Trump: US confronted 'untrustworthy' Chinese technology, convinced many countries not to use Huawei (Bloomberg Opinion) -- A day after the Morandi Bridge collapsed in Genoa in August 2018 claiming 43 lives, Giuseppe Conte said he would strip Autostrade per lItalia SpA of its motorway concessions. Two years later, Italys prime minister is making the same noise but has not yet made up his mind. The case is a prime example of Contes dangerous habit of postponing difficult decisions to hide the divisions within his weak government majority. It is also a warning to investors about the uncertainty of putting their money into a regulated business in Italy at a time of whimsical politics. The prime minister had three options to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy. He could have stuck to the existing contract, perhaps seeking to renegotiate parts of it by demanding that Autostrade spend more on maintenance. He could have nationalized Autostrade, paying the existing shareholders a fair price for their stakes and allowing for penalties. Finally, he could have revoked the concession, opening a legal fight with the company over possible damages. Instead, Italys prime minister and his government colleagues issued a number of threats, without taking any decision. A change of government from an alliance between the populist Five Star Movement and the right-wing League, to one between Five Star and the center-left Democrats did not help. But Conte also failed to take responsibility for the choice, leaving the company, its employees and investors in a seemingly never-ending limbo. There is no doubt that Autostrade has much explaining to do over what occurred two years ago. It says it always met its obligations under the concession agreement following privatization. But for years, the company could charge relatively high tolls, allowing for a hefty rate of return, and is now proposing multi-billion euros settlements to keep the concession. It appears it could have afforded to spend much more on investment than it did. What went on in Genoa remains unclear the painful wait for the conclusion of the investigation continues but the company clearly needs to show that it took adequate precautions to ensure that the bridge would be safe. Story continues Still, this does not justify the way the last two Italian governments have handled Autostrade and its main shareholder, Atlantia SpA, in which the Benetton family has a 30% stake. Conte sought to show that he was taking the high ground, defending the victims and their families, but then kept bargaining with Atlantia over the concession and other deals including a possible rescue of Alitalia, Italys chronically loss-making flag carrier. This month, Autostrade made a revised offer for a possible settlement. The proposal includes tariff cuts and extra capital and maintenance spending. Atlantia would also cede control of Autostrade to infrastructure fund F2i and state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA while retaining a minority stake. However, Conte rejected this offer, telling newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano it was embarrassing and hinting that the Benettons should fully exit Autostrade. This looks like a vendetta more than a point of principle. The sorry saga can only make a terrible impression on foreign investors. The Italian government passed a law in February cutting the cost of revoking the concession. The lesson funds will take is that any promises from Italy are not worth the paper they are written on. The European Court of Justice could also have a future look at this decision, as it seems to infringe on property rights and the sanctity of contracts. Italys government is clearly stuck amid difficult options. Autostrade's existing ownership structure is unpopular; leaving it unchanged would make a mockery of the earlier political grandstanding. Nationalizing the business, or revoking the concessions, could be expensive, and could force the Italian state to run these assets amid conspicuous legal and economic uncertainty. But the cost of these difficulties cannot be Italys reputation as a credible investment destination. Conte must take a decision soon and live with its consequences. 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. A thug who beat and sexually assaulted a young woman while she was vomiting in an alleyway will be sentenced later this year after a judge called for his mental capacity to be examined by a specialist. The 22-year-old victim became separated from her mates while partying in Cairns in September 2018 and joined another group of revellers. She was given a very strong drink and left to sit on a bench where she was followed by Alan William Giblet. The 28-year-old led her into an Abbott Street alleyway where she passed out before waking up naked to him sexually assaulting her. Cairns Post reported when she rolled over and started vomiting Giblet dragged her back towards him and punched her in the face twice. A 22-year-old woman was beaten and sexually assaulted while vomiting in an alleyway off Abbott Street in Cairns (pictured) 'He threatened to kill the complainant and told her he wanted to keep having sex with her,' crown prosecutor Gelma Meoli said. 'She was screaming out for help and he was hitting her.' The victim suffered cuts, facial bruising and a bleeding nose and fled the alleyway to find her friends in a nightclub after the incident. Police used CCTV footage to find an arrest Giblet, who denied involvement in the assault until it was verified by a DNA test. Giblet guilty to rape and assault occasioning bodily harm in Cairns District Court on Tuesday. He has a decade-long criminal history which includes several violent offences against women, including an ex-partner. The victim suffered cuts, facial bruising and a bleeding nose after the violent incident (stock image) 'It shows he has little, if any, respect for females,' Ms Meoli said. Giblet's sentencing will resume on September 7 after Judge Tracy Fantin ordered a pre-sentence report to examine Giblet's mental health. Judge Fantin urged the report to submit recommendations for his case and outline his risk of re-offending. President Donald Trump said he will announce next week action he's taking against cities run by 'liberal, left-wing Democrats' that are out of control with protesters and demonstrations. He did not offer any specifics when he made the announcement in the Oval Office on Wednesday but promised a 'very exciting news conference, because we'll be talking about some of the cities where the Democrats running them have just lost control of the cities.' He name checked big cities run by Democratic mayors - a majority of the nation's mayors are Democrats - noting he'd be looking at Seattle, Minneapolis, Portland and Chicago. 'We have other cities that are out of control. They are like war zones,' Trump said. 'If the city isn't going to straighten it out, if local politicians or, in this case -- I don't say this for political reasons, they are all Democrats. They are liberal, left-wing Democrats, and it's almost like they think this is going to be this way forever,' he said. President Donald Trump said he will have an announcement next week on action he's taking against cities run by 'liberal, left-wing Democrats' Protesters silently march up 23rd Avenue South in Seattle, Washington on June 12 Officials from the Justice Department and the FBI will be involved. Attorney General William Barr, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Matthew Albence were part of his Wednesday event in the Oval Office. President Trump noted that people have died in these cities. 'We're not going to put up with that. We are not going to put up with that,' he said. In Seattle, at least six people have been shot as part of the protests against police violence. Demonstrators have set up a protest area, known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest zone, or CHOP. In Minneapolis, which was ground zero for the protests after George Floyd died there, the National Guard was dispatched in late May to contain the demonstrators. The guard cleared the streets. Trump and his administration were criticized when they used members of the military to clear Lafayette Park in June so President Trump could walk across the street to St. John's Episcopal Church for a photo-op with him holding the bible. The tough talk is part of Trump's new mission to be a 'law and order' president, presenting a tough image to deal with protests that have sprung up around the country in the wake of Floyd's death. The president has launched a 'culture war' that includes blasting demonstrators for tearing down statues with ties to the Confederacy and saying he would not change the names of military bases named after Confederate soldiers. Americans give Trump low approval numbers in polls in his handling of race relations. A Pew poll out last week found 67 per cent disapprove of 'the way Donald Trump is handling race relations' amid protests against police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. Just 32 per cent of respondents say they approve of Trump's handling of race relations. But his threat could be his way of provoking action on a local level. A White House official told The Wall Street Journal that the president's previous threats to send the National Guard into those cities resulted in governors activating the guard on a state level. The official also said the administration wants to send federal law enforcement officials to Seattle, where protesters established what they call a police-free zone but noted local leaders agreed to send in state troopers instead. A demonstrator raises his fists while walking by a burning car outside of the White House on May 30 during a protest over the death of George Floyd Thousands of protesters begin their march across the Fremont Bridge during a protest against police brutality A Juneteenth celebration and protest in Chicago A analysis by The New York Times found that overall crime is down 5.3 per cent in 25 large American cities compared to the same period in 2019, with violent crime down 2 per cent. But murder in these cities is up 16.1 per cent compared to last year. On Monday, President Trump threatened to go in and 'take over' big cities to bring down the rates of violent crime. 'Number are gonna be coming down even if we have to go in and take over cities,' he said during an event at the White House. 'We're not supposed to, we're supposed to wait for them to call, but they don't call.' A new docuseries reveals fresh details in the bloody murder of Dan Broderick and his wife Linda Kolkena, who were shot dead by his vengeful ex-wife Betty Broderick. Successful attorney Dan Broderick and Linda had been married for just six months when they were fatally shot on November 1989 in their San Diego, California home. The notorious case has been retold in podcasts, two films, and the USA TV series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater. Now new details of the shocking killings will be aired on Oxygen's docu-series Snapped: Betty Broderick that will premiere on Wednesday night at 8pm, shedding light on how friends feared Bettys wrath as Dan moved into a new marriage. 'I was shocked. People always talked about how Dan needed to be careful, but I felt especially sad for Linda,' Spencer Busby, an attorney and friend close to Dan and Linda who participated in Oxygens special, said to Fox News. Successful attorney Dan Broderick (left) and his new wife Linda Kolkena (right) were fatally shot on in November 1989 by his ex-wife Betty Broderick Betty and Dan Broderick (pictured together above) were married in 1969 but they divorced in 1985 after Dan flung himself into pursuing his career running a medical-malpractice law firm On the evening of November 5, 1989 Betty, armed with a Smith & Wesson revolver, snuck into Dans San Diego, California home using their daughters key and fatally shot her ex-husband Dan and his wife of just six-months Linda Kolkena 'She was very young and had her whole life ahead of her. But she got in the middle of a crossfire that she couldnt avoid. You dont ever want to think someone could be so overwhelmed with rage,' he added. Dan married Betty in 1969 and he went on to graduate from Cornell medical school and Harvard law school and establish a successful medical-malpractice law firm. However, as Dan chased his star career, Betty grew resentful that he neglected her and their children. Over the years their marriage crumbled and by 1983 Betty accused Dan of having an affair with Kolkena, his newly hired legal assistant, who some claimed looked like the younger version of Betty. On one occasion Betty visited her husbands office on his birthday and found the remnants of a party. But her husband was nowhere to be found. A receptionist told her Broderick and Kolkena had gone out for the day. Outraged, Betty went home and burned her husbands clothes in a bonfire. The notorious case has been retold in podcasts, two films, and the USA TV series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story starring Christian Slater (left) as Dan Broderick and Amanda Peet as Betty Broderick (right) Rachel Keller as Linda Kolkena (left) with Christian Slater as Dan Broderick (right) In 1985 Dan filed for divorce and in 1989 he married Kolkena, but the tensions between the newlywed couple and Betty only intensified. 'Dan was ready to move on with his life,' Busby said. 'Him marrying Linda was a pretty clear signal that he wanted to start a new chapter in his life. And he was very torn. He was married to Betty for 16 plus years, so they had all that history. And his decision to move forward with his life was not an impulsive one. He loved his family. But he wanted to help create a better situation for his children. And things just werent getting better with Betty,' he added. Busby said as a divorcee himself, he understands to an extent how Betty might have felt. 'But you just cant condone that kind of behavior. You cant enter someones home and expect them to talk to you with a gun,' he said. On the evening of November 5, 1989 Betty, armed with a Smith & Wesson revolver, snuck into Dans San Diego, California home using their daughters key. After breaking into the home she shot Kolkena, then 28, in the head and chest and shot Dan, then 44, in the chest as they were both asleep in their bed. A view of Dan Broderick's home in San Diego where he was killed with Linda above A preview of the new season of Snapped on Oxygen illustrating how police discovered Linda's body above Busby said Dan found a special love with his new wife Linda. 'From my experience, I would describe their relationship as one of love,' Busby said. He said that the couple rarely brought up Betty and he felt that they were 'embarassed' by the fued with her. 'Dan was trying to figure out how to deal with the situation, of Betty not letting go,' he said. 'He was trained as a lawyer to let the legal system handle it. But it was a struggle. She would leave angry messages with curse words that the children heard. I guess he was hoping that she would move on, too, for the sake of her children,' he added. Betty Broderick pleads not guilty to murder charges on November 15, 1989 in San Diego California with her attorney Mark Wolf (left) Betty was 41 when she committed the murders. She never denied the killings but claimed she suffered years of physical and psychological abuse by Dan, even after their divorce. She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 32 years in prison. Betty is now 72 and remains in jail at the California Institute for Women. In 2017 her parole request was denied and shes not eligible for parole again until 2032 when shell be 84. 'The ones who lost the most here are the children. They lost both of their parents. Thats heartbreaking So much else could have happened here. There are no winners here,' Busby said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 10:21:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday asked for efforts to promote peace through development in Colombia. China is of the view that in order to fully, effectively and sustainably implement the peace agreement in Colombia, focus should be on a proper balance and synergy between development and security, said Yao Shaojun, minister counselor of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Development and security are interdependent and inseparable. The development perspective should be stressed to promote peace through development, he told the Security Council, which was hearing a briefing from Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia. Rural reform, development programs, and poverty relief and eradication feature prominently in the Colombian peace agreement. They also represent a conclusive approach to tackling the root causes of the conflict, he said. China encourages the Colombian government to overcome the difficulties, carry on the development programs, and ramp up its efforts to promote balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development, especially by helping those who have no land or insufficient land to gain access to it. China supports the efforts of the Colombian government to strengthen infrastructure development in territories most affected by the conflict, including transport, irrigation, and electricity, and to provide essential public services, including education, health care, and housing, in order to narrow the urban-rural disparities and those between territories, said Yao. China has been supporting the Colombian peace process with concrete action, he said. The two countries have had productive cooperation in such areas as agriculture, poverty reduction, energy, and mining. A number of joint infrastructure projects, such as highways and coal-fired power stations, are contributing to Colombia's development. In order to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government and businesses have donated personal protective equipment and medical supplies to Colombia. China will continue to help Colombia achieve sustainable development and lasting peace, said Yao. In recent months, the Colombian government and other stakeholders have worked together to overcome the difficulties posed by COVID-19, and to continue promoting rural reform, poverty reduction through development, the reintegration of former combatants, institutional building and judicial development, he noted. The follow-up mechanisms to the peace agreement are functioning effectively, and the peace-building process is making headway. China commends and supports the positive efforts of the Colombian government in this regard, he said. Massieu and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia that he heads have been providing valuable assistance to Colombia in implementing the peace agreement. China commends their efforts and is looking forward to the mission playing a greater role in Colombia's peace and stability on the basis of respect for the country's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, he said. China hopes that the Colombian government and other stakeholders will, for their part, genuinely take up their own responsibilities and obligations, work for the greater good of the country and its people, and support the good offices of the UN Verification Mission so that the Colombian peace process can go from strength to strength with a greater abundance of solid deliverables, said Yao. The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) struck a peace deal in August 2016 after four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba, ending a five-decades-long conflict in the country. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia is tasked to verify the reintegration of former FARC fighters. Enditem The final results are in and it was a resounding victory for Dana Balter in the 24th Congressional District Democratic primary. The final tally: Balter, D-Syracuse, received 29,495 votes. Francis Conole netted 17,239 votes. It was the highest turnout for a Democratic congressional primary since the '80s and there were more votes cast in this primary than the primary elections in 2016 and 2018 combined. Here are five takeaways from Balter's win in the Democratic primary: 1. She won everywhere. When you win by 26 percentage points, that means you had a strong showing across the district. That was certainly the case with Balter, who won each of the district's four counties Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego and Wayne with at least 60% of the vote. In Onondaga County, she received 22,412 votes nearly the same number of votes cast in the district two years ago for Balter and Juanita Perez Williams. She won Cayuga County by 28 points. She had larger margins of victory in Oswego and Wayne counties, where she received nearly 70% of the Democratic vote. To win in the general election, Balter will need to improve her standing in the rural counties. The primary election showed she has a strong base of support in Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne counties. That may provide a boost in the general election contest against Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko. 2. The turnout. Forget comparisons to past elections. We know what the general thinking is about primaries that few voters participate in the process. In this primary election, nearly one-third of Democrats in the 24th district voted. There are a couple of factors to consider. The congressional primary was held at the same time as New York's presidential primary. But the presidential primary wasn't a competitive contest. Joe Biden is the presumptive nominee and no other candidates remain in the race. The other factor: The ease of voting. Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued executive orders to make it easier to vote by absentee ballot for the June 23 primary election. That decision paid off and led to more people participating in the democratic (and Democratic) process. 3. Party endorsements. Before the COVID-19 pandemic settled in, Conole was endorsed by the Democratic committees in Cayuga and Onondaga counties. Throughout the campaign, he highlighted that fact in interviews, mailings and other forms of communication. The Onondaga County Democratic Committee, specifically, was all-in on Conole. The organization paid for sponsored Facebook posts and yard signs supporting the candidate. It's worth wondering what might have happened if COVID-19 didn't happen. Would it have been a much closer race? Possibly. But it was clear early on in the two-person race that Balter had the advantage because of her prior run for Congress in 2018. She was a known commodity among rank-and-file voters and, for the most part, people stuck with her. That was difficult for Conole to overcome, even though he had the resources to compete. 4. Messaging. Balter ran a positive primary campaign. That's one explanation for why Conole conceded two days after the election. Even though most of the votes weren't counted, it was clear that most Democratic primary voters supported Balter. He conceded and pledged his support. In terms of messaging, though, there was something more important in the primary race. In one of her TV ads, Balter highlighted her support of universal health care and chided Katko for his position. With one TV ad, Balter set the tone for her general election run. Health care will be a major issue and Katko, not Conole, is the real target. It was similar to what happened in 2018 after national Democrats urged Perez Williams to enter the race. Balter brushed it aside, said she was focused on defeating Katko and won the primary election by a wide margin. 5. The rematch. Before the primary, it was clear which candidate Katko viewed as a bigger threat. Katko's campaign mentioned Conole by name in a fundraising appeal last year. At one point, Conole's campaign accused Katko of meddling in the primary election because his campaign had a sponsored post on Facebook that directed supporters to a story about Balter receiving Planned Parenthood's endorsement. Even though Conole had some support within the Democratic Party, this rematch was inevitable. And it will be one of the most-watched House races in the country. It's true, as Balter likes to remind people, that Katko said she was a tough opponent after his five-point win on election night in 2018. But Katko, as he did in 2018, will argue that Balter is too liberal for this district. He's already making that case nearly four months before the general election. Balter has an argument of her own. She thinks Katko's endorsement of President Donald Trump and position on certain issues, specifically health care, will hurt him in the district. Internal polls show why she's making that case: Biden has a double-digit lead over Trump in the 24th district. Katko has the incumbency advantage. Not only does he have a record to run on, but he's also in a position to raise a lot of money. He's already put some of that war chest to use with the release of his first TV ad. There is a difference this time, though. Democrats are investing early in this race. Balter countered Katko's ad with one of her own a few days later an indication that she already has the financial resources to compete. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already added her to its Red to Blue program, which supports Democrats running to unseat GOP members. We don't know yet what the outcome will be, but one thing is clear: It will be a four-month fight to the finish. Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 10 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 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. Priyanka Gandhi also attacked the Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday slammed the Yogi Adityanath government over the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, citing a kidnapping case in Kanpur. In a Facebook post, she said a young man was kidnapped by miscreants in Kanpur and his family was asked for a ransom for his release. "The family collected Rs 30 lakh by selling their house and wedding jewellery. At the behest of the police, the family handed over the bag full of money to the kidnappers and the police could neither catch the miscreants, nor their son could be freed," Priyanka Gandhi said. The family members of the kidnapped man are distraught, the Congress general secretary in-charge UP East added. "This is a case from Kanpur where such a big incident had taken place a few days ago. Now you can imagine the state of law and order in UP from this," Priyanka Gandhi said, referring to the Vikas Dubey episode. Dubey, a wanted criminal, was shot dead on Friday last by police, who claimed he was trying to flee after the car carrying him from Ujjain overturned on an isolated stretch of the highway on the outskirts of the city. Dubey was wanted in connection with the ambush in Kanpur's Bikru village past midnight on July 2, killing eight policemen who had come to arrest him. In a tweet, Priyanka Gandhi also attacked the Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. According to media reports, first it was stated that the report of a deceased person was negative for coronavirus and the body was handed over to the person's family. Then it was said the report was positive, but the ambulance came to take the body after 16 hours, Priyanka Gandhi said. This happened in the home district of the CM in Gorakhpur, she said. "Is this how the UP government is fighting coronavirus?" the Congress leader said. Nearly a dozen states have so far reimposed lockdown in selected areas for varying periods to check the surge in Covid-19, while Bihar on Tuesday extended the curbs to the whole of the state from July 16 to July 31. A week-long total shutdown came into effect in Bengaluru from 8 pm on Tuesday. Karnatakas Dharwad and Dakshina Kannada districts too will come under lockdown for nine days and seven days respectively from Wednesday. There was a huge rush of customers at grocery stores and liquor shops ahead of the lockdown. Across the state, 41,581 people have tested positive for coronavirus including over 19,000 cases in Bengaluru. Also read| Covid-19: What you need to know today Besides Karnataka, states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have already announced area-wise lockdown for different durations. West Bengal on Tuesday extended the total lockdown in containment zones till July 19, the state home department said. Sikkim also imposed total lockdown in Rongli and Pakyong sub-divisions from 6 AM on Wednesday. Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi announced the 15-day total lockdown in the state from July 16. A shutdown had earlier been imposed in nearly a third of its 38 districts. The state government order, which cited a Ministry of Home Affairs communication of June 29 for containment of the pandemic, also said the decision was taken in view of the alarming surge in COVID 19 cases...in last three weeks. The states tally rose by more than two-fold during the period. Bihar recorded a single-day spike of 1,432 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, which pushed the total tally in the state to 18,853, the health department said. With 28,498 fresh cases recorded in a day, Indias Covid-19 tally sprinted past nine lakh on Tuesday, just three days after it crossed the eight-lakh mark. The health ministry said that 86% of the total active cases were recorded in 10 states of the country. Click here for complete coronavirus coverage Two of the most affected states are Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu which are contributing 50 per cent of the total active cases (154,134 active cases). Karnataka, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Gujarat and Assam are the other affected states that contribute 36 per cent of the total active cases (111,068 active cases). In Maharashtra, which has the highest number of cases at 2,67,665, a 10-day strict lockdown came into force from Monday in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. A lockdown has been imposed in Osmanabad city till July 19 to break the chain of the viral spread. With some Haryana districts falling in the National Capital Region seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, home minister Anil Vij indicated that the state may also impose stricter curbs in its worst-affected areas. Of the over 22,000 cases in the state as of Tuesday, three districts alone--Gurgaon, Faridabad and Sonipat, all of which fall in the NCR, contributed to nearly 15,000 of the cases and also to nearly 75% of the total fatalities. Also read: India set for pivotal role in Covid-19 vaccine production, says ICMR Assam had extended the two-week lockdown imposed from June 28 in Kamrup Metropolitan district, under which Guwahati falls, by a week till July 19 from 6 pm on Sunday. After Kashipur, a three-day lockdown has been imposed in Rudrapur and Bajpur in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand with effect from midnight Monday due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, a senior state official said. Strict lockdown restrictions were reimposed in most parts of Kashmir, including in the city here, on Monday after a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in the valley over the past one week, officials said. The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to implement strict restrictions across the state on weekends to check the spread of coronavirus, joining Karnataka and Tamil Nadu which have been imposing Sunday lockdown. The UP government on Tuesday issued detailed directives for the weekend lockdown. All urban and rural haats, markets, galla mandis and business establishments in Uttar Pradesh would remain closed during the period, it said. Tamil Nadu had earlier imposed lockdown for varying periods in Chennai, Madurai and nearby regions. Tamil Nadu has the second highest number of cases in the country. The Arunachal Pradesh government had on Saturday extended the lockdown in the capital region for another week till 5 pm on July 20 in view of the spurt in Covid-19 cases in the region. The Meghalaya government had imposed a lockdown in Shillong from 6 AM on Monday till Wednesday 6 AM. The lockdown will not be extended further as contact-tracing in identified clusters has been completed, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Tuesday. West Bengal had imposed strict lockdown in containment areas and nearby buffer zones from July 9 evening. These zones are located in and around Kolkata, besides Jalpaiguri, Malda, Cooch Behar, Raiganj and Siliguri. The tourism industry has lost 50 percent of number of travelers in the last five months, but bigger difficulties are still ahead. While other travel firms laid off workers in large numbers in April and May, a CEO of a large tourism group tried every possible way to retain workers to prepare for the comeback after Covid-19. However, he has finally given up. The CEO last week signed a decision on laying off 200 workers at a hotel in the southwestern region. I know it will be difficult for workers to find new jobs, but I had to make such a decision as a last resort, because I can see that there wont be anything for them to do in the next six months, he said. Though the epidemic has been controlled in Vietnam and Vietnamese have begun traveling again, the future is uncertain for travel firms. While other travel firms laid off workers in large numbers in April and May, a CEO of a large tourism group tried every possible way to retain workers to prepare for the comeback after Covid-19. Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Indochina Unique Tourist, said he planned to retain his staff by using the emergency fund, but he has changed his mind because the situation has become unbearable. In March, when international air routes were closed because of the epidemic, the businessman planned to freeze his business activities for several months before reactivating them.. However, he is now not sure when he can do this. I hoped we could restart in July or August. But now I cannot say when, he complained. Analysts said the market would witness another shutdown and worker layoff wave in the time to come, after a similar wave was raised in March and April. By that time, even large-scale companies wont be able to exist. A series of travel firms, including large ones, could go bankrupt in the months from July to the end of October, said Tran Trong Kien, chair of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB). Travel firms not only face difficulties in 2020, but will also see an uncertain future in the upcoming years. Most operational companies are incurring major losses and bigger problems will come in 6-12 months. A businessman said on Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon that there is a high possibility of the tourism market getting frozen once again in the time to come. Travel firms now are putting high hopes on the four summer weeks ahead, trying to get more jobs to earn money to cover regular expenses such as office rent, electricity and water, and salaries. However, they are not sure if this is possible. The peak of difficulties will come in Q3. After the summer, if the international market still is not open, travel firms will run out of clients, said Nguyen Ngoc An, deputy CEO of Fiditour. Thanh Lich Aviation authority proposes travel bubble to receive foreign travelers The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed establishing a travel bubble with a number of safe countries post COVID-19 to welcome back foreign travelers to Vietnam by the end of July. OTTAWALike charitable organizations across Canada, WE Charity was hit hard by COVID-19. Morale within the organization had been low for weeks, with longtime staff members being shown the door as the global health crisis deepened. Then news started circulating within the organization of a significant federal government contract. The Liberal governments $19.5-million deal for WE to operate a $900-million student volunteering grant program turned the mood around, a source within the organization told the Star. It was a really demoralized space for quite a while, and then we started hearing whispers internally about a government contract, a government project, the source said. The Star agreed not to name the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly. A second source corroborated their account. They started presenting it internally before the documents were ever signed, the contract was ever finalized, because thats the way WE works. So we started drawing up the program before it was assured, before it was guaranteed. We started hiring people back based on that. The mood within the organization is markedly different today, the source said, now that the international charity finds itself at the centre of a political scandal. Over the past week, it has been revealed that WE paid members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus family to speak at WE-hosted events. Margaret Trudeau, the prime ministers mother, received $250,000 in honorariums for speaking at 28 WE-hosted events between 2016 and 2020. Alexandre Trudeau, the prime ministers brother, received $32,000 in speaking fees between 2017 and 2018. Then it was revealed that Finance Minister Bill Morneaus daughter works with the organization. On Monday, Trudeau and Morneau apologized for taking part in the cabinet discussions about the awarding of the contract. The federal ethics commissioner has launched an investigation. WE laid off 450 contract workers after the federal deal was nixed. Those workers were let go after the scandal broke and the charity and the government mutually agreed to let the public service instead administer the $900-million program to pay students to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The source said WE Charity and its co-founders, brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger, are now in damage control mode. The charity took out full-page ads on Monday in the Star and the Globe and Mail, in which the Kielburgers apologized for the scandal. The same advertisement ran in Postmedia papers Tuesday. The charitys integrity and purpose has been called into question, the advertisement read. It has had direct impacts on our staff, supporters and beneficiaries. We have made mistakes that we sincerely regret. It has led us to more closely examine our own internal structures, governance and organization. The charity issued a statement to the Star in response to questions about the organization. With respect to our staffs morale, WE Charity has welcomed 2,500 current and former staff over 25 years, and we respect the voice of each individual, the statement said. We strive to create an environment for all employees where they can enjoy coming to work each day. WE is by no means alone; charitable organizations across Canada have seen a decrease in donations and revenues since the pandemic hit. According to Imagine Canada, an advocacy group for the charitable sector, 73 per cent of Canadian charities reported donations were down in May 2020. The size and scope of (COVID-19-related) shifts is beyond anything that we have seen before, far exceeding what we saw in the 2008/2009 financial downturn, wrote David Lasby, the organizations director of research, in a May report. (Its had) broad effects (so that) even the most diversified revenue bases are seriously affected. The Stars source said that the Kielburgers began regular town hall meetings within the organization after the news website Canadaland in late 2018 began to investigate the charity, in an effort to increase transparency for its employees. A frequent aspect of those internal pep talks was a financial update from Marc Kielburger. The source said that last fall, Kielburger started talking about a coming recession and the smart moves the charity was taking to make sure it wasnt overextended. And then COVID happened. It is true that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the Canadian charitable sector as a whole, and WE Charity was no exception but to be clear, WE Charity had no risk of ceasing operations, the emailed statement said. Prior to WE receiving its contact, the government had recognized the challenging times for the sector, and allocated $350 million through partners including the United Way, the Red Cross and Community Foundations Canada. The contract with WE was a further step in working with charities who were co-ordinating placements for students, while also engaging post-secondary students in meaningful service. That is the sole reason we participated. There is considerable anger within the organizations 174-person workforce, and especially among those contract workers laid off after the scandal hit, according to people who spoke to the Star on the condition they not be named. The government contract allowed WE to rehire a number of employees the organization had laid off since the pandemic hit. One source described it as keeping the lights on for WEs programming. The Prime Ministers Office did not immediately answer a request for comment Tuesday. The controversy surrounding the suspended acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has now affected other senior officials of the commission, leading to the suspension of many of them, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Among those suspended is the EFCC Executive Secretary Olanipekun Olukoyede, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt. Other major unit heads in at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja as well as some zonal heads were also affected by the suspension, this newspaper learnt. At least 11 officials were said to have been affected by the suspension although an official memo has not been issued on the matter. However, some of the affected officials, who spoke to this newspaper, confirmed the situation. I wrote and sent in my handing over note yesterday (Tuesday), the head of a major EFCC unit in Abuja said, asking not to be named for fear of victimisation. Our sources said among the unit heads suspended were those of legal unit, economic governance unit and tax fraud unit. An official of the commission also confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES in a phone interview that Mr Olukoyede was suspended, but declined to confirm that of the other officials involved. Asked the reason for the suspension, the official refused to provide a reason. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that many of the officials affected by the suspension including Mr Olukoyode had been appearing at the presidential investigation panel probing allegations against Mr Magu. Suspended EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu Many of my colleagues (uni heads) had been appearing before the panel. At some point, they asked us to bring all our case files to the panel. We told them that was not possible. They then asked us to simply bring the list of all the ongoing cases. This investigation is far beyond Magu. The press should insist on being present at the probe, the source said. Mr Olukoyede emerged the EFCC Secretary in November 2018, following the Senate confirmation. He was also the Chief of Staff to Mr Magu and was nominated by President Buhari in 2018 to replace Emmanuel Aremo, whose five-year tenure expired the same year. Magus travails PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced Mr Magus suspension following President Muhammadu Buharis approval. The EFCC Director Operations, Mohammed Umar, was asked to act temporarily as head of the agency. Abubakar Malami [Source The Guardian, Nigeria] The suspension of the Mr Olukoyede and other officials was said to have been communicated to them by Mr Umars office, allegedly based on Mr Buharis approval. Mr Magu is currently being interrogated by a panel headed by Ayo Salami, former president of the appeal court, over allegations of corruption and insubordination levelled against him by Mr Malami. Mr Magu was arrested last week Monday and has remained in detention as the panel is yet to conclude its work. Controversial and largely false claims against Mr Magu have since been circulated and published on various media platforms, allegedly at the instance of Mr Malami who has been blamed for Mr Magus travails. These include the allegation that he gave billions of naira to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and that he stole interests gotten from recovered funds. Both claims, PREMIUM TIMES found, are false. The International Criminal Court in The Hague opened the case against Al Hassan Ag Abdoul-Aziz on Tuesday, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the occupation of Timbuktu by hardline Islamist militant groups Ansar Dine and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in 2012. Al Hassan refused to answer the 13 charges against him, choosing not to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, but acknowledging that he understood the charges. His lawyers filed a last-minute motion questioning his fitness to stand trial, saying that their client was showing signs of disassociation due to maltreatment, serious impairment and avoidance of memories, according to a doctor who spoke to the defendant by telephone. Al Hassan's defence team want the court to carry out a full medical assessment. 'Tyranny' of the hardline Islamists ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in her opening statement said Timbuktu was subjected to the tyranny of Ansar Dine and AQIM for 10 months, who created organs of control the Islamic police and Islamic court. "Their plan and design was to subjugate the men and women of Timbuktu to their power and control, said Bensouda, addressing the court. ICC prosecutors said Al Hassan was the head of the Islamic police and involved in the work of the Islamic courts in Timbuktu, carrying out its decisions, playing a central role in meting out punishment. He is accused of torture, rape, sexual slavery and other inhumane acts, including forced marriages and persecution. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said Al Hassan was responsible for monitoring the city's inhabitants and their compliance with their interpretation of Sharia law, describing him as a relentless commissioner. Al Hassan was notably responsible for the forced marriages between jihadist fighters and the women of Timbuktu, resulting in repeated rapes, said Bensouda, citing one victim who told the prosecution, all that was left of me was a corpse. Bensouda described one example of a man whose hand was amputated in public with Al Hassan allegedly playing a role in this "criminal and brutal mutilation". Defence lawyers for Al Hassan have already refuted these accusations during preliminary hearings in July 2019, saying he is, not a radical, nor a misogynist, or a jihadist, according to reporting by RFI correspondent Stephanie Maupas. Al Hassan's lawyers said on Monday that there were grounds to dismiss his criminal responsibility, that his conduct had been coerced. He allegedly carried out sentences without the judgement of a regularly constituted court causing outrages upon personal dignity as well as intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion and historic monuments, according to the prosecutor, when jihadists destroyed the city's fabled shrines using bulldozers. UNESCO world heritage site destroyed Timbuktu is known as the "the city of 333 saints" with Sufi shrines and mausoleums that had been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The hardline Islamists said they considered the structures idolatrous. The crimes are said to have taken place between 1 April 2012 and 29 January 2013 during the Ansar Dine and AQMI takeover of the Malian capital. The trial could go on for several years depending on the complexity of the case, according to the ICC. In the preliminary phase, 880 victims took part in helping to establish whether the case met the criteria to warrant an investigation. Another 270 new victims who have come forward could also participate in the trial. Al Hassan faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty, or in extreme cases the ICC can hand down a sentence of life imprisonment. The court can also order reparations including money, return of property, rehabilitation or symbolic gestures such as apologies or memorials. The case will be heard by Congolese Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, Japanese Judge Tomoko Akane and Canadian Judge Kimberly Prost. Al Hassan is defended by Melinda Taylor, an Australian lawyer who previously represented Julian Assange, and Nicoletta Montefusco, a lawyer who has been called to the bar in Italy and the US, and has worked as a legal consultant on the ICC case against Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi. Taylor has already urged that the case be dismissed, claiming that Al Hassan was tortured by Mali's Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DST) shortly after his arrest in 2017, before he was transferred to The Hague in March 2018. Covid-19 has complicated the case with the prosecutor having to interview victims by video conference. The defense complained that the pandemic has also made essential investigations on the ground in Mali impossible. LOVELAND, Colorado, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aquatic Informatics Inc. has been acquired by Danaher's Water Quality platform from XPV Water Partners. Aquatic Informatics provides software solutions that address critical water data management, analytics, and compliance challenges for the global water industry. The business is the trusted provider of water management solutions to over 1,000 organizations around the world that collect, manage, and make decisions with large volumes of water data. "I am thrilled to welcome Ed Quilty and the Aquatic Informatics team," said Kevin Klau, Danaher Vice President and Group Executive, Water Quality platform. "Aquatic Informatics has developed industry-leading capabilities managing large data sets and helping customers improve decision-making to enable better outcomes. With our deep applications expertise, we can combine hardware, software, and services together to help environmental, municipal, and industrial customers save money, improve asset performance and reduce risk. Uniting Aquatic Informatics together with Hach's Claros offering will accelerate our ability to solve the most critical problems for customers across the water cycle." "We are delighted to be joining the Danaher Water Quality platform," said Ed Quilty, the CEO of Aquatic Informatics. "We have built Aquatic Informatics into one of the largest water-focused software providers in the world over the past 17 years, and we still see a tremendous amount of growth potential. We're excited to join our new colleagues on the journey as we aspire to empower industry experts to make data driven, smart decisions with timely water insights." Dave Henderson, Managing Partner XPV Water Partners, said "We want to congratulate Ed Quilty and the team at Aquatic Informatics. We are proud to have partnered with them in scaling the business into a global digital water leader and we are confident they are well-positioned for continued strong growth in the future." About Danaher Water Quality Platform The Danaher Water Quality platform partners with municipal, environmental and industrial customers to address many of the most critical challenges faced in the water sector today, and includes such leading water technology companies as Hach, ChemTreat, OTT HyrdoMet, Trojan Technologies, Pall Water and Sea-Bird Scientific. Leveraging water quality application expertise, the operating companies in the Water Quality platform deliver an unparalleled combination of hardware, software and service across water analytics, chemicals, and treatment workflows. About Aquatic Informatics Aquatic Informatics is a mission-driven software company that organizes the world's water data to make it accessible and useful. As the world's largest water data management company, and with more than 1,000 customers in 60 countries, Aquatic Informatics is unique in that it provides information technology solutions for all water: source water, drinking water, municipal and industrial wastewater, and the receiving environment. Aquatic Informatics is guided by its "3P" core values which balance Planet, People, and Prosperity. These values run through the entire business and can be seen in decision making, employee support, software donations, volunteer work, and commitment to customers. For more information, please visit aquaticinformatics.com. About XPV Water Partners XPV Water Partners is comprised of experienced water entrepreneurs, operators, and investment professionals dedicated to make a difference in the water industry. XPV invests in and actively supports water-focused companies to enable them to grow and deliver value for all stakeholders. XPV manages over $400 million USD in investment capital from institutional investors in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.xpvwaterpartners.com. Basel, Switzerland, July 15, 2020 Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that its license partner, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE, "Pfizer"), has launched the antifungal Cresemba (isavuconazole) in Taiwan. The launch triggered the second milestone payment (USD 0.5 million) related to the Asia-Pacific territory from Pfizer to Basilea. David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are very pleased with the launch of Cresemba in Taiwan, which triggers the second launch milestone payment related to the Asia-Pacific region and follows the launch in Australia earlier this year. We are glad we can now bring Cresemba to patients in Taiwan and we are looking forward to our partner Pfizer making Cresemba more broadly available in the region, for the benefit of patients suffering from invasive mold infections." In Taiwan, Cresemba is approved in adults for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and the treatment of mucormycosis in adult patients for whom amphotericin B is inappropriate.1 In June 2017, Basilea entered into a licensing agreement with Pfizer for isavuconazole in Europe (excluding the Nordics), Russia, Turkey and Israel. The agreement was extended in November 2017 to China, including Hong Kong and Macao, and sixteen countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the agreement with Pfizer, Basilea is still eligible for regulatory and sales milestone payments of approximately USD 630 million, in addition to receiving mid-teen royalties on in-market sales of Cresemba. Cresemba is currently marketed in 45 countries, including the United States, most EU member states and several additional countries inside and outside of Europe. For the twelve months to the end of the first quarter 2020, total "in-market" sales of Cresemba amounted to USD 220 million, a more than 30 percent growth year-on-year.2 About Cresemba (isavuconazole) Isavuconazole is an intravenous (i.v.) and oral azole antifungal, commercialized under the trade name Cresemba. In the 27 European Union member states, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the U.K., isavuconazole is approved for the treatment of adult patients with invasive aspergillosis and for the treatment of adult patients with mucormycosis for whom amphotericin B is inappropriate.3 This is also the label in Taiwan. Cresemba is also approved in the United States and several additional countries in Europe and beyond.4 It has orphan drug designation in the U.S., Europe and Australia for its approved indications. Basilea has entered into several license and distribution agreements for isavuconazole covering the United States, Europe, China, Japan, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa region, Canada, Russia, Turkey and Israel. About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development of products that address the medical challenges in the therapeutic areas of oncology and infectious diseases. With two commercialized drugs, the company is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Phone +41 61 606 1102 E-mail media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com) investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com) This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References Taiwan Food & Drug Administration (TFDA), January 2020 IQVIA, March 2020. In-market sales reported as moving annual total (MAT) in U.S. Dollar corrected for currency fluctuations. European Public Assessment Report (EPAR) Cresemba: http://www.ema.europa.eu (http://www.ema.europa.eu) [Accessed: July 14, 2020] The registration status and approved indications may vary from country to country. Attachment Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins charged with voter fraud Watkins also faces a misdemeanor charge of failing to tell the Department of Motor Vehicles of his address change. Kagay's office could not be reached for comment. Watkins has acknowledged that he used a UPS store in Topeka for his home address in order to register for a 2019 municipal election, according to the Topeka Capitol-Journal. Kansas has been a reliably Red State for longer than most TKC readers have been alive . . . And this blog's readership skews toward old codgers!!!Still, with population centers like Johnson County increasingly showing support for Democratic rising stars like Rep. Sharice Davids . . . This scandal might be a sign of changing times in the Heartland. Read more: " " Before pets see the world, they'll need to see a vet. iStockphoto.com /Thomas_EyeDesign Thousands of pets and exotic animals are shipped successfully each year, though their travel options are somewhat limited to air and auto transport. Buses, trains and boats are usually out of the question for anything but service animals, though certain carriers may have their own rules. The Humane Society of the United States recommends that pets go by air only when "absolutely necessary" and questions the safety of putting a pet in an air cargo hold [source: Humane Society]. While you could certainly drive a pet cross-country or fly an airline that will let you to take your pet as carry-on luggage, sometimes that air cargo hold is your only option. But there are many rules in place to make sure it's as safe as it can be. If you're the kind of person with a disregard for authority and a penchant for rule-breaking, then shipping a pet via air cargo is not for you. The process of pet shipping involves a whole host of regulations that pet owners must decipher -- pretty much every airline that will carry a pet as cargo and every country that will receive a pet has their own rules and regulations for pet shipping. This is one of the reasons why many people pass the responsibility off to a pet shipping service, which will figure out all the rules, fill out the paperwork and ensure your pet meets you at your destination. You can expect to pay about several hundred dollars for the service, depending on the complexity of the move, in addition to the cost of the flight. (A good place to start your search for a reputable pet shipping company is with the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association.) Advertisement But pet shipping services will likely be going on the same hunt for updated rules that do-it-yourselfers will. While it would be impossible to cover all the regulations for each possible destination, we can give you an idea of what to keep in mind during the process. To ensure that you meet all regulations, it's best to start the process of shipping your pet well in advance of the planned departure. It will also pay to remember that your pet's well-being takes precedence here. If going by air, you should fly major airlines with established pet shipping policies rather than no-name bargain lines. You may have to tweak your travel schedule to get a nonstop flight (few airlines will transfer a pet for you) or to avoid flying during extreme temperatures, when many airlines ground Fido and Fluffy. For our U.S. readers, the best place to start planning your pet's trip is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is charged with enforcing acts related to animal welfare and, as such, has regulations for shipping animals in a humane manner. But if the pet is being shipped to another country, you'll also need to check with the embassy or consulate for any regulations regarding animals brought into the country. Some animals, for example, require certain vaccinations or a quarantine period before they can be reunited with their owner. After consulting with any applicable countries, it's time to check with the applicable airlines. And when you get off the phone with them, call up your favorite veterinarian. Most likely, you'll need a vet's appointment within the 10 days before your trip [source: Duncan]. Many airlines require a health certificate from the vet certifying that the pet is in good enough health to travel; that certification may be especially difficult to obtain for elderly or pregnant dogs or pug-nosed breeds, because they may have trouble getting enough oxygen through their short nasal passages. The airline may have additional regulations, such as full vaccination records or evidence of an implanted microchip for identification purposes. APHIS also requires that the pet be at least eight weeks old before shipping [source: Air Transport Association]. After that vet appointment, it's time to go shopping. Find out what you're looking for on the next page. Equity benchmarks came off the day's high as profit taking emerged at higher levels in early afternoon trade. Hopes for the swift launch of COVID-19 vaccines countered fears about the surge in coronavirus cases. At 12:22 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 601.46 points or 1.67% at 36,634.52. The Nifty 50 index added 168 points or 1.58% at 10,775.35. In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.66% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.96%. The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 1398 shares rose and 981 shares fell. A total of 138 shares were unchanged. Index major Reliance Industries rose about 1.72% ahead of an annual general meeting (AGM) today. Coronavirus Update: India reported 3,19,840 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 24,309 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Total coronavirus cases worldwide stood at 13,323,530 with 578,628 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Derivatives: The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, fell 2.62% to 25.9375. The Nifty July 2020 futures were trading at 10,768, at a discount of 7.35 points compared with the spot at 10,775.35. On the weekly index options front, the Nifty option chain for 16 July 2020 expiry showed maximum Call Open Interest (OI) of 37.28 lakh contracts at the 11,000 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 39.22 lakh contracts was seen at 10,700 strike price. On the monthly index options front, the Nifty option chain for 30 July 2020 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 25.15 lakh contracts at the 11,500 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 32.69 lakh contracts was seen at 10,000 strike price. Buzzing Index: The Nifty Realty index slipped 0.63% to 198.45. It was the only losing sectoral index on the NSE. The index has lost 3.71% in three sessions. Omaxe (down 4.99%), Godrej Properties (down 2.77%), Sunteck Realty (down 2.75%), DLF (down 0.75%), Sobha Developers (down 0.47%), Prestige Estates (down 0.67%) and Oberoi Realty (down 0.09%) edged lower. Indiabulls Real Estate (up 3.79%), The Phoenix Mills (up 1.62%) and Brigade Enterprises (up 0.07%) edged higher. Stocks in Spotlight: Infosys surged 6.25% to Rs 832.15 ahead of Q1 numbers today. US-based Vanguard and Infosys announce strategic partnership for digital transformation of Vanguard's defined contribution record keeping business. Bharat Electronics (BEL) was up 0.36% to Rs 97.45 after the company said it collaborated with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for tapping emerging global opportunities in the airport business. AAl, playing the role of a development partner, will assist BEL in its domain of expertise to enable execution of the prestigious MEA projects outside India by BEL. Delta Corp reported consolidated net loss of Rs 28.24 crore in Q1 June 2020 as against net profit of Rs 42.48 crore in Q1 June 2019. Consolidated net sales slumped 74.08% to Rs 48.34 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Rs 186.51 crore in Q1 June 2019. The company reported a negative EBIDTA of Rs (20.05) crore, which includes a provision of Rs 23.68 crore on account of license fees payable. The casino operator has made a representation to the government of Goa along with the rest of the industry, to consider a waiver of payment of licence fees during the lockdown period. The company said it is hopeful of a positive response on the same from the government. The scrip has hit a 5% upper circuit at Rs 93.80 on the BSE. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ms Craney is passionate about the ocean and even moonlights as a mermaid An adventurous young woman who yelled 'I still love sharks' after being attacked while freediving remains in high spirits as she awaits surgery. Anika Craney, 29, suffered 'significant leg injuries' after she was bitten by a 2m bronze whaler while swimming at Fitzroy Island, near Cairns, at about 12.10pm on Tuesday. She was flown to Cairns Hospital where she is expected to undergo surgery for a fracture to her left ankle. As she was wheeled into the emergency room, she was heard yelling: 'I still love sharks. Sharks are beautiful'. Despite enduring the horrifying attack, Ms Craney, who works as a deckhand, remains passionate about the ocean. Anika Craney, 29, (pictured) suffered 'significant leg injuries' after she was bitten while swimming at Fitzroy Island, near Cairns, at about 12.10pm on Tuesday Ms Craney, who works as a deckhand, loves the ocean, she has been swimming dressed as a mermaid She was seen smiling as she clutched a book a about sharks from her hospital bed. Ms Craney's social media page show Ms Craney swimming dressed as a mermaid. According to Dean Cropp, captain of the Barefoot II vessel, Ms Craney was an experienced freediver, the Courier Mail reported. She is part of a seven-member crew working on the Barefoot II vessel who are creating a YouTube series on marine life. Ms Craney had been on her day off when she decided to swim to the island with another crew member before the attack The 29-year-old had not actually seen the shark herself following the attack What is a bronze whaler? Bronze whalers are large sharks usually based close to shore around Australian beaches They can reach up to 3.5 metres in length and weigh about 300kg The species is not aggressive, and not often implicated in attacks Source: Victorian Fisheries Advertisement While on a day off, Ms Craney and another crew member decided to swim to shore to see the island when she suddenly felt something sink its teeth into her leg. A marine biologist rejected the idea and said Ms Craney's wounds were instead likely to be from a giant trevally or a red sea bass. Reef Teach marine biologist Gareth Phillips, who said it was very unlikely the attack was from a shark. 'The description of the wounds, and I've seen a number of shark attacks in my career, was not conducive to that,' he said. 'There's a strong chance it was either a giant trevally or a red sea bass.' Shark attacks in Fitzroy Island are very uncommon but there have been two other attacks in Far North Queensland within the last ten days. The attack comes just days after 15-year-old surfer Mani Hart-Deville was killed by a shark on the Mid North Coast of NSW on Saturday. Spearfisher Matthew Tratt was killed by a shark off Fraser Island on July 4. Ms Craney, who worked as a volunteer firefighter and lost her home in the Cobargo fires early this year, is now looking at a potentially broken ankle and deep lacerations to her lower left leg In less than two weeks, enhanced unemployment insurance (UI) benefiting 30 million Americans will expire. Though Congressional Republicans have largely come out against extending the extra $600 a week in federal aid past the end of July, the Trump Administration signaled this week that it is open to continuing enhanced benefits in some capacity. That's good news for the tens of millions of Americans currently out of work and good news for an economy that is trying to recover from recent shocks from the coronavirus pandemic, economists say. The enhanced UI benefits have been deemed the "best" part of the economic response by Josh Bivens and Heidi Shierholz, economists at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. Not only did it help keep people home in the middle of a global health crisis, but it also kept money moving through the economy. Consumer spending is critical for any sort of recovery. "Cutting off a policy that helps households maintain spending is a terrible idea, both for these households' welfare and for macroeconomic stabilization," writes Bivens. Opponents of extending the extra UI benefits say that it disincentivizes people from returning to work, hampering recovery. Including the extra $600 per week from the federal government, an estimated two-thirds of workers who lost their jobs due to coronavirus are eligible for benefits in excess of their normal wages, according to a recent paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says the administration wants to ensure no one is getting more on unemployment than they usually would at work. But that argument assumes the world is operating as usual right now (and even then, recent research indicates that people receiving unemployment benefits are more likely to look for jobs than those who have exhausted their benefits). There is nothing normal about the U.S. economy amidst the pandemic and the ensuing recession, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. While the unemployment rate came down slightly in June, it remains over 11%, which is one of the highest points its been since the Great Depression. And states that attempted to reopen their economies are now closing them again as virus cases spike. Case in point: There were 3.9 people unemployed for every job available in the U.S. in May, according to the most recent available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All 50 states saw a decrease in job postings over the past two weeks, with total postings dropping 5.5%, according to a new report from Glassdoor. Not to mention, other reports indicate that many people who do qualify for unemployment insurance have yet to receive any benefits at all. It's not that people don't want to return to work because they are receiving more money to sit back and do nothing. Rather, jobs just aren't available yet, Beth Akers, a former staff economist on Council of Economic Advisors under former President George W. Bush, told CNBC. When and if jobs are available, many people are worried about returning to work in the middle of a pandemic that is getting worse again throughout the country. Covid-19 claimed more lives in east Belfast than in any other part of Northern Ireland during the first spike of the deadly virus, it can be revealed. Official figures have provided a comprehensive breakdown of the Covid-19 death rates, according to each victim's usual postcode up to the end of May. They have shown that the deaths of 36 residents in parts of east Belfast - including some of the most affluent parts of the city, such as Stormont and Ballyhackamore - were registered by May 29. A further 28 deaths of people living in Castlereagh, Clarawood, Gilnahirk and Knock had been registered by the same date. All parts of Belfast were badly affected by the virus, according to the figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). There were 45 Covid-19 deaths registered in north Belfast, which takes in the likes of Crumlin Road, Ardoyne and New Lodge. A further 30 deaths were registered for people with postcodes in the area including the Shankill Road and Ballygomartin. There were 33 deaths attributed to the virus in south Belfast, although the figures show that Saintfield Road, Four Winds, Carryduff, Knockbreda and Newtownbreda were worse affected than the Malone Road, Ormeau and Lisburn Road areas. The figures do not state where the person died or where they contracted the virus. However, a number of care homes known to have been at the centre of deadly outbreaks have postcodes matching areas where the NISRA figures show there were a large number of deaths. They have been released as latest Department of Health statistics reveal the death of a hospital patient in Belfast was reported on Friday. No further deaths have been reported. One patient with Covid-19 is receiving treatment in an intensive care unit. Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw, a member of the Stormont health committee, welcomed the publication of the statistics but called for a full analysis of the data. In particular, Ms Bradshaw said random Covid-19 testing should be carried out in areas that have experienced high death rates. "What we see here is clear evidence of a bias towards urban areas and, in particular, towards locations with care homes," she said. "There appears also to be something of a disconnect between where people have died and where people have come forward to be tested. Three issues arise. "The first question is why this information is not more readily available by postcode, including currently with reference to contact tracing. As increasingly, people have to manage risk themselves, they need to be fully informed. "The second issue is to ensure that people come forward for testing. We are not using our full testing capacity, indeed there were well under 1,000 individuals tested in the last 24 hours, so I would urge anyone with symptoms to make the call immediately and get tested. "The third point is that, given our testing capacity is not being fully utilised, surely we should now have wider surveillance testing? "Should areas like BT4 now have random testing among the entire population, including antibody testing and perhaps compared with other postcode areas, to see what the prevalence of the virus is or has been? "This information would be vital to improving our understanding of the virus to ensure we can respond more effectively to any future outbreaks." The Department of Health has been contacted for comment. (Natural News) Protests and demonstrations at the homes of politicians and public officials are becoming common occurrences in the city of Los Angeles, according to several reports. In a report published by the LA Times, activists and protesters swooped down upon the home of David Michaelson, Los Angeles Chief Assistant City Attorney, days after he convinced the city council to block a proposal that bars landlords from evicting tenants for unpaid rental debt accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, protesters and renters rights advocates descended upon Michaelsons block, honking their car horns and shouting through megaphones, accusing the lawyer of protecting what they believed to be his class interests as a homeowner in a relatively well-off neighborhood. Nice neighborhood, David Michaelson, would be a real shame if we came and disrupted it, the Peoples City Council a collective activist group made up of activists from such organizations as Ktown for All, a grassroots and volunteer-led homeless advocacy group, and NOlympics LA said in an online post. A similar incident happened at the home of Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, wherein a group of protesters staged a die-in, demanding that Garcetti commandeer the citys hotels to house homeless residents. It worked: 3,000 homeless Los Angeles city residents were soon moved into shelters as well as hotels and motels leased by the city government. The activists said they have no plans of stopping their actions until all demands have been met, with one activist even telling city council members that not only do protesters have their home addresses, they also have their phone numbers and the numbers of their spouses and that they are willing to protest at all hours. (Related: Black Lives Matter is spreading: Number of protests in rural America growing.) If you all dont want to make changes, your life isnt going to be fun, Ricci Sergienko, a digital media strategist living in Mid-City who also works as an organizer for the Peoples City Council, said in a video posted on the social media site Twitter. Im tired of calling in for over a month and telling city council to defund the police. They arent moving fast enough and they arent doing enough. When we say defund the police it means take all of their damn money away. Go on reces. Ill see you at your homes @PaulKoretzCD5 pic.twitter.com/gL0Wm5ADNc maybe: defund the police (@ricci_sergienko) June 30, 2020 The protesters, unsurprisingly, have been met with resistance and pushback. According to Mike Madrid, a political consultant for the Republican Party, state and local laws must be enacted in order to stop the practice from being used across the state by extremists coming from both the Left and the Right. Intimidation should not be part of the policy-making process ever, and theres no question that thats what this is, Madrid said, likely referring to an incident wherein anti-vaccine and anti-mask protesters showed up at the homes of health officials, similar to protests by leftists outside officials homes calling for the defunding of law enforcement agencies. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore, meanwhile, has aired complaints about his department having to devote a greater amount of resources to patrol the protests outside politicians homes, noting that some demonstrators would use language that is intimidating, disruptive and interfering with the lives of individuals living in their own private space. According to California State University-Los Angeles student Astrid Andrea Cota, however, the noise that they make outside politicians homes is nothing when compared to the suffering of people who are unable to make rent in the middle of a pandemic. If youre not going to give us what we need, were not going to let you sleep in in the morning, Cota, an active member of the Los Angeles chapter of the environmentalist group Sunrise Movement, said, echoing a talking point for other organizers who claim that by holding protests at close proximity to politicians and public officials, their message would be heard better. LA officials push back, say protesters becoming reckless and dangerous In addition to airing complaints regarding the noise that protesters are making outside their homes, several public officials have expressed concern about other methods employed by activists to broadcast their concerns, such as the public circulation of public officials home addresses and private phone numbers. According to Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, such actions are reckless and dangerous, a statement echoed by Westside Councilman Paul Koretz, who has opposed calls for deep budget cuts to the LAPD. Koretz, in a statement made to LA Times, said activists pushing to defund the Police Department, made calls to his home number, describing them as being nasty and intimidating. Ive been a progressive Democrat, fighting for equality for 30 years as an elected official, and Im getting dozens of calls at home calling me a white supremacist, Koretz said in his LA Times interview, describing the situation as unnerving. Madrid, meanwhile, noted that if left unchecked, confrontations outside public officials homes will eventually lead to violence, thus necessitating the creation and enactment of new laws preventing such events from happening. Protest organizers, for their part, say they do not support violence, adding that politicians home addresses are easily found online. Sources include: LATimes.com DailyNews.com SpectrumNews1.com KTLA.com ABC7.com The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) has called on government to as a matter of urgency send home all students and shutdown schools to avert further spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The association also want the government to postpone examinations of the final year SHS until further notice. This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the National President of NCPTAs, Alexander Yaw Danso and copied to the Ghanaian Times yesterday. According to them, the current circumstances following the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some Senior High Schools (SHS) did not make it conducive for the students to stay in schools. In the current circumstances, the children are psychologically unstable and would therefore, not be of sound mind to write the WASSCE and BECE examinations and come out successfully, he stated. We, therefore, suggest that these examinations be postponed till the situation is brought under control, The statement added. The association further stated that, close observation done indicates that, not all SHS have received the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) they were promised. These according to them among other things put the lives of the children into danger hence the need for the government to immediately shutdown all schools. It, therefore, urged parents to isolate their wards for the 14-day period after they had returned home In the event of students sent home, parents are advised to endeavour to isolate and test their children for the 14-day period before integrating them into the larger family for the sake of everybodys safety, the statement added. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Hong Kong has reported two deaths caused by the coronavirus today as the city battles what officials described as a third wave of COVID-19 infections. The finance hub, one of the first places to be struck by the coronavirus, has had impressive success in tackling the disease with just over 1,500 infections. But the Chinese-ruled region recorded two coronavirus fatalities within 24 hours for the first time on Wednesday after the city has been hit by a new surge of cases since last two weeks. The finance hub, one of the first places to be struck by the coronavirus, has had impressive success in tackling the disease with just over 1,500 infections. The file picture taken on July 10 shows pedestrians wearing face masks as they wait to cross a road in Hong Kong The Chinese-ruled region recorded two coronavirus fatalities within 24 hours for the first time on Wednesday after the city has been hit by a new surge of cases since July. The file picture taken on July 9 shows commuters travelling on a tram with a notice that refers to the outbreak It comes as multiple cities across China claim that they have detected coronavirus on the packaging of frozen shrimps from South America. In the last two weeks, more than 200 local infections have been recorded in Hong Kong and officials believe the virus is spreading again among the densely populated city of 7.5 million. Hong Kong has also re-imposed tough social distancing measures from Monday, shuttering many businesses and making face masks on public transport mandatory. Officials confirmed 19 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, including 14 that were locally transmitted, as new social distancing measures came into force and as authorities warned that the risk of a large-scale outbreak remained high. In the last two weeks, more than 200 local infections have been recorded in Hong Kong and officials believe the virus is spreading again among the densely populated city of 7.5 million. Pictured, pedestrians wear face masks as they cross a road in Hong Kong on July 10 On Monday, city leader Carrie Lam announced fresh anti-virus measures. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, wearing a protective mask, speaks during a news conference on July 13 An elderly woman, 95, died of the disease on Monday, according to the health authorities. Another 90-year-old woman, who was a resident of a local care home that saw a cluster of COVID-19 infections, was pronounced dead today after suffering the coronavirus. It was followed by the city's tenth victim, a 89-year-old man who died today. As of today, Hong Kong has found a total of 1,589 coronavirus cases and ten deaths. On Monday, city leader Carrie Lam announced fresh anti-virus measures. Officials have banned more than four people from gathering in public and requiring passengers to wear face masks on public transport or risk a 510 fine. Alongside a ban on more than four people gathering in public, restaurants will only be able to serve takeaway food from 6:00pm to 5:00am, however they can still serve those eating in for breakfast and lunch. Twelve types of businesses including gyms, beauty salons, nightclubs and karaoke venues must close. Some businesses will also be closed and restaurants restricted over when they can serve diners. Alongside a ban on more than four people gathering in public, restaurants will only be able to serve takeaway food from 6:00pm to 5:00am, however they can still serve those eating in for breakfast and lunch. Commuters are pictured on a metro train in Hong Kong on Wednesday The city has had impressive success in tackling the disease with just over 1,500 infections and ten deaths. In June, the city only detected a total of 21 cases. A male citizen wearing a face mask has his body temperature checked outside a polling station in Hong Kong on July 12 Hong Kongers have widely adopted face masks to deal with the pandemic but on Monday authorities made wearing face coverings on public transport mandatory for the first time. Those who refuse to wear masks face a HK$5,000 (511) fine. 'This is a time for tightening,' Lam told reporters, adding the measures would be reviewed every seven days. It comes after Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable diseases branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said in a press briefing last week that the Asian financial hub entered its third wave of the coronavirus outbreak, according to South China Morning Post. She told reporters: 'We are worried that there will be a massive community outbreak, with so many sources of infection.' Health minister Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, also described the situation 'very alarming' in the same media conference. The announcement is a new body blow to the city's economy, which was already mired in recession before the pandemic hit. Last year Hong Kong was battered by both the increasingly aggressive US-China trade war and seven straight months of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. Health secretary Sophia Chan said officials were trying to 'strike a balance' between social distancing and keeping businesses open. This time last year, more than a few of us would be jetting off somewhere warm, or at least living vicariously through friends' social media feeds who are on holiday. 'No, not again. I can't.' Credit:Dionne Gain Instead, Melburnians are in lockdown for six weeks after recording the country's biggest increase in coronavirus cases. Meanwhile NSW is doing its best to contain the clusters already popping up in Sydney's south-west. The official nickname is Lockdown 2.0, but thats a jovial spin on hope deferred. 08:14 The Trump administration has agreed to rescind its July 6 rule, which temporarily bared international students from staying in the United States unless they attend at least one in-person course, a federal district court judge said on Tuesday. The U-turn by the Trump administration comes following a nationwide outrage against its July 6 order and a series of lawsuits filed by a large number of educational institutions, led by the prestigious Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, seeking a permanent injunctive relief to bar the Department of Homeland Security and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement from enforcing the federal guidelines barring international students attending colleges and universities offering only online courses from staying in the country. As many as 17 US states and the District of Columbia, along with top American IT companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft, joined MIT and Harvard in the US District Court in Massachusetts against the DHS and the ICE in seeking an injunction to stop the entire rule from going into effect. "I have been informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution. They will return to the status quo," Judge Allison Burroughs, the federal district judge in Boston, said in a surprise statement at the top of the hearing on the lawsuit. The announcement comes as a big relief to international students, including those from India. In the 2018-2019 academic year, there were over 10 lakh international students in the US. According to a recent report of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, 1,94,556 Indian students were enrolled in various academic institutions in the US in January. Judge Burroughs said the policy would apply nationwide. "Both the policy directive and the frequently asked questions would not be enforced anyplace," she said, referring to the agreement between the US government and MIT and Harvard. Congressman Brad Scneider said this is a great win for international students, colleges and common sense. "The Administration needs to give us a plan to tackle our public health crisis - it can't be recklessly creating rules one day and rescinding them the next," he said in a tweet. Last week, more than 136 Congressmen and 30 senators wrote to the Trump administration to rescind its order on international students. "This is a major victory for the students, organisers and institutions of higher education in the #MA7 and all across the country that stood up and fought back against this racist and xenophobic rule," said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. "Taking online classes shouldn't force international students out of our country," Congressman Mikie Sherrill said in a tweet. In its July 6 notice, the ICE had said all student visa holders, whose university curricula were only offered online, "must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status". "If not, they may face immigration consequences, including but not limited to the initiation of removal proceedings," it had said. In their lawsuit, the 17 states and the District of Columbia said for many international students, remote learning in the countries and communities they come from would impede their studies or be simply impossible. The lawsuit alleged that the new rule imposes a significant economic harm by precluding thousands of international students from coming to and residing in the US and finding employment in fields such as science, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, business and finance, and education, and contributing to the overall economy. -- PTI Police in Embu County last Saturday arrested a man accused of killing his wife on July 3. The detectives flushed out the suspect from his hideout in Makima, Mbeere Sub-County on Saturday night and locked him up at Kiritiri Police Station for interrogation. Shortly after he was caught, angry residents stormed the police station baying for his blood but riot police repulsed them. The residents wanted to lynch the suspect but the officers chased them away, said the Riakanau Location Chief Kimeu Musyimi. On the material day, the suspect reportedly waylaid his wife, Teresa Muthoni, as she was returning to her parents home after attending a womens group meeting. He stabbed her several times in the chest with a knife, killing her on the spot. The woman had fled her matrimonial home following a quarrel with her husband. However, the man was very bitter after his wife disappeared and planned how to eliminate her, the chief said. The victims body was moved to Embu Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem and investigations launched. The suspect committed a very serious crime and he should face the law, said Mr Musyimi. The administrator said cases of domestic violence are on the rise in the area and cautioned: We shall deal ruthlessly with couples found attacking each other. It is a criminal offence to assault or kill anyone. A job making cars can be a good job. It should matter not to the autoworker whether his product runs on fossil fuels or electric battery. A national leadership looking out for the workers future would embrace the future, which is clean-powered transportation. America does not have that leadership. President Donald Trump has pushed the false promise that our suffering blue-collar workers could return to the good old days if only environmentalists (and foreigners) would disappear. The promise is worse than futile because it discourages change these very workers need. Science and innovation used to be the American path to winning. The science-bashing administration is making us poorer, stock investors excepted. But enough about Trump for now. Lets get back to cars and trucks and the brass ring those who reach into the future are grabbing. Tesla, maker of electric vehicles, is one of the only U.S. car companies to have reported higher sales for the second quarter. That was despite a falling price for gas. Despite a virus pandemic that had many consumers sitting on their wallets. And despite the cost of buying a Tesla. The cheapest Tesla, the Model 3, has a base price of about $40,000. Around 190,000 people in England missed out on crucial heart ultrasounds during the Covid-19 lockdown, a charity has warned. The drastic decline in the vital tests will 'ultimately lead to deaths', the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said. Echocardiograms, also known as echo tests, are ultrasound scans that look at the structure of the heart to see if it is working properly. They help doctors spot or follow the progression of heart conditions, such as heart failure, heart disease and damage from a heart attack. Only 87,902 echo tests were carried out across England in April and May, compared to 274,235 completed in the same months last year. It comes amid warnings of the NHS post-Covid backlog, in which millions of patients are waiting for care that was delayed because of the pandemic. Health bosses fear the number of people waiting for NHS treatment will double to a staggering 10million by Christmas. How vital heart ultrasounds have dropped during lockdown. In February, the number was at the expected level. Only 87,902 echo tests were carried out across England in April and May, compared to 274,235 completed in the same months last year (a difference of almost 190,000) The BHF said there has been a temporary pause on cardiology care, apart from the most urgent of cases, since Britain's lockdown began in March. Some 41 per cent of of heart and circulatory disease patients have had a planned test, surgery or procedure cancelled, such as a heart imaging test, surveying from the BHF has found. And GP referrals when a person is referred for an echo test based on symptoms they have presented to their GP with have fallen, which the charity says would partially be driven by people's fears of catching the coronavirus or putting pressure on the NHS. Delaying a diagnostic test or treatment could have a knock-on effect for someone's health, said Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the BHF and consultant cardiologist. She said: 'Echocardiograms and other tests are used to diagnose and monitor a range of heart and circulatory conditions and are often among the first steps in someone's treatment journey. HOW MUCH DID ECHO TESTS DROP IN EACH REGION? How much echo tests dropped in each region across April and May from February 2020: EAST OF ENGLAND: -71% EAST MIDLANDS: -74% LONDON: -64% NORTH EAST: -68% NORTH WEST: -66% SOUTH EAST: -65% SOUTH WEST: -64% WEST MIDLANDS: -65% YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER: -71% Advertisement 'Delaying them could have a devastating knock-on effect on the rest of their care, preventing them from accessing the specialist treatments they may desperately need in time. 'Ultimately, this could lead to patients becoming sicker as they await care and, ultimately, more deaths.' The latest figures from NHS Digital show the number of echo tests dropped drastically from February, when there were 134,134. There were 101,243 echos in March and just 35,826 in April. Things started to pick back up again in May, reaching 52,076 tests, but are still not back to normality at just a third of the expect number compared to 2019. Tests dropped by 67 per cent in April and May compared with February, the figures show. There were regional differences, too - the East Midlands saw a 74 per cent drop, while London saw a 64 per cent drop. The East Midlands did 24,504 tests in the months of May and April in 2019 but this year just 6,225. By the end of May this year, there were 92,967 people on the waiting list for an echo test across the whole of England. Some 62 per cent (57,242) of those had been on the waiting list for six or more weeks, a sharp increase from the four per cent in February. Less than one per cent of patients should wait six weeks or longer for a diagnostic test, the NHS Operating Framework says. Diane Phillimore, 62, from Calne in Wiltshire, has been waiting for an echo test appointment since March, when her original one was cancelled in light of the Covid-19 crisis. She said: 'I feel like I've been left in limbo' The delays add to the backlog caused by a hold-up to cancer screenings, other key diagnostic tests like MRIs, and routine operations. 5,000 HEART ATTACKS DIDN'T GET CARE IN LOCKDOWN Five-thousands heart attack sufferers in England missed out on life-saving hospital treatment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a study has claimed. A University of Oxford team used data regularly collected by NHS Digital from hospital trusts in England to get up-to-date information about admissions. They found admissions for any 'acute coronary syndrome' a sudden reduction of blood to the heart dropped from a monthly average of 13,075 to 10,118 in March. They plummeted to 8,739 in April before slightly increasing to 9,756 in May, findings in the Lancet revealed. Overall between January and May, there had been around 8,000 fewer admissions for acute coronary syndromes than would be expected. Some 5,000 of these were for heart attacks specifically, which is medically known as a myocardial infarction. The researchers looked at a certain window, March 23 to March 30, and found hospital admissions for heart attacks fell 35 per cent. Up to a quarter of people who suffered the most severe heart attack a complete blockage of an artery did not seek help, figures suggest. Admissions are now picking back up again because the coronavirus is fizzling out, according to researchers at the University of Oxford. But patient confidence is nowhere near pre-Covid levels as Brits still fear catching the coronavirus if they go to hospital. Experts warned the risk of death from delaying heart attack treatment is higher than picking up Covid-19 at hospital. Advertisement Dr Babu-Narayan said: 'The NHS is now facing a cliff edge as it contends with resuming services and tackling a significant and growing backlog of treatment, all while continuing to fight Covid-19. 'These challenges are great, but they are not insurmountable. Restoring and maintaining care for patients living with long-term conditions, such as heart and circulatory diseases, must now become a priority.' Diane Phillimore, 62, from Calne in Wiltshire, has been waiting for an echo test appointment since March, when her original one was cancelled in light of the Covid-19 crisis. She was diagnosed in July last year with aortic stenosis a narrowing of one of the four heart valves called the aortic valve. It can cause symptoms of chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. Monitoring of this condition is crucial to look for progressive disease and treat it appropriately. The walls of the heart can thicken because the organ has to work harder to pump blood through the narrow valve opening. Over time, the extra tissue takes up more space which allows less room for an adequate amount of blood to be supplied to the body. This may lead to life-threatening damage to the heart or heart failure. Ms Phillimore was originally referred for an echo in December to reveal how far the disease has progressed and if she will require heart valve surgery in future. She's now been waiting seven months for an appointment and is trying not to worry. Ms Phillimore, who has lost her partner, mother-in-law and brother-in-law to heart and circulatory diseases in the last four years, said: 'I'm not really an anxious person but I have been worried about the delay to my echo appointment. 'I feel like I've been left in limbo. I do understand that there is a huge backlog of heart patients like me waiting for tests and procedures due to Covid- 19, but I would like to know what my situation is. 'If I do need surgery, I'd like to have as long as possible to prepare myself mentally for it. 'Since the pandemic began, it has felt like heart patients have been neglected. 'For many, lockdown is over, and life is returning to normal. But for people like me who have a heart condition that needs monitoring, it has left us worried and uncertain about what happens next.' The BHF says heart patients have been hit doubly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing yesterday that admissions for heart attack patients had also dropped. NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Direct Auto Insurance has launched the Millions to Feed campaign to support people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of helping to provide 10 million meals* to Feeding America, the nations largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Combined with an initial donation of 900,000 meals (or $90,000) made at the outset of the campaign by its parent to honor its 9,000 employees, Direct Auto is inviting prospective policyholders to help drive up the contribution. For each new quote completed throughout the month of July, the insurance group that includes Direct Auto will donate 10 meals toward the effort, and commits to a minimum overall contribution of $500,000 to Feeding America. We are proud to partner with Feeding America and support our communities during this time of tremendous need, says Aaron Kuluk, Executive Vice President, Direct to Consumer Distribution of Direct Auto Insurance. Giving back is part of our founding philosophy, and we want to say thank you to customers who are also supporting this important cause with their quotes. For more information about Millions to Feed, visit directauto.com/feeding-america *$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of a member food bank. About Direct Auto Insurance Founded in 1991, Nashville-based Direct Auto Insurance sells personal car insurance and other types of coverage and products online, over the phone and in-store at more than 450 retail locations. Direct Auto Insurance-branded policies are underwritten by affiliated carriers owned by National General Holdings Corp. Headquartered in New York City, National General is a specialty personal lines insurance holding company that traces its roots to 1939 and has a financial strength rating of A- (excellent) from A.M. Best. About Feeding America Feeding America is a 501(c)(3) charity organization and a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that serve people in virtually every community in the United States including more than 40 million people, more than 11 million children, and 7 million seniors. Insurer Chubb announced the appointment of John Fielding as senior vice president, general counsel, Global Government and Industry Affairs. In this role, Fielding will provide legal, regulatory and policy guidance and advice to Chubbs state, federal and international government affairs team. He will work to ensure consistency in advocacy throughout the companys government affairs activities and will represent the company in regulatory and industry settings. Fielding joins Chubb from the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), where he served as general counsel for four years. He was also with law firm Steptoe & Johnson, where, for over a decade, he represented CIAB, as well as other insurance trade associations, carriers and producers before Congress, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), and state insurance regulators on policy and regulatory matters. From 1997 to 2003, he was a senior counsel at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Fielding, who is based in Washington, D.C., reports to Joe Wayland, executive vice president, Chubb Group, and general counsel. Upon Fieldings departure, The Council (CIAB) announced that Gracie Gerlach will be promoted to associate general counsel. Currently serving as political action committee director, Gerlach joined The Council in February 2019 after working at the National Federation of Independent Business Ohio and receiving her J.D. from Capital University Law School. As associate general counsel, Gerlach will work with Chief Legal Officer Scott Sinder, and the team at Steptoe & Johnson as she focuses on internal legal matters and the Council PAC. The Councils state legislative and regulatory efforts will now be guided by two members of Steptoe & Johnson. Kate Jensen will become NAIC/state legislative and regulatory chief counsel, and LeeAnn Goheen will become NAIC/state legislative and regulatory senior advisor. Topics Legislation Chubb Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:15:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Actresses from Russia perform at a plaza of the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center on the China-Kazakhstan border, Aug. 11, 2019. As the world's first cross-border free trade zone, the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center has seen an increasing number of visitors since it was officially launched in 2012. (Xinhua/Li Peng) BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will host a China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting via video link on Thursday, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced Wednesday. Wang and the five countries' foreign ministers will hold in-depth discussion on issues including how to strength cooperation on combating COVID-19, promote economic recovery, maintain regional security, and increase international cooperation, spokesperson Hua Chunying told a press briefing. Coun. Vivian Santos has resigned from the Winnipeg Police Board, after being denied security clearance by city police. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/7/2020 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Coun. Vivian Santos has resigned from the Winnipeg Police Board, after being denied security clearance by city police. In an email Tuesday, the councillor for Point Douglas notified colleagues that following a failed security clearance check, she was not eligible to hold a seat on the board. Santos was appointed unanimously by city council to the police board June 26. At a media conference outside city hall Tuesday afternoon, Santos said she has not been arrested or charged with a criminal offence, and did not know why police took issue with her sitting on the police board. She said due to policy, the reasons for her denial were not disclosed by the Winnipeg Police Service. "I was absolutely surprised," she said. "I have nothing to hide." Santos said she asked police to see the information the service holds related to her own personal record, and was told those documents would not be provided. Coun. Vivian Santos notified her colleagues via email that following a failed security clearance check, she was not eligible to hold a seat on the Winnipeg Police Board. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press) "I dont have skeletons in my closet. It does bother me to have this rain cloud over me and my family," said the councillor first elected in 2018. A spokesperson for the WPS said it will not comment on specific security checks. According to the Police Services Act, before being appointed to a police board, a person has to consent to an investigation into their background and allow the police to check their name against the child abuse registry; determine whether they have been convicted, or found guilty, of contravening a federal or provincial enactment; or have outstanding charges awaiting court disposition. The citys Winnipeg Police Board bylaw also stipulates all potential board members have to pass background security checks. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman reaffirmed Santos as acting deputy mayor following a shuffle to his executive policy committee in late-June. When asked for comment on the decision by police to deny security clearance to a city councillor, Bowmans director of communications, Jeremy Davis, said the mayor would not have a media availability Tuesday. In a written statement, Davis said: "(The) mayor appreciates Councillor Santos' transparency and looks forward to council's nomination of a new police board member." Winnipeg Police Board chairman Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) said he learned Friday that Santos had not passed the background check. Coun. Vivian Santos was not told by Winnipeg police why she failed the check. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press) "I have every bit of confidence in Coun. Santos and that she is a person of integrity, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her," Chambers said Tuesday. "Im extremely disappointed we wont be able to work together on this file." In general, Chambers said police identify areas of risk and vulnerabilities while conducting a background check and will also scrutinize immediate and extended family members, and their spouses. Chambers said he has not been provided with any such information, but suggested it was possible police flagged a family member as an "area of concern." "With the information that does get passed between the police service and the police board, we want to make sure theres no areas of vulnerability," he said. "And as such, councillor didnt meet the requirements, and we have to move forward with a new appointee." 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. Speculation her security clearance was denied based on friends, family or associates is hearsay, Santos said. "I wish police would have told me if that was the case and I could have cleared the air and given explanations," she said. "Guilty by association is that warranted? I dont know." CBC Manitoba reported Tuesday the councillor confirmed to the public broadcaster in March she is friends with a person police have charged with trafficking cocaine. Asked by the Free Press if she is friends with an individual charged with trafficking a controlled substance, Santos said she doesnt think that has "anything to do with whats at hand." Santos said she has accepted the fact she will not sit on the police board, and couldnt comment on whether the security clearance process is appropriate without knowing why she was denied. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca 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. By Andrei Makhovsky MINSK (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed Western criticism on Wednesday after his two main challengers were barred from next month's presidential election and police detained over 250 protesters. The European Union delegation to Belarus said excluding the two rivals "undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections", and Europe's election watchdog expressed concern about "key aspects of the electoral process". Defending the police handling of protests over the ban on the two challengers on Tuesday, Lukashenko said countries such as France and the United States had used greater force against protesters and accused the West of double standards. "Criticise (President Donald) Trump, the U.S. for the lack of democracy. Try to do it with Russia," Lukashenko, 65, said during a meeting with supporters in the city of Vitebsk. "We don't want anyone to tell us how to live. We know how to do that ourselves. Solve your own problems first, and there are many of them," state-run Belta news agency quoted him as saying. Lukashenko, who has allowed little dissent in his 26-year rule, is all but certain to win the Aug. 9 election but public frustration is growing over the economy, human rights and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The central election commission refused to register banker Viktor Babariko because of a criminal case against him and barred former ambassador Valery Tsepkalo after disallowing some of the signatures supporting his candidacy. Their exclusion prompted protests in the capital Minsk and, according to social media reports, in other cities. Police said over 250 people had been detained and rights group Vesna 96 put the total at 302. The police said six police had been hurt and the state investigative committee launched a criminal case against the protest organisers and protesters. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's election watchdog, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said it would not send monitors for the election after not receiving a "timely invitation." Expressing concern that Belarus had not addressed problems previously identified in the electoral process, the ODIHR urged Minsk to take "concrete and immediate steps to protect the exercise of fundamental freedoms." (Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky, Writing by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage) New South Wales authorities are refusing to use CCTV footage from COVID-19-infected venues to trace contacts due to 'privacy reasons', despite Health Minister Brad Hazzard saying the state is facing 'war zone' conditions. Mr Hazzard's grim declaration came as NSW cases grew by 13 on Wednesday, ten of which were linked to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak in the city's south-west. The cluster has spread to more than 20 other Sydney businesses - from Macarthur Tavern in Campbelltown to Hurricane's Grill in Brighton Le Sands. But NSW Health has rejected offers from several large clubs and pubs to provide CCTV footage to help officials trace people who have come into contact with infected patrons. Sydney's Star Casino is one of the venues which offered to provide footage in the hope of stemming the spread following a positive case on July 4. A spokesperson for the Pyrmont casino said they were just trying to help prevent a potential Melbourne-style outbreak. Star Casino offered their CCTV footage to NSW Health to trace contacts, but authorities rejected the offer because it would be a 'breach of patient privacy' As NSW cases grew by 13 on Wednesday - with 10 of those related to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak - Health Minister Brad Hazzard said 'we are still effectively in a war zone'. A medical worker takes a swab from a woman at a COVID-19 coronavirus testing station in Picton, southwest of Sydney 'We just want to help. We want to provide our guests and team members with a level of information they currently don't have,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'Our sophisticated surveillance resources with around 3000 CCTV cameras can easily validate where this person went and who he came in close contact with, if anyone, while he was here.' A worker within the hospitality industry said they were shocked with the state's response. 'It is staggering that the privacy of infected individuals is being put ahead of the health of the general community. These people have already willingly handed over their personal details for the purpose of contact tracing,' they said. A string of other venues had offered security footage but were also knocked back, according to the paper. NSW Health said it wouldn't use CCTV footage to trace contacts because it would be a 'breach of patient privacy'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Health for further comment. Anybody who attended the Star Casino on the night of July 4 between 10 and 10.30pm is urged to get tested. Meanwhile in Victoria, it has been revealed McDonald's workers were not tested despite a positive case in the restaurant. A traffic worker directs motorists at a COVID-19 coronavirus testing station in Picton, southwest of Sydney A food delivery rider wearing a facemask is seen riding by one of the many empty shops with a For Lease on Lygon Street in Melbourne The store in Mill Park, in Melbourne's north-east, was closed on June 25 to undergo cleaning when a staff member contracted the virus. The restaurant identified 26 workers who were close contacts and they were ordered to self-isolate. But the Victorian Department of Health did not deem it necessary for the employees to be tested. A McDonald's spokesman said they wanted their workers tested. 'While we respect the department's advice as the experts managing this very difficult situation, our preference remains that any potential close contacts should be instructed to be tested,' a spokesman told The Australian. 'McDonald's has a very productive working relationship with the (DHHS) and has continued to act above and beyond the department's requirements out of an abundance of caution.' Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Sydney is 'still effectively in a war zone' as NSW cases grew by 13 on Wednesday McDonald's workers at Mill Park (pictured) in Victoria were not instructed to get tested despite a positive case in the restaurant But advice on the Federal Health Department website states anyone who has been in contact with a coronavirus-positive person should get tested. 'Testing is important for anyone with symptoms and particularly if any of the following apply to you you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days,' the advice reads. Victoria recorded 238 new cases and one death on Wednesday, the tenth consecutive day of triple-digit infection rates. It comes as authorities identified 'patient zero' who brought the virus from Victoria and sparked the outbreak at Sydney's Crossroads Hotel, now linked to 34 cases. Victoria recorded 238 new cases and one death on Wednesday, the tenth consecutive day of triple-digit infection rates NSW recorded 13 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with ten of those cases coming from the Crossroads Hotel outbreak, bringing the cluster to 34 cases Contact tracer Jennie Musto said the link between the outbreak with Victoria was a man who travelled from Melbourne to Sydney on June 30, before the border closed. He worked in the freight industry. The Melbourne man went to a workplace in Sydney, which has since had confirmed cases, before all employees went to a party at the Crossroads Hotel on July 3. 'So this is where it all began,' Ms Musto said. Ms Musto has since been been hailed a hero for identifying the Crossroads Hotel cluster. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government will now consider placing restrictions on 'high risk' activities Residents wait in their cars at a COVID-19 coronavirus testing station in Picton The epidemiologist and her team of detectives interviewed the first two people infected in the cluster. From that they were able to determine the common link between them was their attendance at the pub, which then led them to the Melbourne freight worker. 'The man from Melbourne didn't think he was particularly unwell, didn't think he was sick with COVID. He travelled from Melbourne on the 30th of June,' she said. 'He is in the freight industry, he is not a truckie. There are people who are his colleagues (who were infected) who then went to the party.' Dr Kerry Chant, the NSW Chief Health Officer, said the pub outbreak highlights the 'rapidity with which COVID can spread' and the importance of identifying cases quickly. 'It's very important we don't lose sight that COVID could've been introduced in any other part of Sydney ... this is a stealthy virus,' she said. Dr Chant also named a number of venues where confirmed COVID-19 cases spent time including the YMCA at Revesby, Wests Leagues Club at Leumeah, Macarthur Tavern in Campbelltown and Casula Kmart. The Milky Lane burger joint in Parramatta and the Bavarian Macarthur restaurant in Campbelltown were later added to the list. Locals are seen wearing facemasks in the CBD during COVID-19. A further 238 cases were recorded on Wednesday Dr Chant also named a number of venues where confirmed COVID-19 cases spent time including the YMCA at Revesby, Wests Leagues Club at Leumeah, Macarthur Tavern in Campbelltown and Casula Kmart Doctor says Australia could potentially be coronavirus-free if it went into total lockdown Eradicating coronavirus in Australia is conceivably possible providing the country goes into lockdown to stop superspreaders perpetuating the illness, a university mathematician says. Medical practitioner and mathematician Dr David Kault says research shows eliminating superspreaders is the key to winning the war against COVID-19. The adjunct senior lecturer at Queensland's James Cook University says Australia has a 50-50 proposition of eliminating the disease, but that any win comes with personal and financial sacrifice. Dr Kault said a policy of suppression without elimination leads to an eventual increase in infections, which is what is occurring in New South Wales and Victoria. Medical staff take details of a resident before taking swabs at a COVID-19 coronavirus testing station in Picton, 80 kilometres south-west of Sydney 'We are seeing the consequences of opening up too soon,' he said. 'We can still eliminate it, but we need to lockdown again now. We can't get complacent because numbers are low. Mathematically, going the extra mile to lock down for a few extra weeks is worth it. 'Elimination on an island continent is possible.' He said a lockdown would almost certainly smother superspreaders who are more infectious than others. However, it's difficult to determine who they are and shutting down the country for a couple of weeks would eliminate their potency. 'Superspreaders are the key. We know there are occasional superspreaders who pass the disease on to many others, which means there are also people who pass the disease on to no one,' he said. 'The majority of infectious people don't spread it to others and just 20 per cent account for 90 per cent of all subsequent infections.' Advertisement A worker at Woolworths in Bowral has also tested positive to the virus and the store underwent deep cleaning on Tuesday night. The staff member worked at the store on July 12 and was asymptomatic at the time. A south-west Sydney pizza restaurant, meanwhile, is closing for three days for deep cleaning after a customer on Friday tested positive for COVID-19. Mancini's Original Woodfired Pizza at Belfield said NSW Health had deemed the case a low risk to staff as the male customer stayed within his group. It comes as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government will consider placing restrictions on 'high risk' activities. She said eliminating the virus was 'very unrealistic' and 'suppressing' it was the only option. 'There is definitely room for us to consider what else might be considered a high-risk activity and consider how we curtail some of that risk,' Ms Berejiklian said on Wednesday. 'Whilst we would all love to adopt a policy of elimination it's, I think, unrealistic to assume we would get there - in fact, very unrealistic. 'Suppression is definitely the right strategy for a population the size of ours.' Since April, weve been searching for ways to make life normal. Cant have your kids around their grandparents? Lets Facetime. Cant meet up for girls night? Well do a wine Zoom. Cant go on your family vacation? Buy an inflatable pool for a backyard reprieve. Well...maybe not that last one. Understandably, nobody thought that in the face of a global pandemic, we would consider inflatable pools an essential item. That was incorrect. As it turns out, in the face of a global pandemic, one of our greatest driving desires is to feel normal. And after family beach vacation plans dissolved into mirages by the thousands in May, people began scrambling to buy inflatable pools to fill the void of normalcy, even if it only bought us a little more time. The bad news is, roughly 328 million of us tried to do this, and all of the inflatable pools disappeared seemingly overnight, both in stores and online. The coronavirus was officially the cause of the Great Inflatable Pool Shortage of 2020. Inflatable pools are not essential, of course. But famine became feast as we pivoted, and the shortage in inflatable pools drove consumers to seek new ways to fill up a body of water in their backyards. One of those ways? Stock tanks. Turns out these things make great pools. Indeed, the galvanized tubs designed to provide water for animals come in a wide range of sizes, were widely available, affordable and, most importantly, easily converted into a personal swimming hole. All you need is a stock tank, a filter, a pump and some tools. But this is Texas, where individuality and elbow grease comes in spades. Which is why in so many backyards, youll find Pinterest-worthy pieces of art -- personal oases complete with meticulous decking, intricate pergolas, twinkling overhead lights, beautifully landscaped flowerbeds and soothing water features. In at least one Houston-area stock tank pool, youll even find the occasional chicken. Chickens can swim, Danielle Choates said evenly as we stood by, arms crossed, watching her chicken float unperturbed on the surface of the water. Danielles pool is surrounded by a large deck, cozy furniture and a handful of ponies. Several goats, tall tallow trees, a chicken coop, fire pit and grill are all on-hand nearby, comprising what is a truly multi-functional outdoor area. There are heavily-bulbed string lights above, glinting in the setting sun. Danielle and her husband Brent have plans to build a pergola over the pool before the end of the summer to provide extra shade as Houston temperatures inch past 100 degrees. You cant find inflatable pools right now, she said. And we dont want a permanent pool so were glad we have this stock tank pool. It fits our aesthetic." With all of the creature comforts the Choates have lovingly put into their outdoor haven, the most precious feature it has provided, she said, was one they werent expecting. Its helped us feel normal during all of this, she said. We all are struggling to feel normalalmost everyone in the world is right now, I thinkand this has helped us get a little closer to it. Is Mukesh Ambani moving to 300-acre London property? Heres what Reliance Industries says Security beefed up outside Mukesh Ambani's Antilia after alert from taxi driver about suspicious passengers These 5 books helped Mukesh Ambani, make sense of 2021, preparing him for 2022 JioMeet sees 5 million downloands within days of launch: Mukesh Ambani India pti-Madhuri Adnal Mumbai, July 15: Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said India's first cloud-based video conferencing app JioMeet has seen 5 million downloads within days of its launch. Mukesh Ambani's Made in India 5G: What is needed to build it? | Oneindia News Reliance Industries earlier this week launched JioMeet video conferencing app with unlimited free calling, which is being seen as rate war on rival Zoom. "Jio has developed complete 5G solution from scratch that will enable us to launch a world-class 5g service in India," announces RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani. Reliance is now net debt-free after Rs 1.69 lakh cr fund raising: Mukesh Ambani JioMeet video conferencing app is available across Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and web. Addressing the company's 43rd annual general meeting, Ambani said JioMeet has seen 5 million downloads by users within days of its launch. According to the company website, JioMeet supports HD audio and video call quality with up to 100 participants and offers features like screen sharing, and meeting schedule feature, among others. But unlike Zoom, it does not impose a 40-minute time limit. Calls can go on as long as 24 hours, and all meetings are encrypted and password-protected, the company said. With government restrictions easing and a heatwave sweeping the island, thousands of Cubans are packing the beaches, carousing without masks on the sand and in the water. But after closing down for over three months, infection rates remain extremely low, just a handful in Havana Province and none in 14 provinces on the rest of the island, suggesting Cuba has successfully dealt with the pandemic up until now. Just four new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Havana area on Tuesday, adding to the 2,432 cases since the pandemic began in March.87 people have died. The numbers, say health officials, show the country must continue imposing restrictions and maintain vigilance.But officials believe the island can continue its phased openings, leading to a final phase later this year with a return to international tourism and commercial activity, with some rules to avoid a new outbreak. Currently Havana is in phase one, allowing some restaurants and businesses to re-open to the public under restrictions, and some public services to resume.Tourists will be allowed to visit the offshore keys, and the famed beaches of Varadero will be open to visitors. Most Cubans welcome the lifting of what had been a broad quarantine that allowed for little activity, even though some remain wary of the pandemic.Officials say they are confident the island has weathered the worst of the pandemic for now, but remain concerned about potential spikes in infection as the country continues the process of returning to normality. (Image Credit: AP) Three days of fighting on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border has alarmed the international community and stoked deep national resentments in both countries. Sixteen people in all -- most of them soldiers but including one civilian -- died in artillery and other attacks between the neighboring foes between July 12 and July 14 along a remote northern section of their border. It is the latest in a growing history of deadly episodes that stem from a dispute over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. It also is the worst episode of violence there in at least four years. Their conflict erupted in 1988 amid ethnic Armenian demands for independence for the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and unification with Armenia as Soviet authority in Moscow was collapsing. A cease-fire agreed in 1994 ended widespread bloodshed thought to have killed around 30,000 people. But the cease-fire failed to resolve the dispute. Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azeris and Armenians fled both ways across the borders to join their compatriots amid fears of nationalist reprisals. The cease-fire left Nagorno-Karabakh and areas of Azerbaijan around it under de facto Armenian control. It also set the stage for decades of deadly, but mostly minor, skirmishes along the Line of Contact and near their shared border. Why did the violence erupt now? In a pattern familiar from dozens of smaller skirmishes between their forces or proxies in the past two decades, each side labeled the flare-up the result of "provocations" by the other. Some reports suggested that an Azerbaijani military vehicle traveling near a northern section of the border had helped set off the initial incident on July 12. But independent confirmation in such cases has proven nearly impossible. "It's strange because it wasn't really provoked by anything," Arkady Dubnov, a political analyst at the Carnegie Moscow Center told Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. He said there did not appear to be any "inherent explanation" for the sudden burst of violence other than possible nationalist efforts to portray any confrontation as some sort of "victory" in the standoff. "All the circumstances connected to the occurrence of this conflict suggest the [major] factor was human in nature, and not military-political, strategic, or geopolitical, Dubnov said. Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, acknowledged the familiar finger-pointing and lack of clarity but argued that interruptions in the nearly three-decade-old cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan are "a political decision." "Nothing accidental here. Cease-fire violations are a political decision," de Waal tweeted. He also suggested that Baku might have been more frustrated at the current impasse -- despite international mediators' encouragement early last year that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan should "prepare their populations for peace." "It is unclear who started it, though [Azerbaijan] has greater interest in doing so, as it likes to remind the world that the situation on the ground is 'not normal,' is frustrated with lack of political progress since 2018. [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev said this openly on July 7," de Waal tweeted. Last week, Aliyev threatened to withdraw from the stalled international peace negotiations "if they yield no results." Is this fighting unusual in its intensity or any other facet? The combined death toll -- 15 troops and one civilian -- represents the highest number of fatalities in Armenian-Azerbaijani fighting since 2016. Before that, the most recent comparable flare-up was in 2008. It was unusual also in that an Azerbaijani major general was reportedly killed on the third day of fighting, on July 14. Most of the skirmishes during the past three decades involved sniper or machine-gun fire and far more limited casualty figures -- usually lower-ranking troops and sometimes civilians. This time, the fighting appeared to involve tanks, drones, artillery, and mortars. This fighting was also unusual in that it reportedly broke out far away from the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, on the internationally recognized border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And reports suggest it had been limited to a smaller area than some of the biggest clashes of the past decade. Olesya Vartanian, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group and a former RFE/RL correspondent, cautioned against facile comparisons to the so-called Four-Day War of 2016 that killed more than 200 people in the worst fighting since the 1994 cease-fire. "Some reporters rush with comparisons to the 2016 escalation," Vartanyan tweeted. "This is a mistake. Because this flareup is currently in a small area with only a limited number of heavy weaponry involved. In 2016 the clashes were along the whole frontline in the Nagorno-#Karabakh conflict zone." How does domestic politics currently fit into the equation? Like clockwork, the bursts of violence whipped up nationalist frenzy in both countries. "If part of the military-political wing of either side wants to show that he is a great patriot and defender of the interests of the homeland, then he can aggravate [the situation]," Dubnov told Current Time. "This is very dangerous." In Baku on July 14, the public anger over the deaths of Azerbaijani troops brought thousands of people out into the streets, despite coronavirus restrictions on gatherings, and threatened to tumble out of control. Police and security forces clashed with the crowds and reported dozens of arrests after some of the demonstrators -- chanting nationalist phrases like "Mobilization!" and "Azerbaijan is indivisible!" in reference to Nagorno-Karabakh -- stormed the Azerbaijani parliament building. The public demonstrations eased overnight. In Yerevan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pledged that Azerbaijani actions would "not go unanswered." Violence along the line of contact agreed in the 1994 cease-fire over Nagorno-Karabakhh had declined since Pashinian took power two years ago in a bloodless revolt fueled by street protests over perceived corruption and political stagnation. That lull had initially been accompanied by increased diplomatic and political talks and greater military communication between the two sides before the recent flare-up. But bilateral tensions had been rising for at least the last year. Facing mounting domestic political attacks and public impatience at the speed of reforms, Pashinian dealt a blow to peace efforts a year ago by declaring defiantly to a crowd in the Nagorno-Karabakh capital that "Artsakh is Armenia." "[A]s soon as one side starts, the other responds, neither backs down," de Waal said of this week's violence. "The conflict sits deep in both nations. We see a Rallying Round the Flag in both countries. That's useful to both govts, distracts people from economic woes and pandemic." Outside observers like the Crisis Group have argued that "without talks on key issues -- the future of areas adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh and people currently residing there, prospects for international peacekeeping, and Nagorno-Karabakhs status positions risk hardening further." Are there indications that this is a renewal of large-scale conflict rather than the familiar pattern of skirmishes in a long-simmering "frozen conflict"? Defense officials in both countries announced on July 15 that there had been no new fighting overnight, providing hope that the violence will not spiral out of control despite a hardening of rhetoric. The fresh bloodshed comes against a backdrop of a UN push for the "cessation of hostilities in all situations" as governments around the world focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The United States, the European Union, Turkey, and Russia have all urged restraint from Baku and Yerevan. Turkey, the first state to recognize Azerbaijans independence in 1991, has remained a staunch strategic ally of that majority-Muslim, largely Turkic-speaking country and a historical foe of Yerevan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled his frustration at the absence of international mediation efforts over Nagorno-Karabakh in his 2019 speech to the UN General Assembly. Erdogan warned that stability in the South Caucasus was "very important for the fair and peaceful future of our world." Russia has, meanwhile, maintained deep economic, military, and strategic ties with Armenia, although there seems to have been a diplomatic cooling since Armenian Prime Minister Pashinian took power two years ago. But Moscow wields some influence in Azerbaijan, too. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reportedly spoke to his counterparts in both countries on July 13 and urged them to "show restraint" to avoid further destabilizing the region. On July 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said Moscow was ready to mediate if called upon. The European Union urged both countries to "stop the armed confrontation" and "undertake immediate measures to prevent further escalation," according to AFP. And U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on July 15 said the United States was "deeply concerned" about the Armenian-Azerbaijani violence. He urged all sides to "de-escalate." The OSCE Minsk Group -- co-chaired by the United States, Russia, and France -- has existed since 1992 to encourage a framework for lasting peace and security between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But it has seemingly eased its activities in recent years in favor of more bilateral contacts between Baku and Yerevan. It hasn't convened a summit bringing together the Armenian and Azerbaijani heads of state since 2017. De Waal warned late in 2019 that "if the situation deteriorates once again, it will be a test for the international mediators of the OSCE Minsk Group from France, Russia, and the United States, which have been extremely quiet about Nagorno-Karabakh for the past two years, letting Armenia and Azerbaijan take the lead. But they may have no choice but to be more active and push for new ideas and new approaches, to stop this smoldering conflict from igniting again." Shares of information technology (IT) companies rallied up to 10 per cent on the NSE on Wednesday, a day after Wipro posted better-than-expected numbers for the first quarter (April-June) of the financial year 2020-21 (Q1FY21). At 10:00 am, the Nifty IT index was ruling over 4 per cent higher at 16,283.05 points with all the 10 constituents trading in the green. Wipro was the top gainer on the index - up 15 per cent at Rs 258.75. Other constituents of the index such as NIIT Tech, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and HCL Tech gained up to 4.5 per cent. In comparison, the benchmark Nifty was ... The guidance applies both to public and nonpublic schools. Baesler said the guidance would allow local school officials to start classes when they chose, either earlier "to bank some time" should an outbreak occur, or later if more time is needed to put a reopening plan in place. Fargo Public Schools spokeswoman AnnMarie Campbell said school officials met Tuesday to discuss "re-entry plans" in anticipation of Burgum's announcement. Campbell said the district, the second-largest behind Bismarck, would craft its own plan based on the governor's guidelines. The district would then present the plan to staff and parents and ask for feedback over the next few weeks, she said. North Dakota has 11 public universities and colleges. University system spokeswoman Billie Jo Lorius said the schools also are slated to reopen this fall, with precautions. Burgum's guidelines come as the state reported a near-record number of hospitalizations and its 88th death due to the virus. The North Dakota Department of Health said 42 people are currently hospitalized, down one from the record set on Monday. 3K Shares Share Our country, and the world, is beyond exhausted by COVID-19 and the utter chaos and destruction of lives it has caused. All people, including physicians, are being pushed beyond capacity. What do we mean, collateral damage? Originally related to war: the unintended result of a terrible, unprecedented event or action. We may not be in a traditional war, but make no mistake, we are in a war. Imagine you have a child or young adult with life-altering/threatening mental health issues (not mild anxiety or depression). On a good day, navigating mental illness is challenging. Obstacles include: inadequate care (only 41 percent of people diagnosed with a mental illness received care last year in the U.S. associated stigma and shame little understanding by the medical community at large, even less awareness in the general public the very nature of these very complex, challenging, confusing diseases When we hear cancer, patients and families are supported by the community with meals, compassion, and understanding. However, when we hear of mental illnesses like eating disorders, psychosis, suicide attempt, we run. We hide. Its 2020, yet mental illness remains one of the most stigmatized, misunderstood, and discriminated diseases, even by physicians, those that pledge to provide care to all people, not just those with a cool kids disease. Bring on COVID-19 hospitals locked down, family members isolated from ill loved ones, overtaxed frontline medical staff attempting to provide care in stressful conditions -in a system already biased against mental health patients, especially adult patients. What could possibly go wrong?? Enter: patients too mentally compromised to advocate for their own wellbeing and safety. Brains being held hostage by mental illness. Yet, these patients are left alone in an ERno one to advocate or support them with an illness poorly understood by medical professionals. Three different cases illustrate the atrocity and reveal the same theme: lack of sound resources and knowledge, and a lack of compassion, in a system already biased against their disease. Patient 1: A 19 year old with severe chronic anorexia with acute weight loss and prolonged caloric restriction, in need of medical stabilization due to her malnutrition, presents to the ER, a repeat scenario for many years. Her mother, a physician, and intimately knowledgeable of her extremely complex history, is not allowed to be present to give appropriate history. The patient refuses to be admitted despite being medically and psychiatrically unstable, as well as meeting admission criteria. ER doctor discharges the patient because she wanted to be without consideration of the above. And, the ER was busy. Her parents feel powerless, knowing when she decompensates to this point, only NG feeds can stabilize. Following day, she presents again to the ER, on the precipice of discharge once more despite worsening vital signs and labs. This time, her desperate physician mother knew the right buttons to push. The patient is finally admitted. Non-medical people would not have that insider knowledge for their ill loved ones. Period. Patient 2: A 22 year old with acute new-onset severe mania and psychosis and danger to self with a history of mild intermittent anxiety. Having increasingly progressive mental and emotional stress due to social isolation/distancing and reduced job hours. Over the course of five days, his parents took him to no less than three ERs and three psychiatric hospitals, but they were not allowed to be present to advocate for appropriate intervention. He was discharged each time, stable. Despite a signed release of information, his parents repeated attempts to speak to doctors were ignored. Parents forced to rotate shifts 24/7 to attempt to monitor their sons safety. Eventually admitted but discharged after less than 48 hours into 90+ degree weather, without ID or cell phone or a call to his parents, still psychiatrically unstable. Within less than 24 hours, the patient becomes physically violent with his parents and is transported to the state psychiatric facility. Patient 3: A 21 year old with a history of an eating disorder and severe depression who presents with suicidal ideation and a plan. Previous suicide attempts. Parents were not allowed in the ER with the patient to provide context. No family history or past medical/psychiatric history obtained. Discharged home. Not a danger to herself and a hospital full of COVID patients. Parents set up a rotating schedule to monitor her and remove all possible harmful objects from home. These real scenarios, of which I have intimate knowledge, have occurred in just the last two weeks. Imagine how many more there are. Sobering. So many things are coming undone in our health care system due to COVID 19. The disparities in care, the lack of a seamless public health system, politicians getting in the way. Mental health is the forgotten stepchild in the U.S. health care system. And yet, mental illness affects more Americans than any other disease, and the numbers are growing. Twenty-nine million Americans are affected by eating disorders, with the grim statistic of 1 death every 52 minutes. General mental illness lifetime prevalence is 46 percent. Half of all mental illness begins by age 14 and 75 percent by age 24. COVID-19 has brought the woeful inequities of appropriate mental health care front and center it cannot be ignored any longer. Mental illness is a brain-based neurologic disease. It is time to treat it as such. It is time for physicians to be educated on mental illness and to have the same compassion and urgency we have for cancer patients or other physical diseases. The brain is indeed a part of the body; brain illnesses should be treated with the same conviction, compassion, and attention as other physical illnesses. Mental health care is the not so silent collateral damage of COVID-19. We can and must do better for our mentally ill patients. They deserve it. Their families deserve it. As physicians, we took an oath to care for all people, not just those with a cool kids disease. It is time. Ann L. Contrucci is a pediatrician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region, is distributing cashew seedlings to farmers in the District under the governments flagship programme,Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD). Mr Ibrahim Sumara Alidu, the Builsa North District Director of MoFA, who disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Sandema, said the Department, with support from the District Assembly, was able to procure cashew seeds to support cashew farmers in the District. He said with the procured seeds, the Department was able to nurse and raise over 15,000 cashew seedlings for distribution to farmers, We followed up with some technical advice to farmers on the techniques involved in raising these seedlings to maturity. Mr Alidu said interested farmers were told, before distribution, to acquire their own pieces of farm lands before the seedlings were given out to them, and explained that cashew was a perineal crop which could survive for several years unlike annual crops. He said interested farmers were registered by the District Agricultural Extension Officers based on their communities, adding that since the launch of the PERD programme by Mr David Amoabil Afoko, the District Chief Executive, farmers continuously troop into offices of MoFA for their share of the seedlings. The Director said cashew was one of the exportable crops identified among other tree crops, and grew well in the agro ecological zone, it tolerates the environment that is why we are raising seedlings and distributing to farmers to go and grow and nurture them to maturity. Mr Alidu was hopeful that in about two to three years time, cashew farmers will derive the desired benefits of the crop. He said PERD was intended to promote rural and economic growth, enhance household incomes and ensure environmental sustainability, If these farmers are able to nurture the seedlings, it will go a long way to help them economically. Mr Alidu said the District was a beneficiary of the Rearing for Food and Jobs programme, and indicated that a list of farmers from various communities within the District were screened and 30 farmers who met the criteria were selected and their names submitted to the Regional MoFA office. A team from the Regional office also came and did further checks on the list that we submitted and they are satisfied. So we are now waiting for the animals to be brought to the Region, then we can have our share and distribute to our farmers. Asked if the COVID-19 pandemic had the tendency to affect general crop production in the District, the Director said even though it may affect production, I believe with the necessary sensitisation and education we have given, we should be able to have good production this year. He acknowledged the efforts of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana who organised COVID-19 workshop for farmers in the area and supported the Department with some logistics. Mr Alidu said farmers were discouraged from sharing farm tools and the act of drinking water with common cups as they used to do before the onset of COVID-19, and urged them to use their face masks and observe the social distancing protocol as they worked on their farms. 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 US judge has delayed the second federal execution in 17 years of a Kansas man Wesley Purkey (pictured) who raped and killed a girl, 16, and beat a woman, 80, to death in 1998 A US judge has delayed the second federal execution in 17 years of a Kansas man who raped and killed a 16-year-old girl and beat a woman, 80, to death back in 1998. A US District Court in Washington early on Wednesday delayed the execution of Wesley Purkey, 68, just hours before it was due to take place, following objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment. This comes as a federal judge denied requests from Iowa drug kingpin Dustin Honken who murdered five in 1993 for a delay to his execution scheduled for Friday. White supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee became the first to be executed by the federal government in almost two decades when he was put to death by lethal injection Tuesday. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed two injunctions prohibiting the federal Bureau of Prisons from moving forward with Purkey's execution Wednesday morning. 'The court finds that at least one of plaintiffs' claims has a likelihood of success on the merits, and that absent a preliminary injunction, plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm,' she said. The Justice Department immediately appealed in both cases. A separate temporary stay of execution was already in place from the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Purkey's lawyers had argued he is not mentally competent and that he believes his execution is part of a federal government conspiracy against him because of complaints he has raised about prison conditions. 'He has longstanding issues of mental illness, now suffers from Alzheimer's disease and his dementia has progressed to the point that he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government seeks to execute him,' said attorney Rebecca Woodman. She added: 'He has long accepted responsibility for the crime that put him on death row. But as his dementia has progressed, he no longer has a rational understanding of why the government plans to execute him.' Woodman also argued Purkey has a history of mental illness and an 'excruciating history of trauma at home and school' far longer than his dementia diagnosis. They say he was the victim of physical and sexual abuse as a child - including abuse by a Catholic priest - and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and psychosis when he was 14. A US District Court in Washington early on Wednesday delayed the execution of Wesley Purkey, 68, (pictured) just hours before it was due to take place, following objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment Purkey's victims: Jennifer Long, 16, (pictured) was last seen at East High School in Kansas City, Missouri on January 22, when she skipped lessons. Purkey confessed to her murder, saying he abducted the teenager, drove her to his home where he raped her and stabbed her to death Purkey's victims: 80-year-old Mary Bales (pictured) was beaten to death by the killer when he came to her home to fix a kitchen faucet Last week, three mental health organizations urged US Attorney William Barr to stop Purkey's execution and commute his sentence to life in prison without possibility of parole. Under the US Constitution, it is prohibited from executing an individual who does not have a reasonable understanding of why they are being executed. His lawyers also argued federal executions are not safe to conduct amid the coronavirus pandemic. 'This competency issue is a very strong issue on paper,' said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. 'The Supreme Court has halted executions on this issue in the past. At a minimum, the question of whether Purkey dies is going to go down to the last minute.' Chutkan didn't rule on whether Purkey is competent but said the court needs to evaluate the claim. She said that while the government may disagree with Purkey's lawyers about his competency, there's no question he'd suffer 'irreparable harm' if he's put to death before his claims can be evaluated. The mother of Purkey's teenage victim, Glenda Lamont, told the Kansas City Star last year she planned to attend the killer's execution. Purkey, of Lansing, Kansas, was sentenced to death for the brutal rape, murder and mutilation of Jennifer Long, 16, in Kansas City, Missouri back in 1998. Purkey (pictured in 1998), of Lansing, Kansas, was sentenced to death for the brutal rape, murder and mutilation of Jennifer Long, 16, in Kansas City, Missouri back in 1998. Months after Long's murder, he beat 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales to death A US District Court in Washington early on Wednesday delayed the execution of Purkey (pictured) just hours before it was due to take place, following objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment Jennifer was last seen at East High School in Kansas City, Missouri on January 22, when she skipped lessons. The teenage girl was then lured into Purkey's pickup truck outside a grocery store and was never seen again. Her remains have never been found. Purkey, 46 at the time and an ex-con who was high on crack, confessed to her murder in December, while in jail awaiting trial for the murder of an elderly woman. He told investigators he abducted the teenager, drove her to his home where he raped her and stabbed her to death. Purkey then used an electric chainsaw to dismember her body and burned her remains in a fireplace, before dumping her ashes 200 miles away in a septic pond in Clearwater, Kansas. Nine months after the brutal rape and murder, Purkey beat 80-year-old Mary Ruth Bales to death with a hammer and tried to set her body on fire in October. He had been working for a plumbing company at the time and had gone to Bales home to fix a kitchen faucet. Bales' neighbors saw him trying to burn the elderly woman's body and he was arrested. Purkey pleaded guilty to Bale's murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He was then convicted for Long's murder in 2003 and sentenced to death. A US judge has delayed the second federal execution in 17 years of a Kansas man who raped and killed a 16-year-old girl and beat a woman, 80, to death back in 1998. Pictured the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana where Wesley Purkey was due to be executed today and where Daniel Lewis Lee was put to death Tuesday Purkey's execution was set to take place in December but was put on hold by a federal judge before it was rescheduled for today at the US Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. It would have marked only the second federal execution in 17 years and the second amid the pandemic, after Lee was put to death at the same facility yesterday. Requests for a delay to the federal execution of another death row inmate were denied by a federal judge Tuesday. Dustin Honken, 52, an infamous Iowa drug kingpin who murdered five people in 1993, had applied for a delay to his execution which is slated to take place in Terre Haut Friday. US District Judge Leonard Strand wrote Tuesday that he would not intervene to delay Honken's execution date due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the Bureau of Prisons was in the best position to weigh the health risks against the benefits of carrying out the execution. Strand also denied Honken's motion to declare his execution void due to an alleged procedural error by the government and affirmed the executive branch's power to set the date for executions. A federal judge also turned down on Tuesday a request by Honken's spiritual adviser - a Catholic priest - to put the execution on hold until after the pandemic. Honken is on death row for the 1993 slayings of five people in Mason City. He shot and killed two men who planned to testify against him for operating a methamphetamine lab in Arizona, as well as a single, working mother and her ten-year-old and six-year-old daughters. Dustin Honken (pictured in 2004) had his request for a delay to his federal execution denied by a federal judge Tuesday. The infamous Iowa drug kingpin who murdered five people in 1993 is due to be executed Friday Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma, became the first to be executed by the federal government in 17 years Tuesday morning, when he died by lethal injection after the Supreme Court cleared the way overnight with a 5-4 vote. The self-confessed white supremacist was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife Nancy, and her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell. Lee continued to maintain his innocence up until his death, saying 'I didn't do it' just moments before he was executed at 8.07am EDT. 'I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I'm not a murderer... You're killing an innocent man,' he said. His execution, which came over the objection of the victims' family, was carried out after a series of legal volleys that ended when the Supreme Court stepped in early Tuesday in a 5-4 ruling and allowed it to move forward. It had been scheduled for Monday afternoon but was put on hold just hours earlier by a US District Court judge over concerns from death row inmates on how executions were to be carried out. An appeals court upheld the decision, but the high court overturned it. That delay came after an appeals court on Sunday overturned a hold that had been put in place last week after the victims' relatives argued they would be put at high risk for the coronavirus if they had to travel to attend the execution. Lee's execution was then set to happen at 4am EDT, but a last-minute legal question was raised by his lawyers. The Justice Department said in a statement it filed a request with the court to straighten it out but went through with the execution. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, of Yukon, Oklahoma, died by lethal injection Tuesday morning at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. He is pictured above waiting for his arraignment in Arkansas in October 1997 Lee, a self-confessed white supremacist, was convicted in Arkansas of the 1996 killings of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife Nancy, (pictured above) and her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell. He carried out the killings with his co-defendant Chevie Kehoe who received a life sentence Prosecutors said Lee and Kehoe incapacitated the Muellers and questioned eight-year-old Sarah (pictured) about where they could find money and ammunition. Then, they used stun guns on the victims, sealed trash bags with duct tape on their heads to suffocate them, taped rocks to their bodies and dumped them in a nearby bayou Lee was sentenced to death in 1999 for the brutal triple murder of a family in Arkansas in 1996. His co-defendant and the reputed ringleader, Chevie Kehoe, received a life sentence. Kehoe, of Colville, Washington, recruited Lee in 1995 to join his white supremacist organization, known as the Aryan Peoples' Republic. The duo dressed in police raid clothing and lay in wait in the home of gun dealer William Mueller, his wife Nancy, and her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah Powell, in Tilly, Arkansas, about 75 miles northwest of Little Rock, according to court documents. When the Muellers returned home, Lee and Kehoe overpowered and incapacitated Mueller and his wife. They then interrogated the couple's young daughter, Sarah, about where they could find cash, guns, and munitions. The home invaders found and took roughly $50,000 in cash, guns and ammunition. After robbing and torturing the victims with a stun gun, prosecutors said Lee covered their heads with plastic bags, sealed the bags with duct tape, weighed down each victim with rocks, and threw the family of three into the Illinois Bayou. The bodies of the three victims were found five months later. The decision to move forward with federal executions has drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups. Critics have argued that the Trump administration, which has been pushing for the executions, was creating an unnecessary and manufactured urgency for political gain ahead of the 2020 elections. The execution room at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana where Lee was put to death Tuesday Attorney General William Barr has said the Justice Department has a duty to carry out the sentences imposed by the courts, including the death penalty, and to bring a sense of closure to the victims and those in the communities where the killings happened. But relatives of those killed by Lee strongly opposed that idea and long argued that Lee deserved a sentence of life in prison. Honken is due to be sentenced to death July 17, while another child killer - Keith Nelson - has his execution date set for August 28 for the kidnapping, rape and strangulation of a 10-year-old girl. There have been two state executions in the US since the pandemic forced shutdowns nationwide in mid-March - one in Texas and one in Missouri, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Alabama carried out one in early March. Executions on the federal level have been rare and the government has put to death only three defendants since restoring the federal death penalty in 1988 - most recently in 2003 when Louis Jones was executed for the 1995 kidnapping, rape and murder of a young female soldier. Though there hadn't been a federal execution since 2003, the Justice Department has continued to approve death penalty prosecutions and federal courts have sentenced defendants to death. George Hand is a retired Master Sergeant from the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, and the Seventh Special Forces Groups (Airborne). The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own. Military units are strong on tradition, well, formal tradition anyway. Then then there are those un-recorded traditions, born and raised and assimilated into every unit's corporate culture. In my own squadron of Delta, there was the both cherished and despised tradition of birthday hazing. Everyone suffered from it because, well everyone has a birthday, and if you tried to keep your date secret, a new birthdate was promptly assigned to you, and you were to be hazed with additional spirit for your insolence. Above all, you were expected to fight, to fight hard against the birthday-boy onslaught. I fancied myself as one who despised the ritual. Over the years, I looked on in abject horror as men were blindfolded, bound, hung upside down, and dunked repeatedly into the swimming pool hanging by a rope tied to their legs. As you can imagine, I suffered minor nightmares as my birthday approached. And that day came. I entered my team room to the Cheshire grins of my brothers. Someone was singing Happy Birthday with a chuckle. I readied myself and, embracing the strategy I had devised, I spoke: "I've decided, gentlemen, that I would not be participating in this 'birthday bash' Tom-foolery. I'm protesting this with passive resistance; I won't fight you." The Reverend Chill-D got his name when he suddenly, unexpectedly and inexplicable, found Jesus once for about a week. The Reverend was the pinnacle instigator and executer of the most heinous of hazing events. He loved it; it was in his life's blood; he could taste it; he was born again into a world where hazing held the only key. "You're gonna do what you're not gonna do what, Geo??" he questioned with our noses damned-near touching tips. "I I I'm not going to fight you guys, Chill-D." I stammered. "Well, well, well" the Reverend continued, "Boys, looks like we got ourselves a coward! And we all know what we do with cowards!" Suddenly, a great pounce erupted in the room. There was much suffering and gnashing of teeth; sinew and tendon stretched dangerously close to its tinsel edge. Bone creaked and popped and nearly broke but held fast. When I came to, I couldn't move. I was bound, somehow, on every inch of my body and lying supine on the floor. I was gagged with what I recognized by taste as duct tape, a thing all military folk know as "hundred-mile-an-hour tape, roll, green in color, one each." I divined that my body too was bound in such fashion. From behind, I was lifted vertical at my head by an unseen force. I could understand now that I was duct taped to a moving dolly. "Time to go to the pool, Great Houdini we're throwing you in the pool taped to this dolly. Better start thinking how you're gonna free yourself!" and I truly did start to ponder that conundrum, as I knew my men not to be simple braggarts. How long could I hold my breath? What tools might I be carrying in my flight suit? A man shot into the room with a canteen cup and sheet of paper. With the shriek of more stripping of tape, the canteen cup was taped fast to my right hand, and the paper was slapped to my chest. "We're taking him right now to the finance window and standing him next to it!" reported the villain. I was rolled to the finance window and stood. There, in line at the window, was a group of eight women from the Unit waiting to collect travel funds. As the boys left me, there was much staring and blinking between me and the women. I rolled my eyes vigorously to the extent that I became nauseous. (Provided) "Please help" one of the women began to read the sign on my chest, "I must raise $4.56 to buy each of my friends a soda. If I fail to raise this money by 1300hrs, they will kill me." And the kind ladies each chipped in their change from their travel funds until I had some $5.00 and even a roll of Starburst candies. Yet I stood. I stood until some valiant men from our Signal Squadron came and sliced me loose. As I stepped back to my squadron bay pushing the dolly, I realized there would be more scunion to bear from the boys. I paused and as the pool door was just to my side, I stepped in and plunged myself into the watery goodness. I then sloshed my way through the squadron lounge where my brothers languished before the TV, being it still the lunch hour. "What the hell happened to you?" queried the Reverend. "Some pipe-hitters from C-Squadron cut me loose but then they throttled me and threw me in the pool!" I sulked as I headed for my team room. En route, I passed a bubba from our A-Assault team standing in the open doorway smiling at me. "How that that new passive resistance policy of yours working out for ya, Geo?" "Go f*ck yourself; that's how," said I. More articles from We Are the Mighty: This long-forgotten unit was the direct predecessor to Delta Force 5 key differences between Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 The 5 most decorated troops in American history We Are The Mighty (WATM) celebrates service with stories that inspire. WATM is made in Hollywood by veterans. It's military life presented like never before. Check it out at We Are the Mighty. The Techiman North District Chief Executive, Hon Peter Mensah has welcomed President Akufo-Addos call for a substantive and deliberative discourse political campaign devoid of insults and lies in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. According to the DCE, the country has seen monumental growth and developments in less than 4 years under the visionary President Nana Akuffu Addo, hence the need to highlight them instead of verification, vendetta, acrimony, ethnocentric and inflammatory comments that will not consolidate national cohesion adding that our great achievements of our Party across the different sectors of the Ghanaian economy. President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday appealed to the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) campaign communication for election 2020 should be devoid of ethnocentrism, religion, mudslinging and gender biases. He said rather, the partys campaigns should be based on a more substantive and deliberative discourse. The president made the call when he held a virtual meeting with members of his campaign communications advisory team in Accra. The NPP leader wants the campaign to be based on the competencies, records, output and achievements of his administration are presented to the electorates. Speaking to Newsmen in an interview on Tuesday July 14, 2020 Hon Peter Mensah appealed to Ghanaians to give President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government a second term in office in forthcoming December general elections. He applaudeded President Nana Akufo-Addo for the bold measures he has taken to deal with the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana. According to the Tuobodom DCE, the NPP government under the leadership of the President Akufo-Addo has outperformed within three and half years of its administration and made significant strides in all sectors of the economy. We dare not leave the many factories coming up, under our 1D1F scheme, to be truncated. We dare not leave the Free SHS to be reviewed. We dare not leave our roads to go unattended again, only to become part of a Green Book propaganda. We dare not jeopardise the digitization schedule on which we have embarked. We grow the economy, they shrink the economy. We create the properly regulated, enabling atmosphere for businesses to flourish, they allow chancers and speculators to lure citizens into putting their monies in dodgy enterprises. They bring our banks and financial services to near collapse, and we have to clean up, shore up and restore confidence. They plunge us into DUMSOR, we keep the lights on. They look on clueless, as hundreds of thousands of Ghanas children exit school at JHS, we bring Free SHS and Free TVET to prepare our children better to face life. They resort to crude language when faced with difficult arguments, we raise the level of public discourse. Hon Peter Mensah enumerated some major reasons why Ghanaians must give more years NPP to keep Nana-Bawumia legacy. 1. Expand and further strengthen the Free SHS Policy. 2. Complete the One District One Factory Policy. 3. Complete the One Village One Dam Policy. 4. Complete the Ghana Card Registration. 5. Complete the Railway Infrastructure Policy. 6. Complete the building of Kumasi International Airport. 7. Continue the Expansion of the Economy. 8. Complete the various road projects started by Akufo-Addo's administration and his predecessors. 9. Continue the Planting for food and Jobs Policy. 10. Complete the Housing Scheme and Projects. 11. Continue providing jobs for Ghanaians especially the youth. 12. Continue providing reliable supply of electricity. 13. Prevent Dumsor from reoccurring. 14. Provide enabling environment for the private sector to flourish. 15. Continue to provide seed capital to the youth who desire to set up their own businesses. 16. Complete building of solid institutions and systems to fight corruption. 17. Sustain the payment of Teacher trainees allowance. 18. Sustain the payment of Nursing trainees allowance. 19. Sustain the peace and stability of the Country. 20. Complete the digitization of the economy. 21. Ushers Ghana into full Cashlite Society. Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com Countries around the world are reimposing lockdowns and implementing new restrictions at their borders in an effort to curb a resurgence of coronavirus. Stricter health checks have come into effect at Greeces border with Bulgaria following an increase in tourism-related Covid-19 cases. Starting on Wednesday, all incoming travellers crossing the border point are required to carry negative coronavirus test results issued in the previous 72 hours and translated into English. The new rules have led to a drop in arrivals compared to recent days. (PA Graphics) Residents of Australias second-largest city, Melbourne, were warned on Wednesday to comply with lockdown regulations or face tougher restrictions. Melbournes five million people and part of the citys semi-rural surroundings are a week into a new, six-week lockdown to contain a new outbreak there. The time for warnings, the time for cutting people slack is over, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said. Where we are is in a very serious and deadly position. The developments come with more than 13 million cases of coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, and with more than 578,000 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are thought to be far higher due to reasons including limited testing. A man wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus in Belgrade (Darko Vojinovic/AP) In Serbia, which has been hit hard by a spike in infections and anti-government protests, a government crisis team expanded a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people from Belgrade to encompass the entire country. Masks were also made mandatory in public spaces where there is no opportunity for 1.5 metes of distancing, such as in lines to enter shops and bus stations. Renewed restrictions took effect in Hong Kong on Wednesday, with public gatherings limited to four people, restaurants restricted to takeaways after 6pm and a one-week closure for gyms, karaoke bars and selected other businesses. Masks are mandatory on public transport for the first time, with the non-compliant being fined. Story continues A woman removes her protective face mask and smokes a cigarette at a food market in the central Israeli town of Ramla (Oded Balilty/AP) After a surge in daily infections beginning last month, Israel moved last week to reimpose restrictions, closing events spaces, live show venues, bars and clubs. It has imposed lockdowns on areas with high infection rates, which in some cases sparked protests from residents. Officials have warned if case numbers do not come down in the coming days, Israel will have no choice but to lock down the entire country again, as it did in the spring. I dont see what other tools we have aside from a lockdown, Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein told the Israeli news site Ynet. Unless there is a miracle. South Africa is already showing signs of being overwhelmed by the pandemic an ominous outlook for the rest of the continent of 1.3 billion people. A ban on alcohol sales and a night curfew have been reimposed this week to reduce the volume of trauma patients to hospitals that are struggling to cope with an influx of Covid-19 patients. Police officers tell at a woman in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, that the use of a face mask is mandatory (Emilio Morenatti/AP) In Catalonia, Spain, 160,000 residents in and around the city of Lleida have been forbidden to leave their homes unless it is properly justified. The area is closed off, with police checkpoints outside every municipality. Bars and restaurants are only open for takeaways or delivery. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said on Wednesday that the spread of the infections in the Japanese capital has escalated to levels tantamount to issuing an alarm and requested residents and business owners to step up their preventive measures, while urging the government to legalize penalties for violators. But even as new restrictions are imposed, steps were being taken to help restore a sense of normality. On Tuesday night, Belarus Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko announced reopening the border with Russia and resuming the transport connection between the two countries in the coming days. From Wednesday, travellers arriving in Russia had to either provide coronavirus test results at the border or take a virus test within three days of arriving to the country. Those measures replace a mandatory two-week self-isolation for those arriving to Russia. The Red Sox have signed fourth-round pick Jeremy Wu-Yelland to a $200k bonus, according to a report from MLB.coms Jim Callis. Wu-Yelland, a lefty reliever from the University of Hawaii, received significantly less than the $487,900 recommended slot value at pick No. 118. 4th-rder Jeremy Wu-Yelland signs with @RedSox for $200k (slot 118 value = $487,900). Hawaii LHP, usually works with a low-90s fastball & a reliable changeup. @MLBDraft #WearAMask Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 14, 2020 Boston has now reached agreements with at least three of its four draft picks in Wu-Yelland, first-round pick Nick Yorke ($2.7 million) and third-rounder Blaze Jordan ($1.75 million). The club has only announced Yorkes deal so far, with two sources saying that delays in the lab processing the bloodwork of prospects has delayed the announcements of other signings. Wu-Yelland, a Spokane, Washington native, led Hawaii in appearances during the shortened spring season, posting a 0.69 ERA and striking out 16 batters in 13 innings over seven games. The 6-foot-2, 210-lb. junior wasnt drafted out of Central Valley High School in 2017 but established himself as one of the top relievers in the Big West conference over three years with the Rainbow Warriors. Wu-Yelland was recommended to the Red Sox by amateur scout J.J. Altobelli and the club thinks he has a chance to start in pros. We listed him as a starter, director of amateur scouting Paul Toboni said during a Zoom call after the draft. I think theres a chance that might be the case. Longterm, still a little bit unsure. But once again, we think the strikes are good enough. We think that hes able to get his pitches moving in a number of unique directions. Command, I think theres enough there right now. But were hoping he can take a little bit of a jump in that regard, too. Just how big of a jump he makes, which once again, were super optimistic, I wouldnt rule starting out. But I think we can always fall back on the plan of being up to 97 (mph) from the left side out of the pen. The Red Sox have committed $4.65 million of their $5,129,900 bonus pool, meaning they can sign Drohan for up to $479,900 without being penalized. The club is expected to finalize its draft signings in the coming weeks. Related links: Boston Red Sox draft pick Jeremy Wu-Yelland could be up to 97 mph out of bullpen, but still has chance to start Red Soxs J.J. Altobelli, whose father, stepmother, sister were killed with Kobe Bryant in helicopter crash, scouted draft pick Jeremy Wu-Yelland Boston Red Sox draft Jeremy Wu-Yelland, Hawaii LHP, in 4th round (No. 118 overall) MIAMI - California, Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 36,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday as restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic took hold in the United States and around the world in an unsettling sign reminiscent of the dark days of April. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus wait to cross an intersection in the central business district in Beijing, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. China is further easing restrictions on domestic tourism after reporting no new local cases of COVID-19 in nine days. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) MIAMI - California, Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 36,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday as restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic took hold in the United States and around the world in an unsettling sign reminiscent of the dark days of April. The soaring counts of confirmed infections and a mounting death toll led the mayor of Los Angeles to declare that the nation's second-largest city is on the verge of resorting to a shutdown of all but essential businesses. More school districts made plans to start the fall semester without on-site instruction, and the 2021 Rose Parade in California was cancelled. Other events went ahead undeterred. Thousands of auto-racing fans gathered at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee for a NASCAR event. Officials allowed 30,000 at the track, and the event marked the largest sporting event since the pandemic began four months ago. Disney World moved forward with the rolling opening of its Florida theme parks. California, Arizona, Florida and Texas reported a total of more than 450 new deaths. Alabama reported a pandemic-high one-day total of 40 deaths, and officials said the state will begin requiring face masks. A grave is prepared for a Muslim burial at Johannesburg's main Westpark Cemetery, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Graves are being prepared across the country as it faces a possible shortages of COVID-19 beds and oxygen supply as the country heads towards its coronavirus peak. (AP Photo Denis Farrell) In Texas, which again set a record for confirmed new cases, with nearly 10,800, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way to avoid another lockdown. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock required masks at indoor public spaces and at larger outdoor gatherings in counties where four or more people are known to have COVID-19. The Democrat's order came as the state reported a record number of new confirmed cases. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine, who has faced criticism from fellow Republicans over business closures, gave a televised address with an emotional appeal to residents to make sacrifices to protect their neighbours. But he stopped short of mandating masks. Among the sternest measures were in New York, where Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo added to a list totalling 22 states whose visitors will be required to quarantine for two weeks if they visit the tri-state region. Out-of-state travellers arriving in New York airports from those states face a $2,000 fine and a mandatory quarantine order if they fail to fill out a tracing form. The broad reach of the virus has brought scrutiny to governors' decisions. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a first-term Republican governor who has backed one of the country's most aggressive reopening plans, became the first U.S. governor to announce that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He plans to quarantine at home. Ticket agents wear protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic while helping travelers at LaGuardia Airport, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Stitt, who has resisted a statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself, attended President Donald Trumps rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts have said likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there. Stitt said hes confident he didnt contract the virus at the gathering. Florida surpassed 300,000 confirmed cases, reporting 10,181 new infections as its daily average death rate keeps rising. Major cities have required masks, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a statewide order, arguing that it's best decided and enforced locally. Still, the Republican governor on Tuesday wore a mask while speaking publicly for the first time at a roundtable news conference with Miami-Dade County mayors. We have broken single-day records several times this week, and theres nothing about it that says were turning the corner or seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I dont see that in the numbers," said Dr. Nicholas Namias, chief of trauma and surgical critical care at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He said diminishing bed capacity is creating problems at the Miami medical centre. Guardia Civil officers patrol on the street at the resort of Magaluf, in Punta Ballena town, on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca, Spain, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Authorities in Spain's Balearic Islands are pulling the plug on endless drunken nights to the beat of techno music by closing bars and nightclubs in beachfront areas popular with young and foreign visitors. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla) Were getting to the point where its going to be full. We have gridlock, and we wont be able to take patients, and theyll just be stacked in the ERs, Namias said. In Washington, a divided approach to the pandemic spilled into public view in extraordinary fashion, with trade adviser Peter Navarro panning Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert. Fauci called the criticism nonsense and a bit bizarre. Trump stepped in to referee, saying were all on the same team. Businesses instituted restrictions, too, with Walmart becoming the largest U.S. retailer to require customers to wear face coverings at all of its Sams Club and namesake stores. In Las Vegas, some casinos began limiting smoking to keep customers from removing the masks they are required to wear. Organizers cancelled the 2021 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, because of the pandemic's impact on long-range planning for the New Years tradition, according to the Tournament of Roses Association. But Disney World welcomed visitors to Epcot and Hollywood Studios despite the surge of cases in the state. Other countries, meanwhile, imposed lockdowns and implemented new health checks at their borders. French visitors take photos from the third level during the opening up of the top floor of the Eiffel Tower, Wednesday, July 15, 2020 in Paris. The top floor of Paris' Eiffel Tower reopened today as the 19th century iron monument re-opened its first two floors on June 26 following its longest closure since World War II. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) All travellers arriving in Greece from a land border with Bulgaria were required to carry negative coronavirus test results issued in the previous 72 hours. The new rules, which follow an increase in tourism-related COVID-19 cases, triggered an immediate drop in arrivals compared with recent days. Gergana Chaprazova, 51, from Plovdiv in southern Bulgaria, planned to visit the Greek seaside town of Kavala with her husband and complained that she was being tested again. I have to wait for a test, but I (already) have a test from Bulgaria. I dont understand why I must have a test here, she told The Associated Press. More than than 13 million coronavirus cases were confirmed worldwide, with over 580,000 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are thought to be far higher for a number of reasons, including limited testing. Romania, citing the rising number of infections, announced a 30-day extension of a nationwide state of alert. And residents of Australias second-largest city, Melbourne, were warned to comply with lockdown regulations or face tougher restrictions. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The time for warnings, the time for cutting people slack, is over, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said. In Israel, officials warned that if infection numbers dont dwindle in the coming days,they will have no choice but to lock down the entire country again, as it did in the spring. South Africa is already showing signs of being overwhelmed by the pandemic an ominous outlook for the rest of the continent of 1.3 billion people. A ban on alcohol sales and a nightly curfew were reimposed this week to reduce the volume of trauma patients to hospitals that are struggling to cope with an influx of COVID-19 patients. One result was more economic pain in a country that already has a high unemployment rate of 30%. ___ Tucker reported from Washington. Kantouris reported from Promachonas, Greece. AP reporters around the world contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- In late June, when India banned 59 Chinese apps, including global sensation TikTok, the short-video platform stopped working for its 200 million local users. Within hours, an avalanche of new sign-ups pushed the servers of one of its Bangalore-based rivals, Roposo, to breaking point. Two weeks on, Roposo, which also offers short videos, says its peaking at 500,000 new users an hour and expects to have 100 million by months end. Thats almost double the 55 million it had before the ban, and puts Roposo among a profusion of Indian startups to benefit from TikToks troubles in the country. The ban from Prime Minister Narendra Modis government covered other big Chinese names such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.s UC Web mobile browser and Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat messaging app, and came amid a brutal border face-off between India and China that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. While India cited privacy and security concerns, the restrictions are poised to dramatically alter the competitive landscape in the nations digital economy. They give local firms a fighting chance at winning a larger chunk of the countrys more than half-a-billion internet denizens. And they could pave the way for some Indian firms to compete more aggressively with global giants such as Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc., who are also seeking to profit from one of the worlds largest digital booms. It was a rocket ship instant for the countrys app startups, said Naveen Tewari, founder of the startup that owns Roposo, munching nuts against the backdrop of the red-brick-walled study in his Bangalore home on a recent Zoom call. We have a viable chance to become the worlds fourth technology hub after the U.S., China and Russia. His decade-old digital advertising startup InMobi, Roposos parent, has in earlier years drawn investments from global names such as SoftBank Group. Last year, PayPal co-founder and billionaire investor Peter Thiel backed its unit, Glance, which acquired Roposo in November. Story continues Roposo features videos showcasing moves set to Bollywood music, humor minus the ribaldry, pranks, fashion and even jokes about the coronavirus pandemic. Roposo, as Tewari put it, is the app you wont be embarrassed to show your mom. TikTok has faced censure from courts, womens groups, users and governments for content seen as sexually explicit or for the depiction of events like acid attacks on women. Roposo and other Indian TikTok imitators, on the other hand, market their content as fun thats more in line with Indias relatively conservative culture. TikTok didnt respond to requests for comment for this story. In a June 30 statement, it said it was invited to meet government stakeholders to provide clarifications, and has and will continue to comply with security and data privacy requirements under Indian law. The Chinese app has in the past emphasized its efforts to moderate content and said its policies dont permit videos that risk peoples safety, promote physical harm or glorify violence against women. Earlier this year, it suspended the account of a prominent content creator for posting a mock acid attack video. Many Indian apps have a late start, and most lack the sophistication and user-friendly interfaces of TikTok. Nor do they have the investment appetite and the deep pockets of the likes of TikTok parent Bytedance Ltd., which is the worlds most valuable startup and was valued at more than $100 billion in May. Still, the Indian governments ban throws open multiple, billion user business models, said Manjunath Bhat, a senior director analyst at Gartner Inc. Indias entrepreneurs didnt lack talent, they were just short on ambition, Bhat said. The combined effect of the coronavirus lockdown and the app ban presents a never-before, never-again opportunity. With Indian names like Chingari (Hindi for spark), Mitron (meaning friends) and Bolo Indya (Tell me, India), a string of small Indian TikTok challengers, have been notching up titanic user numbers since the ban on the Chinese apps. Some like the Moj app are barely weeks old. Battlers in other categories have also received a windfall as other Chinese names like highly-downloaded image scanner CamScanner were also blocked. The new contenders from a variety of categories have three themes in common. Their apps are made in India. Their data is stored in India. Their content, mainly in regional languages, is attuned to local sensibilities. The followers of an Indian spiritual guru, Sri Sri Ravishankar, created Elyments, an all-in-one rival for WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. Asias richest man Mukesh Ambani, of the Reliance conglomerate, launched JioMeet, a video conferencing rival to the popular San Jose-based Zoom. Sumit Ghosh, cofounder of Chingari, says many of the China short video apps have adult content designed to grab attention and ensure they go viral. In contrast, our algorithms are built to ensure trash will never trend on Chingari, said Ghosh. Its videos are slow-dripped to users to check for offensive content. If multiple users complain, videos are pulled off. Ghosh and his cofounder began building the app just over a year ago when data consumption started exploding. It catered to Indians in smaller towns who hungered for relatable, Indian language content. In the months that followed, the founders closely matched TikTok, feature for feature, adding everything from livestreams to AR filters, the computer-generated special effects that users can layer over real-life video and images. Bangalore-based Chingari, which had 3.5 million users on the day of the ban, says it has crossed 17.5 million. Its overwhelmed founders are now creating a company, Chingari Media Pvt. They are drawing up a corporate and equity structure, testing revenue strategies and growing their eight-engineer team. TikTok influencers stars with huge following who market products and services - are popping up by the thousands on Ghoshs Twitter asking to be on Chingari as verified users. He says his startup is in late funding talks. In New Delhi, Trisha Girdhars influencer management agency could portend the future. Until last month, TikTok accounted for the bulk of her earnings. Now, the 22-year-old is now straining to shift her star clients - influencers from far-flung towns like Akola, Nabha, Katni and Birati - to Roposo and other platforms. Brands are looking seriously at our influencers, said Girdhar who herself specializes in belly dancing videos and has a fan following on Roposo. Roposo itself is getting a deluge of influencer marketing agencies and celebrities wanting to come aboard. Its discussing contracts with celebrity users and content creators. Its investing in camera filters and Indian themes. This isnt an opportunity just for entrepreneurs, said Tewari. Investors ought to be rushing over. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. New York, July 15 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that he is confident that the world's free nations will join together to face the challenges from China to India and other countries in Asia. "I think that the whole world is coalescing around the challenge that we face (from China)... I am confident that democracies, the free nations of the world, will push back on these," he said while replying to a question about the Chinese confrontation with India in the Ladakh region. He said that India was "an important partner" of the US and "I have a great relationship with my Foreign Minister counterpart (S Jaishankar). We talk frequently about a broad range of issues. We talked about the conflict that they had along the border with China, we talked about the threat that emanates from the Chinese telecommunication infrastructure". He mentioned India's ban on 56 Chinese apps from operating on cell phones within the country because of the threat to the country's security. On China's claims to the maritime territories of Asian countries and aggressive actions there, he said that the US "will use the tools we have, we will support all countries across the world that recognise that China has violated their territorial claims, their maritime claims as well. We will provide them with assistance". China has maritime conflicts with Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan and has increased its aggressive conduct in the region even as its troops clashed with the Indian Army in Ladakh. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) KABUL - Several mortar shells fired by Pakistani troops landed in a border village in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing four civilians and wounding nine others, an Afghan provincial spokesman said. In Pakistan, police accused Afghan forces of initiating an exchange of fire a day earlier. Abdul Ghani Musamem, spokesman for the governor of Afghanistans Kunar province, said Afghan forces returned fire Wednesday. A lawmaker from Kunar, Wazhma Safi, said if Pakistan continued to fire over the border, the issue would be discussed at the diplomatic level. She said she believes Taliban insurgents, backed by Pakistan, were behind the attack on Afghan soil. Safis comments come as a fresh round of peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban are expected this month in Doha, Qatar which were delayed due to postponement of a prisoner exchange between the sides. Under the Feb. 29 signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace deal, the Afghan government is to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners and the Taliban are to release 1,000 Afghan national defence and security personnel. So far, the government has freed 4,015 and the Taliban has freed 669, according to the Afghan government. In Pakistan, Mamoond district police chief Shahzada Kaukab said a rocket fired from Afghan forces struck a home in the district Tuesday, wounding a woman and damaging her home. He said Pakistani troops returned fire but exercised restraint to avoid any escalation. The Pakistani and Afghan governments often accuse each other of initiating fire in the border region, where militant groups are often interlinked on both sides of the border. Mamoond district was once a haven for local militants and Taliban insurgents. Pakistan says the army has cleared the area in recent years, although violence persists. Militants who were not killed have mostly fled across the rugged mountains into neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,500-kilometre (1,550-mile) border known as the Durand Line, which Pakistan considers to be an international border. Afghanistan rejects the colonial-era border created in 1893. In 2017, Pakistan said it had started building a fence along the border as part of efforts aimed at curbing militancy. But the move sparked condemnation in Kabul. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in a phone conversation with Afghans foreign minister offered to host intra-Afghan peace talks if both sides agree, said ministry spokesman Gran Hewad. ___ Associated Press writer Anwarullah Khan contributed to this report from Khar, Pakistan. SCHOHARIE Plea-bargain negotiations between prosecutors and lawyers for Nauman Hussain, the operator of the limousine company that owned the stretch limo that crashed in Schoharie, killing 20 people nearly two years ago, ended Wednesday with no sign an agreement was in place. A new conference with Schoharie County Judge George Bartlett III was scheduled for July 30. Hussain and his attorney, Lee Kindlon, participated Wednesday in a video conference with District Attorney Susan Mallery and Bartlett. The 4 p.m. session concluded without announcement of an agreement. Such plea discussions are usually held behind closed doors. "I have no update on a plea or a potential trial date," Kindlon said later. "However I can say that the conference went well. Given the sensitive nature of the discussions around this case, I cannot comment further. Earlier: Possible plea deal roils limo crash case Last week, attorneys for the relatives of those killed in the Oct. 6, 2018, crash said they'd been told a plea deal was in place and that their clients felt they were left out of the discussions of a possible plea bargain that they believe could spare Hussain, 30, from serving prison time. The crash in the countryside outside of the village of Schoharie remains the nations deadliest transportation disaster in more than a decade. The Ford Excursion limo carrying 17 friends from Amsterdam to Cooperstown for a 30th birthday celebration ran a stop sign on Route 30 in Schoharie and crashed into an SUV in the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Country Store. The Excursion slammed into the side of a ditch after killing two pedestrians in the parking lot. A grand jury indicted Hussain on 20 counts each of criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter. The manslaughter charges carry a maximum of 5 to 15 years in prison. A forensics expert hired by the State Police ruled the crash was caused by a cataclysmic malfunction of the vehicle's brakes due to long-time neglect. The 34-foot-long limo showed "compelling evidence of the protracted history of neglect of proper inspection and maintenance, with specific emphasis expressed regarding braking system component deficiencies of the vehicle, Brian F. Chase, chief forensics expert at Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Services and Consulting, found. But an interview investigators did with a former manager at a Mavis Discount Tire outlet in Saratoga Springs gave a boost to the assertion by Hussains lawyers that he had no knowledge the limousines brakes were unsafe. The former manager of at Mavis told investigators in September 2019 that the auto shop had falsified invoices and failed to perform critical brake work on the vehicle. The alleged falsification of the records and the shop's purported failure to perform work on the Excursion were part of a systemic practice at the auto service outlet as it tried to meet corporate sales quotas, according to court records. The defense contends Hussain trusted that the repair work was done and is expected to raise the matter to convince a jury he is not to blame. The U.S. Department of Education is delaying the federal collection of civil rights dataa biennial survey thats considered a key source of information about the nations students, teachers, and schoolsbecause of the coronavirus. Instead of covering the 2019-20 school year, as originally planned, the Education Department said earlier this month that it will move the latest round of the Civil Rights Data Collection to the upcoming school year. In addition, the department raised the possibility of not undertaking the collection of data from every public school in the country in the latest round, which would be a significant departure from recent years. In a document attached to proposed changes to the collectionmore on that belowthe Education Department said that based on concerns it heard from districts and others about the collection during the pandemic, it has decided to shift the 201920 CRDC to the 202021 school year. A separate supplemental document also states that this decision has been made. Theres no federal law mandating that this data collection take place every two years. The department said references to the 2019-20 data collection have changed to refer to the 2020-21 collection. In response to questions, the Education Department said it has determined to postpone other data collections besides the CRDC. School districts that already began collecting the data internally can release it to the public as they deem appropriate. One of the primary reasons for the postponement is the uncertainty and unreliability of any data collected for the 2019-2020 school year, given the significant and rapid change that happened in most schools when the coronavirus outbreak began, department spokeswoman Angela Morabito said. What will most benefit vulnerable students is returning to the classroom and resuming full-time instruction. Last November, the department released proposed changes to the substance of the CRDC. The department said it wanted to stop gathering data about preschool enrollment by race, the number of first-year teachers, and a lot of school-level funding information. Simultaneously, the department proposed collecting more information about sexual violence and religous harassment. Not surprisingly, that plan divided opinion in the education community . That proposed shift in the collection is open for public comment until Aug. 6. Its in documents about that proposed change that the department announced its decision to delay the latest collection until 2020-21. The Civil Rights Data Collection is some of the most high-profile information the Education Department shares with the public about the nations schools. Its used by the federal government, researchers, and education lobbyists to enforce laws, research various policies and practices, and push for federal and other government action on various issues. Its taken place every two years since 1968, and since 2011-12 its collected a wealth of data from every public school in America. And its been used to leverage prominent and controversial initiativesthe Obama administration used the data from the collection to help justify 2014 guidance to schools about racial disparities in school discipline , for example. Thats not to say the data provided is flawless. Its self-reported by school districts and has contained glaring errors in the past , as in the case of a California district that initially and erroneously reported more than 200 rapes in one year. In another instance, districts reported school shootings that did not actually take place . Recently, there have also been jarring and inexplicable swings in data about school segregation . Its also worth remembering that schools already collect a significant portion of the data required by the CRDC for their states. And its not entirely clear to what extent school districts collected information for the federal collection before the pandemic took hold. For the 2020-21 collection, the department also says it plans to conduct a CRDC collection in a way that covers schools universally.However, if it determines that a universal collection of data from all schools and districts is not possible, the department says, Then OCR [the office for civil rights] will work closely with NCES to finalize the sample selection plan. Really Important to Understanding Because of the unprecedented burden on schools the coronavirus is imposing, a significant adjustment to the CRDC is justified, said Kristen Harper, the director of policy and outreach at Child Trends, a research group. However, she expressed concern that the department chose to delay, rather than modify, the entire data collection. She said that while some data about student and teacher behavior may be less relevant during a pandemic when many schools are operating remotely, information about other aspects of schools like the number of school nurses and counselors on staff has become, if anything, even more crucial than before the virus began to spread. There are metrics that are really important to understanding differences in educational opportunities and school capacity, Harper said. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the chairman of the House education committee and a frequent critic of how DeVos has handled education civil rights, said in a statement that the departments decision to delay the collection undermines congressional intent to report vital information to parents and the public. The Department cannot continue relying on a pandemic as an excuse to ignore its responsibility to confront discrimination in public education, Scott said. Harper also noted that the department has yet to release the data from the 2017-18 CRDC. The 2015-16 CRDC is the most recent such data collection to be publicly released by the department. In a public comment on a federal website that includes notification of the departments decision, Peter Desjardins, who identified himself as a school administrator, wrote, At this time many LEAs are stretched to the brink trying to keep up with new demands set by the COVID-19 closures. The CRDC reporting [requirement] is burdensome to begin with. Asking schools to submit this data would be one more mandate that takes resources from children. Follow us on Twitter @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Politics K-12 reporters @EvieBlad @Daarel and @AndrewUjifusa . A 37-year-old Allentown man who struggled with police and is apparently the subject of a video depicting police aggressively subduing a man faces minor charges after the incident Saturday. City police said Edward Borrero Jr was intoxicated and a danger to himself and others as he walked down the street violently vomiting before yelling in an aggressive grunting style outside St. Lukes Hospital-Sacred Heart. After a struggle, he was eventually taken into custody by officers, court papers say. The Lehigh County District Attorneys Office is investigating the actions of three city police officers as a staggering and vomiting man was taken into custody Saturday evening outside the hospital at 421 Chew St. Allentown police on Wednesday morning would not confirm Edward Borrero Jr., of an apartment in the 900 block of Benton Street, was the man who was detained by the officers in the district attorneys probe. The district attorneys office did not confirm either, saying the incident was still under investigation. There have been Black Lives Matters demonstrations since a viral video of the arrest under investigation was released and city council is seeking to take action. In court papers, a city police officer says the affidavit of probable cause in the Borrero case does not contain every aspect of this investigation, but only those facts to establish probable cause. The officer was outside the hospital when he saw Borrero walking east on Chew Street toward the medical facility, court papers say. City police in a Sunday news release said the incident under investigation began at 6:42 p.m. Court papers say the accusation against Borrero was made at 7:19 p.m., but doesnt list a start time for the incident, possibly because officers were already there. The defendant was violently vomiting while he was walking, police said in court papers. That is consistent with video of the incident under investigation. Borrero stopped outside the emergency department and kept throwing up, police said. Same as in the video. When Borrero stopped vomiting, he began to yell in an aggressive grunting style while banging his fists on his knees, police said. The yelling man in the video seems to stick his hands between his legs rather than hitting his knees, but does show his fists at various times. Officers determined that the male was intoxicated to the point where he was a danger to himself and others, police said about Borrero in court papers. In the nine-minute soundless video of the incident under investigation, police, who had been standing back for about four minutes, approach the man, who takes a knee and sticks out his hands, then points and appears to yell at medical personnel before officers, having failed to handcuff the struggling and now standing man, take him to the ground to finish the task. In the court paperwork, Borrero was yelling obscenities at Sacred Heart ER staff. As officers went to handcuff Borrero, he tensed up and made if difficult for officers to place his hands behind his back, court papers say. The defendant continued to resist and not allow officers (to) place his hands behind his back. The defendant kept his arms close to his stomach and was tense. Officers were able to place the defendants hands behind his back and handcuff the male. In the video, an officer briefly puts his arm and then leg on the mans head and possibly neck and the officers leg returns for a moment to the mans head when he lifted his head. An officer found a hypodermic needle on Borrero during a search, court papers say. The man in the video was taken into the hospital for treatment and later released. Borrero is not in custody and the degree of the charges do not require arraignment. Borrero was charged Saturday night with possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct/engaging in fighting and public drunkenness and similar misconduct, court papers say. He will receive a summons by mail that will include preliminary hearing date before District Judge Patricia C. Devine. Since 2012, Borrero has been charged 10 times in Lehigh County, generally with drug paraphernalia and/or public drunkenness, records show. He has served time in jail, at times sentences of probation became jail time when he violated conditions, records show. In the past couple of years, he has faced possession with intent to deliver drugs charges out of Philadelphia and although he initially received probation, he eventually served jail time, getting out on parole in March of this year, records show. Borrero doesnt have a listed phone number and couldnt initially be reached for comment. The district attorneys investigation wasnt complete as of Wednesday morning. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting lehighvalleylive.com with a voluntary subscription. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Were paid to join Congress: Team Sachin Pilot hits back at Ashok Gehlot India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, July 15: Countering Rajasthan chief minister's allegation about horse-trading and a Rs 20 crore deal, Ramesh Meena, a former minister, close aide of Sachin Pilot has questioned Ashok Gehlot about the money paid to MLAs from Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party, who joined the Congress over the years. Meena was one of MLAs who joined the Congress fold. "Today Gehlot is saying that Crores of money is being offered and accepted. All I would like to ask him that when we were in BSP and later joined Congress, how much did he give us? He should answer that honestly," said Ramesh Meena who was sacked as Rajasthan minister. Blaming Gehlot for the present crisis, Meena said that "People were dissatisfied with his pattern of work, bureaucrats dominated and lawmakers were unable to work. CM never paid heed to our demands and had a tyrannical attitude." Rajasthan: As Pilot shows inclination towards forming new party, BJP to wait and watch Pilot, as well as Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena removed as ministers after they refused to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur. Ashok Gehlot alleges Sachin Pilot indulged in horse trading, says 'himself doing deal'|Oneindia News The CLP unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Gehlot-led government and accusing the BJP of destabilising the government by indulging in horse-trading of MLAs. Thousands of demonstrators marched through Baku, Azerbaijan, on the night of July 14-15 to show solidarity with the countrys army following border clashes with Armenias military. This video shows a large crowd of people congregated near the Martyrs Lane Mosque in Baku, chanting and waving the Azerbaijani flag. The Interior Ministry said that seven people were arrested after they entered the parliament building and caused damage, according to the BBCs Azeri service. Press reports said 16 people were killed in confrontations that began on Sunday, July 12, including 10 Azeri soldiers and a general, and four Armenian servicemen. The clashes came in the Tavush region in northeast Armenia, to the north of the disputed mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region between the two countries. Credit: Melek Bayramli via Storyful The Customs Department questioned M Sivasankar, former principal secretary to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans for over nine hours at the Customs House here in connection with the case relating to the smuggling of gold via diplomatic channel into Kerala. Sivasankar who arrived a little post 5 pm at the Customs House was seen leaving the building around 2: 30 am on Wednesday. He was questioned as part of the ongoing probe by Customs and National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the gold smuggling case. This is the first time a senior IAS officer is being questioned for such long duration in the State. Sivasankar reached the Thiruvananthapuram Customs Office after Customs officials served him a notice at his residence summoning him for questioning. Although Customs officials were tight-lipped about the development, it is learnt that the expelled bureaucrat was quizzed about his close connection with Sarith PS and Swapna Suresh, who have been named as the first and the second accused by Customs in the gold smuggling case and who are under the custody of investigation agencies. Phone call records that have surfaced of Sarith PS and Swapna Suresh, arrested in case related to smuggling of around 30 kilograms of gold in air cargo meant addressed to the UAE consulate in Thiruvanthapuram, have revealed that they had multiple conversations with Sivasankar, who was in charge of Kerala CMO as its principal secretary. Also, Swapna Suresh, was working under the IT department in which Sivasankar was the IT secretary. The phone call records show that from April 20 to June 1, Sarith had telephoned Sivasankar several times and the former IT secretary also made calls to Sarith five times. This development comes days after 30 kg of gold worth Rs 14.82 crore smuggled in consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by Customs in Thiruvananthapuram. The NIA has registered an FIR under Sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, against four accused persons, of which three have been arrested. (ANI) For the first time, a futurist will speak at E-Day. The "T-Chat - Futurising Your Business: Renaissance from the Age of Digitalisation" seminar will address emerging issues in the post-COVID-19 era, with Gerd Leonhard shedding light on future trends in such fields as business, society and governance in the face of exponential technological progress. Please contact Creative Consulting Group or the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department: Creative Consulting Group Wendy Chan Tel: +852 3159 2962 / +852 6758 4869 Email: wendy.chan@creativegp.com June Wong Tel: +852 3159 2909 / +852 6986 5822 Email: june.wong@creativegp.com HKTDC Leslie Ng Tel: +852 2584 4239 Email: leslie.ss.ng@hktdc.org HONG KONG, July 15, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - In light of the COVID-19 situation, this year's HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) has undergone a transformation in terms of format and content, with a series of seminars being broadcast live on 16 and 17 July. The public can register for free at https://hktdc.hermeslive.com/en/.HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Stephen Liang said: "Start-ups have been bearing the brunt of the unprecedented challenges, such as the impact on capital flow, brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the new normal has given rise to business opportunities through the use of pioneering innovative technologies."Mr Liang added that this year's E-Day, under the theme "Revive, Redefine", highlights the practical and inspirational aspects of start-ups that can help to ensure the survival, growth, transformation and sustainability of the current business ecosystem in the face of significant changes and challenges, while promoting the agility necessary to embrace future challenges. The seminars feature more than 30 heavyweight speakers from such fields as smart logistics, education technology and biotechnology to share how to deploy pioneering ideas and innovative technologies to disrupt existing industries and tap into new markets.Insights into the future of entrepreneurshipE-Day will be joined by Gerd Leonhard, a futurist who will address the audience from Switzerland tomorrow (16 July) to shed light on emerging issues in the post-COVID-19 economy and future trends in such areas as business, society and governance in the context of exponential technological progress. Mr Leonhard will share how the future of jobs, work and commerce is being redefined amid the challenges and transformation brought about by the pandemic; examine the role of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in creating major breakthroughs in a technology-dominated future; and look at what start-ups and entrepreneurs can do to be future-ready. He will be joined by Karena Belin, CEO & Co-Founder of WHub, Dr Toa Charm, Associate Professor, Business School, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Herbert Chia, Venture Partner at Sequoia Capital China, to discuss how COVID-19 will shape decision-making for start-ups, incubators and venture capitalists in Hong Kong and Asia.Another seminar tomorrow, titled "From Crisis to Chances" will examine how entrepreneurs are able to turn challenging situations into opportunities, offering inspiration to the audience. Highlighting Hong Kong's research excellence and the city's experience in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, Professor Yeung King-lun from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology will share how his team reacted to the challenges presented by the global pandemic to develop a smart anti-microbial coating, the Multilevel Antimicrobial Polymer (MAP-1) coating, to control infectious diseases. Designed for use on different surfaces including wood, glass, metals, concrete, plastics, fabrics, leathers and textiles, the coating provides lasting protection and surface disinfection against microbial contamination for a period of up to 90 days. The smart coating has already been applied in more than 70 day-care centres, homes for the elderly, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. In addition, Professor HC Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, will share on how his team launched the General Use Face Shield to provide enhanced protection for the public and minimise the risk of virus transmission within the community.Business opportunities are also arising for start-ups in fields such as fintech, smart city and education technology. Katherine Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer of on-demand online tutoring platform Snapask, will share on how recent social distancing measures have unleashed opportunities for the Hong Kong-based start-up in both local and overseas markets. Founded five years ago, Snapask is now serving over 3.2 million students with more than 350,000 tutors across eight Asian locations - Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea. The start-up has registered an increase of 1.3 million users over the past 12 months, including a big surge due to the suspension of classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In Hong Kong, the platform currently has some 40,000 tutors and 200,000 active users, most of whom are high school students with a high percentage of them preparing for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination. Some parents also seek advice while helping their primary school kids with their homework. Understanding the demand from students studying late at night, Snapask has pushed the boundaries of traditional tutoring to offer a 24-hour service. Apart from its app, Snapask is also developing business-to-business (B2B) solutions using AI technology to provide personalised learning resources through big data analysis.Disrupting industries with pioneering ideasAt the event's plenary session tomorrow morning, titled "Revive, Redefine", William Ip, Managing Director of Carousell Hong Kong, and Crystal Pang, Co-Founder of Pickupp, will share how their start-ups are working to redefine their respective industries through pioneering ideas. Mr Ip will share how the company has promoted the concept of a "sharing" future through its customer-to-customer (C2C) marketplace. Ms Pang will introduce how the start-up is redefining the delivery industry and expanding its business in the Asian market. Pickupp also works with genetic testing and digital health company Prenetics to provide a door-to-door saliva specimen collection service for patients who need to undergo COVID-19 testing.In addition, the newly launched Enterprise Connect series, featuring Arup, Epson and Fung Group, will showcase how enterprises can join hands with start-ups to create shared value and revive businesses across different industry pillars.Representatives from the media are welcome to join the closed-door seminars, which will be held at S226-228 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Details are as follows:16 July (Day 1)Plenary Session: Revive, RedefineTime: 11:30am-12:30pmSpeakers:- William Ip, Managing Director, Carousell Hong Kong- Crystal Pang, Co-founder, PickuppLanguage: EnglishFrom Crisis to Chances: Unleashing Opportunities in Challenging TimesTime: 3:15pm-4:15pmSpeakers:- Professor Yeung King-lun, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering & Division of Environment and Sustainability, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology- Professor HC Man, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University- Katherine Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer, Snapask (Holdings) IncLanguage: EnglishT-Chat - Futurising Your Business: Renaissance from the Age of Digitalisation (Exclusive online broadcast session)Time: 4:30pm-6pmSpeaker: Gerd Leonhard, CEO, The Futures AgencyPanellists:- Karena Belin, CEO & Co-Founder, WHub- Dr Toa Charm, Associate Professor, Business School, Chinese University of Hong Kong- Herbert Chia, Venture Partner, Sequoia Capital ChinaLanguage: EnglishPlease click here for details of all seminars over both days of E-Day. https://tinyurl.com/ycm58f7bPhoto download: https://bit.ly/328BLYhAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn.Source: HKTDCContact:Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Carlos Asencio, the man accused of fatally stabbing his former girlfriend last summer at OConnors Restaurant in Worcester, is facing new charges in connection with the attack inside the womans house months before the fatal attack. Records on file in Middlesex Superior Court show Asencio, 29, was indicted July 10 on charges of home invasion, strangulation, armed and masked robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault in a dwelling, assault with a dangerous weapon, using body armor in a felony, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, ammunition possession and possession of burglarious tools. All of the charges stem from the April 21, 2019 home invasion inside Amanda Dabrowskis home in Ayer, records show. Dabrowski, 31, of Webster was killed on July 3, 2019, inside OConnors Restaurant & Bar in Worcester. She was meeting with members of her book club for the first time inside the West Boylston Street restaurant in Worcester. It was 8 p.m. when she excused herself and headed to the ladies room. Authorities said Asencio was inside the restaurant. Surveillance video captured Asencio walking back and forth inside the restaurant as police said he searched for Dabrowski. When she left the restroom, the two came face to face. Witnesses told investigators that Asencio was armed with two knives and stabbed Dabrowski repeatedly. People rushed to help the young woman and pinned Asencio to the ground. He reportedly said, Kill me. Kill me. I deserve to die. Dabrowski was on the ground, drifting in and out of consciousness. Authorities said she was stabbed 15 to 20 times. She was pronounced dead at a Worcester hospital. Asencio is facing charges of murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in the July 3, 2019 case and has pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held as his case continues in Worcester Superior Court. No arraignment date has been set in Middlesex Superior Court on the new charges out of the Ayer case. Records show Dabrowski and Asencio briefly dated, but he did not take the breakup well. On April 21, 2019, in Ayer, Dabrowski awoke in her home in Ayer to sounds downstairs. She discovered a partially opened window and a bag containing handcuffs and straps, court records said. A masked man then came out of the bathroom and used a stun gun on her. She fought back and struck her attacker in the head with a bottle of alcohol. Dabrowski then broke free of her attackers grip and she grabbed a knife. The attacker pulled out a gun, but she able to push the attacker out a window. The young woman told authorities that the attacker reminded her of Asencio. Amanda Dabrowski Investigators then began looking for him and, on April 26, 2019, issued an arrest warrant for him. After that incident, authorities began searching for Asencio, who apparently had driven to Canada. He took a flight to Cancun, Mexico, hours after the alleged April 2019 attack. Records show Asencio was detained briefly at the Canadian border but had a valid U.S. passport and told authorities he was meeting friends in Cancun. According to the report Dabrowski filed following the April attack, Dabrowski and Asencio had dated for three months. The two both worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Danvers and had degrees in the field of microbiology. Dabrowski told police Asencio had not taken the breakup well. It is unclear how Asencio was able to get back into the United States. Related Content: The Ranger will no longer be the mascot of San Antonio College. A group made up of college community members called the College Council unanimously approved the decision Tuesday after Latino faculty and Mexican American Studies students advocated for more than a year for its removal. The college will embark on a search for a new mascot, according to a news release from the college. Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox This is a historic day, SAC President Robert Vela said in a prepared statement. The debate is over and San Antonio College has gone on record as being inclusive, diverse, empowered, decisive, true to its values and committed to doing the right thing. Weve taken a great leap forward and now we can begin the process of fashioning a new mascot identity that reflects the very best qualities of our SAC community, he said. This year, the college conducted a survey and found the majority of respondents supported removing the Ranger as its mascot. In 1926, the school adopted as its mascot the Texas Ranger, honoring the law enforcement agency that carries a history of brutalizing Mexican Americans, Native Americans and Black people in the 1800s through the early 1900s. But over the years, the mascot has been renamed or re-imagined several times in an effort to change its association with the agency. In 2014, the school adopted the Gnome Ranger, calling him a spirit figure, whose job was to spread school spirit. Then, after a lukewarm response from students, the school chose Antonio, the Masked Ranger. But after more backlash over the Zorro-like masked bandit, the school dropped masked from its name. The school said Antonio the Ranger was an homage to San Antonio. Eventually, Latino faculty and Mexican American Studies students organized Somos La Gente, a student activist group, to educate their peers on the mascots history. A project called Refusing to Forget has documented cases in which Texas Rangers, other lawmen and vigilantes executed Mexicans and Mexican Americans. The agencys practices eventually led to legislative investigations and state reforms. Earlier this year, Vela signaled he was ready to support the removal of the mascot, a symbol of institutionalized racism for many. Last month, Vela said a student presentation via Zoom helped him decide that its college council, a 60-member governing body that includes faculty chairs, program directors and leaders from across campus, could be convened for a vote. San Antonio College is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution and has a student body that is 60 percent Hispanic. Krista Torralva covers several school districts and public universities in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Krista, become a subscriber. Krista.Torralva@express-news.net | Twitter: @KMTorralva A man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this month in Allentown was captured Tuesday evening in Puerto Rico. Kenith Yadiel Otero-Ruiz was charged with an open count of criminal homicide in connection with the shooting death on July 4 of Jose Melendez in Trout Creek Park in Allentown, according to a news release from Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin. The release issued Wednesday says Otero Ruiz, 22, of Allentown, was captured with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. He awaits extradition to Pennsylvania. Melendez, 26, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, according to Lehigh County Coroner Eric Minnich. Police found him after they were called to the 1200 block of South Eighth Street. Melendez was taken to St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill, where he died. In addition to homicide, Otero-Ruiz is charged with carrying a gun without a license to carry a concealed weapon. He lives in the 1100 block of West Union Street in Allentown. The investigation into Melendezs death was conducted by Det. Raymond Ferraro of the Allentown Police Department and Det. Kevin Mriss of the Lehigh County District Attorneys Homicide Task Force. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:47:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- China's civil aviation regulator has announced that a Thai Lion Air's Bangkok-Guangzhou flight, as well as a Thai AirAsia X's Bangkok-Tianjin flight, would be suspended after several passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on recent flights. Six passengers tested positive on Thai Lion Air's SL117 flight on July 7, while there were five positive cases on Thai AirAsia X's XJ808 flight on July 10, according to a statement posted Wednesday on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The decision was made Tuesday. The suspension of the two flights will last for one week, starting July 20, and is the second of its kind ever imposed on overseas airlines. On July 6, the CAAC announced the suspension of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to Guangzhou. To further contain the spread of COVID-19, a reward and suspension mechanism was introduced by the CAAC on June 4. According to the CAAC policy, if all inbound passengers on an airline test negative for novel coronavirus for three weeks in a row, the operating airline will be allowed to increase its number of flights to two per week. If the number of passengers testing positive reaches five, the airline's flights will be suspended for a week. The suspension will last for four weeks if the number of passengers testing positive reaches 10. The CAAC also said that Thai Lion Air and Thai AirAsia X are not allowed to transfer the original quota for SL117 and XJ808 to other routes. Enditem KINDE North Huron Schools Superintendent Martin Prout has no shortage of work to do. Right now, he is working with North Huron staff to get his school ready for the fall semester. Hes confident theyll be ready to welcome students back to class after Labor Day, when North Huron will begin the academic year. Prouts students, along with the rest of Michigans school children, have not set foot in a classroom since the middle of March, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered schools closed as the coronavirus pandemic arrived in the state. North Huron, along with every other school district in Huron County, had originally set Monday, Aug. 17, as the first day school, but Prout said there is so much work to be done they thought it was best to move the start date to early September. On the academic side, Prout said North Huron teachers have been working to prepare for the possibility of a return to distance learning and are using what they learned in the spring to improve on educational methods and, more importantly, take much of the burden off mom and dad. We believe we can transition more smoothly and not put such an ownership on parents so they dont feel bombarded, he said. We had a lot of feedback. We listen to our parents. The school has purchased new laptops for students, and staff members are working to ensure kids have the necessary internet access theyll need to learn. Teachers are also working on ways to more effectively do their jobs if they have to do it remotely. North Huron has been formulating plans by including as many stakeholders as possible, Prout said. Hes counting on volunteers, who will be known as Safe School Ambassadors, to lend a hand when classes are in session. Prout said one of the advantages North Huron has is space. Enrollment has dropped over the years, and since their building has two gyms and a large cafeteria, there will be plenty of space to spread out students to promote social distancing. He added theyve purchased masks and thermometers and will have a health department nurse assigned to the district when classes begin. The school is also in the process of acquiring a hydrostatic sprayer for disinfecting classrooms and bathrooms. Prout said theyve been ordering supplies and equipment since March. Prout also mentioned he has begun work with Laker Schools Superintendent Brian Kiem to create a magnet school of sorts that will provide distance learning opportunities for students. The two districts will collaborate on what will known as the Lakeshore Academy. Prout said their goal for the program is twofold: to serve as a resource for parents who may want alternatives to traditional in-school learning and to continue to offer educational opportunities well into the future. I dont have all the answers, Prout said. Im trying to find solutions. We have responsibilities, and if we were told we're going to back to school, were going to try to meet the needs of our community. Its pretty simple. My home is bubbling with excitement. My wife Marina and I are getting ready to drive across Europe with our children for our summer family holiday. And family means the dog comes, too. Storm, our five-year-old black labrador, enjoys these epic journeys as much as any of us. Its not a holiday without her. She has the best seat in the car I cram our luggage into a box on the roof rack, rather than cramp her luxury quarters. When we pull over at a petrol station, my children Ludo and Iona always bring her a treat from the shop (like any labrador, she can swallow a baguette or a Wiener schnitzel in one bite). Every year, we make the same joke: Storms name changes from one country to the next. In France, shes Jacques or Pierre. In Germany, Hans, then Gunther in Austria. I know these are boys names, but shes a dog she doesnt care. Our holiday wouldnt be the same without our waggy best friend. But this could be our last vacation in Europe with Storm, thanks to a ridiculous tangle of red tape. The Fogle family set off for a holiday in Austria with their dog, Storm, but red tape means it could be their last vacation in Europe all together From next year, UK pet passports will not be valid. As things stand (and Whitehall guidance is far from clear, as usual), anyone who intends to visit the EU with a dog, cat or ferret will need to have their pet vaccinated for rabies. A month later, they will need to have a blood sample taken. The blood will be sent to a laboratory, not in Britain (our facilities will lose their EU accreditation from January 1) but on the continent. The blood will be analysed and ratified, and a certificate issued. But thats not the end of the process. Owners will have to wait a further three months before they can take their pet abroad. If this doesnt sound ludicrous enough, allow me to add an extra layer of insanity. Vets have received no notification of the correct procedure. So no one is prepared, and theres no guarantee the proposed system will work. The whole sorry mess came to light this week as part of the Governments Lets get going campaign to encourage travel. How is this going to make anybody want to head off on holiday? As the BBCs assistant political editor Norman Smith told the Today programme this week: It looks to me, frankly, such a faff, you are just not going to bother. Pets of Britain, you can say farewell to the Dordogne. So much about this scheme is so hopelessly irrational, it makes my head spin. Why on earth should British pets require a rabies test? The last case contracted here was in 1902. There was a time when we were so vigilant about keeping out the killer disease that any animal entering from Europe had to be placed in quarantine for six months. Thankfully, weve left those miserable days behind. Pet passports have been the norm since February 2000: they certify inoculation against rabies. That has sufficed to prevent the disease from crossing the Channel for two decades. Why should Brexit make any difference? To comply with pet passport rules, we have a sticker on our windscreen to announce theres a dog in the car (which is pretty obvious to anyone looking through the back window). At the end of the holiday, Storm has a check-up with an Austrian vet who doses her with flea repellent (just to be safe) and pronounces her good to go. Millions of British holidaymakers follow these regulations without difficulty. It isnt clear either whether continental visitors to Britain will be affected. The only way this muddle could be made worse is if European pets have to wait four months before being allowed home. That would really flatten the British tourism industry. Without exaggeration, this is a crisis in the making, one the holiday industry cannot afford after the catastrophe of travel bans. Some 100,000 pet passports are issued in Britain annually. Ben, pictured on a paddleboard with Storm and his sister-in-laws dog Nero, explains the impact of UK pet passports not being valid from next year Since the average lifespan of a dog is more than ten years, its likely there are more than a million documents that will become redundant from January and perhaps a million families forced to overhaul their holiday plans. Many people are already having grave doubts about going abroad. Cruises are on hold indefinitely, after the Foreign Office ann-ounced last week that no one should think of booking one. I do not underestimate the pandemics seriousness. My career is based on international travel. But surely the Government understands pets are not the problem? Dogs do not catch Covid-19, nor (bar freak circumstances) do they spread it. Our pets have been saviours during lockdown, rescuing millions from loneliness. For countless families, including mine, anxietys best antidote has been a cuddle with a bundle of affectionate fur. Britains dogs and cats have never been more important, never more such an essential part of our homes. Thats why it is more crucial than ever that they can come on holiday with us. The alternative is a kennel. That works for some people, but not for all. I know I wouldnt be able to enjoy my vacation if I knew Storm had been left behind, however well the kennel staff were treating her. Theres also the expense. Last year, as well as Storm, we travelled with my sister-in-laws dog Nero, and Bica, who belonged to my wifes parents. Where we live in the South-East, its not unusual for kennels to charge 25 per night, per animal potentially 75 a day for us. Over a two-week holiday, thats more than 1,000: a prohibitive expense for most families. Its staggering to be told to pay 1,000 extra for the misery of leaving your beloved pets behind. My gut response is: No way! So many of my best holiday memories are connected to dogs. Invariably on the long drive well stop at a lakeside beauty spot and all rush into the water, with Storm bounding and splashing beside the children. Then, when we reach the Austrian town that is our base, we have the perfect excuse to chat to locals. No one thinks it is odd if you talk to another dog-walker, however bad your German is. And as we meander back to Britain, we have the small satisfaction of knowing, by not flying, we have minimised our environmental impact. Dogs encourage us to be that little bit greener. Let me list the benefits: the gigantic financial boost to tourism on both sides of the Channel, the colossal savings for families, the eco-friendly element, the incalculable bonus to our mental health. Thats far too much to be wrecked by one badly thought-out policy. We must not stand for it. Dilyn, the Downing Street rescue dog, should have a word with the PM. The Cabinet has to be told cut the red tape and make sure hassle-free European travel for pets continues to be the norm. We will not leave our best friends behind. Eurobio Scientific expands into Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Benelux by acquiring the diagnostic company TECOmedical AG Paris, July 15, 2020 7:30 am Eurobio Scientific (FR0013240934, ALERS, eligible PEA-PME), a leading French group in the field of specialty in vitro medical diagnostics, announces the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of TECOmedical AG (TECO), parent company of a Swiss group specializing in the development and distribution of in vitro diagnostic tests in Europe, with operations in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Benelux. The acquisition, which financial terms are not disclosed, was paid in cash. A strong reputation in specialty tests for medical diagnostics Founded in 1984, TECO is based in Sissach, Switzerland. The company offers a range of specialty biomarker assays under exclusive distribution contracts, as well as proprietary products for human and veterinary diagnostics, eco toxicology and metabolic syndromes. Its 2019 consolidated revenue was 7.2 million. The TECO group markets its products in Europe through TECOmedical AG Switzerland, TECOmedical GmbH (Germany and Austria), TECOmedical Benelux BV (Netherland, Belgium and Luxemburg), with a central European warehouse located near Frankfurt. TECO develops and manufactures its proprietary products through TECOdevelopment GmbH, located in Rheinbach, Germany. Eurobio-Scientific is currently marketing specific products from TECO in France and the UK. An acquisition in line with the Group's European development strategy This acquisition fits perfectly with Eurobio Scientific's European development strategy. With an already long-standing commercial relationship with TECO, it also enables a closer proximity to the largest European markets for diagnostic and research products, and opens opportunities for expanding the Eurobio Scientific group in German speaking countries and Benelux, its presence being currently limited to France and French speaking areas of Belgium, Switzerland and Luxemburg. Story continues Jean-Michel Carle, President and CEO of Eurobio Scientific, declares: we are delighted to welcome the TECOmedical team within our Group. This acquisition brings us a wide range of products that is highly complementary to our own, as well as an opening on the German-speaking markets in Europe. The long-standing relationship between our two groups will enable us to rapidly activate the commercial and technological synergies resulting from this operation. Denis Fortier, joint CEO of Eurobio adds: The way we handled the COVID-19 crisis has strengthened our financial position and shown our capacity to absorb growth. Acquiring TECOmedical is another way of accelerating our development, with a long-term growth potential built on geographic and product complementarities. Marieluise Wippermann, CEO of TECOmedical Group, Eurobio Scientific is the best match for TECOmedical as we share a common business model, built on a mix of exclusive distribution contracts and proprietary products issued from our own R&D capacities. We join forces at the right moment, when the health systems all over Europe rely more and more on diagnostic. About TECOmedical The Swiss-based TECOmedical Group with subsidiaries in Germany and Benelux, is a leading provider of in-vitro specialty test systems in the areas of medical and veterinary diagnostic, biosafety and environmental testing. In addition, it develops and evaluates new test systems in collaboration with opinion leaders or as service to pharma, CRO and research organizations. Next financial meeting Eurobio Scientific 2020 first-half revenues: July 21, 2020 About Eurobio Scientific Eurobio Scientific (ex Diaxonhit) is a key player in the field of specialty in vitro diagnostics. It is involved from research to manufacturing and commercialization of diagnostic tests in the fields of transplantation, immunology and infectious diseases, and sells instruments and products for research laboratories, including biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Through many partnerships and a strong presence in hospitals, Eurobio Scientific has established its own distribution network and a portfolio of proprietary products in the molecular biology field. The Group has approximately 120 employees and two production units based in the Paris region and in the United States, and an affiliate based in Dorking UK. For more information, please visit : www.eurobio-scientific. com The company is publicly listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris Euronext Growth BPI Innovation, PEA-PME 150 and Next Biotech indices, Euronext European Rising Tech label. Symbol: ALERS - ISIN Code: FR0013240934 - Reuters: ALERS.PA - Bloomberg: ALERS:FP Contacts Group Eurobio Scientific Denis Fortier, General Manager Herve Duchesne de Lamotte, General Manager Tel. +33(0) 1 69 79 64 80 Calyptus Mathieu Calleux / Gregory Bosson Investors relations Tel. +33(1) 53 65 68 68 eurobio-scientific@calyptus.net Attachment G hislaine Maxwell is secretly married but has refused to disclose her husbands identity to FBI agents, a court has heard. The shock revelation by federal prosecutors came after the British socialite pleaded not guilty to charges she had trafficked at least three underage girls for billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. US Attorney Alison Moe, one of three prosecutors on the case, revealed Maxwell had a spouse while questioning who would co-sign her bond at a bail hearing in New York. She told the courthouse late on Tuesday: "In addition to failing to describe in any way the assets of the proposed co-signer of a bond, the defendant [Maxwell] also makes no mention whatsoever about the financial circumstances or assets of her spouse, whose identity she declined to provide to pretrial services. "Theres no information about who will be co-signing this bond or their assets, and no details whatsoever." Epstein with Maxwell in 2005 / Getty Images The 58-year-old wiped tears away as a judge refused her the proposed $5million bond, backed with $3.75million in property in the UK, and ordered her to be detained until her full trial, provisionally set for July 2021. Maxwell's legal team had argued she would be confined to a 'luxury hotel' in the New York area, surrender all her travel documents and be subject to GPS monitoring. But Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her substantial international ties and extraordinary financial resources. Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend. Maxwell was arrested during a dawn raid by the FBI at her New Hampshire mansion / REUTERS Attention will now turn to who the unnamed spouse could be. According to the court hearing, Maxwell used the alias "Jen Marshall" and posed as a journalist when viewing a hideaway in Bradford, New Hampshire, (below) which she bought for 800,000 in November last year. She was arrested at the house last week in an early morning raid by FBI agents and police. Estate agents claimed she was accompanied by a man with a British accent who used the pseudonym Scott Marshall. A source familiar with the case told ABC News that the disclosure about her marriage was made deliberately as part of the prosecutors argument that Maxwell has not been forthcoming about her circumstances and finances since her arrest. During the two hour and 20 minute hearing at Manhattan's Federal Court, Maxwell appeared via video link from the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn. She will now return to the fortress-like Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself, following Epstein's death in custody last summer. She faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted. Reliance RIL AGM 2020 highlights: Reliance's AGM witnessed some major announcements including a partnership with Google, Mixed Reality glasses and more. Reliance Industries held its 43rd Annual General Meeting today. The company made some major announcements and developments on different products. Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani announced a new investment in Jio Platforms from Google. Jio and Google will also work on an entry-level phone for Indian users. Jio Glass, a Mixed Reality-based smart glasses was also unveiled at the event. Here are the highlights from the Reliance AGM. Net carbon-zero by 2035 Reliance aims to become net carbon-zero by 2035. JioMart grocery platform Jio is currently piloting the beta version of JioMart Grocery in 200 cities. 250,000 orders a day. JioMart will expand to electronics, pharmaceutical, and fashion in the near future. JioMart. (Jio) Jio-Google partnership Google and Jio are partnering to build an Android-based smartphone operating system. We can build an entry-level 4G or 5G smartphone for a fraction of current cost, Ambani said. An entry-level smartphone with optimisations for Indian users will be made by the two companies. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also shared a message on the company's partnership with Jio. Jio-Facebook Ambani talks about Facebook's investment in Jio Platforms. Facebook invested 43,573.63 crore to acquire a 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms. Jio to work with Facebook's WhatsApp for its e-commerce platform JioMart. Jio Mart for customers Jio Mart will give customers a complimentary Covid kit of mask and hand sanitiser on the first order. Jio Mart Jio Mart focuses on three aspects - customers, kirana and producers. It will also build on the widespread presence of Reliance Retail. JioMart aims to upgrade kirana stores and transform them in 24 hours. Jio Glass Jio Glass comes with a cable that you can connect with your smartphone. It offers Mixed Reality content, and over 25 applications. Jio Glass can be used for 3D meetings and video calls. Users can also share presentations in a virtual screen with the Jio Glass. Jio TV+ launched Isha, Kiran and Akash Ambani take the virtual stage to announce new product developments. Jio TV+ launched as a curated platform for content from all popular OTT platforms. It will also work with voice search that works across genres and different services. Jio Platforms Ambani talks about Jio Platforms which will be a 100% owned intellectual property, total solutions approach and cater to a global audience as well. Jio 5G ready Ambani announced Jio has completed 5G from scratch. It will start 5G trials once the spectrum is available. Jio 5G ready. (Jio) Jio's digital services Jio Fiber broadband service has powered over a million homes in India, Ambani said. Over half a billion customers, over a billion smart sensors, over 50 million homes and businesses. Jio's vision. (Jio) Google-Jio Platforms Ambani announces its next strategic partner Google in Jio Platforms. Google will invest 33,737 crore for a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms. Investments in Jio Platforms Ambani talks about the recent investments in Jio Platforms from companies like Facebook, Silver Lake, Intel and Qualcomm. Amabani said the company will work with these companies to develop new products for India and Indians. India's largest rights issue Reliance achieved the world's largest rights issue in a decade by a non-financial institution. 53,124 crore JioMeet downloads Mukesh Ambani talks about the launch of JioMeet which has been downloaded by more than 5 million users. India's first and only cloud-based video conferencing platform. JioMeet downloads. (Jio) RIL AGM 2020 begins Reliance Industries 43rd Annual General Meeting has kicked off. Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani has begun his speech as well. RIL AGM 2020: New developments on Jio Fiber Jio Fiber stole the show last year at the 42nd AGM. Jio launched its broadband fiber service with up to 1 Gbps data speeds. Jio Fiber also comes bundled with a 4K set-top-box, gaming, mixed reality and video calling. It's been almost a year since the launch of Jio Fiber, and we're expecting new developments on what the next step for Jio Fiber is. RIL AGM 2020: JioPhone 3 expected JioPhone 3 was highly expected to launch at last year's AGM but that didn't happen. There isn't much talk around the JioPhone 3 but it is rumoured to debut at the AGM today. JioPhone 3 will be the company's third smart feature phone and it could run Google-backed KaiOS and MediaTek chipset. RIL AGM 2020: Jio Platforms investments Reliance's digtal arm, Jio Platforms has so far received investments worth 118,318.45 crore in exchange of about 25.24% stake. The most recent investment came from chip-maker Qualcomm. Now Google is also reportedly in advanced talks to invest in Jio Platforms. Total number of investments in Jio Platforms. (Reliance Jio) At the AGM, more details on what's next for Jio Platforms and specifically the role of these companies. Jio Platforms was launched as the umbrella for the company's digital services. RIL AGM 2020: What to expect Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani is expected to share details on the company's performance so far, and its various departments. The event also comes shortly after the long line of major investments in Jio Platforms, Reliance's digital umbrella. At the event, we could see some product launches as well and new developments on available services like Jio Fiber. RIL AGM 2020: Livestream details Reliance's Annual General Meeting is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm. The event will be live streamed on various platforms like Jio's YouTube and Facebook channels and there's a JioMeet link for the same as well. At the same time, updates on the AGM will be posted by The Flame of Truth on Twitter. Reliance has also launched a WhatsApp chatbot (+91-79771-11111) for updates on the event. Damning: Mary Trumps book Too Much And Never Enough in a bookstore in Manhattan yesterday. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump's niece Mary Trump can talk about the highly critical book she wrote about him despite objections from the US president's brother, a judge has ruled. New York State Supreme Court Judge Hal B Greenwald lifted an order which had blocked her from publicising or distributing her work. He rejected arguments by the US president's brother Robert Trump that Ms Trump is blocked from talking about family members publicly by an agreement relatives made to settle the estate of her father after his death. The judge said the confidentiality clauses in the 2001 agreement "viewed in the context of the current Trump family circumstances in 2020, would 'offend public policy as a prior restraint on protected speech'". Expand Close Robert Trump, left, pictured in 1999, had tried to halt the publication of Mary L Trumps book, claiming it would violate a pact among family members (Diane Bonadreff/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Robert Trump, left, pictured in 1999, had tried to halt the publication of Mary L Trumps book, claiming it would violate a pact among family members (Diane Bonadreff/AP) "Notwithstanding that the book has been published and distributed in great quantities, to enjoin Mary L Trump at this juncture would be incorrect and serve no purpose. It would be moot," he wrote. Judge Greenwald said the confidentiality agreement that settled multiple lawsuits mainly concerned the financial aspect of the deal, which is not as interesting now as it might have been two decades ago. "On the other hand the non-confidential part of the agreement, the Trump family relationships may be more interesting now in 2020 with a presidential election on the horizon," he said. He also wrote that Robert Trump had not shown any damage that the book's publication would cause himself or the public. Robert Trump is not frequently mentioned in the book, which seeks to trace how family members were affected by the US president's father, Fred, a successful real estate owner, and how the president may have developed some of the traits that have been most apparent at the White House. Expand Close Mary L Trump and her new book Too Much and Never Enough / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary L Trump and her new book Too Much and Never Enough Ms Trump, a psychologist and Donald Trump's only niece, wrote in the book that she had "no problem calling Donald a narcissist - he meets all nine criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders. Publication of the book, Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World's Most Dangerous Man, has been brought forward to this week by the publishers. A group of daycare centre owners has started a campaign to pressure the provincial government to let them reopen child-care centres fully this fall. Given current COVID-19 trends, the private child-care operators say they can do so safely and save their centres at the same time. We need your help to urge the government to allow child-care centres to open safely at full capacity so we can provide child care for parents going back to work and who have nowhere else to turn, says their website and petition at saveourspaces.ca. Operating at partial capacity simply isnt sustainable for the long term, especially with arbitrary direction and little to no financial support from the government. Reopening the economy requires safe and available child care for all. The group of six female operators, calling themselves Concerned Childcare Providers, say the governments announcement Monday to boost the cohort or grouping numbers to 15 later this month as the province moves into Stage 3 still means fewer spaces for families. We would like the government to understand that for many the economics of operating child-care facilities at a reduced capacity after months of closures with little to no financial support from the government simply does not work, risking the closure and loss of thousands of spaces, they said. Deborah Renwick opened Ellington Montessori School in Scarborough in 1990, but when COVID-19 hit, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced in my 30 years of operating this centre. She had to cover $22,000 in monthly rent, with no parent fees coming in with the shutdown. Now, I have to close my doors for good, she said. I can only hope that others dont have to resort to this as well. Leigh Anne Jacques, an owner of Beaches Montessori School, opened the centre three years ago. Shut down because of the pandemic, it just opened up for summer camp, with about 18 students although capacity is 62. Since the government has allowed for child-care spaces to open at partial capacity, we decided we had to open our doors even if it meant at a smaller capacity and at financial loss. We knew how important it was for parents to have a safe, reliable place to take their kids every day, she said. In the legislature Tuesday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath grilled the government about the move to reopen to Stage 3. Unfortunately, the Conservatives refusal to include a province-wide plan for child-care and education is going to make life even harder for workers and business owners in every corner of our province because its going to make it next to impossible for working parents to get back to work. Does the premier accept the reality that Ontario wont be able to get back to work if working moms and dads cant rely on schools and available child-care spaces? Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the province will ensure child care remains sustainable and accessible in every community in this province and is working closely with the medical officer of health to do so. The NDP also released an emergency plan for back-to-school, which includes funding to help keep the child-care sector afloat and using public infrastructure to support the reopening of schools and daycares with additional space to allow for physical distancing. Carolyn Ferns, of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, said there are still some questions about the new 15-cohort rule, but said overall the situation has definitely been a challenge for child-care centres non-profit and for-profit. But she said reopening must be guided only by what is best for young childrens health and safety. Many critics have noted that without enough child-care spaces and even pre-pandemic, there was a shortfall parents, mostly women, cant re-enter the workforce. Women are disproportionately affected by this. Its not right that a mom should have to pick between having a child and having a job, said Jacques. Parents, she added, are looking for more certainty parents are anxious and our staff are anxious. Part of that is living in a pandemic, and part of it is that we are unable to provide them with a plan. Every day at Beaches Montessori, kids and staff are screened, including temperature checks, before they are allowed in. We have worked hard to ensure that our centre is safe. Parents have to wear masks at pickup and drop-off. We have a screener at the entrance wearing PPE and helping us with sanitizing, said Jacques. We are working diligently to help support our community. But the time has come that we need some help, too. We cant sustain operating at a loss forever. Survivor has been taken off the fall schedule by CBS due to the coronavirus pandemic. Production on season 41 of the reality competition series was delayed in March, but producers were hoping that filming could take place in Fiji in time for a fall premiere. CBS and officials in Fiji were still evaluating the best time to begin production amid heightened health and safety concerns, according to an article Tuesday by Variety. Off schedule: Survivor hosted by Jeff Probst, shown in May 2019, has been taken off the fall schedule by CBS due to the coronavirus pandemic The Amazing Race will take the Wednesday night 8pm time slot from Survivor by moving up an hour and SEAL Team will move into the 9pm slot. SWAT will air at 10pm this fall after it was originally scheduled to be held for midseason programming. Survivor was the first show to be yanked from the fall schedule since the broadcast networks unveiled their lineups earlier this year. CBS revealed its fall schedule in May and it relied heavily on scripted shows resuming production. Production halted: Production on season 41 of the reality competition series was delayed in March, as Probst hosted Survivor: Winners At War that premiered in February The network for midseason was still holding Undercover Boss and the new drama series Clarice about FBI Agent Clarice Starling after the events of Silence Of The Lambs. CBS was scheduled to debut two new shows this fall, including B Positive and a reboot of The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah. Survivor is executive produced by Jeff Probst, Mark Burnett and Matt VanWagenen. Double duty: Survivor is executive produced by Probst, shown in May 2019, Mark Burnett and Matt VanWagenen It premiered on May 31, 2000 in the United States and ushered in a new era of reality TV programming with its wild popularity among viewers. Probst, 58, has hosted the show since its inception. The host earlier this month told The Hollywood Reporter they were 'still discussing' the safety measures that would be installed when filming eventually takes place and admitted they did not yet have a plan. On a beautiful late spring morning, the staff of ADRA Albania had the opportunity to interview one member of the Egyptian community*, who is heavily affected by the string of events brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We meet him at the premises of the Gonxhe Bojaxhiu community centre, in the administrative unit 8, in Tirana, right after the last distribution of food and hygienic supplies, that ADRA organized for Roma and Egyptians communities throughout last May. Finished to set the gear for the interview, a thin, well-dressed 50-year-old man with dark skin takes a seat in the room in front of us and introducing himself as Tani. Immediately, we were surprised how the features of his face showed fewer years than his real age. Skryt Vypnut reklamu Clanok pokracuje pod video reklamou After giving him the time to get comfortable with the environment and the camera, we ask him to introduce himself to break the ice with us. After a short introduction of himself as the head of the family composed by 11 members, he told us that his main wish of being part of the Egyptians community is to have educated children, fully integrated into the Albanian society through the support of the local and national institutions. Tani represents the positive example for his community of Egyptians in Tirana. His community consists of 35 egyptian famillies. (zdroj: Adra Albania) The location of where hes settled with his family can is located in the early outskirts of Tirana. The living conditions are quite extreme. for instance, the water source is slightly far from where he lives. Every day, especially now with the beginning of the warm summer, he needs to go back and forward to collect it for his family. The biggest challenge for his children, just like for all children of the community, is the ongoing discrimination by which he and his community have been affected because they are considered and treated as second-class citizens. As he mentions during the interview, a big obstacle for the children in accessing fair education is the lack of some documents that are required by the schools. A great deal of effort must be taken to bring positive changes and to spread the knowledge of Egyptian culture, traditions and make aware the public opinion to dont perceive us like a plague of the society, he states. Then, he concluded the interview by telling that he will be always in the first line for advocating for his and communitys rights. Tani with Cyriakus, EUAV volunteer are distributing the food supply during COVID-19 pandemic. (zdroj: Adra Albania) Tani is an outstanding example in the community. For many years he has been advocating and lobbying for the whole marginalized communities, to help them access a better life. The community considers him a point of information and orientation in case they need to access public services. Furthermore, they see him as the voice of the community, have faith in him and consider him as a good example. We hope that he will fulfil his wishes and of course, we as ADRA Albania will be always on the side of vulnerable people and we will support his cause. * Egyptian communities in Albania represents the minority with the disputable link to ethnic Egyptians, often considered Roma, however they do not identify themselves with Roma and do not speak Romani. Laura Naw Laura je od septembra 2019 dobrovolnickou v Albansku v partnejskej organizacii Adra Albansko. Jej vyslanie je sucastou projektu HVA Humanitarni dobrovolnici v akcii. Projekt je financovany zo zdrojov Europskej Komisie pod hlavickou programu EU Aid Volunteers, riadeneho agenturou EACEA (Vykonna agentura pre vzdelavanie, audiovizualny sektor a kulturu) a DG ECHO (Generalne riaditelstvo pre civilnu ochranu a operacie humanitarnej pomoci EU). Adra Slovensko je jej vysielajucou organizaciou. Ako sa Laure dari mozete sledovat i na nasom Facebooku. Advertisement Australia will have the eighth biggest economy in the world and a population of 36million by 2100, a major study has predicted. Currently Australia has the 12th biggest economy but it will overtake Canada, Russia, Brazil and Italy in 80 years' time, according to the University of Washington research. The predicted population increase will be due to immigration because the nation's birth rate is forecast to decline from 1.86 to 1.69 births per year per 1,000 people. The study noted that immigration was key to economic growth and prosperity in countries where birth rates are declining. 'Nations that sustain their working-age populations over the long-term through migration, such as Canada, Australia, and the USA, would fare well,' the study read. 'The optimal strategy for economic growth, fiscal stability, and geopolitical security is liberal immigration with effective assimilation into these societies.' A team of 24 scientists led by Dr Christopher Murray and Professor Stein Vollset from the University of Washington in Seattle predicted the populations of 195 countries in 2100. The study was published in UK medical journal The Lancet. The US is among the countries (in purple, dark blue and dark green) that already have birth rates that are too low for the population to stay the same size or to grow, according to the study. Once the largest generations start to die off in those nations the populations will begin to shrink The economies of Indonesia, Turkey will make inroads to become two of the 12 most powerful nations by 2100 as Brazil and Russia slip down the global rankings The study estimated that Earth's population will peak in 44 years at around 9.7billion before it starts to shrink again. After 2064 the total number of people will start to fall because of a decline in the number of children people are having, dropping by 900 million to 8.8 billion by 2100. Populations will only grow or stay stable if women have an average of 2.1 children each - but better education and contraception will stop this in future because women will be more able to work instead of staying at home as mothers and wives, experts say. WHICH WILL BE THE WORLD'S TOP ECONOMIES IN 2100? The University of Washington study predicted many of the world's top economies will remain powerful over the next 80 years but there will be some reshuffling in the ranks. These are their predictions, based on gross domestic product (GDP): Country USA China India Japan Germany France UK Australia Nigeria Canada Turkey Indonesia Brazil Russia Mexico Rank in 2100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rank in 2017 1 2 7 3 4 5 6 12 28 11 17 16 8 10 15 Advertisement Many countries already have lower birth rates than are necessary to sustain population sizes, including most of Europe, Russia, Canada and the US, Brazil, China and Australia. In the coming decades, older citizens in these countries will start to die at a faster rate than they are replaced and the populations will shrink. Some countries, including Japan, Spain and Thailand will see their communities shrink by a staggering 50 per cent or more, the University of Washington researchers predicted. As populations in the West shrink faster than they will in Africa and Asia it will take another 80 years or more for birth rates to drop below sustaining levels in some slower-developing countries a global power shift will emerge. Nigeria is set to become one of the largest, wealthiest countries in the world by the end of this century, the team believe. The US will remain the top global power except for a period in around 30 years' time when China will succeed it before dropping down again. India will be the world's most populated country in 2100, the study says, with 1.09billion people it currently has 1.3bn, second only to China (1.4bn). It will be followed by Nigeria (791m), China (732m), the US (336m), Pakistan (248m) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (246m) in Africa. The population of the UK (currently 66m) will peak in 2063 at 75million before falling back to 71.5million by the turn of the century. In the US (333m) the peak will be at 363million a year earlier, in 2062, before it drops to 336million. And the economies of Indonesia, Turkey will make inroads to become two of the 12 most powerful nations by 2100 as Brazil and Russia slip down the global rankings. Lead researcher Dr Murray said: 'Continued global population growth through the century is no longer the most likely trajectory for the world's population.' The scientists who did the study said birth rates are expected to fall globally as more and more countries become modernised and traditional roles of women as mothers and homemakers fade away. Greater availability and affordability of contraception in countries that currently have poor healthcare will mean that unplanned children will become less common and not just a consequence of sex. Better education for girls, improving women's rights and employment opportunities will also mean more women have full schooling and careers, making them less likely to have large families. This is projected to lead to a drop in the fertility rate of the world's population, from an average of 2.37 children per woman 237 children from every 100 women to 1.66, or 166 children for every 100 women. The fertility rate must be 2 for a population to remain stable and 2.1 for it to increase, the researchers said. To keep a community the same size a mother must, on average, not only replace herself but also the baby's father. It could fall to as low as 1.17 in Poland, the study claimed, and to 1.2 in Spain. A total of 23 countries are predicted to see their populations shrink by a staggering 50 per cent or more. They are: Latvia, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, Cuba, Romania, Poland, Andorra, Moldova, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Taiwan, Japan, Serbia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Spain. Nigeria is set to become one of the largest, wealthiest countries in the world by the end of this century, while India, China, USA, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will have the other largest populations However, the scientists were adamant that fears about shrinking, ageing populations and the effects they might have on the economy must not lead to a slowdown in the march for women's rights. Professor Vollset said: 'Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations, but must not compromise efforts to enhance women's reproductive health or progress on women's rights.' Dr Murray and colleagues said their work goes against the United Nations, which projects the population of the world will continue growing for the rest of the century. But they acknowledge that the global population is likely to explode in the next 40 years, rising by more than two billion people. Much of this growth will be in sub-Saharan Africa, where birth rates are already high. The Lancet study predicted the population of sub-Saharan Africa which includes Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya will triple between now and 2100, from 1.03billion in 2017 to 3.07billion in 80 years' time as health improvements bring the continent's death rate down. Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa and the Middle East will be the only regions where the populations are higher in 2100 than they were in 2017, the study said (left). In sub-Saharan Africa the population is expected to triple in that time. Niger and Chad (right), both in Africa, will see their populations soar in the next 80 years, increasing more than seven-fold, the scientists said MIGRATION 'WILL BE NECESSARY FOR ECONOMIES TO SURVIVE' Many wealthy European and Asian countries will see their populations shrink dramatically over the next 80 years, the Lancet study claims. And low birth rates and improved survival will mean their average ages increase, with over-80s expected to outnumber under-fives by two to one around the world by 2100. One impact of this will be drastically reduced workforces in some countries such as Japan, Italy and Spain, which are forecast to see populations more than halve. In a bid to boost the number of people working in a country and keep its economy healthy, migration and international co-operation may become a necessity. Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, from University College London, was not involved in the University of Washington study but said in a commentary: 'Ultimately, if Murray and colleagues' predictions are even half accurate, migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option... 'The choice that we face is whether we improve health and wealth by allowing planned population movement or if we end up with an underclass of imported labour and unstable societies. 'The Anthropocene has created many challenges such as climate change and greater global migration. The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers.' He added: 'Nations would need to cooperate at levels that have eluded us to date to strategically support and fund the development of excess skilled human capital in countries that are a source of migrants. 'The projected changes in the sizes of national economies and the consequent change in military power might force these discussions.' Advertisement North Africa and the Middle East is the only other region that will have a bigger population in 2100 than it does now, the researchers said, with the number of people there rising from 600million to 978million. For many countries in other parts of Asia and in Europe, populations will shrink because birth rates are already low. In some countries populations will drop by more than half. In Japan the researchers estimated the population would fall from around 128million in 2017 to 60million in 2100 a fall of 53 per cent. In Thailand it is projected to drop from 71m to 35m (51 per cent); in Spain from 46m to 23m (50 per cent); in Italy 61m to 31m (49 per cent); in Portugal from 11m to just 5m (55 per cent); and in South Korea from 53m to 27m (49 per cent). A further 34 countries are expected to see their populations drop by between 25 and 50 per cent, including China, where the number of people is projected to fall from 1.4billion to 732million. The researchers said that the average age of people will rise as a result of lower birth rates and better survival, meaning the working age population will shrink and economies would suffer. Some of the oldest countries will have to rely on immigration to make sure they have enough people to keep industry going, the scientists warned. Professor Vollset said: 'The societal, economic, and geopolitical power implications of our predictions are substantial. 'In particular, our findings suggest that the decline in the numbers of working-age adults alone will reduce GDP growth rates that could result in major shifts in global economic power by the century's end.' The researchers also projected a major increase in the number of elderly people. Over-80s will outnumber under-fives by two to one by the end of the century as fertility falls and life expectancy increases. At the moment there are 681million children under the age of five a figure that will fall to 401million. The number of individuals older than 80, meanwhile, is projected to increase six fold, from 141million to 866million. Professor Vollset said this may have a major impact on the workforce. 'While population decline is potentially good news for reducing carbon emissions and stress on food systems, with more old people and fewer young people, economic challenges will arise as societies struggle to grow with fewer workers and taxpayers. 'Countries' abilities to generate the wealth needed to fund social support and health care for the elderly [will be] reduced.' Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet, added: 'This important research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently. 'This will truly be a new world, one we should be preparing for today.' Baby2Baby required a newly designed transportation network in a dozen markets for the 600,000 units of clothing, so Penske Logistics agreed to pick up the donations from Old Navy facilities and deliver them directly to members of the Baby2Baby National Network. During the months of June and July Penske picked up and delivered Old Navy merchandise to the following markets: Atlanta; Baltimore; Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago; Dallas; Los Angeles; Miami; Nashville; Scottsdale, Arizona; Seattle; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Westchester, New York. "We are very pleased to support the Baby2Baby National Network by providing dedicated contract carriage solutions to aid families around the country during this difficult time," explained Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president. "We also helped design a new network to pick up donated merchandise from Old Navy distribution centers and retail stores." "The need for basic essentials is higher than ever for the families Baby2Baby serves. They were struggling before the COVID-19 crisis, and now they are struggling even more because of millions of lost jobs, empty shelves and increased lack of access to these critical items," explained Baby2Baby Co-Presidents Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein. "Clothing is one of the most basic necessities and when we can give it to families living in poverty, they can spend their extremely limited funds on food and rent," they added. "We are so grateful to Penske Logistics and Old Navy for helping us put clothing into the hands of hundreds of thousands of children across the country." In the last 17 weeks, Baby2Baby has also distributed over 25 million basic essentials including diapers, formula, soap, shampoo, baby food and more to some of the most vulnerable children across the country impacted by COVID-19. On May 12, Old Navy announced a larger $30 million clothing donation to American families in need. Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization led by Co-Presidents Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. In the last 9 years, Baby2Baby has distributed over 100 million items to children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals and underserved schools as well as children who have lost everything in the wake of disaster. Every year, Baby2Baby serves hundreds of thousands of children across the country. To learn more about Baby2Baby please visit www.baby2baby.org. Penske Logistics is a Penske Transportation Solutions company with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Penske Logistics provides supply chain management and logistics services to leading companies around the world. Penske Logistics delivers value through its design, planning and execution in transportation, warehousing and freight management. Visit www.penskelogistics.com to learn more. SOURCE Penske Logistics Related Links http://www.penskelogistics.com Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to immediately send to lower federal courts its recent ruling that President Donald Trump is not immune from having his tax returns subpoenaed, warning a delay could thwart the filing of possible criminal charges. Vance's action came hours after Trump's lawyer formally told a federal judge that Trump will fight to keep the DA from obtaining the president's tax returns, and argued in a new court filing that as part of that battle Trump is entitled to know why Vance's prosecutors want the records. The Supreme Court ruled last week 7-2 that Trump does not have absolute immunity as president from being investigated by a state prosecutor while in office, and from being subject to a subpoena like the one for his tax records issued by a Manhattan grand jury to his accounting firm. Vance's prosecutors had sought the subpoena as part of an ongoing criminal investigation they are conducting. The Supreme Court opinion left the door open for Trump to continue challenging the subpoena to the Mazars USA firm on other grounds. Normally, the Supreme Court waits for a minimum of 25 days before its opinions take effect. But Vance, in his request, wants that to happen much sooner "to ensure that the state grand jury has access to all of the evidence to which it is entitled in a timely fashion thereby minimizing any risk that criminal conduct will go unpunished." He warned that if there is a lag in transmitting the ruling, and a related delay in a lower court adjudicating Trump's expected new challenge to the subpoena, "Given the age of many of the transactions at issue in the grand jury's investigation, issues could arise in the near future concerning the applicable statutes of limitations." Those statutes bar the filing of charges related to certain kinds of crimes. And Vance said if there is too long a delay Trump might get "the absolutely immunity that this court rejected." Trump lawyer William Consovoy, in a joint update with Vance's office to Judge Victor Marrero, the Manhattan federal court judge overseeing the subpoena case, laid out several possible grounds for the president to continue his effort to block or reduce the scope of the subpoeana for the tax returns. The filing came on the deadline this year for Americans to file their federal income tax returns. Consovoy said the potential arguments against the subpoena include claiming that it was not "properly tailored," that it was "motivated by a desire to harass or is conducted in bad faith," is designed to retaliate against Trump, and that compliance with the demand would "impede his constitutional duties." SAN DIEGO (July 13, 2020) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 combats a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). On the morning of July 12, a fire was called away aboard the ship while it was moored pier side at Naval Base San Diego. The fire continues to be fought into the following day. Bonhomme Richard is going through a maintenance availability, which began in 2018. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mora Jr.) X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: Just when you think our prime minister may actually be growing into his job, he does something so ill-considered, so tone-deaf and so contrary to generally accepted political convention that all the confidence he has earned in the past few weeks evaporates in a flash. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 15/7/2020 (552 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Just when you think our prime minister may actually be growing into his job, he does something so ill-considered, so tone-deaf and so contrary to generally accepted political convention that all the confidence he has earned in the past few weeks evaporates in a flash. Such was Justin Trudeaus foolish and inexplicable attachment to the WE Charity, an organization to which he and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, as well as his mother and brother, have a personal connection. WE was initially granted a $19.5-million sole-source contract to administer the $912-million Canada Student Service Grant. Finally, after a string of critical stories about its internal turmoil and labour practices, the group mercifully exited the contract on July 3. It was pretty much impossible for the contract to continue in the face of such controversy. But WEs withdrawal came too late to spare Trudeaus image so carefully cultivated through his daily COVID-19 briefings as a prudent and thoughtful leader. Instead, Canadians are once again asking themselves: "What was he thinking?" WE is clearly in no state to run a federal program as it deals with its internal upheaval. The chairs of both WEs Canadian and U.S. boards of directors resigned in the spring. Most of the other members of both boards have been replaced and staff have been laid off in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Michelle Douglas, the former Canadian chair of the board of directors, tweeted that she resigned on March 27. She added that "almost all" of those on the Canadian and U.S. boards resigned or were replaced around the same time. When approached by CBC News, she refused to say why. In defending his decision to award the contract to WE, Trudeau claimed: "Quite frankly, when our public servants looked at the potential partners, only the WE organization had the capacity to deliver the ambitious program that young people need for this summer that is so deeply impacted by COVID." The Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents 140,000 public servants, immediately denounced Trudeaus claim as not only factually wrong but also "insulting to our members." Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre jumped on that point. In a broadcast interview, he said the Canada Summer Jobs program, which has been run by the federal government for nearly two decades, could easily have been retooled to give more placements for students with charities and other non-profits. Meanwhile, NDP MP Charlie Angus said the $912 million allocated to the program could have been used to better effect. He said he and other MPs were asked to identify 25 organizations in their ridings that could use youth this summer to help with the pandemic. He did so, but Canada Summer Jobs funding never came through for most of these recommendations. Beyond all those points, however, heres the problem with Trudeaus WE-gate moment: he and Sophie clearly are not at arms length from the organization. Although WE says that neither has been paid for their contributions to WE, Sophies travel expenses have been covered in the past. Later reporting revealed that the PMs mother, Margaret Trudeau, and brother, Alexandre, have received nearly $300,000 for speaking at WE events. As an experienced politician, Trudeau ought to have stayed away from recommending WE for any federal work. To do otherwise merely reinforces the deeply-rooted public belief that the leader in power gets to throw favours to his buddies, if not for financial gain then at least to win a popularity contest with his cohort. Such behaviour is so deeply beneath the dignity that Canadians expect from their leaders that it leaves one slack-jawed. And it adds fuel to the fire of the mistrust and cynicism we all feel. Sunny ways have been replaced with dark days of the same old cronyism we believe haunts the halls of power. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. When Trudeaus poor judgment has been exposed in the past, he has asked for the publics forgiveness. He did so again this week, calling his failure to recuse himself from discussions of the WE contract "a mistake." Canadians have generally been pretty gracious and most have given our PM the benefit of the doubt, even for the egregious blackface racist makeup he wore when he was a younger, seemingly less mature man. Canadians did so because they believe a person can change and acquire wisdom with age. But thats not always the case. Sometimes, people who are forgiven for past sins use it as a hall pass that merely sets them up to test the publics tolerance yet again with new outrages. Trudeau doesnt appear to be a humble and contrite person who is learning from past indiscretions. Instead, he more and more appears to be the kid who thinks he has his parents wrapped around his finger. We expect more, so much more, from a national leader. Veteran political commentator Doug Firby is president of Troy Media Digital Solutions and publisher of Troy Media. Troy Media Futura Medical PLC - the pharmaceutical company - Submits the product dossier for its treatment of erectile dysfunction known as MED3000 under the European Medical Device Regulation for marketing approval. The company has also now had a second pre-submission meeting with the US Food & Drug Administration, as a result of which it believes a pathway to a marketing approval for MED3000 in the US has been established, and importantly, without the need for a doctor's prescription. The US FDA have indicated a requirement for certain additional clinical efficacy data beyond Futura Medical's three months' home use study conducted in 2019 in 1,000 patients suffering from mild, moderate and severe erectile dysfunction. This additional data will require a further small clinical trial where patients with erectile dysfunction will receive MED3000 for a six month treatment period. Next steps will be to confirm design of the new clinical trial with US FDA to provide the necessary reassurance of MED3000's efficacy for up to six months and progress the Over the Counter label and leaflet development. Current stock price: 14.00 pence Year-to-date change: up 22% By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A lower total dose of radiotherapy delivered in fewer but larger doses is as safe in the long term as breast cancer radiotherapy courses giving multiple small doses, according to the final results of a 10-year study. The findings show that five larger radiotherapy doses after surgeryonce-a-week sessions for five weeks instead of daily radiotherapy over the same time, totalling 25 dosescause similarly low rates of side-effects in women with early-stage breast cancer in the long run. Fewer treatment sessions particularly benefit patients at low risk of relapse who cannot tolerate daily radiation over long periods of time because of frailty or other chronic conditions. The 10-year study offers reassurance to these women over the long-term safety of the approach. The 10-year results of the FAST trial, led by The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and funded by Cancer Research UK, are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The FAST trial, launched in 2004, compared radiotherapy schedules consisting of fewer but larger fractions overall, while decreasing the total dose of radiation, in order to see which course was best at reducing side-effects. The three-year results of the FAST trial were published in 2011 and showed that reducing the number of radiotherapy fractions to five was feasible and safe in the short term. Since then, FAST has informed the design of the FAST-Forward trial, also led by The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), which looks at delivering the five fractions of radiotherapy in a single week. This has also been found to be safe and effective. The 10-year results from the FAST trial now confirm that a treatment strategy involving fewer doses and fewer visits to hospital is as safe in the long term, since side-effects remain low a decade later. Radiotherapy uses X-rays to destroy cancer cells that may be left behind after breast cancer surgery. As a consequence, having radiotherapy after surgery lowers the risk of the cancer coming backbut the radiation can affect healthy tissue around the site of the surgery and on rare occasions can result in serious side effects. Some 915 women from 19 centres across the UK who had early-stage breast cancer participated in the FAST trial. Researchers assigned women to one of three different courses of radiotherapy following breast cancer surgerya regimen of daily doses and two courses delivering five larger doses once weekly, all over the same time period of five weeks. After completing the radiotherapy regimens, women were assessed annually for up to 10 years by researchers for side effects to healthy breast tissueincluding hardening of the breast, swelling, skin reactions and changes in breast size. The standard radiotherapy regimen consisted of the now outdated international standard of 50 Gray (Gy) of radiation, divided into 25 daily doses of 2 Gy, delivered every day over five weeks. The trial treatments consisted of 30 or 28.5 Gy delivered once a week for five weeks in fractions of 6 or 5.7 Gy. Moderate or severe long-term effects were low across the three treatment groups and the most common effect was breast shrinkage. The researchers observed no changes or minor changes in healthy breast tissue in 86 per cent of all women in the trial at the 10-year time point. Moderate or marked effects were two thirds more likely in women on the 30 Gy regimen than with 50 Gybut the women on the 28.5 Gy and 50 Gy regimens had a similar risk of moderate or marked effects. Delivering 28.5 Gy in five fractions as a once-weekly schedule is therefore safe in the long-term for certain patients, especially those who are frailer. Study co-leader Professor Judith Bliss, Professor of Clinical Trials at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Director of its Cancer Research UK-funded Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, said: "After undergoing surgery to remove breast cancer, patients usually undergo weeks of radiotherapy. The aim of the FAST trial was to figure out if using fewer fractions overall, with careful consideration of the total dose, would reduce the side effects observed. "Our initial results showed that when the total dose is adjusted appropriately it is safe to deliver radiotherapy in fewer doses and now we can confirm that this is still the case 10 years down the line. "These findings have supported a change in clinical practice that is already helping relieve pressures on the NHSand it is great to see that after so many years, side effects from fewer but larger doses of radiation are still low." Professor John Yarnold, Professor of Clinical Oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Honorary Consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is chief investigator of the FAST trial. He said: "Our findings support treatment options that are more convenient for patients who cannot tolerate long courses of daily radiation, without increasing the risk of long-term side effects. "The FAST trial confirms the safety of a radiotherapy course consisting of a lower total dose of radiotherapy delivered in five fractions of radiation. FAST has also laid the groundwork for the FAST-Forward trial, testing an even shorter treatment course of five fractions of breast radiotherapy delivered in a single week, which is likely to become a UK standard for patients with early breast cancer. "People are increasingly living longer with their cancer thanks to smarter, kinder treatmentsso establishing long-lasting safety of treatments is of utmost importance in order to help them live well with the condition." Professor Murray Brunt, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the University Hospitals of North Midlands and University of Keele, who is joint first author of the study, said: "The FAST trial identifies a five-fraction once-a-week regimen that is equivalent to daily treatment over the same time period. The follow-up to 10 years is important in establishing the principle of a five-treatment option. "For patients unable to attend daily this offers an alternative much more convenient once-a-week treatment option that is attractive to both patients and their carers." Joyce Charlton volunteered to be part of the FAST trial while being treated for breast cancer at the University Hospitals of North Midlands in Stoke-on-Trent. She commented: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, when I was approaching my 66th birthday. My oncologist, Professor Murray Brunt, encouraged me to join the FAST trial. I was scared and nervous at the time but, looking back, I can confidently say joining the trial was the best decision I could have made. "After undergoing surgery, I received one of the shorter radiotherapy courses and went into hospital once a week for five weeks. I felt tired, but didn't experience any notable discomfort immediately after treatment. A few months later, my scans came back clear and I have remained cancer-free ever since." Professor Arnie Purushotham, Cancer Research UK's senior clinical adviser, said: "Sparing women unnecessary treatment is always good news. And this study in women with early stage breast cancer, shows that a lower dose given weekly should be just as effective for some patients as a higher weekly dose. "Daily visits to hospital can be difficult for some patients who may be frail, have other illnesses, or live far from hospital. Ultimately, it's important that we keep doing research which can give patients a better quality of life." More information: Adrian Murray Brunt et al, Ten-Year Results of FAST: A Randomized Controlled Trial of 5-Fraction Whole-Breast Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer, Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020). Journal information: Journal of Clinical Oncology Adrian Murray Brunt et al, Ten-Year Results of FAST: A Randomized Controlled Trial of 5-Fraction Whole-Breast Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer,(2020). DOI: 10.1200/JCO.19.02750 In a fresh trouble for former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi on Wednesday (July 15) issued a notice to Pilot and 18 other rebel MLAs seeking their reply by July 17. Speaker Joshi issued the notice after the Rajasthan government's chief whip Mahesh Joshi lodged a complaint with him. Speaker Joshi issued the notice to Pilot and his loyalist MLAs for ignoring the party whip. It is to be noted that Pilot and 18 of his loyalist MLAs could be sacked from the Congress if proven guilty of deliberately ignoring the party's whip. In a related development, Pilot on Wednesday told ANI that he is not going to join the BJP. On the other hand, BJP is closely monitoring the changing political situation in the state but the BJP leaders are yet to hold any official meeting in this regard. The decision to sack Pilot was announced by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala during a press conference. The Congress decided to show the door to Tonk MLA after he skipped a second meeting of Congress Legislative Party on Tuesday in Jaipur. It may be recalled that Pilot was sacked as Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief on Tuesday for revolting against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and not skipping two meetings of Congress Legislative Party. The decision to sack Pilot was announced by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala during a press conference. Congress made Sachin Pilot a Union minister in his 30s, a deputy chief minister in his 40s..We have given Sachin Pilot many opportunities. He has been an MP, MoS and a state party president. I am sad that Sachin Pilot and some of his colleagues have fallen for a trap laid by the BJP...This is unacceptable, said Surjewala. After being removed from the post of Deputy Chief Minister and the state president, Sachin Pilot merely said that truth can be disturbed but not defeated. It was also reported that Pilot would address a press conference on Wednesday in Delhi but sources claimed that the Tonk MLA would not talk to the media on Wednesday. The political crisis in Rajasthan started on Sunday (July 12) after Pilot raised the banner of revolt against CM Gehlot and sent a message to the party that he may quit the party with this loyalist MLAs. Pilot claimed in some interviews that he has the support of over 30 MLAs. Its been a while since the Indian Government banned 59 Chinese applications in the country citing national security reasons. Now, the Indian Government has framed a set of questions for the makers of the banned apps about their product that involve censored content, privacy issues, lobbied influencers and whether they censored content. Indias Information Technology Ministry has asked the companies to respond to the 77 questions in about three weeks time. The report comes in from Reuters and did not clarify about any follow-up action that could be taken. Reuters One of the questions involves whether the content was censored after an attack by a Pakistani-based militant group in Kashmir. The attack was responsible for the death of 40 Indian defence personnel. One of the questions asked, In the aftermath of the Pulwama Attack of 2019, did the company/app censor content relating to the attack or its perpetrators?" Bytedance, the company behind TikTok has said that it is boring on responses for the questions posed by the ministry. The company has reaffirmed that TikTok complied with all Indian laws and added the users privacy is of utmost priority. TikToks ban in India has caused a huge blow to the company and some say it may cost the company around Rs 45,000 crore. One of the questions asked by the Indian government seeks more information on whether the social media company and its executives communicated with film stares, social media influencers, and journalists to promote any content. The Indian Government also wanted to know more about their business structures, taxation practices, privacy policies and other queries related to advertisers. Unsplash/Kon Karampelas The Indian Government also asked these companies to disclose whether they have been investigated in the United States or the European Union for collecting user data. If you want to know more about the questions posed by the Indian Government, you can read the full report by Reuters here. Source: Reuters Former U.S. attorney Geoffrey Berman, fired last month by President Donald Trump in what critics have said was a bid to install a political ally, will teach law at Stanford University this fall. Berman, who headed the powerful federal prosecutors' office in Manhattan, testified last week that he was repeatedly pressured by Attorney General William Barr to resign and take another job in the government. Berman stepped down, choosing not to fight his removal, only after Barr decided to name Berman's deputy as his replacement in the Southern District of New York. Berman told Congress that Barr said "getting fired from my job would not be good for my resume or future job prospects." It turns out Stanford was happy to have Berman, who received his law degree there in 1984, back on campus. "We are pleased to welcome back Geoffrey to Stanford Law," Jenny Martinez, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and dean of Stanford Law School, said in a statement. "Many of our students will go on to careers in criminal law, public interest, and government work and Geoff's presence on our campus is a unique opportunity for our students to learn from a well-respected and accomplished public servant and professional." In his own statement, Berman said, "Prosecutors wield enormous power over life, liberty and reputation and should be subject to ethical standards higher than those that apply to other attorneys." He said he looked forward to passing on "what I've learned about prosecutorial decision-making and the critical role of the prosecutor in the administration of justice." Berman's office has managed several politically sensitive investigations involving people close to Trump, including his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Barr never made clear the reason for his removal, Berman told the House Judiciary Committee, other than to say that Trump wanted to appoint the current head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jay Clayton. Clayton has no experience as a federal prosecutor. Barr had offered Berman the chairmanship of the SEC as well as a job heading the Justice Department's Civil Division. Berman was not interested in either position. The Southern District is currently led by acting U.S. attorney Audrey Strauss, who was Berman's deputy. Vessels on the Welland Canal are being asked to make their way slowly past McKeil Marines damaged Florence Spirit, currently docked in Welland. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. issued a notice Tuesday asking vessels to proceed at the slowest safe speed when passing by Wharf 10 between Mile 16 and Mile 18. Wharf 10 is on the west side of the canal in Welland and sits east of Bradley Avenue. The Florence Spirit moored at the dock after it and dship Carriers MV Alanis collided Saturday afternoon in the Welland Canal south of Port Robinson. The two vessels the Florence Spirit was headed toward Lake Ontario, and the Alanis toward Lake Erie collided starboard to starboard just before 4 p.m. No one was injured on either vessel and there was no impact on the environment. The Florence Spirit was carrying coal and bound for Quebec and the Alanis was carrying wind turbine parts headed for Duluth, Minn. Transportation Safety Board investigators interviewed members of both crews and the pilot on board the Alanis and downloaded data from the black boxes of both. A report into the collision investigation could take up to a year to be released. DMG Report Celebrates The Customer Engagement Company While the contact center shifted virtual, and moved to a WFH model, the customer experience must remain nothing short of exceptional. Innovation is central to contact center solution provider strategy, offering AI, virtual assistants and other modern customer service tools. DMG Consulting LLCs 2020/2021 Intelligent Virtual Agent Product and Market Report put a spotlight on Verint (News - Alert), as The Customer Engagement Company earned highly satisfied scores from customers in overall vendor satisfaction, product satisfaction and implementation. Specifically speaking, Verint earned top marks in natural language understanding/natural language generations, customer self-service capabilities and AI. Digger a little deeper: the report also showered praise on Verints ability to improve customer engagement/satisfaction, its ongoing system optimization as well as adhering to compliance and privacy regulations. Central to Verints success is the Verint Intelligent Virtual Assistant, as it leverages AI and machine learning to deliver more personalized experiences to customers across voice and digital channels. Creative enterprises are asking a lot from their digital assistants, and the more flexible IVAs are responding with a swiftness never experienced with IVRs, notes Donna Fluss, president, DMG Consulting. While many of the functions performed by IVAs were available from sophisticated natural language IVRs, the speed to market of the newer IVAs is a game-changer for companies. How is your organization engaging with customers during COVID-19? Edited by Maurice Nagle Emirates Airlines, which has carried relatively large numbers of returnees from Pakistan and India back to Hong Kong during the coronavirus pandemic, has halted all flights to and from the city until Saturday amid new rules requiring passengers from high-risk areas to test negative for Covid-19 before flying. Passengers who had been in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa, the Philippines or Indonesia would need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result before arriving in Hong Kong, the government said on Monday. Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee on Tuesday refused to rule out adding more countries to the so-called high-risk list. Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China. Travellers would be asked to show test certificates from Saturday although the rule takes effect from Wednesday, an airline industry source said. With few airlines flying from India and Pakistan to transit hubs and more broadly to Hong Kong, the number of flight options has narrowed considerably for those in the South Asian countries. There are at least 5,000 Hong Kong residents still stuck in India several months on from the start of the pandemic. Mandatory testing for aircrew arriving in the city was introduced last Wednesday. For fliers, the onus is on airlines to check if passengers are fit to fly based on, among others, their health, Covid-19 test results and travel history. Emirates has already stopped flying to Hong Kong. Photo: Roy Issa Emirates, which cited unspecified operational reasons, stopped flying to Hong Kong after last Saturday, according to tracker service FlightRadar24. A spokeswoman, when asked how the airline planned to adapt to the new rules, said on Tuesday: Emirates has taken the decision to temporarily suspend passenger services to and from Hong Kong until July 18. Plans to resume services will be subject to review. We remain committed to serving our customers in Hong Kong and are working hard to resume services as soon as possible. Story continues As of Monday, most imported cases in Hong Kong over the past four weeks came from Pakistan, India and the Philippines with 93, 54 and 35 cases respectively. A significant number of imported Covid-19 cases travelled via the popular air transit hub of Dubai on Emirates. Aircrew and seafarers had been exempt from Covid-19 testing but a number of previously undetected infections prompted the government to scrap the exemption, and more cases have since emerged. The mandatory testing for aircrew forced a number of long-haul airlines to halt flights to the city over the past week. US carriers United Airlines and American Airlines led the flight suspensions. Air France and Air Canada have since cancelled Hong Kong flights, while KLM has added a stopover on return journeys. Over the weekend, Emirates said it would stop cabin crew layovers in Hong Kong to avoid disruption to their rest times between flights. Health chief Sophia Chan refused to rule out adding more countries to the so-called high-risk list. Photo: Winson Wong Airlines risk a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,541) and imprisonment of six months should travellers not meet the tests set out by authorities and carriers also risk the same financial penalty and jail time for non-compliance and providing false information. Similarly, travellers who fail to comply with a requirement to provide information, or knowingly or recklessly provide any information that is false or misleading face a HK$10,000 fine and six-month jail term. Still-stranded Hong Kong resident Amit Rawat, 35, flew to India over the Lunar New Year in late January with his six-year-old son and wife Sarjoj, who is four months pregnant. They planned to stay in Noida, outside Delhi, for a holiday but were left stranded after the government locked down the nation in March. Backing the tighter measures, he said: Its not really a problem taking a test before the flight. Its for the betterment of the people of Hong Kong. But he remained disappointed by the lack of more chartered flights arranged by the Hong Kong government. This article Hong Kong third wave: Emirates Airlines halts flights to and from city amid Covid-19 clampdown first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. On Monday, eight Delaware County fire recruits graduated from the Philadelphia Fire Academy. The new career firefighters, five from Chester and three from Upper Darby, spent the last 10 months training in multiple aspects of firefighting in a class with 56 cadets from the Philadelphia Fire Department. On graduation day, the cadets sat outdoors near the multi-story fire tower where much of their training took place. Chairs were spaced several feet apart for social distancing purposes. There was no audience to congratulate them; friends and family had to watch the event online. Deputy Chief Girten Allerton, director of the Fire Academy, thanked the recruits for choosing public service in these extraordinary times and extraordinary circumstances. Today, you have earned the honor and privilege of wearing the firefighters badge, Allerton said. But with that badge comes a heavy burden you have pledged to respond when people are in the middle of the worst moments of their lives, and they are depending on you. We consider this an absolutely fantastic opportunity for our department, Michael Gove, chief of Upper Darby Township Fire Department, said about the training at the fire academy. The Philadelphia Fire Academy allows us to immerse our cadets in the culture of the fire department, its histories, traditions, while at the same time improving their physical fitness to be ready for the rigors of the job. Gove pointed out that the fire department is a paramilitary organization and the lifestyle can be a change from civilization life and the fire academy prepares them to do that. Upon graduation, the cadets earned nationally recognized certifications in Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2 and Hazardous Materials Operations, and Life Safety Education, as well as being certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Both departments have been sending their recruits to the Philadelphia Academy for the past 25 years. The intense physical and mental training prepares them for the rigorous tasks they will face as firefighters. It took a little longer because of COVID-19. It was a long battle for those young guys but they did a heck of a job, said Chester Fire Commissioner William C. Rigby, who pointed out that one of his recruits, Cadet Emanuel Delva, was awarded second place for the physical fitness award and was chosen by the academy instructors to receive the Fellowship Award. In addition to Delva, the other Chester recruits are Jamal Anding, Jamiel Church, Andre Grant and Ronald Thompson; they are all city residents. The Upper Darby recruits are Michael Melazzo, William Addis and Michael Kopp. One lives in the township now the other two must move there after their probationary period. The Upper Darby recruits were officially sworn in on Tuesday morning in a socially distant ceremony at Primos Secane Westbrook Park Fire Station No. 5 and by Wednesday they reported to work. They join 57 career and 75 volunteer firefighters in the township. They come out with a pretty impressive folder of certificates and education, Gove said. This is a very rigorous course of training and it is extremely comprehensive. We are very proud of all the guys who we have put through, all the ones we have in and all the ones we hope to hire in the future. In addition to the new recruits, firefighter Emil DAlesio Jr., a 16-year veteran, was sworn in as captain. Recruits are chosen from a competitive Civil Service process. While there is some diversity in the volunteer staff at Upper Darby, Gove agreed there is a lack of diversity in the career ranks which are now all white. The next class of four recruits from Upper Darby are presently training at the academy while a third group, with a more diverse makeup is scheduled to begin in October. The make-up of the earlier classes was determined by the Civil Service Commission from previous administrations. The recruiting test consists of a written test, a physical agility test and an oral interview. Based on the scores they are ranked and hired off of that list. Our goal is to eventually have a fire department that is more representative of the community, Gove said. That is a significant goal that the mayor has laid out for us. The Chester recruits will be sworn in at the City Council meeting next Wednesday, 10 a.m. at City Hall. They will be spending two weeks with Battalion Chief John-Paul Shirley, the bureaus training officer, and being oriented to the Chester Bureau of Fire. Upon completion of orientation, they will each be assigned to one of four platoons where they will join their 53 fellow firefighters in serving the residents of the City of Chester. Rigby said they have five firefighters retiring so the new recruits would be a big help. We received numerous compliments about all five of the Chester Fire Cadets from many of the academy staff, said Rigby. It was remarked that the Philadelphia Fire Department wanted to keep the Chester cadets. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 14:25:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, July 15 (Xinhua) -- At least six Taliban militants were killed during airstrikes in two southern Afghan provinces, command of Afghan Special Forces said Wednesday. "Six Taliban militants were killed and two others wounded during airstrikes in Arghandab district of Zabul province and Maiwand district of neighboring Kandahar province," Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps (ANASOC) said in a statement. The airstrikes were conducted to support the ground forces after the militants stormed security checkpoints, the statement added. The statement did not provide details whether the stories were conducted by Afghan Air Force or NATO and U.S. coalition forces. The militant group has not responded to the report so far. Violence still lingered in the war-torn country after a peace deal was signed between the United States and Taliban in Qatar in February, which paved the way for a phased U.S. force withdrawal. According to the agreement, some 10,000 U.S. and NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan will withdraw by July next year. Enditem Millions of people went into new lockdowns Tuesday as novel coronavirus cases surged, but in one sign of hope, a US firm said it would soon start final-stage human trials for a possible COVID-19 vaccine. Massachusetts-based Moderna will begin the trials later this month after promising early results. With countries and cities across the globe reimposing restrictions in the face of new outbreaks of the disease, infections in India have continued to soar. The country of 1.3 billion people had been easing its lockdown to lessen the economic impact -- particularly on vast numbers of poor Indians who lost their jobs. Almost 24,000 Indian deaths have now been recorded, according to health ministry figures that many experts say underplay the severity of the situation. Bangalore, home to more than 13 million people, has emerged as a new global hotspot. Firms in the city's lifeblood IT sector handling the back-office operations of dozens of global corporations can continue operating, but with only half the staff allowed on premises. Transport is banned except for emergencies, and only shops selling essential items are allowed to open. "I do not want to take chances... I am stocking up for two weeks," said Mangala, a housewife, as she joined a long queue to buy provisions. In the United States, the announcement of possible progress towards a vaccine came as results were published from the first stage of Moderna's vaccine trial, which showed the first 45 participants all developed antibodies to the virus. Moderna is considered to be in a leading position in the race to find a vaccine against the coronavirus, which has infected more than 13.2 million people and killed 570,000. The last-stage trials are scheduled to run through October 2022, with researchers expecting preliminary results well before then. - No return to 'normal'- But "there will be no return to the 'old normal' for the foreseeable future," World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday, warning that without governments adopting a comprehensive strategy, the situation would get "worse and worse and worse." In England, face masks will become compulsory in shops and supermarkets from next week, the health secretary said Tuesday in a U-turn on previous policy. Face masks have been mandatory on public transport across the country since June 15, and Scotland has already made the coverings compulsory for shoppers. After overseeing drastically downscaled Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron also said he would like to make masks mandatory in enclosed public spaces. "We have indications that (the outbreak) is accelerating a bit," he said. Macron's comments come as doctors have warned of a potential second wave of infections, which could again overwhelm hospitals and require new lockdowns that could further hammer the economy. But Disneyland Paris will begin a "phased reopening" on Wednesday, with visitor numbers limited via a new online reservation system to ensure social distancing. In the United States on Tuesday, the hard-hit state of Florida posted a record number of deaths for a 24-hour period at 132. Nationwide, more than 63,262 new infections and 850 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. California has drastically rolled back its reopening plans and ordered all indoor restaurants, bars and cinemas to close again as cases soared across America's richest and most populous state. Churches -- as well as gyms, shopping malls, hair salons and non-essential offices -- must also shut indoor operations in half of the Golden State's worst-hit and most densely populated counties, including Los Angeles. - Alarm bells - The bruising economic impact of the pandemic was stark in Singapore, where the economy shrank more than 40 percent in the second quarter, plunging the Southeast Asian financial and trading hub into recession for the first time in a decade. "It's the worst-ever quarterly figure in Singapore's 55-year history," CIMB Private Banking regional economist Song Seng Wun told AFP on Tuesday. The worse-than-expected figures will ring alarm bells for other economies reliant on trade. Britain also saw its economy shrink by nearly a fifth in the three months to May compared with the previous quarter as the lockdown crippled activity. Since the start of July, nearly 2.5 million new infections have been registered across the globe, with the number of cases doubling over the past six weeks, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Latin America on Monday recorded the world's second-highest regional death toll, declaring a total of 144,758 fatalities to pass the 144,023 recorded in the United States and Canada. It now stands second only to Europe. South Africa has reimposed a nationwide curfew to prevent a "coronavirus storm" from ravaging the continent's hardest-hit nation, where new infections have topped 12,000 a day. burs/bgs/ch - Clarence Moses-EL got incarcerated in 1988 after a Denver lady in Colorado said she had a dream and saw his face - The lady had been attacked by three men and left half-blind with no evidence to accuse anyone - Moses-EL was sentenced to 48 years in prison but in 2016, 28 years later, he was released after one of the real culprits wrote a letter about his innocence A Black man named Clarence Moses-EL was declared guilty in 1988 and sentenced to 48 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman after the lady dreamt of him. In a report sighted by TUKO.co.ke, the infamous event occurred during a summer night in 1987. READ ALSO: It's a human: Comedian Eddie Butita drops hint lover Mammito maybe expectant with first baby The man spent about 28 in years in prison before his release. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Robert Burale discharged from hospital days after testing positive for COVID-19 According to Face2FaceAfrica.com, a Denver, Colorado woman, who had a drink out with three men was left partially blind and in her attempt to recount who was responsible, described Clarence. She concluded that Moses-EL was behind the attack that very night stating that his face came to her in a dream. Moses-EL mentioned he was innocent and challenged his conviction but that did not do much to prevent the sentence meted out to him. It is reported that the Denver Police discarded the DNA evidence from the attack and body swabs together with the victims clothing were destroyed by the police despite a judges order that they be preserved for testing. READ ALSO: Serge Aurier: Brother of Spurs star Christopher shot dead in France READ ALSO: Mwanamke Mkenya afariki dunia baada ya kugonjwa na lori Marekani However, luck shone on Moses-EL in 2013 when LC Jackson, one of the three men responsible for the attack, wrote a letter to him. In 2016, a jury acquitted Moses-EL of all crimes in the case after he had spent 28 years behind bars. He joined his family in a move that was celebrated worldwide. 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 The family of a five-year-old boy who had his honesty shop stolen - including goods he was selling and the money he'd made - have received hundreds of offers of help after news of it went viral on social media. Antiques expert Philip Serrell, who appears on BBC antiques shows, shared the plight of Harry Clare, five, after hearing about how his honesty shop had been raided. The boy sells eggs and other dairy items including goats milk - and even soap - from his parents glamping site, Rosebud Meadow, in Malvern, Worcestershire. Harry Clare, five, from Malvern, Worcestershire sells eggs and cheese from an honesty shop at his parents' glamping site On Tuesday, Harry's family noticed that the budding shopkeeper's supplies had been taken, along with the takings. Auctioneer Serrell shared the family's dismay on social media, writing on Twitter: 'This is Harry - he is five and runs a little honesty shop near to my Saleroom. 'Someone has stolen his money and his stock. They will probably be too ashamed to return either, but if they get to read this I hope it costs them a few nights sleep.' Serrell saw his tweet re-tweeted by famous faces including Rev Richard Coles and it's now been liked by almost 24,000 people. BBC antiques star Philip Serrell posted about the theft on Twitter, and more than 23,000 people have now seen the tweet The little boy's mother, Rosie Clare, told the BBC her son was a budding shopkeeper and they have been touched by the response, saying: 'We've had people from all the way down in Devon and Scotland and a lady in New York who has sent him a message.' Many of those getting in touch were outraged that someone would raid a child's honesty shop. @Cindy46282686 wrote: 'Who would do this??? Im gutted for this little boy not about the money but that he is forced to already be confronted with the s*** of society. If I could send little Harry a note of encouragement from Australia I certainly would. Sorry little chap.' @ghostlytom penned: 'Poor Harry! Apart from the eggs what does Harry sell? If anything can be posted Id buy it, covering post and package of course.' @BILDERBERG_GP added: 'Some people have no values whatsoever. They won't lose any sleep. They'll go back to see if there is more to steal. Little Harry should keep going. He's a star.' On Wednesday afternoon, Serrell said the family had been thrilled at all the responses and he asked that people donate something to a children's charity as a gesture of kindness instead of giving the family money. He wrote: 'I have suggested that rather than send money it would be great if people could give something - whatever - to a childrens charity local to them and then record for Harry how much has been given - we are thinking about how! #AGiftfromHarry - please do nothing yet. Details later.' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) - House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano told Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday to just chill after the latter said that the denial of franchise to ABS-CBN would be a dangerous precedent to franchise applications by other media outlets. Poe said in a statement last week that the decision of the House of Representatives not to renew the television giants legislative franchise might affect the franchise applications of those who use Philippine Depository Receipts, tax schemes, and digital platforms. These were also the same issues thrown at ABS-CBN during the 12 sessions of hours-long deliberations in the chamber. READ: Poe calls for strengthening of media as ABS-CBN franchise decision may send out warning to other agencies Cayetano defended that the chilling effect of the franchise denial only applies to those who abuse the system. I agree with Sen. Grace Poe that the denial of the Lopezs franchise application for ABS-CBN sets a precedent, he said in a Facebook post. And it is precisely the precedent we want to make - that the House of Representatives will never tolerate anyone, including oligarchs, who will abuse the system and cheat both the government and our people. He added that the franchise applications of other broadcasting networks like GMA and TV-5 were easily approved because he claimed that they never served the business interest of their owners. That is because their exercise of the freedom of speech and of the Press, was never employed to mask the corporate practices of their owners that screwed the system and our people - to the tune of billions of pesos, said Cayetano. The House Speaker also said that these networks never played as Kingmaker or Kingslayer in their election coverages. READ: Cayetano warns big business could use media to protect own interest Cayetano advised Poe and even Vice President Leni Robredo to rewatch the hearings and read again the findings of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises. Chill ka lang (Just chill) Sen[ator] Grace. Our country is on the right track, he said. By John J. Metzler Beijing's tightening noose on Hong Kong foretells many things both in the successful city state as much as throughout the opaque vastness of China itself. Clearly, the widening communist political crackdown on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms was expected given the successful city-state's thriving democracy. Despite large pro-democracy demonstrations against China's actions, effective Western political and economic pushback will serve as a weathervane determining Beijing's next moves. Though there was selective global outrage when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a draconian national security statute on Hong Kong, in direct breach of the Anglo-Chinese agreements, Beijing calculates that the West preoccupied and distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic may react only with measured rhetoric but not tough action. The U.S. Senate approved a bill authorizing further sanctions on Chinese officials involved in implementing the draconian laws in Hong Kong. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moreover stated, "Free Hong Kong was one of the world's most stable, prosperous, and dynamic cities. Now it will be just another communist-run city, where its people will be subject to the party elite's whims." Hong Kong's brash lack of deference to the monolithic People's Republic has long irked Beijing's Marxist mandarins. But now that Shanghai and other mainland cities have economically surpassed Hong Kong, the primary sociopolitical threat from the city of 7.5 million on the China coast stems from Hong's Kong's relatively robust political freedoms and civil rights, somewhat free media, not to mention its financial clout. That's changing fast though. The new crackdown ironically coincides with the anniversary of the former British Crown Colony's reversion to Chinese rule in 1997, a time when outside observers including this writer felt nervously optimistic about Hong Kong's future. Though Beijing largely honored the accords for 20 years, during the past three years the rule of law has dramatically eroded. Christopher Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said: "This decision, which rides roughshod over Hong Kong's elected legislature, marks the end of 'one country, two systems.' It is a flagrant breach of the Sino-British joint declaration, a treaty lodged at the United Nations, and Hong Kong's mini constitution, the Basic Law." U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson moreover described China's actions as a "serious breach" of the terms under which Britain turned over control of Hong Kong in 1997. European Union leaders condemned China's "deplorable decision." The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva became a rhetorical battleground between countries supporting China and those daring to criticize China. Cuba led a list of 53 countries backing Beijing; the mendacious muddle including Iran, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Twenty-seven democratic states including Australia, Austria, Canada, Estonia, France, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the U.K opposed the move. Given that the U.S. withdrew from the Council in 2018, Washington could not formally vote. While the outcome was hardly surprising in the hothouse of the Human Rights Council, it ironically underscored China's clout. This hardly means the U.S. is not engaged. The Trump administration's tough pushback on Beijing has been tightening China trade sanctions and has ended Hong Kong's special trade status with the U.S. The president's Uyghur Human Rights Policy act which warns "companies with supply chain links to entities complicit in forced labor and other human rights abuses in Xinjiang and throughout China," has refocused on Beijing's rights failings and religious persecution. But while attention has been on Hong Kong, we recall the old Chinese military stratagem, "Make Noise in the East, and attack in the West." Consider for a moment while the coronavirus-obsessed world watches Hong Kong, China has carried out deadly military skirmishes along the sensitive Indian-Chinese frontier, continued to probe the disputed waters of the South China Sea, and ominously shadowed Taiwan. Will Chairman Xi Jinping use the Hong Kong crisis as a feint to draw foreign attention while other strategic plans could be afoot? Conversely Beijing's actions to suffocate tiny Hong Kong do not signal a strong confident Chinese government but rather a nervous People's Republic which is increasingly wracked by internal discord stemming from the monumentally mishandled coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing economic downturn, and shadows of corruption which traditionally plague the regime. Secretary Pompeo stressed, "This isn't a U.S-China challenge. This is a challenge that is between freedom and authoritarianism. And so long as we keep that foremost in our minds, I'm confident that the freedom-loving peoples of the world will prevail." Which way will the weathervane turn? John J. Metzler (jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent overing diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism the Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." F ormer transport secretary Chris Grayling, who had been tipped to lead the powerful Intelligence and Security committee, has been denied the role after members elected fellow Conservative MP Julian Lewis. The Cabinet Office confirmed Dr Lewiss appointment in a one-line statement on Wednesday evening. It will now fall to him to decide when, or if, to publish a long-delayed report into Russian meddling in UK democracy completed by the committee last year. Mr Grayling, Boris Johnsons preferred candidate, was expected to be named the new chair of the body which oversees the work of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. But the committee members voted instead for former defence select committee chairman Dr Lewis. Julian Lewis was voted in despite the Prime Minister's backing going to Chris Grayling / PA With the Conservatives enjoying a majority with five out of nine places on the committee there had been concern at Westminster that the Tory members would be whipped to support Mr Grayling despite concerns about his expertise. Former national security adviser Lord Ricketts had warned that Mr Grayling who earned the nickname Failing Grayling during a chequered ministerial career does not match up to the authority and reputation of former chairs. Following Dr Lewis success, Lord Ricketts said the body was now in the hands of someone with much wider experience of defence and security. As well as Mr Grayling and Dr Lewis, the members of the ISC are Tory MPs Theresa Villiers, Sir John Hayes and Mark Pritchard, Labour MPs Dame Diana Johnson and Kevan Jones, the Labour peer Admiral Lord West and the SNP MP Stewart Hosie. Mr Johnson has faced criticism over the delay in appointing the committee which has not met since the last parliament was dissolved in November last year. The committee has yet to publish its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics after Mr Johnson refused to clear it for release before last years general election. The so-called Russia Report was completed in March 2019 and passed on to Mr Johnson in October, but he blocked its publication ahead of the December general election. A committee source said following Wednesday's vote: This was a secret ballot but clearly for him (Mr Grayling) to lose, some Tories decided not to vote for him. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael said Mr Johnson had appointed yes men to the ISC but true to form, however, failing Grayling has been undone in his bid to be chair. I hope we now have a committee with real teeth that can hold this Government to account, he added. That starts by publishing the report into Russian interference of our democracy before the summer recess so MPs can scrutinise it fully. The next school year approaches as the state of Texas and the Texas Education Agency continue revising guidelines for returning to school, and some parents of Spring ISD students are still uneasy about returning. Prepping for school amid pandemic: Spring ISD mulls several school reopening plans Spring ISD is scheduled to begin the next school year Aug. 17, with multiple options for students who wish to return to school or continue learning remotely, but some parents are worried about the prospect of sending their students back yet. One parent, Jessica Burnell, said she would like to see Spring ISD take advantage of the three weeks the Texas Education Agency is giving school districts at the start of this year to hold class virtually before transitioning. This is part of a TEA order requiring schools to open their buildings for in-person instruction five days a week for students who want it. Districts that choose to stay entirely virtual following the three-week transition would lose funding. I believe its too soon to expose our students, teachers and staff in buildings while cases are still rising the way they are, Burnell said. We need to gradually move to face to face instruction. On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston ISD to remain online-only for first 6 weeks, delay return until after Labor Day Ruby Blanco said she and her senior child want to see a hybrid model where the student can work remotely if they choose or learn on campus. This would make life easier and not so stressful for parents, Blanco said. My daughter is ready to go back to school, Im certain its out of boredom from being home and also to reunite with friends. But we know that its still not safe. Shanae Coleman said her son is ready to go back to school, and that she would be in support of it if Spring ISD can implement a good plan. Virtual learning was not for us, Coleman said. The projects were basically a waste of time. Unless they are going to implement virtual learning on each class subject then its pointless. Audriana Davis said she didnt feel comfortable sending her son back to Spring High School but didnt want him to miss his senior activities. I would be more comfortable with virtual learning the first semester and the second semester, when we have more knowledge and if the numbers go down or the virus is contained, then allow them back on campus, Davis said. Bill Maier, another parent, said it was impossible to social distance in schools by keeping childrens masks on and keeping them separated on the buses. Can you imagine if a few kids get [coronavirus] doesnt that mean that theyll have to shut down the entire school? Maier said. My kids will not be part of an experiment just to see how it goes. Districts decide plans for fall return: With COVID-19 cases spiking in Texas, should schools return via virtually or in-person? Spring ISD Spokesperson Karen Garrison said there would be virtual town halls to inform parents of the plans they have for the 2020-21 school year. One town hall will be held in English 6 p.m. Monday, and another at the same time Tuesday in Spanish. Information on Spring ISDs reopening plans can be found at www.springisd.org/townhall-reopen. paul.wedding@hcnonline.com I'm not a lawyer and don't pretend to be one, Buttrose said on Wednesday. What I'm doing is fighting for people who can't afford lawyers. And yet that is what has happened this week in the NSW Land and Environment Court, when JQZ developer Jianqiu Zhang took action against his Vaucluse neighbour, Bruce Davidson , over a hedge of Leyland cypress trees. And who did Davidson pick to represent him? Its a very Sydney dispute, in which a billionaire property developer takes their next door neighbour to court in a dispute over a tree. Arguably its an even more Emerald City tale when the next door neighbour appoints a convicted cocaine dealer to represent them. The news might surprise readers who best remember Buttrose, who is nephew to ABC chair Ita Buttrose, for his notable brush with the law over a decade ago. Then a 37-year-old, he was handed a 12-year jail sentence when a police raid of his harbourside apartment revealed a 6kg bag of cocaine and more than $1.3 million in cash. He served nine years, which he put to use earning a business degree and an MBA. Since his release in 2017, hes had a string of jobs, including working in catering for a friend. That gig saw him rub shoulders with legal identities including criminal lawyer Margaret Cunneen SC, former senior crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC and former Attorney-General Greg Smith. More recently, he has put the know-how he earned over successive years of battling the legal system in his own fight to use, by acting as an agent in court. Applicants and defendants can choose to use a representative who isnt a lawyer, known as an agent, so long as they file documents with the court acknowledging they know the difference. In June, Buttrose successfully helped arborist George Palmer recover some $25,000 in a Local Court case. And on Tuesday, he had another win, representing Vaucluse homeowner Davidson against his neighbour, Zhang. Justice John Robson dismissed Zhangs claim. Buttrose likes the gig and reckons hes not too bad at it either. On Wednesday, the 47-year-old was accepted into a law degree at Charles Sturt University. An exciting chapter indeed. A Clinton man who received images from a 15-year-old girl pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge Wednesday, according to federal officials. Mark Felner, 31, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of receipt of child pornography stemming from his interactions with an underage victim in 2015 and 2016, federal officials said in a release from the office of Connecticut U.S. Attorney John H. Durham . Felner, who was 26 at the time, traveled from Connecticut to North Carolina to engage in illegal sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. In 2015 and 2016, when Felner and the minor victim were not physically together, the victim, at Felners instruction, sent pornographic images of herself through social media messaging services, federal officials said, attributing the information to court documents and statements made in court. Felner was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Oct. 8, 2019 and a memory card seized from Felner at the time of his arrest revealed pornographic images that he had received from the minor victim. Thompson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 7, and Felner faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and maximum of 20 years in prison. Felner will also be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction, according to federal officials. Felner is free on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. The case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London and East Lyme Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Neeraj Patel, according to federal officials. The prosecution is also part of the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, according to federal officials. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. To report cases of child exploitation, visit www.cybertipline.com. - Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced that the Philippines has flattened the COVID-19 curve - However, several lawmakers did not agree with the statement of Duque - Sen. Migz Zubiri pointed out the continuous increase of COVID-19 cases in the country - Meanwhile, Sen. Sonny Angara mentioned that hospitals in Metro Manila are now overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Several lawmakers in the country have spoken after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III claimed that the Philippines has already flattened the COVID-19 curve. KAMI learned that some politicians did not agree with Duque as the confirmed cases continue to rise and hospitals are being overwhelmed. Photo from Getty Images Source: Getty Images In different social media posts, the lawmakers aired their thoughts regarding the previous statement of Duque. Here are some of their statements: Sen. Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri OMG! Dear Secretary Duque, with all due respect, pls tell us what curve is flattening? Is it the fact that the cases in April were at an average of two hundred a day as compared to the daily average of over a thousand cases today? Or is it the fact that we will soon be number one in South East Asia in terms covid cases? The only thing that is flat are the backs of all the poor patients in fully occupied covid wards all around Metro Manila fighting for their lives! Wag mag bulag bulagan and act to stop the surge instead of imagining it. Gov. Francis Chiz Escudero Dear Sec. Duque: The first step po in solving a problem is admitting that we have a problem. Addressing a pandemic is never a propaganda war. Please just do your job as best you can without fooling yourself or us and pray really hard that all our efforts will bear fruit. Sen. Sonny Angara Hardly. If he said that 3 weeks ago I might have believed him but the hospital COVID wards are filling up again. There seem to be less people dying but cases seem to be on the up. Sen. Francis Kiko Pangilinan Flattened the curve, daw?? Heto pa ang isang mukhang galing ata sa ibang planeta. Sen. Risa Hontiveros Secretary Duque should look at the DOH data with brutal honesty. We will not be able to formulate and implement sound policies if we are not honest. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! As of July 15, the Department of Health reported a total of 58,850 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The active cases are 36,260. Meanwhile, 20,976 patients were able to recover. Earlier, Health Secretary Duque announced that the Philippines was able to flatten the COVID-19 curve since April. This was based on the case doubling time and longer mortality time. A month ago, Duque also claimed that the country was on its second wave already. However, he took it back and apologized for the confusion. Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters! Source: KAMI.com.gh Modern dance Harmonic Series premieres in Shanghai By:Lu Yukun | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-07-14 18:50 Harmonic Series, a modern dance performance originally scheduled for March, got its world premiere in the Shanghai International Dance Center from July 10 to 12. The shows creators are hotshot choreographers from Spain, Guy Nader and Maria Campos. In this dance, they intend to show their pursuit of new dancing styles. Like many modern dance performances, Harmonic Series is abstract. After watching Harmonic Series, some people said that the dancers seemed to be riding a roller coaster, while others said the dance resembles planetary rotation and revolution. Another audience member said that the performance is similar to Brownian motion, meaning the random movement of microscopic particles suspended in a liquid or gas, There are a lot of dangerous movements and lifts in the performance, which likely catch the audiences eye. This is my second time watching it but I still feel nervous for the dancers, said a spectator. Art director Xie Xin mentioned that Harmonic Series is a wonderful performance by nine dancers. Those nine people must have a strong sense of trust in each other so that they can produce a breath-taking performance for the audience. The performance calls for a high level of concentration, said dancer Guan Honghang. Every one of us is highly focused on our movements, so as to ensure that we wont get hurt. Harmonic Series is the first commissioned performance staged in the Shanghai International Dance Center since its reopening. Though all the tickets have been sold out, it is still difficult to make ends meet because the occupancy for each show must be capped at 30 percent. Nevertheless, the theater still hopes to support young dancers and private dance groups through this difficult period. After Harmonic Series, Shanghai Jinxing Dance will bring two performances, Wandering in Dreams and Their World from July 16 to 19. In a sign of the depressed business sentiment that has accompanied the virus-related economic slowdown, UNCTAD, the UNs trade body, predicted in June that global foreign direct investment flows would fall by 40% this year, while greenfield investment and mergers and acquisitions had both dropped by more than 50% year-on-year in the first quarter. However, the sentiment in impact investment which is commonly directed at projects in the renewable energy, housing, health care and education sectors appears to be more resilient. According to a survey of 294 impact investors conducted over March and April, a majority (57%) of respondents said they would maintain their 2020 investment plans, while 16% even expected to increase the amount of capital they invest. The report, published by the New York-based Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), found that 20% were planning to decrease investment, while 7% were uncertain. While sentiment may have hardened since the results came in, the survey nevertheless demonstrates a generally positive outlook in a challenging environment. Indeed, the survey results have been reflected in several high-profile investment decisions. These include a move in May by Norges, the worlds largest sovereign wealth fund, to divest from 12 companies engaged in oil and gas exploration, while Italian asset manager Azimut announced plans to raise 1bn for a social infrastructure fund to invest in care homes, schools and student housing. These developments followed news at the beginning of the year that BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, was aiming for a 10-fold increase in sustainable investments over the coming decade. Opportunities for collaboration Although sentiment thus appears to be holding firm, Covid-19 has nevertheless brought about some unique challenges to impact investing. Primarily, the economic climate has made the funding environment more difficult for socially-mindedentrepreneurs. While this could complicate the implementation of certain projects, some impact investors are increasingly looking to collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs and funds to better streamline and accelerate investment. On May 12 GIIN launched an investment coalition, which aims to bring together various impact investing networks to address the large-scale socio-economic challenges of Covid-19. Related: New Tech Puts Lithium Batteries Back In The Energy Storage Race By the end of the month, 97 investors mainly asset managers, foundations and family offices had expressed an interest in joining the coalition. Elsewhere, the Covid-19 Investor Coalition, which consists of a group of more than 20 investors led by US venture capital firm Village Capital, has announced that it is looking to invest $500,000 in various projects within the next few months, while the Tipping Point Fund on Impact Investing, another collaborative effort, announced in July that it will award $752,000 in grants to eight organisations engaged in impact investing. This is the moment to catalyse impact investing and demonstrate its utility in this worst-case scenario we are experiencing, Amma Gyampo,a founding member of Impact Investing Ghana, a private sector-led body of the National Advisory Board, told OBG. Impact investors are stepping in to fund areas that are likely to make the most significant longer-term mark on SME growth and the real economy the essential sectors like tech, health, education, retail, logistics and agriculture. Echoing this sentiment, Tokunboh Ishmael, co-founder and managing partner at Nigerian investment firm Alitheia Capital, told OBG that projects with a social or environmental focus could be prioritised in light of the pandemic. From a more macro or global perspective, the flow of funds that come from official development assistance could be repurposed for impact investments with the intention to not only solve Africa-centric problems but also to make a good return, she said. We have helped repurpose essential products and services to make them more accessible to the general public. When everyday folk can access the essentials and reach their potential, thats when the whole economy can thrive. Private companies can rise to the occasion and put more consciousness into their businesses to address these problems. The impact on emerging markets Although most impact investors are based in Europe and North America, their investment plays a major role in developing economies. The World Banks International Finance Corporation estimates that 30% of impact funds have invested in emerging markets, compared to 20% of conventional funds. However, the GIIN survey suggested that the coronavirus pandemic had created some uncertainty about their appetite for emerging market risk. Of those who responded that they were looking to reduce their investment as a result of the coronavirus (20% of respondents), the overwhelming majority had assets in emerging countries. On a more positive note, 58% of all respondents were looking to invest in sub-Saharan Africa in response to Covid-19, the highest figure globally; Latin America came in second with 41%. We will continue to see an increase in investment because opportunities abound and African countries still need the inflow, Ishmael told OBG. Irrespective of the economics, everyone recognises the need for that to continue particularly where Covid-19 has revealed gaps in social services, health, education and infrastructure. The virus opened up the curtains and showed us that we have not invested enough, either publicly or privately. By Oxford Business Group More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Some private hospitals may not be able to comply with the required bed capacity policy for COVID-19 patients due to limited manpower and resources in their respective facilities, a group said Wednesday. Hindi natin kayang tugunan ang 30 percent (bed capacity) kasi unang-una, kulang sa manpower natin at pangalawa, yung iba nagkasakit pa during the duty, Dr. Rustico Jimenez, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, told CNN Philippines Balitaan. [Translation: We will not be able to achieve the 30 percent because first of all, our manpower is lacking and second, some workers also get sick during duty.] Jimenez noted it would be impossible for some facilities to reach the mandated 30 percent bed allocation, as they have to balance out resources for both COVID and non-COVID patients. He pointed out that member hospitals have also reported reduced income during the health crisis, which would make it difficult for them to further expand their capacities. Wala na nga kaming kinikita. Almost 50 percent lang ang admission tsaka kakaunti ang pumupunta sa ospital, kakaunti yung nagki-clinic na doktor, so saan namin kukunin yung pang-aabono namin sa COVID patients kung dadagdagan pa namin yung aming bed capacity? he pointed out. Kung pipilitin nila 'yung 30 percent, that is impossible to happen. [Translation: We dont even have a lot of income right now. Our admission is at almost 50 percent, only a few doctors are holding clinics, so where can we get funds for COVID patients if we have to increase our bed capacity? If they force that 30 percent requirement, that is impossible to happen.] In an earlier interview with CNN Philippines, Health Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire cited private hospitals low compliance rate for the bed capacity requirement, with the said facilities reporting only a nine percent allocation for COVID-19 beds. Nationwide, the agency reported only 14 percent of beds in total are being allocated for coronavirus patients half of what is mandated in the pandemic response protocols. As such, the Department of Health reiterated its appeal for hospitals to convert 30 percent of their beds to accommodate more patients. Jimenez, for his part, said PHAPI may meet with health officials within the week to discuss possible solutions on the matter. This comes amid reports that some major hospitals in Metro Manila have already reached full capacity for COVID-19 patients. These include the VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong City, The Medical City in Pasig, Makati Medical Center, and St. Luke's Medical Centers Quezon City and Global City branches, among others. The DOH, on the other hand, said authorities are working towards implementing a network among hospitals and the public sector to address this problem. To date, coronavirus infections in the country have surpassed 57,000. 'Modi warned China, therefore they have come to the talks.' 'Nothing will come out of these talks.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi visits Indian Army soldiers in Ladakh. Photograph: ANI Kishan Kapoor, th Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Lok Sabha from Kangra, has urged the government to confer the country's highest civilian award -- the Bharat Ratna -- on the Dalai Lama and has called for the freedom of Tibet from China. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan people, settled down in McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh, near Kangra, after he sought refuge in India in 1959 after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. "If Tibet is free, India will be well protected," Kapoor tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. Why do you want the Bharat Ratna to be conferred on the Dalai Lama? I made the statement on the Dalai Lama's 85th birthday as that could be the best birthday gift to him. China has done gross injustice to the Dalai Lama. They occupied his country. It doesn't behove an elder brother to finish off the younger one. China should not have done this to Tibet. Now, if they want to improve their image, let them free Tibet. Moreover, from India's security perspective, it will be good. We are holding peace talks with China to ease tensions at the LAC. Don't you think your statement will provoke the Chinese? The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader and not a politician, so what is wrong if I say something like this? He has given the message of peace across the world. He is the ambassador of peace. This is my inner feeling and I am expressing it. Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee recognised Tibet as a part of China. So you are going against your party's stand. I am only expressing my personal opinion on this issue. China has done (grave) injustice to Tibet. And today, China has been exposed across the world. If they want to improve their image, let them give Tibet back to the Dalai Lama. There was never a demand for the Bharat Ratna for the Dalai Lama, so why are you raising it now? If not given earlier, we can give it now. There is no harm in it. In 1962, China captured India's land and time and again they threatened India. This time, Prime Minister Modi showed to the world that anyone who dares India will not be allowed to live in peace. Conferring the Bharat Ratna on the Dalai Lama at this time can escalate tensions with China. China has upset the whole world. It has spread coronavirus across the world. No country is happy with China. They did this for their own selfish gains. They made their economy strong and fooled other countries (during the pandemic). Moreover, we have to look after our country's interests. If Tibet is free, India will be well protected. Your statement may lead to the disruption of peace talks since you are a BJP MP. Nothing will come out of these talks. China promises something and then does a volte face. PM Modi warned China, therefore they have come to the talks. He went to Leh and China got scared. Analysis banner Business Insider President Donald Trump and Dr. Anthony Fauci, back when Fauci still appeared at briefings in April. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images President Donald Trump has spent his time in the Oval Office praising those who support him and going scorched-earth against his perceived foes. But with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US's top infectious-disease expert, Trump may have picked a fight he can't win. The White House recently circulated a list of talking points attacking Fauci, a member of Trump's own coronavirus task force. But the coronavirus outbreak is a different beast from the myriad controversies Trump has weathered throughout his presidency, hampering the president's efforts to message his way through the crisis. Trump's attacks against Fauci are also complicated by a string of media reports documenting how the White House botched its early response to the pandemic, as well as recent polling indicating that Fauci's reputation is soaring among Americans, while Trump's is cratering. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump's modus operandi throughout his time in the Oval Office has been simple: Praise those who support him and go scorched-earth against his perceived foes. But with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president may have picked a fight he can't win. Fauci is the US's top infectious-disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force. Though things between him and Trump have been frosty for months they are thought to have spoken most recently in early June their cold war went into overdrive last weekend, when The Washington Post reported that a White House official was circulating talking points criticizing Fauci for his handling of the virus. But the coronavirus outbreak is a different beast from the myriad controversies Trump has weathered throughout his presidency, complicating the president's efforts to message his way through the crisis. Events like the Russia investigation and impeachment were politically seismic, but their threat was contained largely to Trump and those around him. That's not the case with a pandemic that, as of Tuesday, had infected more than 3.3 million Americans and killed more than 135,000 of them, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Story continues Then there's the fact that much of the disease's rapid spread across the US can be attributed to Trump's own failures to address it early rather than external factors. A string of media reports over the past several months have painted a damning picture of Trump hampering the US's recovery by ignoring more than a dozen warnings about the pandemic from intelligence officials, cutting funding to public-health agencies, demonizing medical experts, and spreading misinformation about the severity of the outbreak. Further complicating matters for Trump is the American public's substantial approval of Fauci and distrust of the president when it comes to the pandemic. Indeed, The Post reported on Monday that Trump was rattled by Fauci's soaring reputation compared with his own, particularly in the months leading up to November's election. For example, in a series of Insider polls conducted with SurveyMonkey in mid-March, mid-April, and late April, respondents gave Fauci and Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York the highest ratings for their handling of the pandemic, while Trump and his senior adviser Jared Kushner were near the bottom. The White House official's talking points mentioned by The Post, which some have described as opposition research, accused Fauci of not taking the outbreak seriously enough early on. They also skewered Fauci for putting out inaccurate information about asymptomatic transmission and for his shifting stances on the implementation of lockdown measures. The White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, denied this week that the talking points were opposition research and insisted that Trump and Fauci had "a good working relationship." But she and other Trump aides, like the White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, have largely echoed those points and criticized Fauci for giving the public what they characterized as conflicting advice. As The Post and multiple public-health experts pointed out, however, the White House's talking points left out critical portions of Fauci's early comments in which he specified that he was making assessments based on the best available information at the time and that the outlook could dramatically shift given the many unknowns about the novel virus. "Taking quotes from Dr. Fauci out of context to discredit his scientific knowledge and judgment will do tremendous harm to our nation's efforts to get the virus under control, restore our economy, and return us to a more normal way of life," the Association of American Medical Colleges said in a statement on Monday. The AMA added that it was "extremely concerned and alarmed" by the attacks against Fauci. Others argued Fauci wasn't the problem. Jeremy Konyndyk, who oversaw the Obama administration's response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, said the president was the biggest threat to a strong recovery based on his lukewarm response to the coronavirus and ignorance of repeated warnings from medical experts. "So look, @WhiteHouse, I think it's great that you care about retroactive accountability for officials' prior mistakes on Coronavirus. And all I'm saying is, Fauci's maybe not the main guy you should be worried about on that score," Konyndyk tweeted on Monday. Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who is one of Trump's biggest allies on Capitol Hill, rallied to Fauci's defense on Tuesday. "We don't have a Dr. Fauci problem," Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters. "We need to be focusing on doing things that get us to where we need to go. So, I have all the respect in the world for Dr. Fauci. I think any effort to undermine him is not going to be productive, frankly." Oma Seddiq and Grace Panetta contributed reporting. Read the original article on Business Insider BOSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Goulston & Storrs, an Am Law 200 firm, has received the top Band 1 ranking in Private Wealth Law in Massachusetts in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA High Net Worth (HNW) Guide. Four Goulston & Storrs directors Mark M. Christopher, Mark E. Swirbalus, Suma V. Nair, and Mark D. Balk also ranked among the top attorneys in the directory. Goulston & Storrs' private wealth practice was one of only five firms to receive a Band 1 ranking in Private Wealth Law. Known for providing guidance to high net worth clients in all types of trust and estate matters, Goulston & Storrs' private client team is known for its "great lawyers and clients." Mark M. Christopher was ranked Band 1 in the Private Wealth Law category. He is a seasoned trust and estate lawyer who "gives great advice" and is "a fearless advocate for his client." Christopher is "collaborative, goes in depth into the tax code, and presents in a way you can understand" in addition to being "incredibly smart and committed to his clients." Mark E. Swirbalus, co-chair of Goulston & Storrs' Litigation group, ranked as a Band 1 attorney in the Private Wealth Disputes category. According to Chambers, Swirbalus is often called on by trusts and estate planning lawyersfor assistance with contentious matters because "he is the best litigator in town; he is so good at what he does." Others say, "he is a great probate litigator" and "very responsive." Suma V. Nair was ranked as a Band 2 attorney in the Private Wealth Law category. She was recognized for her work advising high net worth clients on tax and estate planning matters, wealth transfer, business succession and planned charitable giving. She is sought out for her ability to handle the most "complicated problems" and is described as "scarily smart, personable and tirelessly committed to her client." Mark D. Balk was ranked Band 3 in the Private Wealth Law category. Chambers noted, "he is a well-regarded senior private client attorney" who "handles trusts matters, estate planning and private client tax work." He is known for his work representing "some impressively wealthy client families." The Chambers USA HNW Guide to the world's leading private wealth advisors is culled from thousands of in-depth interviews with clients to assess the reputations and expertise of business lawyers worldwide. Rankings are based on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, and commitment. About Goulston & Storrs Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. As you get to know us, you will find that Goulston & Storrs is a modern, vibrant firm where the practice of law is pursued with deep expertise and diligence. It is a place where serious business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. It is a place where mutual respect drives open discussion, fresh ideas, and optimal solutions for our clients. To learn more about our attorneys and clients, please visit our website or sign up to receive real-time news here. Contact: Liz Cerasuolo Amy Blumenthal Director of Marketing & Business Development Blumenthal & Associates PR Goulston & Storrs PC (617) 879-1511 (617) 574-0556 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Goulston & Storrs Related Links http://www.goulstonstorrs.com ALBANY The state attorney general's office said that 17 online "ghost gun" suppliers have ceased selling firearms and firearms components in New York, 10 months after they were sent warning letters that they could face civil fines or criminal prosecution for violating state gun laws. "Assault weapons are illegal in New York, and the sale and/or advertisement of these products violates New York law," Attorney General Letitia James wrote in the Sept. 23 letter. "You are directed to cease the sale and advertisement of these products to residents of New York within five days of the receipt of this notice." James' letter had also targeted the sale of "receivers" that are used to make semi-automatic rifles, but did not explicitly instruct the companies most of which operate through online sites to cease selling kits used to make handguns. "Ghost guns are built, marketed, and sold for one reason and one reason alone: to evade detection of dangerous weapons," James said in a statement. "These companies were selling our states residents the components to build illegal assault weapons that would endanger each and every New Yorker." Previously: What is a ghost gun and are they legal? Although the attorney general's office has pursued criminal cases against ghost gun companies and their customers in prior years, the letter to the companies was issued 10 days after the Times Union published a story highlighting how law enforcement agencies across New York had been seizing more of the guns which are sold 80 percent finished to avoid federal regulations that do not define them as firearms until they are fully built. According to the attorney general's office, the 17 sites were selling unfinished lower receivers composed of either metal or plastic that hold the upper, lower and rear portions of a semiautomatic rifle make it capable of firing. "Aside from a fully assembled firearm, the lower receiver is the only piece that is independently considered a firearm and is thus subject to federal regulation," the attorney general's office said in a statement. "However, an incomplete lower receiver lacking certain holes, slots, or cavities is not considered a firearm. The companies operating these websites have specifically been marketing their lower receivers as 80 percent complete, in order to evade federal regulations." Police say the untraceable firearms, including assault-style rifles and semiautomatic handguns, have increasingly found their way into the hands of criminals, or anyone with the minimal skills needed to assemble them. In June, Noah Latham, 21, a 10th Mountain Division drone operator with the rank of specialist E-4, and Nathaniel Shepard, 31, of Averill Park were among four men arrested on weapons charges after an investigation that began when they were spotted at a protest in Troy, some of them carrying guns. Latham was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded pistol that police said was a ghost gun. Latham did not have legal authority to carry a loaded handgun in public. Thousands of kits used to build the guns are being sold annually across the nation by online mail-order companies, which exploit a loophole in federal and state gun control laws by providing "unfinished" hardware with the drill bits and instructions including video tutorials needed to make a fully functioning firearm. An Arkansas company that was highlighted in the Times Union's story last September subsequently shut down its website. What is a ghost gun, and it is legal? The increase in self-manufactured guns has taken place as New York's political leaders, including U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, have focused their legislative efforts largely on strengthening background checks for firearms permits and cutting off easy access to certain assault weapons. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Two years ago in the Syracuse area, police agencies seized 15 ghost guns in six months including 10 semiautomatic handguns, three semiautomatic rifles, and an illegally modified fully automatic rifle. Last year, those agencies have recovered an additional six ghost guns, five of which were semiautomatic handguns, according to data provided by the Onondaga County district attorney's office. They have been dubbed ghost guns because the self-manufactured weapons have no serial numbers and are unregistered. Their owners often lack the proper state permits or have not undergone the federal background check needed to legally possess them. And in many instances, they are being illegally resold to convicted felons. In February 2019, State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) charged 38-year-old Gregg Marinelli of Ulster County, who was a police sergeant for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, with illegally manufacturing dozens of handguns and assault rifles, including one fully automatic rifle. Police said many of the firearms made by Marinelli were ghost guns, which he had sold to members of "outlaw motorcycle groups" and convicted felons sometimes delivering the guns in his marked police car. Despite the proliferation of the underground firearms, there is still confusion among some law enforcement officials who may wrongly believe the term "ghost guns" refer only to the high-tech plastic firearms that can be produced using expensive 3D printers. Those firearms, which are undetectable by standard security screening devices, are rarely encountered by law enforcement despite swift action from New York lawmakers last year to outlaw them. State Police and many other law enforcement agencies told the Times Union last year they had not seized or encountered so-called 3D guns in criminal investigations. Separate legislation that would have banned the more prevalent practice of online sales of the self-manufactured firearms was quietly shelved by state lawmakers in May 2019, and did not reach the floor of the Senate or Assembly for a vote. That legislation had specifically targeted the type of firearms being sold by the online retailers. Gov, Andrew M. Cuomo's office declined to comment. Federal law allows someone to make a firearm for personal use, and does not require them to obtain a serial number or to register the weapon. But New York law requires anyone in possession of certain firearms, especially handguns, to obtain a permit and have it registered. Still, ghost guns are often obtained by individuals who are prohibited from legally possessing a firearm or seeking to use them for criminal purposes. They cannot be sold or transferred unless the person who owns them has a federal firearms license. Chinese firm Huawei has responded to Britain's move to ban its equipment completely from the country's 5G network saying that it'll put Britain in a digital slow lane. Huawei also urged the UK government to reconsider the move, adding it was "confident" the new US restrictions "would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply." Huawei also said that it would conduct a detailed review of what the decision means for its business in the UK. "This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the U.K. with a mobile phone," said Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK. "It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide." On Tuesday, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered that Huawei will be completely removed from the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027. The decision was made by the UK government after a review by the country's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on the impact of US sanctions against the Chinese telecommunications giant. It is in contrast to the January's decision to allow Huawei to supply up to 35 per cent of the non-core 5G network, The decision was taken at a meeting of the UK's National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in response to new US sanctions against the telecom major imposed in May which removed the firm's access to products which have been built based on US semiconductor technology.Also read: Trump rescinds F1 visa order; international students can now take online classes Also read: Yes Bank raises Rs 4,098.46 crore from anchor investors ahead of FPO today An Australian radio producer has unveiled his incredible 25 kilo weight loss in astonishing photos - and revealed he is still able to buy takeaway food twice a day while working on his physique. Peter Deppeler, 36, is best known as 'Intern Pete' on Sydney's KIIS 1065 Kyle and Jackie O show and is regularly poked fun at by the on-air duo. But no one was laughing on July 3 when he shared images of his fitness transformation on Instagram, showing off a ripped torso and new hairstyle. Scroll down for video Peter Deppeler, 36, is best known as 'Intern Pete' on Sydney's KIIS 1065 Kyle and Jackie O show and is regularly poked fun at by the on-air duo (before and after his transformation) 'I'm not done yet by far,' he captioned the image, thanking his personal trainer Richard Kerrigan for helping him achieve the results 'I'm not done yet by far,' he captioned the image, thanking his personal trainer Richard Kerrigan for helping him achieve the results. Kerrigan said that Peter's body was made possible by focusing on his calorie intake - and ensuring he is always in a deficit - introducing healthy habits at home, regularly training in both a strength and cardio capacity and 'constantly setting goals'. The National Talent Manager for the number one radio station in Sydney told FEMAIL that more recently he has been training twice a day at Re:Union Training, which has facilities in Potts Point, Brookvale and the CBD. Peter (pictured in 2015) wanted to get fitter and healthier in 2018, and despite a back surgery setback, has been able to lose 25 kilos Kerrigan said that Peter's body was made possible by focusing on his calorie intake - and ensuring he is always in a deficit - introducing healthy habits at home, regularly training in both a strength and cardio capacity and 'constantly setting goals' What does Peter eat? Breakfast: Avocado or hummus on soy and linseed bread/ blueberry smoothie Lunch: Chargrilled Charlie's salad Dinner: Chargrilled Charlie's salad Advertisement He's enjoyed weight lifting since the gyms reopened and cardio bursts on the spin bike, but when Australian fitness centres closed during the coronavirus lockdown he turned to his favourite hobby: Running. He runs every Thursday night in the Northern Beaches with the Vipers Run Club - which has a focus on building men's mental fitness - and did laps around the Sydney Opera House every day during the city shutdown. 'I averaged around 500 laps of the landmark in the past four months,' he told Run One Initiative. To keep up with his newfound love of working out, Peter starts his day with either avocado or hummus on soy and linseed bread with chilli or a blueberry smoothie. Peter (left) enjoyed weight lifting since the gyms reopened and cardio bursts on the spin bike He runs every Thursday night in the Northern Beaches with the Vipers Run Club - which has a focus on building men's mental fitness - and did laps around the Sydney Opera House every day during the city shutdown And for lunch and dinner every day he eats a range of salads with protein from Chargrilled Charlie's, his favourite chicken shop. Sometimes he'll mix things up by trialling some of the recipes his PT Kerrigan creates, but more often it's a trip to the Charlie's store. But balance has been crucial to his long-term success, with Pete having to slow down after a back surgery saw him hospital-bound 18 months ago. But balance has been crucial to his long-term success, with Pete having to slow down after a back surgery saw him hospital bound 18 months ago Doctors told the hard worker that he may never be able to run again but it wasn't long before he was waking up early on a Saturday morning to complete the weekly Centennial Park run On Wednesday morning Peter's colleague Kyle Sandilands turned the attention onto him for all the right reasons by admiring his physical transformation (pictured with Richard Kerrigan) Doctors told the hard worker that he may never be able to run again but it wasn't long before he was waking up early on a Saturday morning to complete the weekly Centennial Park run. On Wednesday morning Peter's colleague Kyle Sandilands turned the attention onto him for all the right reasons by admiring his physical transformation. 'Intern Pete has changed his entire life. Everything about the appearance of Intern Pete has improved. I admire him for what he has done,' Kyle said. 'I was a bit jealous too.' The on-air compliment was a touching moment for Peter, who thanked his long-time friend and said that Kyle had helped motivate him. Krystle Williams, 33, is wanted by police in Kentucky on a second-degree arson charge after charred human remains were found in a car in Robinson Creek on July 3 Kentucky police are searching for a woman in connection with the discovery of human remains in the backseat of a burnt out car earlier this month. A manhunt is underway to find Krystle Williams, 33, on a second-degree arson charge after the charred remains, believed to be those of a man missing since June, were found in the car in Robinson Creek on July 3. The remains found are believed to be those of Wesley Hook, 30, who vanished from Pike County on June 10. Pikeville police confirmed that the person found had died as a result of homicide. They had been burned beyond recognition. Two other suspects have already been arrested and are being held on arson charges in connection with the burnt out car. One had initially been held on drug trafficking charges. No charges have yet been filed in connection with the homicide, pending identification. 'A warrant has been issued for Krystle Williams in connection with the arson in the burning of the car,' Pikeville Police Public Information Officer Tony Conn confirmed to reporters Monday, according to WYMT. The last sighting of the woman was in Lafeyette County. The remains found are believed to be those of Wesley Hook, 30, who vanished from Pike County on June 10. The car the remains were found in belonged in belonged Hook's father Two other suspects are already in police custody. Eric DeLeon (pictured right) was arrested on Friday and told police he burned the car. Enos Little (pictured left) was arrested on July 3, the same day the car was found, on drug trafficking charges. They both knew Hook The second suspect, Eric DeLeon, was taken into custody last Friday. He is said to have admitted in a police interview 'that he had burned the car'. 'During that interview, Mr. DeLeon made statements,' Conn said. 'One of the statements he made was that he had burned the car.' He is now being held at Pike County Detention Center on a charge of second-degree arson. The third suspect, Enos Little, 46, was arrested on July 3, the same day the car was discovered, on drug trafficking charges. He has since been indicted on numerous charges. Police say that neither man has said they committed the murder but that they believe they were involved because of the high level of detail they know about the car discovered. 'They have very detailed knowledge of what happened,' officer Conn said. 'Also, DeLeon stated that he had burned the car.' The remains found in the car are currently being examined by Kentucky State Police forensic lab but it is yet to be confirmed they belong to Hook. Dental records are being used to make a positive identification. The car the remains were found in belonged to Hook's father and police confirmed that the three suspects knew the missing man. Conn added that DeLeon's name had been linked with Hook since his disappearance. As such, the homicide is not being treated as random. 'They did know each other,' Conn said. 'It wasn't a random thing. 'We're going to speak for Wesley. We're going to take care of Wesley because he can't take care of himself.' Suspect Eric DeLeon's name had been linked with Wesley Hook (pictured above) since his disappearance from Pike County on June 10, over a month ago Police are hoping to confirm the remains are those of Hook (pictured) through dental records A motive or the full facts surrounding the death are not yet known. 'We should have the positive identification within the next couple of days,' Conn added, according to the Appalachian News Express. 'But, from statements made by [one suspect, Eric DeLeon], we have good reason to believe it is Mr. Wesley Hook's remains.' Pike County Commonwealth's Attorney Office does not believe that the victim died in the car but that they were killed in Alpike Motel in Ivel, transferred into the car, driven to Robinson County and then set ablaze. 'The evidence indicates that the homicide occurred at [a] motel in Floyd County,' Donald Smith, an assistant attorney at the office, said. The murder is believed to have taken place in the Alpike Motel in Ivel, Kentucky, pictured The remains were then taken from the motel, pictured, and the car was set alight elsewhere He added that he believed the three suspects would be charged with homicide once further evidence was gathered. Smith said the investigation is ongoing and others may have been involved. 'It is currently the plan to present all of the charges to the Pike County grand jury as one continuous course of action upon the completion of gathering more evidence and the next meeting of the grand jury,' he said. 'Homicide charges would be presented to be considered by the grand jury, as would other charges, such as tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, things like that.' Police urged anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts to contact their local law enforcement agency. For decades, would-be black military pilots saw their possible future careers canceled, as they say, by racism in the segregated U.S. armed forces. Black servicemen were denied military leadership roles and skilled training, writes the official Tuskegee Airmen site, because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Aspiring airmen would finally, after campaigning since World War I, be given the chance to train and fly missions in the early forties, after civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama. Actually trained on a dozen airfields around Tuskegee University, the airmen in the program came away from those godforsaken Alabama fields with the unwavering belief that their newfound abilities might just help overcome prejudice, hearsay, and plain old dislike, says Morgan Freeman in his voiceover narration for Red Tails, the short documentary above. The Red Tails or Red Tail Angels, as they were called after the distinctive color of their planes tails, roundly surpassed all expectations, becoming some of the most successful fighter pilots of the war. They would not be denied, despite the fact that they were unwelcome, unappreciated, and very much underestimated, says Freeman. This is an understatement. The belief that African Americans lacked the capacity for complicated flight training was so prevalent that even the progressive Eleanor Roosevelt would give voice to it (in a demonstration to disprove it) when she visited the budding program in April 1941. Can Negroes really fly airplanes? she cheerfully asked the programs head Charles Chief Anderson. He was obliged to give her a demonstration in his Piper J-3 Cub, against the objections of her Secret Service detail. Soon afterward, the first Negro Air Corps pilots began training, and the enlisted men chosen for the program became officers. Partly because of turnover among white senior officers in the program, who used it as a stepping stone to promotions and left after a few months, progress was slow. It wasnt until September that Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was given the go-ahead for a solo flight, and not until April 1943 that the first squadron, the 99th, given combat clearance. Their story has passed into legend, from the claim that the Red Tails never lost a single bomber to the dramatic recreations of George Lucas Red Tails. Later declassified documents appear to show that they had, in fact, lost bombers, like every other fighter group in the war. The fact hardly tarnishes the Tuskegee Airmens many medals or their prolifically attested skill and courage. It wouldnt be until three years after the war ended that the military was finally desegregated, though the airmen themselves were lauded, promoted, and sought out by private industry when they returned to civilian life. Robert Friend, who died in 2019 at the age of 99, went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, retired as a lieutenant colonel, worked on space launch vehicles, and formed his own aerospace company. Charles McGee, who features in the short video documentary, just turned 100 this past February, and received a promotion to brigadier general. His reaction was ambivalent: At first I would say wow, but looking back, it would have been nice to have had that during active duty, but it didnt happen that way. But still, the recognition of what was accomplished, certainly, I am pleased and proud to receive that recognition. Davis, the Tuskegee programs first solo pilot and commander of the 99th Pursuit Squadron was instrumental in drafting the Air Force plan to implement desegregation in 1948, and he would become the Air Forces first African American general. Davis father, it so happens, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., had been the first black general in the U.S. Army. The Tuskegee Airmen were undoubtedly pioneers, but they were also part of a long tradition of black Americans who fought for the U.S. since its beginnings, despite the fact, as Freeman says, that they were unwelcome, unappreciated, and very much underestimated. Related Content: World War and Society in the 20th Century: World War II (A Free Harvard Course) How Two Teenage Dutch Sisters Ended Up Joining the Resistance and Assassinating Nazis During World War II How to Behave in a British Pub: A World War II Training Film from 1943, Featuring Burgess Meredith Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness Appointment 15 July 2020 With more than two decades of industry experience in luxury and lifestyle hotels, Vik Khokhar has been appointed the General Manager to open Renaissance Milwaukee West. Born in New Delhi, Khokhar spent his early days in India before he relocated to the Netherlands to pursue a career in the hospitality business. He studied hospitality administration at the International School of Hospitality Management in Friesland and began his career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in St. Louis, Mo., where he was recognized as "Leader of the Year" for his uncompromising commitment to quality and results. Most recently, Khokhar served as the Director of Hotel Operations of the Renaissance Chicago Downtown. Under his leadership, the hotel was recognized as "Hotel of the Year" in the Americas two years in a row due to stellar performance on all business priorities, including record-setting financial and guest satisfaction results. A resident of Wauwatosa since 2007, Khokhar looks forward to establishing the hotel as a revitalizing retreat within the community. Cutting-edge technologies, such as big data and AI, are making Chinas flood prevention smarter, as they are applied to weather forecast, flood monitoring and warning. Regions along the Yellow River, which officially entered flood season on July 1, are beneficiaries of these technologies. The regime of the river is now being monitored and tracked by satellite remote sensing, and unmanned aerial vehicles are also employed to transmit real-time videos of the variation in the rivers discharge volumes. So far, 346 large and medium-sized reservoirs in the Yellow River basin have been covered by real-time monitoring with over 1,000 video signals. South China and the regions south of the Yangtze River were hit by the first round of heavy rains in June since they entered the rainy season, and these regions had been paid special attention to by the National Meteorological Center of China Meteorological Administration (NMCCMA) a week before the rains. While closely following the development of the weather, the NMCCMA also reminded relevant regions to prepare for possible floods. Meteorological service represents the very first line of defense in disaster prevention and relief. Chinas weather forecast technology has continuously upgraded, with its accuracy dramatically improved in recent years. The accuracy of rainstorm warning rose to 88 percent in 2019, and severe convections can be forecasted 38 minutes in advance. The country also led the world in typhoon track prediction. Hydrological monitoring offers important support for flood prevention. The rainfall areas in East China has begun moving northward since July. Normally it is hard to forecast flood in North and Northeast China, because precipitation gathers quickly in small and medium-sized rivers in mountainous areas there, which may give rise to floods within a short period of time. Since these areas are more prone to risks of sudden torrential rains and floods, scientific supports are especially important. Thanks to these new technical methods, it only takes 10 to 15 minutes for the Ministry of Water Resources to collect the rainfall information from 120,000 flood-warning stations across the country. And it only takes dozens of minutes to forecast a flood, said Liu Zhiyu, deputy director of Hydrological Forecast Center of the Ministry of Water Resources. The efficient application of big data and AI in flood warning for small and medium-sized rivers has greatly improved Chinas ability to forecast floods, Liu added. These technologies have played a major part in this years flood prevention and control in China. For instance, the technologies of 5G and VR have been introduced in the real-time water-level monitoring in Anqing, East Chinas Anhui Province. The water condition filmed by panorama cameras can be transmitted to monitoring personnel through low-latency 5G signal. In addition, water levels can be observed by workers with VR glasses so that they can fully grasp the conditions of the river and the progress of disaster relief. As a result, the work efficiency has been significantly improved. Thanks to the Internet of Things, urban drainage systems now have a brain to prevent waterlogging. In Fuzhou, Southeast Chinas Fujian Province and Guiyang, Southwest Chinas Guizhou Province, areas that are more likely to have waterlog are marked on an electrical map shown on a big screen, so that in times of a heavy rain, relevant staff members can have a clear picture easily. Apart from the state-of-the-art equipment, drones and AI robots are also must-have items in flood prevention and control. Drones enjoy a natural advantage in disaster prevention and relief, as they are agile and free from the topographic condition, and have quick response and a wide scope of monitoring. They can transmit high resolution pictures and videos of disaster sites to command centers. Armed with other equipment, drones can also search, locate and rescue those trapped. If armed with a night vision system, they can work all day round, and even dispatch relief supplies to those trapped. Recently, robots for water rescues have been put into use in many places in China. The robot resembles a light boat, and can be controlled by a tablet computer or a controller. It can save three to four people every time. If someone is trapped in a position with a fast-moving current and far away from the shore, the robots are able to move toward the position in full speed under the command of the control personnel so the drowning can hold onto it. Moody's Analytics has won the Best Middle-Office Platform category in the 2020 WatersTechnology Asia Awards, on the strength of our regulatory compliance and balance sheet management capabilities. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005990/en/ Regulations governing financial institutions continue to evolve. Our RiskAuthority platform, one of the Moody's Analytics solutions that contributed to this win, is installed software that helps banks to address regulatory capital requirements and reporting. Banks in Asia and across the world use it to stay on top of changing regulations including Final Basel III. Also recognized was the RiskConfidence ALM solution, an installed solution which integrates asset and liability management, liquidity risk management, funds transfer pricing, and business reporting in a unified platform that provides enterprise-wide analytics, for more strategic decision-making. To address their compliance needs, many banks are transitioning to cloud and software as a service options. With Banking Cloud, which also contributed to this award, we deliver regulatory compliance as a service. Moody's Analytics hosts the software and infrastructure for our customers, while managing regulatory updates and technical upgrades. This reduces operating costs and allows our customers to deploy their resources more effectively. "We're honored by this recognition in the WatersTechnology Asia Awards," said Thanh Ha Ngo, Senior Director at Moody's Analytics. "Banks must comply with changing regulations in the region, but also globally-and in as cost-effective a manner as possible. This award shows that, with the help of Moody's Analytics solutions, our customers are achieving these essential objectives." The WatersTechnology Asia Awards recognize excellence in the deployment and management of financial information and technology within Asia's capital market community. This win adds to our growing list of awards and industry recognition. About Moody's Analytics Moody's Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moody's Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn. Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moody's Corporation reported revenue of $4.8 billion in 2019, employs approximately 11,300 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200714005990/en/ Contacts: JUSTIN BURSZTEIN Moody's Analytics Communications 001.212.553.1163 justin.bursztein@moodys.com Moody's Analytics Media Relations moodysanalytics.com twitter.com/moodysanalytics linkedin.com/company/moodysanalytics Residents of Tulum told drastic actions to be taken after mayor reports alarming increase in infections Tulum, Q.R. The head of Public Security says mobility restrictions will be reinstated in the municipality of Tulum after its mayor, Victor Mas Tah, reported an alarming increase of cases of COVID-19. Police Chief Alberto Capella Ibarra said that although Tulum is part of the orange epidemiological light, he warned that the actions will be more drastic than those applied in the capital city of Chetumal. At the instructions of the Governor @CarlosJoaquin and in coordination with () @VictorMasT we will be announcing in the next few hours more decisive actions in Tulum to restrict social mobility by applying more drastic actions including those of Chetumal, he said on his social network. The announcement came after Tulum Mayor reported an alarming increase in infections. On social media, Victor Mas Tah said he regretted that Tulum citizens do not take the corresponding sanitary measures seriously, causing an alarming increase in the number of cases. We have seen an alarming increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Tulum and with it, hospital occupation. This is because many people have not complied with self-care measures, he said. The mayor warned that if Tulum continues along this path, health authorities will return the population to more strict confinement in which businesses and all economic activities will be forced to close again, he stressed. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee congratulates students To all successful Madhyamik candidates, congratulations for having crossed your first academic milestone, especially in these trying times. With continued support from your parents and teachers, may you do well in the future and become responsible and caring citizens, CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted. To all successful Madhyamik candidates, congratulations for having crossed your first academic milestone, especially in these trying times. With continued support from your parents and teachers, may you do well in the future and become responsible and caring citizens. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 15, 2020 WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Guidelines released for schools to distribute marksheets West Bengal has released a detailed guidelines prepared for schools on how to sanitise schools where marksheets would be distributed. WBBSE 10th Results 2020: 84 students ranked between 1 and 10 84 students have managed to get into the top 10 list of West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2020 WBBSE 10th Results 2020: Students who score 683 ranked 10th The students who are ranked 10th got 683 out of 700 in Madhyamik Result 2020. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Steps to check scores Visit the official website at wbresults.nic.in. Key in your roll and number, date of birth in dd/m/m/yyyy format and click on Submit button. Your WBBSE 10th Results 2020 will be displayed on screen. WBBSE 10th Results: Website now opening, direct link here West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2020 has been uploaded on the official website at wbresults.nic.in. Heres the direct link to check WBBSE 10th results 2020 WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Check topper list here Sayantan Garai and Avik Das scored 693 out of 700 to bag second position while Soumya Pathak, Debosmita Mahapatra and Aritra Maity scored 690/700 to bag 3rd rank. WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2020: Aritra Pal is state topper, scores 99.14 Aritra pal stood first in state in his class 10th exam. He got 694 out of 700 i.e 99.14%. He is from Memari Vidyasagar Memorial School. WBBSE Result website crashed WBBSE official website wbresults.nic.in has crashed. Students are advised to check the website after few minutes. WBBSE 10th result 2020: Boys outscore girls This year, boys have outscored girls in WB 10th exam A total of 89.87% boys passed the exam as against 83.48% girls. Read full details here WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020: 86.34% students pass A total of 86.34% students have passed the West Bengal Madhyamik exam this year. This is the highest ever pass percent, WBBSE official said. WBBSE 10th Results 2020: 8.43 lakh students pass Out of the 10.03 lakh students who took the WB 10th exam, 8.43 lakh candidates have passed. WBBSE 10th marksheet to be distributed in 49 camp offices on July 22 49 camp offices to distribute Marksheets on July 22 from 10 am onwards. Students are not allowed to come to the camp offices. Only their guardians will come to collect the marksheets. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: West Midnapore 92.16% pass percent West Midnapore has recorded a pass percent of 92.16% emerging as second best performing district after East Midnapore. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: East Midnapore records highest pass percent at 96.59 East Midnapore records highest pass percent at 96.59 in West Bengal Madhyamik exam 2020 WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020: East Midnapore district tops East Midnapore has performed the best among all districts of West Bengal followed by West Midnapore and Kolkata. WBBSE 10th Results 2020 declared WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020 has been declared. Students can check results at wbbse.org. Read full details here WBBSE 10th Results 2020: 10.03 lakh students took exam Out of the 10.17 lakh students who were registered for WBBSE Madhyamik exam, 10.03 lakh appeared, said the board official. WBBSE 10th results prepared in 139 days WBBSE official said in the press conference that the result is being declared after 139 days of exam. WBBSE press conference begins WBBSE has started the press conference. WBBSE Press conference to begin shortly WBBSE press conference has not started yet. It will commence shortly. WBBSE 10th Results 2020 anytime now WBBSE 10th results will be declared anytime now.The press conference will commence at 10 am West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020: Marksheet to be issued next week WBBSE will announce the Madhyamik results 2020 today at 10 am. However, the marks sheet will be given to the parents of the students next week. How to check WBBSE 10th Results 2020 on mobile app West Bengal class 10th students should download the Madhyamik Results 2020 app from Google play store. WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020: Supplementary exam for those who fail Those students who fail to score a minimum of 25% in one subject are given an opportunity to appear in supplementary examinations.Some students may not do well. I want to tell them in advance there is no reason to lose hope. They should prepare themselves and appear for the examination again, the chief minister had told on Tuesday. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Passing marks Students need to score a minimum of 25% marks in all subjects to pass in West Bengal WBBSE Madhyamik 10th Result 2020 Over 10 lakh students will get class 10th results today WBBSE will announce the class 10th or Madhyamik Results today. Over 10.1 lakh students will get their results today at 10 am. West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020 shortly West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) will announce the class 10th results shortly. The class 10th results will be announced at 10 am today. WBBSE Class 10th Result 2020: When were the exams conducted The WBBSE class 10th exam was held from February 18 to 27 while the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) had conducted the class 12th exam from February 12 to 27. West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2020: Class 12th results will be declared on July 17 West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) class 12th results will be declared on July 17, the CM had announced on Tuesday. West Bengal class 10th Result 2020: Virtual press conference to begin in half an hour WBBSE will begin its press conference to announce the class 10th results in half an hour. The press conference will be telecast live through video conferencing at 10 am. WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020: 10.15 lakhs students to get class 10 results Nearly 10,15,888 candidates have appeared for the West Bengal Madhyamik examinations this year, Out of which 5,76,009 are girls. The 10.15 lakh students will get their results today. West Bengal Madhyamik Result 2020: List of websites to check scores Candidates who cannot access their results from the official website of the board due to server issues and heavy traffic can check their results from third-party websites. Some of the third party websites include: examresults.net indiaresults.nic.in results.gov.in Read full details here West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020: How to check scores online Visit the official websites at wbresults.nic.in or wbbse.org On the homepage, click on the link that reads West Bengal Madhyamik result 2020 Key in your credentials and login The WBBSE class 10th Result 2020 will appear on the display screen. Download the results and take its print out. Read m WBBSE Madhyamik Results 2020: One hour to go In just one hour, WBBSE will announce the Madhyamik results 2020. The results will be published on the official website at wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in at 10 am. WBBSE 10th Results 2020: Keep your admit cards handy Candidates should be ready with their admit cards.The roll number mentioned in the admit card has to be entered in the login page to check Madhyamik exam scores. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Marksheet distribution from July 22 WBBSE will distribute the Madhyamik marksheets on July 22 and 23, 2020. Parents can come and collect the marksheet of their wards. Students will not be allowed to come to school due to Covid-19 WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Check 2019 results at a glance In 2019, Bengals Class 10 board examination started from February 12 and continued till February 22. The number of aspirants stood at 10,64,980, a dip by 18,408 than what it was in 2018. Of the total of 10,64,980 aspirants, 6,03,311 (56.65%) were girls and 4,61,669 (43.35%) were boys. WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2020: Check 2018 and 2017 pass percent In the year 2018 the pass percentage went down to 85.49% from 85.75% in 2017. WBBSE 10th Results: Pass percent in 2017 The overall pass percentage in Madhyamik Result 2017 was 82.98%. The pass percentage of boys was 86.34% and girls was 79.62%. WBBSE Madhyamik Results: East Midnapore recorded highest pass percent in 2019 Out of the 23 districts, students of East Midnapore recorded the maximum pass percentage with 96.13% followed by West Midnapore at 91.75% and Kolkata at 91.11%. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Check last year topper Sanjivani Debnath of Suniti Academy in the north Bengal district of Cooch Behar had bagged first rank scoring 689 out of 700 (or 98.4%). Madhyamik Results 2020 soon on official websites WBBSE will soon declare the class 10th results at 10 am. Students will be able to check their WBBSE class 10 exam results online at wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in. WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2020: When were the exams conducted The WBBSE had conducted the class 10th exam from February 18 to 27 while the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) class 12th exam was conducted from February 12 to 27. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Merit list to be released with result WBBSE will also announce the toppers name and release merit list along with class 10th results. WBBSE 10th Result 2020 to be announced at 10 am through virtual press conference Due to Covid-19, WBBSE will not hold a press conference in order to maintain social distancing. West Bengal Board of Secondary Education will declare the WB Madhyamik results 2020 at 10 am today through a virtual press conference. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: CM Mamata Banerjee congratulates students ahead of results The chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had on Tuesday congratulated the students and wished them luck ahead of results. I congratulate those whose results will be announced tomorrow. Some students may not do well. I want to tell them in advance there is no reason to lose hope. They should prepare themselves and appear for the examination again, she said. How to check West Bengal Class 10 Result 2020 after it is declared: 1. Visit the official websites at wbresults.nic.in or wbbse.org 2. On the homepage, click on the link that reads West Bengal Madhyamik result 2020 3. Key in your credentials and login 4. The WBBSE class 10th Result 2020 will appear on the display screen. 5. Download the results and take its print out for future reference. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Students not allowed to come to school to collect marksheets Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the students wont be allowed to come to school and collect the mark-sheets this year. Instead, the parents would have to come to school with the students admit cards and registration certificate to collect the mark-sheets WBBSE 10th Result 2020: Over 10.15 lakh students appeared for class 10 exam This year, around 10,15,888 candidates have appeared for the West Bengal Madhyamik examinations, out of which 5,76,009 are girls. WBBSE 10th Result 2020: How to check scores online 1. Visit the official websites at wbresults.nic.in or wbbse.org 2. On the homepage, click on the link that reads West Bengal Madhyamik result 2020 3. Key in your credentials and login 4. The WBBSE class 10th Result 2020 will appear on the display screen. 5. Download the results and take its print out for future reference. WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2020: Websites to check scores Apart from the official websites wbbse.org and wbresults.nic.in, students can also check their scores on the following third party websites: examresults.net indiaresults.nic.in results.gov.in jagranjosh.com WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2020 today West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) is going to declare the WBBSE class 10th result today at wbbse.org English Dutch (Article 14 of the law of May 2, 2007 on the disclosure of significant shareholdings) Mortsel, Belgium July 15, 2020 5.40 p.m. CET According to Agfa-Gevaert NVs bylaws, the threshold as from which a shareholding needs to be disclosed, has been set at 3%, 5% and a multiple of 5%. In conformity with the Law of May 2, 2007 regarding the disclosure of significant shareholdings in listed companies, Agfa-Gevaert (Euronext: AGFB) discloses the following declaration: Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG has announced on July 15, 2020, that the function as fund management company of Classic Fund Management AG was transferred to LLB Fund Services AG, another fund management company, on July 1, 2020. As a result, LLB Fund Services AG holds a stake in Agfa-Gevaert NV as per July 1, 2020, of 7,833,294 voting rights or 4.56% (denominator is 171,851,042), thus crossing the threshold of 3% upwards. Full chain of controlled undertakings Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG, Stadtle 44, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein, holds 100% of the shares of LLB Fund Services AG, a Liechtenstein fund management company. Additional information The function as fund management company was transferred to LLB Funds Services from another fund management company effective as of July 1, 2020. At that time the holding in Agfa-Gevaert amounted to 4.56%. The former fund management company (Classic Fund Management AG) reported the holding of 4.82% as of January 2017. LLB Fund Services AG is an investment management company and can exercise the voting rights at its discretion in the absence of specific instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares. Notifications of important shareholdings to be made according to the Law of May 2, 2007 or Agfa-Gevaert NVs bylaws, should be sent to viviane.dictus@agfa.com . About Agfa-Gevaert The Agfa-Gevaert Group is a leading company in imaging technology and IT solutions with over 150 years of experience. The Group holds four divisions: Radiology Solutions, HealthCare IT, Digital Print & Chemicals and Offset Solutions. They develop, manufacture and market analogue and digital systems for the healthcare sector, for specific industrial applications and for the printing industry.In 2019, the Group realized a turnover of 2,239 million Euro. Contact: Viviane Dictus Director Corporate Communications tel. ++32 0 3 444 7124 e-mail: viviane.dictus@agfa.com Attachment OKLAHOMA CITY, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cytovance Biologics, a leading biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announces the addition of Mass Spectrometry (Mass Spec) to its Analytical Development suite of services. Cytovance has offered Mass Spec as an outsourced service for several years, but now as an in-house solution, the Analytical Team will be able to offer improved turnaround with more complete, reliable answers that better enable smarter decisions along the development path for biological therapeutic manufacturing. "We are delighted to add Mass Spectrometry to our in-house analytical capabilities as we continue to provide the highest quality technical support for our clients drug development programs, stated David Schmidt, Director of Analytical Development for Cytovance. This is a very exciting time for Cytovance as our company continues to support the diverse scientific and technical needs of todays biotech companies. Cytovance invested in the Q Exactive HF-X Orbitrap by Thermo Scientific with a Vanquish UHPLC that is configured for a range of applications including intact mass measurements, native protein analysis, peptide and post translational modification analysis, glycan analysis and more all within one platform. The Orbitrap with HRAM high resolution accurate mass provides increased confidence in the complete characterization of biologics with reliable and precise results. Bringing these expansive capabilities in-house offers several advantages for Cytovance, such as greater control over what gets analyzed, improvement in turnaround time of answers and results to clients, and allows for the technique to be applied to a wide range of client projects. Christa Feasley, Ph.D., Senior Analytical Development Scientist for Cytovance, explains, Mass Spec analysis frequently provides clear and precise answers for critical decisions that are made in the development of new drug substances. Questions such as: Am I confident that we are making the right product? Are there any modifications that will concern efficacy or product stability? How clean is my final product? With the Orbitrap we can fully answer these essential questions for our clients and better support the development of their programs. Story continues Dr. Feasley leads the Mass Spectrometry program for Cytovance relying on her extensive Mass Spec experience including specific biopharma applications for intact protein analysis, peptide mapping, post translation modification (PTM) characterization, and glycan analysis all part of the new in-house services now available to Cytovance clients. Learn more about the Analytical Development services offered by Cytovance Biologics at https://www.cytovance.com/r-d-services/analytical-development-services. About Cytovance Biologics Cytovance Biologics is a leading biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that excels in the rapid and cost-effective development and manufacture of large molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from both mammalian cell culture and microbial fermentation such as monoclonal antibodies, fragment antibodies, bispecifics, enzymes, fusion proteins, vaccines and other biological products including plasmid DNA and cell-based therapeutics. In addition to its clinical and commercial CGMP API manufacturing services, Cytovance offers well-integrated development services supporting the entire product lifecycle including cell line development, cell banking, microbial strain development, process and analytical development, and process characterization. A centralized, responsive program management team coordinates all critical chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC) activities for each client program around raw materials management, QC testing, ICH stability studies, and regulatory support. Our 140,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facilities in Oklahoma City are designed to meet U.S., EU, and other global regulatory standards. Cytovance offers deep industry expertise and unique customized services for the scale-up and CGMP manufacture of protein-based therapeutics; from early-stage pre-clinical development to commercial production, for both mammalian and microbial. Further information can be found at www.cytovance.com. Media Contact: Jodie Gutkowski Tel: 405-319-8309 E-mail: jgutkowski@cytovance.com This summer will certainly be a scorcher. But beating the heat while still social distancing poses some unique challenges. With millions of Americans working from home, our typical energy consumption will continue to change, with fewer stores and office buildings to illuminate and more apartments needing electricity 24/7. That makes the source of the energy coursing through your AC more important than ever. But few of us are actually taking the necessary steps to green our homes. Though public support for renewable energy is at a historic high, and the benefits to our health and environment are too numerous to list, most Americans havent actually made the switch. Its a dispiriting number, says Jeff Swenerton, communications director for the Center for Resource Solutions, which educates policymakers and the public about renewable energy. Its something like, on average, [two] percent of consumers who have access to a green power program through their utilities actually sign up. Part of the problem is that people arent always aware of the options. Some utilities dont always do a great job of advertising their eco-friendly options, Swenerton says. For others, it might be a financial concern. (Green energy often does cost more, but Swenerton says it should add less than $10 to your bill each month.) But it seems that a lot of consumers simply find the process inconvenient. Going green requires tearing through some red tape. But cleaning up your energy consumption isnt as hard as it seems. About half the country can choose their power provider, half the country cant, Swenerton says. If youre in one of the states where you cant choose, well, theres only one place to go. Find the name of your utility on your energy bill, go to their website, and search for green power programs. If you find a plan that works for you, you should be able to sign up then and there. Story continues If youre in a state where you can choose your supplier, youve got a surplus of options. New York City residents, for example, have 47 options for renewable energy, according to the states Power to Choose search engine. Between public utilities and private providers, you should be able to find something that fits your price range, preferred energy mix (the combination of hydropower, solar, and other renewables that sustain your Netflix habit), and standards of credibility. That last pointgreen credis important. Not all green energy options are created equal, so its important to cross-reference your top picks with a third-party certification program. The funny thing about green energy is that you cant tell as a consumer if youre getting the good stuff, Swenerton says. You cant see it or taste it or hold it in your hand. Thats where organizations like the Low Impact Hydropower Institute and the Center for Resource Solutions come in. CRS runs the Green-e Certification Program, which basically means their team is constantly crunching the numbers to make sure energy companies are living up to their promises. You can find certified companies on their website. Unfortunately, some people wont find an existing renewable energy plan where they live. If your utility doesnt offer a sustainable alternative, it might be time to engage in some old-fashioned civic action. Write to your representatives about the kind of energy you want, and get your neighbors to join in. While you work to create change, you can still invest in a green future. Swenerton suggests buying renewable energy credits equal to the number of kilowatts you consume each month. Your money will go to expanding the existing clean energy supply. Switching to green energy is important. But there are other ways to reduce your impact on the gridand the planet. Even though were in the [renewable energy] industry, Swenerton says, if you can do one thing, its [invest in] energy efficiency. Swapping out energy-efficient light bulbs (and, in some cases, your appliances) may seem like a small change, but its the foundation of an eco-friendly home. It may be a cruel summer, but itll be easier to crank up the cooling unit knowing it runs on renewables. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday announced that the company will spin off its oil-to-chemical (O2C) business into a separate subsidiary by early 2021 after receiving regulatory approvals. Ambani said the company will approach the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) with a proposal to split the O2C segment to facilitate new partnership opportunities. "We expect to complete this process by early 2021," said Ambani while addressing shareholders during the Reliance Annual General Meeting (AGM). Reliance Industries chairman said they are now working to complete contours of a $15 billion strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco. In the last year's AGM, Ambani had announced talks for sale of 20 per cent stake in the O2C business, which comprises its twin oil refineries at Jamnagar in Gujarat and petrochemical assets, to the world's largest oil exporter. The deal was to be concluded by March 2020 but has been delayed due to coronavirus pandemic. Also Read: Reliance Industries first Indian company to cross Rs 1 lakh crore EBITDA-mark, says Mukesh Ambani "Reliance is working to complete the contours of a strategic partnership with Saudi Aramco. The partnership gives our refineries access to a wide portfolio of value-accretive crude grades and enhanced feedstock security for a higher oil-to-chemicals conversion," Ambani said. He said that the deal has not progressed as per the original timeline due to unforeseen circumstances in the energy market and the COVID-19 situation. Also Read: Google to invest Rs 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms Ambani said that Reliance has been approached by various global companies for strategic partnerships in its petrochemical business, and making the O2C a separate entity will serve the purpose. The potential partnerships will help the oil and gas major to build a competitive manufacturing capacity at its existing sites to serve the deficit Indian market that still depends on large-scale imports of chemicals. "With this we will have an integrated and competitive Oil to Chemicals portfolio which is valuable to global companies as it provides access to the large and growing Indian market," he said. Also Read: RIL AGM Live Updates: Now, Jio has both Google and Facebook among investors! In the fuel retail business, Reliance has formed 51:49 joint venture with BP plc of the UK for retail service station network and aviation fuel business in India, he said. Besides refineries and petrochemical plants, the O2C business also comprises 51 per cent stake in the fuel retailing business. It, however, does not include the upstream oil- and gas-producing assets such as the flagging KG-D6 block in the Bay of Bengal. By Chitranjan Kumar BEIJING, July 15 -- Ordered by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA Eastern Theater Command on July 14 dispatched additional 16,000 soldiers with rescue equipment from Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui and Fujian Provinces to carry out rescue and disaster relief operations in flood-stricken cities including Shangrao, Jiujiang and other areas of Jiangxi Province. Up to now, more than 29,000 soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the People's Armed Police (PAP), together with more than 5,000 militia, have been fighting side by side in the flood-stricken areas to reinforce dams, block pipings and deal with hidden dangers. Severe water seepage occurred at many places in the flood control dam of Jiujiang City in Jiangxi Province on the evening of July 12. A division assigned to the air force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command immediately organized an emergency rescue team to the scene. Officers and soldiers fought overnight and effectively controlled the situation. On the early morning of July 14th, the flood crest arrived in Jiujiang section of Yangtze River. More than 400 service members assigned to an army pontoon brigade under the PLA Eastern Theater Command rushed to downtown area in the flood-hit Lushan city along the river. They continuously fought for 10 hours and blocked over ten places of piping. As of July 14, a brigade of the PLA Rocket Force has deployed a total of 597 troops, completed ten rescue missions, and controlled 33 dangerous situations. The PAP has dispatched a total of 7,550 soldiers, 482 construction machinery vehicles, 96 boats, carrying 22,973 pieces (sets) of equipment. They participated in emergency rescue missions in Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan and other provinces, while having transferred a total of 980 people, piled up more than 97,000 sand bags, and reinforced 9,660 meters of dams. Erasing all its morning gains, the Indian stock market ended flat with positive bias on Wednesday, mainly, on selling in Reliance Industries (RIL), Bharti Airtel and HDFC Bank. RIL shares reversed their morning gains and ended 4 per cent lower at Rs 1,840 on the BSE after its 43rd annual general meeting (AGM). Among major announcements, RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani informed that Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for a 7.7 per cent stake in Jio Platforms. The company also said that the Saudi Aramco deal has not progressed as expected due to disruption in energy owing to the Covid-19 pandemic but it remains committed to the deal. The S&P BSE Sensex today slipped 758 points from day's high to end flat at 36,052 levels, up just 19 points. The index had hit a high of 36,810.25 in the intra-day deals. IT major Infosys (up 6.5 per cent) ended as the biggest gainer on the index while RIL was the top loser. NSE's Nifty ended at 10,618 levels, up 11 points or 0.10 per cent. In the broader market, the S&P BSE MidCap index ended 0.35 per cent lower at 13,230 points while the S&P BSE SmallCap index settled at 12,659, down 0.05 per cent. Sectorally, IT stocks rallied the most in trade today. The Nifty IT index jumped over 5 per cent to 16,459.80 points. Nifty Pharma and Nifty FMCG also ended in the green while Nifty PSU Bank ended over 1 per cent lower. Channel Seven has mysteriously dropped plans to screen a world exclusive investigation into the Church of Scientology. Scientology: Black Ops by reporter Bryan Seymour had been due to start on 7news.com.au and 7plus on Tuesday, promising wide-ranging and serious consequences but The Guardian reports it was scrubbed on the same day -including all promo vision. The 10 part series had originally been planned for last Thursday, July 9. Scientology: Black Ops is a https://t.co/b3nAU20I54 world exclusive investigation. This 10-part documentary series could have wide-ranging and serious consequences for the Church of Scientology. Streaming July 9 on https://t.co/b3nAU20I54 and @7plus. #7NEWS https://t.co/KSxXhdnAWY 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) July 2, 2020 7News adjusted the scheduling of the series of its own volition and due to legal concerns, a spokesperson said. US actress Leah Remini (King of Queens), who created the Emmy-award winning A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and was interviewed for the series, also took to social media to question the move. Updated. It was a cold but bright March day in the Upper City of Bergamo in Lombardy when I first met Michele and Serena, huddled together in big coats and scarves sitting on the steps of the magnificent library in the equally magnificent main square of the town. This was in the midst of the Italian coronavirus lockdown . The beautiful cobblestone streets of this medieval city, once the western most point of the Venetian empire, were almost completely deserted . There was utter silence except for the chimes of the church clocks every half an hour. We hadn't seen a total lockdown before. The UK was still grappling with the whole concept in a half-hearted manner. But here the pandemic was already overwhelming some of the most sophisticated hospitals in the world. Within a few days of meeting the couple we had been allowed inside the main hospital in Bergamo and we filed a story that gave the world a glimpse of what a virus storm was going to look like when it hit. In those early moments with Michele and Serena, neither they nor us knew what was happening just a mile or so away in the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital; but even without that knowledge this couple in their 70s knew they had to isolate. They only came out to get supplies and the local paper for Michele. They never left each other. We had arrived to have a look and to see if we could talk to someone. It was a bit of old-school journalism. The whole trip was. We didn't know what to expect so we decided to go and see. The streets were empty. We knew the town was full but nobody was coming outside unless they had to. I saw the pair, both aged 73, and thought we should ask them a few questions. Both were initially nervous, although they were always friendly. At one point I moved forward to hear Michele speak but they both raised their arms and motioned that I should move back. It's common now - it wasn't then. It was that early in the pandemic. What struck me was how calm they were but also how scared they were. Story continues They knew they were at the top of the list of the most vulnerable. They had no idea how long the lockdown would last but they knew they would have to tough it out together. It was a magical interview in its own way and when I returned to Milan to write my story I shed a few tears. In a way, to me, they represented all the elderly people of the world who were scared and cut off. My parents are long dead and I am glad they didn't live to see this pandemic, to live in fear like Michele and Serena. From Italy, our reporting took us to the nightmare virus outbreaks in Mexico and Brazil, but we always felt the need to return to Bergamo and northern Italy to see how this society coped and survived as the lockdown rules were relaxed. As one might expect, we decided that we should try and meet everyone we had interviewed at that time. Through Simone, our local producer, we made contact with everyone. In hospitals, in towns, anyone we had randomly met. But we could not find Michele and Serena. They had disappeared. Throughout our return to Bergamo with interviews and filming to do I had a constant nagging that we just had to find this couple. We didn't say it but we were all scared that maybe they hadn't made it. We just wanted to find them and make sure they were okay. Armed with a printed black and white photograph of the pair we had taken at the time, and colour photos on our phones, we returned to the Upper City and to the place we had met them. We went from shop to shop. The shop keepers would stare and look and say they didn't recognise them. We stopped people in the street, we called people into the huddles looking at the picture. Nothing. We left a small supermarket beginning to think we had failed. As we walked away we heard a shout and one of the shopkeepers waved for us to come back. She told me to try in a small delicatessen up the street. "The owner is quite old," she said. "If anyone knows them, he will." Through hanging hams and salami I spotted an elderly gentleman working at a preparation table. We got out the photograph. Angelo Mangili put his glasses on and squinted at our print. "I can't make them out because of their masks," he said. "But I think I know them... YES, I know them!" I felt the tears run down my cheeks. Covering this story is, frankly, emotional. We have seen so many people die, have reported on so many deaths, now finally something may be nice. He gave us directions. Trust me, it's complicated in a medieval city. Think Game Of Thrones. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker We realised their street was not more than one from where we are staying. We followed a winding alleyway past a church. The shopkeeper said they lived 20 meters past it. We started checking the names of people on their door bells. Then finally we saw it: S Longaretti and M Guadalupi. We rang the doorbell and a voice answered. "Hello, we are looking for Michele and Serena. We are from Sky News," Simone said into the intercom. "Hi!" said Michele, entirely surprised, "I'll come down." He opened the door and welcomed us inside a beautiful, ancient, but immaculately presented home, and ushered us up winding stair cases to a series of open balconies - and to Serena. I wanted to hug them but we couldn't. After these dreadful months, the lockdowns, the death, we had found them alive and very well. Michele was dispatched to get champagne and together, masks and all, we sat on their terrace and talked like old friends. "At the beginning, when we met you, it was the initial phase and there was astonishment and unawareness," Serena said thinking back on the day. "And as I said before, your story helped us understand what was really happening, and then in the next weeks cases rose, fear rose, worry rose..." Michele interrupts: "We were reading the newspaper Eco di Bergamo which every day had 13, 14 pages of obituaries, and that really scared us a lot." "The scariest thing about looking at the obituaries were the posts of husbands and wives who died together, 24 hours apart," Serena continued Michele's thought. "We could see the photos of husbands and wives together died one after the other. That really gave us the idea on how we had to be very careful. It was really something" Watching them together, laughing and finishing each other's sentences, I realised that even though we had met once for a few minutes, the bond of shared experience will stay with us and them for the rest of our lives. Not much good has come from this awful virus. It is still killing and dividing countries and communities. The politicisation of a disease still leaves me utterly appalled. But in this instance of genuine affection - when all that mattered to us was that an elderly couple we met for a few minutes survived - somehow makes it all worth while. It makes me want to go on reporting, and that I owe to Michele and Serena and our chance meeting on a cold bright day in March. A n almighty fight is brewing between Nicola Sturgeon and the UK Government. So whats new, you might ask. Seldom does the SNP leader break into the national news unless its to decry a UK Prime Minister (from all sides, she is an equal-opportunity dissenter). Despite her differentiation strategy and taking repeated and pointed sideswipes at the UK government from the podium of her daily news conferences the Scottish First Minister has been at pains to admonish anyone suggesting shes using Covid as a means to promote independence. However, the next dispute is likely to be a far more open assault. This fight is about the shape of post-Brexit Britain. Tomorrow, the UK Government will introduce a Bill into the Commons to legally underpin a UK internal market and ensure that the UK as a whole rather than the devolved administrations controls state aid. So far, so technical. But its simple: at the moment the EU ensures minimum standards for goods across its member states, free trade between them, and it stops governments in one EU country helping companies with money in order to undercut companies based elsewhere, thus ensuring a level playing field. What the UK Government is seeking to do is ensure these outcomes across the UK. So something manufactured in Brent can be sold without issue in Bangor or Belfast, and that no politician anywhere can help a company or sector in one part of the UK in a way that damages companies elsewhere on these islands. The SNP has already called this a power grab and is cranking up the grievance machine. Expect to see a number of flushed and furious SNP talking heads on politics programmes in the coming days, echoing their leader who has called it a blatant move to erode the powers of the Scottish Parliament in key areas. Its quite the charge. Especially regarding a Bill designed to make sure no one part of the country has an unfair advantage over another. And, as much as the SNP enjoy guerrilla politics finding traps and ambushes with which to snipe away at Westminster I fear theyre on less than firm footing. Nicola Sturgeon is at pains to admonish anyone who is suggesting shes using Covid to promote independence Whether Sturgeon or I like it or not (we both campaigned for Remain), the UK has left the EU and the subsequent transitional arrangements are due to come to an end on December 31. Powers that were once held at Brussels have to be held somewhere, either at a Westminster level, by the devolved administrations or as is proposed a combination of the two. Sturgeons argument about eroding the powers of the Scottish Parliament is a strange one. It suggests that someone is taking powers away from Holyrood. But the Scottish Parliament was only reconvened in 1999, so it has never held these powers. In fact, under the UKs plans, Holyrood will be given responsibility for over a hundred new powers it has never previously held. And for those powers the SNP chief is furious will be administered by Westminster? Well, Sturgeon believes in the EU and that there should be a level playing field between states. She also believes that if the Scottish people were ever to vote for independence, Scotland would immediately seek to re-enter the EU and hand all of these powers back to Brussels. So her argument that a level playing field across the EU is great, but across the UK is an outrage, is specious. Lord knows Ive had my disagreements with Boris Johnson down the years not least over Brexit during the referendum campaign. But in sorting out all the technical difficulties over what Brexit looks like, the idea that ensuring one part of the UK cant give unfair help to a sector or company which will damage businesses elsewhere is a rational indeed, sensible one. Getting the rules right on ensuring free and fair trade across the whole of the UK has never mattered more. This week, the Office for Budget Responsibility predicted that Covid could cause the biggest slump in the UK economy for 300 years. Not only that, the global pandemic has hammered international trade too. If we are to climb back out of this black hole, it will take the entire country pulling together, not adding internal red tape or trying to undercut one another. I know that there are people out there who naturally side with any centre-Left politician taking a pop at a Tory government. Especially if it is a Remainer picking a fight over a Brexit issue. But when Sturgeon is shouting the odds on TV over the next few days, remember that shes shouting down measures that ensure people making and selling goods get a fair deal whether thats in London or Lanarkshire. People listen to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at the Hyatt Park community center on May 4, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. It is Biden's first visit to South Carolina as a 2020 presidential candidate. With less than four months until Election Day, a prominent group that advocates for women of color said Joe Bidens presidential campaign must ramp up its ground game and get-out-the-vote efforts, particularly in battleground states, warning that, if not, the presumptive Democratic nominee could struggle to mobilize key voters She the People, a national advocacy group, outlined the concerns of grassroots political organizers after a series of 90-minute virtual listening sessions held the week of June 15. The sessions included 41 women from 16 states, including battleground states Florida, Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania. The participants, including elected officials, strategists and activists, described feeling taken for granted and invisible and used despite belonging to the party's most loyal voting bloc, according to a summary the group provided exclusively to USA TODAY. The group said it will present the findings to the Biden campaign Wednesday. Related video: Biden critical of Trumps COVID-19 leadership This is our wake-up call. These are the alarm bells were ringing, said Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People. Were saying we want to win, but if you listen to the women on the ground were not there yet. We must change, evolve, pivot in order to set ourselves up for victory in November. Are you registered to vote? Check your status, register if needed The women also raised concerns the campaign hasn't tapped some key voter engagement groups that could help energize voters. Meanwhile, they're anxiously awaiting Biden's choice for his running mate. Biden needs his Biden: Here's a look at the women under consideration as his VP Montserrat Arredondo, executive director of the civic-engagement group One Arizona, knows Biden has met with progressives such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But while people make assumptions about how Biden would govern, she hasn't heard him explain how his plans differ from President Donald Trump's. Story continues Id like to hear more from Biden, more about what that means in practice for our communities," said Arredondo, who formed her group in 2010 after protesting for 109 straight days at the Arizona state capitol against immigration legislation. "Biden has name ID, sure, and has been the vice president. But he cant take it for granted. Thats not just for down-ballot races. Its for the pure excitement of what a presidential election year should bring to voting." Biden campaign officials said they had to get through the primaries before organizing for the general election, and the coronavirus has hindered traditional meetings. The campaign announced five new staff hires in Arizona on Tuesday, adding to two staffers already there. Last week, the campaign hired three aides to improve contacts with people of color: Pili Tobar, as communications director for coalitions; Ramzey Smith, as African-American media director; and Jennifer Molina, as Latino media director. Voters of color Black voters, Latino voters, Asian American, Pacific Islanders, Indigenous voters are a key part of our general election strategy, said Symone Sanders, senior Biden campaign adviser, who is Black. We are not taking anything for granted. Symone Sanders, senior advisor to 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden, listens to him speak to the press outside of Detroit One Coney Island in Detroit where he made a campaign stop on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. Campaign officials said they are scaling up in all states. The campaign has organized Women for Biden teams in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida. The campaign has hosted national calls with prominent women of color, such as Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to Obama, and Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia lawmaker. More: Joe Biden vowed to pick a woman VP. Some Democrats say she must be a woman of color We are reaching out to all voters across the party, from Black women to young people to the tribal community, said Ashley Allison, Biden's coalitions director, who is Black. Were not building programs that are cookie-cutter. We are going to customize the work that we do to make sure that each demographic is touched and reached and listened to and heard, and hopefully they will vote for Joe Biden because he is the best candidate for the job. A key constituency for Democrats Women of color traditionally vote overwhelmingly for Democrats and provide a bedrock of support for the party. But She the People, which held the first-ever Democratic presidential forum focused on women of color last year, warned that if Biden doesnt speak more persuasively and more inclusively in swing states, the insufficient outreach could doom his campaign as some believe it did with Hillary Clintons in 2016. The forum in 2019 attracted nearly all of the major candidates at the time. Biden had not yet announced his presidential bid. We need to see some significant changes, otherwise we risk a 2016 result, Aimee Allison said. Its not about TV commercials. Its about, are we focused on this critical electorate to make sure we have high turnout? Biden holds a double-digit lead against Trump in national polls in early July, according to summaries by fivethirtyeight.com and realclearpolitics.com. Trump has been battered by rising deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment and racial justice protests in the wake of George Floyds death May 25 in police custody. Biden picked up key support from Black voters in South Carolina and then a series of Southern states on Super Tuesday, delivering a stunning comeback after crushing losses in early primaries. And Biden routinely promotes the need to support women- and minority-owned businesses when discussing the economy and job creation. But the complaints from women of color are coming from a key demographic for any Democratic victory. Black women supported Clinton with 98% of their vote in 2016 against Trump, and Hispanic women with 67% of their vote, according to a Pew Research Center study of exit polling. Millions fewer women of color voted in 2016 than in 2012, when President Barack Obama was seeking reelection, according to a She the People analysis of data from exit polls. The shortfalls far outweighed Trumps margins of victory in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, helping tip the balance to Trump in the electoral college despite Clinton winning the popular vote. Women of color, who experts say are often trusted voices in their communities, have been critical to Democratic wins, including the 2017 upset win by Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama. Wendy Smooth, associate professor of womens, gender and sexuality studies at Ohio State University, called it a horrible miscalculation on the part of the Biden campaign that She the People feels pushed to call him out. But Smooth, who wasn't part of the She the People survey, said one option for voters of color is "to just stay home." I really thought the Democratic Party had heard and had realized the option, but apparently not," Smooth said. Black women's groups exercising new political power going into 2020 presidential campaign Young Black voters say they aren't enthusiastic about a Joe Biden presidency Women raise concerns about Biden's comments, campaign Among the concerns raised by women in the survey was an interview in May on Charlamagne tha God's popular radio show, "The Breakfast Club," during which Biden touted his record on civil rights. At the end of the at-times contentious interview, Biden said: "If you have a problem figuring out whether youre for me or Trump, then you aint black." The third-ranking member of House leadership, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., whose support as an African-American leader was crucial for Biden, said he "cringed" at the comments. He maintained his support. House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C. Christina Tzintzun Ramirez, a founder of the voting-rights group Jolt in Texas, worried that Biden hasnt detailed how, as president, he would remedy economic and health disparities that plague Black and Hispanic communities issues that have become more acute during the coronavirus pandemic. He has an opportunity that we want to see him seize to be able to talk about how he can address those massive disparities that our communities are suffering from," said Ramirez, who endorsed Biden and who said the campaign has reached out to Latino groups in Texas. Our job is to push candidates and campaigns and parties to deliver the real change that we need." Andrea Mercado, executive director of the advocacy group New Florida Majority, wants to see Biden make more commitments to his racial justice platform and talk more about policing policies. She also hopes Biden doesnt rely on traditional campaigning, especially during a pandemic. Were hoping Biden wont just run a traditional campaign run by operatives in D.C., but will really tap into community organizing and energizing the electorate that we need to deliver a resounding defeat of Trumpism in November, she said. The women also worried about the lack of support so far from the Biden campaign for candidates running in state and local elections. In Arizona, Arredondo said, voters are excited to hear what elected officials will do about education, health care, marijuana and immigration, in offices from city council to mayor to governor. Biden tailored his state-based campaigns so that Arizona will operate differently from Michigan or Florida, campaign officials said. The national campaign will build on the success of local candidates who already organized their communities like Mark Kelly, the Democratic Senate candidate in Arizona, officials said. Vice President Biden believes that its not enough if we just elect him president and he doesnt have a Democratic Senate and House to work with, if he doesnt have partners across the country in governors and mayors, in state legislatures, Sanders said. 'He really does listen to us' Nia Page, a national co-leader of the Historically Black Colleges and University Students for Biden group, disagreed with the view that Biden's outreach was insufficient. She said the candidate pledged $70 billion in January to the institutions that are crucial to the African-American community. Joe Biden has a proven track record valuing HBCUs," said Page, who graduated last month from Spelman College in Atlanta. He does really listen to us." Jessica Holmes, commissioner for Wake County, North Carolina, and member of the Biden campaigns kitchen cabinet that has weekly meetings with the campaign, said she feels that she has personally been heard by the campaign and has contributed to policy development. But she said Bidens team should welcome criticism as an opportunity to learn, listen and do better. My experience with the Biden campaign has been very hands-on, Holmes said. Moderator Joy Reid and She the People founder Aimee Allison listen as Democratic presidental candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., answers questions during a presidential forum held by She The People on the Texas State University campus Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) But Holmes said she lends credibility to those voices that don't feel as engaged and will offer suggestions to the campaign about how to engage voters who likely dont have access to the internet. Holmes, who is also running to be North Carolina labor commissioner, said campaigns need to adapt during the pandemic, perhaps by returning to more classic ways of campaigning like doing a phone tree" of supporters calling each other. If the Biden team is not reaching segments of the population and segments of the population do not feel heard, it is the team's responsibility to figure out what those specific concerns are and to address them, Holmes said. I think it's important that we validate the concerns of people who want to hear more and want to be engaged." How can Biden address the concerns? As possible remedies, the women suggested Biden choose a woman of color as his vice presidential running mate, invest in down-ballot races and surround himself with more women advisers. Black women are articulating that these things dont come for free, said Smooth, the Ohio State professor, referring to supporting women candidates in local races and get-out-the-vote efforts. Black women have continued to become even more seasoned as a political operative group." Biden has committed to choosing a woman, but not necessarily a woman of color. But many activists, including several who participated in the She the People survey, said choosing a woman of color would inspire his political base. More: Some young Black voters not enthusiastic about a Biden presidency For me, a woman of color is a must, said Allison of She the People. We have a deep bench. Melanie Campbell, chair of Sisters Lead, Sisters Vote, a national political advocacy group, praised Bidens for hiring what she called sharp Black women for his campaign and turning to key advisors in the Congressional Black Caucus such as Democratic Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware. But Campbell and other women talked to Biden and his campaign staffers by phone in May about their push for him to select a Black woman as his running mate. More than 900 women from across the country have signed onto a letter urging Biden to choose a Black woman, she said. Its about enthusiasm especially in the moment that were in, said Campbell, who wasn't a participant in the listening session. Black women need to keep pushing this candidate and any other candidate that needs our vote to win. Contributing: Rebecca Morin This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden falling short on outreach to women of color, group warns Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So before you buy or sell HUB24 Limited (ASX:HUB), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Buying? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Columbia University study found that 'insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers'. View our latest analysis for HUB24 HUB24 Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Chairman of the Board Bruce Higgins for AU$113k worth of shares, at about AU$11.27 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at around the current price of AU$11.60. While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. Happily, the HUB24 insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. HUB24 insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. They paid about AU$8.27 on average. We don't deny that it is nice to see insiders buying stock in the company. But we must note that the investments were made at well below today's share price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues HUB24 is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. HUB24 insiders own about AU$87m worth of shares. That equates to 12% of the company. 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 HUB24 Tell Us? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Insiders do have a stake in HUB24 and their transactions don't cause us concern. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. 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. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. For other questions, call the Burke County Public Information Line at 828-764-9168. The line is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Leave a message if a call is made after hours and staff will return the call once they return. Chrissy Murphy can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Follow @cmurphy MNH on Twitter. Chrissy Murphy can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Follow @cmurphy MNH on Twitter. New Delhi: The stunner of an actress and model Amy Jackson is ruling Instagram with her bold and new fitter avatar. She has shed all the post-pregnancy fat and is looking like a diva. Be ready to pick you jaws from the floor as you check out her latest bunch of cool yoga pictures below. Amy tagged Alo Yoga in her post. Take a look: Now, isn't she looking simply mind-blowing? Amy and fiance George Panayiotou welcomed the bundle of joy to their abode and named him Andreas last year on September 23. Amy and George got engaged on May 6, 2019, and even hosted a private engagement bash in London for family and close friends. The British beauty rocked her pregnancy and was active on social media. She made several red carpet appearances and shared pictures/videos flaunting her baby bump. The drop-dead gorgeous Amy Jackson made her debut into movies with director A L Vijay's Tamil period-drama Madrasapattinam in 2010. She went on to star in several hit films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada languages. She was seen in Ekk Deewana Tha, Singh Is Bliing and more recently in megastar Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer '2.0'. She also acted in 'The Villain'a Kannada venture. Amy got fame for playing the Saturn Girl on the third season of The CW's superhero series, Supergirl. China on Wednesday said the fourth round of Sino-India military talks held on Tuesday to reduce tension at the border had made progress in disengaging troops in the western section of the disputed boundary. The Chinese foreign ministry said it hoped New Delhi would work with Beijing to safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. The talks, aimed at de-escalation, have taken place in a phased manner weeks after after Indian and Chinese troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. The violent brawl between troops of both sides on June 15 claimed the lives of 20 Indian army personnel and an unspecified number of Chinese were also reportedly killed. Responding to a query on the talks, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: As I know on July the 14, border troops of China and India held the fourth round of commander-level talks building on the consensus of the previous three rounds and the implementation of relevant work have reached progress on promoting further disengagement between troops at the western section of the boundary and de-escalating tensions. We hope India can work with China to implement our consensus with real actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, she said in her short response without sharing details or elaborating on the exact agenda of the talks. Hua was referring to the fourth round of talks held between 14 Corps commander Lt General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin. China has so far not shared any detail of the parametres of disengagement the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is following; no detail has been forthcoming from Beijing about how far back its troops have pulled back given the differing perceptions that New Delhi and Beijing have on LAC transgressions. The two sides had held previous talks to reduce tension along the disputed boundary on June 6, June 22 and June 30. India is moving forward with great caution in the disengagement process after the worst crisis along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in decades, officials in New Delhi told HT last week. Troops from both sides have pulled back in a limited manner at key friction points along the LAC since the Special Representatives on the border issue Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinas state councilor foreign minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation earlier this month and agreed peace and tranquillity along the border is essential for overall development of bilateral ties. Last week, India again rejected Chinas claim on Galwan Valley and said the LAC must be strictly respected. Following a virtual meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs last Friday the third since the Sino-India standoff began in early May -- both sides issued similarly worded statements focused on progress in the disengagement and de-escalation process that began last weekend after a phone conversation between the Special Representatives on the boundary issue. The WMCC meeting was co-chaired by joint secretary (East Asia) Naveen Srivastava of the external affairs ministry and director general Hong Liang of the boundary and oceanic affairs department of Chinas foreign ministry. State Bank Vietnam (SBV) Governor Le Minh Hung said at a conference on reviewing socio-economic development in the first half of the year that SBV has adjusted the 2020 credit growth rate limits of some banks. The banks which received higher credit growth limits have healthy credit growth, and capital is provided to fields that serve economic development. Hung said there have been big changes in credit demand. The demand was weak in April and May, but has begun increasing. As of June 29, credit had risen by 3.26 percent, and a relatively high growth rate began in May. The credit growth rates were 1.13 percent in March compared with the previous month, 0.12 percent in April, 0.53 percent in May and 1.28 percent as of June 20. SBV is willing to lift the credit growth limits for banks from now to the end of the year to support economic growth, Hung said, adding that if necessary SBV would apply stronger monetary policies to support growth. It seems that higher credit growth limits are what banks want now. The managers of VP Bank reported at its shareholders meeting held days ago that its credit growth rate had reached 12 percent by the end of May, nearly reaching a ceiling of 12.3 percent. A report from the Saigon Securities Incorporated (SSI) released in late June cited the General Statistics Office (GSO) as saying that credit growth has seen improvement since the second half of May. Similarly, TP Banks credit grew by nearly 11 percent in the first four months of the year, while the limit is just 11.5 percent for the whole year 2020. As for LienViet Post Bank, the credit growth rate had reached 5 percent by the end of May, while the credit growth limit for the whole year is 11 percent. Pham Doan Son, CEO of the bank, said he needs to wait for signs from the central bank to decide whether to step up lending. SBV earlier this year set a credit growth goal of 14 percent. SBV Deputy Governor Nguyen Thi Hong said the target was set by the agency after considering economic conditions in late 2019. However, because of Covid-19, the central bank has adjusted the goal to 11-14 percent. The growth rate is referred to by commercial banks designing their business plans. A report from the Saigon Securities Incorporated (SSI) released in late June cited the General Statistics Office (GSO) as saying that credit growth has seen improvement since the second half of May. SSI commented that the plans on credit growth presented at shareholders meetings held recently show positive expectations in the last six months of 2020. Kim Chi Credit grows slowly, but banks still make profits Though demand for loans was low in the first five months of the year, commercial banks were able to implement 40-50 percent of their business plans. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked service providers such as Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel to make some upfront payment towards their pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues before being allowed to stagger the remaining amount, The Economic Times has reported. "Both the telcos have informed the DoT that they have paid what they could and are not in a position to add to the upfront payments," a government official told the publication. The companies have also highlighted issues with the DoT's calculations of their AGR dues. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. The Supreme Court (SC) is to hear the AGR dues case on July 20. The court on June 18 asked telecom operators to give a roadmap for payment, timeline and security if staggered payments were to be considered. Also Read: 'Adverse AGR judgment can hit SBI, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank According to the DoT's estimate, Vodafone Idea owes Rs 58,254 crore in AGR-related dues and Bharti Airtel Rs 43,980 crore. Vodafone Idea has paid Rs 6,354 crore and Bharti Airtel has paid Rs 18,004 till now crore. On June 11, the SC, reacting to a suggestion, said telecom companies wouldn't be allowed to stagger payments over 20 years without providing any security. "Although the telcos have also told the top court that they can't pay more, DoT won't take any chances and will need to show they are doing their best to recover dues," an official told The Economic Times. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Pyare Miyan, the 68-year-old owner of a city-based Urdu newspaper accused of raping minor girls as well as operating a sex racket, has been arrested from Srinagar. According to SP (Bhopal South) Sai Krishna S Thota, the absconding Pyare Miyan has finally been traced in Srinagar and nabbed there on Wednesday. "We had specific inputs about his location in Srinagar. He has been arrested with the aid of local police and will be brought to Bhopal soon," the SP told The New Indian Express. Miyan, who has key political contacts, is accused of raping several minor girls and running a racket which enabled the rich and influential persons to sexually exploit them. So far, seven girls have recorded their statements in the case, based on which multiple cases of rape have been lodged by Bhopal police against Pyare and his 21-year-old woman aide, who has already been arrested. Pyare's multiple properties, including a wedding hall constructed by encroaching public land, have so far been demolished. A raid on his luxurious flat in the MP capital on Tuesday had led to seizure of child pornography material, sex toys, sexual stimulants, high end expensive foreign liquor, and also a dance bar set-up. Questioning of the exploited girls have also revealed that Pyare also took them along on foreign trips, particularly southeast Asian nations, where they were sexually exploited. The entire racket had come to the fore after five minor girls (all teenagers) were found in Ratibad area of Bhopal on July 12W. When grilled, the girls revealed that they were taken by Pyare to a birthday party at a farmhouse in city's Shahpura area, where one of them was sexually assaulted by Pyare. Later, the probe revealed the other girls were also sexually exploited by Pyare and his rich and influential contacts. Subsequently, Pyare's female aide Switi Vishwakarma was arrested. With Pyare being arrested now, the police hope to find out his rich and influential contacts. In theory, Governor Greg Abbot (R) of Texas isn't a dictator, and we're not slaves. I say "in theory" because more and more, it's starting to seem as if the converse of both propositions is true. Today, my wife and I decided we wanted some ice cream that was more than just a Dairy Queen ice cream cone, so we went to a local Cold Stone Creamery. Cold Stone is an old-fashioned ice cream shop that has dozens of ice cream flavors as well as sprinkles, chips, candy pieces, and high-calorie additions of all kinds, mixed together by hand on a frozen slab of stone while you watch. When we got to the door, there was a sign on it. It said, "Per the Governor's Order FACE MASK REQUIRED," with a picture depicting a faceless man wearing a mask. Below is the picture I took of the sign. Lately, I've been going into grocery stores and walking right past the faceless, clone-like employees standing outside, telling me I need to wear a mask or offering to give me one for free. They've never tried to stop me, and I've seen a few other rebels (but only a few) inside, also sans face masks, so when I saw this sign, I ignored it the way I've been doing. I walked in, and the place was empty except for a grandfather and his grandson eating ice cream at one of the small, round tables beside the door. They weren't wearing masks, of course. Other than them, the place was deserted. Almost immediately, one of the masked employees behind the counter asked me if I had a face mask. I said no and kept going to the beginning of the line to place my order. Two employees came out from the back, wearing masks, to confer briefly with the first one (him/her/it/who knows?) before turning to me to ask again if I had a mask. Again, I said no. Then a different one said they couldn't serve me if I didn't have a mask. My blood pressure started to rise, but I kept it under control and pulled out my wallet. I gave my debit card to my wife and told her to get my ice cream for me because she knows what I like. I was going to wait outside. She was wearing a mask, mainly because she doesn't like confrontations and tries to get along with everyone, but this time, she'd reached her limit. She told me she wanted to leave. So we did. Cold Stone lost a sale, and we went home and ate some Blue Bell ice cream we have in the freezer, but my blood was boiling. Look at that sign again. It doesn't say that such and such is illegal, then quote chapter and verse of some obscure law in minuscule print at the bottom of the notice. We've all seen signs like that, usually telling you it's illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in a store that sells them. The size and format of the sign itself are usually dictated by law, too. But this sign is different. This sign simply says, "Per the Governor's Order." This order was enforced by the faceless employees who were, no doubt, terrified of losing their jobs if they failed to comply with the governor's Order. Because of Abbot's executive order GA-29, I was forbidden to freely engage in an act of commerce, of buying and selling, without a single scintilla of evidence required to prove I was carrying any disease, without any conviction for any crime, without any appropriate enabling legislation, and without any regard for the God-given rights that are supposed be protected by the Constitution. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18, NKJV) Let me be clear: a face mask is not the Mark of the Beast. But when a single man, in one of the largest states in the country, can issue a peremptory command to every person in the state to wear a mask or be denied the ability to buy and sell and the people go along with it! it's hard to argue that Abbot isn't a dictator or that we're not slaves. Michael V. Wilson is an author, freelance writer, curmudgeon, and husband who writes for the joy of it at Scribe of Texas. (HealthDay)While rashes on the skin have long been tied to COVID-19, doctors in Spain report that rashes on the inside of the mouth are also occurring in some cases. The rashes are clinically known as enanthem, and it's not surprising that they are showing up with COVID-19, said a U.S. dermatologist unconnected to the new study. "An enanthem is a rash [small spots] on the mucous membranes," explained Dr. Michele Green, who practices at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "It is very common in patients with viral infections like chickenpox and hand, foot and mouth disease. It is characteristic of many viral rashes to affect mucous membranes." The new Spanish study was published July 15 in JAMA Dermatology. Researchers led by Dr. Juan Jimenez-Cauhe, of University Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid, examined 21 patients diagnosed in early April with COVID-19 and associated skin rashes. Of these patients, six patients (29%) had enanthem on the inside of their mouths. The affected patients ranged in age from 40 to 69, the team said, and four of the six were women. The mouth rash appeared anywhere from two days before the onset of other COVID symptoms to 24 days after, with an average time of about 12 days after onset of symptoms. In most cases, the enanthem did not appear to be tied to any medicines the patients were taking, further strengthening the notion that it was illness with the new coronavirus causing the reddish spots to appear. Just how widespread this symptom is with COVID-19 is still unknown, since "owing to safety concerns, many patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 do not have their oral cavity examined," Jimenez-Cauhe's group noted. More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the Journal information: JAMA Dermatology The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Cosmo Pharmceuticals assigns US license agreement for BYFAVOTM (remimazolam) with Paion to Acacia Pharma Dublin, Ireland - 15 July 2020:Cosmo Pharmaceuticals N.V. (SIX: COPN) today announced the assignment of its US BYFAVOTM (Remimazolam) license agreement to Acacia Pharma with the consent of Paion and mutual release between Cosmo and Paion. The terms of the license agreement remain unchanged but it will now be between Paion and Acacia with Cosmo no longer being a party to the agreement. Alessandro Della Cha, CEO of Cosmo, said: "This assignment is important in order to allow Acacia to have a direct relationship with Paion. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of BYFAVOTM as shareholders of both Acacia and Paion." Dr. Jim Phillips, CEO of PAION AG, commented: "We are very pleased that we have come to an agreement with Cosmo and Acacia, which will simplify what until now has been a three-party relationship, and going forward we can interact directly with the Acacia team to support commercialisation. With the recent market approval of BYFAVOTM in the US, we are pleased to now be able to have a direct relationship with the end-commercialisation partner. We want to thank Cosmo for their support in the past years and look forward to continuing to work with them as an investor and shareholder." Mike Bolinder, CEO of Acacia Pharma commented: "We are very pleased to have been assigned the US license to BYFAVOTM following its very recent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and are grateful for all the support provided by Cosmo. This new direct arrangement with Paion will allow us to better collaborate and access their deep expertise on the benefits of BYFAVOTM as we look to begin the commercialization of this important new product for procedural sedation in adult patients, alongside BARHEMSYS, in the months ahead." About Remimazolam Remimazolam is an ultra-short-acting intravenous benzodiazepine sedative/anesthetic. In the human body, remimazolam is rapidly metabolized to an inactive metabolite by tissue esterases and is not metabolized by cytochrome-dependent hepatic pathways. Like other benzodiazepines, Remimazolam can be reversed with flumazenil to rapidly terminate sedation or anesthesia if necessary. In clinical studies, Remimazolam demonstrated efficacy and safety in around 2,900 volunteers and patients. Data so far indicate that Remimazolam has a rapid onset and offset of action combined with a favorable cardio-respiratory safety profile. In Japan, licensee Mundipharma received market approval in general anesthesia in January 2020. In the US, licensee Cosmo Pharmaceuticals received market approval in procedural sedation in July 2020. In China, licensee Yichang Humanwell filed for market approval in procedural sedation in November 2018. In South Korea, licensee Hana Pharm filed for market approval in general anesthesia in December 2019. In Europe, PAION submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in procedural sedation in November 2019 and results of an EU Phase III trial in general anesthesia are expected in the second half of 2020. In addition to procedural sedation and general anesthesia, based on positive Phase II study results, ICU sedation is another possible indication for Remimazolam. Remimazolam is partnered in the US (brand name BYFAVOTM) with Acacia Pharma, in Japan (brand name ANEREM) with Mundipharma, in China with Yichang Humanwell, in Canada with Pharmascience, in Russia/CIS, Turkey and the MENA region with R-Pharm, and in South Korea and Southeast Asia with Hana Pharm. For all other markets including parts of the EU, Remimazolam is available for licensing. About Cosmo Pharmaceuticals Cosmo is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercialising products to treat selected gastrointestinal disorders and improve endoscopy quality measures through aiding the detection of colonic lesions. Cosmo has also developed medical devices for endoscopy and has recently entered into a partnership with Medtronic for the global distribution of GI Genius its artificial intelligence device for use in coloscopies and GI procedures. Cosmo has licensed Aemcolo to Red Hill Biopharma and is the licensee of BYFAVO (Remimazolam) for the US for procedural sedation, which it has sub-licensed to Acacia. For additional information on Cosmo and its products please visit the Company's website: www.cosmopharma.com Financial calendar 2020 Half-Year Results July 30, 2020 Investora, Zurich September 23, 2020 Contact Niall Donnelly, CFO & Head of Investor Relations Cosmo Pharmaceuticals N.V. Tel: +353 1 817 03 70 ndonnelly@cosmopharma.com Disclaimer Some of the information contained in this press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Cosmo undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. This communication is not an offer of securities of any issuer. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirement of the US Securities Act of 1933. This press release constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities and it does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of article 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any similar document. The offer will be made solely by means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus to be published. An investment decision regarding the securities to be publicly offered should only be made on the basis of the securities prospectus. This press release is made to and directed only at (i) persons outside the United Kingdom, (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), and (iii) high net worth individuals, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents. This press release does not constitute an "offer of securities to the public" within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Union (the "Prospectus Directive") of the securities referred to in it (the "Securities") in any member state of the European Economic Area (the "EEA"). Any offers of the Securities to persons in the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in member states of the EEA, from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of the Securities. The city has now delivered all of the documents about 55,500 or so requested by the judge probing the slippery Red Hill Valley Parkway mystery. City council voted in February 2019 to ask a Superior Court judge to investigate why a troubling friction study on the crash-prone parkway was inexplicably hidden for years. But Justice Herman Wilton-Siegel was still waiting for needed documents from Hamilton and other inquiry participants as late as last week. I have to say that Im disappointed that more than 14 months after the inquiry (was called) were still in a position where there is documents to be delivered, he said in an online hearing held last week, adding delays are expensive for an inquiry that has already cost taxpayers about $3 million. The city and province of Ontario both cited the complexity of the search and COVID-19 pandemic challenges in explaining the delay. Most requested information is now expected to be handed over to the judge by the end of July. On Tuesday, the city announced it has delivered 55,500 documents including emails from a search of more than 100 municipal employee mailboxes deemed relevant for the judicial investigation. The information is needed before the inquiry legal team can begin interviewing witnesses and eventually plan public hearings. Those hearings likely wont happen before spring 2021 and pandemic health guidelines will determine whether in-person attendance will be allowed. The new Galaxy M31s will be available on Amazon as well as Samsung's other retail platforms from August, sources told IANS on Wednesday. Galaxy M31s is likely to come with Samsung's proprietary Super AMOLED Infinity O display, currently seen in the company's flagship range of smartphones. Galaxy M31s will house a 6000mAh battery and 64MP quad rear camera, according to the sources. Samsung launched Galaxy M series for young Indian consumers in early 2019. Over the last year and half, the company has rolled out eight smartphones under the Galaxy M brand. The whole Galaxy M series, in particular the Galaxy M30s device, performed well in the online segment last year, helping revive Samsung's online share. The company last month added two new products M11 and M01 to its M-series portfolio and M21 in the last quarter to taste the same success again which it got in 2019 due to M30s. The success of Galaxy M smartphones in India has helped Samsung increase its market share in the online segment, according to analysts. Samsung has also sent out invitations for a digital Unpacked' event on August 5 for its next Galaxy flagship in Note series. Oprah Winfrey's foundation has made a $3 million donation to assist South Los Angeles residents suffering during the pandemic, as coronavirus cases continue to surge in California. The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation made the donation to the new coalition South LA Forward, which provides fresh food, COVID-19 testing, healthcare and financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 'As I continue to seek out ways to support underserved communities, I was struck by the unique multi-layered approach to effect real change to the systematic barriers of access to healthy food, quality health care and educational opportunities,' Oprah said in a statement. Giving back: Oprah Winfrey's foundation has made a $3 million donation to assist South Los Angeles residents suffering during the pandemic, as coronavirus cases continue to surge in California (pictured 2018) South LA Forward is a newly launched coalition consisting of three organizations: SEE-LA, Watts Healthcare and SoLa I Can Foundation. 'We were incredibly honored to be selected by the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation along with SEE-LA and Watts Healthcare,' said Sherri Francois, the executive director of SoLa I Can Foundation. 'We believe addressing economic inequality and racial injustice requires a multi-pronged approach, and are thrilled that Ms. Winfrey has taken such a holistic approach in addressing these issues,' adds Sherri. Oprah has been generously giving back to Americans since the early days of the pandemic. Lending a hand: Oprah has been generously giving back to Americans since the early days of the pandemic (pictured February 2020) Back in April, she announced she would be making a $10 million donation to support people and cities across the country. 'I am donating $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up,' Oprah tweeted at the time. 'For more on this Fund and how everyone can be of service, watch this free AppleTV+ conversation here,' she added, along with a link to her COVID-19 talk series on Apple TV+. Oprah said she will be committing $1 million to America's Food Fund, whose goal it is to make sure everyone has access to food. Doing her part: Back in April, she announced she would be making a $10 million donation to support people and cities across the country (pictured February 2020) The fund was launched by Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs, Apple, and the Ford Foundation. 'I believe that America's Food Fund will be a powerful way to make a difference for our neighbors in need and am committing $1 million to this fund to support those facing food insecurity,' she tweeted. Though Americans are limited in the ways they can help nowadays, Oprah knows there is still a desire to give back, despite the obstacles. Big announcement: Winfrey shared news of her donation on Twitter Self-isolation: Last week, she revealed she and her long-time partner Stedman Graham were sleeping in separate houses after he become a higher risk due to taking numerous flights (pictured February 2015) She added, 'I was struck by the work these organizations are doing and while everyone's priority right now is to stay safer at home, I know there are many of us looking for ways to help.' On top of her $10 million donation, Oprah has been helping people get through the pandemic with her Apple TV+ series, Oprah Talks COVID-19. 'How can we mindfully move through a crisis while holding on to ourselves and our humanity?' reads the synopsis. 'In this series, Oprah has remote conversations with experts and everyday people to provide insight, meaning, and tangible advice for the human spirit.' Having an outlet: On top of her $10 million donation, Oprah has been helping people get through the pandemic with her AppleTV+ series, Oprah Talks COVID-19 (pictured August 2019) Guests on the show have included Idris Elba, who tested positive for coronavirus, Oprah's long-time friend Pastor Wintley Phipps, and DJ D-Nice, who has been performing sets for fans on Instagram Live during the pandemic. Oprah has also been safely connecting with loved ones during this difficult time. Last week, she reunited with her best friend Gayle King for the first time in months, after the CBS anchor tested negative for coronavirus. Oprah shared the special moment they were finally able to hug, after Gayle had been quarantining in her friend's guesthouse for 13 days. 'After 13 and a half days quarantined in my guest house, @gayleking and her @cbsthismorning team released from Covid quarantine,' Oprah captioned the Instagram video. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI A wave of oversight changes is coming to the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office. Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton on Wednesday, July 15 announced the creation of the 21st Century Policing Compliance Initiative and Commission, the Police Reform Academy and a police hiring committee that will include non-police members in the hiring process. Clayton also announced the creation of a new position at the Sheriffs Office, the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion who be responsible for providing leadership and helping transform the Sheriffs Office into a more inclusive and diverse organization. For as long as I can remember, but especially during the weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and other violent policing community member encounters, there has been calls for police reform, Clayton said. I am supremely confident that during the last 12 years, weve gotten it right more times and we have gotten it wrong, however no human being and no organization is perfect. Nor can either ever realize its fullest potential to be exemplary public servants unless they are committed to being open, engaged and to listen to the people that they hope to serve. The commission is being established with the intent of fully implement all the recommendations set forth in a 2014 executive order from then President Barack Obama establishing a task force identifying best policing practices. The sheriffs office has previously used the recommendations for local police agencies as our blueprint guiding policy, training, operational decisions, and actions though it had not fully committed until now. The commission is a community-based, collaborative effort including community members and leaders, non-profit stakeholders, community mental health and public health partners, faith leaders, education leaders as well as Sheriff's Office staff. The Police Reform Academy, in partnership with Washtenaw My Brothers Keeper, is an immersive learning series that aims to deconstruct the most pressing topics of police reform including use of force, policy and police culture. Whether you believe the police should be defunded, deconstructed, abolished, or reformed doesnt matter for participation within PRA you are very welcome to participate, Clayton said. What matters is that you are committed to learning in order to best facilitate the change youd like to see. Michigan Attorney General reviewing case where Washtenaw deputy punched womans head Participation will be open to all, but class size will be limited to 30 people in each cohort which will be defined by the number of individuals interested in participation. Clayton noted black men and elected officials are two cohort groups that have been specifically chosen as part of a larger construct with information from their academy session to be integrated into all future session. Creation of a new hiring committee with resident oversight is being implemented as recruitment, selection, and hiring are among the most important activities related to creating a desirable organizational culture, Clayton said. We are looking for a diverse group of Washtenaw County residents, representing a cross section of Washtenaw County communities, interested in serving as a panelist for new hire candidate interviews, Clayton said. Those selected will need to complete a short application, pass an abbreviated background check and successfully complete our Interviewer Training Session. The new position of Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will work with sheriff administration, division leadership and command, frontline staff, community partners and stakeholders to provide leadership and guidance in development of key organizational policies, training curricula, hiring and promotional processes and internal procedures. The director will develop a strategy to move WCSO towards becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization, Clayton said. The hiring search for the new position is expected to begin in the next several weeks. To apply to be a member of the 21st Century Policing Compliance Commission, the hiring committee, or join the police reform academy, click HERE. Anyone interested in participating, or has questions regarding the Police Reform Academy, is asked to contact Director of Community Engagement Derrick Jackson at jacksond@washtenaw.org or Washtenaw My Brothers Keeper Project Specialist Jamall Bufford at jbufford@washtenawisd.org. More from The Ann Arbor News: Dexter mayor says he mistakenly approved BLM fundraiser thinking it was a protest Ann Arbor council members look to put affordable housing millage on November ballot Ann Arbors a2Tech360 convention to go virtual in September Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Western Union Company (The) Global Credit Research - 15 Jul 2020 New York, July 15, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Western Union Company (The) and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion. This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. Key rating considerations are summarized below. Western Union's Baa2 senior unsecured rating reflects its solid leadership position in the global money transfer market, stability of financial performance and solid free cash flow. The competitive environment in money transfer will continue to evolve, and growth in Western Union's digital platform is important to sustaining its leadership position. The coronavirus outbreak is impacting Western Union's performance as remittance volumes decline in 2020 due to social distancing and weak demand driven by high unemployment across its markets. Cost actions will support margins and free cash flow in 2020, and we expect revenues to rebound in 2021. In March 2020, Western Union has temporarily paused share repurchases, and application of free cash flow toward debt repayment would mitigate the effect of the near-term EBITDA decline on the credit profile. Western Union's liquidity position remains strong. Story continues This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period. The principal methodology used for this review was Business and Consumer Service Industry published in October 2016. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology. This announcement applies only to EU rated and EU endorsed ratings. Non EU rated and non EU endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit. This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. 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Fahim Saleh, was the founder and CEO of Nigerian taxi company Gokada. A tech entrepreneur has been found dismembered in his luxury New York City apartment, according to reports. Fahim Saleh, the 33-year-old founder and CEO of Nigerian taxi company Gokada, has been identified in reports as the victim. His body was reportedly found next to a power saw in his home on Manhattan's Lower East Side on Tuesday. A police official told NBC New York that CCTV footage showed Saleh was involved in a struggle with a person who followed him into his apartment from the building's lift. Police were seen at the building in East Houston Street - a location that features in social media posts from Saleh when he moved into his new home. Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up in the US, graduating from Bentley University in Massachusetts. Gokada confirmed his death in a tweet on Wednesday, describing him as a "great leader, inspiration and positive light for all of us." Saleh also founded the website Prank Dial, which he said had earned him more than $10m (7.9m). OAKLAND, Calif., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabis , one of California's most prominent cannabis distributors, announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement with a vertically-integrated cannabis operator, NUG , to provide exclusive distribution for all of its cannabis products in California. In addition to multiple retail storefronts and cultivation sites, NUG operates one of the largest manufacturing and processing centers in California, and its products are represented in more than 80 percent of the state's retailers. The company opened its first retail location in April 2019, making NUG one of the first cannabis businesses in California to oversee their products from cultivation to consumer sales. The partnership comes in the wake of targeted looting on dozens of cannabis businesses in California , where NUG's Sacramento and San Leandro dispensaries were hit, as well as their 200,000 sqft cultivation facility in Oakland. Partnering with Nabis allows NUG to quickly rebuild what was lost and continue to scale its award-winning products to hundreds of dispensaries across the state. Nabis and NUG are also collaborating with OCEP (Oakland Citizens for Equity & Prosperity), the City of Oakland, and the Oakland Police Department to find immediate solutions around the security of cannabis businesses. "We are thrilled to work with NUG, and our partnership represents our values to respect, recognize, and sympathize with the intense struggles of operating in the cannabis industry. NUG has been a pillar of California's cannabis industry since 2014, and we are honored to support them," said Jun S. Lee, President of Nabis. "Last month's lootings were crippling to many in the industry, but we are excited to scale with NUG at such a critical moment." "As a vertically integrated cannabis company we know firsthand the challenges in getting products to market in California," said John Oram, CEO of NUG. "We therefore knew exactly what to look for when we decided to engage a third-party distributor. We needed a distribution partner that we could trust; one that would give our brand the attention it deserves; one that could take the headache out of distribution logistics and payment processing. Nabis exceeded every one of our requirements. Nabis' staff, software, and attention to detail are second to none. We are excited about this partnership and the growth it will bring to both companies." About Nabis Nabis is a leading technology-driven cannabis distributor based in San Francisco, providing a wide range of services for the wholesale cannabis market including warehousing, fulfillment, delivery and data analytics. Nabis is the exclusive distributor of more than 80 premier brands such as Buddies, Dosist, Henry's Original, and Ember Valley into hundreds of retailers across California. Nabis recently released a free software platform, Nabis Tracker, a centralized portal for Retailer partners to Confirm, Track and Communicate Orders in Real-Time with Drivers, and Manage Invoices. Founded in 2017 on a simple mission to modernize the cannabis supply chain, Nabis offers an elegant software and infrastructural solution for cannabis brands to effortlessly solve their distribution. About NUG Founded in 2014, NUG , Inc. is a premier, California-licensed, and vertically-integrated cannabis company with significant projected revenue growth based upon its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, extensive distribution network and award-winning brand. NUG operates the highest volume cannabis extraction facility in California, producing the majority of concentrates, vapes and other infused cannabis products sold in California under the NUG label and other leading brands. NUG products are sold in over 80 percent of the licensed retail dispensaries in California, including NUG stores, offering consumers an unparalleled cannabis retail store experience. Media Contact: Ali Lepech [email protected] (678) 435-1320 SOURCE Nabis Related Links http://www.nabis.com Kiran has also been conferred with the prestigious IMC Ladies Wing Woman of the Year Award 20192020 The net worth of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw in 2020 is $420 crore. But that is not the only reason why the executive chairperson of Biocon evokes admiration amongst her contemporaries. Kiran has also been conferred with the prestigious IMC Ladies Wing Woman of the Year Award 20192020. Vanita Bhandari, the president of the organisation, pays her tribute by saying, Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a shining light who has broken the glass ceiling and paved a successful path in the fields of science and chemistry. Her vision, talent, dedication and philanthropic initiatives motivate us to aspire high. Excerpts from the conversation with Ms Shaw: Now that Biocons original drug Itolizumab has finally got the much-needed approval, what is your current state of mind? It is a truly innovative, original drug, which is made in India. We have not copied any other drug. I dont think anybody has picked this important factor, which is what makes it disappointing. It is life-saving. This is not a small feat. When the disease gets to a serious stage, nothing can help you except drugs like ours. Itolizumab regulates all cytokines in that pathway. This is a first drug from India that will stand on its own. Why cant people be proud of a drug made in India? We believed in this drug for the last 20 years. So, its a fantastic feeling now. COVID-19 is a serious disease and people have still not understood the gravity of the disease Many Indian companies are rushing to claim they can make the vaccine available by September/ October, when experts say its not possible till next year. Your comments? You can make a vaccine by this period, but the question is if you can deliver a well-validated vaccine. It is like the Russians claiming they have developed the vaccine, which is fine as anyone can make a vaccine. Today, if Astra Zeneca develops the vaccine, they also have to evaluate it. You have to do this to check whether there is a possibility of being re-infected by the virus. Secondly, even if you have responded positively to the vaccine, you need to know for how long you are going to be protected. Realistically, you could get a vaccine by the end of this year, but it is vital to check the safety and reliability factor before even I would use it. The ongoing pandemic has changed everyones life. What has your learning been from this situation? It is definitely something to worry about; it is a serious disease and people have still not understood the gravity of the disease. But it is not necessary that you are going to die. The people who have to worry about COVID-19 are the vulnerable population. I should be worried; I am over 60 but since I dont have co-morbidities, I am not worried so much about myself, but I have to remain safe as my mom is almost 90 and my husband is 70 and they are both cancer survivors. You are very vocal with your views on social media and otherwise. Are you not worried about anti reactions? If you are honest and if you have no mal-intent and there is no agenda, nothing will happen. If I have political aspirations, then maybe it will have an impact. You put a succession plan in place several years back. At a time when the nepotism debate is ongoing, what made you opt for such a radical (at that time) decision? I dont agree with this nepotism debate because if a person is good you must give an opportunity to him/her but you should not give it just because they are your family. For instance, Azim Premjis son Rishad is a capable youngster who understands the business at Wipro though they have an outside guy at the helm. My niece a brilliant cancer immunologist, PhD, MBA from Stanford, Masters from MIT worked at Third Rock Ventures in the US. I told her to do something for Biocon. I started a small biotech company in Boston and have asked her to run it. But she is the kind of person who has earned it. As far as Biocon biologics is concerned, I dont think she can run this. This is a very professional business and so it is helmed by professionals. You have a strong, admirable relationship with your husband. What is the secret? I just think it is your commitment to anything. First, you have to make a judgement call about the person and then obviously you will have some differences and arguments, all of which happen in a marriage. But at the same time, it is a commitment you made. For me, my husband has played a very important role in my life. He has really supported me in a fantastic way. Not many husbands would be happy to support their wives to be at the front. He has always taken the backseat. He always tells me, It is your business... you have to run it and I will support you but you need to lead it. Thats a fantastic quality. We have respect for each other. You are a fiercely loyal friend who has stood by Vijay Mallya through all the tough times. I am just a good, loyal friend, and there are lots of people who are good friends too. In fact, I would often point out to Vijay to see how many of all his fair-weather friends would be with him when the chips are down. I was right. He agrees with me now. I was the only one who would caution him then, but he would never listen to me. New Delhi Defence minister Rajnath Singh will visit Ladakh on Friday to review military preparedness and take stock of the developments along the Line of Actual Control, people aware of the developments said on Wednesday, as India and China work on a framework to disengage at the border after a deadly clash last month. Singh will be accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane during the defence ministers first visit to Ladakh after the stand-off between the Indian and Chinese armies began in May. The governments high-powered China Study Group (CSG) on Wednesday reviewed the latest developments in eastern Ladakh, with focus on the next stage of disengagement between the Indian and Chinese armies following a 14-hour meeting between senior military commanders from both sides at Chushul to discuss the road map for reducing tensions along the LAC, people familiar with the developments said. Singh will also visit forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir on July 18, an official said on condition of anonymity. Naravane will accompany the minister. The military is keeping a strict vigil on the western front to deter Pakistan and prevent what could turn out to be a two-front conflict, as reported by HT on July 2. The minister will be in Ladakh two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to the sector on July 3. The PM then declared that the era of expansionism is over, sending a strong signal to China about Indias determination to defend its borders. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON I n all the fire and fury these days between China and the West, its easy to predict the worst will happen. The temptation is to gallop away with the idea that the US will end up treating China as a pariah state akin to Iran. Trade and currency links will be severed accordingly. But, even in a week that saw Downing Street flip-flop to ban Huawei at Donald Trumps behest, we should not get so carried away. For all the bombast coming out of the White House since China announced its security laws on Hong Kong, his actual policy actions have been muted. So, while this week he ended Hong Kongs tariff discount over China for goods to the US, the impact is minimal most HK-US goods are in transit from China so pay the higher tariff already. While he slapped visa bans on Chinese officials, he did so when barely any were planning on going to the US anyway. The most meaningful move he could have made reneging on the trade deal he signed in January remains intact. Explosive talk from sources in the Trump camp last week that he could remove the US dollar peg to the Hong Kong dollar today fizzled out as just that talk. The fact is that Trump cant afford to launch a real Cold War like his predecessors did against Russia. Moscows empire was economically puny and self-contained, making it an easy enemy. But China is the second biggest economy in the world, inextricably linked in supply chains for pretty much every material aspect of western life. Any meaningful attack on China trade would hurt the US more. So, all Trump can do is huff, puff, and lean on his weaker allies to make irrational decisions to boycott firms like Huawei. Its galling for countries like ours to have to suck it up, and no doubt well be more prone to US bullying after we leave the EU. But its better than a real trade war. Former MP for Dover, 50, Charlie Elphicke (pictured outside Southwark Crown Court with wife Natalie - now the Dover MP) is accused of a sexual assault against a woman in 2007 and two assaults against a different woman within a week of each other in 2016. He denies all three counts 'Naughty Tory' Charlie Elphicke told his party's deputy chief whip that claims he assaulted a woman in her 20s on the parliamentary estate could not be true - because the alleged victim did not complain 'at the time'. The former MP, a married father-of-two, made the claim while being quizzed by then-deputy chief whip, Anne Milton, over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in April and May 2016. He also told Ms Milton, who was herself an MP up until 2019, that the allegations were 'appalling and untrue'. The former MP for Dover, 50, who stepped down in 2019 and was succeeded by his wife Natalie Elphicke, is accused of a sexual assault against a woman in 2007 and two assaults against a different woman within a week of each other in 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to all three counts and is currently on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London. Today jurors listened to a tape recording of the exchange between Mr Elphicke and Ms Milton in which it was heard that the complainant - a woman in her early 20s who cannot be identified for legal reasons - alleged that the then-MP had groped her breast. She also alleged that Mr Elpichke ran his hand up her leg in a second incident some time later. According to the tape, Mrs Milton told Elphicke: 'I have had some very serious allegations about your behaviour - sexual misconduct, harassment and inappropriate behaviour.' Mr Elphicke, a married father-of-two, told then-deputy chief whip, Anne Milton (pictured outside court today), that the allegations of sexual assault against him were 'appalling and untrue' Elphicke replied: 'Really?' He later added: 'Absolutely no way. I need my lawyer.' Elphicke denied allegations put to him by Mrs Milton that he tried to kiss the woman, hold her hand or touch her breast. He said: 'I think it's appalling and untrue. I'm shocked by this.' Mrs Milton - who told jurors that part of her role as deputy chief whip involved 'a certain amount of pastoral care' - then asked Elphicke to 'consider whether any of (his) behaviour was inappropriate'. She said: 'It would be good to feel you recognise some of the story.' The court heard that Elphicke met Mrs Milton (pictured left outside court being dropped off by former MP Margot James) again some time later to go over the allegations, along with former attorney general Dominic Grieve Elphicke replied: 'That I sexually assaulted her?' Mrs Milton added: 'And tried to touch her leg? Tried to kiss her?' Elphicke replied: 'Six months ago?' Mrs Milton said: 'Well, Charlie, it doesn't matter when it happened.' Asked whether Elphicke felt the allegations were either 'untrue, or a misunderstanding', he replied: 'They're untrue.' He added: 'This was six months ago. If this was true, a complaint would have been made at the time.' The court heard that Elphicke met Mrs Milton again some time later to go over the allegations, along with former attorney general Dominic Grieve. Mrs Milton, herself an MP until 2019, said the complainant was 'distressed and distraught' when she first got in contact to say that she had been the 'victim of unwanted sexual attention'. Elphicke is also accused of assaulting another complainant, a woman in her early 30s, at his home in London in 2007, when he was alleged to have groped her breast and chanted 'I'm a naughty Tory' while chasing her. The trial continues. Mr Ibrahim Sumara Alidu, the Builsa North District Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has advised farmers in the District to immediately spray pesticides on their growing crops and not wait for the Fall Armyworm infestation before they do so. We are advising the farmers, they shouldn't wait to see the Fall Armyworm before they spray. When you plant, contact our Agric Extension Officers, get the Fall Armyworm chemicals and spray every three weeks, he told the farmers. Mr Alidu, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Sandema in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region, entreated farmers not to rely only on the Fall Armyworm chemicals supplied by government, but to acquire their own chemicals from the open market to complement government's supply. He said farmers invested so much capital on their farms and could not allow their investments to go waste through the destruction of the Fall Armyworm, don't fold your arms and say the chemicals that I received from the Department of Agric is finished therefore I cannot do anything, he added. The Director said it was incumbent on farmers to try their best not to allow their toil to go in vain through pests and other crop diseases that could be prevented. He said the chemicals were available, and had been distributed to farmers whose farms had been invaded by Fall Armyworm. Mr Alidu said his outfit had adopted the communal approach of using spraying guns, In most operational areas that is what we have been using and that is the approach we want to still use. He explained that If one farmer sprays his farm and the adjoining farms are not sprayed, it will not yield any results, it will be a useless exercise. There is the need to spray all farms within that area to ensure that the worms within those areas are killed. He called on community members to form spraying groups so that the Department would support them with the needed logistics and training on how to effectively apply the chemicals across farms within their communities. We have some farmers who do not want to go by the spray gang approach, when such farmers come, we still serve them and monitor to be sure that they spray. He said some armyworm infestations were observed, while on monitoring on some farms, adding that the necessary chemicals were applied, So everything is under control. Every three weeks our farmers should make the effort to spray. They shouldn't necessarily wait to see the Fall Armyworm before they start spraying. ---GNA Is it safe for kids to go back to school? Live Q&A with Dr. Jana Shaw Live Q&A: Were talking to Dr. Jana Shaw, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Upstate Medical University, about the safety of reopening schools. What are your questions? Ask them in the comments. Posted by syracuse.com on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 New York state released guidelines Monday for schools preparing to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. For some parents, children cant go back to school soon enough. Others are skeptical that precautions can adequately protect kids and teachers from the virus. What questions do you have about reopening schools safely? Syracuse.com will host a live Q&A at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) with Dr. Jana Shaw, a pediatric infectious disease doctor at Upstate Golisano Childrens Hospital, in Syracuse. Come on over to Syracuse.coms Facebook page to watch. Shaw is associate professor of Pediatrics and clinical associate professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Upstate. She is a medical doctor and holds a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins. Shaw recently said she believes the social, emotional and physical benefits of opening schools outweighs the risks. She cites research suggesting that children are less likely to get Covid-19, less likely to get sick, and less likely to pass it on than adults are. The safety of reopening schools is a matter of some debate, particularly as the coronavirus surges in other parts of the United States. Gov. Andrew Cuomo will decide during the first week of August if schools can open at all, based on the level of coronavirus infections in each region. The states guidelines for schools mandate the wearing of masks, physical distancing, health screenings, use of alternative spaces to reduce density, isolation and frequent cleaning. What are your health concerns about returning to school? You can email questions for Dr. Shaw to me at mmorelli@syracuse.com, or ask a question in the comments on the Facebook Live video feed during the event. Go to Syracuse.coms Facebook page at 10 a.m. Wednesday to join in. If you miss the live stream, come back to Syracuse.com for a replay. MORE ON SCHOOL REOPENINGS Read New York states guidance on school reopenings Whats the greatest health risk in coronavirus era: Kids at school or at home? Yes, CNY kids are probably going back to school in fall. But heres the stuff youll hate (video) A family is grieving after a 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in a central Hamilton home early Wednesday. The teen, who has not yet been identified, was shot in a house at 16 St. Matthews Ave., northwest of Wentworth Street North and Barton Street East, around 4 a.m. She was taken to Hamilton General Hospital in life-threatening condition and died around 9:30 a.m., said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk of the major crime unit. The family is extremely distraught, theyre hysterical, you can imagine getting this information, Bereziuk said. The victim is a high school student in the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board who lived with her mother in the city. She did not live in the home where she was shot but knew at least one person who did. Its a very sad incident, he said. There were at least five people in the house at the time of the shooting, Bereziuk said, adding that its too early in the investigation to know what transpired inside the home. Police are looking for two male suspects, believed to be in their early 20s, who fled out the back door and down an alley that runs between St. Matthews and Cheever Street. Both are described as white men, one with short brown hair and the other with longer brown hair. Police have not yet found the murder weapon, but believe it may be a handgun. Police were conducting a search and canvass of the area and are awaiting a warrant to get into the house. Police are asking residents in the area to check their properties for a discarded firearm. They are also looking as for any surveillance footage residents may have from around the time the shooting occurred. Bereziuk said the witnesses police have spoken to are co-operating. He wouldnt comment on who called 911 or how many of the people believed to be in the home were still there when police arrived. Were certainly of the belief were going to identify who was in that house, he said, adding that people in the house are advised to come forward to police. St. Matthews Avenue between Barton Street East and Birge Street, including the alley where the suspects are believed to have fled, was taped off for much of the day Wednesday. Shortly before 2 p.m., police had removed the tape and the street was reopened. Outside of the home, a pool of blood could be seen on the sidewalk, with a trail of blood leading up the front stairs and further into the house. A pair of shattered mirrors were perched against a tree in the lawn. Sue Cormier, who lives next door to where the shooting took place, said she was sleeping on her couch when she woke up to screaming around 4 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. (I) heard at least two girls and one guy saying, Oh my god, oh my god. She said she heard screams coming from both inside and outside the semi-detached house where a young guy lives. I never heard the gun, she said. I just heard the screaming. Sue Cormier stands on her front porch next to 16 St. Matthews where a 17-year-old girl was shot in the semi-detached home. John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator Bereziuk said the house was not known to police, so the shooting was a bit of a shocking event, he said. Cormier said she hadnt had any trouble with the neighbours. The Hamilton Spectator spoke to one resident, who refused to be identified, who said he woke up to news of the shooting. Living on the street for 25 years, he said the area is usually quiet. I raised kids here, its not a problem, its been good, he said. You have this and that or whatever, but it happens like that everywhere. Christina Mathieson also woke up to the crime scene. She lives across the road from where the shooting happened. Hamilton police's Steve Bereziuk answers questions during a 1 p.m. press conference about a shooting at 16 St. Matthews Ave. early Wednesday morning. John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator Its scary, said Mathieson, who has two young sons under the age of five. Its normally pretty quiet. The incident is one of 27 shootings in Hamilton this year and comes amid a spate of shootings in the area in recent weeks. It is the eighth homicide in Hamilton this year. Bereziuk said there is no evidence the homicide is linked to any other incident in the city. This includes the death of Matar Abouchere, a 27-year-old man who was shot as he drove on the Red Hill Valley Parkway late Friday. Another man in his car was seriously hurt. On Tuesday, July 7, 42-year-old Jason Peterson was shot in an encounter with Hamilton police as they were searching for a suspect after a domestic incident involving a firearm. He died in hospital the following day. Not included in Hamiltons shooting count is Fridays double shooting in Burlington that killed Hamilton Mob boss Pasquale (Pat) Musitano and seriously injured his longtime bodyguard and friend 77-year-old John Clary. There was a high of 47 shootings in Hamilton last year, well surpassing the 25 shootings in 2018. Last year, eight people were killed in shootings. Any witnesses are asked to call Det. Geoffrey Burbidge at 905-546-2288. I believe that last nights incident requires a full investigation, Stoney said in a tweet the day after the officer drove through protesters. While the investigation is underway, I have instructed the Richmond Police Department to place the officer involved on administrative leave pending the result of the investigation by the Commonwealths Attorney. Two days later, he forced the resignation of then-Chief William Smith. On June 18, Stoney was set to introduce his choice of an interim police chief when a group of officers stopped Stoney in the lobby of the police training academy and asked to meet with him. The video footage of the meeting was shared on social media by attorney Timothy Anderson, the owner of the Anderson & Associates law firm out of Virginia Beach. The firm has a satellite office in Richmond. The video clip shows only 3 minutes and 45 seconds of the 90-minute meeting, which was closed to the media. Its unclear who recorded it. The footage has been edited to add subtitles and is inaudible at times. In the video, a woman identified as Officer 1 can be heard saying, You did publicly come out and condemned it. In a new trial, Swedish researchers will investigate if a medicine normally used to treat prostate cancer can also be used to treat COVID-19 in patients. The desired effect is that the medicine will shorten the course of the disease and the need for intensive care. The drug itself is known to not least affect an enzyme important in prostate cancer cases and in corona infections. "Our objective is that this drug will reduce the amount of coronavirus that can reach lung cells by preventing the underlying process behind an enzyme," says Assistant Professor Andreas Josefsson, who leads the trial. He is group leader at the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at Umea University and is consultant physician in urology at Region Vasterbotten and in Sahlgrenska University hospital in Gothenburg. The risk of falling seriously ill with COVID-19 has so far been remarkably higher for men than for women. This suggests that the system this medicine affects can be of importance in the treatment of corona infections too. The drug Enzalutamide blocks signals of male sex hormone, testosterone, which in turn affects the enzyme TMPRSS2, among others. This happens to be the same enzyme that the virus SARS-CoV-2 needs to get into cells and harm lungs. Data from Italy shows that among men treated with similar drugs against their prostate cancer, a considerably lower number has fallen ill with COVID-19 than in comparable control groups. It may also be possible that testosterone itself weakens the immune system's ability to cope with SARS-CoV-2 infections, and that the medicine in that way could have positive effects also on this. The trial will be conducted at voluntary basis on hospitalised patients treated for COVID-19, but who are not critically ill enough to require intensive care. The patients in this trial will be administered the drug in the form of pills over the course of five days during which they will be closely monitored. The result of this treatment will then be compared with a control group. "This is a drug that we are very familiar with, but it will now be used for a new purpose. Hence, safety is a very important part of this trial," says Andreas Josefsson. Normally, the drug is administered in long-term treatment, and with this short treatment period, the risks of potential side effects reduce. Follow ups will take place continuously for six weeks and again after six months. This national Swedish trial is based on a collaboration between Umea University, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the infection and urology clinics at Norrlands University Hospital in Umea and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. A further six Swedish medical regions have expressed their interest in participating so far, and the hospitals in Malmo, Sundsvall and Jonkoping are preparing to start. The study has a capacity of recruiting up to 600 patients. "We also have close collaborations internationally with not least the US where similar trials are commencing, and we are sharing experiences with each other. The spirit is high in collaborations both within research fields globally as well as cross-disciplinarily to find drugs against COVID-19," says Karin Welen, docent at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, who leads the study together with Andreas Josefsson. The trial Covidenza has passed ethical review and has been approved by the Swedish Medical Products Agency. Region Vasterbotten is the accountable authority of the trial supported by medical regions involved, the Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine in Umea and the pharmaceutical company Astellas Pharma. The pharmaceutical company, however, is not involved in planning the trial or processing the results. ### For more information, please contact: Andreas Josefsson Assistant professor, urologist Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicin Umea University/ University Hospital, Umea Phone: +46 703805395 E-mail: andreas.josefsson@umu.se Karin Welen Associated Professor Sahlgrenska Cancer Center Institute for Clinical Sciences, Department of Urology University of Gothenburg Phone: +46 706 102231 E-mail: karin.welen@gu.se Email to the study: covidenza@umu.se TRADE growth is expected to gain momentum in the coming months as quarantine measures ease, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on July 10 that the countrys total merchandise trade registered a slower decline of 38.7 percent in May 2020, after a steep 59.5 percent decline in April 2020. Merchandise exports declined by 35.6 percent but with notable improvements in agro-based, forest, and manufactured products. Imports, meanwhile, fell by 40.6 percent but showed slower contractions in major commodity groupings, particularly capital goods, raw materials including chemicals and manufactured goods and consumer goods. The slower decline in trade performance is a welcome indication that economic activity has started to pick up. This is due to the relaxation of quarantine measures in certain areas, the gradual reopening of business, and the restarting of production within the country and its trading partners, said Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua. Manufactured goods, which account for almost 80 percent of total exports, are seen to gradually recover as the latest results of the Purchasing Managers Index for the Philippines rose from 40.1 in May to 49.7 in June 2020. Notwithstanding the ongoing lockdown in Cebu where some of the electronics firms are located, the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. also indicated a gradual pick-up in semiconductors exports in the coming months and projected a flat growth in 2020. The Neda chief said that given significant downside risks to global trade, the country needs to ramp up efforts to build a more competitive trade sector. We have made some notable improvements in the past decade. However, we need to capitalize on this and further improve infrastructure, logistics, productivity and the whole manufacturing value chain in order bring down the cost of production and remain internationally competitive, Chua said. (PR) Futurist addresses post-COVID-19 issues at E-Day online platform HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 15 July 2020 - In light of the COVID-19 situation, this year's HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) has undergone a transformation in terms of format and content, with a series of seminars being broadcast live on 16 and 17 July. The public can register for free at https://hktdc.hermeslive.com/en/. HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Stephen Liang said: "Start-ups have been bearing the brunt of the unprecedented challenges, such as the impact on capital flow, brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the new normal has given rise to business opportunities through the use of pioneering innovative technologies." Mr Liang added that this year's E-Day, under the theme "ReviveRedefine", highlights the practical and inspirational aspects of start-ups that can help to ensure the survival, growth, transformation and sustainability of the current business ecosystem in the face of significant changes and challenges, while promoting the agility necessary to embrace future challenges. The seminars feature more than 30 heavyweight speakers from such fields as smart logistics, education technology and biotechnology to share how to deploy pioneering ideas and innovative technologies to disrupt existing industries and tap into new markets. Insights into the future of entrepreneurship E-Day will be joined by Gerd Leonhard, a futurist who will address the audience from Switzerland tomorrow (16 July) to shed light on emerging issues in the post-COVID-19 economy and future trends in such areas as business, society and governance in the context of exponential technological progress. Mr Leonhard will share how the future of jobs, work and commerce is being redefined amid the challenges and transformation brought about by the pandemic; examine the role of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in creating major breakthroughs in a technology-dominated future; and look at what start-ups and entrepreneurs can do to be future-ready. He will be joined by Karena Belin, CEO & Co-Founder of WHub, Dr Toa Charm, Associate Professor, Business School, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Herbert Chia, Venture Partner at Sequoia Capital China, to discuss how COVID-19 will shape decision-making for start-ups, incubators and venture capitalists in Hong Kong and Asia. Story continues Gerd Leonhard, CEO of The Futures Agency Another seminar tomorrow, titled From Crisis to Chances will examine how entrepreneurs are able to turn challenging situations into opportunities, offering inspiration to the audience. Highlighting Hong Kong's research excellence and the city's experience in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, Professor Yeung King-lun from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology will share how his team reacted to the challenges presented by the global pandemic to develop a smart anti-microbial coating, the Multilevel Antimicrobial Polymer (MAP-1) coating, to control infectious diseases. Designed for use on different surfaces including wood, glass, metals, concrete, plastics, fabrics, leathers and textiles, the coating provides lasting protection and surface disinfection against microbial contamination for a period of up to 90 days. The smart coating has already been applied in more than 70 day-care centres, homes for the elderly, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. In addition, Professor HC Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, will share on how his team launched the General Use Face Shield to provide enhanced protection for the public and minimise the risk of virus transmission within the community. Business opportunities are also arising for start-ups in fields such as fintech, smart city and education technology. Katherine Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer of on-demand online tutoring platform Snapask, will share on how recent social distancing measures have unleashed opportunities for the Hong Kong-based start-up in both local and overseas markets. Founded five years ago, Snapask is now serving over 3.2 million students with more than 350,000 tutors across eight Asian locations -- Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea. The start-up has registered an increase of 1.3 million users over the past 12 months, including a big surge due to the suspension of classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In Hong Kong, the platform currently has some 40,000 tutors and 200,000 active users, most of whom are high school students with a high percentage of them preparing for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination. Some parents also seek advice while helping their primary school kids with their homework. Understanding the demand from students studying late at night, Snapask has pushed the boundaries of traditional tutoring to offer a 24-hour service. Apart from its app, Snapask is also developing business-to-business (B2B) solutions using AI technology to provide personalised learning resources through big data analysis. Disrupting industries with pioneering ideas At the event's plenary session tomorrow morning, titled ReviveRedefine, William Ip, Managing Director of Carousell Hong Kong, and Crystal Pang, Co-Founder of Pickupp, will share how their start-ups are working to redefine their respective industries through pioneering ideas. Mr Ip will share how the company has promoted the concept of a "sharing" future through its customer-to-customer (C2C) marketplace. Ms Pang will introduce how the start-up is redefining the delivery industry and expanding its business in the Asian market. Pickupp also works with genetic testing and digital health company Prenetics to provide a door-to-door saliva specimen collection service for patients who need to undergo COVID-19 testing. In addition, the newly launched Enterprise Connect series, featuring Arup, Epson and Fung Group, will showcase how enterprises can join hands with start-ups to create shared value and revive businesses across different industry pillars. Representatives from the media are welcome to join the closed-door seminars, which will be held at S226-228 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Details are as follows: 16 July (Day 1) Plenary Session: ReviveRedefine Time: 11:30am-12:30pm Speakers: William Ip, Managing Director, Carousell Hong Kong Crystal Pang, Co-founder, Pickupp Language: English From Crisis to Chances: Unleashing Opportunities in Challenging Times Time: 3:15pm-4:15pm Speakers: Professor Yeung King-lun, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering & Division of Environment and Sustainability, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor HC Man, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Katherine Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer, Snapask (Holdings) Inc Language: English T-Chat -- Futurising Your Business: Renaissance from the Age of Digitalisation (Exclusive online broadcast session) Time: 4:30pm-6pm Speaker: Gerd Leonhard, CEO, The Futures Agency Panellists: Karena Belin, CEO & Co-Founder, WHub Dr Toa Charm, Associate Professor, Business School, Chinese University of Hong Kong Herbert Chia, Venture Partner, Sequoia Capital China Language: English Please click here for details of all seminars over both days of E-Day. Photo download: https://bit.ly/328BLYh Photo 1: For the first time, a futurist will speak at E-Day. The "T-Chat -- Futurising Your Business: Renaissance from the Age of Digitalisation" seminar will address emerging issues in the post-COVID-19 era, with Gerd Leonhard shedding light on future trends in such fields as business, society and governance in the face of exponential technological progress Photo 2: William Ip, Managing Director of Carousell Hong Kong (left), and Crystal Pang, Co-Founder of Pickupp (right), will share on how their companies are helping to redefine their respective industries through pioneering ideas Photo 3: Katherine Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer of on-demand online tutoring platform Snapask, will share on how recent social distancing measures have unleashed opportunities for the Hong Kong-based start-up in both local and overseas markets To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade publications, research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn The fourth round of Corps Commanders meeting between India and China lasted a record 15 hours as Lt General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military Region Commander Major General Liu Lin chalked out the roadmap for the next phase of disengagement. The meeting held on Tuesday at the Chushul border point with Moldo began at 11 am and ended at 2 am on Wednesday, sources said. The situation at Pangong Tso was discussed where Chinese troops continue to be present on the Indian side of the LAC they had come in 8 km west of Finger 8 which India says marks the LAC. The situation at Depsang Plains was also taken up. This is India's fourth meeting with China. The first two meetings took place at Moldo on the Chinese side on June 6 and June 22 while the third meeting was at Chushul. The last two meetings lasted over 12 hours each. The tension between the two sides escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. According to a report by news agency PTI, the Chinese soldiers used stones, nail-studded sticks, iron rods and clubs in carrying out brutal attacks on Indian soldiers after they protested the erection of a surveillance post by China on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control in Galwan. After the clashes, the two sides held at least three rounds of Major-General level talks to explore ways to bring down tension between the two sides. BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson Tuesday voiced firm opposition to U.S. arms sales to China's Taiwan region, as well as any other form of military contact between them. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks when responding to a question about the U.S. State Department's approval of a plan selling weapons worth 620 million U.S. dollars to China's Taiwan region. Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority will never succeed in its attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" by military means, she said. The DPP's attempts will only undermine the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and bring a greater disaster to people in Taiwan, Zhu added. BRUSSELS - Apple won a major victory Wednesday against European efforts to force it to pay higher taxes, after a European Union appeals court overturned a massive judgment against the tech giant and said that E.U. antitrust regulators erred in imposing a $14.8 billion bill for back taxes. The ruling, which is likely to be appealed by the European Commission, was a major boost to Apple and the Irish government. Both said they did nothing wrong and have denied the E.U. allegations that Apple received preferential tax treatment from the Irish government. For now, the ruling is a major blow to E.U. antitrust regulators' efforts to police individual countries that lure companies to their territories with low tax rates. E.U. antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager has built an international reputation for her aggressive moves against the business practices of tech giants, many of which have set up their European operations in low-tax nations such as Ireland and Luxembourg. "We will carefully study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps," Vestager said in a statement. "All companies should pay their fair share of tax." The European Commission issued the back-tax fine in 2016, saying that Ireland gave Apple unfair advantages and violated E.U. state-aid rules when it offered the tax breaks for Apple between 2003 and 2015. The arrangement, the antitrust officials said, allowed Apple to pay a tax rate of less than 1 percent. The General Court said the European Commission failed to meet legal standards to support its charge that Apple was granted illegal subsidies. Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the time that the collection effort was "total political crap," and it drew frustration from Dublin and Washington as well. Even some U.S. skeptics of Apple's tax-reduction efforts said the money should be going to the U.S. government, not Ireland's. The 2016 tax ruling was Vestager's first banner tax case against a global corporation, and she followed it with action against Amazon, Starbucks and others. Her aggressive enforcement efforts earned her the moniker "tax lady" from President Trump, as he complained about E.U. policies toward U.S. businesses. If the European Commission decides to challenge the ruling, the case will be heard by the top E.U. court, the European Court of Justice. The process could take three or four years. The Irish Department of Finance said Wednesday that it welcomed the appeals court's decision. Separately, the European Commission planned Wednesday to announce a new strategy to fight "race to the bottom" efforts among E.U. countries to draw business by lowering corporate tax rates. The court ruling may crimp some of those plans. In 2021, President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House over the violent Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol, becoming the only president to b Trenton police still dont have a positive identification on the human remains found in a fire pit in the 5500 block of Wilson Street, but they do have a cause of death from the Wayne County Medical Examiners Office. Steven Voss, director of police and fire services, said the individual died of a gunshot to the right temple. Police suspect the case is a homicide. According to Voss, there were numerous bones found at the scene along with the skull. A positive identification is expected to take about six weeks. The bones were badly burned and Voss said it is not known if they are those of a man or woman. Voss said police have an idea who the individual is, but they do not want to jump to any conclusions. Prior to the house being sold, police said Mark Alan Eberly, 57, lived there for numerous years. Police are aware that a woman, who they have not been able to locate, had been residing at the house with him. Police said Eberly died on June 27 in a police-involved shooting in Tennessee. He was pulled over by a Tennessee deputy just after 7 p.m. that day. When the deputy approached Eberly, he suddenly opened fire, shooting the officer in the upper chest area. The deputy was wearing a bulletproof vest and was not seriously injured, but returned fire. Eberly drove away, but his vehicle came to a stop about a mile down the road. Police and members of a Special Weapons and Tactics team surrounded the vehicle and had been demanding he get out of the car before discovering he was dead. Tennessee officials could not confirm if the officer shot Eberly or if he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Just prior to the shooting incident, he had been pulled over by police in Tennessee. He was cited for driving while his drivers license was revoked and resisting arrest. Eberly had a few run-ins with Trenton police, as well. By PTI NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Ladakh on Friday to take stock of the country's military preparedness and review the overall situation, government sources said on Wednesday, as India and China move to finalise a framework for a complete disengagement at friction points on their border. Singh will be accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane and it will be his first visit to Ladakh after the standoff between the armies of India and China on the Line of Actual Control(LAC) began on May 5. Singh's trip comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Ladakh on July 3 during which he also addressed troops and signalled the country's firmness in dealing with the India-China border row. The sources said Singh will carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in the region with Gen Naravane, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Commander of the 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and other senior Army officials. ALSO READ | Rajnath Singh, CDS Rawat to attend DAC meet to speed up procurement of weapons From Ladakh, the defence minister will travel to Srinagar where he will hold a high-level meeting with senior military officials on Saturday to review the situation along the Line of Control(LoC)with Pakistan, the sources said. Singh was originally scheduled to visit Ladakh on July 3 but it was deferred. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. ALSO READ | Rajnath Singh inaugurates 6 bridges in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir However, following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process on July 6 and withdrew troops from most of the friction points. On Tuesday, senior commanders of the the two armies held a fourth round of talks during which the Indian delegation conveyed a "very clear" message to the Chinese army that status quo must ante be restored in eastern Ladakh and China will have to follow all mutually agreed protocols for border management to bring back peace and tranquillity along the LAC, government sources said. During the course of the intense and complex negotiations that lasted nearly 15 hours, the Indian delegation apprised the Chinese Army about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, the sources said. The key focus of the talks was learnt to be on rolling out the phase two of the disengagement process besides firming up modalities for withdrawal of forces and weapons from the rear bases in a time-bound and verifiable manner, the sources said, adding they were aimed at further de-escalation of the situation at various friction points. MINNEAPOLIS - Body-camera footage made public Wednesday from two Minneapolis police officers involved in George Floyds arrest captured a panicked and fearful Floyd pleading with the officers in the minutes before his death, saying Im not a bad guy! as they tried to wrestle him into a squad car. Im not that kind of guy, Floyd says as he struggles against the officers. I just had COVID, man, I dont want to go back to that. An onlooker pleads with Floyd to stop struggling, saying, You cant win! Floyd replies, I dont want to win! A few minutes later, with Floyd now facedown on the street, the cameras record his fading voice, still occasionally saying, I cant breathe before he goes still. Though transcripts of the footage were released earlier, the video itself is the fullest public view yet of Floyds interaction with the officers who were later charged in his death. It also captures an apparent lack of urgency to render aid to Floyd for long minutes after he stopped moving. The recordings from Officers Thomas Lane and J. Kueng are part of the criminal case against them and two other officers in Floyds May 25 death. Derek Chauvin, who held his knee against Floyds neck for nearly eight minutes, is charged with second-degree murder. Lane, Kueng and another officer, Tou Thao, are charged with aiding and abetting. All four officers were fired the day after Floyd died. Journalists and members of the public were allowed to view the footage Wednesday by appointment. Judge Peter Cahill, without explanation, has declined to allow publication of the video. The footage shows the officers view of a death already widely seen on a bystanders cellphone video, which set off tumultuous protests in Minneapolis that quickly spread around the world and sparked a national reckoning on race and policing. Floyd appears distraught from the moment officers ask him to step out of his vehicle near a south Minneapolis corner grocery, where he was suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. When Floyd did not immediately display his hands, Lane pulled his gun, leading Floyd to say he had been shot before. Floyds hands are soon handcuffed behind his back, and he grows more anxious, telling the officers that hes claustrophobic and pleading with them not to put him in the back of a squad car. In the struggle, Floyd loses a shoe. What appears to be Chauvins chest-mounted body camera winds up underneath the squad car, and Floyd eventually winds up on the pavement with the officers holding him down. Chauvin and Kueng each grip one of Floyds handcuffed hands to hold them in position behind his back, with Kuengs knee appearing to press on Floyds bottom or just below. Lane is at Floyds feet. The officers sound clinical as the minutes tick by. I think hes passing out, one officer says. You guys all right, though? someone asks. Yeah good so far, says one. Another apparently Lane says: My knee might be a little scratched, but Ill survive. Kueng reaches out with a free hand to pull a pebble from the police SUVs tire tread and toss it to the street. Lane did not sound particularly worried the first time he asked Chauvin whether they should roll Floyd on his side and suggested that Floyd might be in delirium. People in the crowd can be heard expressing fear for Floyds condition, asking whether he had a pulse and was breathing. A couple of minutes later, Lane sounds a bit more concerned when he asks again about rolling Floyd onto his side. The officers go quiet but show no apparent urgency as Kueng checks for a pulse and says he cannot find one. Lanes camera shows him following an unresponsive Floyd on a stretcher into an ambulance, where EMTs instructed him to perform CPR. The video shows Lane performing constant chest compressions by hand with no visible results. The ambulance parks a few blocks away from the store for several minutes while Lane and the EMTs work on Floyd, rather than heading straight to the hospital, even though they all know that Floyd is in full cardiac arrest, as indicated by dispatcher audio. Christine Hill, a spokeswoman for Hennepin County Medical Center, the hospital that provided the ambulance, said she could not talk specifically about Floyds treatment because of medical privacy restrictions. But she said it is not unusual for paramedics to load a patient into an ambulance and move to a more secure location as they provide life-saving care. A coalition of news organizations and attorneys for Lane and Kueng have said the court should allow the body-camera footage to be copied and published to provide a more complete picture of what happened when Floyd was taken into custody. The viewing of the video took place on the same day Floyd family attorney Ben Crump was announcing a lawsuit against the city and the police officers involved in his death. The body camera videos and transcripts were filed in court last week by Lanes attorney, Earl Gray, as part of a request to have Lanes case dismissed. Gray said at the time that he wanted the videos to be made public, telling the Star Tribune that they would show the whole picture. Gray said the bystander video shows just the last piece of what happened and is not fair. Grays request highlighted portions of the body camera video that show Floyd actively resisting and acting erratic with officers. It also noted Floyds request to be put on the ground. Gray also argued that Lane did not have a clear view of what Chauvin was doing. Kuengs attorney, Tom Plunkett, has also asked that the video be made public. ___ Associated Press Writer Amy Forliti contributed to this report. ST. JOHNS, N.L.Newfoundland and Labrador will have a new premier in August as a Liberal leadership race disrupted by COVID-19 barrels ahead amid heightened scrutiny. The contenders are Andrew Furey, a prominent surgeon and charity founder with family connections in Ottawa, and John Abbott, a former civil servant who has served in deputy minister roles. Both have run physically distant campaigns in recent weeks, holding video-call town halls and maintaining a safe two-metre distance when out in public. Its a lot of looking at the green dot and engaging people through Zoom or other platforms, Furey said in a recent telephone interview. Neither man has held elected office, and the governing Liberal caucus and cabinet have thrown their support behind Furey. The son of Sen. George Furey declared his candidacy shortly after Premier Dwight Ball announced his intention to resign in February, saying he would stay until his party chose a new leader. Balls commitment took on a new meaning as COVID-19 forced a public health state of emergency in March. The Liberal race that had been set to pick a new leader in May was put on hold after people questioned the partys initial determination to forge ahead despite the pandemic. Kelly Blidook, a political science professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, calls the convergence of events a perfect storm of things going poorly for governing the oil-reliant, financially troubled province. Now, with the first wave of the pandemic under control, voting is set to take place remotely between July 28 and Aug. 3. The heightened stakes of choosing a premier not elected by popular vote, in the middle of a global crisis, have focused attention on party decisions that in other circumstances might have attracted little scrutiny. The moderation role of the committee overseeing everything has kind of been politicized, Blidook said. Its been front and centre in a way that we dont usually see to the same extent. Last month, Fureys campaign took issue with Abbotts advertisements declaring everyone can vote for a new leader when, Fureys camp argued, the vote is limited to party members and supporters. In a decision reported by the online news outlet The Independent, the election committee did not find fault with Abbotts ads. But it did decide to robocall newly registered party supporters to gauge their true allegiances. The review process led to about 1,000 people being found ineligible to vote for various reasons, though they were able to appeal the decision. Of those, 300 people a small fraction of the 33,500 eligible voters were knocked out over their perceived lack of support for the partys objectives. Some who considered themselves lifelong Liberal voters took issue with a process they saw as undemocratic. Blidook says the partys approach to reviewing supporters was logical and fair, but the move may not have been worth the public blowback. I would have still advised them not to do it, Blidook said. To go through the optics to purge that tiny proportion of people, I think it probably hurts the party more than it helps. Furey defended the complaint about Abbotts ads, saying it was an issue of the integrity of the process, while noting the campaigns played no role in vetting supporters. He also rejected the idea floated by some observers that the race is a coronation in which he is the clear front-runner backed by the party establishment. This is a full race, and Im fighting to be successful, Furey said. Furey said hell continue to work with Ottawa on solutions for the provinces financial woes and proposed the new role of a chief economic recovery officer to help his government perform damage control on the ship here. Abbott, who has campaigned on taking a tougher negotiating stance with Ottawa on financial matters, said the party could have done more to encourage voters to sign up. But now that the vetting issue has been mostly resolved, he said hes pleased to see more than 33,000 voters are engaged. That speaks volumes to me about the interest, Abbott said. He acknowledged that as a candidate who has not held office before, he needs to win voters trust. Abbott said his policy-focused campaign and experience with government has captured peoples attention, even though the Liberal caucus supports his opponent. Well see what happens, and well know that literally in three weeks, he said. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE: MNK), a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted to recommend approval for its investigational agent terlipressin to treat adults with hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1) (8 yes; 7 no). HRS-1 is an acute and life-threatening syndrome involving acute kidney failure in people with cirrhosis.1 Terlipressin is an investigational agent being evaluated for the treatment of HRS-1 in the U.S., and its safety and effectiveness have not yet been established by the FDA. "Mallinckrodt is pleased with the advisory committee's positive vote in favor of approval for terlipressin, supporting the potential clinical value terlipressin can bring to patients with HRS-1 in need of an approved therapy in the U.S.," said Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Mallinckrodt. "We acknowledge the clinical challenges associated with treating this complex disease in such a critically ill patient population. We are committed to working closely with the FDA as it continues to review our application." HRS-1 requires a diagnosis of exclusion, and is often a challenge to diagnose in a timely manner.2 If left untreated, HRS-1 has a median survival time of approximately two weeks and greater than 80 percent mortality within three months.2,3 At present, there are no approved drug therapies for HRS-1 in the U.S.,4 and it is estimated to affect between 30,000 and 40,000 Americans annually.5,6 "Terlipressin plus albumin is the recommended standard-of-care therapy for HRS-1 in many other countries, where terlipressin is approved," said Francois Durand, M.D., on behalf of the International Club of Ascites. "HRS-1 is one of the most severe complications of end stage liver disease and the favorable vote from the advisory committee is encouraging to U.S. patients in need of treatment." While recommendations of the advisory committee are not binding, the FDA will consider the advice provided by the committee as part of the New Drug Application (NDA) review. The FDA assigned terlipressin a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date of September 12, 2020. The company announced the FDA accepted for review its NDA for terlipressin in April 2020, which was based, in part, on results from the Phase 3 CONFIRM trial. The CONFIRM trial was the largest-ever prospective study (n=300) conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of terlipressin in patients with HRS-1, for potential use in the U.S. and Canada. Initial results were presented at The Liver Meeting 2019, the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). About Terlipressin Terlipressin is a potent vasopressin analogue selective for V1 receptors being investigated for the treatment of HRS-1 in the U.S. and Canada. It is an investigational product in these countries as the safety and efficacy have not been established with, nor has approval been granted by, regulatory authorities in either country. Terlipressin is approved for use outside the U.S. and Canada. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release includes forward-looking statements with regard to terlipressin, including the regulatory review process and related timing, as well as its potential impact on patients. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACT For Media Inquiries Caren Begun Green Room Communications 201-396-8551 [email protected] Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale, CPA Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations Officer 314-654-3638 [email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2020 Mallinckrodt. US-2001138 07/20 References 1 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Hepatorenal Syndrome. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hepatorenal-syndrome/. Accessed June 3, 2020. 2 Gines P, Sola E, Angeli P, et al. Hepatorenal syndrome. Nature Reviews. (2018) 4:23. 3 Colle I and Laterre PF. Hepatorenal syndrome: the clinical impact of vasoactive therapy, Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. (2018) 12:2, 173-188, DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1417034. 4 Boyer TD, Medicis JJ, Pappas SC, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to confirm the reversal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 with terlipressin: the REVERSE trial design. Open Access Journal of Clinical Trials 2012:4. https://www.dovepress.com/a-randomized-placebo-controlled-double-blind-study-to-confirm-the-reve-peer-reviewed-article-OAJCT. 5 C Pant, B S Jani, M Desai, A Deshpande, Prashant Pandya, Ryan Taylor, R Gilroy, M Olyaee. Hepatorenal syndrome in hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease: results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 20022012. Journal of Investigative Medicine 2016; 64:3338. 6 United States Census Bureau: Quick Facts. Available at: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045218. Accessed June 3, 2020. SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc Related Links http://www.mallinckrodt.com Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on July 15, 2020 2020/07/15 The video conference of foreign ministers of "China + Five Central Asian States" will be held on July 16 and will be chaired by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China and Central Asian countries are linked by mountains and rivers. Our friendly relations have lasted for thousands of years and our peoples enjoy a long history of friendship. In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, China and Central Asian countries have supported and helped each other in times of difficulty and conducted effective cooperation in fighting COVID-19, which vividly illustrates our high-level strategic partnership. Against this special background, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have in-depth discussions with foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries on such topics as strengthening cooperation against COVID-19, promoting economic recovery, safeguarding regional security and enhancing international coordination. We believe that this meeting will contribute to China's relations with the five Central Asian countries. Global Times: US National Security Adviser O'Brien said the following in an article published by the Washington Post on July 13: "Under Marxism-Leninism, the self-proclaimed ideology of the Chinese Communist Party, individuals do not possess inherent value. People are merely a tool to achieve the ends of the collective nation-state"; "The details of the CCP's anti-Uighur campaign are heartbreaking, but they reflect the Marxist-Leninist disdain for individual human beings"; "As long as these human rights violations continue, the Trump administration will respond." What's your comment? Hua Chunying: O'Brien should really read up on Marxist-Leninist works. The people's position is the fundamental political position of Marxist parties. People are the creators of history and the true driving force behind historical progress. This is the most basic concept in historical materialism. The CPC represents the fundamental interests of the vast majority of the Chinese people, seeks to advance their interests and serve them heart and soul. It is a party by the people and for the people. It puts people front and center in all its work. People's interests are its guiding compass. That is why the CPC has maintained the satisfaction rate and support rate higher than 90 percent for many years. The CPC leadership has enabled China to grow into the world's second biggest economy without resorting to warfare, colonialism or slavery, which is unprecedented in the past decades. The CPC puts people and lives first. In stark contrast, the US parties put selfish political gains and capital first. This has also enabled the Chinese people, led by the CPC, to achieve major strategic success in fighting COVID-19 as one united nation. People's lives and health have been protected to the maximum. However, the death toll in the US is still climbing. For every new count, a living and breathing human life is lost. This is heartbreaking. As for Xinjiang-related issues, we have said many times that what some people in the US have said about Xinjiang is the biggest lie of this century. The so-called allegation that "millions of Uyghurs were detained" was trumped up by an anti-China organization which receives significant financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy, and Adrian Zenz, a senior fellow in a research group on Xinjiang education and training centers set up by the US intelligence community. US independent news network has long ago exposed these facts. Facts speak louder than words. During the past four decades, Uyghur population in Xinjiang more than doubled from 5.55 million to 11.68 million. There is one mosque for every 530 Muslims in Xinjiang, and the total number of mosques is 10 times more than that in the US. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang lead happy lives. They can breathe freely. Has the US side ever seen such "ethnic repression"? The US also falsely claims that Muslims in Xinjiang live under close surveillance and that more than one million CPC cadres live in Uyghur homes. The truth is, a "Pair Up and Become Family" program has been carried out in Xinjiang, bringing officials to communities to help people address difficulties in employment, education and medical services. In over three years, more than 987 million yuan and 51.12 million articles have been donated and 18.77 million cases that bear on local people's immediate interests and welfare have been properly tended to. The program has been warmly received by people of various ethnic groups. It is a concrete example showing the deep bond between the CPC and the Chinese people and the Chinese government putting people first with its down-to-earth approach. The US politicians who don't care for people's welfare and only care about their own political gains surely cannot understand this. Now let's look at the situation in the United States. Racial and ethnic minorities in the US have long been the targets of bullying, exclusion, and widespread and systemic discrimination in the political, economic, cultural and social aspects of their lives. Take Native Americans as an example. For quite a long period of time, the US government had been enforcing a policy of genocide, segregation and assimilation against Native Americans. For nearly a century after its founding, the US was uprooting and killing American Indians in its Westward Movement. The Native American population plunged from 5 million to 0.25 million in the early 20th century. It now accounts for a mere 2 percent of the US population. Another example, African Americans. African Americans have a COVID-19 infection rate five times that of white Americans, and a much higher mortality rate as well. This highlights the racial inequality in the US. The recent death of an African American George Floyd and the massive protests that followed once again shows that the systemic racial discrimination in the US has reached a point where racial and ethnic minorities "can't breathe". This is truly heartbreaking. Responding to the various false allegations by the US on human rights issues in China, we have released What's False and What's True on China-related Human Rights Matters available in both Chinese and English versions. I brought some brochures here, and you are welcome to take one with you after the press conference. I do hope American journalists will help convey the truth and facts in this brochure to the public in the US. ITV: A Global Times editorial has said that retaliation against the UK for its decision on Huawei is necessary, and should be public and painful. Is that the position of the government, too? And does this decision kill off any possibility of a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and China? Hua Chunying: Without any solid evidence and under the excuse of non-existent risks, the UK has decided to get in line with the US in discriminating against and excluding the Chinese company, which blatantly violated the market economy principles and free trade rules as well as its own commitments, severely damaged the legitimate interests of the Chinese company and eroded mutual trust underpinning China-UK cooperation. China strongly opposes this move. It is not just about one company and one industrial sector. It is about the UK politicizing commercial and technological issues at all costs. It is about the Chinese investment in the UK facing greater threats. It is about whether we can still feel confident about the openness, fairness and non-discrimination of the British market. China will evaluate this development in a comprehensive and serious manner and take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. Shenzhen TV: According to media reports, President Trump admitted at a White House press conference on July 14 that he talked many countries out of using Huawei, saying if they want to do business with the US, they cannot use Huawei, otherwise it will affect their relations with the US. I wonder if China has a comment? Hua Chunying: This is further proof that decisions to ban Huawei are not about national security, but political manipulation. It also shows the world that it is not China, but the US, that has been intimidating and threatening others and sowing discord all across the world. BBC: Could you tell us about what measures might be taken in response to this decision in the UK? I think you mentioned that China reserves the right to take measures to safeguard the interests of the country's companies. Hua Chunying: Like I just said, it is not just about one company and one industrial sector. It is about the UK politicizing commercial and technological issues at all costs. It is about the Chinese investment in the UK facing greater threats. It is about whether we can still feel confident about the openness, fairness and non-discrimination of the British market. China will evaluate this development in a comprehensive and serious manner and take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. The UK and Huawei have had some good cooperation in the past 20 years or so, which happened because it serves not just Huawei's interests, but also the UK's interests. Its decision to ban Huawei will only end up hurting its own interests. The world offers a large market, and being kept out of one relatively small part of it will not stop Huawei from developing and growing. CCTV: The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently donated anti-epidemic supplies to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Can you confirm that and share more details? Hua Chunying: The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently donated a batch of anti-epidemic supplies to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). On July 14, they were delivered to the OIC Secretariat by the Chinese diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia in manifestation of our support to its anti-epidemic work. Impacted by COVID-19, China and Islamic states have shared weal and woe and fought side by side. At the most trying moment, Islamic states have lent precious support to us. China has also reciprocated their support by helping them combat COVID-19. Besides this batch of supplies to the OIC Secretariat, in the first half of this year, China has provided 60 million masks, six million testing kits, over 2000 ventilators and 10 million protective gowns, goggles and gloves, to 54 Islamic states through bilateral means and shared anti-epidemic experience and technologies without any reservation. All this has been widely applauded by the Islamic side. China stands ready to continuously strengthen cooperation with Islamic states and OIC, jointly combat the pandemic and make contributions to global public health cause. I want to stress that mutual assistance between China and Islamic states are made out of friendship and genuine feelings, with no political strings attached. Beijing Daily: The number of China-Europe freight trains has registered a significant increase and surpassed 5000 in the first half of this year. Could you give us more details on the operation of the China-Europe freight trains amid the pandemic? Hua Chunying: Trade has fallen due to impeded logistics worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Against such backdrop, land transportation routes like those operated by China-Europe freight trains have shown strong vitality. The regular and steady operation of China-Europe freight trains is conducive to cross-border flow of goods and services and the resumption of work and production of businesses, thus mitigating COVID-19's impact on China-EU cooperation on supply and industrial chains. This new artery is indeed playing its role in international transportation. Despite the pandemic, the number of China-Europe freight trains has increased. According to statistics from China State Railway Group the freight trips between China and Europe rose 36 percent year-on-year to 5,122 during the first six months this year, and the figure hit a record monthly high of 1,169 in June. As I understand the China-Europe freight trains have transported 27,000 tons and 3.67 million pieces of anti-epidemic materials to European countries, up 41 percent year on year, which were sent to Italy, Germany, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Lithuania and other countries, where some goods were then transferred to other parts of Europe. This has efficiently and effectively promoted the anti-epidemic cooperation between China, Europe and other countries along the route and the freight trains have become a key "cargo lifeline" and "bond of solidarity" in the fight against COVID-19. The freight train service is an important outcome of the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Europe. Going forward, China stands ready to work with other parties to maintain the normal, orderly operation of the freight train service, further improve its capacity and profitability, and expand transnational logistics cooperation with Europe and other countries along the routes. China Daily: Reports say China's total imports and exports with ASEAN continued to grow in the first six months this year and ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner. Can you confirm it and give us more details? Hua Chunying: At the press conference of the Information Office of the State Council yesterday, the spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs (GAC) already gave a detailed account of the situation. The first half of this year witnessed a growth in China's imports and exports with ASEAN and ASEAN has emerged as China's largest trading partner. In the meantime, China has been ASEAN's biggest trading partner for the 11 consecutive years. More remarkably, amid a pandemic that continues to wreak havoc around the globe, the total trade volume between China and ASEAN has grown by 5.6 percent, which demonstrates the huge potential of trade cooperation between the two sides. This year, China and ASEAN countries have joined hands in fighting against the epidemics and committed to scale new heights in our friendly cooperation in this course. In May, China and ASEAN countries issued the China-ASEAN Economic Ministers' Joint Statement on Combating the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Enhancing ACFTA Cooperation with commitment to maintaining stable industrial and supply chains and advancing socio-economic recovery and development, which demonstrates the high level of our mutual trust and collaboration. In face of the downward pressure in world economy, China stands ready to continue strengthening communication with ASEAN countries, coordinating anti-epidemic cooperation and socio-economic development, seeking stronger complementarity between the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN development plans, promoting new progress in regional cooperation, and injecting new impetus into building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Bloomberg: Earlier today China promised strong countermeasures against the US for its actions on Hong Kong including sanctions on personnel and entities. We are wondering if there's any further information on the specifics? Hua Chunying: In disregard of China's serious representations, the United States recently signed into law the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act" passed by its Congress. The Act maliciously denigrates the national security legislation for Hong Kong, and threatens to impose sanctions on China. It seriously violates international law and the basic norms underpinning international relations. It constitutes gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. The Chinese government firmly opposes and strongly condemns this move by the United States. The enactment and enforcement of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is fully consistent with the relevant provisions of the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. It provides the institutional and legal safeguards for the sound and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems", and serves to uphold sovereignty, security and development interests of the country as well as the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. The Law is unanimously supported and endorsed by all the Chinese people including the people in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is China's special administrative region. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere. China is firmly resolved to uphold its sovereignty and security, safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and oppose external meddling in Hong Kong affairs. The US attempt to obstruct the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong will never succeed. In order to safeguard its legitimate interests, China will make necessary response and sanction the relevant individuals and entities of the United States. We urge the US side to correct its mistakes, not to enforce the so-called "Hong Kong Autonomy Act", and stop interfering in Hong Kong and other internal affairs of China in any way. If the US side insists on going in the wrong direction, China will respond resolutely. PTI: Do you have any update on yesterday's talks at the commander-level between Indian and Chinese militaries? Hua Chunying: Chinese and Indian border troops held the fourth round of commander-level talks on July 14. Building on the common understanding reached at the previous three rounds of commander-level talks and corresponding implementation work, the two sides achieved progress in further disengagement between border troops as well as easing the situation at the western sector of the China-India boundary. We hope India will work with China to implement our consensus with concrete actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. Reuters: The New York Times said on Tuesday that it will move its Hong Kong-based digital operations to Seoul. Editors said China's new security law has created a lot of uncertainty about what the new rules will mean for their operations and journalism. What's China's comment? Hua Chunying: The New York Times' arrangements for its staff and operation are its own affairs. We don't comment on foreign media agencies' internal arrangements. I will just stress that as the Chinese side repeatedly stated, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR only targets four categories of criminal activities that seriously undermine national security. It punishes a very small number of criminals and protects the vast majority. The rights and interests of Hong Kong citizens and foreign institutions and personnel in Hong Kong including foreign media will not be affected at all. As long as they comply with the law and conduct their work in accordance with laws and regulations, they have nothing to worry about. We welcome foreign media to work in China. My colleagues and I have been doing our best to provide convenience for their life and work in China. We hope a certain country will reciprocate this by facilitating Chinese journalists' life and work. AFP: Just want to ask if visa policies for foreign journalists in Hong Kong will face any changes following the passage of the national security law? I understand that Article 54 of the law mentions strengthening the management of foreign news agencies. Hua Chunying: Visa affairs are a sovereign right. The HKSAR government has the right to process visa applications in accordance with "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law. Reuters: US President Trump on Tuesday said during an interview that he is not interested in talking to China about trade when asked whether phase two trade talks were dead. Are phase two trade talks dead? Hua Chunying: You said President Trump was not interested in trade consultations with China. I'm not sure if he really meant it. As for the phase two trade talks, I don't have any information and refer you to the competent authority. Reuters: Another question regarding Huawei and the UK. I wonder if you think UK companies in China should be concerned regarding any potential future measures taken by China after this Huawei ban? Hua Chunying: Without any solid evidence and under the excuse of non-existent risks, the UK has decided to gang up with the US in discriminating against and excluding the Chinese company. I have just made our position perfectly clear. It is about the Chinese investment in the UK facing greater threats. It is about whether we can still feel confident about the openness, fairness and non-discrimination of the British market. China will evaluate this development in a comprehensive and serious manner and take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. We have a saying in China which basically means "you reap what you sow". All the decision and actions come with price tags. I have also noted that many British enterprises, like the British Chamber of Commerce and British telecom companies, have publicly voiced their opposition to this ban. The British government should take this issue seriously. Does it want to act in its own way of its own volition or is it OK with being a subordinate and a cat's paw for the US? The responsibility to make a choice that best serves its people's interests rests squarely on the shoulders of the British government. China Review News: Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry on July 14 released preliminary economic data for the second quarter showing the GDP shrank by a record 41.2 percent on-quarter. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Singapore faces the most serious recession since its founding. China and Singapore earlier announced the launch of a green lane. Will China take further measures to help Singapore's economic recovery amid ongoing prevention and control efforts? Hua Chunying: Due to the impact of COVID-19, all countries face downward economic pressure to varying degrees. China is working with countries in the region including Singapore to promote economic recovery and bring life back to normal amid ongoing prevention and control efforts. China and Singapore took the lead in launching a fast lane to facilitate essential personnel exchange and unblock regional supply chains and industrial chains. It has become a new highlight in bilateral relations, demonstrating the strategic and forward-looking nature of China-Singapore relations and adding a new dimension to our all-round cooperative relations. Yesterday President Xi Jinping held a telephone call with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, reaching important consensus on the development of bilateral relations in the next stage. China stands ready to work with Singapore to build on the momentum of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, implement the leaders' consensus, coordinate joint efforts to fight the virus and develop the economy, and deepen BRI cooperation to advance economic development in both countries and contribute to regional economic recovery. Reuters: If other countries adopt a similar policy to the UK and decide to ban Huawei, should they also expect retaliatory measures? Hua Chunying: Your question concerns the abilities of various countries to make the right decision. Huawei has established good cooperative relations with more than 170 countries. A question was just asked about US President Trump admitting publicly that he has put pressure on other countries to quit cooperating with Huawei if they want to cooperate with the US. This is a naked threat, and everybody sees that clearly. I believe that most of the world's leaders have the wisdom to make their own judgment and take the right action based on the merits of the case in the best interests of their countries and businesses. We have full confidence in it. As you can see, despite the US crackdown, Chinese companies have not stopped growing. We do not want to retaliate against any country for taking adverse measures against Chinese companies because it chooses to succumb to US intimidation. What we want is cooperation with all countries on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, which is what people of all countries aspire to. Retaliation is not what we pursue, but win-win cooperation is. You can tell the British government that they are a minority, that they are against the international community. TASS: US Assistant Secretary David Stilwell for East Asian and Pacific Affairs said "nothing is off the table...there is room for that" when asked if sanctions were a possible US response to Chinese actions in the South China Sea. What is your response? Hua Chunying: Stilwell's remarks simply prove once again that the US side has been leaving no stones unturned in muddying waters in the South China Sea, driving a wedge between China and regional countries, and undercutting the efforts by China and ASEAN nations to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea. The US has eaten its words on not taking a position on the sovereignty of the South China Sea. On the one hand, it dispatches large fleets of advanced military vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea to flex muscles and stir up troubles. On the other hand, it issued a statement aiming to undermine regional countries' efforts to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, which will only further expose its hypocrisy and hegemony to the world. The US refuses to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), cannot stop itself from withdrawing from one international treaty and organization after another, and only chooses to comply with international law when the occasion serves its own interests. It has fully revealed its true nature as a hypocrite and bully. I read this written by US Defense Secretary Esper, "Goodwill and best wishes do not secure freedom. Strength does." If countries rely on nothing but strength, how can the world order be any different from the "law of the jungle"? Without goodwill, a country with greater strength becomes a greater threat. I believe everyone is well aware now of who is the guardian of peace and anchor of stability, and who is the rabble-rouser and the source of chaos. On the issue of the South China Sea, China will continue firmly upholding our sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests, and maintaining our friendly cooperation with regional countries. We hope the US will not go further down the erroneous path. It should behave like a major country and play a constructive role for regional peace and stability. As the most developed country with the greatest strength and the only superpower in the world, the US wantonly imposes sanctions or threatens to sanction others, which is just pathetic. We hope "sanction" is not going to be the biggest and shiniest label that the US wants itself to be remembered by. It should earnestly reflect on its policies. Speaking of sanctions, China is not afraid of them. However, as an old Chinese saying goes, "a tree wants to enjoy a moment of tranquility but the wind keeps blowing." If the US wants to make a storm, then just let the storm rage with greater force. A Japanese man who became the first foreigner arrested by South Korean police in May for violating mandatory self-isolation rules aimed at containing the coronavirus was freed on Wednesday after being given a suspended jail sentence by a local court. A Japanese man who became the first foreigner arrested by South Korean police in May for violating mandatory self-isolation rules aimed at containing the coronavirus was freed on Wednesday after being given a suspended jail sentence by a local court. The Seoul Western District Court sentenced the 23-year-old Japanese national to an imprisonment of six months, suspended for two years, after finding him guilty of breaching the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. He was formally put under arrest on May 21 for leaving his designated self-isolation accommodation in western Seoul eight times without permission after entering South Korea on a work visa on April 2. At that time, he received a negative result from a COVID-19 test conducted at Incheon International Airport but was ordered to self-isolate until April 15 under the current law. But he was caught leaving his self-isolation place without permission on eight occasions to visit restaurants, an animal hospital and other places. The Japanese became the first foreigner to be put under pre-trial detention for violating the self-isolation rules. In the previous hearing, prosecutors demanded a six-month prison sentence for the Japanese national, saying his lack of understanding of Korean law was taken into consideration. The man also asked for leniency, saying he was deeply reflecting on the inconvenience and trouble he had caused other people, while his lawyer argued that he misunderstood South Korea's quarantine rules. "The accused visited public-use facilities despite having been ordered to self-isolate. His act deserves much criticism, but his repentance, admission of wrongdoing, absence of infections traced to him and lack of a criminal record in South Korea were taken into consideration in determining his sentence," the court said. Under the compulsory quarantine measures, all entrants from overseas -- both Koreans and foreigners -- are obliged to self-isolate at their residences or government-designated facilities for 14 days. (Yonhap) Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has married her long term film director partner at an intimate village wedding in Magleby Church, Zealand, a Danish island where the couple share a holiday home. Mette, 42, exchanged vows with Bo Tengberg, 55, after being forced to cancel their wedding three times in a year, initially delaying their 2019 nuptials because of the general election, then earlier this year due to the pandemic, and finally bringing forward their special day from July 18, to attend an EU Council meeting. But this afternoon an ecstatic Mette took to Instagram to share a picture of the happy couple exiting the church, alongside the caption 'YES' followed by a heart. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has married her long term film director boyfriend at an intimate village wedding in Magleby Church, Zealand, a Danish island where the couple share a holiday home According to local papers it was a 'small wedding' with a guest list of around 90 people, including former Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. Mette looked dazzling in a classic boat-neck white dress, which she teamed with pale shoes and a stunning purple and blue bouquet. Wearing her hair in a tight bun with a long veil hanging from it, she beamed at Bo, who looked dapper in a navy suit, crisp white shirt and matching tie. The happy couple posed for pictures after the reported 40-minute ceremony, before going onto celebrate with guests. Mette, 42, exchanged vows with Bo Tengberg, 55, after being forced to cancel their wedding three times in a year, initially delaying their 2019 nuptials because of the general election, then earlier this year due to the pandemic, and finally bringing forward their special day on the July 18 to attend an EU Council meeting This month Mette confirmed that they were changing their day for the third time to 'take care of Denmark's interests in a Facebook post, though she did not give a date. 'I am really looking forward to marrying this fantastic man,' she wrote in a post alongside a photo of herself and Bo. 'But obviously it can't be that easy, and now there is a council meeting in Brussels called, exactly on that Saturday in July when we had planned to marry,' she wrote. 'But I have to do my work and take care of Denmark's interests. So we have to change plans again. 'Soon we should be able to get married. I'm looking forward to saying yes to Bo (who fortunately is very patient).' Mette looked dazzling in a classic boat-neck white dress, which she teamed with pale shoes and a stunning purple and blue bouquet Mette, who shares two children Magne and Ida with with her ex-husband Erik Harr, first met Bo in 2014 before the couple made their first joint appearance at former Prime Minister Anker Jrgensen's funeral in the spring of 2016. Denmark was the first country outside Asia to ease lockdown in May - and there is no evidence so far of a second spike in infections. The country of 5.8million people allowed restaurants, cafes and malls to resume business following the success of reopening day care centres, schools, hair dressers and some small businesses in April. The country has an incredibly low coronavirus death toll when compared with other European nations, credited by entering lockdown early on in the pandemic. At the time Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told citizens she was enforcing the measures on 13 March, Italy was the only other country in Europe to have done so. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 00:20:20|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A medical worker examines a sample of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 in Beirut, Lebanon, July 14, 2020. Lebanon's number of COVID-19 infections increased on Tuesday by 32 cases to 2,451 while death toll went up by one to 37, the National News Agency reported. (Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua) BEIRUT, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's number of COVID-19 infections increased on Tuesday by 32 cases to 2,451 while death toll went up by one to 37, the National News Agency reported. Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan urged citizens to commit to proper precautionary measures, adding that Lebanon is currently witnessing a peak in the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak. "We expect a second wave of the virus during fall or winter," he said. Hassan also warned against infections existing among medical staff who may transfer the virus to their houses and neighbors. Lebanon continues to test arrivals and citizens for COVID-19 in hope to be able to restrict the further spread of the virus. Lebanon has been fighting against COVID-19 since Feb. 21. The country has received several donations from different countries for the fight against COVID-19 including China, which offered last month 17,500 masks, 1,500 protective gears, 1,320 goggles and 1,000 shoes covers to Lebanese public hospitals. Enditem China, the United Arab Emirates and the United States plan to launch unpiloted spaceships in the next few weeks to fly to Mars. The operations are aimed at searching for signs of ancient, microscopic life. Each country hopes the research will help them learn if astronauts could someday visit the red planet. The spaceships are expected to reach Mars in February after traveling about 485 million kilometers. Scientists want to find out what Mars was like billions of years ago, when it had rivers, lakes, and oceans. Ken Farley is a professor at California Institute of Technology and a project scientist for Perseverance, the U.S. rover that will go to Mars. He noted how hard it is to confirm that life existed on another planet. There is a very big burden of proof, he said. It is not by chance that the three launches are taking place soon. Mars and Earth are currently in positions that favor such travel, permitting shorter travel time and less fuel use. The positioning happens about every two years. The United Arab Emirates spacecraft is named Amal, which is an Arabic word for hope. It is set to leave from Japan on Friday. The spacecraft, built in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, will arrive at Mars in the year that the UAE marks the 50th anniversary of its founding. Omran Sharif is the project manager for the launch. The UAE wants to send a strong message to the Arab youth, he said. The message here is that if the UAE can reach Mars in less than 50 years, then you can do much more. Controlled from Dubai, the spaceship a kind of weather station will study the upper atmosphere of Mars and follow changes in its climate. China will launch a rover and an orbiter sometime around July 23. Chinese officials have not released much information about the operation, which is called Tianwen, or Questions for Heaven. NASA plans to launch on July 30 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Perseverance, the NASA spaceship, will land in Jezero Crater, the site of an ancient river and lake. The area is full of large rocks, cliffs and sand dunes all possible threats to Perseverance. New technology will help keep the craft away from such dangers. Ground controllers will not be able to help because it takes ten minutes for radio signals to travel between Earth and Mars. But Jezero Crater is worth the risks, scientists say. About 3.5 billion years ago, the area had a lot of water, they say, and maybe some living organisms. Perseverance will look for rocks that show signs of past life in the area. The NASA operation will also test some of the technology that will be needed to send humans to the red planet -- and bring them home safely. Farley said that it might seem strange for him to call the operation low risk because it took a lot hard work and costed billions of dollars. But, he noted, if something goes wrong everyone will be glad the operation did not involve astronauts. I'm John Russell. Marcia Dunn reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story rover n. a vehicle used for exploring the surface of a moon, planet, etc. burden n. someone or something that is very difficult to accept, do, or deal with orbiter n. a vehicle or device that travels around a planet or moon in space cliff -- n. a high, steep surface of rock, earth, or ice The opening credits of "Psych 2: Lassie Comes Home," which debuts Wednesday, will feature a name both new and familiar to Hollywood: James Roday Rodriguez. The actor, who went by James Roday as the star of the long-running series "Psych," announced his decision to reclaim his birth name in an interview with TVLine. Rodriguez, 44, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Taft High School. As a freshman at New York University, he auditioned for the role in "Primal Fear." The casting director told him, "You're so great, but I don't think I can call you back because your last name is Rodriguez. But I can call you back for this four-line role of a gang member." On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio actor James Roday returning with new Psych movie on NBCs streaming service Peacock The role he had auditioned for went to Edward Norton, an unknown actor at the time who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. Three years later, Rodriguez was told to consider changing his name in order to land a role in a DreamWorks pilot. He recalled that his father, "a proud Mexican-American man," gave him permission, so he changed his name to one he pulled out of a play he was reading at the time. "I've been Roday ever since. And 20 years later, I realize I essentially perpetuated an institutionalized element of whats broken about this industry, which is, of course, a microcosm of the world we are living in," Rodriguez said. "I can't excuse the decision because of youth or naivete or ambition. The bottom line is, I sold out my heritage in about 15 seconds to have a shot at being an actor." Now, amid a nationwide racial justice movement, the actor has decided to go by his legal name, James Roday Rodriguez. He had replaced his given middle name, David, with Roday on his driver's license and passport. "Its long overdue. I'm a little bummed out that my grandparents are not alive to see it. But my dad is. And I think it will mean something to him. That, in and of itself, is reason enough for me," he said. Rodriguez noted that he wants to be "the best, most honest ally and amplifier" he can be for his community and friends of color. "The last thing I would ever want in a million years is for anyone to feel like I'm co-opting a movement to point a light at myself. But the truth is, its a deeply personal decision that I am doing for me," he said. Tiny and See-Through on the Oregon Coast: Adorable but Eerie Published 07/15/020 at 4:24 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Seaside, Oregon) Remember that alien crab that burst out of people in the Alien movie franchise? Well, this Oregon coast resident isnt it but it sometimes looks a bit like that creepy creature of Sci-Fi lore. (Photos courtesy Seaside Aquarium). This tiny see-through beastie is actually a Dungeness crab, but a very baby one. They go through this stage early in life, becoming eerily transparent but with a dash of blue. Seaside Aquariums Tiffany Boothe spotted one a few weeks ago on the north Oregon coast and provided some fun insights into it, calling him an adorable little guy. Believe it or not this blue-eyed beauty is a Dungeness crab, Boothe said. It is currently in a stage of growth called a megalope. Each winter, the female Dungeness hosts gobs of larvae inside and then releases them after theyve hatched. At this point, the little ones are microscopic, Boothe said, a form of larvae called Zoea. Their ability to swim is quite limited so theyre at the mercy of the currents, just riding along where the ocean takes them. You'll find them along the entire U.S. west coast, and definitely from the southern Oregon coast up through Washington beaches. While free-floating, the Zoea will continue to develop, Boothe said. They go through six different growth stages before settling down onto the seafloor. That sixth and final stage is called megalopal or megalope singular, megalopae for plural. They graduate (well, grow) to start looking like actual crab, whereas before they've had a kind of almost tadpole look. Boothe said they not only develop legs but claws about now. For awhile theyre still unable to swim in this stage, but eventually they grow a shrimp-like abdomen that makes them good at it. Boothe said theyre also an important food source for larger creatures like whales or coho salmon. Nearshore waters along the Oregon coast see megalopae in high numbers in the late spring and early summer, she said. Currents and tides cast them ashore. Its about now they start settling at the bottom or near the bottom of the ocean, where they grow into adulthood. But theyre often spotted along the tideline, as Boothe has captured here, where they burrow into the sand. They have also been known to hitch a ride to shore on Velella velella, those stinky blue guys that wash in when the wind blows out of the west, Boothe said. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the megalopae can be found in vast numbers sometimes, but then they have to be in order to survive being eaten or walloped by the tides. During their first two years of life they put all their energy into growth and molt up to six times a year, Boothe said. By year three their growth rate slows down and they only molt once per year. Their energy is now reserved for reproduction. You can find other interesting sea creatures at the Seaside Aquarium, on the Prom in Seaside. 503-738-6211. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - Where to eat - Map - Virtual Tour More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Coronavirus LIVE Updates: A 'Janta Curfew' will be observed in Goa from 8 pm to 6 am till August 10, in view of rising COVID-19 cases. "Only medical services to be allowed," said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "The 'Janta Curfew' will be observed from today. Complete lockdown will be imposed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week," he said. Here are the Highlights on the Covid-19 Pandemic: Telangana reports 1,597 Covid-19 cases and 11 deaths. A total of 1,159 patients were discharged or cured. The total number of positive cases in the state rises to 39,342 including 25,999 discharged and 386 deaths. 623 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in Kerala on Wednesday of which 157 cases are from Thiruvananthapuram. Total number of cases rise to 9553 including 4880 active cases, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Bengaluru Police Commissioner orders ban on online sale of liquor till the end of lockdown. Twenty staff workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease at the Bihar governor's house. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, said that coronavirus had changed the nature of jobs. "The young are quickly adapting to this, business and its market is changing quickly and many are finding it difficult to keep up." He said his answer to this challenge was 'skill, re-skill and up-skill. "We have started a portal to map skilled workers, this will help employers to access these individuals with ease," he said, adding that a successful person never gives up on learning new skills. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, addressing a press conference on the national capital's Covid-19 response, said -"As per estimates, 2.25 lakh cases were predicted by 15 July in Delhi but after united efforts, the cases today are half of the prediction. Today we have 1.15 lakh cases." If the Delhi Government had decided to battle #COVID19 alone, we would have failed. That is why we went to everyone including central government, NGOs & religious organisations. I thank all parties including BJP and Congress: Arvind Kejriwal Delhi CM https://t.co/gCslxxgUac pic.twitter.com/81Je6HZQvG ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2020 Maharashtra: Shops closed, and police personnel check vehicles in Pune. Municipal Corporation has ordered lockdown in Pune in two phases till July 18, to control the spread of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/wUiFnmN5EV ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2020 The highest-ever recorded spike of 29,429 new Covid-19 cases and 582 deaths was reported in the last 24 hours in India Total positive cases stand at 9,36,181 including 3,19,840 active cases, 5,92,032 cured/discharged/migrated and 24,309 deaths, said the Ministry of Health. The second phase of lockdown in Pune will commence from July 18 till July 23. Medical stores, dairies, hospitals and essential services will be allowed to remain open as per Shekhar Gaikwad, Commissioner of Pune Municipal Commission, said. Odisha reports 618 new Covid-19 cases and 609 recoveries reported in Odisha on July 14. Total number of cases in the state at 14,898, including 9,864 recovered and 4,933 active cases, said the State Government. Rajasthan Police has launched a campaign 'Har Ghar Dastak in Jodhpur, against spread of COVID19. Jodhpur Commissioner Police says, Under this campaign, policemen will visit residences of the citizens infected with virus and check if quarantine norms are followed or not. Here is News18's coronavirus country-wise list. Over 3 lakh daily tests are being conducted. The total test samples taken are at 1.24 crore. Recovery rate improves to 63.2% while the Mortality rate remains at 2.6%. Delhi recovery rate improves to 80.8%. It is second only to Ladakh which sports a recoveryr ate of 86.6%. The total cases in Rajasthan cross 25,000, while active cases are 5,800. Karnataka now has more total confirmed cases than Gujarat. US biotech firm Moderna said Tuesday it would enter the final stage of human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine on July 27, to test how well it protects people in the real world. The announcement came as the results from an earlier trial intended to prove the vaccine was safe and triggered antibody production were published. The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 63.20%. The recoveries/deaths ratio is 96.05%:3.95% now, states the Government of India. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, speaking at a webinar said - "Experts are predicting a budget deficit of 10 lakh crore with Central and state government next year. We need to plan how we can increase liquidity in the market and that is a crucial challenge for the Indian economy." He added - "Our economy is facing lot of challenges and we need to find solution to accelerate growth. GDP and per capita income expectations are not very good. It's time we need to change economic situation,for that we need support from government and cooperation from entrepreneurs." The Trump administration has agreed to rescind its July 6 rule, which temporarily barred international students from staying in the United States unless they attend at least one in-person course, a federal district court judge said on Tuesday. Mizoram reports 5 new cases of coronavirus, the total number of cases in the state stands at 238 including 79 active cases and 159 cured/discharged, said State Chief Minister, Zoramthang. An Air India flight under Vande Bharat Mission carrying 101 passengers from Ukraine arrived at Indore Airport (MP). All passengers were found to be asymptomatic&will remain under institutional quarantine as per norms of government, said Amit Malakar, Indore nodal officer. The government has allowed for the phased reopening of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir from July 14. NA Wani, Director Kashmir Tourism says,"In the first phase, tourists arriving by air who have confirmed hotel bookings and return tickets will be allowed. They will have to undergo mandatory Covid-19 test on arrival." Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) started a free ambulance service for Covid-19 patients on the event of Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji's Prakash Purab. Twelve ambulances will be stationed in various parts of the national capital. By Ayya Lmahamad Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said that Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have potential for cooperation in a number of fields, including the transport sector. Mammadyarov made the remark during the trilateral videoconference with Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Afghanistan Mohammad Hanif Atmar, held on July 13, 2020. It should be noted that during the meeting held at the level of heads of three countries on July 2, 2020, the participants discussed cooperation plans in the implementation of the adopted decisions and agreed on steps to be taken in potential areas of cooperation in the trilateral format. Thus, during the meeting, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister noted that the views expressed during the meeting on July 2 defined the main directions of economic partnership in the trilateral format, stating the expediency of cooperation in trade, transport, energy and investment. Mammadyarov noted that the multilateral agreement on the creation of the Lapis-Lazuli international transport corridor has created great opportunities for cooperation in the transport sector, stressing that cooperation in the energy sector should be aimed at achieving concrete results, and there are opportunities for that. Touching upon an issue of investment opportunities, Mammadyarov highlighted the strengthening of the legal framework between the three countries and proposed to initiate the necessary documents to stimulate investments in the near future. Moreover, the minister shared his views on future steps to discuss cooperation in the trilateral format and expected results, as well as presented his proposals. In turn, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov stressed the importance of regular trilateral contacts with heads of state, foreign ministers and other formats, noting that Turkmenistan has good economic relations with Azerbaijan and Afghanistan on a bilateral basis and expressed confidence that cooperation on a trilateral basis will benefit all sides. Supporting the opinion of the Minister of Azerbaijan on the special importance of the transport sector, Meredov emphasized the need for more competitive tariffs and procedures in the transport corridors, as well as the importance of discussions with the participation of relevant agencies in this regard. Furthermore, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar stressed that Afghanistan is interested in joint action with partner countries in these areas. Additionally, the minister said that there are opportunities for Afghan products exports, investment, facilitation of transit operations and strengthening regional ties and expressed a desire to cooperate in these areas. The parties agreed to organize in the near future a meeting between the transport agencies of the three countries and discuss cooperation in this field. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The South African economy was already struggling before the arrival of Covid-19. Many well-established companies were at risk and were unsure of their future. For startups, even prior to Covid, it was not simple. Kim Furman, marketing manager at Synthesis A time to reset Can your business reset in times of adversity? The statistics have always been dramatically against them with reports that 90% of companies do not survive the first five years. Many SMEs were already struggling to obtain their much-needed funding. With cities across the globe on lockdown, travel restrictions and industries crippled, a global recession seems inevitable.The obvious question is where this leaves business: both those born today and those already in established? It is indeed one of the times of the greatest adversity.In a pre-pandemic time, Atlantic senior editor, Richard Florida wrote as if he was addressing our world today. He advised that instead of thinking of economic hardships as recessions, they should be thought of as catalysts for innovation or as a reset. He believed that the innovations that arise from difficulties create innovation that guide the landscape post-hardship. Perhaps this sounds too optimistic but history affirms his point.During and after the Great Depression in 1873 numerous innovations erupted from urban transit to the light bulb. This was said to be the most technologically astute periods of the 20th century. After the 2008 crisis, there was a birth of some of the most innovative technologies and chances are you have used one of them in the past hour. These include Instagram, Uber and WhatsApp just to name a few.Reinvention and innovation blossom during recessions. Recessions are hardships and the world has arguably never experienced a hardship like that of Covid-19. So, if Florida is correct, this is a time for a reset for not only innovation but reinvention.This change of mindset alters how we approach everyday business decisions. It becomes more than about how to survive. We do not know yet exactly what we are surviving and for how long. The long-term repercussions of Covid-19 are not yet known.With this mindset, it becomes about how do we reset? How do we innovate and re-imagine during this time? It is about being open to change.For example, Bella Bathroom and Tiles, a South African company, developed an app that allows users to experience professional design advice from the comfort of their own homes. Synthesis has created Halo, which allows you to pay merchants by simply tapping on their phone rather than touching a POS device. A Chicago pizza company began using its ovens to make masks when it had to shut its doors to sit-down customers in March. These are just a few examples of resetting. Some were about reimaging, some reinventing and some, like Halo, disrupting.This will be a time of what economist Joseph Schumpeter called creative disruption where the long-standing order is dismantled to make way for innovation. As our behaviour rapidly changes and we experience difficulty, a breeding ground for innovation will form and so will technologies to address our new needs.To reset is a mind shift. To survive such chaos requires numerous elements. But one of which is hope and by this I do not mean a naive view that everything will be alright. Having hope, writes Daniel Goleman in his study of emotional intelligence, means that one will not give in to overwhelming anxiety, a defeatist attitude, or depression in the face of difficult challenges or setbacks.Hope is more than the sunny view that everything will turn out all right, it is believing you have the will and the way to accomplish your goals.What entrepreneurs and business owners need to hear now is how to face adversity and more than survive but reset. Ultimately what South Africans do with every challenge is to adapt and reset. It is now time we shared our stories and draw on a collective responsibility to assist those around us. A good student doesnt necessarily equate to a good researcher, says Eugenio Schuster, a professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics in Lehigh Universitys P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Every now and then, however, Schuster has a doctoral student like Vincent Graber, whom he deems exceptional in both roles. Grabers research skills will be put to the test in September, when he is scheduled to begin work on a project related to burn control in fusion reactors, done with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. Graber was notified by email in April that his research project was chosen to receive a highly competitive award from the DOEs Office of Science Graduate Student Research program. The SCGSR program supports select U.S. graduate students as they pursue part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE laboratory/facility in areas that address scientific challenges central to the Office of Science mission, according to its website. He recalls being en route to an auto-repair shop in his hometown of Williamstown, New Jersey, when the good news arrived in his inbox. I had nervous excitement about it, says Graber, who is in his third year of PhD studies in mechanical engineering. Upon receiving the SCGSR email, Grabers immediate actions were informing his father, who was with him for the trip to the auto shop, and forwarding the message to Schuster, who promptly called to offer his congratulations. Grabers measured response to the news about the DOE award, which will cover his incremental costs associated with travel and living expenses, seems to fall in line with Schusters image of him. Vincent is a student of few words; hes shy in that sense, says Schuster, who joined the Rossin College faculty in 2004. But Graber isnt reserved when it comes to research. The professor adds, Vincent has the quality that I look for in my PhD students, which is the capability of working independently, the capability of looking for the actions of research without asking me every step they need to take. A strong Lehigh connection Graber says his interest in active control of the nuclear-fusion plasma, the ionized gas at around 100 million degree where the reactions take place, was piqued through conversations with Dan Boyer, a former student in Schusters Plasma Control Group, and reading Boyers papers on the subject. Boyer is now a staff research physicist at New Jerseys Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), where Graber will work on his research project. In his research proposal, titled Towards a More Realistic Assessment of Zero-dimensional Burn-control Techniques in ITER via One-dimensional Simulations Based on TRANSP, Graber explains that one of the greatest challenges in operating fusion power reactors is regulating fusion power, aka burn control. The regulation of plasmas kinetics is essential to the 35-nation energy project under construction in southern France called ITER (pronounced ee-ter, which in Latin means the way). There is a lot at stake with ITER, which aims to become the first fusion device to produce net energy and the first to maintain fusion for extended periods. ITER will be the worlds largest atom-fusing tokamak machine, with 10 times the plasma chamber volume of the tokamak at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego. Designed to produce 500 megawatts of fusion power from 50 megawatts of input heating powera ten-fold return on energyITER is expected to be operational by 2025. As the first tokamak designed to operate burning plasmas, ITER requires numerical testing, Graber writes in his proposal. As such, he will work with PPPL research physicists Boyer and Francesca Poli using the firms TRANSP, a one-dimensional predictive simulation code, to conduct a series of tasks, among them developing burn-control functionality. The end goal of this project is to get a better sense of the validity of how effective burn controllers are, says Graber. In ITER, we will not have time for control design or tuning controllers, adds Schuster. The controllers, when you turn them on for the first time, will need to workthats it. The only way of doing this that we know is to try to get more and more sophisticated models of whats going on in ITER and try to run simulations to test that the controller will work. Throughout the course of Grabers research project, which is expected to be completed within seven months, Schuster will continue to serve as his advisor, reviewing reports and participating in regular meetings via videoconference and in person. Schusters counseling of Graber on this project is all part of a long-term connection: I want my students to have successful futures. I always tell them, Seeing you do your best is the best for me because youre going to be my students forever. ### Related Links: Two attendants arrived with a stretcher to transport her into a Covid wing at another location, where she would not be allowed to have visitors, I knew. My throat tightened. I fought the urge to reach for her and say something profound. Should I say I love you? Was it time for a heartfelt farewell? What if this was the last time I would see her alive? I decided that if I said something poignant, she might interpret it as a final goodbye and give up. Instead, I decided to act as casual as possible. Nearly a week after I had dropped her at the emergency room, her mood and breathing had significantly improved. She was able to sit upright and hold a phone conversation for five minutes. We began talking about preparations for her eventual return home. I wanted to say I loved her. But again I choked. Dont make it sound like youre saying goodbye, I told myself. After we hung up, I sent her a GIF of a white bunny that shoots hearts every time it hugs. I love you, the message flashed, over and over. Thats it for this briefing. You can tune into Milan Fashion Week online. See you next time. Isabella Thank you To Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. P.S. Were listening to The Daily. Our latest episode includes an interview with a doctor in Italy who reflects on triaging care at the peak of the pandemic. Heres todays Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Quick punch (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. Father Soldier Son, The Timess first feature documentary on Netflix, debuted its trailer last week and will premiere this Friday, July 17. It follows a single father injured in combat and his sons as they try to heal. A woman who was raped at knifepoint by a homeless man in Melbourne's north told her attacker "it's going to hurt when I f--king stab you" as she struggled to escape. The woman, who was 32 when she was attacked in Thornbury last October, grabbed her attacker's kitchen knife and stabbed him in the buttock before fleeing. Tyler Skerry, 23, pleaded guilty to raping a woman in Thornbury in October 2019. Credit:Nine Tyler Skerry, 23, had previously pleaded guilty to raping the woman as she walked a dog she was taking care of in a local park at night. In a victim impact statement read by prosecutor Brett Sonnet during a plea hearing in the County Court on Wednesday, she said she took measures on the night to avoid being targeted by a "potential pervert". Officials of the six South-west states in Nigeria are considering reopening schools for students who will be writing the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, an official said on Wednesday. The resolution was reportedly made on Tuesday at a virtual meeting initiated by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in collaboration with the forum of South-west education commissioners, special advisers on education and the state universal basic education board chairmen. This development is coming a week after the federal government said Nigerian students will not participate in this years WASSCE due to the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government reiterated its stance on Wednesday. But a statement signed by the Director-General of DAWN, Seye Oyeleye, said education officials from the region reached the resolution and showed their readiness to hold the examination. After careful deliberations, considering peculiarities of each state and options available reached a consensus on the subject matters and are expressed thus: On WAEC examinations; State Commissioners for Education have signified readiness to sit students for the 2019/2020 WAEC examinations. At the least, August 3rd, resumption for final year SSS3 students, states should approach the Federal Government at the first instance seeking the postponement of the WAEC exam by at least three weeks from proposed resumption. At the second instance states should directly approach WAEC to seek for an extension of the WAEC Examinations to week commencing August 24. All schools, when reopening should have in place incident managers and classroom wardens for every school and every classroom. The designation of the Quality Assurance Department for each state to issue a Safety Compliance Certificate to each school before reopening, DAWN, largely funded by the South-west states, said. In addition, the officials reportedly asked the examination body to consider the use of Computer-Based Tests and relevant technology to organise the examinations. None of the six South-west states has confirmed the statement by DAWN. PREMIUM TIMES made efforts to reach some state governments about the said meeting. The special adviser to Osun government on education, Jamiu Olawumi, told our correspondent he was not part of the meeting. He also said he was not speaking on behalf of the commissioner for education, Oladoyin Folorunso, who did not respond to our enquiries. The Oyo State commissioner for education, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, is also yet to respond at the time of filing this report. According to a fascinating new study, the Andean condor spend almost all of their flying time in soaring mode, flapping their wings only 1.3 percent of the time. Weighing up to about 16 kilograms and with a wingspan of roughly 3.3 meters, the condor is the largest flying bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan. With that in mind, its almost impossible to believe that it can stay airborne for at least five hours and cover a distance of over 100 miles without flapping its enormous wings once. But that was the most interesting finding of a study published by researchers at the University of Swansea after monitoring a group of condors for five years. Photo: Cristina Adan/Pixabay Between 2013 and 2018, biologist Emily Shepard and her team monitored eight Andean condors near Bariloche, Argentina by attaching flight-recorders capable of logging every single flap of the wings during the birds flight. They aimed to study the effects of different weather conditions on the condors flight, but they ended up learning something far more surprising. In the most extreme example logged by the flight recorder, one of the condors spent over five hours soaring through the air without once flapping its wings, during which time it covered a distance of 106 miles or 172 km. Even over mountains, where the condors have to mitigate complex airflow conditions, they were able to navigate air currents with very little movement. Photo: chrisbeez/Pixabay The extraordinary low investment in flapping flight was seen in all individuals, which is notable, as none were adult birds, the study authors wrote. Therefore, even relatively inexperienced birds operate for hours with a minimal need to flap. Researchers obtained more than 230 hours of flight data from the eight tracked condors, and out of all that, only one percent of it was spent flapping wings. Most of that one percent was during take-offs. Because of their size and weight, it takes a lot of energy for condors to take off, but once they become airborne they conserve their energy with maximum efficiency. The finding that Andean condors basically almost never beat their wings and just soar is mind-blowing, David Lentink, an expert in bird flight from Stanford University, told The Associated Press. The neocon dogma pushed onto liberals by never-Trump Republicans did its job. Partisan liberals are parroting the line of the CIA. The attempt to sabotage talks with the Taliban and prevent troop withdrawals from Afghanistan worked. The Resistance just helped push the continued occupation of Afghanistan to score cheap political points. The CIA thanks them for their patriotism. On July 1st the House Armed Services Committee voted to hinder Donald Trumps ability to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. House Democrats on the committee teamed up with Republicans, including Liz Cheney (daughter of war-architect Dick Cheney), to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that prohibits Congress from spending money to pull US troops out of Afghanistan without first meeting a series of vague conditions that critics said appeared to prevent withdrawal. Without any public debate, the US will now continue its occupation after the CIA claimed that Russia payed Taliban-linked groups to kill American soldiers. Whats the evidence? General John Nicholson speculated that Russia was arming the Taliban in 2017. In April 2019, three marines were killed in an attack that the Taliban claimed responsibility for. Unnamed intelligence officials believed that the Russians may have payed militants to attack US troops. In March 2020, the CIA concluded that the Russians were paying the bounties. They cited testimony from captured militants and pointed to a Seal Team Six raid of a Taliban outpost that resulted in the recovery of a half a million in cash. Thats it. Thats all the information that the American public is allowed to know. Its hardly even mentioned that the NSA disagreed with the CIAs assessment, stating: the information wasnt verified and that intelligence officials didnt agree on it. Furthermore, the Department of Defense (DOD) claimed that to date, DOD has no corroborating evidence to validate the recent allegations found in open-source reports. Americans are taking the CIAs word as gospel. How exactly did the CIA conclude that the half a million in cash came from Russia and not from Taliban opium-trafficking operations? The US military claimed that 60% of the Talibans funding comes from the opium trade. Is $500,000 in cash unheard of in opium sales? Who are these captured militants that claimed that Russia payed bounties for dead American soldiers? Were these militants tortured by the CIA? The CIA has the largest torture program in the world. Is the information reliable or was the information obtained under dubious circumstances? How do we even know these militants actually made these claims? The foundation of the assertions is also questionable. Americans are supposed to believe that the Taliban had to be prompted to attack American soldiers. The US has been occupying Afghanistan for nearly 20 years. The war in Afghanistan has resulted in over 2,400 dead American soldiers and over 38,500 dead civilians. US soldiers have been targeted by the Taliban and an assortment of other militant groups over the past 19 years. Thats the cost of occupation. If over 38,500 civilians have been killed, then there are a lot of angry Afghans that lost family members. Russia does not need to pay the Taliban or any militant group to attack US soldiers. This should not need explanation. The rush to accuse Trump of treason has made Americans lose their critical thinking skills. More partisan liberals are upset about Trumps inaction over unproven allegations of Russian bounties then they are by Trumps record-setting bombing campaign in Afghanistan: In 2019, according to figures released by Air Force Central Command, the United States dropped more munitions on Afghanistan than in any other year over the past decade. More bombs were dropped in most months of 2019 than in any previous months since records were first made publicly available in 2009. These bombings led to a massive surge in civilian casualties. In one case, at least 30 pine nut farmers were killed in a drone strike that resulted in zero militants being killed. Where is the outrage over this? How many more Afghans are going to die if Trump is pressed to be even more unhinged to prove he is not a traitor? The end game is more death and more occupation. This new scandal being pushed by the CIA also conveniently deflects from Trumps real scandals in Afghanistan. In June, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on several individuals associated with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is investigating war crimes in Afghanistan. Their investigations include potential American war crimes. They may even involve Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Pompeo may be personally at risk for wrongdoing that the Court could uncover of CIA activities when he was the director of the agency. The Trump administration is claiming that because the US has not ratified the Rome Statute, that the ICC has no legal basis to prosecute American war crimes. This is incorrect. The Rome Statute allows the ICC to prosecute non-party countries if war crimes are committed by that party in a country that has ratified the Rome Statute. Afghanistan has ratified the Rome Statue. That puts the US on the hook for potential war crimes committed in that region. Needless to say, never-Trump neocons have been silent about Trumps targeting of the ICC. Likewise, partisan liberals have not gone after Trump on this front either. The reasons are obvious. The Barack Obama and George W. Bush administrations are culpable in war crimes in Afghanistan as well. The nearly two-decades long war is a bipartisan project. Furthermore, self-professed left-wingers and liberals are taking their cues from Bush-era neocons like David Frum, Bill Kristol, and an assortment of pro-war goons from the Lincoln Project Political Action Committee. Russiagate broke partisan liberals brains. They are now calling for Trump to ramp up escalation in Afghanistan. They actually believe the absurd over-the-top ads put out by the Lincoln Project. Donald Trump ramped up the war in Afghanistan in 2017 when he did a 3,500-troop surge from 10,500 to 14,000 troops. Trump then increased bombing campaigns throughout his term and set records for bombings in 2019. Civilians casualties spiked. In June 2020, he targeted the ICC for having the audacity to look into US war crimes. None of this barbarism earned Trump the ire of prominent neoconservatives and liberals. Trump is being vilified for having talks with the Taliban and taking steps towards scaling down US troop presence. After four years of Russiagate hysteria, the only explanation for Trumps actions is capitulation to Russia. Afghan civilians be damned, Trump needs to ramp up again in Afghanistan to stop Putin or hes a traitor! The neocon dogma pushed onto liberals by never-Trump Republicans did its job. Partisan liberals are parroting the line of the CIA. The attempt to sabotage talks with the Taliban and prevent troop withdrawals from Afghanistan worked. The Resistance just helped push the continued occupation of Afghanistan to score cheap political points. The CIA thanks them for their patriotism. Originally published by One World Press "Hitachi Origin Story" website TOKYO, July 15, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) announced today that it has kicked off the "Hitachi Origin Story" website, which describes the path of Hitachi's journey over the past 110 years. The site offers an easy-to-understand summary of the activities that Hitachi has undertaken since the company was founded in 1910, aimed at resolving social issues in each era, through collaborative creation with people throughout the world while carrying on the mission put forward by Founding President Namihei Odaira: Contributing to society through the development of superior, original technology and products.As laid out in the 2021 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi's current goal is to increase social, environmental, and economic value for customers through the Social Innovation Business. Through this Hitachi Origin Story, employees throughout the world will have the opportunity to learn about the past, think about the future, and contribute to society.Hitachi Origin StoryHitachi was founded in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, in 1910, when it manufactured its first 5hp induction motor. For 110 years since then, it has continued to resolve the problems facing society; in other words, creating and providing "Social Value." Founding President Namihei Odaira's aspiration to "Contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products" has become Hitachi's mission. In this way, Hitachi founding spirit of Harmony, Sincerity, and Pioneering Spirit(1) - which were given form through the many struggles faced by the company's early leaders as they strived to make President Odaira's aspiration a reality - are carried on even to this day.Hitachi is promoting new activities aimed at introducing the company's origins, including its mission and founding spirit, and its journey not only to Hitachi Group employees, but to customers, partners, and other stakeholders throughout the world, while at the same time creating opportunities to think about the form that society will take in the future. One of these activities involves preparing for the opening of "Hitachi Origin Park (tentative name)(2)," which will comprise exhibits of historical artifacts along with other facilities (scheduled to open in the first half of FY2021).Another example of the above activities is the "Hitachi Origin Story," a website that was established to enhance and strengthen Hitachi's digital contents, and to introduce the company's journey. The website offers both videos and readable contents in electronic book format (in both Japanese and English) illustrating events selected from Hitachi's 110-year history that embody Hitachi's mission and founding spirit. In addition, by transmitting contents via social media, it will deliver key messages to a wide range of stakeholders, and will create opportunities for employees throughout the world to re-examine that mission and founding spirit, and how they can provide social value through their own work.Today, before the anniversary of Hitachi's founding on July 16, the website will issue its "first editions," presenting contents that focus on three main themes: "Ambition of Hitachi Founder, Namihei Odaira," which will describe the era and the society in which President Odaira was raised, and the aspirations that he held when he founded Hitachi; "Birth of Hitachi," which will describe the period from the company's founding to its incorporation of a company; and "Supporting Society with Computer Technology," which will describe Hitachi's activities targeting the computer business, a field that has become an essential element of modern society. A total of eight editions will be published periodically heading into FY2021.As it carries on the basic philosophy and founding spirit described above, Hitachi's goal is to improve social, environmental, and economic value for customers around the world through the Social Innovation Business, and to contribute to achieving a sustainable society. With the continued expansion of its overseas business, Hitachi's stakeholders - including customers, partners, and employees - are becoming increasingly diverse. The "Hitachi Origin Story" website and "Hitachi Origin Park" will allow these diverse stakeholders to experience Hitachi's starting point, and will enable Hitachi, along with its global partners, to contribute to resolving social issues and improving Quality of Life for people everywhere.(1) Hitachi Founding SpiritHarmony: The willingness to respect the opinions of others and discuss matters in a manner that is thorough and frank, but fair and impartial, and once a conclusion has been reached, to cooperate and work together to achieve a common goal.Sincerity: To act with a sense of ownership and honesty at all times and never pass the buck. The spirit to meet society's expectations and generate credibility for Hitachi.Pioneering Spirit: To work creatively, using novel approaches to enter new areas. To always act as a pioneer within our areas of expertise and to have the passion to pursue higher goals beyond our capabilities.(2) News Release: "'Hitachi Origin Park (tentative name)' to open in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Pref., in 2021" (July 3, 2019)"Hitachi Origin Story": Features and Contents (including future contents)- In addition to Hitachi's history, the website will introduce the aspirations of past developers and leaders to enrich the lives of people everywhere, in the backdrop of their respective eras.- The website will offer a "Trail Map" that will enable readers to virtually visit key locations related to Hitachi's founding and journey.- The website will offer a digital re-creation of the Odaira Memorial Museum, which is scheduled to close in the first half of FY2021. The Museum's exhibits will be preserved permanently in video format.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is focusing on Social Innovation Business that combines information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and products. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2019 (ended March 31, 2020) totaled 8,767.2 billion yen ($80.4 billion), and the number of employees was approximately 301,000 worldwide. Hitachi delivers digital solutions utilizing Lumada in five sectors including Mobility, Smart Life, Industry, Energy and IT, to increase social, environmental and economic values of its customers. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Season 2 of hit Irish comedy series Derry Girls has been removed from streaming platform Netflix after just five days. The show's cult following amassed thousands of worldwide additions since season one of the show debuted on Netflix last year, and there was quite a stir when the second season landed last Thursday, July 9. Derry Girls S2 is now on Netflix if you were looking for an excuse to watch it again. pic.twitter.com/CHNRNahCvA Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) July 9, 2020 Fan favourite Clare (Nicola Coughlan) even took to Twitter to announce the show's arrival to Netflix UK and Ireland. This is so class, thank you, thank you, thank you #DerryGirls Series 2 now streaming on @NetflixUK & Ireland Were Number One lads! pic.twitter.com/qmyKOGEUNK Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) July 10, 2020 In season two, the Derry Girls continue to get up to all their old tricks navigating parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process in Northern Ireland. But for those who had the self-control not to binge-watch the full season in a day, there's some bad news. UPDATE: it looks like we were a bit early with this one so have had to take season two down for now. We'll let you know when it's coming back as soon as we can. In the meantime, it's available now on All 4. https://t.co/UQR5dZvqeb Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) July 14, 2020 Netflix were forced into a u-turn on Monday night as the second season disappeared from the site's online catalogue. The company made an announcement via Twitter today stating: "UPDATE: it looks like we were a bit early with this one so have had to take season two down for now. We'll let you know when it's coming back as soon as we can. In the meantime, it's available now on All 4." While no details were given, it is believed to most likely be a rights issue. However, you can binge on the full two seasons in all their comedic glory on Channel 4's online player, All 4, by clicking here. EBRD extends unfunded risk participation of US$ 5 million to Bank Al Etihad Increased working capital facility to support leading garment manufacturer in Jordan First risk sharing transaction in the southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region For the first time in the SEMED region, the EBRD is co-financing a transaction under the Risk Sharing Framework (RSF) in support of the private sector in Jordan, helping to increase much-needed access to finance during the current economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Under its Risk Sharing Framework, the EBRD is providing an unfunded guarantee of US$ 5 million to Bank Al Etihad in support of one of the leading garment manufacturers and exporters in Jordan. The EBRD Risk Sharing Framework is a strategic programme dedicated to supporting and developing local private companies in the countries where it invests. The facility is designed to allow the EBRD to share partner banks exposures to local enterprises through either funded or unfunded risk participation. The EBRD began its operations in Jordan in 2012 and is helping to support sustainable energy, finance private enterprises and promote infrastructure reform. Since the start of its operations in the country, the Bank has invested almost 1.5 billion across 50 projects in Jordan, of which 73 per cent are in the private sector. Beijing today warned Britain that Chinese businesses could pull out of the UK after the Government banned Huawei from the nation's new 5G network. Liu Xiaoming, China's Ambassador to the UK, said 'the way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses' as he said the decision had 'undermined the trust between the two countries'. Mr Liu said 'Huawei merely symbolises how you treat China' in comments which came after Beijing had earlier accused Boris Johnson of being 'America's dupe'. China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Britain had excluded the tech giant 'without any concrete evidence' and had colluded with the White House to 'discriminate' against the company. She warned the UK's actions 'must come at a cost' while the hardline state-backed Global Times publication said in an editorial it is 'necessary for China to retaliate'. The publication said a failure to respond by Beijing would suggest China is 'too easy to bully' as it said measures taken against the UK should be 'public and painful'. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced yesterday that telecoms firms will be prohibited from buying Huawei 5G equipment from December 31 this year. Meanwhile, all of the firm's existing 5G technology will be stripped out of the network by the end of 2027. The move represented a massive U-turn after Number 10 gave Huawei the green light in January to participate in building the infrastructure. It has sparked a further deterioration in relations between the UK and China, with tensions already strained over coronavirus and the imposition by Beijing of a controversial national security law on Hong Kong. The UK Government yesterday announced it is banning Huawei from Britain's 5G network over national security concerns China's Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming said the Huawei decision will be 'followed very closely by other Chinese businesses' Donald Trump suggests HE convinced Boris Johnson to ban 'unsafe' Huawei from Britain's 5G telecoms network Donald Trump said at the White House last night (pictured) that he 'convinced' countries such as the UK to cut ties with Huawei Donald Trump has appeared to take credit for having 'convinced many countries' including the UK not to use Huawei after Boris Johnson ordered a ban on the Chinese firm within the country's 5G network. The US president said, 'I did this myself, for the most part', as he spoke of having worked to pressure nations to not use Huawei, adding: 'If they want to do business with us, they can't use it.' In a major U-turn provoking criticism from China, the Prime Minister ordered telecoms firms to remove Huawei equipment from the 5G network by 2027. The move, costing billions and delaying the deployment of 5G by up to three years, came after a Government-ordered review found the security of Huawei's equipment could not be guaranteed because of US sanctions. Mr Trump boasted in a press conference that no White House 'has been tougher on China' than his administration, which the UK is trying to broker a post-Brexit trade deal with. 'We convinced many countries - many countries - and I did this myself, for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk. It's a big security risk,' he said. Advertisement The Government moved to ban Huawei from the UK's 5G network after the White House imposed sanctions on the firm which prevent it from using US technology in its 5G equipment. The UK said the sanctions meant it can 'no longer be confident it will be able to guarantee the security of future Huawei 5G equipment'. The US has long urged its allies not to use the company's technology because of national security concerns - concerns which have always been rejected by Huawei. Mr Liu told a think tank event this morning that the decision to expel Huawei from the 5G network was 'disheartening' as he hinted it could prompt other Chinese firms to rethink their UK operations. He said: 'I think it undermined the trust between the two countries. Trust, mutual trust, mutual respect are really the basics for a relationship, not only between countries but even between individuals. 'When you look at the UK decision yesterday, I tweeted it is disappointing and the wrong decision on Huawei. 'Now I would say it is not only disappointing it is disheartening. When you see this company, good company, who have been here for 20 years, they not only invested 2 billion in this country, created 28,000 jobs and pay tax and contribute greatly to the telecoms industry of this country and to the local community, that you simply dump this company.' He added: 'The way you treat Huawei will be followed very closely by other Chinese businesses. 'When mutual trust was undermined it would be difficult for the businesses to have confidence.' Mr Liu said the UK Government's treatment of Huawei would be seen as 'symbolic' of its overall approach to China. 'Look at how the UK treats Huawei,' he said. 'The way they treat Huawei is, I always say Huawei is not about a private company. The big picture is about China. Huawei merely symbolises how you treat China.' Ms Hua had earlier told reporters in Beijing that China strongly opposed the UK's decision. She said the move was driven by political reasoning and not by national security concerns as she also said Beijing will act to safeguard its interests in the wake of the U-turn. How could China respond to the UK's decision to ban Huawei from the 5G network? Increase trade tariffs The UK and China are expected to sit down for post-Brexit trade talks in the coming years. But the Huawei move could prompt Beijing either to toughen its negotiating stance or to boycott the talks entirely. Down the line it could go even further by increasing tariffs on UK imports, like automobiles, starting a full blown trade war with Britain. Increased red tape The Chinese market is key for many British bands and Beijing could make it more difficult for companies to export their goods there. That could come in the form of increased red tape or bureaucracy which could significantly impact sales. Tourism and education pressure The Chinese government could pressure its citizens to simply avoid travelling to the UK. This would have a potentially significant and harmful impact on the tourism sector as well as the higher education industry which welcomes thousands of Chinese students to the UK every year. Cyber attack UK officials are braced for Beijing to launch disruptive cyber attacks in retaliation for the Huawei decision. Key national infrastructure could be targeted to cause major headaches for the UK Government. Advertisement The Associated Press quoted her as saying: 'Without any concrete evidence, the United Kingdom took unfounded risks as an excuse and cooperated with the United States to discriminate, suppress and exclude Chinese companies.' She said the UK's actions 'must come at a cost' but did not elaborate on how Beijing could respond. She also claimed Britain had become 'America's dupe'. Downing Street rejected the suggestion and insisted the decision had been made following an assessment of the US sanctions by the National Cyber Security Centre. As soon as the sanctions were imposed by the US the NCSC began a detailed piece of work on their impact,' the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said. 'Once that work was concluded the NCSC reached a verdict that it could no longer guarantee the security of the Huawei equipment in the future. That advice was given to ministers and following the NSC meeting yesterday they announced that no new Huawei equipment could be purchased from the end of this year and it will be removed by 2027. On the suggestion that China could retaliate, the PM's spokesman said: 'We remain committed to a constructive relationship with China. Yesterdays decision does not change that. Downing Street today confirmed that Mr Johnson and President Xi Jinping have not spoken since March. The US, along with Tory backbench MPs, had lobbied intensively for the UK Government to reverse the original decision it made in January. Donald Trump appeared to claim credit for the U-turn, telling a press conference last night: 'We convinced many countries - many countries - and I did this myself, for the most part - not to use Huawei because we think it's an unsafe security risk. 'It's a big security risk. I talked many countries out of using it. If they want to do business with us, they can't use it. 'Just today, I believe that UK announced that they're not going to be using it. And that was up in the air for a long time, but they've decided.' Health Secretary Matt Hancock sought to down play Mr Trump's comments as he said the move to ban Huawei was a 'sensible decision' based on the latest available evidence. 'We all know Donald Trump, don't we?' he told Sky News. 'All sorts of people can try to claim credit for the decision, but this was based on a technical assessment by the National Cyber Security Centre about how we can have the highest quality 5G systems in the future. 'We are looking for a good US trade deal and working very closely on that, I think that's a very important consideration.' Meanwhile, the Global Times today took aim at Britain in its editorial as it said Beijing must now hit back. It said: 'It's necessary for China to retaliate against UK, otherwise wouldn't we be too easy to bully? 'Such retaliation should be public and painful for the UK. But it's unnecessary to turn it into a China-UK confrontation. 'The UK is not the US, nor Australia, nor Canada. It is a relative 'weak link' in the Five Eyes.' The decision to exclude Huawei from the UK's 5G network comes at a time when relations between the UK and China are already strained over coronavirus and Hong Kong. China's ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said expelling Huawei was a 'disappointing and wrong decision'. 'It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries,' he tweeted. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has nominated Fianna Fail deputy leader Dara Calleary to replace Barry Cowen as Agriculture Minister. Mr Martin said that junior finance minister Jack Chambers is to replace Mr Calleary as Government Chief Whip. And Laois-Offaly TD Sean Fleming will take over as the junior minister for finance. Mr Martin said Mayo TD Mr Calleary will be an "effective minister" who will deliver on the commitments relating to Agriculture in the Programme for Government. Mr Calleary had been disappointed not to be selected as a senior minister in Mr Martin's first round of appointments. He said the government is committed to supporting farmers and food businesses through the "many challenges" they face like Brexit, the fallout from Covid-19 and Climate Change. While Dara Calleary is not directly from a rural background, the Mayo constituency he represents has a large farming population giving him a good insight into his new job as Agriculture Minister. He played a major role in the coalition talks with Fine Gael and the Green Party, heightening his disappointment at not making Cabinet first time around. The controversy was heightened by having no full minister from counties west of the River Shannon. Expand Close Barry Cowen / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Barry Cowen Dara Calleary, aged 47, is the Fianna Fail deputy leader and a TD for Mayo since 2007. He went to primary and secondary school in his native Ballina before going to Trinity College Dublin to do a BA in business and politics. Calleary was national chairman of his partys youth wing, Ogra Fianna Fail, for a year soon after his election as a TD. In 2009 he was appointed junior enterprise minister as the economy badly foundered and soon afterwards the Fianna Fail-Green Party coalition fell asunder. Calleary retained his Dail seat in 2011 as Fianna Fail suffered huge losses. His father, Sean, and grandfather, Phelim, were also TDs for Mayo. This comes as gardai have notified the Data Protection Commissioner about a potential data breach related to Mr Cowen's drink-driving case. The formal notification relates to the potential unauthorised disclosure of information from the forces Pulse system regarding the incident four years ago. Mr Cowen was dramatically sacked as Agriculture Minister by Taoiseach Micheal Martin last night. The data watchdog confirmed on Wednesday morning that it received a preliminary breach notification from An Garda Siochana overnight and it is currently being assessed. Read More The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) has received a preliminary breach notification from An Garda Siochana overnight and we are currently assessing it, the DPCs Graham Doye told Independent.ie. The breach notification is understood to relate to the potential unauthorised disclosure of information on Pulse about the former Agriculture Ministers drink-driving offence four years ago. Mr Cowen was sacked from Cabinet after refusing to publicly answer outstanding questions about his drink-driving ban four years ago. Mr Cowen showed Mr Martin the Pulse entry on Tuesday morning, hours before he was asked to resign and was then sacked by the Taoiseach after refusing to step down. Gardai confirmed at the weekend they were examining whether to launch a full investigation into whether a third party had access to information held by the force about the drink-driving incident. The initial inquiries by the DPC set the stage for a potential third probe into the matter which is already being examined by An Garda Siochana and the Garda Ombudsman, GSOC. Mr Cowen has claimed that the Garda entry on the Pulse system is inaccurate and has also raised issues with the disclosure of the information to the public domain. The Offaly TD said at the weekend that he was taking steps to have the Pulse record about the incident corrected under the Data Protection Act. However, it is understood this will not be possible to do through the DPC under existing data protection laws. A source said it was ultimately a matter between Mr Cowen and Gardai. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has opted to give a chance to a younger TD by appointing Dublin West TD, Jack Chambers, as government chief whip. Unveiling the necessary changes arising from the sacking of Barry Cowen from Government, Mr Martin promoted the 29-year-old TD from the junior finance minister job he was given just 18 days ago. Jack Chambers was the youngest TD in the Dail when he was first elected in 2016 and became the youngest minister in Taoiseach Micheal Martin's team. A strong performer on the last Dail's justice committee, Mr Chambers won respect from politicians in Fine Gael and the Greens for his contribution to government formation talks. The appointment allows him attend Cabinet but does not entitle him to vote. The job mainly involves ensuring all the Government TDs vote appropriately. The new junior finance minister, Sean Fleming, aged 62, has been a distinguished contributor to Dail committees dealing with finance and the economy and also chaired the Public Accounts Committee. He was first elected to the Dail in 1997. Mr Fleming, a chartered accountant, was previously Fianna Fail financial director. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office is asking the publics assistance in catching a man accused of a fatal hit-and-run in Secaucus last month. David Ceausu has been charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death a second-degree crime, Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Authorities say he struck 35-year-old Union City woman Reyna Huerta-Flores in the area of the Route 3 Service Road and 850 Paterson Plank Road at 7:30 p.m. on July 6. The victim was taken to Hudson Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:16 p.m. Authorities say Huerta-Flores was walking home to Union City from her job in Secaucus when she was struck by Ceausu, who fled the scene. The vehicle Ceausu was driving has been identified and since recovered. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office says Ceausu uses multiple aliases and has several addresses throughout the United States and Canada, including in Baltimore, Seattle, Miami and Toronto. Ceausu is described as 5-foot-4 and 165 pounds, with dark hair and brown eyes. Anyone who has information about Ceausu or believes they have seen him should contact the Hudson County Prosecutors Office at 201-915-1345. People can also leave an anonymous tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. Riot police arrested dozens of people who broke into Azerbaijan's parliament early on Wednesday morning. After a protest to show solidarity with the army, which has skirmished with neighboring Armenia's military on the border over the past few days. More than a dozen have been killed or wounded. Thousands marched through the Azeri capital Baku and there were demonstrations in other cities despite a lockdown ban on large gatherings. Emotions ran high and demonstrators entered the parliament building, but they appeared not to intend that as a protest against the government itself. Eleven Azeri soldiers and a civilian, and four Armenian servicemen, have been killed since Sunday in border fighting around the Tavush region in northeast Armenia. Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war in the 1990s over the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region. Which is inside Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians, who declared independence as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The South Caucasus region is a crucial corridor for oil and gas pipelines. So clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan are a strategic concern for global powers. Chiefs of the country's three major telecom companies and ICT Minister Choi Ki-young pose for a picture during a meeting to enhance cooperation for the establishment of nationwide 5G coverage at the Seoul Government Complex, Wednesday. From left, KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo, ICT Minister Choi Ki-young, SKT CEO Park Jung-ho and LG Uplus Vice Chairman Ha Hyun-hwoi. / Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin A day after President Moon Jae-in announced the Korean New Deal initiative, chiefs of the country's three major carriers agreed to massively invest in the development of fifth-generation (5G) networks. In a meeting with Science and ICT Minister Choi Ki-young at the Central Government Complex in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, CEOs at SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus agreed that the carriers would invest up to 25.7 trillion won through 2022 for the early establishment of 5G infrastructure countrywide. Regarding the specifics of the investment plan, the top executives said they will primarily focus on enhancing 5G quality in the capital and six other metropolitan cities, which includes setting up 5G in 2,000 multi-purpose facilities, on Seoul Metro lines 2 and 9 and along major highways. Next year, the carriers will expand 5G connectivity to an additional 85 districts which includes 4,000 multi-purpose facilities, subways and all train stations, as well as 20 additional highways. During a nationally televised announcement for the Korean New Deal, President Moon said the Digital New Deal, part of the Korean New Deal, serves as one of the main pillars of the initiative, which aims for digital transformation utilizing 5G infrastructure and helping to create a 21st century industry structure through enhancement of contactless technologies that have evolved amid the pandemic. "The government and private sector will work together for a possible breakthrough in 5G network infrastructure to overcome the crisis," ICT Minister Choi said at the start of his meeting with telecom CEOs. The ministry said 5G will become the core base of the Digital New Deal, as all advanced technologies such as AI will need to utilize the network. The government plans to provide tax support in the form of tax credits and other tax reductions for telecom companies to expand the current 14.3 percent nationwide 5G coverage up to 70 percent by 2025. However, the amount of tax support has not been revealed. The three telecom chiefs reportedly requested the government provide wider tax cuts to help them invest more in the country's 5G next-generation wireless technology network infrastructure. Telecom officials familiar with the matter said the CEOs requested Minister Choi expand the tax credits to represent the government's willingness to support key technologies. SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus are seeking to receive temporary investment tax credits of up to 10 percent for the nationwide 5G investments. "If they requested 10 percent it might seem high considering telecom companies are currently receiving around 2 percent tax credits for their 5G investments. The figure is set high so they could find a middle ground with the government during negotiations," an official familiar with the matter said. Currently, the telecom companies can receive a maximum deduction of 3 percent for their 5G investments, which was given to reduce the burden on domestic telecom companies that were the first in the world to commercialize 5G services in April 2019. The firms currently receive around 2 percent and the remaining 1 percent is given only when there is a 5 percent increase in employment. Also the tax deductions exclude 5G equipment investments, which take up a great deal of 5G-related expenses. T he cut in VAT at restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions coming into effect today may not be fully passed on to customers after the hospitality industrys trade body said businesses should not be obliged to knock it off bills. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in his summer statement last week that VAT for all UK companies in the tourism and hospitality sector would be cut from 20 per cent to five per cent until January 12. It is hoped this will encourage diners and holidaymakers to spend more in a sector employing four million people that was particularly hard hit by the coronavirus lockdown. But today Kate Nicholls, chief executive of industry body UKHospitality, said cutting prices was only one of the options open to business owners. She said: The statement in which the Chancellor announced the VAT cut to five per cent was made with the clear objective of protecting the hospitality and tourism sectors and, explicitly protecting jobs. In a sector with diverse offers, it is right that individual businesses, which are under enormous financial pressure after three months of closure, have the scope to do this in a way that works best for them as well as providing great value to customers, securing our valued workforce and making sure our much-loved businesses endure. However, most major high street chainns said they would be passing on the savings in full. At Nandos top-selling items like a quarter chicken will now be 3.70, down from 4.25. Family platters, which usually cost 43.70, will be down to 38.25. KFC has reduced the price of its sharing buckets by 1 and the cost of fan favourites by 50p. Its Boneless banquet bucket is down by 50 per cent from 10 to 4.99 until July 19. McDonalds has suggested its classics such as the Big Mac, quarter pounder with cheese and six chicken McNuggets should be cheaper. Consumers can expect a 50p reduction on breakfast meals, a 40p reduction on Extra Value Meals and 30p for every Happy Meal. There will also be reductions in its McCafe range with black and white coffee costing just 99p and premium coffees such as a latte for 1.49. Hotel chain Marriott confirmed it will pass on a VAT reduction future bookings. London restaurateurs welcomed the cut but said they would have preferred a more long term solution. David Moore, from Sohos Pied a Terre, said: The governments decision to cut VAT is a welcome one - the hospitality industry has been hit hard and we need all the help we can get to get up and running again. Its a double edged sword though as while we will be able to soften prices for customers, the end of the VAT cut in mid January means that whatever cuts we do pass on to customers, well need to take back then. Loading.... Were grateful for the stop gap but what would be more meaningful would be a reform of business rates in the long term - that would help us with our margins thereby enabling us to keep prices down for longer. South Bank hotel Sea Containers London announced today that it will be donating a third of the VAT saved to support the surplus food charity The Felix Project, which helps feed vulnerable people in London. Celebrity chef Guy Fieri this week announced hes closing his Oklahoma restaurant, Guy Fieris American Kitchen & Bar, only three days after re-opening it post-coronavirus (COVID-19) closures. Its a major setback for the restaurateur and television personality. Guy Fieri | Desiree Navarro/WireImage RELATED: Guy Fieri Finally Speaks Up About the Petition to Rename Columbus, Ohio Flavortown Fieris tireless work on behalf of restaurant workers during COVID As COVID-19 was ramping up in the US, so much was unknown as to how the virus would impact food preparation especially whether it was safe to order in from a restaurant or have food delivered. Restaurants were losing money rapidly, and closing entirely with the sudden collapse in revenue. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the National Restaurant Associations fundraising branch, announced in March 2020 that a relief fund had been initiated. The fund, called Restaurant Relief America, provides individual $500 grants for dishwashers, servers, bartenders, chefs, and cooks. RELATED: Guy Fieris No-Fail Trick for Picky Eaters By May 2020, Fieri had raised a staggering $20 million for restaurant worker relief, thanks to his relentless work on their behalf. Rob Gifford, the NRAEFs president, expressed his gratitude to Fieri in a statement. During these challenging times, the NRAEFs mission to support the industrys workforce is more important than ever, he said. With Guy as our champion and the support of so many generous companies, we can help get our family of restaurant workers back on their feet. Fieri got actor Bill Murray to help restaurants out recently Fieri and Murray engaged in a live-streamed Facebook event, Nacho Average Showdown in May 2020. Their goal: to raise money for the countless unemployed restaurant workers. Murray, 69, was asked at the time by Jimmy Fallon about his nacho prowess. Well, Ill be honest, Jimmy, the actor said. My son is really the cook in the family. Im more the purveyor. I go shop. Im in charge of paying for things. And he cooks. And Im not in charge of dishes, either. So hes in charge of finding someone to do the dishes. Whenever it comes to doing the cooking, I act like Ive taken a bad fall. According to USA Today, the nacho smackdown raised an impressive $11K for restaurant workers during the hour-long event. Fieri was forced to (temporarily) close one of his restaurants Fieri had temporarily closed the Oklahoma location of his Guy Fieris American Kitchen & Bar and all of his restaurants as did so many others, in March 2020 in response to the pandemic. He reopened the location on July 7, hoping to get to some semblance of normality for its workers, but by July 10 had to once again close due to an employees positive diagnosis with COVID-19. No official date has been announced for the restaurant to open once again. Fieri had chosen this location for his restaurant, in the Choctaw Casino & Resorts in Durant, Oklahoma, thanks to the great time he and his crew had shooting Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives there. Ive shot Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in Oklahoma and all over Texas and let me tell you, this part of the country knows good food, he said. And in Durant in particular, youve got some good folks looking for real deal, scratch-made food, great cocktails, and a big time partyand the Choctaw Casino & Resort brings the heat! RELATED: Why Guy Fieri Can Never Shave His Head US businesses are seeking Vietnamese partners in various business fields, according to the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). Talking about business prospects in Vietnam, Vu Tu Thanh, USABCs Deputy Regional Managing Director & Representative, said US businesses are seeking Vietnamese partners in the fields of technology, manufacturing, retail, consumer goods, medical equipment, electricity and supporting industries. Vu Tu Thanh, USABCs Deputy Regional Managing Director & Representative These are the business fields with great potential which fit Vietnamese enterprises production capacity, Thanh said. He said the opportunity is great if noting that the shortfall in Chinas exports to the US has been redirected to other countries, including Vietnam. Thanh cited US statistics as reporting that Chinese exports to the US in 2019 decreased by $90 billion in comparison with 2018. Of this, $31 billion shifted to Asian countries, $23 billion to Mexico and $23 billion to the EU. Of the $31 billion worth of exports to Asian countries, $14 billion, or 46 percent, went to Vietnam. The epidemic has made US businesses realize that they need to choose production locations which not only allow them to optimize production costs, but also have the capability to resist shocks and risks. The figure is expected to create a positive effect on decisions by American investors to expand their production and business to non-China markets. With its great achievements in containing Covid-19, Vietnam has emerged as the preferred destination for US businesses. US businesses in China are choosing other markets for expansion to both continue to exploit the vast Chinese market and minimize risks by not putting all of their eggs into the same basket. In addition to making products for export back to the US and EU, the businesses also target the Chinese domestic market with 1.4 billion consumers. No investor will give up such a lucrative market like China. The USABC recently has given consultancy to many US businesses on how to expand investments and avoid the impact of the US-China trade war by investing in other markets such as Vietnam, India and Indonesia. The trend of expanding production to non-China markets arose in 2014 and became stronger in 2018 when the US-China trade war broke out. The process was accelerated after Covid-19 broke out in China. The epidemic has made US businesses realize that they need to choose production locations which not only allow them to optimize production costs, but also have the capability to resist shocks and risks. Therefore, China is no longer an ideal location in the eyes of US businesses to develop a sustainable business model. And this brings opportunities to Vietnam, though there is much that needs to be done by Vietnam to attract US investors. Kim Chi Vietnam's FDI inflows to increase A new wave of foreign direct investment driven by global uncertainty such as the US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic is imminent in Vietnam, (This story has been revised after additional details were provided to the Morning Sun.) A 24-year-old Weidman woman was hospitalized Monday after a three-car accident Monday afternoon in western Isabella County. The woman was traveling southbound on Coldwater Lake Road at approximately 12:27 p.m. when she approached the River Road intersection, said Isabella County Sheriff Michael Main in an email. Sitting at the intersection waiting to turn left onto River Road was a van driven by a Lake Isabella man. The Weidman woman apparently didnt see him until the last minute and veered into the northbound lane to avoid hitting him, Main said. In doing so, the passenger side of her car glanced off the back left of the van, pushing her car directly into the path of a commercial dumptruck heading north. The dump truck, driven by a 52-year-old Leroy man, had just slowed as another car traveling north turned right onto River Road, Main said by phone Wednesday. The truck was just started to accelerate when it hit the Weidman womans car in the driver side. Rescue personnel on scene extricated the Weidman woman from her car. She was taken to a local hospital where she was later airlifted to a different hospital, Main said. Her 6-year-old daughter, a passenger in the car who was properly secured in her car seat, had only scrapes and bruises. Main said that if the dump truck was traveling at the posted speed limit, that it is likely that both the Weidman woman and her daughter would have been killed. There was no information in Mains email about injuries to the drivers of the other two vehicles. Deputies were assisted on scene by Mobile Medical Rescue and Wheatland Township Fire Department. READ MORE: Executive order puts businesses as front line enforcers of wearing masks Surge in local COVID cases puts squeeze on testing supplies Gratiot Fair for Youth changes format amid pandemic Two-car accident at Lincoln and Weidman Road intersection results in one fatality Third Soaring Eagle worker tests positive for COVID-19 25 Shares Share On March 20th, as the chaos of the unfolding pandemic enveloped New York City, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.10, which, among other directives, suspended work hour restrictions for residents in New York. These regulations, which had been enacted 30 years prior, were the consequence of the journalist Sidney Zions well-publicized crusade to investigate the death of his daughter Libby at New York Hospital in 1984, which he attributed to the mistakes of overworked and under-supervised residents. A grand jury was convened. While it did not indict the physicians involved in Libbys care, as Zion had hoped, it did in effect issue an indictment of graduate medical training in the U.S. Depending on who you asked, it was either an educational system intentionally designed around long hours and self-sacrifice or exploitation of cheap labor at the hands of hospitals. The grand jurys recommendations, along with the subsequent Bell Committee report, paved the way for duty hour regulations as we know them today. Revisiting the literature from that time, it is clear that a campaign for reform that was sparked by concerns over patient safety was in equal measure driven by concern for resident wellbeing. In the ensuing decades, we would begin to recognize that these concerns were interconnected. However, this movement for reform didnt start with the Libby Zion case or end with the institution of duty hour limits. In 1975, the house staff of Cook County Hospital in Chicago went on strike for 18 days after months of dead-end negotiations. They successfully earned a (modest) pay increase and a reduction in their workweek from 100 to 80 hours. This was not the first organizing activity by residents, but it garnered the most publicity, and it fueled a debate that continues to this day: are residents students or employees? In 1976, in the wake of the strike in Chicago, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that residents were students, denying them the protections provided under labor relations laws, including the right to unionize. In their interpretation, residents primary purpose was to gain further training and skills, as evidenced by the many conferences and rounds in which they partake. Their direct patient care is simply a means of learning, and their pay is nothing more than a living stipend. It took 23 years for this ruling to be overturned, in a similar case involving house staff at Boston Medical Center. While not much had changed in the merits of the competing arguments residents were still labeled with an intermediate status of student-employees the environment clearly had perhaps aided by the optics of two residents being tried for malpractice on a very public stage in the Zion case. Despite this decision, approximately 15% of house staff nationwide are currently represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents the countrys primary house staff union and the student versus employee argument continues to be litigated. COVID-19 came along and laid bare what had long been obvious: Residents may be learners, but they are first and foremost employees, and essential ones at that. As the pandemics tidal wave engulfed many teaching hospitals, most formal educational activities necessarily ground to a halt, and fears of a depleted workforce compelled the suspension of various regulations that protect residents from being overworked. New York State lifted work hour restrictions. The ACGME, to their credit, insisted on preserving work hour limits, but suspended most other restrictions, including limits on the number of patients a single resident can manage. In the wartime language that became popular at the height of the pandemic, hospitals formed deployments. The backbone of the front line was undoubtedly the residents, working alongside their nurse practitioner and physician assistant colleagues. The difference was that their fellow soldiers had preexisting collective bargaining agreements, with arrangements for overtime pay and channels to negotiate hazard benefits, while most residents were left to pray for the goodwill of their employers, with varying results. The pandemic has highlighted not only the right of residents to organize, but also the necessity. As employees, residents are the very definition of vulnerable. During the recruitment process, they are deprived of any negotiating power by the Match, which precludes fielding multiple offers and the leverage this affords. And, at the end of the day, they need the hospital more than the hospital needs them. Whereas other employees dissatisfied with working conditions or benefits have the freedom to seek employment elsewhere, residents need to complete their program to receive certification. The process of finding a new position can range from onerous to impossible. When a crisis hits, as we just learned, working conditions can change dramatically overnight, with no obligation on the part of hospitals to adjust benefits or pay. While the previous addresses the most straightforward function of unions providing a seat at the negotiating table historically, this has not been their only role. During the aforementioned 1975 strike in Chicago, residents advocated for their patients and for their patients. They successfully negotiated patient protections, including readily available Spanish interpreters. In the ensuing years, the need for translation services has been recognized as so fundamental as to have been written into law in patients bills of rights. As a disenfranchised voice, residents have long been a voice for the disenfranchised. For a number of reasons, they have generally seen the injustice and inequity in our health care system earlier and more clearly. For one, they are not beholden to the financial structures that are often the driver of these disparities. They are also on the ground, directly interfacing with patients of all backgrounds and in multiple contexts, witnessing the kind of stratified care that has long been the norm in our health care system one clinic for the privately insured, another for those on Medicaid, and a third for the uninsured. They are the only part of the workforce that might split their time between private and public hospitals. This unique perspective helps them put the lie to the notion of separate but equal care. There are many reasons hospitals have historically resisted unionization. It is far more convenient to present the terms of a contract than to negotiate them. There may be some discussion, but there is no need for lawyers or endless bargaining sessions. As short term employees, residents are likely viewed as interlopers at the policy-making table, not necessarily having the long term interests of the institution at heart. There are fears, of course, of work stoppages, though these are rare and as anathema to residents as they are to administrators. At this turbulent moment, however, as we grapple with the dual crises of an ongoing pandemic and the infrastructural racism that pervades every layer of our society, including the health care system, there has never been a more important time to empower the voice of the resident. They are needed to help navigate a path toward greater justice for themselves and for their patients. The only way to legitimize that voice, to give it a strength that cannot be ignored, is through collective action. The environment is primed for it; the moment demands it. Eric Bressman is an internal medicine chief resident who blogs at Insights on Residency Training, a part of NEJM Journal Watch. Image credit: Shutterstock.com For now, the ruling is a major blow to E.U. antitrust regulators efforts to police individual countries that lure companies to their territories with low tax rates. E.U. antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager has built an international reputation for her aggressive moves against the business practices of tech giants, many of which have set up their European operations in low-tax nations such as Ireland and Luxembourg. Jazeera Airways to resume flights to 20 cities. Image: Jazeera Airways Jazeera Airways chief executive officer, Rohit Ramachandran, said: We are all very pleased to be resuming our flights and serving our customers after a suspension of over four months at Kuwait International Airport. During this period, we continued to operate by supporting repatriation and expatriation flights. Now we can welcome citizens and residents who want to travel out and back into Kuwait. We anticipate demand will be strong in August and our schedule focuses on the most desirable routes whether people want to fly to visit the family or for medical, touristic and business purposes. Weve implemented a range of health and safety measures in our terminal T5 and on-board our aircraft, to ensure the wellbeing of our passengers. Aircraft cabins are particularly safe environments with highly efficient air filters which remove 99.97% of airborne microbes. WASHINGTON (AP) The demand for mail-in ballots is surging. Election workers need training. And polling booths might have to be outfitted with protective shields during the COVID-19 pandemic. As officials prepare for the Nov. 3 election, one certainty is clear: It's coming with a big price tag. Election officials dont have nearly the resources to make the preparations and changes they need to make to run an election in a pandemic, said Wendy Weiser, head of the Brennan Center for Justice's democracy program. We are seeing this all over the place. The pandemic has sent state and local officials scrambling to prepare for an election like few others, an extraordinary endeavor during a presidential contest, as virus cases rise across much of the U.S. COVID-19-related worries are bringing demands for steps to make sure elections just four months away are safe. But long-promised federal aid to help cash-starved states cope is stalled on Capitol Hill. The money would help pay for transforming the age-old voting process into a pandemic-ready system. Central to that is the costs for printing mail-in ballots and postage. There are also costs to ensure in-person voting is safe with personal protective equipment, or PPE, for poll workers, who tend to be older and more at risk of getting sick from the virus, and training for new workers. Pricey machines are needed to quickly count the vote. Complicating matters is President Donald Trumps aversion to mail-in balloting. With worrisome regularity, he derides the process as rigged, even though there's no evidence of fraud and his own reelection team is adapting to the new reality of widespread mail-in voting. As cases of coronavirus in this country rise, its vital that all voters be able to cast their ballots from home, to cast their ballots by mail, said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. A COVID-19 response bill passed by the House in May contains $3.6 billion to help states with their elections, but the Senate won't turn to the measure until late July. Republicans fought a $400 million installment of election aid this March before agreeing to it. But key Senate Republicans seem likely to support more election funding, despite Trump's opposition, and are even offering to lower a requirement that states put up matching funds to qualify for the federal cash. Im prepared not only to look at more money for the states to use as they see fit for elections this year but also to even consider whatever kind of matching requirement we have, said Roy Blunt, R-Mo., chairman of the Senate panel with responsibility for the issue. We can continue to work toward an election that produces a result that people have confidence in and done in a way that everybody that wants to vote, gets to vote." The pandemic erupted this spring in the middle of state primaries, forcing many officials to delay elections by days, weeks and even months. They dealt with poll worker cancellations, polling place changes and an explosion of absentee ballots. Voting rights groups are particularly concerned with the consolidations of polling places that contributed to long lines in Milwaukee, Atlanta and Las Vegas. They fear a repeat in November. As negotiations on the next COVID-19 relief bill begin on Capitol Hill, the final figure for elections is sure to end up much less than the $3.6 billion envisioned by the House. That figure followed Brennan Center recommendations to prepare for an influx of absentee ballots while providing more early voting options and protecting neighborhood polling places. Even before the pandemic, election offices typically work under tight budgets. Iowa Secretary of State Paul D. Pate, who's president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, said the group has been calling on the federal government to provide a steady source of funds, particularly to help address ongoing costs of protecting the nations election systems from cyberthreats. For Georgias primary last month, election officials spent $8.1 million of the roughly $10.9 million the state has received in federal funds. The money was used to send absentee ballot applications to 6.9 million active registered voters and print absentee ballots for county election offices. Some of it also was used to purchase PPE and secure drop-off boxes for counties. Meanwhile, the state elections division has seen a $90,000 reduction for the current budget year as Georgia like the rest of the nation deals with a decline in revenues due to the pandemic. The states remaining federal funds will be used to help cover the costs of developing an online system for voters to request absentee ballots, less expensive than sending ballot applications to every voter, and exploring whether installing plexiglass dividers around voting machines could allow more voters in a polling place at one time. In Colorado, a universal vote-by-mail state, the Denver election office has had to reduce its budget by 7.5%, nearly $980,000. Jocelyn Bucaro, Denvers elections director, said the federal funds sent this year helped with purchasing PPE and other pandemic-related supplies. Iowa similarly spent its federal dollars on mail-in ballots and pandemic supplies, Pate said. Vote-by-mail veterans and vendors of the equipment, software, ballots and envelopes that will be needed in November say the window to buy them is quickly closing. Right now, what Im seeing in most places is just this kind of indecision. What are we supposed to be planning? Vote by mail or in-person or combination?" said Jeff Ellington, president of Runbeck Election Services, which prints ballots and the special envelopes used to mail them and supplies high-volume envelope sorters. "Decisions just need to be made so people can start to put a plan into place, he said. BlueCrest, a Pitney Bowes spinoff, sells high-volume sorting machines that handle up to 50,000 ballot envelopes per hour. Thats the kind of crunch big counties can expect to face Nov. 3 in states including Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where Rick Becerra, a vice president at the company, said hes been talking to officials. The machines average $475,000 each. I tell them the time is now," he said. Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Frank Bajak in Boston contributed to this report. Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 12 doctors at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered, Lanre Olosunde, the President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UITH chapter, has said. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, Mr Olosunde explained that the 12 ARD members were infected in the line of duty. He said most of the doctors had moderate symptoms, adding that the association had already taken proactive measures against the disease. We actually sensitised our members and that went a long way to help our members to prepare for the scourge. We had cause to write to the DG of Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC), the Federal Government via our national body to help us and we got donations of Personal Protective Equipment from them. We also approached private companies in Kwara for help to which they responded well too. Presently, I will say we had a fairly moderate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), though not sufficient. But as at now our members have enough of PPE, he said. He added that the Federal Government had paid the long-debated hazard allowances to his members, but urged the government to implement the Residency Training Act for the doctors. The issue of hazard allowance is a chronic problem; it has been on the table for long. You can imagine as a doctor with lots of risk we are facing, the hazard allowance has been N5, 000 per month. There are even other staff that are not exposed to COVID-19 that are getting more allowances than the doctors. The Federal Government has agreed to pay us what they called special COVID allowance. The Federal Government has paid 50 per cent of our basic salary. While we appreciate the government for doing this, we want to ask them to do more by prioritising the health care system this time, he said. Olosunde, however, said the search for a COVID-19 vaccine was imminent as over 100 vaccine trials were ongoing across the world. The ARD president said he was optimistic that Nigeria would survive the pandemic, adding there was a time smallpox was killing people and the country survived it. There was a time we had HIV, we had Ebola too, and we survived it. But how did we survive it? We survived it through ingenuity; we survived it through innovation and through advancement in technology. Currently, we have over 100 vaccine trials that are going on and I know that we wont be unlucky not to have one that will work. I know in the nearest future we are going to get the vaccine. But having the vaccine may not be the solution completely given the rate of spread of the virus globally. I think what is more important is to appeal to the citizens of our country to strictly abide by the rules laid down to curtail the spread of COVID-19, he said. (NAN) The European Union on Monday approved a 3.4 billion-euro ($3.8 billion) financial support package, backed by the Netherlands government, to help national champion KLM get through the coronavirus crisis. The Dutch aid is on top of 7 billion euros ($7.9 billion) in funding granted earlier this year by France for sister carrier Air France. Under the Dutch rescue program, KLM will receive a 2.4 billion-euro revolving credit facility from 11 banks. Loans are 90% guaranteed by the government and mature in five years. The Netherlands is also providing a direct loan of 1.1 billion euros, which is subordinate to the credit line and requires KLM to restructure for improved profitability and take steps to further reduce environmental impacts. KLM is the second-largest private employer in the Netherlands, with more than 36,000 employees. It is also a large cargo carrier in its own right, but when combined with Air France the two rank in the top 10, based on freight-ton kilometers flown, according to the International Air Transport Association. Since the start of the pandemic, Air France-KLM (OTC US: AFRAF) has been very active moving essential supplies with passenger aircraft repurposed for cargo shipments. Without government assistance, KLM said it didn't have the liquidity to ramp up operations as travel restrictions ease around the world. It suffered high operating losses when countries closed their borders to prevent COVID from spreading. "KLM plays a key role for the Dutch economy in terms of employment and air connectivity. The crisis has hit the aviation sector particularly hard. This [financial aid] will provide KLM with the liquidity that it urgently needs to withstand the impact of the coronavirus outbreak," EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. Late last month Deutsche Lufthansa AG received a bailout from the German government. As a condition for that aid, the EU demanded the airline give up some slots at its Munich and Frankfurt hubs to competitors. Lufthansa subsidiaries Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines also received financial aid packages structured by their respective governments. Story continues Many airlines are still hoping for government rescues as the industry suffers the worst economic crisis in its history. The International Air Transport Association estimates airlines will collectively lose $84 billion in 2020. Several airlines have filed for bankruptcy protection and some small local carriers have gone under. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch (ekulisch@freightwaves.com) RECOMMEND READING: El Al crisis worsens, Aeromexico opts for bankruptcy Airlines seek government help to survive winter doldrums Cathay Pacific, Austrian Airlines recapitalize with state help Photo by Maria Tyutina from Pexels. See more from Benzinga 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Tunisian navy units Tuesday rescued a group of illegal migrants off the Mediterranean Sea,30 km off the coasts of Mahdia and 200 km south of Tunis, following a distress call that a boat with people on board was sinking, Tunisian security sources said here CORNING, N.Y., July 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On July 6, 2020, Firouzeh Sarhangi (Fi) retired as chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer, and corporate secretary of Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation (Corning). Ms. Sarhangi served as CFO since 2006. The company thanks Fi for over 20 years of superior service in positions of ever-increasing responsibility. She oversaw the companys accounting, regulatory, and treasury functions during a period of rapid growth that included the purchase of a combination electric and natural gas utility in Pennsylvania, the building of a new gas utility in Pennsylvania, and an aggressive pipe replacement program at Corning Natural Gas in New York. On July 6, 2020, Charles Lenns joined Corning as vice president, chief financial officer, and corporate secretary. Mr. Lenns, age 67, began his professional career in the tax practice of Ernst & Young, and served clients in the firms power and utilities tax and merger & acquisition (M&A) practice. He was a partner with Ernst & Young from 1989 until his retirement in 2012. Mr. Lenns then served as vice president-tax for Consolidated Edison Inc. from September 2012 until his retirement in December 2018. Following his retirement from Consolidated Edison, he provided accounting consulting services through Lenns Consulting Group, LLC until he joined Corning. Mr. Lenns is a graduate of the University of Scranton, where he currently teaches in the business school. He holds a law degree from Duquesne University Law School and is a certified public accountant. Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation is the parent company of its operating subsidiaries Corning Natural Gas, Pike County Light & Power, and Leatherstocking Gas Company. The subsidiaries provide natural gas and electric service to customers in New York and Pennsylvania. From time-to-time, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation may produce forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Contact: Mike German 607-936-3755 Montgomery County had its largest daily COVID-19 case spike Tuesday with 359 new cases and two more deaths. The deaths include a Spring man in his 60s and a Pinehurst man in his 70s. Both men were hospitalized at the time of their deaths and had other health issues. The total number of deaths is now 44. According to data from the Montgomery County Public Health District, most of those new cases are in self-isolation keeping total hospitalizations from climbing to capacity. The hospitals are doing fairly well at this time, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Executive Director Jason Millsaps told commissioners during a regular meeting Tuesday. They are not overwhelmed, they are holding their own. Millsaps noted while Montgomery County is the 11th largest in the state, it ranks 19th in the number of COVID-19 cases. The countys total number of cases is now 3,471 with 1,314 of those active and 1,270 in self-isolation. Total hospitalizations, both county and non-county residents, is 246, 62 of those in ICU. Of the 246, 44 are Montgomery County residents. As health officials push for more people to wear masks, County Judge Mark Keough maintains Gov. Greg Abbotts mask order is unenforceable. How do you get 600,000 people to wear masks, he said. It would be a shame for us to put law enforcement in a situation to enforce something that cant be enforced. In April, Keough said that after speaking with officials in the Montgomery County Attorneys Office there is no statutory or legal basis to require residents to wear masks and punish those who do not. If you choose to wear a mask or face covering, I support your decision to do so. If you are a high-risk individual and you want to wear a mask while in public places, then please do. If you choose not to wear a mask, I support that decision as well, Keough said. The CDC recommends the following measures in a public place: stay at least six feet from others at all times; wear a cloth face covering to help protect yourself and others; 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; and bring hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to use if soap and water are not available. For those needing to be testing, MCPHD has launched an online registration process for its voucher program for both symptomatic and asymptomatic. The testing is for Montgomery County residents only. To get a voucher, go to mchd-tx.org or mcphd-tx.org and click on the need to be tested link. Fill out the information. A voucher will be emailed. Once you have the voucher, make an appointment at your choice of testing center and get tested. For more information, the MCHD/MCPHD COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 936-523-5040. cdominguez@hcnonline.com The current allegation of conflict of interest leveled, against Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah; the only female NPP aspirant in the Yendi constituency primaries, by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), is a typical example of male chauvinism and an attempt to vilify her to discourage women from active politics. The CDD-Ghana may have good intentions, but its findings should not be laced with bias and mere assumptions, because acts of corruption is not measured by only qualitative variables. This could lead to misjudgment, dissemination, misinformation and character assassination. This could negatively affect the work of any researcher or investigator since research is an open enterprise, where others might ask for gathered data needed for verification of findings. In Ghana, the issue of ungodliness, injustice and discrimination against women has always been present. Most often, women are encouraged to partake in active politics, yet, we frustrate the bold, Godly and innocent ones, such as Hajia Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, with false allegations, just to tarnish their hard earned reputations, while their male counterparts, some of who carry criminal records, are allowed to go unchecked and unpunished. If we want to see any rise in the number of female politician in our body politic, then Ghanaians, must do away with prejudice. The nature of stories put out by myjoyonline.com on the 12th of July, 2020, is loaded with ambience of suspicion which creates an impression that CDD-Ghana and myjoyonline.com were being manipulated to publish such diabolic lies in attempts to discredit the sole woman who stood against her male counterparts in the Yendi constituency primaries. They were three aspirants and the one who shared money up to 1500 Ghana Cedis to each delegate and other gifts including smartphones, motorcycles, flat screen TVs, bags of sugar and later issued an open check to delegates, have rather been left unchecked and vindicated as appear in the following report: On 13th May, 2020, Alhaji Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama distributed one thousand bags of sugar to the delegates and opinion leaders in the Yendi Constituency; this has been an annual ritual by him since 2017 The big question is, it because she is a woman or occupies public office? If this is how justice is ostensibly to be served in our country, then we still have a very long way to go. There is no portion in Ghanas Constitution which bars any public office holder, irrespective of gender, from vying for political portfolio. The constitution further states, provided a citizen of Ghana is of sound mind, the fellow is eligible to vote and be voted for. There is also a portion of the constitution which encourages women to canvas to be elected for political positions. However, it appears, some Ghanaians pretend not to know about this and try to vilify women under the cover of goodwill for mother Ghana. This would have been acceptable, had it been based on concrete evidence, rather than a mere assumption. CCD-Ghana accused Hajia Abibata Shanni; aspirant for the just ended NPP parliamentary primaries in Yendi constituency, of conflict of interest, because, she is the Deputy CEO of MASLOC. Yet the data presented to support these allegations are merely qualitatively measured. Stories on myjoyline.com dated 12th and 13th July, 2020 respectively, repeatedly cited conflict of interest in her conduct as deputy CEO of MASLOC, during the NPP primaries campaigns. Speaking to delegates on the issuance of MSLOC loans, is not enough to justify a claim that it is evidential to corruption or amounts to conflict of interest. In research or in security intelligence gathering, data analysis is more cumbersome than data collection, especially when it is meant for qualitative analysis. In this case, certain elements such as remote and immediate causal factors must be considered, like factions within the partys membership structure in that constituency. Here, it becomes difficult to know who is speaking the truth about Hajia, since one is hard pressed to identify those who benefited from the MASLOC loans from any of the other contestants. In this regard, data collected under such circumstances, might turn out to be a wrong one for any proper analysis. First, CDD-Ghana cited her speech in Dagbani with beneficiaries of MASLOC in the Yendi constituency, as a first example of conflict of interest. The translation/interpretation of the speech as understood by CDD-Ghana appeared myopic. Had the interpreter been a Dagbomba or someone who is well versed in the language and without any ulterior motive, should have been able to tell that, Hajia Abibata Shanni is deficient in the Dagbani language, even though she is a Dagomba. She therefore kept struggling to make a point, if one watches and listens to the video very well. In her speech, she never said she was the one disbursing the loan but rather mentioned repeatedly that MASLOC was the issue, explaining further that because she works there, she felt it necessary to recommend the extending of the loan services in that area. She ended her speech by stating that, the money was government loan with lower interest to be repaid by beneficiaries. Furthermore, the allegation that loans were issued to NPP delegates was false. CDD-Ghana, did not do some thorough investigations. This notion might have emanated from the craft in the edited recorded audio in their interview with Mrs. Shanni on phone, where she implied in her response: I cant tell how many delegates were among the beneficiaries, because, the loans were distributed to eligible applicants in the constituency, who are all Ghanaians". Again, Yendi constituency is not the only beneficiary of MASLOC loans, neither did the number (35) quoted in her speech, constitute the highest among other communities in the country. The following is a list of other communities and the number of beneficiaries: Tempane, Upper East Region - 55 groups Navrongo Central, Upper East Region - 50 groups Madina, Greater Accra Region - 43 groups. Tamale Central, Northern Region - 117 groups Tamale South, Northern Region - 69 groups Tamale North, Northern Region - 56 groups Walewale, North East Region - 29 groups Nalerigu, North east Region - 26 groups From the above, it can easily be deduced that the allegation of conflict of interest and abuse of office by Hajia Habibata Shanni, is baseless and creates an impression that, CDD-Ghana harbors an ulterior motive. What transpired there and what CDD-Ghana is citing do not amount to manipulation of MASLOC system to benefit Delegates to her advantage. It may be misinterpreted as such by some persons based on their motive, but she could not have denied the beneficiaries of their legimate eligibility to the loans nor impeded the MASLOC process to the disadvantage of the beneficiaries. She believes, that if she had attempted disrupting the legitimate disbursement, that could rather have amounted to abuse of office. The whole disbursement of the loans was a MASLOC official assignment, which she could not have stopped, no matter how it affected her. Additionally, beneficiaries of the loans could not have been denied their rights to receive the loans because, she works with MASLOC and coincidentally comes from the Constituency and running for office. As she rightly stated in her speech, she had played similar roles in Yendi in her capacity as Deputy CEO at many other disbursements centers in Ashanti and Northern Regions, among others. If those disbursements do not pass for conflict of interest, how difficult can it be for anybody with no planned agenda to get it that Yendi cannot be treated in isolation? It appears some unscrupulous individuals under the guise of goodwill are trying to dent the high image Hajia Abibata Shanni has carved for herself simply because, she is a female and a deputy CEO of MASLOC. Why? Is it for their parochial interest or perhaps because she stood against her male counterparts in the just ended NPP Parliamentary primaries in the Yendi constituency? Maybe, her offense is simply because she occupies a position that her contenders never qualified for. A father-of-seven fought off a knife-wielding robber and chased him out of a corner shop with a tin of tomatoes. Abdullah Saleh, 50, was lending a hand to his friend by helping out at his newsagent in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on Monday. The robber stormed into the shop as Abdullah was stacking shelves, holding a knife at Abdullah's neck in footage caught on CCTV. He then tried to rob the Al Sultan store, screaming 'give me the f*****g money' and 'open the till' while demanding cigarettes, before he is chased out. Abdullah Saleh, 50, chases off a knife-wielding robber from a corner shop in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on Monday CCTV footage shows the robber holding a knife at Abdullah's neck before he is chased out Abdullah told the robber 'get out of the shop, it's not happening now', before shoving him backwards In the video, Abdullah tells the robber 'get out of the shop, it's not happening now', before shoving him backwards. He grabs the man by the jacket and hands, pulling him past two aisles and around the side of the till. Abdullah yanks the thief by the hand and staggers to push him outside the store in Sheffield. Seconds later, the vandal lunges forward brandishing a large knife and attempting to swipe. The father, who is a carer for his mother, follows him up the street and lobs a tin of chopped tomatoes at the robber's head, who escapes by jumping over a fence into a field. Abdullah's jacket was slashed and his finger was cut in the exchange as the 50-year-old pushed back the robber Abdullah's son Deen, 19, has revealed how he is overjoyed at his quick-thinking behaviour. 'I'm so proud of my dad for fighting someone off like that', an emotional Deen said. 'Now I know he can fight someone off with a knife - which is an amazing feeling. 'I was so impressed - it all happened in less than 30 minutes. It can take under a minute to be stabbed and my dad managed to control the situation. 'He grew up in Yemen and learnt how to fight and defend himself. Yorkshire Ambulance service arrived at the scene and treated Abdullah's cut finger. He left with a two or three inch cut in his jacket and slashed finger 'He was in the army which was part of the anti-aircraft warfare effort - where measures were taken to defend a maritime force against attacks by airborne weapons. 'These could've been launched from aircraft, ships, submarines or land-based sites. 'It's such a warzone and poverty-stricken, so he was taught to go for it and don't stand for anything. 'He learned it from his own dad. So this incident couldn't have happened to a better person!' Al Sultan has been robbed 'three or four times before' according to Abdullah's son Deen, 19 The warehouse operative, who is one of six, suggested that his father has finally changed the store's fate - which is said to have a history of being targeted by yobs. He went on: 'It's been robbed three or four times before. I think they tried using a knife and gun. 'It's been going on for years, until my dad said "No I'm not taking this anymore". He's volunteered there for about a year.' Yorkshire Ambulance service arrived at the scene and treated his cut finger. He left with a two or three inch cut in his jacket and slashed finger. South Yorkshire Police have been approached for comment. B ARCLAYS piled the pressure on Amanda Staveley today calling more witnesses to the high court case to cast doubt on her standing in the world of finance. Staveley, a businesswoman with connections in the Middle East, is suing the bank for 1.5 billion. She claims she is owed this for her role in aiding a 3.25 billion investment in Barclays during the financial crisis in 2008. That investment kept Barclays, unlike rivals, out of the hands of the UK government. She insists she was a major player, a principal and an investor in the deal. Today David Forbes, formerly director of strategy at Abu Dhabi fund the International Petroleum Investment Company, gave evidence and a written witness statement. He described the idea that Staveleys firm PCP was in control of the Barclays investment as a fantasy. He thought invoices from Staveley to IPIC were improper and dishonest. When other parties tried to edge Staveley away from the deal, said Forbes, Ms Staveley nevertheless persisted in doing things, such as contacting third parties in relation to the transaction, which IPIC only learned about after they had happened. My impression was that this was a deliberate tactic on Ms Staveleys part, designed to make her role appear more prominent than it actually was. He added: The more time that we spent with Ms Staveley the more we began to build up a picture of her as someone who would confidently make assertions which proved to lack any real foundation or which she would later contradict without realising. My colleagues and I were also getting fed up with Ms Staveley making promises and not delivering. He also said Staveley had caused irritation by repeatedly seeking media publicity for herself in connection with the Barclays deal. Staveley, who once dated Prince Andrew, has been fighting Barclays for the money for years. She is also involved in an on/off/on again takeover bid for Newcastle United. Yesterday former Barclays executive Roger Jenkins apologised for calling Staveley a tart. The case continues. Jio Platforms has designed and developed a complete 5G solution from scratch. Jio's 'Made-in-India' 5G tech will be deployed and launched in a year once spectrum becomes available. Reliance Industries (RIL) claims that once it is proven in India, Jio Platforms will be well placed to be an exporter of 5G solutions to other telecom operators globally as a complete managed service. Jio's 5G announcement comes at a critical time when the world seems to be shunning Chinese companies. The US has been a vocal critic of Huawei for the past year, and the ongoing Android licence ban has seen a sharp decline in sale of its phones outside China. Moreover, Huawei, who is one of the front runners for 5G solutions, has faced the terrible wrath of the US and China trade war as well as anti-Chinese sentiment brought about by coronavirus pandemic. The tech giant was recently banned from Britain's 5G network. In 2018, Australia banned Huawei from supplying equipment for a 5G mobile network. New Zealand and Canada have also left Huawei out of their 5G plans. France has ruled out a total ban but reportedly urged 5G telecom operators to avoid using Huawei equipment. However, Italy and Germany have remained undecided. Recently, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo praised Reliance Jio as a clean network, while being critical of Huawei's 5G equipment. Jio Platform's upcoming 5G mobile network could serve as a Huawei replacement in several countries. 5G is still in its infancy, and the technology and resources required for universal adoption are still far out. Also read: RIL 43rd AGM: Jio develops made-In-India 5G solution In 2021, we expect to see a rise in 5G networks across the globe, beyond the developed world. Universal adoption could potentially be at least two to three years out, which gives RIL sufficient time to develop a tried and tested 5G solution that can be adopted across the world. Moreover, Reliance Jio is also pushing for affordable 5G smartphones in India in collaboration with Google. Another intelligent move towards creating a global 5G ecosystem. Huawei is well-ahead of most companies, including RIL, on the 5G ladder. However, in the case of 5G, the world is still catching up to the tech, and that coupled with Huawei's current global decline makes for a successful recipe. Also read RIL 43rd AGM: Reliance Jio and Google partner to build an affordable Android-based 5G smartphone for India RIL 43rd AGM: Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for 7.7% in Jio Platforms RIL AGM: Nearly half of Google's India Digitisation Fund to go into Jio RIL AGM key highlights: Mukesh Ambani announces Google deal; Jio readies 5G solution RIL AGM: Capital raise complete, now only look to add strategic partners, says Chairman Mukesh Ambani RIL AGM 2020: In its latest offerings, Reliance announces JioTV+ and Jio Glass RIL AGM: Reliance launches Jio Glass for best-in-class mixed reality experience RIL 43rd AGM: Saudi Aramco deal has not progressed as per earlier timeline: Mukesh Ambani RIL AGM: JioMart successfully piloted, will expand beyond groceries RIL AGM: Will induct global partners into Reliance Retail, says Mukesh Ambani RIL AGM: Reliance Retail only Indian company in Top 100 global retailers, says Mukesh Ambani RIL AGM: No better partner for Indian startups than Jio, says Chairman Mukesh Ambani RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, Embibe helping students get access to quality education online RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, JioHealthHub to provide end-to-end digital health services : Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. A Statistics Korea official briefs reporters on employment data for the month of June released Wednesday, at the government complex in Sejong. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun COVID-19's toll on the job market extended through June, as the number of employed people decreased by more than 350,000 year-on-year, falling for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Wednesday. This is the first time in a decade that the number of employed people has declined for four consecutive months, a situation not seen since October 2009 to January 2010, following the global financial crisis. According to Statistics Korea, the accommodation and restaurant businesses lost 186,000 jobs, the largest fall in the number of employed by sector. Wholesale and retail, education services, and manufacturing followed in the numbers of jobs lost. On the other hand, the health and welfare services employed 164,000 more people. The farming and fishing, transportation and warehouse businesses sectors also hired more workers in June. "COVID-19 has had an impact on all industries and the most affected was the person-to-person services sector," a Statistics Korea official said. By age group, the largest decrease in employment was among people in their 30s and 40s at 195,000 and 180,000, respectively. Those in their 20s and 50s also experienced a decline, while for people in their 60s secured 338,000 new jobs. This increase is attributed to the resumption of job programs for senior citizens. According to status, temporary workers saw the greatest job loss, as the number of those employed fell by 408,000. The number of workers on temporary leave, who are counted as employed, surged by 366,000 year-on-year, to 729,000. The number of unemployed rose by 91,000 to 1.23 million, pushing the unemployment rate up by 0.3 percentage points to 4.3 percent. These are both the highest figures for the month of June, since data was first compiled in 1999. The figures for June, however, are an improvement from the past months, especially April. The employment rate rose from 60.2 percent to 60.4 percent from the previous month, and the year-on-year job loss for June was smaller than that for the months of April and May, when there were down 476,000 and 392,000 year-on-year. The unemployment rate is also down from the figures in May. Regarding the latest data, Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki said circumstances have improved, but noted employment circumstances have worsened for certain sectors. "It is worrying that the manufacturing sector has seen unemployment grow from 57,000 in May to 65,000 in June. It is also unfortunate that we are seeing a slow recovery in employment for people in their 20s," he noted in a Facebook post on the statistic agency's figures. "We are seeing a recovery from the COVID-19 shock, after hitting rock bottom in April, but we still see great uncertainty in disease prevention efforts here and overseas," he said. Korea Labor Institute senior researcher Kim Jong-wook also expressed some concerns. "COVID-19 continues to affect the job market. Figures have improved from April but we still see the person-to-person services sector afflicted," he said. "The manufacturing sector meanwhile has been seeing a decrease in jobs as the country experiences a decline in industrial power. In the case of young people in their 20s, they are still having difficulty entering the job market due to less hiring amid the pandemic." Now through August 20, nurses and nursing students can apply for a chance to receive a $1,000 cash scholarship, plus free tuition for Vohras Wound Care Certification course, valued at $650. Vohra Wound Physicians, the nations most trusted wound care solution, today announced a call for applications for its new Vohra Wound Care Scholarship for Nursing Education and Nursing Certifications program. More than ever, Vohra recognizes that nurses and healthcare professionals need personal and professional support to develop the skills needed to excel. Now through August 20, nurses and nursing students can apply for a chance to receive a $1,000 cash scholarship, plus free tuition for Vohras Wound Care Certification course, valued at $650. The certification includes 13 comprehensive modules, lifetime access to learning materials, 20 ANCC CNE credits, and the Vohra Wound Certified Nurse (VWCN) distinction upon successful completion of a final exam. Since launching in 2015, more than 7,000 nurses and nursing students have completed Vohras Wound Care Certification program. The program has expanded to include international students, educational materials in Spanish and German, and programs for both facility-based and home health-based nursing professionals. In addition, Vohra has been recognized as a wound care educational partner with grants from federal and state program including California, Texas, Florida, and many others. This was an amazing opportunity not only for myself, but my core nursing staff at Texan Nursing and Rehab. We were able to complete the program at our own pace, and this benefited our hectic schedules. Thank you for an amazing opportunity from our team, said Bianca Gonzalez, BSN, RN, IP Director of Nursing from Texan Nursing and Rehab in TX. All medical professionals practicing nursing and/or attending nursing school are eligible to apply for the scholarship; however, those with the following degrees may benefit most: Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Physician Assistant (PA), or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Nurses with a Wound Care Certification can assist physicians and treat wounds directly, improving patient outcomes significantly. Not only do trained wound care nurses help improve patient quality of life, they help nursing facilities and home health agencies minimize the risk of citations and infractions for pressure ulcers, said John Sory, President of Vohra Wound Physicians. For these reasons and countless others, nurses certified in wound care are a valuable asset to any patient care team. From nursing students at the beginning of their careers to seasoned practitioners with clinical experience, a Wound Care Certification is an essential next step in professional development, arming practitioners with the skills and expertise needed to advance in the medical field. A wound care certificate from Vohra Wound Physicians can help practitioners increase their earning potential and job security by becoming a vital member of any organization. The deadline to apply is August 20 at 11:59 p.m.; the winner will be announced on Vohras website on September 1. Nurses and nursing students can apply at https://vohrawoundcare.com/vohra-wound-care-scholarship-for-nursing-education-and-nursing-certifications. For further information on Vohra Wound Physicians scholarship program for nursing education and nursing certifications please visit https://vohrawoundcare.com/vohra-wound-care-scholarship-for-nursing-education-and-nursing-certifications or call 305-866-7123. About Vohra Wound Physicians: Vohra Wound Physicians is the nations most trusted wound care solution. Founded in 2000, the company works with nearly 3,000 skilled nursing facilities, educates thousands of medical professionals each year, and uses proven, proprietary technologies to provide superior wound care to patients at healthcare facilities and in their homes. Vohra delivers comprehensive wound care to hundreds of thousands of patients annually through bedside and telemedicine clinical services, wound dressings, education and wound care certification, and predictive, augmented intelligence driven decision tools. Supported by proprietary technologies and extensive, ongoing physician training, Vohra delivers results including a 21-day improvement in healing time and an 88% reduction in wound-related hospitalizations. For more information, visit VohraWoundCare.com or call 305-866-7123. ### Media Contact: Rachel Tabacnic/Allison Moraga VohraPR@hemsworthcommunications.com 561-441-9692 Im honored to be named one of Chicagos top 50 tech leaders. I couldnt be more proud of my team and the work were doing at Catalytic, said Sean Chou, CEO and co-founder of Catalytic. Sean Chou, Co-Founder and CEO of Catalytic, the easiest-to-use, next-generation digital process automation platform, has been named to Crains Chicago Tech 50 List, which honors pioneers and leaders in Chicago's technology scene. As Catalytic has grown over the past five years, Chou has remained steadfast in his vision to create a truly no-code platform that makes automation accessible to all, increases operational agility and allows employees to focus on their most meaningful work, rather than the monotonous. This vision has positioned Catalytic as a trusted partner to companies looking to evolve into a leaner, faster and more digitized version of themselves. Im honored to be named one of Chicagos top 50 tech leaders. I couldnt be more proud of my team and the work were doing at Catalytic, said Chou. By augmenting human capabilities with technology like automation, people are free to refocus their efforts and use their intelligence, creativity and relationship-building to achieve unrivaled business outcomes. The Tech 50 from Crains Chicago Business shines a spotlight on the names the Chicago technology community needs to know. Since its inception, nearly 400 industry leaders, experts and visionaries have joined the ranks of the Tech 50 each year. For its 10th edition this year, the Tech 50 chose those individuals with an eye toward making a lasting impact within their respective industries. On average during the first six months of use, Catalytic customers build more than 50 automations, saving them 34,482 work hours and $1.54 million in operating costs. This is largely due to Chous leadership and goal to be the easiest-to-use process automation platform that streamlines business operations. Under Chous direction, Catalytic has secured a total of $41.5 million in funding since its founding in 2015, including a $30 million investment last year led by Intel Capital. In 2019 alone, the company tripled its revenue and grew its monthly active user base by 252%. Prior to founding Catalytic in 2015, Chou held the role of founding Chief Technology Officer and EVP of Services at Fieldglass, where he led strategy and development of the companys award-winning cloud solution. Chou helped lead Fieldglass to a $1 billion acquisition by SAP in 2014. He launched his career at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. For more information about Catalytic, please visit: http://www.catalytic.com ### About Catalytic Catalytic, the next-gen digital process automation provider, supercharges employee productivity with smart workflows. Using Catalytic, anyone can easily build low-code automations that connect systems, data and people so companies can execute higher volumes of work with less time, cost and risk. In one collaborative platform, IT and non-technical users alike can embed AI, integrations, and data analysis tools into everyday operations. Then, recurring information gathering, document processing, decision-making and reporting become more automatic, rapidly boosting operational efficiency and transforming organizations at scale. Proven by customers like Bosch, Dentsu Aegis Network, Edwards Elmhurst Hospital, Mayo Clinic, TalentWave, and UL, Catalytic is unlocking up to 5x returns, improving customer experiences and increasing competitive edge for companies globally. To learn more, visit: https://catalytic.com/ Total real estate investment in Europe reached 43bn in Q2 2020, representing a decrease of 39% on the same period last year, according to the latest data from CBRE. This brings H1 2020 investment volumes in Europe to 129bn, a 2% increase from 127bn for the same period in 2019. Whilst Q2 inve... [] The leading Asia-Pacific biotech specialist CRO Novotech is again collaborating with the prestigious biotech and pharma news platform Endpoints News. This webinar focuses on how to advance oncology clinical trials in the Asia-Pacific which is currently attracting 10,000 oncology studies (GlobalData). The webinar will be led by Endpoints News Publisher Arsalan Arif. Participants will include leading experts from the Asia-Pacific region and a US biotech sponsor. Webinar title: Advancing Oncology Trials in Asia-Pacific Broadcast time: July 14th 2PM EST Click to register: https://www2.novotech-cro.com/l/223242/2020-06-30/mttpv There are currently about 10,000 oncology clinical trials, either ongoing or planned, in Asia-Pacific and about 50% of all industry-sponsored oncology trials in 2019 globally have an Asia-Pacific component (GlobalData). Meanwhile, the number of industry-sponsored oncology trials initiated in Asia-Pacific has grown by over 10% on average annually between 2017 and 2019 (GlobalData). Novotech has completed over 200 oncology trials. According to Novotech: "A growing number of biotechnology companies are looking at the Asia-Pacific region to run their clinical trials in oncology. While Australia and New Zealand are preferred locations to run early phase trials, sponsors often look at Asia for large late phase clinical studies. Moreover, clinical trials are often the only channel through which patients can get access to new oncology treatments in Asia which ultimately stimulates patient recruitment rates." The webinar will also cover: The latest research and trends of oncology clinical trials globally and in Asia-Pacific The reasons why oncology clinical research sites in Asia have been less affected by the COVID-19 crisis than in other regions The benefit for biotechnology companies to involve sites in Asia-Pacific for oncology trials Feedback from sponsors and investigators Novotech has teams on the ground in the key Asia-Pacific countries and has just signed its 30th Partnership agreement which is a program with leading medical institutions throughout the Asia-Pacific giving Novotech clients unique access to some of the top researchers, investigators and key opinion leaders. With app installs growing across many industries, and businesses rolling out new services to meet changing needs, feature release management maximizes opportunities and mitigates risks Customer engagement company Airship today announced that it is launching a free version of Apptimize's Feature Flags solution, enabling app developers to control the scope and timing of feature launches in order to validate success and reduce risk prior to full rollout. From new apps to those with massive audiences, developers can use Feature Flags by signing up for a free account, or take advantage of newly reduced pricing for unlimited Feature Flags from Apptimize. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005238/en/ Apptimize's dashboard offers a single, searchable view of Feature Flags that are active, drafted, scheduled and expired for easy access and management. (Graphic: Business Wire) The challenge with updating mobile apps is amplified by lengthy approval cycles required by the App Store and Google Play, which means new features either need to wait for the next update cycle or leverage suboptimal web views that lead to disjointed customer experiences. Apptimize Feature Flags allow companies like Quizlet, Stash and Western Union to maintain multiple branches of code within apps to gradually release new features to a small subset of users first quickly rolling features back if needed, or fully deploying them as they are proven successful. This level of fine-grained control is vital in the competitive app environment, and is even more so now as businesses innovate with mobile to create new growth opportunities and revenue streams. "To ensure the millions of students who use Quizlet's learning app have the optimal experience and can study effectively, we run A/B testing on all new features before they are fully released which means a smooth process is essential to our success," states Allen Pan, mobile engineer at Quizlet. "Apptimize is our go-to for A/B testing because its tools provide easy-to-use controls to test and validate different configurations, including their feature flags for rollouts, and the results are easy to read and integrate into our internal analytics platform." Whether it's new curbside pickup experiences, appointment booking processes, or implementing enhanced recommendations or social selling features, developers can use Apptimize Feature Flags to choose when and to whom new features are accessible, and easily turn them on or off. For example: VIP Customers: provide exclusive or first-access to a brand's gold loyalty members By Location: different regions may have different expectations, requiring gradual rollout to 40 percent of users in Germany but only 10 percent of users in France as an example By Demographics: from high-value customers to gender, developers can set Feature Flags to control rollout to specific groups By Behavioral Segments: use custom groups to target feature rollout to users with different affinities, interests, or behaviors According to a senior software engineer at The Western Union Company, "Before Apptimize, we couldn't control the rollout of features to specific markets, which was especially challenging as we manage multiple apps across the globe and had to wait for each of their app release cycles. Now we can ramp up, roll back or even schedule feature releases to launch across various countries and user segments, and with Apptimize's support have developed a common framework for our different apps to control feature releases and experimentation across multiple user segments." For more inspiration, download Airship's "5 Ways to Use Feature Flags to Supercharge Your Mobile Growth," or read a complimentary copy of Forrester Research, Inc.'s "The Life-Changing Magic Of Simplifying Your Mobile App," April 23, 2020. "Exceptional mobile-first experiences are more important than ever as companies strive to offer customers new levels of ease-of-use, convenience, and innovation that win their hearts and wallets," said Brett Caine, CEO and president, Airship. "However, there are far too many businesses that maintain a 'best guess' and 'fingers-crossed' mentality that risks precious development resources, creates suboptimal user experiences, and jeopardizes hard-fought, expensive user acquisition efforts. We've now made it even easier and free for businesses to adopt feature release management and start reaping the rewards that optimization unlocks." In addition to feature release management, the Enterprise version of Apptimize offers unlimited multivariate testing. Marketers can launch experiments in minutes through its Visual Editor without coding or app updates, while developers can leverage programmatic testing for more complex experimentation with one-time configuration of dynamic variables that can be changed instantly to add new variants. These testing capabilities allow for the highest ROI when launching new features. About Apptimize Apptimize, an Airship company, is the most used multivariate testing and feature release management solution for mobile apps, also covering websites and OTT. Hundreds of leading global brands have gained advantage over competitors by creating amazing mobile experiences with Apptimize. Now, together with Airship, marketers and product owners can now unify digital engagement and digital experimentation to optimize the entire customer journey end-to-end from driving more testing participation to creating consistent and optimized experiences as customers move across messaging channels and digital properties. Learn more about Apptimize by visiting its website, reading its blog or following it on Twitter or LinkedIn. About Airship Marketing and digital experience teams at thousands of the world's most admired companies rely on Airship's Customer Engagement Platform to create deeper connections with customers by delivering incredibly relevant, coordinated messages across channels. Founded in 2009 as a pioneer in push notifications, Airship now gives brands the user-level data, engagement channels, AI orchestration and services they need to deliver push notifications, emails, SMS, in-app messages, mobile wallet cards and more to exactly the right person in exactly the right moment building trust, boosting engagement, driving action and growing value. Learn more about our Customer Engagement Platform, read our blog or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005238/en/ Contacts: Danielle Stickler Mission North for Airship +1 415-749-9124 airship@missionnorth.com Corey Gault Airship +1 503-206-9164 corey@airship.com The DCCC is asking that the candidates not be allowed to appear on the November ballot, which would substantially benefit Democrats in the 5th and 7th district races. Virginias election law is clear: to appear on the ballot, you must file before the deadline, or request an extension in a timely fashion. But Bob Good and Nick Freitas did neither, said DCCC Executive Director Lucinda Guinn in a statement. While Bob Good and Nick Freitas may believe that they are above the law of the land, we believe that every Virginian should comply with the laws of the Commonwealth, and that the State Board of Elections decision was flawed. We will continue to push for that accountability in court. Goods campaign did not return a request for comment Tuesday night after normal business hours. Neither did a spokeswoman for Attorney General Mark Herring, who represents state agencies and panels in court. In a statement, Freitas campaign manager Joe Desilets said: Washington Democrats know that Nick Freitas will defeat Abigail Spanberger in November, which is why they have filed this baseless lawsuit in a transparent attempt to scare Republican Convention Delegates. WESTFIELD Jenalyse Ayala wants her peers to understand that obstacles do not define people, but serve to make them stronger. Everyone faces challenges in life, but you cannot overcome them by giving up, Ayala said. I want them to feel the way I do at the club, safe and at home, never feeling judged and always feeling comfortable being their true selves. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield has named Ayala as its Youth of the Year, and she competed for the state title. I will continue to promote a positive attitude and be a role model for our youth. I want them all to understand that your obstacles dont define you as a person, they make you the person you are today. Ashley Miehm, the clubs program and teen director, said she was fortunate enough to mentor Ayala during the Youth of the Year process and helped her gather the materials she needed to create an application pack with three essays, a resume and cover letter, and three letters of recommendation. She also guided her on how to handle the interview with the three community judges, which included Jim Irwin, Adam Wright, and Azanda Seymour. During my five years with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield, I have watched Jenalyse flourish into the incredible young adult she is today, Miehm said. With her determination, passion, and perseverance, I know she will be unstoppable in anything she decides to do. She is truly an inspiration, and I know she will be a great representative as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfields 2020 Youth of the Year. Alaya, the youngest of four children, has been a club member for 13 years. Her siblings have been club members as well and have also worked for the club throughout the years, Miehm said. Jenalyse is currently an assistant teacher in our licensed child care program, Kidz Klub. She was also our Keystone president this year, she said. Keystone is a leadership group through Boys and Girls Club of America for high school students, allows members to gain valuable leadership and service experience. Wright, one of the judges, said Ayala is the perfect example of a successful Boys and Girls Club member and embodies its goals and mission to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Jenalyse Ayalas commitment to the club and dedication to her community are exceptional, Wright said. She is an intelligent young woman who has benefited greatly from her time at the club and has given back even more. She is the epitome of a club kid and represented us proudly at the state finals. Ayala will attend Holyoke Community College in the fall with the goal of becoming a social worker. Club Chief Advancement Officer Bo Sullivan, said all the nominees, including Gracia Jorgenson, Vivian Szostek, and Alyssa Rodriguez, faced the challenge and did well, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Were thrilled with the process, he said. It was obviously a year of upheaval, and all the kids did what they needed and were dedicated. The Boys and Girls Club of America describers the national youth of the year as both an exemplary ambassador for Boys and Girls Club youth and as a strong voice for all of our nations young people. The Savannah Regional wing of the National Democratic Congress is raising red flags over what they describe," the seeming attack and suppression of the media by NPP led thugs" in the regional capital, Damongo. According to the NDC, the brutal physical assault of one Ananpansah B Abraham, who is a journalist with PAD FM and the threat issued some journalists go to underscore the fact that the freedom of the fourth arm of government is being stifled. In a press conference, Mr. Malik Basintale, the Communication Director alleged that invincible forces disguised as National Security operatives as well as self-created security personnel have been employed to intimidate NDC agents and people perceived to have a deep-seated love for H.E John Mahama and Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, including a journalist. "That same Thursday, the same Atabia, the Deputy Organizer of the NPP and his team assaulted one Abraham Ananpansah who is a journalist with PAD FM and suppressed the freedom of the media in capturing exactly what has been going on here in Damongo. These thugs, criminals, and social misfits have been moving with four new pickups suspected to be filled with weapons of mass destruction all in support of the NPP candidate, Lawyer Abu Jinapor," he noted. He wondered why the NPP Parliamentary candidate, Abu Jinapor out of desperation would be bent on wining the Damongo constituency seat at all cost. Whilst insisting that the police and other security agencies have lost their autonomy, he declared an operation "Protect Your Polling Station" and directed all NDC members in the Savannah Region to take charge of their localities and stop intruders from registering as it's against the laws of the country. Read the full statement below: PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE NDC-SAVANNAH REGION ON THE ONGOING VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, THE FAULTY NEW MACHINES BROUGHT, BUSING OF PEOPLE AND INTIMIDATION OF INDIGENES BY THE NPP THUGS BROUGHT INTO THE SAVANNAH REGION. 13TH JULY 2020. Ladies and Gentlemen from the Media, I welcome you to this all-important press conference to share with you the NDCs observations from the ongoing voter registration exercise at the various polling stations. The National Democratic Congress in the Savannah region has been monitoring the ongoing voter registration exercise that commenced on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, and we wish to bring our observations to the attention of the Electoral Commission, the general public and other stakeholders as we have already tolerated enough from the actions and inactions of both the electoral commission and the government. These challenges if not addressed portends far-reaching implications for our electoral process and our democracy. We will be very brief as a larger chunk of our protests will be demonstrated in physical for all to see and bear witness to that the NDC is not and has never been a timid party. Friends from the media before I zoom into the various constituencies in the Savannah region I am sure we already know in general the poor compliance to Covid-19 protocols at registration centers, Poor public education on registration exercise especially in the thick villages, poor public education on registration schedules among others are very common fallouts in this whole new register brouhaha amidst the huge sums of money taken by the Akufo-Addo led government for this exercise. We will not bore you so much in repeating to you what you already know and are unanimously peeved with. Let's start with: Lack of Logistics and Poor human resource by the electoral commission. All Electoral commission officials across the centers in the Bole-Bamboi Constituency claimed they had no paper to do end of day print out for agents. They left data in the system and agents had to rely on what they had recorded personally at the centers. Some polling stations did not make provision for a generator and as such found it difficult to power their systems since their batteries couldn't last any longer and an example is the Gbenfu polling station in Bole and other polling stations that had power did not have a common extension cord to get electricity from a short distance. Data entry clerk at Bnyukon polling station was extremely slow making the whole process very slow due to lack of training in the whole process. Tinga A and B which are part of the second phase was understaffed, officers couldn't register the number of people who turned out to register. On Sun. 12th July 2020 in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba constituency, The EC halted the entire exercise for about three (3) hours at Goyiri no.2 community centre due to a faulty machine. Due to that, a total number of just 32 were registered at the end of the day. At the Tampoe Community Centre, the cartridge could not print, so the exercise was halted until the officials went back to Sawla. At Nakwabi R/C Prim school, the machine automatically switches on and off thereby delaying the Registration process. At Sawla St. Cyprian's seminary SHS, most of the applicants went back home due to the faulty nature of their machine. The new machines used by Phase three within Sawla constituency can be said to be entirely faulty. The process has become extremely slow creating unnecessary tensions at registration centers. At the Daboya Mankarigu Constituency, Some of the first 7 machines that were deployed in the first batch to the constituency experienced problems with batteries since there were no extra batteries for them to use. The Constituency leadership of NDC had to provide an extension cord for the officials of the EC to continue. This happened in the NDC strongholds such as LA Primary school and Daboya Town Park. There has been a deliberate late arrival of Electoral commission officials to centers and an example was 3 days ago at Nyantan in the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, as at 11:am the EC officials were yet to arrive at the center. In the Salaga North constituency for example. Registration officials live in Tamale and have to travel every day for about 2 hours before getting to some polling stations making them extremely late to the various centers and as such reduces the number of persons who register in a day. More than 90% of persons recruited by the electoral commission in the Savannah region are NPP persons and have no skills in basic registration procedures. They keep goofing and are very slow in typing affecting once again the number of persons who register in a day. EC staff at E/A Primary Mandari have to stop work every hour to wait for their machines to cool down before they start work. They complained that their machines had made the registration very slow. As at 4:18pm, they had only 56 people registered meaning they couldn't meet the daily target of 100 or more people. At Nyantan in the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, EC officials didn't report to work yesterday at all and for whatever reasons we don't know. On the matter of Rejecting Fulani's There was an ugly scene at Butei in the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency where members of the New Patriotic Party were preventing residents of the Fulani extraction from registering in the ongoing voter registration exercise. We are very much surprised that members of the NPP will partake in such illegal tribalistic discrimination when they have a whole second lady, Samira Bawumia, the wife of the vice president being a Fulani and votes here in Ghana. These Fulanis had their parents born here in Ghana before 1957, were born here themselves, some married to Ghanaians, and as such have every legal right to be registered to vote as they are Ghanaians so far as the laws of the land are concerned. We in the NDC will continue to protect them, we will protect the law that gives them legitimacy as we condemn such acts in totality. On matters of the phase 3 registration There has been a deliberate dispatch of new registration machines into the Savannah region that are 10 times slower than what was used in the past. Whereas at the beginning of the entire registration process we were able to get above 120 persons in a day registering, you can hardly get more than 60 people registering in a day all because of the slow pace of the machines brought into the Savannah region. In other areas, the machines keep overheating and have to be turned off in order for them to cool down so they continue the process. A Polling station like Gou in the Daboya-Mankarigu constituency suffered a lot of setbacks whiles registering yesterday. In the end, less than 40 people got registered instead of the usual 100 and above registrations daily. At the close of the day in Yapei Madinaline registration Center in the Yapei-Kusawgu constituency, We recorded 87 people. Yapei Presby A1 recorded 100 and Alipe recorded 83. The technicians who have been using the machines are still the same workers, yet whiles they use to register about 160 and beyond, due to the new machines brought, the numbers keep reducing every day due to the extra slow speed of the machine. We can go on and on in mentioning constituencies with the same challenges and all these appear to be our strongholds. We suspect deliberate sabotage of Former President Mahama's backyard, an attempt to disenfranchise our people and as such took away our fairly normal machines for Very very slow ones. The issue of busing and Security intimidation In Daboya and at the polling station (L/A primary School Daboya) on day 3 of the second phase, one of our agents by name Ewuntomah Luman was beaten mercilessly when he challenged some persons bused by the NPP and brought to register. He was attacked by one of the NPP thugs in Daboya popularly known as "Red Bawa, dirty boys". These thugs go about the constituency with pepper spray, electric police shockers and other arms of human destruction just to deter NDC supporters from registering to vote for H.E John Mahama and Mp Hon. Shaibu Obei. Let us zoom into the Damongo constituency. There has been rampant busing of people from all around the regions into the Damongo constituency. Recently a full bus of people from the Kintampo North constituency was stopped on the way by indigenes of the region and upon questioning it was revealed that they were being brought by the NPP to register in the Damongo constituency, Vote for Akufo-Addo and the parliamentary candidate Samuel Abu Jinapor. The bus was taken to the police station and asked to return to wherever it came from. Ladies and gentlemen the bus drove straight to a Polling station, dropped the people and they were registered in the full presence of the same security personnel and electoral commission which was challenged with its forms. Upon confrontations, a scuffle broke out and some got injured in the process. The busing of strangers into the constituency has become a daily norm yet the security services are unable to intervene as a result of so-called "Power from above". On the 30th of June, 2020, at Kurabaso polling station, Our constituency Communication officer and members, Kiyoyo, Zambache, and Kalacuta were attacked by one Nsorwura who is the leader of the NPP invisible forces here in Damongo. On 1st, July one Atabia who is the secretary of the invisible forces assaulted one Waliu, a brother to the MP for Damongo, Hon Mutawakilu Galus. That same Thursday, the same Atabia and his team assaulted one Abraham who is a journalist of PAD FM and suppressed the freedom of the media in capturing exactly what has been going on here in Damongo. Some invincible forces brought from Accra and acting as national security persons have been intimidating our agents especially at the Busunu zone including an ambush of our constituency chairman, trouble at Tailope, a sabbath of Damongo. These thugs, criminals, and social misfits have been Moving with four new pickups suspected to be filled with weapons of destruction all in support of the NPP candidate, Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor. Just last week, additional Four warriors and known gang leaders were brought from tamale, paid, and asked to attack anybody they see against the NPP in Damongo. It has been revealed that all these thugs meet at a special location which is under investigation at Abingakura to share monies given to them and then plan towards the next day's attacks on NDC persons and media persons suspected to be against them. Why has Damongo suddenly become a place of fear? Why will the people of the Damongo constituency suddenly have to sleep with one eye open? Why will Registration zones become so fearful that indigenes cannot go out to register? Why has the ambition of Akufo-Addo and Samuel Abu Jinapor become a do and die affair to the extent of using self-created security to intimidate people who have a deep love for H.E John Mahama and Hon. Mutawakilu? What happened to the peaceful political atmosphere of Damongo in the past? Why will Akufo-Addo allow for such tensions to be created in Damongo to the extent that, our overlord the Yagbonwura will have to get involved in resolving matters of political parties? Ladies and gentlemen, though we sympathize with the police and legitimate security services on their power taken from them, we encourage them to take their autonomy into high esteem and not to allow themselves to be used by the already losing Akufo-Addo led government. This government has already exhibited gross failure and super incompetence and nothing at all can save them from the anger, hunger, and frustrations of the Ghanaian people deliberately caused by President Akufo-Addo. We wish to state that, we are no longer going to allow for such intimidating acts in the Damongo constituency and beyond. We are hence going to exhibit the full realms of the boot for boot analogy as declared by our party the NDC. We will face the NPP all round and nothing, absolutely nothing can stop us from safeguarding the interest and will of the good people of the Savannah region. We are sending a strong caution to the NPP to be mindful of their actions and not to take our tolerance for granted. The NDC is not a timid party and will not allow our long-standing peace and stability in the Savannah region to be downplayed. We will protect the land and citizenry with all our might and strength. We hereby declare an Operation "Protect Your Polling Station" and direct that all NDC members in the Savannah region take charge of their localities and stop all intruders from registering as it is an exercise against the law. We are sending a strong caution to persons who will allow themselves to be bused or sent here to register for the purposes of voting for Akufo-Addo and their parliamentary candidates to save their lives by rejecting such offers as it is a dangerous trap deliberately set for them to fall in and they will meet us halfway their journey into the region. We will face them, We will face them and within the remits of the law we will ensure they are sent back probably not the same to wherever they came from. Ladies and gentlemen this is an agenda for the good of Damongo, an agenda for the Savannah region and an agenda for God and country. The people of the Damongo constituency must be allowed to register and decide whoever they want to lead them. The Action starts Now!!! Aluta Continua We thank you all for coming. Signed: Malik Basintale Region Communication Officer NDC-Savannah Region 0540444414 Source: Ananpansah B Abraham The OBR said the 9bn furlough scheme 'is likely to be claimed for employees who would have been retained anyway' The budget watchdog has warned that the Government's 9billion bonus scheme for employers that bring staff back from furlough is 'largely deadweight'. As FTSE 100 firm Bunzl became the latest company to turn down the 1,000 per worker bonus, the Office for Budget Responsibility said the scheme 'is likely to be claimed for employees who would have been retained anyway'. The OBR said it was likely to cost less than 9.4billion amid warnings that 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the 9.4m workers on furlough would not keep their jobs. It put the cost of the scheme at 6.1billion. Bunzl, the 7billion disposable cutlery and plastic bag specialist, has followed firms such as Primark, John Lewis and William Hill in not taking cash. Builders Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and Redrow will not claim payouts, after politicians called for cash to be handed back if possible. Tata Steel, part of an empire controlled by one of India's richest families, intends to apply. Food outlet Pret a Manger, said it was 'reviewing the generous funding' while Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, travel firm Tui, Betfred and WH Smith said they had not yet made a decision whether to accept the money. NEW YORK What is this enemy? Seven months after the first patients were hospitalized in China battling an infection doctors had never seen before, the worlds scientists and citizens have reached an unsettling crossroads. Countless hours of treatment and research, trial and error now make it possible to take much closer measure of the new coronavirus and the lethal disease it has unleashed. But to take advantage of that intelligence, we must confront our persistent vulnerability: The virus leaves no choice. Its like were in a battle with something that we cant see, that we dont know, and we dont know where its coming from, said Vivian Castro, a nurse supervisor at St. Josephs Medical Center in Yonkers, just north of New York City, which struggled with its caseload this spring. Castro had treated scores of infected patients before she, too, was hospitalized for the virus in April, then spent two weeks in home quarantine. As soon as she returned to the emergency room for her first shift, she rushed to comfort yet another casualty a man swallowing the few words he could muster between gasps for air. It just came back, that fear, she said. I just wanted to tell him not to give up. The coronavirus is invisible, but seemingly everywhere. It requires close contact to spread, but it has reached around the globe faster than any pandemic in history. COVID-19 was not even on the worlds radar in November. But it has caused economic upheaval echoing the Great Depression, while claiming more than 580,000 lives. In the U.S. alone, the virus has already killed more Americans than died fighting in World War I. Even those figures dont capture the pandemics full sweep. Nine of every 10 students worldwide shut out of their schools at one point. More than 7 million flights grounded. Countless moments of celebration and sorrow weddings and graduations, baby showers and funerals put off, reconfigured or abandoned because of worries about safety. In short, the coronavirus has rescripted nearly every moment of daily life. And fighting it whether by searching for a vaccine or seeking to protect family takes knowing the enemy. Its the essential first step in what could be an extended quest for some version of normalcy. Theres light at the end of tunnel, but its a very, very long tunnel, said Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. Theres a lot we dont know. But I think its absolutely certain were going to be adapting to a new way of life. Thats the reality. ___ The new coronavirus is roughly 1,000 times narrower than a human hair. But scrutinized through an electron scope, it is clear this enemy is well-armed. Coronaviruses, including the newest one, are named for the spikes that cover their outer surface like a crown, or corona in Latin. Using those club-shaped spikes, the virus latches on to the outer wall of a human cell, invades it and replicates, creating viruses to hijack more cells. Find a way to block or bind the spikes and you can stop the virus. Once inside a human cell, the virus RNA, or genetic code, commandeers its machinery, providing instructions to make thousands of virus copies. But the coronavirus has a weakness: an outer membrane that can be destroyed by ordinary soap. That neutralizes the virus, which is why health experts emphasize the need to wash hands. Like organisms, viruses evolve, searching for traits that will ensure survival, said Charles Marshall, a professor of paleontology at the University of California and self-described deep time evolutionary biologist. Coronaviruses fit into the standard evolutionary paradigm extremely well, which is if youve had some innovation, you get into some new environment you get into a human and you do well, youre going to proliferate, Marshall said. There are hundreds of coronaviruses, but just seven known to infect people. Four are responsible for some common colds. But in 2002, a virus called SARS, for severe acute respiratory syndrome, spread from China to sicken about 8,000 people worldwide, killing more than 700. Another coronavirus called Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, or MERS identified in 2012 spread to humans through camels. The new coronavirus, though, has captivated scientists attention unlike any in decades. When researcher Thomas Friedrich logged on to his computer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a meeting in January, he found colleagues had been frantically posting messages to one another about the new virus. People were getting increasingly excited and beginning to brainstorm ideas, said Friedrich, who has spent years studying other infectious diseases. Now much of Friedrichs lab is focused on the coronavirus, studying its spread in Wisconsin, and collaborating with scientists around the world examining the diseases behavior in monkeys. Even early on it was clear this virus posed a major threat, he said. Human immune systems had never encountered it. And unlike Zika, whose spread can be controlled by targeting mosquitoes, or AIDS, which most often requires sexual contact, the new virus is readily transmitted through droplets in the air. It had all the hallmarks, to me, of a potential pandemic, Friedrich said. Basically, everyone in the world is susceptible. ___ The new virus has breached borders and claimed victims with stealth and speed that make it difficult to track. Scientists are fairly certain the disease originated in bats, which harbor many coronaviruses. To get to humans, it may have been passed through another animal, possibly consumed for meat. By late January, when Chinese authorities walled off the city of Wuhan, where the disease was first diagnosed, it was too late to stop the spread. The most severe pandemic in recent history, the Spanish flu of 1918, was spread by infected soldiers dispatched to fight World War I. But aboard ships, it took weeks for the troops and the disease to cross oceans. Now, with more than 100,000 commercial flights a day ferrying tourists, business travelers and students around the globe, the new virus spread rapidly and virtually invisibly, said medical historian Mark Honigsbaum, author of The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of Panic, Hysteria and Hubris. By the time we woke up to the outbreak in Italy, it had been there for weeks if not months, he said. Soon after the first case in Wuhan, Chinese tourists with the virus traveled to France. But doctors there reported recently that a fishmonger contracted the disease even earlier than that, from an unknown source. On January 21, the first confirmed U.S. case was reported in Washington state, in a man who had traveled to Asia. Its one person coming in from China and we have it under control. Its going to be just fine, President Donald Trump said at the time. Ten days later, he blocked entry to most travelers from China. But genetic analysis of samples taken from New York patients showed most of the virus present arrived from Europe instead, and took root in February well before anyone thought about quarantining after a trip to Madrid, London or Paris. ___ Since February, when Dr. Daniel Griffin began treating patients suspected of having COVID-19, hes cared for more than 1,000 people with the disease, first noted for attacking the lungs. But the infection certainly does not stop there. I am actually shocked, said Griffin, a specialist in infectious diseases at New Yorks Columbia University Medical Center. This virus seems to leave nothing untouched. Scientists are getting a handle on the many ways the disease affects the body, but its a scramble. The lungs are, indeed, ground zero. Many patients find themselves gasping for breath, unable to say more than a word or two. Even after five days in the hospital, Vivian Castro, the nurse who became infected, said she returned home struggling for air. I climbed two flights of stairs to my room and I felt like I was going to die, she said. The reason why becomes clear in autopsies of those who have died, some with lungs that weigh far more than usual. Under a microscope, evidence of the virus destruction is even more striking. When Dr. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay examined autopsy samples from a 77-year-old Oklahoma man, he noted changes to the microscopic sacs in the patients lungs. In a healthy lung, oxygen passes through the thin walls of those sacs into the bloodstream. But in the Oklahoma patient, the virus had turned the sac walls so thick with debris that oxygen was blocked. The thickened walls were everywhere, preventing the lungs from sustaining the rest of the body, said Mukhopadhyay, of Ohios Cleveland Clinic. Autopsies reveal what the virus is actually doing inside patients bodies, said Dr. Desiree Marshall, a pathologist at the University of Washington who recently examined the heart of a Seattle man who died from disease. Each autopsy has the chance to tell us something new, she said. And those insights from the bodies of the dead could lead to more effective treatment of the living. The coronavirus, though, keeps raising fresh questions. It left the hearts of two men in their 40s, recently treated by Griffin, flaccid and unable to pump enough blood. Some younger people have arrived in emergency rooms suffering strokes caused by blood clotting, another calling card. Kidneys and livers fail in some patients and blood clots put limbs at risk of amputation. Some patients hallucinate or have trouble maintaining balance. Some get a treatable paralysis in arms or legs. Many have diarrhea, but often dont mention it until Griffin asks. Their explanation? Thats the least of my problems when I cant breathe. Initially, doctors often put patients on ventilators if their blood oxygen levels dropped. But death rates were so high they now try other strategies first, like turning patients on their stomachs, which can help them breathe. The truth is that hospital workers are learning as they go, sometimes painfully. Every patient that I see, I think that couldve been me, said Dr. Stuart Moser, a cardiologist hospitalized in New York in March after he was infected. He recalls fearing that he might be put on a ventilator and wondering if hed ever see his family again. Now, back at work, he said much of what he and his colleagues have learned about the virus myriad effects enables them only to treat patients symptoms. Its difficult because they have so many problems and there are so many patients, Moser said, and you just want to do the right thing give people the best chance to get better. ____ In recent weeks, researchers have recruited 3,000 patients from around the world in a bid to solve a puzzling anomaly. Why does the coronavirus ravage some previously healthy patients, while leaving others relatively unscathed? The project, called the COVID Human Genetic Effort, focuses on each persons unique genetic makeup to seek explanations for why some got sick while others stay healthy. Its one of several projects looking for genetic causes of susceptibility, including recent work by other labs suggesting a link between blood type and risk of serious illness. Step one is understanding and step two is fixing. There is no other way, said one of the projects leaders, Jean-Laurent Casanova, of The Rockefeller University in New York. He is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also helps fund The Associated Press Health and Science Department. His project focuses on people 50 or younger who had no health problems before the coronavirus put them in intensive care. But the question of why the disease affects people so differently has broader implications. Its not clear, for example, why the disease has had such a limited impact on children, compared to other age groups. People older than 65 are well over 100 times more likely to be hospitalized for the virus than people under 18. But so far, theres no explanation why. Do children resist infection for some reason? Or is it that, even when infected, they are less likely to develop symptoms? If so, what does that mean about their chances for passing the infection along to others, like their grandparents? These arent just academic questions. Answers will help in assessing the risks of reopening schools. And they could eventually lead to ways to help make older people resistant to the disease. In largely sparing children, the pandemic virus echoes the bugs that caused SARS and MERS, said Dr. Sonja Rasmussen, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Florida. Scientists wonder if children might have some key difference in their cells, such as fewer of the specialized proteins that the coronavirus latch onto. Or maybe their immune systems react differently than in adults. While the virus has mostly bypassed children, researchers have recently been troubled by a serious, albeit uncommon, condition in some young patients, that can cause inflammation in hearts, kidneys, lungs and other organs. Most patients recovered, but the potential for long-term damage remains uncertain. This is what happens with a new virus, Rasmussen said. Theres a lot we dont know about it. Were on that steep learning curve. ___ With states and countries reopening in the face of an ongoing pandemic, its even more crucial to find solutions. At least the last few months have spotlighted the most critical questions. Can people who have been infected with the disease get it again? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. governments top infectious disease expert, has said that having the disease once should confer some degree of immunity. But its not clear how much or for how long, or what levels or types of antibodies people must have to protect them against future illness. If some people harbor the virus without symptoms, how can we block transmission? The reality is that many infected people will never feel symptoms or get sick. That means temperature checks and other strategies based on symptoms wont be enough to stop it. Instead, many experts believe, widespread testing is needed to find silent carriers, isolate them until they are no longer contagious, and track down those they may have infected. Masks and distancing can help prevent infection and slow the spread of the virus. Will researchers find medicines that can be used to treat the disease? Hundreds of studies are under way, testing existing medicines and experimental ones. So far, only one a common steroid called dexamethasone has been shown to increase survival. An antiviral medicine, remdesivir, has been shown to shorten recovery time. Two others the malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have not proven safe or effective for treating COVID-19 in large-scale trials, but some studies are still testing them to see if they might help prevent infection or illness. How long will it take to find a vaccine? Scientists in more than 150 labs around the world are pursuing a vaccine and nearly two dozen candidates are in various stages of testing. But theres no guarantee any will pan out. Finding out if any offer true protection will require testing thousands of people in places where the virus is spreading widely. Some huge studies are expected to begin this month. Its almost the Manhattan Project of today, where an enormous amount of resources are being devoted to this, said Rene Najera, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University and the editor of a vaccine history website run by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. In the U.S., the goal is to have 300 million doses of potential vaccines by January. But any that fail tests will have to be thrown out. The World Health Organization has called for equitable sharing of any eventual vaccine between rich and poor countries, but how that will happen is far from clear. Its also uncertain how useful any vaccine will be if a sizable number of people, their skepticism fed by misinformation, refuse to be inoculated. Even an effective vaccine will not address the likelihood that, given the large number of coronaviruses and increasing contact between people and the animals harboring them, the world is very likely to face other pandemics, said Honigsbaum, the medical historian. That means uncertainty will linger as a hallmark of the new normal. The knowledge gained about the coronavirus could prove invaluable in defusing that doubt and, eventually, in defeating the enemy. The real uncertainty, Redlener said, is whether people will use the lessons learned to protect themselves from the virus or downplay the threat at their peril. ___ Associated Press reporters Carla K. Johnson, Marilynn Marchione, Sam McNeil and Lauran Neergaard contributed to this story. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. HOUSTON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to make fertility treatments more accessible to patients seeking to build their families, Inception Fertility announces today the launch of a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, Bundl Fertility, LLC (Bundl), a multi-cycle fertility service bundling program that packages fertility treatments at a discounted cost and offers eligible patients a financial guarantee. Bundl is available to all fertility practices across the country who want to help their patients better navigate the financial aspect of fertility care, increasing their likelihood of success and giving patients more financial freedom to concentrate on building their families. Bundl gives intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients the option to purchase a bundle of treatment packages that best suit their fertility needs. Bundl programs include Bundl Guard and Success Guard. 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That is why we Bundl multiple fertility treatments together to increase your chances of success while providing a peace of mind of lower cost treatment. For fertility practitioners, Bundl is another opportunity to provide patients with a unique plan tailored to their specific needs, resulting in higher patient retention and success rates. About Inception Fertility Inception Fertility was founded in 2015 with an ambitious goal to create a family of organizations intent on improving the way patients experience their fertility journey. Its mission is to shift the paradigm of the fertility market by raising the standard of care, streamlining fragmented components into an integrated system and enhancing the overall patient experience. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science, and medicine. This drives patient convenience, streamlined communications and clinical continuity, all of which work together to reduce stress, enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes. Inception is the parent company to The Prelude Network, the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in the U.S., and MyEggBank, one of the largest frozen donor egg banks in North America. Through its growing family of national organizations, Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible for exceeding the expectations of patients seeking fertility treatment. 12018 Preliminary National Data. (n.d.). Retrieved 2020 https://www.sartcorsonline.com/rptCSR_PublicMultYear.aspx?reportingYear=2018 Contact: Amanda Schlussel, 973-493-7839, [email protected] SOURCE Inception LLC Related Links http://www.preludefertility.com BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Travel agencies in China have been given permission to resume group tours that cross provincial borders, following a period of suspension due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a circular on Tuesday. However, group tours are still prohibited in those areas with middle and high COVID-19 risk levels, said the circular. Overseas group tours are still banned. The limit on the number of visitors allowed in tourist attractions will be set at 50 percent of the maximum capacity, according to the circular, an increase on the previous limit of 30 percent. The circular also required travel agencies to provide sufficient protective materials, including masks, body-temperature testing equipment, and disposable gloves, for drivers, tour guides and tourists. Tourists should show their health QR codes to travel agencies when signing up for group tours, and have the codes checked again before starting their travels, according to the circular, stressing that tourists with abnormal temperatures are not allowed to join tours. Tourist attractions should improve cleaning and disinfection measures, and prevent visitors gathering in groups, said the circular. Oslo: Police in Sarpsborg in southern Norway have arrested a man after three women were stabbed in several locations in the town late on Tuesday, with one of the victims dying from critical injuries. Armed police were deployed to the town about 70 kilometres south of the capital Oslo and people were asked to stay indoors when the first reports about the attacks came in. Police in Norway said a motive for the attack was not yet clear. Credit:AP The police said it had no indication that there were more people involved in the attacks and that the reason for the attacks was not immediately clear. Reuters View of Delft by Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). Credit: Mauritshuis, The Hague Johannes Vermeer is one of the most celebrated artists of the 17th century's Dutch Golden Age period. Widely known today for his "Girl with a Pearl Earring," he was famed for his mastery in rendering the effects of light and shadow. Nowhere is this technical precision more evident than in his masterpiece, "View of Delft", a vibrant cityscape that has captivated viewers for centuries. Because few details of Vermeer's life survive to the present day, little is known about when "View of Delft" was painted. Art historians have long assumed Vermeer painted it sometime during late spring or early summer of 1660. Based on the lighting, scholars have offered a wide variety of times of day: morning, mid-day, afternoon and sunset have all been mentioned. Now, a team of researchers led by Texas State University astronomer, physics professor emeritus and Texas State University System Regents' Professor Donald Olson has applied his distinctive brand of celestial sleuthing to Vermeer's masterpiece, using the artist's signature gift for depicting light and shadow to resolve the long-standing uncertainty over when it was painted. Olson, along with Russell Doescher, retired professor in the Department of Physics at Texas State, Charles Condos and Michael Sanchez, students at Texas State and Tim Jenison of San Antonio, publish the findings in the September 2020 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, on newsstands now. Based upon the team's research, Vermeer painted "View of Delft" from the second floor of an inn overlooking the city and was inspired by the scene that he observed on or near September 3, 1659 (or an earlier year) at 8 a.m. local mean time. A journey to Delft Most printed sources claimed the light in the image was coming from the west in Vermeer's painting, while others were certain that the sun was high overhead. Olson and his students consulted maps of Delft and realized the view is looking north. That meant the light would be coming from the southeast, making the painting a morning scene, as some previous authors have asserted. "The students and I worked for about a year on this project," Olson said. "We spent a lot of time studying the topography of the town, using maps from the 17th and 19th centuries and Google Earth. We planned out exactly what we should do. On this research trip, it was the students who told us where to go to find Vermeer's viewpoint and when to be there." Condos and Sanchez mapped out the landmarks in the painting, using Google Earth to determine the distances and angles of view that would most closely represent Vermeer's view from centuries earlier. "Google Earth is spectacularly accurate when it comes to distances and angles, so we used it as our measuring stick," Sanchez said. "Google Earth is basically another tool in our arsenal of techniques. "I'd known about Dr. Olson's work for quite some time, and it's always fascinated me," he said. "Combining my appreciation for art and love of astronomy appealed to me. When he approached me about this project, I was excited." Upon arriving in Delft, Olson and Doescher set about taking extensive photographs and measurements to confirm and supplement the students' advance work. The on-site topographical survey, combined with data from Jenison's previous trips to Delft, established that the painting's field of view is 42 wide, which would prove invaluable. An exaggerated octagon? In modern times, as in the 17th century, the octagonal tower of Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is one of the landmark features of Delft. The existing literature asserts that Vermeer significantly enlarged the tower in his painting, as much as doubling its width. Olson and his team conducted their own examination of this claim. They took detailed measurements of the framed canvas at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague. Comparing those measurements to high resolution photographs from a similar vantage point and field of view showed Vermeer depicted Nieuwe Kerk almost exactly as he would have seen it. Olson also took measurements of the octagonal tower itself, which further confirmed Vermeer's accuracy. Establishing the accuracy of the tower's depiction was key to unlocking the date. The octagonal tower has a stone column projecting from each of the eight corners. In the painting, the column in the center almost, but not quite, shades the column to the left. A thin vertical sliver of light just grazes past the center column and lights up the left column, enabling the astronomers to calculate the angle of the sun with great precision. As Vermeer is renowned for his technical skill in depicting light and shadow, it was only fitting that light and shadow proved the crucial clue in this investigation. "That's our key. That's the sensitive indicator of where the sun has to be to do that, to just skim the one projection and illuminate the other," Olson said. "The pattern of light and shadows was a sensitive indicator of the position of the sun." Phantom hands and absent bells Once the angle of the sun was established, other details fell into place. A clock on the facade of a building in the painting had been interpreted for years as reading "just past 7 o'clock," before Sanchez noticed a curious coincidence. In all the other paintings and drawings featuring clocks the team had reviewed from that era, it appeared that the hands were lined up straight. After further investigation and consultation with architectural experts, the team realized that tower clocks did not have minute hands until late in the 19th centuryinstead, the earlier clocks had a single, long hour hand, with the front side pointing to the hour and the back side acting as a counterweight. Armed with that new knowledge, the team reexamined the clock in Vermeer's painting and realized the single, oversized hour hand suggested a time near 8 a.m. Vermeer also painted the Nieuwe Kerk with clear, unobstructed openings in the belfry. Those belfry openings are currently filled with the bells of a carillon. Historical records indicate installation of the original carillon began in April 1660 and was completed by September of that same year. To match the bell-less belfry in his painting, Vermeer would have painted "View of Delft" at some point prior to the carillon's installation in 1660. Using the data collected from their research, the Texas State team used astronomical software to calculate when the sun's position in the sky at 8 a.m. local mean time in Delft to produce the observed shadows on the Nieuwe Kerk tower. The software returned only two possible date ranges: April 6-8 and September 3-4. In Delft's northern climate, trees do not break winter dormancy until late April or May, and Vermeer's painting depicts abundant leaves on the trees. As the carillon had been installed in the Nieuwe Kerk tower during 1660, that leaves a date near September 3, 1659 (or an earlier year), as the most likely date for the origin of Vermeer's masterwork. "Vermeer is known to have worked slowly. Completing all the details on the large canvas of his masterpiece may have taken weeks, months or even years," Olson said. "His remarkably accurate depiction of the distinctive and fleeting pattern of light and shadows on the Nieuwe Kerk suggests that at least this detail was inspired by direct observation of the sunlit tower rising above the wall and roofs of Delft." DETROITManuel Matty Moroun, a billionaire businessman who owned a critical bridge that connects Ontario to Michigan, has died in his suburban Detroit home. He was 93. Moroun died of congestive heart failure Sunday in Grosse Pointe Shores. Employees of the various Moroun companies were told Monday of his death in a message from Morouns son, Matthew. My dad loved his family and that extended to his work family, Matthew Moroun wrote. He poured his heart into his work and for over seven decades spent his time leading and protecting us. As a great mentor to many, my father was so proud of the companies that he leaves behind and all the innovation that is yet to come. His fights with the Canadian government, largely over the building of a publicly owned commuter bridge across the Detroit River, were legendary and ferocious. Moroun bought the Ambassador Bridge a main trade corridor in 1979, according to the Detroit Historical Society. The span connects Detroit to Windsor, Ont. He acquired the bridge while he was the owner of a fledgling Detroit trucking firm, taking control of the valuable piece of infrastructure before Ottawa realized its worth. The link between Windsor and Detroit now accounts for a quarter of all trade between Canada and the U.S. As of 2010, the bridge was earning the Moroun family $60 million (U.S.) a year in toll revenue. In a rare interview in 2010, Moroun told the Star he was open to co-operating with Ottawa. All the talk so far has been at a lower level, and it starts with the Canadians saying, No matter what, were going to build a new bridge and kill you. Now what did you want to talk about? Its a pretty tough way to start off. It puts us in a position of saying, No matter what, were going to stop you, he said. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open in 2024. The family also owns and operates Central Transport International, a trucking and logistics company, and Crown Enterprises. Forbes estimates Morouns net worth at $1.6 billion. The Moroun family once owned the massive and vacant Michigan Central train station, which came to symbolize Detroits blight as it stood blank, dark and deteriorating just outside the citys downtown for decades. The family sold the building in 2018 to Ford Motor Co. For me to own land in Detroit, it was a badge of honour, and it was support for the city, Moroun told the Detroit Free Press in 2010. Our fortunes are linked to the city. If the city doesnt have any prosperity, we dont have any value in the land, right? Moroun attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and majored in chemistry and biology at the University of Notre Dame, according to The Detroit News. Born of immigrant parents in Detroit, he rose from a young man working at a neighbourhood gas station to graduating from the University of Notre Dame and creating a billion-dollar company, said Sandy Baruah, chief executive of the Detroit Regional Chamber. With files from Jacob Lorinc Democratic Houston state Rep. Anna Eastman lost to attorney Penny Morales Shaw by about 2 percentage points in the primary runoff, according to unofficial results. Morales Shaw amassed 4,335 votes, or 51 percent of the vote, just barely ahead of Eastman who racked up 4,135, or 49 percent. As many as 122 alleged criminals were killed in over 6,000 encounters in Uttar Pradesh in the past three years, while 13 policemen also lost their lives during this period, a senior police official said. He also said over 2,000 criminals were injured in police action, while over 13,000 of them have been arrested. "Thirteen policemen have been killed in action in as many as 6,126 encounters (in UP), while as many as 122 criminals have been gunned down," Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said while sharing details of police encounters from March 20, 2017, to July 10, 2020. As many as 13,361 criminals have been arrested, while 2,296 criminals were injured in police encounters, he said, adding 909 policemen were also injured in these incidents. Referring to the Kanpur ambush in which eight policemen were killed, Kumar said, "Of the 21 named accused in the incident, six have been killed and four arrested so far. A hunt is on to nab the 11 other accused." Eight police personnel, including a DSP, were gunned down by the henchmen of gangster Vikas Dubey in Bikru village of Kanpur on July 3. Seven others, including a civilian, were injured in the attack after the police team entered the village past July 2 midnight to arrest the gangster. Dubey was later killed in an encounter on July 10 after police claimed that he tried to escape from the spot in the Bhauti area where the vehicle carrying him from Ujjain to Kanpur met with an accident. Kumar said overall there has been a decline in the crime rate in the state this year compared to the last year. "A total of 579 instances of loot took place in the state from January 1, 2020, to June 15, 2020. This is 44.17 per cent less compared to the crimes committed in the same period in 2019, the ADG (Law and Order) said. He said 33 incidents of dacoity have been reported in the state this year so far. It is 37.74 per cent less compared to the crimes committed in the same period in 2019. Similarly, 2,604 instances of burglary have taken this year so far and is 30.97 per cent less compared to the crimes committed in the same period last year, Kumar added. He said 1,019 dowry-related deaths have taken place this year, registering a 6.34 per cent decline compared to the previous year. As many as 913 incidents of rape have been reported this year so far, a decline of 25.41 per cent compared to the last year, Kumar said. A dog walker who stabbed her rapist with his own knife sometimes wonders why she survived when so many other women didn't. She turned Tyler Skerry's weapon against him, stabbing him in the buttocks, during the night-time attack at a Melbourne park in October. The woman, who cannot be identified, says society needs to change to ensure other women don't get hurt like she did. Tyler Skerry admitted to digitally raping a dog walker, 32, while threatening her with a knife before she grabbed the weapon and stabbed him in the buttocks. Pictured: A court sketch of Skerry 'I don't know why he thought it was okay to rape a woman,' she told Victorian County Court Judge Rosemary Carlin on Wednesday. 'I feel guilty that I survived when other women in my situation didn't.' She considers herself 'capable, independent and brave' but now has to live with the 'dark cloud' of the assault hanging over her head. Skerry, 23, pretended to have lost his phone and asked the then-32-year-old woman for help finding it. Instead, he digitally raped her while armed with a four-inch paring knife at Thornbury's Mayer Park. He told her to 'be quiet' and was in the process of pulling down his pants when the woman grabbed the knife, stabbed him, fled with her friend's dog and flagged down a passing car. Tyler Skerry lured the 32-year-old woman near Mayer Park (pictured) in Thornbury in Melbourne before he attacked her Skerry, who has an IQ of 74, was on a good behaviour bond and homeless at the time. He spent his days doing ice, drinking and wandering aimlessly through the suburbs. He had a hazy memory of the attack but didn't dispute it and pleaded guilty to rape and the theft of his victim's phone, which he sold the next day. 'If that's how the poor lady explains the whole story, I did it, yeah,' Skerry told police after his family helped to turn him into authorities. 'I know I did wrong.' The rape was described as opportunistic. Skerry had a borderline intellectual impairment and was incapable of high-level planning or sophisticated pre-meditation, his barrister Christopher Terry told the court. Skerry raped the woman at knife point before she grabbed his weapon and stabbed him in the buttocks. Pictured: blood from Skerry's stab wounds When asked by the court to name his previous occupation, Skerry replied 'male'. He went on to clarify he'd worked odd jobs as a tradie. His victim said she hoped 'he gets the help he needs to exist in the community without being a danger to anyone else'. 'I dwell on the prevalence of sexual assault and violence against women a lot,' she said. 'Even with systematic change, there will be outliers (who do this to women)'. She called for cultural change, better education as well as support services to help keep other women safe. Prosecutor Brett Sonnet described her actions in fighting her attacker off as heroic. She was entitled to walk a dog at night and Skerry's behaviour was outrageous, Mr Sonnet said. As Skerry's hearing ended, he told the court: 'Thank you guys. Have a lovely day.' He has already spent 269 days behind bars and will be sentenced on August 5. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 France will soon require people to wear masks in enclosed public places to prevent a rebound in COVID-19 cases, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday. After a two-month lockdown starting in March, France began easing restrictions in May, and reopened bars and restaurants in early June. But in recent weeks, France's virus reproduction rate has crept up to a point each person with COVID-19 is infecting at least one other person. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus. "We have some signs that it's coming back a bit," Macron said in an interview Tuesday with French broadcasters. "Faced with that, we must anticipate and prepare." The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up people's immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday as the shots are poised to begin key final testing. "No matter how you slice this, this is good news," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press. The experimental vaccine, developed by Fauci's colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will start its most important step around July 27: A 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. But Tuesday, researchers reported anxiously awaited findings from the first 45 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves back in March. Sure enough, the vaccine provided a hoped-for immune boost. Those early volunteers developed what are called neutralizing antibodies in their bloodstream molecules key to blocking infection at levels comparable to those found in people who survived COVID-19, the research team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. "This is an essential building block that is needed to move forward with the trials that could actually determine whether the vaccine does protect against infection," said Dr. Lisa Jackson of the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle, who led the study. There's no guarantee but the government hopes to have results around the end of the year record-setting speed for developing a vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses, a month apart. There were no serious side effects. But more than half the study participants reported flu-like reactions to the shots that aren't uncommon with other vaccines fatigue, headache, chills, fever and pain at the injection site. For three participants given the highest dose, those reactions were more severe; that dose isn't being pursued. Some of those reactions are similar to coronavirus symptoms but they're temporary, lasting about a day and occur right after vaccination, researchers noted. "Small price to pay for protection against COVID," said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a vaccine expert who wasn't involved with the study. He called the early results "a good first step," and is optimistic that final testing could deliver answers about whether it's really safe and effective by the beginning of next year. "It would be wonderful. But that assumes everything's working right on schedule," Schaffner cautioned. Moderna's share price jumped nearly 15 percent in trading after U.S. markets closed. Shares of the company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have nearly quadrupled this year. Tuesday's results only included younger adults. The first-step testing later was expanded to include dozens of older adults, the age group most at risk from COVID-19. Those results aren't public yet but regulators are evaluating them. Fauci said final testing will include older adults, as well as people with chronic health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus and Black and Latino populations likewise affected. Nearly two dozen possible COVID-19 vaccines are in various stages of testing around the world. Candidates from China and Britain's Oxford University also are entering final testing stages. The 30,000-person study will mark the world's largest study of a potential COVID-19 vaccine so far. And the NIH-developed shot isn't the only one set for such massive U.S. testing, crucial to spot rare side effects. The government plans similar large studies of the Oxford candidate and another by Johnson & Johnson; separately, Pfizer Inc. is planning its own huge study. A sos today said it will repay cash to Government claimed for furloughed workers as sales rose during lockdown. The online fashion retailer said that group sales had risen 10% to 1 billion in the four months to June 30, which it calls P3. It said full year profits willl be towards the top end of City forecasts. Asos attributed the growth to a steady improvement throughout the period, reflecting increasing warehouse capacity, underlying improvement in demand and a beneficial returns profile. UK retail sales fell 1% to 329.2 million in the period, but international sales, notably in Europe, were strong, up 17% to 654.1 million. The company, which had 1,000 employees on furlough in April and has slowly brought them back to work, will pay back the wages to Government. Chief executive Nick Beighton said of the furlough move: "It's important given the fact that as an organisation we were allowed to continue to operate. Sometimes you have to do the right thing for society." The update will be closely watched in the City for signs of how Britains online-only businesses have coped with the Covid crisis. Analysts may be worried by a fall in margins, which Asos said was due to adverse product mix reflecting tight inventory management. The shares fell 76p to 3297p. Beighton said: Our performance in P3 shows that we are delivering against this aim despite the tough economic and social backdrop. We have learnt a lot and adapted quickly, and Asos finishes the period with improved underlying profitability. While we remain cautious about the consumer impact of Covid-19 looking forward, we are on track to deliver strong year-on-year profit growth and to return to positive free cash flow for the full-year." Locked-down Britons have swarmed online to do their shopping, particularly until June 15 when non-essential stores were not allowed to open. However, fashion retailers have reported a dearth in demand for smarter clothes to wear to the office or out in the evening. A looming and deep recession is also expected to hit discretionary spending. Beighton said it was important consumers were encouraged back to city centres, including London, and that "we get people to go to restaurant, nightclubs, festivals, bars and on holiday - when they do all of that they take a new outfit. That's really important to our business." The fast fashion industry is also battling a reputational crisis, sparked by allegations of slavery in the supply chains of retailers Boohoo and Quiz. Some clothing workers in Leicester are not being paid minimum wage, according to reports. Asos has moved to distance itself from the growing scandal, last week it pulled Boohoo clothing from its site. Beighton said of the scandal: "We are very concerned about the overall consumer sentiment on it. I'm very clear that our people operate in a very different way. Nothing is ever perfect when you have very complex supply chains with manfuacturing outlets around the world and the UK. Things can happen. It's about how you deal with it and work with suppliers." The Standard revealed yesterday that Asoa attempted to triple its UK manufacturing operations using more Leicester factories two years ago but quietly scrapped the plan amid concerns over poor working conditions in factories there. China says Yangtze River fishing is no longer viable and installs a ban July 15,2020 | Source: Bloomberg News China will impose a 10-year ban on fishing in some key parts of the Yangtze from next year to protect biodiversity along the Asias longest river. The move means more than 100,000 fishing vessels will be made redundant and some 300,000 fish farmers will have to be relocated, vice agriculture minister Yu Kangzhen said. Such a large-scale ban is unprecedented and rare, he said, adding that the nation has already restricted fishing this year in 332 protection zones along the river. Increased human activity in recent years has damaged biodiversity in the area. Rare and endemic fish populations have shrunk, while commercial fish resources have been exhausted, Yu said. Fish output from the river, which earlier used to account for 60% of the countrys total fish production, is now less than 0.2% of the roughly 60 million tons produced in a year, said Yu. That shows fishing in the river is no longer viable, he added. The ban is a key measure to help reverse the deterioration of the Yangtze Rivers ecosystem, he said. Fish farmers will be compensated and trained to grow rice or start artificial fish farming. The country will continue to crackdown on illegal fishing, he said. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Theme(s): Fisheries Resources. Conor Counihan has led the tributes to his friend and fellow Aghada clubman Kieran OConnor who sadly passed away on Wednesday after a long illness. OConnor, 41, died following a three-year battle with cancer, which first emerged when he was diagnosed with a rare bone tumour, Ewings sarcoma. As the 2010 All-Ireland winner fought a third bout of the disease last year, a Friends of Kieran group was established and raised over 300,000 to help cover medical costs. Counihan, who was manager for OConnors last four years with Cork, commended the dignity with which OConnor battled cancer. The test of any fella is when youre in your darkest hour. All-Irelands and things like that pale into insignificance. He just managed himself so well over the last two and a half years. He never stopped being out there. Most of the time you met him, you wouldnt have known there was a whole pile wrong. We knew he was suffering physical pain never mind anything else but he was just strong for himself, his wife Sinead and his family (children Isabelle, Ava and James). Counihan remembers OConnor as a ferocious competitor on the field and an unassuming but sociable man off it. When the kids came along, he put a massive focus on them. Sinead and them, thats what it was all about for him. Hed be fairly laid-back outside sport and great company. As a father and a husband, you couldnt say enough about him. Kieran O'Connor, Pearse O'Neill, and Michael Shields celebrate Cork's 2007 All-Ireland SFC semi-final win over Meath at Croke Park. Picture: Dan Linehan He might have got to Cheltenham in November for the craic and there was a few of us involved in an auld horse and he used to get great enjoyment out of that as well. But family was everything for him. Read More Demand for hurling visor soars ahead of return to action His family and Sineads family have been massively supportive throughout it all. In the context of the GAA, its sense of community and what it can do, one of the positive things that came out of it was how the whole fundraising element developed. What people did for him, he was blown away by that. Its Kieran on this occasion but many families get hit by it. People just rallied around him at the time and one of the great learnings in life is when people are down others are invariably there to help them. There were so many people who wouldnt be associated with the GAA who lent their support and that meant an awful lot to him. Having made his senior Cork debut under Billy Morgan in 2004, OConnor cemented his position in defence the following season. He was a member of the panel that Counihan led to an All-Ireland title 10 years ago. He started both the 2007 and 09 finals as well as claiming three Munster SFC medals, three Division 1 titles and a Division 2 honour. He would have been a bit of a rogue growing up, smiles Counihan. He was ultra-competitive and crossed the line a bit but thats what made him, as the fella said. He was just good company, very ordinary, very quiet but hed fight his corner when he had to. He just had speed, that competitive edge thats essential for a good corner-back. Hed be cocky enough when it came to it. He could burst up the field and get the odd score but it was the speed and aggression that stood to him. He had those qualities in abundance and thats what made him, In the club here, when the going got tough youd put him on one of the other teams good forwards and youd know that was it. The sheer competitiveness he brought every time he went on the field, you knew he would give his all. OConnor and Pearse ONeill followed Counihan in bringing the Sam Maguire Cup back to the small parish of Aghada and that connection will forever be special. Kieran O'Connor in action for Aghada in 2013 against Graham Canty of Carbery. Picture: Larry Cummins You knew their parents growing up and having played yourself and seeing the fellas carry on that tradition that was great to see, says Counihan. They brought huge pride to the club. Former Down forward Danny Hughes, who faced OConnor and Cork in the 2010 All-Ireland final, posted on Twitter: Sincere condolences to Cork GAA, Aghada GAA, his family, friends and team-mates. His achievements were wonderful and his family should be very proud. Rest in peace. Ex-Tyrone player Joe McMahon, who would have also lined out against OConnor, tweeted: Very sad news. Thoughts and prayers to the O'Connor family. Rest in peace Kieran. The Gaelic Players Association posted: Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kieran OConnor and all within Aghada and Cork. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. Funeral arrangements, which will be impacted by coronavirus restrictions, are expected to be confirmed on Thursday. But thats what has fans gobbling up the show, binge-watching all 10 episodes while quarantining at home due to the coronavirus. It also helps that fans see familiar faces on the show: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, known for her role in Once Upon a Time, plays the main character; Chris Klein (from American Pie) is her cheating husband; and Jamie Lynn Spears (Britneys little sister) plays a nurse. The core of this show is about the power of female friendship and how crucial it is to have people in your life who are willing to celebrate with you in the good times, mourn with you in the bad times and lift you up when youre struggling, Anderson said. It sounds simple, but its not. Its a gift. If you look closely, the setting might look familiar, too. Sweet Magnolias is filmed in Covington, Ga., where Vampire Diaries was shot. But this time, its a stand-in for a small town where everybody knows your business and the sprawling front porches are plentiful. Mumbai, July 15 : Batting for the big cats, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday opposed the Centre's proposal to undertake a railway gauge conversion traversing through the Melghat Tiger Reserve in the Vidarbha region. The gauge conversion of the 176 km long Akola-Khandwa line, to be taken up by South Central Railway, passes through a core tiger habitat in eastern Maharashtra, which is among India's oldest. In letters to Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Thackeray has urged them to consider alternative alignment and cancel the current proposal. The plan involves gauge conversion work on the existing meter-gauge line, which connects Akola and Khandwa, as part of the government's uni-gauge policy. The proposal includes open cutting of tunnels, which would lead to blasting of rocks using heavy machinery and explosives, realignment away from the existing railway tracks to ease sharp curves, cutting through the critical area of the tiger sanctuary. Objecting to the proposal, Thackeray pointed out that this amounts to not just a gauge conversion of the existing railway lines, but also a re-alignment. "Along with increase in the railway traffic, it would also lead to increase in speed of the trains, restrictions on future expansions and modifications and increase in pollution along the track. The core area has been made inviolate by rehabilitating 13 villages and 6 of these are within 10 km distance of the existing railway line. Due to this, wildlife has significantly increased in the area," Thackeray said. The Melghat Tiger Reserve was among the first nine tiger sanctuaries declared in India in 1973-1974, and is spread over 2,767 sq km in the Satpura-Maikal range, which enjoys the distinction of being one of the global priority tiger conservation landscapes, the CM added. Satpuda Foundation chief and Maharashtra State Wildlife Board member Kishor Rithe said the reserve is home to around 55 tigers and the state government's move would be beneficial both tigers and the local villages. However, the proposed gauge conversion will substantially increase railway traffic in the long run, leading to huge disturbances to the core area of the reserve, said Thackeray. He mentioned that the Wildlife Institute of India (WWI) had recommended that the best mitigation for the railway line is 'avoidance' of the upgradation through the tiger reserve and opting for alternative alignments. The proposal was considered by the Central Empowered Committee in 2018 which asked the National Board for Wildlife to reconsider its decision to divert 160.94 hectares of forest land for the gauge conversion running through the Wan Sanctuary within the Melghat Tiger Reserve. On its part, the National Board for Wildlife returned the proposal to Maharashtra, requesting it to reconsider it in view of the recommendations of the WII and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that "Conservation of Tigers is not a choice but an imperative," Thackeray urged that though railways must be developed, it is equally important to conserve tigers and prevent environmental degradation, for which an alternative route must be selected for the project. LOS ANGELESEven as Germany has become perhaps Europes top coronavirus pandemic success story, keeping the viral spread to levels low enough to permit a widespread reopening of its economy, sex work remains on the banned list. And German sex workers are not happy about it. Sex workers and brothel owners staged a protest in Berlin, outside the Bundesrat, the upper house of Germanys parliament, two weekends ago. And last weekend, the bustling port city of Hamburg effectively the countrys sex work capital staged another protest. Holding placards bearing slogans such as The oldest profession needs your help, as Reuters reported, staged a protest in the Reeperbahn, Hamburgs legendary, wild nightlife district and center of the citys legal sex work industry. Close-contact businesses such as hair salons and massage therapy centers have been open for customers since early May. But brothels remain closed, though Germanys Association of Sex Workers says that sex work is no less hygienic than those other in-person businesses. "Prostitution does not carry a greater risk of infection than other close-to-body services, like massages, cosmetics or even dancing or contact sports," the group said in a statement last weekend. "Hygiene is part of the business in prostitution." Professional sex work has been legal, and heavily regulated, in Germany for nearly two decades. But Hamburg has maintained one of Germanys lowest rates of coronavirus infection, with only about 5,000 total cases over the course of the pandemic, compared to more than 45,000 cases each in the federal states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. According to Hamburg spokesperson Martin Helfrich, the city, and state, does not want to endanger its relatively solid record on contrtolling the virus with incautiously taken steps. But he added, as quoted by CNBC, that the state is not planning to ban sex work on a long-term basis. We are looking into possible steps and circumstances back to the usual situation, he said. The restraints on sex work will be lifted as soon as the pandemic situations allows it. At the moment, a specific date is not in prospect. Germany, with a population just under 84 million, has seen positive coronavirus cases at a rate of fewer than 2,400 per 1 million population, according to data compiled by Worldometers. By contrast, Spain has seen about 6,500 cases per million, while the United States has recorded more than 10,600 cases for every million residents. Photo By Valeria Boltneva / Pexels 2 Charged for Roles in Violent Portland Demonstrations Two men were charged for participating in violent demonstrations in Portland, federal officials said. Video footage showed a demonstrator take a flaming piece of wood from a fire that demonstrators started in the street near the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse and place it next to a wood-covered facade, according to charging documents. Shortly after, a second demonstrator walked up and tried to wedge the wood against the exterior of the courthouse. Another demonstrator later removed the wood and tried extinguishing the flame. The situation unfolded at approximately 1:30 a.m. on July 13. A Department of Homeland intelligence specialist analyzed footage from the demonstration and provided federal agents images of Peter Weier, the demonstrator who tried wedging the wood. Weier was arrested at 3:30 a.m. after the crowd thinned out. He admitted to being part of the crowd but denied touching the burning piece of wood, though he said he saw the person who had. According to the documents, Weier violated a federal law that states: Whoever maliciously damages or destroys, or attempts to damage or destroy, by means of fire or an explosive, any building, vehicle, or other personal or real property in whole or in part owned or possessed by, or leased to, the United States, or any department or agency thereof, or any institution or organization receiving Federal financial assistance, shall be imprisoned for not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years, fined under this title, or both. Officers with the Federal Protective Service, top right, hold their shields up and guard the doorway of the Hatfield Federal Courthouse after the glass door was shattered by agitators, in Portland, Ore., on July 2, 2020. (U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Oregon) Agents from different components of the Department of Homeland Security are deployed to protect a federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 5, 2020. (Doug Brown via AP) The Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse is a federal building. Another demonstrator, Benjamin Bolen, assaulted a federal officer, according to a charging document. He was charged with a misdemeanor. Bolen was one of a number of defendants sued by journalist Andy Ngo last month. The lawsuit linked Bolen to Rose City Antifa, a cell of the far-left anarcho-communist group, Antifa. Bolen was also arrested for disorderly conduct after violent demonstrations following President Donald Trumps election in 2016. Riots and demonstrations in Portland have continued virtually unabated since May 26. The Portland Police Bureau said Wednesday that a couple hundred demonstrators gathered again in Portland, some of whom later lit fires near the Justice Center, a building that contains a police precinct. The group later hurled glass bottles and pointed lasers at officers who removed barricades set up in a street. Federal officials announced last week charges against seven who were allegedly involved in the mayhem. An eighth was charged this week for allegedly assaulting a U.S. Marshals Service deputy with a four-pound construction hammer. The assault came after the man was captured on video using the hammer to try to bash in a door to the federal courthouse. The violence has caused an estimated $23 million in damage and lost customers to downtown businesses, according to police. Charlie Taylor was the first person to be kicked off the 2018 season of Love Island Australia, which is currently airing in Britain on ITV2. And on Wednesday, the 26-year-old revealed he was no longer on speaking terms with many of his former co-stars. He told Daily Mail Australia: 'I'm very picky about who I choose to be friends with.' The depressing truth about Love Island Australia: Former contestant Charlie Taylor has claimed the entire cast is 'TOXIC' - as British viewers watch the 2018 season for the first time 'I feel after the show it really showed a lot of contestants' true colours. A few extra [Instagram] followers got to a lot of their heads and changed them,' he added. While Charlie still counts 'three or four' islanders as friends, he said the 'rest were toxic and not genuine people'. Charlie was dumped after seven days in the Fijian villa, where he appeared alongside the likes of Grant Crapp, Eden Dally, Teddy Briggs, Jaxon Human and Shelby Mills. Changed by fame: Charlie said that gaining 'a few extra followers' on Instagram had changed some of his co-stars. Pictured: Eden Dally and Grant Crapp fighting on Love Island Australia Since leaving the series in 2018, the former rugby player has been making the most of his newfound fame. He is based in Bali, Indonesia, and earning a living as a social media influencer. When asked if he'd caught up with the cast recently, Charlie said: 'I saw Josh Moss and Amelia [Marni] in Bali about five months back passing by on a scooter.' Remember them? Charlie was briefly coupled up with Natasha Webster (left) on Love Island He has also struck up a friendship with Elias Chigros. 'Elias is a cool and genuine guy. We hang out whenever we're in the same city, but it hasn't been for a while,' he said. After being dumped from Love Island two years ago, Charlie told Nova FM's Fitzy & Wippa that the villa's female occupants only wanted to date 'd**kheads'. He said: 'That was the major reason why I wasn't sort of attracted [to] or had any connection with any of the girls'. The first season of Love Island Australia is currently being broadcast on ITV2 after the British series was suspended due to coronavirus. Thamyres Pounce, 32, was charged with one count of child neglect for allegedly leaving her two-year-old daughter alone inside her car in a Florida mall parking lot A Florida mother was arrested after she left her two-year-old daughter in her sweltering car while she shopped at a mall on a hot July day. Thamyres Pounce, 32, was charged with one count of child neglect, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called to The Mall at Wellington Green at 4.14pm on Monday after a bystander spotted the child locked inside a white Nissan. The little girl was strapped into her car seat in the back seat, sweating, crying and seemingly in distress, according to an arrest report. One deputy broke a window and removed the child. Paramedics found she had a temperature of 102 degrees. She was treated at the scene and expected to be fine, according to the report. The arrest report said Pounce left the child in the car while she shopped in Macy's for about 25 minutes. Temperatures in Wellington were in the mid-90s on Monday. According to scientific data, on a 95-degree day it would take 30 minutes for the temperature inside a vehicle to reach a scorching 129 degrees. Pounce was released on $1,000 bond on Monday night. According to court records she had no previous criminal history. Pounce left the child in the car while she shopped in Macy's at the Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington, Florida, for about 25 minutes 'We can't stress enough how important it is not to leave your children or pets in the car,' the sheriff's office said in a press release. 'We see it way too often.' According to the advocacy group KidsAndCars.org, there have been nine hot car deaths involving children in the US so far this year, including a 10-month-old who perished in Florida in May. Last year, there were 53 child vehicular heat strokes nationwide. Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has reiterated that he is a serious contender for Kenyas presidency and not a decoy candidate for either Uhuru Kenyatta or DP William Ruto. Speaking in an interview at Musyi FM, Kibwana said his forthcoming candidacy in 2022 has been pushed by Kenyans since 1997. This push by Kenyans started in 1997 when we began amending the Constitution during late President Daniel Mois rule, he said. Those who remember the events then, opposition leaders who include retired President Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga, Charity Ngilu, late Kijana Wamalwa, and others wanted me to be a compromise candidate because they could not agree between themselves and I rejected the call because I was not ready to get into politics then. He said another push to vie for the presidency re-emerged when he was the chairman of the National Convention Executive Council. He later joined politics and has since enjoyed a steady rise, serving as Makueni MP, an assistant minister, a minister before the Makueni governorship. The 66-year-old said Kenyans have chosen him because of his impressive track record. He attributed his success as Makueni boss to the experience he gained when he served as the Minister for Environment, Lands and in the office of retired President Kibaki. Due to my achievements and what we have done in Makueni, Kenyans have raised their voice and have said I must be their President whether I like it or not and that is why I say I am Wanjikus project, he said. But when you hear some say I am Rutos project and others are saying I am Uhurus project, know that they are afraid of my candidature, they know how strong I am, Kibwana added. The county boss said he will traverse the whole country to convince Kenyans to elect him. Most of us love shopping, but many of us (me included) find the actual, umm, shop bit rather painful. The traipsing round with armfuls of clothes, hangers jabbing you, the brutal lighting in changing rooms, the deafening music. Need I go on? Unless youre that rare breed who loves the thrill of the chase, the whole thing can leave you feeling traumatised. And now theres the extra stress that goes with shoppers having to wear a mask by law from July 24. In order to tempt us to carry on spending, stores and brands are offering virtual styling and personal shopping with appointments taking place on screen. The last time I used a personal styling service, it was a flop. I yearned to find the perfect pair of investment trousers. Cool, slouchy, but flattering to my curvy hips and short legs. I decided to throw money at the problem and booked in with a high-end department store. Jess Wood shared her verdict on five online styling services. Pictured John Lewis styling: Top, LK Bennett, 55; skirt, Whistles, 119; shoes, Boden, 90; jacket, Mint Velvet, 109; earrings, Jesss own The stylist appeared to know even less than me about which labels would work for my shape, and put me in several floppy, trailing, bulk-adding options while trying to sell me the towering heels I would also need in order to wear them. But with my wardrobe in need of a post-lockdown refresh, and going to the shops trickier than ever, I decided to try out some online services. Aside from Stitch Fix, all are free. An hour with a stylist at no cost is a pretty good offer in my book. Most of these services work in a similar way: you book an appointment online, then a stylist emails some questions about your taste. They pick out a selection of clothes and you have an hour chatting on Zoom. You can buy any items you like through the stores website, and theyre sent to your home you can return any you dont fancy. I asked five styling services to find me a smart work outfit, plus a casual, off-duty option. I also asked for suggestions for some of the gaps in my wardrobe, such as a summer coat. But could they really get to grips with my wardrobe via video link? WELL CHOSEN TO FLATTER MY FIGURE My John Lewis personal stylist, Victoria, was warm and chatty. She was great on figure-flattery: she firstly confirmed Im an hourglass, and explained its important to discuss the customers body shape in virtual appointments, using the fruit system, eg. apple, pear and a new one on me the strawberry. A curvy woman herself, she was full of tips including why three-quarter-length sleeves are flattering for me (theyre level with my waist when my arms are straight, so draw attention to my middle). Victoria offered free styling advice on my existing wardrobe, suggesting in her initial email that I might like to have some clothes ready to discuss during the call. Shell even help you declutter something many customers want help with. She contacts her regulars to let them know about pieces she spots for them. Jess said the outfits she liked were sent out a couple of days after her appointment with Victoria. Pictured: John Lewis styling Id thought talking via screen might feel impersonal, but I found the opposite. At the end of the appointment, Victoria sent me links to products Id liked, via email, for me to purchase. They were sent out within a couple of days. The formal option was a keeper: a fab flowing black-and-white dress with an asymmetric hem from Mother of Pearls John Lewis collaboration. The casual options were more mixed. I sent back a too-tight cashmere knit and unflattering trousers. But this outfit patterned Whistles skirt, cool cropped jacket and leopard flats was just right. 8/10 John Lewis virtual styling, free, johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling A NEW LIGHT ON A NEGLECTED BRAND Jess said it was interesting to be asked who her style icons are. Pictured Reiss styling: Blouse, 135; belted skirt, 155; mules, 135; trench coat, 385, all Reiss Kate, my Reiss stylist, was professional and efficient, and had paid close attention to what Id requested on email. One interesting question I was asked was who my style icons were (I optimistically listed 70s rock chicks Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull, and Jane Birkin as my inspiration for understated chic), and the firm also offers a pre-appointment phone call. Kate suggested I have my phone or a second laptop screen to hand during the appointment. As we talked, we viewed the products under discussion on the Reiss website, adding the pieces I liked to my shopping basket. After purchasing through the site, the clothes arrived beautifully packaged the next day. Reiss isnt one of my usual favourites Id dismissed it as being mainly focused on formal workwear, which isnt really me. Jess explained that Reiss isn't usually one of her favourite stores, however stylist Kate understood her preferences. Pictured: Reiss styling But Kate understood my preference for loose, oversized silhouettes, and had rustled up some of the most trend-led pieces in the collection. I loved the cream spotty blouse with matching pleated skirt 70s mum style in the best possible way and the light trench (left), as well as a buttery black leather bomber jacket, which she said was more modern than a biker style. Less successful were the suggestions for basics to fill my wardrobe gaps. Kate emailed to offer further advice once Id tried my purchases on at home, and I used the normal returns process for the things I didnt like. Id forgotten what great quality Reiss is lovely fabrics and designer-level detail. The appointment made me see the brand in a completely new light. 7/10 Reiss personal shopping services, free, reiss.com/personal-shopping HIGH END YET WITHIN MY BUDGET Jess was given the opportunity to have a preconsultation chat with her Selfridges stylist Rachel. Pictured Selfridges styling: Shift dress, Victoria Beckham, 195, shoes, Office, 50 (both reduced in sale); earrings, Jesss own Given that Selfridges is one of the biggest high-end department stores, it was no surprise that this was a creme de la creme experience. I got to meet my stylist, Rachel, on screen a couple of days before my main appointment for a preconsultation chat. Enviably glamorous in a white tee and slouchy patterned silk trousers, she was one of the best listeners and fun to talk to. The selection she pulled had me drooling. Of course, she did have the run of hundreds of great brands, but she did a good job of picking interesting contemporary labels such as Stine Goya that still fitted my budget. Top marks, too, for a meticulous video set-up that meant I could easily see the clothes full-length. Most others struggled with this. Jess said Rachel took notes and did a recap of extra pieces to find at the end of her session. Pictured: Selfridges styling I loved a ruffled metallic skirt from Ba&sh, which she teamed with yellow suede courts from LK Bennett in the sale. Rachel took notes and did a recap of extra pieces she needed to find at the end, such as some bodysuits to go with the skirt. I struggled to say no to any of her choices but, after a painful edit to match my budget, my picks were sent out via next-day delivery. A scarlet Victoria Beckham shift dress (left) wasnt something Id have normally chosen, but it looked brilliant on. Id mentioned my love of Italian shoe labels such as Aquazzura, but explained my budget wouldnt stretch that far Rachel found some black Office shoes (left) with the right look, for 50 in the sale. 9/10 Selfridges personal styling, free, selfridges.com SOLID SPECIAL OCCASION DRESSING Jess said her stylists Mark and Yas, were hot on the new products in store. Pictured Topshop styling: Dress, 39; strappy sandals, 69; and bag, 20, all topshop.com; earrings, Jesss own Im already familiar with Topshops personal shopping service and this appointment was a virtual version. My stylists, Mark and Yas, were young, delightful and dressed in trendy Topshop finery. They were hot on what was new in store, and had read my brief carefully: Id set a tricky challenge by asking for a sleeveless short coat, and theyd found me a perfect trench. Bingo! A floral, multi-print midi dress with a deep V-neckline (right) really worked for me. I also liked some of the casual suggestions a vintage tee and white cropped jeans. However, the pre-appointment questions werent as in-depth or focused on my body shape as some of the other services. Jess revealed Topshop is one of her all-time favourite shops, adding the styling service is good for seeing the latest pieces. Pictured: Topshop styling When I came to try on the smart work outfit at home a coral shorts suit I realised it was not cut for my curves. Please dont ever make me wear belted shorts, Mark! I kept the floral dress, trench and jeans, but the shorts suit went straight back. Topshop is one of my all-time favourite shops, and this service is good for seeing the latest pieces and how to style them. Its less strong for a comprehensive wardrobe overhaul, but perfect if you want outfit ideas for a specific occasion an event or a wedding, for example. 7/10 Topshop personal shopping service, free, personalshopping.topshop.com BEST FOR YOUR REGULAR FASHION FIX Jess said Stitch Fix used a specialist website, rather than a video chat with a stylist. Pictured Stitch Fix styling: Blouse, Marella, 125; jeans, Dr Denim, 55; shoes and earrings, Jesss own This service from Stich Fix is a rather different idea its the only one that charges, although its just 10, which is redeemable against any purchases. You also get a 20 per cent discount off your whole order if you buy all the items. Rather than a video chat with a stylist, this is a specialist website that uses an algorithm, with oversight from a human stylist, to select products for you. I had to create an account online, answering detailed multiple choice questions on everything from body shape (arm length, leg length . . .) to style preferences including showing me visuals to choose from. You select either a one-off Fix (a box containing five items of clothing) or a subscription to get regular Fixes. Handily, you dont pay for the clothes until after youve tried them on at home and decided what to keep. It comes with a pre-paid returns label. Jess said the clothes from Stitch Fix were the least successful, but she believes it could improve the more you use it. Pictured: Stitch Fix styling A few days after signing up, I received my Fix. The box also contained a handy set of styling cards, showing suggested outfits for each. The clothes themselves, however, were the least successful of the services. I received a slightly dull spotted midi dress, some cropped jeans that were called flares but looked like wide-legs to me (one of my no-nos) and a Mint Velvet leopard-print scoop neck that I wasnt mad about. I did, however, really like the Selected Femme cream denim belted jumpsuit and the pretty purple Marella blouse, which I wore with the jeans (right). With each Fix, you can give feedback on what you did and didnt like, so I think this service could be one that gets better the more you use it. If you want a regular treat through the letterbox, I can see this becoming addictive as time goes on. If youve got an emergency event and need urgent human interaction, however, this one isnt for you. 5/10 Stitch Fix personal styling, 10 (redeemable against purchases), stitchfix.com Digital innovation is driving healthcare's COVID-19 response and will accelerate its recovery. By expanding their early Telehealth success to realize the benefits of platform-based operating systems, providers will uncover the ability to deliver more satisfying consumer experiences while improving their own operating performance. - Kevin Fleming, CEO, Loyale Healthcare Before Americas healthcare system was violently disrupted by the COVID-19 public health crisis, a healthcare revolution was already underway. In an article we published in early 2020 titled Disruption and the Retailization of Healthcare, we observed that Healthcare in America is on the threshold of great change, driven by disruptive new technologies, regulatory pressure and increasingly assertive, value-sensitive consumers. That revolution has not been slowed by COVID-19 or the financial crisis that ensued for most traditional healthcare providers. Instead, the opportunity for more customer-centric companies to compete for healthcare consumers has grown. In the last several days alone, significant new investments in healthcare delivery have been made by Walmart, who announced its intention to create a new health insurance company; and Walgreens, who is investing $1 Billion to grow its primary care clinic network. Given the well documented inefficiencies plaguing the healthcare industry (high costs, poor system integration, uneven financial performance, etc.), these and other customer-centric companies are betting that their care delivery models will one day own a significant share of the primary care market. It makes sense. The financial and social stressors that were motivating larger numbers of patients to seek healthcare in alternative settings have only intensified in recent months. Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs, along with the income and employer-sponsored healthcare coverage that came with them. The temporary suspension of nonessential healthcare treatments and patients concerns about personal safety have led to an explosion in the use of telehealth and other virtual care channels. This would all paint a pretty bleak picture for the future of traditional healthcare providers, but something else has happened since the crisis began, offering cause for optimism among health systems and hospitals. COVID-19 and Healthcares Secret Weapon Its not hard to imagine a time in the not too distant future when we will look back on 2020 as a time of fundamental change for healthcare in America. One of the silver linings following the COVID-19 crisis will undoubtedly be the industrys astounding ability to innovate and adapt. Here at Loyale, we believe it is this willingness to nimbly reevaluate the environment and consider new approaches that will power healthcares successful response to the retailization threat and ensure its relevance for the future. For years, the healthcare industry was slow to embrace new operating models and technologies to make the delivery of care more efficient or more attractive to consumers. Decades of relying on insurers and government or private payers for their patients and revenue meant that there were no financial incentives for delivering a more consumer-friendly patient experience. As long as clinical care measured up to regulatory and market standards, innovation in other areas was not a priority. While every other industry was forced to react to varying degrees of digital transformation, healthcare was exempt. Healthcares awakening began not long after high deductible health plans entered the market, when patients themselves became responsible for a much larger portion for the out-of-pocket costs for care. For the first time, patients - and the revenue they directed (their own and their insurers) - represented a third or more of total revenue. This introduced two new operational challenges to healthcare: 1) attracting and retaining patients and 2) collecting payments directly from patients. Initially, many healthcare providers were slow to answer these challenges. Some early adopters, like HCA Healthcare (a Loyale client), invested in technology partnerships to deliver better patient experiences, improve operating efficiencies and drive better financial performance. But for the most part the industry failed to catch the signals consumers were sending. COVID-19 changed all that. Healthcares Rapid Introduction to Digital Transformation In the area of digital patient engagement, the speed of adoption has been nothing short of astonishing. According to FAIRHealths Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker, Telehealth claim lines soared 8,335% to 13% of claim activity for the month of April compared to the same month in 2019. And the future for telehealth looks bright according to a report published recently by McKinsey & Company on telehealths post-COVID potential for growth, with the acceleration of consumer and provider adoption of telehealth and extension of telehealth beyond virtual urgent care, up to $250 Billion of current UD healthcare spend could potentially be virtualized. In formulating its response to the extraordinary circumstances forced upon it by the crisis, healthcare has rushed headlong into its digital future. But the journey has just begun. By addressing the immediate need to efficiently deliver care services to a homebound patient population, providers have taken their first steps toward realizing the tremendous overall potential inherent to integrated digital systems. With the understanding that digital systems offer scalable operating efficiencies, better patient access and improved patient experiences, providers must now look to extend their digital capabilities into every patient- and physician-facing touchpoint. Already, were witnessing impressive advancements in the ways providers are leveraging EHR system data to improve and standardize best care practices. What must also be considered is the financial dimension of care. As competitors like Walgreens and Walmart look to grow their foothold in healthcare, traditional hospitals and health systems now have an opportunity to respond. By expanding their early telehealth success to realize the operational and financial benefits of platform-based operating systems, providers will uncover the ability to deliver more satisfying consumer experiences while improving their own operating performance. The Digital Future for Patient Financial Engagement Before the current crisis, healthcare consumers were sending several important messages to the healthcare marketplace: Were not subscribing to the old primary care physician model. We want access to care thats convenient and affordable. We want to engage with our provider in other no-touch settings, not just an office or hospital, especially now. Were open to considering alternative providers and care delivery settings. We often dont seek care because were concerned about the personal out-of-pocket costs. We want quality care. Platform-enabled digital engagement empowers healthcare providers with the ability to meet these market expectations head on. In the area of patient financial engagement, digital addresses the urgent demands of the present with solutions to dramatically reduce costs without impairing capacity. Longer term, it promises better patient engagement, improved affordability, superior communications and actionable business intelligence derived from data that tracks patients financial behavior from end-to-end. The ingenuity and inventiveness displayed by health systems and hospitals across the U.S.A. in their response to the COVID-19 crisis, continues to amaze and inspire us. That same spirit will energize healthcares recovery and return to prosperity. Were grateful to have the opportunity to play a part. Kevin Fleming is the CEO of Loyale Healthcare About Loyale Loyale Patient Financial Manager is a comprehensive patient financial engagement technology platform leveraging a suite of configurable solution components including predictive analytics, intelligent workflows, multiple patient financing vehicles, communications, payments, digital front doors and other key capabilities. Loyale Healthcare is committed to a mission of turning patient responsibility into lasting loyalty for its healthcare provider customers. Based in Lafayette, California, Loyale and its leadership team bring 27 years of expertise delivering leading financial engagement solutions for complex business environments. Loyale currently serves approximately 12,000 healthcare providers across 48 states. Loyale is proud to have an enterprise-level strategic partnership with Parallon which includes the deployment of Loyales industry leading technology at all HCA hospitals and Physician Groups. In addition to shareholders in India, those in countries including the USA, the UK, Canada, the UAE, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia will also log in. Auto refresh feeds A few hours before the 43rd Annual General Meeting, the share price of Reliance Industries Limited was trading at a record high at Rs 1,953.20, which is Rs 36.20 higher than yesterday's close. It was up by 1.9% at 11 am. The AGM of Reliance Industries Limited this year has been convened on Wednesday, 15 July, 2020, at 2 pm through Video Conferencing (VC)/ other Audio-Visual Means (OAVM). 2. Fill in your login credentials (user id and Password) (provided by email, along with Notice of AGM and Annual Report 2019-20). 4. Then click on camera icon appearing against AGM event of Reliance Industries Limited, to attend the Meeting. 2. Enter the login credentials (i.e., User ID and password for e-voting). Fill in your login credentials (user id and Password) (provided by email, along with Notice of AGM and Annual Report 2019-20). Due to the ongoing pandemic unlike other years, there will be no festival-like, electricity-filled atmosphere at the famed Birla Matushree hall of Mumbai but with Jios technology the AGM will showcase multiple firsts on real-time basis including a Chatbot, two-way live streaming, and a brand-new virtual platform that enables more than 100,000 shareholders from 500 locations, in India and overseas, to log in simultaneously, a RIL statement said on Tuesday. "Given the recent records, RIL's AGM improves the mood of its stock price and given the huge weight in the index, markets too are expected to remain on the higher side unless negative global cues spoil the party. This time it is expected that the AGM would garner maximum viewership given the slew of deals cracked for Jio Platforms," Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO at SAMCO Securities & StockNote told Moneycontrol. The corona crisis is the most disruptive event in modern human history. However, I have no doubt India and the world will achieve faster progress, greater prosperity and a new quality of development post the COVID crisis, says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani. "I strongly believe that every adversity presents multiple new opportunities the #RILAGM itself illustrates this point. All of us are participating in it through our brand-new digital product, called JioMeet. Since its release a few days ago, JioMeet has already been downloaded by more than 5 million users. Built by a young Jio Platforms team in just two months, it is Indias first and only cloud-based video-conferencing app," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani. JioMeet has already been downloaded by more than 5 million users, says Mukesh Ambani "We are delighted to welcome Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms. We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement under which Google will invest INR 33,737 crores for a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. Elaborating on Jio's purpose and ambition, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Our world will change more in next 8 decades than it did in last 20 centuries. India can lead this change if its enterprises are empowered with necessary tech infrastructure and capabilities." Jio Platforms can lead change in the world in the next 8 decades, says Mukesh Ambani "Jios global-scale 4G and fiber network is powered by several core software technologies and components. It is this capability and know-how that positions Jio on the cutting edge of another exciting frontier. Jio Platforms is conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world. Jio Platforms, with over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding & Computer Vision," he said. Going deeper on the role of Jio Platforms in the times to comes and its achievement so far, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have fully kickstarted five accelerators of growth of digital connectivity: Mobile broadband, JioFiber, Jios enterprise broadband, broadband for SMEs, and Jios Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NBIoT). In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments." Giving details on Jios latest innovation Jio Glass and its impact on the education scenario in the country, Kiran Thomas President, Reliance Industries Limited, and Director Jio says, "Jios latest innovation, Jio Glass, is at the cutting edge of technology that provides best-in-class Mixed Reality services to give users a truly meaningful immersive experience. Jio Glass is making teachers and students come together in 3D virtual rooms and conduct holographic classes through our Jio Mixed Reality cloud in real-time. With Jio Glass, the traditional way of learning Geography will now be History." "Jios education platform, Embibe, will address the shortage of quality teachers in India. It is built on three foundational blocks: Unprecedented Personalisation, Incredible Content and Teacher Empowerment," Isha says. "At Reliance and Jio, we are committed to digital healthcare in a big way, and it comprises of three core pillars: Jio 4G mobile network and JioFiber broadband, JioMeet platform, and JioHealthHub platform. With Jio Health Platform we are integrating the overall healthcare ecosystem to enable people to book online consultations, securely store and share health records, book lab tests and avail various other healthcare services," she says. Talking about the Jio Meet platform, Isha Ambani, director at Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Retail says, "JioMeet is Indias most-secure and cost-effective video conferencing platform. It is designed to address real life scenarios and solve some of the key challenges of our time." Elaborating on Jio's partnership with Facebook, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Facebook and Jio share a strong vision for digitally empowering consumers as well as SMEs and entrepreneurs across India." Sharing more details on Jio's partnership with Google, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Google and Jio are partnering to build an Operating System that could power a value engineered, entry-level 4G/5G smartphone. The Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt." "Reliance Retail is Indias largest and most profitable retail business, with revenues of 1,62,936 cr and EBITDA of 9,654 cr. It is the fastest growing retailer in the world, and only Indian co in the Top 100 global retailer," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. Referring to the global challenges posed by COVID-19 and other impediments to the energy sector, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "During lockdown, RIL leveraged its deep understanding of global markets and enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks. In Apr20, the O2C business accounted for nearly 50% of Indias exports." During lockdown, RIL enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks, says Mukesh Ambani "Substantial progress has been made on photosynthetic biological pathways to convert CO2 emissions at Jamnagar into high value proteins, nutraceuticals, advanced materials and fuels. Reliance also has proprietary technology to convert transportation fuels to valuable petrochemical and material building blocks. Also, it will replace transportation fuels with clean electricity and hydrogen," says Mukesh Ambani. "Reliance is committed to embracing new technologies to convert CO2 into useful products and chemicals. Transforming our energy business to tackle a big challenge before India and the World is our new growth opportunity," he says. "It is imperative that the energy industry adopts a clean, circular, sustainable and planet-friendly model that delivers green and affordable energy to all the 7.8 billion people on the planet," says the Reliance Industries CMD. Talking about the efforts to create a clean world, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "The first three Industrial Revolutions based on fossil fuels disturbed the natural Carbon Cycle on Planet Earth. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has the opportunity to repair and restore the Carbon Cycle." Reliance committed to embracing new technologies to convert CO2 into useful products, says Mukesh Ambani Highlighting on the multi-trillion dollar opportunity that the New Energy business offers, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have a 15-year vision to build Reliance as one of the worlds leading new energy and new materials company. The New Energy business is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for India and the world." Reliance Foundation is gearing up to partner with the government and local municipalities, for mega-scale COVID testing across India, with the help of Jios digital infrastructure," says Nita Ambani, chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and a non-executive director of Reliance Industries. Reliance Foundation gearing up to partner with public authorities for mega-scale COVID testing across India, says Nita Ambani "Jios global-scale 4G and fiber network is powered by several core software technologies and components. It is this capability and know-how that positions Jio on the cutting edge of another exciting frontier. Jio Platforms is conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world. Jio Platforms, with over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding & Computer Vision," he said. Going deeper on the role of Jio Platforms in the times to comes and its achievement so far, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have fully kickstarted five accelerators of growth of digital connectivity: Mobile broadband, JioFiber, Jios enterprise broadband, broadband for SMEs, and Jios Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NBIoT). In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments." Giving details on Jios latest innovation Jio Glass and its impact on the education scenario in the country, Kiran Thomas President, Reliance Industries Limited, and Director Jio says, "Jios latest innovation, Jio Glass, is at the cutting edge of technology that provides best-in-class Mixed Reality services to give users a truly meaningful immersive experience. Jio Glass is making teachers and students come together in 3D virtual rooms and conduct holographic classes through our Jio Mixed Reality cloud in real-time. With Jio Glass, the traditional way of learning Geography will now be History." "Jios education platform, Embibe, will address the shortage of quality teachers in India. It is built on three foundational blocks: Unprecedented Personalisation, Incredible Content and Teacher Empowerment," Isha says. "At Reliance and Jio, we are committed to digital healthcare in a big way, and it comprises of three core pillars: Jio 4G mobile network and JioFiber broadband, JioMeet platform, and JioHealthHub platform. With Jio Health Platform we are integrating the overall healthcare ecosystem to enable people to book online consultations, securely store and share health records, book lab tests and avail various other healthcare services," she says. Talking about the Jio Meet platform, Isha Ambani, director at Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Retail says, "JioMeet is Indias most-secure and cost-effective video conferencing platform. It is designed to address real life scenarios and solve some of the key challenges of our time." Elaborating on Jio's partnership with Facebook, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Facebook and Jio share a strong vision for digitally empowering consumers as well as SMEs and entrepreneurs across India." Sharing more details on Jio's partnership with Google, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Google and Jio are partnering to build an Operating System that could power a value engineered, entry-level 4G/5G smartphone. The Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt." "Reliance Retail is Indias largest and most profitable retail business, with revenues of 1,62,936 cr and EBITDA of 9,654 cr. It is the fastest growing retailer in the world, and only Indian co in the Top 100 global retailer," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. Referring to the global challenges posed by COVID-19 and other impediments to the energy sector, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "During lockdown, RIL leveraged its deep understanding of global markets and enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks. In Apr20, the O2C business accounted for nearly 50% of Indias exports." During lockdown, RIL enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks, says Mukesh Ambani "Substantial progress has been made on photosynthetic biological pathways to convert CO2 emissions at Jamnagar into high value proteins, nutraceuticals, advanced materials and fuels. Reliance also has proprietary technology to convert transportation fuels to valuable petrochemical and material building blocks. Also, it will replace transportation fuels with clean electricity and hydrogen," says Mukesh Ambani. "Reliance is committed to embracing new technologies to convert CO2 into useful products and chemicals. Transforming our energy business to tackle a big challenge before India and the World is our new growth opportunity," he says. "It is imperative that the energy industry adopts a clean, circular, sustainable and planet-friendly model that delivers green and affordable energy to all the 7.8 billion people on the planet," says the Reliance Industries CMD. Talking about the efforts to create a clean world, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "The first three Industrial Revolutions based on fossil fuels disturbed the natural Carbon Cycle on Planet Earth. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has the opportunity to repair and restore the Carbon Cycle." Reliance committed to embracing new technologies to convert CO2 into useful products, says Mukesh Ambani Highlighting on the multi-trillion dollar opportunity that the New Energy business offers, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have a 15-year vision to build Reliance as one of the worlds leading new energy and new materials company. The New Energy business is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for India and the world." Reliance Foundation is gearing up to partner with the government and local municipalities, for mega-scale COVID testing across India, with the help of Jios digital infrastructure," says Nita Ambani, chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and a non-executive director of Reliance Industries. Reliance Foundation gearing up to partner with public authorities for mega-scale COVID testing across India, says Nita Ambani Reliance Foundation is gearing up to partner with the government and local municipalities, for mega-scale COVID testing across India, with the help of Jios digital infrastructure," says Nita Ambani, chairperson and founder of the Reliance Foundation, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and a non-executive director of Reliance Industries. Highlighting on the multi-trillion dollar opportunity that the New Energy business offers, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have a 15-year vision to build Reliance as one of the worlds leading new energy and new materials company. The New Energy business is a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for India and the world." Talking about the efforts to create a clean world, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "The first three Industrial Revolutions based on fossil fuels disturbed the natural Carbon Cycle on Planet Earth. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has the opportunity to repair and restore the Carbon Cycle." "It is imperative that the energy industry adopts a clean, circular, sustainable and planet-friendly model that delivers green and affordable energy to all the 7.8 billion people on the planet," says the Reliance Industries CMD. "Reliance is committed to embracing new technologies to convert CO2 into useful products and chemicals. Transforming our energy business to tackle a big challenge before India and the World is our new growth opportunity," he says. "Substantial progress has been made on photosynthetic biological pathways to convert CO2 emissions at Jamnagar into high value proteins, nutraceuticals, advanced materials and fuels. Reliance also has proprietary technology to convert transportation fuels to valuable petrochemical and material building blocks. Also, it will replace transportation fuels with clean electricity and hydrogen," says Mukesh Ambani. Referring to the global challenges posed by COVID-19 and other impediments to the energy sector, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "During lockdown, RIL leveraged its deep understanding of global markets and enhanced petrochemical and fuel exports over 2.5 times in just two weeks. In Apr20, the O2C business accounted for nearly 50% of Indias exports." "Reliance Retail is Indias largest and most profitable retail business, with revenues of 1,62,936 cr and EBITDA of 9,654 cr. It is the fastest growing retailer in the world, and only Indian co in the Top 100 global retailer," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. Sharing more details on Jio's partnership with Google, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Google and Jio are partnering to build an Operating System that could power a value engineered, entry-level 4G/5G smartphone. The Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt." Elaborating on Jio's partnership with Facebook, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Facebook and Jio share a strong vision for digitally empowering consumers as well as SMEs and entrepreneurs across India." Talking about the Jio Meet platform, Isha Ambani, director at Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Retail says, "JioMeet is Indias most-secure and cost-effective video conferencing platform. It is designed to address real life scenarios and solve some of the key challenges of our time." "At Reliance and Jio, we are committed to digital healthcare in a big way, and it comprises of three core pillars: Jio 4G mobile network and JioFiber broadband, JioMeet platform, and JioHealthHub platform. With Jio Health Platform we are integrating the overall healthcare ecosystem to enable people to book online consultations, securely store and share health records, book lab tests and avail various other healthcare services," she says. "Jios education platform, Embibe, will address the shortage of quality teachers in India. It is built on three foundational blocks: Unprecedented Personalisation, Incredible Content and Teacher Empowerment," Isha says. Giving details on Jios latest innovation Jio Glass and its impact on the education scenario in the country, Kiran Thomas President, Reliance Industries Limited, and Director Jio says, "Jios latest innovation, Jio Glass, is at the cutting edge of technology that provides best-in-class Mixed Reality services to give users a truly meaningful immersive experience. Jio Glass is making teachers and students come together in 3D virtual rooms and conduct holographic classes through our Jio Mixed Reality cloud in real-time. With Jio Glass, the traditional way of learning Geography will now be History." Going deeper on the role of Jio Platforms in the times to comes and its achievement so far, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "We have fully kickstarted five accelerators of growth of digital connectivity: Mobile broadband, JioFiber, Jios enterprise broadband, broadband for SMEs, and Jios Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NBIoT). In the next three years, Jio will connect half a billion mobile customers, a billion smart sensors and 50 million home and business establishments." "Jios global-scale 4G and fiber network is powered by several core software technologies and components. It is this capability and know-how that positions Jio on the cutting edge of another exciting frontier. Jio Platforms is conceived with vision of developing original, captive intellectual property, using which we can demonstrate transformative power of technology across multiple ecosystems first in India, and then rest of world. Jio Platforms, with over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in technologies such as 4G, 5G, Cloud computing, Devices and OS, Big Data, AI, AR/VR, Blockchain, Natural Language Understanding & Computer Vision," he says. Elaborating on Jio's purpose and ambition, Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company says, "Our world will change more in next 8 decades than it did in last 20 centuries. India can lead this change if its enterprises are empowered with necessary tech infrastructure and capabilities." "We are delighted to welcome Google as a strategic investor in Jio Platforms. We have signed a binding partnership and an investment agreement under which Google will invest INR 33,737 crores for a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. "Reliance became the first Indian company to exceed market capitalisation of $150 billion. It is also the first Indian company to cross Rs 1,00,000 crore in consolidated EBITDA," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani. "The corona crisis is the most disruptive event in modern human history. However, I have no doubt India and the world will achieve faster progress, greater prosperity and a new quality of development post the COVID crisis," says Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the 43rd AGM of the company. Reliance Industries 43rd annual general meeting will commence shortly and Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani will address the virtual meeting at 2 pm. Amid coronavirus pandemic, Reliance Industries Limited will hold its first-ever virtual annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, which will have participation capacity of more than 100,000 shareholders from 500 locations, in India and overseas. Reliance Industries will host its 43rd Annual General Meeting at 2 pm today. Unlike other years, there will be no festival-like, electricity-filled atmosphere at the famed Birla Matushree hall of Mumbai but with Jios technology the AGM will showcase multiple firsts on a real-time basis including a chatbot, two-way live streaming, and a brand-new virtual platform that enables more than 100,000 shareholders from 500 locations, in India and overseas, to log in simultaneously, a Reliance Industries statement said on Tuesday. The pandemic is a blessing in disguise for shareholders outside Mumbai, who thus far could never attend this most sought-after annual event of corporate India. They will now simply log into the event live, can listen to the plans and initiatives and comment and participate too, it stated. For easy onboarding of its shareholders, RIL has launched an educative Chatbot via Whatsapp number +91 79771 11111. It is powered by Jio Haptik and equipped to answer queries and guide shareholders, prospective investors, media and the general public with accurate and immediate information as a 24 x 7 helpdesk that can handle 50,000 querists simultaneously via conversational text and video. The Jio Haptik chatbot on RIL Rights Issue was a first too and validated RILs mission to digitally empower businesses and individuals through simple, smart and secure technology, the statement added. RIL AGM, what was once limited to an auditorium in Mumbai, has been turned this year into a limitless example of corporate democracy. The canvass is reminiscent of the 1980s when founder chairman Dhirubhai Ambani held AGMs in iconic sporting stadia in Mumbai packed with thousands of shareholders. The upcoming AGM, four decades later, will be a virtual, tech-enabled vision of the same, where shareholders will be able to watch the AGM, ask questions to the chairman and vote - all aided by technology, in line with RILs current focus. By going online, RIL is bringing together its widespread shareholding of 2.6 million, it noted. In addition to shareholders in India, those in countries including the USA, the UK, Canada, the UAE, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia will also log in. Platforms and capabilities that will power the AGM include video conferencing, Jio Meet platform, Cisco Webex and commercial webcast. All directors, key officials and shareholder speakers will be visible and audible and thousands of shareholders will be able to post their questions and eVote on resolutions. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. By Azernews Global organizations should intervene to stop the aggressive behavior of the Armenian armed forces, Correspondent of Pakistans Morning Mail news agency Shamim Mehmood told Trend. Starting from the afternoon on July 12, units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, shelled Azerbaijani positions using artillery mounts. We as Pakistani have always backed Azerbaijans fair position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We believe that this long standing conflict should be resolved through dialogue but this negotiation process can only succeed if the cross border violations are stopped first, Mehmood said. Talking recent ceasefire violation, Mehmood emphasized that no doubt Pakistan is with Azerbaijan. We have strong brotherly relations since independence of Azerbaijan and we stand firmly with Azerbaijan. And Pakistan has refused to not only establish diplomatic relations with Armenia but also take principled stand on Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The Armenian forces should leave the Azerbaijani land and withdraw forces from that zone, he said. He also called on the world organizations to take action. It is important that the United Nations and other world organizations intervene to stop the aggressive behavior of the Armenian forces. This type of aggression not only violates the reached resolutions but also creates disappointment. We believe that this could be solved on negotiations table not on the field, he said. Starting from July 12 afternoon, while grossly violating the ceasefire regime in Azerbaijans Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border, the Armenian armed forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions by using artillery. As a result of the appropriate measures, the Armenian forces were forced to retreat, suffering losses. Azerbaijan lost sergeant Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, who died repelling the attack. Another serviceman of Azerbaijan's army Khayyam Dashdemirov died from wounds, despite the doctors' efforts. The tensions continued on the border, July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, vehicles, as well as killed Armenian servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Azerbaijani senior lieutenant Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. The battles continued on the night of July 13. Major General Polad Hashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev and soldier Elchin Mustafazade became martyrs during the battles. The release this week of the Palace letters between governor-general John Kerr and the Queens private secretary has understandably focused attention on what role if any was played by the monarch and her personal staff in the dismissal of the Whitlam government. The disclosures bring little additional information on that front, yet the real inquiry should be much closer to home. Less of the spotlight has so far fallen on the role of Sir Garfield Barwick, the chief justice of Australia's High Court, and the grave implications for an independent judiciary. The Queen with then-Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1977. Credit:Archive Sir John Kerr always maintained he did not involve the Queen in the controversy because the responsibility was his. In his autobiography, Matters for Judgment, Kerr wrote: "I did not tell the Queen in advance that I intended to exercise these powers on I I November [1975]. I did not ask her approval ... to inform Her Majesty in advance ... would be to risk involving her in an Australian political and constitutional crisis in relation to which she had no legal powers; and I must not take such a risk." However, the papers released by the National Archives disclose an exchange about six weeks before the dismissal. On September 12, Kerr wrote to Sir Martin Charteris, the Queen's private secretary: "I am also keeping my mind open as to the constitutional issues. If the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition get into a battle in which the Senate has defeated the Budget, the Prime Minister refuses to recommend a dissolution, my role will need some careful thought though, of course, the classic constitutional convention will presumably govern the matter." We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form KATHMANDU, Oct. 16, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli addresses the 2nd China-South Asia Literature Forum in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 15, 2019. With an aim of promoting art, literature and culture of China and South Asian countrie Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, July 15 : After Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's statement on 'real' Ayodhya being in Nepal, drew flak from Hindu saints and related outfits, it is now the Muslims leaders who have spoken out against the statement. Iqbal Ansari, a plaintiff in the Babri title suit, said: "If Lord Hanuman gets angry on this issue, he will destroy Nepal with one stroke of his mace. After all, wherever Ram goes, Hanuman follows him." He said that the Nepal Prime Minister probably was not aware of the importance of Ayodhya in the country and in the world. "If he comes to Ayodhya, he will realise its importance and significance," he said. Muslim cleric, Maulana Saif Abbas, also condemned the statement made by Oli and said that it was 'unfortunate and unacceptable'. He claimed that the Nepal Prime Minister was making such statements at the behest of China and Pakistan in an attempt to create unrest in India. "Oli should not allow himself to become a puppet in the hands of others," he said. The Maulana demanded that Oli should immediately withdraw his statement and offer an apology. Gov. Tom Wolf planned to announce new statewide targeted mitigation efforts as Pennsylvania reported about 1,000 new coronavirus infections, continuing a recent resurgence of COVID-19 in parts of the state, his office said Wednesday. Wolf and his health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, planned a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Pennsylvania Capital Star reports that Wolfs walkback of the states reopening plan will have the most profound effects on bars, restaurants and nightclubs, according to four sources with knowledge of a briefing the Wolf administration delivered to state lawmakers. The website reports that alcohol will only be allowed with the purchase of food and patrons will not be able to sit at a bar and just drink. Nightclubs and music venues must close, Capital Star reports. Currently, restaurant and bars are limited at 50% capacity in the green phase. This will be rolled back to 25% percent indoors, the website reports. Outdoor dining will still be permitted. Pennsylvanias recently elevated statewide virus numbers have been driven in large part by increased spread in the Pittsburgh area, where officials attribute the spike to younger people and others congregating in bars and restaurants. Allegheny County, which has already imposed temporary restrictions on restaurants and bars, reported 246 additional infections on Wednesday from tests performed between June 30 and July 14. Infections numbers have also been up in counties ringing Allegheny. The health department reported 994 new positive virus cases Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to more than 97,000. The health department reported the results of nearly 29,000 virus tests, the highest one-day total since the beginning of the pandemic. Health officials also reported 26 new deaths. The Philadelphia school district, meanwhile, announced Wednesday that it plans to resume limited in-person instruction in the fall, with most students in class just two days per week and learning remotely the other three. You can watch Wolfs 3:30 p.m. briefing here. New Delhi: As the commander-level talks between India and China to ease tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh concluded on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry said the talks would help in easing the border situation. China's official newspaper Global Times shared this on social media and tweeted, "#Chinese and #Indian border troops held the 4th commander-level talks on Tue, which achieved progress in pushing forward disengagement of frontline border troops from both countries and easing border situation: Chinese FM" #Chinese and #Indian border troops held the 4th commander-level talks on Tue, which achieved progress in pushing forward disengagement of frontline border troops from both countries and easing border situation: Chinese FM pic.twitter.com/mTKdA8JQNA Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 15, 2020 Global Times also quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday as saying "The border troops of China and India held their fourth commander-level talks on Tuesday, with the two sides making positive progress in further disengaging the frontline troops in the western section of the border." The statement was made by Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at Wednesday's media briefing. Hua reportedly said the talks also helped to ease the border situation and added "We hope that India can work with China to implement the consensus reached by the two sides with concrete actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas." During the course of the intense and complex negotiations between senior commanders of the two armies that lasted nearly 15 hours, the Indian delegation apprised the Chinese People's Liberation Army about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, government sources told PTI in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by the commander of the South Xinjiang military region Maj Gen Liu Lin. The Lt General-level talks took place days after implementation of the first phase of the disengagement process from the friction points. Notably, the PLA has already completed pulling back troops from Gogra, Hot Springs, and Galwan Valley and significantly thinned down its presence in the ridgeline of Finger Four in the Pangong Tso area in the last one week. The armies of India and China were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh since May 5. This tension further escalated after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were martyred. Sushil Modi dares RJD to declare ending prohibition law, if it comes to power 19 Jan 2022 | 12:33 AM Patna, Jan 18 (UNI) Former Bihar deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha Member Sushil Kumar Modi said on Tuesday that the prohibition has got wider public support and dared Rashtriy Janata Dal ( RJD) and Congress to muster courage to announce ending it, if it comes to power. see more.. Bihar logs 4551 new Covid-19 cases 18 Jan 2022 | 11:18 PM Patna, Jan 18 (UNI) With 154010 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 4551 fresh cases of Covid-19 were registered on Tuesday. see more.. Bengal reports 10,430 new COVID cases 18 Jan 2022 | 11:05 PM Kolkata, Jan 18 (UNI) West Bengal on Tuesday reported 10,430 new covid cases, according to the state health department. see more.. Legendary illustrator-comic strip creator Narayan Debnath dead 18 Jan 2022 | 10:52 PM Kolkata, Jan 18 (UNI) Legendary artist-illustrator Narayan Debnath, whose comic strips in Bengali childrens magazines have attained a cult following for close to 60 years, passed away at a private hospital here on Tuesday following old age complications. Debnath, 96, breathed his last at 10-15 AM in Belle Vue Clinic, where he was admitted on December 24 following acute weakness, low haemoglobin count as also lungs and kidney problems. see more.. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) Private hospitals are in danger of closing down once mandated to grant hazard pay, and other means of compensation to their health workers, an association of private health institutions bared Wednesday. "Employers [must also be considered] in additional costs for these benefits. Hospitals have been experiencing huge losses since the pandemic took place," said Ritchie Lirio, corporate secretary and board member of the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines, Inc. The health and COVID-19 response cluster of the House Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee tackled the provision of special protection and benefits for health workers during the pandemic but this raised concern among private institutions in shouldering additional costs amid financial losses. "The national average occupancy rate is about 30-35% for all hospitals. The business is not as robust than the previous months or years," Lirio added. Dr. Jaime Almora of the Philippine Hospitals Association also noted that during the pandemic, private hospitals are "similarly victimized" by the downturn of economic activities. "There is a 50-percent decrease in revenues because of decrease in inpatient and outpatient census, significant increase in expenses especially in COVID centers, and other financial difficulties," Almora said. "Once granted hazard pay, this may cause collapse of some hospitals...It will totally remove sources of livelihood....if spent on hazard pay and risk allowances," he added. The health cluster of the House Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee is set to form a technical working group to further discuss these concerns not covered by measures up for consolidation. At least nine House bills seeking to protect the welfare of frontliners by granting them hazard pay, special risk allowance, medical coverage, and even burial assistance to the families of those who succumbed to the virus are tabled for deliberation. Meanwhile, seven House resolutions seek to express"the highest appreciation" and gratitude to all health workers for their service. The Filipino Nurses United also appealed that health workers must also be provided sufficient protective gear, mandatory quarantine period, necessary flu vaccines, and yearly mental health leaves, among others. Robert Mendoza of the Alliance of Health Workers said that nurses and staff in some hospitals have been experiencing fatigue, psychological burnout, while some have been feeling "demoralized due to insufficient benefits" amid the crisis. "We do not see concrete measures from DOH (Department of Health) to protect those who risk their lives in battling this unforeseen enemy," he said. The DOH said Tuesday that private hospitals have shown only a nine-percent compliance rate out of the mandated allocation for COVID-19 beds amid surge in infections. At least four major hospitals in Metro Manila have already reached full capacity for infected patients. There were 35,483 reported COVID-19 cases in the country. A total of 20,459 have recovered while 1,603 died of the disease to date. Subscriber content preview The proposal places a heavy emphasis on updating America's infrastructure and improving energy efficiency in buildings and housing. By ALEXANDRA JAFFE, ELLEN KNICKMEYER and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press WILMINGTON, Del. Joe Biden released a $2 trillion plan on Tuesday to boost investment in clean energy and stop all climate-damaging emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035, arguing that dramatic action is needed to tackle climate change and revive the economy. In remarks near his home in Wilmington, Delaware, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee sought to reframe the politics of climate change. He rebuffed arguments from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies that Democratic plans to invest in clean energy would cost jobs. . . . NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said he still expected support from Russias space corporation in its Artemis moon program. Bridenstine said that "the relationship between NASA and Roscosmos is solid and emphasized that international partners will play a key role in NASAs plan to land humans on the lunar surface by 2024 and construct a space station orbiting the moon, Reuters reported. "Ive got a good relationship with Dmitri Rogozin, so Im hopeful that there are opportunities for us to continue to collaborate," Bridenstine said, referring to the general director of Russias state space corporation Roscosmos. NASA expects Russia to deliver its offer of an airlock for the Lunar Gateway, a planned outpost in lunar orbit to be built by a mix of private companies and countries and a key piece to the Artemis program. For two decades the U.S. space relationship with Russia has been largely insulated from geopolitics on Earth, party due to NASAs reliance on Soyuz launch vehicles for trips to the space station. NASA is now preparing to fly its astronauts on new space capsules from SpaceX and Boeing Co. According to information released by the Jerusalem Post Website on July 12, 2020, Philippine Navy shows interest to acquire eight Shaldag-class fast patrol boats to replace its medium-sized patrol crafts that have been in use since the mid-1990s. According to information released by the Jerusalem Post Website on July 12, 2020, Philippine Navy shows interest to acquire eight Shaldag-class fast patrol boats to replace its medium-sized patrol crafts that have been in use since the mid-1990s. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Israeli-made Shaldag-class MK III fast patrol boat. (Picture source israel-shipyards.com) The Shaldag-class is a small fast class of patrol boats developed by Israel Shipyards Limited (ISL) for the Israeli Navy and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with several other navies. The SHALDAG-class is available in three versions, namely SHALDAG MK II, SHALDAG MK III/IV, and SHALDAG MK V. It has an overall length of 25.30 m. The SHALDAG is most valued for security tasks where high intercept speeds and easy maneuverability are required. In addition, the vessel is equipped with highly advanced weapons systems, produced by world-recognized Israeli designers. The combat-proven success of this unique ISL craft was quickly established with the Israeli Navy, attracting the attention of many other Naval forces. Drawing on extensive operational experience in different environments, the craft continued to be improved, including the addition of newer lightweight weapons systems. The Shaldag MK II is a multi-mission combat-proven vessel. Due to its special all-aluminum design and a top speed of above 45 knots, it is one of the fastest FPCs in the naval arena, assisting navies, coast guards, and law enforcement authorities in missions where high intercept speeds are required. The Shaldag-class fast patrol boat can be armed with a 25mm automatic gun mounted at the front deck, as well as 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine guns. For the Philippine Navy, the patrol boat will also be armed with non-light-of-sight (NLOS) missiles that have a range of 25 km. Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore for a 7.7 percent stake in Jio Platforms Limited, becoming the latest A-list investor in the digital unit of Reliance Industries (RIL). This investment by Google values Jio Platforms at an equity value of 4.36 lakh crore. Googles investment will translate into a 7.73% equity stake in Jio Platforms on a fully diluted basis. Track all the updates on RIL AGM by following our LIVE blog here The deal with Jio, which runs the telecom enterprise Jio Infocomm, Indias biggest, as well as movie, news and music apps, is not just a financial but also a strategic investment by the internet giant. Google has joined Facebook Inc, Intel Corp and Qualcomm as strategic partners in Jio. Speaking about the investment Ambani said, " Google has empowered millions of Indians to access helpful information and, like Jio, is a force for change and innovation. We welcome Google onboard and are excited about our partnership for what it can deliver to Indians, from universalising Internet usage to deepening the new digital economy and providing a prime mover to Indias economic growth. Together, we hope to play a strong facilitative role in the transformative journey of building a new, Digital India. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet said, "Reliance Industries, and Jio Platforms in particular, deserve a good deal of credit for Indias digital transformation. The pace and scale of digital transformation in India is hugely inspiring for us and reinforces our view that building products for India first helps us build better products for users everywhere. Google is proud to invest Rs33,737 crore into Jio. I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who dont currently own a smartphone while improving the mobile experience for all." On the contours of the partnership with Google, Mukesh Ambani, at RIL's 43rd AGM said, "The Jio-Google partnership is determined to make India 2G-mukt. We believe we can design entry-level 4G or even 5G smartphone for a fraction of its current cost. To power such a value engineered smartphone, we also need an equally value engineered smartphone operating system and such an operating System must be designed from grounds-up. Google and Jio are partnering to build just such Android-based smartphone operating system right here in India." The investment by Googlethe 14th such deal in less than 13 weekstakes the total stake that Reliance sold in Jio Platforms to a skosh over 33 percent. Mumbai-based RIL has now raised a combined Rs 1,52,056 crore from some of the worlds leading tech investors in the largest fundraising exercise by a company anywhere in the world and during a global lockdown at that. Jio has also attracted the six most admired technology and financial investors as well three sovereign funds. The four strategic partners besides bringing in cash are also going to play a strategic role in shaping the future of Jio. Also Read: Facebook buys 9.9% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs 43,574 crore in largest tech FDI Facebook led the investments in Jio by buying a 9.99 percent stake for Rs 43,574 crore on April 22. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate has since sold stakes in Jio to global investors such as General Atlantic, KKR, Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Abu Dhabi state fund, Saudi Arabias PIF, Intel and Qualcomm. Cumulatively, RIL has raised Rs 2,12,809 crore through Rights Issue, combined investments in Jio Platforms, and investment by BP. It is in excess of our Net Debt of Rs 1,61,035 crore at the end of FY19-20. The transaction is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals. Follow all of our coverage on RIL's 43rd annual general meeting here. - RIL AGM: Isha Ambani says JioMeet, JioHealthHub to provide end-to-end digital health services By Marco Aquino LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra undertook a major government reshuffle on Wednesday, replacing more than half his cabinet as his popularity has taken a hit due to the harsh economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and a lengthy lockdown. Vizcarra installed lawyer Pedro Cateriano as prime minister to lead the cabinet, and changed up the key energy and mining ministry, appointing economist Rafael Belaunde. The president kept his rock-star economy minister Maria Antonieta Alva. Peru, the world's no. 2 copper producer, has been battered by the COVID-19 outbreak, with the fifth highest number of cases in the world despite a strict lockdown imposed in March. The economy has crashed as mining output sank. In a sign of the unusual times, one of the new ministers took the oath by video while serving a quarantine at home after testing positive for COVID-19. The country's health minister, who came under fire over his handling of the pandemic, was also ousted, replaced by the surgeon Pilar Mazzetti, who held the same position several years ago and had been leading the COVID-19 Operations Command. "In this new stage.... we will deepen the measures to accelerate the economic recovery and return Peru to the path of growth," Vizcarra said in a speech at the Government Palace. The Andean country earlier announced its economy contracted by 32.75% in May from a year earlier, the third straight monthly drop as Peru heads for a deep contraction this year. Cateriano, the new prime minister, made a pledge on social media before taking office: "I offer: sweat, honesty and democratic conduct for a more just and free Peru." Analysts say the experienced, if confrontational cabinet chief will give the government breathing room in the face of criticism, and after Vizcarra's popularity has fallen to a still decent 65% from a peak of 87% in March. (Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Leslie Adler) OKLAHOMA CITY - Archbishop Paul S. Coakley said Thursday masks or face coverings are required to be worn by individuals attending all public Masses and church activities in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Coakley announced the new mandate in a "Letter to the Faithful" as the latest in a series of precautionary measures that have already been put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. Previously, masks or face coverings had been encouraged but not mandatory. Coakley said the new requirement was necessary because of the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma since early June. In his letter, the archbishop told parishioners that the coronavirus has affected some of their family members and friends and more than a dozen priests, as well. Youths age 5 and younger are excluded from the mask requirement. The lockdown got a lot of us looking inwards at our lives and our relationships and how we can improve them. Now's a good time to give your sex life a dust down as well by trouble-shooting any long-standing issues you've both been head-in-the-sand about. Here's the four most common problems men are likely to suffer from and practical tips on how to fix them. Tracey Cox has revealed the four most common sexual problems affecting men in the bedroom, and what you can do to solve them (stock image) HE CAN'T GET AN ERECTION Nearly every man will have had problems getting an erection by the time he reaches 40. The causes, as with most things, can be psychological or physical. Too much booze can do it, so can recreational drugs, physical exhaustion, pressure, anxiety, stress and guilt (his penis may try to be faithful, even if he isn't). Relationship problems can also cause ED (erectile dysfunction). If you're not getting on out of bed, it's unlikely he'll be feeling relaxed in it. The older the man is, the more likely he is to have erection wobbles. But even teenagers can experience ED. If he dismisses a one-off erection wobble as nothing to worry about, chances are that's what it will be. But if he panics, as men are prone to do, it may well happen again. A good way to figure out which category he slots into physical or psychological - is to see if he has an erection when he wakes up in the morning. Tracey Cox has tackled the four most common sexual issues that impact men, which may be causing problems in your relationship, including premature ejaculation and inability to orgasm If he does have one or can get one during masturbation the cause is probably psychological. What to do: Rule out any medical reasons for the condition. Encourage him to look at his lifestyle and give alcohol and cigarettes the big swerve. If he's on any prescribed medication, ask his doctor about possible side effects. (Anti-depressants are notorious for causing ED and libido issues). ED can also be a symptom of blood flow issues elsewhere; if it's ongoing, get him in for a check-up. Don't take it personally. It doesn't mean you're too fat, too old, not sexy enough. If it's a new relationship, it often means he's so eager to impress, he's got performance anxiety. Remember, his erection will go up and down throughout the sex session. But don't pretend you don't notice, if it remains flaccid for a while or is happening more frequently. Say, 'I know how that feels. Sometimes I want sex but I don't get wet.' Talk to his penis as well. Say, 'Poor thing, you're tired' or 'Too much beer, eh?' to lighten the situation. Gently stroke it from base to tip or give him oral sex but don't labour the point. If he doesn't become hard in a few minutes, shift to another area his nipples, his mouth, his testicles. Turn it around. Say, 'Fantastic! This means I get you all to myself.' Let him use his hands and tongue to bring you to orgasm. Masturbate for him. Relax and enjoy yourself an orgasm each doesn't necessarily have to be the goal of lovemaking. Let him know you aren't worried about it. The less concerned you are, the less likely he is to stress about it and the less likely it is to happen again. HE CAN'T ORGASM Women are used to having sex without the ultimate reward of orgasm men are used to quite the opposite. Which explains why both sexes often over-react when this happens. Women think there's something wrong with them (not tight enough, not sexy enough), men worry more knowing this. Delayed ejaculation often happens because sensation in the penis is deadened by too much alcohol, drugs (recreational or prescribed medication), medical conditions (like diabetes) or surgery. Or, it could be he's simply worn himself out from too many previous climaxes. He might also be feeling emotionally upset: if he's worried about losing you, has money or work hassles, his mind's not on the job. The gruesome twosome anxiety and stress are also culprits. So is fear of pregnancy. What to do: Talk to him about changing his masturbation technique. How and how often he masturbates is also linked to the condition. Men who masturbate more than three times a week or use a high intensity grip (high speed or high pressure) that's hard to replicate with a hand, mouth or vagina, are more likely to suffer from delayed ejaculation. Ask what he needs to orgasm. Some men can only orgasm if something 'extra' is added (like their partner squeezes their testicles) but are too shy to ask for it. Use your mouth. If you've been having intercourse for ages, your vagina's probably overstimulated and probably not gripping his penis as hard as usual. Switch to oral sex or mutual masturbation, using firmer pressure than usual. HE ORGASMS TOO QUICKLY Premature ejaculation is the most common male sex problem of all between 20 and 30 per cent of men don't last as long as they or their partner wants them to when they're having intercourse. Defining a premature ejaculator is difficult. Sex therapists will generally agree a man fits the criteria if he ejaculates within a minute almost all of the time, for a period longer than six months and finds it distressing. But there really is no 'set rule'. One reputable study found it takes an average of between five and seven minutes for a man to reach orgasm and ejaculate during intercourse but there are so many factors that influence this. It's not premature ejaculation if it only happens now and then, he hasn't had sex for a long time, he's doing something particularly exciting or with someone particularly exciting. It can also happen when a man is worried about losing his erection: he hurries it up to avoid that happening. What to do: Encourage him to try 'edging' or 'peaking'. It's a technique that helps him control ejaculation through masturbation training techniques. (Do a search and you'll find specific details.) Try the 'squeeze technique'. You or he grasps the penis just below the head and presses hard when he's close to orgasm. Get him to masturbate an hour before sex. Anyone who's seen 'There's something about Mary' will be familiar with this one. The more often he ejaculates, the longer he will usually take the next time around. Getting him to wear a condom can also help. Get him to give you an orgasm first. It takes the pressure off. Don't stop having sex just because he's had an orgasm. Go back for round two, three Initiate non-penetrative sex like massage, oral sex and masturbation as well as intercourse. Taking the focus off penetration not only reduces anxiety, it usually makes sex more pleasurable for both of you. Studies show the longer a couple spend on foreplay, the higher the satisfaction rating for both sexes. HE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE SEX When renown US therapist Michele Weiner Davis, with 30 years of couples' therapy under her belt, suggested 25 percent of American men didn't want sex, the response was indignant fury. 'It's America's best kept secret', she said refusing to back down. And Britain's, apparently. UK counselling service, Relate, reported a 40 percent increase from the previous decade in the number of men claiming to have gone off sex. These weren't men with erection problems, these were men who weren't interested in getting one. There are many reasons why. As women become more comfortable with sex, some men become less secure. Sex is demanded more often and it's a blow to his ego if you want it more than him. Desire can also be dampened by outside pressures. Men aren't sex robots. They're human and affected by stress and feelings just as much as women are. It could also be the age and stage of your relationship. Most of us move out of the can't-get-enough stage after those first few, fervent months. Unfortunately, it's often replaced by sex that's as predictable as Grandpa's war stories. What to do: You're not matching bookends. Some people have high sex drives, some people don't. In an ideal world, we'd all find our libido equivalents. If that hasn't happened, find a compromise. Encourage him to talk about his problems. The more open the relationship, the less sex problems there are. Help him deal with stress rather than add to it. Too much work and not enough play makes his penis feel very dull indeed. Self-medicating through excessive drinking affects the production of testosterone, the primary hormone responsible for our sex drive. Not surprisingly, the kick-on effect of all this is often depression. So, he pops off to the doctor, who hands out anti-depressants and maybe some high blood pressure pills, effectively wiping out any cravings that might have still been hopefully hanging around. A common side-effect of anti-depressants and anti-hypertensive drugs is you know by now - a low libido. If he's tired, embrace the quickie. Get him to give you oral sex if he's not interested (you'll feel satisfied, he may find it the turn-on he needs) and return the favour on other occasions. Every sex session doesn't have to last an hour. Suggest some new things to try. If boredom is the issue, try ordering a new sex toy, initiating sex at a different time or place or come up with a suggestion that pushes you both out of your comfort zones into edgier sex. You'll find Tracey's products, books and more advice about sex at traceycox.com. He may have been a merchant or a craftsman, but one thing is sure is that experts now know what a man looked like when he walked the Earth during the 16th century. Archaeologists located a lost medieval village in Poland six years ago, which was home to a massive graveyard filled with more than 100 skeletons. Several unusual discoveries were made in the cemetery, one being a coffin filled with lime, but the skeleton of a man around 35 to 44 years old caught the teams' attention. Using 3D technology, researchers scanned the man's skull that showed signs of malocclusion and reconstructed his face showing a large forehead, pointy nose and an anterior bite. He may have been a merchant or a craftsman, but one thing is sure is that experts now know what a man looked like when he walked the Earth during the 16th century. He had a large forehead, pointy nose and an anterior bite The mystery man, along with the lost city, was found near Niedzwiedziny village in the Wielkopolska region, in western Poland, The First News reports. However, the location was originally known as Dzwonowo and has missing until 2016. The city was discovered drones and plant formations, allowing the team to pinpoint the location of the city only talked about in literature the first mention of the town was in the early 14th century. During the first week of excavations, archaeologists examined 21 graves, one of the skeletons was found to have a coin in the mouth known as a Sigismund III Vasa penny, which allowed scientists to determine the time of burial was the first half of the seventeenth century. The skull was scanned into a computer to create a 3D model in order to print a replica The mystery man, along with the lost city, was found near Niedzwiedziny village in the Wielkopolska region, in western Poland The Dzwonowo cemetery was connected to the St. Michael church that once stood in the town, but had been demolished some 250 years ago. The graveyard showed the remains were buried as layers, suggesting it had been a cemetery for quite some time. The graveyard showed the remains were buried as layers, suggesting it had been a cemetery for quite some time From all the skeletons, the team picked one that belonged to a man 500 years ago to undergo facial reconstruction. The skull showed signs of malocclusion, which is when there is an abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth something that may occur as a child due to thumb sucking. The skull was first scanned to create a 3D model in order to print a replica, which was then covered in clay and sculpted to reveal facial features. Archaeologist Marcin Krzepkowski, who located the city, told The First News: 'Who was the deceased? I have no idea. We can only guess he was a merchant or a craftsman. He was almost certainly a resident of medieval Dzwonowo.' The skull was first scanned to create a 3D model in order to print a replica, which was then covered in clay and sculpted to reveal facial features From all the skeletons, the team picked one that belonged to a man 500 years ago to undergo facial reconstruction The location was originally known as Dzwonowo and has missing until 2016 The lost city of Dzwonowo also contained thousands of artifacts what were uncovered in cellars of the now gone homes. One of the most valuable is a denarius of Wadysaw the Short from the years 1312-1333 - according to Krzepkowski, it is the fifth such known coin. Combs, sharpening stones, iron knives and fire strikers, ornate bourgeois and knight's belt fittings were also discovered during the excavation. 'Discovered artefacts indicate the rich material culture of the townspeople' - said the researcher. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:45:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Personal remittances, or the money sent home by overseas Filipinos, amounted to 2.276 billion U.S. dollars in April 2020, 16.1 percent lower than that of April 2019, the Philippine central bank said on Wednesday. This brought the cumulative remittances for the first four months of the year to 10.494 billion U.S. dollars, a slight decrease of 2.9 percent from the same period in 2019, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. According to the BSP, personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more declined to 1.677 billion U.S. dollars in April 2020, 17.9 percent lower than the same month in 2019. Similarly, the BSP said remittances from sea-based workers and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year fell by 10.2 percent to 0.547 billion U.S. dollars in April 2020 from 0.609 billion U.S. dollars a year ago. The BSP said the decline in cash remittances was attributed to the unexpected repatriation of some overseas Filipinos deployed in countries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and temporary closure or limited operating hours of some banks and institutions from both the sending and receiving ends that provide money transfer services during the lockdown. The government estimates the number of overseas Filipino workers at 12 million, accounting for one-tenth of the country's population. BSP data showed that personal remittances sent home by overseas Filipinos in 2019 reached a record high of 33.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, 3.9 percent higher than the number of 2018. The Asian Development Bank has projected the remittances from overseas Filipino workers, equivalent to 9 percent of the gross domestic product, to slow this year due to COVID-19. Enditem Gov. Greg Abbott signaled Tuesday that changes likely are coming to the states guidance on reopening schools, with local officials potentially getting more latitude to keep campuses closed in August. Abbott offered few details on potential tweaks to the states guidelines, which have drawn criticism from several leading education groups amid a continued spike in COVID-19 cases, but he suggested new regulations could be released in the next few days. I think Mike Morath, the commissioner of education, is expected to announce a longer period of time for online learning at the beginning of the school year, and flexibility at the local level, Abbott told KTRK-TV in Houston. This is going to have to be a local-level decision, but there will be great latitude and flexibility provided at the local level. The potential changes likely will ease the states push to open campuses in August, which Abbotts administration outlined last week to howls from many educators. Under Texas Education Agency guidelines issued July 7, public schools must offer five days of in-person classes each week to all families that want them and provide an online-only option to students or risk losing state funding. Some exceptions exist, however, to the face-to-face instruction requirement. Local government officials can order schools to remain closed, an option employed in El Paso County and the city of Laredo late last week. Districts also can limit in-person classes to students who lack a computer and internet at home for the first three weeks of their school year. Some districts are planning to remain completely virtual during that time by providing technology to all students in need. Still, the prospect of some Texas schools reopening next month in the midst of a rapid increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations has sparked pushback from educators and some parents, particularly in the past few days. The states four largest teacher organizations urged Abbott to halt efforts to reopen schools during the ongoing outbreak. In addition, two organizations representing 41 of the states largest school districts called on Abbott to provide more flexibility to local education leaders, including the power to remain online-only to start the school year. Certainly, we want all students to be in school, but local school districts must have the flexibility to make sure that any approach taken is safe for students, staff and families without the fear of losing funding, the Texas School Alliance and Texas Urban Council of Superintendents wrote to Abbott. The blowback once again has put Abbott in the position of deciding whether to retain decision-making power or delegate authority to local officials. In prior high-profile fights over the rights of local government officials to close certain businesses and punish people for not wearing face coverings, Abbott opted to overrule county judges and mayors. He issued executive orders that gave him the power to dictate which businesses could be told to close and removed sanctions related to violations of mask mandates. Earlier this month, the governor issued his own mask mandate. Abbotts comments Tuesday signal he may allow local education leaders more leeway on matters related to the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. The precise power delegated to local officials, however, will depend on the details of guidelines released in the coming days. His reference to a longer period of online learning to start the year hints at the possibility that campuses could remain closed to students with at-home technology beyond the three-week time frame. However, some school districts do not have enough computers and wireless internet hotspots to outfit all families in need particularly those in higher-poverty districts, such as Houston and Aldine ISDs. Ten school board presidents representing large districts with high percentages of lower-income students including Houston, Dallas and Aldine ISDs called on the governor Monday to allow district leaders to decide on school closures. To say we are required to have in-person instruction no matter what the situation is is not only reckless, but unsafe for our students and our staff, the school board presidents wrote in a letter to Abbott. HISD officials are expected to announce their reopening plans Wednesday, joining several Houston-area districts that have released restart guidelines in recent days. Notably, Alief ISD declared it will remain virtual-only for three weeks, while Fort Bend ISD plans to reopen campuses only to students receiving special education services or taking certain vocational classes. Reporter Julian Gill contributed to this story. jacob.carpenter@chron.com A 15-year-old boy who swung a machete at a rival's head during a mass brawl involving up to 100 youths outside a cinema complex has been sent to a young offenders institute. Violence broke out outside the Star City complex in Nechells, Birmingham on November 23 last year, during 'signficant public disorder in some cities across the UK,' following the release of gang film Blue Story, Birmingham Crown Court heard. The complex was closed and Vue Cinemas, which screened films at the site, decided to pull the film following 25 incidents at 16 cinemas last year. Up to 100 youths were involved in a brawl outside Star City in Birmingham last November, during which a 14-year-old boy swung a machete at a rival's head. The boy, now 15, has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institute Police were scrambled to the Star City complex in Nechells last November after a fight broke out between 100 youths aged between 12 and 16 Opening the case, Prosecutor Thomas Griffiths told the court a dispute had broken out between two large groups - involving up to 100 young people aged between 12 and 16. Mr Griffiths said: 'The parties were held back by security guards. 'The defendant brought the machete he had down over his head and towards a member of the other group. 'The strike failed to connect.' The prosecutor submitted that the offence was aggravated by the fact that members of the public were around and it was in broad daylight. Defending the boy, James Doyle told the court there was an 'element of peer influence' involved in the offence - adding that it was a 'planned act of bravado in front of his friends'. The youth, who was 14 at the time of the brawl, pleaded guilty to attempted wounding and possession of a bladed article at a previous hearing. Sentencing the boy on Tuesday, Judge Avik Mukherjee said: 'The weekend of November 23 last year was significant in terms of public disorder in some cities in the UK. The Star City Complex had to be closed following the mass brawl, which happened while gang film Blue Story was out in cinemas 'These disorders and gatherings coincided with the release of a film called Blue Story. 'Star City was substantially, if not exclusively closed. 'You shouldn't have been there for any reason not just on the account of your age but on the account of the closure of Star City. 'It is even more inexplicable that you needed to turn up with a machete. I'm satisfied you armed yourself with it before you went to Star City.' Judge Mukherjee said the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had armed himself 'to use or threaten violence with it' but it was 'not clear what the dispute concerned'. He added: 'It is reasonable to conclude that you were expecting a confrontation and you armed yourself.' The judge told the youth that, had security staff not intervened in the fight, the incident 'could have become much more unwieldy and out of control'. He told the boy: 'You were showing off in front of your friends.' Addressing the wounding attempt, Judge Mukherjee said: 'You missed your intended target but only because he moved out of the way. That was good luck rather than anything else. 'This was reckless, dangerous and caused fear and distress to others present.' The judge ordered the youth should be excluded from the Star City premises for two years and that the machete should be destroyed. Sen. Ed Markey describes the push for another coronavirus stimulus package as the epic battle of his career, with Democrats, Republicans and the Trump administration at odds over boosts to unemployment insurance, stimulus checks to Americans and aid to states and municipalities. The Democratic-led House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act passed two months ago, but Republicans blunted the bill in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell dismissed the package as a liberal wishlist. Our cities and towns are bearing the brunt of this economic crisis. Thousands of state and local workersin red states and blue states alikehave been laid off and let go. They need urgent relief. Mitch McConnell, let us vote now. https://t.co/xWyiNRly2X Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) July 7, 2020 One of the major sticking points for Democrats is the HEROES Acts $875 million for states, municipal governments and tribes, which have been hit with unforeseen revenue losses that have forced more than 1.6 million layoffs throughout the pandemic. McConnell and Trump administration officials have argued against providing funding to states they feel are poorly managed. But Markey says without greater assistance from the federal government, state and local governments could face more than $1 trillion in budget shortfalls due to the pandemic over the next three years. As each day goes by, the HEROES Act seems much more in tune with the kind of comprehensive approach well need for the whole country, Markey told an editorial board at The Republican newspaper in Springfield on Tuesday. The Democratic senator argued too many red states decided not to learn anything from Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut, and he said Republican governors and senators may get on board with Democrats push for more state and local funding as new coronavirus cases spike in communities throughout the South and West. Red state mayors and and red state city councilors are realizing that they need help, that their economies are now heading for the ropes, that their hospitals are desperate for more (personal protective equipment) ... more testing, Markey said. Another factor that might generate more buy-in for state and local funding is the Trump administrations insistence that schools reopen nationwide, Markey argued. So far, Republicans have said No to extending unemployment and No to any help to cities and towns, but at the same time (U.S. Department of Education Secretary) Betsy DeVos says, We want all schools to open, Markey said. If you dont have help for cities and towns, theyre going to be laying off teachers ... they wont have food for these kids. I think that facts on the ground reality is about to slap them in the face. Last week, Markey noted that in Massachusetts alone, public employee layoffs included more than 2,000 educators in 47 school districts. Before parents send their children back to school, they need confidence that schools are safe and backed by local, state and federal governments, Markey said. Both Markey and his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, have pushed for greater federal funding for states and localities, education, hospitals and the unemployed. McConnell and the Trump administration while agreeing that another stimulus package is necessary have focused on extensions of the Payroll Protection Program to assist small businesses, a payroll tax cut and direct payments to Americans, targeted to lower-income individuals. The HEROES Act calls for another round of stimulus checks similar to those provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which President Donald Trump signed in March. Markey joined Sens. Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris in calling for recurring payments of $2,000 over the next few months. Trump has said hes open to larger checks for Americans in the next stimulus package, but McConnell has called for limiting payments to those earning $40,000 or less. Markey said that Democrats successfully stuck to their guns on aid to hospitals and expansions of testing in previous packages, and he predicted Republicans would relent again. He noted that nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trumps oversight of the pandemic, according to the latest ABC News poll. Its the epic battle of my career and its going to be over whether the federal government is going to provide help for families all across this country, Markey said. If they dont do it, theyre going to politically regret it. Related Content: By Foo Yun Chee and Padraic Halpin BRUSSELS/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Apple's clash with EU competition regulators comes to a head on Wednesday as Europe's second-highest court rules on whether it has to pay 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in Irish back taxes, a key part of the EU's crackdown against sweetheart tax deals. In its order four years ago, the European Commission said Apple benefited from illegal state aid via two Irish tax rulings that artificially reduced its tax burden for over two decades - to as low as 0.005% in 2014. Defeat for European Competition ... Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more Although many people havent wrapped their minds around 5G mobile technology yet, Samsung has already started talking about 6G. In a report released Tuesday, the South Korean electronics giant reveals its 6G vision of the future, including technical and societal megatrends, new services, requirements, candidate technologies, and an expected timeline of standardization. While 5G commercialization is still in its initial stage, its never too early to start preparing for 6G because it typically takes around 10 years from the start of research to commercialization of a new generation of communications technology, Sunghyun Choi, head of Samsungs Advanced Communications Research Center, explained in a statement. In its report, Samsung predicted that earliest commercialization of 6G could occur as early as 2028, with mass commercialization taking place roughly two years after that. The standards groups that develop protocols for mobile telecommunications, known as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, roll new standards about every decade or so, noted Kevin Krewell, a principal analyst in the San Jose, Calif. offices of Tirias Research, a high-tech research and advisory firm. Assuming theres no big hang up in committees, the Samsung prediction seems about right, he told TechNewsWorld. Leaving 5G in the Dust Samsung also sees the technology taking a huge performance leap over 5G networks, which are currently barely getting off the ground. Peak data rates for 6G will be 1,000 gigabits per second, or about 50 times that of 5G, and air latency the time between when an instruction is issued and when its performed of 100 microseconds, or one-tenth the latency of 5G. The goals of 6G will be to take 5G to the next level of magnitude on bandwidth and latency, Krewell said. The overall goal is to make 6G connectivity even more reliable and robust than 5G, allowing more connected services, such as radio connected drones and real-time augmented reality glasses, he continued. A comparison of key performance requirements between 6G and 5G [Credit: Samsung] A D V E R T I S E M E N T Reliability will be a sensitive issue if 6G is used to control autonomous vehicles, observed Jack E. Gold, founder and principal analyst at J.Gold Associates , an IT advisory company in Northborough, Mass. 6G will need to expand on reliability because if youre using things like autonomous vehicles, you cant have signals going away and causing car crashes, he told TechNewsWorld. In its report, Samsung maintained that 6G will be used for advanced services, such as immersive extended reality, high-fidelity mobile hologram and use of digital twins in virtual worlds. Use Cases Predicting use cases for 6G may be a little premature, however. Its hard to know what will be the technology that drives the adoption of 6G, Krewell said. In 2010, did we know that AR and VR, autonomous vehicles, and drones would be high on our list of uses for 5G? Its really hard to conceptualize what the use cases for 6G might be, when were still trying to figure out the use cases for 5G, added Jason Leigh, a senior research analyst for mobility at IDC, in Framingham, Mass., a market research company. Nevertheless, if 6G lives up to its speed and latency specs, it could be used in a variety of ways. Features like these could support a wide range of advanced education, training and certification processes in various industries, said Charles King, the principal analyst at Pund-IT, a technology advisory firm in Hayward, Calif. They could also enhance remote support for healthcare and other hard to come by services for rural communities, he told TechNewsWorld. Immersive applications for product and industrial design are likely, he added. There will also likely be numerous military applications, from advanced communications to real-time battlefield analysis. Propagation Problems Because 6G will be operating in the terahertz bandwidth, its expected to encounter problems similar to those currently facing 5G millimeter wave technology. Thats acknowledged in the Samsung report. A D V E R T I S E M E N T To cope with the difficult propagation characteristics of THz band, the report noted, it may be natural to enhance the massive MIMO technology that was introduced to support millimeter wave (mmWave) band in 5G. Since the THz band requires much more antennas than the mmWave band, there may be significantly more practical difficulties. MIMO multiple-input, multiple-output is a way for multiplying the capacity of a radio link. The challenge with millimeter waves is they can only travel three blocks, and they dont penetrate doors very well, Leigh told TechNewsWorld. When you get up to that terahertz level, those propagation issues multiply. Initially, wireless carriers will likely adopt the same phase-in strategy theyre using with their 5G transition when they introduce 6G. Early 6G phones will support 5G and 6G until the newer technology becomes ubiquitous. You take the best of whats already available and leverage that to take you to the next step, Gold explained. Eventually, you reach the next step and get rid of the older stuff. More Machines Than People If 5G is any indicator, carriers could have problems selling 6G to consumers. The sell for consumers seems pretty hazy, King said. That is, unless vendors come up with entirely new types of devices and form factors. Businesses which could utilize 6G features and functions to improve efficiency, lower costs or create new market opportunities seem the likeliest targets, he added. However, consumers may not be playing as big a role in 6G adoption as theyve played in past new generation rollouts. The Samsung report noted that its expected that the number of connected devices will reach 500 billion by 2030, which is about 59 times larger than the expected world population at that time of 8.5 billion. Mobile devices will take various form-factors, it continued, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and hologram devices. Increasingly, it noted, machines will need to be connected by means of wireless communications. Such connected machines will include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors installed in various infrastructures, construction machines, and factory equipment. As the number of connected machines grows exponentially, those machines will become dominant users of 6G communications, the report maintained. Looking back at the history of wireless communications, technologies have been developed assuming services for humans as the major driving applications, it continued. In 5G, machines were also considered in defining requirements and developing technologies. We expect new 6G technologies have to be developed specifically to connect hundreds of billions of machines taking into account what is required for machines, it predicted. Kerala DHSE Plus Two Result 2020 DECLARED | The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, Kerala has announced the plus two or class 12th exam result 2020 today (15 July Wednesday). Kerala DHSE Plus Two Result 2020 DECLARED | The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, Kerala has announced the plus two or class 12th exam result 2020 today (15 July Wednesday). Students who have taken the exam will be able to check their results online at keralaresults.nic.in or dhsekerala.gov.in. According to News18, about 4.42 lakh students appeared for Kerala board Class 12 exams. The intermediate exams began on 10 March, but later some papers had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The pending papers were held from 27 to 30 May. This year, the declaration of results has been delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown. Last year, the DHSE Kerala result was released on 8 May 2019. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES FOR DHSE RESULTS 2020 HERE Steps to check the Kerala DHSE Class 12 Results 2019: Step 1: Visit the official website of Kerala DHSE at keralaresults.nic.in Step 2: Click on the link 'DHSE results' on the homepage Step 3: Enter your roll number and date of birth Step 4: Results will be displayed on the screen Step 5: Download the results for future reference About DHSE Kerala board DHSE Kerala, manages the higher secondary, secondary and vocational higher education in the state. DHSE, Kerala was setup in the year 1990 in line with the National Education Policy. Disclaimer: As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified by Firstpost. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in. By PTI JERUSALEM: A widely used anti-cholesterol drug, fenofibrate, can "downgrade" the danger-level of coronavirus to that of a common cold, a Hebrew University (HU) academic has claimed after testing it on infected human tissue. Professor Yaakov Nahmias, director of HU's Grass Center for Bioengineering, in a joint research with Benjamin tenOever at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center, found that the novel coronavirus is so vicious because it causes lipids to be deposited in the lungs and that fenofibrate can undo the damage. "If our findings are borne out by clinical studies, this course of treatment could potentially downgrade COVID-19's severity into nothing worse than a common cold," Nahmias was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the HU. The two researchers focussed on the ways in which SARS-CoV-2 changes patients' lungs in order to reproduce itself. They discovered that the virus prevents the routine burning of carbohydrates. As a result, large amounts of fat accumulate inside lung cells, a condition the virus needs in order to reproduce. "This new understanding of SARS CoV-2 may help explain why patients with high blood sugar and cholesterol levels are often at a particularly high risk to develop COVID-19," they noted. "Viruses are parasites that lack the ability to replicate on their own, so they take control of our cells to help accomplish that task. By understanding how SARS-CoV-2 controls our metabolism, we can wrestle back control from the virus and deprive it from the very resources it needs to survive," Nahmias explained. Having drawn this conclusion, the two researchers began to screen FDA-approved medications that interfere with the virus' ability to reproduce. In their lab studies, the cholesterol-lowering drug fenofibrate, sold under the brand name Tricor, showed extremely promising results. By allowing lung cells to burn more fat, fenofibrate breaks the virus' grip on these cells and prevents SARS CoV-2's ability to reproduce. In fact, within only five days of treatment, the virus almost completely disappeared, the researchers claim. "With second-wave infections spiking in countries across the globe, these findings could not come at a better time," Nahmias was quoted as saying, adding that "global cooperation may provide the cure". "The collaboration between the Nahmias and tenOever labs demonstrates the power of adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to study SARS-CoV-2 and that our findings could truly make a significant difference in reducing the global burden of COVID-19," tenOever added. While there are many international efforts currently underway to develop a coronavirus vaccine, studies suggest that vaccines may only protect patients for a few months, the university's press release said. Therefore, blocking the virus' ability to function, rather than neutralising its ability to strike in the first place, may be the key to turning the tables on COVID-19, it added. The findings of the research will appear in this week's Cell Press' Sneak Peak. Once you give the government the power to elevate one group over another, regardless of the reason, you are one step closer to dictatorship. This is why the left focuses only on the rights of the collective that's always based on and enforced by the power of the state, whereas the right focuses only on the rights of the individual that's always based on "the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness" of each individual citizen. Once the precedent is used to lift one group over another, that power can then be used in the future to marginalize, criminalize, and persecute whatever group government deems a threat to its prevailing ideology and why it's so dangerous. Two of the easiest examples that can be cited are that of Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. Hitler was quite open about his determination to make the Aryan race preeminent not just in German society but throughout the world as well. And it was the Jews who became the primary outcasts at the start of his quest for world domination, or the Thousand-Year Reich, as he called it. The extermination of an entire group of people was just the beginning of his long-term plan. Then there was Stalin. Although operating from a different political ideology, Russian communism really was no different than Nazi fascism. The USSR was founded by Lenin on the premises of Marxism, also an ideology that believed its historical destiny was to dominate the world, with the revolutionary vanguard leading the proletariat. And like Hitler's concentration camps, Stalin implemented his vast prison system knows as the Gulag Archipelago, where millions were interred and perished. Along with the gulags, Stalin also implemented a systematic state-sponsored extermination plan in which tens of millions of Russian peasants, also known as kulaks, were exterminated through starvation in the name of Soviet-style economic rationalism. In both Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, individualism was extinguished in the name of securing the utopian future of the collective. What many don't realize is that both fascism and communism, along with democratic principles, are all rooted in reason. All three are essentially branches of the same tree that grew out of the Enlightenment. It gave the world both reason and rationalism that was the basis for modern society because it was the new pathway to truth that tells us everything we need to know about the world and how it all works. azi Germany ("NaZi" was an abbreviation for Nationalsozialismus) and the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) both had modern industrial economies as did the United States where all three of them developed and grew out of scientific rationalism. The problem developed between the three ideologies when reason became the only tool for obtaining truth while dispensing with a built-in standard of universal morality. Therefore, reason was easily manipulated as a tool for validating and promoting an existing ideology rather than a transcendent truth that most people believe came from God our Creator. Without an attendant morality and virtue attached to reason, it becomes just an amoral and corruptible tool in social experimentation. There must be first principles where all morality and virtue originate and are universally accepted by everyone in order to construct a civil and just society. The Founding Fathers did exactly that in creating a country based on the writings and ideas from some of the Enlightenment thinkers, primarily Locke and Montesquieu, whose philosophies emphasized individual freedom. But the Founding Fathers also included the all-important biblical morality without which the Constitution as they wrote it would probably not have been the same. In the Constitution, the rights of the individual were elevated so they would never by subject to arbitrary or capricious power of the state, which is exactly what identity politics does and that the new social justice movement is advocating. Since the emergence of the modern state, there has been a long and winding road leading to the consolidation of governmental power at the expense of the individual and this is why the American experiment in freedom is in peril as the collective gets artificially elevated at the expense of individualism that was organically built into the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The United States is really not that different from Hitler's Germany or Stalin's Russia. The big difference is that the United States has a large number of built-in checks and balances against the consolidation of power by the state that in turn protects individual freedom. They have been steadily eroded in the last one hundred years by progressive forces manipulating and distorting the meaning of the Constitution in the name of the "greater good" rather than the individual. And this is leading to the same destination as those two totalitarian regimes. The host of the well-loved science show MythBusters and of the Netflix show White Rabbit Project, Grant Imahara, died on July 13 at the age of 49 due to a brain aneurysm. As reports of his death spread online, millions of fans of his shows as well as his co-workers paid tribute to the engineer who made science fun and interesting for everyone. Who Was Grant Imahara? Grant Imahara was an electrical engineer and roboticist. During the third season of the Discovery Channel's MythBusters, he replaced host Scottie Chapman, and he stayed on the show for many years until 2014 with his fellow hosts Tory Belleci and Kari Byron. The three of them would reunite for a Netflix show called the White Rabbit Project in 2016, which only had a single season. While Imahara was on MythBusters, he used his technical skills to create robots and he was also responsible for handling the electronics and computers needed to test many myths. Imahara did many things when he was on MythBusters like sky-diving and driving stunt cars. Before that, he worked with Lucasfilms where he got to meet the most popular characters in film history. He was one of the operators of R2-D2 from Star Wars. Grant was behind The Energizer Bunny as well as the robot Geoff Peterson for The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. Read More: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Will Be Helping Fund a Universal Basic Income Experiment That Will Affect Millions Tributes to Grant Imahara Numerous people had Grant Imahara as a great friend, which has led to many tributes being made to his name now that he has passed away. Here are various tributes that were posted on Twitter by friends and fans alike: Heartbroken and in shock tonight. We were just talking on the phone. This isnt real. pic.twitter.com/8zE2afcwSu Kari Byron (@KariByron) July 14, 2020 Goodbye my friend. This world wont be the same with you gone. You were an inspiration to me & to so many others. Weve been through a lot together, good and bad and I guess thats why I feel like Ive lost a https://t.co/f6e5fIt6Ur Tory Belleci (@ToryBelleci) July 14, 2020 Im at a loss. No words. Ive been part of two big families with Grant Imahara over the last 22 years. Grant was a truly brilliant engineer, artist and performer, but also just such a generous, easygoing, and gentle PERSON. Working with Grant was so much fun. Ill miss my friend. Adam Savage (@donttrythis) July 14, 2020 Last time I saw @grantimahara was just before Covid. He was in his shop building a Baby Yoda animatronic so he could visit and entertain at children's hospitals. Such a wonderful, fascinating and positive man. Sam Witwer (@SamWitwer) July 14, 2020 Logging off soon since the pictures people are posting are killing me, but despite @grantimahara being one of the smartest people Ive ever known, it was his kindness that defined him. A selflessness that radiated strength. Always beaming with pride and love for those around him. Taliesin Jaffe (@executivegoth) July 14, 2020 Been struggling to find the words to say and nothing feels right. This world lost a good one. You were so special, @grantimahara. Ill miss you, friend. Ashley Johnson (@TheVulcanSalute) July 15, 2020 Read More: Elon Musk's Brain Microchip Neuralink Will Allegedly Cure Depression and Addiction The numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19 in the United States continued to dramatically increase on Wednesday, raising fears about a mounting death toll, even as researchers announced that the first vaccine tested in the US had worked to boost patients immune systems. Florida surpassed 300,000 total positive cases on Wednesday and 4,521 deaths, according to the latest tally. The new deaths raised the states seven-day average to 81 a day, more than double the figure of two weeks ago and now the second-highest in the US behind Texas. Doctor holding coronavirus vaccine [Getty Images] The worrisome figures were released as news about the experimental vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc was released. No matter how you slice this, this is good news, Dr Anthony Fauci, the US governments top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press. Key final testing of the vaccine will start around July 27, tracking 30,000 people to prove if the shots really work in preventing infection. Tuesdays announcement focused on findings since March in 45 volunteers. With the virus spreading quickly in the southern and western US, one of the countrys top public health officials offered conflicting theories about what is driving the outbreak. We tried to give states guidance on how to reopen safely If you look critically, few states actually followed that guidance, Dr Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday in a livestream interview with the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Redfield said people in many states did not adopt social distancing and other measures because they had not previously experienced an outbreak. But he went on to say, without explanation, that he did not believe the way those states handled reopening was necessarily behind the explosive rise in virus cases. He offered a theory that infected travellers from elsewhere in the country might have brought the virus with them around Memorial Day. CDC officials said that there are various possible explanations, and that Redfield was offering just one. Doctors in Florida have predicted more deaths as daily reported cases have surged from about 2,000 a day a month ago to a daily average of about 11,000, including a record 15,000 on Sunday. Marlyn Hoilette, a nurse who spent four months working in the COVID-19 unit of her Florida hospital until testing positive recently, said hospitals are so desperate for staff to return to work they are not following guidelines that call for two negative tests first. Nurses are getting sick, nursing assistants are getting sick, and my biggest fear is that it seems we want to return folks to work even without a negative test, said Hoilette, who works at Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee. Florida. Its just a matter of time before you wipe the other staff out if youre contagious, so that is a big problem. People walk through Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Florida [Cristobal Herrera/EPA-EFE] Word of the rising toll in Florida came as Arizona officials tallied 4,273 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. The state, which became a virus hot spot after Governor Doug Ducey relaxed stay-at-home orders and other restrictions in May, reported 3,517 patients hospitalised because of the disease, a record high. Arizonas death toll from COVID-19 rose to 2,337, with 92 additional deaths reported Tuesday. Redfield urged Americans to wear masks to help contain the virus. At this critical juncture when COVID-19 is resurging, broad adoption of cloth face coverings is a civic duty, a small sacrifice reliant on a highly effective low-tech solution that can help turn the tide, he and two colleagues wrote, in an editorial published online Tuesday by the journal of the American Medical Association. A newly revised University of Washington model projects the US death toll from COVID-19 will climb to above 224,000 by November 1, up 16,000 from a prior forecast, due to rising infections and hospitalisations in many states. But the latest forecast from the universitys Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), released late on Tuesday, also predicts the death toll could be reduced by 40,000 if nearly all Americans wore masks in public. Use of masks is up, but not as high as it should be. If 95 percent of Americans wore masks each time they left their homes, infection rates would drop, hospitalizations would drop, and forecast deaths would drop, the IHME said in a statement. The IHMEs new forecast came after Alabama, Florida and North Carolina on Tuesday reported record daily increases in deaths from COVID-19, marking grim new milestones of a second wave of infections surging across much of the US. The new IHME forecast 224,089 US lives lost by November 1 was revised upward from the 208,254 deaths projected on July 7. At least 136,699 Americans have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, while reported US infections have surpassed 3.4 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. The IHMEs projections have been cited in the past by the White House and are watched closely by public health officials. Supporting sustainable seaweed farming for East Africas coastal communities by Lucy Magembe, country director, Tanzania, at The Nature Conservancy July 15,2020 | Source: The Fish Site Climate change and unsustainable practices are threatening seaweed farming in Tanzania, an industry that employs over 25,000 farmers, of whom around 80 percent are women. To help address these challenges, The Nature Conservancy is partnering with Cargill, local governments and researchers to empower communities through increased productivity, environmental training and mentorship. Along the Tanzanian coastline, seaweed aquaculture is an important industry to coastal women and also serves as an alternative livelihood to overharvested local fisheries. However, Tanzanian seaweed aquaculture has been stagnating recently, due to issues that include changing water-quality conditions and poor seedstock. Additionally, unsustainable farming practices damage sensitive coastal habitats. That said, when practised well, seaweed aquaculture has the potential to be ecologically restorative and provide ecosystem services, while still producing a marketable product. To help address these roadblocks to sustainability, my team at The Nature Conservancy and our partners at Cargill are launching a new community-empowerment and environmental-training programme in Tanzania. This partnership will be a collaboration between us, Cargills Red Seaweed Promise, local suppliers, government partners and researchers to work with seaweed farmers on Unguja and Pemba Islands, part of Tanzanias Zanzibar Archipelago. By working with villages, we will be able to host farmer training workshops and build local leadership capacity via mentoring programmes. This mentorship will build much-needed local capacity and ensure a continued technical presence. The majority of the seaweed farmed here in Tanzania is produced, dried and sold for use as carrageenan or agar thickening agents in food products (eg ice cream) and cosmetics (eg facial creams). Interest in tropical seaweeds is also emerging to address other key societal needs such as sustainable animal feeds, biofuels, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Todays established seaweed farms in Tanzania also happen to share some of the highest-priority ecosystems for marine biodiversity in all of Africa. However, Tanzanian seaweed farmers and their surrounding environments face major challenges including the unsustainable use of mangroves as seaweed stakes, damage to seagrass beds and warming water that is both reducing productivity and causing increased incidence of seaweed disease. Protecting these areas while supporting seaweed aquaculture, especially through education and partnering with local women, is essential to conserving our waters and wildlife. This work also complements our other initiatives aimed at supporting families to become Model Households, building strong local leadership, educating girls and women and creating long-term sustainable financing mechanisms for local institutions. We see significant potential to improve and advance the sustainable development of seaweed farming for both the social and environmental benefit of Tanzanians. This summer, we are launching our sustainable seaweed pilots in Tumbe and Shumba villages in northern Pemba. We will be working with local farmers to improve environmental and production performance of seaweed farming focusing on training in better environmental management practices, smart seaweed farm siting and improved maintenance and farm design. I am happy to participate in the new training programme. Local women seaweed farmers are excited to gain insight into how to improve our seaweed production, so we can earn more for our families but also look after our environment," says Ms Sada Himidi Selemani, a member of the Tumbe village seaweed farmers group (Ipo sababu group) in northern Pemba. Partnerships such as The Nature Conservancys collaboration with Cargill are necessary for creating resilient and sustainable livelihoods for coastal Tanzanians, while also increasing the ecological benefits that seaweed can provide. We are excited to begin this important work, so that our coastal waters and habitats are protected, and our women are empowered to sustainably increase their seaweed production for both their socio-economic and environmental benefit. 2020 ? Hatch Accelerator Holding Limited, 7/8 Liberty Street, Cork, T12T85H, Ireland Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. One of the two Nigerians arrested in connection with the kidnapping of the Takoradi girls stunned the Sekondi High Court yesterday when he told the presiding judge that he was not being given enough food in the prisons where he is being kept awaiting trial. John Orji, who was arrested from neighbouring Togo last year, claimed he is asthmatic and needed to eat good food, but he was being denied the opportunity. My handlers are not taking care of my health. Im asthmatic and the medicine Im being given requires adequate food, but Im not getting that, he told the judge. The presiding judge, Justice Adjei-Frimpong, referred the matter to the prison to take good care of him and insisted on legal representation for the two suspects, including Sam Udoetuk Wills. Udoetuk Wills and Orji earlier told the court that they had no legal representation and the judge said the authorities should make an effort to get them lawyers so that the case can proceed smoothly after committal. The judge, therefore, indicated that he would write to the Legal Aid to provide the suspect with legal representation. He said the case was a matter of public interest and so there was the need to expedite the trial. Besides, the judge raised issues with the absence of an alibi in the account of the second accused and asked Orji to provide investigators with information on his whereabouts when the killings took place. A State Attorney, Patience Klinogo, also admitted to the court that the accused persons were yet to get legal representation. The case was adjourned to July 29, 2020. Later in an interview, the lawyer representing the families of the Kidnapped Takoradi girls, Nana Abeka, said the accused persons were in court for the commencement of the trial after completing the committal proceedings. Source: daily guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video By Trend Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu called Armenias actions in the Tovuz district on July 12, where the shelling took place, a provocation. He made the remark in an interview to the Russian Echo of Moscow radio station, Trend reports. If this happened in the Karabakh direction, it would be somehow understandable. But the incident did not occur near Nagorno-Karabakh, but on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. This is a clear provocation, because the UAZ [car with Azerbaijani soldiers moving along the border] is not a tank. They [Armenian side] could promptly call and contact [Azerbaijani one] over the radio, there is a local connection with each other, a hotline. Why did the attack immediately begin from the guns at the stronghold of the Azerbaijani border guards, not even the troops of the Defense Ministry?!" the ambassador said. "In my opinion, this was done to involve the CSTO [member countries] and, first of all, Russia into the conflict. Because its clear that Azerbaijan has bilateral partnership relations, including economic ones with all members of the CSTO. The local task is to raise the CSTO, primarily Russia, the global task is to create another hotbed [of tension] along the perimeter of Russia, which would create certain concerns," he explained. The ambassador stressed that Azerbaijan will submit all the necessary documents on the incident to the CSTO. "We have nothing to hide. Our cause is right. The question is about the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories by the Armenian side. Until the occupation ends, any conflicts, any development of events are possible," he said. "There is no need to look for the right or the guilty parties, since there are very specific international legal documents from the PACE and the OSCE, as well as 4 resolutions of the UN Security Council and a resolution of the UN General Assembly that expresses world opinion," Bulbuloglu noted. "While our land is occupied, no one in Azerbaijan will ever agree with this situation, and the longer it [the occupation] lasts, the more dangerous it will become," the ambassador noted. An armed clash on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues. As far as I know, nothing good is happening there. The very active shooting from the Armenian side is ongoing. They are shooting at peaceful villages. Naturally, our army will actively counteract this," he said. Starting from noon on July 12, units of the armed forces of Armenia, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of Azerbaijans Tovuz district along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, opened artillery fire at Azerbaijani positions. Azerbaijan's armed response forced the Armenian army to retreat suffering losses. Azerbaijan's sergeant of military service Vugar Sadigov and corporal Elshad Mammadov, died while repelling the attack of the Armenian armed forces. Another serviceman, Khayyam Dashdemirov died from severe wounds despite the doctors' efforts. The tensions in Tovuz district on the Azerbaijan-Armenia state border continued July 12 night. During the night battles, by using artillery, mortars and tanks, the Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed a stronghold, bombshells, vehicles and servicemen on the territory of the Armenias military unit. Senior lieutenant of Azerbaijani army Rashad Mahmudov was killed during the battles. On the night of July 13-14, fierce battles also took place on the territory of the Tovuz district. During the fighting, Major General Polad Gashimov, Colonel Ilgar Mirzoyev, Major Namig Ahmadov, Major Anar Novruzov, Ensign Ilgar Zeynalli, Ensign Yashar Babayev, non-commissioned officer, soldier Elchin Mustafazadeh died heroically. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Jacinda Ardern will go head-to-head with newly-elected National Party leader Judith 'Crusher' Collins to remain prime minister of New Zealand. The opposition party elected Ms Collins during an emergency caucus on Tuesday evening following the resignation of Todd Muller. This is the second time in the country's history that two women are vying for the Top Job in the country's general election. Ms Collins earned her nickname 'Crusher Collins' as police minister in 2009 when she proposed legislation to confiscate and destroy cars of illegal street racers. Judith 'Crusher' Collins (right) was elected National Party leader on Tuesday 'I am hoping that the National Party can crush the other lot when it comes to September 19,' Ms Collins said. Ms Collins is the fourth National leader since the 2017 election and the party's second female leader. The 61-year-old was first elected to Parliament in 2002, serving in governments under prime ministers John Key and Bill English. She held police and corrections portfolios and is seen to represent the right-wing of the National Party, having previously promoted strong law and order policies. Ms Collins now faces the task of trying to rally support 67 days from the September 19 election. Recent polls show Labour with sufficient support to form a majority government, a first since New Zealand adopted a system of proportional representation in 1996. Ms Collins will go head-to-head with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on September 19 All previous governments since that time have been coalitions and Labour currently governs with the support of the Green Party and right-of-centre New Zealand First led by Winston Peters. Ms Collins admits she is facing a difficult task against Ms Ardern. 'I love causes that are looking pretty tough, that's when I tend to get really interested,' she told radio station Newstalk ZB. 'I obviously thought about whether or not I should put my hands up in the circumstances but I thought... I can make a difference.' Ms Ardern became leader of Labour less than two months before the election in 2017, where she secured her role as prime minister. The 39-year-old mum-of-one has been praised for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand has recorded just 22 deaths. Ms Ardern has been praised for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic Mr Muller, who was the opposition leader for just over 50 days, resigned after citing health reasons. 'It has become clear to me that I am not the best person to be leader of the Opposition and Leader of the New Zealand National Party at this critical time for New Zealand,' he said. 'It is more important than ever that the New Zealand National Party has a leader who is comfortable in the role. 'The role has taken a heavy toll on me personally, and on my family, and this has become untenable from a health perspective.' New Zealanders will head to the polls on September 19. IRVING, Texas, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thank heaven 7-Eleven is here to help millions of Americans get a boost with some juice... cold pressed juice, that is. We are proud to announce our donation of more than $1.2 million in 7-Select Go!Smart Organic Cold-Pressed Juices to Feeding America this summer. That's nearly one million 11.2-ounce bottles of USDA-certified organic, non-GMO juice, including refreshing flavors like Blackberry, Melon, and Pink Pomegranate. Part of our private brand line of premium better-for-you beverage options, these juices are rich in vitamins and nutrients, have no added sugar*, and are not made from concentrate. "Since 1927, 7-Eleven has been a lifeline for the communities we serve with an unwavering commitment to provide our customers with the essentials they need when they need them," said Jack Stout, SVP of Merchandising and Demand Chain. "We are proud to partner with Feeding America to help communities facing hunger during these uncertain times." Feeding America is the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the country. In collaboration with 7-Eleven, Feeding America will distribute approximately 46,000 cases of 7-Select Go!Smart Organic Cold-Pressed juice to 21 member food banks in 13 states. From Spokane, Washington to Orlando, Florida, 7-Eleven is honored to help individuals and families across the country stay hydrated this summer. "We are grateful for 7-Eleven's commitment to donate much needed product to Feeding America member food banks," said Tony Pupillo, Managing Director of Retail Food Industry Partnerships at Feeding America. "The need for food assistance is even greater this summer due to the pandemic, but this donation will help our neighbors who struggle to put food on their tables." This contribution joins 7-Eleven's recent gift to Feeding America this summer of one million meals** in honor of its 93rd birthday on July 11, 2020. Even though 7-Eleven Day was a little different this year, all 33 million 7Rewards loyalty program members (yes, you read that right... 33 million members) can still cool off with one FREE medium Slurpee drink, redeemable any day in July through the 7-Eleven app.*** *Not a low-calorie food. See nutrition information for information on sugar and calorie content. **$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks. 7-Eleven committed to a donation of one million meals ($100,000) in conjunction with 7-Eleven Day. *** Limitations Apply. See 7-Eleven app for details. About 7-Eleven, Inc. Are you still reading this? Awesome. Most people stop when they get to the small print. But not you! You get to read the cool stuff. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. They don't like to brag, but they invented convenience stores. For real. Google it. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 70,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. Mmmmm, tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats, and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 35 participating markets, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payment service, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, they trademarked the word "Brainfreeze." No lie. Thanks for sticking with this. You're unstoppable. About Feeding America Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org , find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter . SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Related Links http://www.7-eleven.com Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Polycythemia Vera Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2030" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Polycythemia Vera, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Polycythemia Vera market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan. The report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, Polycythemia Vera market share of the individual therapies, current and forecasted Polycythemia Vera market size from 2017 to 2030 segmented by seven major markets. The report also covers current Polycythemia Vera treatment practice/algorithm, market drivers, market barriers and unmet medical needs to curate best of the opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the market. Epidemiology The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Prevalent Population of PV, Prevalence Population of PV Based on Symptoms, Gender-specific Symptomatic Prevalence of PV, Age-specific Symptomatic Prevalence of PV, Prevalence of PV Based on Risk, and Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation scenario of PV in the 7MM covering the United States, EU5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan from 2017 to 2030. Key Findings The total prevalent population of PV in the 7MM was 283,442 in 2017. The estimates show the highest prevalence of PV in the United States with 157,290 cases in 2017. The epidemiology model for PV estimates that out of the total population of 157,290 cases in the US for PV, 62,916 cases and 94,374 cases were contributed by asymptomatic and symptomatic, respectively. Among the European five countries, Germany had the highest symptomatic prevalent population of PV with 14,502 cases, followed by France and the United Kingdom. Japan had 18,954 symptomatic prevalent cases for PV in 2017. Japan accounts second among the 7MM in terms of prevalent cases with 31,589 cases among the 7MM. Story continues Drug Chapters Drug chapter segment of the Polycythemia Vera report encloses the detailed analysis of Polycythemia Vera marketed drugs and late stage (Phase-III and Phase-II) pipeline drugs. It also helps to understand the Polycythemia Vera clinical trial details, expressive pharmacological action, agreements and collaborations, approval and patent details, advantages and disadvantages of each included drug and the latest news and press releases. Marketed Drugs Jakafi, Jakavi (Ruxolitinib): Incyte Corporation/Novartis Jakafi is a kinase inhibitor developed by Incyte Corporation/Novartis, designated for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary myelofibrosis, post-Polycythemia Vera (PV) myelofibrosis and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis in adults. This drug is also approved for adult patients of PV who have had a poor response to hydroxyurea. It is approved in the US, EU and Japan for the treatment of PV. Jakafi is also approved for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. Some trials of the Ruxolitinib are ongoing in phase III and phase II clinical trials for the treatment of PV. Besremi: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/ PharmaEssentia Besremi (ropeginterferon alfa-2B/AOP2014/P1101) is mono-pegylated proline interferon approved as first-line monotherapy in adults for the treatment of PV without symptomatic splenomegaly. It is long-acting, mono-pegylated proline interferon developed using PharmaEssentia's novel pegylation technology platform. Besremi has been shown to induce complete hematologic and high clinical response rates with good tolerability, as well as high molecular response rates and disease-modifying capabilities, which may result in a delay of disease progression. It also showed high molecular response rates, associated with the ability to reduce the allelic burden of both mutant JAK2 and importantly also non JAK2 mutations, which are believed to play a role in disease progression. It is currently approved in the EU and data from AOPs development program will be presented to the US FDA for approval for commercialization in the US by PharmaEssentia. Emerging Drugs Givinostat: Italfarmaco Givinostat (ITF2357) is an orally bioavailable hydroxymate inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDAC) with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and antineoplastic activities. Patients with PV have abnormalities in a gene that is responsible for the production of an enzyme known as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). JAK2 is involved in the reproduction and growth of red blood cells. In PV, JAK2 is over-activated. Givinostat is thought to work by reducing the levels of JAK2. In patients with polycythemia, the reduction of mutant JAK2 concentrations by givinostat is believed to slow down the abnormal growth of erythrocytes and ameliorate the symptoms of the disease. The company is investigating givinostat in phase II clinical trials in patients with PV. PTG-300: Protagonist Therapeutics PTG-300 is an injectable compound that mimics the effect of the natural hormone hepcidin, but with greater potency, solubility, and stability. Hepcidin is a key hormone in regulating iron equilibrium and is critical to the proper development of red blood cells. As a hepcidin mimetic, PTG-300 may redistribute iron to the macrophages, reduce iron-induced oxidative stress in the bone marrow, and allow sufficient production of red blood cells. Also, by limiting the release of iron into the blood, PTG-300 may inhibit the damage caused by excessive absorption of iron by vital organs such as the liver and heart. Protagonist Therapeutics is currently developing PTG-300 for beta-thalassemia (non-transfusion dependent and transfusion-dependent), polycythemia vera, hereditary hemochromatosis, and myelodysplastic syndromes. The company has announced initial phase II results of PTG-300 in the treatment of PV. PRM-151: Promedior/Roche PRM-151 is a recombinant form of the endogenous human innate immunity protein pentraxin-2 (PTX-2), which is specifically active at the site of tissue damage. PRM-151 is an agonist that acts as a macrophage polarization factor to prevent and potentially reverse fibrosis (PR Newswire, 2019). PRM-151 prevents reverse fibrosis in animal models of myelofibrosis (MF) by targeting the differentiation of fibrocytes (essential cells in the fibrotic process) from monocytes (Verstovsek et al., 2018). Promedior is currently evaluating PRM-151 in phase II clinical trial in the subjects with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera MF (Post-PV MF), and post-essential thrombocythemia MF (Post-ET MF). Market Outlook The therapeutic market of PV in the seven major markets was assessed to be USD 951.68 Million in 2017 and is expected to grow during the study period (2017-2030). Cytoreductive therapies have been used in older patients and those with a history of thrombosis to achieve these goals. Hydroxyurea (HU) remains the first-line cytoreductive choice; however, up to one in four patients treated with HU over time will develop resistance or intolerance to HU and go for the second-line therapy. More importantly, patients who fail HU have a 5.6-fold increase in mortality and a 6.8-fold increased risk of transformation to myelofibrosis or AML; therefore, alternative therapies are needed for these patients. Interferon- has been used in PV and has shown significant activity in achieving hematologic responses and decreasing the JAK2 V617F mutation allele burden. JAK inhibition has also been investigated and recently garnered regulatory approval for this indication. The outcomes of PV patients who fail or are intolerant of hydroxyurea are poor. Although pegylated interferon can be considered in younger patients, currently, ruxolitinib is the only US FDA approved agent in this setting, representing a viable option, leading to hematocrit control and a reduction in spleen size and constitutional symptoms. Although a small number of patients achieve a molecular response with continuous treatment, the implications of such a response to the clinical outcomes are still unknown. Patients whose disease is not adequately controlled with ruxolitinib, or who lose their response, can be treated with low-dose busulfan or pipobroman; however, they should be encouraged to participate in trials with novel therapies. The treatment for PV has been classified as first-line and second-line treatment. Of the current treatment regimens, hydroxyurea (alone or along with Phlebotomy), and aspirin constitute the first-line treatment therapies. The second-line treatment for patients who are intolerant to hydroxyurea constitutes the only approved drug in the US, Jakafi, and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha (such as PEG-Intron and Pegasys) Furthermore, the second-line therapies primarily constitute the only approved drug, Jakafi, and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha. Among these, Jakavi contributed the highest share in the PV market in 2017 in the 7MM. Of the emerging therapies for the second-line treatment, companies like Protagonist Therapeutics, Italfarmaco, and Imago BioSciences are expected to enter the treatment market, with their respective products, during the forecast period [2020-2030]. Givinostat and PTG-300 in the upcoming years will create a significant impact in its launch year. Out of the emerging therapies, Besremi (AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/PharmaEssentia), which is an interferon-alpha 2b stimulant, and has already approved in the European countries, will enter the market for PV as a first-line treatment, thereby giving a stiff competition to hydroxyurea, which is the mainstay for treatment in patients with PV. It is approved recently (2019) in European countries and expected to launch in the United States and Japan by 2021 and 2022, respectively. The market size of PV has been assessed to undergo tough competition, wherein Jakafi is likely to maintain dominance in the hydroxyurea-refractory (second line) PV market. On the other hand, Besremi represents an even small risk, as the drug is being positioned in first-line treatment for PV vs. hydroxyurea. Key Findings Of the current treatment regimens, hydroxyurea (alone or along with Phlebotomy), and aspirin constitute the first-line treatment. Furthermore, the second-line therapies primarily constitute Jakafi (Jakavi) and other therapies such as anagrelide, and interferon-alpha. Among these, Jakafi contributed the highest share in the PV market (USD 556.54 million) in 2017 in the 7MM. Of the emerging therapies for the second-line treatment, Protagonist Therapeutics, Italfarmaco, and Imago BioSciences are expected to enter the treatment market, with their respective products, during the forecast period [2020-2030]. Key Topics Covered 1. Key Insights 2. Executive Summary of Polycythemia Vera (PV) 3. Polycythemia Vera (PV) Market Overview at a Glance 3.1. Market (%) Distribution of PV in 2017 3.2. Market (%) Distribution of PV in 2030 4. Polycythemia Vera (PV): Disease Background and Overview 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Polycythemia Vera: A Type of MPN 4.3. Signs and Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera 4.4. Causes of Polycythemia Vera 4.5. Complications due to Polycythemia Vera 4.6. Clinical Aspects of Polycythemia Vera 4.7. Pathophysiology of Polycythemia Vera 4.7.1. JAK2 V617F in Polycythemia Vera 4.8. Diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera 4.9. Diagnostic Guidelines 4.9.1. British Society for Haematology Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera (PV) 4.9.2. WHO Diagnostic Guidelines 4.9.3. British Society for Haematology Guideline 5. Case Reports 5.1. The role of advanced practitioners in optimizing clinical management and support of patients with polycythemia vera 5.2. A case study on polycythemia vera: diagnosis through CBC management with ruxolitinib 5.3. A case of severe dermatitis in a patient with polycythemia vera during cytoreductive therapy 5.4. Perioperative management of polycythemia vera with advanced gastric cancer: a case report 6. Epidemiology and Patient Population 6.1. Key Findings 6.2. Epidemiology Methodology 6.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in the 7MM 7. United States Epidemiology 7.1. Assumptions and Rationale 7.2. KOL Insights 7.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.4. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in the United States 7.5. Gender-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.6. Age-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 7.7. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in the United States 7.8. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in the United States 8. EU5 Epidemiology 8.1. KOL Insights 8.2. Germany Epidemiology 8.2.1. Assumptions and Rationale 8.2.2. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.3. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in Germany 8.2.4. Gender-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.5. Age-specific Diagnosed (Symptomatic) Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 8.2.6. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in Germany 8.2.7. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in Germany 8.3. France Epidemiology 8.4. Italy Epidemiology 8.5. Spain Epidemiology 8.6. United Kingdom Epidemiology 9. Japan Epidemiology 9.1. Assumptions and Rationale 9.2. KOL Insights 9.3. Total Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.4. Prevalent Population of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Symptoms in Japan 9.5. Gender-specific Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.6. Age-specific Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 9.7. Prevalence of Polycythemia Vera (PV) Based on Risk in Japan 9.8. Prevalence of PV by Gene Mutation in Japan 10. Treatment Algorithm, Current Treatment, and Medical Practices 10.1. Treatment Algorithm 10.2. Proposed Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera 10.3. A British Society for Haematology Guidelines for PV 10.4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera (PV) 10.5. European Society for Medical Oncology Guidelines for Polycythemia Vera 11. Unmet Needs 12. Marketed Products 12.1. Jakafi (Ruxolitinib): Incyte Corporation/Novartis 12.1.1. Drug Description 12.1.2. Regulatory Milestones 12.1.3. Clinical Development 12.1.4. Safety and Efficacy 12.1.5. Product Description 12.2. Besremi: AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG/PharmaEssentia 13. Emerging Therapies 13.1. KRT-232: Kartos Therapeutics 13.1.1. Product Description 13.1.2. Clinical Development 13.1.3. Clinical Trials Information 13.1.4. Product Profile 13.2. Givinostat: Italfarmaco 13.3. PTG-300: Protagonist Therapeutics 13.4. PRM-151: Promedior/Roche 13.5. Imetelstat (GRN163L): Geron Corporation 13.6. Bomedemstat (IMG-7289): Imago BioSciences 14. Polycythemia Vera (PV): 7MM Market Analysis 14.1. Key Findings 14.2. Market Methodology 14.3. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera in the 7MM 14.4. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by Therapies in the 7MM 15. United States: Market Outlook 15.1. United States Market Size 15.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in the United States 15.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by Therapies in the US 16. EU-5 countries: Market Outlook 16.1. Germany Market Size 16.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in Germany 16.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by therapies in Germany 16.2. France Market Size 16.3. Italy Market Size 16.4. Spain Market Size 16.5. United Kingdom Market Size 17. Japan Market Outlook 17.1. Japan Market Size 17.1.1. Total Market size of Polycythemia Vera in Japan 17.1.2. Market Size of Polycythemia Vera by therapies in Japan 18. Market Drivers 19. Market Barriers 20. SWOT Analysis 21. Reimbursement and Market Access For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mc8tbe 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 New Delhi, July 15 : With Jyotiraditya Scindia parting ways with the Congress and Sachin Pilot ousted as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and PCC chief, senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad has lashed out at them and dubbed them "careerist politicians who had nothing to do with ideology". "These so-called young politician are here to make careers (in politics) but don't have any inclination towards any party ideology," Hari Prasad told IANS. Hariprasad is a former Congress General Secretary who was in charge of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh affairs of the party. Hariprasad, a former member of Parliament who represented Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha, added: "Ditching the party when the country is facing a serious problem is very unfortunate. No doubt, both Scindia and Pilot are talented, but their loyalty has been for the chair (power) and not for the party or its ideology." He recalled that in 1998 when Ashok Gehlot was the Congress state unit President, then party stalwarts like Hardev Joshi, Natwar Singh, Shiv Charan Mathur, and Parasram Madrena had accepted Gehlot to be the Chief Minister as the majority of MLAs supported Gehlot. "The same thing happened in 2018 too after the Assembly elections. Even Nawal Kishore Sharma did not rebel because all those leaders were with party for a cause," the Congress leader remarked. Giving an example of how much the Congress cared for Pilot's political career, he said that during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections -- Pilot's debut electoral contest -- Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had personally stationed him in Rajasthan to manage Pilot's campaigning. "'See BK that things are alright in Dausa'," he recalled Sonia telling him. In 2004, Mohsina Kidwai was General Secretary incharge while Hariprasad was Secretary incharge of Rajasthan. Hariprasad said that in 2010 -- when he was incharge of Madhya Pradesh affairs -- he personally went to Scindia and asked him to become the party President which Scindia refused despite a consent from then senior party leader Arjun Singh, since deceased. Hariprasad claimed that Scindia told him that he was willing to take over six months ahead of the general elections held in 2014. Hariprasad was a member of Sonia Gandhi's core team and has been incharge of MP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand affairs of the party at various points in time. He was removed as party General Secretary after Rahul Gandhi took over as party President but has since been drafted to Karnataka state politics and member of the Legislative Council. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text HANGZHOU, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has stressed efforts to keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable. Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to east China's Zhejiang Province from Monday to Tuesday. Hu visited foreign trade firms in the cities of Hangzhou and Yiwu to learn about challenges facing enterprises as well as local policy implementation. Targeted measures should be made to better serve local firms and help them tide over the difficult period, Hu said, adding that authorities should explore new business forms such as cross-border e-commerce to boost trade. Paris, July 15 : The 2022 Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 22 to November 9, has been postponed to 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Wednesday. "President Macky Sall's proposal was welcomed by IOC President Thomas Bach, following in-depth discussions on the subject. This postponement meets the requirement of responsibility and the concern for efficiency imposed by the current circumstances," a statement from IOC said. The agreement was approved on Wednesday by the IOC Executive Board, and will be submitted to the IOC session for ratification on Friday. "This amicable agreement illustrates the mutual trust between Senegal and the IOC," Bach said, adding: "I am sure that, together, we will organise a fantastic Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 for Senegal, the entire African continent and all the young athletes of the world." The Youth Olympics is one of several sporting events, including the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The IOC said that the postponement of Dakar 2022 will allow the IOC, the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federations (IFs) to plan their activities better, and allow Senegal to carry on the excellent preparations for the Youth Olympic Games. "The IOC and Senegal understand that this news will be disappointing for many young athletes. Both parties can only appeal to their understanding. This agreement results from the large scale of the operational challenges which the IOC, the NOCs and the IFs are facing following the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020," said the IOC. "With this in mind, the IOC will continue to offer all IFs and NOC Continental Associations the full content of the educational programmes of the Youth Olympic Games. This will allow for the objectives of this very important and much-appreciated component of the YOG to be maintained through the many events organised between now and 2026, in particular during the Continental Youth Games," it added. A supermarket chain in remote regional Australia has been accused of price gouging every day products. The Torres Shire Council (TSC) has sensationally accused regional supermarket Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) of selling overpriced goods to indigenous Australians. The allegations were made as part of a submission into a federal parliamentary inquiry into food pricing in remote communities. In a price comparison between Woolworths and a CEQ supermarket on Thursday Island, TSC claim that a jar of Moccona coffee, which usually costs $15, was priced at $55.72. The Torres Shire Council (TSC) has sensationally accused regional supermarket Community Enterprise Queensland (CEQ) of price gouging in the Thursday Island store (pictured) Regional supermarket Community Enterprise Queensland is in the state's far north (pictured) A loaf of multigrain bread, usually costing $1.60 in Woolies, is $8.99 while 1kg of tomatoes costs $9.49 compared to the Woolworths' price of $3. Indigenous people are paying $8.82 at the CEQ store when a chicken at Woolies is just $2.90. 'This modest family food and grocery shopping is 220.33 per cent more expensive at IBIS on Thursday Island than at 'Woolies' in a regional town in SW Queensland,' the submission said. Torres Shire chief executive Darassa Yorkston claimed in the submission that she had seen CEQ stores selling repackaged rice in ziplock bags that was out of date. 'So far as food security, food supply and food pricing are concerned, it is surely a disgrace that this country's ancient peoples, the first Australians, are required to live like this.' 1kg of tomatoes costs $9.49, and a roast chicken is sold for $8.82 (stock image) According to the submission, Moccona coffee sells for $55.72 at CEQ and a loaf of multigrain bread sells for $8.99 In a price comparison between Woolworths and a CEQ supermarket on Thursday Island (pictured), TSC claim that a jar of Moccona coffee, which usually costs $15, was priced at $55.72 SUPERMARKET PRICES, ACCORDING TO CEQ Multigrain bread Woolworths: $3.40 CEQ: $4.59 Tomatoes, 1kg Woolworths: $6.70 CEQ: $6.99 Chicken thigh fillet, per kg Woolworths: $12 CEQ: $18.29 Steamed vegetables Woolworths: $5 for 750g CEQ: $4.99 for 450g Moccona coffee, 400g Woolworths: $15 CEQ: Not in stock Twinings tea, 100 bags Woolworths: $11 CEQ: $15.73 Crumpets, 6pk Woolworths: $3.70 CEQ: $4.99 Potatoes, 1kg Woolworths: $4 CEQ: $3.99 Source: CEQ pricing analysis Advertisement Ms Yorkston said the combination of poverty and high food costs were contributors to poor health and a shortened life expectancy. The submission does acknowledge that the shipping costs to remote regions adds 50 to 100 per cent to the overall cost of groceries. To cut costs, TSC suggested an upgrade to port facilities and freight capacities between Cairns and the Torres Strait Islands, including Thursday Island. 'The absence of a regulated competitive intrastate shipping industry is a terrible break on our economic development,' it said. 'It profoundly compounds the disproportionately high cost of living experienced by our communities and unquestionably reduces prosperity and good health in our region.' Chief executive officer of CEQ Ian Copeland told Daily Mail Australia the submission by TSC 'is littered with incorrect facts'. He dismissed claims that Moccona coffee is sold for $55 a jar as 'complete fiction'. 'That range of coffee is not even available for sale in CEQ stores.' However Mr Copeland did amid that seven items in the report were priced correctly. CEQ also showed shared their own list of groceries which showed that some products were still considerably more expensive than Woolworths. Mr Copeland maintained that CEQ is a not-for-profit organisation that strives to provide the community with affordable goods, and welcomes a parliamentary inquiry. 'CEQ is a willing participant into the inquiry review, and welcomes the Inquiry outcomes on the premise that the findings are based upon data that is factual and not distorted,' he said. 'CEQ will happily disclose our shelf prices in comparison to similar retailers, and is always open for customer feedback, striving to improve quality, range, and affordability for our customers.' International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (C) and deputy prosecutor James Stewart (R) attend an initial appearance before judges at the ICC in The Hague, Jan. 25, 2019. Two Uyghur exile groups have filed a dossier of evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, accusing top Chinese officialsincluding President Xi Jinpingof genocide and crimes against humanity related to a crackdown on the Muslim ethnic minority group in northwestern China. The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) and the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement (ETNAM) rights group presented evidence to the ICC last week and called on the court to investigate Chinese officials under its mandate to prosecute cases of genocide and crimes against humanity. East Turkistan is the preferred traditional name Uyghurs use for their homeland. The ICC, which also hears cases of war crimes, can exercise jurisdiction over crimes referred to it by a state party or by the United Nations Security Council, or can begin a preliminary examination propio motu (on ones own initiative) into alleged crimessuch as in the case of the ETGE and ETNAM filing. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, of The Gambia, must receive approval from judges to open a formal investigation after completing her preliminary examination of the evidence and it could take months before she issues a response. Salih Hudayar, the prime minister of the Washington-based ETGE and founder of the ETNAM, submitted the groups filing days after German researcher Adrian Zenz published a report documenting a dramatic increase in recent years in the number of forced sterilizations and abortions targeting Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The report concludes that such measures may amount to a government-led campaign of genocide under United Nations definitions. For too long we have been oppressed by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and we have suffered so much that the genocide of our people can be no longer ignored, Hudayar told RFAs Mandarin Service. We are hopeful that the prosecutor will see our claim and she will open an investigation, he said. In addition to including documentation of forced sterilization practices in the XUAR, the London-based legal team representing ETGE and ETNAM submitted evidence of Beijings policy of mass internment in the region, where up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are believed to have been held in a vast network of internment camps since April 2017. Rights groups and U.S. officials say the campaign, which increasingly appears to be shifting to a forced labor scheme, constitutes crimes against humanity. The dossier of evidence and documents includes a list of more than 30 high-ranking Chinese officials who the groups say should be held accountable for abuses in the XUAR, including Xi, Xis predecessor Hu Jintao, and other top officials in charge of policies in the region, as well as military commanders. If the ICC decides to move ahead with an investigation, it would mark the first time the court would serve as a venue for a case seeking to hold China accountable for its rights abuses in the XUAR. Omer Kanat, executive director of the Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), called the filing a worthwhile effort. It's a positive thing to try, he told RFA. The Chinese leaders should be held accountable for their crimes against humanity. Court jurisdiction Zenz, a senior fellow in China Studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, also welcomed the move as a new approach, but acknowledged that the court would have difficulty enforcing any decision against Beijing. It's just a different strategy, he said. China will not recognize any ruling by the ICC, but it raises additional international attention and that would mostly have a symbolic effect. While China accepts that the creation of the ICC was a positive addition to the legal structure of global governance, it has refused to join the court and does not recognize its jurisdiction. Beijing maintains that its policies in the XUAR are preventative in nature, citing the pretext of terrorism and religious extremism, and believes that its policies in the region are purely internal affairs. Rodney Dixon, the British lawyer who leads the legal team representing the two Uyghur groups, has said that the filing focuses on illegal actions that China has conducted in Cambodia and in Tajikistanboth of which are member states of the ICC. The Chinese government has allegedly dispatched agents to drive Uyghurs out of the two countries through forced deportations and extra-territorial arrests. China is not a signed-up member of the ICC ... [and believes it] cannot be investigated for what is happening [in the XUAR], Dixon said at a recent press conference. This is a misbelief. The fact is that we are now in a position where there is a very clear legal pathway to allow for the ICC to commence its investigations, he said. Dixon cited the November decision by the ICC to launch a full investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity and persecution over Myanmars 2017 military crackdown against the majority-Muslim Rohingya ethnic group. More than 740,000 Rohingya were forced to flee over the border into sprawling camps in Bangladesh during the violence that U.N. investigators have said amounted to genocide and, while Myanmar is not a member of the ICC, the court decided it has jurisdiction over the case because Bangladesh is a member. Challenging Chinas narrative As evidence of abuses in the XUAR continues to mount, Western governments have increasingly called out China for its policies in the region. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trumps administration leveled sanctions against several top Chinese officials deemed responsible for rights violations in Xinjiang, including regional party secretary Chen Quanguo, under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The move, which marked the first time Washington had sanctioned a member of Chinas powerful Politburo, followed Trumps enactment last month of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 (UHRPA), which passed nearly unanimously through both houses of Congress at the end of May. The legislation highlights arbitrary incarceration, forced labor, and other abuses in the XUAR and provides for sanctions against the Chinese officials who enforce them. Beijing describes the three-year-old network of camps as voluntary vocational centers, but reporting by RFAs Uyghur Service and other media outlets shows that detainees are mostly held against their will in cramped and unsanitary conditions, where they are forced to endure inhumane treatment and political indoctrination. Earlier this month, Chinas Foreign Ministry issued a long rebuttal to accusations against Chinas human rights records, dismissing reports of the detention of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities as a rumor. Adrian Zenz told RFA that Beijing has repeatedly twisted the facts about the situation in the XUAR, which he said further shows the need for the international community to work together to address what is happening in the region. Dixon said the case is now in the hands of ICC Prosecutor Bensouda. We are hopeful that the prosecutor will prioritize this case, given the fact that persons are, as we speak, subject to the alleged crimes and torture, he said. Reported by Jane Tang for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated by Eu Min. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. CORNING, NY, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corning Incorporateds (NYSE: GLW) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on the companys common stock. The dividend will be payable on Sept. 30, 2020, to shareholders of record on Aug. 28, 2020. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Cornings financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the duration and severity of the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, and its ultimate impact across our businesses on demand, operations and our global supply chains; the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and other similar transactions by the Company, the effect of global business, financial, economic and political conditions; tariffs and import duties; currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and other currencies, primarily the Japanese yen, New Taiwan dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, and South Korean won; product demand and industry capacity; competitive products and pricing; availability and costs of critical components and materials; new product development and commercialization; order activity and demand from major customers; the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions, which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, cyber-attack, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, or major health concerns; unanticipated disruption to equipment, facilities, IT systems or operations; effect of regulatory and legal developments; ability to pace capital spending to anticipated levels of customer demand; rate of technology change; ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property and trade secrets; adverse litigation; product and components performance issues; retention of key personnel; customer ability, most notably in the Display Technologies segment, to maintain profitable operations and obtain financing to fund their ongoing operations and manufacturing expansions and pay their receivables when due; loss of significant customers; changes in tax laws and regulations including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; and the potential impact of legislation, government regulations, and other government action and investigations. Story continues For a complete listing of risks and other factors, please reference the risk factors and forward-looking statements described in our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events. Web Disclosure In accordance with guidance provided by the SEC regarding the use of company websites and social media channels to disclose material information, Corning Incorporated (Corning) wishes to notify investors, media, and other interested parties that it uses its website ( http://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events.html ) to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors, or supplemental to information contained in this or other press releases. The list of websites and social media channels that the company uses may be updated on Cornings media and website from time to time. Corning encourages investors, media, and other interested parties to review the information Corning may publish through its website and social media channels as described above, in addition to the companys SEC filings, press releases, conference calls, and webcasts. About Corning Incorporated Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 169-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, automotive technologies, life sciences technologies, and display technologies. Media Relations Contact: Gabrielle Bailey (607) 684-4557 baileygr@corning.com Investor Relations Contact: Ann H.S. Nicholson (607) 974-6716 nicholsoas@corning.com We are proud to have Kelly and Mary and the entire Alliance Title of Michigan team as members of the Proliant franchisee family Proliant Settlement Systems, LLC announced today its continued expansion with the addition of a new franchisee its 9th in the state of Michigan. Current franchisee, Alliance Title of Michigan have now opened a second franchise office in downtown Birmingham. Alliance Title of Michigan opened its doors in February of 2019 after signing on with Proliant Settlement Systems. Co-owners Kelly Anderson and Mary Reed have over 20 years of experience working together in the title industry and have successfully grown their title agency franchise enough to expand in less than two years of operation. The Proliant owners are so encouraging with us. They really were our early cheerleaders and pushed us to keep going when we first began working with them in 2018. We are so excited about our expansion, said co-founder Kelly Anderson. Proliant Settlement System offers an innovative business model for self-starters that eliminates the most difficult barriers to entry in starting and operating a title company. Franchisees are able to focus on sales and closing services while Proliant oversees the back office work. Franchisees have complete control over their brand, including the name of their title company. Currently, the company offers this model in Michigan and Florida, with plans to expand to other states this year. "Early on, Kelly and Mary understood the benefits of the Proliant franchise model. At Proliant, we radically simplify owning and operating a title company. We are proud to have Kelly and Mary and the entire Alliance Title of Michigan team as members of the Proliant franchisee family," said Michael Telford, Vice President of Proliant Settlement Systems. "We are here to support their second location with our goal to make it as successful as their first." About Alliance Title: Alliance Title of Michigan, based in Grosse Pointe Woods, provides comprehensive title insurance protection and professional settlement, escrow, and closing services for home buyers and sellers, real estate agents and brokers, mortgage lenders, commercial property professional, and legal professionals to facilitate real estate purchases, construction, refinances, or equity loans. Learn more at http://www.alliancetitlemi.com About Proliant Settlement Systems, LLC: Proliant Settlement Systems, LLC is a turnkey title company ownership system that offers qualified entrepreneurs an opportunity to own their own title company, complete with all the financial and operational advantages. The Proliant system effectively eliminates the traditional, and often difficult, barriers to entry. At present, the service is available in Florida and Michigan with planned expansion into other states throughout the coming year. Its not easy being a travel agent during a global pandemic. Yet Michele McIntyre, of Jamesville, stills plans to make it her full-time job. After building her own business over four years, McIntyre is planning to work her last day at a health insurance company, on Aug. 3. The plan was for this to be the summer for McIntyre to take the leap, leave her part-time job, and devote her full attention to Travel Savvy, a boutique business mostly booking international travel to places like Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. She first put in her notice on March 1. Shes since extended it twice thanks to the coronavirus. Something she was looking forward to for years now became something she dreads. My phone is very quiet, she said. Most destinations McIntyre typically books are closed to U.S. tourists. Even pivoting to domestic travel is nearly impossible with New Yorks travel quarantine order. If McIntyre could technically book more trips for her clients, shes not sure it would be worth it because of uncertainty and safety concerns. McIntyre is one of thousands of small business owners and self-employed people who still, after four months, cant fully return to the work they love or depend on. While many businesses are now allowed to reopen, theres still not yet a light at the end of the tunnel for people working in industries that cant fully return to normal. Its probably not a shock to anyone that travelers are just not booking vacations like they usually do right now. McIntyre has had a very slow summer, as planning anything ahead seems impossible. Instead, her travel business time has largely been spent canceling trips and trying to secure her clients the best refunds or credits she can. She has two families with $30,000 trips to Hawaii planned. Theyre hoping to reschedule within the timeframe set by their vendors. If they wanted to go to Hawaii, theyd have to quarantine for 14 days. Thats the type of debacle filling McIntyres days. Shes researching testing requirements, test result waiting periods, quarantines, isolation tips and what the process for travelers at airports is like. She feels a duty to go through these factors and back-up plans with clients. She has an enormous checklist she goes through with each. I have to say ... here are the hoops you have to jump through, she said. Its very hard for a lot of people to get past that. People dont want to put a lot of money down, unknown, right now. As weather got nicer this spring and officials began to lift shutdown orders, lots of agents and travelers turned their attention to domestic travel, to locations like Myrtle Beach and the Outer Banks. Then came spikes in other states, and New Yorks travel quarantine meant even traveling with in the U.S. would be challenging right now. How do you make a plan not knowing if that state is going to be on the list? McIntyre asked. Then theres the question of whether doing the job is even safe right now. Shes tasked with selling trips; what if its not safe to encourage people to travel? Or simply not a good use of someones money? Even travel within state lines is not what it usually is, McIntyre said. The alternative for New Yorkers is staying in New York, but is that even worth it, when I pay three to four hundred a night for that beautiful resort on Lake George, just to find theres no dining facility and a capacity limit at the pool when its 100 degrees? There are some things she can do, namely staying as informed as possible and sharing information with clients. Shes connecting with industry groups and professional organizations online, sharing tips and exchanging ideas. Shes developed a better understanding of options for travel insurance and cancellations. She is seeking the most responsible suppliers, vendors that are responsive and willing to work with people. She has started to market the services she feels comfortable with through newsletters. Mostly, she still remains cautious. If you have any business ethics, you dont want to take someones money and run, she said. The whole ordeal has been a lesson in saying no. After spending months cancelling, she does not want to book new trips she knows shell just have to refund. Part of it is turning away business that is going to cause you heartache in the end, she said. She knows ultimately shes just going to have to wait this out, to hope that next year will bring a boom in travel business. Everyone says pivot, pivot, pivot, she said. Sure, I can sell travel online, but I still cant go! What can I possibly do to earn money during this time, to pivot? Small business owners: Have a question or a story to share about how youre coping through the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shutdown? We want to hear from you. Contact Back in Business reporter Julie McMahon: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 CNY BACK IN BUSINESS PPE giveaway: Central NY businesses get 2nd chance to pick up free masks, sanitizer, more Schumer: Central NY small business, nonprofits need second PPP loan PPP in CNY: Top 20 banks, lenders that doled out most loans to local businesses PPP data: What we learned about Central NY businesses that got loans NY travel quarantine order creates confusion for businesses, workers 4 challenges small businesses face now that much of CNY has reopened More from CNY Back in Business Sign up for the Back In Business newsletter to get small business advice delivered to your email inbox I am paged to the intensive care unit: a 60-year-old man who contracted COVID-19 on a cruise ship is deteriorating. His lungs are failing, so he requires intubation and drugs to take away pain and awareness while a ventilator supports his lungs. Two weeks later, he develops a secondary bacterial infection and still has a harmful urge to breathe so he remains on infusions of sedatives. Another two weeks goes by he has stabilized but is delirious and weak from his month-long ICU admission. He is transferred back to his home hospital and then to a rehabilitation centre. Despite being alive, his life will never be the same. As a critical care physician-in-training, I have spent months looking after patients with severe COVID-19 infections in the ICU. Pulkit Bhuptani, whom I work closely with, is a clinical pharmacist who ensures patients receive effective and safe drug regimens. As a potential second wave of the infected looms, we are deeply concerned that ongoing drug shortages are imperiling the lives of our most at-risk patients. With COVID-19, what begins as respiratory failure leads to multiple months of sedation while patients lungs heal. Despite their knowledge of the drug supply chain, pharmacists are having to adapt swiftly to unavailable drugs on short notice. Conservation strategies are being implemented, but there are risks associated with using alternatives, including kidney injury and costs on an already strained hospital budget. Pulkit and I are both astounded by the archaic and unpredictable state of Canadas domestic drug supply network. While we have been working around the shortages of sedatives, the deficits continue to evolve and now span across multiple critical drug classes. With COVID-19 persisting in our hospitals, we need a solution now more than ever. The government has taken some steps to address fragmented communication about the pharmaceutical supply chain by both setting up the www.drugshortagescanada.ca website and chairing committees with manufacturers. But despite nearly 10 years of shortages, there has been little concrete action to date. While we understand that Health Canada is working hard around the clock to import drugs from other countries, we must ask: why were we not better prepared? As members of the Critical Drugs Coalition, we believe the government must commit to ensuring more transparency by curating a list of the most critical medications and stocking them in the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile. But considering that COVID-19 is expected to tax our health-care system for well over a year, we know this will only be part of the solution. The government must also step in to assist in manufacturing critical medications. Canada has a rich history of this, once being the worlds insulin factory through our domestic drug manufacturer Connaught Labs. We can certainly do this again we just need the political will. If we dont act swiftly, the costs will span far beyond the need for ventilators or inordinate amounts of sedatives. The more we need for COVID-19 patients, the less we will have for other Canadians. A helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 combats a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego, July 14 U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Garrett LaBarge The US Navy continues to battle fires aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard that have been burning since Sunday morning. "We still have an active fire that we are combatting from both within and outside the ship," Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Three, told reporters at a Navy press briefing Tuesday. Despite earlier assurances that the ship would sail again, the admiral said that while he remains hopeful, it is "too early to tell" if the ship can be saved. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A Navy admiral said Tuesday that it is "too early to tell" whether or not the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard can be saved as the ship, which caught fire Sunday morning, continues to burn. Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Three, said Tuesday that no major damage has been found in the four engineering spaces, that there is currently no threat to the fuel tanks, and that the ship is stable and the structure safe. But, he said, "we still have an active fire that we are combatting from both within and outside the ship." Sobeck revealed that helicopters equipped for firefighting operations have dumped more than 1,000 buckets of water on the fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, cooling the superstructure and flight deck so that firefighters can battle the blaze internally while tugs spray water alongside the hull. There is currently at least one active fire in a previously inaccessible forward area of the ship. There is another fire in the aft area. Sobeck said he is hopeful that all of the remaining fires will be out within the next 24 hours. The Navy has released a number of images of the ongoing firefight, some of which capture clearly the charred exterior of the ship. An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from the Merlins of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3, provides aerial firefighting support alongside Sailors and civilian fire crews on the ground to fight the fire aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mar'Queon A. D. Tramble Story continues A fire was first reported aboard the big-deck amphib, which has been in maintenance for the past couple of years and was in port at Naval Base San Diego, at around 8:30 am Sunday. Sobeck said that a sudden explosion forced the crew to evacuate before they could secure the area where the fire broke out and activate the fire suppression system. The fire, which is suspected to have started in a lower vehicle storage area, spread rapidly through the ship. Sobeck told reporters Tuesday that once the fire spread up to the well deck, it was "off to the races." Over the past few days, hundreds of sailors and local firefighters have been battling the fires aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Navy reports that 61 people 38 sailors and 23 civilians have been injured, suffering from things like smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. Sobeck told reporters Sunday evening that "we're absolutely going to make sure it sails again," adding that "we're just going to get right back at it once we get this thing contained and put out." In an update Monday, he said that he remains hopeful, even as expert observers suggested the ship was too far gone and possibly not worth saving. On Tuesday, he said that he is still as hopeful as ever but said that it is "too early to tell" the extent of the damage and whether or not the ship can be salvaged. The fire, which in some places was burning at temperatures as hot as 1,000 degrees, scorched the ship through and through. Unverified photos that have surfaced on social media appear to show severe external damage to the superstructure and internal devastation. "When you look at the outside of the ship, you don't get the full picture," he said. "We haven't been inside of the ship well enough to get a full picture." Sobeck said that an investigation would be carried out once the fire was finally out. Read the original article on Business Insider As the decision to re-impose the lockdown was announced on July 11, the citizens were given 3 days to prepare for staying at home or leaving the city. About 1 lakh people left for their homes in other districts and neighbouring states in buses and private vehicles till late evening," said the official. (Image: Riyaz/News18) They rejoiced at the strong development of the bilateral strategic partnership over the past decade, and shared the view that the two countries still have huge potential for further cooperation. Deputy PM Minh proposed the two countries increase exchanges and visits, while maintaining cooperation mechanisms, including the strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level. He also called for more efforts towards the signing of the Vietnam-UK free trade agreement. The official lauded the British governments efforts and initiatives to promote international collaboration in the fight against COVID-19, and pledged that Vietnam stands ready to join hands with the UK in these efforts. Deputy PM Minh also suggested the two sides continue their mutual support in citizen protection, saying Vietnam facilitates the entry of foreign investors, experts, managers and labourers, including those from the UK. For his part, Raab stressed that the UK considers Vietnam an important partner in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia in its foreign policy and wishes to deepen the strategic partnership across spheres and strengthen bilateral agreements to maintain the pace of the bilateral ties, notably in economy and trade, when the UK leaves the European Union. He congratulated Vietnam on its successes in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, and thanked Vietnamese competent agencies and doctors for their dedication in treating the British pilot. The minister told the Vietnamese official that the UK has listed Vietnam among the countries from where travelers would be exempted from quarantine regulations. He praised Vietnams ASEAN Chairmanship and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC), and promised that the UK will further cooperate and coordinate with Vietnam in multilateral frameworks, the UNSC and other multilateral forums. Raab also affirmed the UKs support in maintaining peace, security and stability, as well as respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). The minister expressed his hope for stronger ASEAN-UK ties, and called on Vietnam to back the cooperation. In this regard, Deputy PM Minh said as the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam supports external partners, including the UK, to step up cooperation with the grouping and applauds sides contributions to peace, cooperation and the observance of international law in the region and the world. Apple is rejoicing as it won the fight over tax bill with the European Union, Bloomberg reported on July 15. With this accomplishment, the company will not have to be fined with 13bn (or $14,615,315,000.00) with Ireland in back taxes. The latest court win was from the company's appeal at the second highest court of the EU. In 2016, Apple received backlash and was questioned by the European Commission over the $4.19 tax bill that it was supposed to give to the Irish government. Also Read: Apple Fined $27M in France For Slowing Old iPhones; Charged Deceptive! Apple wins The General Court of the European Union has already overturned the case since the Commission has failed to prove that the company broke any rules of the competition. The huge blow happens with the EU since it always wanted to crack down on the tech giant regarding the alleged tax evasion cases. The European Union will now have the floor to appeal the decision with the highest court in the continent, the European Court of Justice, Bloomberg added. Apple has released an official statement. It said, "This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it. We're proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society." Now that the losing end is with the EU, Margrethe Vestager of the Competition Commissioner stated she would be studying the decision and think about the next steps. Looking back, the European Commission took action after it claimed that Ireland allegedly allowed the company to attribute most of its earnings to the Irish head office that was only on paper, thereby grounds for tax evasion upon EU revenues. This commission was saying it was illegal. The Irish government was with Apple saying that the company did not have any taxes to pay, especially that its loss, because of these finances, would make the country a home turf even for larger companies. Ireland is the biggest homebase for Apple, with its markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. 'No evidence' During Wednesday's ruling (July 15), the high court sided with the petition and that of Ireland and decided that there was no adequate evidence to provide this judgment for the tech multinational. Getting back to the losing side, the European Union will be expected to continue its efforts to crack down on illegal avoidance of paying taxes from corporations. However, Vestager has already lost a previous case against Starbucks under a similar concern. That time, the coffee conglomerate is said to owe 30m in back taxes with the Netherlands, the report added. Meanwhile, rulings over the tax arrangements of Nike and Ikea are also due very soon. This is part of the EU's efforts to crack down on these alleged tax avoiders. "This will be a very welcome outcome for other multinationals who have been watching this case closely," Jason Collins and head of tax at a law firm pointed out. "Apple's victory shows that European courts are unwilling to call beneficial tax regimes state aid, even when designed to attract foreign investment - provided they apply the rules consistently." Also Read: Apple Hit With Lawsuit After 'Thousands' Of Users Complain About Defective MacBook Pro Keyboards 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two teenagers from Arizona were vacationing in San Diego on July 4th weekend, and they found themselves in the middle of a rescue by the ocean at a place called Sunset Cliffs. The two boys, 16-year-old Zach Haugen and 15-year-old Jake Watson, had been exploring the spectacular cliff formations during a beautiful sunset on Friday July 3rd when they spotted a pair of girls in a perilous situation in the water below. Local photographer Jim Grant was also at the scene, and he witnessed the extraordinary rescue that unfolded in front of him. It just could have been a tragic event, Grant told ABC of the incident afterward, adding that his photo could have been a sad one had they not saved the day. Sunset Cliffs, San Diego (Screenshot/Google Maps) A sixth-grade girl and a family friend had been playing near a reef when a large swell had swept them off their feet, and the older girl had hit her head on the rocks. Haugen, who happens to be a licensed lifeguard, recalled, Im like, Oh my gosh, theyre drowning. So thats when I just knew I had to go in. The younger girl was climbing on top of her friend in a bid to breathe, and Haugen managed to pull her off. The high surf made it dangerous for the teens to get too close, however. I looked up at Jake, said Haugen. Hes like, Do you need help? And Im just shaking my head, and thats when he was able to jump in and go after them. Watson, an avid swimmer and fishing enthusiast, dove in and got the younger girl on his back, he recalled, and then managed to roll her onto a landing. The two teens managed to keep the girls above the waves until lifeguards finally arrived, who later admitted that the young rescuers efforts probably saved the girls lives. After the incredible rescue, which the boys said lasted all of five minutes before help arrived, Watson recounted the experience: We were like, What just happened? It just felt surreal. The older girl suffered a fairly serious head injury, a lifeguard told ABC, though both girls are now doing well. The mother of the younger girl later thanked them for their brave action. We just happen to be at the right place at the right time at Sunset Cliffs, Haugen shared. That wasnt the first rescue off the steep, rocky shores of San Diego in recent weeks. Last month, a man attempted to commit suicide at Sunset Cliffs by driving his pickup into the ocean with his 2-year-old twin daughters inside. Fortunately, K9 officer Jonathan Wiese responded to the call, and without hesitating, he scaled down the cliff side and saved the two girls and then waited with the man until help arrived. San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit called it the most heroic thing Ive seen in my 32 years. We would love to hear your stories! You can share them with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.nyc Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situations in Ukraine, Iran and Libya with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a phone conversation Wednesday, the Kremlin has said in a statement, Xinhua reports. While discussing the situation in the southeast of Ukraine, both Putin and Merkel gave a negative assessment to the recent statements by Ukrainian officials about the need to revise the Minsk agreements, and agreed to intensify efforts to ensure their full and unconditional implementation. On the situation concerning Iran, Putin emphasized the futility of the sanction pressure on Tehran and the importance of efforts to maintain the Iran nuclear deal. Putin and Merkel exchanged assessments of the situation in Libya, with both underlining the need to deal with the crisis by diplomatic methods, as well as by establishing intra-Libyan dialogue. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and PennLive/Patriot-News. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter. HARRISBURG As coronavirus cases continue to climb in certain parts of the state, Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday announced tighter restrictions on bars, restaurants, and other businesses statewide, as well as new limits on indoor gatherings. Wolf said the new order is necessary to prevent Pennsylvania from experiencing a devastating rise in cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals, as is happening now in Southern states like Florida and Texas. These targeted mitigation efforts, he said, lean on knowledge about how the virus has spread indoors, and at places like bars and restaurants. When we hit our peak on April 9, we hit nearly 2,000 new cases that day, Wolf said at an afternoon press briefing. And what were seeing right now could soon be even worse than what we saw before. Under the order, restaurants and bars that serve food will only be allowed to seat people indoors at up to 25% of their capacity (currently, seating is allowed up to 50% capacity). Seating will only be allowed at tables, and patrons can only order alcohol with a meal. Bars that dont serve food can sell alcohol to-go, but cannot offer in-person service. Outdoor dining restrictions will not change. Nightclubs must close, while indoor gatherings and events such as in a concert hall, an individual movie theater, and even business meetings in rooms within a larger conference facility will be limited to no more than 25 people. Outdoor events remain limited to 250 people. Additionally, businesses will be required to have employees telework if possible. Gyms and fitness facilities will be allowed to remain open, with the current restrictions involving mask-wearing and social distancing remaining in place. Businesses that do not follow the restrictions could be fined, closed, or subject to other penalties, the governors office said. Wolf did not spell out a plan to enforce the rules, though he said there are legal consequences for failing to abide by the measures. Reaction to Wolfs order, which is in place indefinitely, was swift and forceful. Reduction to 25% capacity is essentially the same as eliminating indoor dining entirely, and there is no scenario that restaurants can survive at that level of occupancy, said John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, which is instead advocating for shutting down problem establishments. Chuck Moran, who heads the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, called on the state to develop a bailout package for the industry. Without help, we will see more small-business restaurants and taverns not survive, Moran said. The rollbacks are the first the administration has announced since it began reopening counties in May. All counties currently are in the least restrictive green phase, though masks are now required for most people in public spaces. Wolf, who had fielded fierce criticism from Republicans for imposing statewide restrictions rather than allowing counties to make their own public health decisions, just last month declared Pennsylvanias response to the pandemic a success. He said his administrations phased, measured reopening plan had helped it avoid the fate of other states, which were experiencing spikes in new cases as they reopened. But in recent weeks, coronavirus cases have steadily risen in certain counties, most notably Philadelphia and Allegheny. At Wednesdays press conference, Wolf ticked off three reasons for the spikes: Some people are ignoring the states mask requirement, unknowingly contracting and spreading the virus; travel, including to heavily impacted states, has increased as people take summer vacations; and the lack of a national coordination plan, as he called it, which led some states early on to impose few restrictions, leading to alarming surges there now. We did everything we should have done, Wolf said. We were responsible. And yet we are paying a price right now. David Rubin, a pediatrician and director of PolicyLab at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, said at Wednesdays news briefing that there is extremely clear evidence that the disease resurgence is quickly moving into the Northeast region of the U.S. He said the hospitals virus tracker has shown increased disease activity in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania counties surrounding Philadelphia, and increased risk of transmission statewide. Simply stated, we are seeing now widespread community transmission throughout the Northeast area, Rubin said. Its of sufficient concern now that if we do not act decisively in the next six weeks, we may not be in the favorable terrain we had hoped to be in to assure the public that opening schools will be safe after Labor Day. Wolf, too, couched the new restrictions as a way to ensure that case counts decrease so that schools can reopen safely for in-person instruction. We need to nip this in the bud, he said, so that we have a fighting chance to get to a point where parents are going to feel comfortable and confident that they can send their children to school. At the peak of new cases in April, Pennsylvania confirmed 2,000 new virus cases in one day. By June, that had dropped to 300 or 400 new cases per day. But cases have risen again, hitting just over 1,000 in a single day last week and 994 on Wednesday. 100% ESSENTIAL: Spotlight PA relies on funding from foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. If you value this reporting, please give a gift today at spotlightpa.org/donate. Have you seen Andrew Cuomos poster? The New York governors pandemic-themed design was apparently intended as a celebration of the states effort against coronavirus. Its difficult to describe, but theres a mountain in the middle labeled 111 Days of Hell, a rope around it labeled Pulling Down the Curve Together, a river marked with dollar signs and labeled economy falls, a plane captioned Europeans, a wind-blowing devil titled winds of fear, and overhead, a banner positioned above a rainbow that reads (what else?) love wins, as a sun smiles and a blonde man on a crescent moon says, Its just the flu. I dont have anything nice to say about it, except that its a helpful insight into a singularly incompetent and disorganized mind. Without the labels, the design would be utterly incoherent, though with them, theres a certain childs logic. Nevertheless, it must remain one of the weirdest political stunts to come out of a crisis. But then, perhaps diversion is the point. For while the governor was getting ready to wow the nation with his 19th-century-style propaganda (did I mention there is a table at the bottom of the mountain labeled New York State Leads Again?), the rest of the country has been noticing that, in the wake of coronavirus, conditions in New York are getting worse, not better. Yes, COVID-19 daily death rates are now by the dozen rather than the thousand, but New York Citys crime problem, at its worst since the 1990s, is spiraling out of control. In the first three weeks of June, there was more than double the number of shootings compared with last year. New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has suggested that these are crimes of desperation. She said: Maybe this has to do with the fact that people arent paying their rent and are scared to pay their rent. And so they go out and they need to feed their child and they dont have money. So, you maybe have to theyre put in a position where they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry that night. Story continues Maybe! Or maybe it was the winds of fear what done it! Or that blonde man on the moon! Then again, maybe not. Shoplifting has actually decreased, while horrific acts of violence (that have nothing to do with bread) are up. Consider some of the most recent instances: a man gunned down while washing his car, a teenager shot at a graduation party, five people shot at a candlelight vigil, a man shot dead in the lobby of a public-housing building, a father gunned down in a drive-by while holding his six-year-olds hand, and an infant shot to death in a stroller. The citys response to the growing crisis has been to disband its plainclothes units you know, the ones that are typically on the front lines in fighting violent crime. What does AOC think a city without policing looks like? Her answer: A suburb. Bill de Blasio, meanwhile, has decided to slash the New York Police Departments budget by $1 billion and canceled the employment of 1,000 cops. Chuck Wexler, an executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit for law-enforcement reform, thinks that the most important thing is trust-building, and that you can reduce crime, but if the public still feels that they dont trust the police, then youve lost the moral high ground. But this is the wrong way around. If the police dont protect the public, why should the public trust them? We already know how this goes. Crime only got worse after Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly disbanded the Street Crime Unit in 2002, following the 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo. Reducing police presence is the exact opposite approach to that taken by Rudy Giuliani in cleaning up the city when he was mayor. Giuliani recently told Fox News that he cant walk the streets without people coming up to him and saying you got to run again, you got to run again, you got to run. [De Blasio] is terrible. Rather than face these problems, Cuomo and de Blasio would rather focus on a fictitious narrative that, in the fight against coronavirus, New Yorkers came out on top. But even that overlooks the mistakes made. Like many other places, New York was slow to respond to the crisis. It created more hospital capacity only after low-ranking socioeconomic areas became badly infected. Infected patients were put back into nursing homes, causing needless death. And when the Wall Street Journal talked to 90 front-line medical staff and officials from New York they identified mishandlings such as improper patient transfers, insufficient isolation protocols, inadequate staff planning, mixed messages, and an overreliance on government sources for key equipment. Another major theme to come up was underfunding for hospitals. Now similar mistakes, such as underfunding and incoherence, are being made with crime. At this newest phase of crisis, New York needs real leadership and police presence not middle-school art projects, nor impudent maybes. More from National Review Trump Signs Measures Holding China Accountable for 'Repressive' Hong Kong Actions Sputnik News 21:33 GMT 14.07.2020(updated 22:43 GMT 14.07.2020) US President Donald Trump signed a bill and an executive order on Tuesday related to Hong Kong in the aftermath of Beijing passing a new national security law. The measures end the city's preferential treatment by Washington and levy sanctions against Chinese individuals responsible for implementing the security law. Trump told reporters at a Tuesday press conference he had signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, a bill passed by Congress earlier this month that allows the sanctioning of Chinese officials responsible for implementing the country's new National Security Law in Hong Kong. "Today, I signed legislation and an executive order to hold China accountable for its repressive actions," he said. He also signed an executive order ending US preferential treatment for Hong Kong. The city enjoys a unique autonomy, part of the long integration process following its return to Chinese governance by the United Kingdom in 1997, which seized Hong Kong in 1842. Critics of the National Security Law have claimed it has ended this autonomy. The law bans the funding of political groups in Hong Kong by outside financiers, which immediately caused the primary dissident group in the city to close down once the law was implemented. "We gave them things that nobody else had the right to do. That gave them a big edge over other markets." Trump said. "We're going to do better ... we lost a serious competitor." "No administration has been tougher on China than this administration," Trump said. He then turned his attention to Democratic challenger Joe Biden, saying "Joe Biden's entire career has been a gift to the Chinese Communist Party." He noted, for example, that Biden had supported China's admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Trump said gave them an immediate and massive economic benefit. "No country in the world has ever ripped off the United States," Trump said, noting that he "talked many countries out of using" Chinese tech firm Huawei's network tools. Trump also attacked both China and Biden over the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that Beijing failed to stop the spread of the virus from Hubei Province and that "if we had listened to Joe Biden, hundreds of thousands of additional people would have been lost." Close to 136,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus and 3.4 million have been infected with the respiratory illness. He also criticized Biden's criticism of the United States and claimed Biden's economic plan would "destroy" the US economy. After nearly an hour of line-by-line lambasting of Biden's unity platform with former rival Sen. Bernie Sanders, Trump allowed reporters to ask questions. "I have no plan to speak with him," Trump said when asked if he had spoken with, or intended to speak to, Chinese President Xi Jinping since the National Security Law was implemented. When he was informed about the recent hospitalization of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Trump said he wished her well. "Shes actually giving me some good rulings," Trump said of several Supreme Court decisions recently announced in which Ginsburg sided with the administration. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ambulances parked in a queue in front of the Greater Chennai Corporation as number of COVID- 19 cases surge in the city. PTI photo The State government, with a view to offsetting the economic loss caused by the lockdown, should take steps to enhance the peoples buying power by ensuring that they had more cash at hand. This is the first of the seven pieces of advice for immediate action that the Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin has offered to the government after holding a discussion, through video conference, with medical, economic and business experts. Urging the government to at least take his advice seriously now, Stalin, in a statement on Monday, reiterated his demand for payment of Rs 5000 to every family as the second advice. Allowing movement of goods and people with regulations during the lockdown, the state and central governments paying MSMEs their dues, increasing the annual working days under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to 250 days, increasing the investment expenditure in health and such essential services and restructuring the GST with the State recusing itself from it now are the other advice he had for the government. The two long-term advice he had were building a common income generating infrastructure that will ensure basic financial security to people, not just at times of crisis but at all times, and an universal medical insurance scheme that services offered by the private hospitals were also available to the poor. Both the measures would have all citizens a comprehensive social security and help solve problems arising in a future crisis, Stalin said. Queenslanders are begging the premier to close the borders to anybody from New South Wales as coronavirus cases in the state begin to spike. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Tuesday anybody from Campbelltown or Liverpool council areas would be forbidden from entering the Sunshine State, but locals fear that won't be enough to keep the virus south of the border. Gold Coast District Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler confessed on Wednesday they're operating on an honesty system when deciding whether to let people in. Footage taken at Sydney airport on Tuesday afternoon revealed people are still slipping into Queensland from the restricted areas. A father and his son from Austral, near Liverpool, who live just down the road from the Crossroads Hotel which has been linked to 34 COVID-19 cases in New South Wales, walked straight into Queensland off a flight from Sydney on Tuesday. Cars queued for hours to enter Queensland when the borders finally reopened after months of being shut Sam and his son Xavier were heading to the Whitsunday region when they were informed they no longer had authorisation to enter Queensland due to their proximity to the COVID-19 outbreak. 'We'll see what happens when we get there,' Sam told 9News. They were briefly stopped when boarding the plane, before officials let them continue on their way. It is not clear whether they were turned away at the Queensland border. Superintendent Wheeler was at the border on Wednesday, where he warned hours long delays awaited Sydneysiders who were attempting to make their way into Queensland. 'The delays are very unfortunate but they are unavoidable at the moment,' he said, before adding things should settle in the coming days. He said the new regulations forbidding people from Campbelltown and Liverpool government areas - which included about 77 suburbs - had not yet had the time to filter down to everybody yet. A road block is seen at Miles Street in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast when the border between Queensland and New South Wales was still closed A police officer directs a car for further inspection at a check point on the Queensland-New South Wales border 'The public will catch up with the declaration system and we will see things improve, provided there haven't been more hotspots declared,' he said. From midday on Tuesday, when the new rules were introduced, five people were turned away at Gold Coast airport and more than 30 were refused entry at road checkpoints, he revealed. But he admitted there was a potential for people from these regions to sneak through. Particularly when driving into Queensland, Supt Wheeler said it was simply impossible to check everybody. In excess of 10,000 cars are crossing the border each day, and authorities were doing their best to speak with people they suspected had come from restricted areas. In response to the admission that the border isn't 100 per cent secure, Queenslanders have demanded the state simply put an end to travel for the time being Sam and his son Xavier were heading to the Whitsunday region when they were informed they no longer had authorisation to enter Queensland due to their proximity to the COVID-19 outbreak 'People who go online and fill out a declaration, that has significant penalties,' he said. 'If you lie and you're caught out... that's a $4,000 on the spot fine... Legislation has been lodged to see people receive jail time'. 'The whole declaration system is based on an honesty approach, but there are heavy penalties if you make those declarations falsely.' Supt Wheeler said if officers have any suspicions about a person's application, they 'certainly' ask for further information, and occasionally proof of where the person has been in the last 14 days. In response to the admission that the border isn't 100 per cent secure, Queenslanders have demanded the state simply put an end to travel for the time being. 'This is a recipe for disaster,' one woman wrote on Ms Palaszczuk's announcement of the new restrictions on Twitter. 'The entire border should be closed. People travel, people lie. Please don't undo our hard work.' Queenslanders are begging the Premier to close the borders to anybody from New South Wales as coronavirus cases in the state begin to spike Another man added: 'One. That is how many infected people need to be missed to start the outbreak in Queensland again. 'Can you guarantee not one person will be missed? Because if not you need to close the borders now.' Most people seemed most concerned about the faith the Queensland government was putting in Australians to tell the truth about their whereabouts in the last 14 days. 'If people want to come through all they need to do is lie,' one person pointed out. 'Honesty is a rare quality these days. I don't believe you can rely on people being honest. 'If you just lock down parts of western Sydney, you'll get the same case load NSW got from Victoria when just those ten postcodes were locked down.' Some of the suburbs which are banned from Queensland are so close to other suburbs not on the list that residents say it won't make much of a difference. Police stop motorists crossing the Qld-NSW border to check to for permits One woman explained while she is in a suburb considered a 'hotspot', the family who live directly across the road from her are considered safe to travel. Likewise, her nearest grocery store is technically in an area outside of the 'COVID bubble', meaning any infection could have easily spread beyond the confines of her neighbourhood. On Wednesday, Queensland recorded zero new cases of COVID-19. There are just four active cases in the entire state. That is a significant contrast to Victoria, where another 238 cases were identified on Wednesday. New South Wales diagnosed another 13 cases - including 10 linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster. Pictured: The Sydney venues feared to be at the centre of COVID-19 outbreaks Gold Coast District Officer Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler speaks to the media to discuss the 'honesty system' on letting people into Queensland Hayden Panettiere has been granted a restraining order against her former boyfriend Brian Hickerson. The 30-year-old actress filed to register an out-of-state order to protect her from her ex-partner in California, where she is currently living. The news comes five months after Brian was arrested in Wyoming for domestic battery after allegedly hitting the 'Nashville' actress in the face. He pleaded not guilty to the allegation and will face trial in September. Shortly after the alleged incident, Hayden ended the relationship and moved back to Los Angeles and is focusing on moving forward with her life. A source said: "Hayden has since moved back to L.A. and hasn't reconnected with Brian since relocating. "She doesn't want anything to do with him as she starts this next chapter." The former 'Heroes' star is "staying positive" while isolating at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, but hasn't been able to see her five-year-old daughter Kaya, who lives in Europe with her father, Wladimir Klitschko. A source told E! News: "With so much uncertainty over travel and coronavirus right now, it's not known when Hayden and Kaya will be able to see each other again. The separation and distance can be tough, but Hayden takes some comfort in knowing that Wlad is an incredible father and is doing a great job of caring for their daughter." During Brian's arrest in February, it was claimed he hit Hayden "with a closed fist on the right side of her face". The paperwork filed at the time explained when police arrived on the scene, they found Brian on the driveway and he told them the 'Nashville' star was inside and claiming "he beat the f**k out of me". When asked if he had physically assaulted his girlfriend, Brian was said to have avoided answering. In May 2019, Brian was arrested on domestic violence charges after he and Hayden allegedly got into a physical altercation at their home following a night of drinking and was later ordered to stay 100 yards away from her. However, the case against him was dismissed when the district attorney's office couldn't "secure a material witness" and the couple were seen together again in November. Yonkers Raceway hosted two divisions of New York Sire Stakes action for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings Tuesday night (July 14). In the first $75,900 division, Hobbs took control of the race early and led all the way in 1:55.4 by three-quarters of a length over Barn Holden with Take The Credit two lengths back in third. Hobbs is a three-year-old gelded son of Credit Winner who was driven to victory by Jason Bartlett for trainer Jim Campbell and the Runthetable Stables. Five of the six trotters in the first division were sons of Credit Winner. In the second $75,900 division, driver Brian Sears picked up the catch drive aboard Chaptiama and also led all the way, scoring a neck victory over Berkery J in 1:55. Bourbon Express finished another three-and-three-quarter lengths back in third. Chaptiama is a three-year-old gelded son of Chapter Seven for trainer Trond Smedshammer and the Purple Haze Stables of Fairport, New York. Four of the six trotters in the $75,900 second division were sons of Chapter Seven. Racing continues at Yonkers Raceway Thursday and Friday nights this week, first post is at 7:12 p.m. (EDT). (Yonkers Raceway) Dynamiq, the high-quality Italian superyacht builder, has announced a new strategic partnership with Carter & White, the bespoke bed-and-bath linen brand in Dubai. Comfortable sleep is essential on-board yachts and Carter & White is the best in the business as specialists having to deal with bedding even in the famously hot and humid climate of the Middle East, where summer temperatures can soar up to 50 degrees Celsius, the company says. Together the two brands have developed a dedicated bedding and bathroom ware collection for all Dynamiq models. The Dynamiq collection is made of the famous extra-light long-tail Giza type of Egyptian cotton, the quality of which has long been appreciated by the Royal members and wealthy individuals all over the world. This cotton not only lasts longer, it can also hold up through years of constant washing and keep its colour intact. The collections can be selected using the online configurator at www.bedynamiq.com. The benefit for Dynamiq clients is getting the best possible quality of bed linen that can be adapted to the interior design and bed size, as well as colour palettes that are carefully selected to match the interior style, says the statement. "All great journeys begin with a vision, says Marwan Al Serkal, Founder of Carter & White. For us that vision was to give birth to a prestigious Middle Eastern brand that would appeal to the most discerning individuals. We wanted to create products that were at the pinnacle of luxury and refinement, combining sublime comfort with timeless tailoring and an impeccable attention to detail. We saw the same attention to detail, the vision and same passion for quality, above all else, at Dynamiq. Its an ideal opportunity for us to showcase our products with a prestigious, boutique, high-quality yacht manufacturer that's gaining incredible market share globally based on its quality foundations." "Ive known Carter & White for several years, says Jeremy Tutt of Dynamiq. Marwan and his team have proven their unique quality and built something exceptional, along with their extensive R&D and dedication to finding the finest cottons, refining, testing and bringing outstanding products to the market. It's a thrill to now formally welcome Carter & White to our prestigious Dynamiq network of global partners." This collaboration is yet another testament to our philosophy at Dynamiq that quality is key, in all that we do, adds Sergei Dobroserdov, founder & CEO of Dynamiq Yachts. Our exceptionally well-engineered superyachts are the best value-for-money choice on the market, proving that Dynamiq can outperform its competitors in every component, even in bed linen." - TradeArabia News Service In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Home Affairs has written to states, Union territories to expedite the setting up of new anti-human trafficking units (AHTUs) and upgrade the infrastructure of existing ones to combat and prevent human trafficking. The AHTUs are an integrated task force to prevent and combat the menace of human trafficking. Trained representatives from the police, department of women and child development, other relevant departments and renowned non-government organisations are part of the unit which was first established in 2007. While the Central government has provided financial assistance for setting up physical infrastructure in these units, it is the responsibility of various states to depute suitable manpower to manage them. The advisory comes in the wake of nearly Rs 100 crore being released from the Nirbhaya fund in March by the government to facilitate the setting up of the AHTUs in districts across the country. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), there were nearly 4,000 cases of trafficking in 2018, of which 99 percent accounted for internal trafficking. Moreover, 92 percent of the trafficking victims who were rescued were women and children. At present, there are over 330 AHTUs that work as convergence centres for the MHA, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Labour and External Affairs to fight human trafficking within India as well as outside it. Also read: Odisha asks MHA to remove 5 Maoist-affected districts from SRE list Domestic violence, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect and other forms of trauma and violence makes a person vulnerable to human trafficking, read the advisory which was issued on July 6 and was accessed by Hindustan Times. Traffickers often exploit the vulnerabilities of people by making false promises of a new job, better income, better living conditions and support to their families etc. While such promises of perpetrators appear legitimate to people, unfortunately, it makes many men, women, and children easy prey for exploitation, the advisory added. The MHA has also suggested that state governments evolve a co-ordination mechanism, monitored at periodic intervals by the highest level in the state, to handle the issue of human trafficking. Community awareness programmes and engagement at the local level with panchayats, leaders and village wards have also been recommended. Because children can be transported at a large scale for wage labour, prostitution and trafficking, panchayats may be asked to maintain a register of complete information about the persons living in the village and a keep track of their movement, the advisory stated. Specific intelligence and surveillance mechanism to identify gangs, gather information about its history, affiliations, modus operandi to deceive people, activities of gang members, links with others, etc., should be worked out by the police department, it added. The advisory also suggested shelters for women and children to be allowed to remain open and called for sensitisation of police personnel at regular and intervals. It asked police personnel deployed at border outposts to be on the look-out for trafficked children. The police force should make full use of CCTNS and CriMAC application, launched by the National Crime Records Bureau in March this year, which facilitates the dissemination of information about significant crimes including human trafficking cases across the country on a real-time basis. These portals can help in locating and identifying the trafficked victims as also in prevention, detection and investigation of crimes, the advisory added. Amid the pandemic, experts describe the advisory as a welcome step as the situation in the wake of the pandemic is ripe for traffickers to exploit due to massive job losses and a likely increase in child labour. According to former DGP PM Nair who was integral in setting up the first batch of AHTUs in 2007, there has been an increase in trafficking of children both online and physically. I have held various discussion with many stakeholders across the government and non-government sector, Nair told Hindustan Times. Trafficking during Covid-19 times has increased manifold, he said. Nair said that the increase in the consumption of child pornography, which has been accessed by nearly 5 million Indians, leads to sexual exploitation of children. President of Shakti Vahini, an NGO that works with trafficking victims, Ravi Kant said that the NCRBs numbers are only a fraction of the number of trafficking case. The case becomes one of trafficking only after the rescued victims statement is recorded, Kant told HT. Most of the cases are actually recorded as kidnapping or abductions or missing persons, Kant added. Kant added that the post the pandemic, job losses will drive traffickers to exploit more and more people. West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand and Orissa are among the worst affected states, Kant said. We will see an increase in the number of cases as the vulnerability factor for the exposed section will go up. Parents who have lost their jobs will force their children into labour and others may be driven to it due to desperation. The MHAs advisory is a welcome one as it will strengthen the efforts to counter it. Nair too welcomed the decision, however, he added that issuing an advisory is not enough. The MHA should make the officers at district level accountable, only then will we be able to implement this decision well. Libyan Parliament Speaker Calls for Peace Talks, Despite Giving Egypt Green Light to Intervene Militarily By Edward Yeranian July 14, 2020 As tensions between Libya's two rival governments and their international backers continue to worsen, the eastern Libya-based parliament has authorized Egypt to intervene militarily if the security of either country is threatened. At the same time, the speaker of the eastern parliament is calling for the U.N. to continue its mediation efforts. Arab media broadcast video of Syrian militia fighters training near the Libyan capital Tripoli, amid claims that Turkey has sent more mercenaries to Libya to support the UN-backed government of Prime Minister Fayez al Sarraj. Libya's eastern-based parliament issued a statement late Monday authorizing Egypt - which supports the rival government of Abdallah al Thini in Beida - to intervene militarily if necessary, due to what it called "Turkey's blatant intervention in Libya and breaching of the country's sovereignty." Libyan parliament spokesman Abdallah Bleihaq, on a visit to Cairo Monday, thanked Egypt for helping his country. He said he expressed his gratitude to the Egyptian parliament for its support for Libya's security and stability in all areas, given that the security of both countries are intertwined and that ties between them are longstanding. Despite the eastern Libyan parliament's authorization of a potential Egyptian military intervention in Libya in the event either country's security is threatened - parliament speaker Aguila Saleh told Arab media that he has asked the U.N. to continue mediating in the Libya conflict. He said that during his recent visit several days ago to the U.N. in Geneva, he asked deputy U.N. envoy Stephanie Williams to continue efforts to find a solution to the Libyan conflict that suits each side and coincides with previous talks in Cairo and Berlin. Egyptian General Mahmoud Zaher told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV he thinks "Turkey is playing a game of nerves with Egypt (in Libya)," and that ultimately, Ankara's goal is to "cause the division of the country." Libyan analyst Aya Burweila, a visiting lecturer on security and terrorism at the Hellenic National Defense College in Greece told VOA she thinks the Libyan parliament's authorization for Egypt to intervene should "make it nearly impossible for Turkey and its Syrian proxies to capture (Libya's strategic) oil crescent." She called the conflict "an existential crisis" for both Egypt and Libya, since "neither can allow Libya to become a failed state," exploited by what she calls Turkish "political and military proxies, which include militant jihadists and organized crime networks." Paul Sullivan, a professor at the U.S. National Defense University, told VOA, however, that he worries the Libyan parliament's declaration "could lead to a conflict," because "mistakes are made when things are this heated." He also questioned if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might not take the warning "as a challenge." Turkey, inspired largely by its energy interests in Libya, has been boosting its role in the Libyan conflict, saying it is doing so in support of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli. Its expanding role is also raising concerns of what analysts say could be the start of a proxy war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Ottawa, Canada Wed, July 15, 2020 07:50 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066652f76 2 World Canada,US,border-closure,border-areas,coronavirus,coronavirus-effect,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Canada and the United States are preparing to extend the closure of their border to non-essential travel because of the coronavirus pandemic until August 21, a source familiar with the talks said Tuesday. The world's longest frontier has been closed to everything but goods trade since March 21. The current shutdown runs out on July 21 and is expected to be extended for a month, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The leaders of several Canadian provinces have spoken out against reopening the border as the United States sees an explosion of virus cases in some states. A few hours after speaking with President Donald Trump on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a decision would be made in the next few days. "We recognize that the situation continues to be complex in the United States in regards to COVID-19," Trudeau told reporters. "Every month, we have been able to extend the border closures to all but essential goods and services and those discussions are ongoing," he added. A recent poll showed that more than 80 percent of Canadians want the border to stay closed for now. Half of Americans are in favor of reopening it, compared to just 11 percent of Canadians, according to the Legere poll carried out July 3-5. The United States is the hardest hit country in the world by the pandemic, with nearly 3.4 million cases and more than 135,000 deaths. Canada has recorded more than 8,800 deaths and more than 108,000 cases. The closure of the US borders with Canada and Mexico has been renewed monthly. Under normal circumstances, more than 400,000 Americans and Canadians cross their shared frontier each day. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on July 15, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via Reuters) US to Back Nations That Say China Violated Their South China Sea Claims WASHINGTONU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States will support countries that assert China has violated their maritime claims in the South China Sea but suggested it would do so through diplomatic rather than military means. We will support countries all across the world who recognize that China has violated their legal territorial claims as wellor maritime claims as well, Pompeo told reporters on July 15. We will go provide them the assistance we can, whether thats in multilateral bodies, whether thats in ASEAN, whether thats through legal responses, we will use all the tools we can, he said at a news conference, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The United States on July 13 rejected Chinas claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea, drawing criticism from China, which said the U.S. position raised tension in the region, highlighting an increasingly testy relationship. That statement reflected the first time the United States had taken the position that Chinas claims to the South China sea were completely unlawful. The United States has long opposed Chinas expansive territorial claims on the South China Sea, sending warships regularly through the strategic waterway to demonstrate freedom of navigation there. The July 13 comments reflect a harsher tone. While China claims 90 percent of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of it. On July 15, Vietnams foreign ministry spokeswoman, Le Thi Thu Hang, said in response to the hardened U.S. rhetoric on the region that Vietnam welcomes any views on the South China Sea that are in accordance with international law. Peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the South China Sea are the common aspirations and goals of countries in the region and the international community. By Arshad Mohammed and Humeyra Pamuk London's Huawei decision 'turning point' for China-UK ties: analyst Global Times By Shen Weiduo and Zhang Hongpei Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 19:56:09 Last Updated: 2020/7/14 20:05:02 The UK's move to ban Huawei may further sour strained China-UK political ties, largely reduce personnel exchanges, and most likely prompt Beijing to take reciprocal measures against London's discriminatory policy, Chinese observers said. The UK's mobile providers are being banned from buying new Huawei 5G equipment after December 31, and they must also remove all of the Chinese firm's 5G kits from their networks by 2027, the UK said on Tuesday, according to a BBC report. New restrictions are also being applied to the use of the Chinese company's broadband kit. The UK government wants operators to "transition away" from purchasing new Huawei equipment for use in the full-fiber network, said BBC. The UK government's decision to ban Huawei has led it into a quagmire that the country - which just exited the EU - can't emerge from in the next few years, Chinese analysts said. "It will have very bad implications for the country. The UK will lag behind other major economies in utilizing the next-generation ultra-fast mobile technology, and potentially revolutionary new business models as well, to be enabled by Huawei's 5G," a Beijing-based industry analyst and a close follower of Huawei surnamed Li, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "China will certainly retaliate against UK's discriminatory policy, and UK's trade ties with China will be hurt," Li said. "China will closely watch the decision," Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a routine press conference on Tuesday. He noted that the move could be an "indicator" of whether it's safe for China to continue its investment in the UK. It could also serve as a touchstone of the market trend in the UK after the Brexit. The decision also shows whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies in the country, Zhao warned. The UK decided in January to let Huawei continue its role in the country's 5G network despite pressure from the US to crack down on the Chinese firm, but with restrictions. The company was excluded from providing "core" 5G gear. Huawei could have been a positive driver for cooperation between China and the UK, but with the change of course, the bilateral relationship could worsen further. China, for a long time, may divert its political focus from the UK to the vast European continent, Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday. UK's change of course and its back-and-forth attitude toward Huawei over the past months is driven by multiple reasons - intensified US pressure and the eagerness to maintain its massive untold interests in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under China's national security law for Hong Kong, Cui said. "Without Huawei as a 'buffer,' China could take a tougher stance and spare no feelings for the UK when dealing with the issues in the Hong Kong SAR," said Cui. Nevertheless, as the UK is no longer an EU member, the decision won't have a major influence on other countries in Europe, and it will also not affect Huawei's cooperation with Europe, which is a much bigger market than Britain, Cui noted. Major blow to UK economy By excluding Huawei, the UK, which is already caught between Brexit woes and an economic setback amid the COVID-19 pandemic, could face major consequences that it may not be able to bear - from industrial impacts potentially costing millions of dollars to the harm done to China-UK ties, analysts said. "Excluding Huawei's participation in the UK's next-generation networks means the country's telecommunications sector would suffer unbearable losses, and the extra costs would shift to consumers," said Ma Jihua, a veteran industry analyst. Huawei said the UK ban on its 5G involvement is disappointing, and the decision is a bad news for anyone in the UK with mobile phone. "Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about US trade policy and not security." It threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide. Instead of 'leveling up,' the government is leveling down and we urge them to reconsider, Huawei said. Ma told the Global Times on Tuesday that such a tough stance against Huawei shows the UK government can sacrifice its own 5G development and local operators' business interests just for political reasons, by taking aim at a Chinese company that has nothing to do with politics. Analysts noted more UK firms are set to be sacrificed for the UK's political stance. For instance, HSBC, the London-headquartered multinational bank, has been the latest scapegoat - being blamed by UK politicians for its support for the national security law for Hong Kong, and faced with growing controversy over the legal battle with Huawei, the firm has been under tremendous pressure in recent days. With the UK's ban on Huawei, the London-based lender may now face a worsening dilemma, where it's already far from safety regarding reprisals, said insiders, noting that HSBC should be more concerned about its situation than Huawei. For Huawei, confidence in its 5G gear expansion in overseas markets would not be heavily influenced, according to Ma, which can be insinuated by the timing the unlisted Chinese firm released its semi-annual earnings one day prior to the announcement of the UK's decision. Huawei regularly released such reports at month's end. "The decision has also impacted upon the UK's independent diplomacy, as it bows more to US pressure to crack down on Huawei," Ma noted. Huawei posted revenue of 454 billion ($64.88 billion) in the first half of 2020, a 13.1 percent increase year-on-year, with a net profit margin of 9.2 percent, a hard-won feat that beat forecasts amid the pandemic and an intensified US crackdown campaign. Huawei's carriers, enterprises, and consumer businesses had revenue of 159.6 billion yuan, 36.3 billion yuan, and 255.8 billion yuan respectively, all recording slight growth compared to the same period last year. "Huawei has promised to continue fulfilling its obligations to customers and suppliers, and to survive, forge ahead, and contribute to the global digital economy and technological development, no matter what future challenges the company faces," the firm said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Photo taken on June 11, 2020 shows the city view of Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said Tuesday that it will never allow any illegal manipulation in the Legislative Council (LegCo) election in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The spokesperson condemned the so-called "primaries" recently organized by the opposition camp in Hong Kong, saying that such acts have constituted illegal manipulation of the LegCo election and posed a blatant challenge to the HKSAR Basic Law and the national security law for the HKSAR. The spokesperson expressed resolute support for punishing such illegal acts in accordance with the law. Hong Kong is scheduled to hold a general election for the seventh-term LegCo in September. The so-called "primaries" sought to hijack public opinion under the pretext of a "referendum," said the spokesperson, noting that they posed a grave threat to the constitutional order of the HKSAR and harmed the democratic electoral system in Hong Kong. The so-called "primaries" and "referendum" are not stipulated in the Basic Law or any existing law on an election in Hong Kong, rendering such acts organized by any group or individual illegal, the spokesperson said. Also, the so-called "primaries" have severely disturbed the election order and may have violated the national security law for the HKSAR, the spokesperson added. Hong Kong citizens celebrate the passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Causeway Bay of south China's Hong Kong, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) The HKSAR government has received a large number of complaints regarding the so-called "primaries," said the spokesperson, stressing the need for serious investigation and severe punishment in accordance with the law. The so-called "primaries" are an extension of the turbulence that has lasted more than a year following the proposed ordinance amendments in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. Benny Tai Yiu-ting, the major plotter and organizer of the so-called "primaries," was also a key mastermind behind the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement, an advocate of both "Hong Kong independence" and the terrorist suicidal tactic of "burn with us," and a political proxy of foreign and external forces in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said. Tai and other like-minded people are among the culprits of the chaos which has jeopardized Hong Kong and the wellbeing of its residents, the spokesperson added. They used "safeguarding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy" as a disguise to create chaos, attempting to turn Hong Kong into a base for waging a "color revolution" against the country and conducting infiltration and subversive activities, the spokesperson said. With the national security law for the HKSAR in place, Hong Kong is embracing a turnaround to end the chaos, restore order and bring itself back to the right track, said the spokesperson. "We sincerely hope that people in Hong Kong can tell right from wrong and resolutely say 'no' to any acts challenging the bottom line of 'one country, two systems' or undermining prosperity and stability in Hong Kong," the spokesperson said. Tehran Says It Has Executed Alleged Iranian Spy For CIA July 14, 2020 Iran's judiciary says a a former defense ministry worker convicted of selling information to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been executed. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said on July 14 that Reza Asgari had been in touch with the CIA during his last years serving at the Defense Ministry and sold the agency information about Iran's missile program. Esmaili said Asgari was executed last week, adding that he had worked in the aerospace department of the Defense Ministry and retired four years ago. Separately, Esmaili said a death sentence for Mahmud Musavi-Majd, an Iranian accused of spying for the United States and Israel, is still to be carried out. Iranian authorities have said that Musavi-Majd passed on information about the whereabouts of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC), who was killed in a U.S. air strike in Iraq in January. The judiciary said last month that Musavi-Majd's death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court and will be carried out "soon." Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and ISNA Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tehran-says-it-has-executed- alleged-iranian-cia-spy/30725683.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Supreme Court has adjourned the contempt application against Bernard A. Mornah, the Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) to July 21. A Supreme Court Clerk adjourned the cases listed for today, including Mr Mornahs contempt application. Mornah has been cited for contempt after he allegedly encouraged Ghanaians to disregard a Supreme Court order for the Electoral Commission to compile a new voters register pursuant to C.I 126, which excluded the old voters ID cards as a basis for identification. The PNC Chairman, who is the Convener of a body styled as the Inter-Party Resistance Against the New Voters Register (IPRAN), is said to have called for a resistance against the decision of the EC to compile a new register for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. He reportedly called on Ghanaians to go out with their old voters cards if it is the only form of identification they have and demand their right to be registered. A seven-member panel of the Apex Court on June 25, this year, affirmed the ECs independence in deciding not to accept the old voters cards and birth certificates as a proof of eligibility of an applicant for the compilation of the new voters register, which has since began. The panel presided over by the Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, in a unanimous decision, also ordered the EC to compile a new register pursuant to Constitutional Instrument 126 (C.I. 126), which was passed by Parliament. The Court, subsequently, ordered all stakeholders and Ghanaians eligible to vote to comply with Articles 42 and 45 of the Constitution and C.I 126 for the exercise. The Attorney General (AG), however, held that the comments by Mr Mornah contradicted the express orders of the Apex Court for the old cards to be excluded from the list of documents for identification. It averred that Mornah, by that, had admonished Ghanaians to act in disobedience of the explicit orders of the Supreme Court of Ghana. The AG, per the suit, is, therefore, urging the Court to commit Mr Mornah to prison to serve as a deterrent and maintain trust and dignity in the highest Court of the land. Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, a Deputy Attorney General, averred that Mornah by virtue of that statement accused the Supreme Court of denying Ghanaians of their right to citizenship and their inalienable right, thereby courting contempt and disaffection for the court. He argued that: The act by the respondent is calculated at bringing the authority of a court of competent jurisdiction into disrepute, and in the event, ultimately interfere with and obstruct the due administration of justice. The conduct of the respondent was clearly intended to subvert the judgment of this honourable court and same was out of disrespect for the court authority under the Constitution, Mr. Dame stated. The respondents willful conduct, as aforesaid, was calculated at bringing the authority of a court of competent jurisdiction into disrepute, and in the event, ultimately interfere with and obstruct the due administration of justice. That respondents disregard of the authority of this court makes him liable to be committed to prison in order to vindicate the undoubted authority of the court. 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 Machines believe most Northerners sound alike irrespective of their hometown, a study has found. A piece of research from the University of Manchester looked at the similarity of accents across the North of England and how distinguishable they are. It found that apart from the most recognisable twangs Geordies and Scousers the voices of people from other major northern hubs are largely comparable. Residents of Leeds and Manchester, from the historic rivals of Yorkshire and Lancashire, were almost indistinguishable from one another, the study found. Residents of Leeds and Manchester, from the historic rivals of Yorkshire and Lancashire, were deemed almost indistinguishable from one another, the study found. Mel B (left) is from Leeds whereas comedian Jason Manford (right) is from Salford, Greater Manchester A piece of research from the University of Manchester looked at how similar accents across the North of England sound to one another. It found that apart from the most recognisable twangs people from Newcastle and Liverpool (pictured) the voices of people from other major northern hubs are very similar Some academics have stated that this may be a recent phenomenon caused by the gradual eroding of regional accents due to 'dialect levelling'. This has led to a theory that many well-educated middle-class northerners speak with a similar accent, dubbed General Northern English. 'I often hear statements like "I'm from Liverpool / Manchester / Sheffield, but I don't have the accent" - however, there is very little systematic evidence that General Northern English really is a coherent variety, so that's the question we asked ourselves,' said Dr Dr Patrycja Strycharczuk. Previous research has found significant differences in the accents of people from the North and the South of England. For example, the good folk in the North of England use phrases such as 'give it me', which would never be uttered by a well-to-do member of the South. Northerners have also created creative colloquialisms for boring words, such as 'ginnel' or 'jitty' for alley and 'spelk' for splinter in Newcastle. However, these are not influenced by accent, which is categorised by linguistic experts as phonological or phonetic features. The scientists in this latest study say this can be boiled down to the pronunciation of certain words, specifically 'trap', 'bath', 'foot' and 'strut'. A study found people from Leeds (pictured), Manchester and Sheffield sounded similar, only correctly identifying an accent 67, 63 and 55 per cent of the time, respectively NorthSouth divide of England's life sciences exposed Science in the South of England gets more than twice the investment per person from the Government than it does in the North, a think tank investigation has found. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found that the North receives 4 billion less for health research a year than the South and the Midlands is even harder hit. Overall, scientists working on health research and development in the North receive around 72 of investment per person compared to 168 in the South. Of this, the North receives only 22 per person from the Government on average two-fifths of the 56 invested per head in the South of England. The Midlands, meanwhile, receives even less the equivalent of just 16 per person. This level of inequality is incompatible with the Government's commitments to 'level up' the UK economy, the IPPR report argues. The authors also noted that private sector investment in the field totals the equivalent of 50 per person in the North, less than half the 112 given to the South. Advertisement Some people in the South will say all these words in a certain way, but residents of southern city may say it differently. However, in the North, there is no variation. No true Northerner says 'bath' with anything other than a short 'a', with the word rhyming with the female name Kath. But in the South, some will pronounce the word so that it has an elongated 'a' sound, making it rhyme with hearth. This trait helps experts define the Northern accent as being 'a cluster of distinct but related varieties', which are united by their distaste for speaking like Southerners. A seminal study into this phenomenon, published in 1982, said: 'There are many educated northerners.. who would feel it to be a denial of their identity as northerners to say BATH words with anything other than a short 'a'.' Dr Strycharczuk investigated if the clearly defined accents of yesteryear were still present. She took 105 accents of natives from the Northern powerhouses of Sheffield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds. These were then fed into a machine which scrutinised the pattern of their voices. It found people from Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield sounded similar, only correctly identifying an accent 67, 63 and 55 per cent of the time, respectively. But the residents of Liverpool and Newcastle were more easily spotted, being correctly identified 82 and 71 per cent of the time, respectively. 'This summary confirms that Liverpool and Newcastle are generally well-discriminated from the remaining cities, the researchers write in their study. 'In contrast, Leeds and Sheffield are highly confusable.' The researchers found that some traditional dialect features are no longer present, but most speakers still sound distinctly northern. This they said could be determined by the use of short vowels in words like 'glass' and 'grass' while 'crux' is pronounced in the same way as 'crooks'. The data also confirms that many highly educated urban speakers in the North keep at least some northern vowels in their speech. Dr Strycharczuk says: 'It may seem as though local accents are dying out, but we believe we're actually seeing a new variety becoming established - educated, urban and northern. 'I think its prestige has increased, and people are now less tempted to lose their accent if they've been to university or they do a lot of public speaking.' The research has been published in the journal Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence. - Post-surgical care segment under indication category is anticipated to lead market growth - Increase in surgeries (such as that of prostate or genitals), which require use of catheters after the procedure, will contribute to growth - Asia Pacific region to grow at rapid pace; North America to account for leading market share ALBANY, New York, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the forecast period of 2019 to 2027, the global indwelling catheters market will grow at a CAGR of about 6%. It is crucial to note here that the market worth, which was valued at about USD 985 million in 2018, will reach a value of about USD 1.6 billion by the end of this period. It is also of significant importance to point out that multiple and varied trends and drivers will drive this growth. As per Transparency Market Research, "Increase in incidence of urinary incontinence, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and spinal cord injury, will be a major growth propeller in the global indwelling catheters market. As population of aged people increases, demand for indwelling catheters will only grow further." Download a PDF Brochure of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=52344 Key Findings of Global Indwelling Catheters Market Study: In the end-user category, hospitals will account for a sizeable share of the market; rapidly ageing population to contribute positively to growth in the segment Post surgical care segment to lead growth in global indwelling catheters market over the forecast period The segment for latex will witness notable growth, accounting for large market share, owing to growing preference for the material among clinicians Product-wise, two-way catheters will dominate the market landscape, owing to better flexibility and their wider availability For a detailed analysis of global indwelling catheters market by product, material, indication, and end-user, visit TOC https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/52344 Key Drivers of Growth in Global Indwelling Catheters Market Study: People aged 60 and over are susceptible to several chronic illnesses, driving growth in demand for catheters; age group is set to witness increase in number of people marking it By the year 2050, one in every six people will be aged 65 and over across the world; one in every four in Europe and North America and From about 970 million in 2017, number of people aged 65 and above will increase to 2 billion by 2050 Regional Analysis of Global Indwelling Catheters Market: Asia Pacific to chart a notable compound annual growth rate- about 7% over the forecast period; India and China to be key contributors to growth to chart a notable compound annual growth rate- about 7% over the forecast period; and to be key contributors to growth North America is expected to lay claim to a sizeable share of the market owing to rapidly ageing population and robust healthcare infrastructure Analyze global indwelling catheters market growth in 30+ countries including US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, Benelux, Nordic, China, Japan, India, and South Korea. Request a sample of the study https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=52344 Competitive Landscape of Global Indwelling Catheters Market: Transparency Market Research provides critical insights into the competitive landscape of global indwelling catheters market. It includes information on products, strategies, and financials of key market players. Some of these notable companies that are comprehensively profiled in the report are Becton, Dickinson & Company (BD), Cardinal Health Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, Coloplast Corp., Cook Medical, Medline Industries, Bactiguard AB, SunMed, and B. Braun Melsungen AG, among others. It is worth noting here that the global indwelling catheters market landscape is highly competitive and players deploy a range of organic and inorganic strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Here, it goes without saying that technology and research and development (R&D) are notable determinants of growth. Alliances also play a positive role in expanding consumer base by entering new regional markets or improving foothold on existing ones. Purchase the Indwelling Catheters Market Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=52344
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Erdogan and the US president "agreed to cooperate more closely, as allies, ... to promote lasting stability in Libya," it said. Turkey supports Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and has stepped up military support to Tripoli against eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar who launched an offensive to take the capital. The United States officially backs the GNA, but Haftar is supported by Washington's allies Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Libya has been mired in chaos since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi with rival political and armed groups battling for control. Haftar launched an offensive in April 2019 to seize Tripoli, but the GNA took advantage of Turkish military support including drones to re-impose its control over Libya's northwest. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Foreign students can continue with online-only learning for now, instead of leaving the country or transferring to a university that offers in-person courses, following a surprise policy reversal by the U.S. govt. Mike Hove of VOA's Zimbabwe Service spoke with Immigration Lawyer, Mercy Changwesha. They would close off every possibility for the average asylum seeker to even have a fair process much less getting asylum, said Michael Knowles, a spokesman for the National CIS Council, which represents employees with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the legal immigration agency. How they think they can do it without violating their own laws and convention is beyond us. Migrants have a legal right to apply for asylum in the United States once they step on U.S. soil, regardless of whether they crossed the border legally or illegally. An officer from Citizenship and Immigration Services screens applicants to verify their claims of being persecuted based on race, religion, political beliefs or a number of other factors. The proposal put forward in June by the department of Justice and Homeland Security would significantly raise the standard that migrants would have to meet. Those claiming to be targeted by gangs or rogue government officials would be more likely to be denied, and those seeking protection on the basis of their gender would see their ability to seek asylum further limited. Migrants also would not be entitled to a full hearing in which an immigration judge could hear their claims under the proposal. And it would give officers expanded authority to declare asylum applications frivolous, barring migrants from seeking other forms of immigration relief in the United States. The new proposal would also empower the Trump administration to deny asylum to migrants who spent two weeks in another country on their way to the United States and did not apply for protections there, reviving a similar measure that was recently blocked by a federal judge in Washington, D.C. Swedish streaming giant Spotify is making it easier to find trending and top podcasts with the release of two new charts in the iOS and Android mobile app. The Top Podcasts charts will list the 200 most popular shows in the selected region or category, while Trending Podcasts will display the top 50 'rapidly rising shows'. Spotify has released both 'Top' and 'Tending' across 26 markets, including the UK, the US, Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Germany and Australia. The Top and Trending charts will help listeners categorise and discover their new favourites and give them 'a handful of options' when on the hunt for a new show. Trending Podcasts include the 'fastest-climbing of-the-moment trends' and uses an algorithm that allows users to discover newly-launched shows HOW TO ACCESS TOP AND TRENDING CHARTS IN SPOTIFY Users can find the Top Podcasts and Trending Podcast charts on the Spotify app on their phone (iOS and Android). - Tap the Search/Browse icon with the magnifying glass in the menu bar. - Select 'Podcasts' under 'Browse all'. - Under 'Categories' select 'Podcast Charts. - Both Top Podcasts and Trending Podcasts will appear at the top. Advertisement 'Weve done the hard work and rounded up all the latest and greatest podcasts to make your search easy,' Spotify said in a blog post. 'Whether youre looking for a tried-and-true favourite or the latest show that your coworkers are obsessing over, rest assured these charts will help you discover them all. 'The new podcasts charts mark a significant leap for podcast discovery, offering listeners an accurate resource for the most-listened to and of-the-moment trending shows, while giving podcasters an opportunity to get their shows discovered.' Users can find the Top Podcasts and Trending Podcasts charts on the Spotify app on iOS and Android devices by selecting the Search icon on the menu bar, followed by 'Podcast Charts' under 'Categories'. Trending Podcasts uses a 'unique algorithm blend' to find the fastest movers in terms of popularity and helps users to discover newly-launched shows. Top Podcasts, meanwhile, includes the overall most popular podcasts, determined by recent listener numbers based on region. Top Podcasts includes the overall most popular podcasts, geared for stability and integrity, determined by recent listener numbers. Updated monthly, this chart provides an accurate resource for the most-listened-to shows Updated monthly, Top Podcasts provides 'an accurate resource for the most-listened-to shows', Spotify said. In total, 26 markets are getting the new Top and Trending Podcasts charts New Zealand, Ireland, Argentina, Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Sweden, the UK and the US. Top Podcasts will also be available by podcast category, but only for seven of these markets the UK, the US, Mexico, Brazil, Sweden, Germany and Australia. This feature will add even more 'discoverability' for example, users in the UK will be able to search for the top true crime podcasts by turning on a filter. The charts, which are rolling out in 26 markets on Spotify mobile (iOS and Android), not only share the fastest-climbing of-the-moment trends for podcasts with users, but will also list the overall most popular shows in your region based on recent listener numbers As part of the charts launch, there will also be an updated product experience in 'Spotify for Podcasters' its dedicated platform for podcast creators. In Spotify for Podcasters, the firm is adding notifications to users' dashboards to alert podcasters when they are charting. The notifications include a shareable card they can use as a visual to share their success across their own social media. Spotify said there are more than 1 million podcasts on its platform and the new charts will help users to easily discover new podcasts much like music on the platform, for which it is best known. File image of a Union Cabinet meeting (PIB) The Union Cabinet is working on a policy that will see privatisation of state-run companies under a proposal announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The government may completely exit non-strategic sectors and reduce its presence in strategic industries, according to a report by The Economic Times. "Proposal is expected to be finalised before the next cabinet meeting," an official told the publication. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) will soon finalise a draft where sectors will be identified as strategic and non-strategic, The Economic Times reported. Also read: Mission Aatmanirbhar Bharat | COVID-19 crisis shows that Indian medical devices sector can rise to the challenge The strategic industries list is expected to include banking, petroleum, atomic energy, defence, space, and ports, the report added. The final decision on the list of strategic industries will be made at the highest level, an official told the publication. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on May 17 said public sector enterprises (PSEs) in non-strategic sectors will be privatised. Private players will be permitted to participate in strategic sectors, but at least one company should remain in the public sector. To reduce wasteful administrative costs, the number of PSEs in strategic sectors will be limited between one and four. By PTI NEW DELHI: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who was next in line to head the poll panel, was on Wednesday named as the new vice-president of the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) - a position he can take only after resigning from his current job. Lavasa, who would have retired as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in October 2022, would be the second election commissioner to step down from the poll panel before the completion of his term. "The ADB has appointed Ashok Lavasa as Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships," the multilateral lending agency said in a statement. "He will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on August 31." His appointment as vice president is on the recommendation of the Government of India, sources said. People familiar with the way ADB and other multilateral agencies function said no international body announces an appointment unless the person being appointed has accepted the position. Also, high-level appointments at multilateral agencies do not happen without the concurrence of the government. Election Commission sources, however, said Lavasa is yet to resign from the poll body as his joining in ADB is only in September. The last time an election commission put in his papers was in 1973 when CEC Nagendra Singh was appointed a judge in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Lavasa, a career bureaucrat, joined as Election Commissioner on January 23, 2018, and being senior most on the poll panel would have become CEC in April next year after the term of incumbent Sunil Arora ends. Lavasa still has over two years left in his term at the Election Commission of India and as CEC, he would have conducted Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur, and Goa, among other states. His premature exit puts his colleague Sushil Chandra next in the line of succession. Sources in the poll panel said Lavasa is still part of the Election Commission. As per the provisions of the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, an EC or the CEC can tender his or her resignation addressed to the President. Lavasa had made headlines during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when he gave a dissenting note to the Election Commission of India (ECI) giving a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former BJP president Amit Shah on charges of violating the Model Code of Conduct. Soon after the elections, three members of the Lavasa family including his wife came under the scanner of the Income Tax Department for alleged non-declaration of income and disproportionate assets. ADB appoints a vice-president for a term of three years, which can be extended by another two years. The ADB president heads a management team comprising six vice-presidents. An MBA degree from Southern Cross University in Australia, and MPhil in Defense and Strategic Studies degree from the University of Madras, Lavasa, a 1980 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, retired as Finance Secretary. "Lavasa has a long and distinguished career in the Indian civil service," ADB said in the statement citing his bureaucratic career. "He has extensive experience in public-private partnerships and infrastructure development at the state and federal levels, with deep knowledge on public policy and the role of the private sector." Lavasa led the Indian delegation in the climate change negotiations for the Paris Agreement and was instrumental in finalizing India's nationally determined contributions, which included a major role of the private sector, it said adding as Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, he worked closely with many ADB projects that had private sector components. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced new sanctions on Huawei personnel on Wednesday. The State Department will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of the Chinese technology companies like Huawei that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally, Pompeo said at a press conference. The details of the sanctions were not immediately available.A In comments on Chinas takeover of Hong Kong over the past several weeks, Pompeo implied that other world nations were becoming more suspicious of Chinas influence. We have to deal with China as it is, not as we wish it to be, Pompeo said. Other nations are arriving at the same conclusion. Pompeos remarks came after the British government said it would ban Huawei from all 5G networks in the country. In January of this year Britain announced that Huawei would build some of the countrys 5G infrastructure, but the country reversed course following the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. pressure, and Chinas assertion of control over Hong Kong, which was a former British colony. The U.S. is attempting to prevent other European nations from allowing Huawei to gain a foothold in the continent. U.S. government agencies have repeatedly warned that the Chinese Communist Party can use Huawei networks and infrastructure to spy on users. Huawei is charged in the U.S. with racketeering, fraud, and evading American sanctions on Iran and North Korea. More from National Review Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Fabled Copper Corp. (TSXV: FCO) ("Fabled" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (the "LOI") with an arm's length vendor, Golden Minerals Company (the "Vendor"), for a proposed transaction (the "Proposed Transaction") under which the Vendor will grant Fabled the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Santa Maria Mine in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico ("Santa Maria" or the "Property"). Fabled's management team believes that Santa Maria is an under-explored, high grade silver-gold project with significant exploration potential to expand the resource base. The Property, situated on 95.10 hectares, has been subject to limited exploration which remains open on strike and at depth. Exploration to date has focused on two out of the 21 identified vein systems on the Property. The estimated historical Mineral Resources of Santa Maria are shown below. Historical resources are shown with diluted tonnage and grade, with a cutoff grade applied to AgEq accounting for recoveries of Ag and Au. Historical Estimates These historical estimates are considered "historical estimates" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), and the conditions for completion of the Proposed Transaction include the completion of an updated NI 43-101 compliant technical report on Santa Maria for Fabled which is accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). Classification Cutoff Grade AgEq g/t Tonnes Ag g/t Au g/t AgEq g/t Ag toz (M) Au toz (k) AgEq toz (M) Measured 180 42,000 271 0.83 333 0.37 1.13 0.45 Indicated 180 170,000 291 1.04 368 1.59 5.70 2.01 Inferred 180 261,000 272 0.90 346 2.30 7.61 2.92 NOTES: Cutoff grade and Ag equivalent calculated using metal prices of $16.63 and $1,238 per troy ounce of Ag and Au with a ratio of 74:1, the three year trailing average as of the end of May 2018; Cutoff applied to diluted Ag equivalent blocks grades using recoveries of 90% and 80% Ag and Au; Reported Indicated Mineral Resources are equivalent to mineralized material under SEC Industry Guide 7, Inferred Mineral Resource is not a recognized category under SEC Industry Guide 7; and Columns may not total due to rounding. The above historical estimates of Mineral Resources have been estimated for the Santa Maria and Santa Maria Dos mineralized structures using a sub blocked block model. Grade attributes have been estimated using Ordinary Kriging. The Company intends to run a systematic exploration campaign through surface sampling, geophysics, geochemistry and property wide structural interpretations followed by an initial drill program, with the objective of substantially increasing the existing resource. Following are historical drill results of prior drill programs: Drill Hole Width Meters Au g/t Ag g/t Pb % Zn % Cu % SM14-01 0.45 1.90 1,343.89 3.28 4.39 0.24 SM14-04 0.80 0.70 780 0.92 2.98 - 4.41 2.76 246.32 2.30 3.71 - SM14-05 1.65 0.50 282.16 0.20 0.38 - SM14-06 4.10 0.23 345.02 0.45 0.13 - 4.24 1.81 332.26 0.07 0.03 - SM14-08 4.88 2.51 522.84 1.75 2.38 - SM14-12 0.95 0.52 1,060.37 0.59 - - SM16-02 2.64 0.26 282.77 - - - 5.76 0.92 321.86 - - - SM16-03 4.21 0.79 444.14 - - - SM16-18 1.44 1.44 1,198.31 - - - SM16-19 1.75 1.30 542.41 - - - SM16-23 2.13 0.42 544.48 - - - SM17-01 2.51 0.79 593.30 - - - SM17-03 0.85 0.64 1,675.00 1.26 2.75 - 2.40 0.31 252.5 - - - SM17-08 9.95 0.80 239.29 - - - SM17-10 9.15 0.96 632.62 - - - SM18-03 8.94 3.35 1,012.63 - - - The Property has been historically test mined underground with high grade tonnage comprised of: 2016 test mining: 4,500 tonnes of 235 g/t Ag and 0.7 g/t Au, containing 43,000 oz Ag and 78 oz Au; and 2015 test mining: 2,600 tonnes of 500 g/t Ag and 0.9 g/t Au, containing 35,000 oz Ag and 101 oz Au. Peter Hawley, P Geo. CEO, a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101, was provided access to a data room where drill logs, assay certificates and photos of drill core along with the various NI 43-101 Tetra Tech reports on the property. Subsequently, Mr. Hawley discussed with the lead author of the reports to verify certain items and was satisfied with the protocols. Other than physically being on the property, which could not be done due to COVID-19 travel restrictions which was out of his control. Upon review of the data room, there was no failure to observe any data as all the data base from scientific, permits, to titles and option agreement was within. The Company will evaluate future test mining opportunities as the exploration program advances. Concurrently, Fabled is also pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Mackie Research Capital Corporation (the "Agent") to act as lead agent and sole bookrunner on a "best efforts" basis, for a private placement of subscription receipts of the Company (the "Subscription Receipts") for gross proceeds of up to $4,000,000 (the "Offering") at a price of $0.05 per Subscription Receipt (the "Offering Price"). The Offering is being made in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and is integral to the completion of the Proposed Transaction. Further details are described below. Each Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder, to receive one unit of securities of the Company (a "Unit"), upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below) prior to the Termination Time (as defined below). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Fabled (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.10, at any time up to 24 months following the date of satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined herein). Proposed Acquisition of Santa Maria The LOI contemplates that Fabled and the Vendor will enter into a definitive option agreement under which Fabled will acquire a 100% interest in the Property by paying cash and issuing shares as follows: US$500,000 in cash and 1,000,000 Common Shares on closing of the Proposed Transaction ("Transaction Closing"); US$1,500,000 in cash 12 months after Transaction Closing; and US$2,000,000 in cash 24 months after Transaction Closing Fabled will also grant the Vendor a 1% net smelter royalty ("NSR") with respect to the Property. No finders fee is payable in respect of the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction is subject to the parties entering into the definitive option agreement and customary closing conditions, including, among other things, receipt of requisite approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), the completion of an updated NI 43-101 compliant technical report on Santa Maria, delivery of a title opinion on Santa Maria and completion of the Offering. Fabled expects the Proposed Transaction to be a Fundamental Acquisition (as such term is defined in the policies of the Exchange), and therefore expects trading in the Common Shares on the Exchange to be halted until delivery and Exchange acceptance of various required filings. Santa Maria Property The Santa Maria silver-gold project is located 19 kilometers southeast of the city of Santa Barbara in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico and is 95.10 hectares in size. The property hosts 21 vein structures in east - west and north - south orientations, of which only two veins have been drilled, Santa Maria and Santa Maria Dos and four systematically sampled on surface. The Property database contains 59 surface and underground drill holes, totaling 9,922.61 m, drilled and a total of 2,186 underground channel samples. Channels were taken within existing underground development that spans approximately 575 m east to west and 110 m down dip. This work was concentrated on the Santa Maria and Santa Maria Dos veins only. The primary Santa Maria vein deposit generally strikes in east-west direction along a surface extension of about 750 m. The currently drilled area demonstrated down dip extent is 260 m and remains open at depth and along strike. The vein varies in width between 1 and 4 meters with an average width of about 2 meters. A second vein, the Santa Maria Dos, branches out from the western part of the Santa Maria structure following an eastern strike, outcropping shows an approximate extension of 1,050 meters. The vein varies in width from 0.25 to 3.5 m and average width is around 1m. These two veins consist of an epithermal quartz - calcite mineralized structures system. Typical banded epithermal mineralized textures are observed in underground workings and drill core. Brecciated textures filled by quartz and calcite are common. Concentrations of galena and sphalerite with associated presence of silver minerals may indicate an exposure at medium to high elevation within the epithermal system. The North vein crops out approximately 350 m north of the main vein and can be traced along surface for 350 m. The western extension is covered by post-mineral basalts. The vein varies in width from 0.15 to 2.2 m with an average of 0.8 m. The vein has been explored by several small prospect pits. Sampling returned grades up to 196 g/t Ag, 3.01 g/t Au, 0.41% Pb and 1.09% Zn. The Cervantes vein outcrops 450 m to the east of the Santa Maria vein system and has been mapped and sampled over a 900 m strike length. The vein varies in width from 0.25 to 1.3 m with an average of 0.6m. The vein is explored by several prospect pits and shafts and in the center of the system, and an 80 m long tunnel has been developed on the vein exploring an area where sulfide mineralization occurs. Surface sampling returned grades up to 207 g/t Ag, 1.58 g/t Au, 0.25% Cu, 5.64% Pb and 19.52% Zn. Pilot scale recovery tests were performed in the time periods of September to October 2016, February to March 2016, and June of 2017, on mixed material from the Santa Maria project at the Silveyra Mill in Parral. Over the course of the testing, approximately 7,098 tonnes of material were processed to produce a bulk concentrate for metallurgical and marketing purposes. The silver head grade averaged 337 Ag g/t. Silver recovery averaged 73% at a concentrate grade of 8,897 Ag g/t. Gold head grade averaged 0.78 Au g/t and recovery averaged 50% at a concentrate grade of 14 Au g/t. The Vendor commissioned Tetra Tech of Golden Colorado, USA to prepare a NI 43-101 Technical Report Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment Santa Maria Silver Project, Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, Mexico (the "Existing PEA"), which was issued with an effective date of September 14, 2018 and issue date of November 8, 2018. Additional Information Regarding the Offering If (i) closing of the Proposed Transaction does not occur by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the 90th day following the closing of the Offering (or such later date as the Agent may consent in writing); (ii) the Proposed Transaction is terminated in accordance with its terms; or (iii) the Company has advised the Agent or the public that it does not intend to proceed with the Proposed Transaction (in each case, the earliest of such times being the "Termination Time"), the Company will be required to refund the Escrowed Proceeds (as defined below) (without penalty or deduction to the subscribers of the Offering, such that it would be the Company's sole responsibility and liability to return the full aggregate Offering Price to the holders of Subscription Receipts, together with such holder's pro rata portion of the interest earned thereon, if any). Upon closing of the Offering, the net proceeds will be placed in escrow (the "Escrowed Proceeds") and will be released to the Company (together with the interest thereon) upon satisfaction of certain escrow release conditions and the Agent receiving a certificate from the Company prior to the Termination Time to the effect that: (i) all conditions precedent, undertakings, and other matters to be satisfied, completed and otherwise met at or prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction (other than delivery of standard closing documentation and the required closing date payment and share issuance) have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the Proposed Transaction including, but not limited to completing the updated NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Property, establishing a Mexican subsidiary and obtaining a legal opinion on the Property (any such waiver to be consented to by the Agent in writing, acting reasonably); (ii) there have been no material amendments of the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement for the Proposed Transaction which have not been approved by the Agent; (iii) the Company has received all necessary regulatory and other approvals regarding the Offering and the Proposed Transaction; and (iv) the Company has delivered all such other documents as the Agent may request for a transaction of this nature in a form satisfactory to the Agent (together, the "Escrow Release Conditions"). The Company will grant to the Agent an option (the "Agent's Option") to increase the size of the Offering by up to an additional 15% at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering. The Agent will receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 8.0% of the gross proceeds from the Offering, including in respect of any exercise of the Agent's Option. In addition, the Company will grant the Agent such number of non-transferable compensation options (the "Compensation Options") as is equal to 8% of the total number of Subscription Receipts issued under the Offering (including in respect of any exercise of the Agent's Option). Each Compensation Option will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Unit (a "Compensation Option Unit") at an exercise price per Compensation Option Unit equal to the Offering Price for a period of 24 months following the date of satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the Proposed Transaction, complete any required work program in relation to the Proposed Transaction and for general working capital purposes. The Offering is expected to close on or about the week of August 5, 2020 or such other date as the Agent and the Company may agree upon. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the Agent's satisfactory due diligence, receipt of all necessary approvals and the acceptance of the Exchange. The Subscription Receipts, the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares will be subject to a "hold period" of 4 months and 1 day from closing of the Offering. This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws. Change of Name Following the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Fabled intends to seek the approval of its shareholders, at a meeting, the date of which is to be announced, to complete a change of its name, which is expected to be changed to "Fabled Silver Gold Corp." Extension in Relation to Existing Properties On June 14, 2020, Fabled entered into an extension agreement with the optionors of its existing Neil/Ram Creek, Ribbon and Toro claims. Under the agreement, all payments due and to become due prior to March 31, 2021 will now only become due and payable on March 31, 2021. In consideration, Fabled will pay to the optionors an additional amount of $50,000 on the date that it completes a financing, including the completion of this Offering, for gross proceeds of not less than $2,500,000. On June 15, 2020 Fabled entered an extension agreement with the optionor of its existing ChurchKey property. Under the agreement, all payments due will now only be payable on October 31, 2020. In consideration, Fabled will pay to the optionor an additional amount of $50,000 on the date that it completes a financing, including the completion of this Offering, for gross proceeds of any amount. About Fabled On July 15, 2020, Fabled announced that it has entered into a letter of intent for a proposed transaction under which Fabled will be granted the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Santa Maria silver-gold mine in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. In addition, Fabled has existing copper properties, Muskwa and ChurchKey, located in Northern British Columbia. For further information please contact: Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O. Fabled Copper Corp. Phone: (819) 316-0919 peterjhawley126@gmail.com The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Neither The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59866 According to Ambani, Reliance Retail has already started to pilot a grocery model for its e-commerce venture, JioMart, with kirana partners. Mumbai: Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday announced that he has acknowledged strong interest from global strategic and financial investors in his group's retail venture. "We will induct global partners and investors in Reliance Retail in the next few quarters," Ambani said at Reliance Industries annual general meeting (AGM). According to Ambani, Reliance Retail has already started to pilot a grocery model for its e-commerce venture, JioMart, with kirana partners. The beta version of JioMart grocery platform is being piloted in 200 cities. Daily orders have crossed 2.5 lakh, and the number is growing each day," he said. The billionaire maintains that the venture will connect farmers and deliver their fresh produce directly to homes, as a key part of the firm's grocery strategy, and improve food growers income and incentivise their produce. More than two-thirds of Reliance Retails' nearly 12,000 stores in Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV towns source over 80 per cent of fruits and vegetables directly from farmers, he said. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 17:02:58|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close GENEVA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- World volleyball governing body the FIVB and the European Volleyball Confederation confirmed on Tuesday that the Austrian city of Baden and Lithuania's capital Vilnius will host one-star beach volleyball events in late summer. According to the FIVB, the Strandbad venue in Baden is one of Austria's most popular destinations for beach volleyball teams and has been home to several prestigious international competitions over the past decade. The Baden one-star event will take place almost two and a half weeks after the completion of the one-star World Tour stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia, as the FIVB aims to ensure a safe return of beach volleyball events. "In Austria, beach volleyball has led the way for the return of competitive sport following a period of quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said the FIVB. "The organizers in Baden will take the necessary precautions and adhere to relevant hygiene protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of every single player, official and fan," it added. Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Volleyball Federation (LTF) has confirmed the cancelation of a two-star women's event scheduled for late August in Klaipeda. However, in an effort to provide opportunities for players to compete, the LTF has confirmed plans to organise a one-star men's and women's event from September 10 to 13 in Vilnius. This will mark the return of international competitions to the Lithuanian capital after the reopening of a fully refurbished Beach Volleyball Center in late June. Enditem Australia To Spend Another A$1billion On Cyber Security Over the next decade Australia will spend A$1.35 billion (US$926.1 million) on its cyber security defence, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said recently while the Australian capital Canberra has suffered a wave of serious cyber attacks. The Australian Prime Minister has said a sophisticated state-based actor has been cyber-attacking many areas of government, essential services and aspects of the critical infrastructure. Although they have not laid blame for the attacks, a number of expert sources have told our correspondent that they think China is behind the attacks. The federal governments top priority is protecting our nations economy, national security and sovereignty. Malicious cyber activity undermines that, Morrison said in a statement. The expenditure includes A$470 million for an extra 500 security experts in the Australian Signals Directorate, which is the countrys cyber intelligence agency. This investment is part of a A$15 billion in cyber warfare capabilities, Australias Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said, a plan that was accelerated after an electronic attack on Australias parliament in 2019. Australian is a part of the Five Eyes intelligence network, along with Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States but its cybersecurity funding pales compared to cyber-powers such as the US, China or Russia. The funding is intended to ensure Australia has the tools and capabilities to fight back and keep itself safe. Despite being major trade partners, Australia has not help back in criticising China, recently calling for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. It has also spoken out over what it describes as China's economic "coercion", covert influence campaigns and the use of technology companies like Huawei as a tool of intelligence-gathering and geopolitical leverage. In response, China has warned its students and tourists against going to Australia, applied trade sanctions on Australian goods and sentenced an Australian citizen to death for drug trafficking. Cyber security startups have called on the Australian government to use the funds to help Australian businesses develop herd immunity from cyber-attacks. "Using the COVID-19 analogy, Australia needs herd immunity to guard against the most determined attackers," Sam Crowther, the founder of cyber security startup Kasada, said. As part of the investment plan, A$12 million would be spent on "active disruption" options to protect Australian users to enable Australia's major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses. The Government said further details would be revealed when it released its 2020 Cyber Security Strategy. Reuters: WIO News: Sydney Morning Herald: ABC: You Might Also Read: Australia Creates Regional Cyber Innovation Centres: Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-Wen addresses soldiers in the military base during her visit. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen visited Tainan's Guantian army base, where she emphasized that preventive measures be observed in curbing the coronavirus spread. Lin Yen Ting | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images CNBC is looking at how places around the world have tackled Covid-19. By talking to a wide range of experts, as well as everyday citizens, we're taking stock of what's gone well and what hasn't. Taiwan, the third subject of our series, has confirmed 451 Covid-19 cases and seven deaths in a population of 23.7 million. Everything is mostly reopened, and the only signs of Covid-19 are the frequent temperature checks and the expectation to wear masks on the subway. People are traveling internally for vacations, including visiting restaurants, bars and beaches, and most are back to the office. By way of comparison, the U.S., with about 330 million people, has seen more than 3.4 million cases and more than 136,000 deaths. What has been going well Travel and quarantine An airport staff holds up information boards regarding passenger health declaration and home quarantine information, a mandatory form to fill in once passengers land in Taiwan at Songshan airport in Taipei, Taiwan July 2, 2020. Ann Wang | Reuters When Catherine Chou arrived in Taipei after flying from Los Angeles, authorities told her she would need to quarantine for two weeks. For Chou, a citizen, that meant booking herself into a hotel at her own expense, although subsidies are available and the government has paid stipends for some stays. When she first arrived, she got a welcome package including dish soap, nail clippers and laundry detergent. Food was delivered to her doorstep. Several times a day, a representative of the local district's office phoned her to check in and thank her for doing her part. She's now almost wrapped up her hotel room stay. Once she's officially cleared of Covid-19, she'll be free to go. After living in the U.S., which is still partially closed in various states, she's looking forward to simple pleasures like visiting her family at home or sitting in a coffee shop with a good book. Taiwan allowed many of its restaurants and bars to reopen in May. "We have this phrase in Taiwan that roughly translates to, 'This is your country, and it's up to you to save it,'" she said. "I'm really glad that they're taking this quarantine seriously." tweet As of June 22, some business travelers from countries deemed low-risk (the U.S. is not among them) have been exempt from the stringent quarantine. That marks a change in policy from late January, when Taiwan ramped up travel restrictions and set up a home quarantine system using geofencing technology. That helped limit the spread of Covid-19, and Taiwan now has one of the lowest coronavirus death counts in the world. Moreover, visitors who wish to remain on tourist visas have been allowed to without needing to do a visa run every 90 days, said Erin Hale, a journalist based in Taipei. "Taiwan is close to China and could have been a total disaster," said Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, author of a new book about the best health care systems around the world. "So I see their lack of cases as a truly amazing result." A clear plan and no exceptions "Taiwan's population is more than 23 million people and they have 451 cases with only seven deaths," said Tsung-Mei Cheng, a health policy research analyst at Princeton University. "That shows how successful they have been at both prevention and control." Cheng said the key lesson for the rest of the world is that leadership matters. She noted that Taiwan's government had a strong plan one that had been in place since the SARS scare of 2003 for managing a pandemic. And there were no exceptions to the rules. "They have professionals running the show," she said. "These are people who have trained for years for this." Taiwan has been excluded from the World Health Organization because China claims Taiwan as its province with no right to its own diplomatic representation on the global stage and in international organizations. As a result, health officials say they were left out of receiving firsthand information on the coronavirus outbreak. Taiwanese wait in line at a pharmacy to pick up masks, which are pre-ordered online on March 18, 2020 in Taipei, Taiwan. Paula Bronstein | Getty Images William Hsiao, emeritus professor of economics in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, praised Taiwan for its effective early action, noting that health officials had developed a careful advance warning system for diseases around the world. If Taiwan had been a member of the WHO, he said, it might have been able to share its precautions with the organization and help other countries more easily. But it was still able to move forward with a concrete and effective plan of its own. "There was easy access to almost free and rapid testing centers," said Han Jin, founder of a start-up in Taiwan called LucidPix. "At every building, including restaurants, gyms and offices, they check your temperature and you cannot enter without face masks." There's also enforcement for those who don't follow the rules. There are huge fines if people are caught not wearing masks in designated areas, such as the subway, and for breaking quarantine. Social pressure also plays a part. Jin said that it's become part of the culture in Taiwan to name and shame those who are not wearing masks in the subway or are breaking quarantine early. Those who do so might see their face pop up on a social media app. Getting ahead of mask shortages As countries around the world feared they would run out of essential supplies, including masks, Taiwanese citizens used their national health insurance cards to purchase their allotment of masks. "At the end of January, my husband and I were memorizing delivery schedules at convenience stores near us, and going to them at 2 a.m. to try to find masks for our toddler," said Catherine Shu, a local journalist. Shu noted that in addition to ramping up production, the government also introduced software tools, including maps with real-time updates about mask inventory nearby. Catherine Shu Source: Catherine Shu Regular communication with the public Taiwan's health officials are in regular contact with the public. For months, there were briefings daily. As of this month, the Central Epidemic Command Center, a division of the Taiwan CDC activated in response to severe infectious outbreaks, announced it would instead conduct weekly interviews. "I think for me, this was an emotional milestone, because I trust the CECC their work and transparency has been exemplary and I took that as a signal that I could finally let myself relax a bit," said Shu. Shu said she's primarily concerned these days for family and friends in America. The digital health care system Emanuel explained that everyone in Taiwan has a health-care record tied to their name, which allows their doctors and nurses to access their medical information online. That gives health officials near real-time data on hospital visits. From there, health officials were able to send alerts to doctors about their patients at higher risk for having the virus based on their travel history. "They could closely monitor who had been to China and Wuhan," he said. "And then test people who had been to China, as well as those with respiratory symptoms, which meant they could get ahead of a potential hotspot." Community mindedness Hsiao notes that in Taiwan, there's a strong feeling that sometimes people have to give up their "individual desires and benefits" for the sake of their community a mindset that Hsiao contrasts to Americans' tendency to be more individualistic, based on his experience living in this country. That community-oriented mentality helped Taiwan come together to tackle the threat in a more unified way, and it meant that very few people declined to follow the public health recommendations. What could have gone better? Team Rakuten Monkeys line up singing national anthem prior to the CPBL game between Rakuten Monkeys and Fubon Guardians at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium on May 07, 2020 in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) started it's season on April 11, 2020 as closed door games, and from May 08, 2020 they will allow 1,000 fans to attend per game. Gene Wang | Getty Images More education around prevention Hsiao struggled to think of examples of where Taiwan could have done better but said there could have been more emphasis at least initially on teaching the public how to stay safe. He said that before reliable tests are developed people have to take precautions and warned of the risk of people letting their guard down after a seeming success. Once the crisis has passed, he recommends, all countries should consider appointing a scientific nonpolitical committee to help monitor infectious disease and prepare for future emergencies. "I'm confident that no country's response has been 100%," he said. Masks for foreigners "Foreigners struggled to get masks at first, which could only be purchased with a certain kind of residency visa once the government started stockpiling and rationing them," said Hale. "At my school, where many students are on a tourist visa, the school ended up handing them out to everyone without an alien resident certificate." Hale noted that migrant workers and domestic workers might have also struggled to access masks. Clarity around privacy policy Some citizens said the government's response felt a little intrusive. "The use of smartphone location tracking to monitor folks in quarantine and alert people who had possible exposure to someone had been diagnosed with COVID-19 did underscore how much power the government potentially has to monitor individuals' movements," said Shu, the journalist. "I trust the government's public health measures, but I would like more clarity into how that data will be protected after the pandemic." More flexibility around remote work Many people were nervous about getting Covid-19, particularly in the early months. Shu said she wished that more Taiwanese companies had implemented remote work policies or provided more flexibility in late January and February. "I work from home anyway, but I know that a lot of my friends who don't were frustrated that they had to take public transportation to workplaces that required all employees to wear masks, even though they didn't have time, because of their work hours, to line up to get mask rations," she said. "Schools were also closed in February, and it was a juggle for parents of school-age kids." Students eat their lunch on desks with plastic partitions as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus at Dajia Elementary School in Taipei, Taiwan on April 29, 2020. Sam Yeh | AFP | Getty Images How Taiwan scores overall: 9.25 By Akbar Mammadov Azerbaijani army units have destroyed field control point of one of the units of the Armenian armed forces by an accurate fire as part of punitive measures undertaken to suppress the enemys combat activity on July 15, the Defence Ministry stated today. The operation took place at 4 pm. Earlier at 3.02 pm, the ministry reported that after the shelling of Azerbaijani positions and settlements in the direction of the Tovuz region of the front, Armenian units became active in the border regions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The ministry noted that Armenian units violated the ceasefire in the direction of Sharur, Babek and Ordubad regions on July 14 from 10:15 pm to 11:55 pm and on July 15 from 01:20 am to the morning using various large-caliber weapons. A military vehicle moving to the command observation post was destroyed by the accurate firing of our units in order to force the Armenian Armed Forces to cease fire in the direction of Nakhchivan and take punitive measures, the ministry said, adding that Armenia forces were silenced by retaliatory fire. The defense ministry emphasized that the operational environment is under the control of Azerbaijani troops. The Azerbaijani army has been taking punitive measures against the Armenian provocation starting from midnight today as the units of the Azerbaijani Army destroyed military equipment belonging Armenian armed forces in order to suppress combat activity of the advisory side. The stronghold of another company of the armed forces of Armenia was destroyed by the accurate fire of our units at 07.30. Later, at 09:35 am, the ministry shared information that another long-range firing point of the Armenian units was destroyed. The cross-border clashes between the two countries started on July 12, when units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire on the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, fired on positions of the Azerbaijani Army using artillery mounts. Eleven Azerbaijani servicemen and a civilian have been killed in the hostilities so far. In the meantime, Azerbaijani Presidential Aide and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said in an interview to the European Euraactiv.com news website today that Armenia had planed the cross-border provocation in advance and on purpose. --- Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The U.S. Air Force is looking for alternative places to house Air Force Academy cadets both on and off base to preserve social distancing and other COVID-19 measures during the upcoming school year. In a solicitation notice posted earlier this month, the school said it plans to pay for 220 double hotel rooms "with a minimum of two queen beds per room off base to house approximately 440 cadets for the 2020-2021 Academic Year." Read Next: Esper Bans Use of Promotion Board Photos, Orders Review of Hair and Grooming Standards The goal is for the cadets to reside "in as few hotels as possible within a 10-mile vehicle commute radius of USAFA," the solicitation reads. The Air Force would use this lodging until at least July 2021, it adds. "We knew this was going to be a part of the mathematical predictive modeling going forward as we bring approximately 4,000 cadets to the Academy from every Congressional district in the U.S," said Michael Slater, a spokesman for the school. The academy needs the additional space to house "a select and healthy group of cadets in order to maintain quarantine and isolation space based on public health recommendations" outlined by the Defense Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Colorado public health department, Slater said in an email Tuesday. The majority of cadets would still live on base, he added. "Using some off-base lodging will allow us the space we need in the dorms at USAFA to have quarantine and isolation space as cadets return. The number of cadets [living] off-base would be relatively small." Slater did not provide additional details but said other service academies are implementing similar creative options. The academy said earlier this month that some incoming freshmen had tested positive for COVID-19, but pushed back on reports suggesting there had been an outbreak at the campus. The Colorado Springs Independent first reported July 2 that roughly 100 cadets had the virus. But the academy characterized the report as a rumor perpetuated on social media. "Although the Department of Defense directs DoD installations to report numbers of positive COVID-19 cases only to the respective military service branches, we can say the number of positive COVID-19 cases at the Academy are far lower than what has been reported on social media," Michael Kucharek, an Air Force Academy spokesman, told the Denver Post the following day. Much like the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, the Air Force Academy held a modified "in-processing day" as the incoming class of 1,100 cadets arrived last month. Officials administered temperature checks and COVID-19 tests, provided black masks and assigned cadets to cohorts of a maximum of 30 people, the Denver Post said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Related: Air Force Uses Customized Shipping Box to Fly COVID-19 Patients Out of Middle East Kanye West has reportedly dropped out of the 2020 presidential race. West, who sparked concern among family members questioning if he was suffering from a bipolar episode after announcing a presidential run on July 4, was actively seeking a ballot spot in multiple states in recent days, according to New York Magazine. We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States ! #2020VISION ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020 But Steve Kramer, a get-out-the-vote specialist hired by West, told the magazine, Hes out, after efforts by paid staff and volunteers to gather signatures in Florida and South Carolina. Wests team would have had to gather more than 130,000 signatures in less than a week to meet Floridas deadline to get on the ballot, the magazine reported. I have nothing good or bad to say about Kanye. Everyone has their personal decision about why they make decisions, Kramer told the magazine. Running for president has to be one of the hardest things for someone to actually contemplate at that level. At 11 days, Wests presidential run equaled the length of Anthony Scaramuccis tenure as White House director of communications in 2017. According to my calculations @kanyewests presidential aspirations lasted one full Scaramucci, Scaramucci tweeted Wednesday morning. According to my calculations @kanyewests presidential aspirations lasted one full Scaramucci Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) July 15, 2020 Pundits and social media users had quickly questioned the seriousness of Wests bid earlier this month. When he announced on July 4, with just four months until Election Day, West had yet to file with the Federal Election Commission. Nor had he qualified for ballot access for all 50 states. Previously, the only candidate named Kanye West in the FECs database for the 2020 election was a Green Party member named Kanye Deez Nutz West, who had raised $0. In 2015, after a candidate named Deez Nuts polled above 5% in North Carolina, Minnesota and Iowa, Rolling Stone reported that Nuts was a high school student in Iowa. But West has teased presidential runs before, hinting he might run in 2024 if not 2020. When I run for president in 2024, we wouldve created so many jobs that Im not going to run, Im going to walk, West said at an event this past November, the Associated Press reported. The often controversial rapper and producer, and his wife Kim Kardashian West, have met with President Donald Trump in the White House multiple times to discuss a range of issues including racism and criminal justice reform. Related Content: 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. NEW YORK - The dismembered body of a 33-year-old tech entrepreneur was found inside his luxury Manhattan condo where an electric saw was left behind, police said Wednesday. The victim, identified as Fahim Saleh, was found at around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday inside his luxury seventh floor apartment on the Lower East Side. There have not been any arrests in connection with Salehs death. A relative called police after going to check on Saleh and making the gruesome discovery. Responding officers discovered a clothed torso, bags containing a head and arms and the electric saw in the living room, police said. Investigators also recovered security video showing Saleh exiting an elevator that leads directly into the full-floor, two-bedroom apartment earlier Tuesday afternoon closely followed by someone dressed entirely in black, including a mask, according to a law enforcement official who was briefed on the case. It also shows a struggle between the two ensuing at the entrance to the apartment, said the official, who wasnt authorized to discuss the investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Police believe that the relative may have interrupted the intruder before that person fled out a back exit. Saleh was the chief executive officer of a ride-hailing motorcycle startup called Gokada that began operating in Nigeria in 2018. The company confirmed his death on Twitter Wednesday and said, Fahim was a great leader, inspiration and positive light for all of us. Investigators were exploring whether the killing could have been related to Salehs business dealings. They also were checking security camera video from the neighbourhood to try to locate the suspect. Salehs LinkedIn biography described him as a self-taught businessman who founded Gokada building on his experience of first seeing an opportunity in his parents native country of Bangladesh and starting that countrys largest ride-sharing company. It said he also was invested in a similar venture in Colombia. Apartments in the 10-story building where Salehs remains were found sell for more than $2 million. The building was completed in 2017 as part of a wave of gentrification in the neighbourhood. (Natural News) Plastics are everywhere in food packaging, everyday items you use and even in personal hygiene products. But according to the shocking results of a study, there are also plastics inside your body. These findings, which were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that people ingest at least 50,000 microplastics annually. Despite the various studies on the adverse effects of microplastics on the environment and animal life, experts have yet to determine how exactly exposure to microplastics affects humans. However, researchers have expressed their worries about how microplastics can accumulate toxic chemicals, which may then enter the bloodstream once you consume tainted food or beverages like bottled water. Microplastics and gut health According to the researchers from the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) in Austria who conducted the study, you ingest microplastics when you eat certain kinds of foods and beverages. Study findings also showed that its not just humans who unknowingly have microplastics in their bodies: Even aquatic animals are exposed to microplastics, which then enters your body when you consume fish and other kinds of seafood. The researchers worked with participants from around the world. For the study, they examined stool samples taken from the volunteers. Results revealed that the samples contained nine different types of microplastics. Philipp Schwabl, the studys lead researcher from MedUni Vienna, explained that as the first study of its kind, it confirms something experts have already suspected: that microplastics inevitably end up in the human gut. Pieces of plastic and PET Upon examining data from the eight participants who came from Austria, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia, the researchers discovered that all of the fecal samples contained hundreds of pieces of plastic. The volunteers kept a food diary in the week before the researchers took stool samples. The diaries revealed that they were all were exposed to plastics by consuming plastic-wrapped foods or consuming beverages in plastic bottles. None of the participants were vegetarians, with six of them reporting that they consumed fish. The researchers tested the samples at the Environment Agency Austria for 10 types of plastics using a newly developed analytical procedure. The most common plastics found in the samples were polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are often used in food and drink packaging. The eight samples tested positive, with an average of 20 microplastics per 10 g of human stool. The average adult excretes around 100g of stool daily. This translates to 200 bits of plastic. But within one year, this means you consume 50,000 microplastics. The scientists also found seven other types of plastics in the stool samples, indicating that microplastics come from other sources aside from food and drinks. Every year experts estimate that the average adult consumes 11,000, 5,800 and 1,000 microplastics from shellfish, tap water and salt, respectively. You also breathe in 70,000 microplastics from the dust in polluted air. Schwabl cautioned that bottled water is one of the biggest sources of microplastics. You ingest an average of 118 to 325 microplastic particles per liter of bottled water that you drink, amounting to 90,000 microplastics per year if the intake comes from these sources. (Related: Why are tiny microplastics such a big deal? Understanding the harmful side effects of exposure, ingestion.) Microparticles and immune health Schwabl commented that microplastics may also damage the gastrointestinal tract by hindering the tolerance and immune response of the gut by bioaccumulation or aiding transmission of toxic chemicals and pathogens. Earlier research on fish showed that marine life also had plastics in their gut. Additionally, microplastics were found in tap water around the world, in the oceans and even in flying insects. In other animal studies, results showed that the highest plastic concentrations were found in the gut and that the tiniest microplastic particles can entering the bloodstream, lymphatic system and the liver. Schwabl added that patients with gastrointestinal diseases are at high risk of experiencing adverse effects once theyre exposed to toxic chemicals via microplastics in their gut. Schwabl concluded that continued research will help experts understand the adverse effects of microplastics on human health. What are microplastics and how can you avoid them? Microplastics come from broken-down plastic waste, synthetic fibers and beads in personal hygiene products like facial scrubs. Microplastics are less than 5mm in width and they are created unintentionally by the breaking down of larger pieces of plastic because of degradation and wear and tear. While marine life mistake microplastics as food, humans are exposed to microplastics through various foods and beverages. It seems like microplastics are everywhere, from the food you eat to products you use and even in clothing. Below are some tips that will reduce your exposure to potentially harmful microplastics. Use organic exfoliants and other cosmetic products that dont contain microbeads. Avoid using single-use plastics that turn into microplastics. Drink coffee from reusable tumblers and stay hydrated by drinking from refillable water bottles. If you eat out frequently, always bring a set of reusable utensils and food containers for your leftovers. Dont use plastic straws. For more articles about studies on the dangers of microplastics and how to avoid them, visit Environ.news. Sources include: TheLondonEconomic.com MindBodyGreen.com 1 MindBodyGreen.com 2 If you spend any time on Facebook or Twitter, you may have seen one of the Lincoln Projects viral ads. Or the presidents responses to them. The day after President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in Oklahoma last month after a coronavirus-induced hiatus, the group founded by anti-Trump Republican operatives released a video about the Tulsa rally called Shrinking. Youve probably heard this before but it was smaller than we expected, a female narrator says as the president holds up his hands. It sure wasnt as big as you promised. In an earlier ad about Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale, the group suggests he has gotten rich at the presidents expense. A female narrator details Parscales yacht, Ferrari, and Florida estates while illustrating his alleged high-flying life with images of women partying on a boat in skimpy bikinis and smacking their own buttocks. The Lincoln Projects ads have gotten Trumps attention. He has blasted the group in late-night Twitter tirades as a disgrace and its founders as losers. The media cant get enough of the group, describing it as a potentially disruptive force that can expertly troll the president with potent ads that a New York Times op-ed writer recently described as miniature operas of contempt. Donors have also taken notice, helping the group raise $16.8 million in the last quarter. Lincoln Project cofounder Rick Wilson reiterated during the groups first virtual town hall last week that their ads are not just about trolling the president. The group wants to litigate the case against Donald Trump. They intend to spend 85 cents of every dollar on voter contact, he said. The groups latest fundraising filing due Wednesday is being closely watched after earlier questions about how the project is using its money. Story continues As the group expands and its leaders make the rounds on cable news programs, no one is talking about how The Lincoln Project plans to target the group of voters most open to changing their mind about the president: women. Polls show that women, specifically suburban and white women without college degrees, are souring on the president at higher rates than their male counterparts, making them a must-reach demographic. As many as half of white women backed Trump in 2016. The Lincoln Project declined repeated requests to discuss whether and how they planned to reach out to women voters, though winning them over would be essential to its stated goal of making Trump a one-term president. A potential pitfall in that project is the groups style, which emphasizes masculine leadership attributes while strategically deploying female narration to mock Trumps stamina, sexual prowess, and mental acuity. These tactics are unlikely to appeal to these women and could even turn some off, according to a dozen political strategists and messaging experts familiar with their ads and the female electorate. These are not ads that are targeted at the lower-hanging fruit, says Anat Shenker-Osorio, a language researcher and progressive communications consultant, referring to winnable women voters. If you want women on board, youre going to have to produce content that speaks to women, she said. The dominance of white men among political practitioners influences how we run campaigns, says Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor and scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics. Seven of the Lincoln Projects eight cofounders are men: George Conway, Reed Galen, Mike Madrid, Ron Steslow, Steve Schmidt, John Weaver, and Wilson. Many worked for George W. Bush, his father George H.W. Bush or Senator John McCain. Cofounder Jennifer Horn, the former head of the Republican Party in New Hampshire, is frequently not as looped in to high-level strategy discussions as her male counterparts are, according to individuals familiar with the groups inner workings. Half of the Lincoln Projects 10 senior advisers are women, but senior advisers do not play a large role in the groups day-to-day activities and messaging. Wilson is the groups creative director. Until this week many of its most-watched ads were created by Ben Howe, a video editor who came of age politically making anti-Obama spots during the rise of the Tea Party. Howe was dismissed late Monday for Twitter posts in which he used female anatomy as an insult, calling rivals a vagina or c-nt or twat. On the same day Howe parted ways with the Lincoln Project over what its spokesman called his unacceptable and offensive posts, Wilson said during a segment on CBSs Tooning Out the News, an animated satire show produced by Stephen Colbert, that Trump is a whining bitch addicted to Twitter. Yes, he is a bitch. That is the biggest insult, comparing someone to a womanI hate us, responds cartoon anchor Sarah Sabo, voiced by Maureen Monahan. Monahan points out in the same segment that Wilson previously called attendees of the liberal Netroots Nation conference Barack Obamas bitch and pathetic little whores satisfied with crumbs and head pats. Ahead of the 2016 election, Wilson asked conservative commentator Ann Coulter on Twitter if Trump paid her more for anal, insinuating she was prostitute as an insult. The Lincoln Project also declined requests to respond to Wilsons statements. When photos of Wilson with a Confederate flag cooler with the words The South Will Rise Again resurfaced last month shortly after the Lincoln Project released the ad Flag of Treason, the group did not release a statement or otherwise address it. I thought it was hypocritical for the Lincoln Project, in the middle of George Floyd and Blacks Lives Matter protests, while running ads blasting the president as a racist, to be loudly silent when one of their senior guys was caught with pictures of a Confederate-flag cooler right behind his head on a boat, says Sophia Nelson, a Black woman who was a senior adviser to the Lincoln Project and former counsel to a Republican congressional committee. At the very least there should have been a statement from the Lincoln Project saying, We do not support confederate symbols and we respect Black people and Black lives. Nelson herself was dismissed by the Lincoln Project earlier this year for using the word retarded to describe the president on Twitter though she removed her post and apologized. She says she does not think Wilson should be canceled as she was but there has to be a reckoning for conservative white men on race as well as gender. As Melissa Payton, a liberal voter in Oregon, puts it: I feel like I know themsmart, wise-ass, affluent conservatives who grew up in a less enlightened time and havent shed their bro-ness despite being anti-Trump warriors. I have been put off by the sexy whispers, bodacious female bodies, and close-ups of glossy red-lipsticked lips, she says. She was referencing the Lincoln Projects ad about Trump campaign manager Parscale and another called Whispers, which suggests the presidents inner circle is gossiping about him. The female narrator says they talk about how hes mentally and physically weak and laugh when you cant walk down a ramp or drink water. Not all of the groups ads utilize sexual innuendos and make overt references to Trumps manhood. Others feature speeches by past U.S. presidents and criticize Trumps coronavirus response. Still, the ads heavily emphasize almost exclusively male leaders and traditionally masculine qualities, experts say. Dittmar says that using a masculine strategy made sense for Trump in 2016, when more than half of Americans and more than two thirds of his primary supports said they feared society was becoming too soft and feminine. His team tapped into this to reassure voters of a return to an earlier era in which manhood, at least for some men, felt less precarious, she wrote in a recent analysis. Dittmar questioned, though, whether the strategy would work for Trumps opponents. Voters having second thoughts about the president likely already see him as an ineffective leader and I think the masculinized ads risk turning off some folks, she said. Trump won support from between 47% to 52% of white women in 2016, according to exit polls and post-election analysis, and persuading voters to abandon him will require outreach to women, specifically the suburban women who led to the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives in 2018 and to white women without college degrees. The Washington Post recently reported that an already historic partisan gender gap is taking shape. Democrat Joe Biden recently held a 23-point lead over Trump with women overall; Hillary Clinton won them by 14 points in 2016. Among women without college degrees, Trump still holds an advantage, but it is dwindling. Trumps reelection campaign knows that critical to its mission are suburban and white, working-class women, who are souring on the president at higher rates than their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. The Republican National Committee considers them a key demographic among the downshiftersvoters who backed Trump in 2016 but supported Democrats in 2018 or did not votethey hope to win back this year. Biden pollster Celinda Lake, who specializes in the female electorate, says for success in November: We dont even have to win these women. We just have to make sure we lose them by less. Women are less likely than men to find negative ads compelling, and there is risk in pursuing that strategy if you truly want to reach potential swing votes at a time when many female voters cite Trumps divisiveness as a top concern, experts say. Shenker-Osorio has said the messaging road map if you want to defeat Trump looks like this: (1) make ads that target women, not men, because they are more open; (2) use uniqueness, humor, surprise as most voters, and in particular swing voters, turn off political ads in fewer than four seconds; and (3) create a permission architecture for a person to contend with having been wrong and to change their mind because simply attacking Trump makes them feel youre impugning them. Katie Drapcho, director of polling and research at Democratic group Priorities USA, says: Women make up a big percentage of our persuasion universe and theyre driving the messaging we are focusing on. Drapcho says the group's polling in battleground states shows that suburban women and white women without college degrees are moving away from Trump, and its absolutely imperative that we be communicating with them. One of the things weve found over and over again is that highlighting the ways in which his administration and its policies have harmed families is the crux of a successful persuasion campaign, she says. When elections become a contest about which candidate is the manliest, there can be a bigger-picture fallout for women that extends beyond one election, according to Dittmar. The recent Biden ad Thats a President shows the former vice president with nearly all male and military leaders as various presidential attributes flash across the screen. (Once they get to the attribute of compassion, a few women appear.) It was described by male political reporters as very MAN and likened to a Ford F150 truck commercial. Even mask wearing has become a political battle over masculinity. Over the weekend, after Trump wore a mask for the first time during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, his supporters praised him for doing so in masculine terms. The display reaffirmed that his folks are very comfortable engaging in a contest over who is manliest, Dittmar says. If the playbook for over 100 years has been for a presidential candidate to prove hes man enough for the job and therefore emasculate his opponents, the battle is over masculinity, she says. Your engaging in a strategy of emasculation only reinforces masculine dominance and doesnt envision a world or a presidency in which you could value other traits or areas of expertise as important. Amanda Becker is the Washington correspondent for The 19th, a nonprofit newsroom covering gender, politics, and policy. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaBecker. This story is part of a collaboration between Glamour and The 19th. Originally Appeared on Glamour An innovative new fashion store offering many extras to customers is getting ready to open in Tullamore next week. The Mad Market will be located at the junction of Harbour Street and William Street in the centre of the town. The owners say that it will cover 10,000 square feet adding that the addition of signage and fit-out will take place this week. As well as stocking a wide range of men's, women's and children's clothing, it will also have a barbers and a cafe and outdoor courtyard with many different food and drink vendors. Among the brands in stock will be Trident Fitness Clothing, WGAS and BLDN. In a bold prediction, the owners say: "The Mad Market will become the heart of the town & once again make Tullamore a vibrant, cultured leader in the Midlands of Ireland." With Texas also due to reopen next door on the same street in the coming weeks, these shops should draw some much needed footfall back to the centre of the town. Outlet Mall Staple Heritage Brands Is Closing All of Its Stores Heritage Brands, which has numerous stores in malls across the United States, said it will close down all of its 162 stores starting in 2021. A total of 162 Heritage Brand storesincluding Izod, Olga, Warners, and Van Heusenwill wind down operations by mid-2021, said the owner, PVH, in a press release. It will also cut about 12 percent of its corporate workforce across its Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Heritage Brand segments, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The structural changes occurring in the North American retail landscape have required us to take a hard look at our North American operations and identify where we can optimize costs across our business model, said Manny Chirico, Chairman and CEO of PVH in a statement. As a result, we are making the incredibly difficult decisions to close our Heritage Brands Retail business and eliminate a significant number of positions throughout our North American organization to align with the lower revenue base. The retailer, in part, cited the COVID-19 pandemic is a reason for a decline in sales, saying that the North American retail landscape is evolving at an accelerating pace. We did not take these decisions lightly, as our Heritage Brands Retail business is our oldest retail business yet no longer met appropriate return metrics. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of our impacted associates for their support, loyalty, and contributions over the years, the CEO said. The firm said last month that revenue dropped 43 percent to $1.34 billion in the three months ending in May. It will expect to incur $80 million in pretax charges related to store closures as well as layoffs. PVH is the latest retailer to reevaluate its business in the wake of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus epidemic. Governors across the United States ordered nonessential businesses to shutter to curb the spread of the virus. Other companies that have announced closures include Zaras parent Inditex, H&M, Nordstrom, and Victorias Secret. Meanwhile, RTW Retailwinds, the owner of New York & Co., and suit supplier Brooks Brothers both filed for bankruptcy in the past two weeks. And before that, JCPenney announced it would shut down about 250 stores in the United States. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our families, our loved ones, our communities, and our country. As a result, the American retail industry has experienced a profoundly different new reality, requiring JCPenney to make difficult decisions in running our business to protect the safety of our associates and customers and the future of our company, JCPenney CEO Jill Soltau said in a statement on May 15 when making the announcement the longtime chain would restructure. Emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane are soaring to new and dangerous highs, according to research published Tuesday, eluding years of regulation and continuing even as the coronavirus-ravaged economy has decreased other pollutants. The rate at which methane is now being released into the atmosphere, much of it from belching cows and leaky oil and gas wells, tilts the odds toward a worst-case climate scenario warming of 3 degrees Celsius or more by 2100 the research shows. Such a temperature hike would make the planet far less hospitable, with more severe heat, droughts, fires and floods. The findings, published in two scientific journals, document about a 9% increase in global methane emissions between the early 2000s and 2017. They suggest discharges have not let up since. In 2017, the last year that comprehensive data is available, emissions were at their highest level in recorded history. I guess we had hoped that policies and best practices would have decreased methane emissions or at least stabilized them, said Rob Jackson, a professor of earth system science at Stanford and lead author of one of the two papers. We havent seen that. Methane is second to only carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. While the invisible, odorless gas doesnt linger in the atmosphere as long and is not as prevalent, its more effective at trapping heat, roughly 30 times more so than carbon dioxide over a 100-year span. Sources of methane are numerous and often involve complex chemical reactions. The gas enters the atmosphere both naturally and from human activities. All of this makes methane difficult to trace and even harder to try to contain. The new research dissecting the problem comes from an international partnership of scientists that Jackson leads, the Global Climate Project. The groups Global Methane Budget, published every four years, ascribes just more than half of all methane emissions to humans, but like the projects previous report in 2016, it pins almost the entire uptick on people. Among the biggest drivers are agricultural practices, including dairy farming and cattle ranching, in which cows belch methane from microbes in their stomachs, and rice farming, where microbes in flooded fields similarly spew the gas. Methane is also a component of fossil fuels and is often leaked from oil and gas drilling sites. It seeps out naturally from wetlands, lakes and volcanoes. John Blanchard Of the 596 million metric tons of methane emitted in 2017, according to the new research, about 227 million tons are from agriculture, up 11% from a 2000-2006 average. About 108 million tons were from fossil fuels, up nearly 15% over the same period. The total increase, the researchers say, is equivalent to adding the pollution of an entirely new country, like Germany or France, to the globe. Methane is increasing at a rate much faster than the 1.5- or 2-degree stabilization would allow, said Jackson, noting the looming failure to cap global warming at a lower, safer level. Because the gas dissipates rather quickly, in about a decade, even small reductions in emissions can make a big dent in the warming trajectory. Different regions of the globe, with varying sources of methane, are approaching the problem in different ways. In the United States, where the new research identifies fossil fuels as the major culprit, federal regulation has taken aim at leaking oil and gas sites. The Trump administration, though, has worked to loosen these restrictions over the past three years. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Meanwhile, the rise of natural gas as an energy source has increased the potential for methane to escape as more drilling takes place. And some worry that the recent economic downturn at the hands of the coronavirus pandemic will make petroleum companies less apt to develop cleaner infrastructure and make repairs. Theres a danger that you could have abandoned and leaking gas wells and no money set aside to address the problem, said Bill Magavern, policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air in Sacramento, which has advocated for greater regulation of methane. 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. California has tighter rules than other states for how drilling is done, and recent legislation has turned from fossil fuels to dairy operations, which are now a bigger source of methane in the state. State policies so far have focused on providing incentives for methane reduction, like money for digesters that capture the gas from cow manure, not on regulation. Much of the globe, like California, is now generating most of its methane from agriculture, particularly in tropical areas. In many poorer nations, winning methane reductions at the expense of costlier food is a non-starter. Its a lot harder to reduce emissions in food production than energy production, Jackson said. We have a billion and a half people around the world that dont have enough food. Meanwhile, countries like China are becoming wealthier and consuming more beef, further amplifying the problem. Methane emissions, unlike other heat-trapping gases, also have proved unrelenting during the coronavirus pandemic, mostly because the demand for food and natural gas has gone unchanged. Until the outbreak, Jackson said, the gas was almost certainly continuing to increase. Global emissions of carbon dioxide, by comparison, fell close to 20% at certain times at the height of shelter-in-place orders in April as transportation and industry slowed worldwide. We may have seen a small decrease in methane emissions because of COVID-19, Jackson said, but not a substantial one. Jacksons research was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, and the complementary study was published in Earth System Science Data. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander Now Open 15 July 2020 Tharaldson Hospitality Management (THM) is pleased to announce the brand-new Element Sacramento Airport has opened! This luxury Element, located at 3681 North Freeway Boulevard, features 107 all-suite rooms, along with great amenities such as free Wifi, signature Rise complimentary breakfast, premium fitness center, bike-borrowing service, evening receptions, and much more. Under its franchise agreement with Marriott International, Inc., THM will own and operate the property. This hotel is conveniently located 11 minutes away from the Sacramento International Airport, 12 minutes from the California State Capitol, and much more. The Element Sacramento Airport benefits greatly from being located so close to the Sacramento International Airportit will be a fantastic option for business travelers and families alike. Administrators of Virgin Australia have revealed they were forced to take out loans to pay employees of the embattled airline because the business had run out of cash. The airline slumped into voluntary administration on April 21 as the business struggled with coronavirus travel bans and $5billion in long term debt. Accounting firm Deloitte has now revealed in a letter to creditors that Virgin would have collapsed entirely if not for the government's move to subsidise domestic flights. The letter, seen by The Australian, was sent out before a meeting on Thursday in which Deloitte and 35 of the airline's creditors and their representatives poured over the company's books. Deloitte said Virgin had been burning $200million a month and they had to negotiate with banks to get more cash so the business could stay afloat. The firm said given the group's 'cash constraints' it was 'critical' they 'urgently sought a sale and/or recapitalisation'. Administrators of Virgin Australia were forced to secure loans to pay employees of the embattled airline because the business had no money (pictured, staff at Sydney Airport) 'Without the government-underwritten flights we would have been forced to cease trading the business due to the increased level of trading losses that would have been sustained,' the letter reads. American firm Bain Capital has offered to buy the airline with the Committee of Inspection meeting on Thursday giving the deal their approval. But bondholders of the company, who are owed $2billion and which include 30 institutions and 6,000 private investors, believe they can derail the sale with a 'superior' deal they will reveal at next month's creditors meeting. The bondholders, including Singapore's Broad Peak Investment Advisers and Hong Kong's Tor Investment Management are challenging the sale in the Federal Court. On Friday the court ruled they could not access confidential details of the sale agreement with Bain but could present a different offer to administrators. American firm Bain Capital has offered to buy the airline with the Committee of Inspection meeting on Thursday giving the deal their approval (pictured, staff in Brisbane) Delloite has already downplayed initial deals put forward by the bondholders saying Virgin needed 'immediate funding' which their plan could not guarantee. 'We considered the proposal but could not take it forward due to its highly conditional nature, lack of certainty and no evidence of committed funding. The business does not have sufficient cash to continue trading without immediate funding,' Thursday's letter reads. It is understood the bondholder's plan has changed since the deal referred to in the letter. Bain Capital's offer includes paying $450million in employee entitlements, $604million in travel credits and $600million in fluid cash for the airline. By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO, July 14 (Reuters) - Green Plains Inc, one of the biggest U.S. ethanol producers, sued Archer Daniels Midland Co on Tuesday, accusing the global grain trader of manipulating the price of the biofuel to profit from its positions in the derivatives market. Green Plains filed the proposed class action with the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, where it also claimed that senior ADM officials knew of the alleged manipulation. ADM did not respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. It follows reporting by Reuters that ADMs ethanol selling had led traders to complain to S&P Global Platts, which provides benchmark pricing for the physical ethanol contract at different U.S. delivery points. According to the complaint, ADM was aggressively selling ethanol on the cash market at the Argo terminal just outside of Chicago - and timing such selling 30 minutes ahead of the close of the trading day. Green Plains also said ADM flooded the terminal with its barges, to choke off competitors' supplies and influence the price of spot and futures ethanol markets. ADM "knew that it would take hard-earned money out of the pockets of other ethanol producers by depressing prices at the Argo Terminal, hurting the producers and imposing downstream pain on corn farmers and cooperatives," according to the complaint. A similar lawsuit was filed last September by AOT Holdings, a Swiss company with an energy trading subsidiary, in an Illinois federal court, seeking up to $6.33 million in damages. The case is Green Plains Trade Group LLC et al v Archer Daniels Midland Co, U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, No. 20-00279. (Reporting by P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago; Editing by Tom Brown) TILTON An eastern Illinois woman died over the weekend after she was accidentally shot by a child who was riding in a car with her, police said. Marita Hile, 64, died Sunday at a Danville hospital about an hour after she was shot and her vehicle crashed into a gas stations sign in Tilton, said Capt. Mike Hartshorn of the Vermilion County Sheriffs Office. A Delaware pizza shop owner threw a hot pizza pie at an attempted robber, police say. The owner of Stargate Pizza in Greenwood told troopers that on Friday, a man with a machete approached him and demanded money. The pizza shop owner said he told the man he didn't have any, and threw a pizza at him, after which the machete-wielding man fled in a car. Troopers say the shop owner was not injured, and they are asking anyone with information to contact state police. The news release doesn't say what happened to the pizza, or what kind it was. From the Delaware State Police: The Delaware State Police are investigating an attempted robbery of a pizza store owner that occurred last evening. The incident occurred on July 10, 2020, at approximately 10:30 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the Stargate Pizza, located at 9634 Sussex Hwy, Greenwood, for a report of an attempted robbery. Upon arrival, Troopers met with the store owner who advised that while he was closing the business, he was approached outside by a subject who proceeded to display a machete and demand money. The store owner advised the suspect that he did not have any money and threw a pizza at him, causing the suspect to flee. The store owner did not sustain injury as a result of this incident. The suspect was described as a white male who ran from the scene and got into a vehicle on northbound Sussex Highway. The case continues to remain under investigation and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to please contact Troop 5, at 302-337-8253. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com [via AP] Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, attends a video conference on flood relief efforts in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- State Councilor Wang Yong on Tuesday called for all-out efforts in flood prevention, relief, and rescue work to ensure the safety of people's lives and property. At a video conference on Tuesday, Wang, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, called on relevant authorities to enhance coordination and strengthen monitoring and early-warning systems for heavy rainfall, typhoons, and other severe weather events. Noting that the country is in a critical period of fighting floods, Wang underlined the importance of strict precautions against dike and reservoir breaches, torrential floods, waterlogging, as well as other secondary disasters to prevent causalities. He also stressed efforts to properly relocate affected people and promptly allocate relief supplies to ensure basic living standards of people hit by floods. Since June, continuous downpours have lashed large parts of southern China, and the waters of many rivers in the affected regions have exceeded warning levels. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Tuesday launched a Level II emergency response for major natural disasters and sent special work teams to five provinces, hit hard by floods, to assess the impacts and make plans for restoring agricultural production after disasters wane. Health and safety equipment maker Halma has promised to hand dividend-deprived shareholders an extra boost in its next payout. Bucking a trend that has seen dozens of FTSE 100-listed firms cancel or push back handouts as they struggle to balance their books in the Covid era, Halma has raised its total dividend by 5 per cent, taking it to 16.5p. This marks the 41st consecutive year of increases. But that was not enough of a sweetener to cancel out a warning that signalled the end to a 17-year run of rising profits. Bucking a trend that has seen dozens of FTSE 100-listed firms cancel or push back handouts, Halma has raised its total dividend by 5 per cent, taking it to 16.5p The group, which makes safety equipment such as lift door sensors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers, estimates profits in the year to March 2021 will dip between 5 per cent and 10 per cent. A small number of job cuts are also expected. It issued the warning alongside record annual results, as revenue jumped 11 per cent to 1.3billion and profit edged 8 per cent higher to 224million. It bought ten businesses in the last financial year and is on the lookout to buy more. Stock Watch - ADM Energy Investors welcomed the news that investment company ADM Energy has hired two oil and gas industry veterans for its technical team. Darrell McKenna, who has previously worked at ExxonMobil and Kosmos Energy, and Dr Satinder Purewal, chair of the UN Economic Commission for Europes petroleum working group and formerly at Shell, will take up senior engineering roles at the AIM-listed group. The shares rose 13 per cent, or 0.53p, to 4.55p. Despite the record results, the fact that its products are often crucial rather than discretionary devices, and a rise in orders, shares fell as it warned that some of its businesses would nonetheless suffer in the months to come. Halma closed 4.5 per cent lower, down 104p, to 2187p almost at the bottom of the Footsie leaderboard. The technology-heavy investment trust Scottish Mortgage was the biggest faller, dropping 6.9 per cent, or 66p, to 893p, as it tracked a sell-off in American and European tech stocks. But the wider FTSE 100 eked out a gain, rising 0.06 per cent, or 3.56 points, to 6179.75, supported by gains in resource companies such as BP (up 2.7 per cent, or 7.9p, to 304.5p) and Royal Dutch Shell (up 2.5 per cent, or 29.8p, to 1247.6p). The FTSE 250, however, shed 1.2 per cent, or 210.40 points, to 17,174.69, after a report released by the Academy of Medical Sciences warned 120,000 people could die in a reasonable worst-case scenario this winter if there is a second wave of virus infections. Mixer maker Fevertree lost its fizz after the widespread closure of bars in the UK, Europe and the US knocked sales. It isnt sure how quickly things will recover, even though sales to consumers through shops and online have been strong, as the pace of reopenings is so difficult to predict. Its stock fell 4.9 per cent, or 118p, to 2300p, as it also revealed it bought its German distributor, Global Drinks Partnership, for 8.6million. White goods giant AO World posted a smaller annual loss in the year to March and turnover rose 16 per cent, boosted by lockdown driving Britons to buy printers, breadmakers and video games consoles, though it warned that looming recessions in Germany and the UK could hold back spending in coming months. Shares fell 14 per cent, or 23p, to 141p. Cleaning products group McBride, however, advanced 4 per cent, or 2.4p, to 62.4p after it said that profits are likely to be higher than expected as people and businesses scrambled to buy hand sanitisers and surface cleaning products. But it said the Covid boost was already petering out. Investors looked for the ejector seat from Southend Airport-owner Stobart Group after it announced that it has sold its rail and civil infrastructure division to the German company Bavaria Industries. The deal is initially worth 1,000 in cash but it could receive up to 2.9million, depending on a legacy contract. The shares fell 6.7 per cent, or 2.05p, to 28.6p. The phase two of the ongoing voter's registration exercise is progressing smoothly at centres in the Ablekuma West Constituency of the Greater Accra Region. The Ghana News Agency observed that all materials and equipment needed were available and functioning well at centres such as Kit-Kat Dansoman One and Datus School Complex One, when it visited on Wednesday. The Agency also noted that registrants and officials were in face shields and nose masks and observing COVID-19 protocols. Madam Leticia Bruce, the Registration Officer in charge at Kit-Kat Dansoman One centre told the GNA that, she was happy about the peaceful atmosphere and the strict observance of the protocols. She said a total of 400 people were registered at the centre between Sunday and Monday and called on others yet to register to visit the centre for their cards. Madam Bruce said the registration officials would move to another centre after the phase two of the exercise on Friday, July 17, 2020. Representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC said they were satisfied with the processes and also called on people who were yet to register to do so. 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 HOLYOKE Canal Row LLC will use a $90,000 Community Preservation Act grant to refurbish the Armour and Company Building facade at 130 Race St., part of an overall large-scale development along the corridor. The City Council approved the grant during its June 16 meeting. Brothers Denis and Marco Luzuriaga, who helms Canal Row LLC, also own the nearby Cubit Building, home of the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Center and 19 loft-style apartments, and an adjacent parcel slated for a $20 million mixed-use project. The Armour and Company Building, constructed in the early-1900s, served as a local warehouse and depot for the Chicago meatpacking company. The structures south-facing side has a unique curved feature. Denis Luzuriaga said the buildings last real occupant was an alternative school in the 1990s. Canal LLC bought the well-preserved building a year ago for $250,000. He credits the previous owner for maintaining the structure over the years. The plans call for restoring the buildings brickwork, including reappointing, removing ivy and graffiti, and installing energy-efficient windows that meet local codes and in keeping with the architecture. We only have limited amounts of historical photos and data. Were going have to do some investigating in what would look the most authentic, he said. A historical consultant will help in the effort. Luzuriaga envisions a food establishment for the buildings ground-level, either a restaurant, small market or both. He had planned a similar setup for the Cubit Building. Instead, Holyoke Community College proposed the culinary school, which included a long-term lease and an extensive renovation of the Cubits first and second floors. With the pandemic and things going forward, I think that its going have to be tweaked, Luzuriaga said. He expects a takeout restaurant with limited or seasonal outdoor seating. The Armours second floor would offer partitioned coworking spaces and micro offices, which adhere to social distancing guidelines. Were all-inclusive. Someone could come in and rent an office, he said, without signing a lease. Before the pandemic, the Luzuriagas built-out a coworking space in the Cubits lower floor. Before COVID-19, coworking spaces were a growing trend nationally. People were looking for something they could move into and not have a long-term commitment, he said. Coworking spaces use a pay-as-you-go model. Luzuriaga, a designer, had to change his approach to configuring spaces, emphasizing sanitation, and using touchless technology like keycards. We did that pre-pandemic anyway, and were going to do more of that, he said. Canal Row LLC will meet with a contractor to schedule the brickwork. He will submit plans for the windows to the Community Preservation Act Committee, which initially approved the grant. Im more than happy to work with anybody who wants to be involved in our design process, Luzuriaga said. Zoey Deutch is making the road her home during quarantine. The 25-year-old actress continued her socially distant adventures this week, making her way through some of America's most treasured National Parks. Zoey fully embraced nature's glory, heading from the California coast to the wild of Wyoming while hitting the highway in a decked out Outdoorsy campervan. Breath of fresh air: Zoey Deutch got in touch with Mother Nature as she hit the road in a well-equipped Outdoorsy campervan during quarantine The Zombieland Double Tap actress kept up a low-key look for the trip, clad in baggy denim and a beanie as she posed in the middle of a scenic field. Zoey and her travel companions were able to visit a truly impressive amount a locales, making their way through California's Redwoods, Montana's Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, along with Utah's Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. There was one highlight that Zoey couldn't help but highlight though, telling followers: 'But most importantly... llama trek gettin ril @outdoorsy up in this q.' After long days hiking and taking in the wildlife, Deutch and pals gathered round a campfire to gaze at the stars. Open road: Zoey fully embraced nature's glory, making her way from the California coast to the wild of Wyoming while hitting the highway in a decked out Outdoorsy campervan Mountain views: The Zombieland Double Tap actress kept up a low-key look for the trip, clad in baggy denim and tomboy chic layers What a trip: Zoey and her travel companions were able to visit a truly impressive amount a locales, making their way through California's Redwoods, Montana's Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, along with Utah's Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks Over the rainbow: During the trip Miss Deutch was able to take some stunning photos Fluffy friend: There was one highlight that Zoey couldn't help but highlight though, telling followers: 'But most importantly... llama trek gettin ril @outdoorsy up in this q' She was definitely traveling in style with her digs provided by Outdoorsy, the largest and most trusted RV rental marketplace. Her home for her outdoor adventure was a 19 foot, brand new 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van which came fully equipped with a queen size bed, sink, microwave, refrigerator, ventilation and private shower. The rig came with tons of storage space as well as insulated/magnetic blackout curtains, full laminate counter tops & vinyl floors, USB & outlets throughout, LED recessed lighting and a built in roof rack for the ultimate viewing deck. Outdoorsy is the new face of outdoor travel making the outdoors accessible to everyone by connecting a community of RV owners with renters. Not too shabby: Her home for her outdoor adventure was a 19 foot, brand new 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van which came fully equipped with a queen size bed, sink, microwave, refrigerator, ventilation and private shower Breathtaking: Traveling from breathtaking scene to breathtaking scene in the camper let Zoey and friends make the most of their time off the grid Lighting strikes! Nature's beauty was everywhere, from canyons to salt flats to lightning strikes Outdoorsy RV Rentals are available in over 4,800 cities and 14 countries ensuring guests all over the world enjoy the most unique and user-friendly experience in the space. The rising talent - who is the daughter of director Howard Deutch and actress-director Lea Thompson - has been enjoying time between projects. She recently turned heads as the wily Infinity Jackson on The Politician, which released its second season to Netflix last month. Zoey's next film Most Dangerous Game is currently in pre-production. Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi has been denied bail in the United States even after his lawyer, Gal Pissetzky insisted that his job as an Instagram celebrity paid for the $10,000 monthly rent on his luxury Dubai flat. His lawyers had applied for him to leave jail with an electronic tag and live with the uncle of a woman with whom he has a child with, but US prosecutors opposed the bail application. UAEs The National reported that prosecutors said he could commit crimes with just a smartphone and an internet connection, and that he posed too much of a flight risk. Reacting to prosecutors argument, Pissetzky said his client had too much to lose if he flees from the United States. He told a judge in Chicago by videolink; He is loved and respected. He is a celebrity. I dont see the reason why he would want to ruin his credibility in the world and his status rather than stay here and face this allegation. Anywhere he goes, people will know. Having grown up very poor in Nigeria, Mr Abbas is now paid to pose with high-priced items such as Louis Vuitton bags that people would buy after seeing his posts on Instagram. He is an influencer. Thats a job today, as much as it is hard to imagine. Thats a full-time job. Judge Jeffrey Gilbert who watched the proceedings from a prison video link, denied Hushpuppi bail on grounds of him being a flight risk. Gilbert ordered that the suspected Nigerian fraudster be remanded in custody until he is taken to a court in California. The death of "Glee" actress Naya Rivera in a California lake last week was ruled an accidental drowning by medical examiners Tuesday. Rivera, 33, disappeared during a boating trip with her four-year-old son last Wednesday, and her body was found floating in Lake Piru on Monday. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office formally confirmed Rivera's identity using dental records, it said in a statement. No traumatic injuries or evidence of alcohol or other toxins were found. On Monday, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said there was no indication of suicide, and suggested that the lake's strong currents could have caused a fatal accident. "The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting -- it was unanchored -- and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself," he said. Her son was found asleep and drifting in the boat some three hours after Rivera rented it at the popular recreational hotspot around an hour's drive northwest of Los Angeles. Hollywood stars paid tributes to Rivera, including her former castmates on smash-hit musical television series "Glee," some of whom gathered at the shore of the lake on Monday. Chris Colfer said Rivera "spoke truth to power with poise and fearlessness," while Jane Lynch wrote on Instagram: "Rest sweet, Naya. What a force you were." Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis wrote: "Prayers for Naya Rivera's family. Man... can we have a 'Do Over' of 2020. The loss is too much." US actress Naya Rivera had posted a photo of her and son Josey Hollis Dorsey on social media shortly before she disappeared Back in 2016, the EU had ordered Apple to pay $14.5 billion in back taxes for routing its profits through Ireland by receiving illegal state aid. Apple and Ireland had appealed against the decision and the original decision was today overruled by the EU General Court. Apples CEO had then called the original ruling from the EU total political crap. With the decision overturned, Apple is now no longer legally bound to pay $14.5 billion (13 billion euros) in back taxes to the Irish government. The court noted in its ruling that the EU had failed to provide any proof as to why the aid received by Apple was illegal. As a part of the decision, the EU will have to compensate Apple the legal costs incurred as a part of the case. The EU has the option to appeal against the ruling. Apples argument was that the EU was trying to tax the company for the profits that should be taxed in the U.S. Additionally, the tax arrangement between the company and Ireland was first set up 20 years ago when it was a much smaller company. The company welcomed Wednesdays ruling, saying the case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it. The Cupertino company also noted that it had paid over $100 billion in corporate taxes over the last decade along with tens of billions in other taxes. The Irish finance ministry also welcomed the decision and said that ruling proves it did not provide Apple with any special treatment. [Via Bloomberg Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. San Francisco, 15 July 2020: The Report Fuel Cell Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Raw Material, By Product (PEMFC, PEFC, SOFC, MCFC), By Application (Stationary, Transportation, Portable), And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027 Fuel cells are devices which convert the fuels chemical energy into electricity via a chemical reaction in the presence of an oxidizing agent. They can be of different types, but they all consist of an anode, cathode, as well as an electrolyte. They use hydrogen or other hydrocarbon fuels which are available in abundance, along with an oxidant (usually oxygen), to carry out an electrochemical reaction. This makes them one of the fastest growing alternate backup power options. Additionally, they are eco-friendly as their by-product only comprises nitrous oxide. They generate lower noise levels as compared to other incumbent technologies due to lack of moving parts and an efficient combustion process. There are various types of such cells, the major ones being PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane), SOFC (Solid Oxide), PAFC (Phosphoric Acid) and MCFC (Molten Carbonate). Portable applications include consumer products such as laptops and mobile phones, personal electronics, Accelerated Processing Units, portable products and consumer products such as laptops and mobile phones. Stationary applications include Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), residential power and Combined Heat Power (CHP). Transportation applications include auxiliary power units and electric vehicles. Fuel cell vehicles, generally hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have gained a lot of support and visibility in the past few years. With this in mind, fueling stations have seen a healthy growth in the past few years. The global fuel cell market is an attractive one, owing to the following factors: Governments of various countries have been pushing for their development and technological advancement due to their eco-friendly nature, which is expected to significantly drive the market. The increasing need for reduced emissions and better fuel economy has resulted in development of fuel cell enabled commercial vehicles that utilize hydrogen fuel. Various countries and participants are trying to successfully implement this technology at lower costs, which increases their market attractiveness. Key manufacturers include: Dominion Resources Inc. Ballard ClearEdge Plug Power Inc. Nedstack SFC Energy AG Toshiba Panasonic, among others. Access Blog of Fuel Cell Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/blog/fuel-cell-market Recent Developments in Fuel Cell Market: In May 2019, Nedstack, based in Netherlands, has tied up with OSD-IMT, another Dutch organization specializing in ship designing, to manufacture the worlds first hydrogen fuel cell powered tugboat. Through this, the focus is on reducing the environmental footprint of economic activity, along with testing of new technologies. The design involves a 65-ton bollard pull harbor tug, which will be completely electric-driven. Electric power for the propulsion motors will be generated onboard by hydrogen fuel cells. The design is expected to be implemented further in smaller and larger tugs as well. In July 2019, Ballard Power Systems announced an agreement with Wrightbus, an OEM for buses headquartered in Northern Ireland, which detailed a purchase of 15 FCveloCity-HD 85-kilowatt fuel cell modules for powering buses in Aberdeen, Scotland. This development is under the JIVE (Joint Initiative For Hydrogen Vehicles) program. The program targets a deployment of 291 fuel cell buses in more than 20 cities in Europe. In May 2019, SFC Energy AG, headquartered in Germany, received an order for tempered defense fuel cell products worth 1.4 Million Euros, from an Asian defense organization. The companys JENNY 600S AND EMILY 3000 cells, along with the SFC Power Manager 3G are used to power off-grid border protection equipment, electrical equipment, as well as communication and radio systems, which may be located on high altitudes as well as at remote outposts. In September 2019, Plug Power, which provides hydrogen engines and fueling solutions, reached an agreement with ENGIE, which provides energy transition services, to expand the use of renewable hydrogen and fuel cells. Plug Power will be working with ENGIE to identify potential markets and customers. The agreement will allow adoption of hydrogen as an efficient and clean energy source that enhances productivity. Access Press Release of Fuel Cell Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-fuel-cell-market Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on China and the Philippines to cherish the hard-won friendly situation, consolidate the political foundation for improvement of bilateral relations, and safeguard important achievements of cooperation between the two countries. The remarks came when Wang, also State Councilor, held talks with his Philippine counterpart Teodoro Locsin via video link. Wang said since taking office, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made an important political decision and reached important consensus with Chinese leaders on putting aside maritime differences, controlling situations through bilateral consultations, and enhancing dialogue and cooperation. Wang said China is willing to continue working with the Philippines to launch a fast lane to facilitate people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible, and build "green corridors" for the flow of goods to contribute to the resumption of work and production. Expounding China's principles on the South China Sea issues, Wang said with the joint efforts of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the situation in the South China Sea remains stable in general. However, the United States, out of its geopolitical needs, keeps making waves and promoting militarization in the South China Sea, said Wang, adding that the so-called statement recently made by the United States blatantly violated its commitment of holding a neutral position on South China Sea disputes, and is intentionally sowing discord between China and ASEAN countries in an attempt to provoke conflicts and damage regional stability. The United States' flip-flopping practice will only damage its own reputation, he said. Wang said China will continue working with regional countries, including the Philippines, to resolve maritime issues through dialogue and consultations, uphold the principles of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and reach a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as soon as possible. Locsin voiced the Philippines' support of the joint construction of the Belt and Road. Maritime disputes are not the whole of bilateral relations, Locsin said, adding that such disputes should not and will not undermine friendly relations between the two countries. He said the Philippines is willing to work with China to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through friendly bilateral consultations, actively promote maritime cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of the South China Sea. Identity and access management in 2022 - what will the future look like? As we enter into 2022, there is still a level of uncertainty in place. Its unclear what the future holds, as companies around the world still contend with the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working has been encouraged by most organisations and the move to a hybrid working system has become business as usual, for the majority of businesses. Some have reduced their office space or done away with their locations altogether. Following best security practices With all this change in place, there are problems to deal with. According to research, 32.7% of IT admins say they are concerned about employees using unsecured networks to carry out that work. Alongside this, 74% of IT admins thought that remote work makes it harder for employees to follow best security practices. This need to manage security around remote work is no longer temporary. Instead, companies have to build permanent strategies around remote work and security. The coming year will also create a different landscape for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Here are some key predictions for next year and what to start preparing for in 2022: The reality of SMB spending around security will hit home SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working, especially in comparison to their size. They had to undertake significant digital transformation projects that made it possible to deliver services remotely, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve seen a shift in mindset for these companies, which are now more tech-focused in their approach to problem solving. According to our research, 45% of SMBs plan to increase their spending towards IT services in 2022. Around half of all organisations think their IT budgets are adequate for their needs, while 14.5% of those surveyed believe they will need more, to cover all that needs to be done. Identity management spending to support remote work For others, the COVID-19 pandemic led to over-spending, just to get ahead of things and they will spend in 2022, looking at what they should keep and what they can reduce their spending on. Areas like identity management will stay in place, as companies struggle to support remote work and security, without this in place. However, on-premise IT spending will be reduced or cut, as those solutions are not relevant for the new work model. Services that rely on on-premise IT will be cut or replaced. The device will lead the way for security We rely on our phones to work and to communicate. In 2022, they will become central to how we manage access, to all our assets and locations, IT and physical. When employees can use company devices and their own phones for work, security is more difficult. IT teams have to ensure that theyre prepared for this, by making sure that these devices can be trusted. Wide use of digital certificates and strong MFA factors Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication There are multiple ways that companies can achieve this, for example - By using digital certificates to identify company devices as trusted, an agent, or strong MFA factors, like a FIDO security key or mobile push authentication. Whichever approach you choose, this can prevent unauthorised access to IT assets and applications, and these same devices can be used for authentication into physical locations too. Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication. Understanding human behaviour Alongside this, it is important to understand human behaviour. Anything that introduces an extra step for authentication can lead to employees taking workarounds. To stop this, it is important to put an employee education process in place, in order to emphasize on the importance of security. The next step is to think about adopting passwordless security, to further reduce friction and increase adoption. Lastly, as devices become the starting point for security and trust, remote device management will be needed too. More companies will need to manage devices remotely, from wiping an asset remotely if it gets lost or stolen, through to de-provisioning users easily and removing their access rights, when they leave the company. Identity will be a layer cake Zero Trust approaches to security Identity management relies on being able to trust that someone is who they say they are. Zero Trust approaches to security can support this effectively, particularly when aligned with least privilege access models. In order to turn theory into practical easy-to-deploy steps, companies need to use contextual access, as part of their identity management strategy. This involves looking at the context that employees will work in and putting together the right management approach for those circumstances. For typical employee behaviour, using two factor authentication might be enough to help them work, without security getting in the way. How enterprises manage, access and store identity data There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time For areas where security is more important, additional security policies can be put over the top, to ensure that only the right people have access. A step-up in authentication can be added, based on the sensitivity of resources or risk-based adaptive authentication policies might be needed. There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time, so that it aligns more closely with those use cases. Identity management critical to secure assets in 2022 There are bigger conversations taking place around digital identity for citizenship, as more services move online as well. Any moves that take place in this arena will affect how businesses think about their identity management processes too, encouraging them to look at their requirements in more detail. Overall, 2022 will be the year when identity will be critical to how companies keep their assets secure and their employees productive. With employees working remotely and businesses becoming decentralised, identity strategies will have to take the same approach. This will put the emphasis on strong identity management as the starting point for all security planning. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 16:34:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SUVA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has purchased 22 generators to be installed at certain treatment plants and pumping stations to ensure proper water supply during power outages occur. According to Fijivillage news website, WAF Chief Executive Officer Barry Omundson said on Wednesday that border restriction due to COVID-19 has slowed them down at the moment. They have moved some generators around to certain areas that are more prone to electrical faults and they have seen the benefits in relation to continuing their services when power fluctuations occur, he said, adding that they have invested about 6 million Fijian dollars (about 2.8 million U.S. dollars) for this project. He said that WAF's board has approved their new five-year strategic plan that will see them focus on their existing plans and a long list of things that needs to be done and repaired around Fiji. It was announced in the 2019/2020 National Budget that the authority has the target to provide clean water to 85 percent of Fijians in rural communities by 2021 under the Rural Water Supply Program. WAF was allocated 25.2 million Fijian dollars (about 11.7 million U.S. dollars) in the current budget to improve water distribution systems around the island nation. This as construction works on the 40 megaliter treatment plant in Rewa about an hour's drive out of Suva, the capital of Fiji, is expected to be completed later next year as recent rain and bad weather has caused delays. WAF is responsible for over 144,000 residential and non-residential metered customers residing largely in urban areas, reaching over 700,000 people nationwide and about 116,342 million liters of treated water is supplied to homes and businesses nationwide each year. WAF was provided with a total budget of 258.7 million Fijian dollars (about 119.8 million U.S dollars) in the 2019/2020 National Budget. Enditem The insured loss from Tropical Storm Fay will be close to $400 million, according to catastrophe risk modeling firm Karen Clark & Company (KCC). KCC said its estimate includes the privately insured wind and storm surge damage to residential, commercial and industrial properties and automobiles but does not include. It does not include National Flood Insurance Program losses. The tropical storm made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey, around 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 10,. Light wind damage from Fay included downed trees and powerlines, and low levels of storm surge stretched from South Carolina to New York, according to the KCC report. Fay brought damaging winds to parts of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Scattered power outages were reported in New York and New Jersey. Although light wind damage is most likely from this storm, KCC said structural damage is possible from trees falling on buildings, noting that in New York City alone, hundreds of downed trees were reported, and other areas, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania, also experienced tree damage that resulted in infrastructure disruption. Tropical Storm Fay formed on July 9 off the coast of North Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Over the next 24 hours, the storm traveled north off the coast of the U.S. Its maximum sustained winds increased to 60 mph as it approached the New Jersey shore. After making landfall just north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Fay continued north through New York. Once overland, the storm quickly weakened and was downgraded to a tropical depression nine hours after landfall. By 5 a.m. EDT on July 11, the storm had transitioned to a post-tropical low. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Profit Loss New York New Jersey Mumbai, July 15 : In a mega investment announcement, Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said that Google will invest Rs 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms for an equity stake of 7.73 per cent. Google is investing at an equity valuation of Rs 4.36 lakh crore, said an RIL regulatory filing. "Jio Platforms Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, today signed binding agreements with Google International LLC pursuant to which Google would invest Rs 33,737 crore for a 7.73 per cent equity stake in Jio Platforms Limited on a fully-diluted basis. Google is investing at an equity valuation of Rs 4.36 lakh crore," it said. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of RIL, Ambani said that he looks forward to working with investors in Jio Platforms in a collaborative way. Making another major announcement, the RIL Chairman said that Jio has designed a complete 5G solution and it will be available for trials as soon as spectrum is available. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The Democratic National Committee's virtual convention next month will mark a major test for whether Internet-based voting can be done safely and securely. The DNC, which is moving its convention online because of the coronavirus pandemic, released a plan Friday for delegates to vote by email for the Democratic presidential nominee and planks in the party's platform. Internet voting presents far fewer risks in this case than it would during a regular election because delegates' ballots are not secret. That means they can verify that their votes were not altered, either by hackers or technological snafus, and can correct any errors after the fact. There's also no drama about the outcome of the most important vote because former vice president Joe Biden has practically secured the Democratic nomination. But it still presents numerous opportunities for hackers from Russia and elsewhere to disrupt the voting process, sow confusion about results or use disinformation operations to spread conspiracy theories or gin up hostilities between rival camps supporting Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. And any disruption is likely to spark painful memories of 2016, when information Russia hacked and leaked from the DNC helped wreak havoc on Hillary Clinton's campaign. That means the DNC must be hyperprepared to knock back any allegations of digital interference or rapidly respond to attacks even as it runs a convention unlike any in history. "Even if they're making a prudent decision for public health, this still remains a rich environment for bad actors," Edward Perez, global director of technology development at OSET Institute, a nonprofit election technology organization, told me. "No one should lose sight of the fact that a purely electronic return of ballots is very high risk. The DNC needs to wear both hats at the same time: public health and cyber defense." The party passed a resolution in May allowing smaller subcommittees to handle in advance some of the more complex votes that usually take place on the convention floor. The remaining votes, including nominating the party's candidate for president, will go to all convention delegates on a single ballot delivered by email. They'll have between Aug. 3 and Aug. 15 to fill out that ballot and forward it by email to state party officials. The convention begins Aug. 17. Those emailed ballots will include the delegate's name and another unique identifier such as a bar code that connects the delegate with his or her vote, the party said in an email to delegates. "The State Parties will be responsible for collecting all ballots from convention delegates as they would if we were conducting votes in person at the convention," the letter states. "At the conclusion of voting, each state delegation chair will submit a tally sheet to the Secretary's Office that formally records the number of votes cast on each item of convention business." Delegates will receive email updates when their votes are tallied by state party officials and will be able to reach out to those officials to ensure that their votes were recorded correctly, a DNC official told me. Delegates will also have the option of voting by phone or conventional mail if they object to email voting or lack Internet access, the official said. Biden's and Sanders's campaigns hosted webinars this weekend outlining the email-voting system for their delegates. "We want delegates to play their critical role without risk to their personal or the public health," said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about cybersecurity planning. "We know who all the delegates are. And because the votes are public, we feel confident that we could swiftly fix any problems that arise." The party is also taking measures to ensure that other elements of the convention are not disrupted by hackers such as speeches by Biden and top party officials. That includes buying services from cybersecurity companies and "deploy[ing] redundant and diverse connections and pathways for the programming and infrastructure that supports the programming," the official said. When several states piloted voting on mobile apps this year, it sparked so much concern that the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Election Assistance Commission sent states a guidance memo detailing the risks. The memo warned that returning ballots using the Internet poses "significant security risks," including that hackers could change large numbers of votes, block votes from being recorded or undermine ballot secrecy. Those risks are significantly mitigated when officials are not trying to both send a vote over the Internet and keep the voter's identity secret. But they're not eliminated. "The stakes are obviously a lot lower in a party convention setting than a general election context where online voting could be hacked to change the results," Alex Halderman, a University of Michigan election security expert, said. "But what's at stake here is the legitimacy of the process and for that reason security is still very important." For example, hackers could prevent a state from forwarding votes to the DNC by locking up its computers with ransomware or overwhelming its networks with Internet traffic. They could also change large numbers of votes by hacking into delegates' personal computers and mobile devices. That would probably be caught, but not before it publicly embarrassed the party. "I'm less concerned about this instance of remote voting because they won't be anonymous," Duncan Buell, a University of South Carolina election security expert, said. "But [the DNC] should contract with a really good security firm. They should have backups on top of backups and delegates should be checking their votes were cast the way they expected." The committee should also be as transparent as possible, Perez said, so there's less room for Russia or another hostile nation to spread phony rumors that votes are not being counted accurately or to otherwise spark fights between delegate factions. "Just like the DNC attack in 2016, this creates an opportunity for bad actors to cast doubts on results and further divide us as a nation," he said. - - - The Washington Post's Tonya Riley contributed to this report. DENVER Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenloopers Senate campaign reported raising $5.2 million over the past three months and said that a record for a Colorado Senate candidate. The campaign of his Republican opponent, Sen. Cory Gardner, said it took in $3.6 million from April 1 to June 30. But the incumbent had more than twice the cash available as did Hickenlooper almost $10.7 million versus $4.6 million. The reporting period includes the Democratic primary on June 30 that Hickenlooper won after a series of stumbles and he spent more than he raised in the latest reporting period. Other Democratic hopefuls have shattered Senate fundraising records nationally. Hickenlooper, a former presidential candidate, outraised Gardner in the first three months of the year. Gardner is seen as the most vulnerable Republican senator this year because Colorado has shifted to the left since his 2014 victory. While Hickenlooper won the primary handily despite the gaffes, Gardner and other Republicans had begun a multimillion-dollar ad campaign against Hickenlooper before that vote, and Hickenloopers allies have hit back. Democrats would need to net three seats and win the presidency to gain control of the Senate. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Migos are suing their longtime attorney Damien Granderson as they allege that he cheated them out of millions of dollars. The Atlanta-based hip-hop trio filed a complaint on Wednesday according to Variety with claims he 'abused his position of trust as Migos fiduciary from the moment he was retained as Migos lawyer.' The group - which consists of Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff - also say that Granderson 'cheated [the group] out of millions of dollars' and accused him of 'glaring conflicts of interest' including favoring their record label, Quality Control, which he also represented. Versace: Migos (pictured in September 2019) are suing their longtime attorney Damien Granderson as they allege that he cheated them out of millions of dollars Opposition: The Atlanta-based hip-hop trio filed a complaint on Wednesday according to Variety with claims Granderson (seen in July 2019) 'abused his position of trust as Migos fiduciary from the moment he was retained as Migos lawyer' The documents were filed by attorney Bryan Freedman as it has been alleged that Granderson 'concealed' from the group that Quality Control had an exclusive deal with Capitol that 'would allow Capitol to distribute all albums that QCM produced and that QCM was actually profitting far more handsomely than was apparent from the face of the documents that Granderson personally presenteed to Migos for immediate execution.' And they claim as a result a 2018 amendment to the group's deal with Capitol 'triggered an extension of the exclusive recording agreement between QCM and Migos, which Granderson knew to contain terms that were unconscionable for Migos.' The lawsuit also hits Granderson with allegations that he 'betray[ed] Migos when he failed disclose both the complete nature of his relationship with QCM and the complete nature of the conflict in representing both QCM and Migos.' Taking a stand: The group - which consists of Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff (seen left to right) - also say that Granderson 'cheated [the group] out of millions of dollars' and accused him of 'glaring conflicts of interest' including favoring their record label, Quality Control, which he also represented They also claim that he took more compensation in comparison to other lawyers in the field and accused him of 'incompetence' in other negotiations. The group's merchandising, publishing, and performing rights deals are also cited in the complaint. Granderson began working with Migos and Quality Control in 2013. Migos also aleges that their deal with the label 'were, and are, extremely unreasonable to Migos' and gave them 'the right to far-above-industry-norm compensation even though QCM was not required to perform any work at all.' Stacking up: They claim as a result a 2018 amendment to the group's deal with Capitol 'triggered an extension of the exclusive recording agreement between QCM and Migos, which Granderson (seen with YBN Cordae in July 2019) knew to contain terms that were unconscionable for Migos' The trio formed the rap group Migos in 2008 as they all grew up together outside of Atlanta. Their 2013 single Versace earned much notoriety, leading up to their debut album Yung Rich Nation in 2015. They have also released Culture in 2017, Culture II in 2018 as both Offset and Quavo have each released successful solo albums. Meanwhile, Culture III has been delayed for months. Culture album soon? The trio formed the rap group Migos in 2008 as they all grew up together outside of Atlanta, they are seen in June 2016 The members of Migos have been at the center of several legal issues throughout their career including Offset who earlier this month put forth a new request in his ongoing paternity battle over his daughter Kalea with her mother, Nicole Marie Algarin. The 28-year-old rapper (real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus) filed a request in his case taking place in Fulton County, Georgia, asking that Kalea use his last name. The four-year-old Kalea was born in 2015, two years before he married rapper and actress Cardi B. Name battle: The members of Migos have been at the center of several legal issues throughout their career including Offset who earlier this month put forth a new request in his ongoing paternity battle over his daughter Kalea with her mother, Nicole Marie Algarin His daughter currently goes by the name Kalea Maria Algarin, though Offset is requesting it be changed to Kalea Marie Algarin Cephus. He is also requesting joint legal and physical custody of his daughter Kalea. Algarin, who goes under the stage name Shya L'amour, filed court documents in October, asking for more child support from Offset. Last name: His daughter currently goes by the name Kalea Maria Algarin, though Offset is requesting it be changed to Kalea Marie Algarin Cephus Mother: Algarin, who goes under the stage name Shya L'amour, filed court documents in October, asking for more child support from Offset Offset has maintained that he does pay child support, but L'amour alleged in the documents that he only, 'provided limited financial support.' The documents also confirmed that DNA tests confirmed Offset is the father, and he has publicly acknowledged so, posing for a photo with her on Instagram last year. Offset has also claimed that he thinks both the mother and father should be financially supporting the child. Photo: The documents also confirmed that DNA tests confirmed Offset is the father, and he has publicly acknowledged so, posing for a photo with her on Instagram last year Offset has four children, including his one-year-old daughter Kulture with Cardi B, who he's been married to since 2017. He also has two sons, Jordan Cephus, 9, and Kody Cephus, 5, from two different women from previous relationships. Offset and Cardi: Offset has four children, including his one-year-old daughter Kulture with Cardi B, who he's been married to since 2017 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 13:12 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666700eb 1 Business 2021-state-budget,state-budget-deficit,house-of-representatives,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,economic-recovery Free The government and the House of Representatives have agreed in principle on 2021 state budget assumptions with a deficit of 4.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) to bolster the economy from the coronavirus-induced recession. The budget deficit is expected to reach 3.21 percent to 4.17 percent of GDP next year, but the government can widen the fiscal deficit to 4.7 percent if needed to fully support the recovery, said House Budget Committee vice chairman Muhidin Mohamad Said. The governments 2021 work plan is being directed to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boost human development, as well as industrial and tourism development, among other things, he told a plenary meeting on Tuesday. President Joko Jokowi Widodo will announce the detailed 2021 state budget, including exact revenue and expenditure figures, during his annual speech on Aug. 16. The government and the House agreed that the assumption underpinning the 2021 state budget would see state spending reach 13.11 percent to 15.17 percent of GDP, while tax revenue is expected to reach 8.25 percent to 8.63 percent and nontax income 1.6 percent to 2.3 percent of GDP. Indonesias economy could enter a recession in the third quarter this year as the government expects GDP to shrink by 3.8 percent to 5.1 percent in the second quarter and to decline by a further 1 percent in the third quarter. If the economy shrinks in the third quarter, it will mark Indonesias first recession since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. A recession happens when an economy shrinks in two consecutive quarters. Indonesias economic outlook will now depend on the ability to stimulate recovery after a drastic deterioration in economic activity, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told lawmakers in a hearing on July 9. She expects the economy to contract 0.4 percent this year under the worst-case scenario or grow 1 percent under the baseline scenario. The government expects the fiscal deficit to reach 6.34 percent this year as it allocates Rp 695.2 trillion (US$48.23 billion) in stimuli to strengthen the countrys healthcare response and bolster the economy amid the pandemic. Officials are now looking to accelerate spending to boost economic recovery and strengthen the countrys virus response after receiving criticism from President Joko Jokowi Widodo as well as from business and health communities for the slow disbursement of stimulus funds. Australia is already feeling the effects of Melbourne's second lockdown as the closing of state borders to stem Victoria's second coronavirus wave stifles economic recovery. Tax office data released on Tuesday revealed the country as a whole was beginning to recover from the pandemic - with 35 per cent of jobs lost during the crisis already regained as of June 27. The stage three restrictions re-imposed on Melbourne though following a resurgence in COVID-19 cases has hampered spending growth, according to the latest data from the Commonwealth bank. Commonwealth's figures showed spending in Victoria had fallen three per cent in the week to July 10. The bank's head of Australian economics Gareth Aird said the new lockdown would have the 'inevitable consequence of shutting down large parts of the economy' and could lead to a further spike in joblessness. Police outside the Alfred Street public housing tower in Melbourne on Saturday. The re-imposed lockdown in Victoria is already stifling economic growth, figures have shown 'The newly reimposed restrictions on businesses and households in Victoria will result in a new round of job losses,' he said. National Australia Bank chief economist Alan Oster said there were concerns economic recovery had levelled off as infection rates surged in Victoria. 'While the turnaround has possibly occurred faster than expected, things have certainly not fully recovered. 'While the rebound in confidence is encouraging, the survey suggests activity has some way to go before the business sector makes a full recovery.' Mr Oster said the recovery between Victoria's first and second lockdown had been the fastest on record with unprecedented increases in business confidence. Millions of Australians on pensions and low incomes this week were given cash boosts from the government this week, which it hopes will give another boost to the coronavirus-hit economy. The second round of $750 payments for pensioners, veterans and carers started going into people's bank accounts on Monday. It goes to about five million Australians at a cost of $3.8 billion. 35 per cent of jobs lost during the crisis have already been regained as of June 27, but consumer spending has dropped off in Melbourne during the second lockdown. Pictured are people queueing outside a Centrelink on March 23 at the onset of the pandemic A health official checks a a motorist at a testing center in Melbourne on Friday as lockdown is reimposed on Australia's second most populous city Stage three restrictions have been re-imposed on Melbourne following a resurgence in COVID-19 cases Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will outline the next phase of coronavirus support measures in an economic update on July 23, including the fate of the JobKeeper wage subsidy and the enhanced JobSeeker dole payment which are legislated to end in September. He acknowledged the return to lockdowns in Melbourne would be 'harsh on businesses and households'. No doubt, a duty calculator is one of the most important things if you want to ship something. In the past when there wasn't any, Ghanaians living within and outside the country were faced with the challenge of knowing the exact import duties on their vehicles. This led to financial problems of all sorts. However, since its introduction, many of these problems have been avoided. Refrigerated container being loaded on a container ship. Photo: Jorg Greuel Source: Getty Images How is duty calculated in Ghana? The car duty calculator in Ghana provides car importers within the country and abroad a fast, convenient, and correct duty and tax calculation for every imported vehicle into the country. It is a common misconception that only the richest politicians can import cars. This used vehicle duty calculator will help you find one that is within your range. This custom duty calculation sheet enables importers and exporters to make an intelligent and well-informed decisions when purchasing cars. With it, they know what the expenses are, and also, they can avoid unplanned taxes and duties as well as a complete seizure of their automobile. How to get your car through customs in Ghana To clear your vehicle through customs in a West Africa country, you will need to meet the following requirements: Title and registration Original purchase invoice Insurance papers and Passport The model, make and serial number of the automobile packing list Certificate of value and origin Cars must be between five and ten years old. Note that vehicles older than ten years are subject to additional taxes and duties The car cannot have more than a quarter tank of gas Also, ensure to find out if Ghana requires you to file for a FERI, ECTN, BSC, or an ASHI before the vehicle enters the country. Cost of importing second-hand cars in Ghana How is duty calculated on cars in Ghana? The costs of shipping a car to Ghana ranges between $1150 and $1600 for sedans and regular SUVs. Most shipping companies usually take vehicles to the port of Tema in Ghana. Do you want to import cars as your favourite musicians do? Then this is your best bet. However, the price and the time it takes to get there depend on a wide range of factors. Some of these factors include the shipping method, budget, type of car, and place where the vehicle is located. Ghana's customs department employs the use of value known as CIF, which means Cost, Insurance, and Freight, to calculate taxes and duties that need to be paid for a vehicle. Just like it is important to have a Ghana card, the CIF is also a must-have. Also, the CIF value of your car is needed to enable you to have an idea of the total cost incurred during the shipping of your vehicle. The guide below should help you determine what the total cost would be when shipping your cars: For import duty, it is 5, 10 or 20% of the CIF value of a car A percent of the CIF value is charged for examination ECOWAS development levy is 5% of CIF value Export development (EDIF) levy is 0.5% of CIF value 12.5% of inclusive duty value (CIF + duty) is charged for the import VAT NHIL (Health insurance levy) is 5% of inclusive duty value How is vehicle duty calculated in Ghana? Aerial front view Container cargo ship full carrier container with terminal commercial port background. Photo: Suriyapong Thongsawang Source: Getty Images How much is the duty for cars in Ghana? Import duties on cars in Ghana are subjected to some factors. The classification of vehicles and the valuation and import duty calculation affects the import duties as follows: Classification of vehicles The category of vehicles being imported determines the amount of import duty in Ghana. Also, any imported or exported car (traded internationally) is listed in a customs document known as the Harmonized Code. The Harmonized System is used to classify all imported cars that go through customs. Cars are assigned codes and categories depending on vehicle import duty Ghana specified rates. The Ghanaian customs department checks the code of items such as cars imported into the country. This helps them to determine the category that each car belongs to. Immediately the class and code of the items are confirmed, the department then states how much import duty and other taxes are to be paid. To save time and make the process easier, importers are advised to check the code beforehand and prepare the relevant payment. Valuation and import duty calculation How is the duty calculated in Ghana? To calculate the import duty of items using the duty calculator, the item's insurance, cost, and freight values are considered. The value of any item shall be provided by the company inspecting them at the destination in Ghana. This decision is made after scrutiny of the invoice and other documents made available by the importer. Then, a Ghana import tax calculator is used to calculate the duty to be paid. A good import duty calculator is available on the websites of shipping companies or trade websites in Ghana. The Ghana import duty calculator is usually based on the duty rates on the CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) of the product. To calculate the CIF of your vehicle, add the value of the cargo to the FOB (cost of shipping) and the Sea Freight/Transport insurance cost. The used duty calculator Ghana also depends on the HS code. Hence, a vehicle duty is calculated at 5%, 10%, or 20% of the CIF (CIF = value of cargo + FOB + Sea Freight/Transport) on the duty calculator. Ghana import duty exemptions The following items are exempted from import duty in Ghana: Machinery/equipment for agricultural use Food and milk for feeding babies or infants Any products owned by specified privileged government officials, institutions, and organizations Items owned by individuals from diplomatic missions Advertising materials. For instance, trade samples requested by the importer that will be re-exported after use Baggage concessions and personal effects, aircraft parts and accessories Fish caught by Ghanaian owned boats, canoes, floats, and gear Educational, cultural and scientific related materials Foodstuffs, including raw foodstuffs and garri. It should be noted that meat and alcoholic beverages coming in from West Africa are not exempted Ban on overage cars in Ghana Ghana has banned the import of cars older than ten years to help well established international companies, such as Volkswagen AG and Nissan Motor Co., set up local plants within the country. The law will also allow import-duty rebates for companies that manufacture or assemble vehicles in Ghana. Nowadays, used cars account for 70 percent of vehicles imported into Ghana. Hence, the customs department and even importers usually utilize the duty calculator to predict the specific import duty on any car they intend to bring into the country. Are you planning to import a second-hand vehicle into Ghana? If you are, then you need to know about the cost of importing and how to use the duty calculator. This will help you in the planning process. You will also know what to avoid doing to make the process as smooth as possible. Yen.com.gh has all the information you will need about GCNet Ghana's location, head office, and car values. GCNet is an EDI system that is vital in connecting various shippers and clearing and forwarding experts. Through this system, the processing of clearance documentation was made much faster. This system also features sufficient infrastructure, which is essential in boosting a seamless workflow in the long run. Source: YEN.com.gh Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:13:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHANGHAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists set off for the 11th Arctic expedition Wednesday aboard Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. It is the first scientific expedition to the Arctic for Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, after it completed its first Antarctica expedition in April. It is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 12,000 nautical miles. The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, plans to conduct a series of investigations into biodiversity and ecosystems, ocean acidification and chemical environment, and new pollutants in areas including the Chukchi Rise, Canada Basin, and the central Arctic Ocean. It will further improve China's scientific understanding of climate change in the Arctic, and lay a solid foundation for the country to better respond to global climate change. Enditem Putting nature above business considerations has the potential to generate 395 million jobs and $10.1 trillion in business opportunities by 2030, the latest report by World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests. Unprecedented job losses and economic uncertainty following the outbreak of covid-19 have governments looking into ways to stimulate growth in a safe manner. According to the WEF experts, the answer can be found in what they call a nature first approach. The global economy is inextricably linked to the health of our planet, the report says. How we produce, manufacture, consume and ultimately manage our waste is straining natures ability to cope. THE NEW APPROACH TO MINING AND ENERGY GENERATION COULD CREATE 87 MILLION JOBS IN 10 YEARS The World Economic Forum When it comes to mining and power generation, the authors said that nature-positive business those that add value to nature could generate an estimated $3.5 trillion worth of annual value and create 87 million jobs by 2030. Accounting for an estimated 23% of global GDP and 16% of employment, the extraction, production, manufacturing and generation of energy and materials is both a major contributor to global economic growth and a major threat to biodiversity, the report reads. The WEF adds that the sectors negative effects air pollution and carbon emissions account for $9 trillion annually, or around 10.5% of global GDP. Reversing the costly impact, the report asserts, involves improving consumption efficiency to reduce the amount of resources that need to be extracted. It also involves improving how those resources are extracted to minimize their impact on ecosystems while shifting to more renewable energy. Supportive regulations such as those that encourage and support environmentally sound extractives project design, systematic rehabilitation of mining sites, and waste collection and reuse will be significant in unlocking the value of nature-positive businesses. Circular economy The study is built on real-world examples, where business outcomes have been enhanced by nature-positive outcomes. British multinational automaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) collected and reused around 300,000 tonnes of aluminum between 2013 and 2019. It translated into a 30% recovery of the 180,000 tonnes of aluminum (JLR) used annually in the six-year period. The initiative has resulted in an overall drop of 46% of carbon emissions in JLRs global vehicle production operations. Elion, the first Chinese company to commit to 100% renewables in its operations by 2030, started as a salt chemical engineering business in the Kubuqi Desert of inner Mongolia. Frequent sandstorms damaged production and increased costs in its early years of operation. To combat desertification and sandstorms, Elion developed a comprehensive ecological restoration-based economic system. The company has already restored nearly 650,000 hectares of desert land, thanks to the construction of sand-protecting barriers, afforestation and the closure of land for natural regeneration. This has allowed the formation of an ecological microclimate in the desert, which is attracting eco-tourists and companies focused on growing medicinal plants. We can address the looming bio-diversity crisis and reset the economy in a way that creates and protects millions of jobs, Akanksha Khatri, Head of the Nature Action Agenda at the WEF, said in a statement. Related: The Tweet That Started A Trade War The transition to a green economy is being fuelled by minerals, with demand for resources projected to double by 2060. It means that the mining sector will play a critical role in the massification of technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels. Improving resource recovery in extraction can save up to $225 billion by 2030, the report says. Mining and oil and gas operations often do not fully utilize all the resources in one site before moving on to new areas, increasing damage to biodiversity. New technologies and more mechanization could enhance material recovery rates by up to 50%. Investing in environmental, social and governance (ESG) is currently estimated at over $20 trillion in assets under management, according to Deloittes estimates. Companies that fail to deliver value beyond compliance could face financial consequences and a blow to their reputations. By Mining.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Willful, Canadas leading online estate planning platform, today announces that it has closed a new round of funding led by Montreal-based venture capital firm Tactico. The oversubscribed round also included participation from York Angels, and from existing investors including Real Ventures. Tactico specializes in post-seed and Series A investments, and has a track record of investing in and scaling Canadian companies, including Mylo. We launched Willful to empower Canadians to create their estate and emergency planning documents online, and COVID-19 has highlighted just how important it is to plan for the unexpected, said Erin Bury, co-founder and CEO at Willful. Were thrilled to partner with Tactico to continue to expand on our mission to ensure every Canadian has a solid estate plan in place. The funding will be used to launch new products that make it easier for Canadians to prepare for their own legacy, while also giving their families the tools to wrap up a loved ones life. The company will also be investing in its partner program, building on its existing partnerships with companies including Wealthsimple, Sonnet, and CAA. As a Montreal-based firm, Tactico will also be instrumental in leading Willfuls Quebec launch. In addition to the funding, Tactico Managing Partner Liam Cheung will be joining Willfuls Board of Directors. Willful launched in 2017 to give Canadians an easy, affordable, and convenient way to create a will and Power of Attorney documents online. To date, the company has helped customers in seven provinces create over 30,000 documents. Tactico has a commitment to investing in innovative Canadian companies who are using technology to make complex processes more accessible, whether thats investing your money or creating legal documents, said Liam Cheung, Managing Partner at Tactico. Our leadership team has seen first-hand how difficult it is to plan for and deal with an estate, so were not only investors - were customers who believe that Canadians will increasingly need better tools to deal with death in a digital age. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Willful experienced a 500% surge in demand from Canadians interested in online estate planning and provided over 2,500 free plans to frontline healthcare workers. The company also has a core focus on encouraging legacy gifts to charities, and has partnered with charities including YWCA Canada. To learn more about Willful, visit willful.co About Willful Willful is on a mission to change the way Canadians prepare for and deal with death. Their first product is an online platform that makes it affordable, convenient, and easy for Canadians to create a legal will online. The platform provides simplified estate planning services (creation of a Legal Will, Power of Attorney for Personal Care, and Power of Attorney for property), enabling consumers to create a will and/or power of attorney by following a clear step-by-step process. Willfuls platform was developed in collaboration with leading estate lawyers, and has pricing plans starting at $99. Willful is based in Toronto, and it is currently available to residents of Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. About Tactico Tactico is a hands-on venture capital firm specializing in implementing strategic and tactical solutions for curated, early-stage investments. Along with providing capital, Tacticos partners get involved in helping business stakeholders establish the future strategic direction of the company. Its leadership team has extensive experience building and operating successful businesses and navigating dynamic corporate climates. Tactico has broken down the barriers so that accredited investors have the opportunity to invest alongside us through targeted special purpose vehicles (SPVs). 'Racist' protesters at the Scottish-English border were 'inspired by comments by SNP politicians', a Tory MP has claimed. John Lamont MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, prompted heated exchanges in the Commons today as SNP MPs rushed to condemn 'anti-Englishness'. Speaking during an SNP Opposition day debate, Mr Lamont branded the protests 'totally unacceptable' and also claimed the SNP 'will use any means to push for their independence obsession'. He said: 'We had the horrific scenes on the Scottish-English border in my constituency, on the A1 north of Berwick, of nationalist protesters shouting, and I quote, 'stay the F out' at English people travelling into Scotland. 'Now these racist protesters have admitted taking inspiration from the division stoked by the SNP politicians, they were inspired by comments by SNP politicians, and one of the protesters has been pictured with Nicola Sturgeon (and other senior SNP figures).' Footage online posted last week showed groups of people dressed up in biohazard suits waving flags and holding banners, with one saying 'Staycation Keep Scotland Covid Free,' as reported by ChronicleLive. Protest Police were called to the border where Northumberland meets Berwickshire in Scotland and gave advice to protesters, but no arrests are thought to have been made. Another video, which was widely shared on Twitter, a protester said: 'We are really laying it on thick, and I think what we are saying is, stay the f*** out.' Responding in an intervention, the SNP's Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) said: '(He) accuses effectively this bench of stoking racism. The SNP condemns unreservedly any kind of anti-Englishness and any kind of racism directed at people from south of the border.' Mr Lamont said: 'The completely unacceptable behaviour towards our neighbours and friends and family members trying to cross the border between Scotland and England, coming into my constituency to work, to see family members, to visit friends, and nationalist protesters with yes banners were shouting abuse at them - totally unacceptable.' The SNP's Patricia Gibson (North Ayrshire and Arran) said the 'allegations' were 'hysterical'. John Lamont Intervening, she said: 'The SNP, as he knows, does not have any truck with racism in any of its forms, and if he's suggesting that the SNP's an anti-English party, if you seek self-government, if that makes a country racist, then that means that every other 190 members of the UN are all racist countries... the First Minister's granny is English, so what possible motivation could he have for these hysterical comments?' Mr Lamont said the SNP's call for a Brexit extension is 'not about protecting Scotland's economy, it's not about assisting the economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, but it's all about creating further uncertainty and constitutional chaos to assist the nationalist dream of breaking up the UK. That is their top priority, that is their only priority'. He went on: 'The SNP lack ambition for our great nation of Scotland, and I'm sad to see the division and uncertainty in Scotland that the SNP are stoking up in an attempt to score political points - they will use any means to push for their independence obsession. 'It will not come as any surprise to the House that I will not be supporting the SNP's motion tonight. The SNP are desperately trying to undermine the UK and the UK internal market, putting Scottish jobs and the livelihoods of my constituents and other Scots at risk.' A giant tornado formed over the sea this week as an east coast low continues to batter the New South Wales coastline with heavy rain, damaging winds and huge waves. A fisherman in a boat near Stanwell Tops, 57km south of Sydney, captured the moment a terrifying wind tunnel shot from a dark cloud into the ocean on Tuesday. 'It is just the cloud refuelling isn't it?' the fisherman is hearing joking, as the water spout extended into the sky. A vortex continued to churn for several seconds before its tail began to fade and the funnel was slowly sucked up into the cloud. The weather phenomenon, generated by strong winds, came as wild weather lashed the state's coastline. A gigantic sea tornado (pictured) formed off near Stanwell Tops, 57km south of Sydney, on Tuesday amid severe winds conditions Ten metre waves pummelled beaches across Sydney on Tuesday, with the peak height reaching 11.6 metres overnight. The chilly weather is set to barrel into the weekend, with a low pressure system and troughs sweeping strong winds, large waves and heavy showers across eastern NSW from Wednesday. Sydney is unlikely to warm until Saturday, which would make this the longest spell below 18C in several years. A severe weather warning is currently in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden Coasts. Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous in those regions for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming. Swell rose up to 11.6m as an east coast low swept wild weather across the NSW coastline (pictured, large waves hit onlookers at Bronte pool in Sydney on Tuesday) A man's umbrella was turned inside-out as wild weather lashed Sydney on Tuesday (pictured) Two people walk through heavy rain and wind at Bondi on Tuesday, as severe winds gushed onshore (pictured) Huge swell was pictured continuing to pound the coast along the eastern suburbs beaches in Sydney on Wednesday morning. The wild weather will bring showers, keeping Sydney wet up through Friday. The Harbour City will dry up over the weekend, remaining partly cloudy, with a low of 8C and high of 20C on Sunday. Meanwhile, the low and troughs will bring showers in eastern Victoria as well as alpine snow. In Western Australia, a strong cold front is blowing blistery winds and showers across the state's southwest. Perth can expect a wet end to the week, with a thunderstorm set to strike late on Wednesday afternoon. Downpours will continue until Sunday, when skies will begin to clear before ushering in a sunny start to next week. Huge swell was pictured continuing to pound the coast along the Eastern suburbs beaches in Sydney on Wednesday morning (pictured) A severe weather warning has been initiated along Sydney's coastline due to dangerous surf and swell conditions (pictured on Wednesday) It will remain chilly and cloudy in Melbournians heading into the weekend with the mercury dipping to 5C and only topping a moderately cool 15C. Showers will increase from Sunday, leading into a wet start to next week. Similar conditions will be felt in Canberra, but temperatures will plummet further- dropping to an icy -1C on Saturday morning, which ironically is the only sunny day the capital city will see this week. The cloud cover extending into Monday will see temperatures sit between -1C to a maximum of 14C. Hobart will also shiver through cool conditions, dropping to 3C on Friday and Saturday morning. The temperature won't climb far- reaching a high 12C over the weekend, when showers are expected. Adelaide's run of clear weather will come to a halt, as Saturday evening showers signal the start of daily showers through to Monday. A video from near Terrigal shows taken on Wednesday morning (pictured) shows huge waves continuing to pound the coastline A severe weather warning for coastal activities was put in place on Wednesday for the majority of the NSW coastline A map shows the low and troughs along the New South Wales coast line bringing more wet weather conditions over coming days However, a sunny streak is in store for the northern parts of the nation. Brisbane residents will enjoy warm weather right through to the weekend, with the heat basking around the low 20s. Darwin will be sunny and dry with temperature ranging from the high teens into the thirties. A gale wind warning is in place for the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast and a strong wind warning for Sydney Closed Waters, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast. Tornadic watersprouts are twirling masses of water droplets associated with severe thunderstorms, that are produced by severe winds. They are often accompanied by high sea conditions, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning. The Shiv Sena on Tuesday criticised Nepal prime minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli over his recent statement that the real Ayodhya the birthplace of Lord Ram lies in Nepal, and not in India. Sena said that Oli would soon claim that Mughal emperor Babur was from Nepal as well. Calling the PMs statement laughable, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana termed Oli a puppet of China, who has been spewing venom against India lately. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is the puppet of China. He has been speaking against India daily on the instructions of China. First, he created controversy on maps, and now he has directly dragged Lord Ram into the Nepal-India conflict... He has said that Indias Ayodhya is fake and that the real Ayodhya is in Nepal that Lord Ram was Nepalese. These statements of Oli are laughable, the editorial said. The editorial further asked why Oli did not come forward sooner to make his claim as the Ram Janmabhoomi movement has been on for 70-75 years. The Sena further ridiculed Olis statement and said, Today, he has claimed Ayodhya and Lord Ram are Nepalese. Tomorrow he will claim even Babur was from Nepal. Lord Ram belongs to the whole world, but Ram Janmabhoomi belongs to India alone, and there is no need for controversy on this. The editorial added that Oli has forgotten the cultural and religious ties between the two countries and is speaking against India as his position is under threat. Oli has become a slave of China and has decided to convert his countrys culture into a Chinese one, it said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In sum, it seems Iran is staging a China-inspired bite-back at India, at a time when New Delhi is pushing out a Chinese app one day and a company on the next In what many will see as an entirely unsurprising development, Iran has reportedly decided to cancel Indian participation in a rail project that connected Chabahar Port via Zahedan to Afghanistan. That project was Indias strategic gate pass to trade with the landlocked country, thus bypassing Pakistan altogether. Now it seems that the Iranians have inaugurated the 628-kilometre line without any Indian participation. Meanwhile, India has denied the reports, with The Times of India quoting officials as saying that New Delhi remains "committed to building the Chabahar-Zahedan railway line and is continuously engaged with Iranian authorities concerned to take this important project forward." Deal-making during disaster So heres the unsurprising part. Iran has cut oil production to its lowest in 40 years and is struggling with a more-than-severe COVID-19 death toll not to mention an accident at its Natanz nuclear facility. That led to political repercussions serious enough to merit a national address from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei himself. Tehran could do with money, technology, assistance, the lot. China is said to be standing ready to offer a $400 billion investment deal, details of which yet not public, and which is yet to be ratified by the Majlis. Being Iran, there are naturally leaks. According to The New York Times, the deal will bring Chinese investment into not just oil and gas, but a variety of sectors including railways and banking, in return for which Beijing will receive heavily discounted oil over the next 25 years. Sources also allege that the deal includes priority rights to Beijing on any related project, concessions upto nearly 32 percent, and a reported military dimension that entails the detailing of a small Chinese military contingent in the state. All of this seems to have been in discussion since January 2016, when a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which among other things committed Iran to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was inked and stated that "both sides shall enhance their bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas such as fossil fuels... security of demand and supply, as well as transfer and transportation of fossil fuels". In sum, none of this is really new, except the extent to which Iran has been pushed against the wall by Beijing at a time of serious crisis. And no wonder then that even the Ayatollah is backing the deal. Chinese promises and puzzles But heres the hard boiled approach. China has a habit of promising billions and cutting off a couple of zeroes on the ground. In actual figures, Chinese exports to Iran dropped 70 percent in the last quarter of 2018 after sanctions were re-imposed, from $1.2 billion to a low of $400 million in December. In April 2020, Bloomberg, quoting Chinese customs authorities, noted that imports of Iranian oil in March had amounted to just under $115 million, down 89 percent, year on year the lowest in 20 years. Although ghost ships and imports through third countries may continue to some extent, the fact is that Chinese banks are also putting the screws on what businesses can be conducted. In effect, Beijing turned the tap off, forcing Iranians to resort to payments in cash, and transfers via other countries. Thats no way to do business. All of this despite the fact that Iran offered outright and public support to China on the COVID-19 crisis. As a telling analysis notes, with Chinese total investment in the Belt and Road Initiative totalled as $500 to 600 billion by 2022, Beijing was hardly likely to put around two-thirds of a yearly figure into incredibly risky Iran. Of course, China can do with (really) cheap oil. The question is whether it will actually pay for it. India and the port Meanwhile, India continues to operate two berths at Chabahar Port. Phase One of the project was completed in 2017, and physical transfer taking place with a 10-year contract awarded to the Special Purpose Vehicle "Indian Ports Global, Chabahar Free Zone". The first shipments began in August. However, imposition of sanctions meant that bidders to maintain, manage and operate the port have been difficult to find, as have tenders for equipment. Indian investment has recently revived as the government allocated Rs 100 crore in the 2020 budget; and also provided the company with an exemption from the Department of Public Enterprises guidelines, very shortly after the visit of Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to Tehran. Meanwhile, the port itself continues to provide the ingress to Afghanistan, as Delhi obtained a waiver for the purpose. Goods moved quickly, but by road only. Sanctions and railways It was during the truly historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tehran in 2016 the first prime ministerial visit since 2001 that the agreement for a 'transit corridor' was signed in the presence of President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, for a rail link from Chabahar to the Afghan border. That was later fleshed out in 2018 with Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON) slated to take on the task at a cost of $1.6 billion. Notably, it also involved Iranian companies to build parts of the railway, in a bid to revive local capability. However, work seems to have stalled, as other countries like France, South Korea and Russia among others, who were involved in building local railway capacity backed off as sanctions bit. On the face of it therefore, Tehran is justified in asking India to pull out. But as it is more than obvious that Chinese companies will also face US sanctions if they weigh in to make the railway, the whole exercise seems rather pointless. In sum, it seems Tehran is staging a China-inspired bite-back at India, at a time when New Delhi is pushing out a Chinese app one day and a company on the next. Iran wants that deal, and no one can seriously malign it for that reason. But the deal will be troublesome internally and externally. Iranians are already dealing with a flood of Chinese goods killing off local competition, and any larger Chinese presence in Iran particularly a military one will be problematic for Beijings own West Asia policy, besides being against Irans own Constitution. Besides, there is the fact that the port and the railway are part of the International North South Transport Corridor, am ambitious connectivity project that involves at least 13 countries, to move goods into Russia and Europe. Iranian officials were recently trying to promote this project, as a route between India and Russia. Delhi seems to to be finally ready to go all out on the project, despite a hovering China, and a US policy that is suicidal for the region. Hopefully, this jolt will only lead to a further pressing down of the accelerator, and not another bout of 'rethinking' that is so popular within the Indian bureaucracy. While most celebrities try their best to avoid steering subjects that could encourage intense public arguments and disapproval, some are maybe too nai ve, unaware, or deliberately trying to gain hate from the public. Because of such statements and actions, they receive backlash causing them to lose fans, brand deals, etc. On the brighter side, such experience will make them a better person at the end of the day. Here are 5 Korean actors who suffered immense backlash due to their controversial actions: 1. Kim Ji Hoon In the year 2013, Kim Ji Hoon suffered consequences of his statements when he was asked in an interview about his guilty pleasures. Actor Kim Ji Hoon answered that he liked the feeling when he disobeys traffic laws. He says that it feels thrilling when he is able to turn left with a right signal and turn right using a left signal. He is quite happy that he is able to take his friends to a 30-minute-drive place in a span of 10 minutes. When the person interviewing him made sure to tell him that his "guilty pleasure" is illegal and gives him the chance to clarify his statement, Kim Ji Hoon continues to talk about how disobeying traffic laws feels very thrilling. Because of this, the public criticized him for his selfish deeds. 2. Kang Sung Jin After Kang Sung Jin and his wife made an appearance in "Normal Family." He and his wife received a lot of hate when they gave a coming-of-age party for their son when they found out that his son had his first wet dream. The discomfort in their son's eyes is very evident and, of course, plain embarrassment. The public commented that the situation would make their son feel more embarrassed and most likely experience bullying. 3. Han Ji Sun In the year 2019, actress Han Ji Sun's face was all over news headlines when she physically assaulted a taxi driver by hitting him on the head with a thermos after getting drunk. When she was sent to the police station, she also assaulted a few of the police officers by biting them, slapping their arms and kicking them. After receiving so much hate from the public, her acting career completely went haywire and was never given any acting roles, making the matters worse. Her scandal completely ruined her image as a celebrity. 4. Park Si Hoo Actor Park Si Hoo received a lot of hate about a statement during a press conference for the drama that he acted in called "The Wind, Cloud And Rain." When he was asked about the scene that the public should highly anticipate, he answered the scene when Go Sung Hee, his female lead actress, revealed some skin. This very inappropriate statement got him to receive immense backlash. Later on, Park Si Hoo was allegedly involved in a rape scandal in the year 2013, which made his image went down the drain. 5. Kim Yoo Bin Actor Kim Yoo Bin experience public hate when he posted a story about the "Nth Room." His story post seemed like he was defending perpetrators. However, Kim Yoo Bin posts an apology saying that it was intended for people who treat Korean Men like they are criminals. He says that he posted the story due to anger, and he apologizes for it. However, he was again facing the consequences when it was discovered that he follows a deepfake pornography account, which made him lose fans and gained hatred from the public. After such experience, Kim Yoo Bin made all of his accounts private and became quiet in social media sites. ATLANTA, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TV personality Chef Tregaye Fraser is best known for bringing fun and creativity to food. As the country deals with social distancing, just in time for National Picnic Month, Chef Fraser shares some timely flavors that make picnicking a special summer activity. PICNIC MUST-HAVES Chef Tregaye Fraser share her tips for the perfect picnic. Blueberries are a summer picnic must-have. Not only is July National Picnic Month, but it's also National Blueberry Month. Refreshing, nutritious and convenient, blueberries are a good source of fiber and vitamin C and are an easy and flavorful snack to bring along to all your summer outings. Make sure to include some delicious recipes like: Blueberry and Watermelon Salad with Marinated Feta Cheese, a fabulous Bento Box, or Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Brownies in the picnic basket. Blueberries can be eaten by the handful or try putting frozen blueberries into drinks. Blueberries are the perfect everyday snack and addition to any picnic, and they are certified as heart-healthy through the American Heart Association Heart-Check Food Certification Program. Visit BlueberryCouncil.org for more about the health benefits of blueberries, recipes and more. SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUN BEVERAGE Stellabrate Summer with America's favorite semi-sweet, semi-sparkling Italian wine, Stella Rosa! It comes in 25 all-natural fruit flavors, like new Blueberry, Watermelon and Golden Honey Peach. There is also Stella Rosa Royale the classic Rosso flavor, now with 8% alcohol, and the new single-serving, ready-to-drink Stella Rosa cans in five flavors. Check out the "Stellabrate CANvenience" at local stores or at stellarosa.com. Serve chilled, Stella Rosa is the perfect addition to any picnic. TIME-SAVING FAVORITE FOR A PICNIC KFC always has everyone covered for a delicious picnic. Now, KFC is introducing new Secret Recipe Fries. They are seasoned with unique a blend of secret herbs and spices that are the perfect complement to their world-famous fried chicken. Together, they are a convenient and delicious pairing for any picnic! Save time with a KFC Bucket meal, like the $20 Fill Up. Just stop by a drive-thru or order online at KFC.com for an easy and convenient picnic meal option. EASY PICNIC RECIPES TO SHARE Cheese is always a winner at every picnic, but not just any cheese! Start by looking for a proven winner, the Proudly Wisconsin Cheese badge, on packaging nationwide. Wisconsin wins more awards for cheese than any other state, region, or country. Create a beautiful cheese board with fresh fruits, veggies and any favorite pairing partners. For picnic success, pack a salad like a delicious Grilled Chicken and Merlot Cheese salad with vinaigrette dressing. The Sartori Merlot BellaVitano cheese in this recipe is delicious. Pro-tip award-winning cheese elevates every picnic experience. For more information, visit www.WisconsinCheese.com. contact: [email protected] Related Images national-picnic-month.jpg National Picnic Month Chef Tregaye Fraser share her tips for the perfect picnic. Related Links Video Blog Post SOURCE Tips on TV A black college student charged with shooting dead a 17-year-old white girl says he fired in self-defense but his lawyers argue Georgia's 'stand your ground' law isn't been applied in his case because of his race. Marc Wilson, 21, has been jailed since mid-June on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault over the June 14 shooting death of Haley Hutcheson in Statesboro in southeast Georgia. Wilson has argued he fired his licensed handgun in self-defense after Hutcheson and her friends in a pickup truck yelled racial slurs and tried to run him and his white girlfriend off the road. Hutcheson was struck in the head by a bullet and died hours later in hospital. The defense team representing Wilson, who is the son of a black father and white mother, say the college student is being treated differently because of his skin color. They fear that Georgia's self-defense laws, which allow people to use deadly force when facing grave and imminent threats, are not being applied because of Wilson's race. Marc Wilson, 21, has been jailed since mid-June on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault over the June 14 shooting death of Haley Hutcheson in Statesboro in southeast Georgia A Superior Court judge postponed a preliminary hearing for Wilson last week after two defense witnesses were exposed to COVID-19. The judge has also imposed a gag order in the case the day after defense lawyers held a news conference to give Wilson's side of the story. Statesboro Police have released little information on the case and Wilson's attorney and family say investigators have failed to publicly mention his self-defense claim. The college student has remained in prison since his arrest. Wilson's attorney Francys Johnson told reporters that the student and his white girlfriend had just picked up food from a Taco Bell at about 12.30am when a pickup truck pulled alongside Wilson's much smaller Ford Focus. Johnson said young white men were 'hanging out of the window, waving their arms' as they yelled racial slurs at the couple and shouted 'your lives don't matter'. He said the pickup's driver tried to run Wilson off the road and some type of object struck Wilson's car before Wilson fired his gun. 'Marc Wilson stood his ground, he shot back, he defended his life,' Johnson said. He said that if Wilson had been a white man defending himself against black antagonists 'he would have been given a medal and not given a prosecution'. Wilson has argued he fired his licensed handgun in self-defense after Hutcheson and her friends in a pickup truck yelled racial slurs and tried to run him and his white girlfriend off the road The defense team representing Wilson, who is the son of a black father and white mother, say the college student is being treated differently because of his skin color During a news conference at Statesboro police headquarters two days after the shooting, weeping relatives described Hutcheson as a loving, opinionated teenager who would start her junior year of high school in the fall. They pleaded for witnesses to come forward. 'You took a beautiful child from this sister, that child did not deserve to get what she got,' the slain girl's uncle, Brent Holcombe, told reporters. 'There can be mercy. There can forgiveness. But justice has to be served.' Wilson turned himself in and was arrested the following day. An incident report states that Hutcheson was shot in a 'possible drive-by shooting' but gives no other details. Records show that after the shooting, police charged 18-year-old Luke Harry Conley, who was in the pickup truck with Hutcheson, with misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer. The police report doesn't say why he was charged but investigative records obtained by Atlanta Journal-Constitution show that Conley had initially told police the shooting was unprovoked. Investigators later determined that Conley had been seen yelling out of the truck's window before the shooting and that someone in the pickup truck may have thrown a beer can at Wilson's car. The police documents also said those in the truck described hearing two or more gunshots before a bullet hit Hutcheson in the head. During a news conference at Statesboro police headquarters two days after the shooting, weeping relatives described Hutcheson as a loving, opinionated teenager who would start her junior year of high school in the fall A Change.org petition in support of Wilson has received more than 93,000 signatures as of Wednesday and a GoFundMe page to help with his legal costs has raised more than $27,000 Wilson's attorney said the 21-year-old turned himself in to police soon after the shooting and told them he fired his gun fearing for his life but he was arrested anyway. He tried to contrast Wilson's treatment by police with that of the white father and son who pursued and shot an unarmed Ahmaud Arbery in February after spotting the young black man running in their neighborhood in Georgia. Gregory McMichael told police his son, Travis McMichael, killed Arbery with a shotgun after Arbery attacked him. The McMichaels remained free for more than two months before later being jailed on murder charges when the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case. The Rev. James Woodall, president of the Georgia NAACP, said he fears that Georgia self-defense laws, which allow people to use deadly force when facing grave and imminent threats, haven't been applied in Wilson's case because of his race. 'If Black people cannot stand their ground as well, then nobody should be able to,' Woodall said. He argues the case is 'shaping up to be a public lynching'. In an interview with Yahoo News, Wilson's white cousin Chance Pridgen said he doesn't think he would have been in jail if it was him who fired the gun. 'Stand your ground is implemented across the country many times, but I do strongly believe that it was not implemented or extended to my cousin because of him being a biracial young man,' Pridgen said. 'I feel pretty strong that had that been me, the prosecution would have never happened.' A Change.org petition in support of Wilson has received more than 93,000 signatures as of Wednesday and a GoFundMe page to help with his legal costs has raised more than $27,000. Egypt may have passed its peak infection rate and could be entering the flattening phase of daily cases ahead of a gradual drop during July, August, and possibly through September, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said on Saturday. Abdel-Ghaffars statement came as Egypts daily toll of infections began to flatten. According to Hossam Hosni, the head of the Scientific Committee to Combat Coronavirus, infection figures need to stabilise for at least a week before it can be said that Egypt is past the peak. Egypts record of daily coronavirus cases 1,774 was recorded on 19 June. Since the reopening of the country on 27 June the daily figure has stabilised, hovering between 900-1,000 infections since last week. Comparing the number of infections in the last week of June to the first of July, Health Minister Hala Zayed said that 10,518 coronavirus cases were detected nationwide between 23 and 29 June but the figure went down to 8,404 cases between 30 June and 6 July. Al-Ahram Weekly visited the Fatimid Cairo Hospital, one of the 376 isolation hospitals designated by the Health Ministry to ease the burden from fever and chest hospitals, and found the decrease in infection rates reflected on the ground. We used to receive between 4,000 to 5,000 people a day half of whom, after CT scans, could be classified as suspected cases. Now the daily number does not exceed 1,000, an otolaryngologist at Fatimid Cairo Hospital told the Weekly. Since the beginning of June the Health Ministry has used clinical examination results, chest x-rays, and laboratory analyses to identify suspected cases of coronavirus. Patients testing positive start receiving treatment immediately after the PCR test result is available. The otolaryngologist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that during his 24-hour working shift on Monday the hospital was visited by 700 patients none of whom were diagnosed with the infection. The majority of the Fatimid Cairo Hospitals 64 beds, which used to be filled with coronavirus patients, are now vacant, and there are only 12 patients isolated in the hospital. At the French Qasr Al-Aini Hospital, which has 200 beds and which was designated as an isolation hospital in April, there are currently 24 isolated coronavirus cases, physician Hani Fekri wrote in a Facebook post. As late as mid-June, Health Ministry hospitals which provide coronavirus tests and treatments free of charge were almost full, leading to complaints about a shortage of hospital beds. Ayman Al-Sebai, a health researcher at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), said that three weeks ago the EIPR would receive between 150 to 180 questions and/or complaints a day. These days we only receive from five to 10, Al-Sebai told the Weekly. The decrease, said the EIPR researcher, has paralleled the reopening of the country which many feared would be accompanied by a spike in cases. On 27 June the cabinet decided to lift restrictions in place since March, allowing cafes, cinemas, restaurants and gyms to reopen at 25 per cent capacity. The night-time curfew was cancelled, though the public has been told to keep wearing facemasks and maintain social distancing. Al-Sebai said that it is a good sign that life has returned to relative normality while the number of daily infections has not increased. Abdel-Ghaffar suggested the decrease in the number of cases is a result of citizens adhering to precautionary measures, and warned against complacency. The otolaryngologist agreed, adding that the warm weather is also likely to have reduced the strength of the virus. Currently, the symptoms that are being presented are weaker than before and some families prefer to be treating infected members at home. They may not be accounted for in the ministrys official numbers of cases, the doctor said. Al-Sebai said that while it has not been confirmed that coronavirus is affected by the rising temperatures, the possibility cannot be discounted. A recent paper on clinical infectious diseases linked higher temperature with lower rates of coronavirus infection. The papers authors concluded: The incidence of disease declines with increasing temperature up until 11 degrees Celsius, and is lower at warmer versus cooler temperatures. However, the association between temperature and transmission is small and transmission is likely to remain high at warmer temperatures... if containment measures are relaxed. The average summer temperature in Egypt is 30-40 degrees Celsius. Al-Sebai argues that the important thing now is the daily death toll, which should also see a decrease. According to a statement by the Health Ministry last week Egypt, which had its first coronavirus fatality on 8 March, is currently seeing a stable death rate of 4.5 per cent from the respiratory virus. Nevertheless, Sunday saw 89 fatalities, a relatively high number given that the highest single-day death toll recorded so far was 97 on 15 May. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Alamos Gold said on Tuesday it will be proceeding with a 2,000 tonnes per day expansion after a positive Phase III Expansion Study conducted on its Island Gold mine, located in Ontario, Canada. The company forecasts an average annual gold production of 236,000 ounces per year starting in 2025 upon completion of the shaft. The total cash costs will be $403 per ounce of gold and mine-site all-in sustaining costs of $534 per ounce starting in 2025, a 19% and 30% decrease from the mid-point of previously issued 2020 guidance, respectively. The company's CEO said the study shows the benefit of acquiring Island Gold. "Island Gold has been a tremendous acquisition for Alamos Gold. We acquired Island Gold in 2017 at a cost of approximately $600 million when it had 1.8 million ounces of Mineral Reserves and Resources. This high-grade deposit has more than doubled to 3.7 million ounces and we expect further growth yet. The Phase III Expansion Study showcases the growing value of Island Gold. Already one of the most profitable mines in Canada, the expansion will increase production, lower costs, and make this operation even more profitable. The expansion will also best position the operation to benefit from additional exploration success, said John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer. Alamos operates mines in Mexico and Canada. It was formed after the merger of Alamos Minerals and National Gold. FP Trending Samsung has outlined its vision for the next generation communication system in a white paper titled The Next Hyper-Connected Experience for All. It reveals the companys plans for 6G. The white paper highlights various aspects related to 6G like technical and societal megatrends, new services, requirements and candidate technologies. The South Korean tech giant is planning to bring the next hyper-connected experience to every corner of life. The company expects 6G communication to be commercialised as early as 2028. Samsung wants to mass commercialise it by 2030. In order to accelerate research for 6G, the company founded its Advanced Communications Research Center in May 2019. While 5G commercialisation is still in its initial stage, its never too early to start preparing for 6G because it typically takes around 10 years from the start of research to commercialisation of a new generation of communications technology, explained Sunghyun Choi, Head of the Advanced Communications Research Center. A ZDNet report, citing Samsungs white paper, stated that the sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) responsible for radio communication, ITU-R, is likely to commence their work to define a 6G vision in 2021. The 3G took 15 years to be defined, while the time taken for the 5G was eight years. Samsung last year also asserted that it would continue to invest and pre-study future business, including the sixth generation mobile network, reported GizChina. We should challenge ourselves, build a new foundation, and surpass our past achievements, the tech website quoted Samsung Electronics vice chairman, Li Zaiyu, as saying. A report Android Authority referring to the company's white paper revealed that 5G was designed to achieve 20Gbps peak data rate, in 6G, Samsung aims to provide the peak data rate of 1,000Gbps and a user experienced data rate of 1Gbps. The company also says that 16K VR streaming requires downlink speeds of 0.9Gbps, claiming that current 5G connections cant provide this speed. At the meeting, Vinh appreciated collaboration between the Algerian centre with Vietnamese partners, especially with the Vietnamese Embassy in organising activities in celebration of the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (October 28, 1962-2017). He expressed his hope that both sides maintain their close cooperation in order to contribute to the two countries relations. Abdelmajid Chikhi said he hopes for tighter collaboration with the Vietnamese Embassy as well as the State Records and Archives Department of Vietnam to soon sign a collaboration agreement between the two archives agencies. Algeria wants to learn from Vietnams experience in management over national memory records, he said, adding that his agency is willing to support the Vietnamese Embassy in searching information related Emperor Ham Nghi the eighth Emperor of Vietnams Nguyen Dynasty (1082-1945) during his exile in the African nation. They broke up more than two years ago. But Alessandra Ambrosio and Jamie Mazur looked amicable as they looked at an apartment together in Los Angeles this week. The 39-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel and her ex-fiance were joined on their outing by their eight-year-old son Noah. Errands: Alessandra Ambrosio and Jamie Mazur looked amicable as they looked at an apartment together in Los Angeles this week. Alessandra modeled a stylish striped mini-dress for her day out and accessorized the ensemble with a pair of sunglasses. Wearing her hair down, the supermodel added a touch of dazzle with bracelets and rounded off the look with sandals. She and Jamie, who co-founded RE/DONE, were together for 13 years and in addition to Noah they also share an 11-year-old daughter called Anja. Family time: The 39-year-old former Victoria's Secret Angel and her ex-fiance were joined on their outing by their eight-year-old son Noah Stepping out: Alessandra modeled a stylish striped mini-dress for her day out and accessorized the ensemble with a pair of sunglasses Alessandra, who hails from the Brazilian town of Erechim, went into coronavirus lockdown lockdown with her current beau Nicolo Oddi and her children. In 2018, Alessandra broke her decade-long engagement to Jamie, and she has since taken up with Nicolo, who founded the fashion brand Alanui with his sister Carlotta. Anja, Noah and Nicolo were all with Alessandra when she rang in her 39th birthday at home in self-isolation this April. Off she goes: Wearing her hair down, the supermodel added a touch of dazzle with bracelets and rounded off the look with sandals Alessandra rose to international fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel, announcing that she was giving up the title at the end of 2017. She has collaborated with Aline and a pal called Gisele Coria to launch a new swimwear line called Gal Floripa, which debuted last March. The brand takes its title from a nickname for Florianopolis, the Brazilian city where Alessandra gave birth to both of her children. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday vetoed a domestic violence bill because of an amendment that would have delayed a fee increase for a radioactive waste facility in West Texas, which he called an ill-considered giveaway." State Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, had added the amendment to Senate Bill 1804, which required that bond information about domestic violence offenders be entered into a state database and that victims be notified when the offenders are released from jail. Senate Bill 1804 was a laudable effort to address domestic violence, until someone slipped in an ill-considered giveaway to a radioactive waste disposal facility, Abbott wrote in his veto proclamation. Unfortunately, the bill authors good idea about domestic violence has been dragged down by a bad idea about radioactive waste. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Kolkhorst, in a statement, said it was unfortunate that "non-germane" amendments were added at the last minute to a bill that she'd worked with the Texas Council on Family Violence to pass. "I know law enforcement will do their very best to protect families even without this bill, but my office will continue to champion protections for thousands of families from their domestic abusers," she said. Nevarez did not immediately responded to a request for comment. The amendment pushed back the date of a fee increase for a radioactive waste disposal company, Waste Control Specialists, from 2019 to 2021. At the time he offered it, Nevarez said it offers some economic competitive incentives in the bill. Nevarez had characterized the move as a matter of creating jobs. The amendment was approved by the Texas House 142-0. Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas, called the eleventh-hour change to the bill unfortunate. Im sad to see that the good legislation was tainted and therefore vetoed, but I certainly understand the governors thinking, Metzger said. It ultimately comes down to a really bad decision by Rep. Nevarez to put the interests of a radioactive waste dump ahead of the victims of domestic violence. Thomas Graham, spokesman for Waste Control Specialists, said the company was "disappointed to learn of the Governors objections." "This amendment continued current law, previously enacted and signed into law by the governor, and ensures that costs associated with disposal of waste from cancer treatments, X-rays and other essential human health activities are not burdened with additional taxation," Graham said in a statement. "This issue was thoroughly studied in the interim and unanimously recommended by a select House and Senate Committee of the legislature that the waste facility needed to be competitive with other states waste sites. MOSCOW/CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2020) Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum has paid an official visit to Tunisia to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern, especially the situation in Libya, with his Tunisian counterpart, Noureddine Erray, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. "Our MFA Noureddine Erray received today in #Tunis, his #Algerian Counterpart Sabri Boukadoum, currently on a #Working_Visit to #Tunisia within the framework of improving bilateral #relations and #cooperation between the two #brotherly countries," the ministry wrote on Twitter. During a press conference, the two parties confirmed a convergence of viewpoints on a number of issues, the situation in Libya in particular, Tunisia's foreign minister said. The two top diplomats have stressed the need to reach a peaceful solution in the neighboring North African country of Libya, based on a consensus between the Libyan warring parties, and address the issue of foreign interference. The crisis solution should guarantee Libya's unity, its security and stability, and ensure the prosperity of the country's people, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said. "The two countries have a neutral position, based on international legitimacy, a peaceful solution and an agreement between the Libyans only ... Tunisia and Algeria have no agenda in Libya," Erray said. Boukadoum, in turn, said that neither the Algerians nor the Tunisians would be satisfied until peace was reached in Libya "without any external intervention." Algeria and Tunisia are committed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in line with the aspirations of each. It is one of the UK's most beautiful regions, and home to tourist hotspots such as Windermere, Coniston Water and Kendal, which is famous for its mint cake. But now South Lakeland has another less welcoming claim to fame as the furloughing capital of Britain. Official figures show how the area, described by tourist chiefs as the 'economic powerhouse' of the Lake District, has been devastated by the coronavirus crisis and is now on life support from taxpayers. Drastic hit: The idyllic Lake District area has effectively shut to tourists and many workers have had to live off taxpayers' 'life support' A report published by HM Revenue & Customs reveals a staggering 40 per cent of workers in South Lakeland have been furloughed more than any other local authority in the UK. Many face a precarious future as the Job Retention Scheme which pays their wages is wound down before being closed at the end of October. South Lakeland's reliance on state support is not because, as some less charitable commentators might suggest, it has become 'addicted to furlough'. Rather, it is explained by the fact that its economy is dominated by the tourism and hospitality sectors, which are only just emerging from enforced hibernation. To underline this, at the opposite end of the spectrum is Boston in Lincolnshire, where the main employers are the NHS and agriculture, where workers have been in more demand than ever before during the crisis. As such a mere 20 per cent of employees in the area have been furloughed. Tim Farron, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats who is the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said local residents 'want to get back to work' but that this is easier said than done. He pointed to a recent survey that showed that almost seven in ten local businesses, including pubs, restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts, could not fully reopen because of social distancing rules, and that one in ten cannot reopen at all. South Lakeland's economy is dominated by the tourism and hospitality sectors, which are only just emerging from enforced hibernation 'It's a terrifying situation,' said Farron. 'It's such a seasonal feast or famine industry that we are now effectively facing three winters in a row, enough to kill off many businesses. 'The virus came just as local businesses were gearing up for spring season, and the support ends just when all money dries up anyway and visitors stop coming. 'Firms have found the furloughing scheme immensely valuable. But as it is wound down many just can't afford to keep people on.' Farron warned the area is facing mass redundancies unless the Chancellor extends the Job Retention Scheme beyond October something he has repeatedly ruled out or provides grants for firms in tourism and hospitality. Farron's concerns will be shared, to varying degrees, by MPs across the country. In total 9.4m workers have been placed on furlough, with 1.2m firms applying for support at a cost just shy of 28billion so far. Although very few businesses have escaped unscathed from the coronavirus crisis, the report from HMRC provides a vivid reminder of how some sectors, regions of the county, and age groups, have been affected far more than others. It reveals that almost nine in ten (87 per cent) of firms in the accommodation and food services sector restaurants, pubs, hotels, bed-and-breakfasts have furloughed at least some staff. The sector also has the highest proportion of workers furloughed, at almost three-quarters (73 per cent). In contrast, just 7 per cent of workers in finance and insurance have been furloughed, underlining how white collar workers have been able to do their jobs at home. Women aged 17 were the most likely to be furloughed, at 61 per cent, due to so many working in sectors such as retail and hospitality. Meanwhile, middle-aged men, many of whom will be in better paying, white collar jobs, were the least likely to be furloughed, at 28 per cent. But there is one thing that millions of furloughed workers of all ages will have in common, whether they work in finance or on the shop floor. And that is anxiety about whether they will be able to keep their jobs and get back to work. With official figures today expected to show a surge in job losses in May, it is already far too late for many. Haiti - Justice : The time for revenge and barbarity is over dixit Minister Vincent Rockefeller Vincent, the new Minister of Justice and Public Security https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31253-haiti-justice-the-new-minister-had-been-dismissed-in-2017-for-unproductive.html , learned with dismay, on the one hand, the fire of the Laboule 12 police station, in the commune of Petion-ville, in the afternoon of Monday July 13, 2020. This situation of sharp tensions was the expression of the anger of the population of the area against the unprofessional act of a Police officer who shot at close range on a taxi-motorbike driver who did not want to present his papers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31281-haiti-news-zapping.html The Minister vehemently condemns the behavior of the police officer and deplores the reaction of the local population having resulted in tragedies which transgress the prescribed human rights and the rule of law for which the Haitian people fighted a lot. On the other hand, a series of partial fires were reported to the Minister's office, particularly that of the entrance to the Town Hall of Desdunes, on the night of July 12 to 13, 2020 and of the Town Hall of Cap-Haitien and of garage of the Ministry of Public Works, the same Monday July 13 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31281-haiti-news-zapping.html "The time for private vengeance and barbarity is over. The fire cannot be a mode of expression of political opinion and claims of rights," declared the Minister Vincent who informs having informed the National Police of Haiti and the Prosecutor's offices near the Courts of First Instance of Port-au-Prince, Gonaives and Cap-Haitien to take appropriate measures without delay so that light and justice are done, each as far as he is concerned, in accordance with the law. Also remember for the Minister also the fire of the Town Hall of Petit-Goave https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31246-haiti-flash-fire-at-the-town-hall-of-petit-goave.html and the attempted fire of the Town Hall of Grand-Goave, on July 13, whose Mayor Maxo Pinchinat points the finger at members of the opposition. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31281-haiti-news-zapping.htmlhttps://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31253-haiti-justice-the-new-minister-had-been-dismissed-in-2017-for-unproductive.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-31246-haiti-flash-fire-at-the-town-hall-of-petit-goave.html HL/ HaitiLibre New Delhi: Salman Khan trended big time last night for dedicating a post to farmers. However, the internet is not mighty impressed with the superstar and his post. It didn't go down well with the netizens, who accused Salman of just 'acting' or 'posing' for a photo. He was also told that he is "faking" respect for farmers. The photo has Salman sitting in a field with mud smeared all over his body. He took to social media to share it and wrote, "Respect to all the farmers." As soon as the superstar shared the post, it went viral, but a section of the internet did not approve of it. "He is showing-off", a user commented on the photo. Another comment read, "Please stop the drama." Meanwhile, other comments on the post read, "Don't insult the farmers" and "the post looks like a photoshoot". Salman is currently spending time at his farm in Lonavla. Earlier this week, he had posted a picture to hail the efforts of farmers. "Daane daane pe likha hota hai khane wale Ka naam... jai jawan! jai kisan," he wrote alongside an image in which he is seen surrounded by greenery. On the film front, Salman will next be seen in 'Radhe', alongside Disha Patani. During the lockdown, Salman released three singles - 'Pyaar Karona', 'Tere Bina' and 'Bhai Bhai'. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian scientists hailed the results of their first clinical trial of a potential coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, saying it had been proved safe and that volunteers had developed an immune response. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian scientists hailed the results of their first clinical trial of a potential coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, saying it had been proved safe and that volunteers had developed an immune response. Speaking to a crowded room without wearing masks, three of 18 volunteers monitored over a month at the Sechenov University said they all had experienced few side-effects. A larger-scale trial, intended to ascertain the strength of the immune response produced by the vaccine and how long protection will last, is expected to begin in Russia in mid-August. More than 100 possible vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to try to stop the pandemic. Of 19 in human trials, only two are in the final Phase III - one by China's Sinopharm and another by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. "We were primarily testing for safety," Elena Smolyarchuk, a department director at Sechenov University and one of the coordinators of the trial, said. "On non-specific immunity we can only talk about preliminary results. These show a good, positive tendency, a strengthening of non-specific immunity," she said. However any final conclusions about the immune response among the volunteers will be drawn by the Gamaleya Institute, which developed the vaccine, and are expected towards the end of the month. Russia's health ministry will then decide whether to register the vaccine and begin a larger-scale trial, Smolyarchuk said. The vaccine is administered in two doses and consists of two serotypes of the human adenovirus, each carrying an S-antigen of the new coronavirus, which enter human cells and produce an immune response, Smolyarchuk said. It was first tested on primates and then administered to the volunteers on June 18. The platform used for the vaccine was developed by Russian scientists over two decades and had formed the basis for several vaccines in the past, including three against Ebola, the Sechenov University's Vadim Tarasov said. The defence ministry, which conducted a parallel trial of the same vaccine on a separate set of 20 volunteers, also said on Wednesday the group had been discharged. "It's not scary anymore," Yuriy, a soldier and volunteer, said in a video shared by the Ministry of Defence. ($1 = 70.8755 roubles) (Reporting by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Nick Macfie) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Sarah Copeland, author of the cookbook Every Day is Saturday, has two kids underfoot this summer in her New York home, and the kids summer activities have been canceled. To make their home feel more spacious, she set up stations outdoors. One is a patio with a couch. This year, Ive invested a lot more energy into it, she says. I added a solar pendant light, I put pillows out, I put out a lot more potted plants. Saturdays and Sundays we have brunch there. She also put up a hammock on an old crabapple tree and added pillows, even putting a rug underneath it. Thats where we could have lunch in the shade or read together, she says. At night, they might light a fire in their firepit for smores or even use it to cook dinner. Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post Here we go again! The irresponsible threat from Donald Trump, the White House and the secretary of education calling for schools to prematurely reopen sounds a lot like a shotgun echo from two months ago asking States to reopen prematurely. The results of that action a skyrocketing spread of COVID-19 that has almost set us back to where we started. This is not a time for politicians to interfere in the decision-making process of education professionals who must consider many other factors outside of just opening the doors to the schoolhouse. Mr. President, there are lives to consider, including those of millions of children, young adults and educators across this nation. Our school systems are community-based institutions and local leaders have the ability to determine what is best for their particular communities. Putting a gun to the heads of our school systems and asking them to play Russian roulette by making a choice between funding and the safety of our children and educators is just plain wrong and irresponsible. Over 1 billion students worldwide remain affected by school closures. It is the job of elected officials to ensure our schools have the proper and necessary funding to educate our most precious American resource, but at the same time we must ensure they have the necessary resources to provide for the safety of those opening their school doors during this ongoing epidemic. The president suggested that other countries, including Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, had opened their schools safely, but what he fails to admit is that no other country opening their schools continue to show the high infection and death rates we are seeing here in America; and new COVID-19 hotspots are occurring every day in the United States. Additionally, we are still trying to get an accurate understanding of the degree to which children are susceptible to COVID-19 and the extent to which they contribute to community spread of COVID-19. That would have a real impact on students, teachers and support staff who are in close proximity in a building. Amid a raging Covid-19 pandemic, the apple season in Himachal Pradesh began on a subdued note with growers flagging transportation issues and acute labour shortage. Apple varieties that ripen early have already made their way to the markets in Rohru, Narkanda, Dhalli and Parala. The apple harvesting season in the primary apple-growing belts in Shimla, Rohru, Kullu, Kotgarh and Kotkhai begins mid-July and ends in August. Growers are still scouting for labourers as most of them are the dependent on the sturdy Nepalese migrants who arrive in the orchards in April. The 4500-crore apple economy largely depends on the labourers from neighbouring Nepal. The labourers help with digging pits, planting saplings, spraying chemicals, plucking, packing and transportation. The nationwide lockdown has impacted the migration of labourers. With the government expressing an inability to arrange labourers, fruit growers are making frantic efforts to arrange labourers. Labourers jack up wages In areas adjoining Uttarakhand, apple growers have arranged labour from the neighbouring state but they are demanding higher wages. The daily wages during the apple season vary between Rs 450 and Rs 600. But in wake of the labour shortage, villagers from Uttarakhand are demanding Rs 800 per day. An apple grower, Nikam Singh Thakur of Kotsari village in Chirgaon tehsil of Rohru said, The labourers I managed to arrange from Uttarakhand are demanding Rs 900 per day. After negotiations they settled on Rs 800 per day. Local fruit packer and fruit merchant Hardyal Tegta said he had arranged labourers from Uttar Pradesh. I hired a bus to fetch labourers from Azamgarh as Nepalese labourers were not available, says Tegta, who runs an apple-packaging unit. SOPs for quarantining labourers The government has set standard operating procedures that make it mandatory for orchard owners to quarantine labourers arriving from outside the state. The fruit growers must inform the local anganwari worker, ASHA worker, panchayat pradhan and patwari about labourers being quarantined. Apple growers also complained that at times there was delay in procuring permission for labourers travel. Kuldeep Tanta an orchardist from Jubbal said the biggest challenge was the shortage of labourers. I had to spend Rs 22,000 to bring five Nepalese labourers who were in UP here by arranging two taxis for them. The state government maybe claiming that they are making arrangements to bring in labourers but nothing has been done, he said. However, the apple season has just started and we are getting good rates for early varieties. I sold the Tideman variety for Rs 2,000 but we are not sure what the future holds, he added. Himachal Fruit, Vegetables And Flower Growers Association Harish Chauhan said there was an immense shortage of labour in Shimla district as around 1.5 lakh labourers are required for the apple season but right now only 40,000 to 50,000 laborers are available. There is a shortage of at least 70% labourers. We request state government to arrange Nepalese labourers as soon as possible, Chauhan said. MARKETING WOES Although the apple season is in its early stages orchardists are worried about marketing apples as they are struggling to send their produce to other states. Another challenge is the re-emergence of a fungal disease, scab, that is sure to cause losses to farmers. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Virgin Atlantic has secured a 1.2billion rescue package in a boost for Britain's beleaguered aviation industry. The airline was at risk of plunging into administration after the global travel shutdown forced it to abandon commercial flights. It was feared any collapse would lead to almost 10,000 job losses, and thousands more at airports. Rescue package: Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic was at risk of plunging into administration after the global travel shutdown forced it to abandon commercial flights The rescue, through private funding, is a vindication of the Government's decision to resist a plea by Richard Branson for 500million in taxpayer support. The multi-billionaire, who does not pay personal tax in the UK, had been accused of trying to 'fleece' taxpayers by Michael O'Leary, the boss of rival airline Ryanair, by applying for an emergency coronavirus loan from the Treasury. The bid was rejected by ministers who said the airline had not done enough to explore other ways of raising money. At the height of the crisis, Branson even promised to put his private Caribbean island of Necker up as collateral for any loan, although it is not clear if the 80million paradise was a condition of the deal announced yesterday. The new rescue package is worth 1.2billion over the next 18 months and is in addition to measures already taken, such as cost savings of around 280million per year and changes to aircraft orders over the next five years. It includes 200million from Branson's Virgin Group and a 170million loan from Wall Street hedge fund Davidson Kempner. Shareholders Delta Air Lines and Virgin Group have agreed to defer 400million of fees. Other creditors are expected to defer payments worth 450million. Branson has also sold his 400million stake in Virgin Galactic, his space exploration business. Virgin Atlantic will focus on leisure routes to the Caribbean and Israel, while the US remains off-limits. It will operate a down-sized fleet of fuel-efficient jets with services restarting next Monday, focusing on flights from Heathrow and Manchester. Gatwick airport, Virgin Atlantic's base of 36 years, has been abandoned and the airline will be scrapping at least 11 aircraft, including its entire fleet of gas-guzzling jumbo jets. Some 3,150 jobs about a third of the workforce are being cut, although the airline does not expect to make any more redundancies due to the rescue package. It is hoped the drastic downsizing will allow Virgin Atlantic to return to profit in 2022 after years of losses. Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said: 'Few could have predicted the scale of the Covid-19 crisis we have witnessed and undoubtedly, the last six months have been the toughest we have faced in our 36-year history. 'We have taken painful measures, but we have accomplished what many thought impossible. 'The solvent recapitalisation of Virgin Atlantic will ensure that we can continue to provide vital connectivity and competition to consumers and businesses in Britain and beyond. 'We greatly appreciate the support of our shareholders, creditors and new private investors and together, we will ensure that Virgin Atlantic can emerge a sustainably profitable airline, with a healthy balance sheet.' PITTSBURGH, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- "My fiance is employed in sales and required to wear a tie every day resulting in his having a large collection of ties," said an inventor from Chicago, Illinois. "This inspired me to develop a means to keep the ties organized so it was easy to select one." She developed the TIEBOW 200 that stores a collection of ties so that each may easily be viewed. This invention could save users valuable time by allowing them to more quickly dress while coordinating their ensemble. Additionally, this easy to use invention may provide the perfect gift for anyone who wears ties. The original design was submitted to the Chicago sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 18-CKL-1275, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. SOURCE InventHelp Related Links http://www.inventhelp.com Photograph: Reuters Top US public health expert Anthony Fauci warned on Tuesday that the global coronavirus outbreak could be as bad as the 1918 flu pandemic, calling that catastrophe the mother of all pandemics, which killed more than 50 million people worldwide. Facing increasing attacks from Donald Trump and White House officials, Fauci spoke to Georgetown University students in Washington on Tuesday about the coronavirus pandemic and its risks to young people. Related: 'A slap in the face': how racial bias dogs US coronavirus response at every level We have a serious situation here in the United States, Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said at the online event. The US has so far witnessed more than 3.4m cases of Covid-19 and more than 136,000 deaths, with cases now rising in 37 states; record numbers of new cases in Florida, Arizona and Texas; and California shutting down many businesses statewide after recent reopenings. Fauci warned students at Georgetown that young people must not be part of the problem. There is an understandable situation where a young person could say, You know, statistically the chances of my getting into trouble by getting infected are much smaller than an elderly person, he said. Many young people, he said, might feel they would rather be there sipping a margarita in a crowd, but to get it under control means you dont let yourself get infected, and you dont spread to anybody else, Fauci said. He added: I say that with some trepidation, because Im not blaming anyone, and I think people do this innocently. They dont mean to be part of the problem, but inadvertently they are part of the problem. It was another instance of the senior public health official, who has been barred from major media appearances in recent weeks, finding other ways to address the public. In another talk on Monday with Stanford Universitys medical school, for example, Fauci, Americas leading infectious disease expert, called for a step back in state reopening efforts as cases and deaths continue to rise. Story continues According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, the US has recorded more than 3.3m cases of Covid-19, and more than 135,000 deaths. We havent even begun to see the end of it yet, Fauci said. Last week, Fauci told the Financial Times he had a reputation of speaking the truth at all times and not sugar-coating things, which he said he thought might complicate his relationship with the president and other White House officials. He also said he had not briefed Trump in months and had not seen the president since the beginning of June. The White House then turned on Fauci, attempting to discredit him by disseminating a list of statements made to media outlets which it said were in error. According to ABC News, Fauci, 79, has been referred by top Trump aides as Dr Gloom and Doom. On Monday, Trump insisted he liked Fauci personally, and said: I find him to be a very nice person. I dont always agree with him. White House officials have denied attempting to tarnish Faucis reputation. The press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, rejected claims the administration was disseminating opposition research scandalous information used for political ends about its own official. There are a number of scientists who are experts in various issues, McEnany said, and various specialties, but the president takes the full opinions of the taskforce and the varying opinions sometimes and moves forward in the way he thinks is best for the country. McEnany did not deny the White House sent the material, however, saying instead it was a response to an inquiry from the Washington Post. Related: Los Angeles and San Diego schools to remain online-only in autumn A majority of states are seeing increases in coronavirus cases and deaths. On Monday, the US reported 61,492 new cases, the second-highest day on record. Republican-led states such as Texas, Florida and Georgia have reported record daily totals. Montana, North Dakota, Hawaii, Alaska and Idaho are among states seeing the fastest daily increases. Trump supporters and anti-government groups have accused Fauci, who has served under every president since Ronald Reagan, of being part of a Deep State conspiracy, working against the president. Nonetheless, Fauci has maintain a higher approval rating among the public than members of the administration. A New York Times poll, for example, found that 67% of respondents trusted Faucis handling of the coronavirus outbreak compared with only 26% who trusted Trump. Recent polling indicates that three in five Americans think that the worst is yet to come. Academician Cui Kun and his wife Professor Zhu Huinan are at home in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province. [Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu] After signing a simple contract, Cui Kun, 95-year-old academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and his wife Professor Zhu Huinan donated four million yuan (US $571,600) to the School Education Development Foundation, setting up a Freshman Grants on July 3. To date, the couple has donated 10 million yuan (US $ 1.43 million) to education. Regarding Cui's original intention, he mentioned that he wanted to set up a fund to help students with financial difficulties. The Freshman Grants will provide 6,000 yuan (US $857.4) to 133 freshmen in need every year with an annual total of 800,000 yuan (US $ 114,320) over a five year period. The couple has made great contributions in their fields. Cui is a professor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. With his outstanding achievements in the field of metal materials research, he was elected as an academician in 1997, and was praised as a "Steel Academician." Zhu was one of the earliest teachers in the chemistry teaching and research office of the former chemistry department of the university, and she served as the head of that department as well as the Department of Physics and Chemistry. The elderly couple lives a frugal life, and Cui has even worn the same shirt for 30 years. That's how they were able to save money for the donations. According to a staff member of the Publicity Department of the Party Committee of the university, the couple set up the Diligence and Self-improvement Scholarship in 2013, and has donated six million yuan (US $857,400) so far. Since its establishment, the scholarship has subsidized 312 students from the School of Materials Science and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering who have financial difficulties as well as excellent academic performance with 8,000 yuan (US $1,143.2) per year. (Source: Xinhua/Translated and edited by Women of China) NEW YORK (AP) Mass transit systems around the world have taken unprecedented and expensive steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including New York shutting down its subways overnight and testing powerful ultraviolet lamps to disinfect seats, poles and floors. The cleaning measures produced something commuters have not seen in a while, or possibly ever: thousands of freshly scrubbed cars that look, feel and even smell clean. But experts say those steps solve only part of the problem, and transit officials are studying more advanced methods that might someday automatically disinfect transit systems around the clock. The Moscow Metro and a public bus company in Shanghai have experimented with germ-killing ultraviolet light. Agencies in Hungary and the Czech Republic have tried using ozone gas as a disinfectant. The public transit system in Dallas tested a dry fogging system, and Hong Kong used a robot that sprays a hydrogen peroxide solution, according to a survey by international engineering and professional services firm WSP. In Chicago, rail cars are cleaned every day before starting service and are prowled at night by crews wearing backpack-style electrostatic sprayers that cover all interior surfaces with disinfectant. All that cleaning does cut the threat of catching the virus, experts say, but the benefits are limited. The virus transmits predominantly through droplets in the air it's everywhere and could be nowhere, said Robyn Gershon, a clinical professor of epidemiology at New York University. Cleaning a train car at a maintenance yard overnight or even several times during the day, as New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority does might not help the transit employee or passenger stuck in close quarters with a coughing person. Wearing a face mask "will protect us the most, having that control among ourselves," Gershon said. "I think the rest of it is really more the illusion, and thats not a small thing because it plays with our psyches. Story continues Patrick Warren, the MTAs chief safety officer, said the authority's aggressive cleaning and disinfecting began at a time when health officials were warning that the virus could easily be transmitted from hard surfaces guidance that has since evolved to place more emphasis on airborne transmission. As goes the science, so goes what we are doing, Warren said. New York's subway system normally serves more than 5 million riders a day, but ridership plunged more than 90 percent at the height of the pandemic. Combined with plummeting revenues at its toll bridges and tunnels, the MTA has projected the pandemic will cost the agency more than $10 billion through next year. The cleaning program will wind up costing hundreds of millions of dollars over what the MTA would normally spend, Chairman Pat Foye said this past spring. Is it worth the price? A survey of 1,000 mass transit riders conducted by New York-based advocacy group Tri-State Transportation Campaign found that cleaning topped a list of actions people wanted before they would feel comfortable riding mass transit again. But to what extent are we now overspending, or veering too far into security theater? Executive Director Nick Sifuentes asked recently. Dr. David Brenner, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, has assisted the MTA on its UV light pilot program. He called the cleaning not an ideal solution, but its a solution that is available. I think it does increase the public safety because instead of having a continuous buildup of the virus, you are going back to zero every day," Brenner said. A much better solution would be if you could continuously decontaminate the air throughout the course of the day. That possibility may be on the horizon. A 2018 study and another published this month, both of which Brenner contributed to, concluded that low levels of a certain type of ultraviolet light, called far-UVC light, can be circulated continuously in an enclosed space and kill some forms of human coronavirus as effectively as conventional UV light without the harmful effects to human eyes and skin. Far-UVC light could offer a whole new level of protection for passengers and transit employees, if it is also found to be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. The MTA is exploring using the technology on its subways. The MTA is already testing a different form of UV light to disinfect subway cars, but it can only be done at station yards when the cars are out of service because of the harmful effect on humans. The limited pilot program costs about $1 million. Officials have not said how much it would cost to expand to the whole system. Chicago Transit Authority officials are waiting for the results of New Yorks pilot program to see if the light is an option for their transit system. Fred Maxik, whose company, Healthe, makes far-UVC light systems that are being used in office buildings and schools, cautioned that far-UVC light is not necessarily a panacea for anxious subway riders. No technology we have today is going to be perfect. Its going to have to be used in conjunction with other good behaviors, he said. But I think this is the best of what weve got. Warren called far-UVC a great innovation but added that the logistical challenges of installing it across a century-old subway system are formidable. He would not speculate on what the agency's cleaning efforts might look like a year from now. Thats the equation that everyone wants the answer to, including us, he said, explaining that the agency is weighing what methods are economical and effective. "If we cant have a clean, disinfected system that the customers trust, were not going to get the customers to come back. ___ Associated Press Writer Kathleen Foody in Chicago contributed to this report. Yara Shahidi has been outspoken about social issues since she was a teenager starring on a major network sitcom. But the Harvard University student believes that sometimes the best use of her platform is to amplify the voice of someone else. The 20-year-old was featured in the August digital issue of Elle magazine which was accompanied by a backyard photo shoot featuring herself in retro-inspired looks. Stunning: Yara Shahidi was featured in the August digital issue of Elle magazine which was accompanied by a backyard photo shoot featuring herself in retro-inspired looks In the article written by Kaitlyn Greenidge, Yara talked about her place as a celebrity activist in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement coming off the heels of the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, and several others. As at times the movement feels unrelenting, Shahidi opts to take a more positive approach as she explained: 'Joy is increasingly important to me.... Yes, this is a fight in the face of Black death. '[But] there has to be a celebration of Black life. We have to be viewing this moment as a preservation of Black life. A fight for our willingness to thrive, or a fight for our willingness to be happy and unencumbered. A fight for our ability to just be allowed to exist. And so often thats been taken away. We should be allowed to heal, be allowed to revel in our happiness.' Taking a stand: In the article written by Kaitlyn Greenidge, 20-year-old Yara talked about her place as a celebrity activist in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement coming off the heels of the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, and several others 'Joy is increasingly important to me': As at times the movement feels unrelenting, Shahidi opts to take a more positive approach Despite only being 20 years old, she has been in the limelight since her early teens in the midst of two cultural movements - Black Lives Matter and #MeToo - and was complimented for commentary on tough issues including brutality race and class. She said: 'At the age of 14, I was asked how I felt about these topics. If it werent for my [role in] media, I dont know if that is something they would have even asked a 14-year-old.' As she has become a veteran in the media and tackled such complicated issues in such a nuanced way, Yara believes that the label 'activist' was pinned on her but pushes back on that notion. Veteran: Despite only being 20 years old, she has been in the limelight since her early teens in the midst of two cultural movements - Black Lives Matter and #MeToo - and was complimented for commentary on tough issues including brutality race and class. The actress said: 'I remember having to clarify time and time again that there are people doing incredible work who should be supported. I choose to be as socially engaged as I possibly can. 'But when we push people into this activist space, we need to really interrogate what we expect from public figures. And when were endowing them with this voice, what is the conversation that we want them to have?' More recently she has found that perhaps the best role that she has in the movement is to use her platform to amplify the voice's of others. Yara explained: 'When Im looking at this moment at large there is this kind of double-edged sword of wanting people to speak up and then [thinking that theyre] not speaking up the right way. Its something that Im personally even conflicted about. 'I choose to be as socially as engaged as I possibly can': As she has become a veteran in the media and tackled such complicated issues in such a nuanced way, Yara believes that the label 'activist' was pinned on her but pushes back on that notion 'In this moment, for example, I think a lot of the work that Im hoping to do is about pointing people toward the organizers and the people on the front lines of this movement, because they have the most prescient, most real, most necessary voices. The greatest skill about having a platform, I think, is handing over the mic.' For the photo shoot, the actress looked absolutely stunning in several retro-inspired looks - as she was styled by her stylist Jason Bolden - including a clinging long sleeved baby blue Bottega Veneta dress. She also wore a stylish striped black, yellow, red and blue suit featuring long fringe on the sleeves and hemline of the jacket over a brown bodysuit. Yara also sported beautiful orange crocheted headband and top combination from Valentino. Changing it up: There was also a modern and more casual twist to one of her looks as she sported a patterned sweater, jeans, and white leather booties featuring orange accents from Heron Preston There was also a modern and more casual twist to one of her looks as she sported a patterned sweater, jeans, and white leather booties featuring orange accents from Heron Preston. Yara first gained recognition for her starring role as the oldest daughter Zoey Johnson on the sitcom Black-ish (2014-present). That led to the spin-off series Grown-ish, which follows her character as she goes to college and begins her adult life. Season three began airing back in January but due to the COVID-19 pandemic Freeform announced in May that the remaining episodes of the third season will air in 2021. And along with filming the hit ABC show, Yara herself is a real life college student. The star is currently enrolled at Harvard University and is completing a double major degree in sociology and African-American studies. Srinagar, July 15 : The Jammu and Kashmir Police along with security forces claimed to have arrested a terrorist associate of the banned terror outfit LeT from Awantipore in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir on Wednesday. He has been identified as Sahil Farooq Mir, a resident of Chakoora Pulwama. The police said he was involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the LeT terrorists, besides transporting arms and ammunition to terrorists operating in Tral, Kakpora, Khrew and Awantipora areas. "Incriminating material, including explosives and ammunition, has been recovered from him in the Noorpora area," the police said. An FIR has been registered. No one should assume theyre entirely immune from the risk that the novel coronavirus represents to themselves and others. Medical experts say that applies even to an otherwise healthy young adult and even, perhaps, to someone who has recovered from a bout of COVID-19. But some individuals, and some communities, are more vulnerable than others. And as we slog through this long, grim summer, we should be aware of that too. As the week began, the state was reporting more than 270,000 cases of the new coronavirus and 3,274 fatalities. And Harris County authorities said Monday that the pandemic is taking a particularly heavy toll on Houston-area residents who are African-American or Latino. Roughly 44 percent of county residents are Latino. But since mid-May, more than half of those hospitalized each week with the virus that causes COVID-19 have been Latino and some weeks, Latinos have accounted for fully two-thirds of such hospitalizations. Dr. Umair Shah, the local health authority for Harris County, said theres no single reason for these disproportionate outcomes. We know that some of those factors may be related to un-insurance rates, may be related to many in our Hispanic community working front-line jobs, the economics of whats occurring with this pandemic, as well as multi-family households and, certainly, we are concerned about fear and stigma in our community, Shah said at a news conference. Addressing the latter is a key focus of a new emergency outreach initiative launched by the Houston Health Department, Better Together or, in Spanish, Todos Juntos Mejor. Basically our goals are to reach the Hispanic community with the message of how to protect themselves and also the importance of testing, especially if they know theyve been exposed to someone whos having symptoms, said Porfirio Villarreal, a public information officer for the Houston Health Department. And, to that end, he explained, the campaign seeks to allay the concerns that some Hispanic Houstonians have expressed about the testing process itself. We will not be asking for immigration status. We are not going to be asking for health insurance, Villarreal said. The phone number is the most important thing we are going to get from them. The Centers for Disease Control has reported a similar trend across the country. As of last month, according to data, Latinos are being hospitalized at nearly four times the rate of non-Hispanic white people. On Monday, actress Eva Longoria Baston, a Corpus Christi native, joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to announce the launch of a new coalition, Momento Latino, to focus on issues of concern to the nations Hispanic population COVID-19 being a case in point. We keep America running. Now is our moment to bring our diverse community together to create and advocate for the resources we deserve, the group says on its website. America cant recover from COVID-19 unless the Latino community recovers from COVID-19, it continues. Thats certainly true in states such as California, Arizona and Texas, all of which have large Latino populations and all of which have seen spiking case numbers and hospitalizations in recent weeks. In Texas, at least, the re-opening has fortunately been paused for the time being. And Gov. Greg Abbott is facing calls for stronger action. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday called for a two-week shutdown of the city, which is facing significant community spread, to try to flatten the curve of new infections as the region was doing last spring. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority communities is among the reasons a temporary shutdown would make sense. Several factors are contributing to the disparity, Shah noted. Latinos are disproportionately likely to lack health insurance, for example, compared to white Americans, and to suffer from other chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes. Theyre also less likely to have paid sick leave, or the option of working from home, which puts them at particular risk in states that have reopened for business. The pandemic has highlighted something many of us have been advocating about for decades, said state Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Houston Democrat who has been a leader in the push for Medicaid expansion in Texas. We knew that these health disparities were there, she continued. This is nothing new. Whether Abbott will act remains to be seen. In the meantime, all Houstonians should be mindful of the toll the pandemic is taking on some of our most vulnerable residents. As Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tweeted Monday, Were all interconnected when one part of our community does much worse, it ultimately affects us all. erica.grieder@chron.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) A number of ABS-CBN workers will lose their jobs on August 31 as the network stays off-air without a congressional franchise. With the non-renewal of its congressional franchise, ABS-CBN is now forced to cease the operations of some of its businesses and implement a retrenchment program covering ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries effective end of business day on 31 August 2020, the media giant said in a statement on Wednesday. It did not state how many workers will be affected, adding that they will be given separation pay and retirement benefits. ABS-CBN also committed to provide job placement programs in light of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It said the decision to let go of workers was truly difficult, but inevitable. As much as it hurts us to implement this retrenchment program, this is the only way to ensure the continued employment of the rest of our Kapamilya, the network said. ABS-CBN has stopped radio and broadcast operations the bulk of its business in early May, but said it could retain its employees for three months, hoping then that it would go back on air. On Friday, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise. Voting 70-11, the panel ruled that ABS-CBN did not deserve another franchise, citing violations it committed which the network denied. READ: Solon who voted against ABS-CBN franchise bid wants gov't to use the network's TV, radio frequencies The House leadership and Malacanang maintained that the network shutdown is not an attack on press freedom. President Rodrigo Duterte had publicly threatened ABS-CBN over the network's refusal to carry his campaign commercials in 2016, but later accepted its apology. Duterte was recently quoted as saying he "dismantled the oligarchy." An interfaith coalition is pressing the world's largest brewer to remove the name of a Hindu god from a popular that dates to the late 1800s a dispute the beermaker insists is a case of mistaken identity. The group, which includes representatives of the Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions, is calling on Belgium-based brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to rename its Brahma line, a favourite in Brazil. Brahma was first produced in 1888 by Companhia Cervejaria Brahma, a Brazilian brewery now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, whose massive lineup of 500 brands includes Budweiser, Bud Light, Corona and Stella Artois. Beers sold under the Brahma name include a lager, a double malt, a wheat and a chocolate stout. It is the right time to fix an old wrong the trivialising of the faith of our Hindu brothers and sisters for about 132 years," coalition spokesperson Rajan Zed told The Associated Press on Tuesday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Bravada Gold Corporation (TSXV: BVA) (the "Company" or "Bravada") announces it has received final approval of a drilling permit for its Highland gold/silver project, located in Nevada's prolific Walker Lane gold trend. The BLM permit allows for drilling on 12 sites over a two-year period, which can be extended for additional periods. Recent field work focused on two targets in the eastern portion of the Project: Big Hammer and Geyser, which are approximately 2.5km apart. For the remainder of 2020, two core holes are planned on the Big Hammer Target (See target concept figure below). A drilling contract has been signed, and the drill is expected to arrive on site in early to mid-August. The 2020 exploration program is being funded by Option/Joint-Venture partner OceanaGold US Holdings Inc. ("OceanaGold"), a wholly owned subsidiary of OceanaGold Corp. OceanaGold may earn up to a 75% interest in the Project after expenditures of US$10 million following which Bravada will participate in joint-venture exploration and development on a 75/25% basis (for details, see News Release NR-09-18, December 20, 2018). Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5343/59843_9d97b0f1244eeabc_001full.jpg In other project news, Bravada has reviewed various next-step techniques to further refine the Feeder target at its wholly owned Wind Mountain project and has decided the most cost-effective approach is to drill a fence of angle reverse-circulation drill holes across the center of the target area. Modeling in 3D will be completed soon and the Company's existing permit will be modified to include the new drill sites. Drilling the fence of holes is being planned for late fall or early winter 2020. About Bravada Bravada is an exploration company with a portfolio of high-quality properties in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Bravada has successfully identified and advanced properties with the potential to host high-margin deposits while successfully attracting partners to fund later stages of project development. Three of Bravada's ten Nevada properties are being funded by partners. Bravada's value is underpinned by a substantial gold and silver resource with a positive PEA at Wind Mountain, and the Company has significant upside potential from possible new discoveries at its exploration properties. Story continues Since 2005, the Company signed 32 earn-in joint-venture agreements for its properties with 19 publicly traded companies, as well as a similar number of property-acquisition agreements with private individuals. Bravada currently has 10 projects in its portfolio, consisting of 764 claims for approximately 6,100 ha in two of Nevada's most prolific gold trends. Most of the projects host encouraging drill intercepts of gold and already have drill targets developed. Several videos are available on the Company's website that describe Bravada's major properties, answering commonly asked investor questions. Simply click on this link http://www.bravadagold.com/en/management-videos.php. Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr. (AIPG CPG-11513, Wyoming PG-2576) is the qualified person responsible for reviewing and preparing the technical data presented in this release and has approved its disclosure. -30- On behalf of the Board of Directors of Bravada Gold Corporation "Joseph A. Kizis, Jr." Joseph A. Kizis, Jr., Director, President, Bravada Gold Corporation For further information, please visit Bravada Gold Corporation's website at bravadagold.com or contact the Company at 604.684.9384 or 775.746.3780. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for the company's projects, and the availability of financing for the company's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Bravada Gold Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59843 New York, July 15 : In a victory for universities and foreign students, President Donald Trump's administration has dropped its order to deny visa status to those taking only online cases because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Judge Allison Burroughs said on Tuesday that the government agreed to rescind the rule that would have required foreign students on F-1 or M-1 visas to leave the US or transfer to another university if they cannot take at least some in-person courses. Those staying on could have faced deportation. The judge made the announcement about the government backtracking during an emergency hearing asked by the two institutions that was held by teleconference and lasted only a few minutes. The case was brought in the federal court in Boston by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University on July 8 and it had snowballed with scores of colleges and tech companies backing them in court briefs and 18 state attorneys general filing another case against the order. The Trump administration's order issued last week reversed another issued in March that permitted students to take all their courses online because of the national COVID-19 emergency -- which still continues. Many universities, including Harvard, have announced plans to conduct only online classes in the Fall semester starting in August or September, while some like Columbia and Yale plan to offer a hybrid programme that combines online and in-person teaching if local authorities permit classroom attendance. The administration's order against online only teaching seemed to be a tactic to force educational institutions to comply with Trump's agenda to open the nation fully before the November election. When the case was filed, Harvard President Larry Summers said, "It appears that it was designed purposefully to place pressure on colleges and universities to open their on-campus classrooms for in-person instruction this fall, without regard to concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors, and others." At least two other cases against the government's order are pending before other federal courts: One is by Johns Hopkins University in Washington and the other is by the University of California in San Francisco. Harvard and Yale said in court documents that although it may be argued that the students can continue their studies online from their home countries, "they may have their research and learning inhibited by time zone variations, unavailable, unreliable or state-managed Internet connections, and other barriers to online learning". They said that students can suffer irreparable harm from the order if they are forced out of the country. Tech companies, including Google, Microsoft and Facebook said in their brief that "America's future competitiveness depends on attracting and retaining talented international students". According to the International Institute of Education, there are over one million foreign students in the US and of them about 200,00 are from India. several US institutions are dependent on tuition from foreign students, many of whom pay full fees. But another factor of importance to both the universities and the economy is the pre-ponderance of graduate students in engineering and science. Foreigners make up over 75 per cent of graduate students in electrical, computer, petroleum and industrial engineering fields, according to Inside Higher Ed. They not only back up the faculty as teaching assistants and researchers, but go on to work for or found tech companies. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) BY THE NUMBERS Dow futures pointed to an opening pop of about 500 points as Wall Street responds to positive news involving Moderna's potential coronavirus vaccine. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures also were higher. The Dow enters the session on a three-day win streak, including a 557-point gain Tuesday. The S&P and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite returned to the green, advancing 1.3% and 0.94%, respectively. (CNBC) * Treasury yields move higher ahead of Fed's Beige Book report (CNBC) Goldman Sachs (GS) reported quarterly revenues and per-share earnings that far exceeded Street expectations, sending its shares higher by more than 4% in the premarket. The investment bank posted second-quarter revenues of $13.3 billion, ahead of the expected $9.75 billion, and earnings per share of $6.26, when analysts anticipated $3.78 per share. (CNBC) Shares of UnitedHealth (UNH) were higher by more than 1% in early trading following the health insurer's second-quarter earnings report. UnitedHealth's quarterly profits more than doubled compared to a year earlier as the coronavirus pandemic resulted in some medical care to be deferred. (Reuters) On today's economic calendar, import prices and the New York Federal Reserve Bank's Empire State manufacturing index are set to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. The Fed's Beige Book report will come out at 2 p.m ET. Don't forget: Today is the new deadline to file 2019 tax returns or pay taxes owed to the IRS. IN THE NEWS TODAY STOCKS TO WATCH Best Buy (BBY), the nation's largest electronics retailer, will require all customers to wear masks in its stores, becoming the latest retailer to do so. Other large chains, including Starbucks (SBUX) and Costco (COST), have instituted similar rules. Facebook (FB) and Sony (SNE) are planning to increase output of upcoming gaming devices by as much as 50%, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review. Sony raised production orders for its PlayStation 5 to about 9 million units from 6 million, while Facebook is increasing orders for its Oculus virtual reality headsets by about 50% to a total of about 2 million. New Jersey regulators meet today to decide on the fate of Eldorado Resorts' (ERI) planned merger with Caesar's Entertainment (CZR). New Jersey is the last state approval that the two casino operators will need to complete the deal, with Indiana and Nevada having already given their approval. Satellite radio and streaming service operator Sirius XM (SIRI) added $2 billion to its stock buyback program. Massachusetts filed suit against Uber Technologies (UBER) and Lyft (UBER), saying the ride-hailing companies incorrectly classified drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, depriving them of benefits. Uber and Lyft face a similar legal action in California. PVH Corp. (PVH) is shutting down 162 retail stores and cutting 450 jobs in North America, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on apparel sales. The company behind brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and IZOD said the move affects 12% of its workforce and will save about $80 million annually. WATERCOOLER German Chancellor said that is willing to compromise on the European recovery fund at the upcoming summit of the (EU) leaders. "We will of course go to Brussels and the German side has a certain stock of willingness to compromise," Merkel said on Tuesday during a press conference ahead of a preparatory meeting with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xinhua news agency reported. "It would be desirable to reach a quick result but I don't know whether there will be a success on Friday and Saturday," added Merkel, saying that time is pressing and the EU must act in an unusual, unprecedented situation and learn from the coronavirus pandemic. Sanchez said that July must be the month of decision and Spain would do everything for that. "If we postpone the agreement again, we will postpone the reconstruction. And if we postpone reconstruction, the crisis will be even more serious." Sanchez also predicted difficult negotiations and called on the other EU members to work on an agreement. At the same time, Sanchez emphasized that the EU members have different visions of where Europe should be headed, and each one of these is legitimate. Back in May, the European Commission proposed a 750-billion-euro (US $852 billion) recovery fund to help the bloc emerge from the pandemic-triggered economic crisis. This fund will be the focus of the special EU summit on July 17 and 18 in Brussels. According to the plan, 500 billion euros of this debt-financed recovery fund are to be granted as grants and 250 billion as loans. However, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria oppose providing the aid as grants, and argue that the aid must be linked to reforms. European leaders are busy visiting each other to prepare for the summit, with Germany, the current EU Council presidency, in the focus. Merkel met last week with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Italy and Spain are among the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe and both need financial aid. --IANS rt/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The statue of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid put in place without the knowledge of Bristol City Council. Bristol City Council removed the sculpture of Jen Reid a day later, saying the decision about what replaces Colston's monument must be made by the people of Bristol. A statue of a slave trader removed by anti-racism protesters in the southwestern UK city of Bristol last month has been replaced in secret with a sculpture of a Black woman who helped pull it down. The new statue, showing Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester Jen Reid with her fist raised, occupies the plinth where the likeness of Edward Colston stood before crowds threw it into Bristol harbour. Entitled A Surge of Power, the sculpture by artist Marc Quinn was put in place early on Wednesday without the knowledge of Bristol City Council. Reid was at the early morning unveiling and told the Guardian newspaper that it was just incredible. This is going to continue the conversation. I cant see it coming down in a hurry, she said. The local authority had said any decision to replace the Colston statue would be taken democratically. The statue of 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston falls into the water [Keir Gravil via Reuters] Colstons statue, which had occupied the plinth since 1895, was torn down by BLM protesters who took to the streets following the killing of African American George Floyd by police in the US city of Minnesota in May. Floyds death prompted global protests, including in the UK, where much of the focus of demonstrations has been on Britains colonial past. A statue of a #BlackLivesMatter protester has replaced the monument of a slaver in Bristol, UK. Protesters dumped the statue of Edward Colston in the Bristol Harbour in June. The new statue, depicting a woman raising her fist in a Black Power salute, was erected in secret. pic.twitter.com/DNDUbpvEut Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 15, 2020 Colston was a 17th-century slave trader and Conservative Party MP whose company forcibly moved large numbers of West Africans. A native of Bristol, his name is commemorated in many landmarks across the city. The impact of the march in Bristol has seen calls for other statues to be taken down, including that of colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oxford Universitys Oriel College. There have also been counter-demonstrations to protect some statues, including one of Winston Churchill in London and one of Scout movement founder Robert Baden-Powell in Poole on Englands south coast. Ripples from the Bristol protest have been felt elsewhere in the UK, including the southern coastal city of Brighton and Hove, which has pledged to work towards becoming anti-racist. Quinns previous works include a self-portrait, Self, and a sculpture entitled Alison Lapper Pregnant, which was displayed in the capital Londons Trafalgar Square. MINNEAPOLIS - You can modify the risk factors that a new study has found may lead to the steepest declines in thinking skills in middle age. The study is published in the July 15, 2020, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. At the same time, the risk factors that were not associated with cognitive decline might surprise you. "Cardiovascular risk factors, especially high blood pressure and diabetes, become more common in midlife. We found those two risk factors, as well as smoking, are associated with higher odds of having accelerated cognitive decline, even over just a short span of five years," said study author Kristine Yaffe, M.D., of the University of California, San Francisco and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "In other words, people with these risk factors had a greater chance of having faster cognitive decline than a group of their peers who did not smoke, or have high blood pressure or diabetes. It's encouraging to know that there are behaviors people can modify in midlife to help prevent the steepest declines in thinking and memory as they age." The study involved 2,675 people with an average age of 50 who did not have dementia. Researchers measured their cardiovascular risk factors at the start of the study: 43% were considered obese, 31% had high blood pressure, 15% were smokers, 11% had diabetes, and 9% had high cholesterol. Participants were given thinking and memory tests at the beginning of the study and five years later. Then researchers estimated the association of the five cardiovascular risk factors with decline in their performance on the thinking and memory tests that was not defined as dementia, but was faster than what was seen in a group of adults of similar ages. Five percent of the participants had accelerated cognitive decline over five years. A total of 7.5% of those with high blood pressure had faster decline, compared to 4.3% of those who did not have high blood pressure. And 10.3% of those with diabetes had faster decline, compared to 4.7% of those who did not have diabetes. A total of 7.7% of current smokers had faster decline, compared to 4.3% of those who never smoked. After adjusting for age, race, education and other factors that could affect the risk of cognitive decline, researchers found that people who smoked were 65% more likely to have accelerated cognitive decline, those with high blood pressure were 87% more likely and those with diabetes had a nearly three times as likely to have accelerated cognitive decline. "Surprisingly, people who were considered obese and those with high cholesterol did not have a greater risk of cognitive decline," said Yaffe. "Other studies have shown a link between obesity and dementia, but mostly in older adults. Meanwhile, the studies that examine high cholesterol and dementia have had mixed results, so our research adds to those studies." People who had one or two of the risk factors were nearly twice as likely to have accelerated decline than people with no risk factors. People with three or more of the risk factors were nearly three times as likely to have faster decline than those with no risk factors. Of the 1,381 people with one or two risk factors, 71 had faster decline, or 5.1%, compared to 19 of the 700 people with no risk factors, which is 2.7%, and 53 of the 594 people with three or more risk factors, which is 8.9%. "Most public health prevention efforts focus on older adults, but our study suggests the need to look at cognitive performance across a person's life span," said Yaffe. "Middle-aged adults who have one or more cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes may be people we should be monitoring and educating on healthy lifestyle choices earlier in life." Yaffe said a limitation of the study is that researchers were unable to measure every aspect of the participants' thinking skills, but did have sensitive tests for memory, executive function and processing speed. ### The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute. Learn more about brain health at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 36,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Media Contacts: Renee Tessman, rtessman@aan.com, (612) 928-6137 M.A. Rosko, mrosko@aan.com, (612) 928-6169 Becoming a pinnacle of bravery at the mere age of six, Bridger Walker saved his little sister from a dog and in turn, suffering from severe injuries that caused him over 90 stitches. The courageous act of the boy hailing from Wyoming, United States was narrated by his aunt Nikki Walker on Instagram along with pictures of Bridger and his sister prompting responses from several Hollywood actors including Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway. The incident reportedly happened on July 9 when the dog approached the little girl but her brother stood in front of the animal to protect her. However, the dog attacked Bridger and bit him on his left cheek leading to severe injuries. Despite the pain, the six-year-old managed to escape the incident along with his sister. According to Nikkis narration on Instagram, a plastic surgeon treated Bridger who is now staying at home and resting. Nikki also said that when Bridger was asked about the incident later, he replied saying "If someone had to die, I thought it should be me. Nikki wrote on Instagram, "After receiving 90 stitches (give or take) from a skilled plastic surgeon, hes finally resting at home. We love our brave boy and want all the other superheroes to know about this latest hero who joined their ranks." Read - Incredible Odds: Three Ohio Sisters Give Birth On Same Day At Same Hospital Read - Elephant Calves' Tussle Over A Treat From The Wilderness Of Kenya Goes Viral On Twitter Mark Ruffalo left a heartfelt comment While Nikki called her nephew a hero, the Hulk actor praised the courage of six-year-old and said that he admires it. In a heartfelt comment on Nikkis post, Ruffalo lauded the boy for putting the well being of others before himself and called him most heroic. Mark Ruffalo wrote, Dear Bridger, I just read about what happened to you and I wanted to reach out to say this... People who put the well beings of others in front of themselves are the most heroic and thoughtful people I know. I truly respect and admire your courage and your heart. Real courage isnt dominating people or fighting against people or walking around like a tough guy. Real courage is knowing what is right to do and doing it even when it might end up hurting you somehow. You are more of man than many, many I have seen or known. With Admiration... Mark Ruffalo, he added. Read - Nagpur Police And NASCAR Take everything Is Cake Challenge, Check Hilarious Memes Read - Desi Netizens Laugh Out Loud As A Charred Utensil Makes Rounds On The Internet 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. Kerala board Class 10th, 12th Results date 2020: Kerala board SSLC exams also took place between 10 and 19 March, but had to be discontinued in view of the prevailing situations. The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala is expected to declare the results of Class 12 exams today (15 July). The Class 10 results were announced on 30 June. According to Hindustan Times, more than eight lakh students appeared for Kerala board Class 12 exams. The intermediate exams began on 10 March, but later some papers had to be postponed due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The pending papers were held from 27 to 30 May. Kerala board SSLC exams also took place between 10 and 19 March, but had to be discontinued in view of the prevailing situations. Later, the remaining papers were conducted from 26 to 30 May, reported The Times of India. The evaluation work has been completed and the education department is ready to release the result. Around four lakh students registered for Kerala board Class 10 exams this year, reported Careers360. Those who appeared for Class 10 exams will be able to check their result at sslcexam.kerala.gov.in, results.kite.kerala.gov.in, results.kerala.nic.in and prd.kerala.gov.in. Students who took Class 12 exams will be able to check their result at keralaresults.nic.in. How to check Class 10 or 12 results: Step 1: Go to one of the mentioned websites. Step 2: Click on the link for result. Step 3: Enter roll number to log in. Step 4: Result will be displayed on the screen. This year, results have been delayed due to the coronavirus lockdown. In 2019, Class 12 results were declared on 8 May, while Class 10 results were released on 6 May. Disclaimer: As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified by Firstpost. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in. Dublin, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automotive Turbocharger Market by Vehicle (Passenger Car, LCV and HCV), by Engine (Gasoline and Diesel), by Technology (VGT/VNT, Wastegate and Electric Turbocharger), by Operation, by Region, by Company, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Automotive Turbocharger Market is anticipated to reach USD 26 Billion by 2025, growing at an impressive rate during the forecast period on account of rising production of commercial vehicles and strict government regulations on the emission and fuel efficiency of the automobiles. Moreover, the increasing demand for vehicle high power outputs and low exercise duty on smaller engines are driving the growth of the automotive turbocharger market. Based on the technology, the demand for VGT technology is anticipated to grow in the forecast period as it can overcome the limitation of the fixed geometry turbocharger (FGT). Based on the vehicle, the market has been segmented into passenger cars, light commercial vehicle and heavy commercial vehicle. The passenger car segment is forecast to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period owing to the rising concerns over fuel economy and strict government regulations. In terms of regional analysis, Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period due to the increase in disposable income and the rising demand for automobiles in the region. Some of the major players operating in the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market are Borgwarner, Turbo International, Calsonic Kansie, Turbonetics, Bosch Mahle, MHI, TEL,Delphi Technologies, Cummins, Continental. Major companies are developing advanced technologies and launching new products in order to stay competitive in the market. Other competitive strategies include mergers & acquisitions and new product developments. Years considered for this report: Historical Years: 2015-2018 Base Year: 2019 Estimated Year: 2020 Forecast Period: 2021-2025 Objective of the Study: To analyze and forecast the market size of the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market, in terms of value and volume. To classify and forecast the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market based on vehicle, engine, technology, operation, and regional distribution. To identify drivers and challenges for the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market. To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market. To conduct the pricing analysis for the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market. To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market. The author performed both primary as well as exhaustive secondary research for this study. Initially, the author sourced a list of manufacturers across the globe. Subsequently, the author conducted primary research surveys with the identified companies. While interviewing, the respondents were also enquired about their competitors. Through this technique, the author could include the manufacturers which could not be identified due to the limitations of secondary research. The author analyzed the service offerings, distribution channels and the presence of all major manufacturers across the globe. The author calculated the market size of the Global Automotive Turbocharger Market by using a bottom-up approach, where the data for various end-user segments was recorded and forecast for the future years. Researchers sourced these values from the industry experts and company representatives and externally validated through analyzing historical data of these product types and applications for getting an appropriate, overall market size. Various secondary sources such as company websites, news articles, press releases, company annual reports, investor presentations, and financial reports were also studied. Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Impact of COVID-19 on Global Automotive Turbocharger Market 4. Executive Summary 5. Voice of Customer 5.1. Product Pricing 5.2. Factors Influencing Purchase Decision 5.3. Product Awareness 6. Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Overview 7. Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 7.1. Market Size & Forecast 7.1.1. By Value & Volume 7.2. Market Share & Forecast 7.2.1. By Vehicle (Passenger Car, Light Commercial Vehicle, Heavy Commercial Vehicle) 7.2.2. By Engine (Gasoline and Diesel) 7.2.3. By Technology (VGT/VNT, Wastegate and Electric Turbocharger) 7.2.4. By Operation (Conventional Turbocharger and e-turbocharger) 7.2.5. By Company 7.2.6. By Region 7.3. Market Attractiveness Index 8. Asia-Pacific Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 8.1. Market Size & Forecast 8.2. Market Share & Forecast 8.3. Asia-Pacific: Country Analysis 9. Europe Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 9.1. Market Size & Forecast 9.2. Market Share & Forecast 9.3. Europe: Country Analysis 10. North America Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 10.1. Market Size & Forecast 10.2. Market Share & Forecast 10.3. North America: Country Analysis 11. South America Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 11.1. Market Size & Forecast 11.2. Market Share & Forecast 11.3. South America: Country Analysis 12. Middle East and Africa Global Automotive Turbocharger Market Outlook 12.1. Market Size & Forecast 12.2. Market Share & Forecast 12.3. MEA: Country Analysis 13. Market Dynamics 13.1. Drivers 13.2. Challenges 13.3. Opportunities 14. Market Trends & Developments 15. Competitive Landscape 15.1. BorgWarner Inc. 15.2. Continental AG 15.3. Cummins Inc. 15.4. Delphi Technologies 15.5. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd 15.6. Garrett Motion Inc. 15.7. IHI Turbo America 15.8. Magnum Performance Turbos 16. Strategic Recommendations 17. About the Author & Disclaimer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xyn1w0 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. The Congress sacked Sanjay Jha as its spokesperson after After he publicly criticised the Congress at the time of Sachin Pilot's rebellion last month Sanjay Jha, who has been suspended by the Congress for anti-party activities, on Wednesday said he is loyal to the party's ideology, but his "fidelity is not to any individual or family. Jha, who has been critical of the way the Congress handled issues regarding rebel party leader Sachin Pilot, said he remains a Gandhi-Nehruvian idealist which is a vanishing breed within the Congress. Also Read: Congress suspends Sanjay Jha, cites anti-party activities, discipline breach The entrepreneur-turned-politician also said he will continue to raise issues that are fundamental to the resurgence of his party, and added that the battle has just begun. His comments came a day after Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat in a statement said Jha has been suspended from the party with immediate effect for anti-party activities and breach of discipline". Jha in a tweet on Wednesday said, My loyalty is to the Congress ideology. My fidelity is not to any individual or family. I remain a Gandhi-Nehruvian idealist (a vanishing breed within Congress). I will continue to raise issues that are fundamental to the resurgence of my party. The battle has just begun." Reacting to his suspension, Jha on Tuesday wondered what "anti-party activities" he had indulged in to invite the action from the Congress. He was dropped Jha as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson last month after he wrote a newspaper article critical of the party. He has also been critical of the way the Congress handled issues pertaining to rebel party leader Sachin Pilot, who was on Tuesday sacked as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the party's state unit president. What is saving your life right now? Barbara Brown Taylor has made a practice of asking this question of people. This is what she says about it in her book, Leaving Church. Salvation is so much more than many of its proponents would have us believe. In the Bible, human beings experience Gods salvation when peace ends war, when food follows famine, when health supplants sickness and freedom trumps oppression. Salvation is a word for the divine spaciousness that comes to human beings in all the tight places where their lives are at risk, regardless of how they got there or whether they know Gods name. Sometimes it comes as an extended human hand and sometimes as a bolt from the blue, but either way it opens a door in what looked for all the world like a wall. This is the way of life, and God alone knows how it works (pp. 225-226). I answer this question, What is Saving Your Life Right Now? in a sermon coming up by telling a story that is found in 2 Kings 4:1-7. One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves. What can I do to help you? Elisha asked. Tell me, what do you have in the house? Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil, she replied. And Elisha said, Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled. So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim! Bring me another jar, she said to one of her sons. There arent any more! he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over. This story oscillates between the two extremes of empty and full. The widow is empty. She has nothing. She is the epitome of someone who has found themselves in a tight place, as Barbara Brown Taylor calls it. She is poor, in debt and now she faces the loss of her most treasured possessions, her children. She has an empty house. She even tells Elisha that she has nothing, then she says except a jar of olive oil. Then at Elishas curious instructions she collects empty jars. She is empty, desperate and in great need. Many of us are facing our own form of desperation today. Some of us are facing unemployment, sickness, the death of loved ones. Many of us feel desperate because we dont know how to answer questions such as, do we send our children to school or not? Do we continue to work or stay home with them? We are not sure how to proceed in caring for aging and ill parents during a health pandemic. How do we make future decision about anything? Many of us, like the widow, are desperate and empty, at the end of our resources. There is good news for those of us who are desperate and empty. The miracle of the story is that the emptiness is miraculously transformed to fullness. The widow takes the meager amount of oil that she has and pours it into the empty jars until they are full (to the brim!). She fills and fills and fills until there are no more jars. There is such an abundance that she uses the full jars to pay off her debt and she still has money left over to provide for her family! With this miracle, Elisha (God through him!) saves her. The financial resources gained from the oil save her children from slavery, save her from poverty and despair, and ultimately save her from death. For those of us who are desperate, empty and alone, this story invites us to follow the example of the widow and to find salvation as Taylor defines it: the divine spaciousness that comes to us in all the tight places. The widow points us to the God who opens a door in what looks like a wall. God alone is the one who takes empty jars and fill them to overflowing. OTTAWA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Canada and the United States have agreed to keep the border between the two countries closed to non-essential travel until Aug. 21, CTV News reported Tuesday. The ban, which has to be reviewed each month, was set to expire on July 21. It is now being renewed for the fourth time since the border was closed to non-essential traffic on March 21. The ban, as it stands, exempts the flow of trade and commerce, as well as temporary foreign workers and vital health-care workers such as nurses who live and work on opposite sides of the border. Tourists and cross-border visits remain prohibited. The reported new extension came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the phone Monday about a range of issues that included the border closure. "We recognize that the situation continues to be complex in the United States in regards to COVID-19," Trudeau said Monday at a press conference. "Every month, we have been able to extend the border closures to all but essential goods and services and those discussions are ongoing." The latest Nano polling suggests that more than 80 percent of Canadians favor keeping the border restrictions in place. Some public health officials have also suggested the border should remain closed until at least the end of the year because the COVID-19 pandemic is still out of control in the United States. As of Tuesday, there have been 3,286,063 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 134,704 deaths in the United States while Canada has reported 107,590 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 8,783 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Roxxxy Andrews is here to make it clear.shes back on RuPauls Drag Race! The legendary drag queen appeared on All Stars 5 last week as the lip sync assassin and she had all of the internet in awe. Roxxxy Andrews in 2018 | Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Absolut Roxxxy Andrews is a RuPauls Drag Race icon One of the franchises pageant queens, Andrews, whose real name is Michael Feliciano, is one of the most memorable contestants in RuPauls Drag Race history. Andrews was first a contestant on season 5, where she had a memorable run and was a runner-up. She was known as a part of the Rolaskatox trio with Alaska and Detox. Andrews won two main challenges in season 2 and placed high five times. She had a very memorable lip-sync against Alyssa Edwards in which she is credited with being the first queen to incorporate a wig reveal into a Lip-Sync for Your Life performance. Andrews returned for the second All Stars season where she sought to rehab her bad girl persona as well as showing the world and the show how she has elevated her drag. Her run on this season was successful as on this season as well, despite being controversially saved by Rolaskatox several times. Andrews won one main challenge and made it to the finals, placing fourth overall. She returned as a lip-sync assassin for All Stars 5 In All Stars 5 the major twist is that instead of the top two queens competing in a Lip-Sync for Your Legacy against each other, the sole top queen would compete against a lip-sync assassin from a previous season. As define by the Drag Race fandom, a lip-sync assassin is a queen who has won several competitive lip-syncs with memorable moments. The show has seemingly used the term loosely as far as All Stars with a mix of true assassins, some winners, and queens who are brought back frequently in the franchise. In the sixth episode, Andrews was the lip-sync assassin and went up against Miz Cracker. The song selection was Ariana Grandes One Last Time, and Andrews had several reveals which propelled her over Cracker, including a Thick & Juicy strap. RELATED: Why Shea Coulee Is the All-Star Queen RuPauls Drag Race Fans Need Right Now Fans and her fellow queens were gagging Both fans and other RuPauls Drag Race queens showed Andrews a lot of love for a show-stopping appearance on All Stars 5. RELATED: Would Pearl Return to RuPauls Drag Race for All Stars? I havent seen the episode yet, but Ima just say @RoxxxyAndrews is the best f*****g drag queen in the world and thats on periodtttttt. And, just like a fleet enema, she is what?! Here. To. Make. It. Clear, said Andrews close friend and season 5 and All Stars 2 queen Detox. Season 8 queen and All Stars 5 queen Derrick Barry tweeted, Did @RoxxxyAndrews just make Top 4?! I tell myself everyday that i look like @RoxxxyAndrews when I get in drag #goals, said season 10s Miss Congeniality, Heidi N Closet. Literally. Every time I think I got my shit together as a drag queen, I remind myself there is a @RoxxxyAndrews in this world. Its a good way to keep myself grounded, tweeted season 10 queen Nicky Doll. RuPauls Drag Race All Stars season 5 has two more episodes in its season. The show airs Fridays on VH1. Apple's penalty amount to Samsung is said to have helped the company profit from its display business. Apple has reportedly paid Samsung a penalty amount of almost $1 billion for failing to purchase OLED displays as required. Samsung Display is Apples biggest OLED supplier for its iPhones. It was earlier reported that Apple paid Samsung around $745 million for not meeting the OLED display purchase requirement. But a new report from Display Supply Chain says that the penalty was actually around $950 million. This payment has also reportedly boosted Samsungs Q2 revenue with the company estimated to have received a one-time gain related to its display business. Samsung didnt disclose the amount but its expected to be Apples penalty closing in to $1 billion. This payment also helped overturn Samsung Displays loss to a profit. Its not the first time something like this happened. Last year too Apple faced a penalty for not buying OLED panels from Samsung as decided. Apple reportedly paid Samsung around $684 million as penalty last year. Weak demand and sales due to Covid-19 is expected to have resulted in Apple not meeting the OLED panel requirement. Apple is also expected to shift from Samsung Display to Chinas BOE Tech as its biggest OLED supplier for the iPhone 12 series. This year Apple is expected to launch four iPhone 12 models with 5G support. All four 5G iPhones will also reportedly feature OLED displays. Post Luxembourg left the historic building located in the city centre in 2017 and moved to its new premises in quartier de la gare. Now, the new project for the building has been revealed. Modernising the enormous building which was built over a hundred years ago between 1908 and 1910 to be precise is not an easy task, especially since it is also classified as a historical monument. Post Luxembourg already reviewed ideas in 2015 but none of the submitted projects were chosen. Rumours about the building being turned into a hotel have sparked enthusiasm as well as criticism. A few months ago, Post finally agreed to a partnership with French real estate group Artea. In the context of this cooperation, both companies are co-investors in the transformation of Hotel des Postes Post holding 51% of the investment and Artea 49%. The building, which will remain the sole property of Post Luxembourg, will subsequently be managed by the French investor. The photos published on this site are subject to copyright and may not be copied, modified, or sold without the prior permission of the owner of the site in question. Romain Schmiz architects & urbanistes, which has already build the new Post building near the railway station, has received the contract to put the plan of architect Sosthene Weis into reality. The latter is working alongside Geraldine Dohogne, interior designer based in London who has notably designed the "1898 The Post" hotel in Gand, Belgium. On 8,600 m2 there will be: In the basement area: A spa including a wellness centre and a gym On the ground floor: A completely redesigned interior court which will feature a number of commercial facilities: a restaurant, a bar, shops, and the hotel reception. There will also be a number of care services. The first number of floors will host the hotel (a specific project will be revealed at a later stage) The second-to-last floor will feature co-working spaces, e.g. meeting rooms, shared office spaces as well as individual offices aimed at business customers There are currently no plans for the last floor Works are expected to start at the end of the year and continue until 2023. The estimated budget for the project is 50 million. The Director-General of Post Luxembourg, Claude Strasser, stated: "Hotel des Postes remains the property of Post. Our main goal is to make sure that the iconic building will regain its charm. I want to make sure that it will be an integral part of the public space of the capital and that as many residents and visitors can benefit from this architectural jewel as possible". The mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, declared: "Hotel des Postes has always been an architectural gemstone in the heart of Luxembourg City. Thanks to its new function, it will contribute to the appeal and value of the city centre". In this file photo illustration, the logo of social media application TikTok is displayed on the screen of an iPhone, in Arlington, Virginia. TikTok has been caught up in the escalating dispute between the United States and China, with the Chinese-owned firm accused of acting as a surveillance tool for Beijing, an allegation it denies. AFP-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul The country's top telecom regulator fined Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok 186 million won ($155,000) over the app operator's mismanagement of user data, with the regulator chief Han Sang-hyuck calling it a "problematic company." The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said Wednesday the regulator's decision to impose the fine was based on its thorough internal investigation that uncovered TikTok's violation of local telecommunication laws. "The KCC can confirm TikTok didn't get parental consent when collecting personal data for users younger than 14. Plus, TikTok didn't notify its users of its overseas transfer of personal data. While TikTok had promised children under the age of 14 wouldn't be able to use its service, it didn't operate a proper online age verification process," the KCC said in a statement, adding the telecom regulator also found TikTok collected data on at least 6,007 children under the age of 14 registered to the service between May 31, 2017, and Dec. 6 last year. Irelands agriculture minister has been sacked from his post after a charge of drink-driving he faced four years ago threatened to overshadow the launch of the fledgling government. Barry Cowen was named as part of Micheal Martins cabinet at the end of last month as part of the new coalition government formed between leading parties Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens. However on Tuesday Mr Cowen was removed from the post after it was revealed he had been caught over the legal alcohol limit while driving himself and a friend home from a sporting event in September 2016. At the time Mr Cowen, who is part of a political dynasty which includes his brother former premier Brian Cowen, had been a serving member of the Irish parliament. He was handed a 200 (172) fine and banned from driving for three months. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The slow-burning row over his intoxication at the wheel reportedly while holding a provisional driving licence threatened to overshadow the launch of the new coalition government, with the new prime minister forced to answer questions on Mr Cowens conduct in parliament on Tuesday morning. However while Mr Martin had initially defended his cabinet minister over the indiscretion, he ultimately decided to remove him from his role after it was alleged Mr Cowen had attempted to evade officers on the night in question. In a statement the taioseach said his decision has been due to Mr Cowens refusal to address the latest allegations against him which he denies publicly. The situation was simply untenable and damaging to the ongoing work of the government, Mr Martin added However Mr Cowen has since said he is surprised and disappointed over his sacking, which was conducted over the phone. Unfortunately the decision of the Taoiseach to remove me from office, when he supported me this afternoon in the Dail [parliament], has undermined and potentially prejudiced my entitlement to fair process. Responding to allegations he had performed a U-turn to avoid a police checkpoint, the former minister wrote on Twitter: At no time did I attempt to evade the Gardai [police]. Had I done so, the charges brought against me would, quite correctly, have been of a different tenor to those with which I was charged. Dr Anthony Fauci, one of Americas top infectious disease experts and leading member of the governments coronavirus task force, has hit back at attacks by Trump administration officials over his handling of the pandemic. Ultimately, it hurts the president to do that. When the staff lets out something like that and the entire scientific and press community push back on it, it ultimately hurts the president, he told The Atlantic. His comments come in response to a barrage of criticism of his work on the pandemic from the White House, amid signs that the relationship between him and Donald Trump has soured in recent months. Dr Fauci recently revealed that he has not briefed the president in the past two months, even as coronavirus cases surge across the country. One such attack came in the form of a list of bullet points forwarded to journalists by the White House of apparent mistakes made by Dr Fauci, which CNN said resembled opposition research on a political opponent. Others came from deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino also posted an anti-Fauci cartoon on his Facebook page, and from Donald Trumps trade adviser, Peter Navarro, who published an op-ed in USA Today on Tuesday in which he wrote that Dr Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on. Dr Fauci said in the interview published on Wednesday that the rising number of coronavirus cases across the United States required immediate attention and focus from the White House. When you look at the numbers, obviously, weve got to do better. Weve got to almost reset this and say, Okay, lets stop this nonsense. Weve got to figure out, How can we get our control over this now, and, looking forward, how can we make sure that next month, we dont have another example of California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona? So rather than these games people are playing, lets focus on that, he said. Well, that is a bit bizarre., he said of the attempts to discredit him. And I have to tell you, I think if I sit here and just shrug my shoulders and say, Well, you know, thats life in the fast lane. When asked whether he had considered resigning in response to the attacks against him, Dr Fauci said: No. I think the problem is too important for me to get into those kinds of thoughts and discussions. I just want to do my job. Im really good at it. I think I can contribute. And Im going to keep doing it. Before departing for a trip to Atlanta on Wednesday, Mr Trump was asked about the recent tensions with Dr Fauci. Were all on the same team, including Dr Fauci. I have a very good relationship with Dr. Fauci. And were all on the same team. We want to get rid of this mess that China sent us. When asked about Mr Navarros op-ed targeting the top expert, Mr Trump said: Well, he made a statement representing himself. He shouldnt be doing that. No, I have a very good relationship with Anthony. The White House was forced to deny sending campaign-style opposition research to reporters on Monday. There is no opposition research being dumped to reporters, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, contending that the emails were sent from White House press aides to The Washington Post in response to a straightforward question. Alyssa Farah, White House director of strategic communications, tweeted on Wednesday that the piece by Mr Navarro didnt go through normal White House clearance processes and is the opinion of Peter alone. The public row comes as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the United States. More than 3.4 million Americans have been infected with the virus and at least 136,800 have died. In May, the U.S. Justice Department filed criminal charges against two Iranians, accusing them of trying to launder some $12 million to purchase the tanker, then named the MT Nautica, through a series of front companies. The vessel then took on Iranian oil from Kharg Island to sell abroad, the U.S. government said. 100 years ago Death investigated Stephen Kiber, 46, was found by police hanging from a gas pipe in his room on Mangan Street in Cohoes, but with hands and feet also tied tightly. According to the story told to police by his family, Kiber came home late the night before and after a quarrel drove them all out of the house and forbade them to return. The next morning they returned to find all doors and windows locked. They called police, who entered and found the man dead for what officials believed was several hours. The police and coroner intended to continue investigating despite all evidence pointing to suicide. All evidence except the mystery of how Kiber managed to secure his own hands and feet before hanging himself. Times Union, July 15, 1920 50 years ago A change in communion The Vatican granted permission to the Albany Catholic Diocese to have laymen and laywomen distribute communion to the sick or during Mass when a priest was overburdened. The bishop would name suitable persons in the Rite for Commissioning an Extradordinary Minister of Holy Communion after names are recommended by a pastor or a parish council. Albany was the fifth U.S. diocese to receive special permission to experiment with non-clerical distribution of the Eucharist. Despite the experimental nature of the permission, the practice was not new to the Catholic Church: During the first few centuries of the church, the laity handled the Eucharist at Mass and usually carried it home afterwards to share with sick relatives. Times Union, July 15, 1970 Looking Back is compiled by C.J. Lais Jr. and Azra Haqqie. Actor Anupam Kher has shared a new video, giving a health update about his mother, who was been diagnosed with Covid-19. His mother, Dulari, was admitted to the Kokilaben hospital on Sunday. Anupams brother Raju Kher and his wife and daughter have also been diagnosed and are in quarantine at their home. Sharing a video on Instagram, Anupam talked about how his mother has not been told about the real reason she has been admitted to the hospital. He said that she has been asking about everyones health from the hospital. Though we told her you have infection, you dont have Covid. But she understands because she is surrounded by people so she knows it, he said. Anupam added that his mother has been her usual spirited self even at the hospital, joking with his cousin on phone calls and asking about others. He said it is important to look after ones parents at such a time. Random thoughts Felt like Sharing with you what I am feeling these days. Mom is trying to be her spirited self in the hospital although is not feeling hungry. Raju, Reema & Vrinda are home quarantined. Parents are so selfless. One must verbally tell them again and again that you love them. For them and for your own self!, he captioned his video. The actor, on Monday, took to Twitter to share another video update in which he was seen thanking his fans for the support. Thank you, my dear friends, for your messages and blessings that you have sent in for the speedy recovery of my mother Dulari, (brother) Raju and his family. I cant respond to each of the messages on social media personally but I want to thank you all with all my heart, he said. Also read: Sonam Kapoor flies to beautiful London amid Covid-19 pandemic, says Im back It is natural to feel anxious when four people of the family have been diagnosed with coronavirus but in these times I got the support of you people and that gave me some comfort and positivity, he added. Giving an update about his familys health condition, Kher said, My mummy has been shifted to the isolation ward and Raju and his family is in-home quarantine. I am sure they are under the supervision of good doctors and they will recover soon. Before ending the video message, the 65-year-old actor urged people to take social distancing and their safety seriously. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON By Patrick Martin July 14, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Donald Trump is stepping up his efforts to manufacture a pretext for a declaration of martial law and the deployment of the military on the streets of the United States. The president has taken a series of provocative actions even as more information is coming to light as to just how close Trump came to instigating a military bloodbath at the beginning of last week. Only hours after the last National Guard troops were withdrawn from Washington DC, Trump made a new threat of military violence against a major American city, this time Seattle. In statements on Twitter Wednesday night, Trump demanded that Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, both Democrats, act to suppress protesters in a small neighborhood from which the police have temporarily withdrawn. If you dont do it, I will, he tweeted. This is not a game. Trump was seizing on a series of minor protest actions in the city, in which demonstrators against police violence have declared a Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, encompassing all of six city blocks, with spray-painted signs, campsites and other paraphernalia reminiscent of the 2011 Occupy Wall Street protests. This reality has not stopped Trump from portraying the events in the most incendiary terms. Domestic Terrorists have taken over Seattle, run by Radical Left Democrats, of course, he tweeted later, adding, LAW & ORDER! Trump also announced Thursday that he will hold his first public campaign rally since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 19. This is extraordinarily provocative, given the ongoing mass protests against the murder of George Floyd. June 19 has been traditionally celebrated by African Americans as Juneteenth, the day the Emancipation Proclamation was finally put into effect in Texas in 1865, while Tulsa is the site of the worst racist violence against African Americans in history, the Greenwood massacre of 1921, in which as many as 300 were killed. The choice of this date and place for a campaign rally must be seen as a deliberate effort to stage a confrontation between pro-Trump and anti-Trump forces that would justify the use of the military. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter The unprecedented political crisis in America was underscored by the comments made Wednesday night by Trumps Democratic opponent in the presidential election, Joe Biden, on the Comedy Central program hosted by Trevor Noah. This president is going to try to steal this election, Biden declared. In response to a question by Noah about whether he expected Trump to refuse to leave office if he is defeated on November 3, the former vice president said that was my greatest fear. Biden then praised the public attacks on Trump by a series of former military leaders last week, after Trumps threat to call out the military against those protesting the police murder of George Floyd. I was so damn proud. You have four chiefs of staff coming out and ripping the skin off of Trump, he said, adding that he counted on the military to remove Trump if he balked at respecting the results of the vote. I promise you, Im absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House in awith great dispatch, Biden concluded. This statement is remarkable: first, because Biden concedes that Trump has no intention of accepting the outcome of the election, and second, because he concedes to the military the decisive role in Trumps ultimate removal from office. As to what Biden would do if the military did not remove Trump, but rather allowed him to stay, Noah did not ask and Biden did not say. Press reports have shed additional light on the events of June 1 and the days that followed, completely confirming the warnings made by the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party that Trump was seeking to launch a military coup. On Monday, June 1, he declared himself your president of law and order and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, under which the president may deploy troops in the event that local and state governments cannot keep order. At a meeting that Monday morning, Trump demanded that federal troops pour into Washington, where he had been badly frightened by protests outside the White House. According to an account in Thursdays New York Times, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, objected, saying it was a terrible idea to have combat troops trained to fight foreign adversaries at war with Americans. A wild scramble ensued to use another option: Summon National Guard troops from other states to reinforce the 1,200 DC Guard troops already called up. Eleven states contributed 3,900 National Guard troops, including not only nearby Maryland and New Jersey, but more distant states like South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and even Utah and Idaho. Ten of the eleven states have Republican governors. At the Pentagons insistence, the National Guard troops stacked their weapons and ammunition at a local armory and went on patrols unarmed in order to avoid a repetition of the Kent State massacre 50 years ago, when National Guard troops opened fire on antiwar student protesters, killing four. It is clear, however, that Trump wanted such a violent encounter and sought to trigger a confrontation that night, which would give him a pretext for further and far more sweeping military moves. Press reports indicate that the order by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper that National Guard forces should operate without weapons at the ready was not cleared with the White House. At the same time, according to the Times, General Milley and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy warned the Guard throughout the day that if it could not control the protests, Mr. Trump would most likely call in the 82nd Airborne. These troops, as well as military police from the 10th Mountain Division stationed in upstate New York, were brought to the Washington DC area, but remained at bases outside the city. Despite the absence of any significant violence in the US capital, it was not until Thursday night, June 4, that Trump agreed that the regular troops should be sent home. On Sunday, June 7, he allowed the National Guard troops from outside DC to return to their states. This pullback, only completed Wednesday, has not ended the threat of military intervention. On Wednesday, Secretary Esper and General Milley replied by letter to the demand of the House Armed Services Committee that they appear to testify about the planned use of the military against the mass protests over the death of George Floyd. The two have so far declined to testify, adhering to unconstitutional instructions from the White House barring any cooperation with the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. In their letter, Esper and Milley said that active-duty military forces were not ever in the District for purposes of civilian law enforcement. But they declared that Trump retained the authority to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 and send federal troops anywhere in the United States to suppress disturbances. In the event that a president makes such a decision, he may do so without approval from the state government in which the forces are to be used, they said. This would apply directly to the state of Washington, the current target of Trumps threats. As a statement of the SEP warned, The conspirators in the White House have not ceased their plotting. The military is biding its time and considering its options. The police remain armed to the teeth. As Bidens comments make clear, the Democrats consider the military the ultimate arbiter of politics in the United States. Neither Congress nor the Democratic Party lifted a finger against this presidential declaration of authoritarian rule. It was only because of opposition from the Pentagon brass, which felt such a military action was both poorly prepared and not yet necessary, that Trump pulled back. The responsibility to oppose Trumps preparations for dictatorship falls to the working class, the only social force whose very existence is bound up with the defense of democratic rightsas the ongoing mass protests against police killings demonstrate. This must go forward through the building of an independent political movement of the working class based on a socialist program. Copyright 1998-2020 World Socialist Web Site - All rights reserved - " Source " - Post your comment below See also The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. A ruling by a Miami federal judge may strip many Cuban Americans of their hopes to seek reparations in court for property confiscated in Cuba by the Fidel Castro government six decades ago. U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King dismissed on Friday one of the first two lawsuits filed under the Helms-Burton Act, in this case, against Miami-based Carnival Corporation, for allegedly trafficking in confiscated property in Cuba. Breaking with historical precedent, President Donald Trump last year enacted the right to sue in the controversial Title III of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, also known as the Libertad Act. That provision allows U.S. citizens to claim compensation in federal courts from any company American or foreign that has benefited from the use of confiscated property on the island. But the judge concluded that a requirement in the Helms-Burton Act excludes lawsuits by U.S. citizens who had inherited claims to confiscated properties after March 12, 1996, when President Bill Clinton signed the law. If upheld on appeal, the ruling could bar many Cuban Americans from winning compensation. The decision will affect not only other Helms-Burton Act cases against other cruise lines, but will stand as a decision that all Helms-Burton litigants will come to know, said attorneys for Carnival Corporation George J. Fowler III and Luis Llamas in a statement to the Miami Herald. Javier Garcia-Bengochea, a Jacksonville surgeon, sued the cruise company in May for allegedly benefiting from the use of the Santiago de Cuba port facilities and warehouses formerly owned by his family business, La Maritima S.A. Castros government confiscated the properties in 1960. This vintage photo shows the area of the port of Santiago where La Maritima Parreno, which was founded in 1919, operated the principal terminal and warehouse facilities. The property was confiscated by the Cuban government in 1960. In May 2016, Carnival launched its cruise trips to Cuba with stops in Havana, Santiago, and Cienfuegos during a climate of better diplomatic relations under the Obama administration. Cruises to Cuba were banned again by the Trump administration in June last year. Garcia-Bengochea asked Carnival to pay triple damages under the law. But there were questions involving ownership, underscoring the multiple legal barriers awaiting those who want reparations for what their families lost in Cuba. Story continues According to court documents, in 2000 Garcia-Bengochea inherited all the assets, property or rights in Cuba that were appropriated by the Communist government of Fidel Castro, from his cousin Desiderio Parreno, who was not a U.S. citizen and died in Costa Rica. The inheritance included three thousand three hundred registered shares of La Maritima Sociedad Anonima, concessions, dock, and warehouses in the port of Santiago de Cuba, the documents said. Parreno had inherited some of those shares from his brother Alberto. Because Alberto was a U.S. citizen at the time of confiscation, his portion of the shares in La Maritima S.A. were certified by the Department of Justices Foreign Claims Settlement Commission in 1970. The commission is an independent agency that adjudicates claims of U.S. nationals against foreign governments. But the transfer of all properties to Garcia-Bengochea, through Parrenos will, happened after March 12, 1996, the day the law was enacted. The Libertad Act establishes that a United States national may not bring an action under this section on a claim to the confiscated property unless such national acquires ownership of the claim before that date. Carnival asked the judge to dismiss the case citing the cutoff date. Garcia-Bengocheas lawyers argued that the date requirement was not relevant to the case because acquiring ownership involves an affirmative action to obtain the property, not a passive action such as receiving an inheritance. The judge sided with Carnival. King also cited an earlier ruling in Miami federal court by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, who dismissed a lawsuit against Amazon. Daniel Gonzalez had claimed that Amazon was selling coal from Marabou trees that grew on land he inherited from his grandfather, Manuel Gonzalez Rodriguez. The Castro government expropriated the lands in 1959 without offering proper compensation, the lawsuit claims. But Gonzalez inherited the lands, located in the current province of Granma, in eastern Cuba, after 2016. Judge Scola also concluded that he failed to present a valid claim because the transfer of property happened after the 1996 cutoff date. Citing a congressional report of the writing of the Libertad Act, Scola said that Congress included the date requirement to prevent foreign nationals from coming to the United States or transferring claims to U.S. citizens to take advantage of the law. In an interview earlier this year, former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, one of the Helms-Burton Acts authors, said it was not Congress intention to exclude those inheriting their claims after 1996. You do not have to clarify something that is so clearly established by law. The concept of inheritance is so well established in American law that it is a matter of elemental logic, he said. What does not show any common or legal sense is eliminating the right [to sue] in the future if the original owners have died. To make that legal argument is preposterous, he said. Carnival attorneys Fowler and Llamas said the company did not violate the Helms-Burton Act because its cruises to Cuba were authorized and encouraged by the U.S. government under an exception in the embargo to allow lawful travel. Moreover, even if the Act were applicable, the Court correctly applied the requirement in section 6082 of the Helms-Burton Act that a plaintiff suing on property confiscated before March 12, 1996, must have acquired his/her claim before that date, they wrote. We felt it was vital to focus the argument on this straightforward requirement. Garcia-Bengochea and two members of his legal team did not reply to a request for comment. The two Carnival lawyers contacted by the Herald said they were not expecting an appeal. But John Kavulich, the president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, which tracks all Title III lawsuits, said Garcia-Bengocheas defense team would likely appeal. Follow Nora Gamez Torres on Twitter: @ngameztorres Mr. Hayes, who split his residence between Florida and Potomac, Md., was born in Washington. He was a managing director at Trammell Crow Co., a commercial real estate developer in the D.C. area, before joining DHR in 1995. He ran its Washington office for a few years and later became DHRs vice chairman and then executive chairman as the firm grew from a regional business into a company with more than 50 offices in the United States and abroad. Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. SynaVoice SOL is a pop-up virtual camp for high school students. Unique topics are presented in one-week sessions to provide exposure to new ideas, concepts, and skills for the campers. A diverse group of campers from nine states hear from world-class experts and engage in conversations in their cabins. Counselors from elite universities facilitate the discussions and act as role models for the campers. SynaVoice SOL has completed three sold out sessions and reviews from campers have been extraordinary with 100% of campers providing positive reviews. Campers engage with subject matter experts and each other during the first three weeks of camp. Registration is currently open for the remaining three sessions. The week of July 20 features Amy Kurzweil, award-winning author and The New Yorker cartoonist. She will lead campers through exercises to help them write and illustrate their own personal narratives. Campers will get feedback directly from Ms. Kurzweil on Friday. The week of July 27 features, Dr. James D. Diamond, Dean of Academic Affairs at The National Tribal Trial College, former law professor at the University of Arizona College of Law, and author. Prior to teaching, Dr. Diamond practiced law for 25 years as both a state prosecutor and a defense attorney. Dr. Diamond has extensive criminal trial experience and was the lead lawyer in more than 1,000 criminal cases. He will provide real-life examples to explain the criminal justice system to the campers. He will meet live with the campers on Friday to lead the discussion and answer questions. Our last session features Curt Doty, an award-winning marketer with an extensive legacy in creating branding and image campaigns in television. He has lectured all over the world and is a visionary and outspoken creative on what is happening at the intersection of technology, content and design. Campers will learn about the influence of design from ancient history to the present day and will create logos of their own. On Friday, they will present their logos to Mr. Doty for real-time feedback. Story continues Registration is open to high school students for the final three sessions at the SynaVoice SOL website. If you would like to support the camp by sponsoring a camper you can do so here. SynaVoice LLC is a woman-owned consultancy providing strategic communications, training, customer outreach, market research and insights to both federal and corporate clients. SynaVoice SOL is a pop-up, virtual camp for high school students providing exposure to new ideas, concepts, and skills for high school students that inform their college, career, and life choices. Contact Details Julie Rothhouse +1 703-401-2340 Julie@SynaVoiceSOL.com Company Website http://www.synavoicesol.com Chaired by President of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the event drew leaders of parties from China, Japan, Germany, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Spain and Vietnam. Addressing the event, which focusing on security cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Quan shared Vietnams initial success and experience in the fight against the pandemic and highlighted the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, drastic actions of the Government and public trust and consensus. He suggested enhancing policy coordination, timely and regular sharing of information and experience, ensuring the access of citizens in pandemic-hit areas to information, treatment and humanitarian assistance. Quan proposed that legal enforcement agencies and peoples worldwide increase cooperation in coping with non-traditional security threats, and upholding the role of international organisations and multilateral mechanisms to promote anti-pandemic efforts and ensure global security. Delegates called on parties and countries to reinforce responsible cooperation, seriously follow international agreements on the ban of use and development of biological weapons, and strive to study, produce and share medicines and vaccines for the COVID-19 disease. Concluding the event, Medvedev highlighted a need for cooperation among political parties and nations to cope with global security issues amid the complicated developments of the pandemic. He spoke highly of the outcomes in Vietnams fight against COVID-19 as well as the Vietnamese Party and Governments stance on placing the people as a top priority in the effort. He also took note of suggestions offered by Vietnam. As Nevada lawmakers publicly debate cutting $1.2 billion from the states budget, the business community, progressive activists and unions are behind the scenes pressing lawmakers to consider a host of proposals from criminal justice reform to liability protection during a second special session. Although lobbyists and members of the public have been barred from the physical legislative building, a host of interest groups are making their demands known and pushing for their priorities to be included in the proclamation that will establish the parameters of what lawmakers can consider in their second special session. Gov. Steve Sisolak is expected to call the next session once lawmakers finish finalizing cuts to the state budget during the first special session, which started Wednesday. In announcing the first special session, Sisolak said that he planned to issue a subsequent proclamation to consider policy items that rise to the extraordinary occasion of a special session. Although Sisolak and top legislative Democrats have previously expressed interest in taking up topics related to police misconduct and criminal justice reform, a host of other potential special session topics have bubbled to the surface, including efforts by some of the states top businesses and casinos to include liability protection for businesses against COVID-19 related lawsuits. Other possible topics include election reform and worker protections. Heres a look at proposals that are being pushed for behind the scenes. COVID liability protection A consortium of powerful business groups including the Nevada Resort Association, Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Nevada Builders and Retail Association of Nevada and others launched the hashtag #ProtectNVJobs on Saturday to promote adding liability protections for businesses against COVID-19 related lawsuits. But the effort to bring the topic of COVID-19 related liability to the special session has been in the works since before Saturday. Backers of the now-public effort which is also mirrored on a federal law say its necessary to protect against frivolous lawsuits aimed at businesses struggling to reopen their doors and attract customers amid the states new health and safety requirements during the reopening process. Businesses have been financially hit hard by this pandemic. We need to make it easier - not harder - for them to recover and preserve jobs, Vegas Chamber president and CEO Mary Beth Sewald said in an email. The Vegas Chamber is urging the Governor and legislators to pass this legislation as soon as possible as a major step forward in rebuilding our fragile economy," Legislators in both political parties have said theyre open to the concept. Democratic Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson said on a call with members of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce prior to the legislative session that many lawmakers had a comfortable level with ensuring that we have language in the law so that employers are protected, while keeping in place gross negligence standards. Republican Sen. Heidi Gansert, who sent out a campaign email prior to the start of the special session last week listing COVID19 liability reform as a pressing topic, said Monday that the longer businesses are open without protection, the greater the threat. She added that she had heard radio advertisements for potential lawsuits against long-term care facilities related to their COVID-19 response, and wanted to avoid the issue by nipping it in the bud. If there's an opportunity, we're anticipating that the lawsuits will follow, she said. The Nevada Resort Association, the politically powerful trade group representing many large casino gaming properties, has also publicly backed the concept of liability protections related to the coronavirus. The groups president, Virginia Valentine, sent a letter to Sisolak last Wednesday asking the governor to take up liability protections during the upcoming legislative special session, writing that the risk of frivolous litigation that mounts each day threatens the Resort Industrys continued operations. We ask you to consider enacting a targeted and limited safe harbor from liability for companies that implement strict public health guidelines related to the transmission of COVID-19, she wrote in the letter. Nevada businesses cannot wait any longer for purported federal action. In a statement sent Monday, she said that the resort association was concerned with the threat of opportunistic lawsuits that would derail our ability to bounce back from the economic crisis and further threaten Nevada jobs. Given the importance of this issue and the need for immediate action, weve asked the Governor and legislative leaders to bring liability protections up for discussion during a special session, she wrote in an email. Without liability protections, large and small businesses face a daunting choice of closing or staying closed and risking bankruptcy or reopening and risking a business-crippling lawsuit any of which will only further damage Nevadas already fragile economy. But the Nevada Justice Association, a trade group composed of trial attorneys, sent a separate letter to Sisolak on Friday urging the governor to not incentivize unsafe practices, and to avoid rewarding those businesses who engage in unsafe practices and penalize Nevada workers, consumers and tourists who contract COVID-19 because of those unsafe practices. The letter stated that the association wants to find common ground with the states business community on the issue, and included several proposals including: A heightened fraud-level pleading standard, which would require lawsuits be pled with particularity, with the intent of allowing frivolous lawsuits to be more easily and summarily dismissed Creating a rebuttable presumption standard, meaning that any business following the rules is presumed to have no liability, and thus immune from negligence lawsuits Allowing workers who return to work and contract COVID-19 to have a rebuttable presumption that they obtained the virus from their workplace. The group said that would ensure contracting COVID-19 is covered under the states workers compensation law, and that it will provide comfort in knowing they will be cared for were they to become sick upon returning to work. Attorney Matthew Sharp, who serves as a board member on the group, said the states current laws around negligence were adequate to cover any potential lawsuits related to the pandemic, and that the state had bigger issues to face during the current pandemic. You're searching for a problem that already has a solution, he said. That's why I don't think a special session is necessary; the law already provides the solution. Several left-leaning groups also panned the proposal, saying that legislators should focus on protections for workers and not cover for businesses that do not take proper precautionary and safety steps. Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Executive Director Laura Martin said her organization was staunchly opposed to the proposal, instead saying legislators should take up topics such as police reform, vote-by-mail, ballot collection for tribes and evictions. Protections for unfounded liability already exist and its up to the courts to decide whether or not a lawsuit is warranted, not for-profit businesses, she said in an email. Nevadans are dying and the only thing these corporations care about are being shielded from lawsuits. What a shame. A spokeswoman for Sisolak did not return an email asking whether the governor planned to include that item on a special session proclamation. Adolfo Fernandez bill Casino workers, however, are pushing their own bill headed into the second special session. The Culinary Union, which represents 60,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, has proposed legislation that would require enhanced cleaning procedures, mandatory social distancing, free testing for all workers before going back to work or after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, temperature checks for workers, detailed plans for how to respond when a worker contracts the virus or is exposed to someone who has it and additional safety training for all employees. The union has nicknamed the legislation the Adolfo Fernandez Bill after the 51-year-old utility porter at Caesars Palace who passed away last month after contracting COVID-19. His daughter, Irma Fernandez, shared in a statement the concerns her father had about returning to work amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. My father would tell me every day Im gonna get sick - the company is not keeping us safe. He would constantly tell me how stressed out he was, she said. He would call me on his break all the time to tell me about what was going on and how he was feeling. He would say that he didnt want to go back to work, but he had to because he needed to financially support his family. Nineteen Culinary Union workers and members of their family have died after contracting COVID-19, according to the union. In advance of the special session, Geoconda Arguello-Kline, the unions secretary-treasurer, sent Gov. Steve Sisolak a draft of the bill and a letter urging him to place it on the agenda for consideration. In these uncertain times, it is imperative that we protect Nevadas workers, tourists, and economy, Arguello-Kline said Another economic shutdown could have disastrous effects on our economy which would make recovery even harder. We believe that the measures in the Adolfo Fernandez Bill would put Nevada on the path towards a full economic recovery. The finer details of the bill, however, are not yet clear. Neither the Culinary Union nor the governors office responded on Monday to The Nevada Independents request for the unions draft language of the bill. Election reform Advocates working on expanded voting access want to see legislators adopt policies that vastly expand mail-in voting and send a postage-paid ballot to all active voters and potentially inactive registered voters, too. While Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske ordered the mostly mail approach for the June primary, the setup of Novembers election remains undetermined. Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria is open to repeating the mostly mail election, but advocates dont want the policy enshrined only in emergency directives or at the discretion of individual clerks. Then it kind of gives everybody room for interpretation, said Emily Zamora of Silver State Voices, a voter rights advocacy group. Zamora said advocates are also interested in expanding the number of ballot drop-off sites for voters who are uncomfortable dropping their mail-in ballot in a mailbox. Voters had the option of dropping off their ballots at in-person early voting and Election Day sites, but Zamora said the drop-off box plan wouldnt necessarily align with the early voting sites. Another ask her group is hoping for policies that would allow people to turn in ballots for people beyond just themselves and their immediate family. Rules against ballot harvesting prevent that, but Zamora said it adversely affects people who live in remote areas including Indian reservations, which have been in lockdown for some of the pandemic. She said shes received positive cues from multiple legislators that theres an appetite to take up election reform during a special session. I think folks overall did walk away from the primary election really with the understanding that we can do better for the general, she said. Criminal justice reform Republican Assemblyman Tom Roberts, a former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department assistant sheriff, said he hasnt seen language of any proposals from Democratic leadership as of Monday, but said he believed draft language of a proposal existed and was being worked on. Nonetheless, Roberts said that there were a litany of possible changes that could garner bipartisan buy-in, including: Adding more community members to various law enforcement advisory boards in the state Changes to the states Peace Officer Standards and Training agency to add citizen participation and review misconduct Changes to use-of-force policies, including limits on vascular neck restraints and requiring training on duty to intervene. Roberts said that the truncated nature of special sessions made it hard to delve into complex policy issues in a limited time. Additional pressure to not draw out a second special session comes from the lack of input from the public owing to limits on entering the physical legislative building, as well as the recent COVID-19 positive test of a legislator. There might be some things that you might be able to know right away from feedback that you got from stakeholders on both sides of the issue, that you might be able to find some middle ground and make some changes now, and then come back for some more substantial discussion about some of the more complex issues, he said on Monday. But, you know, I think there could be room for some, but really some of the really more complex things, we probably should or could wait. Holly Welborn, policy director at ACLU of Nevada, said the reforms her organization is seeking to get passed during the special session dont even scratch the surface of criminal justice reform needed in Nevada. But she said it would be more than a disappointment if legislators did not pass something in the wake of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The community is demanding action, and if there isnt action at a time when this group of legislators is convened, that is going to be a failure for the community, she said. One of the most discussed potential reforms is a repeal of provisions in SB242 a bill sponsored by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro in the 2019 session that, among other things, bars comments police officers make during an internal investigation from discovery in any civil litigation stemming from misconduct. With officers seldom facing criminal charges when people die at the hands of police, removing the provision would make it easier to hold officers accountable civilly. Theyre definitely open to discussing the problems with the bill, she said about legislative leaders. ACLU leaders are also calling for a ban on chokeholds, mandatory collection of data on police activity in Nevada by demographics, and legislation that would mandate independent, rather than internal, investigations into police misconduct. While the ACLU has signed on in support of a call for repealing the death penalty, Welborn acknowledged that the request was a heavier lift and something like banning chokeholds or addressing SB242 is more low-hanging fruit. The Nevada Independent is a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization. We are committed to transparency and disclose all our donors. The following people or entities mentioned in this article are financial supporters of our work: Culinary Workers Union - $7,450.00 Heidi Gansert - $250.00 Holly Welborn - $340.00 Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce - $3,500.00 Nevada Builders - $440.00 Nevada Justice Association - $1,100.00 Steve Sisolak - $3,200.00 Tom Roberts - $300.00 Virginia Valentine - $540.00 Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - O-I Glass Inc. (OI) Wednesday said it has agreed to sell its Australia and New Zealand business unit to Visy Industries. Gross proceeds on the sale and related sale-leaseback agreement with Charter Hall, a management company, will be approximately AUD $947 million. 'The sale of our ANZ operations is consistent with our strategy to properly align our business with the interests of our global customer base, improve financial flexibility and maximize shareholder value. O-I will continue to develop its leading market positions across Europe and the Americas as well as the company's interests in Asia,' said Andres Lopez, CEO 'The sale of ANZ follows an in-depth strategic review of our global business portfolio and operating structure which is now substantially complete following this transaction. We received a full and fair price for ANZ, and this sale represents a significant milestone in our business transformation as we optimize our structure and prioritize debt reduction,' Lopez added. O-I has entered into a sale-leaseback agreement with Charter Hall for certain properties valued at about AUD $214 million as well as an agreement to sell the O-I ANZ business to Visy for around AUD $733 million. The sale to Visy is subject to customary closing conditions. Both transactions have already received the proper regulatory approvals and closing is expected by August 31, 2020. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The chance of surviving coronavirus after falling critically ill has risen significantly since the start of the pandemic, research suggests. Analysis by the University of Bristol shows the proportion of patients dying from Covid-19 in ICU has plummeted by a third since March. Scientists reviewed more than 20 studies from around the world which involved 10,000 volunteers in total to come to the conclusion. They believe the finding shows doctors are getting better at treating the disease, which is still poorly understood after jumping from animals to humans just last year. It is hoped that survival rates will improve further still after the cheap steroid dexamethasone became the first drug scientifically proven to treat severe Covid. The anti-inflammatory was found to reduce the risk of death in patients on ventilation by as much as 35 per cent and patients on oxygen by a fifth. A small number of scientists believe the virus is actually weakening and patients are now surviving infections that would have killed them before. Viruses are known to change over time because they are subject to random genetic mutations as the infection tries to gain an evolutionary advantage. 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. The family of viruses which cause the common cold are one example of infections that have weakened over thousands of years. But there is no concrete evidence this is happening with Covid-19 yet. Covid-19 intensive care mortality rates have fallen by a THIRD since the start of pandemic, analysis suggests (stock photo) The new study, published in the journal Anaesthesia, examined 24 studies conducted in Europe, Asia and North America involving 10,150 ICU patients. The analysis suggests the death rate has dropped from 59.5 per cent at the end of March to 42 per cent at the end of May - a relative decrease of almost a third. ICU mortality did not differ significantly across continents despite some variations in admission criteria and treatments delivered. Britain's coronavirus death rate in hospitals has FALLEN to a quarter of level it was during peak of the crisis The risk of dying from coronavirus after being hospitalised has plummeted since the peak of the outbreak, adding more fuel to the theory doctors are getting better at treating it. Analysis by Oxford University shows that 6 per cent of people admitted to hospitals in England with the virus died at the beginning of April. But the figures show by June 15, just 1.5 per cent of Covid-19 patients were dying of the disease - a quarter of the level at the peak of the crisis. Oxford statisticians can't pin down exactly why survival rates have fallen so much - but they believe doctors may be becoming better at treating the virus. In April there was no approved medicine to treat Covid-19, a disease still shrouded in mystery after jumping from animals to humans at the end of 2019. But now the NHS now has two drugs at its disposal to treat critically-ill patients - the Ebola medicine remdesivir and anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone. There is probably also be fewer people catching the coronavirus in hospital than at the peak of the crisis, which may have contributed to the fall in death rates. Hospital patients are inherently more likely to be already unwell or elderly and so are more likely to die if they do catch it. Advertisement The researchers point out that there were no drugs scientifically proven to treat the disease at the time of the studies. So the findings suggest that doctors have become better at gauging when to ventilate patients and how to ease their symptoms with painkillers and antibiotics. But now doctors have two drugs in their arsenal to treat critically-ill patients - the Ebola medicine remdesivir and anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone. Dexamethasone, a 5 steroid that has existed for decades, was the first drug proven to reduce the death rate among hospitalised patients needing oxygen. The evidence around remdesivir is more mixed but studies have shown it helps the most critically ill people who need ventilation. Lead author Tim Cook, an NHS consultant professor in anaesthesia at the University of Bristol, said he expects mortality rates to improve further thanks to the drugs. He wrote in the study: 'This systematic review and meta-analysis of ICU outcome in patients with COVID-19 found an in-ICU mortality rate of 41.6 per cent across international studies. 'There were no significant effects of geographical location, but reported ICU mortality fell over time. 'Optimistically, as the pandemic progresses, we may be coping better with COVID-19.' It comes after analysis by Oxford University found death rates for patients hospitalised with the virus have plummeted since the peak of the outbreak. Six per cent of people admitted to hospitals in England with the virus died at the beginning of April. But figures show by June 15, just 1.5 per cent of Covid-19 patients were dying of the disease - a quarter of the level at the peak of the crisis. There is probably also fewer people catching the coronavirus in hospital than at the peak of the crisis, which may have contributed to the fall in death rates. Hospital patients are inherently more likely to be already unwell or elderly and so are more likely to die if they do catch it. Of 10,387 people in hospital in England with Covid-19 on April 2, 644 died, giving a death rate of 6 per cent. On June 15, 50 out of 3,270 hospital patients fell victim to the disease, which works out at roughly 1.5 per cent. While most scientists believe the drop in deaths is due to doctors gaining a better understanding of how to treat the virus, some believe Covid-19 has weakened since it first emerged in Wuhan last December. Analysis by Oxford University shows that 6 per cent of people admitted to hospitals in England with the virus died at the beginning of April. But the figures show that by June 15, just 1.5 per cent of Covid-19 patients were falling victim to the disease - a quarter of the level at the peak 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 earlier this month the virus could wither away on its own. 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 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. 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 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. 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.' New York, July 15 : America's top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci urged Americans to put their faith in "respected medical authorities" to navigate the pandemic, saying that those who have a track record of giving recommendations based on scientific evidence and good data are society's "best bet". "So, if I were to give advice to you and your family, I would say that's the safest bet to do. I believe, for the most part, you can trust respected medical authorities. I believe I'm one of them, so I think you can trust me," Fauci said Tuesday afternoon. Fauci's comments came on a day that marked a major milestone in the search for a COVID-19 vaccine. An experimental vaccine, developed by Fauci's colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., has shown that it activates people's immune systems exactly the way scientists hoped. This vaccine candidate will start on a 30,000-person study by July 27. Fauci has consistently maintained that he remains "cautiously optimistic" for an effective and safe vaccine latest by early 2021. Fauci was speaking at a Georgetown University webinar. His comments come amidst a White House smear campaign, spraying into public view a longlist of "mistakes" Fauci has made since the pandemic began. Leading public health experts across the country have reacted to the politicisation of the coronavirus response, saying no other president has driven a wedge between public health officials and society like Trump has done. The coronavirus has already killed more than 136,000 Americans and cases are surging to alarming levels across the US south and south west. The US death rate per 100,000 population has ticked up from the high 30s to 41 per 100,000. Pointing to the steep trajectory of the latest surge, Fauci explained to his livestream audience that the caseload in America never came back to baseline before it started spiking again. A big part of the reason, he said, is because America never fully locked down. In Fauci's view, America only locked down about "50-55 per cent". "If you look at our curve, for better or worse, we went up, we peaked, we came down and we never really came all the way down to baseline. We stayed around 20,000 a day of new cases. So, the issue is, we never got down to the baseline," he said. Fauci compared the American experience with that of countries in Europe and Asia which were more successful in flattening their infection curves."When they shut down, they essentially locked down. They locked down to the tune of about 90 plus per cent," Fauci said. Responding to questions on how effectively the coronavirus is transmitted via aerosol, Fauci stressed that droplet transmission remains the most dominant way the virus is affecting populations at scale. Fauci repeated his plea to young Americans to show "societal responsibility" and stay away from what he called "political nonsense," referring to the divisive rhetoric that has made universal masking so elusive in the world's wealthiest nation. America leads the world in coronavirus caseload. More than three million people have been sickened and more than 136,000 have died since the first case was reported on the US west coast in early January this year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:19:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chief Minister of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Mahmood Khan on Wednesday inaugurated the Jalozai Economic Zone in Peshawar, capital of the province. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said the provincial government has put the province on the track of development by promoting industrialization through such initiatives. While expressing determination of his government to pace up work on development amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan said the government is making all-out efforts to bring foreign investment in the hydropower industry, mines and minerals and tourism sectors. Sprawling over an area of 257 acres, the major industries in the Jalozai Economic Zone are expected to be pharmaceuticals, food processing, construction, marble and granite, ceramics and wood with a potential to generate 10,000 direct and over 41,000 indirect jobs, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC). Due to its strategic location, the industrial products from the economic zone are expected to be in high demand domestically and internationally, particularly in Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, said the KPEZDMC. Pakistan will also set up nine special economic zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor across Pakistan as part of the industrial cooperation between the two countries. According to Pakistani government officials, the development of the special economic zones is crucial for the country to attract investment, create jobs and facilitate economic development. Enditem WASHINGTON -- A porn star was paid to keep silent about her alleged dalliance years earlier with a presidential candidate, which a judge has agreed was an illegal violation of campaign finance laws. The private emails of Democrats were stolen and published, which prosecutors have said was an illegal intervention into the U.S. political system by foreign operatives. The two crimes were undertaken to help Donald Trump's campaign in 2016. They led to the indictment or conviction of 13 men, including Trump's personal attorney. But for nearly four years, Trump has bullied, browbeaten and litigated his way out of efforts to pin down whether he had involvement in or knowledge of the illicit actions that were undertaken to help his presidential campaign. Legal experts said his commutation last week of the sentence of confidant Roger Stone, who had been convicted of lying to Congress about his efforts to interact with WikiLeaks while it was publishing the hacked Democratic emails, was part of a pattern in which Trump flexed the powers of his office and his platform to evade scrutiny of his actions. It is a pattern that vexed special counsel Robert Mueller, who devoted substantial space in his report on election interference to Trump's tactics but ultimately declined to come to a conclusion as to whether they constituted crimes, an ongoing source of frustration to Democratic lawmakers and some legal experts. And it has emerged as an issue for Trump's reelection as critics accuse him of corrupting the government and the justice system to serve his personal needs. "He's resisted cooperation with all manner of duly authorized investigations - it's a comprehensive stonewalling to protect his legal and political liabilities," said Alan Charles Raul, who served as associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan and now is representing Stone jurors in a proceeding to determine whether confidential juror questionnaires will be made public. "I think he signals clearly to his subordinates, others in government and people outside government that if they don't rat him out, if they don't flip and cooperate with government investigators, then they'll be rewarded. If they do cooperate with criminal or congressional investigations, he will retaliate," he added. Trump's commutation for Stone came after months of praising his old friend for publicly promising to never provide damaging information about the president to prosecutors. Stone told Fox News's Sean Hannity this week that his silence was an effort to avoid bearing "false witness against the president" and that he had refused to "lie against my friend of 40 years so they could use it for impeachment." In a statement to The Washington Post, he added he has never implied that he knew of misconduct by Trump and remained silent in exchange for clemency. "That is not true," he said. But in his report, Mueller contemplated whether Stone's silence was indeed intended to help Trump. Stone has said that he had extensive contact with the candidate during the campaign. The Stone clemency was only the latest example of Trump's attempts to tilt the scales of justice in his favor. Trump refused to be interviewed by Mueller, submitting only written answers that Mueller indicated in his report last year were "incomplete and imprecise." He fought all the way to the Supreme Court to avoid turning over documents related to the hush-money payments to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office - the court ruled last week that Trump does not have blanket immunity for the inquiry but sent the case back to a lower court, meaning more delay. He berated and threatened witnesses who implicated him in wrongdoing - like his former attorney Michael Cohen, who testified that Trump directed him to pay adult-film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election. Meanwhile, Trump praised those who refused to provide information about him, like Stone and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who a judge found continued to lie to prosecutors even after pleading guilty to financial crimes related to lobbying work in Ukraine and pledging to cooperate. The president has publicly castigated judges and jurors who have ruled against his interests, refused to allow top aides to testify before Congress, fired inspectors general within his administration, and, starting with campaign chants about opponent Hillary Clinton, threatened to lock up his enemies and spare his allies. Trump this week justified extending clemency to Stone by saying the political operative had been caught up in an "investigation that should have never taken place." He said Stone "wasn't given a fair trial" and had been "treated very unfairly." His decision to help his friend, he asserted, was receiving "rave reviews." Stone likewise complained to Hannity of "politically motivated prosecutors," "a biased judge" and a "stacked jury." Still, while charges against Stone were initially filed by the special counsel's office, he was prosecuted on accusations of lying not to the special counsel but to the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee while it was investigating Russian interference in the election. At Stone's trial, which took place after Mueller's office had disbanded, the prosecution was handled by the U.S. attorney's office in Washington. He was convicted by a jury of 12 citizens and sentenced by a federal judge who said that his lies impeded an investigation that was "a matter of grave national importance." Attorney Gen. William Barr, who had intervened in the case to push for a lesser sentence than that initially recommended by the career prosecutors who handled it, nevertheless told ABC News last week that the prosecution had been "righteous." Despite bragging before the election of having a back channel to WikiLeaks, Stone has since Trump's victory insisted that his boasts were empty and that he was not in contact with the group and had no advance knowledge of its plans to release documents U.S. intelligence has concluded were stolen by Russian operatives. But Mueller's report pointed to the possibility that Stone might have known more than he has so far admitted and could know information that could hurt Trump. If Mueller had been able to show that Stone tipped off Trump in advance to the WikiLeaks releases, for instance, something both have denied, it would have upended four years of Trump's narrative about how the 2016 campaign unfolded. Even had Stone told prosecutors merely that he and Trump spoke about WikiLeaks, his answers would have contradicted Trump's written answers to Mueller, which were submitted under penalty of perjury. But Stone's silence meant prosecutors could not explore whether Trump's answers had been truthful. In his written submission, the president wrote that he did "not recall discussing WikiLeaks" with Stone, nor did he "recall being aware of Mr. Stone having discussed WikiLeaks with individuals associated with my campaign." But in his report, Mueller explained that several other campaign officials testified that during the campaign, Trump had discussed WikiLeaks with Stone, that Trump was told Stone had access to WikiLeaks and that Trump had directed people to stay in contact with Stone about WikiLeaks. Deputy campaign manager Rick Gates told investigators that Stone told him even before WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange announced in June 2016 that he would publish information related to the campaign that something "big" was coming and that he thought Assange had Hillary Clinton's emails. Cohen told prosecutors that shortly before WikiLeaks first released Democratic Party emails in July 2016, he was in Trump's office in New York when the candidate received a phone call from Stone and placed it on speakerphone. According to Cohen, Stone told Trump that he had just spoken to Assange and learned that the group would be releasing information in a matter of days. Mueller wrote that evidence existed that Trump "likely understood that Stone could potentially provide evidence that would be adverse to the President." Mueller wrote that it was possible Trump simply did not have a clear recollection of his campaign conversations with Stone. But he wrote it was also possible Trump's treatment of Stone demonstrated that he understood that if Stone talked, he'd "provide evidence that would run counter to the President's denials and would link the President to Stone's efforts to reach out to WikiLeaks." "It seems unprovable - but highly likely to me - that truthful testimony by Roger Stone would have implicated that claim and given lie to it," said Paul Rosenzweig, a lawyer who served on the independent counsel team that investigated President Bill Clinton. In a statement, Stone said he was offered "unspecified leniency" by the special counsel team in exchange for evidence he communicated with Russians to help the campaign. He said he had no such evidence and refused - and Mueller could find nothing else to support the allegation in all of his emails, text messages or phone records and ultimately did not claim the allegation against either him or Trump. Ultimately, Mueller also offered no judgment as to whether any of Trump's efforts to impede or derail the investigation constituted a crime. But he devoted 36 pages to exploring whether Trump's treatment of witnesses in the investigation, including Cohen and Stone, as well as former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Manafort, might constitute obstruction of justice. When it came to Cohen, Trump's treatment of his former personal attorney changed quickly after Cohen began working with prosecutors. When Cohen initially lied to reporters and told them he used his own money to pay Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her pre-election silence about a 2006 sexual encounter that Trump has since denied, he soon received a text from another of Trump's personal attorneys that read, "client says thanks for what you do." When his home and office were raided by the FBI, Trump called him to tell him to "hang in there" and "stay strong." But after Cohen began cooperating with investigators, Trump's attitude changed. He accused Cohen of lying to get a better deal, called him a "rat," and said his wife and father-in-law had committed crimes. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to financial crimes, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations stemming from the hush-money payments. He told a judge that he made the payments at Trump's direction and later released copies of Trump Organization checks he received as reimbursement, signed by the president and his son Donald Trump Jr. In 2019, federal prosecutors signaled they had ended their investigation into the matter, but local prosecutors in Manhattan have been exploring whether the Trump Organization falsified business records to conceal the payments to Daniels. Trump has denied Daniels's account of their liaison but has refused to turn over documents in response to subpoenas in the matter, arguing in court that as president, he has absolute immunity from any criminal investigation. On a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court last week rejected that argument, saying the president is not above the law. But they sent the case back to lower courts to see whether Trump has any other grounds to resist the subpoenas. Citing the ruling, Rosenzweig said he does not believe Trump has thwarted inquiry for all time. "I would say," he added, "that he has thus far thwarted it quite successfully." - - - The Washington Post's Devlin Barrett and Manuel Roig-Franzia contributed to this report. NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.Doc Johnson, the prominent pleasure products manufacturer, has announced that it is now shipping one of its latest molded-from-the-original creations, the Cory Chase Main Squeeze and Signature Stroker. "Main Squeeze" is Doc Johnsons successful line of hard-case strokers molded from porn, cam and social media stars. Main Squeeze has improved on standard hard-case designs by adding a squeeze plate, which allows users to control the tightness of each stroke. Additionally, Main Squeeze has an end cap that users can twist to their preferred level of suction. Porn stars Sasha Grey, Dani Daniels, Mia Malkova, Lela Star and others have already been made into Main Squeeze toys. Cory Chase entered the adult industry about 15 years ago when she posted videos online featuring herself and her husband. Since then, shes gone full time into adult, appearing on and partnering with many adult websites, usually for MILF-themed content. She was nominated for Highly Experienced Top MILF Performer at the 2019 Pornhub Awards and won AVNs 2019 Fan Award for Favorite Indie Clip Star. I am excited that my fans will be able to enjoy a personal experience with me while watching my videos, Chase said when getting molded. Having each of my holes available is going to be an amazing, interactive experience for my fans. Chase has been camming for years, and her OnlyFans account has been one place for her audience to keep up with her during quarantine. She has more than 65 thousand likes on that platform alone, and is consistently in the top 10 porn stars on Pornhub. Were so excited to release these Cory Chase products, said Scott Watkins, VP of sales and marketing at Doc Johnson. She has a large and passionate fan base, and we know they are going to be very happy with her strokers. For sales inquiries, contact a Doc Johnson representative or email [email protected]. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results In late June, two days after Twitter put a fifth warning label on one of President Donald Trump's tweets, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tweeted that he was joining Parler, calling it "a platform [that] gets what free speech is all about." The social media site, which has been described as a conservative Twitter, is on a tear with people who say Twitter and Facebook are silencing conservative voices. In one week, it gained 1 million users, bringing its total to 2.8 million by early July. Some of its most prominent users are part of the conservative establishment. Trump campaign director Brad Parscale is on Parler, as is Eric Trump, the president's son, and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Conservative commentator Dan Bongino announced in mid-June that he had taken an ownership stake in the company. A crackdown by Twitter and, more reluctantly, Facebook, against messages from President Trump that the companies said violate their policies is fueling Parler's rise. Parler bills itself as a place for "free expression without violence and a lack of censorship," key words that many conservatives have picked up as a rallying cry to promote the app online. Parler chief executive and co-founder John Matze said the app welcomes all voices. But the company appears to cater to a right-wing base fed up with what they view as censorship on traditional social media sites. "We initially attracted conservative users because they felt disenfranchised by other social media platforms," Matze said in an email sent through a spokesperson. But Parler is quickly discovering the limits of free expression. On June 30, Matze took to Parler to explain its house rules, apparently frustrated with some of Parler's new users testing the limits of its free-expression motto by posting pornographic images and obscenities. Parler is facing the same evolution that bigger social media companies have confronted for years - balancing free expression with creating safe and inviting online communities. Twitter early on referred to itself as "the free-speech wing of the free-speech party." Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg maintained through the company's early years that it is not a publisher, but a neutral platform. Facebook is still a place for free expression, Zuckerberg said in a speech last year, but he acknowledged that some speech that is harmful and infringes on others' rights should not be allowed. Online conversations are complicated. Facebook has a six-part document outlining its community standards. Twitter has eight sections under its set of rules that just oversee safety. Facebook and Google-owned YouTube pay tens of thousands of content moderators to review material on their sites and enforce their policies. Sites that have operated on the fringe with lax rules and a strong stance that people should be able to say just about anything they want have often become platforms for hate, violence and vitriol, such as 8chan and Gab. Those sites are more susceptible to being shut down when their back-end providers decide not to support them. Last year, 8chan was knocked offline for three months by a server hardware provider after the site was condemned for allowing manifestos and live streams of deadly shootings to spread. Henderson, Nev.-based Parler launched nearly two years ago with a private investment group that has grown over time to include Bongino and early bitcoin advocate Jeffrey Wernick, who wrote a Fox News opinion piece in support of Parler last week, saying that Twitter and Facebook are using "technology intended to liberate, instead to subjugate." The social media site did not burst into the spotlight until June, after Twitter had labeled five of the president's tweets with warnings. Trump retaliated by signing an executive order that opened the door for an Internet shield law to be reconsidered. Facebook announced that it would start labeling posts from politicians who violate its policies. Republican politicians and pundits called the companies out, saying they were biased against conservatives. Two Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee asked Parler last week to meet with the panel to discuss social media competition. "Parler differentiates itself on the quality and features of its platform - namely, its commitment to not 'censor or editorialize, share or sell user data,' " Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., wrote. "This commitment positions Parler in stark contrast to Twitter, which has made increasingly clear in recent weeks and months that only users who refrain from expressing certain unfavored political beliefs are welcome to fully participate on its platform." Twitter spokeswoman Katie Rosborough reiterated what the company has insisted for years, that it is not biased against any group. "Twitter enforces the Twitter rules impartially for everyone on our service around the world, regardless of their background or political affiliation," she said. Facebook has gone out of its way to accommodate conservative voices, notably Trump's, The Washington Post found. Facebook left Trump's May and June posts unlabeled - including one that said "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" in reference to protests that erupted after the police killing of George Floyd. But after criticism from civil rights advocates and its own employees, the company announced an updated policy that will allow it to label posts from public figures that violate its policies but that it deems "newsworthy." Facebook declined to comment. The company has previously maintained that it is not biased against any group. "Our policies, and how we apply them, can have a huge impact, so we have a responsibility to apply them evenly, without favoring one side or another and without devaluing the principle of free expression," Nick Clegg, the vice president of global affairs and communications at Facebook, wrote in a blog post about alleged bias last year. Social media experts point out that many conservative politicians, notably Trump, perform well on Twitter because the company rewards posts that get more attention. Trump's account is among the most popular on Twitter, with more than 83 million followers. Some users, including Matze, are calling for people to exit Twitter altogether, using the hashtag #Twexit on Parler. But it seems unlikely that a sizable number of people will leave Twitter. Even the politicians promoting Parler online still have active Twitter accounts. And Parler has a long way to go if it wants to appeal to the masses across a broad political spectrum. Twitter has 166 million monthly average users, and Facebook has 2.6 billion each month. Parler says it has a total audience of 2.8 million users. "I'm a big Twitter fan, but Twitter censors a lot," said Christina Herrera, an antiabortion advocate and new Parler user who lives in Hayward, Calif. "Whatever they define as hate speech goes." She said she is watching Parler closely to see how it holds up its free-expression mantra, but is hopeful. Still, she doesn't plan to leave Twitter, where most of the online conversation around her advocacy takes place. And she's hoping more-diverse voices join Parler. "I would rather there be a mix," she said. "No one wants just an echo chamber." Parler's app and website mimics Twitter in some ways - a news feed shows recent updates from accounts that users follow, and much of it includes links to news articles or political statements. It has fewer personal updates or pictures than Facebook or Instagram. Users can make new posts, or "parleys," or "echo" others' posts, which works like a retweet on Twitter. On Parler, new users are prompted to follow popular accounts, including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and far-right commentator Laura Loomer. People share news articles from right-leaning organizations including Breitbart News and the Daily Caller. Some decry rules for mandatory mask-wearing. There is a fair amount of discussion around calls to support the police and encouraging people to buy Goya products after its chief executive supported Trump. Parleyers, as the company calls its users, also have more casual conversations; they discuss Bible verses, share recipes or devise ways to persuade Trump to join the app. (Trump's campaign has a Parler account, but the president does not.) Parler's Matze said the app has "broad ideological diversity" and recently gained some members of Generation Z and Black Lives Matter supporters. "You know @parler has been a success when you see how many liberal snowflakes have come here to reply to every parley Nazi & Racist," a fan account for Trump posted on the site recently. Although it has become the poster child for free expression online, Parler since its inception has had a long list of community guidelines that outline what it won't allow, including obscenity, terrorist content and "fighting words," or calls to incite violence. Those standards were tested in late June when Matze, apparently frustrated with some of the company's new customers, posted a response to complaints on Twitter from people who said they were banned on Parler. "Here are a few basic rules we need you to follow on Parler," he wrote. He added bullet points building off the company's existing guidelines, with more specificity, including, "When you disagree with someone, posting pictures of your fecal matter in the comment section WILL NOT BE TOLERATED." Some of Parler's new users are testing the bounds of its free-speech doctrine. Beth Bourdon, a public defense attorney in Orlando, Fla., who says she has leftist political views, joined along with a couple of friends to "show them what free speech is." Bourdon said she was banned from Parler without notice after she and some friends spoke up against many of the viewpoints on the site and she posted a photo that some could consider explicit. Parler said it has brought on 200 volunteer content moderators. The company's support team posted on Parler that it needed volunteers because it is "experiencing a high number of brigading attacks from individuals who wish to see us fail!" Matze said he does not see any conflict between the company's guidelines and promoting free speech. "The purpose of the restrictions is to create a proper town square without people ruining it by violating it with speech not protected by the First Amendment or FCC guidelines, while still allowing everyone to illustrate their point without experiencing any ideological censorship," he said in an email. Parler's guidelines attribute many of its rules to Federal Communications Commission regulations and Supreme Court decisions, but social media companies are subject to very few laws when it comes to material posted on their sites. A law called Section 230 shields them from liability for nearly everything their users post online. Trump and his supporters - including Cruz - have criticized that law recently, saying it gives social media companies too much power. "That's the irony - content moderation is always necessary," said Daniel Kreiss, a media professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Just depends where you draw the line." Virginia Tech researchers have proven that a single gene can convert female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes into fertile male mosquitoes and identified a gene needed for male mosquito flight. Male mosquitoes do not bite and are unable to transmit pathogens to humans. Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, are able to bite. Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes require blood to produce eggs, making them the prime carriers of the pathogens that cause Zika and dengue fever in humans. "The presence of a male-determining locus (M locus) establishes the male sex in Aedes aegypti and the M locus is only inherited by the male offspring, much like the human Y chromosome," said Zhijian Tu, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. By inserting Nix, a previously discovered male-determining gene in the M locus of Aedes aegypti, into a chromosomal region that can be inherited by females, we showed that Nix alone was sufficient to convert females to fertile males. This may have implications for developing future mosquito control techniques." Zhijian Tu, Professor, Department of Biochemistry , College of Agriculture and Life Sciences These findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We also discovered that a second gene, named myo-sex, was needed for male flight. This work sheds light on the molecular basis of the function of the M locus, which contains at least 30 genes," said Azadeh Aryan, a research scientist in Tu's lab and the first author on the paper. Aryan and colleagues generated and characterized multiple transgenic mosquito lines that expressed an extra copy of the Nix gene under the control of its own promoter. Maria Sharakhova, an assistant professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Anastasia Naumencko, a former graduate research assistant, mapped the chromosomal insertion site of the extra copy of Nix. The Virginia Tech team, in collaboration with Zach Adelman's lab in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and Chunhong Mao of the Biocomplexity Institute & Initiative at the University of Virginia, found that the Nix transgene alone, even without the M locus, was sufficient to convert females into males with male-specific sexually dimorphic features and male-like gene expression. "Nix-mediated sex conversion was found to be highly penetrant and stable over many generations in the laboratory, meaning that these characteristics will be inherited for generations to come," said Michelle Anderson, a former member of the Adelman and Tu labs and currently a senior research scientist at the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom. Although the Nix gene was able to convert the females into males, the converted males could not fly as they did not inherit the myo-sex gene, which is also located in the M locus. Knocking out myo-sex in wild-type males confirmed that the lack of myo-sex in the sex-converted males is the reason why they could not fly. Although the flight is needed for mating, the sex-converted males were still able to father viable sex-converted progeny when presented with cold-anesthetized wild-type females. "Nix has great potential for developing mosquito control strategies to reduce vector populations through female-to-male sex conversion, or to aid in the Sterile Insect Technique, which requires releasing only nonbiting males," said James Biedler, a research scientist in the Tu lab. Genetic methods that rely on mating to control mosquitoes target only one specific species. In this case, the Tu team is targeting Aedes aegypti, a species that invaded the Americas a few hundred years ago and poses a threat to humans. However, more research is needed before potentially useful transgenic lines can be generated for initial testing in laboratory cages. "One of the challenges is to produce transgenic lines that convert females into fertile, flying male mosquitoes by inserting both the Nix and myo-sex genes into their genome together," said Adelman. As the Tu team looks to the near future, they wish to explore the mechanism by which the Nix gene activates the male developmental pathway. The team is also interested in learning about how it evolves within mosquito species of the same genus. "We have found that the Nix gene is present in other Aedes mosquitoes. The question is: how did this gene and the sex-determining locus evolve in mosquitoes?" said Tu, who is also an affiliated faculty member of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. In addition to diving into the depths of the Nix gene in mosquitoes, researchers hope that these findings will inform future investigations into homomorphic sex chromosomes that are found in other insects, vertebrates, and plants. She admitted breaching the order and has been jailed for another 14 months Davidson is subject to order which bans her contacting children under age of 16 A female paedophile jailed for tricking a schoolgirl into sex by pretending to be a boy is now back behind bars after targeting another girl just days after her release. Jordana Davidson - then just 20 - was locked up for two and a half years in 2018 after tricking a 13-year-old into having sex with her. Davidson, originally from Wales, was released from prison on May 8 last year and moved to Liverpool, where she was befriended by an adult woman. But the woman - who didn't know about Davidson's sinister past - introduced the pervert to her 15-year-old daughter, who Davidson then began a relationship with. Liverpool Crown Court heard Davidson is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which bans her from any contact with children under the age of 16, except for contact that is inadvertent or with the 'informed consent' of the child's parent or guardian. Michael Stephenson, prosecuting, said the mother - a fellow ex-con -'took the defendant under her wing after a fashion' because she was being bullied. She had no knowledge of Davidson's SHPO or conviction. Davidson, now 22, of no fixed address but formerly of Rhyl, North Wales, admitted breaching her SHPO. She has been jailed for 14 months. Jordana Davidson - then just 20 (right) - was locked up for two and a half years in 2018 after tricking a 13-year-old into having sex with her. Now 22, Davidson, originally from Wales, was then released from prison on May 8 last year and moved to Liverpool, where she began a relationship with a 15-year-old girl. She has now been jailed (left) again Mr Stephenson said in court: 'She said she had no awareness of the nature of the defendant's convictions. She thought that she had been sentenced for either drugs or some sort of violence and thought she was a fairly harmless kid, because of her youthful appearance.' The mother said Davidson met with her daughter about 10 times between May 31 and June 7, but suspected they also met in private. Davidson later confessed to police that she and the child twice met alone, but insisted there was no physical activity between them. On June 7, the woman was walking down the street, ahead of Davidson and her daughter, when she heard them arguing. Mr Stephenson said: 'She heard her daughter saying to the defendant 'I could get you killed' and she then told her mother 'this soft c*** said she is in love with me'. 'The defendant was crying and said she was sorry.' The police were contacted and Davidson was recalled on licence to prison. Officers examined her mobile phone and found she and the girl exchanged 111 text messages and 121 phone calls in little over a week. Mr Stephenson said the girl refused to give an interview to police and expressed the view Davidson had done nothing wrong at one stage. Liverpool Crown Court heard Davidson is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which bans her from any contact with children under the age of 16 When interviewed in November, Davidson admitted having a 'romantic attachment' to the child, and said she 'considered her a girlfriend'. She claimed the girl's mother was aware of their developing relationship, but the woman denied this. Davidson's previous convictions are for five counts of sexual activity with a child in February 2018. Thomas Sherrington, defending, conceded there had been a risk of his client forming a physical relationship with the girl. He said: 'What this appears to be is a rather warped sense of the reality of the seriousness of the situation the defendant found herself in, an inappropriate in fact relationship, with a child.' The lawyer said Davidson was remorseful and wanted to express her 'sorrow and guilt'. He said: 'She says how foolish she acted considering she had been released from prison some 21 days prior and was well aware of the terms of the order, but her feelings got the better of her. 'She has said to me today she feels like she will be able to get the help and assistance she needs in order to combat this behaviour now she has returned to custody.' Mr Sherrington added: 'She tells me she has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and emotional distress disorder. 'She is currently on medication in prison for these mental health disorders and suspects there may be some correlation between that and her offending.' He said she had been in custody for 14 months and asked the judge to take into account the delay between her interview in November and police submitting a file to the CPS in March, for which there was 'no explanation'. Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, slammed police for the 'inexplicable and inexcusable' delay and said if Davidson had been sentenced in December, then the time that has passed since would have counted towards her sentence. He said he had no doubt Davidson understood her SHPO, but 'quite deliberately' flouted the order. The judge accepted the girl was 'perfectly happy to have that contact', but added: 'She wasn't old enough to make that decision for herself and she was entitled to be protected from your attention.' He said: 'I entirely accept there was not in fact any physical contact between you, but given everything that I have read about you and your past offending, I have little doubt the relationship between you would have developed into a physical one, which would in time have caused serious harm to your victim, who was after all, only 15.' Judge Flewitt told Davidson she was 'relatively immature' and her personality disorders 'may make it difficult for you to moderate your behaviour', as he jailed her for 14 months. He said: 'It's important that you take advantage of any courses or counselling that you're offered when in custody because if you keep committing offences of this sort, you will find yourself spending longer and longer in prison.' A father-of-three has been charged with domestic violence and assault after he vanished with his children for more than a month. The father and his children - aged 12, eight and 11 months old - were last seen in Edmondson Park, in Sydney's south-west, on June 11. The group were reported missing a month later when no one could find them. A father-of-three has been charged with domestic violence and assault after he vanished with his children for more than a month (stock) Police issued a public appeal on Tuesday and were able to find the family at a home in Gregory Hills, near Camden, at 11.30am the same day. The man, 42, was arrested by police and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (domestic violence), intentionally choke a person without consent and common assault (domestic violence). He will appear in Campbelltown Local Court today after being refused bail. The children were unharmed when they were found by police. Two rhinoceros were killed due to drowning in Assams Kaziranga national park and tiger reserve, which is reeling under monsoon flood fury that has become an annual feature. Kaziranga authorities informed on Wednesday that carcasses of a male and a female rhino were found on Tuesday at Tinimukhuni Nallah and Miikrjan Tongi areas in the central range of the park, which is spread over 430 square kilometres (km). This is the third rhino death in the park -- the largest habitat of one-horned rhinos in the world -- this monsoon. On June 26, the carcass of a male rhino, which had died due to natural causes, was found in the western range of the park. At present, around 90% of the parks total area is submerged under floodwaters and 153 of the total 223 forest camps inside are inundated, of which 14 of which have been vacated. According to a bulletin issued by the park authorities on Wednesday, 66 wild animals have died during this monsoon with 23 deaths (two rhinos, five wild boars, a swamp deer, 14 hog deer, and a porcupine) due to drowning and 12 (all hog deer) after they were hit by speeding vehicles. A total of 45 animals (all hog deer) have been injured 44 due to floods and one due to a vehicle hit. Forest personnel has rescued 117 animals, including a one-year-old female rhino calf, which had got separated from its mother to date. Every year as floods ravage Kaziranga, the parks animals including elephants, rhinos, and tigers cross the nearby national highway to find safety in the hills of adjoining Karbi Anglong district. Though vehicle movement is regulated and a speed limit of a maximum of 40 km per hour (kmph) has been imposed, several animals get injured or die due to speeding vehicles. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times . ...view detail An Irish MEP has raised the issue of unsafe toys for sale online at the European Commission. Ireland South MEP, Deirdre Clune raised the issue recently and revealed that in 2019, a record number of dangerous products were flagged by the European Commissions Rapid Alert System. This is a system that helps prevent or restrict the sale of dangerous items. Toys were the most notified product category, making up just under a third of all reports. 23% of alerts concerned motor vehicles and 8% concerned electrical equipment. In addition to this, a recent study from a group of consumer organisations tested 250 electrical goods, toys, cosmetics and other products bought from online marketplaces such as Amazon, AliExpress, eBay and Wish. They selected the products based on possible risks and found that 66% of them fail EU safety laws with possible consequences such as electric shock, fire or suffocation. In relation to toys which do not meet EU safety measures, there is concern currently at the lack of regulation when it comes to buying online. Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has raised the matter of dangerous toys being purchased online and not adhering to regulations at the European Commission and has asked what can the Commission to in the context of the upcoming Digital Services Act to address this matter. MEP Clune asked, Does the Commission intend to place additional requirements on platforms to prevent this and what type of measures might the Commission envisage in this regard? At present, online platforms must remove the dangerous items once they become aware of them but further consumer studies have shown that the same dangerous items can reappear a number of months or years later," she added. In relation to the products we buy and sell within the European Union, they must be safe. There are existing product safety rules that need to be looked at and adapted where necessary to take account of the digital transformation. This might be in specific areas such as machinery or toys or a more general product safety laws. Consumers must be able to count on a high level of safety for all products and know that the authorities are effectively monitoring this. In 2021, a new regulation on products will come into force. This will ensure monitoring across borders in the EU, for products that fall under EU harmonisation legislation. However, not all products come under this legislation. So, for example, a dolls bed, as a toy, is covered by stricter rules than a childs bed, which, as an item of furniture, is a so-called non-harmonised product as it is a piece of furniture. In the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee there is a proposal that the rules should also cover non-harmonised products. Manger will be kept in a center subordinate to the SBU. Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger, one of the key suspects in a fatal acid attack on Kherson activist Kateryna Handziuk, will be kept in a pretrial detention center until September 11. Prosecutor Andriy Syniuk said Manger would be kept in a detention center subordinate to the SBU Security Service of Ukraine, according to the Hromadske media outlet. On July 13, the Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal filed by Manger's lawyers, having upheld the previous ruling on remanding him in custody. They argued the suspicion against their client was unfounded, and the case was falsified. In turn, the prosecution claims Manger threatened witnesses in the Handziuk case, which justifies the need to change the preventive measure to detention. UNIAN memo. Kherson activist, advisor to the Mayor of Kherson and acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council's executive committee Kateryna Handziuk, 33, on July 31, 2018, survived an acid attack. She suffered burns to more than 35% of her body and underwent 11 operations in Kyiv. Handziuk died on November 4, 2018. Read alsoHandziuk case: Suspect Manger to be kept in pretrial detention center until July 28 The immediate cause of her death was a severed blood clot resulting from the acid attack. Police originally qualified the attack as an attempted murder committed with extreme cruelty, then its status was changed to completed murder. Six suspects were detained, one of whom, Mykola Novikov, was later released from custody as charges against him had been dropped. On May 7, 2019, the Prosecutor General's Office sent an indictment against five defendants in the case of the murder: Mykyta Hrabchuk, Volodymyr Vasyanovych, Vyacheslav Vishnevsky, Serhiy Torbin, and Viktor Horbunov. On June 6, 2019, the court announced their sentences. Torbin, the organizer of the murder, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison. Hrabchuk, the actual perpetrator of the crime, was sentenced to six years in prison. Accused of aiding, Vasyanovych and Horbunov were sentenced to four and three years in prison, respectively; accomplice Vishnevsky's sentence is four years' imprisonment. Oleksiy Levin, who has a criminal record, as well as Chairman of Kherson Regional Council Vladyslav Manger and Ihor Pavlovsky, who was an assistant to MP Mykola Palamarchuk, are also suspects in the Handziuk murder case. Moreover, public activists believe that former Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Andriy Gordeev and former Deputy Chairman of Kherson Regional State Administration Yevhen Ryshchuk were involved in the crime. On January 27, Levin was put into custody in Bulgaria's Burgas for a 40-day term after detention on January 24. On February 22, the court of the city of Burgas (Bulgaria) ruled to extradite Levin to Ukraine. He was extradited on March 16 and Kyiv's Pechersky district court on March 17 ruled to remand him in custody until April 2. On March 25, Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court extended the pretrial probe into the Handziuk case until July 29. Manger and Levin are suspected of committing crimes under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 121 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. NEW DELHI: The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala, is all set to declare the Kerala Board Class 12 (Plus Two) results 2020 on Wednesday (July 15). According to reports, Kerala Board Plus Two results will be declared by Education Minister C Raveendranath at 2 PM. Once declared, the result will be available on the official website of the Kerala board - keralaresults.nic.in. Here's how to check Kerala Board plus two result online: Step 1: Go the official website of Kerala Examination Results - keralaresults.nic.in. Step 2: Click on the link for Class 12 result. Step 3: Log in by entering details like roll number. Step 4: Result will appear on the screen. There are some other websites too on which the students can check their plus two result. These websites are: dhsekerala.gov.in, prd.kerala.gov.in and results.itschool.gov.in. Kerala Board Class 12 exams were scheduled from March 10 to 26 but some of the papers were cancelled due to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly virus. The remaining exams were held towards the end of May. In 2019, 3, 11, 375 students sat for the Kerala Board Class 12 examination and the pass percentage was 84.33%. Out of the total students, 14,244 students secured an all A+. 183 students out of these secured full marks. US-sponsored negotiations to enable Libyan oil facilities to resume operations broke down last weekend according to a statement by the US Embassy in Tripoli on Sunday (12 July). Talks had begun several weeks earlier between the Government of National Accord (GNA) and National Oil Corporation (NOC), on the one hand, and the Libyan National Army (LNA) and what the statement refers to as the LNAs foreign backers on the other. The NOCs announcement 10 July that it had lifted force majeure and resumed its operations had raised hopes that the negotiations would succeed. The breakdown once again increases the chances of military escalation along the Sirte-Jafra front. The US Embassy statement specifically blamed incursions by Wagner mercenaries against NOC facilities, as well as mixed messages conceived in foreign capitals and conveyed by the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA) on 11 July for the breakdown in talks, while it simultaneously indicated that part of the problem lay in the illegal obstruction of the long-overdue audit of the banking sector which undermines the desire of all Libyans for economic transparency. The statement added: The door remains open for all who lay down weapons, reject foreign manipulation and come together in peaceful dialogue to be a part of the solution; however, those who undermine Libyas economy and cling to military escalation will face isolation and risk of sanctions. The same day, the NOC issued a statement announcing that it had to reimpose force majeure on oil facilities nationwide. It explicitly blamed the UAE for instructing Field Marshal Khalifa Haftars forces to shut down production and called on the UN Security Council to hold to account states responsible for the renewed oil blockade on Libyan oil exports. On Friday, 10 July, the NOC announced that it had lifted force majeure on all oil exports from Libya and that the first vessel to load was the Kriti Bastion at Al-Sider oil port. However, on Saturday, the LNA General Command announced that the blockade of the port would continue until a thorough audit was performed on the Tripoli-based Libyan Central Bank, a special account to deposit oil revenues was opened in another country and a clear mechanism was created to ensure the just distribution of these revenues among the Libyan people. The statement, by LNA spokesperson Ahmed Al-Mismari, also demanded international guarantees that the revenues would not be channelled into the hands of terrorists and mercenaries, referring to the mercenaries that Turkey has flown into Libya from Syria. Expressing its disappointment at the reversal in the LNAs cooperative posture in negotiations, the NOC, in its 12 July statement, said that it has been informed that the instructions to shut down production were given to Khalifa Haftars armed forces by the UAE. This is gravely disappointing, especially following repeated statements by very senior representatives of the UAE last week in support of international efforts to restart oil production in Libya. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar, on Monday, stated: The UAE, alongside its partners, wants to see a return to oil production in Libya as soon as possible, with safeguards in place to prevent the proceeds fuelling further conflict. We continue to work for an immediate ceasefire and return to a political process. He stressed that the political process was the only way to end the control of militias over large portions of Libyan territory. The NOC called on all mercenaries to withdraw from Libyan oil facilities. It maintained that Wagner and Syrian mercenaries now occupy Es-Sider oil port and Wagner and Sudanese mercenaries are camped within the vicinity of the Sharara oil field, preventing Libyan oil from flowing. NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla appeared pessimistic over the prospects for the resumption of Libyan oil production and exports, although he expressed his organisations appreciation for UN and US efforts to restart production and avert an escalation in the conflict. If these efforts fail, as it appears they will, there must be consequences for the actions of the handful of states that are undermining the rule-based international order and destroying Libya. They pose a grave threat to Libyan and global security. Before the negotiations broke down, Sanalla had spent three weeks in talks in Cairo, Tunisia and Paris, speaking with officials from Egypt, the UAE, France and Russia, in the hope of enabling the NOC to resume operations in oil facilities that are currently under the control of the LNA, which is backed by these four countries. The negotiations have essentially revolved around the demand to restart NOC operations versus demands for proper financial transparency and a fair distribution of oil revenues. Officials at the Tripoli-based Libyan Central Bank, where oil revenues have been deposited, have been accused of corruption and tampering with the distribution of revenues. A parallel Central Bank was established in Cyrenaica in 2014 and it, too, has been included in the demands for auditing and banking sector reform. Speaker of the House of Representatives in Tobruk Aguila Saleh met with Acting UN Special Representative to Libya Stephanie Williams in Geneva on Friday (10 July) to discuss the revival of political dialogue and the need to intensify efforts to find an inclusive political solution to the Libyan crisis, according to a statement by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which Williams heads. The talks also covered the resumption of oil production and exports. The breakdown in negotiations to restart NOC facilities occurred a week after an air strike against Al-Watiya Airbase. Sources in Tripoli claim it was carried out by a French Rafael fighter jet that took off from an airbase in Chad, and by Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighters that took off from Al-Jafra Airbase. Turkey says it is investigating the incident that destroyed two fighter planes it had stowed in the hangars at Al-Watiya at the ready to be deployed in the conflict. Turkey has dismissed calls for a ceasefire in Libya at present. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a TV statement Monday that the GNA would not benefit from a ceasefire along the current lines of combat and that Sirte and Al-Jafra airbases had to be turned over to the GNA before it agrees to a ceasefire. The escalatory message comes as the EU considers new sanctions against Turkey for its disturbing acts that threaten European interests and security, according to a statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels Sunday. Borrell urged Ankara to cooperate with European institutions and countries and engage in the pacification process, whether by stopping the repeated violations of the UN resolution banning the supply of arms to Libya and stopping illegal exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. In Tripoli, the GNA announced that it has reinforced its positions west of Sirte in anticipation of an amassment of forces on the other side. Al-Mismari responded that LNA forces were ready to intercept any military escalation by Turkey. *A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Joe Biden says he wants to subdue divisive politics, and the economic policy program he rolled out last week shares key elements of the nationalist vision that dominates the Republican Party under President Donald Trump. The prospect of constructive bipartisan engagement is welcome, but the populist proposals sketched out by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee are not. If elected in November, Biden would have a chance to draw Republican support for substantial parts of the agenda he laid out in a speech last week in Pennsylvania. But thats largely because of the influence Trumpian populism and economic nationalism have had on a previously internationalist Republican Party. A key part of Bidens populist economic vision involves reviving manufacturing. He called for $400 billion in spending on materials and products made in the U.S. as part of a Buy American program, along with $300 billion in research and development to spur domestic innovation and support domestic production. He touted the crafting of a national industrial policy and downplayed the role of finance in creating prosperity. Its way past time we put an end to the era of shareholder capitalism, Biden declared. To the conservative ear, this sounded familiar. Ever since Trumps 2016 victory, some Republicans have taken similar positions. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, for example, is also critical of shareholder capitalism. Hes called for a 21st-century pro-American industrial policy, in part to revive domestic manufacturing. When asked about Bidens speech in a television interview Monday morning, Rubio said its great to see Biden discussing the need to rebuild the U.S.s manufacturing base. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Rubio joined with Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and others on a bill calling for strengthening Buy American provisions to support the domestic market for medical goods. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, a rising star of conservative populism, is warmer to government intervention in the economy than Republican senators have typically been. This spring he announced a proposal to offer government-backed, low-interest loans for capital expenditures to businesses that bring production back to the U.S. from abroad. Rubio and Hawley have praised labor unions, as Biden did in Pennsylvania. Another Republican senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, recently joined Hawley and several other senators from both parties, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to introduce the American Foundries Act of 2020 that aimed to boost the domestic production of semiconductor chips. Story continues The collapse of the free-trade consensus that has dominated U.S. economic policy for decades would give a President Biden a chance to muster bipartisan support for his pro-manufacturing, industrial-policy agenda. Would that be good for the country? No. Protectionism and industrial policy, including buy-American mandates, raise consumer prices and the prices of goods businesses use for production, reducing domestic competitiveness. They invite corruption and cronyism, and can increase the burden on taxpayers for government procurement. They lead to diplomatic friction and invite retaliation. The U.S. trade war with China probably hurt manufacturing employment the intended beneficiary in addition to serving as a drag on the economy overall. Rather than giving pride of place to manufacturing jobs, it would be better for economic policy makers to focus on how the middle of the labor market is changing. Mid-wage manufacturing jobs are shrinking as a share of total employment. But as I show in my new book, The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It), a new middle is taking its place. Its fastest growing occupations include health technologists and technicians, heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers, computer support specialists, and self-enrichment education teachers, among others. It would be better for politicians to focus on connecting workers to new and growing opportunities, rather than trying to turn the clock back by promoting manufacturing. Beyond industrial policy and showering manufacturing with special attention, Biden highlighted the need to make child care more affordable, along with lowering the cost of prescription drugs and finding a solution to surprise medical bills that insured patients often receive for services outside their coverage. All these issues are ripe for productive bipartisan cooperation with the right presidential leadership. Concern about Chinas unfair trade practices which Biden mentioned in his speech and would need to address if elected now extends widely throughout the political right as well as among union supporters on the Democratic left. The U.S. needs to crack down on China with a sound, multinational strategy, competently executed. There are key parts of Bidens plan that would struggle to find support among either traditional or populist Republicans. For example, he called for an optional government health insurance program in addition to the subsidies for private insurance already offered by Obamacare. He wants to raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, a particularly terrible idea in an economy as weak as the U.S.s will be in 2021. His plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour would be devastating to low-wage workers by slashing their job opportunities. Bidens variant of economic nationalism is both a challenge and a response to Trumps flavor of populism. I had hoped that Biden would move the U.S. beyond populism. He still might, campaigning as a populist to win and then governing as a mainstream, center-left Democrat. But the vision he is offering voters suggests otherwise. The fact that this vision harmonizes with conservative populism is far from a guarantee of bipartisan cooperation. The pressure on Republican lawmakers to oppose any Democratic agenda would be very strong. But if Bidens first year as president does bring bipartisan success, he will have Trump to thank. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Michael R. Strain is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is director of economic policy studies and Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the author of The American Dream Is Not Dead: (But Populism Could Kill It). 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. Following a controversial petition to remove Eastons Christopher Columbus statue, the Sigal Museum and the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium are facilitating a community discussion about the monument. Columbus in the Crosshairs: Navigating Symbolism in Public Art is an online panel discussion hosted by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. The 9-foot-tall bronze statue off Larry Holmes Drive was commissioned in 1928 by the growing Italian-American community as a gift to the city. Melissa Darling Meyer created the Remove racist Christopher Columbus monument in Easton now! petition, saying the figure represents racist acts of violence through the forceful removal of people from their ancestral lands. As of Tuesday, it had 1,846 signatures. Easton Mayor Sal Panto said he has no plans to move the statue. Some of our staff are Easton residents and they were watching this conversation sort of blow up over social media, said Carey Birgel, executive director of the Sigal Museum. The online missives were projecting thoughts out, but there was no engagement, no discussion. Jean Bemesderfer, assistant curator, connected with the consortium to develop the panel, which will be held 5-7 p.m. July 15. This is the type of thing we facilitate, this type of forum. We really wanted to get diverse perspectives, Birgel said. This gives people a chance to hear some of the history on something thats very divisive ... Were a perfect place. Its history, this is where you can talk about it. The goal is to share opinions in a safe place, continue conversation, and be the start of dialogue moving forward. Its not for us to come from on high and tell people what they should think about their history, Birgel said. The museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary in its home on Northampton Street, and over the years, our goal has been to open more and more to our community, and reflect the history of our community now, Birgel said. Darling Meyers is one of the speakers, and will be joined by Chuck Gentlemoon Demund of the Lenape Nation; Dr. Wendy Wilson-Fall, chair of Lafayettes Africana Studies Department; Julie Burros, a cultural and urban planner; and Dr. Andrea Smith, of Lafayettes Anthropology Department. Columbus statues around the country have been vandalized or removed, most recently in Baltimore where the monument was toppled and then thrown into the harbor. Philadelphia plans to move its Christopher Columbus statue; a lawsuit was filed to delay moving the 144-year-old statue out of Marconi Plaza. Want to attend? Zoom links: https://tinyurl.com/Columbus18042 https://lafayette.zoom.us/j/7173554988 Audience members can listen by phone at 1-646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 717 355 4988 The Facebook event can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1732542246888760 Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Director Yeon Sang-ho poses before an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of NEW By Kwak Yeon-soo Director Yeon Sang-ho says he has never been afraid of tackling new genres. In recent years, the animator and live-action filmmaker has gravitated toward the scope of blockbuster action films, opening the gateway for K-zombie flicks. Well-known for his creative approach and smart storytelling skills, the filmmaker is back with "Peninsula," the sequel to 2016 mega-hit "Train to Busan." Yeon confessed that he had initially been reluctant to direct a "Train to Busan" sequel because his 2016 film received such a strong reaction that he wondered if he could actually make another film to tell a new story. "I honestly felt two ways about directing the sequel to Train to Busan. Many encouraged me to produce the second installment, but I wasn't sure if there's more story left to tell. It was when I started planning Peninsula that I found the joy of imagining the world in ruin," he said during an interview with The Korea Times. Set four years after "Train to Busan," the upcoming blockbuster tells the story of survivors and a world overrun by zombies. Rather than picking up the story from where "Train to Busan" left off, the second installment involves a new story, characters and setting. Gang Dong-won plays Jung-seok, a former soldier who returns to the zombie-packed peninsula on a mission, while Lee Jung-hyun plays Min-jung, a mother of two daughters and an uninfected survivor of the zombie apocalypse. She saves Jung-seok and his crew from a massive zombie attack and they join forces to escape the devastated land. The director explained that audiences would be able to connect with the characters because they feel more real, as opposed to untouchable heroes. "I think Peninsula will be more readily relatable to Asian audiences," he said. "Peninsula" is expected to be among the first films to greet moviegoers in the Asian film market in a while, as it is scheduled to be released in Singapore and Taiwan on July 15. Its North America release is scheduled for Aug. 7 through Well Go USA. Regarding the Hong Kong street scenes that appear at the beginning of the film, Yeon revealed that they were actually shot at set locations in Korea. "We scouted four filming locations in Korea that carry Hong Kong's distinctive architecture style," Yeon said. "I selected Hong Kong as a place of refuge because I wanted to capture Hong Kong's vibe and its neo-noir traits. The Port of Hong Kong also enables Jung-seok and his crew to sail to the Port of Incheon," he said. The 42-year-old filmmaker cited films such as "Land of the Dead," "The Road," "Mad Max" and "Mad Max: Fury Road" as inspirations for "Peninsula," stating that the inspiration for the dynamic car chase scenes were from George Miller's "Mad Max" franchise. "I think it's okay to rely on something that's already well-established instead of trying something new as far as one reinterprets it in their own way," he said. "Compared with Mad Max, which presents long and straight roads, Peninsula features three-dimensional scenes that involve high-level roads, underground roadways and narrow alleys." Yeon shared that he has been contemplating what the movie-going experience means today. "Long before COVID-19 hit the world, I began to think about the advantages of watching films at cinemas. Cable dramas and over-the-top platforms have already surpassed film in artistic quality," he said. "I believe that theaters should center on the action genre and shift toward experience-oriented films." The 16 billion won project originally required about 5.24 million audiences to break even, but overseas presales reduced the burden to 2.5 million views. "Peninsula" is currently playing in cinemas nationwide. On Tuesday, the Indian and Chinese military commanders conducted over 10-hour-long intense discussions. On Wednesday, China said the fourth round of Sino-India military discussions conducted yesterday to reduce tension at the border. On Tuesday, the Indian and Chinese military commanders conducted over 10-hour-long intense discussions. The negotiations were on finalizing a framework for a specific time frame and verifiable disengagement process from all the conflict points in eastern Ladakh comprising Pangong Tso and Depsang. On Wednesday, China said the fourth round of Sino-India military discussions conducted yesterday to reduce tension at the border. The negotiations had made development in disengaging troops in the western section of the disputed boundary. The Indian side also stressed on full restoration of the previous situation in all parts of eastern Ladakh prior to May 5. The Chinese foreign ministry said that to secure peace and tranquility in the border areas, it expected New Delhi would work with Beijing. Also read: CBSE Class 10th Board Results announced: Over 1.5 lakh students in compartment category Also read: India and EU natural partners: PM Modi at virtual summit The main goal of the discussions was de-escalation and they have taken place in a phased manner. The conventional patrolling routes of the Indian Army should not be blocked, said India. The commanders also addressed the further reduction of troops from the north of Galwan Valley, Depsang Bulge. China, as of now, has not shared any detail of the parameters of disengagement the PLA is following. More such meetings are on the anvil. Since May 5, in various areas in eastern Ladakh comprising Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, and Gogra Hot Spring, the troops of India and China are locked in an over eight-week standoff. On June 15, the violent fight between soldiers of both sides, India and China, took the lives of 20 Indian army personnel and an unspecified number of Chinese were also allegedly killed. Also read: Rajkummar Rao to star in Hindi remake of Telugu film Hit For all the latest National News, download NewsX App A 73-year-old man is dead after being shot by police Wednesday morning at a home on Indian Point Road, northeast of Haliburton, about 103 kilometres north of Peterborough. The man had assaulted an employee at the Eastons Valu-mart grocery store on Highway 35 in Minden over a dispute about having to wear a mask, according to OPP Sgt. Jason Folz. The worker was cleaning carts outside the store Wednesday morning and attempted to give the man a free mask, which all customers are required to wear, when he was assaulted, Folz told the Toronto Stars Ted Fraser. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit issued an order requiring non-medical masks or face coverings to be used at all commercial establishments in Haliburton County, as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County, as of Monday. Only one person was attacked at the store, Folz said. The man left the grocery store in a vehicle, driving dangerously through the parking lot, Folz said. Haliburton Highlands OPP were notified about the Valu-mart incident at about 9:25 a.m., according to the provinces Special Investigations Unit which is investigating the shooting. A police officer observed the vehicle and began following it for a short time. Our units caught up with him on Highway 35 and tried to stop him, but that pursuit was discontinued in the interest of public safety, Folz said. Excessive speed and wild driving played a part in calling off the chase, Folz said. Using the licence plate, police tracked down the vehicle to a home on Indian Point Road, near Eagle Lake and Drag Lake, the SIU said. According to Folz, shots were fired at Haliburton Highlands OPP officers after their arrival at the home and then additional police officers were called in. There was an confrontation outside of the home and two officers discharged their firearms, striking the man, according to the SIU. He was transported to hospital by paramedics, where he was pronounced dead at 11:47 a.m., the SIU said. The SIU has not said which police force or unit the officers who shot the man were with. The mans name has not been released by investigators, pending notification of next of kin, according to SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon. Linda Easton, the owner of Eastons Valu-mart, told the Toronto Stars Ted Fraser that she was proud of her staff for mitigating a bad situation. I want to say how great staff are in grocery stores everywhere during COVID, and that they need a lot more recognition for the services they provide to customers, Easton said. We all need a lot of recognition and we dont know who comes into our building so I dont know if we all get that. Easton said she didnt want to comment on the events that unfolded after the incident at her store. What happened here is one thing, but what transpired after is a whole different story, Easton said. Four SIU investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. The SIU is urging anyone who may have information for the investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The SIU is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website. The SIU is an arms length agency that investigates incidents in Ontario involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. with files from Ted Fraser, Toronto Star The number of deaths from the coronavirus in Latin America has exceeded the figure for North America for the first time since the start of the pandemic, Trend reports citing Reuters. Latin America had by Monday seen at least 144,680 deaths so far, compared to 143,847 deaths in North America - comprising Canada and the United States - according to Reuters figures, which are based on official counts. The first confirmed cases of the virus in the Americas came within a day of each other in late February, first in Canada and then the United States and Mexico. Initially, the United States and Canada suffered a more rapid escalation in reported case numbers. However, Latin America struggled to contain the spread of the virus once it left the more affluent neighborhoods where it was first detected, usually in those who had traveled abroad. A problematic combination of widespread poverty, informal labor, and poor healthcare, particularly in remote areas, contributed to the spread. The leaders of the regions two most populated countries, Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro and Mexicos Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, initially dismissed the severity of the virus. The United States remains the individual country with the most overall deaths - 135,055 - followed by Brazil at 72,100. Mexico and Peru are among the 10 nations with the highest number of deaths globally, while Chile, Colombia and Ecuador have also all suffered more than 5,000 deaths. The worlds coronavirus infections surpassed 13 million on Monday, according to a Reuters count, another grim milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months. The tally shows the disease is accelerating fastest in Latin America. The first case was reported in China in early January and it took three months for one million cases to be confirmed globally. It took just five days to reach 13 million from the 12 million registered on July 8. The number of coronavirus infections to date is around triple the number of severe influenza cases confirmed each year around the globe, according to the World Health Organization. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The polluted former North Coast Chemical property at 1615 S. Graham St. sold for $3.7 million, according to King County records. The seller was North Coast, of Vancouver, B.C., which had owned the property for decades. . . . A woman's body has been discovered in a home in Melbourne's northern suburbs, as neighbours reveal a young boy was found crying outside. The woman's body was discovered after police conducted a welfare check at the home on Hawkes Drive at Mill Park about 9.30pm Tuesday. She is yet to be formally identified but a 45-year-old Epping man has been arrested and is under guard in hospital. Detectives (pictured on Wednesday) are seen leaving a residential property in Mill Park on Wednesday after a woman's body was found on Tuesday night A man has been arrested after a woman's body was found in Melbourne's northern suburbs (the home in Mill Park pictured) Neighbours said they heard a child crying outside the home on Tuesday night as emergency services rushed to the street, according to the Herald Sun. A mother and son, aged ten, are believed to have lived at the home for more than a decade. Neighbours have speculated that the woman living in the home had recently separated from her husband. One nearby resident described the woman and her son as 'good people'. 'I just can't believe it,' one neighbour said. 'There was a kid outside crying. Feel sorry for who it is. This is a quiet area.' Homicide squad detectives are still at the scene with the home cordoned off as investigations continue. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Japan's government is considering whether to request business closures for nightlife establishments that fail to follow its guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A request based on a special law to tackle the outbreak is under consideration for non-compliant businesses where staff and customers come into close contact. The move is in response to a rising number of new cases in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas. Prime Minister Abe Shinzo told Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi on Tuesday that the government is on the alert and closely monitoring the situation. Abe said he wants to contain the spread of the virus by taking thorough steps to prevent clusters of infections. Many of the recent cases involve young people, but the government is increasingly wary that they could transmit the virus to elderly and other vulnerable people. The government will start the "Go To Travel" subsidy program on July 22 to boost domestic tourism hit hard by the outbreak. But opposition parties argue that it won't be as effective as expected under the current circumstances. Local authorities are also expressing concern that travelers might bring the virus into their communities. Some members of the government point out the need to take into account the infection situation and public opinions. Franco Mulakkal, the former bishop of Jalandhar who is accused of raping a nun in Kerala, has tested positive for COVID-19. Mulakkal had gone into self-isolation a day ago after his lawyer tested positive. BCCL He (Mulakkal) has tested positive for coronavirus, said COVID-19 nodal officer for Jalandhar, T P Singh. Mulakkal's report, confirming him to be positive for COVID-19, came on Monday evening, he added. The development came a day after a local court in Kottayam cancelled the bail granted to Mulakkal for failing to appear for the trial in the case and issued a Non Bailable Warrant against him. On Monday, Mulakkal's counsel informed the court that his client could not appear as he had been in self quarantine due to his primary contact with a COVID-19 infected person. BCCL During the previous hearing on July 1 also he had failed to appear before the Court. His counsel had then submitted that the priest could not appear as he was stuck in a COVID-19 containment zone at Jalandhar in Punjab. The prosecution on Monday countered the claim by the accused, saying the place where he lived in Jalandhar was not a COVID-19 containment zone on July 1. The Court cancelled his bail, considering the prosecution argument that the accused was trying to delay the trial, and posted the case to August 13. The Kerala High Court on July 7 had dismissed a petition seeking to discharge Mulakkal from the sexual assault case filed against him by the nun. It had directed the deposed Bishop of Jalandhar diocese to stand for trial in the rape case, which was registered on a complaint filed by the nun of same diocese in Kerala. BCCL The court dismissed the plea by the bishop, admitting the prosecution argument that there was prima facie evidence against Mulakkal in the rape case. The senior priest of the Roman Catholic Church had filed the revision petition following the dismissal of his discharge plea by the trial court in Kottayam in March this year. The rape case against the Bishop was registered by Kottayam district police in Kerala. In her complaint to the police in June 2018, the nun had alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by the Bishop between 2014 and 2016. The bishop, who was arrested by the Special Investigation Team which probed the case, has been charged with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 11:01:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANTIAGO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- At Chilean copper mines, local employees no longer need to scan their fingerprints to get access to the facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, facial recognition technology is used to reduce risks of infections from indirect contact. Thanks to the support of the facial recognition technology from 19-year-old Chinese firm Hikvision, founded in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Chile has installed over 700 thermal cameras for towns, mines and hospitals in the capital Santiago and other parts of the country. So far, Chile has registered 319,493 COVID-19 cases nationwide, with 7,069 deaths, according to the country's health ministry. In recent weeks, the ministry has reported an improvement in their efforts to fight the pandemic amid a decline in new cases. Samuel Ramirez, director of Business Development at Hikvision Chile, told Xinhua that the South American country wants to do all it can to promote social distancing and minimize viral spread while keeping up productivity during the pandemic. Therefore, Chile has turned to solutions it saw being implemented in China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries, Ramirez said, adding that that is why Hikvision's facial recognition technology was introduced into Chile. According to Ramirez, the thermal cameras installed can gauge the temperature of up to 30 people per second to identify potential COVID-19 infections, alert the individual and help prevent the spread of the disease. "The cameras have the ability to identify the area of the face between the nose and the upper part of the forehead ... through a thermometric lens that works together with a video surveillance lens, all within the camera," he said. Besides, the artificial intelligence incorporated in the surveillance system can immediately sound an alert when it detects a person not wearing a face mask, which is mandatory in Chile. It can also bar entry to employees who should be in quarantine. The technology was once used at bus terminals "to know how many people pay the fare," and now it can help to see "how many people are wearing a face mask or have a temperature," Ramirez said. Apart from the facial recognition technology, the Chinese firm is also offering to Chile handheld devices capable of gauging temperature from more than three meters away, to help control entry to supermarkets, airports and workplaces without jeopardizing the health of security employees. "We have seen that technology has been present in countries that have best controlled the pandemic and that speaks well of the available tools ... the idea is to have all this experience serve to implement preventive measures," said Ramirez. Enditem Israel's outgoing ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, spoke to The Washington Post about his five years in the position, security threats in the region and anti-Semitisim. The following is a lightly edited transcript. Q: On Jan. 27 of this year, you tweeted a video to remember the victims of the Holocaust and included the voices of several other ambassadors to the U.N. Why did you do that? A: The issue of anti-Semitism is very important to me - it is a global issue. We should not be silent about it. That's why I dedicated a lot of effort to educate my colleagues at the U.N. about the danger of hate [and] anti-Semitism. Q: In this fight against anti-Semitism, how important is it to also fight the glorification of the Nazis or Nazi symbols? A: I think we have to fight anti-Semitism on all fronts. Today with social media it is a challenge, and we have debates with scholars and legal experts about what we can do regarding, hate crimes, how to deal with freedom of speech and where we draw the line. We cherish freedom of speech, but we cannot cherish freedom of hate. Q: Were you directly confronted with anti-Semitism during your time at the U.N.? A: I had difficult moments, both when you hear the voices coming from Iran or the hate crime in Pittsburgh here in the U.S. Q: You mentioned in interviews trips to Dubai and to other Arab countries. How is Israel's relationship with the Arab states at the moment? A: It's a very important and strategic relationship, beneficial for both sides. We share the common threat over the Iranian regime, which is threatening the entire region. We collaborate and can collaborate more. The issue is whether the Arab states actually recognize, publicly, the accomplishments and cooperation. I think it is about time to move to the next level and to see what we can do publicly, not only behind closed doors. Q: The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the United States has spoken publicly about his country's relationship with Israel and said it's either "annexation or normalization," stressing that your country's annexation plans would make it impossible to go ahead with a normalization process. A: We welcome his involvement and input. It's important we do take it into consideration and to have a dialogue - weather it is with Arab or European countries, the U.S. or Russia, China - it is very important for us, and it is part of the process. But at the end of the day, the Israeli government will have to reach a decision about the issue of applying sovereignty. Q: Are you communicating with any Arab ambassadors over the annexation topic at the moment? A: We always have open channels of communication. We do agree most of the time on most issues. But even if there are issues we don't agree on, we still discuss them. Q: The Palestinians announced they have ended security cooperation with Israel. A: It is not the first time we hear an announcement similar to that one. And this security cooperation is not only beneficial to Israel but for the Palestinians themselves. In a few occasions, we shared information with them that helped prevent terrorist attacks not against Israeli but actually against the Palestinian Authority. Q: Is there any attempt at the moment to bring the Palestinians back to the table, to discuss and negotiate? A: We are open-minded. I have been approaching President [Mahmoud] Abbas when he came to the U.N. the last time. . . . We are willing to go back to the negotiating table. But it's difficult to find a good partner on the other side. Q: How do you see at the moment the threat coming from Hamas? A: I think Hamas is continuing to occupy Gaza. Instead of supporting the population, they are investing in tunnels and weapons, and that's unfortunate because it means that they're actually investing in the future conflict with Israel instead of investing in the future of the Palestinians. Q: Where do things stand with Iran? Do Western countries see eye to eye with Israel when it comes to the question of how to deal with Iran? A: We believe the Iranians are not only posing a threat to Israel but to the entire community of the world. In October we have the issue of the arm embargo, whether it will be extended or not. We encourage all countries to support the position of the U.S. and not allow Iran to continue and increase the involvement in supplying arms to different groups in the Middle East. Q: Has the Trump administration handled the threat you see coming from Iran in a way that was sufficient? A: We are grateful for the decision to pull out of the Iran deal, it was very important. And we appreciate the strong stance of President [Donald] Trump and [Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo on this issue. We have stated many times, we will not allow Iran to achieve nuclear weapons, no matter what. We welcome the leadership of the U.S. on this issue. Q: There was an explosion in the nuclear facility in Iran. How important was this facility for Iran? A: We will not get into a specific incident. But overall, our policy is very clear about not allowing Iran to achieving the nuclear weapon. Q: What are your plans? What will you be doing next? A: I am concluding five years. It's a very long term. . . . I intend to stay involved in public service. I gained a lot of experience, knowledge and connections that I intend to use in order to support Israel. Advertisement Britain's Covid-19 death toll today topped 45,000 as officials recorded just 85 more victims and Scotland has now gone an entire week without suffering a single fatality. Just 75 Britons are now dying of coronavirus each day, on average. In comparison, the rate last Wednesday was 87 after health chiefs revealed 126 more people had succumbed to the life-threatening infection. But the average number of new cases are still higher than they were last week despite dropping for the second day in a row, suggesting the outbreak is not shrinking as quickly as officials hoped. Department of Health statistics show 584 Britons are testing positive for the virus each day on average, after 538 more cases were confirmed today. The rate is 7 per cent higher than last Wednesday's rate of 546 because of a spike in cases over the past week even though the actual number of new infections is lower (630). In other coronavirus developments in Britain today: Boris Johnson insisted he does not have a 'magic wand' to save jobs as he admitted a wave of redundancies is looming because of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the economy; Hopes for a working Covid-19 jab grew as two trials in the UK and US by Oxford University and American firm Moderna reported promising results in their early experiments; The Health Secretary admitted he is 'worried' about the long term impact of coronavirus, with thousands of 'long-haulers' suffering fatigue and heart problems months after beating the disease; The government's face mask rules descended further into confusion as Matt Hancock insisted they must be worn to get takeaway coffee but not in pubs and denied that they will be compulsory in offices; England's coronavirus R rate was just 0.57 in May significantly lower than Government scientists thought it was, Imperial College London researchers claimed; Pendle became the second Lancashire borough at risk of retreating back into lockdown because the disease is spreading out of control there, after a spike in cases in Blackburn with Darwen; Rodent infestations across the UK have surged 42 per cent during Britain's coronavirus lockdown, according to an analysis by an insurance company. COVID-19 DEATH RATES WERE FOUR TIMES HIGHER IN CITIES THAN REMOTE AREAS People living in larger urban areas were four times more likely to die with Covid-19 than those in remote locations over the past four months, according to official figures. National Records of Scotland (NRS) data shows between March 1 and June 30, there were 116.8 age-standardised deaths involving Covid-19 per 100,000 people in large urban areas. In contrast, the rate was just 26.8 per 100,000 in remote rural locations. The gap was substantially smaller when considering the rate of deaths from all causes, where it was 1.4 times higher in large urban areas than in remote rural areas. People in the most deprived areas of the country were 2.1 times more likely to die with Covid than those living in the least deprived parts, the analysis found. As of July 12, the overall coronavirus death toll for Scotland stood at 4,173, with 13 deaths in the week to Sunday - a decrease of five from the previous week. This is the 11th weekly reduction in a row, and the lowest weekly total since mid-March. It comes as lockdown restrictions continue to ease in phase three of the Scottish Government's route map out of lockdown. Barbers and hair salons can reopen from Wednesday with enhanced hygiene measures in place, as can indoor pubs and restaurants. NRS figures show deaths involving Covid-19 accounted for 1 per cent of all those registered between July 6 and July 12, down from a peak in week 17 when Covid-19 deaths accounted for 36 per cent of all fatalities. The NRS analysis also shows the highest number of deaths involving Covid-19 of working people aged 20-64 by occupation group were among process, plant and machine operatives, where the age-standardised death rate was 25.1 per 100,000 population. Compared to the average death rate of deaths involving Covid-19 for all occupations, which was 10.2 per 100,000 population, health workers had a lower death rate (6.4) whilst social care workers had a higher rate (14.4). Advertisement Department of Health figures released yesterday showed 144,000 tests were carried out or posted the day before. The number includes antibody tests for frontline NHS and care workers. But bosses again refused to say how many people were tested, meaning the exact number of Brits who have been swabbed for the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a mystery for a month since May 22. Health chiefs also reported 398 more cases of Covid-19. Government statistics show the official size of the UK's outbreak now stands at 291,373 cases. But the actual size of the outbreak, which began to spiral out of control in March, is estimated to be in the millions, based on antibody testing data. It means the rolling average of daily cases dropped from 624 to 597, after it rose for three days in a row. It was higher than it was last Tuesday (575). The daily death data does not represent how many Covid-19 patients died within the last 24 hours it is only how many fatalities have been reported and registered with the authorities. The data does not always match updates provided by the home nations. Department of Health officials work off a different time cut-off, meaning daily updates from Scotland as well as Northern Ireland are always out of sync. And the count announced by NHS England every afternoon which only takes into account deaths in hospitals does not match up with the DH figures because they work off a different recording system. For instance, some deaths announced by NHS England bosses will have already been counted by the Department of Health, which records fatalities 'as soon as they are available'. More than 1,000 infected Brits died each day during the darkest days of the crisis in mid-April but the number of victims had been dropping by around 20 to 30 per cent week-on-week since the start of May. NHS England today posted 22 deaths in hospitals across the country. Two fatalities were recorded in all settings in Wales but none were registered again in Northern Ireland or Scotland. It comes as Nicola Sturgeon today revealed that Scotland has now gone a full week without any new coronavirus deaths. Speaking during the daily briefing in Edinburgh, the First Minister said no Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours among patients who have tested positive for the virus. The latest figures show 18,373 people have tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by five from 18,368 the day before. Ms Sturgeon also said that on three days in the week to July 9, there were no admissions to hospital of confirmed Covid-19 cases and there have been six days in total since June 26 with no coronavirus admissions. Ms Sturgeon said: 'If I think back to the early part of April, into May, what I would have given to stand here and give you figures like that. 'At the peak of this outbreak more than 200 people were for a period being admitted to hospital every day. Let's not take the risk of going back to that.' HOPES RISE OF A COVID-19 JAB BREAKTHROUGH AS TWO TRIALS IN UK AND US SHOW PROMISE Hopes for a working Covid-19 vaccine are growing as two projects in the UK and US have reported promising results in their early experiments. Teams from Oxford University and the American pharmaceutical company Moderna have both revealed people in their studies are showing signs of immunity. They have been developing experimental jabs for months to try to protect millions of people from catching the coronavirus in future. Oxford scientists have already said they are '80 per cent' confident they can have a jab available by September. People being given the Oxford vaccine have been developing antibodies and white blood cells called T cells which will help their bodies fight off the virus if they get infected, the researchers say. And experts at Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said participants in their trial all successfully developed antibodies. The vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it's infected with Covid-19 and causing it to produce immune substances that have the ability to destroy it. While early research focused on antibodies, scientists are increasingly turning to a type of immunity called T cell immunity which is controlled by white blood cells which has shown signs of promise. One source on the Oxford project told ITV News: 'An important point to keep in mind is that there are two dimensions to the immune response: antibodies and T-cells. 'Everybody is focused on antibodies but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the T-cells response is important in the defence against coronavirus.' Advertisement The milestone came as Scotland eased lockdown restrictions further. The First Minister said: 'Today marks the biggest step for Scotland out of lockdown so far. 'The childcare sector can fully open from today, venues like museums, galleries and other attractions can also welcome visitors from today, although in many cases you will need to book tickets in advance. 'Hairdressing services resume today, in fact I understand some opened at midnight (because of) demand. I wish I had known about that.' Ms Sturgeon said the changes were 'long-awaited' and 'hard-earned by everybody' but admitted she is 'even more nervous' about the lockdown relaxation than earlier phases of coming out of lockdown. Many of the changes involve indoor activity, she said, adding that the risk of the virus spreading indoors, in a pub for example, is significantly higher than it is outdoors. Ms Sturgeon added: 'That is why we have deliberately waited until infection levels were very low before allowing these services to restart, that gives us the best possible chances of managing the risk that reopening indoor services creates. 'But it doesn't remove those risks, and so it is vital more vital than it has been at any stage of this crisis so far that all of us stick rigidly to the rules and guidance on how to behave in these different settings.' Referring to fresh lockdown restrictions in California, where bars, cinemas and restaurants have had to close down again, she said: 'That must be a reminder that our progress out of lockdown could yet go into reverse. 'And it will go into reverse if we see signs that the virus is starting to spread widely in the community again. So all of us must do everything we can to ensure that doesn't happen.' It comes as hopes of a working Covid-19 vaccine grew today as two projects in the UK and US reported promising results in their early experiments. Teams from Oxford University and the American pharmaceutical company Moderna have both revealed people in their studies are showing signs of immunity. They have been developing experimental jabs for months to try to protect millions of people from catching the coronavirus in future. Oxford scientists have already said they are '80 per cent' confident they can have a jab available by September. People being given the Oxford vaccine have been developing antibodies and white blood cells called T cells which will help their bodies fight off the virus if they get infected, the researchers say. And experts at Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said participants in their trial all successfully developed antibodies. SECOND LANCASHIRE BOROUGH OF PENDLE WARNS OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK AFTER SPIKE IN BLACKBURN The Lancashire borough of Pendle warned of a coronavirus outbreak today after a spike in cases in nearby Blackburn with Darwen. County health officials fear the district, home to around 92,000 people, is at risk of retreating back into lockdown if the disease continues to spread. It had an infection rate of 73 new cases per 100,000 people in the week ending July 12, putting it second only to Leicester the only place in Britain to have had a local lockdown imposed. Lancashire's director of public health Dr Sakthi Karunanithi has now given an 'early warning' for people to wash their hands often, stick to social distancing and wear masks in indoor public places. Dr Karunanithi admitted there had been a 'slight increase' in Covid-19 cases and said 'We need your help now to... keep Pendle out of lockdown'. The news comes as officials in Blackburn with Darwen just 18 miles away have placed new restrictions on residents meaning only two at a time will be able to visit other households. This differs from the national guidance, which says two households of any size can meet inside. Residents have also been urged not to hug anyone they don't live with and to get regularly tested for coronavirus. Eighty-five per cent of the 114 cases diagnosed in the past fortnight were among its South Asian community, according to local health bosses. It's unclear what proportion of ethnic minorities make up Pendle's new cases but around 20 per cent of the authority's population are of South Asian heritage. Cases in Blackburn with Darwen have soared from around 20 per 100,000 population to a rate of 47 since June 24 Advertisement The vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it's infected with Covid-19 and causing it to produce immune substances that have the ability to destroy it. While early research focused on antibodies, scientists are increasingly turning to a type of immunity called T cell immunity which is controlled by white blood cells which has shown signs of promise. One source on the Oxford project told ITV News: 'An important point to keep in mind is that there are two dimensions to the immune response: antibodies and T-cells. 'Everybody is focused on antibodies but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the T-cells response is important in the defence against coronavirus.' In other developments today, the Lancashire borough of Pendle warned of a coronavirus outbreak after a spike in cases in nearby Blackburn with Darwen. County health officials fear the district, home to around 92,000 people, is at risk of retreating back into lockdown if the disease continues to spread. It had an infection rate of 73 new cases per 100,000 people in the week ending July 12, putting it second only to Leicester the only place in Britain to have had a local lockdown imposed. Lancashire's director of public health Dr Sakthi Karunanithi has now given an 'early warning' for people to wash their hands often, stick to social distancing and wear masks in indoor public places. Pendle council said: 'The overall rate and number of cases remains relatively low, but there are signs of ongoing household transmission'. Dr Karunanithi admitted there had been a 'slight increase' in Covid-19 cases and said 'We need your help now to... keep Pendle out of lockdown'. The news comes as officials in Blackburn with Darwen just 18 miles away have placed new restrictions on residents meaning only two at a time will be able to visit other households. This differs from the national guidance, which says two households of any size can meet inside. Residents have also been urged not to hug anyone they don't live with and to get regularly tested for coronavirus. Eighty-five per cent of the 114 cases diagnosed in the past fortnight were among its South Asian community, according to local health bosses. It's unclear what proportion of ethnic minorities make up Pendle's new cases but around 20 per cent of the authority's population are of South Asian heritage. Many other areas of England which have the current highest infection rates of Covid-19, such as Bradford, Rochdale and Oldham, also have large South Asian communities. A Bank of England policymaker today said the UK economy is set for an 'incomplete V-shaped' recovery from the coronavirus crisis with a bounce back likely to stall at the end of 2020 because of rising unemployment. Bank interest rate-setter Silvana Tenreyro said an anticipated increase in the number of people without work, likely caused by the removal of Government support in the coming months, will slow consumer spending. Meanwhile, continued social distancing in key parts of the economy like the hospitality sector and lingering coronavirus fears which may stop some shoppers from returning to the high street could also hinder growth. Ms Tenreyro predicted an 'interrupted' or 'incomplete' V-shaped recovery as an initial rebound in activity loses steam towards the end of the year. She said the first quarterly growth rebound will come between July and September as lockdown restrictions ease further, with data already pointing to a sharp pick-up in purchases due to lockdown rules being eased. But she warned: 'This will be interrupted by continued risk aversion and voluntary social distancing in some sectors, remaining restrictions on activities in others, and in general by higher unemployment.' Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) said that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Silver Peak, an SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) leader, in a transaction valued at $925 million. Silver Peak will be combined with HPEs Aruba business unit and will extend Arubas technology leadership in the large and fast-growing SD-WAN space. HPE was an early mover in identifying the opportunity at the edge and that trend is accelerating in a post-COVID world, said Antonio Neri, president and CEO of HPE. With this acquisition we are accelerating our edge-to-cloud strategy to provide a true distributed cloud model and cloud experience for all apps and data wherever they live. Silver Peaks innovative team and technology bring critical capabilities that will help our customers modernize and transform their networks to securely connect any edge to any cloud. Silver Peaks advanced SD-WAN offerings are highly complementary and strengthen Arubas Edge Service Platform (ESP). By combining Silver Peaks SD-WAN with Arubas SD-Branch solutions customers can simplify branch office and WAN deployments to empower remote workforces, enable cloud-connected distributed enterprises, and transform business operations without compromising quality or reliability. Todays announcement comes at a unique moment for our customers, who are grappling with business recovery in the wake of the pandemic, said Keerti Melkote, president of Intelligent Edge for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and founder of Aruba Networks. The need for edge-to-cloud architectures has never been more relevant as enterprises look to extend connectivity to branch locations and enable secure work-from-home experiences. Silver Peaks technology transforms legacy WAN architectures to self-driving WANs, which is a perfect fit with Arubas cloud-native, AI-driven Edge Services Platform. Together, we will be able to meet these needs with critical connectivity, security, and AI capabilities to drive the next generation of Edge-to-Cloud transformation. Bringing together Silver Peaks advanced SD-WAN solutions with Arubas industry leading networking portfolio provides an unprecedented opportunity to deliver a comprehensive business-driven solutions to our customers, said David Hughes, founder and CEO of Silver Peak. The Silver Peak and Aruba teams share a common vision and goal to provide simplicity, scalability, and application-awareness at the edge. With Arubas extensive go-to-market, we will further accelerate our ability to drive faster adoption of these transformational technologies. We are excited for the opportunities we will have as a combined team to accelerate innovation in this fast-growing segment of the networking market. TradeArabia News Service Cancelling the program which Fish created to engage middle school students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) would be devastating to the kids, so the firm decided to create its own virtual Space Camp. Fish's team sprang into action and hatched a plan for a virtual Space Camp on July 20. Failure was not an option. To bring this program to life, Fish brought on two former NASA astronauts, Wendy Lawrence and Mike Mullane to create an exciting program for the students. John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360, which is the leading developer of space-based radio frequency collection, mapping and analytic capabilities, also created a dynamic teaching module for virtual Space Camp. Lawrence, who has flown four space shuttle missions, will "lift off" the program with a presentation on what it takes to live in space. Lawrence will discuss how astronauts eat, sleep and bathe with zero gravity, with students serving as the "engineers" of the mission and solving the challenges faced in space. Mullane, who completed three space missions and logged 356 hours in space aboard the Shuttles Discovery and Atlantis, will end the program with an inspiring conversation about his journey from an "unremarkable childhood" into space and how others can achieve this dream. Mullane will share his personal experiences in space and also guide the students through the 12,000-mile glide through the fireball of reentry to landing. Serafini will teach the students how satellites in space can be used to track and stop illegal activity on earth like poaching, illegal fishing and piracy. Fish attorney Matt Colvin will lead a discussion on SpaceX and its space exploration breakthroughs. "These young people are our future STEM leaders, and we didn't want to let them down. Many of them have never even met a scientist or a lawyer much less an astronaut," said Fish principal Jay Kugler DeYoung, who enlisted her client HawkEye360 to participate in the program. "This program is so important because it gets diverse students excited about STEM education, which is essential to developing the next generation of innovators who will drive our economy. We want these kids to shoot for the stars and to know that anything is possible even virtual space exploration during a global health crisis." To ensure that every scholarship winner could participate in the virtual program, Fish provided Amazon Fire tablets for all the scholarship winners to use for the program and keep for future adventures. The scholarship winners were selected by Fish attorneys based on written applications and in-person and virtual interviews that took place in February and March. All of the students are from schools in underrepresented areas, and typically three students are selected in each of the 11 U.S. cities where Fish has offices. Only nine middle schools were able to participate in this year's scholarship program because of COVID shutdowns. Fish & Richardson, the premier global intellectual property law firm, is trusted by the world's most innovative and influential companies. From patent, trademark, and copyright prosecution and counseling to our full-service litigation practice, we work together to provide our clients with exceptional advocacy across the life cycle of intellectual property needs in the U.S. and around the world. Our deep bench of attorneys with first-chair trial experience in every technology makes us the go-to firm for the most technically complex cases. Fish was established in 1878, and now has more than 400 attorneys and technology specialists in the U.S., Europe, and China. Our success is rooted in our creative and inclusive culture, which values the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives. For more information, visit fr.com or follow us at @FishRichardson. Contact: Amy Blumenthal or Patricia Baressi Blumenthal & Associates Fish & Richardson P.C. (617) 879-1511 (617) 368-2115 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Fish & Richardson Related Links http://www.fr.com Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New studies published today by the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC) explain the relationship between human mobility and the spread of coronavirus, as well as the effectiveness of mobility restriction measures to contain the pandemic. The findings, based on aggregated and anonymised mobile phone location data, will support policymakers in formulating the best data-driven approaches for ending confinement, mapping the socio-economic effects of lockdown measures and informing early warning systems for potential new outbreaks. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and responsible for the JRC, said: "Digital technologies and social sciences are instrumental in the Commission's data and evidence-driven crisis response and policy measures to fight the pandemic. I would like to thank mobile operators who provided unique access to their datasets, thereby contributing to the fight against this public health threat." Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton, who spearheaded the initiative, said: "These findings help us prepare for different possible scenarios for the future which is vital in the context of reopening travel and businesses. This experience also shines a positive light on the opportunities offered by Business-to-Government data sharing, especially in times of crisis." In total, 14 mobile network operators in 19 EU Member States and Norway provided their data to the JRC voluntarily and for free. Thanks to this public-private cooperation, a systematic analysis of the relationship between human mobility and virus spread was conducted for the first time by JRC scientists, together with a comparative cross-country analysis of the efficiency of containment measures. The data has provided clear evidence on the impact of mobility on the spread of the virus. It shows that mobility alone can explain the initial spread of the virus in Italy, France and Spain. The results also show that the containment measures taken by governments and regions, including physical distancing and mobility restrictions, were efficient in limiting the spread of the virus. It also emerged that when physical distancing measures were put in place, the mobility factor became less important in defining the spread of the virus. Mobility restrictions should take into account geographical mobility patterns The mobility data helped identify mobility patterns and areas, which cross regional or provincial borders. For instance, to reach the closest grocery store or the closest city offering employment possibilities, some Europeans have to cross a regional border. This creates a "mobility functional area" across the border of the two regions. The study indicates that the best way to contain a virus outbreak in the futurewhile keeping the economy runningwould be to apply mobility restrictions on these types of "mobility functional areas" within which people usually move, rather than on administrative areas such as regions or provinces. The results of this JRC study can be used to inform decisions linked to mobility restrictions in case of future disease outbreaks. Public-private partnership The initiative is an unprecedented partnership between the public and private sector to fight a public health threat. In total, 14 Mobile Network Operators in 19 EU Member States and Norway provided their data to the Joint Research Center. The three studies released today are based on data from 16 EU Member StatesAustria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, as well as Norway. Additional studies will follow and more Mobile Network Operators can join the initiative to cover more countries. Background On 8 April, the Commission adopted a Recommendation to support exit strategies through mobile data and apps. Based on this, Member States, supported by the Commission, release a comprehensive document on a common approach for the use of mobility data to fight against the coronavirus. The analyzed mobile phone location data is anonymised and aggregated and cannot be used to track individuals. It is handled in accordance with all applicable laws, respecting best practices in data security and with no processing permitted for any further purposes other than fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The data will only be kept as long as the crisis is ongoing, in line with the views of the European Data Protection Supervisor. Finally, in the context of the Data Strategy for Europe, presented in February 2020, the final report prepared by the Expert Group on Business-to-Government Data Sharing already pointed out the usefulness of private sector data for public interest purposes. The lessons learned in the current exercise can help shape further policy making on Business to Government data sharing in Europe. Explore further Mobile data shows high compliance with lockdown rules across the UK More information: How human mobility explains the initial spread of COVID-19: How human mobility explains the initial spread of COVID-19: ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publicatio tial-spread-covid-19 Measuring the impact of COVID-19 confinement measures: ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publicatio ile-positioning-data Mapping Mobility Functional Areas (MFA) using mobile positioning data to inform COVID-19 policies: ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publicatio rm-covid-19-policies Provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) When heavy floods started inundating her riverside home last week in the village of Madarganj, northern Bangladesh, Habiba Begum chose to stay put with her family instead of moving to shelter. Ms. Begums family, desperate to save what few possessions they had, chained their only suitcase to their house, a makeshift structure of bamboo and banana leaves constructed after the last devastating flood in the area, just two years ago. As the waters rose, the house was marooned in muddied waters, and the family had to cook meals on a raised area of dry ground nearby. Then tragedy struck. Ms. Begum left her 1-year-old daughter, Lamia Khatun, on a patch of higher ground while she washed clothes in floodwaters on Tuesday. But the waters kept rising. Young Australians are turning away from alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, consuming them less than their parents' generation in a trend that has public health experts baffled. The Australian Health and Welfare Institute's National Drug and Alcohol Survey 2019, which canvassed the habits of 22,274 people, found that two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-olds had never consumed a full standard drink - more than double the proportion in 2001. Allegra Beaumont, 20, says her friends mainly drink when they go out, rather than drinking at home like people their parents' age. Credit:Simon Schluter Among 20-to-29-year-olds, 22 per cent said they did not drink any alcohol, up from 8.9 per cent, and just 22 per cent of 14-to-19-year-olds reported having used an illicit drug, down from 38 per cent in 2001. Allegra Beaumont, 20, from St Kilda in Melbourne, said she had noticed a difference between her parents' drinking habits and those of her friends. In a clinical trial evaluating a novel immunotherapy option for cancer treatment, a child with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of muscle cancer, that had spread to the bone marrow, showed no detectable cancer following treatment with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that were engineered to target the HER2 protein on the surface of the cancer cells. The trial, conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, was recently published in the journal Nature Communications. "This child's cancer was considered high risk because it had not responded to standard chemotherapy. As a result, this child was a candidate to receive a promising new CAR T cell therapy, a personalized form of immunotherapy that redirects the patient's own immune T cells to recognize and fight the tumor," said first and corresponding author Dr. Meenakshi Hegde, assistant professor of pediatric hematology-oncology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's. About 75 percent of the tumor cells in this patient displayed a protein on their surface called HER2. The researchers reprogrammed the T cells to target the HER2 protein by genetically engineering them to express CAR molecules that recognize the HER2-expressing (HER2+) cancer cells. In a previous clinical trial, the HEROS study, the researchers found that CAR T cells directed at HER2+ tumor cells had a favorable safety profile. This early generation CAR T cell treatment resulted in clinical benefit in a small subset of patients, but it did not eradicate their tumors. "From the HEROS trial, we learned that HER2-CAR T cells expanded but did not persist in the patients, which could in part explain the lack of anti-tumor responses," said Hegde, who also is part of Baylor's Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. To overcome this limitation, Hegde and her colleagues added successive HER2-CAR T cell infusions along with low-dose chemotherapy to delete normal T cells as a strategy to improve the expansion and persistence of the infused HER2-CAR T cells in a trial they called, HEROS 2.0. The lymphodepleting chemotherapy administered before transferring HER2-CAR T cells eliminated the patient's existing immune cells, creating a space for the engineered CAR T cells to expand in the patient. "Although the child had a lasting response to HER2-CAR T cells with no tumor detected, the cancer returned six months after we stopped the T cell infusions. Fortunately, the child achieved a second remission after retreatment with HER2-CAR T cells," Hegde said. "Considering the several challenges in successfully treating solid tumors using CAR T cells, achieving this exceptional tumor response is very encouraging." At the time of this report, the child is 19 months off T cell treatment and remains healthy and cancer free. New insights into how this exceptional recovery occurred The sustained tumor response in this child has provided the researchers important insights into how the cancer was eliminated. The CAR T cells were developed to recognize and attack HER2+ cancer cells. Although not all cancer cells expressed HER2 on the cell surface, the tumor was eliminated in its entirety prompting the question of how the HER2-negative cancer cells were eradicated. "We found evidence suggesting that, following the infusion of HER2-specific CAR T cells, the patient's own immune system was recruited to act against the tumor, which might help explain the durable complete response," Hegde said. "We plan on conducting more detailed experiments in a larger group of patients treated with HER2 CAR T cells to better understand the involvement of the patient's immune system in eliminating the cancer." "It is fascinating to see remodeling of the patient's T cell compartment and development of antibodies directed against proteins implicated in tumor survival and metastasis during the course of treatment in this child. The immune activation mechanisms and associated tumor targets unfolded during the acquired response, could inform novel approaches to fight difficult-to-treat cancers," said Dr. Sujith Joseph, senior scientist at Baylor's Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, who conducted the in depth evaluation of the patient's immune response. "This study shows that CAR T cells could perhaps act as vaccines by exposing cancer proteins to the patient's immune system. With more understanding and further refinement of their design, CAR T cells could be effective against some incurable malignancies," said senior author Dr. Nabil Ahmed, associate professor of pediatrics and immunology at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital. ### Other authors who also contributed to this work include Farzana Pashankar, Christopher DeRenzo, Khaled Sanber, Shoba Navai, Tiara T. Byrd, John Hicks, Mina Xu, Claudia Gerken, Mamta Kalra, Catherine Robertson, Huimin Zhang, Ankita Shree, Birju Mehta, Olga Dakhova, Vita S. Salsman, Bambi Grilley, Adrian Gee, Gianpietro Dotti, Helen E. Heslop, Malcolm K. Brenner, Winfried S. Wels and Stephen Gottschalk. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, Frankfurt's Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, German Cancer Consortium and Goethe University, St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The trial was supported by Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) - St. Baldrick's Pediatric Cancer Dream Team Translational Research Grant (SU2C-AACR-DT1113), Alex's Lemonade Stand Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) grant (RP101335), The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Triumph Over Kid Cancer (TOKC), and by Cookies for Kids' CancerTM Foundation. Further support was provided by the Clinical Research Center at Texas Children's Hospital, shared resources through Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA125123, the National Cancer Institute of the National Institute for Health (NIH) under the Cancer Moonshot U54 project 1U54CA232568-01, the State of Texas CPRIT training program RP160283 at Baylor College of Medicine and the National Cancer Institute of the NIH award number K12CA090433. The General Court of the European Union (GCEU) annulled the Commission's decision today.. Stock photo: Philip Toscano/PA TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has denied that 'Apple got sorted' in the appeal against the European Commission's 13bn tax ruling. And he defended the State's actions in pursing the appeal saying it was important to protect the State's industrial policy and reputation "that we do things within the law". Critics of the appeal of the Commission's State Aid ruling have claimed that the Ireland was foregoing a potential tax windfall of 13bn from the tech giant. Read More The General Court of the European Union (GCEU) annulled the Commission's decision today. Solidarity TD Mick Barry referred to the Apple tax case when highlighting the plight of Debenhams workers who lost their jobs after the company liquidated its Irish operations during the pandemic. They are protesting for previously agreed levels of redundancy payments from the company. The Cork North Central TD said the workers marched on the Dail today chanting " Apple got sorted out, we got sold out. " He argued that Mr Martin "supported the successful appeal against Apple paying this state 13bn. "The Debenhams workers are campaigning for a far smaller sum - 13m yet your government takes no action on their behalf." Expand Close Solidarity TD Mick Barry referred to the Apple tax case when highlighting the plight of Debenhams workers who lost their jobs after the company liquidated its Irish operations during the pandemic .Picture Credit: Frank McGrath, 15/7/20 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Solidarity TD Mick Barry referred to the Apple tax case when highlighting the plight of Debenhams workers who lost their jobs after the company liquidated its Irish operations during the pandemic .Picture Credit: Frank McGrath, 15/7/20 He said the 13m is necessary to provide almost 1,000 Debenhams workers with two weeks statutory redundancy payments plus two weeks per year of service to top that. Mr Barry said they're blockading Debenhams' former locations in Ireland to prevent liquidators removing stock. He said Mr Martin offers sympathy on the workers plight but downplays the possibility of them receiving more than the statutory redundancy payment and that this won't "cut it with these workers". He said Mr Martin had promised the possibility of law reform to improve workers' rights in liquidation situations. Mr Barry called on the government to intervene and suggested emergency legislation was necessary. Mr Martin took issue with the remarks about the Apple case. He said: "Apple didn't get sorted and Apple is about workers too. Apple are in Ireland since 1980.... "The court decision is that there was no state aid to Apple - that's the essential point that the court decided. "Apple now employs 6,000 people across the country. That's important." Mr Martin added: "There's been an ongoing view from yourself and others consistently undermining the role of multinational companies in Ireland and I think I just want to put on the record that it's an important role. "It underpins the work of many small to medium sized companies who create thousands of jobs. "And there are hundreds of thousands of jobs involved in companies like Apple. "It was important in terms of protecting that industrial policy of the last 30 or 40 years in my view to identify the state's own credibility and reputation in that we do things within the law," Mr Martin added. In relation to the Debenhams workers the Taoiseach said that he couldn't commit to something he can't legally deliver. "I have said before the treatment of the workers by Debenhams is unacceptable and wrong and yes, the law does need to change. "That in itself won't benefit the workers themselves." He said the State will help them with training supports and efforts to find alternative employment and that statutory redundancy still holds. Mr Martin added: "That said that's not in itself satisfaction for the workers because they're being denied justice by the company. "I think the company's behaviour has been disreputable and has been wrong and they haven't treated workers with the dignity and respect and supports that they deserve." Hanoi is home to hundreds of delicious dishes and prominent among them is bo nhung dam (beef dipping in vinegar hotpot). The beef hotpot with its sour, sweet broth mixed with fragrant coconut juice and vinegar is unforgettable, according to master chef Pham Tuan Hai. Colourful ingredients for bo nhung dam such as fresh mint, basil, young banana, mam nem and many others. Photo dienmayxanh.com Hai, who was a judge of Vietnam Master Chef, said he learned to cook the dish from his mother. Apart from fried beef that we often eat once or twice a week, my mother cooks bo nhung dam at the weekend to help strengthen our health, Hai said. The ingredients include beef (fillet mignon, beef brisket, shank and other parts), coconut, young banana, cucumber, pineapple, lemongrass, perilla, basil, lettuce, onion, garlic, fresh chilli, rice paper, fresh noodles, vinegar, sugar, salt, and mam nem (a pungent sauce similar to shrimp paste). Mam nem is one of the main ingredients to make the dish more attractive, said Hai. He said his mother chooses beef fillet to be soft and also shank and brisket for his father who likes to eat the hotpot with a cup of cuoc lui (home-brew rice wine). As a careful cook, Hai said his mother orders fresh beef from a butcher near his house to make the dish tastier and more nutritious. When I was young, it was hard for me to learn how to cook the dish so I often stood side by side with my mother to help her but the most difficult stage for me is how to cut the beef as thin as my mother did, he said, adding that his job was to make the dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is made with two spoonfuls of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat then minced dried onion, lemongrass and garlic is added and fried until fragrant. Then five spoonfuls of mam nem are put in the pan as well as a cup of water, which is cooked until boiled. The sauce needs several pieces of chilli, sugar and broth mix (locally known as hat nem) before being scooped into a bowl, he said. Cookers often choose fillet beef for bo nhung dam because it is soft compared to other parts of the cow. Photo toplist.vn Apart from dipping sauce, making a tasty and pure broth is also important, Hai said, noting that his mother often used coconut juice for the broth to be sweet, and rich but with a light and fragrant flavour. To cook, the coconut juice is poured into a pot with a small cup of vinegar together with fried onion and shallots and then boiled. Remember to put a coffee spoon of broth mix, sugar and salt in the pot before stopping cooking, he said. When the broth is cooked, our six family members sit around a tray, which is located with a mini gas cooker in the middle, to eat the dish. My mother told us that we should dip the beef in the boiled broth first then put it on a rice paper then wrap it with fresh noodles and fresh mint. The dish is tastier when dipped in mam nem, Hai said, adding that his mother warned them that the dish should be eaten slowly to enjoy its aromatic flavour. Dip the beef very quickly in the broth hotpot to enjoy its aromatic flavours. Photo toplist.vn Hai said he has taught the cooking technique to hundreds of learners, many of whom have opened their own eateries. Nguyen Thi Huan from Quang Ninh Province said each time she visited Hanoi, bo nhung dam is a must. I recently enjoyed the dish at a shop in the capitals Old Quarter. When I arrived, the shop was already full of eaters. A woman sitting next to my table told me that she is also an addict of bo nhung dam." Oh, the broth has its characteristic sweet taste, the fresh noodles are white but soft compared with the noodles made by Quang Ninh producers, and fresh mint here is also great. I really experience it as a speciality. I think that gourmets will return to enjoy the food for many times like me, Huan said. VNS Ha Nguyen & Hoang Ho Places to try bo nhung dam in Ha Noi: Shop Bo Nhung Dam 555 Unit 1: 52 Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District Unit 2: 275 To Hieu, Cau Giay Unit 3: 285 To Hieu, Cau Giay Hotline: 097 836 22 88 Facebook: facebook.com/555Bonhungdam/ Opening hours: 8.30am - 11pm Price from VN100,000 - 400,000 Shop Hoe Nhai Address: 19 Hoe Nhai, Ba inh District Opening hours: 8pm - 12am Price about VN 500,000 Shop Hoang Cau Address: 79 Hoang Cau, O Cho Dua Ward, ong a District Opening hours: 10.30am-1.30pm and 5.30pm-8.30pm Price VN200,000 300,000 per person Shop Quan Moc Address Unit 1: 102 Thai Thinh, ong a District Unit 2: Villa D17, lane 76 Nguyen Phong Sac, Cau Giay District Hotline: 094 195 8899 - 094 165 3399 Price: 130,000 per person Website: Botoquanmoc.com Shop bo nhung dam 377 Address: 377 Tran Khat Chan, Hai Ba Trung District, Opening hours: 9am-10pm Hotline: 091 463 19 88 Facebook: facebook.com/lau377trankhatchan Shop Bo Nhung Dam Hang au Address: 46 Hang au, Hoan Kiem District Opening hours: 9am-11pm Price VN100,000 - 200,000 Salty or sweet: A must-try list of Hanoi street food Hanoi and its creative residents invent a lot of small food that make your mouth water every time you think about salty or sweet. T he day before our interview, Candice Carty-Williams was driving to the supermarket near her flat in south London, listening to music, when she noticed a police car behind her. I was at a red light waiting to go, saw the police, and I was anxious, says the novelist, 30, pulling up the hood of her brown Nike sweatshirt. I knew I was doing absolutely nothing wrong but immediately I braced myself in case they pulled me over. I dont trust the police; why would I when my brothers were stopped and searched all the time when I was growing up, for f***ing nothing. Its abhorrent. In her bestselling debut novel Queenie, about a young black woman in London, Carty-Williams talks about police picking out people just for the colour of their skin. It makes the main character feel scared ... like we have to prove our worth just to exist. The police let Carty-Williams get on with her day but her brother was picked out by them recently and hes a wholesome man; he works in IT, she laughs dryly. Its happening because of skin colour and nothing else. If you think about it too much you will go mad. As a system of protection it doesnt make any sense. Carty-Williams sneezes, reassuring me that its definitely hayfever and not coronavirus even though were speaking on Zoom. Shes in her kitchen, with a fridge obscured by postcards and a vase of drooping sunflowers behind her, which she hasnt got round to throwing out. They were a present from a friend last month when Carty-Williams and Bernardine Evaristo became the first black authors to win the book of the year and author of the year respectively at the British Book Awards. I dont like flowers as a gift because they are gendered, she says. But those are nice so I kept them. Carty-Williams is so modest that despite having been asked to pre-record an acceptance speech she still feared she might not win. I thought they might ask everyone to do that so I didnt get too excited, she says. I did stuff round the house during the ceremony, then when it was announced I thought, Wow, OK. It was bizarre because Im not in a good place mentally but everyone is telling you that everything is great. Its not. Weve all been driven to extreme anxiety by the pandemic, and I live alone so its been very testing. Not seeing another human properly is hard Id go to the shops and feel better when I saw the security guards were there and fine because the understanding was if you left your house you would drop down dead. And coming out of lockdown is probably more confusing than going in. Shes seeing a therapist, but not an NHS therapist because they are very overstretched at this time. Im in a privileged financial situation to be able to afford a therapist privately so Im doing that because it takes the pressure off the NHS. After the ceremony, everything was very loud, so she put her phone on airplane mode, cooked some salmon and broccoli for dinner, had a turmeric tea and watched the original Karate Kid film. Then she did some writing. I dont come from celebrating culture, she adds. My family is more like whats the next step? rather than thats amazing. Winning made her feel proud, but also sad and confused that Im the first black and female to have won. I hope the industry is waking up to the fact I shouldnt and wont be the last. Before she wrote Queenie, Carty-Williams worked in publishing and set up the 4th Estate and Guardian short story prize for BAME writers. Shes one of more than 100 writers who signed a letter calling on all major publishing houses in the UK to make the industry more inclusive and formed the Black Writers Guild. Weve given them a checklist of what to do now to make things better in a meaningful way. Ive been to a million workshops where nothing ever happens after. Shes deliberately not promoting Queenie in the wake of Black Lives Matter, because a man has died, are we forgetting that? People should always be reading more widely and be educated but I come at everything emotionally and Im not going to use whats happened to sell a book. This has been happening for a f***ing long time, she states. Since I was younger I had to reconcile the idea that something might happen to you, your brother or son because of the colour of their skin and nothing else. If you think about it too much you will go mad but I see it all the time, it hurts all the time. In Queenie, she wrote about Philando Castile, an innocent 32-year-old man who in 2016 was shot dead by police in Minnesota. When George Floyd died in May she couldnt get out of bed for a week. We know this is happening but to see it so starkly does something painful to you. Id get up, do yoga then go back to bed and cry. Will the Governments inquiry into race change anything? Carty-Williamss answer is direct. No. It is absolutely f***ing wild that they havent got a black person to do the inquiry. No one ever goes to the people involved. Why dont you go and f***ing talk to people who are in the thick of it? You dont know how, so you have people so far removed, in terms of race, class, socially, economically, financially. A friend asked her when will this pass? That was telling. It shouldnt be something we get over. What is the point unless change is made. This is not a trend, not a hashtag. The toppling of slave trader Edward Colstons statue in Bristol wont achieve much either although it was funny and a good thing to do. They immediately erected better protection for statues than any of the protection that the NHS have been getting. What does that say? Carty-Williams is one of 109 famous people who have written for Dear NHS, an anthology put together by doctor-turned-comedian and author Adam Kay, in which celebrities including Emma Watson and Paul McCartney share stories of how the NHS has helped them. Its number one in the Sunday Times bestseller chart. Carty-Williamss essay is about her mental health and strength in vulnerability. I wrote about it in Queenie too that is about a black woman who for most of her life has endured this trauma and said she is strong, but shes not fine. There was a long time where I didnt talk about things and that was detrimental to me and the people around me. Dear NHS was a break from her next novel, which didnt come easily. Ive been trying to rid myself of the pressure which came after the attention Queenie had, she says. How can this new thing be as good? Its different and thats fine. She smiles nervously. Probably. After a few false starts including a novel about grief which she wasnt feeling because we were all grieving for normality and the lives we had during the pandemic, she is now excited about her second book. She becomes animated when she talks about it. The story is about five half-siblings with the same father who unite when one of them is threatened by an ex-boyfriend. Hes a scary person and something happens but she cant call the police because the police in this country discriminate when it comes to black people so she calls her big sister. None of the siblings know each other but their dad introduced them when they were young in case they ended up accidentally going out not knowing they were related. The oldest sister has kept tabs on them all. Before the girl who is threatened knows it, knock knock, her sister has gathered them together and they end up building a relationship. Her own father has eight children, we think. Maybe nine. She had the idea for this novel after talking with her older sister, who said if anything happened theyd all be there. When she was younger her father wasnt around but he WhatsApped when he heard about Queenie to ask if Carty-Williams could pay his mortgage. She was disappointed but not surprised. I dont buy that argument about absent fathers being detrimental to how young people behave, thats bullshit, she adds. My dad wasnt around but I just won book of the year, know what I mean? Shes also adapting Queenie for TV and is in awe of Michaela Coel writing 191 drafts of her BBC drama I May Destroy You. Im on draft 10 and Im shouting at a lot of people. She wants an unknown actor to play Queenie and is the most excited about casting and music. Focusing and switching off from social media comes easily to Carty-Williams but she has been keeping an eye on Twitter in lockdown. I dont like the term cancel culture, she says. People should be able to like who they like and not like who they dont like. But what about those who say JK Rowling is making a valid point about free speech? JK Rowling is ridiculous, I stand against everything she says. Shes made her opinion clear, why does she keep talking and doubling down? Carty-Williams is happy being a commitment-phobe, but has missed seeing friends and family. After two months without seeing her mother, she drove over. I told her not to come near me and she wept. Its only been two months at some point I want to move to New York, then what will she do? She had a fight with her nan and they arent talking. She was rude. They clashed about how theres a lot of judgement in my family about how we look my cousin is the pretty one and Im the clever one. Ive internalised that, if anyone gives me a compliment I say you should see my cousin. Its her birthday this week but shes not doing anything because Im worried Ill put people in danger. Cautiously, shes enjoying seeing a few friends but she also has a deadline to meet. I asked my editor to give me a date to finish my novel by. Shes said October so now I have to write my f***ing novel. Dear NHS is out now, buy it here. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Majestic Silver Corp. (AG: NYSE; FR: TSX; FMV: Frankfurt) ("First Majestic" or the "Company") announces total production in the second quarter of 2020 reached 3.5 million silver equivalent ounces consisting of 1.8 million ounces of silver and 15,764 ounces of gold. Quarterly production was impacted following Mexicos Ministry of Healths Federal Decree requiring all non-essential businesses, including mining, to temporarily suspend activities throughout most of April and May in response to the global pandemic. Despite having limited operations in the quarter, total production was better than expected due to a slower ramp down at San Dimas compared to the other mining units. In the first half of 2020, the Company has produced a total of 9.7 million silver equivalent ounces consisting of 5.0 million ounces of silver and 47,967 ounces of gold. SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS Total production reached 3.5 million silver equivalent ounces, consisting of 1.8 million ounces of silver and 15,764 ounces of gold. As of June 30, 2020, the Company held 970,000 ounces of silver in inventory in anticipation of realizing higher selling prices in the second half of 2020. By quarter end, all operations have returned to near full production rates following the Mexican Governments decision to allow the Company to restart mining activities on May 23, 2020. San Dimas received delivery of a new 3,000 tpd High Intensity Grinding (HIG) mill with additional mill modernization components during the quarter. Development activities resumed at Santa Elenas Ermitano project in June and successfully intersected the Ermitano vein. Civil construction activities resumed in June on the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) plant at Santa Elena. The LNG generators and storage tanks are estimated to be delivered to site in the third quarter. At the end of the second quarter, 14 exploration drill rigs were active across the Companys projects consisting of 11 rigs at San Dimas, two rigs at Santa Elena and one rig at La Encantada. The Company anticipates adding seven additional rigs in the third quarter with a primary focus on the regional potential around Santa Elena. Preventative controls such as the practice of social distancing, the cancellation of any non-essential visits to the mines, comprehensive sanitation measures for the workplace and company transportation, as well as pre-screening for virus symptoms remain in effect. Despite the temporary shutdown of operations during the quarter, our production results were better than anticipated as a result of implementing an extended and safe ramp down of the San Dimas operation throughout the month of April, said Keith Neumeyer, President and CEO. San Dimas produced a total of 2.4 million silver equivalent ounces, or 35% lower than the previous quarter. Total production at the Santa Elena and La Encantada operations were 63% and 45% lower, respectively, compared to the prior quarter as a result of suspending operations in early April. Mr. Neumeyer continues, We began implementing restart procedures in mid-May following the Ministry of Healths announcement that mining activities were now deemed an essential business throughout Mexico. As of today, our operations are back to pre-pandemic production rates and our focus for the second half of 2020 is to try and fully recover the lost ounces due to the shutdown. PRODUCTION TABLE Q2 Q2 Y/Y Q1 Q/Q 2020 2019 Change 2020 Change Ore processed/tonnes milled 333,559 736,896 -55 % 599,142 -44 % Total production - ounces of silver eqv. 3,505,376 6,410,483 -45 % 6,195,057 -43 % Silver ounces produced 1,834,575 3,193,566 -43 % 3,151,980 -42 % Gold ounces produced 15,764 33,576 -53 % 32,202 -51 % QUARTERLY REVIEW Total ore processed during the quarter at the Company's mines amounted to 333,559 tonnes, representing a 44% decrease compared to the previous quarter. The decrease in tonnes processed compared to the prior quarter was due to Mexicos Ministry of Healths Decree requiring non-essential businesses to temporarily suspend activities in response to the global pandemic. Consolidated silver grades in the quarter averaged 193 g/t compared to 185 g/t in the previous quarter. This 4% increase was primarily the result of higher grades at San Dimas. Consolidated gold grades averaged 1.52 g/t compared to 1.74 g/t in the prior quarter representing a 12% decrease primarily due to lower gold grades at Santa Elena. Consolidated silver and gold recoveries were consistent averaging 89% and 96%, respectively, during the quarter. MINE BY MINE PRODUCTION TABLE Mine Ore Processed Tonnes per Day Ag Grade (g/t) Au Grade (g/t) Ag Recovery Au Recovery Ag Oz Produced Au Oz Produced Equivalent Ag Ounces San Dimas 114,390 1,257 318 3.38 94 % 97 % 1,102,931 12,042 2,395,633 Santa Elena 89,590 985 83 1.34 92 % 95 % 222,100 3,677 595,651 La Encantada 129,579 1,424 158 0.01 78 % 90 % 509,544 45 514,092 Total 333,559 3,665 193 1.52 89 % 96 % 1,834,575 15,764 3,505,376 *Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences. *The following prices were used in the calculation of silver equivalent ounces: Silver: $16.37 per ounce, Gold: $1,711 per ounce. At the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine: During the quarter, San Dimas produced 1,102,931 ounces of silver and 12,042 ounces of gold for a total production of 2,395,633 silver equivalent ounces, reflecting a 35% decrease compared to the prior quarter due to the COVID-19 related shutdown. The mill processed a total of 114,390 tonnes with average silver and gold grades of 318 g/t and 3.38 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold recoveries were slightly higher during the quarter averaging 94% and 97%, respectively. Initial production from the Tayoltita mine began in June and is expected to ramp-up to 300 tpd by the end of 2020. Mill modernization and optimization programs have resumed at San Dimas, including the mid-May delivery of the 3,000 tpd HIG mill and several components. As a result of the temporary suspension during the quarter, assembly and installation of the new HIG mill is now expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021. In mid-June, production was temporarily suspended due to a union work stoppage. Following a two-week standstill period, the Company and union came to a mutually negotiated bonus agreement at the end of June, and at which time production returned to normal operating levels. A total of 11 drill rigs, consisting of one surface rig and 10 underground rigs, were active at the end of the quarter. Drilling is currently being focused in the Central, Sinaloa and Tayoltita blocks. At the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine: During the quarter, Santa Elena produced 222,100 ounces of silver and 3,677 ounces of gold for a total production of 595,651 silver equivalent ounces, or approximately 63% below the previous quarter. The mill processed a total of 89,590 tonnes, consisting of 58,223 tonnes of underground ore and 31,366 tonnes from the above ground heap leach pad. Silver and gold grades from underground ore averaged 109 g/t and 1.70 g/t, respectively, while silver and gold grades from the above ground heap leach pad averaged 32 g/t and 0.62 g/t, respectively. Silver and gold recoveries averaged 92% and 95%, respectively, during the quarter. To help minimize health risks and accommodate Santa Elena workers that travel from outside communities, the Company established a temporary camp at Santa Elena. In addition, a second temporary camp was constructed near Ermitano to assist with housing of the development contractors and construction workers. Development and construction activities resumed at the Ermitano project in June and successfully intersected the Ermitano vein. At the end of the quarter, a total of 468 metres of underground development have been completed and approximately 480 metres of main ramp and 80 metres of lateral development remain to be developed in order to access the high-grade portion of the Ermitano ore body. The LNG power generation plant resumed civil construction activities in June. Delivery of the LNG generators and storage tanks are expected to be onsite in the third quarter of 2020. As a result of the temporary suspension, the LNG plant is now estimated to be completed and commissioned in the first quarter of 2021. Due to the temporary suspension of activities in the quarter, the Ermitano pre-feasibility study is now expected to be completed in the first half of 2021. In addition, initial production from Ermitano has been extended to mid-2021. At the La Encantada Silver Mine : During the quarter, La Encantada processed 129,579 tonnes of ore and produced 509,544 ounces of silver, or approximately 45% below the previous quarter. Silver grades and recoveries during the quarter averaged 158 g/t and 78%, respectively. Silver recoveries continue to exceed historical rates primarily due to optimal blending of stockpiles and maintaining an efficient pumping level on the precipitate tanks. OUTLOOK The Company is revising its second half and full year 2020 guidance to reflect changes due to the temporary suspension of production and sales as well as adjustments to metal price assumptions, foreign exchange rates, and the fixed exchange ratio on the San Dimas streaming agreement. Details of the changes and their expected impacts are presented below: Deferred a total of approximately 340,000 tonnes of ore production, consisting of 1.6 million ounces of silver and 15,000 ounces of gold, due to the temporary shutdown in the second quarter of 2020 As of June 30, 2020, the Company held 970,000 ounces of silver in inventory in anticipation of realizing higher selling prices in the second half of 2020 Increased the gold price assumption to $1,700 per ounce (up from $1,450), reflecting a 100:1 silver to gold ratio Increased the MXN:USD ratio assumption to 21:1 (up from 19:1) Effective April 1, 2020, the silver to gold fixed exchange ratio related to the San Dimas streaming agreement with Wheaton Precious Metals was adjusted to 90:1 (from 70:1) due to the silver to gold ratio averaging above 90:1 for the previous six months. This ratio adjustment is expected to have a positive effect on revenues by approximately $3.0 million for the remainder of 2020, subject to achieving the mid-point of the new production guidance and realizing silver and gold prices per ounce of $17.00 and $1,700, respectively. As a result of these adjustments, our 2020 total production remains relatively unchanged at 21.4 to 22.9 million silver equivalent ounces compared to the prior guidance of 21.5 to 24.0 million silver equivalent ounces. The Company is also anticipating a reduction in annualized cash costs of approximately 30% due to the higher gold by-product revenues and the weaker Mexican Peso. The Company is also providing guidance below on a mine-by-mine basis for the second half of 2020. Cash cost and AISC guidance is shown per payable silver ounce. Assumptions used for calculating silver equivalent ounces are: silver: $17.00/oz and gold: $1,700/oz. GUIDANCE FOR SECOND HALF OF 2020 Mine Silver Oz (M) Gold Oz (k) Silver Eqv Oz (M) Cash Costs ($) AISC ($) San Dimas 3.3 3.6 42 47 7.5 8.3 (0.95) 0.23 4.72 6.55 Santa Elena 1.1 1.2 16 18 2.7 3.0 2.53 3.72 6.75 8.43 La Encantada 1.7 1.8 1.7 1.8 10.86 11.56 12.82 13.75 Totals: 6.1 6.6 58 65 11.9 13.1 $2.93 $3.99 $10.57 $12.49 *Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences. *Consolidated AISC includes general and administrative cost estimates and non-cash costs of $2.35 to $2.62 per payable silver ounce. In the second half of 2020, the Company expects silver production to range between 6.1 to 6.6 million ounces, representing an increase of approximately 27% when compared to the first half of 2020. Additionally, total production is now expected to range between 11.9 to 13.1 million silver equivalent ounces in the second half of 2020, representing an increase of approximately 29% when compared to the first half of 2020. The increase in production is primarily due to the operations returning to regular production rates in the second half of 2020, as well as a higher contribution of gold credits due to an increase in the gold to silver ratio. Cash costs in the second half of 2020 are expected to be significantly lower to within the range of $2.93 to $3.99 per ounce, primarily due to higher gold by-product credits at San Dimas and Santa Elena and the weaker Mexican Peso. In addition, AISC are expected to be within a range of $10.57 to $12.49 per ounce in the second half of 2020. A mine-by-mine breakdown of the revised full year 2020 production guidance is included in the table below and assumes the same metal prices and foreign currency assumptions as stated previously. GUIDANCE FOR FULL YEAR 2020 Mine Silver Oz (M) Gold Oz (k) Silver Eqv Oz (M) Cash Costs ($) AISC ($) San Dimas 6.0 6.4 75 80 13.5 14.4 0.75 1.49 7.09 8.22 Santa Elena 1.9 2.0 31 33 4.8 5.2 3.60 4.38 8.33 9.43 La Encantada 3.1 3.3 3.1 3.3 10.42 10.77 12.59 13.07 Totals: 11.0 11.7 106 113 21.4 22.9 $3.95 $4.59 $12.29 $13.45 *Certain amounts shown may not add exactly to the total amount due to rounding differences. *Consolidated AISC includes general and administrative cost estimates and non-cash costs of $2.81 to $2.99 per payable silver ounce. For the full year of 2020, the Company now estimates silver production will range between 11.0 to 11.7 million ounces compared to the prior guidance of 11.8 to 13.2 million ounces. Additionally, total production in 2020 is estimated to range between 21.4 to 22.9 million silver equivalent ounces compared to the prior guidance of 21.5 to 24.0 million silver equivalent ounces. Annual cash costs are now expected to be within the range of $3.95 to $4.59 per ounce, or approximately 30% below the previous guidance of $5.76 to $6.97 per ounce, primarily due to higher gold by-product credits at San Dimas and Santa Elena and the weaker Mexican Peso. In addition, annual AISC are expected to be within a range of $12.29 to $13.45 per ounce, or approximately 10% below the previous guidance of $13.37 to $15.46 per ounce. REVISED CAPITAL BUDGET In an effort to maintain its strong balance sheet, the Company has updated its annual 2020 capital budget to include the reallocation of development and exploration expenditures across its operations and investments in innovative projects. As a result, the Company now plans to invest a total of $131.8 million, representing a 23% decrease compared with previous guidance of $171.5 million, on capital expenditures in 2020 consisting of $45.7 million of sustaining investments and $86.1 million of expansionary investments. The revised 2020 annual budget includes total capital investments of $54.0 million on underground development, $27.4 million towards property, plant and equipment, $21.4 million on exploration and $29.0 million towards automation and efficiency projects. In the first half of 2020, the Company completed 15,555 metres of underground development and 50,709 metres of exploration drilling. Under the revised 2020 budget, the Company is planning to complete a total of approximately 35,100 metres of underground development, representing a 9% decrease compared to the original guidance. In addition, the Company is now planning to complete a total of approximately 139,000 metres of exploration drilling in 2020, representing a 28% decrease compared to the original guidance. CONFERENCE CALL The Company will be holding a conference call and webcast today, July 15, 2020 at 8 am PDT (11 am EDT) to discuss the quarterly results. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following: Toll Free Canada & USA: 1-800-319-4610 Outside of Canada & USA: 1-604-638-5340 Toll Free Germany: 0800 180 1954 Toll Free UK: 0808 101 2791 Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the conference. Click on WEBCAST on the First Majestic homepage as a simultaneous audio webcast of the conference call will be posted at www.firstmajestic.com . The conference call will be recorded, and you can listen to an archive of the conference by calling: Canada & USA Toll Free: 1-800-319-6413 Outside Canada & USA: 1-604-638-9010 Access Code: 4820 followed by the # sign The replay will be available approximately one hour after the conference and will available for seven days following the conference. The replay will also be available on the Companys website for one month. Q2 EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT The Company is planning to release its second quarter 2020 unaudited financial results on Thursday, August 6, 2020. ABOUT THE COMPANY First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver production in Mexico and is aggressively pursuing the development of its existing mineral property assets. The Company presently owns and operates the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine and the La Encantada Silver Mine. Production from these mines are projected to be between 11.0 to 11.7 million silver ounces or 21.4 to 22.9 million silver equivalent ounces in 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact info@firstmajestic.com, visit our website at www.firstmajestic.com or call our toll-free number 1.866.529.2807. FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP. "signed" Keith Neumeyer, President & CEO Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forwardlooking information and "forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, forwardlooking statements). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Companys business strategy; future planning processes; commercial mining operations; cash flow; budgets; the timing and amount of estimated future production; recovery rates; mine plans and mine life; the future price of silver and other metals; costs of production; costs and timing of the development of new deposits; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable mineral reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forwardlooking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as and if the property is developed, and in the case of measured and indicated mineral resources or proven and probable mineral reserves, such statements reflect the conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as seek, anticipate, plan, continue, estimate, expect, may, will, project, predict, forecast, potential, target, intend, could, might, should, believe and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forwardlooking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19, and any other pandemics on our operations and workforce, and the effects on global economies and society, risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business - Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, available on www.sedar.com, and Form 40-F on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although First Majestic has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forwardlooking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. (Newser) The Great Bean Brouhaha continues. Last week, Robert Unanue, the CEO of Goya Foods, prompted a boycott of his company after irked Latinos and other critics slammed his endorsement of President Trump, whom he called a "builder" that the US is "truly blessed" to have as its leader. Fox News reports that Trump supporters soon hit back on the boycott, heading out to supermarkers to scoop up cans of Goya products in their own "buycott." On Tuesday night, Ivanka Trump jumped into the fray. "If it's Goya, it has to be good," the first daughter and presidential adviser tweeted from her personal account, showing a photo of herself holding a can of Goya beans. She then echoed the same line, but in Spanish. CBS News notes she put up the same thing to her Facebook and Instagram pages. Now, some say her posts violated a federal ethics law. story continues below Walter Schaub, the ex-head of the Office of Government Ethics, says the tweet violated government code that spells out "an employee shall not use or permit the use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office to endorse any product, service, or enterprise." MSNBC correspondent Chris Jansing noted that what Trump did with her tweet would've been "pretty much unimaginable in previous administrations." Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, turned Trump's own tweet against her. "Si es Trump, tiene que ser corrupto," the congresswoman posted, which translates to: "If it's Trump, it has to be corrupt." Trump's supporters say she was just making light of the Unanue situation. "Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in the US and has every right to express her personal support," a White House rep says, per CBS. (Read more Ivanka Trump stories.) A Kerry woman nursing in Melbourne has spoken of her annoyance at members of the general public not behaving responsibly as the city faces into six weeks of lock-down following a surge of COVID-19 cases. Katie Moriarty (27) from Baile an Lochaigh, west Kerry, moved to Melbourne three and a half years ago and currently lives in Prahran, close to the city's Central Business District. She works in Epworth Richmond Hospital, a private hospital in Richmond. The Victorian Government last week announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire would return to stage-three restrictions in response to an increase in community transmissions. Ms Moriarty said that lock-down came as a relief to those in her line of work. "We weren't surprised, as 30 suburbs that had a cluster of COVID-19 cases had gone back into lock-down the week previously," she told The Kerryman. "Daily life has changed, it's much quieter around the place again compared to last month. "What I'm finding most difficult during this current time is the feeling of being almost trapped in Melbourne. It can be difficult living abroad, especially in Australia, as it so far away from home, and I often get home-sick. I should be back In Ireland now with my family, but here I am, back into lock-down, with no hope of getting home any time soon. "[But] I am staying positive and am thankful that all my family and friends are in good health and have not been affected," she added. Ms Moriarty has so far been spared the worst of pandemic hospital work as Epworth Richmond is a private hospital, and the majority of COVID-positive patients are treated in public hospitals. She has, however, been looking after suspected COVID patients, and she expects the hospital to hold more patients in the weeks ahead given the surge in the number of active cases. She also told The Kerryman of an incident last month that caused major alarm at work. "One of the nurses had tested positive for COVID-19. All of the patients she had been in contact with had to be isolated, as well as numerous staff members," she said. "I was in charge on night shift and had family members as well as staff calling, worried that they could have been infected and seeking advice on what they should do next. "Half the patients were discharged home that morning, so the other half, we kept them in isolation until the nurse had two negative swabs back. We had the department in doing contact tracing between that nurse, staff, patients on the ward and patients who were discharged home. [It had a] good outcome, none of them ended up catching the virus." She said the medical sector is unsure of what is to come but there is no little fear among patients and staff members alike. She also expressed frustration at how some members of the public are behaving at the moment. "We have closed some surgical wards and opened them as COVID wards in preparation for what is to come," she said. "There is an annoyance at the public for not following guidance as closely as they could; as nurses, we are extremely vulnerable working in a hospital setting. "It is both upsetting and frustrating to see people out in supermarkets, not practicing social distancing, as well as people having house parties when we are working as a team on the front line, treating sick patients trying to get a hold on this virus. "I'd like to see the public acting more responsibly and taking simple precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks on public transport and not going out unless it is essential. "I believe if everyone were to adhere to the rules of lock-down, in six weeks' time we would be in a much better place." Text of the 2020 IMF Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture by Mr Thomas Jordan , Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, Washington and Zurich, virtual, 14 July 2020. Dear Madame Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Dear Kristalina, Ladies and gentlemen It gives me great pleasure to speak before you today - although for most of you only virtually, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dear Kristalina, I'd like to thank you and the IMF very much for the invitation to give this year's Michel Camdessus Central Banking Lecture. This is a great honour for me and for the Swiss National Bank. I have had the privilege of meeting Michel Camdessus, and hold him in high esteem as an impressive personality and a far-sighted decision-maker. Allow me also to pay tribute to you, dear Kristalina, for your strong leadership of the IMF at this critical juncture. The work of your institution is crucial for overcoming the current global crisis. The number of companies, joining the 100W+ fast-charging hype train is getting bigger and bigger with every day. Today a Xiaomi smartphone was certified with a 120W charger on 3C (or CCC) - Chinese Compulsory Certification. M2007J1SC on 3C The M2007J1SC device will be able to reach 20V at 6A through the charger which carries the model number MDY-12-ED. We do not have any other specs, aside from the fact that this will be a 5G smartphone, but this is hardly a surprise anymore. Xiaomi is the fourth company or brand that promised a massive increase in charging speeds in the past few days, following iQOO's official announcement on Monday, Oppos event today and Realme is also planning an unveiling for tomorrow. Lenovo is officially introducing its first Legion gaming device on July 22, and it is expected to also have impressive fast-charging speed - 90W, even if it looks slow in perspective to the current trend. Via Additional reporting by PA The European Commission decision that alleged Ireland provided State aid to Apple has been overturned. In 2016, the European Commission directed Ireland to recover 13.1bn in unpaid taxes from Apple as well as 1.2bn in interest. It was in relation to the period from 2003 and 2014. The court decision said the EU Commission was wrong to declare that Apple had been granted selective economic advantage and, by extension, State aid. It also said the Commission did not succeed in showing the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage. In its ruling, it said: The General Court considers that the Commission incorrectly concluded, in its primary line of reasoning, that the Irish tax authorities had granted ASI and AOE an advantage as a result of not having allocated the Apple Group intellectual property licences held by ASI and AOE, and consequently, all of ASI and AOE trading income obtained from the Apple Groups sales outside North and South America, to their Irish branches. The General Court considers that the Commission did not succeed in demonstrating, in its subsidy line of reasoning, methodological errors in the contested tax rulings which would have led to a reduction in ASI and AOEs chargeable profits in Ireland. Although the General Court regrets the incomplete and occasionally inconsistent nature of the contested tax rulings, the defects identified by the Commission are not, in themselves, sufficient to prove the existence of an advantage. The Government has welcomed the decision by the General Court of the European Union to annul that direction in the last few minutes. "Ireland has always been clear that there was no special treatment provided to the two Apple companies - ASI and AOE. The correct amount of Irish tax was charged taxation in line with normal Irish taxation rules," the Department of Finance said in a statement. "Ireland appealed the Commission Decision on the basis that Ireland granted no state aid and the decision today from the Court supports that view." The Commission can appeal against the General Courts decision to the European Court of Justice. The appeal must be made within the next two months and ten days. The 13.1bn is being held in an escrow account, meaning the proceeds cannot be released until there has been a final determination in the European courts over the validity of the commissions decision. Irelands open economy is based on low corporate taxation and other incentives to attract multinationals. In Apples case, it was significantly below the standard 12.5% imposed on corporations. Apple said that from 2003 to 2014, it paid $577m US dollars (504.6m) in tax on profit generated in the country, in line with the tax laws in Ireland. Labour finance spokesman Ged Nash called for new tax rules for multinational corporations. He said: The General Court of the European Union has effectively ruled that Commissioner Vestager overreached when she ruled against Apple and Ireland. She failed to prove Ireland granted selective treatment or unfair state aid in relation to the tax rules that existed at the time. This is not to say the previous tax rules were satisfactory. In fact, since 2014, Ireland has closed the loophole that Apple and other corporations used to minimise the amount of tax they paid here or anywhere. While the Commission may appeal the judgement, the real issue now is for European governments to agree a decisive step forward to reform the global system for taxing multinationals, especially those in the digital sector that can simply choose where in the world to locate their profit-making intellectual property rights. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the Government has thrown away 13 billion euro which is desperately needed in the face of the Covid crisis. He said: The Irish government should hang their heads in shame for supporting Apple in their appeal and using taxpayers money to help prevent Ireland receiving 13 billion from Apple. That money, which is so desperately needed, could have been put to use in mitigating the Covid-19 crisis which is having such a massive impact on our economy and society. A select group of Chronicle panelists has been swirling and tasting over the past several weeks. The recommendations that follow are ranked according to their overall score, based on a 20-point scale that factors in value. WHITE 2018 Aussieres Chardonnay Sud de France (19) Tasters notes: Fruity, simple and satisfying. The historical 1,400-acre estate is in the Corbieres region of the Languedoc west of Narbonne. Vinification took place in stainless-steel vats. Aging followed for four months, also in stainless steel. Alcohol: 13 percent. $12.99 at wine.com 2019 Blindfold California White Wine (18.5) Tasters notes: Nutty, creamy and citrusy all at once with peach flavors, too. Bright acidity, excellent minerality. From the Prisoner Wine Co. team, its an unusual mix of chardonnay with the aromatic Rhone varietals roussanne, viognier and muscat sourced from various California AVAs. It was aged 10 months with 80 percent of the juice going into French and Hungarian oak barrels, a fourth of them new, and the rest into stainless steel. Alcohol: 14.2 percent. $24.79 at Total Wine 2019 Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc (18.5) Tasters notes: Lively Meyer lemon and peach flavors with a hint of spice. Bright, vibrant minerality. The grapes, sourced from both Napa and Sonoma vineyards, were whole-cluster pressed, then most of the juice was fermented in stainless-steel tanks with the rest going into French oak barrels to bring out weight and texture. Alcohol: 14.2 percent. $23.59 at Specs 2018 Cuvaison Kite Tail Chardonnay Los Carneros (18) Tasters notes: Fruity, medium-plus bodied, fruity wine with lemon, green apple, peach, toasted spice barrel note. Finishes long. Founded in 1969, Napa Valley pioneer Cuvaison has remained family owned for more than half a century. Made from the Old Wente clone, the wine fermented for 33 days, then spent 16 months in French oak barrels, half of them new. Alcohol: 14.1 percent. $50 at cuvaison.com RED 2017 Paraduxx Rector Creek Block 4/Block 5 (18.9) Tasters notes: Opaque red-black with well-extracted and full body giving black currant on nose and jammy ripe fruit palate leading to a dry soft tannic finish. (Block 4) Fruity, zippy, smooth. full bodied, lush, long peppery finish. (Block 5) The rocky Rector Creek vineyard surrounds the Paraduxx winery on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley. The Block 4 is a petite verdot (62 percent) and zinfandel blend, and the Block 5 is primarily cabernet franc fleshed out with zinfandel and a bit of cabernet sauvignon. Both wines spent 18 months in French oak barrels, 60 percent new for the Block 4 and 50 percent new for the Block 5. Alcohol: 14.9 percent. $85 for both at paraduxx.com 2017 Ron Rubin Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (18.9) Tasters notes: Light in color but rich Bing cherries on the palate. Hints of oak and baking spice, tart cranberries. Well made. After spending four decades in the beverage industry, Ron Rubin bought River Road Winery in the Russian River Valleys Green Valley, famous for its pinot-noir-perfect sandy loam Goldridge soil. The fruit, a blend of six clones from both the estate and neighboring vineyards, underwent cold-soak fermenting, with the juice then going into French oak barrels. Alcohol: 13.7 percent. 20.99 at wine.com 2017 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (18.8) Tasters notes: Dark color with intense, rich fruit, generous and elegant. Pritchard Hill, which the late Donn Chappellet discovered above the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley in 1966, never disappoints, producing small, intensely concentrated grapes. The blend, which is 82 percent cab, includes merlot (18 percent), petit verdot and malbec. Alcohol: 14.5 percent. $64.69 at Specs 2016 Mi Sueno Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (18.2) Tasters notes: A big, round, opulent wine. Great mouth feel. Smoky oak with nicely integrated tannins. Mexican immigrant Rolando Herrera and his wife Lorena founded Mi Sueno (My Dream) in 1997, the year they were married. The grapes were harvested after a nearly perfect growing season and the wine aged for 21 months in French oak (65 percent new), then stayed in the bottle for over a year before release. Alcohol: 14.5 percent. $75 at storemisuenowinery.com PINK 2019 Domaine la Garenne Bandol (19.2) Tasters notes: Delicious fruit-driven wine. Ripe strawberries. Layers of flavor. Near the Mediterranean shore in the Bandol valley, the 50-acre estate has been producing wines since 1965. The current winemaker, Beatrix de Balincourt, took charge in 2000. The cinsault (45 percent), grenache (30) mourvedre fruit was destemmed and then direct pressed. Alcohol: 14.1 percent. $24.99 at Specs 2019 Chateau Beaubois Expression Costieres de Nimes (19) Tasters notes: Pale pink, beautiful nose of ripe watermelon and strawberry waft from the glass with a hint of fresh peaches. Medium plus acid. Nice finish that fades just in time for the next sip. The estate, where grapes have been grown since the 13th century, is owned by the fourth-generation brother-and-sister team of Francois and Fanny Boyer. It covers 150 acres in the southern Rhone Valley. The organic grapes syrah (60 percent), grenache (30) and cinsault were half direct pressed and half bled, then spent four months in stainless-steel tanks. Alcohol: 13 percent. $13.99 at Kroger in the Heights sportywineguy@outlook.com Authorities inspect municipalities for illegal sale of alcohol Chetumal, Q.R. Several operations have been carried out in the states 11 municipalities for the illegal sale of alcohol with clandestine establishments being the main target. The Secretaria de Finanzas Yohanet Torres Munoz said Governor Carlos Joaquin has given instructions to reinforce surveillance, so these operations will be carried out permanently throughout Quintana Roo with the aim of preserving commercial order and inhibiting clandestine and out-of-hours sale of alcoholic beverages. The governor made the request in response to citizen complaints for the illegal sale of alcohol. So far this month, inspections were conducted in the municipality of Othon P. Blanco that resulted in the closing of seven establishments. The illegal businesses shut were found in Chetumal, Calderitas, Ucum, Nicolas Bravo and Javier Rojo Gomez. Cases of alcohol from three private homes were also seized after residents reported them for illegally selling the beer. In Lazaro Cardenas, alcoholic from two private homes were also seized for clandestine sales after neighbors reported them. The main establishments in the municipalities of Benito Juarez, Isla Mujeres, Solidaridad and Puerto Aventuras, Bacalar, Jose Maria Morelos and Felipe Carrillo Puerto, were found in compliance. However, two restaurant/bars in the hotel zone were shut on Cozumel for selling alcohol outside hours. Three places were also closed in the center and beach areas of Puerto Morelos for selling alcohol without having valid permits. In Tulum, three establishments were also shut. BEIJING, July 15 -- The Chinese military Wednesday voiced strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to US plan of selling Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles to Taiwan. This move by the US side seriously jeopardizes China's national sovereignty and security, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense (MND). According to a statement released by Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense, the US State Department approved on July 9, American local time, the recertification of selling Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles worth 620 million US dollars to Chinas Taiwan region. The US move is a flagrant violation of the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, it also grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and seriously impairs China's national sovereignty and security, China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to it, said Wu in an address on the US State Departments approval of the recertification of selling weapons to Chinas Taiwan region. Taiwan is an integral part of China and China's position on Taiwan question is consistent and clear, Wu said, adding that China will not allow anyone, any organization or any country to take any means to separate Taiwan from the motherland. All attempts to create "one China, one Taiwan" and split China are going against the historical trend and will be firmly opposed by all Chinese people both at home and abroad, Wu said. "We sternly warn Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority that, the reunification of the motherland is where the fundamental interests of the nation lie and the aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, its attempts to bond with foreign forces for "Taiwan independence" by military means will never succeed," the spokesperson continued. China strongly urged the U.S. to immediately stop arms sales to Taiwan to avoid further damage to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the relations between the two countries and their militaries, Wu said. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Wu stressed. With The Good Doctor on ABC, and Netflixs own Atypical entering its fourth and final season, scripted series devoted to protagaonists on the autism spectrum have made inroads, though not without pushback and controversy regarding how those characters are treated. Love on the Spectrum has its share of genre cliches it could do without. Among them: the mid-date debriefing interview footage. More troublingly: the moment when Sharnae, with her long-term love Jimmy on a seaside holiday, tells him: I dont care about the cameras. Its just me and you. You believe that she said it, and meant it, and you even believe she wasnt performing for the cameras as she was thinking and saying it. But any nonfiction filmmaker changes the nature of the filmed experiment simply by being there, and in this case confiding in the subjects, however gently. Former Bachelorette star Timm Hanly was the very first to arrive on Bachelor In Paradise during Wednesday night's premiere. But as the tattooed hunk complained about being all alone, a mysterious woman was seen lurking in the background. While the former 2019 Bachelorette runner-up eagerly waited for more guests to join him, he seemed oblivious to the intruder wearing a bright red dress. Scroll down for video Did YOU spot the editing fail? A mystery woman was spotted lurking on the Bachelor In Paradise set during Wednesday's premiere as Timm Hanly complained about being alone. Pictured: Host Osher Gunsbeerg Making a very brief appearance on TV, her face was angled down and partially concealed by bushes on the path she was walking on. Sitting by himself, surveying the seemingly empty resort, Timm pondered out loud: 'Where the girls at? where the girls at, man?' The 27-year-old appeared completely unaware of the woman's presence during the blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. It's believed the lady in red was a producer or a member of staff at the resort. Who's that girl? A mysterious woman was seen lurking in the background. It's believed the lady in red could have been a producer or a member of staff at the resort Oblivious: While the former 2019 Bachelorette runner-up eagerly waited for more guests to join him, he didn't seem to notice the intruder wearing a bright red dress It wasn't long until Timm was greeted by the show's second star, 2019 Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield. The 24-year-old arrived at the resort on a mission to make a love connection with one man in particular, and it wasn't Timm. Abbie was hoping to meet 2019 Bachelorette star Ciarran Stott. Welcome! It wasn't long until Timm was greeted by the show's second star, 2019 Bachelor runner-up Abbie Chatfield (pictured) Cheeky! There is already one clear love triangle emerging between Abbie Chatfield, Ciarran Stott (pictured) and Cassandra Mamone During the premiere, 12 other stars joined Abbie and Timm at the resort. There is already one clear love triangle emerging between Abbie, Ciarran and Cassandra Mamone. Bachelor In Paradise Australia continues Thursday from 7:30pm on Channel 10 Applying for a job online allows for a lot more background questions than you might expect even after the resume is turned in -- and not all of them are directly related to your past employment. Included in that list might be something like this: are you a protected veteran? Even as veterans, we may not be aware of our status, how we attained it or what it means to be protected. According to the Department of Labor, a protected veteran falls under the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA). Even if you werent old enough to serve in 1974 or arent a Vietnam veteran, hang on -- you might still be protected. As you may or may not know, returning Vietnam veterans werent always welcomed home the way we welcome U.S. troops coming home from Iraq or Afghanistan. The Vietnam-era of veteran experienced a lot of discrimination in employment. These days, veterans still experience discrimination. This includes: Disabled veterans Recently-separated veterans A veteran who received a service medal Veterans who served during wartime or received a campaign medal Under VEVRAA, the criteria for protected status includes Gulf War-era veterans, an era which starts on Aug. 2, 1990 and does not yet have a fixed end date. VEVRAA was designed to help these protected vets gain employment and keep their jobs without facing discrimination. It even allowed for businesses to make reasonable accommodations to help disabled veterans apply for jobs. How Protected Veteran Status Works You cannot be denied employment, harassed, demoted, terminated, paid less or treated less favorably because of your veteran status. If you are an employee and a disabled veteran you can request reasonable accommodation. That accommodation allows you to perform your job, and must be provided by your employer unless doing so would cause the employer significant difficulty or expense. Reasonable accommodations include providing written materials in braille for the blind, modifying equipment for disabled use or having a sign language interpreter on hand for important communications. Those are just a few examples, and is not a complete list of accommodations. What Employers Must Obey Protected Veteran Status Rules? While all employers must abide by the laws of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which mandates that all activated reservists cannot be terminated from employment as a result of being activated for service, not all are required to abide by VEVRAA. Employers working with the federal government or having a certain dollar amount in federal contracts are required to comply with the legislation -- this includes their subcontractors. Does self-identifying as a disabled veteran hurt your chances of getting the job? Probably not. Under VEVRAA employers must not only ask veterans to self-identify, but also take affirmative action to recruit and hire protected veterans. When VEVRAA was expanded in 2014, the unemployment rate for veterans was an estimated two percentage points higher for veterans than it was for nonveterans, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Before the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, the veteran unemployment rate was just 2.9%, lower than the overall rate of 3.5%. Not a bad outcome. Employers must make their workplaces open to Department of Labor inspectors to ensure compliance with VEVRAA. If a veteran feels he or she has been discriminated against despite VEVRAA, they can file a claim with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Employers are also blocked from taking retaliatory action against a protected veteran filing a complaint with the OFCCP. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Know More About Veteran Jobs? Be sure to get the latest news about post-military careers as well as critical info about veteran jobs and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Woodside has been granted special permission for its interstate fly-in, fly-out workforce to exclusively self-isolate in Quest Serviced Apartments in Midland. On Monday, the oil and gas giant was given approval to streamline its employees arriving from the eastern states through the one facility to complete their 14 days quarantine before starting their roster. Woodside's interstate workforce has been granted permission to stay at Quest Midland. Credit:Nine The new directions include special permission for quarantiners to exercise in the facility's courtyard up to twice a day. A Woodside spokeswoman said the change was requested in the interest of the health and wellbeing of employees. Addressing the 15th India-EU summit, Modi said there is a need for more cooperation among democratic nations to deal with economic problems. Stating that India and the European Union are "natural partners", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the India-EU partnership can play an important role in "economic reconstruction" as new problems have emerged globally after the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the 15th India-EU summit, he said there is a need for more cooperation among democratic nations to deal with economic problems. "After COVID-19, new economic problems emerged globally. For this, we feel the need for more cooperation among democratic nations. Today, both the health and prosperity of our citizens are facing challenges. There are different types of pressures on the rules-based international order. Thus, the India-EU partnership can play an important role in economic reconstruction, and in building human-centric globalisation," he said. Apart from the current challenges, Modi said that long-term challenges like climate change are also a priority for both India and the EU. "In our efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, we invite investment and technology from Europe. I hope that through this virtual summit, our relations will gain momentum," he said. Terming India and the European Union "natural partners," Modi called for creating an action-oriented agenda to foster the partnership and said he is committed to making relations "deep and comprehensive". "Due to COVID-19, we had to postpone India-EU summit. It is good that we are able to come together today through a virtual medium. Like you, I am also committed to making our relations deep and comprehensive," the prime minister said. "For this, we must adopt a long-term strategic perspective. Along with this, an action-oriented agenda should be created, which can be implemented within the stipulated time frame. India and the EU are natural partners. Our partnership is also useful for peace and stability in the world. This reality has become even more evident in today's global situation," he added. Modi also said that India and EU both share universal values like democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, respect for international institutions, multilateralism, freedom and transparency. The EU is represented at the summit by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The summit was scheduled to happen earlier this year but was postponed due to coronavirus pandemic and is being held virtually. The topics of trade and investments were likely to be on the agenda for Wednesday's summit, reports said. Further, The Indian Express reported, "The two sides will also announce a new maritime security dialogue, since the EU has been quite active in the Indian Ocean region and had displayed considerable amount of skill and capacity while combating piracy in the western Indian Ocean region. Sources said the two sides will decide to push for stronger defence and security cooperation, and one of them will be to launch negotiations for a pact between CBI and Europol." With inputs from agencies New Delhi: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who was expected to take over as chief election commissioner in 2021, may leave the commission prematurely to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as vice president. The 1980-batch Haryana cadre officer of the Indian Administrative Service has almost two years remaining in his tenure as Election Commissioner and was in line to take as chief election commissioner (CEC ) from Sunil Arora. His early exit will give the other election commissioner Sushil Chandra a shot at the top post. Lavasa, 62, served in several posts with the government, including as secretary in the finance ministry. As CEC, he would have overseen the conduct of elections in West Bengal, Manipur, Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Manila-based Asian Development Bank on Wednesday announced that 62-year-old Lavasa had been appointed as vice-president of private sector operations and public-private partnerships. The central government recommends nominees to postings at the multilateral lender, officials familiar with the matter said, although these are usually at the level of the executive director. According to former CEC N Gopalaswamy, Lavasa would have accepted the position before the announcement was made. The bank would have written to him to get his consent, Gopalaswamy said. The bank would have only made the announcement after that. According to a former joint secretary with the Union government familiar with the workings of the ADB, Lavasa is likely to have applied for the post. Two kinds of appointments are made to the ADB, the former joint secretary (JS) said on condition of anonymity. The country recommends a JS-level officer or higher to the board of directors or one can apply to DoPT (department of personnel and training) to do a stint as a subject specialist. The former officer added that Lavasas appointment would have been made entirely on merit and keeping in mind regional balance. It is a three-year tenure, which is close to what Lavasa had left with the Commission, this person added. The appointment could not have been made without in-principle approval from the government, a senior EC official said on the condition of anonymity. Lavasa was appointed as the Election Commissioner in 2018. ECs generally serve in the commission for six years or till they reach the age of 65 years. People close to Lavasa said that he was approached by a search agency and he agreed to be considered for the post. Mr Lavasa has a long and distinguished career in the Indian civil service. He is currently one of the Election Commissioners of India and previously served in a range of senior posts including as Union Finance Secretary of India; Union Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change; and Union Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation, ADB said in a statement. He has extensive experience in public-private partnerships and infrastructure development at the state and federal levels, with deep knowledge on public policy and the role of private sector. The people close to Lavasa said he is likely to accept the job. It is a prestigious assignment and he was happy to be considered,one of them added on condition of anonymity. CEC Arora said he was not aware of the development. The last time an election commissioner quit the poll body was in 1973, when Nagendra Singh, the then chief election commissioner, resigned to join the International Court of Justice. Lavasa was one of the key dissenters when the poll body cleared prime minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah for speeches that allegedly violated the model code conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in April and May 2019. The model code regulates the behaviour of candidates, parties and governments during elections. In November last year , media reports said the goverment, in August, wrote to state-owned companies in the power sector asking them whether Lavasa exercised undue influence during his stint in the ministry. The letter pertained to 14 companies in which Lavasas wife Noel Lavasa, was a director. In September, media reports said Noel Lavasa and a few more of Lavasas relatives were being investigated by the income tax department. A day after a Bharatiya Janata Party delegation met President Ram Nath Kovind seeking dismissal of the Mamata Banerjee government over the "political murder" of a party MLA, the West Bengal chief minister wrote a latter to him claiming the saffron party might have presented "distorted facts". IMAGE: TMC MP Derek OBrien called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo She said the case has been handed over to the CID for proper investigation. A Trinamool Congress delegation led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien also called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and apprised him of the details of the case. In the letter, Banerjee cited the preliminary probe by the state police and the postmortem report to claim Debendra Nath Roy's death "is a case of suspected suicide and does notappear to be a political case as being projected by the BJP". "I am constrained to invite your kind and personal attention to a particular fact. This is in the context of your meeting with a delegation of BJP who might have apprised you with some distorted fact," the letter said. "On receipt of post-mortem report and on primary investigation West Bengal police has reported that it is a case of suspected suicide and could be related to some local money transfer activities. The note found in a pocket of the deceased also names two persons who are allegedly found to be related to such money transfer activities in the locality," it said. The chief minister said her government took "all necessary action" immediately after the death of Roy, the MLA from Hemtabad in North Dinajpur district, on Monday for a comprehensive investigation. "I have already handed over the case to the CID for proper investigation," she wrote. "I would like to assure that West Bengal is a state where we always respect all political parties, their leaders and workers," the TMC chief added. On Tuesday, the state CID had detained one of the two people who were named in the alleged suicide note which was recovered from the shirt pocket of the deceased MLA whose body was found hanging from the ceiling outside a closed shop at a market near his home. Roy's family and party leaders have alleged it was a "cold-blooded murder by Trinamool Congress". BJP had called a 12-hour bandh in North Bengal on Tuesday to protest the "political murder" and demand a CBI probe. WATERLOO REGION The All Nations Grand River Water Walk will proceed as planned this September. We believe the water needs us no matter what. says Mary Anne Caibaiosai, the founder of the walk. We see COVID as an opportunity to make sure shes taken care of. All walkers will be asked to bring masks, gloves and hand sanitizer. Social distancing will be observed, and the method of relaying the pail may also be altered, Caibaiosai said. This year walkers will start at the rivers mouth at Lake Erie on Sept. 12 and finish at the headwaters in Dundalk on Sept. 19. Caibaiosai launched the initial walk in 2018 after being inspired by now-passed Anishinaabe Grandmother and Mother Earth Water Walk founder Josephine Mandamins original walks around the Great Lakes. After consulting with another elders upon completion of her masters in social work at Wilfrid Laurier University, Caibaiosai knew she was being led to walk for the Grand River. She started the local water walk to pray for the Grand Rivers healing and raise awareness about how ultimately everyone depends on water. The ceremony is to take place for four years, from 2018 to 2021. Since then, person by person, the local community is taking a deeper interest in the water walk and the Grand River itself. Last week, in response to his deepening personal connection with the Grand River and experience participating in the water walk, local retired teacher Phillip Martin launched a website dedicated to community story telling of personal experiences with the Grand River: grandriverexplorations.ca Since my first Water Walk, when I go down to the river, I carry with me a deep sense of gratitude and belonging, he writes in his story on the website. What is tangible is the quality of relationship between the walkers and Nibi (the water). There is a definite sense of being friends with the water. One of the walks ideas is to reconnect people to water, Caibaiosai said. Often were so disconnected we dont even know its flowing through our neighbourhood. Since the walks first started in 2018, the community surrounding it has grown. Each year, a group of core walkers travel the entire journey, and are joined by a group of community members who come and go throughout. Shirley-Lynn Martin, a core organizer of the walk, said Waterloo Regions community has responded to the water walk very well since it began. The Grand River Conservation Authority provided maps and technical support, local police have provided escorts through busy sections of the route, community members have given meals and accommodations, and many fundraisers have been organized from bike rides to online auctions, and a community concert. To Martin, the momentum in the community is palpable, and the group is looking forward to this years walk going ahead despite the pandemic. Said Caibaiosai, Josephine-Baa would say, The waters waiting. Theres no reason not to walk if were keeping people safe. Anyone is invited to join. Donations of food, water and funds are also welcome. Water is life, and without water we wouldnt be here, Caibaiosai said. Everyone is welcome to come pray and sing for the water. We all have a responsibility to care and nourish the water. We have a tendency to take all the time and not give back. The ceremony is our way of giving back. To find out more, visit grandriverwaterwalk.com. While we are very much still in the middle, or even at the outset, of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and lower oil prices across the Middle East, there are some troubling signs that recovery will be more difficult than in other emerging market regions. The early evidence suggests that we will see significant variation in economic growth, with Asian economies already showing stronger resilience than Latin America or the Middle East. On July 13, the International Monetary Fund released its updated economic outlook for the Middle East and North Africa, with a downward revision in (already negative) growth for oil exporters in 2020 to -7.3% decline in real gross domestic product (GDP), before returning to positive growth of about 3% in 2021. This amounts to a loss in oil export revenue to the region of about $270 billion in 2020. For oil importers in the region, the decline in expected growth is more moderate, at -1.1% for 2020 before returning to feeble positive growth of under 2% in 2021. But in a cross-regional perspective, it is emerging markets that will lead in economic recovery in 2021 as a percentage of GDP, according to projections by Fitch Solutions that sees developed economies taking the hardest hit to growth in 2020. The current sharp recession we see globally will not last forever. The question is how unevenly growth returns and what governments can do to shield citizens from the worst of the downturn and amplify what sluggish growth returns. Interestingly, as emerging economies are expected to fare better in their pace of recovery starting in 2021, the divergence within emerging markets is striking. It is economies in Asia that are expected to rebound more quickly and with higher annual growth rates than in the Middle East or Latin America. And the drag on growth rates in the Middle East as it recovers in 2021 will be due to the sluggish recovery of oil exporters, mostly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. For the region, the Gulf oil exporters are both a source of foreign direct investment and remittances, as well as a bellwether of regional growth. Because their recovery is so sensitive to the coronavirus pandemic, in diminished demand for oil and gas as global transportation continues to lag, along with tourism from religious tourism in Saudi Arabia to the beach resorts of Dubai and the impact of declining demand in their own local retail and real estate markets, the GCC states are likely to experience a slower and lower growth acceleration in 2021. In terms of their ability to sustain financial intervention via aid and investment toward the wider Middle East, the Horn of Africa and beyond, it is too early to tell. But what's clear is that government project spending is contracting in real estate and infrastructure projects, which traditionally means an overall contraction in Gulf economies and tends to trickle down to labor market retrenchment, reduced opportunities for foreign workers, with lower wages and remittance flows. While populism poses a significant threat to economic recovery across developed economies, for the economies of the Middle East, the underlying structural weaknesses are more damning. Youth unemployment, lack of fiscal space to create needed stimulus for business or to even provide electricity in Lebanon and expand social services, along with poor access to capital all converge under the pressure of a recession caused by the coronavirus crisis. We will see pressure on governments and corporations to access debt financing and restructuring of existing debt; but here again, there is a divide between the wealthier oil exporters and struggling oil importers of the region. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to dominate regional debt issuance, making up 84% of regional market issuance in the first half of 2020, according to data from First Abu Dhabi Bank. Access to international debt capital markets will be essential to the region's recovery. There will be divergence in that access, as well as some difficulty in relying too heavily on local and regional banks. Gulf banks have proven an important source of finance to the region, as evidenced by Egypt's interest in tapping into regional lenders. This is why, for example, that Iran may be in a corner both in its domestic politics and in the economic utility in its touting of a great deal with China. There is simply no other lender, regional or international, that can help Iran. And Iran's local banks are in no position to bail out quasi-state entities. But what Iran needs but cannot get will be privatizations of state assets and ways to raise alternate sources of government revenue. China is not a good partner for that kind of capital raising. Besides access to capital and the ability to soften the blow to fiscal deficits with some restructuring and privatizations, the economies of the Middle East and North Africa will have to deal with two essential socio-economic effects of the pandemic: backtracking in women's labor force participation and empowerment, and a threat to gains of a demographic dividend. First, the she-cession to come. Women have made substantial progress across the region in their advancement in higher education and improved access to health care. The reality of the coronavirus crisis on women globally is that their careers will suffer as family dynamics demand more of their time and employers see women as more disposable. Second, the youth bulge of the Middle East is an asset, but it is an aging one. The pandemic threatens the region's ability to gain from a demographic dividend, the boost to economic development from a youthful population ready to engage productively in the labor force. Being left out now means years of loss to come for a generation of young people already frustrated with lack of opportunity. For fiscal policy, this is a disaster that even the wealthy Gulf states cannot avoid as a mounting problem of generational equity. As the youth bulge ages, it becomes more of a burden to government spending, in required health care, housing and social spending. Economic recovery across emerging markets looks positive, but stratified by region in 2021. The story in the Middle East is more complicated, with recovery in the Gulf permeating possibilities across the region. Outliers like Iran will be under more extreme pressure. But across the board, the Middle East is bound by its demographics, and the burden of recovery will be on governments to recognize the risk to its best potential for growth: women and young people. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 06:33:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on Wednesday warned against any possible disruption of the deployment of a UN technical team to inspect a derelict oil tanker off the Yemeni coast. Lowcock welcomed the authorization of the UN mission by Houthi rebels, who control this area. But he expressed concern that the rebels might suddenly change their minds, like what happened before. "Last week, we received encouraging news. Ansar Allah officials confirmed to the United Nations in writing that they are ready to authorize the UN mission to the Safer (oil tanker). They have also communicated their intention to issue entry permits for mission personnel. I welcome this announcement," said Lowcock, using the official name of the Houthi militia. "We have, of course, been here before. In August 2019, we received similar assurances and, on that basis, deployed the UN team and equipment to Djibouti at significant expense. The Ansar Allah authorities canceled that mission the night before departure." The United Nations remains ready to assist this time. The UN team can deploy within three weeks of receiving all the necessary permits, said Lowcock in a briefing to the Security Council. The United Nations is in touch with the government of Yemen for their approvals. On Tuesday, the United Nations also submitted an official request to the Ansar Allah authorities, which includes details on the mission plan, the personnel and the technical equipment, he said. "We hope these requests and other logistical arrangements will be quickly approved, without preconditions." The Ansar Allah authorities have an important opportunity to take steps that will spare millions of their fellow citizens from yet another tragedy, he said. The tanker had served as a floating oil storage and offloading vessel moored in the Red Sea before most of the crew deserted it after Houthi rebels took over the area about five years ago. On May 27, 2020, seawater began leaking into the Safer's engine room. Fortunately, the engine room leak was relatively small, and divers from the Safer corporation were able to contain it. But the fix they applied is only temporary, and it is impossible to say how long it might hold, said Lowcock. He warned of severe humanitarian consequences of a possible spill from the oil tanker, which is carrying 1.1 million barrels of crude oil. If a spill were to occur in the next two months, experts project that 1.6 million Yemenis would be directly affected. Essentially every fishing community along Yemen's west coast would see their livelihoods collapse and would suffer substantial economic losses. About 90 percent of people in these communities already need humanitarian assistance, he said. Sea currents and seasonal conditions also mean much of the oil would likely remain near Yemen's coast rather than dispersing widely. As a result, the port in Hodeidah, a lifeline for Yemenis, could be forced to close for a period of weeks or even months, said Lowcock. "As you know, Yemen imports nearly everything, and most imports come through Hodeidah or the port at nearby Salif. Losing either of these ports for an extended period would destabilize critical commercial and aid imports of food and other essential commodities." The disruption of imports has the potential to inflict terrible additional suffering on millions of Yemenis. This would also deliver another severe blow to Yemen's already embattled economy. The resulting disruption would substantially accelerate recent trends that are already pushing the country toward famine, he said. Enditem Verizon has jumped on the stakeholder capitalism bandwagon via its "Citizen Verizon" responsible business plan based on the tenets of climate protection, human prosperity and digital inclusion. CEO Hans Vestberg said July 14 that the telecom is making a significant commitment to move the world forward through the power of action and technology. "There has never been a more critical moment to demonstrate the power of purpose," he said. "To continue being one of the world's technology leaders, we must address the economic, environmental and societal issues that are most pressing." The goals of CV are to: (1) become carbon neutral by 2035 by reducing emissions, investing in renewable energy, and purchasing carbon offsets; (2) prepare 500K people for "jobs of the future" by providing training and job advancement tools, and (3) teach digital skills to 10M students from grades K-12 in support of 1M small business to help them thrive in the digital economy by 2030. Vestberg also announced the company would convene the inaugural "Citizen Verizon Assembly: Charging Social Change Forward" virtual event of business leaders, activists and thought leaders on July 29. To be streamed on Yahoo Finance, the hour-long session will focus on the importance of corporate responsibility in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter Movement. Diego Scotti, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon, said though Verizon's responsible business plan was in the works prior to COVID-19 and BLM, those crises highlighted the pressing need to act. "People are fed up of BS, of companies selling, selling, selling," he told Business Insider. Brand affinity now comes from "companies providing value that is real, with stuff that is true, and with stuff that makes a difference." HELSINKI (dpa-AFX) - Finland's economic output declined, while retail sales grew in May, data from Statistics Finland showed on Tuesday. Output of the national economy fell a working-day adjusted 5.5 percent year-on-year in May, following a 5.3 percent decline in April, which was revised from a 7.9 percent fall. On a seasonally adjusted basis, output fell 0.7 percent monthly in May. Data showed that the primary production increased around 4.0 percent in May. Secondary and services production declined by about 3.0 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively, from the previous year. Seperate data from the statistical office showed that the retail sales turnover rose by working day adjusted 6.0 percent annually in May. At the same time, the retail sales volume increased 6.4 percent annually in May. In daily consumer goods trade, the working day adjusted turnover increased 11.5 percent in May and the sales volume rose 9.6 percent from the corresponding period of the previous year. However, retail turnover fell 5 percent monthly, after a 7.3 percent slump in April. The sales volume decreased 1.8 percent after a 4.2 percent fall in the previous month. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. After three months of output curbs to offset demand blow from COVID-19 pandemic and price war, OPEC+ set to taper cuts. OPEC and its allies will restore some oil supplies next month, but the impact will be barely felt as demand recovers from the coronavirus crisis, said Saudi Arabias Energy Minister. After almost three months of historic output curbs to offset the worst effects of the global pandemic, the 23-nation coalition led by Riyadh and Moscow will proceed with its plan to gradually taper the reductions. The decision was widely expected but still carries some risks for the cartel after a resurgence of the virus in the U.S., the worlds largest oil consumer. Crude pared gains in New York, and was 0.7% higher at $40.59 a barrel as of 9:35 a.m. local time. As we move to the next phase of the agreement, the extra supply resulting from the scheduled easing of production cuts will be consumed as demand continues on its recovery path, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at the start of an OPEC+ video conference on Wednesday. Economies around the world are opening up, although this is a cautious and gradual process. The recovery signs are unmistakable. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will withhold 7.7 million barrels a day from the market in August, compared with cuts of 9.6 million currently. The groups two largest members, Russian and Saudi Arabia, publicly backed the move, and other ministers participating in the video conference had agreed in principle, delegates said. That supply increase will be offset somewhat by members that didnt fulfill their commitments to reduce output in May and June such as Iraq and Nigeria. They will make up for those shortcomings with extra reductions in August and September. Those compensation cuts are a crucial principle and the group must resist the temptation to relax, Prince Abdulaziz said. The kingdoms own exports wont change next month, despite the output increase, as domestic demand rises, he said. The tapering of production cuts is fully in line with the current market trends, said Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak. Almost all of the output hikes will be consumed in domestic markets of the producing countries as the demand is recovering. OPEC+ is reviving supplies as fuel consumption picks up with the lifting of lockdowns around the world. The alliances curbs, equivalent to almost 10% of global supply, helped more than double crude prices from the lows hit in late April, when demand plunged by more than 20 million barrels a day. (Updates with oil price in third paragraph.) To contact the reporters on this story: Grant Smith in London at gsmith52@bloomberg.net; Salma El Wardany in Cairo at selwardany@bloomberg.net; Javier Blas in London at jblas3@bloomberg.net; Dina Khrennikova in Moscow at dkhrennikova@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: James Herron at jherron9@bloomberg.net Brian Wingfield 2020 Bloomberg L.P. SHANGHAI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai reported three new imported COVID-19 cases and no increase in domestically transmitted cases on Tuesday, the municipal health commission said Wednesday. All three confirmed cases are Chinese nationals flying from overseas. One of the imported cases departed from Mexico on July 11 and arrived at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport via Japan on July 12. Another confirmed case left Singapore on July 10 and arrived in Shanghai on July 11. The third left the United States on July 8 and arrived in Shanghai on July 9. They showed symptoms during the isolated observation period and were confirmed as COVID-19 patients. All the 148 close contacts with the three on the flights have been put under quarantine. As of Tuesday, Shanghai had reported 389 confirmed imported cases and 342 locally transmitted cases. ZUG, Switzerland, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a volatile environment for commodities markets, Solway Group continues to concentrate its efforts on developing and optimizing the effectiveness of the group's business structure. Solway is primarily focused on reducing its cost of nickel production and stabilizing production volumes across its existing capacities. Pronico and CGN, Guatemala 2019 was a landmark year for Solway's Guatemalan assets. For the first time since the projects were acquired by Solway, Pronico reached its planned production capacity to deliver a record 20,323 metric tons of nickel in ferronickel. Pronico became one of the largest nickel producers in Central America, a region which accounts for 12 percent of global annual nickel production. Pobuzhsky Ferronickel Plant (PFP), Ukraine In 2019, PFP processed 1.35 million metric tons of wet ore into 14.2 thousand tons of nickel in ferronickel. Kurilgeo Project, Russia In 2019, Kurilgeo produced 35.57 koz. of gold, and 134.70 koz. of silver. 2019 ore production reached 690,000 tons. Mining of rock mass totaled 2.95 million tons. Bucim Copper Mine, North Macedonia In 2019, Bucim produced 31,226 tons of dry copper concentrate, containing 6,512 tons of copper, 19.07 koz. of gold, and 30.13 koz. of silver, and produced 719 tons of cathode copper of 99.99% quality. In order to secure operational efficiency and extend the life of the company's mining resources through at least 2030, Bucim DOO Radovish began to develop its new Borov Dol project in 2019. Nickel DSO (Direct Shipment Operations), Indonesia In 2019, in accordance with an export permit obtained in 2018, Solway Group continued DSO operations and construction work on a nickel processing facility in Morowali in line with the Indonesian government's policy on nickel exports. The Aquila Projects (Morowali & Halmahera), Indonesia In 2019, Solway Group continued to maintain and perform works on all of its required permits for all of its nickel assets in the country, including maintenance of an operating license for a world-class nickel-cobalt deposit in Indonesia for the next 20-40 years. Papua New Guinea Solway Group successfully maintained all of its licenses in PNG in 2019. The Group conducted further reconnaissance exploration works and identified potential industrial-level deposits of laterite nickel and chromite. The group plans to undertake further detailed exploration of its existing assets in PNG in 2020, with a focus on confirming industrial-level resources of nickel laterite ore in the country. All of the exploration programs undertaken in PNG have the full support of the local communities. Environmental protection, occupational health and safety: CSR in 2019 Solway Investment Group is committed to the highest standards of health and safety, environment protection and sustainability. To embrace integrity, transparency, and cooperation, the Group has implemented internationally recognized standards for environmental and social performance: the Equator Principles; IFC Performance Standards; ISOs 14001, 9001, and 4500, and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. The integrity of our implementation was assessed by independent consultancies including Golder Associates, ERM, and others. The Group is also currently studying methods and mechanisms for implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Our primary responsibility is to promote and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all of our employees, contract personnel, and the residents of our local communities. We have a strong focus on l ocal community relations. To that end, Solway is engaged in a continuous stakeholder dialogue with governments, public and regulatory agencies, employees, local communities, and customers. In order to bring its stakeholder interactions to a higher level, and ensure effective and coherent stakeholder engagement at the national as well as the international level, Solway Investment Group has begun working with external experts in 2019 on the development of specific tools based on an international best-practices approach. For more information please see https://solwaygroup.com/2020/07/13/solway-investment-group-announces-its-full-year-2019-financial-results/ In case of further questions or interview requests, please contact Solway Investment Group's press office at: +41-41-740-04-00 or [email protected]. SOURCE Solway Investment Group Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says he has not appeared before by the Presid... Ibrahim Magu, suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says he has not appeared before by the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA) for days. He said he last appeared before the panel about a week ago. Wahab Shittu, counsel to Magu, disclosed the concern of his client in a letter written and submitted to the panel on Wednesday. Magu was arrested on July 6 over allegations of failure to properly account for loot recovered under his watch between May 2015 and May 2020. He was later moved to Area 10, force criminal investigation department (FCID) in Abuja, where he has spent the night since his arrest. According to Shittu, his client has not been brought before the panel between Thursday and Tuesday, and has instead arrived at the venue on the listed days only to wait from 9am to 9pm before being taken back into custody. He said the clarification became necessary after it was reported that Magu was grilled by the panel on Monday. The allegation that our client was grilled by the Panel on Monday, 13th July, 2020, as reported above is complete falsehood, the letter read. The correct position was that our client and his Counsel (Mr. Wahab Shittu) arrived the venue of the ongoing Investigations on Monday 13th July, 2020 by 9am. Our client and his Counsel were kept at the waiting room of the venue of the sittings unattended to from 9am to 9pm when our client was taken back to custody. This followed the same pattern on Thursday and Friday last week when our client waited for 12 hours without being called upon by the Panel to partake in the proceedings. Witnesses called by the Panel were interrogated by the Panel without the participation of our client or his Counsel in the proceedings. This was also the pattern on Tuesday, 14th July, 2020. Our client chose to wait patiently on the panel. Shittu said the suspended EFCC boss was yet to officially receive a copy of the allegations against him, and requested the panel to ask the inspector-general of police to release him from custody to enable him to prepare properly for his defence. Magu also requested to be released so that he could attend to his health. Our client is spending the 9th day in custody without being given copy of the allegations against him to enable him formally respond to same. Our client is ready to formally respond to allegations and furnish documentary evidence in support if served with the copy of the allegations, he said. Our client respectfully demands the following: A copy of the report of the Presidential Audit Committee; a copy of the memo of HAGF to the President on our client; individual Petitions submitted to the Panel against our client. Our client observes that rather being afforded copies of the allegations against him, some of these allegations are flying round on social media platforms with prejudicial consequences. Our client requests that these allegations be formally served on him to enable him respond to same immediately. Our client observes that the Panel has issued official statement to the effect that it did not authorise the detention of our client. We request the Panel to recommend to the Inspector General of Police in whose custody our client is to release him from custody to enable him adequately prepare his defence and attend to his failing health. We plead with the authorities to release our client from custody. The lawyer also denied all allegations against Magu, including the said attempt to spirit him away from custody, adding that the charges are trumped-up allegations designed to tarnish his image and rubbish the credibility and image of EFCC which has been stellar and outstanding under our clients watch. A day after Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) landscapes most aggressive elephant was radio-collared, its carcass was found near Mohan range of Almora forest division on Tuesday, said forest officials. The carcass of the wild tusker (25) was spotted in jungles near a factory under the Mohan range of Almora forest division, which is adjacent to the CTR, on Tuesday. Forest officials rushed to the spot along with a veterinary team from CTR, which had radio-collared the elephant on Monday. RK Tiwari, warden, CTR, said that even though the elephant died in Almora forest division, officials were monitoring its movement, as the animal had created panic among the public in Corbett landscape and Ramnagar region. The jumbo was very aggressive and had attacked many people in the past two years. A team of doctors from CTR had radio-collared it on Monday. The animal had a habit of vandalising moving vehicles on the Ramnagar-Almora highway, which lies on the border between Corbett and Ramnagar forest division. It had also killed a person in Mohan range area near Ramnagar, he said. Tiwari ruled out the cause of the elephants death due to an overdose of a tranquiliser. We were monitoring the elephant after it was radio-collared around 11 am on Monday. It was found to be moving during the afternoon hours. There is no question of an overdose from tranquilisation, as it had kept moving the whole day, he said. JS Suhag, chief wildlife warden, Uttarakhand, said, A team of doctors along with the CTR director is at the site inspecting the matter. Prima facie, it appears that the elephant died due to in-fighting with another male elephant. The viscera sample of the wild tusker has been taken and it would be sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, for further investigation, a forest official said. This is the fourth death of an elephant in Corbett landscape this year. Earlier, pachyderms were found dead in CTRs Dhela, Jhirna range and the Kalagarh area. On June 14, the carcass of a female elephant (7) was found in CTRs Dhela range. Uttarakhand government recently reported that the elephant population in the state stands at 2,206, a 29.9% spike since 2015. Rajasthan Speaker CP Joshi has issued notices to Sachin Pilot and 18 other party members after the Congress party sought their disqualification from the state assembly. Pilot and the party members have two days to respond to the notices. Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande said that the move follows after Pilot and other members defied a whip by not attending its legislature party meetings this week. Pilot, along with his camp of supporting lawmakers, skipped the Congress legislature meetings in Jaipur on Monday and Tuesday that recommended action against him and sought to discuss his political fallout with chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Notice issued to Sachin Pilot&18 other party members, for not attending Congress Legislative Party meetings. If they don't respond within 2 days, then it will be considered that they are withdrawing their membership from CLP: Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/TJ8ShxasgX ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2020 Also read: Not joining BJP, those saying so are trying to lower me in Gandhis eyes, says Sachin Pilot Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday said that the party regrets that Pilot and his associates have fallen to the BJPs trap of destabilising the Gehlot government. I regret that Sachin Pilot and some of his associates have been swayed by the BJPs plot and are now conspiring to topple the Gehlot government elected by 8 crore Rajasthanis. It is unacceptable, Surjewala said during a press briefing. On Monday, the party tried to pacify the Pilot camp and said its doors are open to him or any other party member. Late on Monday evening, in a show of strength, Pilots official WhatsApp group shared a short video clip showing at least 16 MLAs sitting together. Also read: BJP to hold meeting today to discuss political situation in Rajasthan The party sent another invite to Pilot on Tuesday, asking him to attend the CLP meeting. During the meeting, in a unanimous resolution, the party decided to remove Pilot from his post of state deputy chief minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief and also sacked two other ministers. Shortly after his removal, Pilot changed his Twitter bio and posted, Truth cannot be defeated. On Wednesday, Pilot said that he does not intend to join the Bharatiya Janata Party and is deciding on the future course of action. Pilot also cancelled a press conference scheduled for today. By Online Desk NEW DELHI: Girls outshone boys yet again in class 10 examination, results of which were announced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday, recording a pass percentage of 91.46. There has been a marginal increase of 0.36 per cent in the pass percentage as against last year. However, the number of students scoring above 90 per cent and 95 per cent have reduced this year by 3 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively. The board did not announce any merit list this year in view of the exceptional circumstances amid the COVID-19 pandemic.While girls have achieved a pass percentage of 93.31, pass percentage of boys and transgenders is 90.14 and 78.95, respectively. Over 1.84 lakh students scored above 90 per cent and more than 41,000 students scored above 95 per cent marks. A total of 18.73 lakh students appeared in the exam, out of which 17.13 lakh students passed. A total of 1.5 lakh student have been placed in compartment. Trivandrum performed best amongst all regions with 99.28 pc pass percentage, followed by Chennai region with 98.95 per cent while Bengaluru stands at third position with 98.23 per cent pass percentage. The pass percentage in Delhi was up by around 5 per cent. While the pass percentage in 2019 was 80.97 per cent, it has been recorded at 85.86 per cent. The foreign schools affiliated to the CBSE have achieved a pass percentage of 98.67 per cent. Last year, their pass percentage was 98.75 per cent. The best performance has been achieved by Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) with a pass percentage of 99.23 per cent, followed by that of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) with 98.66 pass percentage. Here's how can check the results: Students who have appeared in the CBSE class 10 examination can check their result online at cbseresults.nic.in. According to the CBSE official website, a student can also check their scores via SMS. Type CBSE10 (space) ROLL NO (space) ADMIT CARD ID and send these details to 7738299899. Exam cancellation and assesment: While the class 12 exams were rescheduled to be held in July in all the parts of the country, class 10 exams were rescheduled only in North East Delhi, which was affected by riots in March. However, later all exams were cancelled, following spike in COVID-19 cases. For subjects for which exams could not be conducted, the board has announced the results on the basis of an alternative assessment scheme. As per the assessment scheme, for students, who had appeared in the exams in more than three subjects, the average of the marks obtained in the best three performing subjects has been be awarded in the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted. For students who have appeared in the exams in only three subjects, the average of the marks obtained in the best two performing subjects has been awarded in the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted. (With PTI inputs) More Deets On Kansas City Drive-Thru Testing KC COVID-19 testing locations The Kansas City, Missouri Health Department is hosting drive-through COVID-19 community testing. Appointments are recommended due to the high demand for tests. Residents of Kansas City, Jackson County and Clay County can call 311 to schedule an appointment by 5 p.m. the day before the test. Cowtown NextGen At Risk Health official sounds alarm after younger people testing positive for COVID-19 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day Monday, doing so for the first time since the pandemic began earlier this year. The increasing numbers have health officials alarmed. "Transmission is very high," said Johnson County Health and Environment director Dr. Sanmi Areola. Local Doc Shares Warning 'Growing too fast': Kansas City doctor says coronavirus case rate increases due to policy mistakes KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The executive dean of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences said that coronavirus cases in the city are growing too fast compared to other cities of similar size. Dr. Darrin D'Agostino told FOX4 that past policies allowed for the coronavirus to spread throughout the city and state. COVID Conspiracies Contd As Trump sends mixed messages on coronavirus, some loyal supporters cling to conspiracy theories Since the early days of the virus, the president has downplayed its impact. With coronavirus cases surging around the country, President Donald Trump has continued to cast doubt on health officials and his own administration's response to the pandemic, leading some of his fiercely loyal supporters to question not only advice from experts but the existence of the virus itself. Corona Kills Biz COVID-19 pandemic triggered 'economic contagion,' costing world's economy $3.8T and leaving 147M unemployed The coronavirus pandemic has had an enormous impact on the planet in all facets of life. Now, a new study has quantified just how big that impact has been on the global economy: a loss of $3.8 trillion and 147 million people without jobs. Investor COVID Counterpoint Why President Trump's attitude toward the coronavirus has been an 'incredible gift' to investors " 'Trump talking down COVID-19 risk gave investors an incredible gift - it kept markets resilient much longer than they should have, and enabled us to ensure our portfolio was sensibly positioned.' " That's Axon Capital co-founder Dinakar Singh giving a nod to the president and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in a recent note to investors cited by Reuters. COVID Cure Cash Out Dow futures jump 300 points after Moderna says its vaccine produces antibodies to coronavirus Stock futures climbed higher in overnight trading on Tuesday after Moderna said its coronavirus vaccine produced antibodies in all patients in an early trial, raising hope for a faster economic recovery. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 300 points, pointing to a 270-point gain at Wednesday's open. Here's a look at rapidly rising coronavirus numbers we're tracking tonight . . .Accordingly, we check a few more local & national links on the worsening pandemic . . .Developing . . . CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What will Gov. Mike DeWine announce in his speech tonight? Will he close bars? Change school recommendations? Require quarantines? Were talking about the possibilities on This Week in the CLE. Listen online here. Editor Chris Quinn hosts Thursdays daily half-hour coronavirus news podcast, with help from criminal justice editor Kris Wernowsky and me. We answer many of the questions youve sent through our text message platform. Youve been sending Chris lots of thoughts and suggestions on our from-the-newsroom account, in which he shares once or twice a day what were thinking about at cleveland.com. You can sign up for free by sending a text to 216-868-4802. And youve been offering all sorts of great perspective in our coronavirus alert account, which has 13,000-plus subscribers. You can sign up for free by texting 216-279-7784. Here are the questions were answering today: 1) Weve talked about the kinds of coronavirus hotline complaints Cuyahoga County is getting, but what kind of complaints have they received at the Cleveland Health Department? More than 1,830 complaints were filed with to the Health Department between March 20 and Sunday about individuals and businesses not following the rules. The largest block of allegations was for people having mass gatherings. Social distancing was second. 2) Will we ever know the reason a lying Cleveland police officer whose mistruths falsely imprisoned a man for eight months was not fired? Maybe. Former Cleveland Safety Director Michael McGrath suspended him 30 days and ignored racist messages found on the officers phone and issued his decision. Four months after the false arrest, the officer shot and killed a man. 3) What is the difference between the red and purple levels of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines coronavirus alert ratings? Not much. In counties in purple, or Level 4, people are advised to limit themselves to necessary travel and only leave home for supplies and services. None of the guidance for red and purple counties is mandatory, except that residents under either alert status are required to wear masks in restaurants, stores, and other public spaces. 4) Why should Ohioans be careful about driving into New York, New Jersey or Connecticut in this era of the coronavirus? Travelers from Ohio -- and 21 other states -- must quarantine for two weeks, a result of the recent spike in coronavirus cases here. 5) Whats the thought behind creating Dr. Amy Acton Day in Ohio? A new bill in the Ohio House would honor Acton on Feb. 26, in a tribute to her leadership during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Want more? You can find all our past episodes here. Do you get your podcasts on Spotify. Find us here. If you use Stitcher, we are here. RadioPublic is another popular podcast vehicle, and we are here. On Google Podcasts, we are here. On PodParadise, find us here. And on PlayerFM, we are here. Sumi Sukanaya Dutta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: COVID-19 has claimed the lives of at least 99 doctors in the country so far, a majority of whom were general practitioners, the first documentation of the infection's impact on the country's medical professionals by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has revealed. As of now 1302 doctors have been found to be infected, a report by the country's largest body of private doctors further discovered. Based on these figures, the case fatality rate (CFR) due to COVID-19 for doctors turns out to be 7.6 per cent -- nearly 2.5 times the national CFR of 2.6 per cent. The number of actual COVID-19 related deaths among doctors could be much higher though -- nearly three times -- as the data compiled by the association only includes its 3.25 lakh members of whom only 10 per cent are in government hospitals. There are nearly 11 lakh registered doctors in India. ALSO READ | Did Coronil violate clinical trial norms? Doctors, experts seek Medical Council of India's intervention "We are estimating that as many as three times this number of doctors may have died in the country so far due to the disease as most of the doctors in the government hospitals, where majority of COVID-19 patients are being treated, are not with IMA and we do not have their records," said Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, a senior member of the association. He added that a high number of Ayush practitioners have also died after contracting the infection. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so far has not released any data on infection prevalence and deaths among doctors and other healthcare workers but a lab surveillance report published by the Indian Council of Medical Research had shown that of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in India till April 30, more than 5 per cent were healthcare workers. The latest IMA data shows that nearly 50 of those dead were general practitioners, followed by more than 40 specialists and some residents as well. Also, 73 doctors who succumbed to the contagion were above 50 years of age, 19 were 35-50 while seven were under 35. The fatality rate among doctors due to the disease has to be found to be higher worldwide due to the high viral load they are exposed to in hospital setups. ALSO READ | Virus immunity not long lasting as COVID-19 may become endemic: Study Declaring a "Red Alert" IMA said COVID deaths amongst doctors is of great concern and asked them and medical administration to raise their guards. Doctors need to take charge of the situation and ensure their own safety and that of their families, colleagues and staff, it said. "Working hours should be tempered by concerns of safety. Providing for PPEs, triaging, physical distancing and sanitisers should be monitored on a daily basis. Operation theaters, labour rooms, Laboratories and casualties require special care," the association said, adding that ICUs and Critical Care units deserve close scrutiny for adherence to best practices and protocols. Analysis of data shows that while senior doctors and young doctors were equally infected with COVID, the mortality is higher with elders, the association said, adding that while this is along expected lines, there is scope for lessening deaths across the age spectrum if safety protocols are meticulously followed. ALSO SEE: Nguyen Van Bac, 40, a security guard at the Hanoi-based Nuoc Ngam Bus Station, has cleaned the dirt on the glass of the lost-and-found closet and neatly arranged lost items from passengers every day for a decade. Nguyen Van Bac opens the lost-and-found closet in Hanoi-based Nuoc Ngam Bus Station. Photo saostar.vn Bac said many passengers forgot or dropped their items while they were hurrying to get on or get off the bus. The lost items were often found via the camera systems of the bus station. Sometimes, bus drivers found them. Sometimes, bus staff found and took the lost items to the closet with the hope to give them back to their owners, he added. The lost items include luggage, wallets, laptops, smartphones, watches, passports, ID cards, household registration books, other important papers and even cash, he said. When the lost items were brought to the closet, Bac and other security staff would try to find any related information of the owner on the lost items. We would contact the owner if we get any information, he said. If not, they put the lost items in the closet with a sticker, containing the day, month and year the item was lost, and wait for someone to come and claim their assets, he said. When a person could prove the lost items belong to them, they immediately return it, he said. Bac recalled one day two years ago, he returned VND23 million (US$995) to a male passenger, who was very upset because he dropped his savings. Another time, Bac returned luggage containing important papers to a passenger that was a soldier. The soldier said to me that he felt very lucky. He thought he had already lost his luggage and important papers, Bac said. Nguyen Van Minh, a passenger, was given his lost wallet, containing VND28.1 million ($1,200) on December 21, 2012. He had left a thankful note in the closet after receiving his lost items. Ma Van Lam, 21, a student of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, a regular passenger of the bus station said the lost-and-found closet was a good idea. The closet might be not new in other countries but is very new in a bus station in Vietnam, he said. I think it is meaningful, he said. Nguyen Van Nam, a driver of a bus route of Ha Tinh Hanoi, said he appreciated the idea of operating the closet by the bus stations management board. I always advise my passengers to go to the closet to find their lost items, he said. Many of them found their lost things, he said. Bac said he and his colleagues also felt very happy when lost items were given to their owner. Its the joy of our job, he said. Bac hopes the model of the lost-and-found closet will be multiplied in many bus stations nationwide. VNS Transport companies cut trips by the handful during COVID-19 epidemic Transport companies have sharply reduced travel between Hanoi and other provinces after the first patients tested positive for COVID-19. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A former Staten Island mans death is being investigated after he died in a Vermont prison due to an undiagnosed tumor in his airway in late 2019, the Interim Corrections Commissioner James Baker said earlier this week. Kenneth Johnson, 60, was arrested in 2017 alongside a second man for allegedly having sex with a minor in exchange for money and drugs, Vermont State Police said at the time. He was charged with aggravated human trafficking and sexual assault, and was being held without bail at the time of his death. Johnson, an inmate at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, reportedly told staff on multiple occasions that he could not breathe, Baker said, sparking a harsh rebuke from the Department of Corrections official. No one should die in our custody the way that Mr. Johnson passed away, Baker said. Mr. Johnson for a period of time while incarcerated at Northern State facility had complained that he could not breathe, he said in a VTDigger report. The failure for our medical providers and health care providers outside the facility not to have diagnosed Mr. Johnsons situation cost him his life on our watch inside corrections. Baker said that following Johnsons death the state would not renew its contract with Centurion Managed Care of Virginia, the private health care provider the state used for the past five years. We stand by our record of service in Vermont and the quality of care that we have provided to thousands of incarcerated individuals in the state. During the five years that we served the Vermont Department of Corrections, our performance exceeded industry standards, Centurion said in a statement. Any unexpected death is a tragedy for all involved and our sympathies remain with the family. While we are not permitted to provide details of the incident - due to privacy laws - we can say that Centurion reported the incident and participated in investigations conducted by the Board of Nursing and the Department of Corrections, which resulted in no disciplinary action being recommended or taken, the statement continued. Earlier this year we participated in the competitive RFP process for these services, and we understand that the states selection of a new provider which preceded the incident in question was in large part due to a lower priced bid. We are pleased that the new provider has chosen to hire many of our former leadership and team who can continue to serve the state. On July 1, Vermont began using VitalCore Health Strategies a Virginian company which bid approximately $20 million for the state contract. At a press conference Monday, Baker also announced the creation of the office of professional standards, which is a part of his departments new focus on equity, fairness and impartiality in the correctional system, he said. The Corrections Department is conducting an internal and personnel review, Baker announced, and the office of the public defender prisoners rights office is completing a report. Additionally, the secretary of states office has observed the licenses of healthcare providers involved, and the department has also asked the Human Services secretary and a law firm to look at how Johnson died in custody. Attempts to reach Johnsons family were not immediately successful. Associated Press material was used in this report. The Royal Navy has been testing the use of nets to stop migrants in the Channel, Priti Patel revealed yesterday. Military ships worked with UK Border Force in May and June, trying out tactics to deploy against small boats crossing from France. The Home Secretary made the disclosure as she blamed Paris for failing to get to grips with the migrant crisis. More than 2,750 illegals are thought to have reached the UK across the Channel this year, including a yet to be confirmed 90 who landed at Dover yesterday. The figure compares with just 1,850 during the whole of last year. On Sunday there were a record-breaking 180, crammed aboard 15 dinghies. More than 2,750 illegals are thought to have reached the UK across the Channel this year, including a yet to be confirmed 90 who landed at Dover yesterday Numbers are rocketing despite Miss Patel's promise, made in October, that she would have virtually eliminated the Channel crossings by now. Yesterday she said she was working to persuade the French to 'show willing' and allow arrivals to be turned back. Miss Patel claimed international maritime laws allowed the UK to stop migrant boats reaching British soil but that Paris interpreted the rules differently. 'I feel that there could be stronger enforcement measures on the French side,' Miss Patel told MPs yesterday. 'I'm looking to make changes. We have a major, major problem with these small boats. We are fundamentally looking at changing ways of working in France. 'I've had some very, very I think it's fair to say difficult discussions with my French counterpart even looking at interceptions at sea because currently the French authorities are not intercepting boats. 'And by that I mean even boats that are just 250 yards or so away from the French coast. 'A lot of this is governed by maritime laws and the French authorities' interpretations of what they can and can't do.' She confirmed that French patrol vessels will intervene to stop migrant boats only if they are seen to be sinking and not to prevent illegal crossings. On the Navy's involvement, Miss Patel told the Commons home affairs committee: 'We have been running a series of exercises in the water at sea involving a range of maritime assets, including military assets as well. The Home Secretary, pictured yesterday, made the disclosure as she blamed Paris for failing to get to grips with the migrant crisis 'We can bolster Border Force and demonstrate how we can safely pick up boats and transfer them back to France. 'That is effectively the dialogue that we are now entering with the French in terms of how they can work with us and show willing. Because it's doing their country no good whatsoever.' Tim Loughton, a Conservative MP on the committee, asked the Home Secretary: 'So can you confirm that you think the French do have the powers which they claim they don't to intercept boats at sea?' She replied: 'Absolutely right. And that is what we are working to achieve right down to sharing legal advice in terms of maritime laws. Through the pandemic where the weather has been good we have seen a surge in the numbers, and we have to end this route. 'We want to break this route, we want to make this unviable. The only way of doing this is intercepting and returning the boats back to France.' French interior minister Gerald Darmanin, who was appointed just ten days ago, will visit Dover next month to see the impact migrant boats have on the local community. 'The Home Secretary is increasingly frustrated with the French side, but we have new hope the new interior minister will want to sort this out,' said a Whitehall source. n Nine Eritrean stowaways were found in the back of a lorry at a Welcome Break services on the M40 yesterday. Police were called after witnesses saw movement in the rear of the parked truck in Oxfordshire. Edition Three of the World's Greatest Internship Instead of a right of passage, we asked ourselves how we could make internships impactful for people and the agency. We wanted to find a way to immerse emerging talent in the business of creativity in an effective way Worlds Great Internship (WGI), imagined by Butchershop and in partnership with Factry, Gretel and Prophet, announced today that applications are now open for Edition 3 of the Worlds Greatest Internship experience. New this year, WGI has evolved beyond the internship experience alone to launch the WGI Talent Network, a platform for hiring emerging creatives now. Applicants who are vetted by partnership agencies, whether selected or not for the internship experience, have the opportunity to join the new WGI Talent Network. The brainchild of business and brand consultancy Butchershop, the WGI Talent Network is a hiring tool for companies ready to put their money where their mouth is and support the hiring of diverse emerging creative talent from around the world. Emerging creatives apply for free, and in turn, all applicants are vetted by partner agencies, ensuring that the creative talent is extraordinary in its ability to get noticed. Creative talent portfolios are then showcased for member agencies to seek out new hires and start conversations. Requiring partner agencies to have consensus on their talent selections creates a pool of emerging creative talent that is ready to contribute immediately to client work and agency culture in meaningful ways. Were truly at an advantage in that weve been able to build WGI and the internship experience over the past three years, founded on our core value of helping people. Many of us have experienced internships that just didnt deliver. Instead of a right of passage, we asked ourselves how we could make internships impactful for people and the agency. We wanted to find a way to immerse emerging talent in the business of creativity in an effective way, said Trevor Hubbard, CEO and Executive Creative Director of Butchershop. It has only become more glaringly obvious to us and other agencies in the industry just how important it is to elevate undiscovered voices from all walks of life. We stand with folks trying to make a way for themselves, and for companies that are willing to invest in diverse talent in a real way. Now in its third year, the internship experience will select interns to travel around North America with program stops in New York, Montreal and San Francisco, spending two months at three agencies, totalling six months. As the foundational aspect of WGI, the internship experience application is open to everyone. Interns selected are fully compensated, with salary, travel and accommodations paid by the program through agency partners. Another perk of the WGI Talent Network, creative agencies and companies that make a hire are eligible for a generous 50% discount to send any new employee to a one week workshop at Factry in Montreal. Factry is a school of creative science that forges creative minds capable of finding innovative solutions to contemporary problems. They offer training for students and professionals. Full teams can even join for a fraction of the normal cost, leveling skills up together for a more collaborative work environment. Butchershop, WGI, and Factry co-created the training program and put it into practice for the WGI Edition 2 internship experience in which 20 people attended for an intense week in Montreal with great success. The internship experience will postpone commencement until Spring 2021, with selections announced shortly before. More importantly, all applicants will immediately, once vetted, be integrated into the talent community, paving the way for potential employment today. For interns looking to apply to the internship experience and creative companies interested in hiring the best-in-class emerging creatives, please visit https://www.worldsgreatestinternship.co/. Follow us on Instagram @worldsgreatestinternship To stay up to date on everything Butchershop is creating, please visit http://www.butchershop.co or follow us on Instagram @butchershopcreative. About Butchershop Butchershop is an independent, award-winning brand consultancy based in San Francisco. Our vision is to build a creative agency for the future of culture and commerce with our mission to help leaders turn big ideas into brands people love. We do this through our expertise in brand, organizational, and experience design. Our client partners range from B2B, B2C, early stage to late stage startups and Fortune 500 teams across all verticals that includes work with Okta, Zenefits, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Good Eggs, Nike, Converse, and Mountain Hardwear. U.S. crude production in April declined by the largest amount in more than a decade, according to a new report. The nations output was slashed by 670,000 barrels a day during the month, falling to about 12.1 million barrels a day from about 12.7 million in March, according to a report published Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration, which tracks monthly production levels. April was the first full month in the U.S. with business and travel restrictions to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Texas, the nations top oil producing state, saw the biggest decrease in crude production in the country during April, falling by 234,000 barrels per day in April to 5.2 million barrels a day, the EIA said. Production declines of that magnitude usually arise only in natural disasters such as hurricanes, the federal agency said in the report. Oil and gas companies in March began temporarily shutting down thousands of wells in response to the pandemic-induced demand destruction that sank prices to a record negative-$37.63 per barrel in April. That month saw the largest drop in crude production since hurricanes Ike and Gustav reduced production by more than 1 million barrels per day in September 2008. At the same time, crude producers have halted drilling new wells in response to the oil crash. Rystad Energy, a Norwegian research firm, on Tuesday said it expects energy companies around the world to drill about 55,350 wells this year, the lowest in at least 20 years and a 23 percent decrease from almost 72,000 wells drilled worldwide in 2019. RECOVERY: Energy secretary: Oil and gas will come back very, very strong Karr Ingham, a petroleum economist with the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, said he was surprised Rystads forecast for drilling activity this year was not worse, considering the number of operating rigs in the U.S. has fallen by more than 60 percent since mid-March. The figure has declined for 20-straight weeks to 258 from 791 in February, according to Baker Hughes, a Houston oil-field services company. If you spin that out, the decline in rig count alone in Texas might suggest the impact on number of wells drilled will be worse, Ingham said. The rig count is still going down, so the number of wells drilled will keep going down. In recent weeks, however, energy companies have begun to reopen closed wells and restart drilling as business restrictions eased and demand and the price of crude slowly increased. The price of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, settled Tuesday at $40.29. Still, the EIA expects U.S. crude production to average 11.6 million barrels per day in 2020, down from an average of 12.2 million per day in 2019. The future of the oil and gas industrys recovery is tenuous, Ingham said. OPEC and Russia are to meet Wednesday to discuss new production levels, and the number of coronavirus cases has risen sharply in the U.S. and other countries recently. I have the sense that crude oil prices could be worse in the near term, Ingham said. It wont take us back to the catastrophic levels of low demand at the worst of the pandemic, but anything that slows the economic progress or sends it into a mild decline will have some effect on crude oil prices. Its a choppy process. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Wed, July 15, 2020 20:53 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066695802 4 Inforial Free This year should have been the beginning of a decade of concrete action to achieve targets set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. However, these ambitious targets now face a significant setback due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. The latest UN Sustainable Development Report 2020 indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to cause severe negative impacts on most SDGs, specifically SDG 1 (ending poverty), SDG 2 (ending hunger), SDG 3 (achieving health and prosperity) and SDG 8 (full employment and economic growth). Finance Minister Sri Mulyani said that COVID-19 could drive more Indonesians into poverty and unemployment as the pandemic batters the countrys economy Under the bad scenario, 1.1 million new poor and 2.9 million new unemployed people will be added. The worst-case scenario projects 3.78 million people will fall into poverty and 5.2 million will lose their jobs. These setbacks are doubly unfortunate, given that progress has been achieved since the SDGs were first adopted five years ago by 193 countries. Several signs of progress by the private sector were noted in a recent report released by the UN Global Compact, Uniting Business in The Decade of Action. The private sector remains a key actor with the capability to push for the achievement of the SDGs. Based on the report, 84 percent of companies globally have taken concrete action to advance the Goals. However, of this number, only 46 percent have implemented the SDGs principles in their strategies, operations and overall supply chains. Separately, a mini-survey by the Indonesia Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD) found that 81.8 percent of companies in our country will continue to work to achieve the SDG targets, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Sihol Aritonang, Chairman of the IBCSD, said the new normal era had in fact provided a new momentum for achieving the SDGs, despite increased poverty and unemployment issues caused by the pandemic. Sihol, who is also the president director of leading pulp and paper company PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (PT RAPP), the operating arm of APRIL Group, said that intensive collaboration between the government, business players and the community, as well as other stakeholders, was essential to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. Sihol provided an example of the partnership between PT RAPP and surrounding communities near the companys operations in Riau. Through an intensive community development program, several micro, small and medium businesses in the vicinity receive practical advice to maintain their operations and generate income, despite difficult market conditions. Improving human resources is a key challenge in Indonesias development agenda. (./.) SDGs and human resources Another challenge to address, in terms of achieving the SDGs in Indonesia, is the need to develop the countrys human resources, especially among development actors individual or organizations that invest their resources and integrate all of their activities for better progress in achieving sustainable development goals. The SDG Academy Indonesia - a collaborative initiative among the UN Development Program (UNDP), Tanoto Foundation, and the National Development Planning Ministry (PPN/Bappenas) - is a capacity-building program to build expertise between both government and non-government actors in implementing the SDGs at a local level. At the academy, several face-to-face and online capacity-building programs with experts in the SDG field, both from within and outside the country, have been devised as part of a unique curriculum. The SDG Academy Indonesia programs will include development of SDG-oriented leadership, sustainable development management capabilities, monitoring and reporting, and policymaking. The first batch of SDG Academy Indonesia participants is scheduled to start at the end of 2020. As well as classroom sessions and online classes, the SDGs Academy Indonesia will offer overseas study programs. Development is our responsibility. In accordance with the SDG principles of inclusiveness and 'no one left behind,' the Tanoto Foundation acts as a catalyst for partnerships, with the government, the private sector and other development partners collaborating to achieve the SDGs in Indonesia. The introduction of the SDG Academy Indonesia, which is the first initiative of its kind in Indonesia, is part of the Tanoto Foundation's commitment to implementing an ambitious, transformative and universal program working toward poverty alleviation and sustainable development for all, said Satrijo Tanudjojo, Global CEO of Tanoto Foundation. Taking real action in the face of the new normal is not easy, said Satrijo. However, the principle of "no one left behind" can only be pursued if all parties from government to the private sector and local communities -- continue to collaborate and innovate, regardless of the impact of COVID 19 pandemic, he said. Impacted by COVID-19 pandemic: Based on the 2020 Sustainable Development Report, the COVID-19 pandemic, in the short term, is expected to have the potential to cause severe negative impacts on most SDGs, specifically SDG 1 (ending poverty), SDG 2 (ending hunger), SDG 3 (achieving health and wellbeing) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). (./.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 15 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Armenian attack on Azerbaijan civilians presents a potential threat for the peace in the region, Ansar M Bhatti, editor-in-chief of Pakistan's Daily Islamabad Post newspaper, told Trend. Starting from the afternoon on July 12, units of the Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the ceasefire in the direction of the Tovuz region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border, shelled Azerbaijani positions using artillery mounts. Commenting on the situation Bhatti said that the Armenian aggression is no doubt condemnable in all its forms and manifestation. "The Armenian attack on peaceful people of Azerbaijan constitutes a potential threat for the peace in the region. We believe, the world community must take cognizance of this unwarranted attack," he said. "We in Pakistan believe Azerbaijans territory of Nagorno Karabakh is illegally occupied by Armenia. Constant border violations by the Armenian forces have also become the order of the day," Bhatti said. He emphasized that the prevailing situation makes it mandatory both for the regional and global forces to stand against Armenian atrocities. "We also pray for those who lost lives and extend sympathies to their families," Bhatti said. He added that the Daily Islamabad Post of Pakistan has also covered the latest changes in the situation at the frontline in their latest issue. Of Rs 75,000 crore of the India Digitisation Fund that Google plans to invest in India in the next five to seven years, Rs 33,737 crore will be invested in Jio Platforms. The transaction, subject to regulatory and other applicable customary approvals, will be aimed at tapping the affordable smartphone market yet again. "India is the second largest smartphone market in the world and still underpenetrated relative to many other markets (40 per cent smartphone penetration). This presents a big opportunity for ecosystem players and companies including Google, which are eyeing growth opportunities in this market. Today's investment in Jio is surely not a surprise when compared to the underlying opportunity. This can be leveraged in many ways especially with a partner like Jio which has strong platform ambitions to scale not just in India but globally as well," says Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research. The two companies will together rethink on how to upgrade millions of users to smartphones with internet connectivity and collaborate to develop 4G/5G smartphones with an optimised Android operating system and Play Store for downloading apps. However, this isn't the first time when the two companies are trying to capture the entry-level market. In September 2014, Google had rolled out its Android One platform with Indian brands Micromax, Karbonn and Spice. The sub-Rs 5,000 smartphones from all the three brands were almost identical with a 4.5-inch display, 1GB RAM with 4GB internal storage, a 5MP camera and a 1700mAh battery. Launched with high hopes, these Android One devices weren't popular among consumers. And soon, Android One was all about near-stock version of Android, minus the affordability tag, with an increasing number of brands including HMD adopting the platform. On the other hand, Jio too has been trying to capture a share of this untapped market. The LYF Android smartphones were priced at less than Rs 6,000, and over 5 million units of Jio's smart feature phones with access to YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook, and 4G network, were sold in less than two years. "The affordable entry-level smartphone play, in association with Google, has the potential to unlock and fuel the growth of entry-level smartphone market. There was a vacuum in the entry-level smartphone segment. Both players have, in the past, tried to focus on this segment with limited success. The new partnership will be an attractive value proposition to drive forth affordability, accessibility and availability of smartphones, and in doing so, will further fuel India's digital economy," says Prabhu Ram, Head- Industry Intelligence Group (IIG), CMR. Reliance's Jio Platforms has raised a series of funding over the past two months. Google's investment will translate into a 7.73 per cent equity stake in it on a fully diluted basis. Also Read: India posts first monthly trade surplus in 18 years as coronavirus hits imports Also Read: Reliance AGM 2020: Mukesh Ambani brings bitter rivals Facebook and Google together Also Read: 'UK may move into digital slow lane': Huawei responds to Britain's ban On Monday night, Fox News host Tucker Carlson took 75 seconds out of his show to try to stem a tide of backlash that has flowed since Friday, when his top writer, Blake Neff, resigned from the network after being linked to offensive online posts. Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott and network president Jay Wallace had condemned Neff's "horrendous and deeply offensive racist, sexist and homophobic comments" in a memo on Saturday and told staff that Carlson would "address" the controversy on Monday. While stopping short of an apology, Carlson called Neff's anonymous chat forum comments "wrong" - but he denied any rhetorical link to Neff's work for him: "We don't endorse those words. They have no connection to this show." One person who doesn't think that Carlson needed to say anything apologetic on Monday night was Mike Lindell, of Minnesota-based pillow manufacturer MyPillow - Carlson's top advertiser. "Why should someone apologize for something someone else does?" Lindell asked in an email exchange with The Washington Post on Tuesday. The company founder and CEO thought the host handled the situation properly. "He said what he should have said," Lindell said. "He said the comments were terrible." Lindell's comments hold additional weight because of the outsize role his company plays in supporting Carlson's show. Over the past three months, ending June 30, MyPillow was responsible for nearly 40 percent of all paid advertising on Carlson's show, according to data from measurement company iSpot.tv. Just in the month of July, MyPillow has spent 44 percent of the nearly $5 million in advertising that has aired on the prime-time show. Carlson's Monday night show included two spots from the company, totaling just over four minutes in run time. Lindell is something of a folk hero in conservative media circles, referred to colloquially as "the MyPillow guy" by supporters who swarm him at political conferences and events. He appeared at the White House on March 30 to talk about his company's efforts to produce masks for health-care workers. But, he's especially familiar to Fox News viewers, considering how frequently his ads run on the channel - particularly during the network's prime-time opinion programming. In the three-month period ending June 30, MyPillow was the network's top advertiser, according to iSpot.tv, and spent more than double the second-biggest advertiser, Nutrisystem. "I feel blessed to be able to advertise on all of the major networks and national cable stations, including on Tucker Carlson Tonight," Lindell said. "I advertise MyPillow to help people across the country. I support my business, our customers and my employees." In recent weeks, Carlson's show has lost a few major brands as advertisers. One previously unreported split came with Connections Academy. The online education institute ran an ad on Carlson's Friday night edition, but that was a mistake, a spokesperson for parent company Pearson told The Post on Tuesday. "Hate speech, in any form, is not tolerated at Connections Academy and the schools we support," the spokesperson said. "We stopped advertising on Tucker Carlson a month ago. Several ads inadvertently ran over the weekend as a holdover from a previous Fox advertising schedule." Google Search has been promoting videos hosted by its own platform, YouTube, even when competitors' versions are more popular according to an investigation. The Wall Street Journal reports that an investigation that used autonomous bots to search for content found YouTube systemically promotes its own videos over those hosted by competitors like Facebook. In its tests, the Wall Street Journal says YouTube's videos were 'significantly more prominent' than those hosted by other platform in the 'vast majority of cases.' YouTube videos often show up first in Google searches even when they're not as popular as videos hosted by competitors According to the Journal, searches for 28 videos hosted by the food blog, Tasty, which appeared on both Facebook and YouTube pulled u the YouTube version came up first all but one time- YouTube also occupied 61 percent of the slots in Google's video carousel. The report says that one nearly six-minute video about caramel desserts on Facebook which had 5.4 million views - 89 times the number of views of the YouTube version - still showed up first in Google's search results. That trend persisted even when videos on other platforms were technically more popular. The test was also corroborated by sources within Google according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the report, engineers there have purposely stacked Google Search to favor YouTube videos so that they show up first in results. This, according to the Wall Street Journal, helps to ensure that Google drives traffic towards YouTube's content and gives them an advantage with its advertisers who are looking for the biggest user base. A Google spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal: 'Our systems use a number of signals from the web to understand what results people find most relevant and helpful for a given query.' The spokesperson, however, declined to comment on the specific examples turned up in the investigation. As noted by The Wall Street Journal, revelations about Google's preferential treatment may fuel frequent anti-trust complaints against the company which have bubbled up over the past two decades. (Photo : REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo) FILE PHOTO: Visitors check their phones behind the screen advertising facial recognition software during Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC) at the National Convention in Beijing, China April 27, 2018. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft allegedly used images of individuals without authorization to train facial recognition technology in breach of an Illinois provision for biometric privacy, federal lawsuits say. The photographs were part of IBM's "diversity of faces" database, which is meant to root out ethnic and gender disparity of facial recognition. The data contains 1 million photographs of human faces, annotated with tags including facial symmetry, length of the nose, and forehead length. ALSO READ: Boston Banned Its Government From Using Facial Recognition Technology Did they take advantage of the biometrics? Bloomberg said the two complainants from Illinois argue their photographs have been used without their permission in that data collection, despite explicitly identifying themselves as Illinois citizens. Collection, storage, and use of biometric information are illegal without written permission in Illinois under the Biometric Information Privacy Act, passed by the Illinois legislature in 2008. According to the lawsuit, the defendants chose to use and take advantage of biometric identifiers and information scanned from images uploaded from Illinois, operated via Illinois-based user accounts, computers, and mobile devices, and/or developed in Illinois. "In doing so, [defendants] exposed Illinois residents and citizens to ongoing privacy risks within Illinois, knowing that [their] conduct would injure those residents and citizens within Illinois." Facial recognition has faced resistance from proponents of privacy and politicians, and several cities have banned such municipal use. Last year, Democratic lawmakers suggested banning the use of technologies such as facial recognition for public housing units. Nonetheless, facial recognition devices are on track to become omnipresent at airports and shopping centers. Some firms sell them to police departments. Critics cite reports that indicate the system has low levels of accuracy for women and minorities. The system can become an unnecessary and invasive form of surveillance, they claim. Companies like Clearview AI, which has technology that allows users to recognize individuals by comparing their faces to images scraped from the internet, have raised questions about the technology's strength. ALSO READ: Amazon's Thermal-Detecting Tech Dahua Violates Human Rights, Reports Say Have they commented already? IBM faced criticism from some photographers, experts, and advocates for not informing people that their photographs were being used to develop facial recognition technology. The complainants claim IBM obtained the photos from the Flickr photo platform. According to CNET, IBM said that it takes privacy seriously and that users can opt-out of collecting data. IBM was a strong supporter of regulating facial recognition. Still, the company announced in June that it is withdrawing from the facial recognition market, saying it is worried that it will be used to encourage discrimination and racial inequality. ALSO READ: Homeland Security Used Surveillance Drones and Helicopters to Monitor George Floyd Protests The cases brought in California and Washington state courts where the corporations are located class-action status, as well as punitive damages and restriction of the computer operations of the defendants. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ALSO READ: Can China Now Identify Someone Using Facial Recognition Even If They're Wearing a Surgical Mask? 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Close-Up Of Hand Removing Paper Currencies From Pocket More than 70,000 Australians have passed through hotel quarantine since 27 March, a two-week period some have described as akin to jail. But not all returned travellers have been subjected to the 14 day stay, with at least 40 who have skipped Queensland hotel quarantine to isolate at home, Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles revealed. Questioned following reports that Dannii Minogue was isolating in her Gold Coast home, Miles said the option to isolate at home was open to anyone who can cover the health monitoring, testing and security costs equal to those provided in hotel quarantine. Dannii Minogue. Image: Getty Weve had a small number of people apply to pay for their own quarantine provided by a third party, a trusted third party, a contractor. And thats what happened in this case. I understand theres been about 40 of these approvals, the applicant has to fund them for their own expense, they have to provide security and surveillance, medical attention and testing, so its not cheap, Miles told ABC Radio National this morning. These requests are assessed by our chief medical officer independently and she assesses them purely on the health and safety aspects. He said this wasnt a case of special treatment for Australias wealthy as quarantine wasnt a punishment but a public health issue. I understand people saying that [it is special treatment], Miles said. The intent of our quarantine isnt to punish people for coming here, its to keep the community safe. And if people can put in place arrangements that satisfies our chief health officer that it would keep the community safe then that meets the objective of the policy, Miles said. Chief Medical Officer Jeannette Young confirmed Minogue had a COVID-safe plan which was managed by an independent third party. Under the plan, the isolator needs to provide evidence that they will not be coming into contact with the community as well as the same or greater levels of health supports and testing that would exist in hotel quarantine. Story continues She is funding all of those arrangements, Young said. Australians entering hotel quarantine in NSW and South Australia will now be required to pay $3,000 to cover the cost of their stay, while in Queensland it costs $2,800. NSW Health states that returned international travellers do not have the option to quarantine at home. There are special circumstances where a person could be exempt from the Public Health Order and able to self-isolate at home. Exemptions are only considered where there are strong medical, health or compassionate grounds, or the person is transiting out of NSW to an international destination other than a Pacific Island country, it states. The Northern Territory charges arrivals $2,500 a fortnight, while Western Australia has said it will begin charging as of 17 July but has not yet included a pricing scale. Victoria has closed off its borders to international travellers as it battles surging cases, many linked to hotel quarantine failures. Want to take control of your finances and your future? Join the Womens Money Movement on LinkedIn and follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Defence Headquarters says troops of Exercise Sahel Sanity have killed six bandits and foiled their attempts to rustle livestock in Katsina and Zamfara States between July 13 and July 14. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, in a statement on Wednesday, said the feat was achieved on July 14 following receipt of credible intelligence. Mr Enenche, an army major-general, said the troops, backed by helicopter gunships of the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji, stormed the bandits enclave at Komani Hills within Rukudawa general area of Zamfara. He added that the troops overwhelmed the bandits with superior firepower, killing six while others fled with gunshot wounds. According to him, one GPMG, one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 34 motorcycles were recovered. The coordinator further disclosed that the troops had earlier on July 13 responded to a distress call on an attempt by armed bandits to rustle cows at Kasele Village in Batsari area of Katsina State. He said that when the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, the bandits fled in disarray and abandoned the rustled animals. According to him, the gallant troops have maintained a presence in the village and normalcy has been restored. The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for their dexterity and encourages them to remain resolute and sustain the offensive in the North-West zone of the country, he said. (NAN) Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:35:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The world anticipates Europeans to take measures to protect the Iranian nuclear deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), against its collapse, said an Iranian diplomat. Gholam Hossein Dehghani, Iran's ambassador to Belgium, wrote in an article on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the clinch of JCPOA, saying "it would be a failure of EU values" if the deal collapses. Dehghani penned the article against the backdrop of perils for the abortion of the JCPOA after the U.S. unilateral exit from the pact and EU's "insufficient" response to Washington's intention to paralyze Iran's economy and to hurt its economic interests guaranteed under the deal sealed five years ago. The JCPOA was reached in July 2015 to find a long-term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. It was endorsed by the UN Security Council and supported by the EU. However, U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the multilateral nuclear agreement in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions against Iran. Iran then began to gradually reduce its commitments under the pact in retaliation for Washington's departure and Europe's "failure to honor their commitments." Iran has repeatedly criticized Europe's sluggishness in facilitating Iran's banking transactions and its oil exports which have been targeted by U.S. so-called maximum pressure campaign. "How Europe behaves towards the JCPOA, particularly under the current circumstances, determines the fate of its quest for foreign policy integration in the years to come and will irrevocably define the sort of player it aspires to be on the international scene," Dehghani noted. Enditem We are thrilled to be part of Hivestacks programmatic ecosystem and are looking forward to an exciting partnership that will be a significant source of our companys programmatic revenue strategy. PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, Canadas leading Out-of-Home (OOH), Transit and Digital display advertising company, and Hivestack, a Montreal-based ad tech company specializing in programmatic Digital Out-of-Home, announced today at the DPAA Video Everywhere Canada Summit that both parties have entered a partnership that will usher in a new era of Canadian programmatic transactions. As part of the partnership, PATTISON has programmatically connected its massive, coast-to-coast DOOH advertising footprint to the Hivestack Supply-Side Platform (SSP). This means Hivestack buyers will now have the ability to activate 4.8 billion new monthly impressions across 1,600 DOOH screens in Canada. Cam Milne, VP & GM at PATTISON Outdoor commented: PATTISON embraces innovative technology partners that have the ability to add complementary revenue to our direct sales force. Hivestack has clearly demonstrated they are able to successfully drive programmatic revenue to Canadian DOOH companies. We are thrilled to be part of Hivestacks programmatic ecosystem and are looking forward to an exciting partnership that will be a significant source of our companys programmatic revenue strategy. Andreas Soupliotis, CEO of Hivestack shared: Its an incredible honor for Hivestack to work with PATTISON and Cam Milne, a true Canadian powerhouse in DOOH. Our relationship means that PATTISON can use the Hivestack SSP (on a self-serve basis) to offer one-time or evergreen Private Marketplace (PMP) Deals to Hivestacks huge roster of programmatic buyers. In addition, PATTISON can effortlessly monetize their unsold inventory programmatically on the open marketplace via the Hivestack Exchange with PATTISON having full control over CPMs and creative approval of their screens. Now, Hivestacks programmatic buyers will be activating both PMPs and Open Exchange buys from PATTISON. Hivestack believes we are the largest Demand-Side Platform (DSP) in Canada in terms of programmatic revenue, and so we look forward to seeing our impressive budgets extend to PATTISON. Two of Hivestacks buyers, some of the largest programmatic DOOH buyers in Canada, Kinetic Worldwide and Matterkind commented on the Hivestack / PATTISON partnership: Riina Clydesdale, President of Kinetic Worldwide Canada shared: We are so thrilled to see PATTISONs fantastic inventory available for programmatic purchase from within the Kinetic DSP (a white-label version of the Hivestack DSP). PATTISONs DOOH footprint offers unparalleled scale, coast-to-coast across Canada. Kinetic anticipates significant programmatic activations on PATTISON screens in the immediate future. Many of our clients have shown a sharp interest in programmatically activating PATTISONs DOOH scale and so the timing is perfect. Julie McMillan, Director of Emerging Platforms at Matterkind also expressed her excitement on the long-awaited partnership between PATTISON and Hivestack. "Matterkind prides itself on driving connected experiences through a channel-less approach by using the most advanced, people-centric technology to reach audiences and deliver high-impact creative across multiple touchpoints. Partnering with Hivestack has given us the ability to do so in the DOOH space, and with the inclusion of PATTISONs incredible inventory in Hivestack, we can continue to drive this amazing channel even further for our clients with greater reach and better results. About Hivestack Hivestack is a global, full stack, marketing technology company that powers the buy and sell-side of programmatic digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising. On the buy side, marketers use Hivestacks Demand-Side Platform to create measurable campaigns that activate DOOH screens in real time based on consumer behaviour and audience movement patterns. On the sell-side, DOOH media owners use Hivestacks Supply-Side Platform & Ad Exchange to attract programmatic revenue. DOOH media owners can also use Hivestacks Ad Server to power audience-based, directly sold campaigns. Attribution is a first class-citizen throughout Hivestacks platform, offering buyers and sellers the ability to measure business outcomes at all stages of the consumer sales funnel. Hivestack is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and has global operations in Toronto, Tokyo, London, New York and Sydney. For more information, please visit https://www.hivestack.com About PATTISON Outdoor Advertising PATTISON Outdoor Advertising, a division of The Jim Pattison Group is Canadas largest Out-of-Home advertising company. PATTISON Outdoor helps brands and businesses harness the power of Out-of-Home advertising by providing the most comprehensive range of products, markets, insights and customer support services. With its roots reaching back to 1908, PATTISON has been providing innovative solutions for Out-of-Home advertising opportunities with products ranging from traditional billboards to transit, digital, airport, residential, office, and street level formats. PATTISON is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and includes over 25 sales offices across the country, providing advertisers unmatched reach and coverage with products available in over 200 markets coast to coast. For more information, please visit https://www.pattisonoutdoor.com/ About Kinetic Canada Worldwide Kinetic, the world's largest and most innovative Out-of-Home (OOH) planning agency brings forward the future of OOH communication for brands. Kinetic uses intelligence, technology and creativity for brands to communicate with valuable audiences on the move. Kinetic persistently pioneers new ways to make OOH interactive, social, and measurable. A global agency network within WPP, Kinetic has 27 offices in 16 countries and an operating network of affiliates worldwide serving hundreds of agencies and brands. For more information, please visit https://kineticww.com About Matterkind Matterkind connects people to what matters connecting brands to the right audiences, and people to the right content. We offer brands a strategic partner in creating lifetime customer value across addressable activation. In a fragmented media landscape, Matterkind leverages best-in-class technology to deliver comprehensive and optimal addressable solutions. Our proprietary data and tradecraft, combined with an audience-first approach, enables us to drive better business outcomes on behalf of agency partners and clients. Matterkind operates in over 70 markets worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.weareMatterkind.com (Bloomberg Opinion) -- The age of coronavirus has presented investors, analysts, journalists and researchers with two data problems. First, traditional government numbers such as unemployment and gross domestic product growth only come out once a month or once a quarter, making it hard to spot fast-changing trends as they occur. Second, the pandemic produces a lot of unusual economic effects that make traditional numbers harder to interpret. For example, the large number of workers who were sent home but who still received paychecks caused some confusion about whether official unemployment numbers were accurate. And the spread of Covid-19 itself is a crucial factor in economic performance, but federal government agencies have been peculiarly slow to collect good data on key indicators such as hospitalization and testing. In response to these problems, many people are turning toward alternative data sources. In the internet age, private companies gather a vast amount of information very quickly -- restaurant reservations, airline tickets, job listings, product prices, rents and many other pieces of information. These alternative data were naturally garnering steadily more attention in the years before the pandemic, but now theyre gaining even more in popularity. One good example is restaurant reservations. Those numbers provided prompt evidence that despite lifting lockdown orders, states like Texas, Florida and Arizona re-opened too quickly and now are suffering economically from rising infections compared with states such as New York, which took a more methodical approach to re-opening: Another example is how seriously states are taking contact tracing. My own volunteer-built website, www.TestAndTrace.com, has gathered data on the number of contact tracing workers states have hired. Researchers using these data have found a negative correlation between a states number of contact tracers and its subsequent case growth. Its clear that the states now experiencing the worst outbreaks have hired fewer contact tracers than their counterparts in the Northeast whose outbreaks are subsiding: Story continues Private data sources have also made it possible to track other economic shifts in real time. Twitter has declared a shift to fully remote work, so the company's remote job postings provide an indication of how much they intend to follow through on that promise. Ratings for the distance learning app Udemy hint at how popular distance learning is becoming. Rents near college campuses can help measure how much trouble college towns are in from tuition losses, cuts in state funding and restrictions on foreign students. Although private data sources offer the promise of fast, specific and novel information, using these data are also fraught with peril. One obvious reason is noise. Government agencies have developed lots of tricks for removing random errors and fluctuations from their data; most private data providers have not. And people using private data because it comes out quickly often look only at the last one or two data points, which increases the impact of noise. One painful example: When I mentioned a private websites wage data in 2018, what looked like a steep drop in wages turned out to be a blip when put in the proper context, but it alarmed many people in the meantime. A second caution about private data is that it tends to measure only one very specific thing. For example, data on the number of contact tracers dont show how well-trained and efficient they are, or whether long turnaround times for Covid-19 tests limit the effectiveness of test-and-trace programs. Data on rents dont fully reflect housing costs because house prices and rents can move in opposite directions. Restaurant reservations dont measure traffic for other kinds of businesses, and so on. Finally, private data is usually hasn't been put to the test of time. Most internet data series have only been around for a short time compared with government statistics that usually go back decades. This means that government researchers have had much more time to make sure that their numbers are consistently economically useful and arent compromised by unmeasured long-term trends or changes in the way the data is gathered. Lots of private data probably contains big undiscovered measurement issues or will eventually turn out to be less useful than initially hoped. As private-sector economist Jed Kolko notes, the key is to use private data sources as a complement to government numbers, rather than as a substitute. This means, first of all, that investors and writers should be cautious about reporting or betting on private data. If its possible to wait for government numbers before making a decision or reporting a trend, do it. Second, private data series should be interpreted qualitatively rather than quantitatively; they can show which way the economic winds are blowing, but not how strong the gusts are. And finally, its crucial to look at as many different private data sources as possible to confirm that trends arent illusory. The proliferation of fast, novel private data sources will help us better understand economic trends in real time and at a higher level of detail. We just have to be very careful to use that data appropriately. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Noah Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He was an assistant professor of finance at Stony Brook University, and he blogs at Noahpinion. 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. Among the many products announced today, Xiaomi also introduced their Mi Curved Gaming Monitor 34. It features a high refresh rate, WQHD curved panel with high colour accuracy, variable refresh rate technology, a Low Blue Light Mode and more. The Mi Curved Gaming Monitor is a 34-inch curved display with a resolution of 3440 x 1440, a refresh rate of 144Hz, and a curvature of 1500R. It has a peak brightness of 300 nits and 3000:1 contrast ration for a clear and vivid viewing experience. The monitor supports AMDs FreeSync Premium that eliminates screen tearing and also has a Low blue light mode that reduces the possibility of eye strain from harmful high energy blue light. It is also great for creativity tasks like photo editing, thanks to its wide colour gamut and support for 121% of the sRGB colour space. The ultra-wide display is makes it perfect for multitasking and viewing applications like stocks. The included monitor stand is height, tilt and rotate adjustable, and it can also be wall mounted if the user wishes. The Xiaomi Mi Curved Gaming Monitor 34 will be available in Europe for a price of 399 (Approx. Rs. 34,221). Source By Online Desk Saying that he has worked very hard to bring Congress back in power in Rajasthan, party's rebel leader Sachin Pilot told media on Wednesday that he is not going to BJP. "I am not joining BJP. Some leaders in Rajasthan trying to fuel speculation that I am joining BJP but I am not doing so," he said. Congress, meanwhile sent notice to Pilot and 18 other party members, for not attending CLP meetings. In an apparent reference to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's camp, Pilot said some leaders in Rajasthan were trying to fuel speculation that he is joining the BJP and that he would like to categorically state that he was not doing so. "If they don't respond within two days, then it will be considered that they are withdrawing their membership from CLP," said Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pande. Pilot has been upset since the Congress picked Gehlot as the chief minister after the 2018 assembly polls, while his own supporters insisted that he deserved credit for the party's victory as its state unit president. The current crisis erupted last Friday when the Rajasthan Police sent a notice to Pilot, asking him to record his statement over the alleged bid to bring down the government. The same notice was sent to the chief minister and some other MLAs, but Pilot's supporters claimed that it was only meant to humiliate him. The Special Operation Group (SOG) had sent out the notices after tapping a phone conversation between two men, who were allegedly discussing the fall of the Gehlot government. Pilot and his two loyalist ministers were sacked from the Ashok Gehlot Cabinet on Tuesday, buoyed as it was by the chief minister showing his strength the Congress Legislative Party meeting the previous day. Apart from Pilot, Vishwendra Singh and Ramesh Meena were also axed from the ministry, Ashok Gehlot later conveyed to Governor Kalraj Mishra in writing, seeking his approval. ALSO READ | Explained: Why Congress chose Ashok Gehlot over Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan power tussle Pilot was also sacked as the state Congress unit president. In his place, Govind Singh Dotasara was appointed state PCC chief. However, the drama is not fully over as the Pilot camp as well as the BJP asked Gehlot to prove his strength on the floor of the Assembly. The buzz in Jaipur is Gehlot is confident about his numbers and might want to take a floor test in a few days. And Pilot is expected to speak his mind on Wednesday. The axe fell after the second CLP meeting in as many days, which was boycotted by the Pilot camp. The meeting adopted a resolution authorising action against the rebels, who are holed up at a resort in Gurugram. The CLP meeting was held at the Fairmount resort where all of them were shepherded to by Gehlot. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala later announced the big punitive action. He said Pilot was ensnared by the BJP into working to bring down the Congress government although he was given a lot of respect and key posts all through his career in the party. Party sources said the high command decided to take firm action after Pilot ignored repeated communication to join the CLP meeting and discuss his grievances there. Pilot was not ready to yield and Gehlot on firm ground as he enjoyed support of most of the MLAs. Even the partys top leadership was against hard bargaining with Pilot. All efforts to find a middle ground failed, said a senior party leader. ALSO READ | Govind Singh Dotasara - the minister who replaced Sachin Pilot as Rajasthan Congress chief Both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka were in touch with him but he decided to push his rivalry with Gehlot too far without accepting that he does not enjoy majority support to validate his claim for the CMs post, said another party leader. After meeting the Governor, Gehlot charged that Pilot had been working with the BJP for the past six months to topple his government. Pilot and his group are simply obeying whatever the BJP is dictating to them. The resort where they are staying has been organised and managed by the BJP and those people who are experts at toppling governments are controlling the entire game in the resort. Pilot and his loyalist MLAs continued to stay in Gurugram. A video clip from his camp appeared to show they had 16 MLAs. Later, the Maharashtra unit of the Congress suspended former spokesperson Sanjay Jha, who had already been dropped from his post. The action was taken for anti-party activities and breach of discipline. The Pilot camp also demanded a floor test in the state assembly to know the number of legislators backing Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. ALSO READ | Rajasthan crisis: BJP asks MP coup leader Jyotiraditya Scindia to deal with Sachin Pilot The Ashok Gehlot camp has been saying that they enjoyed the support of 109 MLAs, a claim contested by the Pilot loyalists. In the run-up to the Congress Legislature Party meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday, Pilot loyalist Ramesh Meena said, "A floor test should be conducted in the assembly. This will expose the claim that the Ashok Gehlot government has the support of 109 MLAs." Meena is among the MLAs who skipped the Congress Legislature Party meetings on Monday and Tuesday. He, along with Sachin Pilot and Vishvendra Singh, was removed from the state cabinet later in the day. The Congress has also sacked Pilot from the post of the party's state unit chief. Senior party leader and Sardarshahr MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma too claimed that the figure of 109 being projected in the support of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is incorrect. The MLA said he will not join the BJP but wants a change in the leadership. "The figure of 109 figure being project is completely fake. The Congress has 107 MLAs. We are 22 together and six more will join us. Not more than 81 MLAs are on the other side, otherwise, what was the need to show the strength before the media and camp the legislators in a hotel," Sharma said. He said the situation will become clear once the floor test is conducted. The seven-time MLA also "blamed" Congress general secretary Avinash Pande for the mess, accusing him of being "one-sided". He said the government is not in a position to save itself. Another Congress MLA, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, too had raised the same demanded on Monday. "We want a floor test at the earliest, which will make the situation crystal clear. We are with the Congress and Congress (state) president Sachin Pilot," Singh had told reporters on Monday. Congress MLA Murari Lal Meena, who is close to Sachin Pilot, alleged that Chief Minister Gehlot neglected party leaders and workers who worked hard for five years. In a tweet, he said, "Improvement is necessary to save the Congress. Otherwise, the party will get only 11 seats in 2023 (assembly elections)," Murari Lal Meena said. Meanwhile, Ramesh Meena along with Vishvendra Singh and party MLA Deepender Singh Shekhawat, issued a statement, saying they were taking a stand at a time when their leader was "threatened with notices from the SOG under charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy". "We have for years worked with dedication, devotion and service towards the party. And we are taking a stand to protect our dignity and self-respect," they said. The statement further said, "This is unprecedented in the Indian democracy and the Congress Party, for whom we have toiled with sweat and blood. Under the leadership of Sachin Pilot, we have made every effort in the past six years to strengthen the party and bring it to power in Rajasthan at a time when it had been reduced to an insignificant number in the state assembly." Public humiliation of Sachin Pilot is something that is totally unacceptable and those responsible for meeting out this treatment need to be made accountable, it said. The MLAs said they want that their self-respect be restored as they are not "clamouring" for any post or position, contrary to reports in the media. We have been senior members of the Congress for many years and have held many positions within the party and the government and are not lured by inducements, they said in the statement. The numbers game In the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the BJP 72. An estimated 102 MLAs, including allies, attended the CLP meeting called by Gehlot on Monday. Among the Congress allies in RS polls, the Bharatiya Tribal Party with two MLAs decided to stay neutral in the floor test. (With ENS and PTI Inputs) A contractor has learned how to 'coexist' with cartel members who once tried to install an illegal antenna on the company's property to improve the criminal network's communication system. A young technician shut off the electricity at a cellular tower in rural Mexico to begin some routine maintenance when he was suddenly joined by three armed men dressed in fatigues emblazoned with the logo of a major drug cartel. The traffickers had a particular interest in that tower, owned by Boston-based American Tower Corp, which rents space to carriers on its thousands of cellular sites in Mexico. The cartel had installed its own antennas on the structure to support their two-way radios, but the contractor had unwittingly blacked out the shadowy network. The visitors let him off with a warning. 'I was so nervous... Seeing them armed in front of you, you don't know how to react,' the worker told Reuters, recalling the 2018 encounter. 'Little by little, you learn how to coexist with them, how to address them, how to make them see that you don't represent a threat.' The contractor had disrupted a small link in a vast criminal network that spans much of Mexico. An engineer told Reuters that cartels have placed illegal antennas on about 20 percent of towers where his firm works while another said about 30 percent of his sites had them when local criminals were particularly active in his area in 2018. The antennas allow the criminal organizations to communicate with their own two-way radios A woman walks past a cellular tower in the municipality of Guadalupe, Mexico. Criminal organizations install their own illegal antennas on cellular towers that are already in place and functioning to improve their network's communication system In addition to high-end encrypted cell phones and popular messaging apps, traffickers still rely heavily on two-way radios like the ones police and firefighters use to coordinate their teams on the ground, six law enforcement experts on both sides of the border told Reuters. Traffickers often erect their own radio antennas in rural areas. They also install so-called parasite antennas on existing cell towers, layering their criminal communications network on top of the official one. By piggybacking on telecom companies' infrastructure, cartels save money and evade detection since their own towers are more easily spotted and torn down, law enforcement experts said. The practice has been widely acknowledged by telecom companies and Mexican officials for years. The problem persists because the government has made inconsistent efforts to take it on, and because companies have little recourse to stop it, experts on law enforcement and Mexican society said. 'There is a sense of powerlessness' in Mexico, said Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute in Washington. He said companies feel they 'cannot respond to issues like this because [they] are afraid of the consequences from groups that essentially enjoy impunity.' Mexico's Defense Ministry said it provides security for federal agencies that request its help in dismantling 'parasitic equipment' installed by cartels on cell towers. The nation's Attorney General's office did not respond to a request for comment about criminal activity at these sites. The Federal Telecommunications Institute, Mexico's telecom and broadcasting regulator, said its compliance unit had not received reports of parasite antennas from any companies under its jurisdiction. Reuters found that drug trafficking organizations continue to exploit the telecommunication system in Mexico through the placement of illicit antennas on cellphone towers which improve the way the cartels operate Reuters has provided the first in-depth account of how traffickers exploit Mexico's telecom infrastructure and the toll it takes on workers. The news organization interviewed 14 current and former telecom workers about the interactions that they and their colleagues have had with criminal groups at cell towers. Twelve of them said they had seen parasite antennas on towers belonging to Telesites SAB de CV, a tower rental company in which the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is a major shareholder; as well as American Tower, U.S. carrier AT&T Corp, Spain's Telefonica SA and Mexico's Axtel SAB de CV. Reuters is omitting the technicians' names, details of where they work and most names of cartels they encounter for the workers' protection. Two technicians shared texts they exchanged with colleagues regarding on-the-job run-ins with organized crime at the cell towers, and one of them shared a photo of an illicit device he discovered in the course of his work. The incidents the 12 workers recounted occurred between 2015 and 2020 in several Mexican states. Most of the technicians said they encounter the devices, known colloquially as narco-antennas, just a few times a year. But one engineer who spoke with Reuters estimated that parasite antennas are present on roughly 20 percent of towers where his firm works, while another said about 30 percent of his sites had them when local criminals were particularly active in his area in 2018. Their No. 1 rule when discovering cartel equipment on a tower is simple: Don't touch it. Dealing with gangsters in person is trickier, they said, requiring diplomacy and a cool head. Some said their interactions have been cordial, bordering on friendly. Others said they have been threatened, detained and at times fearful for their lives. The traffickers 'convey their superiority, ...it's like when someone wants to mark their territory,' one technician said. 'I can't get nervous because they pick up on when someone is secure and when someone is very afraid.' Cartels and other criminal groups sometimes demand telecom workers pay 'security payments' or 'quotas' in order to perform maintenance on towers and other tasks, according to five contract laborers who have worked on projects involving America Movil SAB de CV, Slim's telecommunications firm, as well as American Tower and AT&T. These people said the best strategy is to be polite, stay calm and pay up immediately. Those costs get passed along to their employers; laborers for subcontractors said their firms often charge the big telecom companies higher rates for working in dicey areas. A spokesman for America Movil and Telesites declined to comment. Axtel, which sold some of its telecom towers in 2017, said it had not received any reports of incidents on its remaining infrastructure. AT&T said that 'under no circumstances' does it 'tolerate or authorize payments outside of those established by law.' An American Tower spokesman said 'we have not received any credible reports' of parasite antennas or other cartel activities at the company's Mexican sites. He said the firm alerts local authorities immediately if a site is vandalized, and that 'the safety of those who work on our towers, as well as the towers' continued secure operation, are our top priorities.' Guillermo Ramos, Telefonica's director of security in Mexico, said the company has not received any reports of parasite antennas over at least the past year. Narco-antennas are just one aspect of telecom companies' headaches in Mexico. Criminals raid their infrastructure for batteries and copper cables to resell on the black market, executives in the sector told Reuters. Stories like this are unfolding in industries across Mexico as criminal groups branch out far beyond drugs. Cartels have siphoned millions of dollars' worth of fuel from Mexican state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos or Pemex in recent years; they steal cargo and pilfer lumber. The tentacles of organized crime extend even into Mexico's avocado growing regions, where gangs extort farmers and hijack loads of the green fruit. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office in 2018 advocating a softer approach to his predecessors' war on drugs with the motto 'hugs, not bullets.' The cartels' encroachment on legitimate businesses did not start on his watch. But the change in strategy has left companies with nowhere to turn, said Mike Vigil, a former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA]. 'Lopez Obrador has sent a message to all of Mexico, including the private sector... that he doesn't want a confrontational situation with the cartels,' Vigil said. 'Telecom companies are caught between a rock and a hard spot.' Lopez Obrador's office did not respond to requests for comment. The president previously has insisted that Mexico must tackle poverty and other factors that drive crime, in addition to using law enforcement. 'We must continue confronting organized crime... There is no longer protection for anyone, as there was before,' Lopez Obrador said in early June. 'We are committed to achieving peace and we have made progress in combating, in reducing, crime.' Radios are an indispensable tool for cartels and part of their lore. One classic narco-ballad or 'corrido' celebrating the notorious Zetas syndicate depicts members speaking over their two-way handsets. When it comes to communicating in real-time with large groups, radio is tough to beat. These networks are often encrypted and, unlike cellular networks, the location of someone using a radio can't easily be pinpointed, said Paul Craine, a former director of the DEA's operations in Mexico and Central America. A vast web of antennas is necessary to power those networks, and Mexico's thousands of cellular towers, many tucked away in rural areas, provide ready-made places to install them. Craine said he consistently observed cartels latching onto cellular towers while working in Mexico from 2012 to 2018. To a trained eye, cartel equipment sticks out like a sore thumb. At the foot of the tower, criminals place a base station, which generates the radio waves, often tucked into a suitcase or picnic cooler for protection from the sun, according to Craine and the technicians who spoke with Reuters. Higher up they install parasite antennas to project the signal. Gangs typically don't bother with camouflage. The Zetas are particularly brash, Craine said. He recalled seeing coolers emblazoned with their logo: the letter Z. A former engineer for Huawei Technologies Co, the Chinese telecom vendor, told Reuters that one of the workers he supervised sent him a photo of a device on a Telesites tower in early 2018 with a sign that read: 'This antenna belongs to the Zetas. If any problems arise, please call...,' followed by a phone number. Cesar Funes, a vice president of institutional relations for Huawei in Latin America, said he had not received any reports of parasite antennas. Telesites declined to comment. The equipment persists on companies' networks, industry executives and law enforcement experts said, due to the difficulty of rooting out the devices across far-flung towers, and the risks that removal might pose to engineers in the field, many of whom don't report them out of fear. Telecom companies quietly have acknowledged the cartels' presence in meetings with Mexican government officials. Gerardo Sanchez Henkel, a former director of compliance for telecom regulator IFT, told Reuters he discussed the issue of parasite antennas regularly in meetings with companies before leaving government in late 2015. The IFT said it did not know whether Sanchez Henkel had discussed the issue with companies during his time in government. Marco Galvan, who was a senior director for telecom trade group GSMA in Mexico until February, said companies often lamented theft and the presence of unauthorized devices on their towers. 'It was an issue that was frequently cited by all the operators as something that inhibited investment,' he said. The National Association of Telecommunications [ANATEL], a trade group representing players including America Movil, AT&T and Telefonica, said companies it surveyed reported 62 parasite antennas from 2017 through mid-2018, the most current data available. Nearly 3,000 batteries were stolen from cell towers over the same period, it said. ANATEL CEO Gabriel Szekely said he had no more information to provide on the phenomenon. He told the Mexican newspaper Reforma in 2018 it was clear that criminal groups were capitalizing on what companies had built. 'Suddenly you find devices that are not yours, they belong to organized crime,' Szekely told Reforma. 'And there are places where they do not even let you in to maintain your own facilities.' In the worst criminal hot spots, maintaining towers often comes at a price. The five telecom workers who told Reuters that they or their colleagues had been forced to pay up said those encounters typically involved groups of armed men confronting them at the towers. The workers are sometimes unsure of exactly who they are dealing with. In some parts of rural Mexico, self-defense organizations have emerged to fill the vacuum left by the state, with these vigilantes often running elaborate extortion schemes to fund their operations, security analysts said. Two people who work for an AT&T subcontractor said there are a number of towers where they routinely pay 500 to 1,000 pesos [$22.34 to $44.67] any day they want to perform maintenance. One of the people estimated the number of towers at 11. Reuters could not independently confirm those payments. Sometimes the demands are larger. In 2017, a group demanded a payment of about $1,000 from subcontractors working on a large project for America Movil involving multiple towers, according to an engineer who was involved. The criminals called a representative of Huawei, which was overseeing the job, to escalate the threat, the person said. The engineer said the criminal group was courteous throughout the negotiations, addressing workers as 'usted,' a Spanish pronoun that conveys respect. The telecom crew had no trouble after they paid. 'It was a gentleman's agreement,' the engineer said. America Movil declined to comment. Reuters could not independently confirm the payment. That worker said Huawei pays subcontractors more to work in high-risk areas, which enabled the crew to recover what it paid. He showed Reuters a copy of a contract that included an 'allowance for site in dangerous city.' Two other subcontractors told Reuters that allowance has helped them cover the cost of extortion payments. Funes, the Huawei executive, denied the company pays criminal groups for access to its sites, and said Huawei does not permit subcontractors to do so either. He said the company sometimes pays higher rates in smaller markets where it is more difficult to find engineers. A spokesman for Huawei said the company could not comment on specific allowances, citing the confidentiality of its contracts with suppliers and employees. 'We will never pay anything that is [beyond] the scope of the contract,' Funes said. Technicians who work in dangerous parts of Mexico say making nice with drug traffickers is a crucial part of the job. One subcontractor said traffickers stick close to his crews to ensure workers don't touch cartel antennas, and to be certain they are not enemies who have come to spy on them. 'You work with a narco-escort,' the subcontractor said. Cartels have kidnapped technicians doing maintenance on cellular towers to make them fix their networks, people working in the sector said. The technicians usually are released after a few days, if not sooner. Still, those who spoke with Reuters said they live in fear of being forced by traffickers to do such work, lest they be killed for knowing too much, or become targets of authorities or rival criminal groups for being complicit. Whenever possible, they said, they downplay their expertise. After traumatic run-ins with cartels, some technicians refuse to go into the field or have left the industry entirely, people working in the sector said. One subcontractor estimated that 10 workers, primarily new recruits, quit his company over the past year due to security concerns. Quebec Police Come Up Empty on Seventh Day Searching for Father of Girls Gound Dead ST-APOLLINAIRE, Que.Quebec police have searched for seven days and have failed to locate the father of the two girls found dead over the weekend in a rural area southwest of Quebec City. Investigators say they consider Martin Carpentier, 44, the key to understanding what happened to sisters Norah and Romy Carpentier, who were the subject of an Amber Alert last week before their bodies were discovered. As the operation stretched into its seventh day Wednesday, Quebec provincial police scaled back their communications effort surrounding the manhunt. Late Tuesday, they took to social media to say they would no longer provide updates unless there was new information. Earlier this week, Sgt. Anne Mathieu told The Canadian Press the search would continue as long as they had evidence to guide it. The day we wont have any further elements, then probably it will be the time to suspend what is going on here, but as long as we have the elements to pursue, we will be there, Mathieu said. The search has been concentrated on a 50-square-kilometre area around the Quebec City suburb of St-Apollinaire, where the bodies of Norah and Romy Carpentier, aged 11 and 6, were located Saturday. Police have said the girls and their father were believed to have been in a serious car crash on Highway 20 in St-Apollinaire one week ago, but there was nobody inside the vehicle when they arrived on scene. An Amber Alert was launched Thursday but lifted two days later when the girls were found dead. Provincial police said they found pertinent elements in the search area Sunday but as of Tuesday, they said its unclear whether the suspect is alive or dead. Autopsies were performed on the two girls, but police have declined to reveal the cause of death as long as Carpentier isnt found. A funeral will be held for the sisters next Monday afternoon in Levis, Que., the girls hometown. On Wednesday, police combed the park where a memorial had been set up for the sisters following a tip about a sighting that proved unfounded. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:58:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHICAGO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A study of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that gut bacteria may play a role in causing the severity of chikungunya virus infection in people. The researchers studied mice without normal gut microbiomes. They used two kinds of mice: germ-free mice, which had been kept under sterile conditions since birth and therefore never developed a gut microbiome, and ordinary laboratory mice treated with a cocktail of two commonly used antibiotics to reduce the complexity of their gut microbiomes. The researchers infected groups of germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice with chikungunya virus, as well as a group of laboratory mice with normal microbiomes for comparison. The virus multiplied and spread rapidly in the mice that lacked gut microbes, reaching high levels in the blood and in tissues far from the site of infection. Further experiments showed that key immune cells were impaired in the mice without a normal gut microbiome. The researchers then infected three groups of mice with chikungunya virus. One group was treated with antibiotics to eliminate their gut bacteria, a second was treated with antibiotics and later given Clostridium scindens to repopulate such bacteria in their intestines, and the third group didn't receive antibiotics at all, leaving them with normal gut microbiomes. The researchers drew blood one day after infection and offered the blood to mosquitoes to feed on. More than half of the mosquitoes that sampled the blood of the antibiotic-treated mice became infected, compared with less than a third of the mosquitoes that fed on blood from the mice with normal microbiomes or with only C. scindens. The study suggests that a healthy microbiome could help reduce the chance of severe chikungunya disease and possibly even reduce community spread by disrupting the transmission of virus from person to mosquito to another person. The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria that live in the intestines. Gut bacteria metabolize and chemically modify some of the material that comes through the digestive tract, generating vitamins and other compounds as byproducts that then are absorbed by cells or other microbes, and help regulate inflammation and the body's response to infection. Chikungunya virus has infected millions of people in the Americas since 2013, when mosquitoes carrying the virus were discovered in the Caribbean. About half of all people infected with chikungunya virus never show symptoms, while some develop fever and joint pain that lasts about a week, and 10 percent to 30 percent develop debilitating arthritis that persists for months or years. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Cell. Enditem Nurses Janil Wise, left, and Melinda Gruman, working in the OB triage tent at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, discuss testing options last week for a pregnant patient who was exposed to a person with COVID-19. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Indicating the coronavirus surge is not slowing, Los Angeles County public health officials Tuesday reported the highest single-day count of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations since the pandemic hit. The worsening conditions come as California closes many businesses that had been allowed to reopen in May as officials try to slow the outbreaks. But Los Angeles said that if the trends don't change soon, even more restrictive measures will be necessary. Los Angeles County confirmed 4,244 new cases and 2,103 hospitalizations Tuesday. Of those hospitalized, 27% are in intensive care. The county also reported 73 additional deaths one of the highest single-day counts reported. It's possible that number may reflect a lag in reported deaths over the weekend, officials said in a statement. Mayor Eric Garcetti has warned that the city of Los Angeles is inching closer to the highest threat level and an imminent shutdown as dangers posed by the coronavirus continue to loom. While the city of Los Angeles COVID-19 threat level remains at orange, we are on the border of going to red, Garcetti said Monday night. It is up to all of us that we dont. The county is not facing a ventilator or intensive care bed shortage, but the number of hospitalizations is rising. And while the mortality rate has not skyrocketed, as younger people now account for the majority of new cases, the number of infections continues to rise. Garcetti says the city is not in red-level territory yet, but that could change if the situation worsens. Red is when everything shuts down again to our strictest level. I do want to warn people that were close to that, he said. The virus' toll is worse in Los Angeles County and throughout the state now than in the pandemics history. And while some parts of the country, such as former hot spot New York, have recently reported a decline in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, California has seen a continued surge. Story continues There have never been more infections or reported daily positive cases in Los Angeles than there are currently a reality that continues to affect the rate of hospitalizations. Weve never had as many people in the hospital as there are tonight in Los Angeles, Garcetti said. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Monday that while the mortality rate is stable, the increase in hospitalizations will probably result in increased deaths. The sharp rise in cases can be attributed to a variety of reasons, many linked to the state's reopening strategy. Officials have reported that outbreaks at indoor work settings and factories as well as private gatherings are major areas tied to the surge. Garcetti said the county is aware of certain clusters, such as those at garment manufacturer Los Angeles Apparel, where 300 employees contracted the virus and four have died. The mayor also said there are anecdotal reports of other outbreaks, such as one at an indoor dinner party for 30 people after a wedding that left half the diners infected. More than 140,000 coronavirus infections and 3,894 related deaths have been recorded in Los Angeles County, the bulk of the states totals. If we were an independent country, Los Angeles County would have the 20th most cases in the world. Put differently, we have more cases in Los Angeles County than all of Canada, Garcetti said. According to Johns Hopkins Universitys coronavirus tracker, Canada has recorded more than 110,00 cases of the virus. In the absence of a vaccine or medical therapies, officials have previously emphasized the need for testing as the only true barometer of the virus spread, and one of the few weapons available to fight against the illness. But amid a nationwide shortage in supply and high demand in Los Angeles County that has outpaced the availability of materials, officials are now shifting their message. Over the last week, officials have increasingly emphasized that because a test result accounts for only a single day, it is not foolproof in determining whether a person is truly negative for the virus. And in the time it takes for a person to receive a test result, the reality could change. This has always been true, but the message previously was one of widespread encouragement for the necessity of testing. California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said Tuesday that the state is working on new guidelines for testing to ensure that the most vulnerable have prioritized access. "Although we want to maintain access for the general population to testing, focusing first on those whose clinical course or community can really benefit from this more targeted testing approach not as an exclusive but as an initial priority group is very important for us. Especially during this time where transmission is high and turnaround times have increased," Ghaly said. The state is testing about 105,000 people a day, Ghaly said, and the cost of a test is $100 on average. The shift in language and guidance around testing comes as California reverses course on reopenings. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order Monday for all counties to cease indoor operations of various businesses, including restaurants, wineries and zoos. More than 30 other counties, including Los Angeles, that had previously received that mandate were instructed to impose even stricter rules by shuttering indoor operations at hair salons and barbershops, nail salons and personal care facilities, fitness center, indoor malls and places of worship. "The virus is not going away anytime soon," Newsom said. The body of the Ukrainian soldier who was killed on July 13 has been taken from the temporarily occupied territory in Donbas, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters has reported. "Today, on July 15, the body of a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was returned from the temporarily occupied territory, who was killed on July 13 near the village of Zaitseve," the JFO headquarters said on Facebook. It is noted that preparations are underway for transporting the body of the defender to the burial site. As reported, on July 13, Russian mercenaries fired at a group of Ukrainian soldiers who were evacuating the body of a soldier of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the village of Zaitseve. As a result of enemy fire, a military medic was killed, one soldier was injured, and another received a combat wound. The prosecutor's office in Donetsk region launched a pretrial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of the war, coupled with premeditated murder, by representatives of armed groups of the Russian Federation not prescribed by law. On July 14, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak and Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Roman Mashovets left for Donbas to study the circumstances of shelling of the Ukrainian military in the area of the settlement of Zaitseve (Donetsk region). Those who thought complaints of insufficient coronavirus testing reflected politics more than reality may be reconsidering. Nick Mulvaney, president Donald Trumps former chief of staff, wrote on Sunday, I know it isnt popular to talk about in some Republican circles, but we still have a testing problem in this country. He reached that conclusion after his son had to wait more than five days for test results, and his daughter, who wanted to get tested before visiting grandparents, was told she didnt qualify for a test. Mulvaney, who was otherwise supportive of Trump, encountered a problem untold others have been describing for months. But his speaking out was noteworthy since it contradicted Trumps claims of a model testing program. As COVID-19 continues a summer rampage in numerous states that largely escaped the spring wave, there are new complaints of shortages of testing supplies including swabs and chemicals, known as reagents, used to process tests. Its causing long delays in receiving test results and limiting the people who can get tested. Thats a problem, since widely-available tests and fast results are central to the strategy of quickly identifying people who are infected, isolating them, and tracing their contacts to find and isolate others who may be infected. Further, it can deny testing to people who may have been exposed, and need to know whether its safe to go near family or household members who are especially vulnerable to getting seriously ill or dying. The demand for tests due to surges in states including Florida, Texas and California is sucking supplies away from other states. There are signs its being felt in Pennsylvania. At Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, doctors on Tuesday stressed that fast results are critical to preventing spread of COVID-19 within the hospital, and assuring non-COVID-19 patients its safe for them to seek care. For example, Penn State Health and most if not all other hospitals are testing everyone who enters the hospital, including those in need of elective procedures and other non-COVID care. Dr. Susan Promes, the chair of the department of emergency medicine, said Penn State Hershey has multiple suppliers of reagents and the supply is holding up. Still, she said the center is being judicious in its use of tests, using versions that yield slower results for people who wont be staying at the hospital, and reserving versions that produce results within 90 minutes for people being hospitalized. Discussing the ability to test people and get results quickly enough, Promes said were doing OK on that front right now. On Monday, state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine was asked about the shortages, and whether it was hurting Pennsylvanias ability to quickly isolate people who are sick and trace their contacts. She said getting results fast enough for adequate contact tracing is a real challenge One of the things were concerned about is the delay in terms of getting results. Levine said the state laboratory, which processes the tests of people in nursing homes and other high priority settings, is returning results in 24-48 hours. She said most hospital labs can produce similarly fast results. But she said there can be delays of seven days or more with national companies including Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, which are processing many tests done in Pennsylvania. She attributed to problem to those companies being inundated with tests from the hard-hit states. She said the situation poses a real challenge in terms of being able to tell people that theyre positive and do isolation, and then do the contact tracing. Levine said she had calls scheduled with Quest and LabCorp to discuss the long waits, which she called a national issue. In recent weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf has held up the availability of tests in Pennsylvania as a highlight of the pandemic response. Levine this week said Pennsylvania has been averaging more than 15,000 tests per day for more than a month, and recently did more than 22,000 in a day. She said the state has surpassed an early federal goal of testing 2% of the population per month. She said the state is closing in on testing 4%, and would like to surpass that, since it would mean a substantial number of people who have no symptoms but might be carrying COVID-19 are getting tested. In addition to the state lab, the hospital labs and the national testing chains, CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart are offering tests in Pennsylvania. But holes in access to testing remain. For example, Hamilton Health, a federally supported medical clinic in Harrisburg, is gearing up to provide mobile testing at city locations as well as more remote parts of its service area in Dauphin and Perry counties. The plan is to advertise times and locations where people can get tested on a given day. In Perry County, officials are working with Hamilton and Carlisle-based Sadler Health Center, another federally-supported clinic, to provide moving testing locations. Officials in such areas see convenient access to tests as critical to preventing outbreaks that could create new pressure to close businesses or schools, or create fear that could keep people away from places such as restaurants even if they remain open. 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. People take photos of him and his horse, he said, and as usual, he pauses to give kids a chance to ride. Hollingsworth keeps his horses in the south suburbs and trucks them into Chicago for rides through city streets. Fans have compared him to Batman and lauded him for a June peacekeeping trip into the Latino Little Village neighborhood to defuse tensions over fears of looting by Black protesters. The cowboy got a very warm reception from Little Village. The main party in Tunisia's ruling coalition has enlisted the support of two opposition parties to call a vote of no-confidence in the government over suspected conflicts of interest involving the prime minister. Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said on Monday he would reshuffle the cabinet in the coming days in what appeared to be a step to remove the moderate Islamist Ennahda's six ministers from the government to stem the crisis. But Ennahdas swift response to call the vote and rally support could make Fakhfkah's cabinet the first government not to last six months in a country that has been working to rebuild its shattered economy since the uprising of 2011 sparked the Arab Spring revolts and brought in democratic rule. An independent member of parliament published documents last month indicating the prime minister, from a small liberal party, owned shares in companies that had won deals worth 44 million dinars ($15 million) from the state. He says he has done nothing wrong, but said he would resign if investigations being led by an independent anti-corruption committee, a parliamentary committee and a judge found he had. Fakhfakh was designated prime minister by the president in January after Ennahda failed to form a government after months of wrangling. He brought parties from across the spectrum into his cabinet - but they have disagreed on several policy areas. The list calling the no-confidence vote, to be held in two weeks, has been signed by 105 lawmakers including Ennahda, the opposition Heart of Tunisia and the Karama parties, as well as some independents. Ennahda and it allies need only more four members to reach the 109 votes needed to win the vote and oust the government. "We submitted the official request, due to strong suspicions of conflicts of interest involving the premier ... which could rise to a suspicion of corruption," Oussama Klifi a senior Heart of Tunisia leader, told reporters. Although Tunisia has managed to move peacefully to democracy after throwing off autocratic rule, successive governments have failed to tackle social hardship and unemployment. Tunisia has already asked four countries to delay debt repayments, as it announced more pessimistic economic and budget forecasts for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Search Keywords: Short link: When I first heard that Harvard Business School Dean Nitin Nohria had publicly apologized for the schools numerous failures to the African-American community, I was both surprised by his personal confession of complicity and highly skeptical that the anti-Black culture that he had led for a decade would substantially improve. As a senior lecturer at the school for seven years from 2012 to 2019, I had been regularly lobbying Dean Nohria on Black issues. I would initiate meetings with him every year in the fall and spring, armed with my sheet of paper with Black Agenda handwritten on the top. I wrongfully assumed that a man of color would want to rid the school of its anti-Black racism. Boy, was I wrong! There was no progress. And then, when I finally read his entire apology, I was outraged and glad that I had retired from the toxic anti-Black environment. The list of his initial reforms was so vague and inconsequential as to amount to Black-washing. For example, Nohrias most substantive commitment was a promise to create a webpage on the schools website dedicated to advance racial understanding. Seriously? There was no declaration to do anything specifically to include Black people by eliminating the anti-Black norms and practices. There was nothing then and nothing now, three weeks later. Thank goodness that companies like Netflix and its CEO Reed Hastings, did not follow Dean Nohrias do-nothing lead. These are the ideas of a politician, hoping that the current passion for real change fades. They are modest, insincere, and as an alum, embarrassing efforts to placate the need for more progressive steps to eliminate the schools anti-Black practices. They are entirely inadequate to address decades of neglect, of systemic racism in the culture of the business school. My cousin, who has an MBA from the University of Chicago, stated the disappointment perfectly when she said, HBS should be on the leading edge of anti-racism by setting an example for other institutions. Story continues I FELT AS IF I HAD BEEN POUNDING MY HEAD INTO ONE OF THE WALLS AT BAKER LIBRARY Steven Rogers was a senior lecturer at HBS for seven years Where am I coming from? For much of my seven years at Harvard Business School, I invested many hours trying to advance a Black agenda for the school, with results similar to what we see at Harvard College which is filled with Black students, faculty and teaching content about Black people. With envy, I used to always say that HBS will be recognized throughout the country as the epicenter for black people in business. It was my declaration after I arrived at the school in 2012 and immediately knew something was wrong and needed to be changed (see Harvard Business School Case Study: Why Progress Stalled For African Americans). It felt like I was stepping back in time. There were virtually no Blacks anywhere! A dearth of black faculty, students, in case studies, and no blacks in the staff, or leadership positions. Because this was my alma mater I sought to improve things. Those efforts were consistently met with passive-aggressiveness. Plenty of people nodded their heads in seeming agreement, but nothing ever changed. By the time I left last year, I felt as if I had been pounding my head into one of the walls at Baker Library. I believe that real change at Harvard Business School is impossible from within. The school is the perfect case study for perfecting systematic anti-Blackness. The latest evidence to support the belief that it cannot change from within is a wonderful effort, mounted on the eve of Juneteenth, by the two co-presidents of the Student Association to get the faculty to publicly strive to ensure that by the 2022-2023 academic year the case makeup within my course will as closely reflect the composition of the student body. The faculty resisted and the student leaders accepted their solution, followed by the students and faculty congratulating each other on mediocre results. To spare the non-signers of the Pledge any possible embarrassment, the students agreed that only the number of faculty who agree to the pledge will be made public, not their names. Instead of giving credit to the actual people who agreed to the pledge with a deadline of more than a year, they were manipulated into giving a less-than-consequential number. They were stonewalled, and HBS is not a better school today for their well-intentioned efforts. ANTI-BLACK BELIEFS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE SCHOOL So how many of the schools teachers actually agreed to this very modest goal? Only 90 professors out of the more than 230 full-time faculty positions at HBS have made the pledge, less than 40%, in the wake of worldwide protests over racial inequality and a national discourse over the treatment of African Americans in the U.S. The likelihood of anti-black norms and practices being abolished, is very low when 61% of the faculty will not even agree to have at least one case study with a Black protagonist in their course within the next two years. So it is as a former insider who knows this culture well that I make the following recommendations. As my former Section B classmates told me, Youre not some outsider. Youre a member of this family with a voice at this family table, come what may. I know that getting even one of these recommendations implemented at HBS will be almost impossible. This is evidenced by the inability to get even half of the faculty to pledge to include a case study with a Black protagonist. Anti-Black beliefs, practices and norms are so embedded in the school that it reminds you of the anti-Black feelings of the country when slavery ended and most Americans failed to support its abolition. Am I an out-of-touch radical? Hardly. If I were, HBS never would have accepted me as a student, selected me as a member of its Visiting Committee, or hired me to teach at the school. And Fortune 500 companies like SC Johnson would not have assigned me a seat in their boardrooms. And schools like Williams College would not have invited me to sit on their Board of Trustees. But, like many of my former colleagues at HBS who are rightfully committed to the inclusion of women, immigrants and LGBTQ people, I am a Race man, committed to the inclusion of Black people and dedicated to the betterment of the Black community through business. 12 STEPS TO MAKE BLACK LIVES MATTER AT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL If the Harvard Business School wants to make Black Lives Matter, it must include Black Americans in every fabric of the school including case studies, students, faculty, staff, leadership, hourly employees, operating expenses, philanthropy and investments. Specifically, I recommend the following: 1. HBS needs to mandate at least one case study with a Black American protagonist in each of the 10 first year, Required Courses (RC) for the 2020-21 class. None of the cases should be about Black athletes or entertainers or should make the protagonist the problem of the case. In other words, none of these cases should feed into negative stereotypes about the Black community. 2. HBS should require the publication of at least 25 (13 female and 12 male) new case studies annually, with Black Americans as protagonists. At least 13 of those cases should include people from the 2,500 Black HBS alums. 3. HBS admissions staff should annually visit and present at least 25 of the 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and at least 25 Black Student Union organizations at the countrys leading public and private universities, the same as it makes private visits to places like McKinsey & Co. and Blackstone. 4. HBS should increase the number of Black American MBA students to match the 14.3% of Harvard Colleges undergraduate class. But that increase should include 90% who have evidence in their background of caring for and helping the Black community. Last week I spoke to two black students who are members of the African American Student Union at HBS. I asked why the organization, and they individually, have not spoken out against the anti-Black practices at HBS? One student proudly told me that his calling was not to be a Dr. King or Colin Kapernick. That HBS was his chance to make a lot of money, and he was not going to jeopardize that opportunity. We do not need an increase in Black students like that, with an opportunistic mindset. We need Black students who pay it forward like the five Black MBA students at Harvard in 1968 who successfully pressured HBS to enroll more than handful of Black students. 5. HBS needs to increase the number of Black American professors to match the percentage at Harvard College. The business school now trails every other professional school at the university in under-represented minority tenure and tenure-track faculty. But like the increase in Black students, we need Black faculty who are not simply opportunists, who benefit from the fight of other Black people but give nothing back by, for example, having no relationships with Black students and writing no case studies with Black protagonists. 6. The school should never permit a group of all-white and/or Southeast Asian faculty to interview Black Americans for any job opening or promotion. While I do not intend to disparage the entire Southeast Asian community, I include the latter group because at HBS most have seemingly been as anti-Black as whites. Dean Nohria has done a wonderful job of appointing his own people to at least a third of all leadership positions on campus. But many of them, along with him, have practiced anti-black racism. For example, when Bharat Anand, who I was told is Nohrias brother-in-law, was promoted to the Vice Provost position at Harvard College in 2018, I sent a letter to Provost Alan Garber, informing him of Bharats stalling and unwillingness to meet with me to discuss the inclusion of Black case studies, faculty and programs targeting Black alums in the new HBX online program that he helped to create as a member of the HBS faculty. His inaction was the quintessential definition of passive-aggressiveness that excluded Blacks. 7. Harvard should implement the NFLs Rooney Rule for the hiring of all non-faculty leadership positions. A Black American candidate must be interviewed as part of the recruiting process. 8. HBS needs to spend at least 8.46% (in memory of the eight minutes and 46 seconds that George Floyd had a cops knee on his neck) of its an annual operating budget with companies owned by Black Americans, many of whom could be alums. 9. HBS needs to invest at least 8.46% of all investments in Black American financial services firms such as private equity firms, mutual funds, and investment banks, many of whom could be alums. 10. HBS needs to donate at least 8.46% of all philanthropic donations, to organizations like HBCUs that service the Black American community. 11. HBS should publish a note about the case for Reparations to Black Americans who are descendants of American slaves. 12. Like the Confederate monuments, Nitin should be immediately removed as the Dean of Harvard Business School. He should be replaced by a Black female, who is not presently at the school. Several Fortune 500 companies are implementing several of these recommendations. I am hopeful that HBS will commit to doing the same. It needs to begin the true healing of the wrongs done to Black people. As one civil rights leader said, If you stick a knife six inches into my back and withdraw it two inches, that is not healing. Only when you take it out completely can the true healing begin from your blow that caused the damage. Author Steven Rogers graduated from Williams College, where he majored in history, was an honor student, a leader in the Black Student union and played football. After earning his MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1985, he went to work as a consultant for Bain & Co. before becoming a successful entrepreneur. He began teaching entrepreneurial finance at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management where he had been voted Kelloggs Professor of the Year twice in the daytime MBA program and a record 26 times in the Executive program. In 2012, he began teaching at Harvard Business School as a senior lecturer for a seven-year stint. Co-author of a book on entrepreneurial finance, Rogers is the author of 24 business cases featuring Black businesspeople, cases he developed for a new course on Black Business Leaders and Entrepreneurship. He has also been a visiting professor at the United States Military Academy. Rogers is currently an advisor to the Steans Family Foundation, leading their work on economic development via Black entrepreneurship in a poverty-stricken community in Chicago. DONT MISS: HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL CASE STUDY: WHY PROGRESS STALLED FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS or HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN ASKED AT A TOWN HALL ON RACE: WHY ARE WE HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATION AGAIN? The post How To Make Black Lives Matter At Harvard Business School appeared first on Poets&Quants. There has been an uptick in new COVID-19 case numbers in Virginia. Richmonds Black and Latino community have been particularly hard-hit by the virus. Latinos make up about half of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city while being only 7% of the population. Young, of the 4th District, said before the meeting that he could not support any reopening plan that doesnt allow for any in-person instruction. By no means should anyone be naive about the limitations of virtual learning, he said in an interview. I really am so concerned for our kids and for the future. We have to acknowledge all of the threats and try to account for differences in science. Even if the School Board had decided to vote for any sort of in-person instruction, Gov. Ralph Northam could close schools again. He has said that if the state cant stay in Phase Three of reopening, which allows for in-person gatherings of up to 250 people, theres no reason to let kids go back to school. State direction is something that 3rd District School Board member Kenya Gibson wanted. The health and safety of students and staff and everybody in those buildings is our priority and concern, Ko said. Especially with everything changing daily, were trying to stay up to date with the (Illinois Department of Public Health) and other organizations providing information. When we return, we want to be fully prepared and set and have a full understanding of whats going on. Niagara Falls city councils decision to open and close a section of Centre Street to traffic each day could cost the municipality around $10,000 a week, says chief administrative officer Ken Todd. After a nearly one-hour debate Tuesday, council voted for what it hopes will be a compromise between businesses in the area happy with the temporary 24-hour closure between Victoria and Ellen avenues and those who say its hurting their bottom line. I really think its a reasonable compromise, said Coun. Victor Pietrangelo. We want to try to help all businesses, and right now weve hurt some by closing the actual street. On June 23, council approved a request by Victoria Centre Business Improvement Association to close part of Centre Street to vehicle traffic to help restaurants create or expand their patios during the COVID-19 pandemic while indoor dining is not permitted. While council heard about the positives, it also received opposition, including from a lawyer representing a parking lot owner saying the closure is harmful to the business. Rather than leaving the street closed all day, some councillors said a compromise would be to allow the road to be closed daily at 4 p.m. They hope that will help restaurants during their peak evening business hours while allowing other businesses, like parking lots, to benefit during the day. Ive gone down there three times at mid-afternoon, there is nobody on Centre Street and Ive gone down there the same evening and the closed area is packed, said Coun. Carolynn Ioannoni. I agree it benefits the restaurants and the businesses in the evening, but in the daytime it is crucifying them. It is particularly crucifying some of the businesses at the (Ellen Avenue) end. But some, including Todd, transportation engineering manager Mathew Bilodeau and Mayor Jim Diodati said theres a significant cost and time commitment, as well as logistical issues, with opening and closing the street every day. This could probably be something like $10,000 a week to do set up and take down. This is not a simple thing, said Todd, adding the operation will need the support of city and regional crews, along with Niagara Regional Police. Staffs going to try their best to do this, but logistically we just may not be able to deliver as council may wish on some of this stuff. He said police will be asked to help control the area during the opening and closing, regional staff will deal with traffic signal light exchanges and city crews will use equipment to move heavy flower-planters acting as on-street barriers. On-street decorative items will also have to be moved, as well as patios.. Its probably cheaper just to give this money, $10,000 a week, and subsidize the businesses, said Diodati. It will probably be safer and simpler and cheaper. Despite concerns, council voted for the motion by Pietrangelo to close the street at 4 p.m. and reopen it at the end of each day, and for the city to cover related expenses. The street closure would end when Niagara enters Stage 3 of the provinces reopening strategy, and restaurants can again allow diners inside. Councillors backed Pietrangelos motion, rather than a recommendation from the Victoria Centre BIAs board that the section remain closed until Sept. 8. The BIA said it would survey members on Centre Street weekly during the closure and reserve the right to reverse its recommendation at any time and reopen the street prior to Sept. 8. It said it would review the road closure with its members and the Clifton Hill BIA once the province announces Niagara has entered Stage 3. Meanwhile, council also approved what they hope will be a compromise between businesses that support and oppose the recent closure of Queen Street, between Buckley and Crysler avenues. Politicians backed a request from the Downtown Board of Management to reopen the section from Buckley to St. Lawrence avenues, but continue with the 24-hour closure from St. Lawrence to Crysler avenues. Tanya Gold (pictured) argues the idea of being unable to love someone who doesn't share your views is the height of narcissism NO by Tanya Gold Twitter has learned that actress Jodie Comer is dating a Republican who is presumed to be a Donald Trump supporter: a man named James Burke. She must, the cancel club has decided, ditch him for someone who shares her Leftist politics. If she wont, the hashtag #jodiecomer isoverparty may trend for ever. But the idea that you cannot love, or sleep with, someone who does not share your politics is the height of narcissism. Do you want to look at your love and see only a mirror image of yourself? Where is the excitement or the jeopardy in that? Isnt that self-love, rather than love? It is fashionable, on the madder reaches of the Left, to hate your political opponent, and to refuse to engage with them: to no-platform them. This is not only bad politics, as the last election showed who would have guessed that people prefer persuasion to being screamed at? it also reduces those in your life to a collection of people who share your views. If you allow yourself to be so limited, you wont change as you age, and you will lose the ability to be surprised. You will end up being the sort of person who shouts at bus stops. I am a social democratic Jew and eight years ago I married a Christian Tory. I think we were both baffled, but love will out. I shout at him when election time comes, of course, and I think the Resurrection probably didnt happen, but I feel that I have no right to change his views, which are, to be fair, wettish Tory. I wouldnt want to. If he changed himself for me, and became a person in my image, would there be anything left of him to love? I find his country Toryism seductive, with its promise of Agas and wet dogs and transgressive kisses in front of Newsnight. Im a Jew married to a Christian Tory. Love will out It does rather limit your sexual opportunities if you are only prepared to jump into bed with people who want to talk about how great Rebecca Long-Bailey is. My suspicion is that young far-Leftists date their mirrors because they are too cowed to date opponents, then dash off to watch porn alone. Wouldnt they rather shout at Russias Vladimir Putin, Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Brazils Jair Bolsonaro, or any other tin-pot tyrant thriving across the globe while the Left polices attraction? This invasion of peoples private lives is outrageous. I hope Jodie ignores her critics. Social media wont keep you warm at night. Flora Gill (pictured) said political views are a reflection of your principles and morals YES by Flora Gill Writing someone off for a political view is often seen as intolerant or close-minded. But, to paraphrase the old adage, politics is personal the political beliefs you have reflect your deepest values. I may accept certain opinions when theyre debated over dinners or even discussed with friends, but when it comes to the person Im seeing, Im not embarrassed to say my bed can be partisan. A few years back, I went on a date with a boy Id met at a friends party. He had a kind, wonky smile and wore scarves no matter the weather. But despite the date progressing well, he shared political views I saw as being rooted in sexism (maternity rights and abortion legislation both came up). I walked out of the bar, deciding not to go on to dinner. Why? Because your political views are not the same as hating Game Of Thrones or making your tea with the milk first. They reflect your principles and morals. Lets face it, a man who doesnt value maternity rights at work is unlikely to treat his wifes career with the same importance as his own. And its not just about views that will personally affect your lives together. If a man went up to my best friend and her girlfriend and told them their love wasnt real or equal to that of his straight friends, I would dump him immediately. So why would I be willing to date anyone who said they were against gay marriage? These may seem like extreme examples, but they were hot topics of political debate just a few years ago. Dating isnt a BBC panel show. Sharing values matters If you can see why these would be deal-breakers, then theres no reason the issues we feel just as strongly about today shouldnt create the same moral lines. Views on Black Lives Matter, immigration, trans rights and even the dreaded Brexit are all reason enough to break up with someone. Its not a matter of Can I overlook this? it will make them less attractive to you. Of course, who Jodie Comer dates is not up to her fans, but if his views are truly the polar opposite to her own, theyre likely to cause more issues than just a trending hashtag. Because when it comes to your bed and your life, youre allowed to be picky and draw red lines. This isnt a BBC panel show or school debate club. You dont need to give equal time to different opinions. If you feel so strongly about a political view that you see it as sitting on moral lines, you should break up with someone who doesnt agree. If you fundamentally believe their opinions are wrong, youll never be able to see them as Mr/Mrs Right. SMITHTOWN, NY Uno "The Number One Pup," a 1-and-a-half-year-old Australian cattle dog/shepherd mix, was named the Smithtown Animal Shelter's featured pet of the week. "This sweet and loving guy can play all day long and will never get bored," the shelter said in a news release. "Uno is the perfect dog for an active family who enjoys spending quality time outdoors and will exercise Uno as a fun part of the daily routine. He gets along well with children, but would prefer to be the only pet in the house." If you are interested in meeting Uno, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting, which includes the shelter's Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs and the Dog Walk trail. Family Pet Meet and Greets and at-home interactions are also welcome and an integral part of the adoption process. Uno, a 1-and-a-half-year-old Australian cattle dog/shepherd mix, was named the Smithtown Animal Shelter's Pet of the Week. (Credit: Town of Smithtown) Due to the coronavirus, the Smithtown Animal Shelter has had to restrict public access to confirmed adoption appointments and animal/wildlife rescue. Hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays and Wednesday evenings are by appointment only. To inquire about the Pet of the Week or to meet your potential soulmate, call the Smithtown Animal & Adoption Center at 631-360-7575. The Smithtown Animal Shelter's primary concern is finding the perfect home for each animal that finds his/her way to it. The Animal Control Officers at the Smithtown Animal Shelter will go out of their way to ensure both the rescued and rescuer are made for one another. If you have other pets, you can arrange to bring your four-legged family member into the shelter or they can set up an at-home meet & greet to see how your prospective new addition does with other family members, pets or the household itself. The shelter is also seeking foster volunteers. Foster parents provide temporary care for cats, kittens and dogs in their own homes. Some animals need as little as two weeks of care, while others may need care for extended time. If interested, download the Foster Application here. This article originally appeared on the Smithtown Patch The 2020-21 school year is just weeks away and novel coronavirus cases in Texas and the Houston region are reaching record levels by the day. School districts are still scrambling to prepare back-to-school plans after the Texas Education Agency released guidelines last week that mandated districts provide face-to-face instruction five days a week to families that request it, with some exceptions. The order allows for a three-week transition period for schools to operate on a virtual-only basis but requires districts to offer in-person instruction after that period or risk losing state funding. Despite evidence that shows in-person instruction helps children with socialization skills, helps working parents with childcare and keeps at-risk students from falling behind in their studies, the TEA's mandate was met with disapproval from teachers, parents and unions across the state that worry classrooms are an ideal environment for the virus to spread. Some area counties have responded by ordering schools to remain closed until cases start trending downward, such is the case in Travis County, where health authorities there ordered schools to remain closed and delay on-campus instruction through at least until Sept. 7, KVUE reported. The TEA told the Texas Tribune it would continue to fund districts if local health officials ordered schools to remain closed but clarified that school boards must receive a mandate to stay virtual for longer than three weeks. The Houston Federation of Teachers responded to the TEA mandate by releasing a detailed list of guidelines that should be met before Houston ISD students return to campuses, which include a decline in new cases for at least 14 consecutive days and reopening schools in phases that prioritize at-risk children. The union is also recommending virtual instruction in the fall, with plans to provide Internet access and additional support to vulnerable students. 'IT'S SO SCARY': Houston, Texas teachers voice concerns about reopening schools this fall "It is the height of hubris that the governor is more focused on opening the economy than on the health and wellbeing of our children and the people who educate them," HFT states in the guidelines. The Texas AFT, the state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, said returning to campuses for in-person instruction is "not worth the enormous risk of harm to our children and school employees" and is calling on the TEA to change its stance on saying returning to schools will be safe for students and staff. "The problem with this stance is that it still puts adultsour school employees, parents, and the overall community at significant riskwhile also ignoring the enormity of the numbers of students and adults returning to school," Texas AFT President Zeph Capo said in a news release. There is still much to be learned about COVID-19 but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children do not appear to be at higher risk for contracting the deadly disease than adults. However, there is some evidence that shows some children who have contracted COVID-19 have developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), which can be deadly. The reality is, we wont know until we put large numbers of kids close together again, Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, told the Houston Chronicle. Our knowledge about the virus is constantly changing. Were still learning new things every day. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Gov. Abbott hints at changes to TEA guidelines that could let Texas schools start year online only Most Houston-area school districts are still working to finalize back-t0-school plans following the mandate, while others have taken firm stances on what's safe for their students. Fort Bend ISD announced on Monday the district will start classes 100 percent online and that no in-person extracurriculars will be offered. Houston ISD released its plan on Wednesday and said it will also begin the school year virtually for six weeks starting on Sept. 8. Face-to-face instruction will begin on Oct. 19, but parents will have the option to opt-out and continue virtual instruction if that is preferred. While some districts are taking more precautions and moving in the direction of virtual, others such as Humble ISD and Spring ISD will offer a mix of in-person classes and online instruction options starting in August. The TEA is expected to release more guidelines in the coming days. Hopes for a working Covid-19 vaccine are growing as two projects in the UK and US have reported promising results in their early experiments. Teams from Oxford University and the American pharmaceutical company Moderna have both revealed people in their studies are showing signs of immunity. Each has been working on separate experimental jabs for months to try to protect millions of people from catching the coronavirus in future. Oxford scientists have already said they are '80 per cent' confident they can have their jab available by September. People being given the Oxford vaccine have been developing antibodies and white blood cells called T cells which will help their bodies fight off the virus if they get infected, it is reported. And experts at Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said participants in their trial - of a different type of vaccine - all successfully developed antibodies. The vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking it's infected with Covid-19 and causing it to produce immune substances that have the ability to destroy it. While early research focused on antibodies, scientists are increasingly turning to a type of immunity called T cell immunity which is controlled by white blood cells which has shown signs of promise. One source on the Oxford project told ITV News: 'An important point to keep in mind is that there are two dimensions to the immune response: antibodies and T-cells. 'Everybody is focused on antibodies but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the T-cells response is important in the defence against coronavirus.' A vaccine against coronavirus being developed in Britain is showing positive signs it could work after trials revealed that participants are developing cells that can kill off the disease Oxford's phase 3 trial is involving around 8,000 people across the UK and also up to 6,000 people in Brazil and South Africa, where the jab may be easier to test because more people are infected with the coronavirus. The vaccine is being manufactured by AstraZeneca, based in Cambridge, England, and millions of doses have already been ordered by Number 10 in the hope that it will work. ITV's political editor Robert Peston wrote in a blog that he has been told to expect good news on the trial later this week, with results expected in the British medical journal The Lancet on Thursday. The piece said: 'Apparently the vaccine is generating the kind of antibody and T-cell (killer cell) response that the researchers would hope to see.' In the early stages researchers will want to see that the jab is safe for people to take and doesn't cause serious side effects, and also that it seems to be stimulating the immune system in the right way. If it passes these checkpoints researchers are expected to move on to even larger tests with thousands more members of the public. WHAT ARE THE LEADING COVID-19 VACCINE CANDIDATES? University of Oxford Clinical teams at the Oxford University's Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group began developing the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in January, now named AZD1222 since a manufacturing partnership with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca was secured. Human trials started on April 23 and they are now in the final phase. Lead of the project Professor Sarah Gilbert told The Times she is '80 per cent' confident of its success. Imperial College London Professor Robin Shattock is leading a team working to produce a vaccine at Imperial College. Fifteen volunteers have already been given the trial vaccines and testing is expected to ramp up to include as many as 200-300 new participants in the coming weeks. A second trial, involving 6,000 people, will come later. But Professor Shattock said the vaccine won't be available until at least 2021 even if everything goes according to plan. If the jab works, the team want to make it as cheap as possible so the entire British population could be vaccinated for the 'really good value' of just under 200million. Moderna Massachusetts-based Moderna was the first US company to start human trials of its potential Covid-19 vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, on March 16. The jab has proven to trigger an immune response in all 45 injected volunteers, according to a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine on July 14. Moderna's shot showed early promise in its phase 2 human tests last month. The company reported that it triggered antibody production on par with that seen in recovered coronavirus patients. CanSino Chinese vaccine Ad5-nCoV, made by CanSino, was the very first shot to enter clinical trials earlier this year and is a leading candidate. A trial of 108 healthy volunteers in China showed it safely triggered an immune response in participants. Results published May 22 in The Lancet showed most of the people dosed with the vaccine had immune responses, although their levels of antibodies thought to neutralize the virus were relatively low. Researchers saw a stronger ramp-up of other immune compounds, called T-cells, that might also help fight the infection off. Pfizer Pfizer and BioNTech have been working on a number of potential Covid-19 vaccines under the 'BNT162 program'. It reported positive preliminary results from the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of one called BNT162b1 on July 1. Data is available for the trial of BNT162b1 on 24 volunteers. The results showed that it was well tolerated and produced dose dependent immunity. Dr Kathrin Jansen, Pfizer's head of vaccine research and development, said the vaccine 'is able to produce neutralizing antibody responses in humans at or above the levels observed' in Covid-19 survivors. Pfizer received fast track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two of their four potential Covid-19 vaccines this month. Johnson & Johnson The drug giant started work on the vaccine in January, two months before Covid-19 was labelled a global pandemic. A vaccine trial spearheaded by Johnson and Johnson will start recruiting people in September, with clinical data available by the end of the year. An 'emergency use' batch of the vaccine is anticipated to be authorised as early as 2021, which would likely be prioritised for vulnerable people. Advertisement In its own tests Moderna, the US pharmaceutical company, reports that its vaccine has passed these early milestones and now plans to move on to bigger trials. Researchers at the company last night announced that all 45 volunteers in its early phase had developed immune responses after being given the vaccine. They also found the jab one of the front-runners in the global coronavirus vaccine race was safe and no participants suffered any serious side effects. But more than half reported mild or moderate reactions such as fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches or pain at the injection site. Scientists said side effects were a 'small price to pay' for protection against Covid-19. Dr Anthony Fauci, the US government's top infectious disease expert, said: 'No matter how you slice this, this is good news.' Moderna was the first US company to start human testing of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus on March 16, 66 days after the genetic sequence of the pathogen was released by China. It's now preparing to start a 30,000-person trial later this month to prove the vaccine really is strong enough to protect against the coronavirus. The share price of the company surged on the news as it stoked hopes of progress in the global battle against Covid-19. The US federal government is supporting Moderna's vaccine with nearly half a billion dollars in funding. Its vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, works using ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is a chemical messenger in human bodies that contains instructions for making proteins. The jab introduces RNA which programmes the body to make proteins that look like those found on the surface of the coronavirus, which triggers the immune system to react because it recognises those proteins as a danger - even though they aren't actually attached to a virus and can't cause any harm. This then trains the body to recognise these as a foreign invader, and mount an immune response against it. The results, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, involved three groups of 15 volunteers aged 18-55. The groups tested 25, 100 or 250 micrograms of the vaccine. Everyone got two doses, 28 days apart. The team reported a dose-dependent effect, whereby the participants grew a larger antibody response the higher their vaccination dose was. In comparison, the University of Oxford team's jab works by injecting a damaged part of the real coronavirus that has been attached to another, harmless, virus. It's a type of immunisation known as a recombinant viral vector vaccine. Researchers place genetic material from the coronavirus into another virus thats been modified. They will then inject the virus into a human, hoping to produce an immune response against SARS-CoV-2. The carrier virus, weakened by genetic engineering so it doesn't make people ill, is a type of virus called an adenovirus, the same as those which cause common colds, that has been taken from chimpanzees. If the vaccines can successfully mimic the spikes that are found on the outside of Covid-19 inside a person's bloodstream, and stimulate the immune system to create special antibodies to attack it, this could train the body to destroy the real coronavirus if they get infected with it in future. It could be developed so rapidly by Professor Sarah Gilbert, a vaccinology expert, and her team because they already had a base vaccine for similar coronaviruses. Professor Gilbert said earlier this month that protection from a jab against coronavirus should last for several years at least. She told MPs she was optimistic that a vaccine would provide a good duration of immunity. She is the world-renowned expert leading an Oxford University team devising a vaccine, so her claim could help to dispel the fears over how long protection against Covid-19 might last. Concerns had been raised after those with other types of coronavirus which are less dangerous and cause the common cold were able, in tests, to be reinfected within a year. But Professor Gilbert told the Commons science and technology committee there may be a better result from a vaccine than the natural immunity acquired when individuals simply recover from a virus. She said: Vaccines have a different way of engaging with the immune system, and we follow people in our studies using the same type of technology to make the vaccines for several years, and we still see strong immune responses. Its something we have to test and follow over time we cant know until we actually have the data. 'But were optimistic based on earlier studies that we will see a good duration of immunity, for several years at least, and probably better than naturally-acquired immunity. The key question is whether the vaccine will protect them from becoming infected, or simply make them less ill. It may also work less well in older people because their immune systems are weaker. Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, also gave evidence to the committee, warning that the UK must prepare for the worst this winter, rather than rely on the development of a vaccine. Scientists at Moderna in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are developing a vaccine which uses RNA to force the body to produce proteins that look like the coronavirus and spur the immune system into action Experts in an Oxford Vaccine Group lab in England have developed a vaccine which injects a damaged and harmless section of the coronavirus in order to provoke the immune system But he said he has now seen tests for coronavirus of a good standard which can produce a result in a few minutes. Sir John said: That would be transformative because we could all test ourselves regularly and test our kids after theyve been off to a rave and all that stuff. He also urged Britons to have the flu jab to avoid pandemonium in A&E departments. Trials of a potential antibody treatment that could protect older people from coronavirus have also started. Instead of a traditional vaccine the proposed treatment would see patients given a three-minute infusion of antibodies to the virus that could provide protection for up to six months. For people whose immune systems do not respond to a vaccine, including those taking immunosuppressant drugs or undergoing chemotherapy, it could provide alternative way of developing resistance to the virus. Older people also have less of a response to vaccines so the antibody infusion could help give extra protection for older people who are more at risk from coronavirus, reported The Times. Pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca are trialling the treatment and the drug maker is also working with Oxford University on a potential vaccine. As well as preventing people catching the disease antibody therapy can help people who have caught it recover more quickly. Sir Mene Pangalos, who heads the company's research into treating respiratory diseases told The Times: 'There's a population who are elderly that [may not] get a particularly good immune response to the vaccine, 'In those instances you might want to prophylactically treat those patients with an antibody to give them additional protection.' It is not yet clear if the treatment will work and the first human trial will only have around 30 participants. If no safety issues arise larger scale testing could begin in the autumn. Sir Mene added: 'We're going to do this as fast as we can. Obviously we've got to show that you're safe but antibodies are well known entities - it should be safe. The trial comes following initial research at Vanderbilt University in the United States which looked into monoclonal antibodies, which can imitate the antibodies created by the body after being infected by coronavirus. However the antibody therapy is not expected to be an alternative to a vaccine as it will cost a much while not providing protection for as long a period of time. Johannesberg: South Africa on Tuesday surpassed the U.K. in its number of confirmed coronavirus cases as the countrys president warns of the gravest crisis in the history of our democracy. South Africa now has the worlds eighth-highest number of cases at 298,292, which represents nearly half of all the confirmed cases on the African continent. Thats according to a Health Ministry statement and data compiled by Johns Hopkins University researchers, which showed the U.K. with 292,931 confirmed cases. The pandemic is now spreading swiftly in parts of the African continent of 1.3 billion people as the worlds most poorly funded health systems begin to face what experts have warned all along: They would be rapidly overwhelmed. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this week said many more virus infections have gone undetected despite the country conducting more than 2.2 million tests, by far the most of any African nation. A strict lockdown had delayed South Africas surge in cases but it has been loosened under economic pressure. Now, what the president calls the storm has arrived, and it is already stretching our resources and our resolve to their limits. Shortages of medical oxygen have been reported as the number of COVID-19 patients seeking help in breathing grows. Public hospital beds across the country could fill up within the month. South Africa grapples with the pandemic in the dead of winter, with temperatures in the outbreak epicenter, Gauteng province and Johannesburg, forecast to drop below freezing overnight. That makes ventilation a challenge especially in small, crowded homes for the poor. While public health officials in the United States and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere warn that fall and winter could be a severe test, South Africa is already demonstrating some of the dangers to come. Image shows (back row L to R) Agnes Chow, Anthony Wong, Tiffany Yuen, Denise Ho, Lester Shum, (front row L to R) Eddie Chu, Joshua Wong and Gregory Wong posing while campaigning during a primary election in Hong Kong. (AFP) Hong Kong: Young activists and localist candidates dominated Hong Kongs unofficial pro-democracy primaries over the weekend, with hundreds of thousands of people voting despite warnings the election could violate the territorys new security law. Candidates who emerged at the top of the polls were in their 40s or younger in every constituency polled, and included activists like prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong and Jimmy Sham, who helped organize many of last years anti-government protests as the convener of the Civil Human Rights Front. Incumbent lawmakers such as Ted Hui and Eddie Chu, known for their vocal and outspoken criticism in legislative meetings, also took top spots. The polls were held to whittle the pro-democracy camps candidates to field a unified slate in a legislative election in September and achieve a 35-plus majority in the 70-seat legislature. The pro-democracy camp has pledged to vote down the budget if they attain majority. Under Hong Kongs mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, the citys leader currently Carrie Lam must resign if an important bill such as the budget is vetoed twice. The victory of movement activists in the primary implies the continuation of the spirit of our resistance against Chinas growing curbs over the citys freedoms, said Wong in a Facebook post on Tuesday. In the eyes of voters, candidates spirit of resistance overrides other traditional elements like policy platforms, academic and professional backgrounds, he said. Lam on Monday warned organizers and candidates of the primary that the event could be considered subverting state power under the citys new national security law if the objective is to resist every policy initiative of the government. The sweeping law enacted on June 30 outlaws secessionist, subversive, and terrorist activities, as well as collusion with foreign forces to intervene in the citys affairs. The maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment. I am not saying it has breached it, but I have to put forward a warning that if thats going to be proven to be the case, then its certainly a case to be answered, Lam said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday congratulated the pro-democracy camp on their successful primary election, saying that the over 600,000 Hong Kongers who voted have demonstrated their desire to make their voices heard. He also said that the U.S. will monitor developments closely as the legislative elections in September draw near. We note with grave concern Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lams threat that this primary may have violated Beijings new national security law for the territory, once again demonstrating the Chinese Communist Partys fear of democracy and its own peoples free thinking, he said. Beijings Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office lashed out at the pro-democracy camp for holding the primaries, calling it illegal and that stating that the primaries blatantly challenges the Basic Law. It also said that the primaries violated the national security law, singling out the organizer Benny Tai and accusing him of subversive activities and advocating for the independence of Hong Kong. Beijings liaison office in Hong Kong also accused the organizers of planning the event with the support of foreign forces, and said that the primaries collected a large amount of personal information from the people and may violate privacy regulations. Morocco cautiously re-opens its borders to the outside world as from 15 July, but only to Moroccan nationals and foreign residents of the kingdom. Only two airlines are authorised to carry out flights between Morocco and some selected destinations, including France, but at a prohibitive price. The prices are simply too much. Its as if were paying for the airlines losses during the lockdown, 49-year-old Hassan told RFI after spending the last few days trying to book an air ticket from Paris to Marrakech. Hassan, a butcher of Moroccan origin, owns his own business and works in and around Paris. He regularly travels, on low cost carriers, to Morocco. But this is the first time he said he is seeing such high prices. Last year I paid 560 euros for a Paris-Marrakech return ticket for three people. This summer, for the same period, I will have to pay over 4,000 euros, he said. Royal Air Maroc, Morrocos national airline and the low cost Air Arabia Maroc are the only two airlines allowed to carry flights to and from the kingdom. But not all of Moroccos airports are opened to travellers. Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, Marrakech Oujda, Nador and Tangiers are the only ones operational at the moment. There are many Moroccans living in France who told me they will not be able to go visit their families as they usually do each summer, Hassan added. After 14 July midnight, Moroccan borders will re-open, four months after suspending all flights and passenger ship traffic. But the government insists it is "an exceptional operation" only for Moroccan nationals and foreign residents of the kingdom. Despite the high prices, most flights on the two airlines appear to have been booked. Tourists are not yet allowed to visit Morocco and Air France indicated that it may resume flights to Morocco in September but only towards three airports and if restrictions are eased down. Story continues No entry without Covid tests Travellers to Morocco will be allowed on board upon presentation, at the airport, of negative results for two Covid-19 tests virology and serology done 48 hours prior to take off. The same rule applies to people travelling by sea. In France the virology test, or PCR test as it is known in the country, costs 54 euros and is fully subsidised by the government if prescribed by a doctor for patients showing symptoms. Serology tests cost between 10 to 25 euros and are reimbursed, by the national social security agency, under certain conditions only. The government in Morocco has extended the health emergency until 10 August because of clusters of Covid-19 outbreak and, on 13 July, it announced a return to lockdown measures in the northern port city of Tangiers. At the moment, only passenger ships from the ports of Sete in southern France and that of Genoa in Italy are authorised to dock in Morocco. People used to crossing the Mediterranean from Sete to Morocco told RFI that the current prices are higher than what they usually pay. I think Morocco is trying to limit the number of people allowed into the country, Hassan said. NEW HAVEN City police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured Tuesday night, police said. Police and fire units responded to a report of a person shot outside a home on Munson Street around 6:05 p.m., according to Capt. Anthony Duff. Medics also responded to Munson Street, near Sherman Parkway in the Dixwell neighborhood, and transported a male gunshot wound victim to the hospital, Duff said. There was no further information immediately available regarding the victims condition. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Haven police at 203-946-6304, call in an anonymous tip to 1-866-888-8477 or text NHPD and the tip to 274637. Chinese Impacted by Disasters Get $1.50; Yangtze River Level Could Submerge First Story of Buildings Waters on the Yangtze River reached 95 feet, making the water levels the fourth highest in known history, according to data released by the Yangtze River Hydrology Network. The average ground elevation of Wuhan City is around 79 feet, which means the water level in parts of the city could be about the height to submerge the first floor of a building. Disaster relief in China is very minimal, raising concerns over the wellbeing of the 37 million people in 27 provinces who are known to have been affected. For its aid program, Chinese authorities are giving less than 10 renminbao, or less than $1.50, per person. This is taking place, as many people have lost their homes, their farms, and other possessions; and are struggling for food. And it takes place while authorities are claiming its market is booming and is drawing in large amounts of foreign investment. A Retired Indian Colonel published satellite images on July 10 that are now making rounds, which appear to show the government opened all floodgates on the dam. He wrote on Twitter, Why did China open the floodgates of Three Gorges Dam prematurely. He notes the opening was before authorities issued a warning, before the Yangtze was flooded on July 2, and noted the move may have flooded Wuhan just before an inspection by a representative from the World Health Organization. These stories and more in this episode of Crossroads. Crossroads is an Epoch Times show available on Facebook and YouTube. Join Patreon to Support Crossroads: https://www.patreon.com/Crossroads_Josh Hyderabad, July 16 : In a move aimed at dispersing Information Technology sector's growth within Hyderabad, Telangana government has permitted conversion of five industrial parks into IT parks in East Hyderabad. In these five parks, IT firms will be set in about 25 lakh square feet which will create employment opportunities to 30,000 employees. This will be the first major expansion of the IT sector out of HITEC City and Gachibowli, the key clusters in Western Hyderabad. IT and Industry Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday handed over conversion letters to the five companies at the Hyderabad GRID (Growth In Dispersion) Development program in Uppal. Hyderabad Distilleries and Wineries Limited's IT park will come up at IDA-Uppal over 12.40 acres. Minacto Chem will set up another park in the same area over 2.66 acres. Swamy Soaps and Oils Pvt. Limited's park will also come up in IDA-Uppal over 2 acres. Gokuldas Exports Limited, Mini Textile Park will set up IT park in Nacharam over 8.93 acres while Bakelite Hylam Limited's facility will come up at IDA, Nacharam over 8 acres Officials said the employment potential is in addition to about 25,000 employees working in the NSL IT Park and Genpact in the Uppal area. The IT minister stated that the government is coming up with the GRID policy for dispersed growth of the IT sector across Hyderabad. He pointed out that Telangana's IT exports have doubled the national average. He stated that Hyderabad is a city that has no geographical hurdles and has the scope to develop in all the corners. The minister said under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, Telangana government is building infrastructure keeping in mind the lakhs of people who are coming to the city. The minister said that the eastern side of the city already has companies such as Infosys, and Genpact apart from a number of large, medium and small scale enterprises. "With this initiative, we will see more enterprises and investments coming towards this part of Hyderabad," he said. Southeast Asia was the first region in the world to be affected by COVID-19 due to its geographic proximity and close trade relations with China, where the outbreak began. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) speaks at the opening ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit (Photo: VNA) The pandemic became a major challenge for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the context of 2020 being an important year in the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. It has been six months since the first cases were reported in the region. The Philippines recorded its highest death toll ever on July 13, of 162. The number of infections has tripled since it eased restrictions on June 1, which has forced the country to reimpose a lockdown in an area of the capital Manila where about 250,000 people live. Indonesia, meanwhile, has been one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with nearly 77,000 infections, and has recently detected a new outbreak relating to a military academy in West Java, with nearly 1,300 people testing positive for the coronavirus. Vietnam has now gone almost three months without any community transmissions and over 94 percent of its 373 cases have been given the all-clear. Of particular note, there have been zero fatalities. The country has been widely recognised by the international community as having successfully fought the pandemic. The ASEAN Post called on the blocs member states to take Vietnam as an example to learn from. Thailand has also recorded no new local transmissions for more than a month, while Laos has reported no new cases for over 90 days. This means that most ASEAN countries have basically curbed the disease and gradually returned to the new normal with low rates of fatalities or none at all. The regional fight against COVID-19, however, remains difficult, as some countries are at risk of a second wave. The ASEAN countries have been proactive in preventing the spread of the disease. Vietnam was evaluated by the US magazine The Nation as adopting the most effective response to COVID-19, with a proactive strategy to keep infections to a minimum. In face of the unprecedented challenge, the leading role Vietnam played as rotating Chair of ASEAN has been clearly demonstrated. Under its chairmanship, ASEAN has organised a series of video conferences to discuss how to cope with the pandemic, in particular the ASEAN and ASEAN+3 Special Summits on COVID-19 in April. Member countries agreed to accelerate the implementation of four initiatives, including the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, ASEAN regional medical material storage, standards to respond to emergency public health issues, and post-pandemic recovery plans. Vietnams responsible role was further demonstrated by the 36th ASEAN Summit in late June, with the adoption of an ASEAN Leaders Vision Statement on a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN: Rising Above Challenges And Sustaining Growth, and an ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work. Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups together ten member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam./.VNA Vietnam shows proactive, responsible chairmanship of ASEAN: opinions By successfully organising the teleconferenced 36th ASEAN Summit amid the complexities of COVID-19, Vietnam has once again affirmed its proactive and responsible chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020, Dopamine helps animals like the fly Drosophila melanogaster to classify good and bad (symbolized by black and white) in their decisions. Nicolas Gompel Free for use in reporting on TUM, with the copyright noted. Animals have an innate preference for certain scents and tastes. Attractive scents are linked to things like good food. Less attractive scents that of spoiled food, for example instinctively give the animal a signal which says: There could be danger here! When it comes to taste, all animals have similar preferences: Sugars and fats are perceived positively, whereas a bitter taste is perceived rather negatively. In order to be able to make such evaluations, we need signals in the brain that tell us This is good or This is bad. The dopaminergic system in the brain, better known as the reward system, plays an important role in these evaluations. Understanding what happens in the brain Neurons that produce dopamine, known as dopaminergic neurons, play a role in a range of diseases, from addictive behavior and obesity to Parkinson's disease. In addiction or obesity, the reward system signals can be too strong or also too weak. In Parkinsons disease, dopaminergic neurons degenerate, and this affects the control of motor functions. To learn more about the processes in the brain, basic research is essential. Ilona Grunwald Kadow, Professor of Neural Control of Metabolism at the TUM School of Life Sciences in Weihenstephan, and her team are conducting research on the fly Drosophila melanogaster. Neuroscientists often use this fly as a model because its neuronal networks are much simpler than those of humans. Using genetic tricks, scientists can turn individual network components on and off or change them. This enables the researchers to understand the principles of neuronal circuits that underlie the functions of more complex brains. Dopamine plays a very similar role in the brain of humans and insects, explains the scientist. Further clarifying the effect of dopamine Dopamine is one of the most intensively studied signals in the brain. It is involved in both cognitive (e.g. motivation, reinforcement, goal-oriented behavior, motor control and movement, decision-making and learning) and more basic functions (e.g. reproduction and nausea). How dopamine contributes to the various aspects of neural circuit functionality and behavior is an open question, but it is believed that dopaminergic neurons use different activity patterns to send a signal to the brain about what the body needs and senses. We have now investigated the activity of the dopaminergic neurons in greater detail, said Ilona Grunwald Kadow. The team developed a custom 3D-imaging method based on in-vivo calcium imaging, as calcium is a good indicator of neuronal activity. Neurons react flexibly and individually Using this method, the research team was able to show that the activity of a network of dopaminergic neurons reflects both the innate preferences for smell and taste as well as the physiological state of the organism. In addition to sensory stimuli such as smell or taste, dopaminergic neurons also record information as to whether an organism is moving or not. The neurons can respond to both internal behavioral states and external signals, bring them together, and use this to support both cognitive and motor processes. By doing that, the neurons can react flexibly and individually to the most important information such as smell, taste, but also hunger or ones own movement. This is important to reach a balanced decision, because an external sensory signal can sometimes mean something good or bad, depending on an organisms condition, says Prof. Grunwald Kadow. Surprising results The researchers were surprised that dopaminergic neurones behave quite differently in different animals. The scientists speculate that this might explain individual preferences and behavioral differences between individuals. In addition, the researchers found that the movement of the animal not only activates these dopaminergic neurones, but also other areas of the brain that actually have nothing per se to do with movement. This provides starting points for further research, for example what role movement plays in general when reacting to an environmental stimulus. Prof. Dr. Ilona Grunwald Kadow Technical University of Munich Professorship of Neuronal Control of Metabolism TUM School of Life Sciences Tel.: +49 8161 71-2491 ilona.grunwald(at)tum.de Siju et al.: Valence and state-dependent population coding in dopaminergic neurons in the fly mushroom body. Current Biology (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982220305510?via%3Dihub) https://www.tum.de/nc/en/about-tum/news/press-releases/details/36143/ (Press release) https://www.neuro.mpg.de/news/2020-07-portugues/en (Press release @MPI) https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/1553341 (High resolution images) https://www.wzw.tum.de/index.php?id=2&L=1 (TUM School of Life Sciences) https://www.professoren.tum.de/en/grunwald-kadow-ilona (Prof. Ilona Grunwald Kadow) https://www.neuro.wzw.tum.de/ (Professorship of Neuronal Control of Metabolism) Authors: Valery ZAKHAROV, Galina PLATONOVA, Ultra C Company * Midstream includes cutting diamonds and making jewellery. The first part of the article is in the column Expert Reports dated May 11, 2020 ( ) - Lab-grown diamonds are a high-tech product that quickly captures the jewellery market. The opportunities they provide today are unique. These are diamonds of various hues of yellow, blue, pink, red or a variation of green and brown colours. They provide an opportunity for manufacturers to order sets of stones that are perfectly calibrated in size, shape, colour and optical properties. And, of course, at various the price! The technological advances make luxury stones more affordable. The Ultra C experts unveiled more details about all this and other things in the second part of the Market review of lab-grown gem quality diamonds. We continue to review the lab-grown diamond market and move from the production to the midstream - a cutting and polishing industry and rough and polished diamond dealers. The market for natural diamonds formed against the backdrop of monopoly, then oligopoly, and created a marketing system based on the supply of diamonds from their producer to sightholders, and then further along the diamond pipeline to smaller dealers and cutters. The classic diamond pipeline (naturally mined diamonds), practically, has no vertically integrated companies engaged simultaneously in all market segments, from mining to retail. The lab-grown stones (we defined them as a disruptive technology) have changed the existing system. Now, many diamond growers do their best to cut and polish as much of their own grown diamonds as possible and then sell the polished diamonds, but so far, they have to sell some of the goods as rough diamonds to maintain their liquidity. The Indian companies mostly are full-cycle ones, from the synthesis to the jewellery manufacture and sale under their own brand (New Diamond Era, ALTR and others). India is the centre of the global cutting and polishing industry Nowadays, a significant part of rough and polished diamond dealers participate in the turnover of both natural and lab-grown stones. The main supplier of rough diamonds to the market is China. Local producers cut only a small part of their own products. Small-sized roughs making up a significant part of China's products, are cut and polished at the Indian enterprises specializing in cutting and polishing this size category. Thus, in India, all the locally produced rough diamonds are cut as well as most of the Chinese roughs, and partly the products by diamond growers from other regions. Diamond manufacturing cost The price range for cutting and polishing in Surat starts from about $30 per carat of rough stones (2-3 grainers). Cutting larger crystals costs more, from $40 to $80 per carat depending on the cut requirements and the rough sizes. In small size category (while screening, 200 polished diamonds per carat, and smaller stones), the cost of the cutters work is formed differently and is based on labour costs per crystal. This is approximately $0.5-$1.0 per cut and polished stone. Thus, in the cost of the smallest polished diamonds (400 polished diamonds per carat), the cut will cost approximately $300 per carat (labour costs only). In small sizes, the cost of cutting makes up the bulk of the polished diamond cost. This applies to both grown and mined crystals, so in these size categories, the difference in prices for the two products is minimal. At present, India accounts for more than 85% of the global cutting and polishing market by weight of the roughs cut and polished, which roughly reflects the situation in the natural diamond market, too. In the midst of extreme leverage of the most polishing units in India, cutters willingly cut and polish grown diamonds to maximize the utilization of their production capacities and accelerate the turnover, which allows refinancing their existing financial debts. According to a survey of cutting and polishing units, more than 30% of those who traditionally worked with natural diamonds began to take grown diamonds for cutting. According to forecasts, over the next five years, their number will double. Most of India's cutting and polishing units are located in Gujarat. The world cutting and polishing centre is the Surat County, with Surat as the capital with the population of more than 5 mn people. And also, there is a recently formed, but rapidly growing cluster with its centre in the city of Bhavnagar located on the other shore (from Surat) of the Gulf of Cambay (Khambhat). India's leadership in the industry is largely explained by the low labour cost in these regions in addition to rich historical traditions. Lab-grown diamond cutting and polishing Cutting and polishing the lab-grown diamonds has no fundamental differences from cutting and polishing the natural ones, but nevertheless, it has its own features that are primarily based on their morphological properties. Unlike the mined diamonds characterized by a variety of crystallographic forms (Russian GOST provides 13 basic terminological groups for a shape), the situation looks different for the lab-grown crystals. In fact, there are two standard forms - cuboctahedron and cube. The Ultra C company purchased roughs from more than 10 diamond growers and carried out their cutting and polishing. The yield numbers given below are based on an experiment data. HPHT As a rule, the HPHT diamond crystals are of a cuboctahedral shape (Figure 1). Figure 1. Single crystals of HPHT diamonds. In the photo, the seeds are clearly visible in the crystals, produced in China, 2018. For such crystals, the cutting and polishing process is generally the same as for an octahedron. However, there is also an octahedron shape (Figure 3) that can be grown on octahedral facets, if necessary (Figure 2). Figure 2. A high pressure cell after the synthesis with octahedral crystals. Figure 3. The octahedral form of the HPHT single crystal. Thus, the optimal yield suitable for the HPHT crystals is obtained when cutting the rounds and cushions. The manufacture of other fancy cuts results in significant loss of the original crystal weight. The optimal yield for the round cut HPHT diamonds obtained experimentally was over 40%; for a cushion cut, it was 50%, for a pear cut - less than 30%, and for a marquise one it barely reached 20%. The above yield data corresponds to high quality rough stones; for diamonds with a large number of inclusions, cracks, and other defects and those having a flattened shape, the yields can be significantly lower. The colours of the HPHT diamonds can vary from D to the lowest quality. High colours are mainly obtained by the European manufacturers, while G-H-I colours prevail in diamonds grown by the Chinese, as a rule. There are often rough lab-diamonds of Chinese origin that give blue and greenish hues in the polished lab-diamonds. The clarity can also vary from VVS to pique, mainly the diamonds are VS-SI. Characteristic defects of the HPHT diamonds are elongated needle-shaped metal inclusions, which can be quite long, but thin. Sometimes such a needle has to be left open, coming to the surface, not to sacrifice the stone mass. CVD CVD diamond crystals grow in layers on a seed. A specially prepared seed (substrate), as a rule, is square, which determines the shape of the future crystal. During the synthesis in a growth chamber, the CVD diamond begins to overgrow with a polycrystal at a certain stage. When removed from the chamber, such crystals have a cubic shape and are covered with a black opaque very hard crust of overgrown small diamonds. In Figure 4, a polycrystalline coat enveloping the sample is clearly visible. Figure 4. A 9.73-ct CVD diamond, produced in China, 2018. When purchasing rough stones, an unremoved polycrystal makes it difficult to assess the purity of the future polished diamond since the possible presence of deep ingrowths is not visible. As for clarity, the CVD crystals can vary over a wide range, from VVS to pique. Typical defects are non-crystallized carbon inclusions. Removing the polycrystal required when working with the CVD diamonds creates additional difficulties due to its extremely high abrasive properties and requires cutters special skills. The polycrystal can be cut off by laser or by disk machining. The method of removing the polycrystal is determined by a planner and a cutter and depends on the nature of the tension in the place where the polycrystal grows. The shape of the CVD diamonds determines certain shapes of future diamonds, for example, princess, radiant, cushion, Asscher cuts. When making a round diamond from a CVD rough diamond, small fragments remain (since corners are cut off), which can be cut to obtain small sieve diamonds. The experimentally obtained yield (initial weight including polycrystal) optimal for the CVD crystals to make a round cut reached 30%, for a cushion cut it reached 35%, for a pear it was slightly above 25%. It is worth pointing out the formation of a new approach to cutting lab-grown stones. The historical approach to the cutting of natural diamonds was based on the principle of maximum yield from available rough stones. Therefore, it was problematic to collect stones similar in shape, colour, and optical characteristics for one jewellery piece, and this required additional costs. Today, more and more diamond growers offer calibrated polished diamonds to the jewellery market. Of course, the yield of such goods suitable for a parcel is definitely a bit lower but the liquidity and price increase. Grown diamond colour The CVD diamonds without a post-growth treatment typically have a colour no better than H. The diamonds obtained from the rough stones grown by some manufacturers may sometimes have a light pinkish hue. Some of these stones are sold as grown (as they were grown), the other ones undergo post-growth treatment. Post-growth treatment is carried out for two main purposes - to improve the colour of near-colourless crystals (usually by 1-3 grades) and obtain fancy coloured diamonds. Up-to-date technologies of the diamond post-growth treatment, including irradiation with high-energy particles (mostly with electrons) in combination with annealing in the diamond stability zone (HPHT annealing) or in the graphite stability zone (UHT, APHT, LPHT annealing), or without this, taking into account the diamond production method, the content of atomic impurities make it possible to obtain rough and polished diamonds of unique fancy colours - light blue/dark blue, pink/red, yellow/green. The colour of diamonds depends on two main factors - the presence of atoms of the elements such as boron, nitrogen, nickel, and others in the crystalline lattice, and intrinsic defects of the lattice, for example, vacancies or plastic deformations. Nitrogen atoms give a diamond yellow hues, from saturated (single nitrogen) to light (grouped nitrogen atoms). Very low boron content in a diamond makes its light blue and dark blue. Yellow and dark blue lab-grown diamonds, as a rule, have this colour from their origin, since nitrogen and boron are added directly during the growth process. Thus, they are not post-growth treated additionally. New Diamond Technology is an established leader in growing the coloured dark blue and yellow diamonds, its stones are shown in the photo. Pink and red hues of diamonds are the result of plastic deformations. A series of sequential exposures to obtain structural changes is carried out in the laboratory to have the desired hues. The problem of obtaining beautiful pink and red colours of the desired saturation (not very dark) has not yet been fully resolved, however, some Russian companies are close to solving it. Summary The monopolistic-and-oligopolistic market for natural diamonds is able to control both the price of rough diamonds and the margin of the cutting and polishing sector to some extent. The entry of the lab-grown diamonds has attracted many cutters for two reasons - due to an access to rough diamonds and higher margins. That is why some companies invested in the equipment for growing diamonds and set up vertically integrated structures. The technology allows to obtain polished diamonds from 0.8 mm to 5-6 carats (a small number record stones at the moment can be above 10 carats). The yield data presented gives an explanation of why the lab-grown diamonds of certain cuts are sold at a lower discount compared to the Rapport prices, as well as the calibrated stones; it is due to the large loss of stone mass due to the morphological structure. The technology gives jewellers new opportunities to obtain calibrated stones of any fancy shape and selected by colour, size, and optical characteristics. Such goods gain the popularity rapidly. Today, the demand exceeds the supply. Until recently, coloured diamonds have been used for the exclusive jewellery only. However, they open up new horizons for creativity in designing jewellery at an affordable price today. Months after taking office in 2018, the Ontario PC government issued a written directive to Metrolinx prohibiting the supposedly arms-length transit agency from communicating with the public about key issues without ministry approval. The letter was one of nine confidential ministerial directives sent to Metrolinx over the first 21 months of the Progressive Conservatives mandate. In them, the provincial government also gave direction to the agency about expensive and politically charged projects like a new Woodbine GO station, Toronto subways and the Hurontario LRT. Experts and the official opposition say the letters, which have not previously been made public but were obtained by the Star through a freedom of information request, raise concerns the Doug Ford PCs are increasingly treating the powerful organization as an arm of government while presenting its decisions as independent. Matti Siemiatycki, an associate professor in the University of Torontos geography and planning department who has studied transit governance, said that while concerns about Metrolinxs independence predate the current provincial government, the letters indicate the degree to which the province is starting to bring Metrolinx closer under (its) control, to the extent that the Crown corporation is increasingly an extended division of the ministry of transportation. The initial view that Metrolinx was going to be an independent agency, arms-length from government, providing advice ... that line is really now starting to be blurred, he said. Christina Salituro, a spokesperson for Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, framed the letters as an appropriate tool for the government to exercise its legislative role overseeing Metrolinx. In an email, Salituro said Mulroney and previous Ontario PC transportation ministers issued the directives to ensure that the agencys actions are aligned with the governments priorities, and they are one way that we can ensure Metrolinx projects use taxpayer dollars appropriately. Metrolinx was created in 2006 by the previous Ontario Liberal government as an arms-length agency to co-ordinate transit planning in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Its responsible for the GO Transit network, the Presto fare card system and planning major projects like the Ontario Line and Scarborough subway extension. The legislation that created the organization stipulates transportation ministers can issue written directives for the agency to carry out. After taking office in June 2018, the Ontario PC government accelerated the use of the directives. Between November 2018 and November 2019, Progressive Conservative transportation ministers issued nine letters, compared to only three between August 2017 and the end of the Liberals mandate, according to information provided to a Queens Park committee by Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster earlier this year. The first letter, written Nov. 26, 2018, by then-transportation minister Jeff Yurek, outlined, among other directives, changes to communications protocol that were effective immediately. The new policy required ministry approval of all public-facing communication by the agency, except those relating day-to-day customer service issues, and required Metrolinx officials to receive government approval for any public speaking engagements. The minister also took the unusual step of barring Metrolinx officials from meeting with members of the media. Such meetings are a common practice among officials and journalists. Media contact is to be limited to reactive responses to media inquiries approved by the ministry. There will be no informal meetings with media ... unless approved in advance by the ministry, the letter stated. Salituro, the ministry spokesperson, explained the protocol was necessary because clear and consistent communication is vital to all major transportation projects and plans. Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said the agency had a similar communications protocol under the previous Liberal government, and it ensures we manage media questions in partnership with our government. She noted that media requests about transit operations, such as those relating to GO Transit service, make up more than half of media requests to the agency, and dont require approval from the ministry. Asked whether the former Liberal government had a similar communications policy in place, a spokesperson for the Ontario Liberal Party said, as with all government agencies there were regular touch points with the Ministry of Transportation officials and Metrolinx to ensure coordination, but to the best of our recollection no letter of direction was given to Metrolinx related to government control or approvals over agency communications. Siemiatycki said having the provincial government approve Metrolinxs communications about transit planning and other important issues raises red flags. One of the agencys most important roles is to evaluate plans for multi-billion-dollar transportation projects, and communicate the results to the public while also advising government. With the ministry in charge of the agencys communications, from the publics perspective, certainly its not clear whether Metrolinx is speaking or the ministry, Siemiatycki warned. Under the PCs media protocol, the public has no way of knowing whether Metrolinxs statements about projects are based on its own independent analysis, or has been politically approved, Siemiatycki said. There needs to be transparency. On July 17, 2019, Yurek issued a letter about the Hurontario LRT, a $1.4 billion rail line planned for Mississauga and Brampton. Yurek wrote the government was reviewing spending on transportation projects, and it had approved the de-scoping, or scaling back, of the LRT. The version of the letter provided to the Star by the ministry of transportation is partially redacted, but it shows the minister directed Metrolinx to eliminate the planned loop on the LRTs route that would have taken the line around Square One Mall. Metrolinx announced the decision to remove the loop two months later, prompting pushback from Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, who said that section was a key component of the LRT project and she would work to make sure it was included. At the time, Metrolinx explicitly denied the government had directed the agency to find ways to scale back the LRT to reduce its costs, with a spokesperson for the organization telling the Star this was a Metrolinx recommendation to get (the LRT) within the budget scope. Asked this month whether the provincial government directed Metrolinx to publicly take responsibility for removing the loop in order to shield Queens Park from criticism, Salituro said the agency was directed to deliver the Hurontario LRT project within the approved project budget and as work proceeded, Metrolinx recommended changes to ensure that the project could be delivered within the budget. The government reviewed those recommendations and approved deleting the loop, and communicated that change in the letter of direction, she said. Jessica Bell, transit critic for the Ontario NDP, said the Progressive Conservatives were trying to make Metrolinx the fall guy for a potentially unpopular decision. If the Ford government wants to make transit decisions, it should be transparent about them. It should say it was our decision, and this is why were doing it, said Bell (University-Rosedale). In the other seven letters, Yurek and Mulroney issued directives to Metrolinx that included lowering GO fares for shorter trips, allowing kids to ride free and outlining the agencys role in the provinces plan to upload subway planning from the City of Toronto. Two of the letters concerned the construction of new GO Transit stations in Etobicoke at Woodbine and Mimico respectively. The former is in Fords Etobicoke North riding. Previous controversies surrounding Metrolinx have led to recommendations for ministers to use written directives as a way to improve transparency at the agency. In 2017, a Star investigation revealed then Liberal transportation minister Steven Del Duca had pressured Metrolinx into recommending a new $100 million GO station in his riding, despite reports commissioned by the agency that concluded the stop would have a negative effect on the transit network. A subsequent report by Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk concluded the government has the prerogative to disregard Metrolinxs advice, but if Del Duca, who is now Ontario Liberal leader, wanted the station built anyway he should have issued a written directive so the government would own the decision in a transparent manner. However, written directives can only ensure transparency if theyre made public. I would like those letters to be made public ... then everyone is very clear on what the state of play is, Siemiatycki said. The Ontario PC government doesnt intend to voluntarily release any ministerial directives it gives Metrolinx, and refused to tell the Star whether it has issued any letters after the period covered by the newspapers freedom of information request, which covered up until March 2020. At this time, there are no plans to release in full letters of direction to Metrolinx, Salituro said. Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation for the Star. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr Read more about: T he BBC has announced a two-day, new virtual event to showcase the vibrancy, innovation and leadership of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic talent in the creative industry. Announced by the broadcasters Director of Creative Diversity June Sarpong, the first ever Creativity Diversity Xperience (CDX) will see Cynthia Erivo and Michaela Coel headline a series of events that will examine issues that relate to younger audiences. While actor Erivo, who has previously starred in Harriet and The Outsider, will have an exclusive spotlight interview with BBC Radio 1s Clara Amfo, I May Destroy You Writer and actor Coel will host her own masterclass. Other events include BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Target speaking to Noughts and Crosses star Msali Baduza and Normal People actor Aiofa Hind, filmmaker Lucy Sheen discussing current issues that speak directly to the minds of audiences, and a music masterclass with a special line up of UK artists. Cynthia Erivo also headlines with a spotlight interview / Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Linkup TV will also host panels on topics including 'Cancel Culture' and 'Diversity for Every body' while "Beyond Yellow Face Casting" will cover why Asian creatives are forgotten in the film industry. CDX will be hosted on new interactive platform Reactoo on the BBCs Creative Diversity website. This will allow audiences to host their own virtual rooms remotely, where they can watch CDX live together with friends, all on in one place. June Sarpong announced the event Speaking about the new event, Sarpong explained: It is important for the BBC to be the beacon to rest of the industry and champion Diversity and Inclusion. We have thought carefully about creating an authentic, engaging and immersive experience using innovative technology. CDX will set itself apart from what people may have seen or expect of the BBC. Miranda Wayland, BBCs Head of Creative Diversity added: CDX is a first for the BBC and the wider creative industry and I am excited about this opportunity to amplify the wealth of ethnically diverse talent within the creative industry. Im so proud of what weve achieved and the diverse team who have shaped CDX to be the voice for our young diverse audiences. The BBC's Creative Diversity Xperience will take place on July 28 and 29. The full schedule will be published in due course. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A bomb attack by the Kurdish YPG militia killed six people and wounded 11 on Tuesday in the northeastern Syrian town of Tel Abyad, near the Turkish border, the Turkish Defence Ministry said. The Arab town, from which Turkish-backed forces last October pushed out the YPG militia in a major campaign spearheaded by the Turkish army, has seen a series of car blasts that have killed dozens of civilians. The attack was carried out with a car bomb and wounded civilians were treated in hospitals on both sides of the border, according to a statement by the governor's office in Turkey's southeastern province of Sanliurfa. The governor's office said 17 people were wounded in the attack. The YPG -- which Ankara considers a terrorist group because of its ties to PKK Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey -- had for years been allied to the United States in the fight against Islamic State. (Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Norwegian police said Wednesday they had arrested one person after multiple women were stabbed, one of whom reportedly succumbed to her wounds, in the city of Sarpsborg south of Oslo. Shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Norwegian police wrote on Twitter that they had received reports of "multiple people that have been stabbed in multiple locations in Sarpsborg." Police later said that three women had been stabbed, with two receiving critical injuries, and that one person had been arrested. Several Norwegian media outlets reported that one of the women had died of her injuries. According to broadcaster NRK, one of the victims reportedly recognised the assailant and one person was arrested at an undisclosed address in central Sarpsborg. The motive was not immediately known, but according to local newspaper Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad, the husband of one of the victims said that the perpetrator had come to their house. "We were watching TV, and then it started banging on the door. When I opened he tried to stab me, but I got away," the husband told the newspaper. After that the man entered the residence and cut the woman in the arm. (AFP) Three African candidates, two from Europe, two from Asia and one from the Americas compete for WTOs top job. Eight candidates battling to become the next head of the beleaguered World Trade Organization (WTO) make their pitches this week, with three days of auditions starting on Wednesday. The contenders will make 15-minute presentations to the 164 member states representatives at WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, before facing a 75-minute grilling over their plans for the global trade body. After a series of eliminations based on consensus, starting in September, the winner will take the helm at the WTO in the midst of a global economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The new leader will also have to sort out simmering trade tensions between the United States and China and revive stalled trade talks. There are three African candidates, two from Asia, two from Europe and one from the Americas. Africas trio are former Nigerian foreign and finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Egyptian former diplomat Hamid Mamdouh; and Kenyas former WTO General Council chair, Amina Mohamed. The United Kingdoms first post-Brexit international trade secretary Liam Fox and former Moldovan foreign minister Tudor Ulianovschi are the two from Europe. South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee and former Saudi economy minister Mohammed al-Tuwaijri are the candidates from Asia, while Mexicos former WTO deputy director-general, Jesus Seade Kuri, was the first to declare his candidacy. The pitches Seade, Okonjo-Iweala and then Mamdouh are up first on Wednesday. Ulianovschi, Yoo and Mohamed take their turn on Thursday, while Tuwajiri and Fox go on Friday. The WTO is in a serious crisis, Seade told the UN correspondents association. He said the body had very limited results to show for its 26 years, its dispute settlement system was in a serious state of disrepair, and measures taken by countries to control the COVID-19 pandemic have generated gigantic dislocation of international trade. Egypts Hamid Mamdouh was one of the first people to officially declare his WTO candidacy [Denis Balibouse/Reuters] Since the WTO was created in 1995, three of its directors-general have been from Europe, while one each came from Oceania, Asia and South America. There is a feeling of optimism with regards to Africas chance of winning the seat, even though there is no regional rotation principle at the global trade body. It is time that Africa took up her responsibility of serving at the helm of WTO, said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. He called Mohamed a uniquely qualified person to lead the WTO at this critical time, saying that her leadership at the WTO will, without doubt, be a game-changer. A swift contest The WTO is staging a swift contest to replace outgoing Director-General Roberto Azevedo. The campaign phase runs until September 7, after which the eliminations round will last up to two months. In a surprise move in mid-May, the Brazilian career diplomat announced he was ending his second four-year term 12 months early at the end of August for personal reasons. Former family doctor Fox, who entered the race on last Wednesdays deadline, set out his programme for revitalising the organisation. If we want to keep the WTO relevant and vibrant, our task is clear: update, strengthen and reform. We must ensure that global trade works for everyone, he said. This is a challenging time financially for local and state governments, but we will always need to provide the infrastructure necessary to protect our people and our economy. The Warren County (Ohio) Transportation Improvement District has contracted with Woolpert to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of State Route 48 (SR 48) at Montgomery Road/U.S. 22 in Hamilton Township. The $10 million project will expand SR 48 from three lanes to five, adding a through lane in each direction, a curb and gutter, and an enclosed drainage system. The project also includes widening Montgomery Road to provide added left turn lanes on southbound SR 48 and eastbound Montgomery (U.S. 22/SR 3). Jon Wiley, Woolpert project manager and traffic engineer, said this project will alleviate traffic congestion and safety issues in the corridor and at an intersection that ranks among the highest crash locations in the region. The intersection sees 46,000 cars per day and supports Warren County, which is one of fastest-growing counties in the state. Woolpert will provide transportation design and engineering, utilize its mobile mapping system (MMS) to collect lidar data and supplement with traditional field survey. The MMS will drive up and down the corridor, mapping the road at the posted speed limit, and field survey will be conducted on the sides of the roads, Wiley said. This process is not only safer because it limits the time surveyors are in the roadway, but it provides advanced, precise data. Wiley lauded the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Warren County and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) for combining resources to advance this project. OKI is contributing more than $6 million in state and federal funding, ODOT is contributing more than $1 million in safety funding, and the Warren County Board of County Commissioners is contributing local funding and resources to prioritize safety in critical growth areas. Traffic safety engineering also is a priority for Woolpert, which recently was selected for ODOTs Statewide Safety Design contract. Warren County Engineer Neil F. Tunison said this project has been discussed for multiple years. ODOT did a safety study of this intersection about eight years ago, seeing the need even then, and the region has continued to develop, Tunison said. This is a challenging time financially for local and state governments, but we will always need to provide the infrastructure necessary to protect our people and our economy. This project does both, and were excited to see it move forward. Design and right-of-way easements for this project are underway, and road construction is expected to start in the spring of 2023. About Woolpert Woolpert is committed to a vision to become the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, and one of the best companies in the world. Its a vision weve been fine-tuning for decades. It guides our decisions and investments, provides our clients with optimal solutions and offers our employees unrivaled opportunities. Woolpert is recognized as a Great Place to Work by its employees and is Americas fastest-growing AEG firm. With more than a century of experience, close to 1,000 employees and 30 offices, Woolpert supports public, private, federal, and U.S. military clients nationally and around the globe. For more information, visit woolpert.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Tom Hanks has revealed he had 'bone crushing fatigue' during his battle with COVID-19 in March. Appearing virtually on The Late Show Tuesday night to promote his new film, the actor, 64, explained to host Stephen Colbert that he and his wife Rita Wilson had 'very different' symptoms after they contacted the virus during a trip to Australia,. The two stars were hospitalised after coming down with symptoms while taking a trip to Sydney during a filming break from Tom's role in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming Elvis movie. Symptoms: Tom Hanks has revealed he had 'bone crushing fatigue' during his battle with COVID-19 in March, explaining how his bones 'felt like crackers' Colbert asked Tom if the couple had worked out where they may have contracted COVID-19, but the actor admitted: 'We had no idea how it could have happened, where it could have happened.' He explained he began to feel 'punky' after returning to the movie location from a trip to Sydney, where Rita had performed at the Opera House, while his wife was also 'feeling bad' with a headache. Tom noted that the two had very different symptoms Rita had a high fever, headaches and lost her sense of smell and taste while he felt extreme fatigue. Explaining it took him eight or nine days to recover, Tom said during that time his bones 'felt like they were made of soda crackers.' Ill: Tom and his wife Rita Wilson made the news earlier this year as two of the first celebrities to come down with COVID-19, with Tom explaining he has still no idea where they contracted the virus 'Bone crushing fatigue': Appearing virtually on The Late Show Tuesday night, the actor, 64, explained to host Stephen Colbert that he and Rita had 'very different' symptoms 'Everytime I moved around I felt like something was cracking inside me,' he said, adding that he had 'bone crushing fatigue'. He said that after he and Rita were diagnosed they were hospitalised before they were allowed to quarantine together in a rented house. Now that he has recovered, the actor cautioned he has no idea if he is immune or if he can contract the virus again. Wear a mask: Hanks, who was seen wearing a face covering while out with Rita in LA on June 7, is adamant that wearing a face covering is literally the least one can do 'No one really knows what the x factor is,' said the actor, adding that he has donated plasma for those who need it. Asked how he feels when he sees people not wearing masks, Tom was adamant that wearing a face covering is 'literally the least you can do', explaining that he wears a cloth bandanna, washes his hands and tries to stay six feet away from other people. Tom is currently promoting his new movie Greyhound, for which he also penned the screenplay. The film had been due for release in movie theatres in May but was pushed back to June 12 due to the coronavirus. However, with movie theatres still shuttered in the main across the country, Apple purchased the film for streaming release on its premium subscription service. The World War II story stars Hanks as a U.S. Navy Captain who is given command of a destroyer code-named Greyhound in his first wartime assignment. Despite his inexperience, he finds himself in charge of an allied convoy that's being stalked by Nazi U-Boats. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ResearchAndMarkets.com published a new article on the airline industry "US Airlines Agree Loan Terms With US Treasury Amidst COVID-19" Some of the largest US air carriers have signaled their intention to apply for federal loans. Many airlines already received $25 billion in financial aid under the CARES Act which was passed in March and could be eligible for another $25 billion loan program. Airlines that have signed letters of intent with the US Treasury include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Frontier, Hawaiian Airlines, SkyWest, Spirit and Southwest Airlines. US air carriers have until September 30th to decide if they will take the loan. Air travel had begun to increase in some US states as a result of economies reopening and travel restrictions being relaxed. However, a recent spike in COVID-19 cases in some states has lowered demand for air travel and led to the introduction of new restrictions. Several US states now require out of state visitors to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Airlines who avail of loans under the CARES Act must provide compensation to taxpayers in the form of warrants or equity interests issued to the US Treasury as well as committing to limiting employee compensation and dividends. To see the full article and a list of related reports on the market, visit "US Airlines Agree Loan Terms With US Treasury Amidst COVID-19" About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com A leading local doctor has voiced deep scepticism about the value of face masks in reducing the spread of coronavirus. Dr Anne McCloskey, a GP based in Londonderry, likened it to "using a sheep fence to keep out mosquitoes". She said it was "ridiculous" to contemplate making them compulsory. It came as a row broke out over a Government decision to make coverings mandatory in shops in England. Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to 100, enforced by police. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said coverings would help give people "more confidence to shop safely" and help protect staff. The Executive Office said the issue was kept "under continuous review". Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said she supports the use of face coverings in shops here. Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said wearing masks was the "right thing to do, the responsible thing to do". However, other retail and medical figures said it was not necessary for them to be compulsory. Dr McCloskey, deputy leader of Aontu, who came out of retirement at the start of the pandemic, said official advice on the matter was inconsistent. "The evidence on this changes; the World Health Organization has changed its mind on face coverings a couple of times, but to me the striking thing is the timing," she said. "We are four months into a pandemic which is now over - the peak deaths was in early April - and they are talking about introducing face masks at this stage. It is ridiculous and is not going to be effective in a healthy environment. I have concerns about people who suffer from COPD, asthma or anxiety. Face coverings will put them at risk of making their conditions worse Dr Anne McCloskey "The incidence of this virus is way down. There are cases but they are people with the virus. They are not dying from it, which is what happens with viruses, they get less dangerous over time. "People do become infected with it, but that is what the NHS is for, that is what we do. "The other thing that concerns me is around the face coverings themselves, which won't be standardised as far as I know, so it will be like using a sheep fence to keep out mosquitoes, "I have concerns about people who suffer from COPD, asthma or anxiety. Face coverings will put them at risk of making their conditions worse." Read More Aodhan Connelly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said the situation here was different to England because of a lower infection rate. He told the BBC: "It needs to be realised that retailers and our staff aren't there to do the enforcement of it, and also we are going to need time to bring it in." Public health expert Gabriel Scally told the BBC: "The incidence of the new cases is completely different in Northern Ireland and England, so there is a question about whether they are needed, and they won't be if we can keep the number of cases way, way down. "I absolutely agree with them on public transport, and the evidence is increasing about the value of face coverings, but they are really at maximum value when everyone is using them." Dr Tom Black, Northern Ireland chair of the British Medical Association, supports greater use of face coverings. He said: "In my own work and social environment I would recommend face coverings and I think most people will get into the habit of wearing them." He believes most people will move to using face masks "over the next few weeks". In England a row is brewing over how the rules would be enforced. Police chiefs said officers should only be involved "as a last resort" if shoppers refuse to wear face coverings. Senior officers were said to be blindsided by the announcement, with the National Police Chiefs' Council saying shopkeepers should be expected to manage entry into their stores and compliance with the law. Angry Conservative Party members cut up their membership cards in protest at the move. The hashtag #NoMasks and the word "muzzles" were both trending on Twitter. Xinhua Photo LONDON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese technology company Huawei said Tuesday that the British government's move to ban the company's involvement in the country's 5G networks is a "disappointing decision" which "threatens to move Britain into the digital slow lane, push up bills and deepen the digital divide." "This disappointing decision is bad news for anyone in the UK with a mobile phone." said Ed Brewster, a spokesperson for Huawei UK in a statement. "Instead of 'levelling up', the government is levelling down and we urge them to reconsider. We remain confident that the new U.S. restrictions would not have affected the resilience or security of the products we supply to the UK," Brewster said. The British government announced Tuesday that buying new Huawei 5G equipment will be banned after Dec. 31, 2020 and all Huawei equipment will be removed from the country's 5G networks by the end of 2027. "Regrettably our future in the UK has become politicized, this is about U.S. trade policy and not security," said Brewster. The British government announced in January its plans to safeguard the country's telecoms network, approving a restricted role for Huawei in helping build the country's 5G networks. Tuesday's decision marks a U-turn in Britain's policy concerning Huawei. "We will conduct a detailed review of what today's announcement means for our business here and will work with the UK government to explain how we can continue to contribute to a better connected Britain," said Brewster. The latest decision by the British government is expected to delay the country's 5G roll-out, according to Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden. From an economic viewpoint, eliminating Huawei from Britain's 5G infrastructure market could be expected to lead to higher prices and delays in roll-out, according to a recent report released by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a research institute in Britain. A previous study conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by Huawei also said that restricting Huawei from helping to build Britain's 5G infrastructure market would increase roll-out costs by 9 percent to 29 percent. "Outages would be possible" if BT is forced to pull out Huawei's 5G kit too quickly, the telecoms operator's chief executive Philip Jansen told BBC Radio 4's Today program. Depending on how big or how intrusive the work to be carried out is, users would lose their signal, "sometimes for a couple of days", Vodafone UK's Head of Networks Andrea Dona, told British lawmakers last week. The Chinese technology company has been operating in the British market for some two decades. It employs 1,600 people in Britain and supplies telecoms network equipment to all the major mobile and broadband service providers in the country, according to Huawei. Recently, Huawei announced that it will build a state-of-the-art center in Cambridge, Britain, which will focus on the research, development and manufacturing of optical devices and modules. 23:47 The construction of the Ram temple is likely to start next month and the temple trust president has sent an invite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion of its foundation stone laying ceremony, said Ayodhya seers on Thursday. A tentative programme for the construction of the temple is likely to be decided in the meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Saturday, they said. Trust's president Nritya Gopal Das has sent a letter to the prime minister, inviting him to conduct the Bhumi Pujan of Ram Mandir on the occasion of its foundation laying ceremony, said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, the official spokesperson of the Trust president. There is, however, no clarity as of now on prime minister's presence on the occasion, he said, adding a clearer picture is likely to emerge after the July 18 meeting. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat too is expected to be present during the Bhumi Pujan, he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi's former principal secretary Nripendra Mishra, also the chairman of the construction committee of the temple trust, visited Ayodhya on Thursday along with BSF's former director general K K Sharma, the security adviser of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, and met various members of the Ram Temple Trust, set up as per the directions of the apex court. The meeting was held in the presence of various local authorities at the Circuit House and attended by trust secretary Champat Rai and members Anil Mishra and Bimlendra Mishra among others. Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and member Mahant Dinendra Das, who live in Ayodhya itself, however, were not present in the meeting. -- PTI A U.S. Appeals Court ruled on Tuesday that the Dakota Access oil pipeline can continue to operate while the court considers whether the pipeline should be shut down as ordered by a lower courts ruling. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted the Dakota Access pipeline an administrative stay until it reviews and rules on last weeks order of a federal judge that the 570,000-bpd pipeline must be emptied and shut down by August 5 due to irregularities in the permitting process. Last week, a federal judge ruled that the Dakota Access Pipeline, in operation since 2017, must be emptied and shut down within 30 days, by August 5, until a new comprehensive environmental review is completed. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia said that the Army Corps of Engineers had violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when it gave a permit to the pipeline to build beneath Lake Oahe. In a statement on the court ruling, Energy Transfer said, We believe that Judge Boasberg has exceeded his authority in ordering the shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has been safely operating for more than three years. We will be immediately pursuing all available legal and administrative processes and are confident that once the law and full record are fully considered Dakota Access Pipeline will not be shut down and that oil will continue to flow. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has also filed a notice of appeal at an appeals court against the district courts decision to shut down Dakota Access. Commenting on the appeals court ruling from Tuesday, Republican Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said: Common sense prevails. The shutdown order was unreasonable and a clear example of judicial overreach. I hope the time will be used to find common ground among litigants. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Governments decision to strip Huawei equipment from its 5G network is about trade, not security, the Chinese companys UK communications boss has said. Boris Johnson on Tuesday ordered telecoms firms to strip equipment from the Chinese tech giant out of 5G networks by 2027. The move, which will delay the deployment of 5G technology by up to three years and add billions to the cost, came after the UKs experts warned that highly restrictive US sanctions meant the security of Huaweis equipment could not be guaranteed. Speaking on BBCs Newsnight, Huaweis UK communications director Ed Brewster said the decision to remove the companys 5G technology from the UK stemmed from pressure by Washington to maintain its position as a technological leader. This is a US campaign focused on attacking our business and attacking the technology and that's because the US is behind in terms of the technology Ed Brewster Its a very disappointing decision from our side. We are urging the UK Government to reconsider that decision, Mr Brewster said. We think its bad news for the UK. We think its bad news for anyone whos got a smartphone, bad news for anyone who uses the internet. I think this is clear this is not about security, this is about trade. This is a US campaign focused on attacking our business and attacking the technology and thats because the US is behind in terms of the technology. Todays decision is as much driven by trade and US trade policy, US concerns around falling behind in technology. We are in a long-term trade dispute escalation from the US around how it wants to retain technology leadership. Mr Brewster also moved to distance the company from the perception that it is a state arm of China, adding: Thats the perception but its incorrect. Were a private technology company. The trust weve built up around the world is with our customers (and) the telecoms networks. We dont work for governments, we work for the telecoms networks. Mr Brewsters comments come after Chinas ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, who is set to deliver an online speech on China-Europe relations on Tuesday, called the decision disappointing and wrong. He tweeted: It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries. The decision, taken by the National Security Council (NSC), led to concerns being raised in the Commons about the possibility of retaliation from Beijing, but ministers insisted they would not be cowed by China. From next year, telecoms firms will be banned from purchasing new 5G equipment from Huawei and will have to remove all the Chinese companys kit by 2027. They are also expected to be ordered to shift away from the purchase of Huaweis equipment for full-fibre broadband networks over a period lasting up to two years. However, there are reports a group of Conservative MPs are seeking to have the Chinese company removed from the networks sooner than 2027 and more comprehensively. The Daily Telegraph reports the group are preparing amendments to attach to the legislation when it comes before parliament in autumn. An unnamed source reportedly told The Guardian: The fight is back on. The telecoms infrastructure bill will face amendments to ban 3G and 4G on the same basis as 5G and to bring forward the end date for equipment. We are confident they will be successful. Disappointing and wrong decision by the UK on #Huawei. It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries. https://t.co/fp1D9Yn2vt Liu Xiaoming (@AmbLiuXiaoMing) July 14, 2020 The decision followed an assessment of the impact of US sanctions by experts from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which removes Huaweis access to products which have been built based on US semiconductor technology. Defence Select Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood said the Government should expect repercussions from China as a result of the decision, with Tory former Cabinet minister David Jones highlighting a warning from Mr Xiaoming of consequences if Huawei was banned. However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the UK will not be cowed by the comments of any other country. He added: This decision has been made in the national security interests of this nation. The decision was welcomed by the US, which has called for members of the Five Eyes alliance which also includes the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to avoid Huawei kit. NEWS: Huawei will be removed from the UKs 5G networks by the end of 2027, the government has announced, following new advice produced by the @NCSC on the impact of US sanctions against the company https://t.co/GbFe3U52fn pic.twitter.com/W39UY5pSwc DCMS (@DCMS) July 14, 2020 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted: Todays decision by the UK to ban Huawei from its 5G networks advances trans-Atlantic security in the 5G era while protecting citizens privacy, national security, and free-world values. Meanwhile, BT chief executive Philip Jansen said the company was confident its existing networks would not be significantly impacted by the decision. The security of our networks is an absolute priority for BT, Mr Jansen said. Clearly this decision has logistical and cost implications for communications providers in the UK market however, we believe the timescales outlined will allow us to make these changes without impacting on the coverage or resilience of our existing networks. It will also allow us to continue to rollout our 5G and full fibre networks without a significant impact on the timescales weve previously announced. WASHINGTON Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday the United States will impose visa restrictions on Chinese technology firms, the latest move expected to strain relations between Washington and Beijing. "State Department will impose visa restrictions on certain employees of Chinese tech companies like Huawei, that provide material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally," Pompeo said. The secretary of State described Huawei as "an arm of the Chinese Communist Party's surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China." He accused certain employees of the company of providing "material support to the Chinese Communist Party regime that commits human rights abuses," but he didn't offer specifics on the employees. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment regarding Pompeo's announcement. In a statement to CNBC, Huawei said it was "disappointed by this unfair and arbitrary action." The company also said it "operates independent of the Chinese government" and is a "private, employee-owned firm." Pompeo, who has previously described Huawei and other Chinese state-backed businesses as "Trojan horses for Chinese intelligence," said that Wednesday's actions should serve as a warning for other tech companies. "Telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers," the nation's top diplomat said. Earlier this month, Pompeo said the U.S. was looking at banning TikTok as well as other Chinese social media apps, citing national security concerns. U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs. They have also said that it threatens national security. Beijing maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft. Read more: Pompeo takes aim at Chinese tech firms over data theft concerns Pompeo's remarks come on the heels of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to purge Huawei equipment from the nation's 5G network by the end of 2027. The Trump administration welcomed the reversal, which was announced Tuesday and further limits Huawei's global footprint. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed legislation to impose sanctions on China in response to its interference with Hong Kong's autonomy. He also signed an executive order ending the preferential treatment that Hong Kong has long enjoyed. China's foreign ministry said Wednesday that Beijing will impose retaliatory sanctions against U.S. individuals and entities in response to the law targeting banks, though the statement released through state media did not refer to the executive order. A Victorian driver has offered an unbelievable excuse after police pulled him over and found he was driving with one tyre missing. The mans Nissan Pulsar was found blocking a lane on Yarra Road in Warrandyte, in Melbournes northeast, about 3am on Wednesday. Police noticed the front left tyre had blown and was completely gone, and spoke to a 19-year-old man who was allegedly driving the car. The alleged driver of this Nissan Pulsar told police he couldn't change the tyre and blamed society for not teaching him how. Source: Victoria Police. He told police the tyre had got a puncture and he continued to drive until he couldnt go any further as he and his 22-year-old passenger didnt know how to change it, police said. The man returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.162. Police said both men said it was not their fault that they did not know to change a tyre and blamed society for not teaching them. Both men were fined $1652 each for COVID-19 breaches. The alleged driver of the Nissan had his licence suspended for 12 months and is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving offences. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. A sian people should not be stigmatised by coronavirus flare-up in their communities, councillors in Blackburn have said. It comes after officials in the Lancashire town introduced new measure on Tuesday after an outbreak in the area. They said big families looking after elderly relatives and living in the same terraced houses may be a factor in the increase in cases. Around a third of Blackburn with Darwens 148,000 population are from ethnic backgrounds, with a large Pakistani heritage population. The authority is third on the list of highest weekly coronavirus rates in England, behind Leicester which has a rate of 104.4 cases per 100,000 for the seven days to July 12, and is subject to a local lockdown and nearby Pendle, with a rate of 74.4, which also have large ethnic populations. The rate in Blackburn with Darwen for the seven days to July 12 is 48.3. A dog walker watches the sunrise on Blackburn hill. The region has seen tighter restrictions introduced following a spike in coronavirus cases / PA Councillor Saima Afzal said: It should be a concern to anybody if any community is stigmatised and we know the facts are there, we are open about those facts. He warned against analysing the statistics inaccurately as they can be twisted any way you want to portray them. If you are going home and you are working and you are maybe not abiding by the rules as rigidly as you should be, and you go home and you are caring for a family member, or there are three or four families living under one household, because of economic reasons, or financial issues, and the Asian community do do that they pool their resources together to help the whole family survive. Loading.... If then they are going home, they are passing it on to more than one person. So inevitably, if you take that as a factor as well, and theres a cocktail of other factors as well, you are going to see spikes in particular communities. And theres the inequalities that have been around for years. As a group of councillors we are all very concerned. Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures 1 /81 Coronavirus hits the UK - In pictures A deserted Westminster Bridge PA A man wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, walks past customers sat outside a restaurant AFP via Getty Images Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Runners pass cardboard cutouts of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William during the London Marathon in London AP An empty escalator at Charing Coss London Underground tube station Jeremy Selwyn Electronic bilboards displays a message warning people to stay home in Sheffield PA A sign is displayed in the window of a student accommodation building following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Mancheste Reuters People take part in a 'We Do Not Consent' rally at Trafalgar Square, organised by Stop New Normal, to protest against coronavirus restrictions, in Londo AP People sing and dance in Leicester Square on the eve on the 10PM curfew Reuters Hearts painted by a team of artists from Upfest are seen in the grass at Queen Square, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bristol Reuters Graffiti reads 'good luck and stay safe', as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases grow around the world, under a bridge in London Reuters A sign is pictured in Soho, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London Reuters Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures, during a coronavirus briefing in Downing Street, London AP A person runs past posters with a message of hope, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Manchester REUTERS Riot police face protesters who took part in a 'We Do Not Consent' rally at Trafalgar Square, organised by Stop New Normal, to protest against coronavirus restrictions in London AP An image of The Queen eith quotes from her broadcast to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the Coronavirus epidemic are displayed on lights in London's Piccadilly Circus PA Military vehicles cross Westminster Bridge after members of the 101 Logistic Brigade delivered a consignment of medical masks to St Thomas' hospital Getty Images Durdle Door in Dorset Reuters Captain Tom Moore via Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Coronavirus outbreak PA An NHS worker reacts at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during the Clap for our Carers campaign in support of the NHS Reuters Goats which have taken over the deserted streets of Llandudno @AndrewStuart via PA Tobias Weller PA Novikov restaurant in London with its shutters pulled down while the restaurant is closed London Landscapes: Hyde Park and the Serpentine, central London. Matt Writtle A newspaper vendor in Manchester city centre giving away free toilet rolls with every paper bought as shops run low on supplies due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus PA Theo Clay looks out of his window next to his hand-drawn picture of a rainbow in Liverpool, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue Reuters A young man cuts another man's hair on top of a closed hairdresser in Oxford Reuters General view of the new NHS Nightingale Hospital, built to fight against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London via Reuters Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children in Stockport, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters A woman wearing a face mask walks past Buckingham Palace Getty Images A man holds mobile phone displaying a text message alert sent by the government warning that new rules are in force across the UK and people must stay at home PA Medical staff on the Covid-19 ward at the Neath Port Talbot Hospital, in Wales, as the health services continue their response to the coronavirus outbreak. PA Prime Minister Boris Johnson taking part in a virtual Cabinet meeting with his top team of ministers PA A shopper walks past empty shelves in a Lidl store on in Wallington. After spates of "panic buying" cleared supermarket shelves of items like toilet paper and cleaning products, stores across the UK have introduced limits on purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have also created special time slots for the elderly and other shoppers vulnerable to the new coronavirus. Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour PA Mia, aged 8 and her brother Jack, aged 5 from Essex, continue their school work at home, after being sent home due to the coronavirus PA Children are painting 'Chase the rainbows' artwork and springing up in windows across the country Reuters Social distancing in Primrose Hill Jeremy Selwyn A general view of a locked gate at Anfield, Liverpool as The Premier League has been suspended PA Homeless people in London AFP via Getty Images A piece of art by the artist, known as the Rebel Bear has appeared on a wall on Bank Street in Glasgow. The new addition to Glasgow's street art is capturing the global Coronavirus crisis. The piece features a woman and a man pulling back to give each other a kiss PA The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace, London, for Windsor Castle to socially distance herself amid the coronavirus pandemic PA A general view on Grey street, Newcastle as coronavirus cases grow around the world Reuters Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Britain's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty (L) and Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance look on as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news conference inside 10 Downing Street Reuters The ticket-validation terminals at the tram stop on Edinburgh's Princes Street are cleaned following the coronavirus outbreak. PA Locked school gates at Rockcliffe First School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear PA A sign at a Sainsbury's supermarket informs customers that limits have been set on a small number of products as the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases grow around the world Reuters Jawad Javed delivers coronavirus protection kits that he and his wife have put together to the vulnerable people of their community of Stenhousemuir, between Glasgow and Edinburgh AFP via Getty Images A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" Getty Images A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian walks past graffiti that reads "Diseases are in the City" in Edinburgh AFP via Getty Images Staff from The Lyric Theatre, London inform patrons, as it shuts its doors PA A quiet looking George IV Bridge in Edinburgh PA A quieter than usual British Museum Getty Images A racegoer attends Cheltenham in a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com A commuter wears a face mask at London Bridge Station Jeremy Selwyn A empty restaurant in the Bull Ring Shopping Centre Getty Images A deserted Trafalgar Square in London PA Passengers determined to avoid the coronavirus before leaving the UK arrive at Gatwick Airport Getty Images If youve got underlying health issues we still need to adhere to the rules, regardless of what background you are from, because I dont want people to be complacent, Its just a south Asian problem, or a minority ethnic problem, or a particular age. Figures from the last census show 25 per cent of the boroughs Bangladeshi households have too few rooms, compared with 5 per cent of white households. Blackburn with Darwen has announced new lockdown measures / Google Maps Councillor Shaukat Hussain said he was not worried about data showing virus cases increasing in Asian communities, despite some reports suggesting a fear of blaming or stigmatising one ethnic group. He said: Its not a concern to me, the facts are there. Loading.... Its a concern when people start twisting that, like I said we are more prone to picking up, BAME heritage background people are more prone to picking up the infection than the indigenous but that doesnt mean they are the ones spreading it, which some papers are trying to twist. Its the background, its the wards, its the terraced housing. Other wards are well spread out whereas some central wards are more terraced houses, more people in the household, larger families, so all that will probably play into it. But its adhering to the guidelines if we can stick to the guidelines then Im sure we can keep this under control. He said local mosques had done an amazing job during the lockdown, adding: Only last Friday was the first time they opened up and they have introduced social distancing in there and adhering to all the guidelines. So some of the mosques could previously cater for 1,000 people at one time, they have gone down to about 200, so theres good distancing. They are all keeping all records of people attending and they are all bringing their own prayer mats so they have been absolutely brilliant in this. He said he expected infection figures to initially increase as more testing is done in the town, but he hoped they would fall back in the next two weeks. In a bid to curb the continuing rise in imported new coronavirus cases, South Korea plans to put more countries on its list of nations under tougher anti-virus quarantine measures, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Wednesday. "(The government) will make a decision today that will additionally designate countries with higher (virus) import risks as nations that are subject to tougher quarantine measures," Chung said in a regular government COVID-19 response meeting in the administrative city of Sejong. "For the newly designated countries, stronger quarantine measures will be applied, including visa restrictions, a limit on (inbound) flights and the submission of negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results (for people arriving from the countries)." The decision will add more countries, reportedly including the Philippines and Uzbekistan, to South Korea's special list of nations under tougher precautionary quarantine steps. Currently, four nations -- Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan -- are on the list. The decision comes as the daily number of imported virus cases has surpassed the number of locally transmitted cases in recent days. South Korea reported 39 new daily cases Wednesday, 28 of which were imported from outside of South Korea, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Of the 33 new cases reported a day earlier, 19 were from outside of the country, spawning concerns about a sustained rise in such cases. The prime minister also said South Korea will temporarily halt a visa waiver system for foreign crewmen traveling through South Korea after many cases were reported among foreign sailors arriving in South Korea through the system. "Over the past 10 days, the proportion of imported virus cases has been bigger than that of local transmissions, making it necessary to put the focus on blocking cases coming from outside of the country," the prime minister noted. (Yonhap) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Ladakh on Friday to take stock of the country's military preparedness and review the overall situation, government sources said on Wednesday, as India and China move to finalise a framework for a complete disengagement at friction points on their border. Singh will be accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane and it will be his first visit to Ladakh after the standoff between the armies of India and China on the Line of Actual Control began on May 5. Singh's trip comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Ladakh on July 3 during which he also addressed troops and signalled the country's firmness in dealing with the India-China border row. The sources said Singh will carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in the region with Gen Naravane, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Commander of the 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and other senior army officials. From Ladakh, the defence minister will travel to Srinagar where he will hold a high-level meeting with senior military officials on Saturday to review the situation along the Line of Control with Pakistan, the sources said. Singh was originally scheduled to visit Ladakh on July 3 but it was deferred. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. However, following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process on July 6 and withdrew troops from most of the friction points. On Tuesday, senior commanders of the the two armies held a fourth round of talks during which the Indian delegation conveyed a "very clear" message to the Chinese army that status quo must ante be restored in eastern Ladakh and China will have to follow all mutually agreed protocols for border management to bring back peace and tranquillity along the LAC, government sources said. During the course of the intense and complex negotiations that lasted nearly 15 hours, the Indian delegation apprised the Chinese army about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, the sources said. The key focus of the talks was learnt to be on rolling out the phase two of the disengagement process besides firming up modalities for withdrawal of forces and weapons from the rear bases in a time-bound and verifiable manner, the sources said, adding they were aimed at further de-escalation of the situation at various friction points. Indutai Wagh, mother of three and a subsistence tribal farmer from Khanduchiwadi, a remote village in Shahapur taluka, 72km from Mumbai, crossed a personal milestone last month. Wagh earned her first income of 1,250 after she sold 250 home-grown organic eggs. The earnings, she says are enough to fend for her family of four, for over a month. Like Wagh, 17 other tribal women from the hamlet of Ma Thakur tribe, a marginalised community, are finding their feet amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing unemployment, thanks to a free range poultry project that was started here as a pilot by Population First, a non-government organisation that focusses on communication and advocacy for health and population issues from gender and social development perspective. The initiative is now not only ensuring steady earnings to these women in this village but also helping the government run its supplementary nutrition scheme for tribal children, despite broken supply chains during the Covid-19 outbreak. While all daily wage labourer jobs that the men in the village normally opt for having dried up, its the womens poultry business that is keeping their families secure in Khanduchiwadi. Wagh and the other women who are a part of the project are selling the eggs produced in the backyards of their homes to the anganwadi workers at Khanduchiwadi and five other neighbouring hamlets to help them run the scheme under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Ahar Yojana. The supplementary nutrition scheme of the government is aimed at combating malnutrition and improving the nutrition of tribal children as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. Under the scheme, the government has mandated eggs, among other food items, to be provided to tribal children (up to six years) for four days a week. I need 200 eggs a week for the scheme, and from April onwards, buying eggs from outside became difficult owing to the lock down. Our local poultry project came in very handy and I now buy eggs from the women in our village for the scheme, said Anita Wagh, an anganwadi sevika for the hamlet. Anita is compensated by the state governments women and child development department that implements this scheme. The women, who are a part of the initiative, were trained in January in poultry farming, following which Population First provided them with 180 chicks of a breed known for maximum egg production. We first tried training this group of women last year, but the project didnt take off. We then renewed our efforts in January. Their training consists of various aspects, including taking care of chicks, their feed, vet visits, hatching etc and close follow ups over three months. Its not easy to train the tribal women because of huge gaps in education and language [the tribe speaks Thakari Marathi dialect]. But they did have traditional poultry-rearing skills, which were useful, said Fazal Pathan, project director, Shahapur, with Population First for its field initiative, Amchi (Action for Mobilisation Community Health Initiatives). Pathan said that the while some chicks did not survive, majority of them did and the eggs successfully hatched. The women were also successful with rearing their first batch of 35 new chicks. It was heartening to see the women even rear the batch of chicks with traditional hatching techniques and without the assistance of hatcheries etc. The project will now be expanded to three more tribal villages, as it seems to be a feasible livelihood option for the community, said Dr Sharada AL, director of Population First. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ketaki Ghoge Ketaki Ghoge is an associate editor with Hindustan Times. Based in Mumbai, she covers politics and governance in Maharashtra. Journalist for the last 13 years, Ketaki enjoys dicing government policies, administration and analysing politics of the day. ...view detail Google and Reliance Jio announced its new partnership which involves working on a new entry-level phone based on a customised OS as well. Reliance Jio today announced Google as its latest investor and partner at the RIL AGM earlier today. Google will not only invest in Reliances digital arm Jio Platforms but work with the company on a new phone as well. Google is the latest company to invest in Jio Platforms joining the likes of other popular tech names like Facebook, Intel and Qualcomm. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also made a virtual appearance at the event talking about the companys partnership with Jio. We take a look at the Google-Jio partnership and highlight its key points. Jio Platforms investment Everyones well aware of the recent spree of investments in Jio Platforms. Jio announced today that Google will invest 33,737 crore for a 7.73% equity stake in Jio Platforms. This also brings the total investment in Jio Platforms to 1,52,056 crore. Google collaborates with Reliance Jio. (Jio) ALSO READ: Top announcements from Reliance's AGM 2020 Google for India fund Googles investment in Jio Platforms is actually a part of the Google for India fund announced this Monday. Google said it will invest 75,000 crore as part of its Google for India Digitization Fund. The Jio Platforms investment is the first part of this investment by Google. Everyone should have access to the internet. Proud to partner with @reliancejio to increase access for the hundreds of millions in India who dont own a smartphone with our 1st investment of $4.5B from the #GoogleForIndia Digitization Fund.https://t.co/1fP8iBZQfm Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) July 15, 2020 New affordable smartphone Delving further into this investment is Google and Jio working together on an entry-level smartphone with Android optimisations and the Play Store as well. Jio already dominates the feature phone market with its Jio Phone and Jio Phone 2 smart feature phones. Mukesh Ambani talks about collaboration with Google. (Jio) Customised Android OS This low-cost smartphone will run on a customised Android OS that both companies will work on together. There will be optimisations in the Google Play Store as well for this smartphone. Google currently offers Android Go which is a lighter version of the OS for entry-level phones. It also has lightweight Android Go apps. The new Android-based OS is expected to have more optimised features for Indian users. Not the first partnership This is the first official Google-Jio partnership but the two companies have been linked together before. JioPhone runs on the Google-backed KaiOS which helped bring apps like YouTube, Google Maps and even WhatsApp and Facebook. These apps on a non-smartphone along with 4G support helped propel the JioPhone adoption in India. PHILADELPHIA -- Researchers from the Penn Institute of Immunology discovered three distinct immune responses to the SARS-CoV2 infection that could help predict the trajectory of disease in severe COVID-19 patients and may ultimately inform how to best treat them. The findings were published in Science. "For patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19, there isn't just one way for the immune system to respond. There's a lot of heterogeneity, which we've distilled down into what we're calling three "immunotypes," said senior author E. John Wherry, PhD, chair of the department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics and director of the Penn Institute of Immunology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "We're hopeful we may actually be able to predict, or at least infer, the different immune patterns a patient has based on clinical data. This would allow us to start thinking about enrolling patients to different types of clinical trials investigating treatments." The coronavirus triggers different immune responses and symptoms in critically ill patients, but how those two correspond has remained poorly understood, making treatment decisions more difficult. While recent studies reveal details on the immune's response to the virus, most have been single-case reports or focused on a small group of individuals. This is the first study, to the author's knowledge, to offer up a comprehensive immune profile of a large number of hospitalized patients. The researchers applied deep immune profiling to capture individual responses of 163 patients during the course of their infections. The study included 90 hospitalized patients treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 29 non-hospitalized patients, and 44 healthy donors with no COVID-19 infection. The immune responses varied among the group, but there were patterns that hold clinical promise. The first immunotype had robust CD4+ T cell activity, with modest activation of CD8+ T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. CD4+ and CD8+ act as the main inflammatory immune cells that work to clear viruses. The second immunotype was characterized mainly by a subset of CD8+ T cells known as EM and EMRA and a modest activation of CD8+ T cells, memory B cells, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The third immunotype showed little to no evidence of an immune response to the infection. Next, researchers combined the profiling with clinical data to understand the relationships between immune responses and disease. The first immunotype was tied to more severe disease that included inflammation, organ failure, and acute kidney disease. The second correlated not with disease severity but instead pre-existing immunosuppression and mortality. The third type, which had no immune activation, was not associated with specific symptoms or clinical features, though they varied. The immunotypes developed by Wherry and team represent adaptive immune responses. A second study from researchers at Penn, published in Science Immunology, uncovered new details about the innate, or initial, response to SARS-CoV2. "T and B cell activity are informed by innate immune responses," said senior author Michael R. Betts, PhD, a professor of Microbiology and program leader in the Penn Institute of Immunology, who is also a co-author on the first study. "We believe what's happening with the innate response of the immune system might be what's leading to these three immune phenotypes Dr. Wherry's lab identified." Profiling the blood samples of 42 infected patients (with moderate and severe disease) and 12 healthy donors, the researchers found a similar heterogeneity in immune adaptive responses: robust activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, along with peripheral blood cells, like neutrophils, monocytes, and "natural killer," or NK, cells. While the innate responses were also heterogenous, the researchers observed a decrease of CD15 and CD16 molecules on neutrophils and CD16 on NK cells, immature granulocytes, and monocytes, in patients with more severe disease. These two molecules are known players in the immune's response to viral infections that also represent a potential target for immunotherapy. How they are driving and exacerbating the adaptive responses in the three immunotypes is an important question the labs are working to better understand. COVID-19 studies have been moving at an unprecedented speed as researchers band together to find answers. Among its many efforts, Penn formed lab and clinical research teams from diverse backgrounds to strengthen its focus on the immune system, along with the COVID Processing Unit to manage specimens to profile. "Understanding the power of the immune system to regulate responses to disease is one of the major advances in medicine in the last decade, and Penn has been at the center leading that discovery. We are now applying the broad expertise and experience of our more than 200-person immunology community toward the research and treatment of COVID-19," said Jonathan A. Epstein, MD, executive vice dean, chief scientific officer, and a professor of Cardiovascular Research at Penn. "The deep immuno-profiling work the investigators applied here is likely to be useful not only now, for this disease, but into the future for many others." ### The studies were supported by the Penn Institute for Immunology Glick COVID-19 research award; the National Institute of Health (HL137006, HL137915, UM1- AI144288, P30-CA016520, AI105343, AI115712, AI117950, AI108545, AI082630, CA210944, CA230157); Mentored Clinical Scientist Career Development Award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (K08 AI136660); Athersys, Inc, Biomarck Inc, and the Marcus Foundation for Research; the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy; the Allen Institute for Immunology. Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $425 million awarded in the 2018 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center--which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report--Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; and Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Home Care and Hospice Services, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others. Penn Medicine is powered by a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 40,000 people. The organization also has alliances with top community health systems across both Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, creating more options for patients no matter where they live. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2018, Penn Medicine provided more than $525 million to benefit our community. The late Spanish writer-philosopher George Santayana is generally accredited with the very sensible saying that "those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat its mistakes". He could have added that if you wanted people to ponder the present, it would help to look closely at the past, which is exactly what a number of talented TV makers have been doing. One is David Simon (The Wire, Treme, The Deuce). His latest offering, The Plot Against America (2020), has been adapted from Philip Roth's pseudo-autobiographical novel published in 2004. Created with longstanding collaborator Ed Burns, the six-part series takes us back to the US during a two-year period between 1940 and 1942 when famed aviator Charles Lindbergh was elected as president ahead of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which, of course, never happened. Nevertheless, Simon and Burns' alternative history surveys the social and political climate of those years, notes its similarity to the present day and reflects on how the unrest provoked by Lindbergh's fictional occupancy of the White House mirrors the disarray of Donald Trump's real-world tenancy. The series' starting point is a simple tweak of historical fact: with Hitler's armies on the march in Europe, FDR loses the 1940 election to national hero Lindbergh, whose isolationist agenda opposes US entry into the war. How, it asks, would such an event affect the state of the nation? A top contender for the chairmanship of the coronavirus pandemic congressional oversight commission has withdrawn his name from consideration, two sources tell ABC News. Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford was poised to be named chair of the Congressional Oversight Commission, but sources say there were issues with disentangling his financial portfolio to allay any potential conflicts of interest. A spokesman for Dunford told ABC News that the general had no statement to provide. Democrats had insisted on the creation of a watchdog body to oversee the a massive Federal Reserve lending facility -- part of the historic $3 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act -- and the Dunford decision comes four months after the commission, tasked with overseeing $500 billion of taxpayer dollars, was created. MORE: Broad disapproval for Trump's handling of coronavirus, race relations: POLL The move complicates efforts to understand how effective the unprecedented federal funding effort has been to date, something most Republicans have said was essential before approving a second, massive round of funding. But that effort is already underway, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicating a roughly $1 trillion bill was in the works and could be considered soon after Congress returns from its July work period. Dunfords name has been mentioned for weeks, according to the sources, and the general has undergone the vetting processes to look for conflicts of interest. The chair will eventually be announced jointly by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and McConnell. Politico and The Wall Street Journal first reported Dunfords expected appointment for the position. Dunford, a former Marine general, retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2019. He served in the position for four years. In January, he was elected to the board of Lockheed Martin, the largest defense contractor in the country. Story continues PHOTO: Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford speaks during a media briefing with Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the Pentagon, Aug. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Va. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) So far, four members have been appointed to the Congressional Oversight Commission, which was created to monitor loans the Federal Reserve will dole out to different corners of the economy to bridge the damage from coronavirus. The commission has produced two public reports so far on the program; one per month since the commission was created. It held its first sit-down meeting on Wednesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. MORE: Too little too late: The story of how Florida shattered the country's single-day COVID record Current members on the commission include two Republican lawmakers, Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, and two Democrats, Rep. Donna Shalala of Florida and Bharat Ramamurti, a senior adviser to Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The fifth member of chair of the commission requires joint agreement from both Pelosi and McConnell. One GOP source said it's unclear who would be considered now that Dunford had bowed out. Commission members from both sides of the aisle have urged their party leaders to move quickly. "I'm in favor of having a chair as soon as it is possible," Toomey told ABC News in a June phone interview. "It just makes more sense to have the chair before we're doing hearings, for instance, or before we hire an executive director and really begin staffing up," he said. Hill also noted the benefit of hiring staff, which the commission can't do without a chair. The oversight body would be "more effective and more efficient if we had a modest commission staff to assist in the process," he said. Ramamurti, the only non-congressional member on the commission, said on Twitter last week that the 83-day delay in naming a chair -- and therefore preventing the commission from hiring staff -- was creating "serious obstacles to performing robust oversight." The chair will be the glue of the commission and allow it to become a fully functioning oversight body, according to conversations with commission members. Without a chair, the commission hasn't hired staff and has yet to hold any hearings or call any government officials in for testimony, though they collectively had more than 50 questions for the Treasury Department in its first report. Warren, who was chair of the panel that oversaw the stimulus package during the 2008 recession -- which the current commission was modeled after -- was seen as an integral part of its relative effectiveness, according to Damon Silvers, who served on the panel with Warren in 2008. A chairperson is necessary to "demand and receive cooperation from the Treasury" and the Federal Reserve, Silvers said. "Obviously, as has been noted, the absence of the chair for the current oversight commission is a crippling deficiency. Having excellent and numerous staff is essential. And the willingness to create expectations around regular reports and hearings and to make demands for data and witnesses is essential," Silvers said in a hearing before the Congressional Progressive Caucus in late June. The panel Silvers and Warren served on had 46 staff at its peak, according to Ramamurti, who gave the number as context for how the 2008 panel was able to conduct full-scale investigations. "We're unable to do that without a chair," Ramamurti said at the same hearing in late June. "There are things that we can do without a chair and that we're doing -- we put out our report, as to every 30 days, we can hold hearings, and my hope is that we will have one in the near future -- but without staff, it's going to be very tough. And we need a chair to get staff," he said. ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Coronavirus oversight commission remains leaderless as top contender bows out originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-16 00:29:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BRUSSELS, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed its willingness to enhance its overall relationship with India, emphasizing their mutual interests in preserving the existing international order. In a joint statement released following the 15th EU-India Summit, the leaders of the two sides said they aimed to strengthen their strategic partnership and "affirmed their determination to promote effective multilateralism and a rules-based multilateral order with the United Nations and the World Trade Organization at its core." "Today's meeting clearly showed that both the EU and India want a stronger strategic relationship for the future," said European Council President Charles Michel at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Earlier in the day, Michel and von der Leyen held the summit via video conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "As power dynamics shift across the globe, the EU wants to play a stronger role in the region, and as a global actor. Today's substantive dialogue with India will reinforce these strategic goals," Michel said. The leaders agreed to establish a ministerial-level dialogue aimed at addressing trade irritants and fostering progress on trade and investment agreements, including a free trade agreement -- although it is still far off. The EU is India's largest trade and investment partner, but India accounts for only about two percent of EU external trade. "This is clearly an area that offers impressive potential for significant future growth," said Michel. Touching upon their joint efforts to combat COVID-19, both sides "emphasized the importance of strengthening our preparedness and response capacities, of sharing information in a free, transparent and prompt manner, and of improving international response, including through relevant international organizations, such as the World Health Organization." The leaders also discussed climate change, digital transformation, military cooperation and regional issues, including relations with China. India will serve as president of the United Nations (UN) Security Council in 2021-2022 and will assume the presidency of the G20 in 2022. The G20 is an international forum for governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the EU. Enditem A toddler has been killed and her six-year-old sister is recovering from serious injuries after a horror highway crash. The siblings had to be cut from the wreckage of the mangled SUV after the woman driving slammed into a parked truck, north of Adelaide, on Wednesday morning. The 63-year-old driver is believed to be childrens' grandmother, according to 7 News. A toddler has been killed and her six-year-old sister is recovering from serious injuries after a horror highway crash (pictured: the red SUV was seriously damaged after the crash on Wednesday morning) The car was travelling along the Sturt Highway at Shea-Oak Log, 60km north of Adelaide, when she lost control and hit the tyre truck at about 10.45am. Passing motorists rushed to the scene but they were unable to save the toddler. Local Carol Wagenfeller said as soon as she heard the sirens she knew it was bad news. 'You hear ambulances and you think ''oh God, here we go'',' she said. Farm worker Dylan Pangiotou said he's never seen such chaotic scenes along a normally quiet stretch. Locals reported scenes of chaos (pictured) after the fatal crash at Shea-Oak Log, north of Adelaide on Wednesday morning 'I've been around here my whole life I haven't seen anything like it around here,' Mr Panagiotou told Adelaide Now. Traffic was banked up for hours while crime scene detectives investigated the scene. A rescue helicopter transported the six-year-old girl and 63-year-old woman to Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. No one was inside the truck when the car slammed into it. The death of the toddler takes the number of lives lost on South Australian roads so far this year to 53. 1 Market Buzz Reliance Industries AGM today Indias most valued private company Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will hold its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 15. It will be the first virtual AGM for the oil-to-retail major, which recently crossed Rs 12 lakh crore in market capitalisation, the first listed Indian company to achieve the feat. Reliance Industries share has rallied over 120 percent from its March 23 low and was one of the key drivers of the Niftys 44 percent rally during the period. Since its last AGM, the scrip has returned over 68 percent. There is an increased interest in the meeting this time after investors lined up to pick up a stake in Reliance Jio, the companys digital arm, say experts. Investors, including Facebook, Intel and KKR & Co, have already poured in a combined Rs 118,318.45 crore for a 25.24 percent stake in Jio. What to expect from AGM? Read here. 2 Big Story Economists for second round of stimulus The Centre should announce a second round of stimulus at the earliest, economists have said, with one of them emphasising that the government ought to err on the side of being liberal. A greater focus should be on small businesses in the designing of the package, they said, adding that even after the partial yet widespread lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown, demand continued to be elusive. What has happened to businesses? Lockdown is lifted, but the demand doesn't exist. What you are going to see is a bloodbath among MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). Do we need stimulus? Yes! Pronab Sen, Programme Director for the International Growth Centre (IGC)-India Programme and former chief statistician said during a seminar organized by academic institution SPJIMR. Read here. 3 Your Money Do you know how much your bank charges, penalises you? Having a bank account and making use of all the services that it offers doesnt come free. It is not just about maintaining a minimum balance. Your bank deducts amounts periodically for various services from your account. It is all out there but most of us dont bother to read the terms and conditions of the bank along with charges applicable for the services. Every savings account requires a certain minimum balance, failing which bank imposes a charge. The debit card also comes at a price, more feature-rich the card, higher the fee. There is a limit to free ATM transactions and money transfers are also charged. How much does it all cost you, read here. 4 Global Watch South China Sea storm The top US diplomat for East Asia said on July 14 that the United States could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea. "Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that," David Stilwell, the assistant secretary for East Asia, told a Washington think tank when asked if sanctions were a possible response to Chinese actions. The warning comes a day after the US rejected China's disputed claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea. China has offered no coherent legal basis for its ambitions and for years has been using intimidation against other Southeast Asian coastal states, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Read here. 5 Tech Tattle Best five smartphones for under Rs 15K Want a new smartphone but stuck with a restricted mid-range budget? No worries, you still have a lot of options. Good looks, a battery that can last up to two days as you go on a gaming spree and a fast charge thrown in. A wide-angle camera, a portrait lens and a macro lens for some great selfies--there is a lot that can be packed in a phone these days. If patience is not your strongest point, one of the phones gives you a 50 percent charge in less than 30 minutes. You also get a 6.67-inch display with a 16MP in-screen selfie camera. If a monster battery, which can deliver up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge, you are after, we have you covered. There is more, click here. 6 Startup Tales Walmart to pump in $1.2 billion into Flipkart US retailer Walmart announced it will lead a $1.2 billion fresh investment in its ecommerce business Flipkart, which it acquired in 2018, at a valuation of $24.9 billion. The development comes at a time when domestic rival Reliance Industries ecommerce venture JioMart, part of the Jio is busy raising billions of dollars from marquee investors. This fresh investment in Flipkart will see participation from a group of existing shareholders. It will be funded in two tranches over the remainder of FY21. Founded in 2007, the Flipkart group includes Flipkart, digital payments platform PhonePe, fashion specialty site Myntra and eKart, a logistics and delivery service focused on solving the last mile in India's Tier II and III cities. Read here. 7 Tailpiece Bastille Day honours corona warriors France celebrates its national day, commonly known as Bastille Day, on July 14. Bastille Day, or the French National Day, dates back to the 1789 French Revolution. On that day, citizens stormed the Bastille fortress, which was used to detain prisoners and had become a symbol of the harsh rule of the French monarchy. However, this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, such traditional events were held as a precautionary measure to stem the outbreak. This year on its biggest national holiday, France redesigned the Bastille Day parade to celebrate heroes of the coronavirus pandemic and honoured ambulance drivers, health workers, postal workers, medics who died fighting COVID-19. Click here. Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Veterans who passed any Texas insurance exam since early 2019 can now get reimbursed for the fee after the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs approved the states request, the insurance department said. Veterans may seek reimbursement of exam fees going back to Feb. 1, 2019, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Veterans may apply to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to receive the reimbursement. In addition, TDI said the agency makes it easier for active duty military members and spouses to work as insurance agents or adjusters in Texas: TDI waives the application fees for military spouses who have an insurance license in another state. When they apply for their Texas license, they simply need to provide proof of Texas residency, their military identification, and their insurance credentials from their home state. Military members with an insurance license get a break on their career education while theyre deployed to a combat area. They simply need to provide a copy of their orders. TDI worked with its exam vendor to add insurance exam sites on military bases around the state. Source: TDI Topics Texas Camera traps bring you closer to the secretive natural world and are an important conservation tool to study wildlife. This week we're meeting an animal that takes part in one of the most amazing migrations on Earth: the African wildebeest. Wildebeests, or gnus, are one of the largest grazers of the African savannas. These antelopes are most well known for their characteristic long-face, thick neck, and horns. They live in open bushlands and grassy plains and depend on short-grass pastures and water sources within 20km. Migration permits them to rotate pastures where these requirements vary seasonally. An example of such rotation is the Great Mara-Serengeti migration. Wildebeest, accompanied by zebras, Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, elands and impalas, spend the dry season on the grasslands of Lake Victoria and the rainy season on ashy volcanic plains closer to the Rift Valley. During this annual cycle, female wildebeests initiate movement from one major pasture to another. Watch the video to learn more about this species! This article is republished from Mongabay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. | Author: Romi Castagnino, bilingual writer for Mongabay | Find her on Twitter and Instagram: @romi_castagnino Some of the people who have been brought in as replacements for those senior positions have markedly different sensibilities than their predecessors. Ms. Arthur at Knopf and Amy Einhorn, the new publisher of Henry Holt, are both known for having a strong commercial sense, an eye for what sells and for knowing what women want to read. While the ranks of the publishing industry skews heavily female, and women tend to buy more books, men have often held the top jobs. Ms. Lucass new role comes on the heels of another big hire in publishings executive ranks. Last week, Simon & Schuster brought on Dana Canedy, a former New York Times editor and the administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes, as the new publisher of its namesake imprint. Ms. Canedy, 55, will become the first Black person to lead a major publishing house. She said shes aiming to acquire books that are completely out of the box. The most obvious element of diversity I bring is being a Black woman, but I also grew up in a small town in Kentucky. Im also of a military family. Im also a single mother, she said in an interview. I think I will be more open, perhaps, than some to taking a chance on unknown authors. Ms. Lucas and Ms. Canedy, both newcomers to publishing, are now poised to become two of the most powerful Black women in the literary world, with the ability to alter the culture of the divisions they lead and shape the landscape. Both are taking on roles that give them discretion over who and what gets published, and the ability to recruit new authors and editorial talent, at a moment when the publishing industry is struggling to diversify both its work force and the titles and authors it champions. They join a small but influential group of Black editors and publishers at major publishing houses, including Dawn Davis, who heads the 37 Ink imprint at Simon & Schuster; Tracy Sherrod, editorial director of the Amistad imprint at HarperCollins; Erroll McDonald, the longtime executive editor of Pantheon; and Chris Jackson, the publisher and editor in chief of the Random House imprint One World. Publishing employees often toil for decades as assistant editors and vice presidents, gradually working their way up the ladder. The fact that both Simon & Schuster and Knopf appointed leaders who had never worked in the industry suggests that companies are prepared to overthrow old hiring practices that rely on insider networks and paying your dues over the decades. IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE IN THE SUPREME COURT ACCRA - AD 2020 CORAM: YEBOAH, CJ (PRESIDING) DOTSE, JSC BAFFOE-BONNIE, JSC GBADEGBE, JSC MARFUL-SAU, JSC AMEGATCHER, JSC KOTEY, JSC 25 JUNE 2020 CONSOLIDATED WRITS SUIT NO. IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE IN THE SUPREME COURT ACCRA - AD 2020 CORAM: YEBOAH, CJ (PRESIDING) DOTSE, JSC BAFFOE-BONNIE, JSC GBADEGBE, JSC MARFUL-SAU, JSC AMEGATCHER, JSC KOTEY, JSC 25 JUNE 2020 CONSOLIDATED WRITS SUIT NO. J1/9/2020 NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS PLAINTIFF VRS 1. ATTORNEY-GENERAL 2. ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF GHANA. ........ .. DEFENDANTS AND SUIT NO. J1/12/2020 MARK TAKYLBANSON H/NO. BN3-4, BREMAN KOKOSO .......... .. PLAINTIFF ASIKUMA-ODOBEN BRAKWA VRS I. ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF GHANA 2. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ........... .. DEFENDANTS JUDGMENT PROF. KOTEY JSC:- 1. Introduction On 25th June 2020, we gave judgment in these consolidated suits but deferred our reasons, which we now give. Rights enforceable by the plaintiffs. The antecedent facts of the case are that the 2nd Defendant had indicated that in preparation for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections it would compile a new register of voters. In preparation for the compilation of the new register of voters, the 2nd Defendant gave gazette notification for the making of Regulations intituled Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations on 3 March 2020. This Instrument did not provide for the inclusion of the current voter identification card as a document for the identi?cation of persons who apply for registration as voters. On 19th March, 2020, the National Democratic Party (151 Plaintiff), a major political party, issued a writ against the Attorney General (15'5 Defendant) and the Electoral Commission (2nd Defendant) invoking the original jurisdiction of this court to interpret and enforce the Constitution under articles 2 (1) and 130 (1) thereof. The 15* Plaintiff sought the following relief :5: 3.1-..a' 1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution, 2nd Defendant has the constitutional power to, and can compile a register of voters only once, and thereafter revise it periodically, as may be determined by law. Accordingly, 2nd Defendant can only revise the existing register of voters, and lacks power to prepare a fresh register of voters, for the conduct of the December 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE 2. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, specifically article 51, read conjointly with article 42 of the Constitution, the power of the 2nd Defendant to compile and review the voters register must be exercised subject to respect for and the protection of the right to vote; 3. A declaration that on a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly article 42, upon the registration of and issuance of a voter identification card to a person, that person has an accrued right to vote which cannot be divested in an arbitrary and capricious manner; 4. A declaration that, upon a true and proper interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly article 42, of the Constitution, all existing voter identification cards duly issued by the 2nd Defendant to registered voters are valid for purposes of identifying such persons in the exercise of their right to vote; 5. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, specifically Article 42, the 2nd Defendants purported amendment of regulation 1 sub- regulation 3 of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 to exclude existing voter identification cards as proof of identification to enable a person apply for registration as a voter, is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever; 6. A declaration that the 2nd Defendant, in purporting to exercise its powers pursuant to article 51 of the 1992 Constitution to exclude the existing voter identification cards from the documents required as proof of identi?cation to enable a person register as a voter without any justification, is arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and contrary to article 296 of the 1992 Constitution; 7. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, specifically Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, proof of identi?cation for registration as a voter should not be limited by the provisions of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020; 8. An order directed at the 2nd Defendant to include all existing voter identification cards duly issued by the 2nd Defendant as one of the documents serving as proof of identi?cation for registration as a voter for the purposes of public elections; 9. Any other order or orders as this Honourable Court would deem it in the circumstances. In compliance with the relevant rules of the court, the parties subsequently filed their respective Statements of Case. No Joint Memorandum of Agreed Issues was filed by the parties as required by the rules and the practice of the Court. On the contrary, the 1st and 2nd Defendants filed a proposed joint memorandum of issues on 20 May 2020 and the 15 Plaintiff filed its memorandum of issues on 4 June 2020. On 4 June 2020, the Court directed the 2nd Defendant to file a supplementary Statement of Case to provide the legal basis for the noninclusion of the current voter identification card as a document to be used for the identification of a person who applies to be registered as a voter in the compilation of a new register of voters. Option was given to the other parties to ?le supplementary Statements of Case if they so desired. All the parties duly filed supplementary Statements of Case. On 10 June 2020, the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I 126) came in force. On the 11th June 2020, after being put to its election by the Court, the 15* Plaintiff abandoned 1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution, 2 Defendant has the constitutional power to, and can compile a register of voters only once, and thereafter revise it periodically, as may be determined by law. Accordingly, 2nd Defendant can only revise the existing register of voters, and lacks power to prepare a fresh register of voters for the conduct of the December 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. On 12 June 2020, a day after the 15 Defendant had abandoned its relief 1, a new writ was issued by Mark Takyi-Banson (2nd Plaintiff) against the 15* and 2nd Defendants seeking the following reliefs: i. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the Electoral Commission's constitutional and statutory mandate to compile the register of voters for the conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda is spent, saving only the power reserved in the Commission to revise and expand the register of voters at such periods as may be determined by law. ii. A declaration that the Electoral Commission's decision to compile a new register of voters is inconsistent with and in violation of article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. iii. A declaration that Regulation 1 (3) of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I 126) is inconsistent with and violates the provisions of article 42 and 45 (e) of the 1992 Constitution to the extent that it excludes Birth Certificates issued to Ghanaians as a mode of identification and/or establishment of quali?cation to be registered in the register of voters. iv. A declaration that Regulation 1 (3) of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 126) is inconsistent with and violates the provisions of article 42 and 45 (e) of the 1992 Constitution to the extent that it excludes the existing Voter Identification Card as a mode of identification and/or establishing qualification to be registered in the register of voters. v. An order directed at 15 Defendant to include under Regulation 1 (3) of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I 126), the existing voter Identification Card issued by 15* Defendant as evidence of identification. vi. An order directed at 15t Defendant to include under Regulation 1 (3) of the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 126) birth certificates as evidence of identification. vii. Any other order or orders as to this Honourable Court may deem it. On 19 June 2020, upon an application by the 1st Defendant for the consolidation of the two suits, this court upon determining that the two suits raised substantially the same issues, made an order for the consolidation of the two suits. The court also made an order for the abridgement of time for filing of the respective Statements of Case of the parties. All the parties complied with the order and filed their respective Statements of Case. On 19 June 2020, an application for leave to file an amicus brief was filed by four (4) applicants, namely; Imani Centre for Policy and Education, Conservative Policy Research Centre, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) and Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation. In view of the lateness of the application and the fact that the draft amicus brief attached to the application did not provide any new, relevant information, this Court refused the application. From the reliefs indorsed on the two Writs and after a careful consideration of the facts, the processes led by the parties and the relevant law, two (2) issues arise for determination in this action. These are: i. Whether or not the compilation of a new register of voters by the 2 Defendant would be inconsistent with or in violatiypn of the Constitution, and ii. Whether or not the noninclusion of the current voter identification card and birth certificate as documents for the identification of persons who apply for registration as voters under C.I.126, is inconsistent with or in contravention of the Constitution. 2. The Constitutionality or Otherwise of the Compilation of a New Register of Voters As has been noted, the first relief indorsed on the Writ of the 15* Plaintiff is for; A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 45 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, 2 Defendant has the Constitutional power to, and can compile the register of voters only once and thereafter revise it periodically, as may be determined by Law. Accordingly, 2nd Defendant can only revise the existing register of voters, and lacks the power to prepare a fresh register of voters for the conduct of the December 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. This relief, as has been noted, was abandoned by the 15* Plaintiff and struck out as abandoned by the Court. But this issue was resurrected by the 2nd Plaintiff. Reliefs 1 and 2 indorsed on the 2nd Plaintiffs Writ are as follows: i. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the Electoral Commission's constitutional and statutory mandate to compile the register of voters for the conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda is spent saying only the power reserved in the Commission to revise and expand the register of voters at such periods as may be determined by law. ii. A declaration that the Electoral Commission's decision to compile a new register of voters is inconsistent with and a violation of article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. The relevant provision of the Constitution is article 45(a), which provides as follows: The Electoral Commission shall have the following functions (a) To compile the register of voters and revise it as such periods as may be determined by law." The 2nd Plaintiff contends that on a true and proper interpretation of article 45 (a), the 2nd Defendant's power to compile a new register of voters can be exercised only once and that after the compilation of a new register, the register can subsequently only be revised. The 2nd Plaintiff submitted that the words compile and revise in article 45 (a) do not mean the same thing or have the same effect or result. He concludes, that the purposive interpretation and effect of Article 45 (a) of the 1992 Constitution, as restated in section 2(a) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451), is that the constitutional statutory mandate of the 15* Defendant (The Electoral Commission) to compile the register of voters for elections and referenda is spent save the mandate to revise the register of voters. The 15* and 2'15 Defendant take issue with the 2nd Plaintiff on his interpretation of article 45 (a) of the Constitution. They both contend that under and by virtue of article 45 (a), the 2nd Defendant has power to compile a new register of voters, and that the authority to compile a new register is not a one-off power, but is a power that may be exercised periodically as and when determined by the 2" Defendant and in accordance with law. Counsel for the 15* Defendant submitted that the 2nd Plaintiffs interpretation of article 45 (a) is strained and farfetched. He contended that on a plain reading of article 45 (a), the 2nd Defendant may compile the register of voters and revise it as such periods as may be determined by law". He submits that the phrase at such periods as may be determined by law applies both to the compilation of a new register and its revision. He noted the absence of any punctuation in article 45 (a) and submitted, Quite clearly therefore without any difficulty, the words must be read together. There's no need to disaggregate them". Counsel for the 15* Defendant further submitted that by article 297 (b) of the Constitution, where a power to do an act is on a person, that power or duty may be exercised or discharged from time to time as necessary and that the power of the 2nd Defendant to compile a new register of voters may be exercised from time to time, and not only once. The 2nd Defendant also submitted that article 45 (a) does not confer a single-use mandate but provides for a role of a continuing nature. It further submitted that the Constitution must be read as a whole and that when article 45 (a) is read together with article 297 (c), it is clear that the power of the 2nd Defendant to compile a new register of voters is not a oneoff power but can be exercised as and when determined by the 2nd Defendant and in accordance with law. We have carefully considered the contentions of the parties, the submissions of counsel and the relevant provisions of the Constitution on this issue and are of the considered opinion that there is no merit in the contention of the 2nd Plaintiff that the power of the Defendant to compile a new register of voters can only be exercised once and that thereafter it only has power to revise the register from time to time, but not to compile a new one. We uphold the submissions of counsel for the 2nd Defendant that the power vested in the 2nd Defendant by article 45 (a) to compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined is clear and unambiguous and means that the 2nd Defendant may compile a new register of voters or revise it from time to time as it deems necessary and in accordance with law. The interpretation urged by the 2nd Plaintiff is strained and farfetched and is rejected. The Constitution must be read as a whole. As this Court stated in 'i.i-i. Mensah v. AttorneyGeneral [1996-97] SCGLR 320, by Acquah JSC (as he then was); I think it is now firmly settled that the better approach to the interpretation of the 1992 Constitution is to interpret the provision in relation to the other provisions of the Constitution so as to render the interpretation consistent with the other provisions and the overall spirit of the Constitution. An interpretation based solely on a particular provision without reference to the other provision is likely to lead to a wrong appreciation of the true meaning and import of the provision." In this case, the related constitutional provision which we believe will enhance the appreciation of the true import of article 45(a) is article 297(b), which makes provision for implied powers and other matters relating to the scope and implications of powers conferred under the Constitution. Article 297(b) of the Constitution provides that, in this Constitution and in any other law, (b) where a power is inferred or duty is imposed, the power may be exercised and duty shall be performed, from time to time, as occasion requires. We therefore hold that when article 45 (a) is read together with article 297 (b), as it must, it is clear that the power of the Defendant to compile a new register of voters may be exercised from time to time as occasion requires and in accordance with law. Additionally, the power of the 2nd Defendant to compile a new register is recognized by the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2016 (C.I. 91) which has just been amended by C.I.126. Regulation 33 of C.I. 91, on revocation and saving, provided as follows: 33. (1) The Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, 2012 (C.I. 72) is hereby revoked. (2) Despite the revocation under sub regulation (1), the existing register of voters is saved under these Regulations until the new one {'5 compiled by the Commission (emphasis supplied). Lastly, we note that as a matter of fact, this is not the first time that a new register of voters would be compiled since the coming into force of the 1992 Constitution. A new register of voters was in fact compiled by the 2nd Defendant in 2012 under C.I. 72. 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 Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Fair Haven Food Pantry of Chapelwood United Methodist Church was serving about 300 families per month. Now the church pantry which is located on the east side of Gessner Road just south of Long Point Road serves that many families each day. Helping fill the need: East Spring Branch Food Pantry meets increased needs during the COVID-19 pandemic On July 9, Fair Haven surpassed 100,000 people served since the pandemic began in mid-March. It has helped distribute 850,000 pounds of food. Fair Haven receives all of its food either from the Houston Food Bank or from food drives that it or other community organizations, such as Spring Branch Presbyterian Church or St. Francis Episcopal Church, and then relies on volunteers to help distribute the food to people in need. Seeing that big truck drive in from the Houston Food Bank and just the joy that erupts when the truck enters the parking lot, somehow God turns that into healing for the world, shared Chapelwood member Lori Anderson, who volunteers weekly with the food pantry as a way to keep connecting and helping others. As overwhelming as it can be, there is something that each of us can do. Back to school: Spring Branch ISD announces plans for 2020-21 school year The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to around 2 p.m. Food trucks arrive Monday through Thursday mornings with an assortment of somewhat predictable items like rice and beans, peanut butter, canned vegetables, and bananas, plus fresh produce and frozen surprises like ribs, brisket, pork loin. Chapelwood church members; Iglesia Generaciones, a worship community of Chapelwood; plus SpringSpirit; National Charity League chapters; area neighbors; and visiting teams have worked 5,300 volunteer hours at the pantry since March. In June, 195 middle and high school students spent a week masked-up and volunteering with Chapelwoods 15th annual SUMMIT local serving experience, with teens sorting food, loading grocery boxes into cars, and interacting with people in the drive thru lines at the pantry. Stepping up: Memorial Assistance Ministries sees need grow during the COVID-19 pandemic Theres been talk about churches being closed, but that couldnt be further from the truth for us. The doors may be closed Sunday mornings, but Chapelwood has never been more alive and active, shared Chapelwood Senior Pastor John Stephens. The work God is doing through this church is amazing simply because people are taking the mission of the church seriously, to go out and serve our neighbors in real and tangible ways and truly change lives. Chapelwood also has a year-round Manna rent assistance program, and local organizations such as Memorial Assistance Ministries send clients over who are in need of help with rent to get that as well as food. Were all surrounded by so much bad news, so much fear, toxicity, and division. Its wearisome, said Stephens. Its a blessing to be part of bringing good news to our community, putting food on family tables, keeping neighbors in their homes, and bringing some much-needed hope. Thats the church being the church. To learn more about Fair Haven Food Pantry at Chapelwood United Methodist Church visit www.chapelwood.org/fairhaven/serve/fair-haven-food-pantry/249 or www.facebook.com/CUMCserving. elliott.lapin@hearst.com They continued to call for the next five months, at which point Clare had had enough. I lost it completely, she wrote, and started shouting at them, with a rant definitely inspired by Monty Python: CARL IS DEAD DECEASED PASSED ON NO LONGER LIVING BURIED GONE FROM THE EARTH NO LONGER HERE. Disability Equality Index report highlights industry trends and global insights Washington, D.C., July 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Disability Equality Index (DEI), the nations most comprehensive annual benchmarking tool, facilitated by leading non-profits Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) have revealed this years 205 top-scoring companies. The DEI is a prominent benchmarking tool for the Fortune 1000 and Americas top 200 revenue grossing law firms (Am Law 200) to gauge their level of disability workplace inclusion against competitors. In its sixth official year, the DEI continues to see an increase in year-over-year participation, with the number of top-scoring companies more than quadrupling to 205 in 2020 as compared to 43 in 2015. The Disability Equality Index top scoring companies represent those businesses that have invested in accessibility and inclusion across their enterprise. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, it is wonderful to see the progress made by these companies, and we hope to see continued progress and support for the DEI over the next 30 years, said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD. Jill Houghton, President & CEO, Disability:IN said The best way to attract, retain and grow talent with disabilities is to create an accessible, inclusive workplace. This years top scoring Disability Equality Index companies are demonstrating their commitment to many of the numerous leading disability inclusion practices featured in the DEI, recognizing that theres still room for improvement. We are proud to have developed strong partnerships with corporate allies who are committed to advancing disability inclusion and equality across their businesses in the United States and around the world. Making the world inclusive for all isnt only the right thing to do, its also good for business. The Accenture report Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage, produced in partnership with Disability:IN and the AAPD, found that companies that offered inclusive working environments for employees with disabilities achieved an average of: 28% higher revenue, 30% higher economic profit margins, and 2x net income of industry peers. Story continues The potential for wide-scale impact grows, as in 2020, 247 companies participated in the DEI, accounting for a total U.S. workforce of 11 million people. This year, we saw significant growth in employee self-identifications rates. In 2020, 5.5% of current employees self-identify as having a disability compared to 3.7% in 2019 . In addition, the efforts of disability inclusion in business is now a much larger conversation. With multi-national corporations operating outside of the United States, the DEI methodology was updated to reflect the changing landscape. The Non-U.S. Operations category continues to be not weighted but is an opportunity to collect non-discrimination policy language, ERG activity, and overall best practices from U.S. based companies with additional operations outside of the United States. Some findings include: 75% of those multinational companies reported operations outside of the U.S. have disability inclusive standards of non-discrimination in the workplace that apply to all employees compared to 69% in 2019. 42% of multinational companies also report their non-U.S. operations have established disability-focused Employee Resource Group (ERG) or Affinity Group chapters, compared to 41% in 2019. Top industries with operations outside of the U.S. include automotive (Canada, Mexico, and Latin America), advertising and marketing (Asia-Pacific), and energy and utilities (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Disability inclusion in business is a growing topic for investors in driving sustainable performance. A global investor coalition, representing more than $2.8 trillion in combined assets, have called on companies they invest in to become more disability inclusive, through a Joint Investor Statement on Disability Inclusion.The coalition is led by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, and includes large institutional investors such as California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) and non-U.S. investors such as Australian-based Ethical Partners Fund Management. The 2020 DEI report highlights industry trends and the progress of advancing disability inclusion in business. A few include: Top participating industries include: technology, financial services, and healthcare. 85% of businesses with a company-wide written statement of commitment on diversity and inclusion specifically call out disability. 70% of businesses have an accessibility expert to resolve accessibility/compatibility issues necessary for people with disabilities to use technology systems. For the full 2020 DEI Report, list of top-scoring companies, and to register for the 2021 DEI, please visit DisabilityEqualityIndex.org. 100 Score Companies 3M Accenture Adobe Inc. Allstate Insurance Company Ameren Corporation American Airlines American Electric Power American Water Aramark AT&T BAE Systems, Inc. Bank of America Best Buy Biogen Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Blue Shield of California BMO Harris Bank BNY Mellon Boehringer Ingelheim Booz Allen Hamilton Boston Scientific Corporation Bristol Myers Squibb Capital One Caterpillar Inc. Centene Corporation CenturyLink Chevron Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Choice Hotels International Cigna Cisco Systems Inc. Comcast NBCUniversal Compass Group USA Corning Incorporated CVS Health Dell Technologies Deloitte Delta Air Lines Dominion Energy Dow DuPont DXC Technology Edison International Eli Lilly and Company Equitable Ernst & Young LLP Facebook, Inc. Fidelity Investments Florida Blue Freddie Mac Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin General Motors GlaxoSmithKline plc Google Grant Thornton LLP Health Care Service Corporation Hewlett Packard Enterprise Highmark Health HP Inc. Humana Huntington Bank IFF Intel Corporation Johnson & Johnson JPMorgan Chase & Co. Kaiser Permanente KPMG LLP L'Oreal USA Land O'Lakes, Inc. Lincoln Financial Group LinkedIn Lockheed Martin Lowe's Companies, Inc. M&T Bank ManpowerGroup Marriott International, Inc. MassMutual Mastercard Mathematica Policy Research Mayo Clinic McKesson Medtronic plc Merck MetLife, Inc. Microsoft Motorola Solutions Northern Trust Northrop Grumman Corporation Northwestern Mutual Old National Bank Oracle Pacific Gas and Electric Company Pfizer Inc. PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PPL Corporation Principal Financial Group Prudential Financial PwC Qualcomm Randstad US Raytheon Company Reed Smith Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. S&P Global Salesforce.com, inc. SAP America, Inc. Siemens USA Sodexo Sony Southern Company Southwest Airlines Spaulding Rehabilitation Network State Street Synchrony T-Mobile TD Bank The Boeing Company The Hartford The Travelers Companies, Inc. The Walt Disney Company Thermo Fisher Scientific Tracfone Wireless, Inc. Tufts Health Plan, Inc. U.S. Bank U.S. Cellular Ultimate Software United Airlines Holdings, Inc. United Services Automobile Association (USAA) UnitedHealth Group Unum UPS Verizon Visa, Inc. Voya Financial Walgreens Walmart Inc. ZVRS and Purple Communications, a Division of ZP Better Together, LLC 90 Score Companies Ally Financial Inc. Amazon American Multi-Cinema Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Anthem, Inc. Astellas Pharma, Inc. Barclays Baxter International Inc. Bayer Baylor Scott & White Health Becton Dickinson (BD) Cargill, Inc. Charles Schwab & Co. Cintas Corporation Citrix Colgate-Palmolive CSX Transportation, Inc. DTE Energy Dun & Bradstreet Epstein Becker Green Fannie Mae Fifth Third Bank Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Fiserv Fox Corporation Franklin Templeton General Dynamics Mission Systems Grainger Indeed Iron Mountain Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. Meijer Nielsen Pearson Quest Diagnostics Sanofi US Steptoe & Johnson, LLP The Coca-Cola Company The Kroger Company The MITRE Corporation The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Viasat, Inc. Whirlpool Corporation Xcel Energy 80 Score Companies Argonne National Laboratory Brown Brothers Harriman BT Americas Consumers Energy Cox Communications, Inc. Cummins Inc. CUNA Mutual Group Empower Retirement Ford Motor Company General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) Leidos Holdings Norfolk Southern Corporation Novant Health PepsiCo RRD Rush University Medical Center Target TEKsystems Uber Technologies United Technologies Corporation Unisys Corporation ### About the Disability Equality Index (DEI) The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and Disability:IN. Developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates, the DEI is a national, transparent, annual benchmarking tool that offers businesses an opportunity to receive an objective score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, on their disability inclusion policies and practices. The DEI is an aspirational, educational, recognition tool that is intended to help companies identify opportunities for continued improvement and help build a companys reputation as an employer of choice. The Disability Equality Index (DEI) brings together AAPD, the nations largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the leading national business-to-business network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complimentary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporate America and the disability community. About the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) AAPD is a convener, connecter, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As one of the leading national cross-disability civil rights organizations, AAPD advocates for the full recognition of rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: www.aapd.com. About Disability:IN Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Partnering with more than 220 corporations, Disability:IN expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. The organization and 27 affiliates raise a collective voice of positive change for people with disabilities in business. Through its programs and services, Disability:IN empowers businesses to achieve disability inclusion and equality, with the goal of advancing inclusion to the point when the organization is no longer necessary. Learn more at: www.disabilityin.org. Elaine Kubik Disability:IN 646-494-2738 elaine@DisabilityIN.org The European Union and two international lending institutions have formally approved about $39 million in funding for a Spanish company contracted by the Armenian government to build Armenias first large solar power plant. The company, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), won more than two years ago an international tender for the construction of the 55-megawatt plant in Mets Masrik, a village close to the eastern coast of Lake Sevan. FRV signed a relevant contract with the Armenian Energy Ministry in July 2018. It said at the time that the facility will likely be built by the end of 2020. The construction has still not begun, however. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said they each will lend FRV $17.7 million to finance the project strongly supported by the World Bank. They said the renewable energy company will also receive an EU investment grant worth 3 million euros ($3.4 million). The 55-megawatt power plant facility will boost Armenias supply of renewable energy and will help the country reduce its reliance on imported fuels, read the statement. Right now, nearly 70 percent of Armenias electricity generation depends on imported fossil fuels, it said.As the countrys demand for electricity grows, renewables are expected to provide a sustainable and low-cost alternative source of energy and the Masrik plant is designed to set an example for the rest of the Caucasus. The funding for the project was announced one week after the Armenian government approved a $9 million contract with the Russian company Kaskad-Energy to reconstruct an electricity substation located not far from Mets Masrik. Minister for Local Government and Infrastructures Suren Papikian explained that the substation needs to be completely rebuilt in order to receive and transmit electricity to be generated by the planned solar plant. Papikian said that work on the plant will get underway soon but gave no specific dates. Both the current and former Armenian governments have pledged to significantly increase the presently modest share of renewables in domestic electricity production. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian has said that the country could and should have up to 1,000 megawatts of solar power capacity by 2030. The first Armenian solar power plant with a capacity of just 0.5 megawatts went on stream in September 2017. Six more such small plants were connected to the national power grid by November 2018. Armenian private firms began building more of them in the following months. The Mets Masrik plant will be by far the biggest facility of its kind. According to FRV, it will occupy about 100 hectares of land and produce enough energy to power 21,400 households. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Maharashtra, on Wednesday launched a campaign against consumers receiving high electricity bills. The party launched a website - hisaabdo.com - which will enable consumers to file complaints. It also has a bill calculator for consumers to compare their bills with the tariff in Delhi. Ranga Rachure, AAP Maharashtra convenor, said, We will hold the discoms accountable. We demand that the consumption of up to 200 units of electricity be made free for residential consumers. Earlier, the Maharashtra Navirman Sena demanded 50% discount in bills, while the Janata Dal (Secular), Maharashtra, has also demanded that residential consumers with 300 units usage should be exempted from paying their bills. Power consumers across Maharashtra have received high bills in June. Discoms have, however, maintained that the bills are high as actual meter reading was suspended in March-end, and consumers were being charged based on the average in December, January and February. When meter-reading was initiated in June, consumers were sent bills as per their actual usage. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is not interested in talking to China regarding Phase Two of the trade deal. "I'm not interested right now in talking to China," Trump said in an interview with CBS News. "We made a great trade deal. But as soon as the deal was done, the ink wasn't even dry and they hit us with the plague." Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed the Phase One deal in January. The two sides described the pact as a first-phase agreement, to be followed by new negotiations toward a more expansive deal in a second and possibly ... The St. Louis couple who pointed guns at Black Lives Matters protesters last month say they believe they acted within their rights to protect their home as missouris Governor announces President Donald Trump will get involved in the case. Mark and Patricia McCloskey are under investigation for brandishing an AR-15 and a handgun at protesters in front of their mansion on June 28, claiming they feared for their lives. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, the prosecutor investigating the couple, says Gov. Mike Parson and Trump 'came after her' and are intimidating her for reviewing the case. On Tuesday the Republican governor defended the McCloskeys saying the couple had 'every right to protect their property' at a coronavirus news briefing. He said he spoke with Trump just before the press conference and the president 'doesnt like what he sees and the way these people are being treated.' On Tuesday Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced President Donald Trump will get involved in the case of St. Louis couple Mark and Patricia McCloskey who pointed an AR-15 and handgun at protesters walking in front of their mansion on June 28 and are now under investigation St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, the prosecutor investigating the couple, says Gov. Mike Parson and Donald Trump 'came after her' and are intimidating her for reviewing the case He said Attorney General William P. Barr 'was represented on the call' and he believes both will 'take a look' at the McCloskey case. 'The president said that he would do everything he could within his powers to help with this situation and he would be taking action to do that,' Parson said. Trump said any attempt to prosecute the couple for a crime would be a 'disgrace', during a Tuesday interview with conservative news website Townhall. 'When you look at St. Louis, where two people, they came out. They were going to be beat up badly if they were lucky. If they were lucky. They were going to be beat up badly and the house was going to be totally ransacked and probably burned down like they tried to burn down churches,' Trump said. 'And these people were standing there, never used it and they were legal, the weapons. And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. Its a disgrace,' he added. Trump has been an outspoken opponent of protests unfolding across the country in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and decrying police brutality. Gov. Parson said he spoke with Trump just before his coronavirus press conference Tuesday and the president 'doesnt like what he sees and the way these people are being treated' Trump said charges against the McCloskeys would be a 'disgrace' On Tuesday Gardner released a statement slamming Parson and Trump saying they 'came after me for doing my job', after Parson suggested he wanted her removed from office. 'While they continue to play politics with the handling of this matter, spreading misinformation and distorting the truth, I refuse to do so,' she said. She scolded Parson for seeking advice 'from one of the most divisive leaders in our generation to overpower the discretion of a locally elected prosecutor.' Gardner, who is black, said Trump and Parson were launching racially motivated attacks against her. 'It is also incredible that at a time when our nation is dealing with a rapidly spreading deadly virus and our State reported a record number of new infections, they are launching these dog-whistle attacks against me. They should be focused on their jobs, & Ill focus on mine.' On Tuesday Gardner released a statement slamming Parson and Trump saying they 'came after me for doing my job', after Parson suggested he wanted her removed from office Despite the threats Gardner said she would not back down. She said: 'It is also incredible that at a time when our nation is dealing with a rapidly spreading deadly virus... they are launching these dog-whistle attacks' However, its not clear how Trump would get involved in the case, where the federal government has no jurisdiction and would be legally questionable depending on the assistance provided. In the June incident the McCloskeys claimed they feared for their lives when more than 100 protesters marched and chanted to St Louis Mayor Lyda Krewsons home and walked on their private street. The McCloskeys claimed the demonstrators broke their gate. While the protesters acknowledged trespassing on the private street, they denied damaging any property. Parson defended the couple saying they were legally allowed to brandish their arms under the states 'castle doctrine', Missouris 'stand-your-ground' law that allows property owners to use force against intruders if property owners fear imminent harm. The couples attorney says theres no basis for criminal charges. Over the weekend police executed a search warrant to seize the guns the couples pointed at protesters. 'They want to indict metheyre trying to socially intimidate us but we did nothing wrong. Were not going to be intimidated and were not going to back down,' Mark McCloskey said on Hannity Tuesday night Mark and Patricia McCloskey claimed they feared for their life when Black Lives Matter protesters marched past their house towards the residence of St. Louis Mayor LYda Krewson on June 28 Protesters pictured gathered in front of Mark and Patricia McCloskey's home on July 3 The search turned up the AR-15 that had been held by Mark McCloskey, while a handgun brandished by Patricia McCloskey was already in possession of her attorney. Those arms were reportedly legally owned. 'They want to indict metheyre trying to socially intimidate us but we did nothing wrong. Were not going to be intimidated and were not going to back down,' Mark McCloskey said on Hannity Tuesday night. He believes that the second night of protests in front of his home, Trump sent in people to 'defend' his neighborhood. 'I think we got help from the very top. That night, we had cooperation, I think, from the federal government, from the state government, the local police department. That night everybody stood up like champs but it came from the top down,' he added. He maintains that he and his wife did nothing wrong in the incident. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German stocks rose on Wednesday as investors cheered positive updates on a potential Covid-19 vaccine and pinned hopes on EU stimulus. EU leaders are set to meet later this week for an extraordinary summit and it is expected that they will agree on a recovery fund of 750 billion euros for pandemic-hammered economies. The benchmark DAX climbed 110 points, or 0.87 percent, to 12,807 after losing 0.8 percent the previous day. Travel & leisure stocks were moving higher, with Lufthansa rising 2 percent and TUI adding 3 percent. Medical and safety technology provider Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA soared as much as 10 percent. The company reported that its preliminary net sales for the second quarter increased by 26.5 percent (net of currency effects) to 788.4 million euros from last year. Considering the high demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company expects full year net sales and EBIT to be considerably above both the prior year and the original guidance. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The Emirates Mars Mission has been delayed because of bad weather. The historic launch was due to happen from Japan on Tuesday, but "weather conditions at the launch site" led the UAE space agency to postpone it. The Hope Probe, as the Arab world's first interplanetary mission is known, will instead be launched on Friday, 17 July local time, or 8.43pm on Thursday evening in the UK. It is one of three missions to Mars hoping to launch in quick succession, and will be followed by China and the US's own launches. The three almost simultaneous launches are a result of the fact that Mars missions must be timed for the period when Mars, the Earth and the Sun align to allow a probe to efficiently sent to the red planet. That also means that any more significant delay will force the missions to be pushed back by more than two years. The launch window only opens once every 26 months. The UAE's spacecraft is named Amal, or Hope in Arabic. It was built in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, and will arrive in the same year that the UAE marks its 50th anniversary. "The UAE wanted to send a very strong message to the Arab youth," project manager Omran Sharaf told the Associated Press. "The message here is that if the UAE can reach Mars in less than 50 years, then you can do much more. ... The nice thing about space, it sets the standards really high." Unlike the Chinese and US missions, the UAE's spacecraft will not try to land on the surface of Mars, but rather stay in orbit above it. It will stay in an orbit tens of thousands of kilometres above the surface, studying the planet's atmosphere and monitoring climate change. Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust standing at three-light-years tall, bursting with jets of gas from fledgling stars buried within, was captured by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope in February 2010 Nasa/ESA/STScI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever selfie taken on an alien planet, captured by Nasa's Curiosity Rover in the early days of its mission to explore Mars in 2012 Nasa/JPL-Caltech/MSSS Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Death of a star: This image from Nasa's Chandra X-ray telescope shows the supernova of Tycho, a star in our Milky Way galaxy Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Arrokoth, the most distant object ever explored, pictured here on 1 January 2019 by a camera on Nasa's New Horizons spaceraft at a distance of 4.1 billion miles from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory in January 2012. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures The first ever image of a black hole, captured by the Event Horizon telescope, as part of a global collaboration involving Nasa, and released on 10 April 2019. The image reveals the black hole at the centre of Messier 87, a massive galaxy in the nearby Virgo galaxy cluster. This black hole resides about 54 million light-years from Earth Getty Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Pluto, as pictured by Nasa's New Horizons spacecraft as it flew over the dwarf planet for the first time ever in July 2015 Nasa/APL/SwRI Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures A coronal mass ejection as seen by the Chandra Observatory in 2019. This is the first time that Chandra has detected this phenomenon from a star other than the Sun Nasa Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Dark, narrow, 100 meter-long streaks running downhill on the surface Mars were believed to be evidence of contemporary flowing water. It has since been suggested that they may instead be formed by flowing sand Nasa/JPL/University of Arizona Nasa's groundbreaking decade of space exploration: In pictures Morning Aurora: Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station in October 2015 Nasa/Scott Kelly China's spacecraft is due to take off around 23 July, though it is not clear exactly when. As with other missions, relatively little has been said about the launch. Nasa's Perseverance rover will not leave until 30 July, after some delays. That has led to fears that it could miss out on the launch window and have to wait until 2022. DURROW Abbey House outside Tullamore is among the ten most at risk buildings in the country according to a list compiled by the heritage and environment charity, An Taisce. An Taisce said these buildings, including Durrow Abbey, may be lost to future generations unless direct action is taken soon to preserve them. Durrow Abbey house is described as being in poor condition with An Taisce saying the State should act fast to preserve the structure before it deteriorates further. It was built between 1837 and 1843, but destroyed by a fire before being mostly rebuilt in the 1920s. The building and its surrounding 80-acres were bought by the State in 2003 for over 3 million. An Taisce recommends using this site for residential, commercial or community purposes. An Taisce's National Advocacy Manager, Ian Lumley, says the body was highlighting the issue in the hope local development groups and Offaly County Council can come together to find a solution. He said that the impressive 19th century landmark should be maintained for heritage and safety purposes. Mr Lumley also identified two other 19th centruy heritage properties in Offaly as being in a state of disrepair - the original stable block at Charleville Castle in Tullamore and the mill buildings and industrial structures associated with the old sawmills in Clara. The group releases a list annually of important structures from across the country it deems to be in a state of disrepair. Among the other historic buildings identified as being at-risk in the An Taisce list were the Iveagh Markets in Dublin, Donaghy's Mill and Duleek House in Co. Meath, Carrickglass Demesne in Co. Longford, Templeview House in Co. Sligo, Hope Caste and Market House in Co. Monaghan, the Ormonde Centre in Co. Kilkenny and Ballyrafter Butter Mill in Co. Waterford. An Taisce said that given that the recent pandemic brought construction around the country to a halt, together with a homelessness situation that has not gone away, there is a compelling argument to save and repurpose these buildings. For a structure to be classified as at-risk, it must meet one or more of a range of criteria including laying vacant, being neglected and suffering from structural problems. Last year a leading Midlands based business man called for the development of an interpretative centre close to the site of the ancient monastery and holy well in Durrow. Christy Maye said he also believed that the Book of Durrow should be returned to the area and exhibited in any such centre when completed. The business man, who developed the multi-million Bridge House Hotel complex and owns the Greville Arms Hotel in Mullingar, outlined his vision in an article published in the 2019 edition of the Lions Club Tullamore Annual. At the same time then local Fine Gael councillor Tommy McKeigue observed that 15 years after it was purchased by the State, Durrow Abbey remained undeveloped and the potential of the monastic site as a tourist attraction remains untapped. Durrow is half-way to nowhere as far as development is concerned, said Cllr McKeigue. The now retired councillor said its location just a few miles from the motorway would make Durrow the ideal place to start off on a tourist trail in Offaly. However, there isn't even a sign for the church and high cross, said Cllr McKeigue, because the OPW and the NRA (National Roads Authority) couldnt agree on a sign. The OPW has restored the medieval church and moved the famous ninth century high cross inside to prevent further weathering. The local community has tried to maintain access to the church and holy well but the abbey house remains closed to the public and is falling further into disrepair. If youve something 15 years going on and its making no progress its very disheartening for local people, said Cllr McKeigue. The local people put in a huge effort there, manning it for a couple of summers, trying to give directions to people who come to see it. COLUMBUS, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addressing the public Wednesday evening for the first time since the daily record for new coronavirus cases was shattered last week urged Ohioans to take precautions to slow spread of COVID-19. But the governor offered no actions of his own during the half-hour live address, saying it was a discussion for another time as he warned the state could become the next coronavirus epicenter. Instead, the governor offered pleas and suggestions for the public to prevent a more catastrophic outcome if coronavirus continues spreading around the state unabated. As your governor, I will take whatever action is necessary to protect the people of this state, said DeWine, a Republican. But, what your local health department, or the Ohio Department of Health, or I order is not nearly as important as what we all do in these crucial days ahead. DeWines address came as the Ohio Department of Health on Friday announced 1,525 new coronavirus cases, a new state record. DeWine has yet to talk to the press about the record, aside from a prepared statement on Friday. The state has been surging well over 1,000 new cases a day for the past several weeks. Just a month ago, Ohio had just 428 new cases. Ohio is sliding down a very dangerous path, with our once flattened-curve starting to sharpen and spike, he said. This worrisome, disturbing reversal of our progress is a jarring reminder of just how quickly our fate can change. He warned that the state is approaching the coronavirus crisis seen in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California. But he said it can be reversed. And he addressed critics who deny a surge in coronavirus cases in the state, saying there are only cases because there is more testing. Yes we are testing more, he said. In fact, our testing has gone up by 87%. But, our number of positive cases has skyrocketed by almost 200%. DeWine urged people to wear masks in public, saying skeptics were denying the scientific evidence that shows facial coverings slow transmission of the disease. Some may still question the wisdom of wearing masks, but as we used to say when I was a prosecutor, The jury is back. The verdict is in, he said. There is a broad consensus today in the medical, health, and business communities that masks are critical. He quoted Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who said if everyone wore a face covering now for the next four weeks, six weeks, we could drive this epidemic to the ground. DeWine also cited the Goldman Sachs research that face masks are an alternative to lockdowns. Consistent mask-wearing would slow down the virus spread, and prevent an economic shutdown that would subtract 5% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Although people have coronavirus fatigue, the curve that Ohioans had flattened is no longer flat, he said, noting that the Cincinnati and Dayton regions are seeing more coronavirus patients in hospital that at any previous time, with the Cleveland region rapidly approaching that point. Lets be honest, some of us have started to let our guard down, he said. I know I sometimes have. Were tired. We want to go back to the way things were. How effective DeWines message will be is unclear. A faction of lawmakers from within his own Republican Party have routinely challenged the governors pleas for facial coverings, attempting to equate their use as a violation of civil liberty instead of a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, detractors of DeWines more hands-off approach since the state began reopening in May have increasingly called for him to implement a statewide mask mandate, as more than 20 states around the country have imposed amid a surge in cases. The Ohio Democratic Party immediately reacted with disappointment after the speech concluded. As someone who publicly praised the governor in the early months of this crisis, I could not be more disappointed in his speech today, said party Chairman David Pepper. As cases and deaths rise, he announced nothing that will change that direction. More coverage: Gov. Mike DeWine to address Ohioans on the coronavirus surge: Watch live Ohio coronavirus cases up 1,316 -- approaching 70,000: Wednesday update New Ohio House bill would make Feb. 26 Dr. Amy Acton Day Ohio breaks record with 1,525 new coronavirus cases: Friday update The African Court on Human and Peoples Rights based in Arusha, Tanzania, has dismissed an application for review filed by businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome, in the case in which he is fighting a decision of the Supreme Court of Ghana that ordered the sale of his property. In July, 2019, the Supreme Court of Ghana ordered the state to sell off Mr Woyomes assets to offset the remaining GH47.2 million judgement debt wrongly paid him by the state six years ago. Prior to the judgement, the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights had stated that Mr Woyomes right was not violated, neither was he discriminated against by the Supreme Court. On March 4, 2020, Mr Woyome filed an application for review of the courts initial judgement. Among his prayer to the African Human Rights Court was a request for provisional measures which was accompanied by supporting affidavit and new evidence. But in the judgement of the court delivered on June 26, 2020, the seven-member panel of judges said, in light of the foregoing, the court finds that the supporting document adduced does not constitute new evidence which was not within the knowledge of the applicant at the time the initial judgment was delivered, as contemplated by Article 28(3) of the Protocol and Rule 67(1) of the Rules. The court noted that the supporting document submitted by Mr Woyome has no correlation with the courts initial judgement, which is the subject of the review. In other words, it is not related to his claims that the truncation of proceedings and assumption of jurisdiction by the respondents States Supreme Court and the conduct of the review bench of the Supreme Court resulted in violations of his rights under Articles 2 and 3 of the Charter. As regards the request for provisional measures, the court held that having found the application for review inadmissible, the request for those measures becomes moot. The court further held that, in accordance with Article 27(2) of the Protocol and Rule 51(1) of the Rules, it is empowered to order provisional measures in cases of extreme gravity when necessary to avoid irreparable harm to persons and which it deems necessary to adopt in the interest of the parties or of justice. The court observes that, the applicant by his own admission in his supporting affidavit, indicated that he has been unable to come to an agreement with the respondent State on a payment plan for the judgement debt that he owes it, having failed to secure such an agreement, the applicant seeks to use the court to forestall the proceedings going on in the national courts. A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court advised the lawyers for the state being represented by Mr Godred Yeboah Dame, a Deputy Attorney-General who also represented the State at the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights to mobilise resources to acquire the assets of Mr Woyome. The advice came on the backdrop of the fact that those who had expressed interest in the property continue to receive threats from faceless persons. The assets include two houses located at Trassaco, the office complex of Anator Holdings, a mining quarry and two residential buildings at Caprice and Abelemkpe, Accra, all valued at GH20 million. The businessman had already refunded about GH4 million to the State following the pronouncement by the Supreme Court in July 2019, ordering the sale of some of his assets. The Supreme Court on July 29, 2014, ordered Mr Woyome to refund the GH51.2 million paid to him for the construction of stadia for CAN 2008 on grounds that the money was ill-gotten. The court held that the contracts upon which Woyome received the claim were in contravention of Article 181(5) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which requires that such contracts must be taken to Parliament for approval. On March 1, 2016, Mr Woyome asked the court to give him three years to pay back the money, but the court turn down his request. He, however, refunded GH4 million in November, 2016, and promised to clear the outstanding balance by quarterly instalments of GH5 million, commencing April 1, 2017. The businessman, subsequently initiated a litany of legal cases in Ghana and abroad, including the International Court of Arbitration, International Chamber of Commerce, based in Paris, France, and the African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 Having secured the Ashok Gehlot-led government, the Congress on Wednesday maintained its hard stance on Sachin Pilot and told him to reject the hospitality of the Haryana government and come back to Jaipur to prove his claim that he did not want to go with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewalas call for evidence came in a video message put out by the party that started with declaring that the BJP conspiracy to topple the Gehlot government had failed. Surjewala then listed what Sachin Pilot, who he pointedly and repeatedly referred to as a youth leader - should do to prove his intentions. Also read | Come back to your home in Jaipur: Congress to Sachin Pilot after his not joining BJP remark Reject the hospitality of the BJP-led Haryana government and come back to your home in Jaipur, Surjewala said, asking Pilot to get Congress legislators sequestered in two Gurugram hotels where, he said, they were being guarded by Haryanas security forces. The remarks indicate hardening of the stand of the central leadership after Ashok Gehlot claimed that he has proof of his involvement in toppling the government Come back and you can talk to the leadership about all the issues that you have directly, not through the media, he said. But Surjewala made it clear that the party didnt think that Pilots effort to reduce the Gehlot government to a minority was a stand-alone effort. He underlined the various efforts that had been made over the last five days to retain Pilot. In the last five days, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership in a large-hearted gesture kept all doors open for Sachin Pilot. The top leadership - a reference to the Gandhi family - and two Congress Working Committee members told him that if he still supported the Congress, he should at least tell the media waiting outside his hotel that you stand with the Congress. This message was conveyed by the Congress leadership half-a-dozen times and by two Congress Working Committee members, a dozen more. But Sachin Pilot did not make this statement. It was only after all these efforts to placate Sachin Pilot didnt convince Pilot and the lawmakers supporting him that the Congress, with a heavy heart, had to act. Pilot was yesterday sacked as Rajasthans deputy chief minister and state party chief. The Congress also started the process to disqualify Pilot and 18 lawmakers who had skipped the two Congress legislature party meetings from the state assembly. Pilot and his supporters have been given time till Friday to respond to the notice. Surjewalas message to Pilot came hours after Ashok Gehlot lashed out at his younger, ambitious colleagues, a clear reference to Sachin Pilot, who he accused of colluding with the BJP. Gehlot said he had proof that some people from the about the involvement of his party colleagues. We have proof that horse trading was being committed. Money was offered. And who gave clarification that nothing was happening? Those leaders, who themselves were involved and part of the conspiracy, were giving clarifications, Gehlot said, claiming that he has evidence of horse trading taking place. With us, you are Deputy CM and PCC and you make deals with (BJP) people. You ask for mobile number and names and are involved in conspiracy and then they give clarification that there was no horse trading. You were part of the conspiracy and what are you clarifying now, he said, clearly determined that the party does not come under pressure to go easy on Sachin Pilot. You are here: China China's education authority on Tuesday said it strongly opposes any form of falsification of college graduates' employment data and will seriously deal with relevant violations. To effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of college graduates, the Ministry of Education launched a nationwide employment data verification campaign for this year's college graduates on June 17. All forms of employment data falsification, including forcing graduates to sign employment agreements and labor contracts, and persuading them to sign false employment agreements, are strictly prohibited, said the ministry. College graduates can verify their graduation information through an official website for higher education students, the ministry said. Ten days ago, the 28-year-old son of a retired Delhi police officer was shot to death by four assailants in a car, who fired more than a dozen shots at the sedan he was driving in outer Delhis Rama Vihar. A month ago, a 35-year-old cash collection agent was shot in the arm and robbed of Rs2.5 lakh by bike-riding gunmen in north Delhis Wazirabad. Until June 30, the city had recorded 292 serious crimes such as dacoity, murder, attempt to murder and robbery in which the criminals used firearms, which have been their preferred choice in Delhi, but the trend has declined in the first half of 2020 compared to the previous two years. During the same period (January 1 to June 30) in 2019 and 2018, there were 415 and 405 cases of dacoity, robbery, murder and attempt to murder, respectively, in which firearms were used, according to data shared by Delhi police. Police statistics show that the use of firearms in murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, and robbery cases reported between January 1 and June 30 this year posted a 30% decrease compared to the corresponding period of the last two years. Data show that firearms were used in 125 robbery and two dacoity cases while in 48 murder cases, guns were used in the last six months. Similarly, in 117 attempt to murder cases, pistols and revolvers were used. In 2019 till June 30, there were 225 robbery and five dacoity cases in which firearms were used. A total of 54 murders and 131 attempts to murder were committed using guns. During the same period in 2018, in 44 murders and 134 attempts to murder, pistols or revolvers were used while 222 robberies and five dacoities were committed using firearms. Delhi Police chief SN Shrivastava said that efforts by the police personnel to catch criminals, especially those involved in the sale and supply of firearms, was a prime reason behind the decline in the use of firearms in Delhi. Countering the trend of use of firearms has remained a top priority for me ever since I took charge of the head of the police force in February this year. I have a zero-tolerance policy against this gun culture and time and again it has been conveyed to my colleagues and other personnel during various meetings. We will continue our pursuit against gunrunners and criminals using firearms, said Shrivastava. According to police records, a total of 1,051 cases of dacoity, murder, attempt to murder and robbery were reported in Delhi till June 30 this year. Of them, 292 cases involved the use of firearms, which means in nearly 28% of the incidents, pistols and revolvers were used. The firearms were mostly guns manufactured in illegal factories in Bihars Munger, Madhya Pradeshs Burhanpur and Khargone and Uttar Pradeshs Meerut and Aligarh, senior Delhi police officers said. In the remaining cases, criminals used knives and blunt objects such as iron rods, sticks, bricks and stones. The data related to use of these objects as weapons in crimes is not available but is being compiled, said a senior police officer related to the research cell, which collates data related to crimes in the city. Factors responsible for change in the trend The Sars-CoV-2 virus outbreak followed by the lockdown has also contributed to the decline in the use of firearms and has affected the illegal business of smuggling and supply of such weapons into Delhi from other states, a senior police officer said. Suspension of interstate bus services and limited services of passengers trains to and from Delhi due to the Covid-19 outbreak has hit the gunrunners business. They mostly preferred interstate buses and private vehicles for transporting illegal guns. But buses are still not operational and checking of private vehicles was intensified during and after the lockdown. The gunrunners have now begun using trucks carrying goods for smuggling of illegal firearms, a special cell officer instrumental in busting many inter-state gunrunning rackets said, requesting anonymity. Police data shows that 1,172 firearms had been seized this year till June 30, which is 360 fewer than the number recovered during the same period last year. It is 149 more than the recovery of firearms made in 2018. Their {police} conclusion that use of firearms decreased because the smuggling of such weapons was affected due to the lockdown is fallacious. In reality, Sars-CoV-2 virus outbreak resulted in a decrease in crimes not only in Delhi but other states as well, said former Uttar Pradesh director general of police Vikram Singh. 15.07.2020 LISTEN The new trade facilitation tool the Integrated Customs Management System ICUMS deployed by the government at the ports and frontiers is said to have generated some 1,929,481,409.5 billion Cedis as at July 11, 2020 for the government since its inception. Data this paper has stumbled on from the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division comes after the Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Professor Stephen Adei publicly announced that the system had generated a total revenue of some 1.2 billion Cedis in June alone. It is instructive to note that, the Commissioner-General of the GRA during his press conference last month pointed out that prior to the full switch over to the new platform ICUMS, its predecessor, the National Single Window System operated by GC Net in partnership with West Blue Consulting, was generating a monthly average amount of GHc940 million. Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Professor Stephen Adei who in his first public comment about the ICUMS spoke highly of the not-so-long-ago deployed port management system ICUMS. Prof Adei speaking in an interview on an Accra based Radio station Joy FM's described ICUMS as a much better system than the previous system manned by the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNET). His assertion according to him, is based on the revenue generated by ICUMS despite reduced imports at Ghanas land and sea ports due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are getting better results because in May and June alone, even under Covid-19 there was far more collection of revenue than previously collected under the old system, he said. "On average the revenue collected is about GHS 800 million, but just last month we had about GHS 1.2 billion and this is even under reduced imports due to the pandemic. And I'm happy to say that despite Covid-19, our end of May revenue was only 8.6 per cent below the target, he added. Speaking further on the show, he asserted that the jump in the revenue collection due to the effectiveness of the ICUMS shows that the country was losing a lot of revenue in the old system and that the resistance mounted against the introduction of ICUMS was due to the fact that 'some people' were afraid of getting 'exposed. Prof Adei who admitted to some challenges faced by the new system noted that the challenges were being resolved and the outcomes were promising. "We have challenges but they are being resolved and the results so far are promising, we are doing our best for God and country, he stated. Data available to this paper also show the performance of the ICUMS in June in some boarders to be very impressive. If you pick the Kotoka International Airport KIA for instance import duty revenues for June stood at GHc55.4 million, was up 20 percent over the GHc46 million generated in June 2019, when trade activities were not curtailed by travel and trade restrictions. Also, the data further suggest that revenues are rising sharply by the month. For instance, revenue from the Aflao land border for June was GHc4,718,082.8, up from just GHc791,183.50 recorded in March when ICUMS was rollout at the Land boarders. Again, revenue generated in June 2020 from the Elubo was GHc4,038.105.31, also up from GHc637,462.78 in March 2020. In Accra at the Jamestown Customs office in March 2020 some GHc 9,523,556 was raised in June this year. The Supreme Court said Wednesday that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from a hospital after being treated for a possible infection. A court spokeswoman said in an emailed statement that Ginsburg was 'home and doing well.' Ginsburg had gone to a hospital in Washington on Monday evening after experiencing fever and chills. She had a procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was placed last August when she was treated for a cancerous tumor on her pancreas. The court said in a statement Tuesday that she would 'stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment.' Ginsburg, a staunchly liberal vote on the court, was first evaluated at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC on Monday night after experiencing fever and chills. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (seen last September) has been admitted to a hospital for treatment of a possible infection, according to a statement It marks the latest health scare for Ginsburg, the court's oldest justice, who in November 2018 fractured three ribs after a fall in her office. Scans at the time revealed cancerous nodules in her lungs, and she underwent a left lung lobectoby to remove the nodules. Then in August 2019, the Supreme Court announced that Ginsburg had recently completed three weeks of focused radiation treatment to ablate a tumor found in her pancreas over the summer. Ginsburg reported that she was cancer-free in January of this year. In May, she underwent non-surgical treatment for a gallstone that had caused an infection. Although the Supreme Court's summer recess officially began last week, the justices worked into the wee hours of Tuesday, considering a request by the federal government to allow federal executions to resume after a 17-year hiatus. Ginsberg (front, second from right) is a staunchly liberal vote on the nine-member court The court issued its 5-4 ruling allowing federal executions to resume at approximately 2am Tuesday. Ginsburg joined dissents by Justices Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor. Following the ruling, the federal government on Tuesday executed Daniel Lewis Lee, who was convicted of murdering an Arkansas family in a 1990s plot to build a whites-only nation in the Pacific Northwest. The government is scheduled to execute two more men this week, including Wesley Ira Purkey on Wednesday for the killing of a Kansas City teenager in 1998. Legal experts say the 68-year-old Purkey, who suffers from dementia, has a greater chance of avoiding execution because of his mental state. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:27:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIEV, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 55,607 COVID-19 cases, with 1,427 deaths and 28,131 recoveries, have been registered in Ukraine as of Wednesday, according to the country's health ministry. A total of 836 people tested positive for the virus in the country in the past 24 hours, while 977 patients have recovered, the ministry said. Ukraine will issue health directives for schools and educational institutions next week, including mandatory temperature checks and mask-wearing, Health Minister Maxym Stepanov told a briefing on Wednesday. So far, 14,658 patients have been hospitalized in Ukraine. A total of 3,967 children and 7,540 health workers have been diagnosed with the coronavirus since the onset of the country's epidemic. Last month, the Ukrainian government extended its quarantine measures until July 31, which have been in place since May. Enditem Ahead of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, the Bishops of Chile issue a message encouraging the faithful to be close to the most needy in these difficult times. They say that even if it is not possible to visit Marian shrines due to the pandemic, it will still be possible to celebrate this feast remotely, accompanying those who suffer. By Vatican News With you, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, together on this journey, today we entrust to you what we are, what we have and what we live. Those are the words contained in a message from the Standing Committee of the Chilean Bishops' Conference, on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel . Hope and comfort The feast of July 16, they say, is "a sign of the gratitude of a people who entrust themselves to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Carmel, Mother and Queen of Chile, Comfort of the afflicted". From the beginning, the Bishops underline, the country has been entrusted to the "Carmelite" or the "Chinita". This year especially, as the country experiences the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, they say that people can find hope and comfort in her. Unlike other years, the faithful are unable to make pilgrimages to Marian Shrines. But the Bishops emphasize that they have the "certainty of feeling protected by her mantle". Near to those who suffer "Our Lady of Mount Carmel embraces us and whispers in our ears that Jesus is always with us, and never abandons us. The Bishops continue by saying that Our Ladys maternal hand, soft and always outstretched, lifts us up and makes us return to her beloved Son, and He is to be found in our suffering brother and sister. The Mother of Chile, they note, "urges us to be present, more so than with words, through physical or remote presence at the side of those who suffer", because "no one saves himself", as Pope Francis recalled. In the message, the Bishops also thank the many volunteers for their work during this health crisis. "The precariousness and fragility into which the pandemic has plunged all of us, especially the authorities, representatives and leaders of society," they say, "oblige us to put aside personal and sectarian interests in order to truly resume the ways of dialogue with generous agreements". Only together can we overcome the injustices and recover from this crisis. Mother and Queen of Chile Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was given the title Queen of Chile in the 19th century.. Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel also known as the Brown Scapular. Mary is said to have given the Scapular to an early Carmelite named Saint Simon Stock (1165-1265). The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated on 16 July. Addressing authorities during his visit to Chile in 2018, Pope Francis concluded his speech by saying: "I pray that Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother and Queen of Chile, will continue to accompany and bring to birth the dreams of this blessed nation." The former Northern Liberties outpost of Dmitris on July 15, 2020. The restaurant which opened in 2010, was renovated over the winter. Read more The Greek seafooder Dmitris, which rode the downtown residential boom in the 1990s to epitomize casual BYOB dining, has closed permanently, as its final location, in Northern Liberties, succumbed to complications of the coronavirus. Owner Dmitri Chimes took to the restaurants Instagram stories Tuesday night, writing, We are sorry to report that Dmitris is permanently closed. We wanted to inform you here before you read about it in the paper. COVID changed everything and the towel had to be thrown in. We love all of you, miss you, and hope you stay well. Another message thanked customers for support, commitment, and love. All good things come to an end, said Chimes. Ill just put it on the shelf. Some would argue that Dmitris really closed last October, when Chimes shuttered the flagship location at Third and Catharine Streets in Queen Village, which from its opening in January 1990 gave many Philadelphians their first encounter with octopus and fresh fish grilled over charcoal as they jockeyed amid the 25 seats in a spartan, always packed open kitchen. Cash-only. Always. Chimes cited a disagreement with his landlord as well as labor issues. Around the time of the Queen Village closing, Chimes also closed the Northern Liberties location, which opened in 2010 at Second and Laurel Streets, while his landlord improved the facade. That location reopened in January 2020, about two months before the pandemic upended the restaurant scene. HELP US REPORT: Are you a health care worker, medical provider, government worker, patient, frontline worker or other expert? We want to hear from you. Chimes had a third Dmitris from 2000 to 2014 at 23rd and Pine Streets, where Cotoletta Fitler Square is now, as well as a tapas restaurant at 12th and Locust Streets in Washington Square West called Pamplona. As for the former Dmitris in Queen Village: In August, its due to become Mari BYO, from Kevin Addis of Entree BYOB at 1608 South St. Mari? Menu is seafood, and its kind of a play on words short for calamari, Addis said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 09:25:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authority said Wednesday that it received reports of six new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Tuesday, and all of them were imported. No new suspected cases or deaths related to the disease were reported Tuesday, the National Health Commission said in its daily report. Of the six imported cases, three were reported in Shanghai and the other three were reported in Shanxi, Chongqing and Yunnan respectively. On Tuesday, 19 people were discharged from hospital after recovery. As of Tuesday, the overall confirmed cases on the mainland had reached 83,611, including 284 patients who were still being treated, with three in severe condition. Altogether 78,693 people had been discharged after recovery, and 4,634 had died of the disease, the commission said. With the six new imported COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the total number of imported cases was brought to 1,988. Of the imported cases, 1,902 had been discharged from hospital after recovery, and 86 remained hospitalized. No deaths from the imported cases had been reported. The commission said three people, including two from overseas, were still suspected of being infected with the virus. According to the commission, 3,577 close contacts were still under medical observation after 219 people were discharged from medical observation Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, four new asymptomatic cases, all from overseas, were reported on the mainland and no asymptomatic cases were re-categorized as confirmed ones. The commission said 110 asymptomatic cases, including 87 from overseas, were still under medical observation. By Tuesday, 1,569 confirmed cases including eight deaths had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), 46 confirmed cases in the Macao SAR, and 451 in Taiwan including seven deaths. A total of 1,229 patients in the Hong Kong SAR, 45 in the Macao SAR, and 440 in Taiwan had been discharged from hospitals after recovery. Enditem The president of the United States, Donald Trump, has rescinded his governments policy to bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the United States, CNN reported Tuesday night. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week announced that foreign students who are pursuing degrees in the U.S. will have to leave the country or risk deportation if their universities switch to online-only courses. The new visa rule received wide criticisms. While many kicked against what they considered an inhumane immigration policy, some saw it as an effort to pressure universities into reopening despite daily rise in coronavirus cases in the U.S. Two reputable universities in the United States, Harvard and M.I.T., filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the directive. According to CNN, one person familiar with the matter said the White House has felt the blowback to the proposal and that some inside the West Wing believe it was poorly conceived and executed. According to another source, the White House is now focused on having the rule apply only to new students, rather than students already in the U.S. The White House declined to comment on an ongoing policy process. According to U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, the administration will return to the policy that was in effect in March, which provided more flexibility for students enrolled in schools that switched to all-online courses because of the pandemic. MIT President L. Rafael Reif celebrated the governments decision in a statement Tuesday. This case also made abundantly clear that real lives are at stake in these matters, with the potential for real harm, he said. We need to approach policymaking, especially now, with more humanity, more decency not less. The Malian opposition alliance that demands President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita step down has called off a high-risk protest, a spokesman said Wednesday. Demonstrations had been set for Friday, but the so-called June 5 Movement decided to transform them into memorial services for victims killed in violence last week, the spokesman said. Three days of clashes with the security forces left 11 dead and 158 injured, according to an official tally -- Mali's bloodiest toll from political unrest in years. The news was announced as envoys from Mali's neighbours led by former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Bamako to mediate the escalating political crisis. Representatives from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are trying to bridge apparently irreconcilable differences between Keita and a protest movement that demands his resignation. The June 5 Movement, an alliance of political, social and civil-society leaders gathered around a powerful imam named Mahmoud Dicko, is tapping into deep-seated anger. Mali / AFP Malians are worried and frustrated by an eight-year-old jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives, driven hundreds of thousands from their homes and swept into Niger and Burkina Faso. In the latest violence that plagues the north and centre of the country, seven farmers were killed Tuesday by gunmen, the mayor of Sangha in central Mali told AFP. Many Malians are also incensed at perceived government corruption and the outcome of long-delayed parliamentary elections in March and April that handed victory to Keita's party. Tension was high as the opposition had planned a "ceremony of sacrifice and of prayer" for protest victims on Friday, but spokesman Ahmadou N'Dounga Maiga said in a statement that "commemorations" would instead take place in places of worship. Opposition leader Mountaga Tall told reporters Tuesday: "We are convinced that President IBK has neither the intellectual nor the physical capacity to lead the country," referring to Keita by his initials. - Constitutional experts - Mali's international allies remain anxious, however, given the country's poverty, ethnic mix and strategic location at the heart of the Sahel region. In a message issued by its embassy in Bamako, the United States urged all sides to show restraint and "commit to a rejection of any extra-constitutional changes of government". It called on the security forces "to avoid the excessive use of force", and welcomed the arrival of the ECOWAS delegation. Keita's office said the delegation would include constitutional experts. A potential solution being explored is to appoint new judges to the Constitutional Court, a tribunal that is a major target of protest anger. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is facing anger over corruption, Mali's worsening jihadist insurgency and the outcome of parliamentary elections / POOL/AFP The court tossed out about 30 results from the elections in a decision that handed seats to members of Keita's party. An ECOWAS mission to Mali last month concluded that the court's decision was "at the root of the tension" and called on the government to review the results or stage new elections as soon as possible. It also called for a "consensus government of national union". Keita has made several gestures toward the June 5 Movement, including the dissolution of the Constitutional Court to enable a U-turn on the contested seats. BANGALORE, India, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Teleradiology is a branch of telemedicine that involves transmitting radiological images and related data for diagnostic and consulting purposes from one location to another. It's an emerging technology that has arisen due to the disparity between medical services demand and availability. The global teleradiology market size was USD 2,709 Million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD 10,621 Million by 2025, with a CAGR of 18.4% from 2018 to 2025. There is a rapid increase in demand for teleradiology services due to the coronavirus outbreak. Healthcare providers rely on teleradiology tools to read diagnostic information and treat patients. While the fight against COVID-19 continues, there is a growing need to make teleradiology solutions more common. Get Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact on Teleradiology Market: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Auto-0J350/Teleradiology_Market TRENDS INFLUENCING THE TELERADIOLOGY MARKET This market's growth is mainly due to the growing geriatric population, rise in disease prevalence, increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions, and the benefits provided by teleradiology and shortage of professional radiologists. Teleradiology allows for the transfer of diagnostic medical images from one site to another, where radiologists and physicians can view them. Teleradiology solutions are more efficient and cost-effective, as they reduce travel needs and enable radiologists to operate from anywhere. This factor is, in turn, expected to increase the teleradiology market size during the forecast period. Growing technological advancements are expected to increase the teleradiology market size during the forecast period. For example, the incorporation of AI in teleradiology allows image segmentation and analysis to detect and classify radiographic findings. As several radiologists migrate into the Telehealth and Teleradiology cluster, the teleradiology industry faces personnel, monetary, and logistics challenges. In addition, there are Internet connectivity concerns, especially in rural hospital settings, and people living in rural areas are hesitant to embrace evidence of teleradiology due to data breach problems. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Auto-0J350/teleradiology TELERADIOLOGY MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS X-ray holds the largest market share for teleradiology due to its broad scope of use. Growing demand for bedside imaging and core diagnostics and the launch of new technologies will further fuel the segment growth. CT scan is expected to experience the fastest growth over the projected period. Extensive use, fast testing, high-resolution imaging capability and the emergence of new generation systems like 4D are some of the factors responsible for growth in the segment Based on the region, North America is projected to hold the largest teleradiology market share during the forecast period. Rising chronic disease prevalence and the presence of major market players are the key factors contributing to the market growth in this region. In 2019, Europe held a significant share of market revenue. The market is expected to be driven by an increasing number of teleradiology awareness programs and their implementation in Europe. The Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to unmet health needs, coupled with a rapidly expanding healthcare infrastructure. In developing economies such as India and China, a large proportion of the population resides in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. This is expected to increase demand for cost-effective diagnostic interventions, such as teleradiology services. Inquiry for Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Auto-0J350/Teleradiology_Market TELERADIOLOGY KEY MARKET SEGMENTS: By Imaging Technique X-rays Computed Tomography (CT) Ultrasound Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Nuclear imaging Fluoroscopy Mammography Others By Technology Hardware Software Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Radiology Information System (RIS) Telecom & Networking Web-Based Teleradiology Solutions Cloud-Based Teleradiology Solutions By End User Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Diagnostic Centers Others Buy Now for Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Auto-0J350&lic=single-user Buy Now for Enterprise User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Auto-0J350&lic=enterprise-user SIMILAR REPORTS : Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) Market Report 'Picture archiving and communications systems' (PACS) is a term used for medical or clinical imaging technologies that enable storage and exchange of images across multiple sources. The need to incorporate patient photos with electronic medical records and exchange channels for health-related information is expected to increase the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) Market size during the forecast period. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-21S2178/global-picture-archiving-and-communication-systems-pacs Radiology Information Systems Market Report The Radiology Information Systems Market size is expected to increase due to the growing population, investments in R & D activities, the numbers of radiology practitioners and practices, and web-based solutions choice. The RIS's major functions can include patient scheduling, resource management, examination performance tracking, examination interpretation, results in distribution, and procedure billing. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3H274/radiology-information-systems Teleradiology Services Market Report This report studies the Teleradiology Services market size by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2014-2018, and forecast data 2019-2025. The Teleradiology Services Market report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors, and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3Y275/teleradiology-services Interventional Radiology Market Report View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Othe-3H274/radiology-information-systems Veterinary Teleradiology Market Report The primary factor fuelling the growth of teleradiology market size is increasing domestic, livestock, and companion animal industry, rising animal disease, and accident cases, and the growing number of veterinary practitioners. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-22Y1075/global-veterinary-teleradiology ABOUT US: Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. CONTACT US: Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 For IST Call +91-8040957137 WhatsApp : +91 9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports SOURCE Valuates Reports Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales (Reuters) Manila, Philippines Wed, July 15, 2020 11:30 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666681d8 2 SE Asia Philippines,coronavirus,coronavirus-prevention,tracing-COVID-19,COVID-19,COVID-19-infection,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free Philippine authorities and police will carry out house-to-house searches for COVID-19 patients to prevent wider transmission, a minister said on Tuesday, amid soaring death and infection numbers and some areas returning to a stricter lockdown. Interior Minister Eduardo Ano urged the public to report cases in their neighborhoods, warning that anyone infected who refused to cooperate faced imprisonment. The tough approach comes during a week where the Philippines recorded Southeast Asia biggest daily jump in coronavirus deaths and saw hospital occupancy grow sharply, after a tripling of infections since a tough lockdown was eased on June 1 to allow more movement and commerce. "We don't want positive patients to stay home in [self] quarantine especially if their homes don't have the capacity," Ano told a news conference. "So what we will do ... is to go house-to-house and we will bring the positive cases to our COVID-19 isolation facilities." The strategy is a departure from previous advice for positive cases with mild symptoms to self-isolate. Justifying the searches, Ano cited a 2019 law on disease reporting and surveillance. Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said tracking down positive cases was necessary because some had absconded. The plan will likely alarm human rights groups battling what they say is impunity for abusive police who have systematically targeted poor communities in a bloody war on drugs, as noted in a recent United Nations report. Police have rejected that. Police are accused of being heavy handed during the pandemic, including arrests for minor infringements and reports by activists of children killed while violating curfews. "How is the government going to ensure that the rights of Filipinos are respected and protected with this new approach?" said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director. "Given that Philippine law enforcers have some of the most checkered COVID responses in the world in terms of human rights, this certainly raises fears." Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There have been 57,545 Philippine coronavirus infections, of which 1,603 were deaths. Strategic drill holes for Horse Well & Pernatty C Approved Melbourne, July 16, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) is pleased to announce that the Heritage Survey for the planned drilling programs at both Pernatty C and Horse Well was completed with strategic drill holes being approved in the key target areas.The Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation (KAC), accompanied by Australian Heritage Services and Euro Exploration completed the survey which saw the total number of approved holes reduced, primarily due to the dune systems, but allowed strategic holes for testing the primary targets to be included.Cohiba is making the final adjustments to the Exploration Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (E-PEPR) to reflect the revised program and will then deploy the drillers to site.The Horse Well drill holes will target deeper (~1,000m) Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold (IOCG) mineralisation similar to that at BHP's nearby Oak Dam West deposit. Previous work at Horse Well identified two major potential "feeder" zones with strong lateral and depth continuity which supports the theory of a deep basement conductive zone associated with IOCG mineralisation (Figure 1*).The Pernatty C drill holes will target shallower (~300m) sedimentary-hosted Mt Gunson-style copper-cobalt-silver mineralisation which has been favourably compared to the Zambian Copper Belt (ZCB) deposits. Historical production from the Mt Gunson copper-cobalt-silver resource 10 kms to the west was 150 Kt Cu and 2.1 Moz Ag at an average Cu grade of 2.44% (Source: R.A. Creelman, Gateway Mining Ltd - Pernatty Lagoon-Mt Gunson Cu Deposits, South Australia, CRC LEME, 2005). Significant copper has been identified from drilling around the Pernatty C area which represents a compelling target for shallow, sedimentary hosted copper (Figure 2*).Assay results from a geochemical soil survey conducted in early 2020 showed anomalous values of copperzinc-lead which correlate to historic soil sampling within the historic Mt Gunson copper mining district mines and deposits. There was also a strong correlation with path-finder elements Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Bi, Th, U, Ag and Au.A resistivity/IP survey was conducted over part of the southern Pernatty C area coincident with magnetic and gravity highs and anomalous geochemistry. A number of inferred faults were identified, and an exploration target defined within a sandstone layer above the Tapley Hill Formation. The drilling program will test this target area and others within the Pernatty C area (Figure 3*).Cohiba's CEO, Andrew Graham says, "After 2 years of hard work it gives me great pleasure to announce that we have met all the requirements and have the necessary permits in place to move forward with drill testing our multiple targets at Horse Well and Pernatty C. I wish to congratulate the Cohiba team, consultants and service providers that have worked tirelessly to get us to this critical milestone.We are looking forward to commencing drilling in our key target areas at Horse Well and Pernatty C. The Horse Well drill holes will be targeting deeper IOCG mineralisation, such as that found at BHP's Oak Dam West deposit and OZ Mineral's Carrapateena Mine, while the Pernatty C drill holes will be targeting sedimentary-hosted Mt Gunson-style mineralisation, which has been favourably compared to Zambian Copper Belt mineralisation.Our extensive geophysical and geochemical programs over the past two years have provided us with solid technical justification behind our drilling strategy and we are highly optimistic that we will achieve significant outcomes from this next stage of work."*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cohiba Minerals Limited Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK. The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia. The Bay League rivals battled into overtime of Tuesday match, but Mira Costa emerged victorious to remain undefeated in the league race F alling fertility rates around the world could lead to "enormous social change" and new policies on reproductive health, researchers have said. If the fertility rate, which refers to the average number of children a woman gives birth to, falls below 2.1, then the size of the population starts to fall. A group of researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics said the global fertility rate nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017 and they expect it will fall below 1.7 by 2100. This is in contrast to 1950 when women were having an average of 4.7 children in their lifetime. The researchers' study, published in the Lancet, said the number of people on the planet could rise to 9.7 billion around 2064 and then drop to 8.8. billion by the end of the century. The study predicts many countries will have shrinking populations by 2100 / PA Spain, Portugal and Thailand are included in a list of 23 countries which are expected see their population more than halve. Professor Christopher Murray told BBC News the projections were "jaw-dropping". India is expected to take China's place as the most populous nation in the world, as they predict China's population will rise to 1.4 billion in four years and then nearly halving to 732 million by the end of the century. The researchers projected that Japan's population could fall from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to less than 53 million by the end of 2100. Meanwhile, in the same timeframe, they expect Italy's population to drop from 61 million to 28 million. A neonatal nurse cares for a baby at a Lancashire hospital / PA The UK is expected to peak at 75 million in 2063, and fall to 71 million by 2100. Speaking about the projections, Professor Murray said: "That's a pretty big thing; most of the world is transitioning into natural population decline. "I think it's incredibly hard to think this through and recognise how big a thing this is; it's extraordinary, we'll have to reorganise societies." The researchers said continued trends in female education and improved access to contraception were speeding up the decline in fertility and slowing population growth. A sustained drop in the total fertility rate in countries such as China and India could have economic, social, environmental and geopolitical consequences, said the researchers. They expect that the countries will have to create new policies to adapt to the declining fertility rate as well as introducing new measures to improve female reproductive health. As the number of babies being born drops, the researchers predict that more people will live longer. The number of children under-five will drop from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100 while the number of 80-year-olds will rise from 141 million to 866 million across the same period of time. This could pose a number of problems because in an aged world there are fewer people paying taxes and potentially fewer people available to take care of the elderly. "We need a soft landing," said Professor Murray. He added: "It will create enormous social change. It makes me worried because I have an eight-year-old daughter and I wonder what the world will be like. "I find people laugh it off; they can't imagine it could be true, they think women will just decide to have more kids. "If you can't [find a solution] then eventually the species disappears, but that's a few centuries away." In early 2020, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry shocked the world when they announced their plans to step down as senior members of the royal family. Although the couple did not say they were unhappy in their royal role, fans have continued to speculate that Meghans struggles to adapt to the traditional institution was a reason for their departure. Meghan recently gave an impassioned speech about changing status quos, but could it have been a hint at her frustrations with the royal family? Meghan Markle | Clive Mason/Getty Images What did Meghan Markle say in her recent speech? Meghan recently attended Girl Ups Woman in Leadership virtual event, where she shared with young women her thoughts on what it takes to make a difference. Meghan discussed various things, such as Black Lives Matter, but she often went back to the idea of challenging established norms. Those lawmakers and leaders and executives I mentioned earlier, many of them better or worse do not listen until they have to, Meghan explained, as reported by Huffington Post. The status quo is easy to excuse, and its hard to break. But it will pull tightest right before snapping. She added, Women have always historically gotten a lot of, Well that isnt how its done, or Yeah, thats an idea, but you know what, were gonna do this instead. But when do we hear that, as women? We hear that in the moments that we challenge the norms. Meghan went on to encourage her audience to continue questioning the status quo, saying, I say to you: Keep challenging. Keep pushing. Make them a little uncomfortable, because its only in that discomfort that we actually create the conditions to reimagine our standards, our policies, our leadership. Could Meghan be taking digs at the royal family? RELATED: Royal Author Claims Meghan Markle Is a Fame Addict and Prince Harry Married Her Because He Was Desperate Ever since Meghan joined the royal family, it was clear she was different from the other royals. As an actress, Meghan was often outspoken about issues she felt passionate about, including politics. However, as a royal, she could not longer speak her mind, not even to defend herself in the media. Many onlookers have long wondered whether a strong personality like Meghan could survive in the traditional royal family, and her departure earlier this year was a sign to fans that perhaps she really was not happy following the established norms like other royals. However, there is no indication her recent speech at Girl Ups event was a dig at the royal family. Meghan has already shown herself to be a feminist long before she became the Duchess of Sussex, so it is likely she would have given a similar speech at any other time. Meghan reportedly ignored friends who tried to warn her about royal life RELATED: New Meghan Markle Biography Plans to Set the Record Straight About The Most Misrepresented Woman in the World Its clear Meghans life was never the same after her relationship with Prince Harry became public in 2016. However, there were friends who tried to warn her that royal life would be extremely difficult, but Meghan reportedly ignored those messages. In January 2020, Meghans former agent, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, told the Daily Mail she talked with Meghan when the latter was in the early stages of dating Prince Harry, but her words fell on deaf ears. Nelthorpe-Cowne, who is from the U.K., recalled, One day we were having lunch on the Strand in London and it was obvious it was getting very serious with Harry. I said, This is serious. This is the end of your normal life, the end of privacyeverything. But she just held up her hand and said: Save it. I dont want to hear any negativity. This is a happy time for us. On her part, Meghan did admit to this a few months prior in the documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey. When I first met my now-husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy but my British friends said to me, Im sure hes great but you shouldnt do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life, Meghan said. Looking back, she understood that her experience with the American press made her naive as to how the British press operates. She explained, I never thought that this would be easy but I thought it would be fair. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 14, 2020 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 14, 2020 | 07:54 PM | PADUCAH Governor Andy Beshear referred to a local television station in his Tuesday COVID-19 update while discussing employer policies during the pandemic. While answering a question from the media, Beshear said, "I've heard, and I think it was about a TV station, about the concept of having to get permission before getting tested. I don't think your employer can dictate your health care decisions. If you're worried and you want to get a test and your employer is trying to stop you, why don't you call us here in state government and we'll talk to them." Beshear was referring to a memo from WPSD Vice President and General Manager Bill Evans on June 26, which was shared on social media over the next few days. The memo was written after a member of their staff tested positive for the virus and several other people immediately went to be tested. After testing, they were told to isolate themselves and that apparently resulted in the cancellation of Saturday morning newscasts. In the memo, Evans said, "If you have a negative test result you are expected to return to work immediately," and required all tested employees notify him upon getting results. Evans also said, "Any further COVID-19 testing will be done with my approval only. This allows us to manage our staffing needs." West Kentucky Star contacted Evans Tuesday afternoon about Beshear's statement, but he was unaware of it. Evans said he would review the governor's press conference, and West Kentucky Star asked for a response, but it has not yet been received. West Kentucky Star also asked if the policy in the memo was still in effect. Regarding other employer policies during the pandemic, Beshear also said it's incredibly short-sighted for businesses to deny paid leave to someone with the virus. He said, "Otherwise, somebody desperate isn't going to tell you and is going to go to work and is going to infect your workforce, and instead of paying one person for 14 days to make sure that you don't infect everybody else, you're going to lose your entire work force." Almost three quarters of parents want to be able to choose whether to send their children back to school in September, new data suggests. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously warned that every child in England will be expected to attend school in the autumn unless there is a proper medical reason for their absence, and parents could be fined. A poll of 4,800 parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that 74% would like the right to decide whether to send their child to school between now and Christmas. More than one in three English parents polled (44%) say they would not be happy for their children to return to the classroom if there are no social distancing measures in place. A further 24% are not sure on this issue. In addition, more than a quarter of English parents (26%) say they do not yet know whether they are planning on sending their children back at the start of the new academic year. The questionnaire was commissioned by charity Parentkind, which is now calling on the Government to remove the threat of fines for parents who choose not to send their children back to school until at least December this year. CEO John Jolly said: Its clear from our results that more work needs to be done by government and schools to reassure parents and carers that it is safe for children to return to school. A significant number remain undecided about returning their children to school next term, and the majority of parents and carers are wanting the right to make the decision themselves. The Government needs to be understanding of parents legitimate concerns and talking about fining them is not helpful. A union agrees with their request and says the data shows parents are placing far greater trust in school leaders than Government. Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: Instead of threatening parents with fines, Boris Johnson should be doing a great deal more to prove that his strategy is right. Story continues Schools are doing their best to make good on existing guidance and create safe school environments, but the lack of a plan B from Whitehall is far from reassuring. Schools in England will reopen fully in September and attendance will be mandatory. Mr Williamson told the House of Commons earlier this month: It is critical to ensure that no child loses more time in education and that from September all children who can be at school, are at school. In Wales, there are no plans for fines initially when the new school year starts in September. Pupils in Wales returned for a three to four-week term at reduced capacity on June 29 with staggered starts, lessons, and breaks for pupils. Northern Ireland schools plan to reopen in August. A Department for Education spokesman said: Regular and full time school attendance from September will be essential to help pupils catch up on time out of the classroom, as well as being important for their wellbeing and wider development. Schools should work with families to ensure children are attending full time. As usual, fines will sit alongside this, but only as a last resort and where there is no valid reason for absence. A former executive director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ezekiel Agaba, was guilty of laundering N1.5 billion belonging to the agency, a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court ruled on Wednesday. Ibrahim Buba, the judge, sentenced the official to seven years in prison on each of the seven counts, totalling 49 years. The sentences, however, are to run concurrently. The sentence runs with effect from today (Wednesday), Mr Buba added. The judge said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the convict stole the sum from NIMASA while he was in charge of Maritime, Safety and Shipping. The court declined to grant the application of EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, for the forfeiture of property allegedly bought by Mr Agaba from the proceeds of the crime. The judge agreed with the convicts lawyer, E.D. Oyeneke, that the property is the subject of another suit at the federal high court. During the trial, a witness said Mr Agaba bought a land in Lekki for N70 million Earlier, Mr Oyeneke had pleaded that the court order non-custodial sentencing for Mr Agaba. The lawyer said his clients age places him at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 in prison. Mr Buba did not grant the plea. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, counsel should consider approaching the state for pardon for the convict, he added. The EFCC had in 2015 arraigned Mr Agaba alongside a former NIMASA Managing Director, Patrick Akpolobokemi; a former NIMASA staff, Ekene Nwakuche; and the chairman of Ndokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Juan Amechee, for allegedly laundering N2.6 billion. They pleaded not guilty. Mr Akpobolokemi filed a no-case submission but Mr Buba, on October 16, 2017, dismissed it. It was, however, was overturned by the Court of Appeal which unanimously discharged and acquitted the NIMASA boss. Following the appellate courts decision, the anti-graft agency on October 10, 2019, withdrew the charges against Messrs Amechee and Nwakuche. But the EFCC maintained an amended charge against Mr Agaba. The Commission told the judge that between December 23, 2013, and March 13, 2014, in Lagos, Mr Agaba converted the N1.5bn in tranches of N437,726,666.60; N66,800,000; N21,802,000; N402,480, 000; N525,000,000; N70,000.000; and N176, 000,000. The funds were laundered through Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd, Ace Protehesis Limited, Extreme Vertex Nigeria Limited and Aroward Consulting Limited. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion at 5 PM. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Congress employs KC Venugopal to broker peace between Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot Sachin Pilots firm and clear message this morning that he is not joining the BJP has got the Congress working behind the scenes to bring about a possible rapprochement between Ashok Gehlot and him. Read more Galwan clash: On border row, China says military talks with India made further progress without giving details China on Wednesday said the fourth round of Sino-India military talks held on Tuesday to reduce tension at the border had made progress in disengaging troops in the western section of the disputed boundary. Read more Give a healthy twist to your favourite burger A burger with an extra slice of cheese and deep fried patty killing you with guilt? Now give a healthy spin and turn the comfort food into a wholesome meal. Packed with nutrition and fresh flavours, here are some smart tips and tweaks from chefs for you to prepare a healthy burger without the guilt. Read more Its very, very tough: Why Sangakkara prefers Dhoni over Ganguly as a batsman in ODIs Former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara has chosen MS Dhoni ahead of Sourav Ganguly as his pick for the better ODI batsman among the two. Dhoni and Ganguly, two of Indias finest captains have led the country to numerous triumphs but Sangakkara, who has played against both, went with Dhoni purely for his ability to finish matches for the team. Read more Army of yellow-coloured frogs spotted in Madhya Pradesh. Watch A video involving an army of rare yellow-coloured bullfrogs has left people surprised and mesmerised. It wont be wrong to say that its an incredible sight. Read more Reliance RIL AGM 2020: Google invests 33,737 crore for 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms Reliance Industries Limited chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani at the companys 43rd annual general meeting (AGM) announced that Google has invested a sum of 33,737 crore in Jio Platforms. Read more Bihar businessman buys land on the moon, find out how much it cost A Gaya based businessman has bought an acre of land on the moon on his birthday. Neeraj Kumar said that he had heard about Sushant Singh Rajput, Shah Rukh Khan and others owning land on the moon and he also wanted to have land on the moon. He said that while the price was not very high the process was very long. Watch this video for all the updates. Watch more Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and earn a $40 gift card! Investors can approximate the average market return by buying an index fund. Active investors aim to buy stocks that vastly outperform the market - but in the process, they risk under-performance. Investors in Insurance Australia Group Limited (ASX:IAG) have tasted that bitter downside in the last year, as the share price dropped 33%. That contrasts poorly with the market decline of 7.5%. However, the longer term returns haven't been so bad, with the stock down 19% in the last three years. Unhappily, the share price slid 3.3% in the last week. View our latest analysis for Insurance Australia Group There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During the unfortunate twelve months during which the Insurance Australia Group share price fell, it actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 28%. It could be that the share price was previously over-hyped. The divergence between the EPS and the share price is quite notable, during the year. But we might find some different metrics explain the share price movements better. We don't see any weakness in the Insurance Australia Group's dividend so the steady payout can't really explain the share price drop. From what we can see, revenue is pretty flat, so that doesn't really explain the share price drop. Unless, of course, the market was expecting a revenue uptick. The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). We know that Insurance Australia Group has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts Story continues What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Insurance Australia Group, it has a TSR of -31% for the last year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective We regret to report that Insurance Australia Group shareholders are down 31% for the year (even including dividends) . Unfortunately, that's worse than the broader market decline of 7.5%. However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 4.3% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Insurance Australia Group . For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges. 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. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com. Several south-east Queensland areas had temperatures that dropped below freezing on Wednesday, but the apparent or "feels like" temperatures were 2-3 degrees colder across the region. The central-southern Queensland town of Roma, 430 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, dropped to an actual temperature of minus 1.6 degrees, but the apparent temperature was minus 4.4 degrees. Scarves, beanies, jackets and hoodies are reliable tools to combat an icy wind chill factor. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the apparent or "feels like" temperature takes into account the humidity or wind speed, changing how the weather conditions actually feel. Meteorologist Lauren Pattie said the apparent temperature accounts for the wind chill factor, which played a significant role on Wednesday morning. Click here to read the full article. Sundance Institute has announced its latest class of fellows, a group of 10 young filmmakers selected for the yearlong Sundance Ignite x Adobe fellowship. Theyll participate in a year of mentorship, workshops, and receive other support and will have their films screened at Sundance Film Festival: London in August. The fellows, who hail from around the world and are between the ages of 18-25, submitted 1- to 15-minute short films as part of their applications, which totaled a record high of 1,600. The fellows kicked off their fellowship year on Monday with the Sundance Ignite Digital Filmmakers Lab on Sundance Co//ab. The week-long lab prepares the fellows for the year ahead, with focuses on presenting ones artistic self, pitching projects, case studies, and goal-setting. More from IndieWire Earlier this month, Sundance announced a series of layoffs and consolidations in reaction to the financial hits endured during the pandemic. While the organization announce it would be restructuring some of its labs and associated programs, the endurance of this particular fellowship is heartening. The fellows submitted short films will be screened virtually as part of Sundance Film Festival: London, which runs from August 7-9. During the course of their fellowship, each will continue to hone their craft with a yearlong membership to Co//ab, which offers classes, webinars, and a chance to connect with the film community. Theyll also receive a two-year Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Each fellow will be paired with an a Sundance Institute alum mentor. This years mentors are Andrew Ahn (Spa Night), Patricia Cordoso (Real Women Have Curves, Queen Sugar), Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Ice, Chasing Coral), Lacey Schwartz (Little White Lie), Hannah Pearl Utt (Before You Know It), Malik Vitthal (Imperial Dreams, Body Cam) and Roger Ross Williams (Life, Animated, The Innocence Files). Story continues Were proud to support these ten emerging artists, who are creating bold new work that brings their stories, voice, and passion to life, said Meredith Lavitt, director of Ignite, in an official statement. Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows arent tomorrows filmmakers, theyre todays filmmakers and were thrilled to welcome them into the Sundance family. The program for this year has been renamed to include Adobes name. The software company has been a supporter of the fellowship since its founding in 2015. At Adobe, our mission is to enable creativity for all. We believe that everyone has a story to tell and that those stories deserve to be heard. When we elevate a broader and more diverse set of voices we can create change within ourselves, our communities and the world, said John Travis, VP of brand marketing at Adobe, in his own statement. We are so proud to partner with Sundance in the Sundance Ignite program and look forward to working with this years fellows to help bring their stories, creativity, and perspectives to the world. Here is the 2020 class of Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows, along with their biographies provided by Sundance. Jacob Anderson is a Kentucky-based writer, director, and cinematographer. He attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a degree in filmmaking. Post-graduation, Jacob has become a working cinematographer based in the Nashville area. He has begun writing and directing his own projects that will explore the boundaries of genre within the American South. Recently, Jacob has begun writing his first feature film and next short that will explore intimate stories about people against a backdrop of the American South. Once established, his goal is to bring film opportunities to other budding southern filmmakers in the future. Sasha Argirov is a Canadian writer/director based in Vancouver. His short film, Personals, is soon to begin its festival tour. He is developing his debut feature about an anxious college student who lures his girlfriend as a vessel for his mothers ghost. He likes making films about lonely people in unusual situations. Giselle Bonilla is a mediocre bartender desperately pursuing a back-up career as a filmmaker. She graduated with Honors from New York Universitys Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in film and television production. Her thesis film received the Horizon Award at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and went on to compete in various festivals across the country. She is currently developing her first feature, and aims to shoot her proof of concept under the guidance of the Ignite Fellowship. Giselle is currently based in Los Angeles. Aurora Brachman is a documentary filmmaker and MFA student in documentary film at Stanford University. She is also the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in filmmaking to the pacific island nation of Kiribati where she directed the docuseries Between the Tides. She is currently working on a documentary about Club Quarantine, a virtual queer dance party where hundreds of people from around the world gather each night during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She primarily makes work about the experiences of various marginalized communities and is committed to collaborative and ethical storytelling. Natalie A. Chao is a filmmaker and visual artist who completed her B.A degree in film production at USC in Los Angeles, with a focus in cinematography. Born, raised and currently based in Hong Kong, she is interested in bridging the gap between realism and poetry in order to tell stories through a more engaged and intentional gaze, one that can map out our memories, not draw lines between camera and subject, identity and politics. In the context of Hong Kongs ongoing political crisis, she questions whether a collective gaze is possible, and is engaging with what it means to create a living documentary, one that seeks to do more than reducing ourselves to numbers on a statistic, politicized events on a historical timeline. Why do we want to remember? Who is the archive for? These are the questions that shape the experience of filming her first feature-length documentary. Mariales Diaz is a queer, gender expansive Dominican immigrant raised in Brooklyn. They create documentaries and narratives focused on exploring human relationships, the conceptualization of the American Dream, and intersectionalities within identity. Their storytellings center Black and brown trans and gender expansive folxs. Mariales is a graduate of the SUNY Purchase Film Conservatory, a Fall 2019 Creative Culture Valentine and Clark Emerging Artist Fellow at the Jacob Burns Film Center, and a 2019 NeXtDoc Fellow. They are currently working on a second short film with Creative Culture, exploring the story of two enamored teenage girls seeking revenge on one of their assaulters. Kourtney Jackson is a Toronto-based writer and filmmaker. She won the 2018 Emerging Directors Spotlight Award at the Regent Park Film Festival for her experimental documentary pitch for Wash Day, which later premiered at TIFF NextWave and recently screened at Breakthroughs Film Festival. Ever contemplative of the cosmos, Kourtney aims to tell unexpected stories grounded in Afrofuturism, absurdism, and joy. These days, you can find her in her room shamelessly eating out of a carton of Chapmans vanilla ice-cream, as well as writing a short film about loving friendship, sinister betrayal, and the poisonous but delicious fruit that is ackee. JoeBill Munoz is a Mexican-American filmmaker. His directorial debut, Follow the Sun, chronicles the lives of migrants making their way across Mexico. It screened in festivals across the country and was nominated for a student award by the IDA. He is currently an associate producer on a feature about global food, water, and land issues at The Center for Investigative Reporting, and the producer-writer on an independent feature about the California prison hunger strikes against indefinite solitary confinement. He has worked for Frontline, the Investigative Reporting Program, and The Associated Press. Zenzele Ojore is a filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist from Houston, Texas based in New York City. Her award-winning short films have played at festivals including Sundance (Horizon Award) and SXSW. She received her undergraduate degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2018, and is presently a dean fellow in the graduate film program at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts. Zenzele is currently writing the feature length version of her short The South is My Sisters Skin, as well as developing an upcoming short film that she intends to shoot next summer in Louisiana. Sean Wang is a filmmaker from Fremont, California, a graduate of USCs School of Cinematic Arts, and a Google Creative Lab 5 alum. His work has been viewed millions of times online and has aired on primetime television. Most recently, Sean contributed sequences for the feature film, Summertime, which premiered in the NEXT category at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, and his short film, Still Here (), was featured by the American Film Institute, Short of the Week, and Vimeo Staff Picks. He is currently working on two short films: one about a young couples last night together in New York City and another about growing up told through the pages of a middle school yearbook. He is also developing his first feature film: a coming-of-age story set in the summer of 2008. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fox News Channels Tucker Carlson Tonight July 13, 2020 8:05:05 p.m. Eastern () TUCKER CARLSON: For centuries, since the beginning of recorded history, self-defense has been the most basic principle of civilization, but now that weve reimagine public safety, its illegal. Watch CNNs resident bodybuilder explain the new standard. Keep in mind as you watch that the guy doing the lecturing this in tape has repeatedly threatened violence against others for invading his personal space. But he gets to do that. His brother is the governor. CHRIS CUOMO: They did not go up your steps. They didnt go to your house. They didnt touch you. They didnt try to enter your home. They didnt try to do anything to your kids, but you say were assaulted. Youre using the civil definition of that, which is that you have the apprehension that something bad was going to happen to you. But nothing did. But to call it terrorism and the people are there protesting how the community is treated by the police is a little bit of a reverse psychology at minimum, is it not? CARLSON: Now, its hard to know exactly what the CNN anchor was trying to say. Some of those sentences didnt make sense, but you get the larger point. Homeowners who try to protect themselves from violence are the real terrorists now and they must be punished. Increasingly they are punished. () 8:09:28 p.m. Eastern CARLSON: I dont think theres a homeowner in America who wants to defend his own home with a gun. I mean, that something you do if you have no choice. Youd much rather the police came and took the risk for you. Thats why you pay them. But they wont. What do you make of the media response? You are lectured on another channel by a guy whos repeatedly threatened violence against people actually threaten violence against people for getting in his space and yet he dressed you down for defending your home. What do you make of at? MARK MCCLOSKEY: Well, you know, the traditional media is right behind the mob. I mean, were not allowed to use that word anymore. The loud crowd of angry people. And are supporting these entities which are, from my understanding, Marxist and oppose everything I stand for and I hold dear and near. Weve gotten tremendous support from ordinary people. My phones and my emails are running about 90 percent positive now. Weve gotten calls from all over the world. I got a nice letter from a lady in Ireland this morning congratulated us for taking a stand against the violence. And so, I think the vast majority of Americans wish they could do something. The problem is if nobody stands up and supports them, if the media blasts them, if they Im self-employed. I mean, I dont own my own law firm. But what if I was an employee somewhere? If I did what I did and I was an employee of anybody else, I would have been canned the next day. My family wouldve been canned. No one would ever get a job again. This is the kind of social pressure that keeps people from standing up and defending themselves. CARLSON: Thats right. MCCLOSKEY: And I think its time for people to take a different stand. To actually stand up and have some risk. I mean, Patrick Henry said give me liberty or give me death, and now everybody so afraid of losing their job. CARLSON: I think youre exactly right. Slogans like that are meaningless and less people in power stand up to defend the country. () live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More After manufacturing its first soap over a century ago in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic, becoming the first firm in the world to produce soap using vegetable oil instead of animal fat, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) is looking at 2020 as its 'second beginning', according to the company's Executive Chairperson Nisaba Godrej. Godrej described COVID-19 pandemic as "a health, humanitarian and economic crisis of epic proportions to contend with" for which the business would "need to do more of what we do and do it even better" while addressing shareholders in the company's annual report for 2019-20. Stressing that the company will not be deterred by the current crisis, she said, "Godrej was founded in a crisis; as part of India's freedom and swadeshi movement in 1897, and also during the bubonic plague that year." "We first made soap in 1918 (also the first soap in the world to be made from vegetable oil and not animal fat) during the Spanish flu pandemic. So, as we see it, 2020 could be our 'second beginning' for the next 123 years of Godrej." "We first made soap in 1918 (also the first soap in the world to be made from vegetable oil and not animal fat) during the Spanish flu pandemic. So, as we see it, 2020 could be our 'second beginning' for the next 123 years of Godrej." Reiterating the company's resolve Godrej said, "While we don't get to choose market conditions or the intensity of our competitors, and certainly not a global pandemic, we do choose our attitude in the face of these." She said "there is no denying that this is a bad situation. But, we are also fortunate that GCPL is an FMCG company with a robust portfolio to deliver in a COVID-19 world." She said "there is no denying that this is a bad situation. But, we are also fortunate that GCPL is an FMCG company with a robust portfolio to deliver in a COVID-19 world." 80 per cent of the company's product portfolio comprises health (household insecticides), hygiene, and value for money products, Godrej said, adding that "many of our innovations have started playing out fully in the last couple of months and we have seen high growth in household insecticides and hygiene." Admitting that the company's performance in 2019-20 "was not good", she said sales declined around 4 per cent and profit before tax (pre-exceptions) was flat. Admitting that the company's performance in 2019-20 "was not good", she said sales declined around 4 per cent and profit before tax (pre-exceptions) was flat. 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 March 2020 was particularly impacted by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eventual lockdown in many geographies where the company operates. This resulted in virtually no sales in the latter part of the month, she added. In order to overcome the challenge of the current health crisis, she said, "The excellence we will require now, going against water rather than with water, to perform and take market share, means a significant step up in ways we probably haven't even realised yet." In order to overcome the challenge of the current health crisis, she said, "The excellence we will require now, going against water rather than with water, to perform and take market share, means a significant step up in ways we probably haven't even realised yet." Godrej said 2020 will be the "Year of Resurgence" for GCPL's household insecticides business. "This is our largest and most critical category globally. We are going where the consumer demand is and the demand is to protect their health. We see this as a long-term area of focus," she added. "This is our largest and most critical category globally. We are going where the consumer demand is and the demand is to protect their health. We see this as a long-term area of focus," she added. Although the company struggled initially to meet demand, which has been very strong in the last couple of months, Godrej said, "We are scaling up our supply systems and have never had stronger portfolios across price points and formats, in India and Indonesia, to serve this." The company is also making a foray into this category in Africa, where it is still underserved, she added. The company is also making a foray into this category in Africa, where it is still underserved, she added. In response to COVID-19, GCPL had launched sanitiser products across India and SAARC, Indonesia, Africa, Latin America, and US in just a few weeks. "In many of these markets, it was the first time we were entering the category. We will now be scaling these up into full portfolios with multiple product offerings," she said. "In many of these markets, it was the first time we were entering the category. We will now be scaling these up into full portfolios with multiple product offerings," she said. Stating that India and Indonesia make up roughly 70 per cent of the company's overall business, she said, "There are significant opportunities for growth here, especially given the current consumer demand trends, and we are well poised to leverage this." Godrej also said GCPL has "big dreams" for Africa, one of its largest investments outside India, although its performance over the last few years there has not been up to the mark. Godrej also said GCPL has "big dreams" for Africa, one of its largest investments outside India, although its performance over the last few years there has not been up to the mark. "Africa has a young, fast-growing, urbanising population with growing aspirations. There is much to yet start unearthing as infrastructure, industrialisation and digital leapfrog. We see tremendous opportunity here, to innovate and grow sustainably both in hair care and household insecticides, while also 'doing good'," she said. Indias most-valued private company Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will hold its 43rd Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. The oil-telecom-to-retail giant recently crossed Rs 12 lakh crore in market capitalisation, becoming the first listed Indian entity to achieve the feat. This will be Reliance Industries' first virtual AGM amid the COVID-19 crisis. Thousands of shareholders across the countries are expected to join the meeting. Follow all the live updates here. "Given the recent records, RIL's AGM improves the mood of its stock price and given the huge weight in the index, markets too are expected to remain on the higher side unless negative global cues spoil the party. This time it is expected that the AGM would garner maximum viewership given the slew of deals cracked for Jio Platforms," Jimeet Modi, Founder & CEO at SAMCO Securities & StockNote told Moneycontrol. The Mukesh Ambani-owned company, being the only listed entity having a market cap of more than Rs 12 lakh crore, has successfully achieved its target - set in the last AGM - to become a net debt free well before its schedule of March 31, 2021, by selling more than 25 per cent stake in Jio Platforms to global marquee investors, a rights issue of Rs 53,124 crore and a stake sale to BP in the petro-retail joint venture. Here are five things that could be on RIL's agenda according to experts: - Update on Oil-to-Chemical division (O2C) deal with Saudi Aramco; - Overseas listing of Jio Platforms; - Value unlocking plans in fibre & tower infrastructure via InvITs funds; - Roadmap plan of Reliance Retail and JioMart; - Revival of petrochemicals business and oil-to-chemicals capital expenditure target. "After successfully fulfilling the promise of becoming zero net debt company earlier-than-expected, Reliance Industries may now shift its focus on growing Retail business (JioMart) and overseas listing of Jio Platforms," Prashanth Tapse, AVP Research at Mehta Equities told Network18's Moneycontrol. "Investors also expect finer announcements regarding its advanced talks to buy out stakes in Kishore Biyani's Future Group. If the same is announced, it would help RIL to expand its reach in the retail space across categories like fashion, general merchandise and groceries thus targeting to become India's number one Retail Company. The AGM will also focus on drafting roadmap of Reliance Retail JioMart future as JioMart is at the heart of Reliance Industries' retail ambitions," he said. On July 2, Reliance clarified that they are unable to comment on media speculation and rumours after The Economic Times reported, "Reliance Industries nears deal to acquire retail businesses of Future Group." Apart from that, Prashanth Tapse feels Reliance would keep its focus on asset monetisation to the proposed stake sale in its oil-to-chemical division (O2C) with Aramco which is expected to be the bigger trigger on cards and it will also look to announce value unlocking plans in fibre and tower infrastructure via InvITs funds. Sumit Bilgaiyan, Founder of Equity99 said key aspects one should look out for in the AGM are: a) expected revival in the petrochemicals business, b) oil-to-chemicals (O2C) capital expenditure target, c) details and update about the Aramco deal and d) outlook on JioMart. Despite lockdown in several countries to control the spread of COVID-19, Jio Platforms, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has raised Rs 1.18 lakh crore by selling over 25 percent stake to global marquee investors including Facebook, General Atlantic, KKR, Saudi's Public Investment Fund etc. B urberry is planning to cut around 150 jobs at its London and Leeds offices, it emerged on Wednesday as the fashion company posted a fall in first-quarter sales. There are also some 350 non-UK roles in shops that could be affected by a restructure, Burberry's finance chief Julie Brown said. The plans were outlined as the luxury retailer reported a 45% fall in first quarter sales and showed how Covid-19 has hit the business. The company was hurt by the Covid-19 lockdown when various countries ordered retailers to shut shops and travel restrictions came in. In England non-essential stores were only allowed to reopen from June 15. In total Burberry employs 10,000 people, including 3500 in Britain. There are 1350 based in the London HQ. In the UK Burberry said it wants to streamline office-based functions, but Brown said Horseferry House in Victoria will continue to be its HQ. Most employees have been working from home since lockdown started in March. The firm expects the move to help it make costs savings of around 35 million in the year to March 2021, with annualised savings of 55 million. There will be a one-off restructuring charge of 45 million. Burberry added: Conditional on the macroeconomic recovery from Covid-19 and luxury industry growth, we will be able to reinvest these savings into consumer-facing activities. These include pop up stores, visual merchandising, digital activations, events as well as marketing. The FTSE 100 groups chief executive Marco Gobbetti, said: "In Q1, sales were severely impacted by the drop in luxury demand from Covid-19 and we expect it will take time to return to pre-crisis levels with the resumption of overseas travel. Some 360 out of the retailer's 417 global shops have reopened, with around half operating on reduced hours. Burberry expects its second quarter (to end September) to continue to be materially impacted by the pandemic. It said in retail, tourist flows are likely to remain negligible, and store operations are continuing to face significant headwinds. Gobbetti pointed to some encouraging signs, and added: We are encouraged by the improving trends in all regions and the promising exit rate for June. We saw an excellent response to new product launches in recovering economies as well as online. The boss said demand for leather goods was particularly strong in Mainland China and Korea, bringing new, younger luxury customers to the brand. Growth in Mainland China and Korea in June was ahead of pre Covid-19 levels. It would be good to see the business sector coming to the table via the Insurance Council [of Australia] or key insurers so a creative solution is found, said Sue Woodward, director at Justice Connects Not-for-profit Law, in an interview with Pro Bono News. According to the publication, Woodwards suggestions include the creation of an indemnity or contingent liability fund that would feature insurer contributions. The director, who also called on Australian governments to do their part, was quoted as asserting: We need to show volunteers that weve got their back when theyve served their community during the pandemic. A bankrupt businessman who murdered his ex-wife, stuffed her corpse into a suitcase and dumped it in a river has gone to the High Court for a final attempt at appealing his conviction. Singaporean native Ah Ping Ban, 69, killed Annabelle Chen, 58, whose half-naked body was found by a pair of fishermen inside a suitcase floating in Perth's Swan River in July 2016. Ban was convicted of her murder in September 2018, and was sentenced to life behind bars with a non-parole period of 20 years. Their daughter Tiffany Yiting Wan was cleared of murder but convicted of being an accessory and was sentenced to four years and ten months in jail. Singaporean native Ah Ping Ban (pictured left with his daughter), 69, killed Annabelle Chen, 58, whose half-naked body was found by a pair of fishermen inside a suitcase in 2016 Annabelle Chen (pictured) was beaten around the head and dumped in a suitcase in the Swan River in North Fremantle Lawyers confirmed on Tuesday they lodged appeal papers in the High Court, The West Australian reported. 'I can confirm that an application for leave to appeal in relation to the matter has been filed in the High Court,' Ban's defence lawyer Mark Andrews said. It comes after attempts to have the murder conviction overturned in the WA Court of Appeal failed last month. Two fishermen found Ms Chen's body days after she was murdered but the identity of the body remained a mystery for two months until Wan reported her missing. Ms Chen was found in 2016, two days after she was killed in her Mosman Park home, southwest of Perth. A post-mortem found her face had been struck 25 times with a blunt object, leaving her with a fractured skull. Justice Joseph McGrath said the murder was 'a brutal attack', saying Ban had shown 'callous indifference' to the corpse of his ex-wife. After killing her, he stuffed her body into a blue suitcase and transported it to Swan River, where he disposed of it. Tiffany Wan (pictured, left) with her father Ah Ping Ban (right), who was convicted of murdering Annabelle Chen, Wan's mother Divers scoured the scene after the body was recovered at Swan River (pictured) in North Fremantle He filled the suitcase with ceramic tiles to ensure that it sunk. The court heard that his glasses fell off during the dumping and were later recovered by divers. Covering for her father, Wan told police a false story about the last time she had seen her mother. She said the last time she saw her mother alive was when she walked out of her home and got into a car that was driven away by an Asian-looking man. But she stopped covering for her father in early 2018, when she was charged with murder alongside Ban. WA Supreme Court heard she offered to plead guilty to being an accessory to the murder, but her offer was declined by the state. The pair blamed each other, testifying in the WA Supreme Court that the other was responsible for the murder. Ah Ping Ban and his daughter Tiffany Yiting Wan (pictured together) were jailed over the murder of Annabelle Chen Ms Chen's body was found stuffed in a blue suitcase (pictured), floating in Fremantle's Swan River In a tearful testimony, Wan claimed her father had beaten Ms Chen across the face with an iron paperweight in a heated argument over money. While she denied she had any involvement in the killing, Wan did admit she had sent messages to her mother in the months after her death to distract police. She said she covered for her father because she idolised and loved him. In retaliation, Ban told the court that his daughter confided she had killed Ms Chen during a fight in her bedroom over her upcoming university graduation ceremony. By the time Wan did graduate, her mother was already dead. Wan walked free from a WA jail last November on parole after she served three years of her four-year and ten-month sentence. Her parole conditions state she is not allowed to have any contact with her father or members of her mother's immediate family. Fidelity Bank announced Wednesday the bank has donated over $200,000 to help Central Massachusetts residents affected by the pandemic. The donations are part of its Caring for our Communities COVID-19 Response Grants program, which has made donations to various causes to help Central Massachusetts resident impacted by COVID-19. The bank donated $100,000 to the North Central MA Economic Recovery Fund, which provides loans to eligible small businesses impacted by COVID-19. We all must respond to the needs of our community during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Fidelity Bank Chairman and CEO Edward F. Manzi Jr. stated in a press release. Its part of Fidelity Banks promise of being a caring bank that supports our community, clients, and colleagues. In Worcester, the bank donated $30,000 to Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund, which was created in partnership by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts to provide food, shelter, health, economic security, child nutrition and more to those in need during the pandemic. The bank donated another $30,000 to two funds including the the United Way of North Central Massachusetts Stand United COVID-19 Response Fund and Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Critical Needs COVID-19 Fund. To help health care workers on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus, the bank donated 6,000 N95 masks to UMass Memorial Medical Center, St. Vincent Hospital, Heywood Hospital, Central Care Nurses Association and UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital. In addition, the bank made direct contributions totaling $18,000 to nonprofits and organizations providing food and other forms of aid to Central Mass. residents affected by COVID-19 including the Worcester County Food Bank, Quinsigamond Community College and YWCA Central Massachusetts. The money used for the donations comes from the banks LifeDesign Community Dividend, which donated more than $330,000 last year to more than 250 organizations in Central Massachusetts. Related Content: Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday said if dissident leader Sachin Pilot is not joining the BJP, he should stop accepting that party's hospitality in Haryana. The reference was to reports that MLAs close to the rebel leaders are holed up in hotels in Gurgaon in Haryana, where the BJP is in power. He also repeated the party's appeal to Pilot, asking him to come back to the family. I have seen Pilot's statement in the media that he will not join the BJP. If you do not want to go to the BJP, stop accepting the hospitality of the BJP immediately, he said. Rajasthan Political Crisis LIVE He told reporters that Pilot should free the Congress MLAs who are staying in two luxury hotels and under the security of the Haryana police. Surjewala said the party leadership spoke to Pilot several times but he and the other Congress MLAs did not come to attend the Congress Legislature Party meetings. Pilot was sacked Tuesday as Rajasthan's deputy chief minister and the president of the state unit of the Congress. New Delhi: In the Corps Commander-level talks between India and China over the second phase of disengagement along the LAC concluded at Chushul Border post in Eastern Ladakh pn Wednesday (July 15), the Indian side has clearly stated that follow all agreed protocols for border management. The Corps Commander-level talks between India and China began at Chushul post on the Indian side at 11: 30 am on Tuesday and ended at around 2 am on July 15. The meeting went on for 14.5 hours. During the course of the intense and complex negotiations between senior commanders of the two armies, the Indian delegation has apprised the Chinese People's Liberation Army about the "red lines" and conveyed that the onus was largely on China to improve the overall situation in the region, government sources told PTI in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by the commander of the South Xinjiang military region Maj Gen Liu Lin. The talks took place days after the implementation of the first phase of the disengagement process from the friction points. Global Times today quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday as saying "The border troops of China and India held their fourth commander-level talks on Tuesday, with the two sides making positive progress in further disengaging the frontline troops in the western section of the border." The statement was made by Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at Wednesday's media briefing. Hua reportedly said the talks also helped to ease the border situation, adding " We hope that India can work with China to implement the consensus reached by the two sides with concrete actions and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas." Earlier on July 5, the Special Representatives of India and China on the border row-- Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi--- had a `frank and in-depth exchange`. During a telephone conversation, they agreed that both sides should complete the ongoing disengagement process along the LAC expeditiously. As part of the first phase of disengagement, Chinese troops have moved back from Finger 4 to Finger 5 in the Finger area. They have already moved back by around two kilometres in the other friction points including Galway valley, Hot Springs and Patrolling Point-15, top government sources told ANI. The Indian side has reportedly moved back as per the mutual disengagement agreed upon during the Corps Commander-level talks, the sources added. The vacant spaces will be treated as temporary non-patrolling zones by both sides and their troops will not come there. The favorite phrase used by our self-appointed "elites" to state the cause of all the problems blacks face is "systemic racism." There is no analysis to describe what this means and how it now causes the problems. What does it mean? How does it work? The premise of "systemic racism" is that our institutions treat blacks worse than they treat whites. By institutions, they mean employers, the education system, and the criminal justice system. There is no dispute that in the past, these institutions treated blacks worse. But what are these institutions doing in 2020? Since the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which many congressional Democrats opposed, and similar statutes by every state and city, it is factually difficult to argue that institutions discriminate against blacks. To the contrary, every major institution takes steps to insure against such discrimination. For example, every major employer has a human resources (H.R.) office, and many have "diversity officers" that practice affirmative action to recruit and promote black employees. Employers rightly fear employment discrimination suits and take steps to avoid discriminatory practices. Every college, law school, medical school, and other grad school has affirmative action and "diversity" officers. The same applies to government entities such as the federal, state, and local government units. There are individual cases alleging discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and their counterparts in the state and cities, and then with the federal courts, that address these specific cases. But can any of these so-called elites name a college that refuses to admit blacks or an employer that refuses to hire blacks? As Professor Thomas Sowell said of "systemic racism": "It really has no meaning that can be specified and tested in the way that one tests hypotheses[.]" The recent riots and protests since the death of George Floyd have raised the question of systemic racism in the police forces. There is no excuse for the Floyd killing, but that is not the result of systemic racism. That is the result of a bad, out-of-control officer who has rightly been charged with murder and fired from the police force. If there were discriminatory practices and protocols in police departments in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc., all cities run by Democrat mayors, with many having black chiefs of police and many black officers, you would think these mayors and chiefs would have removed the discriminatory protocols. For example, Chicago, the poster child for out-of-control black-on-black violence, has had Democratic mayors since 1931. Moreover, police departments do not have protocols for arrests and investigation that differ for whites and blacks. The usual "facts" to support "systemic racism" are the differences in income and wealth between blacks and whites. The proponents of this approach then condemn our present economic system and call for reparations and "rejecting the present economic model." This means replacing our free enterprise system with an authoritarian socialist model. For example, see Jared Bernstein, chief economist for the ex-V.P., Joe Biden: Truly repairing the system obviously goes far beyond rejecting and replacing the economic model. Doing so is necessary, but not sufficient. Coming off July 14, Bastille Day, to commemorate the French destruction of that nation's institutions, "systemic racism" is a phrase used as an excuse by the Bernie Robespierre Sanders and AOC Danton Democrats to attack our institutions as racist and evil for political purposes to fundamentally change our country. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Virginia man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Tuesday after he admitted in federal court in Syracuse that he had distributed 125 pounds of marijuana, according to court documents. Jervonne Harris, 41, of Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced to 35 months in prison and six years post release supervision for conspiring to distribute marijuana and for money laundering, U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said in a news release. The judge also ordered him to pay a money judgement in the amount of $250,800, the release said. Harris previously admitted that he received a bulk of the marijuana between May 2017 and August 2017 from a source of supply on the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation in New York state, near the Canadian border. Harris sold the marijuana he received to customers in Virginia and sent the proceeds from those sales back to his source of supply by courier and wire transfer, according to the news release. An indictment filed with the court accused Harris of working with seven others to distribute large amounts of drugs. The indictment also said Harris has a prior felony drug conviction from Sept. 10, 2003 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In that case, he was sentenced Dec. 24, 2003 to 20 years (240 months) in prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. His sentence was later reduced to 15 2/3 years (188 months), court documents show. It wasnt immediately clear exactly when Harris was released from prison. But in 2017, Oswego County Drug Task Force members -- while working with Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation -- learned through wiretaps that Harris was among a group of individuals distributing large amounts of drugs through the region, according to the indictment. The Oswego County Drug Task Force is comprised of special agents from Homeland Security Investigations, as well as members of the Oswego Police Department, Oswego County Sheriffs Office, investigators from the Oswego County District Attorneys Office, the SUNY Oswego Police Department and U.S. Border Patrol agents. This is one of a series of cases brought in federal and state court as a result of a court-authorized wiretap that revealed large-scale drug trafficking, Richard Southwick, speaking for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District, told Oswego County News Now. Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook With many countries facing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), one of Israel's leading manufacturers is offering to share its production expertise and provide emergency supplies Three layer Surgical Face Mask "SAFETECH" produced by Impertech-Supergum to be purchased in millions by governments and Health-Ministries around the world. Highest protection level for medical & Civil against coronavirus COVID-19. TEL AVIV, Israel, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Up on the COVID-19 pandemic, Governments are now recognizing the importance of establishing local production facilities for the ongoing large-scale manufacture of PPE, for use in healthcare and government facilities and for their populations. One factor in Israel's success in suppressing the first wave of the pandemic was the decision to request local manufacturers of high-quality PPE equipment to increase production, reduce dependency on inferior imported products in order to avoid shortages. In March 2020, Israel's Health Ministry asked The Supergum Group, one of Israel's leading manufacturers of protective solutions for military, civilian and homeland security use to urgently supply 60 million disposable face masks for use in local hospitals. The company immediately opened additional production lines for 3 Ply face masks in order to meet the demand. Supergum is now offering its expertise to help manufacturers around the world adapt existing production lines to quickly produce large quantities of PPE. In response to COVID-19, the Company has expanded its production of advanced PPE solutions, including anti-viral respiratory and surgical masks, protective suits and hoods with filters and ventilation for medical personnel, oxygen tents for home use, and even oxygen tents for Pets. "Our company is proud to have been chosen by the Israeli government as the leading local supplier of 3 Ply face masks and other protection equipment," said Yaniv Haddad, CEO of the Supergum Group. "With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, we are ready to share our experience in establishing production lines with other countries, to help them become self-sufficient in these important products. In addition, we have stocked up a huge stock of certified masks and other Medical Anti-viral equipment, so we can help countries that find themselves in a sudden lack of equipment." Established in 1956, the Supergum Group operates one of largest rubber, plastic, sealing, protective and CBRN product manufacturing facilities in the Middle East. Supergum is known for its advanced R&D and engineering capabilities, providing a one-stop-shop for product design, prototyping and mass production. The Supergum Group is ISO-9001, TS-16949, ISO 13485:2016, AS 9100D, ISO 14001:2016, ISO 45001:2018, NSF and IMOD certified. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1214935/Supergum_Three_layer_Mask.jpg Sales Contact: Mr. Asaf Hazut asafh@supergum.co.il +972 52 927 4662 General Contact: Noma Levovitz nomal@supergum.co.il +972 505 999 502 SOURCE The Supergum Group The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka. Saturday, July 11 11:38 p.m. Deputies were sent to a Mount Haley Township home for a report of a possible assault occurring at the residence. Upon arrival, contact was made with the complainant, who said his cousin was at his house and upset with the complainant. The cousin was accusing the complainant of stealing his marijuana wax from a Saginaw County residence. The cousin left prior to the deputies arriving. The complainant said he was not assaulted, though the complainant was worried his cousin would come back and act out the verbal threats made against the complainant. The complainant later reported the cousin called the residence and stated the matter was over, and he would not act on the threats. 9:56 p.m. An 82-year-old Lincoln Township man reported his wallet being stolen in the City of Midland. The man left his car unlocked while visiting his son. His wallet was missing when he arrived home and he didn't stop anywhere in between. There are no suspects at this time. 8:34 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a car-deer crash on a Homer Township roadway. 4:41 p.m. An 87-year-old Porter Townsip man and his 86-year-old wife reported they were the victims of a phone fraud/scam. An unknown suspect contacted the elder couple by telephone, and told them a family member was injured and in jail. The suspect requested payment for the family members release. The victim's provided the payment of $13,000. There are currently no suspects. 6:59 a.m. A deputy responded to a single-vehicle injury crash in Jerome Township. The driver was transported to the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland emergency room to be treated for severe injuries. 3:21 a.m. Deputies responded to a Lincoln Township residence in reference to a 16-year-old Essexville teen who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. A deputy transported him to the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland emergency room for a mental health evaluation, per the request of his parent. 2:32 a.m. A deputy was dispatched to the ER in reference to a 13-year-old female who was refusing to leave the hospital with her 43-year-old father. The deputy attempted to convince the girl to go home with her father, though she was disorderly and ran from the deputy. The girl was secured and later arrested and placed at the Juvenile Correctional Facility for "incorrigibility." This report will be forwarded to the Probate Court for review. Friday, July 10 9:40 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence in reference to a 29-year-old Essexville woman who reported her 31-year-old female friend had assaulted her. The 31-year-old said she was assaulted by the 29-year-old. Neither wanted to press charges. 9:15 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Lincoln Township business parking lot for a report of a minor two-vehicle accident. There was no damage. 8:53 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Lee Township residence in reference to a 41-year-old mother who said her 13-year-old daughter was being disobedient. The deputy made contact with the 13-year-old, who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The 13-year-old was transported to the ER for a mental health evaluation and accompanied by her 43-year-old father. 2:10 p.m. Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Mills Township. 12:14 p.m. A deputy blocked the roadway where a large oak tree brought down a live powerline on East Brooks Road near South Brookside Drive. The deputy stood by until Consumers could deactivate the line. Midland County Road Commission also arrived and blocked the roadway and helped remove the tree. 10:25 a.m. Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Mills Township. 9:02 a.m. Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash in Lincoln Township. 8:46 a.m. A 56-year-old Lincoln Township man reported his firearm was stolen at some time between April 10 and July 10. The man believed the firearm was taken from the console of his vehicle. The gun's approximate value is $600. There are no suspects. 3:29 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a single-vehicle injury accident in Mount Haley Township. The driver, a 37-year-old Midland Township woman, was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor as a result of the crash. The woman was treated at the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland emergency room for minor injuries and transported to the Midland County Jail. 12:25 a.m. Deputies responded to a vehicle crash in Mount Haley Township. 12:01 a.m. Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Warren Township. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:05:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday asked the remaining parties to the Iranian nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, to protect Iran's interests under the accord and not to succumb to the U.S. policy. The JCPOA is an important achievement of multilateral diplomacy, which has been strongly supported by the international community but is in serious "danger" on its fifth anniversary, Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. "Unless the international community shall ensure the balanced implementation of the JCPOA by all parties in good faith, it could be another victim of the U.S. unilateral and unlawful approach," said the statement. The U.S. and its allies should bear the responsibility for the consequences of such policies, it said. "The U.S. significant non-performance to its obligations ... and the lack of will on some remaining participants to restore the lost balance to the JCPOA, have complicated the current situation and impeded Iran from adhering to its undertakings," it stressed. The ministry said Iran is determined to take "decisive action against any exaggeration and irresponsible behavior, and strongly urges Britain, France and Germany to adhere to their commitments, instead of moving in the direction of the U.S. maximum pressure policy. U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the 2015 international nuclear agreement in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions against Iran. Iran then began to gradually reduce its commitments under the pact in retaliation for Washington's departure and Europe's "failure to honor their commitments." Enditem WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Trump administration has agreed in court not to enforce its rule to deport college students from other countries taking online classes due to the coronavirus pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE had announced modifications last week to temporary exemptions for foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The new rule announced on July 6 does not allow foreign students to stay in the United States this fall semester if they are taking classes online only. They faced deportation unless they switch to a course with in-person tuition. Active students currently in the United States enrolled in such programs were advised to leave the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status. ICE required universities to certify within 10 days whether they will be fully open, operate on a hybrid model or offer online-only classes. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University challenged the decision at District Court for Massachusetts. Judge Allison Burroughs said the government agreed to rescind the change in rule and return to the status quo. It reinstates a policy that ICE implemented in March in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which allows non-immigrant F-1 and M-1 students to take a full online course load and remain in the United States. The State Department issues F-1 and M-1 visas for academic and vocational students from abroad. In fiscal 2019, more than 388,000 F visas and nearly 10,000 M visas were issued. The reversal of the policy, which was seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to pressure schools into opening in the fall, had led to dozens of lawsuits and opposition from universities. If the new amendment in temporary exemptions was implemented, it could have affected large numbers of foreign students who travel to the U.S. to study every year. Many U.S. universities are moving classes online due to the pandemic. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de St Andrews University has said it will work with police to investigate dozens of allegations of sexual assault or rape on campus. An Instagram account called St Andrews Survivors posted over 20 allegations about sexual misconduct at the university, with many claiming members of a fraternity at St Andrews University carried out the attacks. According to a report in The Telegraph, at least nine rape claims involved students in the St Andrews branch of US-based student fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi. The fraternity confirmed in a statement that several of its members have been suspended following the allegations and said it will conduct a thorough investigation. We find the contents of these allegations abhorrent and are taking them extremely seriously, it said. Coming forward in any capacity takes tremendous bravery, and we want to thank everyone who has both told their stories and those who have supported them as we confront these difficult issues. We hear you, and want to help. Police Scotland said it was aware of the reports online and was working with the university. The vice-principal of education at the university has met and spoken with the founder of the Instagram account and urged the victims to report the allegations. All St Andrews students will also have to undergo a compulsory orientation module to learn about consent and sexual assault before matriculating. A spokesperson for St Andrews told The Independent: We welcome the St Andrews Survivors accounts efforts to provide people of all genders a space to voice their experiences of sexual misconduct. The proctor met with the account creator this week to establish how we can work together to signpost support and reporting mechanisms to students who require them. The universitys primary concern is to ensure survivors know that we are ready and willing to support their decisions and take action, facilitate police reporting, and provide ongoing support accordingly. We have clear and established procedures for investigating allegations of this nature. However, the details of any investigations must remain confidential to offer appropriate support and fair outcomes to all concerned, she added. The University will always act when incidents are formally reported, and is committed to working collaboratively with students to promote a culture of responsibility and respect, in which everyone can trust in our procedures and that our community is intolerant of all forms of sexual misconduct. Yvonne Stenhouse, Police Scotlands community inspector for North East Fife, said: We are aware of these online reports and are working with the university to make sure students in St Andrews feel safe while they live and study in the town. We are committed to bringing sexual offenders before the courts and treat all reports of sexual crime with the utmost seriousness. Anyone wishing to report such offences should do so to Police Scotland by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Within busy town centres, such as St Andrews, we have regular deployments of officers to deter such offences and provide a visible and reassuring presence to our communities. We will continue to work with the University on this matter and any criminal complaints will be progressed accordingly. Malian Christian and Muslim religious leaders advocate for a peaceful dialogue in the wake of socio-political unrest. By Vatican News Religious leaders in Mali have appealed for calm and peaceful dialogue amid days of violent protests and unrest in Bamako, the nations capital. According to several media reports, at least 11 people have been killed and more than 100 others injured in clashes between Malian security forces and protestors calling for the resignation of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the West-African countrys president, and the creation of a transitional government. The protests started on Friday and lasted till Tuesday. In the wake of these protests, the Archbishop of Bamako, Cardinal Jean Zerbo; the president of the Islamic High Council, Cherif Ousmane Madani Haidara; and the president of the Association of Evangelical Protestant Church Groups and Mission in Mali (AGEMPEM), Reverend Nouh Ag InfaYattara, appealed for peace via one of the national radio stations on Tuesday Socio-political unrest The recent wave of protests was sparked by a contested parliamentary election in March, but other underlying causes include discontent over the presidents handling of the countrys multiple security and socio-economic problems. The latest protests, led by the Rassemblement des Forces Patriotiques (M5-RFP) Malis opposition, made up of a coalition of political, religious and civil society representatives saw demonstrators occupying state buildings and major streets in the capital. Some of its members were arrested during the protests. Pressure from the demonstrations moved President Keita to announce a reshuffle of the countrys Constitutional Court on Saturday in hopes of quelling the protests. However, the move was rejected by the opposition. Appeals for peace and dialogue In his appeal to the nation, Cardinal Zerbo deplored the deaths of the people killed during the protests. He said, Mali does not deserve what is happening now, and called on citizens to embrace peace and dialogue. Islamic Council leader Cherif Ousmane Hadaira reiterated the calls for peaceful dialogue, saying that it is the only means of finding a solution. He pointed out that the current situation will only aggravate the countrys difficulties, and assured the citizens that the religious leaders are doing their best to help find solutions to the unrest. At the same time, Cherif Ousmane Hadaira called on the President Keita to release the members of the M5-RFP who were arrested after the demonstrations and asked him to dialogue with them. We have to talk to each other, we have to tell ourselves the truth, said Hadaira, adding that all that can bring the country out of the crisis is dialogue. For his part, Reverend InfaYattara called for prayers for the country, adding that no son or daughter can be indifferent to the situation. He also prayed for healing for the bereaved families who lost their loved ones during the protests, and for prompt recovery for the wounded. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Tunis, Tunisia Wed, July 15, 2020 14:15 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066678c69 2 World Tunisia,Facebook,Facebook-post,social-media,quran,coronavirus,COVID-19,social-media-post Free A Tunisian court has sentenced blogger Emna Chargui to six months in prison and a $700 fine for reposting a Facebook joke about the coronavirus written as if it was a Koranic verse. "This is unfair and unjust ... this proves that there is no freedom here," Chargui, 27, told Reuters from home where she had been waiting for the ruling. She plans to appeal as allowed within 10 days. Chargui's sharing of the post in May angered some conservative social media users who demanded punishment in a nation periodically polarized between secular and Islamist political wings since a revolution that introduced democracy nine years ago. Court spokesman Mohsen Dali said the sentence was on charges of inciting hate between religions and races. The case has brought criticism from rights groups. Saying she was a victim of a "repressive law" that curtailed free speech, Amnesty International said the prosecution did not allow Chargui's lawyer to accompany her to court, where she was asked about her religious beliefs and mental condition. Chargui blogs on freedom and women's issues. China presents its own draft for 25-year co-op plan based on Iran's draft: Zarif ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Tue / 14 July 2020 / 15:05 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif announced on Tuesday that Foreign Ministry will form a working committee with the industry commission of the parliament to encourage non-oil exports. Speaking to reporters, Zarif said, "Good and expert talks have been held in line with economic diplomacy of the Iranian Foreign Ministry". "The most important subject discussed during the meeting was the formation of working committee at economic department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry for encouraging exports," he added. Formation of the commission will help us remove legal obstacles, the foreign minister noted. Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif pointed to the 25-year draft document for comprehensive cooperation between Tehran and Beijing, saying, "China earlier presented its own draft based on our draft and we are studying and finalizing the two drafts to reach an agreement". "During a videoconference that I had with Chinese counterpart 10 days ago, I expressed Iran's readiness for holding talks and finalizing the draft document," he added. When the text of document is finalized, it will approved legally and decision should be made based on its context and the level of commitments, according to Zarif. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Public health experts warn that coronavirus statistics will be vulnerable to political manipulation after the Trump administration ordered hospitals to send COVID-19 patient data directly to a Department of Health and Human Services system. Until now, information was sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which released it to the public. The New York Times reported July 13 that daily COVID-19 updates from hospitals will flow directly into a new, centralized HHS system managed by TeleTracking, a health data firm with headquarters in Pittsburgh HHS database. The portal is not open to the public, and the shift would affect the work of scores of researchers, modelers, and health officials who rely on CDC data to make projections and crucial decisions," wrote The Times. The administration's new directive came in the form of a document (pdf) quietly posted online last week by HHS, an agency headed by former pharmaceutical executive and Trump appointee Alex Azar. "As of July 15, 2020, hospitals should no longer report the COVID-19 information in this document to the National Healthcare Safety Network site," the directive states, referring to the CDC's data-gathering system. Dr. Nicole Lurie, who served in former President Barack Obama's HHS, told the Times that "centralizing control of all data under the umbrella of an inherently political apparatus is dangerous and breeds distrust." "It appears to cut off the ability of agencies like CDC to do its basic job," Lurie said. HHS spokesperson Michael Caputo confirmed in a statement to NBC News that the CDC will "no longer control" coronavirus data collection but said the agency will still participate in the process. While administration officials portrayed the order as part of an attempt to streamline data-collection efforts, health experts were alarmed by the move, given Trump's public attacks on the CDC and his complaints about how the recent surge in coronavirus cases "makes us look bad." "Speechless Trump White House is now muzzling, bypassing, and kneecapping the CDC," tweeted epidemiologist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding. "No other ways to spin this." Dr. Leana Wen, a visiting professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, said in a July 14 interview on MSNBC that the decision to cut the CDC off from crucial COVID-19 patient data could undermine the U.S. response to the pandemic as infections surge across the nation. "The CDC is supposed to analyze the data coming from different regions of the country," said Wen. "I'm really deeply concerned about what we've seen with the attacks on science and public health in recent days, because public health hinges on public trust. And when politicians including the top public official, the elected official of our country, President Trump start attacking public health, it really undermines of all of local, state, and federal response to this pandemic." The administration's order came just hours after four former CDC directors wrote in a Washington Post op-ed July 14 that "no president ever politicized (the CDC's) science the way Trump has." "Trying to fight this pandemic while subverting scientific expertise is like fighting blindfolded," wrote Tom Frieden, Jeffrey Koplan, David Satcher, and Richard Besser. "It is not too late to give the CDC its proper role in guiding this response. But the clock is ticking." In a column for Esquire, Charles Pierce urged hospitals to ignore the Trump administration's directive and "send the data to the CDC anyway." "It's time for hundreds of little rebellions," Pierce wrote. See also: Floridas hidden data skews COVID-19 test results The dynamics of the business world saw a seismic shift post-COVID-19 breakout. Enterprises across have reached crossroads where effective plans for business continuity is the need of the hour. It is in times like these, where organizations need to understand what is critical for their revenue and mitigate risks as much as possible. Digital transformation is playing a major role in aiding business continuity and the factor that determines the success of a business continuity plan (BCP), a detailed remote access plan. Only when business-critical processes can function without any hiccup, a robust business continuity solution can be achieved. Shibu Paul, Vice President International Sales at Array Networks, said, The business continuity plan of any organization must include a detailed remote access plan. With remote working becoming the new trend, VPN solution has become paramount. Array Networks Best-of-Breed SSL VPN built from the ground up for enterprise-class SSL VPN includes remote access VPN, remote desktop access and secure web access ensuring business continuity with scalability, flexibility and sustainability. To ensure profitability, enterprises need to maintain workforce productivity and this can be achieved with business-critical processes being provided uninterrupted remote access. The aim of a business continuity plan is to ensure that virtually 100% of the workforce can work remotely. The existing remote access solutions need not necessarily be the right answer for a BCP as traditional VPNs are not built for all employees as these traditional VPNs are set aside for corporate teams and not in-office workers. Enterprises need to find a trustworthy BCP augmentation solution for remote productivity; satisfying the full set of requirements for employees, IT and the corporation as a large entity and cost-effectively leverage the existing hardware investment with a minimal additional effort to implement it. Arrays BCP solutions include wide ranges of solutions/products Remote Access Solution : The best-of-breed SSL VPN remote access solution allows businesses to securely scale remote access in response to pandemics and other unanticipated events, providing flexibility and scalability to enable remote working for any type of worker in any organization. Available as physical appliances or as virtual appliances, the AG Series is ideal for enterprises that need to support multiple communities of interest as well as service providers that need to provide remote access to globally dispersed data centers. : The best-of-breed SSL VPN remote access solution allows businesses to securely scale remote access in response to pandemics and other unanticipated events, providing flexibility and scalability to enable remote working for any type of worker in any organization. Available as physical appliances or as virtual appliances, the AG Series is ideal for enterprises that need to support multiple communities of interest as well as service providers that need to provide remote access to globally dispersed data centers. Remote Access VPN : VPNs require different levels of remote access and often require a user experience tailored to their unique requirements and devices. Mobile devices and BYOD present additional challenges in providing on-demand connections for native mobile applications in a manner that keeps data secure in the corporate network and limits exposure. As most VPNs lack these requirements, Arrays secure remote access solutions provide greater levels of security, a greater range of access methods, a broader range of device support and the ability to provide differentiated, identity-based access tailored to the needs of multiple communities of interest. The benefits of remote access VPN are minimized attack vectors, limited exposure, achieving compliance, drive productivity, mobilizing businesses. : VPNs require different levels of remote access and often require a user experience tailored to their unique requirements and devices. Mobile devices and BYOD present additional challenges in providing on-demand connections for native mobile applications in a manner that keeps data secure in the corporate network and limits exposure. As most VPNs lack these requirements, Arrays secure remote access solutions provide greater levels of security, a greater range of access methods, a broader range of device support and the ability to provide differentiated, identity-based access tailored to the needs of multiple communities of interest. The benefits of remote access VPN are minimized attack vectors, limited exposure, achieving compliance, drive productivity, mobilizing businesses. Remote Desktop Access : Arrays remote desktop access solution leverages proven remote desktop protocol (RDP) and SSL technologies to allow workers to remotely connect to office PCs from any device, anywhere and at any time. No additional laptops, software or training are required; remote access can be cost-effectively scaled for as many workers as needed from a single appliance. Security is assured as data never leaves the network. The benefit of remote desktop access is to drive productivity, reduce costs, business continuity and eliminate data leakage. : Arrays remote desktop access solution leverages proven remote desktop protocol (RDP) and SSL technologies to allow workers to remotely connect to office PCs from any device, anywhere and at any time. No additional laptops, software or training are required; remote access can be cost-effectively scaled for as many workers as needed from a single appliance. Security is assured as data never leaves the network. The benefit of remote desktop access is to drive productivity, reduce costs, business continuity and eliminate data leakage. Secure Web Access: Enterprises can publish select applications in a secure web portal for use by any employee group, on any device in any location. This eliminates any chance of credential hacking and secures sensitive data transmission when applications are accessed from outside devices. Taking business continuity to the next level simultaneously with digital transformation is necessary and for that organizations need to take steps to arrive at a sensible, pragmatic plan and Array Networks business continuity solution is facilitating organizations to succeed in the transformation. The illegal trade of Saiko continues unabated specifically at Elmina, with an average of eleven boat landings a week, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has observed. This, it said was despite efforts by the government and the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) in November last year to crack down on the menace. Saiko is a severely destructive form of illegal fishing where industrial trawlers target the staple catch of small-scale canoe fishers and transfer it to specially adapted boats at sea for sale at local markets. In mid-November 2019, the government of Ghana announced in its 2020 budget that it would stop Saiko as part of efforts to save the fishing industry from collapse. This was followed by an assurance letter from GITA to the sector Minister that they were suspending the trade reiterating that, Saiko trans-shipment was illegal on Ghanaian waters. However, despite such assurances to small scale canoe fishers who were experiencing the first-hand effects of the destructive practice, the EJF noted with regrets that saiko continued unchecked in the country. The EJF in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast explained that in-person monitoring at Elmina port showed that averagely, eleven boats land saiko fish every week, with as many as 13 landings in a single day. Footage taken by EJF has shown that the saiko boats are unloaded in broad daylight and plain sight of any passer-by, suggesting that perpetrators do not fear any repercussions, it said. All industrial vessels have observers onboard to monitor and report on illegal fishing. Yet, every time a saiko boat makes port, it means an industrial vessel has illegally transferred fish at sea. This is a stark warning that the government's observer programme is not effective, the statement added In 2017 alone the saiko, trade took around 100,000 tonnes of fish, worth over US$ 50 million when sold at the landing site, 80 percent of which was landed at Elmina, the Central Region hot spot for saiko activities. Nana Jojo Solomon, Executive Member of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) said important management measures such as the closed season and others were being undermined by saiko, adding that it would destroy the fisheries if it was allowed to continue. He said it was about time the President turned his attention to the issue and intensify enforcement action to halt the illegal activity, which was destroying the livelihoods of local fishers in the country. The government said it will end saiko over seven months ago, but the saiko boats continue to stream into port loaded down with fish that should have been caught by the small-scale canoe fishers, said Mr Steve Trent, Executive Director of EJF, He appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to take personal control and act to protect his people. Ghana's laws are well designed and can tackle the problem, but only if they are properly enforced. Ghana's fisheries are on the brink of collapse, with the country now forced to import half its fish. The time for empty statements is over. Now is the time for leadership and action, he said. ---GNA Laois-Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen was sensationally relieved of his duties as Minister for Agriculture on Tuesday evening after just a 17-day term - will he still be entitled to a ministerial pension? The Clara native has been at the centre of a drink-driving scandal dating back to 2016 when he was found to be over the legal limit and driving on a learner permit on his way home to Offaly having attended the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. Further details emerged in last weekend's Sunday Times suggesting Deputy Cowen turned away and attempted to avoid the Garda checkpoint. He refutes the accuracy of this detail and GSOC is now investigating how the pulse file related to the matter made its way to the media. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the garda report on the incident raised a number of other issues and he terminated the Offaly man's position as a member of government in the Dail chamber on Tuesday evening. So, will he still be entitled to a "ministerial" pension? In short, no. A number of positions such as taoiseach, tanaiste, minister, minister of state, ceann comhairle, leas-cheann comhairle, cathaoirleach, leas-chathaoirleach, leader of the Seanad and deputy-leader of the Seanad all attract a pension entitlement over and above that earned by a TD or senator. However, in order to receive this pension entitlement the TD has to have served for at least two years in one of these offices. Deputy Cowen will still be entitled to his normal TD pension which averages at approximately 48,000 for 20 years of service based on the current TD salary. To work out a TDs basic pension, divide his or her salary by 40 and then multiply it by the number of years theyve served in the Dail. A cap of 20 years service applies. Had deputy Cowen remained as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, he would have been entitled to an additional salaried allowance of 79,510 on top of his basic salary 96,189, making a combined annual salary of 175,699 - which Cowen's newly-announced successor Dara Calleary will receive. The ministerial pension is calculated as 20% of their annual ministerial salary after two years, and increases by 5% for each year of additional service thereafter up to a maximum of 60%after 10 years. This is in addition to their normal TDs pension. US discredited by JCPOA withdrawal, government spokesman says IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, July 14, IRNA -- Iran's Government Spokesman Ali Rabiee blasted the US for its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said that Washington has been sidelined in the world by what is had done. "The US by exiting the JCPOA discredited and isolated itself in the world as its exit from the nuclear deal that it has clinched on July 14, 2015, was not comparable to its exit from other international treaties," Rabiee said. The Iranian government spokesman pointed to the Fifth Anniversary of signing the JCPOA and said that the JCPOA lost its function to a great extent over past years due to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. "The Americans did not allow the Iranian people to benefit from the JCPOA's advantages and they also suffered a lot of damages in the international arena and even the public opinion inside their country," Rabiee said. He underlined that violating the JCPOA can certainly not change the realities, and said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran with the JCPOA agreement showed that all propaganda of past decade or more surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear activities were discredited." 2050**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 04:41:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for the promotion of multilateralism and international cooperation for the sake of sustainable development. The world is undergoing major changes unseen in 100 years, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Globalization has contributed greatly to the development of the world economy and material prosperity. Scientific and technological progress has been pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and activity. The collective rise of emerging markets and developing countries has changed the international political and economic landscape. Meanwhile, unilateralism, bullying, protectionism and anti-globalization sentiments are eroding the very foundation of multilateralism and worsening the environment of international development cooperation. COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on economic and social development, said Zhang. In the face of the grave and complex situation, it is more important than ever to achieve common development and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said. All parties should effectively combat COVID-19, promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and growth, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with confidence, resolve and intensified efforts, he said. Zhang asked for the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation to jointly tide over the difficulties. As the United Nations is marking its 75th anniversary, the international community should firmly uphold multilateralism, abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, support the United Nations' central role in international affairs, and oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, he said. It has been proven that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon for humankind to tackle global challenges. There is no exception for implementing the 2030 Agenda. Countries need to work in solidarity toward a community with a shared future. That is the only way to overcome the difficulties and achieve common development, said Zhang. He asked countries to prioritize development. Development is the master key to solving all problems. The international community should prioritize development in global macroeconomic policy coordination, and increase investment in development to give sustained impetus to the cause of international development, he said. "We must put people at the center of our efforts, and focus on major goals and targets of sustainable development, including poverty reduction, hunger eradication, health, education, employment and infrastructure, to ensure and enhance the well-being of the people. Special attention should be given to the difficulties and challenges of developing countries in the midst of COVID-19 to help them recover better and faster," Zhang said. He said countries must remain committed to openness and inclusiveness to achieve win-win cooperation. The international community should actively pursue an open world economy, uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system, and ensure the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, he said. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, countries should make joint efforts to reduce tariffs, remove barriers, and ensure unimpeded trade so as to boost confidence in economic recovery, he said. "We should follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strive to improve global governance, and increase the representation and voice of developing countries, so as to create a favorable external environment for developing countries." Zhang asked for strengthened partnerships for common development. Countries should continue to strengthen international development cooperation with North-South cooperation as the main channel, which is to be complemented by South-South cooperation. Developed countries should honor their official development aid commitments, provide technology and capacity-building assistance to developing countries, support them in pursuing development paths right for their own national conditions to achieve self-development, he said. The international community, particularly developed countries and multilateral financial institutions, should take strong actions on debt relief, an issue of major concern for developing countries, said Zhang. Thanks to a people-centered approach, China has been making enormous efforts and progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This year, China will lift all its rural poor out of poverty, achieve moderate prosperity, and meet the goals and targets of poverty reduction in the 2030 Agenda 10 years ahead of schedule, he said. Since the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, China has been sparing no effort in saving lives and protecting people's health and has achieved good results so far. Having brought the outbreak under control, China is working hard to promote recovery, minimize the impact, and attain its poverty reduction targets as scheduled, he said. The stable recovery of the Chinese economy will continue to inject impetus to the world economy and bring opportunities to the development of other countries, said Zhang. China is actively engaged in international cooperation to help countries respond and recover from COVID-19. China has announced that it will provide 2 billion U.S. dollars in international aid over two years; that a Chinese vaccine, once available, will serve as a global public good and benefit Africa first; that China will work with other Group of 20 members to implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries and calls for further extension of debt relief; that China will cancel interest-free government loans owed by African countries that will mature by the end of 2020. "China is playing a responsible and constructive role with concrete actions," he said. Zhang asked countries to uphold multilateralism, translate commitments into action, enable initiatives to bear fruits in order to build a better future and a better world shared by all. Enditem Just over one week after becoming the third trainer in harness racing history to win 6,000 races, Richard Moreau was honoured at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday (July 14) for eclipsing another milestone. With Iwontdothatagains win in Race 11 on Saturday (July 11), Richard Moreau surpassed $60-million in career earnings. Moreau was honoured after winning the third race on Tuesday -- a $23,150 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots for three-year-old pacing fillies -- with Hit By A Bus. On Tuesday Moreau also won a conditioned trot with Grandma Heidi and sent White Hair Rocks, Cracklin Rosie and Derf Hanover to cheque-earning finishes in competition at Georgian Downs. Moreau currently sits with $60,052,807 earned from over 28,000 starts. In career earnings, Moreau currently ranks 12th all-time among harness racing trainers in North America. The trainer based in Puslinch has earned more than a million dollars in earnings every year since 2000 with his 2019 season coming just over $100,000 shy of his all-time best season in 2018. WASHINGTON -- The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on the interests of an influential Russian businessman close to President Vladimir Putin. The State Department announced on July 15 that it sanctioned five companies connected to Yevgeny Prigozhin, as well as three individuals, in the latest bid to stop the financier's "destabilizing global activity." The companies are located in Sudan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, the statement said. Prigozhin relies on a network of front companies and facilitators in an attempt to evade sanctions, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "Prigozhins global malign activities are well-documented, as demonstrated by his designation under multiple U.S. sanctions authorities." The United States has already imposed sanctions on Prigozhin as well as his previously known companies, including the Internet Research Agency and the Vagner Group, a Russian military contractor force active in Libya, Syria, and Africa. The Internet Research Agency engaged in online media influence operations during the 2016 U.S. presidential election as part of Russias attempt to influence the vote. The State Department said in the July 15 statement that it had sanctioned M Invest and Meroe Gold. Prigozhin uses the two companies as cover for Vagners operations in Sudan. It also sanctioned the companies leaders, Andrei Mandel and Mikhail Potemkin. Prigozhins role in Sudan highlights the interplay between Russias paramilitary operations, support for preserving authoritarian regimes, such as that of former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, and exploitation of natural resources, the statement said. Hong Kong and Thailand-based front companies Shine Dragon Group Limited, Shen Yang Jing Cheng Machinery Imp. & Exp. Co, and Zhe Jiang Jiayi Small Commodities Trade Company Limited were also sanctioned for helping Prigozhins business interests. The State Department said the companies facilitated more than 100 transactions exceeding $7.5 million during 2018 and 2019 that were sent in the interest of Prigozhin. The United States also sanctioned Igor Lavrenkov, who oversaw the Asian businesses. A furious shopper was hauled away by police after she tried to fight the officers who stopped her for refusing to wear a face mask at a supermarket. Footage shot by a fellow shopper shows the woman being arrested at a Walmart in Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee. The woman was marched off with another woman not wearing a mask after Shelby County passed a law making masks mandatory in public on July 3. A furious shopper is hauled away by police after trying to fight the officers who stopped her for refusing to wear a face mask at a Walmart in Millington, Shelby County, Tennessee on July 3 The woman tries to pry an officer's arms off another woman who was stopped for not wearing a mask at the supermarket In the video, a woman with blue-dyed hair shouts at an officer while he tries to take another woman out of the supermarket for not wearing a face mask. She tries to pull the officer's hands off the other woman as he spins her around and a woman off camera says 'they need to follow directions'. Another officer wearing a face mask rushes over to help out and both women are put in handcuffs and marched out the front of the store. At the end of the video, one of the women shouts at an officer from his car saying 'I'm 18'. She is put in handcuffs and marched out the store by a second officer who runs over to stop a fight breaking out The woman screams that she is 18 at a City of Millington police officer after she is put in his car The footage was taken on Friday, July 3, the day the law changed in Shelby County, but it only emerged this week. The video taker said: 'Shelby County, TN, passed a mandatory mask law. Police are enforcing extremely. 'This lady got pulled out of the store for not having one on and refusing to comply.' The video comes after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stressed the importance of wearing face masks during his weekly COVID-19 briefing Tuesday at the state Capitol. Governor Lee said: 'This mask right here is not Conservative. Its not Liberal. 'Shaming someone for wearing a mask or shaming someone for not wearing a mask - its just not something that Tennesseans ought to be in the business of doing. 'Its a simple personal decision that just might save an elderly persons life in this state, it just might be the difference in being able to keep a business open in Tennessee.' The Tennessee Department of Health reported 1,514 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths yesterday, with 767 Tennesseans have died as a result of the virus since the pandemic began. Frank Montoya, 38 (left), and Victoria Parra Carranza, 23 (right), were charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. They are accused of refusing to wear masks inside a Yuma, Arizona, Walmart and deliberately coughing on workers Police were called to this Walmart on South Avenue B in Yuma last week after getting a 911 call reporting disorderly conduct Last week, two people were arrested in Arizona after police say they refused to wear face masks inside a Walmart and intentionally coughed on store workers when asked to do so. Frank Montoya, 38, and Victoria Parra Carranza, 23, were arrested Walmart on South Avenue B just before 11am on Wednesday, July 8. When police arrived, they said the couple allegedly refused to cooperate and became confrontational. They said Montoya eventually fled on foot and was later arrested after fighting with officers. Parra Carranza tried to interfere with Montoyas arrest and also was taken into custody, according to police. Montoya and Parra Carranza have been booked into the Yuma County jail on suspicion of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and other charges. In a statement that sets the stage for more aggressive US military action against China in the South China Sea, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared on Monday that Beijings claims in the strategic waters are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them. The Trump administration has been ramping up its provocative actions in the South China Sea with a growing number of freedom of navigation intrusions by US warships into waters claimed by China. A week ago, two US aircraft carriers with their associated strike groups entered the sea and conducted high-end war games to test their capacity to carry out long distance air and missile strikes. Pompeo based his attack on Chinas maritime claims upon the 2016 decision of the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The sweeping and highly political judgement by the tribunal ruled against China in a case nominally conducted by the then Philippine government of President Benigno Aquino. China refused to accept the jurisdiction of the court or the legitimacy of the case and rejected the decision. Along with Taiwan, it has continued to assert Chinas historic claims to most of the South China Sea. The tribunal decision did not extend to the various featuresreefs, islets and sandbarsin the South China Sea controlled by China and its neighbours. Rather it ruled that these features were not sufficient in size to generate a 12-nautical-mile territorial zone or a more extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Pompeos denunciation of China and its actions reeks of hypocrisy and cynicism. While noting that China was a party to UNCLOS, he omitted to say that the United States itself has not ratified the treaty. In other words, the US is seeking to hold China to legal standards that it does not recognise itself. Moreover, the Philippine case to the tribunal was manufactured in Washington, not in Manila. Given that the US had not ratified the UNCLOS treaty and had no territorial claims in the South China Seathousands of kilometres from North Americait had no legal standing before the tribunal. The Obama administration decided to use the Aquino government, which had adopted a pronounced anti-China stance, as its legal proxy. The legal case was drafted by the US law firm, Foley Hoag, which had close ties to the Obama administration. The firm gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Obamas election campaigns, and Obama appointed a Foley Hoag senior partner as ambassador to Norway. In accusing China of bullying its neighbours, Pompeo accused it of replacing international law with might makes right, and claimed to be upholding the rules-based international order. But, as the example of UNCLOS makes clear, it is Washington that makes up the rules, and imposes them on the world to suit its own economic and strategic interests. US imperialism has a long record of bullying nations to meet its demands and of engaging in illegal wars of aggression in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. In the case of the South China Sea, it was the Obama administration that initiated the confrontation with China by declaring that it had a national interest in securing freedom of navigation. The Obama administrations intervention transformed longstanding regional territorial disputes, in which the US had shown little interest previously, into a dangerous flashpoint for international conflict. Far from defending the interests of smaller South East Asian countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, the chief aim was to justify an ever-greater presence in sensitive waters close to the Chinese mainland, as part of a huge US military build-up in the Indo-Pacific under Obama. China responded by expanding its presence on islets under its control in the South China Sea. While the region is far from the nearest American territory, it is directly adjacent to Chinese military bases in southern China. Beijing is well aware that the Pentagons plans for a US war against China are premised on being able to launch massive air and missile attacks from warships, submarines and bases close to the Chinese mainland. The Trump administration has intensified the US confrontation with China diplomatically, economically and militarily. In a press conference yesterday, Trump launched into a sweeping diatribe against Beijing, denouncing it across a range of issues, including human rights in Hong Kong, and accusing it of causing the COVID-19 pandemic, stealing American jobs and expanding its military. Trump used the press conference to accuse the presumptive Democrat presidential candidate, Joe Biden, of being weak on China, but the bellicose anti-China campaign is bipartisan in character. It reflects the determination in the American ruling class to undermine and, ultimately, subjugate China, which is regarded in Washington as the main obstacle to US global hegemony. While Pompeos statement is not the first time that the US has cynically exploited the 2016 Hague ruling to condemn Chinas actions in the South China Sea, it is the first time that Washington has formally adopted the contents of the judgement. In doing so, Pompeo issued what amounted to a threat that the US would take action to block Chinese actions in the South China Sea. Pompeo declared that the worldthat is, US imperialism and its allieswill not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire. America, he continued, will stand with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. What that means in practice was underscored yesterday when a US destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson, sailed close to Chinese controlled islets in the Spratly islands. In justifying the latest freedom of navigation operation, the US Navy adopted the language of Pompeo, declaring unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea posed a serious threat. The Trump administrations belligerent attacks on China, aimed at creating a wartime atmosphere, are driven by its need to direct the enormous social tensions generated by the COVID-19 pandemic outward against an external enemy. In this increasingly tense situation, the danger is that its provocative military actions will lead to an incident in the South China Sea that escalates out of control into a conflict between nuclear-armed powers. The author also recommends: US war drive against China accelerates [8 July 2020] Its been three days since news broke of Kelly Prestons death. Her husband, John Travolta, shared her passing through social media, stating shed battled breast cancer for two years. Travolta and Preston have been devoted members of the Church of Scientology for decades. Theyve credited the church with helping them grieve the loss of their 16-yar-old son, Jett. With the level of scrutiny, Scientology gets, some wonder if Prestons medical decision was influenced by the churchs preferences. The Church of Scientology supported John Travolta after sons death John Travolta and Kelly Preston | Kevin Winter/Getty Images RELATED: Before Falling for John Travolta, Kelly Preston Dated These Other Hollywood Actors In January 2009, John Travolta and Kelly Preston took a trip to the Bahamas with their two (at the time) children, Ella Bleu and Jett Travolta. Jett, the eldest of the two, had a seizure that resulted in fatal injuries. Travolta previously revealed that Jett had a history of seizures and was autistic. Its the worst thing thats ever happened in my life, Travolta told Us Weekly. The truth is, I didnt know if I was going to make it. The Grease actor credited the Church of Scientology for supporting him and his family during their difficult time. The church never left our sides for two years. I dont know if I would have made it through without their support, he said. In various interviews, such as a 2014 segment at Londons Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Travolta spoke about the grief sustained after Jetts death. The truth is, I didnt know if I was going to make it, he said via the BBC. Life was no longer interesting to me, so it took a lot to get me better. Now, with the loss of his wife of nearly three decades, Travolta is likely leaning on the church once again. Still, many notable celebrities have spoken out against the church over the years. The Church of Scientology has come under debate among other high-profile celebrities RELATED: How Did John Travolta and Kelly Prestons Son Jett Die? The Church of Scientology is home to many high-profile celebrities. Some of which, like Tom Cruise and [John] Travolta, have been outspoken about their dedication to the church. And others, like actress, Leah Remini, have been just as outspoken about their reasons for leaving the church. In case you need a re-cap, founder, L.Ron Hubbard, created the church in the 1950s. The religion is based on the belief that each human has a reactive mind that responds to lifes traumas, clouding the analytic mind and keeping us from experiencing reality, according to CNN. Celebrity recruitment is fundamental in the churchs continued success. Project Celebrity was created by Hubbard, along with Celebrity Centres which cater to high-profile members like Travolta. Remini joined with her family at 9 years old and left in 2013, exposing all wrongdoings of the church. Her 2015 memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, details her experiences. She then created the Emmy-winning A&E series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. The church released a statement via their website, in part: Leah Remini has become what she once declared she never wanted to be known as: this bitter ex-Scientologist. As USA Today wrote, Ms. Remini is as famous for being an ex-Scientologist as she is as an actress.' Travolta and Preston stayed committed to the church On the contrary, Travolta and Preston remained with the church. Theyve even taken part in the 2010 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Church of Scientology Mission of Ocala, Florida. Travolta was spotted near the Clearwater headquarters a week before Prestons passing, possibly seeking guidance and support. Regardless of timing, Prestons death shocked the many who had no idea of her diagnosis. Did the church influence Prestons medical treatment decisions? RELATED: What Was Kelly Prestons Net Worth At the Time of Her Death? Travolta joined the church in 1975. Hes listed as one of the churchs most successful celebrities. As a Scientologist, I have the technology to handle lifes problems and I have used this to help others in life as well, he said on their website. I would say Scientology put me into the big time. Preston is also quoted as saying, Through Scientology, things happen a lot quicker. What used to take weeks or months sometimes happens in days or even minutes! That said, when Preston gave birth to she and Travoltas third child, Benjamin, in 2010, she practiced Hubbards silent birth method. Silent birth is basically just no words, as much as possible. If you need to moan, if you cry out, you know, all of that of course, thats normal, Preston told E! News. Just bringing them in as peaceful and gentle way as possible. Some whove gone against the church have noted Hubbards resistance against medical professionals. The site clarifies their stance on this issue, saying they do not diagnose or treat the sick, and they advise members to seek and obtain the needed examination and treatment of a qualified medical professional. They then add, Independent of any medical treatment, a Scientologist then addresses any accompanying spiritual trauma connected to that condition. Fans divided over talk of beliefs days after Prestons death A plethora of tweets ponder the correlation between the churchs beliefs and Prestons death with some calling out how wildly inappropriate it is to put the two in the same sentence days after her death. Whatever fans feel, Travoltas Instagram post thanked doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, in the post sharing news of her death, alluding to the fact that Preston did seek medical treatment for her cancer. At the end of the day, wherever you stand on the church, two children lost their mother and Travolta lost his wife. Our thoughts go out to the Travolta and Preston families during this difficult time. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 17:20 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406668b496 1 National Jakarta-police,South-Jakarta-District-Court,ravio-patra,arrest,pretrial,pretrial-motion,WhatsApp,hacking Free The South Jakarta District Court has rejected a pretrial motion filed by Ravio Patra, an independent researcher and government critic, against the Jakarta Police and its move to detain and accuse him of inciting riots through a WhatsApp message following an alleged hacking of his account. Ravio's lawyer Aprilia Lisa Tengker said the sole judge handling the pretrial, Nazar Effriadi, had rejected all motions filed by the plaintiff during a hearing on Tuesday, arguing that all evidence had proven that the police committed no legal violations during the arrest in April. "The judge maintained that all warrants for the arrest and raid presented by the police during the legal proceedings were sufficient to prove formal compliance," Aprilia said on Wednesday. Despite the ruling, she added her team had noticed several irregularities in the evidence presented by the police. Aprilia claimed that the names of investigators assigned to Ravios case in the investigation warrant and differed from those in the letter of assignment. She also said the police had not presented any report on the confiscation of Ravios belongings. Ravio previously said that police officers had seized his two mobile phones and two laptops. Article 38 of the Criminal Law Procedures Code requires investigators to obtain a letter of approval from the local district court to confiscate any evidence. In urgent cases, they are allowed to confiscate evidence without prior approval but are still required to report this and request a warrant from the local district court. "The judge did not check the administrative aspects of the letter," said Aprilia. Read also: The curious case of Ravio Patra: Why Indonesian cyberspace is a dystopian nightmare She went on to say that judge Nazar had "constantly pushed for reconciliation" at least 28 times during the pretrial process. "That was a code of ethics violation, because the judge promoted something outside his authority." Ravio was arrested on April 22 around Menteng, Central Jakarta, by "unidentified men" while he had been on his way to a "safe house" around midnight, a few hours after his WhatsApp account had returned to normal after what Ravios side described as a hacking attack. Using Ravio's WhatsApp account, the hacker reportedly spread a message calling for nationwide looting on April 30. Ravio previously likened the arrest to a kidnapping, since the men that told him to come with them wore neither uniforms nor presented police identification. Aprilia went on to say that Ravio's legal team would focus on his police report filed over the alleged hacking, but she said police had made no progress in the case. Lawyer Alghifari Aqsa, another member of Ravio's legal team, urged the police to quickly solve the alleged hacking case and highlighted the swift law enforcement response in handling alleged theft of author Denny Siregar's personal data. On July 5, Denny's personal data was leaked on Twitter by a user under the handle @opposite6891. Police arrested 27-year-old FPH, who was suspected of leaking Denny's data through Twitter on July 9, following a police report filed by telecommunication operator Telkomsel. "We ask the police to provide the same treatment," said Alghifari. The Jakarta Police was not immediately available for comment at the time of writing. Press Release July 15, 2020 Excerpts from the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Webinar with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon On the franchise of ABS-CBN SFMD: Firstly, there is a suggestion for a people's initiative route to be taken, meaning the ABS-CBN would secure the signature of the 10% of the entire population and 3% in every legislative district. The Malacanang has raised doubts upon this on the theory that the grant of a franchise must originate from the HoR. I found this without basis because the Constitution allows people's initiative in enacting laws. We have a rule in law: where the Constitution or the laws do not distinguish, we should not distinguish. The other issue is the fact that the initiative will involve budget. If Congress does not provide the budget on the Comelec, there is no way that they can hold it. SFMD: There is the issue as to whether or not the action of Congress was completed by the report of the committee recommending the disapproval of the franchise. The committee said we would not report out the application for franchise and therefore, the debate on whether or not ABS-CBN will have a new franchise dies in the committee. That is the end of the route because it is no longer debated in the plenary. Can the act of 70 congressmen substitute for the judgment of the 300 or so members of Congress? Under the Constitution, it is Congress, which acts on the issue. Under the rules of the HoR, if the committee report is unfavorable it is no longer brought to the plenary. As to whether this is valid under the Constitution is an unsettled issue. That is an open issue, which the ABS-CBN may avail of, in order to find out what is the real decision of the HoR, not of the committee. That is what they should look into. With the House rejection, it will never reach the Senate at all. SFMD: That's correct. Under the Constitution, a franchise bill must originate from the HoR. We cannot entertain it in the Senate unless it is approved in the HoR. We cannot do anything. The majority of the senators would vote for the renewal if given the opportunity to vote on it. On dismantling oligarchy SFMD: Well, let's have a correct understanding of what oligarchy is all about? Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people which use their power to seek personal gain or benefit their business interests. That's how an oligarch is defined. To emphasize, you cannot equate rich and oligarch, meaning it does not mean that if you are rich, you are on oligarch. An oligarch is the one that influences the decision of the government or the one using their wealth in order that the policy that they want will be pursued. There is a monopolistic tactic to dominate an industry that makes possible oligarchy. The policy to remove or to not allow oligarchy is a policy that we support. We should not have an oligarch because that is not good. The question is we must review the whole structure, because the structure may in fact or make oligarchy easy to achieve. For example, the anti-dynasty concept, as I said it is when a small group of people who would possess political power to influence the government is when you have oligarchy and that should be dismantled. The lack of an anti-dynasty system or provision in our system would allow oligarchy to continue. What I am saying is that I am willing to sit down with the Duterte administration to examine the laws that we have and find out which laws should be amended or laws that should be enacted in order that we can remove or dismantle structures that made possible the oligarchy. We have some laws right now. Oligarchy is bad for our governance and, therefore, as a policy, yes, we should adopt policies to prevent or dismantle these oligarchies. But, let's make sure that the oligarchs are not substituted by cronies. You may remove another oligarch. I would repeat, I am willing to sit down with whoever the administration designates to work on and examine all laws especially in governance in order that the opportunity for oligarchy will be removed or minimized. One of those is the lack of anti-dynasty law. The anti-dynasty will never get passed in Congress. SFMD: With the popularity rating of the President, he has the capacity to push that in Congress. He has proven his mettle insofar as this is concerned. Sa Davao... SFMD: When you want to remove oligarchy as a power structure, then you should rise above all of these. I will give you the best example. When you were with the Ramos administration, you broke the back of the telco. SFMD: That is an example of a structural reform that allowed competition in the telecom industry. That is when you break a monopoly which is a way of protecting the country against oligarchy. It is not in wealth that you are an oligarch; you are an oligarch if you use your power to promote through political system your own interest. Nakakatakot pala iyang oligarchy, baka mga narco politicians na... SFMD: That is a bane of many societies. In Russia, you keep on hearing about oligarchies when favored Russian cronies would control vital industries. We must be able to make it difficult for oligarchy to prevail in our system of governance. On the anti-terror law SFMD: What I can say is this, sincerely I exerted every effort to have a balance between the human rights of individuals and the need of the state to repel terrorism. Let me state a few things. The Human Securities Act, I think at this point, is considered to have been very ineffective in providing a legal weapon to fight terrorism, and because of the many provisions there that make it difficult to enforce. That's what we were facing. Indeed when this bill was first presented to the Senate. My concern is that it is going to the other extreme. The pendulum shifted to the other side. I thought that I should put in effort in order to balance this very strong measure to equip our police agencies with the proper legal means and to protect the rights of our people. I am not perfect. I introduced 14 amendments all designed to balance and protect the rights of the people and all I can say is I tried my best. I can face any one and say I am not favoring any one. Whether or not it was sufficient or it was correct, that is a matter for the court to decide. It was in my desire to have a balance between the desire to prevent terrorism and balance it with the rights of the people. I have done my best. As you correctly said it is a question of trust but I could not legislate trust. Respect is always earned, never imposed. Trust is always earned, never imposed. What I can say is I tried my best. Whether my best is good enough, I cannot make a judgment. It is now pending in the Supreme Court and it is for the court to decide. When we celebrated the victory of The Hague ruling, is there a way for the Senate to assume a personality to have this ruling executed? SFMD: I cannot think of any insofar as this is concerned. We can only exercise check and balance. The execution of a policy pertains to the executive. I supported the protest and the position taken by Sec. Locsin putting on the record the transgressions of China. On Bayanihan 2 SFMD: We support the Bayanihan 2. One of the contentious issues here is the policy of providing support for the so-called supply side of the economy, meaning the business sector. There is a proposal to provide P45 billion in order to assist the distressed industries. We are willing to assist them pero huwag naman yung hindi nangangailangan. We must make sure that the assistance is really to those distressed industries, especially in the critical sector, who suffered much from the pandemic and their permanent closure could do harm. The social amelioration program is a subsidy on the demand side. In other words you provide the people with resources to buy goods and resources. We should continue that. The government however has no money. For me, let's borrow. We are not alone in this situation. We could not maintain the ideal debt-to-GDP ratio but we have to breach that because the economy needs stimulants. Our credit rating should not be our concern. How about your own legislative agenda? SFMD: I have three legislative agenda: the anti-dynasty bill. I also have two bills that will open the economy to foreign investment. The reality is, we need investors, foreign capital, in order to perk up the economy. I have introduced bills to redefine the Public Service Act and the other one is the Retail Trade Rationalization. On dismantling oligarchy SFMD: What it is in our legal system that makes possible oligarchy. To me, we must study that. Structural reform is necessary. On LP and politics SFMD: I don't think the public will accept talks about politics. It is difficult to talk about politics when you have five million people unemployed. It is difficult to talk about politics when you have over 50 thousand positive of COVID-19. What keeps LP intact? Is LP still a force to reckon with? SFMD: We have a brand. No matter how people dislike dilawan, we have a brand and we stand on certain principles that will never disappear. We stand for people's rights, participatory governance. I am not worried about that. Again, as part of the political reform to prevent oligarchy, maybe we should look at our political party system, because that is not helpful. Our present system cannot be cited as an anathema or a check on oligarchs. That is why I have filed a bill that attempts to reform our political party system. May batas bang ganon? SFMD: I filed that, now pending. Again, the overarching concept of oligarchy, the problem can be addressed by our reforming the political party system, which makes oligarchy easier. Your reaction to the DILG target to conduct a house-to-house in search of COVID-19 patients? SFMD: I would urge the DILG to review what they are proposing, because it runs smack to the right of the people to be secured in their residences. I would strongly suggest that, because it reminds us of operation tokhang. I urge a review of this system proposed by Sec. Ano because it infringes on the right of the people under our Bill of Rights to be secured in their houses and against unreasonable searches and seizures. There is no question that there is a need to protect the people but we should do it with due deference to the Constitution. The pandemic does not set aside the Constitutional restrictions and protection under the Bill of Rights. There are fears that this move can be used against critics SFMD: It is a manifestation of the mistrust. Because of what has happened in the past, you cannot blame the people if they fear that that it would be used to oppress. On the anti-terror law SFMD: I signed it on the basis of my best judgment that strikes a balance between protecting our people against abuses by the state and protecting the state itself. I've done my best; I have no political agenda. It is an application of my best knowledge and ability to craft legislation. I don't think any one can say that I was motivated by any consideration other than what I perceived is for the good of the country. As a matter of policy, we are against oligarchy and the remedy is to look at our legal structure to why oligarchy continues to rear its ugly heads. The question that will arise is, who are these oligarchs? What do we do insofar as the legal structure is concerned so that the ill effects of oligarchy will be addressed. On the Oplan Kalinga SFMD: I will repeat, the pandemic does not suspend the Bill of Rights under our Constitution. The issue of detaining people or going around house-to-house in residence - and say, you cannot stay here - is an issue which could run afoul with our right against unreasonable searches. Ito pala Sir yung sinasabing batas ni Ano, yung mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases SFMD: It is reporting, not detention, not seizure. Is there a need to do this? SFMD: The difficulty is that we have failed in our tracking system. The problem is, four months after, we have no effective tracking system and, therefore, we do the shotgun approach of declaring a general lockdown. To be more effective in this fight, we urge that the matter of our tracking system should be improved. This is the key in many of the countries, which successfully managed the disease. You talk about Taiwan and few others. The DOH said the country is short of 94,000 COVID-19 trackers. How do you implement successfully a campaign to stop the pandemic when we do not have enough contract tracers. We must be able to develop a technology to do contract tracing immediately. What are we doing wrong? SFMD: At the start we did not have enough testing facilities. Therefore. we were blinded. We were adopting policies on the basis of facts, which are not verified. That delayed reporting, etc. The default remedy is to implement a lockdown, but the effect in the economy has been very bad. We are in this situation because of our erroneous decision based on inadequate facts at the very start. In an interview this morning, Sec. Ano said the funding for contract tracing will come from Bayanihan 2... SFMD: Alam mo, there is much available technology to automate contact tracing. Realistically, the DOH says we are short of 94,000 contact tracers. I recall that the budget here is proposed to something like P11 billion - I hope my memory serves me right. The need for an effective contact tracing is a key to a successful drive to contain the virus. Paano po mababantayan ang mga nagamit na inutang para sa COVID-19? Pwede po bang isama ito sa GAA muna? Should Malacanang submit a report on these foreign loans? SFMD: Yes, Nimfa, good question. During the budget hearings, we can inquire into these because there are funds, which were authorized to be spent and therefore, in exercise of our oversight functions, it is a question that will be asked. The COA is there. It has a mandate under the Constitution to see to it the funds are properly spent. Can we include these anti-COVID measures in the 2021 budget? SFMD: Certainly, yes. In fact, what the Bayanihan 1 did is to authorize the President to realign items in the budget. I think there is an existing law that requires the government to report on the level of our indebtedness. You said a while ago that you are open to the government borrowing money and will you ask the government to report it? SFMD: Certainly yes. There is an existing law that requires the government to report on the level of our indebtedness, sourced from foreign and local borrowings. It is expected that it will be submitted and how it was applied. Remember that our tax collections went down. That is why there is a push to have more borrowings because we have no choice. And the government declared it is willing to sell government properties. SFMD: Yes. Why do Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame have to be in city centers? That's a huge asset. The land management experts can craft a policy which will make the government realize the maximum revenue. I repeat, if you look at it objectively hindi naman po kailangan na ang military camps ay nasa city. There is no sense in letting these assets not serve their fullest extent. The other one is the Muntinlupa penitentiary. We have the most expensive penitentiary in terms of cost per square meter in the entire world. Paano n'y po ide-describe yung planong house-to-house ng PNP? SFMD: In our system, the remedy is the judiciary. Somebody can bring this to the Supreme Court and say it is a violation of their rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, do you think GCQ should be maintained? SFMD: I already get confused about these quarantine categories. Generally, I am in favor of slowly opening the economy with the proper protocols being strictly observed. We cannot just take the attitude of a shotgun approach - lockdown here and there. The decision must be based on reliable evidence and sets of facts, which right now are lacking. Closing remarks SFMD: I can only pray and all of us should pray that we get out of this pandemic in one piece as a people. A lot of our countrymen are suffering today. We should have the ability to discern the proper approach in order that the solution can be effective and will cause the least damage to our people. We have not gone through this experience but I am sure that when we have a rational decision making process based on facts we should be able to survive this difficulty. Before the Congress removed Sachin Pilot as the Rajasthan deputy chief minister and president of the state party unit on Tuesday, three senior Congress leaders, who are with Pilot in Delhi, have said they are fighting to protect their dignity. In a message circulated by the Pilot camp on WhatsApp, they said, We have for years worked with dedication, devotion and service towards the party. And we are taking a stand to protect our dignity and self-respect at a time when our leader is threatened with notices from the SOG under the charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy. The statement was issued through Pilots official WhatsApp group and signed by Congress leaders Vishvender Singh, Ramesh Meena and Deepender Shekhawat. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot removed Pilot, Singh and Meena from the cabinet, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala announced after the second meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP). Singh and Meena were cabinet ministers and Shekhawat is a former speaker. Singh was the tourism minister and Meena held the food and civil supplies portfolio. Pilot skipped the second CLP meeting again. A resolution was passed in the CLP meeting to take action against Pilot and other rebel legislators who did not attend the meeting. This is unprecedented in Indian democracy and the Congress party, for which we have toiled with sweat and blood. Under the leadership of Sachin Pilot we have made every effort in the past 6 years to strengthen the party and bring it to power in Rajasthan at a time when it had been reduced to an insignificant number in the state assembly, Pilots supports said. Public humiliation of our leader Pilot is something that is totally unacceptable to us, and those responsible for meeting out this treatment need to be made accountable, the statement said. We are seeking to restore our self-respect and are not clamouring for any posts and positions contrary to false reports in the media. We have been senior members of the party for many years and have held many positions within the party and government and are not lured by inducements. The face-off between Pilot and Gehlot came to the fore after Rajasthan Polices Special Operations Group (SOG) sent notices to the former and other leaders in connection with alleged attempts to topple Congress government in the state. The notices stated that the SOG had urged the leaders to provide a suitable date and time for recording their respective statements. Pilot then left the state along with his 16 MLAs. He has claimed that the Gehlot government is in minority as 30 lawmakers are with him. As promised, the Massachusetts Teachers Association delivered a massive set of demands and proposed guidelines in response to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations plan to reopen schools in the fall. The MTAs list of concerns is so long that it begs a question not everyone wants to confront: even though Massachusetts shows one of the nations most favorable COVID-19 trends, are we really ready to reopen schools safely? Its easy to become overwhelmed with the scope of questions about logistics and safety for student and faculty. So, lets take just one: what happens when a teacher exposed to a COVID-19 student or staffer member goes into 14-day quarantine and who pays for it? This is a good example of the complexity attached to the reopening, because its a question that is sure to come up quickly, frequently and all over the state. The DESE has provided no direction, but it must before school opens. Sick time rules vary by school district. As an example, if a teacher has 10 school days per year of sick time, and must quarantine after being exposed, is it fair for that person to lose all of his or her sick time? No, its not. Should the teacher lose pay? No, he or she shouldnt. Is this a Workmans Compensation question? No, its not. Should staff members forego quarantine? Absolutely not. Can school districts foot the bill for quarantine-related costs? Can they? The dilemma is exacerbated by the approaching start of the fall term, creating a deadline that may come too soon to hammer out a solution on many MTA-raised issues, including this one. MTA president Merrie Najimy says her union agrees with the need for safe, in-person education, a stance echoed by the American Academy of Pediatricians and politicians on both sides of the aisle. But Najimy does not believe a track meet to the traditional opening day of school is justified if all of the safety details are not resolved. The states teachers have every right to ask that the quarantine issue be resolved before school starts. Whether that and dozens of other questions can be solved in time for the traditional opening is the elephant in the room that very few people who know in their hearts it could sabotage a safe, on-time reopening really want to consider. EAST ST. LOUIS The Illinois State Police is assisting in the investigations of five homicides in the past five days in and around East St. Louis and are asking the public for any leads. On Monday, July 13, at 11 p.m., police responded to a call of a man down at Tudor Avenue at South 11th Street. One man was shot and killed. On Thursday, July 9, at approximately 4 p.m., the East St. Louis Police Department responded to the G and P Confectionery, 1332 Bond Ave., for a homicide investigation. The store owner, 42-year-old William Porter, Jr. of Centreville, Illinois was shot and killed inside the store. On Friday, July 10, at approximately 10:47 p.m., the East St. Louis Police Department responded to 15th Street near Baker Avenue for a homicide investigation. The victim, 37-year-old Hardy M. Burns of Centreville was shot and killed in the street. On Saturday, July 11, at approximately 7:25 a.m., the East St. Louis Police Department responded to State Street for a homicide investigation. The victim, 41-year-old Tony Townsend of East St. Louis was shot and killed in a fenced-in lot located at 1213 State St. On Sunday, July 12, at 9:13 p.m., the East St. Louis Police Department responded to the Samuel Gompers Housing Complex, 450 N. 6th St., near the number 10 building for a homicide investigation. The victim, 30-year-old Terrill D. Mason, who is a resident of the Samuel Gompers Housing Complex, was shot and killed while standing outside near the number 10 building. None of the above homicides appear to be related and are being investigated as separate incidents. The homicides are being jointly investigated by the East St. Louis Police Department and the Illinois State Police DCI, Zone 6. Anyone with any information regarding any of these homicides is asked to contact ISP Master Sergeant Elbert Jennings at 618-571-4124, or if interested in a reward, and wanting to remain anonymous, may call CRIME STOPPERS at 866-371-8477 (tips). He's been in the news lately for his almost daily displays of affection with new girlfriend Ana de Armas. But on Tuesday, Ben Affleck appeared to be back at work at his production office in West Los Angeles. The actor and director, 47, looked in great shape as he accepted a delivery of food and drink. His old self: Ben Affleck appeared to be back at work at his production office in West Los Angeles on Tuesday looking fit and healthy The Batman star showed off his chiseled physique in a dark gray t-shirt and lighter gray baggy pants. Having put his rehab stints and divorce from Jennifer Garner behind him, he is likely focusing on writing and producing his slate of new big screen projects. He was in the middle of filming The Last Duel with best friend Matt Damon for director Ridley Scott when the pandemic lockdown in Hollywood came into force in mid-March. Affleck has co-written the screenplay with Damon which is adapted from a book by historian Ben Affleck. The two, of course, won the Oscar for best original screenplay for their 1997 movie Good Will Hunting. In great shape: The Batman star showed off his chiseled physique in a dark gray t-shirt and lighter gray baggy pants Supplies: The actor and director, 47, l accepted a delivery of food and drink for his team Affleck is also prepping the World War Two drama Ghost Army which he plans to direct and star in. He's also announced plans to direct and star in a big screen remake of Agatha Christie's Witness For The Prosecution. Meanwhile, his romance with Cuban-born actress de Armas, 32, appears to be going from strength to strength. The two have been virtually inseparable since meeting last year on the set of the erotic thriller Deep Water. The UAE Banks Federation (UBF) and SWIFT, the leader in secure financial messaging services, has held a virtual meeting with UAE SWIFT users group, to discuss adoption of new messaging standards to further promote a secure and robust banking ecosystem. SWIFTs objective is to support the evolving payments and securities business of financial institutions. Over the next two years and beyond, it will fundamentally transform what it does innovating to facilitate instant and frictionless payments from account-to-account anywhere in the world, with an end-to-end solution that combines international and domestic capabilities. AbdulAziz AlGhurair, Chairman of the UBF, said: Todays meeting comes at a critical time, as it has never been more important for the networks across the financial ecosystem to be reliable, safe and secure, and for our member banks to be up to date with the latest developments. The UBFs close collaboration with SWIFT ensures the ever-changing financial community in the UAE is aligned with the highest international standards, and is equipped with the latest solutions available. This will be particularly important over the coming months, as we continue to extend our support to banks and the wider community with their financial requirements. Onur Ozan, Head of Mena and Turkey, SWIFT, said: We value the close collaboration with UBF and look forward to working with the UAE financial community on the adoption of ISO 20022. Rich data lies at the heart of our vision for the future. It will provide the foundations for financial institutions to innovate and deliver better payments and digital experiences to end customers. UBF and SWIFT are driving the adoption of ISO 20022 across the UAE banking sector. The new messaging standards are an emerging global and open standard for payments messaging, creating a common language and model for payments data across the globe. They provide higher quality data than other standards, which means higher quality payments for all. TradeArabia News Service According to intelligence reports, three members of Russia-led forces were wounded on July 14. Russia's hybrid military forces on July 14 mounted 18 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with seven members of the Joint Forces reported as wounded in action. "The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire 18 times on July 14," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on July 15. "As a result, seven servicemen of the Joint Forces were wounded in enemy shelling." Read alsoRussia-led forces use Fagot anti-tank missile system in Donbas, six Ukrainian soldiers wounded Russian-led forces opened fire from anti-tank missile systems, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the towns of Avdiyivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Vodiane, Hnutove, Talakivka, Lebedynske, Berezove, Novomykhailivka, Shumy, and Krymske. The Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack. According to intelligence reports, three members of Russia-led forces were wounded on July 14. "Since Wednesday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions four times near Maryinka, and the villages of Talakivka and Novoluhanske, using proscribed 120mm mortars, cannons installed on infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various systems, and heavy machine guns," the update said. No casualties have been reported among Ukrainian troops since Wednesday midnight. Share price of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) hit a record high ahead of the conglomerate's 43rd Annual General Meeting to be held later today. Reliance Industries share gained 1.67% to hit a fresh all-time high of Rs 1,948 compared to the previous close of Rs 1916 on BSE. The large cap stock hit a fresh 52-week low of Rs 867 on March 23, 2020. Since then, the stock has gained nearly 125% on BSE. Total 2.27 lakh shares changed hands on BSE amounting to turnover of Rs 44.04 crore. On July 13, RIL became the first Indian firm to cross the market capitalisation of Rs 12 lakh crore after its stock climbed to fresh high of Rs 1,947. In the current session, market cap of the firm rose to Rs 12.32 lakh crore in early trade. The Mukesh Ambani-led firm will hold its first AGM in online mode considering the Coronavirus pandemic. The AGM is crucial after Ambani announced RIL became debt free months ahead of its March 31, 2021 target. Reliance's first virtual AGM today: Where to watch, expectations, other details The oil-to-telecom conglomerate achieved net-debt free status in June on the back of a record Rs 1.69 lakh crore fundraising from stake sales and rights issue. RIL raised over Rs 1.15 lakh crore from global investors by selling a little less than a quarter of its digital business and raised Rs 53,124 crore by selling shares to existing investors over the past 2 months. Share Market LIVE: Sensex gains over 400 points, Nifty at 10,735; Dr Reddy, Bharti Airtel, Titan top gainers Stocks in news: RIL, Yes Bank, Bharti Airtel, Wipro, Infosys, Bandhan Bank San Francisco voters were the second-worst in the state when it came to turning in their mail ballots on time for the March primary election. More than 9,100 city voters saw their ballots go uncounted either because they werent postmarked by the March 3 election day or didnt arrive in the mail by the March 6 deadline, according to a new study by the California secretary of state. Statewide, late ballots counted for more than 70% of rejected mail-in votes. When people voted late, a lot of them put their ballots in that big blue (mail) box on election day, not realizing that they wouldnt be picked up on time, said John Arntz, San Franciscos elections chief. San Franciscos combined total of 9,407 rejections for all reasons including failing to sign the envelope and forgetting to put the ballot in the envelope placed it third in the state for the highest number of uncounted mail-in votes. Only the much larger Los Angeles and Orange counties had more. And while Los Angeles Countys total of 17,743 rejected ballots was nearly twice San Franciscos, L.A. has 10 times more voters 5.5 million to just over 505,000 for San Francisco. Santa Clara, San Mateo and Contra Costa counties were also in the top 10 in the state for rejected ballots. Nearly 7 million Californians cast their ballots by mail in the March primary. The total number, representing 72% of the vote, was the record for a state election. About 102,000 of those votes were never counted because of problems that included late-arriving ballots, missing or mismatched signatures on the ballot envelopes and various other miscues. But that still means that nearly 99% of California mailed ballots were counted, which is better than in many states. A study by National Public Radio this week found that in the 2020 primary elections, more than 5% of Virginias mail ballots were rejected because they arrived too late and both Arkansas and Oklahoma were above 3%. Todd Trumbull But thats little solace to election officials in California, where Secretary of State Alex Padilla and others have been emphasizing the need to ensure that every vote counts and every vote is counted. Some of the problems come with the fast-moving shift to mail ballot elections, said Neal Kelly, Orange County registrar and former state and national president of the Association of Clerks and Election Officials. The primary was the first election where we sent ballots to every voter, he said. It will take a couple of (election) cycles to work out the kinks. The state might not have that time. By law, this fall every active California voter will receive a ballot in the mail in an effort to limit the number of in-person polling places and limit the spread of the coronavirus. In Orange County, about 82% of our votes came from mail ballots in March, and were hoping that rises to 95% or 96% in November, Kelly said. Not all mail ballots arrive by mail, and thats just fine, said Arntz in San Francisco. Of the citys 208,000 mail ballots in March, between 50,000 and 60,000 were dropped off at polling places, a number thats likely to pass 70,000 in the fall, he said. If a ballot comes in late, you just cant accept it, Artnz said. Thats why our message in the fall will tell people that if its close to election day, dont use the mailbox, but turn the ballot in at one of our 588 polling places spread across the city. In an unreleased study that will be published later this year, the California Voter Foundation found that while young people made up the smallest percentage of those casting mail ballots, they had the highest percentage of ballots rejected. Many young people are new voters, and we have to help them do it right, said Kim Alexander, the foundations president. There are a lot of challenges. They might be unfamiliar with voting and not have much experience with the U.S. Post Office. Slow mail isnt the only reason mail ballots were rejected in March. More than 27,000 werent counted because the ballot envelopes were missing signatures or because the signatures didnt match the ones election officials had on file. Most people havent even looked at their signatures since they first registered to vote, said Alexander. Before they sign their ballots, people should look at their drivers licenses and see the signature there, she said. For people who registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles, thats the signature being used for comparison. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that from July 27 it would commence day to day hearing through video conferencing on a batch of pleas challenging Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. The top court, which refused to pass any interim stay order on the quota, said chances of physical court seem remote due to the persisting COVID-19 pandemic. A bench of Justices L N Rao, Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhatt asked the parties said that all parties should sit together and decide on modalities of hearing like who will take how much time and no one shall repeat the arguments. During the hearing, senior advocate Shyam Divan appearing for some of the petitioners, said that this type of a case needs to be heard in a physical court. "If we are constrained, then give us the earliest possible date. There is tremendous urgency in the matter. We may also need to revisit the concept of interlocutory relief," he said, adding that there is a whole group of post graduate students who have their careers at risk. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that there is also an issue of 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Section which too needs to be heard. The bench said that if it needs to be heard, then it would consider it. Divan pointed out that there is a huge chunk of 12 to 13 per cent reservation which has been taken away. He said that high court is bound by the orders of the Supreme Court and nine-judge bench of the top court had already said that quota should not exceed 50 per cent. The bench said it is listing the matter on July 27. Advocate Shivaji M Jadhav told the bench that virtual hearing is not possible looking at compilation of 1,000 of pages. The bench asked the counsel as when does he think COVID19 will subside and regular courts will start? "Let's start the hearings. But lawyers, please ensure that you don't repeat yourselves," the bench said. The Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018 was enacted to grant reservation to people of Maratha community in Maharashtra in jobs and admissions. The Bombay high court, while upholding the law in June last year, had held that 16 per cent reservation was not justifiable and said that quota should not exceed 12 per cent in employment and 13 per cent in admissions. On July 7, some of the lawyers appearing in the matter told the bench that physical hearing was required in the case as the issue might not be adjudicated upon properly in virtual hearing through video-conferencing. The bench had then observed that physical hearing at present may not be possible and it would consider the aspect of interim relief in the matter next week. The apex court is presently hearing matter only through video-conferencing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The top court had last month sought response from the Maharashtra government on a separate plea of six MBBS doctors, filed through advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, seeking a direction that the state law granting 12 per cent quota to Marathas not be made applicable for admissions in the post graduate medical and dental courses for academic year 2020-2021. On February 5, the apex court had refused to stay the high court order upholding the Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. Earlier, the top court had in July last year decided to examine the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra law, but refused to stay the high court order upholding the statute with some modifications. The high court, in its June 27, 2019, order, had said the 50-per cent cap on total reservations imposed by the Supreme Court could be exceeded in exceptional circumstances. It had also accepted Maharashtra government's argument that the Maratha community was socially and educationally backward and it was duty-bound to take steps for its progress. The high court had said though the reservation was valid, its quantum -- 16 per cent -- was not justifiable and it should be reduced to 12 per cent and 13 per cent, as recommended by the State Backward Classes Commission. One of the plea filed in the apex court had claimed that the SEBC Act breached the 50 per cent ceiling on reservation fixed by the top court in its landmark judgment in the Indira Sahwney case, also known as the 'Mandal verdict'. The framing of the SEBC Act for Marathas was done under 'political pressure' and in 'full defiance' of the constitutional principles of equality and rule of law, one of the pleas have claimed. According to the 102nd amendment to the Constitution, reservation can be granted only if a particular community is named in the list prepared by the President. On November 30, 2018, the Maharashtra legislature had passed a bill granting 16-per cent reservation to Marathas. The report submitted by the State Backward Classes Commission was based on quantifiable and contemporaneous data and was correct in classifying the Maratha community as socially and educationally backward, the high court had said in its verdict. GRAND FALLS, N.B.COVID-19 has halted a lot of fun activities across Canada, but it may also have helped solve a great railway mystery. Whatever happened to CPR Locomotive 508 after it plunged into the Saint John River? That mystery has puzzled some residents of this New Brunswick town since a spectacular railway accident here on June 21, 1900. Locomotive 508 was pulling a combination freight and passenger train from Edmundston to Fredericton across the wide Saint John River when the wooden trestle collapsed. Most of the train plunged into the river, but the passenger car was at the end of the line and it landed on the rubble of the trestle and the freight cars and stayed above the water. There were many serious injuries, but miraculously no deaths. The bridge debris and railcars were pulled out of the river, but apparently, Locomotive 508 was never found. There are no photos or documents of its recovery. Although the missing locomotive doesnt puzzle most residents of Grand Falls, it does Eric Ouellette, a 42-year-old structural engineer with CN Rail. He was a 21-year-old engineering student at the University of Moncton when he first learned about the trestles collapse close to his Grand Falls home about 100 years earlier. What intrigued him about the incident was the rumours that Locomotive 508 was never found. That didnt sit well with his engineering brain. How can a 35-ton steam locomotive simply disappear? Ouellettes full-time job with CN Rail is to check on the safety and condition of thousands of CN bridges and culverts in the Maritimes. That includes keeping a close eye on CNs longest and highest railway trestle in Canada, which stretches 3,920 feet across the Salmon River 195 feet below. And his part-time job is operating Zip Zag, a zip line that Ouellette designed and built across the gorge at Grand Falls, where the Saint John River plunges into a ragged canyon before flowing through town. Its one of the provinces most popular vacation stops, but COVID-19 has shut the operation down this summer. That gives Ouellette more time for his other passion searching for 508. He believes the elusive engine is near Zip Zag, above the roaring falls. On July 4, a multi-beam ground-penetrating radar device Ouellette was operating on the river above the falls may have stumbled upon Locomotive 508. While floating on the rivers surface aboard a small self-propelled boat, the radar scanning device detected about eight to 10 tons of metal under a large pile of silt and sand sediment on the river bottom. Ouellette says 508 weighed about 35 tons, but parts of the locomotive would have fallen off from the plunge into the river. The cow catcher at the front and the front wheels were never really attached to the locomotive. It was just the weight of the boiler that kept the front axle attached. They would have separated with the plunge into the river. The same with the big smoke stack, Ouellette said. Most of 508s weight comes from its two big drive wheels on either side, the steam pistons that drive the wheels and the mechanism that connects the drive to the boiler. The cab was made of wood and has likely disintegrated. The river is much deeper today than it was in 1900 because a power station and dam was constructed in the 1920s just above the waterfall and created a small lake. Ouellette says a construction vacuum system could suck away much of the sedimentary deposit to reveal what metal is hidden there. If it is 508 and he can get it to the surface, Ouellette would like to see it on display at the nearby abandoned CP station that was waiting for that train to arrive in 1900. Railway debris from the accident he recovered from the river in 2003 was donated to Du Reel au Miniature, a railway interpretation centre in Edmundston created by Guy LaForge. It has a large selection of miniature railways, plus a one-eighth-size railway that can carry up to 6,000 pounds on a 10-minute loop through a forest. Ouellette says there are other mysteries in the New Brunswick wilderness to solve once the story of 508 is finished. He wants to explore hidden caves in nearby Victoria County, where soldiers of the 104th regiment of New Brunswick may have sheltered from a blizzard during their long winter march in 1813 from Fredericton to Quebec City and on to Kingston to fight in the War of 1812. In 2011, Ouellette and his wife, Christine, headed up a group of volunteers that built the worlds largest dome-shaped igloo. It was made of 2,500 blocks of ice and could accommodate 300 people. It was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. More details about Ouellettes search for the locomotive are available at 508mystery.com. Read more about: Andrew Buncombe, The Independent's Chief US Correspondent (Andrew Buncombe) Authorities in the United States have dropped criminal charges against an Independent journalist arrested while covering race protests in Seattle. Chief US correspondent Andrew Buncombe was detained, shackled and assaulted by a prison guard after being arrested on a charge of failure to disperse as local police sought to clear demonstrators in Seattles Cal Anderson Park, prompting strong criticism from press freedom and human rights organisations. Mr Buncombe, who denied committing an offence, could have faced up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 (4,000) fine, but Seattles deputy city attorney has now confirmed prosecutors will not be pressing charges. Im writing on behalf of the Seattle City Attorneys Office to let you know that we do not plan to file any charges against Mr Buncombe, John Schochet said in an email sent to Mr Buncombes lawyers. Mr Buncombes arrest sparked international condemnation, amid concern over police violence against members of the press covering protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. The Independent launched the Journalism is Not a Crime campaign on Wednesday in support of press freedom in the US - and elsewhere around the world - following the arrest of Mr Buncombe and an estimated 60 other journalists covering Black Lives Matter demonstrations in America. Christian Broughton, the editor of The Independent, said: We are delighted and relieved that Andrew Buncombe no longer faces charges of course, he should never have been arrested in the first place. Now we need to celebrate the importance of truly independent journalism and defend the rights of the free press in the nation of the First Amendment, which once led the world in championing the role of journalism in society. Writing for The Independent on Wednesday, John Simpson, the BBC world affairs editor, described the disturbing impact of Donald Trumps presidency. Journalists, such as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who uncovered the Watergate scandal, were hailed as national heroes, Mr Simpson wrote. Story continues But of course at that stage American presidents didnt tell their followers that journalists were the enemy of the people, as President Trump has, he added. The message has sunk in: and the US police, often recruited from Trumps bedrock support, have heard it and acted on it. Karen Pierce, the British ambassador to the US, had launched an official complaint about the arrest of Mr Buncombe, escalating the issue to senior levels of the State Department. The White House was also informed. In Seattle, councillor Lisa Herbold wrote to mayor Jenny Durkan and police chief Carmen Best demanding action on Mr Buncombes unacceptable treatment. Ms Herbold said it violated the Seattle Municipal Code, which states that failure to disperse orders cannot apply to news reporters unless they are physically obstructing lawful efforts by police to disperse a group. It is our job as elected officials to ensure the press remains free and is able to carry out its work, in accordance with the constitution and city law, Ms Herbold wrote. Amnesty International USA said Mr Buncombe was one of at least 60 journalists arrested while covering protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in May. The media have a right to attend and report on these protests, and law enforcement officials have a responsibility not to prevent or obstruct their work, said deputy director of research Justin Mazzola. Read more British ambassador complains over Independent journalists arrest Seattle mayor told to remedy unacceptable arrest of Indy journalist Attacks against journalists soar during Black Lives Matter protests I was arrested, jailed and assaulted. My crime? Being a journalist The Central Board of Secondary Education is all set to announce CBSE Board 10 results on Wednesday. This year over 18 lakh students appeared for the Class 10 Board exam. However, due to coronavirus pandemic, several CBSE Board examinations got affected. Henceforth, the CBSE decided to evaluate students under a new scheme. According to the CBSE Board, the assessment will be based on the best of the "number of exams" that students gave this year. Students, who could only appear for less than three subjects, will be assessed on the basis of their internal test/projects/practicals. Also read: CBSE Class 10th Result 2020 Live Updates: Check out result on cbse.nic.in, cbseresults.nic.in CBSE Class 10 Board 2020 passing marks: On average, students need at least 33 per cent marks to pass Class 10 board exam-this includes both practicals and theory. List of websites where students can check CBSE Class 10 Board results: Students can check results in either of two websites--cbse.nic.in or cbseresults.nic.in. Besides, candidates can check results via phone apps, SMS, phone calls, etc. Students can access their Class 10 CBSE results via phone call-: Dial 24300699 (for local subscribers in Delhi) Dial 011-224300699 (for subscribers on other parts of the country). Check CBSE Class 10 result via SMS: Students will have to send SMS on 7738299899 as per following details: (CBSE10) space (Roll no) space (Admit card id) Check result via DigiLocker/UMANG app: To check the result using DigiLocker, a student needs to the mobile number registered with CBSE. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number. Enter that OTP and security PIN (last six digits of CBSE roll number). Thereafter, the result will be displayed.Also read: CBSE Board 10th Result 2020: How to check results on mobile, app; list of websites For UMANG app users, students need to create an account in the app. Enter your CBSE roll number and date of birth. Thereafter, one will be able to view CBSE Class 10 board results. Luxembourg's opposition parties held a press briefing without the coalition government earlier this Wednesday to voice their frustrations. Opposition parties ADR, CSV, Pirates, and the Left stressed that they "have had enough." The argued that it is unacceptable that the Chamber of Deputies is not included in the discussions revolving around the ongoing Covid-19 battle. The four parties demanded clarity and transparency, citing the dramatic rise of new infections in Luxembourg. MPs Martine Hansen, Gast Giberyen, Sven Clement, and Marc Baum said they were horrified that the government is leaving Luxembourg's MPs out in the rain with regard to the communication of virus-related information. They argued that the Chamber of Deputies and opposition parties in particular cannot support the government in finding solutions if the latter fails to pass information onto them. They for instance demanded to know if there are specific virus clusters. Gast Giberyen consequently asked reporters: "What is the government hiding?" MPs will vote on the new Covid-19 law on Thursday. Opposition parties voiced concern as the original text may no longer be in tune with the alarming recent developments. Advertisement The individual therapies for rare genetic disorders are either expensive, not accessible to all or, still under research. So, the idea was to develop a universal treatment, that would be beneficial to all.Senior author Paul Szabolcs states that "There has been a lot of emphases placed on cool new technologies that might address these diseases, but -- even if they prove effective -- those aren't available to most centers. The regimen we developed is more robust, readily applicable, and will remain significantly less expensive."The study participants included 44 children with various non-malignant genetic disorders. The children received two infusions of banked cord blood via intravenous injections. The banked cord blood was donated from the umbilical cords and placentas of healthy babies just after birth and frozen.The participants received a low dose of chemotherapy and immunosuppressant drugs to prevent the rejection of donor stem cells and make room for bone marrow for donor stem cells to take root. They were weaned off from the drugs, once the cells integrated into the patients' bodies.A second infusion was given a few weeks after the initial infusion. The procedure does not require compatibility in the immune profiles of the donor and recipient."That's huge for ethnic minorities," Szabolcs said. "The probability of a perfect match is very low, but with a cord blood graft, we have a chance to overcome this discrepancy over the course of a couple months and then taper immunosuppressants away."The rate of post-infusion infections and complications was low. The mortality rate from viral infections due to immune suppression was only 5%. None of the participants experienced severe chronic graft-versus-host disease.Neurodevelopmental delays are common in metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome leads to the accumulation of harmful toxins in the body due to improper enzyme function.Among the 44 children, 30 children had metabolic disorders with progressive symptoms of neurodevelopmental delays before the trial. But within a year of receiving cord blood infusion, the enzyme levels returned to normal, and there was a halting of neurodevelopmental decline. Some of the children also began to acquire new skills.The most common metabolic syndrome is leukodystrophy, which is fatal within the first few years of symptoms onset. Previous studies using cord blood treatment showed a three-year survival rate of about 60%. The three-year survival rate, using this study protocol, was about 90% in symptomatic leukodystrophy patients.This is the first study to use stem cells to treat metabolic, immune, or blood disorders and to show a higher level of efficacy and safety. It also has broad applicability covering at least 20 diseases."There has been a stagnation of outcomes in this field, just changing one chemotherapy agent for another, not a true evolution," Szabolcs said. "We designed an approach now proven to be efficacious for at least 20 diseases. And we believe it might be effective for many, many more."The therapy using cord blood cells has shown success in treating additional diseases, including in adults.Source: Medindia By Kole Casule SKOPJE (Reuters) - North Macedonia's Social Democrats who pledged to take the Balkan country to the European Union are set to win the parliamentary vote on Wednesday, state election commission parliamentary results showed. The ruling SDSM party of the most recent prime minister, Zoran Zaev, won 36.9% of the votes, with its main rival, nationalist VMRO-DPMNE, second with 35.9%, according to preliminary results based on 71% of the votes counted. Ethnic Albanian party, Democratic Union of Integration, which had been in the government with SDSM, was third with 10.2% of the votes. The vote was originally scheduled for April but postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Voters arrived at the polling stations wearing mandatory masks. The former Yugoslav republic of 2 million people has so far reported a total of 8,530 infections and 393 deaths due to the coronavirus. Zaev, in office since 2017, put the country on the path towards EU membership by agreeing to add "North" to its name. That resolved a decades-old stand-off with Greece, which had viewed the name Macedonia as a claim on its province of the same name, and had blocked its neighbour's entry into both the EU and NATO. The newly renamed North Macedonia joined NATO this year. The opposition VMRO-DPMNE of Hristijan Mickoski opposed the name change, and also accused Zaev's Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) of corruption and cronyism, which it denied. "I believe ... we have succeeded in ... convincing the people that the coalition led by SDSM is the one that will get most support," Zaev said after voting. Parliament dissolved in February when Zaev resigned after the EU declined to set a date for membership negotiations. A month later the EU announced talks could begin. It again set no date, but diplomats said it would likely be later this year. An SDSM victory could be seen as lending momentum to Skopje's membership talks with the EU. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic and Kole Casule; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Peter Graff and Matthew Lewis) Japanese companies have shown wide interest in relocating some operations to Vietnam. Photo Le Toan Having been present in the country over the past 25 years, Watanabe Yutaka, director of TOWA Industrial Vietnam, is impressed with the improvements in the business climate. Now the successful control of COVID-19 is giving his company more confidence in making its next steps. Vietnam has more advantages than other regional countries in investment attraction. The cost of the manufacturing sector in China and Thailand remains high. Economic activities globally are on a downtrend, while investments are gearing up, he said at the Ministry of Planning and Investments (MPI)webinar on Japanese investment promotion last week, which attracted over 1,000 Japanese companies. TOWA Industrial Vietnam specialises in manufacturing precise mechanical spare parts. It built the first factory in the country in 1996, a second 10 years later, the third in 2012, and has been operating a fourth since last year. We are restructuring our supply chain. Some of our facilities suspended operations in China, Indonesia, and India, and we are considering moving operations to other countries. Vietnam is a safe destination for us, Yutaka elaborated. New wave According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Hanoi Office, there has been a trend of reshuffling supply chains among Japanese businesses amid COVID-19 and global trade tensions. As shown in a quick survey on nearly 2,000 Japanese companies in Vietnam by the JETRO carried out last month, 1 per cent had already moved their activities to Vietnam from China, while 5 per cent are considering. Meanwhile 4 per cent are mulling over an investment shift to Vietnam from other countries. Nakajima Takeo, chief representative of the JETRO Hanoi Office said, Vietnam has advantages to attract Japanese investors because of successful control of the pandemic, low labour costs, abundant labour force, the signing of free trade agreements, and increasing position in the region. In this trend, TOWA Industrial Vietnam is among the Japanese companies that have had plans to make investment shifts. Olympus, Nintendo, JUKI, and Sharp also have made similar moves. Sharp, one of the leading conglomerates in Japan, is going to open its new factory in the outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City this year. It will focus on manufacturing car displays for the US market, as well as air cleaners for domestic use. Sharp has achieved great success in Vietnam over past years on the back of local annual electronics and household appliance growth of 10-15 per cent. The company is one of the typical examples for successful Japanese investment in the Southeast Asian country. Similarly, Japanese electronics manufacturer Olympus ceased activities in China in 2018 and is focusing on the production of digital cameras in Vietnams southern province of Dong Nai, while Nintendo relocated a part of its Switch console production to Vietnam from China. Japans investment shifts have evolved over several decades now. At the turn of the century, supply chain restructuring was aimed at reassessing the excessive focus on China amid rising labour costs, mounting competition, tightened rules, and technology leaks. In 2018, moves were made to ease possible negative impacts from trade tensions. And this year, groups want to develop and diversify supply chains to adapt to the COVID-19 outbreak, global economic slowdown, and digital transformation. In addition to the processing and manufacturing sector, which is of most interest among Japanese investors in Vietnam, infrastructure and equitisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are already attracting strong attention for their future plans, making it an attractive channel for financiers. More fresh opportunities for Japanese investors will come in the coming months because a number of powerful SOEs will have their stake holding divested, including Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group, as well as at many commercial lenders such as Agribank. In infrastructure, the eastern cluster of the North-South Expressway will have five sections developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The country is also calling for investment in renewable energy projects, especially in solar and wind power, thus hoping to bring new opportunities for Japanese enterprises. Looking ahead, the Vietnamese government is encouraging innovations and digital transformation with a number of supporting policies. And the landmark EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will take effect imminently, bringing about important legal changes and special incentives for international ventures which have exports to the bloc. Okabe Daisuke, from the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, proposed to soon resume flights between the two countries, improve disbursement quality of public investment, develop transport infrastructure, add investment incentives, and offer more transparency in policies. New motivations In anticipation of investment shifts globally, Vietnam is preparing to welcome a new wave of high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI), including that from Japan by continuing administrative reform, focusing on advanced technologies with high-added value and connecting with global supply chains. We are making careful preparations to welcome multinational corporations that are planning to make investment shifts. We encourage them to open research and development centres, and establish operation regional centres in Vietnam, said Vu Dai Thang, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment. The Southeast Asian country is expected to have a more competitive and favourable legal environment, thus increasing transparency and facilitation for investors in the months to come with the recent issuance of a number of laws, including new laws on investment, enterprises, PPP, and others. In addition, the country is also to focus on infrastructure development, improvement of human resources, development of supporting industries and financial tools, and enhancement of administrative reform to welcome new investment flows. We are working with localities on preparation of land funds at industrial zones in the localities which attract more Japanese investors. We also propose an increase in land funds to facilitate their business and investment activities, said Do Nhat Hoang, director general of the MPIs Foreign Investment Agency. Also importantly, Vietnam aims to have developed supporting industries under Resolution No.23-NQ/TW dated 2018 on the orientation of industrial development by 2030, with a vision for 2045. The government has already issued Resolution No.58/NQ-CP on the action plan to implement Resolution No.50-NQ/TW dated August 2019, governing the directions on completing the policies on FDI attraction by 2030. We have set up a working group to consult the prime minister with the new policies on FDI attraction, with members who are leaders of ministries and agencies. Many more Japan desks have been also established to support their investment inflows in Vietnam, Hoang noted. According to the MPI, amid global fall in FDI attraction, Vietnam saw some positives in Junes FDI picture with $1.8 billion in newly-registered, newly-added, and stake acquisition capital, up 3.1 per cent on-year, and 14.9 per cent on-month. As of June 20, Japan was Vietnams second largest foreign investor, with 4,548 valid investment projects, registered at over $60 billion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave the nation's youth the mantra of adapting new skills and staying relevant during COVID-19 times in the wake of changing business and market dynamics. Addressing a digital conclave on World Youth Skills Day (WYSD), PM Modi expressed that the mantra to stay relevant was to "skill, reskill and upskill". PM Modi articulated that the evolving work culture and nature of jobs have necessitated a change in approach and adapting to new needs. "Learning new skills, reskilling, and upgrading one's skills are the demands of the times we are living in," the prime minister said on the occasion that also marks the fifth anniversary of the Skill India Mission. The event was organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Also Read: 64 lakh trained under Skill India but only 14.5 lakh got jobs He further stated that "in a rapidly changing world, millions of skilled people are needed and there is a huge potential, especially in health services." Recognised by the United Nations (UN), WYSD is celebrated every year on July 15. Its goal is to acknowledge the strategic importance of equipping the youth with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship, and to highlight the critical role of skilled youth in tackling current and future global challenges, according to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Here are the highlights of PM Modi's speech on World Youth Skills Day:- "People ask me that in these times when businesses and markets are changing so fast, how should we stay relevant. This question is even more important during this COVID-19 pandemic. Mantra to be relevant is to skill, reskill and upskill." "Learning new skills, reskilling, and upgrading one's skills are the demands of the times we are living in." "Skill is something which we gift ourselves, which grows with experience. Skill is timeless, it keeps getting better with time. Also Read: Coronavirus crisis: PM Modi reviews progress of Rs 20-lakh crore package "Skill is unique, it makes you different from others". "In a rapidly changing world, millions of skilled people are needed and there is a huge potential, especially in health services." Referring to migrant workers who returned to their home states during the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Modi said these people, with a special skill set, have started rejuvenating villages. "Someone is painting the school, while someone is building a house with a new design," he said. By Ayya Lmahamad Container trains carrying tomato paste from China to Italy, passing through Azerbaijan resumed its movement, ADY Container companys press service reported on July 14. According to the statement, the train consisting of 82 containers was delivered from Kazakhstans Aktau port to the port of Baku by the feeder ship "Beket-Ata". Operator of train route is ADY Container, a subsidiary of CJSC Azerbaijan Railways. Moreover, at the port, 20 foot containers will be loaded on platforms and delivered by rail to the Georgian port of Poti, and from there to Italy. The transport operator is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Consortium. It should be noted, that in connection with the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) regular movement of container trains from China to Italy, carrying tomato paste was stopped. ADY Container LLC is a full-fledged subsidiary of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, with a mandate to provide high-quality, reliable freight transport in the country. Exclusively operating all container transportation within Azerbaijan, ADY Container LLC offers an extensive range of services, from multimodal transport to custom brokerage and storage facilities, which can be conveniently managed through our online customer portal. ADY Container LLC has begun expanding cooperation, mainly with countries in the Far East region - China, Japan and South Korea, as well as with Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Iran and India, in order to increase the volume of cargo transportation along the international East-West Transport Corridor, North-South Transport Corridor and Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz New Delhi: India is planning to buy from Israel Heron surveillance drones and fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles Spike to enhance its surveillance and firepower capability at a time when the tensions with China are at all-time high. Due to tension with China, India needs to increase its surveillance along the line of actual control (LAC) to keep an eye on the Chinese activities. India had started buying Heron UAVs in 2000 after the recommendations of the Kargil review committee. Currently these are deployed by the Air Force, Army and Navy. Heron UAVs are being used by Army surveillance and Target acquisition batteries and Air Force in the Ladakh sector. These drones can fly continuously for more than two days at a stretch providing reconnaissance from an altitude of more than 10 kilometres. Meanwhile, the Army is also looking to buy more Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel which it got last year under the emergency financial powers granted to the services in the Post-Balakot air strikes scenario. Last time, the Army had bought 12 launchers and 200 Spike missiles. India is upping its anti-tank missiles capability at a time when China has brought a large number f tanks near LAC in the Ladakh sector. A teacher accused of sex with a 14-year-old boy has launched a last-ditch bid for freedom as her fiance stands by her ahead of their looming wedding. Monica Elizabeth Young, 23, was charged with aggravated sexual intercourse with a teenage student and related offences last Friday. The south-west Sydney woman has spent five nights in custody over the allegations, which include police claims she had sex with the teenage boy three times in one day. Young's worried partner 'Moey' Krayem is standing by her as she denies 'sexual impropriety' while facing up to 12 years' imprisonment, if found guilty. 'He is sticking by her,' one insider said. 'He doesn't believe she did it'. Teacher Monica Elizabeth Young (right) with her fiance, Moey Krayem. Ms Young has denied 'sexual impropriety' with a student via her barrister Ms Young's fiance is standing by her. The accused teacher is pictured on left and right Another Lebanese community source said: 'Moey is a good kid with a supportive family. 'However this news would be a shock to them... to hear news like this would devastate the family as our community tend to have a big mouth.' Following her arrest on Friday evening, Young's partner insisted to Seven News that she was innocent. 'She would never, ever, ever do something like that,' he said. Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal Young has launched a bid for bail at the New South Wales Supreme Court. Supreme Court bail is usually the last chance an accused person gets to be released before their charges are finalised, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Paperwork kicking off her fresh bid for release was lodged with the state's highest court this week. Young has twice been refused bail by local court magistrates in the past few days. On Monday, concerns were raised about Young allegedly having contacted the pupil's mother after learning of the police investigation into her. The teacher was arrested and charged about 7am on Friday (pictured) and has spent five nights in custody over the allegations Young is seen as she was marched into Bankstown Police Station to be charged Friends said the pair's wedding was 'not far off' Magistrate Glenn Walsh told the court that, according to material before him, Young contacted the parent to try and 'explain away' the alleged circumstances. Her barrister Geoff Harrison told Mr Walsh she was in custody for the first time in her life, would obey 'house arrest' bail conditions and cough up $50,000 surety. But a police prosecutor claimed she was an unacceptable risk given she had allegedly attempted to interfere in the investigation. Young is charged with 10 offences which allegedly occurred over late June and early July. Mr Harrison said his client denies any 'sexual impropriety'. Young and her childhood sweetheart became engaged in about May 2017 and a ceremony was expected to be 'not far off'. She had liked the pages of several wedding photographers and a florist on Facebook. However, the couple don't live together in the same home and the fiance is understood to be Young's junior by a 'year or two'. Young, a former Big W worker, was arrested at her family's house in Sydney's south-west last Friday. Her bail bid is listed for callover in front of a Supreme Court registrar on Monday where a date will be set for a hearing. Young's lawyers were approached for comment on Wednesday. DUBLIN, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ResearchAndMarkets.com published a new article on the solar industry "Sunrun Acquires Vivint As More Installers Move to Virtual Sales Amidst COVID-19" The rooftop solar sector has adapted to new business practices in the age of social distancing. Several leading installers such as SunPower Corp, Vivint Solar Inc and Sunrun Inc spent lockdown periods implementing new initiatives such as moving to virtual sales, digitizing paperwork and permits and using satellite imagery and drones to inspect potential customers' roofs. These measures helped to create a contactless experience to reassure potential clients worried about the virus as well as to reduce the cost of residential solar arrays. Vivint, which had relied primarily on a door to door sales model accelerated its plan to diversify sales strategies by training employees to canvas suitable households over the phone. This strategy was so successful that rival installer Sunrun Inc agreed to buy Vivint in an all stock deal valued at $3.2 billion. SunPower Corp and EmPower Solar have also seen a significant shift to digital sales, while SotySolar introduced a subscription model in Spain where it installs rooftop panels and charges homeowners a monthly fee. To see the full article and a list of related reports on the market, visit "Sunrun Acquires Vivint As More Installers Move to Virtual Sales Amidst COVID-19" About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Before the coronavirus pandemic, my brain, like the brain of many working parents, was skilled at compartmentalizing. It knew how to process complex concepts during the workday and then shift into a different gear to answer the never-thought-of-that-before questions that tend to come from young children at bedtime. Why are some birds red? Who decides the name of cars? How do people know the Easter Bunny is a bunny if no one has ever seen him? Vancouver, BC, Tuesday, July 14, 2020 A team of entrepreneurs have now awarded thirty-five million in Business Scholarships to help local entrepreneurs and small business owners across North America and Europe, and theyre not stopping there. Launched July 1, and running all month, 27 entrepreneurs and business leaders are granting some $172,657 in scholarships PER PERSON as part of the first ever Million Dollar Scholarship Giveaway. Business Owners and Entrepreneurs DJ Screw's birthday was July 20, 1971. In 2020, DJ Screw would have turned 49 years old. JUNE 27: Why June 27 should be a Houston holiday for hip-hop fans While we celebrate June 27, honoring the Screwed Up Click and the city's most famous freestyle, it's a myth that it's his actual birthday. July 20 is the musical pioneer's birthday, and Houstonians celebrate this day too. DJ Screw was the founder of the Screwed Up Click. The chopped and screwed sound the he created has managed to live on two decades after his death. Normally, on DJ Screw's birthday, Screwed Up Records would host a celebration in honor of Screw. The celebration would include performances from you favorite SUC members, along we the retelling of stories of the Screwed Up Click. The event was organized by Screwed Up Records and Tapes, Rapper ESG, Rue Rob, son of Big Rue of the Screwed Up Click and Southern Hip-Hop Research Advisor Rocky Rockett. "We have an amazing list of things lined up for the virtual celebration," said Rue Rob co-organizer of the event. With the current COVID-19 outbreak, there's been a change of plans. The pandemic wouldn't stop the celebration of the fallen SUC member. The Screw community will now celebrate his birthday with a number of different virtual activities. "We want people to gather and commune in the digital space. We want to expose people in our community to platforms like Zoom," Rue Rob said. The day will include a chopped and screwed guided meditation, a "Future of Screw Panel" a screening of the movie Dirty Third, and more. "My hope is that we can show people how we can gather safely, and still celebrate together and have community," said co-organizer Rocky Rockett. "The gathering doesn't need to stop, We can utilize technology. Tech has helped us be in a space where we can still gather." ALL SCREWED UP: Trailer released for series based on life of DJ Screw The celebration will be held on Zoom, and tickets start at $20.20. All of the proceeds from the event will go to Screwed Up Records and Tapes facility. The funds from received from the virtual celebration will go towards Screwed Up Records and Tapes. The facility will undergo renovations of its current location, 3538 Fuqua in Houston, Texas, and also the restoration of DJ Screw's original Impala. "We want people to leave the celebration with a deeper appreciation for the Screw community," Rocky said. The organizers have a new love for digital platforms like Zoom. In addition to the virtual festivities Rocky Rockett will also be going live on the Contemporary Arts Museum page to highlight DJ Screw's life, music, legacy, and other people in the Screw Community who have helped to keep his legacy alive. The event is scheduled to last from 9 am to 11 pm next Monday. You can RSVP for the event online. Like any journalist interested in learning about the impact of climate change on a place, he interviews scientists, engineers, community organizers and the like. But its the story of family that makes the book relatable. You meet cousins and uncles. You attend a grandmothers 80th birthday party. You are there at a rare lunch that Mr. Ariza attends with one of his mothers wealthy real estate clients rare because a son writing a climate change book can ruin a multimillion dollar transaction. My mother nudges me with her elbow, he writes about this lunch. I better not spoil this deal. Mr. Ariza, 33, is a reporter covering federal courts at The South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper, though these days he is mainly covering coronavirus. I spoke with him by telephone from his home in Miami this week. The conversation has been edited for space and clarity. Were you worried about climate change when you were growing up in Miami? No! Not at all. It wasnt treated very thoroughly in the science curriculum in my high school. There wasnt a lot of it in terms of media coverage. There werent big rock stars talking about it. So the idea that this place where I was growing up, that I wasnt necessarily very much in love with at the time, was incredibly vulnerable wasnt something I knew or felt. What does your mom think about your climate change worries? She, you know, believes in climate change, understands what its going to do, is very worried about it and wants to see some kind of action taken. She loves this place. My mom and my stepdad are very much going to be affected by this. Theyre the kind of people who are going to be in business until their 70s. That game of musical chairs is probably going to end unless serious international, national and state action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and unless Miami does a lot to adapt very quickly. Even then there are still lots of areas in this city that will have to be responsibly abandoned. At least six protesters who attended a recent Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne have since tested positive to coronavirus, health officials have confirmed. But the department has refuted claims the June 6 protest is linked to an outbreak cluster in Melbourne's public housing towers, which has contributed to a second wave of new infections. Victoria is struggling to control a horror outbreak, with the state recording a triple-digit increase for a tenth consecutive day on Wednesday with 238 new cases. Six attendees who attended the Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne on June 6 (pictured) have since tested positive to coronavirus The Department of Health and Human Services previously said four people who attended the 10,000-strong rally last month had tested positive. The department has since clarified the figure after it was revealed two protesters were part of the public housing tower cluster where at least 242 cases have been recorded. 'We are aware of six confirmed cases who attended the Black Lives Matter protest. Currently there is no evidence to suggest they acquired the virus from the protest,' a DHHS statement read. 'None of these cases are known to reside at a major public housing complex. Currently no known nor suspected episodes of transmission occurred at the protest itself.' The Department of Health and Human Services has refuted media reports that the Black Lives protest was linked to a virus cluster in nine public housing towers. Pictured is a North Melbourne tower during strict lockdown earlier in July The department is yet to release details about the two additional cases that weren't previously reported, according to The Australian. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the DHHS for further comment. The first case of the virus linked to the Black Lives Matter rally was reported on June 11, five days after the protest. The second was reported June 15 but was believed to be not infectious when they attended the protest. Two H&M staff who later tested positive were also believed to have not caught the virus at the protest. Around 10,000 Melburnians defied government warnings to not attend last month's rally, Around 3000 residents were unable to leave their apartments for any reason after nine public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne went into hard lockdown for five days earlier in July. All but one of the towers have returned to stay-at-home restrictions which will remain in place across Melbourne for six weeks. Just 29 of Victoria's new cases are linked to known outbreaks with another 209 being investigated. There are 105 patients in hospital, including 27 in intensive care. More than 1,800 cases currently active across the state. Huawei has now issued an official response to a UK decision to ban its equipment and remove current installations. The Chinese tech giant took to Twitter just hours after the decision was reached. In a statement attributed to company spokesperson Ed Brewster, Huawei denounced the move wholesale as both disappointing and politically-driven. The Huawei spokesperson also alluded to sentiments echoing statements made by UK Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden during the announcement. Namely, the company says that the decision is bad news for the UKs mobile users. It will potentially, Huawei says, move Britain into the digital slow lane. Itll also cost more money. And it will deepen the digital divide, Huawei continues, noting that the decision levels down UK 5G bids and connectivity instead of leveling up the networks. Advertisement In a statement made alongside the bans announcement, Secretary Dowden noted that only UK carrier O2 will go unaffected by the Huawei ban. Moreover, Mr. Dowden pointed out, it will set UK 5G efforts back as much as three years. What does this Huawei ban mean for carriers in the UK? The newly-instituted ban on Huawei equipment in the UK comes with several implications. As of the end of 2020, UK carriers will no longer be able to purchase equipment from the worlds largest 5G supplier. But carriers need to also remove all Huawei equipment thats already in place by 2027. That equipment would arguably all be removed by that final date anyway, as new equipment is released and replaces the old. But this ban means that Huawei can no longer offer equipment at all. As pointed out by Huawei, it effectively brings an end to a 20-year relationship between the UK and the company. Huawei is promising, via its announcement, to continue supporting its customers as a responsible business. Advertisement But it also claims that this decision comes back as much to US trade policy as anything else. And is not about security, according to the company. Huawei says that it is confident in its ability to ensure the resilience and security of its equipment. Thats despite that US sanctions prevent the company from working with its usual partners. Forcing the company to turn to third-parties that UK leaders have begun referring to as untrusted. Huawei plans to conduct a detailed review and will try to work with the UK government, it says, to try and determine how it can best contribute to a better connected Britain. Advertisement Huaweis UK business already showing signs of strain from this setback Now, even in the leadup to the ban decision, Huaweis business in the UK is already beginning to show signs of strain. Former BP chief executive and UK chairman of Huawei Technologies Lord Brown has reportedly turned in a two-month notice to the company. He will be stepping down from the board in September around six months earlier than his term expires. Lord Brown was previously cited with comments on the matter in an interview with Reuters. The executive indicated that theres no diplomacy in the UK, with regard to Chinese telecoms equipment. Especially as that concerns Huawei. The executive implied at the time that the country was in danger of simply throwing away a very long relationship with China. BT chief executive Philip Jansen also reportedly echoed the sentiment. The executive reportedly said on Monday that removing Huawei would take a decade. And that it would significantly escalate short-term network security risks. Advertisement Huawei hasnt released an official statement on the departure, which leaves just three non-executives on the board. That includes former BT Group chairman Sir Mike Rake, former UK Trade & Investment head Sir Andrew Cahn, and Lord Lieutenant of Great London and former deputy chairman of the Institute of Directors Sir Ken Olisa. EDITORS NOTE: NJ Cannabis Insider produces exclusive weekly content and monthly events geared toward those interested in the marijuana and hemp industries. Gov. Phil Murphy said legalized marijuana sales could boost New Jerseys struggling economy, which needs new revenue sources to weather damage from the the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking on the Jim Kerr Rock & Roll Morning Show Tuesday, Murphy called legalization an incredibly smart thing to do. Were not inventing marijuana, he said. It exists. The topic came up as the governor spoke about the ongoing financial crisis brought on by closures to stem the spread of the virus in March. The state, too, has had to spend additional funds in attempts to control the outbreak, and could borrow as much as $9.9 billion over the next year, if state lawmakers approve a massive proposal later this week. We still need federal cash assistance direct into the state, Murphy, a Democrat, said. Thats something that I hope that Congress will get to, sooner than later, that the president will sign. Thats another big slug that we need. Well look at revenues that we can potentially raise on our own. One host chimed in, suggesting money from a tax on cannabis purchases. Listen, as you probably know, Ive been on that from day one, Murphy said. Multiple attempts in the Democrat-controlled state Legislature to pass a bill legalizing weed for those over 21 have faltered. Lawmakers eventually voted last fall to pose the question to the people. Murphy acknowledge the role legalization could play in criminal justice reform, as police arrest Black people 3.5 times more often than white people in New Jersey for marijuana use, even though both groups use it at similar rates. The state Assembly last month voted to pass a bill that would decriminalization possession of up to two ounces of weed, but the Senate has not yet voted on it. But, he also spoke of the financial and business sector gains the market could bring. Its a job creator. Its a tax revenue raiser, Murphy said. It checks a lot of boxes. I hope well get there sooner than later. A 2016 report from New Jersey Policy Perspective estimated the state could bring in $305 million in sales tax if it legalized weed sales, should the state use a sliding tax scale that eventually lands at 25% and prices hold at around $350 an ounce, a common cost in the medicinal market. A recent poll showed six in 10 New Jersey voters said they would vote for marijuana legalization. But even if the measure passes in November, lawmakers will have to pass enabling legislation to establish an industry, mandating tax revenue and rules. That could mean more delays, a common feature in the states efforts to expand cannabis access. A new entity, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, would oversee the industry, as well as the existing medical marijuana program. A law passed last summer established the commission and called on a five person panel of appointees made by Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Speaker of the House Craig Coughlin to steer the commission and takeover the medical program by January 2020. But only Sweeney had made his appointment by February. Progress on the commission has languished. Without a commission or enabling legislation in place, many say legal weed sales will not begin until months, or maybe longer, after the vote. After the state legalized marijuana for medicinal use in 2010, it took nearly three years for the first dispensary to open. Today, the states nearly 80,000 patients are still waiting for three dispensaries licensed in late 2018 to open their doors. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Mumbai, Jul 15 (UNI) Car major, Maruti Suzuki India Limited on Wednesday proactively announced to voluntarily undertake a recall for WagonR (1 Litre) manufactured between November 15th 2018 and October 15th 2019 and Baleno (Petrol) manufactured between January 8,2019 and November 4, 2019. The recall will cover 134,885 vehicles of both these models. The Company will inspect 56,663 units of WagonR and 78,222 units of Baleno for a possible issue with the Fuel Pump. Faulty part will be replaced, free of cost, the company release said. Owners of the suspected vehicles under this recall campaign will be contacted by Maruti Suzuki authorized dealers in due course of time. Customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the 'Imp Customer Info' section on the Company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for WagonR) and www.nexaexperience.com (for Baleno) and fill in their vehicles chassis number (MA3 or MBH, followed by 14 digit alpha-numeric number) to check if their vehicle needs any attention and follow the instructions. The chassis number is embossed on the vehicle ID plate and is also mentioned in the vehicle invoice / registration documents. UNI JS NV SB 1348 GRAND RAPIDS, MI MLive Media Group has announced it will transfer production of its eight newspapers to Ohio and close its printing facility outside of Grand Rapids. The media companys eight newspapers currently printed at the production facility in Walker will instead be printed in Cleveland beginning Oct. 5, said Tim Gruber, president and chief revenue officer of MLive Media Group. The newspapers will be printed at the same facility that prints The Plain Dealer, which is affiliated with the cleveland.com news website. It was a difficult decision, especially since we have such dedicated employees who are really focused on helping us be the best that we can be. This decision wasnt taken lightly, Gruber said. Cleveland.com and MLive Media Group are owned by Advance Local. There are 71 employees at the Walker printing and distribution facility, 26 of them full-time and 45 part-time. They will be offered an opportunity to apply for positions at the Cleveland facility. Employees will be offered a severance package, which has been enhanced due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gruber said. Employees were notified Wednesday. Its expected the building will be offered for sale. The Walker production facility, with its identifiable wave-like design, opened in 2004 along I-96 west of Grand Rapids. It initially produced The Grand Rapids Press, later adding the Muskegon Chronicle, the Kalamazoo Gazette and the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Following the closure of the Valley Publishing facility near Bay City in spring 2019, the Walker plant began printing the other four papers owned by MLive Media Group: The Ann Arbor News, The Flint Journal, The Bay City Times and The Saginaw News. The Walker facility prints 375,000 newspapers per week. The plant also had printed Gannett publications until recently, when that company pulled production back in-house, Gruber said. Officials with Advance Local decided it made sense to switch production to Cleveland because it has twice the capacity of the Walker facility as well as outside printing contracts that they wanted to maintain, Gruber said. We have a lot more opportunity to do more business at that facility than at the Walker facility, Gruber said. The switch should not impact delivery times for print customers unless there are unforeseen vehicle accidents that disrupt trucking, he said. The move does not mark the beginning of the end of print newspapers, but rather the opposite, Gruber said. I believe with this cost savings measure, this will allow us to preserve resources to produce better content that will drive even more readers, he said. More on MLive: Michigan trying to ward off coronavirus second wave that could shutter schools and businesses Students, teachers gather for Black Lives Matter protest in Rockford West Michigan school district could change Indians team name, mascot amid racism debate The second National Study on Violence Against Women in Vietnam 2019 was released on July 14, offering a comprehensive and updated picture of this scourge, as well as what has changed since the first study, carried out in 2010. It also makes Vietnam the only country in the world so far which has conducted a second dedicated study specifically using the cross-culturally validated methodology as developed by the World Health Organisation. The study was managed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), in collaboration with the General Statistics Office, with technical and financial support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. According to Nguyen Thi Ha, MOLISA Deputy Minister and Standing Vice Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam, nearly ten years since the first survey, the percentage of women suffering from violence has decreased slightly. Positive change is clearly to be seen among young women who did not have to endure the same levels as their predecessors and who have showed their strength in fighting against violence. Women who have higher education are less likely to experience violence. This shows that education is very important in helping women to be stronger, more confident and independent in life, Ha said. Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, also agreed that the 2019 study showed some positive signs, for instance, aside from sexual violence, all forms of violence were lower in 2019 than in 2010, and this was even more pronounced amongst the younger generations. Also, the 2019 report witnessed changes in gender norms amongst young people in a progressive direction. These mean that we must make the right investments in young people to accelerate changes and eliminate completely violence against women, the UN official suggested. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Ngan Anh) However, according to Deputy Minister Ha, many women are still vulnerable to violence as violence against women often remains hidden because gender stereotypes are still common in society, the official pointed out, adding that silence, stigma from the community and a culture of blame are barriers that prevent survivors from speaking out and seeking help. At the launch, representatives from the Governments of Vietnam and Australia as well as the UNFPA called for more urgent action to end violence against women. No matter where violence happens, in what forms, or who it affects, it must be stopped, concluded UNFPA Representative Naomi Kitahara. Together, we should work to create a world where both women and men, girls and boys, can enjoy a life free from violence. We commend Vietnam for its commitment to achieving this vision. Each piece of data in this report represents the experience of a Vietnamese woman or girl, whether in their home, at work or in a public place. This report means that we hear them, we believe them, and we need to act, said Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam. Rajan said that while there were talks about Jan Dhan, it was difficult to target transfers to people through this tool. Jan Dhan, he said, does not really work as advertised. Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan on Tuesday expressed disappointment over Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's observations in a newspaper article written by her on Tuesday. He warned that banks were going to see an unprecedented rise in bad debts and the sooner the problem is recognised the better it would be. At an event organised by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Rajan said that in her article, the finance minister talked about how wonderful Gyan Sangam had been for bank reforms, but he warned that the level of non-performing assets (NPAs) was going to be unprecedented in six months from now, if these were really recognised at their true level. Gyan Sangam is an event where policy makers meet bankers. Rajan, who is now the Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, said one way to deal with bad loans was the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), but it had been suspended. "We are in trouble, the sooner we recognise the better it will be," he cautioned. How would the system deal with the mounting bad loans in the financial sector, he asked. Rajan said that while there were talks about Jan Dhan, it was difficult to target transfers to people through this tool. "We are still talking about universal (basic income) because we cant target transfers. Jan Dhan does not really work as advertised," he said. The finance minister wrote that the PM Jan Dhan Yojana launched in 2014 had provided over 390 million poor people access to banks and their services. "Together they have over Rs 1.32 trillion in these accounts," her article said. Rajan said not many people recognised that the pandemic was different from a normal recession. "It is damaging the players in the economy seriously. Households are going to be deeply starved with very low reserves. "It is hard to imagine that many of them will start consuming after the initial bout of pent up consumption," he said. Rajan cautioned that one should not mistake pent up consumption for normal consumption. "Our MSMEs are in deep trouble. They started in a bad way with the series of shocks they were subject to before the pandemic. "With the pandemic, a significant portion will not survive. That is true of the US with all the support. "Think of India, where there is no support. How many will start up after that," he wondered. Rajan warned that focusing on credit rating was just "nuts" in this environment. "Credit rating does not depend on just the level of debt, it depends on how you are going to grow out of that debt. "If we have a seriously damaged economy, we are not going to grow out of that debt," he said. He said one positive in the economy was agriculture, which was doing well and the government had come out with reforms for the sector. "These are the reforms which have been talked about for a long time, but will these be implemented?" he asked. "These can certainly be beneficial for a significant portion of our economy," he said. The event, which also included submission of discussion papers, saw Prachi Mishra, chief India economist at Goldman Sachs, submit her paper, titled "Whither India's Economy Post-Covid-19?" In her paper, Prachi said the discretionary fiscal support to deal with the crisis had been tepid in India. While the government claimed that its fiscal support amounted to 10 per cent of the country's GDP or over Rs 20 trillion, Prachi said it was 1.8 per cent of GDP or Rs 3.6 trillion, lower than not only advanced economies, but many emerging market economies as well. Even then the Centre's fiscal deficit would to balloon to 7.1 per cent of GDP, she said. The country's debt to GDP ratio would jump to 85 per cent in the current financial year and even higher in the coming years, she said. Prachi said markets and credit rating agencies appeared to be less worried about the worsening of fiscal and debt position in the short-term -- "in fact it is the reverse". "They appear to be more concerned about the fact that India may not have the administrative and fiscal capacity to implement a large fiscal support, and that would be a headwind to growth," her paper reads. What would reassure markets and avoid further credit rating downgrades is not lower fiscal spending in the short-runas many perceive, but most importantly a strategy to revive growth, combined with a credible fiscal plan for the medium term. Prachi pegged India's economic contraction at 4.5 per cent in the entire 2020-21 and 45 per cent in April-June quarter- on-quarter basis (annualised). Economist Shankaracharya found Prachi optimistic in the sense that at this level of quarterly contraction, there would be a 10 per cent contraction for the entire financial year. Vijay Joshi, reader in economics, Oxford University, said there should be immediate cash transfers to the needy to the tune of at least one per cent of GDP or possibly two per cent of GDP. Half of it should be funded in the normal way and the remainder through monetisation by the RBI, he said. Former RBI governor D Subbarao said the current crisis was different from the previous crisis in three ways -- it emerged from the non-financial sector, it was geographically wide-spread and the uncertainty was much deeper now. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters The worst thing for Amy Dunne is that she never saw her daughters face. I couldnt at the time. I had the choice and I just couldnt do it. I stood by the cot and touched her fingers and her toes, but she was never in my arms, and the blanket was covering her face. I remember watching the priest hold her to give her a blessing, and being bitter and jealous that he was holding my baby. I think maybe even at the time I knew that I would be angry for the rest of my life because I never got to see my child. Her firstborn, Jasmine, came into this world in Liverpool, but is buried in a cemetery near her home in Drogheda, north of Dublin. There was no birth or death certificate because Jasmine never took a breath. Officially, she never existed. Amy has never forgotten her. The coffin she came back from Liverpool in was too small to put a crucifix on, which I wanted, Amy explains. So they had to put her in a bigger one. I remember being in the big black car with my boyfriend and we were so worried about every bump in the road. Amy Dunne, 30, (pictured) who triggered headlines about Ireland's abortion laws in 2007, recalls being at the centre of a legal storm when she was age 17 I couldnt stop myself thinking about her being flung around and getting hurt. I know thats a bit silly, but I couldnt bear it. My boyfriend went to pieces in that car. Amy was just 17 then, in 2007. But in headlines around the world she was known as Miss D, the teenager whose pregnancy prompted an extraordinary court case and focused international attention on Irelands then inhumane abortion laws. Amy faced a terrible predicament: she was carrying a baby doctors said could not survive after birth, yet was prevented by law from having an abortion. Accessing one meant taking legal action and running a gauntlet of protesters screaming murderer on the court steps. A story from the dark ages? Well, yes and no. Thirteen years on, and partly thanks to campaigning work by Amy and others like her, no young woman should ever find herself in such a predicament again. Abortion has now been legal in the Republic of Ireland for the past year. In Northern Ireland, though one of the last regions in Western Europe where a ban was in place things are murkier. Although the British Parliament voted to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland, and the law effectively changed on March 31 this year, local political issues have led to gaps in provision. Health minister Robin Swann has been accused of using the pandemic to stall the process because of his own objections. Amy who became pregnant two months after losing her first baby, said women should be able to access an abortion for a pregnancy under 12 weeks. Pictured: Pro-Choice activists dress up as characters from The Handmaids Tale in a Dublin protest The stalling is disgraceful, because when it comes to abortion, time is of the essence, says Amy. Terrified women who need help are still finding themselves in situations they should not be in. On paper, we may have moved on, but not enough. In law, women should now be able to access an abortion as long as the pregnancy is under 12 weeks. The fact people are still debating it means there is still a question mark there. Its still a grey area, and it shouldnt be. Amy is 30 now, working as a promotional model, and is bright, articulate and informed. She is a mother, too, having become pregnant with her son Adam, now 12, just two months after losing her first baby. Ive always taken him to Jasmines grave, but hes only ever known her as Princess Jasmine. I never used the word daughter. But one day one of his friends was with us everyone around here knows what happened and talked about Jasmine being Adams sister, which confused him. I did tell him part of the story, obviously not the full story, but I will have to do that one day. Amys pregnancy at just 16 was no accident. It was planned. I wanted a baby. I wanted someone to love and who would love me. I loved my boyfriend. I wanted us to be a family. Amy discovered her firstborn had a fatal abnormality that would cause her to die soon after birth during her 12-week scan. Pictured: Amy with her mother She was a teenager who knew her own mind, but Amy had had a difficult upbringing. Her mother had issues with alcohol and dependency, and Amy was effectively in care. I was living in a B&B it wasnt a place for a teenager. I was still a child. Her pregnancy seemed to offer an escape. I was so happy. It was the new start Id wanted. Her family and her boyfriends family were shocked, but supportive. Both mothers were excited about the 12-week scan, on Amys 17th birthday. But during the scan, the sonographer went quiet, then said she needed to consult a superior. Amys baby had anencephaly, a fatal abnormality which means the brain does not develop. The child would die soon after birth. I was in shock. To me it wasnt English. I had no idea what he was talking about. I panicked and ran off down the road, to where my mum was waiting. She stresses that she had never considered an abortion before. At the time, I would have said I was pro-life, although Id never even heard that term. When Amy got home, she Googled anencephaly. Pictures can be horrific; she was not mentally prepared for what she saw. Amy recalls the chief social worker telling her that she has to have the baby and she would be arrested if she tried to go to England for an abortion. Pictured: Activists in Dublin in 2018 I remember thinking I dont want her in there. I cant do this. It felt like I had an alien in my belly. Abortion was illegal, but everyone knew girls could travel to England for the procedure. Amy rues the day she told her social workers she was pregnant and wanted their help to arrange an abortion. It was the one time I tried to do things the right way, she says. I genuinely thought they would help. But instead all their Catholic views came out. They were horrified. The heavy-handed way Amy was dealt with is shocking. The chief social worker, a man, told me Id have to have the baby, and if I tried to go to England, Id be arrested for murder, and anyone who helped me would be an accomplice. I could go to jail. His threats were unfounded, but Amy walked away terrified. Now I know that was ridiculous, crazy, but at the time I was petrified. It wasnt like a selfish thing like Id got pregnant then changed my mind. The baby wasnt going to survive. But I was treated like a criminal. We discovered later that the social worker had rung the guards (Irish police) and tried to get them to stop me going. The guards said they couldnt do that. The passport office said they couldnt get involved, but the fact they were asked shows how determined Social Services were to stop me. It was cruel. It was wrong. Amy said the social workers went to town trying to cause trouble between her and her mother when she went to court. Pictured: Amy with her mother A sympathetic social worker advised Amy and her mother to get a solicitor. I called and explained what was happening, Amy recalls. Then suddenly, I was in the High Court. It all happened so fast. Amys lawyers challenged the right of the local authority to stop her travelling to the UK for an abortion. The legal challenge was timely Irelands abortion laws (some of the most draconian in Western Europe at the time) were already under scrutiny, and this would prove a significant case in shaping public opinion. Amy found herself at the centre of a legal storm, and woefully ill-equipped to be there. There were hundreds of people. Lawyers in wigs and gowns, journalists, people off the street it was open court. They couldnt report my name, but everyone saw me. There were protesters outside. All I saw were people with banners saying Murderer. One man tried to pray over me, as he was calling me a murderer. People were shouting about Satan. Amys life was laid bare her troubled relationship with her mother, their rows. My mum is my rock now, and she was in court every single day, but the social workers went to town trying to cause trouble between us. They broke down our family and separated me from my mum, at exactly the point I needed her most. Amy explained that even before the judge's verdict, she knew that she couldn't go through with travelling to the UK for an abortion. Pictured: Activists in Belfast in 2017 The governments defence team argued Amy was not fit to make decisions about her own life, or her unborn child. They were determined to prove I was mad, suicidal, she says. As legal tussles continued over three weeks, her belly swelled. I actually felt her first flutters on my way into court. I started to bond with Jasmine. She wasnt this thing in my belly any more. She was my baby. This is another source of anger that the legal arguments forced her to bond with a baby who could never live. I didnt have the option not to love her. The court found in Amys favour. The judge condemned her treatment, and said she was free to travel to the UK for an abortion. A few days later, now 20 weeks pregnant, Amy was in a Liverpool hospital. But not for an abortion. Even before the verdict I knew I couldnt go through with that. Id Googled it, and watched a video. At the stage my pregnancy was at, it would have involved having the baby yanked out of me with forceps. What I saw horrified me. She decided on an induced birth. This would involve going through labour and delivering a child who would die shortly afterwards. Her induction was planned, and she prepared to go into labour. In the final scans, however, it became apparent Amys baby had died. Amy said everything changed after her daughter was born, as some neighbours openly supported her. Pictured: Amy and her mother There was no heartbeat, but I was about to go into labour, so they didnt tell me. They knew it would distress me. They told my mum, but kept it from me. When she was born I dont remember anything more than being so tired. I went to sleep. Later they told me shed died inside me. They were very good. They took her fingerprints and footprints, which I am so grateful for, because they are all I have. Once home, Amy found everything had changed. Although she hadnt been identified, everyone knew, or at least knew a part of the story. Some neighbours openly supported her, but she felt others still judged. I felt shame about it. I had this guilty secret, something too taboo to even talk about. Yet last year as the movement for abortion reform gathered pace, Amy bravely decided to share her story publicly in Ireland. She was floored by the response. People would come up to me in the street women, men; couples telling me their stories. She supported the campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment of the Constitution, allowing abortion in certain circumstances, yet insists she is by no means pro-abortion. I still struggle with it. But I am pro-choice. No one makes these decisions lightly, and you have to live with the decision for the rest of your life. Amy revealed she doesn't regret speaking out, although things have been more difficult than they would've been if she stayed under the radar. Pictured: Activists in Belfast in 2019 Going public also brought problems. She has had to reset social media accounts due to unwelcome messages online. Charges have been brought, in Ireland, against a man she claims broke into her home and harassed her. Court proceedings are active, so she cannot elaborate; suffice to say her notoriety has been a double-edged sword. Things have been more difficult for me than they would have been, had I just stayed under the radar, she says. But I still dont regret speaking out, because women of my generation have to, to protect the ones coming behind us. Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about her story is that she found the strength to rebuild her life. The birth of her son gave her a focus. I was terrified all the way through that pregnancy, but when he was born it was the best moment. Having him was the best thing Ive ever done. She did not stay with Adams father. We werent strong enough to withstand everything that happened, she says, but they remain on good terms. And her relationship with her mother is now stronger than ever. One day she will tell Adam the full story of his sister. Until then, there is a simpler version. Ive told him Princess Jasmine was my baby too, and now shes an angel and shes in Heaven. Hes happy with that, for now. First visitors arrive at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, on July 15, 2020. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) Masks and Mickey: Disneyland Paris Reopens After Four-Month Closure PARISDisneyland Paris welcomed back visitors on Wednesday after a four-month closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, with face masks and social distancing the order of the day. First visitors arrive at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, on July 15, 2020. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) A steady stream of visitors trickled in during the morning, with one group wearing Mickey Mouse ears and dancing with glee as they entered Europes most visited theme park. First visitors arrive at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, on July 15, 2020. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) Masks were mandatory and advance booking required. Visitors to the park, which has imposed a limited capacity, were told to keep a metre (3 feet) away from others, and hundreds of sanitising-gel and hand-washing stations were scattered around. First visitors arrive at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, on July 15, 2020. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) No tickets were sold at the entrance, while playgrounds and make-up workshops remained closed. Chefs welcome the first visitors arriving at Disneyland Paris as the theme park reopens its doors to the public in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in France, on July 15, 2020. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) Walt Disney World also reopened its two most popular parks in Orlando, on Saturday, despite a surge of new infections in Florida. But in Hong Kong, the company has decided to temporarily close its Disneyland park amid rising coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city. By Charles Platiau and Noemie Olive The world has been battling the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on a war footing for more than six months now. Globally the number of cases by Wednesday evening reached 13,349,795 and death toll stood at 579,335. Amidst the crisis, many countries have ramped up their vaccine development and its human trials. Here are the nations and their progress in developing a COVID-19 vaccine: US: 14 July: The US biotech firm Moderna said it would enter the final stage of human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine on July 27, after promising early results were published in an influential journal. The Phase 3 trial will recruit 30,000 participants in the US. India: 14 July: Bharat Biotech has started the first phase of human clinical trials for Indias first coronavirus vaccine candidate Covaxin. Covaxin is being developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Researchs Pune-based National Institute of Virology. On July 3, Zydus Cadila announced its vaccine candidate for COVID-19 successfully completed the preclinical phase and received permission from the Drug Controller General of India - Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to initiate Phase I/II (combined) human clinical trials. It became the second company in India to enter the Covid-19 vaccine race after Bharat Biotech. Russia: There is only one candidate vaccine being developed in Russia which has reached the human clinical trial stage. That candidate, being developed by the Gamalei National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, in partnership with the Russian Defence Ministry, had begun phase-I human trials on June 18. UK: In the UK, two potential Coronavirus vaccine candidates have raised hopes. One is developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is at Phase III (final stage of clinical trials). Another is being developed by Imperial College London and they began Phase I/II trials on June 15. China: 6 July: China's Sinovac Biotech is starting Phase III trials of its potential coronavirus vaccine in Brazil, becoming one of three companies to move into the late stages in the race to develop an inoculation against the disease. The joint development by Beijing Institute of Technology and biotech firm CanSino is in phase 2 of human trials. Wuhan Institute and Sinopharms COVID19 vaccine candidate is at the Phase II stage. Beijing Institute of Biological products and Sinopharms vaccine candidate is at the Phase II stage. Japan: On June 30, the Japanese biotechnology company AnGes announced they had started safety trials on a DNA-based vaccine, developed in partnership with Osaka University and Takara Bio. Australia: 13 July: Researchers from the Australian biotech company CSL and the University of Queensland began a Phase I human trial with an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. Gerardo Mora/Getty Images En espanol | Many amusement and theme parks in the United States that closed suddenly in March due to the pandemic have now opened including biggies such as Disneys four parks in Orlando, Florida. But across the board, new rules and changes are in effect, such as requiring face coverings unless youre eating or on water rides, reminders for physical distancing and handwashing, hand-sanitation stations throughout the properties, and blocked-off seats on rides to keep guests apart. (They havent gone as far as Japanese amusement parks, which have asked roller coaster riders not to scream because that could potentially spread the coronavirus.) And it might take longer just to get inside the parks: All of the countrys big attractions listed below including Disneyland, Hersheypark and Universal Orlando are requiring visitors and employees to have their temperatures checked with a touchless thermometer. Anyone with a reading of 100.4 F or above wont be admitted. Bottom line: Visiting these popular amusement destinations this summer will be very different than it was in 2019. Before going, you need to assess your own risk tolerance and consider the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions guidance for travel, which includes asking: Whether COVID-19 is spreading in your community or the area youre visiting. If so, you may have a higher chance of becoming infected or infecting others. f you or a loved one has an underlying condition that might increase the risk for complications from the disease. If youll be able to maintain a 6-foot distance between yourself and others during travel and at your destination. Whether the destination requires that visitors quarantine themselves for 14 days upon arrival. Park officials goal will be to allow people to have fun safely. Theyll try to prevent drawing large crowds to one spot where it would be hard to stay physically distant, says Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com. Youll still be able to get your family picture in front of Cinderellas Castle or Hogwarts, he notes, but dont expect to see fireworks, big parades or nighttime spectaculars. Heres more on what to expect at some of the hottest attractions around the country with a reminder that temperature checks and masks for everyone 2 and older are required at each. Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando When you can go: The Magic Kingdom Park and Disneys Animal Kingdom Park opened July 11, and Disneys Hollywood Studios and Epcot opened July 15. The openings come with a new reservation system and ticketing protocols that require guests to book their park reservations in advance. On July 9, Walt Disney World Resorts reservations system opened to the general public; it initially only allowed guests with existing tickets, annual passholders and those with hotel reservations to book. (Learn more about the new Disney Park Pass System online.) Anyone can also now purchase tickets and make hotel reservations for 2021. Attendance is being limited, and FastPass+ service (for avoiding long waits for rides) wont be offered. Masks are required, but not just any mask: Be aware that neck gaiters, bandanas and the like wont fly. Whether disposable or reusable, face coverings must be made with at least two layers of breathable material, fully cover the nose and mouth, fit securely under the chin, and be secured with ties or earloops. Disney has also announced that visitors must be stationary while eating or drinking, to prevent people from walking around with their masks off while snacking or drinking. Youre likely to find social distance squads deployed throughout the parks to ensure guests follow the rules of safe spacing. The parks are not yet confirming which rides and attractions may remain closed as the summer progresses. But count on some lines taking longer than others, including the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Magic Kingdom Park, where the boats are sanitized and then run through the ride sans passengers to dry before welcoming the next guests. And while there are no parades or nighttime spectaculars until further notice at the parks, you might see a pop-up cavalcade, such as a float with Mickey and Minnie and friends and impromptu music, pass by during your visit. Check the official website for status updates, and download the My Disney Experience App on your phone before you go for the most current information while youre there. Sena alleged that BJP is working behind the curtain to destabilize government in Rajasthan to bring the government to BJP leader Scindia Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the latter is working to destabilize the government of opposition parties in many states. The Sena also alleged that the BJP is working behind the curtain to destabilize the government in Rajasthan and has entrusted a task to bring the government to BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. He had quit the Congress in March 2020 and joined the BJP along with his 22-supporter MLAs in Madhya Pradesh. An editorial in Saamana, the partys mouthpiece, said that instead of resolving the issues of economic challenges, the BJP is poking its nose in the Congresss internal affairs and encouraging horse-trading for the power. The Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan is facing rough weather with his deputy Sachin Pilot declaring open rebellion against him. Mr Pilot, who was sacked from state unit chief by the party high command on Tuesday, has claimed the Gehlot government is in minority and that he has support of 30 Congress MLAs in the 200-member state Assembly. What is the BJP going to achieve with this political misadventure, by causing a storm in the desert? Such steps will rather turn the parliamentary democracy into a desert, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. The country is facing problems like a coronavirus-triggered collapse of the economy and Chinese intrusion in Ladakh. The killings of 20 Indian soldiers in a face-off with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley is still afresh. Instead of solving these issues, the BJP is interfering in the internal bickering of the Congress and encouraging horse-trading in Rajasthan, the Sena alleged. It was predicted that Pilot would also go the Scindia way and it seems to be happening, the Marathi publication observed. With Pilot claiming that the Gehlot government is in minority, the Shiv Sena said the future of the Congress dispensation in Rajasthan, however, will be decided only on the floor of the House. It said Gehlots allegation that Congress MLAs are being offered `25 crore each to switch loyalties is a serious one. It is also mysterious that raids are being carried out on properties of legislators supporting the Rajasthan chief minister, the Shiv Sena said. It accused Scindia of working hard to see that Pilot quits the Congress. Pilots hatred for Gehlot is destabilising the Rajasthan government, the Shiv Sena alleged. Several Congress leaders, including Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor and former MP Priya Dutt, on Tuesday, expressed disappointment at the removal of from the posts in the party and from the Rajasthan Cabinet. Tharoor said that he considers Pilot to be "one of our best and brightest". Meanwhile, Dutt said that along with the loss of Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Congress had lost "two stalwarts young leaders with great potential." "I am sad to see leave INC India. I consider him one of our best and brightest and wish it had not come to this. Instead of parting, he should have joined the effort to make the Party a better and more effective instrument for his, and our, dreams," Tharoor's tweet read. Dutt also tweeted from her official Twitter handle, "Another friend leaves the party both Sachin and Jyotirajya were colleagues and good friends, unfortunately, our party has lost 2 stalwart young leaders with great potential. I don't believe being ambitious is wrong. They have worked hard through the most difficult times." Further, Sanjay Jha too had hailed the contribution of Pilot in ensuring Congress' win in Rajasthan in the last Assembly elections and termed today's events as a loss for the party as a whole. "For five years gave his blood, tears, toil and sweat for the Congress party between 2013-18. The Congress came back from a wretched 21 seats to 100. We just gave him a performance bonus. We are so meritocratic. We are so transparent," Jha had tweeted earlier in the day. Jha, however, was suspended from the Congress, via a press release by the Maharashtra PCC chief Balasaheb Thorat, for "anti-party activities and breach of discipline". Pilot, was removed as Deputy Chief Minister and Rajasthan PCC Chief, as announced by Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala today. "Sachin Pilot, Vishvendra Singh, and Ramesh Meena have been removed from the posts of Deputy Chief Minister and Ministerial posts respectively. Sachin Pilot has also been removed as the Rajasthan PCC Chief," said Surjewala. The Rajasthan Congress has been in turmoil over the past few days. While Chief Minister has blamed the BJP for attempting to destabilise the State government by poaching MLAs, Pilot had been camping in Delhi. Pilot, on the other hand, has abstained from making any statement about his future course of action and simply tweeted thanking his supporters. "My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who have come out in my support today. Ram Ram Sa," Pilot's tweet read. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 1995-2022 Hospitality Net All rights reservedHospitality Net is powered by Hsyndicate Without further disaster relief, there will a significant housing and financial issue. From the NMHC: NMHC Rent Payment Tracker Finds 87.6 Percent of Apartment Households Paid Rent as of July 13 The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)s Rent Payment Tracker found 87.6 percent of apartment households made a full or partial rent payment by July 13 in its survey of 11.4 million units of professionally managed apartment units across the country. This is a 2.5-percentage point decrease from the share who paid rent through July 13, 2019 and compares to 89.0 percent that had paid by June 13, 2020. These data encompass a wide variety of market-rate rental properties across the United States, which can vary by size, type and average rental price. The government support, including unemployment benefits, that has proven so important to so many apartment residents expires at the end of the month, said Doug Bibby, NMHC President. Lawmakers need to continue to protect the individuals and families that call an apartment home. If action isnt taken now we risk making the nations housing affordability challenges far worse, rolling back the initial economic recovery and putting tens of millions at risk of greater health and financial distress. emphasis added CR Note: It appears fewer people are paying their rent compared to last year (down 2.5 percentage points from a year ago). In the previous surveys, over the last few months, people were paying their rents at about the same pace as last year. The disaster relief has been key to helping people pay their bills, especially the extra unemployment benefits and the PPP. An eight-year-old Pakistani girl died in a hospital on Wednesday after she was gang-raped by two men in a village in Punjab province, sparking outrage among the locals who demanded public hanging of the rapists. According to police, the girl, the daughter of a rickshaw driver, was playing outside her house on Monday at Buttar Dograan-Chawinda village in Sialkot district, some 130 kms from Lahore when two suspects gave her some intoxicant in juice and took her to a deserted place. They gang-raped her and tortured her. The suspects fled when some locals reached there after hearing the child's screams. The girl was shifted to a hospital in Sialkot in a critical condition where she died on Wednesday due to excessive bleeding, police said. The family and local residents held a demonstration and blocked a road to protest against the incident and police apathy. They demanded that the culprits be arrested and hanged publicly. They ended the protest after the district police chief Mustansar Feroze told them that the accused have been arrested. The girls family also demanded to include Anti-Terrorism Act section in the FIR against the suspects. In 2018, a country-wide outrage was witnessed over the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Kasur, some 50 kms from Lahore. For the first time in the countrys history, an anti-terrorism court handed down death penalty to the suspect, Imran Ali, 23, after four-day proceedings. Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore handed down death penalty to a suspect on three counts in a rape and murder case of a minor boy in Chunian city, some 70 kms from here. According to police, the convict had killed the boy after sexually assaulting him. Popular American rapper, Kanye West has reportedly withdrawn from the US presidential race, less than two weeks after announcing that he would run for the 2020 presidency. Intelligencer reports that Kanye West had hired campaign staff who were looking into getting his name listed as a third-party candidate in Florida and several other states, but the team has now reportedly been told the bid is off. Steve Kramer, an election strategist hired by Kanyes team to assist him in being added to the voting card, said that the rapper was working over the weekend in Florida formalizing the FEC. However, according to Kramer, it looks like the plan was just too overwhelming because Kanye West is now out of the race against President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden. Hes out. Ill let you know what I know once I get all our stuff canceled. We had over 180 people out there today, Kramer told Intelligencer when the Florida campaign came to an end. Kramer added that Kanye Wests newly-hired team was upset about the end of his campaign, stating that the mix of volunteers and paid workers were looking forward to his run. I have nothing good or bad to say about Kanye, added Kramer. Everyone has their personal decision about why they make decisions. Running for president has to be one of the hardest things for someone to actually contemplate at that level. As at the time of filling this report, the 43-year-old award-winning rapper has not officially announced if he has backed out of the US presidential race. KanyiDaily recalls that on July 4, 2020, Kanye West had in a shocking move announced he would be running for the US presidency a decision that was backed by Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla. Australia was initially praised for its response to the pandemic, but a second surge began creeping through Victoria last month and reaching parts of neighboring New South Wales, the countrys most populous state. New South Wales officials have said they would likely introduce new restrictions but stop short of imposing a strict lockdown. Declining childhood vaccination rates could pose a threat greater than Covid-19 itself, the W.H.O. warns. Childhood vaccination rates continue to plunge in the wake of the pandemic, and the World Health Organization warned that the fallout from missed vaccinations could end up being worse than Covid-19. The avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunizations could be far greater than Covid-19 itself, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.s director general, said in a statement, Three quarters of the countries that responded to a new survey by the World Health Organization reported disruptions in immunization programs through May. The report, the second to show a drop in vaccinations because of the pandemic, said that at least 30 measles vaccination campaigns were or are at risk of being canceled. It added that other vaccine programs that require three doses, for diseases like diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, reported a substantial drop in the number of children who received vaccinations. Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in the history of public health, and more children are now being immunized than ever before, Dr. Tedros said in the statement. But the pandemic has put those gains at risk. He added that vaccines can still be administered during the pandemic. The study, conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said there are a variety of reasons more parents are not getting their children vaccinated. Some are reluctant to leave home, some face restrictions on movement, interruptions to transportation, economic hardships and the fear of exposure to the coronavirus. It also noted that many health workers have been redeployed to work on the pandemic, as well as a lack of protective equipment. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif telephoned his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts on Tuesday to discuss the latest ceasefire violations on the border between Irans two South Caucasus neighbors. The official Iranian news agency IRNA said Zarif urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to exercise restraint and restart talks on a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He also expressed Irans readiness to help defuse tensions between the conflicting parties. The Iranian Foreign Ministry made a similar statement earlier in the day. We believe these two neighboring countries should resolve their difference peacefully, and the Islamic Republic of Iran has always announced its readiness to help settle this row, a ministry spokesman said, according to another Iranian news agency, ISNA. During the separate phone conversations, Foreign Ministers Zohrab Mnatsakanian of Armenia and Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan briefed Zarif on the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Each conflicting side again blamed the other for heavy fighting that broke out there on Sunday. According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Zarif told Mammadyarov that Tehran stands ready to facilitate a Karabakh settlement. International efforts to end the conflict have long been spearheaded by the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe co-headed by the United States, Russia and France. (Newser) Dr. Anthony Fauci says White House attempts to discredit him are "bizarre"but he would prefer to concentrate on fighting the pandemic instead of the "games people are playing." In an interview with the Atlantic published Wednesday, the nation's top infectious-disease expert said the White House attacks, including the release of a document listing times he had supposedly contradicted himself, are "nonsense." "I cannot figure out in my wildest dreams why they would want to do that," Fauci said. "I think they realize now that that was not a prudent thing to do, because it's only reflecting negatively on them." As for Peter Navarro, the White House economic adviser who slammed Fauci as "wrong about everything" in an op-ed, "he's in a world by himself. So I don't even want to go there," Fauci said. story continues below Fauci said he met with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows Monday and told him the White House memo was a mistake. "When the staff lets out something like that and the entire scientific and press community push back on it, it ultimately hurts the president," he said. "And I don't really want to hurt the president." Fauciwho told the Atlantic he just wants to do his job and has no intention of resigningsaid it is time to "push a reset button" in the fight against the coronavirus and get everybody on the same team. He said if states in trouble right now "pause and say 'Okay, we're going to do it right, everyone wear a mask, bars closed, no congregating in crowds, keep your distance, protect the vulnerable'if we do that for a few weeks in a row, I'll guarantee you those numbers will come down." (Read more Anthony Fauci stories.) Wednesday, July 15, 2020 Co-CEO Mr. Pulak Sharma will be joining Cowen Inc. representing CBD manufacturers along with CV Sciences and Charlottes Web for a panel discussion entitled CBD Company Perspectives on FDA Outlook. The Cowen Virtual Presentation Series, 2020 Cannabis Policy Summit, will take place on Thursday, July 16th, beginning at 12 PM ET. The panel for CBD Company Perspectives on FDA Outlook is scheduled from 3:45 PM 4:30 PM ET Request registration for this event here: https://www.meetmax.com/sched/event_65449/conference_home.html?bank_access=0&event_id=65449 Sourcegraph, a San Francisco, CA-baased startup that provides Universal Code Search, raised an additional $5m in Series B funding. The round was led by Felicis Ventures. The company, which raised $23m in March 2020, this bringing the B round to $28M and total to over $46m to date, intends to use the funds to double its headcount by years end, in all departments such as engineering, marketing, sales and product development. They had raised $20M in Series A funding (read here). Led by CEO Quinn Slack, Sourcegraph provides Universal Code Search for developers at companies including Uber, Lyft, Yelp and Plaid to quickly explore and understand all code to improve productivity. Contextual code intelligence enables better code reviews and onboarding for new hires, and code change campaigns automate large-scale changes. FinSMEs 15/07/2020 By Pankaj Mishra July 14, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The abyss of history is deep enough to hold us all, Paul Valery wrote in 1919, as Europe lay in ruins. The words resonate today as the coronavirus blows the roof off the world, most brutally exposing Britain and the United States, these prime movers of modern civilisation, which proudly claimed victory in two world wars, and in the Cold War, and which until recently held themselves up as exemplars of enlightened progress, economic and cultural models to be imitated across the globe. The true test of a good government, Alexander Hamilton wrote, is its aptitude and tendency to produce a good administration. It is a test the United States and Britain have failed ruinously during the current crisis. Both countries had weeks of warnings about the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan; strategies deployed by nations that responded early, such as South Korea and Taiwan, could have been adapted and implemented. But Donald Trump and Boris Johnson chose instead to claim immunity. I think its going to work out fine, Trump announced on 19 February. On 3 March, the day the UKs Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies warned against shaking hands, Johnson boasted after a visit to a hospital treating coronavirus patients: I shook hands with everybody, you will be pleased to know, and I continue to shake hands. Epidemiologists have become the idols of a frightened public and scientific rigour has gained a new status in large parts of the world. But the current regimes in the US and Britain gained power by fomenting hatred of experts and expertise. British ministers, chosen for their devotion to Brexit and loyalty to Johnson, have revealed themselves as dangerous blunderers. Trump, still promoting family, flunkeys and conspiracy theories, has obliged his administrations scientific authorities, Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, to tiptoe around his volcanic ego. The blithe inaction and bumbling born of ideological vanity have resulted in tens of thousands of avoidable deaths in both countries, with ethnic minorities heavily overrepresented. Meanwhile, rage against white supremacism is exploding on American streets. Whatever the fate of these uprisings, the largest since the 1960s, a period of devastation lies ahead. Tens of millions of people are likely to lose their livelihoods and their dignity. As a general insurrection erupts against Americas foundational inequities, and a British national identity propped up by fantasies of empire finally splinters, it isnt enough to lament the authoritarian populism of Trump and Johnson, to blame identity politics and the intolerant left, or to claim moral superiority over China, Russia and Iran. The early winners of modern history now seem to be its biggest losers, with their delegitimised political systems, grotesquely distorted economies and shattered social contracts. Narcissistic intellectual habits, which credit moral virtue and political wisdom to countries such as India because they appear to conform to Anglo-American notions of democracy and capitalism, will have to be abandoned. More attention must be paid to the specific historical experiences and political traditions of Germany, Japan and South Korea countries once described (and dismissed) as authoritarian and protectionist and the methods they have used to mitigate the suffering caused both by manmade change and sudden calamity. The idea of strategic state-building, historically alien to Britain and the US, will have to be grappled with. Covid-19 has exposed the worlds greatest democracies as victims of prolonged self-harm; it has also demonstrated that countries with strong state capacity have been far more successful at stemming the viruss spread and look better equipped to cope with the social and economic fallout. Germany, which successfully used a low-tech test and trace programme, is reinstating its Kurzarbeit (short-work) scheme, which was first used in the early 20th century but proved particularly valuable after the 2008 financial crisis. South Korea rolled out testing at walk-in booths all over the country, then used credit card records and location data from mobile phones to trace the movements of infected people a tactic Britain has failed to master after months of effort. Other East Asian countries such as Taiwan and Singapore are also faring much better. Vietnam swiftly routed the virus. China managed to curb its spread and has since dispatched medics and medical supplies around the world. Anglo-Americas dingy realities deindustrialisation, low-wage work, underemployment, hyper-incarceration and enfeebled or exclusionary health systems have long been evident. Nevertheless, the moral, political and material squalor of two of the wealthiest and most powerful societies in history still comes as a shock to some. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Newsletter In a widely circulated essay in the Atlantic, George Packer claimed that every morning in the endless month of March, Americans woke up to find themselves citizens of a failed state. In fact, the state has been AWOL for decades, and the market has been entrusted with the tasks most societies reserve almost exclusively for government: healthcare, pensions, low-income housing, education, social services and incarceration. As Ronald Reagan put it in 1986, the most terrifying words in the English language are: Im from the government, and Im here to help. The assumptions of the Anglo-American mainstream have remained unchanged for decades, despite the dramatic rise of nation-states whose political, social and economic structures are marked by what Hamilton called the incitement and patronage of government. Milton Friedmans argument that the world runs on individuals pursuing their separate interests became the common sense of our age. Anglo-America amassed unprecedented cultural and ideological power, even as self-inflicted calamities such as Iraq and the financial crisis diminished its geopolitical influence, and inequality together with an eviscerated social infrastructure blighted the lives of its working people. English has been the language of globalisation, helping broadcasters such as CNN and the BBC, as well as periodicals such as the New York Times, the Economist and the Financial Times, to increase their international reach and prestige. A network of institutions, foundations and think tanks, including the Ivy League universities and Oxbridge, have trained the worlds politicians, businessmen, academics and journalists in the Anglo-American ideologies of unfettered markets and minimal government. Hailing globalisation as a revolutionary force in the late 1990s, the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman became a guru to corporate chieftains from Bangalore to Atlanta with his argument that neutering government, American-style, and deregulating economies were necessary and inevitable steps on the path to a flat world. After 9/11, George W. Bush managed to create a political and journalistic consensus around the notion that the global expansion of democracy is the ultimate force in rolling back terrorism and tyranny. In the New York Times magazine, Niall Ferguson urged Americans to re-establish with military force the British empire of free trade and balanced budgets. In a cover story, the Atlantic described torture as a necessary evil. Andrew Sullivan called for the extermination of the enemy in all its forms relentlessly, constantly, insistently. Time, Newsweek and the Spectator, as well as the Murdoch-owned media, fervently promoted fantasies of Anglo-American supremacism. In retrospect, this ideological synergy of bumptious men was a case of catastrophic success, which guaranteed maximal shock and bewilderment in its aftermath. In recent years, civil wars in Iraq and Libya, the financial crisis, Brexit and Trumps election have made it clear that democracy cannot be implanted by military force; that humanitarian war creates forces such as IS in the ruins of destroyed states; and that while state economic controls can make a communist country central to global capitalism, Anglo-American free marketeering results in intolerable inequity. The escalating warning signs that absolute cultural power provincialises, if not corrupts, by deepening ignorance about both foreign countries and political and economic realities at home can no longer be avoided as the US and Britain cope with mass death and the destruction of livelihoods. Covid-19 shattered what John Stuart Mill called the deep slumber of a decided opinion, forcing many to realise that they live in a broken society, with a carefully dismantled state. As the Suddeutsche Zeitung put it in May, unequal and unhealthy societies are a good breeding ground for the pandemic. Profit-maximising individuals and businesses, it turns out, cant be trusted to create a just and efficient healthcare system, or to extend social security to those who need it most. East Asian states have displayed far superior decision-making and policy implementation. Some (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea) have elected leaders; two (China, Vietnam) are single-party dictatorships that call themselves communist. They share the assumption that genuine public interest is different from the mere aggregation of private interests, and is best realised through long-term government planning and policy. They also believe that only an educated and socially responsible elite can maintain social, economic and political order. The legitimacy of this ruling class derives not so much from routine elections as from its ability to ensure social cohesion and collective well-being. Its success in alleviating suffering during the pandemic suggests that the idealised view of democracy and free markets prized since the Cold War will not survive much longer. Few narratives are more edifying, as economies tank and mass unemployment looms, than the account of the social state that emerged in Germany in the second half of the 19th century. The state must take the matter into its own hands, Bismarck announced in the 1880s as he introduced insurance programmes for accident, sickness, disability and old age. German liberals, a tiny but influential minority, made the usual objections: Bismarck was opening the door to communism, imposing a centralised state bureaucracy, a state insurance juggernaut and a system of state pension for idlers and parasites. German socialists saw that their Machiavellian persecutor was determined to drive a wedge between them and the working class. Nevertheless, Bismarcks social insurance system wasnt only retained and expanded in Germany as it moved through two world wars, several economic catastrophes and Nazi rule; it also became a model for much of the world. Japan was Germanys most assiduous pupil, and the Japanese, in turn, inspired Chinas first generation of modern leaders, many of whom spent years in Tokyo and Osaka. Despite the defeat and devastation of the Second World War and the US occupation, Japan has continued to influence East Asias other late-developing nation-states: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam. What made Germany such a compelling prototype for Japan? It is that Germany was a classic late developer the archetype of all nation-states in Asia and Africa. It unified only in 1871 and began to industrialise nearly a hundred years after Britain. Its leaders had to cope with the simultaneous challenges of rapid mechanisation and urbanisation, the disappearance of traditional livelihoods, the growth of trusts and cartels as well as trade unions, and an intensifying demand, articulated by a vibrant socialist movement, for political participation. Buffeted by socio-economic changes and rising inequality, Germany faced early on what Japan and every other late-developing nation was forced to confront the social question. Max Weber put it bluntly: how to unite socially a nation split apart by modern economic development, for the hard struggles of the future? Weber was among the conservative German nationalists who saw the social question as a matter of life or death. Military and economic rivalry with Britain was a daunting enough prospect for their fledgling state. But, as disaffection increased among the classes uprooted and exploited by industrial capitalism a political party representing the interests of the working classes emerged in Germany decades before it did in Britain the fear of socialist revolution also preyed on the minds of German leaders. They could not set about removing impediments to individual freedom in the way their counterparts in laissez-faire Britain were then doing, nor could they entrust economic affairs to the invisible hand of the market. As the deliberations of the influential Verein fur Socialpolitik (Association for Social Policy) between 1872 and 1882 reveal, unfettered economic liberalism was seen as a threat to institutions and to a still fragile national unity. The safest way to defuse the volatile social question, the association decided, was to ensure state-guaranteed protection for citizens exposed to extreme socio-economic tumult and radical insecurity what Bismarck, seeking to outmanoeuvre his socialist opponents, described as moderate, reasonable state socialism. In Atlantic Crossings: Social Politics in a Progressive Age (1998), Daniel Rodgers showed that many Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries returned from stays in Germany with ideas that would inform the New Deal. Little, however, is still known about the global history of this German-devised state what W.E.B. Du Bois, who was in turn-of-the-century Germany as a student, described as the guardian and leader of the social and industrial interests of the people. Its not surprising that the social state receives scant attention in boosterish Anglo-American accounts of the making of the modern world. Milton Friedman claimed that postwar Japan and South Korea were exemplars of open, competitive markets; Francis Fukuyama credited the prewar successes of Germany and Japan to economic liberalism. Its also true that the social question did not until recently seem as critical in Anglo-America as in late-developing nations. Britain, the first major imperialist power of the modern era, successfully combined its early industrial and scientific revolution with slave labour and land grabs from Fiji to the Caribbean. Socialism stood little chance in a country where habits of deference to the ruling classes were (and remain) deeply entrenched. Alexander Hamilton is a rare example of an early American internationalist who saw strong states as playing an essential role in the hard struggles of the future. But Americans, busy forging a nation from the white masters of a slave society, could afford to ignore him. They had the advantage of a constantly expanding frontier at home during the 19th century, by the end of which they had become commercially and militarily powerful, ready and keen to savour territories, resources and markets abroad. Hegel predicted that since the American political community was defined by the preponderance of private interest, it would only achieve a real state and a real government after wealth and poverty become extreme, compelling an economically exhausted people to seek new forms of governance. Such a modernisation has never been accomplished; as Samuel Huntington once argued, the American republic continues to resemble a Tudor monarchy more closely even than Britains constitutional monarchy. Outdated institutions and ideologies endured partly because collective action by workers never matched the potent appeal of private interests. When inequality grew intolerable and meritocracy began to appear a fraud, the American ruling class answered its social question more ferociously than many tyrants, with mass incarceration removing many of the long-term victims of slave society from public life. The American state had little authority to intervene in social and economic realms on behalf of ordinary citizens, but at the same time its mandate to protect the liberty of its citizens from foreign states and non-state actors turned the US into a military behemoth abroad and expanded the infrastructure of white domination at home. The New Deal was an exceptional instance of a US government recognising that the state can and should be a guardian of the peoples interests; but it arose out of the twin calamities of the First World War and the Great Depression. Struggling to survive them, even extreme individualists were forced to recognise that, as Walter Lippmann wrote, to create a minimum standard of life below which no human being can fall is the most elementary duty of the democratic state. After the Second World War, nearly all Western governments accepted, to varying degrees, that the state was a necessary actor, even if they didnt all agree that it was the greatest moral institution for the education of mankind (in the words of Gustav Schmoller). The leaders of the free world were keen to appear to be working hard to secure social justice as well as prosperity for their citizens; even the most conservative among them seemed to agree with Bismarck that the state cannot exist without a certain socialism. Responding to East Germanys claim that it possessed a superior social security system, Christian Democrats extended the West German system to benefit increasing numbers of people. These were also the decades when the National Health Service was created; when welfare projects like Lyndon Johnsons Great Society, which promised cash benefits for all families in need, were launched; and when civil rights legislation was introduced with one nervous eye on Soviet propagandists, who tirelessly and irrefutably pointed to the organised degradation of African Americans in the US. Such small moves towards a social state provoked dismay among ordoliberal dogmatists in Europe, such as Wilhelm Ropke, who accused the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations of endangering the racial unity of the West by pursuing socialistic ideas of equality. In Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism, Quinn Slobodian tracks the circulation of Ropkes ideas among right-wing Americans aghast at their leaders egalitarian rhetoric and welfare programmes. But libertarian ideologies didnt return to the mainstream until the 1970s, when ageing Western societies experienced successive crises. In 1970, Milton Friedman could count on an increasingly congenial ideological climate when he argued in the New York Times magazine that businesses had no social responsibility beyond making a profit. He was the public face of an ideological shift which saw libertarian economists such as James Buchanan, acting in concert with the right-wing zealot Charles Koch and lobbyists for corporations like Shell Oil, Exxon, Ford, IBM, Chase Manhattan Bank and General Motors, disseminating radical ideas through a pliable media and a new curriculum for economics education in universities. Partly as a result of their influence, and emboldened by the rhetoric of Reagan and Thatcher, during the 1980s politicians across the ideological spectrum began to dismantle social protections, undermine labour rights and slash taxes on the rich. The process accelerated after the Wests victory in the Cold War, when fantasies of Americanising the globe bloomed. I want everyone to become an American, Thomas Friedman, consigliere to globalising CEOs and modernising despots, insisted as late as 2008. Inspired by Thatcher and right-wing US think tanks, Tony Blair pushed state policy and public attitudes in Britain closer to the notion that welfare is a problem rather than the solution. Over the last decade, successive Conservative governments have ruthlessly shredded what was left of the social safety net in the name of budgetary austerity, hastening Britains decline into a flailing if not failed state that cant even secure supplies of gowns and masks for its hospital workers. In the US, welfare was turned into a dirty word by Reagans dog-whistles about welfare queens, and then came under intensive attack by Bill Clinton, Americas first black president. An approving chorus was provided by the New Republic, once the main organ of American progressivism, as well as the National Review and the New York Times. After the collapse of communism, and the moral challenge it presented, the corralling of African Americans was resumed without fear of international scrutiny; the new weapons for this purpose, honed to deadly effect under Clinton, and fully endorsed by Joe Biden in the Senate, were mass incarceration and a militarised police. As Hillary Clinton, who is currently vending an anti-racist reading list (Ijeoma Oluos So You Want to Talk about Race is a great and thoughtful starting point), saw it in 1996, the superpredators had no conscience, no empathy and we can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel. If the shambolic response to Hurricane Katrina established that George W. Bush doesnt care about black people, as Kanye West put it, the aftermath of the financial crisis showed that Barack Obama was keen not to be seen as caring too much about black people. The second black president lectured African Americans about individual responsibility while bailing out his future paymasters on Wall Street. The pandemic, which has killed 130,000 people in the US, including a disproportionate number of African Americans, has now shown, far more explicitly than Katrina did in 2005 or the financial crisis in 2008, that the Reagan-Thatcher model, which privatised risk and shifted the states responsibility onto the individual, condemns an unconscionable number of people to premature death or to a desperate struggle for existence. An even deeper and more devastating realisation is that democracy, Anglo-Americas main ideological export and the mainstay of its moral prestige, has never been what it was cracked up to be. Democracy does not guarantee good government, even in its original heartlands. Neither does the individual choice that citizens of democracies periodically exercise whether in referendums or elections confer political wisdom on the chosen. It might even delude them, as Johnson and Trump confirm, into deranged notions of omnipotence. The ideal of democracy, according to which all adults are equal and possess equal power to choose and control political and economic outcomes, is realised nowhere. The fact of economic inequality, not to mention the compromised character of political representatives, makes it unrealisable. More disturbing still, voters have been steadily deprived, not least by a mendacious or click-baiting fourth estate, of the capacity either to identify or to seek the public interest. Modern democracy, in other words, bears little resemblance to the form of government that went under its name in ancient Greece. And in no place does democracy look more like a zombie than in India, Anglo-Americas most diligent apprentice, where a tremendously popular Hindu supremacist movement diverts attention from grotesque levels of inequality and its own criminal maladroitness by stoking murderous hatred against Muslims. To grow up in India in the 1970s and 1980s, as I did, was to live through the fiascos of both democracy and state-building. Unlike Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, Indias founding figures were outspoken partisans of social, political and economic equality. And during its early decades, when Martin Luther King, among others, travelled to India to seek inspiration for the civil rights movement, the country seemed a beacon to striving people of colour everywhere. Here was a non-communist nation-state of overwhelmingly poor people, trying to create an egalitarian society and an internationally competitive economy within a political framework parliamentary elections and separation of powers explicitly modelled on Anglo-America. But India never built a well-organised state of the sort that would allow such a country, despoiled by colonialism, to overcome its extreme disadvantages: an underproductive agricultural economy, a weak industrial base, and a poorly fed and mostly illiterate citizenry. In the early decades of independence, government interventions did result in some progress in heavy industry and agriculture. Investment in higher (though not primary) education created generations of superbly skilled upper-caste Indians; many of them can be found today in senior positions at US corporations such as Microsoft and Google, as well as in academia and journalism. But economic growth was slower than in many East Asian countries, despite the fact that India had started off with a broad industrial base and possessed a relatively strong bureaucratic and administrative apparatus. By the late 1970s, disillusionment with Indias lack of progress was deep and pervasive. A spell of authoritarian rule under Indira Gandhi had resolved nothing, while revealing the spinelessness of the media and judiciary and the repressively law-and-order orientation of the state inherited from British colonialists. The poor were very far from enjoying civil liberties or a chance at prosperity; and many among the upper castes, impatient with the inept rulers thrown up by elections, longed for the country to be run by an efficient autocrat like Singapores Lee Kuan Yew. A few envious glances were also directed at South Koreas president, Park Chung Hee, who had seized power after a military coup in 1961 and during his 18-year rule supervised the transformation of a dirt-poor rural country into a world-beating manufacturing giant with excellent educational standards and massively improved public health. Chinas transformation under Deng Xiaoping from Maoist basket case to global economic powerhouse was particularly galling to many Indians, especially those who had believed in Anglo-American predictions of their countrys inevitable and unstoppable rise. When Narendra Modi won power in 2014 with the help of Indias richest businessmen, promising to liberate Indian markets from state regulation and boost them into the company of Western superpowers, the ambitious elites seemed to have found their own enlightened despot (albeit that he was suspected of involvement in a pogrom that killed hundreds of Muslims). Modi seemed to promise an India that would fulfil Anglo-American fantasies: an Asian country that combined democracy with free markets and would be a counterweight to authoritarian China. The American Enterprise Institute welcomed him as Indias version of Reagan and Thatcher; Obama claimed that he reflected the dynamism and potential of Indias rise. The quick fix of authoritarianism has exacerbated rather than resolved Indias fundamental problems. Effortlessly subverting the media, judiciary and the military, Indias Hindu supremacist rulers have shown themselves to be cold-blooded fanatics, willing to stoke anti-Muslim pogroms, assassinate critics and collectively punish minorities (as in Kashmir, where a lockdown lasting months preceded the pandemic). After six years of Modis rule, India is further away than ever from matching the material achievements of China, let alone those of Western countries; and it is being humiliated militarily by China (the Galwan Valley incident last month in which at least twenty Indian troops were killed is just the most recent example). Manufacturing has long been stagnant; and banks are deeply in debt because of the bad loans they have handed out to crony-capitalists. More than 140 million migrant workers have lost jobs during a botched lockdown; and now starvation looms over hundreds of millions of Indians already tormented by malnutrition, poor education and a lack of sanitation. Not all of Indias unfolding disasters can be blamed on Modi. For a long time, as Amartya Sen has argued, Indias rulers failed to make crucial investments in primary education and public health, and thus didnt create the human capital and infrastructure necessary for the labour-intensive manufacturing revolution which, decades before Chinas rise, created the East Asian Tigers, South Korea and Taiwan. One reason the Covid-19 pandemic threatens carnage in India is that it spends proportionately less than even Nepal and Timor-Leste 1.3 per cent of its GDP on healthcare (South Korea, by way of comparison, spends 8.1 per cent) and has a highly privatised health system. The only Indian state with adequate protection from the pandemic is communist-controlled Kerala, whose public health and education systems have long ensured that the state has the highest life expectancy and literacy rate in India. South Korea started from an equally low base in the 1940s and succeeded in creating both a modern industrialised economy and a society remarkable for its low levels of income, if not gender, inequality. Indias rulers derived legitimacy from elections (and garnered much Western acclaim for these festivals of democracy), but its modern state, while becoming more ingeniously coercive than the colonial state it was grafted onto, has never developed the capacity to rescue its hundreds of millions of citizens from poverty and social inequality. Vivek Chibber argues in his comparative study of India and South Korea, Locked in Place: State-Building and Late Industrialisation in India (2003), that Indias rulers were unable or unwilling to act against the wishes of the businessmen who campaigned against state-led development. South Korea, on the other hand, demonstrated yet again that for late-developers, state-building is a pre-requisite for nation-building, and that social and economic well-being depends less on how political representatives are chosen and more on how adroitly the state formulates and implements policy. Park, for instance, extended the patronage of government to what are now South Koreas most prominent chaebol (family-owned) business groups: Hyundai, Daewoo and Samsung. These lessons in social and industrial policy, which Germany began administering in the late 19th century, and which have been most effectively taken to heart by China, were comprehensively lost on the upper-caste rulers of India, whose major preoccupation was the perpetuation of their own power through the ballot box. India today represents the worst of all possible worlds: far-right Hindus deftly manipulate electoral democracy and the public sphere, the state seems better equipped for repression than for welfare, and its economic experiments with deregulation and privatisation have produced numerous oligarchs but no internationally recognised product or enterprise. South Korea, like India, took political inspiration from its former coloniser. Born and educated under Japanese colonial rule, Park admired and attempted to imitate Japans swift emergence as a major industrial power. Like the Japanese, he looked for guidance to Friedrich List, the German economic protectionist, rather than Adam Smith. According to Park, the life of the nation can be developed and grown only through the state. As he saw it, the laissez-faire individualism backed by Anglo-American elites encouraged social fragmentation and political strife, making state and nation-building nearly impossible. We are different, he argued, from the West that pits the individual against the state. Park spoke as the latest of late developers, keen to learn from the experiences of the advanced powers, and to avoid their mistakes. His teachers in Japan, who had copied Germanys model as diligently as he imitated Japans, down to its constitution, also found top-down mobilisation a more effective framework than liberalism for nation and state-building. Unlike Webers Germany, Japan was not exactly split apart by economic development. All the same, its leaders were cautious from the start. As Kanai Noburu, an economist who trained in Germany in the 1880s and became a mentor to many Japanese thinkers and leaders, put it: If workers are treated like animals, then after several decades unions and socialism will appear. By the early 20th century, Japans industrial revolution had rendered especially urgent the social question, or shakai mondai. Discussions of what economic development entailed invariably featured the term bunmei byd (civilisation sickness), a reference to the problems afflicting British and American societies: class divisions, labour strife, destruction of communities, excessive materialism, radical individualism and the decline of the values of social co-operation. In 1908, Japans prime minister, Katsura Taro, summed up the speedy self-education of conservative but pragmatic ruling classes in catch-up societies: The development of machine industry and the intensification of competition widens the gap between rich and poor and creates antagonisms that endanger social order. Judging by Western history, this is an inevitable pattern ... Therefore, it goes without saying that we must rely on education to nurture the peoples values; and we must devise a social policy that will assist their industry, provide them work, help the aged and infirm and, thereby, prevent catastrophe. Catastrophe came nonetheless, as a result of the pressure to compete with established imperialist powers. Weber had a tough-minded understanding of the unforgiving world that forced a latecomer like Germany to catch up expeditiously with Britain and the US. We cannot pass peace and human happiness on to our descendants, he wrote, but the maintenance and up-breeding of our national kind. Hitler, who took racist legislation in the US as a model and envied Britain for its capitalist exploitation of 350 million slaves in India, frankly underscored the genealogy of German nationalism in British imperialism and US settler colonialism. What India was for England, he declared, the Eastern territories will be for us; their natives would be regarded as redskins. The scramble for territory and resources, started by British slave-owners and colonialists, and the subsequent international race to create the fittest political and economic organism for survival, are what made the first half of the 20th century so uniquely violent (not some fundamental incompatibility between liberal democracy and totalitarianism, as the Cold War narrative had it). Desperately seeking Lebensraum, Germany and Japan clashed with their competitors and eventually capitulated to the greater military might of the Allied powers. In the postwar era, even when reconstructing their strength as economic powers with the help of American aid, Germany and Japan didnt abandon their commitment to the social state. The constitution that came into effect in Japan in 1947 emphasised the states obligation to provide social security and public healthcare. In 1949, a new constitution enshrined the social state in the Federal Republic of Germany, and the adjective social retained its import and weight in the social market economy introduced by Ludwig Erhard, the minister for economic affairs and Ropkes disciple. Since the rise of privatisation and deregulation in the 1970s, social protections have been undermined in Germany, Japan and much of East Asia, including China. But even in their enfeebled form, they remain superior to the skeletal welfare states of Britain and the US. While the peddlers of free markets, democracy, the end of history, neo-imperialism and the flat earth were getting high on their own supply, China emerged as the most formidable exponent of concerted state power so far seen. Just as American wages began to stagnate in the 1970s, the living conditions of a large percentage of the Chinese population began to improve dramatically: the biggest transformation of this kind in history. This extraordinary economic expansion has been accompanied by unparalleled damage to the environment and cruel limitations on individual liberty, especially in Hong Kong and the minority regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China also needs to confront mounting national debt and the problems associated with an ageing population. Still, scepticism about its material progress, insistence that regime change and American-style democracy are inevitable, or that the coronavirus emerged from a Chinese lab, do nothing to improve the prospects of citizens in the countries that are so proud of being democracies. Their sanctimony cant disguise the fact that China, single-mindedly pursuing modernisation under a technocratic elite, has verified Hamiltons belief that only a strong, proactive state can protect its citizens from the maelstrom of violent and unavoidable change: Nothing but a well-proportioned exertion of the resources of the whole, under the direction of a Common Council, with power sufficient to give efficacy to their resolutions, can preserve us from being a CONQUERED PEOPLE now, or can make us a HAPPY PEOPLE hereafter. China has been more coldly pragmatic, too, than its Western critics. After all, a ruling party that calls itself communist chose to abandon its foundational ideology and adapt itself to a market economy, just as the US, seeking to build a new world order, was failing to implant democracy by persuasion or military force in Russia, Eastern Europe and the Arab world, succeeding only in facilitating brutal anarchy or despotism in almost every country it sought to remake in its image. More recently, and damagingly, a feckless global experiment in economic hyper-liberalism led by Anglo-Americas political class and mainstream intelligentsia has helped empower neo-fascist movements and personalities in both countries. China may or may not address its democratic deficit, as South Korea and Taiwan have both done. Its chillingly resourceful suppression of dissent in Hong Kong and Xinjiang renews the warning from the histories of Germany and Japan: that the modern states biopower can enable monstrous crimes. But theres no getting around the desolate position that the great paragons of democracy find themselves in today. Neither Britain nor America seems capable of dealing with the critical challenges to collective security and welfare thrown up by the coronavirus. No less crushing is the exposure, as Rhodes finally falls, of the fact that the power and prestige of Anglo-America originated in grotesque atrocities and, as William James wrote in 1897, that a land of freedom, boastfully so called, with human slavery enthroned at the heart of it was always a thing of falsehood and horrible self-contradiction. The moralising history of the modern world written by its early winners the many Plato-to-Nato accounts of the global flowering of democracy, liberal capitalism and human rights has long been in need of drastic revision. At the very least, it must incorporate the experiences of late-developing nations: their fraught and often tragic quests for meaningful sovereignty, their contemptuously thwarted ideas for an egalitarian world order, and the redemptive visions of social movements, from the Greens in Germany to Dalits in India. The recent explosion of political demagoguery, after years of endless and futile wars, should have been an occasion to interrogate the narratives of British and American narcissism. Trump and Brexit offered an opportunity to break democracys spell on the Anglo-American mind something the political theorist John Dunn has been arguing for since the late 1970s, long before Anglo-American triumphalism assumed inflexible forms. Those hypnotised by the word, Dunn argued, had become oblivious to the fact that the political and economic arrangements they preferred, and which they described as democracy, could neither continue indefinitely nor handle the immediate challenges of collective life within and between individual countries effectively even in the present. Instead, the elevation of tub-thumpers to high office in London and Washington led to a proliferation of self-pitying and self-flattering accounts, describing the way the long march of liberal democracy had been disrupted by uncouth populists, identity liberals, social-justice warriors and even, as Anne Applebaum claimed in a cover article in the Atlantic, by senior Republicans, who had abandoned their ideals and principles. Mark Lillas preposterous argument, first aired in the New York Times, that the Mau-Mau tactics of Black Lives Matter and Hillary Clintons radical rhetoric of diversity helped elect Trump, was reverently amplified in the Financial Times and the Guardian. Mainstream periodicals on both sides of the Atlantic quickly mobilised against a resurgent left by promoting intellectual grifters and stentorian culture warriors while doubling down on their default pro-establishment positions. The New York Times is in favour of capitalism, James Bennet, the newspapers editorial page director, told his colleagues, because it is the greatest anti-poverty programme and engine of progress that weve seen. Bennet, who had given space to articles that denied climate change, promoted eugenics and recommended apartheid and ethnic cleansing in Palestine, was forced to resign last month over an op-ed calling for military force to be used against anti-racist protesters. Nevertheless, Samantha Powers recent claims in the NYT that the United States leads no matter what it does and nations still look to us in times of crisis confirm that the factotums and publicists of the ancien regime remain persistent, yearning for a Restoration under a Biden administration. However, after the most radical upheaval of our times, even the bleakest account of the German-invented social state seems a more useful guide to the world to come than moist-eyed histories of Anglo-Americas engines of universal progress. Screeching ideological U-turns have recently taken place in both countries. Adopting a German-style wage-subsidy scheme, and channelling FDR rather than Churchill, Boris Johnson now claims that there is such a thing as society and promises a New Deal for Britain. Biden, abandoning his Obama-lite centrism, has rushed to plagiarise Bernie Sanderss manifesto. In anticipation of his victory in November, the Democratic Party belatedly plans to forge a minimal social state in the US through robust worker-protection laws, expanded government-backed health insurance, if not single-payer healthcare, and colossal investment in public-health jobs and childcare programmes. Businesses pledge greater representation for minorities; and book and magazine publishers seek out testimonies of minorities suffering while purging unreconstructed colleagues. Such tardy wokeness, unaccompanied by major economic and cultural shifts, invites scepticism black lives, after all, have increasingly mattered to corporate balance sheets. The removal of memorials to slave-traders is likely only to deepen the culture wars if it is not accompanied by an extensive rewriting of the Anglo-American history and economics curriculum. Certainly, the new-fangled welfarism of Britain and the US will remain precarious without a full reckoning with the slavery, imperialism and racial capitalism that made some people in Britain and America uniquely wealthy and powerful, and plunged the great majority of the worlds population into a brutal struggle against scarcity and indignity. In The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin outlined the necessity of such a moral and intellectual revolution in the starkest terms, arguing that in order to survive as a human, moving, moral weight in the world, America and all the Western nations will be forced to re-examine themselves, to discard nearly all the assumptions used to justify their crimes. The fire Baldwin imagined in 1962 is now raging across the US, and is being met with frantic appeals to white survivalism. You must dominate, Trump told state governors on 1 June, threatening to unleash vicious dogs and ominous weapons on his political enemies. Understandably, people exalted for so long by the luck of birth, class and nation will find it difficult, even impossible, to discard their assumptions about themselves and the world. But success in this harsh self-education is imperative if the prime movers of modern civilisation are to prevent themselves from sliding helplessly into the abyss of history. Pankaj Mishra is an Indian essayist and novelist. He is a recipient of the 2014 WindhamCampbell Prize for non-fiction. - " Source " - Post your comment below See also The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Historically, our state has operated a separate and unequal system of public education based on a students Zip code, race and economic status. Our states public charter schools overwhelmingly serve our states neediest children; 65 percent of whom come from low-income families and 80 percent of whom are Black and brown. But because of how Connecticut funds public education, nearly 11,000 mostly low-income, predominantly Black and brown public charter school students have been profoundly underfunded. In spite of this, charter school students have performed higher than their resident districts and have received numerous local, state and national recognition and awards. In short, our states charter schools are consistently closing Connecticuts achievement gap, which has been identified as one of the worst in the country, with very few resources at their disposal. The events of the last several months and weeks have magnified the existing inequality in our states public education system. Among many other pre-existing conditions, COVID-19 has made clear that our schools are dangerously inequitably funded. As students in well-resourced communities transitioned to distance learning with school-funded devices in hand, students, parents and educators in disadvantaged neighborhoods scrambled to make this transition with few resources available to them. Moreover, public charter students have been deliberately excluded from critical aid and resources that were provided to other public school students by the state in response to this crisis, such as laptops, leaving those that have oftentimes been identified as our states most disadvantaged with yet another barrier to learning and success. PARIS - Frances new prime minister on Wednesday laid out 100 billion euros ($110 billion) in new spending to rescue the virus-battered economy from its worst crisis since World War II. The money will notably go to creating jobs for young people facing the worst employment prospects in years, reducing French carbon emissions, and protecting from collapse the small businesses that give rural France its charm. The crisis highlighted our difficulties and our failures, Prime Minister Jean Castex told lawmakers. But despite more than 30,000 virus-related deaths and massive strain on Frances once-renowned public health care system, he said, We held on. Critics from left and right have slammed the governments handling of the crisis, and legislators pushed back after Castex detailed his priorities to the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. The new virus rescue plan will include 20 billion euros for climate-related investment, including wider use of electric bikes, stimulus for local food suppliers, urban renewal and mass renovation of older buildings. After a fuel tax hike unleashed the yellow vest protest movement against economic injustice and hampered President Emmanuel Macrons efforts to curb emissions, Castex said: It is up to us to reconcile the environmental transition with purchasing power. Another 40 billion euros will go to overhauling strategic French manufacturing sites, he said. French small businesses fear mass bankruptcies in the months to come because of the sharp drop-off in tourism, and among measures to support them is a new ban on new shopping malls in French suburbs, Castex said. He also promised aid to businesses that hire people under the age of 25. After pledging 8 billion euros for public hospitals earlier this week, Castex announced another 6 billion euros Wednesday for the health care system, which is among the worlds best but was ill-prepared for the pandemic and suffered mask and testing shortages. As France notes a slight recent rise in infections weeks after reopening its economy, Castex pledged a necessary development of mask usage and an intensification of our testing policy, but did not give details. Macron on Tuesday announced that masks will be required in indoor public spaces by Aug. 1. Whatever happens with the virus, Castex said jobs will be the governments absolute priority in the coming months. The aid package will include massive investment in training or retraining for those whose jobs disappear for good because of fallout from global virus lockdowns and ensuing recessions. About 40 billion of the 100 billion euro package could be funded by an EU recovery fund thats under discussion with other European Union countries, according to a French presidential official. Castex said the government still wants to pursue retirement reforms that unleashed weeks of strikes and protests last year and were put on hold because of the virus, but he didnt set out a calendar. Also, when the new bridge is built it will have to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which the current bridge does not. To be accessible to people in wheelchairs or other disabilities, the ramp leading to the bridge must be much less steep and therefore it will be a lot longer and would take up more space in the neighborhoods where the bridge is today. In the new location, the bridge also will span Flagg Creek, said Nicole Nutter, a project manager for the tollway. The Mineral fire in Fresno County has grown to 11,000 acres and prompted evacuations. (Los Angeles Times) A wind-whipped wildfire has now charred 11,000 acres west of Coalinga in Fresno County, and firefighters are contending with "extreme" fire behavior as they work to contain the blaze. The Mineral fire which ignited about 3:30 p.m. Monday in the area of South Coalinga Mineral Springs Road and Highway 198 was 5% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The blaze has forced the evacuation of the community of Bingham Springs and residents on Los Gatos Creek Road from Indian Springs to Union Carbide Road. A Cal Fire spokeswoman could not immediately provide an estimate of how many residents were affected. No structures have been damaged or destroyed, but 50 were threatened as of 6 a.m., according to a Cal Fire update. The fire "is currently burning in difficult-to-access areas and in fuels with no fire history," officials wrote in the update. "Containment efforts will be hampered due to extreme fire behavior, which includes rapid uphill and wind-driven runs." An estimated 555 personnel were battling the blaze as of Wednesday morning. Expected containment is July 24, according to Cal Fire. A teenager pleaded for his life before he was stabbed to death in a car park today, witnesses said. The victim was heard begging No, no, dont do this as he was ambushed and beaten by a gang who inflicted the fatal knife wound before fleeing in a car. Neighbours raised the alarm after they were woken by screams at about 12.30am this morning. They tried to save the teenager but he was pronounced dead in hospital about 30 minutes later. The killing, in a car park between a housing block and NHS buildings in Elmfield Way, Maida Hill, is Londons sixth violent death in 11 days. A resident told the Evening Standard: I first heard two thuds, and when I looked they were already on him. He was crawling on the ground, the other kids were kicking and punching him all over. He was covering up begging them to stop. There was a stab motion then there was bleeding, and someone shouted call the police. Another witness added: There was a lot of noise ... the boy was shouting No, no, no, dont do this. Then they did whatever they did and then sped off in a car. She added: Neighbours went to help - they were trying save him. They tried very hard." Another person who witnessed the attack said: I heard him pleading for his life there was lots of shouting. Scotland Yard said homicide detectives were in the process of informing the victims family. There is concern that violence that has been suppressed during lockdown could now spike. Recent deaths include: Jahreau Shepherd, who was stabbed to death at his 30th birthday party on the Black Prince Estate, Kennington, on Saturday; Dean Edwards, 43, who was shot in the back of the head in Betts Park, Penge, on Sunday; and Muhammed Samir Uddin, 19, who was stabbed to death outside Crossharbour DLR station in Poplar on Friday. Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting Cad reference 185/15Jul or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. It is time for Gov. Phil Murphy to end qualified immunity for police in New Jersey. On many occasions, Murphy has declared Black Lives Matter. At his press briefings, he has spoken of Black trauma when police kill Black people. In Hillside, Murphy locked arms in June with the Black community which helped him win the governors race in 2017 to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We now need the governor to help to end use of racist 1967 doctrine that protects officers who unjustly kill Black people. (Police can use qualified immunity as a defense in civil rights and other lawsuits filed against officers by excessive force victims or survivors.) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has said that qualified immunity tells officers that they can shoot first and think later, and it tells the public that palpably unreasonable conduct will go unpunished. Jameek Lowery, Maurice Gordon, Raheem Bryant, LaShanda Anderson, Radazz Hearns, Marcus Jeter are a few victims of unjustified force by New Jersey police. Black people are tired of dying. They are fed up with public officials lacking moral courage to ensure Black people receive equal protection under the law. Gov. Murphy has a history of bold, symbolic gestures, but he disappears when it comes to bold legislation for Black people suffering under state violence. The New Jersey Clergy Coalition for Justice, as well as Faith in New Jersey, believes it is time for Murphy to join Colorado Gov. Jared Polis by demanding that the New Jersey Legislature send him a bill this year that ends qualified immunity. (In June, Polis signed the nations first state law barring use of qualified immunity in state court cvil cases.) Murphy received 94% of the Black vote. Now it is time for him to protect the Black community by ending racist qualified immunity. Rev. David Ford, Sr., St. Matthews Baptist Church, Roselle and Rev. Heyward Wiggins, Camden Bible Tabernacle, Camden Note: This letter was signed by a dozen additional clergy representing the coalition and Faith for All, and was originally written as an open letter to the governor. A one-term Biden would be a winner To Joe Biden: Please allow me the opportunity to guarantee your victory in November. The presumptive Democratic nominee needs to do only two very simple things to become our next president. 1. Clearly make the statement that he is running for for two reasons. To defeat Donald Trump, and to save America by removing him from office. 2. Make a promise to sign a crystal-clear, binding agreement that if elected, he would not seek a second term. This would give both the Republican and Democratic parties the opportunity over the next four years to do their very best to have their best candidates ready to run for the presidency in 2024 without having to face an incumbent. This one-term pledge would also negate the fears of those remove naysayers who already question whether Biden would be able to run for reelection in 2024 at the age of 82, and possibly serve as president until the age of 87. Richard G. Gober, Ventnor Church an unworthy virus bailout recipient I have never complained about paying taxes. I understand that I must pay my fair share for the services I receive. However, something I just learned vastly changed my current outlook. Dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church have received billions of dollars from federal Paycheck Protection loans. This is taxpayers money. The church claims great hardship during this challenging time of the coronavirus, but lets get real. A major reason for the Catholic Churchs financial distress is the huge payouts to victims of clergy sexual abuse. These settlements are ongoing as more victims come forward. This is the same organization that tries to deny women reproductive health care and has a history of ostracizing the LGBTQ+ community all in the name of religion. On top of that, they dont even pay taxes. Give me a break. In 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that churches in New Jersey can no longer receive taxpayer-funded historic preservation grants because that violates the religious aid clause of the state constitution. Doesnt the U.S. Constitution also call for separation of church and state? While we are witnessing the permanent closure of so many small businesses that should be receiving these PPP funds, I dont think we should be rewarding the Catholic Church with them. Susan J. Waldman, Randolph Goya means good food, good family Democrats and other critics of President Donald Trump are urging people to boycott Goya Foods, a New Jersey-based company, after its CEO recently praised Trump at the White House. The CEO, Robert Unanue, is the grandson of Spanish immigrants who started the company. They make many great foods, including many Spanish staples. Unane is very proud of his familys business. The boycott advocates do not believe the CEO should have the right and the freedom to support whoever he wishes. I disagree and I fully support Goya. Its a great New Jersey company! Tom Scott, Spotswood 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 15:15:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PRAGUE, July 15 (Xinhua) -- One person has died and at least 35 were injured in a collision of two trains Tuesday night near Cesky Brod, central Bohemia of the Czech Republic, according to local media reports Wednesday. The accident happened at around 9:30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT) when a passenger train hit the end of a freight train on the line from Prague to Kolin, one of the major lines in the country, the Czech News Agency reported. All the injured, including four severely, have been sent to hospitals, emergency service spokeswoman Petra Effenbergerova was quoted by the agency as saying. Minister of Transport Karel Havlicek arrived at the scene of the accident soon after and said the cause of the accident was probably human failure. "Most likely the driver passed the traffic light on the red light, even though it is a very well-secured track," the news agency quoted Havlicek as saying. Enditem Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Wed, July 15, 2020 09:00 553 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a406665898b 2 Environment united-states,climate-change,global-warming Free The International Energy Agency has recently estimated that 2.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions will never be emitted into the atmosphere due to the coronavirus pandemic. While the long-term impact of the pandemic on climate change is still uncertain, a recent study suggests that citizens are optimistic in our ability to overcome this challenge. For this new report, Australian research platform Glow questioned 5,256 citizens across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and the UK about their level of trust and satisfaction with governmental response to climate change. More than half of American respondents are optimistic about our ability to address the threat of climate change (60 percent), while just 18 percent of people believe that humanity cannot overcome this challenge. Australians and Canadians are similarly upbeat, with almost three in five surveyors believing that we can collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight the additional effects of climate change. Meanwhile, Britons are the most pessimistic about climate change, with nearly one in four residents of the UK (26%) expressing doubts about our ability to overcome the challenges posed by climate change. Despite these encouraging figures, a vast majority of citizens in all nations state that their respective governments are not doing enough on climate action (74 percent). A large portion of respondents in all countries are in support of nuclear power as an alternative to carbon, with the exception of nuclear-free New Zealand. Read also: Fight climate change like coronavirus: UN According to the study, New Zealanders would rather educate citizens about the environmental impact of products and services they purchase and increase funding for planting trees in their country (79 percent). Meanwhile, 46 percent of Americans state that they are in favor of nuclear power, echoing President Donald Trump's recent budget proposal for 2021 that notably increases spending on nuclear energy research and development. This figure is surprising at a time when an increasing number of nations across the world are shifting away from atomic power over safety concerns. While Japan shut down all its plants in 2011 after a tsunami caused a nuclear meltdown at three reactors in Fukushima, Germany announced that it was planning on shuttering its nuclear power fleet by 2022. Findings also suggest that most surveyed citizens favor soft measures like education (53 percent), research (53 percent) and planting trees (56 percent). Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2020) - Red Light Holland Corp. (CSE: TRIP) (FSE:4YX) ("Red Light Holland" or the "Company"), an Ontario-based corporation positioning itself to engage in the production, growth and sale of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a securities exchange agreement dated July 14, 2020 (the "Securities Exchange Agreement") with PharmaDrug Inc. (CSE: BUZZ) ("PharmaDrug"). Under the terms of the Securities Exchange Agreement, PharmaDrug has agreed to issue 9,333,333 units to the Company (the "PharmaDrug SEA Units") at deemed price of $0.075 per unit, in consideration for the issuance by Red Light Holland of 4,242,424 RLH Units (as defined below) at a deemed price of $0.165 per unit to PharmaDrug. Each PharmaDrug SEA Unit consists of (i) one common share of PharmaDrug (a "PharmaDrug Share"), (ii) 0.9 of a PharmaDrug common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one common share of PharmaDrug at a price of $0.13 for a period of 48 months (each whole warrant, a "Class A PharmaDrug Warrant"), and (iii) 0.1 of a PharmaDrug common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one common share of PharmaDrug at a price of $0.08 for a period of 48 months (each whole warrant, a "Class B PharmaDrug Warrant"). In addition, the Company will make a cash investment for $200,000 of units of PharmaDrug (the "PharmaDrug Subscription Units") at a price of $0.075 per unit, each PharmaDrug Subscription Unit consisting of (i) one PharmaDrug Share, and (ii) one Class B PharmaDrug Warrant. Each RLH Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "RLH Share") and one common share purchase warrant (a "RLH Warrant") of the Company. Each RLH Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional RLH Share at an exercise price of $0.26 at any time for a period of 48 months, subject to an accelerated expiry option. If, following the date that is four months and one day following the date hereof, the volume weighted average trading price of the RLH Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for any 10 consecutive trading days equals or exceeds $0.50, the Company may, upon providing written notice to the holders of RLH Warrants, accelerate the expiry date of the RLH Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such written notice. "We are very pleased to be making a strategic investment into PharmaDrug. It only makes sense, as we would want to house our microdose products in their planned Smart Shops anyway. This expedites our partnership and now we're pretty much guaranteed prime shelf space when they arrive, as both of our companies shine a light on the Magic Truffles market, in the Netherlands. We look forward to educating and eventually selling to the legal recreational market together," said Todd Shapiro, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Director. Closing of the transactions contemplated herein is expected to occur on or about July 16, 2020, and is subject to, among other things, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. About Red Light Holland Corp. The Company is an Ontario-based corporation positioning itself to engage in the production, growth and sale (through existing Smart Shops operators and an advanced e-commerce platform) of a premium brand of magic truffles to the legal, recreational market within the Netherlands, in accordance with the highest standards, in compliance with all applicable laws. About PharmaDrug Inc. PharmaDrug Inc. is building an international controlled substance and natural medicine company with a focus on Europe. The Company owns 80% of PharmaDrug GmbH, a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the EU. The Company also owns 100% of Super Smart, an early-stage retail company focused on consolidating the fragmented Dutch smartshop market. Smartshops are retail establishments in The Netherlands that specialize in the sale of psychoactive substances including psychedelic truffles. For additional information on the Company: Todd Shapiro Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: 647-204-7129 Email: todd@redlighttruffles.com Website: https://redlighttruffles.com/ Forward-Looking Statements Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements (including, but not limited to, the assumption that (i) the Company will be able to execute on its business plan and/or enter into the medical psychedelics market as proposed, (ii) the Company will receive one or multiple licenses, permits, and authorizations from time to time necessary to execute on its business plan and/or enter into the medical psychedelics market, (iii) the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, (iv) there will continue to be a demand, and market opportunity, for the Company's product offerings, (v) the Company will be able to establish, preserve and develop its brand, (vi) the Company's partnership with Pharmadrug will continue and its products will be sold in their retail stores, and (vii) the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining required personnel), although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, forward-looking financial information and other metrics presented herein are not intended as guidance or projections for the periods referenced herein or any future periods, and in particular, past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results of the Company in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast or projection of the Company's future results. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/59838 After 11 days of anxiety, a dropped MAGA hat, and a Debra Messing-induced political feud, Kanye West has dropped out of the 2020 presidential race. On July 14, a member of Wests campaign team confirmed that, even after amassing a 180-person campaign team in Florida, West would no longer be running. Before he even announced his play for the Oval Office, West had unprecedented ground to cover entering the race this late as a member of his own independent party he called the Birthday Party. Right out of the gate, West had missed the voter registration deadline in six states: North Carolina, Texas, New York, Maine, New Mexico, and Indiana. But the pressure was on. If he could get his campaign up and running, West (technically) had a chance to register as an Independent candidate for South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, and Michigan by the end of July. Hes out. All our stuff is canceled, Steve Kramer, a member of Wests campaign team told New York Magazines Intelligencer on July 14. I have nothing good or bad to say about KanyeAny candidate running for president for the first time goes through these hiccups. Although Kim Kardashians husband may not be running in 2020 anymore, hes made his White House aspirations known for the last five years, so it may not be the last time he mentions it. Before we start our West 2024 campaign, though, heres a breakdown of what happened in the 11 days that Kanye was running for president. Day 1: West announced his bid for the presidency on the Fourth of July, tweeting: We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States. We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States ! #2020VISION ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020 Day 2: On July 5, the internet was abuzz with talk and takes on Wests run. On Twitter, West tweeted a photo of a side project of his, YZY SHLTRS. The futuristic-looking structures are intended to provide housing for homeless people. This same day, a feud between Will & Grace actress Debra Messing and former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner becomes one of Twitters biggest trending moments. Story continues Day 3: West appears quiet on social media as celebrities, politicians, and basically everyone speculates the seriousness of his run and what a President Kanye West reality would look like. A debate breaks out about Black voters turning support over to West, after Nina Turner tweeted, Black voters are not owned by anyone. Our vote should be earned every election cycle. Day 4: July 7, President Donald Trump responds to news of Wests run in an interview with RealClearPolitics. Given that West hadnt officially filed paperwork, Trump appeared to question whether West would actually run. Itd have to be limited to certain states, because in some states the deadline has been missed, said Trump appearing to not have a problem with West running. If he did it, he would have to view this as a trial run for whats going to happen in four years. Day 5: Forbes interview with West discussing his campaign plans and platforms comes out. In it, West talks about protecting America in whatever foreign policy he pursues, implementing the framework of Wakanda as a management model, and having serious reservations about a coronavirus vaccine. Additionally, Billboard confirms with the Federal Election Commission that as of July 8, West still had not filed the necessary paperwork to make his bid official. Day 6: On July 9, in a video shared by West on Twitter, he went down to the county clerks office in Cody, Wyoming to register to vote for the first time. I want to show you how I just registered to vote, the video starts. Text displayed in the video reads: I thank God I am so humbled at the opportunity to serve. Vote. However, a different timeline emerges in the Intelligencer story. According to the outlet, West is already out of the race there at this point. Day 7: The July 10 deadline to get on the ballot in Nevada passes and West has not posted anything more on his campaign status. Day 8: Elon Musk backpedals on his support of Wests run on July 11. In a now-deleted tweet, Musk appeared to waiver responding to one of Wests tweets during a Q&A with Forbes in which West called vaccines the mark of the beast. We may have more differences of opinion than I anticipated, Musk tweeted. Day 9: Chance the Rapper floated a question to his followers asking why they supported Biden more than West adding, I finally got the answer now. I understand. Yall trust Biden more than yall trust Ye. I think I understand why, I just dont feel the same way. Chance became the top Twitter trend of the day, causing a massive amount of speculation over why the rapper would even voice support for West, whose run was very unlikely to see the ballot at all. Are u more pro biden or anti ye and why? I get that youll want to reply that youre just tryna get trump out but in this hypothetical scenario where youre replacing Trump, can someone explain why Joe Biden would be better?? Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 13, 2020 Day 10: A U.S. presidential poll reveals that West had the support of about two percent of voters overall if he were to run against Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Although this was a small margin, if that percentage came out of either candidates pool of voters, it could have created enough of a divide. Day 11: Kanye drops out of the race on Tuesday night. Had he remained in the race, he would have needed to have already obtained 132,781 signatures to be eligible to run in Florida by this time. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Can Kanye West Actually Run For President? Chance The Rapper Is Getting Dragged Once Again Did Kanye West Even Watch "Black Panther?" New York, July 15 : An Indian origin couple have been charged with phone scam money laundering and arrested by federal officials, according to the Justice Department, while another man has been sentenced two years. Mehulkumar Manubhai Patel and his wife Chitali Dave allegedly laundered over $400,000 on behalf of India-based phone scammers who cheated Americans into sending money by pretending to be government officials or tech support, prosecutors said on Tuesday. In a separate case, Joish Patel was sentenced by federal Judge William Ray on Thursday for picking up $140,000 in a scam. Dave was produced before federal Magistrate Judge Linda T Walker in Atlanta on Tuesday. The couple were both charged by a grand jury - a citizen's panel that makes the initial determination if there was a prima facie case - on June 9 and Medjulkumar Patel was produced before federal Magistrate Jude Christopher C Bly also in Atlanta on June 19. The federal prosecutor in Atlanta, Byung J Pak, said, "Criminal India-based call centres sought to prey on vulnerable members of our community and steal from them by misleading them over the phone. Those, like Patel and Dave, who allegedly launder money in the United States on behalf of foreign-based fraudsters, are the linchpins of those schemes." In Joish Patel's scam callers in the network called up Americans and said they owed taxes for which they could be arrested or told them they had to send money to qualify for loans, the Justice Department said. He collected the money from the victims in 2017 using fake IDs, the department said. In one of the scams that Medhulkumar Patel and Dave were allegedly involved in, India-based phone operators posed as US officials and told the victims in the US that their Social Security numbers - the equivalent of Aadhar card numbers required for some financial transactions - had been used in crimes, the prosecutors said. The scammers threatened to arrest them or seize their assets if they did not send money to aliases used by members of the fraud network, allegedly including Patel and Dave, according to prosecutors. In the tech support scam, the callers persuaded people to send money for services they did not provide or got access through the victims' computer to their bank accounts and made it appear that money had been added to their accounts and had them send money, prosecutors said. Members of the network in the US collected the money and sent it onward. According to the prosecutors, Patel and Dave, who lived in Lexington in South Carolina and are 36 years old, laundered $400,000 between May last year and January. The prosecutors did not provide details of the others running the scams, but scores of Indian origin people have been prosecuted for scams originating in India. Mehboob Mansurali Charania was sentenced to 16 months in prison by a federal judge in Atlanta in a prosecution by Pak's office last April for a scam by operators in India who pretended to be tax officials, or who hacked computers. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter at @arulouis) The crew on todays Bonhomme Richard has shown the same tenacity and strength in fighting this fire. The sailors, joined by hundreds of volunteers from other ships and base firefighters, continue to battle the blaze. Sailors of every rank and paygrade are fighting tooth and nail to save the ship. But many experts now are saying the damage done during the prolonged blaze already is too extensive. On Monday, Expeditionary Strike Group Three Commander Rear Adm. Phillip Sobeck told reporters that temperatures inside the vessel have exceeded 1,000 degrees. Retired Navy Capt. Lawrence Brennan told The Associated Press that the heat of a fire of this nature can warp the steel, and that can be a major problem for any ship. After the fires are out, there will be a thorough investigation to determine where the fire began. According to the Navy Times, it started in a cargo hold where maintenance supplies were being stored, but other reports say the fire might have begun in the landing craft well. Regardless of how it started, the Navy will have to assess the fate of this $760 million warship. Even if the Bonhomme Richard is salvageable, it will be non-deployable for the next several years. And that is going to leave the sea service in a lurch. As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the United States, some public K-12 schools may be able to reopen safely, but doing so will not be cheap. A recent report from the Council of Chief State School Officers estimated that public K-12 schools will need as much as $245 billion in additional funding to open with the recommended protocols in place from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet with local and state budgets strapped, many schools are likely to fall short unless they receive considerable federal support. The Department of Education, however, has not stepped up to fill that need. Funding for K-12 schools through the Cares Act is $13.5 billion well below $245 billion. Instead, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is pressuring schools to open and threatening to cut off funds to public schools that dont fully open in the fall. She has suggested that those federal funds could be diverted to families to help pay for private or religious education. She has already put in place micro-grants for families that want to home-school their children this fall. In other words, Ms. DeVos is not only failing to provide public schools the federal money they need to reopen safely; she is also potentially destabilizing the budgets of already struggling schools. The Congress on Wednesday rubbished reports that its former president Rahul Gandhi had a made an oblique reference to Sachin Pilot at a meeting of the partys students wing national Students Union of India (NSUI). There have been some media reports about the NSUI meeting with Rahul Gandhi ji today. I want to categorically state that those reports are baseless. This was an internal NSUI meeting and we only discussed students and youth issues, All India Congress Committee (AICC) joint secretary and national in-charge of NSUI, Ruchi Gupta tweeted. Guptas rebuttal came after a news agency tweeted citing sources who quoted Gandhi as saying at the NSUI meeting, If anybody wants to leave the party they will. It opens the door for young leaders like you. Rahul Gandhi has not commented on the crisis in Rajasthan that the Congress party has been grappling with this week. On Monday, the former Congress chiefs office said Sachin Pilot is always in his heart. And they speak often and directly. They have great respect and affection for each other. This response came when HT asked for Rahul Gandhis rejoinder to whether he had been in touch with Pilot, Although Pilot has been dropped as deputy chief minister in the Ashok Gehlot cabinet sacked as the party chief in Rajasthan, the Congress party has not yet shut the door on him. On Wednesday, the party asked Pilot to stop all conversation with the BJP and return to Jaipur. Irans President Hassan Rouhani Wednesday implicitly rejected any talk of an early departure from his post, promising to remain as president to the last moment without paying attention to controversies. Rouhani has been under pressure by the new Iranian parliament dominated by hardliners who hold him responsible for bad management of the economy and the failures of the nuclear deal with world powers. Earlier in July, 130 members of the parliament threatened to launch proceedings to impeach Rouhani for his failures in the area of economy, foreign policy and tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. But on July 12, Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a video message to parliament urged lawmakers to let the presidential administration do its job. Khameneis backing of Rouhani was a categoric signal to parliament to limit its rhetoric and as expected, later pronouncement by lawmakers have been generally conciliatory. Rouhani who was speaking at his cabinet meeting said he promises the Supreme Leader that he will continue to discharge his duties with all his power to the last hour and the last moment. He also added that the pulpit of the parliament, the judiciary and the presidency should not be used for partisan, factional and electoral conflicts. The Etemad newspaper in Tehran published a report on July 14 alleging that a verbal confrontation took place recently between Rouhani and the Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf over who is responsible for economic affairs. Qalibaf rebuffed Rouhani over his weak management of the economy. x.ai has built a solution that truly streamlines group meeting scheduling and finally gets us beyond those tedious polls. Its the ultimate Doodle-Killer! x.ai, the leading meeting scheduling tool for individuals and teams, is expanding its support for efficient group meeting scheduling with the launch of One-Time Links. Building on its powerful group scheduling over email, x.ai now also empowers meeting hosts to set up a One-Time Link for a group of people to add in their availability. The tool will automatically help guests find consensus as they select from overlapping options, then it will send the meeting invitation to all participants. One-Time Links support an unlimited number of guests, making them a go-to option for meetings with one guest as well as meetings with a large group. The launch of One-Time Links gives x.ai users direct access to the group scheduling features of x.ais AI assistants, Amy, Andrew, and Scheduler, a recently added neutral option. One-Time Links put the power into the meeting hosts hands, giving them full control over what availability is shared, while still ensuring the process is quick and intimate for guests. With One-Time Links, x.ai has built a solution that truly streamlines group meeting scheduling and finally gets us beyond those tedious polls, said Justin Mitchell, Founder and CEO at Yac. Its the ultimate Doodle-Killer! Weve spent the last five years tuning an AI-powered scheduling engine that lets you and your teams easily share availability according to your preferences. Asking x.ai to email all your guests to set up the meeting is an awesome experience, and were excited for our customers to also share One-Time Links with large groups of people. We believe this is a truly liberating use of our scheduling engine, one that makes it easier to book meetings no matter who you are or what type of meeting youre hosting, said Dennis Mortensen, CEO and founder of x.ai. x.ais solution for scheduling group meetings goes far-beyond other options on the market: Smarter Times: The easy-to-use time selector responds in real-time when guests add their availability, so the tool can offer better choices to the remaining guests and increase the chances everyone can quickly agree on a time. Works Across Timezones: Meeting time options are localized for each guest based on their timezone, and this can be set by the host and the guest. Streamlined Meeting Management: The status of the meeting and who has (and hasnt) responded is always visible. The host can add and remove people at any time, or mark others as optional. Invitations are automatically sent when all of the mandatory guests have responded. One-Click Rescheduling: If a conflict comes up after the meeting is scheduled, the meeting can be rescheduled with the click of a button and this work can be handed off to a scheduling assistant if needed, saving everyone time. Detailed Guest Information: x.ais meeting invite includes a brief bio for every participant, including their title, company, and a link to their LinkedIn profile. Additionally, One-Time Links are included in x.ais free offering, which also includes unlimited meetings, unlimited meeting templates, and integrations with Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack, among other benefits. x.ai continues to see strong growth in new sign-ups and platform adoption across its free and paid subscription tiers. The company scheduled the most meetings in its history in June 2020, topping the high set the prior month (May 2020). Scheduling software continues to move into the mainstream, and the trend has been accelerated by the rapid shift to remote working around the world, Mortensen said. Large teams and individuals are turning to x.ai to power all of the scheduling that accompanies this new paradigm. About x.ai Founded in 2014, x.ai is a leading productivity tool powered by artificial intelligence that lets you schedule meetings effortlessly. x.ai handles the most tedious parts of scheduling for you things like finding compatible times, coordinating and following up with multiple guests, as well as managing cancellations and rescheduling requests. Learn more at x.ai. For press inquiries, please email press@human.x.ai. The government through the Ministry of Health has cautioned members of the public against profiling Covid-19 patients on social media platforms. During the daily COVID-19 briefing at Afya House, Nairobi, Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi said that contracting the coronavirus is not a crime. She said that profiling of COVID-19 patients was counterproductive to the Ministrys efforts to combat the deadly virus. We have seen people sharing videos and pictures of Covid-19 patients on social media leading to profiling. This is unacceptable. It is important to note that contracting the disease is not a crime. Anyone can get it, she said. Elevating stigma does not add value to the fight and ends up making out harder to contain the situation. RELATED: COVID-19 Patient Laments Psychological Torture, Demands Ksh25M Compensation At the same time, Dr Mwangangi expressed concern at the high number of coronavirus cases recorded in Nairobi County urging residents to to remain vigilant and observe all the safety rules. As of Tuesday, the national tally stood at 10,791 positive cases. Five more patients succumbed, taking the number of fatalities to 202. Total recoveries rose to 3,017 after 71 more patients were discharged. For the first time ever, Xiaomis popular, low-cost wearable device Mi Band 5 is officially available for sale outside of China. Until now, if you wanted to purchase a Mi Band internationally, you had to buy it through the grey market. But today, Xiaomi announced the international Mi Smart Band 5. Mi Smart Band 5 is a pared-down version of the $32 Mi Band 5 that Xiaomi revealed in June. Like Mi Band 5, the international version comes with activity tracking for 11 exercise modes, heart rate, sleep and stress monitoring and menstrual cycle tracking. It uses Mi Band 5s new magnetic charging system, and its water resistant up to 50 meters. Supposedly, it lasts up to 14 days on a single charge. There are a few drawbacks to the international version. For starters, it will have 65 dynamic displays, whereas the China version has over 100. The global version will have six strap color variations, whereas the China version has eight. The global version does not have NFC, and it does not support the XiaoAi assistant. Xiaomi also announced new earbuds, the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic. These appear to be a non-ANC version of the already available Mi True Wireless Earphones 2. The Bluetooth earbuds boast up to 20 hours of total battery life (thanks to the charging case), and each earbud can be turned on or off individually. We dont know how much the smartband or earbuds will cost, or when theyll be available. Xiaomis products are usually pretty cheap, and since the Mi Band 5 is already available in China, it might not take too long for the international version to arrive. Update 7/20/10 2:13PM ET: This post has been updated to clarify the Mi Smart Band 5 marks the first time a Mi Band 5 model has been available outside of China. DUBAI, UAE, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The global ADAS sensors market is poised to record a double-digit growth from 2020-2030, according to Future Market Insights' recent publication. The advent of automation has brought about paradigm shifts in driving technologies since the recent past. The advent of autonomous driving has laid firm ground for the introduction of advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS. However, the market is still in a niche stage, registering modest revenues ranging from US$ 5 Bn- US$ 8 Bn as compared to other automotive systems. The prevention of vehicular road accidents is a top priority for all the countries. Every year, a substantial amount of lives are lost due to road accidents. Against this backdrop, the adoption of ADAS sensors has become a top priority. As these systems acquire more popularity, the market shall soon become mainstream. Download a Sample Report with Table of Contents and Figures: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-11865 "The ADAS sensors market shall witness major collaborations between OEMs and semi-conductor companies to design sensors for parking systems, adaptive cruise control and emergency braking," opines an FMI analyst. Key Takeaways from FMI's ADAS Sensors Market Report Passenger cars shall find maximum usage of ADAS sensors due to the need for reducing accident fatalities Radar-based collision avoidance systems shall gain maximum traction in semi-autonomous vehicles Global ADAS systems market shall expand at an impressive 14% CAGR from 2020-2030 North America to witness maximum adoption of ADAS sensors, Asia-Pacific to follow close behind ADAS Sensors Market- Key Trends Thermal imaging sensors have boded well for the ADAS sensors market, helping reduce night-time fatalities to a significant extent Emphasis on de-icing mechanisms to promote high accuracy for all-weather conditions are being investigated, providing traction to the ADAS sensors market Opportunities in ADAS hardware abound for prominent market players, thereby uplifting market growth prospects ADAS Sensors Market: Region-wise Analysis Asia-Pacific shall be the largest revenue generator, with China spearheading demand for park sensors and adaptive cruise control shall be the largest revenue generator, with spearheading demand for park sensors and adaptive cruise control Japan & South Korea shall enjoy heightened revenues, attributed to the involvement of major automotive companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz and GM & shall enjoy heightened revenues, attributed to the involvement of major automotive companies such as Volkswagen, and GM Europe is witnessing heightened ADAS sensors usage for blind spot detection and reduce fatalities is witnessing heightened ADAS sensors usage for blind spot detection and reduce fatalities The United States is an investment hotbed for OEMs and component manufacturers Our advisory services are aimed at helping you with specific, customized insights that are relevant to your specific challenges. Let us know about your challenges and our trusted advisors will connect with you: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-11865 ADAS Sensors Market- Competitive Landscape The ADAS sensors market are resorting to innovations by virtue of doling out new products based on detection, depth perception, high performance and stereo vision. A major challenge posed to ADAS sensors manufacturers is the problem of communication between two different devices. Market players such as Diamler are availing the services of research and academic institutions to address data fusion challenges between non-image and image data. Developments in the short-wave infrared imaging sensors (SWIR) are also on the cards. To this end, Porsche has collaborated with Israel-based TriEye to improve ADAS sensors in the former's autonomous vehicle segment. For this project, the automotive giant contributed US$ 2 million as capital investment. Read more insights by Sudip Saha https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudip-saha-a220779/ ADAS Sensors Market Taxonomy: Product Type Blind Spot Detection Night Vision Sensors Light Sensors Parking Sensors Cruise Control Vehicle Type Passenger Cars Compact Midsize Luxury SUVs Commercial Vehicles Heavy Commercial Vehicles Sales Channel Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Original Equipment Spares (OES) Independent Aftermarket (IAM) Region/Country North America U.S Canada Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of LATAM Europe EU-5 BENELUX Russia Rest of Europe South Asia & Pacific India Thailand Indonesia Malaysia Oceania Rest of South Asia East Asia China Japan South Korea MEA South Africa Turkey Northern Africa Rest of MEA Contact sales for further assistance in purchasing this [email protected] https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-special-price/rep-gb-11865 Find More Valuable Insights on ADAS Sensors Market: FMI in its new market research study, offers an unbiased analysis of the ADAS sensors market which comprises global industry analysis for 20152019 and opportunity assessment for the 20202030. The report offers complete analysis on global ADAS sensors market through four different categories By Product Type, By Vehicle Type, By Sales Channel and region. The global ADAS sensors market study provides information of pricing by different life cycle analysis, product life cycle, key market trends and technologies which are being implemented in the production of the ADAS sensors market and product adoption in various end use industries. Explore Extensive Coverage of FMI's Automotive & Transportation Domain Automotive Pumps Market: Tune-in to FMI's incisive study on the automotive pumps market, throwing light on the prominent trends impacting the growth of the market across the assessment period ranging from 2019-2029. Automotive Coolant Aftermarket: FMI's study on the automotive coolant market provides a detailed analysis based on product type, vehicle type and sales channels across six prominent regions. Electric Scooters Market: The electric scooters market is anticipated to surpass an impressive revenue threshold, registering positive growth until 2029, concludes FMI's detailed market research report on the subject. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India. FMI's latest market research reports and industry analysis help businesses navigate challenges and take critical decisions with confidence and clarity amidst breakneck competition. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. A team of expert-led analysts at FMI continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of industries to ensure that our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. Contact Mr. Abhishek Budholiya Unit No: AU-01-H Gold Tower (AU), Plot No: JLT-PH1-I3A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates MARKET ACCESS DMCC Initiative For Sales Enquiries: [email protected] For Media Enquiries: [email protected] COVID-19 Impact Assessment Tracker: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/covid19impactanalysis Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/adas-sensors-market Press Release Source: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/press-release/adas-sensors-market SOURCE Future Market Insights Even as Rajasthan's Congress government is fighting for survival, Wayanad MP and former party chief Rahul Gandhi seems intent on very visibly not entering the fray, choosing instead to continue his attack on the Central government over geopolitical matters. While the leader is still silent on the sacking of Sachin Pilot and rising voices within the Congress against the old-guard, he on Wednesday quoted reports that claimed that Iran has dropped India from the Chabahar project. Rahul Gandhi has also failed to live up to his promise that he would communicate his thoughts via video with the people - dubbed in certain quarters as Rahul's own 'Mann Ki Baat' - which was expected on Tuesday. I want to make our current affairs, history and crisis clear and accessible for those interested in the truth. From tomorrow, Ill be sharing my thoughts with you on video. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 13, 2020 READ | Axed Sachin Pilot camp minister Vishvendra Singh warns Congress: 20/20 over, test begins Congress sacks Sachin Pilot As Sachin Pilot skipped the second legislative party meeting on July 14, Ashok Gehlot's camp passed a resolution against Pilot and loyalists. Addressing the press, Gehlot said that Pilot is playing in the hands of BJP and accused the saffron party of horse-trading. Thereafter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a press briefing announced that party has sacked Sachin Pilot from the post of Deputy CM and PCC chief and accused him of conspiring with BJP. Alongside Pilot, Congress also sacked Vishvender Singh, and Ramesh Meena from their cabinet positions. Gobind Singh Dotasra has been appointed as new Rajasthan Congress chief. The party's entire Dausa unit also resigned after Pilot's removal. However, Congress leaders such as Sanjay Jha (who was later suspended), Jitin Prasada, Priya Dutt and several party functionaries in the Rajasthan unit of the party openly supported Pilot. Sachin Pilot speaks up A day after being sacked, Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that he is not joining BJP or any other party, adding that he has been a loyalist of the Congress. The 'rebel' leader said that he won't remain silent anymore and is considering legal options to fight CM Gehlot whom he has accused of "doing wrong things & maligning his image." "I am not joining BJP or any other party, I have been a loyalist of the Congress. Except for Priyanka Ji, I have not spoken to anyone else. Whatever Gehlot is doing with me is wrong and wants to malign my image. Ever since Rahul Gandhi resigned as party president, I have been a victim of wrongdoings and I remained silent but not anymore. We are looking at the legal options moving ahead and this is a fight for Rajasthan and its people," Sachin Pilot said. READ | Rajasthan Govt Crisis LIVE Updates Rajasthan political chaos The infighting among the Congress in Rajasthan came into the forefront when the state's Special Operations Group (SOG) issued notices to multiple MLAs including CM and Deputy CM in connection with the alleged involvement of BJP leaders for toppling the state government. Following the incident, CM Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP of attempting to topple his government amid the COVID-19 crisis. A day later, on July 11, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot went to Delhi with some of his supporting legislators, and sources said that in touch with the BJP. Sources also said that he has a one-on-one meeting with senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and has put out his grievances. Meanwhile, Gehlot monitored the situation from his residence in Jaipur and gathered all the MLAs who supported him. Breaking his silence on July 13, Pilot said that not only are the MLAs with him but that they are also with the people of Rajasthan. While it is still unclear who among Gehlot and Pilot has the majority support from the MLAs, the Bhartiya Tribal Party has issued a whip directing its two MLAs to abstain from voting if a floor test takes place, hinting that the political chaos in Rajasthan is a long-drawn battle. READ | Gehlot maligning my image; only spoke to Priyanka; wronged after Rahul quit: Sachin Pilot READ | Worked very hard to bring Congress govt in Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot after big BJP statement Their statement to the Hollywood reporter said, "Naya wasnt a series regular when we cast her on Glee," "She didnt have more than a few lines in the pilot. But it didnt take more than an episode or two for us to realize that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with." They also commended her for her groundbreaking performance of a lesbian High School relationship. "It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what 'Brittana' meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time. Naya always made sure that Santanas love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions." They concluded their statement by saying, Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman has been alleged guilty of assisting Jeffrey Epstein recruit and sexually abuse girls including teenagers, appealed not guilty to both conspiracy and perjury charges on Tuesday. The victims of sexual abuse, who were under 18 years old and as young as 14 years old, were allegedly known by both Epstein and Maxwell. In several cases, Maxwell herself allegedly took part in the abuse. Maxwell has denied the said allegations but was denied bail, according to BBC News. As stated by Maxwell's attorney, Maxwell is not Epstein. But a lot of people consider her case evenly dismaying and horrifying. Maxwell proves Abuse has No Gender or Class The Maxwell case upsets people since it takes a stand against stereotypes about predation, class, and gender. Often times, people would not think women as sexual violence offenders, specifically not women who are part of the British aristocracy. But according to sexual violence experts, these cases emphasized how incomplete and incorrect people's ideas are about how this type of abuse happens and who is capable of committing it. Laura Palumbo, National Sexual Violence Resource Center communications director, considered sexual abuse as not a behavior usually associated with women, adding that women are expected to protect other women, or that children will be protected by women, but Maxwell's case is, unfortunately, the opposite. She added that people of different classes perpetrate sexual assault and harm. Studies and research about female perpetrators are minimal and uncommon. According to the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), Maxwell's case pushed them to study more and look deeply at female offenders, but these are more complicated to study since women perpetrators are often not caught. Read also: Prince Andrew Allegedly Involved in Sex Trafficking Ring, Ghislaine Maxwell Says Video Footages Proves Claim RAINN President Scott Berkowitz uttered that Maxwell's present sexual abuse charges caused their research team to go through their hotline data, and review if there were recorded female offenders and try to find patterns are learn anything, USA Today reported. Women are not normally seen in society as violent individuals. Rather, women are thought of as having pure hearts and deeds. In a 2017 Pew Research Center survey, it came out that "nurturing" and "empathy" are among the tops women traits admired by society. Startled at the case Maxwell is being charged with, reflects stereotyping women as being emotional, gentle, and in need of protection. Women are not expected to harm, and definitely not to the level of inhumanity Maxwell is being accused of. Men, oftentimes, are being negatively stereotyped as dominant, violent, and having uncontrollable sexual urges. But as experts say, it is an incorrect idea to think of sexual offenders as people who are expected to be aggressive. This is why men having that "good guy" reputation is being overlooked as sexual abusers, just like the cases of Matt Laue and Bill Cosby. Sherry Hamby, a psychology professor at the University of the South and American Psychological Association journal Psychology of Violence founding editor, articulated that one of the psychological defenses of humans against having the feeling of being vulnerable is to give rise to an idea that it takes some kind of beast to perpetrate sexual abuse or commit other types of sexual offenses. Related article: Ghislaine Maxwell Reportedly Moved from Cell to Cell to Avoid Being Assassinated @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Alex and Kelsey Carroll's company, Toss Up Events, designed and operated unique fan experiences at major sporting events across the country. Then the coronavirus shutdown canceled all large gatherings for the foreseeable future. The Carrolls, both 31, had all of their employees pack up their equipment and head back to the company's headquarters in Dallas. They had no idea when business would be back up and running. Kelsey Carroll came up with the idea to build custom hand-sanitizer stations that they could use when their live event business started up again. The couple, who have two toddlers, created Stand Up Stations to capitalize on their new business idea. Within 11 days, they had a product ready to sell. They converted their traveling employees into a remote salesforce and started selling to every business they could. This month the new company crossed $6 million in sales. Check out this video to learn more about how the couple built their business and to hear their top advice to any potential entrepreneurs. More from Invest in You: 'Predictably Irrational' author says this is what investors should be doing during the pandemic Coronavirus forced this couple into a 27-day quarantine amid their honeymoon cruise How to prepare for a family member with COVID-19 Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Acorns. Regulatory News: M6 Group (Paris:MMT) has entered into exclusive negotiations with Stars, the parent company of Teleshopping, with a view to selling the entire share capital of the company Home Shopping Service. Within a competitive environment undergoing profound change, marked in particular by the rise of major international e-commerce platforms, M6 Group considers that the combination of its subsidiary with the other leading player in the French sector (Teleshopping) would help to secure the long-term future of the home shopping business model. The disposal of the share capital would include, firstly, an agreement regarding the broadcast of home shopping programmes on M6 Group's channels, and secondly, an option for the Group to sell its 51% stake in Best of TV, whose business should benefit from the combination of Home Shopping Service with Stars. Home Shopping Service is the legal entity that produces M6 Boutique, the home shopping programme on the M6 channel. Home Shopping Service also produces teleshopping formats for other French and foreign broadcasters, as well as infomercials. Completion of the transaction remains subject to finalisation of the negotiations and to consultation with employee representative bodies. Subject to operations to be carried out, the impact on the Group's financial statements is not expected to be material. With this disposal, M6 is continuing the turnover of its diversification portfolio whose development is notably based on the strength of the Group's TV channels. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005655/en/ Contacts: M6 Metropole Television The Maldives reopened its tourist resorts Wednesday and welcomed its first international flight in more than three months even as the Indian Ocean holiday hotspot records a steady rise in coronavirus infections. Tourism is a major earner for the Maldives, a tropical island paradise popular with honeymooners and celebrities. As the Qatar Airways flight from Doha carrying 104 passengers landed at the international airport in the capital Male it was sprayed with a water cannon in a special salute. "The stronger our safety measures, the better chance we have of being hailed as a (coronavirus) safe destination," Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail said as he welcomed the arrivals. "I don't believe that we would need to reimpose a border lockdown." Visitors are not required to be tested or carry virus-free certificates to enter the archipelago of 1,190 tiny coral islets. Free tests will be offered to travellers who show symptoms of fever or coughing, the tourism ministry said. They will also be offered a free test when they leave the Maldives. Thirty-three out of 159 resorts in the archipelago said they would open from Wednesday, but some of them have yet to accept bookings. So far, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Emirates and Etihad have scheduled flights to the Maldives in July, the airport's operator said in a statement. From Wednesday, SriLankan will operate three weekly services from Colombo, while Qatar Airways will operate a daily flight from Doha. Emirates has scheduled flights from Dubai five times a week from Thursday until the end of August. Etihad is offering flights from Abu Dhabi bi-weekly from Saturday until July 28. Several other airlines said they would resume flights from August, including Singapore Airlines and its regional wing SilkAir, Gulf Air, India's IndiGo and Hong Kong Airlines. Edelweiss is planning to operate direct flights between Zurich and Male from late September, while Turkish Airlines is expected to resume flights from Istanbul via Colombo from October. The reopening comes as the country reports a steady rise in virus cases. The nation of 340,000 people has recorded just over 2,800 infections so far including 14 deaths. Most of the cases have been among poor migrant labourers and locals in densely populated Male. Tourists were stranded in the Maldives when international flights were halted from late March to combat the spread of the virus. Most of them left by mid-April on government-organised or privately chartered flights. The Maldives attracted a record 1.7 million foreign tourists last year, a 15 percent increase from 2018, according to the government. The reopening of the Maldives to tourists comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published July 15, 2020 As the University of Louisiana Monroe prepares to welcome students for the Fall 2020 semester, information is being provided regarding course delivery methods and safety measures implemented in response to COVID-19. ULM continues to focus on the campus community's health and safety while still executing its academic mission. Currently, the fall academic calendar will not be altered. Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. Fall 2020 course delivery methods Where possible, some small classes will continue to be taught in a face-to-face format as long as social distancing can be maintained to ensure the health and safety of students and faculty. Some large classes will be transitioned to an online delivery format. Due to social distancing requirements and to maintain classroom occupancy rates at 50 percent, ULM is transitioning many courses for the Fall 2020 semester to a HyFlex model. The HyFlex model is a mix of students attending classes face-to-face or via Zoom on assigned days. For example, for a Tuesday/Thursday class, on Tuesday, half of the students will attend in-person, and half will attend remotely on Zoom. On Thursday, the students will switch; those in-person on Tuesday will participate via Zoom, and those who were on Zoom will attend in-person. Students are encouraged to check their course schedule for changes in instructional methods of their courses. Those students requiring special accommodations for instructional methods due to COVID-19, are asked to contact the ULM Counseling Center. The ULM Counseling Center staff will facilitate accommodations to ensure students safety, as well as academic success. Safety measures To keep the ULM campus safe, the following measures have been taken: Face coverings are required on campus for faculty, staff, and students. Seating in classrooms will be marked to ensure social distancing is practiced for face-to-face instruction. Disposable disinfectant wipes will be available in classrooms for students to disinfect their areas at the conclusion of class. Plexiglass shielding is placed in high-traffic areas. Hand sanitizer dispensers are in place in various locations on campus. Use hand sanitizer when handwashing with soap and water is not readily available. Floor markers are placed in waiting areas of office spaces to ensure social distancing. Campus signage is in place to remind everyone to wear a face covering, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and to stay home if feeling ill. It is up to everyone to do our part to keep the ULM campus safe for the Fall 2020 semester. ULM continues to monitor guidance from Gov. John Bel Edwards Office and the University of Louisiana System. This situation is fluid and has the possibility to change based upon new information. The university will continue to communicate as soon as new information becomes available. #StaySafeWarhawks Maiden voyage of China's first amphibious assault ship coming soon: report Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/14 20:24:33 The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy 's first Type 075 amphibious assault ship, which is believed to be built to play a vital role in island seizing operations, is expected to soon make its maiden voyage, as outfitting work is progressing smoothly, media reported on Tuesday, at a time when Taiwan island is holding its annual Han Kuang exercises. Having caught a minor fire in April, the under-construction Chinese warship did not suffer any major damage, which showed the ship's superior damage control mechanism over the USS Bonhomme Richard. The latter caught a major fire on Sunday, which analysts said may render the US warship beyond repair. Latest photos circulated on Chinese mainland social media show that the construction of the first Type 075 amphibious assault ship, which was launched in September 2019 in Shanghai and started outfitting work since then, is nearly completed, as the scaffolds on the ship's superstructure have been removed, Singaporean news outlet Lianhe Zaobao reported on Tuesday. It recently underwent cleaning, indicating that its first sea trial could be coming soon, the report said. The report added that the Type 075's recent construction progress is happening at a time of Taiwan island's Han Kuang exercises, which started on Monday. Citing experts, it said that the Type 075 can be used in a reunification-by-force operation by the PLA, and the amphibious warship's progress can serve as a warning to Taiwan secessionists and recent US arms sales to the island. Judging from the photos, the construction of the Type 075 is progressing according to the normal pattern of shipbuilding. So it is not likely related to the ongoing Han Kuang exercises. But from a wider perspective, the ship will be a powerful addition to the PLA's arsenal if Taiwan is to be reunified by force, a Beijing-based military expert told the Global Times on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity. This type of vessel can also be used to safeguard territorial integrity and sovereignty in the South China Sea, the expert said. A second Type 075 was launched in Shanghai in April. Also in April, the first Type 075 caught on fire in a minor accident. But well-informed sources told the Global Times then that it was not significant and would not have any major impact on further construction. Compared to China's Type 075, the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship that was undergoing renovation at a port in San Diego, California, was not as fortunate. A devastating fire broke out on the ship on Sunday, which has not been extinguished after nearly two days. The US warship might end up beyond repair, news website Business Insider reported, citing US military experts. Accidents are normal, and sometimes inevitable in ship construction, but damage control mechanisms should be applied to contain any major impact, the Chinese expert said, noting that China's shipbuilding industry pays heavy attention to production safety. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Britain needs to be prepared to defend itself in space, as future wars will be fought above the Earth using zero-gravity weapons, says the UK Defence Secretary. In a speech on air and space power in the 'age of constant competition' Ben Wallace said China and Russia were already developing space-based weapons. Satellites, that provide communication, intelligence, surveillance and navigation services will be a key battleground and need defending in future, he explained. Beyond space, Wallace said the country should also be prepared for 'constant competition' from outside forces including possible 'high-level cyber strikes'. 'Today were facing coronavirus, tomorrow it could be a cyber strike. Its clear the binary distinctions between peace and war have disappeared,' he said. Satellites, that provide communication, intelligence, surveillance and navigation services will be a key battleground and need defending in future, A number of weapon types exist that can be used either from Earth-to-space, space-to-Earth or even within space itself, according to defence specialists. This could be as simple as one satellite physically intercepting another satellite in order to disrupt or destroy it in a way that would impact national infrastructure. Existing weapons are also a risk, with the Pentagon admitting it is concerned China or Russia could detonate a nuclear weapon in space. This would generate an electromagnetic pulse that could fry the electronics of spacecraft and take out satellites without any warning. 'China and Russia present the greatest strategic threat due to their development, testing and deployment of counterspace capabilities,' the US government has said. In a speech on air and space power in the 'age of constant competition' Ben Wallace said China and Russia were already developing space-based weapons 'China and Russia each have weaponized space as a means to reduce US and allied military effectiveness and challenge our freedom of operation in space.' The biggest issue when it comes to space warfare is the risk of debris, as even the smallest piece of a destroyed satellite could cause serious and unexpected harm to other objects - and even humans - in orbit around the Earth. It isn't just nations gaining access to advanced technology, and Mr Wallace explained that cyberwarfare is as much of an issue as space warfare. 'Our adversaries now wear many masks,' Wallace said in his speech. 'They know were dependent on IT. They know that Information Advantage is key. They know globalisation makes us more vulnerable,' he explained. 'So theres a danger our competitors will use proxies and new technologies to outflank us', adding we can't sit back and let these states outmanoeuvre us anymore. Wallace said in future we have to be prepared to make the 'tough choices necessary to unmask and counter our opponents in the interests of promoting our national peace, purpose, and prosperity.' It is no longer possible to pick and choose isolated battles, he said, adding we can't think about 'fighting the last war but instead prepare for constant competition. 'That means asking ourselves what the air and space environment of 2030, 2040 or even 2050 will look like. How will we operate? How will we fight?' In future he said the 'battle space' could be in actual space, with sub-surface, surface, air and space all playing a part in protecting Britain's interests. In 2007, Beijing successfully tested a surface-to-air missile strike against a satellite, according to the Pentagon and in 2017 Russia launched an 'inspection satellite'. The US Space Force also has a weapon capable of disrupting and knocking out enemy satellite transmissions. Beyond space, Wallace said the country should also be prepared for 'constant competition' from outside forces including possible 'high-level cyber strikes' The Space Force said that it deliberately chose a non-kinetic anti-satellite weapon in order to avoid physically destroying enemy assets in space, which would create floating debris that could threaten friendly systems in orbit. Wallace gave the example of Russian activity in the Ukraine where they used electronic warfare to jam enemy communications as a reason the UK needs to be prepared for a changing landscape. This included using their own technology against them to locate and target troops by getting them to follow false GPS signals. 'Russia and China are developing offensive weapons in space a major cause for concern,' he said. The US Space Force has a weapon capable of disrupting and knocking out enemy satellite transmissions without physically destroying them 'Satellites dont just provide our global communications, critical intelligence, and surveillance and navigation but underpin our critical national infrastructure from mobile phones, to cashpoints, to the stock market.' He said there will need to be dramatic changes to the way the UK armed forces are structured, including a shift from Industrial Age to Information Age capabilities. This involves investing in cyber, space, electronic warfare, AI, robotics and autonomy coupled with their integration with the best of what already exists. 'I have a vision of UK defence, where were able to join the dots between space, air, surface and sub-surface, so that the sum of the parts means much more than the value of the individual parts, and where we can do this in real time at the time and place of our choosing,' Wallace said in his speech. There will likely be cooperation with allied nations in space and cyberwarfare protections. The United States' closest intelligence allies, the 'Five Eyes' group (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain and the US), have been cooperating since 2014 within the Combined Space Operations initiative. France and Germany joined them in February. The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has called on Parliament to compel the Ministry of Finance to account for a GH1.5 billion unutilised funds in the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) for 2019. The ABFA is the portion of petroleum revenues earmarked for government spending in a particular year, therefore, PIAC wants Parliament to exercise its oversight responsibility and ensure that the Ministry of Finance fully accounts for the funds. Mr. Noble Wadzah, Chairman of PIAC disclosed this at a public forum on the management and use of Ghana's petroleum revenue as captured in the 2019 PIAC Annual Report in Cape Coast on Tuesday. PIAC is a statutory body, established under Section 51 of the Petroleum Revenue Management Authority (PRMA), 2011 (Act815) to monitor and evaluate compliance of the Act by government and relevant institutions in the management and use of petroleum revenues and investments. The Chairman of PIAC said it was gradually becoming a pattern for the Ministry of Finance not to utilise, and account for some part of the ABFA. Whereas the total ABFA for last year was around GH 2.7 billion, the report said GH1.2 billion was utilised while the remaining GH1.5 billion cannot be accounted for and noted that "it was impeding PIAC's appreciation of the full scope of accounting to the public on the utilisation of our petroleum revenues." PIAC also revealed violations in the use of the ABFA, as 45.14 percent of it was spent on recurrent expenditure, with 54.85 percent on capital expenditure, contrary to Section 8(4) (a) of Act 893, which requires that a minimum of 70 percent be spent on public investment expenditure. Meanwhile, for the second consecutive year, there was no allocation from the ABFA to the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), converse to the provisions of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA) adding that it could put future infrastructure development in jeopardy if not checked. Touching on the GNPC and what its core focus must be on, PIAC said the state-owned petroleum firm continued to provide guarantees for a range of state-owned firm enterprises, amounting to US$645.5 million in 2019. A practice the Committee's Chairman, Mr Wadzah, said defeated prudent management of taxpayer funds: This is about double, compared with the previous years and also outweighs the Corporation's total equity financing of US$164.79 million for the period. Mr Wadzah, consequently cautioned that GNPC's actions had the tendency to stifle investment into its core activities like exploring for new resources and development of the industry as a whole. On gas, the PIAC Chairman said gas production within the last two years witnessed its greatest boost since the commercialisation of natural gas in Ghana started. A total of 169,508.61 Million Metric Standard Cubic Feet (MMSCF) of associated gas (AG) and non-associated gas (NAG) was produced in 2019; an 85 per cent increase over the 2018 volume of 91,459.30 MMSCF. He said while the Jubilee Field had always produced the highest volumes, the trend was reversed for the first time in 2019, with the Sankofa Gye Nyame (SGN) Fields combined AG and NAG contributing the highest volume of 69,941.60 MMSCF. The Jubilee and TEN Fields produced 51,179.67 MMSCF and 48,387.34 MMSCF, respectively. On the total petroleum revenues, receipts accrued from the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF) in 2019 was $925 million and were distributed to the GNPC, the ABFA, the Ghana Stabilisation Fund (GSF) and the Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF). Also, the four priority areas of the ABFA as stipulated in ACT 815 (2011) were agriculture, which received GH71.6 million, roads, rail, and other critical infrastructure development priority, had GH579.2 million, education and health, received GH570.8 million and GH 46.3 million, respectively as well as some disbursement to the PIAC. The Committee also reiterated earlier calls on Parliament to consider placing some restrictions cap on the proportion of GNPC's budget on corporate social investments and guarantees to state institutions, particularly in the light of the Corporation's inability to respond to some of its cash calls. PIAC cautioned that the management of petroleum revenues remained flawed with numerous challenges, ranging from lack of transparency in utilisation of funds and a deviation in the core mandate of the GNPC from the commercial production of oil and gas. It called on the government to expedite action on the infrastructure requirements for gas evacuation and utilization, to avoid the huge backlog of make-up gas volumes and the potential for resource waste, the report said. ---GNA (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. clinched an important win in a top European Union court Wednesday, but its only the first battle in an onslaught of other regulatory threats facing the iPhone maker in Europe, including antitrust probes and legislation that could force changes to the way it operates in the bloc.The Cupertino, California-based company won the first round in its challenge against a 2016 decision by the European Commission to slap a 13 billion-euro ($14.9 billion) Irish back-tax bill on the iPhone maker. The commission had argued Ireland gave Apple an illegal tax advantage. Apple said it was pleased with a ruling by the EU General Court siding with the company, while the commission said it would consider its next steps after studying the Luxembourg-based courts judgment, which can be appealed. Apple rose 1.3% to $393.34 at 9:40 a.m. in New York Wednesday. The shares have gained 34% so far this year. Apple Wins Fight Over $14.9 Billion Tax Bill in Blow to EU In the event of an appeal, Apple will have to continue aggressively fighting the tax case just as the commission, the blocs executive body and competition watchdog, recently opened multiple antitrust probes into the tech giants conduct. A slew of other regulatory initiatives also risk denting the companys operations in Europe.In June, EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager and her team said they were concerned that Apple harms competitors by requiring apps published in its App Store to use the companys in-house payment system, which takes a cut of as much as 30% of subscriptions and in-app purchases. Fees from App Store transactions are estimated to be the largest contributor to Apples Services revenue, a business the company is trying hard to expand. European officials are also scrutinizing Apples conduct with its Apple Pay service, including whether the firm unfairly blocks other providers from using contactless functionality on iPhones. Banks and other payments providers have griped the company gives its Apple Pay service an unfair advantage by limiting access to that technology. Story continues Apple says it embraces competition and merely wants customers to have access to the best app or service of their choice, in a safe and secure environment. But the iPhone maker will have to defend its position to the EUs antitrust chief amid the already-tense backdrop of the tax case. When Vestager issued the tax bill in 2016, it led Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to blast the move as total political crap. As antitrust chief, Vestager has taken a tough stance against tech giants in recent years. Now in an expanded role as the EUs tech czar, her approach shows no signs of abating. Along with the antitrust investigations, her team is planning new rules for so-called gatekeeper platforms and a tax on digital revenues -- both of which could again hit Apple.Internet platforms, from Apple to Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., have attracted numerous complaints over an alleged failure to play fair when they host smaller companies and compete directly with them. The measures for gatekeeper platforms, due to be unveiled by year-end, aim to tackle those issues where competition law cant. They will also build on new regulations that entered into force this month, which oblige platforms to treat business customers fairly and provide more transparency around search rankings. Meanwhile, Apple is pushing back against another potential EU initiative that would standardize chargers for all types of smartphones and devices, in an effort by the bloc to reduce electronic waste. Apple says such measures could hamper innovation of sleeker and smaller gadgets, while having the perverse effect of creating more waste. Being forced to use a common standard charger could also turn a bespoke product that Apple sells at high prices into a commodity, cutting into its profit. Even on privacy, an area where the iPhone maker prides itself to be a leader compared to other Silicon Valley giants, Apple is also starting to face heat in Europe. A man who worked on the companys Siri transcription project in Ireland complained to European privacy authorities in May over the massive violation of the privacy of millions of citizens. Apple had previously announced it would make changes to Siri following reports by Bloomberg that the company, along with Amazon and Google, relied on workers to listen to audio clippings. Since 2018, European privacy watchdogs have had the power to fine firms as much as 4% of annual revenue if they are found to breach the blocs strict data protection rules. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: Patrons enjoy drinks on terrace of restaurant as coronavirus restrictions lifted to visit restaurants in Montreal By Moira Warburton TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's restaurants are counting the days to the country's notoriously cold and long winters, knowing that patio dining - which many are relying on as the coronavirus pandemic has limited indoor dining - is only a short-term solution, executives said. Even after a bounceback in June, the food service industry has lost a third of its 1.2 million direct jobs due to lockdowns aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. It is on track to lose C$44.8 billion ($33 billion) in revenue in 2020 compared with last year, according to Restaurants Canada, the industry lobby group. As restaurants across the country slowly reopen, diners have been flocking to outdoor dining. Restaurants in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, recently opened their outdoor patios for service, with socially distanced indoor dining starting on Saturday in some parts of the province. Several jurisdictions, including British Columbia and the cities of Edmonton in Alberta and Toronto in Ontario, have made it easier for restaurants to open patios, encouraging diners to eat outdoors. But experts and economists are aware this is a short term solution. "We in the north have a problem ahead, and it's called winter," Avery Shenfeld, managing director and chief economist of CIBC Capital Markets, wrote in a note last week. "Our warmer months will see restaurants more dependent on patio space, but the al fresco dining season lasts a lot longer in Miami than it does in Chicago or Toronto." Every year, most restaurants close patios from November to May, when temperatures often average below freezing in much of Canada. 'LOOKING TO SURVIVE' James Rilett, vice president for central Canada at Restaurants Canada, said the issue of winter in Canada is "quite a concern" and "something that's been on people's minds for a while." While he expects to see a run on outdoor heaters, restaurants already had slim profit margins before the pandemic, and the industry has been decimated by lockdown orders. Story continues That's left businesses with little room for investment in infrastructure to extend the outdoor dining season. The average pre-pandemic profit margin for a restaurant in Canada was 4.1%, according to Restaurants Canada. "We haven't seen the magic bullet of how this will come through," Rilett said, referring to the problem of continuing outdoor dining when the temperature plummets to -14Celsius (6.8 Fahrenheit). Recent coronavirus outbreaks linked to indoor dining - including several from bars in Montreal, and one at a strip club in Vancouver - have underlined the risk of virus spread to government, industry and customers from indoor activities. Officials in Quebec, Canada's hardest-hit province from the pandemic, are cracking down on crowding at food and drink establishments, closing bars early and mandating masks indoors as of Saturday. Janet Zuccarini, owner and chief executive of Gusto 54, which owns half a dozen restaurants in Toronto, said her company had bought extra heaters and worked with the city to expand patio space for several of its restaurants. "You're not looking to make money during the pandemic, you're looking to survive," she said. "The bar is set pretty low right now. ... The pandemic has really exposed the weakness in this industry." Restaurants "know that the window is short," Rilett said. "They know that they're burning daylight, and every day that goes by is one less day that they can make up for the long winter." (Reporting by Moira Warburton in Toronto and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Denny Thomas and Bernadette Baum) Every state has an unclaimed funds department. This is where money from forgotten assets such as inactive bank accounts and uncashed checks are kept until the rightful owner can be found. But now scammers, with promises to return your money to you, are trying to trick people into giving up their personal information with a text come-on, the states Treasury Department said. The phony texts come from scammers who say they are from the states Unclaimed Property Administration (UPA), saying residents can claim the money held by the state by clicking a link, the agency said. The impersonation scam has also been reported in Michigan, Louisiana and Idaho. We want everyone out there to be wise to such scams, state Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said in a statement. Our overriding goal is to help reunite people with their rightful assets. CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage The texts are similar to email phishing scams in which victims are lured to a website where they give their personal information. The scammers, armed with data like your date of birth and Social Security number, can use the information to file fake tax returns or take out loans in your name, or more. Other unclaimed property schemes come on paper in the mail, and they promise to help you find your funds for a fee. But they are misleading because you can find your own unclaimed property, if you have any, for free on the states website. Steven Harris, the administrator of UPA, is urging people to delete any messages claiming to come from the agency. When we communicate with people about unclaimed property, we do so by e-mail or letter never by text messages, Harris said. In fact, weve recently improved our systems to make the real process easier for people to find out if we are holding onto their property. UPA has reunited rightful owners with $380 million over the past three years, the state said. The IRS recently said it has more than $41 million in unclaimed tax refunds from New Jersey citizens. Taxpayers only have a three-year window to file a 2016 return to claim these refunds. July 15 is the deadline. If unclaimed, these funds wont go to the states unclaimed property agency. It instead becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury, the IRS said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. (Natural News) A former Wikipedia editor blasted Wikipedia for not being neutral, and slammed the platform for a multi-year scorched-earth campaign against popular conservative talk radio host Mark Levin. (Article by Alexander Hall republished from NewsBusters.org) A massive expose accusing Wikipedia of having biased editors was put out by Breitbart News. Localemediamonitor and Snooganssnoogans, according to Breitbart, have been allowed to run rampant on conservative Wikipedia entries. That included their jihad against Levin. The banned Wikipedia editor wrote at Breitbart under the alias T.D. Adler. He noted Wikipedias failure to stop this had massive consequences. Negative material added by both editors eventually found its way to news coverage of Levin, particularly around the time his show at Fox News was announced and premiered, wrote Adler. A staff writer from the Forward, Nathan Guttman, admitted to Adler that he probably uses Wikipedia when researching articles. The Breitbart article asserted that editors on Wikipedia began to attack Levins credibility through edits to his page on the site. That happened after he had criticized the police-state tactics of the Obama administration for using intercepts and FISA warrants. The article summarized how this had consequences which even now are shaking up politics: The criticism, which allegedly prompted President Donald Trumps controversial wire-tapping allegations, has since been vindicated by revelations about widespread falsehoods in FISA warrants issued against Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, seen now as part of a broader Obamagate scandal. A number of attacks on Levin eventually ended up in news articles shortly before and after the premiere of his show on Fox News. Levin has squared off against Wikipedia before. Breitbart recounted that in 2018 Levin broadcasted an entire segment reading from his slanted Wikipedia entry and lamenting how Wikipedia is a place where people who hate you can go into your page and poison it. One of the Wikipedia editors, Localemediamonitor, was criticized by Levin for adding two parts to Levins Wikipedia page. According to Breitbart, those included: a paragraph about a hoax caller to Levins show and a line about Levin characterizing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as a radical Marxist who believes in violence. Levin noted on his show that this particular remark was in the context of the Alexandria terrorist shooting targeting Republican congressmen by a former Sanders campaign volunteer. Adler highlighted how editors like Localemediamonitor are still allowed on the platform, despite a history of biased edits and occasional slaps on the wrist such as having edits removed: Localemediamonitor, the most active in adding negative content to Levins page, has made only about 500 edits. Most of those edits are about radio personalities, particularly conservatives such as Dennis Prager of PragerU, and are overwhelmingly negative. Another far-left Wikipedia editor Snooganssnoogans has reportedly been sanctioned previously for his editing of pages on conservatives. Yet even so, he has been allowed to keep making edits on the platform. Far from being a politically neutral platform, it can only be so fairly sourced when left-wing ideologues take it upon themselves to undo vast amounts of edits they appear to personally disagree with. Adler noted: Later in 2018, when an editor tried to remove some of the smears on Levins page, Snooganssnoogans repeatedly undid the users edits well in excess of what is allowed by Wikipedia policy in order to keep the material in the article, but faced no sanctions for his behavior. The Breitbart article described a massive argument where Snooganssnoogans actively stopped other editors from showing positive reviews that a book by Levin received: ive removed these reviews. the other editor refuses to accurately describe these reviews, thus misleading readers into thinking this book has received mixed reviews when in fact its been panned by nonpartisan reviewers at RS but lauded by partisans for non-RS. Snooganssnoogans also tried to accuse Levin, who is Jewish, of enabling anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. He intimated that a critique of liberal billionaire mega-donor George Soros was a statement of anti-Semitic hatred of Jewish people: Levin falsely claimed that the Hungarian-American philantrophist [[George Soros]], who is the subject of a wide range of right-wing and anti-Semitic conspiracies, was involved in funding the whistleblower and the whistleblowers lawyers. Adler painted a grim picture of why the media, academia, and Big Tech are so wildly biased today. He suggested that Reliance on Wikipedia by news outlets, scientific literature, and Big Tech, has made it a popular target for editors looking to push an agenda. Even Wikipedia founder Larry Sanger has lamented how far the platform has fallen in recent years due to radical leftist political bias. In his personal blog, he commented that Wikipedia no longer has an effective neutrality policy. Levin quickly acknowledged Breitbarts piece on his Twitter account for spending a great deal of time analyzing Wikipedias years long smears, lies, and spin campaign against my character and career. Thank you! Read more at: NewsBusters.org Individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 account for the majority (56.5%) of COVID-19 cases in Forsyth, while those ages 65 and older represent 8.3%. About 58% or 2,127 of the county's cases are among Latino residents. About 13%, or 480 cases, are among white residents. Nearly 13% of cases, or 472, are among residents whose race or ethnicity is unknown. More than 12%, or 459, of cases were among Black residents of Forsyth. Asian residents make up a little more than 3% of cases, at 124. Of the 40 reported deaths, 25 were male and 15 female. There have been 23 deaths of people 65 and older and 11 in the 55-to-64 age group. Four people in the 45-to-54 age group have died. Two of the deaths were in the 25-to-34 group. White residents make up 15 of the deaths, followed by 11 each among Black and Latino residents, two in the unknown category and one Asian resident. Public health officials list Forsyth among eight counties in the state running the greatest risk of rapid spread of the virus. The state's positive testing rate has hovered between 9% and 10% since at least mid-May, including being at 11% as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. There have been 1.25 million North Carolinians tested. Photo: (Photo : 5 Tips for Dealing With a Divorce) Divorce is never easy, especially when there are children involved. The stress and negative emotions make it difficult to make decisions. If you are not careful, the divorce can become rather messy, which can impact your children for years to come. This is why it is important that you deal with your divorce in the best way possible. Below are some tips and strategies you can use that will hopefully make your divorce a little more bearable. Communicate the Right Way The first thing you focus on is how you communicate with your partner. You want, if possible, to retain an open line of communication between each other and in a healthy way. Work on having your discussions when you are both in the right frame of mind and when the children are not present. There is often a lot of anger in a divorce, but you will want to keep this from your conversations as much as you can. This only leads to saying things you regret, which can make the divorce harder. If you find yourself getting heated during a conversation, push the pause button, and come back to it later. Of course, you can only control your own emotions and not those of your partner. Still, if you are able to approach these conversations in a healthy way, hopefully, your partner will too. Talk With Your Kids At some point, you will need to discuss the divorce with your kids. This is a difficult conversation, and whenever possible, both parents should be present. Talk to your kid about what is going on, what the future will look like, and explain that this is not their fault. Be prepared for a range of emotions and a lot of questions. It is not a bad idea to practice what you are going to say beforehand and to prepare some answers to common questions. The conversation will be difficult, but remember that this divorce is best for everyone. Have a Good Support System Going through a divorce on your own is challenging, to say the least. You will want to have a good support system there to help you through the more difficult parts. Key members of your support system will be your family and friends. Reach out to them, let them know what is going on, and do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Another important member of your support system is your lawyer. A good divorce lawyer will handle all the legal work and offer great advice. According to Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, a Portland divorce attorney, "An experienced custody attorney can offer valuable advice about what sort of custody and parenting plan arrangement would be best for your situation, but every family is unique." Find a good divorce attorney as early as you can in the process. You will have enough stress on your plate from the start, so the more people you have around to help you, the better. Plan Out Your Finances After a divorce, your financial situation is going to change. You may have to pay child support, afford rent on your own or not have a source of income at all. You will want to plan out what your finances will look like going forward. Map out what sort of income you will have, along with the likely expenses. When figuring out your finances, do not forget to include the fees for your divorce attorney, along with any debts that you and your spouse had together. If there are issues during the divorce about who should pay what, you may need the services of a mediator. For more help on planning out your finances during a divorce, you can check out this guide. Find Ways to Relieve Stress Finally, you should have your own methods of relieving stress. Going through a divorce is stressful, so you will need a way to reduce that tension. Sign up for a gym membership, pick up a new hobby or set aside time to do some reading. Whatever it is that works for you, make sure that you do it. If you do not relieve stress during a divorce, you may end up taking it out on your former partner, kids or other people in your life. Divorces are rarely easy, but they do not always have to be a nightmare. If you can plan out some things in advance, take care of your mental health, focus on strong communication and have a good support system around you, you can likely get through it without extra hassle. If you are filing for divorce, contact one of the dedicated Oregon family law attorneys at Gearing, Rackner & McGrath, LLP. We have extensive experience handling Portland divorce cases as well as the related issues that frequently come up throughout the divorce process. To learn more about how our attorneys can assist you, call us at 503-468-6741 or contact us through our online form. Shakuntala Devi: Vidya Balan Says It Was Intimidating To Play The Mathematician, Talks About Film's OTT Release Richa Sharma By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The general sentiment in the Congress, particularly of the Old Guard, is that the young brigade was promoted too quickly by Rahul Gandhi, which made them disproportionately ambitious. And when their ambitions did not get fulfilled, they changed loyalties. In over a year, Rahuls loyalists Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Tanwar, Ajoy Kumar and Pradyot Manikya have left the Congress while others like Milind Deora and Jitin Prasada have been uneasy. During UPA-2, Rahul ensured that young leaders got a role in the Manmohan Singh cabinet and Pilot, Scindia, Deora and Prasada were all made ministers. After taking over as party president in 2017, Rahul ensured that the young leaders get organisational posts, causing heartburns among the Old Gurad many of whom felt sidelined. But his resignation after the partys debacle in the Lok Sabha elections last year seems to have impacted his youth brigade. Many now question the meteoric rise of Pilot from a first-time MP in 2004 to Rajasthan Congress chief in 2014 and deputy CM in 2018. Two great Congress leaders untimely demise made the Congress give everything to their young sons, which otherwise would take lifetime to achieve. What did they give to the party? Only party workers can become a tall leader, tweeted Jitu Patwari, Madhya Pradesh Congress working president. In the last one-and-a-half year, rift among the young leaders and seniors has been the Congresss worst kept secret. Trouble between Scindia and former MP CMs Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh over power sharing saw the fall of the Congress government. Ahead of Haryana assembly polls last year, daggers were out between former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and then state party chief Ashok Tanwar who finally left the party. Pilots revolt has led seniors to caution youngsters to be patient and not to keep personal ambitions ahead of the party. My advise to Pilot to be patient, not to be emotional. Having a bright future, your turn will come. I also had similar hurdles but ultimately patience helped. Better not to run after power which will come automatically. Gehlot may also give due recognition to Pilot, tweeted former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi. CampaignUprising.com "CampaignUprising.com is a creative tool, marketing tool, and a digital advertising placement tool all in one. It is everything a political campaign needs to target voters online." ~ Marty Meyer, CCO of CampaignUprising.com CampaignUprising.com, a self-service digital advertising platform for political agencies and candidates running for office, was released today by El Toro Internet Marketing. Built specifically for the political industry, CampaignUprising.com allows political campaigns to build creative advertisements, leverage pre-loaded voter data segments, and push digital advertising campaigns live in minutes from one single platform. Marty Meyer, CCO of CampaignUprising.com said, Our political software platform is a candidates dream solution. The data our clients have access to is some of the best that a political campaign could ever use. The built-in creative advertisement generator combined with voter data allows our clients to leverage, implement, and deploy ads for voter outreach within minutes. CampaignUprising.com is a creative tool, marketing tool, and ad placement tool all in one. It is everything a political campaign needs to target voters online. Meyer went on to say, The release of the CampaignUprising.com system comes just in time for the upcoming election season as most campaigns are ramping up their digital outreach because of COVID. Politicians are now having to reach more voters online, so tools like this allow them to deploy ads faster and target their voters more efficiently. CampaignUprising.com allows for that and much more. CampaignUprising.com by El Toro Internet Marketing is a self-service political marketing platform that allows political campaigns, candidates, advocacy groups, and others to create digital marketing banners, select targeted voters from a series of pre-defined data sets, and deploy marketing campaigns to voters all over the United States within minutes. To find out more about El Toro Internet Marketing, please visit: https://www.eltoro.com/political-advocacy/. To signup or learn more about CampaignUprising.com, please visit: https://campaignuprising.com/ A powerful Afghan warlord accused of kidnapping and raping a political opponent and of committing rights abuses for decades has been given the country's highest military rank. Former Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, 66, was awarded the rank of marshal in a special ceremony on July 15, making him only the third such recipient in the Afghan armed forces. The rank was given to Dostum at a ceremony in his home province of Jawzjan as part of a power-sharing deal between President Ashraf Ghani and his main opponent Abdullah Abdullah after months of tension following a disputed 2019 election. Dostum backed Abdullah in the election. Speaking at the ceremony, Dostum warned the country's political leadership that they must put their rivalries aside, or otherwise the Taliban would win the war. Under a February agreement between the United States and the Taliban, the government must release up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners ahead of intra-Afghan talks, while the militant group should release up to 1,000 government prisoners. Speaking at the ceremony, Abdullah said that all Taliban prisoners would be released and asked the group to refrain from creating more excuses to block the path of the peace process. Dostum is an ethnic Uzbek warlord who fought against the Taliban alongside U.S. forces in 2001. In 2016, Dostum, then vice president, was accused of kidnapping, torturing and raping ex-Jawzjan governor Ahmad Ishchi, a political rival, with a rifle barrel. At the time, Ghani forced Dostum into exile in Turkey. Dostum returned to Afghanistan in July 2018 and settled in Jawzjan after huge numbers of people demonstrated in his favor in several provinces. Based on reporting by dpa and AFP Positive news on initial trials of the University of Oxford's potential COVID-19 vaccine that has been licensed to AstraZeneca could be announced as soon as Thursday, ITV's political editor Robert Peston said, citing a source. The potential vaccine is already in large-scale Phase III human trials to assess whether it can protect against COVID-19, but its developers have yet to report Phase I results which would show whether it is safe and whether or not it induces an immune response. The developers of the vaccine said this month they are encouraged by the immune response they have seen in trials so far and were expecting to be able to publish Phase 1 data by the end of July. The data are expected to be published by The Lancet medical journal. 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 A spokeswoman for Oxford University told Reuters the team was awaiting confirmation from a scientific journal of a publication date and time for the data, but gave no further details. "(We) are not able to confirm when it will be released," she said. Peston said in a blog post: "I am hearing there will be positive news soon (perhaps tomorrow) on initial trials of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine that is backed by AstraZeneca." More than 100 vaccines are being developed and tested around the world to try to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed hundreds of thousands and ravaged the global economy. Close Donald Trump says he'd welcome Michael Flynn back to the White House Dr Anthony Fauci responded to White House's "bizarre" attacks against the coronavirus taskforce head, saying it ultimately hurts the president. Donald Trump distanced himself from the op-ed in USA Today, saying it was written by Peter Navarro and that he had a good relationship with Dr Fauci. It came as Oklahoma's Kevin Stitt becomes first US governor announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19. Trump, meanwhile, appeared to avoid a Twitter hack that targeted presidential candidates Joe Biden and Kanye West, as well as other high-profile politicians and business leaders like Barack Obama and Elon Musk. Follow the latest updates below: President Donald Trumps niece, Mary Trump, has called on her uncle to resign in her first televised interview since a New York judge lifted a restraining order on her speaking publicly about the president. Speaking to ABCs George Stephanopoulos about her book, Too Much and Never Enough, that was published on Tuesday, Ms Trump said that the president seemed stressed when she visited him at the White House in 2017. She said that she told her uncle: Dont let them get you down, in reference to his critics, but added that the president replied: They wont get me. Ms Trump told Stephanopoulos, in the interview that aired on Good Morning America on Wednesday, that in the encounter she could tell that he already seemed very strained by the pressures. Ms Trump added: You know, hed never been in a situation before where he wasnt entirely protected from criticism, or accountability, or things like that. And I think Michael Flynn just had to be fired, and from the get-go it hadnt been going well, in particular. I just remember thinking, he seems tired, he seems this is not what he signed up for, if he even knows what he signed up for. And I thought his response was actually more enlightening than my statement. Stephanopoulos then asked the 55-year-old what she would say to Mr Trump if she was in front of him in the Oval Office today. Ms Trump replied: Resign. In her book, Ms Trump accused the president of cheating on his SATs and called him a sociopath, blaming the treatment he received from his father, Fred Trump. His personality served his fathers purpose. Thats what sociopaths do: They co-opt others and use them toward their own ends ruthlessly and efficiently, with no tolerance for dissent or resistance, she wrote. White House press secretary Sarah Matthews told NBC that the allegations of abuse against the presidents father and the accusation of cheating on the SATs are both false. The president describes the relationship he had with his father as warm and said his father was very good to him, she wrote in a statement. He said his father was loving and not at all hard on him as a child. Also, the absurd SAT allegation is completely false. On Tuesday, Judge Hal B Greenwald ruled that Ms Trump could publicly promote her recently released book about the president after being previously barred from talking about the Trump family. The presidents brother, Robert Trump, had argued that promoting the book breached a confidentiality agreement relating to the estate of the presidents father, signed by Ms Trump 19 years ago. Mr Greenwald ruled that because the book had already been published and sold in stores across the US, the ban on Ms Trump talking about the president would be moot. The presidents brother also attempted to ban the release of the book on the same grounds, but Judge Alan D Scheinkma ruled last week that the agreement did not apply to the publishers, Simon & Schuster. Ms Trumps book is the second in a month that focuses on the president, as former Trump administration national security adviser John Boltons, tell-all memoir about his time working for the president was released in June. The Trump administration delayed the books release and attempted to block its publication entirely, but were unsuccessful, and The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir was released on 23 June 2020. The Chabahar-Zahedan rail line will eventually stretch to Zaranj in Afghanistan, enabling hassle-free trade. Iran denied an Indian newspaper report that New Delhi was dropped from a key rail project along the border with Afghanistan after it showed reluctance in investing fearing American sanctions. A deputy to Irans Ports and Maritime Organization, Farhad Montaser, called the story totally false because Iran has not inked any deal with India regarding the Zahedan-Chabahr railway. Iran has only signed two agreements with Indians for investment in Chabahar: one is related to ports machinery and equipment, and the second is related to Indias investment to the tune of $150m, Montaser was quoted by the IRNA news agency as saying on Wednesday. We had a list of Indian investments in Chabahar port, which also included the issue of Chabahar railway infrastructure and the railway, but during the negotiations it was not agreed. He added sanctions have nothing to do to Iran-Indias cooperation in Chabahar. The Hindu newspaper reported on Tuesday the Iranian government decided to proceed with the long-stalled rail project without Indias participation. A track-laying ceremony for the Chabahar-Zahedan rail line was held last week. It will eventually stretch to Zaranj on the Afghan side, enabling hassle-free trade and movement. Indian consultancy IRCON had pledged to provide all services and funding for the project, estimated at about $1.6bn, according to the Hindu report. In 2018, Washington agreed to a waiver for Chabahar port under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, but the newspaper said Indian officials were still wary. Irans President Hassan Rouhani has previously described the port as a vital part of shaping Irans economic future. President Donald Trump-led administration gave up within 5 minutes of the start of arguments in a federal court in Boston on Tuesday, and to the relief of hundreds of US universities and their hundreds of thousands of international students including many from India, its lawyer told the judge they were rescinding the controversial order issued last week. As a result of rescinding of the order, foreign students in US will not be asked to leave if they are enrolled at a university that offered only online classes for the upcoming fall semester because of Covid-19 lockdown. Additionally, no one will be have to switch course or university for in-person classes to stay in-status, as the administration had ordered on July 6. The government has agreed to rescind the July 6 2020 policy directive and the frequently asked questions, the FAQs, that were released the next day on July 7, district court judge Allison D. Burroughs said just as the hearing started. They also agreed to rescind any implementation of the directive. She added that the administration will go back to its March guideline, which allowed foreign students to stay and pursue their studies through online courses as colleges and universities had begun shutting down due to the Covid-19 disease outbreak sweeping through the country. US continues to remain the worst affected by the pandemic globally with 3,434,636 infection cases and 1,36,699 deaths, as recorded by Johns Hopkins university The Harvard Crimson, a campus news publication of Harvard, which was a joint plaintiff with MIT, reported that the judge also said the parties had reached an agreement within five minutes of the start of the arguments. Omkar Joshi, a doctoral student at the University of Maryland (UMD), said, This is a good development and we are relieved that the order has been rescinded. We can return to the campus, if we choose to, without the fear of infection. This comes as a well deserved relief. Though UMD opted for a hybrid model of teaching, it was still not clear to students how many courses they had to take under the new directive, or how many hours they had to spend on the campus. Universities can still offer in-person courses, depending on their programmes but, Joshi said, students cannot be forced to return to the campus, they have a choice now. An estimated 1 million international students are enrolled in US colleges and universities every year. They are a significant source of revenue for the colleges, generating economic activity worth around $41 billion and supporting 450,000 jobs alongside. After China, US sees second largest student population from India with around 200,000 in all at present ahead of Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Canada. The July 6 order from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency had come out of the blue, as one Indian student had then said, shaken, confused and scared as all other foreign students. Universities had been caught in the final planning stages for the fall, as they had weighed options and models for reopening with new Covid-19 infections surging around the country again. Tanujay Saha, of Princeton, said that while he is not personally impacted as he has finished most of his coursework as a doctoral student and now has research work lined up, some students in his lab hailing from other parts of the world had completely freaked out. The work in the lab grounded to a standstill, Saha said. We couldnt not work for a day or two, he said of the days in the immediate aftermath of the order, which had added to worries and concerns already being felt around the campus because of the Covid-19 epidemic and travel restrictions. He also got calls from India from students who were to start this fall. They were worried, of course about what will happen now. Harvard had announced the same day on July 6, its fall courses will be taught online entirely. And just hours later, it discovered its students will be forced to either leave the country because of new directive from the Trump administration or switch to another university that offered a hybrid of in-person and online classes. Trump had directed his ire at Harvard, saying, the next day, its plans were ridiculous and that it had taken the easy way out. This is a significant victory, Lawrence S Bacow, president of Harvard University, wrote in an email to affiliates, after the court announcement Tuesday. I have heard from countless international students who said that the July 6 directive had put them at serious risk. These students our students can now rest easier and focus on their education, which is all they ever wanted to do, Bacow said. Its deeply encouraging that this case has inspired so much reflection about and enthusiastic recognition of the vital role international students play in academic communities across the United States and absolutely at MI, MIT president L Rafael Reif wrote in a note to the campus community. He added, taking a swipe at the administration, This case also made clear that real lives are at stake in these bureaucratic matters, with the potential for real harm. We need to approach policy making, especially now, with more humanity, more decency not less. Harvard and MITs lawsuit had been joined by more than 200 other universities and some states, which reflected the size and the swiftness of the blowback to the administrations order. Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator and former presidential candidate, slammed the ICE order as a dangerous & xenophobic #StudentBan policy. The reference here was to other travel bans the president has ordered targeting people from certain countries, such as the Muslim travel man. The office of Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, in coordination with other ministries, will begin consultations with business on updating the Association Agreement with the EU, said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanyshyna. "Updating is a complex process. It does not consist of one document or one process. It is a multi-layered, multi-level process, which will eventually start in a bilateral format. But first of all, I believe that developing a strong, powerful Ukrainian position should not only be based on government analysis, but should also be supported by the proposals of civil society and, above all, business in fact, therefore, attention is an important announcement: very soon, before the end of this month, consultations with business, the so-called dialogue with business, will start," she said at a news conference on Wednesday. She stressed that by the end of July a circle of experts will be formed who, together with the business, will gather key accents and should become the basis of the negotiating position of Ukraine. "This will be about structural and sectoral dialogue, as well as general consultations that the Deputy Prime Minister will provide in coordination with other ministries," she added. Stefanyshyna said it is necessary to focus on article 481 of the agreement, which stipulates that the parties should periodically review the effectiveness of certain mechanisms of the agreement. "I absolutely support the thesis that we are reaching a level of Eurointegration 2.0. And here, indeed, I believe that it is necessary to focus on article 481, which stipulates that the parties should periodically review the effectiveness of certain agreement mechanisms. This is critical now in terms of the fact that Ukraine has done tremendous work in five years, and even 42 or 41% of the implementation of the largest EU agreement with a third country, I think this is a tremendous result, not ideal, but tremendous progress, given that the agreement covers approximately 27 areas of legal relations," she said. KINDERHOOK Lawn signs reading #JUSTICEFORHAROLD have gone up in the town mirroring the social media call for the Columbia County Sheriffs Office to publicly answer the question of who assaulted a local man at a July 4th party. Harold Handy is known throughout this northern Columbia County town, a mix of suburbs, villages and farms. Handy was so fiercely attacked that an ambulance drove him 50 minutes to Albany Medical Center Hospital from a party at the 3193 County Route 21, the residence of Alex Rosenstrach, the owner of ClubLife Health and Fitness in Kinderhook, and his wife Kelly Rosenstrach, a county sheriff's deputy. The lack of charges from law enforcement after the assault has fueled speculation and frustrated residents. It happened on the Fourth of July and we know nothing, said Misty Brew-Kusewich of Matthew Signs on Route 9, which has printed 50 lawn signs, larger signs and 250 bumper stickers calling for #JUSTICEFORHAROLD. Theyve been given away for free. With a lack of facts, speculation has spread quickly through the town and the county as to whats happening in the investigation into how and who assaulted Handy. Residents have wondered in person and online how the Rosenstrachs ties to the countys law enforcement community may, or may not, be influencing the investigation. Alex Rosenstrach, 36, entered the news in May when he reopened his ClubLife Health and Fitness, an independent gym, in defiance of the states mandate for gyms to be shut during the pandemic. At the time, Sheriff David P. Bartlett said the matter was for local zoning officials to deal with before law enforcement became involved. The gym owner in person was reasoned about his economic decisions for reopening, but was conspiratorial in his past Facebook posts. In a post that generated more than 1,000 comments, he called the pandemic a planned sabotage on our nation. Rosenstrach could not be reached for comment Wednesday about the ongoing assault investigation. Town residents want to know the details of what left Handy severely injured to bring deputies and the ambulance to the Rosenstrach residence at 1:27 a.m. July 5, Kinderhook Supervisor Patsy Leader said. More for you Churchill: Defying Cuomo mandate, gym owner opens doors Handy, who operates Handy Repairs in Kinderhook, could not be reached for comment Wednesday about his condition. Social media postings say he has been released from Albany Medical Center Hospital. We all want to know what happened. This is going on too long. We want answers, Leader said. Theres been plenty of speculation about who was at the party, particularly because it was being thrown by a sheriff's deputy, Leader said. Were not detectives. Were not investigators. Bartletts office issued two press releases July 9 about the assault investigation. Deputy Kelly Rosenstrach was placed on administrative leave. The sheriff's office has declined to comment further on the deputys status citing personnel issues. It did, however, announce a search warrant was executed to search the Rosenstrach residence on July 7. A local law enforcement source said that the search warrant was executed 36 hours after the party. At the time, the sheriffs office said, At this point in the investigation, it has been determined that no other deputy sheriffs were at this residence at the time of the incident. Thursday, a department spokesman said that release stood. The state police said none of their members attended the party. Officials and law enforcement sources confirmed that a federal agency member was at the party but declined to identify him except to say he was not a FBI agent, which had been speculated on social media. Theres a lot of work to be done by the investigators. Theyre working on it, said Lt. Louis Bray, Columbia County Sheriff spokesman. Bartlett pledged transparency when the Times Union spoke to him a week ago. "Investigators are being assisted by the New York State Police Special Investigative Unit," Bartlett said. "Normally we would just handle this case alone. I wanted the state police here for transparency." The investigation "will be investigated to its fullest but we need to also get the proper evidence and information," he said. Bartlett hasnt been able to be reached since then. The State Police Special Investigations Unit is usually not on the scene of this type of investigation. Its investigators are assigned to cases requiring specialized investigative techniques, undercover operations, surveillance work and long-term investigations. The unit is stationed around the state and is not a part of any troop. It is not part of Troop K, which patrols Columbia County. The Special Investigations Unit was assigned to assist with this case to eliminate any perception of a conflict of interest, Beau Duffy, a spokesman for the Division of State Police in Albany, said Wednesday. But after seeing protests about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May in which four former Minneapolis police officers have been charged, local residents worry about whats going on in Kinderhook. Theres a lot going on in our country right now with discussions about the police force. We dont want that, said a town resident, who asked not to be identified due to knowing members of the sheriffs office. We want to trust our local sheriffs department. This is why people have doubts with this process thats playing out. A lot of people doubt that theres transparency in the investigation, the resident said. Its not just justice for Harold. Its about justice for our community. We need to trust and rely on our sheriffs department, the resident said. Brew-Kusewich said many of the lawn signs have been stolen. Thats the reason the bumper stickers have also been printed. Its about Harold, Brew-Kusewich said. But its also about the community. Massarah Mikati contributed to this story. During this unprecedented global health crisis, it is imperative that we and other universities retain the flexibility to allow any international student with a valid visa to continue their education regardless of whether that student is receiving that education online or in-person without threat of deportation, McRobbie said in the July 10 release. Fauci says decision on school openings should be left to local officials (Reuters) Top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Tuesday said decisions on whether to open schools in U.S. regions hit hard by the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak should be left to local officials. "We should try, as the default, to get the kids to stay in school," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said at an event hosted by Georgetown University. "If you're in the part of a country where the dynamics of the outbreak are really minimal, if at all, then there's no problem at all in getting back. If you're in a situation where you're in outbreak mode, then you leave it up to the local individuals," he said. LONDON, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To: Dr. Hakan Bjorklund (Chairman of the Supervisory Board) Stephane Bancel (Supervisory Board Director) Dr. Metin Colpan (Supervisory Board Director) Prof. Dr. Ross Levine (Supervisory Board Director) Prof. Dr. Elaine Mardis (Supervisory Board Director) Lawrence A. Rosen (Supervisory Board Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee) Elizabeth E. Tallett (Supervisory Board Director and Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee) Thierry Bernard (Chief Executive Officer) Roland Sackers (Chief Financial Officer) Hulsterweg 82, 5912 PL Venlo, Netherlands 15 July 2020 Dear Members of the Supervisory Board and Management Board, Davidson Kempner European Partners, LLP is the sub-adviser to Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP which acts as the discretionary investment manager to various funds which hold in aggregate, as of close of business 14 July 2020, 7,073,858 shares of Qiagen N.V. (the "Company"). This aggregate holding represents 3.1% of the share capital of the Company Significant Profit Upgrade Confirms Concerns that Qiagen is Severely Undervalued by the Current Thermo Fisher Scientific ("Thermo") Offer We highlighted in our public letter on 10 July 2020 that COVID-19 has a material long-term impact on the diagnostics industry, and that these trends are going to be a significant driver for the Company's prospects and fundamental value over the short and long term. Despite the meaningful Q2 profit upgrade and outlook issued on the 13th July, the Board of the Company continues to fail to recognise the true value of the Company. We now urgently call for the Board to issue an Adverse Recommendation Change . It is increasingly apparent that the fair value of Qiagen is well in excess of the current stock price. The Q2 Update and Outlook is Conservative and Significantly Underestimates Qiagen's Prospects As part of its material profit upgrade, Qiagen acknowledges the substantial impact of COVID-19. Based on the Company's own numbers, it is expected to generate at least $2/share of adjusted EPS in 2020 and at least $2.36/share of adjusted EPS in 2021, this is compared to consensus estimates when the deal was announced in March 2020 of adjusted EPS of $1.52/share and $1.65/share for 2020 and 2021, representing an increase of 36% and 43%, respectively. Furthermore, the Company acknowledges that "coronavirus testing products will be required for a longer-term period before demand starts to recede." This is in line with our research, which demonstrates that many industry experts expect that spending on this previously modest part of the healthcare industry will increase substantially in the coming years given the effectiveness and cost efficiency of these capabilities in managing future pandemics. While we are encouraged that Qiagen is finally disclosing these positive developments, the Company's numbers are highly conservative. For instance, we cannot understand how, in the scenario of RNA kit production increasing 67% from 12 million per month (as of 30 June 2020) to 20 million per month during Q4 2020, coupled with the non-COVID business declines being less impactful as the world emerges from lockdowns, the Company will only maintain its Q2 adjusted EPS through the remaining two quarters of the year. Assuming the above RNA kit production profile and comparing this with the Company's revenue guidance for Q3 and Q4 2020 would imply that Qiagen's base business will decline c. 30% in Q3 and c. 40% in Q4. The magnitude of this decline and the sequential worsening seems very unlikely to us given that we don't believe (based on our analysis and the reporting from numerous of the Company's peers) that the Company's base business declined at this magnitude in Q2 2020 when lockdowns were at their most severe. We note the persistent use of the phrase "at least" to caveat the adjusted EPS guidance for both FY 2020 and FY 2021 and would highlight that in the most recent instance of the Company using the phrase "at least" to outline the Q2 2020 adjusted EPS guide of $0.40/share, actual results came in 40% higher at $0.56/share. We also note that the Company highlights longer term benefits but does not address them in any capacity, which is highly disappointing. Davidson Kempner's own forecasts of $2.54/share of adjusted EPS for 2020 consists of $0.66/share for Q3 and $0.98/share for Q4. We note Berenberg also published forecasts after Qiagen's Q2 Update and Outlook and believe the Company will attain $2.28/share of adjusted EPS for 2020 and $2.70/share for 2021[1]. We believe even under the most conservative scenarios the Company's stock price would be trading higher than the offer value and this is before any control premium. None of these positive developments have been reflected in the current offer. Thermo's 39/share offer announced on 3 March 2020 represented a P/E multiple of 29.2x on consensus 2020 adjusted EPS of $1.52/share and 26.8x on consensus 2021 adjusted EPS of $1.65/share. Using the Company's own updated numbers (which we deem highly conservative) of $2/share of adjusted EPS for 2020 results in a valuation of 51.3/share, on $2.36/share of adjusted EPS for 2021 results in a valuation of 55.7/share. The Current Offer is Wholly Inadequate and Davidson Kempner Will Not Be Tendering its Shares into the Offer Based on the Company's own conservative figures, Berenberg estimates and Davidson Kempner's numbers, it is very clear that the current offer of 39/share is wholly inadequate. While we are encouraged that Qiagen finally acknowledges COVID-19's material long-term impact (albeit using very conservative numbers), the fact that the Company has so far decided not to update the transaction documentation (Offer Document, Fairness Opinions, Reasoned Position Statement, Guidance and any ad hoc disclosures) or their recommendation in light of its dramatic profit upgrade has become even more unacceptable. The Board's current position fails to acknowledge that these trends are going to be a significant driver for Qiagen's prospects and fundamental value over the short and long term, with the potential to create significant long term value and benefits for all the Company's stakeholders. As such we urgently request that the Board of the Company issue an Adverse Recommendation Change. We believe the fair value of Qiagen to be 50/share. We will not be tendering our shares into the offer. We encourage other shareholders to likewise make their views clear to the Board of the Company and reject the offer. cc: Risto Koivula (Partner) Appendix 1 - Historic P/E Multiples for Qiagen [1] Berenberg Research Published 14 July 2020 For media enquiries: Greenbrook Andrew Honnor, Rob White, Fanni Bodri Email: davidsonkempner@greenbrookpr.com Tel: +44 (0) 20 7952-2000 The 2020 edition of the international forum and exhibition Smart City Asia will take place in HCM City from September 3 to 5, heard a press conference held by the Vietnam Digital Communications Association (VDCA) in Hanoi on July 14. At the press conference About 200 stalls from nearly 100 domestic and foreign exhibitors are expected to be opened. Due to COVID-19, businesses and experts worldwide in smart city development will be connected online. The event is being co-organised by the VDCA and the Exporum Co. Ltd under the auspices of the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Innovation and Digital Transformation Institute, and the HCM City Peoples Committee. VDCA Vice Chairman Nguyen Lam Thanh told the press conference that the event will afford domestic and foreign experts the chance to share their experience and technology to build smart cities, as well as introduce Make in Vietnam products in the field. The discussions will focus on international experience, the development of infrastructure for smart urban areas in Vietnam, safety and security, breakthrough technology, and smart production amid Industry 4.0. On display at the exhibition will be public lighting technology, equipment for smart building construction and management, smart education, and housing, among others. According to the organising board, around 160 exhibitors have registered to attend. Smart City Asia 2020 will be held in parallel with the International LED/OLED & Digital Signage Show 2020, with Vietnams leading lighting enterprises taking part./.VNA IT businesses vow to support Hanoi in smart city development Hanoi aims to become a smart city with Al and Big Data as the core technologies. A Republican congressman who had listed a UPS Inc. postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form was charged Tuesday with three felonies, including illegal voting. The charges against Kansas congressman Steve Watkins came three weeks before the state's August 4 primary election and hours before he appeared in a TV debate. Fellow Republicans are pushing to oust him from the eastern Kansas seat he barely won in 2018, even though he's largely toed the conservative policy line and supported President Donald Trump. In a KSNT debate against Republican candidates Jake LaTurner and Dennis Taylor, Watkins said the charges were 'very suspicious' and 'highly political' - even though the district attorney who filed them is also a Republican. Republican congressman Steve Watkins, who had listed a UPS Inc. postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form was charged Tuesday with three felonies, including illegal voting He added: '[They] seem highly political. We have cooperated with the district attorney completely, I am unaware of the charges, I haven't seen the charges. 'I simply know that I look forward to clearing my name.' GOP critics already had worried that the months-long investigation into whether Watkins violated state election laws puts the 2nd District seat in play if he wins the primary. 'I'll get my name exonerated,' Watkins said during his closing statement. The charges were filed in state district court in Shawnee County, which includes Watkins' hometown, the state capital of Topeka. District Attorney Mike Kagay announced them less than half an hour before the three GOP candidates' only scheduled debate began on three stations. The UPS postal box was listed as Watkins' residential address for voter registration purposes when he cast a mail-in ballot for a local city council and school board election in November 2019. He later changed his residential listing. The charges against Kansas congressman Watkins (bottom left) came three weeks before the state's August 4 primary election and hours before he appeared in a TV debate against Jake LaTurner (bottom right) and Dennis Taylor (top left) - Republican candidates for his position The most serious criminal charge accuses Watkins of voting in the 2019 local city and school board election without being qualified. A first-time offender who's convicted could face a year in prison, though the more typical sentence would be two years' probation. Kagay also charged Watkins with voting illegally in advance and interfering with law enforcement by providing false information. Watkins was also charged with failing to notify the state Division of Vehicles of a change of address, a misdemeanor. Fellow Republicans are pushing to oust him from the eastern Kansas seat he barely won in 2018, even though he's largely toed the conservative policy line and supported President Donald Trump Kagay's announcement did not provide details about the alleged crimes, and the district attorney said in an email that he could not discuss them 'until they are presented in open court.' A hearing in the case was set for December 3 - a month after the November general election. Watkins faces State Treasurer LaTurner and Taylor, a Topeka attorney, businessman and former top administrator at several state agencies. LaTurner said the charges make the primary contest a two-person race between him and Taylor. 'We need to put our best foot forward,' LaTurner said during his opening statement in the debate. 'Clearly, our current congressman, with three felony charges and a misdemeanor charge, is not the person to do that.' Some Republicans had lingering misgivings about Watkins even before questions about his voter registrations. He is a former Army officer and military contractor who lived most of his adult life outside Kansas and hadn't voted in its state or federal races until running for Congress. Watkins won the November 2018 general election by less than a percentage point in a GOP-leaning district that Trump carried by a wide margin in 2016. The presumed Democratic nominee this year is Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla. The national Democratic Party has said it sees 'an opportunity' to pick up the seat. The most serious criminal charge accuses Watkins of voting in the 2019 local city and school board election without being qualified 'If you want to be trusted to write our laws, you should at least follow them,' the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a statement. Watkins filed a state voter registration form in late August 2019 listing a postal box at a UPS store in southwest Topeka as his residential address. The postal box was still listed as his residential address when he cast a mailed-in ballot that included a Topeka City Council race in November. The congressman and his staff have said he inadvertently listed his mailing address instead of his residential address by mistake. Watkins filed a new form in December listing an address at an apartment complex about 2 miles north of the UPS store as his residence, but it was the address for the complex's office. That address was not in the same City Council district as the UPS store but in a district with no council race last year. In January, Watkins filed another form listing another address for an apartment in the same complex as his residence. The Shawnee County sheriff's department began investigating Watkins' voter registrations in December. In late May, Kagay said in an email that his office had reviewed the investigation and 'requested follow up be conducted on a specific issue,' without being more specific. A farmer has appealed a ruling that will allow for a second prosecution against him over the death of a boy who fell from his tractor. The High Court ruled last year that the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) could proceed with a prosecution against George Ross over the death. Micheal 'Haulie' Murphy (14) fell out through the door of the tractor, which was owned by Mr Ross, but driven by an employee. The lock was broken and the door was being kept shut with plastic cable ties when the accident happened on August 23, 2013, at Knocknacullota, Co Cork. Mr Ross (68), of Convamore, Ballyhooly, was convicted under the Road Traffic Act and fined 700 in October 2014 for allowing the tractor to be driven when it was a danger to the public. He is challenging a separate prosecution of him, this time in Cork Circuit Criminal Court under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, on grounds that the tractor was an unsafe place to work. He claims he should not be prosecuted a second time for what he says is substantially the same offence. He applied for a judicial review of the HSA's decision but the High Court ruled against him last year. Yesterday in the Court of Appeal he argued too little weight was given to the oppression caused to him and his family by the decision to prosecute for a second time on the same facts. Judgment was reserved. Shane Fitzsimmons (who took the oath, not the affirmation) had led off his evidence as a witness with details of extra efforts the Rural Fire Service took as the scale of the coming fire season became evident. Extra fire aircraft, for one thing, led to more than 2500 "aircraft taskings" to support those on the ground. Commissioner Fitzsimmons, though, sought to highlight how the season was like nothing agencies had seen before. "We saw an area burnt across New South Wales like we haven't seen before, particularly across the forested areas and we saw a protracted nature of the fire season without any meaningful interruption from weather", such as the traditional arrival of fronts bringing showers and rain and giving fire crews a break. When fronts did arrive, though, they brought "significant dry lightning, dry-lightning storms and considerable new ignitions at any one time". "I can recall during the season as a community we were being somewhat optimistic that we were down to 40 fires and we were back to over 165, to over 165, so the dryness in the landscape and the susceptibility of the vegetation to ignition was extraordinary." "We did see unprecedented fire-danger ratings materialise in a number of areas, particularly our most-populated centres around places like the Hunter, the great Sydney and the inner Shoalhaven regions," he said. "We saw 17 fires concurrently at the emergency warning level in November, which we simply haven't seen before." Even the fires behaved differently: "[O]n a number of occasions, fire behaviour and fire spread exceeded well and truly the worst case scenario and we saw fire behaviour at 2, 3 or 4 in the morning, the likes of which you might normally expect at 2, 3 or 4 in the afternoon where traditional conditions are at their worst." Ocado raked in half-year sales of 1billion for the first time ever as founder Tim Steiner declared 'the world has changed'. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of families online to get their groceries, with uptake strongest amongst the over-65s. The group reported a 27 per cent jump in retail revenues to 1billion due to 'unprecedented' demand during the six months to May 31. Ocado reported a 27 per cent jump in retail revenues to 1bn due to 'unprecedented' demand during the six months to May 31 This helped retail profits jump 87 per cent to 45.7million, once extra costs from staff bonuses, testing and PPE were taken into account. Steiner, who founded the firm 20 years ago, said: 'The world as we know it has changed. As a result of Covid-19 we have seen years of growth in the online grocery market condensed into a matter of months and we won't be going back.' He added he was confident this would lead to a 'permanent redrawing of the landscape of the grocery industry worldwide'. The group still made a loss as it ramped up investment in high-tech robotic warehouses for supermarkets abroad. But the loss narrowed from 147.4million to 40.6million. It also opened its first robotic distribution warehouses for Casino in Paris and Toronto. Search to replace chairman Rose starts Stepping down: Lord Rose has been Ocado's chairman since 2013 Ocado has begun the hunt for a successor to Lord Rose, who has been the online grocer's chairman since 2013. The former boss of Marks & Spencer, who helped lead the campaign to keep Britain in the EU, is one of the City's best-known businessman. He plans to step down next year, and could concentrate on private business interests. Rose, 71, was an early victim of coronavirus. On recovery he said he 'felt like I'd been hit by a bus'. For Ocado the virus has been a boon, turbo-charging the online grocery sector. If Rose were to leave and sell his shares today, would make 8.9million 4millionm more than he would have in April. He sold 1.6million worth in February, following two sales worth around 7.3million in May 2019. Yesterday, Ocado founder Tim Steiner said: 'He's been with us for eight years, but we have no official comment.' During lockdown the proportion of groceries sold online has increased from 7 per cent to 14 per cent, and Steiner predicted it would double again in the next few years. Monthly online sales rose sixfold in the UK in August, compared to the same month last year, and doubled in China, according to Ocado. The rapid change across the globe has turbo-charged its share price and boosted Steiner's wealth. Although its shares fell 2.2 per cent to 1988.4p yesterday, they have gained 87 per cent since the end of February. Steiner's holdings are now worth 538million. The group raised more than 1billion last month issuing equities and bonds to support its growth. That will also be used to help sign up new partners to use its technology and to invest in innovation at a faster pace. Retail expert James Grzinic, at Jefferies, said: 'Ocado's first-half results show the benefits from the surge in online demand brought about by Covid-19, albeit one temporarily enabled by consumers' willingness to take very large deliveries in unusual slot times.' In the hour that Boris Johnson announced lockdown back in March, Ocado had as many visitors to its website as in the previous quarter. The company now has 1m customers on its waiting list ready for when it can build more warehouses and boost demand even further It is hiring 500 technology staff in the UK, and increasing capacity for domestic shoppers by 40 per cent next year with three new warehouses. The FTSE 100 firm has suggested that as the online grocery market expands, traditional supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's will be unable to compete with its robotic version. At the moment they use workers to gather goods for deliveries by walking around the store, placing a limit on the number of orders that can physically be picked. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Gus Harb as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment, said Dave Amerson NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Gus Harb, M.D., Urological Associates, P.C. in Davenport, IA, has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Harb has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Gus Harb as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment, said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long- term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2. Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life. Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation. About the UroLift System The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com. About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com. About Teleflex Incorporated Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of peoples lives. We apply purpose driven innovation a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com. Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose For Teleflex Incorporated: Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836 Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations Media: Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504 nicole@healthandcommerce.com *No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction 1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study 2. McVary, J Sex Med 2016 MAC00968-01 Rev A Flash Zambia on Tuesday received a batch of anti-pandemic medical supplies from the Chinese government through the Organization of African First ladies for Development to help mothers and children combat COVID-19. The Chinese embassy entrusted by China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, handed over various medical supplies to help Zambia in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The donations, made by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie, were received by Zambia's First Lady Esther Lungu during a ceremony. Among the donated items included disposable medical masks, infrared thermometers and surgical masks. The Zambian first lady expressed gratitude to her Chinese counterpart for the donation, saying it will go a long way in helping the country tackle the pandemic. The Zambian first lady indicated that the donation could not have come at a better time than now when countries were trying to protect themselves from the transmission of the deadly disease. "It is for this reason that I am here today because I fully support Professor Peng Liyuan's initiative and firmly believe in the significance of sisterly collaboration as first ladies across the globe," she said. She emphasized the need for countries to stand together in true solidarity in the face of the pandemic. According to her, it was also time that citizens in countries supported each other by doing everything possible to preserve life and restore nations. On his part, the Chinese envoy said China will continue to provide Zambia with support in its quest to tackle the pandemic through supplying medical items as well as building the capacity of human resources. China, he said, was among first countries that helped Zambia when the pandemic broke out in the southern African nation in March. The Chinese envoy said his government was currently in the process of organizing ventilators to help the country in the treatment of COVID-19 patients while more medical personnel will soon be deployed to the country to help build the capacity of local medical personnel. The envoy, who commended Zambia for the efforts done to combat the pandemic so far, said collaboration was important if the battle against the pandemic was to be won. Zambia has so far reported a total of 1,895 cases and 42 deaths. KITCHENER Tiny homes may be an odd sight in downtown Kitchener, but a group of students is at work painting and finishing eight of them outside St Marys Roman Catholic Church. When finished, these tiny homes will provide homeless individuals with a safe place to sleep. Although the homes are a church project, they will not stay on church property but will instead be donated to a local non-profit. On Tuesday morning, Maria-Fernanda Torres and other students painted one of the homes a cheery shade of blue. They all wore masks and gloves while they worked. I was going a little bit insane in my house, said Torres, who is heading to University of Waterloo in the fall. She was grateful for the opportunity to learn something new while doing good in the community. Its always good to help other people, she said. It is so important to be in solidarity with others during these times. These tiny homes arrived at St. Marys church built and ready to be finished with insulation, drywall, flooring and paint. Rianne Rops, outreach co-ordinator at St. Marys, said the project is funded through donations from the church community. For us at St. Marys, homelessness is an issue that is near and dear to us, Rops said. The trend of tiny homes has been slow to start in Waterloo Region but has recently taken off in a few different ways. A cluster of small cabins at Lot42 dubbed the better tent city is now housing some unsheltered individuals in Kitchener. The Region of Waterloo is also considering the idea of installing tiny homes on green space next to one of its planned affordable housing projects. We wanted to find a way to use our resources to help those in need, Rops said. Rops said they received a donation of solar-powered energy systems to be able to safely heat the tiny homes in the winter. The church was hopeful for a government grant to pay the students for their work. It hasnt come through, but the church decided to go ahead with the project anyway. It is too important not to do, said Father Toby Collins. The church is hoping it will be able to give the students something when the project is finished. Some of the students, like Isaiah Dunk, said they are grateful for the opportunity to do meaningful work this summer. I think it is really encouraging to put time into something that will make a difference, he said. To donate to the project, visit the churchs website at stmarysrcchurch.ca/give-online and type tiny homes under special instructions. Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST Bazaar Corporate Radar Bazaar Corporate Radar is your window into the minds of top CEOs, Boardrooms, global economists, fund managers and sector analysts. If it?s making news, you?ll find it on Bazaar Corporate Radar. July 15 : Director, producer Shekhar Kapur believes that the content of the movie is more important than the platform. Memorizing the movie Mr. India on his twitter handle, Shekar stated that 99% of passionate of Mr. India has watched the movie on a small screen rather than on a big screen. This is all because of the good content. The twitter handle of Shekhar Kapur read, The fear is that films meant for the big screen will never be as effective on small screens like TV, video or phone. 99% of ardent fans of #Mr. India has never ever seen Mr. India on the big screen. And continue to enjoy it on smaller screens. It's the content that matters! The fear is that films meant for the big screen will never be as effective on small screens like TV, Video or phone. 99% of the ardent fans of #MrIndia have never ever seen Mr India on the big screen. And continue to enjoy it on smaller screens. Its the content that matters! Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) July 15, 2020 Meanwhile, on the work front, Shekhar Kapur has given many knockout films. As per the reports, Shekhar Kapur was all set to make his futuristic magnum opus Paani under Yash Raj Films banner, with late Sushant Singh Rajput. However, the film, which was initially announced at the Cannes Film Festival, never really got helmed. The film, Paani, was shelved in 2015 after Yash Raj Films backed out as the producers. About Sushant Singh Rajput, he was reportedly found hanging in his Mumbai apartment. However, no suicide note was found in the house. The post-mortem report has proved that it is death due to suicide. It's no secret that Sushant was going through very tough times and was depressed from the last six months. No one in the industry stood up for him nor did they lend a helping hand. Many claim its because he was made to feel an outsider in Bollywood and was never welcomed as one of their own. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 22:23:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DOHA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's health ministry on Wednesday announced 450 new infections of COVID-19, increasing the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 104,983. "Some 477 people recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 101,637, while only one died, raising the fatalities to 151," the official Qatar News Agency reported, quoting a statement by the ministry. It revealed that infections had been soaring due to people's gatherings and visits, and ignoring of preventive measures recommended by the government, the most important of which are staying at home and maintaining social distancing. A total of 424,858 persons in Qatar have undergone lab tests for COVID-19 so far, it added. China and Qatar have offered mutual help during the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. On Feb. 21, five Qatar Airways cargo freighters flew to China carrying approximately 300 tons of medical supplies donated by the airline. On July 8, Chinese health officials and medical experts held a video conference with Qatari counterparts to share experience and expertise in fighting COVID-19. The two sides also held in-depth exchange of views on the issues that Qatar is most concerned about, including coronavirus prevention and control, test analysis, clinic care, vaccine development and social management. Enditem Sia, Just Blaze, Take A Daytrip Anchor Free Native Instruments Charity Sound Pack Native Instruments has released a free charity sound pack including audio stems, samples, and production kits from nine-time Grammy nominee Sia, production duo Take A Daytrip (Lil Nas X, Travis Scott & Kid Cudi) and hip-hop legend Just Blaze (Jay-Z, Eminem) and 11 other top creators. The sound packs are also a fundraiser for Native Instruments Community Drive was created as a collaboration with the artist community both as a way to raise funds for the thousands of musicians in urgent economic and as a resource to help them stay creative during the quarantine. Community Drives exclusive content features over 200 samples, 67 loops, 35 kits and 58 presets. Participating musicians and exclusive sounds include: Sia, Take A Daytrips No Idle Crew, Just Blaze, Richard Devine, Miquela, DJ Dahi, BT, Philomene Tsongui, Junkie XL, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Peaches, Laurel Halo and Kimbra. Community Drive Fundraiser As part of the campaign, Native Instruments has announced a 100,000 donation ($114,00 U.S.) distributed evenly across seven global charities. The organizations were chosen in collaboration with many of Community Drives artist partners: : The MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund (USA), Musicians Without Borders (NL), Keychange (EU), Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (USA), KUUMBA In Motion (USA), In Place Of War (UK) and Heart N Soul (UK.) Though the sounds on the Community Drive sound pack are free, users are also encouraged to make donations to the participating organizations via GoFundMe HERE. Were beyond excited to present this incredible collection of sounds, created by a talented and generous group of artists from across the musical spectrum, says Constantin Koehncke, Global Marketing Director at Native Instruments. We hope that music makers everywhere will enjoy creating with fresh sounds from Grammy-winning stars and hip hop legends, to Hollywood composers and electronic innovators and we cant wait to hear the results. Most importantly, we hope that it will inspire some to donate, so that together we can make an impact in supporting musicians everywhere. Weve all seen how hard the music community has been hit by COVID-19. But weve also seen how the community can come together to support each other when its most needed. Share on: Xiaomi will announce a phone with insanely fast charging in the near future. That device got certified over at the 3C authority in China. The device hides under the Xiaomi M2007J1SC model number. Whats interesting here, is that this phone has been certified with a 120W fast charger. The listing claims that it could be shipped with a charger that has the MDY-12-ED model number. That charger has been approved by the 3C authority earlier this month. Xiaomi will announce a phone with insanely fast charging soon, expect to get 120W charging That charger supports the power output of 20V/6A, which translates to 120W. A separate report even claims that a phone with that charger has entered mass production. Advertisement Thats not all, though. A well-known Chinese tipster, Digital Chat Station, suggested that this could be the companys upcoming Apollo handset. A device with this codename is Xiaomis upcoming flagship. Now, its really not difficult to guess what phone will that be. This is, almost certainly, the next-gen Xiaomi Mi MIX handset. We still do not know what it will be called, though. Xiaomi was expected to announce the Mi MIX 4 last year, but it surprised everyone and announce the Mi MIX Alpha instead. That device features a display all around its body, and it never really became available. Advertisement That was a concept phone, more or less, even though it was supposed to go on sale. Were wondering what is Xiaomi preparing for us this time. We do believe that we could get an actual device this time around, a true successor to the Mi MIX 3. Not much is known when it comes to that device, though, if anything. We do not know if the device will offer a more regular design, or will it be something really futuristic looking. Visionox is already offering its under-display camera tech There is a chance that Xiaomi may utilize an under-display camera on this phone. The chances are not that big, but Xiaomi did show interest in Visionoxs latest tech, plus it has been testing devices with under-display cameras for quite some time now. Advertisement Xiaomi may actually be one of the first companies to release such a device, if not the first one. So, what better way to usher in such new tech than with a Mi MIX smartphone. One thing is for sure, Xiaomi is planning to announce a phone with insanely fast charging, and were looking at 120W charging here. Xiaomi will not be the only one to have this technology, though. Several companies under the BBK Electronics umbrella already hinted that their 120-125W charging is coming, and iQOO already announced it. OPPO and Realme are expected to do the same soon. Christians continue to trickle out of Iraq at an alarming rate, with many still fearing the return of ISIS, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has warned. In a new report, 'Life after ISIS: New challenges to Christianity in Iraq', the Catholic charity warns that the threat to Christians from the Islamic State has only shifted to Shia militias backed by Iran. ACN said that the number of Christians living in areas formerly under the control of ISIS has dropped by tens of thousands from 102,000 in 2014 to just 36,000 today. According to the report, more Christians actually left Iraq than returned home last year. "In the summer of 2019, the Christian population of this region reached an inflection point, with more families leaving their hometown than returning. In Baghdeda alone, 3,000 Syriac Catholics left over the course of just three months in 2019 a drop of 12% in the number of Syriac Catholics in the town," it said. Without "urgent" intervention from the international community, the number of Christians in Iraq could fall to 23,000, ACN warned. In a survey of Iraqi Christians, ACN found that over half (57%) had contemplated emigrating, with over half of this number saying that if they did leave Iraq, it would be by 2024. When asked what they were most concerned about, the majority of respondents cited concerns over the safety of their family, with 87% saying they felt either unsafe or absolutely unsafe. But many are also fearful of the return of ISIS, with over two thirds (67%) believing that it is "likely or very likely" that the militant group will return "in the next five years". Fr Andrzej Halemba, head of ACN's Nineveh Reconstruction Committee, fears that the exodus of Christians from the region will only put more strain on the ones who remain. "Christians who have returned to their homes still feel unsafe, and substantially more insecure than other groups in the region mostly because of the violent activity of local militias," he said in a foreward to the report. "Although economic concerns, especially employment, are paramount in some areas, it is impossible to decouple these from security considerations. "These key factors need to be addressed to tackle the physical and economic insecurity that forces populations to move. "If the tendency to emigrate is not stemmed, it will place, in turn, even greater pressure on Christians remaining in Iraq by reducing their critical mass and thus creating a less hospitable environment." ACN said the response to the challenges needed to be wideranging. "The findings ... make clear that restoring the stability of the Christian community in this post-conflict region is only possible with a concerted effort focusing on security, education, long-term economic opportunities, and reconstruction," it said. Hollywood's power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith rocked the world last week after they sit down together and addressed jada's cheating rumors with rapper August Alsina. The couple, who has been married for 23 years, felt the need to speak up after Alsina dropped a bombshell revelation and said Will Smith permitted him to be romantically involved with his wife. During the sensational Red Table Talk, Jada admitted having an "entanglement" with Alsina about four years ago when she and Will were on a break from their marriage. Will echoed that statement by saying that they both thought they were done with each other. The couple said they had put everything in the past, reconciled and decided to pursue their marriage and turn it into a "lifetime partnership." While the power couple was brutally honest in revealing their relationship struggles, a psychologist expressed his belief that Will and Jada are still concealing some inner workings of their marriage. Will Smith's Burden Body language expert Bruce Durham suggested that the "Bad Boys For Life" actor was embarrassed by the interview and somehow wished they never welcomed August Alsina in their family. "There are a couple of eye blocks from Will, it's shutting off those images. He's probably thinking I wish we hadn't invited August into our home because this is the outcome," Durham said. Bruce, who owns the YouTube channel "Believing Bruce," has worked with companies to improve employees' performances. In his assessment of the couple, he claimed that the interview showed how Will pacified his behavior because the situation was uncomfortable and embarrassing for him. He alsoo pointed out some signs that suggests Will wanted to convey his stance but does not have the authority or confidence to do so. Controlling Jada The body language expert also suggested that 48-year-old mother-of-two managed the entire interview, as she would often correct Will when he was trying to make a point. "Jada takes control of the situation, he says 'I thought we were done' and she corrects him and says 'we WERE done,'" Durham said. He also noticed weird energy going between the duo when Will insisted Jada speak up about her cheating. "Both of them look down - eye contact is one of the most powerful things out there - but they don't want that threat or connection. It's too overwhelming for them, there's zero eye contact," he added. Durham shared how Jada's face lit up when she talked about healing August Alsina, but the energy once again declined when she said she never wanted to speak to him again. Will Smith's Agenda Bruce Druham said he felt Will Smith's more awkward energy when Jada confirmed with full authenticity that her husband already "got her back." But according to the expert, the final moments of the interview revealed something that could impact the Smiths' relationship in the future. He noticed how Will grabbed his cuff as if he was getting ready for a fight while talking about getting back together. Durham believes a thought entered Will's head and was prepared to do something. "In the context of what's going on here, I do seriously think he has some type of plan or some activity to get back that one-up-manship for the activities that Jada has presented in that relationship, ie, the affair she has had with August," Durham concluded. READ MORE: Jada Pinkett Smith Scandal: August Alsina Breaks Silence After Major' Entanglement' Revelation! Regulatory News: DEINOVE (Paris:ALDEI) (Euronext Growth Paris: ALDEI), a French biotech company that uses its lead generation platform to develop innovative anti-infective drugs, is pursuing the Phase II clinical trial of its antibiotic candidate DNV3837, in a context where U.S. hospitals are still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company thanks the clinicians for their commitment to this trial, as they face an unprecedented health crisis. DNV3837 targets the treatment of Clostridioides difficile gastrointestinal infections (CDI), a pathogen classified as urgent threat by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A Phase II clinical trial, launched in early 2020 in the United States, is evaluating the efficacy of DNV3837 in patients, following promising Phase I data. To date, DEINOVE is the only French biotech with a small molecule in clinical development, fully owned by the company, in the field of antibiotics. This trial continues in the United States despite the COVID-19 outbreak. Several of the investigation centers have maintained their clinical research activities and continue to screen and include patients. DEINOVE scientific team and the CRO Medpace are closely monitoring the situation. We are grateful to the clinicians for doing their utmost to ensure that the clinical trial runs smoothly. We are surrounded by a team that is aware of the therapeutic stakes and the potential of our solution in development, and we thank them for this. In the current health conditions in the United States, where hospitals are overcrowded, we could have feared a suspension of the trial, says Dr. Yannick Pletan, Acting Chief Medical Officer responsible for the clinical trial. Conversely, the COVID-19 outbreak which mainly affects the elderly and the heavy antibiotic treatments administered to combat possible bacterial co-infections, are factors conducive to the development of severe Clostridioides difficile infections targeted by DNV3837. We are concerned, however, about the irrational use of antibiotics, which would have long-term public health consequences. On June 1st of this year, the WHO warned of the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance, boosted by the current health crisis. " The COVID19 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,", worried Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General1. According to him, the threat of antimicrobial resistance is "one of the most urgent challenges of our time ". He also recalled that only small proportion of COVID-19 patients need antibiotics to treat subsequent bacterial infections. ABOUT CLOSTRIDIOIDES DIFFICILE INFECTIONS (CDI) 40% of patients suffering a Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) have severe forms, with mortality rates as high as 50%. Over the past 20 years, CDIs tended to increase significantly in incidence and severity, particularly due to the development of new hypervirulent strains and the high risk of recurrence. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently identified CDIs as one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections before Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA2) infections. In 2017, in the United States, there were an estimated 223,900 cases in hospitalized patients and 12,800 deaths3. This disease does not affect the United States only, recent studies4 show that the incidence of this type of infection is vastly underestimated in other parts of the world such as Europe and Asia. To date, there are no therapeutic solutions for patients with severe gastrointestinal infections. Since the oral route is compromised, the available treatments, which are mostly oral treatments, struggle to reach the intestine because of the patient's pathological condition (reduced gastrointestinal motility, intubation, intestinal perforation, etc.), and the few antibiotics that could be administered intravenously (IV), do not cross the gastrointestinal barrier and therefore do not reach the site of infection. ABOUT THE DNV3837 ANTIBIOTIC CANDIDATE DNV3837 a prodrug5 of the DNV3681 molecule (also known as MCB3681) is a narrow-spectrum, hybrid oxazolidinone-quinolone synthetic antibiotic targeting only Gram-positive bacteria. It is developed as a highly active 1st line treatment targeting Clostridioides difficile It has demonstrated significant efficacy and superiority to reference treatments (fidaxomicin in particular) against isolates of C. difficile, regardless of their virulence (including the hyper virulent BI/NAP1/027 strain). DNV3837 is an intravenous antibiotic that, when converted to its active form DNV3681, crosses the gastrointestinal barrier and accumulates in the intestinal lumen, allowing it to precisely target the infection site. Several Phase I trials (on approx. a hundred healthy volunteers) have shown a high concentration of the antibiotic in stools, a strong marker of its presence in the intestine. It has also demonstrated its ability to eliminate Clostridioides bacteria without affecting the gut microbiota. It has also shown an acceptable tolerance profile. FDA granted the DNV3837 drug with Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation and Fast Track status. ABOUT THE PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL TESTING DNV3837 IN CDI The antibiotic candidate DNV3837 has been in a Phase II trial since the end of January 2020. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate its efficacy in CDI (through monitoring of symptoms, stool analysis, etc.), as well as to consolidate the safety and pharmacokinetic data. This trial is taking place in the United States in two stages: In the first phase, a cohort of 10 patients with moderate to severe CDI is treated with DNV3837. At the end of this phase, the DSMB 6 has scheduled to review the interim results. has scheduled to review the interim results. The second phase involves 30 patients with severe CDI. This is an open-label randomized trial testing DNV3837 (in 2/3 of patients) against an approved standard of care7 (1/3 of patients) for comparison purposes. ABOUT DEINOVE DEINOVE is a French biotechnology company, a leader in disruptive innovation, which aims to help meet the challenges of antibiotic resistance and the transition to a sustainable production model for the cosmetics and nutrition industries. DEINOVE has developed a unique and comprehensive expertise in the field of rare bacteria that it can decipher, culture, and optimize to disclose unsuspected possibilities and induce them to produce biobased molecules with activities of interest on an industrial scale. To do so, DEINOVE has been building and documenting since its creation an unparalleled biodiversity bank that it exploits thanks to a unique technological platform in Europe. DEINOVE is organized around two areas of expertise: ANTIBIOTICS, New-generation anti-infective drugs : A first antibiotic candidate is now in Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with bioMerieux and Naicons (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). : A first antibiotic candidate is now in Phase II. The Company is also pursuing the systematic exploration of biodiversity to supply its portfolio with new leads, drawing notably on partnerships with bioMerieux and Naicons (AGIR program supported by Bpifrance). BIOACTIVES, Active ingredients of natural origin with cosmetics as the first market. DEINOVE already markets four cosmetic active ingredients, proprietary or developed in partnership with Greentech and Hallstar France, and has a number of products in development. Within the Euromedecine science park located in Montpellier, DEINOVE employs 60 employees, mainly researchers, engineers, and technicians, and has filed more than 300 patent applications internationally. The Company has been listed on EURONEXT GROWTH since April 2010. Visit www.deinove.com 1 https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---01-june-2020 2 MRSA: meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 3 https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.htmlcdiff 4 Balsells E, Shi T, Leese C, Lyell I, Burrows J, Wiuff C, Campbell H, Kyaw MH, and Nair H (2019) Global burden of Clostridium difficile infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health 9:010407 5 Prodrug: substance whose transformation in the body results in an active product 6 DSMB Data Safety Monitoring Board: a group of independent experts tasked to review the data generated during the trial and make recommendations on patient safety as well as trial relevance and validity. 7 Standard treatments approved in the United States for the treatment of CDIs include vancomycin, fidaxomicin and metronidazole (all three antibiotics). The choice will be at the discretion of the clinicians. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005695/en/ Contacts: Investors Coralie Martin Communication, Marketing and Investor Relations Ph.: +33 (0)6 46 62 47 50 coralie.martin@deinove.com Media ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol Ph.: +33 (0)6 64 18 99 59 deinove@alizerp.com New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to declare the results for the Class 10 Board examinations on Wednesday. Once declared, students can access their marks on the official website of the board cbse.nic.in, cbseresults.nic.in. Students can check class 10 results on the following websites: > cbseresults.nic.in > cbse.nic.in > results.nic.in Apart from the boards official website, CBSE class 10th result 2020 can also be accessed via other facilities like IVRS Facility, DigiLocker App (digilocker.gov.in), UMANG App and DigiResults App. Here's how to you can check your CBSE class 10th result 2020: Step 1: Login to the official website cbseresults.nic.in or cbse.nic.in Step 2: Enter your exam details like roll number and date of birth. Step 3: Check your CBSE Board results for class 10th. On July 13, after the board declared the class 12 results, its website crashed due to heavy traffic inflow. The board has made preparations so that the site crash doesn't happen again. As per the Board, the subjects for which exams could not be held, marks will be based on average of best of three subjects for which the student has already given the exam. In case a student has appeared for only three papers, the assessment will be made on the basis of the best of two and for limited students who have appeared for only one or two exams, the marks obtained in the internal or practicals will be considered. The students will need at least 33 per cent marks to pass in a subject. For subjects having practical and theory both, students will have to pass in both sections. Students who fail in one or two subjects will have a chance to give another attempt through supplementary exams. However, the board is yet to release dates for the supplementary exams for class 10. Philip P. Arnold is associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. He is founding director SkanonhGreat Law of Peace Center. Sandy Bigtree, of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, is member of the SkanonhGreat Law of Peace Center Collaborative. Arnold and Bigtree are officers of the Indigenous Values Initiative Inc. With the majority of the country now siding with the Black Lives Matter Movement, we have a chance to pause and revisit the founding of the United States. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy served to inspire Americas Founding Fathers to form a more perfect union of governance that would provide equity for all. Few know the history of these Indigenous roots to American democracy, and that this Great Binding Message of Peace came to Onondaga Lake many thousands of years ago by the Peacemaker. Syracuse is a unique place where this spark ignited a light that would shine brightly around the world. Today, being non-racist means to be passively complicit, which allows for violence and injustice to continue. As anti-racists, we must now move to end racism. Mayor Ben Walshs statement appointing an advisory panel on the future of the Columbus monument in downtown Syracuse unfortunately further delays the inevitable. The Talking Circles were conducted by InterFaith Works, in the hopes of finding the common ground between those who honor Columbus and those who still suffer the oppression from what Columbus initiated. What common ground? Since the Age of Discovery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the church has been used as a means to silence our voices, destroy our cultures and convert us to Christianity. Religious institutions determined when and how Indigenous Peoples should speak. As was stated by Resilient Indigenous Action Collective at the June 27 protest, healing can only begin when the Columbus statue is removed. The people have spoken on this issue. At the SkanonhGreat Law of Peace Center, it was crucial that we present for the first time a clear Haudenosaunee voice, unhindered by the Jesuit narrative of conquest that for nearly 90 years had been communicated at the French Fort. Weve all been inundated with colonial stories that served to control history by selectively omitting what actually happened, and by silencing those who survived. Indigenous Peoples need to reclaim their right to speak, and we need to listen. We need to revisit these ancient teachings of the Haundenosaunee to help once again steer us toward a more equitable future for humankind and our relatives of the natural world. Italians have a strong presence in Syracuse, and their many contributions greatly enriched American life. But we mustnt forget the discriminatory injustices against Italian-Americans just a few generations ago. During the Great Migrations of the 19th and 20th centuries, they were subjected to the same racial profiling and violence that many people of color experience today. In 1891, 11 Italians were lynched in New Orleans. In response, they embraced Columbus to legitimize their citizenship. Today, Italian-Americans no longer experience racism and oppression. We must now re-examine why Columbus, who has since been revealed as the icon of world domination, should remain celebrated a hero, when so many around the world still feel the oppressed by his legacy: Columbus never visited what is now the United States. All four of his voyages were confined to what is now known as the Caribbean Islands and Central America. Columbus was arrested after his third voyage for tyranny and brutality and was sent back to Spain in irons to serve his sentence. In a recently discovered report of his crimes of brutality, a slaughter of an Indigenous community is described, where he paraded their dismembered bodies throughout the city streets. Columbus was more than a flawed human being, as suggested by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but rather a mass-murderer one not even tolerated by the standards of his time. In 1934, the Columbus statue was gifted to the Italian community, in part, by Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. He not only created the Fascist Movement, but also supported Adolph Hitlers quickly rising Nazi party. Mussolini paid shipping costs, had the body enlarged and requested that the inscription Columbo Cristobal Discoverer of America be prominently displayed. Columbus was sailing under the auspices of what is now known as the Doctrines of Christian Discovery (DoCD). In a series of 15th century Papal declarations, Christian explorers were mandated to enslave non-Christians, seize their lands and property, for the express purpose of expanding the Christian Empire (Christendom). Portuguese and Spanish sailors invaded West Africa and the Americas. These trips funded the churchs exploits in their quest for world domination. The DoCD persists today as a fundamental aspect of law that continues to oppress Indigenous Peoples throughout the world. In opposition to Claudia Tenneys comments (Dont smash Columbus and our history; build a better America instead, June 30, 2020) this is precisely why Columbus needs to come down. His life, legacy and what he represents, inhibits our ability to function as an inclusive democratic society. The fact that Columbus is coming down all over the United States is a message of hope for all those whose lives were lost so others could live their American dream. Letter writers Betty Lyons and Milton Norman Franson suggest a more inclusive story that returns to Indigenous roots of American Democracy something only Central New York can tell. We need to return to the Indigenous values that inspired American democracy, the early Suffragists, sustainable agriculture, lacrosse values needed to truly know peace. Which legacy do you wish to leave your children? How to submit letters and commentary to Syracuse.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 21:23:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close PRETORIA, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 7,021 South African police officers have tested positive to COVID-19 while 53 have passed away, said the police minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday in Pretoria at a press conference on plans to combat COVID-19 and compliance. Cele noted that 4,949 police officers have been quarantined while 150 have been hospitalized. "This pandemic is indiscriminate, no one is immune. It even attacks those entrusted with protecting us. A number of justice, crime prevention and security cluster officials have tested positive, the good news is that many of them have fully recovered and are back in the front line serving their communities," he said. Cele mentioned that 3,688 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in South African jails including the 1,485 inmates and 2,203 prison warders. Among them, 15 inmates and 31 officials have died of COVID-19. He called for all to cooperate to flatten the COVID-19 curve. "It is the same for all of us South Africans: if we are responsible, if we do respect one another, if we work with those serving us during this pandemic, we will overcome it. We will break its transmission. As the president has told us, the answer is in our hands," he said. Cele said the police will intensify patrols, roadblocks, stop and search to ensure compliance with social distancing and other lockdown regulations. A total of 298,292 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in South Africa. Government has imposed further measures including reinstating curfew to flatten the curve of the pandemic. Enditem Photo credit: Getty Images From Esquire Menswear writing 101: dont mention Steve McQueen all the time. Though in the case of the humble chukka boot, that small diktat is somewhat impossible. For McQueen is practically the patron saint of chukka boots. He wore them with jeans, chinos and suits, off-screen and on it, all the while proving the humble boot's lasting versatility. Like McQueen himself, the beauty of chukka boots is a robust kind of elegance. With these on your feet, you walk a nice line between hardman and man-about-town, because its a shoe that has seen military service in World War II, but was originally designed for G&T-sipping polo players. That means much wriggle room in how you wear them. You can be all well-heeled establishment. You can be a bit rebellious too, like Frank Bullitt, and all the other mods and reggae musicians that tapped the chukka boot. Even the Duke of Windsor and Marlon Brando had a pair. Its maybe the ultimate smart-casual boot style. Which is a very big claim. But, with the exception of sweatpants, they'll also pair with practically every trouser hanging in your wardrobe. What Is A Chukka Boot? Simplicity in boot form. Ankle high, chukka boots tend to be lightweight and comfortable. The upper is usually made from two pieces of leather (the vamp and the quarters) and there are only two or three eyelets for the laces. They have a rounded toe on either a thin sole, made usually of leather or rubber. Photo credit: Sunset Boulevard - Getty Images They are both classic in style and have stood the test of time, they combine comfort, function and fashion, says Edward Kelleher, menswear buyer at John Lewis. Enough said. Whats The Difference Between Chukka Boots And Desert Boots? This is the stuff of nerdy fashion pub quizzes, but the short answer is: desert boots are a form of chukka boots. Whereas the most traditional chukkas have a thin sole, desert boots usually have a thicker, spongy crepe sole made from layers of compressed latex (although other forms of rubber soles arent uncommon). Either way, theyre less formal than traditional chukkas. Story continues Desert boots are most commonly made from suede, but can be found in leather [and] they have a more relaxed structure, says Kelleher. While a chukka can have a rubber, leather or a contrast polyurethane sole, the style of the chukka boot is more structured and smarter. British shoemaker Clarks lays claim to the archetypal desert boot, which it began selling in 1950. The story goes that Nathan Clark, the great-grandson of the companys founder, designed the boots while serving in the British Army in Burma during World War II. A company of soldiers arrived from north Africa wearing boots customised with a crepe sole. Clark sketched his own design and sent it home. That blueprint has barely changed since, although the brand has collaborated with everyone from Supreme to Drake on limited editions. Expect more exclusives for the 70th anniversary this year. How To Wear Chukka Boots and Desert Boots If you want to go full McQueen cosplay, pair a chocolate-brown pair of chukkas with some off-white chinos and a shawl-collar cardigan or Harrington. Nothing wrong with that, but bear in mind that styling this kind of boot depends on whether youre wearing a desert boot or a slimmer, smarter chukka. Photo credit: Sunset Boulevard - Getty Images A suede desert boot is best worn with a casual trouser, such as a relaxed fit jean, chino or short in the summer months, says Olie Arnold, style director at Mr Porter. A chukka boot with a leather sole can be worn in a more formal manner, such as a pleated or flat front wool trouser, but really one of the best attributes of this boot is its versatility to cross style borders from both smart and casual. Also think about the boots condition, adds Kelleher. Have you looked after them? If they are a pair of beautiful and clean suede or leather boots they will work well with a smart pair of dark jeans or slim fit chinos and a crisp white tee or shirt, teamed with a blazer or jacket. If the leather is beaten up, keep it casual with Desert Rat-style fatigues. The Best Brands For Chukka Boots And Desert Boots CLARKS The quintessential desert boot is, like a Levis trucker, one of those rare menswear-hall-of-famers that you can pick up for around 100. Theyre soft and comfortable but surprisingly hardy nonetheless. Evergreen colourways include tan and chocolate but seasonal editions come in everything from lime green to terracota. Look out for a streak of new special editions as Clarks celebrates 70 years of the design in 2020. CHURCH'S Owned by Prada today, Churchs footsteps lead all the way back to Northampton, the spiritual home of damn good shoes, where the company was founded in 1873. All that heritage practically guarantees a superior chukka boot, with Goodyear construction and suede so soft youd wrap a newborn in it. SANDER & SANDER Another Northamptonshire shoemaker with more than a century of knowhow under its heels, Sander & Sander counts Steve McQueen and James Bond as customers. McQueen wore the brands chunky crepe-soled style in Bullitt and Daniel Craig followed suit in SPECTRE. JOHN LEWIS Unsurprisingly, the high streets most reliable destination for good menswear sells a wide range of mens most reliable boot style. As well as its own sleek leather chukka boots, John Lewis stocks brands as diverse as Paul Smith and Timberland. Photo credit: John Lewis RED WING For a more robust take on the chukka, look to the foreman of work-boot brands, Red Wing, which has been manufacturing its work chukka since the fifties. Originally designed for indoor carpentry work its lighter, more flexible and frankly forgiving than the brands famous Moc Toe boot, but itll still take some wearing in. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox SIGN UP Need some positivity right now? Subscribe to Esquire now for a hit of style, fitness, culture and advice from the experts SUBSCRIBE You Might Also Like The Omaka Aviation Heritage Center in Omaka, New Zealand has just announced a major deal with the heirs of the late John R. Smith, whose extraordinary collection of vintage military aircraft has long-sheltered behind closed doors in Mapua. The museum is set to become home to several of the gems in this extraordinary collection. John Smith, like a handful of others in his generation, was prescient enough to see the historic value of vintage military aircraft during the 1950s, a time when mass-scrapping operations were smelting the Arsenal of Democracy into raw materials again. The aircraft Smith managed to save include a number of truly significant airframes such as deHavilland Mosquito FB.VI NZ2336, a brace of Curtiss Kittyhawks (NZ3220 & NZ3043), a Lockheed Hudson (NZ2049) and a P-51D Mustang (NZ2423), not to mention other airframes and numerous spare parts for a variety of aircraft. While not all of these aircraft will be moving to Omaka for display, pride of place must surely go to Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk.IV NZ3220 Gloria Lyons, still resplendent in her original wartime paint, complete with several dozen mission markings. This aircraft is already at Omaka undergoing a sympathetic conservation back into static condition. The deHavilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI, built originally for Britains RAF as TE910, arrived too late to see service during WWII, but it is still an exceedingly rare, intact example of the breed, and will make a fine companion to Gloria Lyons when she arrives at Omaka. More details about the recent development are presented in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centres press release below we look forwards to receiving more details as they arrive! OMAKA AVIATION HERITAGE CENTRE WELCOMES RARE WARBIRDS The John Smith Collection, the aviation equivalent of Aladdins Cave We are excited and honoured to announce that the family of deceased aviation collector, John Smith have appointed the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre (OAHC) to work with them as guardians of his remarkable collection, to preserve and publicly display these hero aircraft to New Zealand and the world. The John Smith collection had its beginnings in the 1950s when as a young man he witnessed wholesale scrapping of warbirds around the world and even in his own backyard. John lived in Mapua and was aware that over the hill in Marlborough, historic warplanes such as Mustangs, Mosquitos and Hudsons were being broken up. He managed to save several key aircraft and stored them in a shed on his Mapua property, where they remained as untouched, and for the most part unseen, records of NZ aviation history. Over the decades, word of the Kiwi recluse with his rare warbird collection reached around the world. Collectors travelled from across the planet to try to purchase his aeroplanes but left empty handed. Johns shed was the aviation equivalent of Aladdins Cave, fuselages lined up parallel to one another like sardines, symmetrically arranged either side of a fully assembled Mosquito. Many of us have seen restored combat aircraft from WW2, albeit in small numbers, however these aircraft were the real deal, carrying the original paint they wore when parked under the palm trees on some Pacific atoll, being rearmed before going back to battle, says OAHC board member Graham Orphan. The Smith aircraft destined for display at OAHC include a complete de Havilland Mosquito, Johns own original Tiger Moth and New Zealands most famous P-40, Gloria Lyons. They will join the Lockheed Hudson, formerly gifted by John to Bill Reid, also on display at Omaka. Conservation work has commenced on the P-40 and the next milestone is the disassembling of the Mosquito and transporting it from Mapua to Omaka. Given the fragility and historical significance of the fuselage it requires specialised expertise and transportation. Future fundraising efforts including any profits from the Yealands Classic Fighters Air Show will be funnelled into this significant project and any donations or offers of sponsorship in kind will be gratefully accepted About Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Established to provide a world-class destination for the appreciation of historic aircraft, the Omaka AHC opened in 2006 with the Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jacksons extensive Great War collection of aircraft and rare memorabilia. The calibre of the displays, enhanced by Weta Workshops mannequins and sets produced by WingNut Films, launched the Centre to international acclaim. Dangerous Skies, the WWII exhibition opened in 2016 and explores the stories of both male and female aviators. Iconic warbirds are on display including a flyable Spitfire Mk.14 and the Battle for Stalingrad comes to life in an experience which is equally informative, entertaining and heartbreaking. Many thanks indeed to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centres Rachael Brown for making the photographs available for this piece! A federal judge dismissed lawsuits by Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who sued for emotional distress caused by their fear of exposure to COVID-19, saying that allowing their cases to proceed would lead to a flood of trivial suits. Judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles said in Tuesdays ruling that allowing passengers to collect damages based on potential COVID-19 exposure without suffering symptoms raised concerns of unlimited liability for restaurants, bars and other places people gather. Debi Chalik, a lawyer for Ronald and Eva Weissberger of Florida, who filed the first lawsuit against Princess, said she was disappointed with the ruling and was considering an appeal. Chalik also disagreed that her case would cause a wave of lawsuits because few businesses welcome customers the way Princess did when it knew the virus was potentially present on its ship. If a gym or restaurant is inviting people to come when they know the virus is circulating there, I think you should be able to sue those businesses, she said. Carnival Corp, which operates the Grand Princess, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Grand Princess grabbed headlines in March when the ship and its 2,400 passengers were denied entry to San Francisco after an outbreak of the novel coronavirus on the ocean liner. Nearly a week later, officials arranged for the ship to dock in Oakland, California, and passengers were taken into quarantine. The Weissbergers filed one of the first U.S. lawsuits tied to the pandemic and alleged the cruise line allowed them to board the ship even though passengers who disembarked the same day from a prior cruise had symptoms of COVID-19. The couple sued for more than $1 million for putting their health at risk and causing them trauma. About the photo: The Grand Princess cruise ship docked in Oakland, March 10, 2020. AP file photo. It's a clear warning to companies aiding and abetting Russia's malign influence projects will not be tolerated, Pompeo said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the U.S. Department of State is preparing to impose sanctions against companies investing in the Nord Stream 2 energy project. Read alsoBill expanding sanctions against Nord Stream 2 filed in U.S. House of Representatives Naftogaz "The Department of State is issuing updated public guidance for section 232 of CAATSA, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, in order to expand implementation of the act. This includes investments or other activities related to a broader scope of Russian energy export pipelines for Nord Stream 2 as well as the second line of TurkStream," he said in his remarks to the press in Washington DC on July 15. "This action puts investments or other activities that are related to these Russian energy export pipelines at risk of U.S. sanctions. It's a clear warning to companies aiding and abetting Russia's malign influence projects will not be tolerated. Get out now, or risk the consequences," he said. "Let me be clear: These aren't commercial projects. They are Kremlin's key tools to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy supplies, tools that undermine Ukraine by cutting off gas transiting that critical democracy, a tool that ultimately undermines transatlantic security," he said. Pompeo added that "the United States is always ready to help our European friends meet their energy needs." "I think we should be very clear: Our expectation is that those who participate in the continued project will be subject to review for potential consequences related to that activity," he summed up. Australia's iconic biscuit brand Arnott's has sparked a debate on social media after teasing fans with a picture of coriander-flavoured Shapes. The company shared a snap of the snack box sitting next to a pile of coriander seeds after giving its popular savoury biscuits a very controversial makeover. 'This one might be a bit divisive Tag a mate who would eat a whole box of these bad boys to themselves,' the brand said on Facebook. Australia's iconic biscuit brand Arnott's has sparked a furious debate on social media after teasing fans with a picture of a coriander-flavoured Shapes Poll Would you try the coriander-flavoured Shapes? Yes No Would you try the coriander-flavoured Shapes? Yes 18 votes No 15 votes Now share your opinion Despite sharing the never-before-seen flavour online, the brand quickly reassured its fans: 'Don't worry, we are not actually making these.' However, the controversial flavour was met with ridicule, with one saying: 'Divisive? What kind of monster eats this abomination?' 'I love coriander... but I still have to ask "why, when so many people hate coriander?" Even I would not buy these,' one woman said. Another said: 'What is the world coming to? First COVID. Then coriander Shapes. I can't take anymore. One woman admitted: 'I'd rather eat soap!' while another added: 'If 2020 had a flavour, it would be these.' One fan even went to extreme lengths to Photoshop 'Palmolive' dishwashing detergent onto the box suggesting the new flavour will taste like soap Surprisingly many people said they were keen to try the new flavour. 'If you are needing some testers I volunteer as tribute,' one said, while another added: 'I would eat 10 boxes of these! Yum!' Many were furious with the choice of flavour, saying 'of all the herbs' in the world, the brand picked the 'worst' one. One fan even went to extreme lengths to Photoshop 'Palmolive' dishwashing detergent onto the box suggesting the new flavour will taste like soap. 'Hmmm soap flavoured, they would make a great pallet cleanser,' one said. Scientists previously found up to one in seven people can experience the taste and smell of coriander completely differently, describing it as being like soap. They found a set of genes related to smell and taste are responsible for this effect. The United States on Tuesday welcomed United Kingdom's plans to ban Huawei from future 5G networks. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also praised Jio for prohibiting the use of Huawei equipment in their networks. "With this decision, the UK joins a growing list of countries from around the world that are standing up for their national security by prohibiting the use of untrusted, high-risk vendors," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Asserting that the momentum in favour of secure 5G is building, Pompeo said the UK joins democracies such as the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Sweden in banning Huawei from future 5G networks. "Clean carriers like Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan and others have also prohibited the use of Huawei equipment in their networks. Countries need to be able to trust that 5G equipment and software will not threaten national security, economic security, privacy, intellectual property or human rights," Pompeo said as the British move was welcomed by top American lawmakers. Democratic Senator Mark R Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and co-chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, hoped that the Trump administration will begin to engage multilaterally with like-minded allies on promoting secure and competitively-priced alternatives to Huawei equipment. "My bipartisan legislation, the United Strategic Allied Telecommunications Act, would be a major step in the right direction and I hope to see it included, fully funded, in the eventual defence authorisation act," he said. Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he is relieved to hear that the UK has initiated a plan to remove Huawei products from its communications systems. "I have long been concerned about the national security risks posed by allowing high-risk vendors such as Huawei, and with them, the Chinese Communist Party, into any of our allies' telecommunications infrastructure. I know this has not been an easy decision to make, but it is the right one," he said. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said he is pleased to see the action being taken by the UK to address the security concerns they have identified with allowing equipment from Huawei into 5G networks. "There is an overwhelming consensus that Huawei is in a position to exploit network vulnerabilities and compromise critical communications infrastructure for the benefit of the Chinese Communist Party. The UK has taken a necessary step to safeguard its national security as it builds out advanced networks," he said. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry described it as a reassuring development that will benefit not only British security and privacy, but the ability of these countries to work even more closely together on vital security matters. "Both our countries have much work ahead to replace Huawei equipment in our networks as soon as possible," they said. Supporting the British decision to prevent the inclusion of new Huawei equipment in the UK 5G network and the goal of removing all Huawei equipment from the network by 2027, Congressman Mike Turner said Huawei's inclusion in the UK 5G network directly puts at risk the ability of the Five Eyes alliance to continue as it has since World War II. "Today's announcement alleviates the US's critical concern that any information shared with the UK would inadvertently be shared with the Chinese Communist Party through Huawei's inclusion in its 5G network," he said. (With agency inputs) The changes were hard to make, he told Reuters, but impossible to avoid since China passed a national security law on June 30, making the broadly defined crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces punishable by up to life in prison. "This is really painful," Yeung said as he flipped through pages of the collection of essays by 50 protesters, lawyers, social workers and other participants in the pro-democracy demonstrations that shook Hong Kong last year. "This is history. This is the truth," he said, holding up the book with blue sticky flags on many pages to mark changes made because of the new law. Just as demand for political books was surging in Hong Kong after a year of protests, Hong Kong's once unbridled and prolific independent publishers are now censoring themselves in the face of the new law. Hong Kong authorities say freedom of speech remains intact, but in the past two weeks public libraries have taken some books off the shelves, shops have removed protest-related decorations and the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong! Revolution of our times" has been declared illegal. "To Freedom" is the first political book Yeung has taken on as a part-time publisher. After Beijing introduced the security law, the books original printer bailed, and two other printers declined, he said. Another printer agreed to take it anonymously, but wants to get a better sense of how the law is implemented first. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which organizes the annual Hong Kong Book Fair, told exhibitors not to display what it called "unlawful books" at this week's planned fair, but did not explain further. The council postponed the fair at the last minute on Monday due to a recent spike in cases of the new coronavirus. It did not specify a new date for the event, which draws about 1 million visitors. Three non-governmental pro-Beijing groups had teamed up to urge people to report stalls at the fair selling material promoting Hong Kong independence, a subject that is anathema to the Chinese government. "Every citizen has a duty to report crime," said Innes Tang, the chairman of PolitiHK Social Strategic, one group behind the campaign. "We are not the police. We are not the ones to say where the red line is." DANGEROUS READING Jimmy Pang, a veteran local publisher who has participated in every fair since it began in 1990, called 2020 "the most terrifying year" because of the security law and the economic downturn that was already hurting publishers. He said the law has prompted publishing houses and writers to halt projects while printers, distributors, and bookstores have turned down sensitive books. For example, Breakazine, a local Christian publication, said it suspended the distribution of its mid-July issue called "Dangerous Reading" while seeking legal advice for navigating the security law. "Everyone is avoiding risks by suffering in silence," said Pang, a spokesman for 50 exhibitors at the fair. Last year, a unit of Pang's Sub-Culture Ltd published Chan Yun-chi's "6430," a book of interviews with surviving pro-democracy protesters in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, a subject heavily censored on the mainland. "In the future, there will be no sensitive books related to politics," he said. Bao Pu, the son of Bao Tong, the most senior Chinese Communist Party official jailed for sympathizing with Tiananmen protesters, founded New Century Press in 2005 in Hong Kong to publish books based on memoirs and government documents and other sources that often differ from the official versions of events in China and could not be published on the mainland. His customers were mostly mainland visitors, a lucrative niche in Hong Kong until China began to tighten border controls a decade ago, making it harder to bring back books to the mainland. Given the drop off in demand, Bao said he no longer plans to publish such books in Hong Kong. But he urged other publishers to avoid self-censorship. "If everybody does that, then the law would have much more impact on freedom of speech," he said. Left-wing activist group GetUp! is demanding the release of 760 immigration detainees arguing this will stop them catching coronavirus from the guards. The lobby group for politically-progressive causes groups is urging Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge to allow asylum seekers to live in the community because detention centre security employees in Sydney and Melbourne had either tested positive to COVID-19 or were self isolating. 'A detention centre guard in Melbourne has tested positive for coronavirus, and potentially dozens of staff from the Villawood detention centre in Sydney are self-isolating after going to an event at the latest pub hot spot,' they said. Sydney's south-west is already battling a coronavirus cluster with 34 cases now linked to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula - a 12km drive down the Hume Highway from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre which is home to 427 detainees. Left-wing activist group GetUp! is demanding the release of immigration detainees arguing this will stop them catching coronavirus from the guards. Pictured is a protest outside the Villawood immigration detention centre Sydney's south-west is already battling a coronavirus cluster with 34 cases now linked to the Crossroads Hotel at Casula - a 12km drive down the Hume Highway from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre which is home to 427 detainees. Pictured is a 2012 protest involving asylum seekers Victoria meanwhile has been hit with 238 new cases of COVID-19 in just one day, with the explosion in cases in inner-city public housing blocks linked to Black Lives Matter protests in Melbourne in early June, which GetUp! endorsed. A Broadmeadows immigration transit centre sits in one of 36 Melbourne suburbs which was last month deemed a coronavirus hot spot, leading to a city-wide lockdown in July. This compound, in Melbourne's north, holds 333 detainees, Department of Home Affairs data for 2020 showed. 'For months thousands of medical professionals have warned about this exact situation, citing fears that if coronavirus makes it into the centres, it could spread rapidly and quickly become a public health crisis,' GetUp! said. 'This not only puts the lives of hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers at risk, but puts more pressure on the already strained healthcare system and workers. 'It's exactly what thousands of medical professionals warned us about.' GetUp! is urging its supporters to bombard Mr Tudge with emails, following coronavirus outbreaks in Melbourne's north-west and Sydney's south-west, which are both home to immigration detention centres. 'The government has a duty to keep the women, children, and families in detention safe make sure they know it,' it said. A Broadmeadows immigration detention centre sits in one of 36 Melbourne suburbs which was last month deemed a coronavirus hot spot, leading to a city-wide lockdown in July. Pictured are police doing COVID-19 checks at Broadmeadows on July 2, 2020 Mr Tudge said GetUp!'s call to release immigration detainees from Villawood and Broadmeadows was reckless. 'Australia's immigration detention facilities are COVID-free. No detainee in any facility has tested positive, in large part due to the measures we have put in place,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Advocates claim to care about detainees, but their reckless protests have actually caused health workers to temporarily leave particular centres as their safety was put at risk.' The lobby group for politically-progressive causes groups is urging Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge to allow asylum seekers to live in the community because detention centre security employees in Sydney and Melbourne had either tested positive to COVID-19 or were self isolating Wilson High School is getting a new name. Portland Public Schools will kick off the renaming effort in September, when classes are in session, to put students at the forefront of the process, Senior Adviser for Racial Equity and Social Justice Dani Ledezma told the school board Tuesday. Were responding to the energy in our community about the name changes, Ledezma said. Were not responding to the thing of the day or doing the easy thing, but were really being intentional in seeking to figure out how we can change the student experience so that it is much more affirming. Woodrow Wilson, the former U.S. president and college leader for whom the school was named in the 1960s, instituted segregation in federal government agencies and was an ally of the Ku Klux Klan. The announcement comes just weeks after district officials told The Oregonian/OregonLive they didnt have immediate plans to rename any school buildings even after petitions to do so garnered thousands of signatures in the wake of protests against systemic racism. Ledezma mentioned similar efforts at various other district schools, including Jackson and Lane middle schools. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the U.S., signed the Indian Removal Act into law and forced tens of thousands of Native Americans from their homes, thousands of whom died during relocation. And Joseph Lane, the first territorial governor of Oregon, ran for vice president on a pro-slavery ticket against Abraham Lincoln. The school renaming efforts come weeks after protesters toppled a statue of Thomas Jefferson in front of the North Portland school named after him. Board members on Tuesday also threw their support behind a potential renaming of James Madison High School ahead of a grand reopening following major renovations to the building in 2021. Madison owned over 100 slaves and proposed the three fifths compromise of the U.S. Constitution, which through the lens of 2020 protests about systemic racism against Black, Indigenous and other people of color makes the honoring of those once-revered figures offensive to much of the Portland community. Kellogg was a successful steamboat owner and pilot during Oregons formative years. It would seem like a missed opportunity to have that process lag from our great celebrations and all the hope that is embodied by the opening of those new schools, Board Chair Amy Kohnstamm said. She also mentioned a potential renaming of Joseph Kellogg Middle School, which will open after it is completely rebuilt in 2021. The renaming of Wilson High, named after the 28th president, will be accompanied by a comprehensive review of the namesake of other district schools, Ledezma said. Late last month, Princeton University removed the presidents name from its School of Public and International Affairs. That was around the same time Wilson High students, teachers and alumni pushed the Portland school board to adopt a new name for their building, citing the former presidents racist views. Students and teachers from Madison High filled the public comment portion of Tuesdays school board meeting urging the same. Theres no reason why the name of one of the most diverse schools in the state needs to be that of a man who owned 120 slaves, Madison student Jaya Probesco Mitchell said. The process at Wilson will serve as a case study for the way other buildings might be renamed. Ledezma said district officials will have six-month and annual reviews of building namesakes by April 2021. The school board in 2018 adopted a renaming policy that requires extensive community meetings and input from alumni when its members determined the former Franklin High mascot was discriminatory. That could leave renaming efforts in a lurch from anywhere between three and five years, some students said. Ledezma said the approach she outlined Tuesday is a method to fast-track names that need to be changed in a comprehensive way. Both she and Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said they want changes the district adopts in coming months to go beyond renaming school buildings, particularly because the move comes on the heels of mass protests against systemic racism across the country. The meaningful dialog we want to have goes way beyond the names of buildings on our campuses, Guerrero said. Some of those changes might also be an overhaul of social studies curricula to better cover the history of Black and indigenous communities. Ledezma said merely renaming buildings without student input or overhauling other systems would amount to an empty gesture. When we look at the tenets of white supremacy culture, one of those tenets is about reacting like this: That everything is urgent and because the majority says go, we go, she said. --Eder Campuzano | 503-221-4344 | @edercampuzano Do you have a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email Eder at ecampuzano@oregonian.com or message either of the social accounts above. Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. A former Veterans Affairs nursing assistant has pleaded guilty in federal court to killing seven hospital patients by injecting them with unnecessary insulin, and assaulting another patient with intent to murder. Army veteran Reta Mays, 46, pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to murder on Tuesday, following a two-year investigation into the suspicious deaths of seven elderly patients at a veterans hospital in West Virginia. Mays, who worked at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg, faces up to life in prison for each count of second-degree murder. MORE: Judge rejects $19 million settlement for Weinstein victims Mays is accused of killing veterans Robert Edge Sr., Robert Kozul, Archie Edgell, George Shaw, Felix McDermott, Raymond Golden and a patient identified only as W.A.H., and of administering unnecessary insulin to another patient who was not diabetic, with the intent to kill him. PHOTO: This photo released Tuesday, July 14, 2020, by the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority shows Reta Mays, a former nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, W.Va. (West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority via AP) The patients all died of low blood sugar and severe hypoglycemia after being injected with unneeded insulin between July 2017 and June 2018. The victims, all male, were between the ages of 82 and 96. Up until Tuesday, authorities had not identified Mays publicly. They previously described the person of interest as a former nursing assistant who had overnight access to the rooms of the veterans who died. MORE: As Trump sends mixed messages on coronavirus, some loyal supporters cling to conspiracy theories The U.S. attorney prosecuting the case called her acts "evil" and an FBI agent involved in the case said the veterans were betrayed. "These eight veterans deserved respect and honor. They served our country and we all owe them a debt of gratitude," FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman told reporters Tuesday. "They didn't deserve to die at the hands of a nursing assistant who intentionally inflicted pain on them and their families." PHOTO: The VA Hospital in Clarksburg, West Virginia on Sept. 13, 2019. (Jeff Swensen for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Mays was formerly employed by the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority. She was hired in 2005 and assigned to the North Central Regional Jail, where she was a correction officer until leaving in the fall of 2012, according to local media reports. Story continues Officials said Mays' motive in the case is still unclear, but that she could possibly reveal more details at her sentencing. Video: Trump makes announcement on MS-13 gang ABC News' Jack Date and Alexander Mallin contributed to this report. Hospital worker charged with 7 counts of murder following string of mysterious patient deaths originally appeared on abcnews.go.com For months hes been anonymous, but now Prasad Dinesh, linked by Sri Lankan authorities to nearly half of the country's more than 2,600 coronavirus cases, is trying to clear his name, and shed some of the stigma of a heroin addiction at the root of his ordeal. Under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former army lieutenant colonel credited with helping end Sri Lanka's long civil war in 2009 with a brutal military campaign against separatists, the Indian Ocean island nation has used the armed forces to combat the virus. When Rajapaksa was elected president last year, a health unit was created in the intelligence service that sprang into action when COVID-19 first appeared, according to State Intelligence Service Assistant Director Parakrama de Silva. Intelligence officers, health workers, police officers and military troops have worked together to identify infected people, trace their contacts and send them to military-run quarantine centers. After Dinesh, 33, tested positive for the virus in April, navy sailors raided his village, forcing his contacts into quarantine. But authorities have blamed a melee that ensued not on the military, but on Dinesh and said the rumpus ended up leading to at least 1,100 additional virus infections. These cases, they publicly declared, were all linked linked to a single patient. Referring to him only as Patient 206, government officials lambasted Dinesh on TV and social media, blaming him for at least three clusters of cases, including about 900 navy sailors who were infected after an operation in Ja-Ela, a small town about 19 kilometers (12 miles) north of the capital, Colombo. Dinesh, however, says his drug addiction, which is considered a crime in Sri Lanka, makes him a convenient scapegoat. I cant accept that I am responsible for infecting so many, including the navy sailors, Dinesh told The Associated Press, after he had returned home following his release from a monthlong stay at a hospital. Before the pandemic reached Sri Lanka, resulting in an island-wide lockdown, Dinesh worked as an auto rickshaw driver. But now hes unable to find work. No one gives a job when they realize that I am Patient 206, he said. Likening him to South Koreas Patient 31, whom media in that country labeled a super spreader because she was the first person to test positive in a secretive church community where the virus was later found endemic, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said Dinesh had undermined Sri Lankas fight against COVID-19. He is the turning point and has done huge damage to our country, Rohana said. Authorities say that on April 5, Dinesh was caught by village residents for a robbery and handed over to police. At the station, Dinesh had a fever as well as a leg injury sustained during the robbery, so authorities admitted him to a nearby hospital, where he tested positive for the coronavirus and stayed for 31 days. Dinesh hasn't contested charges that he and others broke into a house in a nearby village to take coconuts they could sell in order to buy heroin. After he tested positive, the police who made the arrest, Dinesh's friends and more than 100 people in his neighborhood were ordered to quarantine at home. But not everyone complied. Afraid that the virus would spread quickly in the congested area, Sri Lankas navy sent in a team of sailors to help health workers. As the sailors approached, some of Dinesh's associates panicked. They were climbing trees, they were trying to jump over a fence, trying to have a bath, trying to jump into a canal, Adm. Jayanath Colombage, a former navy commander and member of the national task force to combat the virus, said in a TV interview. Of the 28 people seized from the community and quarantined, 16 tested positive. Two weeks later, some sailors involved in the operation did, too. Navy spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Isuru Suriyabandara defended the navy, saying it had deployed well-trained troops with protective gear who were quarantined for 21 days after the operation. The first infected sailor, who was on leave in the town of Polonnaruwa, about 225 kilometers (140 miles) northeast of Colombo, was reported April 22, prompting provincial health officials to isolate 12 nearby villages. The next day, 30 other sailors tested positive. With the virus spreading to different parts of the country where sailors were on leave, authorities ordered troops from all arms of the military to report back to their camps. Some 4,000 navy sailors were quarantined inside a single camp, while more than 200 relatives were taken to navy-run quarantine centers. At least 15 villages were isolated in different parts of Sri Lanka for about two weeks, and about 1,300 other people underwent self-quarantine. Ultimately, about 900 navy sailors tested positive, with around 50 other infected people also part of that cluster. Two other clusters also blamed on Dinesh had at least 150 coronavirus cases, according to authorities. Sri Lanka has confirmed at least 2,665 cases in all, including 11 deaths, meaning nearly half of its caseload has been blamed on one man Dinesh. What to do? It is our fault for using drugs?" he said, referring to his heroin habit. Dinesh said that he had been using heroin since 2002, but that he never became a severe addict. During the coronavirus lockdown, however, he used the drug more regularly, and joined three other users in the robbery to raise money to buy more heroin. Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena launched an expansive crackdown on illegal drugs, calling users a social catastrophe, and his successor, Rajapaksa, also has taken a tough stance.Authorities have used the fallout from the raid on Dineshs village to increase anti-drug crackdowns in slums and urban apartments. Officials say some 300,000 people around 1.5% of all Sri Lankans are addicted to drugs.Dinesh, however, said he was no longer part of that stigmatized population.One positive of being infected with the coronavirus, he said, was that his hospitalization helped him to kick his heroin habit. He said he had body pains for about two days. I did not suffer severe withdrawals because I was not a severe addict," he said.I have now completely given up (drugs)," he said. "I dont even smoke a cigarette. I am always with my two kids now and play with them. I feel good. Representative image Omjasvin MD By Express News Service CHENNAI: Even as Chennai is battling COVID-19, seasonal endemics like dengue and malaria have already arrived, causing concerns among residents and posing a challenge to health care institutions. Lately, residents across the city have raised complaints over the mosquito menace, especially in north Chennai, where most people save potable water in pots and drums. The corporation's COVID-19 fever camp staff say that a few cases of dengue were found in the camps and patients were given treatment. "We have recorded at least five cases of dengue in the past week," says a doctor, handling a fever camp in Zone-5 Royapuram. Residents in Old Washermenpet, Tondiarpet, Royapuram and in areas like Kodambakkam too have said the mosquito menace has been high lately. To tackle the crisis, the civic body had transferred all its 3500 domestic breeding checkers who were on COVID-19 duty back to vector control work. However, the bigger problem here is that the symptoms for dengue, malaria and COVID-19 are similar, which would be a challenge for the city. Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, Infectious Diseases Specialist at Gleneagles Global Hospital, says that the symptoms overlap and there are possibilities of a wrong diagnosis. "A person may have symptoms of dengue but if he had had COVID-19 earlier and recovered, chances of a PCR test showing that he is positive are still there even a month after the infection. Thus, the person could be taken for a COVID patient but his dengue illness would be missed out," said Dr Swaminathan. Dr Swaminathan said apart from that, the vector-borne illnesses would overburden hospitals. "Dengue or malaria patients could be treated as outpatients in this crisis. This way, hospital beds would be reserved for COVID-19," he said. He added that the monsoon season gives rise to infectious diseases and an early diagnosis of dengue is required for patients with symptoms. Infectious diseases specialist Dr Vijayalakshmi B of Kauvery Hospital said that identifying respiratory symptoms from other symptoms is key to differentiate between the two diseases. "For dengue, respiratory symptoms may not be there which is not the case for COVID," she said. Dr Vijayalakshmi said that if mosquito-borne diseases rise, it would be a challenge to isolate patients at hospitals. "Currently, the city is getting a breather with cases coming down. We have to take all precautionary measures to prevent dengue and similar seasonal infections," she said. She said that people should keep a check on water saved in their houses and it must not be kept for more than a week. Dr Swaminathan said that mosquito control work should be ramped up in the city and awareness messages on dengue must be sent out to everyone. The novel coronavirus pandemic has now killed more than 577,000 people worldwide. Over 13.2 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages, many unreported cases and suspicions that some governments are hiding or downplaying the scope of their nations' outbreaks. The United States has become the worst-affected country, with more than 3.4 million diagnosed cases and at least 136,440 deaths. Tuesday's headlines: Moderna reports success in vaccine trial Philadelphia banning large public events through February 2021 North Carolina schools will open for in-person and remote learning Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin added to NY travel advisory Here is how the news developed on Tuesday. All times Eastern. Check back for updates. 8:44 p.m.: NYC did not actually have zero COVID-19 deaths Saturday Saturday appeared to mark the first day since March that there were no COVID-19 deaths in New York City. But the latest data from the city's health department shows that at least eight people with confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases died that day. The health department's portal does note that "due to delays in reporting, recent data are incomplete." These delays are especially prevalent on weekends. On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio had celebrated the apparent milestone before warning that residents cannot let up the fight against the virus. The first COVID-19 death in New York City was on March 11. Since then, the city has had more than 23,000 deaths attributed to the virus -- far more than any state. PHOTO: A worker cleans the entrance to the Manhattan Federal Court, during the arraignment hearing of Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein, in New York City, on July 14, 2020. (Mike Segar/Reuters) 8:11 p.m.: Washington governor warns more restrictions possible Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday that the return of certain restrictions is possible as COVID-19 cases have grown "fairly dramatically" over the past month. Story continues The pause of the state's reopening will continue until at least July 28, and "people should not be surprised if more gets rolled back," Inslee said during a COVID-19 press briefing. The governor said there is a "significant chance" that the state will need to take more measures. MORE: Doctors cry foul as White House targets Fauci, CDC "Over a thousand people have died," he said. "A thousand more will die if we do not act." Washington has 42,304 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,404 deaths, according to the state health department. One bright spot, the governor said, is Yakima County, where the number of new cases and test positivity rates have declined since a mask mandate went into effect on June 26. 7:22 p.m.: Mississippi seeing 'highest numbers of patients as we speak' Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, told "World News Tonight" on Tuesday that the state is now in the worst of its battle with COVID-19. "We were a little bit slower or behind New York, behind the West Coast as far as seeing that real surge of patients, but we're seeing our highest numbers of patients as we speak," Woodward said. On Monday, the number of cases jumped 862 to a total of 37,542. The number is shy of two 1,000-case days in late June, but still overwhelming UMMC. "We are full. We are full in our med surge beds, we are full in our ICU beds," Woodward said. "As of some hours ago, we had a few open pediatric beds, but in fact in the adult bed count, at this moment, we're oversubscribed by 29." PHOTO: Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the school of medicine, left, discusses concerns with the state's spike in COVID-19 patients at hospitals across the state on Thursday, July 9, 2020, in Jackson, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP) 6:30 p.m.: LA County reports new record for deaths, cases The crisis in Los Angeles County is continuing to get worse. The county reported a new daily record for deaths (73) and cases (4, 244) on Tuesday. The county did qualify that the death total could be higher due to a lag in reporting from over the weekend. There are 2,103 people currently hospitalized in the county, 19% of which are on ventilators. The county already has rolled back some of its reopening plans in the wake of the rise in cases. 5:36 p.m.: Texas reports new record in cases Texas continues to be one of the hotspots for a surge in COVID cases, with a new record 10,745 since yesterday. There were more than 2,000 cases in Harris County -- home to Houston -- alone. The previous single-day high for cases was 10,351 on July 11. There were 87 fatalities in the state reported on Tuesday. 5:15 p.m.: Moderna says everyone in vaccine trial developed antibodies Moderna released data from its Phase 1 trial Tuesday, saying the trial was relatively safe and that all 45 people who were given the vaccine developed COVID-19 antibodies. These antibodies are believed to provide some level of immunization, but how much immunization and for how long is still to be determined. The trial was made up of three groups with 15 people in each group. Each group received a different dose of the vaccine -- low, medium or high. Side effects were minimal, Moderna said. 3:35 p.m.: CDC director says 'we can bring this epidemic under control' if everyone wears masks CDC Director Robert Redfield told JAMA on Tuesday, "I really do believe if the American public all embraced masking now and we really did it, you know, rigorously ... I think if we can get everybody to wear a mask right now, I really do think over the next four to six, eight weeks, we can bring this epidemic under control." PHOTO: Commuters arrive at South Station in Boston, MA on July 14, 2020. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) "Masking is not a political issue, it is a public health issue," he continued, calling it a "personal responsibility" for everyone. "I'm glad to see the president wear a mask this week, and the vice president," Redfield said. "We need them to set the example." Redfield said "the most powerful weapon we have" against the coronavirus is using face coverings, washing hands and "being smart about social distancing." "If we all rigorously did this, we could really bring this outbreak back to where it needs to be," he said. PHOTO: A healthcare worker gives another a shoulder rub before they go back into the the Covid-19 Unit at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas, July 2, 2020. (Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images) PHOTO: Medical staff wearing full PPE wait for a car to pick up a deceased patient outside of the Covid-19 intensive care unit at the United Memorial Medical Center on June 30, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Go Nakamura/Getty Images) 3:08 p.m. North Carolina schools will open for in-person and remote learning In North Carolina, where there are over 89,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, schools will open with in-person and remote learning, Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday. The beginning of the school year in North Carolina is about a month away, he said. MORE: Education secretary faces backlash after demanding schools reopen full-time amid pandemic Schools will have protocols in place including fewer children in classrooms, social distancing and required face coverings for all students and staff, Cooper said. The schools are also recommended to use one-way hallways and suspend large group activities like assemblies. Districts will have the option to conduct all remote learning if that is best for them, he said. "If trends spike and in-person school cannot be done safely with these safety protocols, then we will need to move to all remote learning like we did in March," Cooper tweeted. 1:30 p.m.: Philadelphia banning large public events through February 2021 In Philadelphia, large public events will be banned through Feb. 28, 2021, Mayor Jim Kenney announced Tuesday. Banned events include parades, concerts, fairs and block parties. The ban does not apply to demonstrations and first amendment activities. PHOTO: Runners participate in the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sept. 15, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) People under the age of 30 have accounted for 40% of new cases in the city, the mayor said. The city is allowing people to hold private outdoor events, like weddings, if there are fewer than 50 guests, the mayor added. "To bring people together in large groups ... would not be responsible. And that's why we're doing what we're doing," Kenney said at a news conference. PHOTO: Floats, marching bands and performers make their way past City Hall during the 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 2019. (Michael Candelori/Sipa USA via AP) "We're going to have to live with the virus for a long time," said Dr. Thomas Farley, commissioner of the city's Department of Public Health. "We're gonna have to have some restrictions on our activities until we deploy a vaccine." Philadelphia held a parade during the 1918 flu pandemic, which prompted a massive outbreak. Farley said that is "still in the memory" of public health workers and "that weighs on all of our decisions." MORE: FDA expands list of potentially dangerous hand sanitizers Philadelphia has over 27,000 cases of the coronavirus. While the city is not facing the same rise in cases many states are seeing, Farley called this a "dangerous period." "The way for us to avoid similar increases ... is to have everyone follow the safety precautions," he said. 12:15 p.m.: Arizona sees 20% positivity rate In Arizona, where the pandemic has intensified, the state reported a positivity rate of 20% on Tuesday, a slight drop from the 21.7% rate on Monday. Nationally, the overall test-positivity rate stands at 9.4%, according to a FEMA memo obtained by ABC News. PHOTO: A healthcare worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) collects paperwork at an El Rio Health Covid-19 drive-thru testing site in Tucson, Arizona, on July 13, 2020. (Cheney Orr/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Arizona reported 4,273 new cases and 92 new deaths on Tuesday, according to the state's Department of Health Services. The state has 197 adult ICU beds available, the department said. On Monday officials said ICUs were 90% full. Gov. Doug Ducey said Monday he was expanding testing capacity and limiting indoor dining to 50%. 11:35 a.m.: Florida has 48 hospitals with no ICU beds Out of 309 facilities being tracked, Florida has 48 hospitals with no available ICU beds, and 31 hospitals with just one available ICU bed, according to the state's Agency for Healthcare Administration. These numbers will fluctuate throughout the day. MORE: Too little too late: The story of how Florida shattered the country's single-day COVID record Hard-hit Florida saw a record new 133 deaths bringing the fatality total to 4,513, the state's Department of Health said Tuesday. PHOTO: A crowd of people explore the newly completed St. Petersburg Pier in St. Petersburg, Fla., July 12, 2020. (ZACK WITTMAN/The New York Times/Redux) PHOTO: Crowds of people explore the newly completed St. Petersburg Pier in St. Petersburg, Fla., July 12, 2020. (ZACK WITTMAN/The New York Times/Redux) Miami-Dade County, which includes Miami, and Osceola County, home to the cities of Kissimmee and Celebration, are especially hard-hit. Miami-Dade is reporting a positivity rate of 22.1% while Osceola County's positivity rate stands at 22.8%. Duval County, home to Jacksonville, and Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, both have positivity rates at 16%. 11:12 a.m.: Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Wisconsin added to NY travel advisory Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin have been added to New York's coronavirus travel advisory, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday. PHOTO: A group of Minnesota State University, Mankato students sit at The 507 in Mankato, Minn., July 8, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP) Those four states join Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Delaware has been removed from the list. MORE: Asymptomatic and presymptomatic people transmit most COVID-19 infections: Study Travelers headed to New York, New Jersey or Connecticut from those states must quarantine for two weeks. The quarantine applies to states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a one-week average, or any state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a one-week average. 10:50 a.m.: Hong Kong launches new restrictions after sudden spike in cases Beginning at 12 a.m. Wednesday local time, Hong Kong is returning to stricter social distancing measures after seeing a new surge in cases. PHOTO: Passengers wear surgical masks in an MTR train in Hong Kong, July 13, 2020. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Hong Kong reported over 200 new coronavirus cases in the last week, following nearly a month without a single case. For at least the next week, Hong Kong is closing bars, gyms, playgrounds, pools and entertainment venues, including Hong Kong Disneyland. MORE: Hong Kong Disneyland to close shortly after reopening Public gatherings cannot exceed four people. Masks will be mandatory in taxis and on public transportation -- and those who do not comply can be fined. PHOTO: Commuters wear face masks as they travel on the top deck of a tram in Hong Kong on July 10, 2020, as the city experiences new local outbreaks of COVID-19. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images) Restaurants will be take-out only for dinner, while dining in will be permitted for breakfast and lunch. Also, travelers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight to Hong Kong. 10:20 a.m.: Virginia Beach, Montana see new jumps Virginia Beach, Virginia, may be a new spot to watch, according to an internal FEMA memo obtained by ABC News. Virginia Beach reported 317 new cases for the week ending July 8 -- a 92.1% increase over the previous week. PHOTO: Beachgoers crowd the shoreline along the oceanfront on June 29, 2020, in Virginia Beach, Va. (Steve Helber/AP) Montana is also seeing a drastic jump. On July 9, the state reached a new single-day record of 96 new cases, according to the FEMA memo. There were 377 new cases reported in the week ending July 8 -- a 59.1% increase week-over-week. MORE: Without vaccine, we'll never reach herd immunity: Scientists Nationally, the overall test-positivity rate stands at 9.4%, according to the FEMA memo. PHOTO: People visit the Destiny USA mall during the reopening, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are eased in Syracuse, N.Y., July 10, 2020. (Maranie Staab/Reuters) Forty states reported an upward trend test-positivity rate over the last week. Nationwide death counts show a large increase in the last two days. From July 6 to July 12, there were 410,332 new cases reported and 5,073 new deaths in the U.S. Those figures represent a 20.4% increase in cases and a 47.4% increase in deaths. 9 a.m.: New Jersey governor: 'We've lived through hell' New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is "very concerned" about surges in other states because "we've lived through hell," he told ABC News' "Good Morning America" on Tuesday. "We've lost over 13,000 confirmed fatalities to COVID-19 in our state. Over 15,000 if you include probable deaths," he said. "We don't want to have to go through that again." PHOTO: Medical workers load a body into an ambulance at Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center on April 16, 2020 in Andover, N.J. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images, File) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday he was issuing an order requiring out-of-state travelers from states with rising coronavirus cases to give local authorities their contact information when they arrive. Cuomo said this would help enforce the mandatory quarantine for people traveling to New York from high coronavirus states. MORE: Anxiety, depression increasing among mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic When asked if New Jersey is considering a similar order, Murphy told "GMA," "we'll do it our own way, but were deadly serious about this." "We knew when we opened our state up we'd take on more risk of transmission of the virus, but there's an added element from folks who are coming in from out of state, from hot spots, and we'll take that very seriously," he said. PHOTO: Medical professionals work at a coronavirus walk-up testing site at Public Safety Headquarters on April 10, 2020, in Jersey City, N.J. (Kena Betancur/Getty Images, File) New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have a travel advisory in place for states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a week average, or any state with 10% of higher positivity rate over a week average. Travelers arriving in the tri-state area from those states must quarantine for two weeks. Last week, Delaware, Kansas and Oklahoma were added to the travel list, joining Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. 4:22 a.m.: Russia lifts 2-week quarantine for arriving foreigners A 14-day quarantine will no longer be required for anyone arriving to Russia, according to a decree signed by the country's chief sanitary doctor on Monday. Starting from Wednesday, people entering Russia will need to provide a document -- in English or Russian -- that they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the past 72 hours. Alternatively, they can test in Russia and provide the document within three days. This news followed last week's announcement that Russia is looking to resume international air travel in mid-July. Russia confirmed 6,248 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday bringing the country's official number of cases to 739,947. Over the past 24 hours, 175 people have died bringing the total death toll to 11,614. A total of 8,804 people recovered over the last 24 hours bringing the overall number of recoveries to 512,825. What to know about coronavirus: How it started and how to protect yourself: Coronavirus explained What to do if you have symptoms: Coronavirus symptoms Tracking the spread in the U.S. and worldwide: Coronavirus map 3:17 a.m.: University of Miami infectious disease doctor: 'Miami is now the epicenter for the virus' A group of Miami-area medical experts joined Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez on a Zoom news conference Monday and made clear that South Florida is in a dire position when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. PHOTO: A health care worker signs people up for testing at a COVID-19 testing site at the Miami Beach Convention Center, during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, July 13, 2020, in Miami Beach, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP) "Miami is now the epicenter for the virus," said Lilian M. Abbo, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Miami Health System and the chief of infection prevention for Jackson Health System. "What we were seeing in Wuhan [China] five months ago, we're now seeing here." The experts were speaking minutes after Florida announced 12,624 new cases of COVID-19 -- a day after Florida set a daily record for any state with 15,300 new cases. The experts stressed the need to restrict large gatherings of people in indoor spaces, and Gimenez said the biggest thing that needs to be done is residents following the safety guidelines. "The reason [for the spike] is us. There's no Boogeyman. The reason is us," he said. "We have to change our behavior. The no. 1 reason is our behavior." 1:59 a.m.: Hawaii delays reopening to tourists until Sept. 1 Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced that, in light of the surge of cases on the mainland, Hawaii is delaying its reopening to tourists until Sept. 1. The plan was to allow tourists who have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of their trip to Hawaii to bypass that mandatory two-week self quarantine starting in August. But with the increase of cases in the state and the growing number of cases nationwide, officials decided to delay it by a month. "I am announcing today that we will be delaying the launch of the pre-travel testing program until September 1," said Ige during the press conference. "The outbreaks on the mainland are not in control and we don't believe that situation will change significantly by Aug. 1st". Said Ige: "We did believe it would be in the best interest of everyone here in the state of Hawaii to delay the start of the program to Sept. 1. I know this increases the burden of businesses here in Hawaii we still believe in the pre-testing program and we will take actions to implement it safely." ABC News' Alex Faul, Marilyn Heck, Joshua Hoyos, Alina Lobzina, Josh Margolin, Bonnie Mclean, Scott Withers and Karson Yiu contributed to this report. Moderna says everyone in coronavirus vaccine trial developed antibodies originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Dan Leonard, longtime champion of music education in the Charleston area, died early Tuesday. He was 80. Leonard had been in ill health and increasingly coping with dementia, according to his sons, Pat Leonard and Daniel OLannerghty. In 1945, Leonards father founded a music school in downtown Charleston. After five years in the Marine Corps, Dan took over the school around 1970, eventually developing a sight-reading method, described in the book "Building Confidence Through Sight-Reading" which became popular not only at the Leonard School of Music but in local public school band rooms and beyond. His approach to teaching always was positive and encouraging, according to family and colleagues. Danny would show them love and respect and could teach ANY child to believe in themselves and to know that they are special, Maralee Barela, a grand-niece who helped run the school in the early 2010s, wrote in a Facebook tribute. Hed always say at the end of every lesson, YOU are going to be really, really good. The Leonard School of Music eventually relocated to West Montague Avenue where it occupied the second floor of what was then Fox Music House. The private, for-profit school played an oversize role in fostering Charleston's now-mature generation of jazz musicians. In addition to being a masterful music teacher, Danny was a really generous person, wrote bandleader and trumpet player Charlton Singleton in an email. He sometimes would just call me up just to ask how I was doing. This was years after I wasnt working at the Leonard School of Music officially. The school offered private lessons and ensemble playing, dividing students up according to ability, not age. The amount of young peoples lives that he impacted is his legacy, Singleton wrote. There are not too many musicians in the Lowcountry who dont know about Danny Leonard and the Leonard School of Music. In 2000, Leonard overcame an intense battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma that began in 1997 and involved chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, drug treatments and more. He refused what his doctor said was his last hope, an experimental allogeneic stem cell transplant, declaring, with a smile on his face, "I think I'm going to be OK." Ten months later, he rode a bike from Santa Monica, Calif., to Folly Beach, accompanied by Fox Music owner Charles Fox and Leonards nephew, Roman Hammes, to raise cancer awareness and encourage early screenings. Ten years later, in 2010, he did it again, riding this time from San Diego to Folly Beach. Leonards sight-reading book (which emphasizes reading rhythms, not melodic lines) was produced in response to direct experience: He noticed that a failure to grasp the nuances of rhythm was holding young players back, preventing them from understanding other aspects of music-making. In 2009, the school ran into financial difficulties and soon registered as a nonprofit. It continued to offer band classes and community outreach programs until, in early 2017, it was absorbed by Jazz Artists of Charleston, which renamed the school the Charleston Jazz Academy as part of a organization-wide rebranding. Mark Sterbank, jazz saxophone player and music professor at Charleston Southern University, called Leonard a friend and mentor. I came to know him more closely when I began teaching woodwind techniques at Charleston Southern many years ago and he took me under his wing sharing resources, contacts and teaching techniques gleaned from his years of experience, Sterbank wrote in an email. The young sax player went to work at Leonards summer jazz camps. Danny always had a kind, encouraging word and some pearl of wisdom to offer. When with him, I always felt like an equal, like you feel with an old and dear friend, even though he was 26 years my senior and more like a father. In recent years, Sterbank would meet Leonard for lunch and the two men would simply pick up where they had left off. Danny had a passion and energy for music education that was contagious, Sterbank wrote. He was truly a gem in our city and impacted and influenced many. I am blessed to have known him. Government, in giving a glimpse of how the mid-year budget would look like, has directed all State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to cut down their budgets to redirect the available funds into supporting governments efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Stephen Asamoah Boateng, disclosed that the move is part of strict measures by government to ensure that all SOEs are responsible and conduct their operation in a manner that would be of great support to the nations COVID-19 fight. The broader picture is that every state entity has to revise their budget; that is a directive given by the President. There is no percentage slash across board directive. It should be dealt with on a case by case basis by all the state entities because some are not doing that bad, but generally, across board there is an expectation of about 25-30 percent drop in budgets, Mr. Asamoah Boateng told Asaase Radios Nana Oye Ankrah. Citing the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) as an example, Mr. Asamoah Boateng said that: All of them revised their budget. Due to the drop in oil prices GNPC has had to reverse its budget downwards; the drop has affected the whole projection of their revenue. Their CSR, which had a budget of GH55 million was dropped to about GH35 million. But an Economist, Samuel Ntim speaking to the B&FT in an interview said, even though the move comes with the best of intention, it will come along with some serious challenges for some SOEs who have weaned themselves off government payroll. He explained that with a drop in productivity, most of these SOEs are using almost all their revenues to pay salaries with some already knocking on the doors of government for bailouts. Currently, about 13 SOEs have be weaned off the governments payroll including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Energy Commission. With this directive, many already struggling SOEs would have tighter budgets, with little or no revenue to inject into their operation to make any meaningful margin. The Minister of Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to present the mid-year budget review and supplementary estimates for the financial year this month. The Minister is expected to use the opportunity to explain how the government intends to hold up and replenish advances it took from the contingency fund and the stabilization fund due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, Parliament granted a request by government to withdraw an amount of GH1.2billion, from the contingency fund to finance the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP). Government also received a US$1billion rapid credit facility from the IMF, part of which is being used to provide electricity relief package for Ghanaians. The rest will go into supporting the 2020 budget. Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has said that the minister will also use the opportunity to explain how the government intends to pay back the GH10billion it borrowed from the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to help deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the issues the finance minister is expected to update lawmakers on include successful implementation of reforms introduced by the government in the banking sector, post-recovery plans in the education sector, health matters, maintaining fiscal discipline ahead of the December general elections, and stabilising the economy and mitigating the impact of the coronavirus on businesses. Source: B&FT 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 Phuket villagers protest, accuse village chief of corruption PHUKET: More than 100 residents from Koh Siray, on the east side of Phuket Town, arrived at the Muang Phuket District Office this morning (July 15) in protest, calling for their local village headman to be removed from his position. corruptioncrime By The Phuket News Wednesday 15 July 2020, 06:47PM The villagers massed at Muang District Office this morning, accusing their local village chief of a raft of corrupt practices. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The villagers massed at Muang District Office this morning, accusing their local village chief of a raft of corrupt practices. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The villagers massed at Muang District Office this morning, accusing their local village chief of a raft of corrupt practices. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The villagers massed at Muang District Office this morning, accusing their local village chief of a raft of corrupt practices. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub The villagers massed at Muang District Office this morning, accusing their local village chief of a raft of corrupt practices. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Shouting and holding placards, the residents called for Maitri Duangchan to be removed from his position as village chief of Moo 1, Rassada. They accused him of corruption and using his position of authority for his own benefit. Villager Suthon Pontha explained, We have had no support and we have no other way to fix this. We are here because we cannot bear him anymore. We are here to present our complaints because the village chief used his authority to benefit himself and his friends. He has ignored the development of the village. He never holds meetings and public hearings to explain to the village what will be done after he receives the budget. For 10 years as the village head, he has never held any public hearings about anything that affects us, he said. Mr Suhtorn said that Mr Maitri has asked villagers to pay B6,000 in order to have their homes officially registered so they can be designated an official address. This should be free of charge, he said. Villagers cannot ask for electricity and water supply if they do not have a registered house number, he explained. When he [Mr Maitri] gets any budget, he never informs his villagers. He ignores our requests for help, Mr Suthorn said. This headman never informed villagers about a construction project at Koh Siray that affected the lives of local residents. He also has asked for bribes from fishing pier owners and taxi drivers at the queues at a hotel on Koh Siray, he alleged. He invaded a mangrove forest for his own business. He also created a dirt race track without permission. The race track creates a lot of dust and the area is prone to landslides when it rains, Mr Suthorn continued. He built a building on land that the owner donated so it could be made into a playground, but instead he used this land for his own benefit. Plus he has done nothing to support us during this COVID-19 situation. We are really suffering and getting in trouble, he said. District Chief Anupan Rodkwan Yodrabam met the villagers and formally received their long list of complaints. Chief Anupan explained that a task force will be set up to investigate the villagers complaints. The investigative committee will have 15 days to present its findings, he said. I will invite this village headman for questioning. All villagers, please present your evidence and cooperate with me. Then we will see how this goes, he said. Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub Oman may become the first country to ban the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from using its airspace after the Omani Civil Aviation Authority expressed concern over the issue of dubious licences of Pakistani pilots and sought an explanation from Islamabad regarding curative measures undertaken to ensure flight safety, according to a report in The Dawn. A threat of a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights in the airspace of Oman looms large, the media reported further. Earlier, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EUASA) suspended PIA authorisation to operate in the EU member states for six months, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) also shared its concern over the serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator. Meanwhile, the Pakistan CAA has explained to the Omani Civil Aviation Authority that credentials of all pilots, who were allowed to fly, had been scrutinised before they had been declared fit to fly, the sources close to the matter informed The Dawn. The Omani authorities were further informed that the scrutiny of pilots was initiated by the Pakistani authorities on the directive of the Supreme Court of Pakistan a couple of years ago, the sources explained. Amid the aviation crisis, seven other countries including Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where Pakistani pilots had been employed with different airlines have asked Islamabad to verify their credentials. Meanwhile, the commercial flying licences of 28 Pakistani pilots, who traced to have 'dubious' licences in 2018, have been cancelled. After legal formalities, they would be terminated from service by the airline. Of the 262 'dubious' licence holders, 34 pilots had been suspended by the aviation division. Twenty four other pilots were suspended last Saturday, while sources said 30 to 40 pilots were expected to be suspended within the next few days. The aviation crisis in Pakistan has caught world attention after the federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar in the National Assembly had declared that 150 pilots of the national flag carrier had been having dubious licences. -ANI Also Read: US pulls out troops from 5 bases in Afghanistan as part of agreement with Taliban 'People are sick at home and think that they might have COVID-19, but will not want to go and get themselves tested.' Dr Trupti Gilada, an infectious disease specialist at the Prince Aly Khan Hospital, Masina Hospital and the Unison Medicare and Research Centre, Mumbai, debunks the stigma around the coronavirus and the COVID-19 test in a conversation with Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com. IMAGE: Neighbours look on as Kolkata Municipal Corporation workers transport a COVID-19 victim from his home in Kolkata, July 1, 2020. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI Photo The stigma around COVID-19: The downstream effects of the stigma have become more and more evident. There is a lot of stigma and discrimination around COVID-19. Something that went unnoticed, unaddressed. And we are seeing its effects. People are sick at home and think that they might have COVID-19, but will not want to go and get themselves tested. They are afraid that either they will be just lifted up from homes and these are the words that they actually use -- 'ki humko ghar se utha lenge'. They will be lifted up from homes and put into centres and their entire buildings or their societies will be locked down. So that fear of treatment by the authorities definitely demotivates them from going and getting themselves tested, which means that they will come to the healthcare system when it's very late. And in the meantime, they have transmitted the disease to many others. It is unknowingly, but it's still done -- the disease is transmitted. That is one aspect where we will have to work together, because it is causing harm. There are healthcare workers who are afraid of going back to their homes or will be ill-treated when they go back to their homes by their neighbours. That demotivates a lot of healthcare workers from joining back work (now that transport is available, with more local trains having started), especially at this point when we really need all the healthcare workers to be in the hospitals. We cannot afford to have people at home, unless they are ill obviously. The stigma and the discrimination are other unaddressed aspects of the disease, that we will have to tackle. IMAGE: A healthcare worker at a COVID-19 check-up camp in a Mumbai slum, June 27, 2020. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Does this stigma compound the whole COVID-19 problem in various ways, whether it's the death rate or the case numbers? Yes, because we are probably not seeing all the cases, because people are not testing themselves. There is also the other side to it, where there will be a lot of mild cases or asymptomatic cases, who might want to get admitted, just out of fear, because once their neighbours come to know they will be shunned from their society. A lot of times hospital beds are occupied by these milder, asymptomatic cases, when these beds could have been actually put to use for someone who really needs it. IMAGE: People queue to get tested at a slum in Mumbai, June 29, 2020. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters One of the ways to reduce mortality from COVID-19 is to make sure a patient gets to the hospital as soon as possible. But another issue that seems to have arisen is that people who are in lockdown, at home, and start getting symptoms, believe it could not be the disease, because they are in lockdown. So, they don't test; sometimes because their GP hasn't suggested it either. They have not realised that lockdown means isolation and not going out or having contact with anyone while at home. And the delay in getting to testing and a hospital can be critical. At this point, at least in cities like Mumbai, where we are seeing a large number of COVID-19 cases, and over the last two months, we've learned that COVID-19 presents in ways other than fever or (via) the typical presentation. We've seen COVID-19 present as a stroke at the age of 40. We've seen COVID-19 present with acute myocardial infarction or heart attacks, without having any previous fever. Physicians will need to keep that threshold for testing for COVID-19 very low. It doesn't matter whether the person who is sick has been exposed to someone who had fever or not, because we know that even asymptomatic people are COVID-19 carriers. There must have been some contact. We should not go by the history that 'Oh there is no contact, so let's not test for COVID-19'. This is something the treating physicians will have to keep in mind. They have to keep the threshold for testing much lower. IMAGE: Health workers prepare before screening residents at a slum in Mumbai, July 1, 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo And ask the right questions about the patient's case history? Yes, they need to ask the right questions when nothing explains the clinical scenario and we should just go in for a test for COVID-19. IMAGE: A healthcare worker checks the temperature of a resident at a slum in Mumbai, July 1, 2020. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Maybe the patient himself or his family should insist more strongly on being tested -- that being what an individual needs to do for himself/herself? We really can't blame the patient or the individual for not being pushy. That's the general culture in our country, where the patients will believe whatever the doctor says. A lot of times they actually have fully entrusted their health in the doctor's hands. Nor would I blame the doctors for not testing. It's just that we've always read about COVID-19 presenting with fever, cough, breathlessness or sore throat. When there is any other scenario or clinical scenario, that doesn't fit in, people don't feel it might be COVID-19. But what I'm trying to say is that since the prevalence of COVID-19 is increasing, we will just have to keep in mind that when we see a clinical scenario that is not fitting into anything that you have ever seen or you cannot explain a certain sign or symptom that you are seeing in a patient, there is no harm in just going in for a COVID-19 test. Feature Production: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Authorities in Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave said on Wednesday that they have detained an Armenian man who went missing one week ago. Local state-run television showed the 30-year-old man, Narek Sardarian, saying that he fled Armenia and wants to live in Azerbaijan. Sardarian is a resident of Nerkin Khndzoresk, a village in Armenias southeastern Syunik province bordering Nakhichevan. According to his family, he left his home on July 8 to graze cattle near another Syunik village located about a dozen kilometers from the nearest section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and never came back. Armenias human rights ombudsman, Arman Tatoyan, discussed Sardarians disappearance on Tuesday at a meeting with Claire Meytraud, the head of the Yerevan office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Family members suspect that the young man crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by accident, Tatoyan wrote on Facebook after the meeting. He said Meytraud assured him that the ICRC is already trying to ascertain Sardarians whereabouts and has contacted its office in Baku for this purpose. Dozens of residents of Armenian and Azerbaijani border villages have crossed the heavily militarized frontier throughout the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Most of them are believed to have strayed into enemy territory mistakenly. As recently as on June 12, Armenias National Security Service (NSS) detained an Azerbaijani man who entered the countrys eastern Gegharkunik region from the Gedabey district in western Azerbaijan. A local official who spoke to the man, Elshan Aliyev, shortly before his detention said the 26-year-old claimed to who have worked as a shepherd in a Gedabey village and decided to flee to Armenia because of being mistreated his employer. The NSS has yet to clarify whether Aliyev wants to be repatriated. Before Sardarians disappearance, at least one Armenian national was known to be held in an Azerbaijani prison. Karen Ghazarian, a resident of the northern Tavush province, was captured in July 2018. In February 2019, an Azerbaijani court sentenced Ghazarian to 20 years in prison on charges of plotting terrorist attacks and sabotage in Azerbaijan. The Armenian government condemned the ruling and demanded Ghazarians immediate release. Tatoyan said he also discussed Ghazarians fate with the Red Cross official. US-China tensions rise as US weighs sanctions over South China Sea territorial disputes, prepares crackdown on finances. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed into law the Hong Kong Autonomy Act passed by the United States Congress that imposes sanctions on Chinese banks doing business with Chinese officials behind Beijings security crackdown on Hong Kong. Weve all watched what happened, not a good situation. Their freedom has been taken away, their rights have been taken away, Trump said of Hong Kong citizens. The bill imposes sanctions on entities that help violate Hong Kongs autonomy and financial institutions that do business with them. In addition, Trump signed an executive order revoking special trading status the US provided Hong Kong since 1997 when it reverted to Chinas control under a promised One Country, Two Systems principle. A lot of people will be leaving Hong Kong I suspect, Trump said in remarks at the White House. The US-China relationship has grown increasingly tense over Chinas handling of the novel coronavirus and its tightened grip on Hong Kong. Trump has blamed Beijing for the pandemic that is sweeping the US and has directed his administration officials to roll out a series of legal and economic measures to punish Beijing. Trump, who faces re-election in November, is seeking to contrast his polices towards China as tougher than those of his Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden. Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed grave concern over Chinas labelling of elections in Hong Kong and a senior US diplomat for East Asia said Washington could respond with sanctions against China for coercion in the South China Sea. We note with grave concern Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lams threat that this primary may have violated Beijings new national security law for the territory, once again demonstrating the Chinese Communist Partys fear of democracy and its own peoples free thinking, Pompeo said in a statement issued by the US Department of State. China has declared voting by more than 600,000 people in primary elections held by Hong Kongs pro-democracy parties over the weekend illegal. We will be watching developments closely, especially as the September 6 Legislative Council elections draw closer, Pompeo said. People line up to vote in the primary election aimed at selecting democracy candidates for the September election, in Hong Kong, on July 12, 2020 [Lam Yik/Reuters] Separately on Tuesday, a senior US diplomat for Asia said US sanctions on China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea are a possibility. Nothing is off the table there is room for that, David Stilwell, the assistant secretary for East Asia, told a Washington think-tank when asked if sanctions were a possible US response to Chinese actions. Stilwell spoke a day after the US rejected Chinas claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea as completely unlawful, a stance Beijing said raised tensions in the region Washington has long opposed Chinas expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea and has sent warships regularly through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of maritime trade passes each year. China claims 90 percent of the potentially energy-rich sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it. Beijing has built bases atop atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Mondays announcement by the US was the first time the US has declared Chinese claims illegal. An aerial view of the disputed Subi reef shows Chinas construction of maritime and aerial facilities on reclaimed land in 2017 [File: Francis R Malasig/EPA] Greg Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies, said declaring Chinese claims illegal opened the way for a tougher US response, such as through sanctions, and could also lead to more US naval presence. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian condemned the US move, saying it destroys regional peace and stability and is an irresponsible act. Stilwell said the tougher US position meant we are no longer going to say we are neutral on these maritime issues. When a [Chinese] drilling rig plants itself in Vietnamese or Malaysian waters, were going to be able to make a positive statement, he said. Stilwell had a particular warning over Scarborough Shoal, a strategic outcrop 200 km (124 miles) from the Philippines that China seized in 2012 and that is claimed by Beijing and Manila. Any move by [China] to physically occupy, reclaim or militarise Scarborough Shoal would be a dangerous move and would have lasting and severe consequences for [Chinas] relationship with the United States, as well as the entire region, Stilwell said. Two aircraft carriers the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan are presently operating in the South China Sea as the US sends Beijing a message. Here, an MH-60R Seahawk lands on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan as a guided missile destroyer, the USS Mustin, steams alongside in July 2020 [File: U.S.Navy via The Associated Press] Adding to the escalating tension, China announced sanctions on a US arms manufacturer and the Trump administration moved towards cutting off access for Chinese companies to US capital markets. Chinas Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the government would put sanctions on Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest US arms sale to Chinese-claimed Taiwan. The company is the main contractor for a $620m upgrade of Taiwans Patriot surface-to-air missiles. China strongly opposes all US arms sales to democratic Taiwan, saying it is an interference in internal Chinese affairs. Looking ahead, the Trump administration is poised to scrap a 2013 agreement between US and Chinese auditing authorities that allows Chinese companies to list shares on US stock exchanges, a senior State Department official said. The US auditing watchdog, known as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, has long complained of Chinas failure to grant requests for audit reviews, meaning scant insight into the book-keeping of Chinese firms. Action is imminent, Keith Krach, US undersecretary for economic growth, energy and the environment, said. This is a National Security issue because we cannot continue to afford to put American shareholders at risk, to put American companies at a disadvantage and allow our pre-eminence of being the gold standard for financial markets to erode, Krach told the Reuters news agency on Monday in an emailed response to questions. Chinas commerce ministry also said on Tuesday that a State Department warning on July 2 to US companies of risks of working in the western Xinjiang region of China, where Uighurs are being detained in camps, had destabilised the global supply chain. President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended no fewer than 11 senior officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as the probe of the shenanigans under the stewardship of disgraced Ibrahim Magu deepened. Authoritative Presidency sources told P.M.News on Tuesday night that EFCC executive Secretary Olanipekun Olukoyede was among the senior officials suspended. According to the source, they were suspended for various alleged criminal and corrupt infractions. The suspension of the officials was also to allow for unfettered investigation of the commission. All the top officials in the agency have been suspended, their offices locked, to prevent any tampering with files at the commission, the source added. President Buhari suspended Ibrahim Magu, the former acting chairman of the agency last week and appointed the director of operations, Mohammed Umar Abba, to hold forte. The source said Umar Abba survived the temporary purge, as he was found not to be a part of the suspected underhand dealings in the agency. Olukoyede became the Secretary to the EFCC in November 2018 following confirmation by the Senate. The Ikere-Ekiti born senior lawyer was a former chief of staff to Magu. He replaced Emmanuel Aremo, whose five-year tenure expired in July 2018. The former acting chairman of the agency is facing for the second week, grilling by the presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, over financial allegations and improprieties, including money laundering. He is facing tough questioning over allegations that he re-looted funds recovered by the commission. And that he accepted bribes to pervert cases of graft. He is also accused of mismanagement of recovered assets by the EFCC. Among the issues Magu is helping the panel to resolve are wide discrepancies in figures of recovered monies published by the agency. The panel has also asked him to react to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) report accusing him of siphoning money from the EFCC. NFIU report showed that a particular Bureau de Change, owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Shanono linked to the Acting Chairman based in Kaduna has more than 158 accounts and has been receiving huge sums of funds. The report also accused Magu of laundering money through Pastor Emmanuel Omale of Hand of God Prophetic Ministry. Omale was alleged to have bought a landed property on behalf of Magu worth N573 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Another individual who is helping in laundering funds for the Acting Chairman and who has been referred to in several petitions is one Pastor Emmanuel Omale (Hand of God Prophetic Ministry). He is reported to have traveled to Dubai with Mr. Magu and his name was used in purchasing property in Dubai for Mr Magu. As an unknown pastor, the NFIUs report showed huge movement of funds ranging from N573,228,040.41, the report said. Omale has denied laundering money for Magu. Magu has also been accused of allegedly failing to give proper account of missing 332 out of the 836 recovered real estate property as of March, 2018. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Emily Ratajkowski looked comfortable in her summery satin slip dress when she stepped out in New York City on Tuesday. The Inamorata founder was walking her dog Colombo with a female friend past a restaurant with outdoor diners. The supermodel has just returned from a long stay in Los Angeles with her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. Fashionable: Emily Ratajkowski looked comfortable in her summery satin slip dress when she stepped out in New York City on Tuesday For her recent outing, Emily wore a style of dress that was popular in the 1990s. It looks like a slip with its feminine neck line and very slender straps as it flows past the waistline into an A line. The material was beautiful with a satin background with lace added here and there. The pinup added white sneakers and a brown YSL purse. Her glam was easy breezy with her blonde hair pulled back into a messy style and her makeup kept to neutral tones with hoop earrings. Her crew: The Inamorata founder was walking her dog Colombo with a female friend past a restaurant with outdoor diners Her best friend: The model, actress and business owner goes everywhere with Colombo Her pal looked ready for the hot weather as well as she had on a tight, white tank top dress that showed off her curves with sandals and a tote bag on her shoulder. The woman was also carrying a bright blue plastic bag from IKEA. Emily recently returned to the Big Apple after spending a large chunk of her quarantine at her home in Los Angeles. But the 29-year-old model looked all the California girl on Tuesday in her latest sizzling Instagram snapshot. Ratajkowski showed off her incredibly toned physique in a slinky black bikini as she soaked up the sun on the beach. Back in the Big Apple: Emily and husband Sebastian are currently quarantining at their home in NYC with their dog Colombo The Gone Girl star posed with her head down and her eyes closed as her bleach blonde tresses blew over her face. Emily appeared to be wearing little to no makeup and had a pair of gold hoops in her ears. Her stylish swimwear featured a strappy, triangle bikini top and a pair of high-legged bottoms. Ratajkowski was able to give her 26.6million Instagram followers a glimpse at her gorgeous wedding ring as she twiddled the strap of her bikini top in her fingers. Soaking up the sun: Ratajkowski looked all the California girl on Tuesday in her latest sizzling Instagram snapshot Emily's picturesque beach trip occurred on Sunday, based on her Instagram Stories. Since returning to New York City, Emily has been inundating her following with self-portraits taken inside her spacious home. On Monday, she flaunted her incredibly toned abs as she slipped into a skimpy grey crop top. Emily finished the look with a pair of baggy blue jeans, an understated gold necklace and matching drop earrings. The Lying And Stealing actress wore her newly-styled blonde strands poker straight before draping them over one shoulder. Capturing every moment: Since returning to New York City, Emily has been inundating her following with self-portraits taken inside her spacious home In April, Emily and her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard caught a flight out of JFK to continue their quarantine in Los Angeles. The flight occurred shortly after the CDC issued an advisory, asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.' Now the pair - who have been married since 2018 - are back at their New York City home with their darling dog Colombo. A new look for a veteran star: She launched her career as a brunette but is now a blonde Emily previously told British GQ that she and her husband had 'been a little bit on the fence' about traveling amid COVID-19. 'My parents are in California, but as we know the responsible thing is to not travel right now. 'But eventually we would like to make it out there just because, well, New York is the epicenter, although my bodega is still open. I live in Tribeca and it is already very quiet,' she explained. Chingari is literally on fire. From a few million downloads in 2018 to more than 20 million, in a few weeks, the social media app from Bengaluru has caught the imagination of the country and the world. When Sumit Ghosh and Biswatma Nayak sat down to create a social media app two years back, they were just looking to capitalise on the popularity of short video app Musical.ly. Little did they guess that one day the then Musical.ly, now TikTok, will be banned and they will be in the hot seat. But replicating a TikTok is easier said than done. It requires much more than passionate founders; it needs tons of capital, big teams, content moderation, support from servers and so on. So what goes on in the mind of the founders trying to create domestic social media platform from a scratch? The idea was always to create something for Tier II and III audience. What Facebook and Instagram have done in cities, Chingari wanted to replicate in the towns, said Sumit Ghosh during an interaction with Moneycontrol. Perhaps it helped that Ghosh was from Bhilai and Nayak from Cuttack. But a bootstrapped Indian start-up could not compete with a tech giant Bytedance (the owner of TikTok) and could only hope for some organic growth. They were pumping in close to $15 million per month at one point in time. Obviously, we could not compete with them, said Ghosh. Also Read: Chingari will never accept Chinese investments, says chief of Indian TikTok rival With TikTok gone, a massive market is open. Besides users, even venture capitalists are interested. Chingari is in talks with VCs for funds but its corporate structure is what is causing the investment to be delayed. The app was incubated within the IT services company Ghosh and others have been running for the past 12 years. Now they are creating Chingari as a separate entity and shifting all the service agreements to the new company, Chingari Media Pvt Ltd. Chingari needs cash urgently, because scaling up is expensive. The company is paying thousands of dollars per day to Amazon for its web services. Streaming requires 750 terabytes of data every day. Who will pay these dollars? Bootstrapped founders cannot support this growth. Due diligence will take some time, but we have a VC to lead the round and some angels to participate as well. The round will be closed soon, said Ghosh. Business Strategy Ghosh is confident about his growth chart. Even internally, he looks after growth in the company and his target is well laid out. First, go after the consumers, the internet users of Tier-II and III towns, and cities. These users were active followers of TikTok videos. Now they need an alternative and Ghosh wants Chingari to take that place. Once he has the 50 million to 100 million user base, he will get the creators. Then, Chingari will become a complete platform, attracting brands, sellers and others. I do not talk much about my strategy to bring in creators, that is something I am working on. At this moment I need 50 million users to be onboarded, which should happen in the next one month, he said. Chingari will not only remain as a social media platform, but Ghosh wants to go the full route and attempt to emerge as a super app for small-town India. What will start with short videos will move to branded content and eventually to social commerce. Ghosh will invest in Chingari Pay and integrate with e-commerce portals and Shopify portals. Sellers can showcase their products on Chingari and if anyone intends to buy, they can place orders within the app and pay through UPI. We will monetise very fast, that line is already in place, said Ghosh. Making money in Bharat? This is one question Ghosh has been facing consistently from the press, investors and stakeholders. For an answer, he draws parallel with Reliance Jio. If Jio could raise more than a lakh crore with a massive user base in small towns and cities, that means there is value, he said. Jio has not only built the network coverage to bring small-town India into the mainstream, they have even managed to inspire start-ups to create for them too. Brands are desperate to reach that segment of the population. Television was one way they thought they could reach out to these consumers. Tomorrow, Chingari wants to be the one platform of choice for brands. TikTok showed the way by running hashtag challenges. This is something Chingari will also replicate. Ghosh explained that a small-town influencer with a 10 million follower base will create content around paid hashtags -- they will make money, the platform will make money, and the brand will get visibility. Social media is tough Social media as a business is tough there are data regulations, privacy concerns and content moderation. Chingari is blocked in Europe since the company is still trying to get its data protection guidelines in tandem with Europes GDPR guidelines. The company adheres to the draft Data Protection Bill that was tabled in Indian Parliament, but once India gets its data protection law, it will have to abide by that, too. As of now, the company is storing everything on Amazon servers in Mumbai. Once we scale up, we will enter Europe, said Ghosh. While technology can still solve data protection and provide protection from cyber attacks, content moderation is more nuanced. Ghosh said that it is in his to-do list. They will need a 100-member team to start with, strengthen the algorithms to weed out illegal content and create strong community guidelines. We are currently studying the guidelines of other technology majors. My legal team and policy team will sit together to draft the guidelines and our moderators will adhere to them strictly, he said. While nudity, profanity, abuse and violence are easy to weed out, free speech and hate speech are difficult to differentiate. As a platform, we are all for free speech but there is a thin line between free speech and hate speech. In such cases, our moderating team will take a call, he said. On the question of access to data to the government, Ghosh is very firm. If law-enforcing agencies approach the company with a formal request from a statutory body, the company will share the data. This, he believes, is essential to create a safety net for consumers. Unlike TikTok, where users knew the data was in China and they could not be chased down, in case of Chingari, the fear of law-enforcing agents will keep illegal content out of the platform, he believes. March towards the future Ghosh, with his small team, is staying up at nights, trying to plug every bug on the app. They have recently launched a new interface that is more attractive. They are already getting a few thousand downloads in the United States daily. More than a lakh enter the app every day from the Middle East. All this while user numbers in India are shooting through the roof, but there is still a long way to go. Chingari is not alone in this race. There is Mitron, InMobi-backed Roposo, Sharechat, along with Gaana, Flipkart and others. Besides, there are a host of clones on the Play Store as well. Clones are a general problem for apps, and Ghosh is letting his legal team handle the issue. They have also reached out to Google Play Store for help. With regards to other major players, he believes more the better. The difference will be in execution. As a start-up, Ghosh is confident of pulling it off faster than the larger competitors and adapting quickly. Even before the Chinese app ban, I had driven the growth strategy in the company to get 3.5 million users, we have our strategy in place and we are ready to execute it at our own pace, he said. The iconic dining strip known as Melbourne's Little Italy is struggling to survive as the coronavirus pandemic and soaring rents force long-standing eateries and cafes to shut up shop. Since the 1950s, Carlton's Lygon Street has been synonymous with Italian dining as its bustling restaurants, bars, coffee shops and alfresco cafes became a second home to hundreds of Italians who migrated to Melbourne post-World War II. The famous strip holds the record for being the first place to install an espresso machine in Australia and is regarded the birthplace of 'Aussie' pizza. Today, the heart of Melbourne restaurant scene has been transformed into a ghost town as dozens of once-thriving eateries are replaced with empty shopfronts filled with for lease signs. Photos taken on Wednesday show the famous strip deserted following the return of stage-three coronavirus restrictions across the city for at least six weeks. Once bursting with packed restaurants and cafes, Melbourne's Lygon Street is now a shadow of its former self Even Lygon Street's 'best corner' has fallen victim to the demise of the iconic dining strip A food delivery rider cycles past one of dozens of vacant shopfronts in Lygon Street, Carlton Many eateries forced to temporarily close their doors for the second time within weeks have hung up signs apologising to customers. A handful of eateries that have managed to remain open during the pandemic may also be forced to close as the state struggles to control a horror outbreak. Victoria recorded a triple-digit increase for a tenth consecutive day on Wednesday with 238 new cases, as Premier Daniel Andrews threatened a stage-four lockdown if the high numbers continue. It's been 40 years since Ottorino Pace opened Casa Del Gelato in Lygon Street, and he has seen incredible changes in that time - not always for the better. 'There's only a handful of us left since that era so there's been a lot of change, the "Little Italy" label is not as strong as it once was,' his son Eric recently told the ABC. Rose Gibaldi, who works at her brother Angelo's cafe-restaurant Stuzzichino, has fond memories of the strip's hustle and bustle in the 1980s when it was the epicentre of Melbourne's food scene. 'I walk down the street at night, and I see how it's changed from when I was growing up, and I want to cry,' she said. Melbourne's Lygon Street has been hit hard by the pandemic. The iconic dining strip was a ghost town with no one in sight when this picture was taken on Wednesday Businesses that have managed to remain open during the pandemic are outnumbered by those that have been forced to close their doors Lygon Street was once regarded as a must-go tourist attraction for foodies visiting Melbourne. Pictured is the iconic street bustling with diners and shoppers in 2014 Vacant shopfronts in Melbourne's Lygon Street reveal the economic cost of the lockdown Lygon Street was already struggling before the pandemic hit Australia's shores in late January. A 2019 report from real estate agency Fitzroys revealed Lygon Street had a vacancy rate of 13.5 per cent, one of the highest for a shopping strip in Melbourne. The suburb's once booming Italian population is also on the decline. Less than 300 Italian-born residents now call Carlton home, according to the 2016 census. Skyrocketing rents have also forced many businesses to shut up shop, with the iconic Original Lolly Store forced to relocate several doors up. Cafe Cavallino was forced to shut up shop again just weeks after the popular eatery reopened as restrictions eased. A sign on the window apologises to customers for the inconvenience Dozens of iconic Lygon Street eateries have been forced to permanently close in recent years Soaring rents have also contributed to the demise of Lygon Street, Melbourne's Little Italy 'Rents in Lygon St need to drop by 50 per cent to be realistic,' the store's owner recently told the Herald Sun. 'Coronavirus has had a big impact on everyone, but the economy hasn't been the best over the past few years.' Ottorino Pace is hopeful the street will return to its former glory post-coronavirus. 'We've shaped Melbourne to be what it is today, the vibe is going to come again, it's going to take time, but Lygon Street will always be Lygon Street,' he told the ABC. There were few locals out and about in Lygon Street as the city returns to stage three lockdown Popular Italian eatery Da Guido La Pasta is only open for evening takeaways after Melbourne returned to stage three lockdown last week Americans are increasingly adopting the use of cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the latest science may convince even more to do so. In an editorial published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), CDC reviewed the latest science and affirms that cloth face coverings are a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19 that could reduce the spread of the disease, particularly when used universally within communities. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. We are not defenseless against COVID-19, said CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield. Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus particularly when used universally within a community setting. All Americans have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. This review included two case studies out today, one from JAMA, showing that adherence to universal masking policies reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission within a Boston hospital system, and one from CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showing that wearing a mask prevented the spread of infection from two hair stylists to their customers in Missouri. Additional data in todays MMWR showed that immediately after the White House Coronavirus Task Force and CDC advised Americans to wear cloth face coverings when leaving home, the proportion of U.S. adults who chose to do so increased, with 3 in 4 reporting they had adopted the recommendation in a national internet survey. The results of the Missouri case study provide further evidence on the benefits of wearing a cloth face covering. The investigation focused on two hair stylists infected with and having symptoms of COVID-19 whose salon policy followed a local ordinance requiring cloth face coverings for all employees and patrons. The investigators found that none of the stylists 139 clients or secondary contacts became ill, and all 67 clients who volunteered to be tested showed no sign of infection. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that cloth face coverings provide source control that is, they help prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading COVID-19 to others. The main protection individuals gain from masking occurs when others in their communities also wear face coverings. COVID-19 prevention in a Missouri hair salon When two stylists at a Missouri hair salon tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, researchers from CoxHealth hospitals, Washington University, the University of Kansas, and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department worked together to trace contacts, investigate the cases, and publish their findings in the MMWR. One of the stylists developed respiratory symptoms but continued to see clients for eight days. The other, who apparently became infected from her co-worker, also developed respiratory symptoms and continued to see clients for four days. The salon in which they worked had a policy requiring both stylists and their clients to wear face coverings, consistent with the local government ordinance. Both stylists wore double-layered cloth face coverings or surgical masks when seeing clients. The median appointment time was 15 minutes and ranged from 15 to 45 minutes. More than 98% of clients wore a face covering47% wore cloth face coverings, 46% wore surgical masks, and about 5% wore N-95 respirators. When customers were asked whether they had been ill with any respiratory symptoms in the 90 days preceding their appointment, 87 (84%) reported that they had not. None of the interviewed customers developed symptoms of illness. Among 67 (48%) customers who volunteered to be tested, all 67 tested negative for the virus that causes COVID-19. Several family members of one of the stylists subsequently developed symptoms and received a diagnosis of COVID-19. Survey: Acceptance of face-mask guidance increased CDC analyzed data from an internet survey of a national sample of 503 adults during April 79 and found that about 62% said they would follow the newly announced recommendations to wear a face mask when outside the home. A repeat survey during May 11-13 showed that the percentage of adults endorsing face mask wearing increased to more than 76%. The increase was driven largely by a significant jump in approval by white, non-Hispanic adults, from 54% to 75%. Approval among Black, non-Hispanic adults went up from 74% to 82%, and remained stable among Hispanic/Latino adults at 76% and 77%. There was also a large increase in face-mask approval among respondents in the Midwest, from 44% to 74%. Approval was greatest in the Northeast, going from 77% to 87%. Resources: CDCs Information on Cloth Face Coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html CDC Editorial in JAMA: Brooks JT, Butler JC, Redfield RR. Time for universal masking and prevention of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. JAMA. Published online July 14, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.13107 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2020.13107 external icon MMWR Article: No Transmission of Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 After Significant Exposure With Universal Face Mask Use at a Hair Salon Springfield, Missouri, May 2020 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e2.htm?s_cid=mm6928e2_w MMWR Article: Factors Associated with Cloth Face Coverings Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic United States, April and May 2020 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6928e3.htm?s_cid=mm6928e3_w The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Appeal Court to retry media fixer Rath Rott Mony, who was convicted by a lower court for his involvement in a Russian media documentary on sex workers in Cambodia. Supreme Court judge Kim Sathavy on Wednesday ruled that there were flaws in the trial of Rath Rott Mony in June 2019 and ordered the Appeal Court to conduct another trial to relitigate the case. She didnt provide details of the inaccuracies in the case. [W]e think that the decision of the Phnom Penh Appeal Court in this criminal case is not right, said Kim Sathavy, calling the lower courts decision surprising. The media fixer worked with RT, formerly called Russia Today, on a documentary called My Mother Sold Me about underage sex workers in Phnom Penh, which incited a quick, and angry, response from the government. Shortly after, Rath Rott Mony fled the country and was deported from Thailand in early 2019, after which he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison last June. He was also fined around $16,000. I hope the Appeal Court will drop the charges, said Rath Rott Mony after the decision was delivered on Wednesday. He has maintained his innocence and said he had no involvement in the editorial content of the documentary, and that he only facilitated the production of the video. Touch Tharith, a spokesperson at the Appeal Court, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Long Kimheang, Rath Rott Monys wife, said it was a very surprising decision, adding that the Supreme Court should have dropped the charges, given that the media fixer has only five months remaining of his prison sentence. I am very disappointed with the Supreme Courts decision. He should be released now, said Long Kimheang, 36 Yi Soksan, senior monitoring officer at local rights group ADHOC, said Rath Rott Mony should be released and lower court officials should be punished if there were any irregularities. Using the power of the presidency to protect a pal who was convicted of a cover-up on his own behalf was a bridge too far, even for Richard Nixon. But Donald Trump is no Nixon. His recent commutation of Roger Stone was unprecedented, historic corruption, in the words of fellow Republican Mitt Romney. Yet is that literally true? Has Trump beat out all the competition? Start with the corruption bit. Stone, his longtime buddy and campaign advisor, made that point most convincingly himself. If theres nothing to see here, why give such demonstrably false testimony? Unprecedented, historic corruption: an American president commutes the sentence of a person convicted by a jury of lying to shield that very president. Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 11, 2020 Why lie to Congress about Russian influence in the 2016 election, and threaten a witness and a judge, rather than just tell the truth about his dealings with Russia and Trump? Stone put his answer right out in the open. He did it to help Trump. He knows I was under enormous pressure to turn on him. It would have eased my situation considerably, he told an NBC reporter, hours before his commutation. But I didnt. Now, as expected, Trump has rewarded him for his silence. When asked if a president can lawfully issue a pardon in exchange for the recipients promise to not incriminate him, his own Attorney General, William Barr, didnt mince words: No. That would be a crime. But unprecedented? Historic? After all, Trump isnt the only president whos ever used his power to help an ally. Yet nobody else has done so on this scale; not even close, experts say. Modern presidents have sullied clemency through disuse (both Bushes) and occasional self-serving grants (Clinton), Mark Osler, a law professor and clemency scholar told NPR. However, no president has ever used clemency primarily to reward friends and political allies. Except Trump, apparently. A Harvard Law School professor and Justice Department official under former President George W. Bush, Jack Goldsmith, calculates that 31 of Trumps 36 pardons or commutations had personal connections, political gain, or generated the public notoriety that Trump craves. Yet even in this crowd, Stone stands apart. His commutation sends a uniquely powerful message to others who might be tempted to tell the truth about this president. After all, the one man who did cooperate with investigators against Trump, his former fixer Michael Cohen, is now behind bars. And Stone walks free. Watch, now, as he embarks on a victory tour for Trump, much like one of the soldiers the president pardoned for war crimes. Lt. Clint Lorance was serving a 19-year sentence for ordering his soldiers to fire repeatedly on unarmed Afghans and lying about it. A member of his platoon who witnessed the murders, Todd Fitzgerald, said it tainted our entire service, and vented after Trumps pardon: We gave a lot, sacrificed a lot. To see it destroyed, that was bad enough. Every time a new story calling him a hero happens, I dont sleep. I lay down in my bed and close my eyes and lay there all night until the sun comes up. But Stones story doesnt have to end this way, a prosecutor in the Mueller investigation argued in an op-ed on Tuesday. Andrew Weissmann thinks we should call Stone before a grand jury, and ask him again: Why did you lie to Congress? His commutation doesnt apply to future crimes, like lying to a grand jury. You wonder what he might say, if he thought that Trump couldnt save him. 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. Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether its a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. Over the course of Yemen's civil war, African migrants determined to reach oil-rich Saudi Arabia have endured unspeakable cruelties - torture, rape, detention, extortion - often perilously close to front lines. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has dealt yet another blow to vulnerable migrants caught in Yemen's war zone. Stigmatized as carriers of Covid-19, over 14,500 migrants, mostly Ethiopian, have been relentlessly hounded, rounded up and sent packing to different provinces, the UN migration agency reported on Tuesday. They remain stranded without adequate food, water or shelter. For nearly six years, Yemen has been an extremely unsafe place to be a migrant, Paul Dillon, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration told reporters in Geneva. For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here Covid-19 has made this situation worse; migrants are scapegoated as carriers of the virus and as a result, suffer exclusion and violence. Last year, over 1,38,000 migrants desperate to find jobs as housekeepers, servants and construction workers in Saudi Arabia embarked on the arduous journey from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, according to IOM. Ethiopians traverse hundreds of miles from their home villages through countries like Djibouti or Somalia, then across the sea and through war-torn Yemen. In many cases, migrants are at the mercy of smugglers who may imprison and torture them, leave them stranded on the route or sell them into virtual slave labour. But this spring that traffic came to a grinding halt, as countries closed their borders to contain the virus' spread. Movement restrictions curbed migrant arrivals in Yemen by 90 percent, IOM reported, while leaving the tens of thousands of Ethiopians in the country trapped in limbo. With transportation between provinces at a standstill, thousands of migrants, blamed for spreading the virus, have been bussed from their makeshift homes and dumped in different provinces. At least 4,000 are stranded in the southern government-held city of Aden and 7,000 in the rebel stronghold of Saada, among other places, the IOM said. The agency did not specify which authorities, whether Iran-allied rebel Houthis that control much of the country's north or Saudi-backed government forces, were responsible for the forcible transfers. Saudi Arabia, which has struggled to contain a major outbreak of Covid-19, has continued its long-standing practice of expelling migrants who manage to make it into the kingdom. As of mid-April, Saudi Arabia had deported nearly 2,900 Ethiopians due to the pandemic, IOM reported at the time, and another 250 deportations were planned each day over the weeks that followed. In May, Houthi authorities accused Saudi Arabia of deporting 800 Somali migrants and dumping them at the desert border. On top of being deported and transferred against their will, migrants have been verbally and physically harassed as a result of mounting virus fears in Yemen, the agency added. Although government authorities have recorded no more than 1,516 infections and 429 deaths as of Tuesday, aid workers and doctors say the virus is surging across the country and overwhelming a health system already in shambles after five years of war between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's government. Long before the pandemic, the UN labelled Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Migrants, many who sleep outdoors, in abandoned buildings or in squalid detention centres without access to medical care, are particularly vulnerable to infection, Dillon warned. There's no access to some of the basics that one would need to address public health concerns such as Covid-19, he said. The Houthis have suppressed all information about the outbreak and refused to make infection figures public since they reported just four cases in May. The first and only person the Houthi health ministry has confirmed dead from the virus is a Somali man. Rights groups took the announcement as a sign of deep-seated discriminationand an ominous portent of retaliation to come. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlots government enjoys a wafer-thin majority. Here is how all the numbers stack up: 200 Total MLAs in the Rajasthan assembly 107 Number of Congress legislators, including the Speaker 101 The majority mark in the assembly. Also, the number of legislators who attended the Congress legislative party meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Jaipur on Tuesday, although only 88 of these (including Gehlot) were from the Congress. There were 10 independent legislators, two from the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), and one from the Communist Party of India (Marxist). 104 Legislators whose support Gehlot claimed in a meeting with the governor later in the day, according to the party. 2 BTP legislators who attended the Fairmont meeting but left for their homes, saying they would take a call on support at an appropriate time. 4 Legislators who left the Sachin Pilot camp on Sunday, and signalled their support for Gehlot. 19 Congress MLAs (including Pilot) supporting Sachin Pilot. 3 Independents supporting Pilot 1 Legislator who seems to be counted by both sides (likely Bhanwarlal Meghwal). 181 Reduced strength of the assembly, if Gehlot decides to disqualify the 19 Congress MLAs supporting Pilot. 91 Majority mark in a 181-member assembly 92 MLAs BJP could hypothetically muster, if it can convince the three independents with Pilot, and all the 10 other independents, two CPI(M) members and two BTP members, to support it. The BJP and its ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party have 75 MLAs X-Factor: The situation could change if some MLAs who attended the CLP meeting decide to switch to Pilots side. There is no indication at the moment that this could happen. Although Gehlot claims to have a majority, the numbers are not very comfortable for him, said Jaipur-based analyst Narayan Bareth SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Midland Public Schools Superintendent Michael Sharrow announced in an email to the MPS community on Wednesday afternoon that the district will now ban the Confederate flag and the swastika on all MPS campuses. "This year, the Midland PS Student Code of Conduct will not only reflect a zero tolerance for hate speech as it has for the last few years, it will now ban the Confederate flag and swastika on MPS campuses," Sharrow wrote. "Over the next month, the MPS Board of Education will participate in two DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) workshops. During these workshops, the board members will explore the adoption of an Anti-Racism/DEI Statement Declaration." Banning of the Confederate flag was one of several demands brought by the group Anti-Racist Midland to the MPS school board in June. Sharrow said he appreciates the courage of Anti-Racist Midland and others in the community who have urged MPS to take action against racism. "As a district and community, we have been saddened and repulsed by the racist and anti-Black events that have taken place within Midland Public Schools," Sharrow wrote. "However, when I say that, I am not only speaking of the events that have been in the public eye in the past few years, but also those quiet instances that have been spoken of by students, graduates, community members, parents that have happened in our classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias and buses. The hurtful words and actions aimed at our students of color cut deep and stay in the heart and soul of the recipient for many years to come. "I have sincerely appreciated the honest dialoguing and the courage of current students, staff, graduates, parents, community members and the Anti-Racist Midland (ARM) group who have met and spoken with myself, MPS administration and Board of Education members. These courageous individuals have shared their passion and insights to educate our district and urge us to take intentional action." Sharrow issued a call to action to the school community to identify racial injustices and bring them to light. "As we embark on the new school year, I am activating a 'Call to Action' asking all members of our school community to identify racial injustices and bring those forth for action. I will support students, families, staff and administrators in identifying and challenging issues related to race and reporting incidences of racism and injustice. Your voice matters and is powerful!" Sharrow wrote. "MPS is traveling one of the most important journeys on which our district has ever embarked," he continued. "We are taking responsibility to educate ourselves and take up the overarching banner of equity, inclusion and anti-racism. This may not be an easy journey. It may at times be arduous and uncomfortable, however, the goal for our district is an environment where every student and staff member knows they are safe, valued and accepted, regardless of race, color of their skin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc." Anti-Racist Midland said in an email sent to the Daily News by spokesperson Jonathan Haynes on Thursday that it was very encouraged by Sharrow's announcement. "We are incredibly heartened by Superintendent Sharrows recent announcement to stakeholders discussing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," read the email. "His statement addressed two of our demands. One, addressing race as an issue within MPS. Two, banning the confederate flag and other hate symbols. We recognize that these are important steps forward but we are ultimately still focused on our end goal of a truly inclusive and equitable community. While we are happy to have played a role in this milestone, we are also incredibly grateful for the efforts of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group as well as the students/alumni, parents, and community members who spoke out in support of our demands." The email from ARM also said that much work still lies ahead for the community. "As Superintendent Sharrow indicated, this journey will take time and will be uncomfortable," the email read. "It requires deep learning and unlearning. But this is what it takes to undo years' worth of harm to MPS stakeholders of color and root out the entrenched racism within the school system. We are encouraged that the Board is taking a critical step of diversity training so that they may be better equipped to lead the district to realize the potential we know it to have. We are also looking forward to continuing work with the MPS School Board, administration, and community stakeholders to carry out the remainder of our demands. "Now, more than ever, our community needs to hold MPS accountable to the change it has committed itself to. This announcement underscores the importance of local activism and community engagement. The hard work is just beginning and we will need the entire community on board." Compiled by Dan Chalk/chalk@mdn.net When this thing hit, I just threw everything I could come up with (at it), Dart told the Tribune in an interview late Tuesday after the paper was initially made public. it was like, no, weve got to find out what we can do, and weve got to do it in the quickest and most massive way. Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 19:45:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SHENZHEN, July 15 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen on Wednesday rolled out a slew of measures, including purchase restrictions and higher down payments, in an attempt to cool down its housing market. People need to hold the city's hukou, or local household registration status, for at least three years and have 36 consecutive months of individual income tax or social security payment records before being eligible for home buying in the city, according to a circular released by the municipal housing and construction bureau and seven other government agencies. In recent years, people were eligible for home buying immediately after they got the city's hukou, to some extent exacerbating the imbalance between market supply and demand, said an official with the municipal government. Any party of a divorced couple is not allowed to further buy houses in Shenzhen within three years of their divorce if they had two or more houses before their divorce, said the circular. The city authorities ordered higher taxes as well as higher down payments of up to 80 percent in a bid to tame speculative buying. The city also plans to provide more land for housing construction, and build more public housing to help tackle the housing issue. The spate of tough measures aim to promote the stable and healthy development of the property market in Shenzhen. Since April, the housing market in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, has witnessed a transaction boom, with prices of second-hand houses rising rapidly and people scrambling for purchases of new homes in some areas, according to the municipal government official. Enditem Arts & Culture By Ls Cohen Published: July 15 2020 The USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) was said to be the most successful of all rigid airships operated by the U.S. Navy. German-built by the Zeppelin Airship Company in 1922, the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) was considered one of the most successful rigid airships ever operated by the U.S. Navy. A true Zeppelin (having been built by the namesake company), the craft came to America in 1924 and was christened the USS Los Angeles by First Lady Grace Coolidge. Her construction, according to some accounts, was partially funded by German World War I reparations and was conditional on her being employed for civil purposes. The ship became what one military paper described as a flying laboratory that was used primarily as a training airship and a research and development vehicle. In June 1925, as part of one of many scientific experiments conducted onboard, she took scientists to view and photograph a total eclipse of the sun. The USS Los Angeles became the one-and-only Zeppelin operated by the Navy for many years, after another vessel, the USS Shenandoah, was lost. She also aided in the calibration of navigational radio stations in the Atlantic and made the first nonstop flight from New York to the Panama Canal Zone. The USS Los Angeles saw her last flight from Philadelphia to New York City just before she was decommissioned on June 30, 1932 and finally dismantled in 1939. She was the longest serving rigid aircraft for the Navy at seven years and eight months, in that time making 331 flights over 4,300 hours, and also almost 2,000 hours moored at masts out in the open. The above photo shows the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) flying over Long Island. No date is given for the photograph. Below is also a bonus picture of the ship standing on its nose while moored in New Jersey during what is described as a weather-related docking-mast mishap. Photo: US Navy / Public domain. Advertisement Banksy's coronavirus-inspired artwork created in a Tube train carriage as it went through central London was wiped away by a cleaner who wrote it off as common graffiti and it may have been worth up to 7.5million, MailOnline can reveal today. The guerrilla artist, dressed in a high-vis jacket, boiler suit, goggles and face mask, painted a black rat coughing and sneezing green paint across the Circle Line carriage's window and walls to encourage people to cover their faces in public. Transport for London has confirmed that the work was removed 'some days ago' due to a strict anti-graffiti policy, but that it would welcome Banksy to recreate his message 'in a suitable location'. Joey Syer, Co-founder of MyArtBroker.com said it could have been one of Banksy's most valuable pieces because of its size and creation during Britain's worst pandemic in living memory. His painting Devolved Parliament, featuring apes in the House of Commons, sold for 9.9million last year. Mr Syer said: 'It's highly likely whoever removed it was following procedure and had no idea they were destroying a Banksy. Had TFL management known, and had the opportunity to remove and protect the installation we estimate it's value as a complete package to be in the region of 7.5million'. Tim Maxwell, head of art law at Charles Russell Speechlys in London, told MailOnline: 'This could have been a highly valuable piece of art. Banksy's graffitied SWAT van was put on auction at Goodwood last year with an estimate of between 1million to 1.5million. The Tube piece could have been in that ballpark'. He added: 'He might do it again. He's done a few other murals recently including one for the NHS. They [TfL] are unlikely to sell it and would want him to do a new one in a more stable environment because it may not survive on a train. It would also be costly to preserve and may require 24/7 security'. Banksy was filmed carrying out the work last week and using the same pressure sprayer wielded by London Underground staff to disinfectant trains, the artist sprayed the front third of a carriage, tagged the door leading to the driver's cab and painted rats using face masks as parachutes or shooting antibacterial hand gel. Today it emerged that a cleaner believes he cleaned the artwork away last Friday believing it was nothing more than the graffiti specialist teams remove every day. A source told the Evening Standard: 'When we saw the video, we started to look into it and spoke to the cleaners. It started to emerge that they had noticed some sort of "rat thing" a few days ago and cleaned it off, as they should. It rather changes the aspect for anyone seeking to go down the route of accusing us of cultural vandalism.' This sneezing and coughing rat is at the centre of a new Banksy artwork on the Tube, carried out as the train passed through central London - but it has already been cleaned off by a Tube worker and it may have been worth 1.5million The artwork was filmed being made and at one point Banksy ushers away a commuter from the part of the carriage he wants to paint The piece, named 'If you don't mask - you don't get', is encouraging Britons to wear masks to halt the spread of Covid-19 He even tags the door leading to the Tube driver's door as people in the train watched him do it in broad daylight It ends with the message: 'I get locked down - but I get up again' - a play on words on the Chumbawamba hit A TfL spokesman said: 'We appreciate the sentiment of encouraging people to wear face coverings, which the vast majority of customers on our transport network are doing'. Banksy is filmed entering a Tube station and getting on a train with his paint and stencils. At one point he ushers commuters away as he spray-paints the train as it travelled between Baker Street and Euston in broad daylight. Fans have hailed his work, calling it 'powerful' and 'crucial', but critics were shocked that he was able to graffiti a train while posing as a Tube worker completely unhindered before walking off and out of the station minutes later. It also appears he was able to graffiti a wall on a platform with nobody noticing. His latest work makes it clear that he believes anyone not wearing a mask is risking the spread of coronavirus in a film that ends with the message: 'I get locked down - but I get up again' - a play on words on the Chumbawamba hit that plays at the end. The star, who released a video of him spraypainting the train on Instagram this afternoon, has never identified himself but he is believed to be former public schoolboy Robin Gunningham, from Bristol. The release of the artwork today is significant because it came on the day Boris Johnson revealed that face masks will be compulsory in confined spaces such as shops and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan admitted one in ten on the Tube are still not wearing masks and only around 50 people have been fined. A British Transport Police spokeperson said: 'Banksy's strength of feeling towards the importance of wearing face coverings on public transport mirrors our own, which is why we have hundreds of officers out across the capital every day encouraging passengers to wear their face coverings. 'Regardless, please remember that it is an offence to deface any Tube or train carriage, or other station property.' The Tube artwork came weeks after Banksy showed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying 'people of colour are being failed by the system'. His comment came after week of protests sparked by the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US. The graffiti artist, who rose to fame for his provocative street art, shared a painting of a vigil candle burning an American flag along with his message. He wrote: 'At first I thought I should just shut up and listen to black people about this issue. 'But why would I do that? It's not their problem, it's mine.' He continued: 'People of colour are being failed by the system. The white system. 'Like a broken pipe flooding the apartment of the people living downstairs. The faulty system is making their life a misery, but it's not their job to fix it. They can't - no-one will let them in the apartment upstairs. 'This is a white problem. And if white people don't fix it, someone will have to come upstairs and kick the door in.' Banksy has shown his support for the Black Lives Matter movement, saying 'people of colour are being failed by the system'. He shared a painting of a vigil candle burning an American flag along with his message Who is Banksy? Experts believe guerilla artist is middle-class boy from Bristol or could even a group led by Massive Attack star 3D Insiders in the art world have previously claimed there is compelling evidence suggesting that the artist is former public schoolboy Robin Gunningham, from Bristol, who is believed to be in his early forties. In March scientists at Queen Mary University of London backed a Mail on Sunday identifying Mr Gunningham as 'the only serious suspect'. They used 'geographic profiling', a technique more often used to catch criminals or track outbreaks of disease, by plotting the locations of 192 of Banksy's presumed artworks. But there have always been doubts. Is this him? The only clue until now has been a photograph taken in Jamaica 11 years ago of a man with a bag of spray cans and a stencil by his feet, who people say is Robin Gunningham Others have claimed Banksy is older, having been inspired by French artist Blek le Rat, who began working in 1981, which could make him at least ten years older. The only clue until now has been a photograph taken in Jamaica 11 years ago of a man with a bag of spray cans and a stencil by his feet, who people say is Gunningham. Banksy has admitted he disguises himself when in public and claims it is much easier and quicker to install works himself. Appearances in public, or on film, have also been in disguise or with his face covered. Banksy says he must remain anonymous because of the often illegal nature of his art. Robin Gunningham, who is thought to be in his late 30s or early 40s, remains the man most believed to be Banksy, although only a handful of the artist's friends know his true identity. He was educated at the 9,240-a-year Bristol Cathedral School, which shocked some of the artist's fans who were fond of their hero's 'anti-establishment' stance. Is it him? Massive Attack star Robert Del Naja, pictured arriving at Banksy's Dismaland in Weston-Super-Mare, has also been accused of being the guerrilla graffiti star Banksy has become renowned for his use of stencils to spray illegal images on public walls. Some councils and businesses have begun to protect his creations and his works have been sold to celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Rumours have persisted that the artist is called Robin Banks, that he is from Bristol, and that his parents think he is a painter and decorator. Gunningham's former school friend Scott Nurse said in 2011: 'He was one of three people in my year who were extremely talented at art. I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy.' Records reveal Gunningham once lived with artist Luke Egan, who later exhibited with Banksy. Mr Egan initially denied knowing Gunningham but later admitted he had lived with him. Around 2000, when Banksy moved to London, Gunningham relocated to a flat in Hackney. A number of Banksy's most famous works have appeared nearby. At that time Gunningham lived with Jamie Eastman, who worked for the Hombre record label which has used illustrations by Banksy. Mr Gunningham's own parents have denied the artist was their son, although when his mother Pamela was shown the picture by the Mail on Sunday four years ago she initially denied she even had a son, let alone one called Robin, according to the paper. But in 2016 a member of Massive Attack was named as the artist. Robert '3D' Del Naja, the founding member of the Bristol band, has been accused of being the guerrilla graffiti star because art keeps appearing near their gigs. I nvestigative journalist Craig Williams, 31, claims the artist could be Mr Del Naja, or perhaps a team of people led by him and linked to Massive Attack who combine their concerts with graffiti. Mr Williams has plotted Banksy murals around the world and said that on at least six occasions more than a dozen appeared shortly before or after Massive Attack gigs in the same cities over the past 12 years. 3D was a graffiti artist in the 1980s and has admitted he is friends with Banksy - but the journalist's new research concludes he may be the artist himself. His band, famous for songs Tear Drop and Unfinished Sympathy, has made millions while Banksy's art sells for at least 500,000 a piece. Mr Williams said it has been the common conception was that the artist was 'plain old public school boy Robin Gunningham'. He said: 'But what if Banksy isn't the one person everyone thinks he is. What if Banksy is a group of people who have stencilling different locations both at home and abroad? Such a rich body of work done over a decade, across the globe, may allow for the suggestion. The Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned until July 20, a suit filed by Reform and Advancement Party (RAP) and its 2019 governorship candidate, Okere Kingdom, asking the court to restrain Governor Hope Uzodinma from acting as Imo governor. When the matter was called on Wednesday, Mr Kingdom told the court that he filed an application praying the court to abridge the time within which the defendants would file their responses. Under the rule of law, the defendants have 30 days to respond but the plaintiff told the court that he made the application for the court to abridge the time due to the urgency of the matter. Mr Kingdom, who is also a lawyer, maintained that the matter was of constitutional importance because Uzodinma was occupying the seat of Imo governor illegally, having not participated in the 2019 election as a candidate of any political party. All the defendants objected to the application on the grounds that they needed the time given by the constitution to respond. Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Alhassan Umar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, told the court that in line with the principles of fair hearing, the defendants needed to take sufficient time as allocated by the law to respond. He argued that the plaintiff could not take the required time to file his processes only to ask the court to abridge the time for the respondents. The judge, Okon Abang adjourned the matter until July 20 to hear the application. The judge also directed that hearing notices should be served on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the party was not represented in court. RAP and its 2019 governorship candidate, Mr Kingdom, approached the court seeking judicial interpretation on whether the All Progressives Congress (APC) indeed sponsored Mr Uzodinma in the 2019 Imo governorship election. Mr Kingdom said the suit was predicated on the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed Uche Nwosu as the duly nominated 2019 Imo governorship candidate of the APC. He said that one of the issues he wanted the court to determine was whether Mr Uzodinma lawfully participated and was sponsored by the APC to contest the 2019 Imo governorship election in accordance with Section 177 (c) of the 1999 Constitution. This is having regard to the tenor, clear and unambiguous legal implications/consequences of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal no: SC/1384/2019 which upheld the decision of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court and affirmed Uche Nwosu as the authentic and duly elected/nominated 2019 Imo State governorship candidate of the APC. (NAN) Russian Lawmakers Approve In Initial Reading Expanded 'Extremism" Law Aimed At Crimea By RFE/RL July 14, 2020 Russia's lower chamber of parliament, the State Duma, has approved the first reading of an expanded extremism bill aimed at further quelling opposition activists and politicians as well as anyone questioning Moscow's forcible seizure of the Crimean Peninsula. Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said on July 14 that, after the bill is adopted and becomes law, "calls for the violation of Russia's territorial integrity, including calls to alienate parts of its territory, will be considered extremism." "Any calls to separate Russia's region or its part are unacceptable and must suppressed," Volodin said. The bill, proposed by a group of lawmakers, is primarily aimed at targeting any discussion or criticism of Russia taking Crimea from Ukraine. Among other things, the legislation outlines fines and criminal liability for "public appeals" using the media, the Internet, or any other information channel. Volodin said that the bill would amend the law on extremism bringing it in line with constitutional amendments that were adopted and took effect on July 4 amid protests by opposition and rights defenders. Among other changes, the constitutional amendments allowed President Vladimir Putin to seek two more presidential terms after his current second term in a row expires in 2024. The bill must go through approvals in two more readings by the State Duma and an approval by the parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, before President Putin signs it into law. The head of the committee for constitutional legislation and state-building at the parliament's upper chamber, Andrei Klishas, who is also the bill's author, said on July 8 that the legislation may be fully approved by parliament by the end of July. Russian lawmakers amended the Criminal Code in July 2014, several months after Moscow illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea, toughening punishment for public calls for separatism by introducing the possibility of imposing a sentence of up to five years in prison for publicly advocating separatism via media and the Internet. That amendment was used by Russian authorities to proseecute dozens of journalists and activists in Crimea for their open stance opposing the seizure of the Black Sea peninsula. The new bill proposes imprisonment of 6 to 10 years, especially for repeated violations of the law. With reporting by TASS and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-lawmakers- approve-in-initial-reading-expanded-extremism- law-aimed-at-crimea/30726188.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 HONG KONG Here in Hong Kong, elementary schools resumed classes in late May. On her first day back, my 7-year-old daughter woke up before the rest of us. She put on her uniform straight away, a red polo dress that was now too short for her after months of sitting idly in the closet. When she heard my bedroom door open, she ran to me, her curly-haired head crashing into my stomach, and said, Im ready! In her hand she held a shopping bag filled with old paper towel rolls for a craft project, a daily temperature log, three masks one to wear and two to spare and a travel declaration. All told, my daughters international school was closed due to COVID-19 for 73 school days, beginning in late January. When my family moved from Philadelphia to Hong Kong last July for my husbands high school teaching job, we never imagined that we would find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic with a preschooler and a second grader, far from the support of our friends and family. Like the rest of the world, we figured out a way to muddle through. We were unsure if Hong Kong schools would resume at all, but in late spring the virus stabilized and the Education Bureau deemed it safe to return. My daughter would attend classes for just three weeks before the summer holidays began and her day would be only 2.5 hours long. Even this small return to normalcy felt like a gift. Hong Kong recorded a total of 18 new coronavirus cases in the two weeks leading up to school resumption, and all but three of those were imported. Nonresidents are currently unable to travel to Hong Kong (with a few exceptions related to essential operations), and all residents entering the city must be tested for the virus upon arrival. Those who test positive are sent directly to the hospital and anyone testing negative is required to quarantine for two weeks. My husband and I were wary about sending our daughter back, but the low number of cases combined with the citys strict testing protocol at the border helped us feel confident in our decision. There were some families in our community who chose not to send their kids, however, and the school provided home-learning options for those children. The first day of school, post-COVID When we arrived at the school drop-off point that first morning, we saw several teachers lining the walkway. They stood six feet apart from each other and waved neon poster-board signs adorned with phrases like Woo-hoo, youre back! and Welcome back, rock stars! A pop song played on a portable speaker and bubbles drifted over to us from a nearby bubble machine. A staff member gave my daughter a squirt of hand sanitizer and directed her through the front door. She was in such a rush to get to her classroom that she barely gave me a wave before disappearing inside. READ MORE: Should kids return to school in September? | Pro/Con Her classroom, as she later relayed to me, looked very different than the one she left in January. The desks were spaced one meter apart and all the students sat facing the same direction. Any soft furnishings rugs, throw pillows, and cozy armchairs were gone. The kids still gathered on the floor for story time, but instead of their usual hand-holding and knee-touching, they sat evenly spaced from each other on little red Xs. There was no lunch and no recess. Masks were required for the duration of the day, with the exception of snack time and PE. In the gym, the students stood barefaced and did their exercises from socially distant boxes taped to the floor. Still, when I picked her up that day, her eyes shone with excitement. She bounced repeatedly on the balls of her feet and swung her backpack back and forth. As we walked to our apartment, she said: Mom, that was so fun! I cant wait to do it again tomorrow. She talked about seeing her beloved teacher again. She updated me on her classmates. She did not mention all the new safety measures or complain about having to wear a mask. Returning to school was a sigh of relief' My therapist once told me that her psychology community is referring to this pandemic as a collective trauma, one shared by the entire world. I can certainly see evidence of this in the microcosm of my own household. The isolation and disruption of routine have been hard on both of my girls, but especially my 7-year-old. Sometime in late March, after school had been closed for a couple of months, she began having trouble sleeping. When my husband and I asked her about it she said she was worried about me, and her grandparents, and even Beaker (the dog) getting COVID. She was scared of being the last person in the house awake convinced that if she were alone something bad would happen. She often woke up several times a night, padding into our room and shaking us gently by the shoulders. Within a few days of school resuming, her sleep situation started to improve, and by the end of the school year, she was able to sleep through the night in her own bed. It felt, for a moment, as if we could all breathe a sigh of relief. READ MORE: Parenting during COVID means no perfect answers | Perspective This is not to say we had a tidy COVID happy ending. Our reprieve was short-lived. About a month into the summer holidays, the virus picked up steam again. The city wants to avoid a full shutdown, but old, familiar restrictions are now clicking back into place public gatherings are limited to four people, summer camps are canceled, and all local schools (which end later than international schools) are closed for the rest of the school year. We dont know if schools will resume in the fall, but we are holding on to those three weeks we had in the spring as a bright spot in this surreal year. For a short time, at least, our daughter could return to a version of herself that felt safe. Tanya Underwood is a writer living in Hong Kong. An Egyptian journalist who was to stand a trial after appearing on Qatars Al Jazeera news network, has died of novel covid-19, the Doha-based media reports. Mohamed Monirs death was announced Monday by his daughter Sarah Monir. The 65-year old journalist was hospitalized one week with covid-19 after being released from prison following his arrest last month. Monir whose death was confirmed by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), was suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and serious heart problems. The veteran journalist was arrested June 14 and charged of joining a terrorist group, spreading false news and misusing social media after appearing on Al Jazeera. The Egypt under Abdelfattah al-Sisi has banned the network that it accuses of being the mouth-piece of outlawed Muslim Brother organization also considered as worse than a terror group. Like Monir, several Egyptian journalists are languishing in prison on trumped charges. The CJP called the Egyptian government to release all journalists held for their work noting that as even brief detentions amid the COVID-19 pandemic can mean a death sentence. Al Jazeera condemned Monirs death in the notorious Tora Prison reported crowded and known for unhygienic conditions. Al Jazeera is deeply concerned for the health and safety of all journalists including our colleague Mahmoud Hussein who has been detained for 1,300 days without trial in one of Egypts most notorious prisons under extreme and inhumane conditions, it said in a statement. Police have charged a Brantford woman after a midnight stroll turned vicious for a service dog and its dog walkers. Ontario Provincial Police, County of Brant Detachment were called to an Oakland Road address in the County of Brant just before 2 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2020. Two individuals were taking a service dog for a walk and encountered another person with an off leash dog. Police say the off leash dog attacked the service dog as the pair approached. Attempts were made to separate the two dogs. It was reported that the owner of the unleashed dog then allegedly assaulted the individuals in a physical confrontation. A 27-year-old Brantford woman has been charged with assault as a result of the incident. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice located in Brantford at a later date, police say. Moodys Analytics has won Enterprise-Wide Stress Testing Product of the Year and Credit Stress-Testing Product of the Year in the 2020 Risk Technology Awards. Theyre two of our seven wins in this years awards. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005065/en/ To manage financial risk, banks must understand the potential impacts of different economic scenarios on their credit portfolios. They perform stress tests both to address regulatory requirements and to extract business value from the results, for more informed risk management. Moodys Analytics solutions help them achieve both goals. Our solutions, including the cloud-based Capital Risk Analyzer, drive stress testing and forecasting programs at banks around the world. Customers make use of the insights gained from stress testing to fulfill regulatory requirements, perform capital planning, and make better and more strategic business decisions. Were honored to earn these two Risk Technology awards, said Olivier Brucker, Senior Director at Moodys Analytics. Customers want to understand the impact of the current environment on their portfolios, to mitigate risks, and to improve profitability. Assessing and managing these risk metrics is vital for banks, and even more challenging amid the current economic and COVID-19 uncertainty. This recognition for our stress testing capabilities demonstrates that our customers are successfully meeting this crucial challenge. The Risk Technology Awards recognize outstanding vendors helping the industry in the fields of ALM, credit, operational risk, and enterprise risk management. Thesewins add to our growing list of awards and industry accolades. About Moodys Analytics Moodys Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moodys Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moodys Corporation reported revenue of $4.8 billion in 2019, employs approximately 11,300 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005065/en/ Amid other countries pointing to Luxembourgs high numbers of daily newly reported COVID-19 cases, fact is that this is also due to its large-scale testing strategy. The relevant statistics show that the positive outcomes as a percentage of the many tests carried out over the course of the last seven days in Luxembourg is similar to Germany, and even lower than France and Belgium. As can be seen on this Oxford University based website, Luxembourgs infection rate was 0.7%, compared to 0.6% in Germany, who has declared Luxembourg a risk region, 1.1% in France and 1.3% in Belgium, who put Luxembourg in the orange travel category, meaning that travel is subject to quarantine. In fact, with less than 1% of tests yielding a positive result at the moment, Luxembourg is in the lower range of the EU. Half of the EU countries have infection rates above 1%. Of those, the Eastern EU Members Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria as well as neighbouring Serbia and Ukraine have rates of more than 4%, and the fact that Sweden chose a different path can also be seen in these statistics. With 7.9% of the tests carried out in the last seven days reported as positive, Sweden has the highest weekly infection rate in Europe still lower than the US with 8.7%. No one knows where this journey may take us but these are the current comparative facts. Air strikes in northern Yemen have killed at least seven civilians, residents and a Houthi official said, the third such incident since June as violence resurges in the war-damaged country. A Houthi rebel health ministry spokesperson said attacks by the Saudi-led coalition hit residential homes in the al-Hazm district, al-Jawf province, killing nine people including two children and two women. Residents said seven people were killed. Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said the reports will be investigated. We take this report very seriously and it will be fully investigated as all reports of this nature are, using an internationally approved, independent process, said al-Malki. The military alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 soon after the Iran-aligned Houthi movement removed the Saudi-backed government from power in the capital, Sanaa. Violence has picked up since the expiry in late May of a temporary ceasefire prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Houthis repeatedly staging missile-and-drone attacks on Saudi cities and the coalition retaliating with air strikes. Earlier this week the Houthis launched attacks at Saudi border cities in what they called a response to air strikes that killed 10 civilians in the Hajjah region. The coalition later said it would investigate. In June, an air strike killed at least 12 people, including four children, in Yemens Saada province, according to the Houthis and a United Nations official. The coalition said it had struck a vehicle carrying armed combatants. The UN last month removed the Western-backed coalition from a UN blacklist several years after it was first accused of killing and wounding children in Yemen. The conflict largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed more than 100,000 people and caused what the UN describes as the worlds largest humanitarian crisis. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system. The investigation of six journalists, including five Australians, in Malaysia in connection with the airing of an Al Jazeera documentary is a move that "undermines the stability" of the south-east Asian democracy. Peter Greste, from the Alliance for Journalists' Freedom, said it was troubling the Malaysian government was interpreting "uncomfortable journalism" as an "attack on the state". An employee of Al Jazeera Arabic language TV news channel walks past the broadcaster's logo in Doha, Qatar. Credit:AP Six journalists from 101 East program, including Australian senior producer Drew Ambrose, from Melbourne, executive producer Sharon Roobol, producers Jenni Henderson and Rhiona-Jade Armont and cameraman Craig Hansen, were called into police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Friday and released after questioning. National Police Chief Abdul Hamid Bador told reporters after the interrogations that the journalists were being investigated as witnesses and not suspects, and the Attorney-Generals office was preparing a report and deciding whether to take further action. The Toronto public board is recommending quadmesters for teens taking two courses at a time and warns French instruction will take a hit if class sizes are smaller because there arent enough teachers, according to its draft plan for reopening this fall. Canadas largest board also put the province on notice that there will be a pandemic price to pay more than $250 million to hire more teachers if classes have to drop to 15 children, as the government itself has recommended. The board will also need to provide PPE and training for staff, hire extra custodial staff, purchase cleaning supplies as well as make up for the lost revenue of international students. Among the more controversial issues for the public board is French. With smaller classes, the draft plan says, we do not have the qualified staff to maintain the delivery of Core French, French Immersion, Extended French with the additional teachers that would be required. I think the Toronto District School Board is calling (the governments) bluff, said NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles, a former TDSB trustee. The board has provided a list of measures that need to be in place to meet the rather vague guidelines the government provided resources have to be attached to reopening, and if theyre not, this wont work. The new funding isnt there. Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday the government has already put $750 million more into annual general education grants, but in saying that, with the TDSB, we always value their input, and all the other boards right across the province and said boards, like Toronto, are already in line for some additional funding and teaching staff. However, the additional money for educators was negotiated in recent contracts with their unions and is not tied to COVID-19. Ford has said it is his preference that kids return full-time in September. I just wish I had that crystal ball to see where we are in a month down the road. We always have to look at the worst-case scenario. We have to be prepared. The province has told boards to plan for three scenarios in the fall in-school with smaller classes and strict hygiene, online only or a mix of the two, with decisions made in early August. The report says the Toronto board is urging the province to provide a robust staffing plan to accommodate as many students as possible back to physical schools/ spaces while respecting public health advice and says money will be needed for personal protective equipment, facility improvements, staffing, busing and technology. It also says the province needs to provide mental health resources for students. Last month, Lecce announced a provincewide $10-million fund to help students deal with COVID-19 stress. We need to look at COVID as its own category because it is a massive undertaking, said Jennifer Brown, president of the 11,000-member Elementary Teachers of Toronto, which has urged the board to hire specially trained health and safety inspectors to work on COVID issues. The (back-to-school) model we are most interested in is the one that puts safety at the forefront. The TDSB report says if all elementary students return and classes of 15 are needed to help limit the number of contacts, school could end 48 minutes earlier than usual to accommodate teacher prep time. But doing so would require almost 1,000 additional teachers. If prep time were spread throughout the day, the board estimates it would have to hire about 2,500 new elementary teachers, at a cost of $249 million. However, if children were to attend full-time but classes were capped at 15 for primary students and at 20 for those in Grades 4 to 8, the board would need 200 additional teachers at a cost of $20 million. In high school, students will take two classes for about 45 days at a time, and they will have to choose two weeks before the start of each quadmester to decide if they want to attend in person for a half-day, with the rest of the day spent working from home, or if they want to learn exclusively online. The board says it is concerned (the) ministrys hybrid or adapted model will force parents to choose between educating their children and their own employment. This requires a thoughtful, practical approach and the minister needs to roll up his sleeves and do the planning and hard work needed and provide funding, said former Liberal education minister Mitzie Hunter, the MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood. She said the province needs to address issues such as water fountain safety, ensure bathroom sinks work so kids can wash their hands properly and plan for deep sanitizing and cleaning to assure parents they can send their children back to school safely. Liberal MPP and former Toronto trustee Michael Coteau (Don Valley East) said Doug Ford has to remember that education and health care are the things Ontarians say they value the most from the government. Any lowering of the standards will not be acceptable. Final plans for all school boards are to go to the Ministry of Education by Aug. 4. The Toronto Catholic board is looking at options for the fall including one week of in-person classes and the next at home, and other boards are considering alternating days for students. The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, says the police are not involved in the detention and investigation of the embattled former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. Mr Adamu said this in a letter in response to an application for Mr Magus bail made last week by one of his counsel, Tosin Ojaomo. Mr Magu is being held at a police facility in Abuja from where he is taken daily to appear before a presidential panel. Mr Ojaomo had addressed the application to the police boss to grant Mr Magu bail on self recognizance. The lawyer had in the application pledged to provide a credible surety who will ensure Mr Magu is available any time he is needed during the investigation. Finally, if our application for bail on self-recognisance is not acceptable, we are ready to provide a credible surety that will ensure the availability of our client anytime he is needed for the purpose of this investigation, the lawyer wrote. But in his response to the application through a letter dated July 14 and signed by his principal staff officer, Idowu Owohunwa, the Inspector-General of Police advised Mr Ojaomo to redirect his application to the presidential panel which he said is the one investigating and detaining Mr Magu. The Inspector-General directs that your attention be drawn to the fact that the Nigerian police are not investigating CP Ibrahim Magu and he is accordingly, not being detained by the police but by the Presidential panel that is investigating the activities Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Suspended EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, advises you that consider redirecting your request to the Chairman of the presidential panel for appropriate attention, the police boss said. Mr Magu is currently being interrogated by a presidential panel headed by a former president of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, over allegations of corruption and insubordination levelled against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. He was arrested last week Monday and has remained in detention as the panel is yet to conclude its work. That's all for us on the blog this evening - thanks for following along today. The biggest coronavirus news stories were: - The situation worsened in Victoria. A woman in her 90s died, making it three deaths in two days in the state. There were 238 new cases. There are 105 people in hospital in Victoria, 20 more than yesterday, and 27 in intensive care, one more than yesterday. - The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne reported that five healthcare workers tested positive to COVID-19. They add to the hundreds of Victorian doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have been furloughed after COVID-19 clusters spread through three emergency departments, a coronavirus ward, an oncology unit and a rehabilitation hospital in recent days. People on Lygon Street in Carlton on Wednesday, one week in Melbourne's lockdown 2.0. Credit:Eddie Jim - In NSW, there were 13 new cases, including 10 linked to the Crossroads Hotel. The hotel cluster ballooned to 34, with virus detectives have tracing the COVID-19 contagion back to a work party held at the pub where up to three people were infected by a man visiting from Melbourne. A drive through Coronavirus testing clinic at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula on Wednesday. Credit:Wolter Peeters -The NSW Premier ruled out pursuing the elimination of COVID-19, saying suppression was the state's "only option" in tackling the spread of the pandemic. - The Northern Territory declared all 30 Sydney local government areas coronavirus hotspots, meaning people who have been in Sydney within 14 days of their arrival in the Territory will be subject to the same restrictions already scheduled to be imposed on Victorians. - In sport, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan confirmed that Victorian clubs would relocate to Queensland for up to 10 weeks and potentially the remainder of the home-and-away season. The QLD Premier also made a bid to host the AFL grand final. This is Rachael Dexter signing off. We'll be back on Thursday morning with more live, free coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. As always, if you appreciate our COVID-19 coverage and are an avid reader of the blog, please consider taking out a subscription to The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald to support independent news. Stay safe, and goodnight. But the fact remains that the United States has failed to control the spread of the coronavirus, making it difficult to apply the reassuring news from abroad. Local and state leaders must now decide on the best course of action between two bad choices: either open school buildings and take the risk that educators, students and parents become ill, or keep them shuttered and hinder the development of tens of millions of children. It was never really allowed, but swimming at Hagersvilles quarries was generally accepted as a teenage summer rite of passage for those living nearby. However, in the last few years, the influx of trespassers on the sites has raised safety concerns among locals and resulted in added costs to the county, which has been left to deal with clogged parking, vandalism and theft, reports of illicit drug activity and escalating violence on what is otherwise disused private property. One kid kicked my dog (for) barking at him, said former resident Amy Lynch. A group cut through our place and one of them kicked him and another threw a beer bottle at me when I screamed. It was terrifying. She and her husband Michael were renting along Concession 12 west of Sandusk Road while they looked for their dream home in the country, but after a year of stressful encounters with quarry trespassers, they packed up and moved out of Haldimand, blaming the onslaught of violent Gen Zers. Its like they were raised in the wild, Lynch said. They believe if they want it, they deserve it and they can just have it, whatever the cost. I thought Hagersville would be safer than the city, but boy, was I wrong. While photographing vehicles parking illegally near the quarries in Hagersville, a Sachem reporter was threatened with having her face ripped off by a woman, who also threatened to kill the reporter. As the reporter attempted to drive away, the woman jumped in front of the car, striking it with her fists and feet before hurling her slushy drink at the window. A police report on the incident has been filed. Less than 20 minutes later, an OPP officer was seen speaking to clusters of people entering and exiting the quarries, trying to respond to a weapons-related 911 call. Last month two individuals were stabbed following an argument at the site. The county has bylaw officers patrolling the roads, ticketing and towing cars and entrants, although the officers are limited to daylight hours. Also, if there was a need for emergency response at one of the quarries, fire Chief Jason Gallagher said it could be tricky. Some of the areas are quite steep and we don't have the resources if someone is in distress, he said. Wed have to call in specialized teams, but it puts our first responders at risk. Its also an expensive prospect; the cost of every fire call is $495 per vehicle for the first hour and $242 for every half-hour after that. Ward 4 councillor Tony Dalimonte said the situation is out of control. He spoke about an incident at Tims Tires, where a group went to collect their car after it had been impounded. The owner of the vehicle looks back at his buddies and says, Hey, I paid last time, somebody else pay this one. Dalimonte sighed, saying that the group found the fines cheaper than those in Toronto. Thats the problem, he said. They believe its worth their while to do whatever they want without repercussion. Thats a dangerous presumption. In its industry days, the area was mined for limestone, dolomite and shale. The thin ribbons of quartz left behind add to the visual siren-song for swimmers. When LaFarge owned it, the property was regularly patrolled. Crude signage now surrounds the land and main thoroughfares are blocked with concrete barriers, but the worn, spidering pathways is evidence that people are still getting in. Current property owners Peter Bezemer and Nasser Dabirian have declined to comment on what municipal officials and local residents say is an escalating situation. Mayor Ken Hewitt said things cannot stay as they are. He said hes working with staff, the property owners and Dalimonte, looking at different approaches. He noted that several other quarries in the province have been turned into tourist attractions. Instead of keeping everyone away, Im looking at ways to turn it into an opportunity for the county, he said. Thats the real solution: turn it into something where we can control the outcome. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: As summer is prime tourist season, we wanted to look at some of the bad behaviour that is taking place in three of Haldimand's hot spots. In the next part of our series, Haldimands tourism trap: we take a deeper dive into the fractious divide between homeowners and Skydive Ontario, on county and federal jurisdiction. Former agricultural minister Barry Cowen has released a pointed statement this evening after being sacked from the government by the Taoiseach. In a statement, Deputy Cowen said: "The Taoiseach informed me this evening by phone that he was removing me from office as Minister for Agriculture. "I am both surprised and disappointed with this decision," he added. "Previously I furnished the Taoiseach with all the facts about my drink driving conviction and the story that the Sunday Times proposed to publish about my alleged evasion of a Garda check point. In doing so I provided him with confidential details about my interaction with An Garda Siochana. "I have made my position on these matters known publicly and I have acknowledged my wrong doing for something that occurred four years ago. "I have sought an explanation - not as a government minister but as a citizen - as to how details relating to the incident were leaked to the media. The authorities have agreed to investigate the matter. "One point warrants emphasis: at no time did I attempt to evade the Gardai," Cowen continued. "Had I done so, the charges brought against me would, quite correctly, have been of a different tenor to those with which I was charged. "I am responsible for the offence with which I was convicted four years ago, not for an inaccurate Garda entry on Pulse about that event. "Ten days ago and this afternoon, the Taoiseach believed my failure of 2016 didnt warrant my removal from office but he now appears to have changed his mind based on a Pulse report I gave him this morning," the Clara man added. "It is important to re-emphasise that report was leaked in contravention of the protections that I and every other citizen is entitled to expect in respect of their interaction with the Gardai. "Unfortunately the decision of the Taoiseach to remove me from office, when he supported me this afternoon in the Dail, has undermined and potentially prejudiced my entitlement to fair process," he concluded. (1) The Taoiseach informed me this evening by phone that he was removing me from office as Minister for Agriculture. I am both surprised and disappointed with this decision. Barry Cowen (@CowenBarry) July 14, 2020 (6) he now appears to have changed his mind based on a Pulse report I gave him this morning. It is important to re-emphasise that report was leaked in contravention of the protections that I and every other citizen is entitled to expect in respect of their interaction with the Barry Cowen (@CowenBarry) July 14, 2020 My call to the people of Zimbabwe is to rally behind the President and support him because he means well for the country. He gives his best and success will come and we are already seeing the signs, but people of Zimbabwe including those in the opposition will have to support the President, he said. A six-year-old child has allegedly been sexually assaulted in a country park, police said. Officers are investigating claims the youngster was approached by a man in his 40s or 50s at Pembrey Country Park near the village of Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, on Saturday. Dyfed-Powys Police described the suspect, who was not known to the victim, as 6ft, white and tanned, with short, messy grey hair. He is believed to have been wearing a blue T-shirt and a hat, and was carrying a black rucksack. Officers are investigating claims the youngster was approached by a man in his 40s or 50s at Pembrey Country Park near the village of Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, on Saturday On Wednesday a police spokeswoman said: 'We are investigating an allegation of sexual assault by touching on a child, aged six years old, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 11 2020, at a location in Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire. 'Officers are continuing to patrol the area.' Anyone who has seen a male matching the description or with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online or by calling 101. The 500-acre park includes visitor attractions such as a ski slope, adventure play areas, a miniature railway and mountain bike trails, and also hosted the start of the 2018 Tour of Britain cycle race. The Delhi international airport handled more than 20 million pieces of essential medical supplies during the first quarter of 2020-21, said its operator DIAL on Wednesday. "The medical kits contained: face masks - 10.3 million, gloves - 6.2 million, goggles 4.9 million, bodysuits - 1.9 million, shoe covers - 1.4 million, 250 ventilators etc," the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said in a press release. The DIAL said these imported medical kits were distributed all across the country, including the northeastern states. India resumed domestic passenger flights on May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended. Cargo flights have been operating during the lockdown period as usual. During April to June 2020, the first quarter of the financial year 2021, more than 20 million pieces of essential medical supplies, the largest volume of essential medical supplies handled by any airport in India, has been handled by the Delhi airport, stated the press release. Also read: Coronavirus fallout: Air travel demand to tumble by 49% for Indian airlines in 2020, says IATA MANILA, Philippines The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday (July 14) said it is ready to extend assistance to all workers of ABS-CBN Corp. who will be displaced as a result of Congress denial of the media giants application for new franchise. We are ready to extend the necessary assistance to all employees who may be displaced as a result of the congressional action, Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione said in a statement. The official emphasized that while the agency sympathizes with what happened, the network must ensure that all employees who are likely to be terminated, will receive their separation benefits as mandated by law. Should termination, reduction or displacement of workforce become unavoidable, the first thing that ABS-CBN should do is compensate the employees because it is legally bound to pay separation benefits to those who will be retrenched or terminated, she said. Dione said the agency is now in the process of determining the exact number of employees of the network who will be affected by the retrenchment. If they truly care for their workers, then the network is morally bound to give them all pays and emoluments that the law provides, the official said of ABS-CBN. READ: ABS-CBN to stay off-air after House panel junks bid for new 25-year franchise On July 10, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied ABS-CBNs bid for a fresh 25-year franchise, ending its 34 years of broadcasting on free TV. The network claims that around 11.000 of its employees are likely to be laid off as a result of the decision. The post DOLE ready to extend assistance to ABS-CBN workers affected by shutdown appeared first on UNTV News. The United States says it is imposing travel bans on employees of the technology giant Huawei and other Chinese companies Washington has accused of facilitating human right violations around the world, including in China's western province of Xinjiang. In a statement on July 15, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Huawei as an arm of the [Chinese Communist Partys] surveillance state that censors political dissidents and enables mass internment camps in Xinjiang and the indentured servitude of its population shipped all over China. Separately, the secretary of state told reporters that Huawei employees found to be providing material support to regimes engaging in human rights violations and abuses globally" would be hit with sanctions. It is not clear how many Huawei employees would be affected. Pompeo said in his statement that telecommunications companies around the world should consider themselves on notice: If they are doing business with Huawei, they are doing business with human rights abusers. The administration of President Donald Trump has led a campaign to convince foreign governments to bar Huawei from their advanced telecommunications networks, arguing that the Chinese company provides a gateway for Beijing to spy on and potentially attack countries that use its equipment. On July 14, the British government said that Huawei equipment must be purged completely from Britain's 5G network by the end of 2027, claiming the company poses a national security threat. Huawei denies it spies for Beijing and accuses Washington of trying to impede its growth. Pompeos announcement comes amid an intensifying U.S. effort to pressure China over gross human rights abuses reported in the Xinjiang region, where Beijing is accused of placing more than 1 million Uyghurs and members of other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in internment camps and prisons where, since early 2017, they have been physically abused, subjected to ideological discipline, and forced to denounce their religion and language. China says the camps are reeducation and training centers needed to combat separatist terrorism and extremism. On July 9, Washington imposed sanctions on senior Chinese officials for horrific and systematic human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The U.S. sanctions were imposed amid already high tensions between Washington and Beijing over issues including China's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the tightening of its grip on Hong Kong. With reporting by AP and Reuters The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning the upcoming bushfire season could be severely undermined by the coronavirus threat, with potentially hundreds of volunteers at risk from the virus. The bushfire royal commission was told on Wednesday that officials warned fire-related activity makes an ideal environment for the transmission of infectious diseases through high-density working conditions, lack of access to soap and sanitisers, and a transient workforce. The bushfire Royal Commission has heard from Shane Fitzsimmons, the former head of the NSW Rural Fire Service, for the first time. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen If we've got fires that are being managed, you could take out potentially hundreds of people in the need to isolate those people in case they are infectious, RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers told the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements on Wednesday. Members, particularly those at high-risk, are encouraged to take extra steps to limit exposure to the virus, including social distancing, temporarily withdrawing from volunteer activities - including hazard reduction burns or community meetings, or considering alternative work arrangements. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: The United States downgraded the safety rating of Pakistan's aviation system and will block Pakistan's airlines from launching service to the US. The move announced on Wednesday follows revelations that nearly one-third of Pakistan's pilots cheated on exams but still received licenses from the country's civil-aviation authority. The US Federal Aviation Administration said that it put Pakistan in a so-called category 2 rating, which means airlines from Pakistan can't start new flights to the US. Also, US airlines can't sell seats on Pakistani flights, a practice called code-sharing that is common among other international airlines. There currently aren't any regularly scheduled flights between the US and Pakistan. The FAA said Pakistan's aviation system doesn't comply with safety standards set by the United Nations aviation authority, the International Civil Aviation Organization. The FAA did not detail the shortcomings. The scandal over pilot licenses in Pakistan emerged from an investigation into a crash in May in Karachi that killed 97 people. The inquiry determined that 260 of 860 pilots in Pakistan cheated on their pilots tests but still got licenses. The state carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, said it fired 28 pilots found to have tainted licenses. The government fired five officials of the civil aviation agency and is considering criminal charges. The European Union's counterpart to the FAA has banned Pakistan International Airlines from flying to Europe for at least six months. She is currently shooting a fashion campaign in Ibiza with Charlotte Crosby and Billie Faiers. And Jacqueline Jossa was looking radiant on Tuesday as she posed in a number of summery outfits. The former EastEnders actress, 27, was sizzling in a v-neck flowery dress in the Instagram pictures. Radiant: Jacqueline Jossa was the picture of summer on Tuesday as she posed in a number of stunning outfits In a second snap, the star slipped into a blue strappy button-up dress as she soaked in the sun. Jacqueline wore her brunette tresses in a long plait which hung over her shoulder. The soap star posed in one snap on a set of steps leading to the villa with large letters spelling 'amor' in the background. Style queen: In a second snap, the star slipped into a blue strappy button-up dress as she soaked in the sun Beaming: Charlotte Crosby, Jacqueline and Billie Faiers have all jetted out to Ibiza as they prepare for a luxury photoshoot at a sprawling seaside villa On Monday Jacqueline was one of the guests of honour at a villa party held by clothing brand InTheStyle and debuted a stunning new look. Jacqueline wore her caramel flecked brunette tresses in a intricate waist-length braided style as she enjoyed a glass of wine. The beauty sported smoky shadow, fluttery lashes and rose gloss as she posed. The star looked stylish in rose and white floral co-ords, with a crop-top teasing a glimpse of her toned midriff. Cheers: Jacqueline clearly had a fabulous time at the beachside villa as she enjoyed some fruity cocktails Jacqueline clearly had a fabulous time at the beachside villa as she enjoyed some fruity cocktails, a grazing platter and a live DJ set. She also took to Instagram to model a variety of summer dresses. Billie, 30, was joined by her husband Greg Shepherd at the soiree, while Charlotte, 30, posted some sultry snaps of her own. The trio headed out to the Spanish Island on Sunday evening ahead of a shoot with the clothing brand. Earlier this month Jacqueline and husband Dan Osborne proved their relationship was firmly back on track despite speculation as they enjoyed a day of strawberry picking with daughters Ella, five, and Mia, two. The star beamed with happiness as she posed for sweet pictures with her husband and their girls. Espresso martinis: The star sipped on some more cocktails by the pool Food time: The star shared a video of a grazing platter at the dinner table Style star: Jacqueline modelled a selection of dresses on her Instagram Back in May, it was reported that Dan 'begged' Jacqueline to return to their marital home after she moved out amid their marriage issues. She revealed she had moved back into their abode part-time amid claims they had been 'fighting non-stop'. It was then reported that Dan 'begged' Jacqueline to come home and she is adamant they can 'make it work' as they make a 'good team'. The actress was said to have missed her husband and wants to take things 'really slowly' now she has returned part-time. She will split her time between their marital home and her parents' house. Shots o'clock: There were fruity shots at the glittering party Smitten: Billie was joined by husband Greg Shepherd at the villa Pouty: Billie blew a kiss as she posed up at the villa in Ibiza A source said: 'Dan begged her to come home and she's admitted she missed him. They had been fighting non-stop but together they make a good team. It won't be easy but Jacqueline's sure they can make it work. She wants to take it slowly.' MailOnline contacted Jacqueline and Dan's reps for comment at the time. The couple's relationship has been plagued with cheating allegations and tensions between the pair have reportedly been taking their toll. But Jacqueline recently took to Instagram to clear up the rumours, stating: 'I need some time. There is no split. No divorce. We are working together not against each other', before she returned to their home, where they now remain. India has become the third worst-hit country in terms of COVID-19 positive cases. The nation has recently reported 29,000 Coronavirus positive cases in a single day. Well, the government of every state is trying hard to break the chain and for that, they are extending lockdowns in several zones. But on the other hand, India also has a good recovery rate, all thanks to plasma therapy. Amid these tough times, doctors and government officials are requesting COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma to the ones undergoing treatment. Along with government officials, many celebrities too urged the recovered patients to donate their plasma to save lives. Baahubali director SS Rajamouli also did the same. Recently, he requested COVID-19 survivors to come forward and donate plasma and tweeted, "@IndiaGiveRED connects patients in need to #Covid_19 recovered plasma donors using this search engine, and we need it now more than ever." In another tweet, Rajamouli supported GiveRED (NGO) and wrote, "If you have recovered from #COVID_19, come forward to help someone in need! There is no shame in getting #COVID. Please don't let social stigma prevent you from saving lives! You can register as a donor here: http://givered.in." Well, SS Rajamouli's request for the betterment of the country is indeed praiseworthy. For those who don't know, according to media experts, plasma therapy could help patients fight infection. The antibodies of Coronavirus survivors are transferred to infected patients, through the only source blood plasma . Also Read : SS Rajamouli Works On The Script Of Mahesh Babu-Starrer Amid COVID-19 Lockdown On a related note, SS Rajamouli's next is Roudram Ranam Rudhiram aka RRR starring Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn in the lead roles. The makers are looking forward to resuming shoot of the film. Earlier, Rajamouli had planned the trial shoot in Hyderabad, but it got cancelled due to the rise in number of COVID-19 positive cases in the city. Also Read : 5 Years Of Baahubali: The Beginning: Interesting Stories Behind The Prabhas Starrer Are Unmissable! Mumbai: Stand-up comedians Aadar Malik, Sahil Shah and Azeem Banatwalla are the latest names to apologise for their years old and "out-of-context" videos and social media posts that have resurfaced online. The comedians said they were sorry if they had offended or hurt anyone's religious sentiments and also requested that their families be spared of online vitriol. The development came days after several comics such as Vir Das, Rohan Joshi and Kaneez Surka alleged that their personal contact information and addresses were leaked online, which led to vicious trolling. Earlier this week, Twitter users dug out screenshots of jokes of some comics, including Varun Grover, Aditi Mittal, Abish Mathew, which they had cracked in the past. These users claim that comedians used Hindu gods in their joke punchlines and started trending #HinduphobicComedyIndustry. On Tuesday, private contact details of these comics were shared from an anonymous Twitter account. The account was later suspended. Joshi claimed that his family was being targeted with hate messages and announced a hiatus from social media. On Tuesday, Malik took to Twitter to apologise for hurting religious sentiments. "Some clips of my videos are being shared on social media. I'm really sorry if I've hurt anyone's religious sentiments or if anyone has got offended by these videos. These are eight-year-old videos, and they have been taken out of context and time," he said in the video. The comic also claimed that he is getting a lot of hate messages and threats to his family on social media, and requested trolls to take a step back. "It becomes a very scary atmosphere to live in. As comedians, we just want to make people laugh... "We were learning comedy at that time, trying out new jokes. If I've hurt or offended anybody, I apologise again... Over time, we have matured, become better and have changed. This won't happen again," he said. Shah, a member of the East India Comedy (EIC) group, said he was apologetic for cracking a joke on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj all those years ago. The comic said he understood the anger behind his old joke and he has deleted the said video. "I should not have cracked a joke on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at all. Once again, I'm very sorry. I have deleted that video. Henceforth, whatever comedy I do, I'll do it thoughtfully and responsibly," he added. While apologising "unreservedly", Banatwalla said he had temporarily suspended his Twitter account as people had been pouring in the "vilest of Islamophobic abuse to me". "It has come to my attention that many people have been upset and offended by tweets I have made many years ago. For that I would like to apologise unreservedly. Many of these were before I even starting doing comedy, but that does not excuse the fact that they were not acceptable," he said. "I am willing to accept my mistakes and grow as a person, and I sincerely hope these people can find it within themselves to do the same," the EIC member tweeted. Last week, a female stand-up comic was subjected to online rape threats and abuses after a year-old video of her allegedly cracking a joke on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue surfaced. She later took down the video and apologised on social media. The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Sunday sought immediate action from Gujarat Police against one Shubham Mishra for allegedly hurling abuses and giving rape threats to the said comedian on social media. Vadodara Police had arrested Mishra on Sunday for the alleged video. Mumbai Police's Cyber Branch, too, took suo motu cognisance of another alleged threatening video against the comedian and arrested Imtiyaz Sheikh, who used the profile 'Umesh Dada' on YouTube, on Monday. Subscriber content preview The warning comes as California's governor has reimposed a broad business shutdown in that state in response to a jump in new virus cases. By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard warned Tuesday that the U.S. economy appears to be slowing after an initial burst of recovery and called for the Fed to take aggressive steps to bolster growth. Brainard said that hiring and consumer spending bounced back more strongly than expected in May and June. But that rebound mostly reflected a rapid reopening of restaurants, bars and other businesses in many states, she said, and those reopenings have since caused ongoing spikes in viral infections that could reverse much of that progress. . . . Tom Hanks has described his symptoms while suffering from COVID-19, pictured at the Academy Awards, February 2020. (Getty Images) Tom Hanks has opened up about some of the symptoms he experienced while suffering from coronavirus earlier this year, claiming his bones felt like they were made out of soda crackers. Back in March, Tom Hanks, 64, and his wife Rita Wilson, 63, were two of the first celebrities to test positive for COVID-19. Appearing virtually on The Late Show on Tuesday night, the actor chatted with host Stephen Colbert about his experiences of coronavirus, which he and his wife have since recovered from. We had no idea how it could have happened, where it could have happened, Hanks explained of his surprise to get the virus. Read more: The face mask hacks you need to know: From the best materials to how to make them fit The couple had tested positive for COVID-19 after travelling from the US to Australia while Hanks filmed an Elvis Presley biopic in March. Interestingly, the couple both suffered from different symptoms while battling the illness. Other than a headache, she [his wife] had a higher fever than I did, she had horrible nausea, Hanks explained before going on to say that although his wife lost her sense of taste and smell, he maintained his. I had bones that felt like they were made out of soda crackers, Hanks continued. Every time I moved around it felt like something was cracking inside of me. He also described being very fatigued and having really sore butt. Read more: How to safely dispose of a face mask Hanks said that after they were diagnosed the couple found themselves in hospital with medical staff covered in PPE protective gear. The Greyhound actor says it took the couple about eight or nine days to recover, but they still dont know if having the disease has left them with immunity or if they could actually get the virus again. No one really knows what the x factor is, he explains of the immunity unknown. In an earlier interview with The Guardian, Hanks said of his and Wilsons illness: Our discomfort because of the virus was pretty much done in two weeks and we had very different reactions, and that was odd. Story continues Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson suffered different symptoms, pictured at the Academy Awards, February 2020. (Getty Images) Unsurprisingly, given his personal experience with COVID-19, Hanks is not a huge fan of people not wearing face masks when they go out in public. The Oscar winner is now urging everyone to take preventative measures and health guidelines more seriously. There's really only three things we can do in order to get to tomorrow: Wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands, Hanks said during a virtual press conference for his new film Greyhound. Those things are so simple, so easy, if anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things, I just think shame on you, he added. Read more: How to help children get used to wearing a face mask or covering Earlier this month Jennifer Aniston also urged people to wear a damn mask to help curb the spread of coronavirus. The Morning Show actor headed to Instagram to share a photo of herself in a face mask alongside a plea for fans to do the same when outdoors. I understand masks are inconvenient and uncomfortable, the star wrote in the accompanying caption. But dont you feel that its worse that businesses are shutting down... jobs are being lost... health care workers are hitting absolute exhaustion. And so many lives have been taken by this virus because we aren't doing enough. The Desert Sands school district in California plans to start the academic year with full-time remote learning because district leaders were worried it would not be able to have adequate social distancing measures in place by Aug. 19, the first day of school. Jesse Welsh, the superintendent of the Paradise Valley schools in Arizona, said his district was concerned about establishing some stability during very uncertain times, prompting it to also start this school year with remote learning, rather than wait for another order from the governor. And in the Canutillo school district in Texas, superintendent Pedro Galaviz had to balance opposing views about reopening when his district decided to go all-remote at the beginning of this school year due to health worries about the spreading coronavirus. A growing number of school districts across the country have recently announced plans to return to full-time remote learning when the 2020-21 school year starts, defying nationwide pressure from federal leaders and some parents to at least partially reopen school buildings. It is an excruciating decision for school district leaders to make because of strong feelings on both sides of the reopening debate. And they are struggling to make those decisions with often conflicting messages from state and federal leaders. Some districtsincluding those in Milwaukee, Austin, Texas., and Nashville, Tenn.have committed to full-time remote learning only for the first few weeks of the school year, leaving room to reopen in September. But the Los Angeles and San Diego Unified school districts in California, DeKalb schools in Georgia, and the Washington Township district in Indiana are proceeding with full-time remote learning plans that could extend well into the school year. In Prince Georges County, Md., students will be learning online at least through the rest of 2020. (For a broad snapshot of school reopening plans, check out Education Weeks tracker. ) The recent decisions to shift back to full-time virtual education came as district leaders weighed the risks of students and staff getting infected with COVID-19 if buildings reopen against the possibility of learning loss, mental health challenges, and inequitable access to digital learning opportunities if all students are forced to remain at home. Many, but not all, of the schools sticking with full-time remote learning are in states currently experiencing massive COVID-19 surges, including Arizona, California, and Texas. Competing Pressures The Trump administration has been urging schools to fully reopen , citing concerns about the long-term effects of social isolation on child development. The push is part of a bid to revive the sagging U.S. economy , assure Americans that the ongoing coronavirus crisis is stabilizing, and boost the presidents re-election prospects. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos have threatened to pull federal funding from schools that dont fully reopen this fall, though the administration would need to collaborate with Congress to follow through on that threat. DeVos, meanwhile, has criticized districts that announced plans for only part-time in-person learning this fall, pressuring them to reopen completely. Several governors, including Ron DeSantis in Florida and Henry McMaster in South Carolina, have in recent days mandated that school buildings reopen at least part-time, though some superintendents in those states have pushed back . Texas Gov. Greg Abbott last week threatened to pull state funding from districts that kept school buildings closed longer than three weeks into the school year, but he said this week that hell extend the amount of time districts can stay remote full-time. Public health experts and pediatricians have urged caution , suggesting that school leaders weigh the risk factors in their communities and develop remote learning capabilities regardless of whether school buildings reopen this fall. Many school leaders have said it would be impossible to fully reopen buildings without a massive influx of federal funds to pay for implementing safety equipment and procedures. Even then, many parents might keep their children at home. Investment in Tech Unprecedented Many students suffered in the rapid pivot to remote learning that took place around the country this spring as states ordered school shutdowns to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Some schools lacked comprehensive remote learning plans , and many teachers had minimal experiences working with students outside the physical classroom. Millions of students lack access to Wi-Fi and computing devices at home , and many schools reported difficulties reaching students or maintaining their engagement as the unconventional school year drew to a close. Schools had no choice but to quickly learn lessons and address gaps. They ordered hordes of digital devices and mobile hotspots to help students get connected; convened professional development sessions for teachers to help them adjust to remote learning; and employed creative techniques to reach students on an emotional level and attempt to keep them learning under difficult circumstances. These ongoing efforts are putting schools in a position to improve the remote learning experience for families this fall. The Canutillo school district in El Paso County, Texas, will start the school year on Aug. 3 with full-time remote learning through Sept. 8, when some school buildings may reopen if public health conditions allow. The school district will spend the fully remote period fine-tuning that experience so parents and students who stick with it for the full school year will get a high-quality education. Surveys of parents in the district showed a wide range of views on whether students should return to school buildings. Some felt very strongly about staying remote; others want their kids to come back. They felt the socialization was key, said Galaviz, the districts superintendent. The district is trying to ensure that every studentnot just every household with at least one studenthas a digital device they can use for learning, and its working with the city of El Paso to expand local broadband infrastructure. Building remote learning capabilities will also serve the school well in the likely event that the virus forces school buildings to close even after they reopen, Galaviz said. The pace of the districts investment in high-quality remote learning is unprecedented, said Oscar Rico, the districts director of technology. If you told us in December to move to online learning, we would have probably asked for five years, Rico said. This is not a system that moves quick. Complex Calculations But long-term school building closures have financial implications. And district leaders are factoring those implications into their reopening decisions. The Paradise Valley school district in Arizona will continue to provide meals for students who need them while school buildings are otherwise closed until at least Sept. 8. But when youre not open, youre not able to collect revenues from students that are purchasing lunches. So you have additional costs as well as losses in revenue, said Jesse Welsh, the districts superintendent. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has prohibited school buildings from reopening until at least Aug. 17, and Welsh suspects those restrictions might be extended as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state. The districts school year will begin on Aug. 5. Welshs district has been planning for the possibility of continuing remote learning in the fall ever since the last school year ended. Still, the district had to pause plans to reopen school buildings once Duceys order came down. We really felt like waiting [to start the school year] until the 17th or whatever that date might be didnt make a lot of sense, Welsh said. We wanted to provide stability for our staff and for our families. No plan is going to satisfy all parties, but the district has been updating parents regularly with a weekly email dispatch on Wednesdays, as well as other communications throughout the week. Ive had many conversations with families over the last several months. While they dont always necessarily agree with the decisions being made, they do understand the rationale behind it, Welsh said. Polarization of Opinion Serving families with a wide range of needs and priorities isnt new for school districts. But the polarization of opinion among parents is particularly challenging now, said Scott Bailey, superintendent of the Desert Sands district in California. Half of the districts parents said they want school buildings to reopen at least part-time, while the other half prefers to continue with remote learning. Many parents who cant work from home are worried about child care if their children are learning from home, while others worry that students will catch the virus at school or spread it to their older, more vulnerable family members. A full reopening wouldnt be possible given the requirements for space between desks and social distancing in classrooms, Bailey said. A hybrid model might be feasible after Labor Day, but for now, students will start school from home. To ease the transition, the district is setting up daily class schedules that will remain fairly consistent for students who eventually return to school buildings, said Kelly May-Vollmar, the districts assistant superintendent. The schedules look very, very similar. Its just where students and teachers are at during the day that is different, she said. Nationwide, political debates havent been the main decision-making factors for district leaders, who are trying to examine the situations in their communities and follow the advice of medical experts. We have had to shift and say, its got to be safety first and learning second, Welsh said. You cant be teaching folks if theyre not safe. A 64-year-old woman was shot to death at midnight Wednesday, struck by a stray bullet as she stood in her kitchen, Birmingham police announced this morning. The victim was identified as Bernice Taylor. Birmingham police Sgt. Rod Mauldin gave this account: North Precinct officers responded to a call of a person shot inside an apartment in the 1400 block of 24th Street North. Upon arrival, officers were notified by a family member that Taylor was wounded and unresponsive. Officers found her lying in the kitchen unresponsive suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham firefighters and the Jefferson County Coroners Office responded to scene and pronounced Taylor dead. The preliminary investigation suggest multiple shots were fired in the parking lot outside of the apartment, a statement from police read. The victim was in her kitchen when she was struck by a stray bullet that proves to be fatal. No arrest has been made in this investigation. This is an ongoing investigation. Additional details will be provided as they come available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 205-254-1764 or CrimeStoppers at 205-254-7777. TROY The Rensselaer County Legislature rejected by identical 16-3 roll call votes two versions of a resolution Tuesday night intended to support the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice for people of color in measures that stirred controversy among county law enforcement agencies and some residents. First to be rejected was an amendment offered by three Democratic legislators that toned down the language in the original resolution by removing direct references to law enforcement being part of systemic racism. Then the original resolution was defeated after Legislature Chairman Michael Stammel, R-Rensselaer, took the highly unusual step of having it read out loud before holding the vote. Were not done, Minority Leader Peter Grimm, D-Troy, said after the vote. He promised a new resolution would be introduced for the Legislatures August meeting. Grimm was joined by legislators Cindy Doran, D-Troy, and Mark Fleming, D-Troy, in proposing the original and the replacement measures. Fellow Troy Democrats Carole Weaver, Bob Burns and Erin Sullivan-Teta had withdrawn their support and voted with the 13-member Republican majority to defeat the resolutions. Its a very good resolution. It reflects whats going on in our society, Doran said about the redrafted resolution in which the language had been changed. The resolution was changed after the Democrats had heard from police and members of the community. The rewritten resolution took continuing structural and systemic racism that is evident in law enforcement and the justice system in the first version and replaced it with continuing structural and systemic racism that plague our communities. Also removed was a phrase that stated the Legislature is outraged by these injustices in law enforcement that unfairly target Black people and all people of color to be replaced with the Legislature cannot ignore these injustices that have unfairly targeted Black people and other people of color. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Legislator Charles Peter, R-Schodack, said he would introduce a resolution in August that would support many of the issues in the Democrats resolution but without the comments regarding police and certain political stances. Peter said the idea was good but the method employed to present was not. Tuesday morning, Sheriff Patrick Russo, a Republican, was surrounded by police chiefs at the Rensselaer County Jail to denounce the original resolution. Outside the entrance to the Legislature chambers, about 35 people held a silent vigil holding Black Lives Matter signs in support of the three Democrats resolution. They then briefly broke into a chant of Black Lives Matter at one point. The resolution was inspired in part by the Troy Rally for Black Lives that drew an estimated 11,000 people to downtown on June 7. During the meeting, the county legislators unanimously approved two resolutions, one coming from the Republicans, the other from the Democrats, praising police for their handling of the demonstration. Health Secretary Matt Hancock today admitted he is 'worried' about the long term health impacts plaguing coronavirus survivors. Thousands of Covid-19 'long-haulers' have suffered chronic tiredness, breathlessness and heart problems for months after beating the disease. Doctors have identified more serious symptoms in a smaller proportion of people, including delusions, strokes, insomnia, kidney disease and mobility issues. Mr Hancock told Sky News today that the growing number of patients who have yet to completely recover after shaking the viral disease worried him. He said: 'I am concerned there's increasing evidence a minority of people but a significant minority have long-term impacts and it can be quite debilitating. 'It is something that I'm worried about, we've taken action on, both through the NHS and through the research activities.' Most coronavirus patients will recover within a fortnight, suffering a fever, cough and losing their sense of smell or taste for several days. However, evidence is beginning to show that the tell-tale symptoms of the virus can persist for weeks on end in 'long haulers' the term for patients plagued by lasting complications. British scientists have already launched an investigation into the long-term impacts of Covid-19, which the Government has pumped almost 10million into. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted he is 'worried' about the long term health impacts plaguing coronavirus survivors Talya, 27, said the shortness of breath she has experienced since having Covid-19 in April feels like a 'concrete slab on her chest' Mr Hancock added: 'It's one of the consequences of this being a novel virus. We're constantly learning about the impact of it. 'It does appear that for some people there's a pretty debilitating long-term impact, quite similar to a post-viral fatigue syndrome that you do get with many viruses. ARE THERE LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19? Most coronavirus patients will recover within a fortnight, suffering a fever, cough and losing their sense of smell or taste for several days. However, evidence is beginning to show that the tell-tale symptoms of the virus can persist for weeks on end in 'long haulers' the term for patients plagued by lasting complications. Data from the COVID Symptom Study app, by King's College London and health company Zoe, suggests one in ten people may still have symptoms after three weeks, and some may suffer for months. Long term symptoms include: Chronic tiredness Breathlessness Raised heart rate Delusions Strokes Insomnia Loss of taste/smell Kidney disease Mobility issues Headaches Muscle pains Fevers For those with more severe disease, Italian researchers who tracked 143 people who had been hospitalised with the disease found almost 90 per cent still had symptoms including fatigue two months after first falling unwell. The most common complaints were fatigue, a shortness of breath and joint pain - all of which were reported during their battle with the illness. Another study in Italy showed one in ten people who lose their sense of taste and smell with the coronavirus - now recognised as a key sign of the infection - may not get it back within a month. The study, published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, involved 187 Italians who had the virus but who were not ill enough to be admitted to hospital. The UK's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has said the longer term impacts of Covid-19 on health 'may be significant'. Support groups such as Long Covid have popped up online for those who 'have suspected Covid-19 and your experience doesn't follow the textbook symptoms or recovery time'. Advertisement 'It's really important we support people who are in that situation and, also, that we do the research to find out what we can do about it.' Data from a Covid Symptom Study app, by King's College London and health company Zoe which has been used by more than 4million Brits, suggests one in ten people may still have symptoms after three weeks, and some may suffer for months. For those with more severe disease, almost 90 per cent still had symptoms including fatigue two months after first falling unwell, according to an Italian study. The most common complaints were fatigue, a shortness of breath and joint pain all of which were reported during their battle with the illness. Another study in Italy showed one in ten people who lose their sense of taste and smell with the coronavirus now recognised as a key sign of the infection may not get it back within a month. The study, published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, involved 187 Italians who had the virus but who were not ill enough to be admitted to hospital. England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has said the longer term impacts of Covid-19 on health 'may be significant'. Support groups such as Long Covid have popped up online for those who 'have suspected Covid-19 and your experience doesn't follow the textbook symptoms or recovery time'. Mr Hancock said the hardest part about responding to the global pandemic had been knowing so little about the virus. He said: 'The decisions have been extraordinary and very large, the issues that you balance are very, very significant on both sides. 'The hardest part has been, without doubt, the fact that, as we've learnt more, so we've had to change policy and then you have to come on and explain why your policy is different today to yesterday. The truth is, because we're constantly learning.' He pointed to how scientists had previously thought asymptomatic patients could not spread the disease, which turned out to be false. 'Before this coronavirus there were six previous coronaviruses and none of them had asymptomatic transmission,' Mr Hancock said. 'So, understandably, the advice at the start was this one won't either. 'But it does, and it's one of the hardest things to deal with because it's hard enough stopping a virus when people with symptoms have got it - but when people without symptoms are passing it on it makes it just so much harder. 'The whole world is struggling with this problem.' How Covid-19 causes lasting damage: Three survivors in their 20s reveal they STILL suffer fatigue, racing hearts and breathlessness MONTHS after they were first sick By Vanessa Chalmers, Health Reporter Three coronavirus survivors in their twenties have revealed how they all still suffer from persistent fatigue, breathlessness and heart problems even though it has been months since they were first diagnosed with the vicious disease. In eye-opening accounts that prove Covid-19 is not just an illness that goes quietly and causes lasting damage, one 27-year-old woman who fought off the disease told how it constantly feels like there is a 'slab of concrete on my chest'. Another 21-year-old victim admitted she feels 'like a fraud' because her GP is baffled by her persistent shortness of breath, which occurs even when she sits still. And the third survivor who believes he was struck down in January is frustrated because there is not much he can do to tackle his heart rate, which has mysteriously sped up since his battle with suspected coronavirus. All of the victims now say the public must move away from the incorrect notion that 'if you are not dead you are fine', revealing their lives have been turned upside down by the virus, despite being fit and healthy. Affected patients have told how they struggle to complete everyday tasks, such as emptying the dishwasher, without feeling extremely tired and being left with a racing heart. Talya, 27 - 'It feels like there is a slab of concrete on my chest' Talya was a fit and healthy dancer who exercised regularly and cycled to work before she was struck with the coronavirus on April 1. 'In March I went on a trip to Australia and New Zealand, and 13 days after (Wednesday April 1), my symptoms started,' she told MailOnline. 'I had a sore throat and fever and quickly progressed into becoming short of breath. Even when resting it felt like I'd just done a 10km run. It was really hard to fill my lungs.' The 27-year-old spent the next five weeks on bed rest and was sent an ambulance on two occasions because her breathing deteriorated so quickly. The second time Talya, from south west London, was rushed to hospital, doctors suspected she had pneumonia and a pulmonary embolism a potentially life-threatening blood clot in her lungs. She said: 'I was referred to a post-coronavirus clinic where a CT scan showed a lump in my right breast and a nodule near my heart. Talya said: 'I was in the low risk category and should have "bounced" back by now' During her illness, Talya spent the next five weeks on bed rest and was sent an ambulance on two occasions because her breathing deteriorated so quickly 'Fortunately these don't look to be anything sinister and could just be scar tissue from the virus.' Three months on and Talya is still suffering symptoms, such as difficulty breathing which feels like 'there is a slab of concrete' on her chest. She said: 'This morning I woke up with pain in my ribs, chest and back and I am still having issues with my breathing. It like there is a slab of concrete on my chest. 'I was in the low risk category and should have "bounced" back by now. The unknown is terrifying. 'The current treatment is painkillers, rest and vitamins. If you're really lucky you are given an inhaler. 'Some days I am in so much pain that I can feel every bone, muscle and organ in my body. 'Many patients who are suffering with longer term effects of Covid-19 have no validation that their experience is a recognised condition. We have to move away from the notion that if you are not dead you are fine.' Talya was never given a coronavirus swab test at the height of her illness, and an antibody test came back negative. However, there is a uncertainty around how long antibodies remain in the blood for. And not all people who have had Covid-19 develop antibodies, scientists say, using another line of the immune system's defense first. Jessica, 21 - 'I feel like a fraud because my GP doesn't recognise my symptoms' Jessica first came down with the coronavirus symptoms after spending time with her friend, who also later developed the tell-tale signs. MORE THAN HALF OF COVID-19 PATIENTS HAVE HEART ABNORMALITIES Coronavirus patients can suffer irreversible heart damage as a result of their battle with the disease, a study of hospital patients has found. More than half of infected patients who had heart scans while in hospital with Covid-19 showed abnormal changes to their organ. One in eight had signs of 'severe dysfunction' in their heart and doctors couldn't find any other explanation except the coronavirus. In the UK around one in four people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 die of it but even survivors may be left with long-term illness, this research suggests. The study, done by the British Heart Foundation, adds to concerns that coronavirus can cause widespread damage to the vital organs and leaves some 'long-haulers' with health problems that will last for months and even years after the infection. Advertisement The 21-year-old, who didn't want to reveal her full name, self-isolated at her parents' home in Bath for two weeks with a temperature which she says she still has. Jessica, who is set to graduate from university this summer, told MailOnline: 'My cough went away the same day it began, and didn't return. 'After about a week of feeling unwell I started to develop chest pain and periods of severe shortness of breath, and after about three weeks I was sent to the hospital briefly because of an unusually high heart rate. 'It was suggested at that point that I had had coronavirus, and that it had inflamed my heart and that I had pericarditis post-infection.' Pericarditis - inflammation of the outer layers of the heart - causes chest pain and a high temperature. Pericarditis can be attributed to several factors, including viral infections. Jessica, who studies in London, said: 'After multiple check-ins with my doctor, I got some more blood tests last week which revealed that I am negative for antibodies, and that I have had glandular fever in the past. 'It has been suggested I was already suffering with post viral fatigue from glandular fever, and that I then came down with coronavirus and that it has dragged on because of that, but that's the frustrating thing we have no idea.' 'It does feel like "another day another symptom". I have had a temperature throughout but also shortness of breath (even while sitting still, but always after any amount of exercise), chest pain, stomach pain, muscle aches, shivers, sweats, headaches, and slight trouble with taste and smell. 'Generally at the moment though the featured symptom is extreme fatigue all the time, with any amount of effort or energy. 'If I do anything empty the dishwasher, go on a dog walk, talk to a friend over Zoom, even watch a film my temperature goes up and I need to sit down quietly without doing anything.' Jessica admitted she feels 'like a fraud' because all of her symptoms are met with bewilderment by her GP. Jack Lawrence, 21 - 'I can just about do my university work' Jack Lawrence was first struck down by suspected coronavirus January 20 weeks before the virus was first detected with testing in the UK. Mr Lawrence said: 'The best way I'd describe coronavirus is it's like a normal virus but the symptoms and pain keeps doubling or tripling' UK LAUNCHES STUDY OF COVID-19'S LONG-TERM EFFECTS Scientists in the UK will investigate the long-term effects of Covid-19 in a scientific study which launches this month. The Department of Health has announced that up to 10,000 people will be involved in a study to look at how people who catch the coronavirus fare long-term. Growing evidence suggests that even people who only get mildly sick may suffer long-lasting health effects including lung damage. The UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has warned that Covid-19 patients could be left with 'extreme tiredness and shortness of breath for several months'. The study, led by researchers and doctors in Leicester, will look at how people's mental health is affected by illness and whether factors like sex or ethnicity affect how well someone recovers from Covid-19. Patients in the study, which will receive 8.4million in funding, will have medical scans, blood tests and lung samples so experts can look at how they are affected. It comes as the NHS has announced it's launched a long-term recovery service called 'Your Covid Recovery', which will offer online advice to the public and more specialised physio and mental health support to some patients from this summer. Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: 'As well as the immediate health impacts of the virus it is also important to look at the longer-term impacts on health, which may be significant. 'We have rightly focused on mortality, and what the UK can do straight away to protect lives, but we should also look at how Covid-19 impacts on the health of people after they have recovered from the immediate disease.' Advertisement The 21-year-old said: 'I thought it was a normal virus at first but it soon became the worst. It started with the tiniest cough. But I developed aches, pains, was flat out, had a sore throat that was agony and temperatures as high as 39C (102.2F). 'It peaked after four days and then I thought I had recovered within a week.' But on February 9, while at his home of Watford, the film student at Northampton University was rushed to A&E by his mother after he became breathless. He hadn't experienced shortness of breath in the first week of his symptoms, which doctors believe only develops later. Mr Lawrence had previously suffered a collapsed lung in 2017 as a result of a sudden and rare separate condition. He had surgery to fix it and hasn't had problems since. But because of his medical history, he was quickly seen by doctors for tests on his lungs. He said: 'They were looking for signs it had returned but found nothing. They said I had the back end of the virus. 'I think at the time it was a fair assumption considering to their knowledge they didn't know anything. I was pleased with that and that the X-ray was clear.' Mr Lawrence was told he would recover but has not, despite it being four months since he was first struck down by the life-threatening disease. He is still being seen regularly at the Harefield Hospital in Hillingdon, which specialises in respiratory and heart conditions. And Mr Lawrence is set to have an echocardiogram a scan to look at the heart and nearby blood vessels for any abnormalities. According to research by the British Heart Foundation, coronavirus patients can suffer irreversible heart damage as a result of their battle with the disease. A a study of hospital patients found more than half of infected patients who had heart scans showed abnormal changes to their organ, and one in eight had signs of 'severe dysfunction'. Doctors say they couldn't find any other explanation except the coronavirus. Similarly, Mr Lawrence says tests so far have come back inconclusive for any other cause of his high heart rate and other symptoms. He said: 'Each day I'm consistently very breathless and my heart rate is very fast, however the level of symptoms changes daily.' Mr Lawrence added: 'The best way I'd describe coronavirus is it's like a normal virus but the symptoms and pain keeps doubling or tripling. 'I can just about do my university work. I remember an assessment day at uni on February 24. I was so ill, I can't describe. It was beyond the point of tiredness. 'I've been given a steroid inhaler. It doesn't really do anything. I take multi vitamins and cut out processed food to counteract any inflammation. But there is not much I can do.' By Ernest Scheyder July 15 (Reuters) - U.S. rare earths miner MP Materials will go public in a $1.47 billion deal by merging with a private-equity backed blank-check company, underscoring Wall Street's rising interest in efforts to boost U.S. production of the strategic minerals. The listing on the New York Stock Exchange would be the first for a U.S. rare earths company since Molycorp went public a decade ago. Molycorp filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and MP Materials bought California's Mountain Pass mine and other Molycorp asset in 2017. The deal, announced on Wednesday, comes as President Donald Trump and other U.S. politicians push to resume domestic production and processing of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals used to build weapons and electronics. China, which owns about 10% of MP, is the world's largest producer of these minerals. Hedge funds JHL Capital Group and QVT Financial will fold their ownership of MP into the special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Fortress Value Acquisition Corp , shares of which gained as much as 20% in Wednesday trading. Fortress is controlled by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. SPACs have been behind some recent high-profile public listings, including electric car maker Fisker, which announced its plans earlier this week. MP will net about $489 million from the deal and a separate stock offering with three other investors. It plans to use the funds to upgrade outdated and mothballed Molycorp-era processing equipment in California. MP had planned to process 5,000 tonnes per year of the two most common rare earth metals by the end of 2020, though the goal is now by 2022, the company said on Wednesday. MP is by far the most advanced player in the U.S. rare earths industry, given no rival project has even broken ground. But the company has to ship more than 50,000 tonnes of concentrated rare earths per year to China for final processing because its California equipment is not operational. Chinese customers account for all of MP's $100 million in annual revenue. MP relied on Chinese expertise to resume operations at its California site after buying it in 2017, according to Jim Litinsky, the company's co-chairman. Litinsky will become chief executive of the new company, which will trade under the stock ticker "MP." Retired U.S. General Richard Myers, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will join the company's board. It was not immediately clear if China's Shenghe Resources Holding Co Ltd , which owns about 10% of MP, would participate in the Fortress deal. Shenghe and MP Materials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters reported earlier this year that Shenghe's stake in MP had prompted concern from scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Critical Materials Institute, the focal point of the U.S. government's rare earths research and a facility that typically works closely with private industry. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded funding in late April to MP for a facility to process heavy rare earths, a less-common type of the specialized minerals. But that decision was put on hold a few days later "until further research can be conducted," according to a Pentagon document seen by Reuters. (Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) +1-713-210-8512; Reuters Messaging: ernest.scheyder.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Close to 8pm on Tuesday, two sacked Rajasthan ministers, Ramesh Meena and Vishvendra Singh, denied having engaged in anti-party activities and claimed they only raised issues of concern to the people, the first indication of a softening of their stand by Congress rebels led by former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot. We never went against the party. We had some issues, which we raised at the party forum, but they were not addressed, Meena, who was food and civil supplies minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, said in the video posted on the microblogging site Twitter. Almost at the same time, Singh, who held the tourism portfolio, released a video in which he wondered why the Congress leadership had taken such a harsh decision. I just drew the attention of the party towards failure to implement promises made in the manifestoWe never indulged in any anti-party activity or made any statement against the party, he said. The conciliatory mood was reconfirmed by Pilot, who on Wednesday morning, in separate interviews, said he was not joining the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was still with the Congress. His statement was seen by experts as an attempt to return back to the party-fold considering that the number of MLAs joining the Pilot camp remained unchanged at 22 even three days after the crisis started. Soon after Pilots interviews, Congress general secretary in charge of Rajasthan, Avinash Pande, wrote on Twitter: Partys doors arent closed on Pilot. May God give him good sense and he realizes his mistake. I pray that he gets out of that BJPs trap, he wrote. These conciliatory words were, however, short-lived as Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot lashed out at Pilot on Wednesday in the first direct attack on his former deputy. You are the deputy CM and PCC {Pradesh Congress Committee chief} and you make deals with (BJP) people. You ask for mobile number and names and are involved in a conspiracy and then they give clarification that there was no horse trading. You were part of the conspiracy and what are you clarifying now, Gehlot said to reporters outside Hotel Fairmont in Jaipur. Also read: Baseless, says Congress on reports of Rahul Gandhis purported comment on Sachin Pilot The CM had until Wednesday accused the BJP of trying to destabilise his government by offering up to Rs 20 crore each to Congress legislators. He also said that there was no reason to get upset with the Rajasthan police notice to record a statement by Pilot as it was part of the investigation process. I have also got the notice, Gehlot said. Within an hour of Gehlots interaction with reporters, where close to 100 legislators supporting the Congress government have been staying, Congresss national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala addressed the media and asked Pilot and other MLAs to return to the party fold after admitting their mistake. Sachin Pilot ji and other MLAs have to first come out of Manohar Lal Khattars (Haryana chief ministers) protection and return to their home in Jaipur. Then only their concerns can be addressed, Surjewala said in a reference to the rebels camping in a hotel in Gurugram . Also read: Congress gives Sachin Pilot a to-do list, asks him to prove his intentions Political experts said the Congress was still keen on retaining a senior leader like Pilot in its fold despite what Gehlot said. But these (statements) showed that they were willing to return home. The partys statement on Wednesday morning and in Surjewalas press conference also indicated that Congress was still trying to get them back to its fold, said Avadhesh Akodia, a Jaipur-based political commentator. Prakash Bhandari, another Jaipur-based political analyst, said Wednesdays remarks by Gehlot were the harshest he had made against Pilot. Gehlot doesnt have the reputation of talking through his hat. If he is saying he has evidence, he sure must be having evidence, he said. Congress leaders said that it was highly unlikely that the party high command will accept Pilots demand for his return to Rajasthan politics. There is a possibility that he may get a position in the central Congress team after some time. But his role now in Rajasthan politics would be very less, a party leader said on condition of anonymity. There has been buzz that at least two Independent MLAs may return to Jaipur and join the Gehlot camp. This had not happened until Wednesday. A minister in the Gehlot cabinet told HT on condition of anonymity that at least six MLAs from the Pilot camp were in touch with the CM and may return soon. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Millions of people faced new coronavirus restrictions Wednesday as infections surged in several parts of the globe, with researchers warning the epidemic in the US is set to get even worse. With signs of a deteriorating US situation, the world's largest retailer Walmart said it would require customers to wear masks at all its stores to help stop the virus spreading. Countries from Spain to Australia have reimposed lockdowns and curbs to contain new outbreaks, as global cases surged past 13.2 million with more than 578,000 deaths reported since the pandemic emerged late last year in China. Tens of thousands of cases are now being reported every day in the United States, which has the world's highest death toll at 136,000, and the authorities are scrambling to roll back reopenings that were meant to revive economies. Hong Kong was one of the places where restrictions are being reintroduced to halt a spike in cases. By Anthony WALLACE (AFP) Researchers said the latest models show the number of US fatalities in the US projected to rise to over 150,000 by next month, according to figures published on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But one of the research groups said near-universal wearing of facemasks could save 40,000 lives between now and November. The use of facemasks to slow the spread of the virus has become a political flashpoint in some countries, especially in the United States where President Donald Trump had resisted wearing one until recently and at times mocked the trend. Walmart said it will require shoppers to wear facemasks starting July 20, joining a growing group of US businesses in mandating the protection as coronavirus cases have spiked. "While we're certainly not the first business to require face coverings, we know this is a simple step everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities," Walmart's US Chief Operating Officer Dacona Smith said. The company has more than 5,300 Walmart and Sam's Club stores in the United States and is a giant presence in many of the southern and western states that have seen increases in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks. Graphic looking at countries with the highest coronavirus death tolls, and their respective death rates.. By John SAEKI (AFP) Despite the grim forecasts, American biotech firm Moderna said it would start the final stage of human trials for its vaccine candidate on July 27, after promising results from earlier testing. Moderna is considered to be in a leading position in the global race to find a vaccine, and while its study should run until October 2022, preliminary results should be available long before then. - Deadly threat - Parts of the Asia-Pacific region, which had been somewhat successful in fighting the pandemic, provided fresh evidence of the deadly threat still posed by the virus. Hong Kong's bars, gyms, and beauty salons closed again Wednesday and a ban on gatherings of more than four people came into force as the city battled a fresh outbreak after months of success against the virus. Many countries are opening up but keeping in place strict social distancing measures. By Yasuyoshi CHIBA (AFP) Most of the city's residents voluntarily adopted facemasks as a barrier against the virus when it was first detected in mainland China, but the Hong Kong government now requires passengers on public transport to wear them or risk a US$650 fine. There was alarm in Japan too, where Tokyo's governor warned that the capital was on its highest coronavirus alert level after a spike in infections. That came after the Indian state of Bihar, with a population of around 125 million, announced a 15-day virus lockdown starting Thursday. Thousands packed markets in Bihar's Patna city to stock up before the restrictions begin at midnight. "During the earlier lockdown, we ran out of rice and flour because failed to purchase ahead of lockdown," said Neelam Devi, buying sacks of rice and flour. "This time we decided not to repeat the mistake." - 'Please stop' - Authorities in Australia, meanwhile, pleaded Wednesday with the public to heed social distancing guidelines, with roughly five million people in Melbourne in lockdown since last week in a bid to contain a new outbreak. Hong Kong's bars, gyms, and beauty salons closed again and a ban on gatherings with more than four people came into force. By Anthony WALLACE (AFP) That request came just days after a group was fined Aus$26,000 (US$18,200) when their house party was exposed by an unusually large order of KFC. "A particular concern for us is the ongoing parties and gatherings -- people playing poker, people holding parties," said Rick Nugent, acting assistant commissioner of Victoria state. "Please stop." With no vaccine or effective treatment widely available, experts have advised lockdowns and social distancing measures in some form to prevent the deadly pandemic from gaining even more momentum. Face masks will also become compulsory in England's shops and supermarkets from next week, while South Africa reimposed a nationwide curfew to prevent a "coronavirus storm". Disneyland Paris, Europe's biggest private tourist attraction, reopened its gates, but also with limited access, a ban on hugging the famous characters and no princess makeovers. European officials warned EU governments to prepare for a feared second wave of infections coinciding with the winter flu season on the continent that has seen a few spikes in cases since emerging from a peak of the pandemic. "The virus is still with us," EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas said. burs-pma/pvh The U.K. government is to relax planning rules to make the development of large battery storage systems easier. In an announcement Tuesday, authorities said secondary legislation would be introduced to get rid of "barriers for storage projects above 50 MW (megawatts) in England and 350 MW in Wales." In simple terms, the change will be a technical one related to who has the authority to grant permission to a project. At the moment, if a facility is 50 MW or less in England or 350 MW or less in Wales, planning permission is needed from a local planning authority. Larger projects are deemed to be "nationally significant" and need consent from the secretary of state under something called the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, or NSIP, regime. Under the plans, legislation will be introduced to remove electricity storage, excluding pumped hydro, from the NSIP regime in England and Wales. Battery storage is seen as crucial to the U.K.'s energy transition because while sources such as wind and solar are renewable, they fluctuate: the wind does not always blow, and the sun does not always shine. The government explained that while the U.K. was home to the "largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world" the fact that "the availability and speed of wind" was not constant meant energy could "sometimes be produced when it is not needed and then lost." It added that 1 gigawatt (GW) of battery storage was currently in operation, with 4 GW of projects being planned. "How we operate Great Britain's grid is changing, with record levels of renewable sources generating our power," Kayte O'Neill, head of markets at electricity system operator National Grid ESO, said in a statement. "Storage can help us make the most of this green energy, using it to manage peaks and troughs in demand and operate the electricity system as efficiently as possible keeping costs down for consumers too," she added. The plans were also welcomed by the trade association RenewableUK. Rebecca Williams, its director of policy and regulation, said it was "glad" the government had, "listened to industry and will now allow local planning authorities to determine battery projects of 50 MW and above rather than the Secretary of State which can be a longer and more expensive process." "This scale of battery is becoming the new norm," Williams added. "Today's announcement will stimulate investment in the energy system we need to reach net zero as fast and as cheaply as possible." The battery storage news comes in the same week that construction on Viking Link, a major energy infrastructure project, began. On Monday, National Grid said that work on a 2.4 kilometer access road to a converter station site in Bicker Fen, Lincolnshire, had started. The Viking Link Interconnector project is a subsea, high-voltage direct-current link between Denmark and the U.K. that will be 765 kilometers long once completed. The 2 billion euro ($2.29 billion) scheme, which will enable the two countries to share clean energy, is a joint venture between National Grid Ventures and Denmark's Energinet. Siemens Energy is undertaking construction work on the project's converter stations. The cable is slated for completion at the end of 2023. While the health risks associated with diabetes - including heart attacks and strokes - are well established, these risks could be present well before someone is even diagnosed with the condition, according to new research by The George Institute for Global Health published in the British Medical Journal. The study found that prediabetes, defined by having higher than normal blood glucose levels but not enough to be classified as having diabetes, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Lead author Professor Yuli Huang, Honorary Fellow, Food Policy, at The George Institute for Global Health says the study showed there was a significant opportunity to prevent CVD by identifying and treating people earlier. "The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes is rising rapidly in epidemic proportions, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection and proper treatment can have enormous benefits, but left unaddressed, the life-long complications and health impacts can be devastating," he said. Researchers from The George Institute and Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, China analysed 129 studies involving over 10 million people - the majority being from Europe, Asia and North America - who had prediabetes with and without existing CVD. They looked at whether prediabetes was linked to higher rates of death and cardiovascular disease in people with and without a history of CVD and whether the criteria used to define prediabetes made a difference. They found that compared with people who had normal blood glucose levels, those with prediabetes according to American Diabetes Association or World Health Organization criteria were at increased risk of CVD and more likely to die from any cause. Different definitions of prediabetes were associated with a similar outlook in patients who already had a history of CVD. Professor Huang explained that prediabetes was controversial, and the term has been much debated. "Some argue that describing people as having prediabetes creates more problems than benefits in terms of prevention and treatment and would put an unsustainable burden on health-care systems," he said. "But considering the high prevalence of prediabetes, as well as its strong link to health risks seen in our study, successful intervention in this large population could have a major public health impact." The prevalence of prediabetes is increasing worldwide. It is estimated that more than 470 million people will have prediabetes by 2030 and according to an American Diabetes Association up to 70 percent of these will go on to develop diabetes. "What is especially concerning is the many millions of people who are unaware they have either condition and don't act early enough," says Professor Huang. "Early detection and proper treatment can have enormous benefits, but left unaddressed, the life-long complications and health impacts can be devastating," he says. The researchers hope the results of this study will turn prediabetes from a controversial term into a useful trigger for preventive care that will help address an escalating global health burden. ### Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has appointed Claviger, the regions leading sales representation organisation, to promote Dubai as a destination and increase arrivals from across the GCC and Egypt. Claviger will leverage its in-market presence across the GCC and Egypt to promote Dubai as a prime destination for leisure travellers. Its dedicated sales force of market experts will highlight the Dubai calendar of events and tourism and hospitality attractions that the destination has to offer. Appointing Claviger will give DTCM access to an extensive network of travel industry professionals as it targets increased tourist numbers from Saudi Arabia (KSA), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt. DTCM will also call on the company's expertise to further develop Dubai as an important brand and destination of choice for GCC and Egypt holidaymakers. KSA is one of the GCC's highest traffic generators for Dubai, with 1.56 million Saudis visiting the city in 2019. As the second highest volume driver for the GCC, Oman secures fourth spot in 2019 with a sharp 24.3 per cent spike to deliver over a million visitors. While Egypt remains in the top 20, with 314,000 visitors all demonstrating potential to positively impact tourism traffic in 2020. Speaking about the representation agreement, Hoor AlKhaja, Acting Associate Vice President for International Operations at DTCM, said: Dubai remains amongst the most preferred destinations for tourists from the region. Appointing Claviger is part of Dubai Tourism's commitment to its source markets and our ongoing strategy to attract even more visitors from GCC and Egypt to Dubai, year-on-year." "Over the years, Claviger has built up a strong reputation as one of the leading luxury hospitality sales and marketing consultancy firms operating in the Middle East. The company has proven expert knowledge and insight into this dynamic market and its travelers, as well as how to spot and adapt to new and emerging consumer trends." - TradeArabia News Service The Minority in Parliament has asked government to desist from what it terms needless borrowing from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). Successive governments have over the years either borrowed directly from GNPC or externally on the Corporations books. Currently, the government owes GNPC over $300 million. Speaking to Citi News after the approval of $500 million for the 2020 work plan for the GNPC in Parliament, Deputy Ranking Member for the Committee on Mines and Energy, Dela Sowah said GNPC must not be treated as a financial institution where the government keeps borrowing from. The government owes GNPC over $300 million. They [GNPC] need $500 million to finance their activities for the year 2020. The government owes them over $300 million which is equivalent to 66% of GNPCs estimated budget so if you look at it, it doesnt make sense. Why is it that the government owes them so much and yet they need money to do their own activities and they dont have, the MP said. This is not the first time the Minority in Parliament has raised such concerns. The Minority spokesperson on Energy, Adam Mutawakilu last year said the government has borrowed as much as $289million since 2017. He called for an immediate stop to the practice. We had the opportunity to meet GNPC and its quite worrying. Between 2017 up to September 2019, the government has borrowed from GNPC to the tune of $289million for the various agencies. Government has taken money from GNPC for BOST, the government is using GNPC like their side-pockets. Anytime they have challenges they just go in and pick money, this must stop. Borrowing $289million within three years, Adam Mutawakilu asked? ---citinewsroom 10:11 | Lima, Jul. 15. "Clearly, copper is in increasing demand at this time due to China's growth and the current crisis in Chile, which is the main copper producer ," he explained. The copper price per pound averaged US$2.82 in the beginning of 2020, it then fell to US$2.10 on March 23, and now the price exceeds US$2.93, driven by higher demand, according to international statistics. "In the case of gold, it (its higher price) is explained by the volatility and uncertainty that the world faces today," he said. Production recovery Gobitz reported that Peruvian mining companies' camps have been affected differently by the containment measures aimed at fighting the pandemic, but their production levels are showing a gradual recovery with the health protocols "We are going to see a recovery in copper and gold production this year, but we have to be careful in order to have a healthy industry," he added. The Pentagon announced on Tuesday (local time) that the US has withdrawn from five bases in and reduced the size of its forces there as part of the agreement it entered into with the earlier this year. "July 13, 2020 marks 135 days since the signing of the U.S.- Agreement on February 29, 2020. As stipulated in the agreement, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in to 8,600 and withdraw from five bases. US forces in remain in the mid-8,000s and five bases formerly occupied by US forces have been transferred to our Afghan partners," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. "US military presence in Afghanistan remains focused on capabilities -- not numbers. We maintain the capabilities and authorities necessary to protect ourselves, our Allies and partners, and US national interests," Hoffman said. The statement makes no mention of the Taliban's continued links to al Qaeda, something referenced in a Defense Department report earlier this month. "We will continue to execute our counterterrorism mission while simultaneously supporting the 38-nation NATO Resolute Support Train, Advise, Assist mission and Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) as they work to secure peace in the country," it read. "The United States honors its obligations. All sides should reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan," it said further. In late February, the US and the signed a historic agreement, setting into motion the possibility of ending America's long involvement in the war, which has stretched nearly two decades. The "Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan" outlined a series of commitments from the US and the Taliban related to troop levels, counterterrorism and the intra-Afghan dialogue aimed at bringing about "a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire." As per CNN reports, the agreement laid out a 14-month timetable for the withdrawal of US military forces, its allies and coalition partners. The media reported in May that data provided to the Pentagon's special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction showed that in the month following the signing of the peace deal, the Taliban increased their attacks on America's Afghan allies to levels higher than usual. The US-led military operation in Afghanistan told the inspector general that from March 1 to March 31, "the Taliban refrained from attacks against Coalition Forces; however they increased attacks against (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) to levels above seasonal norms. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the manufacture and delivery of Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS). "This is a major milestone for the MQ-9B system and the Protector Program," said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. "We look forward to delivering this new generation of MQ-9 to the Royal Air Force (RAF)." GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian is the baseline system that will become the Protector RG Mk1 when configured for the RAF. This configuration includes X-band satellite communications (SATCOM) and UK weapon systems. The contract covers a total of 16 aircraft (initial order of three platforms with an option for an additional 13) and seven Ground Control Stations (GCS), together with associated ground support equipment. The first system will be delivered in 2021, though it will remain in the U.S. to be utilized in the test and evaluation program. "Protector will be deployed in wide-ranging Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations where its ability to fly consistently for up to 40 hours will offer a vastly improved ISTAR capability. Given that it is designed to fly in non-segregated, civil airspace, the Protector RPAS will also be able to support multiple civilian missions, including search and rescue and disaster response missions," said Group Captain Shaun Gee, the RAF's Director Air ISTAR Programmes. GA-ASI's development of MQ-9B began in 2014 as a company-funded program to deliver an RPA that meets the stringent STANAG-4671 UAV System Airworthiness Requirements, which provide the basis for type certification by NATO member-state military airworthiness authorities. The MQ-9B is provisioned for the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid System (DAAS) and is built for adverse weather performance with lightning protection, damage tolerance, and de-icing system. It features rapid integration of new payloads with nine hard points. The aircraft can "self-deploy" using SATCOM-enabled Automatic Takeoff and Landing, which eliminates forward-based launch-and-recovery equipment and personnel. In addition to the SkyGuardian, MQ-9B is also available as the SeaGuardian for maritime missions. The MQ-9B has also been selected by the Australian Defence Force and received considerable interest from civil and military customers around the world. The Government of Belgium has also approved Belgian Defense to negotiate the acquisition of MQ-9B. Hi-resolution images of the Protector RG Mk1 are available to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact list. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator RPA series and the Lynx Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com. SkyGuardian, Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. GA-ASI Media Relations General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. +1 (858) 524-8101 [email protected] SOURCE General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. By Ayya Lmahamad Turkey has condemned Armenia's recent cross-border provocation that killed Azerbaijani servicemen and a civilian. We strongly condemn the attack carried out by Armenia in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on July 14. Head of the Turkish Defense Ministry Hulusi Akar stated full support for Azerbaijan in countering provocations of the Armenian side on the state border of the two countries. "We resolutely condemn the attacks of the Armenian side in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan. We express our condolences to the relatives and friends of Azerbaijani soldiers who died in the prevention of attacks," the Turkish minister said. Moreover, he stated that Turkish Defense Ministry will continue to provide all possible assistance and support to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces against Armenia, which for many years has been pursuing a policy of aggression, illegally occupying Azerbaijani lands. We will be by the side of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, supporting our brothers in accordance with the principle of one nation, two states, Akar said. Moreover, earlier on July 13, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, during the phone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, stated that Azerbaijans position is based on the principles of international law and resolutions, noting that Turkey has always supported Azerbaijan. In an interview with a Turkish TV channel, Cavusoglu said Armenias provocation on the border was unacceptable. "Armenia must give an account of its actions. Turkey and Turkish people are beside to Azerbaijan by all means," the Turkish minister stressed. He urged Yerevan to come to its sences. "Armenia is trying to distract the attention of the world community from the fact of occupation of Azerbaijani lands and create new zones of tension," Cavusoglu said. He recalled that to date Armenia has not agreed to any of the peaceful settlement plans of the Armenian- Azerbaijani Nagorno- Karabakh conflict. Additionally, he stressed that Turkey is ready to provide all possible assistance in protecting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. "Whatever the choice of Azerbaijan in the settlement of the situation in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas will be, Turkey will support this decision," the minister said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz When Neil Gorsuch joined the Supreme Court in 2017, he instantly became the most irritating justice on the court. His opinions swelled with purple prose that was both pretentious and faux folksy. His votes were not just conservative but aggressively reactionary, reflecting overt disdain for progressive precedent. He picked pointless fights with his colleagues, lecturing them about his superior understanding of the law while flaunting his putative purism. Gorsuch obviously saw himself as the second coming of Justice Antonin Scalia, the legal titan whose seat he filled. But Gorsuch had all of Scalias self-regard and trollish condescension with none of the wit, lucidity, or erudition that made the conservative icon so beloved. The junior justice wanted to be exalted. In truth, he was just exasperating. Advertisement If Gorsuch remains exasperating today, at least give him this: He is exasperating all the right people. In just over three years, Gorsuch has transformed into one of the Supreme Courts most unpredictable justices. He has swung left on LGBTQ equality, criminal justice, executive power, and tribal rights, confounding Republicans who hoped hed toe the GOP party line. His opinions have grown less pompous and more pointed, trading aw-shucks smarm for forceful analysis. Chief Justice John Roberts may be the courts swing vote. But Gorsuch has become its wild card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorsuch first defected from the conservative bloc in the 2018 decision Sessions v. Dimaya, joining the liberals to hold that a deportation statute was unconstitutionally vague. In his separate concurrence, the justice wrote that judges have a duty to nullify laws that fail to give ordinary people fair notice of the conduct they punish. Vague laws, Gorsuch intoned, invite arbitrary power, allowing police and prosecutors to enforce their own subjective sense of whats forbidden. In the 2019 case United States v. Davis, he joined the liberals to invalidate yet another vague statute, this time penning the majority opinion. In our constitutional order, Gorsuch declared this time around, a vague law is no law at all. His opinion led Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in dissent, to accuse his colleague of driving the court off the constitutional cliff. Advertisement Advertisement It turns out Gorsuchs left-leaning criminal law decisions were just a warm-up act for the two blockbusters he handed down in 2020. In the first of these, Bostock v. Clayton County, Gorsuch found that the Civil Rights Acts bar on sex discrimination in the workplace protects LGBTQ people. Or, as his put it succinctly: An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law, because it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex. Gorsuch swatted down the dissenters argument that the Civil Rights Act could not possibly protect LGBTQ employees because Congress did not contemplate such individuals when it passed the law in 1964. Advertisement Advertisement Judges, Gorsuch retorted, are not free to overlook plain statutory commands on the strength of nothing more than suppositions about intentions or guesswork about expectations. His logic will ensure that these landmark federal protections extend far beyond employment, to LGBTQ people in housing, health care, education, and more. Advertisement Advertisement In his second blockbuster opinion of the term, McGirt v. Oklahoma, Gorsuch declared that a vast swath of Oklahoma, including most of Tulsa, is a Creek Indian Reservation, at least for the purposes of federal criminal law. (The four liberals joined him, while his fellow conservatives dissented.) He reached this conclusion by doing something that the Supreme Court has long resisted: holding Congress to the promises it made to Indian tribes long ago. After forcibly relocating the Creeks to Oklahoma, Congress guaranteed this swath of land to the tribe in perpetuity. It has long ignored that guaranteebut, the justice explained, has never formally withdrawn it, and so the courts must honor it. Advertisement Advertisement On the far end of the Trail of Tears was a promise, Gorsuch wrote, one the court cannot ignore today. To hold otherwise, he concluded, would be to elevate the most brazen and longstanding injustices over the law, both rewarding wrong and failing those in the right. (As this passage indicates, Gorsuchs writing has improved dramatically since those bleak early days when he couldnt stop blathering about Chesterton.) Advertisement Advertisement Anarchy is not Gorsuchs guiding principle. Or at least, its not the only one. At first blush, this string of cases might appear unconnected, rendering Gorsuchs swing votes somewhat random. And it can seem as if the justice simply courts chaos, a trait that does not fall along the usual ideological spectrum. In one resoundingly liberal opinion, for instance, he suggested that the entire system of supervised releasethe federal version of paroleis unconstitutional. In a very different arch-conservative dissent, he implied the many, if not most, federal regulations are illegal. When Gorsuch wrote the opinion requiring unanimous jury verdicts in state courtsanother progressive triumphhe acknowledged that his decision would upset thousands of convictions. His response: So what? Sure, the decision might prompt a tsunami of litigation. But that repercussion is outweighed by the interest we all share in the preservation of our constitutionally promised liberties. The liberal Justice Elena Kagan dissented. Advertisement Advertisement Anarchy, however, is not Gorsuchs guiding principle. Or at least, its not the only one. Instead, the justice has followed the theories of textualism and originalism to new extremes. (Textualism means looking primarily at a statutes plain text; originalism means looking at the Constitutions original meaning.) Scalia touted both theories, too. But he tempered them with a philosophy of judicial restraint, the notion that unelected judges should generally defer to the democratic branches. The late justice came of age when the ostensible activism of Chief Justice Earl Warren, as well as Roe v. Wade, persuaded conservatives that courts should exercise less power overall. Advertisement Gorsuch came up in a much different milieu. Many conservative attorneys of his generation abandoned judicial restraint, scorning its timidity. They argued that decisions like Roe were wrong not because they intruded upon the democratic process, but because they strayed from the text and original meaning of the Constitution. To right the ship, judges should strive not for minimalism, but for absolute fidelity to the law, wherever it takes them. This approach empowered conservative judges to issue right-wing decisions just as sweeping and disruptive as any of Earl Warrens. Advertisement It also requires an immense amount of confidence. And no one would ever accuse Gorsuch of writing with humility. He dismisses opposing arguments with a flick of the wrist, frequently insinuating that they are too dumb to merit a rejoinder. He expounds the original meaning of the Constitution with the brash certitude of a man just back from a seance with James Madison. He interprets ambiguous statutory language like a prophet elucidating sacred texts. Gorsuch does not vacillate. If he has ever felt uncertain about a ruling, he hides it well. When he tacks far to the right, this approach can be infuriating for progressives. When he slides left, it is exhilarating. In his Bostock opinion, Gorsuch exhibited no doubt that a law passed in 1964 could protect LGBTQ employees, sending Justice Samuel Alito into a self-defeating rage spiral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Alitoa fellow member of the conservative blochas emerged as Gorsuchs harshest critic on the court. He flings surprisingly personal insults, deriding Gorsuchs opinions as arrogant, dangerous, revolutionary, evasive, inexcusable, and sullied by ad hominem rhetoric that contributes to the worst current trends of rational and civil discourse. Alito seems to take personal offense at Gorsuchs defections to the left, treating them as a betrayal by the chosen one. The liberal justices, by contrast, welcome Gorsuch into the fold with open arms any time he crosses over. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the senior-most justice, assigns the majority opinion in any 54 decision in which Gorsuch joins the liberals. A canny strategist, Ginsburg keeps giving these decisions to Gorsuch. The four liberals appear willing to sign onto almost anything he cranks out as long as it gets them five votes for the right outcome. Advertisement Gorsuch is, in other words, the Supreme Courts true swing vote. Roberts might cross over more frequently, and this term in the more high-profile cases involving abortion and DACA. But when he does so, he merely inches toward the center, crafting narrow compromises that may lead to future conservative rulings. Gorsuch takes big swings. Compromise is not in his nature; he is a proud agitator who revels in upending expectations. When he veers right, he does not hesitate to plunge into the abyss. But when the law leads him to the left, his unflinching decisions can force the courtand the nationto live up to its highest ideals. - Moses McCormick is the founder and CEO of FLR Method - The Ohio native can speak and converse in over 20 languages - McCormick can speak Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Twi, Arabic, and many other languages Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana! Moses McCormick has gained the attention of eyeballs across the world for his special ability to speak over 20 languages. For many, he has become known as the man who walks up to strangers before engaging in a dance as a way to practice his foreign language skills. According to travelnoire.com, McCormick can speak Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Twi, Arabic, and many other languages. YEN.com.gh learnt that he actually converses fluently in these languages. Moses McCormick / Photo credit: Instagram.com Source: Instagram READ ALSO: PHOTO: Smart lady bags pharmaceutical and cosmetic science degree from top university Speaking about his ability to fluently move around with these languages, McCormick told Quartz that its like drugs to him. He said: When I walk up to someone and speak to them, they get really excited. Theres something about that first encounter, thats really addictive, The Ohio native majored in Chinese at Ohio University where he almost tested out of all of his required Chinese classes because of his personal leaning while in high school. YEN.com.gh gathered that in all, Moses has studied, read, and spoken over 50 languages. He boldly speaks over 20. Through his company, FLR Method, together with his love for language and special abilities, Moses assists others to learn foreign languages. READ ALSO: UK born lady moves with her boyfriend to Ghana after he was deported (video) The man of many talents has quite a following with over 200 000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, Laoshu505000. Moses believes that learning a foreign language opens up doors and expands the social networks of people. See video below: YEN.com.gh recently reported that at only eight years old, Mabou Loiseau became a global sensation grabbing attention and making headlines for her rare ability to speak eight languages. The child prodigy can speak English, Creole, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin, American Sign Language, and was learning Japanese. According to blackhistory.com, when Mabou was barely two years old her mother noticed that she was speaking some words in French, but her mom didn't even speak French. READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Homeless man receives complete transformation after kind barber gives him free haircut Faces of Ghana: 21-year-old female boxer's dream of becoming a world champion: Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our page. Source: YEN.com.gh Dick Donahue, retired features editor at Publishers Weekly, died on July 5 at his assisted living residence, the Beth Abraham Center in the Bronx. He was 79. Donahue was born in Boston and attended Boston Latin School and Boston University before moving to the midwest, where he worked in bookstores in Kansas City and Chicago and served as a sales rep for Penguin. He moved to New York City to join his partner, and later husband, Skip Skwarek, a children's book editor and publisher. He joined Publishers Weekly in 1989, working in the children's department, and moved to producing feature stories, particularly PW's columns on LGBTQ publishing and round-ups of movie tie-in titles. He also assisted with "Behind the Bestsellers" and conducted dozens of author interviews. He retired from PW in 2014. Aside from books, Donahue was most passionate about theater and song. His flair for drama was put to great effect in theater productions, light opera, and as a member of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus. Bridget Kinsella, publicist at Stanford University Press, was a close friend. She saw him earlier this year and said that he was still quick to laugh, describing Donahue as "all heart." George Slowik, president and publisher of PWxyz, recalled: "Dick was an iconoclast, possessed of great flair, flourish, and friendship, who seemed to know everybody." Don Weise, former publisher of Alyson Books and current publisher and founder of Querelle Press, offered this reflection: "Dick was one of the few, maybe the only, people I know who seemed to live his life in that spirited state the rest of us can only reach via alcohol. He was practically ebullient whenever we would go out together. It didn't matter where, either; he was still himself whether we were out at a party or at a dull reading. Maybe especially at a dull reading, because he loved to crack wise about dull and pretentious people. It's one of the things I loved most about him and will miss most." Donahue has no known surviving family members, but is remembered fondly as a cherished member of the PW family. The family of Yemi Ajayi, a 32-year-old man who was killed by a police officer in Ibadan, has demanded justice from the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the state over the killing of their son by a police officer. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Ajayi died after he was shot by one of the policemen attached to the Agodi Area Command in Ibadan last Thursday. Mr Ajayi was shot at Iwo Road. Mr Ajayi was killed at a time he was reportedly preparing to move to his newly built house in Ibadan, the state capital. A family source said that Mr Ajayi, whose wife is pregnant, was expecting his first child at the time he was killed. Mr Ajayi and a relative, Kayode Atanda, were accosted by three police officers while coming from Monatan area of Ibadan on Thursday. The policemen stopped Mr Ajayi and Mr Atanda in their Toyota Camry car, while going to the Egbeda area of Ibadan. After stopping their vehicle, one of the policemen shot at Mr Atanda, who drove the car but the bullet hit Mr Ajayi in his stomach. He died before he was rushed to the hospital. Mr Atanda was also later admitted at the University College Hospital (UCH). Family cries for justice However, the family of Mr Ajayi has urged the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar, and the state Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, to ensure the police officer who shot at Messrs Ajayi and Atanda are brought to book. Mr Ajayis elder brother, Sola Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the family, said that the police should investigate the officer who shot their bread-winner. Sola Ajayi told PREMIUM TIMES that the family has spent over N200,000 to treat Mr Atanda who is still responding to treatment at the UCH. He said when the family heard about the unfortunate incident, they went to the testing ground police station to confirm but it was only their vehicle that was at the station. He added that police abandoned the wounded Mr Atanda at the UCH. Sola said that the family had to take up the responsibility of footing the bill when they could not see the policemen. It was one of his close relation, Kayode Atanda, who drove the car. Kayode Atanda was shot by the policeman, the bullet went to hit my brother, Yemi Ajayi who sat beside Kayode Atanda. On Thursday while they were coming from Monatan, they were going to Egbeda and the police men stopped them at Iwo Road under bridge. The three policemen stopped them and before the driver could stop, one of the policemen shot Kayode Atanda and the bullets went to hit Yemi Ajayi. The policemen did not want to take them to the hospital, it was the people of the area that raised the alarm. We went to the area commander and he wanted to dodge us. Later, they told us that three policemen have been arrested and are at Iyaganku CID. We want the IGP and the commissioner of Police to wade in. We want them to cater for the one that is still alive, the family has spent over two hundred thousand naira at the UCH. Kayode Atanda is still at UCH. Olayemi Ajayi was about to move to his newly built house and his wife is still pregnant. We have not even informed her about the incident. It was only Kayode Atanda, our cousin who was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) for treatment that we met in the hospital. I pray the arm is not later amputated. The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the killing of the deceased by the police officer. Mr Fadeyi told our correspondent that the state command had begun an investigation into the matter. Mr Fadeyi, in a reply to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry said; A police patrol team of ACPOL Agodi who were on routine patrol at Iwo road interchange Ibadan on 09/07/2020 at about 1215 pm stopped a Toyota Camry car having two occupants after shout of thief in which they alleged to have refused to stop and in the processed one of the Policemen fired a shot at the vehicle which hit one Kayode Atanda m on his upper arm while Adeyemi m was hit on his stomach and were rushed to Police hospital Agodi for treatment, but Adeyemi was later confirmed dead by the medical personnel while Kayode Atanda was responding to treatment. The CP had ordered investigation which has commenced into the incident at the CID, Iyaganku, pls. Advertisements Social media influencer, Adedamola Adewale (alias Adeherself), charged with fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was on Wednesday granted N500,000 bail by an Ikeja Special Offences Court. In a ruling, Justice Sherifat Solebo also ordered that Ms Adewale must provide two sureties with reliable means of income which would be verified by the court. Mrs Solebo adjourned the case until August 5 for substantive hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, who had been in the custody of the EFCC following her arraignment in court on July 7, is facing a charge of possession of a fraudulent document. According to EFCC counsel, Samuel Daji, the defendant was arrested following intelligence received by the EFCC on the activities of some young men allegedly involved in internet fraud in the Lekki axis of Lagos. READ ALSO: Adeherself on June 15, with the intent to defraud, had in her possession a fraudulent document which was entitled WhatsApp. The offence violates Sections 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, Mr Daji said. (NAN) Six cultural institutions in the Berkshires are being paired with artists and social-impact organizations in their communities under a pilot program that puts artists on the payroll for six months and provides health insurance. Called Artists at Work, the program was inspired by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration and its Federal Project Number One, which at its peak employed more than 40,000 actors, artists, musicians and writers across America. Artists at Work is a response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken a devastating toll on the arts and cultural world, with most institutions being closed and individual artists, many of whom work independently, losing contracts and clients as well as venues to exhibit and perform their work. "The central idea was to put artists on salary, to give them a steady income and (health) coverage to help them get through," said Rachel Chanoff, founder and director of The Office Performing Arts + Film, which created Artists at Work, or AAW. A 23-year-old independent curatorial and production company based in Manhattan and London, The Office partners with institutions, venues and festivals around the world to create events and ongoing programs, particularly those designed to have a positive impact on society, Chanoff said. Among its partners is the FreshGrass Foundation, which, working with The Office, for a decade has produced the popular FreshGrass Festival, held in September at Mass MoCA in North Adams. The celebration of American roots music was to have had a new sibling festival in April in Bentonville, Ark., but both were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Chanoff said her long familiarity with the Berkshires, its rich cultural life and community of artists made it ideal as the region for the AAW pilot, which is already being developed for rollout elsewhere, including in central Appalachia, Miami and New York City. As official if temporary employees of The Office, artists receive the prevailing living wage for their region $15,000 over six months in the case of the Berkshires, Chanoff said and health insurance. Unlike simply giving artists a grant or stipend, the arrangement allows for them to apply for unemployment benefits afterward and/or continue their healthcare coverage through COBRA, if they choose. Chanoff said she hopes to be able to continue the Berkshires pilot for another six months after its initial trial, depending on funding. The budget for the first six months of AAW in the Berkshires is $217,000, with The Office using its network of donors and other fundraising sources to cover the cost, Chanoff said. "This is an enormous gift, obviously. It's humbling and exciting to be a part of it," said Joe Aidonidis, a documentary filmmaker and owner of Great Sky Media, a production company in North Adams. He is paired with Images Cinema in Williamstown, an independent movie house known for screening classic, independent and foreign films and supporting the local filmmaking scene. Aidonidis and Images will be working with Gardner Athol Area Mental Health Association, which offers services for individuals with substance-use disorders. Aidonidis, whose documentaries often focus on social issues including addiction, said he expects AAW to allow him to create a new documentary about the opioid problem in North Adams as well as to pursue his own film projects on similar themes. "To be able to rely on a steady income when so much else has been canceled is reassuring and a privilege," said Aidonidis. The other participants in the AAW pilot: Institute for the Musical Arts, an organization in Goshen that supports women and girls in music and music-related businesses. Naia Kete, an IMA students at its first camp in 2002, will create a six-song EP of new music in collaboration with youth educators from The Alianza Project, a community trauma healing and youth leadership organization in Holyoke. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Jacobs Pillow, in Becket, America's longest-running international dance festival, will work with choreographer Dante Brown and Roots Rising, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and building community through food and farming. Mass MoCA, the museum and performance center in North Adams, is partnering with Northern Berkshire Community Coalition visual artist Sarah DeFusco, whose work combines sewing, screen printing and painting. The Mount, former estate of the writer Edith Wharton and a Berkshires literary hub, is paired with Lia Russell-Self, a local poet and theater artist. Their project will work with The Rusty Anvil, a community organization dedicated to helping marginalized populations, on creative-writing workshops for people ages 15 to 30, with a particular focus on queer youth of color in the Berkshires. Hancock Shaker Village, a landmark with 750 acres, 20 historic Shaker buildings and more than 22,000 Shaker artifacts, will work with Brece Honeycutt, an artist whose interests and output include fiber art, natural dying, printmaking, sculpture and bookbinding. Honeycutt will have an open studio on the Hancock campus and as part of AAW will offer series of public workshops and an exhibition in partnership with Camphill Village, a community for adults with developmental disabilities and service volunteers, located in Copake, Columbia County. "It really is an admirable program," said Amanda Powers, director of communications for Hancock Shaker Village. "We know artists are struggling. To be able to connect with one, have her here on campus, and also work with Camphill Village, gives a boost to us all." Thousands of Israelis have rallied outside the official residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on him to step down as he faces a trial on corruption charges and growing criticism over the governments handling of a deepening coronavirus crisis. Netanyahu has seen his popularity drop in recent weeks as a loose-knit movement held a number of demonstrations saying he is unfit to lead at a time when he is on trial. Others have rallied to protest against a worsening economic crisis caused by the coronavirus. The demonstration in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening was led by anti-corruption activists who refer to Netanyahu as the crime minister. Many held posters with slogans such as You are detached. We are fed up, or Netanyahus corruption makes us sick and Netanyahu, resign. Towards the end of the demonstration, there were small scuffles between police and some protesters. Late on Tuesday, several hundred protesters marched through central Jerusalem, some blocking the citys light rail. Police said protesters threw stones and eggs and vandalised shops. Eight people were arrested. Netanyahu was indicted in January for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases. In May, he forged a new coalition government after more than a year of political turmoil and insisted the charges were trumped up to drive him from office. The next trial date at Jerusalem district court is set for July 19. Cuba's successful containment of COVID-19 through door-to-door screening of every home in the country, shows how 'shoe-leather' epidemiology could have averted the dramatic failure of the UK's response to the pandemic. In Cuba there have been 2,173 confirmed cases and 83 deaths, with no reported deaths throughout the first week in June. The term 'shoe leather' epidemiology, where much of the work is carried out on foot in the community, was first demonstrated during the Soho cholera epidemic in 1854. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Professor John Ashton describes how, when China first reported the emerging epidemic in Wuhan in January 2020, Cuba promptly drew up a cross-government contingency plan. When the first cases of the virus were confirmed in the country among three tourists from Italy on 11 March, the plan was immediately put into action. Screening was carried out in Cuba by tens of thousands of family doctors, nurses and medical students on foot, with testing, tracing and quarantining of suspected cases in state-run isolation centres for 14 days. Prof Ashton said: "Cuba has long been renowned for its ability to turn in world beating health statistics while continuing to struggle economically. With a health system grounded in public health and primary care, the country invests heavily in producing health workers who are primarily trained to work in the community. Their efforts with COVID-19 have been outstanding." He added: "Cuba was one of the first countries to send health workers to support the control of the epidemic in Wuhan, back in January, just one example of its unrivalled commitment to international solidarity in humanitarian disasters." More information: John Ashton, Shoe leather epidemiology in the age of COVID: lessons from Cuba, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2020). Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine John Ashton, Shoe leather epidemiology in the age of COVID: lessons from Cuba,(2020). DOI: 10.1177/0141076820938582 Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 15, 2020 | GRAVES COUNTY By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 15, 2020 | 05:47 PM | GRAVES COUNTY Graves County Schools has released its plan to reopen classes for the 2020-2021 school year, which includes offering virtual online classes and new health measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. In a memo released Wednesday, the Graves County Board of Education laid out new rules for the coming school year. These include asking students and school employees to stay home if feeling ill, and requiring parents of children who ride the bus to sign an affidavit attesting that they will not put their child on the bus if they have any virus-related symptoms. These symptoms include a temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees, cough, vomiting or diarrhea, a new rash, or a known exposure to COVID-19 within a 48 hour period. Students and employees who develop any of the above symptoms while at school will be sent home. Students displaying symptoms will be placed under adult supervision away from other students until a parent or guardian can pick them up. Anyone displaying symptoms will not be allowed to return to school until they are cleared by a healthcare provider or they are symptom free for at least 72 hours. Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be allowed to return until released by the Graves County Health Department. The school system said it will cancel any incentives that encourage good attendance for the entire school year, as these might encourage sick students to come to school. When students return, they will be instructed on healthy habits; including proper hand washing, sanitizer use, and proper coughing/sneezing techniques. The school system says students will also be given the choice of traditional in-person instruction, or may choose a virtual curriculum. Families choosing to use the virtual curriculum will complete coursework through an online program called Edgenuity. Students will work through courses at their own pace, with teachers assigned to monitor progress and performance. Students attending virtually will get progress reports every nine weeks. Families wishing to pursue the virtual curriculum option should contact their student's school by July 22. Classes are set to begin Aug. 6. In perhaps the strongest statement yet by a major American company about the importance of masks, Walmart said it would require that all of its customers wear face coverings starting next week. The new rule from the nations largest retailer, with more than 5,000 stores nationwide, comes as health officials and scientists point to wearing masks as a way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But Walmarts new policy, which goes into effect on Monday, also means the company is wading into the kind of culturally and politically divisive issue that it has a history of avoiding. Already, companies like Apple, Best Buy, Costco and Starbucks require customers to wear masks. The retailer Kohls said on Wednesday that its customers would be required to wear masks starting Monday, and the grocery chain Kroger announced on Twitter that its customers would, too, starting July 22. But the ubiquity of Walmart stores in parts of the country where masks are unpopular make the giant retailers move particularly significant. We know some people have differing opinions on this topic, Walmart said in blog post on Wednesday. We also recognize the role we can play to help protect the health and well-being of the communities we serve by following the evolving guidance of health officials. The DMV office near downtown Greenville, second busiest in the state with more than 5,000 customers a week, must find a new home by fall or risk leaving the city without a central location. The executive director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles was in Greenville this week to brief the countys state lawmakers on the urgency of the situation. Kevin Schwedo, head of the agency for nearly 10 years, has sought a new home for the DMV since his landlord, Greenville County, said three years ago the agency must make way for redevelopment. Since then, Schwedo said, four deals have fallen through as the relatively slow state procurement process has each time been outpaced by high demand for Greenville real estate. As you wait to go through the six-month procurement process and the economy is heating on up, (commercial real estate agents) said, Oh, geez I could get an extra $100,000 or $200,000 for it over the course of the lease, and we are dropped like a hot potato, Schwedo told The Post and Courier. The latest possible is an 8,000-square-foot office building at 122 Edgeworth Street just off Pleasantburg Drive. Less than five minutes east of downtown and close to a bus line, the location is also walking distance from the Greenville Housing Authority, the United Way, the state Department of Transportation and CommunityWorks. Since 2018, deals have fallen through on sites at 33 Villa Road, 605 S. Academy St., 7660 Pelham Road and 2622 Wade Hampton Blvd. Any time you can combine some services, co-locate some services, that are heavily used by people, thats a good thing, said state Rep. Chandra Dillard, who represents the Pleasantburg Drive area. If Schwedo fails to close this deal, he said he will be out of time to find a new one. The process includes issuing a request for bids from commercial real estate agents, something hes already done in Greenville five times, and carrying offers through the roughly six-month procurement process. He said he must have a building by November to prepare it for use and move out of the current office before Greenville Countys April 1, 2021, deadline. Other DMV offices near Greenville, he said, are already at or near capacity and could not absorb the downtown sites nearly 300,000 transactions a year. Lose it, he said, and customers could find themselves driving as far as Columbia for urgent DMV matters. If the new site comes through Schwedo must get a state committees blessing next month it will have enough room to roughly double capacity as Greenville grows. The DMV leases many of its 66 offices across the state, he said, and has faced short-term evictions before, most recently at the Ashley Oaks location in Charleston. But, he said, the Greenville relocation has been the most painful. The cost to lease the space on Edgeworth Street is also steep: $220,250 in the first year, increasing 2.5% annually each year thereafter. At the end of the 12-year lease, the DMV will have paid $3.04 million. It is more than double the $95,700 a year the agency has paid in rent for the University Ridge site. To push through the Edgeworth Street deal, Schwedo must get approval from the state legislatures Joint Bond Review Committee, a powerful group that will convene in early August to consider major capital projects around the state. If it exceeds a dollar amount over the entire life of the lease, it must go before the bond review group, Schwedo said. The DMVs current home, next to the county health department, stands at ground zero of a $1 billion plan to redevelop and revitalize 37 acres of county-owned land a block from Greenvilles Main Street business district. In place of the existing 1,000-car parking lot and smattering of government buildings will rise a collection of high-rise apartments, office buildings and shops. Every existing structure on the site including a former mall at 301 University Ridge that currently houses all county offices will be razed. Already gone at the corner of Church Street and University Ridge is the former Cobbs service station. A six-story office tower for county offices will be built in its place in the next few years, a public anchor for the rest of the redevelopment project. The planned $65 million glass-and-steel building was designed by the same London architecture firm, Foster + Partners, behind Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Earth movers are pushing dirt on the site now. Some state offices, such as family court and the public health building, and a few county offices will move to a new county complex five miles east on Halton Road, but the county is not required under state law to provide offices for the DMV. Greenville County Administrator Joe Kernell said he understands the difficulties the DMV is grappling with as it tries to find a new home and has agreed to extend their lease at least twice since 2017. We know the problems theyve had because weve had the same problems finding buildings for our services, Kernell said. They need to be centrally located with plenty of parking. Thats it. Sanjay Jha tweeted this morning that his loyalty is to the Congress ideology. Sanjay Jha was suspended from the party last night. Sanjay Jha tweeted this morning that his loyalty is to the Congress ideology. This tweet comes hours after he was suspended from the Congress for anti-party activities and violation of discipline. Sanjay Jha was suspended from the party last night. A Gandhi Nehruvian idealist, he emphasized in a tweet. Mr. Jha also said that his faithfulness is not to any individual or family but to the Congress ideology. He will keep raising issues that are essential for the renewal of his party. The fight has just begun. Also read: China vows to retaliate as US ends preferential treatment Also read: Amitabh Bachchans fans perform Yagya, wish for speedy recovery from Covid-19 He has also changed his Twitter bio to Sacked & Suspended. His big blunder: Fought for internal democracy, suggested changes to revive Congress, challenged Rip Van Winkle leadership. Sanjay Jha has been suspended from the Congress Party with immediate effect for anti-party activities and violation of discipline said the chief of the partys state unit, Balasaheb Thorat. Mr. Jha reacted to the suspension by saying that nothing surprises him. At least Congress could have approached him. We are showing highly bigoted culture, he said, adding, He has always maintained that until we get our internal democracy right we will face a struggle in becoming a serious political competitor to the BJP. Mr. Jha, on Tuesday, had criticized the party in a series of tweets over the political crisis in Rajasthan. Ashok Gehlots government is pushed to the edge by Sachin Pilots open rebellion. Sachin Pilots revolt comes months after the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh fall because of experienced politician Jyotiraditya Scindias shift to the BJP. Also read: SC to commence final hearing on Maratha reservation on July 27 For all the latest National News, download NewsX App At least seven ships have caught fire at Irans Bushehr port, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, in what appeared to be the latest in a series of fires and explosions around the country, some of which have hit sensitive sites. No casualties have been reported, the agency said. Plumes of dense black smoke billowed into the air, in a photograph of the incident published by the official IRNA news agency. State broadcaster IRIB showed fighters tackling clouds of smoke at a shipyard at the southern port on the Gulf. There have been several explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities since late June, including a fire at Irans underground Natanz nuclear facility on July 2. Natanz is the centerpiece of Irans enrichment program, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes. Western intelligence agencies and the U.N.s nuclear watchdog (IAEA) believe it had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear arms program that it halted in 2003. Tehran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons. Irans top security body said on July 3 that the cause of the Natanz fire had been determined but would be announced at a later time. Some Iranian officials have said it may have been cyber sabotage and one of them warned that Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks. In an article in early July, state news agency IRNA addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly. Israels defense minister said on July 5 his country was not necessarily behind every mysterious incident in Iran. On June 30, 19 people were killed in an explosion at a medical clinic in the north of the capital Tehran, which an official said was caused by a gas leak. On June 26, an explosion occurred east of Tehran near the Parchin military and weapons development base that the authorities said was caused by a leak in a gas storage facility in an area outside the base. BYD's long-awaited Han EV series The Han series sets new standards for EVs worldwide with its safety, performance, and luxury SHANGHAI, July 15, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - On July 12, BYD announced the official launch of its Han EV series, the brand's long-awaited flagship offering for the global mid-to-large luxury sedan market, including three pure electric models and one hybrid model.The Han EV will be sold in China at first. Its extended-range version will sell at 229,800 RMB, the extended-range variant of the premium model will be priced at 255,800 RMB, and the 4WD high-performance version will sell at 279,500 RMB. Besides, the PHEV version, Han DM, will sell at 219,800 yuan.Integrating the most advanced technologies in the electric vehicle industry, the Han boasts formidable performance combined with stylish craftsmanship. As the world's first mass-produced model that uses BYD's ultra-safe Blade Battery, the Han EV sets new standards for EVs worldwide in terms of safety, performance and luxury.With BYD being no stranger to pioneering in the industry, the Han series continues to break new ground. The Han EV's long-range pure electric version has a remarkable single-charge range of 605 kilometers (376 miles) based on the NEDC test cycle. The four-wheel-drive high-performance version possesses an acceleration of 0 to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, making it China's fastest EV in production, while the DM (Dual Mode) plug-in hybrid model offers 0 to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, making it the country's fastest hybrid sedan.The Han series will create a new global standard for EV technology and quality, shaking up the traditional luxury car market while accelerating the global shift to electric vehicles. Named after one of the most celebrated dynasties in Chinese history, the Han series also demonstrates the country's growing manufacturing prowess.Mr. Wang Chuanfu, President of BYD Co., Ltd., said, "The Han has taken ten years from the concept stage to formal mass production," which he likened to "ten years of sharpening a brilliant sword". He added, "Through our leading technologies, we have created three benchmarks for flagship EVs in terms of safety, performance, and luxury."The Han EV has redefined safety standards for energy vehicles as it is the world's first vehicle to use BYD's ultra-safe Blade Battery, making it twice as safe compared to EVs using traditional ternary lithium battery packs. The Han's DM is powered by a "seven-dimensional quad-layer" safety matrix that offers the world's safest battery safety system with its ability to remain stable at high temperatures. The Han's roof uses advanced laser brazing technology, while its 1500HS thermoformed steel is the most ever used for any comparable Chinese automobile. Other notable safety features include 11 standard airbags and six cameras, highly-efficient air purification filters, and more.In terms of performance, the Han series comes with the world-first MOSFET motor control module, which fuels the car's record-breaking 3.9 second 0-100km/h acceleration. At the same time, Han's braking distance requires only 32.8 meters from 100km/h to a standstill. The Han EV's extended-range version's impressive 605-kilometer cruising range also gives it the world's highest energy recovery rating, while a double silver-coated windshield and other energy-saving measures meet the real needs of users over its lifetime. The Han DM hybrid model comes with 81 kilometers of pure-electric cruising range and over 800 kilometers of integrated range, along with five different power modes.The Han also sets a new benchmark for EV luxury. BYD's new Dragon Face design language blends the best of Eastern and Western design aesthetics. From its striking front grille, its Dragon Claw tail lights and other features, the car's stylized design creates a striking, confident vehicle that defines a new era for Chinese-made luxury vehicles. The interior is equipped with solid wooden panels, high-quality Napa leather seats, aluminum trims and other high-end materials rarely used in other high-end luxury vehicles.The Han's luxury is matched by its intelligence, with smart features like the NFC mobile phone key function, allowing users to easily unlock the vehicle even if their phone is out of power or has no signal.Moreover, the Han comes with the latest version of BYD's DiPilot intelligent driving assistance system, including a wide array of safety features like an adaptive stop-and-go cruise-control system (ACC-S&G), a forward-collision warning system (FCW), a pedestrian identification and protection system, a lane departure warning system (LDWS), traffic sign identification, and much more. The Han can be upgraded with even higher-level functions including BYD's ICC Intelligent Navigation System, the ICA Integrated Adaptive Cruise System, and the TJA Traffic Congestion Assistance System. In addition, the extended-range premium and 4WD high-performance models provide blind spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, rear collision early warning and other leading functions, which can be upgraded to a comprehensive automatic parking function.DiPilot also comes with the DiTrainer mode, which selectively turns on assisted driving based on factors such as driving behavior, road conditions, weather, and even driving age. The DiLink 3.0 Smart Network system comes with smart voice upgrades and a DiUI upgrade, with a 15.6-inch Ultra HD 8-core adaptive rotary suspension PAD, bringing the even smarter luxury sedan.The Han EV reflects not only some of the world's top automobile technology but also the benefits of BYD's rich experience in the research and development of EVs. This has allowed the brand to not only break into China's high-end sedan market but also other fiercely competitive markets. With its formidable performance, fantastic safety and its representation of a new generation of luxury, the Han is a powerful offering that upgrades the standing and capabilities of Chinese automobiles and electric vehicles around the world.About BYDBYD Company Ltd. is one of China's largest privately owned enterprises. Since its inception in 1995, the company quickly developed solid expertise in rechargeable batteries and became a relentless advocate of sustainable development, successfully expanding its renewable energy solutions globally with operations in over 50 countries and regions. Its creation of a Zero Emissions Energy Ecosystem - comprising affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage, and cutting-edge electrified transportation - has made it an industry leader in the energy and transportation sectors. BYD is listed on the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. More information on the company can be found at http://www.byd.comContacts:In Asia-Pacific: Richard LiPr@byd.com; tel:+86-755-8988-8888-69666In North America: Frank Girardotfrank.girardot@byd.com; tel: +1 213 245 6503In Europe: Penny Pengpenny.peng@byd.com; tel: +31-102070888Source: BYD Company Ltd.Copyright 2020 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Los Angeles City Mayor Looks to Update Safer at Home Order, to Align with New State Directives Los Angeles is Bordering Level red on the COVID-19 Severity Model. Monday, July 13, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti provided updates regarding the COVID-19 escalation. He addressed new state orders closing all gyms, places of worship, offices, and personal care services. Data shared by the Los Angeles County Department is showing a rise in transmission among the ages of 18-40. The mayor disclosed news to guide the city through the fluctuation and adjustments. Garcetti addressed how the updates issued by California State Governor Gavin Newsom will affect the city, the state made changes in direction of opening certain firms due to the increased levels of COVID-19. Newsom stated, Weve made this point on multiple occasions and that is why were moving back into a modification mode of our original stay-at-home order, Los Angeles has already felt the retraction in Bars, indoor dining, and outdoor activity since July 4. The Local Safer at Home Order is looking to be modified to include the state updates. Garcetti disclosed the results from the launch of the citys renters assistance that started on Monday, there were over 150,000 applications. Los Angeles Renter Assistance Program is the largest monetary initiative in the nation. The window to apply is open until midnight, Friday night, there are five days to request the assistance. For more information there is a website available; hcidla.lacity.org. The city is still in an emergency condition, Garcetti emphasized the need for physical distancing, face coverings, and extreme attentiveness to hygienic practices. Lives are at stake and each day more are at risk; the pandemic has gotten worse across the country. The mayor admittedly stated, we never had so many people infected or infectious. L.A. is on the border of level red indicating severe conditions. ADVERTISEMENT A new online platform for scheduling tests was announced on Monday, designed to provide more user-friendly experiences. Key benefits include reduction in delayed results and appointment modifications. The new website to schedule an appointment is la.fulgentgenetics.com. Mobile and pop-up testing sites are still in action, especially among those who are most susceptible to the virus. Protocols have been prompted for grades k-12, the mayor stands behind Educational resurgence with the directives that were issued on Monday; it was described as a road map to what campus will look like when they decide to reopen. Distance learning will most likely be a part of the physical learning system, student and faculty will have to wear face coverings, and extracurricular activities will be limited. The L.A. Public Health Department provided numbers that show an escalation in hospitalization, positive cases, and the overall community death rate is still in the double digits. The mayor shared the Latest numbers surrounding coronavirus on July 13, reflected 13 additional deaths, this brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 3,822. Among multiple counties, the state of California mandated to close all indoor operations such as indoor protests and personal care services. There were over 2,000 people hospitalized as of July 13, Los Angeles Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer disclosed in a earlier briefing, the public health department is guided by the science and data, monitoring key metrics to see a clear report in status. Garcetti stated, We can get through this, we can make those small sacrifices. Wear a mask, we can clean our hands, and keep six feet between us. In doing so we can accelerate the day forward, in which we are back at school and our economy is roaring back and we are rebuilding our prosperity and enjoying our city. The Sustainable Land and Water Management Project (SLWMP) being implemented in five regions of Northern Ghana is making significant impact at reversing land degradation and the improvement of agricultural productivity in the areas. The project, being executed in the North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions, is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through the World Bank. The 10-year project, which begun in 2010 and expected to end 2020, had supported 39,600 farmers in 247 communities in the project regions to adopt sustainable land and water management practices. The Upper East Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Asher Nkegbe, disclosed these at the second 2020 Local Steering Committee Meeting of the SLWMP held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region last Friday. The regional director who heads the technical co-ordination office said the project is taking place in 12 districts of the beneficiary four regions. He named the districts as Mamprugu-Moaduri and West Mamprusi in North East, West Gonja in Savannah, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba in the Northern Region, Talensi, Bawku West, Builsa South and Kassena-Nankana West in Upper East and Wa East, Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Sissala East and Sissala West in Upper West. Mr Nkegbe, who stated that more than 52,257 hectares of degraded land were being recovered through the project for agriculture activities, said the project had also put in place eight environmental management plans to provide management to 72,716 hectares of forest reserves in the project areas. He said apart from the project ensuring that 1,060 hectares of land were reforested in two forest reserves, namely Kulpawn and Ambalara in the Upper West Region, six Community Resource Management Areas (CREMA) had also been established, whilst 10 dugouts had been constructed. The project has also ensured that a spatial development framework for the North Savannah zone is developed to guide future planning, he said. Mr Nkegbe, who commended the technical coordination team of the project for supporting the implementation of the project, said the establishment of buffer zones along river banks through the cultivation of bamboo plantation and riparian grasses as well as the establishment of rangeland need to be celebrated. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Frank Fuseine Adongo, said one of the major challenges confronting the five regions was land degradation associated with indiscriminate bush burning, felling of trees for charcoal production and over-grassing, and expressed optimism that such problems could be addressed through the project interventions. He commended the GEF and the World Bank, including the implementing agencies, for the support, and stressed the need for the up-scaling of the project to other communities in the country, particularly the northern parts of the country. The forum, which attracted municipal and district planners, regional and district agriculture directors and municipal and district coordinating directors and planners for the implementing regions, was aimed at briefing the members of the committee on the progress of the implementation of the project, and to solicit for their inputs for the sustainability of the project. Source: The Ghanaian Times 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 While Hong Kong remains a gateway from China to the rest of the world, it matters far less to the mainlands fortunes than it once did. In 2019, 12% of Chinas exports went to or through Hong Kong, down from 45% in 1992. China is also far less reliant on inflows of foreign capital and expertise, and made a lower priority of making the yuan an international currency -- although it has renewed the push as tensions with the U.S. have risen. Regardless, the city still matters. Hong Kongs open capital account and adherence to international standards of governance are unmatched by any mainland Chinese city and make it an important base for international banks and trading firms. A revocation of its special status would mark the beginning of the death of Hong Kong as we know it, Steve Tsang, director of the University of Londons SOAS China Institute, said last year. Photograph: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has once again stoked racial grievances, telling an interviewer who asked a question about the police killing of George Floyd that white people also get killed by law enforcement in the US. In an echo of his comments on white nationalist marchers and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when he said there were fine people on both sides, the president did not take the opportunity to talk about the problem of racially motivated police brutality on Tuesday, but switched to talk about white victims. He then inaccurately argued that white Americans are dying more often at the hands of police than Black Americans. Related: Trump celebrates Fourth of July by stoking division over pandemic and race Trump was asked about the issue in an interview with CBS News Catherine Herridge. She began: Lets talk about George Floyd, you said George Floyds death was a terrible thing. Terrible, said Trump. Then Herridge followed with: Why are African Americans still dying at the hands of law enforcement? The president immediately pivoted. And so are white people. So are white people, Trump said in response. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people by the way. More white people. The President told @CBS_Herridge that "more White people" die at the hands of law enforcement in this country than African Americans:https://t.co/yvT0fqJk2B Weijia Jiang (@weijia) July 14, 2020 Herridges question came in the aftermath of weeks of protests as a result of Floyds killing while the police were trying to arrest him in Minneapolis in May. His death was filmed by a member of the public as bystanders were kept at bay while pleading with officers to stop restraining Floyd, who was begging for his life and saying, I cant breathe. Story continues The officers were fired but only later arrested and charged . The killing sparked enormous protests in towns and cities across the US and spurred urgent calls for sweeping police reform by both lawmakers and activists. Only minimal reform has come about yet, amid renewed debate and a reignited Black Lives Matter movement in the US and internationally. Trumps claim about more white people being killed by police in the US is misleading. The Guardians investigative project The Counted in 2015-2016 that set out to record all people in the US killed by police showed that Black people in America were more than twice as likely to be killed by the police than white people. And in 2016 Black men ages 15-34 were nine times more likely than other Americans to be killed by law enforcement officers, and they were killed at four times the rate of young white men. A similar 2016 analysis by the Washington Post also found that African Americans are 2.5 times as likely to be shot and killed by police offers as white Americans. Another study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2018 found that African Americans are 3.5 times as likely to be killed by police compared to white people. At the height of the protests over Floyds death Trump repeatedly framed it more as manufactured violence against police and law enforcement officials fueled by Democrats, anti-fascist radicals and his political opponents. He focused most of his criticism on pushes to take down Confederate monuments and rename military bases honoring Confederate generals. Even as Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Mississippi worked together to replace the state flag with one that does not include the Confederate insignia, Trump has argued that the flag is not offensive to African Americans or a symbol of black oppression. Well people love it, and I know people that like the Confederate flag, and theyre not thinking about slavery, Trump said in the same interview. He has also criticized the banning of the Confederate flag at Nascar events and scorned the veracity of a noose found in the garage of Bubba Wallace, the only full-time Black driver on the stock car racing circuit. There has been a federal investigation into the noose situation, and a response from Wallace calling for love over hate after the president attacked him and asked him to apologize. Former Weibo Editor Exposes the CCPs Shady Censorship Practices Liu Li-Peng who worked at Sina Weibo, a Chinese blogging website, and at Leshi Internet Information and Technology Corp, one of the largest online video companies in China, fled to the U.S. from China this year. In recent interviews with The Epoch Times, he exposed the CCPs increasingly severe censorship, information control, and manipulation of public opinion that is being exported overseas to threaten freedom of speech in free societies. A mini-reshuffle of ministers has seen Mayo TD Dara Calleary elevated to the Cabinet table as the new Agriculture Minister. He will replace Barry Cowen, who was sacked from the role yesterday after refusing a request by Taoiseach Micheal Martin to face questions before the Dail on his drink-driving record. The fallout has seen questions raised about what Mr Martin knew about the incident. The Fianna Fail leader has told the Dail that he is nominating Dara Calleary, currently government chief whip, to the position of Agriculture Minister. Mr Calleary had expressed disappointment when overlooked for a senior Cabinet role last month when the three-party coalition was formed. The Mayo TDs appointment will also put to rest questions over why there was a lack of representation for the west of Ireland at Cabinet. Mr Martin also announced that the role of chief whip will be filled by Dublin-West TD Jack Chambers, who will move up from his current role as a junior finance minister. Laois-Offaly TD Sean Fleming will in turn fill that role, coming from the backbenches. Praising Mr Calleary, Mr Martin said that he would be a very effective minister in a role that would include looking at the EU budget, CAP payments and supports for farmers. But the opposition continued to raise questions about the sacking of Mr Cowen and the whole debacle surrounding his drink driving incident in 2016. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said outstanding questions remained, as did Labour leader Alan Kelly. Ms McDonald said that the controversy signified that it was the same old Fianna Fail, dodging and being less than fullsome with accounts to the Dail and people. The Dail needed to discuss Covid-19, housing and childcare and instead was debating a political controversy about the coalition, she said. Commenting on three industrial mishaps in the upcoming executive capital of Andhra Pradesh i.e. Visakhapatnam, Vijay Sai Reddy on Wednesday questioned why do so many mishaps happen in Visakhapatnam. He also suspected a conspiracy behind it. There are three industrial mishaps in the upcoming executive capital of Andhra Pradesh i.e. Visakhapatnam. Two months ago, there was a gas leak in LG polymers of the city that killed 12 persons and a gas leak in one Sainar company later and a blast in the same pharma city of Vizag a day before. The YSRCP leaders have expressed doubts on the blasts and said there was some conspiracy behind the series of such untoward incidents in the city of destiny. The ruling YSRCP parliamentary party Chief and party in charge of North Andhra Vijay Sai Reddy said, Why do many mishaps happen in Visakhapatnam? are they happening just because of the restart of companies after two-month-long lockdown or intentional handiwork of some persons? the investigation will spill the beans and expose the villains behind them. it takes some time. our focus is now on better treatment of the injured and consoles the deceaseds family. Chandrababu Naidu should stop politicising the issue. Our MLA Gudivada Amarnath made it clear the mindset of Chandrababu Naidu how he set the crop on fire in the Amaravathi region who were unwilling to give lands for capital construction. Everyone knows how then CM threatened the farmers. Chandrababu is now trying his best to stop the shifting of executive capital to Visakhapatnam. we believe He has been trying to show Visakhapatnam as a dangerous zone for the construction of the capital. People need not fear, Visakhapatnam is going to be executive capital of Andhra Pradesh. MLA and YSR Congress Party spokesperson Gudivada Amarnath also alleged that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and his party members were attempting to tarnish the image of Visakhapatnam, which has been announced as the executive capital of the State. The YSRCP MLA from Anakapalle (part of Visakhapatnam dist) claimed that Naidu was using the recent industrial accidents in the city to spoil the image of the city. Also read: Reliance AGM 2020: New Jio Glass for a 3D experience Also read: India-China standoff: China says military talks with India made further progress Addressing a press conference at the party office, Amarnath said, Conspiracies are being hatched to tarnish Visakhapatnams image. I personally want Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy should enquire about the conspiracies hatched by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. It is doubtful whether all this is being done to thwart proposals to make Visakhapatnam the capital of the Jagan administration. Chandrababu had involved in the death of NTR to become the Chief Minister and he had committed many conspiracies in the matter of lands in the capital Amravati BJP leader Lanka Dinakar said, Nobody can damage the brand image of Visakhapatnam other than Jagan Mohan Reddy lead YSRCP Government. The brand image of Visakhapatnam as the financial capital of Andhra Pradesh naturally existed. Here the practical constraints of shifting the capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam purely within the ambit of legal perspective. The present government has no moral right to shift the executive capital to Visakhapatnam from Amaravathi by means of saying their party promise of Amaravathi as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. the party has promised in its manifesto also. On the other hand, TDP accuses its the inefficiency of the government, This kind of incidents happen and YSRCP leaders should tender apologies for the comments they have made. and the party leaders request the intervention of the Union Government to interfere and set things right. TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu said,the government completely failed to stop mishaps in companies. its confined for consoling the families of the victims. it should give ex-gratia of one crore to the family of the deceased. Also read: CBSE Class 10th Board Results announced: Over 1.5 lakh students in compartment category For all the latest National News, download NewsX App A photograph circulated on social media wherein United States President Barack Obama, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Melinda Gates appeared Wuhan laboratory in China in 2015. It made its rounds on social media in July 2020. The US had provided $3.7 million funding assistance to the Chinese lab that is alleged as the root of COVID-19. The allegation that the trio had made a visit to the controversial Wuhan lab has been found to be false. To back the false claim, the picture displayed the then-president visiting the National Institutes of Health in 2014 along with the country's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and Sylvia Burwell, then-Secretary of Health and Human Services, reported AP News. They were listening to a talk of the chief of the Biodefense Research Section of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Nancy Sullivan. Therefore, the female in the red T-shirt is certainly not Melinda Gates. The photograph is accessible through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's blog site, captioned, "Dr. Nancy Sullivan of NIH's National Institute of Allergy and also Infectious Diseases (NIAID) reviewing Ebola analysis along with President Barack Obama as NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and also HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell search," according to Herald Azure. Dr. Francis Collins wrote on the blog that they had the remarkable honor of welcoming Obama to the campus of NIH in Bethesda to witness the improvement of the biomedical research being developed against the Ebola virus illness. Obama made his rounds throughout the NIH Vaccine Research Center and engaged with scientists working to create means to combat the fatal virus that is ongoingly devastating West Africa, reported Snopes. Also Read: Another Outbreak on the Rise? China's 'Bat Woman' Warns COVID-19 is Just 'Tip of the Iceberg' However, the claim has led conspiracy theorists to focus on the trio for the second time for novel coronavirus-related theories. After it was divulged that the US pumped funding to the Wuhan lab, the conspiracy theory gained momentum. Twitter user Ginny McGonigle captioned the trending photo, asking if this Dr. Fauci was the one who appeared with Obama in 2015 in the Wuhan Lab wherein the provided the lab funding for a bat project. "We know that we'll now right? He is of the deep state you get instructions from him. Cut the crap! All to take Trump down!" The photo did not display Obama in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, and also does not precisely depict Obama's role with the grant. Before a crowded auditorium in a speech at the NIH Clinical Center, the president lauded the NIH staff's contributions. Also, he underscored the need for emergency Congressional permission of resources to assure that the country's research and public health efforts against the illness will eventually lead to its conclusion. Similar photographs from the said visit can be accessed via Getty Images. In conclusion, the text accompanying the trending photo is full of misinformation. Strong responses were generated by netizens. A Twitter user wrote that Fauci offered $3.7 Million to the Wuhan laboratory to examine viruses in bats in 2015 and that he and Obama circumvented the US law in doing such. "Melinda & Bill Gates were in on it too! They are deep state & they developed the Wuhan virus to KILL US. The Chinese spread to the world!" Related Article: Monkeys Fear to Spread Coronavirus in India After Stealing Blood Samples of COVID-19 Patients @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The United States will use all available tools to support countries that believe China has violated their sovereignty in the South China Sea, said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday. Pompeos statement amps up the pitch against Chinas effort to push the envelope and its territory in the South China Sea region. Pompeo said the US will support these countries but stressed this would be done in multilateral and legal forums. We will then go use the tools that we have available and we will support countries all across the world who recognize that China has violated their legal territorial claims as well or maritime claims as well, Pompeo told reporters, according to news agency Reuters. .@SecPompeo comments on the Chinese Communist Partys implementation of national security legislation in Hong Kong, U.S. policy on the South China Sea, and Huawei and 5G. pic.twitter.com/jkj2rBRZYU Department of State (@StateDept) July 15, 2020 We will go provide them the assistance we can, whether thats in multilateral bodies, whether thats in ASEAN, whether thats through legal responses, we will use all the tools we can, he said, referring to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Pompeo, who had last week spoken about building a coalition against China, indicated the plan was on track. He announced a quick trip to the United Kingdom and Denmark on Monday next. Im sure that the Chinese Communist Party and its threat to free peoples around the world will be high on top of that agenda, Pompeo told a news conference. Pompeo also welcomed Londons ban on Chinese telecom giant Huawei and announced that the US would impose visa restrictions on some workers for Huawei Technologies Corp, continuing the Trump administrations efforts to bar Huaweis technology on the grounds that the Chinese technology company could be used by the government in Beijing as a back door for spying. Huawei has said it operates independently. The Trump administration has already delivered a harsh warning to Beijing, insisting that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea. Nothing is off the table ... there is room for that. This is a language the Chinese understand - demonstrative and tangible action, David Stilwell, assistant secretary of state for East Asia, had said earlier in the day. Stilwells comment came a day after the United States rejected Chinas claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea as completely unlawful. The US has opposed Chinas expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea in the past and sent warships through the strategic waterway, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year, to demonstrate freedom of navigation. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of it. Beijing has built bases on atolls in the region. China has described the US focus on the South China Sea and its threat of sanctions as an attempt to stir up trouble and destabilise the region. The US arbitrarily talks about sanctions ... this is very pathetic, she told reporters during a daily briefing in Beijing. We are not afraid of sanctions. A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover in industry 2021, November Published: 15 July 2020 Turnover in industry decreased by 8,9 per cent in May According to Statistics Finland, working day adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) decreased in May by 8.9 per cent year-on-year. Of the main industries, turnover declined most in the chemical industry, by 31.4 per cent and in the forest industry, by 15.6 per cent from one year earlier. Seasonally adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) grew by 0.1 per cent compared with April. The exceptional situation caused by coronavirus had an effect on the development of some of the manufacturing industries. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (BCD), % (TOL 2008) In addition to the chemical industry and the forest industry, turnover decreased in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 15.0 per cent, in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, by 11.6 per cent, and in the food industry, by 4.2 per cent from the previous year. Correspondingly, among the main industries, growth was strongest in mining and quarrying, 35.5 per cent, and the electronic and electrical industry, 30.3 per cent, year-on-year. Turnover in the metal industry also went up by 3.4 per cent in May. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing by industry, May 2020, % (TOL 2008) Export turnover decreased in all main industries in April Among the main industries, export turnover adjusted for working days decreased most in April in the chemical industry, by 19.3 per cent, in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 18.7 per cent, and in the forest industry, by 18.2 per cent, from the year before. Export turnover also decreased in mining and quarrying, by 10.2 per cent, in the metal industry, by 9.1 per cent, in the electronic and electrical industry, by 5.1 per cent, and in the food industry, by 2.2 per cent year-on-year. Annual change in working day adjusted export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing by industry, April 2020, % (TOL 2008) Among the main industries, domestic turnover decreased most in April in the chemical industry, by 26.7 per cent, in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 12.5 per cent, and in the food industry, by 12.4 per cent from the previous year. Among the main industries, domestic turnover went up only in mining and quarrying, by 6.9 per cent compared to the previous year. Trend series of turnover, export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing (BC), January 2007 to April-May 2020, % (TOL 2008) The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations self-assessed tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years. The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well. In terms of turnover, data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around six weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Export turnover and domestic turnover are, for the time being, still released at a delay of two and a half months. Source: Index of turnover in industry 2020, May, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (340.4 kB) Updated 15.7.2020 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-596X. May 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 19.1.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2020/05/tlv_2020_05_2020-07-15_tie_001_en.html Agona Swedru District Magistrate Court presided over by His Worship Justice Isaac Apeatu has adjourned to July 17th a case in which an NDC activist, Mr. Mohammed Hadi has been accused of destroying campaign posters of the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Agona East constituency, Professor Kwesi Yankah, and President Akufo Addo Mohammed Hadi, 24 years old was arrested on 5th April 2020 by Agona Mankrong Junction Police upon a tip-off The Police subsequently charged him for the offend and was arranged before the court for prosecution. Police Inspector Chare Salia of the Ghana Police Service prosecuting told the court that on Sunday, April 5th, 2020, three members of the Agona East branch of ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) reported the suspect to Mankrong Junction Police for allegedly damaging posters and banners of the NPP The prosecutor mentioned Robert Abeiku Ansah and Emmanuel Fosu as complaints According to him, members of the NPP realized that over 7,000 posters and banners of Professor Kwesi Yankah, NPP Parliamentary candidate for Agona East Constituency and President Akufo Addo posted and hoisted in the various parts of the constituency were being destroyed by unknown persons He noted that the NPP supporters mounted surveillance on the posters and banners across the constituency to detect who was behind the awful act in the Agona East area Inspector Chare Salia further stated that investigation led to the arrest of Mohammed Hadi and was handed over to Mankrong Junction Police Mohammed Hadi admitted committing the crime in his caution statement but said no one hired him to commit the act The suspect pleaded guilty before His Worship Justice Isaac Apeatu but denied destroying more than one poster as stated by the prosecutor Development comes as latest round of talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on contentious dam ended with no agreement. Ethiopia has acknowledged that the water levels behind the giant hydroelectric dam it is building on the Blue Nile River are rising, though officials described this a natural part of the construction process. The GERD (Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) water filling is being done in line with the dams natural construction process, Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopias water minister, was quoted by state media as saying on Wednesday, a day after talks with Sudan and Egypt on the project stalled. Pointing out that the dams wall has now been raised to 560 metres (1,837 feet), compared with 525 metres (1,722) last year, Seleshi had tweeted earlier in the day: The inflow into the reservoir due to heavy rainfall and runoff exceeded the outflow and created natural pooling. This continues until overflow is triggered soon. Sudans irrigation ministry said water levels on the Blue Nile, the source of most of the Nile Rivers waters, had declined by 90 million cubic metres per day since Ethiopia started filling the reservoir. It was evident from the flow metres in the Dimim border station with Ethiopia that there is a retreat in the water levels confirming the closure of the gates of the Renaissance Dam, it said. The GERD has been a source of tension in the Nile River basin ever since Ethiopia broke ground on it in 2011, with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan worried it will restrict vital water supplies. Interactive: Saving the Nile 171022074240615 Addis Ababa says the project is a critical opportunity to pull millions of its nearly 110 million citizens out of poverty. It has long planned to begin filling the dams reservoir this month, during its rainy season, though it has not said exactly when. Cairo and Khartoum are pushing for the three countries to first reach an agreement on how it will be operated. Sovereign right Relying on the Nile for more than 90 percent of its water supply and already under high water stress, Egypt fears a devastating effect on its population of 100 million. In June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry warned conflict could erupt if the UN fails to intervene. Awol Allo, from Keele University in the UK, said Egypt is demanding adherence to a 1959 treaty, signed between Cairo and Khartoum not including Ethiopia that gave Egypt most of the Niles annual flow. I think Ethiopia has been negotiating for a considerable amount of time in good faith to reach a settlement on this issue, but the Egyptians insist on the 1959 treaty as the starting point, Allo told Al Jazeera. The majority of Ethiopians are on the same page that it is their sovereign right to fill and open the dam. Cairo has been anxious to secure a binding deal that guarantees minimum flows and a dispute resolution mechanism before the dam started operating. Sudan stands to benefit from the project through cheap electricity and reduced flooding, but it has also raised concerns. The latest round of negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the contentious dam ended with no agreement on Tuesday, according to Egyptian and Sudanese officials. MADISON An enduring strength of the American education system is local control. While President Trump may fume about cutting off federal support for schools if they dont open this fall, he cannot unilaterally deny such aid and it wouldnt necessarily be catastrophic if he could. Federal aid to public elementary and secondary schools amounts to $1 for every $12 spent by those schools, with the rest coming largely from state and local taxpayers. Congress, not the president, has the biggest say in how those federal dollars are spent across a host of programs. Local control has been hard-wired into public education from the earliest days of the republic. That decentralized approach to education control and how it is financed which extends to parts of higher education, as well will help schools and the economy as the COVID-19 response evolves in coming weeks. While the federal Centers for Disease Control have issued guidelines for the safe reopening of schools, the responsibility for doing so will fall to states and communities, where the details of doing so may vary widely. What should be beyond argument is that reopening schools and colleges safely is essential to the U.S. economy as well as students. The rush to close schools in March made amateur teachers out of millions of parents, who collectively learned how hard it is to be an educator. Those same parents also needed to carve out time in their workdays to help Johnny and Jane with their school assignments. It was a tough transition for students, parents, teachers and businesses alike. While the lockdown meant many parents were working from home, the role of substitute teacher complicated how efficient they could be on the job. Businesses will welcome the reopening of schools, even with a hybrid mix of live and virtual instruction, because so many employees were scrambling to find child care or supervising kids at home during normal work hours. Reopening schools need not be a threat to students. The American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded the harm to children from not having in-person education is greater than the risk posed by COVID-19. Poor children may be missing meals, child abuse instances may have gone underground, special needs students arent getting as much help, and further disruption in learning will have lasting effects on a whole cohort of students. As two Johns Hopkins physicians and researchers noted recently, school-aged children make up a small percentage of COVID-19 cases and an even smaller percentage of hospitalizations and deaths. Research in Australia and France has shown the same thing. Austria, Denmark, Germany and Norway have reopened schools without major outbreaks, the Johns Hopkins experts wrote recently. So why not reopen U.S. schools in ways that are safe for all? That includes teachers and other staff, of course, who are at greater risk of coronavirus infection and suffering from more extreme consequences. Like other employers, however, very few schools would put one of their greatest assets at risk with a reopening plan that doesnt take staff safety into account. With or without CDC guidance, and with or without federal threats, that is precisely what school districts across the country are doing this summer. They are refining how online education (not a panacea) will be delivered, rethinking transportation strategies to and from school, adjusting space needs, considering school shifts and more. The idea of school shifts is not a new one, as many baby boomers can testify from their years growing up when the number of classrooms did not keep pace with the number of bright young faces. Colleges and universities, especially those with student housing, are also working through the challenges posed by a safe reopening. The economic effects of a college campus on the community around it is significant, and it ranges from producing the talent needed by businesses to direct spending on supplies and materials to investment in research projects. Many policymakers are concerned about reopening bars, restaurants and health clubs. They should be at least as worried about restarting Americas education engine, which will best serve the economy over time. Decisions may vary from one school district to the next, but the history of public education in America suggests trusting those choices will lead to innovation over time. Tom Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. He can be reached at tstill@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Karachi, July 15 : The Sindh Home Department on Wednesday extended the detention of the accused persons in the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl by three months, Geo News reported. The accused in the murder of the American journalist include Omar Saeed, Fahad Naseem, Salman Saqib and Shaikh Mohammad. The department said that the accused have been detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act's Section 11 Triple E. It added that the government fears that if the accused are released they may create a new terrorist network. The provincial government has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the Sindh High Court's (SHC) ruling in the Daniel Pearl case, whereby three of the four accused were acquitted and the death sentence of the prime accused was commuted. The appeal against the SHC's April 2 ruling was filed by the provincial prosecutor-general. The provincial government has requested Pakistan's top court to declare the SHC's ruling null and void. It has also petitioned for the death penalty of the prime accused, Omer Saeed Sheikh, to be restored. Sheikh's sentence had been converted into seven-year imprisonment earlier. The Sindh government has requested the apex court to restore the life sentences of Sheikh's three accomplices as well. The three appeals by the provincial government include all four accused as a party to the petition. On April 2, the SHC had acquitted three of the accused in the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002. It had also converted prime accused Sheikh's death penalty into a seven-year imprisonment sentence. A two-judge bench of the High Court - headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha - had reserved the judgement in March after hearing the arguments of the appellants and the state counsel. "The court has commuted Omar's death sentence to a seven year sentence," a defence lawyer had told Reuters by telephone. "The murder charges were not proven, so he was given seven years for the kidnapping." "Omar has already served 18 years, so his release orders will be issued sometime today. He will be out in a few days," he had said. Later, however, Sindh had invoked the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law to prevent all suspects in the Daniel Pearl murder case from walking free, ordering that they be kept in detention for another 90 days. The federal government had also expressed its reservations over the ruling, as per the interior ministry, which added that although it was a provincial matter given that it was a criminal case, it had been taken up with the Sindh interior ministry as well. The centre, according to the interior ministry, had advised the Sindh government to ensure that all legal requirements were fulfilled and to utilise the best resources to file the appeal in the top court. It had also directed the provincial leadership to consult the Attorney General in this regard. The federal government had reiterated its resolve to bring the terrorists to justice. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text (Bloomberg Opinion) -- The time of coronavirus has been a time of reckonings about the perils of political polarization, a diminished public sector and Americas unfinished project of civil rights. But there is a further reckoning that will soon play out, not in our hospitals, but in our courts: the legal systems declining capacity to provide justice to ordinary Americans. That reckoning begins in Michigan this week with the lifting of the moratorium pausing eviction cases, ordered by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in March as Covid-19 spread. When her order expires Thursday, Michigans courts are expecting a deluge of 75,000 eviction cases. Michigan is not alone, and evictions are only the start. Americas courts will soon fill with millions of cases reflecting the failing finances and fraying relationships of our sheltered-in-place lives. Those cases will flood a court system already in crisis: chronically underfunded, technologically behind the curve and shockingly ill-equipped to address the justice needs of Americans, who get little help in the overwhelming majority of legal problems they encounter. How we face this reckoning with business as usual, or with new thinking about who can provide legal services and new technologies that assist in that work will help chart the future of our justice system and determine whether it serves us all or just a few. None of this is to slight the many challenges courts overcame in recent months. As the country shut down, judges found ways to keep up. In many courts this meant measures much like your grocery store: plexiglass partitions, socially distanced lines, lots of hand sanitizer. In a creative few it meant holding court outside on courthouse steps or in repurposed school gyms. Most important of all, many courts, long resistant to it, embraced proceedings by phone or videoconference. In Michigan, a remarkable 900 judges, magistrates and referees have presided over some 500,000 hours of Zoom hearings since the lockdown began. Story continues These triage efforts paint an inspiring portrait of American grit and ingenuity. But if there is a consistent theme from the front lines, it is this: The worst is yet to come. The Great Recession a decade ago helps put some numbers on what to expect. After the 2007-2008 crash, state court civil filings around the nation leapt by 1.5 million cases a whopping 20%. The bulk were evictions, home foreclosures, consumer credit cases and domestic disputes. In federal courts, personal bankruptcies doubled, adding 700,000 more cases. We can expect sharper spikes this time because the pandemics ravages have been more ferocious. What to do? A good start is to make permanent the best recent triage strategies, including remote proceedings and innovative diversion programs to resolve landlord-tenant cases without hearings. But two more powerful tectonic shifts are coming and, indeed, were already in motion when Covid-19 hit with the potential to reshape the legal system, for good and for ill. First is the erosion of the professional monopoly of lawyers and the empowerment of new legally trained paraprofessionals. Over the past decade, access-to-justice advocates have built a searing critique around a grim statistic: Although American law celebrates adversarialism the Perry-Mason-like clash of lawyers in court in three-quarters of the millions of civil cases filed each year, one side does not have a lawyer at all. Pressure was mounting pre-coronavirus to loosen rules prohibiting unauthorized law practice and allow trained legal technicians, akin to specialized nurse practitioners, into the fold. Research from other countries and a few states piloting reforms finds that these nonlawyer professionals are just as good as or better in the high-volume cases likely to see upticks: public benefits, consumer debt, employment and family law. Bar associations fight them, but these reforms should continue and expand. The second tectonic shift is the uptake of technologies, many fueled by artificial intelligence, to supplement or supplant lawyers work. Legal tech already helps lawyers decide which documents to turn over to the other side, predict case outcomes, and even choose which arguments to put before a particular judge. Others, though fewer, help people without lawyers: online legal advice via chatbot; apps such as TurboTax or Rocket Lawyer that complete legal documents, from taxes to divorces; and online dispute resolution platforms. The looming question is whether legal tech will widen or narrow the gap between haves and have nots. Some see it as a force-multiplier that will allow smaller firms to do battle with larger, corporate-facing ones. It can also, like remote hearings, boost access to justice by reducing legal costs. PeopleLaw, the steadily shrinking sector that serves individuals rather than corporations, might rebound. The darker view is that legal tech will replicate or even exacerbate existing disparities. Bleakest of all is the possibility that legal tech will make it easier for employers, creditors and landlords to bring cases against employees, debtors and tenants, not the other way around. Witness the use of robo-approaches in home foreclosures and consumer credit disputes after the Great Recession or, a more recent example, ClickNotices, a delinquency management solution for landlords. Rethinking our courts will be an all-hands-on-deck effort. Judges, working with legislatures, must make technology upgrades even amid belt-tightening and work to build out the best ideas. Rule makers must adapt to assimilate new legal professionals and blunt the effects of unequal access to new technology. Bar associations must drop their reflexive opposition and engage in an evidence-based debate about when lawyers are needed and when theyre not. And law schools must better train their graduates including, in time, the new legal professionals to use technology on behalf of the worst-off among us. None of this will happen fast. Change will play out over years, not weeks or months. If and when a vaccine arrives, the hard work will continue without the reformist propulsion of sickness and death. But even once the worst is behind us, the urgent challenge will remain: What good, if anything, can we make out of Covid-19s disruption? This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Bridget Mary McCormack is the chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. David Freeman Engstrom is a professor at Stanford Law School. 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. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump finalized a major overhaul Wednesday of one of the country's most consequential environmental laws on the grounds that it has slowed the construction of highways, pipelines and other major projects across the country. The sweeping changes to the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act, which opponents have vowed to fight in court and reverse if Democrats regain control of the executive and legislative branches this fall, underscore the stakes in this year's election. "This is a truly historic breakthrough," Trump said Wednesday afternoon at an event at a United Parcel Service hub in Atlanta where he announced the move. He added: "Together, we're reclaiming America's proud heritage as a nation of builders and a nation that can get things done." The law requires the federal government to analyze the impact of a major project or federal action on the environment - and to seek public input - before approving it. Trump and his allies in business and industry argue that the law has proved costly and cumbersome to developers. But supporters say it provides Americans - particularly those in poor and minority neighborhoods that bear the brunt of many polluting industries - with a say on proposals that will affect them for decades to come. Trump chose Georgia, which has emerged as a battleground state in this year's presidential and Senate elections, as the site for unveiling his move. At Wednesday's event in Atlanta, he noted that his action is expected to cut down the length of time for a highway expansion plan there to two years from the original seven. "We're going to give every project a clear answer: Yes or no," Trump said to applause. A White House official said the move will benefit the UPS hub by reducing congestion and promoting economic development in the region. Kym Hunter, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, said in a phone interview that it was hard to say the law had delayed Atlanta's Interstate 75 expansion because it was still in the early stages. The president can't amend the law, but he intends to change the rules governing the way it is implemented. He wants to exempt some projects and activities from environmental review altogether while speeding up the time frame for reviews for other projects. In one of the most contentious changes, federal agencies would be told not to consider "indirect" climate impacts. While this category is not yet defined, experts said, it could potentially include emissions from burning oil and gas shipped through a new pipeline or increased traffic on an expanded highway. Mike Sommers, president and chief executive of the American Petroleum Institute, predicted that the changes would speed up the construction of "not only the modernized pipeline infrastructure we need to deliver cleaner fuels but highways, bridges and renewable energy." Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, said in a statement, "A brighter future awaits countless projects, including planned offshore wind farms up and down the Atlantic Coast with the billions of dollars of investment and tens of thousands of American jobs they will bring." But critics warned that the White House is going beyond its legal authority by trying to change a law without congressional authorization. "Trump can't change the statute, and Congress and the courts have laid out clear parameters for what the federal government must do before approving or funding a project," said Sharon Buccino, director of lands for the Natural Resources Defense Council, in an email. "If the Trump administration tries to ram through polluting projects without the appropriate review and public comment, we will be right there ready to take them to court. As we have seen with the recent pipeline and drilling cases, the administration's attempts to rush this process have led to lawsuits - and more rather than less delay." Depending on how many days Congress remains in session this year and the results of the fall election, Democrats may be able to overturn Trump's move through the Congressional Review Act next year, or craft a new rule to replace it if the party gains control of the White House. Matt Hill, a spokesman for former vice president Joe Biden, said in an email that the presumptive Democratic nominee would reverse the new rule if elected and focus instead on providing additional resources to underserved communities. "No one should be fooled that Donald Trump is attempting to destroy a bipartisan, cornerstone law to distract from the fact that 'Infrastructure Week' never happened and never will happen as long as he is president," Hill said. "Joe Biden knows what it's like to inherit an economy on the brink of collapse and has successfully overseen a recovery that gets people back to work quickly and with certainty - and he's going to do it again." Outside groups have managed to either halt or delay several of the Trump administration's most high-profile energy projects and environmental rollbacks by invoking NEPA, including the Keystone XL and Atlantic Coast pipelines. They have also deployed it to scuttle lesser-known proposals, including a large trash incinerator slated to be built on a flood plain in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Hunter said that it made no sense to scale back the law at a time when marginalized communities were demanding greater input into decisions affecting their public health. "This is a blatant and transparent effort from the Trump administration to further silence communities that are not as well connected, not as wealthy, not as valuable to the White House as others," Hunter said. "And the fact that it is happening now, when so many in our communities are crying out for equity and fairness, is particularly appalling." SHENZHEN, China, July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Huawei Oil & Gas Virtual Summit 2020 -- exploring 'Data to Barrel' -- was successfully hosted online. The summit gathered together global customers, industry partners, and thought leaders -- including representatives from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Schlumberger SIS, and the former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of French giant TOTAL -- to share their experiences of helping oil and gas companies increase profits while cutting costs, creating added value through digital transformation. Key suggestions on how the industry can overcome challenges at this particular point in time, adapting to the new normal of the pandemic and post-pandemic periods, were also fully explored. The Oil and Gas Industry Faces Upheaval: Huawei is Positioned to Help In the first half of 2020, due to the global economic downturn amid the spread of COVID-19, international oil prices fell to a low of 30 dollars per barrel. In May, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures prices even turned negative, a historically unprecedented event. Undoubtedly, the oil and gas industry has entered an extremely difficult period and is witnessing changes, the likes of which have not been seen for over a century. Huawei has been working hard to help oil and gas customers cope with these current challenges. David Sun, Vice President of Huawei's Enterprise Business Group and Director of the Global Energy Business Department, noted that, over the past decade, Huawei has partnered with customers in the oil and gas industry and together witnessed oil prices peak at 120 dollars per barrel, as well as fall to that low of 30 dollars. Along the way, Huawei's role has changed -- and upgraded -- with the support and help of oil and gas companies. Evolving from a vendor that simply provided switches, routers, and network devices, to becoming a full partner dedicated to providing digital transformation solutions, Huawei works with partners and customers alike to jointly promote the application of 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data in the oil and gas industry. It continues to explore new technologies and applications, where solutions to the current challenges lie. Indeed, using elastic computing, big data analytics, AI, and cloud data centers, Huawei has already helped oil and gas customers achieve digital transformation, promoting the construction of intelligent oilfields and increasing oil and gas reserves. Working with partners, Huawei planned and built a computing AI platform for an industry customer, to implement AI training and big data analytics. This has, in turn, led to an increase in both oil and gas reserves and in production. Indeed, solutions have been implemented in various scenarios, including artificial-lift fault diagnosis, well-logging and reservoir identification, and seismic first arrival wave identification, extracting significant value from underutilized -- formerly 'useless' -- data. In the words of Dr. Mohamed Akoum from ADNOC: In an era of change for industries around the world, ADNOC continues to drive innovation and embed advanced technologies across its value chain to optimize performance, boost profitability and build resilience. New ICT Technologies Reshape the Oil and Gas Industry: Huawei Offers a Wealth of Experience Today, 150 years after the first successful extraction of oil from a drilled well, accessible underground oil resources have been all but exhausted. Oil companies, by necessity, are therefore now exploring deep-water, pre-salt, and unconventional reservoirs. At 60 years old, Daqing Oilfield -- the largest oilfield in China, situated in Heilongjiang, the country's northernmost province -- has faced enormous challenges in terms of reserve replacement, stable production pressure, cost reductions, and efficiency improvements. At the Huawei Oil & Gas Virtual Summit 2020, Zhang Tiegang, former Deputy Chief Engineer of the Exploration and Development Research Institute at Daqing Oilfield, explained that seismic exploration technologies to detect oil and gas reserves have been the method of choice for most oil companies. Increasing seismic exploration while decreasing well drilling, he noted, has become a new measure widely used in the industry. However, high precision and massive data processing have brought their own challenges to seismic exploration and oilfield exploration and development. With a single seismic exploration work area now expanded to over 2000 square kilometers, the volume of data collected through the broadband, wide-azimuth, and high-density seismic data collection technology has exceeded 1 TB per square kilometer. To help Daqing Oilfield address these issues, Huawei built a dedicated oil and gas exploration cloud. The cloud data center improves computing power by eight times and has similarly improved prestack seismic data processing capability by five times, from 400 square kilometers to 2000 square kilometers, matching work area requirements. Elsewhere, AI and big data capabilities have been used to re-analyze 10 PB of the customer's historical exploration data, to mine new value from it and support extraction decision-making, bringing huge additional value to the oilfield. Huawei is empowering a wide range of industries through 5G networking. In the oil and gas industry, 5G technologies are changing the operation modes of seismic data collection. Huawei has put 5G network features to work - including high bandwidth, wide connectivity, and low latency - to help achieve high-speed backhaul of seismic data, reducing the manual cabling workload and significantly improving the efficiency of seismic data collection. Elsewhere, Huawei 5G networks are already being used in oilfields and stations to support robot inspection, drone inspection, and Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications. Additionally, the Huawei Horizon Digital Platform helps oil and gas customers break down legacy siloed service systems and quickly release service applications as micro-services, to meet the complex and changing needs of the industry. For example, Huawei has deployed an enterprise cloud for SONATRACH, the national state-owned oil company of Algeria. The cloud-based solution manages and coordinates multiple data centers, eliminates resource silos, and greatly improves overall operation efficiency. As a global ICT solutions provider, Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every oil and gas company. At the Huawei Oil & Gas Virtual Summit 2020, Wang Hao, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Oil & Gas Development Department for Huawei's Enterprise Business Group, said that Huawei will use ICT as a new engine to work even more closely with industry customers in challenging times. Indeed, Huawei is already working with 19 of the top 30 oil and gas companies, in 45 countries and regions around the world, helping them achieve digital transformation. Ultimately, this will bring more benefits to the upstream, more security to the midstream, and more value to the downstream. Such innovative ICT technologies -- AI, cloud, edge computing, and 5G -- will reshape the oil and gas industry. As David Sun concluded at the Huawei Oil & Gas Virtual Summit 2020: "According to IDC's latest survey, Chinese industrial users see Huawei as the digital transformation leader, ranking number one. In the future, we hope to share Huawei's digital transformation capabilities and experiences in China's oil and gas industry with global customers, to help achieve ever greater business success." For more information, please visit https://e.huawei.com/topic/oil-gas-virtual-summit-2020/en/ KENT COUNTY, MI -- Police have issued an endangered missing advisory for a missing 14-year-old Rockford girl. State police are looking for Maya Gabriella Sippel. She was last seen in the area of 125 S. Main St. in Rockford and was wearing a yellow long sleeve t-shirt, black shorts and white shoes. Police say she may be headed to Grand Rapids or the state of Georgia. Anyone with information about her whereabouts can call 911 or Rockford police at 616-866-9557. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 15) The foreign ministers of the Philippines and China reaffirmed their countries friendship after releasing clashing statements on Manilas arbitration win which the United States strongly backed. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi requested a virtual meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Teddy Boy Locsin, Jr., the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Wednesday. Their online meeting was held on Tuesday, marked by open, cordial, and fruitful discussions," the DFA said, recognizing gains from their bilateral relations amid the long-standing dispute on the South China Sea. Both sides reaffirmed that contentious maritime issues are not the sum total of the Philippines-China bilateral relationship. With mutual respect, sincerity, and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation, the DFA added. Both sides agree to strengthen Philippines-China comprehensive strategic cooperation, it added. Locsin also reiterated that the two countries should continue the dialogue and cooperation amid the coronavirus pandemic. State-run China Global Television Network quoted Wang as saying, "We need to cherish the hard-won friendly situation." On the fourth anniversary of the arbitral ruling, Locsin called the landmark decision which China rejects as non-negotiable. The 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims to almost the entire South China Sea. It largely favored the Philippines case against China and recognized Manila's sovereign rights in areas within its exclusive economic zone that Beijing claims. The Philippines, as a law-abiding, peace-loving and responsible member of the international community, reaffirms on this occasion its adherence to the award and its enforcement without any possibility of compromise or change, Locsin said. In response, the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement maintaining that the arbitral ruling was illegal and invalid. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo also issued a strongly worded statement saying Chinas sweeping claims to most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them. While the US does not claim any part of the global waterway, it conducts freedom of navigation operations and criticizes what it says is China's militarization of contested areas. Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the US sent a very strong message to China that it is supporting the Philippines and other Southeast Asian coastal states in protecting their exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea. EDWARDSVILLE Felony charges recently filed by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include: Mary B. Gude, 49, of Edwardsville, was charged July 13 with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony; and aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony. According to court documents, on July 1 Gude struck a family or household member in the face and scratched him with her nails; and struck another person, describe as a 60-year-old woman with a closed fist, in Glen Carbon. Bail was set at $50,000. Zachary P. Kindle, 28, of Wood River, was charged wit aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony. According to court documents, on July 11 Kindle spit on a Roxana police officer in the performance of their duty. Bail was set at $50,000. Cheyanna R. Jones, 23, of East Alton, was charged July 10 with forgery, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on July 9 attempted to cash a fraudulent $1,000 check in Alton. Bail was set at $20,000. Vincent M. Brinson, 33, of Alton, was charged July 9 with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. According to court documents, on Oct. 30, 2018, Brinson allegedly entered a home in the 3800 block of Horn Street to commit theft. Bail was set at $50,000. John H. Johnson, 45, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged July 9 with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. According to court documents, on Nov. 12, 2018 Johnson entered a home in the 900 block of E. Seventh Street in Alton to commit theft. Bail was set at $150,000. Ariela Kauffman, 28, of Alton, was charged July 9 with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on Aug. 13, 2019 Kauffman allegedly struck an Illinois Department of Human Services employee who was performing their official duties. Court documents also showed an active warrant. Bail was set at $20,000. Diamond N. Miller, 23, of Alton, was charged July 9 with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on July 8 she was found to be in possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine by Alton police. Bail was set at $15,000. Robert E. Prosser II, 43, of Staunton, was charged July 9 with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. According to court documents, on May 3 he knowingly attempted to strangle another person. The case was brought by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. Bail was set at $30,000. Seasoned journalist, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has warned former President Jerry John Rawlings to desist from using lies to justify his actions to look like a Saint. Kweku Baako offered an advice to Mr. Rawlings saying he should take a sober reflection and count the number of his friends and associates who have distanced themselves from him. Kweku Baako, contributing to Peace FM's 'kokrokoo on Wednesday, was of a view that Mr. Rawlings' behaviour is the reason why his friends have abandoned him. According to him, he (Rawlings) should ask himself all his close friends and associates, almost all maybe I should be fair; why is he not in good terms or talking terms with them? Mr. Baako insisted that the former President cannot portray himself as a Saint and that there is absolutely something wrong with him that his own friends discovered and decided to alienate him. He should ask himself why; almost all of them. The fault must be with him not with all the rest that they have now lost touch with him. He can't be the only Saint around. All the people that have associated with him politically, almost all of them; he's fallen out with them and the stories he tells is not consistent. It's not coherent, he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. To him, he (Rawlings) is lucky to be former President of Ghana, hence just like COVID-19, the nation has learned to live with his ills. With all the difficulties and challenges, whether we like it or not, the irony of history is you have become President under the fourth Republican constitution. You have left office but the State is looking after you, caring for you. Whether we like it or not, we have to live with it. The same way we're going to have to live with COVID till eternity; we're living with you. My advice to him is he should be very careful. If I were him, I would concentrate on the book he says he's writing and put some of these things in there, even the untruth. But if he's not careful, even before the book comes out; people will expose him left, right and centre, he said. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, July 15, 2020 15:49 552 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a40666820e1 1 Business Trade,export,import,June,trade-surplus,relaxation,PSBB,COVID-19 Free Indonesia booked a trade surplus of US$1.27 billion in June as both exports and imports rose from the slump recorded in May, signaling increasing economic activity as the country and its trading partners have begun to lift coronavirus-induced restrictions. Exports were up 2.28 percent year-on-year (yoy) in June at $12.03 billion, the first growth recorded in four months, thanks to rising shipments of manufactured and agricultural goods, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Wednesday. Imports, meanwhile, were 6.36 percent lower than last year at $10.76 billion as domestic demand for raw materials remains weak. But the decrease was much less pronounced than in May, when imports plummeted 42.2 percent yoy. Imports of consumer goods and capital goods rose significantly following the governments gradual reopening of the economy in June. The growth in exports is an encouraging sign for the economy, and we hope that this will become a positive signal of a continuing rise in exports in the coming months, BPS head Suhariyanto told reporters in a streamed news conference. Suhariyanto added that the significant rise in exports was warranted with the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions. Trade rose significantly in June compared to May, when the country imposed large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to curb the spread of COVID-19, halting many business activities, disrupting supply chains and forcing manufacturing facilities to shut down temporarily. In June, exports increased by 15.09 percent month-to-month (mtm) and imports rose by 27.56 percent mtm. Meanwhile, the countrys oil and gas exports decreased in June by 18.52 percent yoy to $580 million despite the rise in oil prices, while exports of mining products fell by 17.05 percent yoy due to falling coal prices. Exports of manufactured goods rose by 7.09 percent, driven by increased exports of palm oil and electrical machines, while exports of agriculture goods rose by 34.36 percent yoy. Meanwhile, imports of consumer goods grew by 37.15 percent yoy following a sharp increase of garlic shipments from China and frozen meat from Australia, among other items. Imports of raw materials plummeted by 13.27 percent, while imports of capital goods grew by 2.63 percent, driven by higher demand for laptops from China. China, the United States and Japan remain Indonesias largest trading partners. In the first half of the year, the country booked $76.41 billion in exports, a decrease of 5.49 percent, while imports amounted to $70.9 billion from January to June, a 14.28 percent yoy decrease. Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of $5.5 billion over the first half of the year, compared to a deficit of $1.87 billion in the same period last year. Global trade is expected to drop around 18.5 percent yoy in the second quarter of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Trade Organization. The WTO also forecasted that global trade volumes would contract by between 13 percent at best and 32 percent at worst in 2020, amid the disruption brought about by the pandemic. Bank Central Asia chief economist David Sumual told The Jakarta Post that the result was justified following the reopening of the economy, adding that implementing health protocols would be key to maintaining the positive trade performance. We still think that uncertainty remains going forward as COVID-19 is still around, but the way we are going now is overall positive for economic growth, David said in a phone interview. Bank Danamon economist Wisnu Wardana said after the announcement that the current account deficit would narrow to 1.5 percent in the second quarter, a result he called surprisingly positive for the virus-battered economy. Indonesia recorded a current account deficit of $3.9 billion, or 1.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), in this years first three months, down from 2.8 percent of GDP in the preceding quarter. Angela Lutzi Dellatore and Scott Dellatore are the owners and brokers of The Dellatore Group, a luxury boutique agency, servicing the Southwest Florida area. Scott, Angela, and The Dellatore Group have achieved unprecedented success over the past six years. Haute Residence is pleased to welcome Angela Lutzi Dellatore & Scott Dellatore to the exclusive Haute Residence Network as its representatives in the Bonita Springs, Florida real estate market. 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HauteResidence.com has grown to be the number one news source for million-dollar listings, high-end residential developments, celebrity real estate, and more. Access all of this information and more by visiting: http://www.hauteresidence.com Death Valley, California in the Mojave Desert reached a sizzling 128 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday in what is the highest recorded temperature anywhere on Earth since 2017. Although the official weather station in the area recorded 128F, a photo taken at the aptly named Furnace Creek Visitor Center read 129F. Sunday's scorching high is part of a heatwave that is currently hovering over the Southwest of the country, but the 'heat dome' is expected to expand east and northwards later in the week. The place still holds the record for hottest air temperature ever recorded which was 134F set in July 1913. A photo posted by the Park Service in Death Valley showed their thermometer to be at 129F The scorching temperature was recorded at the aptly named Furnace Creek in Death Valley The extreme heat has been cause in part because of a 'heat dome' which keeps hot air trapped A 'heat dome' across the southwest is seeing heat trapped in the already dry conditions Death Valley still holds the record for hottest air temperature ever recorded which was 134F set in July 1913. Pictured, the landscape of the Death Valley National Park A number of daily records in other places were broken on Sunday including an all-time high 116F at Borger, Texas, near Amarillo. Daily records were set in Palm Springs, California at 121F, 116F in Phoenix, 113F in Tucson, Arizona, 110F in Roswell, New Mexico and 109F in Del Rio, Texas. Even more northerly states including Wyoming and Utah also had towns that hit triple-digit highs above 100F. The lowest the temperature Phoenix experienced was a sweltering 93F. The record-breaking heat is being caused by a 'heat dome' centered across the southwest. It is likely that the heat dome may now move in a more northeasterly direction over the week Triple digit temperatures are forecast for Chicago, Washington D.C and St. Louis this weekend The temperature in Death Valley caught the attention of weather watchers on Twitter The triple-digit heat stretches across south from California to the Florida Panhandle 50 million Americans across the southern United States are under Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories according to CBS News. The area stretches 1,700 miles from Southern California's deserts across to Panama City on the Florida Panhandle. Over 19 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings in the Southwest alone, along with parts of Texas and Louisiana. It means that temperatures of more than 120F in California and Arizona deserts and 110F in western parts of Texas over the coming weeks will not be uncommon. Even along the coast in Louisiana, high temperatures coupled with humidity could see temperatures close to 115F. Phoenix is experiencing recording breaking heat at night with temperatures in the low 90s New Orleans has also been experiencing uncomfortable temperatures, even at 1am The heat dome sees sunny skies and dry air sinking through the atmosphere. As it does so, it warms up and produces more heat. Over the next few days, the heat dome may start to weaken but also begin to move northwards firstly into the Mississippi Valley then into the Ohio Valley and Mid Atlantic states. The eastern half of the country is likely to experience highs in the 90s, approaching the 100s for the cities of St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and Washington D.C. Although such heat waves are common in the summer, climatologists expect them to become even more frequent as climate change occurs. As global temperature averages increase, so too do heat extremes. The UK and the EU have until 31 December to agree on their future relationship (Picture: Getty) Germany's Europe Minister has said the UK has shown insufficient realism about what can be achieved in Brexit talks. Michael Roth was speaking before a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on Wednesday where he admitted the talks would be a major topic of European Union business from September Roth, who will act as chair since Germany holds the EU's rotating presidency, said: There has been a shortage of realism on the British side. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned the UK last month it needed to obey EU principles in order to achieve a Brexit future relationship deal. German minister of state for Europe Michael Roth (Picture: Getty) Von der Leyen said both sides had to bridge wide divergences which remain to be solved. She added: The topics are known: level playing field, fisheries, governance, the scope of our police and judicial co-operation. These are important points for the EU because these are principles fair competition, rising social standards, protecting our citizens and the rule of law at the heart of the EU. The SNPs Ian Blackford said on Wednesday Brexit during the coronavirus pandemic is self-induced madness as he demanded an extension to the transition period. The SNP leader in the House of Commons claimed the risk of a second wave of infections hitting the economy meant refusing to seek an extension would be the ultimate act of self-harm. Last month, Michael Gove formally confirmed the UK wouldnt look to delay the end of the transition period. Blackford used an opposition day debate about the impact of COVID-19 on Brexit negotiations to insist it would still be possible to legislate for an extension. He told the Commons on Wednesday: The EU has expressed its ongoing openness to extending the transition period for negotiations. The UK government now needs to accept that offer. Britain continues to participate in many EU structures until the transition period ends on 31 December, by which time a new agreement on ties must be in place if serious commercial and logistic disruption is to be avoided. By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans. Yesterday, the Trump administration retracted a rule that would have cancelled visas and forced foreign students to leave the country if their institution offered only on-line instruction and they were unable to shift to institutions that offered face-to face course. Leading universities, led by Harvard and MIT and joined by other academic institutions, had filed a legal challenge to the rule change, which had also been condemned by many businesses (see US student visa: Top universities back Harvard, MIT lawsuit). The rule change resolves the lawsuit. Foreign students and global elites breathed a huge sign of relief. But the situation is not yet fully resolved, as Live Mint reports in In surprise move, Trump administration reverses course on barring many foreign students: The government said it would drop the plan amid a legal challenge brought by universities. But a senior U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said the administration still intended to issue a regulation in the coming weeks addressing whether foreign students can remain in the United States if their classes move online. The mooted Trump change further erodes confidence in U.S.policy and priorities, and the continued vacillation is, to undoubtedly unsettling for both current and future students alike. It will undoubtedly influence future recruitment. MIT President L. Rafael Reif penned an op-ed in todays New York Times stating the globalist case for foreign students in the United States,The Administration Retreated on Student Visas, but the Battle Isnt Over: Yet the larger battle is far from over. This misguided policy was one of many signals that the administration wants foreign students to stay away an attitude that reflects a stark misreading of our national interest. In any long-running competition, no one understands your strengths better than your rivals. At a dinner I attended a few years back, Chinese tech leaders contended that Chinas most important economic advantage is scale: Chinas vast population and market offer a permanent leg up. But they also remarked on Americas persistent advantage in scientific creativity. To be sure, many of these students would like to stay in the United States and that raises the immigration bugaboo: The latest data show, for example, that 83 percent of Ph.D. students from China, the kind of highly trained scientists and engineers who drive American innovation, were still in the United States five years after completing their degrees. The percentage would be higher if longstanding U.S. policies did not require many students to return home after finishing their education a system as counterproductive as training a great player and then insisting that she go play for a rival team. Recently, the percentage of doctoral graduates remaining here has begun to decline, in part because our national message is that they are not welcome. Now, I point out, the openness and attractiveness of leading universities is a longstanding virtue and dates at least to medieval times, when Oxford, the Sorbonne, and other places attracted scholars. Im sure it extends well before then. So one can appreciate Reifs argument and one would expect MIT to seek to attract able students from around the world. Yet part of the allure of universities is that they are supposed to be beyond nationality. I guess what bothers me is that he couches his argument in terms of whats in the national interest. But perhaps I am just being idealistic, and even a bit naive. COVID-19 Challenge Now, Reif fails to mention how important the roughly 1 miilion foreign students, many of whom pay full freight, are to the bottom line of many of our institutions of higher education especially now, when COVID-19 poses considerable challenges for US colleges and universities, a topic Yves discussed in Universities in a Mess Over Upcoming Year; Some Reopenings Meeting Fierce Resistance. Universities need to balance competing priorities: educating students; ensuring the health of students, faculty and support staff; and earning revenues. In the initial phase of the pandemic, many moved to online learning; Several had announced plans to continue such policies next year although many students grumble at being forced to pay full tuition for online classes. Yet faculty at institutions such as Georgia Tech equally object at having to teach in-person classes in the face of a pandemic a type of objection that will only accelerate as and if COVID-19 fails to come under control. Higher education remains one of the few US industries that remains world-beating and attracts many interested students per year. As readers are well aware, it fails to address the needs of. many potential students, and in many cases, fulfills more of a credentialing function than educating its students. And education is certainly ripe for comprehensive overhaul one of the many where the status quo will not survive. It would be bizarre to say the least if the Trump administration sought to cut off universities from a leading revenue source in the midst of a pandemic. But I have a bit of compassion for the students, thinking back to my days as a student, and how devastating it would have been to have my studies interrupted because the host country decided not to renew my visa. I am a bit surprised to see Trump back down on this issue, as he generally not shied away from exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue goals that are popular with his base despite their absence of practical effect (as I wrote in Trump Tweet: Will Issue Executive Order Temporarily Suspending All Immigration into the United States). I suspect this is an issue that doesnt really resonate with his base, as compared to other immigration isses, In that post, I discussed how Trump tweeted in March that he would temporarily suspend all legal immigration into the US, even though,widespread lockdowns and the closure of immigration services had practically speaking already constructively done so for him. Subsequent Trump policies have been unusually cruel even when assessed against standard immigration benchmarks, which, lets face it, are not particularly friendly to immigrants. Some of these policies have kept families divided, as one parent or both parents may have been out of the country when the ban occurred and thus unable to reunite with school age children. The Bottom Line So, for the time being, the visas of foreign students are spared. That will not resolve the longer-term challenges that confront U.S, institutions of higher education. And a larger issue looms: if the United states fails to control the COVID-19 pandemic, what parent, especially one that hails from a country that has done so, would encourage her or his child to study in the United states, notwithstanding the quality of instruction or the reputation of the institution. The same objection applies to the student. And becomes especially acute if the visa situation remains uncertain. After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a statewide emergency alert to Michigan residents informing them of the new requirement to wear masks, Republican lawmakers are planning to introduce bills to limit what the emergency alert system can be used for. Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, and Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland, plan to introduce legislation next week that would restrict the statewide emergency alert system to time-sensitive emergencies or natural disasters. Both lawmakers said they were concerned Whitmers use of the statewide emergency alert system to inform residents of COVID-19 related executive orders goes too far. This is an overt abuse of a service designed to alert people of legitimate emergencies the governor has gone beyond the scope and intent of the law and is now somewhere over the rainbow and approaching Oz, Lucido said in a statement. The alert in question was issued Monday afternoon and informed cellphone owners in Michigan of Whitmers executive order requiring individuals to wear masks in indoor, public spaces and outdoor spaces where they cant maintain a six-foot-distance. The order includes exceptions where people do not have to wear masks, including for those who are unable to medically tolerate masks and children under five years old. Without a vaccine, without a cure, a mask is the safest way to protect yourself from the spread of COVID-19, to protect your family from the spread of COVID-19, to protect your neighbors and co-workers, and to protect our economy from another potential step backwards, Whitmer said at a press conference Thursday. Previously, Whitmers administration also used the emergency alert system to remind residents when the COVID-19 stay-at-home order went into effect in late March. Nationally and in Michigan, employees asking people to wear masks have faced confrontations and violence, including a security guard in Flint who was shot and killed earlier this year. In a Tuesday statement, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, said he encouraged people to wear a mask in public and treat people with respect, as well as avoid altercations with others over wearing masks. No citizen should challenge another regarding the wearing of a mask, he said. There is no reason to risk your health or your life over the debate of wearing masks in public. Some businesses had, prior to the governors latest order, taken a softer approach to the mask ask out of concern for employees safety. Others enforced a 100% mask policy even before being required to. 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. Related coverage: Overly aggressive Michigan mask mandate leaves retailers concerned about enforcement Michiganders mostly have to mask up, but here are 9 exceptions Whitmer orders mask use in Michigan, violators could be fined up to $500 Masks are required in Michigan. But with no enforcement mechanism, compliance is hit or miss. Gov. Whitmer aims to increase mask use, doesnt rule out penalties for those who dont comply Michigan sees largest one-day coronavirus case increase in 7 weeks Are shoppers wearing masks? We went to 37 stores across Michigan to find out. Michigans grocery store face mask requirement extended until July 15 Michigan retailers caught in a no-win situation of enforcing mask use If only there was an easy, cheap way to limit COVID-19. Oh, wait .... Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) online on Wednesday. This would be the first time in the company's history that the shareholders' meet will be held virtually in the view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is scheduled to begin at 2 pm. "The 43rd annual meet will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at 2 pm through video conferencing/other audio-visual means," RIL said in a regulatory filing. Where to watch RIL's AGM live? The oil-to-telecom major's 43rd AGM will be streamed live on its official website as well as YouTube. RIL, for the first time, will let users enter the webinar through JioMeet video conferencing platform. Those interested can also get all the updates in real-time on the company's official Twitter handle (Flame of Truth), and its official Facebook channel. RIL will follow the lead of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which held its AGM online on June 11. Also Read: Reliance 43rd AGM on July 15: What shareholders can expect from Mukesh Ambani To enable easy onboarding of its shareholders, RIL has also launched an educative Chatbot called Jio Haptik via Whatsapp number +91 79771 11111. The chatbot will help them as well as prospective investors, media and the general public get the latest updates of the meeting. It will act as a help desk to answer all queries regarding the RIL's AGM. The company's virtual platform will enable its over one lakh shareholders to log in at the same time from 500 locations in India and overseas. According to PTI, the shareholders can log into the event live, listen to the company's initiatives and plans, and participate as well. What to expect from the meet According to news reports, the dividend, if declared at the AGM, will be released within a week from its conclusion. RIL's billionaire Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani is also expected to talk about the company's future plans following its recent partnerships with Facebook at the meet. The company had fixed July 8 as the "Cut-off Date" for determining the members eligible to vote on the resolutions set out in the notice of the AGM or to attend the AGM. It had also fixed July 3 as the "Record Date" for determining the members eligible to receive dividend for FY20. "The dividend, if declared at the AGM, will be paid within a week from the conclusion of the AGM," RIL had said in the filing. Ahead of this year's AGM, the oil-to-telecom conglomerate has achieved net-debt free status on the back of stake sale in Jio Platforms, RIL's digital arm, and mega rights issue. RIL has become zero net-debt company eight months before the deadline (March 2021) set by Chairman Mukesh Ambani in the last AGM. At the 42nd AGM of the company, Ambani had announced plans to make RIL debt-free by March 31, 2021. Also Read: Mukesh Ambani surpasses Google co-founder Larry Page to become world's 6th richest RIL has raised over Rs 1.7 lakh crore in the last three months by selling stake in Jio Platforms and rights issues. The country's most valued firm has raised Rs 53,124.20 crore through the mega rights issues and over Rs 1.18 lakh crore from global tech investors by selling stake in Jio Platforms. The digital arm of the Reliance Industries has so far received thirteen investments in last three months from marquee global companies and investors that include Facebook, Silver Lake Partners (two investments), Vista Equity Partners , General Atlantic , KKR, Mubadala, ADIA, TPG, L Catterton, PIF, Intel Capital and Qualcomm Ventures . Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has permitted to hold AGM through video conference/other audio-visual means without the physical presence of members at a common venue. So far, all the post-IPO AGMs of Reliance have been physical meetings that have often been equated with big fat Indian weddings. The company, which is widely credited with having launched an equity culture in India, held AGMs in stadiums during the times of its founder Dhirubhai Ambani. New Jersey had been slowly peeling back the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Those rollbacks, from allowing parks and beaches to reopen, to permitting outdoor dining and hair cuts, have since stalled out after Gov. Phil Murphy put the brakes on a plan to permit indoor dining earlier this month. Just how risky are some of the activities weve all been eager to get back to enjoying? NJ Advance Media asked Stephanie A. N. Silvera, an epidemiologist and professor at Montclair State University, to weigh in on some of the things youre most likely to do in the coming weeks. Samantha Soccodato, second from right, a waitress at Martell's Waters Edge wears a mask and gloves to serve customers. Today the restaurant is open for outdoor dining after it has been closed for months due to the coronavirus. Customers from left: Emma Kruger, 13, with her mother Peggy Kruger and great aunt Marjie Worth on Monday, Jun. 15, 2020. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Eating at a restaurant (Indoor vs. Outdoor) Outdoor dining reopened in New Jersey on June 15, with restrictions. Tables must be six feet away from each other, there is a limit of eight customers to a table, employees are required to wear face coverings and gloves, buffets and salad bars must remain closed, and signs have to be posted that say patrons with a fever or symptoms of the coronavirus shouldnt enter. Indoor dining was supposed to open July 2, but Murphy postponed it indefinitely because of rising cases of coronavirus in other states and crowds of knuckleheads at outdoor bars down the shore. Indoor is considered high risk, Silvera said. Obviously there is no way for the patrons to wear face covering and eat/drink and if you are sitting down for a meal there is a prolonged exposure. If the windows are closed, then the lack of ventilation can exacerbate the risk. To reduce risk as much as possible, seating should be spaced at a minimum of 6 apart and servers/workers should be required to wear face coverings at all time. Outdoor is a better option, Silvera said. While the issues with face coverings remain, if spatial distancing is possible between tables, and servers are wearing their face covering and washing their hands regularly, the risk is lower than indoor dining. Visiting the beach or a pool Private-club and municipal pools reopened June 22. Health experts have said COVID-19 cannot be spread through pools as long as they are properly disinfected with chlorine and bromine, which should inactivate the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The key here is staying 6 feet from anyone you dont live with, Silvera said. If that spatial distance can be maintained, most of the data indicate that this is a lower risk activity. Monsignor Edward Puleo prepares to start mass with people in attendance, and social distancing, at St. Brigid Church in Peapack , N.J. June, 14, 2020 Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Religious Service (Indoor) Indoor religious services in New Jersey were allowed to resume as of the weekend of June 12. But theyre limited 50 people or 25% of the buildings capacity, whichever number is lower. This is considered a high risk, Silvera said, due to difficulty with spacing as well as challenges with ventilation indoors. If there is a choir, for example, the risk increases if everyone is not consistently and correctly wearing a mask as singing causes you to exhale more forcefully thus spreading respiratory droplets beyond the average of 6. An example of this was in Washington state where a cluster of cases was found following a choir rehearsal. Outdoor gathering Murphy increased the number of people who can gather outdoors from 10 to 25 right before Memorial Day weekend. Then it increased to 250 people on June 22. And to 500 people on July 2. This depends on several factors, Silvera said. What are the behaviors of the guests prior to the gathering, have they been practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering? How many other individuals have they been interacting with? Keeping your social circles small is key to reducing the risk of coming in contact with the virus. How much space is available? If you are able to maintain spatial distancing, then the risk is going to be lower than if you are within a few feet of each other, particularly if people are not wearing face coverings. The recommendation, to keep risk as low as possible, would also be to have it be a BYOE- Bring Your Own Everything, including plates, cups/glasses, cutlery, etc. Using a public bathroom Public bathrooms at county state parks and beaches have opened, as of mid-May, in a limited capacity. And outdoor dining customers have access to indoor bathrooms when they dine out as of June 15, as long as they wear a face mask while heading inside to use the facilities. There is some debate as to whether this falls in the low or moderate category. But again, the key is how many people are in the bathroom at any given time and are people wearing face coverings? Because most of the surfaces in bathrooms are meant to be easily cleaned, the frequency of cleaning those bathrooms also comes into play, Silvera said. If there is a line, everyone should be spaced 6 apart and washing your hands/using sanitizer after touching any communal surfaces is a must. Sharing a vacation home with another household Demand is outpacing cancellations for Jersey Shore rentals, as many families are eager to escape their own home for some new scenery. The answer is, it depends, Silvera said. It depends on how carefully each family has been quarantining prior to sharing the vacation home. It also depends on where you are going. If you are going somewhere more remote where you arent likely to interact with other families, then the risk is lower, but if you are traveling to a highly popular location, then the risk may increase simply because you are more likely to interact with others and you have no way of knowing how careful theyve been. Staying at a hotel If you dont have a beach house lined up, staying at a hotel brings similar risks. Much like sharing a vacation home, it depends a lot on the hotels cleaning policies and your own behavior, Silvera said. Once you are in your room, if you wipe down any shared surfaces (the remotes, the phone, desktops, drawer handles, etc) that helps reduce your risk. You should also ask if the hotel is washing the comforter between guests. In addition, it would be best to avoid communal areas like the fitness center and lounges, and avoiding the indoor restaurants for the reasons described above. FILE - In this Friday, June 26, 2020 file photo, Barber Mike McAndrew holds a mirror as customer Rob Verrastro looks at his new haircut at Three Saints Barbershop and Shave Parlor in Jessup, Pa. Restaurants, retailers and salons are desperately trying to stay afloat as the U.S. economy reopens in fits and starts after months in a coronavirus lockdown. But billions of dollars allocated by Congress as a lifeline to those very businesses are about to be left on the table when the government's Paycheck Protection Program stops accepting applications for loans Tuesday, June 29. (Christopher Dolan/The Times-Tribune via AP, File)AP Getting a haircut or your nails done Having gone months without a trim, color touchup, manicure or pedicure, many people were impatiently waiting for June 22 when they could get back into hair salons, barbers and nail salons. But these may not be the places to rush back to. Unfortunately, this is a high risk activity because it is indoors and you cannot get your hair cut in under 10 minutes from 6 away, Silvera said. Because of this, even with spacing between clients, there is a higher risk of the employee being exposed and then potentially exposing other customers. Going shopping Non-essential retail stores reopened June 15, but only at 50% capacity and shoppers and employees must wear face masks. The risk will depend on the size of the store, the location, and the ventilation. Depending on the size of the store, the store should limit the number of customers based on CDC guidance to allow for spatial distancing, Silvera said. Crowded malls are high risk and should be avoided if possible. Outdoor plaza-style shopping would reduce the risk. If you do need to go shopping, it would be best to limit the amount of time you need to stay indoors to reduce your risk. Camping at a campground Private campgrounds were allowed to reopen at the end of May with restrictions, including that picnic areas, playgrounds and pavilions remain closed. Of all of these, this is probably the lowest risk activity on the list, especially if the campground is more remote. Risk increases if the campground is crowded and there is a need for a lot of guests to share facilities such as restrooms, Silvera said. Much like sharing a vacation home, it also depends on if you are going with the people you currently live with or if you will be going with friends and family. For the latter, their behaviors will impact your risk, so that is something that you should consider in your planning. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. When Harry Styles made his debut at last year's Met Gala, it wasn't just his head-to-toe Gucci ensemble that whipped the internet into a frenzy. Nor was it the fact that he turned up on the arm of the Italian maison's revered creative director, Alessandro Michele. It wasn't even his sheer blouse or patent Cuban heels. It was the pop star's choice of accessory, most notably a solitary pearl earring, which set everybody's tongues wagging. Pearls have long enjoyed the secure status of being the preserve of the Queen and every Sloane ranger worth their salt, whether in the form of pearly earrings, bracelets or necklaces, but in recent years the stone has shed its antiquated reputation. Boy with the Pearl Earring: Styles at last year's Met Gala (Getty Images ) / Getty Images Irish designer Simone Rocha cast the stone as a focal point of her SS20 collection, channelling her penchant for pearls in the form of embellished headbands and statement earrings. At Gucci, Michele weaved them into his Resort 2020 show in the form of solo pearl earrings and necklaces. Rihanna's fashion house, Fenty, even incorporated the stones into its Cameo collection, embracing the trend in the form of statement pearl-framed earrings and rings. Simone Rocha SS20 / IMAXtree Younger jewellery designers appreciate the hard-working natural wonders too. Roxanne First, Susan Alexandra and Anni Lu all have put pearls firmly back on the map with their playful pearly-focussed pieces. The message trickled down from the fashion sphere to the rest of us. Google data shows that searches for 'pearl jewellery' have increased by 47 per cent over the last 10 days. To incorporate the stones into your repertoire this summer, the key is to juxtapose your pearls with a coterie of other textured bling. The consensus is that more is more, so rock your string of pearls with your Connell-esque chains, or your pearly hoops with an ear party of gold and silver hoops. In case you're not able to dust off your Grandma's, these are the pearl pieces of jewellery to shop now. Harvey Nichols Timeless Pearly Asymmetric pearl-embellished hoop earrings, 250 | buy now Harvey Nichols Amber Sceats Everly freshwater pearl necklace, 179 | buy now Selfridges Roxanne First Sapphire and mother of pearl necklace, 295 | buy now Harvey Nichols Anni Lu Rock & Sea 18kt gold-plated bracelet, 110 | buy now & Other Stories & Other Stories Organic Pearl Bead Necklace, 27 | buy now FarFetch Goossens Graine de Gemmes ring, 330 | buy now Topshop Topshop Charm Drop Necklace, 14.50 | buy now New Delhi, July 15 : Samsung India is gearing up to launch its next mid-range smartphone Galaxy M31s which is the successor to Galaxy M31 later this month for nearly Rs 20,000. The new Galaxy M31s will be available on Amazon as well as Samsung's other retail platforms from August, sources told IANS on Wednesday. Galaxy M31s is likely to come with Samsung's proprietary Super AMOLED Infinity O display, currently seen in the company's flagship range of smartphones. Galaxy M31s will house a 6000mAh battery and 64MP quad rear camera, according to the sources. Samsung launched Galaxy M series for young Indian consumers in early 2019. Over the last year and half, the company has rolled out eight smartphones under the Galaxy M brand. The whole Galaxy M series, in particular the Galaxy M30s device, performed well in the online segment last year, helping revive Samsung's online share. The company last month added two new products M11 and M01 to its M-series portfolio and M21 in the last quarter to taste the same success again which it got in 2019 due to M30s. The success of Galaxy M smartphones in India has helped Samsung increase its market share in the online segment, according to analysts. Samsung has also sent out invitations for a digital 'Unpacked' event on August 5 for its next Galaxy flagship in Note series. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text (Newser) A federal judge has chucked out a proposed settlement for Harvey Weinstein's accusers, saying it was "obnoxious" that millions of dollars would go toward legal fees for Weinstein, his brother Bob, and other members of The Weinstein Company's board. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York denied the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement and said the women's sexual harassment and assault allegations were too varied for them to be considered a class, the New York Times reports. The BBC reports that the deal would have established an $18.8 million fund to settle claims from the dozens of women who accused Weinstein of misconduct, to be paid by insurance companies, but another $15 million of the $47 million settlement would have gone toward legal costs for Weinstein and others. story continues below Victims would have received payouts averaging $10,000 to $15,000, according to the BBC. Last week, women who opposed the deal called it a "cruel hoax," noting that Weinstein would not have to accept responsibility for his actionsor make any payments. Lawyers for several women who opposed the deal praised Hellerstein's decision Tuesday, the AP reports. "We have been saying for over a year and a half that the settlement terms and conditions were unfair and should never be imposed on sexual assault survivors," the lawyers said in a statement released by attorney Douglas Wigdor. "On behalf of our clients, we look forward to pursuing justice against Harvey Weinstein and his many enablers." A spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is considering its next steps. (Read more Harvey Weinstein stories.) The Management of the Metro Mass Transit Limited has queried the Kumasi Depot Chairman for the Junior Staff Association of the Company for leading workers to stage a sit-down strike over unpaid salaries. The chairman, John Osei, was accused by the management of only intending to plunge the company deeper in the doldrums. On Wednesday, the drivers abandoned buses that were supposed to commute passengers to destinations outside Kumasi and the Ashanti Region. This was the second strike after a previous on July 3. In a formal query to Mr. Osei sighted by Citi News, the management said the strike undermined the companys attempts to generate revenue. At a time when we need revenue badly to meet financial commitments of the company, prominent among which is the salaries of staff and thus require all hands on deck, you are rather sabotaging these efforts and depriving the company of much-needed revenue, the query indicated. The management thus said Mr. Osei is to explain his conduct in respect of the above allegation, indicating why disciplinary action should not be taken. Mr. Osei is to present a written explanation for his action by July 23, 2020. Threat from mother union Amid concerns over the finances of the company, the mother union of Metro Mass Transit Limited, the General Transport Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union has threatened to take legal action against the government to demand salaries owed its members. According to the union, the government has refused to heed to settle salary arrears despite assurances that led to the earlier strike being called off. The laws of labour in this country give room for action that will be taken that can become legal actions, it noted. ---citinewsroom 62% of employers are planning to stagger return to work based on employees own health risks related to Covid-19, whilst 49% will be staggering employees return depending on how critical their role is to the business. The next most popular strategy is the creation of smaller work groups (46%), followed by a voluntary return scheme (41%), changing work hours (35%) and splitting shifts (35%). A third (32%) of Irish businesses have stated that they will base their return-to-work strategy on local infection rates. 29% of companies have admitted to not yet considering what their return to work strategy may be. The findings come from a recent survey from leading recruiter Robert Walters, with the global findings published in the whitepaper titled Returning to the New World of Work. Legacy of remote working 93% of Irish employees would like more opportunities to work from home post-return, with 11% stating that they would like to work from home permanently. Whilst 79% of firms have stated that the experience of Covid-19 will encourage business heads to have employees work from home more often, they also cite concerns over employee productivity (64%), senior leadership preferring traditional ways of working (57%), and the nature of the business e.g. face-to-face sales (36%), as the key barriers to achieving this. Cost saving at the core Implementing headcount freezes (45%), utilising government unemployment schemes (30%) and voluntary annual leave (23%) were some of the most popular instant measures Irish companies took in response to the virus. It is thought that use of government schemes by employers has grown significantly in two months. Now as workplaces are able to reopen it seems that cost saving remains at the core of business strategy, with a reduction in office space (50%) and a reduction in travel budgets by switching to virtual meetings (47%) being the key tactics considered by companies. When it comes to recruitment, firms have already switched up their processes to be more cost and time efficient with 56% looking to continue with virtual interviews, 50% with online assessments and 61% with remote onboarding. Adaption necessary Three quarters of employers admit that their senior team have not been equipped to manage teams remotely, and will need new training to be able to adapt to new ways of working including being more empathetic to work-life balance (81%), focusing on outcomes rather than work hours (69%), improving on virtual communication (61%), a better understanding of mental health and wellbeing (44%), and creating a more collaborative environment (33%). Ghislaine Maxwell was guarded by former members of the British army while on the run from police, a New York court has been told. The wealthy socialite, 58, was said to have had the bodyguards at the New Hampshire property where she was arrested by the FBI two weeks ago. Papers filed for the case say a security guard at the 800,000 mansion told investigators one of her brothers had hired the highly-trained personnel. One of them was said to be so trusted they had a credit card to go and buy her supplies so she did not have to leave the house. Maxwell, a long-time associate of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, is under investigation over her alleged role in grooming girls for the disgraced financier to abuse. Maxwell was refused bail after denying charges of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997. She also pleaded not guilty to perjury Maxwell's 800,000 Bradford, New Hampshire home which court papers said was guarded by former members of the British military She was also good friends with Prince Andrew and one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Roberts, claims she was loaned out to the Duke three times for sex when she was 17. The Royal has denied ever meeting Miss Roberts and any wrongdoing, claiming he did not know if a picture showing them together was even real. Maxwell's brothers Kevin, 61, and Ian, 64, yesterday refused to answer questions about who paid for the protection detail, according to The Times. They are closer to her than older sibling Philip, 71, who has avoided the spotlight for many years. Maxwell cried as she was denied bail on Tuesday and she must stay locked up until her trial Maxwell is accused of being paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's 'right-hand woman', managing his property empire and, it is alleged, his trafficking of minors Ghislaine Maxwell's denied charges One count of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts One count of conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity One count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity Two counts of perjury Advertisement Kevin and Ian have many contacts in the security world after setting up a think tank in 2018 called Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism. It features Ian on its website as a director and publicly available Companies House data show feature its most recent accounts, which show liabilities of some 116,514. The New York court papers on Maxwell's case stated of her arrest: 'The FBI spoke with the security guard, who informed the agents that the defendant's brother had hired a security company staffed with former members of the British military to guard the defendant in rotations. 'The defendant provided one of the guards with a credit card in the same name as the limited liability corporation that had purchased the New Hampshire property in cash. 'The guard informed the FBI that the defendant had not left the property during his time working there, and that instead, the guard was sent to make purchases for the property using the credit card.' Maxwell broke down in tears yesterday after a US judge refused her bail after she denied helping Epstein, who killed himself in August, 2019. She pleaded not guilty to helping him recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 as well denying lying about her role in depositions in 2016. Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk and refused her bail But Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her 'substantial international' ties and 'extraordinary financial resources', setting an anticipated trial date for July 12, 2021 At the start of the hearing, Maxwell rested her elbows on a table in front of the camera and put her head on her hands. She appeared nervous and pensive and kept looking from side to side, as she leaned into the camera. Maxwell briefly spoke and only to confirm she could hear the judge and to enter her plea by saying: Not guilty, your honor. Her demeanor changed when prosecutor Alison Moe began outlining the allegations against her, sitting back in her chair and bowing her head when Moe accused her of sexual abuse of minors. With every allegation, Maxwell either scratched her face or moved her hair, but was emotionless as victim impact statements were read aloud. During the two hour and 20 minute hearing at Manhattans Federal Court, Maxwell appeared via video from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. She was wearing a dark brown prison issue top and her dark hair was far longer than in the past - she reportedly has not had a haircut in a year - and was swept behind her head in a bun It wasnt until Judge Nathan began reading her decision that Maxwell finally broke down. She began moving uneasily in her chair as the judge said the evidence against her was strong. When Judge Nathan said a combination of factors showed she had the motive and opportunity to flee before her trial, Maxwell wiped a tear away It wasnt until Judge Nathan started reading her decision that Maxwell finally broke down. She began moving uneasily in her chair as the judge said the evidence against her was strong. When Judge Nathan said a combination of factors showed she had the motive and opportunity to flee before her trial, Maxwell wiped a tear away. The second tear fell as the judge said Maxwell was sophisticated at hiding her financial resources. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan denied Maxwell's proposal of a $5 million bond co-signed by two of her sisters and backed up by more than $3.75 million in property in the UK. Maxwell's legal team had argued she would be confined to a 'luxury hotel' in the New York area, surrender all her travel documents and be subject to GPS monitoring. But Judge Nathan ruled the British socialite was a significant flight risk, citing her 'substantial international' ties and 'extraordinary financial resources', setting an anticipated trial date for July 12, 2021. Maxwell is accused of grooming girls as young as 14 for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 1997, a period when she was his girlfriend. She faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty of the charges, as prosecutors successfully argued that along with her three passports, connections to some of the world's most powerful people and her own fortune of more than $10 million - Maxwell had every incentive to try and flee. Maxwell will now return to the fortress-like Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she has been given paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself. Alleged victim Annie Farmer (pictured) also spoke at the hearing, detailing how she met Maxwell when she was 16 years old. Farmer has previously gone on record with her claims against Maxwell Maxwell is currently in custody in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (pictured) where she is wearing paper clothes to ensure she doesn't kill herself She appeared by video from the Brooklyn jail where she is being held and appeared tired, with her hair pulled back, and was wearing a brown T-shirt and tortoiseshell glasses. Maxwell is being closely watched as the Department of Justice wants to ensure she does not kill herself like Epstein, who hanged himself last August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Two women who have accused Maxwell of enabling their abuse testified at the hearing. Annie Farmer, said Maxwell 'has never shown any remorse for her heinous crimes' and that 'the danger Maxwell poses must be taken seriously.' She added: 'She is a sexual predator who groomed and abused me and countless other children and young women.' Living there: Although descriptions of Shaws boundaries vary, Padro said the neighborhoods generally accepted borders are New Jersey Avenue to the east, U Street and Florida Avenue to the north, 13th Street to the west and Mount Vernon Place and New York Avenue on the south. According to Long & Foster real estate agent John Coplen, 58 homes have sold in the past six months. These ranged from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo that sold for $394,000 to a four-bedroom, five-bathroom rowhouse that sold for $2.5 million. There are 53 homes for sale, including a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo for $424,900 and a five-bedroom, four-bathroom rowhouse for $2.3 million. There are 21 active rentals on the market. Rental data for the last six months puts the average monthly rent at $3,400. By PTI JAMMU: A 28-year-old Pakistani man was arrested on Wednesday after he crossed into this side from across the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police officer said. Abdul Rehman, a resident of Nakyal village of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was apprehended by police in Balakote sector soon after he crossed into the country, Poonch's Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Angral told PTI. The man is being subjected to COVID-19 test before a detailed questioning, he added. Police sources said some villagers grazing cattle near the LoC noticed him moving towards Bharoti village and informed the local police which rushed to the spot and arrested him. He was taken to police post Balakote for questioning, they said, adding nothing incriminating was recovered from his possession. Sony will about double its production of PlayStation 5's to 10 million units as COVID-19 fuels demand for consoles and games. According to a report from Japanese business daily, Nikkei, the gaming giant will double its production of the next-generation console which originally planned to shop between 5 to 6 million units by March 2021. Bloomberg reports that speculation over another COVID-19 surge is fueling Sony's push for more consoles. Sony will look to double the amount of shipments of its next-generation console to 10 million as COVID-19 fuels added demand in the gaming industry As the virus forces many to remain indoors, game sales have continued to hit historic highs. According to a quarterly analysis from market research group NPD, video game spending in the US, which includes sales on games and merchandise, hit historic highs in the first quarter of 2020, reaching $10.86 billion - an almost 10 percent increase over last year. Of that total about $9.5 billion was directly related to the purchasing of video game content, NPD reports. Whether Sony will be able to meet its goal of shipping that many consoles, however, is still a major question. As noted by Bloomberg, supply chains have not returned to operating at full capacity and many of Sony's consoles are made in China and take months to be shipped by sea. Sony's PlayStation 5, like the upcoming Xbox Series X, will also have a solid state hard drive that will help drastically reduce load times. The console will also have 16GB of RAM which will aid the promised super-fast loading times in game play. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued guidance saying that school districts should try to get students back to campuses this fall for their health - and the Trump administration has used it to bolster its new push to force public schools to open fully for the 2020-21 academic year. But the initial statement never was an endorsement of the call by President Donald Trump for all schools to fully reopen - and the organization has now attempted to directly distance itself from the administration's belligerent stance on reopening. In late June, the AAP issued what it called "Covid-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry," in which it said in part: --- Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being and provide our children and adolescents with academic instruction, social and emotional skills, safety, reliable nutrition, physical/speech and mental health therapy, and opportunities for physical activity, among other benefits. Beyond supporting the educational development of children and adolescents, schools play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity. ... With the above principles in mind, the AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. --- The administration saw the detailed guidance as support and various members began citing it in remarks about the opening of schools. On June 7, for example, the AAP guidance came up at the White House during a school-opening conversation led by Trump. One of the speakers was AAP President Sally Goza. At the event, Vice President Mike Pence said: "But as the American Academy of Pediatrics, so well represented here today, recently reflected, there are - there are social costs, emotional costs, and even physical costs to our children across this country that we spoke with the governors today." Goza herself spoke, talking about the benefits students get when they are in school. She did note, however, that "returning to school must be done safely," and she added: "Reopening schools in a way that maximizes safety, learning, and the well-being of children will clearly require new investments in our schools. We urge you to ensure that schools receive the resources necessary so that funding does not stand in the way of keeping our children safe or present at school." Instead of promising more support, Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have threatened to cut funding from school districts that don't reopen fully. On Wednesday, Pence appeared at the Education Department, where he again raised the AAP guidance. So did DeVos, who said: --- The American Academy of Pediatrics noted: Keeping schools closed 'places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality.' The pediatrics guidance concluded that everyone 'should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.' 'Fully open' and 'fully operational' means that students need a full school year or more, and it's expected it will look different depending on where you are. --- By Friday, the AAP apparently had had enough. It joined with three other groups - the American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest teachers union in the country; the National Education Association, the largest union in the country; and AASA, the School Superintendents Association - in issuing a statement about the reopening of schools that was clearly aimed at Trump and DeVos. The statement said that only health concerns should dictate when schools reopen - not political leaders - and that threatening to withhold funding from districts that don't fully reopen is "misguided." It said in part: --- Reopening schools in a way that maximizes safety, learning, and the well-being of children, teachers, and staff will clearly require substantial new investments in our schools and campuses. We call on Congress and the administration to provide the federal resources needed to ensure that inadequate funding does not stand in the way of safely educating and caring for children in our schools. Withholding funding from schools that do not open in person fulltime would be a misguided approach, putting already financially strapped schools in an impossible position that would threaten the health of students and teachers. --- Here's the full statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and AASA, the School Superintendents Association. --- Educators and pediatricians share the goal of children returning safely to school this fall. Our organizations are committed to doing everything we can so that all students have the opportunity to safely resume in-person learning. We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school. They also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that cannot be easily replicated online. Schools also play a critical role in addressing racial and social inequity. Our nation's response to COVID-19 has laid bare inequities and consequences for children that must be addressed. This pandemic is especially hard on families who rely on school lunches, have children with disabilities, or lack access to Internet or health care. Returning to school is important for the healthy development and well-being of children, but we must pursue re-opening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers and staff. Science should drive decision-making on safely reopening schools. Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics. We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open up school buildings, and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it. Local school leaders, public health experts, educators and parents must be at the center of decisions about how and when to reopen schools, taking into account the spread of COVID-19 in their communities and the capacities of school districts to adapt safety protocols to make in-person learning safe and feasible. For instance, schools in areas with high levels of COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to reopen against the judgment of local experts. A one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for return to school decisions. Reopening schools in a way that maximizes safety, learning, and the well-being of children, teachers, and staff will clearly require substantial new investments in our schools and campuses. We call on Congress and the administration to provide the federal resources needed to ensure that inadequate funding does not stand in the way of safely educating and caring for children in our schools. Withholding funding from schools that do not open in person fulltime would be a misguided approach, putting already financially strapped schools in an impossible position that would threaten the health of students and teachers. The pandemic has reminded so many what we have long understood: that educators are invaluable in children's lives and that attending school in person offers children a wide array of health and educational benefits. For our country to truly value children, elected leaders must come together to appropriately support schools in safely returning students to the classroom and reopening schools. --- India has not gained much from a drop in Chinas share in American imports, despite New Delhis close diplomatic relation with Washington and a recent push to boost its own local manufacturing base, a study by Rabobank shows. The South Asian nation saw only a slight increase of its share in shipments to the US last year, according to the Rabobank report, as a trade war with China pushed American companies to diversify their supply chain away from the worlds second-biggest economy. One of the reasons why India hasnt benefited more is because the largest shift is found in the computer and electronic products sector," economists Ralph van Mechelen and Michiel van der Veen wrote in the note. That is an industry that is relatively small" in India at the moment. View Full Image Graphic: Bloomberg Manufacturing imports to the US from China dropped by 17% or $88 billion in 2019, they said. Thats resulting in a decline of Chinas share in American imports by 4 percentage points. Besides the trade war, the coronavirus pandemic has increased pressure on firms to reassess their supply chains, according to the report. Vietnam, Mexico and Taiwan are the main beneficiaries of the shift in US imports," along with a push toward reshoring back to the US, the economists said. Going forward, we see the expected rise in geopolitical tensions as the most important reason for a further acceleration of supply chain relocation in a wide range of sectors." Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. By Trend Since July 12 Armenian armed forces severely violated the ceasefire attempting to seize positions in Tovuz district of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office said, Trend reports on July 15. The Azerbaijani positions were shelled using various types of artillery, the message said. Once again demonstrating terrorist and aggressive policy by firing at densely populated settlements, Armenia committed a number of crimes against the civilian population. On July 14 at 3 pm (local time, GMT+4) due to explosion of a missile fired from a rocket launcher located opposite Bala Jafarli village of Gazakh District, various pieces of the shell scattered on the roofs and plots of houses belonging to residents of Khanliglar village - Salmina Aliyeva, Mahbuba Orujeva, Aziz Shirinov, llham Mehtiyev, Razim Musayev and Kamil Jahanov, the message said. As a consequence of deliberate destruction of properties, substantial damage was done. Immediate examination of incident scene, collection of evidence, involvement of specialists for determining damage and other investigative actions were provided by prosecution and police authorities, the message said. Upon the fact a criminal case has been initiated at Gazakh District Prosecutor's Office under Article 186.2.2 (deliberate destruction or damage to someones property, causing substantial damage to the victims by arson, explosion or in any other generally dangerous way or with grave consequences) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the message said. Necessary intensive investigative actions are underway, the message said. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A 46-year-old tribal woman of Nayagarh district allegedly died after failing to get food, in the first probable case of starvation death during the lockdown, a group of activists said. Dukhi Jani from Kaliamba village in Nayagarh, who was deserted by her husband, died on June 24 after going without any food for three days. Jani had gone to the local forest on June 24 afternoon when she collapsed and died. She was buried instead of being cremated because there were no survivors in her immediate family to perform the funeral. After the local media reported about her death, a fact-finding team from Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhiyan had visited her village early this month and found that Jani did not have access to food for three days before she died. Jani depended on collection of non-timber forest produce from nearby jungles as she had no other source of income. Her access to subsidised food grain supplies from the public distribution system was limited and irregular, said Sameet Panda, one of the members of the forum on food rights. Though she had an Annapurna card sanctioned in March 2016 that entitled her to get 10 kilos of rice free from the public distribution system, she had got the rice last in November 2018. She was deprived of free ration from November 2018. She was entitled to pension as a single woman but couldnt get one in spite of applying several times via panchayat and block officials. This is a clear case of administrative negligence and apathy on many counts, Panda said. Panda said the tribal woman didnt have a job card under MGNREGA, which could have provided her unskilled work. Neither did she get the Jan Dhan support provided by the central government as assistance during the lockdown. She didnt get the rice and dal offered under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana even she had presumably did not have a ration card. The investigating teams members who spoke to local villagers said despite approaching panchayat and block officials, Jani could not get a ration card under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. She got a State Food Security Scheme card only after she went to the district collectors grievance cell on February 24 this year. She did not have any other social security scheme to support herself, said Laxmidhar Singh, another member of the team. Local sarpanch Trilochan Sahu said he had arranged for 15kg of rice and 1,000 during the lockdown for her. Anganwadi worker Basanti Behera said Jani was given cooked food for some days during the initial period of the lockdown by the community resource person of the gram panchayat but it stopped after some time. It was a sad case of complete social apathy. The person like Dukhi in such a dire case was not supported much by the community. Jani being a single woman without any income support should have provided with AAY card to provide protection from hunger and starvation, a member of the Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhiyan said. The current situation due to the pandemic has made many poor people like Jani vulnerable to starvation death, the member added. Nayagarh district collector Poma Tudu did not respond to messages or calls seeking the administrations comment on the alleged starvation death. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The global automotive camera module market size is expected to grow by 17.96 million units during 2020-2024. The report also provides the market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect the impact to be significant in the first quarter but gradually lessen in subsequent quarters with a limited impact on the full-year economic growth. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005556/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Camera Module Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Request for Technavio's latest reports on directly and indirectly impacted markets Market estimates include pre- and post-COVID-19 impact on the automotive camera module market - Download free sample report Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) are gradually replacing charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors in every area of application, including automotive. CCD sensors were widely used in the automotive sector for machine vision applications. However, due to factors such as low cost and high performance, CMOS sensors have gained popularity. CMOS camera modules in the automotive sector primarily enhance car safety, driving assistance, and comfort level. Thus, the increasing popularity of CMOS sensors will have a positive impact on the growth of the market during the forecast period. To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44051 The global spread of coronavirus pandemic is expected to have a negative impact on the consumer discretionary industry. Technavio's analysts expect the industry to take over two quarters to reach a normal state of economic activity. Similarly, the spread of COVID-19 is expected to have a negative impact on the growth of the automotive camera module market. As per Technavio, the stringent safety regulations will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2020-2024. Automotive Camera Module Market: Stringent Safety Regulations Driver assistance and safety systems aid in minimizing fatalities, reducing the number of collisions, and improving the overall vehicle safety. Consequently, governments across the globe are trying to implement safety regulations for the development of safety systems in integration with cameras. For instance, the US government has made rearview cameras mandatory in all new vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg), covering passenger cars, SUVs, buses, and light trucks since May 2018. Although major vehicle producing nations and regions have their own regulations, vehicle safety standards are being developed and applied globally through the United Nations World Forum for harmonization of vehicle regulations. All such factors will lead to the widespread adoption of automotive camera modules. "Factors such as the steady growth of ADAS market, strict emission norms and increasing road safety, passenger safety, and vehicle security concerns will have a significant impact on the growth of the automotive camera module market value during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Automotive Camera Module Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the automotive camera module market by application (passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles), functionality (driver assistance camera and driver support camera), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). The North American region led the automotive camera module market in 2019, followed by APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA respectively. However, during the forecast period, the Europe region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to factors such as the upswing in the financial status of Europe, and stricter vehicle safety norms. Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005556/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ Cancer is a serious health issue for many families and a top workplace issue for many businesses, costing U.S. employers billions of dollars in expenses productivity losses each year. Im honored to participate in the Fit2BeCancerFree CEO challenge. Renodis, a leading telecom and mobility management firm, today announced its CEO, Craig Beason, will join 7 other Twin Cities CEOs in American Cancer Societys Fit2BeCancerFree virtual fitness challenge on July 16th as part of his commitment to the CEOs Against Cancer program and promoting cancer prevention in the workplace. Creating a world free from cancer can start in the workplace when we inspire our employees to live healthy and active lifestyles, said Gary M. Reedy, CEO for the American Cancer Society. About half of cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone lived a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. The Fit2BeCancerFree challenge is designed to encourage corporate leaders to lead by example, inspiring more activity among their employees throughout their workday, and helping us make a measurable difference in saving lives from cancer. The American Cancer Society currently has 15 active CEOs Against Cancer chapters nationwide with about 400 members. The CEOs Against Cancer program unites CEOs from the worlds top companies to raise awareness of high-impact cancer mission areas and collaborate with other business leaders to create a culture of health in their organizations and communities. CEOs Against Cancer members who participate in the challenge will sync a fitness tracker to a live event leaderboard powered by Movespring and hosted on cancer.org. The leaderboard will track results of the top participants throughout the day of the challenge, and the participant with the most steps logged will receive bragging rights and national recognition. As CEOs we play a critical role in partnering with the American Cancer Society to make an impact on the fight against cancer in our communities and across the country, states Craig Beason, CEO of Renodis and member of CEOs Against Cancer Twin Cities. Cancer is a serious health issue for many families and a top workplace issue for many businesses, costing U.S. employers billions of dollars in expenses productivity losses each year. Im honored to participate in the Fit2BeCancerFree CEO challenge. Through a bit of friendly competition, we can motivate employees across our companies to get moving and together we can save more lives from cancer. About Renodis Renodis is a Telecom and Mobility Management Company trusted by businesses to solve telecom and mobility frustrations -- saving time, money, and enabling better technology choices and superior service. This is accomplished through innovative processes, purpose-built systems, talented people, and deep industry relationships. Firms such as Land OLakes, Red Wing Shoe Company, Northern Tool + Equipment, Fairview, Lifetime, Cambria, Menards, Romanos Macaroni Grill, and hundreds of other firms experience peace of mind knowing their Telecom and Mobility environments are professionally managed. Find out more at http://www.renodis.com. About the American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to http://www.cancer.org. Making headlines again after the Vikas Dubey case, Kanpur Police landed themselves in a furor after failing to get back a kidnapped lab technician, while also losing out on a ransom amount of Rs 30 lakh, money which the victim's family had arranged after selling their house and jewelry. Sanjit, a lab technician, and a resident of Barra locality in Kanpur, went missing on June 22 along with his bike. The victim's family informed the Barra police, but their son could not be located. Three days later, the miscreants called Sanjit's father Chaman Yadav and demanded a ransom of Rs 30 lakh to be given on Monday, in exchange for his son, after which the police registered an FIR and started the investigation. Police made a 'plan' to catch the criminals. According to it, the family would arrange for the money and when the miscreants would arrive for it, police would catch them red-handed. To manage the amount, the victim's family sold their house in Barra 5 for Rs 20 lakh and arranged the other Rs 10 lakh by selling their family jewellery, which was meant for Sanjit's sister's marriage. The kidnappers demanded that the money be given to them on the Guajini flyover. Police personnel were deployed in plain clothes around the flyover, but at the last minute, the criminals changed the plan and asked for the money to be thrown under the flyover. The family did so, and by the time police could catch them, the kidnappers had escaped with the money, without returning Sanjit. The victim's family claims they had asked SP South Aparna Gupta to put a tracking chip in the bag, but no heed was paid to their suggestion. Now, a video of Aparna Gupta is going viral, in which she is seen saying that at the time, the police team ran for two-and-a-half kilometres but that the criminals got away with the bag containing ransom money. The police did nothing, they made us give Rs 30 lakh. Now, our money is gone and our brother still has not been found," said Sanjit's sister. "The police have betrayed me. When we asked SP Aparna to put a chip in the bag, she started angrily asking us not to come to us for such small things, she said. After the matter gained traction in the public, SSP Dinesh Kumar P has said investigation would be carried out in the case, and that the guilty police personnel would not be spared. He said he was monitoring the situation now and very soon the ransom money would be recovered and the kidnapped youth would be saved. Former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg addresses his staff and the media after announcing that he will be ending his campaign on March 04, 2020 in New York City. Hawkfish, a tech firm founded by billionaire former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg, has signed on with a pro-Joe Biden super PAC after missing out on working directly with the presumptive Democratic nominee's campaign. The super PAC, American Bridge, recently signed a contract with the Bloomberg firm, officials told CNBC. The PAC has spent millions of dollars on ads on TV and online in support of the former vice president's bid for the White House. The organization is also well known for its often-unmatched opposition research arm. American Bridge's president and co-founder, Bradley Beychok, confirmed in a statement to CNBC that the committee is moving ahead with hiring the firm. He said Hawkfish will target people who voted for President Donald Trump in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. American Bridge is investing at least $20 million in ads in those states, with the goal of softening Trump's support there. Trump edged out Hillary Clinton in the three states during the 2016 election, but Real Clear Politics polling averages show Biden ahead of Trump in those states. "American Bridge 21st Century is excited to partner with Hawkfish to bring their cutting edge data, modeling, and analytics capabilities to our work," Beychok said. "Donald Trump has never been weaker and now is the time for Democrats to use the best technology to help win back seniors and small-town, rural voters in order to put Joe Biden in the White House." Some of the PAC's most recent ads feature former Trump voters blasting the president for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. A person with direct knowledge of the matter said American Bridge hired Hawkfish to use its data analytics to better target previous supporters of the president. "Among other things, Hawkfish will focus on providing traditional polling, media study habits, and data modeling and analytics," this person said. American Bridge has a general election partnership with another pro-Biden PAC, Unite the Country. The two committees announced in late March that they were planning to deploy a nine-figure effort backing Biden. The effort is being co-chaired by former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Hawkfish was Bloomberg's primary digital agency and technology services provider during his brief run for president. It was responsible for creating much of the campaign's digital ads, which usually targeted Trump. Data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows Hawkfish was paid at least $73 million by Bloomberg's campaign, including a $20 million payout in March after the former New York mayor dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed Biden. The former presidential candidate recently spent an additional $35 million on Hawkfish to help Democrats overtake Republicans this November, according to the Los Angeles Times. Bloomberg, who has a net worth of close to $60 billion, was the sole source of funding for his campaign. He spent at least $1 billion on his run for president. Since Bloomberg's withdrawal from the race in March, his tech company hasn't fully hit its stride, making this new client even more significant for its hopes to be a player in the 2020 campaign. Hawkfish previously struggled to sign potential clients, including Biden's own campaign, which opted not to use its services. Hawkfish did manage to pick up the Democratic National Committee as a client, but, as McClatchy reported last month, those involved with the matter said it was a "small data contract." Hawkfish has also seen a change in its management structure. It picked their first CEO in Josh Mendelsohn, a managing partner at Hangar. Jeff Glueck, former CEO of location tracking firm Foursquare and later the head of digital at Hawkfish, is now leading a team that will focus on projects involving their "soft side clients," his LinkedIn page says. That group of clients working with Glueck does not include political candidates and focuses on nonprofits, super PACs and voter registration groups, among others. "We are responsible for bringing in new national organizations as clients, and overseeing client services, project delivery, and achievement of campaign metrics and goals. We tap Hawkfish experts on voter modeling and audience development, media planning, creative production, measurement and insights, and social media and programmatic optimization," Glueck's page says. Gary Briggs, a former chief marketing officer at Facebook, is Hawkfish's chairman. The new Hawkfish client could also indicate something donors have been waiting to see for months: where Bloomberg plans to put his millions in support of Biden. Bloomberg has been plotting a massive spending blitz to back Biden's campaign and that talk has included giving millions to outside groups, such as American Bridge, or a separate independent expenditure account. A person familiar with Bloomberg's efforts recently told CNBC that the former New York mayor is planning to put up additional donations intended to help Democrats defend the House of Representatives, including a potential investment into the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He has already spent over $11 million on the House Majority PAC, a super PAC intended to help Democrats keep their majority in the chamber. (Repeats story without any change to text) * India sent 77 queries to Chinese firms whose apps banned * Companies questioned on data storage, role of influencers * TikTok-owner ByteDance says working to respond By Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI, July 14 (Reuters) - Chinese companies such as TikTok-owner ByteDance have been asked by India to answer 77 questions about their apps that have been banned by New Delhi, including whether they censored content, worked on behalf of foreign governments or lobbied influencers. India's Information Technology Ministry has given the companies three weeks to respond to the questionnaire, which has been seen by Reuters, and said unspecified follow-up action would be taken, two sources said. India last month banned the apps following a border clash between soldiers from the two countries, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead. India has said the apps pose a threat to its "sovereignty and integrity". China has criticised the ban. The 59 banned apps, which include TikTok and Alibaba's UC Browser, were asked whether they acted at the behest of any foreign government to edit, promote or demote any content. One theme of the questionnaire is whether content was censored after an attack last year carried out by a Pakistan-based militant group in Pulwama district in Kashmir. The attack killed at least 40 Indian police officers and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. "In the aftermath of the Pulwama Attack of 2019, did the company/app censor content relating to the attack or its perpetrators?" the question reads. TikTok said it was working to respond to the ministry's queries and that it complied with all Indian laws, adding that users' data security and privacy were its top priorities. The app ban has jolted the ambitions of ByteDance in India, where its TikTok video app was hugely popular. Neither Alibaba nor the Indian ministry responded to requests for comment. A source familiar with the government's thinking said the queries were in line with federal procedures and the same questions were sent to all affected companies. Story continues One question seeks to investigate if company executives in India communicated with film stars, social media influencers or journalists to promote any content, even if the communication was not for commercial purposes. Other queries were around advertisers, business structures, taxation practices and privacy policies, the document showed. The government also asked the app companies whether they had faced any investigation in the United States, European Union or elsewhere for surreptitiously harvesting user data. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Alison Williams) Graphics by Bae So-young By Nam Hyun-woo The COVID-19 outbreak is changing previous "stringent" labor-management relations at Korean companies, as unions are increasingly embracing the market logic that job security and employees' welfare come only with a company's survival. Such recognition is growing especially among unions at domestic carmakers, known for their hardline approach, as they have been hit hard from a collapse in global demand and supply chains in the wake of the pandemic. Following talks between Hyundai Motor and its union last month, the two released a joint statement under which they agreed to "recognize the impact of their business on the country's economy" and "reflect market demand" in setting manufacturing volumes. In doing so, they also pledged to "do their best to improve vehicle quality." Upon signing the agreement, union head Lee Sang-soo said, "customer satisfaction through improved quality directly affects our employment and the union will spare no effort to improve product quality. This is in stark contrast to the union's previous stance, known for its militancy in demanding steep wage increases and improvement in conditions regardless of the market circumstances. Unlike many other companies, Hyundai Motor is required to get a consensus from its union when the company makes changes to its production plans. For example, Hyundai Motor USA has asked its headquarters in Korea to assemble the Palisade large SUV at its plant in Alabama to meet high demand in the U.S.; but Hyundai Motor is refraining from making a decision because it requires a consensus from the union here. Due to this backdrop, the union's promise to reflect market demand has greater significance. During the announcement of the joint statement, the two sides agreed that improving vehicle quality and promptly responding to market demand were the best way to overcome the global slowdown. Given Hyundai Motor union's clout as the largest union for a single company in Korea, the rapprochement is anticipated to influence other carmaker unions, which will begin this year's salary negotiations and collective bargaining agreements (CBA) shortly. While the unions of Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea and Renault Samsung are expected to start their CBA negotiations in August, SsangYong Motor's union and management already reached an agreement in April, entailing a salary freeze and no new incentives. This came amid the carmaker's continued losses and subsequent liquidity crunch. With COVID-19 dealing an additional blow, the company is seeking to secure cash by unloading assets and seeking a bailout. Its largest stakeholder, Mahindra & Mahindra of India, is also seeking to secure new investors for SsangYong. In May, the union of the defense division of Hanwha Corp. delegated this year's salary increase to management, saying it made the decision "for the great cause of overcoming external and internal crises stemming from COVID-19." Before Hanwha Corp., the three unions at Kumho Petrochemical in April also agreed to allow management to decide on any salary increase. A pilots' union at Korean Air did the same in February to assist the airliner in its attempt to recover from the fallout of COVID-19. "One of the most critical shortcomings in the Korean economy mentioned by foreign investors is the stringent relations between labor and management," Korea Economic Research Institute researcher Kim Yoon-kyung told The Korea Times. "And this shows signs of change in the wake of COVID-19, as unions increasingly understand that they are responsible for their demands. And this can be interpreted as a positive sign for foreign investors too." As the unions are showing signs of changing, President Moon Jae-in also encouraged them to break away from their conventional combative relations with management. "To respond to the changing environment, it is a time for the country to take a step further from the labor-management relations of the past," Moon said during a Cabinet meeting, July 7, referring to the industrial difficulties stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. "There is a desperate need for mutual growth and cooperation in a time of crisis, and making mutual concessions is one way to save the country from the crisis." Long way to go Moon's remarks came after the government, lobbying groups representing employers and the country's largest umbrella unions failed to reach an agreement on how to collectively overcome the economic fallout from the pandemic. The unions tentatively agreed to cooperate with companies' crisis management and their efforts to maintain jobs alongside the the government's support for this, but failed to reach a final agreement as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the largest umbrella union in the country, withdrew from the talks at the last moment. Moon, a liberal president, expressed his regret regarding the actions of the KCTU, saying: "The agreement could have been an important step toward greater concessions between labor and management." Problems remain over the new statutory minimum wage. The Minimum Wage Committee set 8,720 won as next year's minimum wage Tuesday, a record-low 1.5 percent hike from 8,590 won this year. This came after long-stalled disputes between employers who were demanding a 1 percent cut and employees calling for a 9.8 percent hike. Representatives from the KCTU did not participate in Tuesday's vote, while those from another umbrella union, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, left during the meeting to express their opposition. Some unions are also retaining a militant stance. The union of Hyundai Heavy Industries staged a four-hour partial strike, July 9, as negotiations over last year's salary showed no progress and the company pushed ahead its planned takeover of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. This marked the fourth partial strike by the union this year, while the company is suffering from a deteriorating order backlog. "To overcome the current crisis, cooperation between the unions and management is essential," a conglomerate official said. "Those still embroiled in disputes should look at the cases of the automobile, chemical and airline industries among other as important reference points." President Donald Trump gestures as he delivers a press conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on July 14, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Trump Defends St. Louis Couple Who Brandished Guns, Hints Hell Take Action President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the St. Louis couple who last month wielded guns to defend their home from activists who walked through their gated neighborhood, and hinted he may take action in the case. The president suggested in an interview with Townhall that the couple, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, had the right to defend themselves with their personal firearms. Authorities on Friday served a search warrant at their home, confiscating a rifle from the couple. They were going to be beat up badly if they were lucky, OK, if they were lucky, the president said. They were going to be beat up badly, and the house was going to be totally ransacked and probably burned down like they tried to burn down churches. These people were standing there, never used it, and they were legal, the weapons, Trump continued. And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. Its a disgrace. On June 28, the couple were eating on their back porch when dozens of people entered their private neighborhood through a gate marked Private Street. Pictures later showed the wrought iron gate damaged. The McCloskeys grabbed firearms and stood outside their home, urging the group to keep going and not stop. As they did, some of the group shouted threats at them. The group was headed to the home of Democratic St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, who lives in the same neighborhood, to demand that she resign. They were upset she publicly read the names and addresses of activists who submitted complaints to entirely defund the citys police department. A police summary of the incident obtained by The Epoch Times said: The victims stated they were on their property when they heard a loud commotion coming from the street. When the victims went to investigate the commotion, they observed a large group of subjects forcefully break an iron gate marked with No Trespassing and Private Street signs. Once through the gate, the victims advised the group that they were on a private street and trespassing and told them to leave. The group began yelling obscenities and threats of harm to both victims. When the victims observed multiple subjects who were armed, they then armed themselves and contacted police, it said. The McCloskeys said in a statement released through their lawyer that they believe they acted lawfully because they remained on their property. Their actions were borne solely of fear and apprehension, the genesis of which was not race related. In fact, the agitators responsible for the trepidation were white, the statement said. The couple later said they support Black Lives Matter. According to St. Louis-based FOX 2, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson received a phone call from the president, saying that he would try and do everything in his power in the McCloskey case. I just got off the phone with the president before I walked out here today. He understands the situation in Missouri. He understands the situation in St. Louis and how out of control it is for a prosecutor to let violent criminals off, and not do their job, and attack law-abiding citizens, Parson told the news outlet. Trump previously expressed his support for the McCloskeys by retweeting a video of the pair defending their home a day after the incident, accompanied by the caption, Law and order. The conversation I had with the president said that he would do everything within his power to help with this situation. He would be taking action to do that, Parson continued. I am thankful he is getting involved in this situation. I am thankful that he is going to stand up for people and their legal rights. No charges have been filed against the McCloskeys, however Mark McCloskey, a lawyer, said this week that he believes he and his wife will be indicted in the near future. Zachary Stieber and Jack Phillips contributed to this report. He made the request while chairing a meeting in Hanoi on July 14 of the Central Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the 2016-2020 period. The Deputy PM also told ministries, agencies and localities to approve the National Target Programme on sustainable poverty reduction and social welfare for the 2021-2025 period, and quickly re-arrange administrative units at communal and district level for 2019-2021 for the effective implementation of sustainable poverty reduction policies and programmes. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh reported at the meeting that over VND22.8 trillion (US$991 million) from the State budget has been allocated for the implementation of social welfare and poverty reduction policies. Over VND10 trillion from the State budget has been earmarked for carrying out the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction this year. As of June 30, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies offered loans worth more than VND18.6 trillion to 423,000 poor and near-poor households. The poverty rate is expected to decrease to below 3% later this year from 3.75% in 2019. The rate has been falling by 1-1.5% on average each year, while the poverty rate in poor districts has reduced by more than 4%, thus fulfilling goals set by the National Assembly and Government. About support for those hit by COVID-19, Thanh said localities have approved a list of 15.8 million people eligible for a total funding of VND17.5 trillion, more than VND11.2 trillion of which has been disbursed for more than 11 million people, including over 7 million poor and near-poor households. Participants said the rate of poor households remains high in several mountainous provinces, especially in the northern mountainous and Central Highlands regions. They highlighted a need to specify sustainable poverty goals in annual and periodic socio-economic development plan, and take into account specific conditions in each region when designing poverty reduction policies. Several opinions also suggested pooling capital from organisations and businesses for poverty reduction efforts. India has seen a spike of 29,429 COVID-19 cases and 582 deaths in the last 24 hours, ministry of health data suggests. With this, the total positive cases stand at 9,36,181, including 3,19,840 active cases, 5,92,032 recoveries and 24,309 deaths. Though cases continue to rise in India, the recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 63.20%. The recoveries/deaths ratio stands at 96.05:3.95. This is the fifth consecutive day that COVID-19 cases in the country have increased by more than 26,000. Maharashtra's total tally stands at 2,67,565 lakh, while the death toll due to the disease climbed to 10,695. On the other hand, Tamil Nadu-the the second-most affected state from corona infection- has recorded 1,47,324 cases. National capital Delhi has registered 1,15,346 positive cases of coronavirus to date, including 18,864 active cases, 93,236 recoveries and 3,446 deaths. Coronavirus infection in Karnataka has breached 44,077-mark. According to the state health department, the active case count has surged to 25,845, while the death toll has reached 842. COVID-19 death toll in West Bengal has climbed to 980. The state's total tally stands at 32,838. With the continuous rise in cases, various states are reimposing curbs. Uttar Pradesh government decided to implement strict restrictions across the state on weekends to check the spread of coronavirus, joining Karnataka and Tamil Nadu which have been imposing Sunday lockdown. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Bihar were among the states that have already announced area-wise lockdown for different duration. Karnataka government has now announced a complete lockdown in Bengaluru for seven days from July 14. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami extended the curbs in Madurai and nearby regions including the Paravai Town Panchayat and several village panchayats till July 14. The Maharashtra government had earlier announced a comprehensive lockdown in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad from July 13-23. The state government had imposed similar curbs in areas around the state capital Mumbai. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said early detection of COVID-19 cases through widespread testing, surveillance and clinical management has resulted in India having one of the lowest fatality rates at 2.66 per cent. The minister, who visited the Sardar Patel COVID Care Centre (SPCCC) at Chhattarpur in Delhi to review its COVID-19 management status, also said that "our success" can be seen in the recovery rate which is almost 63 per cent at present. Coronavirus crisis: Hospitals can't deny cashless claims, says IRDAI But the reality is, were here in mid-July. CPS typically doesnt start school until right after Labor Day, she said A lot can happen between now and then. And thats why, no matter what the framework and the discussions, were always going to be guided by what the public health metrics tell us at that time. Well be able to make that decision, I think definitively, closer in time. Late August. While Victoria's genomic sequencing of the outbreaks in Melbourne are kept under wraps, experts and politicians say such information is not as important for NSW. Genome sequencing, which maps minute changes in the virus to identify particular strains and where they came from, is the tool that linked the Crossroads Hotel outbreak to the strain of COVID-19 sweeping Melbourne. People getting tested for coronavirus at a pop-up clinic in Casula in Sydney's south-west. Credit:Wolter Peeters On Tuesday, Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the sequencing of Melbourne's outbreaks would not be revealed as it was being examined by a judicial inquiry. But speaking on Triple M on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the important thing for NSW was discovering the strain in the Crossroads Hotel outbreak had come from Victoria. A 25-year-old woman was crushed to death by a speeding BEST bus on SV Road in the western suburb of Jogeshwari here, police said on Wednesday. The police have arrested the bus driver for rash and negligent driving, an official said. The incident took place on Tuesday morning when Femina Sheikh, an employee with a Bandra-based bank, was travelling to work on a motorcycle with her brother Dilshad, the official said. The two-wheeler skidded, causing the duo to fall and a speeding bus crushed Femina to death, he said, adding that the deceased's brother was undergoing treatment at a hospital. "We have arrested bus driver K Chelladurei Koi Pillai under sections 304-A (death by negligence) and 279 (rash and negligent driving) of the IPC and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act," said senior inspector Dayanand Bangar of Oshiwara police station. TDT | Manama Cooperation and coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) is crucial in promoting international tourism, especially in light of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. This is according to Foreign Ministry undersecretary Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, who said this yesterday during a video conference with BTEA CEO Nader Al Moayyed. Dr Shaikha Rana said that endorsing Bahrain as a tourist destination abroad can be supported through the Kingdoms embassies in various countries of the world, particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which has drastically affected the sector. Dr Shaikha Rana also expressed the readiness of the Foreign Ministry, through its missions, to attract and encourage the hosting of regional and international conferences, as well as trade fairs, in the Kingdom. This would increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the development of the national economy, she said. Dr Shaikha Rana expressed her appreciation for the efforts made by the BTEA in developing the tourism sector in Bahrain, and praised the important initiatives undertaken within the framework of the Kingdoms Economic Vision 2030. She reviewed important tourism components that Bahrain possesses, and its strategic position as a country attractive to Gulf and international travellers. She stressed the importance of the Foreign Ministrys support for various programmes aimed at achieving BTEAs goals to enhance the position of the Kingdom as a leading tourism destination among the countries of the region. On his part, the BTEA chief expressed his appreciation for the great support enjoyed by the BTEA from the Foreign Ministry, and stressed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the two parties to promote the tourism sector in the Kingdom. New Delhi: The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) is expected to release Maharashtra HSC Class 12 results 2020 on Wednesday (July 15). Once declared, the Maharashtra HSC result 2020 will be available on the MSBSHSE's official website: mahahsscboard.maharashtra.gov.in and mahresult.nic.in. Here's how the students check the Maharashtra 2020 HSC result online. 1. Visit MSBSHSE's wesbite: mahresult.nic.in 2. Click on Maharashtra 12th result link and type your credentials 3. Now, enter your roll number or seat number, mother's name for Maharashtra 12th result 4. Students should enter their details to check their HSC result 5. Check your name and marks and download your e-copy for future use How to check Maharashtra 2020 HSC results via SMS The students have been facilitated to check their Maharashtra Board SSC and HSC result 2020 via Seat No> and send it to 57766.SMS. They just need to opt message option on their phone, and type MH < Over 13 lakh students had appeared in HSC Class 12 examinations, which were scheduled between March 7 and April first week. The examinations of some papers were later cancelled due to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb the spread of the deadly virus in the country. The state government took a call to announce the results in July after the HRD Ministry ordered the states to announce all pending results in the month of July. The Maharashtra board had begun the evaluation of answer sheets from May 6. Till June 19, around 42 lakhs out of approximately 50 lakh answer sheets were reportedly evaluated for the Mumbai division. New Delhi: Three people killed and dozen injured due to short curcuit caused during the charging of the E-ricksaws vehicles in a four-storeyed building in northeast Delhi's Shahdara area. A case has been registered against the owner of the e-rickshaws. Cause of fire was under investigation but prima facie short circuit was believed to be the reason behind it as many e-rickshaws were getting charged in the parking of the building, police said on Thursday. "A case under sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 337 (causing hurt by actendangering life or personal safety of others), 304(A)(causing death by negligence) of IPC has been registered against Kanhaiya, the owner of the e-rickshaws," a senior policeofficer said, adding they will try to ascertain whether someone else was involved too. Three persons including a woman and her ten-year-olddaughter were charred to death while a dozen others sustainedburn injuries in the fire yesterday. Kanhaiya himself was injured in the incident. Police said that over two dozen persons were sleeping inthe eight flats of the building when the fire broke out. A fewof them managed to escape while others got trapped inside asthe fire had started from its parking. The families of four brothers -- Anil, Pradeep, Satish andKanhaiya -- lived in the four flats on 2nd and 3rd floors ofthe building. Kanhaiya reportedly gave e-rickshaws on rent which were parked in the parking below the building. Nearly a dozen-rickshaws kept there were plugged on for charging which allegedly caused fire due to short circuit. The fire also engulfed other vehicles parked there. Prince Harry has been slammed by an army veteran and got nicknamed a "complete idiot" for his recent comments about the commonwealth. Another Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Controversy In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dropped their bombshell decision that they would be stepping down as senior royals. Since March 2020, the family of three left the country and started anew in Los Angeles. While they are no longer part of the working royals, however, they continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons. Recently, during the Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT) virtual summit, the Sussexes talked about the sensitive past of the Commonwealth. "Certainly when you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past," Prince Harry said during the virtual call from their Los Angeles home. "So many people have done such an incredible job of acknowledging the past and trying to right those wrongs." Prince Harry A Complete Idiot? The aforementioned statement didn't sit well with former Color Sergeant Trevor Coult, who spoke to the Mirror and slammed Prince Harry for what could be considered as "disgusting" comments. Harry formerly backed Coult's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder campaign to stop the horrifying toll of veterans killing themselves. However, it did not help the royal prince to get the army veteran's approval over his actions and words. "He's turned into a complete idiot," Coult said pertaining to Prince Harry. "His comments are disgusting and I for one am pleased he has left the U.K." According to Coult, many soldiers working in the British Army are from the Commonwealth, too. He added that Prince Harry should not forget that he once fought with them, and he should know better than anyone else. As what the veteran believes, Harry's scathing comment only served as a dig at the royal family and not a statement everybody can learn a lesson from. "He says he wants to be left alone to do his own thing but he's constantly doing Zoom calls. He can't have it both ways so he's now classed as what I think is an attention seeker," the former Royal Irish Regiment Sergeant exclaimed. Coult also called out the Sussex patriarch for speaking "too much" non-sense these days. Far from what Princ Harry and Meghan Markle think, they could only lose more support from people for trying so hard to get their approval. In addition, according to the former military man, most of Prince Harry's statements in the past few months only insulted Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. "Every time he speaks and insults the Queen, the Royal Family or has a go at the Commonwealth, all that support from all the years is slowly vanishing. It's sad because he did good work," Coult went on. Prince Harry, through his initiatives including the Invictus Games, showed his support for the armed forces and disabled veterans. However, his efforts are being ruined now due to his changed behavior. READ MORE: Meghan Markle Tops Embarrassing Polls -- From No. 1 Social Climber To Most Unfairly Treated Person Lyra McKee was shot dead by dissident republicans in Londonderry in April 2019 (PSNI/PA) Detectives investigating the murder of Northern Ireland journalist Lyra McKee have arrested a 27-year-old man. Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans in Londonderry in April 2019 as she observed rioting in the Creggan area of the city. The extremist group that styles itself the New IRA was responsible for the murder. Arrest in Lyra McKee murder investigation. pic.twitter.com/RIoX81SPJ4 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) July 15, 2020 The suspect was detained in Londonderry on Wednesday under the provisions of the Terrorism Act. He has been taken to Musgrave police station in Belfast for questioning. Officers also conducted a search of a house in Derry on Wednesday. Last month, police found the handgun used to kill Ms McKee. The Hammerli X-Esse .22 pistol was discovered during searches in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry. In February, a 52-year-old man appeared in court in the city charged with the authors murder. Joy Andrew was struck down with COVID-19 at her care home in May but defeated the disease. (SWNS) A 99-year-old war veteran who has survived a Nazi assassination attempt, a horror plane crash and breast cancer has now also defeated coronavirus. Joy Andrew was struck down with the deadly illness at the Minister Grange care home in May. Just two weeks later, she was placed on end-of-life care by nurses. Her condition was so grave that daughter Michele, 57, visited to say her "final farewell". But care home staff watched on in disbelief over the following weeks and months as Joy called on the wartime spirit to "miraculously defeat" COVID-19. Joy Andrew (left) was placed on end-of-life care after being struck by coronavirus. (SWNS) Joy, who suffers from dementia, is continuing her recovery at the home as friends and family look forward to her turning 100 on 22 November. Michele said: "My mum has always been a very feisty woman. "She takes things in her stride, like a lot of people from her generation who lived through the war tend to do. "She carries those characteristics with her to this day and I think it is those which saw her through the last few months. "She certainly wasnt going to let coronavirus defeat her. "Unfortunately my mothers dementia prevents her from recognising her achievement. "However, her family join me in celebrating her recovery." Joy was born and raised in north London in the 1920s before joining the Women's Auxiliary Air Force as a sergeant during the Second World War, where she served in the Operations Room at Bomber Command. After the war Joy joined the British Army of the Rhine and was posted to Dusseldorf, where she lodged with an elderly couple who she became very friendly with, but who had a daughter who was a Nazi. According to Michele, while in Germany, Joy, who was from a German Jewish family, was allocated a driver to take her wherever she wanted to go. It was during a trip to Berlin that Michele said the driver who turned out to be a Nazi deliberately crashed the car in an attempt to kill her. Joy married husband David Andrew, a squadron leader in the RAF, in the 1950s. (SWNS) Afterwards, Joy joined the British Overseas Airways Corporation as one of the first air hostesses, and was on a plane that crashed in Libya after running out of fuel. Story continues In the 1950s, Joy married David Andrew, a squadron leader in the RAF, and in 1963 the couple adopted Michele. In the 1970s Joy defeated breast cancer, and she spent the subsequent decades as a housewife before David sadly succumbed to cancer himself in 2013. Michele plans to bring the family together for a celebration of Joy's 100th birthday later this year. Coronavirus: what happened today Click here to sign up to the latest news and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter JAKARTA, Indonesia - The death toll from a flash flood in Indonesias South Sulawesi province rose to 21 on Wednesday with two people still missing, an official said. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati said search and rescue operations were hampered by thick mud covering roads and houses, and rain was continuing to fall. Ten other people were injured in the flooding, which affected six subdistricts in the province, he said. As of Wednesday evening, 2,650 people had been evacuated. North Luwu district official Indah Putri Indriani said the flooding began Monday evening and was triggered by heavy rains that caused three rivers to overflow. Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near flood plains. Vikas Khanna and his team have offered meals and rations to over 20 millions affected by the coronavirus lockdown. For more than three months, Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna has helped serve 20 million meals to poor Indians facing hunger, from thousands of miles away in the United States. The Indian-born Khanna, who moved to the US in 2000, started the Feed India campaign in April, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a strict coronavirus lockdown, which forced millions out of work, many of them facing hunger. It all began after a spam email with the picture of an old-age home, Khanna says, where people were left to fend for themselves with little food. The moment crushed him and made him realise that India was about to embark on a major hunger crisis. Feed India has provided ready-made meals and dry rations to people in at least 125 Indian cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Varanasi and Bengaluru. The campaign has distributed food at leprosy centres, on railway tracks, elderly care homes, highways and orphanages, to name a few. India has recorded more than 900,000 coronavirus infections to date, making it the third worst-affected country in the world. Khanna and his partners have distributed meals and rations at leprosy centers, on railway tracks, elderly care homes, highways and orphanages [Courtesy of Vikas Khanna and Maximus Collabs] In collaboration with marketing outfits, food brands, Indias National Disaster Response Force, and numerous volunteers, Khanna has organised food drives from his apartment in the upscale New York neighbourhood of Manhattan via telephone and online platforms; overseeing all logistical requirements, including vendor pick-ups and distribution of meals on-site. Duty to feed India I did not realise there would be so many variables, so many moving parts in conducting this food drive, Khanna told Al Jazeera by phone. At many times, it felt like our campaign would collapse, the Manhattan-based chef said. Khanna, who has previously cooked for personalities such as Barack and Michelle Obama, said he had tried to stop the campaign in April, telling his partners and staff that he could not take the stress. However, the chefs mother, Bindu Khanna, convinced him to continue, telling him it was his duty to feed India, a phrase which would later inspire the name of his campaign. In late March India announced one of the strictest lockdowns in the world to curb the spread of coronavirus, triggering a humanitarian crisis [Courtesy of Vikas Khanna and Maximus Collabs] Manisha Singh, founder of event planning firm Maximus Collabs, and a long-time collaborator with Khanna, said she felt blessed to be chosen for this service and the whole experience had been very satisfying. There are many experiences that will go with me forever of those people who saw food after days and the journey of how each morsel has reason to where it belong there is a picture of a migrant that moved me so much that I cried looking at it how basic food for many become a big luxury in these times, Singh told Al Jazeera. It was heart-breaking but when you are able to ease that pain it fills you with satisfaction and helps you with gratitude too, she said, adding that the whole experience had made her a better person and also help me value each life even more. 200,000 meals on Eid As part of his Feed India campaign, Khanna successfully conducted one-off drives to pay tribute to different communities, including organising around 200,000 meals on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr in May, in the financial hub of Mumbai. Sabir Jamal, who helped coordinate the event at Haji Ali Dargah, a famous Muslim shrine, told Al Jazeera it was a beautiful feeling to serve the community at Eid, the main festival celebrated by Muslims considering many were unable to secure even one meal a day during the lockdown. Some of the receivers were in tears they were eternally grateful and said they would pray for the organisers, Jamal said. Meals were also distributed in several slums around the city, where some 12-15 people live in a space of 9 sq metre (97 sq feet), Jamal said. The Eid event was inspired by Khannas encounter with a Muslim family in 1992 [Courtesy of Vikas Khanna and Maximus Collabs] For Khanna, organising for the Muslim holiday was the most satisfying moment in the campaign. The feast was inspired by his encounter nearly three decades ago with a Muslim family in 1992 in Mumbai during what is known as the Bombay riots. A Muslim family gave Khanna, then 21 years old, shelter after he was stranded during the deadly violence. More than 900 people were killed in the worst Hindu-Muslim riots in the city. She kept on saying she had to protect me the family shared everything, whatever food they had, with me, Khanna said, recalling how the family matriarch took care of him while he hid in their home. Since 1992, Khanna says, he has fasted once every Ramadan, as a tribute to the woman and her family for their generosity and kindness. I always tell people I have an amma (his biological mother) and an ammi, he said amma meaning mother largely used by Hindus, and ammi, an Urdu word for mother mostly used by Muslims. Barkat Among numerous one-off events organised by Khanna and his team was Barkat (meaning blessings in Arabic) held on June 11, an initiative targeted towards providing food and rations to other vulnerable communities such as old-aged people, disabled person, sex workers and the transgender community. Laxmi Tripathi, a trans activist based in the capital, New Delhi, said the event provided the much-needed ration and food for her community, one of the most discriminated groups in India. This event is an example of how people can come together and that no one should be left behind, she added. Trans activist Laxmi Tripathi (left) said the event provided the much-needed ration and food for her community [Courtesy of Vikas Khanna and Maximus Collabs] It provides a sense that anyone who organises such an event should consider marginalised communities that are hit the most during this pandemic. Transgender persons in India are often target of discrimination and violence, often living and working in poor conditions. In recent years, the state has taken several steps to recognise their plea including recognising them as a third gender. Ayush Gupta, the business head at KRBL, one of Indias biggest rice processing companies, and also one of Khannas campaign partners, told Al Jazeera some two million meals were served at the Barkat event. When we went to them with dry-rations enough to sustain a family of four for a month, the happiness and satisfaction on their faces was beyond description, Gupta said, adding they provided meals to over 20,000 families across the Indian capital. Bigger than Michelin star Khanna, who has authored numerous books, said the Feed India campaign had deeply changed him, adding the months-long exercise was certainly his biggest achievement, and bigger than any Michelin Star an award he won in 2011. When I receive a phone call from a leprosy centre and I hear they have placed a picture of my mother on the wall, because they see your mother as theirs that is the biggest compliment. At the moment, Khanna has not set any end-date to the campaign, adding he has never done anything half-heartedly, despite the enormous challenges his campaign continues to face. He said a lot of Feed India drives such as Barkat were serving as pilots for future campaigns to address other humanitarian crises if they were to occur. This idea came to me as a duty from the Universe, and I will continue for as long as I can who knows maybe Feed India becomes a permanent mission for me. A new study out of the Netherlands and published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in July 2020 discusses the commonly observed phenomenon of COVID-19 progression at 1-2 weeks from the onset of the earliest symptoms. This is ascribed to the overactivation of the inflammatory signaling cascade triggered by a hyperactive adaptive immune reaction, commonly called the cytokine storm. Progressive Illness in COVID-19 The current pandemic of COVID-19 is primarily a severe pneumonic illness, but in most patients, it has a mild or asymptomatic phenotype. The severe form occurs in about one in five patients. It is characterized by bilateral pneumonia, quickly progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and death by respiratory failure, often complicated by multi-organ dysfunction. The reason for such inappropriate immune stimulation is as yet unknown. The study shows that IgG antibodies to the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The hyperactive immune system is characterized by high levels of cytokines that promote inflammation, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF. On the other hand, early response antiviral cytokines like type I and III interferons (IFNs) are suppressed. The combination of low antiviral response with high pro-inflammatory cytokine levels causes a very unfavorable immune response in severe COVID-19. Anti-spike IgG Induces High Inflammation The severe lung injury seen in SARS first identified in 2003 has been shown earlier to be due to early high IgG production targeting the spike protein, which causes macrophages to be directed towards intense inflammation rather than tissue regeneration and repair. In this animal model, blocking Fc receptors could suppress inflammation and collateral damage. The same picture is observed in severely ill COVID-19 patients. The present study aimed to examine the possibility that the anti-spike IgG antibodies are behind the excessive inflammation in these patients. They used macrophages induced to present the M2 phenotype and exposed them to spike-IgG a well as to the viral mimic PolyIC. While individually, these stimuli produced low levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF, and high levels of IL-8, vs. hardly any cytokine secretion, respectively, combined stimulation caused a steep increase in the secretion of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. These are associated with severe COVID-19. IL-10 secretion also surged though it is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The researchers then confirmed the findings using primary lung macrophages. SARS-CoV-2 viruses binding to ACE-2 receptors on a human cell, the initial stage of COVID-19 infection, conceptual 3D illustration. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock Anti-spike IgG Induces Pro-Inflammatory Changes in Macrophages To further trace the cause of this inflammation, they looked at serum from 33 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who fell into one of three categories: No COVID-19 COVID-19 positive but anti-spike IgG negative COVID-19 positive and anti-spike IgG positive They found that as expected, the cytokines mentioned earlier were secreted at much higher levels in the third group. Follow-up RNA sequencing of macrophages stimulated with the serum from the patients in the third group also indicated that pro-inflammatory genes were being induced, but also IFN- and IFN-. Further analysis showed that the enhanced macrophage secretion of these cytokines was associated with anti-spike IgG in a dose-dependent manner. To sum up, the researchers say, These data demonstrate that anti-Spike IgG immune complexes generated from the serum of severely ill COVID-19 patients induce a strong pro-inflammatory response by (otherwise immunosuppressive) human M2 macrophages, which is characterized by high production of classical cytokine storm mediators such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF. Anti-Spike IgG Causes Endothelial Damage Secondly, there is pulmonary edema due to the breakdown of the endothelium of the small blood vessel. Coagulation abnormalities are also found, including lung clots. They found that rather than exposure to PolyIC, which caused only a brief reduction in endothelial barrier strength, the combined stimulation of endothelium with spike protein and the serum from severe COVID-19 patients caused sustained disruption of the barrier, and increased adhesion of platelets to vascular endothelium. Along with this, the endothelium released von Willebrand factor, which indicates procoagulability. Thus, the anti-spike IgG found in the serum of patients with severe COVID-19 causes not only macrophage-mediated hyperinflammation but enhanced damage to the microvascular endothelium and clots within the smallest blood vessels. Glycosylation Pattern Stimulates Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Interestingly, they also found that the glycosylation pattern of the anti-spike IgG contributes to the strongly pro-inflammatory nature of these antibodies because the recombinant IgG fails to produce this level of stimulation. In fact, a reduction in the fucose content with an increase in galactose is a hallmark of anti-spike IgG1, compared to the sugar residue content of total IgG in the same patients. The lower the fucose content, the higher was the production of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF, but not IL-8 and IL-10. This low-fucose high-galactose pattern was then simulated in COVAI-18 to confirm that this was indeed the cause of the increased induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The scientists concluded, These data indicate that anti-Spike IgG from COVID-19 patients has an aberrant glycosylation pattern that makes these antibodies intrinsically more inflammatory than common IgGs by increasing its capacity to induce high amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Fostamatinib Inhibits Inflammation Induced by IgG Next, they examined different means of counteracting the antibodies. They first found that these anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG immune complexes bound to Fc gamma receptors (FcRs), which are highly expressed on human macrophages. By selectively blocking each type of FcR, they found that though all induced anti-spike IgG-mediated inflammation, this effect was most apparent with FcRII. The low-fucose, high-galactose combination of sugars on the anti-spike IgG especially increases the affinity of the antibody for FcRIII, but this is not the most prominent contributor to the hyperinflammatory response in severe COVID-19. FcRs are expressed by other cells, including human airway epithelium, which not only interacts closely with activated macrophages but presents a primary target for SARS-CoV-2. The FcR-signaling pathway depends on the kinase enzyme Syk, and blockade of this using R406, which is the active form of fostamatinib, a small molecule inhibitor, produced virtually complete inhibition of secretion of these cytokines induced by anti-spike IgG but not those induced by PolyIC stimulation alone. At the gene level, they found this small molecule suppressed over 4,300 genes, and almost 4,000 genes were upregulated. Many of the suppressed genes encoded pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, these data demonstrate that the excessive inflammatory response by anti-Spike IgG from severely ill COVID-19 patients can be counteracted by the Syk inhibitor fostamatinib. Fostamatinib may also inhibit the expression of Mucin-1 on epithelial cells, according to a recent study. This could mean that multiple pathways of inflammation are inhibited simultaneously. Implications and Future Directions Overall, therefore, the study contributes to explaining why severe COVID-19 disease often occurs around the time of activation of adaptive immunity. Other molecules involved in FcR signaling could be targeted by other drugs as well. Again, FcR stimulation induces human macrophages to undergo metabolic reprogramming. This could be yet another potential drug target. These findings thus offer several clues towards the identification of therapies to suppress these hyperinflammatory phenomena and promote recovery from serious COVID-19 illness. Moreover, it may indicate that the aberrantly glycosylated IgGs found in the serum of convalescent COVID-19 patients who were severely ill should be filtered out before using the serum to treat other patients. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. 3 die in fishing trawler capsize in Noakhali, Bangladesh by Ranajit Kuri July 15,2020 | Source: Dhaka Tribune The Bangladesh Coast Guard has recovered the bodies of three fishermen who died when a fishing trawler sank after colliding with a submerged sandbar in the Gangriar Char area of Noakhaliss Hatia upazila. The fishing trawler capsized near the mouth of the Meghna River and the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday night and the bodies were rescued on Wednesday afternoon. Hatia Coast Guard In-Charge Lt Bishwajit Barua confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune. 11 more fishermen were rescued alive from the area. All of them are from Subarnachar upazila. The deceased are Shuklab Das, 25, from Purba Chorbata village in Subarnachar upazila, Sourabh Das, 23, from Noapara village in Char Amanulla union, and Pran Nath Das, 50, from Das Para village in Hatia upazila. The owner of the fishing trawler, Pankaj Thakur said: The boat went to fish in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday with 14 fishermen. While returning to Hatia on Tuesday night, the trawler hit a sandbar and sank. At the time of the sinking three fishermen were sleeping in the cabin who remained missing till Wednesday afternoon. 11 fishermen were rescued by another fishing trawler. Hatia police station Officer In-Charge (OC) Abul Khayer said: The bodies of the fishermen were handed over to their families. 2012-2019. 2A Media Limited. Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Research published today (July 15) in the journal Science Advances shows that embedding a reading-and-writing exercise about social belonging into the first-year college curriculum increased the persistence and performance of Black, Latinx, Native American, and first-generation students at a large, urban, broad-access university. Now, with COVID-19, colleges and universities are struggling economically and yet they must find ways to support students' sense of belonging in college if they want their students to thrive and persist. The social belonging intervention appears to be one cost-effective way to do that. The three-year study was conducted by a team led by Mary Murphy, the Herman B Wells Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. It was the first research of its kind to examine how broad-access colleges and universities - typically more affordable institutions with less stringent academic requirements, often with a majority of the student population from marginalized backgrounds - can help reduce the social and relational barriers that might prevent many low-income, racially minoritized and first-generation students from attaining a degree. "Especially in these uncertain times when students have more obstacles than ever in their path to and through college, it is clear that universities and colleges must do everything they can to cultivate and support students' sense of belonging," Murphy said. "Broad-access institutions have the potential to serve a democratizing function and can help to spur social mobility. But, these institutions struggle with low persistence and graduation rates. Unlike in more elite university environments, students in broadaccess environments often struggle with long commutes to school, balancing work with school, and fulfilling family care-giving responsibilities. Understanding that these challenges are common among students in these contexts and providing effective strategies for navigating them, helps students feel that they can come to belong and persist in college." In a double-blind, randomized study, the team tested an intervention strategy involving a reading-andwriting exercise among 1,063 students enrolled in first-year writing classes at a large, diverse, broadaccess post-secondary institution in the Midwest. Members of the team worked with faculty, administrators and upper-level students at the institution to develop customized materials addressing common academic and social barriers to belonging that students might encounter and coping strategies that had proven successful to overcome those barriers. Strategies included finding spaces on- and offcampus to study, making friends and studying with peers who also commute and/or work, and making time to form relationships with faculty. Importantly, these strategies were reinforced by institutional practices that made resources available to students such as a commuter resource center, social activities and clubs with meeting schedules that accommodated working students, and extended faculty office hours that provided opportunities for students to connect with faculty. The first-year students then wrote a letter to an incoming first-year student and shared the belonging message with them. "This placed students into the role of benefactor and mentor to students who would follow," said Murphy. The researchers found that the intervention resulted in a significant increase in both retention and the academic performance of Black, Latinx, Native American, and first-generation students. The socialbelonging intervention boosted retention among these students by 10 percent - from 76 to 86 percent - over one year, and by 9 percent - from 64 percent to 73 percent - over two years. Grade-point averages among these students rose as well. "Learning about the social and academic challenges to belonging that their peers experienced and learning about the coping strategies their peers used to navigate those challenges helped secure the students' sense of social and academic fit in college one year later, which predicted their college persistence two years later," Murphy said. "We were able to observe the long-term psychological process that help explain how these social-belonging programs have their effects." ### In addition to Murphy, other members of the research team were Maithreyi Gopalan, assistant professor of education at Penn State University; Evelyn Carter, director at Paradigm Strategy, Inc.; Katherine Emerson, visiting research associate at IU Bloomington; Bette Bottoms, psychology professor and dean emerita of the Honors College at the University of Illinois Chicago; and Gregory Walton, associate psychology professor at Stanford University. The full study is available at Science Advances (embargoed until July 15, 2020). Funding for the study was provided by the participating university, the National Science Foundation, and the Russell Sage Foundation. A manhunt is under way to find a Sydney man wanted on serious drug charges who failed to appear in a Melbourne court on Wednesday. Jim Soukoulis, 55, was extradited to Victoria in mid-2017 when he was charged over an alleged plan to import more than 250kg of methamphetamine from California to Australia via light aircraft. Sydney man Jim Soukoulis. Credit:Australian Federal Police He was bailed once he arrived in Melbourne and lived in the suburb of South Melbourne. He fled to an unknown location while on bail in November 2019. On Wednesday, Mr Soukoulis was required to face the Melbourne County Court but did not appear. As well as the alleged plot to import drugs, he is charged with allegedly dealing with more than $1,000,000 that police believe was an instrument of crime. As per reports, the American messaging application WhatsApp crashed at 1:30 a.m. today, according to Indian Standard Time. The WhatsApp crash was reportedly experienced by countries like India, Sri Lanka, Peru, London, New Delhi, New York, Brazil, Netherlands, Germany, Egypt, Columbia, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Romania, Trinidad & Tobago, and Ireland. About 2 million people experienced the WhatsApp crash which amounts to about 58% of WhatsApp users. While 58% of users complained of connectivity issues, 38% were unable to send or receive messages. On the other hand, about 3% of users were unable to login to WhatsApp. ALSO READ: Over 15 Mn In India Use WhatsApp Business App Every Month WhatsApp Down: Since WhatsApp was down users were unable to login to the app on Android as well as iOS devices. Further, users were unable to send or receive messages. Users were also unable to use features like WhatsApp Web, uploading their WhatsApp status, video calls and phone calls. ALSO READ: WhatsApp Launches Animated Stickers: Step-by-step Guide On How To Download Stickers The messaging application does not have any platform to update users about the WhatsApp status. However, WhatsApp does have an official Twitter account under the name WhatsApp Status. The official Twitter account has been dormant since 2014. #WhatsAppDown Trending on social media: As soon as users experienced the WhatsApp crash, they took to social media platforms to complain about it. Hashtags like WhatsApp down were greatly trending on Twitter. Further, several users also shared memes of the WhatsApp crash. You can check out some of the memes here: ALSO READ: WhatsApp Web: Learn How To Use The Dark Mode, Login And Logout WhatsApp not working memes: Congratulations if you didn't notice that #WhatsApp was down until you just came here pic.twitter.com/uulDK2ePNw Ahmed Shahid (@imahmedafridi) July 15, 2020 Me after restarting my phone twice coz I couldnt send WhatsApp messages #WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/ZTQNWaxkBc Rob (@jirorober) July 14, 2020 Statement given by a WhatsApp Official: An official of the American messaging platform WhatsApp reportedly gave a statement to a media portal wherein he mentioned that an internal update of the application caused users to experience trouble while sending messages. He further said that the issue was resolved by the messaging application immediately. The official also apologized to the users for the inconvenience faced by them. First crash in 2020 WhatsApp experienced a crash for the first time in 2020. The application last crashed in 2019. Further, social media applications like Facebook and Instagram had also experienced a crash at the same time. These applications were down for a period of two hours. As per reports, the number of WhatsApp users has shot up massively this year. While the platform had about 1 billion users in 2016, and 1.5 billion users in 2018, it enjoyed about 2 billion users this year. While several are stuck at home due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the usage of messaging applications like WhatsApp has increased massively. Several users have started using WhatsApp to connect to their loved ones who reside far away. WhatsApp not only allows offers features like messaging but also offers features like Whatsapp web, voice call and video call. ALSO READ: WhatsApp Down? Users Report Issues With 'last Seen' Update Settings And Online Status Promo Image Source: Shutterstock A new report from Iran's Civil Aviation Organization indicates that a string of massive failures led Iran's military to shoot down a passenger jet and kill 176 people early this year. The Iranian report says the country's military shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in January because of human error, an improperly calibrated air-defense system, communication problems, and a breach of engagement protocols. Following the release of the report, Ukraine said it was not ready to accept Iran's explanation for what happened. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A chain of serious mistakes led Iranian troops to fire on a passenger jet early this year, killing 176 people, a new report from Iran's Civil Aviation Organization indicates. The report says the Iranian military shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in January because of human error, an improperly calibrated air-defense system, communication problems, and a breach of engagement protocols, specifically firing without authorization. The flight went down shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini International Airport on January 8. While Iran initially claimed engine failure was to blame, it acknowledged days later, following reported foreign intelligence on the actual cause, that the passenger aircraft was shot down by a pair of surface-to-air missiles. The downing of Flight 752 happened just hours after the Iranian military fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at US and coalition troops in Iraq in retaliation for the US drone strike one week earlier that killed one of Iran's most powerful leaders, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. In the days that followed, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it was on high alert when Flight 752 was shot down, with one commander saying Iran was "totally prepared for a full-fledged war." Debris from the crash of Flight 752. Reuters 'Such a failure initiated a hazard chain' In that heightened state of alert, the report from Iran's Civil Aviation Organization says, responsibility for air-traffic control was transferred from civilian authorities to the military, which cleared Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 to take off for its return trip to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Story continues Once in the air, though, Flight 752 "was identified by one of the air defense units as a threat and targeted consequently," the new report said. An air-defense system that was moved was not recalibrated for its new position because of "human error" and was 107 degrees off, the report said, a major mistake that made it appear a passenger jet ascending from Tehran's airport was a potential military target approaching the capital from the southwest. The report said "such a failure initiated a hazard chain." The air-defense unit operator relayed the information to the coordination center, but, for reasons not presented in the report, the notification was not communicated successfully. The operator, who was said to be unaware of the calibration issue, then independently analyzed the information and concluded that the detected target was a threat. Without receiving authorization from the coordination center, the report said, the air-defense unit operator opened fire on the aircraft, a violation of procedure. Two missiles were fired. The passenger jet caught fire after it was hit and turned right toward the airport before crashing into a playground. The plane is believed to have exploded when it hit the ground. "The aircraft," the report said, "then kept hitting the ground and bouncing on a route towards the airport, making the aircraft pieces, victims' properties, objects and body remains disintegrate completely in a vast area." Ukraine's foreign minister on Tuesday said the country still had a lot of unanswered questions and was not yet ready to accept Iran's explanation. "I want to clearly emphasize: It is early to say that the plane was shot down as a result of human error, as the Iranian side claims," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Tuesday. He added that "we have many questions, and we need a large number of authoritative, unbiased, objective answers about what happened." He insisted that Ukraine "will do all we can so that Iran pays the highest price" for what happened. Iran is said to have agreed to compensate the families of foreign victims for their loss. Nearly half the people aboard the plane were Iranian, but citizens of Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, Afghanistan, and the UK were also aboard the plane. The report from Iran's Civil Aviation Organization said the country had learned its lesson and that the likelihood of a repeat of the Flight 752 tragedy was "improbable." Read the original article on Business Insider Ernest Hemingway once said that if you want to know about a culture, spend a night in its bars. The old man must be right. Now, he has a Cuban cocktail named after him. Hemingway, special or also known as Hemingway Daiquiri was born in Havana's El Floridita bar. One fateful day Hemingway needed a bathroom. He had stopped into El Floridita bar, and on his way out, he saw the bartender setting up Daiquiris. He asked for a taste and said he would have liked it better without sugar and double the rum. The bartender made the drink as Hemingway liked, and the rest was history. With light rum, fresh lime juice and grape juice, sugar, and Maraschino liqueur, you can taste the cocktail made after Hemingway. There were no direct accounts if Hemingway ever managed to drink his namesake cocktail at the Havana bar. But stories are saying he drank Mojito quite often at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana. Hemingway And The Mojito Story Some stories claim that Hemingway wrote an inscription on the wall at La Bodeguita, saying, "My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita." These claims were later debunked, saying it was a forgery. The owner of the bodega and a Cuban journalist, who was also a friend of Hemingway, Fernando Campoamor, was thinking about ways to grow the business. Campoamor said it was a funny joke and nothing more. "Well, I had these things at home in Papa's handwriting, so they hired a graphic artist to imitate it. I protested this, even though I enjoyed the humor at the beginning. This was merely a private joke among friends. But the little joke grew into a big lie," Campoamor was quoted. Hemingway in Cuba "The Old Man and the Sea" author was considered to be Cuba's adopted son. He stayed in Cuba at the start of the late 1930s. Hemingway earned the nickname "Papa" in Cuba. He first lived at the Hotel Ambos Mundos in Old Havana and a patron of bars El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio, which are both internationally famous through his writings. He bought Finca Vigia or also known as Lookout Farm, for himself and his third wife. He lived there until 1960. It is a 15-acre property located outside Havana. In this Cuban villa, he wrote some of his works there, such as the "The Old Man and the Sea." In 2005, it was restored through a collaboration between the U.S. and Cuba. The Finca Vigia is now owned by the Cuban government and is one of the country's most popular tourist sites. The villa had been Hemingway's place for writing, drinking, and fishing. "From the hillside residence, he entertained fellow writers, diplomats, and Hollywood stars," according to a report. The American writer left his home when Washington and Havana broke diplomatic ties. It is now known as the Museo Ernest Hemingway and features items such as his unpublished writings, original typewriter, and fishing boat. Check this out: History of the Mojito: How Ernest Hemingway's Favorite Cuban Drink Became an Artisanal Latin Staple U.S., Cuba to Jointly Restore Hemingway's House Near Havana USA-Cuba Relations: Caribbean Country Fears Influx of Thousands of U.S. Yachts President Donald Trump shows the policy changes he is making toward Cuba at the Manuel Artime Theater in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami on June 16, 2017. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 4 Memories: Concepts of Socialism Based on remarks made at the anti-socialism roundtable with President Donald J. Trump and Cuban and Venezuelan leaders at the Iglesia Doral Jesus Worship Center in Doral, Fla., on July 10, 2020. Commentary Memory is an essential tool for human learning. Its a core part of the functioning of the energy flow that we call the mind. It involves the use of most areas of the brain. Described as the quintessential act of being human, memory is a vital instrument in the awareness of our transcendence. Totalitarianism tries to control human beings through the subversion of memory thats based on ideology. Vital, organic remembrances of love are twisted through the control of mass media and state-run organizations to make humans automatically comply with the directives of a tyrannical bureaucracy. In order to understand what socialism really means, I find it best to access my own organic memory of life experiences. The learning derived from them should enlighten our own struggle for freedom. Here I share four of those memories. Memory 1 I was sitting in a big, beautiful church in Havana. It was almost empty. The priest celebrated Mass with only about five people present. Why? Many Cubans were afraid to worship. Communist mobs would often stand outside churches to insult and harass the faithful. Being Catholic meant that you could face discrimination at work or in education. As St. Augustine pointed out, religious freedom is the source of all other freedoms. Whether we believe, and how we choose to do so is the key to the control of our own soul. That is why communism always attacks religious freedom. Thats why churches, religious imagery, and statues are targeted by anarcho-communists even today. Its for reasons such as these that free Cubans have been at the forefront of the struggle against communism in Cuba and around the world. Thousands of Cubans have perished or been imprisoned, to this day, for this struggle. Many promises have been made by political leaders to our electorally powerful community. Few have been keptthe most glaring being when our men and women of the Resistance were left waiting for promised supplies and support at the Bay of Pigs or in the cities or mountains of Cuba. That is why were thankful to President Donald Trump for coming through on the promises he made to our community. Authorization for Titles III and IV of the Cuban Libertad Act and the strategic sanctions aimed at the Castro regimes security and intelligence sectors have weakened that regime. Every time the Cuban people have real support, they rise for freedom. For this reason, in the past few months and weeks, we have seen protests against the regime in different cities in Cuba. Now is the time to strengthen TV and Radio Marti and Radio Republica. Free Cubans have had to confront the lies about communism and Cuba that many in the media and Hollywood have spewed. People are naive about socialism. Che Guevara clearly stated that the aim of socialism and communism is the destruction of the individual, of individualism. Individuality is precisely the engine of prosperity. Just compare how the Cuban economy has collapsed under communism to how Israel and Taiwan have flourished. This community also thanks Trump for his strong support for Israel and Taiwan. That leads me to a second memory. Memory 2 I remember walking into my house when I was in grade school in Cuba and showing my mother a color by numbers drawing of Che Guevara that teachers had made me do. My mother crumpled the paper and threw it in the trash can. They dont even respect children! she said. Understand that, back then, not even trash cans were safe in Cuba. Memory 3 My third memory is how my father took me to see different places in Havana before we left. He knew that we would possibly never return (and he didnt), and he wanted me to remember my country, my city. Havana was a beautiful city. Communism now has it in ruins. Between 1902 and 1959, Cubans took their country from the devastation and genocide of Spanish occupation to being a successful, growing economy, and one of the leading Latin American countries. A country that fed itself and exported food to the rest of the world, before communism, now depends on U.S. food donations in order to survive. Communism must destroy the history of a nation in order to deprive individuals of a sense of achievement and to justify the existence of the communist state as the purpose of history. Memory 4 My fourth memory is that of Feb. 24, 1996, when the Castro regime brutally massacred four young Cuban Americans while they were flying over international waters trying to aid Cubans escaping from communism. We urge President Donald Trump to indict Raul Castro for this crime, and to install an international tribunal, a Cuban Nuremberg, that will judge the Castro regime for its crimes against humanity. Lastly, I am my paternal grandparents only grandson. My grandfather urged my father to take me out of Cuba because he wanted me to be raised as a free man, even though he would not see me again. Its for reasons such as these that we are so proud to be Americans and to be Cubans. The Castro regime is the base for the communist occupation of Nicaragua and Venezuela. If Cubans are aided to free Cuba, the entire hemisphere, including the United States, will breathe easier. Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Ph.D., is an author, educator, and analyst. He is the co-founder and spokesman for the Cuban Democratic Directorate (Directorio). Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Nigeria Airforce Force (NAF), Kogi State Government and the family of a helicopter fighter pilot, Tolulope Arotile, over her demise. In a statement released by Mr Buharis Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday, he said her stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security. Premium Times earlier reported the death of Ms Arotile, who died on Tuesday, according to NAF, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road accident at its base in Kaduna. NAF winged Ms Arotile as the first female helicopter fighter (combatant) pilot last year. According to the statement, Mr Buhari commended Ms Arotiles bravery in the field to protect the country from the onslaught of bandits and terrorists, assuring that her memory will be indelible, and her efforts remembered. He commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride. Condolence pours in Also, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Sadique Abubakar, expressed sadness over the death of Ms Arotile. In a statement released by Mr Abubakar on Wednesday, he said, She was a very intelligent, disciplined, confident & courageous young officer who added value wherever she served. As a squadron pilot in Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State, she flew her quota of anti-banditry combat missions to ensure a safer, more secured Nigeria. I recall meeting her at the Minna Airport, while on operational visit, after one of such missions & seeing her eagerness to contribute towards the restoration of lasting peace to the affected areas. Her death is a huge loss to @NigAirForce family & indeed the entire Nation. On behalf officers, airmen, airwomen & civilian staff of @NigAirForce, I once more condole with the family of late Flying Officer Arotile over this irreparable loss & sincerely pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest. Also, a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the family of Ms Arotile. In a statement released on Wednesday, Mr Saraki said, I woke up to read the very sad news of the unfortunate passing away of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile Nigerias first female combat helicopter pilot. Flying Officer Arotile dedicated her life to the service of her nation and in so doing became a role model for millions of Nigerians on breaking glass ceilings. She will be missed. I commiserate with @NigAirForce, her family and friends. I pray the Almighty gives them the strength to bear this loss, he added. A leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, also commiserated with the family of Ms Arotile. In a statement released on Wednesday, he said, My sincere condolences to the family, friends and Nigerian Air Force colleagues of Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile. Ms. Arotile was a trailblazer in every sense and her sudden passing is a tragic and painful loss for all patriotic Nigerians. May her virtuous soul rest peacefully in the bosom of Allah. NEW HAVEN Police Chief Otoniel Reyes told a packed press conference attended by city and aldermanic officials, as well as clergy, that some of the four shootings Tuesday, two of them homicides, were connected and that the police are working round the clock with federal and state partners to find the shooters. Reyes said the city to date has had 57 shootings and 11 homicides, while in 2019, there were just over 50 shootings by years end and 11 homicides. You will see our federal partners out on the road with us. ... You are going to see all hands on deck from the Police Department. The message I want to send to our community is that we must come together during this time, but make no bones about it, your department is working as hard as we can for you and we will quell this violence, Reyes said. The chief said the investigations are in their infant stages, with little information that can be shared publicly, but he said that in three of the incidents, the victims had extensive criminal histories and we do believe that some of these incidents are connected to each other. A 20-year-old from New Haven was seen moments before he was shot at 7:01 p.m. driving up and down Ferry Street on a dirt bike. Police found 8 shell casings at the scene. He sustained two gunshot wounds and his bike was also struck. Reyes said the teen is a known gang member and this is the second time he has been shot in the last two years. The chief said the department had worked with the individual to try to prevent him from retaliating or being fired upon. At the intersection of May Street and State Street at 8:20 p.m., the shooting victim was believed to be in a vehicle when he was struck. Witnesses said there was an exchange of gunfire with a second vehicle, where someone came out of a sun roof, shooting into the car. The ballistic evidence at the scene suggests there was an exchange of gunfire; police found more than 16 rounds at the scene, substantiating that multiple weapons were used. The victim is an 18-year-old resident of Hamden and he has a gunshot wound to the neck. At Whalley Avenue and Hobart Street at 10 p.m., the victim of a shooting was Ibrahim Valentino Shareef Jr., 33. He succumbed to his injuries. Reyes said Shareef was released in March from prison where he had been charged in a shooting incident. Preliminarily, the chief said police believe the shooting was in retaliation for that incident. He said there appeared to be an exchange of gunfire in the rear of 533 Whalley Ave., where they recovered a handgun near the victim. Reyes said Shareef was a known gang member. Howard Lewis, 40, was shot through the windshield of his car around 6:05 p.m., while his 15-year-old son and 18-year-old brother were in the vehicle parked in front of 351 Munson St. The teenagers were not wounded. Lewis, a resident of Hamden, was rushed to the hospital where he died after being shot in the chest. Chaz Carmon, who runs Ice The Beef, a New Haven youth development organization, cried at the press conference as he mourned his friend Lewis, who is also known as Kieontaie Lewis. He said systematic racism, poverty in the community and redlining are some of the reasons for the violence. Lewiss children were in the basketball league Carmon runs, games often attended by Lewis. I saw the most disheartening saddest thing yesterday. His children ... as you look at those babies and see their faces ... They no longer have their father or their uncle. That is the worse. ... They are not going to walk to the prom with their dad ... As we take lives of people in our community, how much are we affecting the children? Carmon asked. Im calling out to anyone in the community who are picking up these guns and making decisions to pull these triggers. I am pleading with you to stop, he said. Carmon, who grew up with Lewis, described him as a great guy. If you needed any help, he would be there. He was there for his kids. He was there for his nephew. Carmon said when he was a single dad, he and Lewis would bounce ideas off each other on what to do with their kids. Thats why this is so shocking, the sweetest person that he is. He would give you the shirt off his back. He was a deeply loving individual and that smile ... he made you feel that you were important. Speaker after speaker said the time is now for changes that get at the root of he violence, it is the time for unity. Im heartbroken at the increase in violence in our city in recent days ... Around the nation we are seeing an increase in crime. The COVID crisis has caused severe economic hardship, contributed to the stress in our communities and limited our typical direct engagement with our community. With the courts closed it slowed our ability to get the violence under control. This is coupled with a general nationwide stress between the community and the policemen, Mayor Justin Elicker said. Gun violence has no place in our communities, he said. Elicker said Reyes and the Police Department have his full support. The numbers in the department have been going down for several years and because of the citys tough financial situation, Elicker has cut more than 100 vacant positions across all departments, 48 in the Police Department. He said it is not an indication that he does not value the work of the department. It is just the opposite. In particular, in times like these, we rely on our police officers and the relationship that they have developed with our community over many, many years to address these very difficult challenges, the mayor said. He agreed with those who say that systemic racism and economic inequality has to be addressed to ultimately eliminate the gun violence. But given that, Elicker said right now, everyone has to come together to ensure people put their guns down, The mayor had a private conference later in the afternoon with law enforcement and stakeholders on a collaborative way to go forward. He also was scheduled to walk some to the neighborhoods where the violence took place. Aldermanic President Tyisha Walker-Myers called for some really bold measures. We have to figure out how to really invest in the communities that have been left out for many, many years. We need to invest. We all know if people have a good job to take care of their families, then some of this violence will stop, she said. It is going to take all of us, including me ... we are going to have to get outside of these walls in City Hall, outside of our police cars and into those communities, because that is the only thing that is really going to change what is happening here, Walker-Myers said. We love working with our Police Department. We just want the police to police these neighborhoods with respect and thats it, she said. She said the city is in tough financial times, but all my life I have been in tough financial shape, but I make it happen every day. So we have to figure it out. The aldermanic president said it is going to take churches to come outside into the community. She asked the residents to come out of their homes and get involved in solving the problems. We have to clean up these neighborhoods ... and invest in these neighborhoods like we invest in downtown. Absent that we will continue to be here year after year. Pastor Kelcy Steele of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church said he wants to see the term black on black crime dropped. Crime has no color, but it does have a cause, he said. He said the city is still seeing the remnants of the crack epidemic three generations later, the negative impact of lost factory jobs and fewer activities to keep young people busy. What are we going to do about it? Are we going to blame each other? Are we going to make this political? Are we going to make this a Harp administration versus Elicker administration comparison? Are we going to throw shade on the Black Lives Matter Movement? If that is your intention, you dont have the best interest of the community in mind, Steele said. He said that he will put more pressure on the citys large employers, like Yale University, to share some of the burdens. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577. William Lambert contributed to this story. In a new study, a team of researchers from the United Kingdom, Germany and Argentina deployed high-tech flight-recorders on the worlds heaviest extant soaring bird, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), to assess the extent to which this species can operate without resorting to powered flight. Their data revealed the lowest levels of flapping flight recorded for any free-ranging bird, with condors remarkably spending 99% of all flight time in soaring/gliding flight. Flight costs are predicted to vary with environmental conditions, and this should ultimately determine the movement capacity and distributions of large soaring birds, said lead author Dr. Hannah Williams of Swansea University and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour and her colleagues. Despite this, little is known about how flight effort varies with environmental parameters. In the study, we assessed whether, and if so, how, flight effort varies with environmental conditions in the worlds heaviest extant soaring bird, the Andean condor. The study involved eight immature Andean condors (9.5 to 13.9 kg), each equipped with an archival daily diary unit, a GPS unit and a miniature VHF. Given that flapping was likely to be relatively infrequent, we developed custom logging and tag-release systems to obtain uninterrupted, high-frequency data on the flight behavior of these birds, the scientists explained. These continuous data enable us to identify each and every wingbeat, from which we assess the precise conditions that elicit flapping. During the study, they discovered that more than 75% of the condors flapping was associated with take-off. However, once in the sky condors can sustain soaring for long periods in a wide range of wind and thermal conditions. One bird remained airborne for over 5 hour without using flapping flight, covering over 170 km. Watching birds from kites to eagles fly, you might wonder if they ever flap, This question is important, because by the time birds are as big as condors, theory tells us they are dependent on soaring to get around. Our results revealed the amount the birds flapped didnt change substantially with the weather. This suggests that decisions about when and where to land are crucial, as not only do condors need to be able to take off again, but unnecessary landings will add significantly to their overall flight costs. As all the birds we studied were immature, it demonstrated that low investment in flight is possible even in the early years of a condors life, said Swansea Universitys Professor Emily Shepard, co-author of the study. Closer examination showed the challenges the birds faced as they moved between weak thermals. The condors were seen to flap more as they reached the end of the glides between thermals when they were likely to be closer to the ground. This is a critical time as birds need to find rising air to avoid an unplanned landing. These risks are higher when moving between thermal updrafts, said senior author Dr. Sergio Lambertucci, a researcher at the Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET. Thermals can behave like lava lamps, with bubbles of air rising intermittently from the ground when the air is warm enough. Birds may therefore arrive in the right place for a thermal, but at the wrong time. This is a nice example of where the behavior of the birds can provide insight into the behavior of the air. The study was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. _____ H. J. Williams et al. Physical limits of flight performance in the heaviest soaring bird. PNAS, published online July 13, 2020; doi: 10.1073/pnas.1907360117 Coping with quarantine life, staying home in lockdown and bingeing your favourite foods to ease out work life stress, siblings would have made quite a few unforgettable memories by now. So when it comes to prepping for Raksha Bandhan 2020, sisters have got choices aplenty to extend their wish, for their brothers safety, with the sacred thread that has undergone innovation yet again. Rakhis with slogans such as this one are in high demand ahead of Raksha Bandhan this year. Online shopping websites and social media are flooded with rakhis that extend messages such as Stay Safe Bhai. Noida-based Shramita Govin, who is selling these rakhis as part of her collection, says, People are finding the rakhi with theme of Stay Safe Bhai interesting, and ordering it like anything. Raksha Bandhan will be different this year and girls want the festival to be sweet yet relevant for their families. Online kaafi queries aa rahi hain... And one rakhi is for 150 plus shipping charges. In addition, people are also ordering for Nutella themed rakhi; I believe thats because people have consumed so much of it during the lockdown. This year is different since many wont be able to celebrate rakhi in the physical presence of their siblings. Thats why this year our effort is to make the occasion memorable and enjoyable while keeping social distancing norms in the picture. Therefore, we have designed rakhis with tag lines of Quarantine Bro and Stay At Home, says Shuchi Pandya, founder, Pipa.Bella. She adds that in view of the pandemic, Our endeavour is that even though some siblings may not be able to celebrate together, we can help to keep their bond alive through some humour, quirk, and witty memorabilia. In addition, we have also launched the Hipster Bro and Headphone Bhai rakhis, which double up as bottle openers! For those in healthcare services, we have introduced a new design of doctor rakhi with a metal stethoscope because its really relevant right now. Amtosh Singh, director of an online portal Another design that is selling like hot cakes is the rakhi with a stethoscope icon at the centre. Amtosh Singh, director, PropShop24.com, which had introduced this design last year, says, Its quite likely that sisters whose brothers are doctors wont be able to meet each other during the pandemic. Those in healthcare services are rendering their services at the frontline and self-quarantining as well. Its for them that we have specially introduced a new design of doctor rakhi with a metal stethoscope because its really relevant right now. And we have already sold over 300 of these rakhis. Last year, we didnt sell these many, but given the situation this year, the festival of rakhi will be much more emotional and shall highlight how doctors are playing a significant role in the fight against corona. Ahmedabad-based Jaishika Dhanetwal has come up with these rakhis. Besides a prayer for the brother who is a corona warrior, sisters are also planning to revive their lockdown memories on this Raksha Bandhan. If its your brother who played the Ludo King till wee hours of the morning, theres a rakhi for you, too. Jaishika Dhanetwal, owner of Ahmedabad-based brand Festival Mall, is selling rakhis themes on Ludo, priced at 80. There is a lot of craze for this rakhi. Ive over 100 plus designs in conceptual rakhis and Ludo King is one of the hot favourites. Maximum people were connected and entertained themselves during the lockdown through Ludo. So we conceptualised this rakhi design to help them make new memories of their time spent in quarantine! And when talking about lockdown, then how can food cravings be missed! If you wish to have food as a memorabilia for your brothers rakhi, check out designs by Shipra Batra on social media. There are rakhis created with miniature foods that are handmade using clay polymer. Batra says, These are quarantine special rakhis because of all the yummy food people made and consumed during this period. We are over booked, to be honest, and in the last few days of taking orders. So, whats the message on your bhais rakhi this year? Author tweets @Nainaarora8 Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Source: Xinhua| 2020-07-15 13:58:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States has withdrawn its troops from five bases in Afghanistan and maintains its force level in the country at mid-8,000s, fulfilling its obligation under the U.S.-Taliban deal signed in late February, the U.S. Department of Defense said Tuesday. "U.S. forces in Afghanistan remain in the mid-8,000s and five bases formerly occupied by U.S. forces have been transferred to our Afghan partners," Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement. Hoffman urged all sides to "reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan." According to the agreement signed on Feb. 29 between the United States and the Afghan Taliban, the United States would reduce its forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 within 135 days till July 13. Last month, Commander of U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie indicated at an event that the United States had met its obligation ahead of schedule. "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said, adding "we're at that number now." The agreement also called for a full withdrawal of the U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by May 2021 if the Taliban meets the conditions of the deal, including severing ties with terrorist groups. The war in Afghanistan, which has caused about 2,400 U.S. military deaths, is the longest one in U.S. history. President Donald Trump has long complained about its endlessness and sought a full withdrawal from Afghanistan. Enditem Increased cooperation between producers and buyers, digitalisation across the value-chain, investment in infrastructure and research and development in innovative technologies will play a pivotal role in positioning natural gas as a fuel of choice for the 21st century global economy. These were some of the key messages by international gas industry leaders and panellists who participated in the 3rd GECF Annual Workshop on Promotion of Natural Gas Demand held virtually and organised by the GECF (Gas Exporting Countries Forum) The speakers opined that natural gas is the fuel that can achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of Paris Agreement as its credentials far outweigh that of other energy sources such as coal and oil. Welcoming the audience, GECF Secretary General Yury Sentyurin said: We recognise the vital role that natural gas has to play in energy transition and sustainable development as we strive for energy security for all nations. Now more than ever, there must be a spirit of collective collaboration amongst industry players in order to sustain existing markets, and more so to create new promising ones. We also recognise the crucial role of digitalisation as we strive to reduce cost across the natural gas value chain and enhance the competitiveness of natural gas. Sentyurin noted the workshop was instrumental in increasing awareness of natural gas within the framework of global energy security and provided potential strategies to promote natural gas demand, some of which include the crucial role of advocacy for natural gas, government policies that need to encourage natural gas utilisation, cooperation amongst market stakeholders, the role of technological disruptions, importance of robust pricing mechanisms to secure sustainability of supply, investment in infrastructure in consumer countries, and other actions that will be studied further in the GECF Secretariat for future actions. The keynote speakers included President of International Gas Union (IGU) Joe Kang, Executive Chairman of African Energy Chamber N J Ayuk, Chairman of Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) Magdy Galal, and Vice-President LNG Marketing and Trading of Petronas Shamsairi Mohd Ibrahim. Referring to the IGUs latest report, Gas Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Future, Kang spoke about the potential that technology can offer in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy access. He also highlighted the urgency of investment decisions to be made if this potential is to be realised. Ayuk emphasised the crucial need for development of the gas industry in Africa through investment in infrastructure and industries. In his comments, Dr Galal pointed out the steps taken by the Egyptian government in stemming the decline in consumption in Egypt due to the Covid-19 impact. The country saw a drop in demand by 13 per cent between January and May 2020 compared to last year. He said despite the government having lowered the price of gas in the industrial sector, more incentives were needed to be provided by it, especially in the upstream activity by providing flexible terms in the concession agreements. Over the long-term, he said, serious actions should be considered by the gas industry in terms of adapting new strategies to ensure sustainability of the business. This might include significant structural and organisational changes. Speaking on behalf of Petronas, Ibrahim said the rising number of LNG importing countries, from merely 15 in 2005 to 39 countries in 2019, shows that LNG is well positioned to prosper as the most significant source of energy in the future. He also highlighted some solutions including LNG bunkering, virtual pipeline system, small-scale break-bulking and vertical integration that will create new and niche markets. Furthermore, Ibrahim stated that the value of natural gas should be preserved while creating a level-playing field between producers and consumers. GECF Gas Market Analysis Department Head Mahdjouba Belaifa spoke about the importance of the annual workshop for the industry and the GECFs role in aligning many voices as one voice. She explained that in the previous two workshops the key identified areas for natural gas were held with a focus on cost competitiveness, policy advocacy, importance of long-term oil indexed contracts for the security of supply, development of infrastructure, and new business models. She highlighted some of the proposed actions after the workshops such as reinforcement of dialogue, role of R&D, fair access to technology, engagement of policymakers in advocacy for fair policies towards natural gas, the role of social media to sensitise various segments of the public, as well as digital technologies to improve productivity. In the first panel discussion, Improving the competitiveness of natural gas through Cost Optimisation and Digitalisation, the participants discussed a number of themes affecting the global gas and LNG markets. Moderated by Stuart Elliot, Senior Writer of European Gas & LNG at S&P Global Platts, joining this debate were Robbin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy and Vincent Demoury, General Delegate of International Group of LNG Importers (GIIGNL). Mills focused his views on the Middle East region, where he mentioned that gas demand growth is expected to shift from power to the industrial sector in the long-term due to increasing renewables deployment and improved efficiency. As it relates to a gas surplus in the region, this could bring several opportunities, including new lighter industries, intra-regional export projects (gas, LNG and electricity), enhanced oil recovery, hydrogen production, and expansion of e-vehicles, which will support a growth in electricity demand. Demoury held the view that although LNG has been growing at a healthy pace over the last few years it faces several challenges in a post-COVID-19 world, including economic growth, volatility, affordability, and environmental policies. As such, there is a need that producers, consumers, and policymakers work together to develop methodologies and invest in technology for decarbonising the gas industry and innovation to improve its competitiveness and sustainability. The second panel, Adapting to new gas market realities in a post-COVID-19 situation: Low Prices and Weakened Demand, was moderated by Nikolay Kozhanov, Research Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Centre at the Qatar University, and featured the presentations of Ayuk, as well as Sergei Komlev, Head of Contract Structuring and Pricing Directorate from Gazprom Export and Mike Fulwood, Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Fulwood maintained that while there are opportunities for growth in gas demand in Sub-Saharan Africa and emerging Asian LNG markets, gas will continue to face competition from coal in Asia. On the other hand, Sergei drew the audiences attention to spot prices which he believed tended to overreact to even minor market imbalances while in his opinion oil-indexation provided a more stable gas price. NJ Ayuk reiterated the issue of lack of infrastructure in Africa, in particular, a deficit in regasification facilities. He signalled out the huge potential of gas monetisation in Africa, where gas industry development will trigger social and economic growth and create jobs. Established in 2008 and geadquartered in Doha, Qatar, GECF is an international governmental organisation of 20 member countries, including Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Norway, Oman, Peru, and the UAE. Together they control 72 per cent of the proven gas reserves, 46 per cent of its marketed production, 55 per cent of pipeline, and 61 per cent of LNG exports across the globe. GECF increasingly engages with UN agencies, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable growth, Asean, EEC, Opec, OAPEC, APPO, IEF, IEA, Irena, Olade, IGU, other peers, and regional entities, as well as maintains strategic multifaceted dialogue amongst natural gas producers and consumers. q More than one million Australians could potentially lose their job and go on the dole if JobKeeper wage subsidies are abruptly withdrawn at the end of September, economists fear. The federal government's $1,500 a fortnight scheme is now supporting 3.3million workers whose employers have suffered a financial hit from the coronavirus shutdowns and lockdowns. While many businesses are hiring again as COVID-19 restrictions are eased outside of Victoria, economists fear up to a third of workers on the $70billion JobKeeper program would struggle to stay employed without taxpayer help. Cafes and restaurants in central Sydney and Melbourne are in particular danger, as the Gold Coast struggles in the absence of international tourists. Scroll down for video More than one million Australians could potentially lose their job and go on the dole if JobKeeper wage subsidies are abruptly withdrawn at the end of September, economists fear. Pictured is Melbourne's Bourke Street on July 12 following new lockdowns. The Victorian capital's central business district has 6,693 JobKeeper recipients The Westpac bank predicted 2.2million workers would survive financially without JobKeeper when the scheme ended on September 27. JobKeeper hot spots by postcode New South Wales SYDNEY 2000: 10,290 on JobKeeper SURRY HILLS, DARLINGHURST 2010: 2,982 GOSFORD 2250: 2,693 BONDI 2026: 2,075 Victoria MELBOURNE 3000: 6,693 Queensland BRISBANE 4000: 3,048 SURFERS PARADISE 4217: 2,947 SOUTHPORT 4215: 2,439 Source: Treasury data on JobKeeper applications Advertisement That would leave more than one million workers on JobKeeper who faced losing their job unless the wage subsidies program was extended. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has angrily rejected suggestions from Labor the government was planning to abruptly end JobKeeper and not extend the program as Australia dealt with the sharpest economic downturn since the 1930s Great Depression. 'Regrettably the Labor Party has engaged in fear mongering during a pandemic and I think this is disgraceful,' he said on Friday. Westpac calculated 724,418 JobKeeper recipients in the most vulnerable industries would still need wage subsidies after the September end date. Almost half, or 313,582 of them, are in hospitality with the rest in arts and recreation (129,104), education and training (124,034) and transport, postal and warehousing (157,698). These workers make up 22 per cent of those now receiving JobKeeper. Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said one million Australian workers overall would still need to continue receiving JobKeeper benefits until Christmas. 'Those industries that are going to be affected by the extension of social distancing, by the extension of foreign travel restrictions will get an extension in JobKeeper,' he said. 'We think there will be about a million jobs will retain the JobKeeper benefit for the three months after September.' The federal government's $1,500 a fortnight scheme is now supporting 3.3million workers whose employers have suffered a financial hit from the coronavirus shutdowns and lockdowns. Pictured is an empty restaurant at Circular Quay in Sydney's CBB which has 10,290 JobKeeper recipients Others who didn't receive a JobKeeper extension could end up on the dole, just as the $550 a fortnight coronavirus supplement boost to the usual $565.70 JobSeeker payment ended. 'Inevitably, some employees will have to transition from JobKeeper to unemployment benefits,' Westpac said. In May, the number of Australians officially unemployed swelled to 927,600 - the highest number since December 1993 - as the jobless rate rose to a 19-year high of 7.1 per cent. In May, Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy told a Senate hearing Australia would have a jobless rate of 15 per cent, the highest since the 1930s, if it wasn't for JobKeeper. A short bus ride away Bondi Beach, postcode 2026, has 2,075 on taxpayer-funded wage subsidies Mr Evans predicted 500,000 workers now on JobKeeper, including those in the aviation sector, would need to continue receiving fortnightly wage subsidies between January and June 2021, calculating the government would need to spend $24billion extending the existing $70billion program. 'That hardcore 500,000 will receive JobKeeper going to June next year,' he said. Sydney's central business district, postcode 2000, has 10,290 JobKeeper recipients, by far the highest in Australia, Treasury figures showed. Another 2,982 are in the nearby postcode of 2010, which takes in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, the home of previously packed gay nightclubs and bars. A short bus ride away Bondi Beach, postcode 2026, has 2,075 on taxpayer-funded wage subsidies. Melbourne's city centre, postcode 3000, has 6,693 workers on JobKeeper. The tourism-focused Gold Coast also has a high number of JobKeeper recipients with 2,947 at Surfers Paradise (pictured), postcode 4217, and another 2,439 at Southport, postcode 4215 The CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne both suffered a 10.6 per cent jobs plunge, between March 14 and May 30, as COVID-19 shutdowns hit cafes and hospitality businesses, Australian Bureau of Statistics payroll data showed. Many of them are still struggling as more white collar professionals shun the city and continue working from home. The tourism-focused Gold Coast also has a high number of JobKeeper recipients with 2,947 at Surfers Paradise, postcode 4217, and another 2,439 at Southport, postcode 4215. The Central Coast north of Sydney also has a high number of JobKeeper recipients with 2,693 at Gosford, postcode 2250. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is due to deliver an economic statement on July 23 outlining the future of JobKeeper. Apple's clash with EU competition regulators comes to a head tonight as Europe's second-highest court rules on whether it has to pay 13 billion ($21 billion) in Irish back taxes, a key part of the EU's crackdown against sweetheart tax deals. In its order four years ago, the European Commission said Apple benefited from illegal state aid via two Irish tax rulings that artificially reduced its tax burden for over two decades - to as low as 0.005 per cent in 2014. Defeat for European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager could weaken or delay pending cases against IKEA's and Nike's deals with the Netherlands, as well as Huhtamaki's agreement with Luxembourg. European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has made the tax crackdown on multinationals like Apple a centrepiece of her time in office. Credit:AP Vestager, who has made the tax crackdown a centrepiece of her time in office, saw the same court last year overturn her demand for Starbucks to pay up to 30 million in Dutch back taxes. In another case, the court also threw out her ruling against a Belgian tax scheme for 39 multinationals. To the Editor: Re An Opinion Editor and Writer at The New York Times Quits (Business Day, July 15): I read Bari Weisss resignation letter with well, a sense of resignation. And elation. Resignation because youre losing a fresh, skeptical voice. Elation because she called you out on your new toxic woke culture and put her money where her mouth is. I identify as a left-leaning centrist. My education trained me to greet the world with an open mind. I believe in dialogue, not debate. And as a Times reader since college, I can see it plain as day: The Times has largely abandoned dialogue when it comes to cultural issues and ideas. Youve handed the keys to Americas greatest paper to a strident, new orthodoxy that will not tolerate intellectual diversity. God, how sad. I used to love reading William Safires column in The Times; I didnt agree with his politics, but I celebrated his dexterity with the language. I never thought Id turn to The American Conservative for comfort, but at least it has the guts to publish controversial opinions that run counter to conservative orthodoxy. I used to get that from The Times. Want to know how to sell more papers? Publish a greater diversity of ideas, generate more conversation and, every once in a while, make a Jacobin mad. Technavio has been monitoring the global maternity intimate wear market size and it is poised to grow by USD 347.31 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005792/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Maternity Intimate Wear Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Belly Bandit, Cake Maternity, Destination Maternity Corp., Hanesbrands Inc., JoJo Maman Bebe, Lamaze International, Mamaway Maternity, Medela AG, Thyme Maternity, and Tytex AS are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. The growth in online sales has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Maternity Intimate Wear Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Maternity Intimate Wear Market is segmented as below: Product Bras Panties Others Distribution Channel Offline Online Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40234 Maternity Intimate Wear Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our maternity intimate wear market report covers the following areas: Maternity Intimate Wear Market size Maternity Intimate Wear Market trends Maternity Intimate Wear Market industry analysis This study identifies the increasing demand for antimicrobial and eco-friendly maternity intimate wear as one of the prime reasons driving the maternity intimate wear market growth during the next few years. Maternity Intimate Wear Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the maternity intimate wear market, including some of the vendors such as Belly Bandit, Cake Maternity, Destination Maternity Corp., Hanesbrands Inc., JoJo Maman Bebe, Lamaze International, Mamaway Maternity, Medela AG, Thyme Maternity, and Tytex AS. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the maternity intimate wear market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Maternity Intimate Wear Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024 Detailed information on factors that will assist maternity intimate wear market growth during the next five years Estimation of the maternity intimate wear market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the maternity intimate wear market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of maternity intimate wear market vendors Table Of Contents : PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface 2.2 Preface 2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT Market segmentation by product Comparison by product Bras Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Panties Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by product PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL Market segmentation by distribution channel Comparison by distribution channel Offline Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Online Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Market opportunity by distribution channel PART 09: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024 North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024 South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 12: MARKET TRENDS Increasing innovation in comfort, appearance, and quality of maternity intimate wear Increasing demand for antimicrobial and ecofriendly maternity intimate wear Customization of maternity intimate products PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Belly Bandit Cake Maternity Destination Maternity Corp. Hanesbrands Inc. JoJo Maman Bebe Lamaze International Mamaway Maternity Medela AG Thyme Maternity Tytex AS PART 15: APPENDIX Research methodology List of abbreviations Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 16: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200715005792/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ JACKSON, Miss., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Routine well-child care and vaccinations have declined dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as parents avoid medical services to mitigate the transmission of the coronavirus. While Magnolia Health (Magnolia) recognizes the health concerns of Mississippi communities, it encourages parents to continue to schedule checkup appointments and get early vaccinations for young children to protect against preventable diseases. The stay-at-home orders to control the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused individuals to question the safety of health clinics and the significance of childhood checkups. Specifically, among children aged five months, vaccination rates have declined from approximately two-thirds (66.3%) of children during 2016 2019 to fewer than half (49.7%) in May 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reports similar trends among older children as well, with non-influenza vaccination rates decreasing by 21.5% for children under 18 years old and younger. "With lower than normal vaccination coverage among all age groups, children may be at higher risk for vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, and more," said Aaron Sisk, plan president & CEO of Magnolia Health. "Even during these uncertain times, it's important that we continue to encourage everyone to protect themselves, including getting immunizations to protect children from preventable health complications." Using telehealth services, a physician will be able to deliver healthcare services such as well-child care exams. Amid the pandemic, Magnolia has implemented the following guidelines for telehealth services: The Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) has extended its coverage of enhanced telehealth services through the end of the public health emergency. The policy improves access for beneficiaries by allowing them to receive telehealth services in their homes without a telepresenter present, cutting back on unnecessary travel, clinic visits and possible exposure. Beneficiaries can use their cell phones, computers or other devices to receive care from a DOM-approved distant-site provider. The policy also increases the types of providers who can deliver telehealth services, including Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. For more information, view the Emergency Telehealth Policy and FAQs at: https://medicaid.ms.gov/coronavirus-updates/. In-person visits are still an option too, as hospitals and health clinics across Mississippi have been regularly updating safety procedures to help avoid coronavirus transmission. Throughout the pandemic, healthcare workers have continued to support communities with their health needs using personal protective equipment to safeguard themselves and patients, so parents can feel comfortable in scheduling necessary doctor appointments for their children. To help ease the uncertainty of clinic visits, Magnolia encourages parents to take steps that can further help to protect themselves and their family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are a few safety steps that can help the entire family prepare for in-person visits: Before scheduling a doctor appointment, call the clinic or check its website to find out what is being done to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the day of the doctor visit, parents may receive a call from the clinic asking about any symptoms of COVID-19 across the family. Be sure to follow standard precautions during the doctor visit: wear a face mask, wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, and cover mouth while coughing or sneezing with tissue. Practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others (this may be indicated by markings on the floor). Avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator surfaces, and touchpads. Be mindful of the surfaces young children touch and are in contact with. Use touchless payment options such as a mobile payment system. If that is not an option, use credit cards if possible. Magnolia can help members connect with their primary care physician, either through telehealth services or in-person visits. Members can use the Find a Provider tool at www.mangnoliahealthplan.com or call their Magnolia representative at 1-866-912-6285 (Relay 711). For more information Magnolia services and benefits, please visit www.magnoliahealthplan.com. About Magnolia Health Magnolia Health is a long-term solution to help the state of Mississippi enhance care for Medicaid recipients, while most effectively managing taxpayer dollars. A physician-driven, Mississippi-based Coordinated Care Organization (CCO), Magnolia is backed by its parent company, Centene Corporation (Centene). Centene has more than 30 years of experience in Medicaid and other government-funded programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and long-term care. For more information about Magnolia, visit www.magnoliahealthplan.com. SOURCE Magnolia Health Related Links http://www.magnoliahealthplan.com